The Battle of Bunker Hill

The Battle of Bunker Hill, which was primarily fought on nearby Breed’s Hill, was the first major head-to-head battle of the American Revolution. Today you can still visit the legendary site, which is now completely surrounded by the city of Charlestown. But despite the passage of time, historic Charlestown and Americans from near and far continue to proudly celebrate the battle, as they have since 1786. Marking the beginning of Boston’s famous Freedom Trail, the Bunker Hill Monument cannot be missed!

History

The nine months leading up to the Battle of Bunker Hill were marked by growing tensions amongst the colonists and British General Thomas Gage and his army stationed in Boston. The British conducted numerous forays into the countryside to seize cannon and gunpowder, which included the Powder Alarm on September 1, 1774 and the British march on Salem, MA on February 26, 1775 (war was avoided due to the quick thinking of the townspeople and use of a draw bridge).

On April 19, 1775, the Battles of Lexington and Concord erupted in the Massachusetts countryside, which emboldened the angry New Englanders to fight- the war had begun.

The following months were filled with confusion of possible reconciliation or further violence, a frantic gathering of arms and munitions, political discussion, impassioned pleas and a tense standoff between the growing colonial militia and the British troops seemingly trapped in Boston (which in 1775, was nearly an island, connected to the mainland only by the skinny Boston Neck). The patchwork provincial army was primarily garrisoned in Cambridge (including at Harvard University) and Roxbury- both key positions just outside of Boston. Military leaders such as Generals Artemas Ward and Israel Putnam took command of the ragtag group of men and struggled to manage the organization, hygiene and daily activities of the restless army. At the center of all the hysteria stood the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, the Committee of Safety and steadfast patriots such as John Hancock, Samuel Adams and the unwavering Joseph Warren.

As the weeks dragged on, both the British and American sides realized the tactical importance of two locations just outside the city of Boston: Dorchester Heights to the south and the hills in Charlestown to the north. Whoever commanded these heights (and could place artillery there) would essentially command the city of Boston below. By mid-June 1775, the British had planned an assault on both locations to seize the important ground; however, the patriots had plans of their own.

On the evening of Friday, June 16, 1775, approximately 1,000 colonial troops under command of Colonel William Prescott assembled on Cambridge Common. That night, these men (who were joined by a few hundred others and the zealous General Putnam) marched across the Charlestown neck to fortify the prominent Bunker Hill by order of the Provincial Congress; however, due to defiance, pride or a miscommunication, the men continued towards the nearby 75-foot tall Breed’s Hill. On that moonless night in the shadow of British war ships and the battery upon Copp’s Hill in Boston, Prescott and his men used shovels and pick axes to create fortifications and entrenchments along the crest of Breed’s Hill. As the sun began to rise on June 17, the colonists continued to dig, despite (somewhat) ineffective cannon fire from the British warships. The American positions on Breed’s Hill and those that stretched towards the Mystic River were defended by men led by a fractured and unorganized chain of command- yet they prepared to fight the most organized and well-equipped army in the world.

On the morning of June 17 as the British forces gazed upon the colonial entrenchments, General Thomas Gage met with Generals Clinton, Howe and Burgoyne to plan their response: they would attack immediately. In the early afternoon, as the colonists continued to fortify Breed’s Hill and the surrounding area, nearly 2,200 British troops began to embark boats at Long Wharf.

As the battle began to unfold, British Admiral Thomas Graves was given permission to fire upon and burn Charlestown. The flying projectiles and burning buildings added to the chaos of the afternoon as the wearied colonists watched the British regulars land and prepare for their assault. The cannonade ceased and the first wave of British regulars began their troubled march through the rough terrain. Tall grass, hidden rocks and lines of fences impeded the British advance, whose neat ranks quickly became jagged and spread out (the below painting, although wonderful in its own right, is not an entirely accurate depiction of the battle).

The impressive British force continued forward as the entrenched provincial army nervously clutched their muskets and held their fire. It was at this time that a colonial officer allegedly ordered “don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” These words would have been said (although many believe they were not) to ensure an accurate and deadly fire and to preserve the scant amount of ammunition that the men had.

The British came within close range and were met with a devastating fire that emptied their ranks and caused mass confusion. As their momentum sputtered, the first British wave retreated down the hill. A second wave met a similar result and ended in retreat; however, the provincial troops in the redoubt were exhausted and very low on ammunition. Due to the lack of communication between the defenders on Breed’s Hill and the forces located in nearby Cambridge, reinforcements were unlikely.

On a third assault, the angered British troops managed to reach the redoubt while the provincial fire withered and “went out like an old candle,” as recounted by William Prescott. The defenders used rocks and their muskets for weapons as fierce hand-to-hand combat ensued. As the fighting intensified, the defenders retreated towards Bunker Hill and the Charlestown neck- many never made it and died by the bayonet. One such man to die at the hands of the British was the revered patriot (and then newly-minted General) Joseph Warren.

