Toward the latter end of May the British army at Boston received large reinforcements under John Burgoyne, Sir Henry Clinton, and Sir William Howe.* According to Frothingham, as the ships entered the harbor, the rebel camp was pointed out to Burgoyne, who, when informed that about 10,000 provincials were beleaguering a town garrisoned by 5,000 of the king's regular troops, scornfully exclaimed: "What! ten thousand peasants keep five thousand king's troops shut up! Well; let us get in, and we'll soon find elbow room."† The soldiers were quartered whereever room could be found, the officers in many cases dwelling in private houses; the Old South Church was appropriated as a riding school for the

dragoons.* As before, disputes arose between the soldiers and people, each endeavoring to secure evidence against the other. The people accused the soldiers of inciting an uprising of the negro slaves, and the soldiers claimed they had evidence that the people intended to massacre all the British officers residing in private houses. On June 12 Gage issued a proclamation placing the entire province under martial law, and promising to pardon those who should lay down their arms, but he excepted Samuel Adams and John Hancock "whose offences are of too flagitious a nature to admit of any other consideration than that of condign punishment." Gage held out tempting al

* See Fisher, Struggle for American Independence, vol. i., p. 334 and the authority cited, Carter, General Detail of the Blockade of Boston, p. S. Clarke, An Impartial and Authentic Account of the Battle of Bunker Hill, p. 25.

Frothingham, Siege of Boston, p. 113; Thacher, Military Journal, p. 22; Trevelyan, American Revolution, vol. i., p. 297.

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lurements to the American officers (among them Putnam and Stark) in the shape of promises of rank in the British army and large pecuniary compensation, to leave the patriot service, but these offers were spurned by the Americans.*

At this time the Continental troops numbered about 16,000 ment and while the troops were still in good condition and eager for battle, it was thought an opportune moment to strike a decisive blow against the British. It was known also that Gage had intended to assume the offensive at the earliest opportunity. Accordingly, in order to cut Gage's communication with the country, Colonel William Prescott with about 1,200 men, including a company of artillery and two field pieces, was ordered to proceed at nightfall and occupy Bunker Hill, a bold eminence at the northern extremity of Charlestown. At the head of the troops marched General Putnam. Instead of occupying Bunker Hill, the troops miscalculated|| and passed beyond and began operations

Livingston, Life of Putnam, pp. 200–201.

Of these Connecticut furnished 2,300, New Hampshire and Rhode Island each about 1,100, and Massachusetts the rest. Trevelyan, American Revolution, vol. i., pp. 292–293.

Livingston, Life of Putnam, p. 217.

As to whether this was a "mistake," as stated in the account by the committee of safety, see Frothingham, p. 123. Henry B. Carrington, in his Battles of the American Revolution, p. 94, says that the occupation of Breed's Hill was undoubtedly a departure from the text of the original instructions but that Gridley's judgment was wise and proper. See also Livingston, Life of Putnam, pp. 217-218.

on Breed's Hill, near the southern termination of the peninsula, and overlooking and commanding Boston. There, under the direction of the engi neer, Colonel Richard Gridley, the soldiers silently and diligently worked through the long hours of the night, and so effectively that by dawn an extensive redoubt had been thrown up on the crest of the hill. Other intrenchments were under way also.*

Upon discovering what the Americans had done, the British were greatly astonished; the daring and boldness of the provincials completely astounded them. The ships in the harbort immediately began a severe bombardment of the entrenchments and the batteries at Boston also hurled a few shots in the same direction, but with little effect. While at first some of the soldiers were unnerved by the killing of a soldier, the rest of the American army soon became accustomed to the fusillade of cannon balls about them; and, being encouraged by the example of Prescott, they labored on, quite undisturbed by the bombardment. By noon, as a result of the

*

Bancroft, vol. iv., pp. 213–216. See also the account by General James Wilkinson, reprinted in Abbatt's edition of Heath's Memoirs, pp. 367368.

The ships in the harbor were the Somerset, 68 guns, the Cerberus, 36 guns, the Glasgow, 24 guns, the Lively, 20 guns, the Falcon, and the Symmetry, a transport, with 18 nine-pounders.— Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. i., p. 539, note.

Frothingham, Siege of Boston, p. 125; Carrington, Battles of the American Revolution, pp. 97-98; Trevelyan, American Revolution, vol. i., pp. 300-303.