Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the American Colonial forces lay siege to the British garrisoned in Boston, MA. While the Americans commanded the heights and land routes around the city, the British Royal Navy ensured the sea lines of communication remained open. With recently arrived reinforcement, the British commander, Gen Thomas Gage, sought to break out of the defenses by landing a force and seizing the heights behind Charleston across Boston Harbor. Anticipating the British movements, on 16 June a force of 1,200 militiamen under the command of Col William Prescott occupied Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill to the north of Charlestown, entrenching themselves in preparation for an upcoming assault. In the morning and early afternoon of 17 June, British forces—having realized the extent of the American defenses—initiate a largely unsuccessful naval bombardment. By around 3:00 in the afternoon, a British force of over 2,000 men commanded by Gen William Howe landed near Charlestown. After receiving sporadic fire from the town, Gen Howe orders an incendiary barrage to ignite the buildings, setting Charlestown aflame. The British then marched toward the American position arrayed in a line formation; however, their movements were hampered by tall grass and fences arrayed before the defenses on Breed’s Hill. The Americans held their fire until the British were around 30 yards from their position before unleashing a volley that drove the regulars into disarray. The British then reformed and attacked again, only to be repulsed again with heavy casualties. After successfully stopping the British offense twice, the Americans were low on ammunition, and a third assault succeeded in overwhelming the militiamen—forcing them to engage in a fighting retreat toward Cambridge.