But they did not spend much time in rubbing their eyes and in vain speculation, being well assured at a glance that the "rascally American militia" had stolen a march upon them in the night and brought all their plans to naught.
A brisk cannonade was opened from the war-ships upon the weary, toiling men in the entrenchment; but they still worked on, incited to their utmost by the gallant Prescott, who himself is said to have lent a hand with pick and shovel.

General Putnam's predictions as to their coolness under fire were more than verified, and had he been there then he would have been surprised at their indifference to the cannonading now going on so furiously.

One man only was killed in this preliminary firing, and he had strayed outside the breastwork.
"Man killed, what shall we do with him ?" asked a subaltern of Prescott.
"Bury him," was the laconic answer; and buried he was, in the ditch, while the work on the redoubt went on.
General Putnam was not on the hill when the cannon-fire began, having gone back to camp to change his tired horse for a fresher one; for his gait, says the historian, was always fast and furious.

At the first report, however, he pricked up his ears and sent to Commander Ward for another horse; but before his orderly returned, he had procured still another and was already on his way to Charlestown.

He had tried to procure for his men not only reenforcements but refreshments, for they had taken with them only one day's rations.