Miracles Causing the British Retreat from Boston

With the upcoming winter of 1775-76, the outlook around Boston was discouraging for the fledging American army.  The previous April, the Patriots had had won battles at Lexington and Concord, in May they had sieged Fort Ticonderoga, and in June they had lost the Battle of Bunker Hill.  General Washington had arrived on July 2^nd to take charge of all colonial forces but there had been many changes in leadership with lower generals bickering and jockeying for position.  General Howe and the bulk of the British Army and Royal Navy were entrenched in and around Boston.  There had been multiple scuffles and skirmishes with the British, but no decisive battles.  As the harsh winter set in, Americans lacked the men, cannons, guns, powder and fortifications to take Boston!

What would happen in the next few months would show the new nation some of history’s most dramatic interventions of divine providence.  Indeed, the Master Orchestrator of the Universe would bring all the pieces together, leaving General Howe only one viable option….a complete retreat and withdrawal from Boston.   

First and foremost, the Continental Army lacked men.  What they had was volunteer farmers and shopkeepers.  Those lacking Washington’s vision of “the glorious cause” preferred spending the New England winter in the warmth of their own homes rather than a freezing army tent.  So many troops had one or two month enlistments that Washington rarely knew how many men he would have from month to month.  Many of the enlisted men had gone home and taken their army-issued rifles with them.  But beginning in January, a miraculous spirit of freedom settled over New England and thousands of men from New Hampshire and Massachusetts began to arrive with their own muskets and powder.  By February, the army had grown to over 10,000 troops.  Washington now had men and guns. 

During one of many discussions about the need for artillery, someone remembered the cannons that had been abandoned at Fort Ticonderoga the previous year.  Initially, the idea of bringing the artillery to Boston had been discarded because of the difficulty of the 300-mile journey.  Washington turned the challenge over to bookseller and amateur engineer Henry Knox, a plump but determined twenty-five-year-old man whose only knowledge of cannons came from a book he had once sold in his shop. 

Knox’s task was to bring 58 pieces of artillery (three weighing 2,000 lbs. each and one weighing 5,400 lbs.) across lakes, rivers, and mountains to Boston in the dead of winter.  What Knox lacked in experience, he made up for in creativity and inspiration.  In their 2-month trip, Knox’s bizarre little caravan was provided with a miraculous warm thaw when their boats needed to cross Lake George, unusually thick ice when their ox carts needed to cross the Hudson River, fresh deep snows when their 40 sleds needed to cross the Berkshire Mountains, fresh animals when their oxen and horses were exhausted, and patriots in every village to feed and shelter them.  Knox’s “noble train of artillery” entered Cambridge on January 24, 1776.[1]  Washington now had cannons. 

Bunker Hill and Dorchester Heights were the only hills above Boston that had enough elevation to offer the possibility of an effective bombardment of both city and harbor.  Washington set his sights on Dorchester Heights.  The problem was that in the middle of a bitter New England winter, the ground was so frozen that effective barricades could not be dug.  Without these entrenchments, the men and artillery would be fully exposed to enemy guns.  Here again, God’s hand was seen in the solution. 

On the same night Washington presented the problem to his officers, young Rufus Putnam happened to casually open a book on field engineering written by Professor John Muller and noticed a diagram and description of a “chandelier” – a French solution to their fortification problem.   The chandelier was a wooden fortification that could be prefabricated, quickly assembled, and then filled with sticks and twisted bales of hay.  Joined with other chandeliers, it made above-ground fortifications as effective as a trench.  Construction started immediately on hundreds of chandeliers with a slight American touch…. Hundreds of barrels, filled with earth and rock were placed in front of the barricade which could be rolled down on advancing troops.[2]  Washington now had fortifications.

Powder was now the only lacking ingredient, but supplies steadily build to there were 30 loads per soldier; less than half the British combat issue; but it would have to do.  Washington ordered the attack. 

On the night of March 3^rd, Americans commenced a heavy bombardment of British strongholds; British cannons responded.  Throughout the day and next evening, the exchange continued with little damage being done, except that the British attention was diverted away from the 2,000 men, busily working behind the hills at Dorchester Heights. 

