ORDER OF BATTLE // June 17, 1775
Battle of Bunker Hill
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 5,400 estimated
United Colonies
2,400
Medium-confidence figure
Great Britain
3,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17, 1775, during the Siege of Boston, making it one of the first major engagements of the American Revolutionary War. Though the battle takes its name from Bunker Hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts, the majority of the fighting occurred on the adjacent Breed's Hill. The engagement involved roughly 2,400 colonial troops against a British force of approximately 3,000. Colonial casualties ranged from 140 to 271, while British casualties were substantially heavier, estimated between 228 and 828. The disparity in losses relative to force size shaped early perceptions of the war's likely costs for both sides.
‹ Full battle dossier