by Marc J. Randazza
Sometimes, you have to lose in order to win.
On this day in 1775, the HMS Lively began bombarding the American fort on Breed’s Hill (yes, the Battle of Bunker Hill took place on Breed’s Hill). His Majesty’s General Thomas Gage then let loose with 128 more cannon to bombard the American position.
The British won the battle. Sort of.
The British lost 226 dead and 828 wounded, 100 of those casualties being officers. General Clinton said “A few more such victories would have shortly put an end to British dominion in America.” The Americans lost 140 dead, 450 wounded.
The battle showed that the American militia, although inexperienced and poorly equipped, could hold their own against the most powerful empire in the world.
