jun 17, 1775 - Battle of Bunker Hill

Description:

On June 13, following intelligence that the British would try to take Boston Harbor, Congress sent 1200 troops to defend Bunker Hill and nearby Breed's Hill. On June 17, the British mounted an assault against the militia, charging three times to take the hills. The militia repelled them the first two times, but ran out of ammunition by the third attempt. The Patriot soldiers were famously ordered "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" in order to increase accuracy to save ammunition. However, this was still not enough, and the Americans were forced to retreat. While the British were victorious in the battle, they suffered more casualties and learned that the untrained American militia could face off successfully against well-organized armies.

Deaths:
115 Patriot militiamen
226 British soldiers/officers