Battle of Bunker Hill

:A number of places and things are named for this battle, see: Bunker Hill (disambiguation).

Background

Boston had been occupied by the British army since 1768.

Related Topics:
Boston - British army - 1768

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Since May of 1774 Massachusetts had been under martial law under General Thomas Gage.

Related Topics:
1774 - Thomas Gage

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After armed conflict with the colonialists started on April 19, 1775 at the Battle of Lexington and Concord Gage's forces had been besieged in Boston by 8,000 to 12,000 militia led mainly by General Artemas Ward.

Related Topics:
April 19 - 1775 - Battle of Lexington and Concord - Artemas Ward

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In May, the British garrison was increased by the arrival of about 4,500 additional troops and Major General Howe.

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Admiral Samuel Graves commanded the fleet within the harbor.

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General Gage started work with his new generals on a plan to break the siege of Boston.

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They would use an amphibious assault to remove the Americans from the Dorchester Heights or take their headquarters at Cambridge.

Related Topics:
Amphibious assault - Cambridge

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To thwart these plans, General Ward gave orders to General Israel Putnam to fortify Bunker Hill.

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The battleground

(For a 1775 map of the battle see: Library of Congress map)

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The Charlestown Peninsula extended about 1 mile (1600 meters) toward the southwest into Boston Harbor.

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At its closest approach less than 1000 feet (300 meters) separated it from the Boston Peninsula.

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Bunker Hill is an elevation at the rear of the peninsula, and Breed's Hill is near the Boston end, while

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the town of Charlestown occupied the flats at the southern end.

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