men who shared its perils,—­alike of Prescott and Putnam and Warren, the chiefs of the day, and the colored man, Salem, who is reported to have shot the gallant Pitcairn, as he mounted the parapet.  Cold as the clods on which it rests, still as the silent heavens to which it soars, it is yet vocal, eloquent, in their undivided praise."[581]

The other Negro soldier who won for himself rare fame and distinguished consideration in the action at Bunker Hill was Salem Poor.  Delighted with his noble bearing, his superior officers could not refrain from calling the attention of the civil authorities to the facts that came under their personal observation.  The petition that set forth his worth as a brave soldier is still preserved in the manuscript archives of Massachusetts:—­

     “To the Honorable General Court of the Massachusetts Bay.

“The subscribers beg leave to report to your Honorable House (which we do in justice to the character of so brave a man), that, under our own observation, we declare that a negro man called Salem Poor, of Col.  Frye’s regiment, Capt.  Ames’ company, in the late battle at Charlestown, behaved like an experienced officer, as well as an excellent soldier.  To set forth particulars of his conduct would be tedious.  We would only beg leave to say, in the person of this said negro centres a brave and gallant soldier.  The reward due to so great and distinguished a character, we submit to the Congress.

               JONA.  BREWER, Col. | ELIPHALET BODWELL, Sgt. 
               THOMAS NIXON, Lt.-Col. | JOSIAH FOSTER, Lieut. 
               WM. PRESCOTT, Col. | EBENR.  VARNUM, 2d Lieut. 
               EPHm.  COREY, Lieut. | WM. HUDSON BALLARD, Cpt. 
               JOSEPH BAKER, Lieut. | WILLIAM SMITH, Cap. 
               JOSHUA ROW, Lieut. | JOHN MORTON, Sergt.[?]
               JONAS RICHARDSON, Capt. | Lieut.  RICHARD WELSH.

     “CAMBRIDGE, Dec. 5, 1775.

     “In Council, Dec. 21, 1775.—­Read, and sent down.

“PEREZ MORTON, Dep’y Sec’y."[582]

How many other Negro soldiers behaved with cool and determined valor at Bunker Hill, it is not possible to know.  But many were there; they did their duty as faithful men, and their achievements are the heritage of the free of all colors under our one flag.  Col.  Trumbull, an artist as well as a soldier, who was stationed at Roxbury, witnessed the engagement from that elevation.  Inspired by the scene, when it was yet fresh in his mind, he painted the historic picture of the battle in 1786.  He represents several Negroes in good view, while conspicuous in the foreground is the redoubtable Peter Salem.  Some subsequent artists—­mere copyists—­have sought to consign this black hero to oblivion, but ’tis vain.  Although the monument at Bunker Hill “does not bear his name, the pencil of the artist has portrayed the scene, the pen of the impartial historian has recorded his achievement, and the voice of the eloquent orator has resounded his valor.”