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diff --git a/18592-8.txt b/18592-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6692cf6 --- /dev/null +++ b/18592-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15137 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of George Washington, Vol. 2 (of 5), by +John Marshall + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Life of George Washington, Vol. 2 (of 5) + Commander in Chief of the American Forces During the War + which Established the Independence of his Country and First + President of the United States + +Author: John Marshall + +Release Date: June 15, 2006 [EBook #18592] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON *** + + + + +Produced by Linda Cantoni and David Widger + + + + + +THE + +LIFE + +OF + +GEORGE WASHINGTON, + +COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE + +AMERICAN FORCES, + +DURING THE WAR WHICH ESTABLISHED THE INDEPENDENCE OF HIS COUNTRY, AND + +FIRST PRESIDENT + +OF THE + +UNITED STATES. + +COMPILED UNDER THE INSPECTION OF + +THE HONOURABLE BUSHROD WASHINGTON, + +FROM + +_ORIGINAL PAPERS_ + +BEQUEATHED TO HIM BY HIS DECEASED RELATIVE, AND NOW IN POSSESSION OF +THE AUTHOR. + +TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, + +AN INTRODUCTION, + +CONTAINING A COMPENDIOUS VIEW OF THE COLONIES PLANTED BY THE ENGLISH +ON THE + +CONTINENT OF NORTH AMERICA, + +FROM THEIR SETTLEMENT TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THAT WAR WHICH TERMINATED +IN THEIR + +INDEPENDENCE. + + +BY JOHN MARSHALL. + + +VOL. II. + + +THE CITIZENS' GUILD +OF WASHINGTON'S BOYHOOD HOME +FREDERICKSBURG, VA. + +1926 + +Printed in the U.S.A. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER I. + +Birth of Mr. Washington.... His mission to the French on the Ohio.... +Appointed Lieutenant Colonel of a regiment of regular troops.... +Surprises Monsieur Jumonville.... Capitulation of fort Necessity.... +Is appointed aid-de-camp to General Braddock.... Defeat and death of +that general.... Is appointed to the command of a regiment.... Extreme +distress of the frontiers, and exertions of Colonel Washington to +augment the regular forces of the colony.... Expedition against fort +Du Quesne.... Defeat of Major Grant.... Fort Du Quesne evacuated by +the French, and taken possession of by the English.... Resignation of +Colonel Washington.... His marriage. + + +CHAPTER II. + +Colonel Washington appointed commander-in-chief of the American +forces.... Arrives at Cambridge.... Strength and disposition of the +two armies.... Deficiency of the Americans in arms and ammunitions.... +Falmouth burnt.... Success of the American cruisers.... Distress of +the British from the want of fresh provisions.... Measures to form a +continental army.... Difficulty of re-enlisting the troops.... Plan +for attacking Boston.... General Lee detached to New York.... +Possession taken of the heights of Dorchester.... Boston evacuated.... +Correspondence respecting prisoners. + + +CHAPTER III. + +Invasion of Canada meditated.... Siege of St. John's.... Capture of +fort Chamblée.... Carleton defeated at Longueisle.... St. John's +capitulated.... Montreal surrenders.... Arnold's expedition.... He +arrives before Quebec.... Retires to Point Aux Trembles.... Montgomery +lays siege to Quebec.... Unsuccessful attack on that place.... Death +of Montgomery.... Blockade of Quebec.... General Thomas takes command +of the army.... The blockade raised.... General Sullivan takes the +command.... Battle of the Three Rivers.... Canada evacuated.... +General Carleton constructs a fleet.... Enters lake Champlain.... +Defeats the American flotilla.... Takes possession of Crown Point.... +Retires into winter quarters. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Transaction in Virginia.... Action at Great Bridge.... Norfolk +evacuated.... Burnt.... Transactions in North Carolina.... Action at +Moore's Creek Bridge.... Invasion of South Carolina.... British fleet +repulsed at Fort Moultrie.... Transactions in New York.... Measures +leading to Independence.... Independence declared. + + +CHAPTER V. + +Lord and Sir William Howe arrive before New York.... Circular letter +of Lord Howe.... State of the American Army.... The British land in +force on Long Island.... Battle of Brooklyn.... Evacuation of Long +Island.... Fruitless negotiations.... New York evacuated.... Skirmish +on the heights of Haerlem.... Letter on the state of the army. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +The British land at Frog's Neck.... The American army evacuates York +Island, except fort Washington.... Both armies move towards the White +Plains.... Battle of the White Plains.... The British army returns to +Kingsbridge.... General Washington crosses the North river.... The +lines of fort Washington carried by the British, and the garrison made +prisoners.... Evacuation of fort Lee.... Weakness of the American +army.... Ineffectual attempts to raise the militia.... General +Washington retreats through Jersey.... General Washington crosses the +Delaware.... Danger of Philadelphia.... Capture of General Lee.... The +British go into winter quarters.... Battle of Trenton.... Of +Princeton.... Firmness of congress. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +American army inoculated.... General Heath moves to Kingsbridge.... +Returns to Peekskill.... Skirmishes.... State of the army.... +Destruction of stores at Peekskill.... At Danbury.... Expedition to +Sagg Harbour.... Camp formed at Middlebrook.... Sir William Howe moves +out to Somerset Court House.... Returns to Amboy.... Attempts to cut +off the retreat of the American army to Middlebrook.... Lord +Cornwallis skirmishes with Lord Stirling.... General Prescott +surprised and taken.... The British army embarks. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +General Washington commences his march to the Delaware.... Takes +measures for checking Burgoyne.... British army land at Elk River.... +General Washington advances to Brandywine.... Retreat of Maxwell.... +Defeat at Brandywine.... Slight skirmish near the White Horse, and +retreat to French Creek.... General Wayne surprised.... General Howe +takes possession of Philadelphia.... Removal of Congress to Lancaster. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Measures to cut off the communication between the British army and +fleet.... Battle of Germantown.... Measures to intercept supplies to +Philadelphia.... Attack on fort Mifflin.... On Red Bank.... The +Augusta blows up.... Fort Mifflin evacuated.... Fort Mercer +evacuated.... The British open the communication with their fleet.... +Washington urged to attack Philadelphia.... General Howe marches out +to Chestnut Hill.... Returns to Philadelphia.... General Washington +goes into winter quarters. + + +CHAPTER X. + +Inquiry into the conduct of General Schuyler.... Burgoyne appears +before Ticonderoga.... Evacuation of that place,... of +Skeensborough.... Colonel Warner defeated.... Evacuation of fort +Anne.... Proclamation of Burgoyne.... Counter-proclamation of +Schuyler.... Burgoyne approaches fort Edward.... Schuyler retires to +Saratoga,... to Stillwater.... St. Leger invests fort Schuyler.... +Herkimer defeated.... Colonel Baum detached to Bennington.... is +defeated.... Brechman defeated.... St. Leger abandons the siege of +fort Schuyler.... Murder of Miss M'Crea.... General Gates takes +command.... Burgoyne encamps on the heights of Saratoga.... Battle of +Stillwater.... Burgoyne retreats to Saratoga.... Capitulates.... The +British take forts Montgomery and Clinton.... The forts Independence +and Constitution evacuated by the Americans.... Ticonderoga evacuated +by the British. + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Defects in the Commissary departments.... Distress of the army at +Valley Forge.... The army subsisted by impressments.... Combination in +congress against General Washington.... Correspondence between him and +General Gates.... Distress of the army for clothes.... Washington's +exertions to augment the army.... Congress sends a committee to +camp.... Attempt to surprise Captain Lee.... Congress determines on a +second expedition to Canada.... Abandons it.... General Conway +resigns.... The Baron Steuben appointed Inspector General.... Congress +forbids the embarkation of Burgoyne's army.... Plan of reconciliation +agreed to in Parliament.... Communicated to congress and rejected.... +Information of treaties between France and the United States.... +Complaints of the treatment of prisoners.... A partial exchange agreed +to. + + + + +THE LIFE + +OF + +GEORGE WASHINGTON + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Birth of Mr. Washington.... His mission to the French on the + Ohio.... Appointed Lieutenant Colonel of a regiment of + regular troops.... Surprises Monsieur Jumonville.... + Capitulation of fort Necessity.... Is appointed aid-de-camp + to General Braddock.... Defeat and death of that general.... + Is appointed to the command of a regiment.... Extreme + distress of the frontiers, and exertions of Colonel + Washington to augment the regular forces of the colony.... + Expedition against fort Du Quesne.... Defeat of Major + Grant.... Fort Du Quesne evacuated by the French, and taken + possession of by the English.... Resignation of Colonel + Washington.... His marriage. + + +{1732} + +[Sidenote: Birth of Mr. Washington.] + +George Washington, the third son of Augustine Washington, was born on +the 22d of February, 1732, near the banks of the Potowmac, in the +county of Westmoreland, in Virginia. His father first married Miss +Butler, who died in 1728; leaving two sons, Lawrence and Augustine. In +1730, he intermarried with Miss Mary Ball, by whom he had four sons, +George, John, Samuel and Charles; and one daughter, Betty, who +intermarried with Colonel Fielding Lewis, of Fredericksburg. + +His great grandfather, John Washington, a gentleman of a respectable +family, had emigrated from the north of England about the year 1657, +and settled on the place where Mr. Washington was born. + +At the age of ten years he lost his father. Deprived of one parent, he +became an object of more assiduous attention to the other; who +continued to impress those principles of religion and virtue on his +tender mind, which constituted the solid basis of a character that was +maintained through all the trying vicissitudes of an eventful life. +But his education was limited to those subjects, in which alone the +sons of gentlemen, of moderate fortune, were, at that time, generally +instructed. It was confined to acquisitions strictly useful, not even +extending to foreign languages. + +In 1743, his eldest brother intermarried with the daughter of the +Honourable George William Fairfax, then a member of the council; and +this connexion introduced Mr. Washington to Lord Fairfax, the +proprietor of the Northern Neck of Virginia, who offered him, when in +his eighteenth year, an appointment as surveyor, in the western part +of that territory. His patrimonial estate being inconsiderable, this +appointment was readily accepted; and in the performance of its +duties, he acquired that information respecting vacant lands, and +formed those opinions concerning their future value, which afterwards +contributed greatly to the increase of his private fortune. + +{1750} + +Those powerful attractions which the profession of arms presents to +young and ardent minds, possessed their full influence over Mr. +Washington. Stimulated by the enthusiasm of military genius, to take +part in the war in which Great Britain was then engaged, he had +pressed so earnestly to enter into the navy, that, at the age of +fifteen, a midshipman's warrant was obtained for him. The interference +of a timid and affectionate mother deferred the commencement, and +changed the direction of his military career. Four years afterwards, +at a time when the militia were to be trained for actual service, he +was appointed one of the Adjutants General of Virginia, with the rank +of Major. The duties annexed to this office soon yielded to others of +a more interesting character. + +France was beginning to develop the vast plan of connecting her +extensive dominions in America, by uniting Canada with Louisiana. The +troops of that nation had taken possession of a tract of country +claimed by Virginia, and had commenced a line of posts, to be extended +from the Lakes to the Ohio. The attention of Mr. Dinwiddie, Lieutenant +Governor of that Province, was attracted to these supposed +encroachments; and he deemed it his duty to demand, in the name of the +King his master, that they should be suspended. + +{1753} + +This mission was toilsome and hazardous. The Envoy would be under the +necessity of passing through an extensive and almost unexplored +wilderness, intersected with rugged mountains and considerable rivers, +and inhabited by fierce savages, who were either hostile to the +English, or of doubtful attachment. While the dangers and fatigues of +this service deterred others from undertaking it, they seem to have +possessed attractions for Mr. Washington, and he engaged in it with +alacrity. + +{October 31.} + +[Sidenote: His mission to the French on the Ohio.] + +On receiving his commission, he left Williamsburg and arrived, on the +14th of November, at Wills' creek, then the extreme frontier +settlement of the English, where guides were engaged to conduct him +over the Alleghany mountains. After surmounting the impediments +occasioned by the snow and high waters, he reached the mouth of Turtle +creek, where he was informed that the French General was dead, and +that the greater part of the army had retired into winter quarters. +Pursuing his route, he examined the country through which he passed +with a military eye, and selected the confluence of the Monongahela +and Alleghany rivers, the place where fort Du Quesne was afterwards +erected by the French, as an advantageous position, which it would be +adviseable to seize and to fortify immediately. + +{1754} + +{January 16} + +After employing a few days among the Indians in that neighbourhood, +and procuring some of their chiefs to accompany him, whose fidelity he +took the most judicious means to secure, he ascended the Alleghany +river. Passing one fort at the mouth of French creek, he proceeded up +the stream to a second, where he was received by Monsieur Le Gardeur +de St. Pierre, the commanding officer on the Ohio, to whom he +delivered the letter of Mr. Dinwiddie, and from whom he received an +answer with which he returned to Williamsburg. The exertions made by +Mr. Washington on this occasion, the perseverance with which he +surmounted the difficulties of the journey, and the judgment displayed +in his conduct towards the Indians, raised him in the public opinion, +as well as in that of the Lieutenant Governor. His journal,[1] drawn +up for the inspection of Mr. Dinwiddie, was published, and impressed +his countrymen with very favourable sentiments of his understanding +and fortitude. + + [Footnote 1: See note No. I. at the end of the volume.] + +[Sidenote: Appointed lieutenant colonel of a regiment of regular +troops.] + +[Sidenote: Surprises Monsieur Jumonville.] + +As the answer from the commandant of the French forces on the Ohio +indicated no disposition to withdraw from that country, it was deemed +necessary to make some preparations to maintain the right asserted +over it by the British crown; and the assembly of Virginia authorized +the executive to raise a regiment for that purpose, to consist of +three hundred men. The command of this regiment was given to Mr. +Fry,[2] and Major Washington was appointed Lieutenant Colonel. Anxious +to be engaged in active service, he obtained permission, about the +beginning of April, to advance with two companies to the Great Meadows +in the Alleghany mountains. By this movement he hoped to cover that +frontier, to make himself more perfectly acquainted with the country, +to gain some information respecting the situation and designs of the +French, and to preserve the friendship of the savages. Soon after his +arrival at that place, he was visited by some friendly Indians, who +informed him that the French, having dispersed a party of workmen +employed by the Ohio company to erect a fort on the south-eastern +branch of the Ohio, were themselves engaged in completing a +fortification at the confluence of the Alleghany and Monongahela +rivers: a detachment from which place was then on its march towards +his camp. Open hostilities had not yet commenced; but the country was +considered as invaded: and several circumstances were related, +confirming the opinion that this party was approaching with hostile +views. Among others, it had withdrawn itself some distance from the +path, and had encamped for the night in a bottom, as if to ensure +concealment. Entertaining no doubt of the unfriendly designs with +which these troops were advancing, Lieutenant Colonel Washington +resolved to anticipate them. Availing himself of the offer made by the +Indians to serve him as guides, he proceeded through a dark and rainy +night to the French encampment, which he completely surrounded. At +day-break, his troops fired and rushed upon the party, which +immediately surrendered. One man only escaped capture, and M. +Jumonville alone, the commanding officer, was killed. + + [Footnote 2: With an unaffected modesty which the + accumulated honours of his after life could never impair, + Major Washington, though the most distinguished military man + then in Virginia, declined being a candidate for the command + of this regiment. The following letter written on the + occasion to Colonel Richard Corbin, a member of the council, + with whom his family was connected by the ties of friendship + and of affinity, was placed in the hands of the author by + Mr. Francis Corbin, a son of that gentleman. + + "DEAR SIR,--In a conversation at Green Spring you gave me + some room to hope for a commission above that of a Major, + and to be ranked among the chief officers of this + expedition. The command of the whole forces is what I + neither look for, expect, or desire; for I must be impartial + enough to confess, it is a charge too great for my youth and + inexperience to be intrusted with. Knowing this, I have too + sincere a love for my country, to undertake that which may + tend to the prejudice of it. But if I could entertain hopes + that you thought me worthy of the post of + Lieutenant-colonel, and would favour me so far as to mention + it at the appointment of officers, I could not but entertain + a true sense of the kindness. + + "I flatter myself that under a skilful commander, or man of + sense, (which I most sincerely wish to serve under,) with my + own application and diligent study of my duty, I shall be + able to conduct my steps without censure, and in time, + render myself worthy of the promotion that I shall be + favoured with now." + + The commission he solicited was transmitted to him by Mr. + Corbin, in the following laconic letter: + + "DEAR GEORGE,--I inclose you your commission. God prosper + you with it. + + "Your friend, RICHARD CORBIN."] + +While the regiment was on its march to join the detachment advanced in +front, the command devolved on Lieutenant Colonel Washington by the +death of Colonel Fry. Soon after its arrival, it was reinforced by two +independent companies of regulars. After erecting a small stockade at +the Great Meadows, Colonel Washington commenced his march towards fort +Du Quesne, with the intention of dislodging the French from that +place. He had proceeded about thirteen miles, when he was met by some +friendly Indians, who informed him that the French and their savage +allies, "as numerous as the pigeons in the woods," were advancing +rapidly to meet him. Among those who brought this information was a +trusty chief, only two days from the fort on the Ohio, who had +observed the arrival of a considerable reinforcement at that place, +and had heard their intention of marching immediately to attack the +English, with a corps composed of eight hundred French and four +hundred Indians. This intelligence was corroborated by information +previously received from deserters, who had reported that a +reinforcement was expected. + +The troops commanded by Colonel Washington were almost destitute of +provisions; and the ground he occupied was not adapted to military +purposes. A road at some distance, leading through other defiles in +the mountains, would enable the French to pass into his rear, +intercept his supplies, and starve him into a surrender, or fight him +with a superiority of three to one. + +{June 23.} + +In this hazardous situation, a council of war unanimously advised a +retreat to the fort at the Great Meadows, now termed fort Necessity; +where the two roads united, and where the face of the country was such +as not to permit an enemy to pass unperceived. At that place, it was +intended to remain, until reinforcements of men, and supplies of +provisions, should arrive. + +{July 2.} + +{Third.} + +[Sidenote: Capitulation of fort Necessity.] + +{Fourth.} + +In pursuance of this advice, Colonel Washington returned to fort +Necessity, and began a ditch around the stockade. Before it was +completed, the French, amounting to about fifteen hundred men, +commanded by Monsieur de Villier, appeared before the fort, and +immediately commenced a furious attack upon it. They were received +with great intrepidity by the Americans, who fought partly within the +stockade, and partly in the surrounding ditch, which was nearly filled +with mud and water. Colonel Washington continued the whole day on the +outside of the fort, encouraging the soldiers by his countenance and +example. The assailants fought under cover of the trees and high +grass, with which the country abounds. The engagement was continued +with great resolution from ten in the morning until dark; when +Monsieur de Villier demanded a parley, and offered terms of +capitulation. The proposals first made were rejected; but, in the +course of the night, articles were signed, by which the fort was +surrendered, on condition that its garrison should be allowed the +honours of war--should be permitted to retain their arms and baggage, +and be suffered to march without molestation into the inhabited parts +of Virginia. The capitulation being in French--a language not +understood by any person in the garrison, and being drawn up hastily +in the night, contains an expression which was inaccurately translated +at the time, and of which advantage has been since taken, by the +enemies of Mr. Washington, to imply an admission on his part, that +Monsieur Jumonville was assassinated. An account of the transaction +was published by Monsieur de Villier, which drew from Colonel +Washington a letter to a friend, completely disproving the calumny. +Though entirely discredited at the time, it was revived at a +subsequent period, when circumstances, well understood at the date of +the transaction, were supposed to be forgotten.[3] + + [Footnote 3: See note No. II. at the end of the volume.] + +The loss of the Americans in this affair is not ascertained. From a +return made on the 9th of July, at Wills' Creek, it appears that the +killed and wounded, of the Virginia regiment, amounted to fifty-eight; +but the loss sustained by the two independent companies is not stated. +That of the assailants was supposed to be more considerable. + +Great credit was given to Colonel Washington by his countrymen, for +the courage displayed on this occasion. The legislature evinced its +satisfaction with the conduct of the whole party, by passing a vote of +thanks[4] to him, and the officers under his command; and by giving +three hundred pistoles, to be distributed among the soldiers engaged +in the action. + + [Footnote 4: To the vote of thanks, the officers made the + following reply: + + "We, the officers of the Virginia regiment, are highly + sensible of the particular mark of distinction with which + you have honoured us, in returning your thanks for our + behaviour in the late action; and can not help testifying + our grateful acknowledgments, for your '_high sense_' of + what we shall always esteem a duty to our country and the + best of kings. + + "Favoured with your regard, we shall zealously endeavour to + deserve your applause, and, by our future actions, strive to + convince the worshipful house of burgesses, how much we + esteem their approbation, and, as it ought to be, regard it + as the voice of our country. + + "Signed for the whole corps, + + "GEO: WASHINGTON."] + +The regiment returned to Winchester, to be recruited; soon after which +it was joined by a few companies from North Carolina and Maryland. On +the arrival of this reinforcement, the Lieutenant Governor, with the +advice of council, regardless of the condition or number of the +forces, ordered them immediately to march over the Alleghany +mountains, and to expel the French from fort Du Quesne, or to build +one in its vicinity. + +{August.} + +{September.} + +The little army in Virginia, which was placed under the command of +Colonel Innes, from North Carolina, did not, as now reinforced, exceed +half the number of the enemy, and was neither provided with the means +of moving, nor with supplies for a winter campaign. With as little +consideration, directions had been given for the immediate completion +of the regiment, without furnishing a single shilling for the +recruiting service. Although a long peace may account for many errors +at the commencement of war, some surprise will be felt at such +ill-considered and ill-judged measures. Colonel Washington +remonstrated strongly against these orders, but prepared to execute +them. The assembly, however, having risen without making any provision +for the farther prosecution of the war, this wild expedition was laid +aside, and the Virginia regiment was reduced to independent companies. + +In the course of the winter, orders were received "for settling the +rank of the officers of his majesty's forces when serving with the +provincials in North America." These orders directed "that all +officers commissioned by the King, or by his General in North America, +should take rank of all officers commissioned by the Governors of the +respective provinces; and farther, 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 crown; but that all +captains, and other inferior officers of the royal troops, should take +rank over provincial officers of the same grade, having senior +commissions." + +Strong as was his attachment to a military life, Colonel Washington +possessed in too eminent a degree the proud and punctilious feelings +of a soldier, to submit to a degradation so humiliating as was +produced by his loss of rank. Professing his unabated inclination to +continue in the service, if permitted to do so without a sacrifice too +great to be made, he retired indignantly from the station assigned +him, and answered the various letters which he received, pressing him +still to hold his commission, with assurances that he would serve with +pleasure, when he should be enabled to do so without dishonour. + +His eldest brother had lately died, and left him a considerable estate +on the Potowmac. This gentleman had served in the expedition against +Carthagena; and, in compliment to the admiral who commanded the fleet +engaged in that enterprise, had named his seat _Mount Vernon_! To this +delightful spot Colonel Washington withdrew, resolving to devote his +future attention to the avocations of private life. This resolution +was not long maintained. + +{1755} + +{March.} + +General Braddock, being informed of his merit, his knowledge of the +country which was to be the theatre of action, and his motives for +retiring from the service, gratified his desire to make one campaign +under a person supposed to possess some knowledge of war, by inviting +him to enter his family as a volunteer aid-de-camp. + +[Sidenote: Is appointed aid-de-camp to General Braddock.] + +{April.} + +{June.} + +Having determined to accept this invitation, he joined the +commander-in-chief, immediately after his departure from Alexandria, +and proceeded with him to Wills' Creek. The army, consisting of two +European regiments and a few corps of provincials, was detained at +that place until the 12th of June, by the difficulty of procuring +wagons, horses, and provisions. Colonel Washington, impatient under +these delays, suggested the propriety of using pack-horses instead of +wagons, for conveying the baggage. The commander-in-chief, although +solicitous to hasten the expedition, was so attached to the usages of +regular war, that this salutary advice was at first rejected; but, +soon after the commencement of the march, its propriety became too +obvious to be longer neglected. + +{Fifteenth.} + +On the third day after the army had moved from its ground, Colonel +Washington was seized with a violent fever, which disabled him from +riding on horseback, and was conveyed in a covered wagon. General +Braddock, who found the difficulties of the march greater than had +been expected, continuing to consult him privately, he strenuously +urged that officer to leave his heavy artillery and baggage with the +rear division of the army; and with a chosen body of troops and some +pieces of light artillery, to press forward with the utmost expedition +to fort Du Quesne. In support of this advice, he stated that the +French were then weak on the Ohio, but hourly expected reinforcements. +During the excessive drought which prevailed at that time, these could +not arrive; because the river Le Boeuf, on which their supplies must +be brought to Venango, did not then afford a sufficient quantity of +water for the purpose. A rapid movement therefore might enable him to +carry the fort, before the arrival of the expected aid; but if this +measure should not be adopted, such were the delays attendant on the +march of the whole army, that rains sufficient to raise the waters +might reasonably be expected, and the whole force of the French would +probably be collected for their reception; a circumstance which would +render the success of the expedition doubtful. + +This advice according well with the temper of the commander-in-chief, +it was determined in a council of war, held at the Little Meadows, +that twelve hundred select men, to be commanded by General Braddock in +person, should advance with the utmost expedition against fort Du +Quesne. Colonel Dunbar was to remain with the residue of the two +regiments, and all the heavy baggage. + +{June 19.} + +Although this select corps commenced its march with only thirty +carriages, including ammunition wagons, the hopes which had been +entertained of the celerity of its movements were not fulfilled. "I +found," said Colonel Washington, in a letter to his brother, written +during the march, "that instead of pushing on with vigour, without +regarding a little rough road, they were halting to level every +mole-hill, and to erect bridges over every brook." By these means they +employed four days in reaching the great crossings of the Yohiogany, +only nineteen miles from the Little Meadows. + +Colonel Washington was obliged to stop at that place;--the physician +having declared that his life would be endangered by continuing with +the army. He obeyed, with reluctance, the positive orders of the +general to remain at this camp, under the protection of a small guard, +until the arrival of Colonel Dunbar; having first received a promise +that means should be used to bring him up with the army before it +reached fort Du Quesne. + +{July 8.} + +The day before the action of the Monongahela he rejoined the general +in a covered wagon; and, though weak, entered on the duties of his +station. + +In a short time after the action had commenced, Colonel Washington was +the only aid remaining alive, and unwounded. The whole duty of +carrying the orders of the commander-in-chief, in an engagement with +marksmen who selected officers, and especially those on horseback, for +their objects, devolved on him alone. Under these difficult +circumstances, he manifested that coolness, that self-possession, that +fearlessness of danger which ever distinguished him, and which are so +necessary to the character of a consummate soldier. Two horses were +killed under him, and four balls passed through his coat; but, to the +astonishment of all, he escaped unhurt,--while every other officer on +horseback was either killed or wounded. "I expected every moment," +says an eye-witness,[5] "to see him fall. His duty and situation +exposed him to every danger. Nothing but the superintending care of +Providence could have saved him from the fate of all around him." + + [Footnote 5: Dr. Craik.] + +[Sidenote: Defeat and death of that general.] + +{August.} + +At length, after an action of nearly three hours, General Braddock, +under whom three horses had been killed, received a mortal wound; and +his troops fled in great disorder. Every effort to rally them was +ineffectual until they had crossed the Monongahela, when, being no +longer pursued, they were again formed. The general was brought off in +a small tumbril by Colonel Washington, Captain Stewart of the guards, +and his servant. The defeated detachment retreated with the utmost +precipitation to the rear division of the army; soon after which, +Braddock expired. In the first moments of alarm, all the stores were +destroyed, except those necessary for immediate use; and not long +afterwards, Colonel Dunbar marched the remaining European troops to +Philadelphia, in order to place them in, what he termed, winter +quarters. + +Colonel Washington was greatly disappointed and disgusted by the +conduct of the regular troops in this action. In his letter to +Lieutenant Governor Dinwiddie, giving an account of it, he said, "They +were struck with such an inconceivable panic, that nothing but +confusion and disobedience of orders prevailed among them. The +officers in general behaved with incomparable bravery, for which they +greatly suffered; there being upwards of sixty killed and wounded--a +large proportion out of what we had. + +"The Virginia companies behaved like men, and died like soldiers; for, +I believe, out of three companies on the ground that day, scarce +thirty men were left alive. Captain Peronny, and all his officers down +to a corporal, were killed. Captain Poulson had almost as hard a fate, +for only one of his escaped. In short, the dastardly behaviour of the +regular troops (so called,) exposed those who were inclined to do +their duty, to almost certain death; and, at length, in spite of every +effort to the contrary, they broke, and ran as sheep before hounds; +leaving the artillery, ammunition, provisions, baggage, and in short +every thing, a prey to the enemy; and when we endeavoured to rally +them, in hopes of regaining the ground, and what we had left upon it, +it was with as little success as if we had attempted to have stopped +the wild bears of the mountains, or the rivulets with our feet: for +they would break by, in spite of every effort to prevent it."[6] + + [Footnote 6: In another letter, he says, "We have been + beaten, shamefully beaten--shamefully beaten by a handful of + men, who only intended to molest and disturb our march! + Victory was their smallest expectation! But see the wondrous + works of Providence, the uncertainty of human things! We, + but a few moments before, believed our numbers almost equal + to the force of Canada; they only expected to annoy us. Yet, + contrary to all expectation and human probability, and even + to the common course of things, we were totally defeated, + and have sustained the loss of every thing."] + +[Illustration: Wakefield--the Birthplace of George Washington + +_This is from an etching made in idealization of the original house, +situated on the banks of the Potomac, 38 miles from Fredericksburg, in +Westmoreland County, Virginia, where our First President was born, +February 22, 1732. The original house, which was built by Washington's +father, Augustine, was destroyed by fire more than 150 years ago, +before the Declaration of Independence was signed._] + +{August.} + +[Sidenote: Is appointed to the command of a regiment.] + +Colonel Washington had long been the favourite soldier of Virginia; +and his reputation grew with every occasion for exertion. His conduct +in this battle had been universally extolled;[7] and the common +opinion of his countrymen was, that, had his advice been pursued, the +disaster had been avoided. The assembly was in session, when +intelligence was received of this defeat, and of the abandonment of +the colony by Colonel Dunbar. The legislature, perceiving the +necessity of levying troops for the defence of the province, +determined to raise a regiment, to consist of sixteen companies, the +command of which was offered to Colonel Washington; who was also +designated, in his commission, as the Commander-in-chief of all the +forces raised and to be raised in the colony of Virginia. The uncommon +privilege of naming his Field Officers was added to this honourable +manifestation of the public confidence. + + [Footnote 7: In a sermon preached not long after the defeat + of General Braddock, the Rev. Mr. Davies, speaking of that + disaster, and of the preservation of Colonel Washington, + said: "I can not but hope that Providence has preserved that + youth to be the saviour of this country." These words were + afterwards considered as prophetic; and were applied by his + countrymen to an event very opposite to that which was + contemplated by the person who uttered them.] + +Retaining still his prepossessions in favour of a military life, he +cheerfully embraced this opportunity of re-entering the army. After +making the necessary arrangements for the recruiting service, and +visiting the posts on the frontiers, which he placed in the best state +of defence of which they were susceptible; he set out for the seat of +government, where objects of the first importance required his +attention; but was overtaken below Fredericksburg by an express, +carrying the intelligence, that a large number of French and Indians, +divided into several parties, had broken up the frontier settlements; +were murdering and capturing men, women, and children; burning their +houses, and destroying their crops. The troops stationed among them +for their protection, were unequal to that duty; and, instead of being +able to afford aid to the inhabitants, were themselves blocked up in +their forts. + +[Sidenote: Extreme distress of the frontiers and exertions of Colonel +Washington to augment the regular forces of the colony.] + +Colonel Washington hastened back to Winchester, where the utmost +confusion and alarm prevailed. His efforts to raise the militia were +unavailing. Attentive only to individual security, and regardless of +the common danger, they could not be drawn from their families. +Instead of assembling in arms, and obtaining safety by meeting their +invaders, the inhabitants fled into the lower country, and increased +the general terror. In this state of things, he endeavoured to collect +and arm the men who had abandoned their houses, and to remove their +wives and children to a distance from this scene of desolation and +carnage. Pressing orders were at the same time despatched to the newly +appointed officers, to forward their recruits; and to the county +lieutenants, east of the Blue Ridge, to hasten their militia to +Winchester: but before these orders could be executed, the party which +had done so much mischief, and excited such alarm, had recrossed the +Alleghany mountains. + +{1756} + +{April.} + +Early in the following spring, the enemy made another irruption into +the inhabited country, and did great mischief. The number of troops on +the regular establishment was totally insufficient for the protection +of the frontier, and effective service from the militia was found to +be unattainable. The Indians, who were divided into small parties, +concealed themselves with so much dexterity, as seldom to be perceived +until the blow was struck. Their murders were frequently committed in +the very neighbourhood of the forts; and the detachments from the +garrisons, employed in scouring the country, were generally eluded, or +attacked to advantage. In one of these skirmishes, the Americans were +routed, and Captain Mercer was killed. The people either abandoned the +country, or attempted to secure themselves in small stockade forts, +where they were in great distress for provisions, arms, and +ammunition; were often surrounded, and sometimes cut off. Colonel +Washington was deeply affected by this state of things. "I see their +situation," said he, in a letter to the Lieutenant Governor, "I know +their danger, and participate their sufferings, without having it in +my power to give them farther relief than uncertain promises. In +short, I see inevitable destruction in so clear a light, that unless +vigorous measures are taken by the assembly, and speedy assistance +sent from below, the poor inhabitants now in forts must unavoidably +fall, while the remainder are flying before the barbarous foe. In +fine, the melancholy situation of the people; the little prospect of +assistance; the gross and scandalous abuses cast upon the officers in +general, which is reflecting upon me in particular for suffering +misconduct of such extraordinary kind; and the distant prospect, if +any, of gaining reputation in the service, cause me to lament the hour +that gave me a commission, and would induce me, at any other time than +this of imminent danger, to resign, without one hesitating moment, a +command from which I never expect to reap either honour or benefit; +but, on the contrary, have almost an absolute certainty of incurring +displeasure below, while the murder of helpless families may be laid +to my account here." + +Colonel Washington had been prevented from taking post at fort +Cumberland by an unfortunate and extraordinary difficulty, growing out +of an obscurity in the royal orders, respecting the relative rank of +officers commissioned by the king, and those commissioned by the +governor. A Captain Dagworthy, who was at that place, and of the +former description, insisted on taking the command, although it had +been committed to Lieutenant Colonel Stevens; and, on the same +principle, he contested the rank of Colonel Washington also. This +circumstance had retained that officer at Winchester, where public +stores to a considerable amount were deposited, with only about fifty +men to guard them. In the deep distress of the moment, a council of +war was called, to determine whether he should march this small body +to some of the nearest forts, and, uniting with their petty garrisons, +risk an action; or wait until the militia could be raised. The council +unanimously advised a continuance at Winchester. Lord Fairfax, who +commanded the militia of that and the adjacent counties, had ordered +them to his assistance; but they were slow in assembling. The +unremitting exertion of three days, in the county of Frederick, could +produce only twenty men. + +The incompetency of the military force to the defence of the country +having become obvious, the assembly determined to augment the regiment +to fifteen hundred men. In a letter addressed to the house of +burgesses, Colonel Washington urged the necessity of increasing it +still farther, to two thousand men; a less number than which could not +possibly, in his opinion, be sufficient to cover the extensive +frontier of Virginia, should the defensive system be continued. In +support of this demand, he stated, in detail, the forts which must be +garrisoned; and observed, that, with the exception of a few +inhabitants in forts on the south branch of the Potowmac, the north +mountain near Winchester had become the frontier; and that, without +effectual aid, the inhabitants would even pass the Blue Ridge. He +farther observed that the woods seemed "alive with French and +Indians;" and again described so feelingly the situation of the +inhabitants, that the assembly requested the governor to order half +the militia of the adjoining counties to their relief; and the +attorney general, Mr. Peyton Randolph, formed a company of one hundred +gentlemen, who engaged to make the campaign, as volunteers. Ten well +trained woodsmen, or Indians, would have rendered more service. + +The distress of the country increased. As had been foreseen, +Winchester became almost the only settlement west of the Blue Ridge, +on the northern frontier; and fears were entertained that the enemy +would soon pass even that barrier, and ravage the country below. +Express after express was sent to hasten the militia, but sent in +vain. At length, about the last of April, the French and their savage +allies, laden with plunder, prisoners, and scalps, returned to fort Du +Quesne. + +Some short time after their retreat, the militia appeared. This +temporary increase of strength was employed in searching the country +for small parties of Indians, who lingered behind the main body, and +in making dispositions to repel another invasion. A fort was commenced +at Winchester, which, in honour of the general who had been appointed +to the command of the British troops in America, was called fort +Loudoun; and the perpetual remonstrances of Colonel Washington at +length effected some improvement in the laws for the government of the +troops. + +Instead of adopting, in the first instance, that military code which +experience had matured, the assembly passed occasional acts to remedy +particular evils as they occurred; in consequence of which, a state of +insubordination was protracted, and the difficulties of the commanding +officer increased. Slight penalties were at first annexed to serious +military offences; and when an act was obtained to punish mutiny and +desertion with death, such crimes as cowardice in action, and sleeping +on a post, were pretermitted. It was left impossible to hold a general +court martial, without an order from the governor; and the commanding +officer was not at liberty to make those arrangements in other +respects which his own observation suggested, but shackled by the +control of others, who could neither judge so correctly, nor be so +well informed, as himself. + +These errors of a government unused to war, though continually +remarked by the officer commanding the troops, were slowly perceived +by those in power, and were never entirely corrected. + +Successive incursions continued to be made into the country by small +predatory parties of French and Indians, who kept up a perpetual +alarm, and murdered the defenceless, wherever found. In Pennsylvania, +the inhabitants were driven as far as Carlisle; and in Maryland, +Fredericktown, on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge, became a +frontier. With the Virginia regiment, which did not yet amount to one +thousand men, aided occasionally by militia, Colonel Washington was to +defend a frontier of near four hundred miles in extent, and to +complete a chain of forts. He repeatedly urged the necessity and +propriety of abandoning fort Cumberland, which was too far in advance +of the settlements, and too far north, to be useful, while it required +for its defence a larger portion of his force than could be spared +with a proper regard to the safety of other and more advantageous +positions. The governor, however, thought the abandonment of it +improper, since it was a "_king's fort_;" and Lord Loudoun, on being +consulted, gave the same opinion. + +Among the subjects of extreme chagrin to the commander of the Virginia +troops, was the practice of desertion. The prevalence of this crime +was ascribed, in a considerable degree, to the ill-judged parsimony of +the assembly. The daily pay of a soldier was only eight pence, out of +which two pence were stopped for his clothes. This pay was inferior to +what was received in every other part of the continent; and, as ought +to have been foreseen, great discontents were excited by a distinction +so invidious. The remonstrances of the commanding officer, in some +degree, corrected this mischief; and a full suit of regimentals was +allowed to each soldier, without deducting its price from his pay. + +This campaign furnishes no event which can interest the reader; yet +the duties of the officer, though minute, were arduous; and the +sufferings of the people, beyond measure afflicting. It adds one to +the many proofs which have been afforded, of the miseries to be +expected by those who defer preparing the means of defence, until the +moment when they ought to be used; and then, rely almost entirely, on +a force neither adequate to the danger, nor of equal continuance. + +It is an interesting fact to those who know the present situation of +Virginia, that, so late as the year 1756, the Blue Ridge was the +northwestern frontier; and that she found immense difficulty in +completing a single regiment to protect the inhabitants from the +horrors of the scalping knife, and the still greater horrors of being +led into captivity by savages who added terrors to death by the manner +of inflicting it. + +As soon as the main body of the enemy had withdrawn from the +settlements, a tour was made by Colonel Washington to the +south-western frontier. There, as well as to the north, continued +incursions had been made; and there too, the principal defence of the +country was entrusted to an ill-regulated militia. The fatal +consequences of this system are thus stated by him, in a letter to the +lieutenant governor: "The inhabitants are so sensible of their danger, +if left to the protection of these people, that not a man will stay at +his place. This I have from their own mouths, and the principal +inhabitants of Augusta county. The militia are under such bad order +and discipline, that they will come and go, when and where they +please, without regarding time, their officers, or the safety of the +inhabitants, but consulting solely their own inclinations. There +should be, according to your honour's orders, one-third of the militia +of these parts on duty at a time; instead of that, scarce +one-thirtieth is out. They are to be relieved every month, and they +are a great part of that time marching to and from their stations; and +they will not wait one day longer than the limited time, whether +relieved or not, however urgent the necessity for their continuance +may be." Some instances of this, and of gross misbehaviour, were then +enumerated; after which, he pressed the necessity of increasing the +number of regulars to two thousand men. + +After returning from this tour, to Winchester, he gave the Lieutenant +Governor, in curious detail, a statement of the situation in which he +found the country, urging, but urging in vain, arguments which will +always be suggested by experience, against relying chiefly on militia +for defence. + +Sensible of the impracticability of defending such an extensive +frontier, Colonel Washington continued to press the policy of enabling +him to act on the offensive. The people of Virginia, he thought, could +be protected only by entering the country of the enemy; giving him +employment at home, and removing the source of all their calamities by +taking possession of fort Du Quesne. + +"As defensive measures," he observed in a letter to the Lieutenant +Governor, "are evidently insufficient for the security and safety of +the country, I hope no arguments are necessary to evince the necessity +of altering them to a vigorous offensive war, in order to remove the +cause." But in the event, that the assembly should still indulge their +favourite scheme of protecting the inhabitants by forts along the +frontiers, he presented a plan, which, in its execution, would require +two thousand men--these were to be distributed in twenty-two forts, +extending from the river Mayo to the Potowmac, in a line of three +hundred and sixty miles. In a letter written about the same time to +the speaker of the assembly, he said, "The certainty of advantage, by +an offensive scheme of action, renders it, beyond any doubt, +preferable to our defensive measures. Our scattered force, so +separated and dispersed in weak parties, avails little to stop the +secret incursions of the savages. We can only perhaps put them to +flight, or frighten them to some other part of the country, which +answers not the end proposed. Whereas, had we strength enough to +invade their lands, we should restrain them from coming abroad, and +leaving their families exposed. We should then remove the principal +cause, and have stronger probability of success; we should be free +from the many alarms, mischiefs, and murders, that now attend us; we +should inspirit the hearts of our few Indian friends, and gain more +esteem with them. In short, could Pennsylvania and Maryland be induced +to join us in an expedition of this nature, and to petition his +Excellency Lord Loudoun for a small train of artillery, with some +engineers, we should then be able, in all human probability, to subdue +the terror of fort Du Quesne; retrieve our character with the Indians; +and restore peace to our unhappy frontiers." + +His total inability to act offensively, or even to afford protection +to the frontiers of Virginia, was not the only distressing and +vexatious circumstance to which he was exposed. The Lieutenant +Governor, to whose commands he was subjected in every minute +particular, and who seems to have been unequal to the difficulties of +his station, frequently deranged his system by orders which could not +be executed without considerable hazard and inconvenience. Colonel +Washington could not always restrain his chagrin on such occasions; +and, on one of them, observed in a letter to an intimate friend, who +possessed great influence in the country, "whence it arises, or why, I +am truly ignorant, but my strongest representations of matters +relative to the peace of the frontiers are disregarded, as idle and +frivolous; my propositions and measures, as partial and selfish; and +all my sincerest endeavours for the service of my country, perverted +to the worst purposes. My orders are dark, doubtful, and uncertain: +to-day approved, tomorrow condemned; left to act and proceed at +hazard; accountable for the consequences, and blamed without the +benefit of defence. If you can think my situation capable of exciting +the smallest degree of envy, or of affording the least satisfaction, +the truth is yet hid from you, and you entertain notions very +different from the reality of the case. However, I am determined to +bear up under all these embarrassments some time longer, in the hope +of better regulations under Lord Loudoun, to whom I look for the +future fate of Virginia." + +Not long after this letter was written, Lord Loudoun, in whose person +the offices of Governor and Commander-in-chief were united, arrived in +Virginia. A comprehensive statement of the situation of the colony, in +a military point of view, and of the regiment in particular, was drawn +up and submitted to him by Colonel Washington. In this he enumerated +the errors which had prevented the completion of his regiment, showed +the insufficiency of the militia for any military purpose, and +demonstrated the superiority of an offensive system over that which +had been pursued. + +{1757} + +This statement was probably presented by Colonel Washington in person, +who was permitted, during the winter, to visit Lord Loudoun in +Philadelphia, where that nobleman met the Governors of Pennsylvania, +Maryland, and North Carolina, and the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, +in order to consult with them on the measures to be taken, in their +respective Provinces, for the ensuing campaign. He was, however, +disappointed in his favourite hope of being able to act offensively +against the French on the Ohio. Lord Loudoun had determined to direct +all his efforts against Canada, and to leave only twelve hundred men +in the middle and southern colonies. Instead of receiving assistance, +Virginia was required to send four hundred men to South Carolina. Not +discouraged by these disappointments, Colonel Washington continued +indefatigable in his endeavours to impress on Mr. Dinwiddie, and on +the assembly, the importance of reviving, and properly modifying their +military code, which had now expired, of making a more effective +militia law, and of increasing their number of regular troops. + +{May.} + +So far from succeeding on the last subject, he had the mortification +to witness a measure which crushed his hopes of an adequate regular +force. Being unable to complete the regiment by voluntary enlistment, +the assembly changed its organization, and reduced it to ten +companies; each to consist of one hundred men. Yet his anxious wishes +continued to be directed towards fort Du Quesne. In a letter written +about this time to Colonel Stanwix, who commanded in the middle +colonies, he said, "You will excuse me, sir, for saying, that I think +there never was, and perhaps never again will be, so favourable an +opportunity as the present for reducing fort Du Quesne. Several +prisoners have made their escape from the Ohio this spring, and agree +in their accounts, that there are but three hundred men left in the +garrison; and I do not conceive that the French are so strong in +Canada, as to reinforce this place, and defend themselves at home this +campaign: surely then this is too precious an opportunity to be lost." + +But Mr. Pitt did not yet direct the councils of Britain; and a spirit +of enterprise and heroism did not yet animate her generals. The +campaign to the north was inglorious; and to the west, nothing was +even attempted, which might relieve the middle colonies. + +{October 8.} + +Large bodies of savages, in the service of France, once more spread +desolation and murder over the whole country, west of the Blue Ridge. +The regular troops were inadequate to the protection of the +inhabitants; and the incompetency of the defensive system to their +security became every day more apparent. "I exert every means," said +Colonel Washington, in a letter to Lieutenant Governor Dinwiddie, "to +protect a much distressed country; but it is a task too arduous. To +think of defending a frontier of more than three hundred and fifty +miles extent, as ours is, with only seven hundred men, is vain and +idle; especially when that frontier lies more contiguous to the enemy +than any other. + +"I am, and for a long time have been, fully convinced, that if we +continue to pursue a defensive plan, the country must be inevitably +lost." + +{October 24.} + +In another letter he said, "The raising a company of rangers, or +augmenting our strength in some other manner, is so far necessary, +that, without it, the remaining inhabitants of this once fertile and +populous valley will scarcely be detained at their dwellings until the +spring. And if there is no expedition to the westward then, nor a +force more considerable than Virginia can support, posted on our +frontiers; if we still adhere, for the next campaign, to our +destructive defensive schemes, there will not, I dare affirm, be one +soul living on this side the Blue Ridge the ensuing autumn, if we +except the troops in garrison, and a few inhabitants of this town, who +may shelter themselves under the protection of this fort. This I know +to be the immoveable determination of all the settlers of this +country." To the Speaker of the assembly he gave the same opinion; and +added, "I do not know on whom these miserable undone people are to +rely for protection. If the assembly are to give it to them, it is +time that measures were at least concerting, and not when they ought +to be going into execution, as has always been the case. If they are +to seek it from the Commander-in-chief, it is time their condition was +made known to him. For I can not forbear repeating again, that, while +we pursue defensive measures, we pursue inevitable ruin." + +{August 27.} + +It was impossible for Colonel Washington, zealous in the service of +his country, and ambitious of military fame, to observe the errors +committed in the conduct of the war, without censuring them. These +errors were not confined to the military affairs of the colony. The +Cherokee and Catawba Indians had hitherto remained faithful to the +English, and it was very desirable to engage the warriors of those +tribes heartily in their service; but so miserably was the intercourse +with them conducted, that, though a considerable expense was incurred, +not much assistance was obtained, and great disgust was excited among +them. The freedom with which the Commander-in-chief of the Virginia +forces censured public measures, gave offence to the Lieutenant +Governor, who considered these censures as manifesting a want of +respect for himself. Sometimes he coarsely termed them _impertinent_; +and at other times, charged him with looseness in his information, and +inattention to his duty. On one of these occasions, Colonel Washington +thus concluded a letter of detail, "Nothing remarkable has happened, +and therefore I have nothing to add. I must beg leave, however, before +I conclude, to observe, in justification of my own conduct, that it is +with pleasure I receive reproof when reproof is due, because no person +can be readier to accuse me, than I am to acknowledge an error, when I +have committed it; nor more desirous of atoning for a crime, when I am +sensible of being guilty of one. But, on the other hand, it is with +concern I remark, that my best endeavours lose their reward; and that +my conduct, although I have uniformly studied to make it as +unexceptionable as I could, does not appear to you in a favourable +point of light. Otherwise, your honour would not have accused me of +_loose_ behaviour, and _remissness_ of duty, in matters where, I +think, I have rather exceeded than fallen short of it. This, I think, +is evidently the case in speaking of Indian affairs at all, after +being instructed in very express terms, '_Not to have any concern +with, or management of Indian affairs_.' This has induced me to +forbear mentioning the Indians in my letters to your honour of late, +and to leave the misunderstanding, which you speak of, between Mr. +Aikin and them, to be related by him." + +Not long after this, he received a letter informing him of some coarse +calumny, reflecting on his veracity and honour, which had been +reported to the Lieutenant Governor. He enclosed a copy of this letter +to Mr. Dinwiddie, and thus addressed him,--"I should take it +infinitely kind if your honour would please to inform me whether a +report of this nature was ever made to you; and, in that case, who was +the author of it. + +"It is evident from a variety of circumstances, and especially from +the change in your honour's conduct towards me, that some person, as +well inclined to detract, but better skilled in the art of detraction +than the author of the above stupid scandal, has made free with my +character. For I can not suppose, that malice so absurd, so barefaced, +so diametrically opposite to truth, to common policy, and, in short, +to everything but villany, as the above is, could impress you with so +ill an opinion of my honour and honesty. + +"If it be possible that ----, for my belief is staggered, not being +conscious of having given the least cause to any one, much less to +that gentleman, to reflect so grossly; I say, if it be possible that +---- could descend so low as to be the propagator of this story, he +must either be vastly ignorant of the state of affairs in this country +_at that time_, or else, he must suppose that the whole body of the +inhabitants had combined with me in executing the deceitful fraud. Or +why did they, almost to a man, forsake their dwellings in the greatest +terror and confusion; and while one half of them sought shelter in +paltry forts, (of their own building,) the other should flee to the +adjacent counties for refuge; numbers of them even to Carolina, from +whence they have never returned? + +"These are facts well known; but not better known than that these +wretched people, while they lay pent up in forts, destitute of the +common supports of life, (having in their precipitate flight +forgotten, or rather, been unable to secure any kind of necessaries,) +did despatch messengers of their own, (thinking I had not represented +their miseries in the piteous manner they deserved,) with addresses to +your honour and the assembly, praying relief. And did I ever send any +alarming account, without sending also the original papers (or the +copies) which gave rise to it? + +"That I have foibles, and perhaps many of them, I shall not deny. I +should esteem myself, as the world also would, vain and empty, were I +to arrogate perfection. + +"Knowledge in military matters is to be acquired only by practice and +experience; and if I have erred, great allowance should be made for +want of them; unless my errors should appear to be wilful; and then, I +conceive, it would be more generous to charge me with my faults, and +to let me stand or fall according to evidence, than to stigmatize me +behind my back. + +"It is uncertain in what light my services may have appeared to your +Honour: but this I know, and it is the highest consolation I am +capable of feeling, that no man that ever was employed in a public +capacity, has endeavoured to discharge the trust reposed in him with +greater honesty, and more zeal for the country's interest than I have +done; and if there is any person living, who can say with justice that +I have offered any intentional wrong to the public, I will cheerfully +submit to the most ignominious punishment that an injured people ought +to inflict. On the other hand, it is hard to have my character +arraigned, and my actions condemned, without a hearing. + +"I must therefore again beg in _more plain_, and in very _earnest_ +terms, to know if ---- has taken the liberty of representing my conduct +to your Honour with such ungentlemanly freedom as the letter implies. +Your condescension herein will be acknowledged a singular favour." + +In a letter, some short time after this, to the Lieutenant Governor, +he said, "I do not know that I ever gave your Honour cause to suspect +me of ingratitude; a crime I detest, and would most carefully avoid. +If an open, disinterested behaviour carries offence, I may have +offended; for I have all along laid it down as a maxim, to represent +facts freely and impartially, but not more so to others than to you, +sir. If instances of my ungrateful behaviour had been particularized, +I would have answered them. But I have been long convinced that my +actions and their motives have been maliciously aggravated." A request +that he might be permitted to come to Williamsburg for the settlement +of some accounts, which he was desirous of adjusting under the +inspection of the Lieutenant Governor, who proposed to leave the +province in the following November, was refused in abrupt and +disobliging terms. In answer to the letter containing the refusal, +Colonel Washington, after stating the immoveable disposition of the +inhabitants to leave the country unless more sufficiently protected, +added, "To give a more succinct account of their affairs than I could +in writing, was the principal, among many other reasons, that induced +me to ask leave to come down. It was not to enjoy a party of pleasure +that I asked leave of absence. I have indulged with few of those, +winter or summer." + +Mr. Dinwiddie soon afterwards took leave of Virginia, and the +government devolved on Mr. Blair, the President of the Council. +Between him and the commander of the colonial troops the utmost +cordiality existed. + +[Sidenote: General Forbes undertakes the expedition against Fort Du +Quesne.] + +After the close of this campaign, Lord Loudoun returned to England, +and General Abercrombie succeeded to the command of the army. The +department of the middle and southern provinces was committed to +General Forbes, who, to the inexpressible gratification of Colonel +Washington, determined to undertake an expedition against fort Du +Quesne. + +{1758} + +He urged an early campaign, but he urged it ineffectually; and, before +the troops were assembled, a large body of French and Indians broke +into the country, and renewed the horrors of the tomahawk and +scalping-knife. The county of Augusta was ravaged and about sixty +persons were murdered. The attempts made to intercept these savages +were unsuccessful; and they recrossed the Alleghany, with their +plunder, prisoners, and scalps. + +{May 24.