The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-03-25
9istontal.
March Eth. 1875.


March l7th, 1876.
This day, besides being religious aud
national festival among considerable
portion Of our population, is centennial
anniversary Of memorable event in the
early history Of the American Revolution,
as the day on which the British forces and
the prominent loyalists evacuated Boston
and embarked for Halifax The embar-
cation began at four o'clock in the morn
ing, and no day since has seen 50 large
feet getting under weigh at once from
that port. The number of war vessels
and transports required for the transpor-
tation is stated in some accounts at seven
ty, in others at over one hundred. The
feet fingered few days in Nantasket
Roads, but sailed away on discovering
preparations for the erection of batteries
to cannonade the vessels. Every hilltop
and wharf and house-top on the shore was
crowded with people watching and rejoics
ing at the departure Of forces which it was
destined should never set foot on the soil
of New England in hostile array. Bunker
Hill had been occupied by the British
since the day Of the famous battle, nine
months before, almost to day. A de-
tachment from the American army, en-
camped at Cambridge, was sent forward
to watch the movements of the British
army. At nine o'clock large body Of
British troops were seen marching down
the hill to embark. Scouts were sent to
reconnoitre. They saw sentries posted
at regular intervals, with muskets on their
shoulders. Noting, however, that these
sentries were rather inactive for men ex-
posed TO the March winds, the scouts crept
up and found the sentinels were mere
efhgies- soldiers coats stuffed to deceive
the advance party of the Americans and
TO gain time. The works were found de-
serted and taken possession Of. A de-
tachment was pushed forward to occupy
the town of Boston, and about the same
time detachment entered the town by
the way Of Roxbury. Before noon-some
accounts say by ten o'clock--Gen. Putnam
was in command of the city, and the sun
which rose upon the British flag shone
upon the Thirteen Stripes, which were
first displayed in the American camp on
the first day of January, l776.
On the next day, the 18th, Washington
entered the town. He found traces of
the destruction caused by the lombard
ment, though less than he had feared
The small pox was lurking in some quar-
ters Of the town, and had, indeed, occurred
in his own camp. A large portion Of his
command was ordered to New York, where
it was supposed the enemy would next
appear in force. The residue of the army
marched into Boston on the goth. Due
precautions had been taken as far as possi-
Bile against infection, asd comfortable
quarters had been provided. "While we
were marching through the streets" says
DIR. Thacher, "the inhabitants appeared
at their doors and windows. Though
they manifested lively joy on being lib
Grated from long imprisonment, they
were not altogether free from melan-
choly gloom, which ten months tedious
siege has spread over their countenances.
The people from the country soon began
to crowd into the town, says the same eye
witness, "and it is truly interesting to wit
ness the tender interviews and fond en-
braces Of those who have been long sepa-
rated under circumstances so peculiarly
distressing"
The houses and streets of Boston, of
course, presented desolate appearance.
The cooping up Of eight or nine thousand
men above the usual population, for ten
months, would of itself give an air Of
wretchedness to the town. The number
Of houses in Boston at that time was under
two thousand, and of inhabitants, about
10000. The addition Of one-half more,
while all access to the country was pre-
vented, must have occasioned great dis
tress. The soldicry, and perhaps the roy
alists, had supplies from the shipping the
others had to fare as best they might.
There was some breakage and ravage Of
stores and houses during the preparations
for departure. The inhabitants were or
dered by proclamation to deliver up such
goods as would be useful to the incoming
army. Under this order some stores were
sacked, and their contents removed on
board of the transports; and even private
houses were ransacked. Many royalists
and soldiers destroyed what they could
not take away. So many Of the regular
munitions sofwaras could be were dismantled
or destroyed, if they could not be removed. |
But, notwithstanding, 50 precipitate was
the retreat that nearly a hundred pieces
Of serviceable cannon were left; large
amount Of coal, wheat, barley and clothing, |
and hundred and fifty horses. The |
siege of Boston is memorable, above all |