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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.
On the night of March 4, 1776, General George Washington marched his troops on top of Dorchester Heights, The move was made possible by Henry Knox's idea to get the cannons from the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. With gain of the cannons, the troop's hold on the hill was now open. 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 that it was the sixth 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. He sent word to the colonists that the city would not be burned to the ground if they were allowed to leave unmolested. Finally, on March 17, the British forces departed Boston and headed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, taking many loyalists with them. This is often seen as General Washington's first victory in the American Revolutionary War despite the fact no action took place.
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