An excellent talk was given at the meeting by our own Reverend Victor Springer, who spoke about our nation's highest military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Reverend Springer reviewed the history and some of the recipients of the award, all of whom demonstrated unimaginable feats of courage, and some of whom, sadly, died alone and forgotten. As patriots, we bear the responsibility to keep their memory alive. As Thomas Paine wrote, "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."

Think you know who the most decorated Medal of Honor recipient is? Find Out>>

Learn more about the Medal of Honor>>

The Chapter needs your input!  In viewing other SAR Chapter sites, I came across something that’s a great idea: publishing the biographies of the Chapter member’s Patriot Ancestors.  This is not only of interest to the other Chapter members, it serves as an important resource to our cousins out there who are searching for their ancestors.  What better way to honor the memory of those who sacrificed for our nation’s founding that to tell their story.

The reason I chose the illustration of a faceless patriot used for our web site is that most of us don’t know what our ancestors looked like.  Their features are lost to us.  However, with a little work, we can all find out where they were and what their life was like at the time of the Revolution, based on contemporary accounts of the people around them.  This brings them to life and makes the Revolution more real to all of us.

So, I invite all Chapter members to submit a biography for each of their Patriot Ancestors.  Each can be as long or as short as you like (that’s another advantage of the Web).  You can use illustrations as well, but keep in mind the must be your own photos, or images in the public domain.

We already have some posted on our Web site, so take a look and get started on yours today!

View the biographies>>

Compatriot Lowell Downer has been working as our liason with the Boy Scouts of America. At the last meeting, Lowell reviewed an important SAR contest, the Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Scholarship Essay Contest.

The contest is open to all Eagle Scouts who are currently registered in an active unit and have not reached their 19th birthday during the year of application. (The application year is the calendar year, 01 Jan. to 31 Dec.) The year that Eagle was awarded is not restricted. College plans do not need to be completed in order to receive the cash scholarship. Three cash scholarship awards are given: As the National First Place winner - $8,000.00; Runner-up - $4,000.00; 2nd runner-up - $2,000.00.

This is a great opportunity for our Chapter to connect with another great organization, and promote awareness of genealogy and American history to young men. If you know an Eagle Scout, encourage them to enter. Follow the link below and have them submit their application, essay and ancestor chart to Compatriot Downer (go to our "Contact" page, select "Boy Scout Programs" from the drop-down menu to send an email to Lowell). And, thanks again to Compatriot Downer for all his effort!

More information>>

To further the study of the American revolution, your webmaster is reviewing out-of-print texts to bring quality scholarship to you. Over the next months, I will publish a commentary on each battle of the Revolution in order of occurrence.

The author of each is Colonel Henry B. Carrington, MA, LLD, who wrote "Battles of the American Revolution 1775-1781." Published by AS Barnes & Company in 1876. The work is in the public domain, and not subject to copyright. He was professor of natural science and Greek at the Irving Institute in Tarrytown, New York, from 1846 to 1847. Under the influence of the school's founder, Washington Irving, he wrote "Battles of the American Revolution." Carrington subsequently became adjutant general for Ohio, mustering ten regiments of militia at the outbreak of the American Civil War and organizing the first twenty-six Ohio regiments. Learn more>>

THE peninsula of Boston connects with Roxbury by the narrow neck of land which had been fortified by General Gage as early as October, 1774.

North of Boston, and separated by the Charles river, is a second peninsula, fully a mile long, and a little more than half a mile wide ; also connected with the main land by a narrow isthmus, formerly subject to overflow at unusually high water.

By reference to the maps, " Boston and vicinity '," and "Battle of Bunker Hill'' the reader will gain a fair impression of the topography of the immediate field of operations. The positions there assigned to American commanders are such as were established after the arrival of General Washington ; but the entire circuit, with the exception of Dorchester, was in possession of the Provincial troops at the date of the battle of Bunker Hill, although with less completeness of earthworks and redoubts than after the investment was permanently developed.