The book, The Light and the Glory brilliantly describes the night of preparation.  “The Continental Army could have waited a year and not experienced more ideal weather conditions than those that occurred on the night of March 4: a ground mist completely covered their operations at the base of Dorchester Heights, while the weather was perfectly clear on the top of the hill, well lit by a nearly full moon.  The final touch was a breeze blowing inland to carry the noise of their work away from the British.  Some eight hundred soldiers labored to place the preassembled chandeliers in position and load them with fascines [bundles of sticks], all of which were brought up the hill by three hundred amazingly quiet teams and drovers.  Silently these soldiers worked hour after hour through the moonlit darkness, following plans that Knox had laid out with such precision that the whole line fit together as if it had been set up that way many times before.”[3]  Cannons were moved into place, including several logs that were painted to look like cannons.    

At dawn, the British were amazed!  Captain Stuart wrote that the fortifications “appeared more like magic than the work of human beings.”  British Chief Engineer Captain Robertson called it “a most astonishing night’s work that must have employed from 15,000 to 20,000 men.  Vice-Admiral Shuldham informed General Howe that he “could not possibly remain in the harbor under the fire of the batteries from Dorchester Neck.”  General Howe was also amazed, “These fellows have done more work in one night than my whole army will do in three months.”  Howe ordered a suicidal attack on the hill, but a hurricane-force storm came up out of nowhere, driving back the assault.  Howe reluctantly ordered a complete evacuation of the city and surrounding towns.  Within days, the entire British army, navy, and many of the townspeople loyal to England had left Boston - without the loss of a single life on either side.

Today, many people wonder if America can still be saved.  The answer lies in the miracles of the past.  God has saved America before, and He can do it again.  We don’t have to do it alone; the God of Heaven will save this country when enough citizens recognize His hand in the building of our nation and live worthy of the blessings of freedom. 

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[1] Mass Moments; Henry Knox Brings Cannon to Boston; http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=29

[2] David McCullough; 1776; pp. 82-99

[3] Peter Marshall and David Manuel; The Light and the Glory 1492-1793; pp. 374-379

The Miracle Fog at the Battle of Long Island

By late summer of 1776, the British were fully engaged with the “uprising” in America.  By August 12^th, their naval armada anchored in New York Harbor numbered nearly four hundred ships.  More than 32,000 well-trained, well-supplied, healthy, professional soldiers gathered on Staten Island outnumbered the citizens of New York City (or any other city in America at the time).  British officers proudly reminded each other that they had the most powerful, well-equipped military force ever sent by any nation.  Many of their men believed the American revolt would be over in a few short weeks and they would be home in time for Christmas. 

For the struggling Continental Army, the situation was very different.  The army had been rushed from Boston, only to wait all summer long while their enemy grew in size and confidence.  It had been a long, hot summer with temperatures in the mid 90’s.  In the oppressive heat and humidity of Long Island, camp fever, typhoid fever, and small pox had become epidemic with nearly two-thirds of the army ill.  American soldiers were mostly undisciplined shopkeepers and farmers; few of their officers had never seen battle.  Lacking standardized uniforms, a simple sprig of green in a man’s hat identified him an enlisted soldier.  Recruiting efforts had been low and desertions high.  Uncertain where the British might attack, General Washington appeared indecisive, changing his orders and his commanders often, which only added to his troop’s frustration.  It was clearly not a proud time for American forces. 

On August 22^nd, British troops transported 15,000 troops and 40 pieces of artillery to the south shore of Brooklyn.  Within days, 5,000 Hessians (hired German soldiers) joined them, bringing General Howe’s forces on Long Island to 20,000.  Washington was convinced Howe’s troop movement was simply a diversion and that the real attack would come on Manhattan.  His spies had critically underestimated Howe’s invasion party and he was hesitant to commit more troops to Brooklyn.  American troops were then divided into two groups; about 10,000 in Manhattan, and about 7,500 across the East River entrenched on the north shore of Brooklyn protecting Fort Stirling.  The high hills overlooking the East River and South Manhattan made the fort a strategic outpost. 

On the morning of August 27^th, Howe’s army attacked.  American troops were quickly outmaneuvered.  They fought desperately but were swiftly overwhelmed by superior forces.  By noon, about 300 Americans had been killed, 1,000 taken prisoner, and thousands more were in full retreat towards the safety of Fort Stirling.  It was an embarrassing day for Washington and his army. 

