The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-03-17
March ~. 111G.


March ~, 11SG.
One hundred years ago to-day General
Washington, in the midst Of his troops
on Dorchester Heights, Witnessed the
evacuation Of Boston by the British
army under Lord Howe. Directly after
shs battle OF Bunker Hill in April of 1775,
the British forces retired into Boston,
where they were Immediately Desieged
By the Continental troops; and they
were kept shut up by the siege till March
II, 1776, when they evacuated the place
by sea, taking with them their naval ves-
ssls and about one thousand persons not
In arms, but who had registered them
selves as Tories, and claimed the pro-
tsction Of the British commander. These
Tories were sent to Halifax with their
families as place Of safety.
Gen. Gage was, at first, in command
ss the British forces; but after the affair
Ct Bunker Hill, his officers and troops
had little confidence In his military Ca
pacity; and some even doubted his 10y
atty, the more SO as he had married an
American lady, Miss Kemble, Of New
Jersey, by whom, 1t was said, he was
greatly controlled. At all events he was
removed, and returned to England soon
Efter the battle of Bunker Hill.
The British Generals Howe, Clinton
and Burgoyne all arrived at Boston
about o month after that event; and on
Cages departure Lord Howe became
the Commander-in-Chief. 1t Is stated,
On the authority Of Clinton's manuscript
nstes, now In the Brown Library at
Providence, that, on coming up the har-
Dor, the British Generals received the
first information Of their army being
shut up and besieged in Boston; and
taat, on being so informed, Lord Howe
remarked, ,-"Never mind; wen soon
rzake elbow ROOM" But as the siege
sontinued, and the British army was re-
dnced to great straits for provisions,
Howe was. called, in derision, '.Lord
Elbow Roomw
Some Yankee poet, whose name has
net lived SO long as his verses, commem-
Grated the coming Of the three British
commanders in the following limping
nfpIet:-
sIook out for triple barking now:
Eks CeYberuP comes with three heads on her
What says Burgoyne and Clinton, what says
Howef
Bow, WOW. wowP'
But the sequel showed that there was
VERY little "barking" done. The siege
was an exceedingly quiet one to last for
stsven months. Washington was ex.
ssedingly restive under the inactIon
Rls purpose had been to assault the
British by passing from Cambridge and
Eoxbury on the ice. But the winter o
fT76 was much like this winter Of 1875
and NO Ice was formed till nearly The
close OF winter. When fee finally formed
sf sufficient strength, he Immediately
salled council Of war to decide upor
the plan Of attack. But to his great dis
snst and Indignation his council de
Alded against making the attack, and he
was reluctantly compelled to abandon
The enterprise.
Disappointed in this, Washington al
snce made dispositions Of his troops
n seize and occupy Dorchester
Heights. This was successfully
sshieved by General Thomas al
gks head OF 1900 men in the night
end by morning light the British were
surprised and alarmed at finding the
Heights occupied and held by strong re
Asubfs. An immediate attack was or
cared BY the British commander. But {
Bsryifc storm prevented their approach
spd the undertaking was abandoned
Had 1t been pursued, however, Wash
ka6ten was prepared to take advantage
sSthe Absence Of the troops in that at
aAGk, 70 assault the town with his who'll
ssfce from the opposite side.
Ffom bis position on the Heights
washington could st any time hay'
sAeiied the enemy and fred the town
end Of this Gen. Howe, as since shown
~ his letters, was greatly in fear. 1t fl
weIl known that this course was seri
sssly considered In Congress; and .
resolution was passed femitting the
whole matter to Washington's discre
tzon, Saying:
~That II General Washington and his
council OF war should be Of opinion thai
Rsuccessiul attack may be made on thu
froops In, Boston, he do It In any mannej
- may think expedient, notwitbstand
Jag the town and property in it may be
0eetroyed.v
[ In this connection, it will be remem
bsfsd that JOHN HxxcocK, then Presi
6snt Of Congress, whose heme was al
Bsston, and all his properly situatet
sasre, Loyalty offered It all to the sacri
-, Il his country's cause required It
y ssnmuaiaatibg the above resolution