My fascination with military maps continues. Above is a beautiful full color map of the siege of Boston after the Battle of Bunker Hill, but before the taking of Dorchester Hill. The origin of the map is unknown to me. Click on the map for the full-sized version.
The siege of Boston is a prime example of disease affecting military strategy. After Washington’s forces took Dorchester Hill (pictured above) and forced the British to withdraw from Boston, the General could not enter the city immediately. Boston was blighted with small pox and Washington feared spreading the disease to his troops. Instead, he sent in a small contingent of soldiers with prior exposure to small pox, called ’selectman’. Washington ordered:
“As soon as the selectmen report the town to be cleansed from infection, liberty will be given those who have business there to go in. The inhabitants belonging to the town will be permitted to return to their habitations, proper persons being appointed at the Neck, and at Charlestown Ferry, to grant them passes” (Frothingham 1903, 311).
Source:
Frothingham, Richard. 1903. History of the Siege of Boston, and of the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. Little, Brown, & Co.
Christopher Albon is a Ph.D. candidate specializing in armed conflict, public health, human security, and health diplomacy.
Want more? Subscribe to Conflict Health through RSS or email.
{ 1 comment }
It’s Boston, it’s history! I love it.
Comments on this entry are closed.