Battle of Bunker Hill

“The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker’s Hill, June 17,1775,” by John Trumbull

The Battle of Bunker Hill, which took place on June 17, 1775, was the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War. The main commanders were Major General William Howe on the British side, and Colonel William Prescott on the Americans’.

The British were under siege in Boston, Massachusetts, so they planned to take the nearby and strategically valuable Dorchester Heights to give them control of Boston Harbor. Upon learning this, the Americans built defenses on the Charlestown peninsula, which was just over the river from Boston, on the night of June 16–17.

The British attacked the American positions on June 17. Despite being called the Battle of Bunker Hill, most of it was actually fought at nearby Breed’s Hill. Americans on the left at a stone wall and rail fence successfully held off the British soldiers. However, the British attack at the Americans’ redoubt and breastwork, though repulsed twice, eventually overwhelmed the colonists. The British and Americans engaged in fierce hand-to-hand fighting within the redoubt, and the Americans were forced to abandon their position and retreat off the peninsula.

British casualties from the Battle of Bunker Hill were approximately 1,000; the Americans suffered around 450 casualties. Although the Battle of Bunker Hill was a loss for the Americans, it demonstrated that the colonists were willing and able to fight the renowned British army.

Learn more about the Battle of Bunker Hill through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.

Articles and Clippings about the Battle of Bunker Hill

Summary of Battle of Bunker Hill based on an eyewitness account Mon, Jun 26, 1775 – Page 3 · The Pennsylvania Packet (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.comBritish point of view of the Battle of Bunker Hill Wed, Jul 26, 1775 – Page 2 · The Public Advertiser (London, Greater London, England) · Newspapers.comAmerican account of the Battle of Bunker Hill Thu, Jul 6, 1775 – Page 1 · The Maryland Gazette (Annapolis, Maryland) · Newspapers.comExcerpt from a letter by a Loyalist giving details of the Battle of Bunker Hill Sat, Aug 5, 1775 – 1 · Jackson's Oxford Journal (Oxford, Oxfordshire, England) · Newspapers.comMajor General Joseph Warren killed in Battle of Bunker Hill Fri, Jul 14, 1775 – Page 3 · The North-Carolina Weekly Gazette (New Bern, North Carolina) · Newspapers.comNewspaper article giving statistics of British killed and wounded in Battle of Bunker Hill Fri, Jul 14, 1775 – Page 3 · The North-Carolina Weekly Gazette (New Bern, North Carolina) · Newspapers.comLetter to British officer calling Battle of Bunker Hill a "slaughter" Sat, Dec 16, 1775 – Page 3 · The Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg, Virginia) · Newspapers.comAftermath of the Battle of Bunker Hill from an American perspective Sat, Jul 15, 1775 – Page 1 · The Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg, Virginia) · Newspapers.comLoyalist gives account of American army following Battle of Bunker Hill Sat, Sep 9, 1775 – 3 · Jackson's Oxford Journal (Oxford, Oxfordshire, England) · Newspapers.comBritish strategy for dealing with the Americans following Battle of Bunker Hill Sat, Sep 9, 1775 – 3 · Jackson's Oxford Journal (Oxford, Oxfordshire, England) · Newspapers.comDaniel Webster's oration at dedication of Bunker Hill Monument in 1843 Sat, Jul 1, 1843 – Page 1 · The Newbernian and North Carolina Advocate (New Bern, North Carolina) · Newspapers.comDeath of alleged "last survivor" of the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1861 Wed, Jan 2, 1861 – Page 1 · The Weekly Standard (Raleigh, North Carolina) · Newspapers.comStory of famous Battle of Bunker Hill painting by John Trumbull Thu, Jun 17, 1909 – 6 · The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) · Newspapers.comPlan of the American redoubt on Breed's Hill at Battle of Bunker Hill Sun, Jun 14, 1936 – 78 · Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois) · Newspapers.comMap of the Battle of Bunker Hill Sat, Jun 17, 1905 – 5 · The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) · Newspapers.com