Battle of Bunker Hill

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For a list of numerous places and things that are named after this battle, see Bunker Hill.
Battle of Bunker Hill
Part of the American Revolutionary War

The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill by John Trumbull
Date June 17, 1775
Location 42°22′37.6″N 71°3′33″W / 42.377111, -71.05917 (Battle of Bunker Hill)Coordinates: 42°22′37.6″N 71°3′33″W / 42.377111, -71.05917 (Battle of Bunker Hill)
Charlestown, Massachusetts
Result British victory
Territorial
changes		 British capture Charlestown peninsula
Belligerents
Flag of the United Kingdom
Kingdom of Great Britain

British Colonial militia
Commanders
British Army:
William Howe
Robert Pigot
Henry Clinton
Royal Navy:
Samuel Graves		 Israel Putnam
William Prescott
Joseph Warren †
Seth Pomeroy
John Stark
(Both Warren and Pomeroy declined command)
Strength
2,400 1,500
Casualties and losses
19 officers killed
226 soldiers killed,
10 officers wounded
818 soldiers wounded
Total: 1,073		 140 dead,
271 wounded,
30 captured (20 POWs Died)
Total: 441
v • d • e
Boston campaign, 1774–76

The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775 on Breed's Hill, as part of the Siege of Boston during the American Revolutionary War. General Israel Putnam was in charge of the revolutionary forces, while Major-General William Howe commanded the British forces. Because most of the fighting did not occur on Bunker Hill itself, the conflict is sometimes more accurately (though less often) called the Battle of Breed's Hill.

The result was a victory for the British, however, they suffered their greatest losses of the entire war: over 800 wounded and 228 killed. The colonists held on and repelled the first two attacks. Finally the colonists' ammunition supplies ran out and on their third assault, the British forces overran the revolutionaries' fortified earthworks on Breed's and Bunker's Hills. Afterwards, British General Henry Clinton remarked in his diary that "A few more such victories would have shortly put an end to British dominion in America."[1][2]

Howe's immediate objective was achieved, but did not affect the siege; it did, however, demonstrate that the American Colonists were willing to stand up to a pitched battle. Colonel William Prescott gave the order, "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes!"

Contents

[edit] Geography

The Charlestown Peninsula started from a short, narrow isthmus (known as the "Neck") at its northwest, extending about one mile (1,600 meters) southeastward into Boston Harbor. Bunker Hill is an elevation (110 feet or 34 meters) at the north of the peninsula and Breed's Hill, at a height of 62 feet (19 meters), is more southerly and nearer to Boston. The town of Charlestown occupied the flats at the southern end. At its closest approach, less than 1,000 feet (300 meters) separated Charlestown Peninsula from the Boston Peninsula, specifically, an area occupied by Copp's Hill at about the same height as Breed's Hill.

[edit] Battle

1775 map of the Boston area (contains some inaccurate information)
1775 map of the Boston area (contains some inaccurate information)
The first British attack on Bunker Hill. Colored areas are hills.
The first British attack on Bunker Hill. Colored areas are hills.

On the night of June 16-17, Colonial Colonel William Prescott led 1,500 men onto the peninsula. At first, Putnam, Prescott, and their engineering officer, Captain Richard Gridley, disagreed as to where they should locate their defense. Breed's Hill was viewed as much more defensible, and they decided to build their primary redoubt there. Prescott and his men, using Gridley's outline, began digging a fortification 160 feet (50 m) long and 80 feet (25 m) wide with ditches and earthen walls.[3] They added ditch and dike extensions toward the Charles River on their right and began reinforcing a fence running to their left.

In the early predawn, around 4 a.m., a sentry on board HMS Lively spotted the new fortification. Lively opened fire, temporarily halting the Colonists' work. Aboard his flagship HMS Somerset, Admiral Samuel Graves awoke irritated by the gunfire which he had not ordered. He stopped it, only to reverse his decision when he got on deck and saw the works. He ordered all 128 guns in the harbor to fire on the Colonists' position, but the broadsides proved largely ineffective since the guns could not be elevated enough to reach the fortifications.

