Talk:Battle of Bunker Hill

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[edit] June 30, 2003 Rewrite

Text comparisions between the June 30, 2003 version and prior ones will be difficult, because I've basically replaced the article. I thought of placing the prior text here, but the article history does a good job. Just refer to a version dated before this one. That said, some comments are required about one or two specific changes.

The article would be longer still except that some background material went into the Siege of Boston article and individual people articles. Some additional rearrangement of material may make sense, but it can't all go here.
The previous version noted that up to a third of the American forces may have been African-American. This comment came from a Library of Congres Web page, and may be politically correct, but its not factual. My best estimate is that 1 to 2 percent (20-40 men) of the defenders were black.
Fact - Salmon Poor was killed during the withdrawal from the redoubt. Hyperbole: He killed the British commander. The reasons I conclude this is unlikely include:
General Pigot commanded the last phase of taking the redoubt, and survived.
Major Pitcairn (Royal Marines) who led the flank battalion was killed on the flats north of the town, about 400 yards from the redoubt. While its possible that Poor fired that shot, given the timing, weapons, and distances, its much more probable that he fell to one of the snipers in Charlestown, only about 150 yards away and armed with long rifles not muskets.

Thanks for your attention. Lou I 04:48 30 Jun 2003 (UTC)

[edit] British results quotation

I am curious about the source of the quote attributed to General Gage at the beginning of the article. I have previously heard this quote attributed to General Henry Clinton with the wording being "Another such victory and we are utterly undone." While either would be somewhat of an invocation of the original words by Pyrrhus, I wonder if it is perhaps misattributed.

-matt 06 June 2004

The Gage quote comes from a book by Robert Leckie (author). I can’t attribute it further. The Clinton quote that matt asked about can be attributed. Clinton himself says it’s in his diary, and its repeated in a reprint book:
  • Clinton, Henry (William Wilcox, editor); "The American Rebellion: Sir Henry Clinton's Narrative of His Campaigns, 1775-1782, With An Appendix of Original Documents"; 1954, New Haven, Yale University Press. Originally published in London in 1783 by Henry Clinton as an explanation of his conduct during the revolutionary war.
To maybe justify Leckie, Clinton does say that he was discussing the battle’s outcome with General Gage, and I haven’t seen the diary itself (or its microfilm). But the Clinton quote is just as fitting, and has an attribution (above), so I’m going to change the article. Lou I 21:01, 5 Dec 2004 (UTC)

[edit] William Prescott

I have been thinking about this a long time. While it is true the Israel Putnam was on the field, he went no further than Bunker Hill. The man incharge of the fighting at Breed's Hill and directing units into line was William Prescott. For my source, I cite Decisive Day:The Battle of Bunker Hill by Richard M. Ketchum. For this reason, Prescott desrves to be listed under commander. (Steve 03:38, 28 February 2006 (UTC))

[edit] Where's my relative?

For anyone who knows a good deal about this battle and feels there are things they might add, I want to draw your attention to a detail that I see has been neglected.

My ancestor, Major Andrew McClary, died at that battle. He was the highest ranking officer to die there and a fort, erstwhile styled Fort William, was named after him. That's about all I know. I know he got a cannonball in the hip! I thought I knew that he was a loyalist, but I found something on the internet calling him a "patriot." Doesn't that mean American? Whatever he was, he's been overlooked. I don't think that it takes someone with a filial bias to see this as an injustice.

Okay, military historians? Ready to do a fallen soldier justice? Good on ya. thx, L*** McClary

Loyalist? Nah, he was definitely on the rebel side. Until more gets written on the wiki, you might enjoy this piece. --iMeowbot~Meow 05:31, 17 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Traitors?

"In the middle of the British lines, to attack the rail fence between the beach and redoubt stood the Reed's men and the remainder of Stark's New Hampshire regiment." Did these guys switch sides or were they just really, really confused? I think I know what the writer intended, but I'd rather leave it to be fixed by someone who knows for sure. Clarityfiend 05:45, 17 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Vandalism

A few people have been vandalizing this page. It's annoying, since I'm doing a project that requires information about the Battle of Bunker Hill and I see random things that have been inserted in by idiots. Someone please do something about it.

Kainwolfe 00:23, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

I'll put in a request for protection/warning on the vandal's talk page. -Releeshan 00:57, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Ammunition

Would it matter if it were more specific and said "lack of gunpowder" rather than ammunition? They essentially both mean the same thing when it comes to firing them out of the gun but the Americans were never that short on lead. AllStarZ 01:04, 22 February 2007 (UTC)

Sounds good to me. Go ahead. --Releeshan 01:08, 22 February 2007 (UTC)

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