Question

Who led the colonists in the Battle of Bunker Hill? What was the result of the Patriots on Bunker Hill waiting to see the whites of the eyes of the British soldiers before firing?

a) George Washington led the Patriots; they won a decisive victory.
b) Paul Revere led the Patriots; they lost the battle.
c) Thomas Jefferson led the Patriots; they achieved a tactical advantage.
d) William Prescott led the Patriots; they inflicted heavy casualties on the British.

Answer 1

General William Prescott led the colonists in the Battle of Bunker Hill, where they waited to fire until seeing the whites of the British soldiers' eyes, causing heavy British casualties despite ultimately being overrun due to limited ammunition.

Step-by-step explanation:

Battle of Bunker Hill

The colonists were led by General William Prescott in the Battle of Bunker Hill, which is frequently misnamed as it predominantly took place on Breed's Hill. Contrary to some beliefs, it was neither George Washington, Paul Revere, nor Thomas Jefferson who commanded the American forces. The correct answer to the student's question is d) William Prescott led the Patriots; they inflicted heavy casualties on the British.

The American troops were instructed to wait until they saw the "whites of the eyes" of the British soldiers before firing to ensure each shot was effective due to their limited ammunition. While this strategy inflicted heavy casualties on the British, the battle ultimately resulted in a British victory due to the Patriots running out of ammunition and being overrun. However, the heavy losses the British suffered and the tactical prowess shown by the Americans bolstered American confidence and proved costly to British morale and military strategy.