Across the narrow channel in Boston stood General Gage, his staff, and loyalist Abijah Willard. Upon looking through a telescope, Willard recognized his brother-in-law Colonel Prescott. "Will he fight?' asked Gage. "[A]s to his men, I cannot answer for them;" replied Willard "but Colonel Prescott will fight you to the gates of hell."[4]

Prescott did live up to Willard's word, but his men were not so resolute. When the Colonists suffered their first casualty, Asa Pollard of Billerica, a young private killed by cannon fire, Prescott gave orders to bury the man quickly and quietly, but a large group of men gave him a solemn funeral instead, with several deserting shortly thereafter.[4]

It took almost six hours to organize an infantry force and to gather up and inspect the men on parade. General Howe was to lead the major assault, drive around the Colonist's left flank, and take them from the rear. Brigadier General Robert Pigot on the British left flank would lead the direct assault on the redoubt. Major John Pitcairn led the flank or reserve force. It took several trips in longboats to transport Howe's forces to the eastern corner of the peninsula, known as Moulton's Hill. On a warm day, with wool tunics and full field packs of about 60 pounds (27 kg), the British were finally ready by about 2 p.m.

The Colonists, seeing this activity, had also called for reinforcements. Troops reinforcing the forward positions included the 1st and 3rd New Hampshire regiments of 200 men, under Colonels John Stark and James Reed (both later became generals). Stark's men took positions along the fence on the north end of the Colonist's position. When low tide opened a gap along the Mystic River along the northeast of the peninsula, they quickly extended the fence with a short stone wall to the north ending at the water's edge on a small beach. Gridley or Stark placed a stake about 100 feet (30 m) in front of the fence and ordered that no one fire until the regulars passed it. Private (later Major) John Simpson, however, disobeyed and fired as soon as he had a clear shot, thus starting the battle. The battle of Bunker Hill, had begun.

Just prior to the action, additional reinforcements arrived, including portions of Massachusetts regiments of Colonels Brewer, Nixon, Woodbridge, Little, and Major Moore, and Callender's company of artillery.

The second British attack on Bunker Hill.
The second British attack on Bunker Hill.

General Howe detached both the light infantry companies and grenadiers of all the regiments available. Along the narrow beach, the far right flank of the Colonist position, Howe set his light infantry. They lined up four across and several hundred deep, led by officers in scarlet red jackets. Behind the crude stone wall stood Stark's men. In the middle of the British lines, to attack the rail fence between the beach and redoubt stood Reed's men and the remainder of Stark's New Hampshire regiment. To oppose them, Howe assembled all the flank companies of grenadiers in the first line, supported by the 5th and 52nd Regiments' line companies. The attack on the redoubt itself was led by Brigadier General Robert Pigot, commanding the 38th and 43rd line companies, along with the Marines.

The third and final British attack on Bunker Hill
The third and final British attack on Bunker Hill

Prescott had been steadily losing men. He lost very few to the bombardment but assigned ten volunteers to carry the wounded to the rear. Others took advantage of the confusion to join the withdrawal. Two generals did join Prescott's force, but both declined command and simply fought as individuals.[5] By the time the battle had started, 1,400 defenders faced 2,600 regulars.

The first assaults on the fence line and the redoubt were met with massed fire at close range and repulsed, with heavy British losses. The reserve, gathering just north of the town, was also taking casualties from rifle fire in the town. Howe's men reformed on the field and made a second unsuccessful attack at the wall.

By this time, the Colonists had lost all fire discipline. In traditional battles of the eighteenth century, companies of men fired, reloaded, and moved on specific orders, as they had been trained (see the warfare tactics section in "Muskets"). After their initial volley, the Colonists fought as individuals, each man firing as quickly as he could. The British withdrew almost to their original positions on the peninsula to regroup. The navy, along with artillery from Copp's Hill on the Boston peninsula, fired heated shot into Charlestown. All 400 or so buildings and the docks were completely burned, but the snipers withdrew safely.

In the third British assault the reserves were included and both flanks concentrated on the redoubt. This attack was successful. The defenders had run out of ammunition, reducing the battle to close combat. The British had the advantage here as their troops were equipped with bayonets on their muskets but most of the Colonists did not have them.

The British advance, and the Colonists' withdrawal, swept through the entire peninsula, including Bunker Hill as well as Breed's Hill. However, under Putnam, the Colonists were quickly in new positions on the mainland. Coupled with the exhaustion of Howe's troops, there was little chance of advancing on Cambridge and breaking the siege.

