American Theatre from February 19, 1776, to April 17, 1776
I have the Pleasure to inform you, that this morning the Ministerial Troops evacuated the Town of Boston, without destroying it, and that we are now in the full possession; upon which event, I beg leave to Congratulate you, and sincerely wish if the Ministry persevere in the same unconstitutional and despotic measures, which too long have marked their conduct, that our opposition and resistance,... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
In the morning the British evacuated Boston; their rear guard with some marks of precipitation. A number of cannon were left spiked, and two large marine mortars, which they in vain attempted to burst. ... The troops on the Roxbury side, moved over the Neck and took possession of Boston; as did others from Cambridge, in boats. On the Americans entering the town, the inhabitants discovered joy... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
a general alarm throughout the camp about eight o'clock. Before this, saw the enemy leave Bunker Hill. Saw Gen. [John] Sullivan, with a party take possession of Bunker Hill without opposition. Saw also the shipping in Boston get under sail, the wind blowing fresh northwest, and making down the harbor. Could discover no regular sentinels as usual on the back of Boston on which concluded the enemy... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
This Morning we had the Agreable Sight of a Number of Ships leaving the Town of Boston with a large Number of Boats full of Soldiers, about ten of Clock several Lads came to our out Centries and informed us that the Troops had intirely left the Town and that the Selectmen were coming out to see us soon after we had the Pleasure of seeing Messrs. [Samuel] Austin, [John] Scally, [Thomas] Marshall... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Dear Sir Never was Joy painted in higher Colours than in the Faces of the Selectmen of Boston & other of the Inhabitants of that distressed Town when we first had an Interview this forenoon ー I have been in several Parts of the Town ー there seems to be much Mischief done out of mere Wantonness ー saw several Holes where the Canno[n] Shot from our Lines at Roxbury had passed ー two 13 Inch... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
... I find the fireing was occasiond by our peoples taking possession of Nook Hill, which they kept in spite of the Cannonade, and which has really obliged our Enemy to decamp this morning on board the Transports; as I hear by a messenger just come from Head Quarters. Some of the Select Men have been to the lines and inform that they have carried of [every] thing they could [po]ssibly take, and... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
... You will hear before this reaches you that the British Troops and Fleet have left Boston: They have retir'd with Disgrace from before the General & Forces of the united Colonies. I congratulate you on this Honor to our Country. Should the War continue, prepar'd as we now are, we should have been well contented they had remain'd here ー The Bombardment & Cannon[a]ding from our Lines,... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Since my last to you of the 8th, the Fleet and Army have been busily Employed in Embarking the Ordnance and other Stores belonging to the King, in which the Rebels have given us little or no interruption, tho' their Cannon and Mortars have not been totally unemployed, and this Morning the Embarkation of the Troops was completed without the loss of a Man, and the Transports proceeded to, and... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Monday 11. at 7 AM weighed And came to off Hancock's Wharf in 5 fm to cover the Embarkation of his Majesty's Forces.
Tuesday 12. Light Winds AM Veered to ½ a Cable and got out the stream Anchor to steady her, and a party of the Artillery came on board & mounted two Howitzers on the Quarter deck to Cover the Embarkation First and Middle parts do Wr latter fresh breezes, reced Amunition &... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Sunday 10
Monday 11
Tuesday 12
Wednesday 13
Thursday 14
Friday 15
Saturday 16
Sunday 17
during the Night heard a Constant Canonading at Boston A M little wind Inclinable to Calms. Cleard Hause Mode & Cloudy wr P M Sailed for BostoP-H M Ship Fowey. Came down & Anchord here the Lord Hyde Packet & several Transports at 7 Came on board a Captain 2 Lieutenants & 103 Privates belonging... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Sunday 17
AM the Troops Embarked onbd the Transports & came down here with His Majesty's Ship the Fowey & 3 Arm'd Vessels, the Officers & Men sent to assist at the Embarkation returned on bd their respective Ships.
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Sunday 17
AM observ'd the Rebels on Rhode Island breaking ground & fortifying a Hill near Newport at 11 AM hove short Modt & Cloudy at ½ past noon weigh'd & Came to Sail at 4 Anchor'd on the Et Side of Prudence
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
As a large number of the Inhabitants of the province of New Jersey are now called upon to assist in Fortifying and defending this City, which by the Accounts received from General Washington: by express and this day confirmed1by the post, is certainly the Object of the enemies Intentions; And as I am informed that many ofthe Inhabitants of the province are Intimidated from leaving the province by... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Dear Sir, I receiyed your aq::ount of the retaking Hudsons ship and the !}ight of the enemy with. great pleasure ー I )1.0pe::you will make wise use of the opportunity to render the avenews to yr flourishing Town inaccessible to the enemy !think you have the means ofdoing this most effectually, and sure it ought not to be neglected. I suppose the Defence and her Tender will now be employed in... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
. . . I think it will be a good way for you to forward a particular list of such articles as will be wanted for the ship that cannot be procured there and I will do my endeavors to have them sent you as soon as possible: it would give me great pleasure to hear that the New Hampshire
2 is the first ship at sea. . . .
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Pray send us an Account of the Continental Pay of the Officers and Men in the Navy, we are informed there have been some alterations lately made in them by Congress and shall be glad to see them ー they will be useful to us in settling the Wages for the Defenceー
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Ordered that the whole adventure on board the Brigg Liberty be, taken for the use and on account of the public. That Capt. Thomas Lilly repair to Cumberland Town and take charge of the s'd Brigg and procure her cargo to be brought to the city of Williamsburg, either by unlading it into
Flatts at Cumberland, to be sent to the Capitol landing, or by bringing the Brigg to the mouth of Queen's creek... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
I embrace this opportunity of informing you of the present state of our affairs, and beg you'll communicate the same to Captain M----l, having waited here ever since October last for-a cargo either to Tobago or England, find our hopes quite fruitless from the Congress's proceedings of the 4th instant, to set fire to and consume the merchant ships in this port, in consequence of the men of war... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
My Lord I am now a close Prisoner on board the Alfred Frigate belonging to the Americans and prudence in my present distressed situation will not allow me to say more at present, then that I have been tore away from my family at a moment's notice, ー I refer your Lordship to Mrs. Browne and to Mr. Chief Justice [Thomas] Atwood for the particulars of what has happen'd to this Colony, my person as... Continue Reading
Date: 17 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
No. 61
My Lord. As by the last Intelligence from Boston, the General Informs; That there was great probability, that the Rebels woud attempt the Reduction of this Province, early in the Spring, I thought it an essential Duty in me, to use my Utmost Endeavours, to collect all the Force that coud possibly be Muster'd, within this Province to oppose their attempts ....
The number of Families from... Continue Reading
Date: 18 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
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