The Battle of Bunker Hill Re-enactment

During the first Months of the Revolutionary War… Great Britain captures the city of Boston forcing Colonial leaders into the countryside Colonial forces move in surrounding the City of Boston Colonial troops under the leadership of Colonel William Prescott take control of the peninsula north of Boston The British fear bombardment from colonial canon and plan an invasion of the peninsula and the neighboring town of Charleston

The British Plan… General Gage – The British General leading British forces in Boston asks for reinforcements Though landlocked in Boston, the British are resupplied by sea by the British navy When the British generals met to discuss their options, General Clinton, who had urged an attack as early as possible, preferred an attack beginning from the Charlestown Neck that would cut off the colonists' retreat, reducing the process of capturing the new redoubt to one of starving out its occupants. However, he was outvoted by the other three generals. Howe, who was the senior officer present and would lead the assault, was of the opinion that the hill was "open and easy of ascent and in short would be easily carried.“ General Burgoyne concurred, arguing that the "untrained rabble" would be no match for their "trained troops". Orders were then issued to prepare the expedition. When General Gage surveyed the works from Boston with his staff, Loyalist Abijah Willard recognized his brother-in-law Colonel Prescott. "Will he fight?" asked Gage. "[A]s to his men, I cannot answer for them;" replied Willard, "but Colonel Prescott will fight you to the gates of hell."

June 17, 1775: The Battle Commences…

Battle of Bunker / Breed’s Hill June 17, 1775: the British attack Charleston Peninsula Firing from fixed positions, the Colonial troops inflicted heavy casualties on British regulars Poor communication and the common mistake of under-estimating Colonial resolve undermined the British effort The first two waves of British are beaten back. During the third assault the Colonials used up their ammunition and were forced to retreat. The retreat was successful in that most of the injured and troops fled to safety living to fight another day ¼ mile

Battle of Bunker / Breed’s Hill The British had taken the ground, but at a great loss; they had suffered 1,054 casualties (226 dead and 828 wounded), with a disproportionate number of these officers. The colonial losses were about 450, of whom 140 were killed. Most of the colonial losses came during the withdrawal. Only 30 were captured. News of the battle spread through the colonies, it was reported as a colonial loss. George Washington, who was on his way to Boston as the new commander of the Continental Army, received news of the battle. The report, which included casualty figures, gave Washington hope that his army might prevail in the conflict.

Our Goals... To faithfully re-enact the battle of Bunker Hill Students will assume roles as both British and Colonial troops Leaders will be chosen and assigned rank We will receive training in marching drills We will behave in a manner that ensures safety, and shows we understand and respect the rules Grading will be based on behavior and reporting sheet