BUNKER HILL – Boston, 26th of June, 1775. This town was alarmed on the 17th instant at break of Day, by a Firing from the Lively Ship of War. [Boston: John Howe, 1775.]

BUNKER HILL – Boston, 26th of June, 1775. This town was alarmed on the 17th instant at break of Day, by a Firing from the Lively Ship of War. [Boston: John Howe, 1775.]

The British account of the Battle of Bunker Hill: "they fought for their King, their Laws and Constitution." A scarce broadside, printed by the same Loyalist Boston printer who published Thomas Gage's account of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. This account describes the discovery of the rebel works erected "on the Heights of the Peninsula of Charlestown" on the morning of 17 June and British preparations to land a force to counter them under Generals Howe and Pigot: "notwithstanding various Impediments of Fences, Walls, . and the heavy Fire they were exposed to, from the vast Numbers of Rebels, and their Left galled from the Houses of Charlestown, the Troops made their Way to the Redoubt, mounted the Works, and carried it. The Rebels were then forced from other strong Holds, and pursued 'till they were drove clear of the Peninsula, leaving Five Pieces of Cannon behind them." Adding a bit of "spin" on their pyrrhic victory (nearly a third of their forces were killed or wounded in the action), the broadside declared: "This Action has shown the Bravery of the King's Troops, who under every Disadvantage, gained a compleat Victory over Three Times their Number, strongly posted, and covered by Breastworks. But they fought for their King, their Laws and Constitution." Evans 13842; Streeter sale 760.

Broadside, 355 x 217mm, with wide margins (toning from previous matting).

Pre-Lot Text
PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE COLLECTOR