251 Years Ago Today (6/17/1775): The Battle of Bunker Hill

Two months after Lexington and Concord, British and American forces fought on the Charlestown Peninsula outside Boston. The battle is known as Bunker Hill, but most of the fighting took place on nearby Breed's Hill, which sat closer to British positions and overlooked Boston Harbor.

On the night of June 16, about 1,200 American troops under Colonel William Prescott crossed onto the peninsula and began building defenses. They constructed a square earthen fort about 160 feet on each side and dug supporting trench lines extending toward the Mystic River. General Israel Putnam helped organize the defenses and direct arriving militia units. By sunrise, British forces in Boston could clearly see the new American position dominating the high ground.

Fortifying Breed's Hillis an engraving by Samuel Hollyer (1826-1919)

British commander General Thomas Gage ordered an immediate response. Major General William Howe led about 2,200 British soldiers across Boston Harbor to attack the position. The force included grenadiers and light infantry drawn from several regiments. British warships and shore batteries opened fire on the American lines throughout the morning. Before the main assault began, British troops set fire to Charlestown. More than 400 buildings were destroyed, and thick smoke drifted across the battlefield.

Battle of Bunker Hill: British Grenadiers at the Battle of Bunker Hill, Painting by Edward Percy Moran, 1909.

American troops were armed mainly with flintlock muskets firing single lead balls. Many carried only a limited supply of powder and ammunition. Officers instructed their men to hold fire until British troops approached at close range to improve accuracy and conserve cartridges.

Around 3:00 p.m., the first British assault advanced uphill toward the fort and a rail fence protecting the American left flank. The attackers marched in formation across open ground. When they reached close range, American defenders unleashed concentrated volleys that cut down large numbers of troops and forced the attack to retreat. A second assault met the same result. British formations again struggled to cross the exposed slope under heavy fire. Officer casualties mounted because commanders led from the front and were easy targets during the advance.

Howard Pyle — “The Battle of Bunker Hill” (1897)

Howe reorganized his force for a third attack and concentrated on the fort itself. By this stage, many American defenders had nearly exhausted their ammunition. British troops reached the earthworks, crossed into the fort, and forced close quarters fighting. Muskets were used as clubs, and stones were thrown after cartridges ran out. Unable to continue the defense, American forces withdrew toward Cambridge.

British losses totaled 1,054, including 226 killed and 828 wounded. About 92 officers were killed or wounded. American losses were about 450, including 115 killed, 305 wounded, and 30 captured. Patriot leader Joseph Warren was among those killed during the fighting.

Nearly 48% of the British force became casualties in a single day. It was one of the highest loss rates suffered by British troops during the Revolutionary War. Britain captured the position and held the field, but the cost shocked military leaders and proved that American resolve behind prepared defenses could stand against even the strongest empire.