Bunker Hill: The Revolutionary War in Four Minutes

Summary

In June 1775, following the alarm at Lexington, 20,000 American militiamen and Minutemen converged on Boston. Led by General Artemus Ward, they fortified Breeds Hill, which the British, under General Gage, decided to attack. On June 17th, the British launched multiple assaults, facing fierce resistance from the Americans, who held their fire until the enemy was in close range. Despite several deadly volleys, the British eventually broke through after the Americans ran out of ammunition. Though victorious, the British suffered heavy losses, marking a turning point where reconciliation with Britain became impossible.

Takeaways

• 😀 On April 19, 1775, the Lexington alarm triggered 20,000 militiamen and Minutemen to converge on Massachusetts, especially around Boston.
• 😀 By June 1775, the presence of these militias around Boston was a concern for British General Thomas Gage.
• 😀 General Artemus Ward, head of the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, led the American forces and ordered them to fortify Breeds Hill.
• 😀 The British were shocked to discover the American fortifications on Breeds Hill upon waking up on June 17, 1775.
• 😀 After a council of war, General Thomas Gage decided to launch an attack on the American position on Breeds Hill.
• 😀 On June 17, 1775, thousands of British grenadiers and regulars assaulted the American positions on a hot and humid day.
• 😀 The British forces, led by General William Howe, marched in cadence to drums as they advanced towards the American fortifications.
• 😀 The American militia, under Colonel William Prescott, held their fire until the British were close enough to see the whites of their eyes, resulting in a devastating volley that forced the British to retreat.
• 😀 The British attempted two more assaults on the American position, each time retreating after suffering heavy losses from American fire.
• 😀 On the third assault, the British were able to breach the American fortifications, leading to fierce hand-to-hand combat within the fort.
• 😀 During the battle, African American soldier Peter Salem shot and killed British Major John Pitcairn, who had gained infamy in the earlier battles of Lexington and Concord.
• 😀 The Americans ultimately retreated, not out of fear, but because they ran out of ammunition, leaving the British to claim victory on the field.
• 😀 Despite the British victory, the battle was costly, and as British General Henry Clinton stated, it was a 'dear bought victory.'
• 😀 The Battle of Bunker Hill marked a turning point where reconciliation between the American colonies and Great Britain became impossible, with Benjamin Franklin stating that the colonies were now enemies of Britain.

Q & A

What triggered the large gathering of militias and Minutemen in New England in 1775?

The Lexington alarm on April 19, 1775, triggered the gathering of 20,000 militias and Minutemen from across New England, who were outraged by the British actions and decided to converge on Massachusetts and Boston.

Why were the British concerned about the presence of the American forces outside Boston?

The British were concerned because the number of American forces outside Boston had swelled to a point where it posed a significant threat, particularly as they were bottled up inside the city.

Who was in charge of the American forces outside of Boston during June 1775?

The American forces outside Boston were led by General Artemus Ward, who was head of the Massachusetts Committee of Safety.

What was the mistake regarding the name of the hill where the American forces set up their position?

The Americans set up their position on Breed's Hill, but it is commonly misnamed as Bunker's Hill.

What happened on June 17, 1775, at Breed's Hill?

On June 17, 1775, the British launched an assault on the American position at Breed's Hill, leading to the Battle of Bunker Hill, during which heavy fighting took place.

What was the significance of the British grenadiers and regulars' movements during the assault?

The British grenadiers and regulars marched in cadence to drumbeats, signaling a coordinated and disciplined assault on the American position.

What famous order did Colonel William Prescott give to the American militia men during the battle?

Colonel William Prescott famously ordered his men not to fire until they could see the 'whites of their eyes' to ensure the most effective use of their ammunition.

Who was Peter Salem, and what role did he play in the Battle of Bunker Hill?

Peter Salem was an African American who fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill. He is credited with taking down British Major John Pitcairn by shooting him during the battle.

Why did the American forces eventually retreat from their position?

The American forces retreated not out of fear, but because they ran out of powder and shot, leaving them unable to continue the fight.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and how did it affect the relationship between the American colonies and Great Britain?

The British won the Battle of Bunker Hill, but it was a costly victory, as described by British General Henry Clinton. Following the battle, reconciliation between the American colonies and Great Britain became impossible, as Benjamin Franklin noted that they had gone from being friends to enemies.