Today in History

On June 17, 1775, American troops displayed their mettle in the Battle of Bunker Hill during the siege of Boston, inflicting casualties on nearly half of the British troops dispatched to secure Breed's Hill (the actual site of the battle). More than 15,000 colonial troops defended Boston at Breed's Hill, Bunker Hill, and Dorchester Heights following the battles of Lexington and Concord. African-American soldiers comprised approximately one-third of the rebel troops.Five thousand British troops under the command of General Gage stormed Breed's Hill, where colonial soldiers were encamped. In their fourth charge up the hillside, the British took the hill from the rebels, who had run out of ammunition. The last rebels left on the hill evaded capture by the British, thanks to the heroic efforts of Peter Salem, an African-American soldier who mortally wounded the British commanding officer who led the last charge.

After suffering 1,000 casualties during their charges on Breed's Hill, the British discontinued their assaults on rebel strongholds in Boston. When George Washington assumed command of colonial forces two weeks later, he garnered ammunition for Boston troops and secured Dorchester Heights and Bunker Hill.
Several speeches in the American Memory Collection, African American Perspectives, 1818-1907 contain references to Peter Salem, the former slave and hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill:

Mr. Everett has described Peter Salem, a black man, and once a slave, as having been among the most prominent and meritorious characters at the battle of Bunker's Hill. Indeed, the historical painting of that scene, by Col. Trumbull, an eyewitness, done in 1785, gives Peter Salem , with other black patriots, a conspicuous place. One of the latter is thus commemorated:

"To the Honorable General Court of the Massachusetts Bay: The subscribers beg leave to report to your Honorable House (which we do in justice to the character of so brave a man), that, under our own observation, we declare that a negro man, called Salem Poor, of Col. Frye's regiment, Capt. Ames' company, in the late battle at Charlestown, behaved like an experienced officer, as well as an excellent soldier. To set forth particulars of his conduct would be tedious. We would beg leave to say, in the person of this said negro, centres a brave and gallant soldier. The reward due to so great and distinguished a character, we submit to the Congress."
Cambridge, Dec. 5, 1755.

"What the Fathers Thought of the Blacks as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Men,"
Prepared for the Celebration of Washington's Birthday at Lyceum Hall, Salem, February 22, 1863,
Opinions of the Early Presidents, and of the Fathers of the Republic, upon Slavery and upon Negroes as Men and Soldiers.
in African American Perspectives

Learn more about the Battle of Bunker Hill in American Memory:

• Search on Peter Salem in African American Perspectives, 1818-1907 to find references to the former slave and hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill.
• Search the The George Washington Papers, 1741-1799 for documents related to the Battle of Bunker Hill, including Washington's estimate of British casualties at the battle.
• Touring Turn-of-the-Century America, 1880-1920 contains several photos of Boston, including photos of Breed's Hill and Bunker Hill. Search the collection on Boston or on the names of its historically significant hills.
• American Leaders Speak, 1918-1920 contains a speech by Calvin Coolidge on equal rights which includes references to Revolutionary War battles, including the Battle of Bunker Hill.
• The January 28, 1795 entry in the Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, 1789-1873 includes a petition from a veteran of the Battle of Bunker Hill to be added to the list of invalid pensioners. Search on Bunker Hill in A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation, 1774-1875 for additional petitions from men wounded at the battle.
• See the Today in History feature on artist John Trumbull whose paintings depicting the Battle of Bunker Hill and other events of the Revolutionary period have become American icons. Search the Today in History Archive on revolution to find other features on the Revolutionary War.
• See the 1905 film Spirit of '76 from the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company. The film is a dramatic recreation of Archibald Willard's famous painting by the same title and was made to illustrate the well-known song "Bunker Hill."