After nearly two hours of fighting, over 1,000 British soldiers and officers were killed or wounded, while somewhere between 300-500 colonists were killed, wounded or captured. Although the ground was lost, the battle is often viewed as an American victory due to the large loss of life the British army suffered to take the hill. British General Howe would never forget the terrible cost of the battle.

Interesting Facts

• A seven-year-old John Quincy Adams and his mother, Abigail Adams, witnessed the sights and sounds of the battle from his nearby childhood home in Braintree, MA
• Bunker Hill’s first monument was built in 1794 as an 18-foot tall wooden pillar erected in memory of Doctor Joseph Warren, who was made a Brigadier General just before the battle (he would die fighting in the redoubt as a common soldier)
• On June 17, 1825 (the 50th anniversary of the battle), Marquis de Lafayette laid the cornerstone for the still-standing Bunker Hill obelisk monument during his tour of the United States from July 1824 to September 1825

Our Visit & Recommendations

Whether you are just visiting Charlestown or are planning to walk the entire Freedom Trail, the Bunker Hill Monument and Museum is the place to start. We have visited there on multiple occasions, including for two of the fun and patriotic Bunker Hill Day Parades. On our normal visits we usually find street parking on Monument Square or on a nearby side street (during the parades we usually have to pay for parking, which included a decent walk- but worth it!). The museum, monument and exhibit lodge are all free and operate daily from 10am – 5pm.

As you approach monument square, you will first see the towering obelisk monument that sits atop Breed’s Hill. As tempting as it may be to head straight there, I recommend to begin your trip at the Bunker Hill Museum, located across the street from the monument (at the corner of Monument Square and Monument Avenue). Completed in 2007, the museum houses a gift shop, in-depth exhibits about the battle and the history of Charlestown and artifacts from the battle. After a visit to the informative museum, you’ll better appreciate the grounds of the battle.

After grabbing a map and learning some details about the battle at the museum, head across the street and climb the steps up Breed’s Hill to the beautiful monument. In front of the Bunker Hill Monument is a statue of the stalwart patriot leader, Colonel William Prescott.

The Bunker Hill Monument has its origins in 1823, when a group of local citizens formed the Bunker Hill Monument Association with a desire to erect a permanent and worthy monument to the battle and those that died. Over the years the association ran out of money occasionally, which forced construction to be halted a few times (unfortunately, a good deal of land that surrounds the monument today had to be sold off in order to fund the building of the monument). Other fundraisers and events put on by the local citizenry (many events led by the local women) helped raise the funds necessary for the construction. 17 years since its cornerstone was laid, the monument was completed in 1842. On June 17, 1843 (the 68th anniversary of the battle), the 221-foot tall obelisk monument was dedicated in a national ceremony. A 75 year old John Quincy Adams decided not to attend the ceremony (his witness of the battle as a child stuck with him- his memory of the battle was not a fond one).

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In 1850, a statue to Dr. Joseph Warren was created to honor the great doctor and Bostonian who died valiantly at the battle. After 50 years, the beautiful statue was housed in a granite lodge that was built around 1901 near the base of the obelisk monument. In the exhibit lodge you can grab a map of the Freedom Trail and see the statue of Joseph Warren. From the lodge you can then proceed to the Bunker Hill Monument and climb the 294 steps to the top (it provides outstanding views of the Charles River, downtown Boston and the surrounding countryside).

Once you recover from the dizzying climb up the monument, the grassy slopes of Breed’s Hill that surround the monument are open to meander about. Visitors and locals alike use the green park (once a bloody battlefield, mind you) to relax, read, play with their dogs and have the occasional picnic. The hill is dotted with a few informative signs about the defenders and the fortification that they built, including small stone markers that outline the ends of the redoubt.

Bunker Hill Day Parade

The Battle of Bunker Hill has been memorialized by the people of Boston during its Bunker Hill Day Parade- a tradition that dates back to 1786. The parade happens rain or shine and is always held on the Sunday just before (or on) June 17, the anniversary of the battle. I have been lucky to attend twice- 2016 was a sunny and quite warm celebration, while our 2019 visit was darkened and rainy (although the crowd size was not diminished!).

If you plan on attending, the parade route can be found online and I highly recommend arriving to the area early (staying the night before if possible). The roadsides all along the route are filled with spectators and their lawn chairs well before the parade kicks off, as locals who live along the route host parties and barbecues to celebrate the grand event. Local reenactors, musical groups, organizations (including the crew of the USS Constitution) and fire and police departments often participate in the parade.

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The Bunker Hill Day Parade is a beloved tradition in Charlestown that is fun and friendly for the entire family. Rain or shine, the parade is held every year and put on by extremely passionate and hardworking volunteers who work year-round to ensure the success of the event.

Book recommendation: Bunker Hill by Nathaniel Philbrick