Morton's Hill, at Moulton's Point, where the British army landed on the seventeenth day of June, 1775, was but thirty-five feet above sea level, while " Breed's pasture," as then styled, and Bunker Hill, were respectively seventy-five and one hundred and ten feet high. The adjoining waters were navigable, and under control of the British fleet.

Bunker Hill had an easy slope to the isthmus, but the other sides were quite steep, the position having control of the isthmus itself, as well as commanding a full view of Boston and the surrounding country. The strategic value of this summit was very decided for either army, yet it had been overlooked or neglected by the British com- mander, even although the arrival of Generals Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne, with reinforcements, had swelled the nominal strength of the garrison to about ten thousand men, and the importance of aggressive movements upon the colonial militia had been carefully considered and rightfully estimated.

This garrison had been gradually weakened by constant skirmishes, by sickness and other causes, leaving an effective force, even for garrison duty, of hardly eight thousand men. Scarcity of supplies, especially of fresh meat, bore some share in a depreciation of physical fitness for the field. The troops, however, that were fit for duty, were under excellent discipline and ably commanded.

The American army received information the thirteenth of June, that General Gage had definitely decided to take immediate possession of the Charlestown peninsula, and also of Dorchester Heights.

As early as the middle of May, however, the " committee of safety," and the " council of war," had resolved to occupy and fortify Bunker Hill as soon as artillery and powder could be adequately furnished for the purpose ; while from want of definite knowledge of the military value of Dorchester Heights, a committee had been appointed for examination and report, respecting the merits of that position as a strategic restraint upon the garrison of Boston.

On the fifteenth day of June, the " Massachusetts committee of safety," and the same " council of war, " voted to take immediate possession of Bunker Hill. This action was predicated upon positive information that the British council of war had resolved upon a similar movement, and had designated the eighteenth day of June for execution of that purpose.

There is no more significant fact of the want of thorough military oversight and system in the then existing Provincial army, than the looseness of discipline with which the enterprise under consideration was initiated, and the want of specific responsibility which attended its execution.

It is unquestionably true that the presence of Doctor Warren was one of the chief elements which inspired the prolonged resistance after the action began ; and the chief credit at the redoubt belongs to Colonel Prescott. There was at first no unanimity in approval of the plan, no thorough support of the detachment sent upon so serious an expedition, and there was a complete failure to furnish that detachment with adequate means to maintain a serious contest with an enemy of considerable force.

More than a hundred writers have made this action the theme of diverse criticism, and many of them have run tilts for or against some candidate for special honor in connection with the first formal battle of the war of 1775-1781.

The peculiarly loose organization of the army, also, had much to do with the inefficiency of the movement upon Bunker Hill ; and yet, the specific work of the detachment, independent of the want of support to back the movement, was well done.

There were special considerations that undoubtedly exerted their influence at the time when the expedition was first considered. The supineness of the British army, the limitation of its outside demonstrations to simple excursions for supplies, and the impression that it was unable, or unwilling, to renew active hostilities against the force which controlled the main land and surrounding country, must have had effect upon the officers in command of the American army.

If the contingency of a battle, such as transpired; that is, of an attempt in force, to dislodge a successful occupation of the hill, had any consideration whatever, there was terrible neglect, in failure to supply ammunition and rations for that emergency. That the occupation of Breed's pasture, instead of Bunker Hill proper, was a departure from the text of the original instructions, is undoubtedly true ; but a prompt and sufficient support would have assured the control of both, and have realized the complete repulse of the British assault. It will appear hereafter, that under all the circumstances, the judgment of Colonel Gridley, who laid out the entrenchments, was eminently wise and proper.

The narrative will be cleared of extrinsic issues, and no attempt will be made to supply facts which history omitted and the grave buried.