[edit] Aftermath

A historic map of Bunker Hill featuring military notes
A historic map of Bunker Hill featuring military notes

The British had taken the ground but at a great loss; 1,054 were shot (226 dead and 828 wounded), and a disproportionate number of these were officers. The Colonial losses were only about 450, of whom 140 were killed (including Joseph Warren), and 30 captured (20 of whom died later as POWs). Most Colonial losses came during the withdrawal. Major Andrew McClary was the highest ranking Colonial officer to die in the battle (also reportedly the last casualty). He was commemorated by the dedication of a fort in Kittery, Maine as Fort McClary.

British dead and wounded included most of their officers. Of General Howe's entire field staff, he was the only one who was not shot. Major Pitcairn had been killed, and Colonel James Abercrombie fatally wounded.

The attitude of the British was significantly changed, both individually and as a government. Thomas Gage was soon recalled and was replaced by General Howe shortly afterward. Gage's report to the cabinet repeated his earlier warnings that "a large army must at length be employed to reduce these people" and would require "the hiring of foreign troops."

The famous order, "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" was popularized by stories about Bunker Hill. However, it is uncertain as to who said it, since various writers attribute it to Putnam, Stark, Prescott or Gridley. The original use of this quote came from the Battle of Dettingen on 27 June 1743, where Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Agnew of Lochnaw warned his Regiment, The Royal Scots Fusiliers, not to fire until they could “see the white’s of their e’en.” Some doubt is purposed if anyone at the Battle Of Bunker Hill said it at all, and instead, is a historical mistake confusing the two battles. At any rate, it was not a brilliant and original piece of field generalship: it was a reasonably common order at the time.

[edit] Colonial Volunteers

According to the John Trumbull painting, the flag carried by the colonists during the battle was this historical flag of New England
According to the John Trumbull painting, the flag carried by the colonists during the battle was this historical flag of New England
This flag, known as the Bunker Hill flag, is associated with the battle
This flag, known as the Bunker Hill flag, is associated with the battle

Among the Colonial volunteers in the battle were:

[edit] African-Americans

Less well-known are the approximately three dozen African-American soldiers, including:

  • Phillip Abbot of Andover, Massachusetts-killed in the battle
  • Alexander Ames
  • Isaiah Bayoman
  • Cuff Blanchard
  • Titus Coburn
  • Grant Cooper
  • Caesar Dickenson
  • Charlestown Eaads
  • Alexander Eames
  • Blaney Grusha-servant to Col Micah Stone-Died Feb 7,1820 Framingham Mass
  • Jude Hall
  • Cuff Haynes
  • Cato Howe
  • Caesar Jahar
  • Barzillai Lew
  • Pompy of Braintree
  • Salem Poor
  • Caesar Post
  • Job Potama
  • Robin of Sandowne, New Hampshire
  • Peter Salem aka "Salem Middlesex"
  • Seasor of York County
  • Sampson Talbot
  • Cato Tufts
  • Cuff Whitemore

[edit] British Officers

Among the British Officers were:

[edit] British Officer Casualties

The following 29 British officers were either killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill, died of wounds received or were wounded and presumably made a recovery.Of the 29 officers, there were 2 Ensigns, 12 Lieutenants, 11 captains, 3 majors and 1 Lieutenant-Colonel. This list is not complete but indicates the high rate of casualties among the British officers:

