The British “won” the Battle of Bunker Hill in June, 1775, but it cost them dearly, 100 commissioned officers killed, and not much to show for the victory, but there were still medals to be awarded. The silver “gallantry medal” from King George III given to 21-year old Capt. Peter Ewing of the Royal Marines will be auctioned in June (fittingly enough) by Heritage. High estimate is $70,000.Capt. Ewing lost an arm in the fight. Technically, the British prevailed but their Boston officer corps was nearly destroyed. The disparaged colonials suffered far fewer casualties, and proved they were a match for the professional English soldiers. The Heritage Civil War & Militaria sale is June 9th, 237 years after the attack.
