ple to be wary and vigilant, 1775. It was voted that the colonies ought circumstances, recommending the peoto be put in a posture of defence; and Congress ordered the enlistment of troops, the construction of forts at various points, the provision of arms, ammunition and military stores, etc. In order to meet the expense of these various measures, they authorized the emission of notes to the amount of $3,000,000, bearing the inscription of "THE UNITED COLONIES;" the faith of the confederacy being pledged for their redemption. The Massachusetts Convention had requested Congress to assume the direction of the forces before Boston; and it was now resolved to raise ten additional companies of riflemen in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, to be paid out of the public funds. Committees were appointed to prepare reports on subjects connected with the defence of the country, and such was the opinion already entertained of Washington's abilities and judgment, that he was chosen to preside over them. While sincerely desirous of effecting an amicable settlement of the questions in dispute with the mother country, Washington had already come to the conclusion that an appeal to arms was inevitable, and he was in favor of making vigorous preparation for so momentous an issue. The appointment of a commanderin-chief of the Continental Army was one of the most difficult and delicate duties which Congress was at any time called upon to discharge. There were several men of note, who might reasonably aspire to this distinguished honor; there were local jealousies and prejudices in the way of unanimity; and it was of the very highest importance, that the man selected should be acceptable to all the colonies. The subject was debated among the members with some anxiety, and a profound sense of the magnitude of the interests involved. Washington seemed, on the whole, from the very first, to be the most acceptable; but as there were older men in arms, as General Ward was already in command before Boston, as military etiquette is always a most troublesome matter to deal with, it became somewhat doubtful how the ap Towards the close of April, the people of New York met in Convention, and appointed delegates to represent that province in Congress. About a month later, they asked the advice of Congress, as to the course to be pursued towards the troops soon ex-pointment of Washington would be pected to arrive there from England. That body gave advice adapted to the received. On the other hand, the importance of Virginia in the impending CH. XIII.] WASHINGTON CHOSEN COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. struggle with the mother country, and the necessity of doing every thing reasonable to keep alive the ardent patriotism and self-sacrificing spirits of its wealthy aristocracy, rendered it every way desirable to choose a commanderin-chief from that colony. Accordingly, June 15th, Washington was nominated by Johnson of Maryland, and unanimously chosen.* We who have the advantage of retrospect, can now see most clearly, that Washington was the man, if not the only man, competent for the discharge of the duties which were imposed upon him. All his previous course had tended to fit him for the post, and we may reverently believe, that God favored the cause of our country, when He raised up such a man to take command of her army, and conduct to a successful issue the American Revolution. The next day Washington returned thanks to the House for the signal honor done him by Congress, and modestly expressing his doubt in respect to his fitness for the post, and asking it to be remembered by every gentleman in the room, in view of what might happen, that he did not think himself equal to the command placed in his trust, he begged to decline receiving any pay for his services. "As no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me," were his words, "to accept this arduous employment, at the * Mr. Curtis has a long and interesting note on this point, the conclusion of which is, "There can be no doubt, that Washington was chosen commander-inchief for his unquestionable merits, and not as a compromise between sectional interests and local jealousies."—" History of the Constitution," vol. i., p. 41-48. 357 expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses. Those, I doubt not, Congress will discharge; and that is all I desire." On the 20th of June, Washington received his commission,* and the members of Congress pledged themselves, by a unanimous resolve, to maintain, assist, and adhere to him, with their lives and fortunes, in the 1.775. cause of liberty and right. Four majorgenerals, Artemas Ward, Israel Putnam, Philip Schuyler, and Charles Lee, were appointed directly after ; as were also eight brigadier-generals, Seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, William Heath, Joseph *It was in the following words: "To George Washington, Esq. :-We, reposing special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, conduct, and fidelity, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be general and commander-in-chief of the army of the United Colonies, and of all the forces now raised, or to be raised