The retreat left the Americans in a desperate situation: severely outnumbered, low on powder, trapped at the north shore of Long Island, with enemy ground troops steadily advancing.  The Brits might have easily sailed a few war ships into the mouth of the East River, completely surrounding the fort and cutting off any relief forces coming from Manhattan.  Fortunately for the Americans, an unrelenting wind from the northeast had been blowing for days, keeping British ships anchored in the harbor.     

August 28^th was a rainy day, the temperature had dropped to the low-80s and strong northeast winds continued to blow.   British ground troops spent most of their day digging trenches through the mud, coming to within 100 yards of the fort.  Despite the constant rain, the two armies kept a relentless watch of each other’s movements with a healthy spattering of gunfire throughout the day.  General Howe had been strongly advised to attack, but waited for a more pleasant day to fight.  Washington had 1,500 reinforcement troops rowed from Manhattan to Fort Stirling, which brightened morale of his men in the fort only temporarily. 

That afternoon, Washington decided to abandon the fort, but with so many spies and Tories within his ranks, it was vital that his strategy for retreat remain secret, even from his own men.  If the British discovered the retreat, they would immediately attack and easily overpower the remaining Americans.  The plan was a virtual death sentence for the last men to leave the fort.   

Washington’s officers in Manhattan and New Jersey immediately began assembling every boat they could find, but were intentionally misled into thinking they would be transporting men to Fort Stirling.  By 7:00 PM, soldiers in the fort were ordered to assemble for a night attack.  Hungry, cold, exhausted, with wet powder and little hope, they questioned the command - yet obeyed.  By 9:00 PM, empty boats began to arrive and rear units around the fort were told to fall back and assist at the docks.  Only when they gathered at the shore did the men discover they were in full retreat.  The constant wind made it easy for empty boats to arrive from Manhattan but impossible for them to return.  By midnight, the officer in charge of loading the boats sent an urgent request to Washington to abandon the plan - not a single boat had crossed successfully.  Almost immediately after the message was sent, the wind died and a peaceful calm came over the river.  Gentle winds from the southwest began to blow allowing the retreat to begin. 

 The remainder of the night, men labored ceaselessly to transport troops, cannons, supplies, and equipment across the river.  More and more units were told to fall back without anyone on the front lines knowing a retreat was under way.  The frantic work continued but by 5:30 AM, nearly 3,000 men remained.  Just as the morning light began to expose their dwindling front lines, a freakish summer fog settled over Brooklyn and the southern half of the river.  The fog was so dense that men could barely see each other at five feet and completely disappeared at ten.  The fog also obscured the view of the British fleet from viewing dozens of small crafts rowing back and forth across the river.  The fog had an additional benefit of muffling any sounds of troop movement. 

Rowers made as many as 18 trips back and forth over the mile-wide stretch of river, in and out of the fog.  By midmorning, the evacuation of 9,000 men was complete and General Washington personally commanded the last boat across the river.  Not until every American soldier had been evacuated did the fog suddenly lift.  Within minutes, stunned British soldiers flooded across the walls of an empty Fort Stirling.  They fired a few rifles toward the departing boats, but the distance was too great to be effective.

Some of the greatest victories of the American Revolution and perhaps George Washington’s greatest genius as a military leader were attributed to battles he never fought.  After his escape from Long Island, the British, well known for their majestic fox hunts, justifiably labeled Washington as the “the old fox”.  But that day, August 29, 1776, thousands of Americans were witnesses to being miraculously delivered by the power of God; leaving the infant Continental Army to fight another day. 