} + +At length, orders were given to assemble the regiment at Winchester, +and be in readiness to march in fifteen days. On receiving them, +Colonel Washington called in his recruiting parties; but so +inattentive had the government been to his representations that, +previous to marching his regiment, he was under the necessity of +repairing to Williamsburg, personally to enforce his solicitations for +arms, ammunition, money, and clothing. That these preparations for an +expedition vitally interesting to Virginia, should remain to be made +after the season for action had commenced, does not furnish stronger +evidence of the difficulties encountered by the chief of the military +department, than is given by another circumstance of about the same +date. He was under the necessity of pointing out and urging the +propriety of allowing to his regiment, which had performed much severe +service, the same pay which had been granted to a second regiment, +voted the preceding session of Assembly, to serve for a single year. + +Among other motives for an early campaign, Colonel Washington had +urged the impracticability of detaining the Indians. His fears were +well founded. Before a junction of the troops had been made, these +savages became impatient to return to their homes; and, finding that +the expedition would yet be delayed a considerable time, they left the +army, with promises to rejoin it at the proper season. + +{June 24.} + +In pursuance of the orders which had been received, the Virginia +troops moved in detachments from Winchester to fort Cumberland, where +they assembled early in July: after which, they were employed in +opening a road to Raystown, where Colonel Bouquet was stationed. As +the English were continually harassed by small parties of French and +Indians, the general had contemplated advancing a strong detachment +over the Alleghany mountains, for the purpose of giving them +employment at home. By the advice of Colonel Washington this plan was +relinquished. In support of his opinion, he stated the probability +that a large force was collected at fort Du Quesne, and the +impracticability of moving a strong detachment, without such a +quantity of provisions, as would expose it to the danger of being +discovered and cut to pieces. He advised to harass them with small +parties, principally of Indians; and this advice was pursued. + +{July.} + +Colonel Washington had expected that the army would march by +Braddock's road: but, late in July, he had the mortification to +receive a letter from Colonel Bouquet, asking an interview with him, +in order to consult on opening a new road from Raystown, and +requesting his opinion on that route. "I shall," says he, in answer to +this letter, "most cheerfully work on any road, pursue any route, or +enter upon any service, that the general or yourself may think me +usefully employed in, or qualified for; and shall never have a will of +my own, when a duty is required of me. But since you desire me to +speak my sentiments freely, permit me to observe, that, after having +conversed with all the guides, and having been informed by others +acquainted with the country, I am convinced that a road, to be +compared with General Braddock's, or indeed that will be fit for +transportation even by pack-horses, can not be made. I own I have no +predilection for the route you have in contemplation for me." + +A few days after writing this letter, he had an interview with Colonel +Bouquet, whom he found decided in favour of opening the new road. +After their separation, Colonel Washington, with his permission, +addressed to him a letter to be laid before General Forbes, then +indisposed at Carlisle, in which he stated his reasons against this +measure. He concluded his arguments against the new road: arguments +which appear to be unanswerable, by declaring his fears that, should +the attempt be made, they would be able to do nothing more than +fortify some post on the other side of the Alleghany, and prepare for +another campaign. This he prayed Heaven to avert. + +He was equally opposed to a scheme which had been suggested of +marching by the two different routes, and recommended an order of +march by Braddock's road, which would bring the whole army before fort +Du Quesne in thirty-four days, with a supply of provisions for +eighty-six days. + +{August 2.} + +In a letter of the same date addressed to Major Halket, aid of General +Forbes, Colonel Washington thus expressed his forebodings of the +mischiefs to be apprehended from the adoption of the proposed route. +"I am just returned from a conference held with Colonel Bouquet. I +find him fixed--I think I may say unalterably fixed--to lead you a new +way to the Ohio, through a road, every inch of which is to be cut at +this advanced season, when we have scarcely time left to tread the +beaten track, universally confessed to be the best passage through the +mountains. + +"If Colonel Bouquet succeeds in this point with the general, all is +lost! all is lost indeed! our enterprise is ruined! and we shall be +stopped at the Laurel hill this winter; but not to gather laurels, +except of the kind which cover the mountains. The southern Indians +will turn against us, and these colonies will be desolated by such an +accession to the enemy's strength. These must be the consequences of a +miscarriage; and a miscarriage, the almost necessary consequence of an +attempt to march the army by this route." + +Colonel Washington's remonstrances and arguments were unavailing; and +the new route was adopted. His extreme chagrin at this measure, and at +the delays resulting from it, was expressed in anxious letters to Mr. +Fauquier, then governor of Virginia, and to the speaker of the house +of burgesses. + +{September 2.} + +In a letter to the speaker, written while at fort Cumberland, he said: +"We are still encamped here; very sickly, and dispirited at the +prospect before us. That appearance of glory which we once had in +view--that hope--that laudable ambition of serving our country, and +meriting its applause, are now no more: all is dwindled into ease, +sloth, and fatal inactivity. In a word, all is lost, if the ways of +men in power, like certain ways of Providence, are not inscrutable. +But we who view the actions of great men at a distance can only form +conjectures agreeably to a limited perception; and, being ignorant of +the comprehensive schemes which may be in contemplation, might mistake +egregiously in judging of things from appearances, or by the lump. Yet +every f--l will have his notions--will prattle and talk away; and why +may not I? We seem then, in my opinion, to act under the guidance of +an evil genius. The conduct of our leaders, if not actuated by +superior orders, is tempered with something--I do not care to give a +name to. Nothing now but a miracle can bring this campaign to a happy +issue." He then recapitulated the arguments he had urged against +attempting a new road, and added, "But I spoke unavailingly. The road +was immediately begun; and since then, from one to two thousand men +have constantly wrought on it. By the last accounts I have received, +they had cut it to the foot of the Laurel hill, about thirty-five +miles; and I suppose, by this time, fifteen hundred men have taken +post about ten miles further, at a placed called Loyal Hanna, where +our next fort is to be constructed. + +"We have certain intelligence that the French strength at fort Du +Quesne did not exceed eight hundred men, the thirteenth ultimo; +including about three or four hundred Indians. See how our time has +been misspent--behold how the golden opportunity is lost--perhaps, +never to be regained! How is it to be accounted for? Can General +Forbes have orders for this?--Impossible. Will then our injured +country pass by such abuses? I hope not. Rather let a full +representation of the matter go to his majesty; let him know how +grossly his glory and interests, and the public money have been +prostituted." + +{September 22.} + +[Sidenote: Defeat of Major Grant.] + +Colonel Washington was soon afterwards ordered to Raystown. Major +Grant had been previously detached from the advanced post at Loyal +Hanna, with a select corps of eight hundred men, to reconnoitre the +country about fort Du Quesne. In the night he reached a hill near the +fort, and sent forward a party for the purpose of discovery. They +burnt a log house, and returned. Next morning, Major Grant detached +Major Lewis, of Colonel Washington's regiment, with a baggage guard, +two miles into his rear; and sent an engineer, with a covering party, +within full view of the fort, to take a plan of the works. In the mean +time he ordered the _reveillée_ to be beaten in different places. An +action soon commenced, on which Major Lewis, leaving Captain Bullett, +with about fifty Virginians to guard the baggage, advanced with the +utmost celerity to support Major Grant. The English were defeated with +considerable loss; and both Major Grant and Major Lewis were taken +prisoners. In this action, the Virginians evidenced the spirit with +which they had been trained. Out of eight officers, five were killed, +a sixth wounded, and a seventh taken prisoner. Captain Bullett, who +defended the baggage with great resolution, and contributed to save +the remnant of the detachment, was the only officer who escaped +unhurt. Of one hundred and sixty-two men, sixty-two were killed on the +spot, and two wounded. This conduct reflected high honour on the +commanding officer of the regiment as well as on the troops; and he +received, on the occasion, the compliments of the general. The total +loss was two hundred and seventy-three killed, and forty-two wounded. + +{October 8.} + +It was at length determined that the main body of the army should move +from Raystown; and the general called on the colonels of regiments, to +submit severally to his consideration, a plan for his march. That +proposed by Colonel Washington has been preserved, and appears to have +been judiciously formed. + +They reached the camp at Loyal Hanna, through a road indescribably +bad, about the fifth of November; where, as had been predicted, a +council of war determined that it was unadviseable to proceed farther +this campaign. It would have been almost impossible to winter an army +in that position. They must have retreated from the cold inhospitable +wilderness into which they had penetrated, or have suffered immensely; +perhaps have perished. Fortunately, some prisoners were taken, who +informed them of the extreme distress of the fort. Deriving no support +from Canada, the garrison was weak; in great want of provisions; and +had been deserted by the Indians. These encouraging circumstances +changed the resolution which had been taken, and determined the +general to prosecute the expedition. + +[Sidenote: Fort Du Quesne evacuated by the French, and taken +possession of by the English.] + +{November 25.} + +Colonel Washington was advanced in front; and, with immense labour, +opened a way for the main body of the army. The troops moved forward +with slow and painful steps until they reached fort Du Quesne, of +which they took peaceable possession; the garrison having on the +preceding night, after evacuating and setting it on fire, proceeded +down the Ohio in boats. + +To other causes than the vigour of the officer who conducted this +enterprise, the capture of this important place is to be ascribed. The +naval armaments of Britain had intercepted the reinforcements designed +by France for her colonies; and the pressure on Canada was such as to +disable the governor of that province from detaching troops to fort Du +Quesne. Without the aid of these causes, the extraordinary and +unaccountable delays of the campaign must have defeated its object. + +The works were repaired, and the new fort received the name of the +great minister, who, with unparalleled vigour and talents, then +governed the nation. + +After furnishing two hundred men from his regiment as a garrison for +fort Pitt, Colonel Washington marched back to Winchester; whence he +soon afterwards proceeded to Williamsburg, to take his seat in the +General Assembly, of which he had been elected a member by the county +of Frederick, while at fort Cumberland. + +A cessation of Indian hostility being the consequence of expelling the +French from the Ohio, Virginia was relieved from the dangers with +which she had been threatened; and the object for which alone he had +continued in the service, after perceiving that he should not be +placed on the permanent establishment, was accomplished. His health +was much impaired, and his domestic affairs required his attention. + +[Sidenote: Resignation and marriage of Colonel Washington.] + +Impelled by these and other motives of a private nature, he determined +to withdraw from a service, which he might now quit without dishonour; +and, about the close of the year, resigned his commission, as colonel +of the first Virginia regiment, and commander-in-chief of all the +troops raised in the colony. + +[Illustration: The Washington Family Burial Ground + +_Wakefield, Westmoreland County, Virginia_ + +_Here rest the mortal remains of George Washington's +great-grandfather, Colonel John Washington, who came to Virginia in +1658 and was buried here in 1677; of his grandfather, Lawrence +Washington, buried in 1697; of his grandmother, Jane (Butler), in +1729; of his father, Augustine Washington, in 1743; and other members +of the Washington family._] + +The officers whom he had commanded were greatly attached to him. They +manifested their esteem and their regret at parting, by a very +affectionate address,[8] expressive of the high opinion they +entertained both of his military and private character. + + [Footnote 8: See note No. III. at the end of the volume.] + +This opinion was not confined to the officers of his regiment. It was +common to Virginia; and had been adopted by the British officers with +whom he served. The duties he performed, though not splendid, were +arduous; and were executed with zeal, and with judgment. The exact +discipline he established in his regiment, when the temper of Virginia +was extremely hostile to discipline, does credit to his military +character, and the gallantry the troops displayed, whenever called +into action, manifests the spirit infused into them by their +commander. + +The difficulties of his situation, while unable to cover the frontier +from the French and Indians, who were spreading death and desolation +in every quarter, were incalculably great; and no better evidence of +his exertions, under these distressing circumstances, can be given, +than the undiminished confidence still placed in him, by those whom he +was unable to protect. + +The efforts to which he incessantly stimulated his country for the +purpose of obtaining possession of the Ohio; the system for the +conduct of the war which he continually recommended; the vigorous and +active measures always urged upon those by whom he was commanded; +manifest an ardent and enterprising mind, tempered by judgment, and +quickly improved by experience. + +Not long after his resignation, he was married to Mrs. Custis; a young +lady to whom he had been for some time attached; and who, to a large +fortune and fine person, added those amiable accomplishments which +ensure domestic happiness, and fill, with silent but unceasing +felicity, the quiet scenes of private life. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + Colonel Washington appointed commander-in-chief of the + American forces.... Arrives at Cambridge.... Strength and + disposition of the two armies.... Deficiency of the + Americans in arms and ammunition.... Distress of the British + from the want of fresh provisions.... Falmouth burnt.... + Success of the American cruisers.... Measures to form a + continental army.... Difficulty of re-enlisting the + troops.... Plan for attacking Boston.... General Lee + detached to New York.... Possession taken of the heights of + Dorchester.... Boston evacuated.... Correspondence + respecting prisoners. + + +{1775} + +The attention of Colonel Washington, for several years after his +marriage, was principally directed to the management of his estate. He +continued a most respectable member of the legislature of his country, +in which he took an early and a decided part against the claims of +supremacy asserted by the British Parliament. As hostilities +approached, he was chosen by the independent companies, formed through +the northern parts of Virginia, to command them; and was elected a +member of the first congress which met at Philadelphia. The +illustrious patriots who composed it, soon distinguished him as the +soldier of America, and placed him on all those committees whose duty +it was to make arrangements for defence. When it became necessary to +appoint a commander-in-chief, his military character, the solidity of +his judgment, the steady firmness of his temper, the dignity of his +person and deportment, the confidence inspired by his patriotism and +integrity, and the independence of his fortune, combined to designate +him, in the opinion of all, for that important station. Local jealousy +was suppressed, not only by the enthusiasm of the moment, but by that +policy which induced the sagacious delegation from New England, to +prefer a commander-in-chief from the south. + +[Sidenote: Colonel Washington appointed Commander-in-chief of the +American forces.] + +On the 14th of June, he was unanimously chosen "General, and +Commander-in-chief of the armies of the United Colonies, and all the +forces now raised, or to be raised by them."[9] + + [Footnote 9: See note No. IV. at the end of the volume.] + +{June 15.} + +On the succeeding day, when the President communicated this +appointment to him, he expressed his high sense of the honour +conferred upon him, and his firm determination to exert every power he +possessed in the service of his country and of her "glorious cause." +At the same time he acknowledged the distress he felt from a +consciousness that his abilities and military experience might not be +equal to the extensive and important trust. + +He declined all compensation for his services; and avowed an intention +to keep an exact account of his expenses, which he should rely on +Congress to discharge. + +A special commission was directed, and a resolution unanimously +passed, declaring that "Congress would maintain, assist, and adhere to +him, as the General and Commander-in-chief of the forces raised, or to +be raised, for the maintenance and preservation of American liberty, +with their lives and fortunes." + +He prepared, without delay, to enter upon the arduous duties of his +office; and, remaining only a few days in New York, where several +important arrangements were to be made, proceeded to the head quarters +of the American army. + +[Sidenote: Arrives at Cambridge.] + +As all orders of men concurred in approving his appointment, all +concurred in expressing their satisfaction at that event, and their +determination to afford him entire support. A committee of the +Congress of Massachusetts waited to receive him at Springfield, on the +confines of the colony, and to escort him to the army. On his arrival, +an address was presented to him by the House of Representatives, +breathing the most cordial affection, and testifying the most exalted +respect. His answer[10] was well calculated to keep up impressions +essential to the success of that arduous contest into which the United +Colonies had entered. + + [Footnote 10: It is in the following terms: + + "Gentlemen,--Your kind congratulations on my appointment and + arrival, demand my warmest acknowledgments, and will be ever + retained in grateful remembrance. In exchanging the + enjoyments of domestic life for the duties of my present + honourable but arduous situation, I only emulate the virtue + and public spirit of the whole Province of Massachusetts, + which, with a firmness and patriotism without example, has + sacrificed all the comforts of social and political life, in + support of the rights of mankind, and the welfare of our + common country. My highest ambition is to be the happy + instrument of vindicating these rights, and to see this + devoted Province again restored to peace, liberty, and + safety. + + "GEO: WASHINGTON."] + +{July 3.} + +[Sidenote: Strength and disposition of the two armies.] + +The first moments after his arrival in camp were employed in +reconnoitring the enemy, and examining the strength and situation of +the American troops. + +The main body of the British army, under the immediate command of +General Howe, was entrenching itself strongly on Bunker's hill. Three +floating batteries lay in Mystic river, near the camp, and a twenty +gun ship below the ferry, between Boston and Charlestown. A strong +battery on the Boston side of the water, on Cop's or Cope's hill, +served to cover and strengthen the post on Bunker's hill. Another +division was deeply entrenched on Roxbury neck. The light horse, and +an inconsiderable body of infantry, were stationed in Boston. + +The American army lay on both sides of Charles river. The right +occupied the high grounds about Roxbury; whence it extended towards +Dorchester; and the left was covered by Mystic or Medford river, a +space of at least twelve miles. These extensive lines could not be +contracted without opening to the British general a communication with +the country. + +For the purpose of a more distinct arrangement, the army was thrown +into three grand divisions. That part of it which lay about Roxbury +constituted the right wing, and was commanded by Major General Ward; +the troops near Mystic or Medford river formed the left, which was +placed under Major General Lee. The centre, including the reserve, was +under the immediate command of General Washington, whose head quarters +were at Cambridge. + +The army consisted of fourteen thousand five hundred men; but several +circumstances combined to render this force less effective than its +numbers would indicate. + +[Sidenote: Deficiency of the Americans in arms and ammunition.] + +So long had the hope of avoiding open hostilities been indulged, that +the time for making preparations to meet them had passed away +unemployed, and the neglect could not be remedied. On General +Washington's arrival in camp, he had ordered a return of the +ammunition to be made; and the report stated three hundred and three +barrels of powder to be in store. A few days after this return, the +alarming discovery was made, that the actual quantity was not more +than sufficient to furnish each man with nine cartridges. This mistake +had been produced by a misapprehension of the committee of supplies, +(for the magazines were not yet in possession of military officers,) +who, instead of returning the existing quantity, reported the whole +which had been originally furnished by the Province. Though the utmost +exertions were made, this critical state of things continued about a +fortnight, when a small supply of powder was received from +Elizabethtown, in New Jersey.[11] The utmost address was used to +conceal from the enemy this alarming deficiency; but when it is +recollected, in how many various directions, and to what various +bodies, application for assistance was unavoidably made, it will +appear scarcely possible that those efforts at concealment could have +been completely successful. It is more probable that the +communications which must have been made to the British general were +discredited; and that he could not permit himself to believe, that an +army without bayonets would be hardy enough to maintain the position +occupied by the Provincials, if destitute of ammunition. + + [Footnote 11: A circumstance attending this transaction, + will furnish some idea of the difficulties encountered by + those who then conducted the affairs of America. + All-important to the general safety as was the speedy + replenishment of the magazines of that army which lay + encamped in front of the enemy, the committee of + Elizabethtown was under the necessity of transmitting this + powder secretly, lest the people of the neighbourhood should + seize and detain it for their own security.] + +The troops were also in such need of tents, as to be placed in +barracks, instead of being encamped in the open field; and were almost +destitute of clothing. They had, too, been raised by the colonial +governments; each of which organized its quota on different +principles. From this cause resulted not only a want of uniformity, +but other defects which were much more important. In Massachusetts, +the soldiers had chosen their platoon officers, and generally lived +with them as equals. This unmilitary practice was the certain index of +that general insubordination which pervaded every department. The +difficulty of establishing principles of order and obedience, always +considerable among raw troops, was increased by the short terms for +which enlistments had been made. The quotas of some of the colonies +would be entitled to a discharge in November; and none were engaged to +continue in service longer than the last of December. The early orders +evidence a state of things still more loose and unmilitary than was to +be inferred from the circumstances under which the war had been +commenced. + +An additional inconvenience, derived from this mixed agency of local +governments with that of the Union, was thus stated by General +Washington in a letter addressed to congress:--"I should be extremely +deficient in gratitude as well as justice, if I did not take the first +opportunity to acknowledge the readiness and attention which the +congress and different committees have shown to make every thing as +convenient and agreeable as possible; but there is a vital and +inherent principle of delay, incompatible with military service, in +transacting business through such various and different channels.[12] +I esteem it my duty, therefore, to represent the inconvenience that +must unavoidably ensue from a dependence on a number of persons for +supplies; and submit it to the consideration of congress, whether the +public service will not be best promoted by appointing a Commissary +General for the purpose."[13] + + [Footnote 12: The General was under the necessity of + carrying on a direct correspondence, not only with the + several colonial governments, but with the committees of all + the important towns and some inferior places.] + + [Footnote 13: It is strange that an army should have been + formed without such an officer.] + +Every military operation was also seriously affected by the total want +of engineers, and the deficiency of working tools. + +To increase difficulties already so considerable, the appointment of +general officers, made by congress, gave extensive dissatisfaction, +and determined several of those who thought themselves injured, to +retire from the service. + +These disadvantages deducted essentially from the capacity of the +American force: but under them all, the General observed with pleasure +"the materials for a good army." These were "a great number of men, +able bodied, active, zealous in the cause, and of unquestionable +courage." Possessed of these materials, he employed himself +indefatigably in their organization. The army was arranged into +divisions and brigades; and congress was urged to the appointment of a +Paymaster, Quarter-master General, and such other general staff as are +indispensable in the structure of a regular military establishment. + +The two armies continued to work on their respective fortifications, +without seriously molesting each other. Slight skirmishes occasionally +took place, in which little execution was done; and, although the +Americans made some advances, no attempt was made to dislodge them. + +{September.} + +The Commander-in-chief submitted with reluctance to this state of +apparent inactivity. He felt the importance of destroying the army in +Boston, before it should be strengthened by reinforcements in the +ensuing spring; and with a view to this object, frequently +reconnoitred its situation, and was assiduous in collecting every +information respecting its strength. The result of his observations +and inquiries seems to have been, a strong inclination to the opinion, +that to carry the works by storm, though hazardous, was not +impracticable. A council of general officers being unanimously of +opinion, that for the present at least, the attempt ought not to be +made, it was laid aside. + +[Sidenote: Distress of the British from the want of fresh provisions.] + +A rigorous blockade being maintained, the British army began to suffer +considerably for fresh meat and vegetables. The small parties which +sailed from Boston, in quest of these articles, were frequently +disappointed by the vigilance of the minute men. But the continuance +of active exertion, which this service required on the part of the +inhabitants of the sea coast, soon became burdensome; and the +governors of the several colonies pressed for detachments from the +main army. Although it was impossible to spare the troops required, +without hazarding the cause of the colonies, great irritation was +excited by the refusal to comply with these demands of particular +protection. They at length became so importunate, and the unavoidable +refusal to comply with them was so ill received, that congress was +induced to pass a resolution, declaring that the army before Boston +was designed only to oppose the enemy at that place, and ought not to +be weakened by detachments for the security of other parts of the +country. At Newport, in Rhode Island, the committee sought to secure +the place, by entering into a compromise with Captain Wallace, who +commanded the ships of war on that station, stipulating that he should +be furnished with provisions on condition of his sparing the town, and +committing no depredations on the country. This compromise contravened +so essentially the general plan of distressing the British forces, +that General Washington deemed it necessary to interpose, and +represent to the Governor of that province, the mischief to be +apprehended from so dangerous a practice. + +While the blockade of Boston was thus perseveringly maintained, other +events of considerable importance took place elsewhere. + +In July, Georgia joined her sister colonies, and chose delegates to +represent her in congress: after which, the style of "The thirteen +United Colonies" was assumed; and by that title, the English +Provinces, confederated and in arms, were thenceforward designated. + +{September 5.} + +After a recess of one month, congress again assembled at Philadelphia. +The state of the colonies, and the letters of the Commander-in-chief +being immediately taken into consideration, the scarcity of arms and +ammunition engaged their most serious attention. Great exertions[14] +had been made, by importation and by domestic manufacture, to +extricate the country from this perilous situation; but the supplies +were unequal to the necessities of the army; and the danger resulting +from the want of articles, so vitally essential in war, still +continued to be great. + + [Footnote 14: The agents of congress had the address to + purchase all the powder on the coast of Africa, and that + within the British forts, without attracting notice; and to + seize the magazine in the island of Bermuda. Great exertions + were also made in the interior to obtain saltpetre and + sulphur, for the manufacture of that important article.] + +The importance of a maritime force to the military operations of a +country possessing an immense extent of sea coast must always be +sensibly felt; and, in an early stage of the contest, the particular +attention of the United Colonies was directed more immediately to this +interesting object, by an event not very unusual in war, but which, at +this time, excited no ordinary degree of resentment. + +Orders had been issued to the commanders of the British ships of war +to proceed, as in the case of actual rebellion, against those seaport +towns which were accessible, and in which any troops should be raised, +or military works erected. + +{October.} + +[Sidenote: Falmouth burnt.] + +Falmouth, a flourishing village on the sea coast of Massachusetts, +having given some particular offence, a small naval force, commanded +by Captain Mowat, was, under colour of these orders, detached for its +destruction. After making an ineffectual effort to induce the +inhabitants to deliver up their arms and ammunition, and four of the +principal citizens as hostages, he commenced a furious cannonade and +bombardment, by which the town was reduced to ashes. An attempt was +then made to penetrate into the country; but the militia and minute +men, rather irritated than intimidated by this wanton act of +unavailing devastation, drove the party, which had landed, back to +their ships. + +This measure was loudly reprobated throughout America, and +contributed, not a little, to turn the attention of the United +Colonies to their marine. It was one immediate motive with the +convention of Massachusetts, for granting letters of marque and +reprisal; and was assigned by congress, in addition to the capture of +American merchantmen on the high seas, as an inducement for fitting +out some ships of war; to man which they directed two battalions of +marines to be recruited. + +[Sidenote: Success of the American cruisers.] + +Though congress deferred granting general letters of reprisal, they +adopted a measure of equal efficacy, but less hostile in appearance. +Their ships of war were authorized to capture all vessels employed in +giving assistance to the enemy; the terms used in their resolution +were such as comprehended every possible capture. A few small cruisers +had already been fitted out by the directions of General Washington; +and the coasts soon swarmed with the privateers of New England. These +naval exertions were attended with valuable consequences. Many +captures were made; and important supplies of ammunition were thus +obtained. + +Although the British army had manifested no intention to evacuate +Boston, fears were continually entertained for New York. Mr. Tryon, +who was popular in that province, had been lately recalled from North +Carolina, and appointed its governor. His utmost influence was +employed in detaching that colony from the union; and his exertions +were seconded by the Asia man of war, whose guns commanded the town. +The consequence of these intrigues and of this terror was, that even +in the convention, disaffection to the American cause began openly to +show itself; and a determination to join the king's standard is said +to have been expressed with impunity. These threatening appearances +were rendered the more serious by some confidential communications +from England, stating the intention of administration to send a fleet +into the Hudson, and to occupy both New York and Albany. Under the +alarm thus excited, an effort was made in congress to obtain a +resolution for seizing the governor. He had, however, been artful +enough to make impressions in his favour; and he was defended by a +part of the delegation from New York with so much earnestness that, +for a time, the advocates of the proposition forbore to press it. +Afterwards, when the increasing defection in that province induced +Congress to resume the subject, the resolution was expressed in +general terms; and assumed the form of a recommendation, to those who +exercised the legislative and executive functions in the several +provinces, "to arrest and secure every person in the respective +colonies, whose going at large might, in their opinion, endanger the +safety of the colony, or the liberties of America." Intelligence of +this resolution is supposed to have been received by the governor, +who, after some correspondence with the mayor of the city respecting +his personal safety, retired for security on board the Halifax packet, +and continued to carry on his intrigues with nearly as much advantage +as while on shore. + +But the subject which, next to the supply of arms and ammunition, most +interested the American government, was the re-enlistment of the army. + +[Illustration: The Historic Washington Elm at Cambridge, Massachusetts + +_"Under this tree," as the granite tablet states, "Washington first +took command of the American army, July 3d, 1775." This picture is +from a photograph taken about the year 1900. In spite of the most +determined efforts to preserve this historic relic, the tree fell in +November, 1923._ + +© U & U] + +[Sidenote: Measures to form a continental army.] + +On the 29th of September, at the earnest solicitation of General +Washington, a committee had been appointed by congress, with +directions to repair to the camp at Cambridge; there to consult with +the Commander-in-chief, and with the chief magistrates of New +Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and the council of +Massachusetts, "on the most effectual method of continuing, +supporting, and regulating a continental army." On the return of this +committee, congress determined that the new army should consist of +twenty thousand three hundred and seventy-two men, including officers; +to be raised as far as practicable from the troops already in service. +Unfortunately, in constituting this first military establishment of +the union, an essential error was committed; the consequences of which +ceased only with the war. The soldiers, instead of being engaged for +an unlimited time, were enlisted for the term of only one year, if not +sooner discharged by congress. It is not easy to account entirely for +this fatal error. With their jealousy of a permanent army, were +probably intermingled hopes that the war would not be of long +duration, and fears that much difficulty would be encountered in +prevailing on men to enter into engagements of unlimited extent. +Perhaps the habits of the northern colonies, where it had been usual +to raise men for a single campaign, may have contributed to this +measure. Whatever may have been its motives, its consequences were of +the most serious nature; and it brought the American cause, more than +once, into real hazard. + +Other resolutions accompanied that for raising and establishing the +new army, which exhibit the perilous condition of the country, and its +want of those means, which were indispensable to the support of the +arduous conflict in which it was engaged. + +One resolution ordered the detention, at a valuation, of the arms of +those soldiers who should refuse to re-enlist, although they were +private property, and but ill adapted to military purposes; another, +offered two dollars to every recruit who would supply himself with a +blanket; a third, ordered the purchase of any cloths which could be +procured, without regard to colour, to be delivered to the soldiers, +after deducting the price from their pay; and a fourth, required the +soldiers to furnish their own arms, or to pay for the use of those +which might be supplied by the government. + +{October 22.} + +Before the arrangements made by the committee were confirmed by +congress, General Washington proceeded to take the preparatory steps +for carrying them into execution. + +It being understood that the engagements of the officers, as well as +of the soldiers, would expire with the year; the whole army was to be +formed anew. The officers therefore were required to signify in +writing to their respective colonels, their determination to leave, or +to continue in the service; that it might be communicated to congress +through the officer commanding brigades. + +[Sidenote: Difficulty of re-enlisting the army.] + +The urgency of the case could not produce a compliance with these +orders. Many disregarded them; and others annexed conditions to their +remaining in the service. Repetitions of them became necessary; and an +unconditional declaration was required.[15] But that high spirit and +enthusiastic ardour, which had brought such numbers into the field +after the battle of Lexington, was already beginning to dissipate; and +that alacrity for the service, which had been expected, was not +displayed. The orders of the day contain the most animating +exhortations to the army, and the strongest appeals to its patriotism; +but there was an ominous hesitation in forming new engagements. + + [Footnote 15: In this state of things, several officers, + supposing that commissions and rank might depend on + recruiting men, began, without permission, to recruit + soldiers, to serve particularly under the officer enlisting + them. Every military principle required that this practice + should be arrested; and it was peremptorily forbidden in + general orders.] + +{November 12.} + +At length, with much labour, the officers were arranged, upon which, +recruiting orders were issued. But the sufferings of the army for +fuel, clothes, and even provisions, had been great; and to this cause +may be attributed the tardiness with which the soldiers in camp +enrolled themselves. One officer from each company was employed to +recruit in the country; but their progress was not such as the crisis +demanded; and the army was dissolving by the expiration of the time +for which it had been enlisted. The impatience of the soldiers to +revisit their friends, overcame all their solicitude for maintaining +the blockade of Boston; and it was with great difficulty that those +entitled to a discharge were detained in camp even for ten days; at +the end of which time a body of militia was expected to supply their +places. This fact, however, did not convince the governments of the +United Colonies, that it was possible to rely too much on individual +patriotism; and that the American cause, if defended entirely by +temporary armies, must be often exposed to imminent hazard. + +{November 30.} + +Perceiving the difficulty of recruiting the army, the General +earnestly recommended to congress, to try the effect of a bounty. This +proposition was not adopted until late in January; and, on the last +day of December, when all the old troops, not engaged on the new +establishment, were disbanded, only nine thousand six hundred and +fifty men had been enlisted for the army of 1776; many of whom were +unavoidably permitted to be absent on furlough. Their numbers, +however, were considerably augmented during the winter; and, in the +mean time, the militia cheerfully complied with the requisitions made +on them. + +{December.} + +Notwithstanding these complicated difficulties and embarrassments, the +General viewed with deep mortification the semblance of inactivity to +which his situation compelled him to submit. In the commencement of +the contest, while the minds of many were undetermined, it was of vast +importance to secure the public confidence, and it was necessary to +pay some attention even to the public caprice. The real difficulties +under which he laboured were not generally known. His numbers were +exaggerated, and his means of carrying on offensive operations were +magnified. The expulsion of the British army from Boston had been long +since anticipated by many; and those were not wanting, who endeavoured +to spread discontent by insinuating that the Commander-in-chief was +desirous of prolonging the war, in order to continue his own +importance. To these symptoms of impatience, and to the consequences +they might produce, he could not be insensible; but it was not in his +power to silence such complaints, by disclosing to the world his real +situation. His views still continued to be directed towards Boston; +and, congress having manifested a disposition favourable to an attack +on that place, the general officers had been again assembled, and had +again advised unanimously against the measure. Supposing that fears +for the safety of the town might embarrass the proceedings of the +army, congress resolved, "that if General Washington and his council +of war should be of opinion that a successful attack might be made on +the troops in Boston, he should make it in any manner he might think +expedient, notwithstanding the town and property in it might be +thereby destroyed." + +[Sidenote: Plans for attacking Boston.] + +Whilst waiting for a favourable opportunity to execute this bold plan, +the American general availed himself of the occasional aids received +from the militia, to make advances on the besieged, and to seize +positions which would favour ulterior operations. Ploughed Hill, +Cobble Hill, and Lechmere's Point, were successively occupied and +fortified. His approaches were carried within half a mile of the works +on Bunker's Hill; and his guns drove their floating batteries from +their stations, and protected others constructed under his orders. + +Hitherto, the object of the war had been a redress of grievances. The +language, that it was a war against a corrupt administration, had been +carefully observed; and allegiance to the British crown was +universally avowed. The progress, however, of the public mind towards +independence, though slow, was certain; and measures were necessarily +taken, which apparently tended to that object. Among these, was the +act of establishing temporary governments in place of that +revolutionary system which followed the suspension of the ancient +institutions. + +The first application on this subject was made by Massachusetts;[16] +and her example was soon followed by other colonies. These +applications could not fail to draw forth the sentiments of members on +the very interesting question of separation from the mother country. +They who wished to lead public opinion to independence, were desirous +of establishing a regular government in each province, entirely +competent to the administration of its affairs; while they who were +hostile to that event, opposed every measure which might either +incline the colonies towards it, or strengthen the opinion in Great +Britain, that it was the real object of all who had resisted the +legislative supremacy of parliament. A resolution was with difficulty +obtained in the case of New Hampshire, which formed a precedent for +others of the same nature, recommending to the provincial convention +to call a full and free representation of the people, who should +establish such form of government as would best promote the general +happiness, and most effectually secure peace and good order in the +colony, during the continuance of the present dispute with Great +Britain. Without this last clause, which still maintained the +appearance of preserving the ancient connexion with the parent state, +the recommendation would not have been made. About the same time, +congress also resolved that it would be extremely dangerous to the +liberties and welfare of America, for any colony separately to +petition the king or either house of parliament. + + [Footnote 16: On this application congress recommended that + an assembly and council should be chosen in the usual way, + who should exercise the powers of government until a + Governor of his Majesty's appointment should consent to + govern the colony according to its charter.] + +Having taken into consideration a proclamation, declaring certain +persons in the colonies to have forgotten their allegiance, and to be +in a state of open rebellion, and threatening with punishment those +who should be found carrying on correspondence with them;--congress +declared, "in the name of the people of these United Colonies, and by +the authority according to the purest maxims of representation derived +from them, that whatever punishment shall be inflicted upon any +persons in the power of their enemies, for favouring, aiding, or +abetting the cause of American liberty, shall be retaliated in the +same kind, and in the same degree, upon those in their power, who have +favoured, aided, or abetted, or shall favour, aid, or abet the system +of ministerial oppression." + +The British army, the command of which, on the recall of General Gage, +had devolved upon General Howe, still remained inactive in Boston; and +was still closely blocked up on the land side. The history of this +winter campaign, is a history of successive struggles on the part of +the American general, with the difficulties imposed by the want of +arms, ammunition, and permanent troops, on a person extremely +solicitous, by some grand and useful achievement, to prove himself +worthy of the high station to which the voice of his country had +called him. + +{1776} + +{January.} + +Considering the resolution relative to the attack on Boston as +indicating the desire of congress on that subject, he assured the +president that an attempt would be made to put it in execution the +first moment he should perceive a probability of success. If this +should not occur, as soon as might be expected or wished, he prayed +that his situation might be recollected, and that congress would do +him the justice to believe, that circumstances, not inclination on his +part, occasioned the delay. "It is not," said he, "in the pages of +history to furnish a case like ours. To maintain a post within musket +shot of the enemy for six months together, without _ammunition_; and +at the same time, to disband one army and recruit another, within that +distance of twenty-odd British regiments, is more than, probably, ever +was attempted. But if we succeed as well in the latter, as we have +hitherto done in the former, I shall think it the most fortunate event +of my whole life." + +In the month of January a council of war, at which Mr. John Adams, a +member of congress, and Mr. Warren, president of the provincial +congress of Massachusetts, assisted: Resolved, "that a vigorous +attempt ought to be made on the ministerial troops in Boston, before +they can be reinforced in the spring, if the means can be provided, +and a favourable opportunity should offer." It was farther advised, +"that thirteen regiments of militia should be asked for from +Massachusetts and the neighbouring colonies, in order to put the army +in a condition to make the attempt. The militia to assemble on the +first of February, and to continue in service, if necessary, until the +first of March." The colonies readily complied with these +requisitions; but so mild had the season hitherto been, that the +waters about Boston continued open. "Congress would discover in my +last," said the general, on the nineteenth of January, "my motives for +strengthening these lines with militia. But whether, as the weather +turns out exceedingly mild, (insomuch as to promise nothing favourable +from ice,) and there is no appearance of powder, I shall be able to +attempt any thing decisive, time only can determine. No man upon earth +wishes to destroy the nest in Boston more than I do; no person would +be willing to go greater lengths than I shall to accomplish it, if it +shall be thought adviseable; but if we have no powder to bombard with, +nor ice to pass on, we shall be in no better situation than we have +been all the year: we shall be in a worse, as their works are +stronger." + +[Sidenote: General Lee detached to New York.] + +Early in January, the Commander-in-chief received unquestionable +intelligence that an armament was equipping in Boston, to sail under +General Clinton on a secret expedition. Many considerations induced +him to believe that New York was its destination. He thought the +possession of the Hudson of great importance to the British: and that +the numerous adherents to the royal cause in New York, furnished an +additional reason for transferring the seat of war to that colony. +Whilst deliberating on this subject, he received a letter from General +Lee, requesting to be detached to Connecticut, for the purpose of +assembling a body of volunteers, who should march into New York, and +be employed both for the security of that place, and the expulsion or +suppression of a band of tories collecting on Long Island. Though +inclined to the adoption of this measure, delicacy towards those who +exercised the powers of civil government in the colony, suspended his +decision on it. Mr. John Adams, who possessed great and well merited +influence, was then at Watertown, attending the provincial convention; +and with him, the general held some communications respecting his +powers. That gentleman being decidedly of opinion that they extended +to the case, General Lee was detached, with instructions to raise a +body of volunteers in Connecticut, to reinforce the battalions of New +Jersey and New York, which were placed under his command. His orders +were to proceed to New York; to examine the fortifications of the +city, and up the river; to put them in the best possible state of +defence; to disarm all persons whose conduct rendered them justly +suspected of designs unfriendly to the government, especially those on +Long Island; and to collect the arms and ammunition in their +possession, for the use of the army. + +No difficulty was found in raising the volunteers required from +Connecticut. The people of that province were zealous and +enterprising, and Governor Trumbull having sanctioned the measure, +troops were immediately embodied, and Lee commenced his march for New +York at the head of twelve hundred men. + +The inhabitants of that place were much alarmed at his approach. +Captain Parker of the Asia man of war had threatened that he would +destroy the town in the event of its being entered by any considerable +body of provincials; and it was believed that these threats would be +executed. + +A committee of safety, which had been appointed to exercise the powers +of government during the recess of the provincial congress, addressed +a letter to General Lee, expressing astonishment at the report that he +was about to enter the town without previously intimating his design, +and pressing him earnestly not to pass the confines of Connecticut, +until they could have further explanations with him. + +Holding in utter contempt the threats of Captain Parker, Lee continued +his march; and, in a letter[17] to congress, represented in such +strong terms the impolicy of leaving the military arrangements for New +York under the control of the local government, that congress +appointed three of their own body, to consult with him and the council +of safety, respecting the defence of the place; and instructed him to +obey the directions of that committee. + + [Footnote 17: See note No. V. at the end of the volume.] + +Lee soon acquired that ascendancy which is the prerogative of a +superior mind, over those who were sent for his government, and they +directed him to execute whatever he suggested. A plan recommended by +him, for fortifying the city and preserving its connexion with Long +Island, was adopted, and prosecuted with vigour. + +General Clinton arrived almost at the same instant with General Lee, +but without troops. He said openly, that none were coming; that no +hostilities were contemplated against New York; and that he was, +himself, merely on a visit to his friend Tryon. "If it be really so," +added General Lee, in his letter containing this communication, "it is +the most whimsical piece of civility I ever heard of." General Clinton +did not affect to conceal that his real object was to proceed to North +Carolina, where he expected that five regiments from Europe would join +the small force he should carry with him. + +About the middle of February, the cold was intense, and the ice became +sufficiently firm to bear the troops. General Washington was now +disposed to execute the bold plan he had formed, of attacking General +Howe in Boston; but a council of war being almost unanimous against +the measure, it was abandoned. The want of ammunition for the +artillery was a principal inducement to this opinion. + +The attempt, probably, would not have succeeded, and must certainly +have been attended with considerable loss. But the advice of the +council seems to have been adopted with regret. In communicating their +opinion to congress, the general observed, "Perhaps the irksomeness of +my situation may have given different ideas to me, from those which +influence the gentlemen I consulted; and might have inclined me to put +more to the hazard than was consistent with prudence. If it had this +effect, I am not sensible of it, as I endeavoured to give the subject +all the consideration a matter of such importance required. True it +is, and I can not help acknowledging, that I have many disagreeable +sensations on account of my situation; for, to have the eyes of the +whole continent fixed on me, with anxious expectation of hearing some +great event, and to be restrained in every military operation for want +of the necessary means to carry it on, is not very pleasing; +especially as the means used to conceal my weakness from the enemy, +conceal it also from our friends, and add to their wonder." + +Late in February, various appearances among the British troops +indicated an intention to evacuate Boston; but as these appearances +might be deceptive, and he had now received a small supply of powder, +General Washington determined to prosecute vigorously a plan he had +formed, to force General Howe either to come to an action, or to +abandon the town. + +Since the allowance of a bounty, recruiting had been more successful; +and the regular force had been augmented to rather more than fourteen +thousand men. In addition to these troops, the Commander-in-chief had +called to his aid about six thousand of the militia of Massachusetts. +Thus reinforced, he determined to take possession of the heights of +Dorchester, and to fortify them. As the possession of this post would +enable him to annoy the ships in the harbour and the soldiers in the +town, he was persuaded that a general action would ensue. But if this +hope should be disappointed, his purpose was to make the works on the +heights of Dorchester only preparatory to seizing and fortifying +Nook's Hill, and the points opposite the south end of Boston, which +commanded the harbour, a great part of the town, and the beach from +which an embarkation must take place in the event of a retreat. + +{March.} + +[Sidenote: Possession taken of the heights of Dorchester.] + +To facilitate the execution of this plan, a heavy bombardment and +cannonade were commenced on the town and on the British lines, which +were repeated the two succeeding nights. On the last of them, +immediately after the firing had begun, a strong detachment, under the +command of General Thomas, took possession of the heights without +opposition. Such was their activity and industry through the night +that, although the ground was almost impenetrable, the works were +sufficiently advanced by the morning, nearly to cover them. When +day-light disclosed their operations to the British, a considerable +degree of embarrassment appeared, and an ineffectual fire was +commenced on the party in possession of the heights, who in turn +opened a battery on the besieged; and continued with unremitting +labour to strengthen their position. + +{March 5.} + +It was necessary to dislodge the Americans from the heights, or to +evacuate the town; and General Howe, as had been foreseen, determined +to embrace the former part of the alternative. Three thousand chosen +men, to be commanded by Lord Percy, were ordered on this service. +These troops were embarked, and fell down to the castle, in order to +proceed up the river to the intended scene of action; but were +scattered by a furious storm, which disabled them from immediately +prosecuting the enterprise. Before they could again be in readiness +for the attack, the works were made so strong, that the attempt to +storm them was thought unadviseable, and the evacuation of the town +became inevitable. + +In the expectation that the flower of the British troops would be +employed against the heights of Dorchester, General Washington had +concerted a plan for availing himself of that occasion, to attack +Boston itself. The storm which defeated the proposed attack on the +heights defeated this enterprise also. + +[Sidenote: Boston evacuated.] + +{March 17.