,libraries7 ,frontispiece3 ,,washington ,,as ,a ,,surveyor ,history of the ,american ,revolution4 ,,the ,,student',s ,,life ,,of ,,washington2 ,,condensed ,,from ,,the ,,larger ,,work ,,of ,,washington ,,irving4 ,,for ,,young ,,persons ,,and ,,for ,,the ,,use ,,of ,,schools4 ,,with ,,illustrations4 ,,new ,,york3 ,g4 ,p4 ,,putnam',s ,,sons1 #ahb ,,fifth ,,avenue4 #ahgf4 ,entered according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year #ahgj1 by ,g4 ,p4 ,,putnam ,,sons1 in the ,office of the ,librarian of ,congress at ,washington4 ,,publisher',s ,,note4 ,in condensing into one compact volume ,mr4 ,irving's elaborate ,life of ,washington1 care has been taken to retain1 not only all the important facts connected with ,washington's career1 but also those circumstances and incidents which may be supposed to contribute to a full estimate of his character in all its aspects4 ,nor have any portion of the great events connected with the era in which he filled so grand and controlling a part been unduly neglected or subordinated4 ,the work1 in its present abbreviated form1 still presents a continuous and complete record of ,american history during the period of ,washington's official life4 ,mr4 ,irving's language1 as a rule1 has been retained2 but in cases where a variation from his sentences has been necessary1 in order to secure the requisite brevity1 the paragraphs are enclosed in brackets4 ,,contents4 ,i4 ,birth of ,washington4--,his ,boyhood1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #a ,,ii4 ,washington's ,youth4--,first ,surveying ,expedition1 4 4 4 4 #e ,,iii4 ,rival ,claims of the ,english and the ,french4--,preparations for ,hostilities1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #aj ,,iv4 ,washington's ,mission to the ,french ,commander1 4 4 4 4 4 #ai ,v4 ,military ,expedition to the ,frontier1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #cj ,,vi4 ,misfortunes4--,capitulation of ,fort ,necessity1 4 4 4 4 4 #ci ,,vii4 ,a ,campaign under ,general ,braddock1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #dh ,,viii4 ,braddock's ,advance4--,his ,defeat1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #eg ,,ix4 ,washington in ,command4--,panics on the ,frontier1 4 4 4 4 #fh ,x4 ,frontier ,service1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #hj ,,xi4 ,operations against the ,french4--,washington's ,marriage1 4 #he ,,xii4 ,campaigns in the ,north4--,washington at ,mount ,vernon1 4 4 #id ,,xiii4 ,colonial ,discontents1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #aja ,,xiv4 ,expedition to the ,ohio4--,tea ,tax1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #aab ,,xv4 ,the ,first ,general ,congress1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #aai ,,xvi4 ,military ,measures4--,affairs at ,lexington1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #abe ,,xvii4 ,capture of ,ticonderoga and ,crown ,point4--,washington appointed ,commander-in-,chief1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #acc ,,xviii4 ,battle of ,bunker ,hill1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #ach ,,xix4 ,washington on his ,way to the ,camp1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #adh ,,xx4 ,siege of ,boston1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #aeb ,,xxi4 ,projects for the ,invasion of ,canada1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #aeh ,,xxii4 ,war along the ,coast4--,progress of the ,siege1 4 4 4 4 4 4 #afh ,,xxiii4 ,affairs in ,canada1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #agc ,,xxiv4 ,incidents of the ,camp4--,arnold before ,quebec1 4 4 4 4 4 #agg ,,xxv4 ,washington's ,perplexities4--,new ,york in ,danger1 4 4 4 4 #ahc ,,xxvi4 ,attack on ,quebec4--,affairs in ,new ,york1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #ahh ,,xxvii4 ,movements before ,boston4--,its ,evacuation1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #aif ,,xxviii4 ,reverses in ,canada4--,the ,highlands4--,close of the ,invasion of ,canada1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #bjf ,,xxix4 ,the ,army in ,new ,york1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #bae ,,xxx4 ,proceedings of ,lord ,howe4--,gates and ,schuyler1 4 4 4 4 4 #bbb ,,xxxi4 ,the ,war in the ,south4--,affairs in the ,highlands1 4 4 4 4 #bbi ,,xxxii4 ,battle of ,long ,island4--,retreat1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #bce ,,xxxiii4 ,retreat from ,new ,york ,island1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #bdi ,,xxxiv4 ,retreat through ,westchester ,county4--,battle of ,white ,plains1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #bfa ,,xxxv4 ,washington at ,peekskill4--,the ,northern ,army1 4 4 4 4 4 4 #bga ,,xxxvi4 ,capture of ,fort ,washington and ,garrison4--,retreat through ,new ,jersey1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #bgf ,,xxxvii4 ,retreat across the ,delaware4--,battle of ,trenton1 4 4 4 4 #bhf ,,xxxviii4 ,washington recrosses the ,delaware4--,battle of ,princeton1 #big ,,xxxix4 ,the ,army at ,morristown4--,attack on ,peekskill1 4 4 4 4 4 #cjh ,,xl4 ,the ,northern ,army4--,british ,expedition to ,connecticut1 4 #caf ,,xli4 ,the ,highlands4--,movements of the ,army1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #cbg ,,xlii4 ,invasion from ,canada1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #ccd ,,xliii4 ,exploits and ,movements4--,howe in the ,chesapeake1 4 4 4 4 #cde ,,xliv4 ,advance of ,burgoyne4--,battle of ,oriskany4--,battle of ,bennington1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #ced ,,xlv4 ,battle of the ,brandywine4--,fall of ,philadelphia1 4 4 4 4 #cfh ,,xlvi4 ,the ,northern ,invasion4--,fall of the ,highland ,forts4--,defeat and ,surrender of ,burgoyne1 4 4 4 4 4 4 #chj ,,xlvii4 ,battle of ,germantown4--,hostilities on the ,delaware1 4 4 #cii ,,xlviii4 ,the ,army on the ,schuylkill4--,at ,valley ,forge4--,the ,conway ,cabal1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #dad ,,xlix4 ,exploits of ,lee and ,lafayette4--,british ,commissioners1 4 #dbf ,l4 ,evacuation of ,philadelphia4--,battle of ,monmouth ,court ,house1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #dch ,,li4 ,arrival of a ,french ,fleet4--,massacre at ,wyoming ,valley4--,capture of ,savannah1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #dej ,,lii4 ,washington in ,philadelphia4--,indian ,warfare4--,capture of ,stony ,point4--,ravages in ,connecticut4--,repulse at ,savannah1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #dfd ,,liii4 ,army at ,morristown4--,arnold in ,philadelphia4--,charleston ,besieged1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #dgg ,,liv4 ,discontents in the ,army4--,fall of ,charleston1 4 4 4 4 4 #dhi ,,lv4 ,marauds in the ,jerseys4--,the ,french ,fleet at ,newport1 4 #dii ,,lvi4 ,battle of ,camden1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #ejg ,,lvii4 ,the ,treason of ,arnold4--,trial and ,execution of ,andr1 4 #eae ,,lviii4 ,plan to entrap ,arnold4--,projects against ,new ,york1 4 4 4 #ece ,,lix4 ,the ,war in the ,south4--,battle of ,king's ,mountain1 4 4 4 #edj ,,lx4 ,hostilities in the ,south4--,mutiny1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #eej ,,lxi4 ,battle of the ,cowpens4--,battle of ,guilford ,court-house1 #eeg ,,lxii4 ,the ,war in ,virginia4--,demonstrations against ,new ,york1 4 #egf ,,lxiii4 ,ravages in ,virginia4--,operations in ,carolina4--,attack on ,new ,london1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #ehf ,,lxiv4 ,operations before ,yorktown4--,greene in the ,south1 4 4 4 #fjb ,,lxv4 ,siege and ,surrender of ,yorktown1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #faj ,,lxvi4 ,dissolution of the ,combined ,armies4--,discontents in the ,army1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #fae ,,lxvii4 ,news of ,peace4--,washington's ,farewell to the ,army1 and ,resignation of his ,commission1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #fba ,,lxviii4 ,washington at ,mount ,vernon1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #fbi ,,lxix4 ,the ,constitutional ,convention4--,washington elected ,president1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #fcd ,,lxx4 ,organization of the ,new ,government1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #fdc ,,lxxi4 ,financial ,difficulties4--,party ,jealousies4--,operations against the ,indians1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #fea ,,lxxii4 ,tour ,southward4--,defeat of ,st4 ,clair4--,dissensions in the ,cabinet1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #ffb ,,lxxiii4 ,washington's ,second ,term4--,difficulties with the ,french ,ambassador1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #fgc ,,lxxiv4 ,neutrality4--,whiskey ,insurrection4--,wayne's ,success against the ,indians1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #fhd ,,lxxv4 ,jay's ,treaty4--,party ,claims4--,difficulties with ,france4--,farewell ,address1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #fic ,,lxxvi4 ,washington's ,retirement and ,death1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #gjh ,,washington ,,and ,,the ,,american ,,revolution4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,birth ,,of ,,washington4--,,his ,,boyhood4 ,the ,washington family is of an ancient ,english stock1 the genealogy of which has been traced up to the century immediately succeeding the ,conquest4 ,among the knights and barons who served under the ,count ,palatine1 ,bishop of ,durham1 to whom ,william the ,conqueror had granted that important ,see1 was ,,william ,,de ,,hertburn4 ,at that period surnames were commonly derived from castles or estates2 and de ,hertburn1 in #aahc1 in exchanging the village of ,hertburn for the manor of ,wessyngton1 assumed the name of ,,de ,,wessyngton4 ,from this period the family has been traced through successive generations1 until the name1 first dropping the de1 varied from ,wessyngton to ,wassington1 ,wasshington1 and finally to ,washington4 ,the head of the family to which our ,washington immediately belongs sprang from ,lawrence ,washington1 ,esq41 of ,gray's ,inn4 ,he was mayor of ,northampton1 and received a grant of the manor of ,sulgrave from ,henry ,,viii4 ,sir ,william ,washington of ,packington1 was his direct descendant4 ,the ,washingtons were attached to the ,stuart dynasty4 ,lieut4-,col4 ,james ,washington perished in defence of that cause4 ,sir ,henry ,washington1 son of ,sir ,william1 distinguished himself under ,prince ,rupert1 in #afdc1 at the storming of ,bristol2 and still more1 in #afdf1 in the defence of ,worcester against the arms of ,fairfax4 ,we hear little of the ,washingtons after the death of ,charles ,i4 ,england1 during the protectorate1 was an uncomfortable residence for those who had adhered to the ,stuarts1 and many sought refuge in other lands4 ,among many who emigrated to the western wilds were ,john and ,andrew ,washington1 great-grandsons of the grantee of ,sulgrave4 ,the brothers arrived in ,virginia in #afeg1 and purchased lands in ,westmoreland ,county1 on the northern neck1 between the ,potomac and ,rappahannock rivers4 ,john married a ,miss ,anna ,pope1 of the same county1 and took up his residence on ,bridges ,creek1 near where it falls into the ,potomac4 ,he became an extensive planter1 and1 in process of time1 a magistrate and member of the ,house of ,burgesses4 ,having a spark of the old military fire of the family1 we find him1 as ,colonel ,washington1 leading the ,virginia forces1 in co-operation with those of ,maryland1 against a band of ,seneca ,indians1 who were ravaging the settlements along the ,potomac4 ,the estate continued in the family4 ,his grandson ,augustine1 the father of our ,washington1 was born there in #afid4 ,he was twice married2 first 7,april #bjth1 #agae71 to ,jane1 daughter of ,caleb ,butler1 ,esq41 of ,westmoreland ,county1 by whom he had four children1 of whom only two1 ,lawrence and ,augustine1 survived the years of childhood2 their mother died ,november #bdth1 #agbh1 and was buried in the family vault4 ,on the #fth of ,march1 #agcj1 he married in second nuptials1 ,mary1 the daughter of ,colonel ,ball1 a young and beautiful girl1 said to be the belle of the northern neck4 ,by her he had four sons1 ,george1 ,samuel1 ,john ,augustine1 and ,charles2 and two daughters1 ,elizabeth1 or ,betty1 as she was commonly called1 and ,mildred1 who died in infancy4 ,george1 the eldest1 the subject of this biography1 was born on the #bb;d of ,february 7#aath1 ,o4 ,s471 #agcb1 in the homestead on ,bridges ,creek4 ,this house commanded a view over many miles of the ,potomac1 and the opposite shore of ,maryland4 ,not a vestige of it remains4 ,two or three decayed fig trees1 with shrubs and vines1 linger about the place1 and here and there a flower grown wild serves to mark where a garden has been4 ,such at least1 was the case a few years since2 but these may have likewise passed away4 ,a stone marks the site of the house1 and an inscription denotes its being the birthplace of ,washington4 ,not long after the birth of ,george1 his father removed to an estate in ,stafford ,county1 opposite ,fredericksburg4 ,the house stood on a rising ground overlooking a meadow which bordered the ,rappahannock4 ,this was the home of ,george's boyhood2 but this1 like that in which he was born1 has disappeared4 ,in those days the means of instruction in ,virginia were limited1 and it was the custom among the wealthy planters to send their sons to ,england to complete their education4 ,this was done by ,augustine ,washington with his eldest son ,lawrence4 ,george1 as his intellect dawned1 received the rudiments of education in the best establishment for the purpose that the neighborhood afforded4 ,it was what was called1 in popular parlance1 an old field school-house2 humble enough in its pretensions1 and kept by one of his father's tenants named ,hobby4 ,the instruction doled out by him must have been the simplest kind1 reading1 writing1 and ciphering1 perhaps2 but ,george had the benefit of mental and moral culture at home1 from an excellent father4 ,when he was about seven or eight years old his brother ,lawrence returned from ,england1 a well-educated and accomplished youth4 ,there was a difference of fourteen years in their ages1 which may have been one cause of the strong attachment which took place between them4 ,lawrence looked down with a protecting eye upon the boy whose dawning intelligence and perfect rectitude won his regard2 while ,george looked up to his manly and cultivated brother as a model in mind and manners4 ,lawrence ,washington had something of the old military spirit of the family1 and circumstances soon called it into action4 ,spanish depredations on ,british commerce had recently provoked reprisals4 ,admiral ,vernon1 commander-in-chief in the ,west ,indies1 had accordingly captured ,porto ,bello1 on the ,isthmus of ,darien4 ,the ,spaniards were preparing to revenge the blow2 the ,french were fitting out ships to aid them4 ,troops were embarked in ,england for another campaign in the ,west ,indies2 a regiment of four battalions was to be raised in the colonies and sent to join them at ,jamaica4 ,there was a sudden outbreak of military ardor in the province4 ,lawrence ,washington1 now twenty-two years of age1 caught the infection4 ,he obtained a captain's commission in the newly-raised regiment1 and embarked with it for the ,west ,indies in #agdj4 ,he served in the joint expeditions of ,admiral ,vernon and ,general ,wentworth1 and acquired the friendship and confidence of both of those officers4 ,we have here the secret of that martial spirit so often cited of ,george in his boyish days4 ,he had seen his brother fitted out for the wars4 ,he had heard by letter and otherwise of the warlike scenes in which he was mingling4 ,all his amusements took a military turn4 ,he made soldiers of his school-mates2 they had their mimic parades1 reviews1 and sham fights4 ,lawrence ,washington returned home in the autumn of #agdb4 ,he formed an attachment to ,anne1 the eldest daughter of the ,honorable ,william ,fairfax1 of ,fairfax ,comity2 his addresses were well received1 and they became engaged4 ,their nuptials were delayed by the sudden and untimely death of his father1 which took place on the #abth of ,april1 #agdc1 after a short but severe attack of gout in the stomach1 and when but forty-nine years of age4 ,george had been absent from home on a visit during his father's illness1 and just returned in time to receive a parting look of affection4 ,augustine ,washington left large possessions1 distributed by will among his children4 ,to ,lawrence1 the estate on the banks of the ,potomac1 with other real property1 and several shares in iron-works4 ,to ,augustine1 the second son by the first marriage1 the old homestead and estate in ,westmoreland4 ,the children by the second marriage were severally well provided for1 and ,george1 when he became of age1 was to have the house and lands on the ,rappahannock4 ,in the month of ,july the marriage of ,lawrence with ,miss ,fairfax took place4 ,he now settled himself on his estate on the banks of the ,potomac1 to which he gave the name of ,,mount ,,vernon1 in honor of the admiral4 ,augustine took up his abode at the homestead on ,bridges ,creek1 and married ,anne1 daughter and co-heiress of ,william ,aylett1 ,esq41 of ,westmoreland ,county4 ,george1 now eleven years of age1 and the other children of the second marriage1 had been left under the guardianship of their mother1 to whom was intrusted the proceeds of all their property until they should severally come of age4 ,she proved herself worthy of the trust4 ,endowed with plain1 direct good sense1 thorough conscientiousness1 and prompt decision1 she governed her family strictly1 but kindly1 exacting deference while she inspired affection4 ,george being her eldest son1 was thought to be her favorite1 yet she never gave him undue preference1 and the implicit deference exacted from him in childhood continued to be habitually observed by him to the day of her death4 ,he inherited from her a high temper and a spirit of command1 but her early precepts and example taught him to restrain and govern that temper1 and to square his conduct on the exact principles of equity and justice4 ,having no longer the benefit of a father's instructions at home1 and the scope of tuition of ,hobby being too limited for the growing wants of his pupil1 ,george was now sent to reside with ,augustine ,washington1 at ,bridges ,creek1 and enjoy the benefit of a superior school in that neighborhood1 kept by a ,mr4 ,williams4 ,his education1 however1 was plain and practical4 ,he never attempted the learned languages1 nor manifested any inclination for rhetoric or belles-lettres4 ,his object1 or the object of his friends1 seems to have been confined to fitting him for ordinary business4 ,his manuscript school-books still exist1 and are models of neatness and accuracy4 ,before he was thirteen years of age he had copied into a volume forms for all kinds of mercantile and legal papers2 bills of exchange1 notes of hand1 deeds1 bonds1 and the like4 ,this early self-tuition gave him throughout life a lawyer's skill in drafting documents1 and a merchant's exactness in keeping accounts4 ,he was a self-disciplinarian in physical as well as mental matters1 and practised himself in all kinds of athletic exercises1 such as running1 leaping1 wrestling1 pitching quoits1 and tossing bars4 ,his frame1 even in infancy1 had been large and powerful1 and he now excelled most of his playmates in contests of agility and strength4 ,above all1 his inherent probity and the principles of justice on which he regulated all his conduct1 even at this early period of life1 were soon appreciated by his school-mates2 he was referred to as an umpire in their disputes1 and his decisions were never reversed4 ,as he had formerly been military chieftain1 he was now legislator of the school2 thus displaying in boyhood a type of the future man4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,washington',s ,,youth4--,,first ,,surveying ,,expedition4 ,the attachment of ,lawrence ,washington to his brother ,george seems to have acquired additional strength and tenderness on their father's death2 he now took a truly paternal interest in his concerns1 and had him as frequently as possible a guest at ,mount ,vernon4 ,lawrence had deservedly become a popular and leading personage in the country4 ,he was a member of the ,house of ,burgesses1 and adjutant-general of the district1 with the rank of major1 and a regular salary4 ,a frequent sojourn with him brought ,george into familiar intercourse with the family of his father-in-law1 the ,hon4 ,william ,fairfax1 who resided at a beautiful seat called ,belvoir1 a few miles below ,mount ,vernon1 and on the same woody ridge bordering the ,potomac4 ,william ,fairfax was a man of liberal education and intrinsic worth4 ,of an ancient ,english family in ,yorkshire1 he had entered the army at the age of twenty-one2 had served with honor both in the ,east and ,west ,indies1 and officiated as governor of ,new ,providence1 after having aided in rescuing it from pirates4 ,for some years past he had resided in ,virginia1 to manage the immense landed estates of his cousin1 ,lord ,fairfax1 and lived at ,belvoir1 in the style of an ,english country gentleman1 surrounded by an intelligent and cultivated family of sons and daughters4 ,an intimacy with a family like this1 in which the frankness and simplicity of rural and colonial life were united with ,european refinement1 could not but have a beneficial effect in moulding the character and manners of a somewhat home-bred school-boy4 ,other influences were brought to bear on ,george during his visit at ,mount ,vernon4 ,his brother ,lawrence still retained some of his military inclinations1 fostered1 no doubt1 by his post of adjutant-general4 ,william ,fairfax1 as we have shown1 had been a soldier1 and in many trying scenes4 ,some of ,lawrence's comrades of the provincial regiment1 who had served with him in the ,west ,indies1 were occasional visitors at ,mount ,vernon2 or a ship of war1 possibly one of ,vernon's old fleet1 would anchor in the ,potomac1 and its officers be welcome guests at the tables of ,lawrence and his father-in-law4 ,thus military scenes on sea and shore would become the topics of conversation4 ,we can picture to ourselves ,george1 a grave and earnest boy1 with an expanding intellect1 and a deep-seated passion for enterprise1 listening to such conversations with a kindling spirit and a growing desire for military life4 ,in this way most probably was produced that desire to enter the navy which he evinced when about fourteen years of age4 ,the great difficulty was to procure the assent of his mother4 ,she was brought1 however1 to acquiesce2 a midshipman's warrant was obtained2 but at the eleventh hour the mother's heart faltered4 ,this was her eldest born4 ,a son1 whose strong and steadfast character promised to be a support to herself and a protection to her other children4 ,the thought of his being completely severed from her1 and exposed to the hardships and perils of a boisterous profession1 overcame even her resolute mind1 and at her urgent remonstrances the nautical scheme was given up4 ,to school1 therefore1 ,george returned1 and continued his studies for nearly two years longer1 devoting himself especially to mathematics1 and accomplishing himself in those branches calculated to fit him either for civil or military service4 ,among these1 one of the most important in the actual state of the country was land surveying4 ,in this he schooled himself thoroughly1 using the highest processes of the art2 making surveys about the neighborhood1 and keeping regular field books1 some of which we have examined1 in which the boundaries and measurements of the fields surveyed were carefully entered1 and diagrams made1 with a neatness and exactness as if the whole related to important land transactions instead of being mere school exercises4 ,thus1 in his earliest days1 there was perseverance and completeness in all his undertakings4 ,nothing was left half done1 or done in a hurried and slovenly manner4 ,the habit of mind thus cultivated continued throughout life4 ,he took a final leave of school in the autumn of #agdg1 and went to reside with his brother ,lawrence at ,mount ,vernon4 ,here he continued his mathematical studies and his practice in surveying4 ,being a favorite of ,sir ,william ,fairfax1 he was now an occasional inmate of ,belvoir4 ,among the persons at present residing there was ,thomas1 ,lord ,fairfax1 cousin of ,william ,fairfax1 and of whose immense landed property the latter was the agent4 ,another inmate was ,george ,william ,fairfax1 about twenty-two years of age1 the eldest son of the proprietor4 ,he had been educated in ,england1 and since his return had married a daughter of ,colonel ,carey1 of ,hampton1 on ,james ,river4 ,he had recently brought home his bride and her sister to his father's house4 ,the merits of ,washington were known and appreciated by the ,fairfax family4 ,though not quite sixteen years of age1 he no longer seemed a boy1 nor was he treated as such4 ,tall1 athletic1 and manly for his years1 his early self-training1 and the code of conduct he had devised1 gave a gravity and decision to his conduct2 his frankness and modesty inspired cordial regard4 ,lord ,fairfax was a staunch fox-hunter1 and kept horses and hounds in the ,english style4 ,the hunting season had arrived4 ,the neighborhood abounded with sport2 but fox-hunting in ,virginia required bold and skilful horsemanship4 ,he found ,washington as bold as himself in the saddle1 and as eager to follow the hounds4 ,he forthwith took him into peculiar favor2 made him his hunting companion2 and it was probably under the tuition of this hard-riding old nobleman that the youth imbibed that fondness for the chase for which he was afterwards remarked4 ,this fox-hunting intercourse was attended with important results4 ,his lordship's possessions beyond the ,blue ,ridge had never been regularly settled nor surveyed4 ,lawless intruders--squatters1 as they were called--were planting themselves along the finest streams and in the richest valleys1 and virtually taking possession of the country4 ,it was the anxious desire of ,lord ,fairfax to have these lands examined1 surveyed1 and portioned out into lots1 preparatory to ejecting these interlopers or bringing them to reasonable terms4 ,in ,washington1 notwithstanding his youth1 he beheld one fit for the task4 ,the proposition had only to be offered to ,washington to be eagerly accepted4 ,it was the very kind of occupation for which he had been diligently training himself4 ,all the preparations required by one of his simple habits were soon made1 and in the month of ,march1 #agdh1 just after he had completed his sixteenth year1 ,washington set out on horseback1 in company with ,george ,william ,fairfax4 ,their route lay by ,ashley's ,gap1 a pass through the ,blue ,ridge1 that beautiful line of mountains which1 as yet1 almost formed the western frontier of inhabited ,virginia4 ,they entered the great valley of ,virginia1 where it is about twenty-five miles wide2 a lovely and temperate region1 diversified by gentle swells and slopes1 admirably adapted to cultivation4 ,the ,blue ,ridge bounds it on one side1 the ,north ,mountain1 a ridge of the ,alleghanies1 on the other2 while through it flows that bright and abounding river1 which1 on account of its surpassing beauty1 was named by the ,indians the ,shenandoah--that is to say1 the daughter of the stars4 ,the first station of the travellers was at a kind of lodge in the wilderness1 where the steward or land-bailiff of ,lord ,halifax resided1 with such negroes as were required for farming purposes1 and which ,washington terms his lordship's quarter4 ,it was situated not far from the ,shenandoah1 and about twelve miles from the site of the present town of ,winchester4 ,in a diary kept with his usual minuteness1 ,washington speaks with delight of the beauty of the trees and the richness of the land in the neighborhood1 and of his riding through a noble grove of sugar maples on the banks of the ,shenandoah2 and1 at the present day1 the magnificence of the forests which still exist in this favored region justifies his eulogium4 ,his surveys commenced in the lower part of the valley some distance above the junction of the ,shenandoah with the ,potomac1 and extended for many miles along the former river4 ,here and there partial clearings had been made by squatters and hardy pioneers1 and their rude husbandry had produced abundant crops of grain1 hemp1 and tobacco4 ,more than two weeks were passed by them in the wild mountainous regions of ,frederick ,county1 and about the south branch of the ,potomac1 surveying lands and laying out lots1 camped out the greater part of the time1 and subsisting on wild turkeys and other game4 ,having completed his surveys1 ,washington set forth from the south branch of the ,potomac on his return homeward2 crossed the mountains to the great ,cacapehon2 traversed the ,shenandoah valley2 passed through the ,blue ,ridge1 and on the #abth of ,april found himself once more at ,mount ,vernon4 ,for his services he received1 according to his note-book1 a doubloon per day when actively employed4 ,the manner in which he had acquitted himself in this arduous expedition1 and his accounts of the country surveyed1 gave great satisfaction to ,lord ,fairfax1 who shortly afterwards moved across the ,blue ,ridge1 and took up his residence at the place heretofore noted as his quarters4 ,here he laid out a manor1 containing ten thousand acres of arable grazing lands1 vast meadows1 and noble forests1 and projected a spacious manor house1 giving to the place the name of ,greenway ,court4 ,it was probably through the influence of ,lord ,fairfax that ,washington received the appointment of public surveyor4 ,this conferred authority on his surveys1 and entitled them to be recorded in the county offices1 and so invariably correct have these surveys been found that to this day1 wherever any of them stand on record1 they receive implicit credit4 ,for three years he continued in this occupation1 which proved extremely profitable1 from the vast extent of country to be surveyed and the very limited number of public surveyors4 ,it made him acquainted1 also1 with the country1 the nature of the soil in various parts1 and the value of localities2 all which proved advantageous to him in his purchases in after years4 ,while thus employed for months at a time surveying the lands beyond the ,blue ,ridge1 he was often an inmate of ,greenway ,court4 ,the projected manor house was never even commenced4 ,on a green knoll overshadowed by trees was a long stone building one story in height1 with dormer-windows1 two wooden belfries1 chimneys studded with swallow and martin coops1 and a roof sloping down in the old ,virginia fashion1 into low projecting eaves that formed a verandah the whole length of the house4 ,it was probably the house originally occupied by his steward or land agent1 but was now devoted to hospitable purposes and the reception of guests4 ,here ,washington had full opportunity1 in the proper seasons1 of indulging his fondness for field sports1 and once more accompanying his lordship in the chase4 ,the conversation of ,lord ,fairfax1 too1 was full of interest and instruction to an inexperienced youth1 from his cultivated talents1 his literary taste1 and his past intercourse with the best society of ,europe1 and its most distinguished authors4 ,he had brought books1 too1 with him into the wilderness1 and from ,washington's diary we find that during his sojourn here he was diligently reading the history of ,england1 and the essays of the ,spectator4 ,three or four years were thus passed by ,washington1 the greater part of the time beyond the ,blue ,ridge1 but occasionally with his brother ,lawrence at ,mount ,vernon4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,rival ,,claims ,,of ,,the ,,english ,,and ,,the ,,french4--,,preparations ,,for ,,hostilities4 ,during the time of ,washington's surveying campaigns among the mountains1 a grand colonizing scheme had been set on foot1 destined to enlist him in hardy enterprises1 and in some degree to shape the course of his future fortunes4 ,the treaty of peace concluded at ,aix-la-,chapelle1 which had put an end to the general war of ,europe1 had left undefined the boundaries between the ,british and ,french possessions in ,america4 ,immense regions were still claimed by both nations1 and each was now eager to forestall the other by getting possession of them1 and strengthening its claim by occupancy4 ,the most desirable of these regions lay west of the ,alleghany ,mountains1 extending from the lakes to the ,ohio1 and embracing the valley of that river and its tributary streams4 ,the ,french claimed all this country quite to the ,alleghany ,mountains by the right of discovery4 ,in #afgc1 ,padre ,marquette1 with his companion1 ,joliet1 of ,quebec1 both subjects of the crown of ,france1 had passed down the ,mississippi in a canoe quite to the ,arkansas1 thereby1 according to an alleged maxim in the law of nations1 establishing the right of their sovereign1 not merely to the river so discovered and its adjacent lands1 but to all the country drained by its tributary streams1 of which the ,ohio was one2 a claim1 the ramifications of which might be spread1 like the meshes of a web1 over half the continent4 ,to this illimitable claim the ,english opposed a right derived1 at second hand1 from a traditionary ,indian conquest4 ,a treaty1 they said1 had been made at ,lancaster1 in #agdd1 between commissioners from ,pennsylvania1 ,maryland and ,virginia1 and the ,iroquois1 or ,six ,nations1 whereby the latter1 for four hundred pounds1 gave up all right and title to the land west of the ,alleghany ,mountains1 even to the ,mississippi1 which land1 according to their traditions1 had been conquered by their forefathers4 ,it is undoubtedly true that such a treaty was made1 and such a pretended transfer of title did take place1 under the influence of spirituous liquors2 but it is equally true that the ,indians in question did not1 at the time1 possess an acre of the land conveyed2 and that the tribes actually in possession scoffed at their pretensions1 and claimed the country as their own from time immemorial4 ,such were the shadowy foundations of claims which the two nations were determined to maintain to the uttermost1 and which ripened into a series of wars1 ending in a loss to ,england of a great part of her ,american possessions1 and to ,france of the whole4 ,as yet in the region in question there was not a single white settlement4 ,mixed ,iroquois tribes of ,delawares1 ,shawnees1 and ,mingoes1 had migrated into it early in the century from the ,french settlements in ,canada1 and taken up their abodes about the ,ohio and its branches4 ,the ,french pretended to hold them under their protection2 but their allegiance1 if ever acknowledged1 had been sapped of late years by the influx of fur traders from ,pennsylvania4 ,these were often rough1 lawless men1 generally in the employ of some trader1 who1 at the head of his retainers and a string of pack-horses1 would make his way over mountains and through forests to the banks of the ,ohio1 establish his head-quarters in some ,indian town1 and disperse his followers to traffic among the hamlets1 hunting-camps1 and wigwams1 exchanging blankets1 gaudy colored cloth1 trinketry1 powder1 shot1 and rum1 for valuable furs and peltry4 ,in this way a lucrative trade with these western tribes was springing up and becoming monopolized by the ,pennsylvanians4 ,to secure a participation in this trade1 and to gain a foothold in this desirable region1 became now the wish of some of the most intelligent and enterprising men of ,virginia and ,maryland1 among whom were ,lawrence and ,augustine ,washington4 ,with these views they projected a scheme1 in connection with ,john ,hanbury1 a wealthy ,london merchant1 to obtain a grant of land from the ,british government1 for the purpose of forming settlements or colonies beyond the ,alleghanies4 ,government readily countenanced a scheme by which ,french encroachments might be forestalled1 and prompt and quiet possession secured of the great ,ohio valley4 ,an association was accordingly chartered in #agdi1 by the name of the ,ohio ,company1 and five hundred thousand acres of land was granted to it west of the ,alleghanies2 between the ,monongahela and ,kanawha rivers2 though part of the land might be taken up north of the ,ohio1 should it be deemed expedient4 ,the company were to pay no quit-rent for ten years2 but they were to select two-fifths of their lands immediately2 to settle one hundred families upon them within seven years2 to build a fort at their own expense1 and maintain a sufficient garrison in it for defence against the ,indians4 ,mr4 ,thomas ,lee1 president of the council of ,virginia1 took the lead in the concerns of the company at the outset1 and by many has been considered its founder4 ,on his death1 which soon took place1 ,lawrence ,washington had the chief management4 ,his enlightened mind and liberal spirit shone forth in his earliest arrangements4 ,before the company had received its charter1 the ,french were in the field4 ,early in #agdi1 the ,marquis de la ,galisionniere1 governor of ,canada1 despatched ,celeron de ,bienville1 an intelligent officer1 at the head of three hundred men1 to the banks of the ,ohio1 to make peace1 as he said1 between the tribes that had become embroiled with each other during the late war1 and to renew the ,french possession of the country4 ,celeron de ,bienville distributed presents among the ,indians1 made speeches reminding them of former friendship1 and warned them not to trade with the ,english4 ,he furthermore nailed leaden plates to trees1 and buried others in the earth1 at the confluence of the ,ohio and its tributaries1 bearing inscriptions purporting that all the lands on both sides of the rivers to their sources appertained1 as in foregone times1 to the crown of ,france4 ,the ,indians gazed at these mysterious plates with wondering eyes1 but surmised their purport4 ,they mean to steal our country from us1 murmured they2 and they determined to seek protection from the ,english4 ,celeron finding some traders from ,pennsylvania trafficking among the ,indians1 he summoned them to depart1 and wrote by them to ,james ,hamilton1 governor of ,pennsylvania1 telling him the object of his errand to those parts1 and his surprise at meeting with ,english traders in a country to which ,england had no pretensions2 intimating that1 in future1 any intruders of the kind would be rigorously dealt with4 ,his letter1 and a report of his proceedings on the ,ohio1 roused the solicitude of the governor and council of ,pennsylvania1 for the protection of their ,indian trade4 ,shortly afterwards1 one ,hugh ,crawford1 who had been trading with the ,miami tribes on the ,wabash1 brought a message from them1 speaking of the promises and threats with which the ,french were endeavoring to shake their faith1 but assuring the governor that their friendship for the ,english would last while the sun and moon ran round the world4 ,governor ,hamilton knew the value of ,indian friendship1 and suggested to the assembly that it would be better to clinch it with presents1 and that as soon as possible4 ,an envoy accordingly was sent off early in ,october1 who was supposed to have great influence among the western tribes4 ,this was one ,george ,croghan1 a veteran trader1 shrewd and sagacious1 who had been frequently to the ,ohio country with pack-horses and followers1 and made himself popular among the ,indians by dispensing presents with a lavish hand4 ,he was accompanied by ,andrew ,montour1 a ,canadian of half ,indian descent1 who was to act as interpreter4 ,they were provided with a small present for the emergency2 but were to convoke a meeting of all the tribes at ,logstown1 on the ,ohio1 early in the ensuing spring1 to receive an ample present which would be provided by the assembly4 ,it was some time later in the same autumn that the ,ohio company brought their plans into operation1 and despatched an agent to explore the lands upon the ,ohio and its branches as low as the ,great ,falls4 ,the man chosen for the purpose was ,christopher ,gist1 a hardy pioneer1 experienced in woodcraft and ,indian life4 ,he was allowed a woodsman or two for the service of the expedition4 ,he set out on the #cast of ,october1 crossed the ridges of the ,alleghany1 arrived at ,shannopin1 a ,delaware village on the ,alleghany1 swam his horses across that river1 and descending along its valley arrived at ,logstown1 an important ,indian village a little below the site of the present city of ,pittsburg4 ,here usually resided ,tanacharisson1 a ,seneca chief of great note1 being head sachem of the mixed tribes which had migrated to the ,ohio and its branches4 ,he was generally surnamed the half-king1 being subordinate to the ,iroquois confederacy4 ,the chief was absent at this time1 as were most of his people1 it being the hunting season4 ,george ,croghan1 the envoy from ,pennsylvania1 with ,montour his interpreter1 had passed through ,logstown a week previously1 on his way to the ,twightwees and other tribes1 on the ,miami branch of the ,ohio4 ,scarce any one was to be seen about the village but some of ,croghan's rough people1 whom he had left behind--reprobate ,indian traders1 as ,gist terms them4 ,he took his departure from ,logstown1 and at ,beaver ,creek1 a few miles below the village1 he left the river and struck into the interior of the present ,state of ,ohio4 ,here he overtook ,george ,croghan at ,muskingum1 a town of ,wyandots and ,mingoes4 ,he had ordered all the traders in his employ who were scattered among the ,indian villages1 to rally at this town1 where he had hoisted the ,english flag over his residence1 and over that of the sachem4 ,this was in consequence of the hostility of the ,french1 who had recently captured1 in the neighborhood1 three white men in the employ of ,frazier1 an ,indian trader1 and had carried them away prisoners to ,canada4 ,gist was well received by the people of ,muskingum4 ,they were indignant at the ,french violation of their territories1 and the capture of their ,english brothers4 ,they had not forgotten the conduct of ,celeron de ,bienville in the previous year1 and the mysterious plates which he had nailed against trees and sunk in the ground4 ,a council of the nation was now held1 in which ,gist invited them1 in the name of the governor of ,virginia1 to visit that province1 where a large present of goods awaited them1 sent by their father1 the great king1 over the water to his ,ohio children4 ,the invitation was graciously received1 but no answer could be given until a grand council of the western tribes had been held1 which was to take place at ,logstown in the ensuing spring4 ,similar results attended visits made by ,gist and ,croghan to the ,delawares and the ,shawnees at their villages about the ,scioto ,river2 all promised to be at the gathering at ,logstown4 ,from the ,shawnee village1 near the mouth of the ,scioto1 the two emissaries shaped their course north two hundred miles1 crossed the ,great ,moneami1 or ,miami ,river1 on a raft1 swimming their horses2 and1 on the #agth of ,february1 arrived at ,piqua1 the principal town of the ,twightwees or ,miamis2 the most powerful confederacy of the ,west1 combining four tribes1 and extending its influence even beyond the ,mississippi4 ,a king or sachem of one or other of the different tribes presided over the whole4 ,the head chief at present was the king of the ,piankeshas4 ,at this town ,croghan formed a treaty of alliance in the name of the governor of ,pennsylvania with two of the ,miami tribes4 ,and ,gist was promised by the king of the ,piankeshas that the chiefs of the various tribes would attend the meeting at ,logstown to make a treaty with ,virginia4 ,in the height of these demonstrations of friendship1 two envoys from the ,french governor of ,canada entered the council-house and sought a renewal of the ancient alliance4 ,but the ,piankesha chief turned his back upon the ambassadors1 and left the council-house4 ,when ,gist returned to the ,shawnee town1 near the mouth of the ,scioto1 and reported to his ,indian friends there the alliance he had formed with the ,miami confederacy1 there was great feasting and speech-making1 and firing of guns4 ,he had now happily accomplished the chief object of his mission--nothing remained but to descend the ,ohio to the ,great ,falls4 ,this1 however1 he was cautioned not to do4 ,a large party of ,indians1 allies of the ,french1 were hunting in that neighborhood1 who might kill or capture him4 ,he crossed the river attended only by a lad as a travelling companion and aide1 and proceeded cautiously down the east side until within fifteen miles of the ,falls4 ,here he came upon traps newly set1 and ,indian footprints not a day old2 and heard the distant report of guns4 ,the story of ,indian hunters then was true4 ,abandoning all idea1 therefore1 of visiting the ,falls1 and contenting himself with the information concerning them which he had received from others1 he shaped his course homeward4 ,while ,gist had been making his painful way homeward1 the two ,ottawa ambassadors had returned to ,fort ,sandusky1 bringing word to the ,french that their friendship had been rejected and their hostility defied by the ,miamis4 ,they informed them also of the gathering of the western tribes that was to take place at ,logstown1 to conclude a treaty with the ,virginians4 ,it was a great object with the ,french to prevent this treaty1 and to spirit up the ,ohio ,indians against the ,english4 ,this they hoped to effect through the agency of one ,captain ,joncaire1 a veteran of the wilderness1 who had grown gray in ,indian diplomacy1 and was now sent to maintain ,french sovereignty over the valley of the ,ohio4 ,he appeared at ,logstown accompanied by another ,frenchman1 and forty ,iroquois warriors4 ,he found an assemblage of the western tribes1 feasting and rejoicing1 and firing off guns1 for ,george ,croghan1 and ,montour1 the interpreter1 were there1 and had been distributing presents on behalf of the governor of ,pennsylvania4 ,joncaire was said to have the wit of a ,frenchman1 and the eloquence of an ,iroquois4 ,he made an animated speech to the chiefs in their own tongue1 the gist of which was that their father ,onontio 7that is to say1 the governor of ,canada7 desired his children of the ,ohio to turn away the ,indian traders1 and never to deal with them again on pain of his displeasure2 so saying1 he laid down a wampum belt of uncommon size1 by way of emphasis to his message4 ,for once his eloquence was of no avail2 a chief rose indignantly1 shook his finger in his face1 and stamping on the ground1 ,this is our land1 said he4 ,what right has ,onontio here8 ,the ,english are our brothers4 ,they shall live among us as long as one of us is alive4 ,we will trade with them1 and not with you2 and1 so saying1 he rejected the belt of wampum4 ,joncaire returned to an advanced post recently established on the upper part of the river1 whence he wrote to the governor of ,pennsylvania3 ,the ,marquis de la ,jonquiere1 governor of ,new ,france1 having ordered me to watch that the ,english make no treaty in the ,ohio country1 ,i have signified to the traders of your government to retire4 ,you are not ignorant that all these lands belong to the ,king of ,france1 and that the ,english have no right to trade in them4 ,he concluded by reiterating the threat made two years previously by ,celeron de ,bienville against all intruding fur traders4 ,in the meantime1 in the face of all these protests and menaces1 ,mr4 ,gist1 under sanction of the ,virginia ,legislature1 proceeded in the same year to survey the lands within the grant of the ,ohio company1 lying on the south side of the ,ohio river1 as far down as the great ,kanawha4 ,the ,french now prepared for hostile contingencies4 ,they launched an armed vessel of unusual size on ,lake ,ontario2 fortified their trading-house at ,niagara2 strengthened their outposts1 and advanced others on the upper waters of the ,ohio4 ,a stir of warlike preparation was likewise to be observed among the ,british colonies4 ,it was evident that the adverse claims to the disputed territories1 if pushed home1 could only be settled by the stern arbitrament of the sword4 ,in ,virginia1 especially1 the war spirit was manifest4 ,the province was divided into military districts1 each having an adjutant-general1 with the rank of major1 and the pay of one hundred and fifty pounds a year1 whose duty was to attend to the organization and equipment of the militia4 ,such an appointment was sought by ,lawrence ,washington for his brother ,george1 who set about preparing himself1 with his usual method and assiduity1 for his new duties4 ,virginia had among its floating population some military relics of the late ,spanish war4 ,among these was a certain ,adjutant ,muse1 a ,westmoreland volunteer1 who had served with ,lawrence ,washington in the campaigns in the ,west ,indies4 ,he now undertook to instruct his brother ,george in the art of war2 lent him treatises on military tactics2 put him through the manual exercise1 and gave him some idea of evolutions in the field4 ,another of ,lawrence's campaigning comrades was ,jacob ,van ,braam1 a ,dutchman by birth1 who had been in the ,british army1 but was now out of service1 and1 professing to be a complete master of fence1 recruited his slender purse in this time of military excitement1 by giving the ,virginian youth lessons in the sword exercise4 ,under the instructions of these veterans ,mount ,vernon1 from being a quiet rural retreat1 was suddenly transformed into a school of arms4 ,washington's martial studies1 however1 were interrupted for a time by the critical state of his brother's health4 ,the constitution of ,lawrence had always been delicate1 and he had been obliged repeatedly to travel for a change of air4 ,there were now pulmonary symptoms of a threatening nature1 and1 by advice of his physicians1 he determined to pass a winter in the ,west ,indies1 taking with him his favorite brother ,george as a companion4 ,they accordingly sailed for ,barbadoes on the #bhth of ,september1 #agea4 ,george kept a journal of the voyage with log-book brevity1 recording the wind and weather1 but no events worth citation4 ,they landed at ,barbadoes on the #c;d of ,november4 ,the resident physician of the place gave a favorable report of ,lawrence's case1 and held out hopes of a cure4 ,the brothers had scarcely been a fortnight at the island when ,george was taken down by a severe attack of small-pox4 ,skilful medical treatment1 with the kind attentions of friends1 and especially of his brother1 restored him to health in about three weeks2 but his face always remained slightly marked4 ,the residence at ,barbadoes failed to have the anticipated effect on the health of ,lawrence1 and he determined to seek the sweet climate of ,bermuda in the spring4 ,he felt the absence from his wife1 and it was arranged that ,george should return to ,virginia1 and bring her out to meet him at that island4 ,accordingly1 on the #bb;d of ,december1 ,george set sail in the ,industry1 bound to ,virginia1 where he arrived on the #ast of ,february1 #ageb1 after five weeks of stormy winter seafaring4 ,lawrence remained through the winter at ,barbadoes2 but the very mildness of the climate relaxed and enervated him4 ,he felt the want of the bracing winter weather to which he had been accustomed4 ,even the invariable beauty of the climate1 the perpetual summer1 wearied the restless invalid4 ,still some of the worst symptoms of his disorder had disappeared1 and he seemed to be slowly recovering2 but the nervous restlessness and desire of change1 often incidental to his malady1 had taken hold of him1 and early in ,march he hastened to ,bermuda4 ,he had come too soon4 ,the keen air of early spring brought on an aggravated return of his worst symptoms4 ,he was now afflicted with painful indecision1 and his letters perplexed his family1 leaving them uncertain as to his movements1 and at a loss how to act4 ,at one time he talked of remaining at ,bermuda1 the next letter1 written shortly afterwards1 in a moment of despondency1 talks of the possibility of hurrying home to his grave6 ,the last was no empty foreboding4 ,he did indeed hasten back1 and just reached ,mount ,vernon in time to die under his own roof4 ,his death took place on the #bfth of ,july1 #ageb1 when but thirty-four years of age4 ,lawrence left a wife and an infant daughter to inherit his ample estates4 ,in case his daughter should die without issue1 the estate of ,mount ,vernon1 and other lands specified in his will1 were to be enjoyed by her mother during her lifetime1 and at her death to be inherited by his brother ,george4 ,the latter was appointed one of the executors of the will2 but such was the implicit confidence reposed in his judgment and integrity1 that1 although he was but twenty years of age1 the management of the affairs of the deceased was soon devolved upon him almost entirely4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,washington',s ,,mission ,,to ,,the ,,french ,,commander4 ,the meeting of the ,ohio tribes1 ,delawares1 ,shawnees1 and ,mingoes1 to form a treaty of alliance with ,virginia1 took place at ,logstown1 at the appointed time4 ,the chiefs of the ,six ,nations declined to attend4 ,colonel ,fry and two other commissioners from ,virginia concluded a treaty with the tribes above named2 by which the latter engaged not to molest any ,english settlers south of the ,ohio4 ,tanacharisson1 the half-king1 now advised that his brothers of ,virginia should build a strong house at the fork of the ,monongahela1 to resist the designs of the ,french4 ,mr4 ,gist was accordingly instructed to lay out a town and build a fort at ,chartier's ,creek1 on the east side of the ,ohio1 a little below the site of the present city of ,pittsburg4 ,he commenced a settlement1 also1 in a valley just beyond ,laurel ,hill1 not far from the ,youghiogeny1 and prevailed on eleven families to join him4 ,the ,ohio ,company1 about the same time1 established a trading-post1 well stocked with ,english goods1 at ,wills' ,creek 7now the town of ,cumberland74 ,the ,ohio tribes were greatly incensed at the aggressions of the ,french1 who were erecting posts within their territories1 and sent deputations to remonstrate1 but without effect4 ,there were reports that the ,french were ascending the ,mississippi from ,louisiana4 ,france1 it was said1 intended to connect ,louisiana and ,canada by a chain of military posts1 and hem the ,english within the ,alleghany ,mountains4 ,the ,ohio company complained loudly to the lieutenant-governor of ,virginia1 the ,hon4 ,robert ,dinwiddie1 of the hostile conduct of the ,french and their ,indian allies4 ,they found in ,dinwiddie a ready listener2 he was a stockholder in the company4 ,a commissioner1 ,captain ,william ,trent1 was sent to expostulate with the ,french commander on the ,ohio for his aggressions on the territory of his ,brittanic majesty2 he bore presents also of guns1 powder1 shot1 and clothing for the friendly ,indians4 ,trent was not a man of the true spirit for a mission to the frontier4 ,he stopped a short time at ,logstown1 though the ,french were one hundred and fifty miles further up the river1 and directed his course to ,piqua1 the great town of the ,twightwees1 where ,gist and ,croghan had been so well received by the ,miamis4 ,all now was reversed4 ,the place had been attacked by the ,french and ,indians2 the ,miamis defeated with great loss2 the ,english traders taken prisoners2 the ,piankesha chief1 who had so proudly turned his back upon the ,ottawa ambassadors1 had been sacrificed by the hostile savages1 and the ,french flag hoisted in triumph on the ruins of the town4 ,the whole aspect of affairs was so threatening on the frontier that ,trent lost heart1 and returned home without accomplishing his errand4 ,governor ,dinwiddie now looked round for a person more fitted to fulfil a mission which required physical strength and moral energy2 a courage to cope with savages1 and a sagacity to negotiate with white men4 ,washington was pointed out as possessed of those requisites4 ,it is true he was not yet twenty-two years of age1 but public confidence in his judgment and abilities had been manifested1 by renewing his appointment of adjutant-general1 and assigning him the northern division4 ,he was accordingly chosen for the expedition4 ,by his letter of instructions he was directed to repair to ,logstown1 and hold a communication with ,tanacharisson1 ,monacatoocha1 alias ,scarooyadi1 the next in command1 and the other sachems of the mixed tribes friendly to the ,english2 inform them of the purport of his errand1 and request an escort to the head-quarters of the ,french commander4 ,to that commander he was to deliver his credentials1 and the letter of ,governor ,dinwiddie1 and demand an answer in the name of his ,brittanic majesty2 but not to wait for it beyond a week4 ,on receiving it1 he was to request a sufficient escort to protect him on his return4 ,he was1 moreover1 to acquaint himself with the numbers and force of the ,french stationed on the ,ohio and in its vicinity2 their capability of being reinforced from ,canada2 the forts they had erected2 where situated1 how garrisoned2 the object of their advancing into those parts1 and how they were likely to be supported4 ,washington set off from ,williamsburg on the #cjth of ,october1 #agec1 the very day on which he received his credentials4 ,at ,fredericksburg he engaged his old master of fence1 ,jacob ,van ,braam1 to accompany him as interpreter4 ,having provided himself at ,alexandria with necessaries for the journey1 he proceeded to ,winchester1 then on the frontier1 where he procured horses1 tents1 and other travelling equipments1 and then pushed on by a road newly opened to ,wills' ,creek1 where he arrived on the #adth of ,november4 ,here he met with ,mr4 ,gist1 the intrepid pioneer1 whom he engaged to accompany and pilot him in the present expedition4 ,he secured the services also of one ,john ,davidson as ,indian interpreter1 and of four frontiersmen4 ,with this little band1 he set forth on the #aeth of ,november through a wild country1 rendered almost impassable by recent storms of rain and snow4 ,as the rivers were all swollen so that the horses had to swim them1 ,washington sent all the baggage down the ,monongahela in a canoe under care of two of the men1 who had orders to meet him at the confluence of that river with the ,alleghany1 where their united waters form the ,ohio4 ,as ,i got down before the canoe1 writes he in his journal1 ,i spent some time in viewing the rivers1 and the land at the fork1 which ,i think extremely well situated for a fort1 as it has the absolute command of both rivers4 ,the ,ohio company had intended to build a fort about two miles from this place1 on the south-east side of the river2 but ,washington gave the fork the decided preference4 ,french engineers of experience proved the accuracy of his military eye1 by subsequently choosing it for the site of ,fort ,duquesne1 noted in frontier history4 ,in this neighborhood lived ,shingiss1 the king1 or chief sachem1 of the ,delawares4 ,washington visited him at his village1 to invite him to the council at ,logstown4 ,he was one of the greatest warriors of his tribe1 and subsequently took up the hatchet at various times against the ,english1 though now he seemed favorably disposed1 and readily accepted the invitation4 ,they arrived at ,logstown after sunset on the #bdth of ,november4 ,the half-king was absent at his hunting-lodge on ,beaver ,creek1 about fifteen miles distant2 but ,washington had runners sent out to invite him and all the other chiefs to a grand talk on the following day4 ,about three o'clock the half-king arrived4 ,washington had a private conversation with him in his tent1 through ,davidson1 the interpreter4 ,he found him intelligent1 patriotic1 and proudly tenacious of his territorial rights4 ,he stated that the ,french had built two forts1 differing in size1 but on the same model1 a plan of which he gave1 of his own drawing4 ,the largest was on ,lake ,erie1 the other on ,french ,creek1 fifteen miles apart1 with a wagon road between them4 ,the nearest and levellest way to them was now impassable1 lying through large and miry savannas2 they would have1 therefore1 to go by ,venango1 and it would take five or six sleeps 7or days7 of good travelling to reach the nearest fort4 ,on the following morning at nine o'clock1 the chiefs assembled at the council-house2 where ,washington1 according to his instructions1 informed them that he was sent by their brother1 the governor of ,virginia1 to deliver to the ,french commandant a letter of great importance1 both to their brothers1 the ,english1 and to themselves2 and that he was to ask their advice and assistance1 and some of their young men to accompany and provide for him on the way1 and be his safeguard against the ,french ,indians who had taken up the hatchet4 ,he concluded by presenting the indispensable document in ,indian diplomacy1 a string of wampum4 ,the chiefs according to etiquette1 sat for some moments silent after he had concluded1 as if ruminating on what had been said1 or to give him time for further remark4 ,the half-king then rose and spoke in behalf of the tribes1 assuring him that they considered the ,english and themselves brothers1 and one people2 and that they intended to return the ,french the speech-belts1 or wampums1 which the latter had sent them4 ,this1 in ,indian diplomacy1 is a renunciation of all friendly relations4 ,an escort would be furnished to ,washington composed of ,mingoes1 ,shannoahs1 and ,delawares1 in token of the love and loyalty of those several tribes2 but three days would be required to prepare for the journey4 ,washington remonstrated against such delay2 but was informed that an affair of such moment1 where three speech-belts were to be given up1 was not to be entered into without due consideration4 ,besides1 the young men who were to form the escort were absent hunting1 and the half-king could not suffer the party to go without sufficient protection4 ,his own ,french speech-belt1 also1 was at his hunting-lodge1 whither he must go in quest of it4 ,moreover1 the ,shannoah chiefs were yet absent and must be waited for4 ,washington soon found that to urge a more speedy departure would be offensive to ,indian dignity and decorum so he was fain to await the gathering together of the different chiefs with their speech-belts4 ,in fact there was some reason for all this caution4 ,tidings had reached the sachems that ,captain ,joncaire had called a meeting at ,venango1 of the ,mingoes1 ,delawares1 and other tribes1 and made them a speech1 informing them that the ,french1 for the present1 had gone into winter-quarters1 but intended to descend the river in great force1 and fight the ,english in the spring4 ,he had advised them1 therefore1 to stand aloof1 for should they interfere1 the ,french and ,english would join1 cut them all off1 and divide their land between them4 ,with these rumors preying on their minds1 the half-king and three other chiefs waited on ,washington in his tent in the evening1 and after representing that they had complied with all the requisitions of the governor of ,virginia1 endeavored to draw from the youthful ambassador the true purport of his mission to the ,french commandant4 ,washington had anticipated an inquiry of the kind1 knowing how natural it was that these poor people should regard with anxiety and distrust every movement of two formidable powers thus pressing upon them from opposite sides2 he managed1 however1 to answer them in such a manner as to allay their solicitude without transcending the bounds of diplomatic secrecy4 ,after a day or two more of delay and further consultations in the council-house1 the chiefs determined that but three of their number should accompany the mission1 as a greater number might awaken the suspicions of the ,french4 ,accordingly1 on the #cjth of ,november1 ,washington set out for the ,french post1 having his usual party augmented by an ,indian hunter1 and being accompanied by the half-king1 an old ,shannoah sachem named ,jeskakake1 and another chief1 sometimes called ,belt of ,wampum1 from being the keeper of the speech-belts1 but generally bearing the sounding appellation of ,white ,thunder4 ,although the distance to ,venango1 by the route taken1 was not above seventy miles1 yet such was the inclemency of the weather and the difficulty of travelling1 that ,washington and his party did not arrive there until the #dth of ,december4 ,the ,french colors were flying at a house to which ,washington repaired1 and inquired of three ,french officers whom he saw there where the commandant resided4 ,one of them promptly replied that he had the command of the ,ohio4 ,it was1 in fact1 the redoubtable ,captain ,joncaire1 the veteran intriguer of the frontier4 ,on being apprised1 however1 of the nature of ,washington's errand1 he informed him that there was a general officer at the next fort1 where he advised him to apply for an answer to the letter of which he was the bearer4 ,in the meantime1 he invited ,washington and his party to a supper at head-quarters4 ,it proved a jovial one4 ,joncaire and his brother officers pushed the bottle briskly4 ,the wine1 says ,washington1 as they dosed themselves pretty plentifully with it1 soon banished the restraint which at first appeared in their conversation1 and gave a license to their tongues to reveal their sentiments more freely4 ,washington retained his sobriety and his composure throughout the bacchanalian outbreak4 ,he took careful note1 however1 of all their revelations1 and collected a variety of information concerning the ,french forces2 how and where they were distributed2 the situations and distances of their forts1 and their means and mode of obtaining supplies4 ,if the veteran diplomatist of the wilderness had intended this revel for a snare1 he was completely foiled by his youthful competitor4 ,on the following day there was no travelling on account of excessive rain4 ,joncaire1 in the meantime1 having discovered that the half-king was with the mission1 expressed his surprise that he had not accompanied it to his quarters on the preceding day4 ,washington1 in truth1 had feared to trust the sachem within the reach of the politic ,frenchman4 ,nothing would do now but ,joncaire must have the sachems at head-quarters4 ,here his diplomacy was triumphant4 ,he received them with open arms4 ,he was enraptured to see them4 ,his ,indian brothers6 ,how could they be so near without coming to visit him8 ,he made them presents2 but1 above all1 plied them so potently with liquor1 that the poor half-king1 ,jeskakake1 and ,white ,thunder forgot all about their wrongs1 their speeches1 their speech-belts1 and all the business they had come upon2 paid no heed to the repeated cautions of their ,english friends1 and were soon in a complete state of frantic extravagance or drunken oblivion4 ,all that day and the next was the party kept at ,venango by the stratagems of ,joncaire and his emissaries to detain and seduce the sachems4 ,it was not until twelve o'clock on the #gth of ,december1 that ,washington was able to extricate them out of their clutches and commence his journey4 ,a ,french commissary by the name of ,la ,force1 and three soldiers1 set off in company with him4 ,la ,force went as if on ordinary business1 but he proved one of the most active1 daring1 and mischief-making of those anomalous agents employed by the ,french among the ,indian tribes4 ,it is probable that he was at the bottom of many of the perplexities experienced by ,washington at ,venango1 and now travelled with him for the prosecution of his wiles4 ,he will be found1 hereafter1 acting a more prominent part1 and ultimately reaping the fruit of his evil doings4 ,after four days of weary travel the party reached the fort4 ,it was situated on a kind of island on the west fork of ,french ,creek1 about fifteen miles south of ,lake ,erie4 ,on the death of the late general1 the fort had remained in charge of one ,captain ,reparti until within a week past1 when the ,chevalier ,legardeur de ,st4 ,pierre had arrived1 and taken command4 ,the reception of ,washington at the fort was very different from the unceremonious one experienced at the outpost of ,joncaire and his convivial messmates4 ,when he presented himself at the gate1 accompanied by his interpreter1 ,van ,braam1 he was met by the officer second in command and conducted in due military form to his superior--an ancient and silver-haired chevalier of the military order of ,st4 ,louis1 courteous but ceremonious1 mingling the polish of the ,french gentleman of the old school with the precision of the soldier4 ,having announced his errand1 ,washington offered his credentials and the letter of ,governor ,dinwiddie1 and was disposed to proceed at once to business with the prompt frankness of a young man unhackneyed in diplomacy4 ,the chevalier1 however1 politely requested him to retain the documents in his possession until his predecessor1 ,captain ,reparti1 should arrive1 who was hourly expected from the next post4 ,at two o'clock the captain arrived4 ,the letter and its accompanying documents were then offered again1 and received in due form1 and the chevalier and his officers retired with them into a private apartment4 ,in this letter ,dinwiddie complained of the intrusion of ,french forces into the ,ohio country1 erecting forts and making settlements in the western parts of the colony of ,virginia1 so notoriously known to be the property of the crown of ,great ,britain4 ,he inquired by whose authority and instructions the ,french commander-general had marched this force from ,canada1 and made this invasion2 intimating that his own action would be regulated by the answer he should receive1 and the tenor of the commission with which he was honored4 ,at the same time he required of the commandant his peaceable departure4 ,the two following days were consumed in councils of the chevalier and his officers over the letter and the necessary reply4 ,washington occupied himself in the meantime in observing and taking notes of the plan1 dimensions1 and strength of the fort1 and of every thing about it4 ,he gave orders to his people1 also1 to take an exact account of the canoes in readiness1 and others in the process of construction1 for the conveyance of troops down the river in the ensuing spring4 ,as the weather continued stormy1 with much snow1 and the horses were daily losing strength1 he sent them down1 unladen1 to ,venango1 to await his return by water4 ,in the meantime1 he discovered that busy intrigues were going on to induce the half-king and the other sachems to abandon him1 and renounce all friendship with the ,english4 ,upon learning this1 he urged the chiefs to deliver up their speech-belts immediately1 as they had promised1 thereby shaking off all dependence upon the ,french4 ,they accordingly pressed for an audience that very evening4 ,a private one was at length granted them by the commander1 in presence of one or two of his officers4 ,the half-king reported the result of it to ,washington4 ,the venerable but astute chevalier cautiously evaded the acceptance of the proffered wampum2 made many professions of love and friendship1 and said he wished to live in peace and trade amicably with the tribes of the ,ohio1 in proof of which he would send down some goods immediately for them to ,logstown4 ,on the evening of the #adth1 the chevalier delivered to ,washington his sealed reply to the letter of ,governor ,dinwiddie4 ,the purport of previous conversations with the chevalier1 and the whole complexion of affairs on the frontier1 left no doubt of the nature of that reply4 ,the business of his mission being accomplished1 ,washington prepared on the #aeth to return by water to ,venango2 but a secret influence was at work which retarded every movement4 ,the commandant1 writes he1 ordered a plentiful store of liquor and provisions to be put on board our canoes1 and appeared to be extremely complaisant1 though he was exerting every artifice which he could invent to set our ,indians at variance with us1 to prevent their going until after our departure2 presents1 rewards1 and every thing which could be suggested by him or his officers4444 ,he had promised them a present of guns if they would wait until the morning4 ,as ,i was very much pressed by the ,indians to wait this day for them1 ,i consented1 on the promise that nothing should hinder them in the morning4 ,the next morning 7#afth7 the ,french1 in fulfilment of their promise1 had to give the present of guns4 ,they then endeavored to detain the sachems with liquor1 but ,washington reminded the half-king that his royal word was pledged to depart1 and urged it upon him so closely that1 exerting unwonted resolution and self-denial1 he turned his back upon the liquor and embarked4 ,it was rough and laborious navigation4 ,french ,creek was swollen and turbulent1 and full of floating ice4 ,the frail canoes were several times in danger of being staved to pieces against rocks4 ,it was not until the #bb;d that they reached ,venango4 ,here ,washington was obliged1 most unwillingly1 to part company with the sachems4 ,white ,thunder had hurt himself and was ill and unable to walk1 and the others determined to remain at ,venango for a day or two and convey him down the river in a canoe4 ,on the #beth of ,december ,washington and his little party set out by land from ,venango on their route homeward4 ,they had a long1 winter's journey before them1 through a wilderness beset with dangers and difficulties4 ,the pack-horses1 laden with tents1 baggage1 and provisions1 were completely jaded2 it was feared they would give out4 ,washington dismounted1 gave up his saddle-horse to aid in transporting the baggage1 and requested his companions to do the same4 ,none but the drivers remained in the saddle4 ,the cold increased4 ,there was deep snow that froze as it fell4 ,the horses grew less and less capable of travelling4 ,for three days they toiled on slowly and wearily4 ,washington was impatient to accomplish his journey1 and make his report to the governor2 he determined1 therefore1 to hasten some distance in advance of the party1 and then strike for the fork of the ,ohio by the nearest course directly through the woods4 ,he accordingly put the cavalcade under the command of ,van ,braam1 then disencumbering himself of all superfluous clothing1 buckling himself up in a watch-coat1 strapping his pack on his shoulders1 containing his papers and provisions1 and taking gun in hand struck manfully ahead1 accompanied only by ,mr4 ,gist1 who had equipped himself in like manner4 ,at night they lit a fire1 and camped by it in the woods4 ,at two o'clock in the morning they were again on foot1 and pressed forward until they struck the south-east fork of ,beaver ,creek1 at a place bearing the sinister name of ,murdering ,town4 ,here ,washington1 in planning his route1 had intended to leave the regular path1 and strike through the woods for ,shannopins ,town1 two or three miles above the fork of the ,ohio1 where he hoped to be able to cross the ,alleghany ,river on the ice4 ,at ,murdering ,town he found a party of ,indians1 who appeared to have known of his coming1 and to have been waiting for him4 ,one of them accosted ,mr4 ,gist1 and expressed great joy at seeing him4 ,the wary woodsman regarded him narrowly1 and thought he had seen him at ,joncaire's4 ,if so1 he and his comrades were in the ,french interest1 and their lying in wait boded no good4 ,the ,indian was very curious in his inquiries as to when they had left ,venango2 how they came to be travelling on foot1 etc41 these questions increased the distrust of ,gist1 and rendered him extremely cautious in reply4 ,the route hence to ,shannopins ,town lay through a trackless wild1 of which the travellers knew nothing2 it was deemed1 therefore1 expedient to engage one of the ,indians as a guide4 ,he entered upon his duties with alacrity1 took ,washington's pack upon his back1 and led the way by what he said was the most direct course4 ,after travelling briskly for eight or ten miles1 ,washington became fatigued1 and his feet were chafed2 he thought1 too1 they were taking a direction too much to the north-east2 he came to a halt1 therefore1 and determined to light a fire1 make a shelter of the bark and branches of trees1 and encamp there for the night4 ,the ,indian demurred2 he offered1 as ,washington was fatigued1 to carry his gun1 but the latter was too wary to part with his weapon4 ,the ,indian now grew churlish4 ,mr4 ,gist's suspicions increased but he said nothing4 ,washington's also were awakened4 ,they proceeded some distance further3 the guide paused and listened4 ,he had heard1 he said1 the report of a gun towards the north2 must be from his cabin2 he accordingly turned his steps in that direction4 ,they went on two miles farther1 when ,washington signified his determination to encamp at the first water they should find4 ,the guide said nothing1 but kept doggedly on4 ,after a little while they arrived at an opening in the woods1 when the ,indian1 who was about fifteen paces ahead1 suddenly turned1 levelled his gun1 and fired4 ,washington was startled for an instant1 but1 feeling that he was not wounded1 demanded quickly of ,mr4 ,gist if he was shot4 ,the latter answered in the negative4 ,the ,indian in the meantime had run forward1 and screened himself behind a large white oak1 where he was re-loading his gun4 ,they overtook1 and seized him4 ,gist would have put him to death on the spot1 but ,washington humanely prevented him4 ,arriving at a small stream they ordered the ,indian to make a fire1 and took turns to watch over the guns4 ,while he was thus occupied1 ,gist observed to ,washington that1 since he would not suffer the ,indian to be killed1 they must manage to get him out of the way1 and then decamp with all speed1 and travel all night to leave this perfidious neighborhood behind them2 but first it was necessary to blind the guide as to their intentions4 ,he accordingly addressed him in a friendly tone1 and adverting to the late circumstance1 pretended to suppose he had lost his way1 and fired his gun merely as a signal4 ,the ,indian1 whether deceived or not1 readily chimed in with the explanation4 ,he said he now knew the way to his cabin1 which was at no great distance4 ,well then1 replied ,gist1 you can go home1 and as we are tired we will remain here for the night and follow your track at daylight4 ,whatever might have been the original designs of the savage1 he was evidently glad to get off4 ,gist followed him cautiously for a distance1 and listened until the sound of his footsteps died away2 returning then to ,washington1 they proceeded about half a mile1 made another fire1 set their compass and fixed their course by the light of it1 then leaving it burning1 pushed forward1 and travelled as fast as possible all night4 ,continuing on the next day they never relaxed their speed until nightfall1 when they arrived on the banks of the ,alleghany ,river1 about two miles above ,shannopins ,town4 ,washington had expected to find the river frozen completely over2 it was so only for about fifty yards from each shore1 while great quantities of broken ice were driving down the main channel4 ,trusting that he had out-travelled pursuit1 he encamped on the border of the river2 still it was an anxious night1 and he was up at daybreak to devise some means of reaching the opposite bank4 ,no other mode presented itself than by a raft1 and to construct this they had but one poor hatchet4 ,with this they set resolutely to work and labored all day1 but the sun went down before their raft was finished4 ,they launched it1 however1 and getting on board1 endeavored to propel it across with setting poles4 ,before they were half way over the raft became jammed between cakes of ice1 and they were in imminent peril4 ,washington planted his pole on the bottom of the stream1 and leaned against it with all his might1 to stay the raft until the ice should pass by4 ,the rapid current forced the ice against the pole with such violence that he was jerked into the water1 where it was at least ten feet deep1 and only saved himself from being swept away and drowned by catching hold of one of the raft logs4 ,it was now impossible with all their exertions to get to either shore2 abandoning the raft therefore1 they got upon an island1 near which they were drifting4 ,here they passed the night exposed to intense cold1 by which the hands and feet of ,mr4 ,gist were frozen4 ,in the morning they found the drift ice wedged so closely together1 that they succeeded in getting from the island to the opposite side of the river2 and before night were in comfortable quarters at the house of ,frazier1 an ,indian trader1 at the mouth of ,turtle ,creek1 on the ,monongahela4 ,leaving ,frazier's on the #ast of ,january1 where they had been detained two or three days endeavoring to procure horses1 they arrived on the #b;d at ,gist's residence1 sixteen miles from the ,monongahela4 ,here they separated1 and ,washington1 having purchased a horse1 continued his homeward course4 ,he reached ,williamsburg on the #afth of ,january1 where he delivered to ,governor ,dinwiddie the letter of the ,french commandant1 and made him a full report of the events of his mission4 ,we have been minute in our account of this expedition as it was an early test and development of the various talents and characteristics of ,washington4 ,the prudence1 sagacity1 resolution1 firmness1 and self-devotion manifested by him throughout1 pointed him out1 not merely to the governor1 but to the public at large1 as one eminently fitted1 notwithstanding his youth1 for important trusts involving civil as well as military duties4 ,it is an expedition that may be considered the foundation of his fortunes4 ,from that moment he was the rising hope of ,virginia4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,military ,,expedition ,,to ,,the ,,frontier4 ,the reply of the ,chevalier de ,st4 ,pierre was such as might have been expected from that courteous1 but wary commander4 ,he should transmit1 he said1 the letter of ,governor ,dinwiddie to his general1 the ,marquis du ,quesne1 to whom1 observed he1 it better belongs than to me to set forth the evidence and reality of the rights of the king1 my master1 upon the lands situated along the river ,ohio1 and to contest the pretensions of the ,king of ,great ,britain thereto4 ,his answer shall be a law to me4 ,this was considered evasive1 and only intended to gain time4 ,the information given by ,washington of what he had observed on the frontier convinced ,governor ,dinwiddie and his council that the ,french were preparing to descend the ,ohio in the spring1 and take military possession of the country4 ,washington's journal was printed1 and widely promulgated throughout the colonies and ,england1 and awakened the nation to a sense of the impending danger and the necessity of prompt measures to anticipate the ,french movements4 ,captain ,trent was dispatched to the frontier1 commissioned to raise a company of one hundred men1 march with all speed to the fork of the ,ohio1 and finish as soon as possible the fort commenced there by the ,ohio ,company4 ,he was enjoined to act only on the defensive1 but to capture or destroy whoever should oppose the construction of the works1 or disturb the settlements4 ,the choice of ,captain ,trent for this service1 notwithstanding his late inefficient expedition1 was probably owing to his being brother-in-law to ,george ,croghan1 who had grown to be quite a personage of consequence on the frontier1 where he had an establishment1 or trading-house1 and was supposed to have great influence among the western tribes1 so as to be able at any time to persuade many of them to take up the hatchet4 ,washington was empowered to raise a company of like force at ,alexandria2 to procure and forward munitions and supplies for the projected fort at the fork1 and ultimately to have command of both companies4 ,governor ,dinwiddie in the meantime called upon the governors of the other provinces to make common cause against the foe2 he endeavored1 also1 to effect alliances with the ,indian tribes of the south1 the ,catawbas and ,cherokees1 by way of counter-balancing the ,chippewas and ,ottawas1 who were devoted to the ,french4 ,the colonies1 however1 felt as yet too much like isolated territories2 the spirit of union was wanting4 ,some pleaded a want of military funds2 some questioned the justice of the cause2 some declined taking any hostile step that might involve them in a war1 unless they should have direct orders from the crown4 ,dinwiddie convened the ,house of ,burgesses to devise measures for the public security4 ,here his high idea of prerogative and of gubernatorial dignity met with a grievous countercheck from the dawning spirit of independence4 ,when he propounded his scheme of operations on the ,ohio1 some of the burgesses had the hardihood to doubt the claims of the king to the disputed territory2 a doubt which the governor reprobated as savoring strongly of a most disloyal ,french spirit4 ,others demurred to any grant of means for military purposes which might be construed into an act of hostility4 ,to meet this scruple it was suggested that the grant might be made for the purpose of encouraging and protecting all settlers on the waters of the ,mississippi4 ,and under this specious plea ten thousand pounds were grudgingly voted4 ,ways and means being provided1 ,governor ,dinwiddie augmented the number of troops to be enlisted to three hundred1 divided into six companies4 ,the command of the whole1 as before1 was offered to ,washington1 but he shrank from it1 as a charge too great for his youth and inexperience4 ,it was given1 therefore1 to ,colonel ,joshua ,fry1 an ,english gentleman of worth and education1 and ,washington was made second in command1 with the rank of lieutenant-colonel4 ,the recruiting1 at first1 went on slowly4 ,governor ,dinwiddie proclaimed a bounty of two hundred thousand acres of land on the ,ohio ,river1 to be divided among the officers and soldiers who should engage in this expedition2 one thousand to be laid off contiguous to the fort at the fork1 for the use of the garrison4 ,this was a tempting bait to the sons of farmers1 who readily enlisted in the hope of having1 at the end of a short campaign1 a snug farm of their own in this land of promise4 ,it was a more difficult matter to get officers than soldiers4 ,very few of those appointed made their appearance2 one of the captains had been promoted2 two declined2 ,washington found himself left1 almost alone1 to manage a number of self-willed1 undisciplined recruits4 ,happily he had with him1 in the rank of lieutenant1 that soldier of fortune1 ,jacob ,van ,braam1 his old master of fence1 and travelling interpreter4 ,in his emergency he forthwith nominated him captain1 and wrote to the governor to confirm the appointment4 ,on the #b;d of ,april ,washington set off from ,alexandria for the new fort1 at the fork of the ,ohio4 ,he had but two companies with him1 amounting to about one hundred and fifty men2 the remainder of the regiment was to follow under ,colonel ,fry with the artillery1 which was to be conveyed up the ,potomac4 ,while on the march he was joined by a detachment under ,captain ,adam ,stephen1 an officer destined to serve with him at distant periods of his military career4 ,at ,winchester he found it impossible to obtain conveyances by gentle means1 and was obliged reluctantly to avail himself of the militia law of ,virginia1 and impress horses and wagons for service2 giving the owners orders on government for their appraised value4 ,even then1 out of a great number impressed1 he obtained but ten1 after waiting a week4 ,thus slenderly fitted out1 ,washington and his little force made their way toilfully across the mountains1 having to prepare the roads as they went for the transportation of the cannon1 which were to follow on with the other division under ,colonel ,fry4 ,they cheered themselves with the thoughts that this hard work would cease when they should arrive at the company's trading-post and store-house at ,wills' ,creek1 where ,captain ,trent was to have pack-horses in readiness1 with which they might make the rest of the way by light stages4 ,before arriving there they were startled by a rumor that ,trent and all his men had been captured by the ,french4 ,with regard to ,trent the news soon proved to be false1 for they found him at ,wills' ,creek on the #bjth of ,april4 ,with regard to his men there was still an uncertainty4 ,he had recently left them at the fork of the ,ohio1 busily at work on the fort1 under the command of his lieutenant1 ,frazier4 ,washington was eager to press forward and ascertain the truth1 but it was impossible4 ,trent1 inefficient as usual1 had failed to provide pack-horses4 ,it was necessary to send to ,winchester1 sixty miles distant1 for baggage wagons1 and await their arrival4 ,all uncertainty as to the fate of the men1 however1 was brought to a close by their arrival1 on the #beth1 conducted by an ensign1 and bringing with them their working implements4 ,the ,french might well boast that they had again been too quick for the ,english4 ,captain ,contrecoeur1 an alert officer1 had embarked about a thousand men with field-pieces1 in a fleet of sixty bateaux and three hundred canoes1 dropped down the river from ,venango1 and suddenly made his appearance before the fort1 on which the men were working1 and which was not half completed4 ,landing1 drawing up his men1 and planting his artillery1 he summoned the fort to surrender1 allowing one hour for a written reply4 ,all that the ensign could obtain was permission to depart with his men1 taking with them their working tools4 ,such was the ensign's story4 ,he was accompanied by two ,indian warriors1 sent by the half-king to ascertain where the detachment was1 what was its strength1 and when it might be expected at the ,ohio4 ,they bore a speech from that sachem to ,washington1 and another1 with a belt of wampum for the governor of ,virginia4 ,in these he plighted his steadfast faith to the ,english1 and claimed assistance from his brothers of ,virginia and ,pennsylvania4 ,one of these warriors ,washington forwarded on with the speech and wampum to ,governor ,dinwiddie4 ,the other he prevailed on to return to the half-king bearing a speech from him1 addressed to the ,sachems1 warriors of the ,six ,united ,nations1 ,shannoahs and ,delawares1 our friends and brethren4 ,in this he informed them that he was on the advance with a part of the army1 to clear the road for a greater force coming with guns1 ammunition1 and provisions2 and he invited the half-king and another sachem to meet him on the road1 as soon as possible1 to hold a council4 ,in fact1 his situation was arduous in the extreme4 ,regarding the conduct of the ,french in the recent occurrence an overt act of war1 he found himself thrown with a handful of raw recruits far on a hostile frontier1 in the midst of a wilderness1 with an enemy at hand greatly superior in number and discipline2 provided with artillery1 and all the munitions of war1 and within reach of constant supplies and reinforcements4 ,besides the ,french that had come from ,venango1 he had received credible accounts of another party ascending the ,ohio2 and of six hundred ,chippewas and ,ottawas marching down ,scioto ,creek to join the hostile camp4 ,still1 notwithstanding the accumulating danger1 it would not do to fall back1 nor show signs of apprehension4 ,his ,indian allies in such case might desert him4 ,the soldiery1 too1 might grow restless and dissatisfied4 ,in this dilemma he called a council of war1 in which it was determined to proceed to the ,ohio ,company store-house1 at the mouth of ,redstone ,creek2 fortify themselves there1 and wait for reinforcements4 ,here they might keep up a vigilant watch upon the enemy1 and get notice of any hostile movement in time for defence1 or retreat2 and should they be reinforced sufficiently to enable them to attack the fort1 they could easily drop down the river with their artillery4 ,with these alternatives in view1 ,washington detached sixty men in advance to make a road2 and at the same time wrote to ,governor ,dinwiddie for mortars and grenadoes1 and cannon of heavy metal4 ,aware that the ,assembly of ,pennsylvania was in session and that the ,maryland ,assembly would also meet in the course of a few days1 he wrote directly to the governors of those provinces1 acquainting them with the hostile acts of the ,french1 and with his perilous situation2 and endeavoring to rouse them to co-operation in the common cause4 ,before setting off for ,redstone ,creek1 he discharged ,trent's men who1 having enlisted as volunteers1 considered themselves exempt from the rigor of martial law1 and had become refractory from his detachment1 ordering them to await ,colonel ,fry's commands2 they1 however1 in the true spirit of volunteers from the backwoods1 dispersed to their homes4 ,on the #bith of ,april ,washington set out from ,wills' ,creek at the head of one hundred and sixty men4 ,he soon overtook those sent in advance to work the road2 they had made but little progress4 ,it was a difficult task to break a road through the wilderness sufficient for the artillery coming on with ,colonel ,fry's division4 ,all hands were now set to work1 but with all their labor they could not accomplish more than four miles a day4 ,on the #ith of ,may they were not further than twenty miles from ,wills' ,creek1 at a place called the ,little ,meadows4 ,every day came gloomy accounts from the ,ohio2 brought chiefly by traders1 who1 with pack-horses bearing their effects1 were retreating to the more settled parts of the country4 ,some exaggerated the number of the ,french1 as if strongly reinforced4 ,all represented them as diligently at work constructing a fort4 ,by their account ,washington perceived the ,french had chosen the very place which he had noted in his journal as best fitted for the purpose4 ,one of the traders gave information concerning ,la ,force1 the ,french emissary1 who had beset ,washington when on his mission to the frontier1 and acted1 as he thought1 the part of a spy4 ,he had been at ,gist's new settlement beyond ,laurel ,hill1 and was prowling about the country with four soldiers at his heels on a pretended hunt after deserters4 ,washington suspected him to be on a reconnoitering expedition4 ,it was reported1 moreover1 that the ,french were lavishing presents on the ,indians about the lower part of the river1 to draw them to their standard4 ,among all these flying reports and alarms ,washington was gratified to learn that the half-king was on his way to meet him at the head of fifty warriors4 ,after infinite toil through swamps and forests1 and over rugged mountains1 the detachment arrived at the ,youghiogeny ,river1 where they were detained some days constructing a bridge to cross it4 ,this gave ,washington leisure to correspond with ,governor ,dinwiddie concerning matters which had deeply annoyed him4 ,by an ill-judged economy of the ,virginia government at this critical juncture1 its provincial officers received less pay than that allowed in the regular army4 ,it is true1 the regular officers were obliged to furnish their own table1 but their superior pay enabled them to do it luxuriously2 whereas the provincials were obliged to do hard duty on salt provisions and water4 ,the provincial officers resented this inferiority of pay as an indignity1 and declared that nothing prevented them from throwing up their commissions but unwillingness to recede from approaching danger4 ,other instances of false economy were pointed out by ,washington1 forming so many drags upon the expedition that he quite despaired of success4 ,be the consequence what it will1 however1 adds he1 ,i am determined not to leave the regiment1 but to be among the last men that leave the ,ohio2 even if ,i serve as a private volunteer1 which ,i greatly prefer to the establishment we are upon4444 ,i have a constitution hardy enough to encounter and undergo the most severe trials1 and ,i flatter myself resolution to face what any man dares1 as shall be proved when it comes to the test4 ,while the bridge over the ,youghiogeny was in the course of construction1 the ,indians assured ,washington he would never be able to open a wagon-road across the mountain to ,redstone ,creek2 he embarked therefore in a canoe with a lieutenant1 three soldiers1 and an ,indian guide1 to try whether it was possible to descend the river4 ,the river was bordered by mountains and obstructed by rocks and rapids4 ,indians might thread such a labyrinth in their light canoes1 but it would never admit the transportation of troops and military stores4 ,washington kept on for thirty miles1 until he came to a place where the river fell nearly forty feet in the space of fifty yards4 ,there he ceased to explore1 and returned to camp1 resolving to continue forward by land4 ,on the #bc;d ,indian scouts brought word that the ,french were not above eight hundred strong1 and that about half their number had been detached at night on a secret expedition4 ,close upon this report came a message from the half-king4 ,it is reported1 said he1 that the ,french army is coming to meet ,major ,washington4 ,be on your guard against them1 my brethren1 for they intend to strike the first ,english they shall see4 ,in the evening ,washington was told that the ,french were crossing the ford of the ,youghiogeny about eighteen miles distant4 ,he now hastened to take a position in a place called the ,great ,meadows1 where he caused the bushes to be cleared away1 made an intrenchment1 and prepared what he termed1 a charming field for an encounter4 ,a party of scouts were mounted on wagon-horses1 and sent out to reconnoitre4 ,they returned without having seen an enemy4 ,on the #beth ,mr4 ,gist arrived from his place1 about fifteen miles distant4 ,la ,force had been there at noon on the previous day1 with a detachment of fifty men1 and ,gist had since come upon their track within five miles of the camp4 ,washington detached seventy-five men in pursuit of him and his prowling band4 ,about nine o'clock at night came an ,indian messenger from the half-king1 who was encamped with several of his people about six miles off4 ,the chief had seen tracks of two ,frenchmen1 and was convinced their whole body must be in ambush near by4 ,washington considered this the force which had been hovering about him for several days1 and determined to forestall their hostile designs4 ,leaving a guard with the baggage and ammunition1 he set out before ten o'clock1 with forty men1 to join his ,indian ally4 ,they groped their way in single file1 by footpaths through the woods1 in a heavy rain and murky darkness4 ,it was near sunrise when they reached the camp of the half-king4 ,the chieftain received the youthful commander with great demonstrations of friendship1 and engaged to go hand in hand with him against the lurking enemy4 ,he set out accordingly1 accompanied by a few of his warriors and his associate sachem ,scarooyadi or ,monacatoocha1 and conducted ,washington to the tracks which he had discovered4 ,upon these he put two of his ,indians4 ,they followed them up like hounds1 and brought back word that they had traced them to a low bottom surrounded by rocks and trees1 where the ,french were encamped1 having built a few cabins for shelter from the rain4 ,a plan was now concerted to come upon them by surprise2 ,washington with his men on the right2 the half-king with his warriors on the left2 all as silently as possible4 ,washington was the first upon the ground4 ,as he advanced from among the rocks and trees at the head of his men1 the ,french caught sight of him and ran to their arms4 ,a sharp firing instantly took place1 and was kept up on both sides for about fifteen minutes4 ,washington and his party were most exposed and received all the enemy's fire4 ,the ,french at length1 having lost several of their number1 gave way and ran4 ,they were soon overtaken2 twenty-one were captured1 and but one escaped1 a ,canadian1 who carried the tidings of the affair to the fort on the ,ohio4 ,the ,indians would have massacred the prisoners had not ,washington prevented them4 ,ten of the ,french had fallen in the skirmish1 and one been wounded4 ,washington's loss was one killed and three wounded4 ,he had been in the hottest fire1 and1 having for the first time heard balls whistle about him1 considered his escape miraculous4 ,jumonville1 the ,french leader1 had been shot through the head at the first fire4 ,of the twenty-one prisoners the two most important were an officer of some consequence named ,drouillon1 and the subtle and redoubtable ,la ,force4 ,as ,washington considered the latter an arch mischief-maker1 he was rejoiced to have him is his power4 ,the prisoners were conducted to the camp at the ,great ,meadows1 and sent on the following day 7#bith71 under a strong escort to ,governor ,dinwiddie1 then at ,winchester4 ,washington had treated them with great courtesy2 had furnished ,drouillon and ,la ,force with clothing from his own scanty stock1 and1 at their request1 given them letters to the governor1 bespeaking for them the respect and favor due to their character and personal merit4 ,the situation of ,washington was now extremely perilous4 ,contrecoeur1 it was said1 had nearly a thousand men with him at the fort1 beside ,indian allies2 and reinforcements were on the way to join him4 ,the messengers sent by ,jumonville1 previous to the late affair1 must have apprised him of the weakness of the encampment on the ,great ,meadows4 ,washington hastened to strengthen it4 ,he wrote by express also to ,colonel ,fry1 who lay ill at ,wills' ,creek1 urging instant reinforcements4 ,the half-king was full of fight4 ,he sent the scalps of the ,frenchmen slain in the late skirmish1 accompanied by black wampum and hatchets1 to all his allies1 summoning them to take up arms and join him at ,redstone ,creek1 for their brothers1 the ,english1 had now begun in earnest4 ,he went off for his home1 promising to send down the river for all the ,mingoes and ,shawnees1 and to be back at the camp on the #cjth1 with thirty or forty warriors1 accompanied by their wives and children4 ,to assist him in the transportation of his people and their effects thirty men were detached and twenty horses4 ,i shall expect every hour to be attacked1 writes ,washington to ,governor ,dinwiddie1 on the #bfth1 and by unequal numbers1 which ,i must withstand1 if there are five to one1 for ,i fear the consequence will be that we shall lose the ,indians if we suffer ourselves to be driven back4 ,your honor may depend ,i will not be surprised1 let them come at what hour they will1 and this is as much as ,i can promise2 but my best endeavors shall not be wanting to effect more4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,misfortunes4--,,capitulation ,,of ,,fort ,,necessity4 ,scarcity began to prevail in the camp4 ,contracts had been made with ,george ,croghan for flour1 of which he had large quantities at his frontier establishment2 for he was now trading with the army as well as with the ,indians4 ,none1 however1 made its appearance4 ,at one time the troops were six days without flour4 ,in this time of scarcity the half-king1 his fellow sachem1 ,scarooyadi1 and thirty or forty warriors1 arrived1 bringing with them their wives and children--so many more hungry mouths to be supplied4 ,news came of the death of ,colonel ,fry at ,wills' ,creek1 and that he was to be succeeded in the command of the expedition by ,colonel ,innes of ,north ,carolina1 who was actually at ,winchester with three hundred and fifty ,north ,carolina troops4 ,the colonel1 however1 never came to the camp1 nor did the ,north ,carolina troops render any service in the campaign--the fortunes of which might otherwise have been very different4 ,by the death of ,fry1 the command of the regiment devolved on ,washington4 ,the palisaded fort was now completed1 and was named ,fort ,necessity1 from the pinching famine that had prevailed during its construction4 ,the scanty force in camp was augmented to three hundred by the arrival from ,wills' ,creek of the men who had been under ,colonel ,fry4 ,with them came the surgeon of the regiment1 ,dr4 ,james ,craik1 a ,scotchman by birth1 and one destined to become a faithful and confidential friend of ,washington for the remainder of his life4 ,a letter from ,governor ,dinwiddie announced1 however1 that ,captain ,mackay would soon arrive with an independent company of one hundred men1 from ,south ,carolina4 ,the title of independent company had a sound ominous of trouble4 ,troops of the kind1 raised in the colonies1 under direction of the governors1 were paid by the crown1 and the officers had king's commissions2 such1 doubtless1 had ,captain ,mackay4 ,i should have been particularly obliged1 writes ,washington to ,governor ,dinwiddie1 if you had declared whether he was under my command or independent of it4 ,i hope he will have more sense than to insist upon any unreasonable distinction1 because he and his officers have commissions from his majesty4 ,on the #ith arrived ,washington's early instructor in military tactics1 ,adjutant ,muse1 recently appointed a major in the regiment4 ,he was accompanied by ,montour1 the ,indian interpreter1 now a provincial captain1 and brought with him nine swivels1 and a small supply of powder and ball4 ,fifty or sixty horses were forthwith sent to ,wills' ,creek1 to bring on further supplies1 and ,mr4 ,gist was urged to hasten forward the artillery4 ,major ,muse was likewise the bearer of a belt of wampum and a speech1 from ,governor ,dinwiddie to the half-king2 with medals for the chiefs1 and goods for presents among the friendly ,indians1 a measure which had been suggested by ,washington4 ,they were distributed with that grand ceremonial so dear to the red man4 ,on the #ajth there was agitation in the camp4 ,scouts hurried in with word1 as ,washington understood them1 that a party of ninety ,frenchmen were approaching4 ,the report of the scouts had been either exaggerated or misunderstood4 ,the ninety ,frenchmen in military array dwindled down into nine ,french deserters4 ,according to their account1 the fort at the fork was completed1 and named ,duquesne1 in honor of the governor of ,canada4 ,it was proof against all attack1 excepting with bombs1 on the land side4 ,the garrison did not exceed five hundred1 but two hundred more were hourly expected1 and nine hundred in the course of a fortnight4 ,on the same day ,captain ,mackay arrived1 with his independent company of ,south ,carolinians4 ,the cross purposes which ,washington had apprehended1 soon manifested themselves4 ,the captain was civil and well disposed1 but full of formalities and points of etiquette4 ,holding a commission direct from the king1 he could not bring himself to acknowledge a provincial officer as his superior4 ,he encamped separately1 kept separate guards1 would not agree that ,washington should assign any rallying place for his men in case of alarm1 and objected to receive from him the parole and countersign1 though necessary for their common safety4 ,washington conducted himself with circumspection1 avoiding everything that might call up a question of command1 and reasoning calmly whenever such question occurred2 but he urged the governor by letter1 to prescribe their relative rank and authority4 ,on the #aath of ,june1 ,washington resumed the laborious march for ,redstone ,creek4 ,as ,captain ,mackay could not oblige his men to work on the road unless they were allowed a shilling sterling a day2 and as ,washington did not choose to pay this1 nor to suffer them to march at their ease while his own faithful soldiers were laboriously employed2 he left the captain and his independent company as a guard at ,fort ,necessity1 and undertook to complete the military road with his own men4 ,accordingly1 he and his ,virginia troops toiled forward through the narrow defiles of the mountains1 working on the road as they went4 ,at ,gist's establishment1 about thirteen miles from ,fort ,necessity1 ,washington received certain intelligence that ample reinforcements had arrived at ,fort ,duquesne1 and a large force would instantly be detached against him4 ,coming to a halt1 he began to throw up intrenchments1 calling in two foraging parties1 and sending word to ,captain ,mackay to join him with all speed4 ,the captain and his company arrived in the evening2 the foraging parties the next morning4 ,a council of war was held1 in which the idea of awaiting the enemy at this place was unanimously abandoned4 ,a rapid and toilsome retreat ensued4 ,there was a deficiency of horses4 ,washington gave up his own to aid in transporting the military munitions1 leaving his baggage to be brought on by soldiers1 whom he paid liberally4 ,the other officers followed his example4 ,the weather was sultry2 the roads were rough2 provisions were scanty1 and the men dispirited by hunger4 ,on the #ast of ,july they reached the ,great ,meadows4 ,here the ,virginians1 exhausted by fatigue1 hunger1 and vexation1 declared they would carry the baggage and drag the swivels no further4 ,contrary to his original intentions1 therefore1 ,washington determined to halt here for the present1 and fortify1 sending off expresses to hasten supplies and reinforcements from ,wills' ,creek1 where he had reason to believe that two independent companies from ,new ,york were by this time arrived4 ,the retreat to the ,great ,meadows had not been in the least too precipitate4 ,captain de ,villiers1 a brother-in-law of ,jumonville1 had actually sallied forth from ,fort ,duquesne at the head of upwards of five hundred ,french1 and several hundred ,indians1 eager to avenge the death of his relative4 ,arriving about dawn of day at ,gist's plantation1 he surrounded the works which ,washington had hastily thrown up there1 and fired into them4 ,finding them deserted1 he concluded that those of whom he came in search had made good their retreat to the settlements1 and it was too late to pursue them4 ,he was on the point of returning to ,fort ,duquesne1 when a deserter arrived1 who gave word that ,washington had come to a halt in the ,great ,meadows1 where his troops were in a starving condition4 ,de ,villiers ordered the fellow into confinement2 to be rewarded if his words proved true1 otherwise to be hanged4 ,he then pushed forward for the ,great ,meadows4 ,in the meantime ,washington had exerted himself to enlarge and strengthen ,fort ,necessity1 nothing of which had been done by ,captain ,mackay and his men1 while encamped there4 ,the fort was about a hundred feet square1 protected by trenches and palisades4 ,it stood on the margin of a small stream1 nearly in the centre of the ,great ,meadows1 which is a grassy plain1 perfectly level1 surrounded by wooded hills of a moderate height1 and at that place about two hundred and fifty yards wide4 ,washington asked no assistance from the ,south ,carolina troops1 but set to work with his ,virginians1 animating them by word and example2 sharing in the labor of felling trees1 hewing off the branches1 and rolling up the trunks to form a breastwork4 ,at this critical juncture he was deserted by his ,indian allies4 ,they were disheartened at the scanty preparations for defence against a superior force1 and offended at being subjected to military command4 ,the half-king thought he had not been sufficiently consulted1 and that his advice had not been sufficiently followed2 such1 at least1 were some of the reasons which he subsequently gave for abandoning the youthful commander on the approach of danger4 ,most of his warriors followed his example4 ,early in the morning of the #c;d1 while ,washington and his men were working on the fort1 a sentinel came in wounded and bleeding1 having been fired upon4 ,scouts brought word shortly afterwards that the ,french were in force about four miles off4 ,washington drew up his men on level ground outside of the works to await their attack4 ,about eleven o'clock there was a firing of musketry from among trees on rising ground1 but so distant as to do no harm2 suspecting this to be a stratagem designed to draw his men into the woods1 he ordered them to keep quiet1 and refrain from firing until the foe should show themselves1 and draw near4 ,the firing was kept up1 but still under cover4 ,he now fell back with his men into the trenches1 ordering them to fire whenever they could get sight of an enemy4 ,in this way there was skirmishing throughout the day2 the ,french and ,indians advancing as near as the covert of the woods would permit4 ,in the meantime the rain fell in torrents2 the harassed and jaded troops were half drowned in their trenches and many of their muskets were rendered unfit for use4 ,about eight at night the ,french requested a parley4 ,washington hesitated4 ,it might be a stratagem to gain admittance for a spy into the fort4 ,the request was repeated1 with the addition that an officer might be sent to treat with them1 under their parole for his safety4 ,unfortunately the ,chevalier de ,peyrouney1 engineer of the regiment1 and the only one that could speak ,french correctly1 was wounded and disabled4 ,washington had to send1 therefore1 his ancient swordsman and interpreter1 ,jacob ,van ,braam4 ,the captain returned twice with separate terms1 in which the garrison was required to surrender2 both were rejected4 ,he returned a third time1 with written articles of capitulation4 ,they were in ,french4 ,as no implements for writing were at hand1 ,van ,braam undertook to translate them by word of mouth4 ,a candle was brought1 and held close to the paper while he read4 ,the rain fell in torrents2 it was difficult to keep the light from being extinguished4 ,the captain rendered the capitulation1 article by article1 in mongrel ,english1 while ,washington and his officers stood listening1 endeavoring to disentangle the meaning4 ,one article stipulated that on surrendering the fort they should leave all their military stores1 munitions1 and artillery in possession of the ,french4 ,this was objected to1 and was readily modified4 ,the main articles1 as ,washington and his officers understood them1 were1 that they should be allowed to return to the settlements without molestation from ,french or ,indians4 ,that they should march out of the fort with the honors of war1 drums beating and colors flying1 and with all their effects and military stores excepting the artillery1 which should be destroyed4 ,that they should be allowed to deposit their effects in some secret place1 and leave a guard to protect them until they could send horses to bring them away2 their horses having been nearly all killed or lost during the action4 ,that they should give their word of honor not to attempt any buildings or improvements on the lands of his most ,christian ,majesty for the space of a year4 ,that the prisoners taken in the skirmish of ,jumonville should be restored1 and until their delivery ,captain ,van ,braam and ,captain ,stobo should remain with the ,french as hostages4 ,the next morning1 accordingly1 ,washington and his men marched out of their forlorn fortress with the honors of war1 bearing with them their regimental colors1 but leaving behind a large flag1 too cumbrous to be transported4 ,scarcely had they begun their march1 however1 when1 in defiance of the terms of capitulation1 they were beset by a large body of ,indians1 allies of the ,french1 who began plundering the baggage1 and committing other irregularities4 ,seeing that the ,french did not1 or could not1 prevent them1 and that all the baggage which could not be transported on the shoulders of his troops would fall into the hands of these savages1 ,washington ordered it to be destroyed1 as well as the artillery1 gunpowder1 and other military stores4 ,all this detained him until ten o'clock1 when he set out on his melancholy march1 and continued on until three miles from ,fort ,necessity1 where he encamped for the night4 ,in the following days' march the troops seemed jaded and disheartened2 they were encumbered and delayed by the wounded2 provisions were scanty1 and they had seventy weary miles to accomplish before they could meet with supplies4 ,washington1 however1 encouraged them by his own steadfast and cheerful demeanor1 and by sharing all their toils and privations2 and at length conducted them in safety to ,wills' ,creek1 where they found ample provisions in the military magazines4 ,leaving them here to recover their strength1 he proceeded with ,captain ,mackay to ,williamsburg1 to make his military report to the governor4 ,a copy of the capitulation was subsequently laid before the ,virginia ,house of ,burgesses1 with explanations4 ,notwithstanding the unfortunate result of the campaign1 the conduct of ,washington and his officers was properly appreciated1 and they received a vote of thanks for their bravery1 and gallant defence of their country4 ,from the vote of thanks1 two officers were excepted2 ,major ,stobo1 who was charged with cowardice1 and ,washington's unfortunate master of fence and blundering interpreter1 ,jacob ,van ,braam1 who was accused of treachery1 in purposely misinterpreting the articles of capitulation4 ,we will here anticipate dates to record the fortunes of the half-king after his withdrawal from the camp4 ,he and several of his warriors1 with their wives and children1 retreated to ,aughquick1 in the back part of ,pennsylvania1 where ,george ,croghan had an agency1 and was allowed money from time to time for the maintenance of ,indian allies4 ,the half-king expressed himself perfectly disgusted with the white man's mode of warfare4 ,the ,french1 he said1 were cowards2 the ,english1 fools4 ,washington was a good man1 but wanted experience2 he would not take advice of the ,indians1 and was always driving them to fight according to his own notions4 ,for this reason he 7the half-king7 had carried off his wife and children to a place of safety4 ,after a time the chieftain fell dangerously ill1 and on his death1 which took place shortly afterwards1 there was great lamentation4 ,early in ,august ,washington rejoined his regiment1 which had arrived at ,alexandria by the way of ,winchester4 ,letters from ,governor ,dinwiddie urged him to recruit it to the former number of three hundred men1 and join ,colonel ,innes at ,wills' ,creek1 where that officer was stationed with ,mackay's independent company of ,south ,carolinians1 and two independent companies from ,new ,york2 and had been employed in erecting a work to serve as a frontier post and rally point2 which work received the name of ,fort ,cumberland1 in honor of the ,duke of ,cumberland1 captain-general of the ,british army4 ,in the meantime the ,french1 elated by their recent triumph1 and thinking no danger at hand1 relaxed their vigilance at ,fort ,duquesne4 ,stobo1 who was a kind of prisoner at large there1 found means to send a letter secretly by an ,indian1 dated ,july #bh1 and directed to the commander of the ,english troops4 ,it was accompanied by a plan of the fort4 ,there are two hundred men here1 writes he1 and two hundred expected2 the rest have gone off in detachments to the amount of one thousand1 besides ,indians4 ,none lodge in the fort but ,contrecoeur and the guard1 consisting of forty men and five officers2 the rest lodge in bark cabins around the fort4 ,the ,indians have access day and night1 and come and go when they please4 ,if one hundred trusty ,shawnees1 ,mingoes1 and ,delawares were picked out1 they might surprise the fort1 lodging themselves under the palisades by day1 and at night secure the guard with their tomahawks1 shut the sally-gate1 and the fort is ours4 ,the ,indian messenger carried the letter to ,aughquick and delivered it into the hands of ,george ,croghan4 ,the ,indian chiefs who were with him insisted upon his opening it4 ,he did so1 but on finding the tenor of it1 transmitted it to the governor of ,pennsylvania4 ,the secret information communicated by ,stobo may have been the cause of a project suddenly conceived by ,governor ,dinwiddie1 of a detachment which1 by a forced march across the mountains1 might descend upon the ,french and take ,fort ,duquesne at a single blow2 or1 failing that1 might build a rival fort in its vicinity4 ,he accordingly wrote to ,washington to march forthwith for ,wills' ,creek1 with such companies as were complete1 leaving orders with the officers to follow as soon as they should have enlisted men sufficient to make up their companies4 ,the ignorance of ,dinwiddie in military affairs and his want of forecast1 led him perpetually into blunders4 ,washington saw the rashness of an attempt to dispossess the ,french with a force so inferior that it could be harassed and driven from place to place at their pleasure4 ,before the troops could be collected1 and munitions of war provided1 the season would be too far advanced4 ,there would be no forage for the horses2 the streams would be swollen and unfordable2 the mountains rendered impassable by snow1 and frost1 and slippery roads4 ,such are a few of the cogent reasons urged by ,washington in a letter to his friend ,william ,fairfax1 then in the ,house of ,burgesses1 which no doubt was shown to ,governor ,dinwiddie1 and probably had an effect in causing the rash project to be abandoned4 ,in the month of ,october the ,house of ,burgesses made a grant of twenty thousand pounds for the public service2 and ten thousand more were sent out from ,england1 beside a supply of fire-arms4 ,the governor now applied himself to military matters with renewed spirit2 increased the actual force to ten companies2 and as there had been difficulties among the different kinds of troops with regard to precedence1 he reduced them all to independent companies2 so that there would be no officer in a ,virginia regiment above the rank of captain4 ,this shrewd measure1 upon which ,dinwiddie secretly prided himself as calculated to put an end to the difficulties in question1 immediately drove ,washington out of the service2 considering it derogatory to his character to accept a lower commission than that under which his conduct had gained him a vote of thanks from the ,legislature4 ,governor ,sharpe1 of ,maryland1 appointed by the king commander-in-chief of all the forces engaged against the ,french1 sought to secure his valuable services1 and authorized ,colonel ,fitzhugh1 whom he had placed in temporary command of the army1 to write to him to that effect4 ,the reply of ,washington 7#aeth ,nov47 is full of dignity and spirit1 and shows how deeply he felt his military degradation4 ,you make mention1 says he1 of my continuing in the service and retaining my colonel's commission4 ,this idea has filled me with surprise2 for if you think me capable of holding a commission that has neither rank nor emolument annexed to it1 you must maintain a very contemptible opinion of my weakness1 and believe me more empty than the commission itself4 ,i herewith inclose ,governor ,sharpe's letter which ,i beg you will return to him with my acknowledgements for the favor he intended me4 ,even had ,washington hesitated to take this step1 it would have been forced upon him by a further regulation of government1 in the course of the ensuing winter1 settling the rank of officers of his majesty's forces when joined or serving with the provincial forces in ,north ,america1 which directed that all such as were commissioned by the king1 or by his general commander-in-chief in ,north ,america1 should take rank of all officers commissioned by the governors of the respective provinces4 ,and further1 that the general and field officers of the provincial troops should have no rank when serving with the general and field officers commissioned by the crown2 but that all captains and other inferior officers of the royal troops should take rank over provincial officers of the same grade1 having older commissions4 ,these regulations1 originating in that supercilious assumption of superiority which sometimes overruns and degrades true ,british pride1 would have been spurned by ,washington1 as insulting to the character and conduct of his high-minded brethren of the colonies4 ,another cause of vexation to ,washington was the refusal of ,governor ,dinwiddie to give up the ,french prisoners1 taken in the affair of ,de ,jumonville1 in fulfillment of the articles of capitulation4 ,his plea was1 that since the capitulation1 the ,french had taken several ,british subjects1 and sent them prisoners to ,canada1 he considered himself justifiable in detaining those ,frenchmen which he had in his custody4 ,washington felt deeply mortified by this obtuseness of the governor on a point of military punctilio and honorable faith1 but his remonstrances were unavailing4 ,la ,force not having acted in a military capacity1 and having offended against the peace and security of the frontier1 by his intrigues among the ,indians1 was kept in close durance4 ,the refusal of ,governor ,dinwiddie to fulfill the article of the capitulation respecting the prisoners1 and the rigorous treatment of ,la ,force1 operated hardly upon the hostages1 ,stobo and ,van ,braam1 who1 in retaliation1 were confined in prison in ,quebec4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,a ,,campaign ,,under ,,general ,,braddock4 ,having resigned his commission1 and disengaged himself from public affairs1 ,washington's first care was to visit his mother1 inquire into the state of domestic concerns1 and attend to the welfare of his brothers and sisters4 ,in these matters he was ever his mother's adjunct and counsellor1 discharging faithfully the duties of an eldest son1 who should consider himself a second father to the family4 ,he now took up his abode at ,mount ,vernon1 and prepared to engage in those agricultural pursuits1 for which1 even in his youthful days1 he had as keen a relish as for the profession of arms4 ,scarcely had he entered upon his rural occupations1 however1 when the service of his country once more called him to the field4 ,the disastrous affair at the ,great ,meadows1 and the other acts of ,french hostility on the ,ohio1 had roused the attention of the ,british ministry1 who now prepared for military operations in ,america2 none of them professedly aggressive1 but rather to resist and counteract aggressions4 ,a plan of campaign was devised for #agee1 having four objects3 ,to eject the ,french from lands which they held unjustly1 in the province of ,nova ,scotia2 to dislodge them from a fortress which they had erected at ,crown ,point1 on ,lake ,champlain1 within what was claimed as ,british territory2 to dispossess them of the fort which they had constructed at ,niagara1 between ,lake ,ontario and ,lake ,erie2 to drive them from the frontiers of ,pennsylvania and ,virginia1 and recover the valley of the ,ohio4 ,the ,duke of ,cumberland1 captain-general of the ,british army1 had the organization of this campaign2 and through his patronage1 ,major-general ,edward ,braddock was intrusted with the execution of it1 being appointed generalissimo of all the forces in the colonies4 ,braddock was a veteran in service1 and had been upwards of forty years in the guards1 that school of exact discipline and technical punctilio4 ,he was a brave and experienced officer2 but his experience was that of routine1 and rendered him pragmatical and obstinate1 impatient of novel expedients1 and his military precision1 which would have been brilliant on parade1 was a constant obstacle to alert action in the wilderness4 ,he was to lead in person the grand enterprise of the campaign1 that destined for the frontiers of ,virginia and ,pennsylvania2 it was the enterprise in which ,washington became enlisted1 and1 therefore1 claims our especial attention4 ,prior to the arrival of ,braddock1 came out from ,england ,lieutenant-,colonel ,sir ,john ,st4 ,clair1 deputy quartermaster-general1 eager to make himself acquainted with the field of operations4 ,he made a tour of inspection1 in company with ,governor ,sharpe1 of ,maryland1 and appears to have been dismayed at sight of the impracticable wilderness1 the region of ,washington's campaign4 ,from ,fort ,cumberland1 he wrote in ,february to ,governor ,morris1 of ,pennsylvania1 to have the road cut1 or repaired1 toward the head of the river ,youghiogeny1 and another opened from ,philadelphia for the transportation of supplies4 ,unfortunately the governor of ,pennsylvania had no money at his command1 and was obliged1 for expenses1 to apply to his ,assembly1 a set of men1 writes he1 quite unacquainted with every kind of military service and exceedingly unwilling to part with money on any terms4 ,however1 by dint of exertions1 he procured the appointment of commissioners to explore the country1 and survey and lay out the roads required4 ,at the head of the commission was ,george ,croghan1 the ,indian trader1 whose mission to the ,twightwees we have already spoken of4 ,when ,sir ,john ,st4 ,clair had finished his tour of inspection he descended ,wills' ,creek and the ,potomac for two hundred miles in a canoe to ,alexandria1 and repaired to ,virginia to meet ,general ,braddock4 ,the latter had landed on the #bjth of ,february1 at ,hampton1 in ,virginia1 and proceeded to ,williamsburg to consult with ,governor ,dinwiddie4 ,shortly afterwards he was joined there by ,commodore ,keppel1 whose squadron of two ships-of-war1 and several transports1 had anchored in the ,chesapeake4 ,on board of these ships were two prime regiments of about five hundred men each--one commanded by ,sir ,peter ,halket1 the other by ,colonel ,dunbar2 together with a train of artillery1 and the necessary munitions of war4 ,the regiments were to be augmented to seven hundred men1 each by men selected by ,sir ,john ,st4 ,clair from ,virginia companies recently raised4 ,alexandria was fixed upon as the place where the troops should disembark and encamp4 ,the ships were accordingly ordered up to that place1 and the levies directed to repair thither4 ,the plan of the campaign included the use of ,indian allies4 ,governor ,dinwiddie had already sent ,christopher ,gist to engage the ,cherokees and ,catawbas1 the bravest of the ,southern tribes1 who he had no doubt would take up the hatchet for the ,english1 peace being first concluded1 through the mediation of his government1 between them and the ,six ,nations2 and he gave ,braddock reason to expect at least four hundred ,indians to join him at ,fort ,cumberland4 ,general ,braddock apprehended difficulty in procuring wagons and horses sufficient to attend him in his march4 ,sir ,john ,st4 ,clair1 in the course of his tour of inspection1 had met with two ,dutch settlers1 at the foot of the ,blue ,ridge1 who engaged to furnish two hundred wagons and fifteen hundred carrying horses1 to be at ,fort ,cumberland early in ,may4 ,governor ,sharpe was to furnish above a hundred wagons for the transportation of stores1 on the ,maryland side of the ,potomac4 ,keppel furnished four cannons from his ships1 for the attack on ,fort ,duquesne1 and thirty picked seamen to assist in dragging them over the mountains4 ,they were to aid also in passing the troops and artillery on floats or in boats1 across the rivers1 and were under the command of a midshipman and lieutenant4 ,trusting to these arrangements1 ,braddock proceeded to ,alexandria4 ,the troops had all been disembarked before his arrival1 and the ,virginia levies1 selected by ,sir ,john ,st4 ,clair to join the regiments of regulars1 were arrived4 ,there were beside two companies of hatchet men1 or carpenters1 six of rangers1 and one troop of light horse4 ,the levies1 having been clothed1 were ordered to march immediately for ,winchester to be armed4 ,the light horse were retained by the general as his escort and body guard4 ,the din and stir of warlike preparation disturbed the quiet of ,mount ,vernon4 ,washington looked down from his rural retreat upon the ships of war and transports as they passed up the ,potomac1 with the array of arms gleaming along their decks4 ,the booming of cannon echoed among his groves4 ,alexandria was but a few miles distant4 ,occasionally he mounted his horse1 and rode to that place2 it was like a garrisoned town1 teeming with troops1 and resounding with the drum and fife4 ,a brilliant campaign was about to open under the auspices of an experienced general1 and with all the means and appurtenances of ,european warfare4 ,how different from the starveling expeditions he had hitherto been doomed to conduct6 ,what an opportunity to efface the memory of his recent disaster6 ,all his thoughts of rural life were put to flight4 ,the military part of his character was again in the ascendant2 his great desire was to join the expedition as a volunteer4 ,it was reported to ,general ,braddock4 ,the latter was apprised by ,governor ,dinwiddie1 and others1 of ,washington's personal merits1 his knowledge of the country1 and his experience in frontier service4 ,the consequence was a letter from ,captain ,robert ,orme1 one of ,braddock's aides-de-camp1 written by the general's order1 inviting ,washington to join his staff4 ,a volunteer situation on the staff of ,general ,braddock offered no emolument nor command1 and would be attended with considerable expense1 still he did not hesitate a moment to accept the invitation4 ,in the position offered to him1 all the questions of military rank which had hitherto annoyed him would be obviated1 and he could indulge his passion for arms without any sacrifice of dignity4 ,his arrival at head-quarters was hailed by his young associates1 ,captains ,orme and ,morris1 the general's aides-de-camp1 who at once received him into frank companionship1 and a cordial intimacy commenced between them that continued throughout the campaign4 ,he experienced a courteous reception from the general1 who expressed in flattering terms the impression he had received of his merits4 ,there were at that time four governors1 beside ,dinwiddie1 assembled at ,alexandria1 at ,braddock's request1 to concert a plan of military operations--,governor ,shirley1 of ,massachusetts2 ,lieutenant-,governor ,delancey1 of ,new ,york2 ,lieutenant-,governor ,sharpe1 of ,maryland2 ,lieutenant-,governor ,morris1 of ,pennsylvania4 ,washington was presented to them in a manner that showed how well his merits were already appreciated4 ,a grand council was held on the #adth of ,april1 composed of ,general ,braddock1 ,commodore ,keppel1 and the governors4 ,in discussing the campaign1 the governors were of opinion that ,new ,york should be made the centre of operations1 as it afforded easy access by water to the heart of the ,french possessions in ,canada4 ,braddock1 however1 did not feel at liberty to depart from his instructions1 which specified the recent establishments of the ,french on the ,ohio as the objects of his expedition4 ,niagara and ,crown ,point were to be attacked about the same time with ,fort ,duquesne1 the former by ,governor ,shirley1 with his own and ,sir ,william ,pepperell's regiments1 and some ,new ,york companies2 the latter by ,colonel ,william ,johnson1 sole manager and director of ,indian affairs--a personage worthy of especial note4 ,he was a native of ,ireland1 and had come out to this country in #agcd to manage the landed estates owned by his uncle1 ,commodore ,sir ,peter ,warren1 in the ,mohawk country4 ,by his agency and his dealings with the native tribes1 he had acquired great wealth1 and become a kind of potentate in the ,indian country4 ,his influence over the ,six ,nations was said to be unbounded4 ,the business of the ,congress being finished1 ,general ,braddock would have set out for ,fredericktown1 in ,maryland1 but few wagons or teams had yet come to remove the artillery4 ,washington had looked with wonder and dismay at the huge paraphernalia of war and the world of superfluities to be transported across the mountains1 recollecting the difficulties he had experienced in getting over them with his nine swivels and scanty supplies4 ,if our march is to be regulated by the slow movements of the train1 said he1 it will be tedious1 very tedious indeed4 ,in the meanwhile1 ,sir ,john ,st4 ,clair1 who had returned to the frontier1 was storming at the camp at ,fort ,cumberland4 ,the road required of the ,pennsylvania government had not been commenced4 ,george ,croghan and the other commissioners were but just arrived in camp4 ,sir ,john1 according to ,croghan1 received them in a very disagreeable manner1 would not look at their draughts1 nor suffer any representations to be made to him in regard to the province1 but stormed like a lion rampant2 declaring that the want of the road and of the provisions promised by ,pennsylvania had retarded the expedition and might cost them their lives from the fresh numbers of ,french that might be poured into the country1 and that if the ,french defeated them1 by the delays of ,pennsylvania1 he would1 with his sword drawn1 pass through the province and treat the inhabitants as a parcel of traitors to his master4 ,the explosive wrath of ,sir ,john1 which was not to be appeased1 shook the souls of the commissioners1 and they wrote to ,governor ,morris1 urging that people might be set at work upon the road4 ,in reply1 ,mr4 ,richard ,peters1 ,governor ,morris's secretary1 wrote in his name3 ,get a number of hands immediately1 and further the work by all possible methods4 ,a commission1 of a different kind1 was intrusted to ,george ,croghan4 ,governor ,morris1 by letter1 requested him to convene at ,aughquick1 in ,pennsylvania1 as many warriors as possible of the mixed tribes of the ,ohio1 distribute among them wampum belts sent for the purpose1 and engage them to meet ,general ,braddock when on the march and render him all the assistance in their power4 ,in reply1 ,croghan engaged to enlist a strong body of ,indians1 being sure of the influence of ,scarooyadi1 successor to the half-king1 and of his adjunct1 ,white ,thunder1 keeper of the speech-belts4 ,at the instance of ,governor ,morris1 ,croghan secured the services of another kind of force4 ,this was a band of hunters1 resolute men1 well acquainted with the country and inured to hardships4 ,they were under the command of ,captain ,jack1 one of the most remarkable characters of ,pennsylvania2 a complete hero of the wilderness4 ,he had been for many years a captive among the ,indians2 and1 having learnt their ways1 had formed this association for the protection of the settlements4 ,the band had become famous for its exploits1 and was a terror to the ,indians4 ,general ,braddock set out from ,alexandria on the #bjth of ,april4 ,washington remained behind a few days to arrange his affairs1 and then rejoined him at ,fredericktown1 in ,maryland1 where1 on the #ajth of ,may1 he was proclaimed one of the general's aides-de-camp4 ,the troubles of ,braddock had already commenced4 ,the ,virginian contractors failed to fulfil their engagements2 of all the immense means of transportation so confidently promised1 but fifteen wagons and a hundred draught-horses had arrived1 and there was no prospect of more4 ,there was equal disappointment in provisions1 both as to quantity and quality1 and he had to send round the country to buy cattle for the subsistence of the troops4 ,fortunately1 while the general was venting his spleen in anathemas against army contractors1 ,benjamin ,franklin arrived at ,fredericktown4 ,that eminent man1 then about forty-nine years of age1 had been for many years member of the ,pennsylvania ,assembly1 and was now postmaster-general for ,america4 ,the ,assembly understood that ,braddock was incensed against them1 supposing them adverse to the service of the war4 ,they had procured ,franklin to wait upon him1 not as if sent by them1 but as if he came in his capacity of postmaster-general1 to arrange for the sure and speedy transmission of dispatches between the commander-in-chief and the governors of the provinces4 ,he was well received1 and became a daily guest at the general's table4 ,as the whole delay of the army was caused by the want of conveyances1 ,franklin observed one day to the general that it was a pity the troops had not been landed in ,pennsylvania1 where almost every farmer had his wagon4 ,then1 sir1 replied ,braddock1 you who are a man of interest there can probably procure them for me1 and ,i beg you will4 ,franklin consented4 ,an instrument in writing was drawn up1 empowering him to contract for one hundred and fifty wagons1 with four horses to each wagon1 and fifteen hundred saddle or pack-horses for the service of his majesty's forces1 to be at ,wills' ,creek on or before the #bjth of ,may1 and he promptly departed for ,lancaster to execute the commission4 ,after his departure1 ,braddock1 attended by his staff1 and his guard of light horse1 set off for ,wills' ,creek by the way of ,winchester1 the road along the north side of the ,potomac not being yet made4 ,this gave him1 writes ,washington1 a good opportunity to see the absurdity of the route1 and of damning it very heartily4 ,three of ,washington's horses were knocked up before they reached ,winchester1 and he had to purchase others4 ,the discomforts of the rough road were increased with the general1 by his travelling with some degree of state in a chariot which he had purchased of ,governor ,sharpe4 ,in this he arrived at ,fort ,cumberland1 amid a thundering salute of seventeen guns4 ,by this time the general discovered that he was not in a region fitted for such display1 and his travelling chariot was abandoned4 ,by the #aith of ,may1 the forces were assembled at ,fort ,cumberland4 ,the two royal regiments1 originally one thousand strong1 now increased to fourteen hundred1 by men chosen from the ,maryland and ,virginia levies2 two provincial companies of carpenters1 or pioneers1 thirty men each1 with subalterns and captains2 a company of guides1 composed of a captain1 two aids1 and ten men2 the troop of ,virginia light horse1 commanded by ,captain ,stewart2 the detachment of thirty sailors with their officers1 and the remnants of two independent companies from ,new ,york1 one of which was commanded by ,captain ,horatio ,gates1 of whom we shall have to speak much hereafter in course of this biography4 ,another person in camp1 of subsequent notoriety1 and who became a warm friend of ,washington1 was ,dr4 ,hugh ,mercer1 a ,scotchman1 about thirty-three years of age4 ,another was ,dr4 ,james ,craik1 who had become strongly attached to ,washington1 being about the same age1 and having been with him in the affair of the ,great ,meadows1 serving as surgeon in the ,virginia regiment1 to which he still belonged4 ,braddock's camp was a complete study for ,washington during the halt at ,fort ,cumberland1 where he had an opportunity of seeing military routine in its strictest forms4 ,he had a specimen1 too1 of convivial life in the camp1 which the general endeavored to maintain1 even in the wilderness1 keeping a hospitable table2 for he is said to have been somewhat of a bon vivant4 ,there was great detention at the fort1 caused by the want of forage and supplies1 the road not having been finished from ,philadelphia4 ,mr4 ,richard ,peters1 the secretary of ,governor ,morris1 was in camp1 to attend to the matter4 ,he had to bear the brunt of ,braddock's complaints4 ,the general declared he would not stir from ,wills' ,creek until he had the governor's assurance that the road would be opened in time4 ,braddock was also completely chagrined and disappointed about the ,indians4 ,the ,cherokees and ,catawbas1 whom ,dinwiddie had given him reason to expect in such numbers1 never arrived4 ,george ,croghan reached the camp with but about fifty warriors1 whom he had brought from ,aughquick4 ,at the general's request he sent a messenger to invite the ,delawares and ,shawnees from the ,ohio1 who returned with two chiefs of the former tribe4 ,among the sachems thus assembled were some of ,washington's former allies--,scarooyadi1 alias ,monacatoocha1 successor to the half-king2 ,white ,thunder1 the keeper of the speech-belts1 and ,silver-heels1 so called1 probably1 from being swift of foot4 ,notwithstanding his secret contempt for the ,indians1 ,braddock1 agreeably to his instructions1 treated them with great ceremony4 ,a grand council was held in his tent1 where all his officers attended4 ,the chiefs1 and all the warriors1 came painted and decorated for war4 ,they were received with military honors1 the guards resting on their fire-arms4 ,the general made them a speech through his interpreter1 expressing the grief of their father1 the great king of ,england1 at the death of the half-king1 and made them presents to console them4 ,they in return promised their aid as guides and scouts1 and declared eternal enmity to the ,french1 following the declaration with the war song1 making a terrible noise4 ,for a time all went well4 ,the ,indians had their separate camp1 where they passed half the night singing1 dancing and howling4 ,the ,british were amused by their strange ceremonies1 their savage antics1 and savage decorations4 ,the ,indians1 on the other hand1 loitered by day about the ,english camp1 fiercely painted and arrayed1 gazing with silent admiration at the parade of the troops1 their marchings and evolutions2 and delighted with the horse-races1 with which the young officers recreated themselves4 ,unluckily the warriors had brought their families with them to ,wills' ,creek1 and the women were even fonder than the men of loitering about the ,british camp4 ,the jealousy of the warriors was aroused4 ,to prevent discord1 the squaws were forbidden to come into the ,british camp4 ,this did not prevent their being sought elsewhere4 ,it was ultimately found necessary1 for the sake of quiet1 to send the women and children back to ,aughquick4 ,white ,thunder1 and several of the warriors1 accompanied them for their protection4 ,as to the three ,delaware chiefs1 they returned to the ,ohio1 promising the general they would collect their warriors together and meet him on his march4 ,they never kept their word4 ,during the halt of the troops at ,wills' ,creek1 ,washington had been sent to ,williamsburg to bring on four thousand pounds for the military chest4 ,he returned after a fortnight's absence4 ,he found the general out of all patience and temper at the delays and disappointments in regard to horses1 wagons1 and forage1 making no allowances for the difficulties incident to a new country1 and to the novel and great demands upon its scanty and scattered resources4 ,he accused the army contractors of want of faith1 honor and honesty2 and in his moments of passion1 which were many1 extended the stigma to the whole country4 ,this stung the patriotic sensibility of ,washington1 and overcame his usual self-command1 and the proud and passionate commander was occasionally surprised by a well-merited rebuke from his aid-de-camp4 ,the same pertinacity was maintained with respect to the ,indians4 ,george ,croghan informed ,washington that the sachems considered themselves treated with slight1 in never being consulted in war matters2 that he himself had repeatedly offered the services of the warriors under his command as scouts and outguards1 but his offers had been rejected4 ,washington ventured to interfere1 and to urge their importance for such purposes1 especially now when they were approaching the stronghold of the enemy4 ,as usual1 the general remained bigoted in his belief of the all-sufficiency of well-disciplined troops4 ,either from disgust thus caused1 or from being actually dismissed1 the warriors began to disappear from the camp4 ,before ,braddock recommenced his march1 none remained to accompany him but ,scarooyadi1 and eight of his warriors4 ,seeing the general's impatience at the non-arrival of conveyances1 ,washington again represented to him the difficulties he would encounter in attempting to traverse the mountains with such a train of wheel-carriages1 assuring him it would be the most arduous part of the campaign2 and recommended1 from his own experience1 the substitution1 as much as possible1 of pack-horses4 ,braddock1 however1 had not been sufficiently harassed by frontier campaigning to depart from his ,european modes1 or to be swayed in his military operations by so green a counsellor4 ,at length the general was relieved from present perplexities by the arrival of the horses and wagons which ,franklin had undertaken to procure4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,braddock',s ,,advance4--,,his ,,defeat4 ,on the #ajth of ,june1 ,braddock set off from ,fort ,cumberland with his aides-de-camp1 and others of his staff1 and his body guard of light horse4 ,sir ,peter ,halket1 with his brigade1 had marched three days previously2 and a detachment of six hundred men1 under the command of ,colonel ,chapman and the supervision of ,sir ,john ,st4 ,clair1 had been employed upwards of ten days in cutting down trees1 removing rocks1 and opening a road4 ,the march over the mountains proved1 as ,washington had foretold1 a tremendous undertaking4 ,it was with difficulty the heavily laden wagons could be dragged up the steep and rugged roads1 newly made1 or imperfectly repaired4 ,often they extended for three or four miles in a straggling and broken line1 with the soldiers so dispersed1 in guarding them1 that an attack on any side would have thrown the whole in confusion4 ,by the time the advanced corps had struggled over two mountains1 and through the intervening forest1 and reached 7#afth ,june7 the ,little ,meadows1 where ,sir ,john ,st4 ,clair had made a temporary camp1 ,general ,braddock had become aware of the difference between campaigning in a new country1 or on the old well-beaten battle-grounds of ,europe4 ,he now1 of his own accord1 turned to ,washington for advice4 ,thus unexpectedly called on1 ,washington gave his counsel with becoming modesty1 but with his accustomed clearness4 ,there was just now an opportunity to strike an effective blow at ,fort ,duquesne1 but it might be lost by delay4 ,the garrison1 according to credible reports1 was weak2 large reinforcements and supplies1 which were on their way1 would be detained by the drought1 which rendered the river by which they must come low and unnavigable4 ,the blow must be struck before they could arrive4 ,he advised the general1 therefore1 to divide his forces2 leave one part to come on with the stores and baggage1 and all the cumbrous appurtenances of an army1 and to throw himself in the advance with the other part1 composed of his choicest troops1 lightened of every thing superfluous that might impede a rapid march4 ,his advice was adopted4 ,twelve hundred men1 selected out of all the companies1 and furnished with ten field-pieces1 were to form the first division1 their provisions1 and necessaries1 to be carried on pack-horses4 ,the second division1 with all the stores1 munitions1 and heavy baggage1 was to be brought on by ,colonel ,dunbar4 ,the least practicable part of the arrangement was with regard to the officers of the advance4 ,washington had urged a retrenchment of their baggage and camp equipage1 that as many of their horses as possible might be used as pack-horses4 ,here was the difficulty4 ,brought up1 many of them1 in fashionable and luxurious life1 or the loitering indulgence of country quarters1 they were so encumbered with what they considered indispensable necessaries1 that out of two hundred and twelve horses generally appropriated to their use1 not more than a dozen could be spared by them for the public service4 ,during the halt at the ,little ,meadows1 ,captain ,jack and his band of forest rangers1 whom ,croghan had engaged at ,governor ,morris's suggestion1 made their appearance in the camp4 ,the captain asked an interview with the general1 by whom1 it would seem1 he was not expected4 ,braddock received him in his tent1 in his usual stiff and stately manner4 ,the ,black ,rifle spoke of himself and his followers as men inured to hardships1 and accustomed to deal with ,indians1 who preferred stealth and stratagem to open warfare4 ,he requested his company should be employed as a reconnoitring party1 to beat up the ,indians in their lurking-places and ambuscades4 ,braddock1 who had a sovereign contempt for the chivalry of the woods1 and despised their boasted strategy1 replied to the hero of the ,pennsylvania settlements in a manner to which he had not been accustomed4 ,there was time enough1 he said1 for making arrangements2 and he had experienced troops1 on whom he could completely rely for all purposes4 ,captain ,jack withdrew1 indignant at so haughty a reception1 and informed his leathern-clad followers of his rebuff4 ,they forthwith shouldered their rifles and turned their backs upon the camp4 ,on the #aith of ,june1 ,braddock's first division set out1 with less than thirty carriages1 including those that transported ammunition for the artillery1 all strongly horsed4 ,the ,indians marched with the advanced party4 ,in the course of the day1 ,scarooyadi and his son being at a small distance from the line of march1 was surrounded and taken by some ,french and ,indians4 ,his son escaped1 and brought intelligence to his warriors2 they hastened to rescue or revenge him1 but found him tied to a tree4 ,the ,french had been disposed to shoot him1 but their savage allies declared they would abandon them should they do so2 having some tie of friendship or kindred with the chieftain1 who thus rejoined the troops unharmed4 ,for several days ,washington had suffered from fever1 accompanied by intense headache1 and his illness increased in violence to such a degree that he was unable to ride1 and had to be conveyed for a part of the time in a covered wagon4 ,he was unable to bear the jolting of the wagon1 but it needed an interposition of the kindly-intended authority of ,general ,braddock to bring him to a halt at the great crossings of the ,youghiogeny4 ,there the general assigned him a guard1 provided him with necessaries1 and requested him to remain1 under care of his physician1 ,dr4 ,craik1 until the arrival of ,colonel ,dunbar's detachment1 which was two days' march in the rear2 giving him his word of honor that he should1 at all events1 be enabled to rejoin the main division before it reached the ,french fort4 ,the march of the army1 after leaving ,washington1 was excessively slow4 ,in the course of the first day1 7,june #bdth7 they came to a deserted ,indian camp1 the trees about it being stripped and painted with threats and scurrilous taunts written in the ,french language1 showing that white men were with the savages4 ,on the next day1 ,indians were seen hovering in the woods4 ,in crossing a mountain the carriages had to be lowered with the assistance of the sailors1 by means of tackle4 ,on the #bfth there was a laborious march of but four miles4 ,in the evening they came to a deserted camp1 the fires of which were yet burning4 ,the march continued to be toilful and difficult4 ,on one day it did not exceed two miles1 having to cut a passage over a mountain4 ,on ,july #dth they encamped at ,thicketty ,run4 ,the general now supposed himself to be within thirty miles of ,fort ,duquesne4 ,two ,indians consented to reconnoitre it4 ,they returned on the #fth1 having been close to the fort4 ,but few men were to be seen1 and few tracks1 if any4 ,gist1 who had also reconnoitred the fort1 returned and corroborated their story4 ,he had1 however1 observed a smoke between the camp and the fort1 made probably by some scouting party4 ,on the same day1 during the march1 three or four men1 loitering in the rear of the grenadiers1 were killed and scalped4 ,several of the grenadiers set off to take revenge4 ,they came upon a party of ,indians1 who held up boughs and grounded their arms--the concerted sign of amity4 ,not perceiving or understanding it1 the grenadiers fired upon them and one fell4 ,it proved to be the son of ,scarooyadi4 ,aware too late of their error1 the grenadiers brought the body to the camp4 ,the conduct of ,braddock was admirable on the occasion4 ,he sent for the father and the other ,indians1 and condoled with them on the lamentable occurrence2 making them the customary presents of expiation4 ,but what was more to the point1 he caused the youth to be buried with the honors of war2 at his request the officers attended the funeral1 and a volley was fired over the grave4 ,these soldier-like tributes of respect to the deceased1 and sympathy with the survivors1 soothed the feelings and gratified the pride of the father1 and attached him more firmly to the service4 ,we will return now to ,washington in his sick encampment on the banks of the ,youghiogeny1 where he was left repining at the departure of the troops without him4 ,he now considered himself sufficiently recovered to rejoin the troops1 and his only anxiety was that he should not be able to do it in time for the great blow4 ,he was rejoiced1 therefore1 on the #c;d of ,july1 by the arrival of an advanced party of one hundred men convoying provisions4 ,being still too weak to mount his horse1 he set off with the escort in a covered wagon2 and after a most fatiguing journey1 over mountain and through forest1 reached ,braddock's camp on the #hth of ,july4 ,it was on the east side of the ,monongahela1 about two miles from the river1 and about fifteen miles from ,fort ,duquesne4 ,washington was warmly received on his arrival1 especially by his fellow aides-de-camp1 ,morris and ,orme4 ,he was just in time1 for the attack upon ,fort ,duquesne was to be made on the following day4 ,the neighboring country had been reconnoitred to determine upon a plan of attack4 ,the fort stood on the same side of the ,monongahela with the camp1 but there was a narrow pass between them of about two miles1 with the river on the left and a very high mountain on the right1 and in its present state quite impassable for carriages4 ,the route determined on was to cross the ,monongahela by a ford immediately opposite to the camp2 proceed along the west bank of the river1 for about five miles1 then recross by another ford to the eastern side1 and push on to the fort4 ,the river at these fords was shallow1 and the banks were not steep4 ,according to the plan of arrangement1 ,lieutenant-,colonel ,gage1 with the advance1 was to cross the river before daybreak1 march to the second ford1 and recrossing there1 take post to secure the passage of the main force4 ,the advance was to be composed of two companies of grenadiers1 one hundred and sixty infantry1 the independent company of ,captain ,horatio ,gates1 and two six-pounders4 ,washington1 who had already seen enough of regular troops to doubt their infallibility in wild bush-fighting1 and who knew the dangerous nature of the ground they were to traverse1 ventured to suggest that the ,virginia rangers1 being accustomed to the country and to ,indian warfare1 might be thrown in the advance4 ,the proposition drew an angry reply from the general1 indignant1 very probably1 that a young provincial officer should presume to school a veteran like himself4 ,early next morning 7,july #ith71 before daylight1 ,colonel ,gage crossed with the advance4 ,he was followed1 at some distance1 by ,sir ,john ,st4 ,clair1 with a working party of two hundred and fifty men1 to make roads for the artillery and baggage4 ,they had with them their wagons of tools1 and two six-pounders4 ,by sunrise1 the main body turned out in full uniform4 ,all looked as if arrayed for a fte1 rather than a battle4 ,as it was supposed the enemy would be on the watch for the crossing of the troops1 it had been agreed that they should do it in the greatest order1 with bayonets fixed1 colors flying1 and drums and fifes beating and playing4 ,they accordingly made a gallant appearance as they forded the ,monongahela and wound along its banks and through the open forests4 ,about noon they reached the second ford4 ,gage1 with the advance1 was on the opposite side of the ,monongahela1 posted according to orders2 but the river bank had not been sufficiently sloped4 ,the artillery and baggage drew up along the beach and halted until one1 when the second crossing took place4 ,when all had passed1 there was again a halt close by a small stream called ,frazier's ,run1 until the general arranged the order of march4 ,first went the advance1 under ,gage1 preceded by the engineers and guides1 and six light horsemen4 ,then1 ,sir ,john ,st4 ,clair and the working party1 with their wagons and the two six-pounders4 ,on each side were thrown out four flanking parties4 ,then1 at some distance1 the general was to follow with the main body1 the artillery and baggage preceded and flanked by light horse and squads of infantry2 while the ,virginian1 and other provincial troops1 were to form the rear guard4 ,the ground before them was level until about half a mile from the river1 where a rising ground1 covered with long grass1 low bushes1 and scattered trees1 sloped gently up to a range of hills4 ,the whole country1 generally speaking1 was a forest1 with no clear opening but the road1 which was about twelve feet wide1 and flanked by two ravines1 concealed by trees and thickets4 ,had ,braddock been schooled in the warfare of the woods1 he would have thrown out ,indian scouts or ,virginia rangers in the advance1 and on the flanks1 to beat up the woods and ravines2 but he suffered his troops to march forward through the centre of the plain1 with merely their usual guides and flanking parties4 ,it was now near two o'clock4 ,the advanced party and the working party had crossed the plain and were ascending the rising ground4 ,braddock was about to follow with the main body and had given the word to march1 when he heard an excessively quick and heavy firing in front4 ,washington1 who was with the general1 surmised that the evil he had apprehended had come to pass4 ,for want of scouting parties ahead1 the advance parties were suddenly and warmly attacked4 ,braddock ordered ,lieutenant-,colonel ,burton to hasten to their assistance with the vanguard of the main body1 eight hundred strong4 ,the residue1 four hundred1 were halted1 and posted to protect the artillery and baggage4 ,the firing continued1 with fearful yelling4 ,there was a terrible uproar4 ,by the general's orders an aide-de-camp spurred forward to bring him an account of the nature of the attack4 ,without waiting for his return the general himself1 finding the turmoil increase1 moved forward1 leaving ,sir ,peter ,halket with the command of the baggage4 ,the van of the advance had indeed been taken by surprise4 ,it was composed of two companies of carpenters or pioneers to cut the road1 and two flank companies of grenadiers to protect them4 ,suddenly the engineer who preceded them to mark out the road gave the alarm1 ,french and ,indians6 ,a body of them was approaching rapidly4 ,there was sharp firing on both sides at first4 ,several of the enemy fell2 among them their leader2 but a murderous fire broke out from among trees and a ravine on the right1 and the woods resounded with unearthly whoops and yellings4 ,the ,indian rifle was at work1 levelled by unseen hands4 ,most of the grenadiers and many of the pioneers were shot down4 ,the survivors were driven in on the advance4 ,gage ordered his men to fix bayonets and form in order of battle4 ,they did so in hurry and trepidation4 ,he would have scaled a hill on the right1 whence there was the severest firing4 ,not a platoon would quit the line of march4 ,they were more dismayed by the yells than by the rifles of the unseen savages4 ,the latter extended themselves along the hill and in the ravines2 but their whereabouts was only known by their demoniac cries and the puffs of smoke from their rifles4 ,the soldiers fired wherever they saw the smoke4 ,the officers tried in vain to restrain them until they should see their foe4 ,all orders were unheeded2 in their fright they shot at random1 killing some of their own flanking parties1 and of the vanguard1 as they came running in4 ,the covert fire grew more intense4 ,in a short time most of the officers and many of the men of the advance were killed or wounded4 ,colonel ,gage himself received a wound4 ,the advance fell back in dismay upon ,sir ,john ,st4 ,clair's corps1 which was equally dismayed4 ,the cannon belonging to it were deserted4 ,colonel ,burton had come up with the reinforcement1 and was forming his men to face the rising ground on the right1 when both of the advanced detachments fell back upon him1 and all now was confusion4 ,by this time the general was upon the ground4 ,he tried to rally the men4 ,the colors were advanced in different places to separate the men of the two regiments4 ,the general ordered the officers to form the men1 tell them off into small divisions1 and advance with them2 but the soldiers could not be prevailed upon either by threats or entreaties4 ,the ,virginia troops1 accustomed to the ,indian mode of fighting1 scattered themselves1 and took post behind trees1 whence they could pick off the lurking foe4 ,in this way they1 in some degree1 protected the regulars4 ,washington advised ,general ,braddock to adopt the same plan with the regulars2 but he persisted in forming them into platoons2 consequently they were cut down from behind logs and trees as fast as they could advance4 ,several attempted to take to the trees1 without orders1 but the general stormed at them1 called them cowards1 and even struck them with the flat of his sword4 ,several of the ,virginians1 who had taken post and were doing good service in this manner1 were slain by the fire of the regulars1 directed wherever a smoke appeared among the trees4 ,the officers behaved with consummate bravery2 and ,washington beheld with admiration those who1 in camp or on the march1 had appeared to him to have an almost effeminate regard for personal ease and convenience1 now exposing themselves to imminent death1 with a courage that kindled with the thickening horrors4 ,in the vain hope of inspiriting the men to drive off the enemy from the flanks and regain the cannon1 they would dash forward singly or in groups4 ,they were invariably shot down2 for the ,indians aimed at every one who appeared to have command4 ,some were killed by random shot of their own men1 who1 crowded in masses1 fired with affrighted rapidity1 but without aim4 ,soldiers in the front ranks were killed by those in the rear4 ,between friend and foe1 the slaughter of the officers was terrible4 ,throughout this disastrous day1 ,washington distinguished himself by his courage and presence of mind4 ,his brother aids1 ,orme and ,morris1 were wounded and disabled early in the action1 and the whole duty of carrying the orders of the general devolved on him4 ,his danger was imminent and incessant4 ,he was in every part of the field1 a conspicuous mark for the murderous rifle4 ,two horses were shot under him4 ,four bullets passed through his coat4 ,his escape without a wound was almost miraculous4 ,at one time he was sent to the main body to bring the artillery into action4 ,all there was likewise in confusion2 for the ,indians had extended themselves along the ravine so as to flank the reserve and carry slaughter into the ranks4 ,sir ,peter ,halket had been shot down at the head of his regiment4 ,the men who should have served the guns were paralyzed4 ,had they raked the ravines with grapeshot the day might have been saved4 ,in his ardor1 ,washington sprang from his horse1 wheeled and pointed a brass field-piece with his own hand1 and directed an effective discharge into the woods2 but neither his efforts nor example were of avail4 ,the men could not be kept to the guns4 ,braddock still remained in the centre of the field1 in the desperate hope of retrieving the fortunes of the day4 ,his secretary1 ,shirley1 had fallen by his side4 ,five horses had been killed under him2 still he kept his ground1 vainly endeavoring to check the flight of his men1 or at least to effect their retreat in good order4 ,at length a bullet passed through his right arm1 and lodged itself in his lungs4 ,he fell from his horse1 but was caught by ,captain ,stewart1 of the ,virginia guards1 who1 with the assistance of another ,american and a servant1 placed him in a tumbril4 ,it was with much difficulty they got him out of the field--in his despair he desired to be left there4 ,the rout now became complete4 ,baggage1 stores1 artillery1 everything was abandoned4 ,the wagoners took each a horse out of his team and fled4 ,the officers were swept off with the men in this headlong flight4 ,it was rendered more precipitate by the shouts and yells of the savages1 numbers of whom rushed forth from their coverts and pursued the fugitives to the river side4 ,fortunately for the latter1 the victors gave up the pursuit in their eagerness to collect the spoil4 ,the shattered army continued its flight after it had crossed the ,monongahela1 a wretched wreck of the brilliant little force that had recently gleamed along its banks1 confident of victory4 ,out of eighty-six officers1 twenty-six had been killed1 and thirty-six wounded4 ,the number of rank and file killed and wounded was upwards of seven hundred4 ,about a hundred men were brought to a halt about a quarter of a mile from the ford of the river4 ,here was ,braddock1 with his wounded aides-de-camp and some of his officers4 ,braddock was still able to give orders1 and had a faint hope of being able to keep possession of the ground until reinforced4 ,most of the men were stationed in a very advantageous spot about two hundred yards from the road2 and ,lieutenant-,colonel ,burton posted out small parties and sentinels4 ,before an hour had elapsed most of the men had stolen off4 ,being thus deserted1 ,braddock and his officers continued their retreat2 he would have mounted his horse but was unable1 and had to be carried by soldiers4 ,orme and ,morris were placed on litters borne by horses4 ,they were subsequently joined by ,colonel ,gage with eighty men whom he had rallied4 ,washington1 in the meantime1 notwithstanding his weak state1 being found most efficient in frontier service1 was sent to ,colonel ,dunbar's camp1 forty miles distant1 with orders for him to hurry forward provisions1 hospital stores1 and wagons for the wounded1 under the escort of two grenadier companies4 ,it was a hard and a melancholy ride throughout the night and the following day4 ,the tidings of the defeat preceded him1 borne by the wagoners who had mounted their horses1 on ,braddock's fall1 and fled from the field of battle4 ,washington arrived at the camp in the evening4 ,the orders which he brought were executed during the night and he was in the saddle early in the morning accompanying the convoy of supplies4 ,at ,gist's plantation1 about thirteen miles off1 he met ,gage and his scanty force escorting ,braddock and his wounded officers4 ,captain ,stewart1 and a sad remnant of the ,virginia light horse1 still accompanied the general as his guard4 ,the ,captain had been unremitting in his attentions to him during the retreat4 ,there was a halt of one day at ,dunbar's camp for the repose and relief of the wounded4 ,on the #acth they resumed their melancholy march1 and that night reached the ,great ,meadows4 ,the proud spirit of ,braddock was broken by his defeat4 ,he remained silent the first evening after the battle1 only ejaculating at night1 ,who would have thought it6 ,he was equally silent the following day2 yet hope still seemed to linger in his breast1 from another ejaculation3 ,we shall better know how to deal with them another time6 ,he was grateful for the attentions paid to him by ,captain ,stewart and ,washington1 and more than once1 it is said1 expressed his admiration of the gallantry displayed by the ,virginians in the action4 ,he died on the night of the #acth1 at the ,great ,meadows1 the place of ,washington's discomfiture in the previous year4 ,his obsequies were performed before break of day4 ,the chaplain having been wounded1 ,washington read the funeral service4 ,reproach spared him not1 even when in his grave4 ,the failure of the expedition was attributed both in ,england and ,america to his obstinacy1 his technical pedantry1 and his military conceit4 ,he had been continually warned to be on his guard against ambush and surprise1 but without avail4 ,had he taken the advice urged on him by ,washington and others1 to employ scouting parties of ,indians and rangers1 he would never have been so signally surprised and defeated4 ,still his dauntless conduct on the field of battle shows him to have been a man of fearless spirit2 and he was universally allowed to be an accomplished disciplinarian4 ,the obsequies of the unfortunate ,braddock being finished1 the escort continued its retreat with the sick and wounded4 ,on the #agth1 the sad cavalcade reached the fort1 and were relieved from the incessant apprehension of pursuit4 ,here1 too1 flying reports had preceded them1 brought by fugitives from the battle1 who1 with the disposition usual in such cases to exaggerate1 had represented the whole army as massacred4 ,dunbar arrived shortly afterward with the remainder of the army4 ,the true reason why the enemy did not pursue the retreating army was not known until some time afterwards1 and added to the disgrace of the defeat4 ,they were not the main force of the ,french1 but a mere detachment of #gb regulars1 #adf ,canadians1 and #fcg ,indians--#hee in all1 led by ,captain de ,beaujeu4 ,de ,contrecoeur1 the commander of ,fort ,duquesne1 had received information1 through his scouts1 that the ,english1 three thousand strong1 were within six leagues of his fort4 ,despairing of making an effectual defence against such a superior force1 he was balancing in his mind whether to abandon his fort without awaiting their arrival1 or to capitulate on honorable terms4 ,in this dilemma1 ,beaujeu prevailed on him to let him sally forth with a detachment to form an ambush and give check to the enemy4 ,de ,beaujeu was to have taken post at the river1 and disputed the passage at the ford4 ,for that purpose he was hurrying forward when discovered by the pioneers of ,gage's advance party4 ,he was a gallant officer1 and fell at the beginning of the fight4 ,the whole number of killed and wounded of ,french and ,indians did not exceed seventy4 ,the affair of ,braddock remains a memorable event in ,american history1 and has been characterized as the most extraordinary victory ever obtained1 and the farthest flight ever made4 ,it struck a fatal blow to the deference for ,british prowess1 which once amounted almost to bigotry1 throughout the provinces4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,washington ,,in ,,command4--,,panics ,,on ,,the ,,frontier4 ,washington arrived at ,mount ,vernon on the #bfth of ,july1 still in feeble condition from his long illness4 ,his campaigning1 thus far1 had trenched upon his private fortune1 and impaired one of the best of constitutions4 ,his connection with the army ceased at the death of ,braddock1 but his military duties continued as adjutant-general of the northern division of the province1 and he immediately issued orders for the county lieutenants to hold the militia in readiness for parade and exercise1 foreseeing that1 in the present defenceless state of the frontier1 there would be need of their services4 ,tidings of the rout and retreat of the army had circulated far and near1 and spread consternation throughout the country4 ,immediate incursions both of ,french and ,indians were apprehended2 and volunteer companies began to form1 for the purpose of marching across the mountains to the scene of danger4 ,on the #dth of ,august1 ,governor ,dinwiddie convened the ,assembly to devise measures for the public safety4 ,the sense of danger had quickened the slow patriotism of the burgesses2 they no longer held back supplies2 forty thousand pounds were promptly voted1 and orders issued for the raising of a regiment of one thousand men4 ,washington's friends urged him to present himself at ,williamsburg as a candidate for the command2 they were confident of his success1 notwithstanding that strong interest was making for the governor's favorite1 ,colonel ,innes4 ,with mingled modesty and pride1 ,washington declined to be a solicitor4 ,the only terms1 he said1 on which he would accept a command were a certainty as to rank and emoluments1 a right to appoint his field officers1 and the supply of a sufficient military chest2 but to solicit the command1 and1 at the same time1 to make stipulations1 would be a little incongruous1 and carry with it the face of self-sufficiency4 ,while this was in agitation1 he received letters from his mother1 again imploring him not to risk himself in these frontier wars4 ,his answer was characteristic3 ,honored ,madam--,if it is in my power to avoid going to the ,ohio again1 ,i shall2 but if the command is pressed upon me by the general voice of the country1 and offered upon such terms as cannot be objected against1 it would reflect dishonor on me to refuse it2 and that1 ,i am sure1 must1 and ought1 to give you greater uneasiness than my going in an honorable command4 ,upon no other terms will ,i accept it4 ,on the very day that this letter was despatched 7,aug4 #ad71 he received intelligence of his appointment to the command on the terms specified in his letters to his friends4 ,his commission nominated him commander-in-chief of all the forces raised1 or to be raised in the colony4 ,the ,assembly also voted three hundred pounds to him1 and proportionate sums to the other officers and to the privates of the ,virginia companies1 in consideration of their gallant conduct and their losses in the late battle4 ,the officers next in command under him were ,lieutenant-,colonel ,adam ,stephens and ,major ,andrew ,lewis4 ,the appointment of ,washington to his present station was the more gratifying and honorable from being a popular one1 made in deference to public sentiment2 to which ,governor ,dinwiddie was obliged to sacrifice his strong inclination in favor of ,colonel ,innes4 ,it is thought that the governor never afterwards regarded ,washington with a friendly eye4 ,his conduct towards him subsequently was on various occasions cold and ungracious4 ,having held a conference with ,governor ,dinwiddie at ,williamsburg1 and received his instructions1 ,washington repaired on the #adth of ,september to ,winchester1 where he fixed his head-quarters4 ,it was a place as yet of trifling magnitude1 but important from its position2 being a central point where the main roads met1 leading from north to south and east to west1 and commanding the channels of traffic and communication between some of the most important colonies and a great extent of frontier4 ,here he was brought into frequent and cordial communication with his old friend1 ,lord ,fairfax4 ,the stir of war had revived a spark of that military fire which animated the veteran nobleman in the days of his youth1 when an officer in the cavalry regiment of the ,blues4 ,he was lord-lieutenant of the county4 ,greenway ,court was his head-quarters4 ,he had organized a troop of horse1 which occasionally was exercised about the lawn of his domain1 and he was now as prompt to mount his steed for a cavalry parade as he ever was for a fox-chase4 ,his services were soon put in requisition4 ,washington1 having visited the frontier posts1 established recruiting places and taken other measures of security1 had set off for ,williamsburg on military business1 when an express arrived at ,winchester from ,colonel ,stephens1 who commanded at ,fort ,cumberland1 giving the alarm that a body of ,indians were ravaging the country1 burning the houses and slaughtering the inhabitants4 ,the express was instantly forwarded after ,washington2 in the meantime1 ,lord ,fairfax sent out orders for the militia of ,fairfax and ,prince ,william counties to arm and hasten to the defence of ,winchester1 where all was confusion and affright4 ,one fearful account followed another4 ,the whole country beyond it was said to be at the mercy of the savages4 ,they had blockaded the rangers in the little fortresses or outposts provided for the protection of neighborhoods4 ,they were advancing upon ,winchester with fire1 tomahawk and scalping-knife4 ,the country people were flocking into the town for safety--the townspeople were moving off to the settlements beyond the ,blue ,ridge4 ,the beautiful valley of the ,shenandoah was likely to become a scene of savage desolation4 ,in the height of the confusion1 ,washington rode into the town4 ,he had been overtaken by ,colonel ,stephens' express4 ,his presence inspired some degree of confidence1 and he succeeded in stopping most of the fugitives4 ,expresses were sent off to hurry up the militia ordered out by ,lord ,fairfax4 ,scouts were ordered out to discover the number of the foe1 and convey assurances of succor to the rangers said to be blocked up in the fortresses1 though ,washington suspected the latter to be more encompassed by fear than by the enemy4 ,smiths were set to work to furbish up and repair such firearms as were in the place1 and wagons were sent off for musket balls1 flints1 and provisions4 ,instead1 however1 of animated co-operation1 ,washington was encountered by difficulties at every step4 ,the wagons in question had to be impressed1 and the wagoners compelled by force to assist4 ,no orders1 writes he1 are obeyed1 but such as a party of soldiers or my own drawn sword enforces4 ,without this1 not a single horse1 for the most earnest occasion1 can be had4 ,in the meantime the panic and confusion increased4 ,on ,sunday an express hurried into town1 breathless with haste and terror4 ,the ,indians1 he said1 were but twelve miles off2 they had attacked the house of ,isaac ,julian2 the inhabitants were flying for their lives4 ,washington immediately ordered the town guards to be strengthened2 armed some recruits who had just arrived1 and sent out two scouts to reconnoitre the enemy4 ,it was a sleepless night in ,winchester4 ,horror increased with the dawn2 before the men could be paraded1 a second express arrived1 ten times more terrified than the former4 ,the ,indians were within four miles of the town1 killing and destroying all before them4 ,he had heard the constant firing of the savages and the shrieks of their victims4 ,the terror of ,winchester now passed all bounds4 ,washington put himself at the head of about forty men1 militia and recruits1 and pushed for the scene of carnage4 ,the result is almost too ludicrous for record4 ,the whole cause of the alarm proved to be three drunken troopers1 carousing1 hallooing1 and ever and anon firing off their pistols4 ,washington interrupted them in the midst of their revel and blasphemy and conducted them prisoners to town4 ,the alarm thus originating had spread throughout the country4 ,a captain1 who arrived with recruits from ,alexandria1 reported that he had found the road across the ,blue ,ridge obstructed by crowds of people flying for their lives1 whom he endeavored in vain to stop4 ,they declared that ,winchester was in flames6 ,at length the band of ,indians1 whose ravages had produced this consternation throughout the land1 and whose numbers did not exceed one hundred and fifty1 being satiated with carnage1 conflagration and plunder1 retreated1 bearing off spoils and captives4 ,intelligent scouts sent out by ,washington followed their traces1 and brought back certain intelligence that they had recrossed the ,alleghany ,mountains and returned to their homes on the ,ohio4 ,this report allayed the public panic and restored temporary quiet to the harassed frontier4 ,most of the ,indians engaged in these ravages were ,delawares and ,shawnees1 who1 since ,braddock's defeat1 had been gained over by the ,french4 ,scarooyadi1 successor to the half-king1 remained true to the ,english1 and vindicated his people to the governor and council of ,pennsylvania from the charge of having had any share in the late massacres4 ,washington now learned the fate of the other enterprises included in the plan of military operations4 ,the defeat of ,braddock paralyzed the expedition against ,niagara4 ,the troops assembled at ,albany were struck with consternation1 and deserted4 ,by the end of ,august1 ,shirley was in force at ,oswego4 ,but storms1 sickness1 and other impediments caused the completion of the enterprise to be deferred until the following year4 ,gen4 ,wm4 ,johnson1 it will be recollected1 had the command of the expedition against ,crown ,point1 on ,lake ,champlain4 ,a fort was erected at the carrying-place on the ,hudson1 between that river and ,lake ,george1 subsequently called ,fort ,edward4 ,part of the force were left to garrison it2 the main body advanced to ,lake ,george4 ,meanwhile there was great consternation in ,canada4 ,three thousand troops1 under ,baron de ,dieskaw1 had arrived at ,quebec4 ,yielding to public importunities1 he advanced to ,crown ,point for its defence4 ,his force was augmented by eight hundred ,canadians and seven hundred ,indians1 the latter under command of the ,chevalier ,st4 ,pierre4 ,in the meantime1 ,johnson remained encamped on the south end of ,lake ,george4 ,on ,september #gth1 news was received that the ,french had been seen within four miles of the carrying-place4 ,a detachment was sent to intercept them1 which was attacked and driven back4 ,a panic seized upon the camp as the ,french emerged from the forest in battle array1 led by ,dieskaw4 ,but the ,canadians and ,indians held back4 ,the camp recovered from its panic1 artillery and musketry opened on the assailants1 whose fire began to slacken4 ,johnson's men and the ,indians leaped over the breastworks and a medley fight ensued1 that ended in the slaughter1 rout1 or capture of the enemy4 ,dieskaw was mortally wounded2 ,st4 ,pierre was slain in the attack on the detachment4 ,the baron had intended the surprise of ,fort ,edward1 but the ,indians and ,canadians refused to attack it1 fearful of the cannon3 he here changed his plan therefor1 and attempted to surprise the camp4 ,johnson1 having erected a stockaded fort1 which received the name of ,william ,henry1 garrisoned it1 and returned to ,albany4 ,in reward for his services he received five thousand pounds and a baronetcy4 ,mortifying experience had convinced ,washington of the inefficiency of the militia laws1 and he now set about effecting a reformation4 ,through his great and persevering efforts1 an act was passed in the ,virginia ,legislature giving prompt operation to court-martial2 punishing insubordination1 mutiny and desertion with adequate severity2 strengthening the authority of a commander1 so as to enable him to enforce order and discipline among officers as well as privates2 and to avail himself1 in time of emergency and for the common safety1 of the means and services of individuals4 ,in disciplining his men1 they were instructed not merely in ordinary and regular tactics1 but in all the strategy of ,indian warfare1 and what is called bush-fighting--a knowledge indispensable in the wild wars of the wilderness4 ,stockaded forts1 too1 were constructed at various points1 as places of refuge and defence1 in exposed neighborhoods4 ,his exertions1 however1 were impeded by one of those questions of precedence which had so often annoyed him1 arising from the difference between crown and provincial commissions4 ,maryland1 having by a scanty appropriation raised a small militia force1 stationed ,captain ,dagworthy1 with a company of thirty men1 at ,fort ,cumberland1 which stood within the boundaries of that province4 ,dagworthy had served in ,canada in the preceding war1 and had received a king's commission4 ,this he had since commuted for half-pay1 and1 of course1 had virtually parted with its privileges4 ,he was nothing more1 therefore1 than a ,maryland provincial captain1 at the head of thirty men4 ,he now1 however1 assumed to act under his royal commission1 and refused to obey the orders of any officer1 however high his rank1 who merely held his commission from a governor4 ,nay1 when ,governor1 or rather ,colonel ,innes1 who commanded at the fort1 was called away to ,north ,carolina by his private affairs1 the captain took upon himself the command and insisted upon it as his right4 ,parties instantly arose1 and quarrels ensued among the inferior officers2 grave questions were agitated between the ,governors of ,maryland and ,virginia as to the fort itself2 the former claiming it as within his province1 the latter insisting that1 as it had been built according to orders sent by the king1 it was the king's fort1 and could not be subject to the authority of ,maryland4 ,washington refrained from mingling in this dispute2 but intimated that if the commander-in-chief of the forces of ,virginia must yield precedence to a ,maryland captain of thirty men1 he should have to resign his commission1 as he had been compelled to do before1 by a question of military rank4 ,so difficult was it1 however1 to settle these disputes of precedence1 especially where the claims of two governors came in collision1 that it was determined to refer the matter to ,major-general ,shirley1 who had succeeded ,braddock in the general command of the colonies4 ,for this purpose ,washington was to go to ,boston1 obtain a decision from ,shirley of the point in dispute1 and a general regulation by which these difficulties could be prevented in future4 ,it was thought1 also1 that in a conference with the commander-in-chief he might inform himself of the military measures in contemplation4 ,accordingly1 on the #dth of ,february 7#agef71 leaving ,colonel ,adam ,stephens in command of the troops1 ,washington set out on his mission1 accompanied by his aide-de-camp1 ,captain ,george ,mercer1 of ,virginia1 and ,captain ,stewart1 of the ,virginia light horse4 ,the party travelled in ,virginia style1 on horseback1 attended by their black servants in livery4 ,in this way they accomplished a journey of five hundred miles in the depth of winter2 stopping for some days at ,philadelphia and ,new ,york4 ,those cities were then comparatively small1 and the arrival of a party of young ,southern officers attracted attention4 ,the late disastrous battle was still the theme of every tongue1 and the honorable way in which these young officers had acquitted themselves in it made them objects of universal interest4 ,washington's fame1 especially1 had gone before him2 having been spread by the officers who had served with him and by the public honors decreed him by the ,virginia ,legislature4 ,the mission to ,general ,shirley was entirely successful as to the question of rank4 ,a written order from the commander-in-chief determined that ,dagworthy was entitled to the rank of a provincial captain only1 and of course1 must on all occasions give precedence to ,colonel ,washington as a provincial field officer4 ,the latter was disappointed1 however1 in the hope of getting himself and his officers put upon the regular establishment1 with commissions from the king1 and had to remain subjected to mortifying questions of rank and etiquette when serving in company with regular troops4 ,from ,general ,shirley he learnt that the main objects of the ensuing campaign would be the reduction of ,fort ,niagara1 so as to cut off the communication between ,canada and ,louisiana1 the capture of ,ticonderoga and ,crown ,point1 as a measure of safety for ,new ,york1 the besieging of ,fort ,duquesne1 and the menacing of ,quebec by a body of troops which were to advance by the ,kennebec ,river4 ,the official career of ,general ,shirley was drawing to a close4 ,he was recalled to ,england1 and was to be superseded by ,general ,abercrombie4 ,the general command in ,america1 however1 was to be held by the ,earl of ,loudoun1 who was invested with powers almost equal to those of a viceroy1 being placed above all the colonial governors4 ,beside his general command he was to be governor of ,virginia and colonel of a royal ,american regiment of four battalions1 to be raised in the colonies1 but furnished with officers who1 like himself1 had seen foreign service4 ,the campaign would open on his arrival1 which it was expected would be early in the spring2 and brilliant results were anticipated4 ,washington remained ten days in ,boston1 receiving the most hospitable attentions from the polite and intelligent society of the place1 after which he returned to ,new ,york4 ,tradition gives very different motives from those of business for his sojourns in the latter city4 ,he found there an early friend and school-mate1 ,beverly ,robinson1 son of ,john ,robinson1 speaker of the ,virginia ,house of ,burgesses4 ,he was living happily and prosperously with a young and wealthy bride1 having married one of the nieces and heiresses of ,mr4 ,adolphus ,philipse1 a rich landholder4 ,at the house of ,mr4 ,beverly ,robinson1 ,washington met ,miss ,mary ,philipse1 sister of ,mrs4 ,robinson1 a young lady whose personal attractions are said to have rivalled her reputed wealth4 ,a life of constant activity and care1 passed for the most part in the wilderness and on the frontier1 far from female society1 had left ,washington little mood or leisure for the indulgence of the tender sentiment2 but made him more sensible1 in the present brief interval of gay and social life1 to the attractions of an elegant woman1 brought up in the polite circle of ,new ,york4 ,that he was an open admirer of ,miss ,philipse is an historical fact2 that he sought her hand1 but was refused1 is traditional4 ,the most probable version of the story is1 that he was called away by his public duties before he had made sufficient approaches in his siege of the lady's heart to warrant a summons to surrender4 ,in the latter part of ,march we find him at ,williamsburg attending the opening of the ,legislature of ,virginia1 eager to promote measures for the protection of the frontier and the capture of ,fort ,duquesne--the leading object of his ambition4 ,while thus engaged1 he received a letter from a friend and confidant in ,new ,york1 warning him to hasten back to that city before it was too late1 as ,captain ,morris1 who had been his fellow aide-de-camp under ,braddock1 was laying close siege to ,miss ,philipse4 ,sterner alarms1 however1 summoned him in another direction4 ,expresses from ,winchester brought word that the ,french had made another sortie from ,fort ,duquesne1 accompanied by a band of savages1 and were spreading terror and desolation through the country4 ,in this moment of exigency all softer claims were forgotten2 ,washington repaired in all haste to his post at ,winchester1 and ,captain ,morris was left to urge his suit unrivalled and carry off the prize4 ,report had not exaggerated the troubles of the frontier4 ,it was marauded by merciless bands of savages1 led1 in some instances1 by ,frenchmen4 ,travellers were murdered1 farm houses burnt down1 families butchered1 and even stockaded forts1 or houses of refuge1 attacked in open day4 ,the marauders had crossed the mountains and penetrated the valley of the ,shenandoah4 ,washington1 on his arrival at ,winchester1 found the inhabitants in great dismay4 ,he resolved immediately to organize a force1 composed partly of troops from ,fort ,cumberland1 partly of militia from ,winchester and its vicinity1 to put himself at its head1 and scour the woods and suspected places in all the mountains and valleys of this part of the frontier1 in quest of the ,indians and their more cruel associates4 ,he accordingly despatched an express to ,fort ,cumberland with orders for a detachment from the garrison2 but how1 said he1 are men to be raised at ,winchester1 since orders are no longer regarded in the county8 ,lord ,fairfax1 and other militia officers with whom he consulted1 advised that each captain should call a private muster of his men1 and read before them an address1 or exhortation as it was called1 being an appeal to their patriotism and fears1 and a summons to assemble on the #aeth of ,april to enroll themselves for the projected mountain foray4 ,this measure was adopted2 the private musterings occurred2 the exhortation was read2 the time and place of assemblage appointed2 but1 when the day of enrollment arrived1 not more than fifteen men appeared upon the ground4 ,in the meantime the express returned with sad accounts from ,fort ,cumberland4 ,no troops could be furnished from that quarter4 ,the garrison was scarcely strong enough for self-defence1 having sent out detachments in different directions4 ,horrors accumulated at ,winchester4 ,every hour brought its tale of terror1 true or false1 of houses burnt1 families massacred1 or beleaguered and famishing in stockaded forts4 ,the danger approached4 ,a scouting party had been attacked in the ,warm ,spring ,mountain1 about twenty miles distant1 by a large body of ,french and ,indians1 mostly on horseback4 ,the captain of the scouting party and several of his men had been slain1 and the rest put to flight4 ,an attack was apprehended1 and the terrors of the people rose to agony4 ,they now turned to ,washington as their main hope4 ,the women surrounded him1 holding up their children and imploring him with tears and cries to save them from the savages4 ,the youthful commander looked round on the suppliant crowd with a countenance beaming with pity and a heart wrung with anguish4 ,a letter to ,governor ,dinwiddie drew from him an instant order for a militia force from the upper counties to his assistance2 but the ,virginia newspapers1 in descanting on the frontier troubles1 threw discredit on the army and its officers1 and attached blame to its commander4 ,stung to the quick by this injustice1 ,washington publicly declared that nothing but the imminent danger of the times prevented him from instantly resigning a command from which he could never reap either honor or benefit4 ,his sensitiveness called forth strong letters from his friends1 assuring him of the high sense entertained at the seat of government1 and elsewhere1 of his merits and services4 ,in fact1 the situation and services of the youthful commander1 shut up in a frontier town1 destitute of forces1 surrounded by savage foes1 gallantly1 though despairingly1 devoting himself to the safety of a suffering people1 were properly understood throughout the country1 and excited a glow of enthusiasm in his favor4 ,the ,legislature1 too1 began at length to act1 but timidly and inefficiently4 ,its measure of relief was an additional appropriation of twenty thousand pounds1 and an increase of the provincial force to fifteen hundred men4 ,with this1 it was proposed to erect and garrison a chain of frontier forts1 extending through the ranges of the ,alleghany ,mountains1 from the ,potomac to the borders of ,north ,carolina2 a distance of between three and four hundred miles4 ,this was one of the inconsiderate projects devised by ,governor ,dinwiddie4 ,washington1 in letters to the governor and to the speaker of the ,house of ,burgesses1 urged the impolicy of such a plan1 with their actual force and means4 ,the forts1 he observed1 ought to be within fifteen or eighteen miles of each other1 that their spies might be able to keep watch over the intervening country1 otherwise the ,indians would pass between them unperceived1 effect their ravages1 and escape to the mountains1 swamps and ravines before the troops from the forts could be assembled to pursue them4 ,they ought each to be garrisoned with eighty or a hundred men1 so as to afford detachments of sufficient strength1 without leaving the garrison too weak4 ,it was evident1 therefore1 observed he1 that to garrison properly such a line of forts would require at least two thousand men4 ,and even then1 a line of such extent might be broken through at one end before the other end could yield assistance4 ,his idea of a defensive plan was to build a strong fort at ,winchester1 the central point1 where all the main roads met of a wide range of scattered settlements1 where tidings could soonest be collected from every quarter1 and whence reinforcements and supplies could most readily be forwarded4 ,it was to be a grand deposit of military stores1 a residence for commanding officers1 a place of refuge for the women and children in time of alarm1 when the men had suddenly to take the field2 in a word1 it was to be the citadel of the frontier4 ,beside this1 he would have three or four large fortresses erected at convenient distances upon the frontiers1 with powerful garrisons1 so as to be able to throw out1 in constant succession1 strong scouting parties to range the country4 ,fort ,cumberland he condemned as being out of the province and out of the track of ,indian incursions4 ,his representations with respect to military laws and regulations were equally cogent4 ,in the late act of the ,assembly for raising a regiment it was provided that1 in cases of emergency1 if recruits should not offer in sufficient number1 the militia might be drafted to supply the deficiencies1 but only to serve until ,december1 and not to be marched out of the province4 ,in this case1 said he1 before they have entered upon service1 or got the least smattering of duty1 they will claim a discharge2 if they are pursuing an enemy who has committed the most unheard-of cruelties1 he has only to step across the ,potomac and he is safe4 ,then as to the limits of service1 they might just as easily have been enlisted for seventeen months as seven4 ,then as to punishments3 death1 it was true1 had been decreed for mutiny and desertion2 but there was no punishment for cowardice2 for holding correspondence with the enemy2 for quitting1 or sleeping on one's post2 all capital offences1 according to the military codes of ,europe4 ,neither were there provisions for quartering or billeting soldiers1 or impressing wagons and other conveyances1 in times of exigency4 ,to crown all1 no court-martial could sit out of ,virginia2 a most embarrassing regulation1 when troops were fifty or a hundred miles beyond the frontier4 ,he earnestly suggested amendments on all these points1 as well as with regard to the soldiers' pay2 which was less than that of the regular troops1 or the troops of most of the other provinces4 ,all these suggestions1 showing at this youthful age that forethought and circumspection which distinguished him throughout life1 were repeatedly and eloquently urged upon ,governor ,dinwiddie1 with very little effect4 ,the plan of a frontier line of twenty-three forts was persisted in4 ,fort ,cumberland was pertinaciously kept up at a great and useless expense of men and money1 and the militia laws remained lax and inefficient4 ,it was decreed1 however1 that the great central fort at ,winchester1 recommended by ,washington1 should be erected4 ,in the height of the alarm a company of one hundred gentlemen1 mounted and equipped1 volunteered their services to repair to the frontier4 ,they were headed by ,peyton ,randolph4 ,no doubt they would have conducted themselves gallantly had they been put to the test2 but before they arrived near the scene of danger the alarm was over4 ,about the beginning of ,may1 scouts brought in word that the tracks of the marauding savages tended toward ,fort ,duquesne1 as if on the return4 ,in a little while it was ascertained that they had recrossed the ,alleghany ,mountain to the ,ohio in such numbers as to leave a beaten track1 equal to that made in the preceding year by the army of ,braddock4 ,the repeated inroads of the savages called for an effectual and permanent check4 ,the idea of being constantly subject to the irruptions of a deadly foe1 that moved with stealth and mystery1 and was only to be traced by its ravages and counted by its footprints1 discouraged all settlement of the country4 ,the beautiful valley of the ,shenandoah was fast becoming a deserted and a silent place4 ,her people1 for the most part1 had fled to the older settlements south of the mountains1 and the ,blue ,ridge was likely soon to become virtually the frontier line of the province4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,frontier ,,service4 ,throughout the summer of #agef1 ,washington exerted himself diligently in carrying out measures determined upon for frontier security4 ,the great fortress at ,winchester was commenced1 and the work urged forward as expeditiously as the delays and perplexities incident to a badly organized service would permit4 ,it received the name of ,fort ,loudoun1 in honor of the commander-in-chief1 whose arrival in ,virginia was hopefully anticipated4 ,as to the sites of the frontier posts1 they were decided upon by ,washington and his officers1 after frequent and long consultations2 parties were sent out to work on them1 and men recruited and militia drafted to garrison them4 ,washington visited occasionally such as were in progress1 and near at hand4 ,in the autumn1 he made a tour of inspection along the whole line1 accompanied by his friend1 ,captain ,hugh ,mercer4 ,this tour furnished repeated proofs of the inefficiency of the militia system4 ,in one place he attempted to raise a force with which to scour a region infested by roving bands of savages4 ,after waiting several days1 but five men answered to his summons4 ,in another place1 where three companies had been ordered to the relief of a fort attacked by the ,indians1 all that could be mustered were a captain1 a lieutenant1 and seven or eight men4 ,when the militia were drafted1 and appeared under arms1 the case was not much better4 ,it was now late in the autumn3 their term of service1 by the act of the ,legislature1 expired in ,december1--half of the time1 therefore1 was lost in marching out and home4 ,their waste of provisions was enormous4 ,to be put on allowance1 like other soldiers1 they considered an indignity4 ,for want of proper military laws1 they were obstinate1 self-willed and perverse4 ,the garrisons were weak for want of men1 but more so from indolence and irregularity4 ,not one was in a posture of defence2 few but might be surprised with the greatest ease4 ,at one fort the ,indians rushed from their lurking-place1 pounced upon several children playing under the walls1 and bore them off before they were discovered4 ,another fort was surprised1 and many of the people massacred in the same manner4 ,what rendered this year's service peculiarly irksome and embarrassing to ,washington1 was the nature of his correspondence with ,governor ,dinwiddie4 ,that gentleman1 either from the natural hurry and confusion of his mind1 or from a real disposition to perplex1 was extremely ambiguous and unsatisfactory in most of his orders and replies4 ,in nothing was this disposition to perplex more apparent than in the governor's replies respecting ,fort ,cumberland4 ,washington had repeatedly urged the abandonment of this fort as a place of frontier deposit1 being within the bounds of another province and out of the track of ,indian incursion2 so that often the alarm would not reach there until after the mischief had been effected4 ,he applied1 at length1 for particular and positive directions from the governor on this head4 ,the following1 says he1 is an exact copy of his answer3 ',fort ,cumberland is a king's fort1 and built chiefly at the charge of the colony1 therefore properly under our direction until a new governor is appointed4' ,now1 whether ,i am to understand this aye or no to the plain simple question asked1 ,is the fort to be continued or removed8 ,i know not4 ,but in all important matters ,i am directed in this ambiguous and uncertain way4 ,governor ,dinwiddie subsequently made himself explicit on this point4 ,taking offence at some of ,washington's comments on the military affairs on the frontier1 he made the stand of a self-willed and obstinate man1 in the case of ,fort ,cumberland2 and represented it in such a light to ,lord ,loudoun as to draw from his lordship an order that it should be kept up1 and an implied censure of the conduct of ,washington in slighting a post of such paramount importance4 ,thus powerfully supported1 ,dinwiddie went so far as to order that the garrisons should be withdrawn from the stockades and small frontier forts1 and most of the troops from ,winchester1 to strengthen ,fort ,cumberland1 which was now to become head-quarters4 ,by these meddlesome moves all previous arrangements were reversed1 everything was thrown into confusion1 and enormous losses and expenses were incurred4 ,governor ,dinwiddie had never recovered from the pique caused by the popular elevation of ,washington to the command in preference to his favorite1 ,colonel ,innes4 ,his irritation was kept alive by a little ,scottish faction1 who were desirous of disgusting ,washington with the service1 so as to induce him to resign and make way for his rival4 ,they might have carried their point during the panic at ,winchester1 had not his patriotism and his sympathy with the public distress been more powerful than his self-love4 ,he determined1 he said1 to bear up under these embarrassments in the hope of better regulations when ,lord ,loudoun should arrive2 to whom he looked for the future fate of ,virginia4 ,while these events were occurring on the ,virginia frontier1 military events went on tardily and heavily at the north4 ,the campaign against ,canada hung fire4 ,the armament coming out for the purpose under ,lord ,loudoun was delayed4 ,gen4 ,abercrombie reached ,albany ,june #beth1 with two regiments4 ,july #abth word was received that the forts ,ontario and ,oswego were menaced by the ,french4 ,relief was delayed until the arrival of ,lord ,loudoun1 which took place on the #bith of ,july4 ,after some delays ,gen4 ,webb left ,albany1 ,august #abth1 for the relief of ,oswego4 ,but while the ,british commanders had debated1 ,field-marshal the ,marquis de ,montcalm had acted4 ,he was a different kind of soldier from ,abercrombie or ,loudoun4 ,a capacious mind and enterprising spirit animated a small1 but active and untiring frame4 ,quick in thought1 quick in speech1 quicker still in action1 he comprehended every thing at a glance1 and moved from point to point of the province with a celerity and secrecy that completely baffled his slow and pondering antagonists4 ,crown ,point and ,ticonderoga were visited1 and steps taken to strengthen their works2 then1 hastening to ,montreal1 he put himself at the head of a force of regulars1 ,canadians1 and ,indians2 ascended the ,st4 ,lawrence to ,lake ,ontario2 blocked up the mouth of the ,oswego by his vessels1 landed his guns1 and besieged the two forts2 drove the garrison out of one into the other2 killed the commander1 ,colonel ,mercer1 and compelled the garrisons to surrender prisoners of war4 ,his blow achieved1 ,montcalm returned in triumph to ,montreal4 ,the season was now too far advanced for ,lord ,loudoun to enter upon any great military enterprise2 he postponed1 therefore1 the great northern campaign1 so much talked of and debated1 until the following year4 ,circumstances had led ,washington to think that ,lord ,loudoun had received impressions to his prejudice by false representations of facts1 and that a wrong idea prevailed at head-quarters respecting the state of military affairs in ,virginia4 ,he was anxious1 therefore1 for an opportunity of placing all these matters in a proper light2 and1 understanding that there was to be a meeting in ,philadelphia in the month of ,march1 between ,lord ,loudoun and the southern governors1 to consult about measures of defence for their respective provinces1 he wrote to ,governor ,dinwiddie for permission to attend it4 ,i cannot conceive1 writes ,dinwiddie in reply1 what service you can be of in going there1 as the plan concerted will1 in course1 be communicated to you and the other officers4 ,however1 as you seem so earnest to go1 ,i now give you leave4 ,this ungracious reply seemed to warrant the suspicions entertained by some of ,washington's friends1 that it was the busy pen of ,governor ,dinwiddie which had given the false representation of facts to ,lord ,loudoun4 ,about a month1 therefore1 before the time of the meeting1 ,washington addressed a long letter to his lordship1 explanatory of military affairs in the quarter where he had commanded4 ,in this he set forth the various defects in the militia laws of ,virginia2 the errors in its system of defence1 and the inevitable confusion which had thence resulted4 ,the manner in which ,washington was received by ,lord ,loudoun on arriving in ,philadelphia1 showed him at once that his long1 explanatory letter had produced the desired effect1 and that his character and conduct were justly appreciated4 ,during his sojourn in ,philadelphia he was frequently consulted on points of frontier service1 and his advice was generally adopted4 ,on one point it failed4 ,he advised that an attack should be made on ,fort ,duquesne1 simultaneous with the attempts on ,canada4 ,at such time a great part of the garrison would be drawn away to aid in the defence of that province1 and a blow might be struck more likely to insure the peace and safety of the southern frontier than all its forts and defences4 ,lord ,loudoun1 however1 was not to be convinced1 or at least persuaded4 ,according to his plan1 the middle and southern provinces were to maintain a merely defensive warfare4 ,washington was also disappointed a second time in the hope of having his regiment placed on the same footing as the regular army and of obtaining a king's commission2 the latter he was destined never to hold4 ,his representations with respect to ,fort ,cumberland had the desired effect in counteracting the mischievous intermeddling of ,dinwiddie4 ,the ,virginia troops and stores were ordered to be again removed to ,fort ,loudoun1 at ,winchester1 which once more became head-quarters1 while ,fort ,cumberland was left to be occupied by a ,maryland garrison4 ,the great plan of operations at the north was again doomed to failure4 ,the reduction of ,crown ,point1 on ,lake ,champlain1 which had long been meditated1 was laid aside1 and the capture of ,louisburg substituted1 as an acquisition of far greater importance4 ,this was a place of great consequence1 situated on the isle of ,cape ,breton1 and strongly fortified4 ,it commanded the fisheries of ,newfoundland1 overawed ,new ,england1 and was a main bulwark to ,acadia4 ,in ,july1 ,loudoun set sail for ,halifax1 with nearly six thousand men1 to join with ,admiral ,holbourne1 who had arrived at that port with eleven ships of the line1 and transports having on board six thousand men4 ,with this united force ,lord ,loudoun anticipated the certain capture of ,louisburg4 ,but the ,french were again too quick for him4 ,admiral de ,bois de la ,mothe had arrived at ,louisburg with seventeen ships of the line and three frigates4 ,the place was ascertained to be well fortified and garrisoned4 ,lord ,loudoun1 aware of the probability of defeat and the ruin it would bring upon ,british arms in ,america1 wisely1 though ingloriously1 returned to ,new ,york4 ,scarce had the tidings of his lordship's departure for ,louisburg reached ,canada1 when ,montcalm took the fort4 ,fort ,william ,henry1 on the southern shore of ,lake ,george1 was now his object4 ,colonel ,munro1 with five hundred men1 formed the garrison4 ,with eight thousand men ,montcalm invested the fort1 and after an obstinate resistance the brave ,colonel ,munro surrendered1 but not until most of his cannon were burst and his ammunition expended4 ,he obtained honorable terms4 ,montcalm demolished the fort1 and returned to ,canada4 ,during these unfortunate operations to the north1 ,washington was stationed at ,winchester1 shorn of part of his force by a detachment to ,south ,carolina1 and left with seven hundred men to defend a frontier of more than three hundred and fifty miles in extent4 ,the capture and demolition of ,oswego by ,montcalm had produced a disastrous effect4 ,the whole country of the five nations was abandoned to the ,french4 ,the frontiers of ,pennsylvania1 ,maryland and ,virginia were harassed by repeated inroads of ,french and ,indians1 and ,washington had the mortification to see the noble valley of the ,shenandoah almost deserted by its inhabitants and fast relapsing into a wilderness4 ,the year wore away on his part in the harassing service of defending a wide frontier with an insufficient and badly organized force1 and the vexations he experienced were heightened by continual misunderstandings with ,governor ,dinwiddie1 who was evidently actuated by the petty pique of a narrow and illiberal mind1 impatient of contradiction1 even when in error4 ,he took advantage of his official station to vent his spleen and gratify his petulance in a variety of ways incompatible with the courtesy of a gentleman4 ,it may excite a grave smile at the present day to find ,washington charged by this very small-minded man with looseness in his way of writing to him3 with remissness in his duty towards him2 and even with impertinence in the able and eloquent representations which he felt compelled to make of disastrous mismanagement in military affairs4 ,the multiplied vexations which ,washington experienced from this man had preyed upon his spirits1 and contributed1 with his incessant toils and anxieties1 to undermine his health4 ,for some time he struggled with repeated attacks of dysentery and fever1 and continued in the exercise of his duties2 but the increased violence of his malady1 and the urgent advice of his friend1 ,dr4 ,craik1 the army surgeon1 induced him to relinquish his post towards the end of the year and retire to ,mount ,vernon4 ,the administration of ,dinwiddie1 however1 was now at an end4 ,he set sail for ,england in ,january1 #ageh4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,operations ,,against ,,the ,,french4--,,washington',s ,,marriage4 ,for several months ,washington was afflicted by returns of his malady1 accompanied by symptoms indicative1 as he thought1 of a decline4 ,a gradual improvement in his health and a change in his prospects encouraged him to continue in what really was his favorite career1 and at the beginning of ,april he was again in command at ,fort ,loudoun4 ,mr4 ,francis ,fauquier had been appointed successor to ,dinwiddie1 and1 until he should arrive1 ,mr4 ,john ,blair1 president of the council1 had1 from his office1 charge of the government4 ,in the latter ,washington had a friend who appreciated his character and services1 and was disposed to carry out his plans4 ,the general aspect of affairs1 also1 was more animating4 ,under the able and intrepid administration of ,william ,pitt1 who had control of the ,british cabinet1 an effort was made to retrieve the disgraces of the late ,american campaign1 and to carry on the war with greater vigor4 ,the instructions for a common fund were discontinued2 there was no more talk of taxation by ,parliament4 ,lord ,loudoun1 from whom so much had been anticipated1 had disappointed by his inactivity1 and been relieved from a command in which he had attempted much and done so little4 ,on the return of his lordship to ,england1 the general command in ,america devolved on ,major-general ,abercrombie1 and the forces were divided into three detached bodies2 one1 under ,major-general ,amherst1 was to operate in the north with the fleet under ,boscawen1 for the reduction of ,louisburg and the island of ,cape ,breton2 another1 under ,abercrombie himself1 was to proceed against ,ticonderoga and ,crown ,point on ,lake ,champlain2 and the third1 under ,brigadier-general ,forbes1 who had the charge of the middle and southern colonies1 was to undertake the reduction of ,fort ,duquesne4 ,the colonial troops were to be supplied1 like the regulars1 with arms1 ammunition1 tents and provisions at the expense of the government1 but clothed and paid by the colonies2 for which the king would recommend to ,parliament a proper compensation4 ,the provincial officers appointed by the governors1 and of no higher rank than colonel1 were to be equal in command1 when united in service with those who held direct from the king1 according to the date of their commissions4 ,by these wise provisions of ,mr4 ,pitt a fertile cause of heartburnings and dissensions was removed4 ,it was with the greatest satisfaction ,washington saw his favorite measure at last adopted1 the reduction of ,fort ,duquesne2 and he resolved to continue in the service until that object was accomplished4 ,he had the satisfaction subsequently of enjoying the fullest confidence of ,general ,forbes 7who was to command the expedition71 who knew too well the sound judgment and practical ability evinced by him in the unfortunate campaign of ,braddock not to be desirous of availing himself of his counsels4 ,washington still was commander-in-chief of the ,virginia troops1 now augmented1 by an act of the ,assembly1 to two regiments of one thousand men each2 one led by himself1 the other by ,colonel ,byrd2 the whole destined to make a part of the army of ,general ,forbes in the expedition against ,fort ,duquesne4 ,before we proceed to narrate the expedition against ,fort ,duquesne1 however1 we will briefly notice the conduct of the two other expeditions1 which formed important parts in the plan of military operations for the year4 ,and first1 of that against ,louisburg and the ,island of ,cape ,breton4 ,major-general ,amherst embarked in ,may with nearly twelve thousand men from ,halifax in the fleet of ,admiral ,boscawen4 ,with him went ,brigadier-general ,wolfe1 who was destined to gain an almost romantic celebrity4 ,on the #b;d of ,june1 the fleet arrived at the bay of ,gabarus1 seven miles from ,louisburg4 ,boisterous weather prevented the landing until the #hth of ,june4 ,three divisions1 under ,brigadiers ,wolfe1 ,whetmore and ,laurens1 attempted the landing west of the harbor at a place feebly secured4 ,the boats forced their way through a high surf1 and under a heavy fire from the batteries4 ,wolfe sprang into the water when the boats grounded1 dashed through the surf with his men1 stormed the enemy's breastworks and batteries1 and drove them from the shore4 ,by the side of ,wolfe was an ,irish youth1 twenty-one years of age1 whom1 for his gallantry1 ,wolfe promoted to a lieutenancy4 ,his name was ,richard ,montgomery4 ,the other divisions effected a landing1 and ,louisburg was formally invested4 ,the weather continued boisterous1 and the siege advanced slowly4 ,chevalier ,drucour1 who commanded at ,louisburg1 made a