The British Army accomplished their mission on April 19th, 1775, but they took a drubbing both physically and in prestige. Vastly outnumbered by militia and farmers, they had suffered greatly for their venture to Concord.

On returning to the security of Boston, the British noted that the hills surrounding the city were occupied by rebels who could easily stage cannon with which to fire on their enemy. General Gage, in charge of Boston at the time, decided to occupy these hills, including Breed's Hill (i.e. Bunker Hill).

At this time in Boston's history, it was still isolated on a peninsula as the many bays and inlets around it had yet to be land-filled. Across a narrow channel of water was Charlestown, and at the back of that village rose an elevation called Breed's Hill. Shortly beyond was another formation called Bunker Hill.

The American army occupied the mainland and surrounded Boston from the West in a grand semicircle for sixteen miles. A local commander, General Artemas Ward, heard of Gage's intentions and sent 1,200 men on the 16th of June to fortify Bunker Hill. Somehow Ward's men progressed to Breed's Hill, where they started building a redoubt with cannon.

As morning broke, the British saw the danger and decided to storm the Americans. Three thousand regulars were landed on the shore and they began ascending the hill. When the Regulars came within a few rods distance, the Americans fired a blistering volley, and the British retreated. Fifteen minutes later, they sent a second wave, which was also repulsed.

Only on the third charge did the British leap over the redoubt with bayonets fixed. The Americans had few if any bayonets and the Regulars therefore had the advantage. The Americans quickly retreated, and the British won the battle.

However, this win was extremely costly. The total wounded and killed for the British was 1,054 men. The King's Own, a company of 40, lost 4 men (after previously losing 4 on the 19th of April). The Americans lost 449, which is also a staggering number for the times, but the rebels benefited from a moral victory nonetheless.