USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of Boston, the metropolis of Massachusetts, from its origin to the present period; with some account of the environs > Part 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
THE soldiery did not maintain their good character through the winter. Several riotous acts were committed, in which both officers and men hore a part, in the course of January, 1775. On the 23d of that month, a detachment of above a hundred men was sent by water to Marshfield, for the protec- tion of some of His Majesty's loyal subjects there, from the fury of the whigs. They found nothing to do, and of course met with no resistance. Another detachment sent to Salem was received with less complaisance. Gen. Gage had infor- mation that some brass cannon were deposited in or near Sa- lem, and H. E. sent an officer to discover where they were lodged, and at the same time ordered a transport to take on board a part of the 64th regiment, under the command of Lieut. Col. Leslie, from the Castle, and convey them to Mar- blehead. This was on Sunday, Feb. 20th. They landed at M. met the officers, and immediately began their march for Salem ; but some of the Marblehead people, suspecting their object, despatched messengers to give warning at S. and be- fore the regiment arrived at the North river, which it was ne- cessary for them to cross, the Salem people had possession of the bridge, and raised the draw. The colonel ' desired it might be immediately let down ; but they refused, saying it was a private road, and he had no authority to demand a passage that way. On this he determined to ferry a few men over in a gondola,' of which craft there were two on the bank of the river, but the people scuttled both of them before he could effect his intention. 'Finally the colonel said he must go over, and if the drawbridge was let down so that he might pass, he pledged his honour he would pass not above 30 rods beyond it, and then immediately return. The regiment had now been on the bridge about an hour and a half, and every thing being secured, the people directed the drawbridge to be let down. The regiment passed over, marched a few rods, leaving a party in possession of the bridge till they returned, which they soon did, it being dark, and with great expedition went back again to Marblehead, where they re-embarked on board the transport, between eight and nine o'clock, and
301
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
reached Boston the next day.' The result of this expe- dition afforded merriment for the wits of the day, and gave the royalists no little chagrin.
The soldiery seem to have wreaked their vengeance for this defeat, by tarring and feathering Thomas Ditson, an in- habitant of Billerica, who had come to town (March 8th) for the purpose of purchasing a gun. Supposing, very honestly, that a soldier was a likely person to inform him where he could most advantageously procure the article, he accosted one in the street, who conducted him to his own quarters, and there, having beguiled him out of five dollars on pretence of selling him a gun and equipments, set up a hue and cry, that here was a rebel purchasing king's arms of a king's soldier, and enticing him to desert. On this, Ditson was seized by a serjeant and a party, and hurried to the barracks. There they tarred and feathered him from head to foot, and escort- ed him, with their colonel (Nesbit) at their head, to Liberty- tree, where they let him go. The selectmen of Billerica de- manded satisfaction of Gen. Gage, for this outrage, giving him the assurance, that, if the intercourse with Boston must be thus interrupted, they should ' hereafter use a different style from that of petition and complaint.'*
The Provincial Congress held their sessions in February, March, and April, without molestation. They appointed general officers for the command of the minute-men who should be detached, subject to the orders of the Committee of Safety, and appropriated funds for the purchase of warlike stores. In April, intelligence reached the congress, that Massachusetts had been declared in a state of rebellion, and that Gov. Gage would receive orders to transport certain of the popular lead- ers to England for trial. On the 10th, there was an arrival which brought the official information to Governour Gage. On the 15th, the congress adjourned, having during their ses- sion addressed the people with confidence, and urged them ' effectually to oppose and resist such attempt or attempts as shall be made' for carrying into execution the offensive acts of parliament.
For several months past there had been an association in Boston of upwards of thirty persons, chiefly mechanicks, who formed themselves into a committee for the purpose of watch- ing the movements of the British.t Towards the spring they
* The Act for tarring and feathering, as it was humorously called, had often been held up, in terrorem, against obnoxious tories, but never absolutely executed upon more than one. John Malcom, a renowned informer, suffered its penalty in January, 1774, and was most cruelly abused.
f See Col. Revere's letter, Mass. II. C. 1. v. 106.
.
