223 Trumbull Gallery of Paintings in Yale College. 



ural at such a moment, aims to revenge the death of a favorite 

 officer, Col. Abercrombie, who had just fallen at his feet. Col. 

 Small, (whose conduct in America was always equally distin- 

 guished by acts of humanity and kindness to his enemies, as by 

 bravery and fidelity to the cause he served,) had been intimately 

 connected with Gen. Warren, — saw him fall, and flew to save 

 him. He is represented seizing the musket of the grenadier, to 

 prevent the fatal blow, and speaking to his friend : it was too late ; 

 the general had barely life remaining to recognize the voice of 

 friendship ; he had lost the power of speech, and expired with a 

 smile of mingled gratitude and triumph. Near him, several Amer- 

 icans, w^hose ammunition is expended, although destitute of bay- 

 onets, are seen to persist in a resistance obstinate and desperate, 

 but fraitless. Near this side of the painting is seen Gen. Putnam, 

 reluctantly ordering the retreat of these brave men ; while beyond 

 him a party of the American troops oppose their last fire to the 

 victorious column of the enemy. 



Behind Col. Small is seen Col. Pitcairn, of the British marines, 

 mortally wounded, and falling in the arms of his son, to whom 

 he was speaking at the fatal moment. Under the feet of CoL 

 Small lies the dead body of Col, Abercrombie. 



Gen. Howe, who commanded the British troops, and Gen. Clin- 

 ton, who, towards the close of the action, offered his service as a 

 volunteer, are seen behind the principal group. 



On the right of the painting, a young American, wounded in 

 the sword hand, and in the breast, has begun to retire, attended by 

 a faithful negro ; but seeing his general fall, hesitates whether to 

 save himself, or, wounded as he is, to return and assist in saving 

 a life more precious to his country than his own. 



Behind this group are seen the British column ascending the 

 hill, — grenadiers, headed by an officer bearing the British colors, 

 mounting the feeble entrenchments ; and more distant, the Som- 

 erset ship of war, (which lay during the action between Boston 

 and Charlestown,) the north end of Boston, with the battery on 

 Copp's Hill ; and the harbor, shipping, &c. (fcc. 



No part of the town of Charlestown is seenj but the dark 

 smoke indicates the conflagration. 



Such was the irregularity of official returns at the time, that 

 the number of American troops engaged on this occasion, was 

 never ascertained with any degree of accuracy ; they were esti- 



