Bunker Hill (CG 52) - Naval Cruise Book

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Battle of Bunker Hill On the evening of June 16, 1775, the sun set on a small ragtag army of soldiers marching toward Boston, Massachusetts, one of the largest port cities of the Northeastern British Colonies, at that time under English control. Colonel William Prescott was ordered to take 1,200 militia troops against England ' s 7,000 Redcoats. His mission was to seize Bunker ' s Hill on Charleston Peninsula, overlooking Boston Harbor, instead. Col. Prescott chose to lead his troops to Breed ' s Hill, located closer to Boston. The motivated soldiers worked throughout the night fortifying the hill under cover of darkness. Upon daybreak, the British awoke to find Breed ' s Hill fortified with an earthen redoubt measuring 160 by 30 feet. British Major General Sir William Howe landed over 2,200 Redcoats on the beach and twice charged the American soldiers on the hill. As the British prepared for their third offensive against the ragged militia. Col. Prescott recognized his troops ' dwindling munitions. He ordered his men to standby for one last volley of fire before retreating. Though the British Redcoats were eventually able to recapture Breed ' s Hill, the American soldiers held them at bay for over two hours despite being outnumbered and outgunned. Out of 2,200 Redcoats engaged, 1 ,034 were killed, w hile the cost to the Americans was less than 450 souls lost, wounded, and captured. As a result of the American soldiers ' efforts, the British attempted no further actions outside of Boston for nine months. Though the [faille of Bunker Hill is viewed by some to be a tactical British ictory, many regard the battle as a psychological and strategic victoi7 for the colonists. For the first time, the Americans demonstrated that relatively untrained farmers and shopkeepers could go toc-to-toe against the greatest army in the world. This pivotal battle served to gain support, both at home and abroad for the American cause.