302
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
frequently took turns, two and two, to watch the soldiers, by patrolling the streets all night. About twelve o'clock on Sat- urday night (April the 15th) they discovered that the boats belonging to the transports were all launched and carried un- der the sterns of the men-of-war. The grenadiers and light infantry were also observed to be all taken off duty. This movement alarmed Dr. Warren, who despatched Mr. Revere to Lexington to give notice of the same to S. Adams and Hancock, who had been persuaded not to return to Boston, lest they should be exposed to seizure by the Governour.
On Tuesday, the 18th. there were strong indications of a speedy movement. 'The light infantry and grenadiers were concentrated at the Common. About half-past 10 at night, Lieut. Col. Francis Smith of the 10th regt. embarked in the boats, with about 800 men, and landed at Lechmere's point, in Cambridge. Here the troops received a day's provision, and began their march about 12 o'clock.
The object of this expedition was the destruction of the stores collected at Concord. Profound secrecy had been ob- served in the camp, and it was supposed nobody in Boston suspected the movements. But the vigilance of Warren had anticipated the slow processes of regular troops. He had again despatched Revere and another messenger, in different directions, to give the alarm to Hancock and Adams, and they forwarded the intelligence to Concord.
Lexington is about 12 miles N. W. from Boston, and Con- cord six iniles farther in the same direction. The road, which the British took, lay through West Cambridge. The moon, which rose upon them as they disembarked, shone clearly, and their progress was undisturbed : their own drums were mute, and all nature was quiet around them. In this solemn silence they stole their march, and arrived about dawn of day at Lexington. But there the stillness of the night was chang- ed. The drum was heard beating to arms, and they soon came in sight of an American company, paraded in posture of defiance.
The British troops were halted, at about 100 rods distance, ordered to charge their guns, double their ranks, and then to march at double quick time. 'The Lexington company, pre- viously ordered to load with ball, were now commanded to stand their ground and no man leave his post with out orders, and not to fire unless they were attacked. There were about sixty of these brave men, who presented their bodies a living sacrifice to the cause of their country. In the face of 800 troops, then supposed to be 1500, they maintained their posi- tion in two ranks, heard the order from the British Major to disperse, and disobeyed it : heard his command to fire, re- ceived the first discharge unhurt, and maintained their ground
303
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
till another discharge from the enemy proved fatal to several of their number. Upon this, part of the company, if not all, returned the fire, and then dispersed in various directions. The British drew up on the common, fired a volley, and gave three huzzas in token of victory ; and after a very short halt, inarched for Concord, where they arrived without further opposition.
LEXINGTON .MONUMENT. *
.....
They reached Concord about nine o'clock. The main body was immediately employed in searching for powder and other warlike stores : a detachment was sent forward to get command of a bridge north of the town. The alarm had reached Concord early in the morning, and many of the mi- litia had assembled, but not having heard of the events at Lex- ington, they made no attack on the troops, lest they should be the aggressors. They however approached the party stationed at the bridge, and when they had advanced sufficiently near, the British opened a fire upon them, by which several were killed and wounded. The Americans returned the fire, and several of the king's officers and troops fell. The detachment soon after joined the main body, and all prepared, having
* Erected in 1799, in memory of those who fell there on the 19th of April, 1775.
304
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
partially effected their object in the destruction of some stores and provisions, to return to Boston, about noon.
