Many ask, “Why did Joseph Warren risk his life by participating in this battle?” His friends and colleagues implored him not to go. His commission as major general of the Massachusetts forces was not official. “You are needed in council” they protested. His response to such protests: “Dulce et decorum est pro patris mori,” (“It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country,”) Was his determination to participate in the battle rash? Did his emotional fervor cloud his reason?
In consulting with contemporary military officers, it seems his reasoning was crystal clear. Warren was aware that he held the respect of the rag-tag army of provincials who had answered the call to arms following the Battles of Lexington and Concord. But military discipline was waning. Men were growing restless. Consistent military structure, with so many militia units from so many different Massachusetts towns and sister colonies did not exist. As president of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and chairman of the Committee of Safety, Warren pleaded with his friends at the Second Continental Congress to push for the appointment of a commander in chief of a continental army — even suggesting George Washington be the man.
On June 14, 1775, to Warren’s knowledge, no appointment had been made. It was on this day, three days before the Battle of Bunker Hill, that he sought the commission as major general. With this commission — as he waited for Congress to act — he could begin the process of initiating sound structure and discipline. With this commission he was assuring the 16,000 soldiers assembled that he would stand with them. This commission brought renewed hope and inspiration. This commission satisfied the desperate need for leadership in that vital moment.
A new president of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress needed to be appointed to free Warren of that position and to officiate his commission. By June 17 this had not been accomplished. Therefore, he could have easily listened to the pleadings of his friends and political colleagues and avoided putting himself in harm’s way. But what demoralizing effect would that have had? As Warren stated, “now is no time for one of America’s sons to shirk from the most hazardous duty. I will see my country free, even if I must shed my last drop of blood to make her so.” And, “When liberty is the prize, who would shun the warfare? Who would stoop to waste a coward thought on life? We esteem no sacrifice too great, no conflict too severe, to redeem our inestimable rights and privileges.”
Prior to heading to the imminent battle, Warren was informed that the military engineers did not place the earthen fort that was to be used for protection against the British attack on Bunker Hill as ordered, but on Breed’s Hill instead. This mistake put the Americans in greater danger. Breed’s Hill was closer to the river, and thus cannon fire from the British war ships. British troops climbing to its summit would meet less obstacles and have a shorter distance to cover. Warren encountered 2,000 American troops gathered on Bunker Hill awaiting orders to march to the redoubt on Breed’s Hill. These were the troops that were to relieve the 1,200 men sent out the evening before to build the fort. After determining that these troops would soon be marched forward, Warren made his way to the nearby summit of Breed’s Hill.
Upon entering the redoubt, Warren was greeted by cheers from the men. His presence attested to the momentous battle soon to begin and offered strength and comfort. Warren reported to the commanding officer Colonel William Prescott telling Prescott that he came as a volunteer and to learn from Prescott’s vast military experience. The 2,000 reinforcements did not arrive before the first British attack. Nor did the frightened reinforcements arrive before the second or final third attack. The lack of military discipline Warren feared had come to pass, and 450 American casualties and a forced retreat would be the result.
In the third attack of the redoubt the British realized the Americans were depleted of lead and powder. Plans were made within the fort to offer a covered retreat for those brave Americans who withstood the day’s onslaught. A few Americans volunteered to take the swords available in an attempt to gain time for the others to retreat. The enraged British forces now quickly scaled the redoubt walls bent on avenging the 1000 casualties they experienced that day. Warren was among those extraordinary patriots that asked for a sword to cover the retreat.
Colonial soldiers reported that Warren did get out of the redoubt alive — but he was wounded. Some offered to assist him off the hill. Perhaps knowing his wound would prove fatal, and fearing for the safety of these men, he implored them to leave him and find safety. British Major John Small, who was a friend, reported that he saw Warren and called out to him, begging him to surrender. Small’s account indicates that Warren turned to look at his friend — and even smiled. Perhaps the smile was intended as a goodbye. Perhaps it was in the hope that a British regular would quickly fire upon him and end his agony. A first-hand British account relates that it was not a soldier that fired the fatal shot, but a servant in possession of an officer’s pistol. What is known is that Warren was facing his executioner — perhaps looking right at him. The same account records that the act was viewed as “cowardly” and this servant was “immediately cut to pieces.”