oston and the shipping?

Much time was spent in the discussion. Bunker Hill was higher and the
safer, and commanded most landing points; but Breed's Hill seemed better
suited to the eager spirits of the officers. When at last Gridley
reminded that time was passing, the question seems to have been decided
by the urgency of the unknown general, and a redoubt was laid out by the
engineer on the summit of Breed's Hill. In the bright moonlight Prescott
at once set his men at work digging, endeavoring to raise a good
protection before morning.

In this he was successful. His men were all farmers, used to the shovel
and pick; the earth was soft and scarcely stony; and there was no
interruption. Cheered from time to time by the cry of the sentry on the
nearer ship, "All's Well!" they pushed on the work. When at daybreak the
redoubt was seen, the British could scarcely believe their eyes, for a
completed fort seemed to stand there.

And now was a chance for a display of military science on the part of
Gage and his three major-generals. There stood the little low redoubt,
unflanked and unsupported by any other fortifications, easily cut off
from its own line of relief or retreat. If now Gage had promptly seized
the isthmus, drawn his ships up close, and dragged a battery to the top
of Bunker Hill, the American force could very soon have been driven to
surrender. Ruggles, the Tory brigadier, is known to have advised this,
and there were some among the British leaders who urged it. The general
feeling, however, seems to have been that it would be unmanly to catch
the Americans in the trap which they had laid for themselves. In a hasty
council of war it was decided to assault the redoubt in the good old
British fashion of marching up to its face. Gage was in no hurry even
for this. Contenting himself with ordering the shipping and the Boston
batteries to fire upon the little fort, he gave the Americans every
chance to complete their defences, while leaving the way open for
reinforcements. In a leisurely way he set about preparing an expedition
to cross Charlestown ferry. The men were mustered, and equipped as for
a march.

Howe was to take charge of the assault, and Burgoyne and Clinton to
direct the Boston batteries. The fleet joined in the fire. From Copp's
Hill, from Barton's Point, from five ships of war, and from a couple of
floating batteries, such a storm of roundshot was poured upon the
redoubt that its defenders were am