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Bunker Hill Monument

THE OBELISK ON BUNKER HILL

From New England Craftsman, Vol. XIX, No. 9, June 1924, Page 259:

The ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the Monument which commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill, by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts. did not take place until June 17th, 1825, fifty years after the battle action. The cause of the delay may be traced to various circumstances. The deranged state of affairs at the end of the Revolutionary War was unfavorable, and the attention of the people was occupied with more pressing demands.— They were busily employed in repairing the damage caused by the war, and it was only by years of industry and economy, that they had arrived at a stage where they felt they could give consideration to such an undertaking. Soon after the second war with Great Britain in 1812, however, public interest was drawn to the subject. A meeting for devising the best mode of accomplishing the object in view, was called by patriotic citizens and met with scant attendance, but as the object became better known, more enthusiasm was manifested and in 1825 a corporation was formed under the name, the Bunker Hill Monument Association, for tlie purpose of erecting an appropriate memorial. An address was made to the public, stating its object, and soliciting subscriptions for funds. There was considerable diversity of opinion as to an appropriate form for the monument and alter a committee was appointed and officers chosen, of which Dr. John C. Warren, a relative of General Warren, was chairman, and Amos Lawrence, treasurer, it was decided to advertise for designs, which resulted in some fifty plans, of various forms and merit, being submitted, of which the obelisk and column seemed to predominate, and were consequently selected as the two motifs from *HU'h to make choice. After much discussion the committee decided on the obelisk, and a design submitted by Solomon Willard, architect of Boston, and based on a model made by Horatio Greenway, a collegian, was approved.

The design of the monument was not determined until July 5th, 1825, five weeks after the ceremony of the laying of the corner stone. The reason for having the ceremony at the time mentioned was because it was desired to have the presence of Lafayette, who was a Mason, and then visiting in the vicinity.

Daniel Webster, a Mason, delivered the oration, and it is conceded that the oration contained the clearest statement to be found anywhere, of the principles underlying the War of American Independence. President Tyler and his cabinet came from Washington for the ceremony.

It is a fact well known to the older architects who practice in New England that at the time it was proposed to build the obelisk in Charlestown to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill, it was difficult to find a suitable stone. Boston was surrounded by a primitive formation, and consequently wanting in all the softer kinds of stone commonly used for such purposes. Quincy granite was not then in use, except for rough work, and no successful attempt had then been made in executing moulded and ornamental work in any other kind of granite. The walls of buildings were carried up of granite in ashlar courses and generally crowned with a cornice of wood. Sandstones of different kinds were also used for such purposes, which were brought from distant places. These sand and lime stones were not only expensive, but were defective in substance and color, and when combined with granite gave to the whole a particolored and incongruous appearance. This difficulty has been practically eliminated since then and some of our finest buildings now have many mouldings and ornate carvings executed in granite. A difficulty also existed in obtaining blocks of granite of the size required for large construction, and transportation was a serious problem. The business of quarrying at that time was generally in the hands of those who had neither the means nor the skill which were necessary for carrying on a work of that magnitude in a proper manner. In work intended for monumental use, it is obvious that continuity of substance and color is an important consideration.

The plans and models were examined Inmost of those in the granite business nearby, but no proposal was offered, except by one individual whose price far exceeded the estimate. The committee thereupon decided to purchase a quarry at Quincy and do the work by the day under the superintendence of the architect, Solomon Willard, who was also the architect of the Custom House and other important public and private buildings, and the completed work showed the wisdom of this decision, as it is believed that much money was saved and the work of better quality than if done by contract.

Consideration was given for a monument with a base of 40 feet, but it was agreed that the state of the available funds would not permit of a monument of more than 30 feet and to be 220 feet in height and having a circular stairway to the top. The work was begun at the quarry November 16, 1825, and continued until January, 1829, when it was suspended for want of funds; it was re-commenced on January 17, 1834, when the ladies had raised a fund, and proceeded until November, 1835, when it was again discontinued; in November 1840, work was again started and continued until its completion in 1843, the ladies having again given aid by contributing about $30,000 which they raised through a fair.

The building of the obelisk led to the construction of the first railway in the country and the organization of the Granite Railway Company, Thomas H. Perkins, president. This railway, the motive power of which was oxen, carried the stones from the quarry in Quincy to the shore; they were then put on scows and taken to Deven's Wharf in Charlestown. A special hoisting apparatus of chains and levers for lifting the stones was designed by Almoran Holmes of Boston, a practical seaman and engineer. This apparatus was used for lifting the first 55,000 feet of granite and the remainder was hoisted by steam power. The stones averaged a little more than five tons in weight and were about 12 ft. x 2 1/2 ft. x 2 ft and contained about 55 cubic feet. About 87,000 feet of granite, weighing about 9,000 tons, was used. The total cost of the monument and land was less than one hundred thousand dollars. It could not be built at the present time for less than ten times that amount.

