Boston: Bunker Hill, 17 June 1775

Major Austin Praises the Spirit of the American Soldiers

Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, The New York Public Library.

Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, The New York Public Library. "A plan of the action at Bunker's Hill, on the 17th of June 1775" New York Public Library Digital Collections.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. "Battle of Bunker's Hill" New York Public Library Digital Collections.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. "Robert Steele, of Dedham (drummer) and Parks, of Cambridge (fife), playing ""Yankee Doodle"" on the fortifications of Breed's Hill, on the morning of June 17th 1775"" New York Public Library Digital Collections.

Major Jonathan Williams Austin, an officer with the Massachuetts Militia, wrote an effusive letter to John Adams after the battle which reflected the idealism that fired the imagination of many colonial soldiers at the start of the war. The subsequent years of privation, danger, and uncertainty would test that idealism, but enough of that spirit endured through the next eight years to see the Continental Army to victory.

"“You have I suppose ere this heard of the action at Bunker’s Hill. Posterity will with Difficulty believe that about 8 or 10,00 Provincials could make such Slaughter, of well disciplind, regular Troops. They fight like Men who are conflicting pro Aris et Focis [for our altars and firesides], for all this is dear to them, and seem to die with the Enthusiasm of martyrs. I love my Countrymen, and when I go into Battle, I go with a Band of Brothers, who seem to be animated with one Soul.”"

Maj. Jonathan Williams Austin to John Adams, 7 July 1775
Sources
  • https://founders.archives.gov