} + +The determination to evacuate Boston was soon communicated. A paper +signed by some of the select men of the town, and brought out with a +flag, stated the fact. This paper was accompanied by propositions said +to be made on the part of General Howe, but not signed by him, +relative to the security of the town, and the peaceable embarkation of +his army. As these propositions were not addressed to the +Commander-in-chief, and were not authenticated by the signature of +General Howe, nor by any act obligatory on him, General Washington +thought it improper directly to notice them; and ordered the officer +to whom they were delivered to return an answer stating the reasons +why they were not treated with more attention. The determination, +however, to continue his advances and to secure Nook's Hill, was +changed; and considerable detachments were moved towards New York, +before the actual evacuation of Boston. This event took place on the +17th of March; and, in a few days, the whole fleet sailed out of +Nantasket road, directing its course eastward. + +The recovery of this important town gave great joy to the United +Colonies. Congress passed a vote of thanks to the General and his +army, "for their wise and spirited conduct in the siege and +acquisition of Boston;" and directed a medal of gold to be struck in +commemoration of the event. + +As soon as the British fleet had put to sea, the American army +proceeded by divisions to New York, where it arrived on the 14th of +April. + +During the siege of Boston, an altercation concerning prisoners took +place between the commanders of the respective armies, which was +viewed with great interest throughout America. The character of the +war--a war between a sovereign and those who professed to be his +subjects, led to a course of conduct on the part of the British +General, which the actual state of things did not justify. + +General Gage, as Governor of Massachusetts, had received all the +irritations of which his mind was susceptible--irritations which +seemed to have had no inconsiderable influence over his conduct as +Commander-in-chief. He regarded the Americans nearly as rebels; and +treated them as if the great national resistance they were making on +principle, was to be viewed as the act of a few daring and turbulent +individuals, rising against laws of unquestionable obligation, who +would soon be quelled, and punished for their disobedience of +legitimate authority. In this spirit, he threw some distinguished +gentlemen of Boston, and the American officers and soldiers who fell +into his hands, into the common jail of felons; and treated them, +without respect to military rank or condition, not as prisoners of +war, but as state criminals. + +[Sidenote: Correspondence respecting prisoners.] + +General Washington remonstrated very seriously against this +unjustifiable measure. Considering political opinion entirely out of +the question, and "conceiving the obligations of humanity, and the +claims of rank, to be universally binding, except in the case of +retaliation;" he expressed the hope he had entertained, "that they +would have induced, on the part of the British General, a conduct more +conformable to the rights they gave." While he claimed the benefits of +these rights, he declared his determination "to be regulated entirely, +in his conduct towards the prisoners who should fall into his hands, +by the treatment which those in the power of the British General +should receive." + +To this letter, a haughty and intemperate answer was returned, +retorting the complaints concerning the treatment of prisoners, and +affecting to consider it as an instance of clemency, that the cord was +not applied to those whose imprisonment was complained of. To this +answer, General Washington gave a manly and dignified reply, which +was, he said, "to close their correspondence perhaps forever;" and +which concluded with saying, "If your officers, our prisoners, receive +from me a treatment different from what I wished to show them, they +and you will remember the occasion of it." + +The result of this correspondence was communicated to the council of +Massachusetts,[18] who were requested to order the British officers +then on parole to be confined in close jail, and the soldiers to be +sent to such place of security as the general court should direct. + + [Footnote 18: In the early part of the war, congress had + appointed no commissary of prisoners; nor had the government + taken upon itself the custody of them. They were entrusted + for safe keeping to the respective legislatures and + committees, to whom it was necessary to apply for the + execution of every order respecting them.] + +On the recall of General Gage, the command devolved on General Howe, +whose conduct was less exceptionable; and this rigorous treatment of +prisoners was relaxed. + +Not long after this correspondence with General Gage, while Montgomery +was employed in the siege of St. John's, Colonel Ethan Allen was +captured in a bold and rash attempt on Montreal. Under the pretext of +his having acted without authority, he was put in irons, and sent to +England as a traitor. + +While he was yet in Canada, congress requested the Commander-in-chief +to inquire into the fact. He addressed a letter to Sir William Howe, +requiring explanations on it, and assuring him that General Prescot, +who had been taken in Canada, and was understood to have contributed +to the severities inflicted on Colonel Allen, should receive exactly +the fate of that officer. + +General Howe, not holding any authority in Canada, or not choosing to +enter fully into this subject, General Schuyler was directed to make +particular inquiries into the conduct of Prescot; and congress, on +being informed of the inefficacy of the application to General Howe, +ordered that officer into close jail. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Invasion of Canada meditated.... Siege of St. John's.... + Capture of fort Chamblée.... Carleton defeated at + Longueisle.... St. John's capitulated.... Montreal + surrenders.... Arnold's expedition.... He arrives before + Quebec.... Retires to Point Aux Trembles.... Montgomery lays + siege to Quebec.... Unsuccessful attack on that place.... + Death of Montgomery.... Blockade of Quebec.... General + Thomas takes command of the army.... The blockade raised.... + General Sullivan takes the command.... Battle of the Three + Rivers.... Canada evacuated.... General Carleton constructs + a fleet.... Enters lake Champlain.... Defeats the American + flotilla.... Takes possession of Crown Point.... Retires + into winter quarters. + + +{1775} + +During these transactions, events of great interest were passing still +further north. + +Serious dissatisfaction prevailed in Canada. The measures of +administration had disquieted the British settlers, without +conciliating the ancient inhabitants. At the same time, the regular +troops had been chiefly ordered to Boston, and the province left +almost entirely undefended. These facts were known in the United +Colonies. It was also known that military stores to an immense amount +had been deposited in Quebec, and that preparations were making to +invade the colonies from that quarter. The possession of that country +was believed to be all important; and its present temper countenanced +the opinion, that its weight would be thrown into the scale of that +party, which should first show a force in it sufficient for the +protection of its inhabitants. The facility with which Crown Point and +Ticonderoga had been taken, and the command of the lakes George and +Champlain acquired, added to the motives already stated, inspiring +congress with the daring design of anticipating the plans meditated in +Canada, by taking possession of that province. + +[Sidenote: Invasion of Canada meditated.] + +In June, 1775, a resolution passed that body, directing General +Schuyler to repair to Ticonderoga, and take the proper measures for +securing that post and Crown Point, and for retaining the command of +the lakes. He was, at the same time authorized, if he should find the +measure not disagreeable to the Canadians, to take possession of St. +John's and Montreal, and to pursue any other steps which might have a +tendency to promote the peace and security of the United Colonies. + +Near three thousand men from New England and New York were designed +for this service. A number of batteaux were directed to be built at +Ticonderoga and Crown Point, to convey them along lake Champlain, and +fifty thousand dollars in specie were voted for the expenses of the +army in Canada. + +General Schuyler, who was at New York when this important command was +confided to him, hastened to Ticonderoga, in order to make the +necessary arrangements for the enterprise. + +The troops of that department, belonging to different colonies, +stationed at different places, and acknowledging no one commanding +officer, were found in a state of entire disorganization. The stores +were misapplied, or wasted; no subordination nor camp discipline was +observed; and had the enemy been in a condition to attempt a _coup de +main_, Ticonderoga and Crown Point would have been lost, with as much +facility as they had been acquired. + +{September.} + +Schuyler immediately commenced the task of preparing vessels for the +transportation of the troops; a task the more laborious and tedious, +as the timber for the batteaux was then to be procured from the woods. +Before the preparations were complete, or the soldiers destined for +the expedition were assembled, the impatience expressed by the +discontented in Canada rendered an immediate movement adviseable. +Orders were therefore given to General Montgomery to embark with the +troops then in readiness; and General Schuyler having directed the +expected reinforcements to rendezvous at the Isle Aux Noix, followed +and joined him before he reached that place. + +[Sidenote: The Americans enter that Province.] + +Circular letters to the Canadians, exhorting them to rouse and assert +their liberties, and declaring, that the Americans entered their +country, not as enemies, but as friends and protectors, were +immediately dispersed among them; and to improve the favourable +impression which had been made, it was determined to advance directly +to St. John's. On the sixth of September, the American army, amounting +to about one thousand men, entirely destitute of artillery, embarked +on the Sorel, and proceeding down that river, landed within a mile and +a half of the fort. The intelligence received during the evening, +determined them to return to the Isle Aux Noix, and wait for their +remaining troops and artillery. + +The Isle Aux Noix lies at the junction of the Sorel with lake +Champlain; and to prevent the armed vessels at St. John's from +entering the latter, a boom was drawn across the narrow channel, at +the point of union between those waters. + +While at that place, General Schuyler became so ill as to be confined +to his bed; and the command devolved on Montgomery. + +{September 25.} + +[Sidenote: Siege of St. Johns.] + +{October.} + +[Sidenote: Capture of Fort Chamblée.] + +Late in September the artillery was brought up; and reinforcements +arrived, which augmented the army to nearly two thousand men;--upon +which Montgomery again proceeded to the investment of St. John's. This +place was garrisoned by five or six hundred regulars, with about two +hundred Canadian militia, and was well provided with artillery and +military stores. The army of Canada, as well as the other armies of +the United Colonies, was almost entirely without powder; and, of +consequence, the siege advanced slowly. Its necessities in this +respect were fortunately relieved by the capture of fort Chamblée, +which being supposed to be covered by St. John's, was not in a +defensible condition. In this place, about one hundred and twenty +barrels of gunpowder were taken, after which the siege of St. John's +was prosecuted with vigour; but the garrison made a resolute defence, +and for some time indulged the hope of being relieved.[19] + + [Footnote 19: Annual Register.] + +[Sidenote: Carleton defeated at Longueisle.] + +Colonel M'Clean, a veteran officer, with his regiment of royal +highland emigrants, and a few hundred Canadians, was posted near the +junction of the Sorel with the St. Lawrence. General Carleton was at +Montreal, where he had collected about a thousand men, chiefly +Canadians. At the head of these troops, he hoped to effect a junction +with M'Clean, after which he designed to march with his whole force +against Montgomery, and endeavour to raise the siege; but, on +attempting to cross over from Montreal, he was encountered and +entirely defeated at Longueisle by a detachment of the American troops +under Colonel Warner. Another party advanced on M'Clean. Being +entirely abandoned by his Canadians so soon as they were informed of +the defeat of the governor, and having also received information that +Arnold was approaching Point Levi, M'Clean retreated to Quebec. The +Americans occupied the post he had abandoned, and erected batteries on +a point of land at the junction of the Sorel with the St. Lawrence; +where they also constructed several armed rafts and floating +batteries, in order to prevent Carleton with the vessels at Montreal +from escaping down the river. + +[Sidenote: St. Johns capitulates.] + +{November 3.} + +Montgomery was pressing the siege of St. John's with great vigour, and +had advanced his works near the fort, when the account of the success +at Longueisle reached him. On receiving this intelligence, he sent a +flag by one of the prisoners, with a letter to Major Preston, the +commanding officer, demanding a surrender of the place. All hopes of +relief having now vanished, the garrison capitulated, on being allowed +the honours of war. + +Scarcely was this first success obtained, when the consequences of +short enlistments began to be felt. The time of service for which the +troops had engaged being about to expire, great difficulty was +experienced in prevailing on them to proceed farther; and before the +General could induce them to march against Montreal, he was under the +necessity of stipulating explicitly, that all who wished it should be +discharged at that place. Having effected this compromise, he +proceeded against Montreal; while his floating batteries, under +Colonel Easton, advanced up the St. Lawrence, and not only prevented +the armed vessels of the enemy from escaping to Quebec, but drove them +still higher up the river. + +[Sidenote: Montreal surrenders.] + +{November 13.} + +Montreal was not in a condition to be defended. After engaging to +allow the Canadians in their own laws, the free exercise of their +religion, and the privilege of governing themselves, Montgomery took +peaceable possession of the town; and Governor Carleton retired to his +flotilla. While preparations were making to attack these vessels, the +Governor was conveyed in a boat with muffled oars down the river, in a +dark night, and made his escape to Quebec. The fleet soon afterwards +surrendered, and the General prepared, with the utmost expedition, to +proceed with the few troops who were willing to follow him, to the +capital of Canada. + +Diminished as his army was by the discharge of those who claimed the +performance of his engagements made at St. John's, it was necessary to +leave a part of it at Montreal, St. John's, and Chamblée to garrison +those places--keep open the communication between Quebec and the +United Colonies--preserve the dependence of the Canadians--overawe the +Indians, and hold in check the garrisons above him at Detroit and +Niagara. These essential objects, though provided for with the utmost +possible economy of men, formed such deductions from his force, as to +leave little more than three hundred soldiers to follow their General +in the enterprise against Quebec. + +{August.} + +Foreseeing that the whole force of Canada would be concentrated about +Montreal, General Washington had planned an expedition against Quebec, +to be carried on by a detachment from his camp before Boston, which +was to march by the way of Kennebec river; and, passing through the +dreary wilderness lying between the settled parts of Maine and the St. +Lawrence, to enter Canada about ninety miles below Montreal. + +The object of this hardy enterprise was to compel Carleton, either to +draw his troops from the upper country and leave the passage open to +the army invading the province by the way of the river Sorel, or, if +he should maintain that position, to take possession of Quebec. All +his accounts assured him that this place was unable to hold out +against the force which would appear before it; and, if attacked by an +American army before the return of Carleton, would surrender without +firing a shot. + +This arduous enterprise was committed to Colonel Arnold. About a +thousand men, consisting of New England infantry, some volunteers,[20] +a company of artillery under Captain Lamb, and three companies of +riflemen, were selected for the service. + + [Footnote 20: Colonel Burr, since Vice President of the + United States, was of this number.] + +[Sidenote: Arnold's expedition by the way of the Kennebec.] + +Such delays in expediting this detachment were occasioned by the +derangements of the army, that Arnold could not commence his march +until the middle of September. + +The success of the expedition depending in a great measure on the +friendly temper of the province against which it was directed, the +instructions given to Arnold earnestly inculcated the cultivation of a +good understanding with the Canadians; and even enjoined an +abandonment of the enterprise, should this sudden invasion of their +country threaten to irritate them, and induce them to take up arms +against the United Colonies. He was furnished with about one thousand +pounds in specie to defray contingent expenses, and with a cargo of +manifestoes to be dispersed through Canada. + +The opinion which had been formed of the favourable disposition of the +Canadians was not disproved by the event. They gave essential aid to +the Americans, and cheerfully facilitated their march through that +province. But the previous difficulties to be surmounted were much +greater than had been apprehended. The intermediate country, which had +never been well explored, opposed obstacles to the march, which only +perseverance like that of Arnold and of his brave and hardy followers, +could have conquered. Colonel Enos, who commanded the rear division, +consisting of one third of the detachment, returned from the Dead +River, a branch of the Kennebec. At first, his appearance excited the +utmost indignation in the army; yet, on being arrested, he was +acquitted by a court martial, on the principle that it was absolutely +impracticable to obtain provisions on the route to preserve the troops +from perishing with famine. + +Arnold, who at the head of the first two divisions, still prosecuted +his march, was thirty-two days traversing a hideous wilderness, +without seeing a house, or any thing human. Notwithstanding the +zealous and wonderfully persevering exertions of his men, the +obstacles he encountered so protracted his march, that he did not +reach the first settlements on the Chaudière, which empties itself +into the St. Lawrence, near Quebec, until the 3d of November. + +On the high grounds which separate the waters of the Kennebec from +those of the St. Lawrence, the scanty remnant of provisions was +divided among the companies; each of which was directed, without +attempting to preserve any connexion with the other, to march with the +utmost possible celerity into the inhabited country. Whilst those who +gained the front were yet thirty miles from the first poor and +scattered habitations which composed that frontier of Canada, their +last morsel of food was consumed. But, preceded by Arnold, who went +forward for the purpose of procuring for them something which might +satisfy the demands of nature, the troops persevered in their labours +with a vigour unimpaired by the hardships they had encountered, until +they once more found themselves in regions frequented by human beings. + +After a march of such unexampled fatigue, no more time was allowed for +repose than was barely sufficient to collect the rear, and to refresh +the men. During this short respite from toil, the address signed by +General Washington was published, and every assurance given to the +people, that they came to protect, and not to plunder them. The line +of march was resumed; and, on the 9th of November, this gallant corps +reached Point Levi, opposite Quebec. + +[Sidenote: He arrives before Quebec.] + +The town was almost entirely without a garrison, and nothing could +exceed the astonishment of its inhabitants. Could Arnold have +immediately crossed the St. Lawrence, and have availed himself of the +first consternation, it is believed that he might have entered the +place without opposition; but a high wind, and the want of boats, +rendered the passage of the river impossible. + +One of his Indian messengers, despatched with letters to General +Schuyler, had either betrayed him or been intercepted; and thus +intelligence of his approach was communicated to Colonel M'Clean who +was then at the mouth of the Sorel. Trembling for the capital of the +province, that gallant veteran determined to throw himself into it, +and endeavour to defend it. In the mean time, the winds continued so +high for several nights as to render the passage of the river in the +canoes which had been collected, too hazardous to be attempted; and it +was only in the night that the Americans could hope to cross, because +four ships of war were distributed at different stations in the river, +and armed boats were employed to ply around them. Whilst the Americans +were thus unavoidably detained on the south side of the St. Lawrence, +Colonel M'Clean, with his corps of emigrants, entered the city. + +{November 12.} + +At length the wind moderated; and Arnold determined to attempt the +river. Eluding the armed vessels, and conquering a rapid current, he, +with great difficulty and danger, crossed over in the night, and +landed his little army about a mile and a half above the place which +is rendered memorable by the disembarkation of Wolfe. The passage of +the rugged cliffs which continue on the northern bank of the St. +Lawrence for some distance above Quebec, being impracticable at this +place, he marched down on the shore to Wolfe's Cove, and ascending +with his band of hardy followers the same precipice which had opposed +such obstacles to the British hero; he, too, formed his small corps on +the heights near the plains of Abraham. + +The dangerous and difficult operations of crossing the river in +canoes, whilst the passage was vigilantly guarded by ships of war, and +of gaining the almost perpendicular heights of the opposite shore, +were completed, soon after midnight, by the advance party, consisting +of the rifle companies. While waiting for the residue of the +detachment, a council of all the officers was held for the purpose of +determining on their future measures. Although destitute of every +implement required for an assault, Arnold proposed to march +immediately against Quebec. He counted on surprising the place, and +finding the gates open; but this opinion, which was not earnestly +pressed, was overruled. + +Though disappointed in the expectation of surprising Quebec, Arnold +did not immediately relinquish the hope of obtaining possession of +that important place. Not superior to the garrison in point of +numbers, and without a single piece of artillery, he was obviously +incapable of acting offensively; but he flattered himself that a +defection in the town might yet put it in his hands. With this view, +he paraded on the adjacent heights for some days, and sent two flags +to demand a surrender. But the presence of Colonel M'Clean restrained +those measures which the fears of the inhabitants dictated. Deeming +any communication with the assailants dangerous, he refused to receive +the flag, and fired on the officer who bore it. Intelligence was soon +obtained, that the first alarm was visibly wearing off, and giving +place to other sentiments unfavourable to the hope of gaining Quebec. +Fears for the vast property contained in the town had united the +disaffected; who were, at their own request, embodied and armed. The +sailors too were landed, and placed at the batteries; and, by these +means, the garrison had become more numerous than the American army. + +[Sidenote: And retires to Point Aux Trembles.] + +{November 19.} + +After collecting those who had been left on the south side of the St. +Lawrence, Arnold could not parade more than seven hundred men, and +they were in no condition to risk an action. In their laborious march +through the wilderness, nearly one third of their muskets had been +rendered useless; and their ammunition had sustained such damage that +the riflemen had not more than ten, nor the other troops more than six +rounds for each man. Under these circumstances, it was thought most +adviseable to retire to Point Aux Trembles, twenty miles above Quebec, +and there await the arrival of Montgomery. On their march, they saw +the vessel which conveyed General Carleton; and afterwards found he +had been on shore at Point Aux Trembles, a few hours before they +reached that place.[21] + + [Footnote 21: In the account of this expedition much use has + been made of a journal kept by Colonel Heth who served in it + as a Lieutenant in Morgan's company of riflemen.] + +In war, the success of the most judicious plans often depends on +accidents not to be foreseen nor controlled. Seldom has the truth of +this proposition been more clearly demonstrated, than in the issue of +the expedition conducted by Colonel Arnold. The situation of Canada +conformed exactly to the expectations of the American general. Not +suspecting that so bold and difficult an enterprise could be +meditated, its Governor had left Quebec entirely defenceless, and had +drawn the strength of the province towards the lakes. Could Arnold +have reached that place a few days sooner--could he even have crossed +the river on his first arrival at Point Levi--or had Colonel Enos been +able to follow the main body with his division of the +detachment--every probability favours the opinion, that this hardy and +well conceived expedition would have been crowned with the most +brilliant success. Nay, more--had Arnold been careful to relieve the +inhabitants of the town from all fears respecting their property, +there is reason to believe, they would have refused to defend it. But +although this bold enterprise was planned with judgment, and executed +with vigour; although the means employed were adequate to the object; +yet the concurrence of several minute and unfavourable incidents +entirely defeated it, and deprived it of that éclat to which it was +justly entitled. + +{December 5.} + +Having clothed his almost naked troops at Montreal, General +Montgomery, at the head of about three hundred men, proceeded with his +usual expedition to join Colonel Arnold at Point Aux Trembles, where +he supplied the troops of that officer with clothes provided at +Montreal; and afterwards marched with their united forces directly to +Quebec. But, before his arrival, Governor Carleton, who had entered +the town, was making every preparation for a vigorous defence. The +garrison now consisted of about fifteen hundred men, of whom eight +hundred were militia, and between four and five hundred were seamen. +Montgomery's effective force was stated, by himself, at only eight +hundred. His situation would have filled with despair a mind less +vigorous, less sanguine, and less brave. His numbers were not +sufficient to render success probable, according to any common +principle of calculation; and the prospect of their being diminished +might be rationally entertained. But, relying on their courage, on +himself and his fortune, and on the fears of the garrison; stimulated, +too, by the high expectations formed throughout America of his +success, and by the dread of disappointing those expectations, he +determined to lay immediate siege to the town. + +[Sidenote: Montgomery lays siege to Quebec.] + +In a few days he opened a six gun battery within seven hundred yards +of the walls; but his artillery was too light to make a breach, and he +did not calculate on any effect from it. His object was to amuse the +garrison, and conceal his real design. + +Although the troops supported the excessive hardships to which they +were exposed, with constancy and firmness, Montgomery feared that such +continued sufferings would overcome them; and, as he would soon have +no legal authority to retain a part of them, he apprehended that he +should be abandoned by that part. Impressed with the real necessity of +taking decisive steps, and impelled by his native courage, this +gallant officer determined to risk an assault. + +Of such materials was his little army composed, that the most +desperate hardihood could not hope to succeed in the purposed attempt, +unless it should receive the approbation of all his troops. It was +therefore necessary, not only to consult the officers individually on +this delicate subject, but to obtain also the cheerful assent of the +soldiers to the meditated enterprise. The proposition was at first +received coldly by a part of Arnold's corps, who were, by some means, +disgusted with their commanding officer; but the influence of Morgan, +who was particularly zealous for an assault, and who held up as a +powerful inducement, the rights conferred by the usages of war on +those who storm a fortified town, at length prevailed; and the measure +was almost unanimously approved. + +Whilst the general was preparing for the assault, the garrison +received intelligence of his design from a deserter. This circumstance +induced him to change the plan, which had originally been to attack +both the upper and lower towns at the same time. That finally adopted, +was to divide the army into four parts; and while two of them, +consisting of Canadians under Major Livingston, and a small party +under Major Brown, were to distract the garrison by making two feints +against the upper town at St. John's and Cape Diamond; the other two, +led, the one by Montgomery in person, and the other by Arnold, were to +make real attacks on opposite sides of the lower town. After gaining +that, it would yet be extremely difficult to conquer the obstacles to +be surmounted in forcing their way to the upper town; but, as all the +wealth of the city would then be in their power, it was confidently +expected that the inhabitants, to secure their property, would compel +the governor to capitulate. + +{December 31.} + +[Sidenote: Unsuccessful attack on that place.] + +Between four and five in the morning, the signal was given; and the +several divisions moved to the assault under a violent storm of snow. +The plan was so well concerted, that from the side of the river St. +Lawrence, along the fortified front round to the basin, every part +seemed equally threatened.[22] Montgomery advanced at the head of the +New York troops, along the St. Lawrence, by the way of Aunce de Mere, +under Cape Diamond. The first barrier on this side, at the Pot Ash, +was defended by a battery, in which a few pieces of artillery were +mounted; about two hundred paces in front of which was a block-house +and picket. The guard placed at the block-house being chiefly +Canadians, after giving a random and harmless fire, threw away their +arms, and fled in confusion to the barrier. Their terrors were +communicated to those who defended this important pass; and from the +intelligence afterwards received by the American prisoners in Quebec, +it appears that the battery was for a time deserted. + + [Footnote 22: Letter of Governor Carleton.] + +[Sidenote: Death of Montgomery.] + +Unfortunately, the difficulties of the route rendered it impossible +for Montgomery to avail himself instantly of this first impression. +Cape Diamond, around which he was to make his way, presents a +precipice, the foot of which is washed by the river, where such +enormous and rugged masses of ice had been piled on each other, as to +render the way almost impassable.[23] Along the scanty path leading +under the projecting rocks of the precipice, the Americans pressed +forward in a narrow file, until they reached the block-house and +picket. Montgomery, who was himself in front, assisted with his own +hand to cut down or pull up the pickets, and open a passage for his +troops: but the roughness and difficulty of the way had so lengthened +his line of march, that he found it absolutely necessary to halt a few +minutes. Having re-assembled about two hundred men, he advanced boldly +and rapidly at their head, to force the barrier. One or two persons +had now ventured to return to the battery, and seizing a slow-match, +discharged a gun, when the American front was within forty paces of +it. This single and accidental fire proved fatal to the enterprise. +The general, with Captains M'Pherson and Cheeseman, the first of whom +was his aid, together with his orderly sergeant and a private, were +killed upon the spot. The loss of their general, in whom their +confidence had been so justly placed, discouraged the troops; and +Colonel Campbell, on whom the command devolved, made no attempt to +reanimate them. This whole division retired precipitately from the +action, and left the garrison at leisure to direct its undivided force +against Arnold. + + [Footnote 23: Annual Register.] + +At the common signal for the attack, the division commanded by this +officer moved in files along the street of St. Roques towards the Saut +de Matelots, where the first barrier had been constructed, and a +battery of two twelve pounders erected. In imitation of Montgomery, he +too led the forlorn hope in person, and was followed by Captain Lamb +with his company of artillery, and a field piece mounted on a sled. +Close in the rear of the artillery was the main body, in front of +which was Morgan's company of riflemen, commanded by himself. The path +along which the troops were to march was so narrow, that the two +pieces of artillery in the battery were capable of raking with grape +shot every inch of the ground; whilst the whole right flank was +exposed to an incessant fire of musketry from the walls, and from the +pickets of the garrison. + +In this order Arnold advanced along the St. Charles with the utmost +intrepidity. The alarm was immediately given, and the fire on his +flank commenced. As he approached the barrier, he received a musket +ball in the leg which shattered the bone, and was carried off the +field. Morgan rushed forward to the battery at the head of his +company, and received from one of the pieces, almost at its mouth, a +discharge of grape shot, which killed only one man. The barricade was +instantly mounted, on which the battery was deserted without a +discharge from another gun. The captain of the guard, with the greater +number of his men, were made prisoners. + +Morgan formed his troops in the streets within the barrier, and took +into custody several English and Canadian burghers; but his situation +soon became extremely critical. He was not followed by the main body +of the division--he had no guide--and was, himself, totally ignorant +of the situation of the town. It was yet dark--and he had not the +slightest knowledge of the course to be pursued, or of the defences to +be encountered. Under these circumstances, it was thought unadviseable +to advance farther. They were soon joined by Lieutenant Colonel Green, +and Majors Bigelow and Meigs, with several fragments of companies, so +as to constitute altogether about two hundred men. + +As the light of day began to appear, this gallant party was again +formed, with Morgan's company in front; and, with one voice, loudly +called on him to lead them against the second barrier, which was now +known to be less than forty paces from them, though concealed by an +angle of the street from their immediate view. Seizing the few ladders +brought with them, they again rushed forward; and under an incessant +fire from the battery, and from the windows overlooking it, applied +their ladders to the barricade; and maintained for some time a fierce, +and, on their part, a bloody contest. Exposed thus, in a narrow +street, to a galling fire, and finding themselves unable to force the +barrier, or to discharge more than one in ten of their fire arms--the +violence of the storm having unfitted them for service; many of the +assailants threw themselves into the stone houses on each side, which +afforded them a shelter both from the storm and from the enemy. After +continuing some time in this situation, Morgan proposed to cut their +way back to the American camp. They were prevented from adopting this +daring resolution, only by the suggestion that the attack led by +Montgomery, of whose fate they were ignorant, might possibly be +successful; and that, in the event of his having entered the opposite +part of the town, their co-operation might be useful to him. On this +account, they determined still to maintain their situation. But the +force of the enemy increasing considerably, they soon perceived that +they were no longer masters of their own destinies, and surrendered +themselves prisoners of war.[24] + + [Footnote 24: In this account of the attempt to storm + Quebec, free use is made of Colonel Heth's journal.] + +In this bold attack on Quebec, the loss on the part of the garrison +was inconsiderable. That of the Americans was about four hundred men, +three hundred and forty of whom were prisoners. It fell chiefly on +Arnold's division. Captain Hendricks of the Pennsylvania riflemen, +Lieutenant Humphries of Morgan's company, and Lieutenant Cooper of +Connecticut, were among the slain. Captains Lamb and Hubbard, and +Lieutenants Steele and Tisdale, were among the wounded. Every officer +at the second barrier received several balls through his clothes, and +some of them were severely scorched by the powder from the muzzles of +the muskets discharged at them. But the loss most deplored, and most +fatal to the hopes of the American army, was that of their general. + +Richard Montgomery was a native of Ireland, and had served with +reputation in the late war. After its conclusion he settled in New +York, where he married an American lady, and took a decided part with +the colonies in their contest with Great Britain. His military +reputation was high throughout America. In the history of his +achievements, while commanding in Canada, we perceive the bold, +skilful, and active partisan; and, so far as a judgment can be formed +of a capacity for conducting the movements of a large army from +judicious management of a small one, we can not hesitate to allow him +the talents of an able general. At the head of a small body of +undisciplined troops, drawn from different colonies, unwilling to be +commanded by a stranger, jealous of him in the extreme, often disposed +to disobedience, and anxious for their homes, he conquered +difficulties which not many would have ventured to meet; and, until +his last fatal moment, was uniformly successful. In little more than +two months, he made himself master of Canada, from the lakes to +Quebec: and, as if determined to triumph over the climate itself, laid +siege, in the depth of winter, to that important fortress. His +measures seem to have been taken with judgment, and were certainly +executed with great courage and unremitting exertion. When he appears +to have risked much, and to have exposed his troops to excessive +hardships, this line of conduct was not inconsiderately chosen. The +state of his affairs left him only the alternative between attempting +to storm Quebec, or abandoning the great object of the expedition. Nor +was his attempt so hopeless a measure as the strength of the place, +and the event might, at first view, induce us to suppose. The design +was worthy of the lofty spirit which formed it; though hazardous, it +was not desperate; and if great courage was required to crown it with +success, great courage was employed in its execution. He counted, and +with reason, on the fears of the garrison, and on the immense extent +of ground to be guarded. Had he not fallen himself, or been deserted +by his troops, it is even yet believed the enterprise would have +succeeded. The progress made by Arnold's division gives great +countenance to this opinion. + +To manifest the high sense entertained of his services, congress +directed a monument, expressing the circumstances of his death and the +gratitude of his country, to be erected to his memory. + +The Americans, being no longer in a condition to continue the siege, +retired about three miles from the city; where, though inferior in +numbers to the garrison, they maintained the blockade. By preserving +this bold countenance, they retained the confidence of the Canadians; +which saved their affairs, for a time, from total ruin. + +Governor Carleton was content to preserve Quebec, until the +reinforcements he expected in the spring should enable him to act on +the offensive. He therefore determined not to hazard an attack, with a +garrison on which it was unsafe to rely; and Arnold, on whom the +command had devolved, remained undisturbed. Although badly wounded, he +retained his courage and activity; and, though deserted by those whose +terms of service had expired, so as to be reduced at one time to about +five hundred effective men, he discovered no disposition to sink under +the weight of adverse fortune. + +While the affairs of the colonies wore this gloomy aspect in Canada, +congress was indulging sanguine hopes of annexing that province to the +union. Nine regiments, including one to be raised in that colony, were +voted for its defence during the ensuing campaign; and General +Schuyler was directed to construct a number of batteaux at +Ticonderoga, for the purpose of transporting the troops to the scene +of action. + +{1776} + +{January 17.} + +Whilst adopting these measures, congress received the melancholy +intelligence of the disaster of the 31st December. Far from being +dispirited by this reverse of fortune, that body redoubled its +exertions to hasten reinforcements to the army in Canada, and urged +the several conventions to collect for its use all the specie they +could obtain. These measures were, in some degree, accelerated by +having been anticipated by the Commander-in-chief.[25] + + [Footnote 25: On the first intelligence received in the camp + at Boston of the fate of Montgomery, General Washington, + though extremely delicate respecting the assumption of + power, without waiting for the orders of congress, had + immediately requested the New England governments to raise + several regiments to reinforce that army. This proceeding + was approved by congress.] + +The service in Canada being deemed of too much importance to be +entrusted to Colonel, now Brigadier General Arnold, or to General +Wooster; and the health of General Schuyler not admitting of his +proceeding to Quebec; General Thomas, an officer who had acquired +reputation at Roxbury, was ordered to take command of the army in that +province. + +In the hope of exciting throughout Canada the sentiments which +prevailed in the United Colonies, and of forming with it a perfect +union, three commissioners, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Chase, and Mr. +Carroll,[26] were deputed with full powers on this subject, and with +instructions to establish a free press. These commissioners were +directed to assure the people that they would be permitted to adopt +such form of government as should be agreeable to themselves; to +exercise freely all the rights of conscience; and to be considered as +a sister colony, governed by the same general system of mild and equal +laws which prevailed in the other colonies, with only such local +differences as each might deem conducive to its own happiness. They +were also instructed to inquire into the conduct of the American army, +and to correct any irregularities which might be offensive to the +people. + + [Footnote 26: They were accompanied by Mr. Carroll, a bishop + of the Roman Catholic church.] + +Congress seems to have entertained the opinion expressed by General +Washington in a letter to General Schuyler, "that the Province could +be secured only by laying hold of the affections of the people, and +engaging them heartily in the common cause." In pursuance of this +opinion, they adopted the magnanimous policy of compensating those +individuals who had suffered for their adherence to the Americans. + +[Sidenote: Blockade of Quebec continued.] + +In the mean time Arnold maintained the blockade of Quebec. But +reinforcements were slow in arriving, notwithstanding every exertion +to hasten them, and from the first of January to the first of March, +the effective force before that place had never exceeded seven hundred +men, and had often been as low as five hundred. In March, +reinforcements arrived in greater numbers, and the army was increased +to seventeen hundred; but this number was soon reduced by the +small-pox, which had made its way into camp, where, in contempt of +orders, it was propagated by inoculation. + +To render the blockade in any degree effectual, this small army, which +occupied the island of Orleans and both sides of the St. Lawrence, was +spread over a circuit of twenty-six miles, and divided by three +ferries. The establishment of discipline had been impracticable, if +attempted; and the Canadians were often injured and irritated. There +is reason to believe that even General Arnold was disposed to think +himself in the country of an enemy; and that, in repressing disorders, +he did not exert that energy which he had always displayed +conspicuously in the field. + +{March 4.} + +Many causes combined to diminish the attachment originally manifested +by the Canadians to the United Colonies. The necessities of his +situation compelled General Arnold to issue a proclamation making +paper money current, under the promise of redeeming it in four months, +and denouncing those as enemies, who should refuse to receive it. The +Canadians were unwilling to exchange their property or labour, for an +article of such uncertain value; and the discontents excited by the +attempt to force it on them were very considerable. + +Another circumstance, which had great influence with reflecting men, +was the obvious incompetence of the American force to its object. The +Canadians had expected a powerful army--sufficient for the protection +of the country; and their disappointment in this respect, produced a +great change in their opinions and conduct. + +The dissatisfaction arising from these causes was augmented by the +priests. They, as a body, were never cordial in the American interest; +and having been, since the death of Montgomery, very injudiciously +neglected, had become almost universally hostile to the views of the +United Colonies. + +General Carleton was no stranger to the revolution which was taking +place in the minds of the Canadians, and entertained the hope of +raising the siege by their assistance. A detachment of about sixty +men, from the garrison of Quebec, landed twelve leagues below the town +on the south side of the river, and were joined by about two hundred +and fifty Canadians, who were rapidly increasing in numbers, when they +were suddenly attacked by a detachment sent by Arnold, which surprised +their advance guard, killed a few, took some prisoners, and dispersed +the residue. + +{April 2.} + +As the season of the year approached when reinforcements from England +might be expected, Arnold deemed it necessary to recommence active +operations, and to resume the siege. His batteries were again erected, +and were opened on the 2d of April, but without much effect. He had +not weight of metal to make a breach in the wall, nor an engineer +capable of directing a siege, nor artillerists who understood the +management of the pieces. + +On the 1st of April, Wooster had arrived, and, on the succeeding day, +Arnold's horse fell with him, and so bruised one of his legs as to +confine him to his bed for some time. Believing himself to be +neglected, he obtained leave of absence as soon as he was able to +move, and took the command at Montreal. + +{April 15.} + +A considerable part of the army having become entitled to a discharge, +no inducement could prevail on them to continue longer in so severe a +service. This deduction from Wooster's force was the more sensibly +felt, because the present situation of the roads, the lakes, and the +St. Lawrence, suspended the arrival of the reinforcements destined for +his aid. + +[Sidenote: General Thomas takes command of the army.] + +Among the first who reached camp after this state of things took +place, was General Thomas. He arrived on the 1st of May, and found an +army consisting of nineteen hundred men; of whom, less than one +thousand, including officers, were effective. Among these were three +hundred entitled to discharge, who refused to do duty, and insisted +importunately on being immediately dismissed. This small force was +still more enfeebled by being so divided that it was impracticable to +unite more than three hundred men at any one point. All the magazines +contained but one hundred and fifty barrels of powder, and six days +provisions; nor could adequate supplies from the country people be +obtained, as the Canadians no longer manifested any disposition to +serve them. + +The river began to open below, and it was certain, that the British +would seize the first moment of its being practicable, to relieve this +important place. Amidst these unpromising circumstances, the hopes of +taking Quebec appeared to General Thomas to be chimerical, and a +longer continuance before the town both useless and dangerous. It was +apparent that the first reinforcements which should arrive would +deprive him entirely of the use of the river, and consequently would +embarrass the removal of his sick, and military stores. No object +remained to justify this hazard. + +[Sidenote: The blockade of Quebec is raised.] + +{May 6.} + +Under these impressions, he called a council of war, which unanimously +determined, that the army was not in a condition to risk an +assault--that the sick should be removed to the Three Rivers, and the +artillery and other stores embarked in their boats, in order to move +to a more defensible position. On the evening of the same day, +intelligence was received that a British fleet was below; and, the +next morning, five ships, which had, with much labour and danger, made +their way up the river through the ice, appeared in sight. They soon +entered the harbour, and landed some men whilst the Americans were +assiduously employed in the embarkation of their sick and stores--an +operation carried on the more slowly, because the first appearance of +the ships deprived them of the aid expected from the teams and +carriages of the Canadians. + +About noon, Carleton made a sortie at the head of one thousand men, +formed in two divisions, and supported by six field pieces. The +Americans had thrown up no intrenchments, and could not bring into +action more than three hundred men. Under these circumstances, victory +was scarcely possible, and could have produced no important effect. +General Thomas, therefore, with the advice of the field officers about +him, determined not to risk an action, and ordered his troops to +retreat up the river. This was done with much precipitation, and many +of the sick, with all the military stores, fell into the hands of the +enemy. The army continued its retreat to the Sorel, where General +Thomas was seized with the small=pox, of which he died.[27] + + [Footnote 27: Whilst the troops of the United Colonies were + flying from the vicinity of Quebec, an unexpected calamity + befel them in a different quarter of that province. + + Colonel Bedel, with three hundred and ninety continental + troops and two field pieces, had been stationed at the + Cedars, a point of land about forty miles above Montreal, + which projected far into the St. Lawrence, and could be + approached only on one side. Early in the spring, General + Carleton had planned an expedition against this post, the + execution of which was committed to Captain Forster, who + commanded at an English station on Oswegachie. At the head + of a company of regulars and a body of Indians, amounting in + the whole to six hundred men, he appeared before the + American works early in May. Two days previous to his + appearance, Colonel Bedel had received intelligence of his + approach; and, leaving the fort to be commanded by Major + Butterfield, had proceeded himself to Montreal, to solicit + assistance. Arnold, who then commanded at that place, + immediately detached Major Sherburne to the Cedars with one + hundred men; and prepared to follow, in person, at the head + of a much larger force. + + Although the place could have been easily defended, the + besiegers having no artillery--Major Butterfield, + intimidated by the threat, that should any Indians be killed + during the siege, it would be out of the power of Captain + Forster to restrain the savages from massacreing every + individual of the garrison, consented to a capitulation, by + which the whole party became prisoners of war. The next day, + Major Sherburne approached without having received any + information that Butterfield had surrendered. Within about + four miles of the Cedars, he was attacked by a considerable + body of Indians; and, after a sharp conflict, surrendered at + discretion. + + On being informed of these untoward events, Arnold, at the + head of seven hundred men, marched against the enemy then at + Vaudreuil, in the hope of recovering the American prisoners. + When preparing for an engagement, he received a flag, + accompanied by Major Sherburne, giving him the most positive + assurances that if he persisted in his design, it would be + entirely out of the power of Captain Forster to prevent his + savages from pursuing their horrid customs, and + disencumbering themselves of their prisoners by putting + every man to death. This massacre was already threatened; + and Major Sherburne confirmed the information. Under the + influence of this threat, Arnold desisted from his purpose, + and consented to a cartel, by which the prisoners were + delivered up to him; he agreeing, among other things, not + only to deliver as many British soldiers in exchange for + them, but also, that they should immediately return to their + homes.] + +The Americans were much dissatisfied with the conduct of this +gentleman. To him they, in some degree, attributed the disasters which +ruined their affairs in Canada. But this censure was unjust. He took +command of the army when it was too weak to maintain its ground, and +when the time for saving the sick and the military stores had passed +away. + +The siege of Quebec, instead of being continued longer, ought to have +been abandoned at an earlier period. This was the real fault of those +who commanded in Canada. It is to be ascribed to the reluctance always +felt by inexperienced officers to disappoint the public expectation, +by relinquishing an enterprise concerning which sanguine hopes have +been entertained; and to encounter the obloquy of giving up a post, +although it can no longer with prudence be defended. In the +perseverance with which the siege of Quebec was maintained, these +motives operated with all their force, and they received an addition, +from the unwillingness felt by the Americans, to abandon those of +their friends who had taken so decisive a part in their favour, as to +be incapable of remaining in safety behind them. + +{June 4.} + +[Sidenote: General Sullivan takes the command.] + +After the death of General Thomas, reinforcements assembled at the +mouth of the Sorel, which increased the army to four or five thousand +men, who were commanded by General Sullivan. The friendly Canadians +who had supposed themselves abandoned, manifested great joy at the +arrival of a force which appeared to them very considerable; and +offered every assistance in their power. Sullivan calculated on their +joining him in great numbers, and entertained sanguine hopes of +recovering and maintaining the post of De Chambeau. As a previous +measure, it was necessary to dislodge the enemy at the Three Rivers. + +Carleton was not immediately in a situation to follow up the blow +given the Americans at Quebec, and to drive them entirely out of the +province; but the respite allowed them was not of long duration. + +Towards the end of May large reinforcements arrived, which augmented +the British army in Canada to about thirteen thousand men. The general +rendezvous appointed for these troops was at the Three Rivers. The +army was greatly divided. A considerable corps, commanded by General +Frazer, had reached the Three Rivers, and the main body was on its way +from Quebec. The distance from the Sorel was about fifty miles, and +several armed vessels and transports, full of troops, lay about five +miles higher up than the Three Rivers, full in the way.[28] + + [Footnote 28: Annual Register.] + +General Thompson, who commanded the army after the illness of General +Thomas, understanding the party at the Three Rivers to consist of +about eight hundred men, partly Canadians, had detached Colonel St. +Clair with between six and seven hundred men, to attack it, if there +should be any probability of doing so with advantage. Colonel St. +Clair advanced to Nicolet, where, believing himself not strong enough +for the service on which he had been ordered, he waited for further +reinforcements, or additional instructions. At this time General +Sullivan arrived; and, understanding the enemy to be weak at the Three +Rivers, orders General Thompson to join Colonel St. Clair at Nicolet, +with a reinforcement of nearly fourteen hundred men, to take command +of the whole detachment, and to attack the troops lying at the Three +Rivers, provided there was a favourable prospect of success. + +{June 8.} + +General Thompson joined Colonel St. Clair at Nicolet, and, believing +himself strong enough to perform the service consigned to him, fell +down the river by night, and passed to the other side, with the +intention of surprising Frazer. The plan was to attack the village a +little before day-break, at the same instant, at each end; whilst two +smaller corps were drawn up to cover and support the attack. + +[Sidenote: Battle of the Three Rivers.] + +The troops passed the armed vessels without being perceived, but +arrived at Three Rivers about an hour later than had been intended; in +consequence of which they were discovered, and the alarm was given at +their landing. To avoid the fire of some ships in the river, they +attempted to pass through what appeared to be a point of woods, but +was in reality a deep morass three miles in extent. The delays +occasioned by their detention in this morass, gave General Frazer full +time to land some field pieces, and prepare for their reception; while +General Nesbit fell into their rear, and cut off their return to the +boats. They advanced to the charge, but were soon repulsed; and +finding it impracticable to return the way they came, were driven some +miles through a deep swamp, which they traversed with inconceivable +toil, and every degree of distress. The British at length gave over +the pursuit. + +In this unfortunate enterprise, General Thompson and Colonel Irwin, +with about two hundred men, were made prisoners; and from twenty to +thirty were killed. The loss of the British was inconsiderable. + +{June 14.} + +The whole American force in Canada now amounted to about eight +thousand men, not one half of whom were fit for duty. About two +thousand five hundred effectives were with General Sullivan at the +Sorel. The whole were in a state of total insubordination--much +harassed with fatigue--and dispirited by their late losses, by the +visible superiority of the enemy, and by the apprehension that their +retreat would be entirely cut off. Under all these discouraging +circumstances, General Sullivan formed the rash determination of +defending the post at Sorel; and was induced only by the unanimous +opinion of his officers, and a conviction that the troops would not +support him, to abandon it a few hours before the British took +possession of it. The same causes drew him reluctantly from Chamblée +and St. John's; but he resolved to remain at the Isle Aux Noix, until +he should receive orders to retreat. He had been joined at St. John's +by General Arnold, who had crossed over at Longueisle just in time to +save the garrison of Montreal. + +The Isle Aux Noix is a low unhealthy place, badly supplied with water; +where the troops were so universally seized with fevers, as to compel +General Sullivan to retire to the Isle Lamotte. At that place he +received the orders of General Schuyler to embark on the lakes for +Crown Point. + +The armed vessels on the Sorel and St. Lawrence were destroyed, and +the fortifications of Chamblée and St. John's set on fire. All the +baggage of the army, and nearly all the military stores were saved. + +The British army, during this whole retreat, followed close in the +rear, and took possession of the different posts which the Americans +had occupied, immediately after they were evacuated. + +On the Sorel the pursuit stopped. The Americans had the command of the +lake, and the British general deemed it prudent to wrest it from them +before he advanced farther. To effect this, it was necessary to +construct a number of vessels, which required time and labour. +Meanwhile, General Gates was ordered to take command of the northern +army, which was directed to be reinforced with six thousand militia. + +[Sidenote: Canada evacuated.] + +Thus terminated the enterprise against Canada. It was a bold, and, at +one period, promised to be a successful effort to annex that extensive +province to the United Colonies. The dispositions of the Canadians +favoured the measure; and had Quebec fallen, there is reason to +believe the colony would have entered cordially into the union. Had a +few incidents turned out fortunately; had Arnold been able to reach +Quebec a few days sooner, or to cross the St. Lawrence on his first +arrival--or had the gallant Montgomery not fallen in the assault of +the 31st December, it is probable the expedition would have been +crowned with complete success. But the radical causes of failure, +putting fortune out of the question, were to be found in the lateness +of the season when the troops were assembled, in a defect of the +preparations necessary for such a service, and still more in the +shortness of the time for which the men were enlisted. Had the +expedition been successful, the practicability of maintaining the +country is much to be doubted. Whilst General Montgomery lay before +Quebec, and expected to obtain possession of the place, he extended +his views to its preservation. His plan required a permanent army of +ten thousand men; strong fortifications at Jacques Cartier, and the +rapids of Richelieu; and armed vessels in the river, above the last +place. With this army and these precautions, he thought the country +might be defended; but not with an inferior force. + +It seems, therefore, to have been an enterprise requiring means beyond +the ability of congress; and the strength exhausted on it would have +been more judiciously employed in securing the command of the lakes +George and Champlain, and the fortified towns upon them. + +While General Carleton was making preparations to enter the lakes, +General Schuyler was using his utmost exertions to retain the command +of them. But, so great was the difficulty of procuring workmen and +materials, that he found it impossible to equip a fleet which would be +equal to the exigency. It consisted of only fifteen small vessels; the +largest of which was a schooner mounting twelve guns, carrying six and +four pound balls. The command of this squadron, at the instance of +General Washington, was given to General Arnold. + +[Sidenote: General Carleton constructs a fleet.] + +[Sidenote: Enters Lake Champlain.] + +With almost incredible exertions, the British general constructed a +powerful fleet; and, afterwards, dragged up the rapids of St. Therese +and St. John's, a vast number of long boats and other vessels, among +which was a gondola weighing thirty tons. This immense work was +completed in little more than three months; and, as if by magic, +General Arnold saw on Lake Champlain, early in October, a fleet +consisting of near thirty vessels; the largest of which, the +Inflexible, carried eighteen twelve-pounders. This formidable fleet, +having on board General Carleton himself, and navigated by seven +hundred prime seamen under the command of Captain Pringle, proceeded +immediately in quest of Arnold, who was advantageously posted between +the island of Valicour and the western main. + +Notwithstanding the disparity of force, a warm action ensued. A wind, +unfavourable to the British, kept the Inflexible and some other large +vessels at too great a distance to render any service. This +circumstance enabled Arnold to keep up the engagement until night, +when Captain Pringle discontinued it, and anchored his whole fleet in +a line, as near the vessels of his adversary as was practicable. In +this engagement, the best schooner belonging to the American flotilla +was burnt, and a gondola was sunk. + +[Sidenote: Defeats the American flotilla.] + +In the night, Arnold attempted to escape to Ticonderoga; and, the next +morning, was out of sight; but, being immediately pursued, was +overtaken about noon, and brought to action a few leagues short of +Crown Point. He kept up a warm engagement for about two hours, during +which the vessels that were most ahead escaped to Ticonderoga. Two +gallies and five gondolas, which remained, made a desperate +resistance. At length one of them struck; after which Arnold ran the +remaining vessels on shore, and blew them up; having first saved his +men, though great efforts were made to take them. + +On the approach of the British army, a small detachment, which had +occupied Crown Point as an out-post, evacuated the place, and retired +to Ticonderoga, which Schuyler determined to defend to the last +extremity. + +[Sidenote: Takes possession of Crown Point.] + +[Sidenote: Retires into winter quarters.] + +General Carleton took possession of Crown Point, and advanced a part +of his fleet into Lake George, within view of Ticonderoga. His army +also approached that place, as if designing to invest it; but, after +reconnoitring the works, and observing the steady countenance of the +garrison, he thought it too late to lay siege to the fortress. +Re-embarking his army, he returned to Canada, where he placed it in +winter quarters; making the Isle Aux Noix his most advanced post. