The New York herald., 1876-03-17
ST. PAT AND YANKEE DOODLE.
Boston's Day Of Dual
Rejoicing.
THE BRITISH EVACUATION
Grand Celebration of Its Centennial
Anniversary To-Day
HISTORICAL "REMINISCENCES.


Tomorrow, March IL, 1876 Is be a red letter day
In the history Of Boston. Besides grand celebration
OF the birth OF Ielands patron saint involvngh grand
pageant street display generally there are also to
be interesting commemorative exercises and festivities
in honor OF the evacuation Of Boston by the British
foe hundred years ago. The centennial celebratons
at Concord Lexington and Bunker HIl last April and
June were commemorative Of the beginning and prog
rcss OF the stirring conflict which ended in an Amcri
triumph and the evacuation OF Boston a hundred
years ago morrow and in these days OF centennial
demonstrations and revived patriotism 1t would hardly
do for the Bosonians to allow the nundredth annvcr-
vary OF the elimination of such important struggle
10 pass by without appropriate observance BY sin
guar, and, may add happy coincidence, the
great day which the lrishmen in America hail with
delight happens TO be the on which tho hated
red coated soldiers OF the King OF England dis
comnted and obliged to fee incontnenty from tho
free land of Columbia Although the celebrations OF
Today will be in nowse connected with each other
there will, undoubtedly be a strong bond of sympathy
existing between the participants in cach and the
ruitous thoroughares for which Boston unjustly
celebrated will echo again and again with the blending
strains OF
EST PATRcK's DAY" AND ''YANKEE DooDLEn
Both the Boston Irishmen and the authorities and
citizens having in charge the celebration of Evacuation
Day have been very active and thorough in their
arrangements for the success OF their re-
spectIve demonstrations. The celebration OF the birth
OF Ireland's great saint-who, II he had lived
until now, would have been 1904 years od--will be
chiefly OF the "pride, pomp and circumstance order
and it is intended to surpass anything of the kind ever
had here before. In the evening there will be the
usual dinner OF tho Irish Charitable Society at the
Parker House. and also gathering Of distinguished
Irishmen at grand banquet IN the Bunker Hill dis
trict
CENTENNIAL OBSERVED.
The celebration in honor OF the centennial OF the
evacuation OF Boston is to be under the auspices of the
municipal government. Arrangements have been
made for the decoration of the City Hall, Old State
House, Faneul Hall and Old South church; and in tho
evening there will be
GRAND ILLUMINATION
Of those buildings, together with the State House on
Beacon HILL Iluminations will also be shown from
Dorchester Heights the site OF the Revolutionary works.
from tho Lawrence schoolhouse, corner and Third
streets, South Boston, the site whore washingtons
army erected their last redoubt tho evening before
evacuation and also from the top of Bunker Hill Monu-
ment Besides general display OF jubilant fire from
The points named there will also be extensive lumi
nations on the part Of private citizens and probably
some pyrotechnical displays the Common late the
evening
LITERARY EXERCISES
OF the day will consist of appropriate ceremonies in
Music Hall in the afternoon Mayor Cobb will preside
and the Governor, State officials aud members of the
Legislature will attend Rev Dr. Manning pastor OF tho
historical Old South church, will conduct fitting devo-
tona services and the grafton of the day will be deiv
cred by that accomplished historian. Rev. George E.
Ellis, D. d. By this combination of arrangements It
will be observed that with the celebration of the 18th of
March the date of British evacuation and also
natal day Of st Patrick 1t is evident that the day will
be one Of unusual interest in Boston
REMIMscEScEs OF THE EVACUATION BOSTON.
Tho story of Concord, Lexington and Bunker Hill
has already been told in the HERALD in connection
with the accounts Of the centennial celebrations
spring and summer, and IL is only necessary to
review briefly this almost final and triumphant event
of the Revolution of 1776 which is about to be COM
memorated. The siege of Boston bcgan In fact, on
the Goth of April the day after tho Concord and Lex
ngton conflicts. Mr.. Richard rockingham the em
nent historian, still living in retired luxury beneath
the shadow OF Bunker Hill Monument, gives inter-
ssting account OF the evacuation well
Ihe events Immediately preceding. "On the 14h
Of March," says Mr.. Frothngham, "ihe streets
Of the town barrcadcd and dispositions
made by the British for departure
Stores were pundered by sailors acting under their
officers and under the pretext of orders from tho
miraL On tho 18th proclamation made by tho
for the inhabitants to keep in their houses from
eleven o'clock in the morning until night to prevent
them from annoying the troops during their embarka-
ton But Al easterly breeze sprung up and the army
much mischief by deacng furniture, damaging goods
and breaking open stores They only waiting a
lair wind 10 go on board the ships.
On Saturday March 16, Washington brought mat
lers to crisis strong detachment was sent TO
and cannon AIDED 1t during the night Tho Americans
did not return the fire. but maintained their ground
General Howe then resolved TO evacuatc the town
without further delay. He commenced very early in
the mornin gof Sunday March II, tho embarkation OF
his army About nine O'Clock the garrison left Bunker
number
and inhabitants, put of from the wharves OF Boston
When these movements were observed In the Amcri
camp the troops stationed at Cambridge and Rox
bury paraded. General Putnam, at the head OF
landed at Sewas Point. Though large body Of the
enemy to leave Bunker Hill, yet the sentrics
appeared TO bc faithfully performing their duties Two
men, however sent forward to rcconnore found that
Tho fortress left in charge OF wooden sentines and
Immediately gave the Joyous signal that II was eyacu-
nted. detachment soon took possession Of IT, Gen
era Putnam ordered another detachment TO march
ward and take possession OF Boston, whilc tho re-
mandcr OF the troops returned to Cambridge. Mean |
time General Ward, with about 800 troops from Rox-
bury, under the immediate command OF Colonel Ebe- |
meier vino in Sa npSn me
bearing the standard. They picked their way !
through great numbers OF crows lect which had |
the advance OF attacking iorcc The command of |
The whole assumed by General Putnam, who pro-
rccded to occupy the important posts and thereby be-
como possessed tho NeIo England Journal says sIn /
The name OF the thirteen United Colonies Of North |
America OF all the fortresses OF that large and
nourshng metropolis which the flower OF the British
army, headed BY an experienced general, and sup |
ported by formidable fleet OF of-war had but an
hour before evacuated In the most prcciptous and |
cowardly manner"
General Howe's effective force including scamen, |
about II, 600 More than 600 refugees left
Boston with the army, as follows:-Members OF the
council, commissioners, custom house officers and |
other persons who had been in some official station,
lO2; clergy, lS persons from the country, 100; mcr-
chants and other inhabitants OF Boston, 2i3; farmers,
traders and mechanics. 3s2 Total, 924 All |
these returned their names on their arrival
Halifax About 200 others did not return |
their names. The fleet dropped down TO Nam
Askct Road where II fingered ten days During |
his period the enemy burned tho bockhouso and bar
acks, aud demolished the iortifcaions Castle |
William On the 9th OF March the greater part Of |
The fleet sailed for Halifax.