fortification heights fortification heights decisive action early american revolutionary war precipitated end siege boston withdrawal british troops city march troops continental_army george_washington command occupied series low hills commanding view boston harbor mounted powerful cannons general commander british forces occupying city considered act cannon threatened town military ships harbor prevented execution plans howe chose withdraw city british forces accompanied loyalists fled city siege left city march sailed halifax nova scotia background siege boston began april aftermath battles lexington concord surrounded city boston arrived connecticut militia support siege told cannons valuable military stores stored lightly defended new_york proposed capture colonel commission authorized raise troops lead mission capture fort arnold conjunction militia forces connecticut western massachusetts captured fort armaments george_washington took command army outside boston july idea bringing cannons siege raised colonel eventually given assignment transport weapons cambridge went november course winter months moved tons cannons armaments boat horse drawn manpower poor quality roads semi frozen rivers forests swamps sparsely inhabited boston area called feat feats logistics entire war geography strategy british military leadership headed general long aware importance heights commanding views boston outer harbor harbor vital british royal_navy admiral later admiral provided protection troops boston transportation supplies besieged city early siege june british agreed plan seizing heights beginning better view harbor hills leaking plan precipitated events leading british americans daring heights armies knew strategic importance war washington took command siege july considered taking rejected idea feeling army ready deal likely british attack position subject attempt heights discussed early february local believed british troop strength high important military supplies like gunpowder low warrant action time end february arrived cannon additional supplies powder shells washington decided time right act fortification washington placed heavy cannons cambridge lamb dam diversion planned ordered batteries open fire town night march fire british returned significant casualties repeated night march preparations taking heights continued night march batteries opened fire time fire accompanied action general troops quietly marched hauling tools cannon hay placed path taken troops harbor order sounds activity night troops relief hauling cannon building earthworks overlooking town harbor general washington present provide moral support encouragement reminding march sixth anniversary constructed fortifications proof small arms work continued positions troops cutting trees constructing british assault works outside works included rock filled barrels rolled hill attacking troops washington anticipated troops flee try hill action probably reminiscent disaster british howe decided launch attack heights washington planned launch attack city cambridge preparations floating batteries boats sufficient carry troops washington judgment howe options accurate exactly options howe considered british reaction admiral commander british fleet declared fleet danger position heights taken howe staff determined contest occupation heights plans assault preparing send men cover darkness attack position washington notified british movements increased forces heights nearly men lines snow storm began late march halted chance battle days time storm subsided howe launching attack reasoning preserving army battle higher value attempting hold boston march delivered unsigned paper informing washington city burned ground troops allowed leave days activity bad weather british forces departed boston sea march sailed halifax nova scotia taking loyalist civilians legacy fortifications heights maintained end war abandoned war heights occupied potential british invasion following war fortifications completely abandoned later years 19th century hills source fill boston expanding coastline following revived interest local history monument constructed remaining high ground large irish population area instrumental having march day named evacuation day holiday massachusetts includes city boston added national_register_of_historic_places came administration national_park_service
Fortification of Dorchester Heights