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Transactions in Virginia.... Action at Great Bridge.... + Norfolk evacuated.... Burnt.... Transactions in North + Carolina.... Action at Moore's Creek Bridge.... Invasion of + South Carolina.... British fleet repulsed at Fort + Moultrie.... Transactions in New York.... Measures leading + to Independence.... Independence declared. + + +{1775} + +{July.} + +[Sidenote: Transactions in Virginia.] + +Whilst the war was carried on thus vigorously in the north, the +southern colonies were not entirely unemployed. The convention of +Virginia determined to raise two regiments of regular troops for one +year, and to enlist a part of the militia as minute-men. + +{October.} + +Lord Dunmore, the Governor of the colony, who was joined by the most +active of the disaffected, and by a number of slaves whom he had +encouraged to run away from their masters, was collecting a naval +force, which threatened to be extremely troublesome in a country so +intersected with large navigable rivers as the colony of Virginia. +With this force he carried on a slight predatory war, and, at length, +attempted to burn the town of Hampton. The inhabitants, having +received intimation of his design, gave notice of it to the commanding +officer at Williamsburg, where some regulars and minute-men were +stationed. Two companies were despatched to their assistance, who +arrived just before the assault was made, and obliged the assailants +to retreat, with some loss, to their vessels. + +{November 7.} + +In consequence of this repulse, his Lordship proclaimed martial law; +summoned all persons capable of bearing arms to repair to the royal +standard, or be considered as traitors; and offered freedom to all +indented servants and slaves who should join him.[29] + + [Footnote 29: Gazette-Remembrancer.] + +This proclamation made some impression about Norfolk, where the +Governor collected such a force of the disaffected and negroes, as +gave him an entire ascendancy in that part of the colony. + +Intelligence of these transactions being received at Williamsburg, a +regiment of regulars and about two hundred minute-men, were ordered +down under the command of Colonel Woodford,[30] for the defence of the +inhabitants. Hearing of their approach, Lord Dunmore took a well +chosen position on the north side of Elizabeth river, at the Great +Bridge, where it was necessary for the provincials to cross in order +to reach Norfolk; at which place he had established himself in some +force. Here he erected a small fort on a piece of firm ground +surrounded by a marsh, which was accessible, on either side, only by a +long causeway. Colonel Woodford encamped within cannon-shot of this +post, in a small village at the south end of the causeway; across +which, just at its termination, he constructed a breast-work; but, +being without artillery, was unable to make any attempt on the fort. + + [Footnote 30: The author was in this expedition, and relates + the circumstances attending it chiefly from his own + observation.] + +{December.} + +[Sidenote: Action at the Great Bridge.] + +In this position both parties continued for a few days, when Lord +Dunmore ordered Captain Fordyce, the commanding officer at the Great +Bridge, though inferior in numbers, to storm the works of the +provincials. Between day-break and sunrise, this officer, at the head +of about sixty grenadiers of the 14th regiment, who led the column, +advanced along the causeway with fixed bayonets, against the +breast-work. The alarm was immediately given; and, as is the practice +with raw troops, the bravest rushed to the works, where, regardless of +order, they kept up a heavy fire on the front of the British column. +Captain Fordyce, though received so warmly in front, and taken in +flank by a party posted on a small eminence on his right, marched up +with great intrepidity, until he fell dead within a few steps of the +breast-work. The column immediately broke and retreated; but being +covered by the artillery of the fort, was not pursued. + +In this ill-judged attack, every grenadier is said to have been killed +or wounded; while the Americans did not lose a single man. + +[Sidenote: Norfolk evacuated.] + +The following night, the fort was evacuated. The provincial troops +proceeded to Norfolk, under the command of Colonel Howe of North +Carolina, and Lord Dunmore took refuge on board his vessels. + +{1776} + +{January.} + +[Sidenote: And burnt.] + +After taking possession of the town, the American soldiers frequently +amused themselves by firing into the vessels in the harbour, from the +buildings near the water. Irritated by this, Lord Dunmore determined +to destroy the houses immediately on the shore; and, on the night of +the first of January, under cover of a heavy cannonade, landed a body +of troops, and set fire to a number of houses near the river. The +provincials, who entertained strong prejudices against this station, +saw the flames spread from house to house without making any attempt +to extinguish them. After the fire had continued several weeks, in +which time it had consumed about four-fifths of the town, Colonel +Howe, who had waited on the convention to urge the necessity of +destroying the place, returned with orders to burn the remaining +houses; which were carried into immediate execution. + +{February.} + +Thus was destroyed the most populous and flourishing town in Virginia. +Its destruction was one of those ill-judged measures, of which the +consequences are felt long after the motives are forgotten. + +After Norfolk was laid in ashes, Lord Dunmore continued a predatory +war on the rivers--burning houses, and robbing plantations--which +served only to distress a few individuals, and to increase the +detestation in which he was held through the country. At length, his +wretched followers, wearied with their miserable condition, were sent +to Florida.[31] + + [Footnote 31: Virginia Gazette.] + +As the war became more serious, the convention deemed it necessary to +increase the number of regular regiments from two to nine, which were +afterwards taken into the continental service. + +[Sidenote: Transactions in North Carolina.] + +In North Carolina, Governor Martin, though obliged to take refuge on +board a ship of war, in Cape Fear river, indulged the hope of being +able to reduce that colony. + +A body of ignorant and disorderly men on the western frontier, styling +themselves regulators, had attempted by arms, some time before the +existing war, to control and stop the administration of justice. After +failing in this attempt, they became as hostile to the colonial, as +they had been to the royal government. + +The province also contained many families who had lately emigrated +from the highlands of Scotland; and who, retaining their attachment to +the place of their nativity, transferred it to the government under +which they had been bred. From the union of these parties, Governor +Martin entertained sanguine hopes of making a successful struggle for +North Carolina. His confidence was increased by the assurances he had +received, that a considerable land and naval armament was destined for +the southern colonies. + +To prepare for co-operating with this force, should it arrive; or, in +any event, to make an effort to give the ascendancy in North Carolina +to the royal cause, he sent several commissions to the leaders of the +highlanders, for raising and commanding regiments; and granted one to +a Mr. M'Donald, their chief, to act as their general. He also sent +them a proclamation, to be used on a proper occasion, commanding all +persons, on their allegiance, to repair to the royal standard. This +was erected by General M'Donald at Cross Creek, about the middle of +February, and nearly fifteen hundred men arranged themselves under it. + +{Fifteenth.} + +{Twentieth.} + +Upon the first advice that the loyalists were assembling, Brigadier +General Moore marched at the head of a provincial regiment, with such +militia as he could suddenly collect, and some pieces of cannon, and +took a strong position within a few miles of them. General M'Donald +soon approached, and sent a letter to Moore, enclosing the Governor's +proclamation, and recommending to him and his party to join the King's +standard by a given hour the next day. The negotiation was protracted +by Moore, in the hope that the numerous bodies of militia who were +advancing to join him, would soon enable him to surround his +adversary. M'Donald, at length, perceived his danger, and, suddenly +decamping, endeavoured by forced marches to extricate himself from it, +and join Governor Martin and Lord William Campbell, who were +encouraged to commence active operations by the arrival of General +Clinton in the colony. + +[Sidenote: Action at Moore's Creek Bridge.] + +The provincial parties, however, were so alert in every part of the +country, that he found himself under the necessity of engaging +Colonels Caswell and Lillington, who, with about one thousand +minute-men and militia, had entrenched themselves directly in his +front, at a place called Moore's Creek Bridge. The royalists were +greatly superior in number, but were under the disadvantage of being +compelled to cross the bridge, the planks of which were partly taken +up, in the face of the intrenchments occupied by the provincials. They +commenced the attack, however, with great spirit; but Colonel M'Leod +who commanded them, in consequence of the indisposition of M'Donald, +and several others of their bravest officers and men, having fallen in +the first onset, their courage deserted them, and they fled in great +disorder, leaving behind them their general and several others of +their leaders, who fell into the hands of the provincials.[32] + + [Footnote 32: Annual Register--Gordon--Ramsay--Gazette.] + +This victory was of eminent service to the American cause in North +Carolina. It broke the spirits of a great body of men, who would have +constituted a formidable reinforcement to an invading army; increased +the confidence of the provincials in themselves, and attached to them +the timid and wavering, who form a large portion of every community. + +General Clinton, who was to command in the south, had left Boston with +a force too inconsiderable to attempt any thing until he should be +reinforced by the troops expected from Europe. After parting with +Governor Tryon in New York, he had proceeded to Virginia, where he +passed a few days with Lord Dunmore; but finding himself too weak to +effect any thing in that province, he repaired to North Carolina, and +remained with Governor Martin until the arrival of Sir Peter Parker. +Fortunately for the province, the unsuccessful insurrection of +M'Donald had previously broken the strength and spirits of the +loyalists, and deprived them of their most active chiefs; in +consequence of which, the operations which had been meditated against +North Carolina were deferred. Clinton continued in Cape Fear until +near the end of May, when, hearing nothing certain from General Howe, +he determined to make an attempt on the capital of South Carolina. + +{May.} + +Early in the month of April, a letter from the secretary of state to +Mr. Eden, the royal governor of Maryland, disclosing the designs of +administration against the southern colonies, was intercepted in the +Chesapeake; and thus, South Carolina became apprized of the danger +which threatened its metropolis. Mr. Rutledge, a gentleman of vigour +and talents, who had been chosen president of that province on the +dissolution of the regal government, adopted the most energetic means +for placing it in a posture of defence. + +{June.} + +[Sidenote: Invasion of South Carolina.] + +In the beginning of June, the British fleet came to anchor off the +harbour of Charleston. The bar was crossed with some difficulty; after +which, it was determined to commence operations by silencing a fort on +Sullivan's island. + +During the interval between passing the bar and attacking the fort, +the continental troops of Virginia and North Carolina arrived in +Charleston; and the American force amounted to between five and six +thousand men, of whom two thousand five hundred were regulars. This +army was commanded by General Lee, whose fortune it had been to meet +General Clinton at New York, in Virginia, and in North Carolina. +Viewing with a military eye the situation of the post entrusted to his +care, Lee was disinclined to hazard his army by engaging it deeply in +the defence of the town; but the solicitude of the South Carolinians +to preserve their capital, aided by his confidence in his own +vigilance, prevailed over a caution which was thought extreme, and +determined him to attempt to maintain the place. + +Two regular regiments of South Carolina, commanded by Colonels Gadsden +and Moultrie, garrisoned fort Johnson and fort Moultrie. About five +hundred regulars, and three hundred militia under Colonel Thompson, +were stationed in some works which had been thrown up on the +north-eastern extremity of Sullivan's island; and the remaining troops +were arranged on Hadrell's Point, and along the bay in front of the +town. General Lee remained in person with the troops at Hadrell's +Point, in the rear of Sullivan's island. His position was chosen in +such a manner as to enable him to observe and support the operations +in every quarter, and especially to watch and oppose any attempt of +the enemy to pass from Long Island to the continent; a movement of +which he seems to have been particularly apprehensive. + +{June 28.} + +[Sidenote: British fleet repulsed at Fort Moultrie.] + +The British ships, after taking their stations, commenced an incessant +and heavy cannonade on the American works. Its effect, however, on the +fort, was not such as had been expected. This was attributable to its +form, and to its materials. It was very low, with merlons of great +thickness; and was constructed of earth, and a species of soft wood +common in that country, called the palmetto, which, on being struck +with a ball, does not splinter, but closes upon it. + +The fire from the fort was deliberate; and, being directed with skill, +did vast execution. The garrison united the cool determined courage of +veterans, with the enthusiastic ardour of youth. General Lee crossed +over in a boat, to determine whether he should withdraw them; and was +enraptured with the ardour they displayed. They assured him they would +lose the fort only with their lives; and the mortally wounded breathed +their last, exhorting their fellow soldiers to the most heroic defence +of the place. + +{July 15.} + +The engagement continued until night. By that time, the ships were in +such a condition, as to be unfit to renew the action on the ensuing +day. The Bristol lost one hundred and eleven men, and the Experiment +seventy-nine. Captain Scott, of the one, lost his arm; and Captain +Morris, of the other, was mortally wounded. Lord Campbell, late +Governor of the province, who served as a volunteer on board one of +these vessels, was also mortally wounded; and both ships were so +shattered, as to inspire hopes that they would be unable to repass the +bar. About nine, they slipped their cables and moved off. A few days +afterwards, the troops were re-embarked, and all farther designs +against the southern colonies being for the present relinquished, the +squadron sailed for New York.[33] + + [Footnote 33: Annual Register--Gordon--Ramsay--Letters of + General Lee.] + +The attack on fort Moultrie was supported by the British seamen with +their accustomed bravery; and the slaughter on board the ships was +uncommonly great. The loss of the Americans, in killed and wounded, +was only thirty-five men. + +Great and well merited praise was bestowed on Colonel Moultrie, who +commanded the fort, and on the garrison, for the resolution displayed +in defending it. Nor was the glory acquired on this occasion confined +to them. All the troops that had been stationed on the island partook +of it: and the thanks of the United Colonies were voted by congress to +General Lee, Colonel Moultrie, Colonel Thompson, and the officers and +men under their command. + +This fortunate event, for such it may well be termed, though not of +much magnitude in itself, was, like many other successes attending the +American arms in the commencement of the war, of great importance in +its consequences. By impressing on the colonists a conviction of their +ability to maintain the contest, it increased the number of those who +resolved to resist British authority, and assisted in paving the way +to a declaration of independence. + +{April.} + +[Sidenote: Transactions in New York.] + +Even before the evacuation of Boston, it had been foreseen that New +York must become the seat of war; and that most important military +operations would be carried on in that colony. The fortifications +which had been commenced for the defence of its capital were +indefatigably prosecuted; and, after the arrival of General +Washington, these works, combined with those to be erected in the +passes through the highlands up the Hudson, were the objects of his +unremitting attention. + +The difficulty which had been experienced in expelling the British +from Boston, had demonstrated the importance of preventing their +establishment in New York; and had contributed to the determination of +contesting with them, very seriously, the possession of that important +place. The execution of this determination, however, was difficult and +dangerous. The defence of New York, against an enemy commanding the +sea, requires an army capable of meeting him in the open field, and of +acting offensively both on Long and York Islands. Congress had not +adopted measures which might raise such an army. The +Commander-in-chief, in his letters to that body, had long and +earnestly urged the policy of bringing the whole strength of the +country into regular operation. The government was not inattentive to +his remonstrances; but many circumstances combined to prevent such a +military establishment as the exigency required. + +The congress which assembled in 1775 had adjourned with strong hopes +that the differences between the Mother Country and the Colonies would +soon be adjusted to their mutual satisfaction. When the temper +manifested both by the king and his parliament had dissipated these +hopes, and the immense preparations of Great Britain for war, evinced +the necessity of preparations equally vigorous on the part of America, +the resolution to make them was finally taken. But, unaccustomed to +the great duties of conducting a war of vast extent, they could not +estimate rightly the value of the means employed, nor calculate the +effects which certain causes would produce. Opinions of the most +pernicious tendency prevailed; from which they receded slowly, and +from which they could be ultimately forced only by melancholy +experience. + +The most fatal among these was the theory, that an army could be +created every campaign for the purposes of that campaign; and that +such temporary means would be adequate to the defence of the country. +They relied confidently on being able on any emergency, to call out a +force suited to the occasion:--they relied too much on the competence +of such a force to the purposes of war, and they depended too long on +the spirit of patriotism, which was believed to animate the mass of +the people. + +Under these impressions, the determination to form a permanent army +was too long delayed; and the measures necessary to raise such an army +were deferred, till their efficacy became doubtful. It was not until +June, 1776, that the representations of the Commander-in-chief could +obtain a resolution, directing soldiers to be enlisted for three +years, and offering a bounty of ten dollars to each recruit. The time +when this resolution could certainly have been executed, had passed +away. That zeal for the service, which was manifested in the first +moments of the war, had long since begun to abate; and though the +determination to resist had become more general, that enthusiasm which +prompts individuals to expose themselves to more than an equal share +of danger and hardship, was visibly declining. The progress of these +sentiments seems to have been unexpected; and the causes producing +such effects appear not to have been perceived. The regiments voted by +congress were incomplete; and that bounty, which, if offered in time, +would have effected its object, came too late to fill them. + +It was not in numbers only that the weakness of the American army +consisted. In arms, ammunition, tents, and clothes, its deficiency was +such as to render it unfit for the great purposes of war, and +inferior, in all these respects, to the enemy which it was destined to +encounter. + +But, however inadequate to the object the regular force might be, both +the government and the Commander-in-chief were determined to defend +New York; and congress passed a resolution to reinforce the army with +thirteen thousand eight hundred militia. For the defence of the middle +colonies, and for the purpose of repelling any attempt to land on the +Jersey shore, it was resolved to form a flying camp, to be composed of +ten thousand men, to be furnished by Pennsylvania, Delaware, and +Maryland. The militia, both of the flying camp and of the army at New +York, were to be engaged to serve until the first of December; and the +Commander-in-chief was empowered to call on the neighbouring colonies +for such additional temporary aids of militia, as the exigencies of +his army might render necessary. + +Great and embarrassing as were the difficulties already noticed, they +were augmented by the disaffection of the city of New York, and of the +adjacent islands. Although Governor Tryon had found it necessary to +take refuge on board some ships lying in the harbour, he had been +permitted to continue an open intercourse with the inhabitants, which +enabled him to communicate freely with the royalists; and to concert +plans of future co-operation. This intercourse was broken off by the +arrival of the Commander-in-chief;--yet a plot was formed, through the +agency of the mayor, to rise in favour of the British on their +landing; and, as was understood, to seize and deliver up General +Washington himself. This plot had extended to the American army, and +even to the general's guards. It was fortunately discovered in time to +be defeated; and some of the persons concerned were executed. About +the same time a similar plot was discovered in the neighbourhood of +Albany; and there too, executions were found necessary. + +Hitherto, the sole avowed object of the war had been a redress of +grievances. The utmost horror had been expressed at the idea of +attempting independence; and the most anxious desire of +re-establishing the union which had so long subsisted between the two +countries on its ancient principles, was openly and generally +declared. But however sincere these declarations might have been at +the commencement of the conflict, the operation of hostilities was +infallible. To profess allegiance and respect for a monarch with whom +they were at open war, was an absurdity too great to be long +continued. The human mind, when it receives a strong impulse, does +not, like projectiles, stop at the point to which the force originally +applied may have been calculated to carry it. Various causes act upon +it in its course. When the appeal was made to arms, a great majority +of those who guided the councils and led the forces of America, wished +only for a repeal of the acts of parliament which had occasioned their +resistance to the authority of the crown; and would have been truly +unwilling to venture upon the unexplored field of self-government. For +some time, prayers were offered for the king, in the performance of +divine service; and, in the proclamation of a fast by congress, in +June, 1775, one of the motives for recommending it, was, to beseech +the Almighty "to bless our rightful sovereign King George III. and +inspire him with wisdom." + +[Illustration: Independence Hall, Philadelphia + +_In this unpretentious brick building, erected in 1729-34, and +intimately associated with the birth of the nation, the Continental +Congress met, Washington was made Commander-in-Chief of the American +army in 1775, and the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July +4, 1776, and read to the people assembled in the street. It is now a +museum of Revolutionary and historical relics._] + +[Sidenote: Measures leading to independence.] + +The prejudices in favour of a connexion with England, and of the +English constitution, gradually, but rapidly yielded to republican +principles, and a desire for independence. New strength was every day +added to the opinions, that a cordial reconciliation with Great +Britain had become impossible; that mutual confidence could never be +restored; that reciprocal jealousy, suspicion, and hate, would take +the place of that affection, which could alone render such a connexion +happy and beneficial; that even the commercial dependence of America +upon Britain, was greatly injurious to the former, and that +incalculable benefits must be derived from opening to themselves the +markets of the world; that to be governed by a distant nation or +sovereign, unacquainted with, and unmindful of their interests, would, +even if reinstated in their former situation, be an evil too great to +be voluntarily borne. But victory alone could restore them to that +situation--and victory would give them independence. The hazard was +the same; and since the risk of every thing was unavoidable, the most +valuable object ought, in common justice, and common prudence, to be +the reward of success. With such horror, too, did they view the +present war, as to suppose it could not possibly receive the support +of a free people. The alacrity therefore with which the English nation +entered into it, was ascribed to a secret and dangerous influence, +which was, with rapid progress, undermining the liberties and the +morals of the Mother Country; and which, it was feared, would cross +the Atlantic, and infect the principles of the colonists likewise, +should the ancient connexion be restored. The intercourse of America +with the world, and her own experience, had not then been sufficient +to teach her the important truth, that the many, as often as the few, +can abuse power, and trample on the weak, without perceiving that they +are tyrants; that they too, not unfrequently, close their eyes against +the light; and shut their ears against the plainest evidence, and the +most conclusive reasoning. + +It was also urged, with great effect, that the possibility of +obtaining foreign aid would be much increased by holding out the +dismemberment of the British empire, to the rivals of that nation, as +an inducement to engage in the contest. + +American independence became the general theme of conversation; and +more and more the general wish. The measures of congress took their +complexion from the temper of the people. Their proceedings against +the disaffected became more and more vigorous; their language +respecting the British government was less the language of subjects, +and better calculated to turn the public attention towards congress +and the provincial assemblies, as the sole and ultimate rulers of the +country. General letters of marque and reprisal were granted; and the +American ports were opened to all nations and people, not subject to +the British crown. + +{May 6.} + +At length, a measure was adopted, which was considered by congress and +by America in general, as deciding the question of independence. +Hitherto, it had been recommended to particular colonies, to establish +temporary institutions for the conduct of their affairs during the +existence of the contest; but now, a resolution was offered, +recommending generally to such colonies as had not already established +them, the adoption of governments adequate to the exigency. Mr. John +Adams, Mr. Rutledge, and Mr. Richard Henry Lee, all zealous advocates +for independence, were appointed a committee, to prepare a proper +preamble to the resolution. The report of these gentlemen was +accepted, and the resolution passed.[34] + + [Footnote 34: Before the vote on the question of + independence was taken, congress passed resolutions, + declaring that all persons residing within, or passing + through any one of the United Colonies, owed allegiance to + the government thereof; and that any such person who should + levy war against any of the United Colonies, or adhere to + the king of Great Britain, or other enemies of the said + colonies, or any of them, should be guilty of treason: and + recommending it to the several legislatures to pass laws for + their punishment.] + +{May 15.} + +The provincial assemblies and conventions acted on this +recommendation; and governments were generally established. In +Connecticut and Rhode Island, it was deemed unnecessary to make any +change in their actual situation, because, in those colonies, the +executive, as well as the whole legislature, had always been elected +by themselves. In Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York, some +hesitation was at first discovered; and the assemblies appeared +unwilling to take this decisive step. The public opinion, however, was +in favour of it, and finally prevailed. + +The several colonies, now contemplating themselves as sovereign +states, and mingling with the arduous duty of providing means to repel +a powerful enemy, the important and interesting labour of framing +governments for themselves and their posterity, exhibited the novel +spectacle of matured and enlightened societies, uninfluenced by +external or internal force, devising, according to their own +judgments, political systems for their own government. + +With the exceptions already stated, of Connecticut and Rhode Island, +whose systems had ever been in a high degree democratic, the hitherto +untried principle was adopted, of limiting the departments of +governments by a written constitution, prescribing bounds not to be +transcended by the legislature itself. + +The solid foundations of a popular government were already laid in all +the colonies. The institutions received from England were admirably +calculated to prepare the way for temperate and rational republics. No +hereditary powers had ever existed; and every authority had been +derived either from the people or the king. The crown being no longer +acknowledged, the people remained the only source of legitimate power. +The materials in their possession, as well as their habits of +thinking, were adapted only to governments in all respects +representative; and such governments were universally adopted. + +The provincial assemblies, under the influence of congress, took up +the question of independence; and, in some instances, authorized their +representatives in the great national council, to enter into foreign +alliances. Many declared themselves in favour of a total and immediate +separation from Great Britain; and gave instructions to their +representatives conforming to this sentiment. + +{June 7.} + +Thus supported by public opinion, congress determined to take this +decisive step; and on the 7th of June, a resolution to that effect was +moved by Richard Henry Lee, and seconded by John Adams. The resolution +was referred to a committee, who reported it in the following terms. +"Resolved, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be +free and independent states; and that all political connexion between +them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally +dissolved." + +{June 28.} + +{July 2.} + +This resolution was referred to a committee of the whole, in which it +was debated on Saturday the 8th, and Monday the 10th of June. It +appearing that New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, +and South Carolina were not yet matured for the measure, but were fast +advancing to that state, the debate was adjourned to the first of +July, when it was resumed. In the mean time, a committee[35] was +appointed to prepare the declaration of independence, which was +reported on the 28th of June, and laid on the table. On the first of +July the debate on the original resolution was resumed. The question +was put in the evening of that day, and carried in the affirmative by +the votes of New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, +New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia, against +Pennsylvania and South Carolina. Delaware was divided; and the +delegates from New York, having declared their approbation of the +resolution, and their conviction that it was approved by their +constituents also, but that their instructions, which had been drawn +near twelve months before, enjoined them to do nothing which might +impede reconciliation with the mother country, were permitted to +withdraw from the question. The report of the committee was put off +till the next day at the request of Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina, +who expressed the opinion that his colleagues would then concur in the +resolution for the sake of unanimity. The next day South Carolina did +concur in it. The votes of Pennsylvania and Delaware were also changed +by the arrival of other members. Congress then proceeded to consider +the declaration of independence. After some amendments[36] it was +approved, and signed by every member present except Mr. Dickenson.[37] + + [Footnote 35: Mr. Jefferson, Mr. John Adams, Mr. Franklin, + and Mr. R.R. Livingston. Mr. R.H. Lee, the mover of the + resolution, had been compelled by the illness of Mrs. Lee to + leave congress the day on which the committee was + appointed.] + + [Footnote 36: See note No. VI. at the end of the volume.] + + [Footnote 37: Mr. Jefferson's Correspondence.] + +[Sidenote: Independence declared.] + +{July 4.} + +This declaration was immediately communicated to the armies, who +received it with enthusiasm. It was also proclaimed throughout the +United States, and was generally approved by those who had engaged in +the opposition to the claims of the British Parliament. Some few +individuals, who had been zealous supporters of all measures which had +for their object only a redress of grievances, and in whose bosoms the +hope of accommodation still lingered,--either too timid to meet the +arduous conflict which this measure rendered inevitable, or, sincerely +believing that the happiness of America would be best consulted by +preserving their political connexion with Great Britain, viewed the +dissolution of that connexion with regret. Others, who afterwards +deserted the American cause, attributed their defection to this +measure. It was also an unfortunate truth, that in the whole country +between New England and the Potowmac, which was now become the great +theatre of action, although the majority was in favour of +independence, a formidable minority existed, who not only refused to +act with their countrymen, but were ready to give to the enemy every +aid in their power. + +It can not, however, be questioned, that the declaration of +independence was wise, and well-timed. The soundest policy required +that the war should no longer be a contest between subjects and their +acknowledged sovereign. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + Lord and Sir William Howe arrive before New York.... + Circular letter of Lord Howe.... State of the American + Army.... The British land in force on Long Island.... Battle + of Brooklyn.... Evacuation of Long Island.... Fruitless + negotiations.... New York evacuated.... Skirmish on the + heights of Haerlem.... Letter on the state of the army. + + +{1776} + +While congress was deliberating in Philadelphia on the great question +of independence, the British fleet appeared before New York. + +[Sidenote: Lord and Sir William Howe arrive before New York.] + +On evacuating Boston, General Howe had retired to Halifax; where he +purposed to remain till reinforcements should arrive from England. But +the situation of his army in that place was so uncomfortable, and the +delays in the arrival of the troops from Europe were so great, that he +at length resolved to sail for New York, with the forces already under +his command. + +{June 10.} + +{July 3 & 4.} + +In the latter end of June, he arrived off Sandy Hook, in the Grey +Hound; and, on the 29th of that month, the first division of the fleet +from Halifax reached that place. The rear division soon followed; and +the troops were landed on Staten Island, on the third and fourth of +July. They were received with great demonstrations of joy by the +inhabitants, who took the oaths of allegiance to the British crown, +and embodied themselves under the authority of the late Governor +Tryon, for the defence of the island. Strong assurances were also +received from Long Island, and the neighbouring parts of New Jersey, +of the favourable dispositions of a great proportion of the people to +the royal cause. + +It was foreseen that the provisions remaining on the small islands +about New York, must fall into the possession of the invading army, +and General Washington had intended to remove them to a place of +safety; but, the existing state of public opinion requiring the +co-operation of the several committees, this measure of wise +precaution could not be completely executed; and General Howe, on his +arrival, obtained ample supplies for his army. + +The command of the fleet destined for the American service was +intrusted to Lord Howe, the brother of the general; and they were both +constituted commissioners for restoring peace to the colonies, and +granting pardons, with such exceptions as they should think proper to +make. He arrived at Staten Island on the twelfth of July. + +{July 12.} + +The difficulty of closing the Hudson against an enemy possessing a +powerful fleet was soon demonstrated. Two frigates passed the +batteries without injury, and took a station which enabled them to cut +off the communication by water, between the army at New York, and that +at Ticonderoga. An attempt to set these frigates on fire failed in its +execution, and only a tender was burnt;--soon after which these +vessels returned to the fleet. + +[Sidenote: Circular letter of Lord Howe.] + +{July 14.} + +Lord Howe was not deterred by the declaration of Independence from +trying the influence of his powers for pacification. He sent on shore, +by a flag, a circular letter, dated off the coast of Massachusetts, +addressed severally to the late governors under the crown, enclosing a +declaration, which he requested them to make public. This declaration +announced his authority to grant pardons to any number or description +of persons, who, during the tumult and disorders of the times, might +have deviated from their just allegiance, and who might be willing, by +a speedy return to their duty, to reap the benefits of the royal +favour; and to declare any colony, town, port, or place, in the peace +and under the protection of the crown, and excepted from the penal +provisions of the act of parliament prohibiting all trade and +intercourse with the colonies. Assurances were also given that the +meritorious services of all persons who should aid and assist in +restoring public tranquillity in the colonies, or in any parts +thereof, would be duly considered. + +{July 19.} + +These papers were immediately transmitted by the Commander-in-chief to +congress, who resolved that they should "be published in the several +gazettes, that the good people of the United States might be informed +of what nature were the commissioners, and what the terms, with the +expectation of which, the insidious court of Britain had sought to +amuse and disarm them; and that the few who still remained suspended +by a hope, founded either in the justice or moderation of their late +king, might now, at length, be convinced, that the valour alone of +their country is to save its liberties." + +About the same time, Lord Howe sent, with a flag, a letter addressed +to "George Washington, esquire," which the General refused to receive, +as "it did not acknowledge the public character with which he was +invested by congress, and in no other character could he have any +intercourse with his lordship." In a resolution approving this +proceeding, congress directed, "that no letter or message be received +on any occasion whatever from the enemy, by the Commander-in-chief, or +others, the commanders of the American army, but such as shall be +directed to them in the characters they respectively sustain." + +{July 20.} + +The commissioners felt some difficulty in recognizing either the civil +or military character conferred on individuals by the existing powers +in America; and yet it was desirable, either for the purpose of +effecting a pacification, or, if that should be impracticable, of +increasing the divisions already existing, to open negotiations, and +hold out the semblance of restoring peace. They cast about for means +to evade this preliminary obstacle to any discussion of the terms they +were authorized to propose; and, at length, Colonel Patterson, +adjutant general of the British army, was sent on shore by General +Howe, with a letter directed to George Washington, &c. &c. &c. He was +introduced to the general, whom he addressed by the title of +"Excellency;" and, after the usual compliments, opened the subject of +his mission, by saying, that General Howe much regretted the +difficulties which had arisen respecting the address of the letters; +that the mode adopted was deemed consistent with propriety, and was +founded on precedent, in cases of ambassadors and plenipotentiaries, +where disputes or difficulties had arisen about rank; that General +Washington might recollect he had, last summer, addressed a letter to +"the honourable William Howe;" that Lord, and General Howe, did not +mean to derogate from his rank, or the respect due to him, and that +they held his person and character in the highest esteem;--but that +the direction, with the addition of &c. &c. &c. implied every thing +which ought to follow. Colonel Patterson then produced a letter which +he said was the same that had been sent, and which he laid on the +table. + +The General declined receiving it, and said, that a letter directed to +a person in a public character, should have some description or +indication of that character; otherwise it would be considered as a +mere private letter. It was true the _etceteras_ implied every thing, +and they also implied any thing; that the letter to General Howe, +alluded to, was an answer to one received from him under a like +address; which, having been taken by the officer on duty, he did not +think proper to return, and therefore answered in the same mode of +address; and that he should absolutely decline any letter relating to +his public station, directed to him as a private person. + +Colonel Patterson then said, that General Howe would not urge his +delicacy farther, and repeated his assertions that no failure of +respect was intended. + +After some conversation relative to the treatment of prisoners, +Colonel Patterson said, that the goodness and benevolence of the king +had induced him to appoint Lord Howe, and General Howe, his +commissioners to accommodate the unhappy dispute at present +subsisting: that they had great powers, and would derive much pleasure +from effecting the accommodation; and that he wished this visit to be +considered as the first advance towards so desirable an object. + +General Washington replied, that he was not vested with any powers on +this subject; but he would observe that, so far as he could judge from +what had yet transpired, Lord Howe and General Howe were only +empowered to grant pardons; that those who had committed no fault, +wanted no pardon; and that the Americans were only defending what they +deemed their indubitable rights. This, Colonel Patterson said, would +open a very wide field for argument: and, after expressing his fears +that an adherence to forms might obstruct business of the greatest +moment and concern, he took his leave. + +The substance of this conversation was communicated to congress, who +directed its publication. + +{August.} + +The reinforcements to the British army, of whom about four hundred and +fifty had been captured by the American cruisers, were now arriving +daily from Europe; and General Howe had also been joined by the troops +from Charleston. His strength was estimated at twenty-four thousand +men. + +[Sidenote: State of the American army.] + +To this army, alike formidable for its numbers, its discipline, and +its equipments,--aided in its operations by a numerous fleet, and +conducted by commanders of skill and experience, was opposed a force, +unstable in its nature,--incapable, from its structure, of receiving +discipline,--and inferior to its enemy, in numbers, in arms, and in +every military equipment. It consisted, when General Howe landed on +Staten Island, of ten thousand men, who were much enfeebled by +sickness. The diseases which always afflict new troops, were increased +by exposure to the rain and night air, without tents. At the instance +of the General, some regiments, stationed in the different states, +were ordered to join him; and, in addition to the requisitions of men +to serve until December--requisitions not yet complied with--the +neighbouring militia were called into service for the exigency of the +moment. Yet, in a letter written to congress on the 8th of August, he +stated that "for the several posts on New York, Long, and Governor's +Island, and Paulus Hook, the army consisted of only seventeen thousand +two hundred and twenty-five men, of whom three thousand six hundred +and sixty-eight were sick; and that, to repel an immediate attack, he +could count certainly on no other addition to his numbers, than a +battalion from Maryland under the command of Colonel Smallwood." This +force was rendered the more inadequate to its objects by being +necessarily divided for the defence of posts, some of which were +fifteen miles distant from others, with navigable waters between them. + +"These things," continued the letter, "are melancholy, but they are +nevertheless true. I hope for better. Under every disadvantage, my +utmost exertions shall be employed to bring about the great end we +have in view; and, so far as I can judge from the professions and +apparent dispositions of my troops, I shall have their support. The +superiority of the enemy, and the expected attack, do not seem to have +depressed their spirits. These considerations lead me to think that +though the appeal may not terminate so happily as I could wish, yet +the enemy will not succeed in their views without considerable loss. +Any advantage they may gain, I trust will cost them dear." + +Soon after this letter, the army was reinforced by Smallwood's +regiment, and by two regiments from Pennsylvania, with a body of New +England and New York militia, which increased it to twenty-seven +thousand men, of whom one fourth were sick. + +A part of the army was stationed on Long Island, under the command of +Major General Sullivan. The residue occupied different stations on +York Island, except two small detachments, one on Governor's Island, +and the other at Paulus Hook; and except a part of the New York +militia under General Clinton, who were stationed on the Sound, +towards New Rochelle, and about East and West Chester, in order to +oppose any sudden attempt which might be made to land above +Kingsbridge, and cut off the communication with the country. + +{July 2.} + +Expecting daily to be attacked, and believing that the influence of +the first battle would be considerable, the Commander-in-chief +employed every expedient which might act upon that enthusiastic love +of liberty, that indignation against the invaders of their country, +and that native courage, which were believed to animate the bosoms of +his soldiers; and which were relied on as substitutes for discipline +and experience. "The time," say his orders issued soon after the +arrival of General Howe, "is now near at hand, which must determine +whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to +have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and +farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a +state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. +The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage +and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us +only the choice of a brave resistance, or the most abject submission. +We have therefore to resolve to conquer or to die. Our own, our +country's honour, call upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion; and +if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole +world. Let us then rely on the goodness of our cause, and the aid of +the Supreme Being, in whose hands victory is, to animate and encourage +us to great and noble actions. The eyes of all our countrymen are now +upon us, and we shall have their blessings and praises, if happily we +are the instruments of saving them from the tyranny meditated against +them. Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the +whole world that a freeman contending for liberty, on his own ground, +is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth." + +To the officers, he recommended coolness in time of action; and to the +soldiers, strict attention and obedience, with a becoming firmness and +spirit. + +He assured them that any officer, soldier, or corps, distinguished by +any acts of extraordinary bravery, should most certainly meet with +notice and rewards; whilst, on the other hand, those who should fail +in the performance of their duty, would as certainly be exposed and +punished. + +{July 21.} + +Whilst preparations were making for the expected engagement, +intelligence was received of the repulse of the British squadron which +had attacked fort Moultrie. The Commander-in-chief availed himself of +the occasion of communicating this success to his army, to add a +spirit of emulation to the other motives which should impel them to +manly exertions. "This glorious example of our troops," he said, +"under the like circumstances with ourselves, the General hopes, will +animate every officer and soldier to imitate, and even to out-do them, +when the enemy shall make the same attempt on us. With such a bright +example before us of what can be done by brave men fighting in defence +of their country, we shall be loaded with a double share of shame and +infamy, if we do not acquit ourselves with courage, and manifest a +determined resolution to conquer or die." + +As the crisis approached, his anxiety increased. Endeavouring to +breathe into his army his own spirit, and to give them his own +feeling, he thus addressed them. "The enemy's whole reinforcement is +now arrived; so that an attack must, and will soon be made. The +General, therefore, again repeats his earnest request that every +officer and soldier will have his arms and ammunition in good order; +keep within his quarters and encampments as far as possible; be ready +for action at a moment's call; and when called to it, remember, that +liberty, property, life, and honour, are all at stake; that upon their +courage and conduct rest the hopes of their bleeding and insulted +country; that their wives, children, and parents, expect safety from +them only; and that we have every reason to believe, that heaven will +crown with success so just a cause. + +"The enemy will endeavour to intimidate by show and appearance; but +remember, they have been repulsed on various occasions by a few brave +Americans; their cause is bad; and if opposed with firmness and +coolness on their first onset, with our advantage of works, and +knowledge of the ground, the victory is most assuredly ours. Every +good soldier will be silent and attentive, wait for orders, and +reserve his fire until he is sure of doing execution; of this the +officers are to be particularly careful." + +He directed explicitly that any soldier who should attempt to conceal +himself, or retreat without orders, should instantly be shot down; and +solemnly promised to notice and reward those who should distinguish +themselves. Thus did he, by infusing those sentiments which would +stimulate to the greatest individual exertion, into every bosom, +endeavour to compensate for the want of arms, of discipline, and of +numbers. + +As the defence of Long Island was intimately connected with that of +New York, a brigade had been stationed at Brooklyn, a post capable of +being maintained for a considerable time. An extensive camp had been +marked out and fortified at the same place. Brooklyn is a village on a +small peninsula made by East river, the Bay, and Gowan's Cove. The +encampment fronted the main land of the island, and the works +stretched quite across the peninsula, from Whaaleboght Bay in the East +river on the left, to a deep marsh on a creek emptying into Gowan's +Cove, on the right. The rear was covered and defended against an +attack from the ships, by strong batteries on Red Hook and on +Governor's Island, which in a great measure commanded that part of the +bay, and by other batteries on East river, which kept open the +communication with York Island. In front of the camp was a range of +hills covered with thick woods, which extended from east to west +nearly the length of the island, and across which were three different +roads leading to Brooklyn ferry. These hills, though steep, are every +where passable by infantry. + +[Sidenote: The British land in force on Long Island.] + +The movements of General Howe indicating an intention to make his +first attack on Long Island, General Sullivan was strongly reinforced. +Early in the morning of the twenty-second, the principal part of the +British army, under the command of General Clinton, landed under cover +of the guns of the fleet, and extended from the ferry at the Narrows, +through Utrecht and Gravesend, to the village of Flatland.[38] + + [Footnote 38: General Howe's letter.] + +{July 23.} + +Confident that an engagement must soon take place, General Washington +made still another effort to inspire his troops with the most +determined courage. "The enemy," said he, in addressing them, "have +now landed on Long Island, and the hour is fast approaching, on which +the honour and success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding +country depend. Remember, officers and soldiers, that you are freemen, +fighting for the blessings of liberty--that slavery will be your +portion and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves +like men." He repeated his instructions respecting their conduct in +action, and concluded with the most animating and encouraging +exhortations. + +{July 25.} + +Major General Putnam was now directed to take command at Brooklyn, +with a reinforcement of six regiments; and he was charged most +earnestly by the Commander-in-chief, to be in constant readiness for +an attack, and to guard the woods between the two camps with his best +troops. + +General Washington had passed the day at Brooklyn, making arrangements +for the approaching action; and, at night, had returned to New York. + +The Hessians under General De Heister composed the centre of the +British army at Flatbush; Major General Grant commanded the left wing +which extended to the coast, and the greater part of the British +forces under General Clinton. Earl Percy and Lord Cornwallis turned +short to the right, and approached the opposite coast of Flatland.[39] + + [Footnote 39: General Howe's letter.] + +The two armies were now separated from each other by the range of +hills already mentioned. The British centre at Flatbush was scarcely +four miles distant from the American lines at Brooklyn; and a direct +road led across the heights from the one to the other. Another road, +rather more circuitous than the first, led from Flatbush by the way of +Bedford, a small village on the Brooklyn side of the hills. The right +and left wings of the British army were nearly equi-distant from the +American works, and about five or six miles from them. The road +leading from the Narrows along the coast, and by the way of Gowan's +Cove, afforded the most direct route to their left; and their right +might either return by the way of Flatbush and unite with the centre, +or take a more circuitous course, and enter a road leading from +Jamaica to Bedford. These several roads unite between Bedford and +Brooklyn, a small distance in front of the American lines. + +The direct road from Flatbush to Brooklyn was defended by a fort which +the Americans had constructed in the hills; and the coast and Bedford +roads were guarded by detachments posted on the hills within view of +the British camp. Light parties of volunteers were directed to patrol +on the road leading from Jamaica to Bedford; about two miles from +which, near Flatbush, Colonel Miles of Pennsylvania was stationed with +a regiment of riflemen. The convention of New York had ordered General +Woodhull, with the militia of Long Island, to take post on the high +grounds, as near the enemy as possible; but he remained at Jamaica, +and seemed scarcely to suppose himself under the control of the +regular officer commanding on the island. + +{July 27.} + +About nine at night, General Clinton silently drew off the van of the +British army across the country, in order to seize a pass in the +heights, about three miles east of Bedford, on the Jamaica road. In +the morning, about two hours before day-break, within half a mile of +the pass, his patrols fell in with and captured one of the American +parties, which had been stationed on this road. Learning from his +prisoners that the pass was unoccupied, General Clinton immediately +seized it; and, on the appearance of day, the whole column passed the +heights, and advanced into the level country between them and +Brooklyn.[40] + + [Footnote 40: General Howe's letter.] + +Before Clinton had secured the passes on the road from Jamaica, +General Grant advanced along the coast at the head of the left wing, +with ten pieces of cannon. As his first object was to draw the +attention of the Americans from their left, he moved slowly, +skirmishing as he advanced with the light parties stationed on that +road.[41] + + [Footnote 41: General Howe's letter.] + +This movement was soon communicated to General Putnam, who reinforced +the parties which had been advanced in front; and, as General Grant +continued to gain ground, still stronger detachments were employed in +this service. About three in the morning, Brigadier General Lord +Stirling was directed to meet the enemy, with the two nearest +regiments, on the road leading from the Narrows. Major General +Sullivan, who commanded all the troops without the lines, advanced at +the head of a strong detachment on the road leading directly to +Flatbush; while another detachment occupied the heights between that +place and Bedford. + +About the break of day, Lord Stirling reached the summit of the hills, +where he was joined by the troops which had been already engaged, and +were retiring slowly before the enemy, who almost immediately appeared +in sight. A warm cannonade was commenced on both sides, which +continued for several hours; and some sharp, but not very close +skirmishing took place between the infantry. Lord Stirling, being +anxious only to defend the pass he guarded, could not descend in force +from the heights; and General Grant did not wish to drive him from +them until that part of the plan, which had been entrusted to Sir +Henry Clinton, should be executed. + +[Sidenote: Battle of Brooklyn and evacuation of Long Island.] + +In the centre, General De Heister, soon after day-light, began to +cannonade the troops under General Sullivan; but did not move from his +ground at Flatbush, until the British right had approached the left +and rear of the American line. In the mean time, in order the more +effectually to draw their attention from the point where the grand +attack was intended, the fleet was put in motion, and a heavy +cannonade was commenced on the battery at Red Hook. + +About half past eight, the British right having then reached Bedford, +in the rear of Sullivan's left, General De Heister ordered Colonel +Donop's corps to advance to the attack of the hill; following, +himself, with the centre of the army. The approach of Clinton was now +discovered by the American left, which immediately endeavoured to +regain the camp at Brooklyn. While retiring from the woods by +regiments, they encountered the front of the British. About the same +time, the Hessians advanced from Flatbush, against that part of the +detachment which occupied the direct road to Brooklyn.[42] Here, +General Sullivan commanded in person; but he found it difficult to +keep his troops together long enough to sustain the first attack. The +firing heard towards Bedford had disclosed the alarming fact that the +British had turned their left flank, and were getting completely into +their rear. Perceiving at once the full danger of their situation, +they sought to escape it by regaining the camp with the utmost +possible celerity. The sudden rout of this party enabled De Heister to +detach a part of his force against those who were engaged near +Bedford. In that quarter, too, the Americans were broken, and driven +back into the woods; and the front of the column led by General +Clinton, continuing to move forward, intercepted and engaged those who +were retreating along the direct road from Flatbush. Thus attacked +both in front and rear, and alternately driven by the British on the +Hessians, and by the Hessians back again on the British, a succession +of skirmishes took place in the woods, in the course of which, some +parts of corps forced their way through the enemy, and regained the +lines of Brooklyn, and several individuals saved themselves under +cover of the woods; but a great proportion of the detachment was +killed or taken. The fugitives were pursued up to the American works; +and such is represented to have been the ardour of the British +soldiers, that it required the authority of their cautious commander +to prevent an immediate assault. + + [Footnote 42: General Howe's letter.] + +The fire towards Brooklyn gave the first intimation to the American +right, that the enemy had gained their rear. Lord Stirling perceived +the danger, and that he could only escape it by retreating instantly +across the creek. This movement was immediately directed; and, to +secure it, his lordship determined to attack, in person, a British +corps under Lord Cornwallis, stationed at a house rather above the +place at which he intended to cross the creek. About four hundred men +of Smallwood's regiment were drawn out for this purpose, and the +attack was made with great spirit. This small corps was brought up +several times to the charge; and Lord Stirling stated that he was on +the point of dislodging Lord Cornwallis from his post; but the force +in his front increasing, and General Grant also advancing on his rear, +the brave men he commanded were no longer able to oppose the superior +numbers which assailed them on every quarter; and those who survived +were, with their General, made prisoners of war. This attempt, though +unsuccessful, gave an opportunity to a large part of the detachment to +save themselves by crossing the creek. + +The loss sustained by the American army in this battle could not be +accurately ascertained by either party. Numbers were supposed to have +been drowned in the creek, or suffocated in the marsh, whose bodies +were never found; and exact accounts from the militia are seldom to be +obtained, as the list of the missing is always swelled by those who +return to their homes. General Washington did not admit it to exceed a +thousand men; but in this estimate he must have included only the +regular troops. In the letter written by General Howe, the amount of +prisoners is stated at one thousand and ninety-seven; among whom were +Major General Sullivan, and Brigadiers Lord Stirling and Woodhull, by +him named Udell. He computes the loss of the Americans at three +thousand three hundred men; but his computation is probably excessive. +He supposes, too, that the troops engaged on the heights, amounted to +ten thousand; but they could not have much exceeded half that number. +His own loss is stated at twenty-one officers, and three hundred and +forty-six privates; killed, wounded, and taken. + +As the action became warm, General Washington passed over to the camp +at Brooklyn, where he saw, with inexpressible anguish, the destruction +in which his best troops were involved, and from which it was +impossible to extricate them. Should he attempt any thing in their +favour with the men remaining within the lines, it was probable the +camp itself would be lost, and that whole division of his army +destroyed. Should he bring over the remaining battalions from New +York, he would still be inferior in point of numbers; and his whole +army, perhaps the fate of his country, might be staked on the issue of +a single battle thus inauspiciously commenced. Compelled to behold the +carnage of his troops, without being able to assist them, his efforts +were directed to the preservation of those which remained. + +{July 28.