American Revolution in Massachusetts

Battle of Bunker Hill, E. Percy Moran (1909)

Despite taking the hill and technically winning the battle, the British suffered far heavier losses than the Colonists, including a large number of officers. The frontal assault that had been employed by the British would be abandoned, and foreign mercenaries would soon be hired to strengthen their forces.

King George III, after receiving General Gage’s report of the battle, issued the Proclamation of Rebellion, declaring that the colonies were now in an “open and avowed state of rebellion” and ordering officials of the British Empire to do everything in their power to suppress it. He also removed Gage from his position and eventually replaced him with General William Howe.

Despite their own losses the Colonists had proved that they could put up a strong fight against the technically superior British army. When George Washington, having recently been made the commander of the Continental Army, heard about how the men had performed it gave him hope that the war might actually be won.