On June 17, 1775, English forces in Boston were called to battle formation. Their mission was to brush away a motley assemblage of American soldiers, farmers, and tradesmen that had enforced Breed’s Hill, overlooking Boston. The battle was not the largest or most decisive battle of the War of Independence, but it made the reputation of Americans as fierce fighters. The tenacious defense of the hill, though an English victory, resulted in the siege of Boston and the retreat of the English from the city. It also traumatized English commanders, influencing their actions for the rest of the war. This talk will outline the strategies, tactics, personalities, and results of one of the proudest military stands in US history.

Bio: Hamish Lutris is an Associate Professor of History at Manchester Community College. He is a well-known speaker and instructor throughout Connecticut and the region. He has also worked in some of America’s premier natural and historical sites, leading naturalist and educational programs in both the United States and Europe. His program interests cover a number of areas including Native American history, the US Civil War, World Wars I and II, the American West, as well as Scientific, Social and cultural history.