BUNKER HILL, an eminence 110 feet high, in the Charlestown district of Bos ton, Mass., connected by a ridge with an other elevation, 75 feet high, named Breed's Hill. These heights are memor able as being the scene of a battle, June 17, 1775, known under the name of Bun ker Hill. The city of Boston was occu pied by the British under General Gage, who had resolved to begin offensive op erations against the rebels. This design becoming known in the American camp, it was determined to seize and fortify the heights of Charlestown on the night of June 16. The execution of this peril ous mission was confided to Colonels Prescott and Pepperell at the head of a brigade of 1,000 men; and at dawn of day a strong redoubt was already completed on Breed's Hill. About 1,500 Americans advanced successively to the relief of Prescott. At about 2:30 o'clock, two columns of the British advanced to a simultaneous assault; they were re ceived with a terrific fire, and twice repulsed in disorder. When the Amer icans had exhausted all their ammu nition, Prescott gave the order for re treat. They received a destructive volley as they left the redoubt. The retreat
was harassed by a raking fire from the British ships and batteries, but there 16—VoL was no pursuit beyond Charlestown Neck. The British loss was 226 officers and men killed, and 828 wounded; that of the Americans 145 killed or missing, and 304 wounded. Although a defeat, the moral result of this action was great. The Americans had seen superior num bers of the disciplined soldiers of Eng land retreat before their fire, and given the proof that they were able to defend their liberties. On Breed's Hill stands now the Bunker Hill Monument, the cornerstone of which was laid by the Marquis de Lafayette, June 17, 1825. This monument was unveiled June 17, 1843. It consists of a plain granite shaft, 220 feet high, 31 feet square at the base, and 15 at the top. Within is a winding staircase, by which it is as cended to a chamber immediately under the apex, 11 feet in diameter, containing four windows, which afford a magnifi cent panoramic view of the surrounding country.