Between battle scenes during the 250th Battle of Bunker Hill Reenactments, Chris Haydon of the Lexington Minute Men led other reenactors in the funeral of Asa Pollard, the first American casualty in Bunker Hill.
In the chaos of the British landing and bombardment, a cannonball fired from the British decapitates Pollard, killing him instantly. While some try to flee from the encroaching sea of red, they are stopped by their commander, who urges his men to stay, bury their friend, and reinforce the redoubt.
The Colonel gathers a Reverend to lead remarks and give Pollard a proper funeral while the men work hastily to dig a grave so that Pollard’s body would not weaken the morale of his fellow troops. The service becomes a moving scene from the battles, showing the fragility of the American line and their determination in the face of danger and superior fire power.
Chris Haydon of the Lexington Minute Men led the scene in his role as the Reverend. Haydon, who in real life is Senior Pastor at Trinity Covenant Church in Lexington, usually portrays Reverend Jonas Clark for the Lexington Minute Men. Rev. Clark was not present at Bunker Hill, so Haydon used his experience in the role of clergyman to assist the reenactors, from several different groups, in holding a proper service.
View scenes from the funeral here.