Battle+of+Bunker+(Breed's)+Hill

As you can see in this painting the British clearly have the Colonial army out numbered and put powered with more troops and fire power. The Colonials however have the land advantage. The Colonials have set up a defensive post shooting down Bunker (Breeds) Hill at the oncoming British army.

The British Strategy Key: British Patriots

Yesterday, June 17th, 1775, British forces invaded the Charleston Peninsula located near the Boston Harbor on the North side of the harbor. British Forces, led by General Gage and [|General Howe] were quiclky unloaded onto the southern coast of the Charleston Peninsula and suited up ready for battle. The Colonial forces, led by General Ward and [|General Putnam], were given any available [|muskets] and rarely a bayonet or a light gun such as a hand gun or pistol. The British quickly assembled their men and without hesitation marched forward towards Breed's Hill. The marching of the red coats could be heard from the [|Boston Harbor], 2,400 British troops marching towards the hill with victory as their only mindset. The Colonials, with 1,500 men, nearly 1,000 less then the British, set a defensive post on the Top of [|Breed's Hill]. They set their forces against ditches and entrenchments on the top of the Hill, this gave them cover and an up-hill advantage against the British. The first attack happened when the British took charge to the top of the hill, the front of their lines were taking heavy casualtities and were slowly being depleted as they advanced up Breed's Hill. **__ An Image of The First British Wave __** After the first wave the British had taken large loses and so before they sent out another attack they waited for the bombardment of cannon fire from the British ships. The British soon heard that the cannons had been loaded with 12 pound [|cannon] balls instead of the required 6 pound balls in order for the cannon to operate properly. The British hearing this immediatly ordered the infantry to push foward before the patriots could reload and tend to the wounded. The British pushed forward and attacked the American entrenchments that were set up amongst the top of the hill. After a quick skirmish at the top of the hill the British were pushed back suffering heavy loses and many wounded.
 * __ The Patriots Defending Breed's Hill __**

The final attack was made after the British had regrouped with all their remaining forces and General Howe ordered the final seige of Breed's Hill. The British quickly made their way to the top of the hill and were fired upon by the last of the patriots fire power. The Patriots were running low on ammo however, they were given the command to only fire when, "You see the whites of their Eyes." After fighting waves of British soldiers the Patriots finally ran out of ammo and were forced to retreat from the peninsula. The British did not pursue the Americans after taking over the hill due to the heavy loses the encountered throughout the battle. This final assualt saved the British from what could have been a significant lose in the war. __**The British Conquering Breed's Hill**__ All-In-All this battle proved to the Americans that they could indeed fight in this war and very well had a chance at victory. After the battle the British had a casuality count of 1,150 which was almost triple of that of the Patriots who only lost 450. The 1,150 that the British lost was nearly half of the force they started with. The British kept control of Breed's Hill until the end of the year in order to control the Boston citizens. This battle started giving the [|Continental Congress] the idea for an alliance with France. The idea of this alliance was so important and key to the war because the Americans were clearly out numbered and in a way out powered by the British. They were mainly out powered by the [|British Navy], but if France becomes America's allie then the French Fleet and army could help fight the British.



TRIVIA!!! 1) Name the Peninsula that the Battle Of Breed's Hill took place on.

2) Who was In Charge of the British forces in this Battle?

3) Name the Hill on which this Battle took place.

4) What city is near this Peninsula?

5) What year did this Battle take place during?

**__BONUS!__**
 * On a Scale 1-10 how awesome is Keith?

Sources: http://members.tripod.com/~grgordon/bunkerhi.htm http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Theater/9022/ http://www.britishbattles.com/bunker-hill.htm http://www.charlestownonline.net/bunkerhillmonument.htm http://www.nps.gov/nr//twhp/wwwlps/lessons/42bunker/42bunker.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bunker_Hill http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun17.html http://americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/bunker.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Gagehttp://darter.ocps.net/classroom/revolution/gage.htm http://www.kidport.com/RefLIb/UsaHistory/AmericanRevolution/BunkerHillBattle.htm http://www.theamericanrevolution.org/battles/bat_bhil.asp http://www.putnamgeneral.com/ http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Depts/MilSci/Resources/bhill.html http://www.winthrop.dk/majpit6.html http://www.mce.k12tn.net/revolutionary_war/lesson_7.htm http://www.answers.com/topic/battle-of-bunker-hill