Bunker Hill Research Paper

Everyone loves the story of the underdog. In the J.R.R. Tolkien Lord of the Rings novels, the “Miracle on Ice” hockey game of 1980, and The Rocky boxing movie, we witness an underrated ‘little-guy’ taking down a much larger and more powerful threat. While there are many famous fictional stories of overcoming impossible challenges, the ones from real life moments are possibly the most famous and awe-inspiring. One such case is the American Revolution. With the entire war itself being a triumph over a much more powerful enemy, one battle in particular is truly known to show the mentality of “if there is a will, there is a way”. It is The Battle of Bunker Hill. While the British won the fight in the military sense, it gave a boost to the possibility
On June 17, 1775, the men on the boats fired their artillery at the hill, firing for twenty minutes at a time (The Battle of Bunker Hill.). British fire, which were randomly being shot toward American forces, were now all aimed at the hill. Hot shot (cannon balls heated before being shot) was fired at Charleston, causing the town to go up in smoke (Dupuy 21). The cannon fodder stopped mid afternoon, and orders from Gage were given to capture Breeds Hill, with rough waters and supply shortage only allowing the order to be given after noon. The British, fully expecting the colonist to flee as soon as they landed at the hill, set out (The Battle of Bunker Hill.). With orders from General Gage, 2,300 soldiers, set out under the command of Major general Howe and crossed the Charles River (The Battle of Bunker Hill & Bunker Hill). The British had planned to land on the far side of the peninsula, so they could attack the colonist backside and avoid gun fire (Dupuy 20). At slightly after 1 P.M. the British landed at the tip of the peninsula. Right after landing, Howe ordered Brigadier General Pigot to Charleston, and four companies over Moulton's hill in order to secure their position. It was right after Howe’s boat touched shore, that he realized things were different (Dupuy
During the first attempt at taking the hill, the British would stop to open fire twice from their lines. The american’s did not open fire back, instead they waited until they were no more than 30 yards away before firing. The first american gunfire was from Stark's position, where in only moments, every one of Howe’s officers were either killed or wounded. The british were forced to retreat after three successful attacks of musket fire (Dupuy 23). The rebels holding off their fire till the British were extremely close is because Prescott was presumed to have given his famous order of “Don’t shoot until you see the Whites of their eyes.” (The Battle of Bunker Hill.); with low supplies and better aiming chances most likely being the reason for the phrase (The Battle of Bunker Hill.). With the first attack failing, they rallied the men for a second charge. The second time had artillery, which was not used the first time due to incorrect supplies, now being used. The second charge did not go any better, with a result of 40 percent loss of the assaulting units ,resulting again in retreat. American fire was placed on the British again as a third attempt was carried out with heavy losses, with the British fighting through the hailstorm of bullets with bayonets fixed (Dupuy 23-25). People standing on rooftops from Boston watches as the British