USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Celebration of the centennial anniversary of the evacuation of Boston by the British Army, March 17th, 1776 > Part 13
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crowding and rush to the door, with a fainting and shrieking of the women. The alarm was caused by the enterprise of Major Knowlton, near Charlestown Neck, where he had burned some houses used by the British, causing a bright conflagration, had killed one man, and brought off five prisoners.
GENERAL HOWE IN COMMAND IN BOSTON.
The new commander of the besieged town showed a desire to do anything within his power and resources to put his army into the best condition possible, and to be prepared for a campaign, or any emer- gency. But his embarrassments and disabilities proved to be the same as Gage had encountered. During the summer and autumn there was prevailing sickness in the town ; the hospitals and many private dwell- ings were filled with sufferers, poorly ministered to; and the inhabitants were in a constant state of distress and alarm. The following procla- mations, issued by the General, exhibit the directions in which his zeal manifested itself. In a third publication, of the same date, he forbade any one, who had permission to leave the town, to take away with him more than five pounds sterling.
"A PROCLAMATION. By His Excellency, the Hon. Wm. Howe, Major General, and Commander-in-Chief, &c.
" Whereas, it is become the indispensable Duty of every loyal and faithful Citizen, to contribute all in his Power for the Preservation of Order and good Government within the Town of Boston :
" I do hereby recommend, that the Inhabitants do immediately associate themselves, to be formed into Companies under proper Officers, selected by me, from among the Associators, to be solely employed within the Precincts of the Town, and for the Purposes above mentioned.
"That this Association be opened in the Council Chamber, under the Direction of the Honorable Peter Oliver, Foster Hutchinson, and William Brown, Esquires: on Monday the thirtieth Day of October, 1775, and
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continued for four Days following, that no One may plead Ignorance of the same.
"Out of the Number of Persons voluntarily entering into this Association, all such as are able to discharge the Duty required of them, shall be properly Armed, and an Allowance of Fuel and Provisions be made to those requiring the same, equal to what is issued to His Majesty's Troops within the Garrison.
" Given at Head Quarters in Boston, this Twenty-eighth Day of October, 1775.
"W. HOWE. " By His Excellency's Command, "ROBERT MACKENZIE." -
"A PROCLAMATION, by His Excellency The Honorable WILLIAM HOWE, Major General and Commander in Chief of all His Majesty's Forces within the Colonies laying on the Atlantic Ocean, from Nova Scotia to West Florida inclusive, &c., &c., &c.
" WHEREAS, several of the Inhabitants of this Town have lately absconded to join, it is apprehended, His Majesty's Enemies, assembled in open Rebellion :
" I Do, by Virtue of the Power and Authority in me vested by His Majesty, forbid any Person or Persons whatever, not belonging to the Navy, to pass from hence by Water or otherwise from the Date hereof, without my Order or Permission given in Writing.
" ANY Person or Persons detected in the Attempt, or who may be retaken, upon sufficient Proof thereof, shall be liable to Military Execution ; and those who escape shall be treated as Traitors, by Seizure of their Goods and Effects.
" ALL Masters of Transports or other Vessels sailing from hence, unless under the immediate Order of Samuel Graves, Esq., Vice Admiral of the White, &c., &c., &c., or Officer commanding Ilis Majesty's Ships of War on this Service for the Time being, are hereby strictly forbidden to receive any Person or Persons on Board without my Order or Permission in Writing. Any Master or others detected in Disobeying this Proclamation shall be liable to such Fine and Imprisonment as may be adjudged.
" Given at Head Quarters in Boston, this Twenty-eighth Day of October, 1775."
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At the end of November, while the small-pox was raging in the town, Howe sent out, to Point Shirley and Chelsea, hundreds of the destitute inhabitants, with nothing but a scanty allowance of furniture and cloth- ing. Ile had given orders for the destruction of one of the meeting- houses of the town, and a large number of houses and barns, for fuel ; and, as advantage was taken of this order by the sokliers for private dévastation, he issued a warning against such wanton mischief. The Provost was commissioned to go his rounds, attended by executioners, and at once to hang detected offenders. It was under the stress of such circumstances that the following was issued : -
"A PROCLAMATION, by His Excellency the Hon. WM. HOWE, Major Gen'l and Commander in Chief, &c.
