Within 2 days of Lord Percy leading the demoralized British troops back into Boston 20,000 colonists had responded to the cause. Dr.Joseph Warren knew this vast amount of men would be too unwieldly to control , so he enlisted a force of aproximately 8,000 men into companies of 50 men each. They were to serve for seven months (or shorter if the fighting ended) General Artemus Ward commanded.
Warren had long been a leader in the patriot cause and was the liason man between the Mass. Provincial Congress and the minute men. He also petitioned the 2nd Continental Congress to take over responsibility for the army and to appoint a commander in chief. The Continental Congress wasn't exactly of one mind on this issue of fighting the British. Some wanted full independence and others wanted to negotiate a settlement. These latter were not aware of the attitude of King George III. He made the statement that America was either a colony or an enemy. There'd be no concessions on his part.
Since this is to be an esay on the birth of, and first battles of, the U.S. Army I'll dispense with any further narrative on the in-fighting in the Congress on the issue except to say that George Washngton was selected to be the Commander in Chief of the new army on 6/14/75. He was selected in part due to his military experience and in part because he was a southerner(Virginia).
The battles of Lexington and Concord had gotten the new Englander the respect and moral support of the southern colonies,this would ensure their active support. While this selection process was being carried out,an action that would forever become a legendary part of American history was in the making.
When Lt.Col. Israel Putnam of the Connecticut Militia responded to the area he saw immediately that the hills overlooking Charlestown should be fortified. From them, Boston could be harassed and observed. The Committee of Safety agreed and the plan was authorized with the lukewarm endorsement of General Ward. They put a Massachusetts man, Col. William Prescott in charge. Prescott and Putnam marched to the area and saw that Breeds Hill was closer to Boston and had more strategic value. Prescot fortified Breeds Hill with 850 men and some cannon and Putnam put 1500 men on Bunker Hill on the 16th of June. The British Navy in the Charles river began shelling the Americans and there were some desertions. General John stark and his New Hampshire Militia responded and re inforced the men on Breeds Hill.
The British in the meantime had no intentions of letting the Americans stay on these hills. General Gage ordered General Howe to mount an expedition to oust the Americans. He also ordered the burning of Charlestown to deprive the Americans any shelter to fight from when they were driven from the hill.
On the 17th Howe ferried 2200 men across the river and prepared to drive the Americans from the hill. His plan was to have a frontal assault,ignoring Lord Percy's warning that the colonists were a formidable enemy.
Howe had his men advance slowly up the gentle slope of Breeds Hill with the idea of breaking through the area nearest the Mysic River. The Americans had posted a stick in front of their line showing when the British would be most vulnerable to their fire. Legend has it that Prescott told them "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes."
When the British reached the stick the Americans opened fire. the result was horific for the British and they were driven back down the hill. When the elements on the right saw this thet also withdrew. Howe then decided to forego trying for a weak spot and ordered his men back up. They went right up against the center of the American line and once more were shot to pieces and retreated.
It was now a matter of British miitary pride. Howe was not about to let a buch of farmers defeat his professional army, and he ordered them up the hill one more time.
Once again they were met by a powerful volley and wavered. but this time it was different. The 2nd volley was weak and there was no 3rd volley. The Americans were out of ammunition. The British regrouped and drove the Americans from the hill.
Two of the dead this day were part of the opening scene back in April. Dr.Joseph Warren on the American side, and Major Pitcairn on the British side.
The British may have won the ground but the Americans won also. They showed they could stand up to the British regulars. They were of the mind that if they had more ammo they could have held onto the hill. After all, the Bitish losses were twice as much as the American losses. They also felt that some of their leaders such as Ward and Putnam let them down. They needed a great leader who would never let them down. He was on the way.