But ' in place of the high and insulting confidence with which the troops had wheeled into the streets of Concord, they left them, when the order was given to march, with fa- ces bent anxiously on the surrounding heights, and with looks that bespoke a consciousness of the dangers that were likely to beset the long road which lay before them. Their appre- hensions were not groundless. The troops had hardly com- menced their march before a volley was fired upon them from the protection of a barn, and as they advanced, volley suc- ceeded volley, and musket answered musket from behind every cover that offered to their assailants. At first these desultory and feeble attacks were but little regarded ; a brisk charge, and a smart fire of a few moments never failing to disperse their enemies, when the troops again proceeded for a short distance unmolested. But the alarm of the preced- ing night had gathered the people over an immense extent of country ; and, having waited for information, those nearest to the scene of action were already pressing forward to the as- sistance of their friends. There was but little order, and no concert among the Americans ; but each party, as it arrived, pushed into the fray, hanging on the skirts of their enemies, or making spirited though ineffectual efforts to stop their progress. On either side of the highway, along the skirts of every wood or orchard, in the open fields and from every house, or barn, or cover in sight, the flash of fire arms was to be seen, while the shouts of the British grew at each instant feebler and less inspirited.'* 'The utmost confusion seized their ranks .: they began to run rather than to retreat in or- der : the officers attempted to stop the men and form them, but to no purpose ; the confusion increased : at last, after they had passed Lexington village, the officers gained the front, presented their bayonets, and told the men if they advanced they should die. Upon this they began to form, under a very heavy fire. But they must, no doubt, have soon surrender- ed, had they not been met, about a mile from the meeting- house, by a reinforcement under Brig. Gen. Lord Percy, of a thousand men, with two field pieces. The Americans gave way as the two detachments joined, and the artillery being opened upon them, kept them at some distance, while the British halted about half an hour to rest. But the instant the guns were limbered and the files had once more opened for room, the attacks were renewed from every quarter with redoubled fury. At every step of the retreating army, they met a new cluster of enemies, that constantly annoyed then
* Lionel Lincoln.
305
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
till they reached Charlestown neck, at about seven o'clock in the evening. Lord Percy took his station at Bunker-hill ; the men-of-war boats were employed first in getting over the wounded, and afterward the rest of the troops. Fresh sol- diers were sent to stand guard during the night, and the next day all were removed to Boston. The loss of the British was. 73 killed, 26 missing, besides 174 wounded. The American loss was 49 killed, 3 missing, and 36 wounded.
The news of this transaction spread with the rapidity of the wind, and in the course of two days so great a number of the provincial militia was collected in the vicinity, that the British officers acknowledged themselves ' fairly blocked up in Boston.'
CHAPTER LIII.
" Advance our waving colours on the walls, Rescued is Orleans from the English wolves."
THIs state of things rendering the situation of the inhabi- tants of Boston very undesirable, a town-meeting was held on Saturday, the 22d of April, and a conference had with Gov. Gage, in which he proposed to permit such of the citizens as would surrender their arms, to depart from the town with their families and effects. This proposition was considered and adopted by the town, at an adjournment on the Sabbath day following, and many people immediately deposited their arms in the place appointed. But the Governour perceiving that, by letting the people go, he deprived himself of a secu- rity from destruction, which their presence might prevent, found a pretext to detain the greatest part of them, and com- pelled the few, who were permitted to retire, to leave their most valuable effects behind. All intercourse between town and country ceased, and the inhabitants and the troops were reduced to the necessity of subsisting on the provisions that happened to have been laid up in store .* On the 5th of May, the Provincial Congress resolved, that Gen. Gage had by the late transactions and many others ' utterly disqualified him-
* " 1775, May 17th. On the evening of this day, a store on the south side of the Town- dock, occupied as a barrack by British troops, took fire by the bursting of some cartridges, imprudently handled by the soldiers. About thirty warehouses and buildings were destroy- ed, with great part of the effects, contained in them, some of which were donations to the town, for relief of the inhabitants, suffering under the oppressive Port Bill."-Shaw.
39
306
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
self from serving the colony as governour, or in any other capacity, and that therefore no obedience was in future due to him.'
Towards the end of May, considerable reinforcements ar- rived at Boston from England, and on the 25th, Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne arrived. General Gage pre- pared to act with more decision. His troops had had sev- eral skirmishes on the islands in the harbour, and the provin- cials had in every case been victorious. The latter were also animated with news from Ticonderoga and Crown Point, that the American parties, which had attacked those posts, had been completely successful. The British army burned for what they termed a fair trial of their prowess against the rebels in open fight : the officers demanded more 'elbow room.' Gen. Gage renewed the campaign on his side by is- suing a proclamation on the 12th of June, in which he offered pardon to all persons, except Samuel Adams and John Hancock, and proclaimed martial law throughout the province. The congress was about replying by a counter declaration, but were diverted from that design by a movement of more im- portance.
