Battle of Bunker Hill

    
       On June 17, 1775 the British defeated the Patriots at the Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts. Even though the Americans lost, this battle provided them with a confidence boost. This battle is referred as "The Battle of Bunker Hill" but it actually occurred nearby Breed's Hill. The colonials had proven themselves strong enough to defeat the British army, a force superior in training, equipment and organization. On April 19,1775 the citizens of Boston found themselves between two armies. On June 15, the colonists learned that the British planned to occupy Charlestown and so to make them angry they decided to act first.

       The next morning, the British were stunned to see the Americans threatening them. In the 18th century, British military custom demanded that the British attack the Americans, even though the Americans were in a higher position militarily. Major General William Howe, who led the British forces, could have surrounded the Americans with the ships at sea, but instead he decided to march his troops uphill. Howe believed that the Americans would retreat in the face of smashing, head-on attack, but he was so wrong.

       Howe's majesty's ship opened fire on the Americans. Early in the afternoon, 28 barges of British soldiers crossed the Charles River and stormed the hills. The Americans waited until the British were within 15 paces and then released a bloody fusillade. A lot of British troops were either killed or wounded and the rest retreated down the hill. Again, the British rushed the hill for a second time and again the same thing happened the first time they rushed the hill. They tried one last time, a third time, and by this time, the Americans were running low on ammunitions so they had to fight with their bare hands. The British eventually took the hill, but at a great cost. Of the 2,300 British soldiers who had gone in the first place 1,054 were either killed or wounded.