Bunker's/Breed's Hill History (1 Viewer)

[mestell]

In anticipation of the new American Revolutionary War release by First Legion, I thought I would share some historical facts about the Battle of Bunker's Hill which was actually, for the most part, fought on Breed's Hill . . . . . . .
Mike

CASUALTIES:
The British won the day but at a great loss; they suffered 1,054 casualties (226 dead and 828 wounded), with a disproportionate number of these officers. The casualty count was the highest suffered by the British in any single encounter during the entire war.. British dead and wounded included 100 commissioned officers, a significant portion of the British officer corps in North America. Much of General Howe's field staff was among the casualties. Major Pitcairn (commander of the British Marines) had been killed, and Lieutenant Colonel James Abercrombie fatally wounded. General Gage, in his report after the battle, reported the following officer casualties:

1 lieutenant colonel killed
2 majors killed, 3 wounded
7 captains killed, 27 wounded
9 lieutenants killed, 32 wounded
15 sergeants killed, 42 wounded

The colonial losses were about 450, of whom 140 were killed. Most of the colonial losses came during the withdrawal. Major Andrew McClary was technically the highest ranking colonial officer to die in the battle; he was hit by cannon fire on Charlestown neck, the last person to be killed in the battle. A serious loss to the Patriot cause, however, was that of Dr. Joseph Warren. He was the President of Massachusetts' Provincial Congress, and he had been appointed a Major General on June 14, 1775. His commission had not yet taken effect when he served as a volunteer private three days later at Bunker Hill. Only thirty men were captured by the British, most of them with grievous wounds; twenty died while held prisoner. The colonials also lost 5 out of the 6 cannon they had brought to the peninsula.

Primary Sourdce of Info: Wikipedia

 

[mestell]

AFTERMATH:
The battle had a number of lessons for the British. The senior officers had little idea how to conduct a battle with any degree of sophistication. Howe learnt his mistake in making a frontal assault. At every subsequent battle, where possible he carried out flanking assaults.

The British troops were indisciplined and disorganised. Illustrations and paintings of the time of the discilpined line of grenadiers advancing up Breed's Hill is misleading. It is likely that the soldiers could not be brought to press the attack properly until the final assault, for which they were ordered to leave their packs and to advance without firing. It is unlikely that the British troops were capable of drill of the precision suggested by period paintings or even the smart turnout depicted in these illustrations.

The use of the flank companies (grenadiers and light infantry) is a suggestion that these companies may have been the only parts of the battalions considered reliable.

It is an understandable feature of accounts of the American Revolution that the British forces are portrayed as more competent and disciplined than in fact they were. One of the causes of discontent in New England prior to the war had been the indiscipline and oppressive behaviour of British regular troops.

References:
• History of the British Army by Sir John Fortescue
• The War of the Revolution by Christopher Ward

 

[mestell]

Colonial Withdrawal:

The British advanced up Breed's Hill three times. The first two attempts to take the colonial positions were driven back with staggering losses. The third attempt was successful only because the colonial defenders ran out of ammunition and were not reinforced by the reserves that were held on Bunker Hill.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Sounds like your doing your homework and getting ready Mike...

 

[Dragoon]

Thanks for info Mike. Looking forward to see what FL does with the British forces.

 

[Mister Dave]

Thanks for the brush up, Mike. Awaiting more images from FL with much anticipation now that May has rolled around.

MD

 

[Fusilier]

Nice thread you started here Mike. Just a couple of things to add to what you already have talked about.

According to W.J. Wood in his book 'Battles of the Revolutionary War 1775-81', the 450 approximate Colonial casualties would be about 30 percent of the 1,500 or so militia that were engaged that day. If you consider the overall numbers of about 3,000 militia on the Charlestown peninsula, the 450 casualties would be about 15 percent.

For the British, Wood lists the casualties as 1,150 out of 2,500, or about 45 percent. This is close to what Mike has already listed. While those numbers do seem very high, it is an even greater sacrifice when put into more perspective. James Stokesbury, author of 'A Short History of the American Revolution' says that the 1/8th of all British officer deaths in the entire Revolution happened during this battle.

There is one other important thing that I have read about. It seems that during the first two advances, part of the British attackers stopped to fire at the militia lines, and in doing so, slowed the overall attack. During the first attack, the British stood for about 15 minutes and traded fire. This would seem to be counter to the general tactics of the time, which would have called for the redcoats to get closer before firing, then follow up quickly with the bayonet.

Noah

 

[mestell]

For the British, Wood lists the casualties as 1,150 out of 2,500, or about 45 percent. This is close to what Mike has already listed. While those numbers do seem very high, it is an even greater sacrifice when put into more perspective. James Stokesbury, author of 'A Short History of the American Revolution' says that the 1/8th of all British officer deaths in the entire Revolution happened during this battle.

Noah

I am looking forward to the prototype photos of the British figures - hopefully there will be one or two officer casualties among the figures.
Mike

 

[Vezzolf]

Excellent informative thread....Thank you

 

[Mister Dave]

I am looking forward to the prototype photos of the British figures - hopefully there will be one or two officer casualties among the figures.
Mike

Casualty figures or not, you just know these are going to look brilliant. I fear all lingering resistance to starting this range will evaporate instantly once we've had a look at these.

Thanks for the additional information, guys.

MD

 

[kogu]

Casualty figures or not, you just know these are going to look brilliant. I fear all lingering resistance to starting this range will evaporate instantly once we've had a look at these.

Thanks for the additional information, guys.

MD

The 20 Minutemen are already an excellent batch of figures and there is hardly a day that I didn't take a look at them again and again, but as others say here, it is with great anticipation that I am waiting for a first glimpse at the Redcoats.
If my kids just got something new or saw something new and are already looking for or demanding any additions, I get upset and tell 'em that it is sure helpfull to develop the skill of patience for many upcoming situations in life.
Man, am I glad they don't read the forum
Would be hard to keep up my arguments
Thanks a lot to everyone here for contributing some historical background for the upcoming troops.
Konrad

 

[Mister Dave]

The 20 Minutemen are already an excellent batch of figures and there is hardly a day that I didn't take a look at them again and again, but as others say here, it is with great anticipation that I am waiting for a first glimpse at the Redcoats.
If my kids just got something new or saw something new and are already looking for or demanding any additions, I get upset and tell 'em that it is sure helpfull to develop the skill of patience for many upcoming situations in life.
Man, am I glad they don't read the forum
Would be hard to keep up my arguments
Thanks a lot to everyone here for contributing some historical background for the upcoming troops.
Konrad

All sentiments here are too true Konrad.

MD