USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston (its past and present) and prospects for the future, with sketches of prominent men > Part 8
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"The General gave all the Prisoners leave to return if they chose it, but only two of the six chose.
" Tuesday. Feb. 20th. Three of the Prisoners taken by Major Mus- grave on the Morning of the 14th were sent to the lines to be set at liberty. The rebel officer refused to receive them till he had acquainted his General of it, but they were soon accepted being discharged without any terms demanded by our General."
The total damage by this raid, in an itemized account, places it at £1058, which included total destruction of property and damage done by the soldiers.
The news of the raid and the destruction wrought, caused conster- nation among the inhabitants of Dorchester and other towns on the coast, and fears of similar raids were entertained by many.
CHAPTER XII.
DORCHESTER HEIGHTS AND NOOK HILL.
Anxiety throughout the country for an attack to be made upon Boston - Arrangement of the American army -Gen. Howe feels secure - Col. Knox's cannon and ammuni- tion put to good use- Washington determined to take Dorchester Heights - I'rep- arations for the event- Attention of the British soldiers diverted - Route to Dorchester Heights- Screwed hay wound round the wheels - Formidable appearing redoubts erected in one night - Gen. Howe surprised - Abstract from Gen. Heath's diary - Gen. Howe determined to attack the intrenchments of the Americans - Preparations of Washington to give the British a warm reception - Storm prevents the proposed assault - Works on the Heights strengthened - Gen. Howe decides to evacuate - Gen. Washington, determined that no mistake shall be made, continues the carrying out of his plans - Gen. Washington's letters to the President of Con- gress - Gen. Thomas' letter - Unsuccessful effort to fortify Nook Hill followed by another attempt which is successful - Immediate evacuation decided upon, and the British sail away - Letters of Gen. Washington after the evacuation - General rejoicing in the American army - Gen Washington and his army enter Boston - Gen. Howe criticised at home- New York the next scene of Washington's work - Medal and letter from Congress for Gen. Washington.
W V HILE Boston was in a state of seige the people of the entire country were looking and waiting anxiously, ever hopeful, for Gen. Washington to make the attack on the British soldiers in Boston and to retake the town.
Very few, save Gen. Washington and his officers, knew of the. actual condition of the American forces. The army was arranged in three divisions, the right wing on the south around Roxbury and Dor- chester aggregating about 6,800 men; the centre at Cambridge with about 3,250 men, and the left wing extending from Prospect Hill to Winter Hill, with about 5,600 men. Thus were all avenues from Boston cut off and the British were really imprisoned.
Until the early part of 1776 the American army was in poor con- dition to make any advance, but through the successful expedition of Col. Knox, the situation was made more encouraging.
In fact it was owing to the lack of ammunition that deterred Washington. He would probably have crossed the ice of the Charles River and attacked the British forces, but the river did not freeze to any appreciable extent that winter, and the plan was abandoned.
At a council of the officers, held February 16, 1776, Washington represented that when the new regiments were all in from Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut, if complete, there would be 7,280 men ; that the regiments already in camp amounted to 8,797 available men besides the officers, and 1,405 men who might be ordered to join their respective regiments whenever they were called. On the other
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
hand, from the best intelligence that could be obtained, the number of British in Boston did not exceed 5,000, though they were far better equipped than the Americans.
COL HENRY KNOX.
GEN. JOHN THOMAS.
GEN. ARTEMAS WARD.
At this time ham was in com- fleet in the har- ceeded Admiral recalled the preceding De- Gen. Howe strongholds. He Dartmouth, “We least apprehen- upon this place by surprise or the contrary, he they would at- step, and quit trenchments to attribute their The loyalists unbounded con- ultimate tri- Britain.
About the when Washing- the British advance, he GEN. WASHINGTON ON DORCHESTER HEIGHTS. plays of force so as to lead the British to suppose that re-enforcements had arrived rather than that the force had been greatly decreased.
