Introduction
The Battle of Bunker Hill was the first major conflict of the American Revolution. The war began on June 17, 1775, and was known as the Battle of Breed’s Hill. BBHs origin is linked to the gathering of over 15000 colonial troops near Boston; the soldier’s objective was to prevent the British Army from expanding their territories around the city of Boston (Elbert & Person, 2020). The British government was interested in occupying the Bunker and Breed’s Hill alongside significant sections of the city of Boston. Most of the Battle of Bunker Hill participants included thirteen British colonies and Great Britain.
The War’s Geography
Most of the war occurred in Boston City, a region covered by a Peninsula. However, the Battle of Bunker Hills recordings traces back to the aftermath of the Battles of Concord and Lexington (Elbert & Person, 2020). The colonial Army covered Boston before spreading across Boston Harbor, Charlestown, Roxbury Neck, the larger Peninsula region, and Charles Town Neck.
General Commanders
The war’s success was characterized by the deployment of competitive commanders across various regions in Boston City. First, Thomas Gage, a General Commander, issued orders to the British troops within the heart of Boston; he commanded 6000 soldiers (Chatterjee, 2021). Gage and his junior soldiers remained in Boston as backup plans for the rest of the British army occupying the Sea and the Bunker Hills. Knox Expeditions led the second troop of the British Militia; as a commander, Henry Knox assisted the British military in transporting Cannon to the Boston area from Fort Ticonderoga. In addition, Sir Robert Pigot commanded the left flank of William Howe’s troops in the Boston area. The attack of Pigot and his army was repulsed; however, Pigot showed brevity by planning a second attack in the Battle of Bunker. John Hill Pitcairn commanded a reserve force of about 300 marine soldiers at the South end of Charlestown Peninsula.
British Planning During the BBH
The British government organized itself throughout May for the Battle of Bunker Hill. The British generals’ first plan included reinforcing their army, after which commanders were assigned different duties and regions to manage. The first set of soldiers to be sent to Boston were fewer; therefore, the number was increased to 6000 at the start. Afterward, the government sent John Burgoyne, Cerberus William Howe, and Henry Clinton as the three generals who would command the 6000 soldiers. The three generals arrived in Boston on May 25, 1775. The Massachusetts Provincial Congress was notified of British plans to capture Charlestown and Dorchester on June 13, 1775. The first plan was to execute an attack in Roxbury, followed by Charlestown Hills to access Cambridge.
Main Events that Led to the Outbreaks of the BBH
The Americans overhead the plans of the British Army to occupy and take control over the city of Boston and some regions around the town. As a result, Carlyon (2020) highlighted that the thirteen colonies of Britain organized themselves to strengthen the troops of Breed’s Hill to send away the British troops. A night before the outbreak of the war, the colonial militia built a fortification to prepare for the battle. However, before the execution of the plan, the British attacked the thirteen colonies over the watch and control of William Howe. Three charges of the British army took control over the Hill, leading Americans to participate in the war. The colonial militia engaged the first two charges of the British army, but the third force outweighed them due to a lack of enough resources and weapons.
The British Assault
The British assault during the Battle of Bunker’s Hill started with the arrival of the 1st Mariners and 47th Regiment of Foot. The British militia was reinforced after settling the marines; the troops marched to Breed’s Hill by 3:00 P.M. General Pigot was tasked with clearing the sniper fire upon the settlement of the British army to the South of Charlestown. Although the army succeeded in clearing snipers out of Charlestown, General Pigot was assisted by Howe and Graves (Chatterjee, 2021). The colonial militia was surprised by the secret attack initiated by Graves through the landing party, who set fire to the opponents. The worst part of the attack was characterized by the reinforcement of light infantry troops along the rail fence. Pigot then commanded the 52nd, 38th, 5th, 47th, and 43rd regiments on the redoubt but was slowed by the weather challenges. British won the Battle of Bunker’s Hill after the failure of the Colonial militia to strengthen their troops with war materials. The third charge of the British military was left with less than 800 opponents and only 150 as backup plans. The Thirteen Colonies of British surrendered, allowing the British troop to take refuge in Breed’s Hill.
The Outcome of the Battle of Bunker’s Hill
Although the British took control over the city of Boston, the army suffered a significant loss before conquering the Bunker Hills. The colonial military encountered problems with possessing enough weapons and war resources to counter-attack the well-organized British troops. Several casualties were recorded during the war leaving thousands wounded and others dead. Americans were encouraged during the war; the surviving American soldiers gained confidence in facing British Battle, who were highly organized and prepared for the war, unlike their case. Moreover, many colonists joined the losing team to continue the revolutionary journey.
Casualties were Reported in the Battle of Bunker’s Hill
The colonial army lost numerous shovels and uncountable tools by the end of the Battle of Bunker’s Hill. Even though the thirteen colonies of Britain failed to win the battle, their army suffered more minor losses. Only four hundred and fifty losses were announced at the end of the BBH. One hundred forty officers were killed from the thirteen colonies while three hundred other militia gained wounds. The British troops won the battle but succumbed to several casualties; the team had many soldiers in the forefront leading to 1054 casualties. 226 British army died, 828 others got major injuries with 100 commissioned officers dying. Fifteen-nine sergeants, lieutenants, and captains lost their lives in the BBH. A further. 2 majors, 1 drummer, and 1 lieutenant colonel died during the event of 1775. 12 drummers, 32 lieutenants, 3 majors, 27 captains, and 42 sergeants were wounded in the process of the Battle of Bunker’s Hill.
Secrets to the British Victory
The excellent leadership depicted in the British forces contributed to their victory in the Battle of Bunker’s Hills. The Generals and commanders incorporated excellent communication strategies in linking the three charges of the Great Britain soldiers across the city of Boston (Carlyon, 2020). The British troops also had adequate weapons and other war materials throughout the BBH, contributing to a successful campaign against their opponents. Colonial forces suffered less supply of ammunition when facing the 3rd charge of the British army. Dispositioning colonial forces away from the South of Charlestown village resulted in a positive war outcome in the BBH.
Conclusion
The Battle of Bunker’s Hill outcomes resulted from the tactical and strategic missteps of the British and her thirteen colonies. The colonial military revealed their interest in attacking the giant British force earlier than expected. At the same time, Great Britain exposed its soldiers to battlefield risks with little strategies on how to handle the casualties. The focus of the British government was to occupy the city of Boston and parts of the Breed’s and Bunker’s Hills. In contrast, the colonial troops showed interest in protecting the region from further colonists. Generals and commanders from the British army cooperated with their soldiers to ensure victory. The failure of America in the Battle of Bunker’s Hills motivated the nation to conquer more territories gained by British governments despite their failure in the BBH.
References
Carlyon, D. (2020). Spectacular men: Race, gender, and nation on the early American stage by Sarah E. Chinn. Theatre Journal, 72(2), 260-262.
Chatterjee, A. (2021). What can we learn about art from people with neurological disease? Brain, Beauty, and Art, 147-152.
Elbert, M. M., & Person, L. S. (2020). The historical romance. A Companion to American Literature, 31-49.