The New Student's Reference Work/Bunker Hill

Bun′ker Hill, an historic elevation in Charlestown, now a part of Boston, Mass. It is about 100 feet high, and is connected by a ridge with another smaller hill, called Breed's Hill. These hills are where the famous battle of Bunker Hill was fought between the British and American troops, June 17, 1775. The British had possession of Boston, and Generals Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne had just arrived from England with a large body of troops. The American militia and the volunteers were encamped at Cambridge, three miles from Boston. The news had come to the Americans that General Gage was planning to fortify Dorchester Heights, and in order to prevent this 1,000 men under Col. William Prescott were sent to Charlestown on the night of June 16 to fortify Bunker Hill. General Putnam and Major Brooks joined them, and after reaching Bunker Hill without attracting the attention of the British, it was decided to throw up the breastwork on Breed's Hill instead, as it was nearer Boston. At daybreak the British sailors on the ships anchored in the harbor, descried the fortification and began firing upon it. Prescott extended the fortification by filling up with hay the space between two old rail-fences on the left of the breastworks. General Warren came up about two o'clock in the afternoon, and, refusing the command, fought as a volunteer. At the same time Colonel Stark arrived with 500 men and took up a position behind the rail-fence. Meanwhile, the British forces, under Generals Howe and Pigot, had been brought over from Boston in boats, and at half-past two the first charge was made. Prescott had ordered his soldiers not to fire until the British were so near that the whites of their eyes could be seen; and when they did open fire the British retreated in confusion. Meanwhile the town of Charlestown had been set on fire by the shot from the British ships, and, under cover of the dense smoke, Howe ordered a second attack; but again his troops were driven back. Unfortunately the Americans were by this time almost out of ammunition, and when, Clinton having come over with British re-enforcements, a third assault was made, the Americans after firing their last shot and fighting the British bayonets with clubbed muskets were obliged to retreat. The British pursued them only a short distance. The loss of the British was 1,054; that of the Americans being only 450, though among them was General Warren. In the center of the old fortification at Breed's Hill now stands a granite monument, 221 feet in height. The corner stone was laid by Lafayette in 1825, at the fiftieth anniversary of the battle, Daniel Webster delivering one of his greatest orations. It was completed in 1842 and dedicated in the following year, Webster once more being the orator of the day.