Bunker Hill
Boston, MA
The British Military is no stranger to suicidal charges: the Charge of the Light Brigade and Gallipoli serve as examples of this. The American Military is no stranger to suicidal charges either: Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Ft. Wagner, and Little Bighorn are examples. Prior to all of the above, however, was the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Imagine yourself in the shoes of Thomas Gage. The rebels have already won a victory at Concord, causing the British Army to retreat back through Lexington and into the fortress of Boston. Generals Clinton and Burgoyne recommend wiping them out once and for all. Hence, an attack is order on the rebel position, well entrenched, on Breed’s Hill.
Although a British victory, the casualties were very disproportionate. More than 100 Americans died, and 300 were wounded. For the British, it was the bloodiest day of the war: they suffered 1,000 casualties with 200 hundred killed and another 800 wounded. It was also here that Major Pitcairn of the Royal Marines, a survivor of the battles of Lexington, Concord, and the retreat back to Boston, would finally meet his end.
Works Cited
Trumbull, John. The Battle of Bunker Hill. 1781. Oil on canvas.
