BUNKER HILL BUNSEN 437 pressed boldly forward in the face of a con- tinuous stream of fire, but staggered before reaching the redoubt, and, in spite of the re- monstrances, threats, and even blows of the officers, again gave way, and retreated in greater confusion than before, leaving some of their dead within a few yards of the works. The grass fence on the left was at the same time maintained against Gen. Howe, whose division suffered severely in loss of men and officers. The crowd of spectators on the op- posite shore beheld with astonishment the suc- cessful stand of raw militia against veteran regulars. Gen. Clinton, who from Oopp's hill had watched the action, now hurried over as a volunteer with reinforcements. The terrible scene was new to the American troops, yet they answered with cheers when Prescott cried, " If we drive them back once more, they cannot rally again." But it was now dis- covered that the ammunition was nearly ex- hausted, and when the engagement was re- newed the Americans had each only from one to four charges of powder left, and not more than 50 bayonets in all. The British advanced in three divisions, from the south, east, and northeast, and when close at hand received the same murderous volley as before. They advanced with fixed bayonets, and the Amer- ican fire immediately slackened. The last round of ammunition shot down those of the enemy who first mounted the parapet, one of whom was Major Pitcairn. There was for some time a hand-to-hand struggle carried on by the Americans with their few bayonets, the stocks of the muskets, the barrels after the stocks were broken off, and even with stones, till, the wings of the British getting into the rear of the redoubt, a little before 4 o'clock Prescott gaVe the order for retreat. He him- self was one of the last to leave the re- doubt, parrying with his sword bayonets which pierced his coat, and his men cut their way through the two divisions by whom they were nearly surrounded. They received a destruc- tive volley as they left the redoubt, and War- ren fell shot through the head with a bullet. Stark and Knowlton maintained their station at the rail fence till the troops of Prescott had left the hill, and then retired slowly, Pomeroy, a veteran of 70 years, firing back upon the enemy till his musket was shattered by a ball. The retreat was across Bunker hill, where they were encountered by Putnam, who had been collecting reenforcements, and who sought in vain to rally them to make a stand at the unfinished works which he had constructed. The retreat was harassed by a raking fire from the British ships and batteries, but there was no pursuit beyond Charlestown neck. Put- nam, who had assumed the supreme direction after the retreating forces left Bunker hill, rallied a portion of the fugitives, and encamped that night on Prospect hill. Prescott repaired to headquarters at Cambridge, and was so lit- tle discouraged that he offered with three regiments to recover his post. Indeed, the re- sult of the battle, though a defeat, had all the moral effect of a victory. The loss of the British in killed and wounded, by the account of Gen. Gage, was at least 1,054, among whom were 70 commissioned officers wounded and 13 killed. The whole loss of the Americans was 145 killed and missing, and 304 wounded. The death of Warren, one of the most guileless and ablest of patriots, caused profound and uni- versal sorrow. In the centre of the grounds included within the redoubt on Breed's hill now stands the obelisk known as Bunker Hill monument. It is a square shaft, built of Quincy granite, 221 ft. high, 31 ft. square at the base, and 15 at the top. Its foundations are enclosed 12 ft. under ground. Inside of the shaft is a round hollow cone, 7 ft. wide at the bottom and 4 ft. 2 in. at the top, encircled by a winding staircase of 294 stone steps, which leads to a chamber immediately under the Bunker Hill Monument. apex, 11 ft. in diameter. This chamber has four windows, which afford a wide view of the surrounding country, and contains two can- nons, named respectively Hancock and Adams, which were used in many engagements during the war. The cornerstone of this monument was laid on the 50th anniversary of the battle, June 17, 1825, by Gen. Lafayette, then the na- tion's guest, when Daniel Webster pronounced an oration to an immense concourse of people. There were present on the occasion about 200 soldiers of the revolution and 40 survivors of the battle. The monument was completed in 1842, its entire expense having been over $150,000 ; and on June 17, 1843, it was dedi- cated, Daniel Webster being again the orator. BUNSEN, Christian Karl Joslas, baron von, pop- ularly known as Chevalier Bunsenj a German scholar and diplomatist, born at Korbach, Wai- deck, Aug. 25, 1791, died in Bonn, Nov. 28, 1860. His grandfather was a lawyer, but his remoter ancestors were farmers, and in after life Bunsen often proudly referred to his spring-
