‘Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!’ came the order from Colonel Prescott to revolutionary troops on June 17, 1775. Considering the ill-preparedness of the revolutionary soldiers, the bloody battle that followed resulted in a surprising number of British casualties. Ultimately, however, the Redcoats prevailed (an oft-overlooked fact). Today, the 220ft granite obelisk monument is visible from across the harbor in the North End, from the expanse of the Zakim Bridge and from almost anywhere in Charlestown. But only a walk through the winding cobblestone streets up to the monument’s hilltop perch allows visitors to experience and appreciate the authentic, historic charm of this 18th-century neighborhood. Climb the 294 steps to the top of the monument to enjoy the panorama of the city, the harbor and the North Shore. By the way, the name of the Battle of Bunker Hill is misleading, as most of the fighting took place on Breed’s Hill, where the Bunker Hill Monument stands today.