ng of defenceless towns, was
unworthy of Burgoyne; but when later he proposed with this detached
force to occupy Rhode Island, doubtless using Newport as a base, he
outlined a plan which, if followed, would have seriously embarrassed the
Americans. But the advice was not taken, and for months the British
generals contented themselves with wishing they were at New York,
without taking any steps toward going there.

One thing at least they should have done. It will be remembered that
the American occupancy of Bunker Hill had been precipitated by knowledge
of a British plan to take Dorchester Heights. This plan of Gage's was
not abandoned after the battle. It is spoken of in a letter of
Burgoyne's, and is laid down as a part of his scheme to make Boston
secure while his marauding fleet menaced southern New England. We are
even able to suppose that feeble moves toward seizing the Heights were
twice made. Once a couple of regiments, on transports, dropped down the
channel; and once two regiments were withdrawn from Charlestown to
Boston, with various companies from the castle. Lieutenant Barker gives
the reason why in the latter case nothing was done: "the Genl. hearing
that they had got intelligence and reinforced that place with 4000 men."
But this is mere rumor; the Americans had not yet sent any troops into
Dorchester. This leaves us very much in the dark as to why the Heights
were not occupied; but occupied they were not; the plan receives no
further mention, and though from month to month the British watched
Washington seizing posts ever nearer to Boston, they behaved in all
respects as if he were under pledge to avoid Dorchester.

Gage's chief activity was in fortifying. He strengthened his existing
works, and entrenched himself particularly well at Bunker Hill. As the
American redoubt was of little value to the British, they made their
main defence upon the top of the higher hill, and mounted guns to sweep
Charlestown Neck and the country beyond. Little by little both Gage and
his successor strengthened this post, cutting down trees for abatis, and
making advanced posts similar to those at Boston Neck. Before the end of
the siege it was the strongest British post, and Washington knew better
than to molest it, especially when he had a better move to make.

Actual military operations were trifling. In retaliation for an American
attack, on the 30th of July the regulars made a sally from Boston
toward Roxbury, drove i