"WHEREAS, the present and approaching Distresses of many of the Inhab- itants in the Town of Boston, from the Scarcity and high Prices of Provisions, Fuel, and other necessary Articles of Life, ean only be avoided by permitting them to go where they may hope to proeure casier Means of Subsistence :
" Notice is hereby given, that all those suffering under the above-mentioned Circumstances, who chuse to depart the Town, may give in their Names, Abode, Number and Names of those in Family, Effects, &c., that Passes may be made out, conformable to Regulations already established.
" Given at Head Quarters in Boston, this sixth Day of November, 1775.
"W. HOWE.
" By His Excellency's Command,
" ROBERT MACKENZIE."
So the dreary winter passed with the besieged forces. They felt in- creasingly all the humiliations of their condition, and were waiting for the spring, for reinforcements, and for decisive orders, to meet the con- tingencies of the future. The result of the bold and effective measures of the provincial army in the occupation of the heights of Dorchester, as given in the preceding address, may be accompanied here by some incidental details.
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THE CONTRACT FOR THE EVACUATION AND SAFETY OF BOSTON.
The understanding and the implied covenant between the belligerents, which saved Boston from being bombarded or burned, while securing its evacuation by the British forces, were at the time, well understood on this side of the water. The measures to effect the desired object were conducted by the selectmen of the town, at the instigation of the remnant of the patriotic inhabitants and owners and guardians of the property in it. Their apprehensions of calamity attached equally to the probable course which might be adopted by either party ; the patriots might destroy the town for the sake of driving out the enemy, or the enemy might burn the town in revenge for being compelled to leave it. Washington and the British commander could hold no direct official correspondence on the subject, for the latter, holding to his resolve not to recognize any title or rank that was not derived from the king, would not address Washington according to the terms which Congress had enjoined as the requisite condition for such official correspondence. A vain attempt was afterwards made by a British officer to reconcile the American com- mander to being addressed " George Washington, &c., &e., &c.," on the plea that those et cetera would include everything. Washington re- plied that they might also include anything.
Captain Irvine, with six other persons, had escaped from Boston on the night of March 8th, and reported the active work in progress for embarking the British forces. A flag came out of Boston the same evening, bearing the following paper, without any address, though in- tended for Washington, and signed by four of the selectmen, dated, Boston, 8 March, 1775 : -
" As His Excelleney General Howe is determined to leave the town with the troops under his command, a number of the respectable inhabitants, being very anxious for its preservation and safety, have applied to General Robertson for this purpose, who, at their request, has communicated the same to His Excellency General Howe, who has assured him that he has no intention of destroying the town, unless the troops under his command are molested during their embarkation, or at their departure, by the armed force without ; which declaration he gave General Robertson leave to communicate to the inhabitants. If such an opposition should take place, we have the
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greatest reason to expect the town will be exposed to entire destruction. Our fears are quieted with regard to General Howe's intentions. We beg we may have some assurance that so dreadful a calamity may not be brought on by any measures without. As a testimony of the truth of the above, we have signed our names to this paper, carried out by Messrs. Thomas and Jonathan Amory, and Peter Johonnot, who have at the earnest entreaties of the inhab- itants, through the Lieutenant-Governor, solicited a flag of truce for this purpose.
" JOHN SCOLLAY, THOMAS MARSHALL,
TIMOTHY NEWELL, SAMUEL AUSTIN. "
This paper was taken to the Roxbury lines by Major Bassett, of the Tenth Regiment, and given to Colonel Learned, who carried it to head- quarters. On his return he wrote the following reply to the bearers of it : -
" ROXBURY, 9 March, 1776.
"GENTLEMEN, - Agreeably to a promise made to you at the lines yester- day, I waited upon His Excellency General Washington, and presented to him the paper handed to me by you from the Selectmen of Boston. The answer I received from him was to this effect : That as it was an unanthenti- cated paper, without an address, and not obligatory upon General Howe, he would take no notice of it. I am, with esteem and respect, Gentlemen,
" Your most obedient servant,
"EBENEZER LEARNED. "To Messrs. AMORY and JOHNNOT."
