The sufferings of the troops in cantonments at Boston were
uncommonly great, from the want of fuel and other supplies, while
these of the regiments and Marines upon Bunker's Hill, exposed in
tents to all the storms of winter, and necessarily for ever on the
alert, in the vicinity of a superior enemy, were proportionally
still more severe. Military enterprize, however, fell asleep on
both sides, and it did not awaken but with the return of spring. A
dread of famine floating in the minds of many, superadded to their
temporary evils.
During these existing hardships, a detachment of Marines, under the
escort of an armed ship, was sent to Savannah, in Georgia, with a
view to procure provisions, either by purchase or by force.
The Militia assembled to oppose their landing, and after some
unpleasant discussions, erected batteries along the shores of the
river so named. Proceeding to extremities, a short contest ensued,
which terminated in burning seven vessels deeply laden, and the
loss of a few lives; after which the party returned to Boston.
A few arrivals from Europe tended to alleviate the wants of the
garrison, who often beheld the humiliating sight of the triumphs of
little rebel privateers, in capturing their most important aids,
without our ships of war having in their power either to retaliate
or to prevent them.
Some Parliamentary decrees, which left but little hope of the
renewal of friendship, having reached America, its Congress
strongly urged General Washington to push the siege of Boston with
vigour, in order that their forces might be enabled to oppose those
dangers, which they anticipated in other quarters of the Continent.
Accordingly a cannonade and bombardment began from Phipp's Farm
on the evening of the 2d of March, that continued during some
successive nights, and, on the morning of the 5th, another battery
from the heights of Dorchester Point, on the other side of the
town, which had been constructed with unexampled secrecy and
dispatch, also opened. These fired some houses, and occasioned
other losses.
General Howe felt indignant in being thus cooped up.
His communication with the other part of his Army, at Boston Neck,
becoming endangered, and foreseeing that the rebels would still
extend their works to those heights which command the town and
harbour, he resolved upon dislodging them from such as they held.
Hazardous was the attempt, and it was only prevented by an
intervening storm on the night of the 5th of March, when the troops
destined for the attack were on the eve of embarkation. All who
know how to appreciate the military character of that gallant
officer, will readily sympathize with him in his feelings upon so
degrading an occasion, when his high talents could avail nothing,
and the energies of as fine a body as ever entered the field
were stayed by the hand of prudence. Thus situated, he lamented
in common with the meanest Soldier, a total suspension of their
services.
An instant alternative of engaging a very superior Army strongly
entrenched, or evacuating the place, became hourly more and more
imperiously urgent. The former expedient held out but little hope
of surmounting their difficulties, in balance with many disastrous
consequences in the event of defeat; while the latter let loose an
inactive corps against a more vulnerable, or in co-operation with a
more loyal Province of America.
This the Commander in Chief adopted, but it teemed with many
obstacles and dangers, calculated to try the strongest soul.
He had not the safety of his Army alone to consider, in this
retreat, but the lives and property of numerous followers, whose
allegiance to their King no misfortunes could subdue.
The duty was sacred, and it was discharged with that humane care
which characterizes our nation, and him who performed it.
Upon the 17th of March the rear-guard of the British troops
embarked without molestation, when General Washington marched in
proud triumph into the town of Boston.
The Army reached Halifax, after some delays, early in April, but
it was now diminished, by hardships, to about 9000 effective men.
The battalions of Marines were landed, and did duty under the
command of Major Tupper[2], in garrison there, with much credit
to themselves and their corps. These testimonials, which were the
honorable results of their uniform good conduct, more usefully fall
under a future detail.
In the early part of 1776, General Arnold continued the blockade
of Quebec, under the greatest pressures, while its garrison, cut
off from every supply, and exposed to many bitter privations, was
equally conspicuous for a resolute firmness.
