[Pamphlets. American history]

16
nally assigned to the command, and no order was issued to
supersede him. If there had been supersession, it must have
been by right of rank, such as Prescott acknowledged when he
saluted Warren as his general; but Putnam had no rank in the
army of Massachusetts, and could not command Massachusetts
troops on Massachusetts soil, except by virtue of a positive order
from the Commanding General of Massachusetts, if indeed he
could even in that case.
Colonel Prescott led the column to Charlestown, and directed
the men engaged in constructing the earthworks. He detached
pickets, composed in part of Connecticut troops, visited them
personally during the night, and recalled them in the morning.
When the British were landing, he ordered Captain Gridley with
his battery to go out and oppose them, and Captain Knowlton
with the Connecticut men to support Gridley. (i.) He also sent
Colonel Robinson and Major Wood to operate on the left of Pigot
as he advanced, and thus actually exercised the attributes of chief
commander night and day, not only in the redoubt, but outside,
and over the whole front of the Provincial lines. When he desired
to communicate with his commanding general, and to obtain men
and supplies, he sent Major Brooks on foot to General Ward at
Cambridge, (2.) which he would not have done had there been
any intermediate commander; and Brooks carried the message
through to Ward, although he met General Putnam on the way.
When General Warren appeared near the redoubt, "in the
time of action," Prescott offered to surrender the command to
him, - an offer which he had no power to make if Putnam was
his commander; and the reply of General Warren, who was not
only the ranking officer on the field, but was also the President of
Congress and a member of the Executive body of the Province,
was explicit and distinct: " l'he command is yours." (3.)
1. Colonel Prescott's letter, 177), to.ohnr AdlnLs. Clhester's letter.
2. Governor Brooks' sta:telnelt.
In. "I the time of actiont, Colonel Prescott, observing that the brave
General W~arren was near the works, he in-mineciately stelpped up to him and
asked him if lie hliLd any orders to give' him. The Genleral replied that he hald
none, that he exercised no command tllere.'The comlland,' slaid t;ll (;elteral,
is yours.' " —li(e/m's M'lemoil's.