“They will be driven from the Heights,” he declared, grimly.
At once he went to work. Twenty-four hundred men were ordered to embark in transports, rendezvous at Castle William and make a night attack upon the American position. The command of this force was given to the gallant Earl Percy, the same who had come to the retreating column under Lieutenant-Colonel Smith as it fell back in defeat from Lexington in the spring before.
Washington saw this movement and sent two thousand men to reinforce General Thomas; and with the reinforcement marched Ezra Prentiss and his friends. Everywhere among the Americans was anxiety to meet the foe.
“I never saw such high spirits anywhere,” said Nat Brewster.
“Every man on the Heights seems exultant,” said Ezra. “They seem to think victory is ready at their hands.”
“And a right good thought that is for men about to engage a hostile force,” observed Gilbert Scarlett.
“Did you see the rows of barrels?” asked George Prentiss. “They are filled with earth, and have been placed in front. Upon the enemies’ advance they will be rolled down the hillside upon them.”
While things were being made ready, General Washington appeared upon the ground to inspect what was going forward and to cheer up the troops.
“Remember, men, it is the fifth of March,” he said. “Avenge the deaths of your brethren shot down in Boston.”
At fort Number Two, near Cambridge, a fine body of four thousand troops were paraded and made ready to assault the British lines. This was arranged into two divisions; one was under General Greene, the other under General Sullivan—and the whole under command of General Putnam.