AA+Battle+of+Bunker+Hill+per.5

Audrey Allen Period 5 9/28/10

**The Battle of Bunker Hill**:
June 17, 1775 during the American Revolution and the seige of Boston.

This battle was fought in Massachussets at Breed's Hill on the Charlestown Peninsula on the north side of Boston harbour. The two opposing sides were the American Continental army and British troops of the Boston Garrison. The commander of the British was Major-General William Howe against generals of the American Continental Army Israel Putnam, General Artemas Ward and William Prescott. The Battle of Bunker Hill came about because the colonists discovered the British's plan to take control of the Charlstown Peninsula. Taking action during the night, General Precott had a fortifying wall built on the top of Breed's Hill (maybe mistaken for Bunker Hill) and was ready in the morning on June 17. The British had a force of about 2,400 men, well supplied. The American Continental Army was 1,500 men strong with depleated military supplies. Underestimating the Americans, British troops advanced in a frontal attack,thinking to simply scare them off. They soon retrieted with heavy losses. A second time the American army made the British retreat but, on the third attack, the Americans fled because of their loss of supplies and amunition. Although this battle was generally considered a defeat for the Americans (because British took the peninsula), it was also a victory. The British had suffered over a thousand casualties and had been driven back twice, while the Americans only suffered about 500. This showed not only that the war wouldn't be an easy victory for the British but also that the American forces could stand up to them, even in traditional warfare. This new uncertainty about the outcome of the war was unsettling to the British, but it gave the colonists the hope that they badly needed. [] [] []