Few modern battles are described alike by different critics, and many a general would be puzzled to know whether he was in an action, where he actually commanded, if he sought information from contestants who scramble for honors beyond their experience or reach. The controversy as to General Putnam's relation to the battle of Bunker Hill alone, has burdened the minds of many authors, and tried the brains of thousands of readers who could not see the importance of the discussion. But, Bunker Hill was to be occupied. The decision was made. The emergency was pressing.

General Ward, advanced in years and feeble in body, was unequal to active service, and lacked that military acuteness and decision which the crisis demanded. He had no alternative but to obey the instructions of the committee of safety and the council of war.

Mr. Bancroft clearly states an important element of pressing importance at the time. " The decision was so sudden that no fit preparation could be made. The nearly total want of ammunition rendered the service desperately daring."

As in fact transpired, the success was only limited by scarcity of powder. That should have been furnished or the expedition withdrawn. Prescott and Putnam had favored the movement, and urged it upon the council of war. Ward and Warren wished to avoid a general engagement, and the expenditure of powder necessarily involved in occupying a post so exposed to British attack. The latter, however, concurred in the final decision, and on the day of action left his place as president of the Provincial Congress, and traveled seven miles to bear part, as he offered his life, in the battle of Bunker Hill.

Formation of the command. Colonel William Prescott, of Pepperill, Massachusetts, was eager to lead the enterprise, and was entrusted with its execution. The men detailed to form the detachment, were for the most part from his own regiment and those of Colonels Frye and Bridge. The three colonels were members of the council of war which had been organized on the twentieth day of April, when General Ward assumed command of the army about Boston.

Captain Thomas Knowlton, of Putnam's regiment, who afterwards fell in the gallant fight on Harlem Plains, at the head of the Connecticut Rangers, " Congress' Own," was to lead a detachment of two hundred men drafted from the Connecticut troops.

Colonel Richard Gridley, chief engineer, with a company of artillery, was also assigned to the command. An order was, in fact, issued for the first named regiment to parade at six o'clock on the evening of the sixteenth, " with all the entrenching tools in the encampment." The original purpose was also to have the detachment number one thousand men. The field-order, however, covered about fourteen hundred men. Frothingham, in his valuable " Siege of Boston;" shows conclusively that the force as organized, including artificers and drivers of the carts, was not less than twelve hundred men.

Cambridge Common was designated for the rendezvous. Beneath the elms, solemn with that occasion, that band of earnest men, fresh from peaceful homes, but hurrying into the face of battle for home and country, was formed in perfect silence for the last duty which was to precede the onward movement.

Rev. Samuel Langdon, president of Harvard College, invoked the favor of high heaven upon their mission, and with a benediction peculiar to his stern and stately carriage, dismissed them to their silent march.

" It was soon after sunset," says Bancroft ; " then as the late darkness of the mid-summer evening closed in, they marched for Charlestown, in the face of the proclamation issued only four days before, by which all persons taken in arms against their sovereign, were threatened, under martial law, with death by the cord as rebels and traitors."

The command moved silently but rapidly, crossed Charlestown Neck, and then halted for consultation and definition of the enjoined duty. Major Brooks, of Colonel Bridge's regiment, here joined with a small detachment, as well as a company of artillery with their guns.

The confused account of instructions given on this expedition is significant of the want of system then existing in the American camp. There has also been a needless worry about the matter, according as partisan authorities have selected favorites for the honors of the day. No general officer was embraced in the detail, and no general officer asserted authority over the operations of the eventful twenty-four hours that followed the advance movement.

Such as were present at any time, advised as occasion required, worked hard and well, but enforced no personal authority over the command especially assigned to the duty.