brave defence4 ,his ships were at last all either fired or captured1 his cannon dismounted1 and being threatened with a general assault he capitulated at the earnest entreaty of the inhabitants4 ,the second expedition was against the ,french forts on ,lakes ,george and ,champlain4 ,early in ,july1 ,abercrombie was on ,lake ,george with seven thousand regulars and nine thousand provincials4 ,major ,israel ,putnam1 who had served under ,johnson1 was present1 and with a scouting party reconnoitred the neighborhood4 ,upon his return1 ,abercrombie proceeded against ,ticonderoga4 ,the force embarked on the #eth of ,july1 in a vast flotilla of whaleboats1 rafts1 bateaux1 etc4 ,with ,abercrombie went ,lord ,howe1 a young nobleman who had greatly endeared himself to the army and the people4 ,they landed at the entrance of the strait leading to ,lake ,champlain1 formed into three columns and pushed forward4 ,the van of the centre column under ,lord ,howe encountered a detachment of the foe2 a severe conflict ensued2 the enemy were routed1 and ,lord ,howe was killed4 ,with him expired the master-spirit of the enterprise4 ,abercrombie fell back to the landing-place2 sent out detachments to secure a saw-mill1 within two miles of the fort3 this done he advanced with his whole force and took post at the mill4 ,montcalm was strongly posted behind deep intrenchments1 with an abatis of felled trees in front of his lines4 ,the strength of his position was underrated1 and an assault was ordered1 which was repulsed with dreadful havoc4 ,after four hours of desperate and fruitless fighting1 ,abercrombie retreated to the landing-place1 and1 dismayed at the failure of the rash assault1 which had been made against the advice of his most judicious officers1 he embarked his troops and returned across the lake4 ,while stationed here1 planning fortifications1 ,colonel ,bradstreet was permitted to undertake an expedition against ,fort ,frontenac1 on the south side of ,lake ,ontario1 which was entirely successful4 ,operations went on slowly in that part of the year's campaign in which ,washington was immediately engaged--the expedition against ,fort ,duquesne4 ,brigadier-general ,forbes1 who was commander-in-chief1 was detained at ,philadelphia by those delays and cross-purposes incident to military affairs in a new country4 ,colonel ,bouquet1 who was to command the advanced division1 took his station1 with a corps of regulars1 at ,raystown1 in the centre of ,pennsylvania4 ,there slowly assembled troops from various parts4 ,three thousand ,pennsylvanians1 twelve hundred and fifty ,south ,carolinians1 and a few hundred men from elsewhere4 ,washington1 in the meantime1 gathered together his scattered regiment at ,winchester1 some from a distance of two hundred miles1 and diligently disciplined his recruits4 ,he had two ,virginia regiments under him1 amounting1 when complete1 to about nineteen hundred men4 ,seven hundred ,indian warriors1 also1 came lagging into his camp1 lured by the prospect of a successful campaign4 ,the force thus assembling was in want of arms1 tents1 field-equipage1 and almost every requisite4 ,washington had made repeated representations1 by letter1 of the destitute state of the ,virginia troops1 but without avail2 he was now ordered by ,sir ,john ,st4 ,clair1 the quartermaster-general of the forces under ,general ,forbes1 to repair to ,williamsburg and lay the state of the case before the council4 ,he set off promptly on horseback1 attended by ,bishop1 the well-trained military servant who had served the late ,general ,braddock4 ,it proved an eventful journey1 though not in a military point of view4 ,in crossing a ferry of the ,pamunkey1 a branch of ,york ,river1 he fell in company with a ,mr4 ,chamberlayne1 who lived in the neighborhood1 and who1 in the spirit of ,virginian hospitality1 claimed him as a guest4 ,it was with difficulty ,washington could be prevailed on to halt for dinner1 so impatient was he to arrive at ,williamsburg and accomplish his mission4 ,among the guests at ,mr4 ,chamberlayne's was a young and blooming widow1 ,mrs4 ,martha ,custis1 daughter of ,mr4 ,john ,dandridge1 both patrician names in the province4 ,her husband1 ,john ,parke ,custis1 had been dead about three years1 leaving her with two young children1 and a large fortune4 ,she is represented as being rather below the middle size1 but extremely well shaped1 with an agreeable countenance1 dark hazel eyes and hair1 and those frank1 engaging manners1 so captivating in ,southern women4 ,washington's heart appears to have been taken by surprise4 ,the dinner1 which in those days was an earlier meal than at present1 seemed all too short4 ,the afternoon passed away like a dream4 ,bishop was punctual to the orders he had received on halting2 the horses pawed at the door2 but for once ,washington loitered in the path of duty4 ,the horses were countermanded1 and it was not until the next morning that he was again in the saddle1 spurring for ,williamsburg4 ,happily the ,white ,house1 the residence of ,mrs4 ,custis1 was in ,new ,kent ,county1 at no great distance from that city1 so that he had opportunities of visiting her in the intervals of business4 ,his time for courtship1 however1 was brief4 ,military duties called him back almost immediately to ,winchester2 but he feared1 should he leave the matter in suspense1 some more enterprising rival might supplant him during his absence1 as in the case of ,miss ,philipse1 at ,new ,york4 ,he improved1 therefore1 his brief opportunity to the utmost4 ,in a word1 before they separated1 they had mutually plighted their faith1 and the marriage was to take place as soon as the campaign against ,fort ,duquesne was at an end4 ,on arriving at ,winchester1 he found his troops restless and discontented from prolonged inaction2 the inhabitants impatient of the burdens imposed on them1 and of the disturbances of an idle camp2 while the ,indians1 as he apprehended1 had deserted outright4 ,it was a great relief1 therefore1 when he received orders from the commander-in-chief to repair to ,fort ,cumberland4 ,he arrived there on the #b;d of ,july1 and proceeded to open a road between that post and head-quarters at ,raystown1 thirty miles distant1 where ,colonel ,bouquet was stationed4 ,his troops were scantily supplied with regimental clothing4 ,the weather was oppressively warm4 ,he now conceived the idea of equipping them in the light ,indian hunting garb1 and even of adopting it himself4 ,two companies were accordingly equipped in this style1 and sent under the command of ,major ,lewis to head-quarters4 ,the experiment was successful4 ,the array was now annoyed by scouting parties of ,indians hovering about the neighborhood4 ,expresses passing between the posts were fired upon2 a wagoner was shot down4 ,washington sent out counter-parties of ,cherokees4 ,colonel ,bouquet required that each party should be accompanied by an officer and a number of white men4 ,washington complied with the order1 though he considered them an encumbrance rather than an advantage4 ,on the other hand1 he earnestly discountenanced a proposition of ,colonel ,bouquet1 to make an irruption into the enemy's country with a strong party of regulars4 ,such a detachment1 he observed1 could not be sent without a cumbersome train of supplies1 which would discover it to the enemy1 who must at that time be collecting his whole force at ,fort ,duquesne2 the enterprise1 therefore1 would be likely to terminate in a miscarriage1 if not in the destruction of the party4 ,we shall see that his opinion was oracular4 ,as ,washington intended to retire from military life at the close of this campaign1 he had proposed himself to the electors of ,frederick ,county as their representative in the ,house of ,burgesses4 ,the election was coming on at ,winchester2 his friends pressed him to attend it1 and ,colonel ,bouquet gave him leave of absence2 but he declined to absent himself from his post for the promotion of his political interests4 ,there were three competitors in the field1 yet so high was the public opinion of his merit1 that1 though ,winchester had been his head-quarters for two or three years past1 and he had occasionally enforced martial law with a rigorous hand1 he was elected by a large majority4 ,on the #bast of ,july arrived tidings of the brilliant success of that part of the scheme of the year's campaign conducted by ,general ,amherst and ,admiral ,boscawen4 ,this intelligence increased ,washington's impatience at the delays of the expedition with which he was connected4 ,he wished to rival these successes by a brilliant blow in the south4 ,understanding that the commander-in-chief had some thoughts of throwing a body of light troops in the advance1 he wrote to ,colonel ,bouquet1 earnestly soliciting his influence to have himself and his ,virginia regiment included in the detachment4 ,he soon learnt to his surprise that the road to which his men were accustomed1 and which had been worked by ,braddock's troops in his campaign1 was not to be taken in the present expedition1 but a new one opened through the heart of ,pennsylvania1 from ,raystown to ,fort ,duquesne1 on the track generally taken by the northern traders4 ,he instantly commenced long and repeated remonstrances on the subject2 but the officers of the regular service had received a fearful idea of ,braddock's road from his own despatches1 wherein he had described it as lying across mountains and rocks of an excessive height1 vastly steep1 and divided by torrents and rivers1 whereas the ,pennsylvania traders1 who were anxious for the opening of the new road through their province1 described the country through which it would pass as less difficult2 above all1 it was a direct line1 and fifty miles nearer4 ,this route1 therefore1 to the great regret of ,washington1 was definitely adopted1 and sixteen hundred men were immediately thrown in the advance from ,raystown to work upon it4 ,the first of ,september found ,washington still encamped at ,fort ,cumberland1 his troops sickly and dispirited1 and the brilliant expedition which he had anticipated1 dwindling down into a tedious operation of road-making4 ,at length1 in the month of ,september1 he received orders from ,general ,forbes to join him with his troops at ,raystown1 where he had just arrived1 having been detained by severe illness4 ,he was received by the general with the highest marks of respect4 ,on all occasions1 both in private and at councils of war1 that commander treated his opinions with the greatest deference4 ,he1 moreover1 adopted a plan drawn out by ,washington for the march of the army1 and an order of battle which still exists1 furnishing a proof of his skill in frontier warfare4 ,it was now the middle of ,september2 yet the great body of men engaged in opening the new military road1 after incredible toil1 had not advanced above forty-five miles1 to a place called ,loyal ,hannan1 a little beyond ,laurel ,hill4 ,colonel ,bouquet1 who commanded the division of nearly two thousand men sent forward to open this road1 had halted at ,loyal ,hannan to establish a military post and deposit4 ,he was upwards of fifty miles from ,fort ,duquesne1 and was tempted to adopt the measure1 so strongly discountenanced by ,washington1 of sending a party on a foray into the enemy's country4 ,he accordingly detached ,major ,grant with eight hundred picked men1 some of them ,highlanders1 others in ,indian garb1 the part of ,washington's ,virginian regiment sent forward by him from ,cumberland under command of ,major ,lewis4 ,the enterprise proved a disastrous one4 ,major ,grant conducted it with foolhardy bravado2 suffered himself to be led into an ambuscade2 and a scene ensued similar to that at the defeat of ,braddock4 ,the whole detachment was put to rout with dreadful carnage4 ,captain ,bullitt1 with fifty ,virginians1 who were in charge of the baggage1 formed a barricade with the wagons1 rallied some of the fugitives1 succeeded in checking the enemy for a time1 and1 collecting the wounded1 effected a rapid retreat4 ,lewis1 when surrounded by ,indians1 saved his life by surrendering to a ,french officer4 ,grant surrendered himself in like manner4 ,washington1 who was at ,raystown when the disastrous news arrived1 was publicly complimented by ,general ,forbes on the gallant conduct of his ,virginian troops1 and ,bullitt's behavior was a matter of great admiration4 ,the latter was soon after rewarded with a major's commission4 ,as a further mark of the high opinion now entertained of provincial troops for frontier service1 ,washington was given the command of a division1 partly composed of his own men1 to keep in the advance of the main body1 clear the roads1 throw out scouting parties1 and repel ,indian attacks4 ,it was the #eth of ,november before the whole army assembled at ,loyal ,hannan4 ,winter was now at hand1 and upwards of fifty miles of wilderness were yet to be traversed1 by a road not yet formed1 before they could reach ,fort ,duquesne4 ,again1 ,washington's predictions seemed likely to be verified1 and the expedition to be defeated by delay2 for in a council of war it was determined to be impracticable to advance further with the army that season4 ,three prisoners1 however1 who were brought in gave such an account of the weak state of the garrison at ,fort ,duquesne1 its want of provisions and the defection of the ,indians1 that it was determined to push forward4 ,the march was accordingly resumed1 but without tents or baggage1 and with only a light train of artillery4 ,washington still kept the advance4 ,after leaving ,loyal ,hannan1 the road presented traces of the late defeat of ,grant2 being strewed with human bones4 ,at length the army arrived in sight of ,fort ,duquesne1 advancing with great precaution1 and expecting a vigorous defence2 but that formidable fortress1 the terror and scourge of the frontier and the object of such warlike enterprise1 fell without a blow4 ,the recent successes of the ,english forces in ,canada1 particularly the capture and destruction of ,fort ,frontenac1 had left the garrison without hope of reinforcements and supplies4 ,the whole force1 at the time1 did not exceed five hundred men1 and the provisions were nearly exhausted4 ,the commander1 therefore1 waited only until the ,english army was within one day's march1 when he embarked his troops at night in bateaux1 blew up his magazines1 set fire to the fort1 and retreated down the ,ohio by the light of the flames4 ,on the #beth of ,november1 ,washington1 with the advanced guard1 marched in1 and planted the ,british flag on the yet smoking ruins4 ,the ruins of the fortress were now put in a defensible state1 and garrisoned by two hundred men from ,washington's regiment2 the name was changed to that of ,fort ,pitt1 in honor of the illustrious ,british minister2 it has since been modified into ,pittsburg1 and designates one of the most busy and populous cities of the interior4 ,the reduction of ,fort ,duquesne terminated1 as ,washington had foreseen1 the troubles and dangers of the southern frontier4 ,the ,french domination of the ,ohio was at an end2 the ,indians1 as usual1 paid homage to the conquering power1 and a treaty of peace was concluded with all the tribes between the ,ohio and the lakes4 ,with this campaign ended1 for the present1 the military career of ,washington4 ,his great object was attained1 the restoration of quiet and security to his native province2 and1 having abandoned all hope of attaining rank in the regular army1 and his health being much impaired1 he gave up his commission at the close of the year1 and retired from the service1 followed by the applause of his fellow-soldiers and the gratitude and admiration of all his countrymen4 ,his marriage with ,mrs4 ,custis took place shortly after his return4 ,it was celebrated on the #fth of ,january1 #agei1 at the ,white ,house1 the residence of the bride1 in the good old hospitable style of ,virginia1 amid a joyous assemblage of relatives and friends4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,campaigns ,,in ,,the ,,north4--,,washington ,,at ,,mount ,,vernon4 ,before following ,washington into the retirement of domestic life1 we think it proper to notice the events which closed the great struggle between ,england and ,france for empire in ,america4 ,abercrombie had been superseded in command by ,major-general ,amherst4 ,according to the plan of operations for #agei1 ,general ,wolfe was to ascend the ,st4 ,lawrence in a fleet of ships of war with eight thousand men1 and lay siege to ,quebec4 ,general ,amherst1 in the meantime1 was to advance against ,ticonderoga and ,crown ,point1 reduce them1 and push on to the ,st4 ,lawrence to co-operate with ,wolfe4 ,a third expedition1 under ,brigadier-general ,prideaux1 aided by ,sir ,william ,johnson1 was to attack ,fort ,niagara4 ,having reduced this fort he was to proceed against ,montreal4 ,the last mentioned expedition was the first executed4 ,the fort was invested by ,general ,prideaux1 early in ,july4 ,the garrison1 six hundred strong1 made a resolute defence4 ,prideaux was killed on the #bjth of ,july while visiting his trenches1 and ,general ,gage was sent to succeed him in command4 ,meantime the siege was pressed with vigor by ,sir ,william ,johnson4 ,learning that twelve hundred regular troops were hastening to the rescue of the besieged1 he despatched a force to intercept them4 ,they met within distant view of the fort1 and after a sharp conflict the ,french were routed and pursued through the woods4 ,the garrison1 having now no alternative1 surrendered1 the terms offered being honorable4 ,meanwhile1 ,general ,amherst with twelve thousand men had descended ,lake ,george4 ,on the #bc;d they debarked1 and proceeded toward ,ticonderoga4 ,montcalm was absent for the protection of ,quebec4 ,the garrison did not exceed four hundred men4 ,a defence against ,amherst's overwhelming force would have been madness2 and ,bourlamarque1 who was in command1 consequently dismantled the fortifications1 as he did likewise those of ,crown ,point1 and retreated down the lake4 ,instead of following him up and hastening to co-operate with ,wolfe1 ,general ,amherst proceeded to repair the forts1 though neither was in present danger of being attacked4 ,his delay enabled the enemy to rally their forces at ,isle ,aux ,noix1 and deprive ,wolfe of the aid essential to the general success of the campaign4 ,wolfe ascended the ,st4 ,lawrence in ,june4 ,with him were ,colonel ,guy ,carlton1 and ,lieutenant-,colonel ,william ,howe1 both destined to achieve celebrity in the annals of the ,american ,revolution4 ,the troops debarked on the ,isle of ,orleans1 a little below ,quebec4 ,quebec is built around the point of a rocky promontory1 and flanked by precipices4 ,the ,st4 ,lawrence sweeps by it on the right1 and the ,st4 ,charles on the left4 ,the place was not then1 as now1 rendered impregnable by fortifications4 ,montcalm commanded the post4 ,his forces were drawn out along the northern shore below the city1 from the ,st4 ,charles to the ,falls of ,montmorency1 and their position was secured by intrenchments4 ,wolfe established batteries at the west point of the ,isle of ,orleans1 and at ,point ,levi1 on the south bank of the ,st4 ,lawrence1 within cannon range of the city4 ,from ,point ,levi the city was cannonaded2 the lower town was reduced to rubbish1 and many houses in the upper town were fired4 ,anxious for a decisive action1 ,wolfe1 on the #ith of ,july crossed to the north bank of the ,st4 ,lawrence1 and encamped below the ,montmorency4 ,he determined to attack ,montcalm in his camp1 however difficult to be approached1 and however strongly posted4 ,the plan of attack was complicated2 orders were misunderstood2 confusion ensued2 and the attack proved a disastrous failure4 ,news was now received of the capture of ,fort ,niagara1 ,ticonderoga1 and ,crown ,point4 ,their successes fired the sensitive commander1 and he declared he would never return without success4 ,he made a reconnoitering expedition above ,quebec4 ,rugged cliffs rose from the water's edge2 above them was a plain called the ,plains of ,abraham1 by which the upper town might be approached on its weakest side4 ,it was determined to attempt reaching the ,plains by scaling the cliffs at night4 ,on the #acth of ,september1 in flat-bottomed boats the troops passed the town undetected2 landed in a cove called ,cape ,diamond2 scrambled and struggled with difficulty up a cragged path2 put to flight a sergeant's guard at the summit1 and by break of day were in possession of the ,plains4 ,montcalm was thunderstruck when intelligence of the fact was brought to him4 ,he hastened to the defence of the approaches to the city2 a desperate battle ensued on the fated ,plains4 ,wolfe1 who was in front of the ,english line1 was wounded in the wrist4 ,a second ball struck him in the breast4 ,he was borne to the rear4 ,it is all over with me1 said he1 and desired those about him to lay him down4 ,presently they cried1 ,they run6 they run6 see how they run6 ,who runs8 asked ,wolfe eagerly1 rousing from a lethargy into which he had fallen4 ,the enemy1 sir3 they give way everywhere4 ,now1 ,god be praised1 ,i will die in peace1 exclaimed the dying hero1 and1 turning upon his side1 expired4 ,the ,english had indeed obtained a complete victory2 and among the enemy's losses was that of their gallant leader1 ,montcalm4 ,the ,english1 now in strong position on the ,plains1 hastened to fortify4 ,preparations were now made for the attack by both army and fleet on the upper and lower town1 but the spirit of the garrison was broken1 and they capitulated on the #agth of ,september4 ,had ,amherst followed up his successors1 the year's campaign would have ended in the subjugation of ,canada4 ,his delay gave ,de ,levi1 the successor of ,montcalm1 time to rally and struggle for the salvation of the province4 ,he laid siege to ,quebec in the spring1 and was on the eve of success1 when the arrival of a ,british fleet reversed the scene4 ,the besieging army retreated1 and made a last stand at ,montreal2 but being invested with an overwhelming force1 defence was hopeless4 ,on the #hth of ,september1 ,montreal1 and with it all ,canada1 surrendered1 and the contest between ,france and ,england for dominion in ,america was ended4 ,for three months after his marriage1 ,washington resided with his bride at the ,white ,house4 ,during his sojourn there1 he repaired to ,williamsburg1 to take his seat in the ,house of ,burgesses4 ,by a vote of the ,house it had been determined to greet his installation by a signal testimonial of respect4 ,accordingly1 as soon as he took his seat1 ,mr4 ,robinson1 the ,speaker1 in eloquent language1 dictated by the warmth of private friendship1 returned thanks1 on behalf of the colony1 for the distinguished military services he had rendered to his country4 ,washington rose to reply2 blushed--stammered--trembled1 and could not utter a word4 ,sit down1 ,mr4 ,washington1 said the ,speaker1 with a smile1 your modesty equals your valor1 and that surpasses the power of any language ,i possess4 ,such was ,washington's first launch into civil life1 in which he was to be distinguished by the same judgment1 devotion1 courage1 and magnanimity exhibited in his military career4 ,he attended the ,house frequently during the remainder of the session1 after which he conducted his bride to his favorite abode of ,mount ,vernon4 ,i am now1 ,i believe1 he writes1 fixed in this seat1 with an agreeable partner for life1 and ,i hope to find more happiness in retirement than ,i ever experienced in the wide and bustling world4 ,mount ,vernon was his harbor of repose1 where he repeatedly furled his sail1 and fancied himself anchored for life4 ,no impulse of ambition tempted him thence2 nothing but the call of his country and his devotion to the public good4 ,the place was endeared to him by the remembrance of his brother ,lawrence1 and of the happy days he had passed here with that brother in the days of boyhood3 but it was a delightful place in itself1 and well calculated to inspire the rural feeling4 ,the mansion was beautifully situated on a swelling height1 crowned with wood1 and commanding a magnificent view up and down the ,potomac4 ,the grounds immediately about it were laid out somewhat in the ,english taste4 ,the estate was apportioned into separate farms1 devoted to different kinds of culture1 each having its allotted laborers4 ,much1 however1 was still covered with wild woods1 seamed with deep dells and runs of water1 and indented with inlets2 haunts of deer1 and lurking-places of foxes4 ,these were1 as yet1 the aristocratical days of ,virginia4 ,the estates were large1 and continued in the same families by entails4 ,many of the wealthy planters were connected with old families in ,england4 ,the young men1 especially the elder sons1 were often sent to finish their education there1 and on their return brought out the tastes and habits of the mother country4 ,the governors of ,virginia were from the higher ranks of society1 and maintained a corresponding state4 ,a style of living prevailed that has long since faded away4 ,the houses were spacious1 commodious1 liberal in all their appointments1 and fitted to cope with the free-handed1 open hearted hospitality of the owners4 ,nothing was more common than to see handsome services of plate1 elegant equipages1 and superb carriage-horses--all imported from ,england4 ,washington1 by his marriage1 had added above one hundred thousand dollars to his already considerable fortune1 and was enabled to live in ample and dignified style4 ,his intimacy with the ,fairfaxes1 and his intercourse with ,british officers of rank1 had perhaps had their influence on his mode of living4 ,he had his chariot and four1 with black postilions in livery1 for the use of ,mrs4 ,washington and her lady visitors4 ,as for himself1 he always appeared on horseback4 ,his stable was well filled and admirably regulated4 ,his stud was thoroughbred and in excellent order4 ,a large ,virginia estate1 in those days1 was a little empire4 ,the mansion-house was the seat of government1 with its numerous dependencies1 such as kitchens1 smoke-house1 workshops and stables4 ,in this mansion the planter ruled supreme2 his steward or overseer was his prime minister and executive officer2 he had his legion of house negroes for domestic service1 and his host of field negroes for the culture of tobacco1 ,indian corn1 and other crops1 and for other out-of-door labor4 ,their quarter formed a kind of hamlet apart1 composed of various huts1 with little gardens and poultry yards1 all well stocked1 and swarms of little negroes gambolling in the sunshine4 ,then there were large wooden edifices for curing tobacco1 the staple and most profitable production1 and mills for grinding wheat and ,indian corn1 of which large fields were cultivated for the supply of the family and the maintenance of the negroes4 ,washington carried into his rural affairs the same method1 activity and circumspection that had distinguished him in military life4 ,he kept his own accounts1 posted up his books and balanced them with mercantile exactness4 ,the products of his estate became so noted for the faithfulness1 as to quality and quantity1 with which they were put up1 that it is said any barrel of flour that bore the brand of ,george ,washington1 ,mount ,vernon1 was exempted from the customary inspection in the ,west ,india ports4 ,he was an early riser1 often before daybreak in the winter when the nights were long4 ,he breakfasted at seven in summer1 at eight in winter4 ,two small cups of tea and three or four cakes of ,indian meal 7called hoe cakes71 formed his frugal repast4 ,immediately after breakfast he mounted his horse and visited those parts of the estate where any work was going on1 seeing to every thing with his own eyes1 and often aiding with his own hand4 ,dinner was served at two o'clock4 ,he ate heartily1 but was no epicure1 nor critical about his food4 ,his beverage was small beer or cider1 and two glasses of old ,madeira4 ,he took tea1 of which he was very fond1 early in the evening1 and retired for the night about nine o'clock4 ,illustration3 ,,mount ,,vernon4 ,vol4 ,i ,washington delighted in the chase4 ,in the hunting season1 when he rode out early in the morning to visit distant parts of the estate where work was going on1 he often took some of the dogs with him for the chance of starting a fox1 which he occasionally did1 though he was not always successful in killing him4 ,he was a bold rider and an admirable horseman1 though he never claimed the merit of being an accomplished fox-hunter4 ,in the height of the season1 however1 he would be out with the fox-hounds two or three times a week1 accompanied by his guests at ,mount ,vernon and the gentlemen of the neighborhood1 especially the ,fairfaxes of ,belvoir1 of which estate his friend ,george ,william ,fairfax was now the proprietor4 ,on such occasions there would be a hunting dinner at one or other of those establishments1 at which convivial repasts ,washington is said to have enjoyed himself with unwonted hilarity4 ,the waters of the ,potomac also afforded occasional amusement in fishing and shooting4 ,the fishing was sometimes on a grand scale1 when the herrings came up the river in shoals1 and the negroes of ,mount ,vernon were marshalled forth to draw the seine1 which was generally done with great success4 ,canvas-back ducks abounded at the proper season1 and the shooting of them was one of ,washington's favorite recreations4 ,the river border of his domain1 however1 was somewhat subject to invasion4 ,an oysterman once anchored his craft at the landing-place1 and disturbed the quiet of the neighborhood by the insolent and disorderly conduct of himself and crew4 ,it took a campaign of three days to expel these invaders from the premises4 ,a more summary course was pursued with another interloper4 ,this was a vagabond who infested the creeks and inlets which bordered the estate1 lurking in a canoe among the reeds and bushes1 and making great havoc among the canvas-back ducks4 ,he had been warned off repeatedly1 but without effect4 ,as ,washington was one day riding about the estate he heard the report of a gun from the margin of the river4 ,spurring in that direction he dashed through the bushes and came upon the culprit just as he was pushing his canoe from shore4 ,the latter raised his gun with a menacing look2 but ,washington rode into the stream1 seized the painter of the canoe1 drew it to shore1 sprang from his horse1 wrested the gun from the hands of the astonished delinquent1 and inflicted on him a lesson in ,lynch law that effectually cured him of all inclination to trespass again on these forbidden shores4 ,occasionally he and ,mrs4 ,washington would pay a visit to ,annapolis1 at that time the seat of government of ,maryland1 and partake of the gayeties which prevailed during the session of the legislature4 ,dinners and balls abounded1 and there were occasional attempts at theatricals4 ,the latter was an amusement for which ,washington always had a relish1 though he never had an opportunity of gratifying it effectually4 ,neither was he disinclined to mingle in the dance1 and we remember to have heard venerable ladies1 who had been belles in his day1 pride themselves on having had him for a partner1 though1 they added1 he was apt to be a ceremonious and grave one4 ,in this round of rural occupation1 rural amusements and social intercourse1 ,washington passed several tranquil years1 the halcyon season of his life4 ,his marriage was unblessed with children2 but those of ,mrs4 ,washington experienced from him parental care and affection1 and the formation of their minds and manners was one of the dearest objects of his attention4 ,his domestic concerns and social enjoyments1 however1 were not permitted to interfere with his public duties4 ,he was active by nature1 and eminently a man of business by habit4 ,as judge of the county court1 and member of the ,house of ,burgesses1 he had numerous calls upon his time and thoughts1 and was often drawn from home2 for whatever trust he undertook1 he was sure to fulfil with scrupulous exactness4 ,about this time we find him engaged1 with other men of enterprise1 in a project to drain the great ,dismal ,swamp1 and render it capable of cultivation4 ,this vast morass was about thirty miles long1 and ten miles wide1 and its interior but little known4 ,with his usual zeal and hardihood he explored it on horseback and on foot4 ,in many parts it was covered with dark and gloomy woods of cedar1 cypress1 and hemlock1 or deciduous trees1 the branches of which were hung with long1 drooping moss4 ,other parts were almost inaccessible1 from the density of brakes and thickets1 entangled with vines1 briers and creeping plants1 and intersected by creeks and standing pools4 ,in the centre of the morass he came to a great piece of water1 six miles long1 and three broad1 called ,drummond's ,pond1 but more poetically celebrated as the ,lake of the ,dismal ,swamp4 ,it was more elevated than any other part of the swamp1 and capable of feeding canals1 by which the whole might be traversed4 ,having made the circuit of it and noted all its characteristics1 he encamped for the night upon the firm land which bordered it1 and finished his explorations on the following day4 ,in the ensuing session of the ,virginia ,legislature1 the association in behalf of which he had acted was chartered under the name of the ,dismal ,swamp ,company2 and to his observations and forecast may be traced the subsequent improvement and prosperity of that once desolate region4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,colonial ,,discontents4 ,tidings of peace gladdened the colonies in the spring of #agfc4 ,the definite treaty between ,england and ,france had been signed at ,fontainbleau4 ,now1 it was trusted1 there would be an end to these horrid ravages that had desolated the interior of the country4 ,the month of ,may proved the fallacy of such hopes4 ,in that month the famous insurrection of the ,indian tribes broke out1 which1 from the name of the chief who was its prime mover and master-spirit1 is commonly called ,pontiac's war4 ,the ,delawares and ,shawnees1 and other of those emigrant tribes of the ,ohio1 among whom ,washington had mingled1 were foremost in this conspiracy4 ,some of the chiefs who had been his allies had now taken up the hatchet against the ,english4 ,the plot was deep laid1 and conducted with ,indian craft and secrecy4 ,at a concerted time an attack was made upon all the posts from ,detroit to ,fort ,pitt 7late ,fort ,duquesne74 ,several of the small stockaded forts1 the places of refuge of woodland neighborhoods1 were surprised and sacked with remorseless butchery4 ,the frontiers of ,pennsylvania1 ,maryland and ,virginia were laid waste2 and a considerable time elapsed before the frontier was restored to tolerable tranquility4 ,fortunately1 ,washington's retirement from the army prevented his being entangled in this savage war1 which raged throughout the regions he had repeatedly visited1 or rather his active spirit had been diverted into a more peaceful channel1 for he was at this time occupied in the enterprise just noticed1 for draining the great ,dismal ,swamp4 ,public events were now taking a tendency which1 without any political aspirations or forethought of his own1 was destined gradually to bear him away from his quiet home and individual pursuits1 and launch him upon a grander and wider sphere of action than any in which he had hitherto been engaged4 ,whatever might be the natural affection of the colonies for the mother country--and there are abundant evidences to prove that it was deep-rooted and strong--it had never been properly reciprocated4 ,they yearned to be considered as children2 they were treated by her as changelings4 ,her navigation laws had shut their ports against foreign vessels2 obliged them to export their productions only to countries belonging to the ,british crown2 to import ,european goods solely from ,england1 and in ,english ships2 and had subjected the trade between the colonies to duties4 ,all manufactures1 too1 in the colonies that might interfere with those of the mother country had been either totally prohibited or subjected to intolerable restraints4 ,the acts of ,parliament imposing these prohibitions and restrictions had at various times produced sore discontent and opposition on the part of the colonies4 ,there was nothing1 however1 to which the jealous sensibilities of the colonies were more alive than to any attempt of the mother country to draw a revenue from them by taxation4 ,from the earliest period of their existence they had maintained the principle that they could only be taxed by a ,legislature in which they were represented4 ,in #agfj there was an attempt in ,boston to collect duties on foreign sugar and molasses imported into the colonies4 ,writs of assistance were applied for by the custom-house officers1 authorizing them to break open ships1 stores and private dwellings1 in quest of articles that had paid no duty2 and to call the assistance of others in the discharge of their odious task4 ,the merchants opposed the execution of the writ on constitutional grounds4 ,the question was argued in court1 where ,james ,otis spoke so eloquently in vindication of ,american rights that all his hearers went away ready to take arms against writs of assistance4 ,another ministerial measure was to instruct the provincial governors to commission judges4 ,not as theretofore during good behavior1 but during the king's pleasure4 ,new ,york was the first to resent this blow at the independence of the judiciary4 ,the lawyers appealed to the public through the press against an act which subjected the halls of justice to the prerogative4 ,their appeals were felt beyond the bounds of the province1 and awakened a general spirit of resistance4 ,thus matters stood at the conclusion of the war4 ,one of the first measures of ministers1 on the return of peace1 was to enjoin on all naval officers stationed on the coasts of the ,american colonies the performance1 under oath1 of the duties of custom-house officers1 for the suppression of smuggling4 ,this fell ruinously upon a clandestine trade which had long been connived at between the ,english and ,spanish colonies1 profitable to both1 but especially to the former1 and beneficial to the mother country1 opening a market to her manufactures4 ,as a measure of retaliation the colonists resolved not to purchase ,british fabrics1 but to clothe themselves as much as possible in home manufactures4 ,the demand for ,british goods in ,boston alone was diminished upwards of #aj1jjj pounds sterling in the course of a year4 ,in #agfd ,george ,grenville1 now at the head of government1 ventured upon the policy from which ,walpole his predecessor had wisely abstained4 ,early in ,march the eventful question was debated1 whether they had a right to tax ,america4 ,it was decided in the affirmative4 ,next followed a resolution1 declaring it proper to charge certain stamp duties in the colonies and plantations1 but no immediate step was taken to carry it into effect4 ,mr4 ,grenville1 however1 gave notice to the ,american agents in ,london that he should introduce such a measure on the ensuing session of ,parliament4 ,in the meantime ,parliament perpetuated certain duties on sugar and molasses--heretofore subjects of complaint and opposition--now reduced and modified so as to discourage smuggling1 and thereby to render them more productive4 ,duties1 also1 were imposed on other articles of foreign produce or manufacture imported into the colonies4 ,to reconcile the latter to these impositions1 it was stated that the revenue thus raised was to be appropriated to their protection and security2 in other words1 to the support of a standing army1 intended to be quartered upon them4 ,we have here briefly stated but a part of what ,burke terms an infinite variety of paper chains1 extending through no less than twenty-nine acts of ,parliament1 from #affj to #agfd1 by which the colonies had been held in thraldom4 ,the ,new ,englanders were the first to take the field against the project of taxation4 ,they denounced it as a violation of their rights as freemen2 of their chartered rights1 by which they were to tax themselves for their support and defence2 of their rights as ,british subjects1 who ought not to be taxed but by themselves or their representatives4 ,they sent petitions and remonstrances on the subject to the king1 the lords and the commons1 in which they were seconded by ,new ,york and ,virginia4 ,all was in vain4 ,in ,march1 #agfe1 the act was passed1 according to which all instruments in writing were to be executed on stamped paper1 to be purchased from the agents of the ,british government4 ,what was more1 all offences against the act could be tried in any royal1 marine or admiralty court throughout the colonies1 however distant from the place where the offence had been committed2 thus interfering with that most inestimable right1 a trial by jury4 ,it was an ominous sign that the first burst of opposition to this act should take place in ,virginia4 ,that colony had hitherto been slow to accord with the republican spirit of ,new ,england4 ,founded at an earlier period of the reign of ,james ,i41 before kingly prerogative and ecclesiastical supremacy had been made matters of doubt and fierce dispute1 it had grown up in loyal attachment to king1 church1 and constitution2 was aristocratical in its tastes and habits1 and had been remarked above all the other colonies for its sympathies with the mother country4 ,moreover1 it had not so many pecuniary interests involved in these questions as had the people of ,new ,england1 being an agricultural rather than a commercial province2 but the ,virginians are of a quick and generous spirit1 readily aroused on all points of honorable pride1 and they resented the stamp act as an outrage on their rights4 ,washington occupied his seat in the ,house of ,burgesses1 when1 on the #bith of ,may1 the stamp act became a subject of discussion4 ,among the ,burgesses sat ,patrick ,henry1 a young lawyer who had recently distinguished himself by pleading against the exercise of the royal prerogative in church matters1 and who was now for the first time a member of the ,house4 ,rising in his place1 he introduced his celebrated resolutions1 declaring that the ,general ,assembly of ,virginia had the exclusive right and power to lay taxes and impositions upon the inhabitants1 and that whoever maintained the contrary should be deemed an enemy to the colony4 ,the speaker1 ,mr4 ,robinson1 objected to the resolutions1 as inflammatory4 ,henry vindicated them1 as justified by the nature of the case2 went into an able and constitutional discussion of colonial rights1 and an eloquent exposition of the manner in which they had been assailed4 ,the resolutions were modified1 to accommodate them to the scruples of the speaker and some of the members1 but their spirit was retained4 ,the ,lieutenant-governor 7,fauquier71 startled by this patriotic outbreak1 dissolved the ,assembly1 and issued writs for a new election2 but the clarion had sounded4 ,washington returned to ,mount ,vernon full of anxious thoughts inspired by the political events of the day1 and the legislative scene which he witnessed4 ,his recent letters had spoken of the state of peaceful tranquillity in which he was living2 those now written from his rural home show that he fully participated in the popular feeling1 and that while he had a presentiment of an arduous struggle1 his patriotic mind was revolving means of coping with it4 ,in the meantime1 from his quiet abode at ,mount ,vernon1 he seemed to hear the patriotic voice of ,patrick ,henry1 which had startled the ,house of ,burgesses1 echoing throughout the land1 and rousing one legislative body after another to follow the example of that of ,virginia4 ,at the instigation of the ,general ,court or ,assembly of ,massachusetts1 a ,congress was held in ,new ,york in ,october1 composed of delegates from ,massachusetts1 ,rhode ,island1 ,connecticut1 ,new ,york1 ,new ,jersey1 ,pennsylvania1 ,delaware1 ,maryland1 and ,south ,carolina4 ,in this they denounced the acts of ,parliament imposing taxes on them without their consent1 and extending the jurisdiction of the courts of admiralty1 as violations of their rights and liberties as natural born subjects of ,great ,britain1 and prepared an address to the king1 and a petition to both ,houses of ,parliament1 praying for redress4 ,similar petitions were forwarded to ,england by the colonies not represented in the ,congress4 ,the very preparations for enforcing the stamp act called forth popular tumults in various places4 ,in ,boston the stamp distributor was hanged in effigy2 his windows were broken2 a house intended for a stamp office was pulled down1 and the effigy burnt in a bonfire made of the fragments4 ,in ,virginia1 ,mr4 ,george ,mercer had been appointed distributor of stamps1 but on his arrival at ,williamsburg publicly declined officiating4 ,it was a fresh triumph to the popular cause4 ,the bells were rung for joy2 the town was illuminated1 and ,mercer was hailed with acclamations of the people4 ,the #ast of ,november1 the day when the act was to go into operation1 was ushered in with portentous solemnities4 ,there was great tolling of bells and burning of effigies in the ,new ,england colonies4 ,at ,boston the ships displayed their colors but half-mast high4 ,many shops were shut2 funeral knells resounded from the steeples1 and there was a grand auto-da-fe1 in which the promoters of the act were paraded1 and suffered martyrdom in effigy4 ,at ,new ,york the printed act was carried about the streets on a pole1 surmounted by a death's head1 with a scroll bearing the inscription1 ,the folly of ,england and ruin of ,america4 ,these are specimens of the marks of popular reprobation with which the stamp act was universally nullified4 ,no one would venture to carry it into execution4 ,in fact no stamped paper was to be seen2 all had been either destroyed or concealed4 ,all transactions which required stamps to give them validity were suspended1 or were executed by private compact4 ,the courts of justice were closed1 until at length some conducted their business without stamps4 ,union was becoming the watch-word4 ,the merchants of ,new ,york1 ,philadelphia1 ,boston1 and such other colonies as had ventured publicly to oppose the stamp act1 agreed to import no more ,british manufactures after the #ast of ,january unless it should be repealed4 ,so passed away the year #agfe4 ,the dismissal of ,mr4 ,grenville from the cabinet gave a temporary change to public affairs4 ,the stamp act was repealed on the #ahth of ,march1 #agff1 to the great joy of the sincere friends of both countries1 still1 there was a fatal clause in the repeal1 which declared that the king1 with the consent of ,parliament1 had power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies1 and people of ,america1 in all cases whatsoever4 ,as the people of ,america were contending for principles1 not mere pecuniary interests1 this reserved power of the crown and ,parliament left the dispute still open1 and chilled the feeling of gratitude which the repeal might otherwise have inspired4 ,further aliment for public discontent was furnished by other acts of ,parliament4 ,one imposed duties on glass1 pasteboard1 white and red lead1 painters' colors1 and tea2 the duties to be collected on the arrival of the articles in the colonies2 another empowered naval officers to enforce the acts of trade and navigation4 ,another wounded to the quick the pride and sensibilities of ,new ,york4 ,the mutiny act had recently been extended to ,america1 with an additional clause1 requiring the provincial ,assemblies to provide the troops sent out with quarters1 and to furnish them with fire1 beds1 candles1 and other necessaries1 at the expense of the colonies4 ,the ,governor and ,assembly of ,new ,york refused to comply with this requisition as to stationary forces1 insisting that it applied only to troops on a march4 ,an act of ,parliament now suspended the powers of the governor and ,assembly until they should comply4 ,boston continued to be the focus of what the ministerialists termed sedition4 ,the ,general ,court of ,massachusetts1 not content with petitioning the king for relief against the recent measures of ,parliament1 especially those imposing taxes as a means of revenue1 drew up a circular1 calling on the other colonial ,legislatures to join with them in suitable efforts to obtain redress4 ,in the ensuing session1 ,governor ,sir ,francis ,bernard called upon them to rescind the resolution on which the circular was founded1--they refused to comply1 and the ,general ,court was consequently dissolved4 ,the governors of other colonies required of their ,legislatures an assurance that they would not reply to the ,massachusetts circular--these ,legislatures likewise refused compliance1 and were dissolved4 ,all this added to the growing excitement4 ,nothing1 however1 produced a more powerful effect upon the public sensibilities throughout the country than certain military demonstrations at ,boston4 ,in consequence of repeated collisions between the people of that place and the commissioners of customs1 two regiments of troops were sent from ,halifax to overawe the disaffected citizens4 ,it was resolved in a town meeting that the king had no right to send troops thither without the consent of the ,assembly4 ,the selectmen accordingly refused to find quarters for the soldiers1 and while some encamped on the common1 others were quartered1 to the great indignation of the public1 in ,faneuil ,hall4 ,throughout these public agitations1 ,washington endeavored to preserve his equanimity4 ,still he was too true a patriot not to sympathize in the struggle for colonial rights which now agitated the whole country1 and we find him gradually carried more and more into the current of political affairs4 ,a letter written on the #eth of ,april1 #agfi1 to his friend1 ,george ,mason1 shows the important stand he was disposed to take4 ,in the previous year the merchants and traders of ,boston1 ,salem1 ,connecticut and ,new ,york1 had agreed to suspend for a time the importation of all articles subject to taxation4 ,similar resolutions had recently been adopted by the merchants of ,philadelphia4 ,washington's letter is emphatic in support of the measure4 ,at a time1 writes he1 when our lordly masters in ,great ,britain will be satisfied with nothing less than the deprivation of ,american freedom1 it seems highly necessary that something should be done to avert the stroke1 and maintain the liberty which we have derived from our ancestors4 ,mason1 in his reply1 concurred with him in opinion4 ,our all is at stake1 said he1 and the little conveniences and comforts of life1 when set in competition with our liberty1 ought to be rejected1 not with reluctance but with pleasure4 ,the result of the correspondence was the draft by the latter of a plan of association1 the members of which were to pledge themselves not to import or use any articles of ,british merchandise or manufacture subject to duty4 ,this paper ,washington was to submit to the consideration of the ,house of ,burgesses1 at the approaching session in the month of ,may4 ,the ,legislature of ,virginia opened on this occasion with a brilliant pageant4 ,while military force was arrayed to overawe the republican ,puritans of the east1 it was thought to dazzle the aristocratical descendants of the cavaliers by the reflex of regal splendor4 ,lord ,botetourt1 one of the king's lords of the bed-chamber1 had recently come out as governor of the province4 ,junius described him as a cringing1 bowing1 fawning1 sword-bearing courtier4 ,the words of political satirists1 however1 are always to be taken with great distrust4 ,however his lordship may have bowed in presence of royalty1 he elsewhere conducted himself with dignity1 and won general favor by his endearing manners4 ,he had come out1 however1 with a wrong idea of the ,americans4 ,they had been represented to him as factious1 immoral1 and prone to sedition2 but vain and luxurious1 and easily captivated by parade and splendor4 ,the latter foibles were aimed at in his appointment and fitting out4 ,it was supposed that his titled rank would have its effect4 ,then to prepare him for occasions of ceremony1 a coach of state was presented to him by the king4 ,his opening of the session was in the style of the royal opening of ,parliament4 ,he proceeded in due parade from his dwelling to the capitol1 in his state coach1 drawn by six milk-white horses4 ,having delivered his speech according to royal form1 he returned home with the same pomp and circumstance4 ,the time had gone by1 however1 for such display to have the anticipated effect4 ,the ,virginian legislators penetrated the intention of this pompous ceremonial1 and regarded it with a depreciating smile4 ,sterner matters occupied their thoughts2 they had come prepared to battle for their rights1 and their proceedings soon showed ,lord ,botetourt how much he had mistaken them4 ,spirited resolutions were passed1 denouncing the recent act of ,parliament imposing taxes2 the power to do which1 on the inhabitants of this colony1 was legally and constitutionally vested in the ,house of ,burgesses1 with consent of the council and of the king1 or of his governor1 for the time being4 ,copies of these resolutions were ordered to be forwarded by the speaker to the ,legislatures of the other colonies1 with a request for their concurrence4 ,other proceedings of the ,burgesses showed their sympathy with their fellow-patriots of ,new ,england4 ,a joint address of both ,houses of ,parliament had recently been made to the king1 assuring him of their support in any further measures for the due execution of the laws in ,massachusetts1 and beseeching him that all persons charged with treason1 or misprision of treason1 committed within that colony since the #cjth of ,december1 #agfg1 might be sent to ,great ,britain for trial4 ,as ,massachusetts had no ,general ,assembly at this time1 having been dissolved by government1 the ,legislature of ,virginia generously took up the cause4 ,an address to the king was resolved on1 stating1 that all trials for treason1 or misprision of treason1 or for any crime whatever committed by any person residing in a colony1 ought to be in and before his majesty's courts within said colony2 and beseeching the king to avert from his royal subjects those dangers and miseries which would ensue from seizing and carrying beyond sea any person residing in ,america suspected of any crime whatever1 thereby depriving them of the inestimable privilege of being tried by a jury from the vicinage1 as well as the liberty of producing witnesses on such trial4 ,lord ,botetourt was astonished and dismayed when he heard of these high-toned proceedings4 ,repairing to the capitol on the following day at noon1 he summoned the speaker and members to the council chamber1 and addressed them in the following words3 ,mr4 ,speaker1 and gentlemen of the ,house of ,burgesses1 ,i have heard of your resolves1 and augur ill of their effects4 ,you have made it my duty to dissolve you1 and you are dissolved accordingly4 ,the spirit conjured up by late decrees of ,parliament was not so easily allayed4 ,the ,burgesses adjourned to a private house4 ,peyton ,randolph1 their late speaker1 was elected moderator4 ,washington now brought forward a draft of the articles of association1 concerted between him and ,george ,mason4 ,they formed the groundwork of an instrument signed by all present1 pledging themselves neither to import1 nor use any goods1 merchandise1 or manufactures taxed by ,parliament to raise a revenue in ,america4 ,this instrument was sent throughout the country for signature1 and the scheme of non-importation1 hitherto confined to a few northern colonies1 was soon universally adopted4 ,the popular ferment in ,virginia was gradually allayed by the amiable and conciliatory conduct of ,lord ,botetourt1 ,his lordship soon became aware of the erroneous notions with which he had entered upon office4 ,his semi-royal equipage and state were laid aside4 ,he examined into public grievances2 became a strenuous advocate for the repeal of taxes2 and1 authorized by his despatches from the ministry1 assured the public that such repeal would speedily take place4 ,his assurance was received with implicit faith1 and for a while ,virginia was quieted4 ,in the month of ,may the ,general ,court of ,massachusetts1 hitherto prorogued met according to charter4 ,a committee immediately waited on the governor declaring that it was impossible to do business with dignity and freedom while the town was invested by sea and land1 and a military guard was stationed at the state-house2 and they requested the governor as his majesty's representative1 to have such forces removed out of the port and gates of the city during the session of the ,assembly4 ,the governor replied that he had no authority over either the ships or troops4 ,the court persisted in refusing to transact business while so circumstanced1 and the governor was obliged to transfer the session to ,cambridge4 ,there he addressed a message to that body in ,july1 requiring funds for the payment of the troops1 and quarters for their accommodation4 ,the ,assembly1 after ample discussion of past grievances1 resolved1 that the establishment of a standing army in the colony in a time of peace was an invasion of natural rights2 that a standing army was not known as a part of the ,british constitution1 and that the sending an armed force to aid the civil authority was unprecedented1 and highly dangerous to the people4 ,after waiting some days without receiving an answer to his message1 the governor sent to know whether the ,assembly would1 or would not1 make provision for the troops4 ,in their reply1 they followed the example of the ,legislature of ,new ,york1 by declining to furnish funds for the purposes specified1 being incompatible with their own honor and interest1 and their duty to their constituents4 ,they were in consequence again prorogued1 to meet in ,boston on the #ajth of ,january4 ,so stood affairs in ,massachusetts4 ,in the meantime1 the non-importation associations1 being generally observed throughout the colonies1 produced the effect on ,british commerce which ,washington had anticipated1 and ,parliament was incessantly importuned by petitions from ,british merchants imploring its intervention to save them from ruin4 ,early in #aggj1 an important change took place in the ,british cabinet4 ,the ,duke of ,grafton suddenly resigned1 and the reins of government passed into the hands of ,lord ,north4 ,he was a man of limited capacity1 but a favorite of the king1 and subservient to his narrow colonial policy4 ,his administration1 so eventful to ,america1 commenced with an error4 ,in the month of ,march an act was passed1 revoking all the duties laid in #agfg1 excepting that on tea4 ,this single tax was continued1 as he observed1 to maintain the parliamentary right of taxation1--the very right which was the grand object of contest4 ,here was the stumbling-block at the threshold of ,lord ,north's administration4 ,in vain the members of the opposition urged that this single exception1 while it would produce no revenue1 would keep alive the whole cause of contention2 that so long as a single external duty was enforced1 the colonies would consider their rights invaded1 and would remain unappeased4 ,lord ,north was not to be convinced4 ,on the very day in which this ominous bill was passed in ,parliament1 a sinister occurrence took place in ,boston4 ,some of the young men of the place insulted the military while under arms2 the latter resented it2 the young men1 after a scuffle1 were put to flight1 and pursued4 ,the alarm bells rang1 a mob assembled2 the custom-house was threatened2 the troops1 in protecting it1 were assailed with clubs and stones1 and obliged to use their fire-arms before the tumult could be quelled4 ,four of the populace were killed1 and several wounded4 ,the troops were now removed from the town1 which remained in the highest state of exasperation2 and this untoward occurrence received the opprobrious and somewhat extravagant name of the ,boston massacre4 ,in ,virginia the public discontents1 which had been allayed by the conciliatory conduct of ,lord ,botetourt1 and by his assurances1 made on the strength of letters received from the ministry1 that the grievances complained of would be speedily redressed1 now broke out with more violence than ever4 ,the ,virginians spurned the mock-remedy which left the real cause of complaint untouched4 ,his lordship also felt deeply wounded by the disingenuousness of ministers which had led him into such a predicament1 and wrote home demanding his discharge4 ,before it arrived1 an attack of bilious fever1 acting upon a delicate and sensitive frame1 enfeebled by anxiety and chagrin1 laid him in his grave4 ,he left behind him a name endeared to the ,virginians by his amiable manners1 his liberal patronage of the arts1 and1 above all1 by his zealous intercession for their rights4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,expedition ,,to ,,the ,,ohio4--,,tea ,,tax4 ,in the midst of these popular turmoils1 ,washington was induced1 by public as well as private considerations1 to make another expedition to the ,ohio4 ,he was one of the ,virginia ,board of ,commissioners1 appointed at the close of the late war to settle the military accounts of the colony4 ,among the claims which came before the board were those of the officers and soldiers who had engaged to serve until peace1 under the proclamation of ,governor ,dinwiddie1 holding forth a bounty of two hundred thousand acres of land1 to be apportioned among them according to rank4 ,those claims were yet unsatisfied4 ,washington became the champion of those claims1 and an opportunity now presented itself for their liquidation4 ,the ,six ,nations1 by a treaty in #agfh1 had ceded to the ,british crown1 in consideration of a sum of money1 all the lands possessed by them south of the ,ohio4 ,land offices would soon be opened for the sale of them4 ,washington determined at once to visit the lands thus ceded2 affix his mark on such tracts as he should select1 and apply for a grant from government in behalf of the soldiers' claim4 ,washington had for a companion in this expedition his friend and neighbor1 ,dr4 ,craik4 ,they set out on the #eth of ,october with three negro attendants1 two belonging to ,washington1 and one to the doctor4 ,the whole party was mounted1 and there was a led horse for the baggage4 ,after twelve days' travelling they arrived at ,fort ,pitt 7late ,fort ,duquesne74 ,it was garrisoned by two companies of royal ,irish1 commanded by a ,captain ,edmonson4 ,a hamlet of about twenty log-houses1 inhabited by ,indian traders1 had sprung up within three hundred yards of the fort1 and was called the town4 ,it was the embryo city of ,pittsburg1 now so populous4 ,at one of the houses1 a tolerable frontier inn1 they took up their quarters2 but during their brief sojourn they were entertained with great hospitality at the fort4 ,here at dinner ,washington met his old acquaintance1 ,george ,croghan1 who had figured in so many capacities and experienced so many vicissitudes on the frontier4 ,he was now ,colonel ,croghan1 deputy-agent to ,sir ,william ,johnson4 ,on the day following the repast at the fort1 ,washington visited ,croghan at his abode on the ,alleghany ,river1 where he found several of the chiefs of the ,six ,nations assembled4 ,one of them1 the ,white ,mingo by name1 made him a speech1 accompanied1 as usual1 by a belt of wampum4 ,at ,pittsburg the travellers left their horses1 and embarked in a large canoe1 to make a voyage down the ,ohio as far as the ,great ,kanawha4 ,colonel ,croghan engaged two ,indians for their service1 and an interpreter named ,john ,nicholson4 ,the colonel and some of the officers of the garrison accompanied them as far as ,logstown1 the scene of ,washington's early diplomacy1 and his first interview with the half-king4 ,here they breakfasted together2 after which they separated1 the colonel and his companions cheering the voyagers from the shore1 as the canoe was borne off by the current of the beautiful ,ohio4 ,washington's propensities as a sportsman had here full play4 ,deer were continually to be seen coming down to the water's edge to drink1 or browsing along the shore2 there were innumerable flocks of wild turkeys1 and streaming flights of ducks and geese2 so that as the voyagers floated along1 they were enabled to load their canoe with game4 ,at night they encamped on the river bank1 lit their fire and made a sumptuous hunter's repast4 ,about seventy-five miles below ,pittsburg the voyagers landed at a ,mingo town1 which they found in a stir of warlike preparation--sixty of the warriors being about to set off on a foray into the ,cherokee country against the ,catawbas4 ,on the #bdth1 about three o'clock in the afternoon1 they arrived at ,captema ,creek1 and two days more of voyaging brought them to an ,indian hunting camp1 near the mouth of the ,muskingum4 ,here it was necessary to land and make a ceremonious visit1 for the chief of the hunting party was ,kiashuta1 a ,seneca sachem1 the head of the river tribes4 ,he was noted to have been among the first to raise the hatchet in ,pontiac's conspiracy1 and almost equally vindictive with that potent warrior4 ,as ,washington approached the chieftain1 he recognized him for one of the ,indians who had accompanied him on his mission to the ,french in #agec4 ,kiashuta retained a perfect recollection of the youthful ambassador1 though seventeen years had matured him into thoughtful manhood4 ,with hunter's hospitality he gave him a quarter of a fine buffalo just slain1 but insisted that they should encamp together for the night4 ,at the mouth of the ,great ,kanawha the voyagers encamped for a day or two to examine the lands in the neighborhood1 and ,washington set up his mark upon such as he intended to claim on behalf of the soldiers' grant4 ,here ,washington was visited by an old sachem1 who approached him with great reverence1 at the head of several of his tribe1 and addressed him through ,nicholson1 the interpreter4 ,he had heard1 he said1 of his being in that part of the country1 and had come from a great distance to see him4 ,on further discourse1 the sachem made known that he was one of the warriors in the service of the ,french1 who lay in ambush on the banks of the ,monongahela and wrought such havoc in ,braddock's army4 ,he declared that he and his young men had singled out ,washington1 as he made himself conspicuous riding about the field of battle with the general's orders1 and had fired at him repeatedly1 but without success2 whence they had concluded that he was under the protection of the ,great ,spirit1 had a charmed life1 and could not be slain in battle4 ,at the ,great ,kanawha ,washington's expedition down the ,ohio terminated2 having visited all the points he wished to examine4 ,his return to ,fort ,pitt1 and thence homeward1 affords no incident worthy of note4 ,the discontents of ,virginia1 which had been partially soothed by the amiable administration of ,lord ,botetourt1 were irritated anew under his successor1 the ,earl of ,dunmore4 ,this nobleman had for a short time held the government of ,new ,york4 ,when appointed to that of ,virginia1 he lingered for several months at his former post4 ,in the meantime he sent his military secretary1 ,captain ,foy1 to attend to the despatch of business until his arrival2 awarding to him a salary and fees to be paid by the colony4 ,the pride of the ,virginians was piqued at his lingering at ,new ,york1 as if he preferred its gayety and luxury to the comparative quiet and simplicity of ,williamsburg4 ,the first measure of the ,assembly1 at its opening1 was to demand by what right he had awarded a salary and fees to his secretary without consulting it2 and to question whether it was authorized by the crown4 ,his lordship had the good policy to rescind the unauthorized act1 and in so doing mitigated the ire of the ,assembly3 but he lost no time in proroguing a body which1 from various symptoms1 appeared to be too independent1 and disposed to be untractable4 ,he continued to prorogue it from time to time1 seeking in the interim to conciliate the ,virginians1 and soothe their irritated pride4 ,at length1 after repeated prorogations he was compelled by circumstances to convene it on the #ast of ,march1 #aggc4 ,washington was prompt in his attendance on the occasion1 and foremost among the patriotic members who eagerly availed themselves of this long wished for opportunity to legislate upon the general affairs of the colonies4 ,one of their most important measures was the appointment of a committee of eleven persons1 whose business it should be to obtain the most clear and authentic intelligence of all such acts and resolutions of the ,british ,parliament1 or proceedings of administration1 as may relate to or affect the ,british colonies1 and to maintain with their sister colonies a correspondence and communication4 ,the plan thus proposed by their noble1 patriotic sister colony of ,virginia was promptly adopted by the people of ,massachusetts1 and soon met with general concurrence4 ,these corresponding committees1 in effect1 became the executive power of the patriot party1 producing the happiest concert of design and action throughout the colonies4 ,notwithstanding the decided part taken by ,washington in the popular movement1 very friendly relations existed between him and ,lord ,dunmore4 ,the latter appreciated his character1 and sought to avail himself of his experience in the affairs of the province4 ,it was even concerted that ,washington should accompany his lordship on an extensive tour1 which the latter intended to make in the course of the summer along the western frontier4 ,a melancholy circumstance occurred to defeat this arrangement4 ,we have spoken of ,washington's paternal conduct towards the two children of ,mrs4 ,washington4 ,the daughter1 ,miss ,custis had long been an object of extreme solicitude4 ,she was of a fragile constitution1 and for some time past had been in very declining health4 ,early in the present summer1 symptoms indicated a rapid change for the worse4 ,washington was absent from home at the time4 ,on his return to ,mount ,vernon he found her in the last stage of consumption4 ,though not a man given to bursts of sensibility1 he is said on the present occasion to have evinced the deepest affliction2 kneeling by her bedside1 and pouring out earnest prayers for her recovery4 ,she expired on the #aith of ,june1 in the seventeenth year of her age4 ,this1 of course put an end to ,washington's intention of accompanying ,lord ,dunmore to the frontier3 he remained at home to console ,mrs4 ,washington in her affliction--furnishing his lordship1 however1 with travelling hints and directions1 and recommending proper guides4 ,the general covenant throughout the colonies against the use of taxed tea had operated disastrously against the interests of the ,east ,india ,company1 and produced an immense accumulation of the proscribed article in their warehouses4 ,to remedy this ,lord ,north brought in a bill 7#aggc71 by which the company were allowed to export their teas from ,england to any part whatever1 without paying export duty4 ,this1 by enabling them to offer their teas at a low price in the colonies would1 he supposed1 tempt the ,americans to purchase large quantities1 thus relieving the company1 and at the same time benefiting the revenue by the impost duty4 ,confiding in the wisdom of this policy1 the company disgorged their warehouses1 freighted several ships with tea1 and sent them to various parts of the colonies4 ,this brought matters to a crisis4 ,one sentiment1 one determination1 pervaded the whole continent4 ,taxation was to receive its definitive blow4 ,whoever submitted to it was an enemy to his country4 ,from ,new ,york and ,philadelphia the ships were sent back1 unladen1 to ,london4 ,in ,charleston the tea was unloaded1 and stored away in cellars and other places1 where it perished4 ,at ,boston the action was still more decisive4 ,the ships anchored in the harbor4 ,some small parcels of tea were brought on shore1 but the sale of them was prohibited4 ,to settle the matter completely1 and prove that on a point of principle they were not to be trifled with1 a number of inhabitants1 disguised as ,indians1 boarded the ships in the night 7#ahth ,december71 broke open all the chests of tea1 and emptied the contents into the sea4 ,the general opposition of the colonies to the principle of taxation had given great annoyance to government1 but this individual act concentrated all its wrath upon ,boston4 ,a bill was forthwith passed in ,parliament 7commonly called the ,boston port bill71 by which all lading and unlading of goods1 wares1 and merchandise1 were to cease in that town and harbor on and after the #dth of ,june1 and the officers of the customs to be transferred to ,salem4 ,another law1 passed soon after1 altered the charter of the province1 decreeing that all counsellors1 judges1 and magistrates1 should be appointed by the crown1 and hold office during the royal pleasure4 ,this was followed by a third1 intended for the suppression of riots2 and providing that any person indicted for murder1 or other capital offence1 committed in aiding the magistracy1 might be sent by the governor to some other colony1 or to ,great ,britain1 for trial4 ,such was the bolt of ,parliamentary wrath fulminated against the devoted town of ,boston4 ,before it fell there was a session in ,may of the ,virginia ,house of ,burgesses4 ,the social position of ,lord ,dunmore had been strengthened in the province by the arrival of his lady1 and a numerous family of sons and daughters4 ,the ,house of ,burgesses was opened in form1 and one of its first measures was an address of congratulation to the governor on the arrival of his lady4 ,it was followed up by an agreement among the members to give her ladyship a splendid ball1 on the #bgth of the month4 ,all things were going on smoothly and smilingly1 when a letter1 received through the corresponding committee1 brought intelligence of the vindictive measure of ,parliament1 by which the port of ,boston was to be closed on the approaching #ast of ,june4 ,the letter was read in the ,house of ,burgesses1 and produced a general burst of indignation4 ,all other business was thrown aside1 and this became the sole subject of discussion4 ,a protest against this and other recent acts of ,parliament was entered upon the journal of the ,house1 and a resolution was adopted1 on the #bdth of ,may1 setting apart the #ast of ,june as a day of fasting1 prayer1 and humiliation4 ,on the following morning the ,burgesses were summoned to attend ,lord ,dunmore in the council chamber1 where he made them the following laconic speech3 ,mr4 ,speaker1 and ,gentlemen of the ,house of ,burgesses3 ,i have in my hand a paper1 published by order of your ,house1 conceived in such terms as reflect highly upon his majesty1 and the ,parliament of ,great ,britain1 which makes it necessary for me to dissolve you1 and you are dissolved accordingly4 ,as on a former occasion1 the ,assembly1 though dissolved was not dispersed4 ,the members adjourned to the long room of the old ,raleigh tavern1 and passed resolutions denouncing the ,boston port bill as a most dangerous attempt to destroy the constitutional liberty and rights of all ,north ,america2 recommending their countrymen to desist from the use1 not merely of tea1 but of all kinds of ,east ,indian commodities2 pronouncing an attack on one of the colonies1 to enforce arbitrary taxes1 an attack on all2 and ordering the committee of correspondence to communicate with the other corresponding committees on the expediency of appointing deputies from the several colonies of ,british ,america to meet annually in ,,general ,,congress1 at such place as might be deemed expedient1 to deliberate on such measures as the united interests of the colonies might require4 ,this was the first recommendation of a ,general ,congress by any public assembly1 though it had been previously proposed in town meetings at ,new ,york and ,boston4 ,a resolution to the same effect was passed in the ,assembly of ,massachusetts before it was aware of the proceedings of the ,virginia ,legislature4 ,the measure recommended met with prompt and general concurrence throughout the colonies1 and the fifth day of ,september next ensuing was fixed upon for the meeting of the first ,congress1 which was to be held at ,philadelphia4 ,on the #bith1 letters arrived from ,boston giving the proceedings of a town meeting1 recommending that a general league should be formed throughout the colonies suspending all trade with ,great ,britain4 ,but twenty-five members of the late ,house of ,burgesses1 including ,washington1 were at that time remaining in ,williamsburg4 ,they held a meeting on the following day1 at which ,peyton ,randolph presided as moderator4 ,after some discussion it was determined to issue a printed circular1 bearing their signatures1 and calling a meeting of all the members of the late ,house of ,burgesses1 on the #ast of ,august1 to take into consideration this measure of a general league4 ,the circular recommended them1 also1 to collect1 in the meantime1 the sense of their respective counties4 ,in the meantime the ,boston port bill had been carried into effect4 ,on the #ast of ,june the harbor of ,boston was closed at noon1 and all business ceased4 ,the two other parliamentary acts altering the charter of ,massachusetts were to be enforced4 ,no public meetings1 excepting the annual town meetings in ,march and ,may1 were to be held without permission of the governor4 ,general ,thomas ,gage had recently been appointed to the military command of ,massachusetts1 and the carrying out of these offensive acts4 ,as lieutenant-colonel1 he had led the advance guard on the field of ,braddock's defeat4 ,fortune had since gone well with him4 ,rising in the service1 he had been governor of ,montreal1 and had succeeded ,amherst in the command of the ,british forces on this continent4 ,he was linked to the country also by domestic ties1 having married into one of the most respectable families of ,new ,jersey4 ,in the various situations in which he had hitherto been placed he had won esteem1 and rendered himself popular4 ,but with all his experience in ,america he had formed a most erroneous opinion of the character of the people4 ,the ,americans1 said he to the king1 will be lions only as long as the ,english are lambs2 and he engaged1 with five regiments1 to keep ,boston quiet6 ,the manner in which his attempts to enforce the recent acts of ,parliament were resented1 showed how egregiously he was in error4 ,at the suggestion of the ,assembly1 a paper was circulated through the province by the committee of correspondence1 entitled a solemn league and covenant1 the subscribers to which bound themselves to break off all intercourse with ,great ,britain from the #ast of ,august1 until the colony should be restored to the enjoyment of its chartered rights2 and to renounce all dealings with those who should refuse to enter into this compact4 ,the very title of league and covenant had an ominous sound1 and startled ,general ,gage4 ,he issued a proclamation1 denouncing it as illegal and traitorous4 ,furthermore1 he encamped a force of infantry and artillery on ,boston ,common1 as if prepared to enact the lion4 ,an alarm spread through the adjacent country4 ,boston is to be blockaded6 ,boston is to be reduced to obedience by force or famine6 ,the spirit of the yeomanry was aroused4 ,they sent in word to the inhabitants promising to come to their aid if necessary2 and urging them to stand fast to the faith4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,the ,,first ,,general ,,congress4 ,shortly after ,washington's return to ,mount ,vernon1 in the latter part of ,june1 he presided as moderator at a meeting of the inhabitants of ,fairfax ,county1 wherein1 after the recent acts of ,parliament had been discussed1 a committee was appointed1 with himself as chairman1 to draw up resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the present meeting1 and to report the same at a general meeting of the county1 to be held in the court-house on the #ahth of ,july4 ,the committee met according to appointment1 with ,washington as chairman4 ,the resolutions framed at the meeting insisted1 as usual1 on the right of self-government1 and the principle that taxation and representation were in their nature inseparable3 that the various acts of ,parliament for raising revenue1 taking away trials by jury1 ordering that persons might be tried in a different country from that in which the cause of accusation originated1 closing the port of ,boston1 abrogating the charter of ,massachusetts ,bay1 etc41 etc41 were all part of a premeditated design and system to introduce arbitrary government into the colonies2 that the sudden and repeated dissolutions of ,assemblies whenever they presumed to examine the illegality of ministerial mandates1 or deliberated on the violated rights of their constituents1 were part of the same system1 and calculated and intended to drive the people of the colonies to a state of desperation1 and to dissolve the compact by which their ancestors bound themselves and their posterity to remain dependent on the ,british crown4 ,the resolutions1 furthermore1 recommended the most perfect union and co-operation among the colonies2 solemn covenants with respect to non-importation and non-intercourse1 and a renunciation of all dealings with any colony1 town1 or province that should refuse to agree to the plan adopted by the ,general ,congress4 ,they also recommended a dutiful petition and remonstrance from the ,congress to the king1 asserting their constitutional rights and privileges2 lamenting the necessity of entering into measures that might be displeasing2 declaring their attachment to his person1 family1 and government1 and their desire to continue in dependence upon ,great ,britain2 beseeching him not to reduce his faithful subjects of ,america to desperation1 and to reflect that from our sovereign there can be but one appeal4 ,the resolutions reported by the committee were adopted1 and ,washington was chosen a delegate to represent the county at the ,general ,convention of the province1 to be held at ,williamsburg on the #ast of ,august4 ,on the date appointed the convention assembled4 ,washington appeared on behalf of ,fairfax ,county1 and presented the resolutions1 already cited1 as the sense of his constituents4 ,he is said1 by one who was present1 to have spoken in support of them in a strain of uncommon eloquence4 ,the ,convention was six days in session4 ,resolutions1 in the same spirit with those passed in ,fairfax ,county1 were adopted1 and ,peyton ,randolph1 ,richard ,henry ,lee1 ,george ,washington1 ,patrick ,henry1 ,richard ,bland1 ,benjamin ,harrison1 and ,edmund ,pendleton1 were appointed delegates1 to represent the people of ,virginia in the ,general ,congress4 ,general ,gage from the time of taking command at ,boston1 had been perplexed how to manage its inhabitants4 ,had they been hot-headed1 impulsive1 and prone to paroxysm1 his task would have been comparatively easy2 but it was the cool1 shrewd common sense1 by which all their movements were regulated1 that confounded him4 ,there was no uproar1 no riots2 everything was awfully systematic and according to rule4 ,town meetings were held1 in which public rights and public measures were eloquently discussed by ,john ,adams1 ,josiah ,quincy1 and other eminent men4 ,over these meetings ,samuel ,adams presided as moderator2 a man clear in judgment1 calm in conduct1 inflexible in resolution1 deeply grounded in civil and political history1 and infallible on all points of constitutional law4 ,gage was at a loss how to act4 ,it would not do to disperse these assemblages by force of arms2 for the people who composed them mingled the soldier with the polemic2 and like their prototypes1 the covenanters of yore1 if prone to argue1 were as ready to fight4 ,so the meetings continued to be held pertinaciously4 ,faneuil ,hall was at times unable to hold them1 and they swarmed from that revolutionary hive into old ,south ,church4 ,the liberty tree became a rallying place for any popular movement1 and a flag hoisted on it was saluted by all processions as the emblem of the popular cause4 ,when the time approached for the meeting of the ,general ,congress at ,philadelphia1 ,washington was joined at ,mount ,vernon by ,patrick ,henry and ,edmund ,pendleton1 and they performed the journey together on horseback4 ,it was a noble companionship4 ,henry was then in the youthful vigor and elasticity of his bounding genius1 ardent1 acute1 fanciful1 eloquent2 ,pendleton1 schooled in public life1 a veteran in council1 with native force of intellect1 and habits of deep reflection2 ,washington1 in the meridian of his days1 mature in wisdom1 comprehensive in mind1 sagacious in foresight4 ,such were the apostles of liberty1 repairing on their august pilgrimage to ,philadelphia from all parts of the land1 to lay the foundations of a mighty empire4 ,congress assembled on ,monday1 the #eth of ,september1 in a large room in ,carpenter's ,hall4 ,there were fifty-one delegates1 representing all the colonies excepting ,georgia4 ,the meeting has been described as awfully solemn4 ,the most eminent men of the various colonies were now for the first time brought together2 they were known to each other by fame1 but were1 personally1 strangers4 ,the object which had called them together was of incalculable magnitude4 ,the liberties of no less than three millions of people1 with that of all their posterity1 were staked on the wisdom and energy of their councils4 ,there being an inequality in the number of delegates from the different colonies1 a question arose as to the mode of voting2 whether by colonies1 by the poll1 or by interests4 ,after some debate1 it was determined that each colony should have but one vote1 whatever might be the number of its delegates4 ,the deliberations of the ,house were to be with closed doors1 and nothing but the resolves promulgated1 unless by order of the majority4 ,to give proper dignity and solemnity to the proceedings1 it was moved on the following day that each morning the session should be opened by prayer4 ,in the course of the day1 a rumor reached ,philadelphia that ,boston had been cannonaded by the ,british4 ,it produced a strong sensation2 and when ,congress met on the following morning 7#gth71 the effect was visible in every countenance4 ,the delegates from the east were greeted with a warmer grasp of the hand by their associates from the south4 ,the rumor proved to be erroneous4 ,owing to closed doors1 and the want of reporters1 no record exists of the discussions and speeches made in the first ,congress4 ,the first public measure was a resolution declaratory of their feelings with regard to the recent acts of ,parliament1 violating the rights of the people of ,massachusetts1 and of their determination to combine in resisting any force that might attempt to carry those acts into execution4 ,a committee of two from each province reported a series of resolutions1 which were adopted and promulgated by ,congress1 as a declaration of colonial rights4 ,in this were enumerated their natural rights to the enjoyment of life1 liberty1 and property2 and their rights as ,british subjects4 ,among the latter was participation in legislative councils4 ,this they could not exercise through representatives in ,parliament2 they claimed1 therefore1 the power of legislating in their provincial assemblies2 consenting1 however1 to such acts of ,parliament as might be essential to the regulation of trade2 but excluding all taxation1 internal or external1 for raising revenue in ,america4 ,the common law of ,england was claimed as a birthright1 including the right of trial by a jury of the vicinage2 of holding public meetings to consider grievances2 and of petitioning the king4 ,the benefits of all such statutes as existed at the time of the colonization were likewise claimed2 together with the immunities and privileges granted by royal charters1 or secured by provincial laws4 ,the maintenance of a standing army in any colony in time of peace1 without the consent of its legislature1 was pronounced contrary to law4 ,the exercise of the legislative power in the colonies by a council appointed during pleasure by the crown1 was declared to be unconstitutional1 and destructive to the freedom of ,american legislation4 ,then followed a specification of the acts of ,parliament1 passed during the reign of ,george ,,iii41 infringing and violating these rights4 ,these were--the sugar act2 the stamp act2 the two acts for quartering troops2 the tea act2 the act suspending the ,new ,york legislature2 the two acts for the trial in ,great ,britain of offences committed in ,america2 the ,boston port bill2 the act for regulating the government of ,massachusetts1 and the ,quebec act4 ,to these grievous acts and measures1 it was added1 ,americans cannot submit2 but in hopes their fellow subjects in ,great ,britain will1 on a revision of them1 restore us to that state in which both countries found happiness and prosperity1 we have for the present1 only resolved to pursue the following peaceable measures3 #ast4 ,to enter into a non-importation1 non-consumption1 and non-exportation agreement1 or association4 #b;d4 ,to prepare an address to the people of ,great ,britain1 and a memorial to the inhabitants of ,british ,america4 #c;d4 ,to prepare a loyal address to his majesty4 ,the above-mentioned association was accordingly formed1 and committees were to be appointed in every county1 city and town to maintain it vigilantly and strictly4 ,masterly state papers were issued by ,congress in conformity to the resolutions3 viz1 a petition to the king1 drafted by ,mr4 ,dickinson1 of ,philadelphia2 an address to the people of ,canada by the same hand1 inviting them to join the league of the colonies2 another to the people of ,great ,britain1 drafted by ,john ,jay1 of ,new ,york2 and a memorial to the inhabitants of the ,british colonies by ,richard ,henry ,lee1 of ,virginia4 ,the ,congress remained in session fifty-one days4 ,every subject1 according to ,adams1 was discussed with a moderation1 an acuteness1 and a minuteness equal to that of ,queen ,elizabeth's privy council4 ,the papers issued by it have deservedly been pronounced masterpieces of practical talent and political wisdom4 ,from the secrecy that enveloped its discussions1 we are ignorant of the part taken by ,washington in the debates2 the similarity of the resolutions1 however1 in spirit and substance to those of the ,fairfax ,county meeting1 in which he presided1 and the coincidence of the measures adopted with those therein recommended1 show that he had a powerful agency in the whole proceedings of this eventful assembly4 ,patrick ,henry1 being asked1 on his return home1 whom he considered the greatest man in ,congress1 replied3 ,if you speak of eloquence1 ,mr4 ,rutledge1 of ,south ,carolina1 is by far the greatest orator2 but if you speak of solid information and sound judgment1 ,colonel ,washington is unquestionably the greatest man on that floor4 ,on the breaking up of ,congress1 ,washington hastened back to ,mount ,vernon1 where his presence was more than usually important to the happiness of ,mrs4 ,washington1 from the loneliness caused by the recent death of her daughter and the absence of her son4 ,the cheerfulness of the neighborhood had been diminished of late by the departure of ,george ,william ,fairfax for ,england1 to take possession of estates which had devolved to him in that kingdom4 ,his estate of ,belvoir1 so closely allied with that of ,mount ,vernon by family ties and reciprocal hospitality1 was left in charge of a steward1 or overseer4 ,through some accident the house took fire1 and was burnt to the ground4 ,it was never rebuilt4 ,the course of political events which swept ,washington from his quiet home into the current of public and military life1 prevented ,william ,fairfax1 who was a royalist1 though a liberal one1 from returning to his once happy abode1 and the hospitable intercommunion of ,mount ,vernon and ,belvoir was at an end for ever4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,military ,,measures4--,,affairs ,,at ,,lexington4 ,the rumor1 at the opening of ,congress1 of the cannonading of ,boston had been caused by measures of ,governor ,gage4 ,the public mind in ,boston and its vicinity had been rendered excessively jealous and sensitive by the landing and encamping of artillery upon the ,common and ,welsh ,fusiliers on ,fort ,hill1 and by the planting of four large field-pieces on ,boston ,neck1 the only entrance to the town by land4 ,the country people were arming and disciplining themselves in every direction1 and collecting and depositing arms and ammunition in places where they would be at hand in case of emergency4 ,gage1 on the other hand1 issued orders that the munitions of war in all the public magazines should be brought to ,boston4 ,one of these magazines was the arsenal in the north-west part of ,charlestown1 between ,medford and ,cambridge4 ,two companies of the king's troops passed silently in boats up ,mystic ,river in the night2 took possession of a large quantity of gunpowder deposited there1 and conveyed it to ,castle ,williams4 ,intelligence of this sacking of the arsenal flew with lightning speed through the neighborhood4 ,in the morning several thousands of patriots were assembled at ,cambridge1 weapon in hand1 and were with difficulty prevented from marching upon ,boston to compel a restitution of the powder4 ,in the confusion and agitation1 a rumor stole out into the country that ,boston was to be attacked2 followed by another that the ships were cannonading the town1 and the soldiers shooting down the inhabitants4 ,the whole country was forthwith in arms4 ,numerous bodies of the ,connecticut people had made some marches before the report was contradicted4 ,gage1 on the #ast of ,september1 before this popular agitation1 had issued writs for an election of an assembly to meet at ,salem in ,october2 seeing1 however1 the irritated state of the public mind1 he now countermanded the same by proclamation4 ,the people1 disregarding the countermand1 carried the election1 and ninety of the new members thus elected met at the appointed time4 ,they waited a whole day for the governor to attend1 administer the oaths1 and open the session2 but as he did not make his appearance1 they voted themselves a provincial ,congress1 and chose for president of it ,john ,hancock1--a man of great wealth1 popular1 and somewhat showy talents1 and ardent patriotism2 and eminent from his social position4 ,this self-constituted body adjourned to ,concord1 about twenty miles from ,boston2 quietly assumed supreme authority1 and issued a remonstrance to the governor1 virtually calling him to account for his military operations in fortifying ,boston ,neck1 and collecting warlike stores about him1 thereby alarming the fears of the whole province and menacing the lives and property of the ,bostonians4 ,general ,gage1 overlooking the irregularity of its organization1 entered into explanations with the ,assembly1 but failed to give satisfaction4 ,as winter approached1 he found his situation more and more critical4 ,boston was the only place in ,massachusetts that now contained ,british forces1 and it had become the refuge of all the tories of the province2 that is to say1 of all those devoted to the ,british government4 ,there was animosity between them and the principal inhabitants1 among whom revolutionary principles prevailed4 ,the town itself1 almost insulated by nature1 and surrounded by a hostile country1 was like a place besieged4 ,the provincial ,congress conducted its affairs with the order and system so formidable to ,general ,gage4 ,having adopted a plan for organizing the militia1 it had nominated general officers1 two of whom1 ,artemas ,ward and ,seth ,pomeroy1 had accepted4 ,the executive powers were vested in a committee of safety4 ,this was to determine when the services of the militia were necessary2 was to call them forth1--to nominate their officers to the ,congress1--to commission them1 and direct the operations of the army4 ,another committee was appointed to furnish supplies to the forces when called out2 hence1 named the ,committee of ,supplies4 ,under such auspices1 the militia went on arming and disciplining itself in every direction4 ,arrangements had been made for keeping up an active correspondence between different parts of the country1 and spreading an alarm in case of any threatening danger4 ,under the direction of the committees just mentioned1 large quantities of military stores had been collected and deposited at ,concord and ,worcester4 ,this semi-belligerent state of affairs in ,massachusetts produced a general restlessness throughout the land4 ,the weak-hearted apprehended coming troubles2 the resolute prepared to brave them4 ,military measures1 hitherto confined to ,new ,england1 extended to the middle and southern provinces1 and the roll of the drum resounded through the villages4 ,virginia was among the first to buckle on its armor4 ,it had long been a custom among its inhabitants to form themselves into independent companies1 equipped at their own expense1 having their own peculiar uniform1 and electing their own officers1 though holding themselves subject to militia law4 ,they had hitherto been self-disciplined2 but now they continually resorted to ,washington for instruction and advice2 considering him the highest authority on military affairs4 ,he was frequently called from home1 therefore1 in the course of the winter and spring1 to different parts of the country to review independent companies2 all of which were anxious to put themselves under his command as field-officer4 ,mount ,vernon1 therefore1 again assumed a military tone as in former days1 when he took his first lessons there in the art of war4 ,two occasional and important guests in this momentous crisis1 were ,general ,charles ,lee1#a and ,major ,horatio ,gates4#b ,to ,washington the visits of these gentlemen were extremely welcome at this juncture1 from their military knowledge and experience1 especially as much of it had been acquired in ,america1 in the same kind of warfare1 if not the very same campaigns in which he himself had mingled4 ,both were interested in the popular cause4 ,lee was full of plans for the organization and disciplining of the militia1 and occasionally accompanied ,washington in his attendance on provincial reviews4 ,he was subsequently very efficient at ,annapolis in promoting and superintending the organization of the ,maryland militia4 ,footnote #a3 ,general ,charles ,lee was an ,englishman by birth1 and a highly cultivated production of ,european warfare4 ,he was born in #agca1 and may almost be said to have been cradled in the army1 for he received a commission by the time he was eleven years of age4 ,he served in the ,french war of ,america2 in #agfb obtained a colonel's commission1 and went with ,burgoyne to ,portugal4 ,having a caustic pen he undertook to write on colonial questions1 and thereby lost the favor of the ministry4 ,he then went to ,poland2 won the favor of ,king ,stanislaus2 in #agfi obtained the rank of major-general in the ,polish army1 and served in a campaign against the ,turks4 ,leaving the ,polish army he led a restless life about ,europe1 and in #aggc1 coming to ,america1 openly espoused the colonial cause4 ,he was a man of eccentric habits1 caustic humor1 extensive military experience1 and was considered a prodigious acquisition to the patriot cause4 ,footnote #b3 ,major ,horatio ,gates was an ,englishman by birth4 ,when twenty he served as a volunteer under ,cornwallis1 governor of ,halifax2 next as captain under ,braddock2 accompanied ,general ,monckton as aide-de-camp to the ,west ,indies1 gained credit at the capture of ,martinico1 and was promoted to the rank of major4 ,his promotion did not equal his expectations1 and went to ,england1 and failing to attain his desires1 came to ,virginia in #aggb1 and purchased an estate in ,berkeley ,county1 where he settled4 ,he was now forty-six years of age4 ,in the month of ,march the second ,virginia convention was held at ,richmond4 ,washington attended as delegate from ,fairfax ,county4 ,in this assembly1 ,patrick ,henry1 with his usual ardor and eloquence1 advocated measures for embodying1 arming and disciplining a militia force1 and providing for the defence of the colony4 ,washington joined him in the conviction1 and was one of a committee that reported a plan for carrying those measures into effect4 ,he was not an impulsive man to raise the battle cry1 but the executive man to marshal the troops into the field and carry on the war4 ,while the spirit of revolt was daily gaining strength and determination in ,america1 a strange infatuation reigned in the ,british councils4 ,while the wisdom and eloquence of ,chatham were exerted in vain in behalf of ,american rights1 an empty braggadocio1 elevated to a seat in ,parliament1 was able to captivate the attention of the members and influence their votes by gross misrepresentations of the ,americans and their cause4 ,this was no other than ,colonel ,grant1 the same shallow soldier who had been guilty of a foolhardy bravado before the walls of ,fort ,duquesne1 which brought slaughter and defeat upon his troops4 ,we are told that he entertained ,parliament1 especially the ministerial side of the ,house1 with ludicrous stories of the cowardice of ,americans4 ,this taunting and braggart speech was made in the face of the conciliatory bill of the venerable ,chatham1 devised with a view to redress the wrongs of ,america4 ,the councils of the arrogant and scornful prevailed2 and instead of the proposed bill1 further measures of a stringent nature were adopted1 coercive of some of the middle and southern colonies1 but ruinous to the trade and fisheries of ,new ,england4 ,at length the bolt1 so long suspended1 fell6 ,the troops at ,boston had been augmented to about four thousand men4 ,goaded on by the instigations of the tories1 and alarmed by the energetic measures of the whigs1 ,general ,gage now resolved to deal the latter a crippling blow4 ,this was to surprise and destroy their magazine of military stores at ,concord1 about twenty miles from ,boston4 ,it was to be effected on the night of the #ahth of ,april by a force detached for the purpose4 ,preparations were made with great secrecy4 ,boats for the transportation of troops were launched1 and moored under the sterns of the men-of-war4 ,grenadiers and light infantry were relieved from duty and held in readiness4 ,on the #ahth1 officers were stationed on the roads leading from ,boston to prevent any intelligence of the expedition getting into the country4 ,at night orders were issued by ,general ,gage that no person should leave the town4 ,about ten o'clock from eight to nine hundred men1 grenadiers1 light infantry and marines1 commanded by ,lieutenant-colonel ,smith1 embarked in the boats at the foot of ,boston ,common and crossed to ,lechmere ,point1 in ,cambridge1 whence they were to march silently and without beat of drum to the place of destination4 ,the measures of ,general ,gage had not been shrouded in all the secrecy he imagined4 ,dr4 ,joseph ,warren1 one of the committee of safety1 had observed the preparatory disposition of the boats and troops1 and surmised some sinister intention4 ,he sent notice of these movements to ,john ,hancock and ,samuel ,adams1 both members of the provincial ,congress1 but at that time privately sojourning with a friend at ,lexington4 ,a design on the magazine at ,concord was suspected1 and the committee of safety ordered that the cannon collected there should be secreted and part of the stores removed4 ,on the night of the #ahth1 ,dr4 ,warren sent off two messengers by different routes to give the alarm that the king's troops were actually sallying forth4 ,the messengers got out of ,boston just before the order of ,general ,gage went into effect1 to prevent any one from leaving the town4 ,about the same time a lantern was hung out of an upper window of the north church1 in the direction of ,charlestown4 ,this was a preconcerted signal to the patriots of that place who instantly despatched swift messengers to rouse the country4 ,in the meantime1 ,colonel ,smith set out on his nocturnal march from ,lechmere ,point by an unfrequented path across marshes1 where at times the troops had to wade through water4 ,he had proceeded but a few miles when alarm guns1 booming through the night air1 and the clang of village bells1 showed that the news of his approach was travelling before him1 and the people were rising4 ,he now sent back to ,general ,gage for a reinforcement1 while ,major ,pitcairn was detached with six companies to press forward and secure the bridges at ,concord4 ,pitcairn advanced rapidly1 capturing every one that he met or overtook4 ,within a mile and a half of ,lexington1 however1 a horseman was too quick on the spur for him1 and galloping to the village1 gave the alarm that the redcoats were coming4 ,drums were beaten2 guns fired4 ,by the time that ,pitcairn entered the village about seventy or eighty of the yeomanry1 in military array1 were mustered on the green near the church4 ,the sound of drum1 and the array of men in arms1 indicated a hostile determination4 ,pitcairn halted his men within a short distance of the church1 and ordered them to prime and load4 ,they then advanced at double quick time4 ,the major1 riding forward ordered the rebels1 as he termed them1 to disperse4 ,the order was disregarded4 ,a scene of confusion ensued1 with firing on both sides2 which party commenced it has been a matter of dispute4 ,the firing of the ,americans was irregular and without much effect2 that of the ,british was more fatal4 ,eight of the patriots were killed and ten wounded1 and the whole put to flight4 ,colonel ,smith soon arrived with the residue of the detachment1 and they all marched on towards ,concord1 about six miles distant4 ,the alarm had reached that place in the dead hour of the preceding night4 ,the church bell roused the inhabitants4 ,they gathered together in anxious consultation4 ,the militia and minute men seized their arms and repaired to the parade ground near the church4 ,exertions were now made to remove and conceal the military stores4 ,a scout1 who had been sent out for intelligence1 brought word that the ,british had fired upon the people at ,lexington and were advancing upon ,concord4 ,there was great excitement and indignation4 ,part of the militia marched down the ,lexington road to meet them1 but returned1 reporting their force to be three times that of the ,americans4 ,the whole of the militia now retired to an eminence about a mile from the centre of the town1 and formed themselves into two battalions4 ,about seven o'clock the ,british came in sight4 ,they entered in two divisions by different roads4 ,concord is traversed by a river of the same name1 having two bridges1 the north and the south4 ,the grenadiers and light infantry took post in the centre of the town1 while strong parties of light troops were detached to secure the bridges1 and destroy the military stores4 ,two hours were expended in the work of destruction without much success1 so much of the stores having been removed1 or concealed4 ,during all this time the yeomanry from the neighboring towns were hurrying in with such weapons as were at hand1 and joining the militia on the height1 until the little cloud of war gathering there numbered about four hundred and fifty4 ,about ten o'clock1 a body of three hundred undertook to dislodge the ,british from the north bridge4 ,as they approached1 the latter fired upon them1 killing two1 and wounding a third4 ,the patriots returned the fire with spirit and effect4 ,the ,british retreated to the main body1 the ,americans pursuing them across the bridge4 ,by this time all the military stores which could be found had been destroyed2 ,colonel ,smith1 therefore1 made preparations for a retreat4 ,about noon he commenced his retrograde march for ,boston4 ,it was high time4 ,his troops were jaded by the night march and the morning's toils and skirmishings4 ,the country was thoroughly alarmed4 ,the yeomanry were hurrying from every quarter to the scene of action4 ,as the ,british began their retreat1 the ,americans began the work of sore and galling retaliation4 ,along the open road the former were harassed incessantly by rustic marksmen1 who took deliberate aim from behind trees or over stone fences4 ,it was in vain they threw out flankers and endeavored to dislodge their assailants2 each pause gave time for other pursuers to come within reach and open attacks from different quarters4 ,for several miles they urged their way along woody defiles1 or roads skirted with fences and stone walls1 the retreat growing more and more disastrous4 ,before reaching ,lexington1 ,colonel ,smith received a severe wound in the leg1 and the situation of the retreating troops was becoming extremely critical1 when1 about two o'clock1 they were met by ,lord ,percy1 with a brigade of one thousand men and two field-pieces4 ,opening his brigade to the right and left1 he received the retreating troops into a hollow square2 where1 fainting and exhausted1 they threw themselves on the ground to rest4 ,his lordship showed no disposition to advance upon their assailants1 but contented himself with keeping them at bay with his field-pieces1 which opened a vigorous fire from an eminence4 ,hitherto the ,provincials1 being hasty levies1 without a leader1 had acted from individual impulse1 without much concert2 but now ,general ,heath was upon the ground4 ,he was one of those authorized to take command when the minute men should be called out4 ,dr4 ,warren also arrived on horseback1 having spurred from ,boston on receiving news of the skirmishing4 ,in the subsequent part of the day he was one of the most active and efficient men in the field4 ,his presence1 like that of ,general ,heath1 regulated the infuriated ardor of the militia and brought it into system4 ,lord ,percy1 having allowed the troops a short interval for repose and refreshment1 continued the retreat toward ,boston4 ,as soon as he got under march1 the galling assault by the pursuing yeomanry was recommenced in flank and rear4 ,the ,british soldiery1 irritated in turn1 acted as if in an enemy's country4 ,houses and shops were burnt down in ,lexington2 private dwellings along the road were plundered1 and their inhabitants maltreated4 ,their march became more and more impeded by the number of their wounded4 ,lord ,percy narrowly escaped death from a musket-ball1 which struck off a button of his waistcoat4 ,the provincials pressed upon him in rear1 others were advancing from ,roxbury1 ,dorchester1 and ,milton2 ,colonel ,pickering1 with the ,essex militia1 seven hundred strong1 was at hand2 there was danger of being intercepted in the retreat to ,charlestown4 ,the field-pieces were again brought into play to check the ardor of the pursuit2 but they were no longer objects of terror4 ,the pursuit terminated a little after sunset at ,charlestown ,common1 where ,general ,heath brought the minute men to a halt4 ,in this memorable affair the ,british loss was seventy-three killed1 one hundred and seventy-four wounded and twenty-six missing4 ,among the slain were eighteen officers4 ,the loss of the ,americans was forty-nine killed1 thirty-nine wounded1 and five missing4 ,this was the first blood shed in the revolutionary struggle4 ,the cry went through the land4 ,none felt the appeal more than the old soldiers of the ,french war4 ,it roused ,john ,stark1 of ,new ,hampshire--a trapper and hunter in his youth1 a veteran in ,indian warfare1 a campaigner under ,abercrombie and ,amherst4 ,within ten minutes after receiving the alarm1 he was spurring towards the sea-coast4 ,equally alert was his old comrade in frontier exploits1 ,colonel ,israel ,putnam4#c ,a man on horseback1 with a drum1 passed through his neighborhood in ,connecticut1 proclaiming ,british violence at ,lexington4 ,putnam was in the field ploughing1 assisted by his son4 ,in an instant the team was unyoked2 the plough left in the furrow2 the lad sent home to give word of his father's departure2 and ,putnam1 on horseback in his working garb1 urging with all speed to the camp4 ,footnote #c3 ,israel ,putnam was a soldier of native growth4 ,he had served at ,louisburg1 ,fort ,duquesne1 and ,crown ,point2 had signalized himself in ,indian warfare3 been captured by the savages1 tortured1 and rescued from the stake at the eleventh hour4 ,since the peace he had resided on his farm at ,pomfret1 in ,connecticut4 ,the news reached ,virginia at a critical moment4 ,lord ,dunmore1 obeying a general order issued by the ministry to all the provincial governors1 had seized upon the military munitions of the province4 ,here was a similar measure to that of ,gage4 ,the cry went forth that the subjugation of the colonies was to be attempted4 ,all ,virginia was in combustion4 ,the standard of liberty was reared in every county2 there was a general cry to arms4 ,washington was looked to from various quarters to take command4 ,his old comrade in arms1 ,hugh ,mercer1 was about marching down to ,williamsburg at the head of a body of resolute men1 seven hundred strong1 entitled ,the friends of constitutional liberty and ,america1 whom he had organized and drilled in ,fredericksburg1 and nothing but a timely concession of ,lord ,dunmore1 with respect to some powder which he had seized1 prevented his being beset in his palace4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,capture ,,of ,,ticonderoga ,,and ,,crown ,,point4--,,washington ,,appointed ,,commander-,,in-,,chief4 ,at the eastward1 the march of the ,revolution went on with accelerated speed4 ,thirty thousand men had been deemed necessary for the defence of the country4 ,the provincial ,congress of ,massachusetts resolved to raise thirteen thousand six hundred1 as its quota4 ,circular letters also were issued by the committee of safety1 urging the towns to enlist troops with all speed1 and calling for military aid from the other ,new ,england provinces4 ,their appeals were promptly answered4 ,bodies of militia and parties of volunteers from ,new ,hampshire1 ,rhode ,island and ,connecticut hastened to join the minute men of ,massachusetts in forming a camp in the neighborhood of ,boston4 ,the command of the camp was given to ,general ,artemas ,ward1 already mentioned4 ,he was a native of ,shrewsbury1 in ,massachusetts1 and a veteran of the seven years' war--having served as lieutenant-colonel under ,abercrombie4 ,as affairs were now drawing to a crisis and war was considered inevitable1 some bold spirits in ,connecticut conceived a project for the outset4 ,this was the surprisal of the old forts of ,ticonderoga and ,crown ,point1 already famous in the ,french war4 ,their situation on ,lake ,champlain gave them the command of the main route to ,canada2 so that the possession of them would be all-important in case of hostilities4 ,they were feebly garrisoned and negligently guarded1 and abundantly furnished with artillery and military stores1 so much needed by the patriot army4 ,this scheme was set on foot in the purlieus1 as it were1 of the provincial ,legislature of ,connecticut1 then in session4 ,it was not openly sanctioned by that body1 but secretly favored1 and money lent from the treasury to those engaged in it4 ,sixteen men were thus enlisted in ,connecticut1 a greater number in ,massachusetts1 but the greatest accession of force was from what was called the ,new ,hampshire ,grants4 ,this was a region forming the present ,state of ,vermont4 ,it had long been a disputed territory1 claimed by ,new ,york and ,new ,hampshire4 ,the settlers had resisted the attempts of ,new ,york to eject them1 and formed themselves into an association called ,the ,green ,mountain ,boys1 with ,ethan ,allen at their head4 ,he and his lieutenants1 ,seth ,warner and ,remember ,baker1 were outlawed by the ,legislature of ,new ,york1 and ,allen was becoming a kind of ,robin ,hood among the mountains when the present crisis changed the relative position of things as if by magic4 ,boundary feuds were forgotten amid the great questions of colonial rights4 ,ethan ,allen at once stepped forward1 a patriot1 and volunteered with his ,green ,mountain ,boys to serve in the popular cause4 ,thus reinforced1 the party1 now two hundred and seventy strong1 pushed forward to ,castleton1 a place within a few miles of the head of ,lake ,champlain4 ,here a council of war was held on the #b;d of ,may4 ,ethan ,allen was placed at the head of the expedition4 ,at this juncture ,benedict ,arnold1 afterwards so sadly renowned1 arrived at ,castleton4 ,he too had conceived the project of surprising ,ticonderoga and ,crown ,point2 his plan had been approved by the ,massachusetts committee of safety1 and he had received a colonel's commission4 ,he claimed the right to command the expedition1 but the ,green ,mountain ,boys would follow no leader but ,allen4 ,arnold was fain to acquiesce4 ,the party arrived at ,shoreham1 opposite ,ticonderoga1 on the night of the #ith of ,may4 ,the boats were few1 and by day-break a part of the force only had crossed4 ,allen announced his intention to make a dash at the fort at once1 before the garrison should wake4 ,they mounted the hill briskly but in silence1 guided by a boy from the neighborhood4 ,the day dawned as ,allen arrived at a sally port4 ,a sentry pulled trigger on him1 but his piece missed fire4 ,he retreated through a covered way4 ,allen and his men followed4 ,another sentry was struck down by ,allen1 and begged for quarter4 ,it was granted on condition of his leading the way instantly to the quarters of the commandant1 ,captain ,delaplace1 who was yet in bed4 ,being arrived there1 ,allen thundered at the door1 and demanded a surrender of the fort4 ,by this time his followers had formed into two lines on the parade-ground1 and given three hearty cheers4 ,the commandant appeared at his door half-dressed4 ,he gazed at ,allen in bewildered astonishment4 ,by whose authority do you act8 exclaimed he4 ,in the name of the great ,jehovah1 and the ,continental ,congress6 replied ,allen with a flourish of his sword and an oath which we do not care to subjoin4 ,there was no disputing the point4 ,the garrison1 like the commander1 had been startled from sleep1 and made prisoners as they rushed forth in their confusion4 ,a surrender accordingly took place4 ,a great supply of military and naval stores1 so important in the present crisis1 was found in the fortress4 ,colonel ,seth ,warner was now sent with a detachment against ,crown ,point1 which surrendered on the #abth of ,may without firing a gun2 the whole garrison being a sergeant and twelve men4 ,here were taken upward of a hundred cannon4 ,a plan was also concerted to surprise ,st4 ,john's on the ,sorel ,river1 the frontier post of ,canada4 ,it was led by ,arnold and was eminently successful2 a king's sloop of seventy tons1 with two brass six-pounders1 four bateaux1 and many valuable stores were captured4 ,the approach of troops from ,montreal rendered it necessary to abandon the post4 ,thus a partisan band1 unpractised in the art of war1 had1 by a series of daring exploits and almost without the loss of a man1 won for the patriots the command of ,lakes ,george and ,champlain1 and thrown open the great highway to ,canada4 ,the second ,general ,congress assembled at ,philadelphia on the #ajth of ,may4 ,peyton ,randolph was again elected as president2 but being obliged to return and occupy his place as speaker of the ,virginia ,assembly1 ,john ,hancock1 of ,massachusetts1 was elevated to the chair4 ,a lingering feeling of attachment to the mother country1 struggling with the growing spirit of self-government1 was manifested in the proceedings of this remarkable body4 ,many of those most active in vindicating colonial rights1 and ,washington among the number1 still indulged the hope of an eventual reconciliation1 while few entertained1 or at least avowed the idea of complete independence4 ,a second humble and dutiful petition to the king was moved1 but met with strong opposition4 ,john ,adams condemned it as an imbecile measure1 calculated to embarrass the proceedings of ,congress4 ,he was for prompt and vigorous action4 ,other members concurred with him4 ,a federal union was formed1 leaving to each colony the right of regulating its internal affairs according to its own individual constitution1 but vesting in ,congress the power of making peace or war2 of entering into treaties and alliances2 of regulating general commerce2 in a word1 of legislating on all such matters as regarded the security and welfare of the whole community4 ,the executive power was to be vested in a council of twelve1 chosen by ,congress from among its own members1 and to hold office for a limited time4 ,such colonies as had not sent delegates to ,congress might yet become members of the confederacy by agreeing to its conditions4 ,georgia1 which had hitherto hesitated1 soon joined the league1 which thus extended from ,nova ,scotia to ,florida4 ,congress lost no time in exercising their federated powers4 ,in virtue of them1 they ordered the enlistment of troops1 the construction of forts in various parts of the colonies1 the provision of arms1 ammunition1 and military stores2 while to defray the expense of these1 and other measures1 avowedly of self-defence1 they authorized the emission of notes to the amount of three millions of dollars1 bearing the inscription of ,the ,united ,colonies2 the faith of the confederacy being pledged for their redemption4 ,the public sense of ,washington's military talents and experience1 was evinced in his being chairman of all the committees appointed for military affairs4 ,most of the rules and regulations for the army1 and the measures for defence1 were devised by him4 ,the situation of the ,new ,england army1 actually besieging ,boston1 became an early and absorbing consideration4 ,it was without munitions of war1 without arms1 clothing1 or pay2 in fact1 without legislative countenance or encouragement4 ,unless sanctioned and assisted by ,congress1 there was danger of its dissolution4 ,all this was the subject of much discussion out of doors4 ,the disposition to uphold the army was general2 but the difficult question was1 who should be commander-in-chief8 ,there was a southern party in ,congress who were urgent for the appointment of a southern general to command1 and so many of our stanchest men1 says ,adams1 were in the plan1 that we could carry nothing without it4 ,on the other hand ,hancock himself had an ambition to be appointed to the command4 ,the opinion1 however1 evidently inclined in favor of ,washington4 ,adams1 rising in his place one day1 urged upon ,congress that they should adopt the army at ,cambridge1 and appoint a general4 ,he then proceeded to advance the name of ,washington4 ,the subject was postponed to a future day4 ,on the #aeth of ,june1 the army was regularly adopted by ,congress1 and the pay of the commander-in-chief fixed at five hundred dollars a month4 ,in this stage of the business ,mr4 ,johnson1 of ,maryland1 rose and nominated ,washington for the station of commander-in-chief4 ,the election was by ballot1 and was unanimous4 ,it was formally announced to him by the president on the following day1 when he had taken his seat in ,congress4 ,rising in his place1 he briefly expressed his high and grateful sense of the honor conferred on him and his sincere devotion to the cause4 ,but1 added he1 lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my reputation1 ,i beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room1 that ,i this day declare with the utmost sincerity ,i do not think myself equal the command ,i am honored with4 ,as to pay1 ,i beg leave to assure the ,congress that1 as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment1 at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness1 ,i do not wish to make any profit of it4 ,i will keep an exact account of my expenses4 ,those1 ,i doubt not1 they will discharge1 and that is all ,i desire4 ,four major-generals were to be appointed4 ,general ,ward was elected the second in command1 and ,lee the third4 ,the other two major-generals were ,philip ,schuyler1 of ,new ,york1 and ,israel ,putnam1 of ,connecticut4 ,eight brigadier-generals were likewise appointed2 ,seth ,pomeroy1 ,richard ,montgomery1 ,david ,wooster1 ,william ,heath1 ,joseph ,spencer1 ,john ,thomas1 ,john ,sullivan1 and ,nathaniel ,greene4 ,at ,washington's express request1 his old friend1 ,major ,horatio ,gates1 then absent at his estate in ,virginia1 was appointed adjutant-general1 with the rank of brigadier4 ,in this momentous change in his condition1 which suddenly altered all his course of life1 and called him immediately to the camp1 ,washington's thoughts recurred to ,mount ,vernon and its rural delights1 so dear to his heart1 whence he was to be again exiled4 ,his chief concern1 however1 was on account of the distress it might cause to his wife4 ,his letter to her on the subject is written in a tone of manly tenderness4 ,you may believe me1 writes he1 when ,i assure you1 in the most solemn manner1 that1 so far from seeking this appointment1 ,i have used every endeavor in my power to avoid it1 not only from my unwillingness to part with you and the family1 but from a consciousness of its being a trust too great for my capacity2 and ,i should enjoy more real happiness in one month with you at home than ,i have the most distant prospect of finding abroad if my stay were to be seven times seven years4 ,but as it has been a kind of destiny that has thrown me upon this service1 ,i shall hope that my undertaking it is designed to answer some good purpose4444 ,on the #bjth of ,june he received his commission from the president of ,congress4 ,the following day was fixed upon for his departure for the army4 ,he reviewed previously1 at the request of their officers1 several militia companies of horse and foot4 ,every one was anxious to see the new commander1 and rarely has the public beau ideal of a commander been so fully answered4 ,he was now in the vigor of his days1 forty-three years of age1 stately in person1 noble in his demeanor1 calm and dignified in his deportment2 as he sat his horse1 with manly grace1 his military presence delighted every eye1 and wherever he went the air rang with acclamations4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,battle ,,of ,,bunker ,,hill4 ,while ,congress had been deliberating on the adoption of the army and the nomination of a commander-in-chief1 events had been thickening and drawing to a crisis in the excited region about ,boston4 ,the provincial troops which blockaded the town prevented supplies by land1 the neighboring country refused to furnish them by water2 fresh provisions and vegetables were no longer to be procured1 and ,boston began to experience the privations of a besieged city4 ,on the #beth of ,may arrived ships of war and transports from ,england1 bringing large reinforcements1 under ,generals ,howe1 ,burgoyne1 and ,henry ,clinton1 commanders of high reputation4 ,inspirited by these reinforcements1 ,general ,gage determined to take the field4 ,previously1 however1 he issued a proclamation 7#abth ,june71 putting the province under martial law1 threatening to treat as rebels and traitors all malcontents who should continue under arms1 together with their aiders and abettors2 but offering pardon to all who should lay down their arms and return to their allegiance4 ,from this proffered amnesty1 however1 ,john ,hancock and ,samuel ,adams were especially excepted4 ,this proclamation only served to put the patriots on the alert against such measures as might be expected to follow1 and of which their friends in ,boston stood ready to apprise them4 ,the besieging force1 in the meantime1 was daily augmented by recruits and volunteers1 and now amounted to about fifteen thousand men1 distributed at various points4 ,about ten thousand belonged to ,massachusetts1 and were under the command of ,general ,artemas ,ward1 whose head-quarters were at ,cambridge4 ,another body of troops1 under ,colonel ,john ,stark1 already mentioned1 came from ,new ,hampshire4 ,rhode ,island furnished a third1 under the command of ,general ,nathaniel ,greene4 ,a fourth was from ,connecticut1 under the veteran ,putnam4 ,these bodies of troops1 being from different colonies1 were independent of each other1 and had their several commanders4 ,those from ,new ,hampshire were instructed to obey ,general ,ward as commander-in-chief2 with the rest it was a voluntary act1 rendered in consideration of his being military chief of ,massachusetts1 the province which1 as allies1 they came to defend4 ,there was1 in fact1 but little organization in the army4 ,nothing kept it together and gave it unity of action but a common feeling of exasperated patriotism4 ,the troops knew but little of military discipline4 ,almost all were familiar with the use of fire-arms in hunting and fowling1 but the greater part were without military dress or accoutrements2 most of them were hasty levies of yeomanry1 some of whom had seized their rifles and fowling-pieces and turned out in their working clothes and homespun country garbs4 ,such was the army spread over an extent of ten or twelve miles1 and keeping watch upon the town of ,boston1 containing at that time a population of seventeen thousand souls1 and garrisoned with more than ten thousand ,british troops1 disciplined and experienced in the wars of ,europe4 ,in the disposition of these forces1 ,general ,ward had stationed himself at ,cambridge1 with the main body of about nine thousand men and four companies of artillery4 ,lieutenant-general ,thomas1 second in command1 was posted1 with five thousand ,massachusetts1 ,connecticut and ,rhode ,island troops1 and three or four companies of artillery1 at ,roxbury and ,dorchester1 forming the right wing of the army2 while the left1 composed in a great measure of ,new ,hampshire troops1 stretched through ,medford to the hills of ,chelsea4 ,we have already mentioned the peninsula of ,charlestown 7called from a village of the same name71 which lies opposite to the north side of ,boston4 ,the heights which swell up in rear of the village overlook the town and shipping4 ,the project was conceived in the besieging camp to seize and occupy those heights4 ,a council of war was held upon the subject4 ,general ,putnam was one of the most strenuous in favor of the measure4 ,some of the more wary and judicious1 among whom were ,general ,ward and ,dr4 ,warren1 doubted the expediency of intrenching themselves on those heights and the possibility of maintaining so exposed a post4 ,putnam made light of the danger4 ,he was seconded by ,general ,pomeroy1 a leader of like stamp1 and another veteran of the ,french war4 ,the daring councils of such men are always captivating to the inexperienced2 but in the present instance they were sanctioned by one whose opinion in such matters1 and in this vicinity1 possessed peculiar weight4 ,this was ,colonel ,william ,prescott1 of ,pepperell1 who commanded a regiment of minute men4 ,he1 too1 had seen service in the ,french war1 and acquired reputation as a lieutenant of infantry at the capture of ,cape ,breton4 ,this was sufficient to constitute him an oracle in the present instance4 ,he was now about fifty years of age1 tall and commanding in his appearance1 and retaining the port of a soldier4 ,his opinion1 probably1 settled the question2 and it was determined to seize on and fortify ,bunker's ,hill and ,dorchester ,heights4 ,secret intelligence hurried forward the project4 ,general ,gage1 it was said1 intended to take possession of ,dorchester ,heights on the night of the #ahth of ,june4 ,these heights lay on the opposite side of ,boston1 and the committee were ignorant of their localities4 ,those on ,charlestown ,neck1 being near at hand1 had some time before been reconnoitered by ,colonel ,richard ,gridley1 and other of the engineers4 ,it was determined to seize and fortify these heights on the night of ,friday1 the #afth of ,june1 in anticipation of the movement of ,general ,gage4 ,troops were drafted for the purpose1 and ,colonel ,prescott1 from his experience in military matters was chosen by ,general ,ward to conduct the enterprise4 ,his written orders were to fortify ,bunker's ,hill1 and defend the works until he should be relieved4 ,colonel ,richard ,gridley1 the chief engineer1 was to accompany him and plan the fortifications4 ,the detachment left ,cambridge about nine o'clock1 ,colonel ,prescott taking the lead4 ,at ,charlestown ,neck they were joined by ,major ,brooks1 of ,bridges' regiment1 and ,general ,putnam2 and here were the wagons laden with intrenching tools1 which first gave the men an indication of the nature of the enterprise4 ,charlestown ,neck is a narrow isthmus1 connecting the peninsula with the main land2 having the ,mystic ,river1 about half a mile wide1 on the north1 and a large embayment of ,charles ,river on the south or right side4 ,it was now necessary to proceed with the utmost caution1 for they were coming on ground over which the ,british kept jealous watch4 ,they had erected a battery at ,boston on ,copp's ,hill1 immediately opposite to ,charlestown4 ,five of their vessels of war were stationed so as to bear upon the peninsula from different directions1 and the guns of one of them swept the isthmus or narrow neck just mentioned4 ,across this isthmus1 ,colonel ,prescott conducted the detachment undiscovered1 and up the ascent of ,bunker's ,hill4 ,this commences at the ,neck1 and slopes up for about three hundred yards to its summit1 which is about one hundred and twelve feet high4 ,it then declines toward the south1 and is connected by a ridge with ,breed's ,hill1 about sixty or seventy feet high4 ,the crests of the two hills are about seven hundred yards apart4 ,on attaining the heights1 a question rose which of the two they should proceed to fortify4 ,bunker's ,hill was specified in the written orders given to ,colonel ,prescott by ,general ,ward1 but ,breed's ,hill was much nearer to ,boston1 and had a better command of the town and shipping4 ,bunker's ,hill1 also1 being on the upper and narrower part of the peninsula1 was itself commanded by the same ship which raked the ,neck4 ,putnam was clear for commencing at ,breed's ,hill1 and making the principal work there1 while a minor work might be thrown up at ,bunker's ,hill1 as a protection in the rear1 and a rallying point1 in case of being driven out of the main work4 ,others concurred with this opinion4 ,gridley marked out the lines for the fortifications2 the men stacked their guns2 threw off their packs2 seized their trenching tools1 and set to work with great spirit4 ,so spiritedly1 though silently1 was the labor carried on1 that by morning a strong redoubt was thrown up as a main work1 flanked on the left by a breastwork1 partly cannon-proof1 extending down the crest of ,breed's ,hill to a piece of marshy ground called the ,slough4 ,to support the right of the redoubt1 some troops were thrown into the village of ,charlestown1 at the southern foot of the hill4 ,at dawn of day1 the ,americans at work were espied by the sailors on board of the ships of war1 and the alarm was given4 ,the captain of the ,lively1 the nearest ship1 without waiting for orders1 put a spring upon her cable1 and bringing her guns to bear1 opened a fire upon the hill4 ,the other ships and a floating battery followed his example4 ,their shot did no mischief to the works4 ,the cannonading roused the town of ,boston4 ,general ,gage could scarcely believe his eyes when he beheld on the opposite hill a fortification full of men1 which had sprung up in the course of the night4 ,he called a council of war4 ,the ,americans might intend to cannonade ,boston from this new fortification2 it was unanimously resolved to dislodge them4 ,how was this to be done8 ,a majority of the council1 including ,clinton and ,grant1 advised that a force should be landed on ,charlestown ,neck1 under the protection of their batteries1 so as to attack the ,americans in rear and cut off their retreat4 ,general ,gage objected that it would place his troops between two armies2 one at ,cambridge1 superior in numbers1 the other on the heights1 strongly fortified4 ,he was for landing in front of the works1 and pushing directly up the hill2 a plan adopted through a confidence that raw militia would never stand their ground against the assault of veteran troops4 ,the sound of drum and trumpet1 the clatter of hoofs1 the rattling of gun-carriages1 and all the other military din and bustle in the streets of ,boston1 soon apprised the ,americans on their rudely fortified height of an impending attack4 ,they were ill-fitted to withstand it1 being jaded by the night's labor1 and want of sleep2 hungry and thirsty1 having brought but scanty supplies1 and oppressed by the heat of the weather4 ,prescott sent repeated messages to ,general ,ward1 asking reinforcements and provisions4 ,ward issued orders for ,colonels ,stark and ,read1 then at ,medford1 to march to the relief of ,prescott with their ,new ,hampshire regiments4 ,in the meantime1 the ,americans on ,breed's ,hill were sustaining the fire from the ships1 and from the battery on ,copp's ,hill1 which opened upon them about ten o'clock4 ,they returned an occasional shot from one corner of the redoubt1 without much harm to the enemy1 and continued strengthening their position until about eleven o'clock1 when they ceased to work1 piled their intrenching tools in the rear1 and looked out anxiously and impatiently for the anticipated reinforcements and supplies4 ,the tools were ultimately carried to ,bunker's ,hill1 and a breastwork commenced by order of ,general ,putnam4 ,the importance of such a work was afterwards made apparent4 ,about noon the ,americans descried twenty-eight barges crossing from ,boston in parallel lines4 ,they contained a large detachment of grenadiers1 rangers1 and light infantry1 admirably equipped1 and commanded by ,major-general ,howe4 ,a heavy fire from the ships and batteries covered their advance1 but no attempt was made to oppose them1 and they landed about one o'clock at ,moulton's ,point1 a little to the north of ,breed's ,hill4 ,here ,general ,howe made a pause4 ,on reconnoitering the works from this point1 the ,americans appeared to be much more strongly posted than he had imagined1 and he immediately sent over to ,general ,gage for more forces4 ,while awaiting their arrival1 refreshments were served out to the troops4 ,the ,americans meanwhile took advantage of the delay to strengthen their position4 ,the breastwork on the left of the redoubt extended to what was called the ,slough1 but beyond this1 the ridge of the hill1 and the slope toward ,mystic ,river1 were undefended1 leaving a pass by which the enemy might turn the left flank of the position1 and seize upon ,bunker's ,hill4 ,putnam ordered his chosen officer1 ,captain ,knowlton1 to cover this pass with the ,connecticut troops under his command4 ,a novel kind of rampart1 savoring of rural device was suggested by the rustic general4 ,about six hundred feet in the rear of the redoubt1 and about one hundred feet to the left of the breastwork1 was a post and rail-fence1 set in a low foot-wall of stone1 and extending down to ,mystic ,river4 ,the posts and rails of another fence were hastily pulled up1 and set a few feet in behind this1 and the intermediate space was filled up with new mown hay from the adjacent meadows4 ,this double fence1 it will be found1 proved an important protection to the redoubt1 although there still remained an unprotected interval of about seven hundred feet4 ,while ,knowlton and his men were putting up this fence1 ,putnam proceeded with other of his troops to throw up the work on ,bunker's ,hill1 despatching his son1 ,captain ,putnam1 on horseback1 to hurry up the remainder of his men from ,cambridge4 ,by this time ,stark made his appearance with the ,new ,hampshire troops1 five hundred strong4 ,putnam detained some of ,stark's men to aid in throwing up the works on ,bunker's ,hill1 and directed him to reinforce ,knowlton with the rest4 ,about two o'clock1 ,warren arrived on the heights1 ready to engage in their perilous defence1 although he had opposed the scheme of their occupation4 ,he had recently been elected a major-general1 but had not received his commission4 ,putnam offered him the command at the fence2 he declined it1 and merely asked where he could be of most service as a volunteer4 ,the ,british now prepared for a general assault4 ,an easy victory was anticipated2 the main thought was1 how to make it most effectual4 ,the left wing1 commanded by ,general ,pigot1 was to mount the hill and force the redoubt1 while ,general ,howe1 with the right wing1 was to push on between the fort and ,mystic ,river1 turn the left flank of the ,americans1 and cut off their retreat4 ,general ,pigot1 accordingly advanced up the hill under cover of a fire from field-pieces and howitzers planted on a small height near the landing-place on ,moulton's ,point4 ,his troops commenced a discharge of musketry while yet at a long distance from the redoubts4 ,the ,americans within the works1 obedient to strict command1 retained their fire until the enemy were within thirty or forty paces1 when they opened upon them with a tremendous volley4 ,being all marksmen1 accustomed to take deliberate aim1 the slaughter was immense1 and especially fatal to officers4 ,the assailants fell back in some confusion2 but1 rallied on by their officers1 advanced within pistol shot4 ,another volley1 more effective than the first1 made them again recoil4 ,to add to their confusion1 they were galled by a flanking fire from the handful of ,provincials posted in ,charlestown4 ,shocked at the carnage and seeing the confusion of his troops1 ,general ,pigot was urged to give the word for a retreat4 ,in the meantime1 ,general ,howe1 with the right wing1 advanced along ,mystic ,river toward the fence where ,stark1 ,read1 and ,knowlton were stationed1 thinking to carry this slight breastwork with ease1 and so get in the rear of the fortress4 ,his artillery proved of little avail1 being stopped by a swampy piece of ground1 while his columns suffered from two or three field-pieces with which ,putnam had fortified the fence4 ,howe's men kept up a fire of musketry as they advanced2 but not taking aim1 their shot passed over the heads of the ,americans4 ,the latter had received the same orders with those in the redoubt1 not to fire until the enemy should be within thirty paces4 ,when the ,british arrived within the stated distance a sheeted fire opened upon them from rifles1 muskets1 and fowling-pieces1 all levelled with deadly aim4 ,the carnage1 as in the other instance1 was horrible4 ,the ,british were thrown into confusion and fell back2 some even retreated to the boats4 ,there was a general pause on the part of the ,british4 ,the ,american officers availed themselves of it to prepare for another attack1 which must soon be made4 ,prescott mingled among his men in the redoubt1 who were all in high spirits at the severe check they had given the regulars4 ,he praised them for their steadfastness in maintaining their post1 and their good conduct in reserving their fire until the word of command1 and exhorted them to do the same in the next attack4 ,putnam rode about ,bunker's ,hill and its skirts1 to rally and bring on reinforcements which had been checked or scattered in crossing ,charlestown ,neck by the raking fire from the ships and batteries4 ,before many could be brought to the scene of action the ,british had commenced their second attack4 ,they again ascended the hill to storm the redoubt2 their advance was covered as before by discharges of artillery4 ,charlestown1 which had annoyed them on their first attack by a flanking fire1 was in flames1 by shells thrown from ,copp's ,hill1 and by marines from the ships4 ,the thunder of artillery from batteries and ships1 the bursting of bomb-shells2 the sharp discharges of musketry2 the shouts and yells of the combatants2 the crash of burning buildings1 arid the dense volumes of smoke1 which obscured the summer sun1 all formed a tremendous spectacle4 ,the ,american troops1 although unused to war1 stood undismayed amidst a scene where it was bursting upon them with all its horrors4 ,reserving their fire1 as before1 until the enemy was close at hand1 they again poured forth repeated volleys with the fatal aim of sharpshooters4 ,the ,british stood the first shock1 and continued to advance2 but the incessant stream of fire staggered them4 ,their officers remonstrated1 threatened1 and even attempted to goad them on with their swords1 but the havoc was too deadly2 whole ranks were mowed down2 many of the officers were either slain or wounded1 and among them several of the staff of ,general ,howe4 ,the troops again gave way and retreated down the hill4 ,a third attack was now determined on1 though some of ,howe's officers remonstrated1 declaring it would be downright butchery4 ,a different plan was adopted4 ,instead of advancing in front of the redoubt1 it was to be taken in flank on the left1 where the open space between the breastwork and the fortified fence presented a weak point4 ,it having been accidentally discovered that the ammunition of the ,americans was nearly expended1 preparations were made to carry the works at the point of the bayonet4 ,general ,howe1 with the main body1 now made a feint of attacking the fortified fence2 but1 while a part of his force was thus engaged1 the rest brought some of the field-pieces to enfilade the breastwork on the left of the redoubt4 ,a raking fire soon drove the ,americans out of this exposed place into the enclosure4 ,the troops were now led on to assail the works4 ,the ,americans again reserved their fire until their assailants were close at hand1 and then made a murderous volley1 by which several officers were laid low1 and ,general ,howe himself was wounded in the foot4 ,the ,british soldiery this time likewise reserved their fire and rushed on with fixed bayonet4 ,clinton and ,pigot had reached the southern and eastern sides of the redoubt1 and it was now assailed on three sides at once4 ,prescott ordered those who had no bayonets to retire to the back part of the redoubt and fire on the enemy as they showed themselves on the parapet4 ,the ,americans1 however1 had fired their last round1 their ammunition was exhausted2 and now succeeded a desperate and deadly struggle1 hand to hand1 with bayonets1 stones1 and the stocks of their muskets4 ,at length1 as the ,british continued to pour in1 ,prescott gave the order to retreat4 ,his men had to cut their way through two divisions of the enemy who were getting in rear of the redoubt1 and they received a destructive volley from those who had formed on the captured works4 ,by that volley fell the patriot ,warren1 who had distinguished himself throughout the action4 ,while the ,americans were thus slowly dislodged from the redoubt1 ,stark1 ,read and ,knowlton maintained their ground at the fortified fence2 which1 indeed1 had been nobly defended throughout the action4 ,the resistance at this hastily constructed work was kept up after the troops in the redoubt had given way1 and until ,colonel ,prescott had left the hill2 thus defeating ,general ,howe's design of cutting off the retreat of the main body2 which would have produced a scene of direful confusion and slaughter4 ,having effected their purpose1 the brave associates at the fence abandoned their weak outpost1 retiring slowly1 and disputing the ground inch by inch1 with a regularity remarkable in troops many of whom had never before been in action4 ,the main retreat was across ,bunker's ,hill1 where ,putnam had endeavored to throw up a breastwork4 ,the veteran1 sword in hand1 rode to the rear of the retreating troops1 regardless of the balls whistling about him4 ,his only thought was to rally them at the unfinished works4 ,it was impossible1 however1 to bring the troops to a stand4 ,they continued on down the hill to the ,neck and across it to ,cambridge1 exposed to a raking fire from the ships and batteries1 and only protected by a single piece of ordnance4 ,the ,british were too exhausted to pursue them2 they contented themselves with taking possession of ,bunker's ,hill1 were reinforced from ,boston1 and threw up additional works during the night4 ,thus ended the first regular battle between the ,british and the ,americans1 and most eventful in its consequences4 ,the former had gained the ground for which they contended2 but1 if a victory1 it was more disastrous and humiliating to them than an ordinary defeat4 ,according to their own returns1 their killed and wounded1 out of a detachment of two thousand men1 amounted to one thousand and fifty-four1 and a large proportion of them officers4 ,the loss of the ,americans did not exceed four hundred and fifty4 ,to the latter this defeat1 if defeat it might be called1 had the effect of a triumph4 ,it gave them confidence in themselves and consequence in the eyes of their enemies4 ,they had proved to themselves and to others that they could measure weapons with the disciplined soldiers of ,europe1 and inflict the most harm in the conflict4 ,among the ,british officers slain was ,major ,pitcairn1 who1 at ,lexington1 had shed the first blood in the ,revolutionary war4 ,in the death of ,warren the ,americans had to lament the loss of a distinguished patriot and a most estimable man4 ,it was deplored as a public calamity4 ,he was one of the first who fell in the glorious cause of his country1 and his name has become consecrated in its history4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,washington ,,on ,,his ,,way ,,to ,,the ,,camp4 ,in a preceding chapter we left ,washington preparing to depart from ,philadelphia for the army before ,boston4 ,he set out on horseback on the #bast of ,june1 having for military companions of his journey ,major-generals ,lee and ,schuyler1 and being accompanied for a distance by several private friends4 ,as an escort he had a gentleman troop of ,philadelphia1 commanded by ,captain ,markoe2 the whole formed a brilliant cavalcade4 ,general ,schuyler was a man eminently calculated to sympathize with ,washington in all his patriotic views and feelings1 and became one of his most faithful coadjutors4 ,sprung from one of the earliest and most respectable ,dutch families which colonized ,new ,york1 all his interests and affections were identified with the country4 ,he had received a good education2 applied himself at an early age to the exact sciences1 and became versed in finance1 military engineering1 and political economy4 ,he was one of those native born soldiers who had acquired experience in that ,american school of arms1 the old ,french war4 ,since the close of the ,french war he had served his country in various civil stations1 and been one of the most zealous and eloquent vindicators of colonial rights4 ,they had scarcely proceeded twenty miles from ,philadelphia when they were met by a courier1 spurring with all speed1 bearing despatches from the army to ,congress1 communicating tidings of the battle of ,bunker's ,hill4 ,washington eagerly inquired particulars2 above all1 how acted the militia8 ,when told that they stood their ground bravely1 sustained the enemy's fire--reserved their own until at close quarters1 and then delivered it with deadly effect1 it seemed as if a weight of doubt and solicitude were lifted from his heart4 ,the liberties of the country are safe6 exclaimed he4 ,the news of the battle of ,bunker's ,hill had startled the whole country2 and this clattering cavalcade1 escorting the commander-in-chief to the army1 was the gaze and wonder of every town and village4 ,the journey may be said to have been a continual council of war between ,washington and the two generals4 ,one of the most frequent subjects of conversation was the province of ,new ,york4 ,its power and position rendered it the great link of the confederacy2 what measures were necessary for its defence1 and most calculated to secure its adherence to the cause8 ,the population of ,new ,york was more varied in its elements than that of almost any other of the provinces1 and had to be cautiously studied4 ,the ,new ,yorkers were of a mixed origin1 and stamped with the peculiarities of their respective ancestors4 ,the descendants of the old ,dutch and ,huguenot families1 the earliest settlers1 were still among the soundest and best of the population4 ,they inherited the love of liberty1 civil and religious1 of their forefathers1 and were those who stood foremost in the present struggle for popular rights4 ,a great proportion of the more modern families1 dating from the downfall of the ,dutch government in #affd1 were ,english and ,scotch1 and among these were many loyal adherents to the crown4 ,there was a power1 too1 of a formidable kind within the interior of the province1 which was an object of much solicitude4 ,this was the ,johnson ,family4 ,we have repeatedly had occasion to speak of ,sir ,william ,johnson1 his majesty's general agent for ,indian affairs1 of his great wealth1 and his almost sovereign sway over the ,six ,nations4 ,in the recent difficulties between the crown and colonies1 ,sir ,william had naturally been in favor of the government which had enriched and honored him1 but he had viewed with deep concern the acts of ,parliament which were goading the colonists to armed resistance4 ,in the height of his solicitude1 he received despatches ordering him1 in case of hostilities1 to enlist the ,indians in the cause of government4 ,to the agitation of feelings produced by these orders many have attributed a stroke of apoplexy1 of which he died1 on the #aath of ,july1 #aggd1 about a year before the time of which we are treating4 ,his son and heir1 ,sir ,john ,johnson1 and his sons-in-law1 ,colonel ,guy ,johnson and ,colonel ,claus felt none of the reluctance of ,sir ,william to use harsh measures in support of royalty4 ,they lived in a degree of rude feudal style in stone mansions capable of defence1 situated on the ,mohawk ,river and in its vicinity2 they had many ,scottish ,highlanders for tenants2 and among their adherents were violent men1 such as the ,butlers of ,tryon ,county1 and ,brant1 the ,mohawk sachem1 since famous in ,indian warfare4 ,they had recently gone about with armed retainers1 overawing and breaking up patriotic assemblages1 and it was known they could at any time bring a force of warriors in the field4 ,tryon1 the governor of ,new ,york1 was at present absent in ,england1 having been called home by the ministry to give an account of the affairs of the province1 and to receive instructions for its management4 ,he was a tory in heart1 and had been a zealous opponent of all colonial movements1 and his talents and address gave him great influence over an important part of the community4 ,should he return with hostile instructions1 and should he and the ,johnsons co-operate1 the one controlling the bay and harbor of ,new ,york and the waters of the ,hudson by means of ships and land forces2 the others overrunning the valley of the ,mohawk and the regions beyond ,albany with savage hordes1 this great central province might be wrested from the confederacy1 and all intercourse broken off between the eastern and southern colonies4 ,all these circumstances and considerations1 many of which came under discussion in the course of this military journey1 rendered the command of ,new ,york a post of especial trust and importance1 and determined ,washington to confide it to ,general ,schuyler4 ,he was peculiarly fitted for it by his military talents1 his intimate knowledge of the province and its concerns1 especially what related to the upper parts of it1 and his experience in ,indian affairs4 ,at ,newark1 in the ,jerseys1 ,washington was met on the #beth by a committee of the provincial ,congress1 sent to conduct him to the city4 ,the ,congress was in a perplexity4 ,it had in a manner usurped and exercised the powers of ,governor ,tryon during his absence1 while at the same time it professed allegiance to the crown which had appointed him4 ,he was now in the harbor1 just arrived from ,england1 and hourly expected to land4 ,washington1 too1 was approaching4 ,how were these double claims to ceremonious respect happening at the same time to be managed8 ,in this dilemma a regiment of militia was turned out1 and the colonel instructed to pay military honors to whichever of the distinguished functionaries should first arrive4 ,washington was earlier than the governor by several hours1 and received those honors4 ,the landing of ,governor ,tryon took place about eight o'clock in the evening4 ,the military honors were repeated2 he was received with great respect by the mayor and common council1 and transports of loyalty by those devoted to the crown4 ,it was unknown what instructions he had received from the ministry1 but it was rumored that a large force would soon arrive from ,england1 subject to his directions4 ,at this very moment a ship of war1 the ,asia1 lay anchored opposite the city2 its grim batteries bearing upon it1 greatly to the disquiet of the faint-hearted among its inhabitants4 ,in this situation of affairs ,washington was happy to leave such an efficient person as ,general ,schuyler in command of the place4 ,in the meantime the provincial ,congress of ,massachusetts1 then in session at ,watertown1 had made arrangements for the expected arrival of ,washington4 ,it sent on a deputation which met ,washington at ,springfield1 on the frontiers of the province1 and provided escorts and accommodations for him along the road4 ,thus honorably attended from town to town1 and escorted by volunteer companies and cavalcades of gentlemen1 he arrived at ,watertown on the #b;d of ,july1 where he was greeted by ,congress with a congratulatory address1 in which1 however1 was frankly stated the undisciplined state of the army he was summoned to command4 ,an address of cordial welcome was likewise made to ,general ,lee4 ,the ceremony over1 ,washington was again in the saddle1 and escorted by a troop of light horse and a cavalcade of citizens1 proceeded to the head-quarters provided for him at ,cambridge1 three miles distant4 ,as he entered the confines of the camp1 the shouts of the multitude and the thundering of artillery gave note to the enemy beleaguered in ,boston of his arrival4 ,his military reputation had preceded him and excited great expectations4 ,they were not disappointed4 ,his personal appearance1 notwithstanding the dust of travel1 was calculated to captivate the public eye4 ,as he rode through the camp1 amidst a throng of officers1 he was the admiration of the soldiery and of a curious throng collected from the surrounding country4 ,happy was the countryman who could get a full view of him to carry home an account of it to his neighbors4 ,with ,washington1 modest at all times1 there was no false excitement on the present occasion2 nothing to call forth emotions of self-glorification4 ,the honors and congratulations with which he was received1 the acclamations of the public1 the cheerings of the army1 only told him how much was expected from him2 and when he looked round upon the raw and rustic levies he was to command1 a mixed multitude of people1 under very little discipline1 order1 or government1 scattered in rough encampments about hill and dale1 beleaguering a city garrisoned by veteran troops1 with ships of war anchored about its harbor1 and strong outposts guarding it1 he felt the awful responsibility of his situation1 and the complicated and stupendous task before him4 ,he spoke of it1 however1 not despondingly nor boastfully and with defiance2 but with that solemn and sedate resolution1 and that hopeful reliance on ,supreme ,goodness1 which belonged to his magnanimous nature4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,siege ,,of ,,boston4 ,on the #c;d of ,july1 the morning after his arrival at ,cambridge1 ,washington took formal command of the army4 ,accompanied by ,general ,lee1 on whose military judgment he had great reliance1 he visited the different ,american posts1 and rode to the heights commanding views over ,boston and its environs1 being anxious to make himself acquainted with the strength and relative position of both armies4 ,in visiting the different posts1 ,washington halted for a time at ,prospect ,hill1 which1 as its name denotes1 commanded a wide view over ,boston and the surrounding country4 ,here ,putnam had taken his position after the battle of ,bunker's ,hill1 fortifying himself with works which he deemed impregnable2 and here the veteran was enabled to point out to the commander-in-chief1 and to ,lee1 the main features of the belligerent region1 which lay spread out like a map before them4 ,bunker's ,hill was but a mile distant to the west2 the ,british standard floating as if in triumph on its summit4 ,the main force under ,general ,howe was intrenching itself strongly about half a mile beyond the place of the recent battle4 ,howe's sentries extended a hundred and fifty yards beyond the neck or isthmus1 over which the ,americans retreated after the battle4 ,a large force was intrenched south of the town on the neck leading to ,roxbury--the only entrance to ,boston by land4 ,the troops were irregularly distributed in a kind of semicircle1 eight or nine miles in extent2 the left resting on ,winter ,hill1 the most northern post1 the right extending on the south to ,roxbury and ,dorchester ,neck4 ,washington reconnoitred the ,british posts from various points of view4 ,everything about them was in admirable order4 ,the works appeared to be constructed with military science1 the troops to be in a high state of discipline4 ,the ,american camp1 on the contrary1 disappointed him4 ,he had expected to find eighteen or twenty thousand men under arms2 there were not much more than fourteen thousand4 ,he had expected to find some degree of system and discipline2 whereas all were raw militia4 ,he had expected to find works scientifically constructed1 and proofs of knowledge and skill in engineering2 whereas1 what he saw of the latter was very imperfect1 and confined to the mere manual exercise of cannon4 ,in riding throughout the camp1 ,washington observed that nine thousand of the troops belonged to ,massachusetts2 the rest were from other provinces4 ,they were encamped in separate bodies1 each with its own regulations1 and officers of its own appointment4 ,some had tents1 others were in barracks1 and others sheltered themselves as best they might4 ,many were sadly in want of clothing1 and all1 said ,washington1 were strongly imbued with the spirit of insubordination1 which they mistook for independence4 ,one of the encampments1 however1 was in striking contrast with the rest1 and might vie with those of the ,british for order and exactness4 ,here were tents and marquees pitched in the ,english style2 soldiers well drilled and well equipped2 everything had an air of discipline and subordination4 ,it was a body of ,rhode ,island troops1 which had been raised1 drilled1 and brought to the camp by ,brigadier-general ,greene1#a of that province4 ,footnote #a3 ,nathaniel ,greene was born in ,rhode ,island in ,may1 #agdb2 was the son of ,quaker parents2 in his boyhood aided his father on a farm and in a mill1 but having a thirst for knowledge applied himself sedulously to various studies4 ,public affairs had aroused his martial spirit and he had applied himself to military studies4 ,in the month of ,may he had been elected commander of the ,rhode ,island contingent4 ,having taken his survey of the army1 ,washington wrote to the ,president of ,congress1 representing its various deficiencies1 and1 among other things1 urging the appointment of a commissary-general1 a quartermaster-general1 a commissary of musters1 and a commissary of artillery4 ,above all things1 he requested a supply of money as soon as possible4 ,i find myself already much embarrassed for want of a military chest4 ,in one of his recommendations we have an instance of frontier expediency1 learnt in his early campaigns4 ,speaking of the ragged condition of the army1 and the difficulty of procuring the requisite kind of clothing1 he advises that a number of hunting-shirts1 not less than ten thousand1 should be provided2 as being the cheapest and quickest mode of supplying this necessity4 ,the justice and impartiality of ,washington were called into exercise as soon as he entered upon his command in allaying discontents among his general officers1 caused by the recent appointments and promotions made by the ,continental ,congress4 ,general ,spencer was so offended that ,putnam should be promoted over his head that he left the army without visiting the commander-in-chief2 but was subsequently induced to return4 ,general ,thomas felt aggrieved by being outranked by the veteran ,pomeroy2 the latter however declining to serve1 he found himself senior brigadier1 and was appeased4 ,the ,congress of ,massachusetts manifested considerate liberality with respect to head-quarters4 ,according to their minutes1 a committee was charged to procure a steward1 a housekeeper1 and two or three women cooks4 ,the wishes of ,washington were to be consulted in regard to the supply of his table4 ,this his station1 as commander-in-chief1 required should be kept up in ample and hospitable style4 ,every day a number of his officers dined with him4 ,as he was in the neighborhood of the seat of the ,provincial ,government1 he would occasionally have members of ,congress and other functionaries at his board4 ,though social1 however1 he was not convivial in his habits4 ,he received his guests with courtesy2 but his mind and time were too much occupied by grave and anxious concerns to permit him the genial indulgence of the table4 ,he would retire early from the board1 leaving an aide-de-camp or one of his officers to take his place4 ,colonel ,mifflin was the first person who officiated as aide-de-camp4 ,he was a ,philadelphia gentleman of high respectability1 who had accompanied him from that city1 and received his appointment shortly after their arrival at ,cambridge4 ,the second aide-de-camp was ,john ,trumbull1#b son of the governor of ,connecticut4 ,trumbull was young1 and unaccustomed to society1 and soon found himself1 he says1 unequal to the elegant duties of his situation2 he gladly exchanged it1 therefore1 for that of major of brigade4 ,footnote #b3 ,in after years distinguished as a historical painter4 ,the member of ,washington's family most deserving of mention at present1 was his secretary1 ,mr4 ,joseph ,reed4 ,with this gentleman he had formed an intimacy in the course of his visits to ,philadelphia1 to attend the sessions of the ,continental ,congress4 ,mr4 ,reed was an accomplished man1 had studied law in ,america1 and at the ,temple in ,london1 and had gained a high reputation at the ,philadelphia bar4 ,he had since been highly instrumental in rousing the ,philadelphians to co-operate with the patriots of ,boston4 ,a sympathy of views and feelings had attached him to ,washington1 and induced him to accompany him to the camp4 ,the arrival of ,gates in camp was heartily welcomed by the commander-in-chief1 who had received a letter from that officer1 gratefully acknowledging his friendly influence in procuring him the appointment of adjutant-general4 ,washington may have promised himself much cordial co-operation from him1 recollecting the warm friendship professed by him when he visited at ,mount ,vernon1 and they talked together over their early companionship in arms2 but of that kind of friendship there was no further manifestation4 ,gates was certainly of great service1 from his practical knowledge and military experience at this juncture1 when the whole army had in a manner to be organized2 but from the familiar intimacy of ,washington he gradually estranged himself4 ,a contemporary has accounted for this by alleging that he was secretly chagrined at not having received the appointment of major-general1 to which he considered himself well fitted by his military knowledge and experience and which he thought ,washington might have obtained for him had he used his influence with ,congress4 ,the hazardous position of the army from the great extent and weakness of its lines1 was what most pressed on the immediate attention of ,washington2 and he summoned a council of war1 to take the matter into consideration4 ,in this it was urged that1 to abandon the line of works1 after the great labor and expense of their construction1 would be dispiriting to the troops and encouraging to the enemy1 while it would expose a wide extent of the surrounding country to maraud and ravage4 ,beside1 no safer position presented itself1 on which to fall back4 ,this being generally admitted1 it was determined to hold on to the works1 and defend them as long as possible2 and1 in the meantime1 to augment the army to at least twenty thousand men4 ,washington now hastened to improve the defences of the camp1 strengthen the weak parts of the line1 and throw up additional works around the main forts4 ,the army was distributed into three grand divisions4 ,one1 forming the right wing1 was stationed on the heights of ,roxbury4 ,it was commanded by ,major-general ,ward1 who had under him ,brigadier-generals ,spencer and ,thomas4 ,another1 forming the left wing1 under ,major-general ,lee1 having with him ,brigadier-generals ,sullivan and ,greene1 was stationed on ,winter and ,prospect ,hills2 while the centre1 under ,major-general ,putnam and ,brigadier-general ,heath1 was stationed at ,cambridge4 ,at ,washington's recommendation1 ,joseph ,trumbull1 the eldest son of the governor1 received on the #bdth of ,july the appointment of commissary-general of the continental army4 ,he had already officiated with talent in that capacity in the ,connecticut militia4 ,nothing excited more gaze and wonder among the rustic visitors to the camp than the arrival of several rifle companies1 fourteen hundred men in all1 from ,pennsylvania1 ,maryland1 and ,virginia2 such stalwart fellows as ,washington had known in his early campaigns4 ,stark hunters and bush fighters2 many of them upwards of six feet high1 and of vigorous frame2 dressed in fringed frocks1 or rifle shirts1 and round hats4 ,their displays of sharp shooting were soon among the marvels of the camp4 ,one of these companies was commanded by ,captain ,daniel ,morgan1 a native of ,new ,jersey1 whose first experience in war had been to accompany ,braddock's army as a wagoner4 ,he had since carried arms on the frontier and obtained a command4 ,he and his riflemen in coming to the camp had marched six hundred miles in three weeks4 ,while all his forces were required for the investment of ,boston1 ,washington was importuned by the ,legislature of ,massachusetts and the ,governor of ,connecticut1 to detach troops for the protection of different points of the sea-coast1 where depredations by armed vessels were apprehended4 ,the case of ,new ,london was specified by ,governor ,trumbull1 where ,captain ,wallace of the ,rose frigate1 with two other ships of war1 had entered the harbor1 landed men1 spiked the cannon1 and gone off threatening future visits4 ,washington referred to his instructions1 and consulted with his general officers and such members of the ,continental ,congress as happened to be in camp1 before he replied to these requests2 he then respectfully declined compliance4 ,in his reply he stated frankly and explicitly the policy and system on which the war was to be conducted4 ,it has been debated in ,congress and settled1 writes he1 that the militia1 or other internal strength of each province1 is to be applied for defence against those small and particular depredations1 which were to be expected1 and to which they were supposed to be competent4 ,this will appear the more proper1 when it is considered that every town1 and indeed every part of our sea-coast1 which is exposed to these depredations1 would have an equal claim upon this army4 ,the great advantage the enemy have of transporting troops1 by being masters of the sea1 will enable them to harass us by diversions of this kind2 and should we be tempted to pursue them1 upon every alarm1 the army must either be so weakened as to expose it to destruction1 or a great part of the coast be still left unprotected4444 ,i wish ,i could extend protection to all1 but the numerous detachments necessary to remedy the evil would amount to a dissolution of the army1 or make the most important operations of the campaign depend upon the piratical expeditions of two or three men-of-war and transports4 ,his refusal to grant the required detachments gave much dissatisfaction in some quarters1 until sanctioned and enforced by the ,continental ,congress4 ,all at length saw and acquiesced in the justice and wisdom of his decision4 ,it was in fact a vital question1 involving the whole character and fortune of the war2 and it was acknowledged that he met it with a forecast and determination befitting a commander-in-chief4 ,the great object of ,washington at present was to force the enemy to come out of ,boston and try a decisive action4 ,his lines had for some time cut off all communication of the town with the country1 and he had caused the live stock within a considerable distance of the place to be driven back from the coast1 out of reach of the men-of-war's boats4 ,at this critical juncture1 when endeavoring to provoke a general action1 a startling fact came to light2 the whole amount of powder in the camp would not furnish more than nine cartridges to a man6 ,a gross error had been made by the committee of supplies when ,washington1 on taking command1 had required a return of the ammunition4 ,they had returned the whole amount of powder collected by the province1 upwards of three hundred barrels2 without stating what had been expended4 ,the blunder was detected on an order being issued for a new supply of cartridges4 ,it was found that there were but thirty-two barrels of powder in store4 ,this was an astounding discovery4 ,washington instantly despatched letters and expresses to ,rhode ,island1 the ,jerseys1 ,ticonderoga and elsewhere1 urging immediate supplies of powder and lead2 no quantity1 however small1 to be considered beneath notice4 ,a correspondence of an important character now took place between ,washington and ,general ,gage4 ,it was one intended to put the hostile services on a proper footing4 ,a strong disposition had been manifested among the ,british officers to regard those engaged in the patriot cause as malefactors1 outlawed from the courtesies of chivalric warfare4 ,washington was determined to have a full understanding on this point4 ,he was peculiarly sensitive with regard to ,gage4 ,they had been companions in arms in their early days2 but ,gage might now affect to look down upon him as the chief of a rebel army4 ,washington took an early opportunity to let him know that he claimed to be the commander of a legitimate force1 engaged in a legitimate cause1 and that both himself and his army were to be treated on a footing of perfect equality4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,projects ,,for ,,the ,,invasion ,,of ,,canada4 ,we must interrupt our narrative of the siege of ,boston to give an account of events in other quarters1 requiring the superintending care of ,washington as commander-in-chief4 ,letters from ,general ,schuyler1 received in the course of ,july1 had awakened apprehensions of danger from the interior4 ,the ,johnsons were said to be stirring up the ,indians in the western parts of ,new ,york to hostility1 and preparing to join the ,british forces in ,canada4 ,great rivalry1 since the exploits of ,ethan ,allen and ,benedict ,arnold1 at ,ticonderoga and on ,lake ,champlain1 had arisen between these doughty leaders4 ,allen claimed command at ,ticonderoga1 on the authority of the committee from the ,connecticut ,assembly1 which had originated the enterprise4 ,arnold claimed it on the strength of his instructions from the ,massachusetts committee of safety4 ,the public bodies themselves seemed perplexed what to do with the prize1 so bravely seized upon by these bold men4 ,the ,continental ,congress at length legitimated the exploit1 and as it were accepted the captured fortress4 ,the custody of it was committed to ,new ,york1 with the power to call on the ,new ,england colonies for aid4 ,the call was made1 and one thousand troops under ,colonel ,hinman were sent forward by the governor of ,connecticut4 ,it had been the idea of the ,continental ,congress to have those posts dismantled1 and the cannon and stores removed to the south end of ,lake ,george1 where a strong post was to be established4 ,but both ,allen and ,arnold exclaimed against such a measure2 vaunting1 and with reason1 the importance of those forts4 ,both were ambitious of further laurels4 ,both were anxious to lead an expedition into ,canada2 and ,ticonderoga and ,crown ,point would open the way to it4 ,the ,key is ours1 writes ,allen to the ,new ,york ,congress4 ,if the colonies would suddenly push an army of two or three thousand men into ,canada1 they might make an easy conquest of all that would oppose them in the extensive province of ,quebec1 except a reinforcement from ,england should prevent it4 ,such a diversion would weaken ,gage and insure us ,canada4 ,a letter to the same purport was written by ,allen to ,trumbull1 the governor of ,connecticut4 ,arnold urged the same project upon the attention of the ,continental ,congress4 ,his letter was dated from ,crown ,point1 where he had a little squadron1 composed of the sloop captured at ,st4 ,johns1 a schooner1 and a flotilla of bateaux4 ,all these he had equipped1 armed1 maimed1 and officered2 and his crews were devoted to him4 ,within a few days after the date of this letter1 ,colonel ,hinman with the ,connecticut troops arrived4 ,the greater part of the ,green ,mountain ,boys now returned home1 their term of enlistment having expired4 ,ethan ,allen and his brother in arms1 ,seth ,warner1 repaired to ,congress to get pay for their men1 and authority to raise a new regiment4 ,they were received with distinguished honor by that body4 ,as to ,arnold1 difficulties instantly took place between him and ,colonel ,hinman4 ,arnold refused to give up to him the command of either post1 claiming on the strength of his instructions from the committee of safety of ,massachusetts1 a right to the command of all the posts and fortresses at the south end of ,lake ,champlain and ,lake ,george4 ,at this juncture arrived a committee of three members of the ,congress of ,massachusetts1 sent by that body to inquire into the manner in which he had executed his instructions2 complaints having been made of his arrogant and undue assumption of command4 ,arnold1 thunderstruck at being subjected to inquiry1 when he had expected an ovation1 disbanded his men and threw up his commission4 ,quite a scene ensued4 ,his men became turbulent2 some refused to serve under any other leader2 others clamored for their pay1 which was in arrears4 ,the storm was allayed by the interference of several of the officers1 and the assurances of the committee that every man should be paid4 ,the project of an invasion of ,canada had at first met with no favor with the ,continental ,congress4 ,intelligence subsequently received induced it to change its plans4 ,sir ,guy ,carleton was said to be strengthening the fortifications and garrison at ,st4 ,johns1 and preparing to launch vessels on the lake wherewith to regain command of it1 and retake the captured posts4 ,powerful reinforcements were coming from ,england and elsewhere4 ,guy ,johnson was holding councils with the fierce ,cayugas and ,senecas1 and stirring up the ,six ,nations to hostility4 ,on the other hand1 ,canada was full of religious and political dissensions4 ,the late exploits of the ,americans on ,lake ,champlain1 had produced a favorable effect on the ,canadians1 who would flock to the patriot standard if unfurled among them by an imposing force4 ,now was the time to strike a blow to paralyze all hostility from this quarter2 now1 while ,carleton's regular force was weak1 and before the arrival of additional troops4 ,influenced by these considerations1 ,congress now determined to extend the revolution into ,canada1 but it was an enterprise too important to be entrusted to any but discreet hands4 ,general ,schuyler1 then in ,new ,york1 was accordingly ordered1 on the #bgth of ,june1 to proceed to ,ticonderoga1 and should he find it practicable1 and not disagreeable to the ,canadians1 immediately to take possession of ,st4 ,johns and ,montreal1 and pursue such other measures in ,canada as might have a tendency to promote the peace and security of these provinces4 ,schuyler arrived at ,ticonderoga on the #ahth of ,july4 ,colonel ,hinman1 it will be recollected1 was in temporary command at ,ticonderoga4 ,the garrison was about twelve hundred strong2 the greater part ,connecticut men1 brought by himself2 some were ,new ,york troops1 and some few ,green ,mountain ,boys4 ,schuyler1 on taking command1 despatched a confidential agent into ,canada1 ,major ,john ,brown1 an ,american1 who resided on the ,sorel ,river1 and was popular among the ,canadians4 ,he was to collect information as to the ,british forces and fortifications1 and to ascertain how an invasion and an attack on ,st4 ,johns would be considered by the people of the province2 in the meantime1 ,schuyler set diligently to work to build boats and prepare for the enterprise1 should it ultimately be ordered by ,congress4 ,schuyler was excessively annoyed by the confusion and negligence prevalent around him1 and the difficulties and delays thereby occasioned4 ,he chafed in spirit at the disregard of discipline among his yeoman soldiery1 and their opposition to all system and regularity4 ,this was especially the case with the troops from ,connecticut1 officered generally by their own neighbors and familiar companions1 and unwilling to acknowledge the authority of a commander from a different province4 ,he had calculated on being joined by this time by the regiment of ,green ,mountain ,boys which ,ethan ,allen and ,seth ,warner had undertaken to raise in the ,new ,hampshire ,grants4 ,unfortunately a quarrel had arisen between those brothers in arms1 which filled the ,green ,mountains with discord and party feuds4 ,the election of officers took place on the #bgth of ,july4 ,it was made by committees from the different townships4 ,ethan ,allen was entirely passed by1 and ,seth ,warner nominated as ,lieutenant-colonel of the regiment4 ,allen was thunderstruck at finding himself thus suddenly dismounted4 ,his patriotism and love of adventure1 however1 were not quelled3 and he forthwith repaired to the army at ,ticonderoga to offer himself as a volunteer4 ,schuyler was on the alert with respect to the expedition against ,canada4 ,from his agent1 ,major ,brown1 and from other sources1 he had learnt that there were about seven hundred king's troops in that province2 three hundred of them at ,st4 ,johns1 about fifty at ,quebec1 the remainder at ,montreal1 ,chamblee1 and the upper posts4 ,colonel ,guy ,johnson was at ,montreal with three hundred men1 mostly his tenants1 and with a number of ,indians4 ,two batteries had been finished at ,st4 ,johns1 mounting nine guns each3 other works were intrenched and picketed4 ,two large row galleys were on the stocks1 and would soon be finished4 ,now was the time1 according to his informants1 to carry ,canada4 ,it might be done with great ease and little cost4 ,the ,canadians were disaffected to ,british rule1 and would join the ,americans1 and so would many of the ,indians4 ,i am prepared1 writes he to ,washington1 to move against the enemy1 unless your ,excellency and ,congress should direct otherwise4 ,while awaiting orders on this head1 he repaired to ,albany1 to hold a conference and negotiate a treaty with the ,caughnawagas1 and the warriors of the ,six ,nations1 whom1 as one of the commissioners of ,indian affairs1 he had invited to meet him at that place4 ,general ,richard ,montgomery was to remain in command at ,ticonderoga1 during his absence1 and to urge forward the military preparations4 ,the subsequent fortunes of this gallant officer are inseparably connected with the ,canadian campaign1 and have endeared his name to ,americans4#a ,footnote #a3 ,richard ,montgomery was born in the north of ,ireland in #agcf4 ,he entered the army at eighteen years of age2 served in the ,french war with gallantry2 afterward returned to ,england4 ,about three years before the ,revolution he sold his commission and emigrated to ,new ,york1 where he married a daughter of ,judge ,robert ,r4 ,livingston4 ,while these things were occurring at ,ticonderoga1 several ,indian chiefs made their appearance in the camp at ,cambridge4 ,they came in savage state and costume1 as ambassadors from their respective tribes1 to have a talk about the impending invasion of ,canada4 ,one was chief of the ,caughnawaga tribe1 whose residence was on the banks of the ,st4 ,lawrence1 six miles above ,montreal4 ,others were from ,st4 ,francis1 about forty-five leagues above ,quebec1 and were of a warlike tribe1 from which hostilities had been especially apprehended4 ,washington1 accustomed to deal with the red warriors of the wilderness1 received them with great ceremonial4 ,they dined at head-quarters among his officers1 and it is observed that to some of the latter they might have served as models2 such was their grave dignity and decorum4 ,a council fire was held4 ,the sachems all offered1 on behalf of their tribes1 to take up the hatchet for the ,americans1 should the latter invade ,canada4 ,the offer was embarrassing4 ,congress had publicly resolved to seek nothing but neutrality from the ,indian nations1 unless the ministerial agents should make an offensive alliance with them4 ,the chief of the ,st4 ,francis tribe declared that ,governor ,carleton had endeavored to persuade him to take up the hatchet against the ,americans1 but in vain4 ,washington wished to be certain of the conduct of the enemy1 before he gave a reply to these ,indian overtures4 ,he wrote by express1 therefore1 to ,general ,schuyler1 requesting him to ascertain the intentions of the ,british governor with respect to the native tribes4 ,by the same express1 he communicated a plan which had occupied his thoughts for several days4 ,as the contemplated movement of ,schuyler would probably cause all the ,british force in ,canada to be concentrated in the neighborhood of ,montreal and ,st4 ,johns1 he proposed to send off an expedition of ten or twelve hundred men1 to penetrate to ,quebec by the way of the ,kennebec ,river4 ,the express found ,schuyler in ,albany1 where he had been attending the conference with the ,six ,nations4 ,he had just received intelligence which convinced him of the propriety of an expedition into ,canada2 had sent word to ,general ,montgomery to get everything ready for it1 and was on the point of departing for ,ticonderoga to carry it into effect4 ,in reply to ,washington1 he declared his conviction1 from various accounts which he had received1 that ,carleton and his agents were exciting the ,indian tribes to hostility4 ,i should1 therefore1 not hesitate one moment1 adds he1 to employ any savages that might be willing to join us4 ,he expressed himself delighted with ,washington's project of sending off an expedition to ,quebec1 regretting only that it had not been thought of earlier4 ,having sent off these despatches1 ,schuyler hastened back to ,ticonderoga4 ,before he reached there1 ,montgomery had received intelligence that ,carleton had completed his armed vessels at ,st4 ,johns1 and was about to send them into ,lake ,champlain by the ,sorel ,river4 ,no time1 therefore1 was to be lost in getting possession of the ,isle aux ,noix1 which commanded the entrance to that river4 ,montgomery hastened1 therefore1 to embark with about a thousand men1 which were as many as the boats now ready could hold1 taking with him two pieces of artillery2 with this force he set off down the lake4 ,a letter to ,general ,schuyler explained the cause of his sudden departure1 and entreated him to follow on in a whale-boat1 leaving the residue of the artillery to come on as soon as conveyances could be procured4 ,schuyler arrived at ,ticonderoga on the night of the #cjth of ,august1 but too ill of a bilious fever to push on in a whale-boat4 ,he caused1 however1 a bed to be prepared for him in a covered bateau1 and1 ill as he was1 continued forward on the following day4 ,on the #dth of ,september he overtook ,montgomery at the ,isle la ,motte1 where he had been detained by contrary weather1 and assuming command of the little army1 kept on the same day to the ,isle aux ,noix1 about twelve miles south of ,st4 ,johns4 ,the siege of ,boston had been kept up for several weeks without any remarkable occurrence4 ,the ,british remained within their lines1 diligently strengthening them2 the besiegers having received further supplies of ammunition1 were growing impatient of a state of inactivity4 ,towards the latter part of ,august there were rumors from ,boston that the enemy were preparing for a sortie4 ,washington was resolved to provoke it by a kind of challenge4 ,he accordingly detached fourteen hundred men to seize at night upon a height within musket shot of the enemy's line on ,charlestown ,neck1 presuming that the latter would sally forth on the following day to dispute possession of it1 and thus be drawn into a general battle4 ,the task was executed with silence and celerity1 and by daybreak the hill presented to the astonished foe the aspect of a fortified post4 ,the challenge was not accepted4 ,the ,british opened a heavy cannonade from ,bunker's ,hill1 but kept within their works4 ,the ,americans1 scant of ammunition1 could only reply with a single nine-pounder2 this however sank one of the floating batteries which guarded the neck4 ,the evident unwillingness of the ,british to come forth was perplexing4 ,perhaps they persuaded themselves that the ,american army1 composed of crude1 half-disciplined levies from different and distant quarters1 would gradually fall asunder and disperse1 or that its means of subsistence would be exhausted4 ,in the meantime as it was evident the enemy did not intend to come out1 but were only strengthening their defences and preparing for winter1 ,washington was enabled to turn his attention to the expedition to be sent into ,canada by the way of the ,kennebec ,river4 ,a detachment of about eleven hundred men1 chosen for the purpose1 was soon encamped on ,cambridge ,common4 ,the proposed expedition was wild and perilous1 and required a hardy1 skilful and intrepid leader4 ,such a one was at hand4 ,benedict ,arnold was at ,cambridge1 occupied in settling his accounts with the ,massachusetts committee of safety4 ,whatever faults may have been found with his conduct in some particulars1 his exploits on ,lake ,champlain had atoned for them1 for valor in time of war covers a multitude of sins4 ,washington had given him an honorable reception at head-quarters1 and now considered him the very man for the present enterprise4 ,as he would be intrusted with dangerous powers1 ,washington1 beside a general letter of instructions1 addressed a special one to him individually1 full of cautious and considerate advice4 ,he was furnished with handbills for distribution in ,canada1 setting forth the friendly objects of the present expedition1 as well as of that under ,general ,schuyler2 and calling on the ,canadians to furnish necessaries and accommodations of every kind2 for which they were assured ample compensation4 ,on the #acth of ,september1 ,arnold struck his tents and set out in high spirits4 ,washington enjoined upon him to push forward1 as rapidly as possible1 success depending upon celerity2 and counted the days as they elapsed after his departure1 impatient to receive tidings of his progress up the ,kennebec1 and expecting that the expedition would reach ,quebec about the middle of ,october4 ,in the interim came letters from ,general ,schuyler1 giving particulars of the main expedition4 ,in a preceding chapter we left the general and his little army at the ,isle aux ,noix1 near the ,sorel ,river1 the outlet of the lake4 ,thence1 on the #eth of ,september1 he sent ,colonel ,ethan ,allen and ,major ,brown to reconnoitre the country between that river and the ,st4 ,lawrence1 to distribute friendly addresses among the people and ascertain their feelings4 ,this done1 and having landed his baggage and provisions1 the general proceeded along the ,sorel ,river the next day with his boats1 until within two miles of ,st4 ,johns1 when a cannonade was opened from the fort4 ,in the night the camp was visited secretly by a person who informed ,general ,schuyler of the state of the fort4 ,the works were completed1 and furnished with cannon4 ,a vessel pierced for sixteen guns was launched1 and would be ready to sail in three or four days4 ,it was not probable that any ,canadians would join the army1 being disposed to remain neutral4 ,this intelligence being discussed in a council of war in the morning1 it was determined that they had neither men nor artillery sufficient to undertake a siege4 ,they returned1 therefore1 to the ,isle aux ,noix1 cast up fortifications1 and threw a boom across the channel of the river to prevent the passage of the enemy's vessels into the lake1 and awaited the arrival of artillery and reinforcements from ,ticonderoga4 ,in the course of a few days the expected reinforcements arrived1 and with them a small train of artillery4 ,ethan ,allen also returned from his reconnoitring expedition1 of which he made a most encouraging report4 ,preparations were now made for the investment of ,st4 ,johns1 by land and water4 ,major ,brown1 who had already acted as a scout1 was sent with one hundred ,americans and about thirty ,canadians towards ,chamblee1 to make friends in that quarter1 and to join the army as soon as it should arrive at ,st4 ,johns4 ,to quiet the restless activity of ,ethan ,allen1 who had no command in the army1 he was sent with an escort of thirty men to retrace his steps1 penetrate to ,la ,prairie1 and beat up for recruits among the people whom he had recently visited4 ,for some time past1 ,general ,schuyler had been struggling with a complication of maladies1 but exerting himself to the utmost in the harassing business of the camp4 ,when everything was nearly ready1 he was attacked in the night by a severe access of his disorder1 which confined him to his bed1 and compelled him to surrender the conduct of the expedition to ,general ,montgomery4 ,since he could be of no further use1 therefore1 in this quarter1 he caused his bed1 as before1 to be placed on board a covered bateau1 and set off for ,ticonderoga1 to hasten forward reinforcements and supplies4 ,on the #afth of ,september1 the day after ,schuyler's departure1 ,montgomery proceeded to carry out the plans which had been concerted between them4 ,landing on the #agth at the place where they had formerly encamped1 within a mile and a half of the fort1 he detached a force of five hundred men to take a position at the junction of two roads leading to ,montreal and ,chamblee1 so as to intercept relief from those points4 ,he now proceeded to invest ,st4 ,johns1 which had a garrison of five or six hundred regulars and two hundred ,canadian militia4 ,its commander1 ,major ,preston1 made a brave resistance4 ,montgomery had not proper battering cannon2 his mortars were defective2 his artillerists unpractised1 and the engineer ignorant4 ,the siege went on slowly1 until the arrival of an artillery company under ,captain ,lamb4 ,lamb1 who was an able officer1 immediately bedded a thirteen-inch mortar1 and commenced a fire of shot and shells upon the fort4 ,the distance1 however1 was too great1 and the positions of the batteries were ill chosen4 ,a flourishing letter was received by the general from ,colonel ,ethan ,allen1 giving hope of further reinforcement4 ,i am now1 writes he1 at the ,parish of ,st4 ,ours1 four leagues from ,sorel to the south4 ,i have two hundred and fifty ,canadians under arms4 ,as ,i march1 they gather fast4 ,you may rely on it that ,i shall join you in about three days1 with five hundred or more ,canadian volunteers4 ,but when on his way towards ,st4 ,johns1 when between ,longueil and ,la ,prairie1 ,allen met ,colonel ,brown with his party of ,americans and ,canadians4 ,a conversation took place between them4 ,brown assured him that the garrison at ,montreal did not exceed thirty men1 and might easily be surprised4 ,allen's partisan spirit was instantly excited4 ,here was a chance for another bold stroke equal to that at ,ticonderoga4 ,a plan was forthwith agreed upon4 ,allen was to return to ,longueil1 which is nearly opposite ,montreal1 and cross the ,st4 ,lawrence in canoes in the night1 so as to land a little below the town4 ,brown1 with two hundred men1 was to cross above1 and ,montreal was to be attacked simultaneously at opposite points4 ,all this was arranged and put in action without the consent or knowledge of ,general ,montgomery4 ,allen was again the partisan leader1 acting from individual impulse4 ,the whole force with which he undertook his part of this inconsiderate enterprise was thirty ,americans and eighty ,canadians4 ,with these he crossed the river on the night of the #bdth of ,september4 ,guards were stationed on the roads to prevent any one passing and giving the alarm in ,montreal4 ,day dawned1 but there was no signal of ,major ,brown having performed his part of the scheme4 ,the day advanced1 but still no signal2 it was evident ,major ,brown had not crossed4 ,allen would gladly have recrossed the river1 but it was too late4 ,an alarm had been given to the town1 and he soon found himself encountered by about forty regular soldiers and a hasty levy of ,canadians and ,indians4 ,a smart action ensued2 most of ,allen's ,canadian recruits gave way and fled1 a number of ,americans were slain1 and he at length surrendered4 ,this reckless dash at ,montreal was viewed with concern by the ,american commander4 ,i am apprehensive of disagreeable consequences arising from ,mr4 ,allen's imprudence1 writes ,general ,schuyler4 ,the conduct of ,allen was also severely censured by ,washington4 ,his misfortune1 said he1 will1 ,i hope1 teach a lesson of prudence and subordination to others4 ,washington1 who was full of solicitude about the fate of ,arnold1 received a despatch from him1 dated ,october #acth1 from the great portage or carrying-place between the ,kennebec and ,dead ,rivers4 ,the toils of the expedition up the ,kennebec ,river had been excessive4 ,part of the men of each division managed the boats--part marched along the banks4 ,those on board had to labor against swift currents2 to unload at rapids2 transport the cargoes1 and sometimes the boats themselves1 for some distance on their shoulders1 and then to reload4 ,those on land had to scramble over rocks and precipices1 to struggle through swamps and fenny streams2 or cut their way through tangled thickets1 which reduced their clothes to rags4 ,with all their efforts1 their progress was but from four to ten miles a day4 ,by the time they arrived at the place whence the letter was written1 fatigue1 swamp fevers and desertion had reduced their numbers to about nine hundred and fifty effective men4 ,arnold1 however1 wrote in good heart4 ,the last division1 said he1 is just arrived2 three divisions are over the first carrying-place1 and as the men are in high spirits1 ,i make no doubt of reaching the river ,chaudiere in eight or ten days1 the greatest difficulty being1 ,i hope1 already past4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,war ,,along ,,the ,,coast4--,,progress ,,of ,,the ,,siege4 ,while the two expeditions were threatening ,canada from different quarters1 the war was going on along the seaboard4 ,the ,british in ,boston1 cut off from supplies by land1 fitted out small armed vessels to seek them along the coast of ,new ,england4 ,the inhabitants drove their cattle into the interior1 or boldly resisted the aggressors4 ,parties landing to forage were often repulsed by hasty levies of the yeomanry4 ,scenes of ravage and violence occurred4 ,stonington was cannonaded1 and further measures of vengeance were threatened by ,captain ,wallace of the ,rose man-of-war1 a naval officer1 who had acquired an almost piratical reputation along the coast1 and had his rendezvous in the harbor of ,newport3 domineering over the waters of ,rhode ,island4 ,to check these maraudings1 and to capture the enemy's transports laden with supplies1 the provinces of ,massachusetts1 ,rhode ,island and ,connecticut fitted out two armed vessels each1 at their own expense1 without seeking the sanction or aid of ,congress4 ,washington1 also1 on his own responsibility ordered several to be equipped for like purpose4 ,among the sturdy little ,new ,england seaports1 which had become obnoxious to punishment by resistance to nautical exactions1 was ,falmouth 7now ,portland71 in ,maine4 ,on the evening of the #aath of ,october1 ,lieutenant ,mowat1 of the royal navy1 appeared before it with several armed vessels1 and sent a letter on shore1 apprising the inhabitants that he was come to execute a just punishment on them for their premeditated attacks on the legal prerogatives of the best of sovereigns4 ,two hours were given them1 to remove the human species out of the town4 ,with much difficulty1 and on the surrendering of some arms1 a respite was obtained until nine o'clock the next morning1 and the inhabitants employed the interval in removing their families and effects4 ,about half-past nine o'clock the signal gun was fired1 and within five minutes several houses were in flames4 ,the inhabitants1 standing on the heights1 were spectators of the conflagration4 ,all the vessels in the harbor were destroyed or carried away as prizes1 and the town left a smoking ruin4 ,the conflagration of ,falmouth was as a bale of fire throughout the country4 ,lieutenant ,mowat had declared to the people of ,falmouth that he had orders from ,admiral ,graves to set fire to all the seaport towns between ,boston and ,halifax4 ,washington supposed such to be the case4 ,general ,sullivan was sent to ,portsmouth1 where there was a fortification of some strength1 to give the inhabitants his advice and assistance in warding off the menaced blow4 ,newport1 also1 was put on the alert1 and recommended to fortify itself4 ,under the feeling roused by these reports1 the ,general ,court of ,massachusetts1 exercising a sovereign power1 passed an act for encouraging the fitting out of armed vessels to defend the sea-coast of ,america1 and for erecting a court to try and condemn all vessels that should be found infesting the same4 ,this act1 granting letters of marque and reprisal1 anticipated any measure of the kind on the part of the ,general ,government4 ,the ,british ministry have1 in later days1 been exculpated from the charge of issuing such a desolating order as that said to have been reported by ,lieutenant ,mowat4 ,the orders under which that officer acted1 we are told1 emanated from ,general ,gage and ,admiral ,graves4 ,whatever part ,general ,gage may have had in this most ill-advised and discreditable measure1 it was the last of his military government1 and he did not remain long enough in the country to see it carried into effect4 ,he sailed for ,england on the #ajth of ,october1 not absolutely superseded1 but called home1 in order1 as it was considerately said1 to give his majesty exact information of everything1 and suggest such matters as his knowledge and experience of the service might enable him to furnish4 ,during his absence1 ,major-general ,howe would act as commander-in-chief4 ,he never returned to ,america4 ,on the #aeth of ,october a committee from ,congress arrived in camp1 sent to hold a conference with ,washington1 and with delegates from the governments of ,connecticut1 ,rhode ,island1 ,massachusetts and ,new ,hampshire1 on the subject of a new organization of the army4 ,the committee consisted of ,benjamin ,franklin1 ,thomas ,lynch of ,carolina1 and ,colonel ,harrison of ,virginia4 ,washington was president of the board of conference1 and ,mr4 ,joseph ,reed secretary4 ,the committee brought an intimation from ,congress that an attack upon ,boston was much desired1 if practicable4 ,washington called a council of war of his generals on the subject2 they were unanimously of the opinion that an attack would not be prudent at present4 ,the board of conference was repeatedly in session for three or four days4 ,the report of its deliberations rendered by the committee1 produced a resolution of ,congress that a new army of twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-two men and officers should be formed1 to be recruited as much as possible from the troops actually in service4 ,unfortunately the term for which they were to be enlisted was to be but for one year4 ,it formed a precedent which became a recurring cause of embarrassment throughout the war4 ,washington's secretary1 ,mr4 ,reed1 had1 after the close of the conference1 signified to him his intention to return to ,philadelphia1 where his private concerns required his presence4 ,his departure was deeply regretted4 ,on the departure of ,mr4 ,reed1 his place as secretary was temporarily supplied by ,mr4 ,robert ,harrison of ,maryland1 and subsequently by ,colonel ,mifflin2 neither1 however1 attained to the affectionate confidence reposed in their predecessor4 ,the measures which ,general ,howe had adopted after taking command in ,boston1 rejoiced the royalists1 seeming to justify their anticipations4 ,he proceeded to strengthen the works on ,bunker's ,hill and ,boston ,neck1 and to clear away houses and throw up redoubts on eminences within the town4 ,the patriot inhabitants were shocked by the desecration of the ,old ,south ,church1 which was converted into a riding-school4 ,the ,north ,church was entirely demolished and used for fuel4 ,about the last of ,october1 ,howe issued three proclamations4 ,the first forbade all persons to leave ,boston without his permission under pain of military execution2 the second forbade any one1 so permitted1 to take with him more than five pounds sterling1 under pain of forfeiting all the money found upon his person and being subject to fine and imprisonment2 the third called upon the inhabitants to arm themselves for the preservation of order within the town2 they to be commanded by officers of his appointment4 ,washington had recently been incensed by the conflagration of ,falmouth2 the conduct of ,governor ,dunmore who had proclaimed martial law in ,virginia and threatened ruin to the patriots1 had added to his provocation2 the measures of ,general ,howe seemed of the same harsh character1 and he determined to retaliate4 ,would it not be prudent1 writes he to ,governor ,trumbull of ,connecticut1 to seize those tories who have been1 are1 and we know will be active against us8 ,why should persons who are preying upon the vitals of their country1 be suffered to stalk at large1 whilst we know they will do us every mischief in their power8 ,in this spirit he ordered ,general ,sullivan1 who was fortifying ,portsmouth1 to seize upon such persons as held commissions under the crown1 and were acting as open and avowed enemies to their country1 and hold them as hostages for the security of the town4 ,still he was moderate in his retaliation1 and stopped short of private individuals4 ,the season was fast approaching when the bay between the camp and ,boston would be frozen over1 and military operations might be conducted upon the ice4 ,general ,howe1 if reinforced1 would then very probably endeavor to relieve himself from the disgraceful confinement in which the ministerial troops had been all summer4 ,washington felt the necessity1 therefore1 of guarding the camps wherever they were most assailable3 and of throwing up batteries for the purpose4 ,he had been embarrassed throughout the siege by the want of artillery and ordnance stores2 but never more so than at the present moment4 ,in this juncture1 ,mr4 ,henry ,knox stepped forward1 and offered to proceed to the frontier forts on ,champlain in quest of a supply4 ,knox was one of the patriots who had fought on ,bunker's ,hill1 since when he had aided in planning the defences of the camp before ,boston4 ,the aptness and talent here displayed by him as an artillerist1 had recently induced ,washington to recommend him to ,congress for the command of a regiment of artillery4 ,congress had not yet acted on that recommendation2 in the meantime ,washington availed himself of the offered services of ,knox in the present instance4 ,he was instructed to take an account of the cannon1 mortars1 shells1 lead and ammunition that were wanting4 ,he was to hasten to ,new ,york1 procure and forward all that could be had there2 and thence proceed to the head-quarters of ,general ,schuyler1 who was requested by letter to aid him in obtaining what further supplies of the kind were wanting from the forts at ,ticonderoga1 ,crown ,point1 ,st4 ,johns1 and even ,quebec1 should it be in the hands of the ,americans4 ,knox set off on his errand with promptness and alacrity4 ,the re-enlistment of troops actually in service was now attempted1 and proved a fruitful source of perplexity4 ,in a letter to the ,president of ,congress1 ,washington observes that half of the officers of the rank of captain were inclined to retire2 and it was probable their example would influence their men4 ,of those who were disposed to remain1 the officers of one colony were unwilling to mix in the same regiment with those of another4 ,many sent in their names1 to serve in expectation of promotion2 others stood aloof1 to see what advantages they could make for themselves2 while those who had declined sent in their names again to serve4 ,the difficulties were greater1 if possible1 with the soldiers than with the officers4 ,they would not enlist unless they knew their colonel1 lieutenant-colonel and captain2 ,connecticut men being unwilling to serve under officers from ,massachusetts1 and ,massachusetts men under officers from ,rhode ,island3 so that it was necessary to appoint the officers first4 ,twenty days later he again writes to the ,president of ,congress3 ,i am sorry to be necessitated to mention to you the egregious want of public spirit which prevails here4 ,instead of pressing to be engaged in the cause of their country1 which ,i vainly flattered myself would be the case1 ,i find we are likely to be deserted in a most critical time4444 ,our situation is truly alarming1 and of this ,general ,howe is well apprised4 ,no doubt when he is reinforced he will avail himself of the information4 ,in a letter to ,reed he disburdened his heart more completely4 ,such dearth of public spirit1 and such want of virtue2 such stock-jobbing1 and fertility in all the low arts to obtain advantage of one kind or another in this great change of military arrangement1 ,i never saw before1 and ,i pray ,god's mercy that ,i may never be witness to again4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,,affairs ,,in ,,canada4 ,despatches from ,schuyler1 dated ,october #bfth1 gave ,washington another chapter of the ,canada expedition4 ,chamblee1 an inferior fort within five miles of ,st4 ,johns1 had been captured4 ,montgomery now pressed the siege of ,st4 ,johns with vigor4 ,major ,preston1 although suffering for want of provisions1 still held out manfully1 hoping for relief from ,general ,carleton4 ,colonel ,maclean1 a brave and veteran ,scot1 had enlisted three hundred of his countrymen at ,quebec1 and was to land at the mouth of the ,sorel1 where it empties into the ,st4 ,lawrence1 and proceeding along the latter river join ,carleton at ,st4 ,johns1 who would repair thither by the way of ,longueil4 ,on ,september #cast1 ,carleton embarked his force at ,montreal in thirty-four boats1 to cross the ,st4 ,lawrence1 and land at ,longueil4 ,as the boats approached the shore1 a terrible fire of artillery and musketry opened upon them from a detachment of ,green ,mountain ,boys and ,new ,york troops stationed there under the command of ,colonel ,seth ,warner4 ,the boats were thrown into confusion2 some were disabled1 others were driven on shore on an island1 and ,carleton retreated with the rest to ,montreal4 ,this disorder led to the surrender of ,st4 ,johns1 the garrison of which consisted of five hundred regulars and one hundred ,canadians4 ,colonel ,maclean1 who was to have co-operated with ,carleton1 met with no better fortune than that commander4 ,while in full march for ,st4 ,johns he encountered ,majors ,brown and ,livingston1 who pressed him back to the mouth of the ,sorel1 where1 hearing of the repulse of ,carleton1 and being deserted by his ,canadian recruits1 he embarked the residue of his troops1 and set off down the ,st4 ,lawrence to ,quebec4 ,the ,americans now took post at the mouth of the ,sorel1 where they erected batteries so as to command the ,st4 ,lawrence1 and prevent the descent of any armed vessels from ,montreal4 ,arnold1 meanwhile1 was advancing with severe toil and difficulty4 ,his troops and effects were transported across the carrying-point between the ,kennebec and ,dead ,rivers4 ,on the latter river they landed their boats1 and navigated its sluggish waters to the foot of snow crowned mountains4 ,here they experienced heavy rains2 some of their boats were overturned by torrents from the mountains1 and many of their provisions lost4 ,the sick list increased1 and the spirits of the army gave way4 ,but the energy of ,arnold was unabated4 ,he pushed on1 and at ,lake ,megantic1 the source of the ,chaudiere1 he met an emissary whom he had sent forward to sound the feelings of the ,french yeomanry4 ,his report being favorable1 ,arnold divided his provisions among his troops1 and with a light foraging party pushed rapidly ahead to procure and send back supplies4 ,chaudiere is little better than a mountain torrent1 full of rocks and rapids4 ,arnold embarked upon it with his little party in five bateaux and a birch canoe4 ,three of the boats were dashed to pieces1 the cargoes lost1 and the crews saved with difficulty4 ,at length they reached ,sertigan1 the first ,french settlement1 where they were cordially received4 ,here ,arnold bought provisions1 which he sent back by the ,canadians and ,indians to his troops4 ,the latter were in a state of starvation4 ,arnold halted for a short time in the hospitable valley of ,chaudiere to give his troops repose1 and distributed among the inhabitants the printed manifesto with which he had been furnished by ,washington4 ,here he was joined by about forty ,norridgewock ,indians4 ,on the #ith of ,november1 the little army emerged from the woods at ,point ,levi1 on the ,st4 ,lawrence1 opposite to ,quebec4 ,leaving ,arnold in full sight of ,quebec1 we turn to narrate the events of the upper expedition into ,canada4 ,montgomery appeared before ,montreal on the #abth of ,november4 ,general ,carleton had embarked with his little garrison and several of the civil officers of the place1 on board of a flotilla of ten or eleven small vessels1 and made sail in the night4 ,the town capitulated1 of course2 and ,montgomery took quiet possession4 ,his urbanity and kindness soon won the good will of the inhabitants1 both ,english and ,french1 and made the ,canadians sensible that he really came to secure their rights1 not to molest them4 ,intercepted letters acquainted him with ,arnold's arrival in the neighborhood of ,quebec4 ,his great immediate object was the capture of ,carleton2 which would form a triumphal close to the enterprise1 and might decide the fate of ,canada4 ,the flotilla in which the general was embarked had made repeated attempts to escape down the ,st4 ,lawrence2 but had as often been driven back by the batteries thrown up by the ,americans at the mouth of the ,sorel4 ,it now lay anchored about fifteen miles above the river2 and ,montgomery prepared to attack it with bateaux and light artillery1 so as to force it down upon the batteries4 ,carleton saw his imminent peril4 ,disguising himself as a ,canadian voyager1 he set off on a dark night accompanied by six peasants1 in a boat with muffled oars1 which he assisted to pull2 slipped quietly and silently past all the batteries and guard-boats1 and effected his escape to ,three ,rivers1 where he embarked in a vessel for ,quebec4 ,after his departure the flotilla surrendered4 ,montgomery now placed garrisons in ,montreal1 ,st4 ,johns and ,chamblee1 and made final preparations for descending the ,st4 ,lawrence1 and co-operating with ,arnold against ,quebec4 ,to his disappointment and deep chagrin1 he found but a handful of his troops disposed to accompany him4 ,some pleaded ill health2 the term of enlistment of many had expired1 and they were bent on returning home2 and others1 who had no such excuses to make became exceedingly turbulent1 and mutinous4 ,nothing but a sense of public duty and gratitude to ,congress for an unsought commission1 had induced ,montgomery to engage in the service2 wearied by the continual vexations which beset it1 he avowed1 in a letter to ,schuyler1 his determination to retire as soon as the intended expedition against ,quebec was finished4 ,general ,montgomery had been thwarted continually in his efforts by the want of subordination and discipline among his troops1 who1 said he1 carry the spirit of freedom into the camp and think for themselves4 ,accustomed as he had been1 in his former military experience1 to the implicit obedience of ,european troops1 the insubordination of these yeoman soldiery was intolerable to him4 ,the tidings of the capture of ,montreal gave ,washington the liveliest satisfaction4 ,he now looked forward to equal success in the expedition against ,quebec4 ,certain passages of ,schuyler's letters1 however1 gave him deep concern1 wherein that general complained of the embarrassments and annoyances he had experienced from the insubordination of the army4 ,habituated to order1 said he1 ,i cannot without pain see that disregard of discipline1 confusion and inattention which reign so generally in this quarter1 and ,i am determined to retire4 ,of this resolution ,i have advised ,congress4 ,he had indeed done so4 ,in communicating to the ,president of ,congress the complaints of ,general ,montgomery1 and his intention to retire1 my sentiments1 said he1 exactly coincide with his4 ,i shall1 with him1 do everything in my power to put a finishing stroke to the campaign1 and make the best arrangement in my power1 in order to insure success to the next4 ,this done1 ,i must beg leave to retire4 ,congress1 however1 was too well aware of his value1 readily to dispense with his services4 ,his letter produced a prompt resolution expressive of their high sense of his attention and perseverance1 which merited the thanks of the ,united ,colonies4 ,what1 however1 produced a greater effect upon ,schuyler than any encomium or entreaty on the part of ,congress1 were the expostulations of ,washington1 inspired by strong friendship and kindred sympathies4 ,i am exceedingly sorry1 writes the latter1 that you and ,general ,montgomery incline to quit the service4 ,let me ask you1 sir1 when is the time for brave men to exert themselves in the cause of liberty and their country1 if this is not8 ,should any difficulties that they may have to encounter at this important crisis deter them8 ,god knows there is not a difficulty that you both very justly complain of1 that ,i have not in an eminent degree experienced1 that ,i am not every day experiencing2 but we must bear up against them1 and make the best of mankind1 as they are1 since we cannot have them as we wish4 ,let me therefore conjure you1 and ,mr4 ,montgomery1 to lay aside such thoughts--as thoughts injurious to yourselves and extremely so to your country1 which calls aloud for gentlemen of your ability4 ,this noble appeal went straight to the heart of ,schuyler1 and brought out a magnanimous reply4 ,i do not hesitate1 writes he1 to answer my dear general's question in the affirmative1 by declaring that now or never is the time for every virtuous ,american to exert himself in the cause of liberty and his country2 and that it is become a duty cheerfully to sacrifice the sweets of domestic felicity to attain the honest and glorious end ,america has in view4 ,the true cause of ,schuyler's wish to retire from official station was the annoyance he had suffered through the campaign from sectional prejudices4 ,the eastern troops persistently declared that the general commanding in that quarter ought to be of the colony whence the majority of the troops came4 ,his liberal treatment of ,british and ,canadian prisoners was also a cause of offence1 and rendered him unpopular4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,,incidents ,,of ,,the ,,camp4--,,arnold ,,before ,,quebec4 ,the forming even of the skeleton of an army under the new regulations1 had been a work of infinite difficulty2 to fill it up was still more difficult4 ,the first burst of revolutionary zeal had passed away2 enthusiasm had been chilled by the inaction and monotony of a long encampment2 an encampment1 moreover1 destitute of those comforts which1 in experienced warfare1 are provided by a well-regulated commissariat4 ,the troops had suffered privations of every kind1 want of fuel1 clothing1 provisions4 ,they looked forward with dismay to the rigors of winter1 and longed for their rustic homes and their family firesides4 ,the ,connecticut troops1 whose time was expiring1 were urged to remain until ,december #ajth1 when their place would be supplied by new levies4 ,they refused1 and withdrew on the #ast1 thereby greatly weakening the lines4 ,this conduct excited great indignation1 and the homeward-bound warriors met with a reception on their arrival at home which prompted