History of the siege of Boston, and of the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. Also an account of the Bunker Hill Monument. With illustrative documents, Part 39

Author: Frothingham, Richard, 1812-1880
Publication date: 1849
Publisher: Boston, C.C. Little & J. Brown
Number of Pages: 459


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the siege of Boston, and of the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. Also an account of the Bunker Hill Monument. With illustrative documents > Part 39
USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the siege of Boston, and of the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. Also an account of the Bunker Hill Monument. With illustrative documents > Part 39
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lexington > History of the siege of Boston, and of the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. Also an account of the Bunker Hill Monument. With illustrative documents > Part 39


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


Lt .- Col. E. Storrs, James Dana, Ebenezer Gray,


Isaac Farewell.


Maj. John Durkee, J. Huntingdon, Jacobus Delbit,


Lemuel Bingham.


1


Maj. Obadiah Johnson, Ephraim Lyon, Wells Clift,


Isaac Hyde, Jr.


Thos. Knowlton, Jr., Reuben Marcy, John Keyes,


Daniel Allen, Jr.


James Clark, Daniel Tilden, Andrew Fitch,


Thomas Bill.


Ephraim Manning,


Stephen Lyon, Asa Morris,


William Irissell.


Joseph Elliott, Benoni Cutter, Daniel Waters,'


Comfort Day.


Ebenezer Mosely, Steph. Brown, M. Bingham,


Nath'l Wales.


Israel Putnam, Jr.,


S. Robbins, Jr., Amos Avery, SPENCER'S REGIMENT.


Caleb Stanley.


John Chester, Barnabas Dean, Steph. Goodrich, Charles Butler. William Coit, Jedediah Hyde, James Day,


Wm. Adams, Jr.


*


405


RETURN OF THE AMERICAN ARMY.


SIEGE OF BOSTON.


No. 1. - RETURN OF THE AMERICAN ARMY.


General Return of the Army of the United Colonies, March 2, 1776.


Regiments.


Fit for Duty. Total. 591 750


Regiments. Fit for Duty. Total.


2. Col. Reed's,


321


407


16. Sargent's,


209


428


3. Learned's,


386 539


17. Huntington's,


356


498


1. Nixon's,


315 447 18. Phinney's,


285 413


5. Stark's,


312 379 19. Webb's,


399


513


6. Whitcomb's,


260 359


20. Arnold's,


325


444


7. Prescott's,


313 402


21.


Ward's,


396


485


S. Poor's,


354


512


22. Wyllys',


336


495


9. Varnum's,


292


377 23.


Bayley's,


427


550


10.


Parsons',


426


509 24.


Greaton's,


269


359


11.


Hitchcock's,


295 348


25.


Bond's,


393


475


12.


Little's,


354 476


26. Baldwin's,


417


498


13. Reed's,


399 537


27. Hutchinson's, 452


624


14. Glover's,


273


Total fit for duty, 9170. Total of the regular army, 12,510.


General Return of the Militia of Massachusetts, March 2, 1776.


Regiments.


Fit for Duty. Total.


Regiments. Fit for Duty. Total.


Col. Waldron's,


547


655


Col. L. Robinson's, 467


555


French's,


555


695


Carey's,


654


749


Wolcott's,


467


573


Smith's,


463


517


Wadsworth's,


448


548


J. Robinson's, 429


499


Whitney's,


503 617


Douglass', 437


610


Total fit for duty, 4970. Total of the militia, 6018.


Total of the regular army and militia fit for duty, 14,140. Total of the army, 18,528. A return of the regiment of artillery, commanded by Col. Knox, dated March 3, gives 635 men.


1


1. Riflemen,


15. Col. Patterson's,


288 413


406


APPENDIX.


No. 2. - RETURNS OF THE ARMY DURING THE SIEGE. Table exhibiting a Summary of the Returns of the Army under the Command of General Washington, during the Siege of Boston.1


Commissioned


officers and staff.


Non-commissioned


Present fit for


Sick present.


Sick absent.


On furlough.


On command.


Total.


Militia of Massa.


chusetts.


1775.


