Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-07-14

iion against Qucbcc had failed partial culls-
ions had taken place wherever there were loyal
forces throughout the country but nothing de-
cisve was brought about, and ieyorish excite
ment poryaded the Continent. Congress was
still conducting the war without Constitution
al existence, and all eyes and all hearts were
turned 10 the army and TO Washington. Men
at safe distance and with nothing at stake, arc
prone to Judge severely the conduct Of those who
are at the pos, Of responsibility and danecr.-
Washington himself felt the delicacy and the
hazards Of his POSITION the Importance OF sus-
"'h'pg ue expectations o. Tue country inc
necessary o' uec'sNe fesu'ls' but ms army
was without discipline or eNperenee--saye
lew veterans o. 'he seven years war--wiihoui
adequate supplies oi any hihu-conPosed OF
men WHO hao ie'' .'ioi' honies AZ 'nonioh,
warming ana were impatient !" reln'h-"eak-
ehed ny camp diseases ana Tue smaii poA-"i'h
STOCK oi powder 50 scaniy' 'hA s'ra'aeem was
resorieu 10 oy ihe commander 10 conceal ine de-
hciency even from ms olhcers' ! nus inc sum
mer ana autumn wore away ana every weeA
increased ihe punlc llnPaNence ana auueu 10
Tue eniDarIassmohis oi washington
AZ iengih' however, the re-eniis'meni oi the
army was completed advanced lines were
thrown up,-ordnanec captured al liconderoga
haa oeen transported oy hnoA WIN piooiglous
enon across ue hy'-ainlnuni''on mao "oen
laken ny aiahiy ID ms pfi]e ships'-she's were
lurnishes from the foyai a'sehai ~ new 9TH
u was washington "ish 10 cross ine 'ee TO
Boston, 10 carry uhe Town oy assault anu ue,
siroy Tue Royal Army. lhe iee' however GU
not make WI me hiuuie oil IepIuafy' ana "en
II was ueeiaed OY e"unch oi war u'a' Ne
Town eoo'h hoi DC assaulted WIN sucoeSs'
II was then resolved 10 repeat on grander
scale, with full preparation and ample means,
the hasiy operation which had brought on the
battle Of Bunker Hill. 1t was determined first
10 occupy the heights Of Dorchester, and as
soon as an impfegnable position was secured
there, 10 establish batteries on Nooks Hill and
other rising grounds nearest Boston. The fleet
in the harbor VAS within range Of the heights
the town was commanded from the hills below.
The occupation Of these points would Of neces-
siiy compel the enemy to take ,he risk Of a de-
eisive action, or 10 evacna,e the town
/ Washington, though preierring the holder
measure, yielded 10 the decision Of his council
aud threw his whole soul into the work.
| plan for a grand combined movement was ma
iurcd The heights of Dorchester were 10 be
occupied on the night of the Iih Of March, in
order that the anticipated battle might be fought
on the anniversary Of the ever memorable 9Th
Of March, i7s0. As soon as the conflict was
engaged on the Heights. Putnam was to cross
from Cambridge with body Of 1000 men.
land ia two divisions 10 Boston, aud forcing his
NOM 'bkaaah. .tbeJpyn- hntal nnen The fortifca-
the American army from Roxbury. To dis
tract and occupy the attention Of the enemy, the
town was severely bombarded from Somervillc,
East Cambridge, and Roxbury, during the
nights Of The I'd, 81 and 9Th Of March.
! am told by professional men that these dis
positions evince consummaie military skin !;
and show that Washington, too often compelled
by his situation to pursue the Fabian policy,
possessed talent for military combinations lllai
entities him to place beside the greatest cap
iains Of the last century.
The ilh Of March, the day so long and anx-
iously expected, at length arrives. The troops
are put in motion in the evening from the Amer
lean lines at Roxbury and Dorchester An ad-
yanced guard Of 500 precedes the carts with
the intrenching tools came nexl with the main
body 1000 strong, under Gen Thomas, the
whole followed by a train Of 300 wagons load
ed with fascines, gabions and bundles OF hay.
They cross Dorchester neck without being per-
ceived aud reach their destination in two divis-
ions, one for each OF the heights. Bundles oi
hay were placed on the side Of tho Gauseway
at the most exposed parts, as protection in
case the enemy should discover and attemp, TO
Interrupt the movement. Under the shelter
parties from the American army passed several
times during the night, without being perceived,
though it was bright moonlight. This was
owing, no doubt, to the eannonade and lombard
ment of the town from the opposite quarter, by
which, also, the whole surrounding country was
thrown into state Of painful expectation and
alarm. The operations were conducted by
Gridley, an experienced engineer of the old
French war, and before morning the deences,
though incomplete, were adequate against grape.
shot and musketry.
Washington was present on the Heights Ia