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 17, 1776
As the sun begins to rise, the march of more than 8,000 British soldiers out of the city and to the wharves is a sight to behold for the American patriots who have been under siege for just under a year.
By 10 a.m., over 120 vessels crowd the water, as 11,000 people — women, children, thousands of loyalists, as well as the King’s troops — crowd the harbor, abandoning Boston.
The American lines erupt in cheer. Gen. George Washington, however, remains wary.
He orders more guards and forbids the plundering of the city by his troops. Washington refuses for any of his troops to enter Boston without personally granting them leave.
Washington’s suspicions run so deep that, while surveying the British fleet still anchored in Nantasket Road, he considers that it might all be a ploy by Brits seeking to hide their true intentions.
Washington’s concern about a ruse is outlined in his General Orders for the day:
General Orders
Head Quarters, Cambridge, March 17th 1776.
Parole Boston.
Countersign St Patrick.
The British evacuated Boston this morning, and the fuller set of orders that appear under this date in Artemas Ward’s orderly book indicates GW’s immediate response to that event: “The Guards on plowed hill are to be removed to Bunker Hill, & Sentinels placed so as not only to observe any approach from Boston & the Sea, but to prevent any person or persons from diging after hidden treasures in Charlestown, and to prevent all intercourse with Boston thro’ that communication. The other Guards to be the same; those at Roxbury & Dorchester to be increased & continued so while the fleet lies in Nantasket Road. The Inhabitants of Charlestown should immediately assemble, such of them it is ment as buried any part of their effects, & endeavor to search after it, Whilst the guards are continued there to protect it. To prevent any improper search, a time should be agreed on & speedily, for the whole to begin at once least any advantage should be taken. No Officer or Soldier to go into Boston without leave, under the severest punishment, and if any Soldier presume to plunder he shall be punished without mercy. The Regts which were to have marched this morning are to be ready to march tomorrow by sunrise; all the others to hold themselves in readiness to follow. 4 will march the next Day & be notified thereof in the morning” (MHi).
ON THIS DAY: SEVERE WEATHER GRIPPING THE EAST HALTS WASHINGTON’S PLANS
Robert Hanson Harrison communicated additional orders to General Ward in a letter of this date: “As the Wind is fair and the Ships are still in Nantasket road, his Excellency is extremely apprehensive that General Howe has some scheme in view & designs of taking advantage of the hurry, bustle & confusion among our Troops which he may immagine his departure to have occasioned, he therefore requests that you will give Orders to the several Regiments to be very alert and vigilant and ready to Act upon the Shortest noti[c]e If there shall be a necessity, and all be at their proper Quarters, and that you will use the utmost care & caution to prevent the men from strolling about & Suffer none of ’em to go in to Boston. If the Ships continue in the Road at Night, It is his Excellency’s command that the Several Guards shou’d be strengthned rather than diminished, as Continuing there (Wind & weather permitting ’em to sail) affords a strong & violent presumption that something is Meditating”