The Battle of Bunker Hill
After the battles at Lexington and Concord, British troops withdrew back to Boston. Several thousand British troops occupied the town. The Americans quickly put together a army, bringing together some 15,000 minutemen from all over New England. The standoff at Boston led to the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Boston was at risk of being attacked from several hills that were overlooking the city. Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill were across the river in Charleston. General Gage was planning to occupy the hills as soon as reinforcements arrived. But a colonial force led by Colonel William Prescott moved quickly. While under attack from British cannons across the river and warships in the harbor, the colonists quickly built a fort on Breed’s Hill.
Boston was at risk of being attacked from several hills that were overlooking the city. Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill were across the river in Charleston. General Gage was planning to occupy the hills as soon as reinforcements arrived. But a colonial force led by Colonel William Prescott moved quickly. While under attack from British cannons across the river and warships in the harbor, the colonists quickly built a fort on Breed’s Hill.
On June 17, 1775, British troops, led by General William Howe tried to kick the colonists off the hilltop. Nearly 2,500 British troops stormed the hill twice as the colonists fired from behind barricades. The colonists were short of ammunition, so they waited until the enemy was a few yards away, then fired with deadly aim. It is believed that one commander shouted the now famous phrase, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!”
On the third British attempt, the colonists ran out of gunpowder. They were forced to retreat to nearby Bunker Hill (which gave the battle its name). About 1,000 British soldiers and about 400 American colonists were killed or wounded. Although the British won, the brave defense at the Battle of Bunker Hill encouraged the colonists. The battle gave them confidence in their ability to fight the better- trained and better-equipped British army. |
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