What did Clinton mean by "a dear bought victory, another such would have ruined us"
Mrs. Sue, you wrong, the British lost! You big dumb.
In order to understand what Clinton meant by "a dear bought victory, another such would have ruined us," we need to examine the context in which it was said. This quote is attributed to General Sir Henry Clinton, a British military officer during the American Revolutionary War. He made this statement in relation to the Battle of Bunker Hill, which took place on June 17, 1775.
The Battle of Bunker Hill was a significant early battle in the American Revolutionary War. It was fought between the American colonists, who were seeking independence, and the British army. Although the British ultimately won the battle, they suffered heavy casualties. Clinton, who was a general in the British army, was reflecting on the high cost of their victory.
When Clinton said, "a dear bought victory," he meant that the British had paid a heavy price to win the battle. The casualties sustained by the British army were significant, and it was a costly victory in terms of human lives. Clinton's statement reflects the recognition that the battle was not an easy or straightforward victory for the British forces.
Furthermore, when he said, "another such would have ruined us," Clinton was expressing his concern that if the British army were to engage in similar battles in the future, they would suffer even greater losses. He realized that the American colonists were determined and tenacious opponents, and that continued costly victories like the Battle of Bunker Hill could potentially exhaust British resources and jeopardize their campaign in the American colonies.
In summary, Clinton's quote refers to the high cost in terms of casualties and the potential consequences for the British if they were to face similar battles in the future. To understand the full context and historical background, it is essential to study the events leading up to and surrounding the Battle of Bunker Hill.
British General Clinton had just led the British to victory at Bunker Hill. However, they had very high casualties.
http://www.ncs-nj.org/teachers/svain/americanrevolution/Bunker%20Hill.htm