Some attempts to burn the British ships of war in the harbour,
in order to favour an escalade of the town during the existing
confusion, worthy of the inventive resources of Arnold, were made,
but they were counteracted by the vigilance and spirit of General
Carleton. Small Pox, dreaded, by the Americans, as the most fatal
plague, began to make its appearance, and dispirited their troops.
Discipline and good order were soon supplanted by imaginary fears,
and the precautionary cares of all to ward off that contaminating
evil. Murmurs succeeded, which, as must ever be the case, paralyzed
every noble effort.
By the indefatigible zeal and activity of that highly respected
name, Sir Charles Douglas, his Majesty's ship Isis, with two
frigates, having penetrated the ice, hove in sight, and reached
Quebec on the 5th of May. The situation of the enemy's investing
force was now critical. Having landed the few troops brought from
Europe, these ships also disembarked their Marines, with which, in
addition to those of the garrison, the General instantly advanced
against the American camp.
A very precipitate flight ensued, which ended in a trifling
carnage, taking some prisoners, and all the rebel artillery and
stores. Many of their sick and wounded took refuge in the woods,
or concealed themselves in the hamlets, towards whom General
Carleton extended, not only the generous tender of oblivion, but
of protection. This benevolent act which proceeded from the
instantaneous impulse of his own breast, casts a bright lustre upon
the military virtues of that great man, and is alone sufficient to
immortalize his character.
Having been afterwards reinforced, a train of successful operation,
extraneous from my subject, soon took place, which expelled the
rebels from the Province.
Thus, a second time, were the partial efforts of the Marine corps
exerted most usefully upon Canadian ground.
A naval and military expedition, against the Southern Colonies,
having sailed from England, they did not reach the first object
of their instructions until the beginning of June. The squadron
under Sir Peter Parker, after passing the bar, moved against a
newly raised Fort on the South West point of Sullivan's island,
which was deemed the key to Charlestown, while the Army, under
Sir Henry Clinton, advancing against it by land, and crossing a
supposed shallow creek on the North Eastern extremity, was to make
a combined attack.
Upon the noon of the 28th of June the ships took their stations,
and commenced a furious cannonade, which was returned with equal
spirit and much effect from the fort.
Erroneous intelligence, as to the depth of water, it appears,
prevented General Clinton from approaching, as well as the
very formidable state of the provincial redoubts at the end of
Sullivan's island.
After one of the hottest conflicts that almost ever occurred, in
which the cool valour of British Seamen was eminently conspicuous,
the squadron withdrew with the loss of a frigate, and upwards of
200 Seamen and Marines killed and wounded.
Captains Morris and Scott, of the Bristol and Experiment, were
both considered as mortally wounded, after extraordinary displays
of personal courage. Commodore Sir Peter Parker approved himself a
brave man upon this trying service.
During the summer of 1776, the Congress of America, unwilling to
attach to itself the responsibility of an arbitrary declaration
of independance, published a circular address to every Colony, in
order to ascertain their general sentiments, upon so eventful a
topic.
The 4th of July must long stand as a memorable day on our political
epochs, as having been marked by their formal renunciation of
allegiance to the British Crown.
General Howe continued at Halifax upwards of two months waiting
farther reinforcements, which was but ill suited to his
disposition, or his military opinions. Wearied out, he at last put
to sea, under the escort of Lord Shuldham's fleet, and arrived at
Sandy-hook at the close of June. After gaining information of the
strength of New York and Long Islands, he judged it most advisable
to occupy Staten Island, where he landed without opposition, and
was soon joined by a number of loyalists.
It was a considerable time before the different reinforcements
from England reached Halifax, which immediately proceeded to join
the main Army, and enabled General Howe to undertake duties more
extensive in their aim, and more congenial to his wishes.
Upon that range of continental services which followed, I am
precluded from remark, as the battalions of my corps were
restrained from much active participation in them, by their having
been allotted for the defence of Nova Scotia.
A Parliamentary Vote of 10,129 Marines passed in November, which
involved an augmentation of many companies to the Establishment for
the service of 1777.