Howe’s light infantry made several costly frontal assaults on Prescott’s fortifications before gaining the advantage.
In an attempt to flank Prescott and capture Bunker Hill to the north, Howe advanced on Prescott’s left, held by the New Hampshire militia under Colonel John Stark. These men were dug in behind a wooden fence that stretched southeast from the Mystic River to a field of high grass where the Connecticut militia under Lt. Colonel Thomas Knowlton took cover.
The surprisingly well disciplined militia waited until British infantry were within forty yards of their lines before mounting several barrages of withering fire that cut down 90 percent of the British columns. Howe’s devastated troops were forced to fall back and regroup four times before General Clinton’s reinforcements arrived to help drive the rebels from their positions. The two-hour battle ended when the rebels ran out of ammunition and retreated across the Charlestown neck.
Gage ordered his artillery to fire on Charlestown when he learned rebel sharpshooters inside the village were firing on his men. Every building went up in flames. Only the charred steeple of its church remains standing.
Preliminary estimates put British losses at over 1,000 men, including 19 officers killed and 70 wounded. General Howe’s entire staff was cut down by rebel fire. Prominent among British casualties was Major John Pitcarin, who ordered the attack at Lexington. Pitcarin was reportedly killed by Peter Salem, a black member of the Framingham militia.
Total rebel casualties were estimated at 400. Dr. Joseph Warren, close friend of Samuel Adams and prominent member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, was killed when British infantry overran disorganized rebel troops defending Bunker’s Hill.
Dr. Warren was instrumental in organizing the colonial militia and creating the rebel intelligence network that thwarted British General Gage’s night raid on Concord. Dr, Warren was appointed Major General of the Massachusetts militia a few days before he was killed. British Commander Gage commented that Dr. Warren’s death was worth 500 men to him. Colonel Prescott’s son was also killed in the action at Breed’s Hill.
Gage ordered a halt to the British advance at Bunker’s Hill over the objections of Major General Clinton, who felt his fresh troops could overtake the rebels and drive them from their headquarters at Cambridge. Apparently, General Gage felt the British incurred too many losses in securing the hills of Breed and Bunker and was unwilling to risk Clinton’s troops in any further action this day.
After retreating from Breed’s Hill, a very angry Colonel Prescott rode into Cambridge and demanded to know why his requests for ammunition and reinforcements were ignored. Prescott contended he could have held off Howe’s infantries and secured the hills if General Ward had provided the men and powder. Neither Ward nor his staff, who held back 5,000 men in reserves, had any comments.
A CONVERSATION WITH GENERAL WASHINGTON
Washington
Cambridge, Massachusetts: July 4, 1775. George Washington is a tall, broad shouldered gentleman who carries himself very straight, in an aloof, almost aristocratic manor. His arms and legs are a little long for his body. His blue-grey eyes are set wide on his face, below a heavy brow. His hair is dark brown and he wears it in a cue or pigtail, when not hidden under a wig. His mouth is wide and seldom open, but rather deliberately closed over a pair of what seem to be wooden dentures.
General Washington assumed command of the militia surrounding Cambridge in a short, formal ceremony held at Harvard College on the 2nd of this month. We met at the home of Harvard College president Samuel Langdon where General Washington has taken temporary residence.
General Washington, congratulations on your appointment.
Thank you, but congratulations should be made after we accomplish our goals.
And what are your goals, sir?
Our first priority is to establish a well trained, well equipped army.
In that light, it’s been said that General Gage might’ve eliminated your entire army if he let General Clinton press his attack beyond Bunker’s Hill.
King George might’ve lost another 1,000 men and officers in the attempt. General Clinton underestimates the bravery and determination of our people. The British command roughly 7,000 troops and we presently outnumber them two to one. General Gage might better serve his King by sailing out of Boston.
Some would argue that your militia didn’t exactly retreat from Bunker’s Hill, they fled for their lives.
The disaster at Bunker’s Hill was caused by a lack of leadership on the part of certain officers. The men who served under them broke rank because they were not commanded to stand and fight. Discipline was abandoned, but I would add there were many acts of courage on the field that day.
One of the complaints we hear from local citizens is that your militia fight more among themselves than they do the British.
Our officers have been informed we will not tolerate internal bickering or jealousies among themselves or the rank and file. We have all come to Cambridge for one purpose. We are here to wish General Gage and his army farewell and I have no doubt that if we act in unity, they will be persuaded to leave.
It’s been rumored that the militia retreated from Breed’s Hill because you are nearly out of gunpowder.
We have more than enough gunpowder. The defeat at Breed’s Hill was caused by logistic failure. Supplies were not sent up the lines in time.
What are your immediate objectives?
To prepare our army against attack.
Will you invade Boston?
We intend to fortify our positions, that’s all I care to comment on at this time.
Where do you think General Gage will go once you’ve persuaded him to leave Boston?
I would advise him to ship back to England.
It’s been rumored that he intends to capture New York City.
Then we will greet him there. Whoever controls the Hudson River and its tributaries has an advantage in supplying their armies. General Gage might very well move north into Canada and attempt to secure the Hudson from Lake Champlain.
What makes you think you can mold these men into a disciplined and unified army?
As I stated before, the men have proven they will rise to the occasion. They need officers capable of leading them. Congress is responsible for providing the officers and I have faith that Congress will be successful.
Some consider you a strict disciplinarian. Is that an accurate assessment?
I was trained in British military rules and codes of conduct written by officers who felt responsible for their men. The rules are based on saving lives and as long as I command, they will be enforced.
Congress provided you with regulations that appear more lenient than some of your rules. Won’t that be a problem?
Congress views the men who join militia as private citizens protecting their lives and property against a foreign enemy and they should be treated with deference. For instance, many are farmers and they must see to their planting and harvest. Their time and place of service should reflect those occasions. Congress also recognizes the absolute need for a standing army made up of men who enlist for the duration of the war. These are the soldiers