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Terrific account of the British evacuating Boston... Fate of Ethan Allen...
Terrific account of the British evacuating Boston... Fate of Ethan Allen...
Item # 703272
March 21, 1776
THE NEW ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, March 21, 1776
* British evacuation of Boston, Mass.
* American siege of Boston ends
* Ethan Allen on British prison ships
* Early American Revolutionary War
It would be difficult to find a better newspaper to report the historic evacuation of Boston by the British in 1776 than this issue.
Printed across the Charles River from Boston, page 3 has a nice account of the British leaving town. Datelined the same day, the report begins: "Last Sabbath the British army in Boston, under General Howe, consisting of upwards of 7000 men, after suffering an ignominious blockade for many months past, disgracefully quitted all their strong holds in Boston and Charlestown, fled from before the army of the United Colonies, and took refuge on board their ships..." with much more detail.
A bit further on is: "...We are told that the Tories were thunder struck when orders were issued for evacuating the town..." and also: "...To the wisdom, firmness, intrepidity and military abilities of our amiable and beloved General, his Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq., to the assiduity, skill and bravery of the other worth General and officers of the army..." and more.
The great content continues on page 3 with a report from London beginning: "Ethan Allen, a Col. in the provincial army, who was taken prisoner in Canada, & 40 other prisoners, are brought to England in the ship..." and also: "It is said that Gen. Burgoyne...has opened the eyes of the Ministry both with respect to the personal courage of the Americans, and the number of troops which our army will have to beat if this war is continued." Another item, from New York, begins: "Col. Ethan Allen, and 33 other prisoners taken at Quebec, were confined in irons in the castle at Falmouth & from thence taken out and put on board the Sotbay frigate which sailed the 7th of Jan. bound for Ireland to take on board troops for America..." with more (see).
Page 2 has a letter which begins: "He betrays an uncommon degree of ignorance of human nature who thinks that a cordial re-union can take place between Great Britain and any one of the United Colonies..." with more great reading.
The front page has a great letter signed: Americanus, which has some great sentiments on the American cause.
Four pages, a bit irregular at the blank spine margin, minor loss at the top of the front leaf affects 5 words on page 2, nothing on page 1, fold rubbing to the back leaf.
AI notes: In March 1776, the British forces evacuated Boston after a prolonged siege by American troops, marking a significant early victory in the Revolutionary War. The turning point came when General George Washington, having recently taken command of the Continental Army, fortified Dorchester Heights with cannons and artillery hauled from Fort Ticonderoga by Henry Knox. This strategic placement threatened the British fleet in Boston Harbor, forcing General William Howe to recognize that holding the city was no longer viable. Consequently, on March 17, 1776, the British and their Loyalist allies withdrew by sea to Halifax, Nova Scotia, leaving Boston under American control without a major battle. Meanwhile, Ethan Allen, famed for leading the Green Mountain Boys in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in 1775, had a difficult fate in 1776. After a failed attempt to capture Montreal, he was taken prisoner by the British in late 1775 and endured harsh conditions aboard prison ships and in jails throughout 1776. Allen remained in captivity until 1778, when he was finally released in a prisoner exchange.
Category: Revolutionary War
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