Malcolm Rivera
The fortification of Dorchester Heights was a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War, leading to the end of the siege of Boston and the British evacuation of the city. On the night of March 4, 1776, Continental Army troops under the command of General George Washington occupied Dorchester Heights, a series of hills overlooking Boston and its harbor. Despite the frozen ground, which made digging impossible, the Americans, led by Rufus Putnam, devised a plan to fortify the position using heavy timbers and fascines, prefabricated out of sight of the British. By the morning of March 5, they had constructed fortifications that could withstand small arms and grapeshot, and their cannons now threatened the city and the British Navy ships in the harbor. The speed and secrecy of their overnight efforts led British General William Howe to abandon plans for an attack, and on March 17, British forces evacuated Boston, never to return.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | March 4, 1776 |
| Location | Dorchester Heights, south of Boston |
| Number of Troops | 2,000-2,500 |
| Commanders | Brigadier General John Thomas, General George Washington |
| Strategy | Used cover of constant bombing from British artillery, worked through the night digging trenches, positioning cannons |
| Materials | Cannons, artillery, prefabricated heavy timbers and fascines |
| Objective | End the siege of Boston, force British troops to withdraw |
| Outcome | Successful, British evacuated Boston on March 17, 1776 |
| Quote | "The rebels have done more in one night than my whole army would have done in a month." - General William Howe |
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What You'll Learn
The Continental Army's plan to fortify Dorchester Heights
The Continental Army, under the command of George Washington, aimed to occupy Dorchester Heights, a series of low hills with a strategic view of Boston and its harbour. Washington recognised the importance of this position, which offered an advantage over the British forces occupying Boston.
The plan was devised by Rufus Putnam, who had been a millwright. The ground was frozen, making digging impossible, so Putnam's strategy involved using chandeliers (heavy timbers) and fascines to create prefabricated fortifications. These materials were prepared out of sight of the British and then transported to the top of Dorchester Heights.
On the night of March 4, 1776, Brigadier General John Thomas led around 2,500 troops to haul artillery and military equipment to the heights. They worked through the night, positioning cannons and constructing defences. The troops cut down trees and built abbatis to impede any potential British assault. They also placed rock-filled barrels that could be rolled down the hill at attacking troops.
By the morning of March 5, the Continental Army had successfully established a fortified position on Dorchester Heights, threatening the British forces in Boston and their navy ships in the harbour.
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The role of General Washington
The Continental Army's fortification of Dorchester Heights was a decisive action in the early stages of the American Revolutionary War. It precipitated the end of the Siege of Boston and the withdrawal of British troops from the city.
General George Washington played a crucial role in this pivotal event. Appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in June 1775, Washington arrived in Cambridge, just west of Boston, and established his headquarters there. He spent the next several months organising his army and considering options to dislodge the British from Boston.
Washington was aware of the strategic importance of Dorchester Heights, a series of low hills overlooking Boston and its harbour. In February 1776, he discussed the possibility of taking Dorchester Heights with the local Committee of Safety, but the idea was rejected due to concerns about British troop strength and low military supplies.
However, Washington remained determined to take action. On March 4, 1776, under his orders, Brigadier General John Thomas led approximately 2,000 troops to occupy Dorchester Heights. They worked through the night, digging trenches, positioning cannons, and completing their occupation of the heights. The cannons used in this operation had been captured at Fort Ticonderoga and brought to Boston by Colonel Henry Knox during the winter.
Washington was present during the fortification process, providing moral support and encouragement to the troops. He anticipated that the British would either flee or attempt to take the hill, which could have been reminiscent of the Battle of Bunker Hill, a previous disaster for the British.
Washington's strategy paid off. The British, led by General William Howe, were astonished by the Americans' achievement, with Howe famously exclaiming, "My God, these fellows have done more work in one night than I could make my army do in three months." The British planned an attack, but a snowstorm prevented its execution, and they ultimately decided to evacuate Boston. On March 17, 1776, British forces, accompanied by Loyalists, sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, bringing an end to the Siege of Boston.
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The role of General John Thomas
Thomas's troops, under the cover of constant bombing from British artillery, slipped into position on March 4, 1776, just south of Boston. They dug trenches, positioned cannons, and created prefabricated fortifications and cannon placements. The ground was frozen, so digging was impossible without the innovative use of heavy timbers and fascines, which had been prefabricated out of sight of the British. Hay bales were also placed between the path taken by the troops and the harbour to muffle the sounds of their activity.
By the morning of March 5, the troops had constructed fortifications that were proof against small arms and grapeshot. The cannons now threatened the city of Boston and the Navy ships in the harbour. The British General William Howe, commander of the British forces occupying Boston, planned an attack in response, but a snowstorm prevented its execution, and he was forced to withdraw.
The actions of General John Thomas and his troops played a pivotal role in ending the siege of Boston and forcing the withdrawal of British troops from the city. The quiet military operation on Dorchester Heights demonstrated the strategic importance of the site, which offered a commanding view of Boston and its harbour.
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The use of heavy timbers and fascines
The fortification of Dorchester Heights was a pivotal moment in the early stages of the American Revolutionary War. The Continental Army, under the command of George Washington, sought to occupy Dorchester Heights, a series of low hills overlooking Boston and its harbour. Washington aimed to mount powerful cannons on the heights, threatening the city and the British Navy ships in the harbour.
The ground was frozen, making it impossible to dig trenches. Rufus Putnam, a millwright, devised a plan to utilise heavy timbers and fascines to create prefabricated fortifications. Heavy timbers, or "chandeliers", were 10-foot-long frames used to provide structure and support. Fascines, bundles of sticks tightly bound together, were packed with dirt and used for filling and reinforcing the fortifications. These materials were prepared out of sight of the British and then hauled into position during the night.
The successful fortification of Dorchester Heights had a significant impact on the British forces. British General William Howe is famously quoted as saying, "My God, these fellows have done more work in one night than I could make my army do in three months." The British responded with a cannon barrage, but their guns could not reach the American positions. Recognising their military disadvantage, Howe ultimately decided to evacuate Boston rather than launch an attack.
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The British response
The British forces, already occupying Boston, planned an attack to dislodge the Continental Army from Dorchester Heights. However, a snowstorm prevented them from executing their plan. Recognizing their military disadvantage, the British commander, General Howe, reconsidered and instead chose to withdraw his troops.
The Continental Army's successful fortification of Dorchester Heights played a pivotal role in ending the siege of Boston. The British forces, accompanied by Loyalists, evacuated the city on March 17, 1776, sailing to Halifax, Nova Scotia. This quiet military operation by the Continental Army not only led to the withdrawal of British troops from Boston but also marked a significant moment in the early stages of the American Revolutionary War.
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Frequently asked questions
Dorchester Heights played a pivotal role in ending the 11-month-long siege of Boston. The Continental Army, under George Washington's command, occupied Dorchester Heights to gain a commanding view of Boston and its harbour. They mounted powerful cannons there, threatening the city and the Navy ships in the harbour.
The ground was frozen, so digging trenches was impossible. Rufus Putnam, a former millwright, devised a plan using heavy timbers and fascines. These were prefabricated out of sight of the British and hauled up to the top of Dorchester Heights, along with artillery and other military equipment.
Approximately 2,500 troops quietly marched to the top of Dorchester Heights under the cover of constant bombing from British artillery.
The British forces, led by General William Howe, initially planned to attack and dislodge the Continental Army from Dorchester Heights. However, a snowstorm prevented them from executing their plan. Recognising their military disadvantage, they eventually decided to evacuate Boston and sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