July 19,


1,119 1,768


13,743 1,108


490


376


1,053 16,770


585


July 29,


1,117 :1,823


13,899 1,330


690


287


692 16,898


August 5,


1,178 1,910


13,735


1,943


750


255 1,011 17,69-1


586


August 12,


1,234 2,023


14,544 2,131


977


187


1,124 18,963


August 18, 1,231 2,007


14,442 2,218 1,006


220


1,174 19,060


August 26,


1,242 2,018


14,701 2,179 1,071


225


1,127


19,303


596


Sept. 2,


1,226 2,028


14,868 2,221


985


262


1,043


19,379


Sept. 9,


1,303 2,107


14,766


2,026


988


342


1,410 19,532


Sept. 23,


1,225 2,034


14,330


1,886


931


468


1,750 19,365 590


Oct. 17,


1,191 1,988


13,923


1,476


952


746 2,400


19,497


Nov. 18,


1,128 1,925


12,741


1,472


790 1,012 3,063 19,078


Nov. 25,


1,068 1,866


12,065


1,464


805 1,626 2,990 18,950


Dec. 30,


1,088.1,736


11,752


1,206


542 1,013 2,273 16,786


590 3,231


1776.


Jan. 8,


979 1,150 10,209


705


233 1,044 1,318 13,509


Jan. 21,


861 1,167


9,424 1,174


194


714 1,171 12,677


Jan. 28,


850 1,194


9,799 1,422


245


420 1,248 13,134


Feb. 4,


896


992


8,863 1,153


270


99 1,233 11,618


Feb. 18,


1,245 1,452


13,396 1,687


364


49 1,569,17,065


622


Feb. 25.


1,228 1,515 14,123 2,056


389


63 1,845 18,276


6,287


March 2,


1,217 1,521 14,140 2,398


367


49 1,574 18,528


635 6,869


March 9,


1,254 1,535 14,232 2,445|


330;


29 1,374 18,410 640 6,838


No. 3. - INVENTORY OF THE STORES, ORDNANCE, AND VESSELS, LEFT IN BOSTON BY THE BRITISH.


The following inventory was made by order of Thomas Mifflin, quarter- master-general of the continental army, March 18 and 19, 1776.


A brigantine, about 120 tons burden, loaded with oil and pearl.


A schooner, about 80 tons, scuttled, with 200 hogsheads of salt on board. 150 hhds. of salt in a store. 100 bundles of iron hoops.


Long Wharf. - 157 pack saddles. 123 water-casks. A brigantine, scut- tled, about 140 tons. A sloop, scuttled, about 70 tons. A schooner, scut- tled, about 40 tons. 1000 chaldrons of sea coals. 52 iron grates. General


1 This table is copied from Sparks' Writings of Washington, vol. 3, p. 493.


-


Rank and File.


officers.


duty.


Artillery.


579


---------


-----


407


ARTICLES LEFT IN BOSTON.


Gage's chariot taken out of the dock, broken. A quantity of cordage and old cable, broken. Five anchors.


Green's Wharf. - About 200 blankets. Four and two thirds jars (large) of sweet oil.


Hatch's Wharf. - Three cannon, double charged and spiked.


Hancock's Wharf. - A new ship, about 300 tons, scuttled. About 1000 bushels salt. 3000 blankets. 30 water-casks.


Tudor's Wharf. - A ship, about 350 tons, scuttled.


Dummet's Wharf. - 5000 bushels wheat in store. A sloop, about 60 tons, scuttled. A fishing-boat.


Webb's Wharf. - A sloop, about 60 tons, scuttled.


Fuller's Wharf. - About 500 bushels of salt.


Fitch's Wharf. - A schooner, 70 tons, scuttled.


B. M. General's Office .- About 1000 bushels sea coal, and one clock ; also lumber. About 150 hogsheads of lime ; four barrels of flour ; 100 empty iron-bound casks, carried to Fort Hill by Gen. Putnam's order. Ten 24 pound cannon cartridges.


Tileston's Wharf. - 300 hogsheads of salt. Three brigantines : - one, 150 tons; one, 120 tons; and one, 130 tons. The brig Washington, com- manded by Captain Martindale, with all her guns, in the dock. One and a half hogsheads of sugar. A quantity of pickets, fascines and gabions, in store. About 5000 feet of boards.


