Spirit of Liberty
A oneshot based off the Empire Total War version of the Battle of Bunker Hill.
June 17, 1775
'Bunker Hill' outside of Boston
Gregory peered out over the harbour over the small barricade of logs set up in front of him and his fellow revolutionaries. The British frigates seemed to float on the sunlight, the reflection of the water was so clear. Several landing boats had hit the shore already, and the redcoats were forming several lines of attack on all sides.
The sound of a bugle broke the silence of the day, and the militia cavalry began to ride off the hill. Gregory could see why: A unit of British cavalry and artillery was moving up another nearby hill to get a shot at the vulnerable minute-men standing at attention, waiting to fight for their freedom. The bugle was followed by British drums and the sound of marching warriors.
"Prime the charge!"
"Yes sir!" This order was followed by what little artillery the Colonists had opened up on the British troops, tearing 2 large holes in their formation. These holes were quickly filled by more marching redcoats. Somone started counting the range down.
"200 yards... 175 yards... 150 yards... 125 yards... 100 yards!" They were in range now.
"Ready!" Gregory readied his gun. "Aim..." Gregory, and the others, shouldered their muskets. Gregory aimed at the mass of red in front of him. No need to see faces. "Fire!" Crrrrack! Gregory's musket belched fire and smoke, blocking his vision as a volley of musket balls flee towards the redcoats. Screams of pain reached his ears. Gregory flinched as he began to reload his musket. Ready, aim, fire. Ready, aim, fire.
This repeated for four more volleys before the sound of his unit's drum sounded the order to about-face. Why? Gregory thought as he turned around to see routing militia cavalry, and a regiment of British dragoons charging into the ranks of militia.
"Fix bayonets!" Gregory scrambled to grab his bayonet from his various pouches on his belt. The bugle from the British cavalry ringed in his ears as he stuck his bayonet down his musket's barrel and held it in front of him. The horses slammed into the line and shoved Gregory backwards, a horseman charging towards Gregory. Gregory thrust his bayonet forward, and the horse reared back, neighing in annoyance at the sharp pointy metal rod in front of it.
"Bloody animal!" The rider said as he steadied his horse and brought his saber to bear. Gregory began stepping backwards, the Englishmen sneered and began to advance. Gregory stopped, his back against the barricade. The Englishmen charged. Gregory dove to the side. Gregory scrambled to his feet and climbed onto the barricade. A shot shattered the wood nearby and Gregory jumped down again. The horseman had already engaged another minute-man, having took Gregory for dead.
"Thank god..." He sighed as he remained in his corner of the fray. He stayed here until the milita cavalry reformed and chased the British away.
"We've repulsed the attack!" Someone said. The men cheered.
"The day is ours! We are free at last!" Another man exclaimed! Gregory was just glad to be alive.
The Battle of Bunker Hill would continue the rest of the day, until the Colonists ran out of ammunition, and abandoned the hill, giving the British control of the Charlestown penninsula. The Colonists lost only 450 men, while the British lost 1,054, many of them officers. This was a great boost to Colonial morale, showing that even an untrained militia could defeat the mighty British army, provided they could get the jump on positioning. Hope you enjoyed my first short story! Please RR!
-ALXNDR