The history of the rise, progress, and establishment of the independence of the United States of America, Vol. 2 (of 3) : $b Including an account of the late war, and of the thirteen colonies, from their origin to that periodGordon, William
History
The history of the rise, progress, and establishment of the independence of the United States of America, Vol. 2 (of 3) : $b Including an account of the late war, and of the thirteen colonies, from their origin to that period
Gordon, William
United States -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
All is hurry and bustle in Boston. General Howe orders the ladders in
town to be cut to ten feet lengths, that they may be fit for scaling. A
large body of troops are to embark on board the transports, and to
proceed down the harbour, with a view of landing in the hollow between
the furtherest of the two fortified hills and the castle. The men are
observed by one, at whose door they are drawn up before embarking, to
look in general, pale and dejected; and are heard to say, “It will be
another Bunker’s Hill affair, or worse”—they have adopted the prevailing
mistake of Bunker’s for Breed’s Hill. Some show great resolution and
boast of what they will do with the rebels. When these troops, amounting
to about 2,000, and designed to be under the command of lord Percy, are
upon the wharves, and passing in the boats to the transports, the
Americans expect they are intended for an immediate attack, clap their
hands for joy, and wish them to come on. General Washington happens at
that instant to be on one of the heights; thinks with his men; and says
to those who are at hand,—“Remember it is the fifth of March, and avenge
the death of your brethren.” It is instantly asked by such as are not
near enough to hear,—“What says the general?” His words are given in
answer. They fly from man to man through all the troops upon the spot,
and add fuel to the martial fire already kindled, and burning with
uncommon intenseness. The surrounding hills and elevations about Boston,
affording a secure view of the ground on which the contending parties
are expected to engage, are alive with the numerous spectators that
throng them. A more interesting and bloody scene is apprehended to be
just upon commencing, than what presented at Charlestown. They wait, as
do the troops, officers and privates, the morning through; and till far
into the afternoon, when they are convinced of the tide’s being so far
ebbed, that no attack can be made by general Howe on the Tuesday, which
indeed is not his intention, for he is preparing to do it on the
Wednesday. The transports go down in the evening toward the castle, a
floating battery is also towed down, but the wind is unfavorable, and
before they reach their destination blows up fresh, and forces three of
the vessels ashore on Governor’s Island. A storm succeeds at night, such
as few remember ever to have heard; and toward morning it rains
excessively hard.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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