How Many People Died During The Siege Of Boston

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The Great Boston Bake-Off: A Surprisingly Low Body Count for a Revolutionary Cake Fight (Mostly)

Ah, the Siege of Boston. A time of muskets and minutemen, of redcoats and rebellion. But let's be honest, folks, it wasn't exactly a cage match (though there probably were some epic staring contests involved).

This wasn't your typical siege with battering rams and moats overflowing with alligators (although that would have been way cooler). This was a strategic waiting game. The colonists, surrounded by water on most sides, basically kept the British penned in like pigeons in a park.

So, the question on everyone's mind (well, maybe not everyone) is: How many poor souls bit the dust during this historic face-off?

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How Many People Died During The Siege Of Boston
How Many People Died During The Siege Of Boston

The Numbers Game: Not as Bloody as a British Tax Bill (Thankfully)

Here's the skinny: the entire siege lasted from April 1775 to March 1776. That's almost a year of revolutionary loafing (don't tell George Washington I said that).

The big brawl of the siege was the Battle of Bunker Hill (though it actually happened on Breed's Hill, but that's a whole other story). This one definitely had some casualties, with estimates around 450 colonists getting injured, captured, or meeting their maker. The British side fared worse, clocking in at a cool 1,054 casualties.

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But outside of Bunker Hill? Things were pretty tame. We're talking maybe 60 deaths on both sides for the rest of the siege. Less deadly than a particularly enthusiastic game of colonial badminton, really.

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Why the Low Body Count?

Here's the thing: neither side was exactly itching for a fight. The colonists just wanted the British to shove off (which, to their credit, the British eventually did).

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The British, meanwhile, were stuck in a bit of a strategic pickle. Attacking across the water was risky, and disease and boredom were taking their toll on the troops.

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In the end, it was a war of attrition (mostly of patience) with a surprisingly low body count.

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Fun Fact: The Real Casualties? Probably Board Games

Let's be real, folks. Stuck in a city for months with limited entertainment options? Board games were probably getting thrown across the room left and right. The true casualties of the siege? Undoubtedly the colonists' patience and the British supply of checkers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How-To FAQs on the Siege of Boston Body Count:

  1. How to impress your friends with your knowledge of the siege? Easy! Drop that fact about the Bunker Hill casualties being higher than the rest of the siege combined.
  2. How to avoid a barroom brawl about Revolutionary history? Stick to the facts, and maybe avoid yelling "Yankee Doodle" too loudly.
  3. How to channel your inner colonial soldier? Grab a musket (or a really convincing pool noodle) and practice your marching drills in your living room. Just be careful not to poke your eye out.
  4. How to ensure a low body count during your next board game night? Choose your opponents wisely and maybe avoid Monopoly.
  5. How to learn more about the Siege of Boston? Crack open a history book (or fire up your favorite search engine) and get schooled!
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mit.eduhttps://www.mit.edu
npr.orghttps://www.npr.org/local/305
weather.govhttps://www.weather.gov/box
necn.comhttps://www.necn.com
bostonpublicschools.orghttps://www.bostonpublicschools.org

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