} + +Believing the Americans to be much stronger than they were in reality, +and unwilling to commit any thing to hazard, General Howe made no +immediate attempt to force their lines. He encamped in front of them; +and, on the twenty-eighth at night, broke ground in form, within six +hundred yards of a redoubt on the left. + +{July 29.} + +In this critical state of things, General Washington determined to +withdraw from Long Island. This difficult movement was effected on the +night of the twenty-eighth, with such silence, that all the troops and +military stores, with the greater part of the provisions, and all the +artillery, except such heavy pieces as could not be drawn through the +roads, rendered almost impassable by the rains which had fallen, were +carried over in safety. Early next morning, the British out-posts +perceived the rear guard crossing the East river, out of reach of +their fire. + +From the commencement of the action on the morning of the +twenty-seventh, until the American troops had crossed the East river +on the morning of the twenty-ninth, the exertions and fatigues of the +Commander-in-chief were incessant. Throughout that time, he never +closed his eyes, and was almost constantly on horseback. + +The manner in which this critical operation was executed, and the +circumstances under which it was performed, added greatly to the +reputation of the American general, in the opinion of all military +men. To withdraw, without loss, a defeated, dispirited, and +undisciplined army from the view of an experienced and able officer, +and to transport them in safety across a large river, while watched by +a numerous and vigilant fleet, require talents of no ordinary kind; +and the retreat from Long Island may justly be ranked among those +skilful manoeuvres which distinguish a master in the art of war. + +The attempt to defend Long Island was so perilous in itself, and so +disastrous in its issue, that it was condemned by many at the time, +and is yet represented as a great error of the Commander-in-chief. +But, in deciding on the wisdom of measures, the event will not always +lead to a correct judgment. Before a just opinion can be formed, it is +necessary to consider the previous state of things--to weigh the +motives which induced the decision--and to compare the value of the +object, and the probability of securing it, with the hazards attending +the attempt. + +It was very desirable to preserve New York, if practicable; or, if +that could not be done, to consume the campaign in the struggle for +that place. The abandonment of Long Island, besides giving the enemy +secure and immediate possession of an extensive and fertile country, +would certainly facilitate the success of his attempt upon New York. +It was therefore to be avoided, if possible. + +The impossibility of avoiding it was not evident until the battle was +fought. It is true, that the American force on the island could not +have been rendered equal, even in point of numbers, to that of the +British; but, with the advantage of the defencible country through +which the assailants were to pass, and of a fortified camp which could +be attacked only on one side, hopes might be entertained, without the +imputation of being oversanguine, of maintaining the position for a +considerable time; and, ultimately, of selling it at a high price. +This opinion is supported by the subsequent movements of General Howe, +who, even after the victory of the twenty-seventh, was unwilling to +hazard an assault on the American works, without the co-operation of +the fleet; but chose rather to carry them by regular approaches. Nor +would the situation of the troops on Long Island have been desperate, +even in the event of a conjoint attack by land and water, before their +strength and spirits were broken by the action of the twenty-seventh. +The East river was guarded by strong batteries on both sides, and the +entrance into it from the bay was defended by Governor's Island, which +was fortified, and in which two regiments were stationed. The ships +could not lie in that river, without first silencing those +batteries--a work not easily accomplished. The aid of the fleet, +therefore, could be given only at the point of time when a storm of +the works should be intended; and when that should appear practicable, +the troops might be withdrawn from the island. + +There was then considerable hazard in maintaining Long Island; but not +so much as to demonstrate the propriety of relinquishing a post of +such great importance, without a struggle. + +With more appearance of reason, the General has been condemned for not +having guarded the road which leads over the hills from Jamaica to +Bedford. + +The written instructions given to the officer commanding on Long +Island, two days previous to the action, directed that the woods +should be well guarded, and the approach of the enemy through them +rendered as difficult as possible. But his numbers were not sufficient +to furnish detachments for all the defiles through the mountains; and +if a corps, capable of making an effectual resistance, had been posted +on this road, and a feint had been made on it, while the principal +attack was by the direct road from Flatbush, or by that along the +coast, the events of the day would probably have been not less +disastrous. The columns marching directly from Flatbush must, on every +reasonable calculation, have been in possession of the plain in the +rear of the detachment posted on the road from Jamaica, so as to +intercept its retreat to the camp. So great is the advantage of those +who attack, in being able to choose the point against which to direct +their grand effort. + +The most adviseable plan, then, appears to have been, to watch the +motions of the enemy so as to be master of his designs; to oppose with +a competent force every attempt to seize the heights; and to guard all +the passes in such a manner as to receive notice of his approach +through any one of them, in sufficient time to recall the troops +maintaining the others. + +This plan was adopted--and the heavy disasters of the day are +attributable, principally, to the failure of those charged with the +execution of that very important part of it which related to the +Jamaica road. The letter of General Howe states that an American +patrolling party was taken on this road; and General Washington, in a +private and confidential communication to a friend, says, "This +misfortune happened, in a great measure, by two detachments of our +people who were posted in two roads leading through a wood, to +intercept the enemy in their march, suffering a surprise, and making a +precipitate retreat." + +The events of this day, too, exhibited a practical demonstration of a +radical defect in the structure of the army. It did not contain a +single corps of cavalry. That miscalculating economy which refuses the +means essential to the end, was not sufficiently relaxed to admit of +so expensive an establishment. Had the General been furnished with a +few troops of light-horse, to serve merely as videts, it is probable +that the movement so decisive of the fate of the day could not have +been made unnoticed. The troops on the lines do not appear to have +observed the column which was withdrawn, on the evening of the +twenty-sixth, from Flatbush to Flatland. Had this important manoeuvre +been communicated, it would, most probably, have turned the attention +of General Putnam, more particularly, to the Jamaica road. It is to +the want of videts, that a failure to obtain this important +intelligence is to be ascribed. The necessity of changing the officer +originally intrusted with the command, was also an unfortunate +circumstance, which probably contributed to the event which happened. + +Whatever causes might have led to this defeat, it gave a gloomy aspect +to the affairs of America. Heretofore, her arms had been frequently +successful, and her soldiers had always manifested a great degree of +intrepidity. A confidence in themselves, a persuasion of superiority +over the enemy, arising from the goodness of their cause, and their +early and habitual use of fire arms, had been carefully encouraged. +This sentiment had been nourished by all their experience preceding +this event. When they found themselves, by a course of evolutions in +which they imagined they perceived a great superiority of military +skill, encircled with unexpected dangers, from which no exertions +could extricate them, their confidence in themselves and in their +leaders was greatly diminished, and the approach of the enemy inspired +the apprehension that some stratagem was concealed, from which +immediate flight alone could preserve them. + +{September 2.} + +In a letter from General Washington to congress, the state of the army +after this event was thus feelingly described: "Our situation is truly +distressing. The check our detachment sustained on the 27th ultimo, +has dispirited too great a proportion of our troops, and filled their +minds with apprehension and despair. The militia, instead of calling +forth their utmost efforts to a brave and manly opposition, in order +to repair our losses, are dismayed, intractable, and impatient to +return. Great numbers of them have gone off; in some instances, almost +by whole regiments; in many, by half ones and by companies, at a time. +This circumstance, of itself, independent of others, when fronted by a +well appointed enemy, superior in number to our whole collected force, +would be sufficiently disagreeable; but when it is added, that their +example has infected another part of the army; that their want of +discipline, and refusal of almost every kind of restraint and +government, have rendered a like conduct but too common in the whole; +and have produced an entire disregard of that order and subordination +necessary for the well doing of an army, and which had been before +inculcated as well as the nature of our military establishment would +admit of; our condition is still more alarming, and with the deepest +concern I am obliged to confess my want of confidence in the +generality of the troops. + +"All these circumstances fully confirm the opinion I ever entertained, +and which I, more than once, in my letters, took the liberty of +mentioning to congress, that no dependence could be placed in a +militia, or other troops than those enlisted and embodied for a longer +period than our regulations have hitherto prescribed. I am persuaded, +and am as fully convinced as of any one fact that has happened, that +our liberties must, of necessity, be greatly hazarded, if not entirely +lost, if their defence be left to any but a permanent army." + +[Sidenote: Fruitless negotiations.] + +The first use made by Lord Howe of the victory of the 27th of August, +was to avail himself of the impression it had probably made on +congress, by opening a negotiation in conformity with his powers as a +commissioner. For this purpose, General Sullivan was sent on parole to +Philadelphia, with a verbal message, the import of which was, "that +though he could not at present treat with congress as a political +body, yet he was very desirous of having a conference with some of its +members, whom he would consider, for the present, only as private +gentlemen, and meet them as such at any place they would appoint. + +"That, in conjunction with General Howe, he had full powers to +compromise the dispute between Great Britain and America, on terms +advantageous to both; the obtaining of which detained him near two +months in England, and prevented his arrival in New York before the +declaration of independence took place. + +"That he wished a compact might be settled at this time, when no +decisive blow was struck, and neither party could allege being +compelled to enter into such agreement. + +"That in case congress were disposed to treat, many things which they +had not as yet asked, might, and ought to be granted them; and that +if, upon the conference, they found any probable ground of an +accommodation, the authority of congress must be afterwards +acknowledged--otherwise the compact would not be complete." + +This proposition was not without its embarrassments. Its rejection +would give some countenance to the opinion, that, if independence were +waved, a restoration of the ancient connexion between the two +countries, on principles formerly deemed constitutional, was still +practicable; an opinion which would have an unfavourable effect on the +public sentiment. On the other hand, to enter into a negotiation under +such circumstances, might excite a suspicion, that their determination +to maintain the independence they had declared, was not immoveable; +and that things were in such a situation, as to admit of some +relaxation in the measures necessary for the defence of the country. + +The answer given to Lord Howe, through General Sullivan, was, "that +congress, being the representatives of the free and independent States +of America, can not, with propriety, send any of its members to confer +with his Lordship in their private characters; but that, ever desirous +of establishing peace on reasonable terms, they will send a committee +of their body to know whether he has any authority to treat with +persons authorized by congress for that purpose, on behalf of America; +and what that authority is;--and to hear such propositions as he shall +think proper to make, respecting the same." + +The President was, at the same time, directed to communicate to +General Washington the opinion of congress, that no propositions for +making peace "ought to be received or attended to, unless the same be +made in writing, and addressed to the representatives of the United +States in congress, or persons authorized by them: And if applications +on that subject be made to him by any of the commanders of the British +forces, that he inform them, that these United States, who entered +into the war only for the defence of their lives and liberties, will +cheerfully agree to peace on reasonable terms, whenever such shall be +proposed to them in manner aforesaid." + +It is worthy of remark, that, in these resolutions, congress preserves +the appearance of insisting on the independence of the United States, +without declaring it to be the indispensable condition of peace. + +Mr. Franklin, Mr. John Adams, and Mr. Edward Rutledge, all zealous +supporters of independence, were appointed "to receive the +communications of Lord Howe." + +They waited on his Lordship; and, on their return, reported, that he +had received them on the 11th of September, on Staten Island, opposite +to Amboy, with great politeness. + +He opened the conversation by acquainting them, that though he could +not treat with them as a committee of congress, yet, as his powers +enabled him to confer and consult with any private gentlemen of +influence in the colonies, on the means of restoring peace between the +two countries, he was glad of this opportunity of conferring with them +on that subject; if they thought themselves at liberty to enter into a +conference with him in that character. The committee observed to his +Lordship, that, as their business was to hear, he might consider them +in what light he pleased, and communicate to them any propositions he +might be authorized to make for the purpose mentioned; but that they +could consider themselves in no other character than that in which +they were placed by order of congress. His Lordship then proceeded to +open his views at some length. He offered peace only on the condition +that the colonies should return to their allegiance and obedience to +the British crown. He made no explicit propositions as inducements to +this measure, but gave assurances that there was a good disposition in +the king and his ministers to make the government easy to them, with +intimations that, in case of submission, the offensive acts of +parliament would be revised, and the instructions to the Governors +reconsidered; so that, if any just causes of complaint were found in +the acts, or any errors in government were found to have crept into +the instructions, they might be amended or withdrawn. + +The committee gave it as their opinion to his Lordship, that a return +to the domination of Great Britain was not now to be expected. They +mentioned the repeated humble petitions of the colonies to the king +and parliament, which had been treated with contempt, and answered +only by additional injuries; the unexampled patience which had been +shown under their tyrannical government; and that it was not until the +late act of parliament, which denounced war against them, and put them +out of the king's protection, that they declared their independence; +that this declaration had been called for by the people of the +colonies in general, and that every colony had approved it when +made,--and all now considered themselves as independent states, and +were settling, or had settled, their governments accordingly; so that +it was not in the power of congress to agree for them that they should +return to their former dependent state; that there was no doubt of +their inclination for peace, and their willingness to enter into a +treaty with Britain, that might be advantageous to both countries; +that though his Lordship had, at present, no power to treat with them +as independent states, he might, if there was the same good +disposition in Britain, much sooner obtain fresh powers from his +government, for that purpose, than powers could be obtained by +congress, from the several colonies, to consent to a submission. + +His Lordship then expressed his regret that no accommodation was like +to take place, and put an end to the conference. + +These fruitless negotiations produced no suspension of hostilities. + +The British army, now in full possession of Long Island, was posted +from Bedford to Hurlgate; and thus fronted and threatened York Island +from its extreme southern point, to the part opposite the northern +boundary of Long Island, a small distance below the heights of +Haerlem; comprehending a space of about nine miles. + +The two armies were divided only by the East river, which is generally +less than a mile wide. + +{September 4.} + +Immediately after the victory at Brooklyn, dispositions were made by +the enemy to attack New York, and a part of the fleet sailed round +Long Island, and appeared in the Sound. Two frigates passed up the +East river, without receiving any injury from the batteries, and +anchored behind a small island which protected them from the American +artillery. At the same time, the main body of the fleet lay at anchor +close in with Governor's Island, from which the American troops had +been withdrawn, ready to pass up either the North or East river, or +both, and act against any part of York Island. + +These movements indicated a disposition, not to make an attack +directly on New York, as had been expected, but to land near +Kingsbridge, and take a position which would cut off the communication +of the American army with the country. + +Aware of the danger of his situation, General Washington began to +remove such stores as were not immediately necessary; and called a +council of general officers for the purpose of deciding, whether New +York should be evacuated without delay, or longer defended. + +In his letter communicating to congress the result of this council, +which was against an immediate evacuation, he manifested a conviction +of the necessity of that measure, though he yielded to that necessity +with reluctance. Speaking of the enemy, he observed, "It is now +extremely obvious from their movements, from our intelligence, and +from every other circumstance, that, having their whole army upon Long +Island, except about four thousand men who remain on Staten Island, +they mean to enclose us in this island, by taking post in our rear, +while their ships effectually secure the front; and thus, by cutting +off our communication with the country, oblige us to fight them on +their own terms, or surrender at discretion; or, if that shall be +deemed more adviseable, by a brilliant stroke endeavour to cut this +army to pieces, and secure the possession of arms and stores, which +they well know our inability to replace. + +"Having their system unfolded to us, it becomes an important +consideration how it could be most successfully opposed. On every side +there is a choice of difficulties, and experience teaches us, that +every measure on our part (however painful the reflection) must be +taken with some apprehension, that all our troops will not do their +duty. + +"In deliberating upon this great question," he added, "it was +impossible to forget that history, our own experience, the advice of +our ablest friends in Europe, the fears of the enemy, and even the +declarations of congress, demonstrate that, on our side, the war +should be defensive;--(it has ever been called a war of posts;)--that +we should, on all occasions, avoid a general action, nor put any thing +to the risk, unless compelled by necessity, into which we ought never +to be drawn." + +After communicating the decision which had been made by the council of +officers, he stated the opinion of those who were in favour of an +immediate evacuation with such force, as to confirm the belief that it +remained his own. + +The majority, who overruled this opinion, did not expect to be able to +defend the city, permanently, but to defer the time of losing it, in +the hope of wasting so much of the campaign, before General Howe could +obtain possession of it, as to prevent his undertaking any thing +farther until the following year. They therefore advised a middle +course between abandoning the town absolutely, and concentrating their +whole strength for its defence. This was, to form the army into three +divisions; one of which should remain in New York; the second be +stationed at Kingsbridge, and the third occupy the intermediate space, +so as to support either extreme. The sick were to be immediately +removed to Orange Town. A belief that congress was inclined to +maintain New York at every hazard, and a dread of the unfavourable +impression which its evacuation might make on the people, seem to have +had great influence in producing the determination to defend the place +yet a short time longer. + +{September 10.} + +This opinion was soon changed. The movements of the British general +indicated clearly an intention either to break their line of +communication, or to enclose the whole army in York Island. His +dispositions were alike calculated to favour the one or the other of +those objects. The general, who had continued to employ himself +assiduously in the removal of the military stores to a place of +safety,[43] called a second council to deliberate on the farther +defence of the city, which determined, by a large majority, that it +had become not only prudent, but absolutely necessary to withdraw the +army from New York. + + [Footnote 43: He had, on the first appearance of the enemy + in force before New York urged the removal of the women and + children, with their most valuable effects, to a place of + safety.] + +{September 12.} + +In consequence of this determination, Brigadier General Mercer, who +commanded the flying camp on the Jersey shore, was directed to move up +the North river, to the post opposite fort Washington; and every +effort was used to expedite the removal of the stores. + +On the morning of the fifteenth, three ships of war proceeded up the +North river as high as Bloomingdale; a movement which entirely stopped +the farther removal of stores by water. About eleven on the same day, +Sir Henry Clinton, with a division of four thousand men who had +embarked at the head of New Town bay, where they had lain concealed +from the view of the troops posted on York Island, proceeded through +that bay into the East river, which he crossed; and, under cover of +the fire of five men of war, landed at a place called Kipp's bay, +about three miles above New York. + +[Sidenote: New York evacuated.] + +The works thrown up to oppose a landing at this place, were of +considerable strength, and capable of being defended for some time; +but the troops stationed in them abandoned them without waiting to be +attacked, and fled with precipitation. On the commencement of the +cannonade, General Washington ordered the brigades of Parsons and +Fellowes to the support of the troops posted in the lines, and rode +himself towards the scene of action. The panic of those who had fled +from the works was communicated to the troops ordered to sustain them; +and the Commander-in-chief had the extreme mortification to meet the +whole party retreating in the utmost disorder, totally regardless of +the great efforts made by their generals to stop their disgraceful +flight. Whilst General Washington was exerting himself to rally them, +a small corps of the enemy appeared; and they again broke and fled in +confusion. The only part to be taken was immediately to withdraw the +few remaining troops from New York, and to secure the posts on the +heights. For this latter purpose, the lines were instantly manned; but +no attempt was made to force them. The retreat from New York was +effected with an inconsiderable loss of men, sustained in a skirmish +at Bloomingdale; but all the heavy artillery, and a large portion of +the baggage, provisions, and military stores, much of which might have +been saved had the post at Kipp's bay been properly defended, were +unavoidably abandoned. In this shameful day, one colonel, one captain, +three subalterns, and ten privates were killed: one lieutenant +colonel, one captain, and one hundred and fifty-seven privates were +missing. + +The unsoldierly conduct displayed on this occasion was not +attributable to a want of personal courage, but to other causes. The +apprehensions excited by the defeat on Long Island had not yet +subsided; nor had the American troops recovered their confidence +either in themselves or in their commanders. Their situation appeared +to themselves to be perilous; and they had not yet acquired that +temper which teaches the veteran to do his duty wherever he may be +placed; to assure himself that others will do their duty likewise; and +to rely that those, who take into view the situation of the whole, +will not expose him to useless hazard; or neglect those precautions +which the safety and advantage of the whole may require. + +Unfortunately, there existed in a great part of the army, several +causes, in addition to the shortness of enlistments and reliance on +militia, which were but too operative in obstructing the progress of +these military sentiments. In New England, whence the supplies of men +had been principally drawn, the zeal excited by the revolution had +taken such a direction, as in a great degree to abolish those +distinctions between the platoon officers and the soldiers, which are +indispensable to the formation of an army suited to all the purposes +of war. It has been already said that these officers, who constitute +an important part of every army, were, in many companies, elected by +the privates. Of consequence, a disposition to associate with them on +the footing of equality, was a recommendation of more weight, and +frequently conduced more to the choice, than individual merit. +Gentlemen of high rank have stated that, in some instances, men were +elected, who agreed to put their pay in a common stock with that of +the soldiers, and divide equally with them. It is not cause of wonder, +that among such officers, the most disgraceful and unmilitary +practices should frequently prevail; and that the privates should not +respect them sufficiently, to acquire habits of obedience and +subordination. This vital defect had been in some degree remedied, in +new modelling the army before Boston; but it still existed to a fatal +extent. + +{September 15.} + +Having taken possession of New York, General Howe stationed a few +troops in the town; and, with the main body of his army, encamped on +the island near the American lines. His right was at Horen's Hook on +the East river, and his left reached the North river near +Bloomingdale; so that his encampment extended quite across the island, +which is, in this place, scarcely two miles wide; and both his flanks +were covered by his ships. + +The strongest point of the American lines was at Kingsbridge, both +sides of which had been carefully fortified. M'Gowan's Pass, and +Morris's Heights were also occupied in considerable force, and +rendered capable of being defended against superior numbers. A strong +detachment was posted in an intrenched camp on the heights of Haerlem, +within about a mile and a half of the British lines. + +The present position of the armies favoured the views of the American +General. He wished to habituate his soldiers, by a series of +successful skirmishes, to meet the enemy in the field; and he +persuaded himself that his detachments, knowing a strong intrenched +camp to be immediately in their rear, would engage without +apprehension, would soon display their native courage, and would +speedily regain the confidence they had lost. + +Opportunities to make the experiments he wished were soon afforded. +The day after the retreat from New York, the British appeared in +considerable force in the plains between the two camps; and the +General immediately rode to his advanced posts, in order to make in +person such arrangements as this movement might require. Soon after +his arrival, Lieutenant Colonel Knowlton of Connecticut, who, at the +head of a corps of rangers, had been skirmishing with this party, came +in, and stated their numbers on conjecture at about three hundred men; +the main body being concealed in a wood. + +The General ordered Colonel Knowlton with his rangers, and Major +Leitch with three companies of the third Virginia regiment, which had +joined the army only the preceding day, to gain their rear, while he +amused them with the appearance of making dispositions to attack their +front. + +[Sidenote: Skirmish on the heights of Haerlem.] + +This plan succeeded. The British ran eagerly down a hill, in order to +possess themselves of some fences and bushes, which presented an +advantageous position against the party expected in front; and a +firing commenced--but at too great a distance to do any execution. In +the mean time, Colonel Knowlton, not being precisely acquainted with +their new position, made his attack rather on their flank than rear; +and a warm action ensued. + +In a short time, Major Leitch, who had led the detachment with great +intrepidity, was brought off the ground mortally wounded, having +received three balls through his body; and soon afterwards the gallant +Colonel Knowlton also fell. Not discouraged by the loss of their field +officers, the captains maintained their ground, and continued the +action with great animation. The British were reinforced; and General +Washington ordered some detachments from the adjacent regiments of New +England and Maryland, to the support of the Americans. Thus +reinforced, they made a gallant charge, drove the enemy out of the +wood into the plain, and were pressing him still farther, when the +General, content with the present advantage, called back his troops to +their intrenchments.[44] + + [Footnote 44: The author received the account of this + skirmish from the Colonel of the third Virginia Regiment, + and from the Captains commanding the companies that were + engaged.] + +In this sharp conflict, the loss of the Americans, in killed and +wounded, did not exceed fifty men. The British lost more than double +that number. But the real importance of the affair was derived from +its operation on the spirits of the whole army. It was the first +success they had obtained during this campaign; and its influence was +very discernible. To give it the more effect, the parole the next day +was Leitch; and the General, in his orders, publicly thanked the +troops under the command of that officer, who had first advanced on +the enemy, and the others who had so resolutely supported them. He +contrasted their conduct with that which had been exhibited the day +before; and the result, he said, evidenced what might be done where +officers and soldiers would exert themselves. Once more, therefore, he +called upon them so to act, as not to disgrace the noble cause in +which they were engaged. He appointed a successor to "the gallant and +brave Colonel Knowlton, who would," he said, "have been an honour to +any country, and who had fallen gloriously, fighting at his post." + +In this active part of the campaign, when the utmost stretch of every +faculty was required, to watch and counteract the plans of a skilful +and powerful enemy, the effects of the original errors committed by +the government, in its military establishment, were beginning to be so +seriously felt, as to compel the Commander-in-chief to devote a +portion of his time and attention to the complete removal of the +causes which produced them. + +The situation of America was becoming extremely critical. The almost +entire dissolution of the existing army, by the expiration of the time +for which the greater number of the troops had been engaged, was fast +approaching. No steps had been taken to recruit the new regiments +which congress had resolved to raise for the ensuing campaign; and +there was much reason to apprehend, that in the actual state of +things, the terms offered would not hold forth sufficient inducements +to fill them. + +{September 24.} + +[Sidenote: Letter on the state of the army.] + +With so unpromising a prospect before him, the General found himself +pressed by an army, permanent in its establishment, supplied with +every requisite of war, formidable for its discipline and the +experience of its leaders, and superior to him in numbers. These +circumstances, and the impressions they created, will be best +exhibited by an extract from a letter written at the time to congress. +It is in these words: "From the hours allotted to sleep, I will borrow +a few moments to convey my thoughts, on sundry important matters, to +congress. I shall offer them with that sincerity which ought to +characterize a man of candour; and with the freedom which may be used +in giving useful information, without incurring the imputation of +presumption. + +"We are now, as it were, upon the eve of another dissolution of our +army. The remembrance of the difficulties which happened upon that +occasion last year; the consequences which might have followed the +change, if proper advantages had been taken by the enemy; added to a +knowledge of the present temper and disposition of the troops; reflect +but a very gloomy prospect upon the appearance of things now, and +satisfy me, beyond the possibility of doubt, that unless some speedy +and effectual measures are adopted by congress, our cause will be +lost. + +"It is in vain to expect that any, or more than a trifling part of +this army, will engage again in the service, on the encouragement +offered by congress. When men find that their townsmen and companions +are receiving twenty, thirty, and more dollars, for a few months +service, (which is truly the case,) this can not be expected, without +using compulsion; and to force them into the service would answer no +valuable purpose. When men are irritated, and their passions inflamed, +they fly hastily and cheerfully to arms; but after the first emotions +are over, to expect among such people as compose the bulk of an army, +that they are influenced by any other motives than those of interest, +is to look for what never did, and I fear never will happen; the +congress will deceive themselves therefore if they expect it. + +"A soldier, reasoned with upon the goodness of the cause he is engaged +in, and the inestimable rights he is contending for, hears you with +patience, and acknowledges the truth of your observations; but adds, +that it is of no more consequence to him than to others. The officer +makes you the same reply, with this further remark, that his pay will +not support him, and he can not ruin himself and family to serve his +country, when every member of the community is equally benefited and +interested by his labours. The few, therefore, who act upon principles +of disinterestedness, are, comparatively speaking, no more than a drop +in the ocean. It becomes evidently clear, then, that as this contest +is not likely to become the work of a day; as the war must be carried +on systematically; and to do it, you must have good officers; there +is, in my judgment, no other possible means to obtain them, but by +establishing your army upon a permanent footing, and giving your +officers good pay. This will induce gentlemen, and men of character, +to engage; and, until the bulk of your officers are composed of such +persons as are actuated by principles of honour and a spirit of +enterprise, you have little to expect from them. They ought to have +such allowances as will enable them to live like, and support the +character of gentlemen; and not be driven by a scanty pittance to the +low and dirty arts which many of them practise, to filch the public of +more than the difference of pay would amount to, upon an ample +allowance. Besides, something is due to the man who puts his life in +your hands, hazards his health, and forsakes the sweets of domestic +enjoyments. Why a captain in the continental service should receive no +more than five shillings currency per day, for performing the same +duties that an officer of the same rank in the British service +receives ten shillings sterling for, I never could conceive; +especially, when the latter is provided with every necessary he +requires, upon the best terms, and the former can scarcely procure +them at any rate. There is nothing that gives a man consequence, and +renders him fit for command, like a support that renders him +independent of every body but the state he serves. + +"With respect to the men, nothing but a good bounty can obtain them +upon a permanent establishment, and for no shorter time than the +continuance of the war ought they to be engaged; as facts +incontestably prove that the difficulty and cost of enlistments +increase with time. When the army was first raised at Cambridge, I am +persuaded the men might have been got, without a bounty, for the war: +after that, they began to see that the contest was not likely to end +so speedily as was imagined, and to feel their consequence, by +remarking, that to get their militia, in the course of the last year, +many towns were induced to give them a bounty. Foreseeing the evils +resulting from this, and the destructive consequences which would +unavoidably follow short enlistments, I took the liberty, in a long +letter, (date not now recollected, as my letter book is not here,) to +recommend the enlistments for and during the war, assigning such +reasons for it, as experience has since convinced me, were well +founded. At that time, twenty dollars would, I am persuaded, have +engaged the men for this term: but it will not do to look back--and if +the present opportunity is slipped, I am persuaded that twelve months +more will increase our difficulties four fold. I shall therefore take +the liberty of giving it as my opinion, that a good bounty be +immediately offered, aided by the proffer of at least a hundred, or a +hundred and fifty acres of land, and a suit of clothes, and a blanket, +to each non-commissioned officer and soldier, as I have good authority +for saying, that however high the men's pay may appear, it is barely +sufficient, in the present scarcity and dearness of all kinds of +goods, to keep them in clothes, much less to afford support to their +families. If this encouragement, then, is given to the men, and such +pay allowed to the officers, as will induce gentlemen of liberal +character and liberal sentiments to engage; and proper care and +caution be used in the nomination, (having more regard to the +characters of persons than the number of men they can enlist,) we +should, in a little time, have an army able to cope with any that can +be opposed to it, as there are excellent materials to form one out of: +but whilst the only merit an officer possesses is his ability to raise +men; whilst those men consider and treat him as an equal, and in the +character of an officer, regard him no more than a broomstick, being +mixed together as one common herd; no order nor discipline can +prevail, nor will the officer ever meet with that respect which is +essentially necessary to due subordination. + +"To place any dependence upon militia, is assuredly resting upon a +broken staff. Men just dragged from the tender scenes of domestic +life; unaccustomed to the din of arms; totally unacquainted with every +kind of military skill, which, being followed by a want of confidence +in themselves, when opposed to troops regularly trained, disciplined, +and appointed--superior in knowledge, and superior in arms--makes them +timid, and ready to fly from their own shadows. Besides, the sudden +change in their manner of living, particularly in their lodging, +brings on sickness in many, impatience in all; and such an +unconquerable desire of returning to their respective homes, that it +not only produces shameful and scandalous desertions among themselves, +but infuses the like spirit into others. Again, men accustomed to +unbounded freedom and no control, can not brook the restraint which is +indispensably necessary to the good order and government of an army; +without which, licentiousness, and every kind of disorder, +triumphantly reign. To bring men to a proper degree of subordination, +is not the work of a day, a month, or a year; and unhappily for us, +and the cause we are engaged in, the little discipline I have been +labouring to establish in the army under my immediate command, is in a +manner done away by having such a mixture of troops as have been +called together within these few months." + +The frequent remonstrances of the Commander-in-chief; the opinions of +all military men; and the severe, but correcting hand of experience, +had at length produced some effect on the government of the +union;--and soon after the defeat on Long Island, congress had +directed the committee composing the board of war, to prepare a plan +of operations for the next succeeding campaign. Their report proposed +a permanent army, to be enlisted for the war, and to be raised by the +several states, in proportion to their ability. A bounty of twenty +dollars was offered to each recruit; and small portions of land to +every officer and soldier. + +{October 4.} + +The resolutions adopting this report were received by the +Commander-in-chief soon after the transmission of the foregoing +letter. Believing the inducements they held forth for the completion +of the army to be still insufficient, he, in his letter acknowledging +the receipt of them, urged in the most serious terms, the necessity of +raising the pay of the officers, and the bounty offered to recruits. +"Give me leave to say, sir," he observed, "I say it with due deference +and respect, (and my knowledge of the facts, added to the importance +of the cause, and the stake I hold it in, must justify the freedom,) +that your affairs are in a more unpromising way than you seem to +apprehend. + +"Your army, as mentioned in my last, is upon the eve of political +dissolution. True it is, you have voted a larger one in lieu of it; +but the season is late, and there is a material difference between +voting battalions, and raising men. In the latter, there are more +difficulties than Congress seem aware of; which makes it my duty (as I +have been informed of the prevailing sentiments of this army) to +inform them, that unless the pay of the officers (especially that of +the field officers) is raised, the chief part of those that are worth +retaining will leave the service at the expiration of the present +term; as the soldiers will also, if some greater encouragement is not +offered them, than twenty dollars and one hundred acres of land." + +After urging in strong terms the necessity of a more liberal +compensation to the army, and stating that the British were actually +raising a regiment with a bounty of ten pounds sterling for each +recruit, he added, "when the pay and establishment of an officer once +become objects of interested attention, the sloth, negligence, and +even disobedience of orders, which at this time but too generally +prevail, will be purged off;--but while the service is viewed with +indifference; while the officer conceives that he is rather conferring +than receiving an obligation: there will be a total relaxation of all +order and discipline; and every thing will move heavily on, to the +great detriment of the service, and inexpressible trouble and vexation +of the general. + +"The critical situation of our affairs at this time will justify my +saying, that no time is to be lost in making fruitless experiments. An +unavailing trial of a month, to get an army upon the terms proposed, +may render it impracticable to do it at all, and prove fatal to our +cause; as I am not sure whether any rubs in the way of our +enlistments, or unfavourable turn in our affairs, may not prove the +means of the enemy's recruiting men faster than we do." + +After stating at large the confusion and delay, inseparable from the +circumstance that the appointments for the new army were to be made by +the states, the letter proceeds, "upon the present plan, I plainly +foresee an intervention of time between the old and new army, which +must be filled with militia, if to be had, with whom no man, who has +any regard for his own reputation, can undertake to be answerable for +consequences. I shall also be mistaken in my conjectures, if we do not +lose the most valuable officers in this army, under the present mode +of appointing them; consequently, if we have an army at all, it will +be composed of materials not only entirely raw, but, if uncommon pains +are not taken, entirely unfit: and I see such a distrust and jealousy +of military power, that the Commander-in-chief has not an opportunity, +even by recommendation, to give the least assurance of reward for the +most essential services. + +"In a word, such a cloud of perplexing circumstances appears before +me, without one flattering hope, that I am thoroughly convinced, +unless the most vigorous and decisive exertions are immediately +adopted to remedy these evils, the certain and absolute loss of our +liberties will be the inevitable consequence: as one unhappy stroke +will throw a powerful weight into the scale against us, and enable +General Howe to recruit his army, as fast as we shall ours; numbers +being disposed, and many actually doing so already. Some of the most +probable remedies, and such as experience has brought to my more +intimate knowledge, I have taken the liberty to point out; the rest I +beg leave to submit to the consideration of congress. + +"I ask pardon for taking up so much of their time with my opinions, +but I should betray that trust which they and my country have reposed +in me, were I to be silent upon matters so extremely interesting." + +On receiving this very serious letter, congress passed resolutions +conforming to many of its suggestions. The pay of the officers was +raised, and a suit of clothes allowed annually to each soldier: The +legislatures of the states having troops in the continental service, +either at New York, Ticonderoga, or New Jersey, were requested to +depute committees to those places in order to officer the regiments on +the new establishment: and it was recommended to the committees to +consult the General on the subject of appointments. + +[Illustration: Washington's Headquarters at White Plains + +_Here, twenty-two miles northeast of New York City, Washington made +his headquarters in October, 1776, and directed the Battle of White +Plains or Chatterton Hill. Opposed to the American forces was a +British army, greatly superior in numbers, under General Howe, whose +delay in attaching the Americans enabled Washington to take up an +unassailable position at North Castle, preparatory to his subsequent +masterly retreat across New Jersey._] + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + The British land at Frog's Neck.... The American army + evacuates York Island, except fort Washington.... Both + armies move towards the White Plains.... Battle of the White + Plains.... The British army returns to Kingsbridge.... + General Washington crosses the North river.... The lines of + fort Washington carried by the British, and the garrison + made prisoners.... Evacuation of fort Lee.... Weakness of + the American army.... Ineffectual attempts to raise the + militia.... General Washington retreats through Jersey.... + General Washington crosses the Delaware.... Danger of + Philadelphia.... Capture of General Lee.... The British go + into winter quarters.... Battle of Trenton.... Of + Princeton.... Firmness of congress. + + +{1776} + +{October 9.} + +The armies did not long retain their position on York Island. General +Howe was sensible of the strength of the American camp, and was not +disposed to force it. His plan was to compel General Washington to +abandon it, or to give battle in a situation in which a defeat must be +attended with the total destruction of his army. With this view, after +throwing up entrenchments on M'Gowan's hill for the protection of New +York, he determined to gain the rear of the American camp, by the New +England road, and also to possess himself of the North river above +Kingsbridge. To assure himself of the practicability of acquiring the +command of the river, three frigates passed up it under the fire from +fort Washington, and from the opposite post on the Jersey shore, +afterwards called fort Lee, without sustaining any injury from the +batteries, or being impeded by the chevaux-de-frise which had been +sunk in the channel between those forts. + +{Twelfth.} + +[Sidenote: The enemy land at Frog's Neck.] + +This point being ascertained, he embarked a great part of his army on +board flat bottomed boats, and, passing through Hurl Gate into the +Sound, landed at Frog's Neck, about nine miles from the camp on the +heights of Haerlem. + +In consequence of this movement, Washington strengthened the post at +Kingsbridge, and detached some regiments to West Chester for the +purpose of skirmishing with the enemy, so soon as he should march from +the ground he occupied. The road from Frog's Point to Kingsbridge +leads through a strong country, intersected by numerous stone fences, +so as to render it difficult to move artillery, or even infantry, in +compact columns, except along the main road, which had been broken up +in several places. The General, therefore, entertained sanguine hopes +of the event, should a direct attack be made on his camp. + +General Howe continued some days waiting for his artillery, military +stores, and reinforcements from Staten Island, which were detained by +unfavourable winds. + +{October 16.} + +[Sidenote: The American army evacuates York island except Fort +Washington.] + +In the mean time, as the habits of thinking in America required that +every important measure should be the result of consultation, and +should receive the approbation of a majority, the propriety of +removing the American army from its present situation was submitted to +a council of the general officers. After much investigation, it was +declared to be impracticable, without a change of position, to keep up +their communication with the country, and avoid being compelled to +fight under great disadvantages, or to surrender themselves prisoners +of war. General Lee, who had just arrived from the south, and whose +experience as well as late success gave great weight to his opinions, +urged the necessity of this movement with much earnestness. It was, at +the same time, determined to hold fort Washington, and to defend it as +long as possible. A resolution of congress of the 11th of October, +desiring General Washington, by every art and expense, to obstruct, if +possible, the navigation of the river, contributed, not +inconsiderably, to this determination. + +In pursuance of this opinion of the military council, measures were +taken for moving the army up the North River, so as to extend its +front, or left, towards the White Plains, beyond the British right, +and thus keep open its communication with the country. The right, or +rear division, remained a few days longer about Kingsbridge under the +command of General Lee, for the security of the heavy baggage and +military stores, which, in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining +wagons, could be but slowly removed. + +{October 18.} + +General Howe, after uniting his forces at Pell's Point, moved forward +his whole army, except four brigades destined for the defence of New +York, through Pelham's manor, towards New Rochelle. Some skirmishes +took place on the march with a part of Glover's brigade, in which the +conduct of the Americans was mentioned with satisfaction by the +Commander-in-chief; and, as General Howe took post at New Rochelle, a +village on the Sound, General Washington occupied the heights between +that place and the North River. + +{October 21.} + +[Sidenote: Both armies move towards the White Plains.] + +At New Rochelle, the British army was joined by the second division of +Germans, under the command of General Knyphausen, and by an incomplete +regiment of cavalry from Ireland; some of whom had been captured on +their passage. Both armies now moved towards the White Plains, a +strong piece of ground already occupied by a detachment of militia. +The main body of the American troops formed a long line of entrenched +camps, extending from twelve to thirteen miles, on the different +heights from Valentine's Hill, near Kingsbridge, to the White Plains, +fronting the British line of march, and the Brunx, which divided the +two armies. The motions of General Howe were anxiously watched, not +only for the purposes of security, and of avoiding a general action, +but in order to seize any occasion which might present itself of +engaging his out-posts with advantage. While the British army lay at +New Rochelle, the position of a corps of American loyalists commanded +by Major Rogers was supposed to furnish such an occasion. He was +advanced, farther eastward, to Mamaraneck, on the Sound, where he was +believed to be covered by the other troops. An attempt was made to +surprise him in the night, by a detachment which should pass between +him and the main body of the British army, and, by a coup de main, +bear off his whole corps. Major Rogers was surprised, and about sixty +of his regiment killed and taken. The loss of the Americans was only +two killed, and eight or ten wounded; among the latter was Major Green +of Virginia, a brave officer, who led the detachment, and who received +a ball through his body. + +Not long afterwards, a regiment of Pennsylvania riflemen, under +Colonel Hand, engaged an equal number of Hessian chasseurs, with some +advantage. + +The caution of the English general was increased by these evidences of +enterprise in his adversary. His object seems to have been to avoid +skirmishes, and to bring on a general action, if that could be +effected under favourable circumstances; if not, he calculated on +nearly all the advantages of a victory from the approaching +dissolution of the American army. He proceeded therefore slowly. His +march was in close order, his encampments compact, and well guarded +with artillery; and the utmost circumspection was used to leave no +vulnerable point. + +{October 25.} + +As the sick and baggage reached a place of safety, General Washington +gradually drew in his out-posts, and took possession of the heights on +the east side of the Brunx, fronting the head of the British columns, +at the distance of seven or eight miles from them. The next day, he +was joined by General Lee, who, after securing the sick and the +baggage, had, with considerable address, brought up the rear division +of the army; an operation the more difficult as the deficiency of +teams was such that a large portion of the labour usually performed by +horses or oxen, devolved on men. + +General Washington was encamped on high broken ground, with his right +flank on the Brunx. This stream meandered so as also to cover the +front of his right wing, which extended along the road leading towards +New Rochelle, as far as the brow of the hill where his centre was +posted. His left, which formed almost a right angle with his centre, +and was nearly parallel to his right, extended along the hills +northward, so as to keep possession of the commanding ground, and +secure a retreat, should it be necessary, to a still stronger position +in his rear. + +On the right of the army, and on the west side of the Brunx, about one +mile from camp, on a road leading from the North River, was a hill, of +which General M'Dougal was ordered to take possession, for the purpose +of covering the right flank. His detachment consisted of about sixteen +hundred men, principally militia; and his communication with the main +army was open, that part of the Brunx being passable without +difficulty. + +Intrenchments were thrown up to strengthen the lines. + +General Howe, having made arrangements to attack Washington in his +camp, advanced early in the morning in two columns, the right +commanded by Sir Henry Clinton, and the left by General Knyphausen; +and, about ten, his van appeared in full view, on which a cannonade +commenced without much execution on either side. + +{October 28.} + +[Sidenote: Battle of the White Plains.] + +The British right formed behind a rising ground, about a mile in front +of the American camp, and extending from the road leading from +Mamaraneck towards the Brunx, stood opposed to the American centre. + +On viewing Washington's situation, Howe, who accompanied Knyphausen, +determined to carry the hill occupied by M'Dougal, as preliminary to +an attack on the centre and right of the American camp. He therefore +directed Colonel Rawle, with a brigade of Hessians, to cross the Brunx +and make a circuit so as to turn M'Dougal's right flank, while +Brigadier General Leslie, with a strong corps of British and Hessian +troops should attack him in front. When Rawle had gained his position, +the detachment commanded by Leslie also crossed the Brunx, and +commenced a vigorous attack.[45] The militia in the front line +immediately fled; but the regulars maintained their ground with great +gallantry. Colonel Smallwood's regiment of Maryland, and Colonel +Reitzimer's of New York, advanced boldly towards the foot of the hill +to meet Leslie, but, after a sharp encounter, were overpowered by +numbers, and compelled to retreat. General Leslie then attacked the +remaining part of M'Dougal's forces, who were soon driven from the +hill, but kept up for some time an irregular fire from the stone walls +about the scene of action. General Putnam, with Real's brigade, was +ordered to support them; but not having arrived till the hill was +lost, the attempt to regain it was deemed unadviseable, and the troops +retreated to the main army. + + [Footnote 45: General Howe's letter.] + +In this animated engagement, the loss was supposed to be nearly equal. +That of the Americans was between three and four hundred in killed, +wounded, and taken. Colonel Smallwood was among the wounded. + +General Washington continued in his lines expecting an assault. But a +considerable part of the day having been exhausted in gaining the hill +which had been occupied by M'Dougal, the meditated attempt on his +intrenchments was postponed until the next morning; and the British +army lay on their arms the following night, in order of battle, on the +ground taken during the day. + +{October 30.} + +This interval was employed by General Washington in strengthening his +works, removing his sick and baggage, and preparing for the expected +attack by adopting the arrangement of his troops to the existing state +of things. His left maintained its position; but his right was drawn +back to stronger ground. Perceiving this, and being unwilling to leave +any thing to hazard, Howe resolved to postpone farther offensive +operations, until Lord Percy should arrive with four battalions from +New York, and two from Mamaraneck. This reinforcement was received on +the evening of the thirtieth, and preparations were then made to force +the American intrenchments the next morning. In the night, and during +the early part of the succeeding day, a violent rain still farther +postponed the assault. + +Having now removed his provisions and heavy baggage to much stronger +ground, and apprehending that the British general, whose left wing +extended along the height, taken from M'Dougal, to his rear, might +turn his camp, and occupy the strong ground to which he designed to +retreat, should an attempt on his lines prove successful, General +Washington changed his position in the night, and withdrew to the +heights of North Castle, about five miles from the White Plains. + +{November 1.} + +Deeming this position too strong to be attempted with prudence, +General Howe determined to change his plan of operations, and to give +a new direction to his efforts.[46] + + [Footnote 46: General Howe's letter.] + +While forts Washington and Lee were held by the Americans, his +movements were checked, and York Island insecure. With a view to the +acquisition of these posts, he directed General Knyphausen to take +possession of Kingsbridge, which was defended by a small party of +Americans placed in fort Independence. On his approach, this party +retreated to fort Washington; and Knyphausen encamped between that +place and Kingsbridge. + +{November 5.} + +[Sidenote: The British army returns to Kingsbridge.] + +In the mean time, General Howe retired slowly down the North River. +His designs were immediately penetrated by the American general, who +perceived the necessity of passing a part of his army into Jersey, but +was restrained from immediately leaving the strong ground he occupied +by the apprehension that his adversary might, in that event, return +suddenly and gain his rear. A council of war was called, which +determined unanimously, that, should General Howe continue his march +towards New York, all the troops raised on the west side of the Hudson +should cross that river, to be afterwards followed by those raised in +the eastern part of the continent, leaving three thousand men for the +defence of the Highlands about the North river. + +In a letter to congress communicating this movement of the British +army, and this determination of the council, the general said, "I can +not indulge the idea that General Howe, supposing him to be going to +New York, means to close the campaign, and to sit down without +attempting something more. I think it highly probable, and almost +certain, that he will make a descent with part of his troops into the +Jerseys; and, as soon as I am satisfied that the present manoeuvre is +real, and not a feint, I shall use all the means in my power to +forward a part of our force to counteract his designs. + +"I expect the enemy will bend their force against fort Washington, and +invest it immediately. From some advices, it is an object that will +attract their earliest attention." + +He also addressed a letter to the governor of New Jersey, expressing a +decided opinion that General Howe would not content himself with +investing fort Washington, but would invade the Jerseys; and urging +him to put the militia in the best possible condition to reinforce the +army, and to take the place of the new levies, who could not, he +suggested, be depended on to continue in service one day longer than +the first of December, the time for which they were engaged. + +Immediate intelligence of this movement was likewise given to General +Greene, who commanded in the Jerseys; and his attention was +particularly pointed to fort Washington. + +As the British army approached Kingsbridge, three ships of war passed +up the North River, notwithstanding the fire from forts Washington and +Lee, and notwithstanding the additional obstructions which had been +placed in the channel. + +{November 8.