Griffin's Wharf. - A number of iron grates.


Hubbard's Wharf. -- About 1500 rugs and blankets. 50 water-casks, iron bound, carried to Fort Hill by Gen. Putnam's order. One cask of deck nails. About 200 cords of wood. About 200 chaldrons of sea coal.


South Battery, or Laboratory. - 52 pieces of cannon, trunnions broken off and spiked. 600 feet of boards. About 30 iron-bound casks, carried to Fort Hill by order of Gen. Putnam. A number of ball and empty shells. A brigantine, 120 tons ; a schooner, 60 tons.


Wheelwright's Wharf. - 14 anchors. Three and a half hogsheads of brimstone. 300 hogsheads of sea coal. One 13 inch mortar, with an iron bed ; a number of shells, carcasses, and cannon-shot, in the dock.


Hall's Wharf, and in his possession. - 600 bushels of corn and oats ; 100 sacks of bran ; 8 hhds. of molasses; 100 empty iron-bound casks. Two schooners, about 60 tons each. One sloop, about 40 tons. Ten horses, teams and harness.


Hutchinson's Wharf. - A new ship, about 350 tons, scuttled. Two brigs, about 120 tons each, scuttled. Two sloops, about 60 tons each, scuttled.


Winnisimet. - A new ship, building, thrown off the stocks, 200 tons. About 100 bushels salt. Store pulled down.


Peck's Wharf. - About 100 hhds. essence of spruce. 10 hhds. of beef. 6 hhds. of molasses, not quite full. 5 bbls. of molasses. A sloop, about 50 tons, two thirds full of molasses.


At Mr. Lovell's. - General Gage's coach, a phaeton and harness com- plete. 20 iron pots and kettles.


408


APPENDIX.


Joy's Yard. - A parcel of lumber, tools and joists.


Hill's Bakehouse. - 20 bbls. of flour. .


North and South Mills. - 10,000 bushels of wheat and flour, not bolted ; 1500 bushels of bran.


King's Brewery .- 13 empty bound butts; 14 hhds. spruce beer ; two iron-tierced trucks.


Town Granary. - 1000 bushels beans ; 100 bushels horse beans.


Vincent's Stable. - 10 tons hay.


Love's Lumber-yard, - 50,000 shingles ; 35,000 feet of boards : 1000 clap- boards ; 20 hand-barrows.


Henderson Inches' Store, near Beacon Hill. - About 6 tons of hay.


Stable at the Ropewalks. - About 10 tons of hay ; 110 horses.


By return this day,


Boston, March 20, 1776. JOHN G. FRAZER, D. Q. M. General.


The Commissary of Artillery, Ezekiel Cheever, in a return dated March 22, 1776, gives an account of the ordnance stores left by the British. There were, at the


North Battery. - Seven 12 pounders, two 9 pounders, and four 6 pound- ers -all useless.


On Copp's Hill. - Three 28 pounders, one 8 inch shell, one hundred and seventy-seven 28 pound shot, 273 wads, 2 hand-barrow levers, 2 drag ropes, half a side of leather.


At West Boston. - Three 32 pounders, 39 shot, 154 wads, one 13 inch mortar, 1 large chain.


On Beacon Hill. - Two 12 pounders, 23 shot, 23 wads.


Besides these, there were 82 cannon in different places, ten swivels in the Washington, a lot of shot and shells, and cannon-wheels.


The assistant Quartermaster-general, John G. Frazer, employed two com- panies, of ten men each, to take out of the dock and harbor articles thrown over by the British. An inventory, dated May 10, names large quantities of anchors, cannon, gun-carriages, shot, shells and tools. There were two 13 inch mortars, three hundred and ninety 24 pound shot, six hundred and forty-five 12 pound shot, eighty 6 pound shot, three hundred and fifty-eight 32 pound shot, four hundred and two 18 pound shot, 271 grape shot, and 162 shells.


The same officer reported, April 14, 1776, the names of forty-five vessels remaining in the harbor after the British evacuated the town.


Dr. John Warren, in a deposition rcad to the Massachusetts Council, April 9, 1776, states that he found at the workhouse, used by the British as a hospital, particularly in one room used as a medicinal store-room, large quantities of medicine, in which were small quantities of white and yellow arsenic intermixed. And also that he was informed by Dr. Samuel Scott that he had found a large quantity of arsenic.


