Why The Battle Happened At Breed's Hill
On June 17, 1775, early in the Revolutionary War the British defeated the Americans at the Battle of Bunker/Breed’s Hill in Massachusetts. Despite their loss some inexperienced colonial forces inflicted significant casualties against the enemy. The battle provided them with an important boost of confidence. Although commonly referred to as the Battle of Bunker Hill, the majority of the fighting happened at Breed’s Hill. On June 16, 1775, learning the British were planning to send troops to occupy the hills surrounding the city, some 1,000 colonial militiamen under Colonel William Prescott built fortifications on top of Breed’s Hill, overlooking Boston on the Charlestown Peninsula. The men were originally ordered to construct their fortifications
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on Bunker Hill but instead they chose the on the smaller Breed’s Hill closer to Boston.
On June 17, 1775, 2,000 British forces marched to Breed’s Hill. As the British had more columns than that of the Patriots, Prescott, in an effort to conserve the Americans supply of ammunition, reportedly told his men “Don’t fire till you see the whites of their eyes!” When the British were a few yards away, the Patriots started shooting, and that made the British retreat.
After re-forming their lines, the British attack again, with the same result.
Prescott’s men were low on ammunition, but when the British went up the hill for the third time they engaged the Americans in hand-to-hand combat. The Americans were outnumbered and they were forced to retreat. By the end of the engagement the Patriots gunfire took out some 1,000 troops, with 200 killed, and 800 wounded. More than 100 Americans perished, while more than 300 were wounded.
The British had won the so-called Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Charlestown Peninsula fell under the British control. Besides losing their positions, the battle was a good morale-builder for the inexperienced patriots, convincing them the dedication of the patriots could overcome the enemy. The price of a win at Bunker Hill told the British that the battle with the Patriots would be long, tough, and expensive.
When the news of the battle spreads through the colonies, it is reported as a loss, and the grounds were taken by the British, and significant casualties were incurred. George Washington who is on his way to Boston as the new commander of the Continental Army, arrived received news of the battle while he was in New York City. The report included casualties that were somewhat inaccurate, gave Washington hope that his army might prevail in the
conflict.
The Massachusetts Committee of Safety, seeking to repeat the victory it got following battles of Lexington and Concord, made a report to send to England. The report did not reach England until after Gage’s official account on July 20th. His report, not surprisingly, sent the Tories and Whigs into an argument, but the casualty count worried the military, and forced many into rethinking the colonial military capability. King George’s attitude hardened towards the colonies, and the news may have contributed to his rejection of the Continental Congress.
About a month after Gage’s report the Proclamation of Rebellion would be sent in response. Gage’s report had more than an effect on his career, his dismissal from the office just three days after his report was received.
on Bunker Hill but instead they chose the on the smaller Breed’s Hill closer to Boston.
On June 17, 1775, 2,000 British forces marched to Breed’s Hill. As the British had more columns than that of the Patriots, Prescott, in an effort to conserve the Americans supply of ammunition, reportedly told his men “Don’t fire till you see the whites of their eyes!” When the British were a few yards away, the Patriots started shooting, and that made the British retreat.
After re-forming their lines, the British attack again, with the same result.
Prescott’s men were low on ammunition, but when the British went up the hill for the third time they engaged the Americans in hand-to-hand combat. The Americans were outnumbered and they were forced to retreat. By the end of the engagement the Patriots gunfire took out some 1,000 troops, with 200 killed, and 800 wounded. More than 100 Americans perished, while more than 300 were wounded.
The British had won the so-called Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Charlestown Peninsula fell under the British control. Besides losing their positions, the battle was a good morale-builder for the inexperienced patriots, convincing them the dedication of the patriots could overcome the enemy. The price of a win at Bunker Hill told the British that the battle with the Patriots would be long, tough, and expensive.
When the news of the battle spreads through the colonies, it is reported as a loss, and the grounds were taken by the British, and significant casualties were incurred. George Washington who is on his way to Boston as the new commander of the Continental Army, arrived received news of the battle while he was in New York City. The report included casualties that were somewhat inaccurate, gave Washington hope that his army might prevail in the
conflict.
The Massachusetts Committee of Safety, seeking to repeat the victory it got following battles of Lexington and Concord, made a report to send to England. The report did not reach England until after Gage’s official account on July 20th. His report, not surprisingly, sent the Tories and Whigs into an argument, but the casualty count worried the military, and forced many into rethinking the colonial military capability. King George’s attitude hardened towards the colonies, and the news may have contributed to his rejection of the Continental Congress.
About a month after Gage’s report the Proclamation of Rebellion would be sent in response. Gage’s report had more than an effect on his career, his dismissal from the office just three days after his report was received.