many to return again to camp4 ,on the very day after the departure homeward of these troops1 and while it was feared their example would be contagious1 a long1 lumbering train of wagons1 laden with ordnance and military stores1 and decorated with flags1 came wheeling into the camp escorted by continental troops and country militia4 ,they were part of the cargo of a large brigantine laden with munitions of war1 captured and sent in to ,cape ,ann by the schooner ,lee1 ,captain ,manly1 one of the cruisers sent out by ,washington4 ,beside the ordnance captured1 there were two thousand stand of arms1 one hundred thousand flints1 thirty thousand round shot1 and thirty-two tons of musket balls4 ,it was a cheering incident1 and was eagerly turned to account4 ,among the ordnance was a huge brass mortar of a new construction1 weighing near three thousand pounds4 ,it was considered a glorious trophy1 and there was a resolve to christen it4 ,mifflin1 ,washington's secretary1 suggested the name4 ,the mortar was fixed in a bed2 old ,putnam mounted it1 dashed on it a bottle of rum1 and gave it the name of ,congress4 ,with ,washington1 this transient gleam of nautical success was soon overshadowed by the conduct of the cruisers he had sent to the ,st4 ,lawrence4 ,failing to intercept the brigantines1 the objects of their cruise1 they landed on the ,island of ,st4 ,johns1 plundered the house of the governor and several private dwellings1 and brought off three of the principal inhabitants prisoners2 one of whom1 ,mr4 ,callbeck1 was president of the council1 and acted as governor4 ,these gentlemen made a memorial to ,washington of this scandalous maraud4 ,he instantly ordered the restoration of the effects which had been pillaged4 ,shortly after the foregoing occurrence1 information was received of the indignities which had been heaped upon ,colonel ,ethan ,allen1 who was loaded with chains and thrown into prison1 when captured at ,montreal by ,general ,prescott1 who himself was now a prisoner in the hands of the ,americans4 ,it touched ,washington on a point on which he was most sensitive and tenacious1 the treatment of ,american officers when captured4 ,a correspondence ensued between ,washington and ,general ,howe1 in which the former threatened as retaliation to inflict upon ,general ,prescott the same treatment and fate which ,colonel ,allen should experience4 ,in reply1 ,howe asserted that his command did not extend to ,canada and that he had no knowledge of ,allen or his fate4 ,general ,carleton1 he assumed1 would not in this case forfeit his past pretensions to decency and humanity4 ,the measure of retaliation threatened by ,washington was actually meted out by ,congress on the arrival of ,general ,prescott in ,philadelphia4 ,he was ordered into close confinement in jail1 though not put in irons2 but subsequently1 on account of his health1 he was released4 ,at the time of this correspondence with ,howe1 ,washington was earnestly occupied preparing works for the bombardment of ,boston1 should that measure be resolved upon by ,congress4 ,general ,putnam1 in the preceding month1 had taken possession in the night of ,cobble ,hill without molestation from the enemy1 though a commanding eminence2 and in two days had constructed a work1 which1 from its strength1 was named ,putnam's impregnable fortress4 ,he was now engaged on another work on ,lechmere ,point1 to be connected with the works at ,cobble ,hill by a bridge thrown across ,willis's ,creek1 and a covered way4 ,lechmere ,point is immediately opposite the north part of ,boston2 and the ,scarborough ship-of-war was anchored near it4 ,putnam availed himself of a dark and foggy day 7,dec4 #ag71 to commence operations1 and broke ground with four hundred men1 at ten o'clock in the morning1 on a hill at the ,point4 ,the mist1 says a contemporary account1 was so great as to prevent the enemy from discovering what he was about until near twelve o'clock1 when it cleared up1 and opened to their view our whole party at the ,point1 and another at the causeway throwing a bridge over the creek4 ,the ,scarborough1 anchored off the ,point1 poured in a broadside4 ,the enemy from ,boston threw shells4 ,the garrison at ,cobble ,hill returned fire4 ,our men were obliged to decamp from the ,point1 but the work was resumed by the brave old general at night4 ,on the next morning1 ,general ,heath was detached with a party of men to carry on the work which ,putnam had commenced4 ,it was to consist of two redoubts1 on one of which was to be a mortar battery4 ,there was1 as yet1 a deficiency of ordnance2 but the prize mortar was to be mounted which ,putnam had recently christened1 ,the ,congress4 ,for several days the labor at the works was continued2 the redoubts were thrown up1 and a covered way was constructed leading down to the bridge4 ,all this was done notwithstanding the continual fire of the enemy4 ,putnam anticipated great effects from this work1 and especially from his grand mortar4 ,shells there were in abundance for a bombardment2 the only thing wanting was a supply of powder4 ,amid the various concerns of the war1 and the multiplied perplexities of the camp1 the thoughts of ,washington continually reverted to his home on the banks of the ,potomac4 ,a constant correspondence was kept up between him and his agent1 ,mr4 ,lund ,washington1 who had charge of his various estates4 ,the general gave clear and minute directions as to their management1 and the agent rendered as clear and minute returns of everything that had been done in consequence4 ,according to recent accounts1 ,mount ,vernon had been considered in danger4 ,lord ,dunmore was exercising martial law in the ,ancient ,dominion1 and it was feared that the favorite abode of the rebel commander-in-chief would be marked out for hostility1 and that the enemy might land from their ships in the ,potomac and lay it waste4 ,washington's brother1 ,john ,augustine1 had entreated ,mrs4 ,washington to leave it4 ,the people of ,loudoun had advised her to seek refuge beyond the ,blue ,ridge1 and had offered to send a guard to escort her4 ,she had declined the offer1 not considering herself in danger4 ,lund ,washington was equally free from apprehensions on the subject4 ,though alive to everything concerning ,mount ,vernon1 ,washington agreed with them in deeming it in no present danger of molestation by the enemy4 ,still he felt for the loneliness of ,mrs4 ,washington's situation1 heightened as it must be by anxiety on his own account4 ,he wrote to her1 therefore1 by express1 in ,november1 inviting her to join him at the camp4 ,he at the same time wrote to ,lund ,washington1 engaging his continued services as an agent4 ,this person1 though bearing the same name1 and probably of the same stock1 does not appear to have been in any near degree of relationship4 ,mrs4 ,washington came on with her own carriage and horses1 accompanied by her son1 ,mr4 ,custis1 and his wife4 ,escorts and guards of honor attended her from place to place1 and she was detained some time at ,philadelphia by the devoted attention of the inhabitants4 ,her arrival at ,cambridge was a glad event in the army4 ,mrs4 ,washington presided at head-quarters with dignity and affability4 ,some questions of ceremony had arisen1 and jealousies had been excited in reference to invitations to head-quarters4 ,the presence of ,mrs4 ,washington relieved the general from numerous perplexities of this character4 ,after her arrival the camp assumed a more convivial tone than before1 and parties became common4 ,while giving these familiar scenes and occurrences we are tempted to subjoin one furnished from the manuscript memoir of an eye witness4 ,a large party of ,virginia riflemen1 who had recently arrived in camp1 were strolling about ,cambridge1 and viewing the collegiate buildings1 now turned into barracks4 ,their half-,indian equipments1 and fringed and ruffled hunting garbs1 provoked the merriment of some troops from ,marblehead1 chiefly fishermen and sailors1 who thought nothing equal to the round jacket and trowsers4 ,a bantering ensued between them4 ,there was snow upon the ground1 and snowballs began to fly when jokes were wanting4 ,the parties waxed warm with the contest4 ,they closed1 and came to blows2 both sides were reinforced1 and in a little while at least a thousand were at fisticuffs1 and there was a tumult in the camp worthy of the days of ,homer4 ,at this juncture1 writes our informant1 ,washington made his appearance1 whether by accident or design1 ,i never knew4 ,i saw none of his aides with him2 his black servant was just behind him mounted4 ,he threw the bridle of his own horse into his servant's hands1 sprang from his seat1 rushed into the thickest of the mele1 seized two tall brawny riflemen by the throat1 keeping them at arm's-length1 talking to and shaking them4 ,as they were from his own province1 he may have felt peculiarly responsible for their good conduct2 they were engaged1 too1 in one of those sectional brawls which were his especial abhorrence2 his reprimand must1 therefore1 have been a vehement one4 ,he was commanding in his serenest moments1 but irresistible in his bursts of indignation4 ,on the present occasion1 we are told1 his appearance and strong-handed rebuke put an instant end to the tumult4 ,the combatants dispersed in all directions1 and in less than three minutes none remained on the ground but the two he had collared4 ,the invasion of ,canada still shared the anxious thoughts of ,washington4 ,his last accounts of the movements of ,arnold1 left him at ,point ,levi1 opposite to ,quebec4 ,it was his intention to cross the river immediately4 ,at ,point ,levi1 however1 he was brought to a stand2 not a boat was to be found there4 ,letters to ,generals ,schuyler and ,montgomery had been carried by his faithless messengers1 to ,caramh1 the lieutenant-governor1 who1 had caused all the boats of ,point ,levi to be either removed or destroyed4 ,arnold was not a man to be disheartened by difficulties4 ,with great exertions he procured about forty birch canoes1 but stormy winds arose1 and for some days the river was too boisterous for such frail craft4 ,in the meantime the garrison at ,quebec was gaining strength4 ,the veteran ,maclean arrived down the river with his corps of ,royal ,highland ,emigrants1 and threw himself into the place4 ,the ,lizard frigate1 the ,hornet sloop-of-war1 and two armed schooners were stationed in the river1 and guard-boats patrolled at night4 ,on the #acth of ,november1 ,arnold received intelligence that ,montgomery had captured ,st4 ,johns4 ,he was instantly roused to emulation4 ,his men1 too1 were inspirited by the news4 ,the wind had abated3 he determined to cross the river that very night4 ,at a late hour in the evening he embarked with the first division4 ,by four o'clock in the morning a large part of his force had crossed without being perceived1 and landed about a mile and a half above ,cape ,diamond1 at ,wolfe's ,cove1 so called from being the landing-place of that gallant commander4 ,just then a guard-boat1 belonging to the ,lizard1 came slowly along shore and discovered them4 ,they hailed it1 and ordered it to land4 ,not complying1 it was fired into and three men were killed4 ,the boat instantly pulled for the frigate1 giving vociferous alarm4 ,without waiting the arrival of the residue of his men1 for whom the canoes had been despatched1 ,arnold led those who had landed to the foot of the cragged defile1 once scaled by the intrepid ,wolfe1 and scrambled up it in all haste4 ,by daylight he had planted his daring flag on the far-famed ,heights of ,abraham4 ,here the main difficulty stared him in the face4 ,a strong line of walls and bastions traversed the promontory from one of its precipitous sides to the other2 enclosing the upper and lower towns4 ,on the right1 the great bastion of ,cape ,diamond crowned the rocky height of that name4 ,on the left was the bastion of ,la ,potasse1 close by the gate of ,st4 ,johns1 opening upon the barracks4 ,a council of war was now held4 ,arnold1 who had some knowledge of the place1 was for dashing forward at once and storming the gate of ,st4 ,johns4 ,had they done so1 they might have been successful4 ,the gate was open and unguarded4 ,through some blunder and delay1 a message from the commander of the ,lizard to the lieutenant-governor had not yet been delivered1 and no alarm had reached the fortress4 ,the formidable aspect of the place1 however1 awed ,arnold's associates4 ,cautious counsel is often fatal to a daring enterprise4 ,while the counsel of war deliberated1 the favorable moment passed away4 ,the lieutenant-governor received the tardy message4 ,he hastily assembled the merchants1 officers of militia1 and captains of merchant vessels4 ,all promised to stand by him1 and the walls looking upon the heights were soon manned by the military4 ,arnold paraded his men within a hundred yards of the walls1 and caused them to give three hearty cheers2 hoping to excite a revolt in the place1 or to provoke the scanty garrison to a sally4 ,there was some firing on the part of the ,americans1 but merely as an additional taunt2 they were too far off for their musketry to have effect4 ,a large cannon on the ramparts was brought to bear on them1 and a few shots obliged the ,americans to retire and encamp4 ,in the evening ,arnold sent a flag1 demanding in the name of the ,united ,colonies the surrender of the place4 ,some of the disaffected and the faint-hearted were inclined to open the gates1 but were held in check by the mastiff loyalty of ,maclean4 ,the inhabitants gradually recovered from their alarm1 and armed themselves to defend their property4 ,the sailors and marines proved a valuable addition to the garrison1 which now really meditated a sortie4 ,arnold received information of all this from friends within the walls2 he heard about the same time of the capture of ,montreal1 and that ,general ,carleton1 having escaped from that place1 was on his way down to ,quebec4 ,he thought at present1 therefore1 to draw off on the #aith to ,point aux ,trembles 7,aspen-tree ,point71 twenty miles above ,quebec1 there to await the arrival of ,general ,montgomery with troops and artillery4 ,as his little army wended its way along the high bank of the river towards its destined encampment1 a vessel passed below1 which had just touched at ,point aux ,trembles4 ,on board of it was ,general ,carleton1 hurrying on to ,quebec4 ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,,washington',s ,,perplexities4--,,new ,,york ,,in ,,danger4 ,in the month of ,december a vessel had been captured1 bearing supplies from ,lord ,dunmore to the army at ,boston4 ,a letter on board1 from his lordship to ,general ,howe1 invited him to transfer the war to the southern colonies2 or1 at all events1 to send reinforcements thither2 intimating at the same time his plan of proclaiming liberty to indentured servants1 negroes1 and others appertaining to rebels1 and inviting them to join his majesty's troops4 ,in a word1 to inflict upon ,virginia the horrors of a servile war4 ,if this man is not crushed before spring1 writes ,washington1 he will become the most formidable enemy ,america has4 ,his strength will increase as a snowball4 ,general ,lee took the occasion to set forth his own system of policy4 ,had my opinion been thought worthy of attention1 would he say1 ,lord ,dunmore would have been disarmed of his teeth and claws4 ,he would seize ,tryon too1 and every governor1 government man1 placeman1 tory and enemy to liberty on the continent1 and confiscate their estates1 or at least lay them under heavy contributions for the public4 ,their persons should be secured1 in some of the interior towns1 as hostages for the treatment of those of our party whom the fortune of war shall throw into their hands2 they should be allowed a reasonable pension out of their fortunes for their maintenance4 ,such was the policy advocated by ,lee in his letters and conversation1 and he soon had an opportunity of carrying it partly into operation4 ,newport being threatened by a naval armament from ,boston1 ,general ,lee was despatched1 at the request of the governor1 to put the island in a state of defence4 ,lee set out with alacrity4 ,having laid out works1 and given directions for fortifications1 he summoned before him a number of persons who had been in the habit of supplying the enemy1 and compelled them all to take an oath of fidelity to the continental claim4 ,those who refused were put under guard and sent to ,providence4 ,congress was disposed to consider these measures too highhanded1 but ,washington approved of them4 ,december had been throughout a month of severe trial to ,washington2 during which he saw his army dropping away piece-meal before his eyes4 ,homeward every face was turned as soon as the term of enlistment was at an end4 ,scarce could the disbanding troops be kept a few days in camp until militia could be procured to supply their place4 ,washington made repeated and animated appeals to their patriotism2 they were almost unheeded4 ,he caused popular and patriotic songs to be sung about the camp4 ,they passed by like the idle wind4 ,home6 home6 home6 throbbed in every heart4 ,the desire of retiring into a chimney-corner1 says ,washington reproachfully1 seized the troops as soon as their terms expired4 ,greene1 throughout this trying month1 was continually by ,washington's side4 ,his letters expressing the same cares and apprehensions1 and occasionally in the same language with those of the commander-in-chief1 show how completely he was in his councils4 ,the #cast of ,december arrived1 the crisis of the army2 for with that month expired the last of the old terms of enlistment4 ,we never have been so weak1 writes ,greene1 as we shall be to-morrow1 when we dismiss the old troops4 ,on this day ,washington received cheering intelligence from ,canada4 ,a junction had taken place1 a month previously1 between ,arnold and ,montgomery at ,point aux ,trembles4 ,they were about two thousand strong1 and were making every preparation for attacking ,quebec4 ,on the following morning 7,january #ast1 #aggf17 his army did not amount to ten thousand men1 and was composed of but half-filled regiments4 ,even in raising this inadequate force1 it had been necessary to indulge many of the men with furloughs1 that they might visit their families and friends4 ,the detachments of militia from the neighboring provinces which replaced the disbanding troops1 remained but for brief periods2 so that1 in despite of every effort1 the lines were often but feebly manned1 and might easily have been forced4 ,the anxiety of ,washington in this critical state of the army1 may be judged from his correspondence with ,reed4 ,it is easier to conceive than to describe the situation of my mind for some time past1 and my feelings under our present circumstances1 writes he1 on the #dth of ,january4 ,search the volumes of history through1 and ,i much question whether a case similar to ours is to be found2 namely1 to maintain a post against the power of the ,british troops for six months together1 without powder1 and then to have one army disbanded and another raised within the same distance 7musket shot7 of a reinforced enemy4 ,what may be the issue of the last manoeuvre1 time only can unfold4 ,i wish this month were well over our head4 ,in the midst of his discouragements1 ,washington received letters from ,knox1 showing the spirit and energy with which he was executing his mission1 in quest of cannon and ordnance stores4 ,he had struggled manfully and successfully with all kinds of difficulties from the advanced season1 and head winds1 in getting them from ,ticonderoga to the head of ,lake ,george4 ,three days ago1 writes he1 on the #agth of ,december1 it was very uncertain whether we could get them over until next spring2 but now1 please ,god1 they shall go4 ,i have made forty-two exceedingly strong sleds1 and have provided eighty yoke of oxen to drag them as far as ,springfield1 where ,i shall get fresh cattle to take them to camp4 ,early in the month of ,january1 there was a great stir of preparation in ,boston harbor4 ,a fleet of transports were taking in supplies1 and making arrangements for the embarkation of troops4 ,bomb-ketches and flat-bottomed boats were getting ready for sea1 as were two sloops-of-war1 which were to convey the armament4 ,its destination was kept secret2 but was confidently surmised by ,washington4 ,in the preceding month of ,october1 a letter had been laid before ,congress1 written by some person in ,london of high credibility1 and revealing a secret plan of operations said to have been sent out by ministers to the commanders in ,boston4 ,the following is the purport3 ,possession was to be gained of ,new ,york and ,albany1 through the assistance of ,governor ,tryon1 on whose influence with the tory part of the population1 much reliance was placed4 ,these cities were to be very strongly garrisoned4 ,all who did not join the king's forces were to be declared rebels4 ,the ,hudson ,river1 and the ,east ,river or ,sound1 were to be commanded by a number of small men-of-war and cutters1 stationed in different parts1 so as wholly to cut off all communication by water between ,new ,york and the provinces to the northward of it2 and between ,new ,york and ,albany1 except for the king's service2 and to prevent1 also1 all communication between the city of ,new ,york and the provinces of ,new ,jersey1 ,pennsylvania1 and those to the southward of them4 ,by these means1 said the letter1 the administration and their friends fancy they shall soon either starve out or retake the garrisons of ,crown ,point and ,ticonderoga1 and open and maintain a safe intercourse and correspondence between ,quebec1 ,albany1 and ,new ,york2 and thereby offer the fairest opportunity to their soldiery and the ,canadians1 in conjunction with the ,indians to be procured by ,guy ,johnson1 to make continual irruptions into ,new ,hampshire1 ,massachusetts and ,connecticut1 and so distract and divide the ,provincial forces1 as to render it easy for the ,british army at ,boston to defeat them1 break the spirits of the ,massachusetts people1 depopulate their country1 and compel an absolute subjection to ,great ,britain4 ,this information had already excited solicitude respecting the ,hudson1 and led to measures for its protection4 ,it was now surmised that the expedition preparing to sail from ,boston1 and which was to be conducted by ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 might be destined to seize upon ,new ,york4 ,how was the apprehended blow to be parried8 ,general ,lee1 who was just returned from his energetic visit to ,rhode ,island1 offered his advice and services in the matter4 ,in a letter to ,washington1 he urged him to act at once1 and on his own responsibility1 without awaiting the tardy and doubtful sanction of ,congress1 for which1 in military matters1 ,lee had but small regard4 ,new ,york must be secured1 writes he1 but it will never1 ,i am afraid1 be secured by due order of the ,congress1 for obvious reasons4 ,they find themselves awkwardly situated on this head4 ,you must step in to their relief4 ,i am sensible no man can be spared from the lines under present circumstances2 but ,i would propose that you should detach me into ,connecticut1 and lend your name for collecting a body of volunteers4 ,i am assured that ,i shall find no difficulty in assembling a sufficient number for the purposes wanted4 ,this body in conjunction 7if there should appear occasion to summon them7 with the ,jersey regiment under the command of ,lord ,stirling1 now at ,elizabethtown1 will effect the security of ,new ,york1 and the expulsion or suppression of that dangerous banditti of tories who have appeared on ,long ,island with the professed intention of acting against the authority of ,congress4 ,washington1 while he approved of ,lee's military suggestions1 was cautious in exercising the powers vested in him1 and fearful of transcending them4 ,john ,adams was at that time in the vicinity of the camp1 and he asked his opinion as to the practicability and expediency of the plan1 and whether it might not be regarded as beyond his line4 ,adams1 resolute of spirit1 thought the enterprise might easily be accomplished by the friends of liberty in ,new ,york1 in connection with the ,connecticut people1 who are very ready1 said he1 upon such occasions4 ,thus fortified1 as it were1 by congressional sanction1 through one of its most important members1 who pronounced ,new ,york as much within his command as ,massachusetts2 he gave ,lee authority to carry out his plans4 ,he was to raise volunteers in ,connecticut2 march at their head to ,new ,york2 call in military aid from ,new ,jersey2 put the city and the post on the ,hudson in a posture of security against surprise2 disarm all persons on ,long ,island and elsewhere1 inimical to the views of ,congress1 or secure them in some other manner if necessary2 and seize upon all medicines1 shirts and blankets1 and send them on for the use of the ,american army4 ,lee departed on his mission on the #hth of ,january4 ,the people of ,new ,york were thrown into a panic on hearing that ,lee was in ,connecticut1 on his way to take military possession of the city4 ,they apprehended his appearance there would provoke an attack from the ships in the harbor4 ,some1 who thought the war about to be brought to their own doors1 packed up their effects1 and made off into the country with their wives and children4 ,others beleaguered the committee of safety with entreaties against the deprecated protection of ,general ,lee4 ,the committee1 through ,pierre ,van ,cortlandt1 their chairman1 addressed a letter to ,lee1 inquiring into the motives of his coming with an army to ,new ,york1 and stating the incapacity of the city to act hostilely against the ships of war in port1 from deficiency of powder1 and a want of military works4 ,lee1 in reply1 dated ,stamford1 ,january #bc;d1 disclaimed all intention of commencing actual hostilities against the men-of-war in the harbor2 his instructions from the commander-in-chief being solely to prevent the enemy from taking post in the city1 or lodging themselves on ,long ,island4 ,some subordinate purposes were likewise to be executed1 which were much more proper to be communicated by word of mouth than by writing4 ,in compliance with the wishes of the committee1 he promised to carry with him into the town just troops enough to secure it against any present designs of the enemy1 leaving his main force on the western border of ,connecticut4 ,how he conducted himself on his arrival in the city1 we shall relate in a future chapter4 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,,attack ,,on ,,quebec4--,,affairs ,,in ,,new ,,york4 ,from amid surrounding perplexities1 ,washington still turned a hopeful eye to ,canada4 ,he expected daily to receive tidings that ,montgomery and ,arnold were within the walls of ,quebec4 ,on the #ahth of ,january came dispatches to him from ,general ,schuyler1 containing withering tidings4 ,the following is the purport4 ,montgomery1 on the #b;d of ,december1 the day after his arrival at ,point aux ,trembles1 set off in face of a driving snow-storm for ,quebec1 and arrived before it on the #eth4 ,the works1 from their great extent1 appeared to him incapable of being defended by the actual garrison2 made up1 as he said1 of ,maclean's banditti1 the sailors from the frigates and other vessels1 together with the citizens obliged to take up arms4 ,on the day of his arrival1 he sent a flag with a summons to surrender4 ,it was fired upon1 and obliged to retire4 ,exasperated at this outrage1 ,montgomery wrote an indignant letter to ,carleton1 reiterating the demand1 magnifying the number of his troops1 and warning him against the consequences of an assault4 ,finding it was rejected from the walls1 he prepared for an attack4 ,the ground was frozen to a great depth1 and covered with snow4 ,by dint of excessive labor a breastwork was thrown up1 four hundred yards distant from the walls and opposite to the gate of ,st4 ,louis1 which is nearly in the centre4 ,it was formed of gabions1 ranged side by side1 and filled with snow1 over which water was thrown until thoroughly frozen4 ,here ,captain ,lamb mounted five light pieces and a howitzer4 ,several mortars were placed in the suburbs of ,st4 ,roque1 which extends on the left of the promontory1 below the heights1 and nearly on a level with the river4 ,from the ,ice ,battery ,captain ,lamb opened a well-sustained and well-directed fire upon the walls1 but his field-pieces were too light to be effective4 ,with his howitzer he threw shells into the town and set it on fire in several places4 ,on the evening of the fifth day1 ,montgomery paid a visit to the ice battery4 ,the heavy artillery from the wall had repaid its ineffectual fire with ample usury4 ,the brittle ramparts had been shivered like glass2 several of the guns had been rendered useless4 ,the general saw the insufficiency of the battery1 and1 on retiring1 gave ,captain ,lamb permission to leave it whenever he thought proper4 ,the veteran waited until after dark1 when1 securing all the guns1 he abandoned the ruined redoubt4 ,nearly three weeks had been consumed in these futile operations4 ,the army1 ill-clothed1 and ill-provided1 was becoming impatient of the rigors of a ,canadian winter2 the term for which part of the troops had enlisted would expire with the year1 and they already talked of returning home4 ,montgomery was sadly conscious of the insufficiency of his means2 still he could not endure the thoughts of retiring from before the place without striking a blow4 ,he determined1 therefore1 to attempt to carry the place by escalade4 ,colonel ,livingston was to make a false attack on the gate of ,st4 ,johns and set fire to it2 ,major ,brown1 with another detachment1 was to menace the bastion of ,cape ,diamond4 ,arnold with three hundred and fifty of the hardy fellows who had followed him through the wilderness1 strengthened by ,captain ,lamb and forty of his company1 was to assault the suburbs and batteries of ,st4 ,roque2 while ,montgomery1 with the residue of his forces1 was to pass below the bastion at ,cape ,diamond1 defile along the river1 carry the defences at ,drummond's ,wharf1 and thus enter the lower town on one side1 while ,arnold forced his way into it on the other4 ,these movements were all to be made at the same time1 on the discharge of signal rockets1 thus distracting the enemy1 and calling their attention to four several points4 ,on the #cast of ,december1 at two o'clock in the morning1 the troops repaired to their several destinations1 under cover of a violent snow-storm4 ,by some mistake the signal rockets were let off before the lower divisions had time to get to their fighting ground4 ,they were descried by one of ,maclean's ,highland officers1 who gave the alarm4 ,livingston also failed to make the false attack on the gate of ,st4 ,johns1 which was to have caused a diversion favorable to ,arnold's attack on the suburb below4 ,the feint by ,major ,brown1 on the bastion of ,cape ,diamond1 was successful1 and concealed the march of ,general ,montgomery4 ,that gallant commander descended from the heights to ,wolfe's ,cove1 and led his division along the shore of the ,st4 ,lawrence1 round the beetling promontory of ,cape ,diamond4 ,the narrow approach to the lower town in that direction was traversed by a picket or stockade1 defended by ,canadian militia2 beyond which was a second defence1 a kind of block-house4 ,the aim of ,montgomery was to come upon these barriers by surprise4 ,the pass which they defended is formidable at all times1 having a swift river on one side1 and overhanging precipices on the other2 but at this time was rendered peculiarly difficult by drifting snow1 and by great masses of ice piled on each other at the foot of the cliffs4 ,the troops made their way painfully1 in extended and straggling files1 along the narrow footway1 and over the slippery piles of ice4 ,among the foremost1 were some of the first ,new ,york regiment1 led on by ,captain ,cheeseman4 ,montgomery1 in his eagerness1 threw himself far in the advance with his pioneers and a few officers1 and made a dash at the first barrier4 ,the ,canadians stationed there1 taken by surprise1 made a few random shots1 then threw down their muskets and fled4 ,montgomery sprang forward1 aided with his own hand to pluck down the pickets1 which the pioneers were sawing1 and having made a breach sufficiently wide to admit three or four men abreast1 entered sword in hand4 ,the ,canadians had fled from the picket to the battery or block-house4 ,montgomery again dashed forward1 but when within forty paces of the battery1 a discharge of grape-shot from a single cannon made deadly havoc4 ,montgomery1 and ,mc,pherson1 one of his aides1 were killed on the spot4 ,captain ,cheeseman received a canister shot through the body2 with him fell his orderly sergeant and several of his men4 ,this fearful slaughter1 and the death of their general1 threw everything in confusion4 ,colonel ,campbell1 quarter-master general1 took the command and ordered a retreat4 ,while all this was occurring on the side of ,cape ,diamond1 ,arnold led his division against the opposite side of the lower town along the suburb and street of ,st4 ,roque4 ,like ,montgomery1 he took the advance at the head of a forlorn hope of twenty-five men4 ,captain ,lamb and his artillery company came next1 with a field-piece mounted on a sledge4 ,then came a company with ladders and scaling implements1 followed by ,morgan and his riflemen4 ,in the rear of all these came the main body4 ,a battery on a wharf commanded the narrow pass by which they had to advance4 ,this was to be attacked with the field-piece1 and then scaled with ladders by the forlorn hope2 while ,captain ,morgan1 with his riflemen1 was to pass round the wharf on the ice4 ,the false attack which was to have been made by ,livingston on the gate of ,st4 ,johns1 by way of diversion1 had not taken place2 there was nothing1 therefore1 to call off the attention of the enemy in this quarter from the detachment4 ,the troops1 as they straggled along in lengthened file through the drifting snow were sadly galled by a flanking fire on the right1 from walls and pickets4 ,the field-piece at length became so deeply embedded in a snow-drift that it could not be moved4 ,lamb sent word to ,arnold of the impediment2 in the meantime1 he and his artillery company were brought to a halt4 ,the company with the scaling ladders would have halted also1 having been told to keep in the rear of the artillery2 but they were urged on by ,morgan with a thundering oath1 who pushed on after them with his riflemen1 the artillery company opening to the right and left to let them pass4 ,they arrived in the advance1 just as ,arnold was leading on his forlorn hope to attack the barrier4 ,before he reached it a severe wound in the right leg with a musket ball completely disabled him1 and he had to be borne from the field4 ,morgan instantly took the command4 ,just then ,lamb came up with his company1 armed with muskets and bayonets1 having received orders to abandon the field-piece1 and support the advance4 ,oswald joined him with the forlorn hope4 ,the battery which commanded the defile mounted two pieces of cannon4 ,there was a discharge of grape-shot when the assailants were close under the muzzles of the guns1 yet but one man was killed4 ,before there could be a second discharge1 the battery was carried by assault1 some firing in to the embrasures2 others scaling the walls4 ,the captain and thirty of his men were taken prisoners4 ,the day was just dawning as ,morgan led on to attack the second barrier1 and his men had to advance under a fire from the town walls on their right1 which incessantly thinned their ranks4 ,the second barrier was reached2 they applied their scaling ladders to storm it4 ,the defence was brave and obstinate1 but the defenders were at length driven from their guns1 and the battery was gained4 ,at the last moment one of the gunners ran back1 linstock in hand1 to give one more shot4 ,captain ,lamb snapped a fusee at him4 ,it missed fire4 ,the cannon was discharged1 and a grape-shot wounded ,lamb in the head1 carrying away part of the cheek-bone4 ,he was borne off senseless to a neighboring shed4 ,the two barriers being now taken1 the way on this side into the lower town seemed open4 ,morgan prepared to enter it with the victorious vanguard2 first stationing ,captain ,dearborn and some provincials at ,palace ,gate1 which opened down into the defile from the upper town4 ,by this time1 however1 the death of ,montgomery and retreat of ,campbell had enabled the enemy to turn all their attention in this direction4 ,a large detachment sent by ,general ,carleton1 sallied out of ,palace ,gate after ,morgan had passed it1 surprised and captured ,dearborn and the guard1 and completely cut off the advanced party4 ,the main body1 informed of the death of ,montgomery1 and giving up the game as lost1 retreated to the camp1 leaving behind the field-piece which ,lamb's company had abandoned1 and the mortars in the battery of ,st4 ,roque4 ,morgan and his men were now hemmed in on all sides1 and obliged to take refuge in a stone house from the inveterate fire which assailed them4 ,from the windows of this house they kept up a desperate defence1 until cannon were brought to bear upon it4 ,then1 hearing of the death of ,montgomery1 and seeing that there was no prospect of relief1 ,morgan and his gallant handful of followers were compelled to surrender themselves prisoners of war4 ,thus foiled at every point1 the wrecks of the little army abandoned their camp1 and retreated about three miles from the town2 where they hastily fortified themselves1 apprehending a pursuit by the garrison4 ,general ,carleton1 however1 contented himself with having secured the safety of the place1 and remained cautiously passive until he should be properly reinforced4 ,the remains of the gallant ,montgomery received a soldier's grave within the fortifications of ,quebec1 by the care of ,cramah1 the lieutenant-governor1 who had formerly known him4 ,arnold took temporary command of the shattered army1 until ,general ,wooster should arrive from ,montreal1 to whom he sent an express1 urging him to bring on succor4 ,on this occasion1 says a contemporary writer1 he discovered the utmost vigor of a determined mind1 and a genius full of resources4 ,defeated and wounded as he was1 he put his troops into such a situation as to keep them still formidable4 ,with a mere handful of men1 at one time not exceeding five hundred1 he maintained a blockade of the strong fortress from which he had just been repulsed4 ,general ,schuyler1 who was now in ,albany1 urged the necessity of an immediate reinforcement of three thousand men for the army in ,canada4 ,washington had not a man to spare from the army before ,boston4 ,he applied1 therefore1 on his own responsibility1 to ,massachusetts1 ,new ,hampshire and ,connecticut1 for three regiments which were granted4 ,his prompt measure received the approbation of ,congress1 and further reinforcements were ordered from the same quarters4 ,solicitude was awakened about the interior of the province of ,new ,york4 ,arms and ammunition were said to be concealed in ,tryon ,county1 and numbers of the tories in that neighborhood preparing for hostilities4 ,sir ,john ,johnson had fortified ,johnson ,hall1 gathered about him his ,scotch ,highland tenants and ,indian allies1 and it was rumored he intended to carry fire and sword along the valley of the ,mohawk4 ,schuyler1 in consequence1 received orders from ,congress to take measures for securing the military stores1 disarming the disaffected1 and apprehending their chiefs4 ,he forthwith hastened from ,albany1 at the head of a body of soldiers2 was joined by ,colonel ,herkimer1 with the militia of ,tryon ,county marshalled forth on the frozen bosom of the ,mohawk ,river1 and appeared before ,sir ,john's stronghold1 near ,johnstown1 on the #aith of ,january4 ,thus beleaguered1 ,sir ,john1 after much negotiation1 capitulated4 ,he was to surrender all weapons of war and military stores in his possession1 and to give his parole not to take arms against ,america4 ,the recent reverses in ,canada had heightened the solicitude of ,washington about the province of ,new ,york4 ,that province was the central and all-important link in the confederacy2 but he feared it might prove a brittle one4 ,we have already mentioned the adverse influences in operation there4 ,a large number of friends to the crown1 among the official and commercial classes2 rank tories1 7as they were called17 in the city and about the neighboring country2 particularly on ,long and ,staten ,islands2 king's ships at anchor in the bay and harbor1 keeping up a suspicious intercourse with the citizens2 while ,governor ,tryon1 castled1 as it were1 on board one of these ships1 carried on intrigues with those disaffected to the popular cause1 in all parts of the neighborhood4 ,lee arrived at ,new ,york on the #dth of ,february1 his caustic humors sharpened by a severe attack of the gout1 which had rendered it necessary1 while on the march1 to carry him for a considerable part of the way in a litter4 ,by a singular coincidence1 on the very day of his arrival1 ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 with the squadron which had sailed so mysteriously from ,boston1 looked into the harbor4 ,though it was ,sabbath1 says a letter-writer of the day1 it threw the whole city into such a convulsion as it never knew before4 ,many of the inhabitants hastened to move their effects into the country1 expecting an immediate conflict4 ,clinton sent for the mayor1 and expressed much surprise and concern at the distress caused by his arrival2 which was merely1 he said1 on a short visit to his friend ,tryon1 and to see how matters stood4 ,he professed a juvenile love for the place1 and desired that the inhabitants might be informed of the purport of his visit1 and that he would go away as soon as possible4 ,for this time1 the inhabitants of ,new ,york were let off for their fears4 ,clinton1 after a brief visit1 continued his mysterious cruise1 openly avowing his destination to be ,north ,carolina--which nobody believed1 simply because he avowed it4 ,the necessity of conferring with committees at every step was a hard restraint upon a man of ,lee's ardent and impatient temper1 who had a soldierlike contempt for the men of peace around him2 yet at the outset he bore it better than might have been expected4 ,the ,congress committees1 a certain number of the committees of safety1 and your humble servant1 writes he to ,washington1 have had two conferences4 ,the result is such as will agreeably surprise you4 ,it is in the first place agreed1 and justly1 that to fortify the town against shipping is impracticable2 but we are to fortify lodgements on some commanding part of the city for two thousand men4 ,we are to erect enclosed batteries on both sides of the water1 near ,hell ,gate1 which will answer the double purpose of securing the town against piracies through the ,sound1 and secure our communication with ,long ,island1 now become a more important point than ever2 as it is determined to form a strong fortified camp of three thousand men1 on the ,island1 immediately opposite to ,new ,york4 ,the pass in the ,highlands is to be made as respectable as possible1 and guarded by a battalion4 ,in short1 ,i think the plan judicious and complete4 ,the pass in the ,highlands above alluded to1 is that grand defile of the ,hudson where1 for upwards of fifteen miles1 it wends its deep channel between stern1 forest-clad mountains and rocky promontories4 ,two forts1 about six miles distant from each other1 and commanding narrow parts of the river at its bends through these ,highlands1 had been commenced in the preceding autumn1 by order of the ,continental ,congress2 but they were said to be insufficient for the security of that important pass1 and were to be extended and strengthened4 ,washington had charged ,lee1 in his instructions1 to keep a stern eye upon the tories1 who were active in ,new ,york4 ,you can seize upon the persons of the principals1 said he2 they must be so notoriously known1 that there will be little danger of committing mistakes4 ,lee acted up to the letter of these instructions1 and weeded out with a vigorous hand some of the rankest of the growth4 ,in the exercise of his military functions1 ,lee set ,governor ,tryon and the captain of the ,asia at defiance4 ,they had threatened perdition to the town1 writes he to ,washington1 if the cannon were removed from the batteries and wharves1 but ,i ever considered their threats as a brutum fulmen1 and even persuaded the town to be of the same way of thinking4 ,we accordingly conveyed them to a place of safety in the middle of the day1 and no cannonade ensued4 ,lee now proceeded with his plan of defences4 ,a strong redoubt1 capable of holding three hundred men1 was commenced at ,horen's ,hook1 commanding the pass at ,hell ,gate1 so as to block up from the enemy's ships the passage between the mainland and ,long ,island4 ,a regiment was stationed on the island1 making fascines1 and preparing other materials for constructing the works for an intrenched camp1 which ,lee hoped would render it impossible for the enemy to get a footing there4 ,what to do with this city1 writes he1 ,i own1 puzzles me4 ,it is so encircled with deep navigable water1 that whoever commands the sea must command the town4 ,to-morrow ,i shall begin to dismantle that part of the fort next to the town1 to prevent its being converted into a citadel4 ,i shall barrier the principal streets1 and1 at least1 if ,i cannot make it a continental garrison1 it shall be a disputable field of battle4 ,batteries were to be erected on an eminence behind ,trinity ,church1 to keep the enemy's ships at so great a distance as not to injure the town4 ,king's ,bridge1 at the upper end of ,manhattan or ,new ,york ,island1 linking it with the mainland1 was pronounced by ,lee a most important pass1 without which the city could have no communication with ,connecticut4 ,it was1 therefore1 to be made as strong as possible4 ,heavy cannon were to be sent up to the forts in the ,highlands2 which were to be enlarged and strengthened4 ,in the midst of his schemes1 ,lee received orders from ,congress to the command in ,canada1 vacant by the death of ,montgomery4 ,he bewailed the defenceless condition of the city2 the ,continental ,congress1 as he said1 not having1 as yet1 taken the least step for its security4 ,the instant ,i leave it1 said he1 ,i conclude the ,provincial ,congress1 and inhabitants in general1 will relapse into their former hysterics4 ,the men-of-war and ,mr4 ,tryon will return to their old station at the wharves1 and the first regiments who arrive from ,england will take quiet possession of the town and ,long ,island4 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,,movements ,,before ,,boston4--,,its ,,evacuation4 ,the siege of ,boston continued through the winter without any striking incident to enliven its monotony4 ,the ,british remained within their works1 leaving the beleaguering army slowly to augment its forces4 ,the country was dissatisfied with the inaction of the latter4 ,even ,congress was anxious for some successful blow that might revive popular enthusiasm4 ,washington shared this anxiety1 and had repeatedly1 in councils of war1 suggested an attack upon the town1 but had found a majority of his general officers opposed to it4 ,he had hoped some favorable opportunity would present itself1 when1 the harbor being frozen1 the troops might approach the town upon the ice4 ,the winter1 however1 though severe at first1 proved a mild one1 and the bay continued open4 ,general ,putnam1 in the meantime1 having completed the new works at ,lechmere ,point1 and being desirous of keeping up the spirit of his men1 resolved to treat them to an exploit4 ,accordingly1 from his impregnable fortress of ,cobble ,hill1 he detached a party of about two hundred1 under his favorite officer1 ,major ,knowlton1 to surprise and capture a ,british guard stationed at ,charlestown4 ,it was a daring enterprise1 and executed with spirit4 ,as ,charlestown ,neck was completely protected1 ,knowlton led his men across the mill-dam1 round the base of the hill1 and immediately below the fort2 set fire to the guard-house and some buildings in its vicinity2 made several prisoners1 and retired without loss2 although thundered upon by the cannon of the fort4 ,meanwhile1 ,washington was incessantly goaded by the impatient murmurs of the public1 as we may judge by his letters to ,mr4 ,reed4 ,i know the integrity of my own heart1 writes he1 on the #ajth of ,february1 but to declare it1 unless to a friend1 may be an argument of vanity4 ,i know the unhappy predicament ,i stand in2 ,i know that much is expected of me2 ,i know that1 without men1 without arms1 without ammunition1 without anything fit for the accommodation of a soldier1 little is to be done2 and1 what is mortifying1 ,i know that ,i cannot stand justified to the world without exposing my own weakness1 and injuring the cause1 by declaring my wants2 which ,i am determined not to do1 further than unavoidable necessity brings every man acquainted with them4 ,he still adhered to his opinion in favor of an attempt upon the town4 ,he was aware that it would be attended with considerable loss1 but believed it would be successful if the men should behave well4 ,within a few days after the date of this letter1 the bay became sufficiently frozen for the transportation of troops4 ,this1 writes he to ,reed1 ,i thought1 knowing the ice would not last1 a favorable opportunity to make an assault upon the troops in town4 ,i proposed it in council2 but behold1 though we had been waiting all the year for this favorable event1 the enterprise was thought too dangerous4 ,at length the camp was rejoiced by the arrival of ,colonel ,knox1 with his long train of sledges drawn by oxen1 bringing more than fifty cannon1 mortars1 howitzers1 beside supplies of lead and flints4 ,the zeal and perseverance which he had displayed in his wintry expedition across frozen lakes and snowy wastes1 and the intelligence with which he had fulfilled his instructions1 won him the entire confidence of ,washington4 ,his conduct in this enterprise was but an earnest of that energy and ability which he displayed throughout the war4 ,further ammunition being received from the royal arsenal at ,new ,york1 and other quarters1 and a reinforcement of ten regiments of militia1 ,washington no longer met with opposition to his warlike measures4 ,lechmere ,point1 which ,putnam had fortified1 was immediately to be supplied with mortars and heavy cannon1 so as to command ,boston on the north2 and ,dorchester ,heights1 on the south of the town1 were forthwith to be taken possession of4 ,their possession would enable him to push his works to ,nook's ,hill1 and other points opposite ,boston1 whence a cannonade and bombardment must drive the enemy from the city4 ,the council of ,massachusetts1 at his request1 ordered the militia of the towns contiguous to ,dorchester and ,roxbury to hold themselves in readiness to repair to the lines at those places with arms1 ammunition and accoutrements1 on receiving a preconcerted signal4 ,washington felt painfully aware how much depended upon the success of this attempt4 ,there was a cloud of gloom and distrust lowering upon the public mind4 ,danger threatened on the north and on the south4 ,montgomery had fallen before the walls of ,quebec4 ,the army in ,canada was shattered4 ,tryon and the tories were plotting mischief in ,new ,york4 ,dunmore was harassing the lower part of ,virginia1 and ,clinton and his fleet were prowling along the coast on a secret errand of mischief4 ,in the general plan it was concerted that1 should the enemy detach a large force to dislodge our men from ,dorchester ,heights1 as had been done in the affair of ,bunker's ,hill1 an attack upon the opposite side of the town should forthwith be made by ,general ,putnam4 ,for this purpose he was to have four thousand picked men in readiness1 in two divisions1 under ,generals ,sullivan and ,greene4 ,at a concerted signal from ,roxbury1 they were to embark in boats near the mouth of ,charles ,river1 cross under cover of the fire of three floating batteries1 land in two places in ,boston1 secure its strong posts1 force the gates and works at the ,neck1 and let in the ,roxbury troops4 ,the evening of ,monday1 the #dth of ,march1 was fixed upon for the occupation of ,dorchester ,heights4 ,the ground was frozen too hard to be easily intrenched2 fascines1 therefore1 and gabions1 and bundles of screwed hay1 were collected during the two preceding nights1 with which to form breastworks and redoubts4 ,during these two busy nights the enemy's batteries were cannonaded and bombarded from opposite points1 to occupy their attention1 and prevent their noticing these preparations4 ,they replied with spirit1 and the incessant roar of artillery thus kept up1 covered completely the rumbling of wagons and ordnance4 ,as soon as the firing commenced1 the detachment under ,general ,thomas set out on its cautious and secret march from the lines of ,roxbury and ,dorchester4 ,everything was conducted as regularly and quietly as possible4 ,a covering party of eight hundred men preceded the carts with the intrenching tools2 then came ,general ,thomas with the working party1 twelve hundred strong1 followed by a train of three hundred wagons1 laden with fascines1 gabions1 and hay screwed into bundles of seven or eight hundred weight4 ,a great number of such bundles were ranged in a line along ,dorchester ,neck on the side next the enemy1 to protect the troops1 while passing1 from being raked by the fire of the enemy4 ,fortunately1 although the moon1 as ,washington writes1 was shining in its full lustre1 the flash and roar of cannonry from opposite points1 and the bursting of bombshells high in the air1 so engaged and diverted the attention of the enemy1 that the detachment reached the heights about eight o'clock without being heard or perceived4 ,the covering party then divided2 one half proceeded to the point nearest ,boston1 the other to the one nearest to ,castle ,williams4 ,the working party commenced to fortify1 under the directions of ,gridley1 the veteran engineer1 who had planned the works on ,bunker's ,hill4 ,it was severe labor1 for the earth was frozen eighteen inches deep2 but the men worked with more than their usual spirit2 for the eye of the commander-in-chief was upon them4 ,though not called there by his duties1 ,washington could not be absent from this eventful operation4 ,the labors of the night were carried on with activity and address4 ,when a relief party arrived at four o'clock in the morning1 two forts were in sufficient forwardness to furnish protection against small-arms and grape-shot2 and such use was made of the fascines and bundles of screwed hay1 that1 at dawn1 a formidable-looking fortress frowned along the height4 ,howe gazed at the mushroom fortress with astonishment1 as it loomed indistinctly1 but grandly1 through a morning fog4 ,the rebels1 exclaimed he1 have done more work in one night than my whole army would have done in one month4 ,washington had watched with intense anxiety the effect of the revelation at daybreak4 ,an ,american1 who was on ,dorchester ,heights1 gives a picture of the scene4 ,a tremendous cannonade was commenced from the forts in ,boston and the shipping in the harbor4 ,cannon shot1 writes he1 are continually rolling and rebounding over the hill1 and it is astonishing to observe how little our soldiers are terrified by them4 ,the royal troops are perceived to be in motion1 as if embarking to pass the harbor and land on ,dorchester shore1 to attack our works4 ,the hills and elevations in this vicinity are covered with spectators1 to witness deeds of horror in the expected conflict4 ,general ,thomas was reinforced with two thousand men4 ,old ,putnam stood ready to make a descent upon the north side of the town1 with his four thousand picked men1 as soon as the heights on the south should be assailed4 ,as ,washington rode about the heights1 he reminded the troops that it was the #eth of ,march1 the anniversary of the ,boston massacre1 and called on them to revenge the slaughter of their brethren4 ,they answered him with shouts4 ,howe1 in the meantime1 was perplexed between his pride and the hazards of his position4 ,in his letters to the ministry1 he had scouted the idea of being in danger from the rebels4 ,he had hoped they would attack him4 ,apparently1 they were about to fulfil his hopes1 and with formidable advantages of position4 ,he must dislodge them from ,dorchester ,heights1 or evacuate ,boston4 ,the latter was an alternative too mortifying to be readily adopted4 ,he resolved on an attack1 but it was to be a night one4 ,in the evening the ,british began to move4 ,lord ,percy was to lead the attack4 ,twenty-five hundred men were embarked in transports1 which were to convey them to the rendezvous at ,castle ,william4 ,a violent storm set in from the east4 ,the transports could not reach their place of destination4 ,the men-of-war could not cover and support them4 ,a furious surf beat on the shore where the boats would have to land4 ,the attack was consequently postponed until the following day4 ,that day was equally unpropitious4 ,the storm continued1 with torrents of rain4 ,the attack was again postponed4 ,in the meantime1 the ,americans went on strengthening their works2 by the time the storm subsided1 ,general ,howe deemed them too strong to be easily carried2 the attempt1 therefore1 was relinquished altogether4 ,what was to be done8 ,the shells thrown from the heights into the town proved that it was no longer tenable4 ,the fleet was equally exposed4 ,admiral ,shuldham1 the successor to ,graves1 assured ,howe that if the ,americans maintained possession of the heights1 his ships could not remain in the harbor4 ,it was determined1 therefore1 in a council of war1 to evacuate the place as soon as possible4 ,but now came on a humiliating perplexity4 ,the troops1 in embarking1 would be exposed to a destructive fire4 ,how was this to be prevented8 ,general ,howe's pride would not suffer him to make capitulations2 he endeavored to work on the fears of the ,bostonians1 by hinting that if his troops were molested while embarking1 he might be obliged to cover their retreat by setting fire to the town4 ,the hint had its effect4 ,several of the principal inhabitants communicated with him through the medium of ,general ,robertson4 ,the result of the negotiation was that a paper was concocted and signed by several of the select men of ,boston1 stating the fears they had entertained of the destruction of the place1 but that those fears had been quieted by ,general ,howe's declaration that it should remain uninjured1 provided his troops were unmolested while embarking2 the select men1 therefore1 begged some assurance that so dreadful a calamity might not be brought on1 by any measures from without4 ,this paper was sent out from ,boston1 on the evening of the #hth1 with a flag of truce1 which bore it to the ,american lines at ,roxbury4 ,there it was received by ,colonel ,learned1 and carried by him to head-quarters4 ,washington consulted with such of the general officers as he could immediately assemble4 ,the paper was not addressed to him1 nor to any one else4 ,it was not authenticated by the signature of ,general ,howe2 nor was there any other act obliging that commander to fulfil the promise asserted to have been made by him4 ,it was deemed proper1 therefore1 that ,washington should give no answer to the paper2 but that ,colonel ,learned should signify in a letter his having laid it before the commander-in-chief1 and the reasons assigned for not answering it4 ,with this uncompromising letter1 the flag returned to ,boston4 ,the ,americans suspended their fire1 but continued to fortify their positions4 ,daily preparations were now made by the enemy for departure4 ,by proclamation1 the inhabitants were ordered to deliver up all linen and woollen goods1 and all other goods that1 in possession of the rebels1 would aid them in carrying on the war4 ,for some days the embarkation of the troops was delayed by adverse winds4 ,washington1 who was imperfectly informed of affairs in ,boston1 feared that the movements there might be a feint4 ,determined to bring things to a crisis1 he detached a force to ,nook's ,hill on ,saturday1 the #afth1 which threw up a breastwork in the night regardless of the cannonading of the enemy4 ,this commanded ,boston ,neck1 and the south part of the town1 and a deserter brought a false report to the ,british that a general assault was intended4 ,the embarkation1 so long delayed1 began with hurry and confusion at four o'clock in the morning4 ,the harbor of ,boston soon presented a striking and tumultuous scene4 ,there were seventy-eight ships and transports casting loose for sea1 and eleven or twelve thousand men1 soldiers1 sailors1 and refugees1 hurrying to embark2 many1 especially of the latter1 with their families and personal effects4 ,the refugees1 in fact1 labored under greater disadvantages than the king's troops1 being obliged to man their own vessels1 as sufficient seamen could not be spared from the king's transports4 ,while this tumultuous embarkation was going on1 the ,americans looked on in silence from their batteries on ,dorchester ,heights1 without firing a shot4 ,at an early hour of the morning1 the troops stationed at ,cambridge and ,roxbury had paraded1 and several regiments under ,putnam had embarked in boats1 and dropped down ,charles ,river1 to ,sewall's ,point1 to watch the movements of the enemy by land and water4 ,about nine o'clock a large body of troops was seen marching down ,bunker's ,hill1 while boats full of soldiers were putting off for the shipping4 ,two scouts were sent from the camp to reconnoitre4 ,the works appeared still to be occupied1 for sentries were posted about them with shouldered muskets4 ,observing them to be motionless1 the scouts made nearer scrutiny1 and discovered them to be mere effigies1 set up to delay the advance of the ,americans4 ,pushing on1 they found the works deserted1 and gave signal of the fact2 whereupon1 a detachment was sent from the camp to take possession4 ,part of ,putnam's troops were now sent back to ,cambridge2 a part were ordered forward to occupy ,boston4 ,general ,ward1 too1 with five hundred men1 made his way from ,roxbury1 across the neck1 about which the enemy had scattered caltrops or crows' feet1#a to impede invasion4 ,the gates were unbarred and thrown open1 and the ,americans entered in triumph1 with drums beating and colors flying4 ,footnote #a3 ,iron balls1 with four sharp points1 to wound the feet of men or horses4 ,by ten o'clock the enemy were all embarked and under way3 ,putnam had taken command of the city1 and occupied the important points1 and the flag of thirteen stripes1 the standard of the ,union1 floated above all the forts4 ,on the following day1 ,washington himself entered the town where he was joyfully welcomed4 ,the eminent services of ,washington throughout this arduous siege1 his admirable management1 by which1 in the course of a few months1 an undisciplined band of husbandmen became soldiers1 and were enabled to invest1 for nearly a year1 and finally to expel a brave army of veterans1 commanded by the most experienced generals1 drew forth the enthusiastic applause of the nation4 ,on motion of ,john ,adams1 who had first moved his nomination as commander-in-chief1 a unanimous vote of thanks to him was passed in ,congress2 and it was ordered that a gold medal be struck1 commemorating the evacuation of ,boston1 bearing the effigy of ,washington as its deliverer4 ,the ,british fleet bearing the army from ,boston1 had disappeared from the coast4 ,whither they are bound1 and where they next will pitch their tents1 writes ,washington1 ,i know not4 ,he conjectured their destination to be ,new ,york1 and made his arrangements accordingly2 but he was mistaken4 ,general ,howe had steered for ,halifax1 there to await the arrival of strong reinforcements from ,england1 and the fleet of his brother1 ,admiral ,lord ,howe2 who was to be commander-in-chief of the naval forces on the ,north ,american station4 ,it was presumed the enemy1 in the ensuing campaign1 would direct their operations against the ,middle and ,southern colonies4 ,congress divided the colonies into two departments2 one1 comprehending ,new ,york1 ,new ,jersey1 ,pennsylvania1 ,delaware and ,maryland1 was to be under the command of a major-general1 and two brigadier-generals2 the other1 comprising ,virginia1 the ,carolinas and ,georgia1 to be under the command of a major-general and four brigadiers4 ,in this new arrangement1 the orders destining ,general ,lee to ,canada were superseded1 and he was appointed to the command of the ,southern department1 where he was to keep watch upon the movements of ,sir ,henry ,clinton4 ,the command in ,canada was given to ,general ,thomas1 who had distinguished himself at ,roxbury and was promoted to the rank of major-general4 ,it would have been given to ,schuyler1 but for the infirm state of his health2 still ,congress expressed a reliance on his efforts to complete the work so conspicuously begun and well conducted under his orders1 in the last campaign2 and1 as not merely the success but the very existence of the army in ,canada would depend on supplies sent from these colonies across the lakes1 he was required1 until further orders1 to fix his head-quarters at ,albany1 where1 without being exposed to the fatigue of the camp until his health was perfectly restored1 he would be in a situation to forward supplies2 to superintend the operations necessary for the defence of ,new ,york and the ,hudson ,river1 and the affairs of the whole middle department4 ,lee set out for the ,south on the #gth of ,march1 carrying with him his bold spirit1 his shrewd sagacity1 and his whimsical and splenetic humors4 ,brigadier-general ,lord ,stirling remained in temporary command at ,new ,york4 ,washington1 presuming that the ,british fleet had steered for that port with the force which had evacuated ,boston1 hastened detachments thither under ,generals ,heath and ,sullivan1 and wrote for three thousand additional men to be furnished by ,connecticut4 ,the command of the whole he gave to ,general ,putnam1 who was ordered to fortify the city and the passes of the ,hudson according to the plans of ,general ,lee4 ,in the meantime1 ,washington delayed to come on himself1 until he should have pushed forward the main body of his army by divisions4 ,lee's anticipations that laxity and confusion would prevail after his departure1 were not realized4 ,the veteran ,putnam1 on taking command1 put the city under rigorous military rule4 ,all communication between the ministerial fleet and shore was stopped2 the ships were no longer to be furnished with provisions4 ,any person taken in the act of holding communication with them would be considered an enemy1 and treated accordingly4 ,washington came on by the way of ,providence1 ,norwich and ,new ,london1 expediting the embarkation of troops from these posts1 and arrived at ,new ,york on the #acth of ,april4 ,many of the works which ,lee had commenced were by this time finished2 others were in progress4 ,it was apprehended the principal operations of the enemy would be on ,long ,island1 the high grounds of which1 in the neighborhood of ,brooklyn1 commanded the city4 ,washington saw that an able and efficient officer was needed at that place4 ,greene was accordingly stationed there1 with a division of the army4 ,he immediately proceeded to complete the fortifications of that important post1 and to make himself acquainted with the topography and the defensive points of the surrounding country4 ,the aggregate force distributed at several extensive posts in ,new ,york and its environs1 and on ,long ,island1 ,staten ,island and elsewhere1 amounted to little more than ten thousand men2 some of those were on the sick list1 others absent on command1 or on furlough2 there were but about eight thousand available and fit for duty4 ,these1 too1 were without pay2 those recently enlisted without arms1 and no one could say where arms were to be procured4 ,washington saw the inadequacy of the force to the purposes required and was full of solicitude about the security of a place1 the central point of the ,confederacy1 and the grand deposit of ordnance and military stores4 ,the process of fortifying the place had induced the ships of war to fall down into the outer bay1 within the ,hook1 upwards of twenty miles from the city2 but ,governor ,tryon was still on board of one of them1 keeping up an active correspondence with the tories on ,staten and ,long ,islands1 and in other parts of the neighborhood4 ,in addition to his cares about the security of ,new ,york1 ,washington had to provide for the perilous exigencies of the army in ,canada4 ,since his arrival in the city1 four regiments of troops1 a company of riflemen and another of artificers had been detached under the command of ,brigadier-general ,thompson1 and a further corps of six regiments under ,brigadier-general ,sullivan1 with orders to join ,general ,thomas as soon as possible4 ,still ,congress inquired of him whether further reinforcements to the army in ,canada would not be necessary1 and whether they could be spared from the army in ,new ,york4 ,his reply shows the peculiar perplexities of his situation and the tormenting uncertainty in which he was kept1 as to where the next storm of war would break4 ,with respect to sending more troops to that country1 ,i am really at a loss what to advise1 as it is impossible1 at present1 to know the designs of the enemy4 ,should they send the whole force under ,general ,howe up the river ,st4 ,lawrence1 to relieve ,quebec and recover ,canada1 the troops gone and now going will be insufficient to stop their progress2 and1 should they think proper to send that1 or an equal force1 this way from ,great ,britain1 for the purpose of possessing this city and securing the navigation of ,hudson's ,river1 the troops left here will not be sufficient to oppose them2 and yet1 for anything we know1 ,i think it not improbable they may attempt both2 both being of the greatest importance to them1 if they have men4 ,i could wish1 indeed1 that the army in ,canada should be more powerfully reinforced2 at the same time1 ,i am conscious that the trusting of this important post1 which is now become the grand magazine of ,america1 to the handful of men remaining here1 is running too great a risk4 ,washington at that time was not aware of the extraordinary expedients ,england had recently resorted to against the next campaign4 ,the ,duke of ,brunswick1 the ,landgrave of ,hesse ,cassel1 and the ,hereditary ,prince of ,cassel1 ,count of ,hanau1 had been subsidized to furnish troops to assist in the subjugation of her colonies4 ,four thousand three hundred ,brunswick troops1 and nearly thirteen thousand ,hessians1 had entered the ,british service4 ,beside the subsidy exacted by the ,german princes1 they were to be paid seven pounds four shillings and four pence sterling for every soldier furnished by them1 and as much more for every one slain4 ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,,reverses ,,in ,,canada4--,,the ,,highlands4--,,close ,,of ,,the ,,invasion ,,of ,,canada4 ,we left ,arnold before the walls of ,quebec1 wounded1 crippled1 almost disabled1 yet not disheartened1 blockading that proud town with a force inferior1 by half1 in number to that of the garrison4 ,for his gallant services1 ,congress promoted him in ,january to the rank of brigadier-general4 ,throughout the winter he kept up the blockade with his shattered army2 though had ,carleton ventured upon a sortie1 he might have been forced to decamp4 ,arnold had difficulties of all kinds to contend with4 ,his military chest was exhausted2 his troops were in want of necessaries2 sickness thinned his ranks4 ,at one time1 his force was reduced to five hundred men1 and for two months1 with all his recruitments of raw militia1 did not exceed seven hundred4 ,the failure of the attack on ,quebec had weakened the cause among the ,canadians2 the peasantry had been displeased by the conduct of the ,american troops2 they had once welcomed them as deliverers2 they now began to regard them as intruders4 ,notwithstanding all these discouragements1 ,arnold still kept up a bold face3 cut off supplies occasionally1 and harassed the place with alarms4 ,having repaired his batteries1 he opened a fire upon the town1 but with little effect2 the best part of the artillerists1 with ,lamb1 their capable commander1 were prisoners within the walls4 ,on the #ast day of ,april1 ,general ,wooster arrived from ,montreal1 with reinforcements1 and took the command4 ,the day after his arrival1 ,arnold1 by the falling of his horse1 again received an injury on the leg recently wounded1 and was disabled for upwards of a week4 ,considering himself slighted by ,general ,wooster1 who did not consult him in military affairs1 he obtained leave of absence until he should be recovered from his lameness1 and repaired to ,montreal1 where he took command4 ,general ,thomas arrived at the camp in the course of ,april1 and found the army in a forlorn condition1 scattered at different posts1 and on the island of ,orleans4 ,it was numerically increased to upwards of two thousand men1 but several hundred were unfit for service4 ,the small-pox had made great ravages4 ,they had inoculated each other4 ,in their sick and debilitated state they were without barracks1 and almost without medicine4 ,a portion1 whose term of enlistment had expired1 refused to do duty1 and clamored for their discharge4 ,the winter was over1 the river was breaking up1 reinforcements to the garrison might immediately be expected1 and then the case would be desperate4 ,observing that the river about ,quebec was clear of ice1 ,general ,thomas determined on a bold effort4 ,it was to send up a fire-ship with the flood1 and1 while the ships in the harbor were in flames1 and the town in confusion1 to scale the walls4 ,accordingly1 on the #c;d of ,may the troops turned out with scaling ladders2 the fire-ship came up the river under easy sail1 and arrived near the shipping before it was discovered4 ,it was fired into4 ,the crew applied a slow match to the train and pulled off4 ,the ship was soon in a blaze1 but the flames caught and consumed the sails2 her way was checked1 and she drifted off harmlessly with the ebbing tide4 ,the rest of the plan was1 of course1 abandoned4 ,nothing now remained but to retreat before the enemy should be reinforced4 ,preparations were made in all haste to embark the sick and the military stores4 ,while this was taking place1 five ships made their way into the harbor1 on the #fth of ,may1 and began to land troops4 ,thus reinforced1 ,general ,carleton sallied forth with eight hundred or a thousand men4 ,the ,americans were in no condition to withstand the attack4 ,they had no intrenchments1 and could not muster three hundred men at any point4 ,a precipitate retreat was the consequence1 in which baggage1 artillery1 everything was abandoned4 ,even the sick were left behind2 many of whom crawled away from the camp hospitals1 and took refuge in the woods1 or among the ,canadian peasantry4 ,general ,thomas came to a halt at point ,deschambault1 about sixty miles above ,quebec1 and called a council of war to consider what was to be done4 ,the enemy's ships were hastening up the ,st4 ,lawrence2 some were already but two or three leagues distant4 ,the camp was without cannon2 powder1 forwarded by ,general ,schuyler1 had fallen into the enemy's hands2 there were not provisions enough to subsist the army for more than two or three days2 the men-of-war1 too1 might run up the river1 intercept all their resources1 and reduce them to the same extremity they had experienced before ,quebec4 ,it was resolved1 therefore1 to ascend the river still further4 ,general ,thomas1 however1 determined to send forward the invalids1 but to remain at ,point ,deschambault1 with about five hundred men1 until he should receive orders from ,montreal and learn whether such supplies could be forwarded immediately as would enable him to defend his position4 ,the despatches of ,general ,thomas1 setting forth the disastrous state of affairs1 had a disheartening effect on ,schuyler1 who feared the army would be obliged to abandon ,canada4 ,washington1 on the contrary1 spoke cheeringly on the subject4 ,he regretted that the troops had not been able to make a stand at ,point ,deschambault1 but hoped they would maintain a post as far down the river as possible4 ,the reverses in ,canada1 which spread consternation through the ,new ,england frontier1 now laid open to invasion1 strengthened the ill-will and prejudice that prevailed in the ,eastern ,states against ,general ,schuyler4 ,he was stigmatized as the cause of the late reverses1 and was even accused of being untrue to his country4 ,committees1 which the alarming state of affairs had caused to be organized in various counties1 addressed ,washington on the subject1 which1 reviling ,schuyler1 he at once demanded a court of inquiry4 ,it is proper to add that the committees in question1 after investigating the evidence1 acknowledged to ,washington that their suspicions had been wholly groundless4 ,as the reverses in ,canada would affect the fortunes of the ,revolution elsewhere1 ,washington sent ,general ,gates to lay the despatches concerning them before ,congress4 ,scarce had ,gates departed on his mission 7,may #aith71 when ,washington himself received a summons to ,philadelphia1 to advise with ,congress concerning the opening campaign4 ,he was informed also that ,gates1 on the #afth of ,may1 had been promoted to the rank of major-general1 and ,mifflen to that of brigadier-general1 and a wish was intimated that they might take the command of ,boston4 ,washington prepared to proceed to ,philadelphia4 ,in his parting instructions to ,putnam1 who1 as the oldest major-general in the city1 would have the command during his absence1 ,washington informed him of the intention of the ,provincial ,congress of ,new ,york to seize the principal tories and disaffected persons in the city and the surrounding country1 especially on ,long ,island1 and authorized him to afford military aid1 if required1 to carry the same into execution4 ,he was also to send ,lord ,stirling1 ,colonel ,putnam the engineer1 and ,colonel ,knox1 if he could be spared1 up to the ,highlands1 to examine the state of the forts and garrisons1 and report what was necessary to put them in a posture of defence4 ,the general1 accompanied by ,mrs4 ,washington1 departed from ,new ,york on the #bast of ,may1 and they were invited by ,mr4 ,hancock1 the ,president of ,congress1 to be his guests during their sojourn at ,philadelphia4 ,washington1 in his conferences with ,congress1 roundly expressed his conviction that no accommodation could be effected with ,great ,britain on acceptable terms4 ,ministerialists had declared in ,parliament that1 the sword being drawn1 the most coercive measures would be persevered in until there was complete submission4 ,the recent subsidizing of foreign troops was a part of this policy1 and indicated unsparing hostility4 ,a protracted war1 therefore1 was inevitable2 but it would be impossible to carry it on successfully with the scanty force actually embodied1 and with transient enlistments of militia4 ,in consequence of his representations1 resolutions were passed in ,congress that soldiers should be enlisted for three years1 with a bounty of ten dollars for each recruit2 that the army at ,new ,york should be reinforced until the #ast of ,december with thirteen thousand eight hundred militia2 that gondolas and fire-rafts should be built to prevent the men-of-war and enemy's ships from coming into ,new ,york ,bay1 or the ,narrows2 and that a flying camp of ten thousand militia1 furnished by ,pennsylvania1 ,delaware and ,maryland1 and likewise engaged until the #ast of ,december1 should be stationed in the ,jerseys for the defence of the ,middle colonies4 ,washington was1 moreover1 empowered1 in case of emergency1 to call on the neighboring colonies for temporary aid with their militia4 ,another important result of his conferences with ,congress was the establishment of a war office4 ,military affairs had hitherto been referred in ,congress to committees casually appointed1 and had consequently been subject to great irregularity and neglect4 ,henceforth a permanent committee1 entitled the ,board of ,war and ,ordnance1 was to take cognizance of them4 ,the first board was composed of five members--,john ,adams1 ,colonel ,benjamin ,harrison1 ,roger ,sherman1 ,james ,wilson1 and ,edward ,rutledge2 with ,richard ,peters as secretary4 ,it went into operation on the #abth of ,june4 ,while at ,philadelphia1 ,washington had frequent consultations with ,george ,clinton1 one of the delegates from ,new ,york1 concerning the interior defences of that province1 especially those connected with the security of the ,highlands of the ,hudson1 where part of the regiment of ,colonel ,james ,clinton1 the brother of the delegate1 was stationed4 ,he was gratified1 also1 by procuring the appointment of his late secretary1 ,joseph ,reed1 to the post of adjutant-general1 vacated by the promotion of ,general ,gates1 thus placing him once more by his side4 ,despatches from ,canada continued to be disastrous4 ,a post stationed at the ,cedars1 forty miles above ,montreal consisting of about four hundred men1 had been intimidated into a surrender by a body of ,canadians and ,indians4 ,a force of one hundred men1 sent to the relief of the post1 was also captured4 ,the enemy was pursued by ,arnold1 and overtaken near ,st4 ,anns1 above the rapids of the ,st4 ,lawrence4 ,the prisoners captured at the ,cedars were threatened with massacre if ,arnold should attack2 and this led to negotiations which resulted in their exchange4 ,while these events were occurring mischief was brewing in another quarter4 ,colonel ,guy ,johnson1 with ,brant and the ,butlers1 had been holding councils with the ,indians1 and were threatening a maraud on the ,mohawk country4 ,a correspondence was carried on between ,guy ,johnson and his cousin1 ,sir ,john ,johnson1 who was said to be preparing to co-operate with his ,scotch dependents4 ,schuyler considered this a breach of ,sir ,john's parole1 and sent ,colonel ,dayton to apprehend him4 ,sir ,john1 with a number of his tenants1 retreated for refuge among the ,indians4 ,shortly after this came intelligence that ,sir ,john1 with his ,scotch warriors and ,indian allies1 was actually coming down the valley of the ,mohawk1 bent on revenge1 and prepared to lay everything to waste4 ,schuyler immediately collected a force at ,albany to oppose him2 letters from ,washington directed ,schuyler to detach ,colonel ,dayton with his regiment on that service1 with instructions for him to secure a post upon the old site of ,fort ,stanwix4 ,washington also authorized ,schuyler to hold a conference with the ,six ,nations1 and secure their active services1 without waiting further directions from ,congress--that body having recently resolved to employ ,indian allies4 ,lord ,stirling1 who1 by ,washington's orders1 had visited and inspected the defences in the ,highlands1 rendered a report of their condition1 of which we give the purport4 ,fort ,montgomery1 at the lower part of the ,highlands1 was on the west bank of the river1 north of ,dunderberg 7or ,thunder ,hill74 ,it was situated on a bank one hundred feet high4 ,the river at that place was about half a mile wide4 ,opposite the fort was the promontory of ,anthony's ,nose1 many hundred feet high1 accessible only to goats1 or men expert in climbing4 ,a body of riflemen stationed here might command the decks of vessels4 ,fort ,montgomery appeared to ,lord ,stirling the proper place for a guard post4 ,fort ,constitution was about six miles higher up the river1 on a rocky island of the same name1 at a narrow strait where the ,hudson1 shouldered by precipices1 makes a sudden bend round ,west ,point4 ,a redoubt1 in the opinion of ,lord ,stirling1 would be needed on the point1 not only for the preservation of ,fort ,constitution1 but for its own importance4 ,the garrison of that fort consisted of two companies of ,colonel ,james ,clinton's regiment1 and ,captain ,wisner's company of minute men1 in all one hundred and sixty rank and file4 ,fort ,montgomery was garrisoned by three companies of the same regiment1 about two hundred rank and file4 ,both garrisons were miserably armed4 ,the direction of the works of both forts was in the hands of commissioners appointed by the ,provincial ,congress of ,new ,york4 ,the general command of the posts required to be adjusted4 ,in view of all these circumstances1 ,washington1 on the #adth of ,june1 ordered ,colonel ,james ,clinton to take command of both posts1 and of all the troops stationed at them4 ,he seemed a fit custodian for them1 having been a soldier from his youth2 brought up on a frontier subject to ,indian alarms and incursions1 and acquainted with the strong points and fastnesses of the ,highlands4 ,king's ,bridge1 and the heights adjacent1 considered by ,general ,lee of the utmost importance to the communication between ,new ,york and the mainland1 and to the security of the ,hudson1 were reconnoitred by ,washington on horseback1 about the middle of the month2 ordering where works should be laid out4 ,breastworks were to be thrown up for the defence of the bridge1 and an advanced work 7subsequently called ,fort ,independence7 was to be built beyond it1 on a hill commanding ,spyt den ,duivel ,creek1 as that inlet of the ,hudson is called1 which links it with the ,harlem ,river4 ,a strong work1 intended as a kind of citadel1 was to crown a rocky height between two and three miles south of the bridge1 commanding the channel of the ,hudson1 and below it were to be redoubts on the banks of the river at ,jeffrey's ,point4 ,in honor of the general1 the citadel received the name of ,fort ,washington4 ,while these preparations were made for the protection of the ,hudson1 the works about ,brooklyn on ,long ,island were carried on with great activity1 under the superintendence of ,general ,greene4 ,in a word1 the utmost exertions were made at every point1 to put the city1 its environs1 and the ,hudson ,river1 in a state of defence1 before the arrival of another hostile armament4 ,operations in ,canada were now drawing to a disastrous close4 ,general ,thomas1 finding it impossible to make a stand at ,point ,deschambault1 had continued his retreat to the mouth of the ,sorel1 where he found ,general ,thompson with part of the troops detached by ,washington1 from ,new ,york1 who were making some preparations for defence4 ,shortly after his arrival1 he was taken ill with the small-pox1 and removed to ,chamblee4 ,he had prohibited inoculation among his troops1 because it put too many of their scanty number on the sick list2 he probably fell a victim to his own prohibition1 as he died of that malady on the #b;d of ,june4 ,on his death1 ,general ,sullivan1 who had recently arrived with the main detachment of troops from ,new ,york1 succeeded to the command2 ,general ,wooster having been recalled4 ,he advanced immediately with his brigade to the mouth of the ,sorel1 where he found ,general ,thompson with but very few troops to defend that post1 having detached ,colonel ,st4 ,clair1 with six or seven hundred men1 to ,three ,rivers1 about fifty miles down the ,st4 ,lawrence1 to give check to an advanced corps of the enemy of about eight hundred regulars and ,canadians1 under the veteran ,scot1 ,colonel ,maclean4 ,sullivan proceeded forthwith to complete the works on the ,sorel2 in the meantime he detached ,general ,thompson with additional troops to overtake ,st4 ,clair and assume command of the whole party1 which would then amount to two thousand men4 ,he was by no means to attack the encampment at ,three ,rivers1 unless there was great prospect of success1 as his defeat might prove the total loss of ,canada4 ,sullivan was aiming at the command in ,canada2 and ,washington soberly weighed his merits for the appointment1 in a letter to the ,president of ,congress4 ,he is active1 spirited1 and zealously attached to the cause4 ,he has his wants and he has his foibles4444 ,he wants experience to move upon a grand scale2 for the limited and contracted knowledge1 which any of us have in military matters1 stands in very little stead4 ,scarce had ,washington despatched this letter1 when he received one from the ,president of ,congress1 dated the #ahth of ,june1 informing him that ,major-general ,gates had been appointed to command the forces in ,canada1 and requesting him to expedite his departure as soon as possible4 ,the appointment of ,gates has been attributed to the influence of the ,eastern delegates1 with whom he was a favorite2 indeed1 during his station at ,boston1 he had been highly successful in cultivating the good graces of the ,new ,england people4 ,he departed for his command on the #bfth of ,june1 vested with extraordinary powers for the regulation of affairs in that distant1 dangerous1 and shifting scene4 ,the actual force of the enemy in ,canada had recently been augmented to about #ac1jjj men2 several regiments having arrived from ,ireland1 one from ,england1 another from ,general ,howe1 and a body of ,brunswick troops under the ,baron ,reidesel4 ,of these1 the greater part were on the way up from ,quebec in divisions1 by land and water1 with ,generals ,carleton1 ,burgoyne1 ,philips and ,reidesel2 while a considerable number under ,general ,frazer had arrived at ,three ,rivers1 and others1 under ,general ,nesbit1 lay near them on board of transports4 ,general ,thompson coasted in bateaux along the right bank of the river at that expanse called ,lake ,st4 ,pierre1 and arrived at ,nicolete1 where he found ,st4 ,clair and his detachment4 ,he crossed the river in the night1 and landed a few miles above ,three ,rivers1 intending to surprise the enemy before daylight2 he was not aware at the time that additional troops had arrived under ,general ,burgoyne4 ,after landing1 he marched with rapidity toward ,three ,rivers1 but was led by treacherous guides into a morass1 and obliged to return back nearly two miles4 ,day broke1 and he was discovered from the ships4 ,a cannonade was opened upon his men as they made their way slowly for an hour and a half through a swamp4 ,at length they arrived in sight of ,three ,rivers1 but it was to find a large force drawn up in battle array1 under ,general ,frazer1 by whom they were warmly attacked1 and after a brief stand thrown in confusion4 ,thompson attempted to rally his troops1 and partly succeeded1 until a fire was opened upon them in rear by ,nesbit1 who had landed from his ships4 ,their rout now was complete4 ,general ,thompson1 ,colonel ,irvine1 and about two hundred men were captured1 twenty-five were slain1 and the rest pursued for several miles through a deep swamp4 ,after great fatigues and sufferings1 they were able to get on board of their boats1 which had been kept from falling into the hands of the enemy4 ,in these they made their way back to the ,sorel1 bringing ,general ,sullivan the alarming intelligence of the overpowering force that was coming up the river4 ,sullivan made the desperate resolve to defend the mouth of the ,sorel1 but was induced to abandon it by the unanimous opinion of his officers1 and the evident unwillingness of his troops4 ,dismantling his batteries1 therefore1 he retreated with his artillery and stores just before the arrival of the enemy1 and was followed1 step by step along the ,sorel1 by a strong column under ,general ,burgoyne4 ,on the #ahth of ,june he was joined by ,general ,arnold with three hundred men1 the garrison of ,montreal1 who had crossed at ,longueil just in time to escape a large detachment of the enemy4 ,thus reinforced1 and the evacuation of ,canada being determined on in a council of war1 ,sullivan succeeded in destroying everything at ,chamblee and ,st4 ,johns that he could not carry away1 breaking down bridges1 and leaving forts and vessels in flames1 and continued his retreat to the ,isle aux ,noix1 where he made a halt for some days1 until he should receive positive orders from ,washington or ,general ,schuyler4 ,the low1 unhealthy situation of the ,isle aux ,noix obliged him soon to remove his camp to the ,isle la ,motte1 whence1 on receiving orders to that effect from ,general ,schuyler1 he ultimately embarked with his forces1 sick and well1 for ,crown ,point4 ,thus ended this famous invasion2 an enterprise bold in its conceptions1 daring and hardy in its execution2 full of ingenious expedients1 and hazardous exploits2 and which1 had not unforeseen circumstances counteracted its well-devised plans1 might have added all ,canada to the ,american confederacy4 ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ,,the ,,army ,,in ,,new ,,york4 ,the great aim of the ,british1 at present1 was to get possession of ,new ,york and the ,hudson1 and make them the basis of military operations4 ,this they hoped to effect on the arrival of a powerful armament1 hourly expected1 and designed for operations on the seaboard4 ,at this critical juncture there was an alarm of a conspiracy among the tories in the city and on ,long ,island1 suddenly to take up arms and co-operate with the ,british troops on their arrival4 ,the wildest reports were in circulation concerning it4 ,some of the tories were to break down ,king's ,bridge1 others were to blow up the magazines1 spike the guns1 and massacre all the field-officers4 ,washington was to be killed or delivered up to the enemy4 ,some of his own body-guard were said to be in the plot4 ,several publicans of the city were pointed out as having aided or abetted it4 ,one of the most noted was ,corbie1 whose tavern was said to be to the south-east of ,general ,washington's house1 to the westward of ,bayard's ,woods1 and north of ,lispenard's ,meadows1 from which it would appear that1 at that time1 the general was quartered at what was formerly called ,richmond ,hill2 a mansion surrounded by trees1 at a short distance from the city1 in rather an isolated situation4 ,illustration3 ,,washington',s ,,head-,,quarters4 ,,richmond ,,hill ,,house1 #aggf4 ,vol4 ,,ii4 ,a committee of the ,new ,york ,congress traced the plot up to ,governor ,tryon1 who1 from his safe retreat on shipboard1 acted through agents on shore4 ,the most important of these was ,david ,matthews1 the tory mayor of the city4 ,he was accused of disbursing money to enlist men1 purchase arms1 and corrupt the soldiery4 ,washington was authorized and requested by the committee to cause the mayor to be apprehended1 and all his papers secured4 ,matthews was at that time residing at ,flatbush on ,long ,island1 at no great distance from ,general ,greene's encampment4 ,washington transmitted the warrant of the committee to the general on the #bast1 with directions that it should be executed with precision1 and exactly by one o'clock of the ensuing morning1 by a careful officer4 ,precisely at the hour of one1 a detachment from ,greene's brigade surrounded the house of the mayor1 and secured his person2 but no papers were found1 though diligent search was made4 ,numerous other arrests took place1 and among the number1 some of ,washington's body-guard4 ,a great dismay fell upon the tories4 ,some of those on ,long ,island who had proceeded to arm themselves1 finding the plot discovered1 sought refuge in woods and morasses4 ,washington directed that those arrested1 who belonged to the army1 should be tried by a court-martial1 and the rest handed over to the secular power4 ,according to statements made before the committee1 five guineas bounty was offered by ,governor ,tryon to each man who should enter the king's service2 with a promise of two hundred acres of land for himself1 one hundred for his wife1 and fifty for each child4 ,the men thus recruited were to act on shore1 in co-operation with the king's troops when they came4 ,corbie's tavern1 near ,washington's quarters1 was a kind of rendezvous of the conspirators4 ,from this house a correspondence was kept up with ,governor ,tryon on shipboard1 through a mulatto4 ,at this tavern it was supposed ,washington's body-guards were tampered with4 ,thomas ,hickey1 one of the guards1 was said not only to be enlisted1 but to have aided in corrupting his comrades4 ,much of the evidence given was of a dubious kind4 ,it was certain that persons had secretly been enlisted and sworn to hostile operations1 but ,washington did not think that any regular plan had been digested by the conspirators4 ,according to the mayor's admission before the committee1 he had been cognizant of attempts to enlist tories and corrupt ,washington's guards1 though he declared that he had discountenanced them4 ,he1 with a number of others1 were detained in prison to await a trial4 ,thomas ,hickey1 the individual of ,washington's guard1 was tried before a court-martial4 ,he was an ,irishman1 and had been a deserter from the ,british army4 ,the court-martial found him guilty of mutiny and sedition1 and treacherous correspondence with the enemy1 and sentenced him to be hanged4 ,the sentence was approved by ,washington1 and was carried promptly into effect ,june #bhth4 ,while the city was still brooding over this event1 four ships-of-war1 portentous visitants1 appeared off the ,hook1 stood quietly in at the ,narrows1 and dropped anchor in the bay4 ,on the #bith of ,june an express from the look-out on ,staten ,island1 announced that forty sail were in sight4 ,they were1 in fact1 ships from ,halifax1 bringing between nine and ten thousand of the troops recently expelled from ,boston2 together with six transports filled with ,highland troops1 which had joined the fleet at sea4 ,at sight of this formidable armament standing into the harbor1 ,washington instantly sent notice of its arrival to ,colonel ,james ,clinton1 who had command of the posts in the ,highlands1 and urged all possible preparations to give the enemy a warm reception should they push their frigates up the river4 ,other arrivals swelled the number of ships in the bay of ,new ,york to one hundred and thirty men-of-war and transports4 ,they made no movement to ascend the ,hudson1 but anchored off ,staten ,island1 where they landed their troops1 and the hill sides were soon whitened with their tents4 ,washington beheld the gathering storm with an anxious eye1 aware that ,general ,howe only awaited the arrival of his brother1 the admiral1 to commence hostile operations4 ,he wrote to the ,president of ,congress1 urging a call on the ,massachusetts government for its quota of continental troops2 and the formation of a flying camp of ten thousand men1 to be stationed in the ,jerseys as a central force1 ready to act in any direction as circumstances might require4 ,on the #b;d of ,july he issued a general order1 calling upon the troops to prepare for a momentous conflict which was to decide their liberties and fortunes4 ,those who should signalize themselves by acts of bravery would be noticed and rewarded2 those who proved craven would be exposed and punished4 ,about this time1 we have the first appearance in the military ranks of the ,revolution of one destined to take an active and distinguished part in public affairs2 and to leave the impress of his genius on the institutions of the country4 ,as ,general ,greene one day1 on his way to ,washington's head-quarters1 was passing through a field--then on the outskirts of the city1 now in the heart of its busiest quarter1 and known as the ,park1--he paused to notice a provincial company of artillery1 and was struck with its able performances1 and with the tact and talent of its commander4 ,he was a mere youth1 apparently about twenty years of age2 small in person and stature1 but remarkable for his alert and manly bearing4 ,it was ,alexander ,hamilton4#a ,footnote #a3 ,hamilton was a native of the island of ,nevis1 in the ,west ,indies4 ,at an early age he was put in a counting house1 but his nature was aspiring1 and he devoted his leisure hours to study4 ,some early achievements of his pen gave such proof of talent that it was determined to give him the advantage of a regular education1 and he was sent to ,king's 7now ,columbia7 ,college at ,new ,york4 ,greene was an able tactician1 and quick to appreciate any display of military science2 a little conversation sufficed to convince him that the youth before him had a mind of no ordinary grasp and quickness4 ,he invited him to his quarters1 and from that time cultivated his friendship4 ,further acquaintance heightened the general's opinion of his extraordinary merits1 and he took an early occasion to introduce him to the commander-in-chief1 by whom we shall soon find him properly appreciated4 ,a valuable accession to the army1 at this anxious time1 was ,washington's neighbor1 and former companion in arms1 ,hugh ,mercer4 ,his military spirit was alert as ever2 the talent he had shown in organizing the ,virginia militia1 and his zeal and efficiency as a member of the committee of safety1 had been properly appreciated by ,congress1 and on the #eth of ,june he had received the commission of brigadier-general4 ,he was greeted by ,washington with the right hand of fellowship4 ,the flying camp was about forming4 ,washington had the nomination of some continental officer to the command4 ,he gave it to ,mercer1 and sent him over to ,paulus ,hook1 in the ,jerseys1 to make arrangements for the militia as they should come in2 recommending him to ,brigadier-general ,william ,livingston1 as an officer on whose experience and judgment great confidence might be reposed4 ,livingston was a man inexperienced in arms1 but of education1 talent1 sagacity and ready wit4 ,mercer and he were to consult together1 and concert plans to repel invasions2 the ,new ,jersey militia1 however1 were distinct from the flying camp1 and only called out for local defence4 ,while danger was gathering round ,new ,york1 the ,general ,congress at ,philadelphia was discussing1 with closed doors1 what ,john ,adams pronounced--,the greatest question ever debated in ,america1 and as great as ever was or will be debated among men4 ,the result was1 a resolution passed unanimously1 on the #b;d of ,july1 that these ,united ,colonies are1 and of right ought to be1 free and independent ,states4 ,the #b;d of ,july1 adds the same patriotic statesman1 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of ,america4 ,i am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival4 ,it ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance1 by solemn acts of devotion to ,almighty ,god4 ,it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade1 with shows1 games1 sports1 guns1 bells1 bonfires and illuminations1 from one end of this continent to the other1 from this time forth for evermore4 ,the glorious event has1 indeed1 given rise to an annual jubilee1 but not on the day designated by ,adams4 ,the #dth of ,july is the day of national rejoicing1 for on that day the ,declaration of ,independence1 that solemn and sublime document1 was adopted4 ,washington hailed the declaration with joy4 ,it is true1 it was but a formal recognition of a state of things which had long existed1 but it put an end to all those temporizing hopes of reconciliation which had clogged the military action of the country4 ,on the #ith of ,july he caused it to be read at six o'clock in the evening1 at the head of each brigade of the army4 ,the general hopes1 said he in his orders1 that this important event will serve as a fresh incentive to every officer and soldier to act with fidelity and courage1 as knowing that now the peace and safety of his country depend1 under ,god1 solely on the success of our arms2 and that he is now in the service of a state1 possessed of sufficient power to reward his merit and advance him to the highest honors of a free country4 ,the excitable populace of ,new ,york were not content with the ringing of bells to proclaim their joy4 ,there was a leaden statue of ,george ,,iii4 in the ,bowling ,green1 in front of the fort4 ,since kingly rule is at an end1 why retain its effigy8 ,on the same evening1 therefore1 the statue was pulled down amid the shouts of the multitude1 and broken up to be run into bullets to be used in the cause of independence4 ,the exultation of the patriots of ,new ,york1 caused by the ,declaration of ,independence1 was soon overclouded4 ,on the #abth of ,july several ships stood in from sea1 and joined the naval force below4 ,every nautical movement was now a matter of speculation and alarm4 ,two ships-of-war were observed getting under way1 and standing toward the city4 ,one was the ,phoenix1 of forty guns2 the other the ,rose1 of twenty guns1 commanded by ,captain ,wallace4 ,the troops were immediately at their alarm posts4 ,it was about half-past three o'clock in the afternoon as the ships and three tenders came sweeping up the bay with the advantage of wind and tide1 and shaped their course up the ,hudson4 ,the batteries of the city and of ,paulus ,hook1 on the opposite ,jersey shore1 opened a fire upon them4 ,they answered it with broadsides1 but continued their course up the ,hudson4 ,they had merely fired upon the batteries as they passed2 and on their own part had sustained but little damage1 their decks having ramparts of sand-bags4 ,the ships below remained in sullen quiet at their anchors1 and showed no intention of following them4 ,the firing ceased4 ,the fear of a general attack upon the city died away1 and the agitated citizens breathed more freely4 ,washington1 however1 apprehended this movement of the ships might be with a different object4 ,they might be sent to land troops and seize upon the passes of the ,highlands4 ,forts ,montgomery and ,constitution were far from complete1 and were scantily manned4 ,a small force might be sufficient to surprise them4 ,thus thinking1 he sent off an express to put ,general ,mifflin on the alert1 who was stationed with his ,philadelphia troops at ,fort ,washington and ,king's ,bridge4 ,the same express carried a letter from him to the ,new ,york ,convention1 at that time holding its sessions at ,white ,plains in ,westchester ,county1 apprising it of the impending danger4 ,fortunately ,george ,clinton1 the patriotic legislator1 had recently been appointed brigadier-general of the militia of ,ulster and ,orange counties4 ,called to his native ,state by his military duties in this time of danger1 he had only remained in ,congress to vote for the declaration of independence1 and then hastened home4 ,he was now at ,new ,windsor1 in ,ulster ,county1 just above the ,highlands4 ,washington wrote to him on the afternoon of the #abth1 urging him to collect as great a force as possible of the ,new ,york militia1 for the protection of the ,highlands against this hostile irruption4 ,long before the receipt of ,washington's letter1 ,clinton had been put on the alert4 ,about nine o'clock in the morning of the #acth1 two river sloops came to anchor above the ,highlands1 before the general's residence4 ,their captains informed him that ,new ,york had been attacked on the preceding afternoon4 ,they had seen the cannonade from a distance1 and judged from the subsequent firing1 that the enemy's ships were up the river as far as ,king's ,bridge4 ,clinton was as prompt a soldier as he had been an intrepid legislator4 ,the neighboring militia were forthwith put in motion4 ,three regiments were ordered out2 one was to repair to ,fort ,montgomery2 another to ,fort ,constitution2 the third to rendezvous at ,newburgh1 just above the ,highlands1 ready to hasten to the assistance of ,fort ,constitution1 should another signal be given4 ,another of his sagacious measures was to send expresses to all the owners of sloops and boats twenty miles up the west side of the river1 to haul them off so as to prevent their grounding4 ,part of them were to be ready to carry over the militia to the forts2 the rest were ordered down to ,fort ,constitution1 where a chain of them might be drawn across the narrowest part of the river1 to be set on fire1 should the enemy's ships attempt to pass4 ,having made these prompt arrangements1 he proceeded to ,fort ,montgomery1 where he fixed his head-quarters4 ,here1 on the following day 7,july #adth17 he received ,washington's letter1 written two days previously2 but by this time he had anticipated its orders1 and stirred up the whole country4 ,while the vigilant ,clinton was preparing to defend the passes of the ,highlands1 danger was growing more imminent at the mouth of the ,hudson4 ,the agitation into which ,new ,york was thrown on the afternoon of the #abth of ,july1 by the broadsides of the ,phoenix and the ,rose1 was almost immediately followed by another4 ,on the same evening there was a great booming of cannon1 with clouds of smoke1 from the shipping at anchor at ,staten ,island4 ,every spy-glass was again in requisition4 ,the ,british fleet were saluting a ship of the line1 just arrived from sea4 ,she advanced grandly1 every man-of-war thundering a salute as she passed4 ,at her foretop masthead she bore ,st4 ,george's flag4 ,it is the admiral's ship6 cried the nautical men on the look-out at the ,battery4 ,it is the admiral's ship6 was echoed from mouth to mouth1 and the word soon flew throughout the city1 ,lord ,howe is come6 ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ,,proceedings ,,of ,,lord ,,howe4--,,gates ,,and ,,schuyler4 ,lord ,howe was indeed come1 and affairs now appeared to be approaching a crisis4 ,in consequence of the recent conspiracy1 the ,convention of ,new ,york1 seated at ,white ,plains in ,westchester ,county1 had a secret committee stationed in ,new ,york for the purpose of taking cognizance of traitorous machinations4 ,to this committee ,washington addressed a letter the day after his lordship's arrival1 suggesting the policy of removing from the city and its environs1 all persons of known disaffection and enmity to the cause of ,america2 especially those confined in jail for treasonable offences2 who might become extremely dangerous in case of an attack and alarm4 ,he took this step with great reluctance2 but felt compelled to it by circumstances4 ,in consequence of his suggestion1 thirteen persons in confinement for traitorous offences1 were removed to the jail of ,litchfield in ,connecticut4 ,among the number was the late mayor2 but as his offence was not of so deep a dye as those whereof the rest stood charged1 it was recommended by the president of the ,convention that he should be treated with indulgence4 ,the proceedings of ,lord ,howe soon showed the policy of these precautions4 ,his lordship had prepared a declaration1 addressed to the people at large1 informing them of the powers vested in his brother and himself as commissioners for restoring peace4 ,he sent a flag on shore1 bearing a circular letter1 written in his civil and military capacity1 to the colonial governor1 requesting him to publish his address to the people as widely as possible4 ,the ,british officers1 considering the ,americans in arms rebels without valid commissions1 were in the habit of denying them all military title4 ,washington's general officers had urged him not to submit to this tacit indignity1 but to reject all letters directed to him without a specification of his official rank4 ,an occasion now presented itself for the adjustment of this matter4 ,within a day or two an officer of the ,british navy1 ,lieutenant ,brown1 came with a flag from ,lord ,howe1 seeking a conference with ,washington4 ,colonel ,reed1 the adjutant-general1 embarked in a barge1 and met him half way between ,governor's and ,staten ,islands4 ,the lieutenant informed him that he was the bearer of a letter from ,lord ,howe to ,mr4 ,washington4 ,colonel ,reed replied that he knew no such person in the ,american army4 ,the lieutenant produced and offered the letter4 ,it was addressed to ,george ,washington1 ,esquire4 ,he was informed that it could not be received with such a direction4 ,the lieutenant expressed much concern1 while ,reed maintained his coolness1 politely declining to receive the letter1 as inconsistent with his duty4 ,on the #aith an aide-de-camp of ,general ,howe came with a flag1 and requested to know1 as there appeared to be an obstacle to a correspondence between the two generals1 whether ,colonel ,patterson1 the ,british adjutant-general1 could be admitted to an interview with ,general ,washington4 ,colonel ,reed1 who met the flag1 consented in the name of the general1 and pledged his honor for the safety of the adjutant-general during the interview1 which was fixed for the following morning4 ,at the appointed time1 ,colonel ,reed and ,colonel ,webb1 one of ,washington's aides1 met the flag in the harbor1 took ,colonel ,patterson into their barge and escorted him to town1 passing in front of the grand battery4 ,washington received the adjutant-general at head-quarters with much form and ceremony1 in full military array1 with his officers and guards about him4 ,colonel ,patterson1 addressing him by the title of your excellency1 produced1 but did not offer1 a letter addressed to ,george ,washington1 ,esquire1 etc41 etc41 hoping that the et ceteras1 which implied everything1 would remove all impediments4 ,washington replied that it was true the et ceteras implied everything1 but they also implied anything4 ,a letter1 he added1 addressed to a person acting in a public character should have some inscriptions to designate it from a mere private letter2 and he should absolutely decline any letter addressed to himself as a private person1 when it related to his public station4 ,colonel ,patterson1 finding the letter would not be received1 endeavored1 as far as he could recollect1 to communicate the scope of it in the course of a somewhat desultory conversation4 ,what he chiefly dwelt upon was that ,lord ,howe and his brother had been specially nominated commissioners for the promotion of peace1 which was esteemed a mark of favor and regard to ,america2 that they had great powers1 and would derive the highest pleasure from effecting an accommodation2 and he concluded by adding1 that he wished his visit to be considered as making the first advance toward that desirable object4 ,washington replied that1 by what had appeared 7alluding1 no doubt1 to ,lord ,howe's circular71 their powers1 it would seem1 were only to grant pardons4 ,now those who had committed no fault needed no pardon2 and such was the case with the ,americans1 who were only defending what they considered their indisputable rights4 ,colonel ,patterson avoided a discussion of this matter1 which1 he observed1 would open a very wide field2 so here the conference1 which had been conducted on both sides with great courtesy1 terminated4 ,washington received the applause of ,congress and of the public for sustaining the dignity of his station4 ,his conduct in this particular was recommended as a model to all ,american officers in corresponding with the enemy4 ,in the meantime1 the irruption of the ,phoenix and the ,rose into the waters of the ,hudson had roused a belligerent spirit along its borders4 ,the lower part of that noble river is commanded on the eastern side by the bold woody heights of ,manhattan ,island and ,westchester ,county1 and on the western side by the rocky cliffs of the ,palisades4 ,beyond those cliffs1 the river expands into a succession of what may almost be termed lakes2 first the ,tappan ,sea1 then ,haverstraw ,bay1 then the ,bay of ,peekskill2 separated from each other by long stretching points1 or high beetling promontories1 but affording ample sea room and safe anchorage4 ,then come the redoubtable ,highlands1 that strait1 fifteen miles in length1 where the river bends its course1 narrow and deep1 between rocky1 forest-clad mountains4 ,the ,new ,york ,convention1 aware of the impending danger1 despatched military envoys to stir up the yeomanry along the river1 and order out militia4 ,powder and ball were sent to ,tarrytown1 before which the hostile ships were anchored1 and yeoman troops were stationed there and along the neighboring shores of the ,tappan ,sea4 ,in a little while the militia of ,dutchess ,county and ,cortlandt's ,manor were hastening1 rudely armed1 to protect the public stores at ,peekskill1 and mount guard at the entrance of the ,highlands4 ,the ships-of-war which caused this alarm and turmoil1 lay quietly anchored in the broad expanses of the ,tappan ,sea and ,haverstraw ,bay2 shifting their ground occasionally1 while their boats were out taking soundings quite up to the ,highlands1 evidently preparing for further operations4 ,at night1 too1 their barges were heard rowing up and down the river on mysterious errands4 ,the ships1 now acquainted with the channel1 moved up within six miles of ,fort ,montgomery4 ,general ,clinton apprehended they might mean to take advantage of a dark night1 and slip by him in the deep shadows of the mountains4 ,to prevent this1 he stationed a guard at night on the furthest point in view1 about two miles and a half below the fort1 prepared to kindle a blazing fire should the ships appear in sight4 ,large piles of dry brushwood mixed with combustibles were prepared at various places up and down the shore opposite to the fort1 and men stationed to set fire to them as soon as a signal should be given from the lower point4 ,the fort1 therefore1 while it remained in darkness1 would have a fair chance with its batteries as the ships passed between it and these conflagrations4 ,a private committee sent up by the ,new ,york ,convention1 had a conference with the general1 to devise further means of obstructing the passage of ships up the river4 ,fire rafts were to be brought from ,poughkeepsie and kept at hand ready for action4 ,these were to be lashed two together1 with chains1 between old sloops filled with combustibles1 and sent down with a strong wind and tide1 to drive upon the ships4 ,an iron chain1 also1 was to be stretched obliquely across the river from ,fort ,montgomery to the foot of ,anthony's ,nose1 thus1 as it were1 chaining up the gate of the ,highlands4 ,for a protection below the ,highlands1 it was proposed to station whale-boats about the coves and promontories of ,tappan ,sea and ,haverstraw ,bay2 to reconnoitre the enemy1 cruise about at night1 carry intelligence from post to post1 seize any river craft that might bring the ships supplies1 and cut off their boats when attempting to land4 ,galleys1 also1 were prepared1 with nine-pounders mounted at the bows4 ,while the security of the ,hudson from invading ships was claiming the attention of ,washington1 he was equally anxious to prevent an irruption of the enemy from ,canada4 ,he was grieved1 therefore1 to find there was a clashing of authorities between the generals who had charge of the ,northern frontier4 ,gates1 on his way to take command of the army in ,canada1 had heard with surprise in ,albany of its retreat across the ,new ,york frontier4 ,he still considered it under his orders1 and was proceeding to act accordingly1 when ,general ,schuyler observed that the resolution of ,congress1 and the instructions of ,washington1 applied to the army only while in ,canada2 the moment it retreated within the limits of ,new ,york1 it came within his 7,schuyler's7 command4 ,that there might be no delay in the service at this critical juncture the two generals agreed to refer the question of command to ,congress1 and in the meantime to act in concert4 ,they accordingly departed together for ,lake ,champlain1 to prepare against an anticipated invasion by ,sir ,guy ,carleton4 ,they arrived at ,crown ,point on the #fth of ,july1 and found there the wrecks of the army recently driven out of ,canada4 ,they had been harassed in their retreat by land2 their transportation on the lake had been in leaky boats1 without awnings1 where the sick1 suffering from small-pox1 lay on straw1 exposed to a burning ,july sun2 no food but salt pork1 often rancid1 hard biscuit or unbaked flour1 and scarcely any medicine4 ,not more than six thousand men had reached ,crown ,point1 and half of those were on the sick list2 the shattered remains of twelve or fifteen very fine battalions4 ,in a council of war it was determined that1 under present circumstances1 the post of ,crown ,point was not tenable2 and that1 therefore1 it was expedient to fall back1 and take a strong position at ,ticonderoga4 ,general ,sullivan had been deeply hurt that ,gates1 his former inferior in rank1 should have been appointed over him to the command of the army in ,canada2 considering it a tacit intimation that ,congress did not esteem him competent to the trust which had devolved upon him4 ,he now1 therefore1 requested leave of absence1 in order to wait on the commander-in-chief4 ,it was granted with reluctance4 ,on the #ith of ,july1 ,schuyler and ,gates returned to ,ticonderoga1 accompanied by ,arnold4 ,instant arrangements were made to encamp the troops1 and land the artillery and stores as fast as they should arrive4 ,great exertions1 also1 were made to strengthen the defences of the place4 ,colonel ,john ,trumbull1 who was to have accompanied ,gates to ,canada1 as adjutant-general1 had been reconnoitring the neighborhood of ,ticonderoga1 and had pitched upon a place for a fortification on the eastern side of the lake1 directly opposite the east point of ,ticonderoga1 where ,fort ,independence was subsequently built4 ,he also advised the erection of a work on a lofty eminence1 the termination of a mountain ridge1 which separates ,lake ,george from ,lake ,champlain4 ,his advice was unfortunately disregarded4 ,preparations were made1 also1 to augment the naval force on the lakes4 ,ship carpenters from the ,eastern ,states were employed at ,skenesborough to build the hulls of galleys and boats1 which1 when launched1 were to be sent down to ,ticonderoga for equipment and armament1 under the superintendence of ,general ,arnold4 ,schuyler soon returned to ,albany1 to superintend the general concerns of the ,northern department4 ,he was indefatigable in procuring and forwarding the necessary materials and artillery for the fortification of ,ticonderoga4 ,the question of command between him and ,gates was apparently at rest4 ,a letter from the ,president of ,congress1 dated ,july #hth1 informed ,general ,gates that1 according to the resolution of that body under which he had been appointed1 his command was totally independent of ,general ,schuyler1 while the army was in ,canada1 but no longer4 ,gates professed himself entirely satisfied with the explanation he had received1 and perfectly disposed to obey the commands of ,schuyler4 ,as to ,general ,sullivan1 who repaired to ,philadelphia and tendered his resignation1 the question of rank which had aggrieved him was explained in a manner that induced him to continue in service4 ,it was universally allowed that his retreat had been ably conducted through all kinds of difficulties and disasters4 ,a greater source of solicitude to ,washington than this jealousy between commanders1 was the sectional jealousy springing up among the troops4 ,in a letter to ,schuyler 7,july #agth71 he says1 ,i must entreat your attention to do away the unhappy and pernicious distinctions and jealousies between the troops of different governments4 ,enjoin this upon the officers1 and let them inculcate and press home to the soldiery1 the necessity of order and harmony among those who are embarked in one common cause1 and mutually contending for all that freemen hold dear4 ,nowhere were these sectional jealousies more prevalent than in the motley army assembled from distant quarters under ,washington's own command4 ,reed1 the adjutant-general1 speaking on this subject1 observes3 ,the ,southern troops1 comprising the regiments south of the ,delaware1 looked with very unkind feelings on those of ,new ,england2 especially those from ,connecticut1 whose peculiarities of deportment made them the objects of ill-disguised derision among their fellow soldiers4 ,among the troops thus designated as ,southern1 were some from ,virginia under a ,major ,leitch2 others from ,maryland1 under ,colonel ,smallwood2 others from ,delaware1 led by ,colonel ,haslet4 ,there were four ,continental battalions from ,pennsylvania commanded by ,colonels ,shee1 ,st4 ,clair1 ,wayne1 and ,magaw2 and provincial battalions1 two of which were severally commanded by ,colonels ,miles and ,atlee4 ,the ,continental battalion under ,colonel ,shee was chiefly from the city of ,philadelphia1 especially the officers2 among whom were ,lambert ,cadwalader and ,william ,allen1 members of two of the principal and most aristocratic families1 and ,alexander ,graydon1 to whose memoirs we are indebted for some graphic pictures of the times4 ,these ,pennsylvania troops were under the command of ,brigadier-general ,mifflin1 who1 in the preceding year1 had acted as ,washington's aide-de-camp1 and afterwards as quartermaster-general4 ,smallwood's ,maryland battalion was one of the brightest in point of equipment4 ,the scarlet and buff uniforms of those ,southerners contrasted vividly with the rustic attire of the yeoman battalions from the ,east4 ,their officers1 too1 looked down upon their ,connecticut compeers1 who could only be distinguished from their men by wearing a cockade4 ,there were none1 says ,graydon1 by whom an unofficer-like appearance and deportment could be tolerated less than by a city-bred ,marylander2 who1 at this time1 was distinguished by the most fashionable cut coat1 the most macaroni cocked-hat1 and hottest blood in the ,union4 ,in the same sectional spirit1 he speaks of the ,connecticut light-horse3 ,old-fashioned men1 truly irregulars2 whether their clothing1 equipments1 or caparisons were regarded1 it would have been difficult to have discovered any circumstance of uniformity4 ,instead of carbines and sabres1 they generally carried fowling-pieces1 some of them very long1 such as in ,pennsylvania are used for shooting ducks4 ,here and there one appeared in a dingy regimental of scarlet1 with a triangular1 tarnished1 laced hat4 ,these singular dragoons were volunteers1 who came to make a tender of their services to the commander-in-chief4 ,the troops thus satirized were a body of between four and five hundred ,connecticut light-horse1 under ,colonel ,thomas ,seymour4 ,on an appeal for aid to the governor of their ,state1 they had voluntarily hastened on in advance of the militia1 to render the most speedy succor4 ,washington speaks of them as being for the most part1 if not all1 men of reputation and property4 ,they were1 in fact1 mostly farmers4 ,the ,connecticut infantry which had been furnished by ,governor ,trumbull in the present emergency1 likewise were substantial farmers1 whose business would require their return1 when the necessity of their further stay in the army should be over4 ,they were all men of simple rural manners1 from an agricultural ,state1 where great equality of condition prevailed2 the officers were elected by the men out of their own ranks1 they were their own neighbors1 and every way their equals4 ,all this1 as yet1 was but little understood or appreciated by the troops from the ,south1 among whom military rank was more defined and tenaciously observed1 and where the officers were men of the cities1 and of more aristocratic habits4 ,,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,,the ,,war ,,in ,,the ,,south4--,,affairs ,,in ,,the ,,highlands4 ,letters from ,general ,lee gave ,washington intelligence of the fate of ,sir ,henry ,clinton's expedition to the ,south2 that expedition which had been the subject of so much surmise and perplexity4 ,within a year past1 ,charleston had been fortified at various points4 ,fort ,johnson1 on ,james ,island1 three miles from the city1 and commanding the breadth of the channel1 was garrisoned by a regiment of ,south ,carolina regulars under ,colonel ,gadsden4 ,a strong fort had recently been constructed nearly opposite1 on the south-west point of ,sullivan's ,island1 about six miles below the city4 ,it was mounted with twenty-six guns1 and garrisoned by three hundred and seventy-five regulars and a few militia1 and commanded by ,colonel ,william ,moultrie1 of ,south ,carolina1 who had constructed it4 ,this fort1 in connection with that on ,james ,island1 was considered the key of the harbor4 ,cannon had also been mounted on ,haddrell's ,point on the mainland1 to the north-west of ,sullivan's ,island1 and along the bay in front of the town4 ,the arrival of ,general ,lee gave great joy to the people of ,charleston1 from his high reputation for military skill and experience4 ,according to his own account in a letter to ,washington1 the town on his arrival was utterly defenceless4 ,he was rejoiced1 therefore1 when the enemy1 instead of immediately attacking it1 directed his whole force against the fort on ,sullivan's ,island4 ,the ,british ships1 in fact1 having passed the bar with some difficulty1 landed their troops on ,long ,island1 situated to the east of ,sullivan's ,island1 and separated from it by a small creek called the ,breach4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton meditated a combined attack with his land and naval forces on the fort commanded by ,moultrie2 the capture of which1 he thought1 would insure the reduction of ,charleston4 ,the ,americans immediately threw up works on the north-eastern extremity of ,sullivan's ,island1 to prevent the passage of the enemy over the ,breach1 stationing a force of regulars and militia there1 under ,colonel ,thompson4 ,general ,lee encamped on ,haddrell's ,point1 on the mainland1 to the north of the island1 whence he intended to keep up a communication by a bridge of boats1 so as to be ready at any moment to aid either ,moultrie or ,thompson4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 on the other hand1 had to construct batteries on ,long ,island1 to oppose those of ,thompson1 and cover the passage of his troops by boats or by the ford4 ,thus time was consumed1 and the enemy were1 from the #ast to the #bhth of ,june1 preparing for the attack4 ,at length on the #bhth of ,june1 the ,thunder ,bomb commenced the attack1 throwing shells at the fort as the fleet1 under ,sir ,peter ,parker1 advanced4 ,about eleven o'clock the ships dropped their anchors directly before the front battery4 ,they commenced1 says ,lee1 the most furious fire ,i ever saw4 ,the garrison1 however1 according to ,british authority1 stuck with the greatest constancy and firmness to their guns2 fired deliberately and slow1 and took a cool1 effective aim4 ,the ships suffered accordingly1 they were torn almost to pieces1 and the slaughter was dreadful4 ,the fire from the ships did not produce the expected effect4 ,the fortifications were low1 composed of earth and palmetto wood1 which is soft1 and makes no splinters1 and the merlons were extremely thick4 ,at one time there was a considerable pause in the ,american fire1 and the enemy thought the fort was abandoned4 ,it was only because the powder was exhausted4 ,as soon as a supply could be forwarded from the mainland by ,general ,lee1 the fort resumed its fire with still more deadly effect4 ,through unskilful pilotage1 several of the ships ran aground1 where one1 the frigate ,acton1 remained2 the rest were extricated with difficulty4 ,those which bore the brunt of the action were much cut up4 ,one hundred and seventy-five men were killed1 and nearly as many wounded4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 with two thousand troops and five or six hundred seamen1 attempted repeatedly to cross from ,long ,island1 and co-operate in the attack upon the fort1 but was as often foiled by ,colonel ,thompson1 with his battery of two cannons1 and a body of ,south ,carolina rangers and ,north ,carolina regulars4 ,the combat slackened before sunset1 and ceased before ten o'clock4 ,sir ,peter ,parker1 who had received a severe contusion in the engagement1 then slipped his cables1 and drew off his shattered ships to ,five ,fathom ,hole4 ,the ,acton remained aground4 ,on the following morning ,sir ,henry ,clinton made another attempt to cross from ,long ,island to ,sullivan's ,island2 but was again repulsed1 and obliged to take shelter behind his breastworks4 ,sir ,peter ,parker1 too1 giving up all hope of reducing the fort in the shattered condition of his ships1 ordered that the ,acton should be set on fire and abandoned4 ,within a few days the troops were re-embarked from ,long ,island3 the attempt upon ,charleston was for the present abandoned1 and the fleet once more put to sea4 ,in this action1 one of the severest in the whole course of the war1 the loss of the ,americans in killed and wounded was but thirty-five men4 ,colonel ,moultrie derived the greatest glory from the defence of ,sullivan's ,island2 though the thanks of ,congress were voted as well to ,general ,lee1 ,colonel ,thompson and those under their command4 ,the tidings of this signal repulse of the enemy came most opportunely to ,washington1 when he was apprehending an attack upon ,new ,york4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,general ,putnam1 beside his bravery in the field1 was somewhat of a mechanical projector4 ,the batteries at ,fort ,washington had proved ineffectual in opposing the passage of hostile ships up the ,hudson4 ,he was now engaged on a plan for obstructing the channel opposite the fort1 so as to prevent the passing of any more ships4 ,a letter from him to ,general ,gales 7,july #bfth7 explains his project4 ,we are preparing chevaux-de-frise1 at which we make great despatch by the help of ships1 which are to be sunk4 ,the two ships' sterns lie towards each other1 about seventy feet apart4 ,three large logs1 which reach from ship to ship1 are fastened to them4 ,the two ships and logs stop the river two hundred and eighty feet4 ,the ships are to be sunk1 and when hauled down on one side1 the pricks will be raised to a proper height1 and they must inevitably stop the river1 if the enemy will let us sink them4 ,it so happened that one ,ephraim ,anderson1 adjutant to the second ,jersey battalion1 had recently submitted a project to ,congress for destroying the enemy's fleet in the harbor of ,new ,york4 ,he had attempted an enterprise of the kind against the ,british ships in the harbor of ,quebec during the siege1 and1 according to his own account1 would have succeeded1 had not the enemy discovered his intentions1 and stretched a cable across the mouth of the harbor1 and had he not accidentally been much burnt4 ,his scheme was favorably entertained by ,congress1 and ,washington1 by a letter dated ,july #ajth1 was instructed to aid him in carrying it into effect4 ,anderson1 accordingly1 was soon at work at ,new ,york constructing fire-ships1 with which the fleet was to be attacked4 ,simultaneous with the attack1 a descent was to be made on the ,british camp on ,staten ,island1 from the nearest point of the ,jersey shore1 by troops from ,mercer's flying camp1 and by others stationed at ,bergen under ,major ,knowlton1 ,putnam's favorite officer for daring enterprises4 ,projectors are subject to disappointments4 ,it was impossible to construct a sufficient number of fire-ships and galleys in time4 ,the flying camp1 too1 recruited but slowly1 and scarcely exceeded three thousand men2 the combined attack by fire and sword had therefore to be given up4 ,in the course of a few days arrived a hundred sail1 with large reinforcements1 among which were one thousand ,hessians1 and as many more were reported to be on the way4 ,the troops were disembarked on ,staten ,island1 and fortifications thrown up on some of the most commanding hills4 ,all projects of attack upon the enemy were now out of the question4 ,indeed1 some of ,washington's ablest advisers questioned the policy of remaining in ,new ,york1 where they might be entrapped as the ,british had been in ,boston4 ,during the latter part of ,july1 and the early part of ,august1 ships of war with their tenders continued to arrive1 and ,scotch ,highlanders1 ,hessians1 and other troops to be landed on ,staten ,island4 ,at the beginning of ,august1 the squadron with ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 recently repulsed at ,charleston1 anchored in the bay4 ,in the meantime1 ,putnam's contrivances for obstructing the channel had reached their destined place4 ,a letter1 dated ,fort ,washington1 ,august #c;d1 says3 ,four ships1 chained and boomed1 with a number of amazing large chevaux-de-frise1 were sunk close by the fort under command of ,general ,mifflin1 which fort mounts thirty-two pieces of heavy cannon4 ,we are thoroughly sanguine that they 7the ships up the river7 never will be able to join the ,british fleet1 nor assistance from the fleet be afforded to them4 ,another letter1 written at the same date from ,tarrytown1 on the borders of the ,tappan ,sea1 gives an account of an attack made by six row galleys upon the ,phoenix and the ,rose4 ,they fought bravely for two hours1 hulling the ships repeatedly1 but sustaining great damage in return2 until their commodore1 ,colonel ,tupper1 gave the signal to draw off4 ,the force of the enemy collected in the neighborhood of ,new ,york was about thirty thousand men2 that of the ,americans a little more than seventeen thousand1 but was subsequently increased to twenty thousand1 for the most part1 raw and undisciplined4 ,one-fourth were on the sick list with bilious and putrid fevers and dysentery2 others were absent on furlough or command2 the rest had to be distributed over posts and stations fifteen miles apart4 ,washington kept the most watchful eye upon the movements of the enemy4 ,beside their great superiority in point of numbers as well as discipline1 to his own crude and scanty legions1 they possessed a vast advantage in their fleet4 ,they would not be half the enemy they are1 observed ,colonel ,reed1 if they were once separated from their ships4 ,every arrival and departure of these1 therefore1 was a subject of speculation and conjecture4 ,aaron ,burr1 at that time in ,new ,york1 aide-de-camp to ,general ,putnam1 speaks in a letter to an uncle1 of thirty transports1 which1 under convoy of three frigates1 had put to sea on the #gth of ,august1 with the intention of sailing round ,long ,island and coming through the ,sound1 and thus investing the city by the ,north and ,east ,rivers4 ,they are then to land on both sides of the island1 writes he1 join their forces1 and draw a line across1 which will hem us in1 and totally cut off all communication2 after which1 they will have their own fun4 ,in this emergency1 ,washington wrote to ,general ,mercer for #b1jjj men from the flying camp4 ,colonel ,smallwood's battalion was immediately furnished1 as a part of them4 ,the ,convention of the ,state ordered out hasty levies of country militia1 to form temporary camps on the shore of the ,sound1 and on that of the ,hudson above ,king's ,bridge1 to annoy the enemy1 should they attempt to land from their ships on either of these waters4 ,others were sent to reinforce the posts on ,long ,island4 ,many of the yeomen of the country1 thus hastily summoned from the plough1 were destitute of arms1 in lieu of which they were ordered to bring with them a shovel1 spade1 or pickaxe1 or a scythe straightened and fastened to a pole4 ,this rustic array may have provoked the thoughtless sneers of city scoffers1 such as those cited by ,graydon2 but it was in truth one of the glorious features of the ,revolution1 to be thus aided in its emergencies by hasty levies of husbandmen4 ,by the authority of the ,new ,york ,convention1 ,washington had appointed ,general ,george ,clinton to the command of the levies on both sides of the ,hudson4 ,he now ordered him to hasten down with them to the fort just erected on the north side of ,king's ,bridge2 leaving two hundred men under the command of a brave and alert officer to throw up works at the pass of ,anthony's ,nose1 where the main road to ,albany crosses that mountain4 ,troops of horse also were to be posted by him along the river to watch the motions of the enemy4 ,accounts of deserters1 and other intelligence1 informed ,washington1 on the #agth1 that a great many of the enemy's troops had gone on board of the transports2 that three days' provisions had been cooked1 and other steps taken indicating an intention of leaving ,staten ,island4 ,putnam1 also1 came up from below with word that at least one-fourth of the fleet had sailed4 ,there were many conjectures at head-quarters as to whither they were bound1 or whether they had not merely shifted their station4 ,everything indicated1 however1 that affairs were tending to a crisis4 ,a gallant little exploit at this juncture1 gave a fillip to the spirits of the community4 ,two of the fire-ships recently constructed1 went up the ,hudson to attempt the destruction of the ships which had so long been domineering over its waters4 ,one succeeded in grappling the ,phoenix1 and would soon have set her in flames1 but in the darkness got to leeward1 and was cast loose without effecting any damage4 ,the other1 in making for the ,rose1 fell foul of one of the tenders1 grappled and burnt her4 ,the enterprise was conducted with spirit1 and though it failed of its main object1 had an important effect4 ,the commanders of the ships determined to abandon those waters1 where their boats were fired upon by the very yeomanry whenever they attempted to land2 and where their ships were in danger from midnight incendiaries1 while riding at anchor4 ,taking advantage of a brisk wind and favoring tide1 they made all sail early on the morning of the #ahth of ,august1 and stood down the river1 keeping close under the eastern shore1 where they supposed the guns from ,mount ,washington could not be brought to bear upon them4 ,notwithstanding this precaution1 the ,phoenix was thrice hulled by shots from the fort1 and one of the tenders once4 ,the ,rose1 also1 was hulled once by a shot from ,burdett's ,ferry4 ,the men on board were kept close1 to avoid being picked off by a party of riflemen posted on the river bank4 ,the ships fired grape-shot as they passed1 but without effecting any injury4 ,unfortunately1 a passage had been left open in the obstructions on which ,general ,putnam had calculated so sanguinely2 it was to have been closed in the course of a day or two4 ,through this they made their way1 guided by a deserter4 ,,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,,battle ,,of ,,long ,,island4--,,retreat4 ,the movements of the ,british fleet1 and of the camp on ,staten ,island1 gave signs of a meditated attack2 but as the nature of that attack was uncertain1 ,washington was obliged to retain the greater part of his troops in the city for its defence1 holding them ready1 however1 to be transferred to any point in the vicinity4 ,general ,mifflin1 with about five hundred of the ,pennsylvania troops1 of ,colonels ,shee and ,magaw's regiments1 were at ,king's ,bridge1 ready to aid at a moment's notice4 ,general ,george ,clinton was at that post1 with about fourteen hundred of his yeomanry of the ,hudson4 ,reports from different quarters gave ,washington reason to apprehend that the design of the enemy might be to land part of their force on ,long ,island1 and endeavor to get possession of the heights of ,brooklyn1 which overlooked ,new ,york2 while another part should land above the city4 ,thus1 various disconnected points1 distant from each other1 and a great extent of intervening country1 had to be defended by raw troops1 against a superior force well disciplined1 and possessed of every facility for operating by land and water4 ,general ,greene1 with a considerable force1 was stationed at ,brooklyn4 ,he had acquainted himself with all the localities of the island1 from ,hell ,gate to the ,narrows1 and made his plan of defence accordingly4 ,his troops were diligently occupied in works which he laid out1 about a mile beyond the village of ,brooklyn1 and facing the interior of the island1 whence a land attack might be attempted4 ,brooklyn was immediately opposite to ,new ,york4 ,the ,sound1 commonly called the ,east ,river1 in that place about three quarters of a mile in width1 swept its rapid tides between them4 ,the village stood on a kind of peninsula1 formed by the deep inlets of ,wallabout ,bay on the north1 and ,gowanus ,cove on the south4 ,a line of intrenchments and strong redoubts extended across the neck of the peninsula1 from the bay to a swamp and creek emptying into the cove4 ,to protect the rear of the works from the enemy's ships1 a battery was erected at ,red ,hook1 the south-west corner of the peninsula1 and a fort on ,governor's ,island1 nearly opposite4 ,about two miles and a half in front of the line of intrenchments and redoubts1 a range of hills1 densely wooded1 extended from south-west to north-east1 forming a natural barrier across the island4 ,it was traversed by three roads4 ,one1 on the left of the works1 stretched eastwardly to ,bedford1 and then by a pass through the ,bedford ,hills to the village of ,jamaica2 another1 central and direct1 led through the woody heights to ,flatbush2 a third1 on the right of the lines1 passed by ,gowanus ,cove to the ,narrows and ,gravesend ,bay4 ,the occupation of this range of hills1 and the protection of its passes1 had been designed by ,general ,greene2 but unfortunately1 in the midst of his arduous toils1 he was taken down by a raging fever1 which confined him to his bed2 and ,general ,sullivan1 just returned from ,lake ,champlain1 had the temporary command4 ,on the #bast came a letter1 written in all haste by ,brigadier-general ,william ,livingston1 of ,new ,jersey4 ,movements of the enemy on ,staten ,island had been seen from his camp4 ,he had sent over a spy at midnight1 who brought back the following intelligence4 ,twenty thousand men had embarked to make an attack on ,long ,island1 and up the ,hudson4 ,fifteen thousand remained on ,staten ,island1 to attack ,bergen ,point1 ,elizabethtown ,point1 and ,amboy4 ,washington sent a copy of the letter to the ,new ,york ,convention4 ,on the following morning 7,august #bb;d7 the enemy appeared to be carrying their plans into execution4 ,the reports of cannon and musketry were heard from ,long ,island1 and columns of smoke were descried rising above the groves and orchards at a distance4 ,the city1 as usual1 was alarmed1 and had reason to be so2 for word soon came that several thousand men1 with artillery and light-horse1 were landed at ,gravesend2 and that ,colonel ,hand1 stationed there with the ,pennsylvania rifle regiment1 had retreated to the lines1 setting fire to stacks of wheat1 and other articles1 to keep them from falling into the enemy's hands4 ,washington apprehended an attempt of the foe by a forced march1 to surprise the lines at ,brooklyn4 ,he immediately sent over a reinforcement of six battalions4 ,it was all that he could spare1 as with the next tide the ships might bring up the residue of the army1 and attack the city4 ,five battalions more1 however1 were ordered to be ready as a reinforcement1 if required4 ,nine thousand of the enemy had landed1 with forty pieces of cannon4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton had the chief command1 and led the first division4 ,his associate officers were the ,earls of ,cornwallis and ,percy1 ,general ,grant1 and ,general ,sir ,william ,erskine4 ,as their boats approached the shore1 ,colonel ,hand1 stationed1 as has been said1 in the neighborhood with his rifle regiment1 retreated to the chain of wooded hills1 and took post on a height commanding the central road leading from ,flatbush4 ,the enemy having landed without opposition1 ,lord ,cornwallis was detached with the reserve to ,flatbush1 while the rest of the army extended itself from the ferry at the ,narrows through ,utrecht and ,gravesend1 to the village of ,flatland4 ,cornwallis1 with two battalions of light-infantry1 ,colonel ,donop's corps of ,hessians1 and six field-pieces1 advanced rapidly to seize upon the central pass through the hills4 ,he found ,hand and his riflemen ready to make a vigorous defence4 ,this brought him to a halt1 having been ordered not to risk an attack should the pass be occupied4 ,he took post for the night1 therefore1 in the village of ,flatbush4 ,on the #bdth ,washington crossed over to ,brooklyn1 to inspect the lines and reconnoitre the neighborhood4 ,in this visit he felt sensibly the want of ,general ,greene's presence1 to explain his plans and point out the localities4 ,the ,american advanced posts were in the wooded hills4 ,colonel ,hand1 with his riflemen1 kept watch over the central road1 and a strong redoubt had been thrown up in front of the pass1 to check any advance of the enemy from ,flatbush4 ,another road leading from ,flatbush to ,bedford1 by which the enemy might get round to the left of the works at ,brooklyn1 was guarded by two regiments1 one under ,colonel ,williams1 posted on the north side of the ridge1 the other by a ,pennsylvanian rifle regiment1 under ,colonel ,miles1 posted on the south side4 ,the enemy were stretched along the country beyond the chain of hills4 ,as yet nothing had taken place but skirmishing and irregular firing between the outposts4 ,it was with deep concern ,washington noticed a prevalent disorder and confusion in the camp4 ,there was a want of system among the officers and co-operation among the troops1 each corps seeming to act independently of the rest4 ,few of the men had any military experience1 except1 perchance1 in bush-fighting with the ,indians4 ,unaccustomed to discipline and the restraint of camps1 they sallied forth whenever they pleased1 singly or in squads1 prowling about and firing upon the enemy1 like hunters after game4 ,much of this was no doubt owing to the protracted illness of ,general ,greene4 ,on returning to the city1 therefore1 ,washington gave the command on ,long ,island to ,general ,putnam1 warning him1 however1 in his letter of instructions1 to summon the officers together1 and enjoin them to put a stop to the irregularities which he had observed among the troops4 ,in the meantime1 the enemy were augmenting their forces on the island4 ,two brigades of ,hessians1 under ,lieutenant-general ,de ,heister1 were transferred from the camp on ,staten ,island on the #beth4 ,this movement did not escape the vigilant eye of ,washington4 ,he now concluded that the enemy were about to make a push with their main force for the possession of ,brooklyn ,heights4 ,he accordingly sent over additional reinforcements1 and among them ,colonel ,john ,haslet's well equipped and well disciplined ,delaware regiment2 which was joined to ,lord ,stirling's brigade1 chiefly composed of ,southern troops1 and stationed outside of the lines4 ,on the #bfth he crossed over to ,brooklyn1 accompanied by ,reed1 the adjutant-general4 ,there was much movement among the enemy's troops1 and their number was evidently augmented4 ,in fact4 ,general ,de ,heister had reached ,flatbush with his ,hessians1 and taken command of the centre2 whereupon ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 with the right wing1 drew off to ,flatlands1 in a diagonal line to the right of ,de ,heister1 while the left wing1 commanded by ,general ,grant1 extended to the place of landing on ,gravesend ,bay4 ,washington remained all day1 aiding ,general ,putnam with his counsels1 who1 new to the command1 had not been able to make himself well acquainted with the fortified posts beyond the lines4 ,in the evening1 ,washington returned to the city1 full of anxious thought4 ,a general attack was evidently at hand4 ,where would it be made8 ,how would his inexperienced troops stand the encounter8 ,what would be the defence of the city if assailed by the ships8 ,it was a night of intense solicitude1 and well might it be2 for during that night a plan was carried into effect1 fraught with disaster to the ,americans4 ,the plan to which we allude was concerted by ,general ,howe1 the commander-in-chief4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton with the vanguard1 composed of the choicest troops1 was1 by a circuitous march in the night to throw himself into the road leading from ,jamaica to ,bedford1 seize upon a pass through the ,bedford ,hills1 within three miles of that village1 and thus turn the left of the ,american advanced posts4 ,to divert the attention of the ,americans from this stealthy march on their left1 ,general ,grant was to menace their right flank toward ,gravesend before daybreak1 and ,general ,de ,heister to cannonade their centre1 where ,colonel ,hand was stationed4 ,neither1 however1 was to press an attack until the guns of ,sir ,henry ,clinton should give notice that he had effected his purpose1 and turned the left flank of the ,americans2 then the latter were to be assailed at all points with the utmost vigor4 ,about nine o'clock in the evening of the #bfth1 ,sir ,henry ,clinton began his march from ,flatlands with the vanguard1 composed of light infantry4 ,lord ,percy followed with the grenadiers1 artillery1 and light dragoons1 forming the centre4 ,lord ,cornwallis brought up the rear-guard with the heavy ordnance4 ,general ,howe accompanied this division4 ,it was a silent march1 without beat of drum or sound of trumpet1 under guidance of a ,long ,island tory1 along by-roads traversing a swamp by a narrow causeway1 and so across the country to the ,jamaica road4 ,about two hours before daybreak1 they arrived within half a mile of the pass through the ,bedford ,hills1 and halted to prepare for an attack4 ,at this juncture they captured an ,american patrol1 and learnt1 to their surprise1 that the ,bedford pass was unoccupied4 ,in fact1 the whole road beyond ,bedford1 leading to ,jamaica1 had been left unguarded1 excepting by some light volunteer troops4 ,colonels ,williams and ,miles1 who were stationed to the left of ,colonel ,hand1 among the wooded hills1 had been instructed to send out parties occasionally to patrol the road1 but no troops had been stationed at the ,bedford pass4 ,the road and pass may not have been included in ,general ,greene's plan of defence1 or may have been thought too far out of the way to need special precaution4 ,the neglect of them1 however1 proved fatal4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton immediately detached a battalion of light infantry to secure the pass2 and1 advancing with his corps at the first break of day1 possessed himself of the heights4 ,he was now within three miles of ,bedford1 and his march had been undiscovered4 ,having passed the heights1 therefore1 he halted his division for the soldiers to take some refreshment1 preparatory to the morning's hostilities4 ,there we will leave them1 while we note how the other divisions performed their part of the plan4 ,about midnight ,general ,grant moved from ,gravesend ,bay1 with the left wing1 composed of two brigades and a regiment of regulars1 a battalion of ,new ,york loyalists1 and ten field-pieces4 ,he proceeded along the road leading past the ,narrows and ,gowanus ,cove1 toward the right of the ,american works4 ,a picket guard of ,pennsylvanian and ,new ,york militia1 under ,colonel ,atlee1 retired before him fighting to a position on the skirts of the wooded hills4 ,in the meantime1 scouts had brought in word to the ,american lines that the enemy were approaching in force upon the right4 ,general ,putnam instantly ordered ,lord ,stirling to hasten with the two regiments nearest at hand1 and hold them in check4 ,these were ,haslet's ,delaware1 and ,smallwood's ,maryland regiments2 the latter the macaronis1 in scarlet and buff1 who had outshone1 in camp1 their yeoman fellow-soldiers in home-spun4 ,they turned out with great alacrity1 and ,stirling pushed forward with them on the road to the ,narrows4 ,by the time he had passed ,gowanus ,cove1 daylight began to appear4 ,here1 on a rising ground he met ,colonel ,atlee with his ,pennsylvania ,provincials1 and learned that the enemy were near4 ,indeed their front began to appear in the uncertain twilight4 ,stirling ordered ,atlee to place himself in ambush in an orchard on the left of the road1 and await their coming up1 while he formed the ,delaware and ,maryland regiments along a ridge from the road1 up to a piece of woods on the top of the hill4 ,atlee gave the enemy two or three volleys as they approached1 and then retreated and formed in the wood on ,lord ,stirling's left4 ,by this time his lordship was reinforced by ,kichline's riflemen1 part of whom he placed along a hedge at the foot of the hill1 and part in front of the wood4 ,general ,grant threw his light troops in the advance1 and posted them in an orchard and behind hedges1 extending in front of the ,americans1 and about one hundred and fifty yards distant4 ,it was now broad daylight4 ,a rattling fire commenced between the ,british light troops and the ,american riflemen1 which continued for about two hours1 when the former retired to their main body4 ,in the meantime1 ,stirling's position had been strengthened by the arrival of ,captain ,carpenter with two field-pieces4 ,these were placed on the side of the hill1 so as to command the road and the approach for some hundred yards4 ,general ,grant1 likewise1 brought up his artillery within three hundred yards1 and formed his brigades on opposite hills1 about six hundred yards distant4 ,there was occasional cannonading on both sides1 but neither party sought a general action4 ,lord ,stirling's object was merely to hold the enemy in check2 and the instructions of ,general ,grant1 as we have shown1 were not to press an attack until aware that ,sir ,henry ,clinton was on the left flank of the ,americans4 ,during this time1 ,de ,heister had commenced his part of the plan by opening a cannonade from his camp at ,flatbush upon the redoubt1 at the pass of the wooded hills1 where ,hand and his riflemen were stationed4 ,on hearing this1 ,general ,sullivan1 who was within the lines1 rode forth to ,colonel ,hand's post to reconnoitre4 ,de ,heister1 however1 according to the plan of operations1 did not advance from ,flatbush1 but kept up a brisk fire from his artillery on the redoubt in front of the pass1 which replied as briskly4 ,at the same time1 a cannonade from a ,british ship upon the battery at ,red ,hook1 contributed to distract the attention of the ,americans4 ,in the meantime terror reigned in ,new ,york4 ,the volleying of musketry and the booming of cannon at early dawn1 had told of the fighting that had commenced4 ,as the morning advanced1 and platoon firing and the occasional discharge of a field-piece were heard in different directions1 the terror increased4 ,washington was still in doubt whether this was but a part of a general attack1 in which the city was to be included4 ,five ships of the line were endeavoring to beat up the bay4 ,were they to cannonade the city1 or to land troops above it8 ,fortunately1 a strong head-wind baffled their efforts2 but one vessel of inferior force got up far enough to open the fire already mentioned upon the fort at ,red ,hook4 ,seeing no likelihood of an immediate attack upon the city1 ,washington hastened over to ,brooklyn in his barge1 and galloped up to the works4 ,he arrived there in time to witness the catastrophe for which all the movements of the enemy had been concerted4 ,the thundering of artillery in the direction of ,bedford1 had given notice that ,sir ,henry had turned the left of the ,americans4 ,de ,heister immediately ordered ,colonel ,count ,donop to advance with his ,hessian regiment1 and storm the redoubt1 while he followed with his whole division4 ,sullivan did not remain to defend the redoubt4 ,sir ,henry's cannon had apprised him of the fatal truth1 that his flank was turned1 and he in danger of being surrounded4 ,he ordered a retreat to the lines1 but it was already too late4 ,scarce had he descended from the height1 and emerged into the plain1 when he was met by the ,british light infantry1 and dragoons1 and driven back into the woods4 ,by this time ,de ,heister and his ,hessians had come up1 and now commenced a scene of confusion1 consternation1 and slaughter1 in which the troops under ,williams and ,miles were involved4 ,hemmed in and entrapped between the ,british and ,hessians1 and driven from one to the other1 the ,americans fought for a time bravely1 or rather desperately4 ,some were cut down and trampled by the cavalry1 others bayoneted without mercy by the ,hessians4 ,some rallied in groups1 and made a brief stand with their rifles from rocks or behind trees4 ,the whole pass was a scene of carnage1 resounding with the clash of arms1 the tramp of horses1 the volleying of fire-arms and the cries of the combatants1 with now and then the dreary braying of the trumpet4 ,at length some of the ,americans1 by a desperate effort1 cut their way through the host of foes1 and effected a retreat to the lines1 fighting as they went4 ,others took refuge among the woods and fastnesses of the hills1 but a great part were either killed or taken prisoners4 ,among the latter was ,general ,sullivan4 ,washington1 as we have observed1 arrived in time to witness this catastrophe1 but was unable to prevent it4 ,he had heard the din of the battle in the woods1 and seen the smoke rising from among the trees2 but a deep column of the enemy was descending from the hills on the left2 his choicest troops were all in action1 and he had none but militia to man the works4 ,his solicitude was now awakened for the safety of ,lord ,stirling and his corps1 who had been all the morning exchanging cannonades with ,general ,grant4 ,he saw the danger to which these brave fellows were exposed1 though they could not4 ,stationed on a hill within the lines1 he commanded1 with his telescope1 a view of the whole field1 and saw the enemy's reserve1 under ,cornwallis1 marching down by a cross-road to get in their rear1 and thus place them between two fires4 ,with breathless anxiety he watched the result4 ,the sound of ,sir ,henry ,clinton's cannon apprised ,stirling that the enemy was between him and the lines4 ,general ,grant1 too1 aware that the time had come for earnest action1 was closing up1 and had already taken ,colonel ,atlee prisoner4 ,his lordship now thought to effect a circuitous retreat to the lines1 by crossing the creek which empties into ,gowanus ,cove1 near what was called the ,yellow ,mills4 ,there was a bridge and mill-dam1 and the creek might be forded at low water1 but no time was to be lost1 for the tide was rising4 ,leaving part of his men to keep face toward ,general ,grant1 he advanced with the rest to pass the creek1 but was suddenly checked by the appearance of ,cornwallis and his grenadiers4 ,washington1 and some of his officers on the hill1 who watched every movement1 had supposed that ,stirling and his troops1 finding the case desperate1 would surrender in a body without firing4 ,on the contrary1 his lordship boldly attacked ,cornwallis with half of ,smallwood's battalion1 while the rest of his troops retreated across the creek4 ,washington wrung his hands in agony at the sight4 ,good ,god6 cried he1 what brave fellows ,i must this day lose6 ,it was1 indeed1 a desperate fight2 and now ,smallwood's macaronis showed their game spirit4 ,they were repeatedly broken1 but as often rallied and renewed the fight4 ,we were on the point of driving ,lord ,cornwallis from his station1 writes ,lord ,stirling1 but large reinforcements arriving1 rendered it impossible to do more than provide for safety4 ,being thus surrounded1 and no probability of a reinforcement1 writes a ,maryland officer1 his lordship ordered me to retreat with the remaining part of our men1 and force our way to our camp4 ,only five companies of ,smallwood's battalion were now in action4 ,there was a warm and close engagement for nearly ten minutes4 ,the struggle became desperate on the part of the ,americans4 ,broken and disordered1 they rallied in a piece of woods1 and made a second attack4 ,they were again overpowered with numbers4 ,some were surrounded and bayoneted in a field of ,indian corn2 others joined their comrades who were retreating across the marsh4 ,lord ,stirling had encouraged and animated his young soldiers by his voice and example1 but when all was lost he sought out ,general ,de ,heister1 and surrendered himself as his prisoner4 ,more than two hundred and fifty brave fellows perished in this deadly struggle1 within sight of the lines of ,brooklyn4 ,that part of the ,delaware troops who had first crossed the creek and swamp1 made good their retreat to the lines with a trifling loss4 ,the enemy now concentrated their forces within a few hundred yards of the redoubts4 ,the grenadiers were within musket shot4 ,washington expected they would storm the works1 and prepared for a desperate defence4 ,the discharge of a cannon and volleys of musketry from the part of the lines nearest to them1 seemed to bring them to a pause4 ,it was1 in truth1 the forbearance of the ,british commander that prevented a bloody conflict4 ,his troops1 heated with action and flushed with success1 were eager to storm the works2 but he was unwilling to risk the loss of life that must attend an assault1 when the object might be attained at a cheaper rate1 by regular approaches4 ,checking the ardor of his men1 therefore1 though with some difficulty1 he drew them off to a hollow way in front of the lines1 but out of reach of the musketry1 and encamped there for the night4 ,the loss of the ,americans in this disastrous battle has been variously stated1 but is thought in killed1 wounded and prisoners1 to have been nearly two thousand2 a large number1 considering that not above five thousand were engaged4 ,the enemy acknowledged a loss of #chj killed and wounded4 ,the success of the enemy was attributed1 in some measure1 to the doubt in which ,washington was kept as to the nature of the intended attack1 and at what point it would chiefly be made4 ,this obliged him to keep a great part of his forces in ,new ,york1 and to distribute those at ,brooklyn over a wide extent of country1 and at widely distant places4 ,much of the day's disaster has been attributed1 also1 to a confusion in the command1 caused by the illness of ,general ,greene4 ,putnam1 who had supplied his place in the emergency after the enemy had landed1 had not time to make himself acquainted with the post and the surrounding country4 ,the fatal error1 however1 and one probably arising from all these causes1 consisted in leaving the passes through the wooded hills too weakly fortified and guarded2 and especially in neglecting the eastern road1 by which ,sir ,henry ,clinton got in the rear of the advanced troops1 cut them off from the lines1 and subjected them to a cross fire of his own men and ,de ,heister's ,hessians4 ,the night after the battle was a weary1 yet almost sleepless one to the ,americans4 ,fatigued1 dispirited1 many of them sick and wounded1 yet they were for the most part without tent or other shelter4 ,to ,washington it was a night of anxious vigil4 ,everything boded a close and deadly conflict4 ,the enemy had pitched a number of tents about a mile distant4 ,their sentries were but a quarter of a mile off1 and close to the ,american sentries4 ,the morning broke lowering and dreary4 ,large encampments were gradually descried2 to appearance1 the enemy were twenty thousand strong4 ,as the day advanced1 their ordnance began to play upon the works4 ,they were proceeding to intrench themselves1 but were driven into their tents by a drenching rain4 ,early in the morning ,general ,mifflin arrived in camp with part of the troops which had been stationed at ,fort ,washington and ,king's ,bridge4 ,he brought with him ,shee's prime ,philadelphia regiment1 and ,magaw's ,pennsylvania regiment1 both well disciplined and officered1 and accustomed to act together4 ,they were so much reduced in number1 however1 by sickness1 that they did not amount in the whole to more than eight hundred men4 ,with ,mifflin came also ,colonel ,glover's ,massachusetts regiment1 composed chiefly of ,marblehead fishermen and sailors1 hardy1 adroit1 and weather-proof2 trimly clad in blue jackets and trousers4 ,the detachment numbered1 in the whole1 about thirteen hundred men1 all fresh and full of spirits4 ,they were posted at the left extremity of the intrenchments towards the ,wallabout4 ,there were skirmishes throughout the day between the riflemen on the advanced posts and the ,british irregulars1 which at times were quite severe2 but no decided attack was attempted4 ,the main body of the enemy kept within their tents until the latter part of the day2 when they began to break ground at about five hundred yards distance from the works1 as if preparing to carry them by regular approaches4 ,on the #bith there was a dense fog over the island1 that wrapped everything in mystery4 ,in the course of the morning1 ,general ,mifflin1 with ,adjutant-general ,reed1 and ,colonel ,grayson of ,virginia1 one of ,washington's aides-de-camp1 rode to the western outposts1 in the neighborhood of ,red ,hook4 ,while they were there1 a light breeze lifted the fog from a part of the ,new ,york ,bay1 and revealed the ,british ships at their anchorage opposite ,staten ,island4 ,there appeared to be an unusual bustle among them4 ,boats were passing to and from the admiral's ship1 as if seeking or carrying orders4 ,some movement was apparently in agitation4 ,the idea occurred to the reconnoitring party that the fleet was preparing1 should the wind hold and the fog clear away1 to come up the bay at the turn of the tide1 silence the feeble batteries at ,red ,hook and the city1 and anchor in the ,east ,river4 ,in that case the army on ,long ,island would be completely surrounded and entrapped4 ,alarmed at this perilous probability1 they spurred back to head-quarters1 to urge the immediate withdrawal of the army4 ,as this might not be acceptable advice1 ,reed1 emboldened by his intimacy with the commander-in-chief1 undertook to give it4 ,washington instantly summoned a council of war4 ,the difficulty was already apparent of guarding such extensive works with troops fatigued and dispirited1 and exposed to the inclemencies of the weather4 ,other dangers now presented themselves4 ,their communication with ,new ,york might be cut off by the fleet from below4 ,other ships had passed round ,long ,island1 and were at ,flushing ,bay on the ,sound4 ,these might land troops on the east side of ,harlem ,river1 and make themselves masters of ,king's ,bridge2 that key of ,manhattan ,island4 ,taking all these things into consideration1 it was resolved to cross with the troops to the city that very night4 ,never did retreat require greater secrecy and circumspection4 ,nine thousand men1 with all the munitions of war1 were to be withdrawn from before a victorious army1 encamped so near that every stroke of spade and pickaxe from their trenches could be heard4 ,the retreating troops1 moreover1 were to be embarked and conveyed across a strait three-quarters of a mile wide1 swept by rapid tides4 ,the least alarm of their movement would bring the enemy upon them1 and produce a terrible scene of confusion and carnage at the place of embarkation4 ,washington made the preparatory arrangements with great alertness1 yet profound secrecy4 ,verbal orders were sent to ,colonel ,hughes1 who acted as quartermaster-general1 to impress all water craft1 largo and small1 from ,spyt den ,duivel on the ,hudson round to ,hell ,gate on the ,sound1 and have them on the east side of the city by evening4 ,the order was issued at noon1 and so promptly executed that1 although some of the vessels had to be brought a distance of fifteen miles1 they were all at ,brooklyn at eight o'clock in the evening1 and put under the management of ,colonel ,glover's amphibious ,marblehead regiment4 ,to prepare the army for a general movement without betraying the object1 orders were issued for the troops to hold themselves in readiness for a night attack upon the enemy4 ,to keep the enemy from discovering the withdrawal of the ,americans until their main body should have embarked in the boats and pushed off from the shore1 ,general ,mifflin was to remain at the lines with his ,pennsylvania troops1 and the gallant remains of ,haslet1 ,smallwood and ,hand's regiments1 with guards posted and sentinels alert1 as if nothing extraordinary was taking place2 when the main embarkation was effected1 they were themselves to move off quietly1 march briskly to the ferry1 and embark4 ,it was late in the evening when the troops began to retire from the breastworks4 ,as one regiment quietly withdrew from their station on guard1 the troops on the right and left moved up and filled the vacancy4 ,there was a stifled murmur in the camp1 unavoidable in a movement of the kind2 but it gradually died away in the direction of the river1 as the main body moved on in silence and order4 ,the youthful ,hamilton1 whose military merits had won the favor of ,general ,greene1 and who had lost his baggage and a field-piece in the battle1 brought up the rear of the retreating party4 ,the embarkation went on with all possible despatch1 under the vigilant eye of ,washington1 who stationed himself at the ferry1 superintending every movement4 ,in his anxiety for despatch1 he sent back ,colonel ,scammel1 one of his aides-de-camp1 to hasten forward all the troops that were on the march4 ,scammel blundered in executing his errand1 and gave the order to ,mifflin likewise4 ,the general instantly called in his pickets and sentinels1 and set off for the ferry4 ,by this time the tide had turned2 there was a strong wind from the north-east2 the boats with oars were insufficient to convey the troops2 those with sails could not make headway against wind and tide4 ,there was some confusion at the ferry1 and in the midst of it1 ,general ,mifflin came down with the whole covering party2 adding to the embarrassment and uproar4 ,good ,god6 ,general ,mifflin6 cried ,washington1 ,i am afraid you have ruined us by so unseasonably withdrawing the troops from the lines4 ,i did so by your order1 replied ,mifflin with some warmth4 ,it cannot be6 exclaimed ,washington4 ,by ,g--1 ,i did6 was the blunt rejoinder4 ,did ,scammel act as aide-de-camp for the day1 or did he not8 ,he did4 ,then1 said ,mifflin1 ,i had orders through him4 ,it is a dreadful mistake1 rejoined ,washington1 and unless the troops can regain the lines before their absence is discovered by the enemy1 the most disastrous consequences are to be apprehended4 ,mifflin led back his men to the lines1 which had been completely deserted for three-quarters of an hour4 ,fortunately1 the dense fog had prevented the enemy from discovering that they were unoccupied4 ,the men resumed their former posts1 and remained at them until called off to cross the ferry4 ,the fog which prevailed all this time1 seemed almost providential4 ,while it hung over ,long ,island1 and concealed the movements of the ,americans1 the atmosphere was clear on the ,new ,york side of the river4 ,the adverse wind1 too1 died away1 the river became so smooth that the row-boats could be laden almost to the gunwale2 and a favoring breeze sprang up for the sail-boats4 ,the whole embarkation of troops1 artillery1 ammunition1 provisions1 cattle1 horses and carts1 was happily effected1 and by daybreak the greater part had safely reached the city1 thanks to the aid of ,glover's ,marblehead men4 ,scarce anything was abandoned to the enemy1 excepting a few heavy pieces of artillery4 ,at a proper time1 ,mifflin with his covering party left the lines1 and effected a silent retreat to the ferry4 ,washington1 though repeatedly entreated1 refused to enter a boat until all the troops were embarked2 and crossed the river with the last4 ,this extraordinary retreat1 which1 in its silence and celerity1 equalled the midnight fortifying of ,bunker's ,hill1 was one of the most signal achievements of the war1 and redounded greatly to the reputation of ,washington1 who1 we are told1 for forty-eight hours preceding the safe extricating of his army from their perilous situation1 scarce closed his eyes1 and was the greater part of the time on horseback4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,,retreat ,,from ,,new ,,york ,,island4 ,the enemy had now possession of ,long ,island4 ,british and ,hessian troops garrisoned the works at ,brooklyn1 or were distributed at ,bushwick1 ,newtown1 ,hell ,gate and ,flushing4 ,admiral ,howe came up with the main body of the fleet1 and anchored close to ,governor's ,island1 within cannon shot of the city4 ,our situation is truly distressing1 writes ,washington to the ,president of ,congress1 on the #b;d of ,september4 ,the check our detachment sustained on the #bgth ultimo1 has dispirited too great a proportion of our troops1 and filled their minds with apprehension and despair4 ,the militia1 instead of calling forth their utmost efforts to a brave and manly opposition in order to repair our losses1 are dismayed1 intractable1 and impatient to return4 ,great numbers of them have gone off2 in some instances1 almost by whole regiments1 by half ones1 and by companies1 at a time4444 ,with the deepest concern1 ,i am obliged to confess my want of confidence in the generality of the troops4444 ,our number of men at present fit for duty is under twenty thousand4 ,i have ordered ,general ,mercer to send the men intended for the flying camp to this place1 about a thousand in number1 and to try with the militia1 if practicable1 to make a diversion upon ,staten ,island4 ,till of late1 ,i had no doubt in my own mind of defending this place2 nor should ,i have yet1 if the men would do their duty1 but this ,i despair of4 ,if we should be obliged to abandon the town1 ought it to stand as winter quarters for the enemy8 ,they would derive great conveniences from it1 on the one hand1 and much property would be destroyed on the other4 ,it is an important question1 but will admit of but little time for deliberation4 ,at present ,i daresay the enemy mean to preserve it if they can4 ,if ,congress1 therefore1 should resolve upon the destruction of it1 the resolution should be a profound secret1 as the knowledge will make a capital change in their plans4 ,on the night of ,monday 7,sept4 #b;d7 a forty gun ship1 taking advantage of a favorable wind and tide1 passed between ,governor's ,island and ,long ,island1 swept unharmed by the batteries which opened upon her1 and anchored in ,turtle ,bay1 above the city4 ,in the morning1 ,washington despatched ,major ,crane of the artillery1 with two twelve pounders and a howitzer to annoy her from the ,new ,york shore4 ,they hulled her several times1 and obliged her to take shelter behind ,blackwell's ,island4 ,several other ships-of-war1 with transports and store-ships had made their appearance in the upper part of the ,sound1 having gone round ,long ,island4 ,as the city might speedily be attacked1 ,washington caused all the sick and wounded to be conveyed to ,orangetown1 in the ,jerseys1 and such military stores and baggage as were not immediately needed1 to be removed1 as fast as conveyances could be procured1 to a post partially fortified at ,dobbs' ,ferry1 on the eastern bank of the ,hudson1 about twenty-two miles above the city4 ,the thousand men ordered from the flying camp were furnished by ,general ,mercer4 ,they were ,maryland troops under ,colonels ,griffith and ,richardson1 and were a seasonable addition to the effective forces2 but the ammunition carried off by the disbanding militia was a serious loss at this critical juncture4 ,a work had been commenced on the ,jersey shore1 opposite ,fort ,washington1 to aid in protecting ,putnam's chevaux-de-frise which had sunk between them4 ,this work had received the name of ,fort ,constitution 7a name already borne by one of the forts in the ,highlands74 ,troops were drawn from the flying camp to make a strong encampment in the vicinity of the fort1 with an able officer to command it and a skilful engineer to strengthen the works4 ,it was hoped1 by the co-operation of these opposite forts and the chevaux-de-frise1 to command the ,hudson1 and prevent the passing and repassing of hostile ships4 ,the ,british1 in the meantime1 forbore to press further hostilities4 ,lord ,howe was really desirous of a peaceful adjustment of the strife between the colonies and the mother country1 and supposed this a propitious moment for a new attempt at pacification4 ,he accordingly sent off ,general ,sullivan on parole1 charged with an overture to ,congress4 ,in this he declared himself empowered and disposed to compromise the dispute between ,great ,britain and ,america1 on the most favorable terms1 and though he could not treat with ,congress as a legally organized body1 he was desirous of a conference with some of its members4 ,these1 for the time1 he should consider only as private gentlemen1 but if in the conference any probable scheme of accommodation should be agreed upon1 the authority of ,congress would afterwards be acknowledged to render the compact complete4 ,the message caused some embarrassment in ,congress4 ,to accede to the interview might seem to waive the question of independence2 to decline it was to shut the door on all hope of conciliation1 and might alienate the co-operation of some worthy whigs who still clung to that hope4 ,after much debate1 ,congress1 on the #eth ,september1 replied that1 being the representatives of the free and independent ,states of ,america1 they could not send any members to confer with his lordship in their private characters1 but that1 ever desirous of establishing peace on reasonable terms1 they would send a committee of their body to ascertain what authority he had to treat with persons authorized by ,congress1 and what propositions he had to offer4 ,a committee was chosen on the #fth of ,september1 composed of ,john ,adams1 ,edward ,rutledge1 and ,doctor ,franklin4 ,the proposed conference was to take place on the #aath1 at a house on ,staten ,island1 opposite to ,amboy2 at which latter place the veteran ,mercer was stationed with his flying camp4 ,at ,amboy1 the committee found ,lord ,howe's barge waiting to receive them4 ,the admiral met them on their landing1 and conducted them through his guards to his house4 ,on opening the conference1 his lordship again intimated that he could not treat with them as a committee of ,congress1 but only confer with them as private gentlemen of influence in the colonies1 on the means of restoring peace between the two countries4 ,the commissioners replied that as their business was to hear1 he might consider them in what light he pleased2 but that they should consider themselves in no other character than that in which they were placed by order of ,congress4 ,lord ,howe then entered into a discourse of considerable length1 but made no explicit proposition of peace1 nor promise of redress of grievances1 excepting on condition that the colonies should return to their allegiance4 ,this1 the commissioners replied1 was not now to be expected4 ,their repeated humble petitions to the king and parliament having been treated with contempt1 and answered by additional injuries1 and war having been declared against them1 the colonies had declared their independence1 and it was not in the power of ,congress to agree for them that they should return to their former dependent state4 ,his lordship expressed his sorrow that no accommodation was likely to take place2 and the conference broke up4 ,the result of this conference had a beneficial effect4 ,it showed that his lordship had no power but what was given by the act of ,parliament2 and put an end to the popular notion that he was vested with secret powers to negotiate an adjustment of grievances4 ,since the retreat from ,brooklyn1 ,washington had narrowly watched the movements of the enemy to discover their further plans4 ,their whole force1 excepting about four thousand men1 had been transferred from ,staten to ,long ,island4 ,a great part was encamped on the peninsula between ,newtown ,inlet and ,flushing ,bay4 ,a battery had been thrown up near the extremity of the peninsula1 to check an ,american battery at ,horen's ,hook opposite1 and to command the mouth of ,harlem ,river4 ,troops were subsequently stationed on the islands about ,hell ,gate4 ,it is evident1 writes ,washington1 the enemy mean to enclose us on the island of ,new ,york1 by taking post in our rear1 while the shipping secures the front1 and thus1 by cutting off our communication with the country1 oblige us to fight them on their own terms1 or surrender at discretion4 ,the question was1 how could their plans be most successfully opposed8 ,on every side1 he saw a choice of difficulties2 every measure was to be formed with some apprehension that all the troops would not do their duty4 ,in a council of war1 held on the #gth of ,september1 the question was discussed1 whether the city should be defended or evacuated4 ,all admitted that it would not be tenable1 should it be cannonaded and bombarded4 ,several of the council1 among whom was ,general ,putnam1 were for a total and immediate removal from the city2 urging that one part of the army might be cut off before the other could support it2 the extremities being at least sixteen miles apart1 and the whole1 when collected1 being inferior to the enemy4 ,by removing1 they would deprive the enemy of the advantage of their ships2 they would keep them at bay2 put nothing at hazard2 keep the army together to be recruited another year1 and preserve the unspent stores and the heavy artillery4 ,washington himself inclined to this opinion4 ,others1 however1 were unwilling to abandon a place which had been fortified with great cost and labor1 and seemed defensible1 and which1 by some1 had been considered the key to the northern country4 ,after much discussion a middle course was adopted4 ,putnam1 with five thousand men1 was to be stationed in the city4 ,heath1 with nine thousand1 was to keep guard on the upper part of the ,island1 and oppose any attempt of the enemy to land4 ,his troops1 among whom were ,magaw's1 ,shee's1 ,hand's1 and ,miles's ,pennsylvanian battalions1 and ,haslet's ,delaware regiment1 were posted about ,king's ,bridge and its vicinity4 ,the third division1 composed principally of militia1 was under the command of ,generals ,greene and ,spencer1 the former of whom1 however1 was still unwell4 ,it was stationed about the centre of the island1 chiefly along ,turtle ,bay and ,kip's ,bay1 where strong works had been thrown up1 to guard against any landing of troops from the ships or from the encampments on ,long ,island4 ,it was also to hold itself ready to support either of the other divisions4 ,washington himself had his head-quarters at a short distance from the city4 ,a resolution of ,congress1 passed the #ajth of ,september1 left the occupation or abandonment of the city entirely at ,washington's discretion4 ,convinced of the propriety of evacuation1 ,washington prepared for it by ordering the removal of all stores1 excepting such as were indispensable for the subsistence of the troops while they remained4 ,a letter from a ,rhode ,island officer1 on a visit to ,new ,york1 gives an idea of its agitations4 ,on the #acth of ,september1 just after dinner1 three frigates and a forty-gun ship sailed up the ,east ,river with a gentle breeze1 toward ,hell ,gate1 and kept up an incessant fire1 assisted by the cannon at ,governor's ,island4 ,on the #adth1 ,washington's baggage was removed to ,king's ,bridge1 whither head-quarters were to be transferred the same evening2 it being clear that the enemy were preparing to encompass him on the island4 ,about sunset of the same day1 six more ships1 two of them men-of-war1 passed up the ,sound and joined those above4 ,within half an hour came expresses spurring to head-quarters1 one from ,mifflin at ,king's ,bridge1 the other from ,colonel ,sargent at ,horen's ,hook4 ,three or four thousand of the enemy were crossing at ,hell ,gate to the islands at the mouth of ,harlem ,river1 where numbers were already encamped4 ,an immediate landing at ,harlem1 or ,morrisania1 was apprehended4 ,washington was instantly in the saddle1 spurring to ,harlem ,heights4 ,the night1 however1 passed away quietly4 ,in the morning the enemy commenced operations4 ,three ships of war stood up the ,hudson1 and anchored opposite ,bloomingdale1 a few miles above the city1 and put a stop to the removal by water of stores and provisions to ,dobbs' ,ferry4 ,about eleven o'clock1 the ships in the ,east ,river commenced a heavy cannonade upon the breastworks between ,turtle ,bay and the city4 ,at the same time two divisions of the troops encamped on ,long ,island1 one ,british1 under ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 the other ,hessian1 under ,colonel ,donop1 emerged in boats from the deep1 woody recesses of ,newtown ,inlet1 and under cover of the fire from the ships1 began to land at two points between ,turtle and ,kip's ,bays4 ,the breastworks were manned by militia who had recently served at ,brooklyn4 ,disheartened by their late defeat1 they fled at the first advance of the enemy4 ,two brigades of ,putnam's ,connecticut troops1 which had been sent that morning to support them1 caught the panic1 and regardless of the commands and entreaties of their officers1 joined in the general scamper4 ,at this moment ,washington1 who had mounted his horse at the first sound of the cannonade1 came galloping to the scene of confusion2 riding in among the fugitives1 he endeavored to rally and restore them to order4 ,all in vain4 ,at the first appearance of sixty or seventy redcoats1 they broke again without firing a shot1 and fled in headlong terror4 ,losing all self-command at the sight of such dastardly conduct1 he dashed his hat upon the ground in a transport of rage4 ,are these the men1 exclaimed he1 with whom ,i am to defend ,america6 ,in a paroxysm of passion and despair he snapped his pistols at some of them1 threatened others with his sword1 and was so heedless of his own danger that he might have fallen into the hands of the enemy1 who were not eighty yards distant1 had not an aide-de-camp seized the bridle of his horse1 and absolutely hurried him away4 ,it was one of the rare moments of his life1 when the vehement element of his nature was stirred up from its deep recesses4 ,he soon recovered his self-possession1 and took measures against the general peril4 ,the enemy might land another force about ,hell ,gate1 seize upon ,harlem ,heights1 the strong central portion of the island1 cut off all retreat of the lower divisions1 and effectually sever his army4 ,in all haste1 therefore1 he sent off an express to the forces encamped above1 directing them to secure that position immediately2 while another express to ,putnam1 ordered an immediate retreat from the city to those heights4 ,it was indeed a perilous moment4 ,had the enemy followed up their advantage1 and seized upon the heights1 before thus occupied1 or had they extended themselves across the island1 from the place where they had effected a landing1 the result might have been most disastrous to the ,americans4 ,fortunately1 they contented themselves for the present with sending a strong detachment down the road along the ,east ,river1 leading to the city1 while the main body1 ,british and ,hessians1 rested on their arms4 ,in the meantime1 ,putnam1 on receiving ,washington's express1 called in his pickets and guards1 and abandoned the city in all haste1 leaving behind him a large quantity of provisions and military stores1 and most of the heavy cannon4 ,to avoid the enemy he took the ,bloomingdale road1 though this exposed him to be raked by the enemy's ships anchored in the ,hudson4 ,it was a forced march1 on a sultry day1 under a burning sun and amid clouds of dust4 ,his army was encumbered with women and children1 and all kinds of baggage4 ,many were overcome by fatigue and thirst1 some perished by hastily drinking cold water2 but ,putnam rode backward and forward1 hurrying every one on4 ,all the loss sustained by him in his perilous retreat1 was fifteen killed1 and about three hundred taken prisoners4 ,the fortified camp1 where the main body of the army was now assembled1 was upon that neck of land several miles long1 and for the most part not above a mile wide1 which forms the upper part of ,manhattan or ,new ,york ,island4 ,it forms a chain of rocky heights1 and is separated from the mainland by ,harlem ,river1 a narrow strait1 extending from ,hell ,gate on the ,sound1 to ,spyt den ,duivel1 a creek or inlet of the ,hudson4 ,fort ,washington occupied the crest of one of the rocky heights above mentioned1 overlooking the ,hudson1 and about two miles north of it was ,king's ,bridge1 crossing ,spyt den ,duivel ,creek1 and forming at that time the only pass from ,manhattan ,island to the mainland4 ,about a mile and a half south of the fort1 a double row of lines extended across the neck from ,harlem ,river to the ,hudson4 ,they faced south towards ,new ,york1 were about a quarter of a mile apart1 and were defended by batteries4 ,there were strong advanced posts about two miles south of the outer line2 one on the left of ,harlem1 commanded by ,general ,spencer1 the other on the right1 at what was called ,mc,gowan's ,pass1 commanded by ,general ,putnam4 ,about a mile and a half beyond these posts the ,british lines extended across the island from ,horen's ,hook to the ,hudson1 being a continuous encampment1 two miles in length1 with both flanks covered by shipping4 ,an open plain intervened between the hostile camps4 ,while thus posted1 ,washington was incessantly occupied in fortifying the approaches to his camp by redoubts1 abatis1 and deep intrenchments4 ,in the course of his rounds of inspection1 he was struck with the skill and science displayed in the construction of some of the works1 which were thrown up under the direction of a youthful captain of artillery4 ,it proved to be the same young officer1 ,alexander ,hamilton1 whom ,greene had recommended to his notice4 ,after some conversation with him1 ,washington invited him to his marquee1 and thus commenced that intercourse which has indissolubly linked their memories together4 ,on the morning of the #afth1 word was brought to head-quarters that the enemy were advancing in three large columns4 ,there had been so many false reports1 that ,reed1 the adjutant-general1 obtained leave to sally out and ascertain the truth4 ,washington himself soon mounted his horse and rode towards the advanced posts4 ,on arriving there he heard a brisk firing4 ,it was kept up for a time with great spirit4 ,there was evidently a sharp conflict4 ,at length ,reed came galloping back with information4 ,a strong detachment of the enemy had attacked the most advanced post1 which was situated on a hill skirted by a wood4 ,it had been bravely defended by ,lieutenant-colonel ,knowlton4 ,after skirmishing for a time1 the party had been overpowered by numbers and driven in1 and the outpost was taken possession of by the enemy4 ,reed urged that troops should be sent to support the brave fellows who had behaved so well4 ,while he was talking with ,washington1 the enemy1 he says1 appeared in open view1 and sounded their bugles in the most insulting manner1 as usual after a fox-chase4 ,i never1 adds he1 felt such a sensation before2 it seemed to crown our disgrace4 ,washington1 too1 was stung by the taunting note of derision2 it recalled the easy triumph of the enemy at ,kip's ,bay4 ,resolved that something should be done to wipe out that disgrace1 and rouse the spirits of the army1 he ordered out three companies from ,colonel ,weedon's regiment just arrived from ,virginia1 and sent them under ,major ,leitch1 to join ,knowlton's rangers4 ,the troops thus united were to get in the rear of the enemy1 while a feigned attack was made upon them in front4 ,the plan was partially successful4 ,as the force advanced to make the false attack1 the enemy ran down the hill1 and took what they considered an advantageous position behind some fences and bushes which skirted it4 ,a firing commenced between them and the advancing party1 but at too great distance to do much harm on either side4 ,in the meantime1 ,knowlton and ,leitch1 ignorant of this change in the enemy's position1 having made a circuit1 came upon them in flank instead of in rear4 ,they were sharply received4 ,a vivid contest took place1 in which ,connecticut vied with ,virginia in bravery4 ,in a little while ,major ,leitch received three bullets in his side1 and was borne off the field4 ,shortly afterward1 a wound in the head from a musket ball1 brought ,knowlton to the ground4 ,colonel ,reed placed him on his horse1 and conveyed him to a distant redoubt4 ,the men1 undismayed by the fall of their leaders1 fought with unflinching resolution under the command of their captains4 ,the enemy were reinforced by a battalion of ,hessians and a company of chasseurs4 ,washington likewise sent reinforcements of ,new ,england and ,maryland troops4 ,the action waxed hotter and hotter2 the enemy were driven from the wood into the plain1 and pushed for some distance2 the ,americans were pursuing them with ardor1 when ,washington1 having effected the object of this casual encounter1 and being unwilling to risk a general action1 ordered a retreat to be sounded4 ,colonel ,knowlton did not long survive the action4 ,when gasping in the agonies of death1 says ,colonel ,reed1 all his inquiry was whether he had driven in the enemy4 ,the brave ,leitch died of his wounds on the #ast of ,october4 ,in the dead of the night1 on the #bjth ,september1 a great light was beheld by the picket guards1 looming up from behind the hills in the direction of the city4 ,it continued throughout the night1 and was at times so strong that the heavens in that direction appeared to them1 they said1 as if in flames4 ,at daybreak huge columns of smoke were still rising4 ,it was evident there had been a great conflagration in ,new ,york4 ,in the course of the morning ,captain ,montresor1 aide-de-camp to ,general ,howe1 came out with a flag1 bearing a letter to ,washington on the subject of an exchange of prisoners4 ,according to ,montresor's account a great part of the city had been burnt down1 and as the night was extremely windy1 the whole might have been so1 but for the exertions of the officers and men of the ,british army4 ,the enemy were now bringing up their heavy cannon1 preparatory to an attack upon the ,american camp by the troops and by the ships4 ,what was the state of ,washington's army8 ,the terms of engagement of many of his men would soon be at an end1 most of them would terminate with the year1 nor did ,congress hold out offers to encourage re-enlistments4 ,we are now1 as it were1 upon the eve of another dissolution of the army1 writes he1 and unless some speedy and effectual measures are adopted by ,congress1 our cause will be lost4 ,under these gloomy apprehensions1 he borrowed1 as he said1 a few moments from the hours allotted to sleep1 and on the night of the #bdth of ,september1 penned an admirable letter to the ,president of ,congress1 setting forth the total inefficiency of the existing military system1 the total insubordination1 waste1 confusion1 and discontent produced by it among the men1 and the harassing cares and vexations to which it subjected the commanders4 ,nor did he content himself with complaining1 but1 in his full1 clear1 and sagacious manner1 pointed out the remedies4 ,to the achievements of his indefatigable pen1 we may trace the most fortunate turns in the current of our revolutionary affairs4 ,in the present instance his representations1 illustrated by sad experience1 produced at length a reorganization of the army1 and the establishment of it on a permanent footing4 ,it was decreed that eighty-eight battalions should be furnished in quotas1 by the different ,states1 according to their abilities4 ,the pay of the officers was raised4 ,the troops which engaged to serve throughout the war were to receive a bounty of twenty dollars and one hundred acres of land1 besides a yearly suit of clothes while in service4 ,those who enlisted but for three years received no bounty in land4 ,the bounty to officers was on a higher ratio4 ,the ,states were to send commissioners to the army1 to arrange with the commander-in-chief as to the appointment of officers in their quotas2 but1 as they might occasionally be slow in complying with this regulation1 ,washington was empowered to fill up all vacancies4 ,all this was a great relief to his mind4 ,he was gratified1 also1 by effecting1 after a long correspondence with the ,british commander1 an exchange of prisoners1 in which those captured in ,canada were included4 ,among those restored to the service were ,lord ,stirling and ,captain ,daniel ,morgan4 ,the latter1 in reward of his good conduct in the expedition with ,arnold1 and of his intrepid behavior in the assault upon ,quebec where the brave ,montgomery fell1 was recommended to ,congress by ,washington for the command of a rifle regiment about to be raised4 ,we shall see how eminently he proved himself worthy of this recommendation4 ,nothing perplexed ,washington at this juncture more than the conduct of the enemy4 ,he beheld before him a hostile army1 armed and equipped at all points1 superior in numbers1 thoroughly disciplined1 flushed with success1 and abounding in the means of pushing a vigorous campaign1 yet suffering day after day to elapse unimproved4 ,what could be the reason of this supineness on the part of ,sir ,william ,howe8 ,he must know the depressed and disorganized state of the ,american camp2 the absolute chaos that reigned there4 ,did he meditate an irruption into the ,jerseys8 ,a movement towards ,philadelphia8 ,did he intend to detach a part of his forces for a winter's campaign against the ,south8 ,in this uncertainty1 ,washington wrote to ,general ,mercer1 of the flying camp1 to keep a vigilant watch from the ,jersey shore on the movements of the enemy1 by sea and land1 and to station videttes on the ,neversink ,heights1 to give immediate intelligence should any of the ,british fleet put to sea4 ,at the same time he himself practised unceasing vigilance1 visiting the different parts of his camp on horseback4 ,occasionally he crossed over to ,fort ,constitution1 on the ,jersey shore1 of which ,general ,greene had charge1 and1 accompanied by him1 extended his reconnoitrings down to ,paulus ,hook1 to observe what was going on in the city and among the enemy's ships4 ,greene had recently been promoted to the rank of major-general1 and now had command of all the troops in the ,jerseys4 ,he had liberty to shift his quarters to ,baskingridge or ,bergen1 as circumstances might require2 but was enjoined to keep up a communication with the main army1 east of the ,hudson1 so as to secure a retreat in case of necessity4 ,the security of the ,hudson was at this time an object of great solicitude with ,congress1 and much reliance was placed on ,putnam's obstructions at ,fort ,washington4 ,four galleys1 mounted with heavy guns and swivels1 were stationed at the chevaux-de-frise1 and two new ships were at hand1 which1 filled with stones1 were to be sunk where they would block up the channel4 ,a sloop was also at anchor1 having on board a machine1 invented by a ,mr4 ,bushnell1 for submarine explosion1 with which to blow up the men-of-war2 a favorite scheme with ,general ,putnam4 ,the obstructions were so commanded by batteries on each shore1 that it was thought no hostile ship would be able to pass4 ,on the #ith of ,october1 however1 the ,roebuck and ,phoenix1 each of forty-four guns1 and the ,tartar of twenty guns1 which had been lying for some time opposite ,bloomingdale1 got under way with their three tenders1 at eight o'clock in the morning1 and came standing up the river with an easy southern breeze4 ,at their approach1 the galleys and the two ships intended to be sunk1 got under way with all haste1 as did a schooner laden with rum1 sugar and other supplies for the ,american army1 and the sloop with ,bushnell's submarine machine4 ,the ,roebuck1 ,phoenix and ,tartar broke through the vaunted barriers as through a cobweb4 ,seven batteries kept up a constant fire upon them1 yet a gentleman was observed walking the deck of the second ship as coolly as if nothing were the matter4 ,the hostile ships kept on their course1 the ,american vessels scudding before them4 ,the schooner was overhauled and captured2 a well-aimed shot sent the sloop and ,bushnell's submarine engine to the bottom of the river4 ,the two new ships would have taken refuge in ,spyt den ,duivel ,creek1 but fearing there might not be water enough1 they kept on and drove ashore at ,philips' ,mills at ,yonkers4 ,two of the galleys got into a place of safety1 where they were protected from the shore2 the other two trusted to outsail their pursuers4 ,the breeze freshened1 and the frigates gained on them fast2 at eleven o'clock began to fire on them with their bow-chasers1 and at twelve o'clock overreached them1 which caused them to bear in shore2 at half-past one the galleys ran aground just above ,dobbs' ,ferry1 and lay exposed to a shower of grape-shot4 ,the crews1 without stopping to burn or bilge them1 swam on shore1 and the enemy took possession of the two galleys4 ,one express after another brought ,washington word of these occurrences4 ,first1 he sent off a party of rifle and artillery men1 with two twelve-pounders1 to secure the new ships which had run aground at ,yonkers4 ,next1 he ordered ,colonel ,sargent to march up along the eastern shore with five hundred infantry1 a troop of light-horse1 and a detachment of artillery1 to prevent the landing of the enemy4 ,before the troops arrived at ,dobbs' ,ferry1 the ships' boats had plundered a store there and set it on fire4 ,to prevent1 if possible1 the men-of-war already up the river from coming down1 or others from below joining them1 ,washington gave orders to complete the obstructions4 ,two hulks which lay in ,spyt den ,duivel ,creek1 were hastily ballasted by men from ,general ,heath's division1 and men were sent up to get off the ships which had run aground at ,philips' ,mills1 that they might be brought down and sunk immediately4 ,this new irruption of hostile ships caused great excitement and alarm4 ,it was rumored that bodies of disaffected citizens were organizing in order to assist the enemy1 and it was feared that these ships were carrying arms and ammunition for these bodies of men1 and also concealed troops to co-operate with them in overpowering the well-affected1 and in seizing upon such passes as would cut off the communication between the army and the upper counties4 ,fugitive river crafts carried the news up to the ,highlands that the frigates were already before ,tarrytown in the ,tappan ,sea4 ,word was instantly despatched to ,peter ,r4 ,livingston1 president of the ,provincial ,congress1 and startled that deliberative body1 which was then seated at ,fishkill1 just above the ,highlands4 ,washington ordered up part of the militia from ,massachusetts1 under ,general ,lincoln4 ,as a further precaution1 an express was sent off to ,colonel ,tash1 who1 with a regiment of ,new ,hampshire militia1 was on his way from ,hartford to the camp1 ordering him to repair with all possible dispatch to ,fishkill1 and there hold himself at the disposition of the committee of safety4 ,james ,clinton1 also1 who had charge of the posts in the ,highlands1 was put on the alert4 ,that trusty officer was now a brigadier-general1 having been promoted by ,congress1 on the #hth of ,august4 ,he was charged to have all boats passing up and down the river rigidly searched1 and the passengers examined4 ,beside the usual sentries1 a barge1 well manned1 was to patrol the river opposite to each fort every night2 all barges1 row-boats1 and other small craft1 between the forts in the ,highlands and the army1 were to be secured in a place of safety1 to prevent their falling into the enemy's hands and giving intelligence4 ,moreover1 a ,french engineer was sent up to aid in strengthening and securing the passes4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,,retreat ,,through ,,westchester ,,county4--,,battle ,,of ,,white ,,plains4 ,on the morning of the #abth of ,october1 ,washington received intelligence by express from ,general ,heath1 stationed above ,king's ,bridge1 that the enemy were landing with artillery on ,throg's ,neck in the ,sound1 about nine miles from the camp4 ,washington surmised that ,howe was pursuing his original plan of getting into the rear of the ,american army1 cutting off its supplies1 which were chiefly derived from the ,east1 and interrupting its communication with the main country4 ,officers were ordered to their alarm posts1 and the troops to be ready1 under arms1 to act as occasion might require4 ,word1 at the same time1 was sent to ,general ,heath to dispose of the troops on his side of ,king's ,bridge1 and of two militia regiments posted on the banks of ,harlem ,river opposite the camp1 in such manner as he should think necessary4 ,having made all his arrangements as promptly as possible1 ,washington mounted his horse1 and rode over towards ,throg's ,neck to reconnoitre4 ,throg's ,neck is a peninsula in ,westchester ,county1 stretching upwards of two miles into the ,sound4 ,it was separated from the mainland by a narrow creek and a marsh1 and was surrounded by water every high tide4 ,a bridge across a creek connecting with a ruined causeway across the marsh1 led to the mainland1 and the upper end of the creek was fordable at low water4 ,early in the morning1 eighty or ninety boats full of men had stood up the ,sound from ,montresor's ,island1 and ,long ,island1 and had landed troops to the number of four thousand on ,throg's ,point1 the extremity of the neck4 ,thence their advance pushed forward toward the causeway and bridge1 to secure that pass to the mainland4 ,general ,heath had been too rapid for them4 ,colonel ,hand and his ,philadelphia riflemen had taken up the planks of the bridge1 and posted themselves opposite the end of the causeway1 whence they commenced firing with their rifles4 ,they were soon reinforced by ,colonel ,prescott1 of ,bunker's ,hill renown1 with his regiment1 and ,lieutenant ,bryant of the artillery1 with a three-pounder4 ,checked at this pass1 the ,british moved toward the head of the creek2 here they found the ,americans in possession of the ford1 where they were reinforced by ,colonel ,graham of the ,new ,york line1 with his regiment1 and ,lieutenant ,jackson of the artillery1 with a six-pounder4 ,these skilful dispositions of his troops by ,general ,heath had brought the enemy to a stand4 ,having surveyed the ground1 ,washington ordered works to be thrown up at the passes from the neck to the mainland4 ,the ,british also threw up a work at the end of the causeway4 ,in the afternoon nine ships1 with a great number of schooners1 sloops1 and flat-bottomed boats full of men1 passed through ,hell ,gate1 towards ,throg's ,point2 and information received from two deserters1 gave ,washington reason to believe that the greater part of the enemy's forces were gathering in that quarter4 ,general ,mc,dougall's brigade1 in which were ,colonel ,smallwood and the independent companies1 was sent in the evening to strengthen ,heath's division at ,king's ,bridge1 and to throw up works opposite the ford of ,harlem ,river4 ,greene1 who had heard of the landing of the enemy at ,throg's ,neck1 wrote over to ,washington1 from ,fort ,constitution1 informing him that he had three brigades ready to join him if required4 ,on the #adth1 ,general ,lee1 whose return from the south had been anxiously expected1 arrived in camp4 ,the success of ,lee at the south was contrasted by many with the defeat on ,long ,island and evacuation of ,new ,york1 and they began to consider him the main hope of the army4 ,his appearance was welcomed as the harbinger of good luck4 ,no one gave him a sincerer greeting than the commander-in-chief2 who1 diffident of his own military knowledge1 had a high opinion of that of ,lee4 ,he immediately gave him command of the troops above ,king's ,bridge1 now the greatest part of the army1 but desired that he would not exercise it for a day or two1 until he had time to acquaint himself with the localities and arrangements of the post4 ,heath1 in the interim1 held the command4 ,in the meantime1 ,congress1 on the #aath of ,october1 having heard of the ingress of the ,phoenix1 ,roebuck and ,tartar1 passed a resolution that ,general ,washington be desired1 if it be practicable1 by every art1 and at whatever expensive1 to obstruct effectually the navigation of the ,north ,river between ,fort ,washington and ,mount ,constitution1 as well to prevent the regress of the enemy's vessels lately gone up as to hinder them from receiving succors4 ,washington held a council of war on the #afth1 at ,lee's head-quarters1 at which all the major-generals were present excepting ,greene1 and all the brigadiers1 as well as ,colonel ,knox1 who commanded the artillery4 ,letters from the ,convention and from individual members of it were read1 concerning the turbulence of the disaffected in the upper parts of the ,state2 intelligence gained from deserters was likewise stated1 showing the intention of the enemy to surround the camp4 ,the policy was then discussed of remaining in their present position on ,manhattan ,island1 and awaiting there the menaced attack4 ,after much consideration and debate1 says the record of the council1 the following question was stated3 ,whether 7it having appeared that the obstructions in the ,north ,river have proved insufficient1 and that the enemy's whole force is now in our rear on ,frog ,point7 it is now deemed possible1 in our situation1 to prevent the enemy from cutting off the communication with the country1 and compelling us to fight them at all disadvantages or surrender prisoners at discretion8 ,all agreed1 with but one dissenting voice1#a that it was not possible to prevent the communication from being cut off1 and that one of the consequences mentioned in the question must follow4 ,footnote #a3 ,that of ,general ,george ,clinton4 ,as the resolve of ,congress seemed imperative with regard to ,fort ,washington1 that post1 it was agreed1 should be retained as long as possible4 ,a strong garrison was accordingly placed in it1 composed chiefly of troops from ,magaw's and ,shee's ,pennsylvania regiments1 the latter under ,lieutenant-colonel ,lambert ,cadwalader1 of ,philadelphia4 ,shee having obtained leave of absence1 ,colonel ,magaw was put in command of the post1 and solemnly charged by ,washington to defend it to the last extremity4 ,the name of the opposite post on the ,jersey shore1 where ,greene was stationed1 was changed from ,fort ,constitution to ,fort ,lee1 in honor of the general4 ,lee1 in fact1 was the military idol of the day4 ,previous to decamping from ,manhattan ,island1 ,washington formed four divisions of the army1 which were respectively assigned to ,generals ,lee1 ,heath1 ,sullivan 7recently obtained in exchange for ,general ,prescott71 and ,lincoln4 ,lee was stationed on ,valentine's ,hill1 on the mainland immediately opposite ,king's ,bridge1 to cover the transportation across it of the military stores and heavy baggage4 ,the other divisions were to form a chain of fortified posts1 extending about thirteen miles along a ridge of hills on the west side of the ,bronx1 from ,lee's camp up to the village of ,white ,plains4 ,washington's head-quarters continued to be on ,harlem ,heights for several days4 ,by his skilful disposition of the army it was protected in its whole length by the ,bronx1 a narrow but deep stream1 fringed with trees1 which ran along the foot of the ridge2 at the same time his troops faced and outflanked the enemy1 and covered the roads along which the stores and baggage had to be transported4 ,on the #bast1 he shifted his head-quarters to ,valentine's ,hill1 and on the #bc;d to ,white ,plains1 where he stationed himself in a fortified camp4 ,while he was thus incessantly in action1 ,general1 now ,sir ,william ,howe1 remained for six days passive in his camp on ,throg's ,point1 awaiting the arrival of supplies and reinforcements1 instead of pushing across to the ,hudson1 and throwing himself between ,washington's army and the upper country4 ,his inaction lost him a golden opportunity4 ,by the time his supplies arrived1 the ,americans had broken up the causeway leading to the mainland1 and taken positions too strong to be easily forced4 ,finding himself headed in this direction1 ,sir ,william re-embarked part of his troops in flat boats on the #ahth1 crossed ,eastchester ,bay1 and landed on ,pell's ,point1 at the mouth of ,hutchinson's ,river4 ,here he was joined in a few hours by the main body1 with the baggage and artillery1 and proceeded through the manor of ,pelham towards ,new ,rochelle2 still with a view to get above ,washington's army4 ,in their march1 the ,british were waylaid and harassed by ,colonel ,glover of ,massachusetts1 with his own1 ,reed's and ,shepard's regiments of infantry4 ,twice the ,british advance guard were thrown into confusion and driven back with severe loss1 by a sharp fire from behind stone fences4 ,a third time they advanced in solid columns4 ,the ,americans gave them repeated volleys1 and then retreated with the loss of eight killed and thirteen wounded1 among whom was ,colonel ,shepard4 ,on the #bast1 ,general ,howe was encamped about two miles north of ,new ,rochelle1 with his outposts extending to ,mamaroneck on the ,sound4 ,while in this neighborhood1 he was reinforced by a second division of ,hessians under ,general ,knyphausen1 and a regiment of ,waldeckers1 both of which had recently arrived in ,new ,york4 ,he was joined1 also1 by the whole of the seventeenth light-dragoons1 and a part of the sixteenth1 which had arrived on the #c;d instant from ,ireland1 with ,lieutenant-colonel 7afterwards ,earl7 ,harcourt4 ,some of their horses had been brought with them across the sea1 others had been procured since their arrival4 ,the ,americans at first regarded these troopers with great dread4 ,washington1 therefore1 took pains to convince them1 that in a rough1 broken country1 like the present1 full of stone fences1 no troops were so inefficient as cavalry4 ,they could be waylaid and picked off by sharp-shooters from behind walls and thickets1 while they could not leave the road to pursue their covert foe4 ,further to inspirit them against this new enemy1 he proclaimed1 in general orders1 a reward of one hundred dollars for every trooper brought in with his horse and accoutrements1 and so on1 in proportion to the completeness of the capture4 ,on the #beth1 about two o'clock in the afternoon1 intelligence was brought to head-quarters that three or four detachments of the enemy were on the march1 within four miles of the camp1 and the main army following in columns4 ,the drums beat to arms2 the men were ordered to their posts2 an attack was expected4 ,the day passed away1 however1 without any demonstration of the enemy4 ,howe detached none of his force on lateral expeditions1 evidently meditating a general engagement4 ,to prepare for it1 ,washington drew all his troops from the posts along the ,bronx into the fortified camp at ,white ,plains4 ,here everything remained quiet but expectant1 throughout the #bfth4 ,in the morning of the #bgth1 which was ,sunday1 the heavy booming of cannon was heard from a distance seemingly in the direction of ,fort ,washington4 ,scouts galloped off to gain intelligence4 ,we will anticipate their report4 ,two of the ,british frigates1 at seven o'clock in the morning1 had moved up the ,hudson1 and come to anchor near ,bourdett's ,ferry1 below the ,morris ,house1 ,washington's old head-quarters1 apparently with the intention of stopping the ferry1 and cutting off the communication between ,fort ,lee and ,fort ,washington4 ,at the same time1 troops made their appearance on ,harlem ,plains1 where ,lord ,percy held command4 ,colonel ,morgan immediately manned the lines with troops from the garrison of ,fort ,washington4 ,the ships opened a fire to enfilade and dislodge them4 ,a barbette battery on the cliffs of the ,jersey shore1 left of the ferry1 fired down upon the frigate1 but with little effect4 ,colonel ,magaw got down an eighteen-pounder to the lines near the ,morris ,house1 and fired fifty or sixty rounds1 two balls at a time4 ,two eighteen-pounders were likewise brought down from ,fort ,lee1 and planted opposite the ships4 ,by the fire from both shores they were hulled repeatedly4 ,it was the thundering of these cannonades which had reached ,washington's camp at ,white ,plains4 ,the ships soon hoisted all sail4 ,the foremost slipped her cable1 and appeared to be in the greatest confusion4 ,she could make no way1 though towed by two boats4 ,the other ship seeing her distress sent two barges to her assistance1 and by the four boats she was dragged out of reach of the ,american fire1 her pumps going all the time4 ,at the time that the fire from the ships began1 ,lord ,percy brought up his field-pieces and mortars1 and made an attack upon the lines4 ,he was resolutely answered by the troops sent down from ,fort ,washington1 and several ,hessians were killed4 ,an occasional firing was kept up until evening1 when the ships fell down the river1 and the troops which had advanced on ,harlem ,plains drew within their lines again4 ,while these things were passing at ,fort ,washington1 ,lee had struck his tents1 and with the rear division1 eight thousand strong1 the baggage and artillery1 and a train of wagons four miles long1 laden with stores and ammunition1 was lumbering along the rough country roads to join the main army4 ,it was not until ,monday morning1 after being on the road all night1 that he arrived at ,white ,plains4 ,washington's camp was situated on high ground1 facing the east4 ,the right wing stretched towards the south along a rocky hill1 at the foot of which the ,bronx1 making an elbow1 protected it in flank and rear4 ,the left wing rested on a small1 deep lake among the hills4 ,the camp was strongly intrenched in front4 ,about a quarter of a mile to the right of the camp1 and separated from the height on which it stood by the ,bronx and a marshy interval1 was a corresponding height called ,chatterton's ,hill4 ,as this partly commanded the right flank1 and as the intervening bend of the ,bronx was easily passable1 ,washington had stationed on its summit a militia regiment4 ,the whole encampment was a temporary one1 to be changed as soon as the military stores collected there could be removed2 and now that ,general ,lee was arrived1 ,washington rode out with him1 and other general officers who were off duty1 to reconnoitre a height which appeared more eligible4 ,when arrived at it1 ,lee pointed to another on the north1 still more commanding4 ,yonder1 said he is the ground we ought to occupy4 ,let us go1 then1 and view it1 replied ,washington4 ,they were gently riding in that direction1 when a trooper came spurring up his panting horse4 ,the ,british are in the camp1 sir6 cried he4 ,then1 gentlemen1 said ,washington1 we have other business to attend to than reconnoitring4 ,putting spurs to his horse1 he set off for the camp at full gallop1 the others spurring after him4 ,arrived at head-quarters1 he was informed by ,adjutant-general ,reed1 that the picket guards had all been driven in1 and the enemy were advancing2 but that the whole ,american army was posted in order of battle4 ,apprehensive that the enemy might attempt to get possession of ,chatterton's ,hill1 he detached ,colonel ,haslet with his ,delaware regiment1 to reinforce the militia posted there4 ,to these he soon added ,general ,mc,dougall's brigade1 composed of ,smallwood's ,marylanders1 ,ritzema's ,new ,yorkers1 and two other regiments4 ,general ,mc,dougall had command of the whole force upon the hill1 which did not exceed #a1fjj men4 ,these dispositions were scarcely made1 when the enemy appeared glistening on the high grounds beyond the village of ,white ,plains4 ,they advanced in two columns1 the right commanded by ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 the left by the ,hessian general1 ,de ,heister4 ,there was also a troop of horse2 so formidable in the inexperienced eyes of the ,americans4 ,for a time they halted in a wheat field1 behind a rising ground1 and the general officers rode up in the centre to hold a consultation4 ,washington supposed they were preparing to attack him in front1 and such indeed was their intention2 but the commanding height of ,chatterton's ,hill had caught ,sir ,william's eye1 and he determined first to get possession of it4 ,colonel ,rahl was accordingly detached with a brigade of ,hessians to make a circuit southwardly round a piece of wood1 cross the ,bronx about a quarter of a mile below1 and ascend the south side of the hill2 while ,general ,leslie1 with a large force1 ,british and ,hessian1 should advance directly in front1 throw a bridge across the stream1 and charge up the hill4 ,a furious cannonade was now opened by the ,british from fifteen or twenty pieces of artillery1 placed on high ground opposite the hill2 under cover of which1 the troops of ,general ,leslie hastened to construct the bridge4 ,in so doing1 they were severely galled by two field-pieces1 planted on a ledge of rock on ,chatterton's ,hill1 and in charge of ,alexander ,hamilton4 ,smallwood's ,maryland battalion also kept up a sharp fire of small arms4 ,as soon as the bridge was finished1 the ,british and ,hessians under ,leslie rushed over it1 formed1 and charged up the hill to take ,hamilton's two field-pieces4 ,three times the two field-pieces were discharged1 ploughing the ascending columns from hill-top to river1 while ,smallwood's blue and buff ,marylanders kept up their volleys of musketry4 ,in the meantime1 ,rahl and his ,hessian brigade forded the ,bronx lower down1 pushed up the south side of the hill1 and endeavored to turn ,mc,dougall's right flank4 ,the militia gave the general but little support4 ,they had been dismayed at the opening of the engagement by a shot from a ,british cannon1 which wounded one of them in the thigh1 and nearly put the whole to flight4 ,it was with the utmost difficulty ,mc,dougall had rallied them and posted them behind a stone wall4 ,here they did some service1 until a troop of ,british cavalry1 having gained the crest of the hill1 came on1 brandishing their sabres4 ,at their first charge the militia gave a random1 scattering fire1 then broke1 and fled in complete confusion4 ,a brave stand was made on the summit of the hill by ,haslet1 ,ritzema1 and ,smallwood1 with their troops4 ,twice they repulsed horse and foot1 ,british and ,hessians1 until1 cramped for room and greatly outnumbered1 they slowly and sullenly retreated down the north side of the hill1 where there was a bridge across the ,bronx4 ,the loss on both sides1 in this short but severe action1 was nearly equal4 ,that of the ,americans was between three and four hundred men1 killed1 wounded1 and taken prisoners4 ,the ,british army now rested with their left wing on the hill they had just taken1 and which they were busy intrenching4 ,they were extending their right wing to the left of the ,american lines1 so that their two wings and centre formed nearly a semicircle4 ,it was evidently their design to outflank the ,american camp1 and get in the rear of it4 ,the day1 however1 being far advanced1 was suffered to pass without any further attack2 but the morrow was looked forward to for a deadly conflict4 ,during this anxious night1 ,washington was assiduously occupied throwing back his right wing to stronger ground2 doubling his intrenchments and constructing three redoubts1 with a line in front1 on the summit of his post4 ,these works were principally intended for defence against small arms1 and were thrown up with a rapidity that to the enemy must have savored of magic4 ,they were1 in fact1 made of the stalks of ,indian corn or maize taken from a neighboring corn-field1 and pulled up with the earth clinging in masses to the large roots4 ,the roots of the stalks1 says ,heath1 and earth on them placed in the face of the works1 answered the purpose of sods and fascines4 ,the tops being placed inwards1 as the loose earth was thrown upon them1 became as so many trees to the work1 which was carried up with a despatch scarcely conceivable4 ,on the morning of the #bith1 when ,howe beheld how greatly ,washington had improved his position and strengthened it1 by what appeared to be solidly constructed works1 he postponed his meditated assault1 ordered up ,lord ,percy from ,harlem with the fourth brigade and two battalions of the sixth1 and proceeded to throw up lines and redoubts in front of the ,american camp1 as if preparing to cannonade it4 ,as the enemy were endeavoring to outflank him1 especially on his right wing1 ,washington apprehended one of their objects might be to advance a part of their force and seize on ,pine's ,bridge over ,croton ,river1 which would cut off his communication with the upper country4 ,general ,beall1 with three ,maryland regiments1 was sent off with all expedition to secure that pass4 ,it was ,washington's idea that1 having possession of ,croton ,river and the passes in the ,highlands1 his army would be safe from further pursuit1 and have time to repose after its late excessive fatigue1 and would be fresh and ready to harass the enemy should they think fit to winter up the country4 ,on the night of the #cast1 ,washington shifted his whole position1 set fire to the barns and out-houses containing forage and stores1 which there was no time to remove1 and leaving a strong rear-guard on the heights1 and in the neighboring woods1 retired with his main army a distance of five miles1 among the high1 rocky hills about ,northcastle4 ,here he immediately set to work to intrench and fortify himself4 ,general ,howe did not attempt to dislodge him from this fastness4 ,he at one time ordered an attack on the rear-guard1 but a violent rain prevented it1 and for two or three days he remained seemingly inactive4 ,during the night of the #dth1 this quiet was interrupted4 ,a mysterious sound was heard in the direction of the ,british camp1 like the rumbling of wagons and artillery4 ,at daybreak the meaning of it was discovered4 ,the enemy were decamping4 ,long trains were observed defiling across the hilly country1 along the roads leading to ,dobbs' ,ferry on the ,hudson4 ,the movement continued for three successive days1 until their whole force1 ,british and ,hessians1 disappeared from ,white ,plains4 ,,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,,washington ,,at ,,peekskill4--,,the ,,northern ,,army4 ,various were the speculations at head-quarters on the sudden movement of the enemy4 ,washington writes to ,general ,william ,livingston 7now governor of the ,jerseys73 ,they have gone towards the ,north ,river and ,king's ,bridge4 ,some suppose they are going into winter quarters1 and will sit down in ,new ,york without doing more than investing ,fort ,washington4 ,i cannot subscribe wholly to this opinion myself4 ,that they will invest ,fort ,washington1 is a matter of which there can be no doubt2 and ,i think there is a strong probability that ,general ,howe will detach a part of his force to make an incursion into the ,jerseys1 provided he is going to ,new ,york4 ,he must attempt something on account of his reputation1 for what has he done as yet with his great army8 ,in the same letter he expressed his determination1 as soon as it should appear that the present manoeuvre was a real retreat1 and not a feint1 to throw over a body of troops into the ,jerseys to assist in checking ,howe's progress4 ,in a letter of the same date1 he charged ,general ,greene1 should ,howe invest ,fort ,washington with part of his force1 to give the garrison all possible assistance4 ,on the following day 7,nov4 #h71 ,colonel ,tilghman1 writes to ,general ,greene from head-quarters3 ,the enemy are at ,dobbs' ,ferry with a great number of boats1 ready to go into ,jersey1 or proceed up the river4 ,greene doubted any intention of the enemy to cross the river2 it might only be a feint to mislead2 still1 as a precaution1 he had ordered troops up from the flying camp and was posting them opposite ,dobbs' ,ferry1 and at other passes where a landing might be attempted2 the whole being under the command of ,general ,mercer4 ,affairs at ,fort ,washington soon settled the question of the enemy's intention with regard to it4 ,lord ,percy took his station with a body of troops before the lines to the south4 ,knyphausen advanced on the north4 ,the ,americans had previously abandoned ,fort ,independence1 burnt its barracks1 and removed the stores and cannon4 ,crossing ,king's ,bridge1 ,knyphausen took a position between it and ,fort ,washington4 ,the approach to the fort1 on this side1 was exceedingly steep and rocky2 as1 indeed1 were all its approaches excepting that on the south1 where the country was more open1 and the ascent gradual4 ,the fort could not hold within its walls above one thousand men2 the rest of the troops were distributed about the lines and outworks4 ,while the fort was thus menaced1 the chevaux-de-frise had again proved inefficient4 ,on the night of the #eth1 a frigate and two transports1 bound up to ,dobbs' ,ferry with supplies for ,howe's army1 had broken through2 though1 according to ,greene's account1 not without being considerably shattered by the batteries4 ,informed of these facts1 ,washington wrote to ,greene on the #hth3 ,if we cannot prevent vessels from passing up the river1 and the enemy are possessed of all the surrounding country1 what valuable purpose can it answer to hold a post from which the expected benefit cannot be had8 ,i am1 therefore1 inclined to think1 that it will not be prudent to hazard the men and stores at ,mount ,washington2 but1 as you are on the spot1 ,i leave it to you to give such orders as to evacuating ,mount ,washington as you may judge best1 and so far revoking the orders given to ,colonel ,magaw1 to defend it to the last4 ,accounts had been received at head-quarters of a considerable movement on the preceding evening 7,nov4 #gth7 among the enemy's boats at ,dobbs' ,ferry1 with the intention1 it was said1 of penetrating the ,jerseys1 and falling down upon ,fort ,lee4 ,washington1 therefore1 in the same letter directed ,greene to have all the stores not necessary to the defence removed immediately4 ,greene1 in reply1 7,nov4 #ith7 adhered with tenacity to the policy of maintaining ,fort ,washington4 ,the enemy1 said he1 must invest it with double the number of men required for its defence4 ,they must keep troops at ,king's ,bridge1 to cut off all communication with the country1 and in considerable force for fear of an attack4 ,it is doubtful when or where ,washington received this letter1 as he left the camp at ,northcastle at eleven o'clock on the following morning4 ,there being still considerable uncertainty as to the intentions of the enemy1 all his arrangements were made accordingly4 ,all the troops belonging to the ,states west of the ,hudson were to be stationed in the ,jerseys1 under command of ,general ,putnam4 ,lord ,stirling had already been sent forward with the ,maryland and ,virginia troops to ,peekskill1 to cross the river at ,king's ,ferry4 ,another division1 composed of ,connecticut and ,massachusetts troops1 under ,general ,heath1 was to co-operate with the brigade of ,new ,york militia1 under ,general ,george ,clinton1 in securing the ,highland posts on both sides of the river4 ,the troops which would remain at ,northcastle after the departure of ,heath and his division1 were to be commanded by ,lee4 ,on the #ajth of ,november1 ,washington left the camp at ,northcastle1 at #aa o'clock1 and arrived at ,peekskill at sunset1 whither ,general ,heath with his division had preceded him by a few hours4 ,lord ,stirling was there likewise1 having effected the transportation of the ,maryland and ,virginia troops across the river1 and landed them at the ferry south of ,stony ,point2 though a better landing was subsequently found north of the point4 ,his lordship had thrown out a scouting party in the advance1 and a hundred men to take possession of a gap in the mountain1 through which a road passed toward the ,jerseys4 ,washington was now at the entrance of the ,highlands1 that grand defile of the ,hudson1 the object of so much precaution and solicitude4 ,on the following morning1 accompanied by ,generals ,heath1 ,stirling1 ,james and ,george ,clinton1 ,mifflin1 and others1 he made a military visit in boats to the ,highland posts4 ,fort ,montgomery was in a considerable state of forwardness1 and a work in the vicinity was projected to co-operate with it4 ,fort ,constitution commanded a sudden bend of the river1 but ,lord ,stirling1 in his report of inspection1 had intimated that the fort itself was commanded by ,west ,point opposite4 ,a glance of the eye1 without going on shore1 was sufficient to convince ,washington of the fact4 ,a fortress subsequently erected on that point1 has been considered the ,key of the ,highlands4 ,on the morning of the #abth1 at an early hour1 ,washington rode out with ,general ,heath to reconnoitre the east side of the ,hudson1 at the gorge of the ,highlands4 ,henry ,wisner1 in a report to the ,new ,york ,convention1 had mentioned a hill to the north of ,peekskill1 so situated1 with the road winding along the side of it1 that ten men on the top1 by rolling down stones1 might prevent ten thousand from passing4 ,near ,robinson's ,bridge1 in this vicinity1 about two miles from ,peekskill1 ,washington chose a place where troops should be stationed to cover the south entrance into the mountains2 and here1 afterwards1 was established an important military depot called ,continental ,village4 ,having made all these surveys and arrangements1 he placed ,heath in the general command of the ,highlands1 with written instructions to fortify the passes with all possible despatch1 and directions how the troops were to be distributed on both sides of the river4 ,during his brief and busy sojourn at ,peekskill1 ,washington received important intelligence from the ,northern army2 especially that part of it on ,lake ,champlain1 under the command of ,general ,gates4 ,the preparations for the defence of ,ticonderoga1 and the nautical service on the lake1 had met with difficulties at every step4 ,at length1 by the middle of ,august1 a small flotilla was completed1 and the command given by ,gates to ,arnold1 in compliance with the advice of ,washington4 ,sir ,guy ,carleton1 in the meantime1 was straining every nerve for the approaching conflict4 ,vessels were brought from ,england in pieces and put together at ,st4 ,johns1 boats of various kinds and sizes were transported over land1 or dragged up the rapids of the ,sorel4 ,in despite of every exertion1 three months elapsed before his armament was completed4 ,by the month of ,october1 between twenty and thirty sail were afloat and ready for action4 ,the flag-ship 7the ,inflexible7 mounted eighteen twelve-pounders2 the rest were gunboats1 a gondola and a flat-bottomed vessel called a radeau1 and named the ,thunderer2 carrying a battery of six twenty-four and twelve six-pounders1 besides howitzers4 ,the gunboats mounted brass field-pieces and howitzers4 ,captain ,pringle conducted the armament1 but ,sir ,guy ,carleton was too full of zeal1 and too anxious for the event1 not to head the enterprise2 he accordingly took his station on the deck of the flag-ship4 ,they made sail early in ,october1 in quest of the ,american squadron1 which was said to be abroad upon the lake4 ,arnold had taken his post under cover of ,valcour ,island1 in the channel between that island and the mainland4 ,the ,british discovered ,arnold's flotilla on the morning of the #aath1 and attempted to beat up into the channel4 ,the wind did not permit the largest of them to enter4 ,about twelve o'clock a brisk fire was opened on the ,american vessels1 and the action soon became severe and sanguinary4 ,the enemy landed ,indians on the island1 who kept up a galling fire upon the ,americans4 ,the ,congress1 on board of which was ,arnold1 was hulled several times1 and many of her crew were killed or wounded4 ,the ardor of ,arnold increased with the danger4 ,he cheered on his men by voice and example1 often pointing the guns with his own hands4 ,at night the contest was still undecided1 and the enemy drew off1 anchoring their whole squadron in a line to prevent the escape of the ,americans4 ,but ,arnold1 aware that with his crippled and inferior force further resistance could not be maintained1 took advantage of a dark1 cloudy night and a strong north wind to slip silently through the enemy's line without being discovered4 ,the next day ,arnold's galley1 the ,congress1 the ,washington galley and four gondolas1 which had suffered severely in the fight1 fell astern2 and on the following morning1 as a fog1 which had covered the lake1 lifted1 the enemy were discerned within a few miles of them in full chase4 ,by noon the ,washington was overtaken and captured4 ,arnold meanwhile maintained a desperate running fight with the advanced vessels of the enemy's fleet1 until finding resistance in vain1 the crippled vessels were run on shore1 fired1 and the crews set off through the woods to ,crown ,point4 ,two schooners1 two galleys1 one sloop and one gondola1 the remnant which had escaped of this squadron1 were at anchor at the ,point1 and ,general ,waterbury and most of his men who had been captured in the ,washington galley arrived there the next day on parole4 ,seeing that the place must soon fall into the hands of the enemy1 they set fire to the houses1 destroyed everything they could not carry away1 and embarking in the vessels made sail for ,ticonderoga4 ,the loss of the ,americans in these two actions is said to have been between eighty and ninety men2 that of the ,british about forty4 ,the conduct of ,arnold in these naval affairs gained him new laurels4 ,sir ,guy ,carleton took possession of the ruined works at ,crown ,point1 where he was soon joined by the army4 ,he made several movements by land and water1 as if meditating an attack upon ,ticonderoga4 ,general ,gates1 in the meantime1 strengthened his works with incessant assiduity1 and made every preparation for an obstinate defence4 ,a strong easterly wind prevented the enemy's ships from advancing to attack the lines1 and gave time for the arrival of reinforcements of militia to the garrison4 ,it also afforded time for ,sir ,guy ,carleton to cool in ardor1 and calculate the chances and the value of success4 ,the post1 from its strength1 could not be taken without great loss of life4 ,if taken1 the season was now too far advanced to think of passing ,lake ,george1 and exposing the army to the perils of a winter campaign in the inhospitable and impracticable wilds to the southward4 ,ticonderoga1 too1 could not be kept during the winter1 so that the only result of the capture would be the reduction of the works and the taking of some cannon2 all which damage the ,americans could remedy before the opening of the summer campaign4 ,if1 however1 the defence should be obstinate1 the ,british army1 even if successful1 might sustain a loss sufficient to cripple its operations in the coming year4 ,these1 and other prudential reasons1 induced ,carleton to give up all attempt upon the fortress at present2 wherefore1 re-embarking his troops1 he returned to ,st4 ,johns1 and cantoned them in ,canada for the winter4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,,capture ,,of ,,fort ,,washington ,,and ,,garrison4--,,retreat ,,through ,,new ,,jersey4 ,on the morning of the #abth of ,november1 ,washington crossed the ,hudson to the ferry below ,stony ,point1 with the residue of the troops destined for the ,jerseys4 ,far below were to be descried the ,phoenix1 the ,roebuck1 and the ,tartar1 at anchor in the broad waters of ,haverstraw ,bay and the ,tappan ,sea1 guarding the lower ferries4 ,the army1 thus shut out from the nearer passes1 was slowly winding its way by a circuitous route through the gap in the mountains1 which ,lord ,stirling had secured4 ,leaving the troops which had just landed to pursue the same route to the ,hackensack1 ,washington1 accompanied by ,colonel ,reed1 struck a direct course for ,fort ,lee1 being anxious about affairs at ,fort ,washington4 ,he arrived there on the following day1 and found1 to his disappointment1 that ,general ,greene had taken no measures for the evacuation of that fortress2 but on the contrary had reinforced it with a part of ,colonel ,durkee's regiment and the regiment of ,colonel ,rawlings1 so that its garrison now numbered upwards of two thousand men2 a great part1 however1 were militia4 ,washington's orders for its evacuation had1 in fact1 been discretionary1 leaving the execution of them to ,greene's judgment1 as being on the spot4 ,the latter had differed in opinion as to the policy of such a measure2 and ,colonel ,magaw1 who had charge of the fortress1 was likewise confident it might be maintained4 ,the fort was now invested on all sides but one2 and the troops under ,howe1 which had been encamped at ,dobbs' ,ferry1 were said to be moving down toward it4 ,illustration3 ,,view ,,from ,,the ,,site ,,of ,,fort ,,washington4 ,vol4 ,,ii4 ,washington was much perplexed4 ,the main object of ,howe was still a matter of doubt with him4 ,he could not think that ,sir ,william was moving his whole force upon that fortress1 to invest which1 a part would be sufficient4 ,he suspected an ulterior object1 probably a ,southern expedition1 as he was told a large number of ships were taking in wood and water at ,new ,york4 ,he resolved1 therefore1 to continue a few days in this neighborhood1 during which he trusted the designs of the enemy would be more apparent2 in the meantime he would distribute troops at ,brunswick1 ,amboy1 ,elizabethtown and ,fort ,lee1 so as to be ready at these various points to check any incursions into the ,jerseys4 ,washington was mistaken in his conjecture as to ,sir ,william ,howe's design4 ,the capture of ,fort ,washington was1 at present1 his main object2 and he was encamped on ,fordham ,heights1 not far from ,king's ,bridge1 until preliminary steps should be taken4 ,in the night of the #adth1 thirty flat-bottomed boats stole quietly up the ,hudson1 passed the ,american forts undiscovered1 and made their way through ,spyt den ,duivel ,creek into ,harlem ,river4 ,the means were thus provided for crossing that river and landing before unprotected parts of the ,american works4 ,apprised by ,colonel ,magaw of his peril1 ,general ,greene sent over reinforcements1 with an exhortation to him to persist in his defence2 and despatched an express to ,washington1 who was at ,hackensack1 where the troops which had crossed from ,peekskill were encamped4 ,it was nightfall when ,washington arrived at ,fort ,lee4 ,greene and ,putnam were over at the besieged fortress4 ,he threw himself into a boat1 and had partly crossed the river1 when he met those generals returning4 ,they informed him of the garrison's having been reinforced1 and assured him that it was in high spirits and capable of making a good defence4 ,it was with difficulty1 however1 they could prevail on him to return with them to the ,jersey shore1 for he was excessively excited4 ,early the next morning 7#afth71 ,magaw made his dispositions for the expected attack4 ,his forces1 with the recent addition1 amounted to nearly three thousand men4 ,as the fort could not contain above a third of that number1 most of them were stationed about the outworks4 ,colonel ,lambert ,cadwalader1 with eight hundred ,pennsylvanians1 was posted in the outer lines1 about two miles and a half south of the fort1 the side menaced by ,lord ,percy with sixteen hundred men4 ,colonel ,rawlings1 of ,maryland1 with a body of troops1 many of them riflemen1 was stationed by a three-gun battery1 on a rocky1 precipitous hill1 north of the fort1 and between it and ,spyt den ,duivel ,creek4 ,colonel ,baxter1 of ,bucks ,county1 ,pennsylvania1 with his regiment of militia1 was posted east of the fort1 on rough1 woody heights bordering the ,harlem ,river1 to watch the motions of the enemy1 who had thrown up redoubts on high and commanding ground on the opposite side of the river1 apparently to cover the crossing and landing of troops4 ,sir ,william ,howe had planned four simultaneous attacks2 one on the north by ,knyphausen1 who was encamped on the ,york side of ,king's ,bridge1 within cannon shot of ,fort ,washington1 but separated from it by high and rough hills1 covered with almost impenetrable woods4 ,he was to advance in two columns1 formed by detachments made from the ,hessians of his corps1 the brigade of ,rahl1 and the regiment of ,waldeckers4 ,the second attack was to be by two battalions of light infantry and two battalions of guards1 under ,brigadier-general ,mathew1 who was to cross ,harlem ,river in flat-boats1 under cover of the redoubts above mentioned1 and to land on the right of the fort4 ,this attack was to be supported by the first and second grenadiers1 and a regiment of light infantry under command of ,lord ,cornwallis4 ,the third attack1 intended as a feint to distract the attention of the ,americans1 was to be by ,colonel ,sterling1 with the #db;d regiment1 who was to drop down the ,harlem ,river in bateaux to the left of the ,american lines1 facing ,new ,york4 ,the fourth attack was to be on the south1 by ,lord ,percy1 with the ,english and ,hessian troops under his command1 on the right flank of the ,american intrenchments4 ,about noon1 a heavy cannonade thundering along the rocky hills1 and sharp volleys of musketry1 proclaimed that the action was commenced4 ,knyphausen's division was pushing on from the north in two columns1 as had been arranged4 ,the right was led by ,colonel ,rahl1 the left by himself4 ,rahl essayed to mount a steep1 broken height called ,cock ,hill1 which rises from ,spyt den ,duivel ,creek1 and was covered with woods4 ,knyphausen undertook a hill rising from the ,king's ,bridge road1 but soon found himself entangled in a woody defile1 difficult to penetrate1 and where his ,hessians were exposed to the fire of the three-gun battery1 and ,rawlings' riflemen4 ,while this was going on at the north of the fort1 ,general ,mathew1 with his light infantry and guards1 crossed the ,harlem ,river in the flat-boats1 under cover of a heavy fire from the redoubts4 ,he made good his landing1 after being severely handled by ,baxter and his men1 from behind rocks and trees1 and the breastworks thrown up on the steep river bank4 ,a short contest ensued4 ,baxter1 while bravely encouraging his men1 was killed by a ,british officer4 ,his troops1 overpowered by numbers1 retreated to the fort4 ,general ,mathew now pushed on with his guards and light infantry to cut off ,cadwalader4 ,that officer had gallantly defended the lines against the attack of ,lord ,percy1 until informed that ,colonel ,sterling was dropping down ,harlem ,river in bateaux to flank the lines and take him in the rear4 ,he sent off a detachment to oppose his landing4 ,they did it manfully4 ,about ninety of ,sterling's men were killed or wounded in their boats1 but he persevered1 landed1 and forced his way up a steep height1 which was well defended1 gained the summit1 forced a redoubt1 and took nearly two hundred prisoners4 ,thus doubly assailed1 ,cadwalader was obliged to retreat to the fort4 ,he was closely pursued by ,percy with his ,english troops and ,hessians1 but turned repeatedly on his pursuers4 ,thus he fought his way to the fort1 with the loss of several killed and more taken prisoners2 but marking his track by the number of ,hessians slain4 ,the defence on the north side of the fort was equally obstinate and unsuccessful4 ,rawlings with his ,maryland riflemen and the aid of the three-gun battery1 had for some time kept the left column of ,hessians and ,waldeckers under ,knyphausen at bay4 ,at length ,colonel ,rahl1 with the right column of the division1 having forced his way directly up the north side of the steep hill at ,spyt den ,duivel ,creek1 came upon ,rawlings' men1 whose rifles1 from frequent discharges1 had become foul and almost useless1 drove them from their strong post1 and followed them until within a hundred yards of the fort1 where he was joined by ,knyphausen1 who had slowly made his way through dense forest and over felled trees4 ,here they took post behind a large stone house1 and sent in a flag with a summons to surrender4 ,washington had been an anxious spectator of the battle from the opposite side of the ,hudson4 ,the action about the lines to the south lay open to him4 ,when he saw ,cadwalader assailed in flank1 the line broken1 and his troops overpowered by numbers1 he gave up the game as lost4 ,seeing the flag from ,knyphausen's division go into the fort1 he wrote a note to ,magaw1 telling him that if he could hold out until evening and the place could not be maintained1 he would endeavor to bring off the garrison4 ,captain ,gooch offered to be the bearer of the note4 ,he crossed in a small boat1 landed on the bank1 ran up to the fort and delivered the message4 ,it came too late4 ,the fort was so crowded by the garrison and the troops which had retreated into it that it was difficult to move about4 ,the enemy1 too1 were in possession of the little redoubts around1 and could have poured in showers of shells and ricochet balls that would have made dreadful slaughter4 ,it was no longer possible for ,magaw to get his troops to man the lines3 he was compelled1 therefore1 to yield himself and his garrison prisoners of war4 ,the only terms granted them were that the men should retain their baggage and the officers their swords4 ,the sight of the ,american flag hauled down1 and the ,british flag waving in its place1 told ,washington of the surrender4 ,his instant care was for the safety of the upper country1 now that the lower defences of the ,hudson were at an end4 ,before he knew anything about the terms of capitulation1 he wrote to ,general ,lee1 informing him of the surrender1 and calling his attention to the passes of the ,highlands and those which lay east of the river2 begging him to have such measures adopted for their defence as his judgment should suggest to be necessary4 ,lee1 in reply1 objected to removing from his actual encampment at ,northcastle4 ,it would give us1 said he1 the air of being frightened2 it would expose a fine1 fertile country to their ravages2 and ,i must add1 that we are as secure as we could be in any position whatever4 ,after stating that he should deposit his stores1 etc41 in a place fully as safe1 and more central than ,peekskill1 he adds3 ,as to ourselves1 light as we are1 several retreats present themselves4 ,in short1 if we keep a good look-out1 we are in no danger2 but ,i must entreat your ,excellency to enjoin the officers posted at ,fort ,lee1 to give us the quickest intelligence1 if they observe any embarkation on the ,north ,river4 ,as to the affair of ,fort ,washington1 all that ,lee observed on the subject was3 ,oh1 general1 why would you be over-persuaded by men of inferior judgment to your own8 ,it was a cursed affair4#a ,footnote #a3 ,colonel ,reed1 in a letter to ,general ,lee1 at this juncture had allowed himself1 notwithstanding the devotion he had hitherto manifested for the commander-in-chief1 to express himself with great critical freedom on the loss of ,fort ,lee4 ,after alluding to the fact that ,washington's own judgment was averse to the attempt of holding the fort1 but that ,greene's advice to the contrary had kept his mind in a state of suspense1 he exclaims1 ,oh1 general6 an indecisive mind is one of the greatest misfortunes that can befall an army2 how often have ,i lamented it this campaign4 ,some days later a letter from ,general ,lee came to head-quarters addressed to ,colonel ,reed1 who at the time was absent4 ,washington supposing it to be on official business1 opened it1 as he was in the habit of doing on like occasions4 ,to his surprise he discovered it to be a private note1 the tenor of which indicated that he was the subject of critical correspondence between a member of his military family and one of his generals4 ,he immediately enclosed the letter to ,colonel ,reed1 explaining how it had been opened1 but without further comment4 ,reed endeavored to explain away the remarks in ,lee's letter2 but ,washington's affectionate confidence in him as a sympathizing friend had received a severe wound4 ,reed deeply grieved over the error he had committed1 and his earnest appeals to ,washington at a later date1 restored1 in a great measure1 their relations of friendly confidence4 ,with the capture of ,fort ,washington1 the project of obstructing the navigation of the ,hudson1 at that point1 was at an end4 ,fort ,lee1 consequently1 became useless1 and ,washington ordered all the ammunition and stores to be removed1 preparatory to its abandonment4 ,this was effected with the whole of the ammunition and a part of the stores1 and every exertion was making to hurry off the remainder1 when1 early in the morning of the #bjth1 intelligence was brought that the enemy1 with two hundred boats1 had crossed the river and landed a few miles above4 ,general ,greene immediately ordered the garrison under arms1 sent out troops to hold the enemy in check1 and sent off an express to ,washington1 at ,hackensack4 ,the enemy had crossed the ,hudson1 on a very rainy night1 in two divisions1 one diagonally upward from ,king's ,bridge1 landing on the west side1 about eight o'clock2 the other marched up the east bank1 three or four miles1 and then crossed to the opposite shore4 ,the whole corps1 six thousand strong1 and under the command of ,lord ,cornwallis1 were landed1 with their cannon1 by ten o'clock1 at a place called ,closter ,dock1 five or six miles above ,fort ,lee1 and under that line of lofty and perpendicular cliffs known as the ,palisades4 ,the seamen1 says ,sir ,william ,howe1 distinguished themselves remarkably on this occasion1 by their readiness to drag the cannon up a very narrow road for nearly half a mile to the top of a precipice1 which bounds the shore for some miles on the west side4 ,washington arrived at the fort in three quarters of an hour4 ,being told that the enemy were extending themselves across the country1 he at once saw that they intended to form a line from the ,hudson to the ,hackensack1 and hem the whole garrison in between the two rivers4 ,nothing would save it but a prompt retreat to secure the bridge over the ,hackensack4 ,no time was to be lost4 ,the troops sent out to check the enemy were recalled4 ,the retreat commenced in all haste4 ,there was a want of horses and wagons2 a great quantity of baggage1 stores and provisions1 therefore1 was abandoned4 ,so was all the artillery excepting two twelve-pounders4 ,even the tents were left standing1 and camp-kettles on the fire4 ,with all their speed they did not reach the ,hackensack ,river before the vanguard of the enemy was close upon them4 ,expecting a brush1 the greater part hurried over the bridge1 others crossed at the ferry and some higher up4 ,the enemy1 however1 did not dispute the passage of the river4 ,from ,hackensack1 ,colonel ,grayson1 one of ,washington's aides-de-camp1 wrote instantly1 by his orders1 to ,general ,lee2 informing him that the enemy had crossed into the ,jerseys1 and1 as was reported1 in great numbers4 ,his ,excellency1 adds ,grayson1 thinks it would be advisable in you to remove the troops under your command on this side of the ,north ,river1 and there wait for further commands4 ,at ,hackensack the army did not exceed three thousand men1 and they were dispirited by ill success1 and the loss of tents and baggage4 ,they were without intrenching tools1 in a flat country1 where there were no natural fastnesses4 ,washington resolved1 therefore1 to avoid any attack from the enemy1 though1 by so doing1 he must leave a fine and fertile region open to their ravages2 or a plentiful store-house1 from which they would draw voluntary supplies4 ,a second move was necessary1 again to avoid the danger of being enclosed between two rivers4 ,leaving three regiments1 therefore1 to guard the passes of the ,hackensack1 and serve as covering parties1 he again decamped1 and threw himself on the west bank of the ,passaic1 in the neighborhood of ,newark4 ,his army1 small as it was1 would soon be less4 ,the term of enlistment of those under ,general ,mercer1 from the flying camp1 was nearly expired2 and it was not probable that1 disheartened as they were by defeats and losses1 exposed to inclement weather1 and unaccustomed to military hardships they would longer forego the comforts of their homes1 to drag out the residue of a ruinous campaign4 ,in addition1 too1 to the superiority of the force that was following him1 the rivers gave the enemy facilities1 by means of their shipping1 to throw troops in his rear4 ,in this extremity he cast about in every direction for assistance4 ,colonel ,reed was despatched to ,burlington with a letter to ,governor ,william ,livingston1 describing his hazardous situation1 and entreating him to call out a portion of the ,new ,jersey militia2 and ,general ,mifflin was sent to ,philadelphia to implore immediate aid from ,congress and the local authorities4 ,his main reliance for prompt assistance1 however1 was upon ,lee4 ,on the #bdth came a letter from that general1 addressed to ,colonel ,reed4 ,washington opened it1 as he was accustomed to do1 in the absence of that officer1 with letters addressed to him on the business of the army4 ,lee was at his old encampment at ,northcastle4 ,he had no means1 he said1 of crossing at ,dobbs' ,ferry1 and the round by ,king's ,ferry would be so great that he could not get there in time to answer any purpose4 ,i have therefore1 added he1 ordered ,general ,heath1 who is close to the only ferry which can be passed1 to detach two thousand men to apprise his ,excellency1 and await his further orders2 a mode which ,i flatter myself will answer better what ,i conceive to be the spirit of the orders than should ,i move the corps from hence4 ,withdrawing our troops from hence would be attended with some very serious consequences1 which at present would be tedious to enumerate2 as to myself1 adds he1 ,i hope to set out to-morrow4 ,on the following day he writes to ,washington3 ,i have received your orders1 and shall endeavor to put them in execution1 but question whether ,i shall be able to carry with me any considerable number2 not so much from a want of zeal in the men as from their wretched condition1 with respect to shoes1 stockings1 and blankets1 which the present bad weather renders more intolerable4 ,i sent ,heath orders to transport two thousand men across the river1 apprise the general1 and wait for further orders2 but that great man 7as ,i might have expected7 intrenched himself within the letter of his instructions1 and refused to part with a single file1 though ,i undertook to replace them with a part of my own4 ,scarce had ,lee sent this letter when he received one from ,washington1 informing him that he had mistaken his views in regard to the troops required to cross the ,hudson2 it was his 7,lee's7 division that he wanted to have over4 ,the force under ,heath must remain to guard the posts and passes through the ,highlands1 the importance of which was so infinitely great that there should not be the least possible risk of losing them4 ,lee's reply explained that his idea of detaching troops from ,heath's division was merely for expedition's sake1 intending to replace them from his own4 ,the want of carriages and other causes had delayed him4 ,from the force of the enemy remaining in ,westchester ,county1 he did not conceive the number of them in the ,jerseys to be near so great as ,washington was taught to believe4 ,he had been making a sweep of the country to clear it of the tories4 ,part of his army had now moved on1 and he would set out on the following day4 ,the situation of the little army was daily becoming more perilous4 ,in a council of war1 several of the members urged a move to ,morristown1 to form a junction with the troops expected from the ,northern army4 ,washington1 however1 still cherished the idea of making a stand at ,brunswick on the ,raritan1 or1 at all events1 of disputing the passage of the ,delaware2 and in this intrepid resolution he was warmly seconded by ,greene4 ,breaking up his camp once more1 therefore1 he continued his retreat towards ,new ,brunswick2 but so close was ,cornwallis upon him that his advance entered one end of ,newark just as the ,american rear-guard had left the other4 ,from ,brunswick1 ,washington wrote on the #bith to ,william ,livingston1 governor of the ,jerseys1 requesting him to have all boats and river craft1 for seventy miles along the ,delaware1 removed to the western bank out of the reach of the enemy1 and put under guard4 ,he was disappointed in his hope of making a stand on the banks of the ,raritan4 ,all the force he could muster at ,brunswick1 including the ,new ,jersey militia1 did not exceed four thousand men4 ,colonel ,reed had failed in procuring aid from the ,new ,jersey legislature4 ,that body1 shifting from place to place1 was on the eve of dissolution4 ,the term of the ,maryland and ,new ,jersey troops in the flying camp had expired4 ,general ,mercer endeavored to detain them1 representing the disgrace of turning their back upon the cause when the enemy was at hand2 his remonstrances were fruitless4 ,as to the ,pennsylvania levies1 they deserted in such numbers that guards were stationed on the roads and ferries to intercept them4 ,washington lingered at ,brunswick until the #ast of ,december in the vain hope of being reinforced4 ,the enemy1 in the meantime1 advanced through the country1 impressing wagons and horses1 and collecting cattle and sheep1 as if for a distant march4 ,at length their vanguard appeared on the opposite side of the ,raritan4 ,washington immediately broke down the end of the bridge next the village1 and after nightfall resumed his retreat4 ,at ,princeton1 ,washington left twelve hundred men in two brigades1 under ,lord ,stirling and ,general ,adam ,stephen1 to cover the country1 and watch the motions of the enemy4 ,stephen was the same officer that had served as a colonel under ,washington in the ,french war1 as second in command of the ,virginia troops1 and had charge of ,fort ,cumberland4 ,the harassed army reached ,trenton on the #b;d of ,december4 ,washington immediately proceeded to remove his baggage and stores across the ,delaware4 ,in his letters from this place to the ,president of ,congress1 he gives his reasons for his continued retreat3 ,nothing but necessity obliged me to retire before the enemy1 and leave so much of the ,jerseys unprotected4 ,sorry am ,i to observe that the frequent calls upon the militia of this ,state1 the want of exertion in the principal gentlemen of the country1 and a fatal supineness and insensibility of danger1 till it is too late to prevent an evil that was not only foreseen but foretold1 have been the causes of our late disgraces4 ,in excuse for the people of ,new ,jersey1 it may be observed that they inhabited an open1 agricultural country1 where the sound of war had never been heard4 ,many of them looked upon the ,revolution as rebellion2 others thought it a ruined enterprise2 the armies engaged in it had been defeated and broken up4 ,they beheld the commander-in-chief retreating through their country with a handful of men1 weary1 wayworn1 and dispirited2 without tents1 without clothing1 many of them barefooted1 exposed to wintry weather1 and driven from post to post by a well-clad1 well-fed1 triumphant force1 tricked out in all the glittering bravery of war4 ,could it be wondered at that peaceful husbandmen1 seeing their quiet fields thus suddenly overrun by adverse hosts1 and their very hearthstones threatened with outrage1 should1 instead of flying to arms1 seek for the safety of their wives and little ones1 and the protection of their humble means1 from the desolation which too often marks the course even of friendly armies8 ,lord ,howe and his brother sought to profit by this dismay and despondency4 ,a proclamation1 dated #cjth of ,november1 commanded all persons in arms against his majesty's government to disband and return home1 and all ,congresses to desist from treasonable acts3 offering a free pardon to all who should comply within fifty days4 ,many who had been prominent in the cause1 hastened to take advantage of this proclamation4 ,those who had most property to lose were the first to submit4 ,the middle ranks remained generally steadfast in this time of trial4 ,in this dark day of peril to the cause1 and to himself1 ,washington remained firm and undaunted4 ,in casting about for some stronghold where he might make a desperate stand for the liberties of his country1 his thoughts reverted to the mountain regions of his early campaigns4 ,general ,mercer was at hand1 who had shared his perils among these mountains1 and his presence may have contributed to bring them to his mind4 ,what think you1 said ,washington1 if we should retreat to the back parts of ,pennsylvania1 would the ,pennsylvanians support us8 ,if the lower counties give up1 the back counties will do the same1 was the discouraging reply4 ,we must then retire to ,augusta ,county in ,virginia1 said ,washington4 ,numbers will repair to us for safety1 and we will try a predatory war4 ,if overpowered1 we must cross the ,alleghanies4 ,such was the indomitable spirit1 rising under difficulties1 and buoyant in the darkest moment1 that kept our tempest-tost cause from foundering4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,,retreat ,,across ,,the ,,delaware4--,,battle ,,of ,,trenton4 ,notwithstanding the repeated and pressing orders and entreaties of the commander-in-chief1 ,lee did not reach ,peekskill until the #cjth of ,november4 ,in a letter of that date to ,washington1 who had complained of his delay1 he simply alleged difficulties which he would explain when both had leisure4 ,it was not until the #dth of ,december that ,lee crossed the ,hudson and began a laggard march1 though aware of the imminent peril of ,washington and his army--how different from the celerity of his movements in his expedition to the ,south6 ,lee evidently considered ,washington's star in the decline1 and his own in the ascendant4 ,the loss of ,fort ,washington had been made a text by him to comment in his letters about the indecision of the commander-in-chief4 ,instead now of heartily co-operating with ,washington he was devising side-plans of his own1 and meditating1 no doubt1 on his chances of promotion to the head of the ,american armies4 ,in the meantime1 ,washington1 who was at ,trenton1 had profited by a delay of the enemy at ,brunswick1 and removed most of the stores and baggage of the army across the ,delaware2 and1 being reinforced by fifteen hundred of the ,pennsylvania militia1 procured by ,mifflin1 prepared to face about1 and march back to ,princeton with such of his troops as were fit for service1 there to be governed by circumstances and the movements of ,general ,lee4 ,accordingly1 on the #eth of ,december1 he sent about twelve hundred men in the advance to reinforce ,lord ,stirling1 and the next day set off himself with the residue4 ,while on the march1 ,washington received a letter from ,greene1 who was at ,princeton1 informing him of a report that ,lee was at the heels of the enemy4 ,i should think1 adds ,greene1 he had better keep on the flanks than the rear1 unless it were possible to concert an attack at the same instant of time in front and rear4444 ,i think ,general ,lee must be confined within the lines of some general plan1 or else his operations will be independent of yours4 ,lee had no idea of conforming to a general plan2 he had an independent plan of his own1 and was at that moment at ,pompton1 indulging speculations on military greatness1 and the lamentable want of it in his ,american contemporaries4 ,while ,lee was thus loitering and speculating1 ,cornwallis1 knowing how far he was in the rear1 and how weak was the situation of ,washington's army1 and being himself strongly reinforced1 made a forced march from ,brunswick1 and was within two miles from ,princeton4 ,stirling1 to avoid being surrounded1 immediately set out with two brigades for ,trenton4 ,washington1 too1 receiving intelligence by express of these movements1 hastened back to that place1 and caused boats to be collected from all quarters1 and the stores and troops transported across the ,delaware4 ,he himself crossed with the rear-guard on ,sunday morning1 and took up his quarters about a mile from the river2 causing the boats to be destroyed1 and troops to be posted opposite the fords4 ,the rear-guard1 says an ,american account1 had barely crossed the river1 when ,lord ,cornwallis came marching down with all the pomp of war1 in great expectation of getting boats1 and immediately pursuing4 ,not one was to be had there or elsewhere2 for ,washington had caused the boats1 for an extent of seventy miles up and down the river1 to be secured on the right bank4 ,his lordship was effectually brought to a stand4 ,he made some moves with two columns1 as if he would cross the ,delaware above and below1 either to push on to ,philadelphia1 or to entrap ,washington in the acute angle made by the bend of the river opposite ,bordentown4 ,an able disposition of ,american troops along the upper part of the river1 and of a number of galleys below1 discouraged any attempt of the kind4 ,cornwallis1 therefore1 gave up the pursuit1 distributed the ,german troops in cantonments along the left bank of the river1 and stationed his main force at ,brunswick1 trusting to be able before long to cross the ,delaware on the ice4 ,on the #hth1 ,washington wrote to the ,president of ,congress3 ,there is not a moment's time to be lost in assembling such a force as can be collected1 as the object of the enemy cannot now be doubted in the smallest degree4 ,indeed1 ,i shall be out in my conjecture1 for it is only conjecture1 if the late embarkation at ,new ,york is not for ,delaware ,river1 to co-operate with the army under ,general ,howe1 who1 ,i am informed from good authority1 is with the ,british troops1 and his whole force upon this route4 ,in further letters to ,lee1 ,washington urged the peril of ,philadelphia4 ,do come on1 writes he2 your arrival may be fortunate1 and1 if it can be effected without delay1 it may be the means of preserving a city1 whose loss must prove of the most fatal consequence to the cause of ,america4 ,putnam was now detached to take command of ,philadelphia1 and put it in a state of defence1 and ,general ,mifflin to have charge of the munitions of war deposited there4 ,by their advice ,congress hastily adjourned on the #abth of ,december1 to meet again on the #bjth at ,baltimore4 ,washington's whole force at this time was about five thousand five hundred men4 ,gates1 however1 he was informed1 was coming on with seven regiments detached by ,schuyler from the ,northern department2 reinforced by these and the troops under ,lee1 he hoped to be able to attempt a stroke upon the enemy's forces1 which lay a good deal scattered1 and to all appearances1 in a state of security4 ,while cheering himself with these hopes1 and trusting to speedy aid from ,lee1 that wayward commander1 though nearly three weeks had elapsed since he had received ,washington's orders and entreaties to join him with all possible despatch1 was no farther on his march than ,morristown1 in the ,jerseys2 where with militia recruits1 his force was about four thousand men4 ,lee was secretly planning an independent attack on the enemy4 ,hearing that three regiments detached under ,gates from the ,northern army had arrived at ,peekskill1 he sent orders for them to join him at ,morristown4 ,i am in hopes1 he writes1 to reconquer the ,jerseys4 ,in the meantime ,washington wrote urging his speedy junction with him4 ,boats were gathered at ,tinicum to facilitate his passage across the ,delaware4 ,i have so frequently1 wrote ,washington1 mentioned our situation and the necessity of your aid1 that it is painful for me to add a word on the subject4 ,on the #abth1 ,lee moved from ,morristown1 but marched no further than ,vealtown1 eight miles distant4 ,there he left ,sullivan with his troops1 while he took up his quarters three miles off1 at a tavern at ,baskingridge4 ,intelligence of his exposed and insecure position reached the enemy1 a body of dragoons were detached1 and guided by a tory1 came upon ,lee in his quarters without warning4 ,the few guards about the house were soon dispersed1 and ,lee1 bare-headed and in his slippers1 was compelled in haste to mount a horse and accompany his captors4 ,this capture gave great exultation to the enemy2 for they considered ,lee the most scientific and experienced of the rebel generals4 ,general ,sullivan now being in command1 immediately pressed forward with the troops to join the commander-in-chief4 ,the loss of ,lee was a severe shock to the ,americans1 many of whom1 as we have shown1 looked to him as the man who was to rescue them from their critical and well-nigh desperate situation4 ,general ,wilkinson1 in his memoirs1 who was at that time brigade-major under ,general ,gates1 points out what he considers the true secret of ,lee's conduct4 ,his military reputation1 originally very high1 had been enhanced of late by its being generally known that he had been opposed to the occupation of ,fort ,washington2 while the fall of that fortress and other misfortunes of the campaign1 though beyond the control of the commander-in-chief1 had quickened the discontent which1 according to ,wilkinson1 had been generated against him at ,cambridge1 and raised a party against him in ,congress4 ,it was confidently asserted at the time1 adds he1 but is not worthy of credit1 that a motion had been made in that body tending to supersede him in the command of the army4 ,in this temper of the times1 if ,general ,lee had anticipated ,general ,washington in cutting the cordon of the enemy between ,new ,york and the ,delaware1 the commander-in-chief would probably have been superseded4 ,in this case1 ,lee would have succeeded him4 ,what an unfortunate change would it have been for the country6 ,lee was undoubtedly a man of brilliant talents1 shrewd sagacity1 and much knowledge and experience in the art of war2 but he was wilful and uncertain in his temper1 self-indulgent in his habits1 and an egoist in warfare2 boldly dashing for a soldier's glory rather than warily acting for a country's good4 ,he wanted those great moral qualities which1 in addition to military capacity1 inspired such universal confidence in the wisdom1 rectitude and patriotism of ,washington1 enabling him to direct and control legislative bodies as well as armies2 to harmonize the jarring passions and jealousies of a wide and imperfect confederacy1 and to cope with the varied exigencies of the ,revolution4 ,congress1 prior to their adjournment1 had resolved that until they should otherwise order1 ,general ,washington should be possessed of all power to order and direct all things relative to the department and to the operations of war4 ,thus empowered1 he proceeded immediately to recruit three battalions of artillery4 ,to those whose terms were expiring he promised an augmentation of twenty-five per cent4 upon their pay1 and a bounty of ten dollars to the men for six weeks' service4 ,it was no time1 he said1 to stand upon expense2 nor in matters of self-evident exigency to refer to ,congress at the distance of a hundred and thirty or forty miles4 ,if any good officers will offer to raise men upon continental pay and establishment in this quarter1 ,i shall encourage them to do so1 and regiment them when they have done it4 ,the promise of increased pay and bounties had kept together for a time the dissolving army4 ,the local militia began to turn out freely4 ,colonel ,john ,cadwalader1 a gentleman of gallant spirit1 and cultivated mind and manners1 brought a large volunteer detachment1 well equipped1 and composed principally of ,philadelphia troops4 ,washington1 who held ,cadwalader in high esteem1 assigned him an important station at ,bristol1 with ,colonel ,reed1 who was his intimate friend1 as an associate4 ,they had it in charge to keep a watchful eye upon ,count ,donop's ,hessians1 who were cantoned along the opposite shore from ,bordentown to the ,black ,horse4 ,on the #bjth of ,december arrived ,general ,sullivan in camp1 with the troops recently commanded by the unlucky ,lee4 ,they were in a miserable plight2 destitute of almost everything2 many of them fit only for the hospital1 and those whose terms were nearly out1 thinking of nothing but their discharge4 ,on the same day arrived ,general ,gates1 with the remnants of four regiments from the ,northern army4 ,the time seemed now propitious for the coup de main which ,washington had of late been meditating4 ,everything showed careless confidence on the part of the enemy4 ,howe was in winter quarters at ,new ,york4 ,his troops were loosely cantoned about the ,jerseys1 from the ,delaware to ,brunswick1 so that they could not readily be brought to act in concert on a sudden alarm4 ,the ,hessians were in the advance1 stationed along the ,delaware1 facing the ,american lines1 which were along the west bank4 ,cornwallis1 thinking his work accomplished1 had obtained leave of absence1 and was likewise at ,new ,york1 preparing to embark for ,england4 ,washington had now between five and six thousand men fit for service2 with these he meditated to cross the river at night1 at different points1 and make simultaneous attacks upon the ,hessian advance posts4 ,he calculated upon the eager support of his troops1 who were burning to revenge the outrages on their homes and families1 committed by these foreign mercenaries4 ,they considered the ,hessians mere hirelings2 slaves to a petty despot1 fighting for sordid pay1 and actuated by no sentiment of patriotism or honor4 ,they had rendered themselves the horror of the ,jerseys1 by rapine1 brutality1 and heartlessness4 ,at first1 their military discipline had inspired awe1 but of late they had become careless and unguarded1 knowing the broken and dispirited state of the ,americans1 and considering them incapable of any offensive enterprise4 ,a brigade of three ,hessian regiments1 those of ,rahl1 ,lossberg1 and ,knyphausen1 was stationed at ,trenton4 ,colonel ,rahl had the command of the post at his own solicitation1 and in consequence of the laurels he had gained at ,white ,plains and ,fort ,washington4 ,we have before us journals of two ,hessian lieutenants and a corporal1 which give graphic particulars of the colonel and his post4 ,according to their representations1 he1 with all his bravery1 was little fitted for such an important command4 ,he lacked the necessary vigilance and forecast4 ,one of the lieutenants speaks of him in a sarcastic vein1 and evidently with some degree of prejudice4 ,according to his account1 there was more bustle than business at the post4 ,he was a boon companion2 made merry until a late hour in the night1 and then lay in bed until nine o'clock in the morning4 ,and then he took no precautions against the possibility of being attacked4 ,a veteran officer1 ,major ,von ,dechow1 proposed that some works should be thrown up1 where the cannon might be placed ready against any assault4 ,the colonel made merry with the very idea4 ,an assault by the rebels6 ,let them come6 ,we'll at them with the bayonet4 ,such was the posture of affairs at ,trenton at the time the coup de main was meditated4 ,whatever was to be done1 however1 must be done quickly1 before the river was frozen4 ,an intercepted letter had convinced ,washington of what he had before suspected1 that ,howe was only waiting for that event to resume active operations1 cross the river on the ice1 and push on triumphantly to ,philadelphia4 ,he communicated his project to ,gates1 and wished him to go to ,bristol1 take command there1 and co-operate from that quarter4 ,gates1 however1 pleaded ill health1 and requested leave to proceed to ,philadelphia4 ,the request may have surprised ,washington1 considering the spirited enterprise that was on foot2 but ,gates1 as has before been observed1 had a disinclination to serve immediately under the commander-in-chief2 like ,lee1 he had a disparaging opinion of him1 or rather an impatience of his supremacy4 ,he had1 moreover1 an ulterior object in view4 ,having been disappointed and chagrined in finding himself subordinate to ,general ,schuyler in the ,northern campaign1 he was now intent on making interest among the members of ,congress for an independent command4 ,washington urged that on his way to ,philadelphia he would at least stop for a day or two at ,bristol to concert a plan of operations with ,reed and ,cadwalader1 and adjust any little questions of etiquette and command that might arise between the continental colonels who had gone thither with ,lee's troops and the volunteer officers stationed there4 ,he does not appear to have complied even with this request4 ,according to ,wilkinson's account1 he took quarters at ,newtown1 and set out thence for ,baltimore on the #bdth of ,december1 the very day before that of the intended coup de main4 ,the projected attack upon the ,hessian posts was to be threefold3 #ast4 ,washington was to cross the ,delaware with a considerable force1 at ,mc,konkey's ,ferry 7now ,taylorsville71 about nine miles above ,trenton1 and march down upon that place1 where ,rahl's cantonment comprised a brigade of fifteen hundred ,hessians1 a troop of ,british light-horse1 and a number of chasseurs4 #b;d4 ,general ,ewing1 with a body of ,pennsylvania militia1 was to cross at a ferry about a mile below ,trenton2 secure the bridge over the ,assunpink creek1 a stream flowing along the south side of the town1 and cut off any retreat of the enemy in that direction4 #c;d4 ,general ,putnam1 with the troops occupied in fortifying ,philadelphia1 and those under ,general ,cadwalader1 was to cross below ,burlington and attack the lower posts under ,count ,donop4 ,the several divisions were to cross the ,delaware at night1 so as to be ready for simultaneous action by five o'clock in the morning4 ,seldom is a combined plan carried into full operation4 ,symptoms of an insurrection in ,philadelphia obliged ,putnam to remain with some force in that city2 but he detached five or six hundred of the ,pennsylvania militia under ,colonel ,griffin1 his adjutant-general1 who threw himself into the ,jerseys1 to be at hand to co-operate with ,cadwalader4 ,early on the eventful evening 7,dec4 #beth71 the troops destined for ,washington's part of the attack1 about two thousand four hundred strong1 with a train of twenty small pieces1 were paraded near ,mc,konkey's ,ferry1 ready to pass as soon as it grew dark1 in the hope of being all on the other side by twelve o'clock4 ,washington repaired to the ground accompanied by ,generals ,greene1 ,sullivan1 ,mercer1 ,stephen1 and ,lord ,stirling4 ,greene was full of ardor for the enterprise2 eager1 no doubt1 to wipe out the recollection of ,fort ,washington4 ,it was1 indeed1 an anxious moment for all4 ,boats being in readiness1 the troops began to cross about sunset4 ,the weather was intensely cold1 the wind was high1 the current strong1 and the river full of floating ice4 ,colonel ,glover1 with his amphibious regiment of ,marblehead fishermen1 was in advance4 ,they were men accustomed to battle with the elements1 yet with all their skill and experience the crossing was difficult and perilous4 ,the night was dark and tempestuous1 the drifting ice drove the boats out of their course1 and threatened them with destruction4 ,it was three o'clock before the artillery was landed1 and nearly four before the troops took up their line of march4 ,trenton was nine miles distant2 and not to be reached before daylight4 ,to surprise it1 therefore1 was out of the question4 ,there was no making a retreat without being discovered and harassed in repassing the river4 ,beside1 the troops from the other points might have crossed1 and co-operation was essential to their safety4 ,washington resolved to push forward and trust to ,providence4 ,he formed the troops into two columns4 ,the first he led himself1 accompanied by ,greene1 ,stirling1 ,mercer1 and ,stephen2 it was to make a circuit by the upper or ,pennington road1 to the north of ,trenton4 ,the other1 led by ,sullivan1 and including the brigade of ,st4 ,clair1 was to take the lower river leading to the west end of the town4 ,sullivan's column was to halt a few moments at a cross-road leading to ,howland's ,ferry to give ,washington's column time to effect its circuit1 so that the attack might be simultaneous4 ,on arriving at ,trenton they were to force the outer guards and push directly into the town before the enemy had time to form4 ,it began to hail and snow as the troops commenced their march1 and increased in violence as they advanced1 the storm driving the sleet in their faces4 ,so bitter was the cold that two of the men were frozen to death that night4 ,the day dawned by the time ,sullivan halted at the cross-road4 ,it was discovered that the storm had rendered many of the muskets wet and useless4 ,what is to be done8 inquired ,sullivan of ,st4 ,clair4 ,you have nothing for it but to push on and use the bayonet1 was the reply4 ,while some of the soldiers were endeavoring to clear their muskets1 and squibbing off priming1 ,sullivan despatched an officer to apprise the commander-in-chief of the condition of their arms4 ,he came back half dismayed by an indignant burst of ,washington1 who ordered him to return instantly and tell ,general ,sullivan to advance and charge4 ,it was about eight o'clock when ,washington's column arrived in the vicinity of the village4 ,the storm which had rendered the march intolerable1 had kept every one within doors1 and the snow had deadened the tread of the troops and the rumbling of the artillery4 ,as they approached the village1 ,washington1 who was in front1 came to a man that was chopping wood by the roadside1 and inquired1 ,which way is the ,hessian picket8 ,i don't know1 was the surly reply4 ,you may tell1 said ,captain ,forest of the artillery1 for that is ,general ,washington4 ,the aspect of the man changed in an instant4 ,raising his hands to heaven1 ,god bless and prosper you6 cried he4 ,the picket is in that house1 and the sentry stands near that tree4 ,the advance guard was led by a brave young officer1 ,captain ,william ,a4 ,washington1 seconded by ,lieutenant ,james ,monroe 7in after years president of the ,united ,states74 ,they received orders to dislodge the picket4 ,here happened to be stationed the very lieutenant whose censures of the negligence of ,colonel ,rahl we have referred to4 ,by his own account1 he was very near being entrapped in the guard-house4 ,his sentries1 he says1 were not alert enough2 and had he not stepped out of the picket-house himself and discovered the enemy1 they would have been upon him before his men could scramble to their arms4 ,der feind6 der feind6 heraus6 heraus6 7the enemy6 the enemy6 turn out6 turn out67 was now the cry4 ,by this time the ,american artillery was unlimbered2 ,washington kept beside it and the column proceeded4 ,the report of fire-arms told that ,sullivan was at the lower end of the town4 ,colonel ,stark led his advance guard1 and did it in gallant style4 ,the attacks1 as concerted1 were simultaneous4 ,the outposts were driven in2 they retreated1 firing from behind houses4 ,the ,hessian drums beat to arms2 the trumpets of the light-horse sounded the alarm2 the whole place was in an uproar4 ,some of the enemy made a wild and undirected fire from the windows of their quarters2 others rushed forth in disorder and attempted to form in the main street1 while dragoons1 hastily mounted and galloping about1 added to the confusion4 ,washington advanced with his column to the head of ,king ,street1 riding beside ,captain ,forest of the artillery4 ,when ,forest's battery of six guns was opened the general kept on the left and advanced with it1 giving directions to the fire4 ,his position was an exposed one1 and he was repeatedly entreated to fall back2 but all such entreaties were useless when once he became heated in action4 ,the enemy were training a couple of cannon in the main street to form a battery1 which might have given the ,americans a serious check2 but ,captain ,washington and ,lieutenant ,monroe1 with a part of the advance guard rushed forward1 drove the artillerists from their guns1 and took the two pieces when on the point of being fired4 ,both of these officers were wounded2 the captain in the wrist1 the lieutenant in the shoulder4 ,while ,washington advanced on the north of the town1 ,sullivan approached on the west1 and detached ,stark to press on the lower or south end of the town4 ,the ,british light-horse1 and about five hundred ,hessians and chasseurs1 had been quartered in the lower part of the town4 ,seeing ,washington's column pressing in front1 and hearing ,stark thundering in their rear1 they took headlong flight by the bridge across the ,assunpink1 and so along the banks of the ,delaware towards ,count ,donop's encampment at ,bordentown4 ,had ,washington's plan been carried into full effect1 their retreat would have been cut off by ,general ,ewing2 but that officer had been prevented from crossing the river by the ice4 ,colonel ,rahl1 according to the account of the lieutenant who had commanded the picket1 completely lost his head in the confusion of the surprise4 ,the latter1 when driven in by the ,american advance1 found the colonel on horseback1 endeavoring to rally his panic-stricken and disordered men1 but himself sorely bewildered4 ,with some difficulty he succeeded in extricating his troops from the town1 and leading them into an adjacent orchard4 ,a rapid retreat by the ,princeton road was apparently in his thoughts2 but he lacked decision4 ,the idea of flying before the rebels was intolerable4 ,some one1 too1 exclaimed at the ruinous loss of leaving all their baggage to be plundered by the enemy4 ,changing his mind he made a rash resolve4 ,all who are my grenadiers1 forward6 cried he1 and led his grenadiers bravely but rashly on1 when1 in the midst of his career1 he received a fatal wound from a musket ball and fell from his horse4 ,his men1 left without their chief1 were struck with dismay2 heedless of the orders of the second in command1 they retreated by the right up the banks of the ,assunpink1 intending to escape to ,princeton4 ,washington saw their design1 and threw ,colonel ,hand's corps of ,pennsylvania riflemen in their way2 while a body of ,virginia troops gained their left4 ,brought to a stand1 and perfectly bewildered1 they grounded their arms and surrendered at discretion4 ,the number of prisoners taken in this affair was nearly one thousand1 of which thirty-two were officers4 ,washington's triumph1 however1 was impaired by the failure of the two simultaneous attacks4 ,general ,ewing1 who was to have crossed before day at ,trenton ,ferry1 and taken possession of the bridge leading out of the town1 over which the light-horse and ,hessians retreated1 was prevented by the quantity of ice in the river4 ,cadwalader was hindered by the same obstacle4 ,he got part of his troops over1 but found it impossible to embark his cannon1 and was obliged1 therefore1 to return to the ,pennsylvania side of the river4 ,had he and ,ewing crossed1 ,donop's quarters would have been beaten up1 and the fugitives from ,trenton intercepted4 ,by the failure of this part of his plan1 ,washington had been exposed to the most imminent hazard4 ,the force with which he had crossed1 twenty-four hundred men1 raw troops1 was not enough to cope with the veteran garrison1 had it been properly on its guard2 and then there were the troops under ,donop at hand to co-operate with it4 ,nothing saved him but the utter panic of the enemy1 their want of proper alarm places1 and their exaggerated idea of his forces4 ,even now that the place was in his possession he dared not linger in it4 ,there was a superior force under ,donop below him1 and a strong battalion of infantry at ,princeton4 ,his own troops were exhausted by the operations of the night and morning in cold1 rain1 snow and storm4 ,they had to guard about a thousand prisoners1 taken in action or found concealed in houses2 there was little prospect of succor1 owing to the season and the state of the river4 ,washington gave up1 therefore1 all idea of immediately pursuing the enemy or keeping possession of ,trenton1 and determined to recross the ,delaware with his prisoners and captured artillery4 ,,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ,,washington ,,recrosses ,,the ,,delaware4--,,battle ,,of ,,princeton4 ,there was a kind of episode in the affair at ,trenton4 ,colonel ,griffin1 who had thrown himself previously into the ,jerseys with his detachment of ,pennsylvania militia1 found himself1 through indisposition and the scanty number of his troops1 unable to render efficient service in the proposed attack4 ,he sent word to ,cadwalader1 therefore1 that he should probably render him more real aid by making a demonstration in front of ,donop1 and drawing him off so far into the interior as to be out of the way of rendering support to ,colonel ,rahl4 ,he accordingly presented himself in sight of ,donop's cantonment on the #beth of ,december1 and succeeded in drawing him out with nearly his whole force of two thousand men4 ,he then retired slowly before him1 skirmishing1 but avoiding anything like an action1 until he had lured him as far as ,mount ,holly1 when he left him to find his way back to his post at his leisure4 ,the cannonade of ,washington's attack in ,trenton on the morning of the #bfth was distinctly heard at ,cadwalader's camp at ,bristol4 ,imperfect tidings of the result reached there about eleven o'clock1 and produced the highest exultation and excitement4 ,cadwalader made another attempt to cross the river and join ,washington1 whom he supposed to be still in the ,jerseys1 following up the blow he had struck4 ,he could not effect the passage of the river with the most of the troops1 until mid-day of the #bgth1 when he received from ,washington a detailed account of his success1 and of his having recrossed into ,pennsylvania4 ,cadwalader was now in a dilemma4 ,donop1 he presumed1 was still at ,mount ,holly1 whither ,griffin had decoyed him2 but he might soon march back4 ,his forces were equal if not superior in number to his own1 and veterans instead of raw militia4 ,but then there was the glory of rivalling the exploit at ,trenton1 and the importance of following out the effort for the relief of the ,jerseys and the salvation of ,philadelphia4 ,beside1 ,washington1 in all probability1 after disposing of his prisoners1 had again crossed into the ,jerseys and might be acting offensively4 ,reed relieved ,cadwalader from his dilemma by proposing that they should push on to ,burlington1 and there determine1 according to intelligence1 whether to proceed to ,bordentown or ,mount ,holly4 ,the plan was adopted1 and ,cadwalader took up his line of march4 ,reed and two companions spurred on to reconnoitre the enemy's outposts1 about four miles from ,burlington1 but pulled up at the place where the picket was usually stationed4 ,there was no smoke1 nor any sign of a human being4 ,they rode up and found the place deserted4 ,from the country people in the neighborhood they received an explanation4 ,count ,donop had returned to his post from the pursuit of ,griffin1 only in time to hear of the disaster at ,trenton4 ,he immediately began a retreat in the utmost panic and confusion1 calling in his guards and parties as he hurried forward4 ,the troops in the neighborhood of ,burlington had decamped precipitately the preceding evening4 ,colonel ,reed sent back intelligence of this to ,cadwalader1 and still pushed on with his companions4 ,arrived at ,bordentown not an enemy was to be seen2 the fugitives from ,trenton had spread a panic on the #bfth1 and the ,hessians and their refugee adherents had fled in confusion1 leaving their sick behind them4 ,one of ,reed's companions returned to ,cadwalader1 who had halted at ,burlington1 and advised him to proceed4 ,cadwalader wrote in the night to ,washington1 informing him of his whereabouts1 and that he should march for ,bordentown in the morning4 ,if you should think proper to cross over1 added he1 it may easily be effected at the place where we passed2 a pursuit would keep up the panic4 ,they went off with great precipitation1 and pressed all the wagons in their reach2 ,i am told many of them are gone to ,south ,amboy4 ,washington needed no prompting of the kind4 ,bent upon following up his blow1 he had barely allowed his troops a day or two to recover from recent exposure and fatigue1 that they might have strength and spirit to pursue the retreating enemy1 beat up other of their quarters1 and entirely reverse affairs in the ,jerseys4 ,in this spirit he had written to ,generals ,mc,dougall and ,maxwell at ,morristown1 to collect as large a body of militia as possible1 and harass the enemy in flank and rear4 ,men of influence also were despatched by him into different parts of the ,jerseys1 to spirit up the militia to revenge the oppression1 the ravage1 and insults they had experienced from the enemy1 especially from the ,hessians4 ,on the #bith1 his troops began to cross the river4 ,it would be a slow and difficult operation1 owing to the ice2 two parties of light troops therefore were detached in advance1 whom ,colonel ,reed was to send in pursuit of the enemy4 ,they marched into ,trenton about two o'clock1 and were immediately put on the traces of ,donop1 to hang on his rear and harass him until other troops should come up4 ,cadwalader also detached a party of riflemen from ,bordentown with like orders4 ,donop1 in retreating1 had divided his force1 sending one part by a cross road to ,princeton1 and hurrying on with the remainder to ,brunswick4 ,while this was going on1 ,washington was effecting the passage of his main force to ,trenton4 ,he himself had crossed on the #bith of ,december1 but it took two days more to get the troops and artillery over the icy river1 and that with great labor and difficulty4 ,at this critical moment1 ,washington received a letter from a committee of ,congress1 transmitting him resolves of that body dated the #bgth of ,december1 investing him with military powers quite dictatorial4 ,happy is it for this country1 write the committee1 that the general of their forces can safely be intrusted with the most unlimited power1 and neither personal security1 liberty or property1 be in the least degree endangered thereby4 ,washington's acknowledgement of this great mark of confidence was noble and characteristic4 ,i find ,congress have done me the honor to intrust me with powers1 in my military capacity1 of the highest nature and almost unlimited extent4 ,instead of thinking myself freed from all civil obligations by this mark of their confidence1 ,i shall constantly bear in mind that1 as the sword was the last resort for the preservation of our liberties1 so it ought to be the first thing laid aside when those liberties are firmly established4 ,general ,howe was taking his ease in winter quarters at ,new ,york1 waiting for the freezing of the ,delaware to pursue his triumphant march to ,philadelphia1 when tidings were brought him of the surprise and capture of the ,hessians at ,trenton4 ,he instantly stopped ,lord ,cornwallis1 who was on the point of embarking for ,england1 and sent him back in all haste to resume the command in the ,jerseys4 ,the ice in the ,delaware impeded the crossing of the ,american troops1 and gave the ,british time to draw in their scattered cantonments and assemble their whole force at ,princeton4 ,information was obtained that ,lord ,cornwallis had joined ,general ,grant with a reinforcement of chosen troops4 ,they had now seven or eight thousand men1 and were pressing wagons for a march upon ,trenton4 ,word1 too1 was brought that ,general ,howe was on the march with a thousand light troops1 with which he had landed at ,amboy4 ,the situation of ,washington was growing critical4 ,the enemy were beginning to advance their large pickets towards ,trenton4 ,everything indicated an approaching attack4 ,the force with him was small2 to retreat across the river would destroy the dawn of hope awakened in the bosoms of the ,jersey militia by the late exploit1 but to make a stand without reinforcements was impossible4 ,in this emergency he called to his aid ,general ,cadwalader from ,crosswicks1 and ,general ,mifflin from ,bordentown1 with their collective forces amounting to about three thousand six hundred men4 ,they promptly answered to his call1 and marching in the night1 joined him on the #ast of ,january4 ,washington chose a position for his main body on the east side of the ,assunpink4 ,there was a narrow stone bridge across it1 where the water was very deep2 the same bridge over which part of ,rahl's brigade had escaped in the recent affair4 ,he planted his artillery so as to command the bridge and the fords4 ,his advance guard was stationed about three miles off in a wood1 having in front a stream called ,shabbakong ,creek4 ,early on the morning of the #b;d1 came certain word that ,cornwallis was approaching with all his force4 ,strong parties were sent out under ,general ,greene1 who skirmished with the enemy and harassed them in their advance4 ,by twelve o'clock they reached ,shabbakong1 and halted for a time on its northern bank4 ,then crossing it1 and moving forward with rapidity1 they drove the advance guard out of the woods1 and pushed on until they reached a high ground near the town4 ,here ,hand's corps of several battalions was drawn up and held them for a time in check4 ,all the parties in advance ultimately retreated to the main body1 on the east side of the ,assunpink4 ,from all these checks and delays it was nearly sunset before ,cornwallis1 with the head of his army1 entered ,trenton4 ,his rear-guard under ,general ,leslie rested at ,maiden ,head1 about six miles distant1 and nearly half way between ,trenton and ,princeton4 ,forming his troops into columns1 he now made repeated attempts to cross the ,assunpink at the bridge and the fords1 but was as often repulsed by the artillery4 ,for a part of the time ,washington1 mounted on a white horse1 stationed himself at the south end of the bridge1 issuing his orders4 ,each time the enemy was repulsed there was a shout along the ,american lines4 ,at length they drew off1 came to a halt1 and lighted their camp fires4 ,the ,americans did the same1 using the neighboring fences for the purpose4 ,a cannonade was kept up on both sides until dark2 but with little damage to the ,americans4 ,when night closed in1 the two camps lay in sight of each other's fires1 ruminating the bloody action of the following day4 ,it was the most gloomy and anxious night that had yet closed in on the ,american army throughout its series of perils and disasters2 for there was no concealing the impending danger4 ,but what must have been the feelings of the commander-in-chief as he anxiously patrolled his camp and considered his desperate position8 ,a small stream1 fordable in several places1 was all that separated his raw1 inexperienced army from an enemy vastly superior in numbers and discipline1 and stung to action by the mortification of a late defeat4 ,in this darkest of moments a gleam of hope flashed upon his mind3 a bold expedient suggested itself4 ,almost the whole of the enemy's force must by this time be drawn out of ,princeton and advancing by detachments toward ,trenton1 while their baggage and principal stores must remain weakly guarded at ,brunswick4 ,was it not possible by a rapid night-march along the ,quaker road1 a different road from that on which ,general ,leslie with the rear-guard was resting1 to get past that force undiscovered1 come by surprise upon those left at ,princeton1 capture or destroy what stores were left there1 and then push on to ,brunswick8 ,this would save the army from being cut off2 would avoid the appearance of a defeat2 and might draw the enemy away from ,trenton1 while some fortunate stroke might give additional reputation to the ,american arms4 ,such was the plan which ,washington revolved in his mind on the gloomy banks of the ,assunpink1 and which he laid before his officers in a council of war1 held after nightfall1 at the quarters of ,general ,mercer4 ,it met with instant concurrence4 ,one formidable difficulty presented itself4 ,the weather was unusually mild2 there was a thaw1 by which the roads might be rendered deep and miry1 and almost impassable4 ,fortunately1 the wind veered to the north in the course of the evening2 the weather became intensely cold1 and in two hours the roads were once more hard and frost-bound4 ,in the meantime1 the baggage of the army was silently removed to ,burlington1 and every other preparation was made for a rapid march4 ,to deceive the enemy1 men were employed to dig trenches near the bridge within hearing of the ,british sentries1 with orders to continue noisily at work until daybreak2 others were to go the rounds1 relieve guards at the bridge and fords1 keep up the camp fires1 and maintain all the appearance of a regular encampment4 ,at daybreak they were to hasten after the army4 ,in the dead of the night the army drew quietly out of the encampment and began its march4 ,general ,mercer was in the advance with the remnant of his flying camp1 now but about three hundred and fifty men4 ,the ,quaker road was a complete roundabout1 joining the main road about two miles from ,princeton1 where ,washington expected to arrive before daybreak4 ,the road1 however1 was new and rugged2 cut through woods1 where the stumps of trees broke the wheels of some of the baggage trains and retarded the march of the troops2 so that it was near sunrise of a bright1 frosty morning when ,washington reached the bridge over ,stony ,brook1 about three miles from ,princeton4 ,after crossing the bridge he led his troops along the bank of the brook to the edge of a wood1 where a by-road led off on the right through low grounds1 and was said by the guides to be a short cut to ,princeton and less exposed to view4 ,by this road ,washington defiled with the main body1 ordering ,mercer to continue along the brook with his brigade until he should arrive at the main road1 where he was to secure1 and if possible destroy a bridge over which it passes1 so as to intercept any fugitives from ,princeton1 and check any retrograde movements of the ,british troops which might have advanced towards ,trenton4 ,hitherto the movements of the ,americans had been undiscovered by the enemy4 ,three regiments of the latter1 the #agth1 #djth1 and #eeth1 with three troops of dragoons1 had been quartered all night in ,princeton1 under marching orders to join ,lord ,cornwallis in the morning4 ,the #agth regiment1 under ,colonel ,mawhood1 was already on the march2 the #eeth regiment was preparing to follow4 ,mawhood had crossed the bridge by which the old or main road to ,trenton passes over ,stony ,brook1 and was proceeding through a wood beyond when1 as he attained the summit of a hill about sunrise1 the glittering of arms betrayed to him the movement of ,mercer's troops to the left1 who were filing along the ,quaker road to secure the bridge1 as they had been ordered4 ,the woods prevented him from seeing their number4 ,he supposed them to be some broken portion of the ,american army flying before ,lord ,cornwallis4 ,with this idea1 he faced about and made a retrograde movement to intercept them or hold them in check2 while messengers spurred off at all speed to hasten forward the regiments still lingering at ,princeton1 so as completely to surround them4 ,the woods concealed him until he had recrossed the bridge of ,stony ,brook1 when he came in full sight of the van of ,mercer's brigade4 ,both parties pushed to get possession of a rising ground on the right near the house of a ,mr4 ,clark4 ,the ,americans being nearest1 reached it first1 and formed behind a hedge fence which extended along a slope in front of the house2 whence1 being chiefly armed with rifles1 they opened a destructive fire4 ,it was returned with great spirit by the enemy4 ,at the first discharge ,mercer was dismounted4 ,one of his colonels1 also1 was mortally wounded and carried to the rear4 ,availing themselves of the confusion thus occasioned1 the ,british charged with the bayonet2 the ,american riflemen having no weapon of the kind were thrown into disorder and retreated4 ,mercer1 who was on foot1 endeavored to rally them1 when a blow from the butt end of a musket felled him to the ground4 ,he rose and defended himself with his sword1 but was surrounded1 bayoneted repeatedly1 and left for dead4 ,mawhood pursued the broken and retreating troops to the brow of the rising ground1 on which ,clark's house was situated1 when he beheld a large force emerging from a wood and advancing to the rescue4 ,it was a body of ,pennsylvania militia1 which ,washington1 on hearing the firing1 had detached to the support of ,mercer4 ,mawhood instantly ceased pursuit1 drew up his artillery1 and by a heavy discharge brought the militia to a stand4 ,at this moment ,washington himself arrived at the scene of action1 having galloped from the by-road in advance of his troops4 ,from a rising ground he beheld ,mercer's troops retreating in confusion1 and the detachment of militia checked by ,mawhood's artillery4 ,everything was at peril4 ,putting spurs to his horse he dashed past the hesitating militia1 waving his hat and cheering them on4 ,his commanding figure and white horse made him a conspicuous object for the enemy's marksmen2 but he heeded it not4 ,galloping forward under the fire of ,mawhood's battery1 he called upon ,mercer's broken brigade4 ,the ,pennsylvanians rallied at the sound of his voice1 and caught fire from his example4 ,at the same time the #gth ,virginia regiment emerged from the wood1 and moved forward with loud cheers1 while a fire of grapeshot was opened by ,captain ,moulder of the ,american artillery from the brow of a ridge to the south4 ,colonel ,mawhood1 who a moment before had thought his triumph secure1 found himself assailed on every side and separated from the other ,british regiments4 ,he fought1 however1 with great bravery1 and for a short time the action was desperate4 ,washington was in the midst of it2 equally endangered by the random fire of his own men and the artillery and musketry of the enemy4 ,mawhood by this time had forced his way at the point of the bayonet through gathering foes1 though with heavy loss1 back to the main road1 and was in full retreat towards ,trenton to join ,cornwallis4 ,washington detached ,major ,kelly with a party of ,pennsylvania troops to destroy the bridge at ,stony ,brook1 over which ,mawhood had retreated1 so as to impede the advance of ,general ,leslie from ,maiden ,head4 ,in the meantime the #eeth regiment1 which had been on the left and nearer ,princeton1 had been encountered by the ,american advance-guard under ,general ,st4 ,clair1 and after some sharp fighting in a ravine had given way and was retreating across fields and along a by-road to ,brunswick4 ,the remaining regiment1 the #djth1 had not been able to come up in time for the action2 a part of it fled toward ,brunswick2 the residue took refuge in the college at ,princeton1 recently occupied by them as barracks4 ,artillery was now brought to bear on the college1 and a few shot compelled those within to surrender4 ,in this brief but brilliant action about one hundred of the ,british were left dead on the field1 and nearly three hundred taken prisoners1 fourteen of whom were officers4 ,the loss of the ,americans was about twenty-five or thirty men and several officers4 ,among the latter was ,colonel ,haslet1 who had distinguished himself throughout the campaign by being among the foremost in services of danger4 ,a greater loss was that of ,general ,mercer4 ,he was said to be either dead or dying in the house of ,mr4 ,clark1 whither he had been conveyed by his aide-de-camp1 ,major ,armstrong4 ,washington would have ridden back from ,princeton to visit him and have him conveyed to a place of greater security1 but was assured that1 if alive1 he was too desperately wounded to bear removal4 ,under these circumstances ,washington felt compelled to leave his old companion in arms to his fate4 ,indeed1 he was called away by the exigencies of his command1 having to pursue the routed regiments which were making a headlong retreat to ,brunswick4 ,in this pursuit he took the lead at the head of a detachment of cavalry4 ,at ,kingston1 however1 three miles to the northeast of ,princeton1 he pulled up1 restrained his ardor1 and held a council of war on horseback4 ,should he keep on to ,brunswick or not8 ,the capture of the ,british stores and baggage would make his triumph complete2 but1 on the other hand1 his troops were excessively fatigued by their rapid march all night and hard fight in the morning4 ,all of them had been one night without sleep1 and some of them two1 and many were half-starved4 ,they were without blankets1 thinly clad1 some of them barefooted1 and this in freezing weather4 ,cornwallis would be upon them before they could reach ,brunswick4 ,his rear-guard1 under ,general ,leslie1 had been quartered but six miles from ,princeton1 and the retreating troops must have roused them4 ,under these considerations1 it was determined to discontinue the pursuit and push for ,morristown4 ,there they would be in a mountainous country1 heavily wooded1 in an abundant neighborhood1 and on the flank of the enemy1 with various defiles by which they might change their position according to his movements4 ,filing off to the left1 therefore1 from ,kingston1 and breaking down the bridges behind him1 ,washington took the narrow road by ,rocky ,hill to ,pluckamin4 ,his lordship had retired to rest at ,trenton with the sportsman's vaunt that he would bag the fox in the morning4 ,nothing could surpass his surprise and chagrin when at daybreak the expiring watchfires and deserted camp of the ,americans told him that the prize had once more evaded his grasp2 that the general whose military skill he had decried had outgeneralled him4 ,for a time he could not learn whither the army1 which had stolen away so silently1 had directed its stealthy march4 ,by sunrise1 however1 there was the booming of cannon1 like the rumbling of distant thunder1 in the direction of ,princeton4 ,the idea flashed upon him that ,washington had not merely escaped but was about to make a dash at the ,british magazines at ,brunswick4 ,alarmed for the safety of his military stores1 his lordship forthwith broke up his camp and made a rapid march towards ,princeton4 ,as he arrived in sight of the bridge over ,stony ,brook1 he beheld ,major ,kelly and his party busy in its destruction4 ,a distant discharge of round shot from his field-pieces drove them away1 but the bridge was already broken4 ,it would take time to repair it for the passage of the artillery1 so ,cornwallis in his impatience urged his troops breast-high through the turbulent and icy stream1 and again pushed forward4 ,without further delay he hurried forward1 eager to save his magazines4 ,crossing the bridge at ,kingston1 he kept on along the ,brunswick road1 supposing ,washington still before him4 ,the latter had got far in the advance during the delays caused by the broken bridge at ,stony ,brook1 and the alteration of his course at ,kingston had carried him completely out of the way of ,cornwallis4 ,his lordship reached ,brunswick towards evening1 and endeavored to console himself by the safety of the military stores for being so completely foiled and out-manoeuvred4 ,washington in the meantime was all on the alert2 the lion part of his nature was aroused2 and while his weary troops were resting at ,pluckamin1 he was despatching missives and calling out aid to enable him to follow up his successes4 ,in a letter to ,putnam1 he says3 ,the enemy appear to be panic-struck4 ,i am in hopes of driving them out of the ,jerseys4 ,march the troops under your command to ,crosswicks1 and keep a strict watch upon the enemy in this quarter4 ,to ,general ,heath1 also1 who was stationed in the ,highlands of the ,hudson1 he wrote at the same harried moment3 ,the enemy are in great consternation2 and as the panic affords us a favorable opportunity to drive them out of the ,jerseys1 it has been determined in council that you should move down towards ,new ,york with a considerable force1 as if you had a design upon the city4 ,that being an object of great importance1 the enemy will be reduced to the necessity of withdrawing a considerable part of their force from the ,jerseys1 if not the whole1 to secure the city4 ,these letters despatched1 he continued forward to ,morristown1 where at length he came to a halt from his incessant and harassing marchings4 ,there he learnt that ,general ,mercer was still alive4 ,he immediately sent his nephew1 ,major ,george ,lewis1 under the protection of a flag to attend upon him4 ,lewis found him languishing in great pain2 he had been treated with respect by the enemy and great tenderness by the benevolent family who had sheltered him4 ,he expired on the #abth of ,january1 in the fifty-sixth year of his age4 ,from ,morristown1 ,washington again wrote to ,general ,heath1 repeating his former orders4 ,to ,major-general ,lincoln1 also1 who was just arrived at ,peekskill1 and had command of the ,massachusetts militia1 he writes on the #gth3 ,general ,heath will communicate mine of this date to you1 by which you will find that the greater part of your troops are to move down towards ,new ,york to draw the attention of the enemy to that quarter4 ,colonel ,reed was ordered to send out rangers and bodies of militia to scour the country1 waylay foraging parties1 cut off supplies and keep the cantonments of the enemy in a state of siege4 ,the expedition under ,general ,heath towards ,new ,york1 from which much had been anticipated by ,washington1 proved a failure4 ,it moved in three divisions1 by different routes1 but all arriving nearly at the same time at the enemy's outposts at ,king's ,bridge4 ,there was some skirmishing1 but the great feature of the expedition was a pompous and peremptory summons of ,fort ,independence to surrender4 ,twenty minutes only can be allowed1 said ,heath1 for the garrison to give their answer1 and1 should it be in the negative1 they must abide the consequences4 ,the garrison made no answer but an occasional cannonade4 ,heath failed to follow up his summons by corresponding deeds4 ,he hovered and skirmished for some days about the outposts and ,spyt den ,duivel ,creek1 and then retired before a threatened snow-storm and the report of an enemy's fleet from ,rhode ,island1 with troops under ,lord ,percy1 who might land in ,westchester and take the besieging force in rear4 ,but though disappointed in this part of his plan1 ,washington1 having received reinforcements of militia1 continued with his scanty army to carry on his system of annoyance4 ,the situation of ,cornwallis who but a short time before traversed the ,jerseys so triumphantly1 became daily more and more irksome4 ,spies were in his camp to give notice of every movement1 and foes without to take advantage of it2 so that not a foraging party could sally forth without being waylaid4 ,by degrees he drew in his troops which were posted about the country1 and collected them at ,new ,brunswick and ,amboy1 so as to have a communication by water with ,new ,york1 whence he was now compelled to draw nearly all his supplies4 ,in fact the recent operations in the ,jerseys had suddenly changed the whole aspect of the war1 and given a triumphant close to what had been a disastrous campaign4 ,the troops1 which for months had been driven from post to post1 apparently an undisciplined rabble1 had all at once turned upon their pursuers and astounded them by brilliant stratagems and daring exploits4 ,the commander1 whose cautious policy had been sneered at by enemies and regarded with impatience by misjudging friends1 had all at once shown that he possessed enterprise as well as circumspection1 energy as well as endurance1 and that beneath his wary coldness lurked a fire to break forth at the proper moment4 ,this year's campaign1 the most critical one of the war1 and especially the part of it which occurred in the ,jerseys1 was the ordeal that made his great qualities fully appreciated by his countrymen1 and gained for him from the statesmen and generals of ,europe the appellation of the ,,american ,,fabius4 ,,chapter ,,xxxix4 ,,the ,,army ,,at ,,morristown4--,,attack ,,on ,,peekskill4 ,the ,howes learned to their mortification that the mere running through a province is not subduing it4 ,the ,british commanders had been outgeneralled1 attacked and defeated4 ,they had nearly been driven out of the ,jerseys1 and were now hemmed in and held in check by ,washington and his handful of men castled among the heights of ,morristown4 ,so far from holding possession of the territory they had so recently overrun1 they were fain to ask safe conduct across it for a convoy to their soldiers captured in battle4 ,it must have been a severe trial to the pride of ,cornwallis when he had to inquire by letter of ,washington whether money and stores could be sent to the ,hessians captured at ,trenton and a surgeon and medicines to the wounded at ,princeton2 and ,washington's reply must have conveyed a reproof still more mortifying4 ,no molestation1 he assured his lordship1 would be offered to the convoy by any part of the regular army under his command2 but he could not answer for the militia1 who were resorting to arms in most parts of the ,state1 and were excessively exasperated at the treatment they had met with from both ,hessian and ,british troops4 ,in fact1 the conduct of the enemy had roused the whole country against them4 ,the proclamations and printed protections of the ,british commanders1 on the faith of which the inhabitants in general had stayed at home and forbore to take up arms1 had proved of no avail4 ,the ,hessians could not or would not understand them1 but plundered friend and foe alike4 ,the ,british soldiery often followed their example1 and the plunderings of both were at times attended by those brutal outrages on the weaker sex which inflame the dullest spirits to revenge4 ,the whole ,state was thus roused against its invaders4 ,in ,washington's retreat of more than a hundred miles through the ,jerseys1 he had never been joined by more than one hundred of its inhabitants2 now sufferers of both parties rose as one man to avenge their personal injuries4 ,the late quiet yeomanry armed themselves and scoured the country in small parties to seize on stragglers1 and the militia began to signalize themselves in voluntary skirmishes with regular troops4 ,morristown1 where the main army was encamped1 had not been chosen by ,washington as a permanent post1 but merely as a halting-place where his troops might repose after their excessive fatigues and their sufferings from the inclement season4 ,further considerations persuaded him that it was well situated for the system of petty warfare which he meditated1 and induced him to remain there4 ,it was protected by forests and rugged heights4 ,it was nearly equidistant from ,amboy1 ,newark1 and ,brunswick1 the principal posts of the enemy2 so that any movement made from them could be met by a counter movement on his part1 while the forays and skirmishes by which he might harass them would school and season his own troops4 ,he had three faithful generals with him3 ,greene1 ,sullivan1 and ,knox4 ,washington's military family at this time was composed of his aides-de-camp1 ,colonels ,meade and ,tench ,tilghman of ,philadelphia2 and his secretary1 ,colonel ,robert ,h4 ,harrison of ,maryland4 ,his head-quarters at first were in what was called the ,freemason's ,tavern1 on the north side of the village green4 ,his troops were encamped about the vicinity of the village1 at first in tents1 until they could build log huts for shelter against the winter's cold4 ,the main encampment was near ,bottle ,hill1 in a sheltered valley which was thickly wooded and had abundant springs4 ,the enemy being now concentrated at ,new ,brunswick and ,amboy1 ,general ,putnam was ordered by ,washington to move from ,crosswicks to ,princeton1 with the troops under his command4 ,he was instructed to draw his forage as much as possible from the neighborhood of ,brunswick1 about eighteen miles off1 thereby contributing to distress the enemy2 to have good scouting parties continually on the look-out2 to keep nothing with him but what could be moved off at a moment's warning1 and1 if compelled to leave ,princeton1 to retreat towards the mountains so as to form a junction with the forces at ,morristown4 ,putnam had with him but a few hundred men4 ,you will give out your strength to be twice as great as it is1 writes ,washington2 a common expedient with him in those times of scanty means4 ,cantonments were gradually formed between ,princeton and the ,highlands of the ,hudson1 which made the left flank of ,washington's position1 and where ,general ,heath had command4 ,general ,philemon ,dickinson1 who commanded the ,new ,jersey militia1 was stationed on the west side of ,millstone ,river1 near ,somerset court-house1 one of the nearest posts to the enemy's camp at ,brunswick4 ,a ,british foraging party of five or six hundred strong1 sent out by ,cornwallis1 with forty wagons and upward of a hundred draught horses1 mostly of the ,english breed1 having collected sheep and cattle about the country1 were sacking a mill on the opposite side of the river where a large quantity of flour was deposited4 ,while thus employed1 ,dickinson set upon them with a force equal in number but composed of raw militia and fifty ,philadelphia riflemen4 ,he dashed through the river1 waist deep1 with his men1 and charged the enemy so suddenly and vigorously that1 though supported by three field-pieces1 they gave way1 left their convoy1 and retreated so precipitately that he made only nine prisoners4 ,a number of killed and wounded were carried off by the fugitives on light wagons4 ,illustration3 ,,col4 ,,morris' ,,house4 ,vol4 ,,ii4 ,to counteract the proclamation of the ,british commissioners1 promising amnesty to all in rebellion who should1 in a given time1 return to their allegiance1 ,washington now issued a counter proclamation 7,jan4 #beth71 commanding every person who had subscribed a declaration of fidelity to ,great ,britain1 or taken an oath of allegiance1 to repair within thirty days to head-quarters1 or the quarters of the nearest general officer of the ,continental army or of the militia1 and there take the oath of allegiance to the ,united ,states of ,america1 and give up any protection1 certificate or passport he might have received from the enemy2 at the same time granting full liberty to all such as preferred the interest and protection of ,great ,britain to the freedom and happiness of their country1 forthwith to withdraw themselves and families within the enemy's lines4 ,all who should neglect or refuse to comply with this order were to be considered adherents to the crown and treated as common enemies4 ,a cartel for the exchange of prisoners had been a subject of negotiation previous to the affair of ,trenton1 without being adjusted4 ,the ,british commanders were slow to recognize the claims to equality of those they considered rebels2 ,washington was tenacious in holding them up as patriots ennobled by their cause4 ,among the cases which came up for attention was that of ,ethan ,allen1 the brave but eccentric captor of ,ticonderoga4 ,his daring attempts in the path of renown had cost him a world of hardships2--thrown into irons as a felon2 threatened with a halter2 carried to ,england to be tried for treason2 confined in ,pendennis ,castle2 retransported to ,halifax1 and now a prisoner in ,new ,york4 ,washington had been instructed1 considering his long imprisonment1 to urge his exchange4 ,this had scarce been urged1 when tidings of the capture of ,general ,lee presented a case of still greater importance to be provided for4 ,lee was reported to be in rigorous confinement in ,new ,york1 and treated with harshness and indignity4 ,the ,british professed to consider him a deserter1 he having been a lieutenant-colonel in their service1 although he alleged that he had resigned his commission before joining the ,american army4 ,on the #acth of ,january1 ,washington addressed the following letter to ,sir ,william ,howe3 ,i am directed by ,congress to propose an exchange of five of the ,hessian field-officers taken at ,trenton for ,major-general ,lee2 or1 if this proposal should not be accepted1 to demand his liberty upon parole1 within certain bounds1 as has ever been granted to your officers in our custody4 ,i am informed1 upon good authority1 that your reason for keeping him hitherto in stricter confinement than usual is that you do not look upon him in the light of a common prisoner of war but as a deserter from the ,british service1 as his resignation has never been accepted1 and that you intend to try him as such by a court-martial4 ,i will not undertake to determine how far this doctrine may be justifiable among yourselves1 but ,i must give you warning that ,major-general ,lee is looked upon as an officer belonging to1 and under the protection of the ,united ,independent ,states of ,america1 and that any violence you may commit upon his life and liberty will be severely retaliated upon the lives or liberties of the ,british officers1 or those of their foreign allies in our hands4 ,in this letter he likewise adverted to the treatment of ,american prisoners in ,new ,york2 several who had recently been released having given the most shocking account of the barbarities they had experienced4 ,sir ,william1 in reply1 proposed to send an officer of rank to ,washington to confer upon a mode of exchange and subsistence of prisoners4 ,this proposal led to the appointment of two officers for the purpose1 ,colonel ,walcott by ,general ,howe1 and ,colonel ,harrison1 the old secretary1 by ,washington4 ,lee's actual treatment was not so harsh as had been represented4 ,he was in close confinement it is true1 but three rooms had been fitted up for his reception in the ,old ,city ,hall of ,new ,york1 having nothing of the look of a prison excepting that they were secured by bolts and bars4 ,congress1 in the meantime1 had resorted to their threatened measure of retaliation4 ,on the #bjth of ,february they had resolved that the ,board of ,war be directed immediately to order the five ,hessian field-officers and ,lieutenant-colonel ,campbell into safe and close custody1 it being the unalterable resolution of ,congress to retaliate on them the same punishment as may be inflicted on the person of ,general ,lee4 ,in a letter to the ,president of ,congress1 ,washington gives his moderating counsels on the whole subject of retaliation4 ,though ,i sincerely commiserate1 writes he1 the misfortunes of ,general ,lee1 and feel much for his present unhappy situation1 yet with all possible deference to the opinion of ,congress1 ,i fear that these resolutions will not have the desired effect1 are founded on impolicy1 and will1 if adhered to1 produce consequences of an extensive and melancholy nature4444 ,the balance of prisoners is greatly against us1 and a general regard to the happiness of the whole should mark our conduct4 ,can we imagine that our enemies will not mete the same punishments1 the same indignities1 the same cruelties1 to those belonging to us in their possession that we impose on theirs in our power8 ,why should we suppose them to possess more humanity than we have ourselves8 ,or why should an ineffectual attempt to relieve the distresses of one brave1 unfortunate man1 involve many more in the same calamities8 ,washington was not always successful in instilling his wise moderation into public councils4 ,congress adhered to their vindictive policy1 merely directing that no other hardships should be inflicted on the captive officers than such confinement as was necessary to carry their resolve into effect4 ,there were other circumstances besides the treatment of ,general ,lee to produce this indignant sensibility on the part of ,congress4 ,accounts were rife at this juncture of the cruelties and indignities almost invariably experienced by ,american prisoners at ,new ,york2 and an active correspondence on the subject was going on between ,washington and the ,british commanders1 at the same time with that regarding ,general ,lee4 ,the captive ,americans who had been in the naval service were said to be confined1 officers and men1 in prison-ships which1 from their loathsome condition and the horrors and sufferings of all kinds experienced on board of them1 had acquired the appellation of floating hells4 ,those who had been in the land service were crowded into jails and dungeons like the vilest malefactors2 and were represented as pining in cold1 in filth1 in hunger and nakedness4 ,in the correspondence between ,lord ,howe and ,washington on this subject1 the ,british commander denied the charges of undue severity in the treatment of prisoners1 and pronounced the tales current on the subject as idle and unnatural reports4 ,but the evidence of the truth of that statement is too complete to admit of doubt4 ,the ,jersey ,prison-ship is proverbial in our revolutionary history2 and the bones of the unfortunate patriots who perished on board1 form a monument on the ,long ,island shore4 ,the horrors of the ,sugar ,house1 converted into a prison1 are traditional in ,new ,york2 and the brutal tyranny of ,cunningham1 the provost marshal1 over men of worth confined in the common jail for the sin of patriotism1 has been handed down from generation to generation4 ,that ,lord ,howe and ,sir ,william were ignorant of the extent of these atrocities we really believe1 but it was their duty to be well informed4 ,the difficulties arising out of the case of ,general ,lee interrupted the operations with regard to the exchange of prisoners2 and gallant men1 on both sides1 suffered prolonged detention in consequence2 and among the number the brave1 but ill-starred ,ethan ,allen4 ,the early part of the year brought the annual embarrassments caused by short enlistments4 ,the brief terms of service for which the ,continental soldiery had enlisted1 a few months perhaps1 at most a year1 were expiring1 and the men1 glad to be released from camp duty1 were hastening to their rustic homes4 ,militia had to be the dependence until a new army could be raised and organized1 and ,washington called on the council of safety of ,pennsylvania speedily to furnish temporary reinforcements of the kind4 ,all his officers that could be spared were ordered away1 some to recruit1 some to collect the scattered men of the different regiments1 who were dispersed1 he said1 almost over the continent4 ,general ,knox was sent off to ,massachusetts to expedite the raising of a battalion of artillery4 ,different ,states were urged to levy and equip their quotas for the ,continental army4 ,while anxiously exerting himself to strengthen his own precarious army1 the security of the northern department was urged upon his attention4 ,schuyler represented it as in need of reinforcements and supplies of all kinds4 ,he apprehended that ,carleton might make an attack upon ,ticonderoga as soon as he could cross ,lake ,champlain on the ice4 ,that important fortress was under the command of a brave officer1 ,colonel ,anthony ,wayne1 but its garrison had dwindled down to six or seven hundred men1 chiefly ,new ,england militia4 ,in the present destitute situation of his department as to troops1 ,schuyler feared that ,carleton might not only succeed in an attempt on ,ticonderoga1 but might push his way to ,albany4 ,although ,washington considered a winter attack of the kind specified by ,schuyler too difficult and dangerous to be very probable1 he urged reinforcements from ,massachusetts and ,new ,hampshire1 whence they could be furnished most speedily4 ,massachusetts1 in fact1 had already determined to send four regiments to ,schuyler's aid as soon as possible4 ,notwithstanding all ,washington's exertions in behalf of the army under his immediate command1 it continued to be deplorably in want of reinforcements1 and it was necessary to maintain the utmost vigilance at all his posts to prevent his camp from being surprised4 ,the operations of the enemy might be delayed by the bad condition of the roads1 and the want of horses to move their artillery1 but he anticipated an attack as soon as the roads were passable1 and apprehended a disastrous result unless speedily reinforced4 ,the designs of the enemy being mere matter of conjecture1 measures varied accordingly4 ,as the season advanced1 ,washington was led to believe that ,philadelphia would be their first object at the opening of the campaign1 and that they would bring round all their troops from ,canada by water to aid in the enterprise4 ,under this persuasion he wrote to ,general ,heath1 ordering him to send eight ,massachusetts battalions to ,peekskill4 ,at ,peekskill1 he observed1 they would be well placed to give support to any of the ,eastern or ,middle ,states2 or to oppose the enemy1 should they design to penetrate the country up the ,hudson2 or to cover ,new ,england1 should they invade it4 ,on the #ahth of ,march he despatched ,general ,greene to ,philadelphia1 to lay before ,congress such matters as he could not venture to communicate by letter4 ,greene had scarce departed when the enemy began to give signs of life4 ,the delay in the arrival of artillery1 more than his natural indolence1 had kept ,general ,howe from formally taking the field2 he now made preparations for the next campaign by detaching troops to destroy the ,american deposits of military stores4 ,one of the chief of these was at ,peekskill1 the very place whither ,washington had directed ,heath to send troops from ,massachusetts1 and which he thought of making a central point of assemblage4 ,brigadier-general ,mc,dougall had the command of it in the absence of ,general ,heath1 but his force did not exceed two hundred and fifty men4 ,as soon as the ,hudson was clear of ice1 a squadron of vessels of war and transports1 with five hundred troops under ,colonel ,bird ascended the river4 ,mc,dougall had intelligence of the intended attack1 and while the ships were making their way across the ,tappan ,sea and ,haverstraw ,bay1 exerted himself to remove as much as possible of the provisions and stores to ,forts ,montgomery and ,constitution in the ,highlands4 ,on the morning of the #bc;d the whole squadron came to anchor in ,peekskill ,bay1 and five hundred men landed in ,lent's ,cove1 on the south side of the bay1 whence they pushed forward with four light field-pieces drawn by sailors4 ,on their approach1 ,mc,dougall set fire to the barracks and principal storehouses1 and retreated about two miles to a strong post1 commanding the entrance to the ,highlands and the road to ,continental ,village1 the place of the deposits4 ,it was the post which had been noted by ,washington in the preceding year where a small force could make a stand and hurl down masses of rock on their assailants4 ,hence1 ,mc,dougall sent an express to ,lieutenant-colonel ,marinus ,willet1 who had charge of ,fort ,constitution1 to hasten to his assistance4 ,the ,british1 finding the wharf in flames where they had intended to embark their spoils1 completed the conflagration1 besides destroying several small craft laden with provisions4 ,they kept possession of the place until the following day1 when a scouting party1 which had advanced towards the entrance of the ,highlands1 was encountered by ,colonel ,marinus ,willet with a detachment from ,fort ,constitution1 and driven back to the main body after a sharp skirmish in which nine of the marauders were killed4 ,four more were slain on the banks of ,canopas ,creek as they were setting fire to some boats4 ,the enemy were disappointed in the hope of carrying off a great deal of booty1 and finding the country around was getting under arms they contented themselves with the mischief they had done and re-embarked in the evening by moonlight1 when the whole squadron swept down the ,hudson4 ,,chapter ,,xl4 ,,the ,,northern ,,army4--,,british ,,expedition ,,to ,,connecticut4 ,we have now to enter upon a tissue of circumstances connected with the ,northern department which will be found materially to influence the course of affairs in that quarter throughout the current year1 and ultimately to be fruitful of annoyance to ,washington himself4 ,to make these more clear to the reader1 it is necessary to revert to events in the preceding year4 ,the question of command between ,schuyler and ,gates1 when settled as we have shown by ,congress1 had caused no interruption to the harmony of intercourse between these generals4 ,schuyler directed the affairs of the department with energy and activity from his head-quarters at ,albany1 where they had been fixed by ,congress1 while ,gates1 subordinate to him1 commanded the post of ,ticonderoga4 ,the disappointment of an independent command1 however1 still rankled in the mind of the latter1 and was kept alive by the officious suggestions of meddling friends4 ,in the course of the autumn1 his hopes in this respect revived4 ,schuyler was again disgusted with the service4 ,in the discharge of his various and harassing duties he had been annoyed by sectional jealousies and ill will4 ,his motives and measures had been maligned4 ,the failures in ,canada had been attributed to him1 and he had repeatedly entreated ,congress to order an inquiry into the many charges made against him1 that he might not any longer be insulted4 ,on the #adth of ,september he actually offered his resignation of his commission as major-general1 and of every other office and appointment2 still claiming a court of inquiry on his conduct1 and expressing his determination to fulfil the duties of a good citizen and promote the weal of his native country1 but in some other capacity4 ,the hopes of ,gates1 inspired by this proffered resignation1 were doomed to be overclouded4 ,schuyler was informed by ,president ,hancock that ,congress1 during the present state of affairs1 could not consent to accept of his resignation2 444 that they would at an early day appoint a committee to inquire fully into his conduct1 which they trusted would establish his reputation in the opinion of all good men4 ,schuyler received the resolve of ,congress with grim acquiescence1 but showed in his reply that he was but half soothed4 ,at this very critical juncture1 writes he1 ,october #af1 ,i shall continue to act some time longer1 but ,congress must prepare to put the care of this department into other hands4 ,he had remained at his post1 therefore1 discharging the various duties of his department with his usual zeal and activity2 and ,gates1 at the end of the campaign1 had repaired1 as we have shown1 to the vicinity of ,congress to attend the fluctuation of events4 ,circumstances in the course of the winter had put the worthy ,schuyler again on points of punctilio with ,congress4 ,among some letters intercepted by the enemy and retaken by the ,americans was one from ,colonel ,joseph ,trumbull1 the commissary-general1 insinuating that ,general ,schuyler had secreted or suppressed a commission sent for his brother1 ,colonel ,john ,trumbull1 as deputy adjutant-general4 ,the purport of the letter was reported to ,schuyler4 ,he spurned at the insinuation4 ,if it be true that he has asserted such a thing1 writes he to the president1 ,i shall expect from ,congress that justice which is due to me4444 ,until ,mr4 ,trumbull and ,i are upon a footing1 ,i cannot do what the laws of honor and a regard to my own reputation render indispensably necessary4 ,congress can put us on a par by dismissing one or the other from the service4 ,congress failed to comply with the general's request4 ,they added also to his chagrin by dismissing from the service an army physician in whose appointment he had particularly interested himself4 ,schuyler was a proud-spirited man1 and at times somewhat irascible4 ,in a letter to ,congress1 on the #hth of ,february1 he observed3 ,as ,dr4 ,stringer had my recommendation to the office he has sustained1 perhaps it was a compliment due to me that ,i should have been advised of the reason of his dismission4 ,and again3 ,i was in hopes some notice would have been taken of the odious suspicion contained in ,mr4 ,commissary ,trumbull's intercepted letter4 ,i really feel myself deeply chagrined on the occasion4 ,i am incapable of the meanness he suspects me of1 and ,i confidently expected that ,congress would have done me that justice which it was in their power to give1 and which ,i humbly conceive they ought to have done4 ,this letter gave great umbrage to ,congress1 but no immediate answer was made to it4 ,about this time the office of adjutant-general1 which had remained vacant ever since the resignation of ,colonel ,reed1 to the great detriment of the service1 especially now when a new army was to be formed1 was offered to ,general ,gates1 who had formerly filled it with ability2 and ,president ,hancock informed him1 by letter1 of the earnest desire of ,congress that he should resume it1 retaining his present rank and pay4 ,gates almost resented the proposal4 ,he had a higher object in view4 ,a letter from ,schuyler to ,congress had informed that body that he should set out for ,philadelphia about the #bast of ,march1 and should immediately on his arrival require the promised inquiry into his conduct4 ,gates1 of course1 was acquainted with this circumstance4 ,he knew ,schuyler had given offence to ,congress2 he knew that he had been offended on his own part1 and had repeatedly talked of resigning4 ,he had active friends in ,congress ready to push his interests4 ,on the #aeth of ,march the letter of ,general ,schuyler of the #c;d of ,february1 which had given such offence1 was brought before the ,house1 and it was resolved that his suggestion concerning the dismission of ,dr4 ,stringer was highly derogatory to the honor of ,congress1 and that it was expected his letters in future would be written in a style suitable to the dignity of the representative body of these free and independent ,states and to his own character as their officer4 ,his expressions1 too1 respecting the intercepted letter1 that he had expected ,congress would have done him all the justice in their power1 were pronounced1 to say the least1 ill-advised and highly indecent4 ,while ,schuyler was thus in partial eclipse1 the ,house proceeded to appoint a general officer for the ,northern department1 of which he had stated it to be in need4 ,on the #beth of ,march1 ,gates received the following note from ,president ,hancock3 ,i have it in charge to direct that you repair to ,ticonderoga immediately and take command of the army stationed in that department4 ,gates obeyed with alacrity4 ,again the vision of an independent command floated before his mind1 and he was on his way to ,albany at the time that ,schuyler1 ignorant of this new arrangement1 was journeying to ,philadelphia4 ,he arrived in the second week in ,april1 and found himself superseded in effect by ,general ,gates in the ,northern department4 ,he enclosed to the committee of ,albany the recent resolutions of ,congress1 passed before his arrival4 ,by these1 writes he1 you will readily perceive that ,i shall not return a general4 ,under what influence it has been brought about ,i am not at liberty now to mention4 ,on my return to ,albany ,i shall give the committee the fullest information4 ,taking his seat in ,congress as a delegate from ,new ,york1 he demanded the promised investigation of his conduct during the time he had held a command in the army4 ,it was his intention1 when the scrutiny had taken place1 to resign his commission and retire from the service4 ,on the #ahth a committee of inquiry was appointed1 as at his request1 composed of a member from each ,state4 ,in the meantime1 as second major-general of the ,united ,states 7,lee being the first71 he held active command at ,philadelphia1 forming a camp on the western side of the ,delaware1 completing the works on ,fort ,island1 throwing up works on ,red ,bank1 and accelerating the despatch of troops and provisions to the commander-in-chief4 ,during his sojourn at ,philadelphia1 also1 he contributed essentially to re-organize the commissary department2 digesting rules for its regulation1 which were mainly adopted by ,congress4 ,the fame of the ,american struggle for independence was bringing foreign officers as candidates for admission into the patriot army1 and causing great embarrassment to the commander-in-chief4 ,congress determined that no foreign officers should receive commissions who were not well acquainted with the ,english language and did not bring strong testimonials of their abilities4 ,still there was embarrassment4 ,some came with brevet commissions from the ,french government1 and had been assured by ,mr4 ,deane1 ,american commissioner at ,paris1 that they would have the same rank in the ,american army4 ,this would put them above ,american officers of merit and hard service1 whose commissions were of more recent date4 ,one ,monsieur ,ducoudray1 on the strength of an agreement with ,mr4 ,deane1 expected to have the rank of major-general and to be put at the head of the artillery4 ,washington deprecated the idea of intrusting a department on which the very salvation of the army might depend to a foreigner1 who had no other tie to bind him to the interests of the country than honor4 ,among the foreign candidates for appointments was one ,colonel ,conway1 a native of ,ireland1 but who1 according to his own account1 had been thirty years in the service of ,france1 and claimed to be a chevalier of the order of ,st4 ,louis1 of which he wore the decoration4 ,mr4 ,deane had recommended him to ,washington as an officer of merit1 and had written to ,congress that he considered him well qualified for the office of adjutant or brigadier-general4 ,colonel ,conway pushed for that of brigadier-general4 ,it had been conferred some time before by ,congress on two ,french officers1 ,de ,fermois and ,deborre1 who1 he had observed1 had been inferior to him in the ,french service1 and it would be mortifying now to hold rank below them4 ,conway accordingly received the rank of brigadier-general1 of which he subsequently proved himself unworthy4 ,he was boastful and presumptuous1 and became noted for his intrigues and for a despicable cabal against the commander-in-chief1 which went by his name1 and of which we shall have to speak hereafter4 ,a candidate of a different stamp had presented himself in the preceding year1 the gallant1 generous-spirited1 ,thaddeus ,kosciuszko4 ,he was a ,pole1 of an ancient and noble family of ,lithuania1 and had been educated for the profession of arms at the military school at ,warsaw1 and subsequently in ,france4 ,disappointed in a love affair with a beautiful lady of rank with whom he had attempted to elope1 he had emigrated to this country1 and came provided with a letter of introduction from ,dr4 ,franklin to ,washington4 ,what do you seek here8 inquired the commander-in-chief4 ,to fight for ,american independence4 ,what can you do8 ,try me4 ,washington was pleased with the curt yet comprehensive reply and with his chivalrous air and spirit1 and at once received him into his family as an aide-de-camp4 ,congress shortly afterwards appointed him an engineer1 with the rank of colonel4 ,he proved a valuable officer throughout the ,revolution1 and won an honorable and lasting name in our country4 ,questions of rank among his generals were1 as we have repeatedly shown1 perpetual sources of perplexity to ,washington1 and too often caused by what the sarcastic ,lee termed the stumblings of ,congress2 such was the case at present4 ,in recent army promotions1 ,congress had advanced ,stirling1 ,mifflin1 ,st4 ,clair1 ,stephen and ,lincoln to the rank of major-general1 while ,arnold1 their senior in service1 and distinguished by so many brilliant exploits1 was passed over and left to remain a brigadier4 ,washington was surprised at not seeing his name on the list1 but supposing it might have been omitted through mistake1 he wrote to ,arnold1 who was at ,providence in ,rhode ,island1 advising him not to take any hasty step in consequence1 but to allow time for recollection1 promising his own endeavors to remedy any error that might have been made4 ,he wrote also to ,henry ,lee in ,congress1 inquiring whether the omission was owing to accident or design4 ,arnold was1 in truth1 deeply wounded by the omission1 but intimated that he should avoid any hasty step and should remain at his post until he could leave it without any damage to the public interest4 ,the principle upon which ,congress had proceeded in their recent promotions was explained to ,washington4 ,the number of general officers promoted from each ,state was proportioned to the number of men furnished by it4 ,connecticut 7,arnold's ,state7 had already two major-generals1 which was its full share4 ,an opportunity occurred before long for ,arnold again to signalize himself4 ,the amount of stores destroyed at ,peekskill had fallen far short of ,general ,howe's expectations4 ,something more must be done to cripple the ,americans before the opening of the campaign4 ,accordingly another expedition was set on foot against a still larger deposit at ,danbury1 within the borders of ,connecticut1 and between twenty and thirty miles from ,peekskill4 ,ex-governor ,tryon1 recently commissioned major-general of provincials1 conducted it1 accompanied by ,brigadier-general ,agnew and ,sir ,william ,erskine4 ,he had a force two thousand strong1 and made his appearance on the ,sound in the latter part of ,april with a fleet of twenty-six sail4 ,on the #beth1 towards evening1 he landed his troops on the beach at the foot of ,canepo ,hill1 near the mouth of the ,saugatuck ,river1 and set off for ,danbury1 about twenty-three miles distant4 ,they were in a patriotic neighborhood4 ,general ,silliman1 of the ,connecticut militia1 who resided at ,fairfield1 a few miles distant1 sent out expresses to rouse the country4 ,it so happened that ,general ,arnold was at ,new ,haven1 between twenty and thirty miles off1 on his way to ,philadelphia for the purpose of settling his accounts4 ,at the alarm of a ,british inroad he forgot his injuries and irritation1 mounted his horse1 and accompanied by ,general ,wooster hastened to join ,general ,silliman4 ,as they spurred forward every farm house sent out its warrior1 until upwards of a hundred were pressing on with them1 full of the fighting spirit4 ,lieutenant ,oswald1 ,arnold's secretary in the ,canada campaign1 was at this time at ,new ,haven enlisting men for ,lamb's regiment of artillery4 ,he1 too1 heard the note of alarm1 and mustering his recruits marched off with three field-pieces for the scene of action4 ,in the meanwhile the ,british1 marching all night with short haltings1 reached ,danbury about two o'clock in the afternoon of the #bfth4 ,there were but fifty ,continental soldiers and one hundred militia in the place4 ,these retreated1 as did most of the inhabitants1 excepting such as remained to take care of the sick and aged4 ,four men1 intoxicated1 as it was said1 fired upon the troops from the windows of a large house4 ,the soldiers rushed in1 drove them into the cellar1 set fire to the house1 and left them to perish in the flames4 ,there was a great quantity of stores of all kinds in the village1 and no vehicles to convey them to the ships4 ,the work of destruction commenced4 ,the soldiers made free with the liquors found in abundance2 and throughout the greater part of the night there was revel1 drunkenness1 blasphemy1 and devastation4 ,tryon1 full of anxiety1 and aware that the country was rising1 ordered a retreat before daylight1 setting fire to the magazines to complete the destruction of the stores4 ,the flames spread to the other edifices1 and almost the whole village was soon in a blaze4 ,while these scenes had been transacted at ,danbury1 the ,connecticut yeomanry had been gathering4 ,fairfield and the adjacent counties had poured out their minute men4 ,general ,silliman had advanced at the head of five hundred4 ,generals ,wooster and ,arnold joined him with their chance followers1 as did a few more militia4 ,a heavy rain retarded their march2 it was near midnight when they reached ,bethel1 within four miles of ,danbury4 ,here they halted to take a little repose and put their arms in order1 rendered almost unserviceable by the rain4 ,they were now about six hundred strong4 ,wooster took the command1 as first major-general of the militia of the ,state4 ,though in the sixty-eighth year of his age he was full of ardor1 with almost youthful fire and daring4 ,at dawn of day ,wooster detached ,arnold with four hundred men to push across the country and take post at ,ridgefield1 by which the ,british must pass2 while he with two hundred remained to hang on and harass them in flank and rear4 ,the ,british began their retreat early in the morning1 conducting it in regular style with flanking parties and a rear-guard well furnished with artillery4 ,as soon as they had passed his position1 ,wooster attacked the rear-guard with great spirit and effect2 there was sharp skirmishing until within two miles of ,ridgefield1 when1 as the veteran was cheering on his men who began to waver1 a musket ball brought him down from his horse and finished his gallant career4 ,on his fall his men retreated in disorder4 ,the delay which his attack had occasioned to the enemy had given ,arnold time to throw up a kind of breastwork or barricade across the road at the north end of ,ridgefield1 where he took his stand with his little force now increased to about five hundred men4 ,about eleven o'clock the enemy advanced in column1 with artillery and flanking parties4 ,they were kept at bay for a time1 and received several volleys from the barricade1 until it was outflanked and carried4 ,arnold ordered a retreat1 and was bringing off the rear guard when his horse was shot under him and came down upon his knees4 ,arnold remained seated in the saddle1 with one foot entangled in the stirrups4 ,a tory soldier seeing his plight1 rushed towards him with fixed bayonet4 ,he had just time to draw a pistol from the holster4 ,you're my prisoner1 cried the tory4 ,not yet6 exclaimed ,arnold1 and shot him dead4 ,then extricating his foot from the stirrup1 he threw himself into the thickets of a neighboring swamp1 and escaped unharmed by the bullets that whistled after him and joined his retreating troops4 ,general ,tryon intrenched for the night in ,ridgefield1 his troops having suffered greatly in their harassed retreat4 ,the next morning1 after having set fire to four houses he continued his march for the ships4 ,the militia hung on the rear of the enemy as soon as they were in motion4 ,arnold was again in the field with his rallied forces1 strengthened by ,lieutenant-colonel ,oswald with two companies of ,lamb's artillery regiment and three field-pieces4 ,with these he again posted himself on the enemy's route4 ,difficulties and annoyances had multiplied upon the latter at every step4 ,when they came in sight of the position where ,arnold was waiting for them1 they changed their route1 wheeled to the left1 and made for a ford of ,saugatuck ,river4 ,arnold hastened to cross the bridge and take them in flank1 but they were too quick for him4 ,colonel ,lamb had now reached the scene of action1 as had about two hundred volunteers4 ,leaving to ,oswald the charge of the artillery1 he put himself at the head of the volunteers and led them up to ,arnold's assistance4 ,the enemy finding themselves hard pressed1 pushed for ,canepo ,hill4 ,they reached it in the evening without a round of ammunition in their cartridge-boxes4 ,as they were now within cannon shot of their ships1 the ,americans ceased the pursuit4 ,in this inroad the enemy destroyed a considerable amount of military stores1 and seventeen hundred tents prepared for the use of ,washington's army in the ensuing campaign4 ,the loss of ,general ,wooster was deeply deplored4 ,as to ,arnold1 his gallantry in this affair gained him fresh laurels1 and ,congress1 to remedy their late error1 promoted him to the rank of major-general4 ,still this promotion did not restore him to his proper position4 ,he was at the bottom of the list of major-generals1 with four officers above him1 his juniors in service4 ,as an additional balm to his wounded pride1 ,congress a few days afterwards voted that a horse1 properly caparisoned1 should be presented to him in their name as a token of their approbation of his gallant conduct in the late action4 ,the destructive expeditions against the ,american depots of military stores1 were retaliated in kind by ,colonel ,meigs1 a spirited officer who had accompanied ,arnold in his expedition through the wilderness against ,quebec4 ,having received intelligence that the ,british commissaries had collected a great amount of grain1 forage1 and other supplies at ,sag ,harbor1 a small port in the deep bay which forks the east end of ,long ,island1 he crossed the ,sound on the #bc;d of ,may from ,guilford in ,connecticut1 with about one hundred and seventy men in whale-boats convoyed by two armed sloops2 landed on the island near ,southold2 carried the boats a distance of fifteen miles across the north fork of the bay1 launched them into the latter1 crossed it1 landed within four miles of ,sag ,harbor1 and before daybreak carried the place1 which was guarded by a company of foot4 ,a furious fire of round and grape shot was opened upon the ,americans from an armed schooner1 anchored about one hundred and fifty yards from shore1 and stout defence was made by the crews of a dozen brigs and sloops lying at the wharf to take in freight2 but ,meigs succeeded in burning these vessels1 destroying everything on shore1 and carrying off ninety prisoners2 among whom were the officers of the company of foot1 the commissaries1 and the captains of most of the small vessels4 ,washington was so highly pleased with the spirit and success of this enterprise1 that he publicly returned thanks to ,colonel ,meigs and the officers and men engaged in it4 ,the committee of inquiry on ,general ,schuyler's conduct had now made their report to ,congress1 in which they placed the character of that officer higher than ever as an able and active commander and a zealous and disinterested patriot4 ,schuyler made a memorial to ,congress explaining away or apologizing for the expressions in his letter of the #dth of ,february which had given offence to the ,house1 which was so far satisfactory that ,congress informed him that their sentiments concerning him were now the same as those entertained before the reception of his objectionable letter4 ,some warm discussions now ensued in ,congress relative to the northern command1 in which it was stated that ,general ,gates misapprehended his position1 and that in sending him to ,ticonderoga it was not the intention of ,congress to give him the same command formerly held by ,schuyler4 ,the friends of ,gates1 on the other hand1 pronounced it an absurdity that an officer holding so important a post as ,ticonderoga should be under the order of another a hundred miles distant4 ,the discussion terminated by declaring ,ticonderoga1 ,fort ,stanwix1 and their defenders to be the ,northern department1 over which ,schuyler was to have supreme command4 ,schuyler was received with open arms at ,albany on the #c;d of ,june4 ,i had the satisfaction1 writes he1 to experience the finest feelings which my country expressed on my arrival and re-appointment4 ,the day after my arrival1 the whole county committee did me the honor1 in form1 to congratulate me4 ,gates was still in ,albany1 delaying to proceed with ,general ,fermois to ,ticonderoga until the garrison should be sufficiently strengthened4 ,although the resolve of ,congress did but define his position1 which had been misunderstood1 he persisted in considering himself degraded1 declined serving under ,general ,schuyler1 who would have given him the post at ,ticonderoga in his absence1 and obtaining permission to leave the department1 set out on the #ith for ,philadelphia to demand redress of ,congress4 ,general ,st4 ,clair was sent to take command of the troops at ,ticonderoga1 accompanied by ,general ,de ,fermois4 ,as the whole force in the ,northern department would not be sufficient to command the extensive works there on both sides of the lake1 ,st4 ,clair was instructed to bestow his first attention in fortifying ,mount ,independence on the east side1 ,schuyler considering it much the most defensible1 and that it might be made capable of sustaining a long and vigorous siege4 ,it would be imprudent1 he thought1 to station the greater part of the forces at ,fort ,ticonderoga1 as1 should the enemy be able to invest it1 and cut off the communication with the country on the east side1 it might experience a disaster similar to that at ,fort ,washington4 ,while ,schuyler was thus providing for the security of ,ticonderoga1 ,gates was wending his way to ,philadelphia1 his bosom swelling with imaginary wrongs4 ,he arrived there on the #ahth4 ,the next day at noon1 ,mr4 ,roger ,sherman1 an ,eastern delegate1 informed ,congress that ,general ,gates was waiting at the door and wished admittance4 ,gates was accordingly ushered in1 took his seat1 and proceeded to give some news concerning the ,indians2 he then opened upon the real object of his visit1 stating in a flurried and disjointed manner how that some time in ,march he had been appointed to a command in the ,northern department1 but that a few days ago1 without having given any cause of offence1 without accusation1 without trial1 without hearing1 without notice1 he had received a resolution by which he was1 in a most disgraceful manner1 superseded in his command4 ,here his irritated feelings got the better of his judgment1 and he indulged in angry reproaches of ,congress4 ,his conduct was pronounced disrespectful1 and it was moved and seconded that he be requested to withdraw4 ,it was then determined that he should not again be admitted on the floor2 but should be informed that ,congress were ready and willing to hear1 by way of memorial1 any grievances of which he might have to complain4 ,,chapter ,,xli4 ,,the ,,highlands4--,,movements ,,of ,,the ,,army4 ,the ,highland passes of the ,hudson1 always objects of anxious thought to ,washington1 were especially so at this juncture4 ,general ,mc,dougall still commanded at ,peekskill1 and ,general ,george ,clinton1 who resided at ,new ,windsor1 had command of the ,highland forts4 ,the latter1 at the earnest request of the ,new ,york ,convention1 had received from ,congress the command of brigadier-general in the ,continental army4 ,when the unhappy affair of ,peekskill had alarmed the ,convention of ,new ,york for the safety of the forts on the ,highlands1 ,clinton1 authorized by that body1 had ordered out part of the militia of ,orange1 ,dutchess1 and ,westchester counties1 without waiting for ,washington's approbation of the measure4 ,he had strengthened1 also1 with anchors and cables1 the chain drawn across the river at ,fort ,montgomery4 ,a few days later came word that several transports were anchored at ,dobbs' ,ferry in the ,tappan ,sea4 ,it might be intended to divert attention from a movement towards the ,delaware1 or to make incursions into the country back of ,morristown1 seize on the passes through the mountains1 and cut off the communication between the army and the ,hudson4 ,to frustrate such a design1 ,washington ordered ,clinton to post as good a number of troops from his garrison as he could spare on the mountains west of the river4 ,on the #abth of ,may1 ,general ,greene received instructions from ,washington to proceed to the ,highlands and examine the state and condition of the forts1 especially ,fort ,montgomery2 the probability of an attack by water1 the practicability of an approach by land2 where and how this could be effected1 and the eminences whence the forts could be annoyed4 ,this done1 and the opinions of the general officers present having been consulted1 he was to give such orders and make such disposition of the troops as might appear necessary for the greater security of the passes by land and water4 ,when reconnoitring the ,highlands in the preceding year1 ,washington had remarked a wild and rugged pass on the western side of the ,hudson round ,bull ,hill1 a rocky1 forest-clad mountain1 forming an advance rampart at the entrance to ,peekskill ,bay4 ,this pass1 he observed1 should also be attended to1 lest the enemy by a coup de main should possess themselves of it before a sufficient force could be assembled to oppose them4 ,subsequent events will illustrate1 though unfortunately1 the sagacity and foresight of this particular instruction4 ,general ,knox was associated with ,general ,greene in this visit of inspection4 ,they examined the river and the passes of the ,highlands in company with ,generals ,mc,dougall1 ,george ,clinton1 and ,anthony ,wayne4 ,the latter1 recently promoted to the rank of brigadier1 had just returned from ,ticonderoga4 ,the five generals made a joint report to ,washington1 in which they recommended the completion of the obstructions in the river already commenced4 ,these consisted of a boom1 or heavy iron chain1 across the river from ,fort ,montgomery to ,anthony's ,nose1 with cables stretched in front to break the force of any ship under way1 before she could strike it4 ,the boom was to be protected by the guns of two ships and two row galleys stationed just above it1 and by batteries on shore4 ,this1 it was deemed1 would be sufficient to prevent the enemy's ships from ascending the river4 ,if these obstructions could be rendered effective1 they did not think the enemy would attempt to operate by land2 the passes through the ,highlands being so exceedingly difficult4 ,illustration3 ,,view ,,from ,,fort ,,montgomery4 ,vol4 ,i4 ,the general command of the ,hudson was offered by ,washington to ,arnold2 intending thus publicly to manifest his opinion of his deserts1 and hoping1 by giving him so important a post1 to appease his irritated feelings4 ,arnold1 however1 declined to accept it4 ,in an interview with ,washington at ,morristown he alleged his anxiety to proceed to ,philadelphia and settle his public accounts1 which were of considerable amount2 especially as reports had been circulated injurious to his character as a man of integrity4 ,he intended1 therefore1 to wait on ,congress and request a committee of inquiry into his conduct4 ,beside1 he did not consider the promotion conferred on him by ,congress sufficient to obviate their previous neglect4 ,with these considerations he proceeded to ,philadelphia1 bearing a letter from ,washington to the ,president of ,congress countenancing his complaints and testifying to the excellence of his military character4 ,we may here add that the accusations against him were pronounced false and slanderous by the ,board of ,war4 ,the important command of the ,hudson being declined by ,arnold was now given to ,putnam1 who repaired forthwith to ,peekskill4 ,he set about promptly to carry into effect the measures of security which ,greene and ,knox had recommended2 especially the boom and chain at ,fort ,montgomery1 about which ,general ,george ,clinton had busied himself4 ,a large part of the ,new ,york and ,new ,england troops were stationed at this post1 not merely to guard the ,hudson1 but to render aid either to the ,eastern or ,middle ,states in case of exigency4 ,about this time1 ,washington had the satisfaction of drawing near to him his old friend and travelling companion1 ,dr4 ,james ,craik1 the same who had served with him in ,braddock's campaign and had voyaged with him down the ,ohio2 for whom he now procured the appointment of assistant director-general of the ,hospital department of the middle district1 which included the ,states between the ,hudson and the ,potomac4 ,towards the end of ,may1 ,washington broke up his cantonments at ,morristown1 and shifted his camp to ,middlebrook1 within ten miles of ,brunswick4 ,his whole force fit for duty was now about seven thousand three hundred men1 all from the ,states south of the ,hudson4 ,there were forty-three regiments1 forming ten brigades1 commanded by ,brigadiers ,muhlenberg1 ,weedon1 ,woodford1 ,scott1 ,smallwood1 ,deborre1 ,wayne1 ,dehaas1 ,conway1 and ,maxwell4 ,these were apportioned into five divisions of two brigades each1 under ,major-generals ,greene1 ,stephen1 ,sullivan1 ,lincoln and ,stirling4 ,the artillery was commanded by ,knox4 ,sullivan1 with his division1 was stationed on the right at ,princeton4 ,with the rest of his force1 ,washington fortified himself in a position naturally strong1 among hills1 in the rear of the village of ,middlebrook4 ,his camp was1 on all sides1 difficult of approach1 and he rendered it still more so by intrenchments4 ,the high grounds about it commanded a wide view of the country around ,brunswick1 the road to ,philadelphia1 and the course of the ,raritan1 so that the enemy could make no important movement on land without his perceiving it4 ,on the #cast of ,may1 reports were brought to camp that a fleet of a hundred sail had left ,new ,york and stood out to sea4 ,whither bound and how freighted was unknown4 ,if they carried troops1 their destination might be ,delaware ,bay4 ,eighteen transports also had arrived at ,new ,york1 with troops in foreign uniforms1 which proved to be ,anspachers1 and other ,german mercenaries2 there were ,british reinforcements also2 and1 what was particularly needed1 a supply of tents and camp equipage4 ,sir ,william ,howe had been waiting for the latter1 and likewise until the ground should be covered with grass4 ,the country was now in full verdure1 affording green forage in abundance1 and all things seemed to ,sir ,william propitious for the opening of the campaign4 ,early in ,june1 therefore1 he gave up ease and gayety and luxurious life at ,new ,york1 and crossing into the ,jerseys set up his head-quarters at ,brunswick4 ,as soon as ,washington ascertained that ,sir ,william's attention was completely turned to this quarter1 he determined to strengthen his position with all the force that could be spared from other parts1 so as to be able1 in case a favorable opportunity presented1 to make an attack upon the enemy2 in the meantime1 he would harass them with his light militia troops1 aided by a few ,continentals1 so as to weaken their numbers by continual skirmishes4 ,with this view he ordered ,general ,putnam to send down most of the ,continental troops from ,peekskill1 leaving only a number sufficient1 in conjunction with the militia1 to guard that post against surprise4 ,arnold1 in this critical juncture1 had been put in command of ,philadelphia1 a post which he had been induced to accept1 although the question of rank had not been adjusted to his satisfaction4 ,his command embraced the western bank of the ,delaware with all its fords and passes1 and he took up his station there with a strong body of militia1 supported by a few ,continentals1 to oppose any attempt of the enemy to cross the river4 ,he was instructed by ,washington to give him notice by expresses1 posted on the road1 if any fleet should appear in ,delaware ,bay2 and to endeavor to concert signals with the camp of ,sullivan at ,princeton1 by alarm fires upon the hills4 ,on the night of the #acth of ,june1 ,general ,howe sallied forth in great force from ,brunswick1 as if pushing directly for the ,delaware1 but his advanced guard halted at ,somerset court-house1 about eight or nine miles distant4 ,apprised of this movement1 ,washington at daybreak reconnoitred the enemy from the heights before the camp4 ,he observed their front halting at the court-house1 but a few miles distant1 while troops and artillery were grouped here and there along the road and the rear-guard was still at ,brunswick4 ,it was a question with ,washington and his generals1 as they reconnoitred the enemy with their glasses1 whether this was a real move toward ,philadelphia1 or merely a lure to tempt them down from their strong position4 ,in this uncertainty1 ,washington drew out his army in battle array along the heights1 but kept quiet4 ,in the present state of his forces it was his plan not to risk a general action1 but should the enemy really march toward the ,delaware1 to hang heavily upon their rear4 ,the ,british took up a strong position1 having ,millstone ,creek on their left1 the ,raritan all along their front1 and their right resting on ,brunswick1 and proceeded to fortify themselves with bastions4 ,the ,american and ,british armies1 strongly posted1 remained four days grimly regarding each other2 both waiting to be attacked4 ,the ,jersey militia which now turned out with alacrity1 repaired1 some to ,washington's camp1 others to that of ,sullivan4 ,the latter had fallen back from ,princeton1 and taken a position behind the ,sourland ,hills4 ,howe pushed out detachments and made several feints1 as if to pass by the ,american camp and march to the ,delaware1 but ,washington was not to be deceived4 ,baffled in these attempts to draw his cautious adversary into a general action1 ,howe1 on the #aith1 suddenly broke up his camp1 and pretended to return with some precipitation to ,brunswick1 burning as he went several valuable dwelling houses4 ,washington's light troops hovered round the enemy as far as the ,raritan and ,millstone1 which secured their flanks1 would permit2 but the main army kept to its stronghold on the heights4 ,on the next day came warlike news from the ,north4 ,amesbury1 a ,british spy1 had been seized and examined by ,schuyler4 ,burgoyne was stated as being arrived at ,quebec to command the forces in an invasion from ,canada4 ,while he advanced with his main force by ,lake ,champlain1 a detachment of ,british troops1 ,canadians and ,indians1 led by ,sir ,john ,johnson1 was to penetrate by ,oswego to the ,mohawk ,river1 and place itself between ,fort ,stanwix and ,fort ,edward4 ,if this information was correct1 ,ticonderoga would soon be attacked4 ,the force there might be sufficient for its defence1 but ,schuyler would have no troops to oppose the inroad of ,sir ,john ,johnson1 and he urged a reinforcement4 ,washington forthwith sent orders to ,putnam to procure sloops1 and hold four ,massachusetts regiments in readiness to go up the river at a moment's warning4 ,on the #bb;d1 ,sir ,william again marched out of ,brunswick1 but this time proceeded towards ,amboy1 again burning several houses on the way2 hoping1 perhaps1 that the sight of columns of smoke rising from a ravaged country would irritate the ,americans and provoke an attack4 ,washington sent out three brigades under ,general ,greene to fall upon the rear of the enemy1 while ,morgan hung upon their skirts with his riflemen4 ,at the same time the army remained paraded on the heights ready to yield support if necessary4 ,finding that ,howe had actually sent his heavy baggage and part of his troops over to ,staten ,island1 ,washington1 on the #bdth1 left the heights and descended to ,quibbletown 7now ,new ,market71 six or seven miles on the road to ,amboy1 to be nearer at hand for the protection of his advanced parties4 ,general ,howe now thought he had gained his point4 ,recalling those who had crossed1 he formed his troops into two columns1 the right led by ,cornwallis1 the left by himself1 and marched back rapidly by different routes from ,amboy4 ,he had three objects in view3 to cut off the principal advanced parties of the ,americans2 to come up with and bring the main body into an engagement near ,quibbletown2 or that ,lord ,cornwallis1 making a considerable circuit to the right1 should turn the left of ,washington's position1 get to the heights1 take possession of the passes1 and oblige him to abandon that stronghold where he had hitherto been so secure4 ,washington1 however1 had timely notice of his movements1 and penetrating his design1 regained his fortified camp at ,middlebrook1 and secured the passes of the mountains4 ,he then detached a body of light troops under ,brigadier-general ,scott1 together with ,morgan's riflemen1 to hang on the flank of the enemy and watch their motions4 ,cornwallis1 in his circuitous march1 dispersed the light parties of the advance1 but fell in with ,lord ,stirling's division1 strongly posted in a woody country1 and well covered by artillery judiciously disposed4 ,a sharp skirmish ensued1 when the ,americans gave way and retreated to the hills with the loss of a few men and three field-pieces2 while the ,british halted at ,westfield1 disappointed in the main objects of their enterprise4 ,perceiving that every scheme of bringing the ,americans to a general action1 or at least of withdrawing them from their strongholds1 was rendered abortive by the caution and prudence of ,washington1 and aware of the madness of attempting to march to the ,delaware1 through a hostile country1 with such a force in his rear1 ,sir ,william ,howe broke up his head-quarters at ,amboy on the last of ,june and crossed over to ,staten ,island on the floating bridge1 and it was soon apparent that at length the enemy had really evacuated the ,jerseys4 ,the question now was1 what would be their next move8 ,a great stir among the shipping seemed to indicate an expedition by water4 ,but whither8 ,circumstances occurred to perplex the question4 ,scarce had the last tent been struck1 and the last transport disappeared from before ,amboy1 when intelligence arrived from ,general ,st4 ,clair announcing the appearance of a hostile fleet on ,lake ,champlain1 and that ,general ,burgoyne with the whole ,canada army was approaching ,ticonderoga4 ,the judgment and circumspection of ,washington were never more severely put to the proof4 ,was this merely a diversion with a small force of light troops and ,indians1 intended to occupy the attention of the ,american forces in that quarter1 while the main body of the army in ,canada should come round by sea and form a junction with the army under ,howe8 ,but ,general ,burgoyne1 in ,washington's opinion1 was a man of too much spirit and enterprise to return from ,england merely to execute a plan from which no honor was to be derived4 ,did he really intend to break through by the way of ,ticonderoga8 ,in that case it must be ,howe's plan to co-operate with him4 ,his next move1 in such case1 would be to ascend the ,hudson1 seize on the ,highland passes before ,washington could form a union with the troops stationed there1 and thus open the way for the junction with ,burgoyne4 ,should ,washington1 however1 on such a presumption1 hasten with his troops to ,peekskill1 leaving ,general ,howe on ,staten ,island1 what would prevent the latter from pushing to ,philadelphia by ,south ,amboy or any other route8 ,such were the perplexities and difficulties presenting themselves under every aspect of the case4 ,in this dilemma ,washington sent ,generals ,parsons and ,varnum with a couple of brigades in all haste to ,peekskill1 and wrote to ,generals ,george ,clinton and ,putnam--the former to call out the ,new ,york militia from ,orange and ,ulster counties1 the latter to summon the militia from ,connecticut2 and as soon as such reinforcements should be at hand1 to despatch four of the strongest ,massachusetts regiments to the aid of ,ticonderoga4 ,general ,sullivan1 moreover1 was ordered to advance with his division towards the ,highlands as far as ,pompton1 while ,washington moved his own camp back to ,morristown1 to be ready either to push on to the ,highlands or fall back upon his recent position at ,middlebrook1 according to the movements of the enemy4 ,deserters from ,staten ,island and ,new ,york soon brought word to the camp that transports were being fitted up with berths for horses1 and taking in three weeks' supply of water and provender4 ,all this indicated some other destination than that of the ,hudson4 ,lest an attempt on the ,eastern ,states should be intended1 ,washington sent a circular to their governors to put them on their guard4 ,in the midst of his various cares1 his yeoman soldiery1 the ,jersey militia1 were not forgotten4 ,it was their harvest time1 and the ,state being evacuated there was no immediate call for their services2 he dismissed1 therefore1 almost the whole of them to their homes4 ,,chapter ,,xlii4 ,,invasion ,,from ,,canada4 ,the armament advancing against ,ticonderoga1 of which ,general ,st4 ,clair had given intelligence1 was not a mere diversion but a regular invasion2 the plan of which had been devised by the king1 ,lord ,george ,germain1 and ,general ,burgoyne1 the latter having returned to ,england from ,canada in the preceding year4 ,the junction of the two armies1--that in ,canada and that under ,general ,howe in ,new ,york1--was considered the speediest mode of quelling the rebellion2 and as the security and good government of ,canada required the presence of ,governor ,sir ,guy ,carleton1 three thousand men were to remain there with him2 the residue of the army was to be employed upon two expeditions--the one under ,general ,burgoyne1 who was to force his way to ,albany1 the other under ,lieutenant-colonel ,st4 ,leger1 who was to make a diversion on the ,mohawk ,river4 ,the invading army was composed of three thousand seven hundred and twenty-four ,british rank and file1 three thousand sixteen ,germans1 mostly ,brunswickers1 two hundred and fifty ,canadians1 and four hundred ,indians2 beside these there were four hundred and seventy-three artillery men1 in all nearly eight thousand men4 ,the army was admirably appointed4 ,its brass train of artillery was extolled as perhaps the finest ever allotted to an army of the size4 ,general ,phillips1 who commanded the artillery1 had gained great reputation in the wars in ,germany4 ,brigadiers-general ,fraser1 ,powel1 and ,hamilton were also officers of distinguished merit4 ,so was ,major-general the ,baron ,riedesel1 a ,brunswicker1 who commanded the ,german troops4 ,while ,burgoyne with the main force proceeded from ,st4 ,johns1 ,colonel ,st4 ,leger1 with a detachment of regulars and ,canadians about seven hundred strong1 was to land at ,oswego1 and1 guided by ,sir ,john ,johnson at the head of his loyalist volunteers1 tory refugees from his former neighborhood1 and a body of ,indians1 was to enter the ,mohawk country1 draw the attention of ,general ,schuyler in that direction1 attack ,fort ,stanwix1 and1 having ravaged the valley of the ,mohawk1 rejoin ,burgoyne at ,albany1 where it was expected they would make a triumphant junction with the army of ,sir ,william ,howe4 ,schuyler was uncertain as to the plans and force of the enemy4 ,if information gathered from scouts and a captured spy might be relied on1 ,ticonderoga would soon be attacked4 ,this information he transmitted to ,washington from ,fort ,edward on the #afth1 the very day that ,burgoyne embarked at ,st4 ,johns4 ,on the following day ,schuyler was at ,ticonderoga4 ,the works were not in such a state of forwardness as he had anticipated1 owing to the tardy arrival of troops and the want of a sufficient number of artificers4 ,the works in question related chiefly to ,mount ,independence1 a high circular hill on the east side of the lake1 immediately opposite to the old fort1 and considered the most defensible4 ,a star fort with pickets crowned the summit of the hill1 which was table land2 half way down the side of a hill was a battery1 and at its foot were strongly intrenched works well mounted with cannon4 ,here the ,french general1 ,de ,fermois1 who had charge of this fort1 was posted4 ,as this part of ,lake ,champlain is narrow1 a connection was kept up between the two forts by a floating bridge1 supported on twenty-two sunken piers in caissons1 formed of very strong timber4 ,between the piers were separate floats1 fifty feet long and twelve feet wide1 strongly connected by iron chains and rivets4 ,on the north side of the bridge was a boom1 composed of large pieces of timber1 secured by riveted bolts1 and beside this was a double iron chain with links an inch and a half square4 ,the bridge1 boom1 and chain were four hundred yards in length4 ,this immense work1 the labor of months1 on which no expense had been spared1 was intended1 while it afforded a communication between the two forts1 to protect the upper part of the lake1 presenting1 under cover of their guns1 a barrier which it was presumed no hostile ship would be able to break through4 ,illustration3 ,,ruins ,,of ,,fort ,,ticonderoga4 ,vol4 ,i4 ,having noted the state of affairs and the wants of the garrison1 ,schuyler hastened to ,fort ,george1 whence he sent on provisions for upwards of sixty days2 and from the banks of the ,hudson1 additional carpenters and working cattle4 ,in the meantime1 ,burgoyne1 with his amphibious and semi-barbarous armament1 was advancing up the lake4 ,by the #bdth1 scouts began to bring in word of the approaching foe4 ,bark canoes had been seen filled with white men and savages4 ,then three vessels under sail1 and one at anchor above ,split ,rock1 and behind it the radeau1 ,thunderer4 ,anon came word of encampments sufficient for a large body of troops on both sides of ,gilliland's ,creek1 with bateaux plying about its waters and painted warriors gliding about in canoes4 ,st4 ,clair wrote word of all this to ,schuyler1 and that it was supposed the enemy were waiting the arrival of more force4 ,schuyler urged ,washington for reinforcements as soon as possible1 and hastened to ,albany to bring up the militia4 ,while there he received word from ,st4 ,clair that the enemy's fleet and army were arrived at ,crown ,point1 and had sent off detachments1 one up ,otter ,creek to cut off the communication by ,skenesborough1 and another on the west side of the lake to cut off ,fort ,george4 ,claims for assistance came hurrying on from other quarters4 ,a large force 7,st4 ,leger's7 was said to be arrived at ,oswego1 and ,sir ,john ,johnson with his myrmidons on his way to attack ,fort ,schuyler1 the garrison of which was weak and poorly supplied with cannon4 ,schuyler bestirs himself with his usual zeal amid the thickening alarms4 ,he writes urgent letters to the committee of safety of ,new ,york1 to ,general ,putnam at ,peekskill1 to the ,governor of ,connecticut1 to the ,president of ,massachusetts1 to the committee of ,berkshire1 and lastly to ,washington1 stating the impending dangers and imploring reinforcements4 ,he exhorts ,general ,herkimer to keep the militia of ,tryon ,county in readiness to protect the western frontier and to check the inroad of ,sir ,john ,johnson1 and he assures ,st4 ,clair that he will move to his aid with the militia of ,new ,york as soon as he can collect them4 ,dangers accumulate at ,ticonderoga according to advices from ,st4 ,clair 7#bhth74 ,seven of the enemy's vessels are lying at ,crown ,point2 the rest of their fleet is probably but a little lower down4 ,morning guns are heard distinctly at various places4 ,some troops have debarked and encamped at ,chimney ,point4 ,there is no prospect1 he says1 of being able to defend ,ticonderoga unless militia come in1 and he has thought of calling in those from ,berkshire4 ,should the enemy invest and blockade us1 writes he1 we are infallibly ruined2 we shall be obliged to abandon this side 7of the lake71 and then they will soon force the other from us1 nor do ,i see that a retreat will in any shape be practicable4 ,the enemy came advancing up the lake on the #cjth1 their main body under ,burgoyne on the west side1 the ,german reserve under ,baron ,riedesel on the east2 communication being maintained by frigates and gunboats1 which1 in a manner1 kept pace between them4 ,on the #ast of ,july1 ,burgoyne encamped four miles north of ,ticonderoga1 and began to intrench and to throw a boom across the lake4 ,his advanced guard under ,general ,fraser took post at ,three ,mile ,point1 and the ships anchored just out of gunshot of the fort4 ,general ,st4 ,clair was a gallant ,scotchman who had seen service in the old ,french war as well as in this1 and beheld the force arrayed against him without dismay4 ,it is true his garrison was not numerous1 not exceeding three thousand five hundred men1 of whom nine hundred were militia4 ,they were badly equipped also1 and few had bayonets2 yet they were in good heart4 ,schuyler at this time was at ,albany1 sending up reinforcements of ,continental troops and militia1 and awaiting the arrival of further reinforcements1 for which sloops had been sent down to ,peekskill4 ,he was endeavoring also to provide for the security of the department in other quarters4 ,the savages had been scalping in the neighborhood of ,fort ,schuyler2 a set of renegade ,indians were harassing the settlements on the ,susquehanna2 and the threatenings of ,brant1 the famous ,indian chief1 and the prospect of a ,british inroad by the way of ,oswego1 had spread terror through ,tryon ,county1 the inhabitants of which called upon him for support4 ,such was the state of affairs in the north1 of which ,washington from time to time had been informed4 ,an attack on ,ticonderoga appeared to be impending2 but as the garrison was in good heart1 the commander resolute1 and troops were on the way to reinforce him a spirited and perhaps successful resistance was anticipated by ,washington4 ,his surprise may therefore be imagined on receiving a letter from ,schuyler1 dated ,july #gth1 conveying the astounding intelligence that ,ticonderoga was evacuated6 ,schuyler had just received the news at ,stillwater on the ,hudson when on his way with reinforcements for the fortress4 ,the first account was so vague that ,washington hoped it might prove incorrect4 ,it was confirmed by another letter from ,schuyler1 dated on the #ith at ,fort ,edward4 ,a part of the garrison had been pursued by a detachment of the enemy as far as ,fort ,anne in that neighborhood1 where the latter had been repulsed2 as to ,st4 ,clair himself and the main part of his forces1 they had thrown themselves into the forest1 and nothing was known what had become of them6 ,i am here1 writes ,schuyler1 at the head of a handful of men1 not above fifteen hundred1 with little ammunition1 not above five rounds to a man1 having neither balls nor lead to make any4 ,the country is in the deepest consternation2 no carriages to remove the stores from ,fort ,george1 which ,i expect every moment to hear is attacked2 and what adds to my distress is that a report prevails that ,i had given orders for the evacuation of ,ticonderoga4 ,washington's first attention was to supply the wants of ,general ,schuyler4 ,an express was sent to ,springfield for musket cartridges1 gunpowder1 lead1 and cartridge papers4 ,ten pieces of artillery with harness and proper officers were to be forwarded from ,peekskill1 as well as intrenching tools4 ,of tents he had none to furnish1 neither could heavy cannon be spared from the defence of the ,highlands4 ,six hundred recruits1 on their march from ,massachusetts to ,peekskill1 were ordered to repair to his aid--this was all the force that ,washington could venture at this moment to send2 but this addition to his troops1 supposing those under ,st4 ,clair should have come in1 and any number of militia have turned out1 would probably form an army equal1 if not superior1 to that said to be under ,burgoyne4 ,beside1 it was ,washington's idea that the latter would suspend his operations until ,general ,howe should make a movement in concert4 ,supposing that movement would be an immediate attempt against the ,highlands1 he ordered ,sullivan with his division to ,peekskill to reinforce ,general ,putnam4 ,at the same time he advanced with his main army to ,pompton1 and thence to the ,clove1 a rugged defile through the ,highlands on the west side of the ,hudson4 ,we will leave ,washington at his encampment in the ,clove1 anxiously watching the movements of the fleet and the lower army1 while we turn to the north to explain the mysterious retreat of ,general ,st4 ,clair4 ,in the accounts given of the approach of ,burgoyne to ,ticonderoga1 it was stated that he had encamped four miles north of the fortress and intrenched himself4 ,on the #b;d of ,july1 ,indian scouts made their appearance in the vicinity of a blockhouse and some outworks about the strait or channel leading to ,lake ,george4 ,as ,general ,st4 ,clair did not think the garrison sufficient to defend all the outposts1 these works with some adjacent saw-mills were set on fire and abandoned4 ,the extreme left of ,ticonderoga was weak1 and might easily be turned2 a post had therefore been established in the preceding year1 nearly half a mile in advance of the old ,french lines1 on an eminence to the north of them4 ,general ,st4 ,clair1 through singular remissness1 had neglected to secure it4 ,burgoyne soon discovered this neglect1 and hastened to detach ,general ,phillips and ,fraser with a body of infantry and light artillery to take possession of this post4 ,they did so without opposition4 ,heavy guns were mounted upon it2 ,fraser's whole corps was stationed there2 the post commanded the communication by land and water with ,lake ,george1 so as to cut off all supplies from that quarter4 ,in fact1 such were the advantages expected from this post1 thus neglected by ,st4 ,clair1 that the ,british gave it the significant name of ,mount ,hope4 ,the enemy now proceeded gradually to invest ,ticonderoga4 ,a line of troops was drawn from the western part of ,mount ,hope round to ,three ,mile ,point1 where ,general ,fraser was posted with the advance guard1 while ,general ,riedesel encamped with the ,german reserve in a parallel line on the opposite side of ,lake ,champlain1 at the foot of ,mount ,independence4 ,for two days the enemy occupied themselves in making their advances and securing these positions1 regardless of a cannonade kept up by the ,american batteries4 ,with all the pains and expense lavished by the ,americans to render these works impregnable1 they had strangely neglected the master key by which they were all commanded4 ,this was ,sugar ,hill1 a rugged height1 the termination of a mountain ridge which separates ,lake ,champlain from ,lake ,george4 ,it stood to the south of ,ticonderoga1 beyond the narrow channel which connected the two lakes1 and rose precipitously from the waters of ,champlain to the height of six hundred feet4 ,it had been pronounced by the ,americans too distant to be dangerous4 ,colonel ,trumbull1 some time an aide-de-camp to ,washington1 had proved the contrary in the preceding year by throwing a shot from a six-pounder in the fort nearly to the summit4 ,it was then pronounced inaccessible to an enemy4 ,this ,trumbull had likewise proved to be an error1 by clambering with ,arnold and ,wayne to the top1 whence they perceived that a practicable road for artillery might easily and readily be made4 ,trumbull had insisted that this was the true point for the fort1 commanding the neighboring heights1 the narrow parts of both lakes1 and the communication between4 ,his suggestions were disregarded2 their wisdom was now to be proved4 ,the ,british general1 ,phillips1 on taking his position1 had regarded the hill with a practised eye4 ,he caused it to be reconnoitred by a skilful engineer4 ,the report was that it overlooked and had the entire command of ,fort ,ticonderoga and ,fort ,independence--being about fourteen hundred yards from the former1 and fifteen hundred from the latter2 that the ground could be levelled for cannon1 and a road cut up the defiles of the mountain in four and twenty hours4 ,measures were instantly taken to plant a battery on that height4 ,while the ,american garrisons were entirely engaged in a different direction1 cannonading ,mount ,hope and the ,british lines without material effect1 and without provoking a reply1 the ,british troops were busy throughout the day and night cutting a road through rocks and trees and up rugged defiles4 ,guns1 ammunition and stores1 all were carried up the hill in the night2 the cannon were hauled up from tree to tree1 and before morning the ground was levelled for the battery on which they were to be mounted4 ,to this work1 thus achieved by a coup de main1 they gave the name of ,fort ,defiance4 ,on the #eth of ,july1 to their astonishment and consternation1 the garrison beheld a legion of red-coats on the summit of this hill1 constructing works which must soon lay the fortress at their mercy4 ,in this appalling emergency1 ,general ,st4 ,clair called a council of war4 ,what was to be done8 ,the batteries from this new fort would probably be open the next day3 by that time ,ticonderoga might be completely invested1 and the whole garrison exposed to capture4 ,they had not force sufficient for one half the works1 and ,general ,schuyler1 supposed to be at ,albany1 could afford them no relief4 ,the danger was imminent2 delay might prove fatal4 ,it was unanimously determined to evacuate both ,ticonderoga and ,mount ,independence that very night1 and to retreat to ,skenesborough 7now ,whitehall71 at the upper part of the lake1 about thirty miles distant1 where there was a stockaded fort4 ,the main body of the army1 led by ,general ,st4 ,clair1 were to cross to ,mount ,independence and push for ,skenesborough by land1 taking a circuitous route through the woods on the east side of the lake1 by the way of ,castleton4 ,the cannon1 stores and provisions1 together with the wounded and the women1 were to be embarked on board of two hundred bateaux and conducted to the upper extremity of the lake by ,colonel ,long with six hundred men1 two hundred of whom1 in five armed galleys1 were to form a rear-guard4 ,it was now three o'clock in the afternoon2 yet all the preparations were to be made for the coming night1 and that with as little bustle and movement as possible1 for they were overlooked by ,fort ,defiance1 and their intentions might be suspected4 ,everything1 therefore1 was done quietly1 but alertly2 in the meantime1 to amuse the enemy a cannonade was kept up every half hour toward the new battery on the hill4 ,as soon as the evening closed1 and their movements could not be discovered1 they began in all haste to load the boats4 ,such of the cannon as could not be taken were ordered to be spiked4 ,everything was conducted with such silence and address that1 although it was a moonlight night1 the flotilla departed undiscovered1 and was soon under the shadows of mountains and overhanging forests4 ,the retreat by land was not conducted with equal discretion and mystery4 ,general ,st4 ,clair had crossed over the bridge to the ,vermont side of the lake by three o'clock in the morning1 and set forward with his advance through the woods toward ,hubbardton2 but1 before the rear-guard under ,colonel ,francis got in motion1 the house at ,fort ,independence1 which had been occupied by the ,french general1 ,de ,fermois1 was set on fire--by his orders1 it is said1 though we are loth to charge him with such indiscretion1 such gross and wanton violation of the plan of retreat4 ,the consequences were disastrous4 ,the ,british sentries at ,mount ,hope were astonished by a conflagration suddenly lighting up ,mount ,independence and revealing the ,american troops in full retreat2 for the rear-guard1 disconcerted by this sudden exposure1 pressed forward for the woods in the utmost haste and confusion4 ,the drums beat to arms in the ,british camp4 ,alarm guns were fired from ,mount ,hope2 ,general ,fraser dashed into ,ticonderoga with his pickets1 giving orders for his brigade to arm in all haste and follow4 ,by daybreak he had hoisted the ,british flag over the deserted fortress2 before sunrise he had passed the bridge and was in full pursuit of the ,american rear-guard4 ,burgoyne's measures were prompt4 ,general ,riedesel was ordered to follow and support ,fraser with a part of the ,german troops2 garrisons were thrown into ,ticonderoga and ,mount ,independence2 the main part of the army was embarked on board of the frigates and gunboats2 the floating bridge with its boom and chain1 which had cost months to construct1 was broken through by nine o'clock2 when ,burgoyne set out with his squadron in pursuit of the flotilla4 ,we left the latter making its retreat on the preceding evening towards ,skenesborough4 ,the lake above ,ticonderoga becomes so narrow that1 in those times1 it was frequently called ,south ,river4 ,the bateaux1 deeply laden1 made their way slowly in a lengthened line4 ,the rear-guard of armed galleys followed at wary distance4 ,no immediate pursuit1 however1 was apprehended4 ,the floating bridge was considered an effectual impediment to the enemy's fleet4 ,about three o'clock in the afternoon of the succeeding day1 the heavily laden bateaux arrived at ,skenesborough4 ,the disembarkation had scarcely commenced when the thundering of artillery was heard from below4 ,could the enemy be at hand8 ,it was even so4 ,the ,british gunboats1 having pushed on in advance of the frigates1 had overtaken and were firing upon the galleys4 ,the latter defended themselves for a while1 but at length two struck and three were blown up4 ,the fugitives from them brought word that the ,british ships not being able to come up1 troops and ,indians were landing from them and scrambling up the hills1 intending to get in the rear of the fort and cut off all retreat4 ,all now was consternation and confusion4 ,the bateaux1 the storehouses1 the fort1 the mill were all set on fire1 and a general flight took place toward ,fort ,anne1 about twelve miles distant4 ,some made their way in boats up ,wood ,creek1 a winding stream4 ,the main body under ,colonel ,long retreated by a narrow defile cut through the woods1 harassed all night by alarms that the ,indians were close in pursuit4 ,both parties reached ,fort ,anne by daybreak4 ,it was a small picketed fort1 near the junction of ,wood ,creek and ,east ,creek1 about sixteen miles from ,fort ,edward4 ,general ,schuyler arrived at the latter place on the following day4 ,the number of troops with him was inconsiderable1 but hearing of ,colonel ,long's situation1 he immediately sent him a small reinforcement1 with provisions and ammunition1 and urged him to maintain his post resolutely4 ,on the same day ,colonel ,long's scouts brought in word that there were ,british red-coats approaching4 ,they were in fact a regiment under ,lieutenant-colonel ,hill1 detached from ,skenesborough by ,burgoyne in pursuit of the fugitives4 ,long sallied forth to meet them1 posting himself at a rocky defile4 ,as the enemy advanced he opened a heavy fire upon them in front2 the ,british took post upon a high hill to their right1 where they were warmly besieged for nearly two hours1 and would certainly have been forced had not some of their ,indian allies arrived4 ,this changed the fortune of the day4 ,the ,americans had nearly expended their ammunition1 and had not enough left to cope with this new enemy4 ,they retreated1 therefore1 to ,fort ,anne1 carrying with them a number of prisoners4 ,supposing the troops under ,colonel ,hill an advance guard of ,burgoyne's army1 they set fire to the fort and pushed on to ,fort ,edward4 ,st4 ,clair's retreat through the woods from ,mount ,independence continued the first day until night1 when he arrived at ,castleton1 thirty miles from ,ticonderoga4 ,his rear-guard halted about six miles short1 at ,hubbardton1 to await the arrival of stragglers4 ,it was composed of three regiments1 under ,colonels ,seth ,warner1 ,francis and ,hale2 in all about thirteen hundred men4 ,early the next morning1 a sultry morning of ,july1 while they were taking their breakfast1 they were startled by the report of fire-arms4 ,their sentries had discharged their muskets1 and came running in with word that the enemy were at hand4 ,it was ,general ,fraser1 with his advance of eight hundred and fifty men1 who had pressed forward in the latter part of the night1 and now attacked the ,americans with great spirit1 notwithstanding their superiority in numbers2 in fact he expected to be promptly reinforced by ,riedesel and his ,germans4 ,the ,americans met the ,british with great spirit2 but at the very commencement of the action1 ,colonel ,hale1 with a detachment placed under his command to protect the rear1 gave way1 leaving ,warner and ,francis with but seven hundred men to bear the brunt of the battle4 ,these posted themselves behind logs and trees in 'backwood' style1 whence they kept up a destructive fire1 and were evidently gaining the advantage1 when ,general ,riedesel came pressing into the action with his ,german troops2 drums beating and colors flying4 ,there was now an impetuous charge with the bayonet4 ,colonel ,francis was among the first who fell1 gallantly fighting at the head of his men4 ,the ,americans1 thinking the whole ,german force upon them1 gave way and fled1 leaving the ground covered with their dead and wounded4 ,many others who had been wounded perished in the woods1 where they had taken refuge4 ,their whole loss in killed1 wounded and taken1 was upwards of three hundred2 that of the enemy one hundred and eighty-three4 ,the noise of the firing when the action commenced had reached ,general ,st4 ,clair at ,castleton4 ,he immediately sent orders to two militia regiments which were in his rear1 and within two miles of the battle-ground to hasten to the assistance of his rear-guard4 ,they refused to obey and hurried forward to ,castleton4 ,at this juncture ,st4 ,clair received information of ,burgoyne's arrival at ,skenesborough1 and the destruction of the ,american works there3 fearing to be intercepted at ,fort ,anne1 he immediately changed his route1 struck into the woods on his left1 and directed his march to ,rutland1 leaving word for ,warner to follow him4 ,the latter overtook him two days afterwards1 with his shattered force reduced to ninety men4 ,as to ,colonel ,hale1 who had pressed towards ,castleton at the beginning of the action1 he and his men were overtaken the same day by the enemy1 and the whole party captured without making any fight4 ,it has been alleged in his excuse1 with apparent justice1 that he and a large portion of his men were in feeble health and unfit for action2 for his own part he died while yet a prisoner1 and never had the opportunity which he sought to vindicate himself before a court-martial4 ,on the #abth ,st4 ,clair reached ,fort ,edward1 his troops haggard and exhausted by their long retreat through the woods4 ,such is the story of the catastrophe at ,fort ,ticonderoga which caused so much surprise and concern to ,washington1 and of the seven days' mysterious disappearance of ,st4 ,clair which kept every one in the most painful suspense4 ,the loss of artillery1 ammunition1 provisions and stores1 in consequence of the evacuation of these northern posts was prodigious1 but the worst effect was the consternation spread throughout the country4 ,a panic prevailed at ,albany1 the people running about as if distracted1 sending off their goods and furniture4 ,the great barriers of the ,north it was said were broken through1 and there was nothing to check the triumphant career of the enemy4 ,,chapter ,,xliii4 ,,exploits ,,and ,,movements4--,,howe ,,in ,,the ,,chesapeake4 ,a spirited exploit to the eastward was performed during the prevalence of adverse news from the ,north4 ,general ,prescott had command of the ,british forces in ,rhode ,island4 ,his harsh treatment of ,colonel ,ethan ,allen1 and his haughty and arrogant conduct on various occasions had rendered him peculiarly odious to the ,americans4 ,lieutenant-colonel ,barton1 who was stationed with a force of ,rhode ,island militia on the mainland1 received word that ,prescott was quartered at a country house near the western shore of the island1 about four miles from ,newport1 totally unconscious of danger though in a very exposed situation4 ,he determined1 if possible1 to surprise and capture him4 ,forty resolute men joined him in the enterprise4 ,embarking at night in two boats at ,warwick ,neck1 they pulled quietly across the bay with muffled oars1 undiscovered by the ships of war and guard-boats2 landed in silence2 eluded the vigilance of the guard stationed near the house2 captured the sentry at the door1 and surprised the general in his bed4 ,his aide-de-camp leaped from the window1 but was likewise taken4 ,colonel ,barton returned with equal silence and address1 and arrived safe at ,warwick with his prisoners4 ,a sword was voted to him by ,congress and he received a colonel's commission in the regular army4 ,washington hailed the capture of ,prescott as a peculiarly fortunate circumstance1 furnishing him with an equivalent for ,general ,lee4 ,he accordingly wrote to ,sir ,william ,howe1 proposing the exchange4 ,no immediate reply was received to this letter1 ,sir ,william ,howe being at sea2 in the meantime ,prescott remained in durance4 ,washington continued his anxious exertions to counteract the operations of the enemy2 forwarding artillery and ammunition to ,schuyler1 with all the camp furniture that could be spared from his own encampment and from ,peekskill4 ,a part of ,nixon's brigade was all the reinforcement he could afford in his present situation4 ,schuyler had earnestly desired the assistance of an active officer well acquainted with the country4 ,washington sent him ,arnold4 ,the question of rank about which ,arnold was so tenacious was yet unsettled1 and though1 had his promotion been regular1 he would have been superior in command to ,general ,st4 ,clair1 he assured ,washington that on the present occasion his claim should create no dispute4 ,schuyler in the meantime1 aided by ,kosciuszko the ,pole1 who was engineer in his department1 had selected two positions on ,moses ,creek1 four miles below ,fort ,edward1 where the troops which had retreated from ,ticonderoga1 and part of the militia were throwing up works4 ,to impede the advance of the enemy he had caused trees to be felled into ,wood ,creek1 so as to render it unnavigable1 and the roads between ,fort ,edward and ,fort ,anne to be broken up2 the cattle in that direction to be brought away1 and the forage destroyed4 ,he had drawn off the garrison from ,fort ,george1 and left the buildings in flames4 ,washington cheered on his faithful coadjutor4 ,his letters to ,schuyler were full of that confident hope1 founded on sagacious forecast1 with which he was prone to animate his generals in times of doubt and difficulty4 ,though our affairs for some days past have worn a dark and gloomy aspect1 ,i yet look forward to a fortunate and happy change4 ,i trust ,general ,burgoyne's army will meet sooner or later an effectual check1 and1 as ,i suggested before1 that the success he has had will precipitate his ruin4 ,he pointed out that ,burgoyne in acting in detachment was pursuing the plan most favorable to the ,american cause4 ,if some of his detachments could be cut off1 it would have1 he said1 a most inspiriting effect4 ,he also addressed circulars to the brigadier-generals of militia in the western portions of the ,eastern ,states1 urging reinforcements for ,schuyler4 ,the evacuation of ,ticonderoga1 he showed them1 had opened the door for the invasion of their district1 and that ,burgoyne1 if not vigorously opposed1 would be enabled to form a junction with ,general ,howe1 and thereby sever the communication between the ,eastern and ,northern ,states4 ,washington now ordered that all the vessels and river craft1 not required at ,albany1 should be sent down to ,new ,windsor and ,fishkill1 and kept in readiness2 for he knew not how soon the movements of ,general ,howe might render it suddenly necessary to transport part of his forces up the ,hudson4 ,further letters from ,schuyler urged the increasing exigencies of his situation4 ,it was harvest time4 ,the militia1 impatient at being detained from their rural labors1 were leaving him in great numbers4 ,in a council of general officers it had been thought advisable to give leave of absence to half1 lest the whole should depart4 ,he feared those who remained would do so but a few days4 ,the enemy were steadily employed cutting a road toward him from ,skenesborough4 ,in this position of affairs1 he urged to be reinforced as speedily as possible4 ,washington1 in reply1 informed him that he had ordered a further reinforcement of ,general ,glover's brigade1 which was all he could possibly furnish in his own exigencies4 ,he trusted affairs with ,schuyler would soon wear a more smiling aspect1 that the ,eastern ,states1 who were so deeply concerned in the matter1 would exert themselves by effectual succors to enable him to check the progress of the enemy and repel a danger by which they were immediately threatened4 ,i have directed ,general ,lincoln to repair to you as speedily as the state of his health1 which is not very perfect1 will permit2 this gentleman has always supported the character of a judicious1 brave1 active officer1 and he is exceedingly popular in the ,state of ,massachusetts1 to which he belongs2 he will have a degree of influence over the militia which cannot fail of being highly advantageous4 ,washington highly approved of a measure suggested by ,schuyler1 of stationing a body of troops somewhere about the ,hampshire ,grants 7,vermont17 so as to be in the rear or on the flank of ,burgoyne1 should he advance4 ,it would make the latter1 he said1 very circumspect in his advances1 if it did not entirely prevent them4 ,it would keep him in continual anxiety for his rear1 and oblige him to leave the posts behind him much stronger than he would otherwise do4 ,he advised that ,general ,lincoln should have the command of the corps thus posted1 as no person could be more proper for it4 ,but now the attention of the commander-in-chief is called to the sea-board4 ,on the #bc;d of ,july the fleet1 so long the object of watchful solicitude1 actually put to sea4 ,its destination was still a matter of conjecture4 ,just after it had sailed a young man presented himself at one of ,general ,putnam's outposts4 ,he had been a prisoner in ,new ,york1 he said1 but had received his liberty and a large reward on undertaking to be the bearer of a letter from ,general ,howe to ,burgoyne4 ,this letter his feelings of patriotism prompted him to deliver up to ,general ,putnam4 ,the letter was immediately transmitted by the general to ,washington4 ,it was in the handwriting of ,howe and bore his signature4 ,in it he informed ,burgoyne that1 instead of any designs up the ,hudson1 he was bound to the east against ,boston4 ,washington at once pronounced the letter a feint4 ,no stronger proof could be given1 said he1 that ,howe is not going to the eastward4 ,the letter was evidently intended to fall into our hands4444 ,i am persuaded more than ever that ,philadelphia is the place of destination4 ,he now set out with his army for the ,delaware1 ordering ,sullivan and ,stirling with their divisions to cross the ,hudson from ,peekskill and proceed towards ,philadelphia4 ,on the #cjth he writes from ,coryell's ,ferry1 about thirty miles from ,philadelphia1 to ,general ,gates1 who was in that city3 ,as we are yet uncertain as to the real destination of the enemy1 though the ,delaware seems the most probable1 ,i have thought it prudent to halt the army at this place1 ,howell's ,ferry1 and ,trenton1 at least till the fleet actually enters the bay and puts the matter beyond a doubt4 ,from hence we can be on the proper ground to oppose them before they can possibly make their arrangements and dispositions for an attack4444 ,as ,i shall pay no regard to any flying reports of the appearance of the fleet1 ,i shall expect an account of it from you the moment you have ascertained it to your satisfaction4 ,on the #cast he was informed that the enemy's fleet of two hundred and twenty-eight sail had arrived the day previous at the ,capes of ,delaware4 ,he instantly wrote to ,putnam to hurry on two brigades which had crossed the river1 and to let ,schuyler and the commanders in the ,eastern ,states know that they had nothing to fear from ,howe1 and might bend all their forces1 continental and militia1 against ,burgoyne4 ,in the meantime he moved his camp to ,germantown1 about six miles from ,philadelphia1 to be at hand for the defence of that city4 ,the very next day came word by express that the fleet had again sailed out of the ,capes and apparently shaped its course eastward4 ,this surprising event gives me the greatest anxiety1 writes he to ,putnam 7,aug4 #a74 ,the probability of his 7,howe7 going to the eastward is exceedingly small1 and the ill effects that might attend such a step inconsiderable in comparison with those that would inevitably attend a successful stroke on the ,highlands4 ,under this impression ,washington sent orders to ,sullivan to hasten back with his division and the two brigades which had recently left ,peekskill and to recross the ,hudson to that post as speedily as possible1 intending to forward the rest of the army with all the expedition in his power4 ,he wrote also to ,general ,george ,clinton1 to reinforce ,putnam with as many of the ,new ,york militia as could be collected4 ,clinton1 be it observed1 had just been installed governor of the ,state of ,new ,york2 the first person elevated to that office under the ,constitution4 ,he still continued in actual command of the militia of the ,state4 ,washington1 moreover1 requested ,putnam to send an express to ,governor ,trumbull1 urging assistance from the militia of his ,state without a moment's loss of time4 ,we have cited in a preceding page a letter from ,washington to ,gates at ,philadelphia1 requiring his vigilant attention to the movements of the enemy's fleet2 that ambitious officer1 however1 was engrossed at the time by matters more important to his individual interests4 ,the command of the ,northern department seemed again within his reach4 ,the evacuation of ,ticonderoga had been imputed by many either to cowardice or treachery on the part of ,general ,st4 ,clair1 and the enemies of ,schuyler had for some time past been endeavoring to involve him in the disgrace of the transaction4 ,in the eagerness to excite popular feeling against him1 old slanders were revived1 and the failure of the invasion of ,canada1 and all the subsequent disasters in that quarter1 were again laid to his charge as commanding-general of the ,northern department4 ,these charges1 which for some time existed merely in popular clamor1 had recently been taken up in ,congress1 and a strong demonstration had been made against him by some of the ,new ,england delegates4 ,your enemies in this quarter1 writes his friend1 the ,hon4 ,william ,duer 7,july #bith71 are leaving no means unessayed to blast your character4444 ,be not surprised if you should be desired to attend ,congress to give an account of the loss of ,ticonderoga4 ,with respect to the result of the inquiry ,i am under no apprehensions4 ,like gold tried in the fire1 ,i trust that you1 my dear friend1 will be found more pure and bright than ever4 ,schuyler1 in reply1 expressed his eagerness to have his conduct subjected to official investigation1 but hoped the scrutiny would be postponed until after the engagement with the enemy which was now imminent4 ,schuyler's enemies were determined1 however1 that he should be deprived of this chance of distinguishing himself1 and pushed the business so urgently in ,congress that a resolution was passed summoning both ,schuyler and ,st4 ,clair to head-quarters to account for the misfortunes in the north4 ,schuyler's unpopularity with the ,eastern troops was used as a powerful argument for this step1 it being asserted that the ,eastern militia were refusing to serve under him4 ,the nomination of his successor was left to ,washington1 who excused himself from the duty4 ,the appointment1 therefore1 was made by ,congress1 the ,eastern influence prevailed1 and ,gates received the command4 ,about this time took effect a measure of ,congress1 making a complete change in the commissariat4 ,this important and complicated department had hitherto been under the management of one commissary-general1 ,colonel ,joseph ,trumbull of ,connecticut4 ,by the new arrangement there were to be two commissaries-general1 one of purchases1 the other of issues2 each to be appointed by ,congress4 ,they were to have several deputy commissaries under them1 but accountable to ,congress1 and to be appointed and removed by that body4 ,these and many subordinate arrangements had been adopted in opposition to the opinion of ,washington1 and1 most unfortunately1 were brought into operation in the midst of this perplexed and critical campaign4 ,their first effect was to cause the resignation of ,colonel ,trumbull1 who had been nominated commissary of purchases2 and the entrance into office of a number of inexperienced men4 ,the ultimate effect was to paralyze the organization of this vital department2 to cause delay and confusion in furnishing and forwarding supplies1 and to retard and embarrass the operations of the different armies throughout the year4 ,washington had many dangers and difficulties to harass and perplex him throughout this complicated campaign1 and not among the least may be classed the stumblings of ,congress4 ,for several days ,washington remained at ,germantown in painful uncertainty about the ,british fleet2 whether gone to the south or to the east4 ,the intense heat of the weather made him unwilling again to move his army1 already excessively harassed by marchings and countermarchings4 ,concluding1 at length1 that the fleet had actually gone to the east1 he was once more on the way to recross the ,delaware1 when an express overtook him on the #ajth of ,august1 with tidings that three days before it had been seen off ,sinepuxent ,inlet1 about sixteen leagues south of the ,capes of ,delaware4 ,again he came to a halt1 and waited for further intelligence4 ,danger suggested itself from a different quarter4 ,might it not be ,howe's plan1 by thus appearing with his ships at different places1 to lure the army after him1 and thereby leave the country open for ,sir ,henry ,clinton with the troops at ,new ,york to form a junction with ,burgoyne8 ,with this idea ,washington wrote forthwith to the veteran ,putnam to be on the alert2 collect all the force he could to strengthen his post at ,peekskill1 and send down spies to ascertain whether ,sir ,henry ,clinton was actually at ,new ,york1 and what troops he had there4 ,the old general1 whose boast it was that he never slept but with one eye1 was already on the alert4 ,a circumstance had given him proof positive that ,sir ,henry was in ,new ,york1 and had roused his military ire4 ,a spy1 sent by that commander1 had been detected furtively collecting information of the force and condition of the post at ,peekskill1 and had undergone a military trial4 ,a vessel of war came up the ,hudson in all haste1 and landed a flag of truce at ,verplanck's ,point1 by which a message was transmitted to ,putnam from ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 claiming ,edmund ,palmer as a lieutenant in the ,british service4 ,the reply of the old general was brief but emphatic3 ,,head-,,quarters1 #gth ,aug41 #aggg4 ,edmund ,palmer1 an officer in the enemy's service1 was taken as a spy lurking within our lines2 he has been tried as a spy1 condemned as a spy1 and shall be executed as a spy2 and the flag is ordered to depart immediately4 ,,israel ,,putnam4 ,p4 ,s4--,he has1 accordingly1 been executed4 ,governor ,clinton1 the other guardian of the ,highlands1 and actually at his post at ,fort ,montgomery1 was equally on the alert4 ,he had faithfully followed ,washington's directions in ordering out militia from different counties to reinforce his own garrison and the army under ,schuyler4 ,one measure more was taken by ,washington1 during this interval1 in aid of the ,northern department4 ,the ,indians who accompanied ,burgoyne were objects of great dread to the ,american troops1 especially the militia4 ,as a counterpoise to them1 he now sent up ,colonel ,morgan with five hundred riflemen1 to fight them in their own way4 ,they are all chosen men1 said he1 selected from the army at large1 and well acquainted with the use of rifles and with that mode of fighting4 ,i expect the most eminent services from them1 and ,i shall be mistaken if their presence does not go far towards producing a general desertion among the savages4 ,during his encampment in the neighborhood of ,philadelphia1 ,washington was repeatedly at that city1 making himself acquainted with the military capabilities of the place and its surrounding country1 and directing the construction of fortifications on the river4 ,in one of these visits he became acquainted with the young ,marquis de ,lafayette1 who had recently arrived from ,france1 in company with a number of ,french1 ,polish1 and ,german officers1 among whom was the ,baron de ,kalb4 ,the marquis was not quite twenty years of age1 yet had already been married nearly three years to a lady of rank and fortune4 ,full of the romance of liberty1 he had torn himself from his youthful bride1 turned his back upon the gayeties and splendors of a court1 and in defiance of impediments and difficulties multiplied in his path1 had made his way to ,america to join its hazardous fortunes4 ,it was at a public dinner1 where a number of members of ,congress were present1 that ,lafayette first saw ,washington4 ,he immediately knew him1 he said1 from the officers who surrounded him1 by his commanding air and person4 ,when the party was breaking up1 ,washington took him aside1 complimented him in a gracious manner on his disinterested zeal and the generosity of his conduct1 and invited him to make head-quarters his home4 ,many days had now elapsed without further tidings of the fleet1 when the tormenting uncertainties concerning it were brought to an end by intelligence that it had actually entered the ,chesapeake and anchored at ,swan ,point1 at least two hundred miles within the capes4 ,by ,general ,howe's coming so far up the ,chesapeake1 writes ,washington1 he must mean to reach ,philadelphia by that route1 though to be sure it is a strange one4 ,the mystery of these various appearances and vanishings which had caused so much wonder and perplexity is easily explained4 ,shortly before putting to sea with the ships of war1 ,howe had sent a number of transports and a ship cut down as a floating battery up the ,hudson1 which had induced ,washington to despatch troops to the ,highlands4 ,after putting to sea1 the fleet was a week in reaching the ,capes of ,delaware4 ,when there1 the commanders were deterred from entering the river by reports of measures taken to obstruct its navigation4 ,it was then determined to make for ,chesapeake ,bay1 and approach in that way as near as possible to ,philadelphia4 ,contrary winds1 however1 kept them for a long time from getting into the bay4 ,lafayette in his memoirs describes a review of ,washington's army which he witnessed about this time4 ,eleven thousand men1 but tolerably armed and still worse clad1 presented1 he said1 a singular spectacle2 in this parti-colored and often naked state1 the best dresses were hunting shirts of brown linen4 ,their tactics were equally irregular4 ,they were arranged without regard to size1 excepting that the smallest men were the front rank3 with all this there were good-looking soldiers conducted by zealous officers4 ,the several divisions of the army had been summoned to the immediate neighborhood of ,philadelphia1 and the militia of ,pennsylvania1 ,delaware1 and the northern parts of ,virginia were called out4 ,many of the militia1 with ,colonel ,proctor's corps of artillery1 had been ordered to rendezvous at ,chester on the ,delaware1 about twelve miles below ,philadelphia2 and by ,washington's orders ,general ,wayne left his brigade under the next in command and repaired to ,chester to arrange the troops assembling there4 ,as there had been much disaffection to the cause evinced in ,philadelphia1 ,washington1 in order to encourage its friends and dishearten its enemies1 marched with the whole army through the city1 down ,front and up ,chestnut ,street4 ,great pains were taken to make the display as imposing as possible4 ,all were charged to keep to their ranks1 carry their arms well1 and step in time to the music of the drums and fifes1 collected in the centre of each brigade4 ,washington rode at the head of the troops attended by his numerous staff1 with the ,marquis ,lafayette by his side4 ,the long column of the army1 broken into divisions and brigades1 the pioneers with their axes1 the squadrons of horse1 the extended trains of artillery1 the tramp of steed1 the bray of trumpet1 and the spirit-stirring sound of drum and fife1 all had an imposing effect on a peaceful city unused to the sight of marshalled armies4 ,having marched through ,philadelphia1 the army continued on to ,wilmington at the confluence of ,christiana ,creek and the ,brandywine1 where ,washington set up his head-quarters1 his troops being encamped on the neighboring heights4 ,,chapter ,,xliv4 ,,advance ,,of ,,burgoyne4--,,battle ,,of ,,oriskany4--,,battle ,,of ,,bennington4 ,in a preceding chapter we left ,burgoyne1 early in ,july1 at ,skenesborough1 of which he had just gained possession4 ,he remained there nearly three weeks1 awaiting the arrival of the residue of his troops1 with tents1 baggage and provisions1 and preparing for his grand move towards the ,hudson ,river4 ,the progress of the army towards the ,hudson was slow and difficult1 in consequence of the impediments which ,schuyler had multiplied in his way during his long halt at ,skenesborough4 ,bridges broken down had to be rebuilt2 great trees to be removed which had been felled across the roads and into ,wood ,creek1 which stream was completely choked4 ,it was not until the latter part of ,july that ,burgoyne reached ,fort ,anne4 ,at his approach1 ,general ,schuyler retired from ,fort ,edward and took post at ,fort ,miller1 a few miles lower down the ,hudson4 ,the ,indian allies who had hitherto accompanied the ,british army1 had been more troublesome than useful4 ,they were of the tribes of ,lower ,canada1 corrupted and debased by intercourse with white men4 ,it had been found difficult to draw them from the plunder of ,ticonderoga1 or to restrain their murderous propensities4 ,a party had recently arrived of a different stamp--braves of the ,ottawa and other tribes from the upper country1 painted and decorated with savage magnificence1 and bearing trophies of former triumphs4 ,they were under the conduct of two ,french leaders2 one named ,langlade1 the other named ,st4 ,luc1 is described by ,burgoyne as a ,canadian gentleman of honor and abilities1 and one of the best partisans of the ,french in the war of #agef4 ,burgoyne trusted to his newly-arrived ,indians to give a check to the operations of ,schuyler1 knowing the terror they inspired throughout the country4 ,he was naturally a humane man1 and disliked ,indian allies1 but these had hitherto served in company with civilized troops1 and he trusted to the influence possessed over them by ,st4 ,luc and ,langlade to keep them within the usages of war4 ,a circumstance occurred1 however1 which showed how little the wild honor of these warriors of the tomahawk is to be depended upon4 ,in ,general ,fraser's division was a young officer1 ,lieutenant ,david ,jones1 an ,american loyalist4 ,his family had their home in the vicinity of ,fort ,edward before the ,revolution4 ,a mutual attachment had taken place between the youth and a beautiful girl named ,jane ,mc,crea1 who resided with her brother on the banks of the ,hudson1 a few miles below ,fort ,edward4 ,the lovers were engaged to be married1 when the breaking out of the war severed families and disturbed all the relations of life4 ,the ,joneses were royalists2 the brother of ,miss ,mc,crea was a stanch whig4 ,the former removed to ,canada1 where he joined the royal standard1 and received a lieutenant's commission4 ,the attachment between the lovers continued1 and it is probable that a correspondence was kept up between them4 ,lieutenant ,jones was now in ,fraser's camp2 in his old neighborhood4 ,miss ,mc,crea was on a visit to a widow lady1 ,mrs4 ,o',niel1 residing at ,fort ,edward4 ,the approach of ,burgoyne's army had spread an alarm through the country2 the inhabitants were flying from their homes4 ,the brother of ,miss ,mc,crea determined to remove to ,albany1 and sent for his sister to return home and make ready to accompany him4 ,she prepared1 reluctantly1 to obey1 and was to embark in a large bateaux which was to convey several families down the river4 ,the very morning when the embarkation was to take place the neighborhood was a scene of terror4 ,a marauding party of ,indians1 sent out by ,burgoyne to annoy ,general ,schuyler1 were harassing the country4 ,several of them burst into the house of ,mrs4 ,o',niel1 sacked and plundered it1 and carried off her and ,miss ,mc,crea prisoners4 ,in her fright the latter promised the savages a large reward if they would spare her life and take her in safety to the ,british camp4 ,it was a fatal promise4 ,halting at a spring1 a quarrel arose among the savages1 inflamed most probably with drink1 as to whose prize she was1 and who was entitled to the reward4 ,the dispute became furious1 and one1 in a paroxysm of rage1 killed her on the spot4 ,he completed the savage act by bearing off her scalp as a trophy4 ,general ,burgoyne was struck with horror when he heard of this bloody deed4 ,he summoned a council of the ,indian chiefs1 in which he insisted that the murderer of ,miss ,mc,crea should be given up to receive the reward of his crime4 ,the demand produced a violent agitation4 ,the culprit was a great warrior1 a chief1 and the wild honor of his brother sachems was roused in his behalf4 ,st4 ,luc took ,burgoyne aside and entreated him not to push the matter to extremities1 assuring him that from what was passing among the chiefs1 he was sure they and their warriors would all abandon the army should the delinquent be executed4 ,burgoyne was thus reluctantly brought to spare the offender1 but thenceforth made it a rule that no party of ,indians should be permitted to go forth on a foray unless under the conduct of a ,british officer1 or some other competent person who should be responsible for their behavior4#a ,footnote #a3 ,these restrictions led to ill-humor among the ,indians who soon announced their intention of returning home1 unless the restraints imposed by ,burgoyne were withdrawn4 ,burgoyne was greatly embarrassed4 ,the ,indian force was valuable and obtained at an immense expense4 ,but to his great credit he refused their demands1 and the result was that the greater part of his ,indian allies deserted him4 ,the mischief to the ,british cause1 however1 had been effected4 ,the murder of ,miss ,mc,crea resounded throughout the land1 counteracting all the benefit anticipated from the terror of ,indian hostilities4 ,those people of the frontiers who had hitherto remained quiet1 now flew to arms to defend their families and firesides4 ,in their exasperation they looked beyond the savages to their employers4 ,they abhorred an army which1 professing to be civilized1 could league itself with such barbarians2 and they execrated a government which1 pretending to reclaim them as subjects1 could let loose such fiends to desolate their homes4 ,the blood of this unfortunate girl1 therefore1 was not shed in vain4 ,armies sprang up from it4 ,her name passed as a note of alarm along the banks of the ,hudson2 it was a rallying word among the ,green ,mountains of ,vermont and brought down all their hardy yeomanry4 ,as ,burgoyne advanced to ,fort ,edward1 ,schuyler fell still further back and took post at ,saratoga1 or rather ,stillwater1 about thirty miles from ,albany4 ,he had been joined by ,major-general ,lincoln1 who1 according to ,washington's directions1 had hastened to his assistance4 ,in pursuance of ,washington's plans1 ,lincoln proceeded to ,manchester in ,vermont to take command of the militia forces collecting at that point4 ,his presence inspired new confidence in the country people1 who were abandoning their homes1 leaving their crops ungathered1 and taking refuge with their families in the lower towns4 ,he found about five hundred militia assembled at ,manchester1 