The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
March 6, 1776
The snow and sleet fell the day before, preventing the British from detecting the Continental Army’s bold move to Dorchester Heights in the darkness, and had now turned into freezing rain.
Washington remains uneasy. He issues orders, preparing his troops to be on high alert since anything can happen.
General Orders
Head Quarters, Cambridge, March 6th 1776
Parole Letchmore.
Countersign Putnam
Stephen Moylan & William Palfrey Esqrs. are appointed Aids-De-Camp, to his Excellency the Commander in Chief; they are to be obeyed as such.
Thursday the seventh Instant, being set apart by the Honorable the Legislature of this province, as a day of fasting, prayer, and humiliation, “to implore the Lord, and Giver of all victory, to pardon our manifold sins and wickedness’s, and that it would please him to bless the Continental Arms, with his divine favour and protection”—All Officers, and Soldiers, are strictly enjoined to pay all due reverance, and attention on that day, to the sacred duties due to the Lord of hosts, for his mercies already received, and for those blessings, which our Holiness and Uprightness of life can alone encourage us to hope through his mercy to obtain.
- The Brigadiers General Heath and Frye, to send for their respective Colonels immediately, and with them appoint the Officers, & Soldiers, from each of their brigades, to be selected for the command under the Brigadiers General Sullivan and Green, to direct that they be the best and most approved Soldiers; that their Arms, Ammunition and Accoutrements, are compleat and in proper order, and the whole to be ready to turn out upon the shortest notice.
- Genl Heath to report the names of the Colonels and Field Officers, who are appointed for this service, to His Excellency, as soon as possible.
ON THIS DAY: WASHINGTON STUNS GENERAL HOWE
Because of both the conditions and the Continental Army’s position, British Gen. William Howe calls off the planned attack on Dorchester Heights. Instead, Howe issues orders to prepare to evacuate Boston.
“I could promise myself little success by attacking them under all the disadvantages I had to encounter.” Howe would later write: “wherefore I judged it most advisable to prepare for evacuation of the town.”