} + +On being informed of this, another letter was addressed to General +Greene, stating that this fact was so plain a proof of the inefficacy +of all the obstructions thrown in the river, as to justify a change in +the dispositions which had been made. "If," continued the letter, "we +can not prevent vessels from passing up, and the enemy are possessed +of the surrounding country, what valuable purpose can it answer to +attempt to hold a post from which the expected benefit can not be +derived? I am therefore inclined to think it will not be prudent to +hazard the men and stores at Mount Washington; but as you are on the +spot, I leave it to you to give such orders respecting the evacuation +of the place, as you may think most adviseable; and so far revoke the +orders given to Colonel Magaw to defend it to the last." + +Measures were now taken to cross the North River with the troops which +had been raised on its western side, and General Washington determined +to accompany that division of the army. The eastern regiments remained +on the eastern side of the river, under the command of General Lee, +with orders to join the Commander-in-chief, should the British army +cross the Hudson. + +[Sidenote: And General Washington with a part of his army crosses the +North River.] + +After visiting the posts about Peekskill, and making all the +arrangements in his power for their defence, General Washington passed +the North River in the rear of the troops designed to act in the +Jerseys, and proceeded to the quarters of General Greene, near fort +Lee. + +From too great a confidence[47] in the strength of fort Washington, +and a conviction of its importance, General Greene had not withdrawn +its garrison under the discretionary orders he had received, but still +indulged a hope that the post might be maintained, or, should its +situation become desperate, that means might be found to transport the +troops across the river to the Jersey shore, which was defended by +fort Lee. + + [Footnote 47: Extract of a letter from General Greene, dated + September 11th, 1778. + + "Remember the effect that the loss of the garrison of fort + Washington had; there were men enough to have defended + themselves against all the army had they not been struck + with a panic; but, being most of them irregular troops, they + lost their confidence when the danger began to grow + pressing, and so fell a prey to their own fears."--_Life of + Greene_, v. 1, p. 121.] + +Mount Washington is a high piece of rocky ground, near the North +River, very difficult of ascent, especially towards the north, or +Kingsbridge. The fort was capable of containing about one thousand +men; but the lines and out-works, which were chiefly on the southern +side, towards New York, were drawn quite across the island. The ground +was naturally strong, the approaches difficult, and the +fortifications, though not sufficient to resist heavy artillery, were +believed to be in a condition to resist any attempt to carry them by +storm. The garrison consisted of troops, some of whom were among the +best in the American army; and the command had been given to Colonel +Magaw, a brave and intelligent officer, in whom great confidence was +placed. + +{November 13.} + +{Fifteenth.} + +General Howe, after retiring from the White Plains, encamped at a +small distance from Kingsbridge, on the heights of Fordham; and, +having made the necessary preparations for an assault, summoned the +garrison to surrender, on pain of being put to the sword. Colonel +Magaw replied, that he should defend the place to the last extremity, +and communicated the summons to General Greene at fort Lee, who +transmitted it to the Commander-in-chief, then at Hackensack. He +immediately rode to fort Lee, and, though it was late in the night, +was proceeding to fort Washington, where he expected to find Generals +Putnam and Greene, when, in crossing the river, he met those officers +returning from a visit to that fort. They reported that the garrison +was in high spirits, and would make a good defence; on which he +returned with them to fort Lee. + +{November 16.} + +Early next morning, Colonel Magaw posted his troops, partly on a +commanding hill north of the fort, partly in the outermost of the +lines drawn across the island on the south of the fort, and partly +between those lines, on the woody and rocky heights fronting Haerlem +River, where the ground being extremely difficult of ascent, the works +were not closed. Colonel Rawlings, of Maryland, commanded on the hill +towards Kingsbridge; Colonel Cadwallader, of Pennsylvania, in the +lines, and Colonel Magaw himself continued in the fort. + +The strength of the place had not deterred the British general from +resolving to carry it by storm; and, on receiving the answer of +Colonel Magaw, arrangements were made for a vigorous attack next day. +About ten, the assailants appeared before the works, and moved to the +assault in four different quarters. Their first division consisting of +Hessians and Waldeckers, amounting to about five thousand men, under +the command of General Knyphausen, advanced on the north side of the +fort, against the hill occupied by Colonel Rawlings, who received them +with great gallantry. The second, on the east, consisting of the +British light infantry and guards, was led by Brigadier General +Matthews, supported by Lord Cornwallis, at the head of the grenadiers +and the thirty-third regiment. These troops crossed Haerlem River in +boats, under cover of the artillery planted in the works, which had +been erected on the opposite side of the river, and landed within the +third line of defence which crossed the island. The third division was +conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Stirling, who passed the river higher +up; and the fourth by Lord Percy, accompanied by General Howe in +person. This division was to attack the lines in front, on the south +side.[48] + + [Footnote 48: General Howe's letter.] + +The attacks on the north and south by General Knyphausen and Lord +Percy, were made about the same instant, on Colonels Rawlings and +Cadwallader, who maintained their ground for a considerable time; but, +while Colonel Cadwallader was engaged in the first line against Lord +Percy, the second and third divisions which had crossed Haerlem River +made good their landing, and dispersed the troops fronting that river, +as well as a detachment sent by Colonel Cadwallader to support them. +Thus being overpowered, and the British advancing between the fort and +the lines, it became necessary to abandon them. In retreating to the +fort, some of the men were intercepted by the division under Colonel +Stirling, and made prisoners. + +The resistance on the north was of longer duration. Rawlings +maintained his ground with firmness, and his riflemen did vast +execution. A three gun battery also played on Knyphausen with great +effect. At length, the Hessian columns gained the summit of the hill; +after which, Colonel Rawlings, who perceived the danger which +threatened his rear, retreated under the guns of the fort. + +[Sidenote: The lines of Fort Washington carried by the enemy, and the +garrison made prisoners.] + +Having carried the lines, and all the strong ground adjoining them, +the British general again summoned Colonel Magaw to surrender. While +the capitulation was in a course of arrangement, General Washington +sent him a billet, requesting him to hold out until the evening, when +means should be attempted to bring off the garrison. But Magaw had +proceeded too far to retreat; and it is probable the place could not +have resisted an assault from so formidable a force as threatened it. +The greatest difficulties had been overcome; the fort was too small to +contain all the men; and their ammunition was nearly exhausted. Under +these circumstances the garrison became prisoners of war. + +The loss on this occasion was the greatest the Americans had ever +sustained. The garrison was stated by General Washington at about two +thousand men. Yet, in a report published as from General Howe, the +number of prisoners is said to be two thousand and six hundred, +exclusive of officers. Either General Howe must have included in his +report persons who were not soldiers, or General Washington must have +comprehended the regulars only in his letter. The last conjecture is +most probably correct. The loss of the assailants, according to Mr. +Stedman, amounted to eight hundred men. This loss fell heaviest on the +Germans. + +[Sidenote: Evacuation of Fort Lee.] + +{November 18.} + +On the surrender of fort Washington, it was determined to evacuate +fort Lee; and a removal of the stores was immediately commenced. +Before this operation could be completed, a detachment commanded by +Lord Cornwallis, amounting to about six thousand men, crossed the +North River below Dobb's ferry, and endeavoured, by a rapid march, to +enclose the garrison between the North and Hackensack Rivers. An +immediate retreat from that narrow neck of land had become +indispensable, and was with difficulty effected. All the heavy cannon +at fort Lee, except two twelve-pounders, with a considerable quantity +of provisions and military stores, including three hundred tents, were +lost. After crossing the Hackensack, General Washington posted his +troops along the western bank of that river, but was unable to dispute +its passage at the head of about three thousand effectives, exposed, +without tents, in an inclement season; he was in a level country, +without a single intrenching tool, among people far from being zealous +in the American cause. In other respects this situation was dangerous. +The Passaic, in his rear, after running several miles nearly parallel +to the Hackensack, unites with that river below the ground occupied by +the Americans, who were consequently still exposed to the hazard of +being inclosed between two rivers. + +{November 21.} + +[Sidenote: Weakness of the American army.] + +This gloomy state of things was not brightened by the prospect before +him. In casting his eyes around, no cheering object presented itself. +No confidence could be placed on receiving reinforcements from any +quarter. But, in no situation could Washington despond. His exertions +to collect an army, and to impede the progress of his enemy, were +perseveringly continued. Understanding that Sir Guy Carleton no longer +threatened Ticonderoga, he directed General Schuyler to hasten the +troops of Pennsylvania and Jersey to his assistance, and ordered[49] +General Lee to cross the North River, and be in readiness to join him, +should the enemy continue the campaign. But, under the influence of +the same fatal cause which had acted elsewhere, these armies too were +melting away, and would soon be almost totally dissolved. General +Mercer, who commanded a part of the flying camp stationed about +Bergen, was also called in; but these troops had engaged to serve only +till the 1st of December, and, like the other six months men, had +already abandoned the army in great numbers. No hope existed of +retaining the remnant after they should possess a legal right to be +discharged; and there was not much probability of supplying their +places with other militia. To New England he looked with anxious hope; +and his requisitions on those states received prompt attention. Six +thousand militia from Massachusetts, and a considerable body from +Connecticut, were ordered to his assistance; but some delay in +assembling them was unavoidable, and their march was arrested by the +appearance of the enemy in their immediate neighbourhood. + + [Footnote 49: See note No. VII. at the end of the volume.] + +Three thousand men, conducted by Sir Henry Clinton, who were embarked +on board a fleet commanded by Sir Peter Parker, sailed late in +November from New York, and, without much opposition, took possession +of Newport. This invasion excited serious alarm in Massachusetts and +Connecticut, and these states retained for their own defence, the +militia who had been embodied at the instance of the +Commander-in-chief. + +Not intending to maintain his present position, General Washington had +placed some regiments along the Hackensack to afford the semblance of +defending its passage until his stores could be removed; and, with the +residue of the troops, crossed the Passaic, and took post at Newark. +Soon after he had marched, Major General Vaughan appeared before the +new bridge over Hackensack. The American detachment which had been +left in the rear, being unable to defend it, broke it down, and +retired before him over the Passaic. + +[Sidenote: Ineffectual attempts to raise the militia.] + +Having entered the open country, General Washington determined to halt +a few days on the south side of this river, make some show of +resistance, and endeavour to collect such a force as would keep up the +semblance of an army. His letters, not having produced such exertions +as the public exigencies required, he deputed General Mifflin to the +government of Pennsylvania, and Colonel Reid, his Adjutant General, to +the government of New Jersey, with orders to represent the real +situation of the army, and the certainty that, without great +reinforcements, Philadelphia must fall into the hands of the enemy, +and the state of Jersey be overrun. + +While thus endeavouring to strengthen himself with militia, he pressed +General Lee to hasten his march, and cautioned him to keep high enough +up the country to avoid the enemy, who, having got possession of the +mail containing one of his late letters, would certainly endeavour to +prevent the junction of the two armies. + +This perilous state of things was rendered still more critical by +indications of an insurrection in the county of Monmouth, in Jersey, +where great numbers favoured the royal cause. In other places, too, a +hostile temper was displayed, and an indisposition to farther +resistance began to be manifested throughout that state. These +appearances obliged him to make detachments from the militia of his +army, to overawe the disaffected of Monmouth, who were on the point of +assembling in force. + +[Sidenote: General Washington retreats through Jersey.] + +{November 23.} + +As the British army crossed the Passaic, General Washington abandoned +his position behind that river; and the day Lord Cornwallis entered +Newark, he retreated to Brunswick, a small village on the Raritan. + +{December 1.} + +At this place, the levies drawn from Maryland and Jersey to compose +the flying camp, became entitled to their discharge. No remonstrances +could detain them; and he sustained the mortification of seeing his +feeble army still more enfeebled by being entirely abandoned by these +troops, in the face of an advancing enemy. The Pennsylvania militia +belonging to the flying camp were engaged to serve till the 1st of +January. So many of them deserted, that it was deemed necessary to +place guards on the roads, and ferries over the Delaware, to apprehend +and send them back to camp. The Governor of New Jersey was again +pressed for assistance, but it was not in his power to furnish the aid +required. The well affected part of the lower country was overawed by +the British army; and the militia of Morris and Sussex came out slowly +and reluctantly. + +While at Brunswick, attempts were made to retard the advance of the +British army by movements indicating an intention to act on the +offensive; but this feint was unavailing. Lord Cornwallis continued to +press forward; and, as his advanced guards showed themselves on the +opposite side of the bridge, General Washington evacuated the town, +and marched through Princeton to Trenton. Directions had already been +given to collect all the boats on the Delaware, from Philadelphia +upwards for seventy miles, in the hope that the progress of the enemy +might be stopped at this river; and that, in the mean time, +reinforcements might arrive which would enable him to dispute its +passage. + +{December 2.} + +Having, with great labour, transported the few remaining military +stores and baggage over the Delaware, he determined to remain as long +as possible on the northern banks of that river. + +The army which was thus pressed slowly through the Jerseys, was aided +by no other cavalry than a small corps of badly mounted Connecticut +militia, commanded by Major Shelden; and was almost equally destitute +of artillery. Its numbers, at no time during the retreat, exceeded +four thousand men, and on reaching the Delaware, was reduced to less +than three thousand; of whom, not quite one thousand were militia of +New Jersey. Even among the continental troops there were many whose +term of service was about to expire. + +Its defectiveness of numbers did not constitute its only weakness. The +regulars were badly armed, worse clad, and almost destitute of tents, +blankets, or utensils for dressing their food. They were composed +chiefly of the garrison of fort Lee, and had been obliged to evacuate +that place with too much precipitation to bring with them even those +few articles of comfort and accommodation with which they had been +furnished. The Commander-in-chief found himself at the head of this +small band of soldiers, dispirited by their losses and fatigues, +retreating almost naked and bare-footed, in the cold of November and +December, before a numerous, well appointed, and victorious army, +through a desponding country, much more disposed to obtain safety by +submission, than to seek it by a manly resistance. + +In this crisis of American affairs, a proclamation was issued by Lord +and General Howe, as commissioners appointed on the part of the crown +for restoring peace to America, commanding all persons assembled in +arms against his majesty's government, to disband and return to their +homes; and all civil officers to desist from their treasonable +practices, and relinquish their usurped authority. A full pardon was +offered to every person who would, within sixty days, appear before +certain civil or military officers of the crown, claim the benefit of +that proclamation, and testify his obedience to the laws by +subscribing a declaration of his submission to the royal authority. +Copies of it were dispersed through the country, after which numbers +flocked in daily, to make their peace and obtain protection. The +contrast between the splendid appearance of the pursuing army, and +that of the ragged Americans who were flying before them, could not +fail to nourish the general opinion that the contest was approaching +its termination. + +Among the many valuable traits in the character of Washington, was +that unyielding firmness of mind which resisted these accumulated +circumstances of depression, and supported him under them. Undismayed +by the dangers which surrounded him, he did not for an instant relax +his exertions, nor omit any thing which could obstruct the progress of +the enemy, or improve his own condition. He did not appear to despair +of the public safety, but struggled against adverse fortune with the +hope of yet vanquishing the difficulties which surrounded him; and +constantly showed himself to his harassed and enfeebled army, with a +serene, unembarrassed countenance, betraying no fears in himself, and +invigorating and inspiring with confidence the bosoms of others. To +this unconquerable firmness, to this perfect self-possession under the +most desperate circumstances, is America, in a great degree, indebted +for her independence. + +{December 5.} + +After removing his baggage and stores over the Delaware, and sending +his sick to Philadelphia, the American General, finding that Lord +Cornwallis still continued in Brunswick, detached twelve hundred men +to Princeton in the hope that this appearance of advancing on the +British might not only retard their progress, but cover a part of the +country, and reanimate the people of Jersey. + +Some portion of this short respite from laborious service was devoted +to the predominant wish of his heart,--preparations for the next +campaign,--by impressing on congress a conviction of the real causes +of the present calamitous state of things. However the human mind may +resist the clearest theoretic reasoning, it is scarcely possible not +to discern obvious and radical errors, while smarting under their +destructive consequences. The abandonment of the army by whole +regiments of the flying camp, in the face of an advancing and superior +enemy; the impracticability of calling out the militia of Jersey and +Pennsylvania in sufficient force to prevent Lord Cornwallis from +overrunning the first state, or restrain him from entering the last, +had it not been saved by other causes, were practical lessons on the +subjects of enlistments for a short time, and a reliance on militia, +which no prejudice could disregard, and which could not fail to add +great weight to the remonstrances formerly made by the +Commander-in-chief, which were now repeated. + +{December 6.} + +{Seventh.} + +The exertions of General Mifflin to raise the militia of Pennsylvania, +though unavailing in the country, were successful in Philadelphia. A +large proportion of the inhabitants of that city capable of bearing +arms, had associated for the general defence; and, on this occasion, +fifteen hundred of them marched to Trenton; to which place a German +battalion was also ordered by congress. On the arrival of these +troops, General Washington commenced his march to Princeton, but was +stopped by the intelligence that Lord Cornwallis, having received +large reinforcements, was advancing rapidly from Brunswick by +different routes, and endeavouring to gain his rear. + +{Eighth.} + +[Sidenote: General Washington crosses the Delaware.] + +[Sidenote: Danger of Philadelphia.] + +On receiving this intelligence, he crossed the Delaware, and posted +his army in such a manner as to guard the fords. As his rear passed +the river, the van of the British army appeared in sight. The main +body took post at Trenton, and detachments were placed both above and +below, while small parties, without interruption from the people of +the country, reconnoitred the Delaware for a considerable distance. +From Bordentown below Trenton the course of the river turns westward, +and forms an acute angle with its course from Philadelphia to that +place; so that Lord Cornwallis might cross a considerable distance +above, and be not much, if any, farther from that city than the +American army. + +The British general made some unsuccessful attempts to seize a number +of boats guarded by Lord Stirling, about Coryell's Ferry; and, in +order to facilitate his movements down the river, on the Jersey shore, +repaired the bridges below Trenton, which had been broken down by +order of General Washington. He then advanced a strong detachment to +Bordentown, giving indications of an intention to cross the Delaware +at the same time above and below; and either to march in two columns +to Philadelphia, or completely to envelop the American army in the +angle of the river. To counteract this plan, the American General +stationed a few gallies to watch the movements of his enemy below, and +aid in repelling any effort to pass over to the Pennsylvania shore; +and made such a disposition of his little army as to guard against any +attempt to force a passage above, which he believed to be the real +design. + +Having made his arrangements, he waited anxiously for reinforcements; +and, in the meantime, sent daily parties over the river to harass the +enemy, and to observe his situation. + +The utmost exertions were made by government to raise the militia. In +the hope that a respectable body of continental troops would aid these +exertions, General Washington had directed General Gates, with the +regulars of the northern army, and General Heath, with those at +Peekskill, to march to his assistance. + +[Sidenote: Capture of General Lee.] + +Although General Lee had been repeatedly urged to join the +Commander-in-chief, he proceeded slowly in the execution of these +orders, manifesting a strong disposition to retain his separate +command, and rather to hang on, and threaten the rear of the British +army, than to strengthen that in its front. With this view he proposed +establishing himself at Morristown. On receiving a letter from General +Washington disapproving this proposition, and urging him to hasten his +march, Lee still avowed a preference for his own plan, and proceeded +reluctantly towards the Delaware. While passing through Morris county, +at the distance of twenty miles from the British encampment, he, very +incautiously, quartered under a slight guard, in a house about three +miles from his army. Information of this circumstance was given by a +countryman to Colonel Harcourt, at that time detached with a body of +cavalry to watch his movements, who immediately formed and executed +the design of seizing him. Early in the morning of the 12th of +December, this officer reached Lee's quarters, who received no +intimation of his danger until the house was surrounded, and he found +himself a prisoner. He was carried off in triumph to the British army, +where he was, for some time, treated as a deserter from the British +service. + +This misfortune made a serious impression on all America. The +confidence originally placed in General Lee had been increased by his +success in the southern department, and by a belief that his opinions, +during the military operations in New York, had contributed to the +adoption of those judicious movements which had, in some measure, +defeated the plans of General Howe in that quarter. It was also +believed that he had dissented from the resolution of the council of +war for maintaining forts Washington and Lee. No officer, except the +Commander-in-chief, possessed, at that time, in so eminent a degree, +the confidence of the army, or of the country; and his loss was, +almost universally, bewailed as one of the greatest calamities which +had befallen the American arms. It was regretted by no person more +than by General Washington himself. He respected the merit of that +eccentric veteran, and sincerely lamented his captivity. + +General Sullivan, on whom the command of that division devolved after +the capture of Lee, promptly obeyed the orders which had been directed +to that officer; and, crossing the Delaware at Philipsburg, joined the +Commander-in-chief. On the same day General Gates arrived with a few +northern troops. By these and other reinforcements, the army was +augmented to about seven thousand effective men. + +[Sidenote: The British go into winter quarters.] + +The attempts of the British general to get possession of boats for the +transportation of his army over the Delaware having failed, he gave +indications of an intention to close the campaign, and to retire into +winter quarters. About four thousand men were cantoned on the Delaware +at Trenton, Bordentown, the White Horse, and Mount Holly; and the +remaining part of the army of Jersey was distributed from that river +to the Hackensack. Strong corps were posted at Princeton, Brunswick, +and Elizabethtown. + +To intimidate the people, and thereby impede the recruiting service, +was believed to be no inconsiderable inducement with General Howe, for +covering so large a portion of Jersey. To counteract these views, +General Washington ordered three of the regiments from Peekskill to +halt at Morristown, and to unite with about eight hundred militia +assembled at that place under Colonel Ford. General Maxwell was sent +to take command of these troops, with orders to watch the motions of +the enemy, to harass him in his marches, to give intelligence of all +his movements, to keep up the spirits of the militia, and to prevent +the inhabitants from going within the British lines, and taking +protection. + +{December 20.} + +The short interval between this cantonment of the British troops, and +the recommencement of active operations, was employed by General +Washington in repeating the representations he had so often made to +congress, respecting preparations for the ensuing campaign. The +dangers resulting from a reliance on temporary armies had been fully +exemplified; and his remonstrances on that subject were supported by +that severe experience which corrects while it chastises. In the +course of the campaign, he had suffered greatly from the want of +cavalry, of artillery, and of engineers. His ideas on these important +subjects had been already stated to congress, and were now reurged. +With respect to the additional expense to be incurred by the measures +recommended, he observed, "that our funds were not the only object now +to be taken into consideration. The enemy, it was found, were daily +gathering strength from the disaffected. This strength, like a snow +ball by rolling, would increase, unless some means should be devised +to check effectually the progress of their arms. Militia might +possibly do it for a little while; but in a little while also, the +militia of those states which were frequently called upon would not +turn out at all, or would turn out with so much reluctance and sloth, +as to amount to the same thing. Instance New Jersey! Witness +Pennsylvania! Could any thing but the river Delaware have saved +Philadelphia? + +"Could any thing," he asked, "be more destructive of the recruiting +business than giving ten dollars bounty for six weeks service in the +militia, who come in, you can not tell how; go, you can not tell when; +and act, you can not tell where; who consume your provisions, exhaust +your stores, and leave you at last in a critical moment. + +"These, sir," he added, "are the men I am to depend upon ten days +hence. This is the basis upon which your cause will rest, and must for +ever depend, until you get a large standing army sufficient of itself +to oppose the enemy." + +[Illustration: Washington Crossing the Delaware + +_From the painting by Emanuel Leutze, in the Metropolitan Museum of +Art, New York City._ + +_On December 8, 1776, following his retreat across New Jersey, with +the British army under Cornwallis pressing him closely, Washington +transported his army of 6,000 men across the Delaware into +Pennsylvania and to safety. He had seized all the boats within seventy +miles, leaving Cornwallis to wait until the river froze over before he +could follow._ + +_In recrossing the Delaware (as here depicted) to strike the British +at Trenton, Washington executed the most brilliant military maneuver +of his career._ + +_In his sesquicentennial address delivered at Cambridge, +Massachusetts, July 3, 1925, President Coolidge related this incident +which gives us Cornwallis's estimate of the importance of the Trenton +victory:_ + + "It is recorded that a few evenings after the surrender of + Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown a banquet was given by + Washington and his staff to the British commander and his + staff. One likes to contemplate the sportsmanship of that + function. Amiabilities and good wishes were duly exchanged, + and finally Lord Cornwallis rose to present his compliments + to Washington. There had been much talk of past campaigning + experiences, and Cornwallis, turning to Washington, + expressed the judgment that when history's verdict was made + up 'the brightest garlands for your Excellency will be + gathered, not from the shores of the Chesapeake, but from + the banks of the Delaware.'"] + +He also hinted the idea, extremely delicate in itself, of enlarging +his powers so as to enable him to act, without constant applications +to congress for their sanction of measures, the immediate adoption of +which was essential to the public interests. "This might," he said, +"be termed an application for powers too dangerous to be trusted." He +could only answer, "that desperate diseases required desperate +remedies. He could with truth declare that he felt no lust for power, +but wished with as much fervency as any man upon this wide extended +continent, for an opportunity of turning the sword into a ploughshare; +but his feelings as an officer and a man had been such as to force him +to say, that no person ever had a greater choice of difficulties to +contend with than himself." + +After recapitulating the measures he had adopted, which were not +within his power, and urging many other necessary arrangements, he +added, "it may be thought I am going a good deal out of the line of my +duty to adopt these measures, or to advise thus freely. A character to +lose; an estate to forfeit; the inestimable blessing of liberty at +stake; and a life devoted, must be my excuse." + +The present aspect of American affairs was gloomy in the extreme. The +existing army, except a few regiments, affording an effective force of +about fifteen hundred men, would dissolve in a few days. New Jersey +had, in a great measure, submitted; and the militia of Pennsylvania +had not displayed the alacrity expected from them. General Howe would, +most probably, avail himself of the ice which would soon form, and of +the dissolution of the American army, to pass the Delaware and seize +Philadelphia. This event was dreaded, not only on account of its +intrinsic importance, but of its peculiar effect at this time, when an +army was to be recruited on which the future hopes of America were to +rest. It was feared, and with reason, that it would make such an +impression on the public mind as to deter the American youth from +engaging in a contest becoming desperate. + +Impelled by these considerations, General Washington meditated a blow +on the British army, while dispersed in its cantonments, which might +retrieve the affairs of America in the opinion of the public, and +recover the ground that had been lost. + +He formed the daring plan of attacking all the British posts on the +Delaware at the same instant. If successful in all, or any of these +attacks, he hoped not only to wipe off the impression made by his +losses, and by his retreat, but also to relieve Philadelphia from +immediate danger, and to compel his adversary to compress himself in +such a manner as no longer to cover the Jerseys. + +The positions taken to guard the river were equally well adapted to +offensive operations. + +The regulars were posted above Trenton from Yardley's up to Coryell's +Ferry. The Pennsylvania flying camp, and Jersey militia, under the +command of General Irvine, extended from Yardley's to the ferry +opposite Bordentown; and General Cadwallader with the Pennsylvania +militia lay still lower down the river. + +In the plan of attack which had been digested, it was proposed to +cross in the night at M'Konkey's Ferry, about nine miles above +Trenton; to march down in two divisions, the one taking the river +road, and the other the Pennington road, both which lead into the +town; the first, towards that part of the western side which +approaches the river, and the last towards the north. This part of the +plan was to be executed by the General in person, at the head of about +two thousand four hundred continental troops. It was thought +practicable to pass them over the river by twelve, and to reach the +point of destination by five in the morning of the next day, when the +attack was to be made. General Irvine was directed to cross at the +Trenton Ferry, and to secure the bridge below the town, in order to +prevent the escape of the enemy by that road. General Cadwallader was +to pass over at Dunk's Ferry, and carry the post at Mount Holly. It +had been in contemplation to unite the troops employed in fortifying +Philadelphia, to those at Bristol, and to place the whole under +General Putnam; but such indications were given in that city of an +insurrection of the royal cause, that this part of the plan was +abandoned. The cold on the night of the 25th was very severe. Snow, +mingled with hail and rain, fell in great quantities, and so much ice +was made in the river that, with every possible exertion, the division +conducted by the General in person could not effect its passage until +three, nor commence its march down the river till near four. As the +distance to Trenton by either road is nearly the same, orders were +given to attack at the instant of arrival, and, after driving in the +out-guards, to press rapidly after them into the town, and prevent the +main body from forming. + +[Sidenote: Battle of Trenton.] + +{December 26.} + +General Washington accompanied the upper column, and arriving at the +out-post on that road, precisely at eight, drove it in, and, in three +minutes, heard the fire from the column which had taken the river +road. The picket guard attempted to keep up a fire while retreating, +but was pursued with such ardour as to be unable to make a stand. +Colonel Rawle, who commanded in the town, paraded his men, and met the +assailants. In the commencement of the action, he was mortally +wounded, upon which the troops, in apparent confusion, attempted to +gain the road to Princeton. General Washington threw a detachment into +their front, while he advanced rapidly on them in person. Finding +themselves surrounded, and their artillery already seized, they laid +down their arms, and surrendered themselves prisoners of war. About +twenty of the enemy were killed, and about one thousand made +prisoners. Six field pieces, and a thousand stand of small arms were +also taken. On the part of the Americans, two privates were killed; +two frozen to death; and one officer, Lieutenant Monroe,[50] of the +third Virginia regiment, and three or four privates wounded. + + [Footnote 50: Since President of the United States.] + +Unfortunately, the ice rendered it impracticable for General Irvine to +execute that part of the plan which was allotted to him. With his +utmost efforts, he was unable to cross the river; and the road towards +Bordentown remained open. About five hundred men, among whom was a +troop of cavalry, stationed in the lower end of Trenton, availed +themselves of this circumstance, and crossing the bridge in the +commencement of the action, escaped down the river. The same cause +prevented General Cadwallader from attacking the post at Mount Holly. +With great difficulty a part of his infantry passed the river, but +returned on its being found absolutely impracticable to cross with the +artillery. + +Although this plan failed in so many of its parts, the success +attending that which was conducted by General Washington in person was +followed by the happiest effects. + +Had it been practicable for the divisions under Generals Irvine and +Cadwallader to cross the river, it was intended to proceed from +Trenton to the posts at and about Bordentown, to sweep the British +from the banks of the Delaware,[51] and to maintain a position in the +Jerseys. But finding that those parts of the plan had failed, and +supposing the British to remain in force below, while a strong corps +was posted at Princeton, General Washington thought it unadviseable to +hazard the loss of the very important advantage already gained, by +attempting to increase it, and recrossed the river with his prisoners +and military stores. Lieutenant Colonel Baylor, his aid-de-camp, who +carried the intelligence of this success to congress, was presented +with a horse completely caparisoned for service, and recommended to +the command of a regiment of cavalry. + + [Footnote 51: A fact has been stated to the author which + shows to what an extent the plan might have been executed + had it been possible to cross the river. Colonel Reed, who + was with the division of Cadwallader, passed the ferry with + the van of the infantry, and immediately despatched some + trusty persons to examine the situation of the troops at + Mount Holly. The report made by his messengers was, that + they had looked into several houses in which the soldiers + were quartered, and had found them generally fast asleep, + under the influence, as was supposed, of the spirituous + liquors they had drunk the preceding day, which was + Christmas-day. That there appeared to be no apprehension of + danger, nor precaution against it.] + +Nothing could surpass the astonishment of the British commander at +this unexpected display of vigour on the part of the American General. +His condition, and that of his country, had been thought desperate. He +had been deserted by all the troops having a legal right to leave him; +and, to render his situation completely ruinous, nearly two-thirds of +the continental soldiers still remaining with him, would be entitled +to their discharge on the first day of January. There appeared to be +no probability of prevailing on them to continue longer in the +service, and the recruiting business was absolutely at an end. The +spirits of a large proportion of the people were sunk to the lowest +point of depression. New Jersey appeared to be completely subdued; and +some of the best judges of the public sentiment were of opinion that +immense numbers in Pennsylvania, also, were determined not to permit +the sixty days allowed in the proclamation of Lord and Sir William +Howe, to elapse, without availing themselves of the pardon it +proffered. Instead of offensive operations, the total dispersion of +the small remnant of the American army was to be expected, since it +would be rendered too feeble by the discharge of those engaged only +until the last day of December, to attempt, any longer, the defence of +the Delaware, which would by that time, in all probability, be +passable on the ice. While every appearance supported these opinions, +and the British General, without being sanguine, might well consider +the war as approaching its termination, this bold and fortunate +enterprise announced to him, that he was contending with an adversary +who could never cease to be formidable while the possibility of +resistance remained. Finding the conquest of America more distant than +had been supposed, he determined, in the depth of winter to recommence +active operations; and Lord Cornwallis, who had retired to New York +with the intention of embarking for Europe, suspended his departure, +and returned to the Jerseys in great force, for the purpose of +regaining the ground which had been lost. + +Meanwhile, Count Donop, who commanded the troops below Trenton, on +hearing the disaster which had befallen Colonel Rawle, retreated by +the road leading to Amboy, and joined General Leslie at Princeton. The +next day, General Cadwallader crossed the Delaware, with orders to +harass the enemy, but to put nothing to hazard until he should be +joined by the continental battalions, who were allowed a day or two of +repose, after the fatigues of the enterprise against Trenton. General +Mifflin joined General Irvine with about fifteen hundred Pennsylvania +militia, and those troops also crossed the river. + +Finding himself once more at the head of a force with which it seemed +practicable to act offensively, the General determined to employ the +winter in endeavouring to recover Jersey. + +{December 30.} + +With this view, he ordered General Heath to leave a small detachment +at Peekskill, and with the main body of the New England militia, to +enter Jersey, and approach the British cantonments on that side. +General Maxwell was ordered, with all the militia he could collect, to +harass their flank and rear, and to attack their out-posts on every +favourable occasion, while the continental troops, led by himself, +recrossed the Delaware, and took post at Trenton. On the last day of +December, the regulars of New England were entitled to a discharge. +With great difficulty, and a bounty of ten dollars, many of them were +induced to renew their engagements for six weeks. + +{1777} + +{January 1.} + +The British were now collected in force at Princeton under Lord +Cornwallis; and appearances confirmed the intelligence, secretly[52] +obtained, that he intended to attack the American army. + + [Footnote 52: In this critical moment, when correct + intelligence was so all important, Mr. Robert Morris raised + on his private credit in Philadelphia, five hundred pounds + in specie, which he transmitted to the Commander-in-chief, + who employed it in procuring information not otherwise to + have been obtained.] + +Generals Mifflin and Cadwallader, who lay at Bordentown and Crosswix, +with three thousand six hundred militia, were therefore ordered to +join the Commander-in-chief, whose whole effective force, with this +addition, did not exceed five thousand men. + +{January 2.} + +Lord Cornwallis advanced upon him the next morning; and about four in +the afternoon, the van of the British army reached Trenton. On its +approach, General Washington retired across the Assumpinck, a creek +which runs through the town. The British attempted to cross the creek +at several places, but finding all the fords guarded, they desisted +from the attempt, and kindled their fires. The Americans kindled their +fires likewise; and a cannonade was kept up on both sides till dark. + +The situation of General Washington was again extremely critical. +Should he maintain his position, he would certainly be attacked next +morning, by a force so very superior, as to render the destruction of +his little army inevitable. Should he attempt to retreat over the +Delaware, the passage of that river had been rendered so difficult by +a few mild and foggy days which had softened the ice, that a total +defeat would be hazarded. In any event, the Jerseys would, once more, +be entirely in possession of the enemy; the public mind again be +depressed; recruiting discouraged; and Philadelphia, a second time, in +the grasp of General Howe. + +In this embarrassing state of things, he formed the bold design of +abandoning the Delaware, and marching, by a circuitous route, along +the left flank of the British army, into its rear, at Princeton, where +its strength could not be great; and, after beating the troops at that +place, to move rapidly to Brunswick, where the baggage and principal +magazines of the army lay under a weak guard. He indulged the hope +that this manoeuvre would call the attention of the British general to +his own defence. Should Lord Cornwallis, contrary to every reasonable +calculation, proceed to Philadelphia, nothing worse could happen in +that quarter, than must happen should the American army be driven +before him; and some compensation for that calamity would be obtained +by expelling the enemy completely from Jersey, and cutting up, in +detail, all his parties in that state. + +{January 3.} + +[Sidenote: Of Princeton.] + +This plan being approved by a council of war, preparations were made +for its immediate execution. As soon as it was dark, the baggage was +removed silently to Burlington; and, about one in the morning, after +renewing their fires, and leaving their guards to go the rounds as +usual; the army decamped with perfect silence, and took a circuitous +route along the Quaker road to Princeton, where three British +regiments had encamped the preceding night, two of which commenced +their march early in the morning to join the rear of their army at +Maidenhead. At sunrise, when they had proceeded about two miles, they +saw the Americans on their left, advancing in a direction which would +enter the road in their rear. They immediately faced about, and, +repassing Stony Brook, moved under cover of a copse of wood towards +the American van, which was conducted by General Mercer. A sharp +action ensued, which, however, was not of long duration. The militia, +of which the advanced party was principally composed, soon gave way; +and the few regulars attached to them were not strong enough to +maintain their ground. While exerting himself gallantly to rally his +broken troops, General Mercer was mortally wounded, and the van was +entirely routed. But the fortune of the day was soon changed. The main +body, led by General Washington in person, followed close in the rear, +and attacked the British with great spirit. Persuaded that defeat +would irretrievably ruin the affairs of America, he advanced in the +very front of danger, and exposed himself to the hottest fire of the +enemy. He was so well supported by the same troops who, a few days +before, had saved their country at Trenton, that the British, in turn, +were compelled to give way. Their line was broken, and the two +regiments separated from each other. Colonel Mawhood, who commanded +that in front, and was, consequently, nearest the rear division of the +army, under Lord Cornwallis, retired to the main road, and continued +his march to Maidenhead. The fifty-fifth regiment, which was on the +left, being hard pressed, fled in confusion across the fields into a +back road, leading between Hillsborough and Kingston towards +Brunswick. The vicinity of the British forces at Maidenhead secured +Colonel Mawhood, and General Washington pressed forward to Princeton. +The regiment remaining in that place took post in the college, and +made a show of resistance; but some pieces of artillery being brought +up to play upon that building, it was abandoned, and the greater part +of them became prisoners. A few saved themselves by a precipitate +flight to Brunswick. + +In this engagement, rather more than one hundred British were killed +in the field, and near three hundred were taken prisoners. The loss of +the Americans, in killed, was somewhat less, but in their number was +included General Mercer, a valuable officer, who had served with the +Commander-in-chief during his early campaigns in Virginia, and was +greatly esteemed by him. Colonels Haslet and Potter, Captain Neal of +the artillery, Captain Fleming, and five other valuable officers, were +also among the slain. + +On the return of day-light, Lord Cornwallis discovered that the +American army had decamped in the night; and immediately conceived the +whole plan. Alarmed at the danger which threatened Brunswick, he +marched with the utmost expedition for that place, and was close in +the rear of the American army before it could leave Princeton. + +The situation of General Washington was again perilous in the extreme. +His small army was exhausted with fatigue. His troops had been without +sleep, all of them one night, and some of them, two. They were without +blankets, many of them were bare-footed and otherwise thinly clad, and +were eighteen miles from his place of destination. He was closely +pursued by a superior enemy who must necessarily come up with him +before he could accomplish his designs on Brunswick. Under these +circumstances he abandoned the remaining part of his original plan, +and took the road leading up the country to Pluckemin, where his +troops were permitted to refresh themselves. Lord Cornwallis continued +his march to Brunswick, which he reached in the course of that night. + +The sufferings of the American soldiers had been so great from the +severity of the season, and the very active service in which they had +been engaged; their complaints, especially on the part of the militia, +were so loud; their numbers were reducing so fast by returning home, +and by sickness; that General Washington found it impracticable to +continue offensive operations. He retired to Morristown, in order to +put his men under cover, and to give them some repose. + +The bold, judicious, and unexpected attacks made at Trenton and +Princeton, had a much more extensive influence than would be supposed +from a mere estimate of the killed and taken. They saved Philadelphia +for the winter; recovered the state of Jersey; and, which was of still +more importance, revived the drooping spirits of the people, and gave +a perceptible impulse to the recruiting service throughout the United +States. + +The problem, that a nation can be defended against a permanent force, +by temporary armies, by occasional calls of the husbandman from his +plough to the field, was completely disproved; and, in demonstrating +its fallacy, the independence of America had nearly perished in its +cradle. The utmost efforts were now directed to the creation of an +army for the ensuing campaign, as the only solid basis on which the +hopes of the patriot could rest. During the retreat through the +Jerseys, and while the expectation prevailed that no effectual +resistance could be made to the British armies, some spirited men +indeed were animated to greater and more determined exertions; but +this state of things produced a very different effect on the great +mass, which can alone furnish the solid force of armies. In the middle +states especially, the panic of distrust was perceived. Doubts +concerning the issue of the contest became extensive; and the +recruiting service proceeded so heavily and slowly as to excite the +most anxious solicitude for the future. + +The affairs of Trenton and Princeton were magnified into great +victories; and were believed by the body of the people to evidence the +superiority of their army and of their general. The opinion that they +were engaged in hopeless contest, yielded to a confidence that proper +exertions would ensure ultimate success. + +This change of opinion was accompanied with an essential change of +conduct; and, although the regiments required by congress were not +completed, they were made much stronger than was believed to be +possible before this happy revolution in the aspect of public affairs. + +[Sidenote: Firmness of Congress.] + +The firmness of congress throughout the gloomy and trying period which +intervened between the loss of fort Washington and the battle of +Princeton, gives the members of that time a just claim to the +admiration of the world, and to the gratitude of their fellow +citizens. Undismayed by impending dangers, they did not, for an +instant, admit the idea of surrendering the independence they had +declared, and purchasing peace by returning to their colonial +situation. As the British army advanced through Jersey, and the +consequent insecurity of Philadelphia rendered an adjournment from +that place a necessary measure of precaution, their exertions seemed +to increase with their difficulties. They sought to remove the +despondence which was seizing and paralyzing the public mind, by an +address to the states, in which every argument was suggested which +could rouse them to vigorous action. They made the most strenuous +efforts to animate the militia, and impel them to the field, by the +agency of those whose popular eloquence best fitted them for such a +service. + +{1776} + +{December 20.} + +When reassembled at Baltimore, the place to which they had adjourned, +their resolutions exhibited no evidence of confusion or dismay; and +the most judicious efforts were made to repair the mischief produced +by past errors. + +{December 27.} + +Declaring that, in the present state of things, the very existence of +civil liberty depended on the right execution of military powers, to a +vigorous direction of which, distant, numerous, and deliberative +bodies were unequal, they authorized General Washington to raise +sixteen additional regiments, and conferred upon him, for six months, +almost unlimited powers for the conduct of the war. + +Towards the close of 1776, while the tide of fortune was running +strongest against them, some few members, distrusting their ability to +make a successful resistance, proposed to authorize their +commissioners at the court of Versailles to transfer to France the +same monopoly of their trade which Great Britain had possessed.[53] +This proposition is stated to have been relinquished, because it was +believed that concessions of this kind would impair many arguments +which had been used in favour of independence, and disunite the +people. It was next proposed to offer a monopoly of certain enumerated +articles; but the unequal operation of this measure gave to the +proposition a speedy negative. Some proposed offering to France an +offensive and defensive league; but this also was rejected. The more +enlightened members argued that, though the friendship of small states +might be purchased, that of France could not. They alleged that, if +she would risk a war with Great Britain by openly espousing their +cause, she would not be induced to that measure by the prospect of +direct advantages, so much as by a desire to lessen the overgrown +power of a dangerous rival.[54] It was therefore urged that the most +certain means of influencing France to interfere, was an assurance +that the United States were determined to persevere in refusing to +resume their former allegiance. Under the influence of this better +opinion, resolutions were again entered into, directing their +commissioners in Europe to give explicit assurances of their +determination at all events to maintain their independence. Copies of +these resolutions were sent to the principal courts of Europe; and +agents were appointed to solicit their friendship to the new formed +states.[55] These despatches fell into the hands of the British, and +were published by them; a circumstance which promoted the views of +congress, who were persuaded that an apprehension of their coming to +an accommodation with Great Britain constituted a material objection +to the interference of foreign courts, in what was represented as +merely a domestic quarrel. A resolution adopted in the deepest +distress, to listen to no terms of reunion with their parent state, +would, it was believed, convince those who wished for the +dismemberment of the British empire, that sound policy required their +interference so far as to prevent the conquest of the United States. + + [Footnote 53: Ramsay.] + + [Footnote 54: Ramsay.] + + [Footnote 55: Secret Journals of Congress, vol. ii. p. 38, + and post.] + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + American army inoculated.... General Heath moves to + Kingsbridge.... Returns to Peekskill.... Destruction of + stores at Peekskill.... At Danbury.... Expedition to Sagg + Harbour.... Camp formed at Middlebrook.... Sir William Howe + moves out to Somerset Court House.... Returns to Amboy.... + Attempts to cut off the retreat of the American army to + Middlebrook.... Lord Cornwallis skirmishes with Lord + Stirling.... General Prescot surprised and taken.... The + British army embarks. + + +{1777} + +The effect of the proclamation published by Lord and General Howe on +taking possession of New Jersey, was, in a great degree, counteracted +by the conduct of the invading army. Fortunately for the United +States, the hope that security was attainable by submission, was soon +dissipated. Whatever may have been the exertions of their General to +restrain his soldiers, they still considered and treated the +inhabitants rather as conquered rebels than returning friends. +Indulging in every species of licentiousness, the plunder and +destruction of property were among the least offensive of the injuries +they inflicted. The persons, not only of the men, but of that sex +through which indignities least to be forgiven, and longest to be +remembered, are received, were exposed to the most irritating outrage. +Nor were these excesses confined to those who had been active in the +American cause. The lukewarm, and even the loyalists, were the victims +of this indiscriminating spirit of rapine and violence. + +The effect of such proceedings on a people whose country had never +before been the seat of war, and whose non-resistance had been +occasioned solely by the expectation of that security which had been +promised as the reward of submission to the royal authority, could not +fail to equal the most sanguine hopes of the friends of the +revolution. A sense of personal wrongs produced a temper which +national considerations had proved too weak to excite; and, when the +battles of Trenton and Princeton relieved the inhabitants from fears +inspired by the presence of their invaders, the great body of the +people flew to arms; and numbers who could not be brought into the +field to check the advancing enemy, and prevent the ravages which +uniformly afflict a country that becomes the seat of war, were prompt +in avenging those ravages. Small bodies of militia scoured the +country, seized on stragglers, behaved unexceptionably well in several +slight skirmishes, and were collecting in such numbers as to threaten +the weaker British posts with the fate which had befallen Trenton and +Princeton. + +To guard against that spirit of enterprise which his adversary had +displayed to such advantage, General Howe determined to strengthen his +posts by contracting them. The position taken for the purpose of +covering the country were abandoned; and the British force in New +Jersey was collected at New Brunswick, on the Raritan, and at Amboy, a +small town at the mouth of that river. + +Feeble as was the American army, this movement was not effected +without some loss. On the evacuation of Elizabeth town, General +Maxwell attacked the British rear, and captured about seventy men with +a part of their baggage. + +The American troops had been so diminished by the extreme severity of +the service, that it was with much difficulty the appearance of an +army could be maintained. Fresh militia and volunteers arrived in +camp, whose numbers were exaggerated by report. These additions to his +small remaining regular force enabled the General to take different +positions near the lines of the enemy, to harass him perpetually, +restrain his foraging parties, and produce considerable distress in +his camp. + +{January 12.} + +While, with little more than an imaginary army, General Washington +thus harassed and confined his adversary, he came to the hazardous +resolution of freeing himself and his troops from the fear of a +calamity which he found it impossible to elude, and which had proved +more fatal in his camp than the sword of the enemy. + +[Sidenote: American army inoculated.] + +Inoculation having been rarely practised in the western world, the +American youth remained liable to the small pox. Notwithstanding the +efforts to guard against this disease, it had found its way into both +the northern and middle army, and had impaired the strength of both to +an alarming degree. To avoid the return of the same evil, the General +determined to inoculate all the soldiers in the American service. With +the utmost secrecy, preparations were made to give the infection in +camp; and the hospital physicians in Philadelphia were ordered to +carry all the southern troops, as they should arrive, through the +disease. Similar orders were also given to the physicians at other +places; and thus an army exempt from the fear of a calamity which had, +at all times, endangered the most important operations, was prepared +for the ensuing campaign. This example was followed through the +country; and this alarming disease was no longer the terror of +America. + +As the main body of the British army was cantoned in Jersey, and a +strong detachment occupied Rhode Island, General Washington believed +that New York could not be perfectly secure. His intelligence +strengthened this opinion; and, as an army, respectable in point of +numbers, had been assembled about Peekskill, he ordered General Heath +to approach New York for the purpose of foraging, and, should +appearances favour the attempt, of attacking the forts which guarded +the entrance into the island. The hope was entertained that General +Howe, alarmed for New York, might either withdraw his troops from +Jersey, or so weaken his posts in that state as to endanger them. +Should this hope be disappointed, it was believed that something +handsome might be done, either on York or Long Island. + +[Sidenote: General Heath moves down to Kingsbridge, but returns to +Peekskill without effecting anything.] + +In pursuance of this plan, General Heath marched down to West Chester, +and summoned fort Independence to surrender; but, the garrison +determining to hold the place, a council of war deemed it unadviseable +to risk an assault. An embarkation of troops which took place, about +that time, at Rhode Island, alarmed General Heath for his rear, and +induced him to resume his ground in the Highlands. + +Though this attempt entirely failed, the Commander-in-chief still +meditated important operations during the winter. All the intelligence +from Europe demonstrated the necessity of these operations, and the +fallacy of the hope, still extensively cherished, that the war would +be abandoned by Great Britain. The administration was still supported +by great majorities in parliament; and the nation seemed well disposed +to employ all its means to reannex to the empire, what were still +denominated, revolted colonies. It was not to be doubted that large +reinforcements would arrive in the spring; and the safety of the +nation would be in hazard should General Howe remain in full force +till they should be received. The utmost efforts were made by the +Commander-in-chief to collect a sufficient number of troops to enable +him to give a decisive blow to some one of the positions of his enemy. +The state sovereignties, where the real energies of government +resided, were incessantly urged to fill their regiments, and to bring +their quotas into the field; and congress, at his instance, passed +resolutions authorizing him to draw the troops from Peekskill, and to +call out the militia of the neighbouring states. "It being," these +resolutions proceed to say, "the earnest desire of congress, to make +the army under the immediate command of General Washington +sufficiently strong, not only to curb and confine the enemy within +their present quarters, and prevent their drawing support of any kind +from the country, but, by the divine blessing, totally to subdue them +before they can be reinforced." + +These resolves were communicated to the general, in a letter, +manifesting the confident expectation of congress that the desire +expressed in them would soon be realized. But the energy displayed in +their passage could not be maintained in their execution. + +Many causes concurred to prevent the collection of a force competent +to those vigorous operations which the enterprising genius of the +Commander-in-chief had provisionally planned, and the sanguine temper +of congress had anticipated. Some of the state assemblies did not even +complete the appointment of officers till the spring; and then, bitter +contests concerning rank remained to be adjusted when the troops +should join the army. After these arrangements were made, the +difficulty of enlisting men was unexpectedly great. The immense +hardships to which the naked soldiers had been exposed, during a +winter campaign, in the face of a superior enemy; the mortality +resulting from those hardships, and probably from an injudicious +arrangement of the hospital department which was found to be the tomb +of the sick; had excited a general disgust to the service; and a +consequent unwillingness to engage in it. + +From these causes the army continued so feeble that the general, +instead of being able to execute the great designs he had meditated, +entertained serious fears that Sir William Howe would take the field +during the winter, force his positions, cross the Delaware on the ice, +and proceed to Philadelphia. In the apprehension of this attempt, and +to avoid that confusion which would result from the removal of stores +in the crisis of military operations, he had taken the precaution, as +soon as the armies were in winter quarters, to convey those which were +most valuable, to a distance from the route which it was supposed the +British army would pursue. + +{March 4.