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Who gave the order, "don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" as Americans were running out of ammo at Bunker Hill?

User Jenny Kim
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Final answer:

The order "don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" is linked to the Battle of Bunker Hill, often attributed to Major General Israel Putnam or Colonel William Prescott, directed at American troops to conserve ammunition against British forces.

Step-by-step explanation:

The order "don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" is famously attributed to the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War. This phrase represents the American commanders' instruction to their troops to conserve ammunition, as they were running low on supplies.

The exact individual who issued this order remains somewhat disputed, with some accounts attributing it to Major General Israel Putnam and others to Colonel William Prescott. However, it is generally agreed that the order reflects the American forces' strategic position on Breed's Hill, where they faced the onslaught of the better-equipped British forces.

User Zachary Orr
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