Bunker Hill, Battle of, was the bloodiest battle of the American Revolution (1775-1783). More than 1,000 British soldiers and about 400 American patriots were killed or wounded.
The battle occurred in June 1775. During that month, thousands of colonists besieged the British Army in Boston. British Lieutenant General Thomas Gage planned to fortify the hills on Dorchester Heights, south of Boston. The American patriots learned of the plan and decided to occupy Bunker Hill, which was on Charlestown Peninsula, across the Charles River north of Boston. On the night of June 16, patriot troops moved onto the peninsula from the northwest. They bypassed Bunker Hill and fortified Breed’s Hill, which was closer to Boston. Reserve troops occupied Bunker Hill.
Early the next morning, the British realized what had happened and began to ferry 2,500 troops under Major General William Howe across the Charles. The American troops, commanded by Colonel William Prescott, faced them from behind a fortified line on top of Breed’s Hill. The British attacked twice, but retreated in the face of patriot fire. The British charged a third time. By this time, the Americans were running out of powder and could not get any more from supporting troops on Bunker Hill. The Americans then retreated from the Charlestown Peninsula.
See also Poor, Salem .