} + +The real condition of the army is exhibited in a letter from the +Commander-in-chief to congress, in answer to that which enclosed the +resolutions already mentioned, and which expressed the brilliant +schemes of victory formed by the government. "Could I," said the +general, "accomplish the important objects so eagerly wished by +congress; confining the enemy within their present quarters, +preventing their getting supplies from the country, and totally +subduing them before they are reinforced, I should be happy indeed. +But what prospect or hope can there be of my effecting so desirable a +work at this time? The enclosed return,[56] to which I solicit the +most serious attention of congress, comprehends the whole force I have +in Jersey. It is but a handful, and bears no proportion on the scale +of numbers to that of the enemy. Added to this, the major part is made +up of militia. The most sanguine in speculation can not deem it more +than adequate to the least valuable purposes of war." + + [Footnote 56: See note No. VIII. at the end of the volume.] + +[Sidenote: Skirmishes.] + +Though unable to act with the vigour he wished, the American general +kept up a war of skirmishes through the winter. In the course of it, +the British loss was believed to be considerable; and hopes were +entertained that, from the scarcity of forage, neither their cavalry +nor draft horses would be in a condition to take the field when the +campaign should open. Their foraging parties were often attacked to +advantage. Frequent small successes, the details of which filled the +papers throughout the United States, not only increased the confidence +of the American soldiers, but served greatly to animate the people. + +[Sidenote: State of the army.] + +The hope of collecting a sufficient force during the winter to make +any valuable impression on the British army being disappointed, the +views of the General were directed to the next campaign. + +As the new army was to be raised by the authority of the state +governments, he urged on them the necessity of bringing a respectable +force into the field early in the spring, with all the earnestness +which was suggested by his situation, and zeal for the service. + +In Connecticut and Massachusetts, the country was laid off into +districts, each of which was required, by a given day, to furnish a +soldier enlisted for three years, or during the war; in default of +which, one person, from those capable of bearing arms, was to be +drafted to serve until the first of the ensuing January. The +Commander-in-chief, though still deprecating the introduction of men +into the army whose terms of service would be of short duration, felt +the necessity of submitting to this expedient, as the most eligible +which could now be adopted. + +In Virginia, where the same difficulty attended enlistments, it was +proposed by the executive to fill the regiments with volunteers, who +should engage to serve for six months. This plan was submitted to +General Washington by Governor Henry, and his opinion asked upon it. +"I am under the necessity of observing," said the General in reply, +"that the volunteer plan which you mention will never answer any +valuable purpose, and that I can not but disapprove the measure. To +the short engagements of our troops may be fairly and justly ascribed +almost every misfortune that we have experienced." + +In a subsequent letter to the same gentleman, enforcing earnestly the +necessity of bringing a sufficient army into the field, though +coercive measures should be adopted, some alternatives were suggested, +which, in a later period of the war, constituted the basis of various +experiments to furnish the quota of troops required from that state. + +As the season for active operations approached, fresh difficulties, +growing out of the organization of the American system, unfolded +themselves. As every state was exposed to invasion, and the command of +the ocean enabled the British general to transfer the war, at +pleasure, to any part of the Union, the attention of each was directed +exclusively to its particular situation. Each state in the +neighbourhood of the great theatre of action, contemplating its own +danger, claimed the protection which is due from the whole to its +parts. Although the object of the confederation was the same with that +pursued by each of its members, the spirit incident to every league +could not be controlled in an empire where, notwithstanding the +existence of a head, the essentials of government resided in the +members. It was displayed in repeated efforts to give to the energies +of the army such various directions, as would leave it unable to +effect any great object, or to obstruct any one plan the enemy might +form. The patriotism of the day, however, and the unexampled +confidence placed by all the state governments in the +Commander-in-chief, prevented the mischiefs this spirit is so well +calculated to generate. His representations made their proper +impression; and the intention of retaining continental troops for +local defence was abandoned, though with some reluctance. The burden, +however, of calling militia from their domestic avocations, at every +threat of invasion, to watch every military post in each state, became +so intolerable, that the people cast about for other expedients to +relieve themselves from its weight. The plan of raising regular corps, +to be exclusively under state authority, and thus be a perpetual +substitute for the yeomanry of the country, presented itself as the +most effectual and convenient mode of protecting the coasts from +insult. + +During the winter, General Howe kept his troops in their quarters, +attending to their comfort. As the season for more active operations +approached, his first attention was directed to the destruction of the +scanty supplies prepared by the Americans for the ensuing campaign. A +small place on the Hudson called Peekskill, about fifty miles above +New York, was generally the residence of the officer commanding in the +Highlands, and was used for the reception of stores, to be distributed +into the neighbouring posts as occasion might require. Its strength, +like that of all others depending for defence on militia, was subject +to great fluctuation. As soon as the ice was out of the river, General +Howe took advantage of its occasional weakness, to carry on an +expedition against it, for the purpose of destroying the stores there +deposited, or of bringing them away. + +{March 23.} + +[Sidenote: Destruction of stores at Peekskill.] + +Colonel Bird was detached up the river on this service, with about +five hundred men, under convoy of a frigate and some armed vessels. +General M'Dougal, whose numbers did not at that time exceed two +hundred and fifty men, received timely notice of his approach, and +exerted himself for the removal of the stores into the strong country +in his rear. Before this could be effected, Colonel Bird appeared; and +M'Dougal, after setting fire to the remaining stores and barracks, +retired into the strong grounds in the rear of Peekskill. The British +detachment completed the conflagration, and returned to New York. +During their short stay, a piquet guard was attacked by Colonel +Willet, and driven in with the loss of a few men; a circumstance, +believed by General M'Dougal, to have hastened the re-embarkation of +the detachment. + +[Sidenote: At Danbury.] + +{April.} + +Military stores to a considerable amount had likewise been deposited +at Danbury, on the western frontier of Connecticut. Although this +place is not more than twenty miles from the Sound, yet the roughness +of the intervening country, the frequent passage of troops from the +eastward through the town, and the well known zeal of the neighbouring +militia, were believed sufficient to secure the magazines collected at +it. Against Danbury an expedition was projected; and two thousand men +under the command of Governor Tryon, major general of the provincials +in the British service, assisted by Brigadiers Agnew and Sir William +Erskine, were employed in it. + +{April 28.} + +On the 25th of April the fleet appeared off the coast of Connecticut; +and in the evening the troops were landed without opposition between +Fairfield and Norwalk. General Silliman, then casually in that part of +the country, immediately despatched expresses to assemble the militia. +In the mean time Tryon proceeded to Danbury, which he reached about +two the next day. On his approach, Colonel Huntingdon, who had +occupied the town with about one hundred and fifty men, retired to a +neighbouring height, and Danbury, with the magazines it contained, was +consumed by fire. General Arnold, who was also in the state +superintending the recruiting service, joined General Silliman at +Reading, where that officer had collected about five hundred militia. +General Wooster, who had resigned his commission in the continental +service, and been appointed major general of the militia, fell in with +them at the same place, and they proceeded in the night through a +heavy rain to Bethel, about eight miles from Danbury. Having heard +next morning that Tryon, after destroying the town and magazines, was +returning, they divided their troops; and General Wooster, with about +three hundred men, fell in his rear, while Arnold, with about five +hundred, crossing the country, took post in his front at Ridgefield. +Wooster came up with his rear about eleven in the morning, attacked it +with great gallantry, and a sharp skirmish ensued, in which he was +mortally wounded,[57] and his troops were repulsed. Tryon then +proceeded to Ridgefield, where he found Arnold already intrenched on a +strong piece of ground, and prepared to dispute his passage. A warm +skirmish ensued, which continued nearly an hour. Arnold was at length +driven from the field; after which he retreated to Paugatuck, about +three miles east of Norwalk. At break of day next morning, after +setting Ridgefield on fire, the British resumed their march. About +eleven in the forenoon, they were again met by Arnold, whose numbers +increased during the day to rather more than one thousand men; among +whom were some continental troops. A continued skirmishing was kept up +until five in the afternoon, when the British formed on a hill near +their ships. The Americans attacked them with intrepidity, but were +repulsed and broken. Tryon, availing himself of this respite, +re-embarked his troops, and returned to New York. + + [Footnote 57: Congress voted a monument to his memory.] + +The loss of the British amounted to about one hundred and seventy men. +That of the Americans, was represented by Tryon, as being much more +considerable. By themselves, it was not admitted to exceed one +hundred. In this number, however, were comprehended General Wooster, +Lieutenant Colonel Gould, and another field officer, killed; and +Colonel Lamb wounded. Several other officers and volunteers were +killed. Military and hospital stores to a considerable amount, which +were greatly needed by the army, were destroyed in the magazines at +Danbury; but the loss most severely felt was rather more than one +thousand tents, which had been provided for the campaign about to +open. + +Not long afterwards this enterprise was successfully retaliated. A +British detachment had been for some time employed in collecting +forage and provisions on the eastern end of Long Island. Howe supposed +this part of the country to be so completely secured by the armed +vessels which incessantly traversed the Sound, that he confided the +protection of the stores, deposited at a small port called Sagg +Harbour, to a schooner with twelve guns, and a company of infantry. + +[Sidenote: Expedition of Colonel Meigs to Sagg Harbour.] + +{May.} + +{May 24.} + +General Parsons, who commanded a few recruits at New Haven, thinking +it practicable to elude the cruisers in the bay, formed the design of +surprising this party, and other adjacent posts, the execution of +which was entrusted to Lieutenant Colonel Meigs, a gallant officer, +who had accompanied Arnold in his memorable march to Quebec. He +embarked with about two hundred and thirty men, on board thirteen +whale boats, and proceeded along the coast to Guilford, where he was +to cross the Sound. With about one hundred and seventy of his +detachment, under convoy of two armed sloops, he proceeded across the +Sound to the north division of the island near South Hold, in the +neighbourhood of which a small foraging party, against which the +expedition was in part directed, was supposed to lie; but they had +marched two days before to New York. The boats were conveyed across +the land, a distance of about fifteen miles, into a bay which deeply +intersects the eastern end of Long Island, where the troops +re-embarked. Crossing the bay, they landed at two in the morning, +about four miles from Sagg Harbour, which place they completely +surprised, and carried with charged bayonets. At the same time, a +division of the detachment secured the armed schooner, and the vessels +laden with forage, which were set on fire, and entirely consumed. Six +of the enemy were killed, and ninety taken prisoners. A very few +escaped under cover of the night. + +The object of his expedition being effected without the loss of a man, +Colonel Meigs returned to Guilford with his prisoners. "Having," as +was stated in the letter to General Parsons, "moved with such uncommon +celerity, as to have transported his men, by land and water, ninety +miles in twenty-five hours." Congress directed a sword to be presented +to him, and passed a resolution expressing the high sense entertained +of his merit, and of the prudence, activity, and valour, displayed by +himself and his party. + +The exertions made by the Commander-in-chief through the winter to +raise a powerful army for the ensuing campaign, had not been +successful. The hopes respecting its strength which the flattering +reports made from every quarter had authorized him to form, were +cruelly disappointed; and he found himself not only unable to carry +into effect the offensive operations he had meditated, but unequal +even to defensive war. That steady and persevering courage, however, +which had supported himself and the American cause through the gloomy +scenes of the preceding year, did not forsake him; and that sound +judgment which applies to the best advantage those means which are +attainable, however inadequate they may be, still remained. His plan +of operations was adapted to that which he believed his enemy had +formed. He was persuaded either that General Burgoyne would endeavour +to take Ticonderoga, and to penetrate to the Hudson, in which event +General Howe would co-operate with him by moving up that river, and +attempting to possess himself of the forts and high grounds commanding +its passage; or that Burgoyne would join the grand army at New York by +sea; after which the combined armies would proceed against +Philadelphia. + +To counteract the designs of the enemy, whatever they might be, to +defend the three great points, Ticonderoga, the Highlands of New York, +and Philadelphia, against two powerful armies so much superior to him, +in arms, in numbers, and in discipline, it was necessary to make such +an arrangement of his troops as would enable the parts reciprocally to +aid each other, without neglecting objects of great, and almost equal +magnitude which were alike threatened, and were far asunder. To effect +these purposes, the troops of New England and New York were divided +between Ticonderoga and Peekskill, while those from Jersey to North +Carolina inclusive, were directed to assemble at the camp to be formed +in Jersey. The more southern troops remained in that weak quarter of +the union for its protection. + +[Sidenote: Camp formed at Middlebrook.] + +These arrangements being made, and the recruits collected, the camp at +Morristown was broken up, the detachments called in, and the army +assembled at Middlebrook, just behind a connected ridge of strong and +commanding heights, north of the road leading to Philadelphia, and +about ten miles from Brunswick. + +This camp, the approaches to which were naturally difficult, was +rendered still more defensible by intrenchments. The heights in front +commanded a prospect of the course of the Raritan, the road to +Philadelphia, the hills about Brunswick, and a considerable part of +the country between that place and Amboy; so as to afford a full view +of the most interesting movements of the enemy. + +The force brought into the field by America required all the aid which +could be derived from strong positions, and unremitting vigilance. On +the 20th of May, the total of the army in Jersey, excluding cavalry +and artillery, amounted to only eight thousand three hundred and +seventy-eight men, of whom upwards of two thousand were sick. The +effective rank and file were only five thousand seven hundred and +thirty-eight. + +Had this army been composed of the best disciplined troops, its +inferiority, in point of numbers, must have limited its operations to +defensive war; and have rendered it incompetent to the protection of +any place, whose defence would require a battle in the open field. But +more than half the troops[58] were unacquainted with the first +rudiments of military duty, and had never looked an enemy in the face. +As an additional cause of apprehension, a large proportion of the +soldiers, especially from the middle states, were foreigners, many of +them servants, in whose attachment to the American cause full +confidence could not be placed. + + [Footnote 58: The extreme severity of the service, aided + perhaps by the state of the hospitals, had carried to the + grave more than two-thirds of the soldiers who had served + the preceding campaign, and been engaged for more than one + year.] + +General Washington, anticipating a movement by land towards +Philadelphia, had taken the precaution to give orders for assembling +on the western bank of the Delaware, an army of militia, strengthened +by a few continental troops, the command of which was given to General +Arnold, who was then in Philadelphia, employed in the settlement of +his accounts. + +The first and real object of the campaign, on the part of General +Howe, was the acquisition of Philadelphia. He intended to march +through Jersey; and, after securing the submission of that state, to +cross the Delaware on a portable bridge constructed in the winter for +the purpose, and proceed by land to that city. If, in the execution of +this plan, the Americans could be brought to a general action on equal +ground, the advantages of the royal army must insure a victory. But +should Washington decline an engagement, and be again pressed over the +Delaware, the object would be as certainly obtained. + +Had Sir William Howe taken the field before the continental troops +were assembled, this plan might probably have been executed without +any serious obstruction; but the tents and camp equipage expected from +Europe did not arrive until General Washington had collected his +forces, and taken possession of the strong post on the heights of +Middlebrook. It would be dangerous to attack him on such advantageous +ground; for, although his camp might be forced, victory would probably +be attended with such loss, as to disable the victor from reaping its +fruits. + +If it was deemed too hazardous to attack the strong camp at +Middlebrook, an attempt to cross the Delaware, in the face of an army +collected on its western bank, while that under General Washington +remained unbroken in his rear, was an experiment of equal danger. It +comported with the cautious temper of Sir William Howe to devise some +other plan of operation to which he might resort, should he be unable +to seduce the American general from his advantageous position. + +The two great bays of Delaware and Chesapeake suggested the +alternative of proceeding by water, should he be unable to manoeuvre +General Washington out of his present encampment. + +{June.} + +{June 12.} + +The plan of the campaign being settled, and some small reinforcements +with the expected camp equipage being received from Europe, General +Howe, leaving a garrison in New York, and a guard in Amboy, assembled +his army at Brunswick, and gave strong indications of an intention to +penetrate through the country to the Delaware, and reach Philadelphia +by land. + +Believing this to be his real design, Washington placed a select corps +of riflemen under the command of Colonel Morgan, an officer who had +distinguished himself in the unfortunate attempt to storm Quebec, and +in whom those peculiar qualities which fit a man for the command of a +partisan corps, designed to act on the lines of a formidable enemy, +were eminently united. + +He was ordered to take post at Vanvighton's Bridge on the Raritan, +just above its confluence with the Millstone River, to watch the left +flank of the British army, and seize every occasion to harass it. + +[Sidenote: Sir William Howe moves out to Somerset Court House in great +force.] + +Early in the morning of the 14th, Sir William Howe, leaving two +thousand men under the command of General Matthews at Brunswick, +advanced in two columns towards the Delaware. The front of the first, +under Lord Cornwallis, reached Somerset Court House, nine miles from +Brunswick, by the appearance of day; and the second, commanded by +General de Heister, reached Middlebush about the same time. + +This movement was made with the view of inducing General Washington to +quit his fortified camp, and approach the Delaware,[59] in which +event, the British general expected to bring on an engagement on +ground less disadvantageous than that now occupied by the American +army. But that officer understood the importance of his position too +well to abandon it. On the first intelligence that the enemy was in +motion, he drew out his whole army, and formed it, to great advantage, +on the heights in front of his camp. This position was constantly +maintained. The troops remained in order of battle during the day; +and, in the night, slept on the ground to be defended. In the mean +time the Jersey militia, with an alacrity theretofore unexampled in +that state, took the field in great numbers. They principally joined +General Sullivan, who had retired from Princeton, behind the Sourland +hills towards Flemingtown, where an army of some respectability was +forming, which could readily co-operate with that under the immediate +inspection of the Commander-in-chief. + + [Footnote 59: General Howe's letter.] + +The settled purpose of General Washington was to defend his camp, but +not to hazard a general action on other ground. He had therefore +determined not to advance from the heights he occupied, into the open +country, either towards the enemy, or the Delaware. + +The object of General Howe seems to have been, by acting on his +anxiety for Philadelphia, to seduce him from the strong ground about +Middlebrook, and tempt him to approach the Delaware, in the hope of +defending its passage. Should he succeed in this, he had little doubt +of being able to bring on an engagement, in which he counted with +certainty on victory. The considerations which restrained General Howe +from attempting to march through Jersey, leaving the American army in +full force in his rear, had determined Washington to allow him to +proceed to the Delaware, if such should be his intention. In that +event, he had determined to throw those impediments only in the way of +the hostile army which might harass and retard its march; and, +maintaining the high and secure grounds north of the road to be taken +by the enemy, to watch for an opportunity of striking some important +blow with manifest advantage. + +He was not long in penetrating the designs of his adversary. "The +views of the enemy," he writes to General Arnold in a letter of the +17th, "must be to destroy this army, and get possession of +Philadelphia. I am, however, clearly of opinion, that they will not +move that way until they have endeavoured to give a severe blow to +this army. The risk would be too great to attempt to cross a river, +when they must expect to meet a formidable opposition in front, and +would have such a force as ours in their rear. They might possibly be +successful, but the probability would be infinitely against them. +Should they be imprudent enough to make the attempt, I shall keep +close upon their heels, and will do every thing in my power to make +the project fatal to them. + +"But, besides the argument in favour of their intending, in the first +place, a stroke at this army, drawn from the policy of the measure, +every appearance contributes to confirm the opinion. Had their design +been for the Delaware in the first instance, they would probably have +made a secret, rapid march for it, and not have halted so as to awaken +our attention, and give us time to prepare for obstructing them. +Instead of that they have only advanced to a position necessary to +facilitate an attack on our right, the part in which we are most +exposed. In addition to this circumstance, they have come out as light +as possible, leaving all their baggage, provisions, boats, and +bridges, at Brunswick. This plainly contradicts the idea of their +intending to push for the Delaware." + +[Sidenote: Returns to Amboy.] + +Finding the American army could not be drawn from its strong position, +General Howe determined to waste no more time in threatening +Philadelphia by land, but to withdraw from Jersey, and to embark his +army as expeditiously as possible for the Chesapeake or the Delaware. +On the night of the 19th he returned to Brunswick, and on the 22d to +Amboy, from which place, the heavy baggage and a few of his troops +passed into Staten Island, on the bridge which had been designed for +the Delaware. + +General Washington had expected this movement from Brunswick, and had +made arrangements to derive some advantage from it. General Greene was +detached with three brigades to annoy the British rear; and Sullivan +and Maxwell were ordered to co-operate with him. In the mean time the +army paraded on the heights of Middlebrook, ready to act as +circumstances might require. + +About sunrise, Colonel Morgan drove in a piquet guard, soon after +which that division commenced its march to Amboy. Some sharp +skirmishing took place between this party and Morgan's regiment, but +the hope of gaining any important advantage was entirely disappointed; +and the retreat to Amboy was effected with inconsiderable loss. + +{June 24.} + +In order to cover his light parties, which still hung on the British +flank and rear, General Washington advanced six or seven miles, to +Quibbletown on the road to Amboy; and Lord Stirling's division was +pushed still farther, to the neighbourhood of the Metucking Meeting +House, for the purpose of co-operating with the light parties, should +the retreat to Staten Island afford an opportunity of striking at the +rear. + +[Sidenote: Endeavors to cut off the retreat of the American army to +Middlebrook, but is disappointed.] + +Believing it now practicable to bring on an engagement, and probably +hoping to turn the left of the American army, and gain the heights in +its rear, General Howe, in the night of the 25th, recalled the troops +from Staten Island; and, early next morning, made a rapid movement, in +two columns, towards Westfield. The right, under the command of Lord +Cornwallis, took the route by Woodbridge to the Scotch Plains; and the +left, led by Sir William Howe in person, marched by Metucking Meeting +House, to fall into the rear of the right column. It was intended that +the left should take a separate road, soon after this junction, and +attack the left flank of the American army at Quibbletown; while Lord +Cornwallis should gain the heights on the left of the camp at +Middlebrook. Four battalions with six pieces of cannon were detached +to Bonhamtown.[60] + + [Footnote 60: General Howe's letter.] + +[Sidenote: Lord Cornwallis skirmishes near the Scotch Plains with Lord +Stirling.] + +{June 30.} + +About Woodbridge, the right column fell in with one of the American +parties of observation which gave notice of this movement. General +Washington discerned his danger, put the whole army instantly in +motion, and regained the camp at Middlebrook. Lord Cornwallis fell in +with Lord Stirling, and a sharp skirmish ensued, in which the +Americans were driven from their ground with the loss of three field +pieces, and a few men. They retreated to the hills about the Scotch +Plains, and were pursued as far as Westfield. Perceiving the passes in +the mountains on the left of the American camp to be guarded, and the +object of this skilful manoeuvre to be, consequently, unattainable, +his lordship returned through Rahway to Amboy; and the whole army +crossed over to Staten Island. + +{July 2.} + +General Washington was now again left to his conjectures respecting +the plan of the campaign. Before Sir William Howe had, in any degree +disclosed his views, intelligence was received of the appearance of +Burgoyne on Lake Champlain, and that Ticonderoga was threatened. This +intelligence strengthened the opinion that the design of Howe must be +to seize the passes in the mountains on the Hudson, secure the command +of that river, and effect a junction between the two armies. Yet he +could not permit himself to yield so entirely to this impression, as +to make a movement which might open the way by land to Philadelphia. +His army therefore maintained its station at Middlebrook; but +arrangements were made to repel any sudden attack on the posts which +defended the Hudson. + +Some changes made in the stations of the British ships and troops +having relieved the American general from his apprehensions of a +sudden march to Philadelphia, he advanced Sullivan's division to +Pompton Plains, on the way to Peekskill; and proceeded with the main +body of his army, to Morristown;--thus approaching the highlands of +New York, without removing so far from Middlebrook as to be unable to +regain that camp should General Howe indicate an intention to seize +it. + +Meanwhile, the British General prosecuted, diligently, his plan of +embarkation, which was, necessarily, attended with circumstances +indicating a much longer voyage than that up the North River. These +circumstances were immediately communicated to the eastern states, and +congress was earnestly pressed to strengthen the fortifications on the +Delaware, and to increase the obstructions in that river. + +{July 16.} + +In the midst of these appearances, certain intelligence was received +that Burgoyne was in great force on the lakes, and was advancing +against Ticonderoga. This intelligence confirmed the opinion that the +main object of Howe must be to effect a junction with Burgoyne on the +North River. Under this impression, General Washington ordered +Sullivan to Peekskill, and advanced, himself, first to Pompton Plains, +and afterwards to the Clove, where he determined to remain until the +views of the enemy should be disclosed. + +While the General thus anxiously watched the movements of his +adversary, an agreeable and unexpected piece of intelligence was +received from New England. The command of the British troops in Rhode +Island had devolved on General Prescot. Thinking himself perfectly +secure in an island, the water surrounding which was believed to be +entirely guarded by his cruisers, and at the head of an army greatly +superior to any force then collected in that department, he indulged +himself in convenient quarters, rather distant from camp; and was +remiss with respect to the guards about his person. Information of +this negligence was communicated to the main, and a plan was formed to +surprise him. This spirited enterprise was executed, with equal +courage and address, by Lieutenant Colonel Barton of the Rhode Island +militia. + +[Sidenote: General Prescot surprised and taken.] + +On the night of the 10th, he embarked on board four whale boats, at +Warwick Neck, with a party consisting of about forty persons, +including Captains Adams and Philips, and several other officers. +After proceeding about ten miles by water, unobserved by the British +guard-boats, although several ships of war lay in that quarter, he +landed on the west of the island, about midway between Newport and +Bristol ferry, and marching a mile to the quarters of Prescot, +dexterously seized the sentinel at his door, and one of his aids. The +general himself was taken out of bed, and conveyed to a place of +safety. + +The success of this intrepid enterprise diffused the more joy +throughout America, because it was supposed to secure the liberation +of General Lee, by enabling General Washington to offer an officer of +equal rank in exchange for him. + +Congress expressed a high sense of the gallant conduct of Colonel +Barton, and his party; and presented him with a sword as a mark of +approbation. + +As the fleet fell down towards Sandy Hook, General Washington withdrew +slowly from the Clove, and disposed his army in different divisions, +so as to march to any point which might be attacked. + +[Sidenote: The British army embarks.] + +At length, the embarkation was completed, and the fleet put to sea. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + General Washington commences his march to the Delaware.... + Takes measures for checking Burgoyne.... British army lands + at Elk River.... General Washington advances to + Brandywine.... Retreat of Maxwell.... Defeat at + Brandywine.... Slight skirmish near the White Horse, and + retreat to French Creek.... General Wayne surprised.... + General Howe takes possession of Philadelphia.... Removal of + Congress to Lancaster. + + +{1777} + +{July.} + +[Sidenote: General Washington commences his march to the Delaware.] + +On receiving intelligence that the British fleet had sailed from New +York, the American army commenced its march to the Delaware. About the +time of its departure, a letter from Sir William Howe, directed to +General Burgoyne at Quebec, was delivered to General Putnam by the +person who had received it, as was said, for the purpose of carrying +it to Quebec, and was transmitted by Putnam to the Commander-in-chief. +In this letter, General Howe said that "he was exhibiting the +appearance of moving to the southward, while his real intent was +against Boston, from whence he would co-operate with the army of +Canada." This stratagem entirely failed. General Washington, at once, +perceived that the letter was written with a design that it should +fall into his hands, and mislead him with respect to the views of the +writer. + +[Sidenote: He takes measures for checking Burgoyne.] + +While the utmost vigilance and judgment were required to conduct the +operations of the army under the immediate command of General +Washington, the transactions in the north were too vitally interesting +not to engage a large share of his attention. He not only hastened the +march of those generals who were designed to act in that department, +and pressed the governors of the eastern states to reinforce the +retreating army with all their militia, but made large detachments of +choice troops from his own;--thus weakening himself in order to +strengthen other generals whose strength would be more useful. The +fame of being himself the leader of the victorious army did not, with +false glare, dazzle his judgment, or conceal the superior public +advantage to be derived from defeating the plans of Burgoyne. + +On the 30th of July, all doubts respecting the destination of the +British fleet were supposed to be removed by its appearance off the +capes of Delaware; and orders were immediately given for assembling +the detached parts of the army in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia. +Scarcely were these orders given, when the aspect of affairs was +changed, and they were countermanded. An express from Cape May brought +the information that the fleet had sailed out of the bay of Delaware, +and was proceeding eastward. From this time, no intelligence +respecting it was received until about the 7th of August, when it +appeared a few leagues south of the capes of Delaware, after which it +disappeared, and was not again seen until late in that month. The fact +was, that on entering the capes of Delaware, the difficulties +attending an attempt to carry his fleet up that bay and river, +determined General Howe to relinquish his original design, and to +transport his army to the Chesapeake. Contrary winds prevented his +gaining the mouth of that bay until the 16th of August. + +The several divisions of the army were immediately ordered[61] to +unite in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, and the militia of +Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and the northern counties of +Virginia, were directed to take the field. + + [Footnote 61: These orders were received by General + Sullivan, who had been encamped about Hanover, in Jersey, on + his return from an expedition to Staten Island. The British + force on that island amounted to between two and three + thousand men, of whom nearly one thousand were provincials, + who were distributed along the coast, opposite the Jersey + shore. The Europeans occupied a fortified camp near the + watering place; and General Sullivan thought it practicable + to surprise the provincials, and bring them off before they + could be supported by the Europeans. Only six boats had been + procured for the conveyance of his troops; yet they crossed + over into the island before day undiscovered, and completely + surprised two of the provincial parties, commanded by + Colonels Lawrence and Barton, both of whom, with several + officers and men were taken. The alarm being given, Sullivan + attempted to withdraw from the island. The number of boats + not being sufficient for the embarkation of all his troops + at the same time, some confusion obtained among them. + General Campbell advanced in force on the rear guard while + waiting for the return of the boats, which was captured + after making a gallant resistance. + + This enterprise was well planned, and in its commencement, + happily executed; but ought not to have been undertaken + without a number of boats sufficient to secure the retreat. + + The loss of the British in prisoners amounted to eleven + officers, and one hundred and thirty privates. That of the + Americans, is stated by Sullivan, at one major, one captain, + one lieutenant, and ten privates killed, and fifteen + wounded, and nine officers, and one hundred and twenty-seven + privates prisoners. General Campbell, in his account of the + action says, that he made two hundred and fifty-nine + prisoners, among whom were one lieutenant colonel, three + majors, two captains, and fifteen inferior officers.] + +[Sidenote: British fleet comes up the Chesapeake and lands an army +under Sir William Howe at Elk River.] + +The British fleet, after entering the Chesapeake, sailed up it with +favourable winds, and entered Elk River, up which the admiral +proceeded as high as it was safely navigable; and on the 25th of +August the troops were landed at the ferry. + +The British army, at its disembarkation, has been generally computed +at eighteen thousand men. They were in good health and spirits, +admirably supplied with all the implements of war, and led by an +experienced general, of unquestionable military talents. + +[Sidenote: General Washington advances to Brandywine.] + +The day before Sir William Howe landed, the American army marched +through Philadelphia, and proceeded to the Brandywine. The divisions +of Greene and Stephen were advanced nearer to the Head of Elk, and +encamped behind White Clay creek. + +Congress had directed General Smallwood and Colonel Girt to take +command of the militia of Maryland, who had been ordered by General +Washington to assemble near the head of the bay. The militia of the +lower counties of Delaware, commanded by General Rodney, were directed +also to assemble in the British rear, and to co-operate with those of +Maryland. Colonel Richardson's continental regiment, which had been +stationed on the Eastern shore, was ordered to join this corps. + +The militia of Pennsylvania, commanded by Major General Armstrong, +were united with the main body of the army. Great exertions were used +to bring them promptly into the field, and they came forward generally +with some degree of alacrity. Although the numbers required by +congress did not assemble, more appeared than could be armed. + +The real strength of the American army can not be accurately stated. +It was estimated by Sir William Howe at fifteen thousand, including +militia; and this estimate did not far exceed their real total, as +exhibited by the returns. But it is a fact, attributable in some +degree to the badness of their clothing, and scarcity of tents, and in +some degree to the neglect of the commissary department, to provide +those articles of food which contribute to the preservation of health, +that the effective force was always far below the total number. The +effectives, including militia, did not exceed eleven thousand. + +Morgan's regiment of riflemen having been detached to the northern +army, a corps of light infantry was formed for the occasion, the +command of which was given to General Maxwell. This corps was advanced +to Iron Hill, about three miles in front of White Clay creek. The +cavalry, consisting of four regiments, amounting to about nine hundred +men, including persons of every description, were employed principally +on the lines. + +[Sidenote: Lord Cornwallis attacks Maxwell's corps, and compels them +to retreat.] + +One division of the British army, commanded by Sir William Howe in +person, had taken post at Elkton, with its van advanced to Gray's +Hill. General Knyphausen, with a second division, had crossed the +ferry and encamped at Cecil Court House. He was directed to march up +on the eastern side of the river, and to join Sir William Howe seven +or eight miles south of Christiana. The intention to make this +movement being disclosed by the preparatory arrangements, General +Washington advised Maxwell to post a choice body of men in the night +on an advantageous part of the road, in order to annoy him on his +march. In the morning of the third of September, the two divisions +under Lord Cornwallis and General Knyphausen, moved forward and formed +a junction at Pencader, or Atkins' tavern, where they encamped. In +their way, the column led by Lord Cornwallis fell in with and attacked +Maxwell, who retreated over White Clay creek, with the loss of about +forty killed and wounded. + +{September 5.} + +The whole American army, except the light infantry, took a position +behind Red Clay creek, on the road leading from the camp of Sir +William Howe to Philadelphia. On this ground, the General thought it +probable that the fate of Philadelphia, and of the campaign, might be +decided; and he resorted to all the means in his power to encourage +his troops, and stimulate them to the greatest exertions. + +{September 8.} + +On the 8th of September, the British army was again put in motion. The +main body advanced by Newark, upon the right of the Americans, and +encamped within four miles of that place, extending its left still +farther up the country. Meanwhile, a strong column made a show of +attacking in front, and, after manoeuvring some time, halted at +Milton, within two miles of the centre. + +{September 9.} + +General Washington was soon convinced that the column in front was +designed only to amuse, while the left should effect the principal and +real object. Believing that object to be to turn his right, and cut +off his communication with Philadelphia, he changed his ground, and, +crossing the Brandywine early in the night, took post behind that +river, at Chadd's Ford. General Maxwell was advanced in front, and +placed, advantageously, on the hills south of the river, on the road +leading over the ford. The militia, under General Armstrong, were +posted at a ford two miles below Chadd's; and the right extended some +miles above, with a view to other passes deemed less practicable. In +this position, General Washington attended the movements of the +adverse army. + +In the evening, Howe marched forward in two columns, which united, +early the next morning, at Kennet's Square; after which he advanced +parties on the roads leading to Lancaster, to Chadd's Ford, and to +Wilmington. + +The armies were now within seven miles of each other, with only the +Brandywine between them, which opposed no obstacle to a general +engagement. This was sought by Howe, and not avoided by Washington. It +was impossible to protect Philadelphia without a victory, and this +object was deemed throughout America, and especially by congress, of +such magnitude as to require that an action should be hazarded for its +attainment. + +In the morning of the 11th, soon after day, information was received +that the whole British army was in motion, advancing on the direct +road leading over Chadd's Ford. The Americans were immediately under +arms, and placed in order of battle, for the purpose of contesting the +passage of the river. Skirmishing soon commenced between the advanced +parties; and, by ten, Maxwell's corps, with little loss on either +side, was driven over the Brandywine below the ford. Knyphausen, who +commanded this column, paraded on the heights, reconnoitred the +American army, and appeared to be making dispositions to force the +passage of the river. A skirt of woods, with the river, divided him +from Maxwell's corps, small parties of whom occasionally crossed over, +and kept up a scattering fire, by which not much execution was done. +At length one of these parties, led by Captains Waggoner and +Porterfield, engaged the British flank guard very closely, killed a +captain with ten or fifteen privates, drove them out of the wood, and +were on the point of taking a field piece. The sharpness of the +skirmish soon drew a large body of the British to that quarter, and +the Americans were again driven over the Brandywine.[62] + + [Footnote 62: The author was an eye-witness of this + skirmish.] + +About eleven in the morning, information reached General Washington +that a large column with many field pieces, had taken a road leading +from Kennet's Square, directly up the country, and had entered the +great valley road, down which they were marching to the upper fords of +the Brandywine. This information was given by Colonel Ross of +Pennsylvania, who was in their rear, and estimated their numbers at +five thousand men. + +On receiving this information, Washington is said to have determined +to detach Sullivan and Lord Stirling to engage the left division of +the British army, and with the residue of his troops, to cross Chadd's +Ford in person, and attack Knyphausen. Before this plan could be +executed, counter intelligence was received inducing an opinion that +the movement of the British on their left was a feint, and that the +column under Lord Cornwallis, after making demonstrations of crossing +the Brandywine above its forks, had marched down the southern side of +that river to reunite itself with Knyphausen. + +Not long after the first communication was made by Colonel Ross, +information was received from Colonel Bland of the cavalry, which +produced some doubt respecting the strength of this column. He saw +only two brigades; but the dust appeared to rise in their rear for a +considerable distance. A major of the militia came in, who alleged +that he left the forks of the Brandywine so late in the day that it +was supposed Lord Cornwallis must have passed them by that time, had +he continued his march in that direction, and who asserted that no +enemy had appeared in that quarter. Some light horsemen who had been +sent to reconnoitre the road, returned with the same information. + +The uncertainty produced by this contradictory intelligence was at +length removed; and about two in the afternoon, it was ascertained +that the column led by Lord Cornwallis, after making a circuit of +about seventeen miles, had crossed the river above its forks, and was +advancing in great force. + +A change of disposition was immediately made. The divisions commanded +by Sullivan, Stirling, and Stephen, took new ground, advanced farther +up the Brandywine, and fronted the British column marching down that +river. The division commanded by Wayne remained at Chadd's Ford, to +keep Knyphausen in check; in which service Maxwell was to co-operate. +Greene's division, accompanied by General Washington in person, formed +a reserve, and took a central position between the right and left +wings. + +The divisions detached against Lord Cornwallis formed hastily on an +advantageous piece of ground, above Birmingham Meeting House, with +their left near the Brandywine, and having both flanks covered by a +thick wood. The artillery was judiciously posted, and the disposition +of the whole was well made. Unfortunately, Sullivan's division, in +taking its ground, made too large a circuit, and was scarcely formed +when the attack commenced. + +[Sidenote: The American army defeated at Brandywine, and retreat to +Chester.] + +On perceiving the Americans, the British army was formed in order of +battle; and, about half past four, the action began. It was kept up +warmly for some time. The American right first gave way, and by its +flight exposed the flank of the remaining divisions to a galling fire. +The line continued to break from the right, and, in a short time, was +completely routed. The right wing made some attempts to rally, but, +being briskly charged, again broke, and the flight became general. + +On the commencement of the action on the right, General Washington +pressed forward with Greene, to the support of that wing; but, before +his arrival, its rout was complete, and he could only check the +pursuit. For this purpose, the 10th Virginia regiment commanded by +Colonel Stevens, and a regiment of Pennsylvania commanded by Colonel +Stewart, neither of which had been in action, were posted +advantageously on the road taken by the defeated army. The impression +made by the fire of these regiments, and the approach of night, +induced Sir William Howe, after dispersing them, to give over the +pursuit. + +When the American right was found to be fully engaged with Lord +Cornwallis, Knyphausen made real dispositions for crossing the river. +Chadd's Ford was defended by an intrenchment and battery, with three +field pieces, and a howitzer. After some resistance, the work was +forced; and, the defeat of the right being known, the left wing also +withdrew from its ground. The whole army retreated that night to +Chester, and the next day to Philadelphia. + +The loss sustained by the Americans in this action has been estimated +at three hundred killed, and six hundred wounded. Between three and +four hundred, principally the wounded, were made prisoners. + +As must ever be the case in new raised armies, unused to danger, and +from which undeserving officers have not been expelled, their conduct +was not uniform. Some regiments, especially those which had served the +preceding campaign, maintained their ground with the firmness and +intrepidity of veterans, while others gave way as soon as they were +pressed. The authors of a very correct history of the war,[63] +speaking of this action, say, "a part of their troops, among whom were +particularly numbered some Virginia[64] regiments, and the whole corps +of artillery, behaved exceedingly well in some of the actions of this +day, exhibiting a degree of order, firmness, and resolution, and +preserving such a countenance in extremely sharp service, as would not +have discredited veterans. Some other bodies of their troops behaved +very badly."[65] + + [Footnote 63: Annual Register.] + + [Footnote 64: The third Virginia regiment commanded by + Colonel Marshall, which had performed extremely severe duty + in the campaign of 1776, was placed in a wood on the right, + and in front of Woodford's brigade, and Stephen's division. + Though attacked by much superior numbers, it maintained its + position without losing an inch of ground, until both its + flanks were turned, its ammunition nearly expended, and more + than half the officers, and one third of the soldiers were + killed and wounded. Colonel Marshall, whose horse had + received two balls, then retired in good order to resume his + position on the right of his division; but it had already + retreated.] + + [Footnote 65: Deboore's brigade broke first; and, on an + inquiry into his conduct being directed, he resigned. A + misunderstanding existed between him and Sullivan, on whose + right he was stationed.] + +The official letter of Sir William Howe stated his loss at rather less +than one hundred killed, and four hundred wounded. As the Americans +sustained very little injury in the retreat, this inequality of loss +can be ascribed only to the inferiority of their arms. Many of their +muskets were scarcely fit for service; and, being of unequal calibre, +their cartridges could not be so well fitted, and, consequently, their +fire could not do as much execution as that of the enemy. This radical +defect was felt in all the operations of the army. + +From the ardour with which the Commander-in-chief had inspired his +troops before this action, it is probable that the conflict would have +been more severe, had the intelligence respecting the movement on the +left of the British army been less contradictory. Raw troops, changing +their ground in the moment of action, and attacked in the agitation of +moving, are easily thrown into confusion. This was the critical +situation of a part of Sullivan's division, and was the cause of the +right's breaking before Greene could be brought up to support it; +after which, it was impossible to retrieve the fortune of the day. + +But had the best disposition of the troops been made at the time, +which subsequent intelligence would suggest, the action could not have +terminated in favour of the Americans. Their inferiority in numbers, +in discipline, and in arms, was too great to leave them a probable +prospect of victory. A battle, however, was not to be avoided. The +opinion of the public, and of congress, demanded it. The loss of +Philadelphia, without an attempt to preserve it, would have excited +discontents which, in the United States, might be productive of +serious mischief; and action, though attended with defeat, provided +the loss be not too great, must improve an army in which, not only the +military talents, but even the courage, of officers, some of them of +high rank, remained to be ascertained. + +Among the wounded was the Marquis de la Fayette, and Brigadier General +Woodford. + +The battle of Brandywine was not considered as decisive by congress, +the General, or the army. The opinion was carefully cherished that the +British had gained only the ground; and that their loss was still more +considerable than had been sustained by the Americans. Congress +appeared determined to risk another battle for the metropolis of +America. Far from discovering any intention to change their place of +session, they passed vigorous resolutions for reinforcing the army, +and directed General Washington to give the necessary orders for +completing the defences of the Delaware. + +{September 12.} + +From Chester, the army marched through Darby, over the Schuylkill +bridge, to its former ground, near the falls of that river. General +Greene's division, which, having been less in action, was more entire +than any other, covered the rear; and the corps of Maxwell remained at +Chester until the next day, as a rallying point for the small parties, +and straggling soldiers, who might yet be in the neighbourhood. + +Having allowed his army one day for repose and refreshment, General +Washington recrossed the Schuylkill, and proceeded on the Lancaster +road, with the intention of risking another engagement. + +Sir William Howe passed the night of the 11th on the field of battle. +On the succeeding day, he detached Major General Grant with two +brigades to Concord meeting-house; and on the 13th, Lord Cornwallis +joined General Grant, and marched towards Chester. Another detachment +took possession of Wilmington; to which place the sick and wounded +were conveyed. + +To prevent a sudden movement to Philadelphia by the lower road, the +bridge over the Schuylkill was loosened from its moorings, and General +Armstrong was directed, with the Pennsylvania militia to guard the +passes over that river. + +On the 15th, the American army, intending to gain the left of the +British, reached the Warren tavern, on the Lancaster road, +twenty-three miles from Philadelphia. Intelligence was received, early +next morning, that Howe was approaching in two columns. It being too +late to reach the ground he had intended to occupy, Washington +resolved to meet and engage him in front. + +{September 16.} + +Both armies prepared, with great alacrity, for battle. The advanced +parties had met, and were beginning to skirmish, when they were +separated by a heavy rain, which, becoming more and more violent, +rendered the retreat of the Americans a measure of absolute necessity. +The inferiority of their arms never brought them into such imminent +peril as on this occasion. Their gun-locks not being well secured, +their muskets soon became unfit for use. Their cartridge-boxes had +been so inartificially constructed, as not to protect their ammunition +from the tempest. Their cartridges were soon damaged; and this +mischief was the more serious, because very many of the soldiers were +without bayonets. + +[Sidenote: After a slight skirmish compelled again to retire, cross +the Schuylkill, and proceed to French Creek.] + +The army being thus rendered unfit for action, the design of giving +battle was reluctantly abandoned, and a retreat commenced. It was +continued all the day, and great part of the night, through a cold and +most distressing rain, and very deep roads. A few hours before day, +the troops halted at the Yellow Springs, where their arms and +ammunition were examined, and the alarming fact was disclosed, that +scarcely a musket in a regiment could be discharged, and scarcely one +cartridge in a box was fit for use. This state of things suggested the +precaution of moving to a still greater distance, in order to refit +their arms, obtain a fresh supply of ammunition, and revive the +spirits of the army. The General therefore retired to Warwick furnace, +on the south branch of French Creek, where ammunition and a few +muskets might be obtained in time to dispute the passage of the +Schuylkill, and make yet another effort to save Philadelphia. + +The extreme severity of the weather had entirely stopped the British +army. During two days, General Howe made no other movement than to +unite his columns. + +From French Creek, General Wayne was detached with his division, into +the rear of the British, with orders to join General Smallwood; and, +carefully concealing himself and his movements, to seize every +occasion which this march might offer, of engaging them to advantage. +Meanwhile, General Washington crossed the Schuylkill at Parker's +ferry, and encamped on both sides of Perkyomy Creek. + +{September 19.} + +[Sidenote: General Wayne surprised, and after a sharp action compelled +to retreat.] + +General Wayne lay in the woods near the entrance of the road from +Darby into that leading to Lancaster, about three miles in the rear of +the left wing of the British troops encamped at Trydruffin, where he +believed himself to be perfectly secure. But the country was so +extensively disaffected that Sir William Howe received accurate +accounts of his position and of his force. Major General Gray was +detached to surprise him, and effectually accomplished his purpose. +About eleven, in the night of the 20th, his pickets, driven in with +charged bayonets, gave the first intimation of Gray's approach. Wayne +instantly formed his division; and while his right sustained a fierce +assault, directed a retreat by the left, under cover of a few +regiments who, for a short time, withstood the violence of the shock. +In his letter to the Commander-in-chief, he says that they gave the +assailants some well-directed fires which must have done considerable +execution; and that, after retreating from the ground on which the +engagement commenced, they formed again, at a small distance from the +scene of action; but that both parties drew off without renewing the +conflict. He states his loss at about one hundred and fifty[66] killed +and wounded. The British accounts admit, on their part, a loss of only +seven. + + [Footnote 66: The British accounts represent the American + loss to have been much more considerable. It probably + amounted to at least three hundred men.] + +When the attack commenced, General Smallwood, who was on his march to +join Wayne, a circumstance entirely unexpected by General Gray, was +within less than a mile of him; and, had he commanded regulars, might +have given a very different turn to the night. But his militia thought +only of their own safety; and, having fallen in with a party returning +from the pursuit of Wayne, fled in confusion with the loss of only one +man. + +Some severe animadversions on this unfortunate affair having been made +in the army, General Wayne demanded a court martial, which, after +investigating his conduct, was unanimously of opinion, "that he had +done every thing to be expected from an active, brave, and vigilant +officer;" and acquitted him with honour. + +{September 21.} + +Having secured his rear, by compelling Wayne to take a greater +distance, Sir William Howe marched along the valley road to the +Schuylkill, and encamped on the bank of that river, from the Fatland +ford up to French Creek, along the front of the American army. To +secure his right from being turned, General Washington again changed +his position, and encamped with his left near, but above the British +right. + +[Sidenote: Washington marches to Pottsgrove.] + +{September 22.