The account supports conclusions D and E.
The passage from Andrew Oliver, Jr.'s letter to Benjamin Lynde, dated 6–7 March 1770, describes the tense situation in Boston, where frequent clashes occurred between the colonists and British soldiers, resulting in dangerous wounds on both sides. On Monday night, a detachment from the main guard fired upon the populace, leading to the death of five individuals or those who later succumbed to their wounds.
The first conclusion supported by this account is D) A confrontation between British soldiers and colonists turned deadly. The passage clearly indicates that a confrontation occurred, and the firing by a detachment from the main guard resulted in casualties, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The second conclusion supported by this account is E) Both British soldiers and colonists were to blame for the tragic events. While the passage doesn't explicitly identify the aggressors, it does state that it is difficult to determine who initiated the confrontation. This ambiguity suggests that both parties might have played a role in the escalation of violence, making them jointly responsible for the tragic outcome.
Overall, the letter portrays a volatile atmosphere in Boston with ongoing skirmishes between colonists and British soldiers. The lack of clarity on who instigated the deadly encounter underscores the complexity of the tensions between the two groups and their shared responsibility for the tragic events.