The Battle at Bunker Hill

The battle at Bunker Hill was probably one of the bloodiest and most important battles in the American Revolution. The battle was actually located on Breed's Hill, but it was called Bunker Hill because the hill was bigger. The battle was started so the British wouldn't take over the hills and leave the city. The Americans wanted to overtake Boston, and they thought it would be near impossible if the hills were captured by the British. The Americans also wanted revenge on the British for shooting at them while they were retreating from the battle of Lexington and Concord.

"Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" was a command given to the Americans to save their ammunition. The shots were fired on June 17, 1775 by about 2,400 British and 1,500 Americans. The British commanders were Lieutenant General Thomas Gage, General Artemas War, General William Howe, and Henry Clinton. The American leaders consisted of Peter Salem, Colonel William Prescott, Colonel Joh n Starks, and General George Washington. The British attacked at three different times, regrouping and refilling their ammunition at the intervals by Bunker Hill. The British attacked with both guns and cannons while the Americans only fought with guns. The Americans attacked here and there, and only retreated when they were out of gunpowder.

The redcoats suffered 1,054 casualties, while the Americans lost 450 men. Bunker Hill was the first major battle that the British won over the Americans, but it was a narrow victory. Although the British won by driving the Americans out of Breed's Hill, it was a pyrrhic victory. The battle was actually in the American's favor because they proved that although ill-equipped and inexperienced, they could fight the skilled British bravely. This encouraged the colonists and fired up their souls to fight.

Bibliography

http://www.harlingen.isd.tenet.edu/coakhist/amrev.html#BATTLES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bunker_Hill

http://www.britishbattles.com/bunker-hill.htm