Battle Of Bunker Hill Essay

The Battle of Bunker Hill
SGT Sabastian Rhode
Advanced Leadership Course Introduction
The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought just a few months after the start of the American Revolutionary War on June 17, 1775 in Charleston, Massachusetts, in order to gain control of the Boston Harbor and the Charleston Peninsula. However, the majority of the Battle took place on the adjacent hill, which later became known as Breed’s Hill. With the city of Boston being swarmed by American militia, the British were trying to keep control of the city and the valuable seaport. The British then decided to send a force of 2,200 soldiers to take the unoccupied surrounding city hills, in order to gain a tactical advantage on the American militia. The American colonist got word of their plan and went to defend the hills from the British. British forces charged up the hill twice ending in retreat. On the third charge the American Colonist, who were almost out of ammunition, was forced to retreat. Taking nearly 1,200 casualties, compared to the Americans 400, the British gained the tactical advantage for the Boston Harbor and the Charleston Peninsula.
Define the Battle

On June 13, 1775 Colonial forces got word that the British, commanded by Major General William Howe, were sending soldiers to take the unoccupied hills surrounding the city. American General William Prescott led 1,200 men onto the Peninsula to set up defenses on Bunker Hill, but chose to set up on Breed’s Hill, due to the location being closer to the harbor. During the night, American colonist fortified a strong defensive position on Breed’s Hill, as well as a line that fortified across the Charleston Peninsula. General Howe was astonished when he found out the colonist were defending the Hill and set out to reclaim the