From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 148
Boston in March. He had vainly tried to induce the British troops to leave their comfortable quarters and come
out to battle. He had so effectually cut off their supplies by his determined siege that the British Government
was compelled to send supplies from home. But now he felt that the time for action had come. He called a
council of war.
"Our situation compels action of some kind to save ourselves, even at great risk," he said to his advisers.
"There is a cloud over the public mind, and there is danger on the north and on the south. Montgomery has
fallen before Quebec, and our little army in Canada is depleted and broken. Tryon and the Tories are plotting
mischief in New York, and Dunmore in Virginia. Clinton, too, is making depredations along the coast."
"And what do you propose?" inquired one.
"To attack Boston."
"And take the risk?"
"Yes; and take the risk, which will prove less, I believe, that the risk incurred by continual inaction."
"Do you propose an immediate movement?"
"On the 4th of March, the anniversary of the 'Boston Massacre.' It is a good time to avenge that wrong."
On the 4th of March, 1775, the British troops, who were often insolent and overbearing to the citizens of
Boston, were attacked and stoned by indignant parties. A brief contest followed, in which four Americans
were killed and several wounded. This was called the "Boston Massacre."
"I hope that your movement will be successful, but it is a hazardous one," suggested one of the council. "An
attack all along the line?"
"By no means," answered Washington. "The project is hazardous indeed, but that is inevitable. On the night of
March 3 I propose to take possession of Dorchester Heights, throw up breastworks, and by the time the enemy
can see the Heights in the morning, be prepared to hold the position."
"And if the whole British army attack us, what then?"
"General Putnam shall have a force of four thousand men on the opposite side of the town, in two divisions,
under Generals Sullivan and Greene. At a given signal from Roxbury, they shall embark at the mouth of
Charles River, cross under cover of three floating batteries, land in two places in Boston, secure its strong
posts, force the gates and works at the neck, and let in the Roxbury troops. This, in case they make a
determined attempt to dislodge us."
Washington waited for a reply. The bold plan somewhat perplexed his advisers at first, and there was silence
for a moment. At length one spoke, and then another, and still another, until every objection was canvassed.
The plan was finally adopted, but kept a profound secret with the officers who were to conduct the enterprise.
We cannot dwell upon details. Agreeable to Washington's arrangement, when the expedition with tools, arms,
supplies, and other necessaries was ready to move on the evening of March 3, a terrible cannonading of the
British by the American army, at two different points, commenced, under the cover of which our troops
reached Dorchester Heights without attracting the attention of the enemy. The reader may judge of the
cannonading by the words of Mrs. John Adams, who wrote to her husband thus:
"I have just returned from Penn's Hill, where I have been sitting to hear the amazing roar of cannon, and from