Date: March 4-5, 1776
Location: Boston neck, South Boston, Massachusetts
Belligerents: United States vs British
Commanders: General George Washington vs General William Howe
Objective: To drive the British occupants out of Boston
Background
The battle for Dorchester Heights was a critical turning point in the American Revolution. The Continental Army, led by General George Washington, had been under British bombardment for several months in the city of Boston.
At a war council on March 4th, Washington presented his plan to fortify Dorchester Heights, which overlooked the city from across Boston Harbour. The British would either be forced to attack on unfavorable ground or evacuate Boston.
Course of the Battle:
- In the early hours of March 4, General Washington ordered Colonel Henry Knox to move field artillery along the road to Boston Neck and place them on Dorchester Heights. As the British were unable to transport enough heavy guns from castle island in the harbour to the heights before day break, Knox and his artillerist were able to get their cannons emplaced and ready to fire.
- When British general Howe woke up on the morning of March 5th, he was stunned to see American cannons atop the heights. He began to plan an attack against the American trenches.
- The British troops under command of General Howe, attempted a frontal assault on Dorchester Heights, but they were held off by the American troops under command of generals Israel Putnam and John Sullivan.
- On the evening of March 5, Howe called off his attack and decided to evacuate the city. The next morning, the British soldiers and loyalist civilians sailed away from Boston, marking a significant victory for the Americans
Significance
- The victory of Dorchester Heights was seen as a triumph of American ingenuity, courage, and leadership. It led to a renewed sense of optimism among the American people and convinced many European powers that the Americans were capable of defeating the British.
- The British evacuation allowed the Americans to reclaim Boston and consolidate their control over the New England region.
- The victory served as a psychological boost to the American cause, and it inspired confidence among the Continental Army and the general population.