409


FORTS AROUND BOSTON.


No. 4. - ACCOUNT OF THE FORTS ERECTED DURING THE SIEGE.


The works erected in Boston and around Boston, during the siege, have become so obliterated by time and improvement as to render it almost a hope- less work to endeavor to indicate their localities by existing landmarks. The following article, which appeared in Silliman's Journal in 1822, shows how difficult it was to trace them, even at that time. The map referred to in the article as Marshall's is merely a copy of the one in Gordon's History, which was undoubtedly made from two others : Pelham's map of Boston and vicin- ity, for the country, and Page's plan of the environs and harbor of Boston, for the islands and harbor.


On the Forts around Boston, which were crected during the War of Indepen- dence. By J. Finch, F.B.S., se.


Every fort made use of to defend the heroes of the Revolutionary War has acquired a title to the respeet, the gratitude, and the veneration of all friends to liberty, in every part of the world. In future ages, they will inquire where the fortifications are, which were thrown up around the town of Bos- ton, which held a British army besieged during cleven months, and finally compelled them to carry their arms and their warfare to other lands. Im- pelled by curiosity, let us visit these lines, which will be so celebrated in history- where the standards of liberty were unfurled, and freedom pro- claimed to the vast continent of America - where the first intrenchments were raised against the forces of Britain - and from which, as from a barrier of iron, their armies recoiled. There cannot be any nobler monuments than these on the earth; if they do not yet boast


" La Gloria di una remotissima antichita,"


every passing day, every hour, every moment, is conferring this quality upon them.


Nearly half a century has elapsed since these lines were erected, and it is desirable to have some record by which posterity may know how much they have suffered, during that period, by the war of the elements, and by the hands of men. The first cause of destruction has been trifling, but the storms of a thousand years would not have achieved the injury which has been com- mitted by the industrious farmers. Wherever these works were an impedi- ment to cultivation, they have been levelled to the ground, and fortresses which were directed by a Washington, or built by a Putnam, or a Greene, have been destroyed, to give room for the production of Indian corn, or to afford a level pasture for cattle. It would redound to the high honor of the State of Massachusetts, if some plan were devised by which the forts which still remain could be saved from the oblivion which apparently menaces them.


Annexed to Marshall's Life of Washington is a map of the country around Boston, in which the situation of the various forts and batteries is repre- sented, and a stranger will find it a guide to many of the positions; but on


35


410


APPENDIX.


an attentive examination he will perceive that the map is rather inaccurate in some of the details. .


1. At Breed's Hill, that blood-stained field, the redoubt thrown up by the Americans is nearly effaced ; scarcely the slightest trace of it remains ; but the intrenchment, which extended from the redoubt to the marsh, is still marked by a slight elevation of the ground. The redoubt thrown up by the .


British on the summit of the hill may be easily distinguished.


2. Bunker Hill. The remains of the British fort are visible ; the works must have been very strong, and occupied a large extent of ground ; they are on the summit and slope of the hill looking towards the peninsula.


3. Ploughed Hill. The works upon this hill were commenced by the Americans on the night of August 26th, 1775, and received more fire from the British than any of the other forts ; in a few days more than three hun- - dred shells were fired at these fortifications. A small part of the rampart remains, but the whole hill is surrounded by the mounds and fosse of the ancient fort, which has been nearly obliterated.


4. Cobble or Barrell's Hill was fortified, and occupied as a strong post, in the war of the Revolution, by General Putnam, and, in consequence of its strength, was called Putnam's impregnable fortress. Every fort which was defended by that general might be considered as impregnable, if daring cour- age and intrepidity could always resist superior force ; yet this title seems to have been more exclusively given to the one noticed above. It was com- menced on the night of November 22d ; and the activity of its fire is well known to those who have studied the details of the siege of Boston. This fort has been destroyed, but the position is easily identified. In Marshall's map. the intrenchment, which is placed between this hill and the creek, should be removed to the southern shore.


