precipitation and great confusion. At this time, the ground occupied by
the enemy was covered with his dead and wounded. Only a few small
detached parties again advanced, which kept up a distant, ineffectual,
scattering fire, until a strong reinforcement arrived from Boston, which
advanced on the southern declivity of the hill, In the rear of
Charlestown. When this column arrived opposite that angle of the redoubt
which faced Charlestown, it wheeled by platoons to the right, and
advanced directly upon the redoubt without firing a gun. By this time,
our ammunition was exhausted. A few men only had a charge left.

"The advancing column made an attempt to carry the redoubt by assault,
but at the first onset every man that mounted the parapet was cut down,
by the troops within, who had formed on the opposite side, not being
prepared with bayonets to meet the charge.

"The column wavered for a moment, but soon formed again; when a forward
movement was made with such spirit and intrepidity as to render the
feeble efforts of a handful of men, without the means of defence,
unavailing; and they fled through an open space, in the rear of the
redoubt, which had been left for a gateway. At this moment, the rear of
the British column advanced round the angle of the redoubt, and threw in
a galling flank-fire upon our troops, as they rushed from it, which
killed and wounded a greater number than had fallen before during the
action. The whole of our line immediately after gave away, and retreated
with rapidity and disorder towards Bunker's Hill; carrying off as many
of the wounded as possible, so that only thirty-six or seven fell into
the hands of the enemy, among whom were Lt. Col. Parker and two or three
other officers, who fell in or near the redoubt.

"The whole of the troops now descended the north-western declivity of