What happened at the battle of bunker hill? american rebels hid in trenches and attacked the british soldiers when they got very close, resulting in over 1,000 british fatalities, while the rebels lost 400. american rebels in towns between concord and boston hid behind trees, farmhouses, and walls and ambushed british soldiers, killing over 250, while the rebels lost 100. american rebels were outnumbered 70 to 700 by the british soldiers and were forced to retreat after losing 8 men, while only 1 british soldier was injured. american rebels succumbed to the british assault and were forced to retreat, leaving their supplies and ammunition, as the british took command of the hill.