Fortification of Dorchester Heights
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The Fortification of Dorchester Heights was a decisive action early in the American Revolutionary War, which led to the British evacuation of Boston, ending the ongoing siege of Boston.
On the night of March 4, 1776, General George Washington sneaked his troops on top of Dorchester Heights, overlooking Boston. The bold move was made possible by Henry Knox's idea to retrieve the cannons from the recent capture of Fort Ticonderoga. With possession of the cannons, the troop's hold on the hill was now viable. During the night, the troops brought 59 cannons and defensive barriers that had been built in anticipation of the move. This positioning gave the colonists the advantage of targeting the British, who were stationed in the city and harbor, below.
Washington had hoped General William Howe and his troops would either flee or try to take the hill. At early morning on March 5, Washington rallied the troops by reminding them it was the anniversary of the Boston Massacre. Initially, Howe ordered an attack on the hill that would have probably been reminiscent of Bunker Hill. However, a snow storm quickly rolled in and halted any chance of a battle. By the time the storm had subsided, Howe's aides had convinced him of the folly of an outright attack. Instead, Howe chose to evacuate the city to Halifax. He sent word to the colonists that the city would not be burned to the ground if they were allowed to evacuate unmolested. Finally, on March 17, the British forces evacuated Boston and headed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, taking many loyalists with them. This was General Washington's first victory in the American Revolutionary War.