The Battle of Bunker Hill, Howard Pyle, 1897
The Battle of Bunker Hill, Howard Pyle, 1897
  • Lieutenant-Colonel James Abercrombie, 22nd Foot - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Ensign Balaquire, 5th Foot - wounded at Bunker Hill
  • Lieutenant Bard, 35th Foot - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Lieutenant Bruere, 14th Foot (serving as volunteer) - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Captain Campbell, HM Marines - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Ensign Charleton, 5th Foot - wounded at Bunker Hill
  • Lieutenant Croker, 5th Foot - wounded at Bunker Hill
  • Lieutenant Dalrymple, 63rd Foot - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Captain Davidson, 52nd Foot - wounded at Bunker Hill
  • Captain Patrick Downs, 5th Foot - mortally wounded at Bunker Hill and died in the evening
  • Lieutenant Dutton, 38th Foot - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Captain Ellis, HM Marines - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Lieutenant Finnie, HM Marines - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Lieutenant Gardner, HM Marines - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Lieutenant Gold, 47th Foot - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Captain George Harris, 5th Foot - wounded at Bunker Hill (shot in head, recovered, and later became a General and created 1st Baron Harris)
  • Lieutenant Higgins, 52nd Foot - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Lieutenant Hillard, 47th Foot - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Captain Hudson, 65th Foot - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Captain John Jackson, 5th Foot - wounded at Bunker Hill
  • Captain Mackenzi, 43rd Foot - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Lieutenant M’Clintockx, 5th Foot - wounded at Bunker Hill
  • Captain Francis Marsden, 5th Foot - wounded at Bunker Hill, after living for another 5 years died at Burntwood Hall, February 12, 1780, presumably from wounds received. Monument inside Wakefield Cathedral, West Yorkshire
  • Major Pask, 52nd Foot - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Major John Pitcairn, HM Marines - mortally wounded at Bunker Hill and died in the evening
  • Lieutenant Shea, HM Marines - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Captain Sherwin, 67th Foot - killed at Bunker Hill - Aide-de-camp to General Howe
  • Captain Smith, 52nd Foot - killed at Bunker Hill
  • Major Williams, 52nd Foot - killed at Bunker Hill

[edit] Commemorations

[edit] See also

[edit] References and further reading

  • Adams, Charles Francis (April 1896). "The Battle of Bunker Hill". The American Historical Review 1 (3): 401-413. 
  • Doyle, Peter: Bunker Hill; (young peoples book); 1998, Providence Foundation; ISBN 1-887456-08-2.
  • Elting, John R.: The Battle of Bunker's Hill; 1975, Phillip Freneau Pres (56 pages), Monmouth, New Jersey; ISBN 0-912480-11-4
  • Fast, Howard: Bunker Hill; 2001, ibooks inc., New York; ISBN 0-7434-2384-4
  • Frothingham, Jr., Richard: History of the Siege of Boston and of the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, Second Edition, published by Charles C. Little and James Brown, Boston (1851). This historical book is available online via the Google Books Library Project at http://books.google.com/books?id=xl4sAAAAMAAJ Frothingham.
  • Graydon, Alexander. Memoirs of His Own Time: With Reminiscences of the Men and Events of the Revolution Edited by John Stockton Littell. Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia, 1846. This historical book is available online via the Google Books Library Project at http://books.google.com/books?id=wvQEAAAAYAAJ
  • Ketchum, Richard:Decisive Day: The Battle of Bunker Hill; 1999, Owl Books; ISBN 0-385-41897-3 (Paperback: ISBN 0-8050-6099-5)
  • The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. 2002.
  • Swett, S.: History of Bunker Hill Battle, With a Plan, Second Edition, Munroe and Francis, Boston (1826). This historical book is available online via the Google Books Library Project at http://books.google.com/books?id=QM3KyrZKnZAC.

[edit] Notes and citations

  1. ^ Clinton, Henry. The American Rebellion: Sir Henry Clinton's Narrative of His Campaigns, 1775-1782. William B. Willcox ed. Yale University Press, 1954, p. 19
    http://books.google.com/books?id=H2AsAAAAMAAJ
  2. ^ General Clinton's remark is an echoing of Pyrrhus' original sentiment after the Battle of Heraclea, "one more such victory and the cause is lost".
  3. ^ Benjamin Cotterell, a resident of a small settlement named Poestenkill, is said to have carried the first wheelbarrow of earth to the battle.
  4. ^ a b Graydon, Alexander. Memoirs of His Own Time: With Reminiscences of the Men and Events of the Revolution Edited by John Stockton Littell. Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia, 1846, p. 424
    http://books.google.com/books?id=wvQEAAAAYAAJ
  5. ^ One of the generals who declined command was Dr. Joseph Warren, the president of the Council and acting head of Massachusetts revolutionary government. He declined because his commission as a Major General was not yet effective. The second general was Seth Pomeroy. Pomeroy, a veteran of both King George's War and the French and Indian War perhaps declined because of age. He was 69.
  6. ^ Hayward, John. A Gazetteer of the United States of America. self published, 1854, p. 322.
    http://books.google.com/books?id=hlJ_1U2IaAIC

[edit] External links