ew yards of the American
lines, for a second time the British retreated.

At last Howe had learned his lesson. While his officers, for the sake
of the men, implored him to find some other way to conquer the redoubt,
he determined on a third assault. He ordered that the knapsacks be left
behind, and that the troops be formed in column. In the work of rallying
the disheartened men he was ably helped by Clinton, who, observing a
detachment in disorder near their boats, impetuously hurried across the
river, reformed their ranks, and put himself at their head. Some four
hundred marines came over as reinforcements; according to Lieutenant
Barker, the 47th regiment came also. Howe disposed his forces in three
columns, to attack the three faces of the redoubt.

Between the first and second assaults there had been less than half an
hour's interval. This time the wait was longer, and the Americans
ineffectually sought to take advantage of it. Messengers were again sent
to Ward; the general, learning at last that so many of the British
forces were occupied in the battle that Cambridge was safe from an
attack, gave orders that more regiments should go to Prescott's
assistance. To save the day there was yet time, but of the regiments
thus ordered, few companies reached the ground, and fewer still took
part in the action. And in this the weakness of the American
organization was sadly evident. From first to last Ward seems to have
sent to Bunker Hill sufficient force to have won the battle; but as he
never left his house he could take no pains to make sure that his orders
were obeyed. As a matter of fact, of the regiments despatched, one went
to Lechmere's Point, where it must have secured an excellent view of the
battle, but was completely useless. Being next ordered "to the hill," it
was conducted by its colonel, James Scammans, to Cobble Hill; thence he
sent to Bunker Hill to learn if he was wanted. Receiving a vigorous
reply from Putnam, Scammans at last marched his men to Bunker Hill,
reaching the top in time to witness the end of the battle. In similar
fashion young Major Gridley of the artillery battalion, whom "parental
partiality" had given too much responsibility, took post at a distance,
and fired at the shipping. Both Scammans and Gridley were later
court-martialled. Other officers lost their way, or, like Colonel
Mansfield, who stayed with his regiment to "support" Gridley in his
position of safety, disobeyed orders.