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Courtesy of the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection
Courtesy of the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection
A Poem On the [B]loody engagement that was Fought on Bunker Hill in Charlestown New-England
Courtesy of the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection

A Poem On the [B]loody engagement that was Fought on Bunker Hill in Charlestown New-England

Artifact IDTL 2026.1.23
Object Type Temporary Loan
Date 1775
Author (American, 1740 - 1812)
Printer (Broadside Printer, American, 1744 - 1816)
Medium Broadside
DimensionsOverall W 9 1/8 in x D 14 1/2 in (23.2 cm x 36.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionA Poem On the [B]loody engagement that was Fought on Bunker's Hill in Charlestown New-England by Elisha Rich. The poem opens with the lines, "Americans pray lend an ear, / And you a solemn tale shall hear," (Chelmsford: Coverly, 1775).
Historical NoteIn late 1775, Rich composed "A Poem Upon the Bloody Engagement That Was Fought on Bunker's-Hill," which was published as a commercial broadside by printer Nathaniel Coverly. Written in twenty-six stanzas, the verse chronicles the British assault on Charlestown while framing the conflict as a divine warning to New Englanders. Notably, Rich used the poem to deliver a rare, early wartime anti-slavery message, explicitly arguing that the American colonies could not morally demand political liberty from Great Britain while continuing to enforce human slavery.
Additional Details
Credit Lineon loan courtesy of the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPolitical Memorabilia (National Archives Identifier 1677287)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - FullyUse Restriction NoteThe use of this image and document information is fully restricted. Reproduction in any manner is not allowed.
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On view