5. Lechmere Point Redoubt, one hundred yards from West Boston Bridge, displays more science in its construction, and has a wider and deeper fosse, than most of the other fortifications. It was commenced on December 11th, 1775, and it was several days before it was completed, during which time it was much exposed to the fire of the English in Boston. Two or three sol- diers of the revolutionary army were killed at this redoubt, and the Prunus virginiana, with its red berries, marks the spot where they were probably interred. Upon one angle of the fort, where the cannon were pointed with most destructive effect, a church is now erccting ; and when I visited the spot, the carpenters were busily engaged in preparing the wood-work in one of the bastions. The glacis, the counterscarp, the embrasures, the covered way, and the batteries, are fast disappearing. Diggers of gravel on one side, and builders on the other, were busily employed in completing the destruction of the strongest battery erected by the army of America, and were thus achieving, without opposition, that which an enemy could not effect.


A causeway made across the marsh, the covered way which crosses the brow of the hill, and the lines which flanked Willis' Creek, are still perfect, and may be traced with great facility.


411


FORTS AROUND BOSTON.


6. Winter Hill Fort appears to have been the most extensive, and the intrenchments more numerous than any of the other positions of the American army. The fort on the hill is almost entirely destroyed ; only a small part of the rampart still remains perfect.


A redoubt situated upon Ten Hill Farm, which commanded the navigation of the Mystic River, is complete, as are also some slight intrenchments near.


A redoubt situated between Winter and Prospect Hill has been completely carried away, and a quarry has been opened on the spot. In the general orders, issued at Cambridge, guards were directed to be stationed at White House Redoubt, and this, I believe, was the post intended. General Lee is said to have had his head-quarters in a farm-house immediately in the rear of this redoubt.


7. Prospect Hill has two eminences, both of which were strongly fortified, and connected by a rampart and fosse. About two hundred yards are quite entire ; they are ornamented with the Aster, Solidago, Rosa, &c .; and those who feel any curiosity about these lines will be much gratified by the view here afforded. The forts on these hills were destroyed only a few years ago, but their size can be distinctly seen. On the southern eminence a part of the fort is still entire, and the south-west face of the hill is divided into several platforms, of which I cannot exactly ascertain the use. There are also evi- dent marks of the dwellings of the soldiers. The extensive view from this hill, the walk on the ancient ramparts, and the sight of the various stations occupied by the American army, will render this hill, at a future period, a favorite resort.


8. Forts marked No. 3, on Marshall's map, near the south-west of Prospect Hill, have some of their bastions entire, but the surface is cultivated, and part of the outline destroyed.


9. The Cambridge Lines, situated upon Butler's Hill, appear to have consisted of six regular forts, connected by a strong intrenchment. The most northerly of these forts is perfect, with the exception of one of its angles destroyed by the road ; it appears as if just quitted by the army of America ; its bastions are entire, the outline is perfect, and it seems a chef d'œuvre of the military art. The state of preservation in which it is found, and the motives which led to its erection, all confer a high degree of interest upon this fortification. May it continue uninjured for a long period of years, with no other foe but the assaults of time !


A square fort may be seen near the southern extremity of these lines, in fine preservation ; it is in a field within two hundred yards of the road to Cambridge. As it was near the head-quarters of the army, it must have been often visited by General Washington, and this circumstance alone would render it an object of interest ; but the proprietor appears to have wanted no inducement but his own mind to preserve this monument of times which are gone. The eastern rampart is lower than the others, and the gateway, with its bank of earth, still remains.


The other forts and batteries of this line of defence, which constituted the firmest bulwark of the American army, are all levelled with the ground,


-


412


APPENDIX.


and the intrenchments which were raised and defended by warriors are now employed in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture.


10. The Second Line of Defence may be traced on the College Green at Cambridge, but its proximity to the public halls may have produced some inconvenience, and it has been carefully destroyed.


11. A Semi-circular Battery, with three embrasures, on the northern shore of Charles River, near its entrance into the bay, is in a perfect state of pres- ervation. It is rather above the level of the marsh, and those who would wish to see it should pass on the road to Cambridge, until they arrive at a cross-road, which leads to the bank of the river ; by following the course of the stream, they may arrive at this battery without crossing the marsh, which is its northern boundary and difficult to pass. Marshall places two batteries in this situation, but I could find only the one noticed above.


