Guns For General Washington

The convoy faces the challenge of moving heavy cannons up steep inclines without any marked routes, relying instead on an old footpath made by Indigenous Americans. Will leads his team in hauling a 13-pounder cannon up a hill using long ropes looped around trees. As J.P. approaches, offering water to the men, disaster strikes. The rope holding the mortar snaps, sending the cannon hurtling down the hill. The men scatter, shouting and swearing as they try to avoid the runaway mortar. J.P., unaware of the imminent danger, trips and falls directly in the path of the cannon. Will leaps into action, diving to save J.P. and pulling him out of the cannon’s path just in time. Both Will and J.P. are shaken but unharmed, though J.P. has a gash on his forehead, and Will has a bruised knee. The crew is able to haul the cannon up the hill by double-roping it, with Will continuing to lead the team.

General Washington anxiously observes the British ships in Boston Harbor. The Continental Army’s troops have improved, but they still do not have artillery. He knows from his spies that the British reinforcements are not very good, but their sheer numbers could still pose a threat.

Henry and his convoy face a new and formidable challenge: crossing a steep chasm on the east slope of the Berkshire range. The convoy has made progress, passing through Otis and Blanford, but now they are at a stop, staring down a cliff that seems impossible to descend with their heavy loads. The drivers are adamant that attempting the descent is too dangerous. For nearly three hours, Henry tries to persuade the men to tackle the chasm, but they remain unconvinced. Will, however, proposes a plan that, combined with Henry’s persistence and new safety measures, eventually convinces the men to try. The plan involves unhitching the animals and leading them down the incline while the vehicles are rigged with heavy ropes and drag chains to control their descent. Logs are placed under the wheels and runners to secure the loads every 50 feet, and the ropes are repeatedly repositioned to trees farther down the slope.

At dawn, the convoy sets off, hitching up the horses and oxen and following a dry streambed to a dirt trail that Henry knows from his map will lead them straight to Westfield. The journey begins smoothly over hard, frosty ground, which provides an ideal surface for the sled runners. However, as the sun rises, it begins to melt the snow, turning the trail into mud and slowing down the animals as they struggle to drag their heavy loads.

Despite the frustrating delays caused by the weather, there is a sense of progress and relief among the men. Mr. Becker resumes driving his wagon, so Will invites J.P. to ride with him on the big sled carrying a 24-pounder cannon. As they travel along, the two sing together, lifting the spirits of the entire convoy. By the time they reach Westfield, everyone is in high spirits. The locals are amazed by the sight of the giant cannons and provide the weary travelers with drinks and food. As a grand finale to the festivities, Henry gives the townspeople a demonstration of the cannon’s power.

The convoy travels from Westfield to Springfield, but the trail is mired in mud, slowing their progress. As they approach Springfield, the mood becomes somber. Many of the drivers who had committed to staying with the convoy until Springfield are now preparing to return to their homes in New York State. Though they miss their families, they have developed close bonds with the other members of the crew. Among those leaving are the Beckers. J.P. finds it painful to say goodbye to Will, but Will reassures him with a promise that they will meet again after they succeed in driving the British out of Boston.

After resting in Worcester, the convoy continues to Framingham, just 20 miles from Cambridge. William is excited to realize the mission is almost complete, but Henry remains cautious, insisting on ensuring every cannon reaches its destination. Henry then rides ahead to Cambridge to report their success. General Washington and the officers are overjoyed and apologize for doubting the plan. However, they recognize that despite their new artillery, they must still be cautious as General Howe’s forces have grown stronger.

In February 1776, General Washington orders Henry to secretly move the cannons to key locations around Boston, with the main focus on Dorchester Heights, a strategic position overlooking the city and harbor. The British have left it unguarded, though they have the manpower to take it. General Howe, unaware of the colonists’ activities, plans to attack Cambridge but is cautious due to the winter weather. Washington orchestrates a diversion, including a fake artillery barrage, and stages preparations for an assault on Cambridge to mislead Howe. The British, focused on the north, remain oblivious to the real threat developing on Dorchester Heights.

As the colonists work through the night to fortify the heights, they face challenges like frozen ground, which prevents them from digging trenches. Will suggests building above ground with bundles of branches and barrels filled with rocks and sand to create makeshift walls. These defenses are prepared under strict silence to avoid alerting the nearby British forces. By dawn, the cannons are in place, ready for the confrontation that could determine the fate of Boston.

On the morning of March 4, 1776, a British watch officer aboard HMS Somerset is shocked to see two massive forts, which appeared seemingly overnight, armed with heavy cannons aimed directly at the British fleet. General Howe is furious and bewildered by the sudden appearance of these fortifications. Under General Washington’s orders, Henry fires a symbolic barrage with the artillery. Washington’s strategy is not to cause immediate destruction but to send a strong message to the British: The tide of battle has turned in favor of the Americans. The British warships retaliate with their own cannon fire, but their efforts are futile as their shots cannot reach the fortified heights. As the British ships retreat, the American troops on Dorchester Heights celebrate, singing in unity.

Despite having superior forces and a strong naval presence, General Howe knows that the colonists have outmaneuvered him. Faced with the powerful artillery now aimed at his fleet, Howe decides the British must withdraw. Attempting to save face, Howe orders a last-minute attack to retake Dorchester Heights. However, as the British troops prepare to cross the harbor, a violent storm erupts, causing chaos. The storm forces Howe to call off the attack. An agreement is reached between the British and American forces: The British agree not to destroy Boston, and in exchange, the colonists allow them to leave unharmed.

A few days later, on March 17, 1776, the British fleet, accompanied by thousands of troops and about 900 Loyalist sympathizers, sail out of Boston Harbor. As the enemy sails away, General Washington, with Colonel Knox by his side, leads the Continental Army into the city. Boston is free at last. News of Boston’s liberation spread quickly across the colonies, inspiring renewed hope and determination. The victory is seen as proof that the colonists can indeed challenge and defeat the might of the British Empire.