on the 17th (March) embarked in as much hurry, precipitation
and confusion as ever troops did... leaving the
King's property in Boston to the amount, as is supposed,
of thirty or forty thousand pounds in provisions and stores.

Washington's victory in this maneuver, his first
great success, tremendously cheered the hearts of
all patriotic Americans. Congress gave him a vote
of thanks, also a gold medal--" the first in the
history of independent America "--? in commemoration
of the event. Here again we catch a glimpse
of the delight that must have thrilled the hearts of
all his officers, not least among them that of Nathan
Hale. But Washington, proving himself in these
earlier events, as he was to, year after year, through
successive discouragements, "the first in war,"
turned toward New York as his next base.

[[59]]

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