The American army consisted of about 15,000 men, under Gen. Artemas Ward. Information found its way to the com- manders, that the British contemplated posting themselves on Bunker's Hill, and it was immediately determined to make an effort to defeat their design. 'Accordingly on the 16th of June, orders were issued, that a detachment of 1000 men should that evening march to Charlestown, and entrench upon that Hill. Just before 9 o'clock they left Cambridge, and proceeded to Breed's Hill, situated on the further part of the peninsula next to Boston, (for by some mistake this hill was marked out for the entrenchment instead of the other.) Many things being necessary to be done preparatory to the en- trenchments being thrown up, which could not be done before, lest the enemy should discover and defeat the design, it was nearly twelve o'clock before the works were entered upon. They were then carried on with the utmost diligence and alacrity ; so that by the dawn of the day they had thrown up a small redoubt, about eight rods square. At this time a heavy fire began from the enemy's ships, a number of float- ing batteries, and from a fortification of the enemy's upon Copp's Hill in Boston, directly opposite to our little redoubt. An incessant shower of shot and bombs was rained by these upon our works. The Provincials continued to labour inde- fatigably till they had thrown up a small breast-work, extend- ing from the east side of the redoubt to the bottom of the Hill, but were prevented completing it by the intolerable fire of the enemy.
307
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
' Between twelve and one o'clock a number of boats and barges, filled with the regular troops from Boston, were ob- served approaching towards Charlestown ; these troops land- ed at a place called Moreton's Point, situated a little to the eastward of our works. This brigade formed upon their landing, and stood thus formed till a second detachment arri- ved from Boston to join them ; having sent out large flank guards, they began a very slow march towards our lines. At this instant smoke and flames were seen to arise from the town of Charlestown, which had been set on fire by the enemy.
' The Provincials within their entrenchments impatiently waited the attack of the enemy, and reserved their fire till they came within 10 or 12 rods, and then began a furious discharge of small arms. This fire arrested the enemy, which they for some time returned, without advancing a step, and then retreated in disorder and with great precipitation to the place of landing, and some of them sought refuge even within their boats. Here the officers were observed, by the specta- tors on the opposite shore, to run down to them, using the most passionate gestures, and pushing the men forward with their swords. At length they were rallied, and marched up with apparent reluctance towards the entrenchment ; the Americans again reserved their fire until the enemy came within five or six rods, and a second time put the Regulars to flight, who ran in great confusion towards their boats. Simi- lar and superior exertions were now necessarily made by the officers, which, notwithstanding the men discovered an almost insuperable reluctance to fighting in this cause, were again successful. They formed once more, and having brought some cannon to bear in such a manner as to rake the inside of the breast-work from one end of it to the other, the Pro- vincials retreated within their little fort. The ministerial ar- my now made a decisive effort. The fire from the ships and batteries, as well as from the cannon in the front of their army, was redoubled. The officers in the rear of their army were observed to goad forward the men with renewed exer- tions, and they attacked the redoubt on three sides at once. The breast-work on the outside of the fort was abandoned ; the ammunition of the Provincials was expended, and few of their arms were fixed with bayonets. Can it then be won- dered that the word was given by the commander of the par- ty to retreat ? But this he delayed till the redoubt was half filled with Regulars, and the Provincials had kept the enemy at bay some time, confronting them with the butt ends of their muskets.
' The retreat of this little handful of brave men would have been effectually cut off, had it not happened that the flanking party of the enemy, which was to have come upon
308
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
the back of the redoubt, was checked by a party of the Provincials, who fought with the utmost bravery, and kept them from advancing farther than the beach ; the engage- ment of these two parties was kept up with the utmost vigour ; and it must be acknowledged that this party of the ministerial troops evidenced a courage worthy of a better cause ; all their efforts, however, were insufficient to compel the Provin- cials to retreat till their main body had left the Hill; perceiving this was done, they then gave ground, but with more regulari- ty than could be expected of troops who had no longer been under discipline, and many of whom never before saw an en- gagement. In this retreat, the Americans had to pass over the Neck, which joins the Peninsula of Charlestown to the main land. This Neck was commanded by the Glasgow man-of-war, and two floating batteries, placed in such a man- ner, as that their shot raked every part of it. The incessant fire kept up across this Neck had, from the beginning of the engagement, prevented any considerable reinforcements from getting to the Provincials on the Hill, and it was feared it would cut off their retreat, but they retired over it with little or no loss. With a ridiculous parade of triumph, the minis- terial generals again took possession of the Hill which had served them as a retreat in flight from the battle of Concord. ' The loss of the New-England army amounted, according to an exact return, to 145 killed and missing, and 304 woun- ded ; 30 of the first were wounded and taken prisoners by the enemy. Among the dead was Maj. Gen. Joseph Warren, a man whose memory will be endeared to his countrymen, and to the worthy in every part and age of the world, so long as virtue and valour shall be esteemed among mankind .* The heroick Col. Gardner, of Cambridge, has since died of his wounds ; and the brave Lieut. Col. Parker, of Chelmsford, who was wounded and taken prisoner, perished in Boston gaol.'