The centennial celebration of the battle of Bunker Hill on June 17th, 1875 was one of the grandest celebrations ever seen in this country. The city, the state and private citizens vied with each other in their efforts to make the event a glorious success. Distinguished guests were present, and man military and civic bodies from nearly all the states participated in the proceedings.

General Charles Devens delivered the oration and Mayor Cobb, Governor Gaston, Col. A. O. Andrews of South Carolina, Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee of Virginia, Gen. W. T. Sherman, Gen. A. E. Burnside and Vice-President Wilson were among the others who spoke.

Gen. Francis A. Osborne was chief marshal of the procession, which was several miles long.

THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL AND THE DEATH OF GENERAL WARREN

From New England Craftsman, Vol. XIX, No. 9, June 1924, Page 261:

No engagement of the American Revolutionary War possesses an interest so deep and peculiar, or produced consequences so important, as the battle of Bunker Hill; and no other engagement is involved in so much obscurity, perplexity and controversy.

It is remarkable on many accounts,— it being the first great battle of the contest,— in the astonishing resistance made by inexperienced militia against veteran troops,— in the affecting character of its prominent incidents,— in the sublimity of its spectacle, — and its influence on the politics of the day. and the fortunes of war. It proved the quality of the American soldier, drew definitely the lines of party, and established the fact of open war between the colonies anil the mother country. It was a victory with all the moral effect of victory, under the name of defeat. And yet at first it was regarded with disappointment, and even with indignation and contemporary accounts of it, whether in private or official, are more in tone of apology, or of censure, rather than of exultation. The enterprise on the whole, was pronounced rash in the conception, and discreditable in the execution, and a severe scrutiny was instituted into the conduct of those who were charged with having contributed by their backwardness, to the result. No one, for years, came forward to claim the honor of having directed it, no notice was taken of its returning anniversary; and no narrative did justice to the regiments that were engaged, or the officers that were in command. Passing events are seldom accurately estimated. The bravery, however, of those who fought, was so resolute, and their self devotion was so lofty, as at once to elicit from all quarters, the most glowing commendation, and to become the theme of the poet and the orator, and as time rolled on, its connection with the great movement of the age appeared in its true light.

Hence the battle of Hunker Hill now stands as the grand opening scene in the drama of the American Revolution. General Joseph Warren exerted great influence in the battle. Having served zealously and honorably in the incipient councils that put in motion the machinery of the Revolution, he had decided to devote his energies to promotin it in its future fields. He was accordingly elected Major General, on the 14th of June but had not received his commission on the day of the battle. Though he is understood to have opposed the measure of occupying so exposed a position as Bunker Hill, yet he avowed the intention, if it should be resolved upon, to share the peril of it. and to the affectionate remonstrance of friends, he responded: dulce et decorum eat pro patria mori.

On the 16th of June he officiated as President of the Provincial Congress, passed the night at Watertown, and though indisposed repaired on the morning of the 17th to Cambridge, where he threw himself on a bed. When he learned that the British troops would attack the redoubts thrown up on Breed's Hill by the American soldiers, he declared his headache to be gone; and after meeting with the committee of safety, armed himself and proceeded to Charlestown. A short time before the action commenced he was seen in conversation with General Putnam at the rail fence, who offered to receive his orders. General Warren declined to give any, but asked where he could be most useful. Putnam directed him to the redoubt saying, "There he would be covered." "Don't think," replied Warren, "I come to seek a place of safety! But tell me where the onset will be most furious." Putnam still pointed to the redoubt. "That is the enemy's object and if that can be held, the day is ours."

General Warren passed to the redoubt, where the men received him with enthusiastic cheers as he entered their ranks. Here he was again tendered the command, this time by General Prescott. But Warren declined it — said that he came to encourage a good cause, and gave the heartening assurance that a reinforcement of two thousand men were on their way to aid them. He mingled in the fight, behaving with great bravery and was among the last to leave the redoubt. Ha was lingering even to rashness in his retreat, and had receded but a few rods when a British bullet struck him in the forehead and he fell to the ground. On the next day visitors to the battlefield, among them Dr. Jeffries and young Winslow, afterward General Winslow, of Boston, recognized the body, and it was buried on the spot where he fell. The British loss in killed and wounded was 1054, while the American loss incurred mainly in the last hand-to-hand struggle was 449. The British had gained the victory, but the moral advantage was wholly with the Americans.

Subsequently it developed that the American generals were aware that their troops had but three rounds of ammunition remaining, and no prospect of the supply being replenished.

After the British evacuated Boston on March 17th, 1776, the sacred remains of General Warren were sought after and again identified, they were first deposited in the Granary Burying Ground, then in a tomb under St. Paul's Church, and finally in the family vault in Forest Hills Cemetery.

General Joseph Warren was born in Roxbury. Massachusetts, June 11th, 1741, graduated at Harvard College 1759, and after teaching school in Roxbury for a few years commenced the practice of medicine.