The answer of Washington was in conformity with the advice of such general officers as he could immediately summon, who agreed with him that, as the paper lacked the guaranty of General Howe, he could not be held by it to any terms of obligation. None the less, however, was Washington willing to act in conformity with the arrangement, though he watched the enemy most rigidly during the embarkation, ready to avenge any wanton .mischief on their part. The last token of Howe's presence in the town is in the following : --
"By His Excellency William HOWE, Major General, &e., &c , &c.
" As Linnen and Woolen Goods are Articles much wanted by the Rebels, and would aid and assist them in their Rebellion, the Commander-in-Chief expects that all good Subjects will use their utmost Endeavors to have all
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such articles conveyed from this Place. Any who have not Opportunity to convey their Goods under their own Care, may deliver them on Board the Minerva, at Hubbard's Wharf, to Crean Brush, Esq., mark'd with their Names, who will give a Certificate of the Delivery, and will oblige himself to return them to the Owners, all unavoidable Accidents excepted.
" If, after this Notice, any Person secretes or keeps in his Possession such Articles, he will be treated as a Favourer of Rebels.
" BOSTON, March 10th, 1776.".
Here again we have recognized the official agency of Mr. Brush, whose career has been briefly sketched above.
THIE LEAVE-TAKING AND EMBARKATION.
The following extracts from British sources give us authentic in- formation concerning the last days of the occupancy of Boston by the royal army. Almon's " Remembrancer " (Vol. III., pp. 106, 107) pub- lished a letter " from an officer of distinction at Boston to a person in London," under dates from March 3d to 10th.
" March 3d. - For these last six weeks, or near two months, we have been better amused than could possibly be expected in our situation. We had a theatre, we had balls, and there is actually a subscription set on foot for a masquerade. England seems to have forgot ns, and we have endeavored to forget ourselves ; but we were roused to a sense of our present situation last night, in a manner unpleasant enough. The rebels have been, for some time past, erecting a bomb battery, and last night began to play upon us. [From Lechmere's Point.] Two shots fell not far from me. One fell upon Colonel Monckton's house, and broke all the windows, but luckily did not burst till it had crossed the street. Many houses were damaged, but no lives lost. We expect some carcasses to-night, if the fear of destroying their own property does not prevent it. What makes this matter more provoking is, that their barracks are so scattered, and at such a distance, that we can't disturb them, although from a battery near the water side they can reach us easily.
" March Ath. - If something is not speedily done his Britannie Majesty's American dominions will probably be confined within a very narrow compass. The rebel army is not brave, I believe, but it is agreed on all hands that their artillery officers are at least equal to our own. In the number of shells that they flung last night not above three failed. This morning we fling four, and three of them burst in the air.
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" March 5th. - This is, I believe, likely to prove as important a day to the British empire as any in our annals. We underwent last night a very severe cannonade, which damaged a number of houses, and killed some men. This morning, at daybreak, we discovered two redoubts on the hills on Dor- chester Point, and two smaller works on their flanks. They were all raised during the night, with an expedition equal to that of the genii belonging to Aladdin's wonderful lamp. From these hills they commanded the whole town, so that we must drive them from their post, or desert the place. The former is determined upon, and five regiments are already embarked. A body of light infantry, under the command of Major Musgrave, an excellent officer, and a body of grenadiers, are to embark to-night at seven. I think it is likely to be so far a general affair, that we shall take our share in it. Adieu, balls, masquerades, &e., for this may be looked upon as the opening of the campaign.
". It is worth while to remark with what judgment the leaders of the rebels take advantage of the prejudices, and work upon the passions of the mob. This 5th of March is the anniversary of what they call the Bloody Massacre, when, in (I think) 1769, the king's troops fired on the people in the streets of Boston. If ever they dare stand us, it will be to-day; but I hope to-morrow to be able to give you an account of their defeat.
" March 6th. -- A wind more violent than anything I ever heard prevented our last night's purposed expedition, and so saved the lives of thousands. To-day they have made themselves too strong to make a dislodgment possi- ble. We are under their fire whenever they choose to begin ; so that we are now evacuating the town with the utmost expedition, and are leaving behind us half our worldly goods. Adieu! I hope to embark in a few hours.