Learn more at www.TheGloriousCauseOfAmerica.org 

Sources: (1) Henry B. Carrington; Battles of the American Revolution; 5^th Edition (1888), pp. 199-219 / (2) David McCullough; 1776; Simon & Schuster Paperbacks © 2005; pp. 155-191/ (3) Peter Marshall & David Manuel; The Light and the Glory 1492 – 1793; Revell © 2009; pp. 391-398 / (4) Chris Stewart & Ted Stewart; Seven Miracles That Saved America; Shadow Mountain © 2009; 89-119 / (5) C. Brian Kelly; Best Little Stories from the American Revolution; Cumberland House © 1999; pp. 144-149

Edmund G. Ross – A Stand for Courage

During a time when it takes courage to stand for moral principles, it’s wise to remember stories of men and women who take a strong stand, putting everything on the line for what they believe.  These will not be perfect people; in fact, just the opposite.  Yet at a critical moment when the fate of the nation weighs in the balance, they will not waiver or compromise.  In 1956, John F. Kennedy co-authored a Pulitzer Prize winning book, Profiles in Courage about nine such men.  Chapter 6 is dedicated to a little-known man, Edmund Gibson Ross, a U.S. Senator from Kansas who took such a stand.

In 1868, America’s new system of government faced one of its most critical challenges.  Andrew Johnson had been sworn in as President shortly after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and had continued Lincoln’s unpopular plan to rebuild the South.  He had spent Union resources in Southern States to rebuild their railroads, ports, and bridges which had been destroyed during the war. 

Congress was controlled by a group called the Radical Republicans who opposed everything President Johnson had done to reconstruct the South.  This group had become so large and powerful that they controlled two-thirds of Congress.  Instead of rebuilding, they wanted to punish Southern States and force them to repay the Union’s war expenses.  They devised a political trap to ensnare, impeach, and remove the President.  

The Republicans pushed through Congress the Tenure of Office Act, preventing a president from dismissing his own cabinet members without Senate approval.  They knew Johnson was constantly at odds with Secretary of War Edwin Stanton.  Stanton had become an important tool for the Radicals who wanted to establish a military dictatorship in the South.  Johnson believed the new law was an unconstitutional infringement on the power of the executive office, and vetoed the act.  Congress overrode his veto and their political trap was set. 

In August of 1867, after a heated (and perhaps staged) cabinet meeting, Johnson fired Stanton, but Stanton refused to leave and even barricaded himself inside his office.  When Congress reconvened the next January, they immediately began impeachment proceedings against Johnson.  By February, the House of Representatives had voted on a straight party line of 126 to 47 to impeach the President on grounds of “high crimes and misdemeanors”. 

On March 5th, the trial in the Senate began, but it became immediately evident that the Republicans had no intention of giving President Johnson a fair trial. Rather, their emphasis was on strong-arming enough Senators to find Johnson guilty.  Throughout the trial, straw polls were taken, each time indicating both parties needed Ross’s vote to win.  Senator Ross was the final Radical Republican who would not commit his vote.  Although Ross disliked President Johnson immensely, he believed every man, especially the President of the United States should receive a fair trial and he would not announce his decision until all the evidence had been presented.  He also believed in a separate balance of powers between the three branches of government.  

As the trial progressed, many threats were made to Senator Ross concerning his life, his family’s wellbeing, and his political future.  At the conclusion of the trial the question was finally asked, "Senator Edmund Ross, how say you?  Is Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, guilty or not guilty?"  Ross stood and quietly, yet courageously announced, "Not Guilty" effectively ending the impeachment trial.  Two more ballots produced the same 35-19 result. By a single vote, President Johnson retained his office.

Ross’s action unleashed relentless national criticism.  He and his family suffered ostracism and poverty upon their return to Kansas in 1871. The Tenure of Office Act was eventually repealed in 1887.  In 1907, newspapers reported Senator Ross had died a broken and discouraged man.  In 1926, Ross was finally vindicated when the Supreme Court acknowledged the Act was an unconstitutional power grab by Congress.

John F. Kennedy concluded his chapter on Ross, “His one heroic deed has been all but forgotten. …A man with an excellent command of words, an excellent background for politics and an excellent future in the Senate, might well have outstripped his colleagues in prestige and power throughout a long Senate career.  Instead, he chose to throw all of this away for one act of conscience.”

Our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to establish and defend our liberties. Many of them died penniless with their reputations slandered and destroyed; Edmund G. Ross joins their ranks.  For us, there may come a time when we as Americans will be asked to surrender all that we hold dear to defend our liberties and precious freedoms.  God grant us the courage of Senator Ross.  

Learn more at www.TheGloriousCauseOfAmerica.org