The British loss was 1054, according to the official return. Of these 226 were killed, including 19 officers, and 828 woun- ded, including 70 officers.
The destruction of Charlestown was regarded by the A- mericans as an act of wanton barbarity : the British justified it, on account of the annoyance their troops received from the Provincials stationed in some of the houses. Many of the buildings were valuable. 'The meeting-house, a court-house, prison, county house, two school-houses, and a work-house,
* Gen. Warren was Grand Master of Free-Masons for North America, at the time of his death. Near the spot on which he fell, the members of that fraternity in Charlestown erec- ted a monument, which they dedicated to his memory (Dec. 2, 1794). It was a Tuscan pillar, 18 feet high, on a brick foundation 10 feet from the ground, eight feet square, and
309
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
with upwards of 380 other buildings were totally consumed, together with the furniture and effects of the occupants, be- sides much property that belonged to the unhappy sufferers in Boston, who had removed their goods into Charlestown.'
The main body of the British troops was stationed, after the battle, in Charlestown, upon Bunker's Hill : the other di- vision of it was deeply intrenched and strongly fortified on
enclosed by posts. On the top was a gilt urn, with the letters ' J. W. aged 35,' entwined in masonick emblems. The subjoined view was taken a few weeks before the monument was destroyed. On the south side of the pedestal was the following inscription :
1
' Erected, A. D. MDCCXCIV. by King Solomon's Lodge of Free-Masons, constituted in Charlestown, 1783, in memory of Major-General JOSEPH WARREN, and his Associates, who were slain on this memorable spot, June 17, 1775.
' None but they who set a just value upon the blessings of Liberty are worthy to enjoy ler. In vain we toiled ; in vain we fought ; we bled in vain ; if you, our offspring, want valour to repel the assaults of her invaders.'
'Charlestown settled 1628. Burnt 1775. Rebuilt 1776.
' The enclosed land was given by the lon. James Russell.'
310
HISTORY OF BOSTON.
Boston Neck, leading to Roxbury. The American army lay on both sides of Charles river. Its right occupied the high ground about Roxbury, whence it extended towards Dorches- ter, and its left was covered by Mystick river, a space of at least twelve miles. Every pass was effectually guarded, and Boston was absolutely in a state of siege .* No provision of any kind for man or beast was allowed to enter : the troops and inhabitants were together reduced to great necessities : succours which had been ordered from other parts had been intercepted or lost at sca, and the small-pox broke out among the soldiers and spread among the people.
GENERAL WASHINGTON had taken command of the American forces July 2d, and Gen. Gage had resigned the British to Gen. Howe, and sailed for England about the first of October. As the winter approached, the scarcity of fuel began to be sensibly felt. The Old North meeting-house and above 100 other large wooden buildings were taken down and distribu- ted for firewood. Some of the wharves also at the north end were broken up for the same purpose. The British officers found little to amuse them, except the occasional performance of a farce, in Faneuil Hall, where they themselves were the actors. Their soldiers had enjoyed a single day of mirth, in which they were employed in felling Liberty Tree and cutting it up for fuel. A squadron of cavalry, attached to the army, occasionally exhibited feats of horsemanship in that sanctuary of freedom, the Old South church, which was transformed into a riding-school. Hollis-street, Brattle-street, the West, and the First Baptist meeting-houses were occupied as hospitals or barracks for the troops.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.