Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Battle of Bunker's Hill
1832
J. Baker, illustrator and engraver; Humphrey Phelps, publisher
USA: New York, New York
engraving on paper with watercolor; stipple etching
backing board: 19-1/2"h x 24-1/8"w; sheet: 14"h x 18-1/2"w
Special Acquisitions Fund
78.74.9

Battle of Bunker's Hill engraving; scene of British soldiers and colonies in battle; bottom reads "Designed drawn and engraved by J. Baker./ Battle of Bunker's Hill./ (June 17, 1775)/ To the enlightened and patriotic citizens of the United States this Plate is respectfully inscribed by their obedient servant/ J. Baker/ N. York, published by Humphrey Phelps, 336 Bowery./ Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1832 by Smith & Baker in the District Clerks Office of the U.S. for the Southern District of New York."; legend identifies the figures "American/ 1. Gen. Warren, 2. Gen. Putnam, 3. Maj. Knowlton, 4. Col. Prescott, 5. Lieut. Col. Parker, 6. Col. Gardner, Loss 450./ British./ 7. Col. Abercrombie, 8. Gen. Howe, 9. Major Small, 10. Major Pitcairn, 11. Lieut. Pitcairn, 12, Engs. La Rawdon, Loss 1054./ Price 1 Dollar".

Printed decades after the event, this engraving of the Battle of Bunker Hill details some of the action and participants. At the bottom of the print, the producers included a key to some of the important figures on both the British and the American side, as well as the numbers of causalities. Though counted as a British victory, the Battle of Bunker Hill cost many British soldiers’ lives. In mounting a strong resistance, the colonial forces proved their abilities as a fighting force.