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

TheBattle of Bunker Hill, whichtook placeonJune 17, 1775, was the first major battle of the AmericanRevolutionary War. The maincommanderswere MajorGeneral William Howe on the British side, and ColonelWilliam Prescotton the Americans’.

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

TheBritish attacked the American positions onJune 17. Despite being called theBattle of Bunker Hill, most of it was actuallyfought at nearbyBreed’s Hill. Americans on the left at a stone wall and rail fence successfully held off the Britishsoldiers. 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 theredoubt, and the Americans were forced to abandon their position and retreat off the peninsula.

Britishcasualtiesfrom theBattle of Bunker Hillwere approximately 1,000; the Americans suffered around 450casualties. Although theBattle of Bunker Hillwas 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