" March 7th. - When the transports came to be examined they were void of both provisions and forage. If any are got on board to-day it will be as much as can be done. Never were troops in so disgraceful a situation, and that not in the least our own fault. or owing to any want of skill or discretion in our commanders, but entirely owing to Great Britain being fast asleep. I pity General Howe from my soul.
" March 9th. - Transport. I have slept one night on board; the troops are embarking as fast as possible. I mistook when I imagined the works already made could destroy the town ; but the rebels possess a hill so situated, that if they pleased to erect a battery it would entirely consume us. They as yet have not proceeded to make a work, nor do they attempt to molest us in our embarkation. It appears as if there were at least a tacit agreement between Washington and General Howe.
" March 10th. - To-day the horse transports are ordered to pull down to
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Castle William, a fort about three miles from the town in our possession ; it commands the harbor, and the troops now here will embark the last. The retreat from the town is to be covered by a large body of grenadiers, and light infantry, and the 5th and the 10th Regiments. The Fowey, a man of war of twenty-eight guns, covers the retreat by water. A packet is to sail, I hear, as soon as the army is clear of the town ; so probably I shall not have it in my power to inform you whether we are attacked in our retreat or not.
" Nantasket Road, March 17th. - Our retreat was made this morning between the hours of two and eight. Our troops did not receive the smallest molestation, though the rebels were all night at work on the near hill, and we kept a constant fire upon them, from a battery of four twenty-four pounders. They did not return a single shot. It was lucky for the inhabitants now left in Boston they did not. For I am informed everything was prepared to set the town in a blaze had they fired one eannon. The dragoons are under orders to sail to-morrow for Halifax, a eursed, eold, wintry place even yet. Noth- ing to eat, less to drink. Bad times, my dear friend. The displeasure I feel from the very small share I have in our present insignificancy is so great that I don't know the thing so desperate I would not undertake in order to change our situation."
From the " Remembrancer," III., 108. " A passenger from Boston gives the following account" : -
"On the second of March the provineials began to bombard the town from a place ealled Phipps' Farm, and on the third they opened a 24-pound battery on Dorchester Neck, which annoyed the army exceedingly. On the fifth, Gen. Howe embarked six regiments to attack this battery, but a strong easterly wind preventing the men-of-war from covering or supporting them, it was thought advisable to desist. The next day he renewed the attempt, but found the work so strong that he returned without effecting any- thing. In the mean time, the provincials had thrown near a hundred bombs into the town, and fired with considerable execution from their battery. Gen. Howe, therefore, got some of the selectmen to go out to Gen. Washington to inform him that, if firing continued, he must set fire to the town to cover his retreat. Two of the seleetmen returned, and having commumned with Gen. Howe, went back, and the firing immediately ceased.
" Gen. Howe then began his embarkation. The refugee inhabitants went first, not being suffered to carry anything but necessaries. The mortars and heavy artillery could not be embarked; these, therefore, they endeavored to burst, by charging them full with powder, and firing it off. But this did 23
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not answer their wishes. They attempted also to destroy all the small arms belonging to the town. While this work was going on, a deserter from the provincial camp informed Gen. Howe, on the tenth, that Gen. Washington was preparing for a general storm. Upon this intelligence, the General and all the troops immediately embarked, leaving the artillery, stores, etc., damaged only, as the hurry and confusion would permit.
" It now appeared, by the movements of the provincial army, that they were taking stations upon Hogg and, Noddle's Islands, and preparing to attack Castle William. If they had succeeded in this, they would have had the com- mand of Boston harbor, and destroyed the fleet. Gen. Howe, therefore, dis- mantled and blew up Castle William, and then fell down with the whole fleet into Nantasket road, which is an open and exposed station. The transports were mostly small schooners, under the protection of three men-of-war. March is the most tempestuous month of the year upon the American coast, so that without a miracle this wretched fleet nmst be dispersed and lost. It is impossible that more events could concur to render their distress com- plete, and their ruin almost inevitable. The terms of agreement between the two Generals were secret; but it is supposed that nothing was to have been destroyed, and that this breach of it determined the provincials to enter the town sooner than was intended."
" Cambridge, March 27. - Among other commodities belonging to the late garrison at Boston, we have got their orderly-book, by which it appears that Gen. Howe had 7,575 effective men, exclusive of the staff, so that with the marines and sailors he might be considered as 10,000 strong."