under ,colonel ,seth ,warner2 others were coming on from ,new ,hampshire and ,massachusetts to protect their uncovered frontier4 ,burgoyne was now at ,fort ,edward where new difficulties beset him4 ,the horses which had been contracted for in ,canada1 for draught1 burthen and saddle1 arrived slowly and scantily4 ,artillery and munitions1 too1 of all kinds1 had to be brought from ,ticonderoga by the way of ,lake ,george4 ,these1 with a vast number of boats for freight1 or to form bridges1 it was necessary to transport over the carrying places between the lakes1 and by land from ,fort ,george to ,fort ,edward4 ,unfortunately1 the army had not the requisite supply of horses and oxen4 ,so far from being able to bring forward provisions for a march1 it was with difficulty enough could be furnished to feed the army from day to day4 ,while thus situated1 ,burgoyne received intelligence that the part of his army which he had detached from ,canada under ,colonel ,st4 ,leger1 to proceed by ,lake ,ontario and ,oswego and make a diversion on the ,mohawk1 had penetrated to that river1 and were actually investing ,fort ,stanwix1 the stronghold of that part of the country4 ,to carry out the original plan of his campaign1 it now behooved him to make a rapid move down the ,hudson1 so as to be at hand to co-operate with ,st4 ,leger on his approach to ,albany4 ,but how was he to do this1 deficient as he was in horses and vehicles for transportation8 ,in this dilemma he was informed that at ,bennington1 about twenty-four miles east of the ,hudson1 the ,americans had a great depot of horses1 carriages1 and supplies of all kind1 intended for their ,northern army1 which might easily be surprised1 being guarded by only a small militia force4 ,an expedition was immediately set on foot1 not only to surprise this place1 but to scour the country1 and bring off all horses fit for the dragoons1 or for battalion service1 with as many saddles and bridles as could be found4 ,before relating the events of this expedition1 we will turn to notice those of the detachment under ,st4 ,leger1 with which it was intended to co-operate1 and which was investing ,fort ,schuyler4 ,this fort1 built in #agef1 on the site of an old ,french fortification1 and formerly called ,fort ,stanwix1 from a ,british general of that name1 was situated on the right bank of the ,mohawk ,river1 at the head of its navigation1 and commanded the carrying-place between it and ,wood ,creek1 whence the boats passed to the ,oneida ,lake1 the ,oswego ,river1 and ,lake ,ontario4 ,it was thus a key to the intercourse between ,upper ,canada and the valley of the ,mohawk4 ,the fort was square1 with four bastions1 and was originally a place of strength--having bombproof magazines1 a deep moat and drawbridge1 a sally port and covered way4 ,in the long interval of peace subsequent to the ,french war1 it had fallen to decay4 ,recently it had been repaired by order of ,general ,schuyler1 and had received his name4 ,it was garrisoned by seven hundred and fifty ,continental troops from ,new ,york and ,massachusetts1 and was under the command of ,colonel ,gansevoort of the ,new ,york line4 ,it was a motley force which appeared before it2 ,british1 ,hessian1 ,royalist1 ,canadian and ,indian1 about seventeen hundred in all4 ,among them were ,st4 ,leger's rangers and ,sir ,john ,johnson's royalist corps1 called his greens4 ,the ,indians were led by the famous ,brant4 ,on the #c;d of ,august1 ,st4 ,leger sent in a flag with a summons to surrender4 ,it was disregarded4 ,he now set his troops to work to fortify his camp and clear obstructions from ,wood ,creek and the roads for the transportation of artillery and provisions1 and sent out scouting parties of ,indians in all directions1 to cut off all communication of the garrison with the surrounding country4 ,on the #fth of ,august1 three men made their way into the fort through a swamp which the enemy had deemed impassable4 ,they brought the cheering intelligence that ,general ,herkimer1 the veteran commander of the militia of ,tryon ,county1 was at ,oriskany1 about eight miles distant1 with upwards of eight hundred men4 ,herkimer requested ,colonel ,gansevoort1 through his two messengers1 to fire three signal-guns on receiving word of his vicinage1 upon hearing which1 he would endeavor to force his way to the fort1 depending upon the co-operation of the garrison4 ,the messengers had been despatched by ,herkimer on the evening of the #eth1 and he had calculated that they would reach the fort at a very early hour in the morning4 ,through some delay1 they did not reach it until between ten and eleven o'clock4 ,gansevoort instantly complied with the message4 ,three signal-guns were fired1 and ,colonel ,willet1 of the ,new ,york ,continentals1 with two hundred and fifty men and an iron three-pounder was detached to make a diversion by attacking that part of the enemy's camp occupied by ,johnson and his royalists4 ,the delay of the messengers in the night1 however1 disconcerted the plan of ,herkimer4 ,he marshalled his troops by daybreak and waited for the signal-guns4 ,hour after hour elapsed1 but no gun was heard4 ,his officers became impatient of delay1 and urged an immediate march4 ,colonels ,cox and ,paris were particularly urgent for an advance4 ,paris was a prominent man in ,tryon ,county1 and member of the committee of safety1 and in compliance with the wishes of that committee1 accompanied ,herkimer as his volunteer aide4 ,losing his temper in the dispute1 he accused the latter of being either a tory or a coward4 ,no1 replied the brave old man1 ,i feel toward you all as a father1 and will not lead you into a scrape from which ,i cannot extricate you4 ,his discretion1 however1 was overpowered by repeated taunts1 and he at length1 about nine o'clock1 gave the word to march4 ,the march was rather dogged and irregular4 ,there was ill-humor between the general and his officers4 ,about ten o'clock they came to a place where the road was carried on a causeway of logs across a deep marshy ravine1 between high level banks4 ,the main division descended into the ravine1 followed by the baggage-wagons4 ,they had scarcely crossed it1 when the enemies suddenly sprang up in front and on each side with deadly volleys of musketry and deafening yells and war-whoops4 ,in fact1 ,st4 ,leger1 apprised by his scouts of their intended approach1 had sent a force of ,johnson's greens1 rangers1 and ,indians to waylay them4 ,the rear-guard1 which had not entered the ravine1 retreated4 ,the main body1 though thrown into confusion1 defended themselves bravely4 ,one of those severe conflicts ensued1 common in ,indian warfare1 where the combatants take post with their rifles behind rock and tree1 or come to deadly struggle with knife and tomahawk4 ,the veteran ,herkimer was wounded early in the action4 ,a musket ball shattered his leg just below the knee1 killing his horse at the same time4 ,he made his men place him on his saddle at the foot of a large beech tree1 against the trunk of which he leaned1 continuing to give his orders4 ,the regulars attempted to charge with the bayonet1 but the ,americans formed themselves in circles back to back1 and repelled them4 ,a heavy storm of thunder and rain caused a temporary lull to the fight1 during which the patriots changed their ground4 ,some of them stationed themselves in pairs behind trees1 so that when one had fired the other could cover him until he had reloaded1 for the savages were apt to rush up with knife and tomahawk the moment a man had discharged his piece4 ,a confusion reigns over the accounts of this fight1 in which every one saw little but what occurred in his immediate vicinity4 ,the ,indians at length1 having lost many of their bravest warriors1 gave the retreating cry1 ,oonah6 ,oonah6 and fled to the woods4 ,the greens and rangers1 hearing a firing in the direction of the fort1 feared an attack upon their camp1 and hastened to its defence1 carrying off with them many prisoners4 ,the ,americans did not pursue them1 but placing their wounded on litters made of branches of trees1 returned to ,oriskany4 ,both parties have claimed the victory1 but it does not appear that either was entitled to it4 ,the ,americans had two hundred killed1 and a number wounded4 ,several of these were officers4 ,the loss of the enemy is thought to have been equally great as to numbers4 ,we may add that those who had been most urgent with ,general ,herkimer for this movement1 were among the first to suffer from it4 ,colonel ,cox was shot down at the first fire1 so was a son of ,colonel ,paris2 the colonel himself was taken prisoner1 and fell beneath the tomahawk of the famous ,red ,jacket4 ,as to ,general ,herkimer1 he was conveyed to his residence on the ,mohawk ,river1 and died nine days after the battle1 not so much from his wound as from bad surgery1 sinking gradually through loss of blood from an unskilful amputation4 ,the sortie of ,colonel ,willett had been spirited and successful4 ,he attacked the encampments of ,sir ,john ,johnson and the ,indians which were contiguous1 and strong detachments of which were absent on the ambuscade4 ,sir ,john and his men were driven to the river2 the ,indians fled to the woods4 ,willett sacked their camps2 loaded wagons with camp equipage1 clothing1 blankets1 and stores of all kinds1 seized the baggage and papers of ,sir ,john and of several of his officers1 and retreated safely to the fort1 just as ,st4 ,leger was up with a powerful reinforcement4 ,five colors1 which he had brought away with him as trophies1 were displayed under the flag of the fort1 while his men gave three cheers from the ramparts4 ,st4 ,leger now endeavored to operate on the fears of the garrison4 ,his prisoners1 it is said1 were compelled to write a letter1 giving dismal accounts of the affair of ,oriskany1 and of the impossibility of getting any succor to the garrison2 of the probability that ,burgoyne and his army were then before ,albany1 and advising surrender to prevent inevitable destruction4 ,st4 ,leger accompanied the letter with warnings that1 should the garrison persist in resistance1 he would not be able to restrain the fury of the savages1 who threatened1 if further provoked1 to revenge the deaths of their warriors and chiefs by slaughtering the garrison1 and laying waste the whole valley of the ,mohawk4 ,all this failing to shake the resolution of ,gansevoort1 ,st4 ,leger began to lose heart4 ,the fort proved more capable of defence than he had anticipated4 ,his artillery was too light1 and the ramparts1 being of sod1 were not easily battered4 ,he was obliged1 reluctantly1 to resort to the slow process of sapping and mining1 and began to make regular approaches4 ,gansevoort1 seeing the siege was likely to be protracted1 resolved to send to ,general ,schuyler for succor4 ,colonel ,willett volunteered to undertake the perilous errand4 ,he was accompanied by ,lieutenant ,stockwell1 an excellent woodsman1 who served as a guide4 ,they left the fort on the #ajth after dark1 by a sally port1 passed by the ,british sentinels and close by the ,indian camp without being discovered1 and made their way through bog and morass and pathless forests and all kinds of risks and hardships until they reached the ,german ,flats on the ,mohawk4 ,here ,willett procured a couple of horses1 and by dint of hoof arrived at the camp of ,general ,schuyler at ,stillwater4 ,schuyler was in ,albany in the early part of ,august1 making stirring appeals in every direction for reinforcements4 ,burgoyne was advancing upon him2 he had received news of the disastrous affair of ,oriskany1 and the death of ,general ,herkimer1 and ,tryon ,county was crying to him for assistance4 ,one of his appeals was to the veteran ,john ,stark4 ,he had his farm in the ,hampshire ,grants1 and his name was a tower of strength among the ,green ,mountain ,boys4 ,but ,stark was soured with government and had retired from service1 his name having been omitted in the list of promotions4 ,hearing that he was on a visit to ,lincoln's camp at ,manchester1 ,schuyler wrote to that general3 ,assure ,general ,stark that ,i have acquainted ,congress of his situation1 and that ,i trust and entreat he will in the present alarming crisis waive his right2 the greater the sacrifice he makes to his feelings1 the greater will be the honor due to him for not having suffered any consideration whatever to come in competition with the weal of his country4 ,schuyler had instant call to practise the very virtue he was inculcating4 ,he was about to mount his horse on the #ajth to return to the camp at ,stillwater1 when a despatch from ,congress was put into his hand containing the resolves which recalled him to attend a court of inquiry about the affair of ,ticonderoga4 ,schuyler felt deeply the indignity of being thus recalled at a time when an engagement was apparently at hand1 but endeavored to console himself with the certainty that a thorough investigation of his conduct would prove how much he was entitled to the thanks of his country4 ,he intimated the same in his reply to ,congress2 in the meantime he considered it his duty to remain at his post until his successor should arrive1 or some officer in the department be nominated to the command4 ,his first care was to send relief to ,gansevoort and his beleaguered garrison4 ,eight hundred men were all that he could spare from his army in its present threatened state4 ,a spirited and effective officer was wanted to lead them4 ,arnold was in camp2 recently sent on as an efficient coadjutor by ,washington4 ,he stepped promptly forward1 and volunteered to lead the enterprise4 ,after the departure of this detachment1 it was unanimously determined in a council of war of ,schuyler and his general officers1 that the post at ,stillwater was altogether untenable with their actual force2 part of the army1 therefore1 retired to the islands at the fords on the mouth of the ,mohawk ,river1 where it empties into the ,hudson1 and a brigade was posted above the ,falls of the ,mohawk1 called the ,cohoes1 to prevent the enemy from crossing there4 ,it was considered a strong position1 where they could not be attacked without great disadvantage to the assailant4 ,we will now take a view of occurrences on the right and left of ,burgoyne1 and show the effect of ,schuyler's measures1 poorly seconded as they were in crippling and straitening the invading army4 ,and first we will treat of the expedition against ,bennington4 ,generals ,phillips and ,riedesel demurred strongly to the expedition1 but their counsels were outweighed by those of ,colonel ,skene an influential and worthy royalist1 the founder of ,skenesborough4 ,he knew1 he said1 all the country thereabout4 ,the inhabitants were as five to one in favor of the royal cause1 and would be prompt to turn out on the first appearance of a protecting army4 ,he was to accompany the expedition1 and much was expected from his personal influence and authority4 ,lieutenant-colonel ,baum was to command the detachment4 ,he had under him1 according to ,burgoyne1 two hundred dismounted dragoons of the regiment of ,riedesel1 ,captain ,fraser's marksmen1 which were the only ,british1 all the ,canadian volunteers1 a party of the provincials who perfectly knew the country1 one hundred ,indians1 and two light pieces of cannon4 ,the whole detachment amounted to about five hundred men4 ,to be nearer at hand in case assistance should be required1 ,burgoyne encamped on the east side of the ,hudson1 nearly opposite ,saratoga1 throwing over a bridge of boats by which ,general ,fraser1 with the advanced guard1 crossed to that place4 ,colonel ,baum set out from camp at break of day on the #acth of ,august4 ,he was too slow a man to take a place by surprise4 ,the people of ,bennington heard of his approach and were on the alert4 ,the veteran ,stark was there with eight or nine hundred troops4 ,during the late alarms the militia of the ,state had been formed into two brigades1 one to be commanded by ,general ,william ,whipple2 ,stark had with difficulty been prevailed upon to accept the command of the other1 upon the express condition that he should not be obliged to join the main army but should be left to his own discretion to make war in his own partisan style1 hovering about the enemy in their march through the country1 and accountable to none but the authorities of ,new ,hampshire4 ,having heard that ,indians had appeared at ,cambridge1 twelve miles to the north of ,bennington1 on the #acth1 he sent out two hundred men under ,colonel ,gregg in quest of them4 ,in the course of the night he learnt that they were mere scouts in advance of a force marching upon ,bennington4 ,he immediately rallied his brigade1 called out the militia of the neighborhood1 and sent off for ,colonel ,seth ,warner and his regiment of militia who were with ,general ,lincoln at ,manchester4 ,lincoln instantly detached them1 and ,warner and his men marched all night through drenching rain1 arriving at ,stark's camp in the morning1 dripping wet4 ,stark left them at ,bennington to dry and rest themselves and then to follow on2 in the meantime he pushed forward with his men to support the party sent out the preceding day under ,gregg1 in quest of the ,indians4 ,he met them about five miles off in full retreat1 ,baum and his force a mile in their rear4 ,he halted and prepared for action4 ,baum also halted1 posted himself on a high ground at a bend of the little river ,walloomscoick and began to intrench himself4 ,stark fell back a mile to wait for reinforcements and draw down ,baum from his strong position4 ,a skirmish took place between the advance guards2 thirty of ,baum's men were killed and two ,indian chiefs4 ,an incessant rain on the #aeth prevented an attack on ,baum's camp1 but there was continual skirmishing4 ,the colonel strengthened his intrenchments1 and finding he had a larger force to contend with than he had anticipated1 sent off in all haste to ,burgoyne for reinforcements4 ,colonel ,breyman marched off immediately with five hundred ,hessian grenadiers and infantry and two six-pounders1 leaving behind him his tents1 baggage1 and standards4 ,in the meantime the ,americans had been mustering from all quarters to ,stark's assistance1 with such weapons as they had at hand4 ,during the night of the #aeth1 ,colonel ,symonds arrived with a body of ,berkshire militia4 ,on the following morning the sun shone bright1 and ,stark prepared to attack ,baum in his intrenchments2 though he had no artillery1 and his men1 for the most part1 had only their ordinary brown firelocks without bayonets4 ,two hundred of his men1 under ,colonel ,nichols1 were detached to the rear of the enemy's left2 three hundred under ,colonel ,herrick1 to the rear of his right2 they were to join their forces and attack him in the rear1 while ,colonels ,hubbard and ,stickney1 with two hundred men1 diverted his attention in front4 ,at the first sound of fire-arms1 ,stark1 who had remained with the main body in camp1 mounted his horse and gave the word1 forward6 ,he had promised his men the plunder of the ,british camp4 ,the homely speech made by him when in sight of the enemy1 has often been cited4 ,now1 my men6 ,there are the red coats6 ,before night they must be ours1 or ,molly ,stark will be a widow6 ,baum soon found himself assailed on every side1 but he defended his works bravely4 ,his two pieces of artillery1 advantageously planted1 were very effective1 and his troops1 if slow in march1 were steady in action4 ,stark inspired his men with his own impetuosity4 ,they drove the royalist troops upon the ,hessians1 and pressing after them stormed the works with irresistible fury4 ,a ,hessian eye-witness declares that this time the rebels fought with desperation1 pressing within eight paces of the loaded cannon to take surer aim at the artillerists4 ,the latter were slain2 the cannon captured4 ,the royalists and ,canadians took to flight1 and escaped to the woods4 ,the ,germans still kept their ground and fought bravely1 until there was not a cartridge left4 ,baum and his dragoons then took to their broadswords1 and the infantry to their bayonets1 and endeavored to cut their way to a road in the woods1 but in vain2 many were killed1 more wounded1 ,baum among the number1 and all who survived were taken prisoners4 ,the victors now dispersed1 some to collect booty1 some to attend to the wounded1 some to guard the prisoners1 and some to seek refreshment1 being exhausted by hunger and fatigue4 ,at this critical juncture1 ,breyman's tardy reinforcement came1 making its way heavily and slowly to the scene of action1 joined by many of the enemy who had fled4 ,attempts were made to rally the militia2 but they were in complete confusion4 ,nothing would have saved them from defeat1 had not ,colonel ,seth ,warner's corps fortunately arrived from ,bennington1 fresh from repose1 and advanced to meet the enemy1 while the others regained their ranks4 ,it was four o'clock in the afternoon when this second action commenced4 ,it was fought from wood to wood and hill to hill1 for several miles1 until sunset4 ,the last stand of the enemy was at ,van ,schaick's mill1 where1 having expended all their ammunition1 of which each man had forty rounds1 they gave way1 and retreated1 under favor of the night1 leaving two field-pieces and all their baggage in the hands of the ,americans4 ,four brass field-pieces1 nine hundred dragoon swords1 a thousand stand of arms1 and four ammunition wagons were the spoils of this victory4 ,thirty-two officers1 five hundred and sixty-four privates1 including ,canadians and loyalists1 were taken prisoners4 ,the number of slain was very considerable1 but could not be ascertained2 many having fallen in the woods4 ,the brave but unfortunate ,baum did not long survive4 ,the ,americans had one hundred killed and wounded4 ,arnold's march to the relief of ,fort ,stanwix was slower than suited his ardent and impatient spirit4 ,he was detained in the valley of the ,mohawk by bad roads1 by the necessity of waiting for baggage and ammunition wagons1 and for militia recruits who turned out reluctantly4 ,conscious of the smallness of his force1 he had resorted to stratagem1 sending emissaries ahead to spread exaggerated reports of the number of his troops1 so as to work on the fears of the enemy's ,indian allies and induce them to desert4 ,the most important of these emissaries was one ,yan ,yost ,cuyler1 an eccentric1 half-witted fellow1 known throughout the country as a rank tory4 ,he had been convicted as a spy1 and only spared from the halter on the condition that he would go into ,st4 ,leger's camp1 and spread alarming reports among the ,indians1 by whom he was well known4 ,to insure a faithful discharge of his mission1 ,arnold detained his brother as a hostage4 ,on his way up the ,mohawk ,valley1 ,arnold was joined by a ,new ,york regiment1 under ,colonel ,james ,livingston1 sent by ,gates to reinforce him4 ,on arriving at the ,german ,flats he received an express from ,colonel ,gansevoort1 informing him that he was still besieged1 but in high spirits and under no apprehensions4 ,all this while ,st4 ,leger was advancing his parallels and pressing the siege2 while provisions and ammunition were rapidly decreasing within the fort4 ,st ,leger's ,indian allies1 however1 were growing sullen and intractable4 ,this slow kind of warfare1 this war with the spade1 they were unaccustomed to1 and they by no means relished it4 ,at this juncture1 scouts brought word that a force one thousand strong was marching to the relief of the fort4 ,eager to put his savages in action1 ,st4 ,leger1 in a council of war1 offered to their chiefs to place himself at their head1 with three hundred of his best troops1 and meet the enemy as they advanced4 ,it was agreed1 and they sallied forth together to choose a fighting ground4 ,by this time rumors stole into the camp doubling the number of the approaching enemy4 ,burgoyne's whole army were said to have been defeated4 ,lastly came ,yan ,yost ,cuyler1 with his coat full of bullet-holes1 giving out that he had escaped from the hands of the ,americans1 and had been fired upon by them4 ,his story was believed1 for he was known to be a royalist4 ,mingling among his old acquaintances1 the ,indians1 he assured them that the ,americans were close at hand1 and numerous as the leaves on the trees4 ,arnold's stratagem succeeded4 ,the ,indians1 fickle as the winds1 began to desert4 ,sir ,john ,johnson and ,colonels ,claus and ,butler endeavored in vain to reassure and retain them4 ,in a little while two hundred had decamped1 and the rest threatened to do so likewise1 unless ,st4 ,leger retreated4 ,the unfortunate colonel found too late what little reliance was to be placed upon ,indian allies4 ,he determined1 on the #bb;d1 to send off his sick1 his wounded1 and his artillery by ,wood ,creek that very night1 and to protect them by the line of march4 ,the ,indians1 however1 goaded on by ,arnold's emissaries1 insisted on instant retreat4 ,st4 ,leger still refused to depart before nightfall4 ,the savages now became ungovernable4 ,they seized upon liquor of the officers about to be embarked1 and getting intoxicated behaved like very fiends4 ,in a word ,st4 ,leger was obliged to decamp about noon in such hurry and confusion that he left his tents standing1 and his artillery1 with most of his baggage1 ammunition and stores1 fell into the hands of the ,americans4 ,a detachment from the garrison pursued and harassed him for a time2 but his greatest annoyance was from his ,indian allies1 who plundered the boats which conveyed such baggage as had been brought off2 murdered all stragglers who lagged in the rear1 and amused themselves by giving false alarms to keep up the panic of the soldiery1 who would throw away muskets1 knapsacks1 and everything that impeded their flight4 ,it was not until he reached ,onondaga ,falls1 that ,st4 ,leger discovered by a letter from ,burgoyne1 and floating reports brought by the bearer1 that he had been the dupe of a ruse de guerre1 and that at the time the advancing foe were reported to be close upon his haunches1 they were not within forty miles of him4 ,such was the second blow to ,burgoyne's invading army2 but before the news of it reached that doomed commander1 he had already been half paralyzed by the disaster at ,bennington4 ,means were now augmenting in ,schuyler's hands4 ,colonels ,livingston and ,pierre van ,cortlandt1 forwarded by ,putnam1 were arrived4 ,governor ,clinton was daily expected with ,new ,york militia from the ,highlands4 ,the arrival of ,arnold was anticipated with troops and artillery1 and ,lincoln with the ,new ,england militia4 ,at this propitious moment1 when everything was ready for the sickle to be put into the harvest1 ,general ,gates arrived in the camp4 ,schuyler received him with the noble courtesy to which he pledged himself4 ,after acquainting him with all the affairs of the department1 the measures he had taken and those he had projected1 he informed him of his having signified to ,congress his intention to remain in that quarter for the present and render every service in his power1 and he entreated ,gates to call upon him for council and assistance whenever he thought proper4 ,gates was in high spirits4 ,his letters to ,washington show how completely he was aware that an easy path of victory had been opened to him4 ,but so far was he from responding to ,schuyler's magnanimity1 and profiting by his nobly offered counsel and assistance1 that he did not even ask him to be present at his first council of war1 although he invited up ,general ,ten ,broeck of the militia from ,albany to attend it4 ,,chapter ,,xlv4 ,,battle ,,of ,,the ,,brandywine4--,,fall ,,of ,,philadelphia4 ,on the #beth of ,august the ,british army under ,general ,howe began to land from the fleet in ,elk ,river1 at the bottom of ,chesapeake ,bay4 ,the place where they landed was about six miles below the ,head of ,elk 7now ,elkton71 a small town1 the capital of ,cecil ,county4 ,this was seventy miles from ,philadelphia4 ,early in the evening ,washington received intelligence that the enemy were landing4 ,there was a quantity of public and private stores at the ,head of ,elk which he feared would fall into their hands if they moved quickly4 ,every attempt was to be made to check them4 ,the divisions of ,generals ,greene and ,stephen were within a few miles of ,wilmington2 orders were sent for them to march thither immediately4 ,the two other divisions which had halted at ,chester to refresh were to hurry forward4 ,major-general ,armstrong1 who now commanded the ,pennsylvania militia1 was urged to send down in the cool of the night all the men he could muster1 properly armed4 ,general ,rodney1 who commanded the ,delaware militia1 was ordered to throw out scouts and patrols toward the enemy to watch their motions2 and to move near them with his troops as soon as he should be reinforced by the ,maryland militia4 ,light troops were sent out early in the morning to hover about and harass the invaders4 ,the country was in a great state of alarm4 ,the inhabitants were hurrying off their most valuable effects1 so that it was difficult to procure cattle and vehicles to remove the public stores4 ,the want of horses1 and the annoyances given by the ,american light troops1 however1 kept ,howe from advancing promptly1 and gave time for the greater part of the stores to be saved4 ,to allay the public alarm1 ,howe issued a proclamation on the #bgth1 promising the strictest regularity and order on the part of his army2 with security of person and property to all who remained quietly at home1 and pardon to those under arms1 who should promptly return to their obedience4 ,the divisions of ,generals ,greene and ,stephen were now stationed several miles in advance of ,wilmington1 behind ,white ,clay ,creek1 about ten miles from the ,head of ,elk4 ,general ,smallwood and ,colonel ,gist had been directed by ,congress to take command of the militia of ,maryland1 who were gathering on the western shore1 and ,washington sent them orders to co-operate with ,general ,rodney and get in the rear of the enemy4 ,washington now felt the want of ,morgan and his riflemen1 whom he had sent to assist the ,northern army2 to supply their place1 he formed a corps of light troops1 by drafting a hundred men from each brigade4 ,the command was given to ,major-general ,maxwell1 who was to hover about the enemy and give them continual annoyance4 ,the army about this time was increased by the arrival of ,general ,sullivan and his division of three thousand men4 ,he had recently1 while encamped at ,hanover in ,jersey1 made a gallant attempt to surprise and capture a corps of one thousand provincials stationed on ,staten ,island1 at a distance from the fortified camp1 and opposite the ,jersey shore4 ,the attempt was partially successful2 a number of the provincials were captured2 but the regulars came to the rescue4 ,sullivan had not brought sufficient boats to secure a retreat4 ,his rear-guard was captured while waiting for the return of the boats1 yet not without a sharp resistance4 ,there was loss on both sides1 but the ,americans suffered most4 ,congress had directed ,washington to appoint a court of inquiry to investigate the matter2 in the meantime1 ,sullivan1 whose gallantry remained undoubted1 continued in command4 ,there were now in camp several of those officers and gentlemen from various parts of ,europe who had recently pressed into the service1 and the suitable employment of whom had been a source of much perplexity to ,washington4 ,general ,deborre1 the ,french veteran of thirty years' service1 commanded a brigade in ,sullivan's division4 ,brigadier-general ,conway1 the ,gallicized ,hibernian1 was in the division of ,lord ,stirling4 ,beside these1 there was ,louis ,fleury1 a ,french gentleman of noble descent1 who had been educated as an engineer1 and had come out at the opening of the ,revolution to offer his services4 ,washington had obtained for him a captain's commission4 ,another officer of distinguished merit1 was the ,count ,pulaski1 a ,pole1 recommended by ,dr4 ,franklin as an officer famous throughout ,europe for his bravery and conduct in defence of the liberties of his country against ,russia1 ,austria and ,prussia4 ,at this time ,henry ,lee of ,virginia1 of military renown1 makes his first appearance4 ,he was in the twenty-second year of his age1 and in the preceding year had commanded a company of ,virginia volunteers4 ,he had recently signalized himself in scouting parties1 harassing the enemy's pickets4 ,his adventurous exploits soon won him notoriety and the popular appellation of ,light-horse ,harry4 ,he was favorably noticed by ,washington throughout the war4 ,several days were now passed by the commander-in-chief almost continually in the saddle1 reconnoitring the roads and passes1 and making himself acquainted with the surrounding country1 which was very much intersected by rivers and small streams1 running chiefly from northwest to southeast4 ,he had now made up his mind to risk a battle in the open field4 ,it is true his troops were inferior to those of the enemy in number1 equipments and discipline4 ,many of them were militia or raw recruits1 yet the divisions of the army had acquired a facility at moving in large masses1 and were considerably improved in military tactics4 ,at any rate1 it would never do to let ,philadelphia1 at that time the capital of the ,states1 fall without a blow4 ,public impatience called for a battle2 it was expected even by ,europe2 his own valiant spirit required it1 though hitherto he had been held in check by superior considerations of expediency and by the controlling interference of ,congress4 ,the ,british army having effected a landing1 it was formed into two divisions4 ,one1 under ,sir ,william ,howe1 was stationed at ,elkton1 with its advanced guard at ,gray's ,hill1 about two miles off4 ,the other division1 under ,general ,knyphausen1 was on the opposite side of the ferry at ,cecil ,court ,house4 ,on the #c;d of ,september the enemy advanced in considerable force1 with three field-pieces1 moving with great caution1 as the country was difficult1 woody and not well known to them4 ,about three miles in front of ,white ,clay ,creek1 their vanguard was encountered by ,general ,maxwell and his light troops1 and a severe skirmish took place4 ,the fire of the ,american sharpshooters and riflemen as usual1 was very effective2 but being inferior in number and having no artillery1 ,maxwell was compelled to retreat across ,white ,clay ,creek1 with the loss of about forty killed and wounded4 ,the loss of the enemy was supposed to be much greater4 ,the main body of the ,american army was now encamped on the east side of ,red ,clay ,creek1 on the road leading from ,elkton to ,philadelphia4 ,the light-infantry were in the advance1 at ,white ,clay ,creek4 ,the armies were from eight to ten miles apart4 ,in this position1 ,washington determined to await the threatened attack4 ,his numerical force at this time was about fifteen thousand men1 but from sickness and other causes the effective force1 militia included1 did not exceed eleven thousand1 and most of these indifferently armed and equipped4 ,the strength of the ,british was computed at eighteen thousand men1 but1 it is thought1 not more than fifteen thousand were brought into action4 ,on the #hth1 the enemy advanced in two columns--one appeared preparing to attack the ,americans in front1 while the other extended its left up the west side of the creek1 halting at ,milltown1 somewhat to the right of the ,american position4 ,washington now suspected an intention on the part of ,sir ,william ,howe to march by his right1 suddenly pass the ,brandywine1 gain the heights north of that stream and cut him off from ,philadelphia4 ,he summoned a council of war1 therefore1 that evening1 in which it was determined immediately to change their position1 and move to the river in question4 ,by two o'clock in the morning1 the army was under march1 and by the next evening was encamped on the high grounds in the rear of the ,brandywine4 ,the enemy on the same evening moved to ,kennet ,square1 about seven miles from the ,american position4 ,illustration3 ,,head-,,quarters ,,at ,,brandywine4 ,vol4 ,,iii4 ,the ,brandywine ,creek1 as it is called1 commences with two branches1 called the ,east and ,west branches1 which unite in one stream1 flowing from west to east about twenty-two miles1 and emptying itself into the ,delaware about twenty-five miles below ,philadelphia4 ,it has several fords2 one called ,chadd's ,ford1 was at that time the most practicable1 and in the direct route from the enemy's camp to ,philadelphia4 ,as the principal attack was expected here1 ,washington made it the centre of his position1 where he stationed the main body of his army1 composed of ,wayne's1 ,weedon's1 and ,muhlenberg's brigades1 with the light-infantry under ,maxwell4 ,an eminence immediately above the ford had been intrenched in the night1 and was occupied by ,wayne and ,proctor's artillery4 ,weedon's and ,muhlenberg's brigades1 which were ,virginian troops1 and formed ,general ,greene's division1 were posted in the rear on the heights as a reserve to aid either wing of the army4 ,with these ,washington took his stand4 ,maxwell's light-infantry were thrown in the advance1 south of the ,brandywine1 and posted on high ground each side of the road leading to the ford4 ,the right wing of the army commanded by ,sullivan1 and composed of his division and those of ,stephen and ,stirling1 extended up the ,brandywine two miles beyond ,washington's position4 ,its light troops and videttes were distributed quite up to the forks4 ,the left wing1 composed of the ,pennsylvania militia1 under ,major-general ,armstrong1 was stationed about a mile and a half below the main body1 to protect the lower fords1 where the least danger was apprehended4 ,early on the morning of the #aath1 a great column of troops was descried advancing on the road leading to ,chadd's ,ford4 ,a skirt of the woods concealed its force1 but it was supposed to be the main body of the enemy2 if so1 a general conflict was at hand4 ,the ,americans were immediately drawn out in order of battle4 ,washington rode along the front of the ranks1 and was everywhere received with acclamations4 ,a sharp firing of small arms soon told that ,maxwell's light-infantry were engaged with the vanguard of the enemy4 ,the skirmishing was kept up for some time with spirit1 when ,maxwell was driven across the ,brandywine below the ford4 ,the enemy1 who had advanced but slowly1 did not attempt to follow1 but halted on commanding ground1 and appeared to reconnoitre the ,american position with a view to an attack4 ,a heavy cannonading commenced on both sides1 about ten o'clock4 ,the enemy made repeated dispositions to force the ford1 which brought on as frequent skirmishes on both sides of the river1 for detachments of the light troops occasionally crossed over4 ,towards noon came an express from ,sullivan1 with a note received from a scouting party1 reporting that ,general ,howe1 with a large body of troops and a park of artillery1 was pushing up the ,lancaster road1 doubtless to cross at the upper fords and turn the right flank of the ,american position4 ,startled by the information1 ,washington instantly sent off ,colonel ,theodoric ,bland1 with a party of horse1 to reconnoitre above the forks and ascertain the truth of the report4 ,in the meantime he resolved to cross the ford1 attack the division in front of him with his whole force1 and rout it before the other could arrive4 ,he gave orders for both wings to co-operate1 when1 as ,sullivan was preparing to cross1 ,major ,spicer of the militia rode up1 just from the forks1 and assured him there was no enemy in that quarter4 ,sullivan instantly transmitted the intelligence to ,washington1 whereupon the movement was suspended until positive information could be obtained4 ,after a time came a man of the neighborhood1 ,thomas ,cheyney by name1 spurring in all haste1 the mare he rode in foam1 and himself out of breath4 ,dashing up to the commander-in-chief1 he informed him that he must instantly move1 or he would be surrounded4 ,he had come upon the enemy unawares2 had been pursued and fired upon1 but the fleetness of his mare had saved him4 ,the main body of the ,british was coming down on the east side of the stream1 and was near at hand4 ,another despatch from ,sullivan corroborated the story4 ,colonel ,bland1 whom ,washington had sent to reconnoitre above the forks1 had seen the enemy two miles in the rear of ,sullivan's right1 marching down at a rapid rate1 while a cloud of dust showed that there were more troops behind them4 ,in fact1 ,knyphausen with a small division had engrossed the attention of the ,americans by a feigned attack at ,chadd's ,ford1 kept up with great noise and prolonged by skirmishes2 while the main body of the army under ,cornwallis1 led by experienced guides1 had made a circuit of seventeen miles1 crossed the two forks of the ,brandywine1 and arrived in the neighborhood of ,birmingham meeting-house1 two miles to the right of ,sullivan4 ,it was a capital stratagem1 secretly and successfully conducted4 ,finding that ,cornwallis had thus gained the rear of the army1 ,washington sent orders to ,sullivan to oppose him with the whole right wing1 each brigade attacking as soon as it arrived upon the ground4 ,wayne1 in the meantime1 was to keep ,knyphausen at bay at the ford1 and ,greene1 with the reserve1 to hold himself ready to give aid wherever required4 ,lafayette1 as a volunteer1 had hitherto accompanied the commander-in-chief1 but now1 seeing there was likely to be warm work with the right wing1 he obtained permission to join ,sullivan1 and spurred off with his aide-de-camp to the scene of action4 ,illustration3 ,,maps ,,of ,,the ,,battle ,,of ,,brandywine4 ,sullivan on receiving ,washington's orders1 advanced with his own1 ,stephen's and ,stirling's divisions1 and began to form a line in front of an open piece of wood4 ,the time which had been expended in transmitting intelligence1 receiving orders1 and marching1 had enabled ,cornwallis to choose his ground and prepare for action4 ,still more time was given him from the apprehension of the three generals1 upon consultation1 of being out-flanked upon the right1 and that the gap between ,sullivan's and ,stephen's divisions was too wide1 and should be closed up4 ,orders were accordingly given for the whole line to move to the right2 and while in execution1 ,cornwallis advanced rapidly with his troops in the finest order1 and opened a brisk fire of musketry and artillery4 ,the ,americans made an obstinate resistance1 but being taken at a disadvantage1 the right and left wings were broken and driven into the woods4 ,the centre stood firm for a while1 but being exposed to the whole fire of the enemy1 gave way at length also4 ,the ,british1 in following up their advantage1 got entangled in the wood4 ,lafayette had thrown himself from his horse and was endeavoring to rally the troops1 when he was shot through the leg with a musket ball1 and had to be assisted into the saddle by his aide-de-camp4 ,the ,americans rallied on a height to the north of ,dilworth1 and made a still more spirited resistance than at first1 but were again dislodged and obliged to retreat with a heavy loss4 ,while this was occurring with the right wing1 ,knyphausen1 as soon as he learnt from the heavy firing that ,cornwallis was engaged1 made a push to force his way across ,chadd's ,ford in earnest4 ,he was vigorously opposed by ,wayne with ,proctor's artillery1 aided by ,maxwell and his infantry4 ,greene was preparing to second him with the reserve1 when he was summoned by ,washington to the support of the right wing2 which the commander-in-chief had found in imminent peril4 ,greene advanced to the relief with such celerity1 that it is said1 on good authority1 his division accomplished the march1 or rather run1 of five miles in less than fifty minutes4 ,he arrived too late to save the battle1 but in time to protect the broken masses of the left wing which he met in full flight4 ,opening his ranks from time to time for the fugitives and closing them the moment they had passed1 he covered their retreat by a sharp and well-directed fire from his field-pieces4 ,his grand stand was made at a place about a mile beyond ,dilworth1 which in reconnoitring the neighborhood ,washington had pointed out to him1 as well calculated for a second position1 should the army be driven out of the first4 ,weedon's brigade was drawn up in a narrow defile1 flanked on both sides by woods1 and perfectly commanding the road2 while ,greene1 with ,muhlenberg's brigade1 passing to the right took his station on the road4 ,the ,british came on impetuously1 expecting but faint opposition4 ,they met with a desperate resistance and were repeatedly driven back4 ,weedon's brigade on the left maintained its stand also with great obstinacy1 and the check given to the enemy by these two brigades allowed time for the broken troops to retreat4 ,weedon was at length compelled by superior numbers to seek the protection of the other brigade1 which he did in good order1 and ,greene gradually drew off the whole division in face of the enemy1 who1 checked by this vigorous resistance1 and seeing the day far spent1 gave up all further pursuit4 ,the brave stand made by these brigades had likewise been a great protection to ,wayne4 ,he had for a long time withstood the attacks of the enemy at ,chadd's ,ford1 until the approach on the right of some of the enemy's troops1 who had been entangled in the woods1 showed him that the right wing had been routed4 ,he now gave up the defence of his post and retreated by the ,chester road4 ,knyphausen's troops were too fatigued to pursue him1 and the others had been kept back1 as we have shown1 by ,greene's division4 ,so ended the varied conflict of the day4 ,lafayette gives an animated picture of the general retreat in which he became entangled4 ,all around him was headlong terror and confusion4 ,chester road1 the common retreat of the broken fragments of the army from every quarter1 was crowded with fugitives1 with cannon1 with baggage cars1 all hurrying forward pell-mell1 and obstructing each other4 ,at ,chester1 twelve miles from the field of battle1 there was a deep stream with a bridge1 over which the fugitives would have to pass4 ,here ,lafayette set a guard to prevent their further flight4 ,the commander-in-chief arriving soon after with ,greene and his gallant division1 some degree of order was restored1 and the whole army took its post behind ,chester for the night4 ,the scene of this battle1 which decided the fate of ,philadelphia1 was within six and twenty miles of that city1 and each discharge of cannon could be heard there4 ,the two parties of the inhabitants1 whig and tory1 were to be seen in separate groups in the squares and public places1 waiting the event in anxious silence4 ,at length a courier arrived4 ,his tidings spread consternation among the friends of liberty4 ,many left their homes2 entire families abandoned everything in terror and despair1 and took refuge in the mountains4 ,congress1 that same evening determined to quit the city and repair to ,lancaster1 whence they subsequently removed to ,yorktown4 ,notwithstanding the rout and precipitate retreat of the ,american army1 ,sir ,william ,howe did not press the pursuit1 but passed the night on the field of battle1 and remained the two following days at ,dilworth1 sending out detachments to take post at ,concord and ,chester1 and seize on ,wilmington1 whither the sick and wounded were conveyed4 ,washington1 as usual1 profited by the inactivity of ,howe2 quietly retreating through ,derby 7on the #abth7 across the ,schuylkill to ,germantown1 within a short distance of ,philadelphia1 where he gave his troops a day's repose4 ,finding them in good spirits and in nowise disheartened by the recent affair1 which they seemed to consider a check rather than a defeat1 he resolved to seek the enemy again and give him battle4 ,as preliminary measures1 he left some of the ,pennsylvania militia in ,philadelphia to guard the city2 others1 under ,general ,armstrong1 were posted at the various passes of the ,schuylkill1 with orders to throw up works2 the floating bridge on the lower road was to be unmoored1 and the boats collected and taken across the river4 ,having taken these precautions against any hostile movement by the lower road1 ,washington recrossed the ,schuylkill on the #adth1 and advanced along the ,lancaster road1 with the intention of turning the left flank of the enemy4 ,howe1 apprised of his intention1 made a similar disposition to outflank him4 ,the two armies came in sight of each other near the ,warren ,tavern1 twenty-three miles from ,philadelphia1 and were on the point of engaging1 but were prevented by a violent storm of rain which lasted for four and twenty hours4 ,this inclement weather was particularly distressing to the ,americans1 who were scantily clothed1 most of them destitute of blankets1 and separated from their tents and baggage4 ,the rain penetrated their cartridge-boxes and the ill-fitted locks of their muskets1 rendering the latter useless1 being deficient in bayonets4 ,in this plight1 ,washington gave up for the present all thought of attacking the enemy1 as their discipline in the use of the bayonet1 with which they were universally furnished1 would give them a great superiority in action4 ,the only aim at present was to get to some dry and secure place where the army might repose and refit4 ,all day and for a great part of the night they marched under a cold and pelting rain1 and through deep and miry roads to the ,yellow ,springs1 thence to ,warwick1 on ,french ,creek4 ,at ,warwick furnace1 ammunition and a few muskets were obtained1 to aid in disputing the passage of the ,schuylkill1 and the advance of the enemy on ,philadelphia4 ,from ,french ,creek1 ,wayne was detached with his division to get in the rear of the enemy1 form a junction with ,general ,smallwood and the ,maryland militia1 and1 keeping themselves concealed1 watch for an opportunity to cut off ,howe's baggage and hospital train2 in the meantime ,washington crossed the ,schuylkill at ,parker's ,ford and took a position to defend that pass of the river4 ,wayne set off in the night1 and by a circuitous march got within three miles of the left wing of the ,british encamped at ,trydraffin1 and concealing himself in a wood1 waited the arrival of ,smallwood and his militia4 ,at daybreak he reconnoitred the camp where ,howe1 checked by the severity of the weather1 had contented himself with uniting his columns1 and remained under shelter4 ,all day ,wayne hovered about the camp2 there were no signs of marching2 all kept quiet but lay too compact to be attacked with prudence4 ,he sent repeated messages to ,washington describing the situation of the enemy4 ,i believe he knows nothing of my situation1 as ,i have taken every precaution to prevent any intelligence getting to him4 ,his motions1 however1 had not been so secret as he imagined4 ,he was in a part of the country full of the disaffected1 and ,sir ,william had received accurate information of his force and where he was encamped4 ,general ,gray1 with a strong detachment1 was sent to surprise him at night in his lair4 ,late in the evening1 when ,wayne had set his pickets and sentinels and thrown out his patrols1 a countryman brought him word of the meditated attack4 ,he doubted the intelligence1 but strengthened his pickets and patrols1 and ordered his troops to sleep upon their arms4 ,at eleven o'clock the pickets were driven in at the point of the bayonet--the enemy were advancing in column4 ,wayne instantly took post on the right of his position1 to cover the retreat of the left1 led by ,colonel ,hampton1 the second in command4 ,the latter was tardy1 and incautiously paraded his troops in front of their fires so as to be in full relief4 ,the enemy rushed on without firing a gun2 all was the silent but deadly work of the bayonet and cutlass4 ,nearly three hundred of ,hampton's men were killed or wounded1 and the rest put to flight4 ,wayne gave the enemy some well-directed volleys1 and then retreating to a small distance1 rallied his troops and prepared for further defence4 ,the ,british1 however1 contented themselves with the blow they had given and retired with very little loss1 taking with them between seventy and eighty prisoners1 several of them officers1 and eight baggage wagons1 heavily laden4 ,general ,smallwood1 who was to have co-operated with ,wayne1 was within a mile of him at the time of his attack1 and would have hastened to his assistance with his well-known intrepidity1 but he had not the corps under his command with which he had formerly distinguished himself1 and his raw militia fled in a panic at the first sight of a return party of the enemy4 ,wayne was deeply mortified by the result of this affair1 and finding it severely criticised in the army1 demanded a court-martial1 which pronounced his conduct everything that was to be expected from an active1 brave1 and vigilant officer2 whatever blame there was in the matter fell upon his second in command4 ,on the #bast1 ,sir ,william ,howe made a rapid march high up the ,schuylkill1 on the road leading to ,reading1 as if he intended either to capture the military stores deposited there1 or to turn the right of the ,american army4 ,washington kept pace with him on the opposite side of the river up to ,pott's ,grove1 about thirty miles from ,philadelphia4 ,the movement on the part of ,howe was a mere feint4 ,no sooner had he drawn ,washington so far up the river1 than by a rapid countermarch on the night of the #bb;d1 he got to the ford below1 threw his troops across on the next morning and pushed forward for ,philadelphia4 ,by the time ,washington was apprised of this counter-movement1 ,howe was too far on his way to be overtaken by harassed1 barefooted troops1 worn out by constant marching4 ,feeling the necessity of immediate reinforcements1 he wrote on the same day to ,putnam1 at ,peekskill3 ,i desire that without a moment's loss of time1 you will detach as many effective rank and file1 under proper generals and officers1 as will make the whole number1 including those with ,general ,mc,dougall1 amount to twenty-five hundred privates and non-commissioned fit for duty4 ,i must urge you1 by every motive1 to send this detachment without the least possible delay4 ,on the next day 7#bdth7 he wrote also to ,general ,gates3 ,i request1 if circumstances will admit1 that you will order ,colonel ,morgan to join me again with his corps4 ,i sent him up when ,i thought you materially wanted him2 and if his services can be dispensed with now1 you will direct his immediate return4 ,having called a council of officers and taken their opinions1 which concurred with his own1 ,washington determined to remain some days at ,pott's ,grove1 to give repose to his troops and await the arrival of reinforcements4 ,sir ,william ,howe halted at ,germantown1 within a short distance of ,philadelphia1 and encamped the main body of his army in and about that village2 detaching ,lord ,cornwallis with a large force and a number of officers of distinction1 to take formal possession of the city4 ,that general marched into ,philadelphia on the #bfth with a brilliant staff and escort1 and followed by splendid legions of ,british and ,hessian grenadiers1 long trains of artillery and squadrons of light-dragoons1 the finest troops in the army all in their best array4 ,,chapter ,,xlvi4 ,,the ,,northern ,,invasion4--,,fall ,,of ,,the ,,highland ,,forts4--,,defeat ,,and ,,surrender ,,of ,,burgoyne4 ,the checks which ,burgoyne had received on right and left1 and1 in a great measure1 through the spontaneous rising of the country1 had opened his eyes to the difficulties of his situation1 and the errors as to public feeling into which he had been led by his tory counsellors4 ,he declared that had he any latitude in his orders1 he would remain where he was1 or perhaps fall back to ,fort ,edward1 where his communication with ,lake ,george would be secure1 and wait for some event that might assist his movement forward2 his orders1 however1 were positive to force a junction with ,sir ,william ,howe4 ,he did not feel at liberty1 therefore1 to remain inactive longer than would be necessary to receive the reinforcements of the additional companies1 the ,german drafts and recruits actually on ,lake ,champlain1 and to collect provisions enough for twenty-five days4 ,these reinforcements were indispensable1 because1 from the hour he should pass the ,hudson ,river and proceed towards ,albany1 all safety of communication would cease4 ,a feature of peculiar interest is given to this wild and rugged expedition1 by the presence of two ladies of rank and refinement1 involved in its perils and hardships4 ,one was ,lady ,harriet ,ackland1 daughter of the ,earl of ,ilchester1 and wife of ,major ,ackland of the grenadiers2 the other was the ,baroness ,de ,riedesel1 wife of the ,hessian major-general4 ,both of these ladies had been left behind in ,canada4 ,lady ,harriet1 however1 on hearing that her husband was wounded in the affair at ,hubbardton1 instantly set out to rejoin him1 regardless of danger1 and of her being in a condition before long to become a mother4 ,crossing the whole length of ,lake ,champlain1 she found him in a sick bed at ,skenesborough4 ,after his recovery she refused to leave him1 but had continued with the army ever since4 ,her example had been imitated by the ,baroness ,de ,riedesel1 who had joined the army at ,fort ,edward1 bringing with her her three small children4 ,the friendship and sympathy of these two ladies in all scenes of trial and suffering1 and their devoted attachment to their husbands1 afford touching episodes in the story of the campaign4 ,the ,american army had received various reinforcements4 ,it was now about ten thousand strong4 ,schuyler1 finding himself and his proffered services slighted by ,gates1 had returned to ,albany4 ,his patriotism was superior to personal resentments4 ,he still continued to promote the success of the campaign1 exerting his influence over the ,indian tribes to win them from the enemy4 ,at ,albany he held talks and war feasts with deputations of ,oneida1 ,tuscarora1 and ,onondaga warriors2 and procured scouting parties of them1 which he sent to the camp1 and which proved of great service4 ,the dense forests which covered the country between the hostile armies concealed their movements1 and as ,gates threw out no harassing parties1 his information concerning the enemy was vague4 ,burgoyne1 however1 was diligently collecting all his forces from ,skenesborough1 ,fort ,anne and ,fort ,george1 and collecting provisions4 ,so stood matters on the #aath of ,september1 when a report was circulated in the ,american camp that ,burgoyne was in motion1 and that he had made a speech to his soldiers1 telling them that the fleet had returned to ,canada1 and their only safety was to fight their way to ,new ,york4 ,as ,general ,gates was to receive an attack1 it was thought he ought to choose the ground where to receive it4 ,arnold1 therefore1 in company with ,kosciuszko1 the ,polish engineer1 reconnoitred the neighborhood in quest of a good camping-ground1 and at length fixed upon a ridge of hills called ,bemis's ,heights1 which ,kosciuszko proceeded to fortify4 ,in the meantime ,colonel ,colburn was sent off with a small party to ascend the high hills on the east side of the ,hudson1 and watch the movements of the enemy with glasses from their summits1 or from the tops of the trees4 ,for three days he kept thus on the look-out1 sending word from time to time to camp of all that he espied4 ,on the #aath there were the first signs of movement among ,burgoyne's troops4 ,on the #acth and #adth they slowly passed over a bridge of boats1 which they had thrown across the ,hudson1 and encamped near ,fish ,creek4 ,on the #aeth1 both ,english and ,hessian camps struck their tents1 and loaded their baggage wagons4 ,by twelve o'clock both began to march4 ,colburn neglected to notice the route taken by the ,hessians2 his attention was absorbed by the ,british1 who made their way slowly and laboriously down the western side of the river1 along a wretched road intersected by brooks and rivulets1 the bridges over which ,schuyler had broken down4 ,the division had with it eighty-five baggage wagons and a great train of artillery2 with two unwieldy twenty-four-pounders1 acting like drag anchors4 ,having seen the army advance two miles on its march1 ,colburn descended from the heights1 and hastened to the ,american camp to make his report4 ,a ,british prisoner1 brought in soon afterwards1 stated that ,burgoyne had come to a halt about four miles distant4 ,on the following morning the army was under arms at daylight2 the enemy1 however1 remained encamped1 repairing bridges in front1 and sending down guard-boats to reconnoitre4 ,the ,americans1 therefore1 went on to fortify their position4 ,the ridge of hills called ,bemis's ,heights1 rises abruptly from the narrow flat bordering the west side of the river4 ,kosciuszko had fortified the camp with intrenchments three-quarters of a mile in extent1 having redoubts and batteries1 which commanded the valley and even the hills on the opposite side of the river1 for the ,hudson1 in this upper part1 is comparatively a narrow stream4 ,from the foot of the height an intrenchment extended to the river1 ending with a battery at the water edge1 commanding a floating bridge4 ,the right wing of the army1 under the immediate command of ,gates1 and composed of ,glover's1 ,nixon's1 and ,patterson's brigades1 occupied the brow of the hill nearest to the river1 with the flats below4 ,the left wing1 commanded by ,arnold1 was on the side of the camp farthest from the river1 and distant from the latter about three-quarters of a mile4 ,it was composed of the ,new ,hampshire brigade of ,general ,poor1 ,pierre ,van ,courtlandt's and ,james ,livingston's regiments of ,new ,york militia1 the ,connecticut militia1 ,morgan's riflemen1 and ,dearborn's infantry4 ,the centre was composed of ,massachusetts and ,new ,york troops4 ,burgoyne gradually drew nearer to the camp1 throwing out large parties of pioneers and workmen4 ,the ,americans disputed every step4 ,a ,hessian officer observes3 ,the enemy bristled up his hair1 as we attempted to repair more bridges4 ,at last we had to do him the honor of sending out whole regiments to protect our workmen4 ,burgoyne now encamped about two miles from ,general ,gates1 disposing his army in two lines2 the left on the river1 the right extending at right angles to it1 about six hundred yards across the low grounds to a range of steep and rocky hills1 occupied by the lite2 a ravine formed by a rivulet from the hills passed in front of the camp4 ,the low ground between the armies was cultivated2 the hills were covered with woods1 excepting three or four small openings and deserted farms4 ,beside the ravines which fronted each camp1 there was a third one1 midway between them1 also at right angles to the river4 ,on the morning of the #aith1 ,general ,gates received intelligence that the enemy were advancing in great force on his left4 ,it was in fact their right wing1 composed of the ,british line and led by ,burgoyne in person4 ,it was covered by the grenadiers and light-infantry under ,general ,fraser and ,colonel ,breyman1 who kept along the high grounds on the right2 while they1 in turn1 were covered in front and on the flanks by ,indians1 provincial royalists and ,canadians4 ,the left wing and artillery were advancing at the same time1 under ,major-general ,phillips and ,riedesel1 along the great road and meadows by the river side1 but they were retarded by the necessity of repairing broken bridges4 ,it was the plan of ,burgoyne that the ,canadians and ,indians should attack the central outposts of the ,americans1 and draw their attention in that direction1 while he and ,fraser1 making a circuit through the woods1 should join forces and fall upon the rear of the ,american camp4 ,as the dense forests hid them from each other1 signal guns were to regulate their movements4 ,three1 fired in succession1 were to denote that all was ready1 and be the signal for an attack in front1 flank and rear4 ,the ,american pickets1 stationed along the ravine of ,mill ,creek1 sent repeated accounts to ,general ,gates of the movements of the enemy2 but he remained quiet in his camp as if determined to await an attack4 ,the ,american officers grew impatient4 ,arnold especially1 impetuous by nature1 urged repeatedly that a detachment should be sent forth to check the enemy in their advance1 and drive the ,indians out of the woods4 ,at length he succeeded in getting permission1 about noon1 to detach ,morgan with his riflemen and ,dearborn with his infantry from his division4 ,they soon fell in with the ,canadians and ,indians1 which formed the advance guard of the enemy's right1 and attacking them with spirit1 drove them in1 or rather dispersed them4 ,morgan's riflemen1 following up their advantage with too much eagerness1 became likewise scattered1 and a strong reinforcement of royalists arriving on the scene of action1 the ,americans1 in their turn1 were obliged to give way4 ,other detachments now arrived from the ,american camp1 led by ,arnold1 who attacked ,fraser on his right1 to check his attempt to get in the rear of the camp4 ,finding the position of ,fraser too strong to be forced1 he sent to head-quarters for reinforcements1 but they were refused by ,gates1 who declared that no more should go4 ,the reason he gave was that it might be attacked by the enemy's left wing4 ,arnold now made a rapid countermarch1 and his movement being masked by the woods1 suddenly attempted to turn ,fraser's left4 ,here he came in full conflict with the ,british line1 and threw himself upon it with a boldness and impetuosity that for a time threatened to break it1 and cut the wings of the army asunder4 ,the grenadiers and ,breyman's riflemen hastened to its support4 ,general ,phillips broke his way through the woods with four pieces of artillery1 and ,riedesel came on with his heavy dragoons4 ,reinforcements came likewise to ,arnold's assistance2 his force1 however1 never exceeded three thousand men1 and with these1 for nearly four hours1 he kept up a conflict almost hand to hand1 with the whole right wing of the ,british army4 ,night alone put an end to the conflict4 ,both parties claimed the victory4 ,but1 though the ,british remained on the field of battle1 where they lay all night upon their arms1 they had failed in their object2 they had been assailed instead of being the assailants1 while the ,american troops had accomplished the purpose for which they had sallied forth1 had checked the advance of the enemy1 frustrated their plan of attack1 and returned exulting to their camp4 ,their loss1 in killed and wounded1 was between three and four hundred1 including several officers2 that of the enemy upwards of five hundred4 ,burgoyne now strengthened his position with intrenchments and batteries1 part of them across the meadows which bordered the river1 part on the brow of the heights which commanded them4 ,the ,americans likewise extended and strengthened their line of breastworks on the left of the camp2 the right was already unassailable4 ,the camps were within gunshot1 but with ravines and woods between them4 ,the situation of ,burgoyne was growing more and more critical4 ,on the #bast he heard shouts in the ,american camp1 and in a little while their cannon thundered a feu de joie4 ,news had been received from ,general ,lincoln1 that a detachment of ,new ,england troops under ,colonel ,brown had surprised the carrying-place1 mills1 and ,french lines at ,ticonderoga1 captured an armed sloop1 gunboats and bateaux1 made three hundred prisoners1 beside releasing one hundred ,american captives1 and were laying siege to ,fort ,independence4 ,fortunately for ,burgoyne1 while affairs were darkening in the ,north1 a ray of hope dawned from the ,south4 ,while the shouts from the ,american camp were yet ringing in his ears1 came a letter in cipher from ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 dated the #abth of ,september1 announcing his intention in about ten days to attack the forts in the ,highlands of the ,hudson4 ,burgoyne sent back the messenger the same night1 and despatched1 moreover1 two officers in disguise1 by different routes1 all bearing messages informing ,sir ,henry of his perilous situation4 ,arnold had been excessively indignant at ,gates withholding the reinforcements he had asked for in the recent action1 which he attributed to pique or jealousy4 ,gates1 indeed1 in the report to ,congress made no mention of ,arnold4 ,he also withdrew from ,arnold's division ,morgan's rifle corps and ,dearborn's light-infantry1 its main reliance4 ,arnold called on ,gates to remonstrate4 ,high words passed between them4 ,gates in his heat told ,arnold that ,general ,lincoln would arrive in a day or two1 and then he would have no further occasion for him4 ,arnold returned to his quarters in a rage1 but he determined to remain in camp and abide the anticipated battle4 ,lincoln1 in the meantime1 arrived in advance of his troops1 which soon followed to the amount of two thousand4 ,part of the troops1 detached by him under ,colonel ,brown1 were besieging ,ticonderoga and ,fort ,independence4 ,colonel ,brown himself1 with part of his detachment1 had embarked on ,lake ,george in an armed schooner and a squadron of captured gunboats and bateaux1 and was threatening the enemy's deposit of baggage and heavy artillery at ,diamond ,island4 ,the toils so skilfully spread were encompassing ,burgoyne more and more2 the gates of ,canada were closing behind him4 ,we will now cast a look toward ,new ,york1 and ascertain the cause of ,sir ,henry's delay in the anxiously expected operations on the ,hudson4 ,the expedition of ,sir ,henry ,clinton had awaited the arrival of reinforcements from ,europe1 which were slowly crossing the ocean in ,dutch bottoms4 ,at length they arrived1 after a three months' voyage1 and now there was a stir of warlike preparation at ,new ,york4 ,the defences of the ,highlands1 on which the security of the ,hudson depended1 were at this time weakly garrisoned2 some of the troops having been sent off to reinforce the armies on the ,delaware and in the ,north4 ,putnam1 who had the general command of the ,highlands1 had but eleven hundred continental and four hundred militia troops with him at ,peekskill1 his head-quarters4 ,there was a feeble garrison at ,fort ,independence1 in the vicinity of ,peekskill1 to guard the public stores and workshops at ,continental ,village4 ,the ,highland forts1 ,clinton1 ,montgomery and ,constitution1 situated among the mountains and forming their main defence1 were no better garrisoned1 and ,george ,clinton1 who had the command of them1 and who was in a manner the champion of the ,highlands1 was absent from his post1 attending the ,state ,legislature at ,kingston 7,esopus71 in ,ulster ,county1 in his capacity of governor4 ,there were patriot eyes in ,new ,york to watch the course of events1 and patriot boats on the river to act as swift messengers4 ,general ,putnam in ,september received intelligence on which he could depend of the arrival of reinforcements in ,new ,york1 and of preparations by the enemy for a movement4 ,surmising his object to be the forts of the ,highlands1 he wrote at once to ,governor ,clinton1 conveying his intelligence and asking for reinforcements of militia4 ,the governor forthwith hastened to his post in the ,highlands with such militia force as he could collect4 ,we have heretofore spoken of his ,highland citadel1 ,fort ,montgomery1 and of the obstructions of chain1 boom1 and chevaux-de-frise between it and the opposite promontory of ,anthony's ,nose1 with which it had been hoped to barricade the ,hudson4 ,fort ,clinton had subsequently been erected within rifle shot of ,fort ,montgomery to occupy ground which commanded it4 ,a deep ravine and stream called ,peploep's ,kill intervened between the two forts1 across which there was a bridge4 ,the governor had his head-quarters in ,fort ,montgomery1 which was the northern and largest fort1 but its works were unfinished4 ,his brother ,james had charge of ,fort ,clinton1 which was complete4 ,the whole force to garrison the associate forts did not exceed six hundred men1 chiefly militia1 but they had the veteran1 ,colonel ,lamb of the artillery1 with them1 and a company of his artillerists was distributed in the two forts4 ,the armament of ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 which had been waiting for a wind1 set sail in the course of a day or two and stood up the ,hudson1 dogged by ,american swift-rowing whale-boats4 ,late at night of the #dth of ,october came a barge across the river1 from ,peekskill to ,fort ,montgomery1 bearing a letter from ,putnam to the governor4 ,this morning1 writes he1 we had information from our guard-boats that there were two ships of war1 three tenders1 and a large number of flatbottomed boats coming up the river4 ,they proceeded up as far as ,tarrytown where they landed their men4 ,this evening they were followed by one large man-of-war1 five topsail vessels1 and a large number of small craft4 ,the landing of troops at ,tarrytown was a mere feint on the part of ,sir ,henry to distract the attention of the ,americans2 after marching a few miles into the country1 they returned and re-embarked2 the armament continued across the ,tappan ,sea and ,haverstraw ,bay to ,verplanck's ,point1 where1 on the #eth1 ,sir ,henry landed with three thousand men1 about eight miles below ,peekskill4 ,putnam drew back to the hills in the rear of the village to prepare for the expected attack1 and sent off to ,governor ,clinton for all the troops he could spare4 ,so far the manoeuvres of ,sir ,henry ,clinton had been successful4 ,it was his plan to threaten an attack on ,peekskill and ,fort ,independence1 and1 when he had drawn the attention of the ,american commanders to that quarter1 to land troops on the western shore of the ,hudson1 below the ,dunderberg 7,thunder ,hill71 make a rapid march through the defiles behind that mountain to the rear of ,forts ,montgomery and ,clinton1 come down on them by surprise and carry them by a coup de main4 ,accordingly at an early hour of the following morning taking advantage of a thick fog1 he crossed with two thousand men to ,stony ,point on the west shore of the river1 leaving about a thousand men1 chiefly royalists1 at ,verplanck's ,point to keep up a threatening aspect towards ,peekskill4 ,three frigates1 also1 were to stand up what is called the ,devil's ,horse ,race into ,peekskill ,bay1 and station themselves within cannon shot of ,fort ,independence4 ,having accomplished his landing1 ,sir ,henry1 conducted by a tory guide1 set out on a forced and circuitous march of several miles by rugged defiles1 round the western base of the ,dunderberg4 ,at the entrance of the pass he left a small force to guard it and keep up his communication with the ships4 ,by eight o'clock in the morning he had effected his march round the ,dunderberg1 and halted on the northern side in a ravine1 between it and a conical mount called ,bear ,hill4 ,the possibility of an enemy's approach by this pass had been noticed by ,washington in reconnoitring the ,highlands1 and he had mentioned it in his instructions to ,generals ,greene and ,knox1 when they were sent to make their military survey1 but they considered it impracticable from the extreme difficulty of the mountain passes4 ,in this ravine ,sir ,henry divided his forces4 ,one division1 nine hundred strong1 led by ,lieutenant-colonel ,campbell1 was to make a circuit through the forest round the western side of ,bear ,hill1 so as to gain the rear of ,fort ,montgomery4 ,after ,sir ,henry had allowed sufficient time for them to make the circuit1 he was to proceed with the other division down the ravine1 towards the river1 turn to the left along a narrow strip of land between the ,hudson and a small lake called ,sinipink ,pond1 which lay at the foot of ,bear ,hill1 and advance upon ,fort ,clinton4 ,both forts were to be attacked at the same time4 ,the detachment under ,campbell set off in high spirits2 it was composed partly of royalists1 led by ,colonel ,beverly ,robinson of ,new ,york1 partly of ,emerick's chasseurs1 and partly of grenadiers1 under ,lord ,rawdon4 ,with him went ,count ,gabrouski1 a ,polish nobleman1 aide-de-camp to ,sir ,henry ,clinton4 ,everything thus far had been conducted with celerity and apparent secrecy1 and complete surprise of both forts was anticipated4 ,sir ,henry had indeed outwitted one of the guardians of the ,highlands1 but the other was aware of his designs4 ,governor ,clinton1 on receiving intelligence of ships of war coming up the ,hudson1 had sent scouts beyond the ,dunderberg to watch their movements4 ,early on the present morning1 word had been brought him that forty boats were landing a large force at ,stony ,point4 ,he now1 in his turn1 apprehended an attack1 and sent to ,putnam for reinforcements1 preparing1 in the meantime1 to make such defence as his scanty means afforded4 ,a lieutenant was sent out with thirty men from ,fort ,clinton1 to proceed along the river-road and reconnoitre4 ,he fell in with the advance guard of ,sir ,henry ,clinton's division1 and retreated skirmishing to the fort4 ,a larger detachment was sent out to check the approach of the enemy on this side2 while sixty men1 afterwards increased to a hundred1 took post with a brass field-piece in the ,bear ,hill defile1 a narrow and rugged pass1 bordered by shagged forests4 ,as ,campbell and his division came pressing forward1 they were checked by the discharge of fire-arms and of the brass field-piece1 which swept the steep defile4 ,the ,british troops then filed off on each side into the woods1 to surround the ,americans4 ,the latter1 finding it impossible to extricate their field-piece in the rugged pass1 spiked it1 and retreated into the fort4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton had met with equally obstinate opposition in his approach to ,fort ,clinton2 the narrow strip of land between ,lake ,sinipink and the ,hudson1 along which he advanced1 being fortified by an abatis4 ,by four o'clock the ,americans were driven within their works1 and both forts were assailed4 ,the defence was desperate2 for ,governor ,clinton was a hard fighter1 and he was still in hopes of reinforcements from ,putnam2 not knowing that the messenger he sent to him had turned traitor1 and deserted to the enemy4 ,about five o'clock1 he was summoned to surrender in five minutes1 to prevent the effusion of blood3 the reply was a refusal4 ,about ten minutes afterwards1 there was a general attack upon both forts4 ,it was resisted with obstinate spirit4 ,the action continued until dusk4 ,the ships under ,commodore ,hotham approached near enough to open an irregular fire upon the forts1 and upon the vessels anchored above the chevaux-de-frise4 ,the latter returned the fire1 and the flash and roar of their cannonry in the gathering darkness and among the echoes of the mountains increased the terrors of the strife4 ,the works1 however1 were too extensive to be manned by the scanty garrisons2 they were entered by different places and carried at the point of the bayonet2 the ,americans fought desperately from one redoubt to another--some were slain1 some taken prisoners1 and some escaped under cover of the night to the river or the mountains4 ,the garrison1 writes ,clinton1 significantly1 had to fight their way out as many as could1 as we determined not to surrender4 ,his brother ,james was saved from a deadly thrust of a bayonet by a garrison orderly-book in his pocket2 but he received a flesh wound in the thigh4 ,he slid down a precipice1 one hundred feet high1 into the ravine between the forts1 and escaped to the woods4 ,the governor leaped down the rocks to the river side1 where a boat was putting off with a number of the fugitives4 ,the boat crossed the ,hudson in safety1 and before midnight the governor was with ,putnam1 at ,continental ,village1 concerting further measures4 ,putnam had been completely outmanoeuvred by ,sir ,henry ,clinton4 ,he had continued until late in the morning in the belief that ,peekskill and ,fort ,independence were to be the objects of attack4 ,in the course of the morning he sallied forth with ,brigadier-general ,parsons1 to reconnoitre the ground near the enemy4 ,after their return they were alarmed1 he says1 by a very heavy and hot firing both of small arms and cannon1 at ,fort ,montgomery4 ,aware of the real point of danger1 he immediately detached five hundred men to reinforce the garrison4 ,they had six miles to march along the eastern shore1 and then to cross the river2 before they could do so the fate of the forts was decided4 ,british historians acknowledge that the valor and resolution displayed by the ,americans in the defence of these forts were in no instance exceeded during the war2 their loss in killed1 wounded and missing1 was stated at two hundred and fifty1 a large proportion of the number engaged4 ,colonel ,campbell1 who commanded the enemy's detachment1 ,major ,grant of the ,new ,york volunteers1 and ,count ,gabrouski1 ,sir ,henry's ,polish aide-de-camp1 were slain in the assault2 their fall exasperated the assailants1 who revenged their loss with considerable slaughter4 ,on the capture of the forts1 the ,american frigates and galleys stationed for the protection of the chevaux-de-frise slipped their cables1 made all sail1 and endeavored to escape up the river4 ,the wind1 however1 proved adverse2 there was danger of their falling into the hands of the enemy2 the crews1 therefore1 set them on fire and abandoned them4 ,on the following morning1 the chevaux-de-frise and other obstructions between ,fort ,montgomery and ,anthony's ,nose were cleared away3 the ,americans evacuated ,forts ,independence and ,constitution1 and a free passage up the ,hudson was open for the ,british ships4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton proceeded no further in person1 but left the rest of the enterprise to be accomplished by ,sir ,james ,wallace and ,general ,vaughan1 with a flying squadron of light frigates1 and a considerable detachment of troops4 ,putnam had retreated to a pass in the mountains1 on the east side of the river1 near ,fishkill1 having removed as much of the stores and baggage as possible from the post he had abandoned4 ,in a letter to ,washington 7,oct4 #hth71 he writes3 ,governor ,clinton is exerting himself in collecting the militia of this ,state4 ,brigadier-general ,parsons ,i have sent off to forward in the ,connecticut militia1 which are now arriving in great numbers4 ,i therefore hope and trust1 that in the course of a few days1 ,i shall be able to oppose the progress of the enemy4 ,he had concerted with ,governor ,clinton that they should move to the northward with their forces along the opposite shores of the ,hudson1 endeavoring to keep pace with the enemy's ships and cover the country from their attacks4 ,the enemy's light-armed vessels were now making their way up the river2 landing marauding parties occasionally to make depredations4 ,as soon as the governor could collect a little force1 he pressed forward to protect ,kingston 7,esopus71 the seat of the ,state ,legislature4 ,the enemy in the meantime landed from their ships1 routed about one hundred and fifty militia collected to oppose them1 marched to the village1 set fire to it in every part1 consuming great quantities of stores collected there1 and then retreated to their ships4 ,having laid ,kingston in ashes1 the enemy proceeded in their ravages1 destroying the residences of conspicuous patriots at ,rhinebeck1 ,livingston1 ,manor1 and elsewhere1 and among others the mansion of the widow of the brave ,general ,montgomery--trusting to close their desolating career by a triumphant junction with ,burgoyne at ,albany4 ,while ,sir ,henry ,clinton had been thundering in the ,highlands1 ,burgoyne and his army had been wearing out hope within their intrenchments1 vigilantly watched but unassailed by the ,americans4 ,on the #gth of ,october ,burgoyne determined to make a grand movement on the left of the ,american camp1 to discover whether he could force a passage should it be necessary to advance1 or dislodge it from its position should he have to retreat4 ,another object was to cover a forage of the army which was suffering from the great scarcity4 ,for this purpose fifteen hundred of his best troops1 with two twelve-pounders1 two howitzers and six six-pounders1 were to be led by himself1 seconded by ,major-generals ,phillips and ,riedesel and ,brigadier-general ,fraser4 ,on leaving his camp he committed the guard of it on the high grounds to ,brigadier-generals ,hamilton and ,specht1 and of the redoubts on the low grounds near the river1 to ,brigadier-general ,gall4 ,forming his troops within three-quarters of a mile of the left of the ,americans1 though covered from their sight by the forest1 he sent out a corps of rangers1 provincials and ,indians to skulk through the woods1 get in their rear1 and give them an alarm at the time the attack took place in front4 ,the movement1 though carried on behind the screen of forests1 was discovered4 ,in the afternoon the advanced guard of the ,american centre beat to arms2 the alarm was repeated throughout the line4 ,gates ordered his officers to their alarm posts1 and sent forth ,wilkinson1 the adjutant-general1 to inquire the cause4 ,from a rising ground in an open place he descried the enemy in force4 ,returning to the camp he reported the position and movements of the enemy2 that their front was open1 their flanks rested on woods1 under cover of which they might be attacked1 and their right was skirted by a height2 that they were reconnoitring the left1 and he thought offered battle4 ,a plan of attack was soon arranged4 ,morgan with his riflemen and a body of infantry was sent to make a circuit through the woods and get possession of the heights on the right of the enemy1 while ,general ,poor with his brigade of ,new ,york and ,new ,hampshire troops1 and a part of ,leonard's brigade1 were to advance against the enemy's left4 ,morgan was to make an attack on the heights as soon as he should hear the fire opened below4 ,burgoyne now drew out his troops in battle array4 ,the grenadiers1 under ,major ,ackland1 with the artillery1 under ,major ,williams1 formed his left1 and were stationed on a rising ground1 with a rivulet called ,mill ,creek in front4 ,next to them were the ,hessians1 under ,riedesel1 and ,british1 under ,phillips1 forming the centre4 ,the light-infantry1 under ,lord ,balcarras1 formed the extreme right2 having in the advance a detachment of five hundred picked men1 under ,general ,fraser1 ready to flank the ,americans as soon as they should be attacked in front4 ,he had scarce made these arrangements1 when he was astonished and confounded by a thundering of artillery on his left1 and a rattling fire of rifles on the woody heights on his right4 ,the troops under ,poor advanced steadily up the ascent where ,ackland's grenadiers and ,williams' artillery were stationed2 received their fire and then rushed forward4 ,ackland's grenadiers received the first brunt1 but it extended along the line as detachment after detachment arrived1 and was carried on with inconceivable fury4 ,the artillery was repeatedly taken and retaken1 and at length remained in possession of the ,americans1 who turned it upon its former owners4 ,major ,ackland was wounded in both legs1 and taken prisoner4 ,major ,williams of the artillery was also captured4 ,the headlong impetuosity of the attack confounded the regular tacticians4 ,much of this has been ascribed to the presence and example of ,arnold4 ,that daring officer1 who had lingered in the camp in expectation of a fight1 was exasperated at having no command assigned him4 ,on hearing the din of battle1 he could restrain no longer his warlike impulse1 but threw himself on his horse and sallied forth4 ,putting spurs to his horse1 he dashed into the scene of action1 and was received with acclamation4 ,being the superior officer in the field his orders were obeyed of course4 ,putting himself at the head of the troops of ,learned's brigade1 he attacked the ,hessians in the enemy's centre1 and broke them with repeated charges4 ,indeed1 for a time his actions seemed to partake of frenzy2 riding hither and thither1 brandishing his sword1 and cheering on the men to acts of desperation4 ,morgan1 in the meantime1 was harassing the enemy's right wing with an incessant fire of small-arms1 and preventing it from sending any assistance to the centre4 ,general ,fraser with his chosen corps1 for some time rendered great protection to this wing4 ,mounted on an iron-gray charger1 his uniform of a field officer made him a conspicuous object for ,morgan's sharpshooters4 ,one bullet cut the crupper of his horse1 another grazed his mane4 ,a moment afterwards he was shot down by a marksman posted in a tree4 ,two grenadiers bore him to the camp4 ,his fall was as a deathblow to his corps4 ,the arrival on the field of a large reinforcement of ,new ,york troops under ,general ,ten ,broeck1 completed the confusion4 ,burgoyne saw that the field was lost1 and now only thought of saving his camp4 ,the troops nearest to the lines were ordered to throw themselves within them1 while ,generals ,phillips and ,riedesel covered the retreat of the main body1 which was in danger of being cut off4 ,the artillery was abandoned1 all the horses1 and most of the men who had so bravely defended it having been killed4 ,the troops1 though hard pressed1 retired in good order4 ,scarcely had they entered the camp when it was stormed with great fury2 the ,americans1 with ,arnold at their head1 rushing to the lines under a severe discharge of grape-shot and small-arms4 ,lord ,balcarras defended the intrenchments bravely2 the action was fierce1 and well sustained on both sides4 ,after an ineffectual attempt to make his way into the camp in this quarter at the point of the bayonet1 ,arnold spurred his horse toward the right flank of the camp occupied by the ,german reserve1 where ,lieutenant-colonel ,brooks was making a general attack with a ,massachusetts regiment4 ,here1 with a part of a platoon1 he forced his way into a sallyport1 but a shot from the retreating ,hessians killed his horse1 and wounded him in the same leg which had received a wound before ,quebec4 ,he was borne off from the field1 but not until the victory was complete2 for the ,germans retreated from the works1 leaving on the field their brave defender1 ,lieutenant-colonel ,breyman1 mortally wounded4 ,the night was now closing in4 ,the victory of the ,americans was decisive4 ,they had routed the enemy1 killed and wounded a great number1 made many prisoners1 taken their field-artillery and gained possession of a part of their works which laid open the right and the rear of their camp4 ,they lay all night on their arms1 within half a mile of the scene of action1 prepared to renew the assault upon the camp in the morning4 ,affecting scenes had occurred in the enemy's camp during this deadly conflict4 ,in the morning previous to the battle1 the ,baroness ,de ,riedesel had breakfasted with her husband in the camp4 ,generals ,burgoyne1 ,phillips1 and ,fraser were to dine with her husband and herself in a house in the neighborhood1 where she and her children were quartered4 ,she observed much movement in the camp1 but was quieted by the assurance that it was to be a mere reconnaissance4 ,on her way home she met a number of ,indians1 painted and decorated and armed with guns1 and shouting war6 war6 ,her fears were awakened1 and scarce had she reached home when she heard the rattling of fire-arms and the thundering of artillery4 ,about one o'clock came one of the generals who were to have dined with her--poor ,general ,fraser--brought upon a handbarrow1 mortally wounded4 ,the general said to the surgeon3 ',tell me the truth1 is there no hope8' ,there was none4 ,prayers were read1 after which he desired that ,general ,burgoyne should be requested to have him buried on the next day at six o'clock in the evening on a hill where a breastwork had been constructed4 ,lady ,harriet ,ackland was in a tent near by4 ,news came to her that her husband was mortally wounded and taken prisoner4 ,she was in an agony of distress4#a ,the baroness divided the night between soothing attentions to ,lady ,harriet1 and watchful care of her children who were asleep1 but who she feared might disturb the poor dying general4 ,towards morning1 thinking his agony approaching1 she wrapped them in blankets and retired with them into the entrance hall4 ,courteous even in death1 the general sent her several messages to beg her pardon for the trouble he thought he was giving her4 ,at eight o'clock in the morning he expired4 ,footnote #a3 ,lady ,ackland afterward applied to ,general ,burgoyne for permission to pass to the ,american camp1 and obtain ,general ,gates' consent to join her husband4 ,it was granted1 and the ,american general1 according to ,burgoyne1 received her with all the humanity and respect that her rank1 her merits1 and her fortune deserved4 ,burgoyne had shifted his position during the night to heights about a mile to the north1 close to the river1 and covered in front by a ravine4 ,early in the morning the ,americans took possession of the camp which he had abandoned4 ,a random fire of artillery and small-arms was kept up on both sides during the day4 ,the ,british sharpshooters stationed in the ravine did some execution1 and ,general ,lincoln was wounded in the leg while reconnoitring4 ,gates1 however1 did not think it advisable to force a desperate enemy when in a strong position1 at the expense of a prodigal waste of blood4 ,he took all measures to cut off his retreat and insure a surrender4 ,general ,fellows1 with #a1djj men1 had already been sent to occupy the high ground east of the ,hudson opposite ,saratoga ,ford4 ,other detachments were sent higher up the river in the direction of ,lake ,george4 ,burgoyne saw that nothing was left for him but a prompt and rapid retreat to ,saratoga1 yet in this he was delayed by a melancholy duty of friendship2 it was to attend the obsequies of the gallant ,fraser1 who1 according to his dying request1 was to be interred at six o'clock in the evening1 within a redoubt which had been constructed on a hill4 ,between sunset and dark1 his body was borne to the appointed place by grenadiers of his division1 followed by the generals and their staffs4 ,the ,americans seeing indistinctly what1 in the twilight1 appeared to be a movement of troops up the hill and in the redoubt1 pointed their artillery in that direction4 ,general ,gates protested afterwards that had he known what was going on1 he would have stopped the fire immediately4 ,preparations had been made to decamp immediately after the funeral1 and at nine o'clock at night the retreat commenced4 ,large fires had been lighted1 and many tents were left standing to conceal the movement4 ,it was a dismal retreat4 ,the rain fell in torrents2 the roads were deep and broken1 and the horses weak and half-starved from want of forage4 ,at daybreak there was a halt to refresh the troops and give time for the bateaux laden with provisions to come abreast4 ,in three hours the march was resumed1 but before long there was another halt1 to guard against an ,american reconnoitring party which appeared in sight4 ,it rained terribly through the residue of the #ith1 and in consequence of repeated halts1 they did not reach ,saratoga until evening4 ,a detachment of ,americans had arrived there before them1 and were throwing up intrenchments on a commanding height at ,fishkill4 ,they abandoned their work1 forded the ,hudson1 and joined a force under ,general ,fellows1 posted on the hills east of the river4 ,the bridge over the ,fishkill had been destroyed2 the artillery could not cross until the ford was examined4 ,exhausted by fatigue1 the men for the most part had not strength nor inclination to cut wood nor make fire1 but threw themselves upon the wet ground in their wet clothes1 and slept under the continuing rain4 ,at daylight on the #ajth1 the artillery and the last of the troops passed the fords of the ,fishkill1 and took a position upon the heights1 and in the redoubts formerly constructed there4 ,to protect the troops from being attacked in passing the ford by the ,americans1 who were approaching1 ,burgoyne ordered fire to be set to the farm-houses and other buildings on the south side of the ,fishkill4 ,amongst the rest1 the noble mansion of ,general ,schuyler1 with store-houses1 granaries1 mills and the other appurtenances of a great rural establishment1 was entirely consumed4 ,the measure was condemned by friend as well as foe1 but he justified it on the principles of self-preservation4 ,the force under ,general ,fellows1 posted on the opposite hills of the ,hudson1 now opened a fire from a battery commanding the ford of that river4 ,thus prevented from crossing1 ,burgoyne thought to retreat along the west side as far as ,fort ,george1 on the way to ,canada1 and sent out workmen under a strong escort to repair the bridges1 and open the road toward ,fort ,edward4 ,the escort was soon recalled and the work abandoned1 for the ,americans under ,gates appeared in great force on the heights south of the ,fishkill1 and seemed preparing to cross and bring on an engagement4 ,the opposite shores of the ,hudson were now lined with detachments of ,americans4 ,bateaux laden with provisions1 which had attended the movements of the army1 were fired upon1 many taken1 some retaken with loss of life4 ,it was necessary to land the provisions from such as remained1 and bring them up the hill into the camp1 which was done under a heavy fire from the ,american artillery4 ,burgoyne called now a general council of war1 in which it was resolved1 since the bridges could not be repaired1 to abandon the artillery and baggage1 let the troops carry a supply of provisions upon their backs1 push forward in the night1 and force their way across the fords at or near ,fort ,edward4 ,before the plan could be put into execution1 scouts brought word that the ,americans were intrenched opposite those fords1 and encamped in force with cannon on the high ground between ,fort ,edward and ,fort ,george4 ,in fact by this time the ,american army1 augmented by militia and volunteers from all quarters1 had posted itself in strong positions on both sides of the ,hudson1 so as to extend three-fourths of a circle round the enemy4 ,giving up all further attempt at retreat1 ,burgoyne now fortified his camp on the heights to the north of ,fishkill1 still hoping that succor might arrive from ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 or that an attack upon his trenches might give him some chance of cutting his way through4 ,in this situation his troops lay continually on their arms4 ,his camp was subjected to cannonading from ,fellows' batteries on the opposite side of the ,hudson1 ,gates' batteries on the south of ,fishkill1 and a galling fire from ,morgan's riflemen1 stationed on heights in the rear4 ,the ,baroness ,de ,riedesel and her helpless little ones were exposed to the dangers and horrors of this long turmoil4 ,on the morning when the attack was opened1 ,general ,de ,riedesel sent them to take refuge in a house in the vicinity4 ,the baroness succeeded in getting to the house4 ,some women and crippled soldiers had already taken refuge there4 ,it was mistaken for head-quarters and cannonaded4 ,the baroness retreated into the cellar1 laid herself in a corner near the door with her children's heads upon her knees1 and passed a sleepless night of mental anguish4 ,in the morning the cannonade began anew4 ,cannon balls passed through the house repeatedly with a tremendous noise4 ,a poor soldier who was about to have a leg amputated1 lost the other by one of these balls4 ,the day was passed among such horrors4 ,for six days1 she and her children remained in this dismal place of refuge4 ,burgoyne was now reduced to despair4 ,his forces were diminished by losses1 by the desertion of ,canadians and royalists1 and the total defection of the ,indians2 and on inspection it was found that the provisions on hand1 even upon short allowance1 would not suffice for more than three days4 ,a council of war1 therefore1 was called of all the generals1 field-officers and captains commanding troops4 ,the deliberations were brief4 ,all concurred in the necessity of opening a treaty with ,general ,gates1 for a surrender on honorable terms4 ,negotiations were accordingly opened on the #acth1 under sanction of a flag4 ,lieutenant ,kingston1 ,burgoyne's adjutant-general1 was the bearer of a note1 proposing a cessation of hostilities until terms could be adjusted4 ,the first terms offered by ,gates were that the enemy should lay down their arms within their intrenchments1 and surrender themselves prisoners of war4 ,these were indignantly rejected1 with an intimation that1 if persisted in1 hostilities must recommence4 ,counter proposals were then made by ,general ,burgoyne1 and finally accepted by ,general ,gates4 ,according to these the ,british troops were to march out of the camp with artillery and all the honors of war1 to a fixed place1 where they were to pile their arms at a word of command from their own officers4 ,they were to be allowed a free passage to ,europe upon condition of not serving again in ,america1 during the present war4 ,the officers were to be on parole1 and to wear their side-arms4 ,all private property to be sacred2 no baggage to be searched or molested4 ,the capitulation was signed on the #agth of ,october4 ,the ,british army1 at the time of the surrender1 was reduced by capture1 death and desertion1 from nine thousand to five thousand seven hundred and fifty-two men4 ,that of ,gates1 regulars and militia1 amounted to ten thousand five hundred and fifty-four men on duty2 between two and three thousand being on the sick list or absent on furlough4 ,by this capitulation1 the ,americans gained a fine train of artillery1 seven thousand stand of arms1 and a great quantity of clothing1 tents1 and military stores of all kinds4 ,when the ,british troops marched forth to deposit their arms at the appointed place1 ,colonel ,wilkinson1 the adjutant-general1 was the only ,american soldier to be seen4 ,gates had ordered his troops to keep rigidly within their lines1 that they might not add by their presence to the humiliation of a brave enemy4 ,in fact1 throughout all his conduct during the campaign1 ,british writers and ,burgoyne himself give him credit for acting with great humanity and forbearance4 ,the surrender of ,burgoyne was soon followed by the evacuation of ,ticonderoga and ,fort ,independence1 the garrisons retiring to the ,isle aux ,noix and ,st4 ,johns4 ,as to the armament on the ,hudson1 the commanders whom ,sir ,henry ,clinton had left in charge of it1 received1 in the midst of their desolating career the astounding intelligence of the capture of the army with which they had come to co-operate4 ,nothing remained for them1 therefore1 but to drop down the river and return to ,new ,york4 ,the fortresses in the ,highlands could not be maintained1 and were evacuated and destroyed4 ,,chapter ,,xlvii4 ,,battle ,,of ,,germantown4--,,hostilities ,,on ,,the ,,delaware4 ,having given the catastrophe of the ,british invasion from the ,north1 we will revert to that part of the year's campaign which was passing under the immediate eye of ,washington4 ,we left him encamped at ,pott's ,grove towards the end of ,september1 giving his troops a few days' repose after their severe fatigues4 ,being rejoined by ,wayne and ,smallwood with their brigades1 and other troops being arrived from the ,jerseys1 his force amounted to about eight thousand ,continentals and three thousand militia3 with these he advanced on the #cjth of ,september to ,skippack ,creek1 about fourteen miles from ,germantown1 where the main body of the ,british army lay encamped2 a detachment under ,cornwallis occupying ,philadelphia4 ,immediately after the battle of ,brandywine1 ,admiral ,lord ,howe with great exertions had succeeded in getting his ships of war and transports round from the ,chesapeake into the ,delaware1 and had anchored them along the western shore from ,reedy ,island to ,newcastle4 ,they were prevented from approaching nearer by obstructions which the ,americans had placed in the river4 ,the lowest of these were at ,billingsport 7,bylling's ,point71 where chevaux-de-frise in the channel of the river were protected by a strong redoubt on the ,jersey shore4 ,higher up were ,fort ,mifflin on ,mud 7or ,fort7 ,island1 and ,fort ,mercer on the ,jersey shore2 with chevaux-de-frise between them4 ,washington had exerted himself to throw a garrison into ,fort ,mifflin1 and keep up the obstructions of the river4 ,sir ,william ,howe had concerted operations with his brother by land and water1 to reduce the forts and clear away the obstructions of the river4 ,with this view he detached a part of his force into the ,jerseys to proceed1 in the first instance1 against the fortifications at ,billingsport4 ,washington had been for some days anxiously on the lookout for some opportunity to strike a blow of consequence1 when two intercepted letters gave him intelligence of this movement4 ,he immediately determined to make an attack upon the ,british camp at ,germantown1 while weakened by the absence of this detachment4 ,to understand the plan of the attack1 some description of the ,british place of encampment is necessary4 ,germantown1 at that time1 was little more than one continued street1 extending two miles north and south4 ,beyond the village1 and about a hundred yards east of the road1 stood a spacious stone edifice1 the country-seat of ,benjamin ,chew1 chief justice of ,pennsylvania previous to the ,revolution4 ,four roads approached the village from above2 that is1 from the north4 ,the ,skippack1 which was the main road1 led over ,chestnut ,hill and ,mount ,airy down to and through the village towards ,philadelphia1 forming the street of which we have just spoken4 ,on its right and nearly parallel was the ,monatawny or ,ridge road1 passing near the ,schuylkill1 and entering the main road below the village4 ,on the left of the ,skippack or main road was the ,limekiln road1 running nearly parallel to it for a time1 and then turning towards it1 almost at right angles1 so as to enter the village at the market-place4 ,still further to the left or east1 and outside of all1 was the ,old ,york road1 falling into the main road some distance below the village4 ,the main body of the ,british forces lay encamped across the lower part of the village1 divided into almost equal parts by the main street or ,skippack road4 ,the right wing commanded by ,general ,grant1 was to the east of the road1 the left wing to the west4 ,each wing was covered by strong detachments and guarded by cavalry4 ,general ,howe had his head-quarters in the rear4 ,the advance of the army1 composed of the #b;d battalion of ,british light-infantry1 with a train of artillery1 was more than two miles from the main body1 on the west of the road1 with an outlying picket stationed with two six-pounders at ,allen's house on ,mount ,airy4 ,about three-quarters of a mile in the rear of the light-infantry1 lay encamped in a field opposite ,chew's ,house1 the #djth regiment of infantry1 under ,colonel ,musgrave4 ,according to ,washington's plan for the attack1 ,sullivan was to command the right wing1 composed of his own division1 principally ,maryland troops1 and the division of ,general ,wayne4 ,he was to be sustained by a corps de reserve1 under ,lord ,stirling1 composed of ,nash's ,north ,carolina and ,maxwell's ,virginia brigades1 and to be flanked by the brigade of ,general ,conway4 ,he was to march down the ,skippack road and attack the left wing2 at the same time ,general ,armstrong1 with the ,pennsylvania militia1 was to pass down the ,monatawny or ,ridge road1 and get upon the enemy's left and rear4 ,greene with the left wing1 composed of his own division and the division of ,general ,stephen1 and flanked by ,mc,dougall's brigade1 was to march down the ,limekiln road1 so as to enter the village at the market-house4 ,the two divisions were to attack the enemy's right wing in front1 ,mc,dougall with his brigade to attack it in flank1 while ,smallwood's division of ,maryland militia and ,forman's ,jersey brigade1 making a circuit by the ,old ,york road1 were to attack it in the rear4 ,two-thirds of the forces were thus directed against the enemy's right wing1 under the idea that1 if it could be forced1 the whole army must be pushed into the ,schuylkill1 or compelled to surrender4 ,the attack was to begin on all quarters at daybreak4 ,about dusk1 on the #c;d of ,october1 the army left its encampment at ,matuchen ,hills1 by its different routes4 ,washington accompanied the right wing4 ,it had fifteen miles of weary march to make over rough roads1 so that it was after daybreak when the troops emerged from the woods on ,chestnut ,hill4 ,the morning was dark with a heavy fog4 ,a detachment advanced to attack the enemy's out-picket1 stationed at ,allen's ,house4 ,the patrol was led by ,captain ,allen ,mc,lane4 ,he fell in with double sentries1 whom he killed with the loss of one man4 ,the alarm1 however1 was given2 the distant roll of a drum and the call to arms resounded through the murky air4 ,the picket guard1 after discharging their two six-pounders1 were routed1 and retreated down the south side of ,mount ,airy to the battalion of light-infantry who were forming in order of battle4 ,as their pursuers descended into the valley1 the sun rose1 but was soon obscured4 ,wayne led the attack upon the light-infantry4 ,they broke at first but soon formed again1 when a heavy and well-directed fire took place on both sides4 ,they again gave way1 but being supported by the grenadiers1 returned to the charge4 ,sullivan's division and ,conway's brigade formed on the west of the road1 and joined in the attack2 the rest of the troops were too far to the north to render any assistance4 ,the infantry1 after fighting bravely for a time1 broke and ran1 leaving their artillery behind4 ,they were hotly pursued by ,wayne4 ,his troops remembered the bloody #bjth of ,september1 and the ruthless slaughter of their comrades4 ,it was a terrible mele4 ,the fog1 together with the smoke of the cannonry and musketry1 made it almost as dark as night2 our people mistaking one another for the enemy1 frequently exchanged shots before they discovered their error4 ,the whole of the enemy's advance were driven from their camping ground1 leaving their tents standing1 with all their baggage4 ,colonel ,musgrave1 with six companies of the #djth regiment1 threw himself into ,chew's ,house1 barricaded the doors and lower windows1 and took post above stairs2 the main torrent of the retreat passed by pursued by ,wayne into the village4 ,as the residue of this division of the army came up to join in the pursuit1 ,musgrave and his men opened a fire of musketry upon them from the upper windows of his citadel4 ,this brought them to a halt4 ,some of the officers were for pushing on2 but ,general ,knox stoutly objected1 insisting on the old military maxim1 never to leave a garrisoned castle in the rear4 ,his objection unluckily prevailed4 ,a flag sent with a summons to surrender was fired upon4 ,the house was now cannonaded1 but the artillery was too light to have the desired effect4 ,an attempt was made to set fire to the basement4 ,he who attempted it was shot dead from a grated cellar window4 ,at length a regiment was left to keep guard upon the mansion and hold its garrison in check1 and the rear division again pressed forward4 ,this half hour's delay1 however1 of nearly one-half of the army1 disconcerted the action4 ,the divisions and brigades thus separated from each other by the skirmishing attack upon ,chew's ,house1 could not be re-united4 ,the fog and smoke rendered all objects indistinct at thirty yards' distance2 the different parts of the army knew nothing of the position or movements of each other1 and the commander-in-chief could take no view nor gain any information of the situation of the whole4 ,the original plan of attack was only effectively carried into operation in the centre4 ,still the action1 though disconnected1 irregular and partial1 was animated in various quarters4 ,sullivan1 being reinforced by ,nash's ,north ,carolina troops and ,conway's brigade1 pushed on a mile beyond ,chew's ,house1 where the left wing of the enemy gave way before him4 ,greene and ,stephen1 with their divisions1 having had to make a circuit1 were late in coming into action1 and became separated from each other1 part of ,stephen's division being arrested by a heavy fire from ,chew's ,house and pausing to return it4 ,greene1 however1 with his division1 pressed rapidly forward1 drove an advance regiment of light-infantry before him1 took a number of prisoners1 and made his way quite to the market-house in the centre of the village1 where he encountered the right wing of the ,british drawn up to receive him4 ,the impetuosity of his attack had an evident effect upon the enemy1 who began to waver4 ,forman and ,smallwood1 with the ,jersey and ,maryland militia1 were just showing themselves on the right flank of the enemy1 and our troops seemed on the point of carrying the whole encampment4 ,at this moment a singular panic seized our army4 ,various causes are assigned for it4 ,sullivan alleges that his troops had expended all their cartridges1 and were alarmed by seeing the enemy gathering on their left1 and by the cry of a light-horseman1 that the enemy were getting round them4 ,wayne's division1 which had pushed the enemy nearly three miles1 was alarmed by the approach of a large body of ,american troops on its left flank1 which it mistook for foes1 and fell back in defiance of every effort of its officers to rally it4 ,in its retreat it came upon ,stephen's division and threw it into a panic1 being1 in its turn1 mistaken for the enemy2 thus all fell into confusion1 and our army fled from their own victory4 ,in the meantime the enemy1 having recovered from the first effects of the surprise1 advanced in their turn4 ,general ,grey brought up the left wing1 and pressed upon the ,american troops as they receded4 ,lord ,cornwallis1 with a squadron of light-horse from ,philadelphia1 arrived just in time to join in the pursuit4 ,the retreat of the ,americans was attended with less loss than might have been expected1 and they carried off all their cannon and wounded4 ,the retreat continued through the day to ,perkiomen ,creek1 a distance of twenty miles4 ,the loss of the enemy in this action is stated by them to be seventy-one killed1 four hundred and fifteen wounded1 and fourteen missing3 among the killed was ,brigadier-general ,agnew4 ,the ,american loss was one hundred and fifty killed1 five hundred and twenty-one wounded1 and about four hundred taken prisoners4 ,among the killed was ,general ,nash of ,north ,carolina4 ,among the prisoners was ,colonel ,mathews of ,virginia4 ,the sudden retreat of the army gave ,washington surprise1 chagrin and mortification4 ,every account1 said he subsequently1 in a letter to the ,president of ,congress1 confirms the opinion ,i at first entertained1 that our troops retreated at the instant when victory was declaring herself in our favor4 ,the tumult1 disorder1 and even despair which it seems had taken place in the ,british army1 were scarcely to be paralleled2 and it is said1 so strongly did the ideas of a retreat prevail1 that ,chester was fixed on for their rendezvous4 ,i can discover no other cause for not improving this happy opportunity1 than the extreme haziness of the weather4 ,the plan of attack was too widely extended for strict concert1 and too complicated for precise co-operation1 as it had to be conducted in the night1 and with a large proportion of undisciplined militia4 ,but although the ,americans were balked of the victory1 which seemed within their grasp1 the impression made by the audacity of this attempt upon ,germantown was greater we are told than that caused by any single incident of the war after ,lexington and ,bunker's ,hill4 ,washington remained a few days at ,perkiomen ,creek1 to give his army time to rest and recover from the disorder incident to a retreat4 ,having been reinforced by the arrival of twelve hundred ,rhode ,island troops from ,peekskill1 under ,general ,varnum1 and nearly a thousand ,virginia1 ,maryland and ,pennsylvania troops1 he gradually drew nearer to ,philadelphia1 and took a strong position at ,white ,marsh1 within fourteen miles of that city4 ,by a resolution of ,congress1 all persons taken within thirty miles of any place occupied by ,british troops1 in the act of conveying supplies to them1 were subjected to martial law4 ,acting under the resolution1 ,washington detached large bodies of militia to scour the roads above the city1 and between the ,schuylkill and ,chester1 to intercept all supplies going to the enemy4 ,on the forts and obstructions in the river1 ,washington mainly counted to complete the harassment of ,philadelphia4 ,these defences had been materially impaired4 ,the works at ,billingsport had been attacked and destroyed1 and some of the enemy's ships had forced their way through the chevaux-de-frise placed there4 ,the ,american frigate ,delaware1 stationed in the river between the upper forts and ,philadelphia1 had run aground before a ,british battery and been captured4 ,it was now the great object of the ,howes to reduce and destroy1 and of ,washington to defend and maintain the remaining forts and obstructions4 ,fort ,mifflin1 which we have already mentioned1 was erected on a low1 green1 reedy island in the ,delaware1 a few miles below ,philadelphia1 and below the mouth of the ,schuylkill4 ,it consisted of a strong redoubt with extensive outworks and batteries4 ,there was but a narrow channel between the island and the ,pennsylvania shore4 ,the main channel1 practicable for ships1 was on the other side4 ,in this were sunk strong chevaux-de-frise1 difficult either to be weighed or cut through1 and dangerous to any ships that might run against them2 subjected as they would be to the batteries of ,fort ,mifflin on one side1 and on the other to those of ,fort ,mercer1 a strong work at ,red ,bank on the ,jersey shore4 ,fort ,mifflin was garrisoned by troops of the ,maryland line1 under ,lieutenant-colonel ,samuel ,smith of ,baltimore2 and had kept up a brave defence against batteries erected by the enemy on the ,pennsylvania shore4 ,a reinforcement of ,virginia troops made the garrison between three and four hundred strong4 ,floating batteries1 galleys1 and fire-ships1 commanded by ,commodore ,hazelwood1 were stationed under the forts and about the river4 ,fort ,mercer had hitherto been garrisoned by militia1 but ,washington now replaced them by four hundred of ,general ,varnum's ,rhode ,island ,continentals4 ,colonel ,christopher ,greene was put in command2 a brave officer who had accompanied ,arnold in his rough expedition to ,canada1 and fought valiantly under the walls of ,quebec4 ,colonel ,greene was accompanied by ,captain ,mauduit ,duplessis1 who was to have the direction of the artillery4 ,he was a young ,french engineer of great merit1 who had volunteered in the ,american cause1 and received a commission from ,congress4 ,the chevaux-de-frise in the river had been constructed under his superintendence4 ,greene1 aided by ,duplessis1 made all haste to put ,fort ,mercer in a state of defence2 but before the outworks were completed1 he was surprised 7,october #bb7 by the appearance of a large force emerging from a wood within cannon shot of the fort4 ,their uniforms showed them to be ,hessians4 ,they were1 in fact1 four battalions twelve hundred strong of grenadiers1 picked men1 beside light-infantry and chasseurs1 all commanded by ,count ,donop1 who had figured in the last year's campaign4 ,colonel ,greene1 in nowise dismayed by the superiority of the enemy forming in glistening array before the wood1 prepared for a stout resistance4 ,in a little while an officer was descried1 riding slowly up with a flag1 accompanied by a drummer4 ,greene ordered his men to keep out of sight1 that the fort might appear but slightly garrisoned4 ,when within proper distance the drummer sounded a parley1 and the officer summoned the garrison to surrender2 with a threat of no quarter in case of resistance4 ,greene's reply was that the post would be defended to the last extremity4 ,the flag rode back and made a report4 ,forthwith the ,hessians were seen at work throwing up a battery within half a mile of the outworks4 ,it was finished by four o'clock1 and opened a heavy cannonade1 under cover of which the enemy were preparing to approach4 ,as the ,american outworks were but half finished and were too extensive to be manned by the garrison1 it was determined by ,greene and ,duplessis that the troops should make but a short stand there1 to gall the enemy in their approach1 and then retire within the redoubt1 which was defended by a deep intrenchment1 boarded and fraised4 ,donop led on his troops in gallant style under cover of a heavy fire from his battery4 ,they advanced in two columns to attack the outworks in two places4 ,as they advanced they were excessively galled by a flanking fire from the ,american galleys and batteries1 and by sharp volleys from the outworks4 ,the latter1 however1 as had been concerted1 were quickly abandoned by the garrison4 ,the enemy entered at two places1 and imagining the day their own1 the two columns pushed on with shouts to storm different parts of the redoubt4 ,as yet no troops were to be seen2 but as one of the columns approached the redoubt on the north side1 a tremendous discharge of grape-shot and musketry burst forth from the embrasures in front1 and a half-masked battery on the left4 ,the slaughter was prodigious2 the column was driven back in confusion4 ,count ,donop1 with the other column1 in attempting the south side of the redoubt1 had passed the abatis when a similar tempest of artillery and musketry burst upon them4 ,some were killed on the spot1 many were wounded1 and the rest were driven out4 ,donop himself received a mortal wound2 ,lieutenant-colonel ,mingerode1 the second in command1 was also dangerously wounded4 ,several other of the best officers were slain or disabled4 ,the troops retreated in confusion1 hotly pursued1 and were again cut up in their retreat by the flanking fire from the galleys and floating batteries4 ,the loss of the enemy in killed and wounded1 in this brief but severe action1 was about four hundred men2 that of the ,americans1 eight killed and twenty-nine wounded4 ,according to the plan of the enemy1 ,fort ,mifflin1 opposite to ,fort ,mercer1 was to have been attacked at the same time by water4 ,the force employed was the ,augusta of sixty-four guns1 the ,roebuck of forty-four1 two frigates1 the ,merlin sloop of eighteen guns1 and a galley4 ,they forced their way through the lower line of chevaux-de-frise2 but the ,augusta and ,merlin ran aground below the second line1 and every effort to get them off proved fruitless4 ,to divert attention from their situation1 the other vessels drew as near to ,fort ,mifflin as they could1 and opened a cannonade4 ,they kept up a fire upon the fort throughout the evening1 and recommenced it early in the morning1 as did likewise the ,british batteries on the ,pennsylvania shore2 hoping that under cover of it the ships might be got off4 ,a strong adverse wind1 however1 kept the tide from rising sufficiently to float them4 ,the ,americans discovered their situation1 and sent down four fire-ships to destroy them1 but without effect4 ,a heavy fire was now opened upon them1 from the galleys and floating batteries4 ,it was warmly returned4 ,in the course of the action1 a red-hot shot set the ,augusta on fire4 ,it was impossible to check the flames4 ,she blew up while the second lieutenant1 the chaplain1 the gunner1 and several of the crew were yet on board1 most of whom perished4 ,the ,merlin was now set on fire and abandoned2 the ,roebuck and the other vessels dropped down the river1 and the attack on ,fort ,mifflin was given up4 ,these signal repulses of the enemy had an animating effect on the public mind1 and were promptly noticed by ,congress4 ,colonel ,greene1 who commanded at ,fort ,mercer1 ,lieutenant-colonel ,smith of ,maryland1 who commanded at ,fort ,mifflin1 and ,commodore ,hazelwood1 who commanded the galleys1 received the thanks of that body2 and subsequently1 a sword was voted to each1 as a testimonial of distinguished merit4 ,we have heretofore had occasion to advert to the annoyances and perplexities occasioned to ,washington by the claims and pretensions of foreign officers who had entered into the service4 ,among the officers who came out with ,lafayette1 was the ,baron ,de ,kalb1 a ,german by birth1 but who had long been employed in the ,french service1 and though a silver-haired veteran1 sixty years of age1 was yet fresh and active and vigorous4 ,in the month of ,september1 ,congress had given him the commission of major-general1 to date with that of ,lafayette4 ,this instantly produced a remonstrance from ,brigadier-general ,conway1 who considered himself slighted and forgot1 in their giving a superior rank to his own to a person who had not rendered the cause the least service1 and who had been his inferior in ,france4 ,he claimed1 therefore1 for himself the rank of major-general1 and was supported in his pretensions by persons both in and out of ,congress2 especially by ,mifflin1 the quartermaster-general4 ,washington had already been disgusted by the overweening presumption of ,conway1 and was surprised to hear that his application was likely to be successful4 ,he wrote on the #agth of ,october to ,richard ,henry ,lee1 then in ,congress1 warning him that such an appointment would be as unfortunate a measure as ever was adopted4 ,i would ask1 writes he1 why the youngest brigadier in the service should be put over the heads of the oldest1 and thereby take rank and command of gentlemen who but yesterday were his seniors8444 ,this truth ,i am well assured of that they will not serve under him4 ,i leave you to guess1 therefore1 at the situation this army would be in at so important a crisis1 if this event should take place4 ,this opposition to his presumptuous aspirations at once threw ,conway into a faction forming under the auspices of ,general ,mifflin4 ,this gentleman had recently tendered his resignation of the commission of major-general and quartermaster-general on the plea of ill health1 but was busily engaged in intrigues against the commander-in-chief1 towards whom he had long cherished a secret hostility4 ,conway now joined with him heart and hand1 and soon became so active and prominent a member of the faction that it acquired the name of ,conway's ,cabal4 ,the object was to depreciate the military character of ,washington1 in comparison with that of ,gates1 to whom was attributed the whole success of the ,northern campaign4 ,gates was perfectly ready for such an elevation4 ,in fact1 in the excitement of his vanity1 he appears to have forgotten that there was a commander-in-chief1 to whom he was accountable4 ,he neglected to send him any despatch on the subject of the surrender of ,burgoyne1 contenting himself with sending one to ,congress1 then sitting at ,yorktown4 ,washington was left to hear of the important event by casual rumor1 until he received a copy of the capitulation in a letter from ,general ,putnam4 ,gates was equally neglectful to inform him of the disposition he intended to make of the army under his command4 ,he delayed even to forward ,morgan's rifle corps1 though their services were no longer needed in his camp1 and were so much required in the ,south4 ,it was determined1 therefore1 in a council of war1 that one of ,washington's staff should be sent to ,gates to represent the critical state of affairs4 ,colonel ,alexander ,hamilton1 his youthful but intelligent aide-de-camp1 was charged with this mission4 ,he bore a letter from ,washington to ,gates1 dated ,october #cjth1 of which the following is an extract3 ,by this opportunity ,i do myself the pleasure to congratulate you on the signal success of the army under your command4444 ,at the same time1 ,i cannot but regret that a matter of such magnitude1 and so interesting to our general operations1 should have reached me by report only2 or through the channel of letters not bearing that authenticity which the importance of it required1 and which it would have received by a line under your signature stating the simple fact4 ,such was the calm and dignified notice of an instance of official disrespect1 almost amounting to insubordination4 ,it is doubtful whether ,gates1 in his state of mental effervescence1 felt the noble severity of the rebuke4 ,a fortuitous circumstance1 which we shall explain hereafter1 apprised ,washington about this time that a correspondence1 derogatory to his military character and conduct was going on between ,general ,conway and ,general ,gates4 ,washington conducted himself with dignified forbearance1 contenting himself with letting ,conway know1 by the following brief note1 dated ,november #ith1 that his correspondence was detected3 ,,sir--,a letter which ,i received last night contained the following paragraph--',in a letter from ,general ,conway to ,general ,gates1 he says3 ,heaven has determined to save your country1 or a weak general and bad counsellors would have ruined it4' ,i am1 sir1 your humble servant1 ,,george ,,washington4 ,the brevity of this note rendered it the more astounding4 ,it was a hand-grenade thrown into the midst of the cabal4 ,the effect upon other members we shall show hereafter3 it seems1 at first1 to have prostrated ,conway4 ,he immediately sent in his resignation4 ,it was not1 however1 accepted by ,congress2 on the contrary he was supported by the cabal1 and was advanced to further honors1 which we shall specify hereafter4 ,in the meantime1 the cabal went on to make invidious comparisons between the achievements of the two armies1 deeply derogatory to that under ,washington4 ,publicly1 he took no notice of them4 ,the non-arrival of reinforcements from the ,northern army continued to embarrass ,washington's operations4 ,the enemy were making preparations for further attempts upon ,forts ,mercer and ,mifflin4 ,general ,howe was constructing redoubts and batteries on ,province ,island1 on the west side of the ,delaware1 within five hundred yards of ,fort ,mifflin1 and mounting them with heavy cannon4 ,washington consulted with his general officers what was to be done4 ,had the army received the expected reinforcements from the ,north1 it might have detached sufficient force to the west side of the ,schuylkill to dislodge the enemy from ,province ,island2 but at present it would require almost the whole of the army for the purpose4 ,this would leave the public stores at ,easton1 ,bethlehem and ,allentown1 uncovered1 as well as several of the hospitals4 ,it would also leave the post at ,red ,bank unsupported1 through which ,fort ,mifflin was reinforced and supplied4 ,it was determined1 therefore1 to await the arrival of the expected reinforcements from the ,north1 before making any alteration in the disposition of the army4 ,in the meantime1 the garrisons of ,forts ,mercer and ,mifflin were increased1 and ,general ,varnum was stationed at ,red ,bank with his brigade1 to be at hand to render reinforcements to either of them as occasion might require4 ,on the #ajth of ,november1 ,general ,howe commenced a heavy fire upon ,fort ,mifflin from his batteries1 which mounted eighteen1 twenty-four1 and thirty-two pounders4 ,major ,fleury acquitted himself with intelligence and spirit as engineer2 but an incessant cannonade and bombardment for several days1 defied all repairs4 ,the block-houses were demolished1 the palisades beaten down1 the guns dismounted1 the barracks reduced to ruins4 ,captain ,treat1 a young officer of great merit1 who commanded the artillery1 was killed1 as were several non-commissioned officers and privates2 and a number were wounded4 ,the survivors1 who were not wounded1 were exhausted by want of sleep1 hard duty1 and constant exposure to the rain4 ,colonel ,smith himself was disabled by severe contusions1 and obliged to retire to ,red ,bank4 ,the fort was in ruins2 there was danger of its being carried by storm1 but the gallant ,fleury thought it might yet be defended with the aid of fresh troops4 ,such were furnished from ,varnum's brigade3 ,lieutenant-colonel ,russell1 of the ,connecticut line1 replaced ,colonel ,smith4 ,he in his turn was obliged to relinquish the command through fatigue and ill health1 and was succeeded by ,major ,thayer of ,rhode ,island1 aided by ,captain 7afterwards commodore7 ,talbot4 ,on the fourth day the enemy brought a large ,indiaman1 cut down to a floating battery1 to bear upon the works2 but though it opened a terrible fire1 it was silenced before night4 ,the next day several ships-of-war got within gunshot4 ,two prepared to attack it in front2 others brought their guns to bear on ,fort ,mercer2 while two made their way into the narrow channel between ,mud ,island and the ,pennsylvania shore1 to operate with the ,british batteries erected there4 ,at a concerted signal a cannonade was opened from all quarters4 ,the heroic little garrison stood the fire without flinching2 the danger1 however1 was growing imminent4 ,the batteries on ,province ,island enfiladed the works4 ,the ships in the inner channel approached so near as to throw hand-grenades into the fort1 while marines stationed in the round-tops stood ready to pick off any of the garrison that came in sight4 ,the scene now became awful2 incessant firing from ships1 forts1 gondolas and floating batteries1 with clouds of sulphurous smoke1 and the deafening thunder of cannon4 ,before night there was hardly a fortification to defend2 palisades were shivered1 guns dismounted1 the whole parapet levelled4 ,there was terrible slaughter2 most of the company of artillery were destroyed2 ,fleury himself was wounded4 ,captain ,talbot received a wound in the wrist1 but continued bravely fighting until disabled by another wound in the hip4 ,to hold out longer was impossible4 ,colonel ,thayer made preparations to evacuate the fort in the night4 ,everything was removed in the evening that could be conveyed away without too much exposure to the murderous fire from the round-tops4 ,the wounded were taken over to ,red ,bank1 accompanied by part of the garrison4 ,thayer remained with forty men until eleven o'clock1 when they set fire to what was combustible of the fort they had so nobly defended1 and crossed to ,red ,bank by the light of its flames4 ,the loss of this fort was deeply regretted by ,washington1 though he gave high praise to the officers and men of the garrison4 ,colonel ,smith was voted a sword by ,congress1 and ,fleury received the commission of lieutenant-colonel4 ,washington still hoped to keep possession of ,red ,bank1 and thereby prevent the enemy from weighing the chevaux-de-frise before the frost obliged their ships to quit the river4 ,i am anxiously waiting the arrival of the troops from the northward1 writes he1 who ought1 from the time they have had my orders to have been here before this4 ,colonel ,hamilton1 one of my aides1 is up the ,north ,river1 doing all he can to push them forward1 but he writes me word that he finds many unaccountable delays thrown in his way4 ,the want of these troops has embarrassed all my measures exceedingly4 ,the delays in question will best be explained by a few particulars concerning the mission of ,colonel ,hamilton4 ,hamilton had expected to find matters in such a train that he would have little to do but hurry on ample reinforcements already on the march2 but he soon discovered that it was designed to retain the greater part of the ,northern army at ,albany and in the ,highlands1 sparing only about four thousand men to the commander-in-chief4 ,morgan and his riflemen had been tardily detached1 he having met them on the march near ,new ,windsor on the morning of ,november #b;d4 ,putnam1 he found1 was busy with the project of an attack on ,new ,york2 and ,gates was full of reasons why more troops should not be despatched southward1 claiming that there was no certainty that ,sir ,henry ,clinton had gone to join ,howe1 and that there was a possibility of his returning up the river4 ,if his army were depleted1 ,albany would be exposed1 ,new ,england left open to the ravages of the enemy1 and his own contemplated movement against ,ticonderoga abandoned4 ,it was with the greatest difficulty that ,hamilton induced ,gates to detach the brigades of ,poor and ,patterson to the aid of the commander-in-chief4 ,washington would not have received a man1 he declared1 if the whole could have been kept at ,albany with any decency4 ,governor ,clinton1 ,hamilton found1 was the only general officer who appreciated ,washington's position1 and disposed to promote the general good1 independent of personal considerations4 ,putnam who1 unlike ,gates1 was innocent of intrigues against the commander-in-chief1 was still so bent upon his favorite scheme of an attack on ,new ,york1 that only ,hamilton's positive orders1 as from ,washington1 to send the ,continental troops under him southward1 retaining the militia1 brought the bellicose veteran to a reluctant compliance4 ,washington1 in a letter to ,putnam1 reprimanded his tardiness1 concluding with1 ,i could wish that in future my orders may be immediately complied with1 without arguing upon the propriety of them4 ,the intrigues in progress around him made it necessary for ,washington at this moment to assert his superior command1 although he acquitted ,putnam of any part in them4 ,in the meantime1 ,sir ,william ,howe was following up the reduction of ,fort ,mifflin by an expedition against ,fort ,mercer1 which still impeded the navigation of the ,delaware4 ,on the #agth of ,november1 ,lord ,cornwallis was detached with two thousand men to cross from ,chester into the ,jerseys1 where he would be joined by a force advancing from ,new ,york4 ,apprised of this movement1 ,washington detached ,general ,huntington with a brigade1 to join ,varnum at ,red ,bank4 ,general ,greene was also ordered to repair thither with his division1 and an express was sent off to ,general ,glover who was on his way through the ,jerseys with his brigade1 directing him to file off to the left towards the same point4 ,these troops1 with such militia as could be collected1 ,washington hoped would be sufficient to save the fort4 ,before they could form a junction1 however1 and reach their destination1 ,cornwallis appeared before it4 ,a defence against such superior force was hopeless4 ,the works were abandoned2 they were taken possession of by the enemy who proceeded to destroy them4 ,after the destruction had been accomplished1 the reinforcements from the ,north1 so long and so anxiously expected1 and so shamefully delayed1 made their appearance4 ,had they arrived but ten days sooner1 writes ,washington to his brother1 it would1 ,i think1 have put it in my power to save ,fort ,mifflin1 which defended the chevaux-de-frise1 and consequently have rendered ,philadelphia a very ineligible situation for the enemy this winter4 ,the evil which ,washington had so anxiously striven to prevent had now been effected4 ,the ,american vessels stationed in the river had lost all protection4 ,some of the galleys escaped past the batteries of ,philadelphia in a fog1 and took refuge in the upper part of the ,delaware2 the rest were set on fire by their crews and abandoned4 ,washington advised the navy board1 now that the enemy had the command of the river1 to have all the ,american frigates scuttled and sunk immediately4 ,the board objected to sinking them1 but said they should be ballasted and plugged1 ready to be sunk in case of attack4 ,washington warned them that an attack would be sudden1 so as to get possession of them before they could be sunk or destroyed2--his advice and warning were unheeded2 the consequence will hereafter be shown4 ,,chapter ,,xlviii4 ,,the ,,army ,,on ,,the ,,schuylkill4--,,at ,,valley ,,forge4--,,the ,,conway ,,cabal4 ,on the evening of the #bdth of ,november ,washington reconnoitred1 carefully and thoughtfully1 the lines and defences about ,philadelphia1 from the opposite side of the ,schuylkill4 ,his army was now considerably reinforced2 the garrison was weakened by the absence of a large body of troops under ,lord ,cornwallis in the ,jerseys4 ,some of the general officers thought this an advantageous moment for an attack upon the city4 ,such was the opinion of ,lord ,stirling1 and especially of ,general ,wayne1 ,mad ,anthony1 as he was familiarly called1 always eager for some daring enterprise4 ,the recent victory at ,saratoga had dazzled the public mind and produced a general impatience for something equally striking and effective in this quarter4 ,with an anxious eye ,washington scrutinized the enemy's works4 ,they appeared to be exceeding strong4 ,a chain of redoubts extended along the most commanding ground from the ,schuylkill to the ,delaware4 ,they were framed1 planked1 and of great thickness1 and were surrounded by a deep ditch1 enclosed and fraised4 ,the intervals were filled with an abatis1 in constructing which all the apple trees of the neighborhood1 beside forest trees1 had been sacrificed4 ,the idea of ,lord ,stirling and those in favor of an attack was1 that it should be at different points at daylight2 the main body to attack the lines to the north of the city1 while ,greene1 embarking his men in boats at ,dunk's ,ferry1 and passing down the ,delaware1 and ,potter1 with a body of ,continentals and militia1 moving down the west side of the ,schuylkill1 should attack the eastern and western fronts4 ,washington saw that there was an opportunity for a brilliant blow1 that might satisfy the impatience of the public1 but he saw that it must be struck at the expense of a fearful loss of life4 ,returning to camp1 he held a council of war of his principal officers1 in which the matter was debated at great length and with some warmth1 but without coming to a decision4 ,at breaking up1 ,washington requested that each member of the council would give his opinion the next morning in writing1 and he sent off a messenger in the night for the written opinion of ,general ,greene4 ,only four members of the council1 ,stirling1 ,wayne1 ,scott and ,woodford1 were in favor of an attack2 of which ,lord ,stirling drew up the plan4 ,eleven 7including ,greene7 were against it1 objecting1 among other things1 that the enemy's lines were too strong and too well supported1 and their force too numerous1 well disciplined and experienced1 to be assailed without great loss and the hazard of a failure4 ,had ,washington been actuated by mere personal ambition and a passion for military fame1 he might have disregarded the loss and hazarded the failure2 but his patriotism was superior to his ambition2 he shrank from a glory that must be achieved at such a cost1 and the idea of an attack was abandoned4 ,a letter from ,general ,greene received about this time1 gave ,washington some gratifying intelligence about his youthful friend1 the ,marquis de ,lafayette4 ,though not quite recovered from the wound received at the battle of ,brandywine1 he had accompanied ,general ,greene as a volunteer in his expedition into the ,jerseys1 and had been indulged by him with an opportunity of gratifying his belligerent humor1 in a brush with ,cornwallis' outposts4 ,the marquis1 writes ,greene1 with about four hundred militia and the rifle corps1 attacked the enemy's picket last evening killed about twenty1 wounded many more1 and took about twenty prisoners4 ,the marquis is charmed with the spirited behavior of the militia and rifle corps4444 ,the marquis is determined to be in the way of danger4 ,washington had repeatedly written to ,congress in favor of giving the marquis a command equal to his nominal rank4 ,he availed himself of the present occasion to support his former recommendations1 by transmitting to ,congress an account of ,lafayette's youthful exploit4 ,he received1 in return1 an intimation from that body1 that it was their pleasure he should appoint the marquis to the command of a division in the ,continental army4 ,the division of ,general ,stephen at this time was vacant2 that veteran officer1 who had formerly won honor for himself in the ,french war1 having been dismissed for misconduct at the battle of ,germantown1 the result of intemperate habits1 into which he unfortunately had fallen4 ,lafayette was forthwith appointed to the command of that division4 ,at this juncture 7,november #bgth71 a modification took place in the ,board of ,war1 indicative of the influence which was operating in ,congress4 ,it was increased from three to five members3 ,general ,mifflin1 ,joseph ,trumbull1 ,richard ,peters1 ,colonel ,pickering1 and last1 though certainly not least1 ,general ,gates4 ,mifflin's resignation of the commission of quartermaster-general had recently been accepted2 but that of major-general was continued to him1 though without pay4 ,general ,gates was appointed president of the board1 and the ,president of ,congress was instructed to express to him1 in communicating the intelligence1 the high sense which that body entertained of his abilities and peculiar fitness to discharge the duties of that important office1 upon the right execution of which the success of the ,american cause so eminently depended2 and to inform him it was their intention to continue his rank as major-general1 and that he might officiate at the board or in the field1 as occasion might require2 furthermore1 that he should repair to ,congress with all convenient despatch to enter upon the duties of his appointment4 ,it was evidently the idea of the cabal that ,gates was henceforth to be the master-spirit of the war4 ,while busy faction was at work1 both in and out of ,congress1 to undermine the fame and authority of ,washington1 ,general ,howe1 according to his own threat1 was preparing to drive him beyond the mountains4 ,on the #dth of ,december1 ,captain ,allen ,mc,lane1 a vigilant officer already mentioned1 of the ,maryland line1 brought word to head-quarters that an attack was to be made that very night on the camp at ,white ,marsh4 ,washington made his dispositions to receive the meditated assault1 and1 in the meantime1 detached ,mc,lane with one hundred men to reconnoitre4 ,the latter met the van of the enemy about eleven o'clock at night1 on the ,germantown ,road2 attacked it at the ,three ,mile ,run1 forced it to change its line of march1 and hovered about and impeded it throughout the night4 ,about three o'clock in the morning the alarm-gun announced the approach of the enemy4 ,they appeared at daybreak1 and encamped on ,chestnut ,hill1 within three miles of ,washington's right wing4 ,brigadier-general ,james ,irvine1 with six hundred of the ,pennsylvania militia1 was sent out to skirmish with their light advanced parties4 ,he encountered them at the foot of the hill1 but after a short conflict1 in which several were killed and wounded1 his troops gave way and fled in all directions1 leaving him and four or five of his men wounded on the field1 who were taken prisoners4 ,general ,howe passed the day in reconnoitring1 and at night changed his ground1 and moved to a hill on the left1 and within a mile of the ,american line4 ,it was his wish to have a general action2 but to have it on advantageous terms4 ,he had scrutinized ,washington's position and pronounced it inaccessible4 ,for three days he manoeuvred to draw him from it1 shifting his own position occasionally1 but still keeping on advantageous ground4 ,washington was not to be decoyed4 ,he knew the vast advantages which superior science1 discipline and experience gave the enemy in open field fight1 and remained within his lines4 ,all his best officers approved of his policy4 ,several sharp skirmishes occurred at ,edge ,hill and elsewhere1 in which ,morgan's riflemen and the ,maryland militia were concerned4 ,there was loss on both sides1 but the ,americans gave way before a great superiority of numbers4 ,on the #gth there was every appearance that ,howe meditated an attack on the left wing4 ,washington's heart now beat high1 and he prepared for a warm and decisive action4 ,in the course of the day he rode through every brigade1 giving directions how the attack was to be met1 and exhorting his troops to depend mainly on the bayonet4 ,the day wore away with nothing but skirmishes1 in which ,morgan's riflemen1 and the ,maryland militia under ,colonel ,gist1 rendered good service4 ,an attack was expected in the night1 or early in the morning2 but no attack took place4 ,the spirit manifested by the ,americans in their recent contests had rendered the ,british commanders cautious4 ,the next day in the afternoon1 the enemy were again in motion2 but instead of advancing1 filed off to the left1 halted and lit up a long string of fires on the heights2 behind which they retreated1 silently and precipitately1 in the night4 ,by the time ,washington received intelligence of their movement they were in full march by two or three routes for ,philadelphia4 ,he immediately detached light parties to fall upon their rear1 but they were too far on the way for any but light-horse to overtake them4 ,here then was another occasion of which the enemies of ,washington availed themselves to deride his cautious policy4 ,yet it was clearly dictated by true wisdom4 ,his heart yearned for a general encounter with the enemy4 ,in his despatch to the ,president of ,congress1 he writes1 ,i sincerely wish that they had made an attack2 as the issue1 in all probability1 from the disposition of our troops and the strong situation of our camp1 would have been fortunate and happy4 ,at the same time ,i must add1 that reason1 prudence1 and every principle of policy forbade us from quitting our post to attack them4 ,nothing but success would have justified the measure1 and this could not be expected from their position4 ,at this time1 one of the earliest measures recommended by the ,board of ,war1 and adopted by ,congress1 showed the increasing influence of the cabal2 two inspectors-general were to be appointed for the promotion of discipline and reformation of abuses in the army2 and one of the persons chosen for this important office was ,conway1 with the rank1 too1 of major-general6 ,this was tacitly in defiance of the opinion so fully expressed by ,washington of the demerits of the man1 and the ruinous effects to be apprehended from his promotion over the heads of brigadiers of superior claims4 ,conway1 however1 was the secret colleague of ,gates1 and ,gates was now the rising sun4 ,winter had now set in with all its severity4 ,the troops1 worn down by long and hard service1 had need of repose4 ,poorly clad1 also1 and almost destitute of blankets1 they required a warmer shelter than mere tents against the inclemencies of the season4 ,the nearest towns which would afford winter-quarters1 were ,lancaster1 ,york and ,carlisle2 but should the army retire to either of these1 a large and fertile district would be exposed to be foraged by the foe1 and its inhabitants1 perhaps1 to be dragooned into submission4 ,the plan adopted by ,washington1 after holding a council of war1 and weighing the discordant opinions of his officers1 was to hut the army for the winter at ,valley ,forge1 in ,chester ,county1 on the west side of the ,schuylkill1 about twenty miles from ,philadelphia4 ,here he would be able to keep a vigilant eye on that city1 and at the same time protect a great extent of country4 ,sad and dreary was the march to ,valley ,forge1 uncheered by the recollection of any recent triumph1 as was the march to winter-quarters in the preceding year4 ,hungry and cold were the poor fellows who had so long been keeping the field1 for provisions were scant1 clothing worn out1 and so badly off were they for shoes1 that the footsteps of many might be tracked in blood4 ,yet at this very time we are told1 hogsheads of shoes1 stockings and clothing1 were lying at different places on the roads and in the woods1 perishing for want of teams1 or of money to pay the teamsters4 ,such were the consequences of the derangement of the commissariat4 ,washington wrote to the ,president of ,congress on the subject3 ,i do not know from what cause this alarming deficiency1 or rather total failure of supplies arises2 but unless more vigorous exertions and better regulations take place in that line 7the commissaries' department7 immediately1 the army must dissolve4 ,i have done all in my power by remonstrating1 by writing1 by ordering the commissaries on this head1 from time to time1 but without any good effect1 or obtaining more than a present scanty relief4 ,scarce had ,washington despatched this letter1 when he learnt that the ,legislature of ,pennsylvania had addressed a remonstrance to ,congress against his going into winter-quarters1 instead of keeping in the open field4 ,this letter1 received in his forlorn situation1 surrounded by an unhoused1 scantily clad1 half-starved army1 shivering in the midst of ,december's snow and cold1 put an end to his forbearance1 and drew from him another letter to the ,president of ,congress1 dated on the #bc;d1 which we shall largely quote1 not only for its manly and truthful eloquence1 but for the exposition it gives of the difficulties of his situation1 mainly caused by unwise and intermeddling legislation4 ,and first as to the commissariat3-- ,though ,i have been tender1 heretofore1 writes he1 of giving any opinion1 or lodging complaints1 as the change in that department took place contrary to my judgment1 and the consequences thereof were predicted1 yet finding that the inactivity of the army1 whether for want of provisions1 clothes1 or other essentials1 is charged to my account1 not only by the common vulgar1 but by those in power1 it is time to speak plain in exculpation of myself4 ,with truth then1 ,i can declare1 that no man1 in my opinion1 ever had his measures more impeded than ,i have by every department of the army4 ,since the month of ,july we have had no assistance from the quartermaster-general2 and to want of assistance from this department1 the commissary-general charges great part of his deficiency4444 ,as a proof of the little benefit received from a clothier-general1 and as a further proof of the inability of an army1 under the circumstances of this1 to perform the common duties of soldiers 7besides a number of men confined to hospitals for want of shoes1 and others in farmers' houses on the same account71 we have1 by a field return this day made1 no less than two thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight men now in camp unfit for duty1 because they are barefoot1 and otherwise naked4 ,by the same return1 it appears that our whole strength in ,continental troops1 including the eastern brigades1 which have joined us since the surrender of ,general ,burgoyne1 exclusive of the ,maryland troops sent to ,wilmington1 amounts to no more than eight thousand two hundred in camp fit for duty2 notwithstanding which1 and that since the #dth instant1 our numbers fit for duty1 from the hardships and exposures they have undergone1 particularly on account of blankets1 have decreased near two thousand men4 ,we find gentlemen1 without knowing whether the army was really going into winter-quarters or not 7for ,i am sure no resolution of mine could warrant the remonstrance71 reprobating the measure as much as if they thought the soldiers were made of stocks or stones1 and equally insensible of frost and snow2 and moreover1 as if they conceived it easily practicable for an inferior army1 under the disadvantages ,i have described ours to be--which are by no means exaggerated--to confine a superior one1 in all respects well appointed and provided for a winter's campaign1 within the city of ,philadelphia1 and to cover from depredation and waste the ,states of ,pennsylvania and ,jersey4444 ,i can assure those gentlemen that it is a much easier and less distressing thing to draw remonstrances in a comfortable room by a good fireside1 than to occupy a cold1 bleak hill1 and sleep under frost and snow1 without clothes or blankets4 ,however1 although they seem to have little feeling for the naked and distressed soldiers1 ,i feel abundantly for them1 and1 from my soul1 ,i pity those miseries1 which it is neither in my power to relieve nor prevent4 ,in the present exigency to save his camp from desolation and to relieve his starving soldiery1 he was compelled to exercise the authority recently given him by ,congress1 to forage the country round1 seize supplies wherever he could find them1 and pay for them in money or in certificates redeemable by ,congress4 ,he exercised these powers with great reluctance4 ,he was apprehensive of irritating the jealousy of military sway1 prevalent throughout the country1 and of corrupting the morals of the army4 ,we here close ,washington's operations for #aggg2 one of the most arduous and eventful years of his military life1 and one of the most trying to his character and fortunes4 ,he began it with an empty army chest1 and a force dwindled down to four thousand half-disciplined men4 ,throughout the year he had had to contend1 not merely with the enemy1 but with the parsimony and meddlesome interference of ,congress4 ,in his most critical times that body had left him without funds and without reinforcements4 ,it had made promotions contrary to his advice and contrary to military usage2 thereby wronging and disgusting some of his bravest officers4 ,it had changed the commissariat in the very midst of a campaign1 and thereby thrown the whole service into confusion4 ,among so many cross-purposes and discouragements1 it was a difficult task for ,washington to keep the life and soul of the army together4 ,yet he had done so4 ,marvellous indeed was the manner in which he had soothed the discontents of his aggrieved officers1 and reconciled them to an ill-requiting service2 and still more marvellous the manner in which he had breathed his own spirit of patience and perseverance in his yeoman soldiery1 during their sultry marchings and countermarchings through the ,jerseys1 under all kinds of privations1 with no visible object of pursuit to stimulate their ardor1 hunting1 as it were1 the rumored apparitions of an unseen fleet4 ,the same machinations which were so successful in displacing the noble-hearted ,schuyler from the head of the ,northern department1 were now at work to undermine the commander-in-chief1 and elevate the putative hero of ,saratoga on his ruins4 ,he was painfully aware of them2 yet in no part of the war did he more thoroughly evince that magnanimity which was his grand characteristic1 than in the last scenes of this campaign1 where he rose above the tauntings of the press1 the sneerings of the cabal1 the murmurs of the public1 the suggestions of some of his friends1 and the throbbing impulses of his own courageous heart1 and adhered to that ,fabian policy which he considered essential to the safety of the cause4 ,to dare is often the impulse of selfish ambition or harebrained valor3 to forbear is at times the proof of real greatness4 ,while censure and detraction had dogged ,washington throughout his harassing campaign1 ,gates was the constant theme of popular eulogium1 and was held up by the cabal as the only one capable of retrieving the desperate fortunes of the ,south4 ,letters from his friends in ,congress urged him to hasten on1 take his seat at the head of the ,board of ,war1 assume the management of military affairs1 and save the country6 ,gates was not a strong-minded man4 ,is it a wonder1 then1 that his brain should be bewildered by the fumes of incense offered up on every side4 ,in the midst of his triumph1 however1 while feasting on the sweets of adulation1 came the withering handwriting on the wall6 ,it is an epistle from his friend ,mifflin4 ,my dear ,general1 writes he1 an extract from ,conway's letter to you has been procured and sent to head-quarters4444 ,general ,washington enclosed it to ,conway without remarks4 ,nothing could surpass the trouble and confusion of mind of ,gates on the perusal of this letter4 ,part of his correspondence with ,conway had been sent to head-quarters4 ,but what part8 ,what was the purport and extent of the alleged extracts4 ,how had they been obtained8 ,who had sent them8 ,mifflin's letter specified nothing2 and this silence as to particulars left an unbounded field for tormenting conjecture4 ,in fact1 ,mifflin knew nothing in particular when he wrote2 nor did any of the cabal4 ,the laconic nature of ,washington's note to ,conway had thrown them all in confusion4 ,none knew the extent of the correspondence discovered1 nor how far they might be individually compromised4 ,gates1 in his perplexity1 suspected that his portfolio had been stealthily opened and his letters copied4 ,but which of them8--and by whom8 ,he wrote to ,conway and ,mifflin1 anxiously inquiring what part of their correspondence had been thus surreptitiously obtained1 and made rigid inquiries among the gentlemen of his staff4 ,all disavowed any knowledge of the matter4 ,in this state of mental trepidation1 ,gates wrote1 on the #hth of ,december1 a letter to ,washington1 in which1 after speaking of his disagreeable situation in discovering his confidential letters exposed to public inspection1 he urged ,washington to give him his aid in tracing the author of the infidelity1 and asserting that it was in ,washington's power to do him and the ,united ,states an important service by detecting a wretch who may betray me1 and capitally injure the very operations under your immediate directions4 ,he concluded by announcing his intention of forwarding a copy of his letter to the president1 that the ,congress may1 in concert with your ,excellency1 obtain as soon as possible a discovery which so deeply affects the safety of the ,states4 ,washington's reply was characterized with his usual dignity and candor4 ,after expressing his surprise that a copy of ,gates' letter should have been sent to ,congress1 and asserting that he was thereby laid under the necessity of returning his answer through the same body1 he proceeds to state that ,colonel ,wilkinson1 in the month of ,october last1 fell in with ,major ,mc,williams1 aide-de-camp to ,lord ,stirling1 and informed him1 not in confidence1 that ,general ,conway had written to ,gates as follows3 ,heaven has been determined to save your country1 or a weak general and bad counsellors would have ruined it4 ,washington then adds that this circumstance had not been communicated to any officer in the army except ,lafayette1 to whom it was shown under injunctions of secrecy1 so desirous was he of concealing every matter that could interrupt the tranquillity of the army1 or afford a gleam of hope to the enemy by dissensions therein4 ,he concludes by declaring that he considered the information as coming from ,gates1 given with a view to forewarn and forearm him against a dangerous incendiary1 in which character sooner or later this country will know ,general ,conway4 ,gates was disposed to mark his advent to power by a striking operation4 ,a notable project had been concerted by him and the ,board of ,war for a winter irruption into ,canada4 ,an expedition was to proceed from ,albany1 cross ,lake ,champlain on the ice1 burn the ,british shipping at ,st4 ,johns1 and press forward to ,montreal4 ,washington was not consulted in the matter3 the project was submitted to ,congress1 and sanctioned by them without his privity4 ,one object of the scheme was to detach the ,marquis de ,lafayette from ,washington1 to whom he was devotedly attached1 and bring him into the interests of the cabal4 ,for this purpose he was to have the command of the expedition2 an appointment which it was thought would tempt his military ambition4 ,conway was to be second in command1 and it was trusted that his address and superior intelligence would virtually make him the leader4 ,the first notice that ,washington received of the project was in a letter from ,gates1 enclosing one to ,lafayette1 informing the latter of his appointment1 and requiring his attendance at ,yorktown to receive his instructions4 ,gates1 in his letter to ,washington1 asked his opinion and advice2 evidently as a matter of form4 ,the latter expressed himself obliged by the polite request1 but observed that1 as he neither knew the extent of the objects in view1 nor the means to be employed to effect them1 it was not in his power to pass any judgment upon the subject4 ,the cabal overshot their mark4 ,lafayette1 who was aware of their intrigues1 was so disgusted by the want of deference and respect to the commander-in-chief evinced in the whole proceeding1 that he would at once have declined the appointment had not ,washington himself advised him strongly to accept it4 ,the project was never carried out4 ,lafayette1 still having a favorable opinion of ,conway's military talents1 was aware of the game he was playing1 and succeeded in getting ,de ,kalb appointed to the expedition1 whose commission being of older date1 would give him the precedence of that officer4 ,when ,lafayette arrived at ,albany it was soon found that the contemplated irruption was not practicable4 ,schuyler1 ,lincoln1 and ,arnold all opposed it4 ,instead of twenty-five hundred men which had been promised ,lafayette1 not twelve hundred in all were found to be fit for duty1 and these shrinking from a winter incursion into so cold a country4 ,stark1 who was to have joined the expedition1 was disinclined4 ,enlistments could not be made for want of money1 or the means of offering other inducements4 ,the project1 in view of the numerous discouragements and difficulties1 was at length formally suspended by a resolve of ,congress4 ,washington's letter of the #dth of ,january1 on the subject of the ,conway correspondence1 had not reached ,general ,gates until the #bb;d of ,january1 after his arrival at ,yorktown4 ,no sooner did ,gates learn from its context that all ,washington's knowledge of that correspondence was confined to a single paragraph of a letter1 and that merely as quoted in conversation by ,wilkinson1 than the whole matter appeared easily to be explained or shuffled off4 ,he accordingly took pen in hand1 and addressed ,washington as follows1 on the #bb;d of ,january3 ,the letter which ,i had the honor to receive yesterday from your ,excellency1 has relieved me from unspeakable uneasiness4 ,i now anticipate the pleasure it will give you when you discover that what has been conveyed to you for an extract of ,general ,conway's letter to me1 was not an information which friendly motives induced a man of honor to give1 that injured virtue might be forearmed against secret enemies4 ,the paragraph which your ,excellency has condescended to transcribe1 is spurious4 ,it was certainly fabricated to answer the most selfish and wicked purposes4 ,he then goes on to declare that the genuine letter of ,conway was perfectly harmless1 containing judicious remarks upon the want of discipline in the army1 but making no mention of weak generals or bad counsellors4 ,general ,conway1 also1 in a letter to ,washington 7dated ,january #bgth71 informs him that the letter had been returned to him by ,gates1 and that he found with great satisfaction that the paragraph so much spoken of did not exist in the said letter1 nor anything like it4 ,he had intended1 he adds1 to publish the letter1 but had been dissuaded by ,president ,laurens and two or three members of ,congress1 to whom he had shown it1 lest it should inform the enemy of a misunderstanding among the ,american generals4 ,he therefore depended upon the justice1 candor1 and generosity of ,general ,washington to put a stop to the forgery4 ,on the #ith of ,february1 ,washington wrote ,gates a long and searching reply to his letters of the #hth and #bc;d of ,january1 analyzing them1 and showing how1 in spirit and import1 they contradicted each other2 and how sometimes the same letter contradicted itself4 ,how1 in the first letter1 the reality of the extracts was by implication allowed1 and the only solicitude shown was to find out the person who brought them to light2 while1 in the second letter1 the whole was pronounced1 in word as well as in substance1 a wicked forgery4 ,it is not my intention1 observes ,washington1 to contradict this assertion1 but only to intimate some considerations which tend to induce a supposition that1 though none of ,general ,conway's letters to you contained the offensive passage mentioned1 there might have been something in them too nearly related to it1 that could give such an extraordinary alarm4 ,if this were not the case1 how easy in the first instance to have declared there was nothing exceptionable in them1 and to have produced the letters themselves in support of it8#a ,footnote #a3 ,the ,conway letter proved a further source of trouble to the cabal4 ,wilkinson learning that ,gates had denounced him as the betrayer of the letter1 and spoken of him in the grossest language1 wrote to ,gates demanding honorable reparation4 ,they met1 however1 and the explanations of ,gates appeased ,wilkinson for the time1 who now turned to ,lord ,stirling as the betrayer of his confidence1 asserting that he should bleed for his conduct4 ,but in this case1 as in the other1 ,wilkinson's irritable honor was easily pacified4 ,lord ,stirling having admitted1 according to ,wilkinson's request1 that the disclosure in question occurred in a private company during a convivial hour4 ,subsequently ,wilkinson was shown1 by ,washington1 ,gates' letter1 in which the extract from ,conway's letter was pronounced a forgery4 ,wilkinson1 who was secretary of the ,board of ,war1 of which ,gates was president1 now resigned his office1 compelled to it1 as he said1 by the acts of treachery and falsehood in which he had detected ,major-general ,gates4 ,wilkinson1 as bearer of the news of the capture of ,burgoyne to ,congress1 had been rewarded by promotion to the rank of brigadier-general4 ,this was protested against by a large number of colonels1 whereupon ,wilkinson resigned1 and withdrew from the army4 ,,chapter ,,xlix4 ,,exploits ,,of ,,lee ,,and ,,lafayette4--,,british ,,commissioners4 ,during the winter's encampment at ,valley ,forge1 ,washington sedulously applied himself to the formation of a new system for the army4 ,at his earnest solicitation1 ,congress appointed a committee of five1 called the ,committee of ,arrangement1 to repair to the camp and assist him in the task4#a ,before their arrival he had collected the written opinions and suggestions of his officers on the subject1 and from these1 and his own observations and experience1 had prepared a document exhibiting the actual state of the army1 the defects of previous systems1 and the alterations and reforms that were necessary4 ,the committee remained three months with him in camp1 and then made a report to ,congress founded on his statement4 ,the reforms therein recommended were generally adopted4 ,footnote #a3 ,names of the committee--,general ,reed1 ,nathaniel ,folsom1 ,francis ,dana1 ,charles ,carroll1 and ,gouverneur ,morris4 ,in the meantime1 the distresses of the army continued to increase4 ,the surrounding country for a great distance was exhausted1 and had the appearance of having been pillaged4 ,the parties sent out to forage too often returned empty-handed4 ,for some days past there has been little less than a famine in the camp1 writes ,washington1 on one occasion4 ,a part of the army has been a week without any kind of flesh1 and the rest three or four days4 ,naked and starving as they are1 we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery1 that they have not been1 ere this1 excited by their suffering to a general mutiny and desertion4 ,a ,british historian gives a striking picture of the indolence and luxury which reigned at the same time in the ,british army in ,philadelphia4 ,it is true the investment of the city by the ,americans rendered provisions dear and fuel scanty1 but the consequent privations were felt by the inhabitants1 not by their invaders4 ,the latter revelled as if in a conquered place4 ,private houses were occupied without rendering compensation2 the officers were quartered on the principal inhabitants1 many of whom were of the ,society of ,friends4 ,the quiet habits of the city were outraged by the dissolute habits of a camp4 ,gaming prevailed to a shameless degree4 ,a foreign officer kept a faro bank1 at which he made a fortune1 and some of the young officers ruined themselves4 ,during the whole of this long winter of riot and dissipation1 continues the same writer1 ,washington was suffered to remain undisturbed at ,valley ,forge1 with an army not exceeding five thousand effective men2 and his cannon frozen up and immovable4 ,a nocturnal attack might have forced him to a disadvantageous action or compelled him to a disastrous retreat4 ,on one occasion there was a flurry at the most advanced post1 where ,captain ,henry ,lee 7,light-horse ,harry7 with a few of his troops was stationed4 ,he had made himself formidable to the enemy by harassing their foraging parties4 ,an attempt was made to surprise him4 ,a party of about two hundred dragoons1 taking a circuitous route in the night1 came upon him by daybreak4 ,he had but a few men with him at the time1 and took post in a large store-house4 ,his scanty force did not allow a soldier for each window4 ,the dragoons attempted to force their way into the house4 ,there was a warm contest4 ,the dragoons were bravely repulsed1 and sheered off1 leaving two killed and four wounded4 ,washington1 whose heart evidently warmed to this young ,virginian officer1 not content with noticing his exploit in general orders1 not long afterwards strongly recommended him for the command of two troops of horse1 with the rank of major1 to act as an independent partisan corps4 ,his genius1 observes he1 particularly adapts him to a command of this nature2 and it will be the most agreeable to him of any station in which he could be placed4 ,it was a high gratification to ,washington when ,congress made this appointment2 accompanying it with encomiums on ,lee as a brave and prudent officer4 ,in the month of ,february1 ,mrs4 ,washington rejoined the general at ,valley ,forge1 and took up her residence at head-quarters4 ,the arrangements consequent on her arrival bespeak the simplicity of style in this rude encampment4 ,the general's apartment is very small1 writes she to a friend2 he has had a log cabin built to dine in1 which has made our quarters much more tolerable than they were at first4 ,lady ,stirling1 ,mrs4 ,knox1 the wife of the general1 and the wives of other of the officers were also in the camp4 ,the reforms in the commissariat had begun to operate4 ,provisions arrived in considerable quantities2 supplies1 on their way to the ,philadelphia market to load the ,british tables were intercepted and diverted into the hungry camp of the patriots2 magazines were formed in ,valley ,forge2 the threatened famine was averted2 grim-visaged war gradually relaxed his features1 and affairs in the encampment began to assume a more cheering aspect4 ,an important arrival in the camp was that of the ,baron ,steuben1 towards the latter part of ,february4 ,he was a seasoned soldier from the old battle fields of ,europe2 having served in the seven years' war1 been aide-de-camp to the great ,frederick1 and connected with the quartermaster-general's department4 ,honors had been heaped upon him in ,germany4 ,after leaving the ,prussian army he had been grand marshal of the court of the ,prince of ,hohenzollern-,hechingen1 colonel in the circle of ,suabia1 lieutenant-general under the ,prince ,margrave of ,baden1 and knight of the ,order of ,fidelity2 and he had declined liberal offers from the ,king of ,sardinia and the ,emperor of ,austria4 ,with an income of about three thousand dollars1 chiefly arising from various appointments1 he was living pleasantly in distinguished society at the ,german courts1 and making occasional visits to ,paris1 when he was persuaded by the ,count de ,st4 ,germain1 ,french ,minister of ,war1 and others of the ,french cabinet1 to come out to ,america1 and engage in the cause they were preparing to befriend4 ,their object was to secure for the ,american armies the services of an officer of experience and a thorough disciplinarian4 ,through their persuasions he resigned his several offices1 and came out at forty-eight years of age1 a soldier of fortune1 to the rude fighting grounds of ,america1 to aid a half disciplined people in their struggle for liberty4 ,the baron had brought strong letters from ,dr4 ,franklin and ,mr4 ,deane1 our envoys at ,paris1 and from the ,count ,st4 ,germain4 ,landing in ,portsmouth in ,new ,hampshire1 ,dec4 #ast1 he had forwarded copies of his letters to ,washington4 ,by ,washington's direction he had proceeded direct to ,congress4 ,his letters procured him a distinguished reception from the president4 ,a committee was appointed to confer with him4 ,he offered his services as a volunteer3 making no condition for rank or pay1 but trusting1 should he prove himself worthy and the cause be crowned with success1 he would be indemnified for the sacrifices he had made1 and receive such further compensation as he might be thought to merit4 ,the committee having made their report1 the baron's proffered services were accepted with a vote of thanks for his disinterestedness1 and he was ordered to join the army at ,valley ,forge4 ,that army1 in its ragged condition and squalid quarters1 presented a sorry aspect to a strict disciplinarian from ,germany1 accustomed to the order and appointments of ,european camps2 and the baron often declared1 that under such circumstances no army in ,europe could be kept together for a single month4 ,the liberal mind of ,steuben1 however1 made every allowance2 and ,washington soon found in him a consummate soldier1 free from pedantry or pretension4 ,the evils arising from a want of uniformity in discipline and manoeuvres throughout the army1 had long caused ,washington to desire a well organized inspectorship4 ,he knew that the same desire was felt by ,congress4 ,conway had been appointed to that office1 but had never entered upon its duties4 ,the baron appeared to be peculiarly well qualified for such a department2 ,washington determined1 therefore1 to set on foot a temporary institution of the kind4 ,accordingly he proposed to the baron to undertake the office of inspector-general4 ,the latter cheerfully agreed4 ,two ranks of inspectors were appointed under him2 the lowest to inspect brigades1 the highest to superintend several of these4 ,in a little while the whole army was under drill2 for a great part1 made up of raw militia1 scarcely knew the manual exercise4 ,many of the officers1 too1 knew little of manoeuvring1 and the best of them had much to learn4 ,the baron furnished his sub-inspectors with written instructions relative to their several functions4 ,he took a company of soldiers under his immediate training1 and after he had sufficiently schooled it1 made it a model for the others1 exhibiting the manoeuvres they had to practise4 ,his discipline extended to their comforts4 ,he inquired into their treatment by the officers4 ,he examined the doctors' reports1 visited the sick1 and saw that they were well lodged and attended4 ,the strong good sense of the baron was evinced in the manner in which he adapted his tactics to the nature of the army and the situation of the country1 instead of adhering with bigotry to the systems of ,europe4 ,his instructions were appreciated by all4 ,the officers received them gladly and conformed to them4 ,the men soon became active and adroit4 ,the army gradually acquired a proper organization1 and began to operate like a great machine2 and ,washington found in the baron an intelligent1 disinterested1 truthful coadjutor1 well worthy of the badge he wore as a knight of the ,order of ,fidelity4 ,another great satisfaction to ,washington was the appointment by ,congress 7,march #c;d7 of ,greene to the office of quartermaster-general2 still retaining his rank of major-general in the army4 ,the confusion and derangement of this department during the late campaign1 while filled by ,general ,mifflin1 had been a source of perpetual embarrassment4 ,that officer1 however capable of doing his duty1 was hardly ever at hand4 ,the line and the staff were consequently at variance2 and the country was plundered in a way sufficient to breed a civil war between the staff and the inhabitants4 ,greene undertook the office with reluctance1 and agreed to perform the military duties of it without compensation for the space of a year4 ,the spring opened without any material alteration in the dispositions of the armies4 ,washington at one time expected an attack upon his camp2 but ,sir ,william was deficient in the necessary enterprise2 he contented himself with sending out parties which foraged the surrounding country for many miles1 and scoured part of the ,jerseys1 bringing in considerable supplies4 ,these forays were in some instances accompanied by wanton excesses and needless bloodshed4 ,a ravaging party ascended the ,delaware in flat-bottomed boats and galleys2 set fire to public storehouses in ,bordentown containing provisions and munitions of war2 burnt two frigates1 several privateers1 and a number of vessels of various classes1 some of them laden with military stores4 ,had the armed vessels been sunk according to the earnest advice of ,washington1 the greater part of them might have been saved4 ,a circular letter was sent by ,washington on the #bjth to all the general officers in camp1 requesting their opinions in writing1 which of three plans to adopt for the next campaign3 to attempt the recovery of ,philadelphia2 to transfer the war to the north and make an attempt on ,new ,york2 or to remain quiet in a secure and fortified camp1 disciplining and arranging the army until the enemy should begin their operations2 then to be governed by circumstances4 ,just after the issue of this circular1 intelligence received from ,congress showed that the ascendency of the cabal was at an end4 ,by a resolution of that body on the #aeth1 ,gates was directed to resume the command of the ,northern department1 and to proceed forthwith to ,fishkill for that purpose4 ,he was invested with powers for completing the works on the ,hudson1#b and authorized to carry on operations against the enemy should any favorable opportunity offer1 for which purposes he might call for the artificers and militia of ,new ,york and the ,eastern ,states3 but he was not to undertake any expedition against ,new ,york without previously consulting the commander-in-chief4 ,washington was requested to assemble a council of major-generals to determine upon a plan of operations1 and ,gates and ,mifflin1 by a subsequent resolution1 were ordered to attend that council4 ,this arrangement1 putting ,gates under ,washington's order1 evinced the determination of ,congress to sustain the latter in his proper authority4 ,footnote #b3 ,the ,highlands had been carefully reconnoitred in the course of the winter by ,putnam1 ,gov4 ,clinton1 ,james ,clinton1 and several others1 and ,west ,point selected as the most eligible place to be fortified4 ,and here we may note the downfall of the intriguing individual who had given his name to the now extinguished cabal4 ,conway1 after the departure of ,lafayette and ,de ,kalb from ,albany1 had remained but a short time in the command there1 being ordered to join the army under ,general ,mc,dougall1 stationed at ,fishkill4 ,thence he was soon ordered back to ,albany1 whereupon he wrote an impertinent letter to the ,president of ,congress1 complaining that he was boxed about in a most indecent manner1 and intimated a wish that the president would make his resignation acceptable to ,congress4 ,to his surprise and consternation1 his resignation was immediately accepted4 ,he instantly wrote to the president1 declaring that his meaning had been misapprehended1 and accounting for it by some orthographical or grammatical faults in his letter1 being an ,irishman1 who had learnt his ,english in ,france4 ,all his efforts to get reinstated were unavailing1 though he went to ,yorktown to make them in person4#c ,footnote #c3 ,conway here disappears from this history4 ,he became involved in a duel with ,gen4 ,john ,cadwalader1 in which he was severely wounded4 ,upon his recovery from his wounds he embarked for ,france4 ,the capture of ,burgoyne and his army was now operating with powerful effect on the cabinets of both ,england and ,france4 ,with the former it was coupled with the apprehension that ,france was about to espouse the ,american cause4 ,the consequence was ,lord ,north's ,conciliatory ,bills1 as they were called1 submitted by him to ,parliament1 and passed with but slight opposition4 ,one of these bills regulated taxation in the ,american colonies1 in a manner which1 it was trusted1 would obviate every objection4 ,the other authorized the appointment of commissioners clothed with powers to negotiate with the existing governments2 to proclaim a cessation of hostilities2 to grant pardons1 and to adopt other measures of a conciliatory nature4 ,intelligence that a treaty between ,france and the ,united ,states had actually been concluded at ,paris1 induced the ,british minister to hurry off a draft of the bills to ,america1 to forestall the effects of the treaty upon the public mind4 ,general ,tryon caused copies of it to be printed in ,new ,york and circulated through the country4 ,he sent several of them to ,general ,washington1 #aeth ,april1 with a request that they should be communicated to the officers and privates of his army4 ,washington felt the singular impertinence of the request4 ,he transmitted them to ,congress1 observing that the time to entertain such overtures was past4 ,nothing short of independence1 it appears to me1 can possibly do4 ,a peace on other terms would1 if ,i may be allowed the expression1 be a peace of war4 ,the injuries we have received from the ,british nation were so unprovoked1 and have been so great and so many1 that they can never be forgotten4 ,these and other objections advanced by him met with the concurrence of ,congress1 and it was unanimously resolved that no conference could be held1 no treaty made with any commissioners on the part of ,great ,britain1 until that power should have withdrawn its fleets and armies1 or acknowledged in positive and express terms the independence of the ,united ,states4 ,on the following day1 ,april #bc;d1 a resolution was passed recommending to the different ,states to pardon1 under such restrictions as might be deemed expedient1 such of their citizens as1 having levied war against the ,united ,states1 should return to their allegiance before the #afth of ,june4 ,the tidings of the capitulation of ,burgoyne had been equally efficacious in quickening the action of the ,french cabinet4 ,the negotiations1 which had gone on so slowly as almost to reduce our commissioners to despair1 were brought to a happy termination1 and on the #b;d of ,may1 ten days after the passing by ,congress of the resolves just cited1 a messenger arrived express from ,france with two treaties1 one of amity and commerce1 the other of defensive alliance1 signed in ,paris on the #fth of ,february by ,m4 ,girard on the part of ,france1 and by ,benjamin ,franklin1 ,silas ,deane1 and ,arthur ,lee on the part of the ,united ,states4 ,this last treaty stipulated that1 should war ensue between ,france and ,england1 it should be made a common cause by the contracting parties1 in which neither should make truce or peace with ,great ,britain without the consent of the other1 nor either lay down their arms until the independence of the ,united ,states was established4 ,these treaties were unanimously ratified by ,congress1 and their promulgation was celebrated by public rejoicings throughout the country4 ,the #fth of ,may was set apart for a military fte at the camp at ,valley ,forge4 ,the army was assembled in best array2 there was solemn thanksgiving by the chaplains at the head of each brigade2 after which a grand parade1 a national discharge of thirteen guns1 a general feu de joie1 and shouts of the whole army1 ,long live the ,king of ,france--,long live the friendly ,european ,powers--,huzza for the ,american ,states4 ,a banquet succeeded1 at which ,washington dined in public with all the officers of his army1 attended by a band of music4 ,on the #hth1 the council of war1 ordered by ,congress1 was convened2 at which were present ,major-generals ,gates1 ,greene1 ,stirling1 ,mifflin1 ,lafayette1 ,de ,kalb1 ,armstrong and ,steuben1 and ,brigadier-generals ,knox and ,duportail4 ,after the state of the forces1 ,british and ,american1 their number and distribution1 had been laid before the council by the commander-in-chief1 and a full discussion had been held1 it was unanimously determined to remain on the defensive1 and not attempt any offensive operation until some opportunity should occur to strike a successful blow4 ,the military career of ,sir ,william ,howe in the ,united ,states was now drawing to a close4 ,his conduct of the war had given much dissatisfaction in ,england4 ,his enemies observed that everything gained by the troops was lost by the general2 that he had suffered an enemy with less than four thousand men to reconquer a province which he had recently reduced1 and lay a kind of siege to his army in their winter quarters2 and that he had brought a sad reverse upon the ,british arms by failing to co-operate vigorously and efficiently with ,burgoyne4 ,sir ,william1 on his part1 had considered himself slighted by the ministry2 his suggestions1 he said1 were disregarded1 and the reinforcements withheld which he considered indispensable for the successful conduct of the war4 ,he had therefore tendered his resignation1 which had been promptly accepted1 and ,sir ,henry ,clinton ordered to relieve him4 ,clinton arrived in ,philadelphia on the #hth of ,may1 and took command of the army on the #aath4 ,soon after he had taken the command1 there were symptoms of an intention to evacuate ,philadelphia4 ,whither the enemy would thence direct their course was a matter of mere conjecture4 ,lafayette was therefore detached by ,washington1 with twenty-one hundred chosen men and five pieces of cannon1 to take a position nearer the city1 where he might be at hand to gain information1 watch the movements of the enemy1 check their predatory excursions1 and fall on their rear when in the act of withdrawing4 ,the marquis crossed the ,schuylkill on the #ahth of ,may1 and proceeded to ,barren ,hill1 about half way between ,washington's camp and ,philadelphia1 and about eleven miles from both4 ,here he planted his cannon facing the south1 with rocky ridges bordering the ,schuylkill on his right2 woods and stone houses on his left4 ,behind him the roads forked1 one branch leading to ,matson's ,ford of the ,schuylkill1 the other by ,swedes' ,ford to ,valley ,forge4 ,in advance of his left wing was ,mc,lane's company and about fifty ,indians4 ,pickets and videttes were placed in the woods to the south1 through which the roads led to ,philadelphia1 and a body of six hundred ,pennsylvania militia were stationed to keep watch on the roads leading to ,white ,marsh4 ,in the meantime ,sir ,henry ,clinton having received intelligence through his spies of this movement of ,lafayette1 concerted a plan to entrap the young ,french nobleman4 ,five thousand men were sent out at night under ,general ,grant to make a circuitous march by ,white ,marsh1 and get in the rear of the ,americans2 another force under ,general ,grey was to cross to the west side of the ,schuylkill1 and take post below ,barren ,hill1 while ,sir ,henry in person was to lead a third division along the ,philadelphia road4 ,the plan came near being completely successful1 through the remissness of the ,pennsylvania militia1 who had left their post of observation4 ,early in the morning word was brought that red coats had been descried in the woods near ,white ,marsh4 ,lafayette was expecting a troop of ,american dragoons in that quarter who wore scarlet uniforms1 and supposed these to be them2 to be certain1 however1 he sent out an officer to reconnoitre4 ,the latter soon came spurring back at full speed4 ,a column of the enemy had pushed forward on the road from ,white ,marsh1 were within a mile of the camp1 and had possession of the road leading to ,valley ,forge4 ,another column was advancing on the ,philadelphia road4 ,in fact1 the young ,french general was on the point of being surrounded by a greatly superior force4 ,lafayette saw his danger1 but maintained his presence of mind4 ,throwing out small parties of troops to show themselves at various points of the intervening wood1 as if an attack on ,grant was meditated1 he brought that general to a halt to prepare for action1 while he with his main body pushed forward for ,matson's ford on the ,schuylkill4 ,the alarm-guns at sunrise had apprised ,washington that the detachment under ,lafayette was in danger4 ,the troops at ,valley ,forge were instantly under arms4 ,washington1 with his aides-de-camp and some of his general officers1 galloped to the summit of a hill1 and anxiously reconnoitred the scene of action with a glass4 ,his solicitude for the marquis was soon relieved4 ,the stratagem of the youthful warrior had been crowned with success4 ,he completely gained the march upon ,general ,grant1 reached ,matson's ,ford in safety1 crossed it in great order1 and took a strong position on high grounds which commanded it4 ,the enemy arrived at the river just in time for a skirmish as the artillery was crossing4 ,seeing that ,lafayette had extricated himself from their hands1 and was so strongly posted1 they gave over all attack1 and returned somewhat disconcerted to ,philadelphia2 while the youthful marquis rejoined the army at ,valley ,forge1 where he was received with acclamations4 ,the exchange of ,general ,lee for ,general ,prescott1 so long delayed by various impediments1 had recently been effected2 and ,lee was reinstated in his position of second in command4 ,colonel ,ethan ,allen1 also1 had been released from his long captivity in exchange for ,colonel ,campbell4 ,allen paid a visit to the camp at ,valley ,forge1 where he had much to tell of his various vicissitudes and hardships4 ,in a few days1 a brevet commission of colonel arrived for him2 but he had already left camp for his home in ,vermont1 where he appears to have hung up his sword1 for we meet with no further achievements by him on record4 ,indications continued to increase of the departure of troops from ,philadelphia4 ,new ,york1 it was concluded1 would be the place of destination2 either as a rendezvous1 or a post whence to attempt the occupation of the ,hudson4 ,would they proceed thither by land or water8 ,supposing the former1 ,washington would gladly have taken post in ,jersey to oppose or harass them on their march through that ,state4 ,his camp1 however1 was encumbered by upwards of three thousand sick2 and covered a great amount of military stores4 ,he dared not weaken it by detaching a sufficient force2 especially as it was said the enemy intended to attack him before their departure4 ,for three weeks affairs remained in this state4 ,washington held his army ready to march toward the ,hudson at a moment's warning1 and sent ,general ,maxwell with a brigade of ,jersey troops to co-operate with ,major-general ,dickinson and the militia of that ,state in breaking down the bridges and harassing the enemy1 should they actually attempt to march through it4 ,in the meantime1 the commissioners empowered under the new ,conciliatory ,bills to negotiate the restoration of peace between ,great ,britain and her former colonies1 arrived in the ,delaware in the ,trident ship-of-war4 ,these were ,frederick ,howard1 ,earl of ,carlisle2 ,william ,eden 7afterwards ,lord ,auckland71 brother of the last colonial governor of ,maryland2 and ,george ,johnstone1 commonly known as ,governor ,johnstone1 having held that office in ,florida4 ,the commissioners landed at ,philadelphia on the #fth of ,june1 and discovered to their astonishment that they had come out1 as it were1 in the dark1 on a mission in which but a half confidence had been reposed in them by government4 ,three weeks before their departure from ,england1 orders had been sent out to ,sir ,henry ,clinton to evacuate ,philadelphia and concentrate his forces at ,new ,york2 yet these orders were never imparted to them4 ,their letters and speeches testify their surprise and indignation at finding their plan of operations so completely disconcerted by their own cabinet4 ,the orders for evacuation1 however1 were too peremptory to be evaded1 but ,johnstone declared that if he had known of them1 he never would have gone on the mission4 ,the commissioners had prepared a letter for ,congress1 merely informing that body of their arrival and powers1 and their disposition to promote a reconciliation1 intending quietly to await an answer2 but the unexpected situation of affairs occasioned by the order for evacuation1 obliged them to alter their resolution1 and to write one of a different character bringing forward at once all the powers delegated to them4 ,on the #ith of ,june1 ,sir ,henry ,clinton informed ,washington of the arrival of the commissioners1 and requested a passport for their secretary1 ,dr4 ,ferguson1 the historian1 to proceed to ,yorktown bearing a letter to ,congress4 ,washington sent to ,congress a copy of ,sir ,henry's letter1 but did not consider himself at liberty to grant the passport until authorized by them4 ,without waiting the result1 the commissioners forwarded1 by the ordinary military post1 their letter1 accompanied by the ,conciliatory ,acts and other documents4 ,they were received by ,congress on the #acth4 ,the reading of the letter was interrupted1 and it came near being indignantly rejected1 on account of expressions disrespectful to ,france1 charging it with being the insidious enemy of both ,england and her colonies1 and interposing its pretended friendship to the latter only to prevent reconciliation and prolong this destructive war4 ,in their reply1 signed by the president 7,june #agth71 they observed that nothing but an earnest desire to spare further effusion of blood could have induced them to read a paper containing expressions so disrespectful to his most ,christian ,majesty1 or to consider propositions so derogatory to the honor of an independent nation2 and in conclusion1 they expressed a readiness to treat as soon as the ,king of ,great ,britain should demonstrate a sincere disposition for peace1 either by an explicit acknowledgment of the independence of the ,states1 or by the withdrawal of his fleets and armies4 ,we will not follow the commissioners through their various attempts1 overtly and covertly1 to forward the object of their mission4 ,we cannot1 however1 pass unnoticed an intimation conveyed from ,governor ,johnstone to ,general ,joseph ,reed1 at this time an influential member of ,congress1 that effectual services on his part to restore the union of the two countries might be rewarded by ten thousand pounds sterling1 and any office in the colonies in ,his ,majesty's gift4 ,to this ,reed made his brief and memorable reply3 ,i am not worth purchasing2 but such as ,i am1 the ,king of ,great ,britain is not rich enough to do it4 ,the commissioners1 disappointed in their hopes of influencing ,congress1 attempted to operate on the feelings of the public1 at one time by conciliatory appeals1 at another by threats and denunciations4 ,their last measure was to publish a manifesto recapitulating their official proceedings2 stating the refusal of ,congress to treat with them1 and offering to treat within forty days with deputies from all or any of the colonies or provincial ,assemblies2 holding forth1 at the same time1 the usual offers of conditional amnesty4 ,this measure1 like all which had preceded it1 proved ineffectual2 the commissioners embarked for ,england1 and so terminated this tardy and blundering attempt of the ,british ,government and its agents to effect a reconciliation--the last attempt that was made4 ,,chapter ,l4 ,,evacuation ,,of ,,philadelphia4--,,battle ,,of ,,monmouth ,,court ,,house4 ,the delay of the ,british to evacuate ,philadelphia tasked the sagacity of ,washington1 but he supposed it to have been caused by the arrival of the commissioners from ,great ,britain4 ,the force in the city in the meantime had been much reduced4 ,five thousand men had been detached to aid in a sudden descent on the ,french possessions in the ,west ,indies2 three thousand more to ,florida4 ,most of the cavalry with other troops had been shipped with the provision train and heavy baggage to ,new ,york4 ,the effective force remaining with ,sir ,henry was now about nine or ten thousand men2 that under ,washington was a little more than twelve thousand ,continentals1 and about thirteen hundred militia4 ,it had already acquired considerable proficiency in tactics and field manoeuvring under the diligent instructions of ,steuben4 ,early in ,june it was evident that a total evacuation of the city was on the point of taking place2 and circumstances convinced ,washington that the march of the main body would be through the ,jerseys4 ,some of his officers thought differently1 especially ,general ,lee1 who had now the command of a division composed of ,poor1 ,varnum1 and ,huntington's brigades4 ,in consequence1 ,washington called a general council of war on the #agth1 to consider what measures to adopt2 whether to undertake any enterprise against the enemy in their present circumstances--whether the army should remain in its actual position1 until the final evacuation had taken place1 or move immediately toward the ,delaware--whether1 should the enemy march through the ,jerseys1 it would be advisable to attack them while on the way1 or to push on directly to the ,hudson1 and secure that important communication between the ,eastern and ,southern ,states8 ,in case an attack while on the march were determined on1 should it be a partial or a general one8 ,lee was opposed to an attack of any kind4 ,he would make a bridge of gold for the enemy4 ,they were nearly equal in number to the ,americans1 and far superior in discipline4 ,an attack would endanger the safety of the cause4 ,he advised merely to follow the enemy1 observe their motions1 and prevent them from committing any excesses4 ,lee's opinions had still great weight with the army2 most of the officers1 both foreign and ,american1 concurred with him4 ,greene1 ,lafayette1 ,wayne1 and ,cadwalader1 thought differently4 ,they could not brook that the enemy should evacuate the city1 and make a long march through the country unmolested4 ,washington seeing such want of unanimity among his generals1 requested their opinions in writing4 ,before these were given in1 word was brought that the enemy had actually evacuated the city4 ,sir ,henry had taken his measures with great secrecy and despatch4 ,the army commenced moving at three o'clock on the morning of the #ahth1 retiring to a point of land below the town formed by the confluence of the ,delaware and ,schuylkill1 and crossing the former river in boats4 ,by ten o'clock in the morning the rear-guard landed on the ,jersey shore4 ,on the first intelligence of this movement1 ,washington detached ,general ,maxwell with his brigade1 to co-operate with ,general ,dickinson and the ,new ,jersey militia in harassing the enemy on their march4 ,he sent ,general ,arnold1 also1 with a force to take command of ,philadelphia1 that officer being not yet sufficiently recovered from his wound for field service2 then1 breaking up his camp at ,valley ,forge1 he pushed forward with his main force in pursuit of the enemy4 ,as the route of the latter lay along the eastern bank of the ,delaware as high as ,trenton1 ,washington was obliged to make a considerable circuit1 so as to cross the river higher up at ,coryell's ,ferry1 near the place where1 eighteen months previously1 he had crossed to attack the ,hessians4 ,heavy rains and sultry summer heat retarded his movements2 but the army crossed on the #bdth4 ,the ,british were now at ,moorestown and ,mount ,holly4 ,thence they might take the road on the left for ,brunswick1 and so on to ,staten ,island and ,new ,york2 or the road to the right through ,monmouth1 by the ,heights of ,middletown to ,sandy ,hook4 ,uncertain which they might adopt1 ,washington detached ,colonel ,morgan with six hundred picked men to reinforce ,maxwell1 and hang on their rear2 while he himself pushed forward with the main body toward ,princeton1 cautiously keeping along the mountainous country to the left of the most northern road4 ,the march of ,sir ,henry was very slow4 ,from his dilatory movements1 ,washington suspected ,sir ,henry of a design to draw him down into the level country1 and then1 by a rapid movement on his right1 to gain possession of the strong ground above him1 and bring him to a general action on disadvantageous terms4 ,he himself was inclined for a general action whenever it could be made on suitable ground3 he halted1 therefore1 at ,hopewell1 about five miles from ,princeton1 and held another council of war4 ,the result of it1 writes his aide-de-camp1 ,colonel ,hamilton1 would have done honor to the most honorable society of midwives1 and to them only4 ,the purport was to keep at a distance from the enemy1 and annoy them by detachments4 ,lee1 according to ,hamilton1 was the prime mover of this plan1 in pursuance of which a detachment of fifteen hundred men was sent off under ,brigadier-general ,scott1 to join the other troops near the enemy's line4 ,generals ,greene1 ,wayne1 and ,lafayette were in the minority in the council1 and subsequently gave separately the same opinion in writing1 that the rear of the enemy should be attacked by a strong detachment1 while the main army should be so disposed as to give a general battle1 should circumstances render it advisable4 ,as this opinion coincided with his own1 ,washington determined to act upon it4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton in the meantime had advanced to ,allentown1 on his way to ,brunswick1 to embark on the ,raritan4 ,finding the passage of that river likely to be strongly disputed by the forces under ,washington1 and others advancing from the north under ,gates1 he changed his plan1 and turned to the right by a road leading through ,freehold to ,navesink and ,sandy ,hook2 to embark at the latter place4 ,washington1 no longer in doubt as to the route of the enemy's march1 detached ,wayne with one thousand men to join the advanced corps1 which1 thus augmented1 was upwards of four thousand strong4 ,the command of the advance properly belonged to ,lee as senior major-general2 but it was eagerly solicited by ,lafayette1 as an attack by it was intended1 and ,lee was strenuously opposed to everything of the kind4 ,washington willingly gave his consent1 provided ,general ,lee were satisfied with the arrangement4 ,the latter ceded the command without hesitation4 ,scarce1 however1 had he relinquished the command1 when he changed his mind4 ,in a note to ,washington he declared that1 in assenting to the arrangement1 he had considered the command of the detachment one more fitting a young volunteering general than a veteran like himself1 second in command in the army4 ,he now viewed it in a different light4 ,lafayette would be at the head of all the ,continental parties already in the line2 six thousand men at least2 a command next to that of the commander-in-chief4 ,should the detachment march1 therefore1 he entreated to have the command of it4 ,washington was perplexed how to satisfy ,lee's punctilious claims without wounding the feelings of ,lafayette4 ,a change in the disposition of the enemy's line of march furnished an expedient4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 finding himself harassed by light troops on the flanks1 and in danger of an attack in the rear1 placed all his baggage in front under the convoy of ,knyphausen1 while he threw the main strength of his army in the rear under ,lord ,cornwallis4 ,this made it necessary for ,washington to strengthen his advanced corps2 and he took this occasion to detach ,lee1 with ,scott's and ,varnum's brigades1 to support the force under ,lafayette4 ,as ,lee was the senior major-general1 this gave him the command of the whole advance4 ,washington explained the matter in a letter to the marquis1 who resigned the command to ,lee when the latter joined him on the #bgth4 ,that evening the enemy encamped on high ground near ,monmouth ,court ,house4 ,lee encamped with the advance at ,englishtown1 about five miles distant4 ,the main body was three miles in his rear4 ,about sunset ,washington rode forward to the advance1 and anxiously reconnoitred ,sir ,henry's position4 ,it was protected by woods and morasses1 and too strong to be attacked with a prospect of success4 ,should the enemy1 however1 proceed ten or twelve miles further unmolested1 they would gain the heights of ,middletown1 and be on ground still more difficult4 ,to prevent this1 he resolved that an attack should be made on their rear early in the morning1 as soon as their front should be in motion4 ,this plan he communicated to ,general ,lee1 in presence of his officers1 ordering him to make dispositions for the attack keeping his troops lying on their arms1 ready for action on the shortest notice2 a disposition he intended to observe with his own troops4 ,this done1 he rode back to the main body4 ,early in the morning1 ,washington received an express informing him that the enemy were in motion4 ,he instantly sent orders to ,lee to push forward and attack them1 unless there should be powerful reasons to the contrary1 adding that he was coming on to support him4 ,for that purpose he immediately set forward with his own troops1 ordering them to throw by their knapsacks and blankets4 ,knyphausen1 with the ,british vanguard1 had begun about daybreak to descend into the valley between ,monmouth ,court ,house and ,middletown4 ,to give the long train of wagons and pack horses time to get well on the way1 ,sir ,henry ,clinton with his choice troops remained in camp on the heights of ,freehold1 until eight o'clock1 when he likewise resumed the line of march toward ,middletown4 ,in the meantime1 ,lee had advanced with the brigades of ,wayne and ,maxwell1 to support the light troops engaged in skirmishing4 ,the difficulty of reconnoitring a country cut up by woods and morasses1 and the perplexity occasioned by contradictory reports1 embarrassed his movements4 ,being joined by ,lafayette with the main body of the advance1 he had now about four thousand men at his command1 independent of those under ,morgan and ,general ,dickinson4 ,arriving on the heights of ,freehold1 and riding forward with ,general ,wayne to an open place to reconnoitre1 ,lee caught sight of a force under march1 but partly hidden from view by intervening woods4 ,supposing it to be a mere covering party of about two thousand men1 he detached ,wayne with seven hundred men and two pieces of artillery1 to skirmish in its rear and hold it in check2 while he1 with the rest of his force1 taking a shorter road through the woods1 would get in front of it1 and cut it off from the main body4 ,he at the same time sent a message to ,washington1 apprising him of this movement and of his certainty of success4 ,washington in the meantime was on his march with the main body1 to support the advance1 as he had promised4 ,the booming of cannon at a distance indicated that the attack so much desired had commenced1 and caused him to quicken his march4 ,arrived near ,freehold church1 where the road forked1 he detached ,greene with part of his forces to the right1 to flank the enemy in the rear of ,monmouth ,court ,house1 while he1 with the rest of the column1 would press forward by the other road4 ,washington had alighted while giving these directions1 and was standing with his arm thrown over his horse1 when a countryman rode up and said the ,continental troops were retreating4 ,washington was provoked at what he considered a false alarm4 ,the man pointed1 as his authority1 to an ,american fifer who just then came up in breathless affright4 ,the fifer was ordered into custody to prevent his spreading an alarm among the troops who were advancing1 and was threatened with a flogging should he repeat the story4 ,springing on his horse1 ,washington had moved forward but a short distance when he met other fugitives1 one in the garb of a soldier1 who all concurred in the report4 ,he now sent forward ,colonels ,fitzgerald and ,harrison to learn the truth1 while he himself spurred past ,freehold meeting house4 ,between that edifice and the morass beyond it1 he met ,grayson's and ,patton's regiments in most disorderly retreat1 jaded with heat and fatigue4 ,riding up to the officer at their head1 ,washington demanded whether the whole advanced corps were retreating4 ,the officer believed they were4 ,it seemed incredible4 ,there had been scarce any firing--,washington had received no notice of the retreat from ,lee4 ,he was still almost inclined to doubt1 when the heads of several columns of the advance began to appear4 ,it was too evident--the whole advance was falling back on the main body1 and no notice had been given to him4 ,one of the first officers that came up was ,colonel ,shreve1 at the head of his regiment4 ,washington1 greatly surprised and alarmed1 asked the meaning of this retreat4 ,the colonel smiled significantly--he did not know--he had retreated by order4 ,there had been no fighting excepting a slight skirmish with the enemy's cavalry1 which had been repulsed4 ,a suspicion flashed across ,washington's mind of wrongheaded conduct on the part of ,lee1 to mar the plan of attack adopted contrary to his counsels4 ,ordering ,colonel ,shreve to march his men over the morass1 halt them on the hill beyond and refresh them1 he galloped forward to stop the retreat of the rest of the advance1 his indignation kindling as he rode4 ,at the rear of the regiment he met ,major ,howard2 he1 too1 could give no reason for the retreat1 but seemed provoked at it--declaring that he had never seen the like4 ,another officer exclaimed with an oath that they were flying from a shadow4 ,arriving at a rising ground1 ,washington beheld ,lee approaching with the residue of his command in full retreat4 ,by this time he was thoroughly exasperated4 ,what is the meaning of all this1 sir8 demanded he1 in the sternest and even fiercest tone1 as ,lee rode up to him4 ,lee for a moment was disconcerted1 and hesitated in making a reply1 for ,washington's aspect1 according to ,lafayette1 was terrible4 ,i desire to know the meaning of this disorder and confusion1 was again demanded still more vehemently4 ,lee1 stung by the manner more than the words of the demand1 made an angry reply1 and provoked still sharper expressions1 which have been variously reported4 ,i am very sorry1 said ,washington1 that you undertook the command1 unless you meant to fight the enemy4 ,i did not think it prudent to bring on a general engagement4 ,whatever your opinion may have been1 replied ,washington1 disdainfully1 ,i expected my orders would have been obeyed4 ,this all passed rapidly1 and1 as it were1 in flashes1 for there was no time for parley4 ,the enemy were within a quarter of an hour's march4 ,washington's appearance had stopped the retreat4 ,the fortunes of the day were to be retrieved1 if possible1 by instant arrangements4 ,these he proceeded to make with great celerity4 ,the place was favorable for a stand2 it was a rising ground1 to which the enemy could approach only over a narrow causeway4 ,the rallied troops were hastily formed upon this eminence4 ,colonels ,stewart and ,ramsey1 with two batteries1 were stationed in a covert of woods on their left1 to protect them and keep the enemy at bay4 ,colonel ,oswald was posted for the same purpose on a height1 with two field-pieces4 ,the promptness with which everything was done showed the effects of the ,baron ,steuben's discipline4 ,washington1 having made all his arrangements with great dispatch but admirable clearness and precision1 rode back to ,lee in calmer mood1 and inquired1 ,will you retain the command on this height or not8 if you will1 ,i will return to the main body1 and have it formed on the next height4 ,it is equal to me where ,i command1 replied ,lee4 ,i expect you will take proper means for checking the enemy1 rejoined ,washington4 ,your orders shall be obeyed2 and ,i shall not be the first to leave the ground1 was the reply4 ,a warm cannonade by ,oswald1 ,stewart and ,ramsey had the desired effect4 ,the enemy were brought to a stand1 and ,washington had time to gallop back and bring on the main body4 ,this he formed on an eminence1 with a wood in the rear and the morass in front4 ,the left wing was commanded by ,lord ,stirling1 who had with him a detachment of artillery and several field-pieces4 ,general ,greene was on his right4 ,lee had maintained his advanced position with great spirit1 but was at length obliged to retire4 ,he brought off his troops in good order across a causeway which traversed the morass in front of ,lord ,stirling4 ,having formed his men in a line1 beyond the morass1 he rode up to ,washington4 ,here1 sir1 are my troops1 said he1 how is it your pleasure ,i should dispose of them8 ,washington saw that the poor fellows were exhausted by marching1 countermarching1 hard fighting and the intolerable heat of the weather3 he ordered ,lee1 therefore1 to repair with them to the rear of ,englishtown1 and assemble there all the scattered fugitives he might meet with4 ,the batteries under the direction of ,lord ,stirling opened a brisk and well-sustained fire upon the enemy2 who1 finding themselves warmly opposed in front1 attempted to turn the left flank of the ,americans1 but were driven back by detached parties of infantry stationed there4 ,they then attempted the right2 but here were met by ,general ,greene1 who had planted his artillery1 under ,knox1 on a commanding ground1 and not only checked them but enfiladed those who were in front of the left wing4 ,wayne too1 with an advanced party posted in an orchard1 and partly sheltered by a barn1 kept up a severe and well-directed fire upon the enemy's centre4 ,repeated attempts were made to dislodge him1 but in vain4 ,colonel ,monckton now undertook to drive ,wayne from his post at the point of the bayonet4 ,having made a brief harangue to his men1 he led them on in column4 ,wayne's men reserved their fire1 until ,colonel ,monckton1 waving his sword1 called out to his grenadiers to charge4 ,at that instant a sheeted volley laid him low1 and made great slaughter in his column1 which was again repulsed4 ,the enemy at length gave way1 and fell back to the ground which ,lee had occupied in the morning4 ,here their flanks were secured by woods and morasses1 and their front could only be approached across a narrow causeway4 ,notwithstanding the difficulties of the position1 ,washington prepared to attack it2 ordering ,general ,poor with his own and the ,carolina brigade1 to move round upon their right1 and ,general ,woodford on their left2 while the artillery should gall them in front4 ,before these orders could be carried into effect the day was at an end4 ,many of the soldiers had sunk upon the ground1 overcome by fatigue and the heat of the weather2 all needed repose4 ,the troops1 therefore1 which had been in the advance1 were ordered to lie on their arms on the ground they occupied1 so as to be ready to make the attack by daybreak4 ,the main army did the same1 on the field of action1 to be at hand to support them4 ,washington lay on his cloak at the foot of a tree1 with ,lafayette beside him1 talking over the strange conduct of ,lee2 whose disorderly retreat had come so near being fatal to the army4 ,it was indeed a matter of general perplexity1 to which the wayward character of ,lee greatly contributed4 ,some who recollected his previous opposition to all plan of attack1 almost suspected him of wilfully aiming to procure a defeat4 ,it would appear1 however1 that he had been really surprised and thrown into confusion by a move of ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 who1 seeing the force under ,lee descending on his rear from ,freehold heights1 had suddenly turned upon it1 aided by troops from ,knyphausen's division1 to oblige it to call to its assistance the flanking parties under ,morgan and ,dickinson1 which were threatening his baggage train4 ,so that ,lee1 instead of a mere covering party which he had expected to cut off1 had found himself front to front with the whole rear division of the ,british army2 and that too1 on unfavorable ground1 with a deep ravine and a morass in his rear4 ,at daybreak the drums beat the reveill4 ,the troops roused themselves from their heavy sleep1 and prepared for action4 ,to their surprise1 the enemy had disappeared3 there was a deserted camp1 in which were found four officers and about forty privates1 too severely wounded to be conveyed away by the retreating army4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 it appeared1 had allowed his wearied troops but short repose on the preceding night4 ,at ten o'clock1 when the ,american forces were buried in their first sleep1 he had set forward to join the division under ,knyphausen1 which1 with the baggage train1 having pushed on during the action1 was far on the road to ,middletown4 ,so silent had been his retreat1 that it was unheard by ,general ,poor's advance party1 which lay near by4 ,the distance to which the enemy must by this time have attained1 the extreme heat of the weather1 and the fatigued condition of the troops1 deterred ,washington from continuing a pursuit through a country where the roads were deep and sandy1 and there was great scarcity of