British Assault on Breed’s Hill

June 17th, 1775: During the night, American rebels occupied commanding heights near Charlestown, overlooking Boston.  The besieged British could not allow Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill to remain in enemy hands, so they launched a series of determined assaults on the American defenses.  A collection of farmers and tradesmen manning the fortifications on Breed’s Hill made the British pay dearly; it was one of the bloodiest days of the War for Independence. Nearly half of the participating British troops were killed or wounded.  The chances of American reconciliation with the British also died on the slopes Breed’s Hill.