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Foremost in this great struggle was JOSEPH WARREN, fitted alike for counsel and for action, prompt, intuitive, ardent, of bold decision, and unquenchable zeal. Whatever he determined, and he was eminently qualified to determine soundly, he was strenuous to urge and indefatigable to execute-qualities particularly serviceable at a period when even the prudent might waver and the cautious be afraid. But Warren was fearless, when the public interest, and his own glory involved, were in question.

It is for great minds to appreciate that devotion which rises with the occasion, buoyant with its own elasticity, which springs at the call of duty-sees no danger too difficult to surmount-no obstacle but to be overcome. Before it, impediments recede, and the magnitude of opposition serves but to excite higher energies to meet it.

Such characters, nurtured in revolutions, appear to be the immediate instruments in the hands of providence, of great designs. They occur rarely in an age, as if their virtues were to be the more impressive for this rarity. But for their magnanimous resolves, their heroic and inspiriting examples, their directing guides, what would have been the current of many of the happiest events that now adorn the calendar of human affairs? Without them, how precarious the tenure of liberty with life, of national existence, and political franchise?

In the annals of our country, the name of Warren is enumerated as the first victim of rank who fell in the arduous struggle with Great Britain. This distinguished person was born at Roxbury, near Boston, in 1740. He was entered of Harvard college, Cambridge, and graduated in 1759. Pursuing the study of medicine with great success, he attracted early notice, and in a few years rose to eminence in his profession as one of the ablest physicians in Boston. But other, and more pressing duties, in his mind, absorbed his interests, and urged him to make great sacrifices for his country's weal. His comprehensive intellect could not fail to perceive, in the distance, that a combination of causes was operating fast to accelerate a mighty change in the relations between Great Britain and his country. The cloud then lowering over the political horizon, portended the coming storm. He foresaw that it would burst on that portion of the state which seemed peculiarly to have an imperious claim upon his talents and his services. To be wanting on such an occasion to a full sense of duty, was reserved for souls less daring, who could purchase security at whatever price. In the estimation of Warren, a sacrifice of the emoluments of a lucrative profession was light in the comparison; setting at nought, then, the considerations that engross ordinary minds, he stepped boldly forward, the advocate of a vigorous resistance, when he saw that, between the extremes of power on the one hand, and unqualified emancipation on the other, there is no safe interval.

His eloquence as a speaker, and his talents as a writer, were conspicuous on all occasions, from the year in which the stamp act was passed, to the commencement of hostilities. He predicted, and with

an energy that appalled enemies while it animated friends, he enforced, with irrefragable ability, the great truth-that America was competent to withstand any force that could be sent against her; for that while he spoke, one hundred thousand men of New England alone, descendants of the puritans in the Charles's and James's days, were ready-men who had not lost the spirit of Englishmen under the English commonwealth.

He continued, from the year 1768, a principal member of a secret committee in Boston, which had great influence on the concerns of the country. At their meetings, plans of defence and preparation were agitated and matured, and in all these delicate proceedings, his boldness, his decision, and zeal were governed by the circumspection and wisdom with which they were happily tempered. After the destruction of the tea, and the consequent defeat of that attempt at foreign impost, the proceedings of this committee were no longer kept concealed. Warren was the avowed champion of decisive measures. His unhesitating espousal of the cause of liberty, pointed him out a leader in those times, and he was twice chosen the public orator of the town on the anniversaries of the massacre, when he delivered orations breathing all the energy of a lofty mind.

On the evening before the battle of Lexington, he obtained, through his usual indefatigable industry, early information of the intended expedition against Concord, and at ten o'clock at night despatched an express to Messrs. Hancock and Adams, who were at Lexington, to warn them of their danger. He himself followed on the next day, hovered about the enemy, and was very active during the engagement of the memorable 19th of April. It is said, in general Heath's memoirs, that a ball took off part of his ear-lock. After the departure of John Hancock to the general congress, he was chosen president of the Massachusetts congress in his place, and by his extensive influence, was of signal benefit in preserving order among the troops then assembled at Cambridge, which, in the confused state of the army, was essentially important Four days previously to the battle of Bunker's or more properly Breed's Hill, he received his commission of major general in the armies of the general congress, then held at Philadelphia.

In the morning of that eventful day the 17th of June, 1775, he repaired from head-quarters at Cambridge to Breed's Hill, in order to inspect the intrenchments and give directions personally, respecting the completion of the works. His ardor did not allow him to remain an inactive spectator, but, with a view to encourage the men, he took his station within the lines, and assisted in their defence. He was in the hottest of the action, and towards the close of it, while in the trenches, received the fatal shot that prematurely terminated his valuable life, in the thirty-fifth year of his age. Thus was cut off in the flower of his age, this gallant hero, loved, lamented, the theme of universal regret-a loss, at any time *He published one oration in 1772, and another in 1775, commemorative of the 5th of March, 1770.

deeply, but then, most poignantly felt. As Leonidas he was brave; as Leonidas he fell, with truly Spartan spirit, waging an unequal contest for the liberties of his country. But, though he did not outlive the glories of that great occasion, he had lived long enough for fame. It needed no other herald of his actions than the simple testimony of the historian, that Warren fell, foremost in the ranks of that war which he had justified by his argument, supported by his energy, and signalized by his prowess.

Dulce, et decorum est, pro patria mori.