12. Brookline Fort, or, as it is called in the annals of the Revolution, the Fort on Sewall's Point, was very extensive, and would be still perfect, were it not for the road, which divides it into two nearly equal parts, with this exception, - the ramparts, and an irregular bastion, which commanded the entrance of Charles River, are entire. The fort was nearly quadrangular, and the fortifications stronger than many of the other positions of the American army.


13. A Battery, on the southern shore of Muddy River, with three embra- sures, is only slightly injured. The ramparts and the fosse were adorned, when I saw them, with the beautiful leaves and the red fruit of the sumach, and with the dark-red foliage of the oak.


14. A Redoubt, placed by Marshall to the westward of this position, could not be discovered, nor three others, placed on the map between Stony Brook and the forts at Roxbury : perhaps the researches were not sufficiently accurate.


Two hundred yards north of the lower fort at Roxbury, near the spot on which the meeting-house now stands, was an intrenchment, which, I am informed by Gen. Sumner, was levelled many years ago.


15. Forts at Roxbury. If it is possible that any person should feel indiffer- ent about the fortresses which achieved the independence of the eastern states of America, a visit to these forts will immediately recall to his mind all those associations which are so intimately combined with that proud period of American history. The lower fort at Roxbury appears to have been the earliest erected, and by its elevation commanded the avenue to Boston over the peninsula, and prevented the advance of the English troops in that direction. It is of the most irregular form ; the interior occupies about two acres of ground, and as the hill is bare of soil, the places may still be seen whence the earth was taken to form the ramparts. This fortification has not been at all injured, and the embrasures may still be noticed where the cannon were placed which fired upon the advanced lines of the enemy.


On a higher eminence of the same hill is situated a quadrangular fort, built on the summit of the rock ; and being perhaps their first attempt at reg- ular fortification, it was considered by the militia of unparalleled strength,


413


FORTS AROUND BOSTON.


and excited great confidence in that wing of the army stationed at Rox- bury.


* * * * *


* * * * * *


*


*


16. The Roxbury Lines, about three quarters of a mile in advance of the forts, and two hundred yards north of the town, are still to be seen on the eastern side of the peninsula, and may be distinguished by any person going by the nearest road to Dorchester, over Lamb's Dam.


17. At this period it may be proper to mention the British fortifications. The lines situated upon the neck are almost as perfect at the present day as when first erected, with the exception of that part destroyed by the road. They may be seen to great advantage on the western side of the isthmus, about a quarter of a mile south of the green stores. There appear to have been two lines of intrenchments carried quite across the peninsula, and the fosse, which was filled at high water, converted Boston into an island. The mounds, ramparts and wide ditches, which remain, attest the strength of the original works. The small battery on the common, erected by the British, may perhaps remain for a long period of years, as a memorial of ancient times.


18. The Dorchester Lines. Of these, some very slight traces may be distinguished.


19. Forts on Dorchester Heights. We now hasten to the last forts, the erection of which terminated the contest in this portion of the eastern states of America. *


* * * * *


It is to be regretted that the intrenchments thrown up by the army of the Revolution, on the Heights of Dorchester, are almost entirely obliterated by the erection of two new forts in the late war. But some traces of the ancient works may be seen on both hills ; the old forts were constructed with more skill, and display more science, than the recent works, the ramparts of which are even now falling down; and we would gladly see them destroyed, if from their ruins the ancient works could reappear.


20. A noble octagonal fort and two batteries, which may be seen in perfect preservation upon the promontory, were erected after the departure of the English from Boston, and do not require a place in the present essay. The fort is situated at the point ; one battery is in the rear of the House of Industry, whose inmates will probably soon destroy it, and the other upon a rising ground immediately below the Heights of Dorchester.


21. At Nook Hill, near South Boston Bridge, may be seen the last breast- work which was thrown up by the forces of America, during this arduous contest. Its appearance, on the morning of March 17, 1776, induced the departure of the British troops from Boston in a few hours, and thus placed the seal to the independence of the New England States. But those who would wish to see this intrenchment must visit it soon. The enemy have attacked it on three sides, and are proceeding by sap and by mine ; part of the fosse is already destroyed, and the rampart nods to its fall.




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