Admiral Shuld- mand of the bor, having suc- Graves who was latter part of the cember. felt secure in his wrote to Lord are not in the sive of an attack from the rebels, otherwise." On wished "that tempt so rash a those strong en- which they may present safety." around him felt fidence in the umph of Great
first of January, ton feared lest should make an made false dis-
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Washington determined to march on Dorchester Heights and erect thereon redoubts which should command the harbor, and then to fortify Nook Hill. Thus the British would be at his mercy and he could attack the town from that point, with every prospect of success.
To Gen. Washington, and to him alone, is due the credit of the conception of this magnificent piece of work, not alone for its successful culmination, but the planning and arranging for the remarkable act. As commander of the army he was compelled to do something to drive the British from Boston, and to him is due first place in the wonderful achievement.
To Gen. John Thomas, who led the forces in their march to Dor- chester Heights, to Gen. Artemus Ward, who was in command at Rox- bury, and also to Col. Knox, who had secured the necessaries from Ticonderoga, are due their share of the glory in following out the scheme of Washington.
Gen. John Thomas was an ardent patriot and a good officer and was in command of the camp at Roxbury. He commanded the most exposed camp of the beseiged army at that place, and by constant vigil- ance preserved it from injury. Among his troops, composed of undis- ciplined countrymen, he was the first to introduce order and regularity without severity.
Monday, February 26, Washington wrote, " We have, under many difficulties, on account of hard frozen ground, completed our work on Lechmere's Point. We have got some heavy pieces of ordnance placed there, two platforms fixed for mortars, and everything ready for any offensive operation. Strong guards are now mounted there, and also at Cobble Hill." Ten regiments had come in to strengthen the lines.
On this day, also, Washington informed the Council of Massa- chusetts of his intention to take possession of Dorchester Heights, and requested them to order the militia of the towns contiguous to Dor- chester and Roxbury " to repair to the lines at these places, with their arms, ammunition, and accoutrements, instantly upon a signal being given." The Council promptly complied.
He also wrote to Congress the same day, " I should think if any- thing will induce them to hazard an engagement, it will be our attempt- ing to fortify these Heights, as, on that event taking place, we shall be able to command a great part of the town, and almost the whole harbor, and to make them rather disagreeable than otherwise, provided we can get a sufficient supply of what we greatly want."
At the opening of March there was everywhere in the American camp, indications of an approaching conflict. Chandeliers, fascines and gabions, screwed hay in large quantities, were collected for intrenching purposes; two thousand bandages were prepared to dress broken limbs; forty-five batteaux, each capable of carrying eight men and two floating batteries, were grouped in the Charles River. The militia from the
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
neighboring towns, applied for by Washington, February 26, poured into camp with patriotic alacrity.
Strictly were the plans of Washington kept secret. To divert the attention of the enemy a severe cannonade and bombardment on the night of the second of March, was commenced against Boston, from the strengthened Cobble Hill, Lechmere's Point and Lamb's Dam. It shattered many houses and one shot wounded six men in a regimental guardhouse. The British returned the fire with spirit, and threw a 1 3-inch shell as far as Prospect Hill, but did no material damage. The Americans, in firing, burst two 13-inch mortars and three 10-inch mortars. They had not been properly bedded.
A similar cannonade was continued on the night of March 3.
On the night of Monday, March 4, the attention of the British was again occupied by a severe cannonade. In return they fired shot and shell.
While the occupants of Boston were engaged in looking after their own safety, the American camp was a scene of great activity.
About seven o'clock Gen. Thomas, with 2,000 men, marched to take possession of Dorchester Heights. A covering party of 800 led the way. The carts, with entrenching tools, followed. Then came 1,200 troops under the immediate command of Gen. Thomas, and a train of 300 carts loaded with fascines and hay brought up the rear.
The exact route taken by Washington's army, on the way from Roxbury to Dorchester Heights, has never fully been described in history. Considering, however, that the start had necessarily to be made from a point near the town of Dorchester, rough roads and in fact fields and meadows had to be crossed until the "old road " or " Road to the Castle " was reached, and then it was easy to ascend the Heights. The old road was reached at a point on Boston Street, near the corner of Ellery Street.