From an officer of a ship-of-war, Boston harbor, March 23 : -
" The bay swarms with American privateers, but we hope to protect the transports, which are daily expected from the West Indies, and to send them safe to Halifax."
"Extract of a letter from Boston. His Majesty's ship Chatham, March 24, 1776." (Almon, III., 107) :-
" The retreat of the troops from this garrison cannot fail to be differently represented in England, for which reason I have found time, from our great hurry, to give you some account of it. In the first place, the General not receiving any letters or despatches from government since the middle of October, could not fail of making everybody very uneasy. It looked as if we were left destitute, to get out of a bad scrape as we liked best. Our pro- visions falling short, added to our discontents The fleet afforded us no
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relief. Little indeed was in their power ; their own ill equipment was enough to make them as dissatisfied as ourselves. The provincials, who knew exactly the state of our garrison, harassed us from their batteries, with an intention of making our people more dissatisfied in hopes of desertions. Finding no probability of supply, and dreading the consequences of further delay, it was thought prudent to retire to the ships, and to save what we could. Our not being burthened with provisions, permitted us to save some stores and ammu- nition, the light field-pieces, and such things as are most convenient of carriage. The rest, I am sorry to say, we were obliged to leave behind. Such of the guns as by dismantling we could throw into the sea, was done so; the carriages were disabled, and every precantion taken that our circum- stances would permit, for our retreat was by agreement. The people of the town who were friends to government, took care of nothing but their merchandise, and found means to employ the men belonging to the transports in embarking their goods, by which means several of the vessels were entirely filled with private property instead of the king's stores. By some unavoidable accident, the medicines, surgeons' chests, instruments and neces- saries were left in the hospital. The confusion, unavoidable on such a disaster, will make you conceive how much must be forgot where every man had a private concern. The necessary care and distress of the women, children, sick and wounded, required every assistance that could be given. It was not like breaking up a camp, where every man knows his duty; it was like departing your country, with your wives, your servants, your household furniture, and all your incumbrances. The officers, who felt the disgrace of their retreat, did their utmost to keep up appearances. The men, who thought they were changing for the better, strove to take the advantage of the present times, and were kept from plunder and drink with difficulty. In bad plight we go to Halifax. What supply we are to expect there I do not know ; our expectations are not very sanguine. The neglect shown us bears hard on us all; the soldiers think themselves betrayed; the officers all blame the Admiralty, and your friend Lord S- is universally execrated; the sea-officers complained they were hurried out of England in a most shameful condition, not half manned, and ill-provided. Fleet and army complain of each other, and both of the people at home. If we fare as ill at Halifax as we have done here lately, I fear we shall have great desertion, as the oppor- tunity will be more convenient."
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BOSTON HARBOR REOPENED.
The Renown, man-of-war, was stationed at Nantasket to guard the harbor and to warn off transports, and was a great annoyance in pre- venting wood and lumber coasters and other vessels from supplying Boston with necessaries. It was resolved that this troublesome object should be got rid of. On the morning of June 13th drafts from the troops in and near the town, a detachment from Col. Crafts' train of artillery, with some militia from the neighborhood, amounting in all to about six hundred, under command of Gen. Lincoln, went to Point Alderton, Pettieks, and other neighboring islands. They vigorously bombarded and cannonaded the enemy, one of the shot piercing the Commodore's ship. The attack was so sudden and unlooked for that it caused the enemy great confusion. Without making any resistance the Renown slipped or cut her cables, and put to sea after sending men in boats to destroy the light-house. She was followed by twelve sail of other British ships, eight of which were reported to be transports with Highland recruits. The Port of Boston was thus opened just two years after it was closed by parliamentary edict. As soon as this event occurred the first fruits of the prowess of the provincials were realized. A continental schooner chased into the harbor two transports, which, with the help of forts on the islands, were captured and brought to Boston. The transports contained two hundred and twenty Highland- ers, with their Colonel, Archibald Campbell, and Major Menzies. The Major was killed in the action, and was buried with military honors from Trinity Church. The Colonel, who attended as chief mourner, was sent as a prisoner to reside at Reading and Concord.
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