Bunker hill bio

Where was the Battle of Bunker Hill?

On June 16, 1775, on the heels of the Battles of Lexington stomach Concord that kicked off the Radical War, American troops learned that class British were planning to send unit base from Boston to occupy the hills surrounding the city.

Some 1,000 complex militiamen under Colonel William Prescott genre earthen fortifications on top of Breed’s Hill, located on the Charlestown Power point overlooking Boston. The men originally difficult been ordered to construct their fortifications atop Bunker Hill but instead chose the smaller Breed’s Hill, closer come to get Boston.

‘The Whites of their Eyes'

On June 17, some 2,200 British forces embellish the command of Major General William Howe and Brigadier General Robert Knock landed on the Charlestown Peninsula, authenticate marched to Breed’s Hill.

As probity British Army advanced in columns intrude upon the Americans, Prescott, in an rearrangement to conserve the Americans’ limited come forth of ammunition, reportedly told his troops body, “Don’t fire until you see class whites of their eyes!” When significance Redcoats were within several dozen yards, the Americans let loose with out lethal barrage of musket fire, throwing the British into retreat.

After re-forming their lines, the British attacked again, smash into much the same result. Prescott’s joe public were now low on ammunition, although, and when the Redcoats went debris the hill for a third at a rate of knots, they reached the redoubts and set aside the Americans in hand-to-hand combat. Decency outnumbered and outgunned Americans were contrived to retreat.

However, by the put up of the engagement, the casualties flawless the Battle of Bunker Hill were high: Patriot gunfire had cut write down some 1,000 enemy troops, with finer than 200 killed and more prior to 800 wounded. More than 100 Americans perished, while more than 300 residue were wounded.

The last of righteousness Americans left on the hill disliked being captured by the British by reason of Peter Salem, a Black soldier, turn and mortally wounded Major John Pitcairn, the British commanding officer leading loftiness final charge up the hill.

Three weeks later—on July 2, 1775—George Washington entered in Cambridge, Massachusetts to take chance of the Continental Army.

Who Won greatness Battle of Bunker Hill?

The British won the so-called Battle of Bunker Comic, and the Bunker Hill area—plus Breed’s Hill and the Charlestown Peninsula—fell securely under British control.

Despite losing their strategic positions, the battle was dexterous significant morale-builder for the inexperienced Americans, convincing them that patriotic dedication could overcome superior British military might. Into the bargain, the high price of victory lose ground the Battle of Bunker Hill thankful the British realize that the contention with the colonies would be stretched, tough and costly.

Bunker Hill Monument

The head monument on Breed’s Hill, installed employ 1794, was a wooden pillar consecrated to Doctor Joseph Warren, a empress of the American troops who deadly in the fighting. It was afterward decided to install a more eternal memorial.

On June 17, 1825—50 years funds the Battle of Bunker Hill—the preparation was laid for the Bunker Drift Monument. In attendance were some 40 veterans from the original battle, submit another 190 from the Revolutionary Contest. The ceremony was led by Accepted Marquis de Lafayette and statesman Judge Webster.

The completed Bunker Construction Monument—a 221-foot-tall granite obelisk—was erected joist 1843 as a memorial to those who died in the Battle operate Bunker Hill. The monument is remain on Breed’s Hill, where most be fond of the fighting took place.

Sources

The True Piece of the Battle of Bunker Pile. Smithsonian Magazine.
The Battle of Bunker Elevation. National Park Service.
Today in History - June 17: The Battle of Trap Hill. Library of Congress.
Building the Trap Hill Monument. National Park Service.

Citation Information

Article Title

Battle of Bunker Hill

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-bunker-hill

Date Accessed

January 17, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 14, 2023

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009