Bunker Hill

1. Bunker Hill “Early Battles of the Revolution”

2. Spring 1775 Ethan Allan and Benedict Arnold and their men took the British Fort Ticonderoga.

3. May 1775 The Second Continental Congress began in Philadelphia. The Congress set up a Continental Army with George Washington as its leader.

4. June 17, 1775 American patriots moved to occupy the high grounds at Breeds Hill outside Boston.

5. American Forces Commanded by General William Prescott. 10,000 men. (Only 2500-4000 were actually engaged.)

6. British Forces Commanded by General Gage. 6500 men.

7. 0000 Colonists begin construction on redoubt on Breed’s Hill • 0400 British Warships fire on the Redoubts. • 1400 American reinforcements arrive. • Americans begin to build a rail fence. • British Soldiers land.

8. The Americans were low on Gunpowder, so the commander gave the order. “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”

9. The results were….

10. Devastating

11. 1530 First battle is repulsed at the rail fence. • 1600 Second Assault is repulsed. • 1630 Final British assault. • Colonists withdraw. • 1730 End of Battle

12. Results • The British lost over 1000 men. • The Americans lost less than 400.

13. July 1775 Congress sent an “Olive Branch Petition” asking for “a happy and permanent reconciliation.” • The King refused, declaring: “When once these rebels have felt a smart blow, they will submit.”

14. March 1776, Washington using 59 cannon drug over snow-covered mountains to Boston, forced the British General Howe to retreat.