Frothingham furnishes ample evidence, that written orders from General Ward designated Bunker Hill as the summit to be occupied, and that these orders were to be communicated to the command after crossing the isthmus. The first order issued after the halt, was the detail of Captain Nutting's company with a small detachment of Connecticut men, to patrol Charlestown and the adjoining shore. A second consultation took place after the command reached Bunker Hill. Captain Maxwell's company, from Prescott's own regiment, was detailed for patrol of the shore, and to keep watch of the British works at Copp's Hill, directly opposite, and of the ships of war then anchored within a short distance of the peninsula.

The Annual Register, 1775, thus indicates the fleet ; Somerset, 68 guns, Captain Edward Le Cros; Cerberus, 36 guns, Captain Chads; Glasgow, 34 guns, Captain William Maltby; Lively, 20 guns, Captain Thomas Bishop; Falcon, guns, Captain Linzee, and the Symmetry, transport, with 18 nine-pounders.

The details thus made, not only to watch those vessels, but to occupy Charlestown, not only discharged their duty well, but by availing themselves of houses, proved active annoyances to the left wing of the British army in its ultimate advance upon the American works.

The chief engineer, Colonel Gridley, laid out the entrenchments at " Breed's pasture " shortly after, first known as Breed's Hill. This was done after careful consultation with Colonel Prescott, Captain Knowlton, and other officers, and for the purpose of establishing a position giving the quickest control of the beach, in case of the landing of British troops. The eligibility of the situation will be noticed in the " military notes " belonging to the record of the action.

Packs were unslung, arms were stacked, the entrenching tools previously unloaded from the carts, were brought forward, and the troops were noiselessly distributed for duty. The bells of Boston struck twelve ; and the new day, so fatal, so memorable, began its history, to the dull thud of the pick-ax and the grating of shovels. Those men knew how to handle their tools !

Martin states, as appears from a foot-note in Frothingham's history, that " about a thousand men were at work," and that." the men dug in the trenches one hour, and then mounted guard." All night that work went on, in solemn stillness, only relieved by the sentries' monotonous and encouraging " all’s well" which sounded from the battery across the river, and from the decks of the shipping. At dawn of day, the redoubt, about eight rods square, had been nearly closed, presenting a face nearly six feet high, with such hasty accommodations behind the parapet, as would bring the men to a convenient position for delivering fire.

More than once, Colonel Prescott and other officers quietly drew near the river, to be assured that no small boats were afloat, and that the apparent security was not the prelude to a surprise. He was everywhere present to inspire zeal and hope, and Bancroft's statement that General Putnam himself visited the works during the night and encouraged the men, is verified by respectable authority, and the contemporaneous statement of soldiers who had no possible inducement to befog the narrative of events. The character of his aid rendered during the entire day is perfectly consistent with this statement.

With daylight, the outline of the entrenchments, and the throng of busy workers, brought to the notice of British sentries the night's aggressive work. It had veiled the work of the advancing patriots. The colonists were in earnest! The Lively put a spring on her cable and opened fire. The battery of Copp's Hill responded. The roar of cannon awoke the sleeping garrison of Boston ; and while the streets resounded with the swift transit of messengers, and the tramp of assembling battalions, and the house- tops were crowded with anxious observers, the quickened and patient laborers were perfecting their preparations, resolute of purpose to meet face to face the veteran troops of George the Third. The vigorous action of the land batteries and ships, only wasted their powder and ball. One man fell, and to convince his comrades that there was no time for fear or rest, Colonel Prescott walked the parapet, openly exposed, and re-inspired the men.

Continuous labor, under high pressure, began to wear upon the stoutest. At nine o'clock a council of war was called. The activity of the Boston garrison, the accumulating array of boats, and all the activities of that city, were prophetic of a resolute purpose to resent the offensive movement of the Americans, and still no reinforcements, no relieving party, had appeared.

The rations hastily issued for twenty-four hours of duty, had, as usual with raw and over-worked troops, become nearly exhausted, and urgent requests were made that men should be relieved by others who were fresh, and that reinforcements should be sent for, with an ample supply of food. In this emergency Major John Brooks was dispatched to head-quarters to present these demands.