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1781 Engraved View of The Attack on Bunker's Hill + Burning of Charles-Town

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:475.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
1781 Engraved View of The Attack on Bunker's Hill + Burning of Charles-Town
American Revolution
Original Hand-Colored Engraved Print “View of The Battle for Bunker’s Hill... Burning of Charles Town, June 17, 1775...” by Lodge
c. 1781 Revolutionary War Period, Hand-Colored Copperplate Engraving titled, "View of The Attack on Bunker's Hill, with the Burning of Charles-Town, June 17, 1775", Engraved by Lodge, London, Framed, Choice Extremely Fine.
This very historic Hand-Colored Copperplate Engraving is crisp, sharp looking and well printed on period laid paper. It is titled: “View of The Attack on Bunker's Hill, with the Burning of Charles Town, June 17, 1775.” From Barnard's New Complete and Authentic History of England (London: Edward Barnard, 1781-83). Map Maker: Andrew Millar / John Lodge. Measures 11.5” x 8.75” (by sight), displayed in modern gold painted simple wooden frame to 13” x 10.25” overall. Engraved for Barnard’s “New Complete Authentic History of England,” which was printed in 1783 and which included much of the story of the Revolutionary War.

An impressive sharply executed and printed Engraving that shows “Charles Town” engulfed in flames, fueled by incendiary devices lobbed by the British from across the channel. British soldiers can be seen landing on the beach below Bunker’s Hill and attacking the fortifications there. British ships provide cover from offshore. Light age toning at the edges, but otherwise choice, not examined outside of frame. A most desirable and historically important engraving, ready to hang on display.
The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17, 1775, during the Siege of Boston in the early stages of the American Revolutionary War. The battle is named after Bunker Hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts, which was peripherally involved in the battle. It was the original objective of both the colonial and British troops, though the majority of combat took place on the adjacent Breed's Hill.

On June 13, 1775, the leaders of the colonial forces besieging Boston learned that the British were planning to send troops out from the city to fortify the unoccupied hills surrounding the city, which would give them control of Boston Harbor. In response, 1,200 colonial troops under the command of William Prescott stealthily occupied Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill. During the night, the colonists constructed a strong redoubt on Breed's Hill, as well as smaller fortified lines across the Charlestown Peninsula.

By daybreak of June 17, the British became aware of the presence of colonial forces on the Peninsula and mounted an attack against them that day. Two assaults on the colonial positions were repulsed with significant British casualties; the third and final attack carried the redoubt after the defenders ran out of ammunition. The colonists retreated to Cambridge over Bunker Hill, leaving the British in control of the Peninsula.

The battle was a tactical victory for the British, but it proved to be a sobering experience for them, involving many more casualties than the Americans had incurred, including a large number of officers. The battle had demonstrated that inexperienced militia were able to stand up to regular army troops in battle. Subsequently, the battle discouraged the British from any further frontal attacks against well defended front lines. American casualties were comparatively much fewer, although their losses included General Joseph Warren and Major Andrew McClary, the final casualty of the battle.

The battle led the British to adopt a more cautious planning and maneuver execution in future engagements, which was evident in the subsequent New York and New Jersey campaign, and arguably helped rather than hindered the American forces. Their new approach to battle was actually giving the Americans greater opportunity to retreat if defeat was imminent. The costly engagement also convinced the British of the need to hire substantial numbers of foreign mercenaries to bolster their strength in the face of the new and formidable Continental Army.