water4 ,besides1 persons well acquainted with the country assured him that it would be impossible to annoy the enemy in their embarkation1 as he must approach the place by a narrow passage1 capable of being defended by a few men against his whole force4 ,detaching ,general ,maxwell's brigade and ,morgan's rifle corps1 therefore1 to hang on the rear of the enemy1 prevent depredation and encourage desertions1 he determined to shape his course with his main body by ,brunswick toward the ,hudson1 lest ,sir ,henry should have any design upon the posts there4 ,the ,american loss in the recent battle was eight officers and sixty-one privates killed1 and about one hundred and sixty wounded4 ,the officers who had charge of the burying parties reported that they found two hundred and forty-five non-commissioned officers and privates1 and four officers1 left dead by the enemy on the field of battle4 ,after giving his troops a day's repose1 ,washington decamped on the #cjth4 ,his march lay through a country destitute of water1 with deep1 sandy roads wearying to the feet1 and reflecting the intolerable heat and glare of a ,july sun4 ,many of the troops1 harassed by previous fatigue1 gave out by the way4 ,some few died1 and a number of horses were likewise lost4 ,washington1 ever considerate of the health and comfort of his men1 encamped near ,brunswick on open1 airy grounds1 and gave them time to repose2 while ,lieutenant-colonel ,aaron ,burr1 at that time a young and enterprising officer1 was sent on a reconnoitring expedition1 to learn the movements and intentions of the enemy4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton with the royal army had arrived at the ,highlands of ,navesink1 in the neighborhood of ,sandy ,hook1 on the #cjth of ,june4 ,he had lost many men by desertion1 ,hessians especially1 during his march through the ,jerseys1 which1 with his losses by killed1 wounded and captured1 had diminished his army more than two thousand men4 ,the storms of the preceding winter had cut off the peninsula of ,sandy ,hook from the mainland1 and formed a deep channel between them4 ,fortunately the squadron of ,lord ,howe had arrived the day before1 and was at anchor within the ,hook4 ,a bridge was immediately made across the channel with the boats of the ships1 over which the army passed to the ,hook on the #eth of ,july1 and thence was distributed4 ,having brought the army to a halt1 we have time to notice a correspondence between ,general ,lee and ,washington1 immediately subsequent to the affair of ,monmouth4 ,the pride of the general had been deeply wounded by the rebuke he had received on the field of battle4 ,on the following day 7,june #bith7 he addressed a note to ,washington on the subject4 ,by mistake it was dated ,july #ast4 ,from the knowledge ,i have of your ,excellency's character1 writes he1 ,i must conclude that nothing but the misinformation of some very stupid1 or misrepresentation of some very wicked person1 could have occasioned your making use of so very singular expressions as you did on my coming up to the ground where you had taken post4 ,they implied that ,i was guilty either of disobedience of orders1 want of conduct1 or want of courage4 ,your ,excellency will therefore infinitely oblige me by letting me know on which of these three articles you ground your charge4 ,washington1 in reply1 wrote3 ,i received your letter 7dated through mistake the #ast of ,july71 expressed as ,i conceive in terms highly improper4 ,i am not conscious of making use of any very singular expressions at the time of meeting you1 as you intimate4 ,what ,i recollect to have said was dictated by duty and warranted by the occasion4 ,as soon as circumstances will permit1 you shall have an opportunity of justifying yourself to the army1 to ,congress1 to ,america1 and to the world in general4 ,to this ,lee rejoined1 in a note1 misdated #bhth ,june3 ,sir1 you cannot afford me greater pleasure than in giving me the opportunity of showing to ,america the sufficiency of her respective servants4 ,i trust that temporary power of office1 and the tinsel dignity attending it1 will not be able1 by all the mists they can raise1 to obfuscate the bright rays of truth4 ,in the meantime1 your ,excellency can have no objection to my retiring from the army1 etc4 ,shortly after despatching this note1 ,lee addressed another to ,washington4 ,i have reflected on both your situation and mine1 writes he1 and beg leave to observe1 that it will be for our mutual convenience that a court of inquiry should be immediately ordered4444 ,i must entreat1 therefore1 from your love of justice1 that you will immediately exhibit your charge1 and that on the first halt ,i may be brought to a trial4 ,washington in reply acknowledged the receipt of the two last notes1 and added1 ,i have sent ,colonel ,scammel and the adjutant-general to put you under arrest1 who will deliver you a copy of the charges on which you will be tried4 ,a court-martial was accordingly formed on the #dth of ,july1 at ,brunswick1 the first halting place4 ,it was composed of one major-general1 four brigadiers1 and eight colonels1 with ,lord ,stirling as president4 ,it moved with the army1 and convened subsequently at ,paramus1 ,peekskill1 and ,northcastle1 the trial lasting until the #abth of ,august4 ,the result of the prolonged and tedious investigation was that he was found guilty of all the charges exhibited against him4 #ast4 ,disobedience of orders4 #b;d4 ,misbehavior before the enemy1 by making an unnecessary and disorderly retreat4 #c;d4 ,disrespect to the commander-in-chief in letters dated ,july #ast and ,june #bhth4 ,he was sentenced to be suspended from all command for one year2 the sentence to be approved or set aside by ,congress4 ,we must anticipate dates to dispose briefly of the career of ,general ,lee1 who is not connected with subsequent events of the ,revolution4 ,congress were more than three months in coming to a decision on the proceedings of the court-martial4 ,at length1 on the #eth of ,december1 the sentence was approved in a very thin session of ,congress1 fifteen members voting in the affirmative and seven in the negative4 ,from that time ,lee was unmeasured in his abuse of ,washington1 and his reprobation of the court-martial1 which he termed a court of inquisition4 ,his aggressive tongue at length involved him in a quarrel with ,colonel ,laurens1 one of ,washington's aides1 a high-spirited young gentleman who felt himself bound to vindicate the honor of his chief4 ,a duel took place1 and ,lee was wounded in the side4 ,towards spring he retired to his estate in ,berkley ,county in ,virginia1 where he led a kind of hermit life4 ,dogs and horses were his favorite companions4 ,his house is described as being a mere shell1 destitute of comforts and conveniences4 ,for want of partitions the different parts were designated by lines chalked on the floor4 ,in one corner was his bed2 in another were his books2 his saddles and harness in a third2 a fourth served as a kitchen4 ,the term of his suspension had expired when a rumor reached him that ,congress intended to take away his commission4 ,the intelligence ruffled his temper beyond all bounds4 ,in his hurry and heat1 without attempting to ascertain the truth of the report1 he scrawled the following note to the ,president of ,congress3 ,sir1 ,i understand that it is in contemplation of ,congress1 on the principle of economy1 to strike me out of their service4 ,congress must know very little of me if they suppose that ,i would accept of their money1 since the confirmation of the wicked and infamous sentence which was passed upon me4 ,i am1 sir1 etc4 ,this insolent note occasioned his prompt dismissal from the service4 ,though bitter in his enmities1 ,lee had his friendships1 and was warm and constant in them as far as his capricious humors would allow4 ,there was nothing crafty or mean in his character1 nor do we think he ever engaged in the low intrigues of the cabal2 but he was a disappointed and embittered man1 and the gall of bitterness overflowed his generous qualities4 ,in such a discordant state of feeling1 he was not a man for the sweet solitude of the country4 ,he became weary of his ,virginia estate2 though in one of the most fertile regions of the ,shenandoah ,valley4 ,his farm was mismanaged2 his agents were unfaithful2 he entered into negotiations to dispose of his property1 in the course of which he visited ,philadelphia4 ,on arriving there he was taken with chills1 followed by a fever1 which went on increasing in violence1 and terminated fatally4 ,a soldier even unto the end1 warlike scenes mingled with the delirium of his malady4 ,in his dying moments he fancied himself on the field of battle4 ,the last words he was heard to utter were1 ,stand by me1 my brave grenadiers6 ,,chapter ,,li4 ,,arrival ,,of ,a ,,french ,,fleet4--,,massacre ,,at ,,wyoming ,,valley4--,,capture ,,of ,,savannah4 ,while encamped at ,paramus1 ,washington1 in the night of the #acth of ,july1 received a letter from ,congress informing him of the arrival of a ,french fleet on the coast2 instructing him to concert measures with the commander1 the ,count ,d',estaing1 for offensive operations by sea and land1 and empowering him to call on the ,states from ,new ,hampshire to ,new ,jersey inclusive1 to aid with their militia4 ,the fleet in question was composed of twelve ships of the line and six frigates1 with a land force of four thousand men4 ,on board of it came ,mons4 ,gerard1 minister from ,france to the ,united ,states1 and the ,hon4 ,silas ,deane1 one of the ,american ministers who had effected the late treaty of alliance4 ,the fleet had sailed from ,toulon on the #acth of ,april4 ,after struggling against adverse winds for eighty-seven or eighty-eight days1 it had made its appearance off the northern extremity of the ,virginia coast1 and anchored at the mouth of the ,delaware on the #hth of ,july4 ,finding the enemy had evacuated both city and river1 the count sent up the ,french minister and ,mr4 ,deane to ,philadelphia in a frigate1 and then1 putting to sea1 continued along the coast4 ,a little earlier1 and he might have intercepted the squadron of ,lord ,howe on its way to ,new ,york4 ,it had had but a very few days the advantage of him1 and when he arrived with his fleet in the road outside of ,sandy ,hook1 he descried the ,british ships quietly anchored inside of it4 ,a frank and cordial correspondence took place forthwith between the count and ,washington1 and a plan of action was concerted between them by the intervention of confidential officers2 ,washington's aides-de-camp1 ,laurens and ,hamilton1 boarding the fleet while off the ,hook1 and ,major ,chouin1 a ,french officer of merit1 repairing to the ,american head-quarters4 ,the first idea of the count was to enter at ,sandy ,hook1 and capture or destroy the ,british fleet1 composed of six ships of the line1 four fifty-gun ships1 and a number of frigates and smaller vessels2 should he succeed in this1 which his greatly superior force rendered probable1 he was to proceed against the city1 with the co-operation of the ,american forces4 ,to be at hand for such purpose1 ,washington crossed the ,hudson1 with his army1 at ,king's ,ferry1 and encamped at ,white ,plains about the #bjth of ,july4 ,several experienced ,american pilots and masters of vessels1 however1 who had accompanied ,colonels ,laurens and ,hamilton on board of the fleet1 declared that there was not sufficient depth of water on the bar to admit the safe passage of the largest ships1 one of which carried #hj and another #ij guns2 the attempt1 therefore1 was reluctantly abandoned1 and the ships anchored about four miles off1 near ,shrewsbury on the ,jersey coast1 taking in provisions and water4 ,the enterprise which the ,american and ,french commanders deemed next worthy of a combined operation1 was the recapture of ,rhode ,island proper1 that is to say1 the island which gives its name to the ,state1 and which the enemy had made one of their military depots and strongholds4 ,in anticipation of such an enterprise1 ,washington1 on the #agth of ,july wrote to ,general ,sullivan1 who commanded at ,providence1 ordering him to make the necessary preparations for a descent from the mainland upon the island1 and authorizing him to call in reinforcements of ,new ,england militia4 ,he subsequently sent to his aid the ,marquis ,lafayette with two brigades 7,varnum's and ,glover's74 ,quartermaster-general ,greene also was detached for the service1 being a native of the island1 well acquainted with its localities1 and having great influence among its inhabitants4 ,sullivan was instructed to form his whole force1 ,continental1 ,state and militia1 into two equal divisions1 one to be commanded by ,greene1 the other by ,lafayette4 ,on the #bb;d of ,july1 the ,french fleet1 having finished taking in its supplies1 stood away to the eastward1 and on the #bith arrived off ,point ,judith1 coming to anchor within five miles of ,newport4 ,rhode ,island 7proper71 the object of this expedition1 is about sixteen miles long1 running deep into the great ,narraganset ,bay4 ,seaconnet ,channel separates it on the east from the mainland1 and on the west the main channel passes between it and ,conanicut ,island4 ,the town of ,newport is situated near the south end of the island1 facing the west1 with ,conanicut ,island in front of it4 ,it was protected by batteries and a small naval force4 ,here ,general ,sir ,robert ,pigott1 who commanded in the island1 had his head-quarters4 ,the force under him was about six thousand strong1 variously posted about the island1 some in works at the north end1 but the greater part within strongly intrenched lines extending across the island1 about three miles from the town4 ,general ,greene hastened from ,providence on hearing of the arrival of the fleet of ,count ,d',estaing1 and went on board of it at the anchorage to concert a plan of operations4 ,it was agreed that the fleet should force its way into the harbor at the same time that the ,americans approached by land1 and that the landing of the troops from the ships on the west side of the island should take place at the same time that the ,americans should cross ,seaconnet ,channel1 and land on the east side near the north end4 ,this combined operation was to have been carried promptly into effect1 but was postponed until the #ajth of ,august1 to give time for the reinforcements sent by ,washington to arrive4 ,the delay was fatal to the enterprise4 ,on the #hth1 the ,count ,d',estaing entered the harbor and passed up the main channel1 exchanging a cannonade with the batteries as he passed1 and anchored a little above the town1 between ,goat and ,conanicut ,islands4 ,the ,english1 on his approach1 burnt or scuttled three frigates and some smaller vessels1 which would otherwise have been captured4 ,general ,sullivan1 to be ready for the concerted attack1 had moved down from ,providence to the neighborhood of ,howland's ,ferry1 on the east side of ,seaconnet passage4 ,the ,british troops stationed opposite on the north end of the island1 fearful of being cut off1 evacuated their works in the night of the #hth1 and drew into the lines at ,newport4 ,sullivan1 seeing the works thus abandoned1 could not resist the temptation to cross the channel in flat-bottomed boats on the morning of the #ith1 and take possession of them4 ,this sudden movement1 a day in advance of the concerted time1 and without due notice given to the count1 surprised and offended him1 clashing with his notions of etiquette and punctilio4 ,he1 however1 prepared to co-operate1 and was ordering out his boats for the purpose1 when1 about two o'clock in the day1 his attention was called to a great fleet of ships standing toward ,newport4 ,it was1 in fact1 the fleet of ,lord ,howe4 ,that gallant nobleman had heard of the danger of ,newport1 and being reinforced by four stout ships1 part of a squadron coming out under ,admiral ,byron1 had hastened to its relief2 though still inferior in force to the ,french admiral4 ,the delay of the concerted attack had enabled him to arrive in time4 ,the wind set directly into the harbor4 ,had he entered promptly the ,french would have been placed between two fires1 from his ships and the batteries1 and cramped up in a confined channel where their largest ships had no room to operate4 ,his lordship1 however1 came to anchor at ,point ,judith1 some distance from the south-west entrance of the bay4 ,in the night the wind changed to the north-east4 ,the count hastened to avail himself of the error of the ,british admiral4 ,favored by the wind1 he stood out of the harbor at eight o'clock in the morning to give the enemy battle where he should have good sea room2 previously sending word to ,general ,sullivan that he would land his promised troops and marines1 and co-operate with him on his return4 ,the ,french ships were severely cannonaded as they passed the batteries1 but without material damage4 ,forming in order of battle1 they bore down upon the fleet of ,lord ,howe1 confidently anticipating a victory from their superiority of force4 ,the ,british ships slipt their cables at their approach1 and likewise formed in line of battle1 but his lordship avoided an encounter while the enemy had the weathergage4 ,to gain this on the one part1 and retain it on the other1 the two fleets manoeuvred throughout the day standing to the southward1 and gradually disappearing from the anxious eyes of the belligerent forces on ,rhode ,island4 ,the army of ,sullivan1 now left to itself before ,newport1 amounted to ten thousand men1 having received the militia reinforcements4 ,lafayette advised the delay of hostile operations until the return of ,d',estaing1 but the ,american commander1 piqued and chagrined at the departure of his allies1 determined to commence the siege immediately without waiting for his tardy aid4 ,on the #abth1 however1 came on a tempest of wind and rain which raged for two days and nights with unexampled violence4 ,on the #adth the weather cleared up and the sun shone brightly1 but the army was worn down and dispirited4 ,the day was passed in drying their clothes1 cleaning their arms1 and putting themselves in order for action4 ,by the next morning they were again on the alert4 ,expecting the prompt return of the ,french1 they now took post on ,honeyman's ,hill1 about two miles from the ,british lines1 and began to construct batteries1 form lines of communication1 and make regular approaches4 ,the ,british were equally active in strengthening their defences4 ,there was casual cannonading on each side1 but nothing of consequence4 ,several days elapsed without the re-appearance of the ,french4 ,the situation of the besiegers was growing critical1 when1 on the evening of the #aith1 they descried the expected fleet standing toward the harbor4 ,all now was exultation in the camp4 ,should the ,french with their ships and troops attack the town by sea and land on the one side while the ,americans assailed it on the other1 the surrender of the place was inevitable4 ,these sanguine anticipations1 however1 were shortlived4 ,the ,french fleet was in a shattered and forlorn condition4 ,after sailing from before ,newport on the #bjth1 it had manoeuvred for two days with the ,british fleet1 each unwilling to enter into action without having the weathergage4 ,while thus manoeuvring1 the same furious storm which had raged on shore separated and dispersed them with fearful ravage4 ,some single encounters of scattered ships subsequently took place1 but without definite result4 ,all were too much tempest-tossed and disabled to make good fight4 ,lord ,howe with such of his ships as he could collect bore away to ,new ,york to refit1 and the ,french admiral was now before ,newport1 but in no plight or mood for fighting4 ,in a letter to ,general ,sullivan1 he informed him that pursuant to the orders of his sovereign and the advice of his officers1 he was bound for ,boston1 being instructed to repair to that port should he meet with misfortune1 or a superior ,british force appear upon the coast4 ,dismayed at this intelligence which threatened ruin and disgrace to the enterprise1 ,sullivan wrote a letter of remonstrance to the count1 and ,general ,greene and the ,marquis ,lafayette repaired with it on board of the admiral's ship1 to enforce it by their personal exertions4 ,they represented to the count the certainty of carrying the place in two days by a combined attack2 and the discouragement and reproach that would follow a failure on this their first attempt at co-operation2 an attempt1 too1 for which the ,americans had made such great and expensive preparations1 and on which they had indulged such sanguine hopes4 ,these and other considerations equally urgent had their weight with the count1 and he was inclined to remain and pursue the enterprise1 but was overruled by the principal officers of his fleet4 ,the fact is1 that he was properly a land officer1 and they had been indignant at his having a nautical command over their heads4 ,they were glad1 therefore1 of any opportunity to thwart and mortify him2 and now insisted on his complying with his letter of instructions and sailing for ,boston4 ,at the sailing of the ships there was a feeling of exasperation throughout the camp4 ,sullivan gave vent to his vexation in a general order on the #bdth1 wherein he observed3 ,the general cannot help lamenting the sudden and unexpected departure of the ,french fleet1 as he finds it has a tendency to discourage some who placed great dependence upon the assistance of it2 though he can by no means suppose the army or any part of it1 endangered by this movement4 ,he yet hopes the event will prove ,america able to procure that by her own arms which her allies refuse to assist in obtaining4 ,on cooler reflection he thought proper in subsequent orders1 to explain away this rash imputation on ,french loyalty1 but a general feeling of irritation against the ,french continued to prevail in the army4 ,the departure of the fleet was a death-blow to the enterprise4 ,between two and three thousand volunteers abandoned the camp in the course of four and twenty hours2 others continued to go off2 and in a few days the number of besiegers did not exceed that of the besieged4 ,all thoughts of offensive operations were now at an end4 ,the question was how best to extricate the army from its perilous position4 ,on the #bhth it was determined1 in a council of war1 to fall back to the military works at the north end of the island1 and fortify there1 until it should be known whether the ,french fleet would soon return to their assistance1 the ,marquis ,lafayette setting off with all speed to have an interview with the ,count ,d',estaing1 and ascertain the fact4 ,general ,sullivan broke up his camp1 and commenced his retreat that very night1 between nine and ten o'clock4 ,their retreat was not discovered until daylight1 when a pursuit was commenced4 ,the covering parties behaved gallantly1 making frequent stands4 ,after a series of skirmishes they were pressed back to the fortified grounds on the north end of the island2 but ,sullivan had already taken post there1 on ,batt's ,hill1 the main body of his army being drawn up in order of battle1 with strong works in their rear1 and a redoubt in front of the right wing4 ,the ,british now took post on an advantageous height called ,quaker ,hill1 a little more than a mile from the ,american front1 whence they commenced a cannonade which was briskly returned4 ,skirmishing ensued until about ten o'clock1 when two ,british sloops-of-war and some small vessels having gained a favorable position1 the enemy's troops1 under cover of their fire1 advanced in force to turn the right flank of the ,american army1 and capture the redoubt which protected it4 ,this was bravely defended by ,general ,greene2 a sharp action ensued1 which had nearly become a general one2 between two and three hundred men were killed on each side2 the ,british at length drew back to their artillery and works on ,quaker ,hill1 and a mutual cannonade was resumed and kept up until night4 ,on the following day 7#bith7 ,general ,sullivan received intelligence that ,lord ,howe had again put to sea with the design1 no doubt1 to attempt the relief of ,newport4 ,under these circumstances it was determined to abandon ,rhode ,island4 ,to do so with safety1 however1 required the utmost caution1 as the hostile sentries were within four hundred yards of each other4 ,the position on ,batt's ,hill favored a deception4 ,tents were brought forward and pitched in sight of the enemy1 and a great part of the troops employed throughout the day in throwing up works1 as if the post was to be resolutely maintained2 at the same time1 the heavy baggage and stores were quietly conveyed away in the rear of the hill1 and ferried across the bay4 ,as soon as it was dark the tents were struck1 fires were lighted at various points1 the troops withdrawn1 and in a few hours the whole were transported across the channel to the mainland4 ,the whole army had crossed by two o'clock in the morning unperceived by the enemy2 the very next day ,sir ,henry ,clinton arrived at ,newport in a light squadron1 with a reinforcement of four thousand men1 a naval and land force that might effectually have cut off ,sullivan's retreat1 had he lingered on the island4 ,sir ,henry1 finding he had arrived a day too late1 returned to ,new ,york1 but first detached ,major-general ,sir ,charles ,grey with the troops1 on a ravaging expedition to the eastward2 chiefly against ports which were the haunts of privateers4 ,he destroyed more than seventy vessels in ,acushnet ,river1 some of them privateers with their prizes1 others peaceful merchant ships4 ,new ,bedford and ,fair ,haven having been made military and naval deposits1 were laid waste1 wharves demolished1 rope-walks1 store-houses and mills1 with several private dwellings1 wrapped in flames4 ,similar destruction was effected at the ,island of ,martha's ,vineyard4 ,having thus ravaged the coasts of ,new ,england1 the squadron returned laden with inglorious spoil to ,new ,york4 ,lord ,howe1 also1 who had sailed for ,boston in the hope of intercepting the ,count ,d',estaing1 and had reached there on the #cjth of ,august1 found the ,french fleet safely sheltered in ,nantasket ,road1 and protected by ,american batteries erected on commanding points4 ,he also returned to ,new ,york1 and shortly afterward1 availing himself of a permission granted him some time before by government1 resigned the command of the fleet to ,admiral ,gambler1 to hold it until the arrival of ,admiral ,byron4 ,while hostilities were carried on in the customary form along the ,atlantic borders1 ,indian warfare1 with all its atrocity1 was going on in the interior4 ,the ,british post at ,niagara was its cradle4 ,it was the common rallying place of tories1 refugees1 savage warriors1 and other desperadoes of the frontiers4 ,hither ,brant1 the noted ,indian chief1 had retired after the repulse of ,st4 ,leger at ,fort ,schuyler1 to plan further mischief2 and here was concerted the memorable incursion into the ,valley of ,wyoming1 suggested by tory refugees1 who had until recently inhabited it4 ,the ,valley of ,wyoming is a beautiful region lying along the ,susquehanna4 ,peaceful as was its aspect1 it had been the scene of sanguinary feuds prior to the ,revolution1 between the people of ,pennsylvania and ,connecticut1 who both laid claim to it4 ,seven rural forts or block-houses1 situated on various parts of the valley1 had been strongholds during these territorial contests1 and remained as places of refuge for women and children in times of ,indian ravage4 ,the expedition now set on foot against it1 in ,june1 was composed of ,butler's rangers1 ,johnson's royal greens1 and ,brant1 with his ,indian braves4 ,their united force1 about eleven hundred strong1 was conducted by ,colonel ,john ,butler1 renowned in ,indian warfare4 ,passing down the ,chemung and ,susquehanna in canoes1 they landed at a place called ,three ,islands1 struck through the wilderness to a gap or notch of the mountains1 by which they entered the ,valley of ,wyoming4 ,butler made his head-quarters at one of the strongholds already mentioned1 called ,wintermoot's ,fort1 from a tory family of the same name4 ,hence he sent out his marauding parties to plunder and lay waste the country4 ,rumors of this intended invasion had reached the valley some time before the appearance of the enemy1 and had spread great consternation4 ,most of the sturdy yeomanry were absent in the army4 ,a company of sixty men1 enlisted under an act of ,congress1 and hastily and imperfectly organized1 yet styling themselves regulars1 took post at one of the strongholds called ,forty ,fort2 where they were joined by about three hundred of the most efficient of the yeomanry1 armed and equipped in rude rustic style4 ,in this emergency old men and boys volunteered to meet the common danger1 posting themselves in the smaller forts in which women and children had taken refuge4 ,colonel ,zebulon ,butler1 an officer of the ,continental army1 took the general command4 ,several officers arrived from the army1 having obtained leave to repair home for the protection of their families4 ,they brought word that a reinforcement1 sent by ,washington1 was on its way4 ,in the meantime the marauding parties sent out by ,butler and ,brant were spreading desolation through the valley2 farm-houses were wrapped in flames2 husbandmen were murdered while at work in the fields2 all who had not taken refuge in the fort were threatened with destruction4 ,what was to be done8 ,wait for the arrival of the promised reinforcement1 or attempt to check the ravage8 ,the latter was rashly determined on4 ,leaving the women and children in ,forty ,fort1 ,colonel ,zebulon ,butler with his men sallied forth on the #c;d of ,july1 and made a rapid move upon ,wintermoot ,fort1 hoping to come upon it by surprise4 ,they found the enemy drawn up in front of it1 in a line extending from the river to a marsh2 ,colonel ,john ,butler and his rangers1 with ,johnson's royal greens1 on the left2 ,indians and tories on the right4 ,the ,americans formed a line of the same extent2 the regulars under ,colonel ,butler on the right flank resting on the river1 the militia under ,colonel ,denison on the left wing on the marsh4 ,a sharp fire was opened from right to left2 after a few volleys the enemy in front of ,colonel ,butler began to give way4 ,the ,indians1 however1 throwing themselves into the marsh1 turned the left flank of the ,americans and attacked the militia in the rear4 ,denison1 finding himself exposed to a cross fire1 sought to change his position1 and gave the word to fall back4 ,it was mistaken for an order to retreat4 ,in an instant the left wing turned and fled2 all attempts to rally it were vain2 the panic extended to the right wing4 ,the savages1 throwing down their rifles1 rushed on with tomahawk and scalping-knife1 and a horrible massacre ensued4 ,some of the ,americans escaped to ,forty ,fort1 some swam the river2 others broke their way across the swamp1 and climbed the mountain2 some few were taken prisoners2 but the greater number were slaughtered4 ,the desolation of the valley was now completed2 fields were laid waste1 houses burnt1 and their inhabitants murdered4 ,according to the ,british accounts1 upwards of four hundred of the yeomanry of ,wyoming were slain1 and five thousand persons fled in the utmost distress and consternation1 seeking refuge in the settlements on the ,lehigh and the ,delaware4 ,after completing this horrible work of devastation1 the enemy retired before the arrival of the troops detached by ,washington4 ,for a great part of the summer1 ,washington had remained encamped at ,white ,plains1 watching the movements of the enemy at ,new ,york4 ,early in ,september he observed a great stir of preparation2 cannon and military stores were embarked1 and a fleet of one hundred and forty transports were ready to make sail4 ,what was their destination8 ,there were but two capital objects which they could have in view1 beside the defeat and dispersion of his army4 ,one was to get possession of the forts and passes of the ,highlands3 the other1 by a junction of their land and naval forces1 to attempt the destruction of the ,french fleet at ,boston1 and regain possession of that town4 ,those points were so far asunder that it was difficult to protect the one without leaving the other exposed4 ,to do the best that the nature of the case would admit1 ,washington strengthened the works and reinforced the garrison in the ,highlands1 stationing ,putnam with two brigades in the neighborhood of ,west ,point4 ,general ,gates was sent with three brigades to ,danbury in ,connecticut1 where he was joined by two brigades under ,general ,mc,dougal1 while ,washington moved his camp to a rear position at ,fredericksburg on the borders of ,connecticut1 and about thirty miles from ,west ,point1 so as to be ready for a movement to the eastward or a speedy junction for the defence of the ,hudson4 ,scarce had ,washington moved from ,white ,plains1 when ,sir ,henry ,clinton threw a detachment of five thousand men under ,lord ,cornwallis into the ,jerseys1 between the ,hackensack and ,hudson ,rivers1 and another of three thousand under ,knyphausen into ,westchester ,county1 between the ,hudson and the ,bronx4 ,these detachments held communication with each other1 and by the aid of flat-bottomed boats could unite their forces1 in twenty-four hours1 on either side of the ,hudson4 ,washington considered these mere foraging expeditions1 though on a large scale1 and detached troops into the ,jerseys to co-operate with the militia in checking them2 but1 as something more might be intended1 he ordered ,general ,putnam to cross the river to ,west ,point1 for its immediate security2 while he himself moved with a division of his army to ,fishkill4 ,wayne1 who was with the detachment in the ,jerseys1 took post with a body of militia and a regiment of light-horse in front of the division of ,lord ,cornwallis4 ,the militia were quartered at the village of ,new ,tappan2 but ,lieutenant-colonel ,baylor1 who commanded the light-horse1 chose to camp apart1 to be free1 as is supposed1 from the control of ,wayne4 ,he took up his quarters1 therefore1 in ,old ,tappan1 where his men lay very negligently and unguardedly in barns4 ,cornwallis had intelligence of their exposed situation1 and laid a plan to cut off the whole detachment4 ,a body of troops from ,knyphausen's division was to cross the ,hudson in the night1 and come by surprise upon the militia in ,new ,tappan3 at the same time1 ,major-general ,grey1 of marauding renown1 was to advance on the left1 and attack ,baylor and his dragoons in their careless quarters in ,old ,tappan4 ,fortunately ,knyphausen's troops1 led by ,lieutenant-colonel ,campbell1 were slow in crossing the river1 and the militia were apprised by deserters of their danger in time to escape4 ,not so with ,baylor's party4 ,general ,grey1 having cut off a sergeant's patrol1 advanced in silence1 and surrounded with his troops three barns in which the dragoons were sleeping4 ,we have seen1 in his surprise of ,wayne's detachment in the preceding year1 how stealthy and effective he was in the work of destruction4 ,to prevent noise he had caused his men to draw the charges and take the flints from their guns1 and fix their bayonets4 ,the bayonet was his favorite weapon4 ,with this his men rushed forward1 and1 deaf for a time to all cries for mercy1 made a savage slaughter of naked and defenceless men4 ,eleven were killed on the spot1 and twenty-five mangled with repeated thrusts1 some receiving ten1 twelve1 and even sixteen wounds4 ,among the wounded were ,colonel ,baylor and ,major ,clough1 the last of whom soon died4 ,this whole movement of troops1 on both sides of the ,hudson1 was designed to cover an expedition against ,little ,egg ,harbor1 on the east coast of ,new ,jersey1 a noted rendezvous of ,american privateers4 ,three hundred regular troops1 and a body of royalist volunteers from the ,jerseys1 headed by ,captain ,patrick ,ferguson1 embarked at ,new ,york on board galleys and transports1 and made for ,little ,egg ,harbor under convoy of vessels of war4 ,they were long at sea4 ,the country heard of their coming2 four privateers put to sea and escaped2 others took refuge up the river4 ,the wind prevented the transports from entering4 ,the troops embarked in row galleys and small craft1 and pushed twenty miles up the river to the village of ,chestnut ,neck4 ,here were batteries without guns1 prize ships which had been hastily scuttled1 and storehouses for the reception of prize goods4 ,the batteries and storehouses were demolished1 the prize ships burnt1 saltworks destroyed1 private dwellings sacked and laid in ashes2 all1 it was pretended1 being the property of persons concerned in privateering4 ,the vessels which brought this detachment being wind-bound for several days1 ,captain ,ferguson had time for another enterprise4 ,among the forces detached by ,washington into the ,jerseys to check these ravages1 was the ,count ,pulaski's legionary corps1 composed of three companies of foot1 and a troop of horse1 officered principally by foreigners4 ,a deserter from the corps brought word to the ,british commander that the legion was cantoned about twelve miles up the river2 the infantry in three houses by themselves2 ,count ,pulaski with the cavalry at some distance apart4 ,informed of these circumstances1 ,captain ,ferguson embarked in boats with two hundred and fifty men1 ascended the river in the night1 landed at four in the morning1 and surrounded the houses in which the infantry were sleeping4 ,it being a night attack1 says the captain in his official report1 little quarter of course could be given1 so there were only five prisoners4 ,fifty of the infantry were butchered on the spot3 among whom were two of the foreign officers1 the ,baron de ,bose and ,lieutenant de la ,broderie4 ,the clattering of hoofs gave note of the approach of ,pulaski and his horse1 whereupon the ,british made a rapid retreat to their boats and pulled down the river1 and thus ended the marauding expedition of ,captain ,ferguson1 worthy of the times of the buccaneers4 ,the detachment on the east side of the ,hudson likewise made a predatory and disgraceful foray from their lines at ,king's ,bridge1 towards the ,american encampment at ,white ,plains1 plundering the inhabitants without discrimination1 not only of their provisions and forage1 but of the very clothes on their backs4 ,none were more efficient in this ravage than a party of about one hundred of ,captain ,donop's ,hessian yagers1 and they were in full maraud between ,tarrytown and ,dobbs' ,ferry1 when a detachment of infantry under ,colonel ,richard ,butler1 and of cavalry under ,major ,henry ,lee1 came upon them by surprise1 killed ten of them on the spot1 and captured a lieutenant and eighteen privates4 ,the ,british detachments having accomplished the main objects of their movements1 returned to ,new ,york2 leaving those parts of the country they had harassed still more determined in their hostility1 having achieved nothing but what is least honorable and most detestable in warfare4 ,about the middle of ,september ,admiral ,byron arrived at ,new ,york with the residue of the scattered armament1 which had sailed from ,england in ,june to counteract the designs of the ,count ,d',estaing4 ,finding that the count was still repairing his shattered fleet in the harbor of ,boston1 he put to sea again as soon as his ships were refitted1 and set sail for that port to entrap him4 ,success seemed likely to crown his schemes3 he arrived off ,boston on the #ast of ,november2 his rival was still in port4 ,scarce had the admiral entered the bay1 however1 when another violent storm drove him out to sea1 disabled his ships1 and compelled him to put into ,rhode ,island to refit4 ,meanwhile1 the count having his ships in good order1 and finding the coast clear1 put to sea1 and made the best of his way for the ,west ,indies4 ,the force at ,new ,york1 which had been an object of watchful solicitude1 was gradually dispersed in different directions4 ,immediately after the departure of ,admiral ,byron for ,boston1 another naval expedition had been set on foot by ,sir ,henry ,clinton4 ,all being ready1 a fleet of transports with five thousand men1 under ,general ,grant1 convoyed by ,commodore ,hotham with a squadron of six ships-of-war1 set sail on the #c;d of ,november1 with the secret design of an attack on ,st4 ,lucia4 ,towards the end of the same month1 another body of troops1 under ,lieutenant-colonel ,campbell1 sailed for ,georgia in the squadron of ,commodore ,hyde ,parker2 the ,british cabinet having determined to carry the war into the ,southern ,states4 ,at the same time ,general ,prevost1 who commanded in ,florida1 was ordered by ,sir ,henry ,clinton to march to the banks of the ,savannah ,river1 and attack ,georgia in flank1 while the expedition under ,campbell should attack it in front on the seaboard4 ,the squadron of ,commodore ,hyde ,parker anchored in the ,savannah ,river towards the end of ,december4 ,an ,american force of about six hundred regulars1 and a few militia under ,general ,robert ,howe1 were encamped near the town4 ,lieutenant-colonel ,campbell landed his troops on the #bith of ,december4 ,the whole country bordering the river is a deep morass1 cut up by creeks1 and only to be traversed by causeways4 ,over one of these1 six hundred yards in length1 with a ditch on each side1 ,colonel ,campbell advanced1 putting to flight a small party stationed to guard it4 ,general ,howe had posted his little army on the main road1 with the river on his left and a morass in front4 ,a negro gave ,campbell information of a path leading through the morass1 by which troops might get unobserved to the rear of the ,americans4 ,sir ,james ,baird was detached with the light infantry by this path1 while ,colonel ,campbell advanced in front4 ,the ,americans1 thus suddenly attacked in front and rear1 were completely routed2 upwards of one hundred were either killed on the spot or perished in the morass2 thirty-eight officers and four hundred and fifteen privates were taken prisoners1 the rest retreated up the ,savannah ,river and crossed into ,south ,carolina4 ,savannah1 the capital of ,georgia1 was taken possession of by the victors1 with cannon1 military stores and provisions2 their loss was only seven killed and nineteen wounded4 ,while ,colonel ,campbell had thus invaded ,georgia in front1 ,general ,prevost1 who commanded the ,british forces in ,florida1 had received orders from ,sir ,henry ,clinton to take it in flank4 ,he accordingly traversed deserts to its southern frontier1 took ,sunbury1 the only remaining fort of importance1 and marched to ,savannah1 where he assumed the general command1 detaching ,colonel ,campbell against ,augusta4 ,by the middle of ,january 7#aggi7 all ,georgia was reduced to submission4 ,a more experienced ,american general than ,howe had by this time arrived to take command of the ,southern ,department1 ,major-general ,lincoln1 who had gained such reputation in the campaign against ,burgoyne1 and whose appointment to this station had been solicited by the delegates from ,south ,carolina and ,georgia4 ,he had received his orders from ,washington in the beginning of ,october4 ,of his operations at the ,south we shall have occasion to speak hereafter4 ,,chapter ,,lii4 ,,washington ,,in ,,philadelphia4--,,indian ,,warfare4--,,capture ,,of ,,stony ,,point4--,,ravages ,,in ,,connecticut4--,,repulse ,,at ,,savannah4 ,about the beginning of ,december1 ,washington distributed his troops for the winter in a line of strong cantonments extending from ,long ,island ,sound to the ,delaware4 ,general ,putnam commanded at ,danbury1 ,general ,mc,dougall in the ,highlands1 while the head-quarters of the commander-in-chief were near ,middlebrook in the ,jerseys4 ,the objects of this arrangement were the protection of the country2 the security of the important posts on the ,hudson1 and the safety1 discipline1 and easy subsistence of the army4 ,in the course of this winter he devised a plan of alarm signals1 which ,general ,philemon ,dickinson was employed to carry into effect4 ,on ,bottle ,hill1 which commanded a vast map of country1 sentinels kept watch day and night4 ,should there be an irruption of the enemy1 an eighteen pounder1 called the ,old ,sow1 fired every half hour1 gave the alarm in the day time or in dark and stormy nights2 an immense fire or beacon at other times4 ,on the booming of that heavy gun1 lights sprang up from hill to hill along the different ranges of heights2 the country was aroused1 and the yeomanry1 hastily armed1 hurried to their gathering places4 ,washington was now doomed to experience great loss in the narrow circle of those about him1 on whose attachment and devotion he could place implicit reliance4 ,the ,marquis ,lafayette1 seeing no immediate prospect of active employment in the ,united ,states1 and anticipating a war on the continent of ,europe1 was disposed to return to ,france to offer his services to his sovereign2 desirous1 however1 of preserving a relation with ,america1 he merely solicited from ,congress the liberty of going home for the next winter2 engaging himself not to depart until certain that the campaign was over4 ,washington backed his application for a furlough1 as an arrangement that would still link him with the service2 expressing his reluctance to part with an officer who united to all the military fire of youth an uncommon maturity of judgment4 ,congress in consequence granted the marquis an unlimited leave of absence1 to return to ,america whenever he should find it convenient4 ,much of the winter was passed by ,washington in ,philadelphia1 occupied in devising and discussing plans for the campaign of #aggi4 ,it was an anxious moment with him4 ,circumstances which inspired others with confidence1 filled him with solicitude4 ,the alliance with ,france had produced a baneful feeling of security1 which1 it appeared to him1 was paralyzing the energies of the country4 ,england1 it was thought1 would now be too much occupied in securing her position in ,europe1 to increase her force or extend her operations in ,america4 ,many1 therefore1 considered the war as virtually at an end2 and were unwilling to make the sacrifices1 or supply the means necessary for important military undertakings4 ,dissensions1 too1 and party feuds were breaking out in ,congress1 owing to the relaxation of that external pressure of a common and imminent danger1 which had heretofore produced a unity of sentiment and action4 ,that august body had1 in fact1 greatly deteriorated since the commencement of the war4 ,many of those whose names had been as watchwords at the ,declaration of ,independence1 had withdrawn from the national councils2 occupied either by their individual affairs1 or by the affairs of their individual ,states4 ,washington1 whose comprehensive patriotism embraced the whole ,union1 deprecated and deplored the dawning of this sectional spirit4 ,america1 he declared1 had never stood in more imminent need of the wise1 patriotic1 and spirited exertions of her sons than at this period4 ,in discussing the policy to be observed in the next campaign1 ,washington presumed the enemy would maintain their present posts and conduct the war as heretofore2 in which case he was for remaining entirely on the defensive4 ,one single exception was made by him4 ,the horrible ravages and massacres perpetrated by the ,indians and their tory allies at ,wyoming had been followed by similar atrocities at ,cherry ,valley1 in the ,state of ,new ,york1 and called for signal vengeance to prevent a repetition4 ,washington knew by experience that ,indian warfare1 to be effective1 should never be merely defensive1 but must be carried into the enemy's country4 ,the ,six ,nations1 the most civilized of the savage tribes1 had proved themselves the most formidable4 ,his idea was to make war upon them in their own style2 penetrate their country1 lay waste their villages and settlements1 and at the same time destroy the ,british post at ,niagara1 that nestling-place of tories and refugees4 ,the policy thus recommended was adopted by ,congress4 ,arrangements were set on foot to carry that part relative to the ,indians into execution4 ,the first act was an expedition from ,fort ,schuyler by ,colonel ,van ,schaick1 ,lieutenant-colonel ,willett1 and ,major ,cochran1 with about six hundred men1 who1 on the #aith of ,april1 surprised the towns of the ,onondagas1 destroyed the whole settlement1 and returned to the fort without the loss of a single man4 ,the great expedition of the campaign1 however1 was in revenge of the massacre of ,wyoming4 ,early in the summer three thousand men assembled in that lately desolated region1 and1 conducted by ,general ,sullivan1 moved up the west branch of the ,susquehanna into the ,seneca country4 ,while on the way they were joined by a part of the western army under ,general ,james ,clinton1 who had come from the valley of the ,mohawk by ,otsego ,lake and the east branch of the ,susquehanna4 ,the united forces amounted to about five thousand men1 of which ,sullivan had the general command4 ,the ,indians1 and their allies the tories1 had received information of the intended invasion1 and appeared in arms to oppose it4 ,they were much inferior in force1 however1 being about fifteen hundred ,indians and two hundred white men1 commanded by the two ,butlers1 ,johnson1 and ,brant4 ,a battle took place at ,newtown1 on the #bith of ,august1 in which they were easily defeated4 ,sullivan then pushed forward into the heart of the ,indian country1 penetrating as far as the ,genesee ,river1 laying everything waste1 setting fire to deserted dwellings1 destroying cornfields1 orchards1 gardens1 everything that could give sustenance to man1 the design being to starve the ,indians out of the country4 ,the latter retreated before him with their families1 and at length took refuge under the protection of the ,british garrison at ,niagara4 ,having completed his errand1 ,sullivan returned to ,easton in ,pennsylvania4 ,the thanks of ,congress were voted to him and his army1 but he shortly afterward resigned his commission on account of ill health and retired from the service4 ,a similar expedition was undertaken by ,colonel ,brodhead1 from ,pittsburg up the ,alleghany1 against the ,mingo1 ,muncey1 and ,seneca tribes1 with similar results4 ,the wisdom of ,washington's policy of carrying the war against the ,indians into their country1 and conducting it in their own way1 was apparent from the general intimidation produced among the tribes by these expeditions1 and the subsequent infrequency of their murderous incursions4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,the situation of ,sir ,henry ,clinton must have been mortifying in the extreme to an officer of lofty ambition and generous aims4 ,his force1 between sixteen and seventeen thousand strong1 was superior in number1 discipline1 and equipment to that of ,washington2 yet his instructions confined him to a predatory warfare carried on by attacks and marauds at distant points1 harassing1 it is true1 yet irritating to the country intended to be conciliated1 and brutalizing to his own soldiery4 ,such was the nature of an expedition set on foot against the commerce of the ,chesapeake2 by which commerce the armies were supplied and the credit of the government sustained4 ,on the #ith of ,may1 a squadron under ,sir ,george ,collier1 convoying transports and galleys1 with twenty-five hundred men1 commanded by ,general ,mathews1 entered these waters1 took possession of ,portsmouth without opposition1 sent out armed parties against ,norfolk1 ,suffolk1 ,gosport1 ,kemp's ,landing1 and other neighboring places1 where were immense quantities of provisions1 naval and military stores1 and merchandise of all kinds2 with numerous vessels1 some on the stocks1 others richly laden4 ,wherever they went1 a scene of plunder1 conflagration1 and destruction ensued4 ,a few days sufficed to ravage the whole neighborhood4 ,while this was going on at the ,south1 ,washington received intelligence of movements at ,new ,york and in its vicinity1 which made him apprehend an expedition against the ,highlands of the ,hudson4 ,since the loss of ,forts ,montgomery and ,clinton1 the main defences of the ,highlands had been established at the sudden bend of the river where it winds between ,west ,point and ,constitution ,island4 ,two opposite forts commanded this bend1 and an iron chain which was stretched across it4 ,washington had projected two works also just below the ,highlands1 at ,stony ,point and ,verplanck's ,point1 to serve as outworks of the mountain passes1 and to protect ,king's ,ferry1 the most direct and convenient communication between the ,northern and ,middle ,states4 ,a small but strong fort had been erected on ,verplanck's ,point1 and was garrisoned by seventy men under ,captain ,armstrong4 ,a more important work was in progress at ,stony ,point4 ,when completed1 these two forts1 on opposite promontories1 would form as it were the lower gates of the ,highlands4 ,to be at hand in case of any real attempt upon the ,highlands1 ,washington drew up with his forces in that direction2 moving by the way of ,morristown4 ,an expedition up the ,hudson was really the object of ,sir ,henry ,clinton's movements1 and for this he was strengthened by the return of ,sir ,george ,collier with his marauding ships and forces from ,virginia4 ,on the #cjth of ,may1 ,sir ,henry set out on his second grand cruise up the ,hudson1 with an armament of about seventy sail1 great and small1 and one hundred and fifty flat-boats4 ,admiral ,sir ,george ,collier commanded the armament1 and there was a land force of about five thousand men under ,general ,vaughan4 ,the first aim of ,sir ,henry was to get possession of ,stony and ,verplanck's ,points2 his former expedition had acquainted him with the importance of this pass of the river4 ,on the morning of the #cast1 the forces were landed in two divisions1 the largest under ,general ,vaughan1 on the east side of the river1 about seven or eight miles below ,verplanck's ,point2 the other1 commanded by ,sir ,henry in person1 landed in ,haverstraw ,bay1 about three miles below ,stony ,point4 ,there were but about thirty men in the unfinished fort2 they abandoned it on the approach of the enemy1 and retreated into the ,highlands1 having first set fire to the block-house4 ,the ,british took quiet possession of the fort in the evening2 dragged up cannon and mortars in the night1 and at daybreak opened a furious fire upon ,fort ,lafayette4 ,it was cannonaded at the same time by the armed vessels1 and a demonstration was made on it by the division under ,general ,vaughan4 ,thus surrounded1 the little garrison of seventy men was forced to surrender1 with no other stipulation than safety to their persons and to the property they had in the fort4 ,major ,andr was aide-de-camp to ,sir ,henry1 and signed the articles of capitulation4 ,washington presumed that the main object of ,sir ,henry was to get possession of ,west ,point1 the guardian fortress of the river1 and that the capture of ,stony and ,verplanck's ,points were preparatory steps4 ,he would fain have dislodged him from these posts1 but deferring any attempt on them for the present1 he took measures for the protection of ,west ,point4 ,leaving ,general ,putnam and the main body of the army at ,smith's ,clove1 a mountain pass in the rear of ,haverstraw1 he removed his head-quarters to ,new ,windsor1 to be near ,west ,point in case of need1 and to press the completion of its works4 ,general ,mc,dougall was transferred to the command of the ,point4 ,three brigades were stationed at different places on the opposite side of the river1 under ,general ,heath1 from which fatigue parties crossed daily to work on the fortifications4 ,this strong disposition of the ,american forces checked ,sir ,henry's designs against the ,highlands4 ,contenting himself1 therefore1 for the present1 with the acquisition of ,stony and ,verplanck's ,points1 he returned to ,new ,york1 where he soon set on foot a desolating expedition along the seaboard of ,connecticut4 ,that ,state1 while it furnished the ,american armies with provisions and recruits1 and infested the sea with privateers1 had hitherto experienced nothing of the horrors of war within its borders4 ,sir ,henry1 in compliance with his instructions from government1 was now about to give it a scourging lesson4 ,general 7late ,governor7 ,tryon1 was the officer selected by ,sir ,henry for this inglorious1 but apparently congenial service4 ,about the beginning of ,july he embarked with two thousand six hundred men1 in a fleet of transports and tenders1 and was convoyed up the ,sound by ,sir ,george ,collier with two ships-of-war4 ,on the #eth of ,july the troops landed near ,new ,haven1 in two divisions1 one led by ,tryon1 the other by ,brigadier-general ,garth1 his lieutenant4 ,they came upon the neighborhood by surprise2 yet the militia assembled in haste1 and made a resolute though ineffectual opposition4 ,the ,british captured the town1 dismantled the fort1 and took or destroyed all the vessels in the harbor2 with all the artillery1 ammunition1 and public stores4 ,several private houses were plundered4 ,they next proceeded to ,fairfield2 where1 meeting with greater resistance1 they thought the moment arrived for a wholesome example of severity4 ,accordingly1 they not merely ravaged and destroyed the public stores and the vessels in the harbor1 but laid the town itself in ashes4 ,the exact return of this salutary lesson gives the destruction of ninety-seven dwelling-houses1 sixty-seven barns and stables1 forty-eight store-houses1 three places of worship1 a court-house1 a jail1 and two school-houses4 ,at ,norwalk1 where they landed on the #aath of ,july1 they burnt one hundred and thirty dwelling-houses1 eighty-seven barns1 twenty-two store-houses1 seventeen shops1 four mills1 two places of worship1 and five vessels which were in the harbor4 ,the loss of the ,british throughout the whole expedition amounted1 according to their own accounts1 to twenty killed1 ninety-six wounded1 and thirty-two missing4 ,it was intended to crown this grand ravage by a descent on ,new ,london1 a noted rendezvous of privateers2 but as greater opposition was expected there than at either of the other places the squadron returned to ,huntington ,bay1 on ,long ,island1 to await reinforcements2 and ,commodore ,collier proceeded to ,throg's ,neck1 to confer with ,sir ,henry ,clinton about further operations4 ,washington on hearing of the departure of the expedition to the eastward1 and before he was acquainted with its definite object1 detached ,general ,heath1 with two brigades of ,connecticut militia1 to counteract the movements of the enemy4 ,this was all that he could spare from the force stationed for the protection of the ,highlands4 ,any weakening of his posts there might bring the enemy suddenly upon him1 such was their facility in moving from one place to another by means of their shipping4 ,indeed1 he had divined that a scheme of the kind was at the bottom of the hostile movement to the eastward4 ,as a kind of counter-check to ,sir ,henry1 ,washington had for some days been planning the recapture of ,stony ,point and ,fort ,lafayette4 ,he had reconnoitred them in person2 spies had been thrown into them1 and information collected from deserters4 ,stony ,point having been recently strengthened by the ,british was now the most important4 ,it was a rocky promontory advancing far into the ,hudson1 which washed three sides of it4 ,a deep morass1 covered at high water1 separated it from the mainland1 but at low tide might be traversed by a narrow causeway and bridge4 ,the promontory was crowned by strong works1 furnished with heavy ordnance1 commanding the morass and causeway4 ,lower down were two rows of abatis1 and the shore at the foot of the hill could be swept by vessels of war anchored in the river4 ,the garrison was about six hundred strong1 commanded by ,lieutenant-colonel ,johnson4 ,to attempt the surprisal of this isolated post1 thus strongly fortified1 was a perilous enterprise4 ,general ,wayne1 ,mad ,anthony as he was called from his daring valor1 was the officer to whom ,washington proposed it1 and he engaged in it with avidity4 ,according to ,washington's plan1 it was to be attempted by light-infantry only1 at night1 and with the utmost secrecy1 securing every person they met to prevent discovery4 ,between one and two hundred chosen men and officers were to make the surprise2 preceded by a vanguard of prudent1 determined men1 well commanded1 to remove obstructions1 secure sentries1 and drive in the guards4 ,on getting possession of ,stony ,point1 ,wayne was to turn its guns upon ,fort ,lafayette and the shipping4 ,a detachment was to march down from ,west ,point by ,peekskill1 to the vicinity of ,fort ,lafayette1 and hold itself ready to join in the attack upon it1 as soon as the cannonade began from ,stony ,point4 ,on the #aeth of ,july1 about mid-day1 ,wayne set out with his light-infantry from ,sandy ,beach1 fourteen miles distant from ,stony ,point4 ,about eight in the evening1 they arrived within a mile and a half of the forts1 without being discovered4 ,about half-past eleven1 the whole moved forward1 guided by a negro of the neighborhood who had frequently carried in fruit to the garrison1 and served the ,americans as a spy4 ,he led the way1 accompanied by two stout men disguised as farmers4 ,the countersign was given to the first sentinel1 posted on high ground west of the morass4 ,while the negro talked with him1 the men seized and gagged him4 ,the sentinel posted at the head of the causeway was served in the same manner4 ,the causeway1 however1 was overflowed1 and it was some time after twelve o'clock before the troops could cross2 leaving three hundred men under ,general ,muhlenberg1 on the western side of the morass1 as a reserve4 ,at the foot of the promontory1 the troops were divided into two columns1 for simultaneous attacks on opposite sides of the works4 ,one hundred and fifty volunteers1 led by ,lieutenant-colonel ,fleury1 seconded by ,major ,posey1 formed the vanguard of the right column2 one hundred volunteers under ,major ,stewart1 the vanguard of the left4 ,in the advance of each was a forlorn hope of twenty men1 one led by ,lieutenant ,gibbon1 the other by ,lieutenant ,knox2 it was their desperate duty to remove the abatis4 ,so well had the whole affair been conducted1 that the ,americans were close upon the outworks before they were discovered4 ,there was then severe skirmishing at the pickets4 ,the ,americans used the bayonet2 the others discharged their muskets4 ,the reports roused the garrison4 ,stony ,point was instantly in an uproar4 ,the drums beat to arms2 every one hurried to his alarm post2 the works were hastily manned1 and a tremendous fire of grape-shot and musketry opened upon the assailants4 ,the two columns forced their way with the bayonet1 at opposite points1 surmounting every obstacle4 ,colonel ,fleury was the first to enter the fort and strike the ,british flag4 ,major ,posey sprang to the ramparts and shouted1 ,the fort is our own4 ,the two columns arrived nearly at the same time1 and met in the centre of the works4 ,the garrison surrendered at discretion4 ,at daybreak1 the guns of the fort were turned on ,fort ,lafayette and the shipping4 ,the latter cut their cables and dropped down the river4 ,through a series of blunders1 the detachment from ,west ,point1 which was to have co-operated1 did not arrive in time1 and came unprovided with suitable ammunition for their battering artillery4 ,this part of the enterprise1 therefore1 failed2 ,fort ,lafayette held out4 ,the storming of ,stony ,point stands out in high relief as one of the most brilliant achievements of the war4 ,the ,americans had effected it without firing a musket4 ,on their part it was the silent1 deadly work of the bayonet2 the fierce resistance they met at the outset may be judged by the havoc made in their forlorn hope2 out of twenty-two men1 seventeen were either killed or wounded4 ,the whole loss of the ,americans was fifteen killed and eighty-three wounded4 ,of the garrison1 sixty-three were slain1 including two officers2 five hundred and fifty-three were taken prisoners1 among whom were a lieutenant-colonel1 four captains1 and twenty-three subaltern officers4 ,illustration3 ,,new ,,london1 ,,conn4 ,vol4 ,,iv4 ,tidings of the capture of ,stony ,point1 and the imminent danger of ,fort ,lafayette1 reached ,sir ,henry ,clinton just after his conference with ,sir ,george ,collier at ,throg's ,neck4 ,the expedition against ,new ,london was instantly given up2 the transports and troops were recalled2 a forced march was made to ,dobbs' ,ferry on the ,hudson2 a detachment was sent up the river in transports to relieve ,fort ,lafayette1 and ,sir ,henry followed with a greater force1 hoping ,washington might quit his fastnesses1 and risk a battle for the possession of ,stony ,point4 ,again the ,fabian policy of the ,american commander-in-chief disappointed the ,british general4 ,having well examined the post in company with an engineer and several general officers1 he found that at least fifteen hundred men would be required to maintain it1 a number not to be spared from the army at present4 ,the works1 too1 were only calculated for defence on the land side1 and were open towards the river1 where the enemy depended upon protection from their ships4 ,it would be necessary to construct them anew1 with great labor4 ,the army1 also1 would have to be in the vicinity1 too distant from ,west ,point to aid in completing or defending its fortifications1 and exposed to the risk of a general action on unfavorable terms4 ,for these considerations1 in which all his officers concurred1 ,washington evacuated the post on the #ahth1 removing the cannon and stores1 and destroying the works2 after which he drew his forces together in the ,highlands1 and established his quarters at ,west ,point4 ,sir ,henry retook possession of ,stony ,point1 and fortified and garrisoned it more strongly than ever1 but was too wary to risk an attempt upon the strongholds of the ,highlands4 ,the brilliant affair of the storming of ,stony ,point was somewhat overshadowed by the result of an enterprise at the eastward1 undertaken without consulting ,washington4 ,a ,british detachment from ,halifax1 of seven or eight hundred men1 had founded in ,june a military post on the eastern side of the ,bay of ,penobscot1 nine miles below the river of that name1 and were erecting a fort there1 intended to protect ,nova ,scotia1 control the frontiers of ,massachusetts1 and command the vast wooded regions of ,maine4 ,the people of ,boston1 roused by this movement1 which invaded their territory1 and touched their pride and interests1 undertook1 on their own responsibility1 a naval and military expedition intended to drive off the invaders4 ,a squadron of armed ships and brigantines under ,commodore ,saltonstall put to sea1 convoying transports1 on board of which were near four thousand land troops under ,general ,lovel4 ,arriving in the ,penobscot on the #beth of ,may1 they found ,colonel ,maclean posted on a peninsula1 steep and precipitous toward the bay1 and deeply trenched on the land side1 with three ships-of-war anchored before it4 ,lovel was repulsed1 with some little loss1 in an attempt to effect a landing on the peninsula2 but finally succeeded before daybreak on the #bhth4 ,the moment was propitious for a bold and vigorous blow4 ,the fort was but half finished2 the guns were not mounted2 the three armed vessels could not have offered a formidable resistance2 but1 unfortunately1 the energy of a ,wayne was wanting to the enterprise4 ,lovel proceeded by regular siege4 ,he threw up works at seven hundred and fifty yards distance1 and opened a cannonade1 which was continued from day to day1 for a fortnight4 ,the delay gave time for ,admiral ,collier at ,new ,york to hear of this enterprise1 and take measures for its defeat4 ,on the #acth of ,august1 ,lovel was astounded by intelligence that the admiral was arrived before the bay with a superior armament4 ,thus fairly entrapped1 he endeavored to extricate his force with as little loss as possible4 ,before news of ,collier's arrival could reach the fort1 he re-embarked his troops in the transports to make their escape up the river4 ,his armed vessels were drawn up in a crescent as if to give battle1 but it was merely to hold the enemy in check4 ,they soon gave way2 some were captured1 others were set on fire or blown up1 and abandoned by their crews4 ,the transports being eagerly pursued and in great danger of being taken1 disgorged the troops and seamen on the wild shores of the river3 whence they had to make the best of their way to ,boston1 struggling for upwards of a hundred miles through a pathless wilderness1 before they reached the settled parts of the country4 ,if ,washington was chagrined by the signal failure of this expedition1 he was cheered by the better fortune of one set on foot about the same time1 under his own eye1 by his young friend1 ,major ,henry ,lee of the ,virginia dragoons4 ,this active and daring officer had frequently been employed by him in scouring the country on the west side of the ,hudson to collect information2 keep an eye upon the enemy's posts2 cut off their supplies1 and check their foraging parties4 ,the coup de main at ,stony ,point had piqued his emulation4 ,in the course of his reconnoitring1 and by means of spies1 he had discovered that the ,british post at ,paulus ,hook1 immediately opposite to ,new ,york1 was very negligently guarded4 ,paulus ,hook is a long low point of the ,jersey shore1 stretching into the ,hudson1 and connected to the main land by a sandy isthmus4 ,a fort had been erected on it1 and garrisoned with four or five hundred men1 under the command of ,major ,sutherland4 ,it was a strong position4 ,a creek1 fordable only in two places1 rendered the hook difficult of access4 ,within this1 a deep trench had been cut across the isthmus1 traversed by a drawbridge with a barred gate2 and still within this was a double row of abatis1 extending into the water4 ,confident in the strength of his position1 and its distance from any ,american force1 ,major ,sutherland had become remiss in his military precautions4 ,all this had been ascertained by ,major ,lee2 and he now proposed the daring project of surprising the fort at night1 and thus striking an insulting blow within cannon shot of ,new ,york4 ,washington was disposed to favor the adventurous schemes of this young officer4 ,on the #ahth of ,august1 ,lee set out on the expedition1 at the head of three hundred men of ,lord ,stirling's division1 and a troop of dismounted dragoons under ,captain ,mc,lane4 ,it was between two and three in the morning when he arrived at the creek4 ,it happened1 fortunately1 that ,major ,sutherland1 the ,british commander1 had the day before detached a foraging party under a ,major ,buskirk to a part of the country called the ,english ,neighborhood4 ,as ,lee and his men approached they were mistaken by the sentinel for this party on its return4 ,the darkness of the night favored the mistake4 ,they passed the creek and ditch1 entered the works unmolested1 and had made themselves masters of the post before the negligent garrison were well roused from sleep4 ,major ,sutherland and about sixty ,hessians threw themselves into a small block-house on the left of the fort and opened an irregular fire4 ,to attempt to dislodge them would have cost too much time4 ,alarm guns from the ships in the river and the forts at ,new ,york threatened speedy reinforcements to the enemy4 ,having made one hundred and fifty-nine prisoners1 among whom were three officers1 ,lee commenced his retreat1 without tarrying to destroy either barracks or artillery4 ,few of the enemy were slain1 for there was but little fighting and no massacre4 ,his own loss was two men killed and three wounded4 ,the arrival of ,admiral ,arbuthnot1 with a fleet bringing three thousand troops and a supply of provisions and stores1 strengthened the hands of ,sir ,henry ,clinton4 ,still he had not sufficient force to warrant any further attempt up the ,hudson1 ,washington1 by his diligence in fortifying ,west ,point1 having rendered that fastness of the ,highlands apparently impregnable4 ,sir ,henry turned his thoughts1 therefore1 towards the ,south1 hoping by a successful expedition in that direction to counterbalance ill success in other quarters4 ,at this juncture news was received of the arrival of the ,count ,d',estaing with a formidable fleet on the coast of ,georgia1 having made a successful cruise in the ,west ,indies1 in the course of which he had taken ,st4 ,vincent's and ,granada4 ,a combined attack upon ,new ,york was again talked of4 ,in anticipation of it1 ,washington called upon several of the ,middle ,states for supplies of all kinds1 and reinforcements of militia4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton also changed his plans2 caused ,rhode ,island to be evacuated2 the troops and stores to be brought away2 the garrisons brought off from ,stony and ,verplanck's ,points1 and all his forces to be concentrated at ,new ,york1 which he endeavored to put in the strongest posture of defence4 ,intelligence recently received1 too1 that ,spain had joined ,france in hostilities against ,england1 contributed to increase the solicitude and perplexities of the enemy1 while it gave fresh confidence to the ,americans4 ,washington's anticipations of a combined operation with ,d',estaing against ,new ,york were again disappointed4 ,the ,french admiral1 on arriving on the coast of ,georgia1 had been persuaded to co-operate with the ,southern army1 under ,general ,lincoln1 in an attempt to recover ,savannah4 ,for three weeks a siege was carried on with great vigor1 by regular approaches on land1 and cannonade and bombardment from the shipping4 ,on the #ith of ,october1 although the approaches were not complete1 and no sufficient breach had been effected1 ,lincoln and ,d',estaing1 at the head of their choicest troops1 advanced before daybreak to storm the works4 ,the assault was gallant but unsuccessful2 both ,americans and ,french had planted their standards on the redoubts1 but were finally repulsed4 ,after the repulse1 both armies retired from before the place1 the ,french having lost in killed and wounded upwards of six hundred men1 the ,americans about four hundred4 ,d',estaing himself was among the wounded1 and the gallant ,count ,pulaski among the slain4 ,the loss of the enemy was trifling1 being protected by their works4 ,the tidings of this reverse1 which reached ,washington late in ,november1 put an end to all prospect of co-operation from the ,french fleet2 a consequent change took place in all his plans4 ,the militia of ,new ,york and ,massachusetts1 recently assembled1 were disbanded1 and arrangements were made for the winter4 ,the army was thrown into two divisions2 one was to be stationed under ,general ,heath in the ,highlands1 for the protection of ,west ,point and the neighboring posts2 the other and principal division was to be hutted near ,morristown1 where ,washington was to have his head-quarters4 ,the cavalry were to be sent to ,connecticut4 ,understanding that ,sir ,henry ,clinton was making preparations at ,new ,york for a large embarkation of troops1 and fearing they might be destined against ,georgia and ,carolina1 he resolved to detach the greater part of his ,southern troops for the protection of those ,states2 a provident resolution1 in which he was confirmed by subsequent instructions from ,congress4 ,accordingly1 the ,north ,carolina brigade took up its march for ,charleston in ,november1 and the whole of the ,virginia line in ,december4 ,notwithstanding the recent preparations at ,new ,york1 the ships remained in port1 and the enemy held themselves in collected force there4 ,sir ,henry was regulating his movements by those the ,french fleet might make after the repulse at ,savannah4 ,intelligence at length arrived that it had been dispersed by a violent storm4 ,count ,d',estaing1 with a part1 had shaped his course for ,france2 the rest had proceeded to the ,west ,indies4 ,sir ,henry now lost no time in carrying his plans into operation4 ,leaving the garrison of ,new ,york under the command of ,lieutenant-general ,knyphausen1 he embarked several thousand men on board of transports1 to be convoyed by five ships-of-the-line and several frigates under ,admiral ,arbuthnot1 and set sail on the #bfth of ,december1 accompanied by ,lord ,cornwallis1 on an expedition intended for the capture of ,charleston and the reduction of ,south ,carolina4 ,,chapter ,,liii4 ,,army ,,at ,,morristown4--,,arnold ,,in ,,philadelphia4--,,charleston ,,besieged4 ,the dreary encampment at ,valley ,forge has become proverbial for its hardships2 yet they were scarcely more severe than those suffered by ,washington's army during the present winter1 while hutted among the heights of ,morristown4 ,the winter set in early1 and was uncommonly rigorous4 ,the transportation of supplies was obstructed2 the magazines were exhausted1 and the commissaries had neither money nor credit to enable them to replenish them4 ,for weeks at a time the army was on half allowance2 sometimes without meat1 sometimes without bread1 sometimes without both4 ,there was a scarcity1 too1 of clothing and blankets1 so that the poor soldiers were starving with cold as well as hunger4 ,illustration3 ,,head-,,quarters1 ,,morristown1 ,n4,j4 ,vol4 ,,iii4 ,a rigorous winter had much to do with the actual distresses of the army1 but the root of the evil lay in the derangement of the currency4 ,congress had commenced the war without adequate funds1 and without the power of imposing direct taxes4 ,to meet pressing emergencies1 it had emitted paper money1 which1 for a time1 passed currently at par2 but sank in value as further emissions succeeded1 and that already in circulation remained unredeemed4 ,the several ,states added to the evil by emitting paper in their separate capacities3 thus the country gradually became flooded with a continental currency1 as it was called2 irredeemable1 and of no intrinsic value4 ,the consequence was a general derangement of trade and finance4 ,the continental currency declined to such a degree1 that forty dollars in paper were equivalent to only one in specie4 ,congress attempted to put a stop to this depreciation1 by making paper money a legal tender1 at its nominal value1 in the discharge of debts1 however contracted4 ,this opened the door to knavery1 and added a new feature to the evil4 ,the commissaries now found it difficult to purchase supplies for the immediate wants of the army1 and impossible to provide any stores in advance4 ,they were left destitute of funds1 and the public credit was prostrated by the accumulating debts suffered to remain uncancelled4 ,the changes which had taken place in the commissary department added to this confusion4 ,the commissary-general1 instead of receiving1 as heretofore1 a commission on expenditures1 was to have a fixed salary in paper currency2 and his deputies were to be compensated in like manner1 without the usual allowance of rations and forage4 ,no competent agents could be procured on such terms2 and the derangement produced throughout the department compelled ,colonel ,wadsworth1 the able and upright commissary-general1 to resign4 ,in the present emergency ,washington was reluctantly compelled1 by the distresses of the army1 to call upon the counties of the ,state for supplies of grain and cattle1 proportioned to their respective abilities4 ,these supplies were to be brought into the camp within a certain time2 the grain to be measured and the cattle estimated by any two of the magistrates of the county in conjunction with the commissary1 and certificates to be given by the latter1 specifying the quantity of each and the terms of payment4 ,wherever a compliance with this call was refused1 the articles required were to be impressed3 it was a painful alternative1 yet nothing else could save the army from dissolution or starving4 ,washington charged his officers to act with as much tenderness as possible1 graduating the exaction according to the stock of each individual1 so that no family should be deprived of what was necessary to its subsistence4 ,to the honor of the magistrates and the people of ,jersey1 ,washington testifies that his requisitions were punctually complied with1 and in many counties exceeded4 ,as the winter advanced1 the cold increased in severity4 ,it was the most intense ever remembered in the country4 ,the great bay of ,new ,york was frozen over4 ,no supplies could come to the city by water4 ,provisions grew scanty2 and there was such lack of firewood that old transports were broken up1 and uninhabited wooden houses pulled down for fuel4 ,the safety of the city was endangered4 ,the ships-of-war1 immovably ice-bound in its harbor1 no longer gave it protection4 ,the insular security of the place was at an end4 ,an army with its heaviest artillery and baggage might cross the ,hudson on the ice4 ,washington was aware of the opportunity which offered itself for a signal coup de main1 but was not in a condition to profit by it4 ,his troops1 hutted among the heights of ,morristown1 were half fed1 half clothed1 and inferior in number to the garrison of ,new ,york4 ,he was destitute of funds necessary to fit them for the enterprise1 and the quartermaster could not furnish means of transportation4 ,still1 in the frozen condition of the bay and rivers1 some minor blow might be attempted1 sufficient to rouse and cheer the spirits of the people4 ,with this view1 having ascertained that the ice formed a bridge across the strait between the ,jersey shore and ,staten ,island1 he projected a descent upon the latter by ,lord ,stirling with twenty-five hundred men1 to surprise and capture a ,british force of ten or twelve hundred4 ,his lordship crossed on the night of the #adth of ,january1 from ,de ,hart's ,point to the island4 ,his approach was discovered2 the troops took refuge in the works1 which were too strongly situated to be attacked2 a channel remaining open through the ice across the bay1 a boat was despatched to ,new ,york for reinforcements4 ,the projected surprise having thus proved a complete failure1 and his own situation becoming hazardous1 ,lord ,stirling recrossed to the ,jersey shore with a number of prisoners whom he had captured4 ,by way of retort1 ,knyphausen1 on the #beth of ,january1 sent out two detachments to harass the ,american outposts4 ,one crossed to ,paulus ,hook1 and being joined by part of the garrison of that post1 pushed on to ,newark1 surprised and captured a company stationed there1 set fire to the academy1 and returned without loss4 ,the other detachment1 consisting of one hundred dragoons and between three and four hundred infantry1 under ,lieutenant-colonel ,boskirk1 crossed from ,staten ,island to ,trembly's ,point1 surprised the picket-guard at ,elizabethtown1 and captured two majors1 two captains1 and forty-two privates4 ,this1 likewise1 was effected without loss4 ,the disgraceful part of the expedition was the burning of the town house1 a church1 and a private residence1 and the plundering of the inhabitants4 ,the church destroyed was a ,presbyterian place of worship1 and its pastor1 the ,rev4 ,james ,caldwell1 had rendered himself an especial object of hostility to both ,briton and tory4 ,his church had at times served as hospital to the ,american soldier2 or shelter to the hastily assembled militia4 ,its bell was the tocsin of alarm2 from its pulpit he had many a time stirred up the patriotism of his countrymen by his ardent1 eloquent1 and pathetic appeals4 ,his popularity in the army1 and among the ,jersey people1 was unbounded4 ,another noted maraud during ,knyphausen's military sway1 was in the lower part of ,westchester ,county1 in a hilly region lying between the ,british and ,american lines1 which had been the scene of part of the past year's campaign4 ,in this region1 about twenty miles from the ,british outposts1 and not far from ,white ,plains1 the ,americans had established a post of three hundred men at a stone building commonly known as ,young's house1 from the name of its owner4 ,it commanded a road which passed from north to south down along the narrow but fertile valley of the ,sawmill ,river4 ,on this road the garrison of ,young's house kept a vigilant eye1 to intercept the convoys of cattle and provisions which had been collected or plundered by the enemy1 and which passed down this valley toward ,new ,york4 ,this post had long been an annoyance to the enemy1 but its distance from the ,british lines had hitherto saved it from attack4 ,the country now was covered with snow2 troops could be rapidly transported on sleighs2 and it was determined that ,young's house should be surprised1 and this rebel nest broken up4 ,on the evening of the #b;d of ,february1 an expedition set out for the purpose from ,king's ,bridge1 led by ,lieutenant-colonel ,norton1 and consisting of four flank companies of guards1 two companies of ,hessians1 and a party of ,yagers1 all in sleighs2 beside a body of ,yager cavalry1 and a number of mounted ,westchester refugees1 with two three-pounders4 ,the snow being newly fallen1 was deep2 the sleighs broke their way through it with difficulty4 ,the troops at length abandoned them and pushed forward on foot4 ,the cannon were left behind for the same reason4 ,it was a weary tramp4 ,the sun rose while they were yet seven miles from ,young's house4 ,to surprise the post was out of the question2 still they kept on4 ,before they could reach the house the country had taken the alarm1 and the ,westchester yeomanry had armed themselves1 and were hastening to aid the garrison4 ,the ,british light infantry and grenadiers invested the mansion2 the cavalry posted themselves on a neighboring eminence1 to prevent retreat or reinforcement1 and the house was assailed4 ,it made a brave resistance1 and was aided by some of the yeomanry stationed in an adjacent orchard4 ,the garrison1 however1 was overpowered2 numbers were killed1 and ninety taken prisoners4 ,the house was sacked and set in flames4 ,the most irksome duty that ,washington had to perform during this winter's encampment at ,morristown1 regarded ,general ,arnold and his military government of ,philadelphia in #aggh4 ,to explain it requires a glance back to that period4 ,at the time of entering upon this command1 ,arnold's accounts with government were yet unsettled2 the committee appointed by ,congress at his own request to examine them having considered some of his charges dubious and others exorbitant4 ,the command of ,philadelphia at this time was a delicate and difficult one1 and required to be exercised with extreme circumspection4 ,the boundaries between the powers vested in the military commander and those inherent in the ,state government were ill defined4 ,disaffection to the ,american cause prevailed both among the permanent and casual residents1 and required to be held in check with firmness but toleration4 ,by a resolve of ,congress1 no goods1 wares1 or merchandise were to be removed1 transferred1 or sold1 until the ownership of them could be ascertained by a joint committee of ,congress and of the ,council of ,pennsylvania2 any public stores belonging to the enemy were to be seized and converted to the use of the army4 ,washington1 in his letter of instructions left it to ,arnold's discretion to adopt such measures as should appear to him most effectual and least offensive in executing this resolve of ,congress2 in which he was to be aided by an assistant quartermaster-general1 subject to his directions4 ,one of ,arnold's first measures was to issue a proclamation enforcing the resolve of ,congress4 ,in so doing1 he was countenanced by leading personages of ,philadelphia1 and the proclamation was drafted by ,general ,joseph ,reed4 ,the measure excited great dissatisfaction1 and circumstances attending the enforcement of it gave rise to scandal4 ,former instances of a mercenary spirit made ,arnold liable to suspicions1 and it was alleged that1 while by the proclamation he shut up the stores and shops so that even the officers of the army could not procure necessary articles of merchandise1 he was privately making large purchases for his own enrichment4 ,his style of living gave point to this scandal4 ,he occupied one of the finest houses in the city2 set up a splendid establishment2 had his carriage and four horses and a train of domestics2 gave expensive entertainments1 and indulged in a luxury and parade which were condemned as little befitting a republican general4 ,ostentatious prodigality1 in fact1 was ,arnold's besetting sin4 ,in the exercise of his military functions he had become involved in disputes with the president 7,wharton7 and executive council of ,pennsylvania1 and by his conduct1 which was deemed arbitrary and arrogant1 had drawn upon himself the hostility of that body1 which became stern and unsparing censors of his conduct4 ,he had not been many weeks in ,philadelphia before he became attached to one of its reigning belles1 ,miss ,margaret ,shippen1 daughter of ,mr4 ,edward ,shippen1 in after years chief justice of ,pennsylvania4 ,her family were not considered well affected to the ,american cause2 the young lady herself1 during the occupation of the city by the enemy1 had been a toast among the ,british officers4 ,party feeling at that time ran high in ,philadelphia on local subjects connected with the charge of the ,state government4 ,arnold's connection with the ,shippen family increased his disfavor with the president and executive council1 who were whigs to a man4 ,in the beginning of ,december1 ,general ,reed became president of the executive council of ,pennsylvania1 and under his administration the ripening hostility to ,arnold was brought to a crisis4 ,his public conduct during ,arnold's absence at ,washington's camp on the ,raritan was discussed in the executive council of ,pennsylvania1 and it was resolved unanimously1 that the course of his military command in the city had been in many respects oppressive1 unworthy of his rank and station1 and highly discouraging to the liberties and interests of ,america1 and disrespectful to the supreme executive authority of the ,state4 ,as he was an officer of the ,united ,states1 the complaints and grievances of ,pennsylvania were set forth by the executive council in eight charges1 and forwarded to ,congress1 accompanied by documents1 and a letter from ,president ,reed4 ,information of these facts1 with a printed copy of the charges1 reached ,arnold at ,washington's camp4 ,on the following day he issued an address to the public1 recalling his faithful services of nearly four years1 and inveighing against the proceedings of the president and council2 who1 not content with injuring him in a cruel and unprecedented manner with ,congress1 had ordered copies of their charges to be printed and dispersed throughout the several ,states1 for the purpose of prejudicing the public mind against him1 while the matter was yet in suspense4 ,in conclusion1 ,arnold informed the public that he had requested ,congress to direct a court-martial to inquire into his conduct1 and trusted his countrymen would suspend their judgment in the matter1 until he should have an opportunity of being heard4 ,on the #afth of ,february1 ,arnold's appeal to ,congress was referred to the committee which had under consideration the letter of ,president ,reed and its accompanying documents1 and it was charged to make a report with all convenient despatch4 ,arnold1 in the course of ,january1 had obtained permission from ,washington to resign the command of ,philadelphia1 but deferred to act upon it1 until the charges against him should be examined4 ,about the middle of ,march1 the committee brought in a report exculpating him from all criminality in the matters charged against him4 ,as soon as the report was brought in1 he considered his name vindicated1 and resigned4 ,whatever exultation he may have felt was short-lived4 ,congress did not call up and act upon the report1 as1 in justice to him1 they should have done1 whether to sanction it or not2 but referred the subject anew to a joint committee of their body and the assembly and council of ,pennsylvania4 ,the report of the joint committee brought up animated discussions in ,congress4 ,several resolutions recommended by the committee were merely of a formal nature1 and intended to soothe the wounded sensibilities of ,pennsylvania2 these were passed without dissent2 but it was contended that certain charges advanced by the executive council of that ,state were only cognizable by a court-martial1 and1 after a warm debate1 it was resolved 7,april #c;d17 by a large majority1 that the commander-in-chief should appoint such a court for the consideration of them4 ,arnold inveighed bitterly against the injustice of subjecting him to a trial before a military tribunal for alleged offences of which he had been acquitted by the committee of ,congress4 ,he was sacrificed1 he said1 to avoid a breach with ,pennsylvania4 ,in a letter to ,washington1 he charged it all to the hostility of ,president ,reed1 who1 he affirmed1 had by his address kept the affair in suspense for two months1 and at last obtained the resolution of ,congress directing the court-martial4 ,he urged ,washington to appoint a speedy day for the trial1 that he might not linger under the odium of an unjust public accusation4 ,it was doubtless soothing to his irritated pride1 that the woman on whom he had placed his affections remained true to him2 for his marriage with ,miss ,shippen took place just five days after the mortifying vote of ,congress4 ,washington sympathized with ,arnold's impatience1 and appointed the #ast of ,may for the trial1 but it was repeatedly postponed2 first1 at the request of the ,pennsylvania council1 to allow time for the arrival of witnesses from the ,south2 afterwards1 in consequence of threatening movements of the enemy1 which obliged every officer to be at his post4 ,arnold1 in the meantime1 continued to reside at ,philadelphia1 holding his commission in the army1 but filling no public office2 getting deeper and deeper in debt1 and becoming more and more unpopular4 ,for months1 he remained in this anxious and irritated state4 ,at length1 when the campaign was over1 and the army had gone into winter-quarters1 the long-delayed court-martial was assembled at ,morristown4 ,of the eight charges originally advanced against ,arnold by the ,pennsylvania council1 four only came under cognizance of the court4 ,of two of these he was entirely acquitted4 ,the remaining two were3 ,first4 ,that while in the camp at ,valley ,forge1 he1 without the knowledge of the commander-in-chief1 or the sanction of the ,state government1 had granted a written permission for a vessel belonging to disaffected persons to proceed from the port of ,philadelphia1 then in possession of the enemy1 to any port of the ,united ,states4 ,second4 ,that1 availing himself of his official authority1 he had appropriated the public wagons of ,pennsylvania1 when called forth on a special emergency1 to the transportation of private property1 and that of persons who voluntarily remained with the enemy1 and were deemed disaffected to the interests and independence of ,america4 ,in regard to the first of these charges1 ,arnold alleged that the person who applied for the protection of the vessel1 had taken the oath of allegiance to the ,state of ,pennsylvania required by the laws2 and that the intentions of that person and his associates with regard to the vessel and cargo appeared to be upright4 ,in regard to the second charge1 while it was proved that under his authority public wagons had been so used1 it was allowed in extenuation that they had been employed at private expense1 and without any design to defraud the public or impede the military service4 ,in regard to both charges1 nothing fraudulent on the part of ,arnold was proved1 but the transactions involved in the first were pronounced irregular1 and contrary to one of the articles of war2 and in the second1 imprudent and reprehensible1 considering the high station occupied by the general at the time1 and the court sentenced him to be reprimanded by the commander-in-chief4 ,the sentence was confirmed by ,congress on the #abth of ,february 7#aghj74 ,the reprimand adjudged by the court-martial was administered by ,washington with consummate delicacy4 ,the following were his words3 ,our profession is the chastest of all2 even the shadow of a fault tarnishes the lustre of our finest achievements4 ,the least inadvertence may rob us of the public favor1 so hard to be acquired4 ,i reprehend you for having forgotten1 that1 in proportion as you had rendered yourself formidable to our enemies1 you should have been guarded and temperate in your deportment towards your fellow-citizens4 ,exhibit anew those noble qualities which have placed you on the list of our most valued commanders4 ,i will myself furnish you1 as far as it may be in my power1 with opportunities of regaining the esteem of your country4 ,a reprimand so mild and considerate accompanied by such high eulogiums and generous promises1 might have had a favorable effect upon ,arnold1 had he been in a different frame of mind2 but he had persuaded himself that the court would incline in his favor and acquit him altogether2 and he resented deeply a sentence1 which he protested against as unmerited4 ,his resentment was aggravated by delays in the settlement of his accounts1 as he depended upon the sums he claimed as due to him for the payment of debts by which he was harassed4 ,in the month of ,march we find him intent on a new and adventurous project4 ,he had proposed to the ,board of ,admiralty an expedition requiring several ships-of-war and three or four hundred land troops1 offering to take command of it should it be carried into effect1 as his wounds still disabled him from duty on land4 ,washington1 who knew his abilities in either service was disposed to favor his proposition1 but the scheme fell through from the impossibility of sparing the requisite number of men from the army4 ,on the failure of the project1 he requested and obtained from ,washington leave of absence from the army for the summer1 there being1 he said1 little prospect of an active campaign1 and his wounds unfitting him for the field4 ,the return of spring brought little alleviation to the sufferings of the army at ,morristown4 ,all means of supplying its wants or recruiting its ranks were paralyzed by the continued depreciation of the currency4 ,while ,washington saw his forces gradually diminishing1 his solicitude was intensely excited for the safety of the ,southern ,states4 ,the reader will recall the departure from ,new ,york1 in the latter part of ,december1 of the fleet of ,admiral ,arbuthnot with the army of ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 destined for the subjugation of ,south ,carolina4 ,the voyage proved long and tempestuous4 ,the ships were dispersed4 ,several fell into the hands of the ,americans4 ,one ordnance vessel foundered4 ,most of the artillery horses1 and all those of the cavalry perished4 ,the scattered ships rejoined each other about the end of ,january1 at ,tybee ,bay on ,savannah ,river2 where those that had sustained damage were repaired as speedily as possible4 ,the loss of the cavalry horses was especially felt by ,sir ,henry4 ,there was a corps of two hundred and fifty dragoons1 on which he depended greatly in the kind of guerilla warfare he was likely to pursue in a country of forests and morasses4 ,lieutenant-colonel ,banastre ,tarleton1 who commanded them1 was one of those dogs of war which ,sir ,henry was prepared to let slip on emergencies1 to scour and maraud the country4 ,this bold dragoon1 so noted in ,southern warfare1 was about twenty-six years of age1 of a swarthy complexion1 with small1 black1 piercing eyes4 ,he is described as being rather below the middle size1 square-built and strong1 with large muscular legs4 ,landing from the fleet1 perfectly dismounted1 he repaired with his dragoons1 in some of the quartermasters' boats to ,port ,royal ,island1 on the seaboard of ,south ,carolina1 to collect at that place1 from friends or enemies1 by money or by force1 all the horses belonging to the islands in the neighborhood4 ,in the meantime1 the transports having on board a great part of the army1 sailed under convoy on the #ajth of ,february from ,savannah to ,north ,edisto ,sound1 where the troops disembarked on the #aath1 on ,st4 ,john's ,island1 about thirty miles below ,charleston4 ,thence1 ,sir ,henry ,clinton set out for the banks of ,ashley ,river opposite to the city1 while a part of the fleet proceeded round by sea1 for the purpose of blockading the harbor4 ,the advance of ,sir ,henry was slow and cautious4 ,much time was consumed by him in fortifying intermediate ports1 to keep up a secure communication with the fleet4 ,he ordered from ,savannah all the troops that could be spared1 and wrote to ,knyphausen1 at ,new ,york1 for reinforcements from that place4 ,general ,lincoln now in command at ,charleston took advantage of this slowness on the part of his assailant1 to extend and strengthen the works4 ,charleston stands at the end of an isthmus formed by the ,ashley and ,cooper ,rivers4 ,beyond the main works on the land side he cut a canal1 from one to the other of the swamps which border these rivers4 ,in advance of the canal were two rows of abatis and a double picketed ditch4 ,within the canal1 and between it and the main works1 were strong redoubts and batteries1 to open a flanking fire on any approaching column1 while an inclosed hornwork of masonry formed a kind of citadel4 ,a squadron commanded by ,commodore ,whipple1 and composed of nine vessels of war of various sizes1 the largest mounting forty-four guns1 was to co-operate with ,forts ,moultrie and ,johnston1 and the various batteries in defence of the harbor4 ,they were to lie before the bar so as to command the entrance of it4 ,great reliance also was placed on the bar itself1 which it was thought no ship-of-the-line could pass4 ,governor ,rutledge1 a man eminent for talents1 patriotism1 firmness and decision1 was clothed with dictatorial powers during the present crisis2 he called out the militia of the ,state1 and it was supposed they would duly obey the call4 ,large reinforcements of troops also were expected from the ,north4 ,under all these circumstances1 ,general ,lincoln yielded to the entreaties of the inhabitants1 and1 instead of remaining with his army in the open country1 as he had intended1 shut himself up with them in the place for its defence1 leaving merely his cavalry and two hundred light troops outside1 who were to hover about the enemy and prevent small parties from marauding4 ,it was not until the #abth of ,march that ,sir ,henry ,clinton effected his tardy approach1 and took up a position on ,charleston ,neck1 a few miles above the town4 ,admiral ,arbuthnot soon showed an intention of introducing his ships into the harbor2 barricading their waists1 anchoring them in a situation where they might take advantage of the first favorable spring-tide1 and fixing buoys on the bar for their guidance4 ,commodore ,whipple had by this time ascertained by sounding1 that a wrong idea had prevailed of the depth of water in the harbor1 and that his ships could not anchor nearer than within three miles of the bar1 so that it would be impossible for him to defend the passage of it4 ,he quitted his station within it1 therefore1 after having destroyed a part of the enemy's buoys1 and took a position where his ships might be abreast1 and form a cross-fire with the batteries of ,fort ,moultrie1 where ,colonel ,pinckney commanded4 ,washington was informed of these facts1 by letters from his former aide-de-camp1 ,colonel ,laurens1 who was in ,charleston at the time4 ,the information caused anxious forebodings4 ,the impracticability of defending the bar1 ,i fear1 amounts to the loss of the town and garrison1 writes he in reply4 ,his solicitude for the safety of the ,south was increased1 by heaving of the embarkation at ,new ,york of two thousand five hundred ,british and ,hessian troops1 under ,lord ,rawdon1 reinforcements for ,sir ,henry ,clinton4 ,it seemed evident the enemy intended to push their operations with vigor at the ,south2 perhaps1 to make it the principal theatre of the war4 ,gladly would ,washington have hastened to the ,south in person1 but at this moment his utmost vigilance was required to keep watch upon ,new ,york and maintain the security of the ,hudson1 the vital part of the confederacy4 ,the weak state of the ,american means of warfare in both quarters1 presented a choice of difficulties4 ,the ,south needed support4 ,could the ,north give it without exposing itself to ruin1 since the enemy1 by means of their ships1 could suddenly unite their forces1 and fall upon any point that they might consider weak8 ,such were the perplexities to which he was continually subjected1 in having with scanty means to provide for the security of a vast extent of country1 and with land forces merely1 to contend with an amphibious enemy4 ,looking1 however1 as usual1 to the good of the whole ,union1 he determined to leave something at hazard in the ,middle ,states1 where the country was internally so strong1 and yield further succor to the ,southern ,states1 which had not equal military advantages4 ,with the consent of ,congress1 therefore1 he put the ,maryland line under marching orders1 together with the ,delaware regiment1 which acted with it1 and the first regiment of artillery4 ,the ,baron ,de ,kalb1 now at the head of the ,maryland division1 was instructed to conduct this detachment with all haste to the aid of ,general ,lincoln4 ,he might not arrive in time to prevent the fall of ,charleston1 but he might assist to arrest the progress of the enemy and save the ,carolinas4 ,,chapter ,,liv4 ,,discontents ,,in ,,the ,,army4--,,fall ,,of ,,charleston4 ,we have cited the depreciation of the currency as a main cause of the difficulties and distresses of the army4 ,the troops were paid in paper money at its nominal value4 ,a memorial of the officers of the ,jersey line to the legislature of their ,state1 represented the depreciation to be so great1 that four months' pay of a private soldier would not procure for his family a single bushel of wheat2 the pay of a colonel would not purchase oats for his horse1 and a common laborer or express rider could earn four times the pay in paper of an ,american officer4 ,congress1 too1 in its exigencies1 being destitute of the power of levying taxes1 which vested in the ,state governments1 devolved upon those governments1 in their separate capacities1 the business of supporting the army4 ,this produced a great inequality in the condition of the troops2 according to the means and the degree of liberality of their respective ,states4 ,some ,states furnished their troops amply not only with clothing1 but with many comforts and conveniencies2 others were more contracted in their supplies2 while others left their troops almost destitute4 ,some of the ,states1 too1 undertook to make good to their troops the loss in their pay caused by the depreciation of the currency4 ,as this was not general it increased the inequality of condition4 ,these1 and other defects in the military system1 were pressed by ,washington upon the attention of ,congress in a letter to the ,president4 ,in consequence it was proposed in ,congress to send a committee of three of its members to head-quarters to consult with the commander-in-chief1 and1 in conjunction with him1 to effect such reforms and changes in the various departments of the army as might be deemed necessary4 ,after a prolonged debate1 a committee of three was chosen by ballot2 it consisted of ,general ,schuyler and ,messrs4 ,john ,mathews1 and ,nathaniel ,peabody4 ,it was a great satisfaction to ,washington to have his old friend and coadjutor1 ,schuyler1 near him in this capacity1 in which1 he declared1 no man could be more useful4 ,the committee1 on arriving at the camp1 found the disastrous state of affairs had not been exaggerated4 ,for five months the army had been unpaid4 ,every department was destitute of money or credit2 there were rarely provisions for six days in advance2 on some occasions the troops had been for several successive days without meat2 there was no forage2 the medical department had neither tea1 chocolate1 wine1 nor spirituous liquors of any kind4 ,to soothe the discontents of the army1 and counteract the alarming effects of the depreciation of the currency1 ,congress now adopted the measure already observed by some of the ,states1 and engaged to make good to the ,continental and the independent troops the difference in the value of their pay caused by this depreciation2 and that all moneys or other articles heretofore received by them1 should be considered as advanced on account1 and comprehended at their just value in the final settlement4 ,at this gloomy crisis came a letter from the ,marquis de ,lafayette1 dated ,april #bgth1 announcing his arrival at ,boston4 ,washington's eyes1 we are told1 were suffused with tears as he read this most welcome epistle4 ,he would immediately have sent a troop of horse to escort the marquis through the tory settlements between ,morristown and the ,hudson1 had he known the route he intended to take2 the latter1 however1 arrived safe at head-quarters on the #abth of ,may1 where he was welcomed with acclamations1 for he was popular with both officers and soldiers4 ,washington folded him in his arms in a truly paternal embrace1 and they were soon closeted together to talk over the state of affairs1 when ,lafayette made known the result of his visit to ,france4 ,his generous efforts at court had been crowned with success1 and he brought the animating intelligence that a ,french fleet1 under the ,chevalier de ,ternay1 was to put to sea early in ,april1 bringing a body of troops under the ,count de ,rochambeau1 and might soon be expected on the coast to co-operate with the ,american forces2 this1 however1 he was at liberty to make known only to ,washington and ,congress4 ,remaining but a single day at head-quarters1 he hastened on to the seat of government1 where he met the reception which his generous enthusiasm in the cause of ,american independence had so fully merited4 ,within three days after the departure of the marquis from ,morristown1 ,washington in a letter to him1 gave his idea of the plan which it would be proper for the ,french fleet and army to pursue on their arrival upon the coast4 ,the reduction of ,new ,york he considered the first enterprise to be attempted by the co-operating forces4 ,the whole effective land force of the enemy he estimated at about eight thousand regulars and four thousand refugees1 with some militia on which no great dependence could be placed4 ,their naval force consisted of one seventy-four gun ship1 and three or four small frigates4 ,in this situation of affairs the ,french fleet might enter the harbor and gain possession of it without difficulty1 cut off its communications1 and1 with the co-operation of the ,american army1 oblige the city to capitulate4 ,he advised ,lafayette1 therefore1 to write to the ,french commanders1 urging them on their arrival on the coast to proceed with their land and naval forces with all expedition to ,sandy ,hook1 and there await further advices2 should they learn1 however1 that the expedition under ,sir ,henry ,clinton had returned from the ,south to ,new ,york1 they were to proceed to ,rhode ,island4 ,general ,arnold was at this time in ,philadelphia1 and his connection with subsequent events requires a few words concerning his career1 daily becoming more perplexed4 ,he had again petitioned ,congress on the subject of his accounts4 ,the ,board of ,treasury had made a report far short of his wishes4 ,he had appealed1 and his appeal1 together with all the documents connected with the case1 was referred to a committee of three4 ,old doubts and difficulties continued2 there was no prospect of a speedy settlement2 he was in extremity4 ,in his extremity he applied to the ,french minister1 ,m4 de ,luzerne1 a generous-spirited man1 representing the hardships of his case1 the ingratitude of his country1 the hostility he had experienced from ,pennsylvania1 his urgent private necessities1 and implored a loan equal to the amount of his debts1 intimating that the attachment and gratitude of an ,american general of his rank and influence would be of vast importance to ,france in the transactions likely to arise between the two countries4 ,m4 de ,luzerne1 in reply1 said that the league between ,france and ,america had for its basis a reciprocal interest and good will1 and that it could be fulfilled without intrigue or secret practices4 ,arnold retired from the interview a mortified and desperate man2 and writing to ,general ,schuyler1 who was about to visit the camp as one of the committee1 expressed a wish to rejoin the army1 and intimated that as his wounds made it painful for him to ride or walk1 the command of ,west ,point would best suit his present condition4 ,in the meantime1 the army with which ,washington was to co-operate in the projected attack upon ,new ,york1 was so reduced by the departure of troops whose term had expired and the tardiness in furnishing recruits1 that it did not amount quite to four thousand rank and file1 fit for duty4 ,among these was a prevalent discontent4 ,their pay was five months in arrear2 if now paid it would be in ,continental currency1 without allowance for depreciation1 consequently1 almost worthless for present purposes4 ,a long interval of scarcity and several days of actual famine1 brought matters to a crisis4 ,on the #beth of ,may1 in the dusk of the evening1 two regiments of the ,connecticut line assembled on their parade by beat of drum1 and declared their intention to march home bag and baggage1 or1 at best1 to gain subsistence at the point of the bayonet4 ,every argument and expostulation was used with the mutineers4 ,they were reminded of their past good conduct1 of the noble objects for which they were contending1 and of the future indemnifications promised by ,congress4 ,their answer was1 that their sufferings were too great to be allayed by promises1 in which they had little faith2 they wanted present relief4 ,it was with difficulty they could be prevailed upon to return to their huts4 ,indeed1 a few turned out a second time1 with their packs1 and were not to be pacified4 ,these were arrested and confined4 ,in this alarming state of destitution1 ,washington looked round anxiously for bread for his famishing troops4 ,new ,york1 ,jersey1 ,pennsylvania1 and ,maryland were what he termed his flour country4 ,virginia was sufficiently tasked to supply the ,south4 ,new ,york1 by legislative coercion1 had already given all that she could spare from the subsistence of her inhabitants4 ,jersey was exhausted by the long residence of the army4 ,maryland had made great exertions1 and might still do something more1 and ,delaware might contribute handsomely1 in proportion to her extent3 but ,pennsylvania was now the chief dependence1 for that ,state was represented to be full of flour4 ,washington's letter of the #afth of ,december to ,president ,reed1 had obtained temporary relief from that quarter2 he now wrote to him a second time1 and still more earnestly1 and sought to rouse ,president ,reed to extraordinary exertions4 ,this is a time1 writes he1 to hazard and to take a tone of energy and decision4 ,all parties but the disaffected will acquiesce in the necessity and give it their support4 ,he urges ,reed to press upon the legislature of ,pennsylvania the policy of investing its executive with plenipotentiary powers4 ,his letter procured relief for the army from the legislature1 and a resolve empowering the president and council1 during its recess1 to declare martial law1 should circumstances render it expedient4 ,in like manner1 he endeavored to rouse the dormant fire of ,congress1 and impart to it his own indomitable energy4 ,certain ,i am1 writes he to a member of that body1 unless ,congress speak in a more decisive tone1 unless they are vested with powers by the several ,states1 competent to the purposes of war1 or assume them as matters of right1 and they and the ,states respectively act with more energy than they have hitherto done1 that our cause is lost4 ,we can no longer drudge on in the old way4 ,by ill-timing the adoption of measures1 by delays in the execution of them1 or by unwarrantable jealousies1 we incur enormous expenses and derive no benefit from them4 ,one ,state will comply with a requisition of ,congress2 another neglects to do it2 a third executes it by halves2 and all differ1 either in the manner1 the matter1 or so much in point of time1 that we are always working up-hill2 and1 while such a system as the present one1 or rather want of one1 prevails1 we shall ever be unable to apply our strength or resources to any advantage4 ,at this juncture came official intelligence from the ,south to connect which with the general course of events1 requires a brief notice of the operations of ,sir ,henry ,clinton in that quarter4 ,in the preceding chapter we left the ,british fleet under ,admiral ,arbuthnot1 preparing to force its way into the harbor of ,charleston4 ,several days elapsed before the ships were able1 by taking out their guns1 provisions1 and water1 and availing themselves of wind and tide to pass the bar4 ,they did so on the #bjth of ,march1 with but slight opposition from several galleys4 ,commodore ,whipple1 then1 seeing the vast superiority of their force1 made a second retrograde move1 stationing some of his ships in ,cooper ,river1 and sinking the rest at its mouth so as to prevent the enemy from running up that river1 and cutting off communication with the country on the east3 the crews and heavy cannon were landed to aid in the defence of the town4 ,the reinforcements expected from the ,north were not yet arrived2 the militia of the ,state did not appear at ,governor ,rutledge's command1 and other reliances were failing4 ,at this time the reinforcements which ,sir ,henry ,clinton had ordered from ,savannah were marching toward the ,cambayee under ,brigadier-general ,patterson4 ,on his flanks moved ,major ,ferguson with a corps of riflemen1 and ,major ,cochrane with the infantry of the ,british legion2 two brave and enterprising officers4 ,it was a toilsome march1 through swamps and difficult passes4 ,being arrived in the neighborhood of ,port ,royal1 where ,tarleton had succeeded1 though indifferently1 in remounting his dragoons1 ,patterson sent orders to that officer to join him4 ,tarleton hastened to obey the order4 ,his arrival was timely4 ,the ,carolina militia having heard that all the ,british horses had perished at sea1 made an attack on the front of ,general ,patterson's force1 supposing it to be without cavalry4 ,to their surprise1 ,tarleton charged them with his dragoons1 routed them1 took several prisoners1 and1 what was more acceptable1 a number of horses4 ,tarleton had soon afterwards to encounter a worthy antagonist in ,colonel ,william ,washington1 the same cavalry officer who had distinguished himself at ,trenton1 and was destined to distinguish himself still more in this ,southern campaign4 ,he is described as being six feet in height1 broad1 stout and corpulent4 ,bold in the field1 careless in the camp2 kind to his soldiers2 harassing to his enemies2 gay and good-humored2 with an upright heart and a generous hand1 a universal favorite4 ,he was now at the head of a body of ,continental cavalry1 consisting of his own and ,bland's light-horse1 and ,pulaski's hussars4 ,a brush took place in the neighborhood of ,rantoul's ,bridge4 ,colonel ,washington had the advantage1 took several prisoners1 and drove back the dragoons of the ,british legion1 but durst not pursue them for want of infantry4 ,on the #gth of ,april1 ,brigadier-general ,woodford with seven hundred ,virginia troops1 after a forced march of five hundred miles in thirty days1 crossed from the east side of ,cooper ,river1 by the only passage now open1 and threw himself into ,charleston4 ,it was a timely reinforcement1 and joyfully welcomed2 for the garrison1 when in greatest force1 amounted to little more than two thousand regulars and one thousand ,north ,carolina militia4 ,about the same time ,admiral ,arbuthnot1 in the ,roebuck1 passed ,sullivan's ,island1 with a fresh southerly breeze1 at the head of a squadron of seven armed vessels and two transports4 ,colonel ,pinckney opened a heavy cannonade from the batteries of ,fort ,moultrie4 ,the ships thundered in reply1 and clouds of smoke were raised1 under the cover of which they slipped by1 with no greater loss than twenty-seven men killed and wounded4 ,a store-ship which followed the squadron ran aground1 was set on fire and abandoned1 and subsequently blew up4 ,the ships took a position near ,fort ,johnston1 just without the range of the shot from the ,american batteries4 ,after the passage of the ships1 ,colonel ,pinckney and a part of the garrison withdrew from ,fort ,moultrie4 ,the enemy had by this time completed his first parallel1 and the town being almost entirely invested by sea and land1 received a joint summons from the ,british general and admiral to surrender4 ,sixty days have passed1 writes ,lincoln in reply1 since it has been known that your intentions against this town were hostile1 in which1 time has been afforded to abandon it1 but duty and inclination point to the propriety of supporting it to the last extremity4 ,the ,british batteries were now opened4 ,the siege was carried on deliberately by regular parallels1 and on a scale of magnitude scarcely warranted by the moderate strength of the place4 ,a great object with the besieged was to keep open the channel of communication with the country by the ,cooper ,river1 the last that remained by which they could receive reinforcements and supplies1 or could retreat if necessary4 ,for this purpose1 ,governor ,rutledge1 leaving the town in the care of ,lieutenant-governor ,gadsden1 and one half of the executive council1 set off with the other half1 and endeavored to rouse the militia between the ,cooper and ,santee ,rivers4 ,his success was extremely limited4 ,two militia posts were established by him2 one between these rivers1 the other at a ferry on the ,santee2 some regular troops1 also1 had been detached by ,lincoln to throw up works about nine miles above the town1 on the ,wando1 a branch of ,cooper ,river1 and at ,lempriere's ,point2 and ,brigadier-general ,huger1#a with a force of militia and ,continental cavalry1 including those of ,colonel ,william ,washington1 was stationed at ,monk's ,corner1 about thirty miles above ,charleston1 to guard the passes at the head waters of ,cooper ,river4 ,footnote #a3 ,pronounced ,hugee--of ,french ,huguenot descent4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 when proceeding with his second parallel1 detached ,lieutenant-colonel ,webster with fourteen hundred men to break up these posts4 ,the most distant one was that of ,huger's cavalry at ,monk's ,corner4 ,the surprisal of this was entrusted to ,tarleton1 who1 with his dragoons was in ,webster's advanced guard4 ,he was to be seconded by ,major ,patrick ,ferguson with his riflemen4 ,ferguson was a fit associate for ,tarleton1 in hardy1 scrambling1 partisan enterprise3 equally intrepid and determined1 but cooler and more open to impulses of humanity4 ,on the evening of the #acth of ,april1 ,tarleton moved with the van towards ,monk's ,corner4 ,a night march had been judged the most advisable4 ,it was made in profound silence and by unfrequented roads4 ,a few dollars gained the services of a negro as a guide4 ,the surprisal of ,general ,huger's camp was complete4 ,several officers and men who attempted to defend themselves were killed or wounded4 ,general ,huger1 ,colonel ,washington1 with many others1 officers and men1 escaped in the darkness to the neighboring swamps4 ,one hundred officers1 dragoons and hussars were taken1 with about four hundred horses and near fifty wagons1 laden with arms1 clothing1 and ammunition4 ,biggins ,bridge on ,cooper ,river was likewise secured1 and the way opened for ,colonel ,webster to advance nearly to the head of the passes1 in such a manner as to shut up ,charleston entirely4 ,the ,american cavalry had gradually re-assembled on the north of the ,santee1 under ,colonel ,white of ,new ,jersey1 where they were joined by some militia infantry1 and by ,colonel ,william ,washington1 with such of his dragoons as had escaped at ,monk's ,corner4 ,cornwallis had committed the country between ,cooper and ,wando ,rivers to ,tarleton's charge1 with orders to be continually on the move with the cavalry and infantry of the legion2 to watch over the landing-places2 obtain intelligence from the town1 the ,santee ,river and the back country1 and to burn such stores as might fall into his hands rather than risk their being retaken by the enemy4 ,hearing of the fortuitous assemblage of ,american troops1 ,tarleton came suddenly upon them by surprise at ,laneau's ,ferry4 ,it was one of his bloody exploits4 ,five officers and thirty-six men were killed and wounded1 and seven officers and six dragoons taken1 with horses1 arms and equipments4 ,colonels ,white1 ,washington and ,jamieson1 with other officers and men1 threw themselves in the river and escaped by swimming2 while some who followed their example1 perished4 ,the arrival of a reinforcement of three thousand men from ,new ,york enabled ,sir ,henry ,clinton to throw a powerful detachment under ,lord ,cornwallis1 to the east of ,cooper ,river1 to complete the investment of the town and cut off all retreat4 ,fort ,moultrie surrendered4 ,the batteries of the third parallel were opened upon the town4 ,this fire was kept up for two days4 ,the besiegers crossed the canal2 pushed a double sap to the inside of the abatis1 and prepared to make an assault by sea and land4 ,all hopes of successful defence were at an end4 ,the works were in ruins2 the guns almost all dismounted2 the garrison exhausted with fatigue1 the provisions nearly consumed4 ,the inhabitants1 dreading the horrors of an assault1 joined in a petition to ,general ,lincoln and prevailed upon him to offer a surrender on terms which had already been offered and rejected4 ,these terms were still granted1 and the capitulation was signed on the #abth of ,may4 ,the garrison were allowed some of the honors of war4 ,the loss of the ,british in the siege was seventy-six killed and one hundred and eighty-nine wounded2 that of the ,americans nearly the same4 ,the prisoners taken by the enemy1 exclusive of the sailors1 amounted to five thousand1 six hundred and eighteen men2 comprising every male adult in the city4 ,the ,continental troops did not exceed two thousand1 five hundred of whom were in the hospital2 the rest were citizens and militia4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton considered the fall of ,charleston decisive of the fate of ,south ,carolina4 ,to complete the subjugation of the country1 he planned three expeditions into the interior2 one1 under ,lieutenant-colonel ,brown1 was to move up the ,savannah ,river to ,augusta1 on the borders of ,georgia2 another1 under ,lieutenant-colonel ,cruger1 was to proceed up the southwest side of the ,santee ,river to the district of ,ninety-,six1#b a fertile and salubrious region1 between the ,savannah and the ,saluda rivers3 while a third1 under ,cornwallis1 was to cross the ,santee1 march up the northeast bank1 and strike at a corps of troops under ,colonel ,buford1 which were retreating to ,north ,carolina with artillery and a number of wagons1 laden with arms1 ammunition and clothing4 ,footnote #b3 ,so called in early times from being ninety-six miles from the principal town of the ,cherokee nation4 ,colonel ,buford1 in fact1 had arrived too late for the relief of ,charleston1 and was now making a retrograde move2 he had come on with three hundred and eighty troops of the ,virginia line1 and two field pieces1 and had been joined by ,colonel ,washington with a few of his cavalry that had survived the surprisal by ,tarleton4 ,as ,buford was moving with celerity1 and had the advantage of distance1 ,cornwallis detached ,tarleton in pursuit of him1 with one hundred and seventy dragoons1 a hundred mounted infantry1 and a three-pounder4 ,the bold partisan pushed forward with his usual ardor and rapidity1 and coming upon ,buford's rear-guard captured a sergeant and four dragoons4 ,buford hastily drew up his men in order of battle1 in an open wood1 on the right of the road4 ,his artillery and wagons1 which were in the advance escorted by part of his infantry1 were ordered to continue on their march4 ,there appears to have been some confusion on the part of the ,americans1 and they had an impetuous foe to deal with4 ,before they were well prepared for action they were attacked in front and on both flanks by cavalry and mounted infantry4 ,the ,american battalion was broken2 most of the men threw down their arms and begged for quarter1 but were cut down without mercy4 ,one hundred and thirteen were slain on the spot1 and one hundred and fifty so mangled and maimed that they could not be removed4 ,colonel ,buford and a few of the cavalry escaped1 as did about a hundred of the infantry1 who were with the baggage in the advance4 ,fifty prisoners were all that were in a condition to be carried off by ,tarleton as trophies of this butchery4 ,the two other detachments which had been sent out by ,clinton1 met with nothing but submission4 ,the people in general1 considering resistance hopeless1 accepted the proffered protection1 and conformed to its humiliating terms4 ,sir ,henry now persuaded himself that ,south ,carolina was subdued1 and proceeded to station garrisons in various parts to maintain it in subjection4 ,in the fullness of his confidence1 he issued a proclamation on the #c;d of ,june1 discharging all the military prisoners from their paroles after the #bjth of the month1 excepting those captured in ,fort ,moultrie and ,charleston4 ,all thus released from their parole were reinstated in the rights and duties of ,british subjects4 ,all were to be ready to take up arms at a moment's notice4 ,those who had families were to form a militia for home defence4 ,those who had none were to serve with the royal forces4 ,all who should neglect to return to their allegiance1 or should refuse to take up arms against the independence of their country1 were to be considered as rebels and treated accordingly4 ,having struck a blow1 which1 as he conceived1 was to insure the subjugation of the ,south1 ,sir ,henry embarked for ,new ,york on the #eth of ,june with a part of his forces1 leaving the residue under the command of ,lord ,cornwallis who was to carry the war into ,north ,carolina and thence into ,virginia4 ,,chapter ,,lv4 ,,marauds ,,in ,,the ,,jerseys4--,,the ,,french ,,fleet ,,at ,,newport4 ,a handbill published by the ,british authorities in ,new ,york reached ,washington's camp on the #ast of ,june1 and made known the surrender of ,charleston4 ,with this intelligence came reports of a large fleet entering ,sandy ,hook1 which was supposed to be the return of ,sir ,henry with the whole or part of his force4 ,the report proved to be erroneous1 but on the #fth of ,june came a new alarm4 ,the enemy1 it was said1 were actually landing in force at ,elizabethtown ,point1 to carry fire and sword into the ,jerseys6 ,it was even so4 ,knyphausen1 through spies and emissaries1 had received exaggerated accounts of the recent outbreak in ,washington's camp and of the general discontent among the people of ,new ,jersey1 and was persuaded that a sudden show of military protection1 following up the news of the capture of ,charleston1 would produce a general desertion among ,washington's troops1 and rally back the inhabitants of the ,jerseys to their allegiance to the crown4 ,in this belief he projected a descent into the ,jerseys with about five thousand men1 and some light artillery1 who were to cross in divisions in the night of the #eth of ,june from ,staten ,island to ,elizabethtown ,point4 ,the first division1 led by ,brigadier-general ,sterling1 actually landed before dawn of the #fth1 and advanced as silently as possible4 ,the heavy and measured tramp of the troops1 however1 caught the ear of an ,american sentinel stationed at a fork where the roads from the old and new point joined4 ,he challenged the dimly descried mass as it approached1 and receiving no answer1 fired into it4 ,that shot wounded ,general ,sterling in the thigh1 and ultimately proved mortal4 ,the wounded general was carried back1 and ,knyphausen took his place4 ,this delayed the march until sunrise1 and gave time for the troops of the ,jersey line1 under ,colonel ,elias ,dayton1 stationed in ,elizabethtown1 to assemble4 ,they were too weak in numbers1 however1 to withstand the enemy1 but retreated in good order1 skirmishing occasionally4 ,signal guns and signal fires were rousing the country4 ,the militia and yeomanry armed themselves with such weapons as were at hand1 and hastened to their alarm posts4 ,the enemy took the old road1 by what was called ,galloping ,hill1 towards the village of ,connecticut ,farms2 fired upon from behind walls and thickets by the hasty levies of the country4 ,at ,connecticut ,farms1 the retreating troops under ,dayton fell in with the ,jersey brigade1 under ,general ,maxwell1 and a few militia joining them1 the ,americans were enabled to make some stand1 and even to hold the enemy in check4 ,the latter1 however1 brought up several field pieces1 and being reinforced by a second division which had crossed from ,staten ,island some time after the first1 compelled the ,americans again to retreat4 ,some of the enemy1 exasperated at the unexpected opposition they had met with throughout their march1 and pretending that the inhabitants of this village had fired upon them from their windows1 began to pillage and set fire to the houses4#a ,footnote #a3 ,the wife of the ,rev4 ,james ,caldwell1 already alluded to1 was in the village at the time1 and while sitting on the side of a bed1 holding a child by the hand1 a musket was discharged in at the window1 and the ball striking her in the breast1 she fell dead on the floor4 ,in the meantime ,knyphausen was pressing on with his main force towards ,morristown4 ,the booming of alarm guns had roused the country2 every valley was pouring out its yeomanry4 ,two thousand were said to be already in arms below the mountains4 ,within half a mile of ,springfield1 ,knyphausen halted to reconnoitre4 ,that village1 through which passes the road to ,springfield1 had been made the ,american rallying-point4 ,it stands at the foot of what are called the ,short ,hills1 on the west side of ,rahway ,river1 which runs in front of it4 ,on the bank of the river1 ,general ,maxwell's ,jersey brigade and the militia of the neighborhood were drawn up to dispute the passage4 ,washington had arrived and taken his position that afternoon1 prepared to withstand an encounter though not to seek one4 ,all night his camp fires lighted up the ,short ,hills1 and he remained on the alert expecting to be assailed in the morning2 but in the morning no enemy was to be seen4 ,knyphausen had experienced enough to convince him that he had been completely misinformed as to the disposition of the ,jersey people and of the army4 ,disappointed as to the main objects of his enterprise1 he had retreated under cover of the night4 ,on the #agth of ,june the fleet from the ,south actually arrived in the bay of ,new ,york1 and ,sir ,henry ,clinton landed his troops on ,staten ,island1 but almost immediately re-embarked them2 as if meditating an expedition up the river4 ,fearing for the safety of ,west ,point1 ,washington set off on the #bast ,june1 with the main body of his troops1 towards ,pompton2 while ,general ,greene1 with ,maxwell and ,stark's brigades1 ,lee's dragoons and the militia of the neighborhood1 remained encamped on the ,short ,hills1 to cover the country and protect the stores at ,morristown4 ,washington's movements were slow and wary1 unwilling to be far from ,greene until better informed of the designs of the enemy4 ,at ,rockaway ,bridge1 about eleven miles beyond ,morristown1 he received word on the #bc;d that the enemy were advancing from ,elizabethtown against ,springfield4 ,supposing the military depot at ,morristown to be their ultimate object1 he detached a brigade to the assistance of ,greene1 and fell back five or six miles1 so as to be in supporting distance of him4 ,the re-embarkation of the troops at ,staten ,island had1 in fact1 been a stratagem of ,sir ,henry ,clinton to divert the attention of ,washington1 and enable ,knyphausen to carry out the enterprise which had hitherto hung fire4 ,no sooner did the latter ascertain that the ,american commander-in-chief had moved off with his main force towards the ,highlands1 than he sallied from ,elizabethtown1 five thousand strong1 with a large body of cavalry1 and fifteen or twenty pieces of artillery2 hoping not merely to destroy the public stores at ,morristown1 but to get possession of those difficult hills and defiles among which ,washington's army had been so securely posted1 and which constituted the strength of that part of the country4 ,it was early on the morning of the #bc;d that ,knyphausen pushed forward toward ,springfield4 ,beside the main road which passes directly through the village toward ,morristown1 there is another north of it1 called the ,vauxhall road1 crossing several small streams1 the confluence of which forms the ,rahway4 ,these two roads unite beyond the village in the principal pass of the ,short ,hills4 ,the enemy's troops advanced rapidly in two compact columns1 the right one by the ,vauxhall road1 the other by the main or direct road4 ,general ,greene was stationed among the ,short ,hills1 about a mile above the town4 ,his troops were distributed at various posts1 for there were many passes to guard4 ,at five o'clock in the morning1 signal-guns gave notice of the approach of the enemy4 ,the drums beat to arms throughout the camp4 ,the troops were hastily called in from their posts among the mountain passes1 and preparations were made to defend the village4 ,major ,lee1 with his dragoons and a picket-guard1 was posted on the ,vauxhall road to check the right column of the enemy in its advance4 ,colonel ,dayton1 with his regiment of ,new ,jersey militia1 was to check the left column on the main road4 ,colonel ,angel of ,rhode ,island1 with about two hundred picked men1 and a piece of artillery1 was to defend a bridge over the ,rahway1 a little west of the town4 ,colonel ,shreve1 stationed with his regiment at a second bridge over a branch of the ,rahway1 east of the town1 was to cover1 if necessary1 the retreat of ,colonel ,angel4 ,those parts of ,maxwell and ,stark's brigades which were not thus detached were drawn up on high grounds in the rear of the town1 having the militia on their flanks4 ,there was some sharp fighting at a bridge on the ,vauxhall road1 where ,major ,lee with his dragoons and picket-guard held the right column at bay2 a part of the column1 however1 forded the stream above the bridge1 gained a commanding position1 and obliged ,lee to retire4 ,the left column met with similar opposition from ,dayton and his ,jersey regiment4 ,the severest fighting of the day was at the bridge over the ,rahway4 ,for upwards of half an hour ,colonel ,angel defended it with his handful of men against a vastly superior force4 ,one-fourth of his men were either killed or disabled3 the loss of the enemy was still more severe4 ,angel was at length compelled to retire4 ,he did so in good order1 carrying off his wounded1 and making his way through the village to the bridge beyond it4 ,here his retreat was bravely covered by ,colonel ,shreve1 but he too was obliged to give way before the overwhelming force of the enemy1 and join the brigades of ,maxwell and ,stark upon the hill4 ,general ,greene1 finding his front too much extended for his small force1 and that he was in danger of being outflanked on the left by the column pressing forward on the ,vauxhall road1 took post with his main body on the first range of hills1 where the roads were brought near to a point and passed between him and the height occupied by ,stark and ,maxwell4 ,he then threw out a detachment which checked the further advance of the right column of the enemy along the ,vauxhall road1 and secured that pass through the ,short ,hills4 ,feeling himself now strongly posted1 he awaited with confidence the expected attempt of the enemy to gain the height4 ,no such attempt was made4 ,the resistance already experienced1 especially at the bridge1 and the sight of militia gathering from various points1 dampened the ardor of the hostile commander4 ,he saw that1 should he persist in pushing for ,morristown1 he would have to fight his way through a country abounding with difficult passes1 every one of which would be obstinately disputed2 and that the enterprise1 even if successful1 might cost too much1 beside taking him too far from ,new ,york1 at a time when a ,french armament might be expected4 ,before the brigade detached by ,washington arrived at the scene of action1 therefore1 the enemy had retreated4 ,previous to their retreat they wreaked upon ,springfield the same vengeance they had inflicted on ,connecticut ,farms4 ,the whole village1 excepting four houses1 was reduced to ashes4 ,their second retreat was equally ignoble with their first4 ,they were pursued and harassed the whole way to ,elizabethtown by light scouting parties and by the militia and yeomanry of the country1 exasperated by the sight of the burning village4 ,lee1 too1 came upon their rear-guard with his dragoons2 captured a quantity of stores abandoned by them in the hurry of retreat1 and made prisoners of several refugees4 ,it was sunset when the enemy reached ,elizabethtown4 ,during the night they passed over to ,staten ,island by their bridge of boats4 ,by six o'clock in the morning all had crossed1 and the bridge had been removed--and the ,state of ,new ,jersey1 so long harassed by the campaignings of either army was finally evacuated by the enemy4 ,apprehensive that the next move of the enemy would be up the ,hudson1 ,washington resumed his measures for the security of ,west ,point2 moving towards the ,highlands in the latter part of ,june4 ,circumstances soon convinced him that the enemy had no present intention of attacking that fortress1 but merely menaced him at various points to retard his operations1 and oblige him to call out the militia2 thereby interrupting agriculture1 distressing the country1 and rendering his cause unpopular4 ,having1 therefore1 caused the military stores in the ,jerseys to be removed to more remote and secure places1 he countermanded by letter the militia which were marching to camp from ,connecticut and ,massachusetts4 ,he now exerted himself to the utmost to procure from the different ,state ,legislatures their quotas and supplies for the regular army4 ,the desired relief1 however1 had to be effected through the ramifications of general and ,state governments and their committees4 ,the operations were tardy and unproductive4 ,liberal contributions were made by individuals2 a bank was established by the inhabitants of ,philadelphia to facilitate the supplies of the army1 and an association of ladies of that city raised by subscription between seven and eight thousand dollars which were put at the disposition of ,washington4 ,the capture of ,general ,lincoln at ,charleston had left the ,southern department without a commander-in-chief4 ,as there were likely to be important military operations in that quarter1 ,washington had intended to recommend ,general ,greene for the appointment4 ,he was an officer on whose abilities1 discretion1 and disinterested patriotism he had the fullest reliance1 and whom he had always found thoroughly disposed to act in unison with him in his general plan of carrying on the war4 ,congress1 however1 with unbecoming precipitancy1 gave that important command to ,general ,gates 7,june #acth71 without waiting to consult ,washington's views or wishes4 ,on the #ajth of ,july a ,french fleet1 under the ,chevalier de ,ternay1 arrived at ,newport1 in ,rhode ,island4 ,it was composed of seven ships-of-the-line1 two frigates and two bombs1 and convoyed transports on board of which were upwards of five thousand troops4 ,this was the first division of the forces promised by ,france1 of which ,lafayette had spoken4 ,the second division had been detained at ,brest for want of transports1 but might soon be expected4 ,the ,count de ,rochambeau1 ,lieutenant-general of the royal armies1 was commander-in-chief of this auxiliary force4 ,he was a veteran1 fifty-five years of age1 who had early distinguished himself1 when colonel of the regiment of ,auvergne1 and had gained laurels in various battles4 ,another officer of rank and distinction in this force1 was ,major-general the ,marquis de ,chastellux1 a friend and relative of ,lafayette1 but much his senior1 being now forty-six years of age4 ,he was not only a soldier1 but a man of letters1 and one familiar with courts as well as camps4 ,the instructions of the ,french ministry to the ,count de ,rochambeau placed him entirely under the command of ,general ,washington4 ,the ,french troops were to be considered as auxiliaries1 and as such were to take the left of the ,american troops1 and1 in all cases of ceremony1 to yield them the preference4 ,this considerate arrangement was intended to prevent the recurrence of those questions of rank and etiquette which had heretofore disturbed the combined service4 ,washington1 in general orders1 congratulated the army on the arrival of this timely and generous succor1 which he hailed as a new tie between ,france and ,america2 anticipating that the only contention between the two armies would be to excel each other in good offices1 and in the display of every military virtue4 ,the ,american cockade had hitherto been black1 that of the ,french was white2 he recommended to his officers a cockade of black and white intermingled in compliment to their allies1 and as a symbol of friendship and union4 ,his joy at this important reinforcement was dashed by the mortifying reflection that he was still unprovided with the troops and military means requisite for the combined operations meditated4 ,still he took upon himself the responsibility of immediate action1 and forthwith despatched ,lafayette to have an interview with the ,french commanders1 explain the circumstances of the case1 and concert plans for the proposed attack upon ,new ,york4 ,the arrival1 however1 of the ,british ,admiral1 ,graves1 at ,new ,york1 on the #acth of ,july1 with six ships-of-the-line1 gave the enemy such a superiority of naval force that the design on ,new ,york was postponed until the second ,french division should make its appearance1 or a squadron under the ,count de ,guichen1 which was expected from the ,west ,indies4 ,in the meantime1 ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 who had information of all the plans and movements of the allies1 determined to forestall the meditated attack upon ,new ,york1 by beating up the ,french quarters on ,rhode ,island4 ,this he was to do in person at the head of six thousand men1 aided by ,admiral ,arbuthnot with his fleet4 ,sir ,henry accordingly proceeded with his troops to ,throg's ,neck on the ,sound2 there to embark on board of transports which ,arbuthnot was to provide4 ,no sooner did ,washington learn that so large a force had left ,new ,york1 than he crossed the ,hudson to ,peekskill1 and prepared to move towards ,king's ,bridge1 with the main body of his troops1 which had recently been reinforced4 ,his intention was1 either to oblige ,sir ,henry to abandon his project against ,rhode ,island1 or to strike a blow at ,new ,york during his absence4 ,the expedition of ,sir ,henry was delayed by the tardy arrival of transports4 ,in the meantime he heard of the sudden move of ,washington1 and learned1 moreover1 that the position of the ,french at ,newport had been strengthened by the militia from the neighboring country4 ,these tidings disconcerted his plans4 ,he left ,admiral ,arbuthnot to proceed with his squadron to ,newport1 blockade the ,french fleet1 and endeavor to intercept the second division1 supposed to be on its way1 while he with his troops hastened back to ,new ,york4 ,in consequence of their return1 ,washington again withdrew his forces to the west side of the ,hudson2 first establishing a post and throwing up small works at ,dobbs' ,ferry1 about ten miles above ,king's ,bridge4 ,arnold now received the important command which he had so earnestly coveted4 ,it included the fortress at ,west ,point and the posts from ,fishkill to ,king's ,ferry1 together with the corps of infantry and cavalry advanced toward the enemy's line on the east side of the river4 ,washington took post at ,orangetown or ,tappan1 on the borders of the ,jerseys1 and opposite to ,dobbs' ,ferry1 to be at hand for any attempt upon ,new ,york4 ,the execution of this cherished design1 however1 was again postponed by intelligence that the second division of the ,french reinforcements was blockaded in the harbor of ,brest by the ,british3 ,washington still had hopes that it might be carried into effect by the aid of the squadron of the ,count de ,guichen from the ,west ,indies2 or of a fleet from ,cadiz4 ,at this juncture1 a derangement took place in the quartermaster-general's department1 of which ,general ,greene was the head4 ,the reorganization of this department had long been in agitation4 ,a system had been digested by ,washington1 ,schuyler and ,greene1 adapted1 as they thought1 to the actual situation of the country4 ,greene had offered1 should it be adopted1 to continue in the discharge of the duties of the department1 without any extra emolument other than would cover the expenses of his family4 ,congress devised a different scheme4 ,he considered it incapable of execution1 and likely to be attended with calamitous and disgraceful results2 he1 therefore1 tendered his resignation4 ,the tone and manner assumed by ,general ,greene in offering his resignation1 were deeply offensive to ,congress4 ,his resignation was promptly accepted1 and ,colonel ,pickering appointed to succeed him4 ,the commissariat was equally in a state of derangement4 ,at this very juncture1 writes ,washington 7,aug4 #bjth71 ,i am reduced to the painful alternative1 either of dismissing a part of the militia now assembling1 or of letting them come forward to starve2 which it will be extremely difficult for the troops already in the field to avoid4444 ,every day's experience proves more and more that the present mode of supplies is the most uncertain1 expensive and injurious that could be devised4 ,it is impossible for us to form any calculations of what we are to expect1 and consequently to concert any plans for future execution4 ,the anxiety of ,washington at this moment of embarrassment was heightened by the receipt of disastrous intelligence from the ,south4 ,,chapter ,,lvi4 ,,battle ,,of ,,camden4 ,lord ,cornwallis1 when left in military command at the ,south by ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 was charged1 it will be recollected1 with the invasion of ,north ,carolina4 ,it was an enterprise in which much difficulty was to be apprehended1 both from the character of the people and the country4 ,the original settlers were from various parts1 most of them men who had experienced political or religious oppression1 and had brought with them a quick sensibility to wrong1 a stern appreciation of their rights1 and an indomitable spirit of freedom and independence4 ,it was this spirit which gave rise to the confederacy1 called the ,regulation1 formed to withstand the abuses of power2 and the first blood shed in our country1 in resistance to arbitrary taxation1 was at ,almance in this province1 in a conflict between the regulators and ,governor ,tryon4 ,above all1 it should never be forgotten1 that at ,mecklenburg1 in the heart of ,north ,carolina1 was fulminated the first declaration of independence of the ,british crown1 upwards of a year before like declaration by ,congress4 ,the physical difficulties arising from the nature of the country consisted in its mountain fastnesses in the northwestern part1 its vast forests1 its sterile tracts1 its long rivers1 destitute of bridges1 and which1 though fordable in fair weather1 were liable to be swollen by sudden storms and freshets1 and rendered deep1 turbulent and impassable4 ,these rivers1 in fact1 which rushed down from the mountain1 but wound sluggishly through the plains1 were the military strength of the country1 as we shall have frequent occasion to show in the course of our narrative4 ,lord ,cornwallis forbore to attempt the invasion of ,north ,carolina until the summer heats should be over and the harvests gathered in4 ,in the meantime he disposed of his troops in cantonments1 to cover the frontiers of ,south ,carolina and ,georgia1 and maintain their internal quiet4 ,the command of the frontiers was given by him to ,lord ,rawdon1 who made ,camden his principal post4 ,this town1 the capital of ,kershaw ,district1 a fertile1 fruitful country1 was situated on the east bank of the ,wateree ,river1 on the road leading to ,north ,carolina4 ,it was to be the grand military depot for the projected campaign4 ,the proclamation of ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 putting an end to all neutrality1 and the rigorous penalties and persecutions with which all infractions of its terms were punished1 had for a time quelled the spirit of the country4 ,by degrees1 however1 the dread of ,british power gave way to impatience of ,british exactions4 ,symptoms of revolt manifested themselves in various parts4 ,they were encouraged by intelligence that ,de ,kalb1 sent by ,washington1 was advancing through ,north ,carolina at the head of two thousand men1 and that the militia of that ,state and of ,virginia were joining his standard4 ,this was soon followed by tidings that ,gates1 the conqueror of ,burgoyne1 was on his way to take command of the ,southern forces4 ,the prospect of such aid from the ,north reanimated the ,southern patriots4 ,one of the most eminent of these was ,thomas ,sumter1 whom the ,carolinians had surnamed the ,game ,cock4 ,he was now between forty and fifty years of age1 brave1 hardy and vigorous4 ,he had seen service against the ,indians1 and in the ,french war1 and had held the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the ,continental line4 ,after the fall of ,charleston he had sought refuge with his family in one of the open savannahs that lie concealed amid the swamps with which the lower part of ,south ,carolina abounds4 ,in one of his temporary absences his retreat had been invaded1 his house burnt to the ground1 and his wife and children driven forth without shelter4 ,private injury had thus been added to the incentives of patriotism4 ,emerging from his hiding-place1 he had thrown himself among a handful of his fellow-sufferers who had taken refuge in ,north ,carolina4 ,they chose him at once as a leader1 and resolved on a desperate struggle for the deliverance of their native ,state4 ,destitute of regular weapons1 they forged rude substitutes out of the implements of husbandry4 ,old mill-saws were converted into broad-swords2 knives at the ends of poles served for lances2 while the country housewives gladly gave up their pewter dishes and other utensils1 to be melted down and cast into bullets for such as had fire-arms4 ,when ,sumter led this gallant band of exiles over the border1 they did not amount in number to two hundred2 yet with these he attacked and routed a well-armed body of ,british troops and tories1 the terror of the frontier4 ,his followers supplied themselves with weapons from the slain4 ,in a little while his band was augmented by recruits4 ,parties of militia1 also1 recently embodied under the compelling measures of ,cornwallis1 deserted to the patriot standard4 ,thus reinforced to the amount of six hundred men1 he made1 on the #cjth of ,july1 a spirited attack on the ,british post at ,rocky ,mount1 near the ,catawba1 but was repulsed4 ,a more successful attack was made by him1 eight days afterwards1 on another post at ,hanging ,rock4 ,the advance of ,de ,kalb with reinforcements from the ,north1 had been retarded by various difficulties1 the most important of which was want of provisions4 ,this had been especially the case1 he said1 since his arrival in ,north ,carolina4 ,the legislative or executive power1 he complained1 gave him no assistance1 nor could he obtain supplies from the people but by military force4 ,there was no flour in the camp1 nor were dispositions made to furnish any4 ,his troops were reduced for a time to short allowance1 and at length1 on the #fth of ,july1 brought to a positive halt at ,deep ,river4 ,the ,north ,carolina militia1 under ,general ,caswell1 were already in the field1 on the road to ,camden1 beyond the ,pedee ,river4 ,he was anxious to form a junction with them1 but a wide and sterile region lay between him and them1 difficult to be traversed1 unless magazines were established in advance1 or he were supplied with provisions to take with him4 ,for three weeks he remained in this encampment1 foraging an exhausted country for a meagre subsistence1 and was thinking of deviating to the right1 and seeking the fertile counties of ,mecklenburg and ,rowan1 when on the #beth of ,july1 ,general ,gates arrived at the camp4 ,gates approved of ,de ,kalb's standing orders1 but at the first review of the troops1 to the great astonishment of the baron1 gave orders for them to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning4 ,it was evident he meant to signalize himself by celerity of movement in contrast with protracted delays4 ,it was in vain the destitute situation of the troops was represented to him1 and that they had not a day's provision in advance4 ,his reply was1 that wagons laden with supplies were coming on1 and would overtake them in two days4 ,on the #bgth he actually put the army in motion over the ,buffalo ,ford1 on the direct road to ,camden4 ,colonel ,williams1 the adjutant-general of ,de ,kalb1 warned him of the sterile nature of that route1 and recommended a more circuitous one further north1 which passed through the abundant county of ,mecklenburg4 ,gates persisted in taking the direct route1 which proved all that had been represented4 ,it led through a region of pine barrens1 sand hills and swamps1 with few human habitations1 and those mostly deserted4 ,the supplies of which he had spoken never overtook him4 ,his army had to subsist itself on lean cattle roaming almost wild in the woods2 and to supply the want of bread with green ,indian corn1 unripe apples and peaches4 ,the consequence was a distressing prevalence of dysentery4 ,having crossed the ,pedee ,river on the #c;d of ,august1 the army was joined by a handful of brave ,virginia regulars under ,lieutenant-colonel ,porterfield1 who had been wandering about the country since the disaster of ,charleston2 and on the #gth1 the much-desired junction took place with the ,north ,carolina militia4 ,on the #acth they encamped at ,rugeley's ,mills1 otherwise called ,clermont1 about twelve miles from ,camden1 and on the following day were reinforced by a brigade of seven hundred ,virginia militia under ,general ,stephens4 ,on the approach of ,gates1 ,lord ,rawdon had concentrated his forces at ,camden4 ,the post was flanked by the ,wateree ,river and ,pine-tree ,creek1 and strengthened with redoubts4 ,lord ,cornwallis had hastened hither from ,charleston on learning that affairs in this quarter were drawing to a crisis1 and had arrived here on the #acth4 ,the ,british effective force thus collected was something more than two thousand1 including officers4 ,about five hundred were militia and tory refugees from ,north ,carolina4 ,the forces under ,gates according to the return of his adjutant-general1 were three thousand and fifty-two fit for duty2 more than two-thirds of them1 however1 were militia4 ,on the #adth he received an express from ,general ,sumter1 who1 with his partisan corps1 after harassing the enemy at various points1 was now endeavoring to cut off their supplies from ,charleston4 ,the object of the express was to ask a reinforcement of regulars to aid him in capturing a large convoy of clothing1 ammunition and stores1 on its way to the garrison1 and which would pass ,wateree ,ferry1 about a mile from ,camden4 ,gates accordingly detached ,colonel ,woolford of the ,maryland line with one hundred regulars1 a party of artillery1 and two brass field-pieces4 ,on the same evening he moved with his main force to take post at a deep stream about seven miles from ,camden1 intending to attack ,lord ,rawdon or his redoubts should he march out in force to repel ,sumter4 ,by a singular coincidence1 ,lord ,cornwallis on the very same evening sallied forth from ,camden to attack the ,american camp at ,clermont4 ,about two o'clock at night the two forces blundered1 as it were1 on each other about half way4 ,a skirmish took place between their advanced guards1 in which ,porterfield of the ,virginia regulars was mortally wounded4 ,some prisoners were taken on either side4 ,gates was astounded at being told that the enemy at hand was ,cornwallis with three thousand men4 ,calling a council of war he demanded what was best to be done4 ,for a moment or two there was blank silence4 ,it was broken by ,general ,stevens of the ,virginia militia1 with the significant question1 ,gentlemen1 is it not too late now to do anything but fight8 ,no other advice was asked or offered1 and all were required to repair to their respective commands4 ,in forming the line1 the first ,maryland division1 including the ,delawares1 was on the right1 commanded by ,de ,kalb4 ,the ,virginia militia under ,stevens1 were on the left4 ,caswell with the ,north ,carolinians formed the centre4 ,the artillery was in battery on the road4 ,each flank was covered by a marsh4 ,the second ,maryland brigade formed a reserve1 a few hundred yards in rear of the first4 ,at daybreak 7,aug4 #afth71 the enemy were dimly descried advancing in column2 they appeared to be displaying to the right4 ,gates ordered that ,stevens should advance briskly with his brigade of ,virginia militia and attack them while in the act of displaying4 ,no sooner did ,stevens receive the order than he put his brigade in motion1 but discovered that the right wing of the enemy was already in line4 ,a few sharp-shooters were detached to run forward1 post themselves behind trees within forty or fifty yards of the enemy to extort their fire while at a distance1 and render it less terrible to the militia4 ,the expedient failed4 ,the ,british rushed on shouting and firing4 ,the inexperienced militia1 dismayed and confounded by this impetuous assault1 threw down their loaded muskets and fled4 ,the panic spread to the ,north ,carolina militia4 ,part of them made a temporary stand1 but soon joined with the rest in flight1 rendered headlong and disastrous by the charge and pursuit of ,tarleton and his cavalry4 ,gates1 seconded by his officers1 made several attempts to rally the militia1 but was borne along with them4 ,the day was hazy2 there was no wind to carry off the smoke1 which hung over the field of battle like a thick cloud4 ,nothing could be seen distinctly4 ,supposing that the regular troops were dispersed like the militia1 ,gates gave up all for lost1 and retreated from the field4 ,the regulars1 however1 had not given away4 ,the ,maryland brigades and the ,delaware regiment1 unconscious that they were deserted by the militia1 stood their ground1 and bore the brunt of the battle4 ,though repeatedly broken1 they as often rallied1 and braved even the deadly push of the bayonet4 ,at length a charge of ,tarleton's cavalry on their flank threw them into confusion1 and drove them into the woods and swamps4 ,none showed more gallantry on this disastrous day than the ,baron ,de ,kalb2 he fought on foot with the second ,maryland brigade1 and fell exhausted after receiving eleven wounds4 ,his aide-de-camp1 ,de ,buysson1 supported him in his arms and was repeatedly wounded in protecting him4 ,he announced the rank and nation of his general1 and both were taken prisoners4 ,de ,kalb died in the course of a few days4 ,general ,gates in retreating had hoped to rally a sufficient force at ,clermont to cover the retreat of the regulars1 but the further they fled1 the more the militia were dispersed1 until the generals were abandoned by all but their aides4 ,to add to the mortification of ,gates1 he learned in the course of his retreat that ,sumter had been completely successful1 and having reduced the enemy's redoubt on the ,wateree1 and captured one hundred prisoners and forty loaded wagons1 was marching off with his booty on the opposite side of the river2 apprehending danger from the quarter in which he had heard firing in the morning4 ,cornwallis was apprehensive that ,sumter's corps might form a rallying point to the routed army4 ,on the morning of the #agth of ,august1 therefore1 he detached ,tarleton in pursuit with a body of cavalry and light infantry1 about three hundred and fifty strong4 ,sumter was retreating up the western side of the ,wateree1 much encumbered by his spoils and prisoners4 ,tarleton pushed up by forced and concealed marches on the eastern side4 ,at dusk ,tarleton descried the fires of the ,american camp about a mile from the opposite shore4 ,in the morning his sentries gave word that the ,americans were quitting their encampment4 ,it was evident they knew nothing of a ,british force being in pursuit of them4 ,tarleton now crossed the ,wateree4 ,the delay in crossing1 and the diligence of ,sumter's march1 increased the distance between the pursuers and the pursued4 ,about noon a part of ,tarleton's force gave out through heat and fatigue4 ,leaving them to repose on the bank of ,fishing ,creek1 he pushed on with about one hundred dragoons1 the freshest and most able2 still marching with great circumspection4 ,a sergeant and five dragoons rode up to the summit of a neighboring hill to reconnoitre4 ,crouching on their horses they made signs to ,tarleton4 ,he cautiously approached the crest of the hill1 and looking over1 beheld the ,american camp on a neighboring height in a most negligent condition4 ,the troops1 having for the last four days been almost without food or sleep1 were indulged in complete relaxation4 ,their arms were stacked1 and they were scattered about1 some strolling1 some lying on the grass under the trees1 some bathing in the river4 ,sumter himself had thrown off part of his clothes on account of the heat of the weather4 ,tarleton prepared for instant attack4 ,his cavalry and infantry formed into one line1 dashed forward with a general shout1 and1 before the ,americans could recover from their surprise1 got between them and the parade ground on which the muskets were stacked4 ,all was confusion and consternation in the ,american camp4 ,some opposition was made from behind baggage wagons1 and there was skirmishing in various quarters1 but in a little while there was a universal flight to the river and the woods4 ,between three and four hundred were killed and wounded2 all their arms and baggage with two brass field-pieces fell into the hands of the enemy1 who also recaptured the prisoners and booty taken at ,camden4 ,sumter with about three hundred and fifty of his men effected a retreat2 he galloped off1 it is said1 without saddle1 hat or coat4 ,it was not until the beginning of ,september that ,washington received word of the disastrous reverse at ,camden4 ,the shock was the greater as previous reports from that quarter had represented the operations a few days preceding the action as much in our favor4 ,it was evident to ,washington that the course of war must ultimately tend to the ,southern ,states1 yet the situation of affairs in the ,north did not permit him to detach any sufficient force for their relief4 ,all that he could do for the present was to endeavor to hold the enemy in check in that quarter4 ,for this purpose he gave orders that some regular troops1 enlisted in ,maryland for the war1 and intended for the main army1 should be sent to the southward4 ,he wrote to ,governor ,rutledge of ,south ,carolina 7#abth ,september71 to raise a permanent1 compact1 well-organized body of troops1 instead of depending upon a numerous army of militia1 always inconceivably expensive1 and too fluctuating and undisciplined to oppose a regular force4 ,he was still more urgent and explicit on this head in his letters to the ,president of ,congress 7,september #aeth74 ,regular troops alone1 said he1 are equal to the exigencies of modern war1 as well for defence as offence2 and whenever a substitute is attempted1 it must prove illusory and ruinous4 ,no militia will ever acquire the habits necessary to resist a regular force4 ,he had scarce written the foregoing1 when he received a letter from the now unfortunate ,gates1 dated at ,hillsborough1 ,august #cjth and ,september #c;d1 giving particulars of his discomfiture4 ,no longer vaunting and vainglorious1 he pleads nothing but his patriotism1 and deprecates the fall which he apprehends awaits him4 ,the appeal which he makes to ,washington's magnanimity to support him in this day of his reverse1 is the highest testimonial he could give to the exalted character of the man whom he once affected to underrate and aspired to supplant4 ,washington still cherished the idea of a combined attack upon ,new ,york as soon as a ,french naval force should arrive4 ,the destruction of the enemy here would relieve this part of the ,union from an internal war1 and enable its troops and resources to be united with those of ,france in vigorous efforts against the common enemy elsewhere4 ,hearing1 therefore1 that the ,count de ,guichen with his ,west ,india squadron was approaching the coast1 ,washington prepared to proceed to ,hartford1 in ,connecticut1 there to hold a conference with the ,count de ,rochambeau and the ,chevalier de ,ternay1 and concert a plan for future operations1 of which the attack on ,new ,york was to form the principal feature4 ,,chapter ,,lvii4 ,,the ,,treason ,,of ,,arnold4--,,trial ,,and ,,execution ,,of ,,andr4 ,we have now to enter upon a sad episode of our revolutionary history--the treason of ,arnold4 ,of the military skill1 daring enterprise1 and indomitable courage of this man1 ample evidence has been given in the foregoing pages4 ,of the implicit confidence reposed in his patriotism by ,washington1 sufficient proof is manifested in the command with which he was actually entrusted4 ,but ,arnold was false at heart1 and at the very time of seeking that command had been for many months in traitorous correspondence with the enemy4 ,the first idea of proving recreant to the cause he had vindicated so bravely1 appears to have entered his mind when the charges preferred against him by the council of ,pennsylvania were referred by ,congress to a court-martial4 ,before that time he had been incensed against ,pennsylvania2 but now his wrath was excited against his country1 which appeared so insensible to his services4 ,disappointment in regard to the settlement of his accounts added to his irritation1 and mingled sordid motives with his resentment2 and he began to think how1 while he wreaked his vengeance on his country1 he might do it with advantage to his fortunes4 ,with this view he commenced a correspondence with ,sir ,henry ,clinton in a disguised handwriting1 and under the signature of ,gustavus1 representing himself as a person of importance in the ,american service1 who1 being dissatisfied with the late proceedings of ,congress1 particularly the alliance with ,france1 was desirous of joining the cause of ,great ,britain1 could he be certain of personal security and indemnification for whatever loss of property he might sustain4 ,his letters occasionally communicated articles of intelligence of some moment which proved to be true1 and induced ,sir ,henry to keep up the correspondence2 which was conducted on his part by his aide-de-camp1 ,major ,john ,andr1#a likewise in a disguised hand1 and under the signature of ,john ,anderson4 ,months elapsed before ,sir ,henry discovered who was his secret correspondent4 ,even after discovering it he did not see fit to hold out very strong inducements to ,arnold for desertion4 ,the latter was out of command and had nothing to offer but his services2 which in his actual situation were scarcely worth buying4 ,footnote #a3 ,major ,andr was born in ,london in #agea1 but his parents were of ,geneva1 ,switzerland1 where he was educated4 ,he was designed for mercantile life1 and entered a ,london counting-house1 the sober routine of which1 however1 was so distasteful to him that he soon abandoned it for the army4 ,an engagement in his eighteenth year to a beautiful girl1 ,miss ,honora ,sneyd1 which the father of the young lady broke off1 is said to have been one cause of this step4 ,he came to ,america in #aggd as lieutenant of the ,royal ,fusiliers4 ,his temper was light and festive1 and his varied1 graceful talents1 and his engaging manners rendered him generally popular4 ,in the meantime the circumstances of ,arnold were daily becoming more desperate4 ,debts were accumulating1 and creditors becoming more and more importunate as his means to satisfy them decreased4 ,the public reprimand he had received was rankling in his mind1 and filling his heart with bitterness4 ,still he hesitated on the brink of absolute infamy1 and attempted a half-way leap4 ,such was his proposition to ,m4 de ,luzerne to make himself subservient to the policy of the ,french government1 on condition of receiving a loan equal to the amount of his debts4 ,it was his last card before resorting to utter treachery4 ,failing in it1 his desperate alternative was to get some important command1 the betrayal of which to the enemy might obtain for him a munificent reward4 ,such was the secret of his eagerness to obtain the command of ,west ,point1 the great object of ,british and ,american solicitude1 on the possession of which were supposed by many to hinge the fortunes of the war4 ,he took command of the post and its dependencies about the beginning of ,august1 fixing his head-quarters at ,beverley1 a country-seat a little below ,west ,point1 on the opposite or eastern side of the river4 ,it was commonly called the ,robinson ,house1 having formerly belonged to ,colonel ,beverley ,robinson4 ,colonel ,robinson was a royalist2 had entered into the ,british service1 and was now residing in ,new ,york1 and ,beverley with its surrounding lands had been confiscated4 ,from this place ,arnold carried on a secret correspondence with ,major ,andr4 ,their letters still in disguised hands1 and under the names of ,gustavus and ,john ,anderson1 purported to treat merely of commercial operations1 but the real matter in negotiation was the betrayal of ,west ,point and the ,highlands to ,sir ,henry ,clinton4 ,this stupendous piece of treachery was to be consummated at the time when ,washington1 with the main body of his army1 would be drawn down towards ,king's ,bridge1 and the ,french troops landed on ,long ,island1 in the projected co-operation against ,new ,york4 ,at such time1 a flotilla under ,rodney1 having on board a large land force1 was to ascend the ,hudson to the ,highlands1 which would be surrendered by ,arnold almost without opposition1 under pretext of insufficient force to make resistance4 ,the immediate result of this surrender1 it was anticipated1 would be the defeat of the combined attempt upon ,new ,york2 and its ultimate effect might be the dismemberment of the ,union and the dislocation of the whole ,american scheme of warfare4 ,correspondence had now done its part in the business2 for the completion of the plan and the adjustment of the traitor's recompense1 a personal meeting was necessary between ,arnold and ,andr4 ,the former proposed that it should take place at his own quarters1 where ,andr should come in disguise as a bearer of intelligence1 and under the feigned name of ,john ,anderson4 ,andr positively objected to entering the ,american lines2 it was arranged1 therefore1 that the meeting should take place on neutral ground1 near the ,american out-posts at ,dobbs' ,ferry1 on the #aath of ,september1 at twelve o'clock4 ,andr attended at the appointed place and time1 accompanied by ,colonel ,beverley ,robinson1 who was acquainted with the plot4 ,an application of the latter for the restoration of his confiscated property in the ,highlands seemed to have been used occasionally as a blind in these proceedings4 ,arnold had passed the preceding night at what was called the ,white ,house1 the residence of ,mr4 ,joshua ,hett ,smith1 situated on the west side of the ,hudson1 in ,haverstraw ,bay1 about two miles below ,stony ,point4 ,he set off thence in his barge for the place of rendezvous2 but not being protected by a flag1 was fired upon and pursued by the ,british guard-boats stationed near ,dobbs' ,ferry4 ,he took refuge at an ,american post on the western shore1 whence he returned in the night to his quarters4 ,new arrangements were made for an interview1 but it was postponed until after ,washington should depart for ,hartford to hold the proposed conference with ,count ,rochambeau and the other ,french officers4 ,in the meantime the ,british sloop-of-war1 ,vulture1 anchored a few miles below ,teller's ,point1 to be at hand in aid of the negotiation4 ,on board was ,colonel ,robinson1 who1 pretending to believe that ,general ,putnam still commanded in the ,highlands1 addressed a note to him requesting an interview on the subject of his confiscated property4 ,this letter he sent by a flag1 enclosed in one addressed to ,arnold2 soliciting of him the same boon should ,general ,putnam be absent4 ,on the #ahth ,september1 ,washington with his suite crossed the ,hudson to ,verplanck's ,point1 in ,arnold's barge1 on his way to ,hartford4 ,arnold accompanied him as far as ,peekskill1 and on the way1 laid before him1 with affected frankness1 the letter of ,colonel ,robinson1 and asked his advice4 ,washington disapproved of any such interview1 observing that the civil authorities alone had cognizance of these questions of confiscated property4 ,arnold now openly sent a flag on board of the ,vulture1 as if bearing a reply to the letter he had communicated to the commander-in-chief4 ,by this occasion he informed ,colonel ,robinson that a person with a boat and flag would be alongside of the ,vulture on the night of the #bjth2 and that any matter he might wish to communicate1 would be laid before ,general ,washington on the following ,saturday1 when he might be expected back from ,newport4 ,on the faith of the information thus covertly conveyed1 ,andr proceeded up the ,hudson on the #bjth1 and went on board of the ,vulture1 where he found ,colonel ,robinson1 and expected to meet ,arnold4 ,the latter1 however1 had made other arrangements1 probably with a view to his personal security4 ,about half-past eleven of a still and starlight night 7the #bast71 a boat was descried from on board1 gliding silently along1 rowed by two men with muffled oars4 ,she was hailed by an officer on watch1 and called to account4 ,a man seated in the stern gave out that they were from ,king's ,ferry1 bound to ,dobbs' ,ferry4 ,he was ordered alongside and soon made his way on board4 ,he proved to be ,mr4 ,joshua ,hett ,smith1 already mentioned1 whom ,arnold had prevailed upon to go on board of the ,vulture1 and bring a person on shore who was coming from ,new ,york with important intelligence4 ,he had given him passes to protect him and those with him1 in case he should be stopped1 either in going or returning1 by the ,american water guard1 which patrolled the river in whale-boats4 ,he had made him the bearer of a letter addressed to ,colonel ,beverley ,robinson1 which was to the following purport3 ,this will be delivered to you by ,mr4 ,smith1 who will conduct you to a place of safety4 ,neither ,mr4 ,smith nor any other person shall be made acquainted with your proposals3 if they 7which ,i doubt not7 are of such a nature that ,i can officially take notice of them1 ,i shall do it with pleasure4 ,i take it for granted ,colonel ,robinson will not propose anything that is not for the interest of the ,united ,states as well as of himself4 ,all this use of ,colonel ,robinson's name was intended as a blind1 should the letter be intercepted4 ,robinson introduced ,andr to ,smith by the name of ,john ,anderson1 who was to go on shore in his place 7he being unwell71 to have an interview with ,general ,arnold4 ,andr wore a blue great coat which covered his uniform1 and ,smith always declared that at the time he was totally ignorant of his name and military character4 ,andr1 embarking in the boat with ,smith1 was silently rowed to the western side of the river1 about six miles below ,stony ,point4 ,here they landed a little after midnight1 at the foot of a shadowy mountain called the ,long ,clove4 ,arnold was in waiting1 but standing aloof among thickets4 ,the midnight negotiation between ,andr and ,arnold was carried on in darkness among the trees4 ,one hour after another passed away when ,smith approached the place of conference1 and gave warning that it was near daybreak1 and if they lingered much longer the boat would be discovered4 ,the nefarious bargain was not yet completed1 and ,arnold feared the sight of a boat going to the ,vulture might cause suspicion4 ,he prevailed therefore upon ,andr to remain on shore until the following night4 ,the boat was accordingly sent to a creek higher up the river1 and ,andr set off with ,arnold for ,smith's house4 ,the road passed through the village of ,haverstraw4 ,as they rode along in the dark1 the voice of a sentinel demanding the countersign startled ,andr with the fearful conviction that he was within the ,american lines1 but it was too late to recede4 ,it was daybreak when they arrived at ,smith's house4 ,they had scarcely entered when the booming of cannon was heard from down the river4 ,it gave ,andr uneasiness1 and with reason4 ,colonel ,livingston1 who commanded above at ,verplanck's ,point1 learning that the ,vulture lay within shot of ,teller's ,point1 which divides ,haverstraw ,bay from the ,tappan ,sea1 had sent a party with cannon to that point in the night1 and they were now firing upon the sloop-of-war4 ,andr watched the cannonade with an anxious eye from an upper window of ,smith's house4 ,he was relieved from painful solicitude when he saw the vessel weigh anchor1 and drop down the river out of reach of cannon shot4 ,after breakfast1 the plot for the betrayal of ,west ,point and its dependent posts was adjusted1 and the sum agreed upon that ,arnold was to receive1 should it be successful4 ,andr was furnished with plans of the works1 and explanatory papers1 which1 at ,arnold's request1 he placed between his stockings and his feet2 promising in case of accident1 to destroy them4 ,all matters being thus arranged1 ,arnold prepared to return in his own barge to his head-quarters at the ,robinson ,house4 ,as the ,vulture had shifted her ground1 he suggested to ,andr a return to ,new ,york by land1 as most safe and expeditious2 the latter1 however1 insisted upon being put on board of the sloop-of-war on the ensuing night4 ,arnold consented2 but1 before his departure1 to provide against the possible necessity of a return by land1 he gave ,andr the following pass1 dated from the ,robinson ,house3 ,permit ,mr4 ,john ,anderson to pass the guards to the ,white ,plains1 or below1 if he chooses2 he being on public business by my direction4 ,b4 ,,arnold1 ,m4 ,gen'l4 ,smith also1 who was to accompany him1 was furnished with passports to proceed either by water or by land4 ,arnold departed about ten o'clock4 ,andr passed a lonely day1 casting many a wistful look toward the ,vulture4 ,as evening approached he grew impatient1 and spoke to ,smith about departure4 ,to his surprise he found the latter had made no preparation for it2 he had discharged his boatmen1 who had gone home3 in short1 he refused to take him on board the ,vulture4 ,the cannonade of the morning had probably made him fear for his personal safety1 should he attempt to go on board1 the ,vulture having resumed her exposed position4 ,he offered1 however1 to cross the river with ,andr at ,king's ,ferry1 put him in the way of returning to ,new ,york by land1 and accompany him some distance on horseback4 ,andr was in an agony at finding himself1 notwithstanding all his stipulations1 forced within the ,american lines2 but there seemed to be no alternative1 and he prepared for the hazardous journey4 ,he wore1 as we have noted1 a military coat under a long blue surtout2 he was now persuaded to lay it aside1 and put on a citizen's coat of ,smith's2 thus adding disguise to the other humiliating and hazardous circumstances of the case4 ,it was about sunset when ,andr and ,smith crossed from ,king's ,ferry to ,verplanck's ,point4 ,after proceeding about eight miles on the road toward ,white ,plains1 they were stopped between eight and nine o'clock1 near ,crompond1 by a patrolling party4 ,the captain of it was uncommonly inquisitive and suspicious4 ,the passports with ,arnold's signature satisfied him4 ,he warned them1 however1 against the danger of proceeding further in the night4 ,cow ,boys from the ,british lines were scouring the country1 and had recently marauded the neighborhood4 ,smith's fears were again excited1 and ,andr was obliged to yield to them4 ,a bed was furnished them in a neighboring house1 where ,andr passed an anxious and restless night4 ,at daybreak he awoke ,smith1 and hurried their departure4 ,they were now approaching that noted part of the country heretofore mentioned as the ,neutral ,ground1 extending north and south about thirty miles1 between the ,british and ,american lines4 ,a beautiful region of forest-clad hills1 fertile valleys1 and abundant streams1 but now almost desolated by the scourings of ,skinners and ,cow ,boys2 the former professing allegiance to the ,american cause1 the latter to the ,british1 but both arrant marauders4 ,about two and a half miles from ,pine's ,bridge1 on the ,croton ,river1 ,andr and his companion partook of a scanty meal at a farm-house4 ,here they parted1 ,smith to return home1 ,andr to pursue his journey alone to ,new ,york4 ,he had not proceeded far1 when coming to a place where a small stream crossed the road and ran into a woody dell1 a man stepped out from the trees1 levelled a musket and brought him to a stand1 while two other men1 similarly armed1 showed themselves prepared to second their comrade4 ,the man who had first stepped out wore a refugee uniform4 ,at sight of it1 ,andr's heart leapt1 and he felt himself secure4 ,losing all caution1 he exclaimed1 eagerly3 ,gentlemen1 ,i hope you belong to our party8 ,what party8 was asked4 ,the lower party1 said ,andr4 ,we do1 was the reply4 ,all reserve was now at an end4 ,andr declared himself to be a ,british officer2 that he had been up the country on particular business1 and must not be detained a single moment4 ,to his consternation1 the supposed refugee now avowed himself and his companions to be ,americans1 and told ,andr he was their prisoner6#b ,footnote #b3 ,the names of the captors were ,john ,paulding1 ,isaac ,van ,wart1 and ,david ,williams4 ,andr was astounded at finding into what hands he had fallen2 and how he had betrayed himself by his heedless avowal4 ,promptly1 however1 recovering his self possession he endeavored to pass off his previous account of himself as a mere subterfuge4 ,a man must do anything1 said he laughingly1 to get along4 ,he now declared himself to be a ,continental officer1 going down to ,dobbs' ,ferry to get information from below2 so saying1 he drew forth and showed them the pass of ,general ,arnold4 ,this1 in the first instance1 would have been sufficient2 but his unwary tongue had ruined him4 ,the suspicions of his captors were completely roused4 ,paulding asked whether he had any letters about him4 ,he answered1 no4 ,they proceeded to search him4 ,they obliged him to take off his coat and vest1 and found on him eighty dollars in ,continental money1 but nothing to warrant suspicion of anything sinister1 and were disposed to let him proceed1 when ,paulding exclaimed3 ,boys1 ,i am not satisfied--his boots must come off6 ,at this ,andr changed color4 ,his boots1 he said1 came off with difficulty1 and he begged he might not be subjected to the inconvenience and delay4 ,his remonstrances were in vain4 ,he was obliged to sit down2 his boots were drawn off1 and the concealed papers discovered4 ,hastily scanning them1 ,paulding exclaimed1 ,my ,god6 ,he is a spy6 ,he demanded of ,andr where he had gotten these papers4 ,of a man at ,pine's ,bridge1 a stranger to me1 was the reply4 ,while dressing himself1 ,andr endeavored to ransom himself from his captors2 rising from one offer to another4 ,he would give any reward they might name either in goods or money1 and would remain with two of their party while one went to ,new ,york to get it4 ,here ,paulding broke in and declared with an oath that if he would give ten thousand guineas he should not stir one step4 ,the unfortunate ,andr now submitted to his fate1 and the captors set off with their prisoner for ,north ,castle1 the nearest ,american post1 distant ten or twelve miles4 ,arrived at ,north ,castle1 ,lieutenant-colonel ,jameson1 who was in command there1 recognized the handwriting of ,arnold in the papers found upon ,andr1 and1 perceiving that they were of a dangerous nature1 sent them off by express to ,general ,washington1 at ,hartford4 ,andr1 still adhering to his assumed name1 begged that the commander at ,west ,point might be informed that ,john ,anderson1 though bearing his passport1 was detained4 ,jameson appears completely to have lost his head on the occasion4 ,he wrote to ,arnold1 stating the circumstances of the arrest1 and that the papers found upon the prisoner had been despatched by express to the commander-in-chief1 and at the same time he sent the prisoner himself1 under a strong guard1 to accompany the letter4 ,shortly afterwards1 ,major ,tallmadge1 next in command to ,jameson1 but of a much clearer head1 arrived at ,north ,castle1 having been absent on duty to ,white ,plains4 ,when the circumstances of the case were related to him1 he at once suspected treachery on the part of ,arnold4 ,at his earnest entreaties1 an express was sent after the officer who had ,andr in charge1 ordering him to bring the latter back to ,north ,castle2 but by singular perversity or obtuseness in judgment1 ,jameson neglected to countermand the letter which he had written to ,arnold4 ,when ,andr was brought back1 and was pacing up and down the room1 ,tallmadge saw at once by his air and movements1 and the mode of turning on his heel1 that he was a military man4 ,by his advice1 and under his escort1 the prisoner was conducted to ,colonel ,sheldon's post at ,lower ,salem1 as more secure than ,north ,castle4 ,here ,andr1 being told that the papers found upon his person had been forwarded to ,washington1 addressed to him immediately the following lines3 ,i beg your ,excellency will be persuaded that no alteration in the temper of my mind or apprehensions for my safety induces me to take the step of addressing you2 but that it is to secure myself from the imputation of having assumed a mean character for treacherous purposes or self-interest4444 ,it is to vindicate my fame that ,i speak1 and not to solicit security4 ,the person in your possession is ,major ,john ,andr1 adjutant-general of the ,british army4 ,the influence of one commander in the army of his adversary is an advantage taken in war4 ,a correspondence for this purpose ,i held2 as confidential 7in the present instance7 with his ,excellency1 ,sir ,henry ,clinton4 ,to favor it1 ,i agreed to meet upon ground not within the posts of either army1 a person who was to give me intelligence4 ,i came up in the ,vulture man-of-war for this effect1 and was fetched from the shore to the beach4 ,being there1 ,i was told that the approach of day would prevent my return1 and that ,i must be concealed until the next night4 ,i was in my regimentals1 and had fairly risked my person4 ,against my stipulation1 my intention1 and without my knowledge beforehand1 ,i was conducted within one of your posts4 ,thus was ,i betrayed into the vile condition of an enemy within your posts4444 ,this letter he submitted to the perusal of ,major ,tallmadge1 who was surprised and agitated at finding the rank and importance of the prisoner he had in charge4 ,the letter being despatched1 and ,andr's pride relieved on a sensitive point1 he resumed his serenity1 apparently unconscious of the awful responsibility of his situation4 ,on the very day that the treasonable conference between ,arnold and ,andr took place1 on the banks of ,haverstraw ,bay1 ,washington had his interview with the ,french officers at ,hartford4 ,it led to no important result4 ,intelligence was received that the squadron of the ,count de ,guichen1 on which they had relied to give them superiority by sea1 had sailed for ,europe4 ,this disconcerted their plans1 and ,washington1 in consequence1 set out two or three days sooner than had been anticipated on his return to his head-quarters on the ,hudson4 ,he was accompanied by ,lafayette and ,general ,knox with their suites2 also1 part of the way1 by ,count ,matthew ,dumas1 aide-de-camp to ,rochambeau4 ,on approaching the ,hudson1 ,washington took a more circuitous route than the one he had originally intended1 striking the river at ,fishkill1 just above the ,highlands1 that he might visit ,west ,point1 and show the marquis the works which had been erected there during his absence in ,france4 ,circumstances detained them a night at ,fishkill4 ,their baggage was sent on to ,arnold's quarters in the ,robinson ,house1 with a message apprising the general that they would breakfast there the next day4 ,in the morning 7,sept4 #bdth7 they were in the saddle before break of day1 having a ride to make of eighteen miles through the mountains4 ,when within a mile of the ,robinson ,house1 ,washington turned down a cross road leading to the banks of the ,hudson4 ,lafayette apprised him that he was going out of the way1 and hinted that ,mrs4 ,arnold must be waiting breakfast for him4 ,ah1 marquis6 replied he good-humoredly1 you young men are all in love with ,mrs4 ,arnold4 ,go you and breakfast with her1 and tell her not to wait for me4 ,i must ride down and examine the redoubts on this side of the river1 but will be with her shortly4 ,the marquis and ,general ,knox1 however1 turned off and accompanied him down to the redoubts1 while ,colonel ,hamilton and ,lafayette's aide-de-camp1 ,major ,james ,mc,henry1 continued along the main road to the ,robinson ,house1 bearing ,washington's apology1 and request that the breakfast might not be retarded4 ,the family with the two aides-de-camp sat down to breakfast4 ,mrs4 ,arnold had arrived but four or five days previously from ,philadelphia1 with her infant child1 then about six months old4 ,she was bright and amiable as usual4 ,arnold was silent and gloomy4 ,it was an anxious moment with him4 ,in the midst of the repast a horseman alighted at the gate4 ,it was the messenger bearing ,jameson's letter to ,arnold1 stating the capture of ,andr1 and that dangerous papers found on him had been forwarded to ,washington4 ,the mine had exploded beneath ,arnold's feet4 ,controlling the dismay that must have smitten him to the heart1 he beckoned ,mrs4 ,arnold from the breakfast table1 signifying a wish to speak with her in private4 ,when alone with her in her room up-stairs1 he announced in hurried words that he was a ruined man1 and must instantly fly for his life6 ,overcome by the shock1 she fell senseless on the floor4 ,without pausing to aid her1 he hurried down stairs1 informed his guests that he must haste to ,west ,point to prepare for the reception of the commander-in-chief2 and mounting the horse of the messenger1 which stood saddled at the door1 galloped down to the landing-place1 where his six-oared barge was moored4 ,throwing himself into it1 he ordered his men to pull out into the middle of the river1 and then made down with all speed for ,teller's ,point4 ,washington arrived at the ,robinson ,house shortly after the flight of the traitor4 ,being informed that ,mrs4 ,arnold was in her room1 unwell1 and that ,arnold had gone to ,west ,point to receive him1 he took a hasty breakfast1 and repaired to the fortress1 leaving word that he and his suite would return to dinner4 ,he remained at the ,point throughout the morning inspecting the fortifications4 ,in the meantime1 the messenger whom ,jameson had despatched to ,hartford with a letter covering the papers taken on ,andr1 arrived at the ,robinson ,house4 ,he had learnt1 while on the way to ,hartford1 that ,washington had left that place1 whereupon he turned bridle to overtake him1 but missed him in consequence of the general's change of route4 ,coming by the lower road1 the messenger had passed through ,salem1 where ,andr was confined1 and brought with him the letter written by that unfortunate officer to the commander-in-chief1 the purport of which has already been given4 ,these letters being represented as of the utmost moment1 were opened and read by ,colonel ,hamilton1 as ,washington's aide-de-camp and confidential officer4 ,he maintained silence as to their contents2 met ,washington1 as he and his companions were coming up from the river1 on their return from ,west ,point1 spoke to him a few words in a low voice1 and they retired together into the house4 ,whatever agitation ,washington may have felt when these documents of deep-laid treachery were put before him1 he wore his usual air of equanimity when he rejoined his companions4 ,taking ,knox and ,lafayette aside1 he communicated to them the intelligence1 and placed the papers in their hands4 ,his first idea was to arrest the traitor4 ,conjecturing the direction of his flight1 he despatched ,colonel ,hamilton on horseback to spur with all speed to ,verplanck's ,point1 with orders to the commander to intercept ,arnold should he not already have passed that post4 ,in the meantime1 ,arnold1 panic-stricken1 had sped his caitiff flight through the ,highlands2 infamy howling in his rear2 arrest threatening him in the advance2 a fugitive past the posts which he had recently commanded2 shrinking at the sight of that flag which hitherto it had been his glory to defend6 ,he had passed through the ,highlands in safety1 but there were the batteries at ,verplanck's ,point yet to fear4 ,fortunately for him1 ,hamilton1 with the order for his arrest had not arrived there4 ,his barge was known by the garrison4 ,a white handkerchief displayed gave it the sanction of a flag of truce3 it was suffered to pass without question1 and the traitor effected his escape to the ,vulture sloop-of-war1 anchored a few miles below4 ,as if to consummate his degradation by a despicable act of treachery and meanness1 he gave up to the commander his coxswain and six bargemen as prisoners of war4 ,we are happy to add that this perfidy excited the scorn of the ,british officers2 and1 when it was found that the men had supposed they were acting under the protection of a flag1 they were released by order of ,sir ,henry ,clinton4 ,colonel ,hamilton returned to the ,robinson ,house and reported the escape of the traitor4 ,he brought two letters also to ,washington1 which had been sent on shore from the ,vulture1 under a flag of truce4 ,one was from ,arnold1 in which he wrote3 ,i ask no favor for myself4 ,i have too often experienced the ingratitude of my country to attempt it2 but1 from the known humanity of your ,excellency1 ,i am induced to ask your protection for ,mrs4 ,arnold from every insult and injury that a mistaken vengeance of my country may expose her to4444 ,i beg she may be permitted to return to her friends in ,philadelphia1 or to come to me as she may choose4 ,the other letter was from ,colonel ,beverley ,robinson1 interceding for the release of ,andr1 on the plea that he was on shore under the sanction of a flag of truce1 at the request of ,arnold4 ,notwithstanding ,washington's apparent tranquillity and real self-possession1 it was a time of appalling distrust4 ,how far the treason had extended1 who else might be implicated in it1 was unknown4 ,arnold had escaped1 and was actually on board of the ,vulture2 he knew everything about the condition of the posts3 might he not persuade the enemy in the present weak state of the garrisons to attempt a coup de main8 ,washington instantly1 therefore1 despatched a letter to ,colonel ,wade1 who was in temporary command at ,west ,point4 ,general ,arnold is gone to the enemy1 writes he4 ,i request that you will be as vigilant as possible1 and as the enemy may have it in contemplation to attempt some enterprise1 even to-night1 against these posts1 ,i wish you to make1 immediately after the receipt of this1 the best disposition you can of your force1 so as to have a proportion of men in each work on the west side of the river4 ,a regiment stationed in the ,highlands was ordered to the same duty1 as well as a body of the ,massachusetts militia from ,fishkill4 ,at half-past seven in the evening1 ,washington wrote to ,general ,greene1 who1 in his absence1 commanded the army at ,tappan2 urging him to put the left division in motion as soon as possible1 with orders to proceed to ,king's ,ferry1 where1 or before they should arrive there1 they would be met with further orders4 ,in the meantime1 ,mrs4 ,arnold remained in her room in a state bordering on frenzy4 ,arnold might well confide in the humanity and delicacy of ,washington in respect to her4 ,he regarded her with the sincerest commiseration1 acquitting her of all previous knowledge of her husband's guilt4 ,during the brief time she remained at the ,robinson ,house1 she was treated with the utmost deference and delicacy1 but soon set off under a passport of ,washington1 for her father's house in ,philadelphia4 ,on the #bfth of ,september1 the day after the treason of ,arnold had been revealed to ,washington1 ,andr arrived at the ,robinson ,house1 having been brought on in the night1 under escort and in charge of ,major ,tallmadge4 ,washington made many inquiries of the major1 but declined to have the prisoner brought into his presence1 apparently entertaining a strong idea of his moral obliquity1 from the nature of the scheme in which he had been engaged1 and the circumstances under which he had been arrested4 ,the same evening he transmitted him to ,west ,point1 and shortly afterwards1 ,joshua ,h4 ,smith1 who had likewise been arrested4 ,still1 not considering them secure even there1 he determined on the following day to send them on to the camp4 ,major ,tallmadge continued to have the charge of ,andr4 ,not regarding him from the same anxious point with the commander-in-chief1 and having had opportunities of acquiring a personal knowledge of him1 he had become fascinated by his engaging qualities4 ,the ease and affability of his manners1 writes he1 polished by the refinement of good society and a finished education1 made him a most delightful companion4 ,it often drew tears from my eyes to find him so agreeable in conversation on different subjects1 when ,i reflected on his future fate1 and that too1 as ,i feared1 so near at hand4 ,early on the morning of the #bhth1 the prisoners were embarked in a barge1 to be conveyed from ,west ,point to ,king's ,ferry4 ,after disembarking at ,king's ,ferry1 near ,stony ,point1 they set off for ,tappan under the escort of a body of horse4 ,as they approached the ,clove1 a deep defile in the rear of the ,highlands1 ,andr1 who rode beside ,tallmadge1 became solicitous to know the opinion of the latter as to what would be the result of his capture1 and in what light he would be regarded by ,general ,washington and by a military tribunal1 should one be ordered4 ,tallmadge evaded the question as long as possible1 but being urged to a full and explicit reply1 gave it1 he says1 in the following words3 ,i had a much-loved classmate in ,yale ,college1 by the name of ,nathan ,hale1 who entered the army in #agge4 ,immediately after the battle of ,long ,island1 ,general ,washington wanted information respecting the strength1 position1 and probable movements of the enemy4 ,captain ,hale tendered his services1 went over to ,brooklyn1 and was taken1 just as he was passing the outposts of the enemy on his return2 said ,i with emphasis--',do you remember the sequel of the story8' ',yes1' said ,andr4 ',he was hanged as a spy6 ,but you surely do not consider his case and mine alike8' ',yes1 precisely similar4'#c ,footnote #c3 ,the fate of the heroic youth here alluded to1 deserves a more ample notice4 ,born in ,coventry1 ,connecticut1 ,june #fth1 #agee1 he entered ,yale ,college in #aggj1 and graduated with some distinction in ,september1 #aggc4 ,on quitting college he engaged as a teacher1 as is common with young men in ,new ,england1 while studying for a profession4 ,his half-formed purpose was to devote himself to the ministry4 ,he was teaching at ,new ,london1 when an express arrived1 bringing tidings of the outbreak at ,lexington4 ,a town meeting was called1 and ,hale was among the most ardent of the speakers1 proposing an instant march to the scene of hostilities1 and offering to volunteer4 ,he served in the army before ,boston as a lieutenant2 prevailed on his company to extend their term of service by offering them his own pay1 and for his good conduct received from ,congress the commission of captain4 ,he commanded a company in ,colonel ,knowlton's regiment in the following year4 ,after the disastrous battle of ,long ,island1 ,washington applied to that officer for a competent person to penetrate the enemy's camp1 and procure intelligence of their designs4 ,hale1 in the ardor of patriotism1 volunteered for the unenviable enterprise1 though fully aware of its peril1 and the consequences of capture4 ,assuming his old character as schoolmaster1 he crossed the ,sound at night from ,norwalk to ,huntington on ,long ,island1 visited the ,british encampments unsuspected1 made drawings of the enemy's works1 and noted down memoranda in ,latin of the information he gathered1 and then retraced his steps to ,huntington1 where a boat was to meet him and convey him back to the ,connecticut shore4 ,unfortunately a ,british guard ship was at that time anchored out of view in the ,sound1 and had sent a boat on shore for water4 ,hale mistook it for the expected boat1 and did not discover his mistake until he found himself in the hands of enemies4 ,he was stripped and searched1 the plans and memoranda were found concealed in the soles of his shoes1 and proved him to be a spy4 ,he was conveyed to the guard ship1 and thence to ,new ,york1 where he was landed on the #bast of ,september1 the day of the great fire4 ,he was taken to ,general ,howe's head-quarters1 and after brief parley with his judge1 ordered for execution the next morning at daybreak4 ,his patriot spirit shone forth in his dying words--,i only regret that ,i have but one life to lose for my country4 ,the capture of ,andr caused a great sensation at ,new ,york4 ,he was universally popular with the army1 and an especial favorite of ,sir ,henry ,clinton4 ,the latter addressed a letter to ,washington on the #bith1 claiming the release of ,andr on similar ground to that urged by ,colonel ,robinson--his having visited ,arnold at the particular request of that general officer1 and under the sanction of a flag of truce2 and his having been stopped while travelling under ,arnold's passports4 ,the same letter inclosed one addressed by ,arnold to ,sir ,henry1 and intended as a kind of certificate of the innocence of ,andr4 ,i commanded at the time at ,west ,point1 writes the renegade1 had an undoubted right to send my flag of truce to ,major ,andr1 who came to me under that protection1 and1 having held conversation with him1 ,i delivered him confidential papers in my own hand-writing to deliver to your ,excellency4 ,neither the official demand of ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 nor the impudent certificate of ,arnold1 had any effect on the steady mind of ,washington4 ,he considered the circumstances under which ,andr had been taken such as would have justified the most summary proceedings1 but he determined to refer the case to the examination and decision of a board of general officers1 which he convened on the #bith of ,september1 the day after his arrival at ,tappan4 ,it was composed of six major-generals--,greene1 ,stirling1 ,st4 ,clair1 ,lafayette1 ,r4 ,howe1 and ,steuben2 and eight brigadiers--,parsons1 ,jas4 ,clinton1 ,knox1 ,glover1 ,paterson1 ,hand1 ,huntingdon1 and ,stark4 ,general ,greene1 who was well versed in military law1 and was a man of sound head and kind heart1 was president1 and ,colonel ,john ,lawrence1 judge advocate-general4 ,colonel ,alexander ,hamilton gives1 in letters to his friends1 many interesting particulars concerning the conduct of the prisoner4 ,when brought before the board of officers1 writes he1 he met with every mark of indulgence1 and was required to answer no interrogatory which would even embarrass his feelings4 ,on his part1 while he carefully concealed everything that might implicate others1 he frankly confessed all the facts relating to himself1 and upon his confession1 without the trouble of examining a witness1 the board made up their report4 ,it briefly stated the circumstances of the case1 and concluded with the opinion of the court1 that ,major ,andr1 adjutant-general of the ,british army1 ought to be considered a spy from the enemy1 and1 agreeably to the law and usage of nations1 ought to suffer death4 ,andr met the result with manly firmness4 ,even in this situation of gathering horrors1 he thought of others more than of himself4 ,there is only one thing that disturbs my tranquillity1 said he to ,hamilton4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton has been too good to me2 he has been lavish of his kindness4 ,i am bound to him by too many obligations1 and love him too well1 to bear the thought that he should reproach himself1 or others should reproach him1 on the supposition of my having conceived myself obliged1 by his instructions1 to run the risk ,i did4 ,i would not for the world leave a sting in his mind that should embitter his future days4 ,he could scarce finish the sentence2 bursting into tears1 in spite of his efforts to suppress them1 and with difficulty collected himself enough afterwards to add1 ,i wish to be permitted to assure him that ,i did not act under this impression1 but submitted to a necessity imposed upon me1 as contrary to my own inclination as to his wishes4 ,his request was complied with1 and he wrote a letter to ,sir ,henry ,clinton to the above purport4 ,he made mention also of his mother and three sisters1 to whom the value of his commission would be an object4 ,it is needless1 said he1 to be more explicit on this subject2 ,i am persuaded of your ,excellency's goodness4 ,this letter accompanied one from ,washington to ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 stating the report of the board of inquiry1 omitting the sentence4 ,captain ,aaron ,ogden1 a worthy officer of the ,new ,jersey line1 was selected by ,washington to bear these despatches to the enemy's post at ,paulus ,hook1 thence to be conveyed across the ,hudson to ,new ,york4 ,before his departure1 he called by ,washington's request on the ,marquis ,lafayette1 who gave him instructions to sound the officer commanding at that post whether ,sir ,henry ,clinton might not be willing to deliver up ,arnold in exchange for ,andr4 ,ogden arrived at ,paulus ,hook in the evening1 and made the suggestion1 as if incidentally1 in the course of conversation4 ,the officer crossed the river before morning1 and communicated the matter to ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 but the latter instantly rejected the expedient as incompatible with honor and military principle4 ,the execution was to have taken place on the #ast of ,october1 at five o'clock in the afternoon2 but in the interim ,washington received a second letter from ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 dated ,september #cjth1 expressing an opinion that the board of inquiry had not been rightly informed of all the circumstances on which a judgment ought to be formed1 and that1 in order that he might be perfectly apprised of the state of the matter before he proceeded to put that judgment in execution1 he should send a commission on the following day1 composed of ,lieutenant-governor ,elliot1 ,william ,smith1 chief justice of the province1 and ,lieutenant-general ,robertson1 to wait near ,dobbs' ,ferry for permission and safe conduct to meet ,washington1 or such persons as he should appoint to converse with them on the subject4 ,this letter caused a postponement of the execution1 and ,general ,greene was sent to meet the commissioners at ,dobbs' ,ferry4 ,they came up in the morning of the #ast of ,october1 in a schooner1 with a flag of truce1 and were accompanied by ,colonel ,beverley ,robinson4 ,general ,robertson1 however1 was the only commissioner permitted to land1 the others not being military officers4 ,a long conference took place between him and ,general ,greene1 without any agreement of opinion upon the question at issue4 ,greene returned to camp promising to report faithfully to ,washington the arguments urged by ,robertson1 and to inform the latter of the result4 ,greene1 in a brief letter to ,general ,robertson1 informed him that he had as full a report of their conference to the commander-in-chief as his memory would serve1 but that it had made no alteration in ,washington's opinion and determination4 ,robertson was piqued at the brevity of the note1 and professed to doubt whether ,greene's memory had served him with sufficient fulness and exactness2 he addressed therefore to ,washington his own statement of his reasoning on the subject2 after despatching which1 he and the other commissioners returned in the schooner to ,new ,york4 ,illustration3 ,,major ,,john ,,andr4 ,vol4 ,,iv4 ,during this day of respite ,andr had conducted himself with his usual tranquillity4 ,a likeness of himself1 seated at a table in his guard-room1 which he sketched with a pen and gave to the officer on guard1 is still extant4 ,it being announced to him that one o'clock on the following day was fixed on for his execution1 he remarked1 that since it was his lot to die1 there was still a choice in the mode2 he therefore addressed a note to ,washington1 concluding as follows3 ,let me hope1 sir1 that if aught in my character impresses you with esteem towards me2 if aught in my misfortunes marks me as the victim of policy and not of resentment1 ,i shall experience the operation of these feelings in your breast by being informed that ,i am not to die on a gibbet4 ,had ,washington consulted his feelings merely1 this affecting appeal might not have been in vain1 for1 though not impulsive1 he was eminently benevolent4 ,he had no popular censure to apprehend should he exercise indulgence1 for the popular feeling was with the prisoner4 ,but he had a high and tenacious sense of the duties and responsibilities of his position1 and never more than in this trying moment1 when he had to elevate himself above the contagious sympathies of those around him1 dismiss all personal considerations1 and regard the peculiar circumstances of the case4 ,the long course of insidious operations which had been pursued to undermine the loyalty of one of his most trusted officers2 the greatness of the evil which the treason would have effected1 if successful2 the uncertainty how far the enemy had carried1 or might still be carrying1 their scheme of corruption1 for anonymous intimations spoke of treachery in other quarters2 all these considerations pointed this out as a case in which a signal example was required4 ,he took counsel with some of his general officers4 ,their opinions coincided with his own--that under present circumstances1 it was important to give a signal warning to the enemy1 by a rigorous observance of the rules of war and the usages of nations in like cases4 ,but although ,andr's request as to the mode of his death was not to be granted1 it was thought best to let him remain in uncertainty on the subject2 no answer1 therefore1 was returned to his note4 ,on the morning of the #b;d1 he maintained a calm demeanor1 though all around him were gloomy and silent4 ,he even rebuked his servant for shedding tears4 ,having breakfasted1 he dressed himself with care in the full uniform of a ,british officer1 which he had sent for to ,new ,york1 placed his hat upon the table1 and accosting the officers on guard--,i am ready1 said he1 at any moment gentlemen to wait upon you4 ,he walked to the place of execution between two subaltern officers1 arm in arm1 with a serene countenance1 bowing to several gentlemen whom he knew4 ,colonel ,tallmadge accompanied him1 and we quote his words3 ,when he came within sight of the gibbet1 he appeared to be startled1 and inquired with some emotion whether he was not to be shot4 ,being informed that the mode first appointed for his death could not consistently be altered1 he exclaimed1 ',how hard is my fate6' but immediately added1 'it will soon be over4' ,i then shook hands with him under the gallows1 and retired4 ,all things being ready1 he stepped into the wagon2 appeared to shrink for an instant1 but recovering himself1 exclaimed3 ,it will be but a momentary pang6 ,taking off his hat and stock1 and opening his shirt collar1 he deliberately adjusted the noose to his neck1 after which he took out a handkerchief1 and tied it over his eyes4 ,being told by the officer in command that his arms must be bound1 he drew out a second handkerchief1 with which they were pinioned4 ,colonel ,scammel now told him that he had an opportunity to speak1 if he desired it4 ,his only reply was1 ,i pray you to bear witness that ,i meet my fate like a brave man4 ,the wagon moved from under him1 and left him suspended4 ,he died almost without a struggle4 ,his remains were interred within a few yards of the place of his execution2 whence they were transferred to ,england in #ahba1 by the ,british consul1 then resident in ,new ,york1 and were buried in ,westminster ,abbey1 near a mural monument which had been erected to his memory4 ,washington1 in a letter to the ,president of ,congress1 passed a high eulogium on the captors of ,andr1 and recommended them for a handsome gratuity4 ,congress accordingly expressed1 in a formal vote1 a high sense of their virtuous and patriotic conduct2 awarded to each of them a farm1 a pension for life of two hundred dollars1 and a silver medal1 bearing on one side an escutcheon on which was engraved the word ,,fidelity1 and on the other side the motto1 ,vincit amor ,patri4 ,these medals were delivered to them by ,general ,washington at head-quarters1 with impressive ceremony4 ,joshua ,h4 ,smith1 who aided in bringing ,andr and ,arnold together1 was tried by a court-martial1 on a charge of participating in the treason1 but was acquitted1 no proof appearing of his having had any knowledge of ,arnold's plot1 though it was thought he must have been conscious of something wrong in an interview so mysteriously conducted4 ,arnold was now made brigadier-general in the ,british service1 and put on an official level with honorable men who scorned to associate with the traitor4 ,what golden reward he was to have received had his treason been successful1 is not known2 but six thousand three hundred and fifteen pounds sterling were paid to him1 as a compensation for losses which he pretended to have suffered in going over to the enemies of his country4 ,the vilest culprit1 however1 shrinks from sustaining the obloquy of his crimes4 ,shortly after his arrival in ,new ,york1 ,arnold published an address to the ,inhabitants of ,america1 in which he endeavored to vindicate his conduct4 ,he alleged that he had originally taken up arms merely to aid in obtaining a redress of grievances4 ,he had considered the ,declaration of ,independence precipitate1 and the reasons for it obviated1 by the subsequent proffers of the ,british government2 and he inveighed against ,congress for rejecting those offers1 without submitting them to the people4 ,finally1 the treaty with ,france1 a proud1 ancient and crafty foe1 the enemy of the ,protestant faith and of real liberty1 had completed1 he said1 the measure of his indignation1 and determined him to abandon a cause sustained by iniquity and controlled by usurpers4 ,besides this address1 he issued a proclamation inviting the officers and soldiers of the ,american army1 who had the real interest of their country at heart1 and who were determined to be no longer the tools and dupes of ,congress1 and of ,france1 to rally under the royal standard1 and fight for true ,american liberty2 holding out promises of large bounties and liberal subsistence1 with compensation for all the implements and accoutrements of war they might bring with them4 ,both the address and the proclamation were regarded by ,americans with the contempt they merited4 ,none rallied to the standard of the renegade but a few deserters and refugees1 who were already within the ,british lines1 and prepared for any desperate or despicable service4 ,mrs4 ,arnold1 on arriving at her father's house in ,philadelphia1 had decided on a separation from her husband1 to whom she could not endure the thoughts of returning after his dishonor4 ,this course1 however1 was not allowed her4 ,the executive council1 wrongfully suspecting her of having aided in the correspondence between her husband and ,andr1 knowing its treasonable tendency1 ordered her to leave the ,state within fourteen days1 and not to return during the continuance of the war4 ,we tried every means1 writes one of her connections1 to prevail on the council to permit her to stay among us4 ,it was all in vain1 and1 strongly against her will1 she rejoined her husband in ,new ,york4 ,she returned home but once1 about five years after her exile1 and was treated with such coldness and neglect that she declared she never could come again4 ,in ,england her charms and virtues1 it is said1 procured her sympathy and friendship1 and helped to sustain the social position of her husband1 who1 however1 was generally slighted1 and sometimes insulted4 ,she died in ,london1 in the winter of #agif4 ,,chapter ,,lviii4 ,,plan ,,to ,,entrap ,,arnold4--,,projects ,,against ,,new ,,york4 ,at this time a plan was formed at ,washington's suggestion to get possession of the person of ,arnold4 ,the agent pitched upon by ,lee for the purpose1 was the sergeant-major of cavalry in his legion1 ,john ,champe by name1 a young ,virginian about twenty-four years of age4 ,by many promises and much persuasion1 ,lee brought him to engage in the attempt4 ,champe was to make a pretended desertion to the enemy at ,new ,york4 ,there he was to enlist in a corps which ,arnold was raising1 insinuate himself into some menial or military situation about his person1 and watching for a favorable moment1 was1 with the aid of a confederate from ,newark1 to seize him in the night1 gag him1 and bring him across the ,hudson into ,bergen woods1 in the ,jerseys4 ,washington1 in approving the plan1 enjoined and stipulated that ,arnold should be brought to him alive4 ,the pretended desertion of the sergeant took place on the night of ,october #bjth1 and was attended with difficulties4 ,he had to evade patrols of horse and foot1 beside stationary guards and irregular scouting parties4 ,major ,lee could render him no assistance other than to delay pursuit1 should his departure be discovered4 ,about eleven o'clock the sergeant took his cloak1 valise1 and orderly book1 drew his horse from the picket1 and mounting1 set out on his hazardous course1 while the major retired to rest4 ,he had not been in bed half an hour1 when ,captain ,carnes1 officer of the day1 hurrying into his quarters1 gave word that one of the patrols had fallen in with a dragoon1 who1 on being challenged1 put spurs to his horse1 and escaped4 ,lee pretended to be annoyed by the intrusion1 and to believe that the pretended dragoon was some countryman of the neighborhood4 ,the captain was piqued2 made a muster of the dragoons1 and returned with word that the sergeant-major was missing1 who had gone off with horse1 baggage1 arms1 and orderly book4 ,lee was now compelled to order out a party in pursuit under ,cornet ,middleton1 but in so doing1 he contrived so many delays1 that1 by the time they were in the saddle1 ,champe had an hour's start4 ,his pursuers1 too1 were obliged in the course of the night1 to halt occasionally1 dismount and examine the road1 to guide themselves by the horse's tracks4 ,at daybreak they pressed forward more rapidly1 and from the summit of a hill descried ,champe not more than half a mile in front4 ,the sergeant at the same moment caught sight of his pursuers1 and now the chase became desperate4 ,champe had originally intended to make for ,paulus ,hook but changed his course1 threw his pursuers at fault1 and succeeded in getting abreast of two ,british galleys at anchor near the shore beyond ,bergen4 ,he had no time to lose4 ,cornet ,middleton was but two or three hundred yards behind him4 ,throwing himself off his horse1 and running through a marsh1 he plunged into the river1 and called to the galleys for help4 ,a boat was sent to his assistance1 and he was conveyed on board of one of those vessels4 ,for a time the whole plan promised to be successful4 ,champe enlisted in ,arnold's corps2 was employed about his person2 and every arrangement was made to surprise him at night in a garden in the rear of his quarters1 convey him to a boat1 and ferry him across the ,hudson4 ,on the appointed night1 ,lee1 with three dragoons and three led horses1 was in the woods of ,hoboken1 on the ,jersey shore1 waiting to receive the captive4 ,hour after hour passed away--no boat approached--day broke2 and the major with his dragoons and his led horses1 returned perplexed and disappointed to the camp4 ,it subsequently proved that on the day preceding the night fixed on for the capture1 ,arnold had removed his quarters to another part of the town1 and that the ,american legion1 consisting chiefly of ,american deserters1 had been transferred from their barracks to one of the transports4 ,among the troops thus transferred was ,john ,champe3 nor was he able for a long time to effect his escape1 and resume his real character of a loyal and patriotic soldier4 ,he was rewarded when he did so1 by the munificence of the commander-in-chief1 and the admiration of his old comrades in arms4 ,we have here to note the altered fortunes of the once prosperous ,general ,gates4 ,the sudden annihilation of an army from which so much had been expected1 and the retreat of the general before the field was absolutely lost1 appeared to demand a strict investigation4 ,congress therefore passed a resolution 7,october #eth71 requiring ,washington to order a court of inquiry into the conduct of ,gates as commander of the ,southern army1 and to appoint some other officer to the command until the inquiry should be made4 ,washington at once selected ,greene for the important trust4 ,his choice was in concurrence with the expressed wishes of the delegates of the three ,southern ,states1 conveyed to him by one of their number4 ,with regard to the court of inquiry1 ,baron ,steuben1 who was to accompany ,greene to the ,south was to preside1 and the members of the court were to be such general and field-officers of the ,continental troops as were not present at the battle of ,camden1 or having been present1 were not wanted as witnesses1 or were persons to whom ,general ,gates had no objection4 ,the affair was to be conducted with the greatest impartiality1 and with as much despatch as circumstances would permit4 ,ravaging incursions from ,canada had harassed the northern parts of the ,state of ,new ,york of late1 and laid desolate some parts of the country from which ,washington had hoped to receive great supplies of flour for the armies4 ,major ,carleton1 a nephew of ,sir ,guy1 at the head of a motley force1 ,european1 ,tory1 and ,indian1 had captured ,forts ,anne and ,george4 ,sir ,john ,johnson also1 with ,joseph ,brant1 and a mongrel half-savage crew1 had laid waste the fertile region of the ,mohawk ,river1 and burned the villages of ,schoharie and ,caughnawaga4 ,the greatest alarm prevailed throughout the neighboring country4 ,governor ,clinton himself took the field at the head of the militia1 but before he arrived at the scene of mischief1 the marauders had been encountered and driven back by ,general ,van ,rensselaer and the militia of those parts2 not1 however1 until they had nearly destroyed the settlements on the ,mohawk4 ,washington now put ,brigadier-general ,james ,clinton 7the governor's brother7 in command of the ,northern department4 ,the state of the army was growing more and more a subject of solicitude to the commander-in-chief4 ,he felt weary of struggling on with such scanty means1 and such vast responsibility4 ,the campaign1 which at its commencement had seemed pregnant with favorable events1 had proved sterile and inactive1 and was drawing to a close4 ,the short terms for which most of the troops were enlisted must soon expire1 and then the present army would be reduced to a mere shadow4 ,to suppose1 writes he1 that this great ,revolution can be accomplished by a temporary army1 that this army will be subsisted by ,state supplies1 and that taxation alone is adequate to our wants1 is in my opinion absurd1 and as unreasonable as to expect an inversion in the order of nature to accommodate itself to our views4 ,if it was necessary1 it could be proved to any person of a moderate understanding1 that an annual army1 raised on the spur of the occasion1 besides being unqualified for the end designed1 is1 in various ways which could be enumerated1 ten times more expensive than a permanent body of men under good organization and military discipline1 which never was nor ever will be the case with new troops4 ,we will here add that the repeated and elaborate reasonings of ,washington1 backed by dear bought experience1 slowly brought ,congress to adopt a system suggested by him for the organization and support of the army1 according to which1 troops were to be enlisted to serve throughout the war1 and all officers who continued in service until the return of peace were to receive half pay during life4 ,the ,marquis ,lafayette at this time commanded the advance guard of ,washington's army1 composed of six battalions of light infantry4 ,they were better clad than the other soldiery2 in trim uniforms1 leathern helmets1 with crests of horse-hair4 ,the officers were armed with spontoons1 the non-commissioned officers with fusees2 both with short sabres which the marquis had brought from ,france1 and presented to them4 ,he was proud of his troops1 and had a young man's ardor for active service4 ,the inactivity which had prevailed for some time past was intolerable to him4 ,the marquis saw with repining the campaign drawing to a close1 and nothing done that would rouse the people in ,america1 and be spoken of at the ,court of ,versailles4 ,he was urgent with ,washington that the campaign should be terminated by some brilliant stroke4 ,complaints1 he hinted1 had been made in ,france of the prevailing inactivity4 ,the brilliant stroke1 suggested with some detail by the marquis1 was a general attack upon ,fort ,washington1 and the other posts at the north end of the island of ,new ,york1 and1 under certain circumstances1 which he specified1 make a push for the city4 ,washington regarded the project of his young and ardent friend with a more sober and cautious eye4 ,it is impossible1 my dear marquis1 replies he1 to desire more ardently than ,i do to terminate the campaign by some happy stroke2 but we must consult our means rather than our wishes1 and not endeavor to better our affairs by attempting things1 which for want of success may make them worse4444 ,it would1 in my opinion1 be imprudent to throw an army of ten thousand men upon an island1 against nine thousand1 exclusive of seamen and militia4 ,this1 from the accounts we have1 appears to be the enemy's force4 ,all we can do at present1 therefore1 is to endeavor to gain a more certain knowledge of their situation1 and act accordingly4 ,the ,british posts in question were accordingly reconnoitred from the opposite banks of the ,hudson1 by ,colonel ,gouvion1 an able ,french engineer4 ,preparations were made to carry the scheme into effect1 should it be determined upon1 when news was received of the unexpected and accidental appearance of several ,british armed vessels in the ,hudson2 the effect was to disconcert the plan and finally to cause it to be abandoned4 ,some parts of the scheme were attended with success4 ,the veteran ,stark1 with a detachment of twenty-five hundred men1 made an extensive forage in ,westchester ,county1 and ,major ,tallmadge with eighty men1 chiefly dismounted dragoons of ,sheldon's regiment1 crossed in boats from the ,connecticut shore to ,long ,island1 where the ,sound was twenty miles wide2 traversed the island on the night of the #bb;d of ,november1 surprised ,fort ,george at ,coram1 captured the garrison of fifty-two men1 demolished the fort1 set fire to magazines of forage1 and recrossed the ,sound to ,fairfield1 without the loss of a man3 an achievement which drew forth a high eulogium from ,congress4 ,at the end of ,november the army went into winter-quarters2 the ,pennsylvania line in the neighborhood of ,morristown1 the ,jersey line about ,pompton1 the ,new ,england troops at ,west ,point1 and the other posts of the ,highlands2 and the ,new ,york line was stationed at ,albany1 to guard against any invasion from ,canada4 ,the ,french army remained stationed at ,newport1 excepting the ,duke of ,lauzun's legion1 which was cantoned at ,lebanon in ,connecticut4 ,washington's head-quarters were established at ,new ,windsor1 on the ,hudson4 ,we will now turn to the ,south to note the course of affairs in that quarter during the last few months4 ,,chapter ,,lix4 ,,the ,,war ,,in ,,the ,,south4--,,battle ,,of ,,king',s ,,mountain4 ,cornwallis having1 as he supposed1 entirely crushed the rebel cause in ,south ,carolina1 by the defeats of ,gates and ,sumter1 remained for some time at ,camden1 detained by the excessive heat of the weather and the sickness of part of his troops1 broken down by the hardships of campaigning under a southern sun4 ,he awaited also supplies and reinforcements4 ,immediately after the victory at ,camden1 he had ordered the friends to royalty in ,north ,carolina to arm and intercept the beaten army of ,general ,gates1 promising that he would march directly to the borders of that province in their support3 he now detached ,major ,patrick ,ferguson to its western confines1 to keep the war alive in that quarter4 ,this resolute partisan had with him his own corps of light infantry1 and a body of royalist militia of his own training4 ,his whole force was between eleven and twelve hundred men1 noted for activity and alertness1 and unincumbered with baggage or artillery4 ,his orders were to skirr the mountain country between the ,catawba and the ,yadkin1 harass the whigs1 inspirit the tories1 and embody the militia under the royal banner4 ,this done1 he was to repair to ,charlotte1 the capital of ,mecklenburg ,county1 where he would find ,lord ,cornwallis1 who intended to make it his rendezvous4 ,should he1 however1 in the course of his tour1 be threatened by a superior force1 he was immediately to return to the main army4 ,during the suspense of his active operations in the field1 ,cornwallis instituted rigorous measures against ,americans who continued under arms4 ,among these were included many who had taken refuge in ,north ,carolina4 ,a commissioner was appointed to take possession of their estates and property2 of the annual product of which a part was to be allowed for the support of their families1 the residue to be applied to the maintenance of the war4 ,letters from several of the principal inhabitants of ,charleston having been found in the baggage of the captured ,american generals1 the former were accused of breaking their parole1 and holding a treasonable correspondence with the armed enemies of ,england2 they were in consequence confined on board of prison ships1 and afterwards transported to ,st4 ,augustine in ,florida4 ,among the prisoners taken in the late combats1 many1 it was discovered1 had ,british protections in their pockets2 these were deemed amenable to the penalties of the proclamation issued by ,sir ,henry ,clinton on the #c;d of ,june2 they were therefore led forth from the provost and hanged almost without the form of an inquiry4 ,these measures certainly were not in keeping with the character for moderation and benevolence usually given to ,lord ,cornwallis2 but they accorded with the rancorous spirit manifested toward each other both by whigs and tories in ,southern warfare4 ,cornwallis decamped from ,camden1 and set out for ,north ,carolina4 ,in the subjugation of that province1 he counted on the co-operation of the troops which ,sir ,henry ,clinton was to send to the lower part of ,virginia1 which1 after reducing the ,virginians to obedience1 were to join his lordship's standard on the confines of ,north ,carolina4 ,advancing into the latter province1 he took post at ,charlotte1 where he had given rendezvous to ,ferguson4 ,the surrounding country was wild and rugged1 covered with close and thick woods1 and crossed in every direction by narrow roads4 ,the inhabitants were stanch whigs1 with the pugnacious spirit of the old ,covenanters4 ,instead of remaining at home and receiving the king's money in exchange for their produce1 they turned out with their rifles1 stationed themselves in covert places1 and fired upon the foraging parties2 convoys of provisions from ,camden had to fight their way1 and expresses were shot down and their despatches seized4 ,the capture of his expresses was a sore annoyance to ,cornwallis1 depriving him of all intelligence concerning the movements of ,colonel ,ferguson1 whose arrival he was anxiously awaiting4 ,the expedition of that doughty partisan officer here calls for especial notice4 ,he had been chosen for this military tour as being calculated to gain friends by his conciliating disposition and manners4 ,he however1 had a loyal hatred of whigs1 and to his standard flocked many rancorous tories1 besides outlaws and desperadoes1 so that his progress through the country was attended by many exasperating excesses4 ,he was on his way to join ,cornwallis when a chance for a signal exploit presented itself4 ,an ,american force under ,colonel ,elijah ,clarke1 of ,georgia1 was retreating to the mountain districts of ,north ,carolina1 after an unsuccessful attack upon the ,british post at ,augusta4 ,ferguson resolved to cut off their retreat4 ,turning towards the mountains1 he made his way through a rugged wilderness and took post at ,gilbert-town1 a small frontier village of log-houses4 ,all of a sudden1 say the ,british chroniclers just cited1 a numerous1 fierce and unexpected enemy sprung up in the depths of the desert4 ,the scattered inhabitants of the mountains assembled without noise or warning1 under the conduct of six or seven of their militia colonels1 to the number of six hundred strong1 daring1 well-mounted and excellent horsemen4 ,these were the people of the mountains which form the frontiers of the ,carolinas and ,georgia1 mountain men1 as they were commonly called1 a hardy race1 half huntsmen1 half herdsmen4 ,beside these1 there were other elements of war suddenly gathering in ,ferguson's vicinity4 ,a band of what were termed the wild and fierce inhabitants of ,kentucky1 with men from other settlements west of the ,alleghanies1 had crossed the mountains1 led by ,colonels ,campbell and ,boone1 to pounce upon a quantity of ,indian goods at ,augusta2 but had pulled up on hearing of the repulse of ,clarke4 ,the stout yeomen1 also1 of the district of ,ninety-,six1 roused by the marauds of ,ferguson1 had taken the field1 under the conduct of ,colonel ,james ,williams1 of ,granville ,county4 ,here1 too1 were hard-riders and sharp-shooters1 from ,holston ,river1 ,powel's ,valley1 ,botetourt1 ,fincastle1 and other parts of ,virginia1 commanded by ,colonels ,campbell1 ,cleveland1 ,shelby and ,sevier4 ,such were the different bodies of mountaineers and backwoodsmen1 suddenly drawing together from various parts to the number of three thousand4 ,in this exigency1 ,ferguson remembered the instructions of ,cornwallis1 that he should rejoin him should he find himself threatened by a superior force2 breaking up his quarters1 therefore1 he pushed for the ,british army1 sending messengers ahead to apprise his lordship of his danger4 ,unfortunately for him1 his missives were intercepted4 ,gilbert-town had not long been vacated by ,ferguson and his troops1 when the motley host we have described thronged in4 ,some were on foot1 but the greater part on horseback4 ,some were in homespun garb2 but the most part in hunting-shirts4 ,each man had his long rifle and hunting-knife1 his wallet1 or knapsack and blanket1 and either a buck's tail or sprig of evergreen in his hat4 ,there was neither tent nor tent equipage1 neither baggage nor baggage-wagon to encumber the movements of that extemporaneous host4 ,being told that ,ferguson had retreated by the ,cherokee road toward ,north ,carolina1 about nine hundred of the hardiest and best mounted set out in urgent pursuit2 leaving those who were on foot1 or weakly mounted1 to follow on as fast as possible4 ,colonel ,william ,campbell1 of ,virginia1 having come from the greatest distance was allowed to have command of the whole party2 but there was not much order nor subordination4 ,each colonel led his own men in his own way4 ,a rapid and irregular march was kept up all night in murky darkness and through a heavy rain4 ,about daybreak they crossed ,broad ,river1 where an attack was apprehended4 ,not finding the enemy1 they halted1 lit their fires1 made their morning's meal1 and took a brief repose4 ,by nine o'clock they were again on the march4 ,the rainy night had been succeeded by a bright ,october morning1 and all were in high spirits4 ,ferguson1 they learnt1 had taken the road toward ,king's ,mountain1 about twelve miles distant4 ,when within three miles of it their scouts brought in word that he had taken post on its summit4 ,the officers now held a short consultation on horseback1 and then proceeded4 ,the position taken by ,ferguson was a strong one4 ,king's ,mountain rises out of a broken country1 and is detached1 on the north1 from inferior heights by a deep valley1 so as to resemble an insulated promontory about half a mile in length1 with sloping sides1 excepting on the north4 ,the mountain was covered for the most part with lofty forest trees1 free from underwood1 interspersed with boulders and masses of gray rock4 ,the forest was sufficiently open to give free passage to horsemen4 ,dismounting at a small stream which runs through a ravine1 the ,americans picketed their horses or tied them to the branches of the trees1 and gave them in charge of a small guard4 ,they then formed themselves into three divisions of nearly equal size1 and prepared to storm the heights on three sides4 ,campbell1 seconded by ,shelby1 was to lead the centre division2 ,sevier with ,mc,dowell the right1 and ,cleveland and ,williams the left4 ,the divisions were to scale the mountain as nearly as possible at the same time4 ,the fighting directions were in frontier style2--when once in action1 everyone must act for himself4 ,the men were not to wait for the word of command1 but to take good aim and fire as fast as possible4 ,when they could no longer hold their ground1 they were to get behind trees1 or retreat a little1 and return to the fight1 but never to go quite off4 ,campbell allowed time for the flanking divisions to move to the right and left along the base of the mountain1 and take their proper distances2 he then pushed up in front with the centre division1 he and ,shelby each at the head of his men4 ,the first firing was about four o'clock1 when a picket was driven in by ,cleveland and ,williams on the left1 and pursued up the mountain4 ,campbell soon arrived within rifle distance of the crest of the mountain1 whence a sheeted fire of musketry was opened upon him4 ,he instantly deployed his men1 posted them behind trees1 and returned the fire with deadly effect4 ,ferguson1 rushed out with his regulars1 made an impetuous charge with the bayonet1 and dislodging his assailants from their coverts1 began to drive them down the mountain1 they not having a bayonet among them4 ,he had not proceeded far1 when a flanking fire was opened by one of the other divisions2 facing about and attacking this he was again successful1 when a third fire was opened from another quarter4 ,thus1 as fast as one division gave way before the bayonet1 another came to its relief2 while those who had given way rallied and returned to the charge4 ,ferguson found that he was completely in the hunter's toils1 beset on every side2 but he stood bravely at bay1 until the ground around him was strewed with the killed and wounded1 picked off by the fatal rifle4 ,his men were at length broken1 and retreated in confusion along the ridge4 ,he galloped from place to place endeavoring to rally them1 when a rifle ball brought him to the ground1 and his white horse was seen careering down the mountain without a rider4 ,this closed the bloody fight2 for ,ferguson's second in command1 seeing all further resistance hopeless1 hoisted a white flag1 beat a parley and sued for quarters4 ,one hundred and fifty of the enemy had fallen1 and as many been wounded2 while of the ,americans1 but twenty were killed1 though a considerable number were wounded4 ,among those slain was ,colonel ,james ,williams1 who had commanded the troops of ,ninety-,six1 and proved himself one of the most daring of the partisan leaders4 ,eight hundred and ten men were taken prisoners1 one hundred of whom were regulars1 the rest royalists4 ,the rancor awakened by civil war was shown in the treatment of some of the prisoners4 ,a court-martial was held the day after the battle1 and a number of tory prisoners who had been bitter in their hostility to the ,american cause1 and flagitious in their persecution of their countrymen1 were hanged4 ,this was to revenge the death of ,american prisoners hanged at ,camden and elsewhere4 ,the army of mountaineers and frontier men1 thus fortuitously congregated1 did not attempt to follow up their signal blow4 ,they had no general scheme1 no plan of campaign2 it was the spontaneous rising of the sons of the soil1 to revenge it on its invaders1 and1 having effected their purpose1 they returned in triumph to their homes4 ,they were little aware of the importance of their achievement4 ,the battle of ,king's ,mountain1 inconsiderable as it was in the numbers engaged1 turned the tide of ,southern warfare4 ,the destruction of ,ferguson and his corps gave a complete check to the expedition of ,cornwallis4 ,he began to fear for the safety of ,south ,carolina1 liable to such sudden irruptions from the mountains2 lest1 while he was facing to the north1 these hordes of stark-riding warriors might throw themselves behind him1 and produce a popular combustion in the province he had left4 ,he resolved1 therefore1 to return with all speed to that province and provide for its security4 ,on the #adth of ,october he commenced his retrograde and mortifying march1 conducting it in the night1 and with such hurry and confusion1 that nearly twenty wagons1 laden with baggage and supplies1 were lost4 ,as he proceeded1 the rainy season set in2 the brooks and rivers became swollen1 and almost impassable2 the roads deep and miry2 provisions and forage scanty2 the troops generally sickly1 having no tents4 ,at length the army arrived at ,winnsborough1 in ,south ,carolina4 ,hence1 by order of ,cornwallis1 ,lord ,rawdon wrote on the #bdth ,october to ,brigadier-general ,leslie1 who was at that time in the ,chesapeake1 with the force detached by ,sir ,henry ,clinton for a descent upon ,virginia1 suggesting the expediency of his advancing to ,north ,carolina1 for the purpose of co-operation with ,cornwallis1 who feared to proceed far from ,south ,carolina1 lest it should be again in insurrection4 ,the victory at ,king's ,mountain had set the partisan spirit throughout the country in a blaze4 ,francis ,marion was soon in the field4 ,he had been made a brigadier-general by ,governor ,rutledge1 but his brigade1 as it was called1 was formed of neighbors and friends1 and was continually fluctuating in numbers4 ,he was nearly fifty years of age1 and small of stature1 but hardy1 healthy and vigorous4 ,he had his haunts and strongholds in the morasses of the ,pedee and ,black ,river4 ,his men were hardy and abstemious as himself2 they ate their meat without salt1 often subsisted on potatoes1 were scantily clad1 and almost destitute of blankets4 ,marion was full of stratagems and expedients4 ,sallying forth from his morasses1 he would overrun the lower districts1 pass the ,santee1 beat up the small posts in the vicinity of ,charleston1 cut up the communication between that city and ,camden2 and having struck some signal blow1 so as to rouse the vengeance of the enemy1 would retreat again into his fenny fastnesses4 ,hence the ,british gave him the bye-name of the ,swamp ,fox1 but those of his countrymen who knew his courage1 his loftiness of spirit and spotless integrity1 considered him the ,bayard of the ,south4 ,tarleton1 who was on duty in that part of the country1 undertook1 as he said1 to draw the swamp fox from his cover4 ,he accordingly marched cautiously down the east bank of the ,wateree with a body of dragoons and infantry1 in compact order4 ,the fox1 however1 kept close2 he saw that the enemy was too strong for him4 ,tarleton now changed his plan4 ,by day he broke up his force into small detachments or patrols1 giving them orders to keep near enough to each other to render mutual support if attacked1 and to gather together at night4 ,the artifice had its effect4 ,marion sallied forth from his covert just before daybreak to make an attack upon one of these detachments1 when1 to his surprise1 he found himself close upon the ,british camp4 ,perceiving the snare that had been spread for him1 he made a rapid retreat4 ,a close pursuit took place4 ,for seven hours ,marion was hunted from one swamp and fastness to another2 several stragglers of his band were captured1 and ,tarleton was in strong hope of bringing him into action1 when an express came spurring from ,cornwallis1 calling for the immediate services of himself and his dragoons in another quarter4 ,sumter was again in the field6 ,that indefatigable partisan having recruited a strong party in the mountainous country1 to which he retreated after his defeat on the ,wateree1 had re-appeared on the west side of the ,santee1 repulsed a ,british party sent against him1 killing its leader2 then1 crossing ,broad ,river1 had effected a junction with ,colonels ,clark and ,brannan1 and now menaced the ,british posts in the district of ,ninety-,six4 ,it was to disperse this head of partisan war that ,tarleton was called off from beleaguering ,marion4 ,advancing with his accustomed celerity1 he thought to surprise ,sumter on the ,enoree ,river4 ,a deserter apprised the latter of his danger4 ,he pushed across the river1 but was hotly pursued1 and his rear-guard roughly handled4 ,he now made for the ,tyger ,river1 noted for turbulence and rapidity2 once beyond this1 he might disband his followers in the woods4 ,tarleton1 to prevent his passing it unmolested1 spurred forward in advance of his main body with one hundred and seventy dragoons and eighty mounted men of the infantry4 ,before five o'clock 7,nov4 #bjth7 his advanced guard overtook and charged the rear of the ,americans1 who retreated to the main body4 ,sumter finding it impossible to cross ,tyger ,river in safety1 took post on ,black ,stock ,hill with a rivulet and rail fence in front1 the ,tyger ,river in the rear and on the right flank1 and a large log barn on the left4 ,the barn was turned into a fortress1 and a part of the force stationed in it to fire through the apertures between the logs4 ,tarleton halted on an opposite height to await the arrival of his infantry1 and part of his men dismounted to ease their horses4 ,sumter seized this moment for an attack4 ,he was driven back after some sharp fighting4 ,the enemy pursued1 but were severely galled by the fire from the log barn4 ,enraged at seeing his men shot down1 ,tarleton charged with his cavalry but found it impossible to dislodge the ,americans from their rustic fortress4 ,at the approach of night he fell back to join his infantry1 leaving the ground strewed with his killed and wounded4 ,the loss of the ,americans was only three killed and four wounded4 ,sumter who had received a severe wound in the breast1 remained several hours on the field of action2 but understanding the enemy would be powerfully reinforced in the morning1 he crossed the ,tyger ,river in the night4 ,he was then placed on a litter between two horses1 and thus conducted across the country by a few faithful adherents4 ,the rest of his little army dispersed themselves through the woods4 ,while the attention of the enemy was thus engaged by the enterprises of ,sumter and ,marion and their swamp warriors1 ,general ,gates was gathering together the scattered fragments of his army at ,hillsborough4 ,the vanity of ,gates was completely cut down by his late reverses4 ,to add to his depression of spirits1 he received the melancholy intelligence of the death of an only son1 and1 while he was yet writhing under the blow1 came official despatches informing him of his being superseded in command4 ,a letter from ,washington1 we are told1 accompanied them1 sympathizing with him in his domestic misfortunes1 adverting with peculiar delicacy to his reverses in battle1 assuring him of his undiminished confidence in his zeal and capacity4 ,the effect of this letter was overpowering4 ,gates was found walking about his room in the greatest agitation1 pressing the letter to his lips1 breaking forth into ejaculations of gratitude and admiration1 and when he could find utterance to his thoughts1 declared that its tender sympathy and considerate delicacy had conveyed more consolation and delight to his heart than he had believed it possible ever to have felt again4 ,general ,greene arrived at ,charlotte1 on the #b;d of ,december4 ,on his way from the ,north he had made arrangements for supplies from the different ,states2 and had left the ,baron ,steuben in ,virginia to defend that ,state and procure and send on reinforcements and stores for the ,southern army4 ,on the day following his arrival1 ,greene took formal command4 ,the delicacy with which he conducted himself towards his unfortunate predecessor is said to have been edifying to the army4 ,consulting with his officers as to the court of inquiry on the conduct of ,general ,gates1 ordered by ,congress1 it was determined that there was not a sufficient number of general officers in camp to sit upon it2 that the state of ,general ,gates' feelings1 in consequence of the death of his son1 disqualified him from entering upon the task of his defence2 and that it would be indelicate in the extreme to press on him an investigation1 which his honor would not permit him to defer4 ,gates1 in fact1 when informed in the most delicate manner of the order of ,congress1 was urgent that a court of inquiry should be immediately convened3 he acknowledged there was some important evidence that could not at present be procured2 but he relied on the honor and justice of the court to make allowance for the deficiency4 ,he was ultimately brought to acquiesce in the decision of the council of war for the postponement1 but declared that he could not think of serving until the matter should have been properly investigated4 ,he determined to pass the interim on his estate in ,virginia4 ,the whole force at ,charlotte1 when ,greene took command1 did not much exceed twenty-three hundred men1 and more than half of them were militia4 ,it had been broken in spirit by the recent defeat4 ,the officers had fallen into habits of negligence2 the soldiers were loose and disorderly1 without tents and camp equipage2 badly clothed and fed1 and prone to relieve their necessities by depredating upon the inhabitants4 ,a recent exploit had given some animation to the troops4 ,lieutenant-colonel ,washington1 detached with a troop of light-horse to check a foraging party of the enemy1 scoured the country within thirteen miles of ,camden4 ,here he found a body of loyalist militia strongly posted at ,clermont1 the seat of ,colonel ,rugeley1 their tory commander4 ,they had ensconced themselves in a large barn1 built of logs1 and had fortified it by a slight intrenchment and a line of abatis4 ,to attack it with cavalry was useless4 ,colonel ,washington dismounted part of his troops to appear like infantry2 placed on two wagon-wheels the trunk of a pine-tree1 shaped and painted to look like a field-piece1 brought it to bear upon the enemy1 and1 displaying his cavalry1 sent in a flag summoning the garrison to surrender instantly1 on pain of having their log castle battered about their ears4 ,the garrison1 to the number of one hundred and twelve men1 with ,colonel ,rugeley at their head1 gave themselves up prisoners of war4 ,the first care of ,general ,greene was to reorganize his army4 ,he went to work quietly but resolutely2 called no councils of war2 communicated his plans and intentions to few1 and such only as were able and willing to aid in executing them4 ,finding the country round ,charlotte exhausted by repeated foragings1 he separated the army into two divisions4 ,one1 about one thousand strong1 was commanded by ,brigadier-general ,morgan1 of rifle renown1 and was composed of four hundred ,continental infantry1 under ,lieutenant-colonel ,howard of the ,maryland line1 two companies of ,virginia militia under ,captains ,tripplet and ,tate1 and one hundred dragoons under ,lieutenant-colonel ,washington4 ,with these ,morgan was detached towards the district of ,ninety-,six1 in ,south ,carolina1 with orders to take a position near the confluence of the ,pacolet and ,broad ,rivers1 and assemble the militia of the country4 ,with the other division1 ,greene made a march of toilful difficulty through a barren country1 to ,hicks' ,creek1 in ,chesterfield district1 on the east side of the ,pedee ,river1 opposite the ,cheraw ,hills4 ,there he posted himself1 on the #bfth1 partly to discourage the enemy from attempting to possess themselves of ,cross ,creek1 which would give them command of the greatest part of the provisions of the lower country--partly to form a camp of repose4 ,,chapter ,,lx4 ,,hostilities ,,in ,,the ,,south4--,,mutiny4 ,the occurrences recorded in the last few pages made ,washington apprehend a design on the part of the enemy to carry the stress of war into the ,southern ,states4 ,conscious that he was the man to whom all looked in time of emergency1 and who was1 in a manner1 responsible for the general course of military affairs1 he deeply felt the actual impotency of his position4 ,in a letter to ,franklin1 who was minister-plenipotentiary at the court of ,versailles1 he strongly expresses his chagrin3 ,latterly1 we have been obliged to become spectators of a succession of detachments from the army at ,new ,york in aid of ,lord ,cornwallis1 while our naval weakness1 and the political dissolution of a great part of our army1 put it out of our power to counteract them at the southward1 or to take advantage of them here4 ,the last of these detachments to the ,south took place on the #bjth of ,december1 but was not destined1 as ,washington had supposed1 for ,carolina4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton had received information that the troops already mentioned as being under ,general ,leslie in the ,chesapeake1 had1 by orders from ,cornwallis1 sailed for ,charleston1 to reinforce his lordship2 and this detachment was to take their place in ,virginia4 ,it was composed of ,british1 ,german1 and refugee troops1 about seventeen hundred strong1 and was commanded by ,benedict ,arnold1 now a brigadier-general in his majesty's service4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 who distrusted the fidelity of the man he had corrupted1 sent with him ,colonels ,dundas and ,simcoe1 experienced officers1 by whose advice he was to be guided in every important measure4 ,he was to make an incursion into ,virginia1 destroy the public magazines1 assemble and arm the loyalists1 and hold himself ready to co-operate with ,lord ,cornwallis4 ,as ,washington beheld one hostile armament after another winging its way to the ,south1 and received applications from that quarter for assistance1 which he had not the means to furnish1 it became painfully apparent to him1 that the efforts to carry on the war had exceeded the natural capabilities of the country4 ,its widely diffused population1 and the composition and temper of some of its people1 rendered it difficult to draw together its resources4 ,commerce was almost extinct2 there was not sufficient natural wealth on which to found a revenue2 paper currency had depreciated through want of funds for its redemption until it was nearly worthless4 ,the mode of supplying the army by assessing a proportion of the productions of the earth1 had proved ineffectual1 oppressive1 and productive of an alarming opposition4 ,domestic loans yielded but trifling assistance4 ,these considerations ,washington was continually urging upon the attention of ,congress in his full and perspicuous manner2 the end of which was to enforce his opinion that a foreign loan was indispensably necessary to a continuance of the war4 ,his earnest counsels and entreaties were at length successful in determining ,congress to seek aid both in men and money from abroad4 ,accordingly1 on the #bhth of ,december they commissioned ,lieutenant-colonel ,john ,laurens1 special minister at the court of ,versailles1 to apply for such aid4 ,the situation he had held1 as aide-de-camp to the commander-in-chief1 had given him an opportunity of observing the course of affairs1 and acquainting himself with the wants and resources of the country2 and he was instructed to confer with ,washington1 previous to his departure1 as to the objects of his mission4 ,scarce had ,colonel ,laurens been appointed when a painful occurrence proved the urgent necessity of the required aid4 ,in the arrangement for winter-quarters1 the ,pennsylvania line1 consisting of six regiments1 was hutted near ,morristown4 ,these troops had experienced the hardships and privations common to the whole army1 but had an additional grievance peculiar to themselves4 ,many of them had enlisted to serve for three years1 or during war1 that is to say1 for less than three years should the war cease in less time4 ,when1 however1 having served for three years1 they sought their discharge1 the officers1 loth to lose such experienced soldiers1 interpreted the terms of enlistment to mean three years1 or to the end of the war1 should it continue for a longer time4 ,this chicanery naturally produced great exasperation4 ,the first day of the ,new ,year arrived4 ,the men were excited by an extra allowance of ardent spirits4 ,in the evening1 at a preconcerted signal1 a great part of the ,pennsylvania line1 non-commissioned officers included1 turned out under arms1 declaring their intention to march to ,philadelphia and demand redress from ,congress4 ,wayne endeavored to pacify them2 they were no longer to be pacified by words4 ,three regiments which had taken no part in the mutiny were paraded under their officers4 ,the mutineers compelled them to join their ranks4 ,their number being increased to about thirteen hundred1 they seized upon six field-pieces1 and set out in the night for ,philadelphia under command of their sergeants4 ,fearing the enemy might take advantage of this outbreak1 ,wayne detached a ,jersey brigade to ,chatham1 and ordered the militia to be called out there4 ,alarm fires were kindled upon the hills2 alarm guns boomed from post to post2 the country was soon on the alert4 ,wayne was not ,mad ,anthony on the present occasion4 ,all his measures were taken with judgment and forecast4 ,he sent provisions after the mutineers1 lest they should supply their wants from the country people by force4 ,two officers of rank spurred to ,philadelphia1 to apprise ,congress of the approach of the insurgents1 and put it upon its guard4 ,wayne sent a despatch with news of the outbreak to ,washington2 he then mounted his horse1 and accompanied by ,colonels ,butler and ,stewart1 two officers popular with the troops1 set off after the mutineers1 either to bring them to a halt1 or to keep with them1 and seek every occasion to exert a favorable influence over them4 ,in the meantime1 ,sir ,henry ,clinton received intelligence at ,new ,york of the mutiny1 and hastened to profit by it4 ,emissaries were despatched to the camp of the mutineers1 holding out offers of pardon1 protection1 and ample pay1 if they would return to their allegiance to the crown4 ,general ,wayne and his companions1 ,colonels ,butler and ,stewart1 had overtaken the insurgent troops on the #c;d of ,january1 at ,middlebrook4 ,they were proceeding in military form1 under the control of a self-constituted board of sergeants1 whose orders were implicitly obeyed4 ,conferences were held by ,wayne with sergeants delegated from each regiment4 ,they appeared to be satisfied with the mode and promises of redress held out to them2 but the main body of the mutineers persisted in revolt1 and proceeded on the next day to ,princeton4 ,their proceedings continued to be orderly2 military forms were still observed2 they obeyed their leaders1 behaved well to the people of the country1 and committed no excesses4 ,general ,wayne and ,colonels ,butler and ,stewart remained with them in an equivocal position2 popular1 but without authority1 and almost in durance4 ,the insurgents professed themselves still ready to march under them against the enemy1 but would permit none other of their former officers to come among them4 ,the ,marquis de ,lafayette1 ,general ,st4 ,clair and ,colonel ,laurens1 the newly-appointed minister to ,france1 arrived at the camp and were admitted2 but afterwards were ordered away at a short notice4 ,the news of the revolt caused great consternation in ,philadelphia4 ,a committee of ,congress set off to meet the insurgents1 accompanied by ,reed1 the president of ,pennsylvania1 and one or two other officers1 and escorted by a city troop of horse4 ,the committee halted at ,trenton1 whence ,president ,reed wrote to ,wayne1 requesting a personal interview at four o'clock in the afternoon1 at four miles' distance from ,princeton4 ,wayne was moreover told to inform the troops1 that he 7,reed7 would be there to receive any propositions from them1 and redress any injuries they might have sustained2 but that1 after the indignities they had offered to the marquis and ,general ,st4 ,clair1 he could not venture to put himself in their power4 ,wayne1 knowing that the letter was intended for his troops more than for himself1 read it publicly on the parade4 ,it had a good effect upon the sergeants and many of the men4 ,still it was not thought prudent for ,president ,reed to trust himself within their camp4 ,wayne promised to meet him on the following day 7#gth71 though it seemed uncertain whether he was master of himself1 or whether he was not a kind of prisoner4 ,at this critical juncture1 two of ,sir ,henry's emissaries arrived in the camp1 and delivered to the leaders of the malcontents a paper containing his seductive proposals and promises4 ,the mutineers1 though openly arrayed in arms against their government1 spurned at the idea of turning ,arnolds1 as they termed it4 ,the emissaries were seized and conducted to ,general ,wayne1 who placed them in confinement1 promising that they should be liberated should the pending negotiation fail4 ,this incident had a great effect in inspiring hope of the ultimate loyalty of the troops2 and the favorable representations of the temper of the men1 made by ,general ,wayne in a personal interview1 determined ,president ,reed to venture among them4 ,the propositions now offered to the troops were3--,to discharge all those who had enlisted indefinitely for three years or during the war2 the fact to be inquired into by three commissioners appointed by the executive4 ,to give immediate certificates for the deficit in their pay caused by the depreciation of the currency1 and the arrearages to be settled as soon as circumstances would permit4 ,to furnish them immediately with certain specified articles of clothing which were most wanted4 ,these propositions proving satisfactory1 the troops set out for ,trenton1 where the negotiation was concluded4 ,the two spies who had tampered with the fidelity of the troops1 were tried by a court-martial1 found guilty1 and hanged at the cross-roads near ,trenton4 ,the accommodation entered into with the mutineers of the ,pennsylvania line appeared to ,washington of doubtful policy1 and likely to have a pernicious effect on the whole army4 ,his apprehensions were soon justified by events4 ,on the night of the #bjth of ,january1 a part of the ,jersey troops1 stationed at ,pompton1 rose in arms1 claiming the same terms just yielded to the ,pennsylvanians4 ,for a time it was feared the revolt would spread throughout the line4 ,in this instance1 ,washington adopted a more rigorous course than in the other4 ,the present insurgents were not so formidable in point of numbers as the ,pennsylvanians2 the greater part of them1 also1 were foreigners1 for whom he felt less sympathy than for native troops4 ,a detachment from the ,massachusetts line was sent under ,major-general ,howe1 who was instructed to compel the mutineers to unconditional submission2 to grant them no terms while in arms1 or in a state of resistance2 and on their surrender1 instantly to execute a few of the most active and incendiary leaders4 ,his orders were punctually obeyed1 and were crowned with complete success4 ,howe had the good fortune1 after a tedious night march1 to surprise the mutineers napping in their huts just at daybreak4 ,five minutes only were allowed them to parade without their arms and give up their ringleaders4 ,this was instantly complied with1 and two of them were executed on the spot4 ,thus the mutiny was quelled1 the officers resumed their command1 and all things were restored to order4 ,a great cause of satisfaction to ,washington was the ratification of the articles of confederation between the ,states1 which took place not long after this agitating juncture4 ,a set of articles had been submitted to ,congress by ,dr4 ,franklin1 as far back as #agge4 ,a form had been prepared and digested by a committee in #aggf1 and agreed upon1 with some modifications in #aggg1 but had ever since remained in abeyance1 in consequence of objections made by individual ,states4 ,the confederation was now complete1 and ,washington1 in a letter to the ,president of ,congress1 congratulated him and the body over which he presided1 on an event long wished for1 and which he hoped would have the happiest effects upon the politics of this country1 and be of essential service to our cause in ,europe4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,the armament under command of ,arnold met with that boisterous weather which often rages along our coast in the winter4 ,his ships were tempest tost and scattered1 and half of his cavalry horses and several of his guns had to be thrown overboard4 ,it was the close of the year when he anchored in the ,chesapeake4 ,virginia1 at the time1 was almost in a defenceless state4 ,baron ,steuben1 who had the general command there1 had recently detached such of his regular troops as were clothed and equipped to the ,south1 to reinforce ,general ,greene4 ,governor ,jefferson1 on hearing of the arrival of the fleet1 called out the militia from the neighboring counties2 but few could be collected on the spur of the moment1 for the whole country was terror-stricken and in confusion4 ,having land and sea forces at his command1 ,arnold opened the new year with a buccaneering ravage4 ,ascending ,james ,river with some small vessels which he had captured1 he landed on the #dth of ,january with nine hundred men at ,westover1 about twenty-five miles below ,richmond1 and pushed for the latter place1 at that time little more than a village1 though the metropolis of ,virginia4 ,it was ,arnold's hope to capture the governor2 but the latter1 after providing for the security of as much as possible of the public stores1 had left ,richmond the evening before on horseback to join his family at ,tuckahoe1 whence1 on the following day1 he conveyed them to a place of safety4 ,governor ,jefferson got back by noon to ,manchester1 on the opposite side of ,james ,river1 in time to see ,arnold's marauders march into the town4 ,arnold sent some of the citizens to the governor1 offering to spare the town1 provided his ships might come up ,james ,river to be laden with tobacco from the warehouses4 ,his offer was indignantly rejected1 whereupon fire was set to the public edifices1 stores1 and workshops2 private houses were pillaged1 and a great quantity of tobacco consumed4 ,while this was going on1 ,colonel ,simcoe had been detached to ,westham1 six miles up the river1 where he destroyed a cannon foundry and sacked a public magazine2 and after effecting a complete devastation1 rejoined ,arnold at ,richmond4 ,having completed his ravage1 ,arnold re-embarked at ,westover and fell slowly down the river1 landing occasionally to burn1 plunder1 and destroy2 pursued by ,steuben with a few ,continental troops and all the militia that he could muster4 ,general ,nelson1 also1 with similar levies opposed him4 ,lower down the river some skirmishing took place1 a few of ,arnold's troops were killed and a number wounded1 but he made his way to ,portsmouth1 opposite ,norfolk1 where he took post on the #bjth of ,january1 and proceeded to fortify4 ,steuben would have attempted to drive him from this position1 but his means were totally inadequate4 ,collecting from various parts of the country all the force that could be mustered1 he so disposed it at different points as to hem the traitor in1 and prevent his making further incursions4 ,about this time an important resolution was adopted in ,congress4 ,washington had repeatedly1 in his communications to that body1 attributed much of the distresses and disasters of the war to the congressional mode of conducting business through committees and boards1 thus causing irregularity and delay1 preventing secrecy and augmenting expense4 ,he was greatly rejoiced1 therefore1 when ,congress decided to appoint heads of departments2 secretaries of foreign affairs1 of war and of marine1 and a superintendent of finance4 ,i am happy1 thrice happy1 on private as well as public account1 writes he1 to find that these are in train4 ,for it will ease my shoulders of an immense burthen1 which the deranged and perplexed situation of our affairs1 and the distresses of every department of the army1 had placed upon them4 ,colonel ,hamilton was suggested to take charge of the department of finance1 and ,washington in reply to ,general ,sullivan1 who had sounded him on the subject1 spoke in warm terms of his fitness for the post4 ,a few days after ,washington had penned this eulogium1 a scene occurred between him and ,colonel ,hamilton that gave him deep chagrin4 ,washington1 in passing ,hamilton on the stairs1 informed him that he wished to speak to him4 ,hamilton allowed some circumstances to delay his compliance with this request2 and ,washington1 when they met1 accosted him with warmth4 ,colonel ,hamilton1 said he1 you have kept me waiting at the head of the stairs these ten minutes4 ,i must tell you1 sir1 you treat me with disrespect4 ,hamilton promptly replied3 ,i am not conscious of it1 sir2 but since you have thought it necessary to tell me so1 we part1 and they separated4 ,washington soon after sent to ,hamilton stating his desire1 in a candid conversation1 to heal a difference which could not have happened but in a moment of passion4 ,but ,hamilton had long determined1 according to his own statement1 that if a breach should occur between them not to consent to an accommodation4 ,he was ambitious of an independent position1 and declared that he had always disliked the office of an aide-de-camp4 ,but although a coolness ensued between ,washington and his favorite aide1 it proved but temporary4 ,the friendship between these illustrious men was destined to survive the ,revolution1 and to signalize itself through many eventful years4 ,,chapter ,,lxi4 ,,battle ,,of ,,the ,,cowpens4--,,battle ,,of ,,guilford ,,court-,,house4 ,the stress of war1 as ,washington apprehended1 was at present shifted to the ,south4 ,in a former chapter we left ,general ,greene1 in the latter part of ,december1 posted with one division of his army on the east side of the ,pedee ,river in ,north ,carolina1 having detached ,general ,morgan with the other division1 one thousand strong1 to take post near the confluence of the ,pacolet and ,broad ,rivers in ,south ,carolina4 ,cornwallis lay encamped about seventy miles to the southwest of ,greene1 at ,winnsborough1 in ,fairfield district4 ,general ,leslie had recently arrived at ,charleston from ,virginia1 and was advancing to reinforce him with fifteen hundred men4 ,this would give ,cornwallis such a superiority of force1 that he prepared for a second invasion of ,north ,carolina4 ,his plan was to leave ,lord ,rawdon at the central post of ,camden with a considerable body of troops to keep all quiet1 while his lordship by rapid marches would throw himself between ,greene and ,virginia1 cut him off from all reinforcements in that quarter1 and oblige him either to make battle with his present force1 or retreat precipitately from ,north ,carolina4 ,by recent information1 he learnt that ,morgan had passed both the ,catawba and ,broad ,rivers1 and was about seventy miles to the northwest of him1 on his way to the district of ,ninety-,six4 ,as he might prove extremely formidable if left in his rear1 ,tarleton was sent in quest of him1 with about three hundred and fifty of his famous cavalry1 a corps of legion and light infantry1 and a number of the royal artillery with two field-pieces2 about eleven hundred choice troops in all4 ,cornwallis moved with his main force on the #abth of ,december1 in a northwest direction between the ,broad ,river and the ,catawba1 leading toward the back country4 ,this was for the purpose of crossing the great rivers at their fords near their sources2 for they are fed by innumerable petty streams which drain the mountains1 and are apt in the winter time1 when storms of rain prevail1 to swell and become impassable below their forks4 ,he took this route also1 to cut off ,morgan's retreat1 or prevent his junction with ,greene1 should ,tarleton's expedition fail of its object4 ,tarleton1 after several days' hard marching1 came upon the traces of ,morgan1 who was posted on the north bank of the ,pacolet1 to guard the passes of that river4 ,he sent word to ,cornwallis of his intention to force a passage across the river1 and compel ,morgan either to fight or retreat1 and suggested that his lordship should proceed up the eastern bank of ,broad ,river1 so as to be at hand to co-operate4 ,his lordship1 in consequence1 took up a position at ,turkey ,creek1 on ,broad ,river4 ,morgan had been recruited by ,north ,carolina and ,georgia militia1 so that his force was nearly equal in number to that of ,tarleton1 but1 in point of cavalry and discipline1 vastly inferior4 ,cornwallis1 too1 was on his left1 and might get in his rear2 checking his impulse1 therefore1 to dispute the passage of the ,pacolet1 he crossed that stream and retreated towards the upper fords of ,broad ,river4 ,tarleton reached the ,pacolet on the evening of the #aeth1 and pressed on in pursuit4 ,at ten o'clock at night he reached an encampment which ,morgan had abandoned a few hours previously1 apparently in great haste1 for the camp fires were still smoking1 and provisions had been left behind half-cooked4 ,eager to come upon his enemy while in the confusion of a hurried flight1 ,tarleton allowed his exhausted troops but a brief repose1 and1 leaving his baggage under a guard1 resumed his dogged march about two o'clock in the night4 ,a little before daylight of the #agth1 he captured two videttes1 from whom he learnt1 to his surprise1 that ,morgan1 instead of a headlong retreat1 had taken a night's repose1 and was actually preparing to give him battle4 ,morgan1 in fact1 had been urged by his officers to retreat across ,broad ,river1 which was near by1 and make for the mountainous country2 but1 closely pressed as he was1 he feared to be overtaken while fording the river1 and while his troops were fatigued and in confusion2 beside1 being now nearly equal in number to the enemy1 military pride would not suffer him to avoid a combat4 ,the place where he came to halt was known in the early grants by the name of ,hannah's ,cowpens1 being part of a grazing establishment of a man named ,hannah4 ,it was in an open wood1 favorable to the action of cavalry4 ,there were two eminences of unequal height1 and separated from each other by an interval about eighty yards wide4 ,to the first eminence1 which was the highest1 there was an easy ascent of about three hundred yards4 ,on these heights ,morgan had posted himself4 ,in arranging his troops for action1 he drew out his infantry in two lines4 ,the first was composed of the ,north and ,south ,carolina militia1 under ,colonel ,pickens1 having an advanced corps of ,north ,carolina and ,georgia volunteer riflemen4 ,this line1 on which he had the least dependence1 was charged to wait until the enemy were within dead shot2 then to take good aim1 fire two volleys and fall back4 ,the second line1 drawn up a moderate distance in the rear of the first1 and near the brow of the main eminence1 was composed of ,colonel ,howard's light infantry and the ,virginia riflemen2 all ,continental troops4 ,they were informed of the orders which had been given to the first line1 lest they should mistake their falling back for a retreat4 ,colonel ,howard had the command of this line1 on which the greatest reliance was placed4 ,about a hundred and fifty yards in the rear of the second line1 and on the slope of the lesser eminence1 was ,colonel ,washington's troop of cavalry1 about eighty strong2 with about fifty mounted ,carolinian volunteers1 under ,major ,mc,call1 armed with sabres and pistols4 ,it was about eight o'clock in the morning 7,jan4 #agth71 when ,tarleton came up4 ,the position of the ,americans seemed to him to give great advantage to his cavalry1 and he made hasty preparation for immediate attack1 anticipating an easy victory4 ,part of his infantry he formed into a line1 with dragoons on each flank4 ,the rest of the infantry and cavalry were to be a reserve1 and to wait for orders4 ,impetuous at all times1 he did not even wait until the reserve could be placed1 but led on his first line1 which rushed shouting to the attack4 ,the ,north ,carolina and ,georgia riflemen in the advance1 delivered their fire with effect1 and fell back to the flanks of ,picken's militia4 ,these1 as they had been instructed1 waited until the enemy were within fifty yards1 and then made a destructive volley1 but soon gave way before the push of the bayonet4 ,the ,british infantry pressed up to the second line1 while forty of their cavalry attacked it on the right1 seeking to turn its flank4 ,colonel ,howard seeing himself in danger of being outflanked1 endeavored to change his front to the right4 ,his orders were misunderstood1 and his troops were falling into confusion1 when ,morgan rode up and ordered them to retreat over the hill1 where ,colonel ,washington's cavalry were hurried forward for their protection4 ,the ,british1 seeing the troops retiring over the hill1 rushed forward irregularly in pursuit of what they deemed a routed foe4 ,to their astonishment they were met by ,colonel ,washington's dragoons1 who spurred on them impetuously1 while ,howard's infantry1 facing about1 gave them an effective volley of musketry1 and then charged with the bayonet4 ,the enemy now fell into complete confusion4 ,some few artillerymen attempted to defend their guns1 but were cut down or taken prisoners1 and the cannon and colors captured4 ,a panic seized upon the ,british troops4 ,tarleton endeavored to bring his legion cavalry into action to retrieve the day4 ,they had stood aloof as a reserve1 and now1 infected by the panic1 turned their backs upon their commander1 and galloped off through the woods1 riding over the flying infantry4 ,fourteen of his officers1 however1 and forty of his dragoons1 remained true to him2 with these he attempted to withstand the attack of ,washington's cavalry1 and a fierce mele took place2 but on the approach of ,howard's infantry1 ,tarleton gave up all for lost1 and spurred off with his few but faithful adherents1 trusting to the speed of their horses for safety4 ,the loss of the ,british in this action was ten officers and above one hundred men killed1 two hundred wounded1 and between five and six hundred rank and file made prisoners2 while the ,americans had but twelve men killed and sixty wounded4 ,the spoils taken by ,morgan1 according to his own account1 were two field-pieces1 two standards1 eight hundred muskets1 one traveling forge1 thirty-five wagons1 seventy negroes1 upwards of one hundred dragoon-horses1 and all the music4 ,the enemy1 however1 had destroyed most of their baggage1 which was immense4 ,morgan did not linger on the field of battle4 ,leaving ,colonel ,pickens with a body of militia under the protection of a flag1 to bury the dead and provide for the wounded of both armies1 he set out the same day about noon with his prisoners and spoils4 ,lord ,cornwallis1 with his main force1 was at ,turkey ,creek1 only twenty-five miles distant1 and must soon hear of the late battle4 ,his object was to get to the ,catawba before he could be intercepted by his lordship1 who lay nearer than he did to the fords of that river4 ,before nightfall he crossed ,broad river at the ,cherokee ford1 and halted for a few hours on its northern bank4 ,before daylight of the #ahth he was again on the march4 ,colonel ,washington1 who had been in pursuit of the enemy1 rejoined him in the course of the day1 as also did ,colonel ,pickens1 who had left such of the wounded as could not be moved1 under the protection of the flag of truce4 ,cornwallis1 on the eventful day of the #agth1 was at his camp on ,turkey ,creek1 confidently waiting for tidings from ,tarleton of a new triumph1 when1 towards evening1 some of his routed dragoons came straggling into camp1 haggard and forlorn1 to tell the tale of his defeat4 ,it was a thunder-stroke4 ,tarleton defeated6 and by the rude soldier he had been so sure of entrapping6 ,it seemed incredible4 ,it was confirmed1 however1 the next morning1 by the arrival of ,tarleton himself1 discomfited and crest-fallen4 ,in his account of the recent battle1 he represented the force under ,morgan to be two thousand4 ,this exaggerated estimate1 together with the idea that the militia would now be out in great force1 rendered his lordship cautious4 ,he remained a day or two at ,turkey ,creek to collect the scattered remains of ,tarleton's forces1 and to await the arrival of ,general ,leslie4 ,on the #aith1 having been rejoined by ,leslie1 his lordship moved towards ,king's ,creek1 and thence in the direction of ,king's ,mountain1 until informed of ,morgan's retreat toward the ,catawba4 ,cornwallis now altered his course in that direction1 and1 trusting that ,morgan1 encumbered1 as he supposed him to be1 by prisoners and spoils1 might be overtaken before he could cross that river1 detached a part of his force1 without baggage1 in pursuit of him1 while he followed on with the remainder4 ,nothing1 say the ,british chroniclers1 could exceed the exertions of the detachment2 but ,morgan succeeded in reaching the ,catawba and crossing it in the evening1 just two hours before those in pursuit of him arrived on its banks4 ,a heavy rain came on and fell all night1 and by daybreak the river was so swollen as to be impassable4 ,it continued for several days1 and gave ,morgan time to send off his prisoners who had crossed several miles above1 and to call out the militia of ,mecklenburg and ,rowan ,counties to guard the fords of the river4 ,lord ,cornwallis had moved slowly with his main body4 ,he was encumbered by an immense train of baggage2 the roads were through deep red clay1 and the country was cut up by streams and morasses4 ,it was not until the #beth that he assembled his whole force at ,ramsour's ,mills1 on the ,little ,catawba1 as the south fork of that river is called1 and learnt that ,morgan had crossed the main stream4 ,now he felt the loss he had sustained in the late defeat of ,tarleton1 of a great part of his light troops4 ,in this crippled condition1 he determined to relieve his army of everything that could impede rapid movement in his future operations4 ,two days1 therefore1 were spent by him at ,ramsour's ,mills1 in destroying all such baggage and stores as could possibly be spared4 ,general ,greene was gladdened by a letter from ,morgan1 written shortly after his defeat of ,tarleton1 and transmitted the news to ,washington with his own generous comments4 ,he had recently received intelligence of the landing of troops at ,wilmington1 from a ,british squadron1 supposed to be a force under ,arnold1 destined to push up ,cape ,fear ,river1 and co-operate with ,cornwallis2 he had to prepare1 therefore1 not only to succor ,morgan1 but to prevent this co-operation4 ,he accordingly detached ,general ,stevens with his ,virginia militia 7whose term of service was nearly expired7 to take charge of ,morgan's prisoners1 and conduct them to ,charlottesville in ,virginia4 ,at the same time he wrote to the governors of ,north ,carolina and ,virginia for all the aid they could furnish2 to ,steuben to hasten forward his recruits1 and to ,shelby1 ,campbell and others to take arms once more and rival their achievements at ,king's ,mountain4 ,this done1 he left ,general ,huger in command of the division on the ,pedee1 with orders to hasten on by forced marches to ,salisbury1 to join the other division2 in the meantime he set off on horseback for ,morgan's camp1 attended merely by a guide1 an aide-de-camp1 and a sergeant's guard of dragoons4 ,his object was to aid ,morgan in assembling militia and checking the enemy until the junction of his forces could be effected4 ,it was a hard ride of upwards of a hundred miles through a rough country4 ,on the last day of ,january he reached ,morgan's camp at ,sherrard's ford on the east side of the ,catawba4 ,the ,british army lay on the opposite side of the river1 but a few miles distant from it1 and appeared to be making preparations to force a passage across1 as it was subsiding1 and would soon be fordable4 ,greene supposed ,cornwallis had in view a junction with ,arnold at ,cape ,fear2 he wrote1 therefore1 to ,general ,huger to hurry on1 so that with their united forces they could give his lordship a defeat before he could effect the junction4 ,more correct information relieved him from the apprehension of a co-operation of ,arnold and ,cornwallis4 ,the ,british troops which had landed at ,wilmington1 were merely a small detachment sent from ,charleston to establish a military depot for the use of ,cornwallis in his southern campaign4 ,they had taken possession of ,wilmington without opposition4 ,greene now changed his plans4 ,he was aware of the ill-provided state of the ,british army1 from the voluntary destruction of their wagons1 tents and baggage4 ,his plan now was to tempt the enemy continually with the prospect of a battle1 but continually to elude one2 to harass them by a long pursuit1 draw them higher into the country1 and gain time for the division advancing under ,huger to join him4 ,it was the ,fabian policy that he had learnt under ,washington1 of whom he prided himself on being a disciple4 ,as the subsiding of the ,catawba would enable ,cornwallis to cross1 ,greene ordered ,morgan to move off silently with his division on the evening of the #cast1 and to press his march all night1 so as to gain a good start in advance1 while he 7,greene7 would remain to bring on the militia1 who were employed to check the enemy4 ,these militia1 assembled from the neighboring counties1 did not exceed five hundred4 ,two hundred of them were distributed at different fords3 the remaining three hundred1 forming a corps of mounted riflemen under ,general ,davidson1 were to watch the movements of the enemy1 and attack him wherever he should make his main attempt to cross4 ,when the enemy should have actually crossed1 the different bodies of militia were to make the best of their way to a rendezvous1 sixteen miles distant1 on the road to ,salisbury4 ,while these dispositions were being made by the ,american commander1 ,cornwallis was preparing to cross the river4 ,the night of the #cast was chosen for the attempt4 ,to divert the attention of the ,americans1 he detached ,colonels ,webster and ,tarleton with a part of the army to a public ford called ,beattie's ford1 where he supposed ,davidson to be stationed4 ,there they were to make a feint of forcing a passage4 ,the main attempt1 however1 was to be made six miles lower down1 where little1 if any1 opposition was anticipated4 ,cornwallis set out with the main body of his army at one o'clock in the morning4 ,the night was dark and rainy4 ,it was near daybreak by the time the head of the column reached the ford4 ,to their surprise1 they beheld numerous camp fires on the opposite bank4 ,word was hastily carried to ,cornwallis that the ford was guarded4 ,it was so indeed3 ,davidson was there with his riflemen4 ,at that place the ,catawba was nearly five hundred yards wide1 about three feet deep1 very rapid1 and full of large stones4 ,the troops entered the river in platoons1 to support each other against the current1 and were ordered not to fire until they should gain the opposite bank4 ,colonel ,hall1 of the light infantry of the guards1 led the way2 the grenadiers followed4 ,the noise of the water and the darkness covered their movements until they were nearly half-way across1 when they were descried by an ,american sentinel4 ,he challenged them three times1 and receiving no answer1 fired4 ,terrified by the report1 the man who was guiding the ,british turned and fled4 ,colonel ,hall1 thus abandoned1 led the way directly across the river2 whereas the true ford inclined diagonally further down4 ,hall had to pass through deeper water1 but he reached a part of the bank where it was unguarded4 ,the ,american pickets1 too1 which had turned out at the alarm given by the sentinel1 had to deliver a distant and slanting fire4 ,still it had its effect4 ,three of the ,british were killed1 and thirty-six wounded4 ,colonel ,hall pushed on gallantly1 but was shot down as he ascended the bank4 ,general ,davidson hastened with his men towards the place where the ,british were landing4 ,the latter formed as soon as they found themselves on firm ground1 charged ,davidson's men before he had time to get them in order1 killed and wounded about forty1 and put the rest to flight4 ,general ,davidson was the last to leave the ground1 and was killed just as he was mounting his horse4 ,general ,greene1 informed that the enemy had crossed the ,catawba at daybreak1 awaited anxiously at the rendezvous the arrival of the militia4 ,it was not until after midnight that he heard of their utter dispersion1 and of the death of ,davidson4 ,apprehending the rapid advance of ,cornwallis1 he hastened to rejoin ,morgan1 who with his division was pushing forward for the ,yadkin1 first sending orders to ,general ,huger to conduct the other division by the most direct route to ,guilford ,court-house1 where the forces were to be united4 ,greene spurred forward through heavy rain and deep miry roads4 ,it was a dreary ride and a lonely one1 for he had detached his aides-de-camp in different directions to collect the scattered militia4 ,cornwallis did not advance so rapidly as had been apprehended4 ,after crossing the ,catawba1 he had to wait for his wagons and artillery1 which had remained on the other side in the woods2 so that by nightfall of the #ast of ,february he was not more than five miles on the road to ,salisbury4 ,eager to come up with the ,americans1 he mounted some of the infantry upon the baggage horses1 joined them to the cavalry1 and sent the whole forward under ,general ,o',hara4 ,they arrived on the banks of the ,yadkin at night1 between the #b;d and #c;d of ,february1 just in time to capture a few wagons lingering in the rear of the ,american army1 which had passed4 ,the riflemen who guarded them retreated after a short skirmish4 ,there were no boats with which to cross2 the ,americans had secured them on the other side4 ,the rain which had fallen throughout the day had overflooded the ford by which the ,american cavalry had passed4 ,the pursuers were again brought to a stand4 ,after some doubt and delay1 ,cornwallis took his course up the south side of the ,yadkin1 and crossed by what is still called the ,shallow ford1 while ,greene continued on unmolested to ,guilford ,court-house1 where he was joined by ,general ,huger and his division on the #ith4 ,cornwallis was now encamped about twenty-five miles above them1 at the old ,moravian town of ,salem4 ,the great object of ,greene now was to get across the river ,dan1 and throw himself into ,virginia4 ,with the reinforcements and assistance he might there expect to find1 he hoped to effect the salvation of the ,south1 and prevent the dismemberment of the ,union4 ,the object of ,cornwallis was to get between him and ,virginia1 force him to a combat before he could receive those reinforcements1 or enclose him in between the great rivers on the west1 the sea on the east1 and the two divisions of the ,british army under himself and ,lord ,rawdon on the north and south4 ,his lordship had been informed that the lower part of the ,dan1 at present1 could only be crossed in boats1 and that the country could not afford a sufficient number for the passage of ,greene's army2 he trusted1 therefore1 to cut him off from the upper part of the river1 where alone it was fordable4 ,greene1 however1 had provided against such a contingency4 ,boats had been secured at various places by his agents1 and could be collected at a few hours' notice at the lower ferries4 ,instead1 therefore1 of striving with his lordship for the upper fords1 ,greene shaped his course for ,boyd's and ,irwin's fords1 just above the confluence of the ,dan and ,staunton rivers which forms the ,roanoke1 and about seventy miles from ,guilford ,court-house4 ,this would give him twenty-five miles advantage of ,lord ,cornwallis at the outset4 ,general ,kosciuszko was sent with a party in advance to collect the boats and throw up breastworks at the ferries4 ,in ordering his march1 ,general ,greene took the lead with the main body1 the baggage1 and stores4 ,general ,morgan would have had the command of the rear-guard1 but being disabled by a violent attack of ague and rheumatism1 it was given to ,colonel ,otho ,h4 ,williams 7formerly adjutant-general71 who had with him ,colonels ,howard1 ,washington and ,lee4 ,this corps1 detached some distance in the rear1 did infinite service4 ,being lightly equipped1 it could manoeuvre in front of the ,british line of march1 break down bridges1 sweep off provisions1 and impede its progress1 in a variety of ways1 while the main body moved forward unmolested4 ,it was now that ,cornwallis most felt the severity of the blow he had received at the battle of the ,cowpens in the loss of his light troops1 having so few to cope with the lite corps under ,williams4 ,we forbear to enter into the details of this masterly retreat1 the many stratagems and manoeuvres of the covering party to delay and hoodwink the enemy4 ,tarleton himself bears witness1 in his narrative1 that every measure of the ,americans was judiciously designed and vigorously executed4 ,so much had ,cornwallis been misinformed at the outset as to the means below of passing the river1 that he pushed on in the firm conviction that he was driving the ,american army into a trap1 and would give it a signal blow before it could cross the ,dan4 ,in the meantime1 ,greene1 with the main body1 reached the banks of the river1 and succeeded in crossing over with ease in the course of a single day at ,boyd's and ,irwin's ferries1 sending back word to ,williams1 who with his covering party was far in the rear4 ,that intelligent officer encamped1 as usual1 in the evening1 at a wary distance in front of the enemy1 but stole a march upon them after dark1 leaving his camp fires burning4 ,he pushed on all night1 arrived at the ferry in the morning of the #aeth1 having marched forty miles within the last four and twenty hours2 and made such despatch in crossing1 that his last troops had landed on the ,virginia shore by the time the astonished enemy arrived on the opposite bank4 ,for a day the two armies lay panting within sight of each other on the opposite banks of the river1 which had put an end to the race4 ,on the #afth1 the river began to subside2 the enemy might soon be able to cross4 ,greene prepared for a further retreat by sending forward his baggage on the road to ,halifax1 and securing the passage of the ,staunton4 ,at ,halifax he was resolved to make a stand1 rather than suffer the enemy to take possession of it without a struggle4 ,its situation on the ,roanoke would make it a strong position for their army1 supported by a fleet1 and would favor their designs both on ,virginia and the ,carolinas4 ,with a view to its defence1 intrenchments had already been thrown up1 under the direction of ,kosciuszko4 ,lord ,cornwallis1 however1 did not deem it prudent1 under present circumstances1 to venture into ,virginia1 where ,greene would be sure of powerful reinforcements4 ,north ,carolina was in a state of the utmost disorder and confusion2 he thought it better to remain in it for a time1 and profit by having compelled ,greene to abandon it4 ,after giving his troops a day's repose1 therefore1 he put them once more in motion on the #ahth1 along the road by which he had pursued ,greene4 ,this changed the game4 ,lee1 with his legion1 strengthened by two veteran ,maryland companies1 and ,pickens1 with a corps of ,south ,carolina militia1 all light troops1 were transported across the ,dan in the boats1 with orders to gain the front of ,cornwallis1 hover as near as safety would permit1 cut off his intercourse with the disaffected parts of the country1 and check the rising of the royalists4 ,greene1 in the meanwhile1 remained with his main force on the northern bank of the ,dan2 waiting to ascertain his lordship's real designs1 and ready to cross at a moment's warning4 ,the movements of ,cornwallis1 for a day or two1 were of a dubious nature1 designed to perplex his opponents2 or the #bjth1 however1 he took post at ,hillsborough4 ,here he issued a proclamation1 inviting all loyal subjects to assist in suppressing the remains of rebellion1 and re-establishing good order and constitutional government4 ,by another instrument1 all who could raise independent companies were called upon to give in their names at head-quarters1 and a bounty in money and lands was promised to those who should enlist under them4 ,tarleton was detached with the cavalry and a small body of infantry to a region of country lying between the ,haw and ,deep ,rivers1 to bring on a considerable number of loyalists who were said to be assembling there4 ,rumor1 in the meantime1 had magnified the effect of his lordship's proclamations4 ,word was brought to ,greene1 that the tories were flocking from all quarters to the royal standard4 ,seven companies1 it was said1 had been raised in a single day4 ,at this time the reinforcements to the ,american camp had been little more than six hundred ,virginia militia1 under ,general ,stevens4 ,greene saw that at this rate1 if ,cornwallis was allowed to remain undisturbed1 he would soon have complete command of ,north ,carolina2 he boldly determined1 therefore1 to recross the ,dan at all hazards with the scanty force at his command1 and give his lordship check4 ,in this spirit he broke up his camp and crossed the river on the #bc;d4 ,in the meantime1 ,lee and ,pickens1 who were scouring the country about ,hillsborough1 received information of ,tarleton's recruiting expedition4 ,there was no foe they were more eager to cope with2 and they resolved to give him a surprise4 ,having forded the ,haw one day about noon1 they learned that he was encamped about three miles off1 that his horses were unsaddled1 and that everything indicated confident security4 ,they now pushed on under covert of the woods1 prepared to give the bold partisan a blow after his own fashion4 ,before they reached the place1 ,tarleton had marched on4 ,being informed that he was to halt for the night at the distance of six miles1 they still trusted to surprise him4 ,on the way1 however1 they had an encounter with a body of three or four hundred mounted royalists1 armed with rifles1 and commanded by a ,colonel ,pyle1 marching in quest of ,tarleton4 ,as ,lee with his cavalry was in the advance1 he was mistaken for ,tarleton1 and hailed with loyal acclamations4 ,he favored the mistake1 and was taking measures to capture the royalists1 when some of them1 seeing the infantry under ,pickens1 discovered their error and fired upon the rear-guard4 ,the cavalry instantly charged upon them2 ninety were cut down and slain1 and a great number wounded2 among the latter was ,colonel ,pyle himself1 who took refuge among the thickets on the borders of a piece of water which still bears his name4 ,after all1 ,lee and ,pickens missed the object of their enterprise4 ,the approach of night and the fatigue of their troops1 made them defer their attack upon ,tarleton until morning4 ,in the meantime1 the latter had received an express from ,cornwallis1 informing him that ,greene had passed the ,dan1 and ordering him to return to ,hillsborough as soon as possible4 ,he hastened to obey4 ,lee with his legion was in the saddle before daybreak2 but ,tarleton's troops were already on the march4 ,before sunrise1 he had forded the ,haw1 and ,light-horse ,harry gave over the pursuit4 ,the re-appearance of ,greene and his army in ,north ,carolina1 heralded by the scourings of ,lee and ,pickens1 disconcerted the schemes of ,lord ,cornwallis4 ,the recruiting service was interrupted4 ,many royalists1 who were on the way to his camp1 returned home4 ,forage and provisions became scarce in the neighborhood4 ,he found himself1 he said1 amongst timid friends and adjoining to inveterate rebels4 ,on the #bfth1 therefore1 he abandoned ,hillsborough1 threw himself across the ,haw1 and encamped near ,alamance ,creek1 one of its principal tributaries1 in a country favorable to supplies and with a tory population4 ,his position was commanding1 at the point of concurrence of roads from ,salisbury1 ,guilford1 ,high ,rockford1 ,cross ,creek1 and ,hillsborough4 ,it covered also the communication with ,wilmington1 where a dpt of military stores1 so important to his half-destitute army1 had recently been established4 ,greene with his main army took post about fifteen miles above him1 on the heights between ,troublesome ,creek and ,reedy ,fork1 one of the tributaries of the ,haw4 ,his plan was to cut the enemy off from the upper counties2 to harass him by skirmishes1 but to avoid a general battle2 thus gaining time for the arrival of reinforcements daily expected4 ,on the #fth of ,march1 ,cornwallis1 learning that the light troops under ,williams were very carelessly posted1 put his army suddenly in motion1 and crossed the ,alamance in a thick fog2 with the design to beat up their quarters1 drive them in upon the main army1 and bring ,greene to action should he come to their assistance4 ,his movement was discovered by the ,american patrols1 and the alarm given4 ,williams hastily called in his detachments1 and retreated with his light troops across ,reedy ,fork1 while ,lee with his legion manoeuvred in front of the enemy4 ,a stand was made by the ,americans at ,wetzell's ,mill1 but they were obliged to retire with the loss of fifty killed and wounded4 ,cornwallis did not pursue2 evening was approaching1 and he had failed in his main object2 that of bringing ,greene to action4 ,the latter1 fixed in his resolve of avoiding a conflict1 had retreated across the ,haw4 ,greene's long-expected reinforcements now arrived1 having been hurried on by forced marches4 ,they consisted of a brigade of ,virginia militia1 under ,general ,lawson1 two brigades of ,north ,carolina militia1 under ,generals ,butler and ,eaton1 and four hundred regulars1 enlisted for eighteen months4 ,his whole effective force1 according to official returns1 amounted to four thousand two hundred and forty-three foot1 and one hundred and sixty-one cavalry4 ,of his infantry1 not quite two thousand were regulars1 and of these1 three-fourths were new levies4 ,his force nearly doubled in number that of ,cornwallis1 which did not exceed two thousand four hundred men2 but many of ,greene's troops were raw and inexperienced1 and had never been in battle2 those of the enemy were veterans1 schooled in warfare4 ,greene knew the inferiority of his troops in this respect2 his reinforcements1 too1 fell far short of what he had been led to expect1 yet he determined to accept the battle which had so long been offered4 ,all detachments were ordered to assemble at ,guilford1 within eight miles of the enemy1 where he encamped on the #adth1 sending his wagons and heavy baggage to the ,iron ,works at ,troublesome ,creek1 ten miles in his rear4 ,cornwallis sent his carriages and baggage to ,bell's ,mills1 on ,deep ,river1 and set out at daybreak on the #aeth for ,guilford4 ,within four miles of that place1 near the ,new ,garden ,meeting-house1 ,tarleton with the advanced guard came upon the ,american advance-guard1 composed of ,lee's partisan legion1 and some mountaineers and ,virginia militia4 ,tarleton and ,lee were well matched in military prowess1 and the skirmish between them was severe4 ,lee's horses1 being from ,virginia and ,pennsylvania1 were superior in weight and strength to those of his opponent1 which had been chiefly taken from plantations in ,south ,carolina4 ,the latter were borne down by a charge in close column4 ,tarleton1 seeing that his weakly-mounted men fought to a disadvantage1 sounded a retreat2 ,lee endeavored to cut him off4 ,a general conflict of the vanguards1 horse and foot1 ensued1 when the appearance of the main body of the enemy obliged ,lee1 in his turn1 to retire with precipitation4 ,during this time1 ,greene was preparing for action on a woody eminence1 a little more than a mile south of ,guilford ,court-house4 ,the neighboring country was covered with forest1 excepting some cultivated fields about the court-house1 and along the ,salisbury road1 which passed through the centre of the place1 from south to north4 ,he had drawn out his troops in three lines4 ,the first1 composed of ,north ,carolina militia1 volunteers and riflemen1 under ,generals ,butler and ,eaton1 was posted behind a fence1 with an open field in front1 and woods on the flanks and in the rear4 ,about three hundred yards behind this1 was the second line1 composed of ,virginia militia1 under ,generals ,stevens and ,lawson1 drawn up across the road1 and covered by a wood4 ,the third line1 about four hundred yards in the rear of the second1 was composed of ,continental troops or regulars2 those of ,virginia under ,general ,huger on the right1 those of ,maryland under ,colonel ,williams on the left4 ,colonel ,washington with a body of dragoons1 ,kirkwood's ,delaware infantry1 and a battalion of ,virginia militia covered the right flank2 ,lee's legion1 with the ,virginia riflemen under ,colonel ,campbell1 covered the left4 ,two six-pounders were in the road1 in advance of the first line2 two field-pieces with the rear-line near the court-house1 where ,general ,greene took his station4 ,about noon the head of the ,british army was descried advancing spiritedly from the south along the ,salisbury road1 and defiling into the fields4 ,a cannonade was opened from the two six-pounders1 in front of the first ,american line4 ,it was answered by the ,british artillery4 ,neither produced much effect4 ,the enemy now advanced coolly and steadily in three columns2 the ,hessians and ,highlanders under ,general ,leslie on the right1 the ,royal artillery and guards in the centre1 and ,webster's brigade on the left4 ,the ,north ,carolinians1 who formed the first line1 waited until the enemy were within one hundred and fifty yards1 when1 agitated by their martial array and undaunted movement1 they began to fall into confusion2 some fired off their pieces without taking aim2 others threw them down1 and took to flight4 ,a volley from the foe1 a shout1 and a charge of the bayonet1 completed their discomfiture4 ,some fled to the woods1 others fell back upon the ,virginians1 who formed the second line4 ,general ,stevens1 who commanded the latter1 ordered his men to open and let the fugitives pass1 pretending that they had orders to retire4 ,under his spirited command and example1 the ,virginians kept their ground and fought bravely4 ,the action became much broken up and diversified by the extent of the ground4 ,the thickness of the woods impeded the movements of the cavalry4 ,the reserves on both sides were called up4 ,the ,british bayonet again succeeded2 the second line gave way1 and ,general ,stevens1 who had kept the field for some time1 after being wounded in the thigh by a musket-ball1 ordered a retreat4 ,the enemy pressed with increasing ardor against the third line1 composed of ,continental troops1 and supported by ,colonel ,washington's dragoons and ,kirkwood's ,delawares4 ,greene counted on these to retrieve the day4 ,they were regulars2 they were fresh1 and in perfect order4 ,he rode along the line1 calling on them to stand firm1 and give the enemy a warm reception4 ,the first ,maryland regiment which was on the right wing1 was attacked by ,colonel ,webster1 with the ,british left4 ,it stood the shock bravely1 and being seconded by some ,virginia troops1 and ,kirkwood's ,delawares1 drove ,webster across a ravine4 ,the second ,maryland regiment was not so successful4 ,impetuously attacked by ,colonel ,stewart1 with a battalion of the guards and a company of grenadiers1 it faltered1 gave way and fled1 abandoning two field-pieces1 which were seized by the enemy4 ,stewart was pursuing1 when the first regiment which had driven ,webster across the ravine1 came to the rescue with fixed bayonets1 while ,colonel ,washington spurred up with his cavalry4 ,the fight now was fierce and bloody4 ,stewart was slain2 the two field-pieces were retaken1 and the enemy in their turn gave way and were pursued with slaughter2 a destructive fire of grape-shot from the enemy's artillery checked the pursuit4 ,two regiments approached on the right and left2 ,webster recrossed the ravine and fell upon ,kirkwood's ,delawares4 ,there was intrepid fighting in different parts of the field2 but ,greene saw that the day was lost2 there was no retrieving the effect produced by the first flight of the ,north ,carolinians4 ,unwilling to risk the utter destruction of his army1 he directed a retreat1 which was made in good order1 but they had to leave their artillery on the field1 most of the horses having been killed4 ,about three miles from the field of action he made a halt to collect stragglers1 and then continued on to the place of rendezvous at ,speedwell's ,iron ,works on ,troublesome ,creek4 ,the ,british were too much cut up and fatigued to follow up their victory4 ,two regiments1 with ,tarleton's cavalry1 attempted a pursuit1 but were called back4 ,the loss of the ,americans in this hard-fought affair was never fully ascertained4 ,their official returns1 made immediately after the action1 give little more than four hundred killed and wounded1 and between eight and nine hundred missing2 but ,lord ,cornwallis states in his despatches1 that between two and three hundred of the ,americans were found dead on the field of battle4 ,the loss sustained by his lordship1 even if numerically less1 was far more fatal2 for1 in the circumstances in which he was placed1 it was not to be supplied1 and it completely maimed him4 ,of his small army1 ninety-three had fallen1 four hundred and thirteen were wounded1 and twenty-six missing4 ,among the killed and wounded were several officers of note4 ,thus1 one-fourth of his army was either killed or disabled2 his troops were exhausted by fatigue and hunger2 his camp was encumbered by the wounded4 ,his victory1 in fact1 was almost as ruinous as a defeat4 ,greene lay for two days within ten miles of him1 near the ,iron ,works on ,troublesome ,creek1 gathering up his scattered troops4 ,he had imbibed the spirit of ,washington1 and remained undismayed by hardships or reverses4 ,cornwallis1 so far from being able to advance in the career of victory1 could not even hold the ground he had so bravely won1 but was obliged to retreat from the scene of triumph to some secure position where he might obtain supplies for his famished army4 ,leaving1 therefore1 about seventy of his officers and men1 who were too severely wounded to bear travelling1 together with a number of wounded ,americans1 under the protection of a flag of truce1 he set out1 on the third day after the action1 by easy marches1 for ,cross ,creek1 an eastern branch of ,cape ,fear ,river1 where was a settlement of ,scottish ,highlanders1 stout adherents1 as he was led to believe1 to the royal cause4 ,here he expected to be plentifully supplied with provisions1 and to have his sick and wounded well taken care of4 ,hence1 too1 he could open a communication by ,cape ,fear ,river1 with ,wilmington4 ,no sooner did ,greene learn that ,cornwallis was retreating1 than he set out to follow him1 determined to bring him again to action2 and presenting the singular spectacle of the vanquished pursuing the victor4 ,his troops1 however1 suffered greatly in this pursuit from wintry weather1 deep1 wet1 clayey roads1 and scarcity of provisions4 ,on the #bhth1 ,greene arrived at ,ramsey's ,mills1 on ,deep ,river1 hard on the traces of ,cornwallis1 who had left the place a few hours previously with such precipitation1 that several of his wounded1 who had died while on the march1 were left behind unburied4 ,at ,deep ,river1 ,greene was brought to a stand4 ,cornwallis had broken down the bridge by which he had crossed2 and further pursuit for the present was impossible4 ,the constancy of the militia now gave way4 ,they had been continually on the march with little to eat1 less to drink1 and obliged to sleep in the woods in the midst of smoke4 ,every step had led them from their homes and increased their privations4 ,they were now in want of everything1 for the retreating enemy left a famished country behind him4 ,the term for which most of them had enlisted was expired1 and they now demanded their discharge4 ,the demand was just and reasonable1 and1 after striving in vain to shake their determination1 ,greene felt compelled to comply with it4 ,his force thus reduced1 it would be impossible to pursue the enemy further4 ,in this situation1 remote from reinforcements1 inferior to the enemy in numbers1 and without hope of support1 what was to be done8 ,if the enemy falls down toward ,wilmington1 said he1 they will be in a position where it would be impossible for us to injure them if we had a force4 ,suddenly he determined to change his course1 and carry the war into ,south ,carolina4 ,this would oblige the enemy either to follow him1 and thus abandon ,north ,carolina1 or to sacrifice all his posts in the upper part of ,north ,carolina and ,georgia4 ,to ,washington1 to whom he considered himself accountable for his policy1 and from whose council he derived confidence and strength1 he writes on the present occasion3 ,all things considered1 ,i think the movement is warranted by the soundest reasons1 both political and military4444 ,he apprised ,sumter1 ,pickens1 and ,marion1 by letter1 of his intentions1 and called upon them to be ready to co-operate4 ,on the #cjth of ,march he discharged all his militia1 with many thanks for the courage and fortitude with which they had followed him through so many scenes of peril and hardship4 ,then1 after giving his army a short taste of the repose they needed1 and having collected a few days' provisions1 he set forward on the #eth of ,april toward ,camden1 where ,lord ,rawdon had his head-quarters4 ,cornwallis1 in the meantime1 was grievously disappointed in the hopes he had formed of obtaining ample provisions and forage at ,cross ,creek1 and strong reinforcements from the royalists in the neighborhood4 ,neither could he open a communication by ,cape ,fear ,river for the conveyance of his troops to ,wilmington4 ,the distance by water was upwards of a hundred miles1 the breadth of the river seldom above one hundred yards1 the banks high1 and the inhabitants on each side generally hostile4 ,he was compelled1 therefore1 to continue his retreat by land1 quite to ,wilmington1 where he arrived on the #gth of ,april4 ,it was his lordship's intention1 as soon as he should have equipped his own corps and received a part of the expected reinforcements from ,ireland1 to return to the upper country1 in hopes of giving protection to the royal interests in ,south ,carolina1 and of preserving the health of his troops until he should concert new measures with ,sir ,henry ,clinton4 ,his plans were all disconcerted1 however1 by intelligence of ,greene's rapid march toward ,camden4 ,all thoughts of offensive operations against ,north ,carolina were at an end4 ,sickness1 desertion1 and the loss sustained at ,guilford ,court-house1 had reduced his little army to fourteen hundred and thirty-five men4 ,in this sad predicament1 after remaining several days in a painful state of irresolution he determined to take advantage of ,greene's having left the back part of ,virginia open1 to march directly into that province1 and attempt a junction with the force acting there under ,general ,phillips4 ,by this move1 he might draw ,greene back to the northward1 and by the reduction of ,virginia1 he might promote the subjugation of the ,south4 ,the move1 however1 he felt to be perilous4 ,his troops were worn down by upwards of eight hundred miles of marching and countermarching1 through an inhospitable and impracticable country2 they had now three hundred more before them2 under still worse circumstances than those in which they first set out4 ,there was no time for hesitation or delay2 ,greene might return and render the junction with ,phillips impracticable2 having sent an express to the latter1 therefore1 informing him of his coming1 and appointing a meeting at ,petersburg1 his lordship set off on the #beth of ,april1 on his fated march into ,virginia4 ,we must now step back in dates to bring up events in the more northern parts of the ,union4 ,,chapter ,,lxii4 ,,the ,,war ,,in ,,virginia4--,,demonstrations ,,against ,,new ,,york4 ,in a former chapter we left ,benedict ,arnold fortifying himself at ,portsmouth1 after his ravaging incursion4 ,at the solicitation of ,governor ,jefferson1 backed by ,congress1 the ,chevalier de la ,luzerne had requested the ,french commander at the eastward to send a ship-of-the-line and some frigates to ,chesapeake ,bay to oppose the traitor4 ,fortunately1 at this juncture a severe snowstorm 7,jan4 #bb;d7 scattered ,arbuthnot's blockading squadron1 wrecking one ship-of-the-line and dismasting others1 and enabled the ,french fleet at ,newport to look abroad2 and ,rochambeau wrote to ,washington that the ,chevalier ,destouches1 who commanded the fleet1 proposed to send three or four ships to the ,chesapeake4 ,washington feared the position of ,arnold and his well-known address might enable him to withstand a mere attack by sea2 anxious to ensure his capture1 he advised that ,destouches should send his whole fleet1 and that ,de ,rochambeau should embark about a thousand men on board of it1 with artillery and apparatus for a siege2 engaging1 on his own part1 to send off immediately a detachment of twelve hundred men to co-operate4 ,before the receipt of this letter1 the ,french commanders1 acting on their first impulse1 had1 about the #ith of ,february1 detached ,m4 de ,tilly1 with a sixty-gun ship and two frigates1 to make a dash into the ,chesapeake4 ,washington was apprised of their sailing just as he was preparing to send off the twelve hundred men spoken of in his letter to ,de ,rochambeau4 ,he gave the command of this detachment to ,lafayette1 instructing him to act in conjunction with the militia and the ships sent by ,destouches against the enemy's corps actually in ,virginia4 ,as the case was urgent1 he was to suffer no delay1 when on the march1 for want either of provisions1 forage1 or wagons1 but where ordinary means did not suffice1 he was to resort to military impress4 ,lafayette set out on his march on the #bb;d of ,february1 and ,washington was indulging the hope that1 scanty as was the naval force sent to the ,chesapeake1 the combined enterprise might be successful1 when on the #bgth he received a letter from the ,count de ,rochambeau announcing its failure4 ,de ,tilly had made his dash into ,chesapeake ,bay1 but ,arnold had been apprised by the ,british ,admiral ,arbuthnot of his approach1 and had drawn his ships high up ,elizabeth ,river4 ,the water was too shallow for the largest ,french ships to get within four leagues of him4 ,one of ,de ,tilly's frigates ran aground1 and was got off with difficulty1 and that commander1 seeing that ,arnold was out of his reach1 and fearing to be himself blockaded should he linger1 put to sea and returned to ,newport2 having captured during his cruise a ,british frigate of forty-four guns1 and two privateers with their prizes4 ,the ,french commanders now determined to follow the plan suggested by ,washington1 and operate in the ,chesapeake with their whole fleet and a detachment of land troops1 being1 as they said1 disposed to risk everything to hinder ,arnold from establishing himself at ,portsmouth4 ,washington set out for ,newport to concert operations with the ,french commanders1 where he arrived on the #fth of ,march1 and found the ,french fleet ready for sea1 the troops eleven hundred strong1 commanded by ,general the ,baron de ,viomenil1 being already embarked4 ,he went immediately on board of the admiral's ship1 where he had an interview with the ,count de ,rochambeau1 and arranged the plan of the campaign4 ,on the #hth of ,march1 at ten o'clock at night1 he writes to ,lafayette3 ,i have the pleasure to inform you that the whole fleet went out with a fair wind this evening about sunset4 ,the ,british fleet made sail in pursuit1 on the morning of the #ajth2 as the ,french had so much the start1 it was hoped they would reach ,chesapeake ,bay before them4 ,in the meantime1 ,lafayette with his detachment was pressing forward by forced marches for ,virginia4 ,arriving at the ,head of ,elk on the #c;d of ,march1 he halted until he should receive tidings respecting the ,french fleet4 ,on the #gth he received ,washington's letter of the #ast1 apprising him of the approaching departure of the whole fleet with land forces4 ,lafayette now conducted his troops by water to ,annapolis1 and concluding1 from the time the ships were to sail1 and the winds which had since prevailed1 the ,french fleet must be already in the ,chesapeake1 he crossed the bay in an open boat to ,virginia1 and pushed on to confer with the ,american and ,french commanders3 get a convoy for his troops1 and concert matters for a vigorous co-operation4 ,arriving at ,york on the #adth1 he found the ,baron ,steuben in the bustle of military preparations1 and confident of having five thousand militia ready to co-operate4 ,these1 with ,lafayette's detachment1 would be sufficient for the attack by land2 nothing was wanting but a co-operation by sea2 and the ,french fleet had not yet appeared1 though double the time necessary for the voyage had elapsed4 ,on the #bjth1 word was brought that a fleet had come to anchor within the capes4 ,it was supposed of course to be the ,french1 and now the capture of the traitor was certain4 ,he himself from certain signs appeared to be in great confusion2 none of his ships ventured down the bay4 ,an officer of the ,french navy bore down to visit the fleet1 but returned with the astounding intelligence that it was ,british6 ,admiral ,arbuthnot had in fact overtaken ,destouches on the #afth of ,march1 off the capes of ,virginia4 ,their forces were nearly equal2 eight ships-of-the-line1 and four frigates on each side1 the ,french having more men1 the ,english more guns4 ,an engagement took place which lasted about an hour4 ,the ,british van at first took the brunt of the action1 and was severely handled2 the centre came up to its relief4 ,the ,french line was broken and gave way1 but rallied1 and formed again at some distance4 ,the crippled state of some of his ships prevented the ,british admiral from bringing on a second encounter2 nor did the ,french seek one1 but shaped their course the next day back to ,newport4 ,both sides claimed a victory4 ,the ,british certainly effected the main objects they had in view2 the ,french were cut off from the ,chesapeake2 the combined enterprise against ,portsmouth was disconcerted1 and ,arnold was saved4 ,a detachment of two thousand troops from ,new ,york1 under ,general ,phillips1 arrived at ,portsmouth on the #bfth of ,march4 ,that officer immediately took command1 greatly to the satisfaction of the ,british officers1 who had been acting under ,arnold4 ,the force now collected there amounted to three thousand five hundred men4 ,the disparity in force was now so great1 that the ,baron ,steuben had to withdraw his troops1 and remove the military stores into the interior4 ,many of the militia1 too1 their term of three months being expired1 stacked their arms1 and set off for their homes1 and most of the residue had to be discharged4 ,general ,phillips had hitherto remained quiet in ,portsmouth1 completing the fortifications1 but evidently making preparations for an expedition4 ,on the #afth of ,april he left one thousand men in garrison1 and embarking the rest in small vessels of light draught1 proceeded up ,james ,river1 destroying armed vessels1 public magazines1 and a ship-yard belonging to the ,state4 ,landing at ,city ,point1 he advanced against ,petersburg1 a place of deposit of military stores and tobacco4 ,he was met about a mile below the town by about one thousand militia1 under ,general ,muhlenburg1 who1 after disputing the ground inch by inch for nearly two hours1 with considerable loss on both sides1 retreated across the ,appomattox1 breaking down the bridge behind them4 ,phillips entered the town1 set fire to the tobacco warehouses1 and destroyed all the vessels lying in the river4 ,repairing and crossing the bridge over the ,appomattox1 he proceeded to ,chesterfield ,court-house1 where he destroyed barracks and public stores2 while ,arnold1 with a detachment1 laid waste the magazines of tobacco in the direction of ,warwick4 ,a fire was opened by the latter from a few field-pieces on the river bank1 upon a squadron of small1 armed vessels1 which had been intended to co-operate with the ,french fleet against ,portsmouth4 ,the crews scuttled or set fire to them1 and escaped to the north side of the river4 ,this destructive course was pursued until they arrived at ,manchester1 a small place opposite ,richmond1 where the tobacco warehouses were immediately in a blaze4 ,richmond was a leading object of this desolating enterprise1 for there a great part of the military stores of the ,state had been collected4 ,fortunately1 ,lafayette1 with his detachment of two thousand men1 had arrived there1 by forced marches1 the evening before1 and being joined by about two thousand militia and sixty dragoons 7the latter1 principally young ,virginians of family71 had posted himself strongly on the high banks on the north side of the river4 ,there being no bridge across the river at that time1 ,general ,phillips did not think it prudent to attempt a passage in face of such a force so posted4 ,returning down the south bank of the river1 to the place where his vessels awaited him1 he re-embarked on the #b;d of ,may1 and dropped slowly down the river below the confluence of the ,chickahomony4 ,he was followed cautiously1 and his movements watched by ,lafayette1 who posted himself behind the last-named river4 ,despatches from ,cornwallis now informed ,phillips that his lordship was advancing with all speed from the ,south to effect a junction with him4 ,the general immediately made a rapid move to regain possession of ,petersburg1 where the junction was to take place4 ,lafayette attempted by forced marches to get there before him1 but was too late4 ,falling back1 therefore1 he recrossed ,james ,river and stationed himself some miles below ,richmond1 to be at hand for the protection of the public stores collected there4 ,during this main expedition of ,phillips1 some of his smaller vessels had carried on the plan of plunder and devastation in other of the rivers emptying into the ,chesapeake ,bay2 setting fire to the houses where they met with resistance4 ,in the meantime the desolating career of ,general ,phillips was brought to a close4 ,he had been ill for some days previous to his arrival at ,petersburg1 and by the time he reached there1 was no longer capable of giving orders4 ,he died four days afterwards2 honored and deeply regretted by his brothers in arms1 as a meritorious and well-tried soldier4 ,lord ,cornwallis arrived at ,petersburg on the #bjth of ,may1 after nearly a month's weary marching from ,wilmington4 ,his lordship1 on taking command1 found his force augmented by a considerable detachment of royal artillery1 two battalions of light infantry1 the #gfth and #hjth ,british regiments1 a ,hessian regiment1 ,lieutenant-colonel ,simcoe's corps of ,queen's rangers1 cavalry and infantry1 one hundred yagers1 ,arnold's legion of royalists1 and the garrison of ,portsmouth4 ,his mind1 we are told1 was now set at ease with regard to ,southern affairs2 his spirits1 so long jaded by his harassing tramps about the ,carolinas1 were again lifted up by his augmented strength4 ,while affairs were approaching a crisis in ,virginia1 troubles were threatening from the ,north4 ,there were rumors of invasion from ,canada2 of war councils and leagues among the savage tribes2 of a revival of the territorial feuds between ,new ,york and ,vermont4 ,such1 however1 was the deplorable inefficiency of the military system1 that though1 according to the resolves of ,congress1 there were to have been thirty-seven thousand men under arms at the beginning of the year1 ,washington's whole force on the ,hudson in the month of ,may did not amount to seven thousand men1 of whom little more than four thousand were effective4 ,he still had his head-quarters at ,new ,windsor1 just above the ,highlands1 and within a few miles of ,west ,point4 ,here he received intelligence that the enemy were in force on the opposite side of the ,hudson1 marauding the country on the north side of ,croton ,river1 and he ordered a hasty advance of ,connecticut troops in that direction4 ,the ,croton ,river flows from east to west across ,westchester ,county1 and formed as it were the barrier of the ,american lines4 ,the advanced posts of ,washington's army guarded it1 and by its aid1 protected the upper country from the incursions of those foraging parties and marauders which had desolated the neutral ground below it4 ,the incursions most to be guarded against were those of ,colonel ,delancey's loyalists1 a horde of tories and refugees which had their stronghold in ,morrisania4 ,the object of their present incursion was to surprise an outpost of the ,american army stationed near a fordable part of the ,croton ,river1 not far from ,pine's ,bridge4 ,the post was commanded by ,colonel ,christopher ,greene1 of ,rhode ,island1 the same who had successfully defended ,fort ,mercer on the ,delaware1 when assailed by ,count ,donop4 ,he was a valuable officer1 highly prized by ,washington4 ,colonel ,delancey1 who led this foray1 was successor to the unfortunate ,andr as adjutant-general of the ,british army4 ,he conducted it secretly1 and in the night1 at the head of a hundred horse and two hundred foot4 ,the ,croton was forded at daybreak1 just as the night-guard had been withdrawn1 and the farm-houses were surprised and assailed in which the ,americans were quartered4 ,that occupied by ,colonel ,greene and a brother officer1 ,major ,flagg1 was first surrounded4 ,the major started from his bed1 and discharged his pistols from a window1 but was shot through the head1 and afterwards despatched by cuts and thrusts of the sabre4 ,the door of ,greene's room was burst open4 ,he defended himself vigorously and effectively with his sword1 for he had great strength1 but he was overpowered by numbers1 cut down1 and barbarously mangled4 ,a massacre was going on in other quarters4 ,besides these two officers1 there were between thirty and forty killed and wounded1 and several made prisoners4 ,it is said that ,colonel ,delancey was not present at the carnage1 but remained on the south side of the ,croton to secure the retreat of his party4 ,before the troops ordered out by ,washington arrived at the post1 the marauders had made a precipitate retreat4 ,they had attempted to carry off ,greene a prisoner1 but he died within three-quarters of a mile of the house4 ,the commander-in-chief1 we are told1 heard with anguish and indignation the tragical fate of this1 his faithful friend and soldier4 ,at this juncture ,washington's attention was called in another direction4 ,a frigate had arrived at ,boston1 bringing the ,count de ,barras1 to take command of the ,french naval force4 ,he was a veteran about sixty years of age1 and had commanded ,d',estaing's vanguard1 when he forced the entrance of ,newport harbor4 ,the count brought the cheering intelligence1 that an armament of twenty ships-of-the-line1 with land forces1 was to sail1 or had sailed1 from ,france1 under the ,count de ,grasse for the ,west ,indies1 and that twelve of these ships were to relieve the squadron at ,newport1 and might be expected on the coast of the ,united ,states in ,july or ,august4 ,the ,count de ,rochambeau1 having received despatches from the court of ,france1 now requested an interview with ,washington4 ,the latter appointed ,weathersfield in ,connecticut for the purpose2 and met the count there on the #bb;d of ,may1 hoping to settle a definite plan of the campaign4 ,both as yet were ignorant of the arrival of ,cornwallis in ,virginia4 ,the policy of a joint expedition to relieve the ,carolinas was discussed4 ,as the ,french ships in ,newport were still blockaded by a superior force1 such an expedition would have to be made by land4 ,a march to the ,southern ,states was long and harassing1 and always attended with a great waste of life4 ,on the other hand1 an effective blow might be struck at ,new ,york1 the garrison having been reduced one-half by detachments to the ,south4 ,it was determined1 therefore1 that the ,french troops should march from ,newport as soon as possible1 and form a junction with the ,american army on the ,hudson1 and that both should move down to the vicinity of ,new ,york to make a combined attack1 in which the ,count de ,grasse should be invited to co-operate with his fleet and a body of land troops4 ,a vessel was despatched by ,de ,rochambeau1 to inform the ,count de ,grasse of this arrangement2 and letters were addressed by ,washington to the executive authorities of ,new ,jersey and the ,new ,england ,states1 urging them to fill up their battalions and furnish their quotas of provisions4 ,notwithstanding all his exertions1 however1 when he mustered his forces at ,peekskill1 he was mortified to find not more than five thousand effective men4 ,notwithstanding1 too1 all the resolutions passed in the legislatures of the various ,states for supplying the army1 it would1 at this critical moment1 have been destitute of provisions1 especially bread1 had it not been for the zeal1 talents1 and activity of ,mr4 ,robert ,morris1 now a delegate to ,congress1 from the ,state of ,pennsylvania1 and recently appointed superintendent of finance4 ,this patriotic and energetic man1 when public means failed1 pledged his own credit in transporting military stores and feeding the army4 ,the ,count de ,rochambeau and the ,duke de ,lauzun being arrived with their troops in ,connecticut1 on their way to join the ,american army1 ,washington prepared for spirited operations2 quickened by the intelligence that a part of the garrison of ,new ,york had been detached to forage the ,jerseys4 ,two objects were contemplated by him3 one1 the surprisal of the ,british works at the north end of ,new ,york ,island2 the other the capture or destruction of ,delancey's corps of refugees in ,morrisania4 ,the attack upon the posts was to be conducted by ,general ,lincoln1 with a detachment from the main army1 which he was to bring down by water--that on ,delancey's corps by the ,duke de ,lauzun with his legion1 aided by ,sheldon's dragoons1 and a body of ,connecticut troops4 ,both operations were to be carried into effect on the #c;d of ,july4 ,the duke was to march down from ,ridgebury in ,connecticut1 for the purpose4 ,everything was to be conducted with secrecy and by the way of surprisal4 ,should anything occur to prevent ,lincoln from attempting the works on ,new ,york ,island1 he was to land his men above ,spyt den ,duivel ,creek1 march to the high grounds in front of ,king's ,bridge1 lie concealed there until the duke's attack on ,delancey's corps should be announced by firing or other means2 then to dispose of his force in such a manner as to make the enemy think it larger than it really was2 thereby deterring troops from coming over the bridge to turn ,lauzun's right1 while he prevented the escape over the bridge of ,delancey's refugees when routed from ,morrisania4 ,in pursuance of the plan1 ,lincoln left the camp near ,peekskill on the #ast1 with eight hundred men1 and artillery1 and proceeded to ,teller's ,point1 where they were embarked in boats with muffled oars1 and rowed silently at night down the ,tappan ,sea4 ,at daylight they kept concealed under the land4 ,the ,duke de ,lauzun was supposed1 at the same time1 to be on the way from ,connecticut4 ,washington1 at three o'clock on the morning of the #b;d1 left his tents standing at ,peekskill1 and commenced his march with his main force1 to ,valentine's ,hill1 four miles above ,king's ,bridge4 ,there he posted himself to cover the detached troops1 and improve any advantages that might be gained them4 ,lincoln1 on the morning of the #b;d1 had left his flotilla concealed under the eastern shore1 and crossed to ,fort ,lee to reconnoitre ,fort ,washington from the cliffs on the opposite side of the ,hudson4 ,to his surprise and chagrin1 he discovered a ,british force encamped on the north end of ,new ,york ,island1 and a ship-of-war anchored in the river4 ,in fact1 the troops which had been detached into the ,jerseys1 had returned1 and the enemy were on the alert2 the surprisal of the forts1 therefore1 was out of the question4 ,his thoughts now were to aid the ,duke de ,lauzun's part of the scheme1 as he had been instructed4 ,before daylight on the #c;d1 he landed his troops above ,spyt den ,duivel ,creek1 and took possession of the high ground on the north of ,harlem ,river1 where ,fort ,independence once stood4 ,here he was discovered by a foraging party of the enemy1 fifteen hundred strong1 who had sallied out at daybreak to scour the country4 ,an irregular skirmish ensued4 ,the firing was heard by the ,duke de ,lauzun1 who was just arrived with his troops at ,eastchester1 fatigued by a long and forced march in sultry weather4 ,finding the country alarmed1 and all hope of surprising ,delancey's corps at an end1 he hastened to the support of ,lincoln4 ,washington also advanced with his troops from ,valentine's ,hill4 ,the ,british1 perceiving their danger1 retreated to their boats on the east side of ,harlem ,river1 and crossed over to ,new ,york ,island4 ,a trifling loss in killed and wounded had been sustained on each side1 and ,lincoln had made a few prisoners4 ,being disappointed in both objects1 ,washington did not care to fatigue his troops any more1 but suffered them to remain on their arms1 and spent a good part of the day reconnoitring the enemy's works4 ,in the afternoon he retired to ,valentine's ,hill1 and the next day marched to ,dobbs' ,ferry1 where he was joined by the ,count de ,rochambeau on the #fth ,july4 ,the two armies now encamped--the ,american in two lines1 resting on the ,hudson at ,dobbs' ,ferry1 where it was covered by batteries1 and extending eastward toward the ,neperan or ,sawmill ,river2 the ,french in a single line on the hills further east1 reaching to the ,bronx ,river4 ,the two armies lay thus encamped for three or four weeks4 ,in the meantime letters urged ,washington's presence in ,virginia4 ,richard ,henry ,lee advised that he should come with two or three thousand good troops1 and be clothed with dictatorial powers4 ,i am fully persuaded1 and upon good military principles1 writes ,washington in reply1 that the measures ,i have adopted will give more effectual and speedy relief to the ,state of ,virginia than my marching thither1 with dictatorial powers1 at the head of every man ,i could draw from hence1 without leaving the important posts on the ,north ,river quite defenceless1 and these ,states open to devastation and ruin4 ,my present plan of operation1 which ,i have been preparing with all the zeal and activity in my power1 will1 ,i am morally certain1 with proper support produce one of two things1 either the fall of ,new ,york1 or a withdrawal of the troops from ,virginia1 excepting a garrison at ,portsmouth1 at which place ,i have no doubt of the enemy's intention of establishing a permanent post4 ,within two or three days after this letter was written1 ,washington crossed the river at ,dobbs' ,ferry1 accompanied by the ,count de ,rochambeau1 ,general de ,beville1 and ,general ,duportail1 to reconnoitre the ,british posts on the north end of ,new ,york ,island4 ,they were escorted by one hundred and fifty of the ,new ,jersey troops1 and spent the day on the ,jersey heights ascertaining the exact position of the enemy on the opposite shore4 ,their next movement was to reconnoitre the enemy's posts at ,king's ,bridge and on the east side of ,new ,york ,island1 and to cut off1 if possible1 such of ,delancey's corps as should be found without the ,british lines4 ,five thousand troops1 ,french and ,american1 led by the ,count de ,chastellux and ,general ,lincoln1 were to protect this reconnoissance1 and menace the enemy's posts4 ,everything was prepared in secrecy4 ,on the #bast of ,july1 at eight o'clock in the evening1 the troops began their march4 ,the detachment arrived at ,king's ,bridge about daylight1 and formed on the height back of ,fort ,independence4 ,the enemy's forts on ,new ,york ,island did not appear to have the least intelligence of what was going on1 nor to be aware that hostile troops were upon the heights opposite1 until the latter displayed themselves in full array1 their arms flashing in the morning sunshine1 and their banners1 ,american and ,french1 unfolded to the breeze4 ,while the enemy was thus held in check1 ,washington and ,de ,rochambeau1 accompanied by engineers and by their staffs1 set out under the escort of a troop of dragoons to reconnoitre the enemy's position and works from every point of view4 ,it was a wide reconnoissance1 extending across the country outside of the ,british lines from the ,hudson to the ,sound4 ,the whole was done slowly and scientifically1 exact notes and diagrams being made of everything that might be of importance in future operations4 ,while the enemy's works had been thoroughly reconnoitred1 light troops and lancers had performed their duty in scouring the neighborhood4 ,the refugee posts which had desolated the country were broken up4 ,most of the refugees1 ,washington says1 had fled and hid themselves in secret places2 some got over by stealth to the adjacent islands and to the enemy's shipping1 and a few were caught4 ,,chapter ,,lxiii4 ,,ravages ,,in ,,virginia4--,,operations ,,in ,,carolina4--,,attack ,,on ,,new ,,london4 ,the first object of ,lord ,cornwallis on the junction of his forces at ,petersburg in ,may1 was to strike a blow at ,lafayette4 ,the marquis was encamped on the north side of ,james ,river1 between ,wilton and ,richmond1 with about one thousand regulars1 two thousand militia1 and fifty dragoons4 ,he was waiting for reinforcements of militia1 and for the arrival of ,general ,wayne1 with the ,pennsylvania line4 ,his lordship hoped to draw him into an action before thus reinforced1 and with that view1 marched1 on the #bdth of ,may1 from ,petersburg to ,james ,river1 which he crossed at ,westover1 about thirty miles below ,richmond4 ,here he was joined on the #bfth by a reinforcement just arrived from ,new ,york1 part of which he sent under ,general ,leslie to strengthen the garrison at ,portsmouth4 ,he was relieved also from military companionship with the infamous ,arnold1 who obtained leave of absence to return to ,new ,york1 where business of importance was said to demand his attention4 ,being now strongly reinforced1 ,cornwallis moved to dislodge ,lafayette from ,richmond4 ,this latter1 conscious of the inferiority of his forces1 decamped as soon as he heard his lordship had crossed ,james ,river1 and directed his march toward the upper country1 inclining to the north1 to favor a junction with ,wayne4 ,cornwallis followed him as far as the upper part of ,hanover ,county1 destroying public stores wherever found4 ,he soon found it impossible either to overtake ,lafayette1 or prevent his junction with ,wayne2 he turned his attention1 therefore1 to other objects4 ,greene1 in his passage through ,virginia1 had urged the importance of removing horses out of the way of the enemy2 his caution had been neglected2 the consequences were now felt4 ,the great number of fine horses in the stables of ,virginia gentlemen1 who are noted for their love of the noble animal1 had enabled ,cornwallis to mount many of his troops in first-rate style4 ,these he employed in scouring the country1 and destroying public stores4 ,tarleton and his legion1 it is said1 were mounted on race-horses4 ,the ,state ,legislature had been removed for safety to ,charlottesville1 where it was assembled for the purpose of levying taxes1 and drafting militia4 ,tarleton1 with one hundred and eighty cavalry and seventy mounted infantry1 was ordered by ,cornwallis to make a dash there1 break up the legislature1 and carry off members4 ,on his way thither1 on the #dth of ,june1 he captured and destroyed a convoy of arms and clothing destined for ,greene's army in ,north ,carolina4 ,at another place he surprised several persons of note at the house of a ,dr4 ,walker1 but lingered so long breakfasting1 that a person mounted on a fleet horse had time to reach ,charlottesville before him1 and spread the alarm4 ,tarleton crossed the ,rivanna1 which washes the hill on which ,charlottesville is situated2 dispersed a small force collected on the bank1 and galloped into the town thinking to capture the whole assembly4 ,seven alone fell into his hands2 the rest had made their escape4 ,no better success attended a party of horse under ,captain ,mc,leod1 detached to surprise the ,governor 7,thomas ,jefferson71 at his residence in ,monticello4 ,having set fire to all the public stores at ,charlottesville1 ,tarleton pushed for the point of ,fork at the confluence of the ,rivanna and ,fluvanna2 to aid1 if necessary1 a detachment sent under ,colonel ,simcoe to destroy a great quantity of military stores collected at that post4 ,the ,baron ,steuben1 who was stationed there with five hundred ,virginia regulars and a few militia1 and had heard of the march of ,tarleton1 had succeeded in transporting the greater part of the stores1 as well as his troops1 across the river1 and as the water was deep and the boats were all on his side1 he might have felt himself secure4 ,the unexpected appearance of ,simcoe's infantry1 however1 designedly spread out on the opposite heights1 deceived him into the idea that it was the van of the ,british army4 ,in his alarm he made a night retreat of thirty miles1 leaving the greater part of the stores scattered along the river bank2 which were destroyed the next morning by a small detachment of the enemy sent across in canoes4 ,on the #ajth of ,june1 ,lafayette was at length gladdened by the arrival of ,wayne with about nine hundred of the ,pennsylvania line4 ,thus reinforced1 he changed his whole plan1 and ventured on the aggressive4 ,cornwallis had gotten between him and a large deposit of military stores at ,albemarle ,old ,court-house4 ,the marquis1 by a rapid march at night1 through a road long disused1 threw himself between the ,british army and the stores1 and1 being joined by a numerous body of mountain militia1 took a strong position to dispute the advance of the enemy4 ,cornwallis did not think it advisable to pursue this enterprise1 especially as he heard ,lafayette would soon be joined by forces under ,baron ,steuben4 ,he turned his face1 therefore1 toward the lower part of ,virginia1 and made a retrograde march1 first to ,richmond1 and afterwards to ,williamsburg4 ,lafayette1 being joined by ,steuben and his forces1 had about four thousand men under him1 one half of whom were regulars4 ,he now followed the ,british army at the distance of eighteen or twenty miles1 throwing forward his light troops to harass their rear1 which was covered by ,tarleton and ,simcoe with their cavalry and infantry4 ,cornwallis arrived at ,williamsburg on the #beth1 and sent out ,simcoe to destroy some boats and stores on the ,chickahominy ,river1 and to sweep off the cattle of the neighborhood4 ,lafayette heard of the ravage1 and detached ,lieutenant-colonel ,butler1 of the ,pennsylvania line1 with a corps of light troops1 and a body of horse under ,major ,mc,pherson1 to intercept the marauders4 ,as the infantry could not push on fast enough for the emergency1 ,mc,pherson took up fifty of them behind fifty of his dragoons1 and dashed on4 ,he overtook a company of ,simcoe's rangers under ,captain ,shank about six miles from ,williamsburg1 foraging at a farm2 a sharp encounter took place2 ,mc,pherson at the outset was unhorsed and severely hurt4 ,the action continued4 ,simcoe with his infantry1 who had been in the advance convoying a drove of cattle1 now engaged in the fight4 ,butler's riflemen began to arrive1 and supported the dragoons4 ,neither knew the strength of the force they were contending with2 but supposed it the advance guard of the opposite army4 ,an alarm gun was fired by the ,british on a neighboring hill4 ,it was answered by alarm guns at ,williamsburg4 ,the ,americans supposed the whole ,british force coming out to assail them1 and began to retire4 ,simcoe1 imagining ,lafayette to be at hand1 likewise drew off1 and pursued his march to ,williamsburg4 ,the loss in killed and wounded on both sides was severe for the number engaged2 but the statements vary1 and were never reconciled4 ,an express was received by ,cornwallis at ,williamsburg which obliged him to change his plans4 ,the movements of ,washington in the neighborhood of ,new ,york1 menacing an attack1 had produced the desired effect4 ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 alarmed for the safety of the place1 had written to ,cornwallis requiring a part of his troops for its protection4 ,his lordship prepared to comply with this requisition1 but as it would leave him too weak to continue at ,williamsburg1 he set out on the #dth of ,july for ,portsmouth4 ,lafayette followed him on the ensuing day1 and took post within nine miles of his camp2 intending1 when the main body of the enemy should have crossed the ford to the island of ,jamestown1 to fall upon the rear guard4 ,cornwallis suspected his design1 and prepared to take advantage of it4 ,the wheel carriages1 bat horses and baggage1 were passed over to the island under the escort of the ,queen's rangers2 making a great display1 as if the main body had crossed2 his lordship1 however1 with the greater part of his forces1 remained on the mainland1 his right covered by ponds1 the centre and left by morasses over which a few narrow causeways of logs connected his position with the country1 and ,james ,island lay in the rear4 ,his camp was concealed by a skirt of woods1 and covered by an outpost4 ,in the morning of the #fth1 as the ,americans were advancing1 a negro and a dragoon1 employed by ,tarleton1 threw themselves in their way1 pretending to be deserters1 and informed them that the body of the king's troops had passed ,james ,river in the night1 leaving nothing behind but the rear guard1 composed of the ,british legion and a detachment of infantry4 ,persuaded of the fact1 ,lafayette with his troops crossed the morass on the left of the enemy by a narrow causeway of logs1 and halted beyond about sunset4 ,wayne was detached with a body of riflemen1 dragoons and ,continental infantry1 to make the attack1 while the marquis with nine hundred ,continentals and some militia stood ready to support him4 ,wayne easily routed a patrol of cavalry and drove in the pickets1 who had been ordered to give way readily4 ,the outpost which covered the camp defended itself more obstinately2 though exceedingly galled by the riflemen4 ,wayne pushed forward with the ,pennsylvania line1 eight hundred strong1 and three field-pieces1 to attack it2 at the first discharge of a cannon more than two thousand of the enemy emerged from their concealment1 and he found too late that the whole ,british line was in battle array before him4 ,to retreat was more dangerous than to go on4 ,so thinking1 with that impetuous valor which had gained him the name of ,mad ,anthony1 he ordered a charge to be sounded1 and threw himself1 horse and foot1 with shouts upon the enemy4 ,it was a sanguinary conflict and a desperate one1 for the enemy were outflanking him right and left4 ,fortunately1 the heaviness of the fire had awakened the suspicions of ,lafayette2--it was too strong for the outpost of a rear-guard4 ,spurring to a point of land which commanded a view of the ,british camp1 he discovered the actual force of the enemy1 and the peril of ,wayne4 ,galloping back1 he sent word to ,wayne to fall back to ,general ,muhlenburg's brigade1 which had just arrived1 and was forming within half a mile of the scene of conflict4 ,wayne did so in good order1 leaving behind him his three cannon2 the horses which drew them having been killed4 ,the whole army then retired across the morass4 ,the loss of the ,americans in this brief but severe conflict is stated by ,lafayette to have been one hundred and eighteen killed1 wounded and prisoners1 including ten officers4 ,the ,british loss was said to be five officers wounded1 and seventy-five privates killed and wounded4 ,lafayette retreated to ,green ,springs1 where he rallied and reposed his troops4 ,cornwallis crossed over to ,jamestown ,island after dark1 and three days afterwards1 passing the ,james ,river with his main force1 proceeded to ,portsmouth4 ,we will now turn to resume the course of ,general ,greene's campaigning in the ,carolinas4 ,it will be recollected that he1 on the #eth of ,april1 set out from ,deep ,river on a retrograde march to carry the war again into ,south ,carolina1 beginning by an attack on ,lord ,rawdon's post at ,camden4 ,sumter and ,marion had been keeping alive the revolutionary fire in that ,state4 ,on the re-appearance of ,greene1 they stood ready to aid with heart and hand4 ,on his way to ,camden1 ,greene detached ,lee to join ,marion with his legion1 and make an attack upon ,fort ,watson by way of diversion4 ,for himself1 he appeared before ,camden1 but finding it too strong and too well garrisoned1 fell back about two miles1 and took post at ,hobkirk's ,hill1 hoping to draw his lordship out4 ,he succeeded but too well4 ,his lordship attacked him on the #beth of ,april1 coming upon him partly by surprise4 ,there was a hard-fought battle1 but through some false move among part of his troops1 ,greene was obliged to retreat4 ,his lordship did not pursue1 but shut himself up in ,camden1 waiting to be rejoined by part of his garrison which was absent4 ,greene posted himself near ,camden ferry on the ,wateree1 to intercept these reinforcements4 ,lee and ,marion1 who had succeeded in capturing ,fort ,watson1 also took a position on the high hills of ,santee for the same purpose4 ,their efforts were unavailing4 ,lord ,rawdon was rejoined by the other part of his troops4 ,his superior force now threatened to give him the mastery4 ,greene felt the hazardous nature of his situation4 ,his troops were fatigued by their long marchings2 he was disappointed of promised aid and reinforcements from ,virginia2 still he was undismayed1 and prepared for another of his long and stubborn retreats4 ,the next morning there was a joyful reverse4 ,rawdon was preparing to evacuate ,camden4 ,his lordship had heard of the march of ,cornwallis into ,virginia1 and that all hope of aid from him was at an end4 ,his garrison was out of provisions4 ,all supplies were cut off by the ,americans2 he had no choice but to evacuate4 ,he left ,camden in flames4 ,rapid successes now attended the ,american arms4 ,fort ,motte1 the middle post between ,camden and ,ninety-,six1 was taken by ,marion and ,lee4 ,lee next captured ,granby1 and marched to aid ,pickens in the siege of ,augusta2 while ,greene1 having acquired a supply of arms1 ammunition and provisions from the captured forts1 sat down before the fortress of ,ninety-,six1 on the #bb;d of ,may4 ,it was the great mart and stronghold of the royalists1 and was principally garrisoned by royalists from ,new ,jersey and ,new ,york1 commanded by ,colonel ,cruger1 a native of ,new ,york4 ,the siege lasted for nearly a month4 ,the place was valiantly defended4 ,lee arrived with his legion1 having failed before ,augusta1 and invested a stockaded fort which formed part of the works4 ,word was brought that ,lord ,rawdon was pressing forward with reinforcements1 and but a few miles distant on the ,saluda4 ,greene endeavored to get up ,sumter1 ,marion and ,pickens to his assistance1 but they were too far on the right of ,lord ,rawdon to form a junction4 ,the troops were eager to storm the works before his lordship should arrive4 ,a partial assault was made on the #ahth of ,june4 ,it was a bloody contest4 ,the stockaded fort was taken1 but the troops were repulsed from the main works4 ,greene retreated across the ,saluda1 and halted at ,bush ,river1 at twenty miles distance1 to observe the motion of the enemy4 ,lord ,rawdon entered ,ninety-,six on the #bast1 but sallied forth again on the #bdth1 taking with him all the troops capable of fatigue1 two thousand in number1 without wheel carriage of any kind1 or even knapsacks1 hoping by a rapid move to overtake ,greene4 ,want of provisions soon obliged him to give up the pursuit1 and return to ,ninety-,six4 ,leaving about one half of his force there1 under ,colonel ,cruger1 he sallied a second time from ,ninety-,six1 at the head of eleven hundred infantry1 with cavalry1 artillery1 and field-pieces1 marching by the south side of the ,saluda for the ,congaree4 ,he was now pursued in his turn by ,greene and ,lee4 ,in this march more than fifty of his lordship's soldiers fell dead from heat1 fatigue and privation4 ,at ,orangeburg1 where he arrived on the #hth of ,july1 his lordship was joined by a large detachment under ,colonel ,stuart4 ,greene had followed him closely1 and having collected all his detachments1 and being joined by ,sumter1 appeared within four miles of ,orangeburg1 on the #ajth of ,july1 and offered battle4 ,the offer was not accepted1 and the position of ,lord ,rawdon was too strong to be attacked4 ,greene remained there two or three days2 when1 learning that ,colonel ,cruger was advancing with the residue of the forces from ,ninety-,six1 which would again give his lordship a superiority of force1 he moved off with his infantry on the night of the #acth of ,july1 crossed the ,saluda1 and posted himself on the east side of the ,wateree1 at the high hills of ,santee4 ,he now detached ,sumter with about a thousand light troops to scour the lower country1 and attack the ,british posts in the vicinity of ,charleston1 now left uncovered by the concentration of their forces at ,orangeburg4 ,under ,sumter acted ,marion1 ,lee1 the ,hamptons1 and other enterprising partisans4 ,they were to act separately in breaking up the minor posts at and about ,dorchester1 but to unite at ,monk's ,corner1 where ,lieutenant-colonel ,coates was stationed with the #ith ,regiment4 ,this post carried1 they were to re-unite with ,greene's army on the high hills of ,santee4 ,scarce was ,sumter on his march1 when he received a letter from ,greene1 dated ,july #adth1 stating that ,cruger had formed a junction with ,lord ,rawdon the preceding night2 no time1 therefore1 was to be lost4 ,push your operations night and day3 station a party to watch the enemy's motions at ,orangeburg4 ,keep ,colonel ,lee and ,general ,marion advised of all matters from above1 and tell ,colonel ,lee to thunder even at the gates of ,charleston4 ,conformably to these orders1 ,colonel ,henry ,hampton with a party was posted to keep an eye on ,orangeburg4 ,lee with his legion1 accompanied by ,lieutenant-colonel ,wade ,hampton1 and a detachment of cavalry1 was sent to carry ,dorchester1 and then press forward to the gates of ,charleston2 while ,sumter with the main body1 took up his line of march along the road on the south side of the ,congaree1 towards ,monk's ,corner4 ,as ,lee approached ,dorchester1 ,colonel ,wade ,hampton1 with his cavalry1 passed to the east of that place1 to a bridge on ,goose ,creek1 to cut off all communication between the garrison and ,monk's ,corner4 ,his sudden appearance gave the alarm1 the garrison abandoned its post1 and when ,lee arrived there he found it deserted4 ,he proceeded to secure a number of horses and wagons1 and some fixed ammunition1 which the garrison had left behind1 and to send them off to ,hampton4 ,hampton1 kept in suspense by this delay1 lost patience4 ,he feared that the alarm would spread through the country1 and the dash into the vicinity of ,charleston be prevented4 ,abandoning the bridge at ,goose ,creek1 therefore1 he set off with his cavalry1 clattered down to the neighborhood of the lines1 and threw the city into confusion4 ,the bells rang1 alarm guns were fired1 the citizens turned out under arms4 ,hampton captured a patrol of dragoons and a guard1 at the ,quarter-house2 and then retired1 carrying off fifty prisoners1 several of them officers4 ,lee arrived in the neighborhood on the following day1 but ,hampton had been beforehand with him1 made the dash1 and thundered at the gate4 ,both now hastened to rejoin ,sumter on the evening of the #afth1 who was only waiting to collect his detachments1 before he made an attack on ,colonel ,coates at ,monk's ,corner4 ,the assault was to be made on the following morning4 ,during the night ,coates decamped4 ,a pursuit was commenced2 ,lee with his legion1 and ,hampton with the ,state cavalry1 took the lead2 ,sumter followed with the infantry4 ,the rear-guard of the ,british1 about one hundred strong1 was overtaken with the baggage1 at the distance of eighteen miles4 ,they were new troops recently arrived from ,ireland1 and had not seen service4 ,on being charged by the cavalry1 sword in hand1 they threw down their arms without firing a shot1 and cried for quarter1 which was granted4 ,while ,lee was securing them1 ,captain ,armstrong with the first section of cavalry pushed on in pursuit of ,coates and the main body4 ,that officer had crossed a wooden bridge over ,quimby ,creek1 loosened the planks1 and was only waiting to be rejoined by his rear-guard1 to throw them off1 and cut off all pursuit4 ,his troops were partly on a causeway beyond the bridge1 partly crowded in a lane4 ,he knew nothing of an enemy being at hand1 until he saw ,armstrong spurring up with his section4 ,coates gave orders for his troops to halt1 form1 and march up2 a howitzer was brought to bear upon the bridge1 and a fatigue party rushed forward to throw off the planks4 ,armstrong saw the danger1 dashed across the bridge1 with his section1 drove off the artillerists1 and captured the howitzer before it could be discharged4 ,the fatigue men1 who had been at work on the bridge1 snatched up their guns1 gave a volley and fled4 ,armstrong's party1 in crossing the bridge1 had displaced some of the planks1 and formed a chasm4 ,lieutenant ,carrington with the second section of dragoons leaped over it2 the chasm being thus enlarged1 the horses of the third section refused4 ,a pell-mell fight took place between the handful of dragoons who had crossed1 and some of the enemy4 ,armstrong1 seeing the foe too strong in front1 and no reinforcement coming on in rear1 wheeled off with some of his men to the left1 galloped into the woods1 and pushed up along the stream to ford it1 and seek the main body4 ,during the mele1 ,lee had come up and endeavored with the dragoons of the third section to replace the planks of the bridge4 ,their efforts were vain2 the water was deep1 the mud deeper2 there was no foothold1 nor was there any firm spot where to swim the horses across4 ,while they were thus occupied1 ,colonel ,coates1 with his men1 opened a fire upon them from the other end of the bridge2 having no fire-arms to reply with1 they were obliged to retire4 ,the remainder of the planks were then thrown off from the bridge1 after which ,colonel ,coates took post on an adjacent plantation4 ,it was not until three o'clock in the afternoon1 that ,sumter with his forces appeared upon the ground1 having had to make a considerable circuit on account of the destruction of the bridge4 ,by four o'clock the attack commenced4 ,sumter1 with part of the troops1 advanced in front under cover of a line of negro huts1 which he wished to secure4 ,marion1 with his brigade1 much reduced in number1 approached on the right of the enemy1 where there was no shelter but fences2 the cavalry1 not being able to act1 remained at a distance as a reserve1 and1 if necessary1 to cover a retreat4 ,sumter's brigade soon got possession of the huts1 where they used their rifles with sure effect4 ,marion and his men rushed up through a galling fire to the fences on the right4 ,the enemy retired within the house and garden1 and kept up a sharp fire from doors and windows and picketed fence4 ,unfortunately1 the ,americans had neglected to bring on their artillery4 ,having repaired the bridge1 they sent off for the artillery and a supply of powder1 which accompanied it4 ,the evening was at hand2 their ammunition was exhausted1 and they retired in good order1 intending to renew the combat with artillery in the morning4 ,when they came to compare notes1 it was found that the loss in killed and wounded had chiefly fallen on ,marion's corps4 ,his men1 from their exposed situation1 had borne the brunt of the battle2 while ,sumter's had suffered but little1 being mostly sheltered in the huts4 ,jealousy and distrust were awakened1 and discord reigned in the camp4 ,partisan and volunteer troops readily fall asunder under such circumstances4 ,many moved off in the night4 ,lee1 accustomed to act independently1 and unwilling1 perhaps1 to acknowledge ,sumter as his superior officer1 took up his line of march for head-quarters without consulting him4 ,sumter still had force enough1 now that he was joined by the artillery1 to have held the enemy in a state of siege2 but he was short of ammunition1 and he apprehended the approach of ,lord ,rawdon1 who1 it was said1 was moving down from ,orangeburg4 ,he therefore retired across the ,santee1 and rejoined ,greene at his encampment4 ,so ended this foray1 which fell far short of the expectations formed from the spirit and activity of the leaders and their men4 ,one of the best effects of the incursion was the drawing down ,lord ,rawdon from ,orangeburg1 with five hundred of his troops4 ,he returned no more to the upper country1 but sailed not long after from ,charleston for ,europe4 ,colonel ,stuart1 who was left in command at ,orangeburg1 moved forward from that place1 and encamped on the south side of the ,congaree ,river1 near its junction with the ,wateree1 and within sixteen miles of ,greene's position on the high hills of ,santee4 ,the two armies lay in sight of each other's fires1 but two large rivers intervened1 to secure each party from sudden attack4 ,both armies1 however1 needed repose1 and military operations were suspended1 as if by mutual consent1 during the sultry summer heat4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,after the grand reconnoissance of the posts on ,new ,york ,island1 related in a former page1 the confederate armies remained encamped about ,dobbs' ,ferry and the ,greenburg hills1 awaiting an augmentation of force for their meditated attack4 ,letters now came from ,lafayette1 dated #bfth and #cjth of ,july1 speaking of the embarkation of the greatest part of ,cornwallis' army at ,portsmouth4 ,he supposed their destination to be ,new ,york1 yet1 though wind and weather were favorable1 they did not sail4 ,should a ,french fleet now come into ,hampton ,roads1 adds the sanguine marquis1 the ,british army would1 ,i think be ours4 ,at this juncture arrived the ,french frigate ,concorde at ,newport1 bringing despatches from ,admiral the ,count de ,grasse4 ,he was to leave ,st4 ,domingo on the #c;d of ,august1 with between twenty-five and thirty ships-of-the-line1 and a considerable body of land forces1 and to steer immediately for the ,chesapeake4 ,this changed the face of affairs1 and called for a change in the game4 ,all attempt upon ,new ,york was postponed2 the whole of the ,french army1 and as large a part of the ,americans as could be spared1 were to move to ,virginia1 and co-operate with the ,count de ,grasse for the redemption of the ,southern ,states4 ,washington apprised the count by letter of this intention4 ,he wrote also to ,lafayette on the #aeth of ,august3 ,by the time this reaches you the ,count de ,grasse will either be in the ,chesapeake1 or may be looked for every moment4 ,under these circumstances1 whether the enemy remain in full force1 or whether they have only a detachment left1 you will immediately take such a position as will best enable you to prevent their sudden retreat through ,north ,carolina1 which ,i presume they will attempt the instant they perceive so formidable an armament4 ,washington's soul was now in arms4 ,at length1 after being baffled and disappointed so often by the incompetency of his means1 and above all1 thwarted by the enemy's naval potency1 he had the possibility of coping with them both on land and sea4 ,the contemplated expedition was likely to consummate his plans and wind up the fortunes of the war1 and he determined to lead it in person4 ,he would take with him something more than two thousand of the ,american army2 the rest1 chiefly ,northern troops1 were to remain with ,general ,heath1 who was to hold command of the posts of the ,hudson4 ,perfect secrecy was maintained as to this change of plan4 ,preparations were still carried on1 as if for an attack upon ,new ,york4 ,an extensive encampment was marked out in the ,jerseys1 and ovens erected and fuel provided for the baking of bread2 as if a part of the besieging force was to be stationed there1 thence to make a descent upon the enemy's garrison on ,staten ,island1 in aid of the operations against the city4 ,the ,american troops1 themselves1 were kept in ignorance of their destination4 ,previous to his decampment1 ,washington sent forward a party of pioneers to clear the roads towards ,king's ,bridge1 as if the posts recently reconnoitred were about to be attempted4 ,on the #aith of ,august1 his troops were paraded with their faces in that direction4 ,when all were ready1 however1 they were ordered to face about1 and were marched up along the ,hudson ,river towards ,king's ,ferry4 ,de ,rochambeau1 in like manner1 broke up his encampment1 and took the road by ,white ,plains1 ,north ,castle1 ,pine's ,bridge1 and ,crompond1 toward the same point4 ,on the #bjth1 ,washington arrived at ,king's ,ferry1 and his troops began to cross the ,hudson with their baggage1 stores and cannon1 and encamp at ,haverstraw4 ,he himself crossed in the evening1 and took up his quarters at ,colonel ,hay's1 at the ,white ,house4 ,thence he wrote to the ,count de ,grasse1 7presuming that the letter would find him in the ,chesapeake17 urging him to send up all his frigates and transports to the ,head of ,elk1 by the #hth of ,september1 for the transportation of the combined army1 which would be there by that time4 ,he informed him also that the ,count de ,barras had resolved to join him in the ,chesapeake with his squadron4 ,on the #bb;d the ,french troops arrived by their circuitous route1 and began to cross to ,stony ,point with their artillery1 baggage and stores4 ,the two armies having safely crossed the ,hudson1 commenced1 on the #beth1 their several lines of march toward the ,jerseys4 ,both armies were still kept in the dark1 as to the ultimate object of their movement4 ,an intelligent observer1 who accompanied the army1 writes3 ,our situation reminds me of some theatrical exhibition1 where the interest and expectations of the spectators are continually increasing1 and where curiosity is wrought to the highest point4 ,the mystery was at length solved4 ,we have now passed all the enemy's posts1 continues the foregoing writer1 and are pursuing our route1 with increased rapidity1 toward ,philadelphia4 ,washington reached the ,delaware with his troops before ,sir ,henry ,clinton was aware of their destination4 ,it was too late to oppose their march1 even had his forces been adequate4 ,as a kind of counterplot1 therefore1 and in the hope of distracting the attention of the ,american commander1 and drawing off a part of his troops1 he hurried off an expedition to the eastward1 to insult the ,state of ,connecticut1 and attack her seaport of ,new ,london4 ,the command of this expedition1 which was to be one of ravage and destruction1 was given to ,arnold1 as if it was necessary to complete the measure of his infamy1 that he should carry fire and sword into his native ,state1 and desecrate the very cradle of his infancy4 ,on the #fth of ,september he appeared off the harbor of ,new ,london with a fleet of ships and transports and a force of two thousand infantry and three hundred cavalry4 ,new ,london stands on the west bank of the river ,thames4 ,the approach to it was defended by two forts on opposite sides of the river1 and about a mile below the town2 ,fort ,trumbull on the west and ,fort ,griswold on the east side1 on a height called ,groton ,hill4 ,the troops landed in two divisions of about eight hundred men each2 one under ,lieutenant-colonel ,eyre on the east side1 the other under ,arnold on the west1 on the same side with ,new ,london1 and about three miles below it4 ,arnold met with but little opposition4 ,the few militia who manned an advance battery and ,fort ,trumbull1 abandoned their posts1 and crossed the river to ,fort ,griswold4 ,he pushed on and took possession of the town4 ,colonel ,eyre had a harder task4 ,the militia1 about one hundred and fifty-seven strong1 had collected in ,fort ,griswold1 hastily and imperfectly armed it is true1 but they were brave men1 and had a brave commander1 ,colonel ,william ,ledyard1 brother of the celebrated traveller4 ,the fort was square and regularly built4 ,arnold1 unaware of its strength1 had ordered ,colonel ,eyre to take it by a coup de main4 ,he discovered his mistake1 and sent counter orders1 but too late4 ,colonel ,eyre forced the pickets2 made his way into the fosse1 and attacked the force on three sides2 it was bravely defended2 the enemy were repeatedly repulsed2 they returned to the assault1 scrambled up on each other's shoulders1 effected a lodgment on the fraise1 and made their way with fixed bayonets through the embrasures4 ,colonel ,eyre received a mortal wound near the works2 ,major ,montgomery took his place2 a negro thrust him through with a spear as he mounted the parapet2 ,major ,bromfield succeeded to the command1 and carried the fort at the point of the bayonet4 ,in fact1 after the enemy were within the walls1 the fighting was at an end and the slaughter commenced4 ,colonel ,ledyard had ordered his men to lay down their arms2 but the enemy1 exasperated by the resistance they had experienced1 and by the death of their officers1 continued the deadly work of the musket and the bayonet4 ,colonel ,ledyard1 it is said1 was thrust through with his own sword after yielding it up to ,major ,bromfield4 ,seventy of the garrison were slain1 and thirty-five desperately wounded2 and most of them after the fort had been taken4 ,the loss of the enemy was two officers and forty-six soldiers killed1 and eight officers and one hundred and thirty-five soldiers wounded4 ,arnold1 in the meantime1 had carried on the work of destruction at ,new ,london4 ,some of the ,american shipping had effected their escape up the river1 but a number were burnt4 ,fire1 too1 was set to the public stores2 it communicated to the dwelling-houses1 and1 in a little while1 the whole place was wrapped in flames4 ,having completed his ravage1 ,arnold retreated to his boats1 leaving the town still burning4 ,so ended his career of infamy in his native land2 a land which had once delighted to honor him1 but in which his name was never thenceforth to be pronounced without a malediction4 ,on the #cjth of ,august1 ,washington1 with his suite1 had arrived at ,philadelphia4 ,during his sojourn in the city he was hospitably entertained at the house of ,mr4 ,morris1 the patriotic financier4 ,the greatest difficulty with which he had to contend in his present enterprise was the want of funds1 part of his troops not having received any pay for a long time1 and having occasionally given evidence of great discontent4 ,in this emergency he was accommodated by the ,count de ,rochambeau1 with a loan of twenty thousand hard dollars1 which ,mr4 ,robert ,morris engaged to repay by the #ast of ,october4 ,this pecuniary pressure was relieved by the arrival in ,boston1 on the #beth of ,august1 of ,colonel ,john ,laurens from his mission to ,france1 bringing with him two and a half millions of livres in cash1 being part of a subsidy of six millions of livres granted by the ,french king4 ,on the #b;d of ,september the ,american troops passed through ,philadelphia4 ,the ,french troops entered on the following day4 ,at ,philadelphia1 ,washington received despatches from ,lafayette1 dated the #bast and #bdth of ,august1 from his camp at the ,forks of ,york ,river in ,virginia4 ,the embarkation at ,portsmouth1 which the marquis had supposed might be intended for ,new ,york1 was merely for ,yorktown1 where ,cornwallis had determined to establish the permanent post ordered in his instructions4 ,yorktown was a small place situated on a projecting bank on the south side of ,york ,river1 opposite a promontory called ,gloucester ,point4 ,the river between was not more than a mile wide1 but deep enough to admit ships of a large size and burthen4 ,here concentrating his forces1 he had proceeded to fortify the opposite points1 calculating to have the works finished by the beginning of ,october4 ,believing that he had no present enemy but ,lafayette to guard against1 ,cornwallis felt so secure in his position that he wrote to ,sir ,henry on the #bb;d of ,august1 offering to detach a thousand or twelve hundred men to strengthen ,new ,york against the apprehended attack of the combined armies4 ,washington left ,philadelphia on the #eth of ,september1 on his way to the ,head of ,elk4 ,about three miles below ,chester1 he was met by an express bearing tidings of the arrival of the ,count de ,grasse in the ,chesapeake with twenty-eight ships-of-the-line4 ,washington instantly rode back to ,chester to rejoice with the ,count de ,rochambeau1 who was coming down to that place from ,philadelphia by water4 ,washington reached the ,head of ,elk on the #fth4 ,the troops and a great part of the stores were already arrived1 and beginning to embark4 ,thence he wrote to the ,count de ,grasse1 felicitating him on his arrival2 and informing him that the van of the two armies were about to embark and fall down the ,chesapeake1 form a junction with the troops under the ,count de ,st4 ,simon and the ,marquis de ,lafayette1 and co-operate in blocking up ,cornwallis in ,york ,river1 so as to prevent his retreat by land or his getting any supplies from the country4 ,everything had thus far gone on well1 but there were not vessels enough at the ,head of ,elk for the immediate transportation of all the troops1 ordnance and stores2 a part of the troops would have to proceed to ,baltimore by land4 ,leaving ,general ,heath to bring on the ,american forces1 and the ,baron de ,viomenil the ,french1 ,washington1 accompanied by ,de ,rochambeau1 crossed the ,susquehanna early on the #hth1 and pushed forward for ,baltimore4 ,on the #ith he left ,baltimore a little after daybreak1 accompanied only by ,colonel ,humphreys2 the rest of his suite were to follow at their ease2 for himself1 he was determined to reach ,mount ,vernon that evening4 ,six years had elapsed since last he was under its roof2 six wearing years of toil1 of danger1 and of constant anxiety4 ,during all that time1 and amid all his military cares1 he had kept up a regular weekly correspondence with his steward or agent1 regulating all the affairs of his rural establishment with as much exactness as he did those of the army4 ,it was a late hour when he arrived4 ,he was joined by his suite at dinner-time on the following day1 and by the ,count de ,rochambeau in the evening4 ,general ,chastellux and his aides-de-camp arrived there on the #aath1 and ,mount ,vernon was now crowded with guests1 who were all entertained in the ample style of old ,virginian hospitality4 ,on the #abth1 tearing himself away once more from the home of his heart1 ,washington with his military associates continued onward to join ,lafayette at ,williamsburg4 ,,chapter ,,lxiv4 ,,operations ,,before ,,yorktown4--,,greene ,,in ,,the ,,south4 ,lord ,cornwallis had been completely roused from his dream of security by the appearance1 on the #bhth of ,august1 of the fleet of ,count de ,grasse within the capes of the ,delaware4 ,three ,french ships-of-the-line and a frigate soon anchored at the mouth of ,york ,river4 ,the boats of the fleet were immediately busy conveying three thousand three hundred land forces1 under the ,marquis de ,st4 ,simon1 up ,james ,river to form the preconcerted junction with those under ,lafayette4 ,awakened to his danger1 ,cornwallis1 as ,washington had foreseen1 meditated a retreat to the ,carolinas4 ,it was too late4 ,york ,river was blocked up by ,french ships2 ,james ,river was filled with armed vessels covering the transportation of the troops4 ,his lordship reconnoitred ,williamsburg2 it was too strong to be forced1 and ,wayne had crossed ,james ,river to join his troops to those under the marquis4 ,seeing his retreat cut off in every direction1 ,cornwallis proceeded to strengthen his works2 sending off repeated expresses to apprise ,sir ,henry ,clinton of his perilous situation4 ,the ,count de ,grasse had been but a few days anchored within the ,chesapeake1 and fifteen hundred of his seamen were absent1 conveying the troops up ,james ,river1 when ,admiral ,graves1 who then commanded the ,british naval force on the ,american coast1 appeared with twenty sail off the capes of ,virginia4 ,de ,grasse1 anxious to protect the squadron of the ,count de ,barras1 which was expected from ,rhode ,island1 and which it was the object of ,graves to intercept1 immediately slipped his cables and put to sea with twenty-four ships1 leaving the rest to blockade ,york and ,james ,rivers4 ,admiral ,graves1 immediately prepared for action1 although he had five ships less than ,de ,grasse4 ,the latter1 however1 was not disposed to accept the challenge1 his force being weakened by the absence of so many of his seamen1 employed in transporting troops4 ,his plan was to occupy the enemy by partial actions and skilful manoeuvres1 so as to retain his possession of the ,chesapeake1 and cover the arrival of ,de ,barras4 ,the vans of the two fleets1 and some ships of the centre1 engaged about four o'clock in the afternoon of the #gth of ,september4 ,the conflict soon became animated4 ,several ships were damaged1 and many men killed and wounded on both sides4 ,de ,grasse1 who had the advantage of the wind1 drew off after sunset2 satisfied with the damage done and sustained1 and not disposed for a general action4 ,for four days the fleets remained in sight of each other1 repairing damages and manoeuvring2 but the ,french having still the advantage of the wind1 maintained their prudent policy of avoiding a general engagement4 ,at length ,de ,grasse1 learning that ,de ,barras was arrived within the capes1 formed a junction with him1 and returned with him to his former anchoring ground1 with two ,english frigates which he had captured4 ,admiral ,graves1 disappointed in his hope of interrupting ,de ,barras1 and finding the ,chesapeake guarded by a superior force with which he could not prudently contend1 left the coast and bore away for ,new ,york4 ,under convoy of the squadron of ,de ,barras came a fleet of transports1 conveying land forces under ,m4 de ,choisy1 with siege artillery and military stores4 ,from ,williamsburg1 ,washington sent forward ,count ,fersen1 one of the aides-de-camp of ,de ,rochambeau1 to hurry on the ,french troops with all possible despatch4 ,he wrote to the same purport to ,general ,lincoln3 ,every day we now lose1 said he1 is comparatively an age2 as soon as it is in our power with safety1 we ought to take our position near the enemy4 ,hurry on1 then1 my dear sir1 with your troops1 on the wings of speed4 ,it was with great satisfaction ,washington learned that ,admiral de ,barras had anticipated his wishes1 in sending transports and prize vessels up the bay to assist in bringing on the ,french troops4 ,in the meantime1 he with ,count de ,rochambeau was desirous of having an interview with the admiral on board of his ship1 provided he could send some fast-sailing cutter to receive them4 ,a small ship1 the ,queen ,charlotte1 was furnished by the admiral for the purpose4 ,it had been captured on its voyage from ,charleston to ,new ,york1 having ,lord ,rawdon on board1 and had been commodiously fitted up for his lordship's reception4 ,on board of this vessel ,washington and ,de ,rochambeau1 with the ,chevalier de ,chastellux and ,generals ,knox and ,duportail1 embarked on the #ahth1 and proceeding down ,james ,river1 came the next morning in sight of the ,french fleet riding at anchor in ,lynn ,haven ,bay1 just under the point of ,cape ,henry4 ,about noon they got alongside of the admiral's ship1 the ,ville de ,paris1 and were received on board with great ceremony1 and naval and military parade4 ,admiral de ,grasse was a tall1 fine-looking man1 plain in his address and prompt in the discharge of business4 ,a plan of co-operation was soon arranged1 to be carried into effect on the arrival of the ,american and ,french armies from the ,north1 which were actually on their way down the ,chesapeake from the ,head of ,elk4 ,business being despatched1 dinner was served1 after which they were conducted throughout the ship1 and received the officers of the fleet1 almost all of whom came on board4 ,by the #beth the ,american and ,french troops were mostly arrived and encamped near ,williamsburg1 and preparations were made for the decisive blow4 ,yorktown1 as has already been noted1 is situated on the south side of ,york ,river1 immediately opposite ,gloucester ,point4 ,cornwallis had fortified the town by seven redoubts and six batteries on the land side1 connected by intrenchments2 and there was a line of batteries along the river4 ,the town was flanked on each side by deep ravines and creeks emptying into ,york ,river2 their heads1 in front of the town1 being not more than half a mile apart4 ,the enemy had availed themselves of these natural defences1 in the arrangement of extensive outworks1 with redoubts strengthened by abatis2 field-works mounted with cannon1 and trees cut down and left with the branches pointed outward4 ,gloucester ,point had likewise been fortified4 ,its batteries1 with those of ,yorktown1 commanded the intervening river4 ,ships of war were likewise stationed on it1 protected by the guns of the forts1 and the channel was obstructed by sunken vessels4 ,the defence of ,gloucester ,point was confided to ,lieutenant-colonel ,dundas1 with six or seven hundred men4 ,that evening ,cornwallis received despatches from ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 informing him of the arrival of ,admiral ,digby1 and that a fleet of twenty-three ships-of-the-line1 with about five thousand troops1 would sail to his assistance probably on the #eth of ,october4 ,cornwallis immediately wrote in reply3 ,i have ventured these last two days to look ,general ,washington's whole force in the face in the position on the outside of my works1 and have the pleasure to assure your ,excellency that there is but one wish throughout the army1 which is that the enemy would advance4444 ,i shall retire this night within the works1 and have no doubt1 if relief arrives in any reasonable time1 ,york and ,gloucester will be both in the possession of his ,majesty's troops4 ,that night his lordship accordingly abandoned his outworks1 and drew his troops within the town4 ,the outworks thus abandoned were seized upon the next morning by detachments of ,american light infantry and ,french troops1 and served to cover the troops employed in throwing up breastworks4 ,the combined ,french and ,american forces were now twelve thousand strong1 exclusive of the ,virginia militia which ,general ,thomas ,nelson now governor of ,virginia1 had brought into the field4 ,on the morning of the #bhth of ,september1 the combined armies marched from ,williamsburg toward ,yorktown1 about twelve miles distant1 and encamped at night within two miles of it1 driving in the pickets and some patrols of cavalry4 ,general de ,choisy was sent across ,york ,river1 with ,lauzun's legion and ,general ,weedon's brigade of militia1 to watch the enemy on the side of ,gloucester ,point4 ,by the #ast of ,october the line of the besiegers1 nearly two miles from the works1 formed a semicircle1 each end resting on the river1 so that the investment by land was complete2 while the ,count de ,grasse1 with the main fleet1 remained in ,lynn ,haven ,bay1 to keep off assistance by sea4 ,the besieged army began now to be greatly distressed for want of forage1 and had to kill many of their horses1 the carcasses of which were continually floating down the river4 ,in the evening of the #b;d of ,october1 ,tarleton with his legion and the mounted infantry were passed over the river to ,gloucester ,point1 to assist in foraging4 ,at daybreak ,lieutenant-colonel ,dundas led out part of his garrison to forage the neighboring country4 ,about ten o'clock the wagons and bat horses laden with ,indian corn were returning1 covered by ,tarleton and his dragoons as a rear-guard1 when word was brought that an enemy was advancing in force4 ,the report was confirmed by a cloud of dust from which emerged ,lauzun and the ,frence hussars and lancers4 ,tarleton1 with part of his legion1 advanced to meet them2 the rest1 with ,simcoe's dragoons1 remained as a rear-guard in a skirt of woods4 ,a skirmish ensued1 gallantly sustained on each side1 but the superiority of ,tarleton's horses gave him the advantage4 ,general ,choisy hastened up with a corps of cavalry and infantry to support the hussars4 ,in the medley fight1 a dragoon's horse1 wounded by a lance1 plunged1 and overthrew both ,tarleton and his steed4 ,the rear-guard rushed from their covert to rescue their commander4 ,they came galloping up in such disorder1 that they were roughly received by ,lauzun's hussars1 who were drawn up on the plain4 ,in the meantime ,tarleton scrambled out of the mele1 mounted another horse1 and ordered a retreat1 to enable his men to recover from their confusion4 ,dismounting forty infantry1 he placed them in a thicket4 ,their fire checked the hussars in their pursuit4 ,the ,british dragoons rallied1 and were about to charge1 when the hussars retired behind their infantry1 and a fire was opened upon the ,british by some militia from behind a fence4 ,tarleton again ordered a retreat to be sounded1 and the conflict came to an end4 ,this was the last affair of ,tarleton and his legion in the revolutionary war4 ,the next day ,general ,choisy1 being reinforced by a detachment of marines from the fleet of ,de ,grasse1 cut off all communication by land between ,gloucester and the country4 ,at this momentous time1 when the first parallel before the besieged city was about to be opened1 ,washington received dispatches from his faithful coadjutor1 ,general ,greene1 giving him important intelligence of his co-operations in the ,south2 to consider which we will suspend for a moment our narrative of affairs before ,yorktown4 ,for some weeks in the months of ,july and ,august1 ,general ,greene had remained encamped with his main force on the high hills of ,santee1 refreshing and disciplining his men1 and awaiting the arrival of promised reinforcements4 ,in the meantime1 ,marion with his light troops1 aided by ,colonel ,washington with his dragoons1 held control over the lower ,santee4 ,lee was detached to operate with ,sumter's brigade on the ,congaree1 and ,colonel ,harden with his mounted militia was scouring the country about the ,edisto4 ,greene was disappointed as to reinforcements4 ,all that he had received were two hundred ,north ,carolina levies and five hundred ,south ,carolina militia2 still he prepared for a bold effort to drive the enemy from their remaining posts4 ,for that purpose1 on the #bb;d of ,august he broke up his encampment to march against ,colonel ,stuart4 ,the latter still lay encamped about sixteen miles distant1 in a straight line2 but the ,congaree and ,wateree lay between1 bordered by swamps overflowed by recent rains2 to cross them and reach the hostile camp1 it was necessary to make a circuit of seventy miles4 ,while ,greene was making it1 ,stuart abandoned his position1 and moved down forty miles to the vicinity of ,eutaw ,springs1 where he was reinforced by a detachment from ,charleston with provisions4 ,greene followed on by easy marches4 ,he had been joined by ,general ,pickens with a party of the ,ninety-,six militia1 and by the ,state troops under ,lieutenant-colonel ,henderson2 and now moved slowly to give time for ,marion1 who was scouring the country about the ,edisto1 to rejoin him4 ,this was done on the #eth of ,september at ,laurens' place1 within seventeen miles of ,stuart's camp4 ,here baggage1 tents1 everything that could impede motion was left behind1 and on the afternoon of the #gth the army was pushed on within seven miles of the ,eutaws1 where it bivouacked for the night4 ,at four o'clock in the morning this little army was in motion4 ,greene's whole force at that time did not exceed two thousand men2 that of the enemy he was seeking1 about twenty-three hundred4 ,the ,americans1 however1 were superior in cavalry4 ,his army advanced in two columns1 which were to form the two lines of battle4 ,within four miles of ,eutaw they met with a ,british detachment of one hundred and fifty infantry and fifty cavalry under ,major ,coffin1 sent forward to reconnoitre2 it was put to flight after a severe skirmish4 ,supposing this to be the van of the enemy1 ,greene halted his columns and formed4 ,the ,south ,carolinians in equal divisions formed the right and left of the first line1 the ,north ,carolinians the centre4 ,general ,marion commanded the right2 ,general ,pickens the left2 ,colonel ,malmedy the centre4 ,colonel ,henderson with the ,state troops covered the left of the line2 ,colonel ,lee with his legion the right4 ,of the second line1 composed of regulars1 the ,north ,carolinians1 under ,general ,sumner1 were on the right2 the ,marylanders1 under ,colonel ,williams1 on the left2 the ,virginians1 under ,colonel ,campbell1 in the centre4 ,colonel ,washington with his cavalry followed in the rear as a corps de reserve4 ,two three-pounders moved on the road in the centre of the first line2 two six-pounders in a like position in the second line4 ,in this order the troops moved forward1 keeping their lines as well as they could through open woods1 which covered the country on each side of the road4 ,within a mile of the camp they encountered a body of infantry thrown forward by ,colonel ,stuart1 to check their advance while he had time to form his troops in order of battle4 ,these were drawn up in line in a wood two hundred yards west of ,eutaw ,springs4 ,the right rested on ,eutaw ,creek1 and was covered by a battalion of grenadiers and infantry under ,major ,majoribanks1 partly concealed among thickets on the margin of the stream4 ,the left of the line extended across the ,charleston road1 with a reserve corps in a commanding situation covering the road4 ,about fifty yards in the rear of the ,british line was a cleared field1 in which was their encampment1 with the tents all standing4 ,adjoining it was a brick house with a palisadoed garden1 which ,colonel ,stuart intended as a protection1 if too much pressed by cavalry4 ,the advanced party of infantry1 which had retired firing before the ,americans1 formed on the flanks of ,colonel ,stuart's line4 ,the ,carolinian militia had pressed after them4 ,about nine o'clock the action was commenced by the left of the ,american line1 and soon became general4 ,the militia fought until they had expended seventeen rounds1 when they gave way1 covered by ,lee and ,henderson1 who fought bravely on the flanks of the line4 ,sumner1 with the regulars who formed the second line1 advanced in fine style to take the place of the first4 ,the enemy likewise brought their reserve into action2 the conflict continued to be bloody and severe4 ,sumner's brigade1 formed partly of recruits1 gave way under the superior fire of the enemy4 ,the ,british rushed forward to secure their fancied victory4 ,greene1 seeing their line disordered1 instantly ordered ,williams with his ,marylanders to sweep the field with the bayonet4 ,williams was seconded by ,colonel ,campbell with the ,virginians4 ,the order was gallantly obeyed4 ,they delivered a deadly volley at forty yards' distance1 and then advanced at a brisk rate1 with loud shouts and trailed arms4 ,the ,british recoiled4 ,while the ,marylanders and ,virginians attacked them in front1 ,lee with his legion turned their left flank and charged them in rear4 ,colonel ,hampton with the ,state cavalry made a great number of prisoners1 and ,colonel ,washington1 coming up with his reserve of horse and foot1 completed their defeat4 ,they were driven back through their camp2 many were captured2 many fled along the ,charleston road1 and others threw themselves into the brick house4 ,major ,majoribanks and his troops could still enfilade the left flank of the ,americans from their covert among the thickets on the border of the stream4 ,greene ordered ,colonel ,washington with his dragoons and ,kirkwood's ,delaware infantry to dislodge them1 and ,colonel ,wade ,hampton to assist with the ,state troops4 ,colonel ,washington1 without waiting for the infantry1 dashed forward with his dragoons4 ,it was a rash move4 ,the thickets were impervious to cavalry4 ,the dragoons separated into small squads1 and endeavored to force their way in4 ,horses and riders were shot down or bayoneted2 most of the officers were either killed or wounded4 ,colonel ,washington had his horse shot under him2 he himself was bayoneted1 and would have been slain1 had not a ,british officer interposed1 who took him prisoner4 ,by the time ,hampton and ,kirkwood came up1 the cavalry were routed4 ,while ,hampton rallied them1 ,kirkwood with his ,delawares charged with bayonet upon the enemy in the thickets4 ,majoribanks fell back with his troops1 and made a stand in the palisadoed garden of the brick house4 ,victory now seemed certain on the side of the ,americans4 ,unfortunately1 the soldiers1 thinking the day their own1 fell to plundering the tents1 devouring the food and carousing on the liquors found there4 ,many of them became intoxicated and unmanageable--the officers interfered in vain2 all was riot and disorder4 ,the enemy in the meantime recovered from their confusion1 and opened a fire from every window of the house and from the palisadoed garden4 ,there was a scattering fire also from the woods and thickets on the right and left4 ,colonel ,stuart was by this time rallying his left wing1 and advancing to support the right2 when ,greene1 finding his ammunition nearly exhausted1 determined to give up the attempt to dislodge the enemy from their places of refuge1 since he could not do it without severe loss4 ,he remained on the ground long enough to collect his wounded1 excepting those who were too much under the fire of the house1 and then1 leaving ,colonel ,hampton with a strong picket on the field1 he returned to the position seven miles off1 which he had left in the morning4 ,the enemy decamped in the night after destroying a large quantity of provisions1 and breaking upwards of a thousand stand of arms2 they left behind also seventy of their wounded4 ,their loss in killed1 wounded and captured1 in this action1 was six hundred and thirty-three1 of whom five hundred were prisoners2 the loss sustained by the ,americans in killed1 wounded and missing1 was five hundred and thirty-five4 ,one of the slain most deplored was ,colonel ,campbell1 who had so bravely led on the ,virginians4 ,stuart met with reinforcements about fourteen miles from ,eutaw1 but continued his retreat to ,monk's ,corner1 within twenty-five miles of ,charleston4 ,greene followed with his main force almost to ,monk's ,corner3 finding the number and position of the enemy too strong to be attacked with prudence1 he fell back to ,eutaw1 where he remained a day or two to rest his troops1 and then returned by easy marches to his old position near the heights of ,santee4 ,,chapter ,,lxv4 ,,siege ,,and ,,surrender ,,of ,,yorktown4 ,general ,lincoln had the honor1 on the night of the #fth of ,october1 of opening the first parallel before ,yorktown4 ,it was within six hundred yards of the enemy2 nearly two miles in extent1 and the foundations were laid for two redoubts4 ,he had under him a large detachment of ,french and ,american troops1 and the work was conducted with such silence and secrecy in a night of extreme darkness1 that the enemy were not aware of it until daylight4 ,a severe cannonade was then opened from the fortifications2 but the men were under cover and continued working4 ,by the afternoon of the #ith the parallel was completed1 and two or three batteries were ready to fire upon the town4 ,general ,washington put the match to the first gun1 says an observer who was present2 a furious discharge of cannon and mortars immediately followed1 and ,earl ,cornwallis received his first salutation4 ,the cannonade was kept up almost incessantly for three or four days from the batteries above mentioned1 and from three others managed by the ,french4 ,the half-finished works of the enemy suffered severely1 the guns were dismounted or silenced1 and many men killed4 ,the red-hot shot from the ,french batteries northwest of the town reached the ,english shipping4 ,the ,charon1 a forty-four gun ship1 and three large transports1 were set on fire by them4 ,the flames ran up the rigging to the tops of the masts4 ,the conflagration1 seen in the darkness of the night1 with the accompanying flash and thundering of cannon1 and soaring and bursting of shells1 and the tremendous explosions of the ships1 all presented a scene of mingled magnificence and horror4 ,on the night of the #aath the second parallel was opened by the ,baron ,steuben's division1 within three hundred yards of the works4 ,the ,british now made new embrasures1 and for two or three days kept up a galling fire upon those at work4 ,the latter were still more annoyed by the flanking fire of two redoubts three hundred yards in front of the ,british works4 ,as they enfiladed the intrenchments1 and were supposed also to command the communication between ,yorktown and ,gloucester1 it was resolved to storm them both on the night of the #adth2 the one nearest the river by a detachment of ,americans commanded by ,lafayette1 the other by a ,french detachment led by the ,baron de ,viomenil4 ,in the arrangements for the assault1 ,lafayette had given the honor of leading the advance to his own aide-de-camp1 ,lieutenant-colonel ,gimat4 ,this instantly touched the military pride of ,hamilton1 who exclaimed against it as an unjust preference1 it being his tour of duty4 ,it was therefore arranged that ,colonel ,gimat's battalion should lead the van1 and be followed by that of ,hamilton1 and that the latter should command the whole advanced corps4 ,about eight o'clock in the evening rockets were sent up as signals for the simultaneous attack4 ,hamilton1 to his great joy1 led the advance of the ,americans4 ,the men1 without waiting for the sappers to demolish the abatis in regular style1 pushed them aside or pulled them down with their hands1 and scrambled over1 like rough bush-fighters4 ,hamilton was the first to mount the parapet1 placing one foot on the shoulder of a soldier1 who knelt on one knee for the purpose4 ,the men mounted after him4 ,not a musket was fired4 ,the redoubt was carried at the point of the bayonet4 ,the loss of the ,americans was one sergeant and eight privates killed1 seven officers and twenty-five non-commissioned officers and privates wounded4 ,the loss of the enemy was eight killed and seventeen taken prisoners4 ,among the latter was ,major ,campbell1 who had commanded the redoubt4 ,the ,french stormed the other redoubt1 which was more strongly garrisoned1 with equal gallantry1 but less precipitation4 ,they proceeded according to rule4 ,the soldiers paused while the sappers removed the abatis1 during which time they were exposed to a destructive fire1 and lost more men than did the ,americans in their headlong attack4 ,the abatis being removed1 the troops rushed to the assault4 ,the ,chevalier de ,lameth1 ,lafayette's adjutant-general1 was the first to mount the parapet of the redoubt1 and received a volley at arms' length from the ,hessians who manned it4 ,shot through both knees1 he fell back into the ditch1 and was conveyed away under care of his friend1 the ,count de ,dumas4 ,the ,count de ,deuxponts1 leading on the royal grenadiers of the same name1 was likewise wounded4 ,the grenadiers of the ,gatinais regiment fought with true ,gallic fire4 ,one third of them were slain1 and among them ,captain de ,sireuil1 a valiant officer of chasseurs4 ,the redoubts thus taken were included the same night in the second parallel1 and howitzers were mounted upon them the following day4 ,the capture of them reduced ,lord ,cornwallis almost to despair4 ,writing that same day to ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 he observes1 ,my situation now becomes very critical2 we dare not show a gun to their old batteries1 and ,i expect that their new ones will open to-morrow morning4444 ,the safety of the place is1 therefore1 so precarious1 that ,i cannot recommend that the fleet and army should run great risk in endeavoring to save us1 a generous abnegation of self on the part of the beleaguered commander4 ,had the fleet and army sailed1 as he had been given to expect1 about the #eth of ,october1 they might have arrived in time to save his lordship2 but at the date of the above letter they were still lingering in port4 ,delay of naval succor was fatal to ,british operations in this war4 ,the second parallel was now nearly ready to open4 ,cornwallis dreaded the effect of its batteries on his almost dismantled works4 ,to retard the danger as much as possible1 he ordered an attack on two of the batteries that were in the greatest state of forwardness1 their guns to be spiked4 ,it was made a little before daybreak of the #afth1 by about three hundred and fifty men1 under the direction of ,lieutenant-colonel ,abercrombie4 ,the redoubts which covered the batteries were forced in gallant style1 and several pieces of artillery hastily spiked4 ,by this time the supporting troops from the trenches came up1 and the enemy were obliged to retreat4 ,the mischief had been done too hastily4 ,the spikes were easily extracted1 and before evening all the batteries and the parallel were nearly complete4 ,at this time the garrison could not show a gun on the side of the works exposed to attack1 and the shells were nearly expended2 the place was no longer tenable4 ,rather than surrender1 ,cornwallis determined to attempt an escape4 ,his plan was to leave his sick and wounded and his baggage behind1 cross over in the night to ,gloucester ,point1 attack ,choisy's camp before daybreak1 mount his infantry on the captured cavalry horses1 and on such other as could be collected on the road1 push for the upper country by rapid marches until opposite the fords of the great rivers1 then turn suddenly northward1 force his way through ,maryland1 ,pennsylvania and the ,jerseys1 and join ,sir ,henry ,clinton in ,new ,york4 ,it was a wild and daring scheme1 but his situation was desperate1 and the idea of surrender intolerable4 ,in pursuance of this design1 sixteen large boats were secretly prepared2 a detachment was appointed to remain and capitulate for the townspeople1 the sick and the wounded2 a large part of the troops were transported to the ,gloucester side of the river before midnight1 and the second division had actually embarked1 when a violent storm of wind and rain scattered the boats1 and drove them a considerable distance down the river4 ,they were collected with difficulty4 ,it was now too late to effect the passage of the second division before daybreak1 and an effort was made to get back the division which had already crossed4 ,it was not done until the morning was far advanced1 and the troops in recrossing were exposed to the fire of the ,american batteries4 ,the hopes of ,lord ,cornwallis were now at an end4 ,his works were tumbling in ruins about him1 under an incessant cannonade2 his garrison was reduced in number by sickness and death1 and exhausted by constant watching and severe duty4 ,unwilling to expose the residue of the brave troops which had stood by him so faithfully1 to the dangers and horrors of an assault1 which could not fail to be successful1 he ordered a parley to be beaten about ten o'clock on the morning of the #agth1 and despatched a flag with a letter to ,washington proposing a cessation of hostilities for twenty-four hours1 and that two officers might be appointed by each side to meet and settle terms for the surrender of the posts of ,york and ,gloucester4 ,washington felt unwilling to grant such delay1 when reinforcements might be on the way for ,cornwallis from ,new ,york4 ,in reply1 therefore1 he requested that1 previous to the meeting of commissioners1 his lordship's proposals might be sent in writing to the ,american lines1 for which purpose a suspension of hostilities during two hours from the delivery of the letter1 would be granted4 ,this was complied with2 but as the proposals offered by ,cornwallis were not all admissible1 ,washington drew up a schedule of such terms as he would grant1 and transmitted it to his lordship4 ,the armistice was prolonged4 ,commissioners met1 the ,viscount de ,noailles and ,lieutenant-colonel ,laurens on the part of the allies2 ,colonel ,dundas and ,major ,ross on the part of the ,british4 ,after much discussion1 a rough draft was made of the terms of capitulation to be submitted to the ,british general4 ,these ,washington caused to be promptly transcribed1 and sent to ,lord ,cornwallis early in the morning of the #aith1 with a note expressing his expectation that they would be signed by eleven o'clock1 and that the garrison would be ready to march out by two o'clock in the afternoon4 ,lord ,cornwallis was fain to comply1 and1 accordingly1 on the same day1 the posts of ,yorktown and ,gloucester were surrendered to ,general ,washington as commander-in-chief of the combined army2 and the ships of war1 transports and other vessels1 to the ,count de ,grasse1 as commander of the ,french fleet4 ,the garrison of ,yorktown and ,gloucester1 including the officers of the navy and seamen of every denomination1 were to surrender as prisoners of war to the combined army2 the land force to remain prisoners to the ,united ,states1 the seamen to the ,king of ,france4#a ,the garrison was to be allowed the same honors granted to the garrison of ,charleston when it surrendered to ,sir ,henry ,clinton4 ,the officers were to retain their side arms2 both officers and soldiers their private property1 and no part of their baggage or papers was to be subject to search or inspection4 ,the soldiers were to be kept in ,virginia1 ,maryland1 or ,pennsylvania1 as much by regiments as possible1 and supplied with the same rations of provisions as the ,american soldiers4 ,the officers were to be permitted to proceed1 upon parole1 to ,europe or to any maritime port on the continent of ,america in possession of ,british troops4 ,footnote #a3 ,the number of prisoners amounted to #g1jgc1 of whom #e1iej were rank and file1 six commissioned1 and twenty-eight non-commissioned officers and privates1 had previously been captured in the two redoubts1 or in the sortie of the garrison4 ,the loss sustained by the garrison during the siege1 in killed1 wounded1 and missing1 amounted to #eeb4 ,that of the combined army in killed was about #cjj4 ,the combined army to which ,cornwallis surrendered1 was estimated at #af1jjj1 of whom #g1jjj were ,french1 #e1ejj continentals1 and #c1ejj militia4--,holmes' ,annals4 ,on the following morning1 ,washington in general orders congratulated the allied armies on the recent victory1 awarding high praise to the officers and troops both ,french and ,american1 for their conduct during the siege1 and specifying by name several of the generals and other officers who had especially distinguished themselves4 ,all those of his army who were under arrest were pardoned and set at liberty4 ,cornwallis felt deeply the humiliation of this close to all his wide and wild campaigning1 and was made the more sensitive on the subject by circumstances of which he soon became apprised4 ,on the very day that he had been compelled to lay down his arms before ,yorktown1 the lingering armament intended for his relief sailed from ,new ,york4 ,it consisted of twenty-five ships-of-the-line1 two fifty-gun ships1 and eight frigates2 with ,sir ,henry ,clinton and seven thousand of his best troops4 ,sir ,henry arrived off the capes of ,virginia on the #bdth1 and gathered information which led him to apprehend that ,lord ,cornwallis had capitulated4 ,he hovered off the mouth of the ,chesapeake until the #bith1 when1 having fully ascertained that he had come too late1 he turned his tardy prows toward ,new ,york4 ,in the meantime rejoicings spread throughout the ,union4 ,cornwallis is taken6 was the universal acclaim4 ,it was considered a death-blow to the war4 ,congress gave way to transports of joy4 ,thanks were voted to the commander-in-chief1 to the ,counts ,de ,rochambeau and ,de ,grasse1 to the officers of the allied armies generally1 and to the corps of artillery and engineers especially4 ,two stands of colors1 trophies of the capitulation1 were voted to ,washington1 two pieces of field ordnance to ,de ,rochambeau and ,de ,grasse2 and it was decreed that a marble column1 commemorative of the alliance between ,france and the ,united ,states1 and of the victory achieved by their associated arms1 should be erected in ,yorktown4 ,finally1 ,congress issued a proclamation1 appointing a day for general thanksgiving and prayer1 in acknowledgment of this signal interposition of ,divine ,providence4 ,far different was the feeling of the ,british ministry when news of the event reached the other side of the ,atlantic4 ,lord ,george ,germain was the first to announce it to ,lord ,north at his office in ,downing street4 ,and how did he take it8 was the inquiry4 ,as he would have taken a ball in the breast1 replied ,lord ,george1 for he opened his arms1 exclaiming wildly as he paced up and down the apartment1 ',oh ,god6 it is all over6' ,,chapter ,,lxvi4 ,,dissolution ,,of ,,the ,,combined ,,armies4--,,discontents ,,in ,,the ,,army4 ,washington would have followed up the reduction of ,yorktown by a combined operation against ,charleston1 and addressed a letter to the ,count de ,grasse on the subject1 but the count alleged in reply that the orders of his court1 ulterior projects1 and his engagements with the ,spaniards1 rendered it impossible to remain the necessary time for the operation4 ,the prosecution of the ,southern war1 therefore1 upon the broad scale which ,washington had contemplated1 had to be relinquished2 for1 without shipping and a convoy1 the troops and everything necessary for a siege would have to be transported by land with immense trouble1 expense and delay2 while the enemy1 by means of their fleets1 could reinforce or withdraw the garrison at pleasure4 ,under these circumstances1 ,washington had to content himself1 for the present1 with detaching two thousand ,pennsylvania1 ,maryland1 and ,virginia ,continental troops1 under ,general ,st4 ,clair1 for the support of ,general ,greene1 trusting that1 with this aid1 he would be able to command the interior of ,south ,carolina1 and confine the enemy to the town of ,charleston4 ,a dissolution of the combined forces now took place4 ,the ,marquis ,st4 ,simon embarked his troops on the last of ,october1 and the ,count de ,grasse made sail on the #dth of ,november1 taking with him two beautiful horses which ,washington had presented to him in token of cordial regard4 ,lafayette1 seeing there was no probability of further active service in the present year1 resolved to return to ,france on a visit to his family1 and1 with ,washington's approbation1 set out for ,philadelphia to obtain leave of absence from ,congress4 ,the ,british prisoners were marched to ,winchester in ,virginia1 and ,frederickstown in ,maryland1 and ,lord ,cornwallis and his principal officers sailed for ,new ,york on parole4 ,the main part of the ,american army embarked for the ,head of ,elk1 and returned northward under the command of ,general ,lincoln1 to be cantoned for the winter in the ,jerseys and on the ,hudson1 so as to be ready for operations against ,new ,york1 or elsewhere1 in the next year's campaign4 ,the ,french army were to remain for the winter in ,virginia1 and the ,count de ,rochambeau established his head-quarters at ,williamsburg4 ,having attended in person to the distribution of ordnance and stores1 the departure of prisoners1 and the embarkation of the troops under ,lincoln1 ,washington left ,yorktown on the #eth of ,november1 and arrived the same day at ,eltham1 the seat of his friend ,colonel ,bassett4 ,he arrived just in time to receive the last breath of ,john ,parke ,custis1 the son of ,mrs4 ,washington4 ,the deceased had been an object of ,washington's care from childhood1 and had been cherished by him with paternal affection4 ,formed under his guidance and instructions1 he had been fitted to take a part in the public concerns of his country1 and had acquitted himself with credit as a member of the ,virginia ,legislature4 ,he was but twenty-eight years old at the time of his death1 and left a widow and four young children4 ,it was an unexpected event1 and the dying scene was rendered peculiarly affecting from the presence of the mother and wife of the deceased4 ,as a consolation to ,mrs4 ,washington in her bereavement1 ,washington adopted the two youngest children of the deceased1 a boy and girl1 who thenceforth formed a part of his immediate family4 ,from ,eltham1 ,washington proceeded to ,mount ,vernon2 but public cares gave him little leisure to attend to his private concerns4 ,we have seen how repeatedly his steady mind had been exercised in the darkest times of the revolutionary struggle1 in buoying up the public heart when sinking into despondency4 ,he had now an opposite task to perform1 to guard against an overweening confidence inspired by the recent triumph4 ,in a letter to ,general ,greene1 he writes3 ,i shall remain but a few days here1 and shall proceed to ,philadelphia1 when ,i shall attempt to stimulate ,congress to the best improvement of our late success1 by taking the most vigorous and effectual measures to be ready for an early and decisive campaign the next year4 ,my greatest fear is1 that ,congress1 viewing this stroke in too important a point of light1 may think our work too nearly closed1 and will fall into a state of languor and relaxation4 ,towards the end of ,november1 ,washington was in ,philadelphia1 where ,congress received him with distinguished honors4 ,he lost no time in enforcing the policy respecting the ensuing campaign1 which he had set forth in his letter to ,general ,greene4 ,his views were met by the military committee of ,congress1 with which he was in frequent consultation1 and by the secretaries of war1 finance1 and public affairs1 who attended their conferences4 ,under his impulse and personal supervision1 the military arrangements for #aghb were made with unusual despatch4 ,on the #ajth of ,december resolutions were passed in ,congress for requisitions of men and money from the several ,states2 and ,washington backed those requisitions by letters to the respective governors1 urging prompt compliance4 ,the persuasion that peace was at hand was1 however1 too prevalent for the public to be roused to new sacrifices and toils to maintain what was considered the mere shadow of a war4 ,the ,states were slow in furnishing a small part of their respective quotas of troops1 and still slower in answering to the requisitions for money4 ,after remaining four months in ,philadelphia1 ,washington set out in ,march to rejoin the army at ,newburg on the ,hudson4 ,in a recent letter to ,general ,greene1 ,washington had expressed himself strongly on the subject of retaliation4 ,of all laws it is the most difficult to execute1 where you have not the transgressor himself in your possession4 ,humanity will ever interfere1 and plead strongly against the sacrifice of an innocent person for the guilt of another4 ,his judgment and feelings were soon put to the proof in this respect4 ,a ,new ,york refugee1 by the name of ,philip ,white1 had been captured by the ,jersey people1 and killed in attempting to escape4 ,his partisans in ,new ,york determined on a signal revenge4 ,captain ,joseph ,huddy1 who had been captured when bravely defending a blockhouse in ,monmouth ,county1 was now drawn forth from prison1 conducted into the ,jerseys by a party of refugees1 headed by a ,captain ,lippencott1 and hanged on the heights of ,middletown4 ,the neighboring country cried out for retaliation4 ,washington submitted the matter to a board of general and field-officers4 ,it was unanimously determined that the offender should be demanded for execution1 and1 if not given up1 that retaliation should be exercised on a ,british prisoner of equal rank4 ,washington accordingly sent proofs to ,sir ,henry ,clinton of what he stigmatized as a murder1 and demanded that the officer who commanded the execution of ,captain ,huddy should be given up4 ,sir ,henry declined a compliance1 but stated that he had ordered a strict inquiry into the circumstances of ,captain ,huddy's death1 and would bring the perpetrators of it to immediate trial4 ,washington about the same time received the copy of a resolution of ,congress approving of his firm and judicious conduct1 and promising to support him in his fixed purpose of exemplary retaliation4 ,he accordingly ordered a selection to be made by lot1 for the above purpose1 from among the ,british officers1 prisoners at ,lancaster1 in ,pennsylvania4 ,the lot fell upon ,captain ,charles ,asgill1 of the guards1 a youth only nineteen years of age1 of an amiable character1 and only son and heir of ,sir ,charles ,asgill1 a wealthy baronet4 ,the youth bore his lot with firmness1 but his fellow prisoners were incensed at ,sir ,henry ,clinton for exposing him to such a fate by refusing to deliver up the culprit4 ,one of their number1 a son of the ,earl of ,ludlow1 solicited permission from ,washington to proceed to ,new ,york and lay the case before ,sir ,guy ,carleton1 who had succeeded in command to ,sir ,henry ,clinton4 ,the matter remained for some time in suspense4 ,lippencott was at length tried by a court-martial1 but acquitted1 it appearing that he had acted under the verbal orders of ,governor ,franklin1 president of the ,board of ,associated ,loyalists4 ,the ,british commander reprobated the death of ,captain ,huddy1 and broke up the board4 ,these circumstances changed in some degree the ground upon which ,washington was proceeding4 ,he laid the whole matter before ,congress1 admitted ,captain ,asgill on parole at ,morristown1 and subsequently intimated to the secretary of war his private opinion in favor of his release1 with permission to go to his friends in ,europe4 ,in the meantime ,lady ,asgill1 the mother of the youth1 had written a pathetic letter to the ,count de ,vergennes1 the ,french minister of ,state1 imploring his intercession in behalf of her son4 ,the letter was shown to the king and queen1 and by their direction the count wrote to ,washington1 soliciting the liberation of ,asgill4 ,washington referred to ,congress the communication from the count1 and urged a favorable decision4 ,to his great relief1 he received their directions to set ,captain ,asgill at liberty4 ,the solicitude felt by ,washington on account of the universal relaxation of the sinews of war1 was not allayed by reports of pacific speeches1 and motions made in the ,british parliament1 which might be delusive4 ,even if the nation and parliament1 said he1 are really in earnest to obtain peace with ,america1 it will1 undoubtedly1 be wisdom in us to meet them with great caution and circumspection1 and by all means to keep our arms firm in our hands2 and instead of relaxing one iota in our exertions1 rather to spring forward with redoubled vigor1 that we may take the advantage of every favorable opportunity1 until our wishes are fully obtained4 ,no nation ever yet suffered in treaty by preparing1 even in the moment of negotiation1 most vigorously for the field4 ,sir ,guy ,carleton arrived in ,new ,york early in ,may to take the place of ,sir ,henry ,clinton1 who had solicited his recall4 ,in a letter dated ,may #gth1 ,sir ,guy informed ,washington of his being joined with ,admiral ,digby in the commission of peace2 he transmitted at the same time printed copies of the proceedings in the ,house of ,commons on the #dth of ,march1 respecting an address to the king in favor of peace2 and of a bill reported in consequence thereof1 authorizing the king to conclude a peace or truce with the revolted provinces of ,north ,america4 ,as this bill1 however1 had not passed into a law when ,sir ,guy left ,england1 it presented no basis for a negotiation2 and was only cited by him to show the pacific disposition of the ,british nation1 with which he professed the most zealous concurrence4 ,still1 though multiplied circumstances gradually persuaded ,washington of a real disposition on the part of ,great ,britain to terminate the war1 he did not think fit to relax his preparations for hostilities4 ,on the #b;d of ,august1 ,sir ,guy ,carleton and ,admiral ,digby wrote a joint letter to ,washington1 informing him that they were acquainted1 by authority1 that negotiations for a general peace had already been commenced at ,paris1 and that the independence of the ,united ,states would be proposed in the first instance by the ,british commissioner1 instead of being made a condition of a general treaty4 ,even yet1 ,washington was wary4 ,no offers had been made on the part of ,great ,britain for a general cessation of hostilities1 and1 although the ,british commanders were in a manner tied down by the resolves of the ,house of ,commons1 to a defensive war1 only in the ,united ,states1 they might be at liberty to transport part of their force to the ,west ,indies1 to act against the ,french possessions in that quarter4 ,with these considerations he wrote to the ,count de ,rochambeau1 then at ,baltimore1 advising him1 for the good of the common cause1 to march his troops to the banks of the ,hudson1 and form a junction with the ,american army4 ,the junction took place about the middle of ,september4 ,the ,french army crossed the ,hudson at ,king's ,ferry to ,verplanck's ,point1 where the ,american forces were paraded under arms to welcome them4 ,great discontents prevailed at this time in the army1 both among officers and men4 ,the army was almost destitute1 and there were days when the troops were absolutely in want of provisions4 ,the pay of the officers1 too1 was greatly in arrear2 many doubted whether they would ever receive the half-pay decreed to them by ,congress for a term of years after the war1 and fears began to be expressed that1 in the event of peace1 they would all be disbanded with their claims unliquidated and themselves cast upon the community penniless1 and unfitted1 by long military habitudes for the gainful pursuits of peace4 ,the army went into winter-quarters at ,newburg1 and in the leisure and idleness of a winter camp1 the discontents among the officers had time to ferment4 ,the arrearages of pay became a topic of constant and angry comment1 and a memorial was addressed to ,congress representing the hardships of the case1 and proposing that a specific sum should be granted them for the money actually due1 and as a commutation for half-pay4 ,the memorial gave rise to prolonged discussions1 and the winter passed without any definite measures on the subject4 ,meanwhile anonymous papers of a dangerous and incendiary character began to be circulated in the camp1 and meetings were summoned having in view ulterior measures of redress4 ,this ,washington anticipated by summoning a meeting of the officers in his own name1 which he addressed in a forcible and feeling manner1 dwelling upon their services1 the good intentions of ,congress1 and urging them in the most eloquent terms to turn a deaf ear to the specious arguments of those who were attempting to open the flood-gates of civil discord1 and deluge our rising empire in blood4 ,his earnest appeal was of effect2 resolutions were passed1 declaring that no circumstances of distress or danger should induce them to sully the reputation and glory acquired at the price of their blood and eight years' faithful services4 ,washington now urged the subject upon the attention of ,congress1 and a resolution was concurred in commuting the half-pay into a sum equal to five years' whole pay4 ,,chapter ,,lxvii4 ,,news ,,of ,,peace4--,,washington',s ,,farewell ,,to ,,the ,,army1 ,,and ,,resignation ,,of ,,his ,,commission4 ,at length arrived the wished-for news of peace4 ,a general treaty had been signed at ,paris on the #bjth of ,january4 ,an armed vessel1 the ,triumph1 belonging to the ,count d',estaing's squadron1 arrived at ,philadelphia from ,cadiz1 on the #bc;d of ,march1 bringing a letter from the ,marquis de ,lafayette1 to the ,president of ,congress1 communicating the intelligence4 ,in a few days ,sir ,guy ,carleton informed ,washington1 by letter1 that he was ordered to proclaim a cessation of hostilities by sea and land4 ,a similar proclamation issued by ,congress1 was received by ,washington on the #agth of ,april4 ,being unaccompanied by any instructions respecting the discharge of the part of the army with him1 should the measure be deemed necessary1 he found himself in a perplexing situation4 ,the accounts of peace received at different times had raised an expectation in the minds of those of his troops that had engaged for the war1 that a speedy discharge must be the consequence of the proclamation4 ,most of them could not distinguish between a proclamation of a cessation of hostilities and a definitive declaration of peace1 and might consider any further claim on their military services an act of injustice4 ,it was becoming difficult to enforce the discipline necessary to the coherence of an army4 ,washington represented these circumstances in a letter to the president1 and earnestly entreated a prompt determination on the part of ,congress1 as to what was to be the period of the services of these men1 and how he was to act respecting their discharge4 ,he urged that1 in discharging those who had been engaged for the war1 the non-commissioned officers and soldiers should be allowed to take with them1 as their own property1 and as a gratuity1 their arms and accoutrements4 ,his letter produced a resolution in ,congress1 that the services of the men engaged in the war did not expire until the ratification of the definitive articles of peace2 but that the commander-in-chief might grant furloughs to such as he thought proper1 and that they should be allowed to take their arms with them4 ,washington availed himself freely of this permission3 furloughs were granted without stint2 the men set out singly or in small parties for their rustic homes1 and the danger and inconvenience were avoided of disbanding large masses1 at a time1 of unpaid soldiery4 ,in the meantime ,sir ,guy ,carleton was making preparations for the evacuation of the city of ,new ,york4 ,on the #fth of ,may a personal conference took place between ,washington and ,sir ,guy at ,orangetown1 about the transfer of posts in the ,united ,states held by the ,british troops1 and the delivery of all property stipulated by the treaty to be given up to the ,americans4 ,on the #hth of ,may1 ,egbert ,benson1 ,william ,s4 ,smith1 and ,daniel ,parker1 were commissioned by ,congress to inspect and superintend at ,new ,york the embarkation of persons and property in fulfilment of the seventh article of the provisional treaty4 ,the officers in the patriot camp on the ,hudson were not without gloomy feelings at the thought of their approaching separation from each other4 ,eight years of dangers and hardships1 shared in common and nobly sustained1 had welded their hearts together1 and made it hard to rend them asunder4 ,prompted by such feelings1 ,general ,knox suggested1 as a mode of perpetuating the friendships thus formed1 and keeping alive the brotherhood of the camp1 the formation of a society composed of the officers of the army4 ,the suggestion met with universal concurrence1 and the hearty approbation of ,washington4 ,meetings were held1 at which the ,baron ,steuben1 as senior officer1 presided4 ,a plan was drafted1 and the society was organized4 ,in memory of the illustrious ,roman1 ,lucius ,quintius ,cincinnatus1 who retired from war to the peaceful duties of the citizen1 it was to be called ,the ,society of the ,cincinnati4 ,the objects proposed by it were to preserve inviolate the rights and liberties for which they had contended2 to promote and cherish national honor and union between the ,states2 to maintain brotherly kindness toward each other1 and extend relief to such officers and their families as might stand in need of it4 ,the general society1 for the sake of frequent communications1 was to be divided into ,state societies1 and these again into districts4 ,washington was chosen unanimously to officiate as president of it1 until the first general meeting1 to be held in ,may1 #aghd4 ,on the #hth of ,june1 ,washington addressed a letter to the governors of the several ,states on the subject of the dissolution of the army4 ,the opening of it breathes that aspiration after the serene quiet of private life1 which had been his dream of happiness throughout the storms and trials of his anxious career1 but the full fruition of which he was never to realize4 ,his letter then described the enviable condition of the citizens of ,america1 and proceeded ably and eloquently to discuss what he considered the four things essential to the well-being1 and even the existence of the ,united ,states as an independent power4 ,first4 ,an indissoluble union of the ,states under one federal head1 and a perfect acquiescence of the several ,states1 in the full exercise of the prerogative vested in such a head by the constitution4 ,second4 ,a sacred regard to public justice in discharging debts and fulfilling contracts made by ,congress1 for the purpose of carrying on the war4 ,third4 ,the adoption of a proper peace establishment2 in which care should be taken to place the militia throughout the ,union on a regular1 uniform and efficient footing4 ,and ,fourth4 ,a disposition among the people of the ,united ,states to forget local prejudices and policies2 to make mutual concessions1 and to sacrifice individual advantages to the interests of the community4 ,these four things ,washington pronounced the pillars on which the glorious character must be supported4 ,liberty is the basis2 and whoever would dare to sap the foundation1 or overturn the structure1 under whatever specious pretext he may attempt it1 will merit the bitterest execration and the severest punishment which can be inflicted by his injured country4 ,we forbear to go into the ample and admirable reasoning with which he expatiates on these heads1 and above all1 enforces the sacred inviolability of the ,union2 they have become familiar with every ,american mind1 and ought to govern every ,american heart4 ,washington resolved to while away part of the time that must intervene before the arrival of the definitive treaty1 by making a tour to the northern and western parts of the ,state1 and visiting the places which had been the theatre of important military transactions4 ,he had another object in view2 he desired to facilitate as far as in his power the operations which would be necessary for occupying1 as soon as evacuated by ,british troops1 the posts ceded by the treaty of peace4 ,governor ,clinton accompanied him on the expedition4 ,they set out by water from ,newburg1 ascended the ,hudson to ,albany1 visited ,saratoga and the scene of ,burgoyne's surrender1 embarked on ,lake ,george1 where light boats had been provided for them1 traversed that beautiful lake so full of historic interest1 proceeded to ,ticonderoga and ,crown ,point2 and after reconnoitring those eventful posts1 returned to ,schenectady1 whence they proceeded up the valley of the ,mohawk ,river4 ,having reached ,fort ,schuyler1 formerly ,fort ,stanwix1 they crossed over to ,wood ,creek1 which empties into ,oneida ,lake1 and affords the water communication with ,ontario4 ,they then traversed the country to the head of the eastern branch of the ,susquehanna1 and viewed ,lake ,otsego and the portage between that lake and the ,mohawk ,river4 ,washington returned to head-quarters at ,newburg on the #eth of ,august1 after a tour of at least seven hundred and fifty miles1 performed in nineteen days1 and for the most part on horseback4 ,by a proclamation of ,congress1 dated #ahth of ,october1 all officers and soldiers absent on furlough were discharged from further service2 and all others who had engaged to serve during the war1 were to be discharged from and after the #c;d of ,november4 ,a small force only1 composed of those who had enlisted for a definite time1 were to be retained in service until the peace establishment should be organized4 ,in general orders of ,november #b;d1 ,washington1 after adverting to this proclamation1 adds3 ,it only remains for the commander-in-chief to address himself once more1 and that for the last time1 to the armies of the ,united ,states1 however widely dispersed the individuals who compose them may be1 and to bid them an affectionate and a long farewell4 ,he then goes on to make them one of those paternal addresses which so eminently characterize his relationship with his army1 so different from that of any other commander4 ,he takes a brief view of the glorious struggle from which they had just emerged2 the unpromising circumstances under which they had undertaken it1 and the signal interposition of ,providence in behalf of their feeble condition2 the unparalleled perseverance of the ,american armies for eight long years1 through almost every possible suffering and discouragement2 a perseverance which he justly pronounces to be little short of a standing miracle4 ,adverting then to the enlarged prospects of happiness opened by the confirmation of national independence and sovereignty1 and the ample and profitable employments held out in a ,republic so happily circumstanced1 he exhorts them to maintain the strongest attachment to ,,the ,,union1 and to carry with them into civil society the most conciliatory dispositions2 proving themselves not less virtuous and useful as citizens1 than they had been victorious as soldiers4 ,notwithstanding every exertion had been made for the evacuation of ,new ,york1 such was the number of persons and the quantity of effects of all kinds to be conveyed away1 that the month of ,november was far advanced before it could be completed4 ,sir ,guy ,carleton had given notice to ,washington of the time he supposed the different posts would be vacated1 that the ,americans might be prepared to take possession of them4 ,on the #bast the ,british troops were drawn in from the oft-disputed post of ,king's ,bridge and from ,m',gowan's ,pass1 also from the various posts on the eastern part of ,long ,island4 ,paulus ,hook was relinquished on the following day1 and the afternoon of the #beth of ,november was appointed by ,sir ,guy for the evacuation of the city and the opposite village of ,brooklyn4 ,washington1 in the meantime1 had taken his station at ,harlem1 accompanied by ,governor ,clinton1 who1 in virtue of his office1 was to take charge of the city4 ,they found there ,general ,knox with the detachment from ,west ,point4 ,sir ,guy ,carleton had intimated a wish that ,washington would be at hand to take immediate possession of the city1 and prevent all outrage1 as he had been informed of a plot to plunder the place whenever the king's troops should be withdrawn4 ,he had engaged1 also1 that the guards of the redoubts on the ,east ,river1 covering the upper part of the town1 should be the first to be withdrawn1 and that an officer should be sent to give ,washington's advanced guard information of their retiring4 ,although ,washington doubted the existence of any such plot as that which had been reported to the ,british commander1 yet he took precautions accordingly4 ,on the morning of the #beth the ,american troops1 composed of dragoons1 light infantry and artillery1 moved from ,harlem to the ,bowery at the upper part of the city4 ,there they remained until the troops in that quarter were withdrawn1 when they marched into the city and took possession1 the ,british embarking from the lower parts4 ,a formal entry then took place of the military and civil authorities4 ,illustration3 ,,room ,,in ,,fraunces' ,,tavern4 ,vol4 ,,iv4 ,in the course of a few days ,washington prepared to depart for ,annapolis1 where ,congress was assembling1 with the intention of asking leave to resign his command4 ,a barge was in waiting about noon on the #dth of ,december at ,whitehall ferry to convey him across the ,hudson to ,paulus ,hook4 ,the principal officers of the army assembled at ,fraunces' ,tavern1 in the neighborhood of the ferry1 to take a final leave of him4 ,on entering the room1 and finding himself surrounded by his old companions in arms1 who shared with him so many scenes of hardship1 difficulty1 and danger1 his agitated feelings overcame his usual self-command4 ,filling a glass of wine1 and turning upon them his benignant but saddened countenance1 ,with a heart full of love and gratitude1 said he1 ,i now take leave of you1 most devoutly wishing that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable4 ,having drunk his farewell benediction1 he added with emotion1 ,i cannot come to each of you to take my leave1 but shall be obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand4 ,general ,knox1 who was nearest1 was the first to advance4 ,washington1 affected even to tears1 grasped his hand and gave him a brother's embrace4 ,in the same affectionate manner he took leave severally of the rest4 ,not a word was spoken4 ,the deep feeling and manly tenderness of these veterans in the parting moment could find no utterance in words4 ,silent and solemn they followed their loved commander as he left the room1 passed through a corps of light infantry1 and proceeded on foot to ,whitehall ferry4 ,having entered the barge1 he turned to them1 took off his hat and waved a silent adieu4 ,they replied in the same manner1 and having watched the barge until the intervening point of the ,battery shut it from sight1 returned1 still solemn and silent1 to the place where they had assembled4 ,on his way to ,annapolis1 ,washington stopped for a few days at ,philadelphia1 where with his usual exactness in matters of business1 he adjusted with the ,comptroller of the ,treasury his accounts from the commencement of the war down to the #acth of the actual month of ,december4 ,these were all in his own handwriting1 and kept in the cleanest and most accurate manner1 each entry being accompanied by a statement of the occasion and object of the charge4 ,the gross amount was about fourteen thousand five hundred pounds sterling2 in which were included moneys expended for secret intelligence and service1 and in various incidental charges4 ,all this1 it must be noted1 was an account of money actually expended in the progress of the war2 not for arrearage of pay2 for it will be recollected ,washington accepted no pay4 ,in passing through ,new ,jersey1 ,pennsylvania1 and ,maryland1 the scenes of his anxious and precarious campaigns1 ,washington was everywhere hailed with enthusiasm by the people1 and greeted with addresses by legislative assemblies1 and learned and religious institutions4 ,being arrived at ,annapolis1 he addressed a letter to the ,president of ,congress1 on the #bjth of ,december1 requesting to know in what manner it would be most proper to offer his resignation2 whether in writing or at an audience4 ,the latter mode was adopted1 and the ,hall of ,congress appointed for the ceremonial4 ,at twelve o'clock the #bc;d1 the gallery1 and a great part of the floor of the ,hall of ,congress1 were filled with ladies1 with public functionaries of the ,state1 and with general officers4 ,washington entered1 conducted by the secretary of ,congress1 and took his seat in a chair appointed for him4 ,after a brief pause1 the president 7,general ,mifflin7 informed him1 that the ,united ,states in ,congress assembled1 were prepared to receive his communication4 ,washington then rose1 and delivered a short address4 ,the great events1 said he1 on which my resignation depended1 having at length taken place1 ,i now have the honor of offering my sincere congratulations to ,congress1 and of presenting myself before them1 to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me1 and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country4 ,after expressing his obligations to the army in general1 and acknowledging the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the confidential officers who had been attached to his person1 and composed his family during the war1 and whom he especially recommended to the favor of ,congress1 he continued--,having now finished the work assigned me1 ,i retire from the great theatre of action2 and1 bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body1 under whose orders ,i have long acted1 ,i here offer my commission1 and take my leave of all the employments of public life4 ,having delivered his commission into the hands of the president1 the latter1 in reply to his address1 bore testimony to the patriotism with which he had answered to the call of his country1 and defended its invaded rights before it had formed alliances1 and while it was without funds or a government to support him2 to the wisdom and fortitude with which he had conducted the great military contest1 invariably regarding the rights of the civil power1 through all disasters and changes4 ,you retire1 added he1 from the theatre of action with the blessings of your fellow-citizens2 but the glory of your virtues will not terminate with your military command2 it will continue to animate remotest ages4 ,the very next morning ,washington left ,annapolis1 and hastened to his beloved ,mount ,vernon1 where he arrived the same day1 on ,christmas-eve1 in a frame of mind suited to enjoy the sacred and genial festival4 ,the scene is at last closed1 said he in a letter to ,governor ,clinton2 ,i feel myself eased of a load of public care4 ,i hope to spend the remainder of my days in cultivating the affections of good men1 and in the practice of the domestic virtues4 ,,chapter ,,lxviii4 ,,washington ,,at ,,mount ,,vernon4 ,for some time after his return to ,mount ,vernon1 ,washington was in a manner locked up by the ice and snow of an uncommonly rigorous winter1 so that social intercourse was interrupted1 and he could not even pay a visit of duty and affection to his aged mother at ,fredericksburg4 ,but it was enough for him at present that he was at length at home at ,mount ,vernon4 ,yet the habitudes of the camp still haunted him2 he could hardly realize that he was free from military duties2 on waking in the morning he almost expected to hear the drum going its stirring rounds and beating the reveill4 ,during the winter storms he anticipates the time when the return of the sun will enable him to welcome his friends and companions in arms to partake of his hospitality2 and lays down his unpretending plan of receiving the curious visitors who are likely to throng in upon him4 ,my manner of living1 writes he to a friend1 is plain1 and ,i do not mean to be put out of it4 ,a glass of wine and a bit of mutton are always ready2 and such as will be content to partake of them1 are always welcome4 ,those who expect more will be disappointed4 ,some degree of economy was necessary1 for his financial concerns had suffered during the war1 and the products of his estate had fallen off during his long absence4 ,in the meantime the supreme council of ,pennsylvania1 properly appreciating the disinterestedness of his conduct1 aware that popular love and popular curiosity would attract crowds of visitors to ,mount ,vernon1 and subject him to extraordinary expenses1 had instructed their delegates in ,congress to call the attention of that body to these circumstances1 with a view to produce some national reward for his eminent services4 ,before acting upon these instructions1 the delegates were directed to send a copy of them to ,washington for his approbation4 ,he received the document while buried in accounts and calculations1 and when1 had he been of a mercenary disposition1 the offered intervention in his favor would have seemed most seasonable2 but he at once most gratefully and respectfully declined it1 jealously maintaining the satisfaction of having served his country at the sacrifice of his private interests4 ,as spring advanced1 ,mount ,vernon1 as had been anticipated1 began to attract numerous visitors4 ,they were received in the frank1 unpretending style ,washington had determined upon4 ,it was truly edifying to behold how easily and contentedly he subsided from the authoritative commander-in-chief of armies into the quiet country gentleman4 ,there was nothing awkward or violent in the transition4 ,he seemed to be in his natural element4 ,mrs4 ,washington1 too1 who presided with quiet dignity at head-quarters1 and cheered the wintry gloom of ,valley ,forge with her presence1 presided with equal amenity and grace at the simple board of ,mount ,vernon4 ,she had a cheerful good sense that always made her an agreeable companion1 and was an excellent manager4 ,in entering upon the out-door management of his estate1 ,washington was but doing in person what he had long been doing through others4 ,he had never virtually ceased to be the agriculturist4 ,throughout all his campaigns he had kept himself informed of the course of rural affairs at ,mount ,vernon4 ,by means of maps on which every field was laid down and numbered1 he was enabled to give directions for their several cultivation1 and receive accounts of their several crops4 ,no hurry of affairs prevented a correspondence with his overseer or agent1 and he exacted weekly reports4 ,thus his rural were interwoven with his military cares2 the agriculturist was mingled with the soldier4 ,the ,fairfaxes1 the kind friends of his boyhood1 and social companions of his riper years1 were no longer at hand to share his pleasures and lighten his cares4 ,there were no more hunting dinners at ,belvoir4 ,george ,william ,fairfax1 its former possessor1 was in ,england2 his political principles had detained him there during the war1 and part of his property had been sequestered4 ,old ,lord ,fairfax1 the ,nimrod of ,greenway ,court1 ,washington's early friend and patron1 with whom he had first learned to follow the hounds1 had lived on in a green old age at his sylvan retreat in the beautiful valley of the ,shenandoah2 popular with his neighbors and unmolested by the ,whigs1 although frank and open in his adherence to ,great ,britain4 ,he had attained his ninety-second year1 when tidings of the surrender of ,yorktown wounded the national pride of the old cavalier to the quick1 and snapped the attenuated thread of his existence4 ,on the #agth of ,august1 ,washington was gladdened by having the ,marquis de ,lafayette under his roof1 who had recently arrived from ,france4 ,the marquis passed a fortnight with him1 a loved and cherished guest1 at the end of which he departed for a time1 to be present at the ceremony of a treaty with the ,indians4 ,washington now prepared for a tour to the west of the ,appalachian ,mountains1 to visit his lands on the ,ohio and ,kanawha ,rivers4 ,dr4 ,craik1 the companion of his various campaigns1 and who had accompanied him in #aggj on a similar tour1 was to be his fellow-traveller4 ,his original intention had been to survey and inspect his lands on the ,monongahela ,river2 then to descend the ,ohio to the great ,kanawha1 where also he had large tracts of wild land4 ,on arriving on the ,monongahela1 however1 he heard such accounts of discontent and irritation among the ,indian tribes1 that he did not consider it prudent to venture among them4 ,some of his land on the ,monongahela was settled2 the rest was in the wilderness1 and of little value in the present unquiet state of the country4 ,he abridged his tour1 therefore2 proceeded no further west than the ,monongahela2 ascended that river1 and then struck southward through the wild1 unsettled regions of the ,alleghanies1 until he came out into the ,shenandoah ,valley near ,staunton4 ,he returned to ,mount ,vernon on the #dth of ,october4 ,during all this tour he had carefully observed the course and character of the streams flowing from the west into the ,ohio1 and the distance of their navigable parts from the head navigation of the rivers east of the mountains1 with the nearest and best portage between them4 ,for many years he had been convinced of the practicability of an easy and short communication between the ,potomac and ,james ,rivers1 and the waters of the ,ohio1 and thence on to the great chain of lakes2 and of the vast advantages that would result therefrom to the ,states of ,virginia and ,maryland4 ,he had even attempted to set a company on foot to undertake at their own expense the opening of such a communication1 but the breaking out of the ,revolution had put a stop to the enterprise4 ,one object of his recent tour was to make observations and collect information on the subject2 and all that he had seen and heard quickened his solicitude to carry the scheme into effect4 ,he set forth his views upon the subject to ,benjamin ,harrison1 governor of ,virginia1 urging its importance to the ,state1 and predicting that ,new ,york would lose no time in forming communication by water with the western lakes4 ,the governor laid the letter before the ,state legislature1 and ,washington was induced to go to ,richmond to give the measure his personal support4 ,in a letter to ,richard ,henry ,lee1 recently chosen ,president of ,congress1 he urged it upon his attention2 suggesting that the western waters should be explored1 their navigable capabilities ascertained1 and that a complete map should be made of the country4 ,in the latter part of ,december he was at ,annapolis1 at the request of the ,assembly of ,virginia1 to arrange matters with the ,assembly of ,maryland respecting it4 ,through his indefatigable exertions two companies were formed under the patronage of the governments of these ,states1 for opening the navigation of the ,potomac and ,james ,rivers1 and he was appointed president of both4 ,by a unanimous vote of the ,assembly of ,virginia1 fifty shares in the ,potomac1 and one hundred in the ,james ,river ,company1 were appropriated for his benefit4 ,washington was exceedingly embarrassed by the appropriation4 ,to decline so noble and unequivocal a testimonial of the good opinion and good will of his countrymen might be construed into disrespect1 yet he wished to be perfectly free to exercise his judgment and express his opinions in the matter1 without being liable to the least suspicion of interested motives4 ,while1 however1 he declined to receive the proffered shares for his own benefit1 he intimated a disposition to receive them in trust1 to be applied to the use of some object or institution of a public nature4 ,his wishes were complied with1 and the shares were ultimately appropriated by him to institutions devoted to public education4 ,yet1 though the love for his country would thus interfere with his love for his home1 the dream of rural retirement at ,mount ,vernon still went on4 ,at the opening of the year 7#aghe7 the entries in his diary show him diligently employed in preparations to improve his groves and shrubbery4 ,on the #ajth of ,january he notes that the white thorn is full in berry4 ,on the #bjth he begins to clear the pine groves of undergrowth4 ,in ,february he transplants ivy under the walls of the garden to which it still clings4 ,in ,march he is planting hemlock trees1 that most beautiful species of ,american evergreen1 numbers of which had been brought hither from ,occoquan4 ,in ,april he is sowing holly berries in drills1 some adjoining a green-briar hedge on the north side of the garden gate2 others in a semicircle on the lawn4 ,many of the holly bushes thus produced1 are still flourishing about the place in full vigor4 ,we find in his diary noted down with curious exactness each day's labor and the share he took in it2 his frequent rides to the ,mill ,swamp1 the ,dogue ,creek1 the ,plantation of the ,neck1 and other places along the ,potomac in quest of young elms1 ash trees1 white thorn1 crab-apples1 maples1 mulberries1 willows and lilacs2 the winding walks which he lays out1 and the trees and shrubs which he plants along them4 ,now he sows acorns and buck-eye nuts brought by himself from the ,monongahela2 now he opens vistas through the ,pine ,grove1 commanding distant views through the woodlands2 and now he twines round his columns scarlet honeysuckles1 which his gardener tells him will blow all the summer4 ,the ornamental cultivation of which we have spoken was confined to the grounds appertaining to what was called the mansion-house farm2 but his estate included four other farms1 all lying contiguous1 and containing three thousand two hundred and sixty acres2 each farm having its bailiff or overseer1 with a house for his accommodation1 barns and out-houses for the produce1 and cabins for the negroes4 ,on a general map of the estate1 drawn out by ,washington himself1 these farms were all laid down accurately and their several fields numbered2 he knew the soil and local qualities of each1 and regulated the culture of them accordingly4 ,in addition to these five farms there were several hundred acres of fine woodland1 so that the estate presented a beautiful diversity of land and water4 ,in the stables near the mansion-house were the carriage and saddle horses1 of which he was very choice2 on the four farms there were #ed draught horses1 #ab mules1 #cag head of black cattle1 #cfj sheep1 and a great number of swine1 which last ran at large in the woods4 ,in the management of his estate he was remarkably exact4 ,no negligence on the part of the overseers or those under them was passed over unnoticed4 ,he seldom used many words on the subject of his plans2 rarely asked advice2 but1 when once determined1 carried them directly and silently into execution2 and was not easily dissuaded from a project when once commenced4 ,while ,washington was thus calmly employed1 came a letter from ,henry ,lee1 who was now in ,congress1 conveying a mournful piece of intelligence3 ,your friend and second1 the patriot and noble ,greene1 is no more4 ,universal grief reigns here4 ,greene died on the #ahth of ,june1 at his estate of ,mulberry ,grove1 on ,savannah ,river1 presented to him by the ,state of ,georgia4 ,his last illness was brief2 caused by a stroke of the sun2 he was but forty-four years of age4 ,the news of his death struck heavily on ,washington's heart1 to whom1 in the most arduous trials of the ,revolution1 he had been a second self4 ,he had taken ,washington as his model1 and possessed naturally many of his great qualities4 ,like him1 he was sound in judgment2 persevering in the midst of discouragements2 calm and self-possessed in time of danger2 heedful of the safety of others2 heedless of his own4 ,like him1 he was modest and unpretending1 and like him he had a perfect command of temper4 ,other deaths pressed upon ,washington's sensibility about the same time4 ,that of ,general ,mc,dougall1 who had served his country faithfully through the war1 and since with equal fidelity in ,congress4 ,that1 too1 of ,colonel ,tench ,tilghman1 for a long time one of ,washington's aides-de-camp1 and who left1 writes he1 as fair a reputation as ever belonged to a human character4 ,thus1 adds he1 some of the pillars of the ,revolution fall4 ,others are mouldering by insensible degrees4 ,may our country never want props to support the glorious fabric6 ,,chapter ,,lxix4 ,,the ,,constitutional ,,convention4--,,washington ,,elected ,,president4 ,from his quiet retreat of ,mount ,vernon1 ,washington1 though ostensibly withdrawn from public affairs1 was watching with intense solicitude the working together of the several parts in the great political confederacy2 anxious to know whether the thirteen distinct ,states1 under the present organization1 could form a sufficiently efficient general government4 ,he was daily becoming more and more doubtful of the solidity of the fabric he had assisted to raise4 ,the form of confederation which had bound the ,states together and met the public exigencies during the ,revolution1 when there was a pressure of external danger1 was daily proving more and more incompetent to the purposes of a national government4 ,congress had devised a system of credit to provide for the national expenditure and the extinction of the national debts1 which amounted to something more than forty millions of dollars4 ,the system experienced neglect from some ,states and opposition from others2 each consulting its local interests and prejudices1 instead of the interests and obligations of the whole4 ,in like manner treaty stipulations1 which bound the good faith of the whole1 were slighted1 if not violated by individual ,states1 apparently unconscious that they must each share in the discredit thus brought upon the national name4 ,in letters to his correspondents ,washington writes3 ,the confederation appears to me to be little more than a shadow without the substance1 and ,congress a nugatory body2 their ordinances being little attended to4444 ,the wheels of government are clogged1 and our brightest prospects1 and that high expectation which was entertained of us by the wondering world1 are turned into astonishment2 and from the high ground on which we stood1 we are descending into the vale of confusion and darkness4 444 ,i have ever been a friend to adequate powers in ,congress1 without which it is evident to me we never shall establish a national character1 or be considered as on a respectable footing by the powers of ,europe4 ,we are either a united people under one head and for federal purposes1 or we are thirteen independent sovereignties1 eternally counteracting each other4 444 ,we have probably had too good an opinion of human nature in forming our confederation4 ,experience has taught us that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures the best calculated for their own good1 without the intervention of coercive power4 ,i do not conceive we can exist long as a nation1 without lodging1 somewhere1 a power which will pervade the whole ,union in as energetic a manner as the authority of the ,state governments extends over the several ,states4444 ,we are apt to run from one extreme to another4 ,i am told that even respectable characters speak of a monarchial form of government without horror4 ,from thinking proceeds speaking1 thence acting is often but a single step4 ,but how irrevocable and tremendous6 ,what a triumph for our enemies to verify their predictions6 ,what a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves1 and that systems1 founded on the basis of equal liberty1 are merely ideal and fallacious6 ,would to ,god that wise measures may be taken in time to avert the consequences we have but too much reason to apprehend4 ,his anxiety on the subject was quickened by accounts of discontents and commotions in the ,eastern ,states produced by the pressure of the times1 the public and private indebtedness1 and the imposition of heavy taxes1 at a moment of financial embarrassment4 ,general ,knox1 now ,secretary at ,war1 who had been sent by ,congress to ,massachusetts to inquire into these troubles1 thus writes about the insurgents3 ,their creed is1 that the property of the ,united ,states has been protected from the confiscation of ,britain by the joint exertions of all1 and therefore ought to be the common property of all1 and he that attempts opposition to this creed is an enemy to equity and justice1 and ought to be swept from off the face of the earth4 ,again3 ,they are determined to annihilate all debts1 public and private1 and have agrarian laws1 which are easily effected by the means of unfunded paper1 which shall be a tender in all cases whatever4 ,in reply to ,colonel ,henry ,lee in ,congress1 who had addressed several letters to him on the subject1 ,washington writes3 ,you talk1 my good sir1 of employing influence to appease the present tumults in ,massachusetts4 ,i know not where that influence is to be found1 or1 if attainable1 that it would be a proper remedy for the disorders4 ,influence is not government4 ,let us have a government by which our lives1 liberties and properties will be secured1 or let us know the worst at once4 ,there is a call for decision4 ,know precisely what the insurgents aim at4 ,if they have real grievances1 redress them1 if possible2 or acknowledge the justice of them1 and your inability to do it at the moment4 ,if they have not1 employ the force of government against them at once4444 ,let the reins of government1 then1 be braced and held with a steady hand1 and every violation of the constitution be reprehended4 ,if defective1 let it be amended2 but not suffered to be trampled upon whilst it has an existence4 ,a letter to him from his former aide-de-camp1 ,colonel ,humphreys1 dated ,new ,haven1 ,november #ast1 says3 ,the troubles in ,massachusetts still continue4 ,government is prostrated in the dust1 and it is much to be feared that there is not energy enough in that ,state to re-establish the civil powers4 ,the leaders of the mob1 whose fortunes and measures are desperate1 are strengthening themselves daily2 and it is expected that they will soon take possession of the ,continental magazine at ,springfield1 in which there are from ten to fifteen thousand stand of arms in excellent order4 ,a general want of compliance with the requisitions of ,congress for money seems to prognosticate that we are rapidly advancing to a crisis4 ,congress1 ,i am told1 are seriously alarmed1 and hardly know which way to turn or what to expect4 ,indeed1 my dear ,general1 nothing but a good ,providence can extricate us from the present convulsion4 ,what1 gracious ,god6 is man1 writes ,washington1 that there should be such inconsistency and perfidiousness in his conduct4 ,it was but the other day that we were shedding our blood to obtain the constitutions under which we now live2 constitutions of our own choice and making2 and now we are unsheathing the sword to overturn them4444 ,how melancholy is the reflection1 that in so short a time we should have made such large strides towards fulfilling the predictions of our transatlantic foes6 ',leave them to themselves1 and their government will soon dissolve4' ,will not the wise and good strive hard to avert this evil8 ,or will their supineness suffer ignorance and the arts of self-interested and designing1 disaffected and desperate characters1 to involve this great country in wretchedness and contempt8 ,what stronger evidence can be given of the want of energy in our government than these disorders8 ,if there is not power in it to check them1 what security has a man for life1 liberty1 or property8 ,thus ,washington1 even though in retirement1 was almost unconsciously exercising a powerful influence on national affairs2 no longer the soldier1 he was now becoming the statesman4 ,the opinions and counsels given in his letters were widely effective4 ,the expedient for federate organization1 had extended and ripened in legislative ,assemblies1 and ended in a plan of a convention composed of delegates from all the ,states1 to meet in ,philadelphia for the sole and express purpose of revising the federal system1 and correcting its defects2 the proceedings of the convention to be subsequently reported to ,congress1 and the several ,legislatures1 for approval and confirmation4 ,washington was unanimously put at the head of the ,virginia delegation1 but for some time objected to accept the nomination4 ,he feared to be charged with inconsistency in again appearing in a public situation1 after his declared resolution to the contrary4 ,these considerations were strenuously combated1 for the weight and influence of his name and counsel were felt to be all-important in giving dignity to the delegation4 ,two things contributed to bring him to a favorable decision3 ,first1 an insinuation that the opponents of the convention were monarchists1 who wished the distractions of the country should continue1 until a monarchial government might be resorted to as an ark of safety4 ,the other was the insurrection in ,massachusetts4 ,before the time arrived for the meeting of the convention1 which was the second ,monday in ,may1 his mind was relieved from poignant solicitude1 by learning that the insurrection in ,massachusetts had been suppressed with but little bloodshed1 and that the principals had fled to ,canada4 ,on the #ith of ,may1 ,washington set out from ,mount ,vernon to attend the convention4 ,it was not until the #beth of ,may that a sufficient number of delegates were assembled to form a quorum1 when they proceeded to organize the body1 and by a unanimous vote ,washington was called up to the chair as ,president4 ,we forbear to go into the voluminous proceedings of this memorable convention1 which occupied from four to seven hours each day for four months2 and in which every point was the subject of able and scrupulous discussion by the best talent and noblest spirits of the country4 ,washington felt restrained by his situation as ,president from taking a part in the debates1 but his well-known opinions influenced the whole4 ,the result was the formation of the constitution of the ,united ,states1 which 7with some amendments made in after years7 still exists4 ,the constitution thus formed was forwarded to ,congress1 and thence transmitted to the ,state ,legislatures1 each of which submitted it to a ,state convention composed of delegates chosen for that express purpose by the people4 ,the ratification of the instrument by nine ,states was necessary to carry it into effect2 and as the several ,state conventions would assemble at different times1 nearly a year must elapse before the decisions of the requisite number could be obtained4 ,during this time1 ,washington resumed his retired life at ,mount ,vernon1 seldom riding1 as he says1 beyond the limits of his own farms1 but kept informed by his numerous correspondents1 such as ,james ,madison1 ,john ,jay1 and ,generals ,knox1 ,lincoln and ,armstrong1 of the progress of the constitution through its various ordeals1 and of the strenuous opposition which it met with in different quarters1 both in debate and through the press4 ,the testimonials of ratification having been received by ,congress from a sufficient number of ,states1 an act was passed by that body on the #acth of ,september1 appointing the first ,wednesday in ,january1 #aghi1 for the people of the ,united ,states to choose electors of a ,president according to the constitution1 and the first ,wednesday in the month of ,february following for the electors to meet and make a choice4 ,the meeting of the government was to be on the first ,wednesday in ,march1 and in the city of ,new ,york4 ,before the official forms of an election could be carried into operation1 a unanimous sentiment throughout the ,union pronounced ,washington the nation's choice to fill the presidential chair4 ,he looked forward to the possibility of his election with characteristic modesty and unfeigned reluctance2 as his letters to his confidential friends bear witness4 ,it has no fascinating allurements for me1 writes he to ,lafayette4 ,at my time of life and under my circumstances1 the increasing infirmities of nature and the growing love of retirement do not permit me to entertain a wish beyond that of living and dying an honest man on my own farm4 ,let those follow the pursuits of ambition and fame who have a keener relish for them1 or who may have more years in store for the enjoyment4 ,the election took place at the appointed time1 and it was soon ascertained that ,washington was chosen ,president for the term of four years from the #dth of ,march4 ,by this time the arguments and entreaties of his friends1 and his own convictions of public expediency1 had determined him to accept2 and he made preparations to depart for the seat of government as soon as he should receive official notice of his election4 ,among other duties he paid a visit to his mother at ,fredericksburg2 it was a painful1 because likely to be a final one1 for she was afflicted with a malady which1 it was evident1 must soon terminate her life4 ,their parting was affectionate1 but solemn2 she had always been reserved and moderate in expressing herself in regard to the successes of her son2 but it must have been a serene satisfaction at the close of her life to see him elevated by his virtues to the highest honor of his country4 ,from a delay in forming a quorum of ,congress the votes of the electoral college were not counted until early in ,april1 when they were found to be unanimous in favor of ,washington4 ,on the #adth of ,april1 he received a letter from the president of ,congress1 duly notifying him of his election2 and he prepared to set out immediately for ,new ,york1 the seat of government4 ,his progress was a continued ovation4 ,the ringing of bells and roaring of cannonry proclaimed his course through the country4 ,the old and young1 women and children1 thronged the highways to bless and welcome him4 ,deputations of the most respectable inhabitants from the principal places came forth to meet and escort him4 ,at ,baltimore1 on his arrival and departure1 his carriage was attended by a numerous cavalcade of citizens1 and he was saluted by the thunder of artillery4 ,at the frontier of ,pennsylvania he was met by his former companion-in-arms1 ,mifflin1 now governor of the ,state1 who with ,judge ,peters and a civil and military escort1 was waiting to receive him4 ,washington had hoped to be spared all military parade1 but found it was not to be evaded4 ,at ,chester1 where he stopped to breakfast1 there were preparations for a public entrance into ,philadelphia4 ,cavalry had assembled from the surrounding country2 a superb white horse was led out for ,washington to mount1 and a grand procession set forward1 with ,general ,st4 ,clair1 of revolutionary notoriety1 at its head4 ,it gathered numbers as it advanced2 passed under triumphal arches entwined with laurel1 and entered ,philadelphia amid the shouts of the multitude4 ,we question whether any of these testimonials of a nation's gratitude affected ,washington more sensibly than those he received at ,trenton4 ,it was on a sunny afternoon when he arrived on the banks of the ,delaware1 where1 twelve years before1 he had crossed in darkness and storm1 through clouds of snow and drifts of floating ice1 on his daring attempt to strike a blow at a triumphant enemy4 ,on the bridge crossing that eventful stream1 the ladies of ,trenton had caused a triumphal arch to be erected4 ,it was entwined with evergreens and laurels1 and bore the inscription1 ,the defender of the mothers will be the protector of the daughters4 ,at this bridge the matrons of the city were assembled to pay him reverence2 and as he passed under the arch1 a number of young girls1 dressed in white and crowned with garlands1 strewed flowers before him1 singing an ode expressive of their love and gratitude4 ,never was ovation more graceful1 touching and sincere2 and ,washington1 tenderly affected1 declared that the impression of it on his heart could never be effaced4 ,in respect to his reception at ,new ,york1 ,washington had signified in a letter to ,governor ,clinton1 that none could be so congenial to his feelings as a quiet entry devoid of ceremony2 but his modest wishes were not complied with4 ,at ,elizabethtown ,point1 a committee of both ,houses of ,congress1 with various civic functionaries1 waited by appointment to receive him4 ,he embarked on board of a splendid barge1 constructed for the occasion4 ,it was manned by thirteen branch pilots1 masters of vessels1 in white uniforms1 and commanded by ,commodore ,nicholson4 ,other barges fancifully decorated followed1 having on board the heads of departments and other public officers1 and several distinguished citizens4 ,as they passed through the strait between the ,jerseys and ,staten ,island1 called the ,kills1 other boats decorated with flags fell in their wake1 until the whole1 forming a nautical procession1 swept up the broad and beautiful bay of ,new ,york to the sound of instrumental music4 ,he approached the landing-place of ,murray's ,wharf amid the ringing of bells1 the roaring of cannonry1 and the shouting of multitudes collected on every pier-head4 ,on landing he was received by ,governor ,clinton4 ,general ,knox1 too1 who had taken such affectionate leave of him on his retirement from military life1 was there to welcome him in his civil capacity4 ,other of his fellow-soldiers of the ,revolution were likewise there1 mingled with the civic dignitaries4 ,carpets had been spread to a carriage prepared to convey him to his destined residence1 but he preferred to walk4 ,he was attended by a long civil and military train4 ,in the streets through which he passed the houses were decorated with flags1 silken banners1 garlands of flowers and evergreens1 and bore his name in every form of ornament4 ,the streets were crowded with people1 so that it was with difficulty a passage could be made by the city officers4 ,the inauguration was delayed for several days1 in which a question arose as to the form or title by which the ,president elect was to be addressed1 and a committee in both ,houses was appointed to report upon the subject4 ,it was finally resolved that the address should be simply the ,president of the ,united ,states1 without any addition of title2 a judicious form which has remained to the present day4 ,the inauguration took place on the #cjth of ,april4 ,at nine o'clock in the morning there were religious services in all the churches4 ,at twelve o'clock the city troops paraded before ,washington's door1 and soon after the committees of ,congress and heads of departments came in their carriages4 ,at half-past twelve the procession moved forward1 preceded by the troops2 next came the committees and heads of departments in their carriages2 then ,washington in a coach of state1 his aide-de-camp1 ,colonel ,humphreys1 and his secretary1 ,mr4 ,lear1 in his own carriage4 ,the foreign ministers and a long train of citizens brought up the rear4 ,about two hundred yards before reaching the hall1 ,washington and his suite alighted from their carriages1 and passed through the troops1 who were drawn up on each side1 into the hall and senate chamber1 where the vice-president1 the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives were assembled4 ,the vice-president1 ,john ,adams1 recently inaugurated1 advanced and conducted ,washington to a chair of state at the upper end of the room4 ,a solemn silence prevailed1 when the vice-president rose1 and informed him that all things were prepared for him to take the oath of office required by the constitution4 ,the oath was to be administered by the ,chancellor of the ,state of ,new ,york1 in a balcony in front of the senate chamber1 and in full view of an immense multitude occupying the street1 the windows1 and even roofs of the adjacent houses4 ,the balcony formed a kind of open recess1 with lofty columns supporting the roof4 ,in the centre was a table with a covering of crimson velvet1 upon which lay a superbly bound ,bible on a crimson velvet cushion4 ,this was all the paraphernalia for the august scene4 ,all eyes were fixed upon the balcony1 when1 at the appointed hour1 ,washington made his appearance1 accompanied by various public functionaries1 and members of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives4 ,he was clad in a full suit of dark-brown cloth1 of ,american manufacture1 with a steel-hilted dress sword1 white silk stockings1 and silver shoe-buckles4 ,his hair was dressed and powdered in the fashion of the day1 and worn in a bag and solitaire4 ,his entrance on the balcony was hailed by universal shouts4 ,he was evidently moved by this demonstration of public affection4 ,advancing to the front of the balcony1 he laid his hand upon his heart1 bowed several times1 and then retreated to an arm-chair near the table4 ,the populace appeared to understand that the scene had overcome him1 and were hushed at once into profound silence4 ,after a few moments ,washington rose and again came forward4 ,john ,adams1 the vice-president1 stood on his right2 on his left the ,chancellor of the ,state1 ,robert ,r4 ,livingston2 somewhat in the rear were ,roger ,sherman1 ,alexander ,hamilton1 ,generals ,knox1 ,st4 ,clair1 the ,baron ,steuben and others4 ,the chancellor advanced to administer the oath prescribed by the constitution1 and ,mr4 ,otis1 the secretary of the ,senate1 held up the ,bible on its crimson cushion4 ,the oath was read slowly and distinctly2 ,washington at the same time laying his hand on the open ,bible4 ,when it was concluded1 he replied solemnly1 ,i swear--so help me ,god6 ,the chancellor now stepped forward1 waved his hand and exclaimed1 ,long live ,george ,washington1 ,president of the ,united ,states6 ,at this moment a flag was displayed on the cupola of the hall2 on which signal there was a general discharge of artillery on the battery4 ,all the bells in the city rang out a joyful peal1 and the multitude rent the air with acclamations4 ,washington again bowed to the people and returned into the senate chamber1 where he delivered1 to both ,houses of ,congress1 his inaugural address4 ,after this he proceeded with the whole assemblage on foot to ,st4 ,paul's church1 where prayers suited to the occasion were read by ,dr4 ,prevost1 ,bishop of the ,protestant ,episcopal ,church in ,new ,york1 who had been appointed by the ,senate one of the chaplains of ,congress4 ,so closed the ceremonies of the inauguration4 ,we have been accustomed to look to ,washington's private letters for the sentiments of his heart4 ,those written to several of his friends immediately after his inauguration show how little he was excited by his official elevation4 ,i greatly fear1 writes he1 that my countrymen will expect too much from me4 ,i fear1 if the issue of public measures should not correspond with their sanguine expectations1 they will turn the extravagant1 and ,i might almost say undue praises1 which they are heaping upon me at this moment1 into equally extravagant1 though ,i will fondly hope unmerited censures4 ,little was his modest spirit aware that the praises so dubiously received were but the opening notes of a theme that was to increase from age to age1 to pervade all lands and endure throughout all generations4 ,,chapter ,,lxx4 ,,organization ,,of ,,the ,,new ,,government4 ,the eyes of the world were upon ,washington at the commencement of his administration4 ,he had won laurels in the field2 would they continue to flourish in the cabinet8 ,his position was surrounded by difficulties4 ,inexperienced in the duties of civil administration1 he was to inaugurate a new and untried system of government1 composed of ,states and people1 as yet a mere experiment1 to which some looked forward with buoyant confidence1 many with doubt and apprehension4 ,the constitution had met with vehement opposition1 when under discussion in the ,general and ,state governments4 ,only three ,states1 ,new ,jersey1 ,delaware and ,georgia1 had accepted it unanimously4 ,several of the most important ,states had adopted it by a mere majority2 five of them under an expressed expectation of specified amendments or modifications2 while two ,states1 ,rhode ,island and ,north ,carolina1 still stood aloof4 ,the very extent of the country he was called upon to govern1 ten times larger than that of any previous republic1 must have pressed with weight upon ,washington's mind4 ,it presented to the ,atlantic a front of fifteen hundred miles1 divided into individual ,states1 differing in the forms of their local governments1 differing from each other in interests1 in territorial magnitudes1 in amount of population1 in manners1 soils1 climates and productions1 and the characteristics of their several peoples4 ,beyond the ,alleghanies extended regions almost boundless1 as yet for the most part wild and uncultivated4 ,vast tracts1 however1 were rapidly being peopled1 and would soon be portioned into sections requiring local governments4 ,the great natural outlet for the exportation of the products of this region of inexhaustible fertility1 was the ,mississippi2 but ,spain opposed a barrier to the free navigation of this river4 ,here was peculiar cause of solicitude4 ,before leaving ,mount ,vernon1 ,washington had heard that the hardy yeomanry of the far ,west were becoming impatient of this barrier1 and indignant at the apparent indifference of ,congress to their prayers for its removal4 ,he had heard1 moreover1 that ,british emissaries were fostering these discontents1 sowing the seed of disaffection1 and offering assistance to the ,western people to seize on the city of ,new ,orleans and fortify the mouth of the ,mississippi2 while1 on the other hand1 the ,spanish authorities at ,new ,orleans were represented as intriguing to effect a separation of the ,western territory from the ,union1 with a view or hope of attaching it to the dominion of ,spain4 ,great ,britain1 too1 was giving grounds for territorial solicitude in these distant quarters by retaining possession of the ,western posts1 the surrender of which had been stipulated by treaty4 ,her plea was1 that debts due to ,british subjects1 for which by the same treaty the ,union ,states were bound1 remained unpaid4 ,this the ,americans alleged was a mere pretext2 the real object of their retention being the monopoly of the fur trade2 and to the mischievous influence exercised by these posts over the ,indian tribes1 was attributed much of the hostile disposition manifested by the latter along the ,western frontier4 ,while these brooding causes of anxiety existed at home1 the foreign commerce of the ,union was on a most unsatisfactory footing1 and required prompt and thorough attention4 ,it was subject to maraud1 even by the corsairs of ,algiers1 ,tunis and ,tripoli1 who captured ,american merchant vessels and carried their crews into slavery2 no treaty having yet been made with any of the ,barbary powers excepting ,morocco4 ,to complete the perplexities which beset the new government1 the finances of the country were in a lamentable state4 ,there was no money in the treasury4 ,the efforts of the former government to pay or fund its debts1 had failed2 there was a universal state of indebtedness1 foreign and domestic1 and public credit was prostrate4 ,such was the condition of affairs when ,washington entered upon his new field of action4 ,as yet he was without the support of constitutional advisers1 the departments under the new government not being organized2 he could turn with confidence1 however1 for counsel in an emergency to ,john ,jay1 who still remained at the head of affairs1 where he had been placed in #aghd4 ,he was sure of sympathy also in his old comrade1 ,general ,knox1 who continued to officiate as secretary of war2 while the affairs of the treasury were managed by a board1 consisting of ,samuel ,osgood1 ,walter ,livingston1 and ,arthur ,lee4 ,among the personal friends not in office1 to whom ,washington felt that he could safely have recourse for aid in initiating the new government1 was ,alexander ,hamilton4 ,it was also a great satisfaction to ,washington1 on looking round for reliable advisers at this moment1 to see ,james ,madison among the members of ,congress3 ,madison1 who had been with him in the convention1 who had labored in ,the ,federalist1 and whose talents as a speaker1 and calm1 dispassionate reasoner2 whose extensive information and legislative experience destined him to be a leader in the ,house4 ,highly appreciating his intellectual and moral worth1 ,washington would often turn to him for counsel4 ,the moment the inauguration was over1 ,washington was made to perceive that he was no longer master of himself or of his home4 ,by the time ,i had done breakfast1 writes he1 and thence till dinner1 and afterwards till bedtime1 ,i could not get rid of the ceremony of one visit before ,i had to attend to another4 ,in a word1 ,i had no leisure to read or to answer the despatches that were pouring in upon me from all quarters4 ,how was he to be protected from these intrusions8 ,what1 too1 were to be the forms and ceremonials to be adopted in the presidential mansion that would maintain the dignity of his station1 allow him time for the performance of its official duties1 and yet be in harmony with the temper and feelings of the people1 and the prevalent notions of equality and republican simplicity8 ,looking round upon the able men at hand1 such as ,adams1 ,hamilton1 ,jay1 ,madison1 he propounded to them a series of questions as to a line of conduct proper for him to observe4 ,in regard to visitors1 for instance1 would not one day in the week be sufficient for visits of compliment1 and one hour every morning 7at eight o'clock for example7 for visits on business8 ,might he make social visits to acquaintances and public characters1 not as ,president1 but as private individual8 ,and then as to his table--under the preceding form of government1 the ,presidents of ,congress had been accustomed to give dinners twice a week to large parties of both sexes1 and invitations had been so indiscriminate1 that every one who could get introduced to the ,president conceived he had a right to be invited to his board4 ,washington was resolved not to give general entertainments of this kind1 but in his series of questions he asked whether he might not invite1 informally or otherwise1 six1 eight1 or ten official characters1 including in rotation the members of both ,houses of ,congress1 to dine with him on the days fixed for receiving company1 without exciting clamors in the rest of the community4 ,adams in his reply talked of chamberlains1 aides-de-camp1 masters of ceremony1 and evinced a high idea of the presidential office and the state with which it ought to be maintained4 ,two days in a week would be required for the receipt of visits of compliment4 ,persons desiring an interview with the ,president should make application through the minister of ,state4 ,in every case the name1 quality or business of the visitor should be communicated to a chamberlain or gentleman in waiting1 who should judge whom to admit1 and whom to exclude4 ,the time for receiving visits ought to be limited1 as for example1 from eight to nine or ten o'clock1 lest the whole morning be taken up4 ,the ,president might invite what official character1 members of ,congress1 strangers1 or citizens of distinction he pleased1 in small parties without exciting clamors2 but this should always be done without formality4 ,his private life should be at his own discretion1 as to giving or receiving informal visits among friends and acquaintances2 but in his official character1 he should have no intercourse with society but upon public business1 or at his levees4 ,hamilton1 in his reply1 while he considered it a primary object for the public good that the dignity of the presidential office should be supported1 advised that care should be taken to avoid so high a tone in the demeanor of the occupant1 as to shock the prevalent notions of equality4 ,the ,president1 he thought1 should hold a levee at a fixed time once a week1 remain half an hour1 converse cursorily on indifferent subjects with such persons as invited his attention1 and then retire4 ,he should accept no invitations1 give formal entertainments twice1 or at most1 four times in the year2 on levee days to give informal invitations to family dinners2 not more than six or eight to be asked at a time1 and the civility to be confined essentially to members of the legislature1 and other official characters--the ,president never to remain long at table4 ,the heads of departments should1 of course1 have access to the ,president on business4 ,foreign ministers of some descriptions should also be entitled to it4 ,members of the ,senate should also have a right of individual access on matters relative to the public administration4 ,the reason alleged by ,hamilton for giving the ,senate this privilege1 and not the ,representatives1 was1 that in the constitution the ,senate are coupled with the ,president in certain executive functions1 treaties1 and appointments4 ,this makes them in a degree his constitutional counsellors1 and give them a peculiar claim to the right of access4 ,these are the only written replies that we have before us of ,washington's advisers on this subject4 ,colonel ,humphreys1 formerly one of ,washington's aides-de-camp1 and recently secretary of ,jefferson's legation at ,paris1 was at present an inmate in the presidential mansion4 ,general ,knox was frequently there2 to these ,jefferson assures us1 on ,washington's authority1 was assigned the task of considering and prescribing the minor forms and ceremonies1 the etiquette1 in fact1 to be observed on public occasions4 ,some of the forms proposed by them1 he adds1 were adopted4 ,others were so highly strained that ,washington absolutely rejected them4 ,on the #agth of ,may1 ,mrs4 ,washington1 accompanied by her grandchildren1 ,eleanor ,custis and ,george ,washington ,parke ,custis set out from ,mount ,vernon in her travelling carriage with a small escort of horse1 to join her husband at the seat of government3 as she had been accustomed to join him at head-quarters1 in the intervals of his revolutionary campaigns4 ,throughout the journey she was greeted with public testimonials of respect and affection4 ,on the following day after her arrival in ,new ,york ,washington gave a demi-official dinner1 of which ,mr4 ,wingate1 a senator from ,new ,hampshire1 who was present1 writes as follows3 ,the guests consisted of the ,vice-,president1 the foreign ministers1 the heads of departments1 the ,speaker of the house of ,representatives1 and the ,senators from ,new ,hampshire and ,georgia1 the then most ,northern and ,southern ,states4 ,it was the least showy dinner that ,i ever saw at the ,president's table1 and the company was not large4 ,on the evening of the following day1 7,friday1 ,may #bith17 ,mrs4 ,washington had a general reception1 which was attended by all that were distinguished in official and fashionable society4 ,henceforward there were similar receptions every ,friday evening1 from eight to ten o'clock1 to which the families of all persons of respectability1 native or foreign1 had access1 without special invitation2 and at which the ,president was always present4 ,these assemblages were as free from ostentation and restraint as the ordinary receptions of polite society2 yet the reader will find they were soon subject to invidious misrepresentation2 and cavilled at as court-like levees and queenly drawing-rooms4 ,in regard to the deportment of ,washington at this juncture1 we have been informed by one who had opportunities of seeing him1 that he still retained a military air of command which had become habitual to him4 ,at levees and drawing-rooms he sometimes appeared cold and distant1 but this was attributed by those who best knew him to the novelty of his position and his innate diffidence1 which seemed to increase with the light which his renown shed about him4 ,though reserved at times1 his reserve had nothing repulsive in it1 and in social intercourse1 where he was no longer under the eye of critical supervision1 soon gave way to soldier-like frankness and cordiality4 ,at all times his courtesy was genuine and benignant1 and totally free from that stately condescension sometimes mistaken for politeness4 ,nothing we are told could surpass the noble grace with which he presided at a ceremonial dinner2 kindly attentive to all his guests1 but particularly attentive to put those at their ease and in a favorable light who appeared to be most diffident4 ,much has been said of ,washington's equipages1 when at ,new ,york1 and of his having four and sometimes six horses before his carriage1 with servants and outriders in rich livery4 ,such style we would premise was usual at the time both in ,england and the colonies1 and had been occasionally maintained by the continental dignitaries1 and by the ,governors of the several ,states1 prior to the adoption of the new constitution4 ,it was still prevalent1 we are told1 among the wealthy planters of the ,south1 and sometimes adopted by 'merchant princes' and rich individuals at the ,north4 ,as soon as ,washington could command sufficient leisure to inspect papers and documents1 he called unofficially upon the heads of departments to furnish him with such reports in writing as would aid him in gaining a distinct idea of the state of public affairs4 ,for this purpose also he had recourse to the public archives1 and proceeded to make notes of the foreign official correspondence from the close of the war until his inauguration4 ,he was interrupted in his task by a virulent attack of anthrax1 which for several days threatened mortification4 ,the knowledge of his perilous condition spread alarm through the community2 he1 however1 remained unagitated4 ,his sufferings were intense1 and his recovery was slow4 ,for six weeks he was obliged to lie on his right side2 but after a time he had his carriage so contrived that he could extend himself at full length in it1 and take exercise in the open air4 ,while yet in a state of convalescence1 ,washington received intelligence of the death of his mother4 ,the event1 which took place at ,fredericksburg in ,virginia1 on the #beth of ,august1 was not unexpected2 she was eighty-two years of age1 and had for some time been sinking under an incurable malady1 so that when he last parted with her he had apprehended that it was a final separation4 ,hitherto the new government had not been properly organized1 but its several duties had been performed by the officers who had them in charge at the time of ,washington's inauguration4 ,it was not until the #ajth of ,september that laws were passed instituting a department of ,foreign ,affairs 7afterwards termed ,department of ,state17 a ,treasury department1 and a department of ,war1 and fixing their respective salaries4 ,on the following day1 ,washington nominated ,general ,knox to the department of ,war1 the duties of which that officer had hitherto discharged4 ,the post of ,secretary of the ,treasury was one of far greater importance at the present moment4 ,it was a time of financial exigency4 ,as yet no statistical account of the country had been attempted2 its fiscal resources were wholly unknown2 its credit was almost annihilated1 for it was obliged to borrow money even to pay the interest of its debts4 ,under these circumstances ,washington needed an able and zealous coadjutor in the treasury department4 ,such a person he considered ,alexander ,hamilton1 whom he nominated as ,secretary of the ,treasury1 and whose qualifications for the office were so well understood by the ,senate that his nomination was confirmed on the same day on which it was made4 ,within a few days after ,hamilton's appointment1 the ,house of ,representatives 7,sept4 #ba71 acting upon the policy so ardently desired by ,washington1 passed a resolution1 declaring their opinion of the high importance to the honor and prosperity of the ,united ,states1 that an adequate provision should be made for the support of public credit2 and instructing the ,secretary of the ,treasury to prepare a plan for the purpose1 and report it at their next session4 ,the arrangement of the ,judicial department was one of ,washington's earliest cares4 ,on the #bgth of ,september he wrote unofficially to ,edmund ,randolph1 of ,virginia1 informing him that he had nominated him ,attorney-,general of the ,united ,states1 and would be highly gratified with his acceptance of that office4 ,randolph promptly accepted the nomination1 but did not take his seat in the cabinet until some months after ,knox and ,hamilton4 ,by the judicial system established for the ,federal ,government1 the ,supreme ,court of the ,united ,states was to be composed of a chief justice and five associate judges4 ,there were to be district courts with a judge in each ,state1 and circuit courts held by an associate judge and a district judge4 ,john ,jay1 of ,new ,york1 received the appointment of chief justice4 ,jay's associate judges were1 ,john ,rutledge of ,south ,carolina1 ,james ,wilson of ,pennsylvania1 ,william ,cushing of ,massachusetts1 ,john ,blair of ,virginia1 and ,james ,iredell of ,north ,carolina4 ,on the #bith of ,september1 ,congress adjourned to the first ,monday in ,january1 after an arduous session1 in which many important questions had been discussed1 and powers organized and distributed4 ,the cabinet was still incomplete2 the department of foreign affairs1 or rather of ,state1 as it was now called1 was yet to be supplied with a head4 ,john ,jay would have received the nomination had he not preferred the bench4 ,washington next thought of ,thomas ,jefferson1 who had so long filled the post of ,minister ,plenipotentiary at the ,court of ,versailles1 but had recently solicited and obtained permission to return1 for a few months1 to the ,united ,states for the purpose of placing his children among their friends in their native country1 and of arranging his private affairs1 which had suffered from his protracted absence4 ,at the time of writing to ,jefferson1 offering him the department of ,state1 ,washington was on the eve of a journey through the ,eastern ,states1 with a view1 as he said1 to observe the situation of the country1 and with a hope of perfectly re-establishing his health1 which a series of indispositions had much impaired4 ,having made all his arrangements and left the papers appertaining to the office of ,foreign ,affairs under the temporary superintendence of ,mr4 ,jay1 he set out from ,new ,york on the #aeth of ,october1 travelling in his carriage with four horses1 and accompanied by his official secretary1 ,major ,jackson1 and his private secretary1 ,mr4 ,lear4 ,though averse from public parade1 he could not but be deeply affected and gratified at every step by the manifestations of a people's love4 ,wherever he came1 all labor was suspended2 business neglected4 ,the bells were rung1 the guns were fired2 there were civic processions and military parades and triumphal arches1 and all classes poured forth to testify1 in every possible manner1 their gratitude and affection for the man whom they hailed as the ,father of his country2 and well did his noble stature1 his dignified demeanor1 his matured years1 and his benevolent aspect1 suit that venerable appellation4 ,his journey eastward terminated at ,portsmouth1 whence he turned his face homeward by a middle route through the interior of the country to ,hartford1 and thence to ,new ,york1 where he arrived between two and three o'clock on the #acth of ,november4 ,,chapter ,,lxxi4 ,,financial ,,difficulties4--,,party ,,jealousies4--,,operations ,,against ,,the ,,indians4 ,congress re-assembled on the #dth of ,january 7#agij71 but a quorum of the two ,houses was not present until the #hth1 when the session was opened by ,washington in form1 with an address delivered before them in the ,senate chamber4 ,among the most important objects suggested in the address for the deliberation of ,congress1 were provisions for national defence2 provisions for facilitating intercourse with foreign nations1 and defraying the expenses of diplomatic agents2 laws for the naturalization of foreigners2 uniformity in the currency1 weights1 and measures of the ,united ,states2 facilities for the advancement of commerce1 agriculture1 and manufactures2 attention to the post-office and post-roads2 measures for the promotion of science and literature1 and for the support of public credit4 ,this last object was the one which ,washington had more immediately at heart4 ,the government was now organized1 apparently1 to the satisfaction of all parties2 but its efficiency would essentially depend on the success of a measure which ,washington had pledged himself to institute1 and which was yet to be tried2 namely1 a system of finance adapted to revive the national credit1 and place the public debt in a condition to be paid off4 ,at the close of the war the debt amounted to forty-two millions of dollars2 but so little had the country been able to fulfil its engagements1 owing to the want of a sovereign legislature having the sole and exclusive power of laying duties upon imports1 and thus providing adequate resources1 that the debt had swollen1 through arrears of interest1 to upwards of fifty-four millions4 ,of this amount nearly eight millions were due to ,france1 between three and four millions to private lenders in ,holland1 and about two hundred and fifty thousand in ,spain2 making altogether1 nearly twelve millions due abroad4 ,the debt contracted at home amounted to upwards of forty-two millions1 and was due1 originally1 to officers and soldiers of the revolutionary war1 who had risked their lives for the cause2 farmers who had furnished supplies for the public service1 or whose property had been assumed for it2 capitalists who1 in critical periods of the war1 had adventured their fortunes in support of their country's independence4 ,the domestic debt1 therefore1 could not have had a more sacred and patriotic origin2 but in the long delay of national justice1 the paper which represented these outstanding claims1 had sunk to less than a sixth of its nominal value1 and the larger portion of it had been parted with at that depreciated rate1 either in the course of trade1 or to speculative purchasers4 ,the debt1 when thus transferred1 lost its commanding appeal to patriotic sympathy1 but remained as obligatory in the eye of justice4 ,in public newspapers1 however1 and in private circles1 the propriety of a discrimination between the assignees and the original holders of the public securities1 was freely discussed4 ,beside the foreign and domestic debt of the federal government1 the ,states1 individually1 were involved in liabilities contracted for the common cause1 to an aggregate amount of about twenty-five millions of dollars2 of which1 more than one-half was due from three of them2 ,massachusetts and ,south ,carolina each owing more than five millions1 and ,virginia more than three and a half4 ,the reputation and the well-being of the government were1 therefore1 at stake upon the issue of some plan to retrieve the national credit1 and establish it upon a firm and secure foundation4 ,the ,secretary of the ,treasury 7,mr4 ,hamilton71 it will be remembered1 had been directed by ,congress to prepare such a plan during its recess4 ,in the one thus prepared1 he asserted1 what none were disposed to question1 the propriety of paying the foreign debt according to its terms4 ,he asserted1 also1 the equal validity of the original claims of the ,american creditors of the government2 whether those creditors were the original holders of its certificates or subsequent purchasers of them at a depreciated value4 ,the idea of any distinction between them1 which some were inclined to advance1 he repudiated as alike unjust1 impolitic1 and impracticable4 ,he urged1 moreover1 the assumption1 by the general government1 of the separate debts of the ,states1 contracted for the common cause1 and that a like provision should be made for their payment as for the payment of those of the ,union4 ,they were all contracted in the struggle for national independence1 not for the independence of any particular part4 ,no more money would be required for their discharge as federal1 than as ,state debts4 ,he recommended1 therefore1 that the entire mass of debt be funded2 the ,union made responsible for it1 and taxes imposed for its liquidation4 ,the plan was reported to the ,house by ,mr4 ,hamilton1 the #adth of ,january1 but did not undergo consideration until the #hth of ,february1 when it was opposed with great earnestness1 especially the point of assuming the ,state debts1 as tending to consolidation1 as giving an undue influence to the general government1 and as being of doubtful constitutionality4 ,this financial union of the ,states was reprobated not only on the floor of ,congress1 but in different parts of the ,union1 as fraught with political evil4 ,the ,northern and ,eastern ,states generally favored the plan1 as did also ,south ,carolina1 but ,virginia manifested a determined opposition4 ,the measure1 however1 passed1 in ,committee of the ,whole1 on the #ith of ,march1 by a vote of #ca to #bf4 ,the funding of the ,state debts was supposed to benefit materially the ,northern ,states1 in which was the entire capital of the country2 yet1 ,south ,carolina voted for the assumption4 ,the fact is1 opinions were honestly divided on the subject4 ,the great majority were aiming to do their duty--to do what was right2 but their disagreement was the result of real difficulties incident to the intricate and complicated problem with which they had to deal4 ,at this juncture 7,march #bast71 when ,virginian discontents were daily gaining strength1 ,mr4 ,jefferson arrived in ,new ,york to undertake the duties of the ,department of ,state4 ,he had just been in ,virginia1 where the forms and ceremonials adopted at the seat of our government were subjects of cavil and sneer2 where it was reported that ,washington affected a monarchial style in his official intercourse1 that he held court-like levees1 and ,mrs4 ,washington queenly drawing-rooms1 at which none but the aristocracy were admitted1 that the manners of both were haughty1 and their personal habits reserved and exclusive4 ,the impressions thus made on ,jefferson's mind1 received a deeper stamp on his arrival in ,new ,york1 from conversations with his friend ,madison1 in the course of which the latter observed1 that the satellites and sycophants which surrounded ,washington1 had wound up the ceremonials of the government to a pitch of stateliness which nothing but his personal character could have supported1 and which no character after him could ever maintain4 ,thus prepossessed and premonished1 ,jefferson looked round him with an apprehensive eye1 and appears to have seen something to startle him at every turn4 ,we give1 from his private correspondence1 his own account of his impressions4 ,being fresh from the ,french revolution1 while in its first and pure stage1 and1 consequently1 somewhat whetted up in my own republican principles1 ,i found a state of things in the general society of the place1 which ,i could not have supposed possible4 ,the revolution ,i had left1 and that we had just gone through in the recent change of our own government1 being the common topics of conversation1 ,i was astonished to find the general prevalence of monarchial sentiments1 insomuch1 that in maintaining those of republicanism1 ,i had always the whole company on my hands1 never scarcely finding among them a single co-advocate in that argument1 unless some old member of ,congress happened to be present4 ,the furthest that any one would go in support of the republican features of our new government1 would be to say1 'the present constitution is well as a beginning1 and may be allowed a fair trial1 but it is1 in fact1 only a stepping stone to something better4' ,alexander ,hamilton1 though pledged and sincerely disposed to support the republican form1 with regard to our country1 preferred theoretically1 a monarchial form2 and1 being frank of speech1 and1 as ,gouverneur ,morris writes1 prone to mount his hobby1 may have spoken openly in favor of that form as suitable to ,france2 and as his admirers took their creed from him1 opinions of the kind may have been uttered pretty freely at dinner-tables4 ,these1 however1 which so much surprised and shocked ,mr4 ,jefferson1 were probably merely speculative opinions1 broached in unguarded hours1 with no sinister design1 by men who had no thought of paving the way for a monarchy4 ,they made1 however1 a deep impression on his apprehensive mind1 which sank deeper and deeper until it became a fixed opinion with him1 that there was the desire and aim of a large party1 of which ,hamilton was the leader1 to give a regal form to the government4 ,the question of the assumption of the ,state debts was resumed in ,congress on the #bith of ,march1 on a motion to commit1 which was carried by a majority of two2 the five members from ,north ,carolina 7now a ,state of the ,union7 who were strongly opposed to assumption1 having taken their seats and reversed the position of parties on the question4 ,an angry and intemperate discussion was revived1 much to the chagrin of ,washington1 who was concerned for the dignity of ,congress2 and who considered the assumption of the ,state debts1 under proper restrictions and scrutiny into accounts1 to be just and reasonable4 ,on the #abth of ,april1 when the question to commit was taken1 there was a majority of two against the assumption4 ,on the #bfth the ,house was discharged1 for the present1 from proceeding on so much of the report as related to the assumption4 ,jefferson1 who had arrived in ,new ,york in the midst of what he terms this bitter and angry contest1 had taken no concern in it2 being1 as he says1 a stranger to the ground1 a stranger to the actors in it1 so long absent as to have lost all familiarity with the subject1 and to be unaware of its object4 ,we give his own account of an earnest effort made by ,hamilton1 who1 he says1 was in despair1 to resuscitate1 through his influence1 his almost hopeless project4 ,as ,i was going to the ,president's one day1 ,i met him ,hamilton in the street4 ,he walked me backwards and forwards before the ,president's door for half an hour4 ,he painted pathetically the temper into which the legislature had been wrought2 the disgust of those who were called the creditor ,states2 the danger of the secession of their members1 and the separation of the ,states4 ,he observed that the members of the administration ought to act in concert2 that though this question was not of my department1 yet a common duty should make it a common concern2 that the ,president was the centre on which all administrative questions ultimately rested1 and that all of us should rally around him1 and support1 with joint efforts1 measures approved by him4444 ,i proposed to him to dine with me the next day1 and ,i would invite another friend or two1 bring them into conference together1 and ,i thought it impossible that reasonable men1 consulting together1 coolly1 could fail1 by some mutual sacrifices of opinion1 to form a compromise which was to save the ,union4 ,the discussion took place4 ,i could take no part in it but an exhortatory one1 because ,i was a stranger to the circumstances which should govern it4 ,but it was finally agreed1 that whatever importance had been attached to the rejection of this proposition1 the preservation of the ,union and of concord among the ,states1 was more important1 and that1 therefore1 it would be better that the vote of rejection should be rescinded1 to effect which some members should change their votes4 ,but it was observed that this pill would be peculiarly bitter to the ,southern ,states1 and that some concomitant measure should be adopted to sweeten it a little to them4 ,there had before been projects to fix the seat of government either at ,philadelphia or at ,georgetown on the ,potomac2 and it was thought that1 by giving it to ,philadelphia for ten years1 and to ,georgetown permanently afterwards1 this might1 as an anodyne1 calm in some degree the ferment which might be excited by the other measure alone4 ,so two of the ,potomac members 7,white and ,lee1 but ,white with a revulsion of stomach almost convulsive7 agreed to change their votes1 and ,hamilton undertook to carry the other point4 ,in doing this1 the influence he had established over the eastern members1 with the agency of ,robert ,morris with those of the ,middle ,states1 effected his side of the engagement4 ,the decision of ,congress was ultimately in favor of assumption1 though the form in which it finally passed differed somewhat from the proposition of ,hamilton4 ,a specific sum was assumed 7#ba1ejj1jjj71 and this was distributed among the ,states in specific portions4 ,thus modified1 it passed the ,senate1 ,july #bb;d1 by the close vote of fourteen to twelve2 and the ,house1 ,july #bdth1 by thirty-four to twenty-eight4 ,the question about the permanent seat of government1 which1 from the variety of contending interests1 had been equally a subject of violent contest1 was now compromised4 ,it was agreed that ,congress should continue for ten years to hold its sessions at ,philadelphia2 during which time the public buildings should be erected at some place on the ,potomac1 to which the government should remove at the expiration of the above term4 ,a territory1 ten miles square1 selected for the purpose on the confines of ,maryland and ,virginia1 was ceded by those ,states to the ,united ,states1 and subsequently designated as the ,district of ,columbia4 ,one of the last acts of the ,executive during this session was the conclusion of a treaty of peace and friendship with the ,creek nation of ,indians1 represented at ,new ,york by ,mr4 ,m',gillivray1 and thirty of the chiefs and head men4 ,by this treaty 7signed ,august #gth71 an extensive territory1 claimed by ,georgia1 was relinquished1 greatly to the discontent of that ,state2 being considered by it an unjustifiable abandonment of its rights and interests4 ,congress adjourned on the #abth of ,august4 ,jefferson1 commenting on the discord that had prevailed for a time among the members1 observes1 that in the latter part of the session1 they had reacquired the harmony which had always distinguished their proceedings before the introduction of the two disagreeable subjects of the ,assumption and the ,residence3 these1 said he1 really threatened1 at one time1 a separation of the legislature sine die4 ,washington1 too1 however grieved and disappointed he may have been by the dissensions which had prevailed in ,congress1 consoled himself by the fancied harmony of his cabinet4 ,singularly free himself from all jealousy of the talents and popularity of others1 and solely actuated by zeal for the public good1 he had sought the ablest men to assist him in his arduous task1 and supposed them influenced by the same unselfish spirit4 ,yet1 at this very moment1 a lurking spirit of rivalry between ,jefferson and ,hamilton was already existing and daily gaining strength4 ,jefferson1 who1 as we have intimated1 already considered ,hamilton a monarchist in his principles1 regarded all his financial schemes with suspicion1 as intended to strengthen the influence of the treasury and make its chief the master of every vote in the legislature1 which might give to the government the direction suited to his political views4 ,under these impressions1 ,jefferson looked back with an angry and resentful eye1 to the manner in which ,hamilton had procured his aid in effecting the measure of assumption4 ,he now regarded it as a finesse by which he had been entrapped1 and stigmatized the measure itself as a fiscal manoeuvre1 to which he had most ignorantly and innocently been made to hold the candle4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,frequent depredations had of late been made on our frontier settlements by what ,washington termed certain banditti of ,indians from the north-west side of the ,ohio4 ,some of our people had been massacred and others carried into deplorable captivity4 ,the ,indians of the ,wabash and the ,miami rivers1 who were the present aggressors1 were numerous1 warlike1 and not deficient in discipline4 ,washington had deprecated a war with these savages1 but finding all pacific overtures unavailing1 and rather productive of more daring atrocities1 he felt compelled to resort to it1 alike by motives of policy1 humanity and justice4 ,an act had been provided for emergencies1 by which the ,president was empowered to call out the militia for the protection of the frontier2 this act he put in force in the interval of ,congress2 and under it an expedition was set on foot1 which began its march on the #cjth of ,september from ,fort ,washington 7which stood on the site of the present city of ,cincinnati74 ,brigadier-,general ,harmer1 a veteran of the revolution1 led the expedition1 having under him three hundred and twenty regulars1 with militia detachments from ,pennsylvania and ,virginia 7or ,kentucky71 making in all fourteen hundred and fifty-three men4 ,after a march of seventeen days1 they approached the principal village of the ,miamis4 ,the ,indians did not await an attack1 but set fire to the village and fled to the woods4 ,the destruction of the place1 with that of large quantities of provisions1 was completed4 ,an ,indian trail being discovered1 ,colonel ,hardin1 a continental officer who commanded the ,kentucky militia1 was detached to follow it1 at the head of one hundred and fifty of his men1 and about thirty regulars1 under ,captain ,armstrong and ,ensign ,hartshorn4 ,they followed the trail for about six miles1 and were crossing a plain covered by thickets1 when suddenly there were volleys of rifles on each side1 from unseen marksmen1 accompanied by the horrid war-whoop4 ,the trail had1 in fact1 decoyed them into an ambush of seven hundred savages1 under the famous warrior ,little ,turtle4 ,the militia fled1 without firing a musket4 ,the savages now turned upon the little handful of regulars1 who stood their ground1 and made a brave resistance with the bayonet until all were slain1 excepting ,captain ,armstrong1 ,ensign ,hartshorn1 and five privates4 ,the army1 notwithstanding1 effected the main purpose of the expedition in laying waste the ,indian villages and destroying their winter's stock of provisions1 after which it commenced its march back to ,fort ,washington4 ,on the #bast of ,october1 when it was halted about ten miles to the west of ,chillicothe1 an opportunity was given ,colonel ,hardin to wipe out the late disgrace of his arms4 ,he was detached with a larger body of militia than before1 and sixty regulars1 under ,major ,willys1 to seek and bring the savages to action4 ,the accounts of these ,indian wars are very confused4 ,it appears1 however1 that he had another encounter with ,little ,turtle and his braves4 ,it was a bloody battle1 fought well on both sides4 ,the militia behaved bravely1 and lost many men and officers1 as did the regulars2 ,major ,willys fell at the commencement of the action4 ,colonel ,hardin was at length compelled to retreat1 leaving the dead and wounded in the hands of the enemy4 ,after he had rejoined the main force1 the whole exhibition made its way back to ,fort ,washington1 on the banks of the ,ohio4 ,congress reassembled1 according to adjournment1 on the first ,monday in ,december1 at ,philadelphia1 which was now1 for a time1 the seat of government4 ,congress1 at its opening1 was chiefly occupied in financial arrangements1 intended to establish the public credit and provide for the expenses of government4 ,according to the statement of the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 an additional annual revenue of eight hundred and twenty-six thousand dollars would be required1 principally to meet the additional charges arising from the assumption of the ,state debts4 ,he proposed to raise it by an increase of the impost on foreign distilled spirits1 and a tax by way of excise on spirits distilled at home4 ,an ,impost and ,excise bill was accordingly introduced into ,congress1 and met with violent opposition4 ,an attempt was made to strike out the excise1 but failed1 and the whole bill was finally carried through the ,house4 ,mr4 ,hamilton1 in his former ,treasury report1 had recommended the establishment of a ,national ,bank2 he now1 in a special report1 urged the policy of the measure4 ,a bill1 introduced in conformity with his views1 was passed in the ,senate1 but vehemently opposed in the ,house2 partly on considerations of policy1 but chiefly on the ground of constitutionality4 ,on one side it was denied that the constitution had given to ,congress the power of incorporation2 on the other side it was insisted that such power was incident to the power vested in ,congress for raising money4 ,the question was argued at length1 and with great ardor1 and after passing the ,house of ,representatives by a majority of nineteen votes1 came before the executive for his approval4 ,washington was fully alive to the magnitude of the question and the interest felt in it by the opposing parties4 ,the cabinet was divided on it4 ,jefferson and ,randolph denied its constitutionality2 ,hamilton and ,knox maintained it4 ,washington required of each minister the reasons of his opinion in writing2 and1 after maturely weighing them1 gave his sanction to the act1 and the bill was carried into effect4 ,the objection of ,jefferson to a bank was not merely on constitutional grounds4 ,in his subsequent writings he avows himself opposed to banks1 as introducing a paper instead of a cash system--raising up a moneyed aristocracy1 and abandoning the public to the discretion of avarice and swindlers4 ,paper money might have some advantages1 but its abuses were inevitable1 and by breaking up the measure of value1 it made a lottery of all private property4 ,these objections he maintained to his dying day2 but he had others1 which may have been more cogent with him in the present instance4 ,he considered the bank as a powerful engine intended by ,hamilton to complete the machinery by which the whole action of the legislature was to be placed under the direction of the treasury1 and shaped to further a monarchial system of government4 ,the opposite policy of these rival statesmen brought them into incessant collision4 ,hamilton and myself1 writes ,jefferson1 were daily pitted in the cabinet like two cocks4 ,in the meantime two political parties were forming under their adverse standards4 ,both had the good of the country at heart1 but differed as to the policy by which it was to be secured4 ,the ,federalists1 who looked up to ,hamilton as their model1 were in favor of strengthening the general government so as to give it weight and dignity abroad and efficiency at home2 to guard it against the encroachments of the individual ,states and a general tendency to anarchy4 ,the other party1 known as republicans or democrats1 and taking ,mr4 ,jefferson's view of affairs1 saw in all the measures advocated by the ,federalists1 an intention to convert the ,federal into a great central or consolidated government1 preparatory to a change from a republic to a monarchy4 ,the particulars of ,general ,harmer's expedition against the ,indians1 when reported to ,congress1 gave great dissatisfaction4 ,the conduct of the troops1 in suffering themselves to be surprised1 was for some time stigmatized as disgraceful4 ,further troubles in that quarter were apprehended1 for the ,miamis were said to be less disheartened by the ravage of their villages than exultant at the successful ambuscades of ,little ,turtle4 ,three ,seneca chiefs1 ,cornplanter1 ,half ,town and ,great ,tree1 being at the seat of government on business of their own nation1 offered to visit these belligerent tribes1 and persuade them to bury the hatchet4 ,washington1 in a set speech1 encouraged them in the undertaking4 ,in the course of the present session1 ,congress received and granted the applications of ,kentucky and ,vermont for admission into the ,union1 the former after ,august1 #agib2 the latter immediately4 ,on the #c;d of ,march the term of this first ,congress expired4 ,as the ,indians on the north-west side of the ,ohio still continued their hostilities1 one of the last measures of ,congress had been an act to augment the military establishments1 and to place in the hands of the executive more ample means for the protection of the frontiers4 ,a new expedition against the belligerent tribes had1 in consequence1 been projected4 ,general ,st4 ,clair1 actually governor of the territory west of the ,ohio1 was appointed commander-in-chief of the forces to be employed4 ,washington had been deeply chagrined by the mortifying disasters of ,general ,harmer's expedition to the ,wabash1 resulting from ,indian ambushes4 ,in taking leave of his old military comrade1 ,st4 ,clair1 he wished him success and honor1 but gave him a solemn warning4 ,you have your instructions from the ,secretary of ,war4 ,i had a strict eye to them1 and will add but one word--,beware of a surprise6 ,you know how the ,indians fight4 ,i repeat it--beware of a surprise6 ,with these warning words sounding in his ear1 ,st4 ,clair departed4 ,,chapter ,,lxxii4 ,,tour ,,southward4--,,defeat ,,of ,,st4 ,,clair4--,,dissensions ,,in ,,the ,,cabinet4 ,in the month of ,march1 ,washington set out on a tour through the ,southern ,states2 travelling with one set of horses and making occasional halts4 ,the route projected1 and of which he had marked off the halting places1 was by ,fredericksburg1 ,richmond1 ,wilmington 7,n4 ,c471 and ,charleston to ,savannah2 thence to ,augusta1 ,columbia1 and the interior towns of ,north ,carolina and ,virginia comprising a journey of eighteen hundred and eighty-seven miles2 all which he accomplished without any interruption from sickness1 bad weather1 or any untoward accident4 ,he returned to ,philadelphia on the #fth of ,july1 much pleased with his tour4 ,it had enabled him1 he said1 to see1 with his own eyes1 the situation of the country1 and to learn more accurately the disposition of the people1 than he could have done from any verbal information4 ,he had looked around him1 in fact1 with a paternal eye1 been cheered as usual by continual demonstrations of a nation's love1 and his heart had warmed with the reflection how much of this national happiness had been won by his own patriotic exertions4 ,a few weeks of autumn were passed by ,washington at ,mount ,vernon1 with his family in rural enjoyment1 and in instructing a new agent1 ,mr4 ,robert ,lewis1 in the management of his estate2 his nephew1 ,major ,george ,a4 ,washington1 who ordinarily attended to his landed concerns being absent among the mountains in quest of health4 ,the second ,congress assembled at ,philadelphia on the #bdth of ,october1 and on the #beth ,washington delivered his opening speech4 ,after remarking upon the prosperous situation of the country1 and the success which had attended its financial measures1 he adverted to the offensive operations against the ,indians1 which government had been compelled to adopt for the protection of the ,western frontier4 ,some of these operations1 he observed1 had been successful4 ,others were still depending4 ,a brief statement will be sufficient for the successful operations alluded to4 ,two expeditions had been organized in ,kentucky against the villages on the ,wabash4 ,the first in ,may1 was led by ,general ,charles ,scott1 having ,general ,wilkinson as second in command4 ,the second1 a volunteer enterprise1 in ,august was led by ,wilkinson alone4 ,very little good was effected1 or glory gained by either of these expeditions4 ,indian villages and wigwams were burned1 and fields laid waste2 some few warriors were killed and prisoners taken1 and an immense expense incurred4 ,of the events of a third enterprise1 led by ,general ,st4 ,clair himself1 no tidings had been received at the time of ,washington's opening speech2 but we will anticipate the official despatches1 and proceed to show how it fared with that veteran soldier1 and how far he profited by the impressive warning which he had received from the ,president at parting4 ,the troops for his expedition assembled early in ,september1 in the vicinity of ,fort ,washington 7now ,cincinnati74 ,there were about two thousand regulars1 and one thousand militia4 ,the regulars included a corps of artillery and several squadrons of horse4 ,an arduous task was before them4 ,roads were to be opened through a wilderness2 bridges constructed for the conveyance of artillery and stores1 and forts to be built so as to keep up a line of communication between the ,wabash and the ,ohio1 the base of operations4 ,the troops commenced their march directly north1 on the #fth or #gth of ,september1 cutting their way through the woods1 and slowly constructing the line of forts4 ,after placing garrisons in the forts1 the general continued his march4 ,it was a forced one with him1 for he was so afflicted with the gout that he could not walk1 and had to be helped on and off his horse2 but his only chance to keep his little army together was to move on4 ,the army had proceeded six days after leaving ,fort ,jefferson1 and were drawing near a part of the country where they were likely to meet with ,indians1 when1 on the #cjth of ,october1 sixty of the militia deserted in a body2 intending to supply themselves by plundering the convoys of provisions which were coming forward in the rear4 ,the #ast ,united ,states regiment1 under ,major ,hamtranck1 was detached to march back beyond ,fort ,jefferson1 apprehend these deserters1 if possible1 and1 at all events1 prevent the provisions that might be on the way1 from being rifled4 ,the force thus detached1 consisted of three hundred of the best disciplined men in the service1 with experienced officers4 ,thus reduced to #a1djj effective rank and file1 the army continued its march to a point about twenty-nine miles from ,fort ,jefferson1 and ninety-seven from ,fort ,washington1 and fifteen miles south of the ,miami villages1 where it encamped1 ,november #c;d1 on a rising ground with a stream forty feet wide in front1 running westerly4 ,the militia were encamped beyond the stream about a quarter of a mile in the advance1 on a high flat4 ,it was the intention of ,st4 ,clair to throw up a slight work on the following day1 ,nov4 #dth and to move on to the attack of the ,indian villages as soon as he should be rejoined by ,major ,hamtranck and the first ,united ,states regiment4 ,but about half an hour before sunrise1 just after the troops had been dismissed on parade1 a horrible sound burst forth from the woods around the militia camp1 resembling1 says an officer1 the jangling of an infinitude of horse-bells4 ,it was the direful ,indian yell1 followed by the sharp reports of the deadly rifle4 ,the militia returned a feeble fire and then took to flight1 dashing helter-skelter into the other camp4 ,the first line of the continental troops1 which was hastily forming1 was thrown into disorder4 ,the ,indians were close upon the heels of the flying militia1 and would have entered the camp with them1 but the sight of troops drawn up with fixed bayonets to receive them1 checked their ardor1 and they threw themselves behind logs and bushes at the distance of seventy yards2 and immediately commenced an attack upon the first line1 which was soon extended to the second4 ,the great weight of the attack was upon the centre of each line where the artillery was placed4 ,the artillery1 if not well served1 was bravely fought2 a quantity of canister and some round shot were thrown in the direction whence the ,indians fired2 but1 concealed as they were1 and only seen occasionally as they sprang from one covert to another1 it was impossible to direct the pieces to advantage4 ,st4 ,clair1 who1 unable to mount his horse1 was borne about on a litter1 preserved his coolness in the midst of the peril and disaster1 giving his orders with judgment and self-possession4 ,seeing to what disadvantage his troops fought with a concealed enemy1 he ordered ,colonel ,darke1 with his regiment of regulars1 to rouse the ,indians from their covert with the bayonet1 and turn their left flank4 ,this was executed with great spirit3 the enemy were driven three or four hundred yards2 but1 for want of cavalry or riflemen1 the pursuit slackened1 and the troops were forced to give back in turn4 ,the savages had now got into the camp by the left flank2 again several charges were made1 but in vain4 ,the contest had now endured for more than two hours and a half4 ,half the army was killed1 and the situation of the remainder was desperate4 ,there appeared to be no alternative but a retreat4 ,at half-past nine1 ,general ,st4 ,clair ordered ,colonel ,darke1 with the second regiment1 to make another charge1 as if to turn the right wing of the enemy1 but1 in fact1 to regain the road from which the army was cut off4 ,this object was effected4 ,having collected in one body the greatest part of the troops1 writes one of the officers1 and such of the wounded as could possibly hobble along with us1 we pushed out from the left of the rear line1 sacrificing our artillery and baggage4 ,it was a disorderly flight4 ,the troops threw away arms1 ammunition1 and accoutrements2 even the officers1 in some instances1 divested themselves of their fusees4 ,fortunately1 the enemy did not pursue above a mile or two1 returning1 most probably1 to plunder the camp4 ,by seven in the evening1 the fugitives reached ,fort ,jefferson1 a distance of twenty-nine miles4 ,here they met ,major ,hamtranck with the first regiment2 but1 as this force was far from sufficient to make up for the losses of the morning1 the retreat was continued to ,fort ,washington1 where the army arrived on the #hth1 at noon1 shattered and broken-spirited4 ,in this disastrous battle the whole loss amounted to six hundred and seventy-seven killed1 including thirty women1 and two hundred and seventy-one wounded4 ,washington was at dinner with company when the news of the disaster reached him4 ,an officer had dismounted at the ,president's door1 bearing despatches which he insisted should be placed in the ,president's hands immediately4 ,washington1 with an apology to his guests1 left the table to receive them1 and presently returned1 resuming his seat without allusion to the incident4 ,mrs4 ,washington held her drawing-room that evening1 and ,washington appeared in the assembly with his usual serenity4 ,at ten o'clock he and his secretary1 ,mr4 ,lear1 were alone4 ,the general walked slowly backward and forward for some minutes in silence4 ,as yet there had been no change in his manner4 ,taking a seat on a sofa by the fire he told ,mr4 ,lear to sit down2 the latter had scarce time to notice that he was extremely agitated1 when he broke out suddenly3 ,it's all over6--,st4 ,clair's defeated6--routed3 the officers nearly all killed1 the men by wholesale2 the rout complete2 too shocking to think of1 and a surprise into the bargain6 ,all this was uttered with great vehemence4 ,then pausing and rising from the sofa1 he walked up and down the room in silence1 violently agitated1 but saying nothing4 ,when near the door he stopped short2 stood still for a few moments1 when there was another terrible explosion of wrath4 ,yes1 exclaimed he1 ,,here1 on this very spot1 ,i took leave of him2 ,i wished him success and honor4 ',you have your instructions from the ,secretary of ,war1' said ,i1 ',i had a strict eye to them1 and will add but one word1 ,,beware ,,of ,a ,,surprise6 ,you know how the ,indians fight us4 ,i repeat it1 ,,beware ,,of ,a ,,surprise4' ,he went off with that1 my last warning1 thrown into his ears4 ,and yet6 ,to suffer that army to be cut to pieces1 hacked1 butchered1 tomahawked1 by a surprise--the very thing ,i guarded him against--,o ,god6 ,o ,god6 exclaimed he1 throwing up his hands1 and while his very frame shook with emotion1 he's worse than a murderer6 ,how can he answer it to his country6 ,the blood of the slain is upon him--the curse of widows and orphans--the curse of heaven6 ,mr4 ,lear remained speechless2 awed into breathless silence by the appalling tones in which this torrent of invective was poured forth4 ,the paroxysm passed by4 ,washington again sat down on the sofa--he was silent--apparently uncomfortable1 as if conscious of the ungovernable burst of passion which had overcome him4 ,this must not go beyond this room1 said he1 at length1 in a subdued and altered tone--there was another and a longer pause2 then1 in a tone quite low3 ,general ,st4 ,clair shall have justice1 said he4 ,i looked hastily through the despatches2 saw the whole disaster1 but not all the particulars4 ,i will receive him without displeasure2 ,i will hear him without prejudice2 he shall have full justice4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the course of the present session of ,congress a bill was introduced for apportioning representatives among the people of the several ,states1 according to the first enumeration4 ,the constitution had provided that the number of representatives should not exceed one for every thirty thousand persons1 and the ,house of ,representatives passed a bill allotting to each ,state one member for this amount of population4 ,this ratio would leave a fraction1 greater or less1 in each ,state4 ,its operation was unequal1 as in some ,states a large surplus would be unrepresented1 and hence1 in one branch of the legislature1 the relative power of the ,state be affected4 ,that1 too1 was the popular branch1 which those who feared a strong executive1 desired to provide with the counterpoise of as full a representation as possible4 ,to obviate this difficulty the ,senate adopted a new principle of apportionment4 ,they assumed the total population of the ,united ,states1 and not the population of each ,state1 as the basis on which the whole number of representatives should be ascertained4 ,this aggregate they divided by thirty thousand3 the quotient gave one hundred and twenty as the number of representatives2 and this number they apportioned upon the several ,states according to their population2 allotting to each one member for every thirty thousand1 and distributing the residuary members 7to make up the one hundred and twenty7 among the ,states having the largest fractions4 ,after an earnest debate1 the ,house concurred1 and the bill came before the ,president for his decision4 ,the sole question was as to its constitutionality2 that being admitted1 it was unexceptionable4 ,washington took the opinion of his cabinet4 ,jefferson and ,randolph considered the act at variance with the constitution4 ,knox was undecided4 ,hamilton thought the clause of the constitution relating to the subject somewhat vague1 and was in favor of the construction given to it by the legislature4 ,after weighing the arguments on both sides1 and maturely deliberating1 the president made up his mind that the act was unconstitutional4 ,he accordingly returned the bill with his objections1 being the first exercise of the veto power4 ,a new bill was substituted1 and passed into a law2 giving a representative for every thirty-three thousand to each ,state4 ,great heat and asperity were manifested in the discussions of ,congress throughout the present session4 ,washington had observed with pain the political divisions which were growing up in the country2 and was deeply concerned at finding that they were pervading the halls of legislation4 ,the press1 too1 was contributing its powerful aid to keep up and increase the irritation4 ,two rival papers existed at the seat of government2 one was ,fenno's ,gazette1 of the ,united ,states1 the other was the ,national ,gazette1 edited by ,philip ,freneau4 ,freneau had been editor of the ,new ,york ,daily ,advertiser1 but had come to ,philadelphia in the autumn of #agia to occupy the post of translating clerk in ,mr4 ,jefferson's office1 and had almost immediately 7,oct4 #ca7 published the first number of his ,gazette4 ,notwithstanding his situation in the office of the ,secretary of ,state1 ,freneau became and continued to be throughout the session1 a virulent assailant of most of the measures of government2 excepting such as originated with ,mr4 ,jefferson1 or were approved by him4 ,heart-weary by the political strifes and disagreements which were disturbing the country and marring the harmony of his cabinet1 the charge of government was becoming intolerably irksome to ,washington2 and he longed to be released from it1 and to be once more master of himself1 free to indulge those rural and agricultural tastes which were to give verdure and freshness to his future existence4 ,he had some time before this expressed a determination to retire from public life at the end of his presidential term4 ,but one more year of that term remained to be endured1 and he congratulated himself with the thought4 ,he had confidential conversations with ,mr4 ,madison on the subject1 and asked him to think what would be the proper time and mode of announcing his intention to the public2 and intimating a wish that ,mr4 ,madison would prepare for him the announcement4 ,mr4 ,madison remonstrated in the most earnest manner against such a resolution1 setting forth1 in urgent language1 the importance to the country of his continuing in the presidency4 ,washington listened to his reasoning with profound attention1 but still clung to his resolution4 ,in consequence of ,st4 ,clair's disastrous defeat and the increasing pressure of the ,indian war1 bills had been passed in ,congress for increasing the army1 by adding three regiments of infantry and a squadron of cavalry 7which additional force was to serve for three years1 unless sooner discharged71 also for establishing a uniform militia system4 ,st4 ,clair resigned his commission1 and was succeeded in his western command by ,general ,wayne1 the mad ,anthony of the revolution1 still in the vigor of his days1 being forty-seven years of age4 ,washington's first thought was that a decisive expedition conducted by this energetic man of the sword1 might retrieve the recent frontier disgrace1 and put an end to the persevering hostility of the ,indians4 ,in deference1 however1 to the clamors which had been raised against the war and its expenses1 and to meet what appeared to be the prevalent wish of the nation1 he reluctantly relinquished his more energetic policy1 and gave in to that which advised further negotiations for peace2 though he was far from anticipating a beneficial result4 ,in regard to ,st4 ,clair1 we will here add that a committee of the house of ,representatives ultimately inquired into the cause of the failure of his expedition1 and rendered a report1 in which he was explicitly exculpated4 ,his adjutant general also 7,winthrop ,sargent71 in his private diary1 testifies to ,st4 ,clair's coolness and bravery1 though debilitated by illness4 ,public sentiment1 however1 remained for a long time adverse to him2 but ,washington1 satisfied with the explanations which had been given1 continued to honor him with his confidence and friendship4 ,congress adjourned on the #hth of ,may1 and soon afterward ,washington set off on a short visit to ,mount ,vernon4 ,the season was in all its beauty1 and never had this rallying place of his affections appeared to him more attractive4 ,how could he give up the prospect of a speedy return to its genial pursuits and pleasures from the harassing cares and janglings of public life4 ,on the #bjth of ,may1 he wrote to ,mr4 ,madison on the subject of their late conversation4 ,he now renewed the request he had made him1 for advice as to the proper time and mode for announcing his intention of retiring1 and for assistance in preparing the announcement4 ,in revolving this subject myself1 writes he1 my judgment has always been embarrassed4 ,on the one hand1 a previous declaration to retire1 not only carries with it the appearance of vanity and self-importance1 but it may be construed into a manoeuvre to be invited to remain2 and1 on the other hand1 to say nothing1 implies consent1 or1 at any rate1 would leave the matter in doubt2 and to decline afterwards1 might be deemed as bad and uncandid4 ,i would fain carry my request to you further1 adds he4 ,as the recess of ,congress may afford you leisure1 and1 ,i flatter myself1 you have dispositions to oblige me1 ,i will1 without apology1 desire1 if the measure in itself should strike you as proper1 or likely to produce public good1 or private honor1 that you would turn your thoughts to a valedictory address from me to the public4 ,he then went on to suggest a number of the topics and ideas which the address was to contain2 all to be expressed in plain and modest terms4 ,but1 in the main1 he left it to ,mr4 ,madison to determine whether1 in the first place1 such an address would be proper2 if so1 what matters it ought to contain and when it ought to appear2 whether at the same time with his ,washington's declaration of his intention to retire1 or at the close of his career4 ,madison1 in reply1 approved of the measure1 and advised that the notification and address should appear together1 and be promulgated through the press in time to pervade every part of the ,union by the beginning of ,november4 ,with the letter he sent a draft of the address4 ,you will readily observe1 writes he1 that in executing it ,i have aimed at that plainness and modesty of language1 which you had in view1 and which1 indeed1 are so peculiarly becoming the character and the occasion2 and that ,i had little more to do as to the matter than to follow the just and comprehensive outline which you had sketched4 ,i flatter myself1 however1 that in everything which has depended on me1 much improvement will be made1 before so interesting a paper shall have taken its last form4 ,before concluding his letter1 ,madison expressed a hope that ,washington would reconsider his idea of retiring from office1 and that the country might not1 at so important a conjuncture1 be deprived of the inestimable advantage of having him at the head of its councils4 ,on the #bc;d of ,may1 ,jefferson also addressed a long letter to ,washington on the same subject1 stating that1 when ,washington first mentioned to him his purpose of retiring1 he was silent1 although he felt all the magnitude of the event2 because he reflected that1 as the nation would some day have to walk alone1 if the essay should be made while he were alive and looking on1 they would derive confidence from that circumstance1 and resource if it failed4 ,the public mind1 moreover1 was then calm and confident1 and in a favorable state for making the experiment4 ,this was now changed2 the public mind had become disturbed and excited4 ,there was a determined purpose in many1 by the funding system1 and other plans1 to prepare the way for a change from the present ,republican form of government to that of a monarchy1 of which the ,english constitution is to be the model4 ,he concluded by declaring the continuance of ,washington at the head of affairs to be of the last importance4 ,the confidence of the whole ,union was centred in him4 ,north and ,south would hang together if they had him to hang on2 and his being at the helm would be an answer to every argument which might be used from any quarter1 to lead the people into violence or secession4 ,the letter of ,jefferson was not received by ,washington until after his return to ,philadelphia1 and the purport of it was so painful to him1 that he deferred from day to day having any conversation with that statesman on the subject4 ,in regard to the suspicions and apprehensions which were haunting ,jefferson's mind1 ,hamilton expressed himself roundly in one of his cabinet papers3 ,the idea of introducing a monarchy or aristocracy into this country1 by employing the influence and force of a government continually changing hands1 towards it1 is one of those visionary things that none but madmen could meditate1 and that no wise man will believe4 ,if it could be done at all1 which is utterly incredible1 it would require a long series of time1 certainly beyond the life of any individual1 to effect it--who1 then1 would enter into such a plot8 for what purpose of interest or ambition8 ,on the #ajth of ,july1 ,washington had a conversation with ,jefferson on the subject of the letter2 and endeavored with his usual supervising and moderating assiduity to allay the jealousies and suspicions which were disturbing the mind of that ardent politician4 ,these1 he intimated1 had been carried a great deal too far4 ,there might be desires1 he said1 among a few in the higher walks of life1 particularly in the great cities1 to change the form of government into a monarchy1 but he did not believe there were any designs2 and he believed the main body of the people in the ,eastern ,states were as steadily for republicanism as in the ,southern4 ,hamilton was equally strenuous with ,jefferson in urging upon ,washington the policy of a re-election1 as it regarded the public good1 and wrote to him fully on the subject4 ,it was the opinion of every one1 he alleged1 with whom he had conversed1 that the affairs of the national government were not yet firmly established2 that its enemies1 generally speaking1 were as inveterate as ever2 that their enmity had been sharpened by its success and all the resentments which flow from disappointed predictions and mortified vanity2 that a general and strenuous effort was making in every ,state to place the administration of it in the hands of its enemies1 as if they were its safest guardians2 that the period of the next ,house of ,representatives was likely to prove the crisis of its national character2 that if ,washington continued in office1 nothing materially mischievous was to be apprehended2 but1 if he should quit1 much was to be dreaded4 ,mr4 ,edmund ,randolph also1 after a long letter on the jeopardy of the ,union1 which seemed to him at the eve of a crisis1 adds3 ,the fuel which has been already gathered for combustion wants no addition4 ,but how awfully might it be increased1 were the violence1 which is now suspended by a universal submission to your pretensions1 let loose by your resignation4 ,not the cabinet1 merely1 divided as it was in its political opinions1 but all parties1 however discordant in other points1 concurred in a desire that ,washington should continue in office--so truly was he regarded as the choice of the nation4 ,but though the cabinet was united in feeling on this one subject1 in other respects its dissensions were increasing in virulence4 ,washington had noticed this growing feud with excessive pain1 and at length found it necessary to interfere and attempt a reconciliation between the warring parties4 ,in the course of a letter to ,jefferson 7,aug4 #bc;d71 on the subject of ,indian hostilities1 and the possibility of their being furnished by foreign agents to check1 as far as possible1 the rapid increase1 extension1 and consequence of the ,united ,states1 ,how unfortunate then1 observes he1 and how much to be regretted that1 while we are encompassed on all sides with armed enemies and insidious friends1 internal dissensions should be harrowing and tearing our vitals4 ,the latter1 to me1 is the most serious1 the most alarming and the most afflicting of the two2 and without more charity for the opinions and acts of one another in governmental matters1 or some more infallible criterion by which the truth of speculative opinions1 before they have undergone the test of experience1 are to be prejudged1 than has yet fallen to the lot of fallibility1 ,i believe it will be difficult1 if not impracticable1 to manage the reins of government1 or to keep the parts of it together2 for if1 instead of laying our shoulders to the machine after measures are decided on1 one pulls this way and another that1 before the utility of the thing is fairly tried1 it must inevitably be torn asunder2 and1 in my opinion1 the fairest prospect of happiness and prosperity that ever was presented to man1 will be lost perhaps forever4 ,admonitions to the same purport were addressed by him to ,hamilton4 ,having premised these things1 adds he1 ,i would fain hope that liberal allowances will be made for the political opinions of each other2 and1 instead of those wounding suspicions and irritating charges1 with which some of our gazettes are so strongly impregnated1 and which cannot fail1 if persevered in1 of pushing matters to extremity1 and thereby tearing the machine asunder1 that there may be mutual forbearance and temporizing yielding on all sides4 ,without these ,i do not see how the reins of government are to be managed1 or how the ,union of the ,states can be much longer preserved4 ,washington's solicitude for harmony in his cabinet had been rendered more anxious by public disturbances in some parts of the country4 ,the excise law on ardent spirits distilled within the ,united ,states1 had1 from the time of its enactment by ,congress in #agia1 met with opposition from the inhabitants of the ,western counties of ,pennsylvania4 ,it had been modified and rendered less offensive within the present year2 but the hostility to it had continued4 ,combinations were formed to defeat the execution of it1 and the revenue officers were riotously opposed in the execution of their duties4 ,determined to exert all the legal powers with which he was invested to check so daring and unwarrantable a spirit1 ,washington1 on the #aeth of ,september1 issued a proclamation1 warning all persons to desist from such unlawful combinations and proceedings1 and requiring all courts1 magistrates1 and officers to bring the infractors of the law to justice2 copies of which proclamation were sent to the governors of ,pennsylvania and of ,north and ,south ,carolina4 ,,chapter ,,lxxiii4 ,,washington',s ,,second ,,term4--,,difficulties ,,with ,,the ,,french ,,ambassador4 ,it was after a long and painful conflict of feelings that ,washington consented to be a candidate for a re-election4 ,there was no opposition on the part of the public1 and the vote for him in the ,electoral ,college was unanimous4 ,in a letter to a friend1 he declared himself gratefully impressed by so distinguished and honorable a testimony of public approbation and confidence4 ,george ,clinton1 of ,new ,york1 was held up for the vice-presidency1 in opposition to ,john ,adams2 but the latter was re-elected by a majority of twenty-seven electoral votes4 ,the session of ,congress opened on the #eth of ,november4 ,the continuance of the ,indian war formed a painful topic in the ,president's address4 ,efforts at pacification had as yet been unsuccessful2 two brave officers1 ,colonel ,hardin and ,major ,trueman1 who had been sent to negotiate with the savages1 had been severally murdered4 ,vigorous preparations were therefore making for an active prosecution of hostilities1 in which ,wayne was to take the field4 ,the factious and turbulent opposition which had been made in some parts of the country to the collection of duties on spirituous liquors distilled in the ,united ,states1 was likewise adverted to by the ,president1 and a determination expressed to assert and maintain the just authority of the laws4 ,in a part of the speech addressed to the ,house of ,representatives1 he expressed a strong hope that the state of the national finances was now sufficiently matured to admit of an arrangement for the redemption and discharge of the public debt4 ,the address was well received by both houses1 and a disposition expressed to concur with the ,president's views and wishes4 ,the discussion of the subjects to which he had called their attention1 soon produced vehement conflicts of opinion in the ,house1 marking the growing virulence of parties4 ,the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 in reporting1 at the request of the ,house1 a plan for the annual reduction of so much of the national debt as the ,united ,states had a right to redeem1 spoke of the expenses of the ,indian war1 and the necessity of additional internal taxes4 ,the consideration of the report was parried or evaded1 and a motion made to reduce the military establishment4 ,this gave an opportunity for sternly criticising the mode in which the ,indian war had been conducted2 for discussing the comparative merits and cost of regular and militia forces1 and for inveighing against standing armies1 as dangerous to liberty4 ,these discussions1 while they elicited much heat1 led to no present result1 and gave way to an inquiry into the conduct of the ,secretary of the ,treasury in regard to certain loans1 which the ,president in conformity to acts of ,congress1 had authorized him to make2 but concerning the management of which he had not furnished detailed reports to the legislature4 ,the subject was opened by ,mr4 ,giles1 of ,virginia1 who moved in the ,house of ,representatives a series of resolutions seeking information in the matter1 and who followed his resolutions by a speech1 charging the ,secretary of the ,treasury with official misconduct1 and intimating that a large balance of public money had not been accounted for4 ,a report of the ,secretary gave all the information desired2 but the charges against him continued to be urged with great acrimony to the close of the session1 when they were signally rejected1 not more than sixteen members voting for any one of them4 ,washington1 though he never courted popularity1 was attentive to the signs of public opinion1 and disposed to be guided by them when right4 ,the time for entering upon his second term of ,presidency was at hand4 ,there had been much cavilling at the parade attending his first installation4 ,to guide him on the coming occasion1 ,washington called the heads of departments together1 and desired they would consult with one another1 and agree on any changes they might consider for the better1 assuring them he would willingly conform to whatever they should advise4 ,they held such consultation1 and ultimately gave their individual opinions in writing1 with regard to the time1 manner1 and place of the ,president's taking the oath of office4 ,as they were divided in opinion1 and gave no positive advice as to any change1 no change was made4 ,on the #dth of ,march1 the oath was publicly administered to ,washington by ,mr4 ,justice ,cushing1 in the ,senate ,chamber1 in presence of the heads of departments1 foreign ministers1 such members of the ,house of ,representatives as were in town1 and as many other spectators as could be accommodated4 ,it was under gloomy auspices1 a divided cabinet1 an increasing exasperation of parties1 a suspicion of monarchial tendencies1 and a threatened abatement of popularity1 that ,washington entered upon his second term of presidency4 ,it was a portentous period in the history of the world1 for in a little while came news of that tragical event1 the beheading of ,louis ,,xvi4 ,an event followed hard upon it to shake the quiet of the world4 ,early in ,april intelligence was received that ,france had declared war against ,england4 ,popular excitement was now wound up to the highest pitch4 ,what1 it was asked1 were ,americans to do in such a juncture8 ,could they remain unconcerned spectators of a conflict between their ancient enemy and republican ,france8 ,should they fold their arms and look coldly on a war1 begun1 it is true1 by ,france1 but threatening the subversion of the republic1 and the re-establishment of a monarchial government8 ,many1 in the wild enthusiasm of the moment1 would at once have precipitated the country into a war4 ,fortunately this belligerent impulse was not general1 and was checked by the calm1 controlling wisdom of ,washington4 ,he was at ,mount ,vernon when he received news of the war1 and understood that ,american vessels were already designated1 and some even fitting out to serve in it as privateers4 ,hastening back to ,philadelphia1 he held a cabinet council on the #aith of ,april to deliberate on the measures proper to be observed by the ,united ,states in the present crisis2 and to determine upon a general plan of conduct for the ,executive4 ,in this council it was unanimously determined that a proclamation should be issued by the ,president1 forbidding the citizens of the ,united ,states to take part in any hostilities on the seas1 and warning them against carrying to the belligerents any articles deemed contraband according to the modern usages of nations1 and forbidding all acts and proceedings inconsistent with the duties of a friendly nation towards those at war4 ,it was unanimously agreed also1 that should the republic of ,france send a minister to the ,united ,states1 he should be received4 ,no one at the present day questions the wisdom of ,washington's proclamation of neutrality4 ,it was our true policy to keep aloof from ,european war1 in which our power would be inefficient1 our loss certain4 ,the measure1 however1 was at variance with the enthusiastic feelings and excited passions of a large portion of the citizens4 ,they treated it for a time with some forbearance1 out of long-cherished reverence for ,washington's name2 but his popularity1 hitherto unlimited1 was no proof against the inflamed state of public feeling4 ,the proclamation was stigmatized as a royal edict2 a daring assumption of power2 an open manifestation of partiality for ,england and hostility to ,france4 ,washington saw that a deadly blow was aimed at his influence and his administration1 and that both were at hazard2 but he was convinced that neutrality was the true national policy1 and he resolved to maintain it1 whatever might be his immediate loss of popular favor4 ,his resolution was soon put to the test4 ,the ,french republic had recently appointed ,edmond ,charles ,genet1 or ',citizen ,genet1' as he was styled1 minister to the ,united ,states4 ,he was represented as a young man of good parts1 very well educated1 and of an ardent temper4 ,a letter from ,gouverneur ,morris at that time minister to ,france apprised ,mr4 ,jefferson that the ,executive ,council had furnished ,genet with three hundred blank commissions for privateers1 to be given clandestinely to such persons as he might find in ,america inclined to take them4 ,genet's conduct proved the correctness of this information4 ,he had landed at ,charleston1 ,south ,carolina1 from the ,french frigate1 the ,ambuscade1 on the #hth of ,april1 a short time before the proclamation of neutrality1 and was received with great rejoicing and extravagant demonstrations of respect4 ,his landing at a port several hundred miles from the seat of government was a singular move for a diplomat2 but his object in so doing was soon evident4 ,it is usual for a foreign minister to present his credentials to the government to which he comes1 and be received by it in form before he presumes to enter upon the exercise of his functions4 ,citizen ,genet1 however1 did not stop for these formalities4 ,confident in his nature1 heated in his zeal1 and flushed with the popular warmth of his reception1 he could not pause to consider the proprieties of his mission and the delicate responsibilities involved in diplomacy4 ,the contiguity of ,charleston to the ,west ,indies made it a favorable port for fitting out privateers against the trade of these islands2 and during ,genet's short sojourn there he issued commissions for arming and equipping vessels of war for that purpose1 and manning them with ,americans4 ,in the latter part of ,april1 ,genet set out for the north by land4 ,as he proceeded on his journey1 the newspapers teemed with accounts of the processions and addresses with which he was greeted1 and the festivities which celebrated his arrival at each place4 ,on the #afth of ,may he arrived at ,philadelphia4 ,his belligerent operations at ,charleston had already been made a subject of complaint to the government by ,mr4 ,hammond1 the ,british minister2 but they produced no abatement in the public enthusiasm4 ,on the following day1 various societies and a large body of citizens waited upon him with addresses1 recalling with gratitude the aid given by ,france in the achievement of ,american independence1 and extolling and rejoicing in the success of the arms of the ,french republic4 ,on the same day1 before ,genet had presented his credentials and been acknowledged by the ,president1 he was invited to a grand republican dinner1 at which1 we are told1 the company united in singing the ,marseilles ,hymn4 ,on the #ahth of ,may1 ,genet presented his letter of credence to the ,president3 by whom1 notwithstanding his late unwarrantable proceedings at ,charleston1 he was well received4 ,washington taking the occasion to express his sincere regard for the ,french nation4 ,the acts of this diplomatic personage at ,charleston had not been the sole ground of the complaint preferred by the ,british minister4 ,the capture of the ,british vessel1 the ,grange1 by the frigate ,ambuscade1 formed a graver one4 ,occurring within our waters1 it was a clear usurpation of national sovereignty1 and a violation of neutral rights4 ,the ,british minister demanded a restitution of the prize1 and the cabinet were unanimously of opinion that restitution should be made2 nor was there any difficulty with the ,french minister on this head2 but restitution was likewise claimed of other vessels captured on the high seas and brought into port by the privateers authorized by ,genet4 ,in regard to these there was a difference of sentiment in the cabinet4 ,hamilton and ,knox were of opinion that the government should interpose to restore the prizes2 it being the duty of a neutral nation to remedy any injury sustained by armaments fitted out in its ports4 ,jefferson and ,randolph contended that the case should be left to the decision of the courts of justice4 ,if the courts adjudged the commissions issued by ,genet to be invalid1 they would1 of course1 decide the captures made under them to be void1 and the property to remain in the original owners2 if1 on the other hand1 the legal right to the property had been transferred to the captors1 they would so decide4 ,seeing this difference of opinion in the cabinet1 ,washington reserved the point for further deliberation2 but directed the ,secretary of ,state to communicate to the ministers of ,france and ,britain the principles in which they concurred2 these being considered as settled4 ,circular letters1 also1 were addressed to the governors of several ,states1 requiring their co-operation1 with force1 if necessary1 to carry out the rules agreed upon4 ,genet took umbrage at these decisions of the government1 and expressed his dissatisfaction in a letter1 complaining of them as violations of natural right1 and subversive of the existing treaties between the two nations4 ,his letter1 though somewhat wanting in strict decorum of language1 induced a review of the subject in the cabinet2 and he was informed that no reason appeared for changing the system adopted4 ,he was further informed that1 in the opinion of the executive1 the vessels which had been illegally equipped should depart from the ports of the ,united ,states4 ,genet was not disposed to acquiesce in these decisions4 ,he was aware of the grateful feelings of the nation to ,france2 of the popular disposition to go all lengths1 short of war1 in her favor2 of the popular idea that republican interests were identical on both sides of the ,atlantic2 that a royal triumph over republicanism in ,europe would be followed by a combination to destroy it in this country4 ,the people1 he thought1 were with him1 if ,washington was not1 and he believed the latter would not dare to risk his popularity in thwarting their enthusiasm4 ,he persisted1 therefore1 in disregarding the decisions of the government1 and spoke of them as a departure from the obligations it owed to ,france2 a cowardly abandonment of friends when danger menaced4 ,another event added to the irritation of ,genet4 ,two ,american citizens1 whom he had engaged at ,charleston to cruise in the service of ,france1 were arrested on board of the privateer1 conducted to prison1 and prosecutions commenced against them4 ,the indignant feelings of ,genet were vented in an extraordinary letter to the ,secretary of ,state4 ,when speaking of their arrest1 ,the crime laid to their charge1 writes he--the crime which my mind cannot conceive1 and which my pen almost refuses to state--is the serving of ,france1 and defending with her children the common glorious cause of liberty4 ,the lofty and indignant tone of this letter had no effect in shaking the determination of government1 or obtaining the release of the prisoners4 ,washington confesses1 however1 that he was very much hurried and perplexed by the disputes1 memorials1 and what not1 with which he was pestered1 by one or other of the powers at war4 ,it was a sore trial of his equanimity1 his impartiality and his discrimination1 and wore upon his spirits and his health4 ,in the latter part of ,july1 ,washington was suddenly called to ,mount ,vernon by the death of ,mr4 ,whiting1 the manager of his estates4 ,during his brief absence from the seat of government1 occurred the case of the ,little ,sarah4 ,this was a ,british merchant vessel which had been captured by a ,french privateer1 and brought into ,philadelphia1 where she had been armed and equipped for privateering2 manned with one hundred and twenty men1 many of them ,americans1 and her name changed into that of ,le ,petit ,democrat4 ,this1 of course1 was in violation of ,washington's decision1 which had been communicated to ,genet4 ,general ,mifflin1 now ,governor of ,pennsylvania1 being informed1 on the #fth of ,july1 that the vessel was to sail the next day1 sent his secretary1 ,mr4 ,dallas1 at midnight to ,genet1 to persuade him to detain her until the ,president should arrive1 intimating that otherwise force would be used to prevent her departure4 ,genet flew into one of the transports of passion to which he was prone2 contrasted the treatment experienced by him from the officers of government1 with the attachment to his nation professed by the people at large2 declared that the ,president was not the sovereign of the country1 and had no right1 without consulting ,congress1 to give such instructions as he had issued to the ,state ,governors2 threatened to appeal from his decision to the people1 and to repel force by force1 should an attempt be made to seize the privateer4 ,apprised of this menace1 ,governor ,mifflin forthwith ordered out one hundred and twenty of the militia to take possession of the privateer1 and communicated the circumstances of the case to the cabinet4 ,mr4 ,jefferson now took the matter in hand1 and1 on the #gth of ,july1 in an interview with ,genet1 repeated the request that the privateer be detained until the arrival of the ,president4 ,genet1 he writes1 instantly took up the subject in a very high tone1 and went into an immense field of declamation and complaint4 ,jefferson made a few efforts to be heard1 but1 finding them ineffectual1 suffered the torrent of vituperation to pour on4 ,when ,genet had subsided into coolness1 ,jefferson pressed the detention of the ,little ,sarah until the ,president's return2 intimating that her previous departure would be considered a very serious offence4 ,genet made no promise1 but expressed himself very happy to be able to inform ,mr4 ,jefferson that the vessel was not in a state of readiness2 she had to change her position that day1 he said1 and fall down the river1 somewhere about the lower end of the town1 for the convenience of taking some things on board1 and would not depart yet4 ,jefferson was accordingly impressed with the belief that the privateer would remain in the river until the ,president should decide on her case1 and1 on communicating this conviction to the governor1 the latter ordered the militia to be dismissed4 ,washington arrived at ,philadelphia on the #aath of ,july1 when papers requiring instant attention were put into his hands4 ,they related to the case of the ,little ,sarah1 and were from ,jefferson1 who1 being ill with fever1 had retired to his seat in the country4 ,nothing could exceed the displeasure of ,washington when he examined these papers4 ,in a cabinet council held the next day1 it was determined to detain in port all privateers which had been equipped within the ,united ,states by any of the belligerent powers4 ,no time was lost in communicating this determination to ,genet2 but1 in defiance of it1 the vessel sailed on her cruise4 ,it must have been a severe trial of ,washington's spirit to see his authority thus braved and insulted1 and to find that the people1 notwithstanding the indignity thus offered to their chief magistrate1 sided with the aggressors1 and exulted in their open defiance of his neutral policy4 ,fresh mortifications awaited him1 from the distempered state of public sentiment4 ,the trial came on of ,gideon ,henfield1 an ,american citizen1 prosecuted under the advice of the ,attorney-,general1 for having enlisted1 at ,charleston1 on board of a ,french privateer which had brought prizes into the port of ,philadelphia4 ,the populace took part with ,henfield4 ,he had enlisted before the proclamation of neutrality had been published1 and even if he had enlisted at a later date1 was he to be punished for engaging with their ancient ally1 ,france1 in the cause of liberty against the royal despots of ,europe8 ,his acquittal exposed ,washington to the obloquy of having attempted a measure which the laws would not justify4 ,it showed him1 moreover1 the futility of attempts at punishment for infractions of the rules proclaimed for the preservation of neutrality2 while the clamorous rejoicing by which the acquittal of ,henfield had been celebrated1 evinced the popular disposition to thwart that line of policy which he considered most calculated to promote the public good4 ,nothing1 however1 could induce him to swerve from that policy4 ,hitherto ,washington had exercised great forbearance toward the ,french minister1 notwithstanding the little respect shown by the latter to the rights of the ,united ,states2 but the official communications of ,genet were becoming too offensive and insulting to be longer tolerated4 ,meetings of the heads of departments and the ,attorney-,general were held at the ,president's on the #ast and #b;d of ,august1 in which the whole of the official correspondence and conduct of ,genet was passed in review2 and it was agreed that his recall should be desired4 ,it was proposed that a publication of the whole correspondence1 and a statement of the proceedings1 should be made by way of appeal to the people4 ,this produced animated debates4 ,hamilton spoke with great warmth in favor of an appeal4 ,jefferson opposed it4 ,genet1 said he1 will appeal also2 it will become a contest between the ,president and ,genet4 ,washington1 already weary and impatient under the incessant dissensions of his cabinet1 was stung by the suggestion that he might be held up as in conflict with ,genet1 and subjected1 as he had been1 to the ribaldry of the press4 ,at this unlucky moment ,knox blundered forth with a specimen of the scandalous libels already in circulation2 a pasquinade lately printed1 called the ,funeral of ,george ,washington1 wherein the ,president was represented as placed upon a guillotine1 a horrible parody on the late decapitation of the ,french ,king4 ,the ,president1 writes ,jefferson1 now burst forth into one of those transports of passion beyond his control2 inveighed against the personal abuse which had been bestowed upon him1 and defied any man on earth to produce a single act of his since he had been in the government that had not been done on the purest motives4 ,he had never repented but once the having slipped the moment of resigning his office1 and that was every moment since4 ,in the agony of his heart he declared that he had rather be in his grave than in his present situation2 that he had rather be on his farm than to be made emperor of the world--and yet1 said he1 indignantly1 they are charging me with wanting to be a king6 ,all were silent during this burst of feeling--a pause ensued--it was difficult to resume the question4 ,washington1 however1 who had recovered his equanimity1 put an end to the difficulty4 ,there was no necessity1 he said1 for deciding the matter at present2 perhaps events would show whether the appeal would be necessary or not4 ,washington had hitherto been annoyed and perplexed by having to manage a divided cabinet2 he was now threatened with that cabinet's dissolution4 ,mr4 ,hamilton had informed him by letter1 that private as well as public reasons had determined him to retire from office towards the close of the next session2 probably with a view to give ,congress an opportunity to examine into his conduct4 ,now came a letter from ,mr4 ,jefferson1 dated ,july #cast1 in which he announced his intention to withdraw2 at the close of the ensuing month of ,september1 ,i shall beg leave to retire to scenes of greater tranquillity1 from those for which ,i am every day more and more convinced that neither my talents1 tone of mind1 nor time of life fit me4 ,washington was both grieved and embarrassed by this notification4 ,full of concern1 he called upon ,jefferson at his country residence near ,philadelphia2 pictured his deep distress at finding himself1 in the present perplexing juncture of affairs1 about to be deserted by those of his cabinet on whose counsel he had counted1 and whose places he knew not where to find persons competent to supply2 and1 in his chagrin1 again expressed his repentance that he himself had not resigned as he had once meditated4 ,the public mind1 he went on to observe1 was in an alarming state of ferment2 political combinations of various kinds were forming2 where all this would end he knew not4 ,a new ,congress was to assemble1 more numerous than the last1 perhaps of a different spirit2 the first expressions of its sentiments would be important1 and it would relieve him considerably if ,jefferson would remain in office1 if it were only until the end of the session4 ,washington had the highest opinion of ,jefferson's abilities1 his knowledge of foreign affairs1 his thorough patriotism2 and it was his earnest desire to retain him in his cabinet through the whole of the ensuing session of ,congress2 before the close of which he trusted the affairs of the country relating to foreign powers1 ,indian disturbances1 and internal policy1 would have taken a more decisive1 and it was to be hoped agreeable form than they then had4 ,a compromise was eventually made1 according to which ,jefferson was to be allowed a temporary absence in the autumn1 and on his return was to continue in office until ,january4 ,in the meantime ,genet had proceeded to ,new ,york1 which was just then in a great agitation4 ,the frigate ,ambuscade1 while anchored in the harbor1 had been challenged to single combat by the ,british frigate ,boston1 ,captain ,courtney1 which was cruising off the ,hook4 ,the challenge was accepted2 a severe action ensued2 ,courtney was killed2 and the ,boston1 much damaged1 was obliged to stand for ,halifax4 ,the ,ambuscade returned triumphant to ,new ,york1 and entered the port amid the enthusiastic cheers of the populace4 ,on the same day1 a ,french fleet of fifteen sail arrived from the ,chesapeake and anchored in the ,hudson river4 ,the officers and crews were objects of unbounded favor with all who inclined to the ,french cause4 ,in the midst of this excitement1 the ringing of bells and the firing of cannon announced that ,citizen ,genet was arrived at ,powles ,hook ,ferry1 directly opposite the city4 ,there was an immediate assemblage of the republican party in the fields now called the ,park4 ,a committee was appointed to escort ,genet into the city4 ,he entered it amid the almost frantic cheerings of the populace4 ,addresses were made to him1 expressing devoted attachment to the ,french republic1 and abjuring all neutrality in regard to its heroic struggle4 ,in the midst of his self-gratulation and complacency1 however1 he received a letter from ,mr4 ,jefferson 7,sept4 #ae71 acquainting him with the measures taken to procure his recall1 and inclosing a copy of the letter written for that purpose to the ,american minister at ,paris4 ,it was added1 that1 out of anxious regard lest the interests of ,france might suffer1 the ,executive would1 in the meantime1 receive his 7,m4 ,genet's7 communications in writing1 and admit the continuance of his functions so long as they should be restrained within the law as theretofore announced to him1 and should be of the tenor usually observed towards independent nations1 by the representative of a friendly power residing with them4 ,the letter of the ,secretary of ,state threw ,genet into a violent passion1 and produced a reply 7,sept4 #ah71 written while he was still in a great heat4 ,unfortunately for ,genet's ephemeral popularity1 a rumor got abroad that he had expressed a determination to appeal from the ,president to the people4 ,the spirit of audacity thus manifested by a foreign minister shocked the national pride4 ,meetings were held in every part of the ,union to express the public feeling in the matter4 ,in these meetings the proclamation of neutrality and the system of measures flowing from it1 were sustained1 partly from a conviction of their wisdom and justice1 but more from an undiminished affection for the person and character of ,washington2 for many who did not espouse his views1 were ready to support him in the exercise of his constitutional functions4 ,,chapter ,,lxxiv4 ,,neutrality4--,,whiskey ,,insurrection4--,,wayne',s ,,success ,,against ,,the ,,indians4 ,while the neutrality of the ,united ,states1 so jealously guarded by ,washington1 was endangered by the intrigues of the ,french minister1 it was put to imminent hazard by ill-advised measures of the ,british cabinet4 ,there was such a scarcity in ,france1 in consequence of the failure of the crops1 that a famine was apprehended4 ,england1 availing herself of her naval ascendency1 determined to increase the distress of her rival by cutting off all her supplies from abroad4 ,in ,june1 #agic1 therefore1 her cruisers were instructed to detain all vessels bound to ,france with cargoes of corn1 flour1 or meal1 take them into port1 unload them1 purchase the cargoes1 make a proper allowance for the freight1 and then release the vessels2 or to allow the masters of them1 on a stipulated security1 to dispose of their cargoes in a port in amity with ,england4 ,this measure gave umbrage to all parties in the ,united ,states1 and brought out an earnest remonstrance from the government1 as being a violation of the law of neutrals1 and indefensible on any proper construction of the law of nations4 ,another grievance which helped to swell the tide of resentment against ,great ,britain1 was the frequent impressment of ,american seamen1 a wrong to which they were particularly exposed from national similarity4 ,to these may be added the persistence of ,great ,britain in holding the posts to the south of the lakes1 which1 according to treaty stipulations1 ought to have been given up4 ,washington did not feel himself in a position to press our rights under the treaty1 with the vigorous hand that some would urge2 questions having risen in some of the ,state courts1 to obstruct the fulfilment of our part of it1 which regarded the payment of ,british debts contracted before the war4 ,the hostilities of the ,indians north of the ,ohio1 by many attributed to ,british wiles1 still continued4 ,the attempts at an amicable negotiation had proved as fruitless as ,washington had anticipated4 ,the troops under ,wayne had1 therefore1 taken the field to act offensively2 but from the lateness of the season1 had formed a winter camp near the site of the present city of ,cincinnati1 whence ,wayne was to open his campaign in the ensuing spring4 ,congress assembled on the #b;d of ,december 7#agic71 with various causes of exasperation at work2 the intrigues of ,genet and the aggressions of ,england1 uniting to aggravate to a degree of infatuation the partiality for ,france1 and render imminent the chance of a foreign war4 ,washington1 in his opening speech1 after expressing his deep and respectful sense of the renewed testimony of public approbation manifested in his re-election1 proceeded to state the measures he had taken1 in consequence of the war in ,europe1 to protect the rights and interests of the ,united ,states1 and maintain peaceful relations with the belligerent parties4 ,still he pressed upon ,congress the necessity of placing the country in a condition of complete defence4 ,one part of his speech conveyed an impressive admonition to the ,house of ,representatives3 ,no pecuniary consideration is more urgent than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt2 in none can delay be more injurious1 or an economy of time more valuable4 ,the necessity of augmenting the public revenue in a degree commensurate with the objects suggested1 was likewise touched upon4 ,the choice of speaker showed that there was a majority of ten against the administration1 in the ,house of ,representatives2 yet it was manifest1 from the affectionate answer on the #fth1 of the two ,houses1 to ,washington's speech1 and the satisfaction expressed at his re-election1 that he was not included in the opposition which1 from this act1 appeared to await his political system4 ,notwithstanding the popular ferment in favor of ,france1 both ,houses seem to have approved the course pursued by ,washington in regard to that country2 and as to his proclamation of neutrality1 while the ,house approved of it in guarded terms1 the ,senate pronounced it a measure well-timed and wise2 manifesting a watchful solicitude for the welfare of the nation1 and calculated to promote it4 ,early in the session1 ,mr4 ,jefferson1 in compliance with a requisition which the ,house of ,representatives had made1 ,feb4 #bc1 #agia1 furnished an able and comprehensive report of the state of trade of the ,united ,states with different countries2 the nature and extent of exports and imports1 and the amount of tonnage of the ,american shipping3 specifying1 also1 the various restrictions and prohibitions by which our commerce was embarrassed1 and in some instances1 almost ruined4 ,two methods1 he said1 presented themselves1 by which these impediments might be removed1 modified1 or counteracted2 friendly arrangement or countervailing legislation4 ,friendly arrangements were preferable with all who would come into them1 and we should carry into such arrangements all the liberality and spirit of accommodation which the nature of the case would admit4 ,but1 he adds1 should any nation continue its system of prohibitive duties and regulations1 it behooves us to protect our citizens1 their commerce1 and navigation1 by counter prohibitions1 duties1 and regulations4 ,with this able and elaborate report1 ,jefferson closed his labors as ,secretary of ,state4 ,washington had been especially sensible of the talents and integrity displayed by ,jefferson during the closing year of his secretaryship1 and particularly throughout this ,french perplexity1 and had recently made a last attempt1 but an unsuccessful one1 to persuade him to remain in the cabinet4 ,the place thus made vacant was filled by ,mr4 ,edmond ,randolph1 whose office of ,attorney-,general was conferred on ,mr4 ,william ,bradford1 of ,pennsylvania4 ,the report of ,mr4 ,jefferson on commercial intercourse1 was soon taken up in the ,house in a committee of the whole4 ,a series of resolutions based on it1 and relating to the privileges and restrictions of the commerce of the ,united ,states1 were introduced by ,mr4 ,madison1 and became the subject of a warm and acrimonious debate4 ,the report upheld the policy of turning the course of trade from ,england to ,france1 by discriminations in favor of the latter2 and the resolutions were to the same purport4 ,the idea was to oppose commercial resistance to commercial injury2 to enforce a perfect commercial equality by retaliating impositions1 assuming that the commercial system of ,great ,britain was hostile to the ,united ,states--a position strongly denied by some of the debaters4 ,though the subject was1 or might seem to be1 of a purely commercial nature1 it was inevitably mixed up with political considerations1 according as a favorable inclination to ,england or ,france was apprehended4 ,the debate1 which had commenced on the #acth of ,january1 7#agid17 was protracted to the #c;d of ,february1 when the question being taken on the first resolution1 it was carried by a majority of only five1 so nearly were parties divided4 ,the further consideration of the remaining resolutions was postponed to ,march1 when it was resumed1 but1 in consequence of the new complexion of affairs1 was suspended without a decision4 ,the next legislative movement was also productive of a warm debate1 though connected with a subject which appealed to the sympathies of the whole nation4 ,algerine corsairs had captured eleven ,american merchant vessels1 and upwards of one hundred prisoners1 and the regency manifested a disposition for further outrages4 ,a bill was introduced into ,congress proposing a force of six frigates1 to protect the commerce of the ,united ,states against the cruisers of this piratical power4 ,the bill met with strenuous opposition1 but was eventually passed by both ,houses4 ,in the course of this session1 fresh instances had come before the government of the mischievous activity and audacity of ,genet2 showing that1 not content with compromising the neutrality of the ,united ,states at sea1 he was attempting to endanger it by land4 ,from documents received1 it appeared that in ,november he had sent emissaries to ,kentucky1 to enroll ,american citizens in an expedition against ,new ,orleans1 and the ,spanish possessions2 furnishing them with blank commissions for the purpose4 ,it was an enterprise in which the adventurous people of that ,state were ready enough to embark1 through enthusiasm for the ,french nation and impatience at the delay of ,spain to open the navigation of the ,mississippi4 ,another expedition was to proceed against the ,floridas2 men for the purpose to be enlisted at the ,south1 to rendezvous in ,georgia1 and to be aided by a body of ,indians and by a ,french fleet1 should one arrive on the coast4 ,a proclamation from ,governor ,moultrie checked all such enlistments in ,south ,carolina4 ,documents relating to these transactions were communicated to ,congress by ,washington early in ,january4 ,but1 though the expedition set on foot in ,south ,carolina had been checked1 it was subsequently reported that the one in ,kentucky against ,louisiana1 was still in progress and about to descend the ,ohio4 ,these schemes showed such determined purpose1 on the part of ,genet1 to undermine the peace of the ,united ,states1 that ,washington1 without waiting a reply to the demand for his recall1 resolved to keep no further terms with that headlong diplomat4 ,in a cabinet council it was determined to supersede his diplomatic functions1 deprive him of the consequent privileges1 and arrest his person2 a message to ,congress1 avowing such determination1 was prepared1 but at this critical juncture came despatches from ,gouverneur ,morris announcing his recall4 ,mr4 ,fauchet1 secretary of the executive council1 was appointed to succeed him4 ,about this time vigilance was required to guard against wrongs from an opposite quarter4 ,we have noticed the orders issued by ,great ,britain to her cruisers in ,june1 #agic1 and the resentment thereby excited in the ,united ,states4 ,on the #fth of the following month of ,november1 she had given them additional instructions to detain all vessels laden with the produce of any colony belonging to ,france1 or carrying supplies to any such colony1 and to bring them1 with their cargoes1 to ,british ports1 for adjudication in the ,british courts of admiralty4 ,captures of ,american vessels were taking place in consequence of these orders1 and heightening public irritation4 ,they were considered indicative of determined hostility on the part of ,great ,britain1 and they produced measures in ,congress preparatory to an apprehended state of war4 ,an embargo was laid1 prohibiting all trade from the ,united ,states to any foreign place for the space of thirty days1 and vigorous preparations for defence were adopted with but little opposition4 ,on the #bgth of ,march1 resolutions were moved that all debts due to ,british subjects be sequestered and paid into the treasury1 as a fund to indemnify citizens of the ,united ,states for depredations sustained from ,british cruisers1 and that all intercourse with ,great ,britain be interdicted until she had made compensation for these injuries1 and until she should make surrender of the ,western posts4 ,the popular excitement was intense4 ,meetings were held on the subject of ,british spoliations4 ',peace or war' was the absorbing question4 ,while the public mind was in this inflammable state1 ,washington received advices from ,mr4 ,pinckney1 the ,american minister in ,london1 informing him that the ,british ministry had issued instructions to the commanders of armed vessels1 revoking those of the #fth of ,november1 #agic4 ,lord ,grenville also1 in conversation with ,mr4 ,pinckney1 had explained the real motives for that order1 showing that1 however oppressive in its execution1 it had not been intended for the special vexation of ,american commerce4 ,washington laid ,pinckney's letter before ,congress on the #dth of ,april4 ,it had its effect on both parties2 ,federalists saw in it a chance of accommodating difficulties1 and1 therefore1 opposed all measures calculated to irritate2 the other party did not press their belligerent propositions to any immediate decision1 but showed no solicitude to avoid a rupture4 ,the war cry1 however1 is too obvious a means of popular excitement to be readily given up4 ,busy partisans saw that the feeling of the populace was belligerent1 and every means were taken by the press and the democratic societies to exasperate this feeling2 according to them the crisis called1 not for moderation1 but for decision1 for energy4 ,still to adhere to a neutral position would argue tameness--cowardice6 ,washington1 however1 was too morally brave to be clamored out of his wise moderation by such taunts4 ,he resolved to prevent a war1 if possible1 by an appeal to ,british justice1 to be made through a special envoy1 who should represent to the ,british government the injuries we had sustained from it in various ways1 and should urge indemnification4 ,the measure was decried by the party favorable to ,france1 as an undue advance to the ,british government2 but they were still more hostile to it when it was rumored that ,hamilton was to be chosen for the mission4 ,a member of the ,house of ,representatives addressed a strong letter to the ,president1 deprecating the mission1 but especially the reputed choice of the envoy4 ,hamilton1 aware of the collateral obstacles which existed with respect to himself1 had resolved to advise ,washington to drop him from the consideration and to fix upon another character1 and recommended ,john ,jay1 the chief justice of the ,united ,states1 as the man whom it would be advisable to send4 ,mr4 ,jay was the person ultimately chosen4 ,washington1 in his message1 thus nominating an additional envoy to ,great ,britain1 expressed undiminished confidence in the minister actually in ,london4 ,but a mission like this1 observes he1 while it corresponds with the solemnity of the occasion1 will announce to the world a solicitude for a friendly adjustment of our complaints and a reluctance to hostility4 ,the nomination was approved by a majority of ten ,senators4 ,the ,french government having so promptly complied with the wishes of the ,american government in recalling citizen ,genet1 requested1 as an act of reciprocity1 the recall of ,gouverneur ,morris1 whose political sympathies were considered highly aristocratical4 ,the request was granted accordingly1 but ,washington1 in a letter to ,morris1 notifying him of his being superseded1 assured him of his own undiminished confidence and friendship4 ,james ,munroe was appointed in his place4 ,the discontents in the western part of ,pennsylvania excited by the excise law1 now broke out into open insurrection4 ,we have already mentioned the riotous opposition this law had experienced4 ,bills of indictment had been found against some of the rioters4 ,the marshal1 when on the way to serve the processes issued by the court1 was fired upon by armed men1 and narrowly escaped with his life4 ,he was subsequently seized and compelled to renounce the exercise of his official duties4 ,the house of ,general ,nevil1 inspector of the revenue1 was assailed1 but the assailants were repulsed4 ,they assembled in greater numbers2 the magistrates and militia officers shrank from interfering1 lest it should provoke a general insurrection2 a few regular soldiers were obtained from the garrison at ,fort ,pitt4 ,there was a parley4 ,the insurgents demanded that the inspector and his papers should be given up2 and the soldiers march out of the house and ground their arms4 ,the demand being refused1 the house was attacked1 the out-houses set on fire1 and the garrison was compelled to surrender4 ,the marshal and inspector finally escaped out of the country2 descended the ,ohio1 and1 by a circuitous route1 found their way to the seat of government2 bringing a lamentable tale of their misadventures4 ,it was intimated that the insurgent district could bring seven thousand men into the field4 ,delay would only swell the growing disaffection4 ,on the #gth of ,august1 ,washington issued a proclamation1 warning the insurgents to disperse1 and declaring that if tranquillity were not restored before the #ast of ,september1 force would be employed to compel submission to the laws4 ,to show that this was not an empty threat1 he1 on the same day1 made a requisition on the governors of ,new ,jersey1 ,pennsylvania1 ,maryland1 and ,virginia1 for militia to compose an army of twelve thousand men4 ,the insurgents manifesting a disposition to persevere in their rebellious conduct1 the ,president issued a second proclamation on the #beth of ,september1 describing in forcible terms1 the perverse and obstinate spirit with which the lenient propositions of government had been met1 and declaring his fixed purpose to reduce the refractory to obedience4 ,shortly after this he left ,philadelphia for ,carlisle1 to join the army1 then on its march to suppress the insurrection in the western part of ,pennsylvania4 ,on the #ajth1 the ,pennsylvania troops set out from ,carlisle for their rendezvous at ,bedford1 and ,washington proceeded to ,williamsport1 thence to go on to ,fort ,cumberland1 the rendezvous of the ,virginia and ,maryland troops4 ,he arrived at the latter place on the #afth of ,october1 and found a respectable force assembled from those ,states1 and learnt that fifteen hundred more from ,virginia were at hand4 ,all accounts agreed that the insurgents were greatly alarmed at the serious appearance of things4 ,at ,bedford1 ,washington arranged matters and settled a plan of military operations4 ,the governors of ,virginia1 ,maryland and ,pennsylvania1 were at the head of the troops of their respective ,states1 but ,governor ,lee was to have the general command4 ,this done1 ,washington prepared to shape his course for ,philadelphia4 ,washington pushed on for ,philadelphia1 through deep roads and a three days' rain1 and arrived there about the last of ,october4 ,governor ,lee marched with the troops in two divisions1 amounting to fifteen thousand men1 into the western counties of ,pennsylvania4 ,this great military array extinguished at once the kindling elements of a civil war1 by making resistance desperate4 ,at the approach of so overwhelming a force the insurgents laid down their arms1 and gave assurance of submission1 and craved the clemency of government4 ,it was extended to them4 ,a few were tried for treason1 but were not convicted2 but as some spirit of discontent was still manifest1 ,major-general ,morgan was stationed with a detachment for the winter1 in the disaffected region4 ,it was with great satisfaction that ,washington had been able to announce in his speech at the opening of ,congress1 ,nov4 #ith favorable intelligence of the campaign of ,general ,wayne against the hostile ,indians west of the ,ohio4 ,that brave commander had conducted it with a judgment and prudence little compatible with the hare-brained appellation he had acquired by his rash exploits during the ,revolution4 ,leaving his winter encampment on the ,ohio1 in the spring 7of #agid71 he had advanced cautiously into the wild country west of it2 skirmishing with bands of lurking savages as he advanced1 and establishing posts to keep up communication and secure the transmission of supplies4 ,it was not until the #hth of ,august that he arrived at the junction of the rivers ,au ,glaize and ,miami1 in a fertile and populous region1 where the ,western ,indians had their most important villages4 ,here he threw up some works1 which he named ,fort ,defiance4 ,being strengthened by eleven hundred mounted volunteers from ,kentucky1 his force exceeded that of the savage warriors who had collected to oppose him1 which scarcely amounted to two thousand men4 ,these1 however1 were strongly encamped in the vicinity of ,fort ,miami1 a ,british post1 about thirty miles distant1 and far within the limits of the ,united ,states1 and seemed prepared to give battle1 expecting1 possibly1 to be aided by the ,british garrison4 ,on the #bjth1 being arrived near the enemy's position1 his advanced guard was fired upon by an ambush of the enemy concealed in a thicket1 and was compelled to retreat4 ,the general now ordered an attack of horse and foot upon the enemy's position2 the ,indians were roused from their lair with the point of the bayonet2 driven1 fighting for more than two miles1 through thick woods1 and pursued with great slaughter1 until within gunshot of the ,british fort4 ,in his official address to ,congress1 ,washington had urged the adoption of some definite plan for the redemption of the public debt4 ,a plan was reported by ,mr4 ,hamilton1 #bjth ,january1 #agie1 which he had digested and prepared on the basis of the actual revenues1 for the further support of public credit4 ,the report embraced a comprehensive view of the system which he had pursued1 and made some recommendations1 which after much debate were adopted4 ,so closed ,mr4 ,hamilton's labors as ,secretary of the ,treasury4 ,he had long meditated a retirement from his post1 the pay of which was inadequate to the support of his family1 but had postponed it1 first1 on account of the accusations brought against him in the second ,congress1 and of which he awaited the investigation2 secondly1 in consequence of events which rendered the prospect of a continuance of peace precarious4 ,but these reasons no longer operating1 he gave notice1 that on the last day of the ensuing month of ,january he should give in his resignation4 ,hamilton was succeeded in office by ,oliver ,wolcott1 of ,connecticut1 a man of judgment and ability1 who had served as comptroller1 and was familiar with the duties of the office4 ,knox likewise had given in his resignation at the close of the month of ,december4 ,after having served my country nearly twenty years1 writes he to ,washington1 the greatest portion of which under your immediate auspices1 it is with extreme reluctance that ,i find myself constrained to withdraw from so honorable a station4 ,but the natural and powerful claims of a numerous family will no longer permit me to neglect their essential interests4 ,knox was succeeded in the war department by ,colonel ,timothy ,pickering1 at that time ,postmaster-,general4 ,,chapter ,,lxxv4 ,,jay',s ,,treaty4--,,party ,,claims4--,,difficulties ,,with ,,france4--,,farewell ,,address4 ,washington had watched the progress of the mission of ,mr4 ,jay to ,england with an anxious eye4 ,he was aware that he had exposed his popularity to imminent hazard1 by making an advance toward a negotiation with that power2 but what was of still greater moment with him1 he was aware that the peace and happiness of his country were at stake on the result of that mission4 ,it was1 moreover1 a mission of great delicacy1 from the many intricate and difficult points to be discussed1 and the various and mutual grounds of complaint to be adjusted4 ,mr4 ,jay1 in a letter dated ,august #eth1 #agid1 had informed him confidentially1 that the ministry were prepared to settle the matters in dispute upon just and liberal terms2 still1 what those terms1 which they conceived to be just and liberal1 might prove when they came to be closely discussed1 no one could prognosticate4 ,at length1 on the #gth of ,march1 #agie1 four days after the close of the session of ,congress1 a treaty arrived which had been negotiated by ,mr4 ,jay1 and signed by the ministers of the two nations on the #aith of ,november1 and was sent out for ratification4 ,washington immediately made the treaty a close study2 some of the provisions were perfectly satisfactory2 of others1 he did not approve2 on the whole1 believing the advantages to outweigh the objections1 and that it was the best treaty attainable1 he made up his mind to ratify it1 should it be approved by the ,senate4 ,as a system of predetermined hostility to the treaty1 however1 was already manifested1 and efforts were made to awaken popular jealousy concerning it1 ,washington kept its provisions secret1 that the public mind might not be preoccupied on the subject4 ,in the course of a few days1 however1 enough leaked out to be seized upon by the opposition press to excite public distrust1 though not enough to convey a distinct idea of the merits of the instrument4 ,in the course of this month arrived ,mr4 ,adet1 who had been appointed by the ,french government to succeed ,mr4 ,fauchet as minister to the ,united ,states4 ,illustration3 ,,from ,,houdon',s ,,bust4 ,vol4 ,,iv4 ,the ,senate was convened by ,washington on the #hth of ,june1 and the treaty of ,mr4 ,jay was laid before it1 with its accompanying documents4 ,the session was with closed doors1 discussions were long and arduous1 and the treaty underwent a scrutinizing examination4 ,the twelfth article met with especial objections4 ,this article provided for a direct trade between the ,united ,states and the ,british ,west ,india ,islands1 in ,american vessels not exceeding seventy tons burden1 conveying the produce of the ,states or of the ,islands2 but it prohibited the exportation of molasses1 sugar1 coffee1 cocoa1 or cotton1 in ,american vessels1 either from the ,united ,states or the ,islands1 to any part of the world4 ,under this article it was a restricted intercourse1 but ,mr4 ,jay considered the admission even of small vessels1 to the trade of these islands1 an important advantage to the commerce of the ,united ,states4 ,he had not sufficiently adverted to the fact that1 among the prohibited articles1 cotton was also a product of the ,southern ,states4 ,its cultivation had been but recently introduced there2 so that when he sailed for ,europe hardly sufficient had been raised for domestic consumption1 and at the time of signing the treaty very little1 if any1 had been exported4 ,still it was now becoming an important staple of the ,south1 and hence the objection of the ,senate to this article of the treaty4 ,on the #bdth of ,june two-thirds of the ,senate1 the constitutional majority1 voted for the ratification of the treaty1 stipulating1 however1 that an article be added suspending so much of the twelfth article as respected the ,west ,india trade1 and that the ,president be requested to open1 without delay1 further negotiation on this head4 ,in the meantime the popular discontent which had been excited concerning the treaty was daily increasing4 ,the secrecy which had been maintained with regard to its provisions was wrested into a cause of offence4 ,such was the irritable condition of the public mind when1 on the #bith of ,june1 a ,senator of the ,united ,states 7,mr4 ,mason of ,virginia7 sent an abstract of the treaty to be published in a leading opposition paper in ,philadelphia4 ,the whole country was immediately in a blaze4 ,beside the opposition party1 a portion of the ,cabinet was against the ratification4 ,of course it received but a faltering support1 while the attack upon it was vehement and sustained4 ,the assailants seemed determined to carry their point by storm4 ,meetings to oppose the ratification were held in ,boston1 ,new ,york1 ,philadelphia1 ,baltimore1 and ,charleston4 ,the smaller towns throughout the ,union followed their example4 ,in ,new ,york a copy of the treaty was burnt before the governor's house4 ,in ,philadelphia it was suspended on a pole carried about the streets1 and finally burnt in front of the ,british minister's house1 amid the shoutings of the populace4 ,the whole country seemed determined1 by prompt and clamorous manifestations of dissatisfaction1 to make ,washington give way4 ,he saw their purpose2 he was aware of the odious points of view on which the treaty might justly be placed2 his own opinion was not particularly favorable to it2 but he was convinced that it was better to ratify it1 in the manner the ,senate had advised1 and with the reservation already mentioned1 than to suffer matters to remain in their present unsettled and precarious state4 ,before he could act upon this conviction a new difficulty arose to suspend his resolution4 ,news came that the order of the ,british government of the #hth of ,june1 #agic1 for the seizure of provisions in vessels going to ,french ports1 was renewed4 ,washington instantly directed that a strong memorial should be drawn up against this order2 as it seemed to favor a construction of the treaty which he was determined to resist4 ,while this memorial was in course of preparation1 he was called off to ,mount ,vernon4 ,the opposition made to the treaty from meetings in different parts of the ,union gave him the most serious uneasiness1 from the effect it might have on the relations with ,france and ,england4 ,his reply 7,july #bhth7 to an address from the selectmen of ,boston1 contains the spirit of his replies to other addresses of the kind3 ,without a predilection for my own judgment ,i have weighed with attention every argument which has at any time been brought into view4 ,but the constitution is the guide which ,i never can abandon4 ,it has assigned to the ,president the power of making treaties with the advice and consent of the ,senate4 ,it was1 doubtless1 supposed that these two branches of government would combine1 without passion1 and with the best means of information1 those facts and principles upon which the success of our foreign relations will always depend2 that they ought not to substitute for their own conviction the opinions of others1 or to seek truth through any channel but that of a temperate and well-informed investigation4 ,under this persuasion1 ,i have resolved on the manner of executing the duty before me4 ,to the high responsibility of it1 ,i freely submit1 and you1 gentlemen1 are at liberty to make these sentiments known as the grounds of my procedure4 ,while ,i feel the most lively gratitude for the many instances of approbation from my country1 ,i can no otherwise deserve it than by obeying the dictates of my conscience4 ,never1 during his administration1 had he seen a crisis1 in his judgment1 so pregnant with interesting events1 nor one from which1 whether viewed on one side or the other1 more was to be apprehended4 ,it was a crisis1 he said1 that most eminently called upon the administration to be wise and temperate1 as well as firm4 ,the public clamor continued1 and induced a reiterated examination of the subject2 but did not shake his purpose4 ,the difficult and intricate questions pressing upon the attention of government left ,washington little mood to enjoy the retirement of ,mount ,vernon1 being constantly in doubt whether his presence in ,philadelphia were not necessary4 ,in his letters to ,randolph1 he requested to be kept continually advised on this head4 ,i do not require more than a day's notice to repair to the seat of government4 ,his promptness was soon put to the test4 ,early in ,august came a mysterious letter1 dated ,july #ca1 from ,mr4 ,pickering1 the secretary of war4 ,on the subject of the treaty1 writes ,pickering1 ,i confess ,i feel extreme solicitude1 and for a special reason1 which can be communicated to you only in person4 ,i entreat1 therefore1 that you will return with all convenient speed to the seat of government4 ,in the meanwhile1 for the reason above referred to1 ,i pray you to decide on no important political measure1 in whatever form it may be presented to you4 ,the receipt of this enigmatical letter induced ,washington to cut short his sojourn at ,mount ,vernon1 and hasten to ,philadelphia4 ,he arrived there on the #aath of ,august2 and on the same day received a solution of the mystery4 ,a despatch written by ,fauchet1 the ,french minister1 to his government in the preceding month of ,november1 was placed in ,washington's hands with a translation of it made by ,mr4 ,pickering4 ,the despatch had been found on board of a ,french privateer1 captured by a ,british frigate1 and had been transmitted to the ministry4 ,lord ,grenville1 finding it contained passages relating to the intercourse of ,mr4 ,randolph1 the ,american secretary of ,state1 with ,mr4 ,fauchet1 had sent it to ,mr4 ,hammond1 the ,british minister in ,philadelphia4 ,he had put it into the hands of ,mr4 ,wolcott1 the secretary of the treasury1 who had shown it to the secretary of war and the attorney-general2 and the contents had been considered so extraordinary as to call forth the mysterious letter entreating the prompt return of ,washington4 ,the following passages in ,fauchet's intercepted despatch related to the ,western insurrection and the proclamation of ,washington3 ,two or three days before the proclamation was published1 and of course before the cabinet had resolved on its measures1 the secretary of ,state came to my house4 ,all his countenance was grief4 ,he requested of me a private conversation4 ,it is all over1 he said to me2 a civil war is about to ravage our unhappy country4 ,four men1 by their talents1 their influence1 and their energy1 may save it4 ,but debtors of ,english merchants1 they will be deprived of their liberty if they take the smallest step4 ,could you lend them instantaneously funds to shelter them from ,english prosecution8 ,this inquiry astonished me much4 ,it was impossible for me to make a satisfactory answer4 ,you know my want of power and deficiency in pecuniary means4444 ,thus1 with some thousands of dollars1 the ,republic could have decided on civil war or peace4 ,thus the consciences of the pretended patriots of ,america have already their price4 ,the perusal of the letter gave ,washington deep perplexity and concern4 ,he revolved the matter in his mind in silence4 ,the predominant object of his thoughts recently had been to put a stop to the public agitation on the subject of the treaty2 and he postponed any new question of difficulty until decided measures had laid the other at rest4 ,on the next day1 therefore1 7#abth17 he brought before the cabinet the question of immediate ratification4 ,it was finally agreed to ratify the treaty immediately2 but to accompany the ratification with a strong memorial against the provision order4 ,the ratification was signed by ,washington on the #ahth of ,august4 ,his conduct towards ,randolph1 in the interim1 had been as usual1 but now that the despatch of public business no longer demanded the entire attention of the cabinet1 he proceeded to clear up the doubts occasioned by the intercepted despatch4 ,accordingly1 on the following day1 as ,randolph entered the cabinet1 ,washington1 who was conversing with ,pickering and ,wolcott1 rose and handed to him the letter of ,fauchet1 asking an explanation of the questionable parts4 ,randolph appears to have been less agitated by the production of the letter1 than hurt that the inquiry concerning it had not first been made of him in private4 ,he postponed making any specific reply until he should have time to examine the letter at his leisure2 and observed on retiring1 that1 after the treatment he had experienced he could not think of remaining in office a moment longer4 ,in a letter to the ,president the same day he writes3 ,your confidence in me1 sir1 has been unlimited1 and ,i can truly affirm unabused4 ,my sensations1 then1 cannot be concealed1 when ,i find that confidence so suddenly withdrawn1 without a word or distant hint being previously dropped to me4 ,this1 sir1 as ,i mentioned in your room1 is a situation in which ,i cannot hold my present office1 and therefore ,i hereby resign it4 ,it will not1 however1 be concluded from hence that ,i mean to relinquish the inquiry4 ,no1 sir2 very far from it4 ,i will also meet any inquiry2 and to prepare for it1 if ,i learn there is a chance of overtaking ,mr4 ,fauchet before he sails1 ,i will go to him immediately4 ,i have to beg the favor of you to permit me to be furnished with a copy of the letter1 and ,i will prepare an answer to it2 which ,i perceive that ,i cannot do as ,i wish1 merely upon the few hasty memoranda which ,i took with my pencil4444 ,i here most solemnly deny that any overture came from me1 which was to produce money to me or any others for me2 and that in any manner1 directly or indirectly1 was a shilling ever received by me2 nor was it ever contemplated by me1 that one shilling should be applied by ,mr4 ,fauchet to any purpose relative to the insurrection4 ,washington1 in reply1 observes3 ,whilst you are in pursuit of means to remove the strong suspicions arising from this letter1 no disclosure of its contents will be made by me2 and ,i will enjoin the same on the public officers who are acquainted with the purport of it4444 ,no man would rejoice more than ,i to find that the suspicions which have resulted from the intercepted letter were unequivocally and honorably removed4 ,mr4 ,fauchet1 in the meantime1 having learnt previous to embarkation1 that his despatch had been intercepted1 wrote a declaration1 denying that ,mr4 ,randolph had ever indicated a willingness to receive money for personal objects1 and affirming that he had had no intention to say anything in his letter to his government to the disadvantage of ,mr4 ,randolph's character4 ,mr4 ,randolph now set to work to prepare a pamphlet in explanation of his conduct4 ,while thus occupied he addressed several notes to ,washington1 requiring information on various points1 and received concise answers to all his queries4 ,on one occasion1 where he had required a particular paper1 he published in the ,gazette an extract from his note to ,washington2 as if fearing the request might be denied1 lest the paper in question should lay open many confidential and delicate matters4 ,in reply1 ,washington writes3 ,that you may have no cause to complain of the withholding of any paper1 however private and confidential1 which you shall think necessary in a case of so serious a nature 444 you are at full liberty to publish1 without reserve1 any and every private and confidential letter ,i ever wrote to you2 nay more1 every word ,i ever uttered to you or in your hearing1 from whence you can derive any advantage in your vindication4 ,the vindication which ,mr4 ,randolph had been preparing appeared in ,december4 ,in this1 he gave a narrative of the principal events relating to the case1 his correspondence with the ,president1 and the whole of the ,french minister's letter4 ,he endeavored to explain those parts of the letter which had brought the purity of his conduct in question2 but1 as has been observed1 he had a difficult task to perform1 as he was obliged to prove a negative1 and to explain vague expressions and insinuations connected with his name in ,fauchet's letter4 ,fauchet himself furnished the best vindication in his certificate above mentioned2 but it is difficult to reconcile his certificate with the language of his official letter to his government4 ,we are rather inclined to attribute to misconceptions and hasty inferences of the ,french minister1 the construction put by him in his letter on the conversation he had held with ,mr4 ,randolph4 ,the latter injured his cause by the embittered feelings manifested in his vindication1 and the asperity with which he spoke of ,washington there and elsewhere4 ,he deeply regretted it in after life4 ,after a considerable interval from the resignation of ,randolph1 ,colonel ,pickering was transferred to the department of ,state1 and ,mr4 ,james ,mc,henry was appointed ,secretary of ,war4 ,the office of attorney-general becoming vacant by the death of ,mr4 ,bradford1 was offered to ,mr4 ,charles ,lee of ,virginia1 and accepted by him on the last day of ,november4 ,during the late agitations1 ,george ,washington ,lafayette1 the son of the general1 had arrived at ,boston under the name of ,motier1 accompanied by his tutor1 ,m4 ,frestel1 and had written to ,washington apprising him of his arrival4 ,it was an embarrassing moment to ,washington4 ,the letter excited his deepest sensibility1 bringing with it recollections of ,lafayette's merits1 services1 and sufferings1 and of their past friendship1 and he resolved to become father1 friend1 protector1 and supporter to his son4 ,but he must proceed with caution2 on account of his own official character as ,executive of the ,united ,states1 and of the position of ,lafayette in regard to the ,french government4 ,caution1 also1 was necessary1 not to endanger the situation of the young man himself1 and of his mother and friends whom he had left behind4 ,philadelphia would not be an advisable residence for him at present1 until it was seen what opinions would be excited by his arrival2 as ,washington would for some time be absent from the seat of government1 while all the foreign functionaries were residing there1 particularly those of his own nation4 ,washington suggested1 therefore1 that he should enter for the present as a student at the ,university in ,cambridge1 ,massachusetts1 and engaged to pay all the expenses for the residence there of himself and his tutor4 ,it was subsequently thought best that young ,lafayette should proceed to ,new ,york1 and remain in retirement1 at the country house of a friend in its vicinity1 pursuing his studies with his tutor1 until ,washington should direct otherwise4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,in his speech at the opening of the session of ,congress in ,december1 ,washington presented a cheerful summary of the events of the year4 ,first he announced that a treaty had been concluded provisionally by ,general ,wayne1 with the ,indians north-west of the ,ohio1 by which the termination of the long1 expensive1 and distressing war with those tribes was placed at the option of the ,united ,states4 ,a letter from the ,emperor of ,morocco1 recognizing a treaty which had been made with his deceased father1 insured the continuance of peace with that power4 ,the terms of a treaty with the ,dey and regency of ,algiers had been adjusted in a manner to authorize the expectation of a speedy peace in that quarter1 and the liberation of a number of ,american citizens from a long and grievous captivity4 ,a speedy and satisfactory conclusion was anticipated of a negotiation with the court of ,madrid1 which would lay the foundation of lasting harmony with a power whose friendship1 said ,washington1 we have uniformly and sincerely desired to cherish4 ,adverting to the treaty with ,great ,britain and its conditional ratification1 the result on the part of his ,britannic ,majesty was yet unknown1 but when ascertained1 would immediately be placed before ,congress4 ,in regard to internal affairs1 every part of the ,union gave indications of rapid and various improvement4 ,with burthens so light as scarcely to be perceived2 with resources fully adequate to present exigencies2 with governments founded on the genuine principles of rational liberty2 and with mild and wholesome laws1 was it too much to say that our country exhibited a spectacle of national happiness never surpassed1 if ever before equalled8 ,there was1 as usual1 a cordial answer from the ,senate2 but1 in the present ,house of ,representatives1 as in the last one1 the opposition were in the majority4 ,in the response reported by a committee1 one clause expressing undiminished confidence in the chief magistrate was demurred to2 some members affirmed that1 with them1 it had been considerably diminished by a late transaction4 ,after a warm altercation1 to avoid a direct vote1 the response was recommitted1 and the clause objected to modified4 ,the following is the form adopted3 ,in contemplating that spectacle of national happiness which our country exhibits1 and of which you1 sir1 have been pleased to make an interesting summary1 permit us to acknowledge and declare the very great share which your zealous and faithful services have contributed to it1 and to express the affectionate attachment which we feel for your character4 ,in ,february the treaty with ,great ,britain1 as modified by the advice of the ,senate1 came back ratified by the king of ,great ,britain1 and on the last of the month a proclamation was issued by the ,president1 declaring it to be the supreme law of the land4 ,the opposition in the ,house of ,representatives were offended that ,washington should issue this proclamation before the sense of that body had been taken on the subject1 and denied the power of the ,president and ,senate to complete a treaty without its sanction4 ,they were bent on defeating it by refusing to pass the laws necessary to carry it into effect2 and1 as a preliminary1 passed a resolution requesting the ,president to lay before the ,house the instruction to ,mr4 ,jay1 and the correspondence and other documents relative to the treaty4 ,washington1 believing that these papers could not be constitutionally demanded1 resolved1 he said1 from the first moment1 and from the fullest conviction of his mind1 to resist the principle1 which was evidently intended to be established by the call of the ,house2 he only deliberated on the manner in which this could be done with the least bad consequences4 ,after mature deliberation and with the assistance of the heads of departments and the ,attorney-,general1 he prepared and sent in to the ,house an answer to their request4 ,in this he dwelt upon the necessity of caution and secrecy in foreign negotiations1 as one cogent reason for vesting the power of making treaties in the ,president1 with the advice and consent of the ,senate1 the principle on which that body was formed1 confining it to a small number of members4 ,to admit a right in the ,house of ,representatives to demand and have all the papers respecting a foreign negotiation would1 he observed1 be to establish a dangerous precedent4 ,after various further remarks1 he concludes3 ,as1 therefore1 it is perfectly clear to my understanding that the assent of the ,house of ,representatives is not necessary to the validity of a treaty2 as the treaty with ,great ,britain exhibits itself in all the objects requiring legislative provision2 and on these1 the papers called for can throw no light2 and as it is essential to the due administration of the government that the boundaries fixed by the constitution between the different departments should be observed1 a just regard to the constitution and to the duty of my office1 under all the circumstances of this case1 forbid a compliance with your request4 ,a resolution to make provision for carrying the treaty into effect1 gave rise to an animated and protracted debate4 ,meanwhile1 the whole country became agitated on the subject2 meetings were held throughout the ,united ,states1 and it soon became apparent that the popular feeling was with the minority in the ,house of ,representatives1 who favored the making of the necessary appropriations4 ,the public will prevailed1 and1 on the last day of ,april1 the resolution was passed1 though by a close vote of fifty-one to forty-eight4 ,for some months past1 ,mr4 ,thomas ,pinckney had been solicitous to be relieved from his post of minister-plenipotentiary at ,london1 but the doubtful issue of the above dispute1 and the difficulty of finding a fit substitute for him1 had caused delay in the matter4 ,such a man at length presented in ,mr4 ,rufus ,king1 of ,new ,york4 ,mr4 ,king was nominated to the ,senate on the #aith of ,may1 and his nomination was confirmed4 ,on the #ast of ,june this session of ,congress terminated4 ,shortly after the recess of ,congress another change was made in the foreign diplomacy4 ,mr4 ,monroe1 when sent envoy to ,france1 had been especially instructed to explain the views and conduct of the ,united ,states in forming the treaty with ,england2 and had been amply furnished with documents for the purpose4 ,from his own letters1 however1 it appeared that he had omitted to use them4 ,whether this rose from undue attachment to ,france1 from mistaken notions of ,american interests1 or from real dislike to the treaty1 the result was the very evil he had been instructed to prevent4 ,the ,french government misconceived the views and conduct of the ,united ,states1 suspected their policy in regard to ,great ,britain1 and when aware that the ,house of ,representatives would execute the treaty made by ,jay1 became bitter in their resentment4 ,symptoms of this appeared in the capture of an ,american merchantman by a ,french privateer4 ,under these circumstances it was deemed expedient by ,washington and his cabinet to recall ,mr4 ,monroe1 and appoint another ,american citizen in his stead4 ,the person chosen was ,charles ,cotesworth ,pinckney of ,south ,carolina1 elder brother of the late minister to ,london4 ,the period for the presidential election was drawing near1 and great anxiety began to be felt that ,washington would consent to stand for a third term4 ,no one1 it was agreed1 had greater claim to the enjoyment of retirement1 in consideration of public services rendered2 but it was thought the affairs of the country would be in a very precarious condition should he retire before the wars of ,europe were brought to a close4 ,washington1 however1 had made up his mind irrevocably on the subject1 and resolved to announce1 in a farewell address1 his intention of retiring4 ,such an instrument1 it will be recollected1 had been prepared for him from his own notes1 by ,mr4 ,madison1 when he had thought of retiring at the end of his first term4 ,as he was no longer in confidential intimacy with ,mr4 ,madison1 he turned to ,mr4 ,hamilton as his adviser and coadjutor1 and appears to have consulted him on the subject early in the present year4 ,we forbear to go into the vexed question concerning this address2 how much of it is founded on ,washington's original notes and heads of topics2 how much was elaborated by ,madison1 and how much is due to ,hamilton's recasting and revision4 ,the whole came under the supervision of ,washington2 and the instrument1 as submitted to the press1 was in his handwriting1 with many ultimate corrections and alterations4 ,washington had no pride of authorship2 his object always was to effect the purpose in hand1 and for that he occasionally invoked assistance1 to ensure a plain and clear exposition of his thoughts and intentions4 ,the address certainly breathes his spirit throughout1 is in perfect accordance with his words and actions4 ,it was published in ,september1 in a ,philadelphia paper called the ,daily ,advertiser4 ,congress formed a quorum on the #eth day of ,december1 the first day of the session which succeeded the publication of the ,farewell ,address4 ,on the #gth1 ,washington met the two ,houses of ,congress for the last time4 ,in his speech he recommended an institution for the improvement of agriculture1 a military academy1 a national university1 and a gradual increase of the navy4 ,the disputes with ,france were made the subject of the following remarks3 ,while in our external relations some serious inconveniences and embarrassments have been overcome and others lessened1 it is with much pain and deep regret ,i mention that circumstances of a very unwelcome nature have lately occurred4 ,our trade has suffered and is suffering extensive injuries in the ,west ,indies from the cruisers and agents of the ,french ,republic2 and communications have been received from its minister here1 which indicate the danger of a further disturbance of our commerce by its authority1 and which are in other respects far from agreeable4 ,it has been my constant1 sincere1 and earnest wish1 in conformity with that of our nation1 to maintain cordial harmony and a perfectly friendly understanding with that ,republic4 ,in concluding his address he observes3 ,the situation in which ,i now stand for the last time in the midst of the representatives of the people of the ,united ,states1 naturally recalls the period when the administration of the present form of government commenced1 and ,i cannot omit the occasion to congratulate you and my country on the success of the experiment1 nor to repeat my fervent supplications to the ,supreme ,ruler of the universe and ,sovereign ,arbiter of nations1 that his providential care may be still extended to the ,united ,states2 that the virtue and happiness of the people may be preserved1 and that the government which they have instituted for the protection of their liberties may be perpetual4 ,the ,senate1 in their reply to the address1 after concurring in its views of the national prosperity1 as resulting from the excellence of the constitutional system and the wisdom of the legislative provisions1 added1 that they would be deficient in gratitude and justice did they not attribute a great portion of these advantages to the virtue1 firmness and talents of his administration1 conspicuously displayed in the most trying times1 and on the most critical occasions4 ,the reply of the ,house1 after premising attention to the various subjects recommended to their consideration in the address1 concluded by a warm expression of gratitude and admiration1 inspired by the virtues and services of the ,president1 by his wisdom1 firmness1 moderation and magnanimity2 and testifying to the deep regret with which they contemplated his intended retirement from office4 ,the reverence and affection expressed for him in both ,houses of ,congress1 and their regret at his intended retirement1 were in unison with testimonials from various ,state legislatures and other public bodies1 which were continually arriving since the publication of his ,farewell ,address4 ,during the actual session of ,congress1 ,washington endeavored to prevent the misunderstandings1 which were in danger of being augmented1 between the ,united ,states and the ,french ,government4 ,in the preceding month of ,november1 ,mr4 ,adet1 the ,french minister1 had addressed a letter to the ,secretary of ,state1 recapitulating the complaints against the government of the ,united ,states made by his predecessors and himself1 denouncing the insidious proclamation of neutrality and the wrongs growing out of it1 and using language calculated to inflame the partisans of ,france2 a copy of which letter had been sent to the press for publication4 ,one of the immediate objects he had in view in timing the publication was supposed by ,washington to be to produce an effect on the presidential election2 his ultimate object1 to establish such an influence in the country as to sway the government and control its measures4 ,early in ,january1 #agig1 therefore1 ,washington requested ,mr4 ,pickering1 the ,secretary of ,state1 to address a letter to ,mr4 ,pinckney1 ,united ,states minister to ,france1 stating all the complaints alleged by the ,french minister against the government1 examining and reviewing the same1 and accompanying the statement with a collection of letters and papers relating to the transaction therein adverted to4 ,the letter to ,mr4 ,pinckney1 with its accompanying documents1 was laid before ,congress on the #aith of ,january1 7#agig71 to be transmitted to that minister4 ,in the month of ,february the votes taken at the recent election were opened and counted in ,congress2 when ,mr4 ,adams1 having the highest number1 was declared ,president1 and ,mr4 ,jefferson1 having the next number1 ,vice-,president2 their term of four years to commence on the #dth of ,march next ensuing4 ,washington now began to count the days and hours that intervened between him and his retirement4 ,on the day preceding it1 he writes to his old fellow-soldier and political coadjutor1 ,henry ,knox3 ,to the wearied traveller1 who sees a resting place1 and is bending his body to lean thereon1 ,i now compare myself4444 ,the remainder of my life1 which in the course of nature cannot be long1 will be occupied in rural amusements2 and though ,i shall seclude myself as much as possible from the noisy and bustling world1 none would1 more than myself1 be regaled by the company of those ,i esteem1 at ,mount ,vernon1 more than twenty miles from which1 after ,i arrive there1 it is not likely that ,i shall ever be4 ,on the #c;d of ,march1 he gave a kind of farewell dinner to the foreign ministers and their wives1 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,adams1 ,mr4 ,jefferson1 and other conspicuous personages of both sexes4 ,during the dinner much hilarity prevailed1 says ,bishop ,white1 who was present4 ,when the cloth was removed ,washington filled his glass3 ,ladies and gentlemen1 said he1 this is the last time ,i shall drink your health as a public man2 ,i do it with sincerity1 wishing you all possible happiness4 ,the gayety of the company was checked in an instant2 all felt the importance of this leave-taking4 ,on the #dth of ,march1 an immense crowd had gathered about ,congress ,hall4 ,at eleven o'clock1 ,mr4 ,jefferson took the oath as ,vice-,president in the presence of the ,senate2 and proceeded with that body to the ,chamber of the ,house of ,representatives1 which was densely crowded1 many ladies occupying chairs ceded to them by members4 ,after a time1 ,washington entered amidst enthusiastic cheers and acclamations1 and the waving of handkerchiefs4 ,at the close of the ceremony1 as ,washington moved toward the door to retire1 there was a rush from the gallery to the corridor that threatened the loss of life or limb1 so eager were the throng to catch a last look of one who had so long been the object of public veneration4 ,when ,washington was in the street he waved his hat in return for the cheers of the multitude1 his countenance radiant with benignity1 his gray hairs streaming in the wind4 ,the crowd followed him to his door2 there1 turning round1 his countenance assumed a grave and almost melancholy expression1 his eyes were bathed in tears1 his emotions were too great for utterance1 and only by gestures could he indicate his thanks and convey his farewell blessing4 ,in the evening a splendid banquet was given to him by the principal inhabitants of ,philadelphia in the ,amphitheatre1 which was decorated with emblematical paintings4 ,all the heads of departments1 the foreign ministers1 several officers of the late army1 and various persons of note1 were present4 ,among the paintings1 one represented the home of his heart1 the home to which he was about to hasten--,mount ,vernon4 ,,chapter ,,lxxvi4 ,,washington',s ,,retirement ,,and ,,death4 ,the limitations of this volume render it necessary to condense the remaining portions of ,washington's biography into as few sentences as possible4 ,washington's official career being terminated1 he set off for ,mount ,vernon accompanied by ,mrs4 ,washington1 her grand-daughter1 ,miss ,nelly ,custis1 and ,george ,washington ,lafayette1 with his preceptor4 ,once more at ,mount ,vernon1 that haven of repose to which he had so often turned a wistful eye1 he surrendered himself to those agricultural and rural pursuits for which he had a fondness4 ,he was beset with many visitors1 and as a relief from some of the duties of hospitality he persuaded his nephew1 ,lawrence ,lewis1 to become an inmate of ,mount ,vernon4 ,an attachment grew up between young ,lewis and ,miss ,nelly ,custis1 which eventuated in their union4 ,the fate of ,lafayette1 who had been thrown into prison at ,olmutz1 had awakened the earnest solicitude of ,washington1 but in the autumn of this year 7#agig71 letters were received by young ,lafayette that his father had been released and was on his way to ,paris4 ,george ,lafayette1 anxious to join his father's family1 immediately sailed from ,new ,york with his tutor1 on the #bfth of ,october4 ,the differences between ,france and ,america were now assuming an alarming aspect4 ,the ,french government1 in the recall of ,mr4 ,monroe1 had refused to receive his successor4 ,in view of this fact1 and of the capture of ,american vessels by ,french cruisers1 ,president ,adams convened an extra session of ,congress on the #aeth of ,may4 ,three special envoys to ,france were appointed by ,mr4 ,adams1 who1 it was hoped1 would be able to adjust all differences by a treaty between the two powers4 ,their mission was unsuccessful4 ,the ,directory now believing that the ,,people of ,america would not sustain their government in a war against ,france1 enacted a law subjecting to capture and condemnation neutral vessels and their cargoes1 if any portion of the latter was of ,british production1 although the entire property belonged to neutrals4 ,as the ,united ,states were at this time the great neutral carriers1 this decree struck at a vital point in their maritime power4 ,when this act became known the spirit of the nation was aroused1 and war with ,france seemed inevitable4 ,the government resolved on vigorous measures2 the ,president was authorized to enlist ten thousand men1 and the ,senate nominated ,washington commander-in-chief of all the armies raised or to be raised4 ,the ,secretary of ,war bore the commission to ,washington in person1 who accepted the commission with great reluctance1 with the condition that he should not be called into the field until the army was in a situation to require his presence4 ,hamilton1 ,pinckney1 and ,knox were appointed major-generals4 ,knox1 indignant at being placed below those who were his juniors in the war of the ,revolution1 refused to serve4 ,these military measures soon had their effect on ,french policy4 ,president ,adams received intimations that whatever plenipotentiary the ,united ,states might send to ,france to put an end to the existing differences between the two countries1 would be received with the respect due to the representative of a free1 independent1 and powerful nation4 ,mr4 ,adams1 glad to escape from his belligerent difficulties1 laid these facts before the ,senate on the #ahth of ,february1 7#agii71 and nominated ,mr4 ,murray as envoy4 ,oliver ,ellsworth and ,mr4 ,davie were ultimately associated with him in the mission4 ,they sailed on the #c;d of the following ,november4 ,washington continued to superintend from a distance the concerns of the army1 as his ample and minute correspondence manifests2 and he was at the same time earnestly endeavoring to bring the affairs of his rural domain into order4 ,it was a period of incessant activity and toil1 therefore1 both mental and bodily4 ,he was for hours in his study occupied with his pen1 and for hours on horseback1 riding the rounds of his extensive estate1 visiting the various farms1 and superintending the works in operation4 ,all this he did with unfailing vigor1 though now in his sixty-seventh year4 ,winter had now set in1 with occasional wind and rain and frost1 yet ,washington still kept up his active round of in-door and out-door avocations1 as his diary records4 ,he was in full health and vigor1 dined out occasionally1 and had frequent guests at ,mount ,vernon4 ,for some time past he had been occupied in digesting a complete system on which his estate was to be managed for several succeeding years2 specifying the cultivation of the several farms1 with tables designating the rotations of the crops4 ,it occupied thirty folio pages1 and was executed with that clearness and method which characterized all his business papers4 ,this was finished on the #ajth of ,december1 and was accompanied by a letter of that date to his manager or steward4 ,according to his diary1 the morning on which these voluminous instructions to his steward were dated was clear and calm1 but the afternoon was lowering4 ,the next day 7#aath71 he notes that there was wind and rain1 and at night a large circle round the moon4 ,the morning of the #abth was overcast4 ,about ten o'clock he mounted his horse1 and rode out as usual to make the rounds of the estate4 ,the ominous ring round the moon1 which he had observed on the preceding night1 proved a fatal portent4 ,about one o'clock1 he notes1 it began to snow1 soon after to hail1 and then turned to a settled cold rain4 ,having on an overcoat1 he continued his ride without regarding the weather1 and did not return to the house until after three4 ,his secretary approached him with letters to be franked1 that they might be taken to the post-office in the evening4 ,washington franked the letters1 but observed that the weather was too bad to send a servant out with them4 ,mr4 ,lear perceived that snow was hanging from his hair1 and expressed fears that he had got wet2 but he replied1 ,no1 his great coat had kept him dry4 ,as dinner had been waiting for him he sat down to table without changing his dress4 ,in the evening1 writes his secretary1 he appeared as well as usual4 ,on the following morning the snow was three inches deep and still falling1 which prevented him from taking his usual ride4 ,he complained of a sore throat1 and had evidently taken cold the day before4 ,in the afternoon the weather cleared up1 and he went out on the grounds between the house and the river1 to mark some trees which were to be cut down4 ,a hoarseness which had hung about him through the day grew worse towards night1 but he made light of it4 ,he was very cheerful in the evening1 as he sat in the parlor with ,mrs4 ,washington and ,mr4 ,lear1 amusing himself with the papers which had been brought from the post-office4 ,on retiring to bed1 ,mr4 ,lear suggested that he should take something to relieve the cold4 ,no1 replied he1 you know ,i never take anything for a cold4 ,let it go as it came4 ,in the night he was taken extremely ill with ague and difficulty of breathing4 ,between two and three o'clock in the morning he awoke ,mrs4 ,washington1 who would have risen to call a servant2 but he would not permit her1 lest she should take cold4 ,at daybreak1 when the servant woman entered to make a fire1 she was sent to call ,mr4 ,lear4 ,he found the general breathing with difficulty1 and hardly able to utter a word intelligibly4 ,washington desired that ,dr4 ,craik1 who lived in ,alexandria1 should be sent for1 and that in the meantime1 ,rawlins1 one of the overseers1 should be summoned to bleed him before the doctor could arrive4 ,a gargle was prepared for his throat1 but whenever he attempted to swallow any of it1 he was convulsed and almost suffocated4 ,rawlins made his appearance soon after sunrise1 but when the general's arm was ready for the operation became agitated4 ,don't be afraid1 said the general1 as well as he could speak4 ,rawlins made an incision4 ,the orifice is not large enough1 said ,washington4 ,the blood1 however1 ran pretty freely1 and ,mrs4 ,washington1 uncertain whether the treatment was proper1 and fearful that too much blood might be taken1 begged ,mr4 ,lear to stop it4 ,when he was about to untie the string the general put up his hand to prevent him1 and as soon as he could speak1 murmured1 more--more2 but ,mrs4 ,washington's doubts prevailed1 and the bleeding was stopped1 after about half a pint of blood had been taken4 ,external applications were now made to the throat1 and his feet were bathed in warm water1 but without affording any relief4 ,his old friend1 ,dr4 ,craik1 arrived between eight and nine1 and two other physicians1 ,drs4 ,dick and ,brown1 were called in4 ,various remedies were tried1 and additional bleeding1 but all of no avail4 ,about half-past four o'clock1 writes ,mr4 ,lear1 he desired me to call ,mrs4 ,washington to his bedside1 when he requested her to go down into his room and take from his desk two wills1 which she would find there1 and bring them to him1 which she did4 ,upon looking at them1 he gave her one1 which he observed was useless1 as being superseded by the other1 and desired her to burn it1 which she did1 and took the other and put it into her closet4 ,in the course of the afternoon he appeared to be in great pain and distress from the difficulty of breathing1 and frequently changed his posture in the bed4 ,about five o'clock his old friend1 ,dr4 ,craik1 came again into the room1 and approached the bedside4 ,doctor1 said the general1 ,i die hard1 but ,i am not afraid to go4 ,i believed1 from my first attack1 that ,i should not survive it--my breath cannot last long4 ,the doctor pressed his hand in silence1 retired from the bedside1 and sat by the fire absorbed in grief4 ,between five and six the other physicians came in1 and he was assisted to sit up in his bed4 ,i feel ,i am going1 said he2 ,i thank you for your attentions1 but ,i pray you to take no more trouble about me2 let me go off quietly2 ,i cannot last long4 ,he lay down again2 all retired excepting ,dr4 ,craik4 ,the general continued uneasy and restless1 but without complaining1 frequently asking what hour it was4 ,further remedies were tried without avail in the evening4 ,he took whatever was offered him1 did as he was desired by the physicians1 and never uttered sigh or complaint4 ,about ten minutes before he expired 7which was between ten and eleven o'clock71 ,mr4 ,lear further writes1 his breathing became easier4 ,he lay quietly2 he withdrew his hand from mine and felt his own pulse4 ,i saw his countenance change4 ,i spoke to ,dr4 ,craik1 who sat by the fire4 ,he came to the bedside4 ,the general's hand fell from his wrist4 ,i took it in mine and pressed it to my bosom4 ,dr4 ,craik put his hands over his eyes1 and he expired without a struggle or a sigh4 ,we add from ,mr4 ,lear's account a few particulars concerning the funeral4 ,the old family vault on the estate had been opened1 the rubbish cleared away1 and a door made to close the entrance1 which before had been closed with brick4 ,the funeral took place on the #ahth of ,december4 ,about eleven o'clock the people of the neighborhood began to assemble4 ,the corporation of ,alexandria1 with the militia and ,freemasons of the place1 and eleven pieces of cannon1 arrived at a later hour4 ,a schooner was stationed off ,mount ,vernon to fire minute guns4 ,about three o'clock the procession began to move1 passing out through the gate at the left wing of the house1 proceeding round in front of the lawn and down to the vault1 on the right wing of the house2 minute guns being fired at the time4 ,the troops1 horse and foot1 formed the escort2 then came four of the clergy2 then the general's horse1 with his saddle1 holsters1 and pistols1 led by two grooms in black4 ,the body was borne by the ,freemasons and officers2 several members of the family and old friends1 among the number ,dr4 ,craik1 and some of the ,fairfaxes1 followed as chief mourners4 ,the corporation of ,alexandria and numerous private persons closed the procession4 ,the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,davis read the funeral service at the vault1 and pronounced a short address2 after which the ,masons performed their ceremonies1 and the body was deposited in the vault4 ,on opening the will which he had handed to ,mrs4 ,washington shortly before his death1 it was found to have been carefully drawn up by himself in the preceding ,july2 and by an act in conformity with his whole career1 one of its first provisions directed the emancipation of his slaves on the decease of his wife4 ,it had long been his earnest wish that the slaves held by him in his own right should receive their freedom during his life1 but he had found that it would be attended with insuperable difficulties on account of their intermixture by marriage with the dower negroes1 whom it was not in his power to manumit under the tenure by which they were held4 ,with provident benignity he also made provision in his will for such as were to receive their freedom under this devise1 but who1 from age1 bodily infirmities1 or infancy1 might be unable to support themselves1 and he expressly forbade1 under any pretence whatsoever1 the sale or transportation out of ,virginia of any slave of whom he might die possessed4 ,a deep sorrow spread over the nation on hearing that ,washington was no more4 ,congress1 which was in session1 immediately adjourned for the day4 ,the next morning it was resolved that the ,speaker's chair be shrouded with black3 that the members and officers of the ,house wear black during the session1 and that a joint committee of both ,houses be appointed to consider on the most suitable manner of doing honor to the memory of the man1 first in war1 first in peace1 and first in the hearts of his fellow-citizens4 ,public testimonials of grief and reverence were displayed in every part of the ,union4 ,nor were these sentiments confined to the ,united ,states4 ,when the news of ,washington's death reached ,england1 ,lord ,bridport1 who had command of a ,british fleet of nearly sixty sail of the line1 lying at ,torbay1 lowered his flag half-mast1 every ship following the example2 and ,bonaparte1 ,first ,consul of ,france1 on announcing his death to the army1 ordered that black crape should be suspended from all the standards and flags throughout the public service for ten days4 ,the character of ,washington may want some of those poetical elements which dazzle and delight the multitude1 but it possessed fewer inequalities1 and a rarer union of virtues than perhaps ever fell to the lot of one man4 ,prudence1 firmness1 sagacity1 moderation1 an overruling judgment1 an immovable justice1 courage that never faltered1 patience that never wearied1 truth that disdained all artifice1 magnanimity without alloy4 ,it seems as if ,providence had endowed him in a preminent degree with the qualities requisite to fit him for the high destiny he was called upon to fulfil--to conduct a momentous revolution which was to form an era in the history of the world1 and to inaugurate a new and untried government1 which1 to use his own words1 was to lay the foundation for the enjoyment of much purer civil liberty1 and greater public happiness1 than have hitherto been the portion of mankind4 ,the fame of ,washington stands apart from every other in history2 shining with a truer lustre and a more benignant glory4 ,with us his memory remains a national property1 where all sympathies throughout our widely-extended and diversified empire meet in unison4 ,under all dissensions and amid all the storms of party1 his precepts and example speak to us from the grave with a paternal appeal2 and his name--by all revered--forms a universal tie of brotherhood--a watchword of our ,union4 ,,the ,,end4