1875 Henry Thomas View of the Battle of Bunker Hill

An rare 1875 Henry Atwell Thomas chromolithograph view of the Battle of Bunker Hill (1775). The view illustrates the landing of British troops at Morton's Point. Soldiers congregate on the beach before lining up in ranks to assault the Colonial forces fortified at altitude. The subsequent shelling and burning of the town by the British Man-of-War Somerset (which occupies the left border) is depicted. In the background, the cannonading of Charlestown by a battery on Copp's Hill and floating batteries on the Charles River is depicted.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Fought on June 17, 1775, the Battle of Bunker Hill was one of the first battles of the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783). When colonial troops discovered British plans to occupy the hills surrounding Boston, thus securing control of the Harbor, they preemptively established themselves on Bunkers Hill and Breeds Hill. Confident in their superiority, the British led two unsuccessful charges against the fortified position. Although the British finally succeeded in gaining control of both hills and the peninsula, the victory came at a high price. British casualties were 1,054 (226 killed), many of whom were officers, compared to Colonial casualties of just 450 (140 killed). The battle made clear that the war would be no easy victory for the British, while at the same time, bolstering the confidence of the comparatively inexperienced Colonial forces.

Publication History and Census

This view was published by C. Frank King of 32 Winter Street, Boston, for the centennial celebration of the Battle of Bunker Hill. This view is extremely scarce. A single example is cataloged in OCLC and it is part of the collection at the Boston Athenaeum. We have further identified two additional examples in the holdings of the American Antiquarian Society; they include the present edition and a second edition, which may be later. We have also identified a copy in microfilm at the Library of Congress - it is unclear if they also preserved the original print.