by them, and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their services, and join the said army for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof; and you are hereby vested with full power and authority to act as you shall think for the good and welfare of the service. And we do hereby strictly charge and re quire all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders, and diligent in the ex ercise of their several duties. And we do also enjoin and require you, to be careful in executing the great trust reposed in you, by causing strict discipline and order to be observed in the army, and that the soldiers be duly exercised, and provided with all con venient necessaries. And you are to regulate your Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, and Nathaniel Greene. Horatio Gates, at Washington's request, was added, as adjutant-general, with the rank of brigadier. Both Gates and Lee were foreign born, and Congress would not have appointed them to these high posts, had not Washington requested it. Unfortunately they were, both of them, sources of trouble and annoyance to the commander-in-chief at a later date. Washington made all speed to enter apon his command. He left Philadelphia on the 21st of June, receiving everywhere on the road the most cordial expressions of regard and confidence; heard in New York the news of the battle of Bunker's Hill; and, on the 2d of July, reached head-quarters at Cambridge. It is hardly needful to say, that the army received him with enthusiasm and hearty welcome. Previous to this, at the latter end of May, General Gage had received large reinforcements, under Burgoyne, Clinton, and Howe. As the ships entered the harbor, says Mr. Irving, and the "rebel camp" was pointed out, ten thousand yeomanry beleaguering a town garrisoned by five thousand reg * In New York, Mr. Livingston, as president of the New York Congress, delivered a congratulatory address to Washington. The latter part of it is worth quoting, because of its significant hint of the prevalent unwillingness to entrust extensive military powers to any man: "Confiding in you, sir, and in the worthy generals immediately under your command, we have the most flattering hopes of success in the glorious struggle for American liberty, and the fullest assurances, that whenever this important contest shall be decided, by that fondest wish of every American soul, an accommodation with our mother country, you will cheerfully resign the important deposit committed to your hands, and reassume the character of Our worthiest citizen." ulars, Burgoyne could not restrain a burst of surprise and scorn. "What!" cried he, "ten thousand peasants keep five thousand king's troops shut up! Well; let us get in, and we'll soon find elbow room." On the 12th of June, Gage proclaimed the province under martial law, offering pardon to all who would lay down their arms, excepting, however, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams, whose offences, it was said, were "too flagitious, not to meet with condign punishment." The Continental troops now numbered some sixteen thousand men, and it was thought high time for something more decisive to be done. Private information having been received, that Gage intended to assume the offensive, Colonel Prescott, in order more completely to cut off the communication with the country, was dispatched with about a thousand men, including a company of artillery and two field-pieces, to proceed at nightfall and take possession of Bunker's Hill, a bold eminence at the northern extremity of the peninsula of Charlestown. By some mistake, however, the party went past Bunker's Hill, and commenced operations on Breed's Hill, near the southern termination of the peninsula, and overlooking and commanding Boston. There, directed by the engineer, Colonel Gridley, and under cover of the darkness, they worked away, silently, but very vigorously; so that when morning dawned, they had thrown up a considerable redoubt on the crest of the hill, and were still actively employed in endeavoring to complete the remainder of the entrench ments. CH. XIII.] 1775. THE BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL. It was a matter of very great astonishment to the British general, to find that the Americans had dared to take the bold step of occupying the hill, where they were entrenching themselves. A cannonading was immediately opened upon them by the ships in the harbor and the batteries in Boston. But the provincials, though at first somewhat shaken by the death of one of their party, who had ventured outside the works, labored on, undisturbed by the firing of the British. By noon, they had thrown up a breastwork, extending from the redoubt down the northern slope of the hill toward the water. It was plain, that if the Americans succeeded in mounting cannon in the redoubt, they would command the harbor, and might render it impossible to hold Boston itself. General Gage, therefore, resolved to dislodge the Americans at once. Despising the raw militia, he ordered the troops to land in front of the works, and push directly up the hill, it never having entered his mind that they would stand their ground