[Pamphlets. American history]

14
WIl. MARDE-,5 Portsmouth, Gerrish's Regt. deposes before N. A.
Haven, Esq. On reaching the top of Bunker Hill, saw Gen. Putnam
on horseback, riding backward and forward, urging the men onwards
to the charge, and presently saw him ride down the hill toward the
enemy. Before we reached breastwork, retreat commenced.
The statements of the two following witnesses were taken by
the Author.
AMos FOSTER, Tewksbury. Putnam came and ordered some men
to take tools, and he took some and went to Bunker Hill to fortify.
The enemy's fire was so hot to the top of the hill, they had to leave
and retreated to us. While we were firing at the enemy, heard
Putnam tell us, to fire low. HIe was on horseback. I was at the
rail fence, near breastwork. Two of our field-pieces were near me
and fired a number of times. Hill, a British deserter, said we fired
too high. The pieces were lowered; he said, with an oath, "you
have made a furrow through them." iHe watched British field-pieces, and, when they were about to fire, we all laid down. One man
was burned very badly by a cannon cartridge. I knew Putnam soon
after Lexington battle.
Col. WYADE, of Ipswich, Treasurer of Essex county, Capt. in Little's Regt. " The British field-pieces fired a great deal before small
arms. I was at the rail fence. I saw Putnam, while we were engaged with the enemy, riding down Bunker Hill toward the rail
fence. He was the only officer I saw on horseback. He seemed
busily engaged bringing on troops. One of our cannon, deserted by
Callender, was fired a number of times at rail fence very near me;
two men in our Regt. Halliday and Dutton, of Newburyport, fired
one of the cannon 3 or 4 times and hurraed very loud. On the re-,
treat, I saw Putnam on Bunker Hill; there were intrenching tools
there, and he tried to stop our troops to throw up works there.
He said,' make a halt here, my lads, and we can stop them yet.'
The following' statements were made at.ldj. Gen. Sumner's
ofice.
JOHN STEVENS, Andover. Frye's Regt. went over night. Was in
the fort. Saw Putnamr in the fort before small arms fired; told
them, not to fire till they saw the white of their eyes. Threatened
to kill some who fired too soon.
GEOBGE LEACH, Salem, Whitcomb's Regt. Our company detached to the hill in the evening. Was at rail fence. Saw Putnam