Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-07-01
PATRIOT SUCCESS AT BOSTON AND
FORT NOILTRE.


about five hundred, of whom one hum
dred and fortv-iiye were killed. Among
the latter was the beloved, eloquent,
pure minded General Warren Before
going into action, in reply to EldridSe
Gerry, who begged him not to expose
his life, he had said:
:" 1t is pleasant ana becoming to die
for ones country
Animated by this sublime sentiment,
he fought like a hero until the redoubt
was lost. lie was the last to retreat
from the trenches, where he fell, cov-
cred with the glory of his own self-sac-
rificing courage His fellow-martys had
fought and died in the same lofty spirit,
and their names were embalmed in the
affections of their countrymen. But
who could think of their fallen foes
without rejecting that, though they
were brave men, they had died for an
evil cause?
! Eighteen days after the deadly strife
on Bunker Hill man stood on the
Common at Cambridge, whose stately
form and commanding presence attract
ed every eye and fascinated every heart.
He was full six feet in height. well pro-
portioned, sinewy, broad -chested, and
moved with the graceful dignity of one
born to command. His complexion was
forid, his hair dark brown; his broad
nostrils seemed formed to give express
sion and escape to scornful anger. His
dark blue eyes which were deeply set,
had an earnestness which was almost
sadness.
This distinguished parsonage was
George Washington, as he appeared on
the third day of July, when he took
command of the army around Boston.
The Continental Congress had elected
him its commander-in-chief two days
before the battle of Bunker Hill. The
troops received him with enthusiasm,
and he set to work ut once to organize
them into an army. Previous to his
coming there were little else than a
half-armed crowd. They had no mag
az;nes, 10 money chest, ns uni
forms, Il poor supply of arms, very
little artillery, were undisciplined ,enlis-
ted for short periods onIy, poorly Off
cerel, and little disposed to cultivate
that spirit Of subordination which is es-
sential 10 great military organizations.
Nevertheless, their courage, which had
all its roots in an intelligent patriotism,
made them formidable. ....
The Continental Congress had given
Washington commission, but paid very
little attention to his urgent requests for
money and supplies. It was, in TACT,
too solicltious, as yet, trying to make
terms with England. to push the war
with vieor. Hence Washington had to
uOpol1 ssvotiy upOu tfIo~ o.u,, e...y Of
ferings OF the New England people for
the support Of his suffering soldiers.
His success in keeping them together,
must ever be regarded as one of the
most marvellous of his great achieve
ments. He did even more than this.
He maintained their spirits, and early
in the following March put their mettle
to the test by a movement to fortify the
Heights of Dorchester, which COM
manded Boston from the South.
To cover this movement he opened
fire upon Boston from Cambridge, on
the nights of the second and third of
March; On the evening of the fourth he
renewed his cannonade with greater
fury. The English replied to his fire
fiercely, and, directing their whole at
tention toward Cambridge, left him at
liberty to march two thousand men
with intrenching tools and countless
bundles Of pressed hay, with which to
form the breastworks of fortress.
All night long his men toiled with q
celebrity which nothing but enthusiastic
and intelligent patriotism could have
inspired. "Perhaps there never was
so much work done in SO short space
of time Hence at daybreak the
British army was astounded, and the
patriotic citizens Of Boston delighted, at
beholding strong 1edoubts, surrounded
by an almost impossible abattis, crown
ing Dorchester Heights, which com
manded the city and the harbor. 1t
seemed as if the tabled genii of Oriental
romance had wrought an unheard of
wonder in behalf of the patriot army.
Howe the British General, was con-
founded, for he saw that he must either
drive the Americans from the Heights
Or vacate the city. The admiral of the
English fleet also sent him this ominous
word: eff they retain possession of
the Heights | cannot keep ship in the
harbor." The perplexed General was
at his wits end.
At first he resolved to dislodge Wash
ington, and ordered out force for that
purpose. But the memory of Bunker
Hill was fresh in the minds of his men,
and they showed so little relish for the
movement that it was abandoned. FL
nally. he resolved to evacuate the city,
threatening to burn it il attacked while
cmbarking.
At four o'clock on the morning OF the
seventeenth of March he began to en-
bark his eight thousand troops and
eleven hundred loyalist refugees. At
eleven the fleet, with its hundred and
twenty transports, sailed for Halifax,
leaving behind Il vast quantity Of mill
tary stores, which were of almost price
less value to Washington's troops:
then the patriot army marched triumph.
antly into Boston, amid the enthusias-
tic acclamations of its citizens. Thus,
without the loss of a single man, did
the great Continental chief rid Bost IN
and New England of the proud army
which had been sent from England fol
| their subjugation. It WAS marvellous
as welIas q bloodless victory. Had he
been suitably supplied with artillery
and ammunition, he would in all pro.
liability have compelled it to surrender.
But his magazines were nearly empty
when The enemy fled, and he did