Battle of Bunker and Breed’s Hill

June 17, 1775

The Plot

• Colonial militias from the countryside of Mass come to encircle Boston in the hopes of getting the British out of there.

• In the middle of the night, the colonists dig trenches on top of B & B Hill on Charlestown Peninsula. British should have gone to the Boston Neck, but reacted and attacked their position.

• 3 waves of British. First two result in many Brit deaths

• On 3rd wave, Am run out of ammo & retreat

Key People, Figures, Groups

Colonists• Ethan Allen (Green Mt. Boys), Benedict Arnold—rebel

groups who helped after the battle • William Prescott—American Colonel who led 1200

colonists to defend BB Hills; “don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes”—low on ammo, so needed to take careful aim

British• General Thomas Gage & General Howe• 3000 Brit soldiers

Outcomes

• 1050 Brit deaths, 440 Am deaths—many shot in back during retreat including Dr. Warren

• GMB snuck into Brit Ft. Ticonderoga in NY & took 50 cannons (no deaths), dragged 10,000 lbs. 200 miles to Boston, pretended to be a barber to get into the fort

• Ticonderoga cannons set up by winter at Dorchester Heights, aimed at B. Harbor Brit Navy;

Historical Significance/Importance• Colonial “moral victory”; shocked that

they could beat the most powerful army in the world, boosts confidence; though brits claimed the victory b/c of retreat

• Brits leave Boston by March & 1000 loyalists go to Canada

• E. Burke asks Parliament to withdraw troops, Lord North just sends more