This British military map, which details the waterways and topography of the Boston area, was completed in 1775, just before the onset of the American Revolution. It marks locations fortified by minutemen—colonists who stood ready to fight for independence from Britain. The numbers in the waterways indicate depth at various points throughout Boston Harbor—a significant consideration for the British, who deployed naval units against the colonists during the war. The map is based on observations made by a lieutenant in the British Corps of Engineers; the cartographer is unknown.
The fortifications built by the minutemen appear on the map highlighted in red. A key fortification stood in Charlestown, just north of Boston. At this spot, outnumbered minutemen held off two of three British assaults on June 17, 1775, during the Battle of Bunker Hill. The third British assault forced the minutemen to retreat, and Britain gained control of both Breed's and Bunker Hill, burning Charleston to the ground in the process. The British suffered about 1000 casualties; the minutemen suffered about 400. |
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