The monument erected by his fellow citizens, on the spot where he poured out his latest breath, commemorates at once his achievement and a people's gratitude. The representation of it here given was taken on Breed's Hill, and may be depended upon for its ac

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Though untimely was his fall, and though a cloud of sorrow overspread every countenance at the recital of his fate, yet, if the love of fame be the noblest passion of the human mind, and human nature pant for distinction in the martial field, perhaps there never was a moment of more unfading glory, offered to the wishes of the brave, than that which marked the exit of this heroic officer. Still, who will not lament that he incautiously courted the post of danger, while more important occasions required a regard to personal safety?

He was endowed with a clear and vigorous understanding, a disposition humane and generous-qualities which, graced by manners affable and engaging, rendered him the idol of the army and of his friends. His powers of speech and reasoning commanded respect, and gained him influence in the Massachusetts congress, whose electing voice, together with his native intrepidity, and sanguine zeal for the cause he had embraced, induced him to enter

into the military line. His professional as well as political abilities were of the highest order. Though energetic, he was prudent and judicious in debate, generous, and, to his honour be it said, liberal towards those who entertained opposite sentiments respecting the controversy in which he was engaged-an example worthy of serious remembrance and imitation.

To the most undaunted resolution in the field, he united the softer virtues of domestic life-and embellished the wisdom of a profound statesman with the eloquence of an accomplished orator. He had been an active volunteer in several skirmishes which had occurred since the commencement of hostilities, in all of which he gave strong presages of capacity and distinction in the profession of arms. But the fond hopes of his country were to be closed in death, not, however, until he had sealed with his blood the charter of our liberties, not until he had secured that permanence of glory with which we encircle the memory, whilst we cherish the name, of WARREN.

Since our former notice of the Battle of Bunker's Hill, we have received a variety of documents, proceeding from the testimony of survivors who were in a situation, on that day, to enable them to judge of all the events connected with it; and, to the eminent character who collected them, we beg to offer our warmest acknowledgments.

The general accuracy of the plan of operations near Bunker's Hill, given in our last number, has met the approbation of his excellency John Brooks, governor of Massachusetts, major general Dearborn, Dr. A. Dexter, and the Hon. William Prescott, of Boston, son of the gallant colonel Prescott, of whom honourable mention is made in accounts of this battle; the Hon. James Winthrop, of Cambridge, and John Kettell, esq. Deacon Thomas Miller, and Dr. Bartlett, of Charlestown, who have expressed concurring opinions in favour of it, as being a faithful outline. Two doubts only were suggested.

1st. As to the position of the abbatis or hay-fence, which was hastily got up just before the action, and

2d. As to the pieces of cannon represented behind it, and which are mentioned in the references.

General Dearborn thinks that the rail-fence was farther in advance towards Breed's hill than is represented on the plan, and that it was nearly in a line with the breast-work. Dr. Dexter is of the same opinion. So also is Deacon Miller. Upon describing the present known objects which the line of fence would pass over, it was considered by Dr. Bartlett, to whom the ground is familiar, that the description, in fact, supported the plan. Judge Winthrop is satisfied that the position of the fence on the plan is correct. The account which follows was kindly committed to paper by himself.

"As far as I can recollect, I believe the plan to be generally correct. The railed fence was, I think, as far as a quarter of a mile from the curtain belonging to the redoubt. There was room for a body of troops to enter that way, which was one circumstance that discomfited our men. There was no such grove as is represented on the plan. There were two or three trees near the fences, and, I believe, not more than that number. I remember two field pieces at the rail fence which covered our left. When I first got there, generals Warren and Putnam were standing by the pieces and consulting together. Very few men were at that part of the lines. I went forward to the redoubt, and tarried there a little while. Mr. James Swan and myself were in company. Finding that a column of the enemy were advancing toward our left, and not far from Mystic river, we pointed them out to the people without the redoubt, and proposed that some measure should be taken to man the fence, which, when we passed, we had considered as slightly guarded. We two, in the style of the times, were appointed a committee for that purpose. We went directly to the rail fence, and found a body of men had arrived since we had left it. Possibly three hundred would not be an estimate far from the truth. As soon as we had got to the middle of the line, the firing commenced from the redoubt and continued through our left. The field pieces stood there, and nobody appeared to have the care of them. After an obstinate dispute, our people were driven from the redoubt, and the retreat was rapid from our whole line. I saw one or two young men, in uniform, try to muster a party to bring off the field pieces, but they could not succeed.

"In coming down Bunker's Hill, at the place where the British built their fort, I met a regiment going up, and joined company, still in hopes of repelling the invaders. I have since learned that it was Col. Gardner's regiment. He being badly wounded was removed, and his regi ment was not deployed.

"When the firing commenced from the redoubt, the smoke rose from the lower part of the street. A man near me pointed to it as 'the smoke from the guns.' This shows that the fire was in a line with the redoubt and the middle of the rail fence. By laying a ruler from the middie of the rail fence, as marked upon the plan, and over that side of the fort next the main street, it will cross the northern side of the square where the court-house stood. After the destruction of the town, the places of the court-house and meeting-house were cleared of the ruins to form the present square. An irregular mass of buildings was also removed in front of the present hotel, and extended that corner of the square to its present magnitude. As well as I can conclude from this statement, I am inclined to believe the plan nearly correct.

JAMES WINTHROP."

General Dearborn does not recollect seeing any cannon at the place indicated on the plan; and is confident there were none. Deacon Miller is of the same opinion. Governor Brooks thinks differently, and Judge Winthrop's letter distinctly affirms that two field pieces were on that part of the ground. It appears, however, from the whole of the evidence, that little or no use was made of them.

Some of the witnesses expressed an opinion, that there was no such break between the breast-work and the hay-fence, as is re

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