Daniel's Opinion
of the Battle of Bunker (Breeds) Hill
Daniel is a brazier, a craftsman who makes objects of brass.
"We have proved with this battle that we will fight fearlessly for freedom!
Our General Ward had heard rumors that the British were about to seize and build
forts in
Charlestown. Our Patriot leaders decided we should occupy this area first
in order to make it impossible for the British to easily defend Boston. Under
the cover of darkness, Colonel Prescott and General
Putnam led about 1000 of us to Breeds Hill overlooking Boston Harbor. There
we were ordered to "Dig and dig hard". Within our trenches and earthen
forts we awaited the advance of the Redcoats. Though we are not trained soldiers,
we know how to hunt and shoot accurately. As our ammunition was running low,
Prescott
urged us: "You men are all marks men, now don't shoot until you see
the whites of their eyes!" For two and a half hours, and outnumbered two
to one, we held out until our gun powder was gone. Then we fought with our hands,
teeth, rocks, anything we could find, until we were forced to retreat to Bunker
Hill and beyond. But in our wake we left nearly half the Redcoats dead or wounded.
Our casualties were much less than the British but we lost some great patriots
like Dr. Joseph Warren.
Our "rabble in arms" effectively crippled the British Army in Boston
this day. It was lack of ammunition that forced us to retreat and NOT the Redcoats!"