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VIII.

sion should be taken of Dorchester Heights, which might CHAPTER possibly bring out the enemy to an engagement in that quarter, and thus, by dividing the forces in Boston, lead to a general attack.

1776.

Heights tak

en.

March 4.

Speedy arrangements were made for executing this Dorchester plan, and the essential part of it was effected by a body of troops, who marched in the night under the command of General Thomas, gained the summit of the Heights without being discovered, and by great activity erected before morning such works, as would secure them against the enemy's shot. To divert the attention of General Howe, an incessant cannonade and bombardment upon the town had been kept up the two preceding nights, and during the same night, from Lechmere's Point, Cobble Hill, and Roxbury.

to assault

As Dorchester Heights commanded the harbor, and also Preparations Nook's Hill, from which the town could easily be annoyed the town. by cannon and mortars, it was expected that the enemy would attempt to dislodge the American detachment, and that the scenes of Bunker's Hill would again be acted over. In anticipation of such an event, Washington prepared to assault the town at the same time on the opposite side. For this service four thousand chosen men were set apart, and put in two divisions, one under General Sullivan, the other under General Greene, the whole being commanded by General Putnam. At a concerted signal they were to embark in boats, near the mouth of Charles River, attended by three floating batteries, under the fire of which they were to land in the town, and then act according to circumstances and instructions given by signals.

Howe deter

suspend of

fensive oper

ations.

In the event there was no occasion for this attempt. General It was not the policy of General Howe, nor consistent mines to with his designs, to bring on a general engagement. He remained in Boston at his own discretion, it having been recommended to him by the ministry, several months before, to leave that place and repair to a southern port. Although he thought there were solid reasons against such

VIII.

1776.

CHAPTER a step, yet he did not choose to sacrifice his men, or run hazards, while so much rested on his responsibility. But when the admiral told him, that, unless the Americans were dislodged from Dorchester Heights, the King's ships could not remain in the harbor, he consented to detach three thousand men under Lord Percy for that purpose. The execution of the plan was defeated by a furious storm, which came on while the troops were embarking. The next day he determined to suspend offensive operations and to evacuate the town.

The town spared from ravage by

the tacit un

of the two command

ers.

Washington had regarded this result as probable, and, having no other motive for tempting General Howe to an derstanding engagement, than that of forcing him from the town, it was of course accordant with his principles and his wishes, that it should be done without bloodshed. His only aim, therefore, was to keep his posts strongly guarded, and his troops ready for action. Humanity and policy required, also, that the town should be saved, if possible, from the ravage and destruction to which it must inevitably be exposed by an assault. Apprehending such an issue, after the Americans had planted themselves on Dorchester Heights, the inhabitants obtained from General Howe a declaration, that the town should not be destroyed, unless the King's troops were molested during their embarkation. An informal message to this effect was forwarded to Washington by the selectmen of the town, but he declined taking any notice of it, as not being authenticated by the name of the British commander. This proceeding was enough, however, to produce a tacit understanding between the parties, and the troops were allowed to depart without molestation. The town was left uninjured, except from the natural effects of having been so long occupied by soldiers, and the disorders attending so hasty an embarkation.

Boston evac

uated by the British army.

March 17.

Boston was evacuated on the 17th of March, and several regiments commanded by General Putnam immediately entered it, and took possession of all the posts. It was found to be very strongly fortified. General Washington

VIII.

1776.

himself went into the town the next day, and was received CHAPTER with enthusiasm by the inhabitants. The legislature of Massachusetts took an early opportunity to present to him an address, expressive of their respect and attachment, their obligations for the great services he had rendered to his country, and their thanks for the deference he had invariably shown to the civil authorities. In reply he reciprocated their kind sentiments, congratulated them on the recent event, particularly as having been effected without the effusion of blood, but intimated, as to his own agency, that he had only done his duty, "wishing for no other reward, than that arising from a conscientious discharge of his important trust, and that his services might contribute to the establishment of freedom and peace, upon a permanent foundation, and merit the applause of his countrymen and every virtuous citizen."

Congress were not backward in rendering a due tribute to their Commander-in-chief. A unanimous vote of thanks was conveyed to him in a letter, drafted by a committee expressly appointed for the occasion, and signed by the President. A gold medal was ordered to be struck, commemorative of the evacuation of Boston, and as an honorable token of the public approbation of his conduct. * General Howe, with his army in seventy-eight ships and transports, sailed for Halifax. His effective force,

The medal, which was struck in Paris, from a die cut by Duvivier, contains on the obverse a head of Washington in profile, exhibiting an excellent likeness, and around it the inscription;

GEORGIO WASHINGTON SVPREMO DVCI EXERCITVVM ADSERTORI LIBERTATIS COMITIA AMERICANA.

On the reverse is the town of Boston in the distance, with a fleet in view, under sail. Washington and his officers are on horseback in the foreground, and he is pointing to the ships as they depart from the harbor. The inscription is

HOSTIBVS PRIMO FVGATIS BOSTONIVM RECVPERATVM XVII MARTII MDCCLXXVI.

Congress

award a vote

of thanks

and a medal

to Washing

ton.

CHAPTER including seamen, was about eleven thousand men.

VIII.

1776.

General Howe sails with his

army to Halifax.

American
troops
Barch for
New York.

More

than a thousand refugees left Boston in his fleet.* By the adjutant's return, Washington's army, officers and men, amounted to twenty-one thousand eight hundred, of which number two thousand seven hundred were sick. The enlistments had been more successful latterly than at first. There were also six thousand eight hundred militia, most of whom had been suddenly called in from the neighboring towns, to strengthen the lines in case of an attack on Boston.

It was reported, while the troops were preparing to embark, that they were destined for Halifax; but, suspecting this to be given out by the British commander, as a feint to cover his real designs, and anxious for the safety of New York, General Washington called for two thousand militia from Connecticut, and one thousand from New Jersey, to be thrown into that city without delay, which, added to the force already on the spot, might oppose the landing of the enemy till his own troops could arrive. March 18. The day after the evacuation, he ordered five Continental regiments, the battalion of riflemen, and two companies of artillery to march under General Heath. They went by land to Norwich, and thence by water through the Sound. The whole army, except five regiments detained for the defence of Boston under General Ward, followed in divisions, pursuing the same route. Putnam was sent forward to take the command in New York; Lee having been appointed by Congress to the southern department,

Putnam

takes command in

New York.

*The following statement of the number and character of the refugees, that left Boston with General Howe, is taken from the official return, made to the government, and now deposited in the public offices in London. Members of the council, commissioners, custom-house officers, and other persons who had been in some official station, one hundred and two; clergy, eighteen; persons from the country, one hundred and five; merchants and other inhabitants of Boston, two hundred and thirteen; farmers, traders, and mechanics, three hundred and eightytwo; total, nine hundred and twenty-four. All these returned their names on their arrival in Halifax. About two hundred others did not return their names.

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