The least noise, the faintest indication of a light, would have been sufficient to rouse the British guards at Boston Neck, but a short dis- tance across that body of water now known as South Bay. The greatest precaution was observed. The screwed hay was strewn along the ground and also fastened around the wheels of the 300 carts which con- tained the chandeliers and fascines to be used in building the intrench- ments. These carts were under the special care of Mr. Goddard, of Brookline, and Mr James Boies, of Dorchester. A great number of these bundles of hay were ranged in a line along Dorchester Neck on the side next the enemy to protect the troops, while passing, from being raked by the fire of the enemy. Fortunately, although the moon, as Washington writes, was shining in its full lustre, the flash and roar of cannon from opposite directions, and the bursting of bombshells high in the air, so engaged and diverted the attention of the enemy, that the detachment reached its destination without being heard or perceived. The carts were obliged to make several trips during the night, and one
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
of the teamsters, Mr. Sumner, made five trips before daylight. A great quantity of material was necessary, and there was but little time in which to complete the work.
Engineer Gridley, who had charge of similar work at Bunker Hill, was engineer at Dorchester Heights and assisted in the carrying out of the plans. Gen. Washington, according to Washington Irving's book, was busily engaged in urging and encouraging the men in their labors.
The occasion was one of intense interest and excitement. All the soldiers exerted themselves to the utmost, and, as if by magic, the fascines were set up with stakes, like basket work, and the interstices were filled with whatever material was procurable. The moon shone brightly and lent her light to aid in the completion of a work which was to prove of the greatest advantage to Boston, and help to secure the salvation of America.
The silence of the night was disturbed by the continual roar of cannon and the bursting of British shells, which often exploded high in the air and scattered their fragments in every direction.
No one was allowed to speak above a whisper. All the work and strength that was in the soldiers was expected of them, at that time, and they obeyed magnificently. Each did his part, there was no grumbling and all were fully aware of the importance of the undertak- ing in which they were engaged.
The eye of the commander-in-chief was upon them. Though not called there by his duties, Gen. Washington could not absent himself from this eventful operation.
Hon. Edward Everett, of Dorchester, in an oration delivered there July 4, 1855, beautifully describes the probable surroundings of Gen. Washington :
" All around him intense movement, while nothing was to be heard excepting the tread of busy feet, and the dull sound of the mattock upon the frozen soil. Beneath him the slumbering batteries of the Castle; the roadsteads and harbor filled with the vessels of the royal fleet, motionless, except as they swung round at their moorings at the turn of the midnight tide ; the beleaguered city occupied with a powerful army, and a considerable non-combatant population, startled into unnatural vigilence by the incessant and destructive cannonade, yet unobservant of the great operations in pro- gress so near them ; the surrounding country, dotted with a hundred rural settlements, roused from the deep sleep of a New England village, by the unwonted glare and tumult."
About four o'clock in the morning a relief party was sent to further the work commenced by those who had preceded them. Rapidly the fascines were set up and every crevice filled.
As the sun rose above the horizon it revealed to the British the two forts erected on the Heights, which had been considered by the British General, as well as by Gen. Washington, the most advantageous point to occupy.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
With astonishment depicted in his every feature, Gen. Howe gazed upon the work of the night before, and said " I know not what I shall do. The rebels have done more in one night than my whole army could have done in one month."
" It must have been the work of 12,000 men," he wrote to Lord Dartmouth.
An American who was on Dorchester Heights, gives a picture of the scene when the earthworks were discovered by the enemy :
" A tremendous cannonade was commenced from the forts in Boston, and the shipping in the harbor," he wrote. "Cannon shot are continually rolling and rebounding over the hill, and it is astonishing to observe how little our soldiers are terrified by them. The royal troops are perceived to be in motion, as if embarking to pass the harbor and land on Dorchester shore, to attack our works. The hills and elevations in this vicinity are covered with spectators. to witness deeds of horror in the expected conflict. His Excellency. General Washington, is present, animating and encouraging the soldiers, and they in turn manifest their joy, and express a warm desire for the approach of the enemy ; each man knows his own place. Out breastworks are strengthened, and among the means of defence are a great number of barrels. filled with stones and sand, and arranged in front of our works, which are to be put in motion and made to roll down the hill, to break the legs of the assailants as they advance."
