<P> Much has been written in the wake of this battle over how it was conducted . Both sides made strategic and tactical missteps which could have altered the outcome of the battle . While hindsight often gives a biased view, some things seem to be apparent after the battle that might reasonably have been within the reach of the command of the day . </P> <P> Years after the battle, and after Israel Putnam was dead, General Dearborn published an account of the battle in Port Folio magazine, accusing General Putnam of inaction, cowardly leadership and failing to supply reinforcements during the battle, which subsequently sparked a long lasting and major controversy among veterans of the war, various friends, family members and historians . People were shocked by the rancor of the attack, and this prompted a forceful response from defenders of Putnam, including such notables as John and Abigail Adams . Historian Harold Murdock wrote that Dearborn's account "abounds in absurd misstatements and amazing flights of imagination ." The Dearborn attack received considerable attention because at the time he was in the middle of considerable controversy himself . He had been relieved of one of the top commands in the War of 1812 due to his mistakes . He had also been nominated to serve as Secretary of War by President Monroe, but was rejected by the United States Senate (which was the first time that the Senate had voted against confirming a presidential cabinet choice). </P> <P> The colonial forces, while nominally under the overall command of General Ward, with General Putnam and Colonel Prescott leading in the field, often acted quite independently . This was evident in the opening stages of the battle, when a tactical decision was made that had strategic implications . After deliberating with General Putnam and Colonel Gridley, Colonel Prescott and his staff, apparently in contravention of orders, decided to fortify Breed's Hill rather than Bunker Hill . The fortification of Breed's Hill was more provocative; it would have put offensive artillery closer to Boston . It also exposed the forces there to the possibility of being trapped, as they probably could not properly defend against attempts by the British to land troops and take control of Charlestown Neck . If the British had taken that step, they might have had a victory with many fewer casualties . </P> <P> While the front lines of the colonial forces were generally well managed, the scene behind them, especially once the action began, was significantly disorganized, due at least in part to a poor chain of command . Only some of the militias operated directly under Ward's and Putnam's authority, and some commanders also disobeyed orders, staying at Bunker Hill rather than joining in the defense on the third British assault . Several officers were subjected to court martial and cashiered . Colonel Prescott was of the opinion that the third assault would have been repulsed, had his forces in the redoubt been reinforced with either more men, or more supplies of ammunition and powder . </P>

What general was in charge of the revolutionary forces in the battle of bunker hill