Presidents and American Symbols: Supplemental Guide 3A | A Clever General 55 Show image 3A-5: General Howe
General Howe—the leader of the British army—looked toward where
the American army was and saw the large mounds and the soldiers
marching non-stop up and down the mounds. He thought to himself,
“There must be many more American soldiers behind those mounds.
It’s better not to attack yet.”[Ask: “Did General Washington’s idea to trick the British army into thinking that
the American army was very big work?”] Show image 3A-6: Boston and Ticonderoga
In a little less than two months, Colonel Knox and his men returned
with cannons and supplies.[Check student predictions to see if any student guessed two months.] Show image 3A-7: Knox returns
When they arrived, the waiting American soldiers cheered with joy.
Washington came out of his tent and saw Henry Knox at the head of
the line of men.Washington said, “Welcome back, Colonel. I am glad to see you—
and our cannons.”Knox saluted and said, “Thank you, sir. I have good news. In addition
to the cannons, we have brought back enough supplies so that all
our men will have something to fight with.” Show image 3A-8: Washington’s victory
[Tell students that the soldiers in this image are American soldiers and the
cannons were the cannons that Colonel Knox brought back from Ticonderoga.]
Later that day, General Howe looked up to see fifty-nine cannons
aimed his way from on top of the dirt mounds.“Now,” he thought, “there is no way to safely attack Washington and
his men.” Soon afterward, the British left Boston. Washington and
Knox’s clever plan had worked! Show image 3A-10: Knox and Washington
After that victory—or win—Washington said to Knox,
“Congratulations, Henry. I am making you a general.” The two clever
men continued to work together and became lifelong friends.