ere killed in the redoubt, and the
slopes of Bunker Hill were dotted with slain, killed by bullets and
cannon shot. At the Neck some few more were killed. The total of dead,
according to Ward's record, was 115, of the wounded 305, of the captured
30. Slightly varying totals are reported.[101]

The great personal loss on the part of the Americans was in the death of
Warren. There had been no need of his coming, and his value for higher
services--he was president of the provincial congress and had just been
appointed a major-general--was greater than at the post of actual
conflict. But his fiery spirit, of which we have seen so much, would
not be denied. That day he waked with a headache, but on learning of the
expected battle he declared himself well. Friends tried to detain him,
but he replied with the Latin phrase, "It is sweet and becoming to die
for one's country." On reaching the field he met Putnam, who offered to
take his orders. But Warren had come as a volunteer, and asked where he
should go. Putnam showed him the redoubt, saying, "There you will be
covered."

"Don't think," said Warren, "that I come to seek a place of safety; but
tell me where the onset will be most furious."

Putnam still sent him to the redoubt. "That is the enemy's object."

Warren went to the redoubt, where the men received him with cheers, and
Prescott offered him command. But Warren still declined, took a musket,
and fought with the men. There is no doubt that part of the credit of
the stout defence belongs to him. When the retreat was ordered he
withdrew unwillingly, and was among the last to leave the redoubt.
After he had gone but a little way in the open field he was shot in the
head, and died instantly. Once, when the British questioned the courage
of the Americans, he had said, "By Heavens, I hope I shall die up to my
knees in blood!" He had had his wish.

Warren's death at the time was not certainly known to either friend or
foe; his body was buried on the field, and was disinterred and
identified only after the evacuation. Of the Boston leaders, he was the
only one who gave his life for the cause. He was sadly missed, a man of
keen intellect and excellent political sense, of deep sympathies, and
high honor. A magnetic leader, he could ill be spared.

The last figure on the battle-field was Putnam's. At the unfinished
fortification on Bunker Hill he implored the fugitives to rally and
"give them one shot more." The profanity