In Blog #94, I shared my adventure at the 250th Bunker Hill reenactment, held about thirty-five miles from the original battlefield in Boston, at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, MA. At the end of day 1, I was excited about what I had just experienced and incredibly tired. I had reserved a lovely cottage in town, but a few weeks before, it was not available because of renovations. Too bad!

The closest hotel I could find was about 40 minutes away in NH. That's okay. It was a comfortable room, and I slept soundly. Early the next morning, I was up early, got breakfast, and was on the road again around 7 am. I knew it was going to be a long day because, immediately after the event concluded, I would be heading home, about a 5-hour drive.

This location provided the perfect setting to recreate both the land and maritime aspects of the historic battle. What made this event truly special, both days, was the presence of multiple ships and a dramatic British beach landing—a rare sight in Revolutionary War reenactments. Unfortunately, due to the high tide, the press didn't have access to the beach during the landing so that I couldn't capture that moment—no one could. Thankfully, I had taken many shots the day before that offered that unique perspective.

Very few Revolutionary War reenactments include ships at all, and none have allowed me to capture a photo quite like this one before!
Since I was shooting from a higher vantage point rather than at eye level, I had a unique perspective that allowed me to look down on the landing crafts and capture more expressive facial details. For this particular shot, everything aligned perfectly—even the oars, which framed the composition with striking symmetry. I wanted them to stand out, so I applied a red filter using ON1 Software. The effect added a bold visual contrast, making the oars pop against the cooler tones of the water and uniforms, and subtly drawing the viewer’s eye into the rhythm of the scene.

The atmosphere among the colonial militia as they prepared for the British assault—actually not on Bunker Hill, but on the adjacent Breed’s Hill—was unexpectedly jovial, almost festive. The confusion over the hill’s name likely stems from Bunker Hill being the original target for fortification and more widely known at the time.

Though I was too far away to catch their words, the energy was unmistakable: laughter echoed across the field, playful gestures passed between comrades, and their relaxed postures spoke volumes. In the two photos below, their expressions and body language tell the story and even a few mock salutes. It was as if they were defying fear with humor, transforming the tension of impending combat into a moment of camaraderie and levity.
At first, I thought this commander might be portraying Dr. Joseph Warren, the prominent Boston physician and revolutionary leader deeply involved in the patriot cause. Though he had just been appointed a major general in the Massachusetts militia, Warren refused command at the Battle of Bunker Hill and chose instead to fight as a private soldier. That selfless decision ultimately cost him his life—he was killed during the third and final British assault on the redoubt.

But perhaps the figure is meant to represent General Israel Putnam, known affectionately as “Old Put.” A veteran of the French and Indian War, Putnam was one of the senior officers present at Bunker Hill and helped oversee the fortification of Breed’s Hill, where most of the fighting occurred. He was widely admired for his courage and battlefield presence, often seen riding along the lines to rally the troops.

American popular culture famously attributed the line “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” to Putnam. While modern historians debate whether he actually said it, the phrase became a symbol of American resolve and tactical discipline. In this portrayal, the commander seems to be mocking the British, daring them to attack—a gesture that captures the defiant spirit of the patriots that day.

Here came the final charge—British troops surging over the redoubt on a climactic final act. The moment felt startlingly real, and I couldn’t stop shooting. For five relentless minutes, it was pure, unfiltered action: shouting, scrambling, the crack of musket fire, and the chaos of retreat. The militia, out of ammunition and options, hurled rocks and bricks as they fell back—not real, of course, but in that instant, it didn’t matter. The illusion was complete. For two days, I wasn’t just watching history—I was living it. June 17, 1775, wasn’t a date in a textbook anymore. It was here, and I was there, standing in the dust and defiance of Bunker Hill.

This battle, held only a few months after Lexington and Concord, was a pivotal early clash in the American Revolutionary War. Incredibly, Abigail Adams (her husband John was in Philadelphia) and her seven-year-old son, future President John Quincy, climbed a hill near their home, 10 miles away, to observe the battle.

Although technically a British victory, it came at a high cost: British forces suffered over 1,000 casualties (including 226 killed), while American militia incurred around 450 casualties (with 140 killed). Approximately 2,300–3,000 British troops engaged about 1,500–2,400 colonial fighters, primarily on Breed’s Hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts. The fierce resistance demonstrated the resolve and capability of the American forces, boosting morale and support for independence despite their eventual retreat.

Sunday evening, around 6 pm, marked the end of an unforgettable experience. I can honestly say I’ve never attended an event quite like this before—and I had high expectations going in. After all, it was a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the actual battle, a momentous occasion steeped in history. I anticipated something special, and it absolutely delivered. In addition, I met some wonderful people who organized the event, fellow photographers and videographers, reenactors, and spectators. That is quite an event!

The drive home was long and uneventful, but it gave me time to reflect. I’d forgotten just how frustrating traffic can be on I-95 near NYC—Connecticut doesn’t disappoint in that regard. I took it slow, letting the memories of the weekend settle in. The energy, the people, the sheer scale of the event—it all stayed with me.

Over the course of two days, I posted more than 500 photos. That’s a personal record for a single event. It’s taken me weeks to get them all online, but every image tells a story, captures a moment, and preserves a piece of something truly extraordinary.

Click here for Bunker Hill Day 1 2025 Photo Gallery.

Click here for Bunker Hill Day 2 2025 Photo Gallery.

Thank you for reading! Blog #96 will be posted on October 1, 2025. Be safe & well!

Huzzah,

Ken Bohrer