96 FACTS RELATING TO GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 



remained on the side of Bunker Hill towards the neck during the 

 whole action. 



Signed, Daniel Chaplin, 



John Bullard. 



Groton, June 5, 18 18. 



"[No. 14.]" 

 Declaration of Deacon Samuel Lawrence, of Groion. 



I, Samuel Lawrence, of Groton, Esquire, testify and say, that I 

 was at the battle of Bunker Hill, (so called) in Col. William Pres- 

 cott's regiment ; — that I marched with the Regiment to the point 

 on Breed's Hill, which was fixed on for a redoubt; that I assisted 

 in throwing up the breast-work, and in forming a redoubt, under 

 Col. Prescott, who directed the whole of this operation. — The 

 work was begun about nine o'clock in the evening of June i6th, 

 1775. I ^^^^ there the whole time, and continued in the redoubt, 

 or in the little fort, during the whole battle, until the enemy came 

 in and a retreat was ordered. General Putnam was not present 

 either while the works were erecting, not during the battle. I could 

 see distinctly the rail fence and the troops stationed there during 

 the battle, but General Putnam was not present as I saw. After 

 the retreat was ordered, the troops retreated towards Bunker Hill, 

 and continued over and on the side of the hill (I was on the side 

 of the hill) towards Charlestown neck. 



Just before the battle commenced. General Warren came to the 

 redoubt. He had on a blue coat and white waistcoat, and I think 

 a cocked hat, but of this I am not certain — Col. Prescott advanced 

 to him, said ' he was glad to see him, and hoped he would take 

 the command.' Gen. Warren replied, ' no — he came to see the 

 action but not to take command ; that he was only a volunteer on 

 that day.' Afterwards I saw General Warren shot ; I saw him 

 when the ball struck him, and from that time until he expired. I 

 knew General Warren well by sight, and recollected him perfectly 

 when Col. Prescott offered him the command, and was sorry to see 

 him so dangerously situated, as I knew him to be a distinguished 

 character, and thought he ought not to have risked his life without 

 command on that occasion. No British officer was within forty or 

 fifty rods of him, from the time the ball struck him, until I saw he 



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