Clearing the Last Ships From Boston Harbor

Clearing the Last Ships From Boston Harbor

Today the author talks about how General Benjamin Lincoln cleared the last British ships from Boston Harbor and other important events of the week of June 14 – 20.
From the Book
The American Revolution – 1776

It is part of the
United State History Series

Before starting, I want to announce that my book The American Revolution – 1776 is now available in softbound, ebook and audio book formats on Amazon and many other online book sellers. Listeners will find a link to the book in the description of this podcast.

The British had evacuated Boston in mid-March; however, the remnants of the fleet still lingered in Boston Harbor, keeping ships from leaving or entering the harbor. The British fleet in the harbor consisted of 8 ships, 2 brigs, one schooner and 2 of a type of three-masted ship called a snow.
General Benjamin Lincoln, who had been appointed to the Committee of Safety of Boston and part of the executive committee earlier in the year, resolved to drive the British from the harbor.
Benjamin Lincoln (January 24, 1733 – May 9, 1810)
The son of Benjamin Lincoln and his second wife Elizabeth Thaxter Lincoln, Benjamin was native to Hingham, Massachusetts. Lincoln worked on his father’s farm and attended the local schools as a child. He entered politics in 1754 with his election to be the town constable.
French and Indian War
After the onset of the French and Indian War he enlisted in the 3rd Regiment of the Suffolk County militia, which his father commanded. He and Mary Cushing married in 1756. The couple would have eleven children. During this time, he gained election to the town clerk position of Hingham and in the militia. His regiment saw no action during the war; however, he received promotion to major during the war.
Interim Years
Lincoln held several local political posts during the ensuing years and gained election to the Massachusetts General Court in 1772. Two years later British General Thomas Gage dissolved the provincial assembly, however the assembly reformed as the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. Lincoln, a supporter of the Patriot cause, received election to the Congress after it was reformed. In the early months of the conflict, he was appointed to the committee of safety for the Congress and helped oversee the movement of gunpowder and other supplies to the Continental troops besieging Boston.
Revolutionary War
Lincoln received appointment to major general in January 1776.
Placing Cannon
Lincoln made use of some of the cannon brought down to Boston as part of Colonel Henry Knox’s “noble train of artillery,” in January. He had cannon placed at strategic points in the harbor, beginning on June 11, 1776. By June 13, Lincoln was ready. He ordered his drummers to beat a notification to the citizens that some military action was about to take place. Next, he had several hundred Continental troops and militia occupy strategic places on islands in the harbor and at other important sites. By June 14, Lincoln was ready.
Driving the British from Boston Harbor
The rebel cannonade began at Long Island, which the captain of one ship answered. However, Colonial cannon fire began inflicting damage on his ship, so he ordered the fleet to take to sea. The colonials captured some of the ships along with several hundred British troops. The blockade of Boston began on June 14, 1774. It ended with Lincoln’s cannonade on June 14, 1776.

Other events of the week included:
The Pennsylvania Assembly convened one last time on June 14 and entered into the legislative record a new set of instructions for the colony’s delegates to the Continental Congress the body had approved on June 8.

The Connecticut Assembly authorized its delegates in the Continental Congress to support independence the same day.

General Benedict Arnold began the American retreat from Canada on June 15 when he abandoned Montreal.

The Delaware assembly authorized its delegates to the Continental Congress to support independence from Great Britain on June 15, 1776, the seventh colony to support the movement.

The New Jersey Provincial Congress declares Benjamin Franklin’s Son, William “an enemy to the liberties of this country…” and had him arrested on June 18.

After the Battle of Three Rivers the American army was in full retreat up the Richelieu River on June 18. The generals exhausted every effort to remove critical supplies the army would need and destroy what they could not take.

Led by John Jay, at the request of General George Washington, the Committee to Detect Conspiracies began hearings to uncover the British plot to recruit soldiers in New York and assassinate General Washington on June 19.

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