New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-17

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Subsequently the operations took somewhat dif-
ferent turn though the original plan OF Washing
ten has been declared by military critics
70 he mastery in the extreme. But the
American commander was too often compelled by
circumstances to abandon his best laid schemes On
the evening of the 18th the troops were put IN mo-
lion from the American lircS at ROXbury and Dor
chester The moon was at its full, and the night
remarkably mild and pleasant MiltlIn. the omar
tcrmaSter-Gencral, had shown great energy III col
lectng the requisite carts and horses. Across Dor
chester Neck first moved an advanced guard OF ooo
men: then followed the wagons with the lhtrehch-
ing tools and a man body Of 1000 men
under the command of Gen. Thomas. The
whole procession saws DR.. Thatcher. moved
on in solemn silence, and with perfect oIdei
and regularity; while the continued roar OF the
cannon served to engage attention ana divert the
enemy from the main object" Bundles OF nay were
arranged i'm line on the side OF the causcwaN 10
protect the troops from the fire of the enemy should
the movement be discovered 1t is somewhat re-
marable that the operations were not observed
from the town. as they undoubtedly would have
been but for the bOmbardment from the opposite
ouartcr Old Gridley ,of the old French wars, an
experienced engineer directed the work, assisted 10y
Col Putnam; and when the morning sun arose the
fort 6cations were so far advanced upon the flights
rs to be adequate for defense against muSkct ana
arape-Shot 1t is a noteworthy fact that during the
whole night Washington present upon the
Nights He was accompanied by Mr.. James Bow
dom n Young citizen of Boston, who afterward be-
came distinguished in public life. Among the prepa-
ratons for defense against an assault which was con-
fdentIv anticipated. great number of barrels filled
with stones and sand were arranged IN front OF the
works which were to be rolled down the hill, break
Il IL. - md
of the British troops.
PREPARATIONS FOR An ASSAULT.
When the morning of the Jth Of March dawned, II
is stated that Cen Howe was exceedingly astoni,hcd
at the works which had so suddenly been established
above him and the captive town, and which doomed
to great advantage account of a fog" lie Wrolt
10 his Government that they must have been con
,tructed by at least 1900 men while one OF ms
officers said that they recalled to mind those Won
derfu stories of enchantmeut and invisible agency
which are SO frequent in Eastern romances.' Howe
had no choice left. and at once ordered movement
10 diSlodge the enemy. Lord Percy, with strong
detachment. was sent down to the Castle during the
afternoon. thence to cross over To the Nights and
storm the forts. The attempt would undoubtedly
have been made If heavy gale had not scattered
his barges and prevented the cmbarkation of his
his troops Ii was a storm which saved the lives oil
many gallant soldiers
Meanwhile the Americans went on pcrcclme
their works. The CannOnadc of the beslcgcd hah
been almost entirely Intellectual only two men beng
killed and four or five slightly wounded. Howe found
himself still embarrassed when the English
Admiral assured him that if the Americans were moi
di,Odged his vessels cOuld only remain III the mar
Dor at the hazard of their destruction: Whie the
communication between the British troops upon the
istbu,ls and those within the town had become eA-
..as Il, ,..r W.,
that the English could now embark III safety should
evacuation he determined upon. With the memory
of Bunker Hill stl fresh and with the weather 30
Gen Howe rchshed les, and less the
resource of assault If be had earlier been able To
obey the instructions Of Lord Dartmouth. ana re-
move his army 10 New-York, ne might have
saved himself some modification. lie had re-
NAMED on account Of the Iu,uiliccncy OF the
means of transportation. Even now, with 100
transports AT his command he was exceedingly en-
barraSsed: for in addition To his troops common
honor required him TO help away those inhabitants
of Boston who had remained faithful to the royal
cause He was by no means sure of being able to
effect a landing in NcwYork and the season was
uupropitous and his supplies insufficient for vOy-
90. TO Halifax. Somewhere, however, he mus, CO.
and the problem now was 10 with a. htle loss a.
possible. He might still have sent ioiiorh hope
against the Nights. but his own military skill must
have assured HIM that, the moment he weakened his
force for that purpose sullivan and Greene and Put
nan. with the American reserves, would have
effected an entrance into the town, Or would have
occupied points which more nearly commanded H.
GEN. HOWL's THREAT.
In these desperate straits Gen. Howe bad recourse
10 menace which is undoubtedly legitimate
weapon OF war He sent for the Selectm"n OF Boston
and auprars to have frightened those excellent civil
inns out of their wits Tie told them that the town
ono longer being of any use 10 the King he had de-
tcr,,iped 10 abandon IT, Ii :" Mr." Washington per
p,ittpd him to depart unmocsted, he would do them
no ham, lie had prepared quantity OF combnou-
bc materials and assured the Sclectmen that II hIeo
uron while embarking he would burn Boston lie
invited them to reflect upon this, and to use what
ever influence they might possess IN keeping MI
Washington quiet. These suggestions seem to nave
impressed the municipal mind. The Srlecimen
drew M an official statement Of the facts ana sent
to Wa.hiugton's headquarters. The prompt ana
curt reply was that as " IT was an uhauthehl'a'u
,,,.r without an address and not obligatory upon
GEN Howe, no notice Of it would be taken by zen.
Wa,lington" Still, the American commander could
how. ma stronger desire than that Of saving the
town. and seems tacitly to have agreed that Howe
might leave il unlnOlcstcd. Washington waited
some DAYS, and observing no movement toward ne
,,,,t,re he without further delay occupied Nook
i'm and othcr elevations fronting and commanding
Boston. This hint to Gen. Howe was sufficient On
tl,e 18th of March he issued n proclamation forbid
ding any inhabiMt from going ont OF ms mouse ne
r,r. o'clock in tho morning that the Capitalization
O; the troops Oh that day might not be disturbed
Already the soldiers and sailors had taken adNah'-
:rc of he confusion 10 pagc and to destroy "h"'
,hr,. conld not carry away. Unfortunately an ea'l
Ind ~, the 18th prevented their departure, and
t ,irI,rc was continued. Delays were DANG rou,;