against veteran soldiers. Three thousand men, picked corps of the British army, led by Generals Howe and Pigot, undertook this service of expelling the Americans from their position. To all appearance this would not be a difficult task; for the provincial troops, jaded with their severe work through the night just past, hungry and thirsty, having brought but scanty supplies, oppressed by the heat, and unsupported by reinforcements or provisions needful in the emergency, were in but an ill condition to sustain an attack from 359 hearty, vigorous soldiers, such as were now marching up the hill side. Yet they faltered not; they were ready to do and to die in defence of liberty. Just before the action commenced, Stark, with two New Hampshire regiments, reached the battle-ground, and took up a position on the left of the breastwork, but at some considerable distance in the rear, under cover of a novel kind of rampart, made by pulling up the rail fences, placing them in parallel lines some three or four feet apart, and filling the intervening space with new mown hay from the adjacent meadows. It was about three in the afternoon, when the British troops advanced to the assault. Formed in two lines, and stopping at times to give the artillery opportunities to play, they marched slowly forward, confident of victory, and supported by redoubled fire from the ships and batteries. The hills all about Boston, and the roofs and steeples of the churches, were crowded with spectators, anxiously watching the approaching conflict. Not a single shot was wasted by the Americans. In deep but ominous silence, they allowed the enemy to approach within thirty or forty paces, when they opened upon them with a most deadly discharge; every shot telling upon the British troops. The slaughter was immense, and the regulars fell back in disorder to the landing place. Rallied by their officers, who were equally astounded and angry at the result, they advanced again; and again the same deadly fire, drove them back, some even retreating to the boats. Charlestown was set on fire by Gage's orders, adding new horrors to the scene. General Clinton General Clinton hastened from Boston, to give aid and encouragement, but it was with the greatest difficulty that the troops were rallied and led a third time up the hill. "The thunder of artillery from batteries and ships; the bursting of bombshells; the sharp discharges of musketry; the shouts and yells of the combatants; the crash of burning buildings, and the dense volumes of smoke, which obscured the summer sun, all formed a tremendous spectacle." The ammunition of the Americans was nearly expended, and no supply was at hand. The British troops also brought some cannon to bear, which raked the inside of the breastwork from end to end. The fire from the ships, batteries, and field artillery was incessant, and the soldiers were goaded on by their officers. The redoubt was attacked on three sides at once. Under these circumstances, Prescott ordered a retreat, but the provincials delayed, and made resistance with their discharged muskets, as if they had been clubs, so long, that the regulars, who easily mounted the works, had half filled the redoubt, before it was given up to them. While these operations were going on at the breastwork and redoubt, the British light infantry were attempting to force the left point of the former, that they might take the American line in flank. Though they exhibited undaunted courage, they met with an opposition which called for its greatest exertions. The provincials here, under the veteran Stark, in like manner, reserved their fire till their adversaries were near, and then poured it upon the light infantry, with such an incessant stream, and in so true a direction, as mowed down their ranks. The The engagement was kept up on both sides with great resolution. The persevering exertions of the regulars could not compel the Americans to retreat, till they observed that their main body had left the hill. They then slowly retired, disputing the ground, inch by inch, and made good their retreat over the Neck, under a galling fire from the ships and batteries, which, however, was not productive of serious injury. They fell back, and entrenched themselves on Prospect Hill, only about a mile from the field of battle. The English troops felt no disposition to pursue them, but were content to remain in possession of their dearly bought victory. 66 We have dwelt somewhat at large upon the incidents just narrated. The occasion well deserves it, for no subsequent conflict was of more importance than this, in its effect upon the Americans as well as the British. It was truly, as Mr. Irving says, 'most eventful in its consequences. The British had gained the ground for which they contended; but, if a victory, it was more disastrous and humiliating to them than an ordinary defeat. They had ridiculed and despised their enemy, representing them as dastardly and inefficient; yet here their best troops, led on by experienced officers, had repeatedly been repulsed by an inferior force of that enemy,-mere yeomanry, from works thrown up in a single night, and had suffered a loss rarely paralleled in battle with the |