Explore the famous Colonists leaders involved in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Col. Israel “Old Put” Putnam (b. 1718) is an old soldier with patrician roots in Massachusetts Bay; his father, Joseph, publicly opposed the Salem Witch Trials (which were largely started by Israel’s uncle Thomas). With deep family roots in Massachusetts political and military history, it was no surprise when he rose from the rank of private to colonel during the Seven Years’ War. Putnam served alongside Robert Rogers and his famed Rangers in many engagements, including the Battle of Fort Carillon (Ticonderoga) during which General George Howe (William’s brother) died in Putnam’s arms. Putnam’s military exploits made him famous, and his devotion to the cause made him revered, and now he is second in command of all colonial forces surrounding Boston. Knowing the British plans to break out of Boston by crossing the water to Charlestown, Putnam has orders to bring men to Bunker Hill and fortify the ground before the British get the chance. Once in Charlestown, Putnam argues that the hill closer to Boston will place British ships under threat of colonial artillery. Such a move will force General Gage’s hand, making the British fight on ground of Putnam’s choosing. As Putnam teaches the men to build earthworks, load and fire cannon, and prepare for battle, he carries with him two pistols that once belonged to Major John Pitcairn – souvenirs from the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Colonel William Prescott (b. 1726) fought for the British in two previous wars. His bravery and the admiration of the men make him a favorite officer of the command staff. Upon learning of the British plans to cross the river and capture Charlestown, General Israel Putnam orders Prescott to take 1,200 men under cover of darkness to fortify the hill before the British have the chance. About 11:00 PM on the night of June 16, Prescott and his men moved into Charlestown and began construction of an earthen breastwork on Breed’s Hill. With so little time to prepare the ground before the British see them, Prescott’s men build the defenses to be about four feet high. Prescott, standing at 6’2”, is quite the target for British guns, which open fire on the hill at 4:00 AM. His men are tired, hungry, and frightened when a man is killed by British cannonfire. Prescott calms the men by walking back and forth along the top of the redoubt, encouraging them to continue their work. Intending to inflict as many casualties as possible, Prescott placed markers forty to fifty paces in front of the breastwork and ordered the men “not to fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” His men have worked all night, and have endured nearly twelve hours of British bombardment. By the afternoon of June 17, Prescott and his 1,200 men are the focal point of the colonial defenses. Can he and his men hold?
Joseph Warren (b. 1741) is one of the most important people on the field today. He is one of the most prominent figures in Boston, and the face of the Revolution, serving as President of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. Warren is a physician, and was the one who performed the autopsy for Chrisopher Serider, a 12 year old boy who was shot and killed in the tensions leading up to the Boston Massacre in 1770. Warren gave two massively popular public operations on the Boston Massacre and became a leading Son of Liberty. He helped John Hancock when his ship Liberty was impounded by customs agents. He served on the Governor’s Council alongside Samuel Adams. He served on the Committee of Correspondence for Suffolk County, and drafted the Suffolk Resolves, which established a separate Massachusetts government – independent of Royal rule – until colonial rights were reestablished. The Suffolk Resolves were adopted by the First Continental Congress, putting all thirteen colonies on a path towards independence. As a member of the Committee of Safety, Warren oversaw the formation of the minutemen, and the organization of militia regiments throughout Massachusetts. On April 18, 1775, Warren learned of the British plan to send troops to Concord to destroy military supplies thought to be hidden there. Warren dispatched William Dawes and Paul Revere to sneak out of Boston before the British and warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams of the raid headed their way. He then slipped out of Boston and participated in the battles. While he is a gentleman of high esteem, Warren will not wait for his commission as a general to prevent him from marching to Bunker Hill. He volunteers himself as a private and joins his countrymen in the redoubt, declaring his hope to “die up to my knees in blood” in defense of America.
Col. James Frye (b. 1710) of Andover leads a regiment of Massachusetts militia from Essex County. They have been in the fight since Lexington and Concord, and now Frye’s Regiment takes their spot inside the redoubt atop Breed’s Hill to reinforce Prescott’s spent force. His steady leadership makes him a rallying point for the colonists, and a target for the British.
Col. John Stark (b. 1728) of Londonderry, New Hampshire leads the 1st New Hampshire Regiment under fire across Charlestown Neck to reinforce Prescott. He is a veteran of the Seven Years’ War, in which he fought alongside Israel Putnam in Rogers Rangers. Stark sees the weakness on the colonial left flank as the tide ebbs making a gap. Stark and his men hurry to the beachhead and erect a breastwork using earth and rail fences. His men are still working as General Howe approaches.
Col. James Reed (b. 1724) is a veteran of the Seven Years’ War, and now commands the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment. While Massachusetts regiments refuse to go to Breed’s Hill and join the fight, Reed and his men follow Stark and the 1st New Hampshire to reinforce Prescott and his beleaguered men. Reed and Stark secure the left flank along the northern shore of the Charlestown Peninsula.
Col. Richard Gridley (b. 1710) is an aged veteran who learned artillery in the British Army and now serves as the Chief Engineer of the Army of Observation. General Ward’s orders to fortify Charlestown include the construction of an earthen fortress called a redoubt. As Chief Engineer, Gridley is in charge of laying out the lines of defense. Although the orders are to fortify Bunker Hill, Gridley and the other officers argue about the location. Eventually, it is Chief Engineer Gridley who lays the lines of defense and oversees the construction of the redoubt. As a trained artillerist, Gridley places the colonial field pieces in locations he believes best. Nobody questions the bravery and fortitude of Gen. Gridley, but there are doubts about the officers under him.
Captain John Callender is one of Colonel Gridley’s officers. He lacks experience and the willingness to fight. Taking a position near Col. Stark’s breastwork, he learns he does not have the correct size ammunition for his gun. Callender and his men retreat from the action even as the British advance. General Putnam orders Callender back to his position under threat of death. Putnam showed the men how to break open the ammunition to fit it into their gun, but despite this new on-the-job training, Callender will not face the foe. He and his men retreat, abandoning their cannon to be captured. Callender’s actions will see him face a court martial and be cashiered out of the army.
Salem Poor (b. 1747) was born enslaved in Andover, Massachusetts, until buying his freedom in 1769. Poor enlisted in Capt. Thomas Drury’s Company of Col. Frye’s Regiment. Poor and his comrades are sent to Bunker Hill to help build the fortifications and relieve Prescott’s tired men. Instead, they find the hill engulfed in wuthering fire. Poor and his men now fight to protect the retreating men.
Barzillai “Zeal” Lew (b. 1743) is a native of Groton, Massachusetts. Lew is a free person of color, and a private in Capt. John Ford’s Company of Col. Bridge’s Regiment. He is a veteran of the Seven Years’ War, and now he fights inside the redoubt atop the hill. He is a talented musician as well as a soldier.
Peter Salem (b. 1750) was born into slavery in Framingham, Massachusetts. His second enslaver, Major Lawson Buckminster, emancipated Salem so that he could serve in the militia. Salem fought at Lexington and Concord, and now serves as a private in Captain Drury’s Company of Col. Nixon’s Regiment. Positioned inside the redoubt, Peter Salem will be at the center of the heaviest fighting. With only thirteen rounds in his cartridge box, he has to choose his marks well. Officers are prime targets.