The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-06

of the weather's interference with the progress of historic events is hinted at In the early war records of this gov ernment where there is data to show that rainstorm may have been the means once of preserving American in- dependence.
 The big rain occurred near the end of the siege of Boston, early in March, 177a The English, under General Howe, oc- cupied Boston, and the American fore ss were maintaining a blockade around the city. Following the battle of Bunker Hill and General Washington's assumption of supreme command of the Continental army, in the summer of 1f7s. the block ade remained in effect throughout the March, the 4th, to be exact, General Washington sent General Thomas with about 2000 men to establish fprtifcations on Dorchester Heights, position just outside Boston that, if success fully main tained, would give the American gunners command over the city and the adjacent harbor. The night of March 4. which was Monday, is described as remark ably mild though the ground was frozen to depth of IS inches. A fog hung over the town and the lowlands. which, blend ing with the smoke from cannonading that had been kept up through the day, shut the outside world off from the Eng- lioti toORs. WAut d Iuli noon H&0LeQ the activities of the Continental troops on Dorchester Heights The .-mericans were unable to excavate the frozen ground in building their Notifications so the only result of the nights labors were make shift defenses of wood, but these ap- peared dangerously formidable to the English general, Howe, and lis troops when the sun disclosed them Tuesday morning.
 Realizing that Boston would be unten- able once the Americans had established their cannon on the heights, Howe pre- pared to drive them from Dorchester. He sent 3o00 men in transports, the instruc- tions being to circle the promontory where the Continentals were at work and at tack them from the rear early Wednes- day morning. The English force out numbered the Americans three to two they were better armed and equipped, and had Howes ordNs been carried out the Continental army might have suf- fered defeat that would have greatly prolonged, if not reversed, the outcome Iof the Revolution.
 But on Tuesday afternoon, after the transports bearing the British had set outs the weather interfered. A furious wind sprang up, throwing three of the transports on an island shore, and by night there was raging rank storm" as a British officer expressed it. Rain Tell In torrents and as night came on the gale increased, All night the winds roared and the rain poured down, and when morning came the storm seemed to increase in intensity. The Americans on the heights half drowned and in no condition to make a vigorous defense if attacked, continued their work of fort building in the downpour, while the British stood off the Dorchester shore, help1essly watching the proceed ings and waiting In vain for the ele- ments to subside sufficiently for them to make landing.
 Eventually--that Is, Wednesday night the storm died down, but the British opportunity was gone. The English forces were soaked and half frozen. their ammunition was decidedly damp and they were feeling anything but warlike. Meanwhile the continental forces had strengthened their fortifica- tions until they were ready to receive company, and the chilly General Howe decided that he did not care to attack, even with a much superior force. In- stead, the British troops returned to Boston. And II days later, on March IT, they found their quarters there, too, uncomfortable and evacuated the city.