misattributed

Quotation record · reviewed 2026-08-09

“Don't fire 'til you see the whites of their eyes.”

Circulates under Andrew Jackson

Editorial status

misattributed

The order is commonly attached to Andrew Jackson, but the evidence cited here places it with Colonel William Prescott at the Battle of Bunker Hill, relayed by Israel Putnam.

Source-backed author: William Prescott, relayed by Israel Putnam

Earliest traceable appearance in this record: 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill tradition associated with William Prescott and Israel Putnam.

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