Gen. Thomas was reinforced with 2,000 men. Old Putnam and Gen. Sullivan stood ready to make a descent upon the north side of the town, with 4,000 picked men, as soon as the Heights on the south should be assailed. " All the forenoon," wrote the American before mentioned, " we were in momentary expectation of witnessing an awful scene : nothing less than the carnage of Breed's Hill battle was expected."
As Washington rode about the Heights he reminded the troops that it was the 5th. of March, the anniversary of the Boston massacre, and called on them to avenge the slaughter of their brethren. They answered him with shouts.
It was evident to the British soldiers in Boston, and those on the fleet in the harbor, that the one night's work of the American soldiers had brought the British at once into their power.
Admiral Shuldham immediately decided that unless those who occupied the Heights were dislodged, the vessels in the harbor could not ride in safety, and it was also evident that the troops in Boston were in a dangerous position.
Gen. Heath, one of Washington's officers, kept a diary of the inci- dents of the siege of Boston. The following is quoted therefrom :
" March 1, 2 and 3, - A number of mortars removed to Roxbury. Screwed hay brought from Chelsea and Dorchester and great preparations making. Heavy cannonade. Col. David Mason, chief engineer at Lamb's Dam, injured by the bursting of a 10-inch mortar.
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IIISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
" March 4, - At one o'clock I was in Roxbury. It seemed as if it had been raining for some time. The 'General had ordered over two regi- ments from Cambridge, and had called out five regiments of minute-men and as many more almost had came in as volunteers, well armed and ready to take part in the conflict. To the honor of the militia in the neighbor- hood it was said that they behaved nobly on this occasion, for when those who had teams were called on for their assistance, not the least excuse was. made, but one and all, with one voice said, 'Yes, I am ready; I will go. with my team.' And many more came than could be made use of. A little before sunset we marched off from Roxbury, and for more than half a mile before we came to the Dorchester lines we overtook teams in great plenty, nor did we find any vacancy until we came to the lines. In some places they were so wedged in together we were obliged to leave the road to get forward. Reached the lines at seven o'clock, where we waited half an hour for orders, when the signal was given, and the cannonade began at Lamb's Fort, and was immediately answered by a very warm fire from the enemy's line. Our party, consisting of about 2,400 men with 300 teams, were crossing the marshes to the Neck, which, together with the fresh breeze at S. W. concealed us from the enemy until they could see our works at daylight. The division to which I was assigned, commanded by Col. Whitcomb, was ordered to the northerly hill, where in one hour's time we had a fort enclosed with fascines placed in chandeliers, and we immediately used as many men intrenching as could be justly used for that purpose. The larger party was assigned the high hill where they erected a larger fort, built up in the same manner as ours. There were also four smaller forts and batteries erected this night on other eminences on the Neck.
" March 5, - Our party, under the immediate command of Gen. Put- nam, were relieved by a detachment of 3,000 men from Roxbury lines, without the notice of the enemy. Our regiment marched off in the rear of the latter, crossed the marsh a little before sunrise, and yet we escaped the shot of the enemy and came to our quarters, sun about an hour high, weary and hungry. The excessive cannonade and bombardment last night did no other damage than mortally wound Lieut. Mayo of Learned's regiment. He lately belonged to Roxbury, and his father was with him when he died."
Gen. Howe could not think for a moment of quietly yielding the possession of the town, whose inhabitants he considered to blame for the war. Relying upon the superior strength of his army he immediately decided to attack the intrenchments, however great the hazard, with all the force he could bring to bear upon them.
Accordingly 2,400 men were ordered to embark in transports, and, under command of Earl Percy, proceed to Castle William. They had instructions to attack the works that night. .
All these preparations were observed from the American camp and it was a time of intense excitement with Washington and his army. It was expected by those on other surrounding heights that the scenes of Bunker Hill would again be enacted.
During the afternoon of March 5, when Earl Percy and his troops
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
expected to make the attack on Dorchester Heights, the wind blew furiously and it was impossible for the ships containing the troops to effect a landing. So great was the surf on the shore where they were to have landed, that they could not live in it. At least one vessel was wrecked on Apple Island.
The attempt, therefore, became impracticable. The following day the wind was boisterous and the rain fell in torrents.
