Consider this: It is March 4, 1776. You are standing on Dorchester Heights. This is a decisive moment in the American Revolutionary War. Dorchester Heights is a series of low hills. They command a view of Boston and its harbor.
General George Washington knew the importance of this high ground. British General William Howe also knew it. Howe commanded the British forces occupying Boston. Washington’s troops occupied Dorchester Heights. They mounted powerful cannons here. These cannons threatened the city and the Navy ships in the harbor.
Howe planned an attack to dislodge them. A snowstorm prevented it. Howe withdrew instead. British forces evacuated Boston on March 17. They sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia. They were accompanied by Loyalists. These Loyalists had fled to the city during the siege.
The siege of Boston began on April 19, 1775. Colonial militia surrounded the city. This happened after the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Benedict Arnold arrived with his troops. He informed the Massachusetts Committee of Safety about cannons. These cannons were stored at Fort Ticonderoga in New York. The fort was lightly defended. Arnold proposed its capture. The Committee authorized him to raise troops. He was to lead a mission to capture the fort. Arnold captured the fort with Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys. They captured all of its armaments on May 10.
Later, Colonel Henry Knox moved 60 tons of cannons. He also moved other armaments from Ticonderoga to Cambridge. This was over three winter months. He used boats, horse and ox-drawn sledges, and manpower. He traveled along poor-quality roads. He crossed semi-frozen rivers. He went through forests and swamps.
The British military knew the importance of Dorchester Heights. The heights had commanding views of Boston and its outer harbor. The harbor was vital to the British. The Royal Navy protected the troops in Boston. It also transported supplies to the besieged city.
Washington first placed some heavy cannons at Lechmere’s Point and Cobble Hill. He also placed them on Lamb’s Dam in Roxbury. This was a diversion. He ordered these batteries to open fire on the town. This was on the night of March 2. The British returned fire. There were no significant casualties. These cannonades were repeated on the night of March 3. Preparations continued for taking the heights.
On the night of March 4, the batteries opened fire again. This time, the fire was accompanied by action. The Americans prepared to implement a plan. Rufus Putnam devised the plan. The American objective was to get cannon onto Dorchester Heights. They would then fortify the position. The ground was frozen. Digging was impossible. Putnam devised a plan using chandeliers and fascines. These were prefabricated out of sight of the British.
General John Thomas and John Goddard marched to the top of Dorchester Heights. About 2,500 troops joined them. They hauled artillery, tools, and other military materials. These had just arrived from Fort Ticonderoga. They created prefabricated fortifications and cannon placements. Hay bales muffled the sounds of the activity. General Washington was present. He provided moral support and encouragement. He reminded them that March 5 was the sixth anniversary of the Boston Massacre. By 4 a.m., they had constructed fortifications. These were proof against small arms and grapeshot. Work continued. Troops cut down trees and constructed abbatis. They would impede any British assault. The outside of the works included rock-filled barrels. These could be rolled down the hill at attacking troops.
British General Howe was stunned. He said the rebels had done more in one night than his whole army would have done in a month. Admiral Shuldham declared that the fleet was in danger. Howe planned an assault. But a snowstorm began late on March 5. It halted any chance of a battle. Howe reconsidered. He decided preserving the army was more valuable than holding Boston.
The fortifications on Dorchester Heights were maintained through the end of the war. They were then abandoned. During the War of 1812, the Heights were refortified. This was against potential British invasion. The Dorchester Heights Monument was constructed in 1902. It stands on the remaining high ground in South Boston.