Why were George Washington's troops jubilant on March 17, 1776?
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On March 17, 1776, George Washington's troops were jubilant because it marked the successful evacuation of British forces from Boston during the American Revolutionary War. This event is known as the Siege of Boston. General Washington and his troops had been besieging the city since April 1775 and had managed to confine the British forces to the city and cut off their supply lines.
To understand why Washington's troops were jubilant, we need to look at the context of the Siege of Boston. After the battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775, the British forces under General Thomas Gage were besieged in Boston by the newly formed Continental Army led by General Washington. The Continental Army had been struggling against the well-trained British troops, and the situation was becoming increasingly difficult. However, Washington implemented a strategy of gradually tightening the noose around the British forces, cutting off their supplies, and strengthening his own positions.
One key turning point in the siege was the arrival of the artillery captured from Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain. Under the command of Colonel Henry Knox, the cannons were transported over a long and difficult journey to Boston. The arrival of these cannons in early March 1776 gave Washington a significant advantage. He placed the cannons on Dorchester Heights, overlooking the city and the harbor, giving him the ability to bombard the British forces and their ships.
Realizing their vulnerability to Washington's artillery, the British were forced to consider their options. They could attempt to dislodge Washington's forces by attacking, but the Continental Army was now well-fortified and strategically positioned. Alternatively, they could evacuate Boston and sail to other British-controlled ports.
On the night of March 17, 1776, the British decided on the latter option and began a hasty evacuation. When morning came, Washington's troops discovered that the British had left and that Boston was now under American control. This unexpected and decisive triumph lifted the spirits of Washington's troops, as they had successfully compelled a superior British force to withdraw.
In summary, George Washington's troops were jubilant on March 17, 1776, because they had successfully driven the British forces out of Boston after a long and challenging siege. This victory boosted their morale and confidence in their ability to confront the British during the American Revolutionary War.