Against that machinery of war, courage was as futile as a dream. Strength was as helpless as an infant in a cyclone. Intelligence was naked against the unintelligent steel.
Helpless as Any Village
So this city, one of the richest of the world, next to New York in its imports, with its enormous railroad terminals that drew together the roads of a continent’s commerce, had dropped into the invader’s hand almost for the picking, and lay in his grasp as incapable of resistance as if, instead of being the fourth greatest city of the United States, it had been a seaside village.[114]
There had not been a shot fired after the last shot had sounded from the harbor forts and the American flag had vanished from the harbor sky.
There was nothing to do. Slowly, systematically as it had invested Boston, so the army had taken Boston. There was no commanding point in all the country around it that was not crowned with heavy artillery. There was no road to the city that was not held by troops who demanded passes. Patrols moved constantly through the streets.
Through the whole metropolitan district had been sent a proclamation issued by the local authorities, warning the people that all intercourse between the territories occupied by belligerent armies whether by letter, by travel, or in any other way, had been interdicted and was punishable by fine or imprisonment, or, in cases of serious infraction, by death after summary trial. This proclamation was countersigned by the military commanders of the various districts.[115]
Another proclamation, issued from headquarters in the State House, said:
“The civil authorities, by and with the consent of the military government, proclaim that troops will be quartered on the inhabitants at the pleasure of regimental and company officers. The troops are required to respect the persons and property of citizens during the good behavior of the latter. Any treachery on the part of citizens is punishable by death. Refusal to comply with any provision of this proclamation will be punished with fine or imprisonment, or in aggravated cases by confiscation of any property whose use has been denied the troops.”[116]
Clearing the Wharves
Along the water-front an order was given to clear all the big wharves. Owners of vessels berthed there were instructed to have them towed to basins or anchored in the stream. Provided with diagrams of the mine-fields that had been surrendered under the conditions of capitulation, the mine-sweepers cleared the harbor for the entrance of the fleet.