During the delay the Americans were given excellent opportunity to strengthen their works.
Gen. Howe, finally, was forced to abandon his plan, and Earl Percy was obliged to return to Boston with his troops.
It was a disappointment, also, to Gen. Washington. He had made his plans so carefully, and everything was working so well in accordance with his wishes, that it was a source of great regret to him that the proposed attack fell through.
The plan of Washington, had the British attacked the heights, was for an assault upon the British lines from the Cambridge end. Four thousand chosen troops were under parade in Cambridge and arranged in two divisions, one under Gen. Sullivan and the other under Gen. Greene.
On signals being given they were to embark on the boats near the mouth of the Charles River, and under cover of three floating batteries were to attack Boston. The first division was to land at the powder house and gain possession of Beacon Hill and Mount Horam and the second division was to land at Barton's Point, or a little south of it, and, after securing that post, join the other division, force the gates and works at the Neck, and let in the troops from Roxbury.
Perplexed and disappointed beyond measure, Gen. Howe called together his Council. To remain in Boston was to expose his troops to the gravest danger ; to withdraw from Boston would occasion a severe loss of property. He addressed his officers and it was so effective as to determine them to evacuate the town in order to save the army. Of course the decision was a mortifying one, and no one felt it more than the British General himself.
The British in Boston were astounded at the turn affairs had taken. The Tories could not understand it. Many determined to take a long journey somewhere rather than to return to England mortified.
When it was determined to leave Boston the British soldiers fell to plundering the houses and stripped them of every valuable article. Gen. Howe issued orders against these outrages, and threatened with death anyone found engaged in them, but they continued and nearly every house and shop was entered and robbed of its most valuable contents.
Great anxiety was felt for the safety of Boston. It had been determined by the Americans to destroy the town, if it should be
1
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
necessary, in order to dislodge the enemy. But now the danger was
from another source. Gen. Howe threatened, if his troops were assaulted while leaving the city, that he would burn the town.
In order to prevent, if possible, such a calamity, certain communi- cations were attempted. Washington was anxious to save blood- shed, so far as it was in accordance with the cause of freedom, and Howe was equally desirous of preventing an engagement. Although there were no negotiations, there was a tacit understanding that the British were to leave the harbor unmolested.
But even while the British were preparing to leave the town and it was evident that Gen. Howe had decided to evacuate, Gen. Washington, his mind set on making no blunder, and determined to bring matters to a crisis, went on with his preparations for any attack that might be made, or, if necessary, himself to make an attack.
March 7 and March 9 Gen. Washington wrote to the President of the Continental Congress, John Hancock, concerning the events to date.
Copies of all of Washington's letters were published in book form, about 1834, and the following are taken from that book :
CAMBRIDGE, 7 March, 1776.
SIR :
On the 26th ultimo I had the honor of addressing you, and then men- tioned that we were making preparations for taking possession of Dorchester Heights. I now beg leave to inform you, that a council of general officers having determined a previous bombardment and cannon- ade expedient and proper, in order to harass the enemy and divert their attention from that quarter, on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights last, we carried them on from our posts at Cobble Hill, Lechmere's Point, and Lamb's Dam. Whether they did the enemy any considerable and what in- jury, I have not yet heard, but have the pleasure to acquaint you, that they greatly facilitated our schemes, and would have been attended with success, equal to our most sanguine expectations, had it not been for the unlucky bursting of two thirteen and three ten-inch mortars, among which was the brass one taken in the ordnance brig. To what cause to attribute this misfortune, I know not ; whether to any defect in them, or to the inexperience of the bombardiers.
But to return ; on Monday evening, as soon as our firing commenced, a considerable detachment of our men, under the command of Brigadier- General Thomas, crossed the neck, and took possession of the two hills, without the least interruption or annoyance from the enemy ; and by their great activity and industry, before the morning, advanced the work so far as to be secure against their shot. They are now going on with such ex- pedition, that in a little time I hope they will be complete, and enable our troops stationed there to make a vigorous and obstinate stand. During the whole cannonade, which was incessant the two last nights, we were fortunate enough to lose but two men ; one, a lieutenant, by a cannon-ball
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