} + +General Howe now relinquished his plan of bringing Washington to +another battle; and, thinking it adviseable, perhaps, to transfer the +seat of war to the neighbourhood of his ships, determined to cross the +Schuylkill, and take possession of Philadelphia. In the afternoon, he +ordered one detachment to cross at Fatland ford which was on his +right, and another to cross at Gordon's ford, on his left, and to take +possession of the heights commanding them. These orders were executed +without much difficulty, and the American troops placed to defend +these fords were easily dispersed. + +This service being effected, the whole army marched by its right, +about midnight, and crossing at Fatland without opposition, proceeded +a considerable distance towards Philadelphia, and encamped, with its +left near Sweed's ford, and its right on the Manatawny road, having +Stony run in its front. + +It was now apparent that only immediate victory could save +Philadelphia from the grasp of the British general, whose situation +gave him the option of either taking possession of that place, or +endeavouring to bring on another engagement. If, therefore, a battle +must certainly be risked to save the capital, it would be necessary to +attack the enemy. + +Public opinion, which a military chief finds too much difficulty in +resisting, and the opinion of congress required a battle; but, on a +temperate consideration of circumstances, Washington came to the wise +decision of avoiding one for the present. + +His reasons for this decision were conclusive. Wayne and Smallwood had +not yet joined the army. The continental troops ordered from +Peekskill, who had been detained for a time by an incursion from New +York, were approaching; and a reinforcement of Jersey militia, under +General Dickenson, was also expected. + +To these powerful motives against risking an engagement, other +considerations of great weight were added, founded on the condition of +his soldiers. An army, manoeuvring in an open country, in the face of +a very superior enemy, is unavoidably exposed to excessive fatigue, +and extreme hardship. The effect of these hardships was much increased +by the privations under which the American troops suffered. While in +almost continual motion, wading deep rivers, and encountering every +vicissitude of the seasons, they were without tents, nearly without +shoes, or winter clothes, and often without food. + +A council of war concurred in the opinion the Commander-in-chief had +formed, not to march against the enemy, but to allow his harassed +troops a few days for repose, and to remain on his present ground +until the expected reinforcements should arrive. + +Immediately after the battle of Brandywine, the distressed situation +of the army had been represented to congress, who had recommended it +to the executive of Pennsylvania to seize the cloths and other +military stores in the ware houses of Philadelphia, and, after +granting certificates expressing their value, to convey them to a +place of safety. The executive, being unwilling to encounter the odium +of this strong measure, advised that the extraordinary powers of the +Commander-in-chief should be used on the occasion. Lieutenant Colonel +Hamilton, one of the General's aids, a young gentleman already in high +estimation for his talents and zeal, was employed on this delicate +business. "Your own prudence," said the General, in a letter to him +while in Philadelphia, "will point out the least exceptionable means +to be pursued; but remember, delicacy and a strict adherence to the +ordinary mode of application must give place to our necessities. We +must, if possible, accommodate the soldiers with such articles as they +stand in need of, or we shall have just reason to apprehend the most +injurious and alarming consequences from the approaching season." + +All the efforts, however, of this very active officer could not obtain +a supply, in any degree, adequate to the pressing and increasing wants +of the army. + +[Sidenote: General Howe takes possession of Philadelphia.] + +[Sidenote: Congress removes to Lancaster.] + +Colonel Hamilton was also directed to cause the military stores which +had been previously collected to a large amount in Philadelphia, and +the vessels which were lying at the wharves, to be removed up the +Delaware. This duty was executed with so much vigilance, that very +little public property fell, with the city, into the hands of the +British general, who entered it on the 26th of September. The members +of congress separated on the eighteenth, in the evening, and +reassembled at Lancaster on the twenty-seventh of the same month. + +From the 25th of August, when the British army landed at the Head of +Elk, until the 26th of September when it entered Philadelphia, the +campaign had been active, and the duties of the American general +uncommonly arduous. The best English writers bestow high encomiums on +Sir William Howe for his military skill, and masterly movements during +this period. At Brandywine especially, Washington is supposed to have +been "outgeneraled, more outgeneraled than in any action during the +war." If all the operations of this trying period be examined, and the +means in possession of both be considered, the American chief will +appear, in no respect, inferior to his adversary, or unworthy of the +high place assigned to him in the opinions of his countrymen. With an +army decidedly inferior, not only in numbers, but in every military +requisite except courage, in an open country, he employed his enemy +near thirty days in advancing about sixty miles. In this time he +fought one general action; and, though defeated, was able to +reassemble the same undisciplined, unclothed, and almost unfed army; +and, the fifth day afterwards, again to offer battle. When the armies +were separated by a storm which involved him in the most distressing +circumstances, he extricated himself from them, and still maintained a +respectable and imposing countenance. + +The only advantage he is supposed to have given was at the battle of +Brandywine; and that was produced by the contrariety and uncertainty +of the intelligence received. A general must be governed by his +intelligence, and must regulate his measures by his information. It is +his duty to obtain correct information; and among the most valuable +traits of a military character, is the skill to select those means +which will obtain it. Yet the best selected means are not always +successful; and, in a new army, where military talent has not been +well tried by the standard of experience, the general is peculiarly +exposed to the chance of employing not the best instruments. In a +country, too, which is covered with wood, precise information of the +numbers composing different columns is to be gained with difficulty. + +It has been said "that the Americans do not appear to have made all +the use that might be expected of the advantages which the country +afforded for harassing and impeding the British army." + +In estimating this objection, it ought to be recollected that General +Smallwood was directed, with the militia of Maryland and Delaware, +supported by a regiment of continental troops, to hang on and harass +the rear of the enemy: that General Maxwell, with a select corps +consisting of a thousand men, was ordered to seize every occasion to +annoy him on his march: that General Wayne, with his division, was +afterwards detached to unite with Smallwood, and command the whole +force collected in the rear, which would have been very respectable. + +If the militia did not assemble in the numbers expected, or effect the +service allotted to them, their failure is not attributable to General +Washington. His calls on them had been early and energetic; and the +state of his army did not admit of his making larger detachments from +it to supply the place they had been designed to fill. + +Loud complaints had been made against General Maxwell by the officers +of his corps; and a court was ordered to inquire into his conduct, by +whom he was acquitted. Whether that officer omitted to seize the +proper occasions to annoy the enemy, or the cautious and compact +movements of Sir William Howe afforded none, can not be easily +ascertained. General Washington felt the loss of Morgan, and wrote +pressingly to Gates, after his success against Burgoyne, to restore +him that officer, with his regiment, as soon as possible. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Measures to cut off the communication between the British + army and fleet.... Battle of Germantown.... Measures to + intercept supplies to Philadelphia.... Attack on fort + Mifflin.... On Red Bank.... The Augusta blows up.... Fort + Mifflin evacuated.... Fort Mercer evacuated.... The British + open the communication with their fleet.... Washington urged + to attack Philadelphia.... General Howe marches out to + Chestnut Hill.... Returns to Philadelphia.... General + Washington goes into winter quarters. + + +{1777} + +{September.} + +[Sidenote: Measures taken to prevent a communication between the +British army in Philadelphia and their fleet.] + +Philadelphia being lost, General Washington sought to make its +occupation inconvenient and insecure, by rendering it inaccessible to +the British fleet. With this design, works had been erected on a low +marshy island in the Delaware, near the junction of the Schuylkill, +which, from the nature of its soil, was called Mud Island. On the +opposite shore of Jersey, at a place called Red Bank, a fort had also +been constructed which was defended with heavy artillery. In the deep +channel between, or under cover of these batteries, several ranges of +frames had been sunk, to which, from their resemblance to that +machine, the name of chevaux-de-frise had been given. These frames +were so strong and heavy as to be destructive of any ship which might +strike against them, and were sunk in such a depth of water as +rendered it equally difficult to weigh them or cut them through; no +attempt to raise them, or to open the channel in any manner could be +successful until the command of the shores on both sides should be +obtained. + +Other ranges of these machines had been sunk about three miles lower +down the river; and some considerable works were in progress at +Billingsport on the Jersey side, which were in such forwardness as to +be provided with artillery. These works and machines were farther +supported by several galleys mounting heavy cannon, together with two +floating batteries, a number of armed vessels, and some fire ships. + +The present relative situation of the armies gave a decisive +importance to these works. Cutting off the communication of General +Howe with his fleet, they prevented his receiving supplies by water, +while the American vessels in the river above fort Mifflin, the name +given to the fort on Mud Island, rendered it difficult to forage in +Jersey, General Washington hoped to render his supplies on the side of +Pennsylvania so precarious, as to compel him to evacuate Philadelphia. + +The advantages of this situation were considerably diminished by the +capture of the Delaware frigate. + +{September 27.} + +The day after Lord Cornwallis entered Philadelphia, three batteries +were commenced for the purpose of acting against any American ships +which might appear before the town. While yet incomplete, they were +attacked by two frigates, assisted by several galleys and gondolas. +The Delaware, being left by the tide while engaged with the battery, +grounded and was captured; soon after which, the smaller frigate, and +the other vessels, retired under the guns of the fort. This +circumstance was the more interesting, as it gave the British General +the command of the ferry, and, consequently, free access to Jersey, +and enabled him to intercept the communication between the forts +below, and Trenton, from which place the garrisons were to have drawn +their military stores. + +{September 28.} + +{September 30.} + +{September 29.} + +{October 3.} + +All the expected reinforcements, except the state regiment and militia +from Virginia, being arrived, and the detached parties being called +in, the effective strength of the army amounted to eight thousand +continental troops, and three thousand militia. With this force, +General Washington determined to approach the enemy, and seize the +first favourable moment to attack him. In pursuance of this +determination, the army took a position on the Skippack road, about +twenty miles from Philadelphia, and sixteen from Germantown,--a long +village stretching on both sides the great road leading northward from +Philadelphia, which forms one continued street nearly two miles in +length. The British line of encampment crossed this village at right +angles near the centre, and Lord Cornwallis, with four regiments of +grenadiers, occupied Philadelphia. The immediate object of General +Howe being the removal of the obstructions in the river, Colonel +Stirling, with two regiments, had been detached to take possession of +the fort at Billingsport, which he accomplished without opposition. +This service being effected, and the works facing the water destroyed, +Colonel Stirling was directed to escort a convoy of provisions from +Chester to Philadelphia. Some apprehensions being entertained for the +safety of this convoy, another regiment was detached from Germantown, +with directions to join Colonel Stirling.[67] + + [Footnote 67: Annual Register.--Stedman.] + +This division of the British force appeared to Washington to furnish a +fair opportunity to engage Sir William Howe with advantage. +Determining to avail himself of it, he formed a plan for surprising +the camp at Germantown, and attacking both wings, in front and rear, +at the same instant. + +The divisions of Sullivan and Wayne, flanked by Conway's brigade, were +to march down the main road, and, entering the town by the way of +Chesnut Hill, to attack the left wing; while General Armstrong, with +the Pennsylvania militia, was to move down the Manatawny road[68] by +Vanduring's mill, and turning the left flank to attack in the rear. +The Commander-in-chief accompanied this column. + + [Footnote 68: Better known as the Ridge road.] + +The divisions of Greene and Stephen, flanked by M'Dougal's brigade, +were to take a circuit by the Lime Kiln road, and, entering the town +at the market house, to attack the right wing. + +The militia of Maryland and Jersey, under Generals Smallwood and +Forman, were to march down the old York road, and turning the right to +fall upon its rear. + +The division of Lord Stirling, and the brigades of Nash and Maxwell, +were to form a corps de reserve. + +Parties of cavalry were silently to scour the roads to prevent +observation, and to keep up the communication between the heads of the +several columns. + +{October 4.} + +[Sidenote: Royal army attacked at Germantown.] + +The necessary arrangements being made, the army moved from its ground +at seven in the afternoon. Before sunrise the next morning, the +advance of the column led by Sullivan, encountered and drove in a +picket placed at Mount Airy, the house of Mr. Allen.[69] The main body +followed close in the rear, and engaging the light infantry and the +40th regiment, posted at the head of the village, soon forced them to +give way, leaving their baggage behind them. Though closely pursued, +Lieutenant Colonel Musgrave threw himself with five companies of the +40th regiment into a large stone house belonging to Mr. Chew, which +stood directly in the way of Wayne's division, and poured on the +Americans an incessant and galling fire of musketry from its doors and +windows. After making some unsuccessful, and bloody attempts to carry +this house by storm, and then battering it for a few minutes with +field artillery, which was found too light to make any impression on +its walls, a regiment was left to observe the party within it, while +the troops who had been checked by Colonel Musgrave again moved +forward, passing to the left of the house. + + [Footnote 69: Since Robinson's.] + +In rather more than half an hour after Sullivan had been engaged, the +left wing, having formed the line, came also into action; and, +attacking the light infantry posted in front of the British right +wing, soon drove it from its ground. While rapidly pursuing the flying +enemy, Woodford's brigade,[70] which was on the right of this wing, +was arrested by a heavy fire from Chew's house, directed against its +right flank. The inefficiency of musketry against troops thus +sheltered being instantly perceived, the brigade was drawn off to the +left by its commanding officer, and the field-pieces attached to it +were ordered up to play on the house, but were too light to be of +service. Some time was consumed in this operation, and the advance of +the brigade was, of course, retarded. This part of the line was +consequently broken, and the two brigades composing the division of +Stephen were not only separated from each other, but from the other +division which was led by General Greene in person. That division, +consisting of the brigades of Muhlenberg and Scott, pressing forward +with eagerness, encountered and broke a part of the British right +wing, entered the village, and made a considerable number of +prisoners. + + [Footnote 70: The author was in this brigade, and describes + this part of the action from his own observation.] + +Thus far the prospect was flattering. The attack had been made with +great spirit; several brigades had entered the town; and such an +impression had been made on the British army as to justify the +expectation that its wings might be separated from each other, and a +complete victory be obtained. Had the American troops possessed the +advantages given by experience; had every division of the army +performed with precision the part allotted to it, there is yet reason +to believe that the hopes inspired by this favourable commencement +would not have been disappointed. But the face of the country, and the +darkness of the morning produced by a fog of uncommon density, +co-operating with the want of discipline in the army, and the +derangements of the corps from the incidents at Chew's house, blasted +their flattering appearances, and defeated the enterprise. + +The grounds over which the British were pursued abounded with small +and strong enclosures, which frequently broke the line of the +advancing army. The two divisions of the right wing had been separated +at Chew's house; and immediately after their passing it, the right of +the left wing was stopped at the same place, so as to cause a division +of that wing also. The darkness of the morning rendered it difficult +to distinguish objects even at an inconsiderable distance; and it was +impossible for the Commander-in-chief to learn the situation of the +whole, or to correct the confusion which was commencing. The divisions +and brigades separated at Chew's house could not be reunited; and, +even among those parts which remained entire, a considerable degree of +disorder was soon introduced by the impediments to their advance. Some +regiments pursuing with more vivacity than others, they were separated +from each other, their weight lessened, and their effect impaired. The +darkness which obstructed the reunion of the broken parts of the +American army, also prevented their discerning the real situation of +the enemy, so as to improve the first impression; and, in some +instances, some corps being in advance of others, produced uncertainty +whether the troops, seen indistinctly, were friends or foes. + +The attacks on the flanks and rear, which formed a part of the +original plan, do not appear ever to have been made. The Pennsylvania +militia came in view of the chasseurs who flanked the left of the +British line, but did not engage them closely. The Maryland and Jersey +militia just showed themselves on the right flank, about the time +Greene was commencing a retreat. + +[Sidenote: The Americans repulsed.] + +These embarrassments gave the British time to recover from the +consternation into which they had been thrown. General Knyphausen, who +commanded their left, detached two brigades to meet the right of +Sullivan which had penetrated far into the village, before his left, +which had been detained at Chew's house, could rejoin him; and the +action became warm in this quarter. The British right also recovered +from its surprise, and advanced on that part of Greene's division +which had entered the town. After a sharp engagement these two +brigades began to retreat, and those which were most in advance were +surrounded and compelled to surrender. About the same time the right +wing also began to retreat. It is understood that they had expended +their ammunition. + +Every effort to stop this retrograde movement proved ineffectual. The +division of Wayne fell back on that of Stephen, and was for an instant +mistaken for the enemy. General confusion prevailed, and the +confidence felt in the beginning of the action was lost. With infinite +chagrin General Washington was compelled to relinquish his hopes of +victory, and turn his attention to the security of his army. The enemy +not being sufficiently recovered to endanger his rear, the retreat was +made without loss, under cover of the division of Stephen, which had +scarcely been in the engagement. + +In this battle, about two hundred Americans were killed, near three +times that number wounded, and about four hundred were made prisoners. +Among the killed was General Nash of North Carolina; and among the +prisoners was Colonel Matthews of Virginia, whose regiment had +penetrated into the centre of the town. + +The loss of the British, as stated in the official return of General +Howe, did not much exceed five hundred in killed and wounded, of whom +less than one hundred were killed; among the latter were Brigadier +General Agnew and Colonel Bird. + +The American army retreated the same day, about twenty miles, to +Perkyomy Creek, where a small reinforcement, consisting of fifteen +hundred militia and a state regiment, was received from Virginia; +after which it again advanced towards Philadelphia, and encamped once +more on Skippack Creek. + +The plan of the battle of Germantown must be admitted to have been +judiciously formed; and, in its commencement, to have been happily +conducted. But a strict adherence to it by those who were entrusted +with the execution of its several parts, was indispensable to its +success. + +Major General Stephen, who commanded the right division of the left +wing, was cashiered for misconduct on the retreat, and for +intoxication. + +Congress expressed, in decided terms, their approbation both of the +plan of this enterprise, and of the courage with which it was +executed; for which their thanks were given to the general and the +army.[71] + + [Footnote 71: On hearing that General Howe had landed at the + head of the Chesapeake, Sir Henry Clinton, for the purpose + of averting those aids which Washington might draw from the + north of the Delaware, entered Jersey at the head of three + thousand men. On the approach of General M'Dougal with a + body of continental troops from Peekskill, and on hearing + that the militia were assembling under General Dickinson, he + returned to New York and Staten Island with the cattle he + had collected, having lost in the expedition only eight men + killed and twice as many wounded. + + M'Dougal continued his march towards the Delaware; and the + utmost exertions were made both by Governor Livingston and + General Dickinson to collect the militia for the purpose of + aiding the army in Pennsylvania. The success of their + exertions did not equal their wishes. The militia being of + opinion that there was danger of a second invasion from New + York, and that their services were more necessary at home + than in Pennsylvania, assembled slowly and reluctantly. Five + or six hundred crossed the Delaware at Philadelphia, about + the time Sir William Howe crossed the Schuylkill, and were + employed in the removal of stores. On the approach of the + British army, they were directed to avoid it by moving up + the Frankford road; but the commanding officer, having + separated himself from his corps, was taken by a party of + British horse employed in scouring the country; on which the + regiment dispersed, and returned by different roads to + Jersey. With much labour General Dickinson assembled two + other corps amounting to about nine hundred men, with whom + he was about to cross the Delaware when intelligence was + received of the arrival at New York of a reinforcement from + Europe. He was detained in Jersey for the defence of the + state, and the militia designed to serve in Pennsylvania + were placed under General Forman. About six hundred of them + reached the army a few days before the battle of Germantown, + immediately after which they were permitted to return.] + +The attention of both armies was most principally directed to the +forts below Philadelphia. + +The loss of the Delaware frigate, and of Billingsport, greatly +discouraged the seamen by whom the galleys and floating batteries were +manned. Believing the fate of America to be decided, an opinion +strengthened by the intelligence received from their connexions in +Philadelphia, they manifested the most alarming defection, and several +officers as well as sailors deserted to the enemy. This desponding +temper was checked by the battle of Germantown, and by throwing a +garrison of continental troops into the fort at Red Bank, called fort +Mercer, the defence of which had been entrusted to militia. This fort +commanded the channel between the Jersey shore and Mud Island; and the +American vessels were secure under its guns. The militia of Jersey +were relied on to reinforce its garrison, and also to form a corps of +observation which might harass the rear of any detachment investing +the place. + +[Sidenote: Measures taken by General Washington for cutting off +supplies from Philadelphia.] + +To increase the inconvenience of General Howe's situation by +intercepting his supplies, six hundred militia, commanded by General +Potter, crossed the Schuylkill, with orders to scour the country +between that river and Chester; and the militia on the Delaware, above +Philadelphia, were directed to watch the roads in that vicinity. + +The more effectually to stop those who were seduced by the hope of +gold and silver to supply the enemy at this critical time, congress +passed a resolution subjecting to martial law and to death, all who +should furnish them with provisions, or certain other enumerated +articles, who should be taken within thirty miles of any city, town or +place, in Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Delaware, occupied by British +troops. + +These arrangements being made to cut off supplies from the country, +General Washington reoccupied the ground from which he had marched to +fight the battle of Germantown. + +[Sidenote: Attack upon Fort Mifflin.] + +Meanwhile, General Howe was actively preparing to attack fort Mifflin +from the Pennsylvania shore. He erected some batteries at the mouth of +the Schuylkill, in order to command Webb's ferry, which were attacked +by Commodore Hazlewood, and silenced; but, the following night, a +detachment crossed over Webb's ferry into Province Island, and +constructed a slight work opposite fort Mifflin, within two musket +shots of the block-house, from which they were enabled to throw shot +and shells into the barracks. When day-light discovered this work, +three galleys and a floating battery were ordered to attack it, and +the garrison surrendered. While the boats were bringing off the +prisoners, a large column of British troops were seen marching into +the fortress, upon which the attack on it was renewed, but without +success; and two attempts made by Lieutenant Colonel Smith to storm +it, failed. In a few nights, works were completed on the high ground +of Province Island which enfiladed the principal battery of fort +Mifflin, and rendered it necessary to throw up some cover on the +platform to protect the men who worked the guns. + +The aids expected from the Jersey militia were not received. "Assure +yourself," said Lieutenant Colonel Smith, in a letter pressing +earnestly for a reinforcement of continental troops, "that no +dependence is to be put on the militia; whatever men your excellency +determines on sending, no time is to be lost." The garrison of fort +Mifflin was now reduced to one hundred and fifty-six effectives, and +that of Red Bank did not much exceed two hundred. + +In consequence of these representations, Colonel Angel, of Rhode +Island, with his regiment, was ordered to Red Bank, and Lieutenant +Colonel John Greene, of Virginia, with about two hundred men, to fort +Mifflin. + +Immediately after the battle of Brandywine, Admiral Howe sailed for +the Delaware, where he expected to arrive in time to meet and +co-operate with the army in and about Philadelphia. But the winds were +so unfavourable, and the navigation of the bay of Delaware so +difficult, that his van did not get into the river until the 4th of +October. The ships of war and transports which followed, came up from +the sixth to the eighth, and anchored from New Castle to Reedy Island. + +The frigates, in advance of the fleet, had not yet succeeded in their +endeavours to effect a passage through the lower double row of +chevaux-de-frise. Though no longer protected by the fort at +Billingsport, they were defended by the water force above, and the +work was found more difficult than had been expected. It was not until +the middle of October that the impediments were so far removed as to +afford a narrow and intricate passage through them. In the mean time, +the fire from the Pennsylvania shore had not produced all the effect +expected from it; and it was perceived that greater exertions would be +necessary for the reduction of the works than could safely be made in +the present relative situation of the armies. Under this impression, +General Howe, soon after the return of the American army to its former +camp on the Skippack, withdrew his troops from Germantown into +Philadelphia, as preparatory to a combined attack by land and water on +forts Mercer and Mifflin. + +After effecting a passage through the works sunk in the river at +Billingsport, other difficulties still remained to be encountered by +the ships of war. Several rows of chevaux-de-frise had been sunk about +half a mile below Mud Island, which were protected by the guns of the +forts, as well as by the moveable water force. To silence these works, +therefore, was a necessary preliminary to the removal of these +obstructions in the channel. + +{October.} + +[Sidenote: Attack upon Red Bank.] + +[Sidenote: Colonel Donop killed and his party repulsed with +considerable loss.] + +On the 21st of October, a detachment of Hessians, amounting to twelve +hundred men, commanded by Colonel Count Donop, crossed the Delaware at +Philadelphia, with orders to storm the fort at Red Bank. The +fortifications consisted of extensive outer works, within which was an +intrenchment eight or nine feet high, boarded and fraized. Late in the +evening of the twenty-second. Count Donop appeared before the fort, +and attacked it with great intrepidity. It was defended with equal +resolution. The outer works being too extensive to be manned by the +troops in the fort, were used only to gall the assailants while +advancing. On their near approach, the garrison retired within the +inner intrenchment, whence they poured upon the Hessians a heavy and +destructive fire. Colonel Donop received a mortal wound; and +Lieutenant Colonel Mengerode, the second in command, fell about the +same time. Lieutenant Colonel Minsing, the oldest remaining officer, +drew off his troops, and returned next day to Philadelphia. The loss +of the assailants was estimated by the Americans at four hundred men. +The garrison was reinforced from fort Mifflin, and aided by the +galleys which flanked the Hessians in their advance and retreat. The +American loss, in killed and wounded, amounted to only thirty-two men. + +[Sidenote: The Augusta frigate blows up.] + +The ships having been ordered to co-operate with Count Donop, the +Augusta, with four smaller vessels, passed the lower line of +chevaux-de-frise, opposite to Billingsport, and lay above it, waiting +until the assault should be made on the fort. The flood tide setting +in about the time the attack commenced, they moved with it up the +river. The obstructions sunk in the Delaware had in some degree +changed its channel, in consequence of which the Augusta and the +Merlin grounded, a considerable distance below the second line of +chevaux-de-frise and a strong wind from the north so checked the +rising of the tide, that these vessels could not be floated by the +flood. Their situation, however, was not discerned that evening, as +the frigates which were able to approach the fort, and the batteries +from the Pennsylvania shore, kept up an incessant fire on the +garrison, till night put an end to the cannonade. Early next morning +it was recommenced, in the hope that, under its cover, the Augusta and +the Merlin might be got off. The Americans, on discovering their +situation, sent four fire ships against them, but without effect. +Meanwhile, a warm cannonade took place on both sides, in the course of +which the Augusta took fire, and it was found impracticable to +extinguish the flames. Most of the men were taken out, the frigates +withdrawn, and the Merlin set on fire; after which the Augusta blew +up, and a few of the crew were lost in her. + +This repulse inspired congress with flattering hopes for the permanent +defence of the posts on the Delaware. That body expressed its high +sense of the merits of Colonel Greene of Rhode Island, who had +commanded in fort Mercer; of Lieutenant Colonel Smith of Maryland, who +had commanded in fort Mifflin; and of Commodore Hazlewood, who +commanded the galleys; and presented a sword to each of these +officers, as a mark of estimation in which their services were held. + +The situation of these forts was far from justifying this confidence +of their being defensible. That on Mud Island had been unskilfully +constructed, and required at least eight hundred men fully to man the +lines. The island is about half a mile long. Fort Mifflin was placed +at the lower end, having its principal fortifications in front for the +purpose of repelling ships coming up the river. The defences in the +rear consisted only of a ditch and palisade, protected by two +block-houses, the upper story of one of which had been destroyed in +the late cannonade. Above the fort were two batteries opposing those +constructed by the British on Province and Carpenter's Islands, which +were separated from Mud Island only by a narrow passage between four +and five hundred yards wide. + +The vessels of war, engaged in the defence of the Delaware, were +partly in the service of the continent, and partly in that of the +state of Pennsylvania, under a Commodore who received his commission +from the state. A misunderstanding took place between him and +Lieutenant Colonel Smith, and also between him and the officers of the +continental navy; and it required all the authority of the +Commander-in-chief to prevent these differences from essentially +injuring the service. + +The garrison of fort Mifflin consisted of only three hundred +continental troops, who were worn down with fatigue, and constant +watching, under the constant apprehension of being attacked from +Province Island, from Philadelphia, and from the ships below. + +{October 29.} + +Having failed in every attempt to draw the militia of Jersey to the +Delaware, General Washington determined to strengthen the garrison by +farther drafts from his army. Three hundred Pennsylvania militia were +detached, to be divided between the two forts; and, a few days +afterwards, General Varnum was ordered, with his brigade, to take a +position about Woodbury, near Red Bank, and to relieve and reinforce +the garrisons of both forts as far as his strength would permit. The +hope was entertained that the appearance of so respectable a +continental force might encourage the militia to assemble in greater +numbers. + +Aware of the advantage to result from a victory over the British army +while separated from the fleet, General Washington had been uniformly +determined to risk much to gain one. He had, therefore, after the +battle of Germantown, continued to watch assiduously for an +opportunity to attack his enemy once more to advantage. The +circumspect caution of General Howe afforded none. After the repulse +at Red Bank, his measures were slow but certain; and were calculated +to insure the possession of the forts without exposing his troops to +the hazard of an assault. + +In this state of things, intelligence was received of the successful +termination of the northern campaign, in consequence of which great +part of the troops who had been employed against Burgoyne, might be +drawn to the aid of the army in Pennsylvania. But it was feared that, +before these reinforcements could arrive, Sir William Howe would gain +possession of the forts, and remove the obstructions to the navigation +of the Delaware. This apprehension furnished a strong motive for +vigorous attempts to relieve fort Mifflin. But the relative force of +the armies, the difficulty of acting offensively against Philadelphia, +and, above all, the reflection that a defeat might disable him from +meeting his enemy in the field even after the arrival of the troops +expected from the north, determined General Washington not to hazard a +second attack under existing circumstances. + +To expedite the reinforcements for which he waited, Colonel Hamilton +was despatched to General Gates with directions to represent to him +the condition of the armies in Pennsylvania; and to urge him, if he +contemplated no other service of more importance, immediately to send +the regiments of Massachusetts and New Hampshire to aid the army of +the middle department. These orders were not peremptory, because it +was possible that some other object (as the capture of New York) still +more interesting than the expulsion of General Howe from Philadelphia, +might be contemplated by Gates; and Washington meant not to interfere +with the accomplishment of such object. + +On reaching General Putnam, Colonel Hamilton found that a considerable +part of the northern army had joined that officer, but that Gates had +detained four brigades at Albany for an expedition intended to be made +in the winter against Ticonderoga. + +Having made such arrangements with Putnam as he supposed would secure +the immediate march of a large body of continental troops from that +station, Colonel Hamilton proceeded to Albany for the purpose of +remonstrating to General Gates against retaining so large and valuable +a part of the army unemployed at a time when the most imminent danger +threatened the vitals of the country. Gates was by no means disposed +to part with his troops. He could not believe that an expedition then +preparing at New York, was designed to reinforce General Howe; and +insisted that, should the troops then embarked at that place, instead +of proceeding to the Delaware, make a sudden movement up the Hudson, +it would be in their power, should Albany be left defenceless, to +destroy the valuable arsenal which had been there erected, and the +military stores captured with Burgoyne, which had been chiefly +deposited in that town. + +Having, after repeated remonstrances, obtained an order directing +three brigades to the Delaware, Hamilton hastened back to Putnam, and +found the troops which had been ordered to join General Washington, +still at Peekskill. The detachment from New York had suggested to +Putnam the possibility of taking that place; and he does not appear to +have made very great exertions to divest himself of a force he deemed +necessary for an object, the accomplishment of which would give so +much splendour to his military character. In addition to this +circumstance, an opinion had gained ground among the soldiers that +their share of service for the campaign had been performed, and that +it was time for them to go into winter quarters. Great discontents too +prevailed concerning their pay, which the government had permitted to +be more than six months in arrear; and in Poor's brigade, a mutiny +broke out, in the course of which a soldier who was run through the +body by his captain, before he expired, shot the captain dead who gave +the wound. Colonel Hamilton came in time to borrow money from the +governor of New York, to put the troops in motion; and they proceeded +by brigades to the Delaware. But these several delays retarded their +arrival until the contest for the forts on that river was terminated. + +{November.} + +The preparations of Sir William Howe being completed, a large battery +on Province Island of twenty-four and thirty-two pounders, and two +howitzers of eight inches each, opened, early in the morning of the +10th of November, upon fort Mifflin, at the distance of five hundred +yards, and kept up an incessant fire for several successive days. The +block-houses were reduced to a heap of ruins; the palisades were +beaten down; and most of the guns dismounted and otherwise disabled. +The barracks were battered in every part, so that the troops could not +remain in them. They were under the necessity of working and watching +the whole night to repair the damages of the day, and to guard against +a storm, of which they were in perpetual apprehension. If in the day, +a few moments were allowed for repose, it was taken on the wet earth, +which, in consequence of heavy rains, had become a soft mud. The +garrison was relieved by General Varnum every forty-eight hours; but +his brigade was so weak that half the men were constantly on duty. + +Colonel Smith was decidedly of opinion, and General Varnum concurred +with him, that the garrison could not repel an assault, and ought to +be withdrawn; but General Washington still cherished the hope that the +place might be maintained until he should be reinforced from the +northern army. Believing that an assault would not be attempted until +the works were battered down, he recommended that the whole night +should be employed in making repairs. His orders were that the place +should be defended to the last extremity; and never were orders more +faithfully executed. + +{November 11.} + +{Fourteenth.} + +Several of the garrison were killed, and among them Captain Treat, a +gallant officer, who commanded the artillery. Colonel Smith received a +contusion on his hip and arm which compelled him to give up the +command, and retire to Red Bank. Major Fleury, a French officer of +distinguished merit, who served as engineer, reported to the +Commander-in-chief that, although the block-houses were beaten down, +all the guns in them, except two, disabled, and several breaches made +in the walls, the place was still defensible; but the garrison was so +unequal to the numbers required by the extent of the lines, and was so +dispirited by watching, fatigue, and constant exposure to the cold +rains which were almost incessant, that he dreaded the event of an +attempt to carry the place by storm. Fresh troops were ordered to +their relief from Varnum's brigade, and the command was taken, first +by Colonel Russell, and afterwards by Major Thayer. The artillery, +commanded by Captain Lee, continued to be well served. The besiegers +were several times thrown into confusion, and a floating battery which +opened on the morning of the 14th, was silenced in the course of the +day. + +{Fifteenth.} + +The defence being unexpectedly obstinate, the assailants brought up +their ships as far as the obstructions in the river permitted, and +added their fire to that of the batteries, which was the more fatal as +the cover for the troops had been greatly impaired. The brave +garrison, however, still maintained their ground with unshaken +firmness. In the midst of this stubborn conflict, the Vigilant and a +sloop of war were brought up the inner channel, between Mud and +Province Islands, which had, unobserved by the besieged, been deepened +by the current in consequence of the obstructions in the main channel; +and, taking a station within one hundred yards of the works, not only +kept up a destructive cannonade, but threw hand grenades into them; +while the musketeers from the round top of the Vigilant killed every +man that appeared on the platform. + +Major Thayer applied to the Commodore to remove these vessels, and he +ordered six galleys on the service; but, after reconnoitring their +situation, the galleys returned without attempting any thing. Their +report was that these ships were so covered by the batteries on +Province Island as to be unassailable. + +[Sidenote: Fort Mifflin evacuated and possession taken by the +British.] + +{November 16.} + +It was now apparent to all that the fort could be no longer defended. +The works were in ruins. The position of the Vigilant rendered any +farther continuance on the island a prodigal and useless waste of +human life; and on the 16th, about 11 at night, the garrison was +withdrawn.[72] + + [Footnote 72: In stating the defence of Mud Island, the + author has availed himself of the journal of Major Fleury.] + +A second attempt was made to drive the vessels from their stations +with a determination, should it succeed, to repossess the island; but +the galleys effected nothing; and a detachment from Province Island +soon occupied the ground which had been abandoned. + +{November 17.} + +The day after receiving intelligence of the evacuation of fort +Mifflin, General Washington deputed Generals De Kalb, and Knox, to +confer with General Varnum and the officers at fort Mercer on the +practicability of continuing to defend the obstructions in the +channel, to report thereon, and to state the force which would be +necessary for that purpose. Their report was in favour of continuing +the defence. A council of the navy officers had already been called by +the Commodore in pursuance of a request of the Commander-in-chief made +before the evacuation had taken place, who were unanimously of opinion +that it would be impracticable for the fleet, after the loss of the +island, to maintain its station, or to assist in preventing the +chevaux-de-frise from being weighed by the ships of the enemy. + +General Howe had now completed a line of defence from the Schuylkill +to the Delaware; and a reinforcement from New York had arrived at +Chester. These two circumstances enabled him to form an army in the +Jerseys sufficient for the reduction of fort Mercer, without weakening +himself so much in Philadelphia as to put his lines in hazard. Still +deeming it of the utmost importance to open the navigation of the +Delaware completely, he detached Lord Cornwallis about one in the +morning of the 17th, with a strong body of troops to Chester. From +that place, his lordship crossed over to Billingsport, where he was +joined by the reinforcement from New York. + +{November 17.} + +General Washington received immediate intelligence of the march of +this detachment, which he communicated to General Varnum with orders +that fort Mercer should be defended to the last extremity. With a view +to military operations in that quarter, he ordered one division of the +army to cross the river at Burlington, and despatched expresses to the +northern troops who were marching on by brigades, directing them to +move down the Delaware on its northern side until they should receive +farther orders. + +[Sidenote: Fort Mercer evacuated.] + +Major General Greene, an officer who had been distinguished early in +the war by the Commander-in-chief for the solidity of his judgment and +his military talents, was selected for this expedition. A hope was +entertained that he would be able, not only to protect fort Mercer, +but to obtain some decisive advantage over Lord Cornwallis; as the +situation of the fort, which his lordship could not invest without +placing himself between Timber and Manto Creeks, would expose the +assailants to great peril from a respectable force in their rear. But, +before Greene could cross the Delaware, Lord Cornwallis approached +with an army rendered more powerful than had been expected by the +junction of the reinforcement from New York; and fort Mercer was +evacuated. + +A few of the smaller galleys escaped up the river, and the others were +burnt by their crews. + +Washington still hoped to recover much of what had been lost. A +victory would restore the Jersey shore, and this object was deemed so +important, that General Greene's instructions indicated the +expectation that he would be in a condition to fight Lord Cornwallis. + +That judicious officer feared the reproach of avoiding an action less +than the just censure of sacrificing the real interests of his country +by engaging the enemy on disadvantageous terms. The numbers of the +British exceeded his, even counting his militia as regulars; and he +determined to wait for Glover's brigade, which was marching from the +north. Before its arrival, Lord Cornwallis took post on Gloucester +Point, a point of land making deep into the Delaware, which was +entirely under cover of the guns of the ships, from which place he was +embarking his baggage and the provisions he had collected for +Philadelphia.[73] + + [Footnote 73: While Lord Cornwallis lay on Gloucester Point, + about one hundred and fifty men of Morgan's rifle corps + under Lieutenant Colonel Butler, and an equal number of + militia, the whole under the Marquis de la Fayette, who + still served as a volunteer, attacked a picket consisting of + about three hundred men, and drove them with the loss of + twenty or thirty killed, and a greater number wounded, quite + into their camp; after which the Americans retired without + being pursued.] + +Believing that Lord Cornwallis would immediately follow the magazines +he had collected, and that the purpose of Sir William Howe was, with +his united forces, to attack the American army while divided, General +Washington ordered Greene to recross the Delaware, and join the army. + +[Sidenote: The enemy succeeds in opening a free communication with his +fleet.] + +Thus after one continued struggle of more than six weeks, in which the +continental troops displayed great military virtues, the army in +Philadelphia secured itself in the possession of that city, by opening +a free communication with the fleet.[74] + + [Footnote 74: While these transactions were passing on the + Delaware, General Dickinson projected another expedition + against the post on Staten Island. He collected about two + thousand men, and requested General Putnam to make a + diversion on the side of Kingsbridge, in order to prevent a + reinforcement from New York. + + Knowing that success depended on secrecy, he had concealed + his object even from his field-officers, until eight of the + night in which it was to be executed. Yet by three next + morning, information of his design was given to General + Skinner, who, being on his guard, saved himself and his + brigade, by taking refuge, on the first alarm, in some works + too strong to be carried by assault. A few prisoners were + made and a few men killed, after which General Dickinson + brought off his party with the loss of only three killed and + ten slightly wounded.] + +[Sidenote: Washington urged to attack Philadelphia.] + +While Lord Cornwallis was in Jersey, and General Greene on the +Delaware above him, the reinforcements from the north being received, +an attack on Philadelphia was strongly pressed by several officers +high in rank; and was in some measure urged by that torrent of public +opinion, which, if not resisted by a very firm mind, overwhelms the +judgment, and by controlling measures not well comprehended, may +frequently produce, especially in military transactions, the most +disastrous effects. + +It was stated to the Commander-in-chief, that his army was now in +greater force than he could expect it to be at any future time; that +being joined by the troops who had conquered Burgoyne, his own +reputation, the reputation of his army, the opinion of congress, and +of the nation, required some decisive blow on his part. That the rapid +depreciation of the paper currency, by which the resources for +carrying on the war were dried up, rendered indispensable some grand +effort to bring it to a speedy termination. + +The plan proposed was, that General Greene should embark two thousand +men at Dunks' ferry, and descending the Delaware in the night, land in +the town just before day, attack the enemy in the rear, and take +possession of the bridge over the Schuylkill. That a strong corps +should march down on the west side of that river, occupy the heights +enfilading the works of the enemy, and open a brisk cannonade upon +them, while a detachment from it should march down to the bridge, and +attack in front at the same instant, that the party descending the +river should commence its assault on the rear. + +Not only the Commander-in-chief, but some of his best officers, those +who could not be impelled by the clamours of the ill-informed to ruin +the public interests, were opposed to this mad enterprise. + +The two armies, they said, were now nearly equal in point of numbers, +and the detachment under Lord Cornwallis could not be supposed to have +so weakened Sir William Howe as to compensate for the advantages of +his position. His right was covered by the Delaware, his left by the +Schuylkill, his rear by the junction of those two rivers, as well as +by the city of Philadelphia, and his front by a line of redoubts +extending from river to river, and connected by an abattis, and by +circular works. It would be indispensably necessary to carry all these +redoubts; since to leave a part of them to play on the rear of the +columns, while engaged in front with the enemy in Philadelphia, would +be extremely hazardous. + +Supposing the redoubts carried, and the British army driven into the +town, yet all military men were agreed on the great peril of storming +a town. The streets would be defended by an artillery greatly superior +to that of the Americans, which would attack in front, while the brick +houses would be lined with musketeers, whose first must thin the ranks +of the assailants. + +A part of the plan, on the successful execution of which the whole +depended, was, that the British rear should be surprised by the corps +descending the Delaware. This would require the concurrence of too +many favourable circumstances to be calculated on with any confidence. +As the position of General Greene was known, it could not be supposed +that Sir William Howe would be inattentive to him. It was probable +that not even his embarkation would be made unnoticed; but it was +presuming a degree of negligence which ought not to be assumed, to +suppose that he could descend the river to Philadelphia undiscovered. +So soon as his movements should be observed, the whole plan would be +comprehended, since it would never be conjectured that General Greene +was to attack singly. + +If the attack in front should fail, which was not even improbable, the +total loss of the two thousand men in the rear must follow; and +General Howe would maintain his superiority through the winter. + +The situation of America did not require these desperate measures. The +British general would be compelled to risk a battle on equal terms, or +to manifest a conscious inferiority to the American army. The +depreciation of paper money was the inevitable consequence of immense +emissions without corresponding taxes. It was by removing the cause, +not by sacrificing the army, that this evil was to be corrected. + +Washington possessed too much discernment to be dazzled by the false +brilliant presented by those who urged the necessity of storming +Philadelphia, in order to throw lustre round his own fame, and that of +his army; and too much firmness of temper, too much virtue and real +patriotism, to be diverted from a purpose believed to be right, by the +clamours of faction or the discontents of ignorance. Disregarding the +importunities of mistaken friends, the malignant insinuations of +enemies, and the expectations of the ill-informed; he persevered in +his resolution to make no attempt on Philadelphia. He saved his army, +and was able to keep the field in the face of his enemy; while the +clamour of the moment wasted in air, and is forgotten. + +The opinion that Sir William Howe meditated an attack on the American +camp, was not ill founded. Scarcely had Lord Cornwallis returned to +Philadelphia, and Greene to the American army, when unquestionable +intelligence was received that the British general was preparing to +march out in full strength, with the avowed object of forcing +Washington from his position, and driving him beyond the mountains. + +[Sidenote: General Howe marches out to Chestnut Hill.] + +On the 4th of December, Captain M'Lane, a vigilant officer on the +lines, discovered that an attempt to surprise the American camp at +White Marsh was about to be made, and communicated the information to +the Commander-in-chief. In the evening of the same day, General Howe +marched out of Philadelphia with his whole force; and, about eleven at +night, M'Lane, who had been detached with one hundred chosen men, +attacked the British van at the Three Mile Run, on the Germantown +road, and compelled their front division to change its line of march. +He hovered on the front and flank of the advancing army, galling them +severely until three next morning, when the British encamped on +Chestnut Hill, in front of the American right, and distant from it +about three miles. A slight skirmish had also taken place between the +Pennsylvania militia under General Irvine, and the advanced light +parties of the enemy, in which the general was wounded, and the +militia, without much other loss, were dispersed. + +The range of hills on which the British were posted, approached nearer +to those occupied by the Americans, as they stretched northward. + +Having passed the day in reconnoitring the right, Sir William Howe +changed his ground in the course of the night, and moving along the +hills to his right, took an advantageous position, about a mile in +front of the American left. The next day he inclined still farther to +his right, and, in doing so, approached still nearer to the left wing +of the American army. Supposing a general engagement to be +approaching, Washington detached Gist with some Maryland militia, and +Morgan with his rifle corps, to attack the flanking and advanced +parties of the enemy. A sharp action ensued, in which Major Morris, of +Jersey, a brave officer in Morgan's regiment, was mortally wounded, +and twenty-seven of his men were killed and wounded. A small loss was +also sustained in the militia. The parties first attacked were driven +in; but the enemy reinforcing in numbers, and Washington, unwilling to +move from the heights, and engage on the ground which was the scene of +the skirmish, declining to reinforce Gist and Morgan, they, in turn, +were compelled to retreat. + +[Sidenote: Returns to Philadelphia.] + +Sir William Howe continued to manoeuvre towards the flank, and in +front of the left wing of the American army. Expecting to be attacked +in that quarter in full force, Washington made such changes in the +disposition of his troops as the occasion required; and the day was +consumed in these movements. In the course of it, the American chief +rode through every brigade of his army, delivering, in person, his +orders, respecting the manner of receiving the enemy, exhorting his +troops to rely principally on the bayonet, and encouraging them by the +steady firmness of his countenance, as well as by his words, to a +vigorous performance of their duty.[75] The dispositions of the +evening indicated an intention to attack him the ensuing morning; but +in the afternoon of the eighth, the British suddenly filed off from +their right, which extended beyond the American left, and retreated to +Philadelphia. The parties detached to harass their rear could not +overtake it. + + [Footnote 75: The author states this on his own + observation.] + +The loss of the British in this expedition, as stated in the official +letter of General Howe, rather exceeded one hundred in killed, +wounded, and missing; and was sustained principally in the skirmish of +the 7th, in which Major Morris fell. + +On no former occasion had the two armies met, uncovered by works, with +superior numbers on the side of the Americans. The effective force of +the British was then stated at twelve thousand men. It has been since +declared by an author[76] who then belonged to it, but who, though a +candid writer, appears to have imbibed prejudices against Sir William +Howe, to have amounted to fourteen thousand. The American army +consisted of precisely twelve thousand one hundred and sixty-one +continental troops, and three thousand two hundred and forty-one +militia. This equality in point of numbers, rendered it a prudent +precaution to maintain a superiority of position. As the two armies +occupied heights fronting each other, neither could attack without +giving to its adversary some advantage in the ground; and this was an +advantage which neither seemed willing to relinquish. + + [Footnote 76: Stedman.] + +The return of Sir William Howe to Philadelphia without bringing on an +action, after marching out with the avowed intention of fighting, is +the best testimony of the respect which he felt for the talents of his +adversary, and the courage of the troops he was to encounter. + +The cold was now becoming so intense that it was impossible for an +army neither well clothed, nor sufficiently supplied with blankets, +longer to keep the field in tents. It had become necessary to place +the troops in winter quarters; but in the existing state of things the +choice of winter quarters was a subject for serious reflection. It was +impossible to place them in villages without uncovering the country, +or exposing them to the hazard of being beaten in detachment. + +To avoid these calamities, it was determined to take a strong position +in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, equally distant from the +Delaware above and below that city; and there to construct huts, in +the form of a regular encampment, which might cover the army during +the winter. A strong piece of ground at Valley Forge, on the west side +of the Schuylkill, between twenty and thirty miles from Philadelphia, +was selected for that purpose; and some time before day on the morning +of the 11th of December, the army marched to take possession of it. By +an accidental concurrence of circumstances, Lord Cornwallis had been +detached the same morning at the head of a strong corps, on a foraging +party on the west side of the Schuylkill. He had fallen in with a +brigade of Pennsylvania militia commanded by General Potter, which he +soon dispersed; and, pursuing the fugitives, had gained the heights +opposite Matron's ford, over which the Americans had thrown a bridge +for the purpose of crossing the river, and had posted troops to +command the defile called the Gulph, just as the front division of the +American army reached the bank of the river. This movement had been +made without any knowledge of the intention of General Washington to +change his position, or any design of contesting the passage of the +Schuylkill; but the troops had been posted in the manner already +mentioned for the sole purpose of covering the foraging party. + +Washington apprehended, from his first intelligence, that General Howe +had taken the field in full force. He therefore recalled the troops +already on the west side, and moved rather higher up the river, for +the purpose of understanding the real situation, force, and designs of +the enemy. The next day Lord Cornwallis returned to Philadelphia; and, +in the course of the night, the American army crossed the river. + +[Sidenote: General Washington goes into winter quarters.] + +Here the Commander-in-chief communicated to his army, in general +orders, the manner in which he intended to dispose of them during the +winter. He expressed, in strong terms, his approbation of their +conduct, presented them with an encouraging state of the future +prospects of their country, exhorted them to bear with continuing +fortitude the hardships inseparable from the position they were about +to take, and endeavoured to convince their judgments that those +hardships were not imposed on them by unfeeling caprice, but were +necessary for the good of their country. + +The winter had set in with great severity, and the sufferings of the +army were extreme. In a few days, however, these sufferings were +considerably diminished by the erection of logged huts, filled up with +mortar, which, after being dried, formed comfortable habitations, and +gave content to men long unused to the conveniences of life. The order +of a regular encampment was observed; and the only appearance of +winter quarters, was the substitution of huts for tents. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Inquiry into the conduct of General Schuyler.... Burgoyne + appears before Ticonderoga.... Evacuation of that place,... + of Skeensborough.... Colonel Warner defeated.... Evacuation + of fort Anne.... Proclamation of Burgoyne.... + Counter-proclamation of Schuyler.... Burgoyne approaches + fort Edward.... Schuyler retires to Saratoga,... to + Stillwater.... St. Leger invests fort Schuyler.... Herkimer + defeated.... Colonel Baum detached to Bennington.... is + defeated.... Breckman defeated.... St. Leger abandons the + siege of fort Schuyler.... Murder of Miss M'Crea.... General + Gates takes command.... Burgoyne encamps on the heights of + Saratoga.... Battle of Stillwater.... Burgoyne retreats to + Saratoga.... Capitulates.... The British take forts + Montgomery and Clinton.... The forts Independence and + Constitution evacuated by the Americans.... Ticonderoga + evacuated by the British. + + +{1777} + +While, with inferior numbers, General Washington maintained a stubborn +contest in the middle states, events of great variety and importance +were passing in the north. + +After Sir Guy Carleton had distributed his army, for winter quarters, +in the several villages from the Isle Aux Noix and Montreal to Quebec, +General Burgoyne, who had served under him, embarked for England, in +order to communicate a full statement of affairs in the northern +department; and to assist in making arrangements for the ensuing +campaign. The American army, having been formed for only one year, +dissolved of itself at the expiration of that term, and could scarcely +furnish even the appearance of garrisons in their forts. + +The defence of this frontier was assigned to the regiments directed to +be raised in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and the northwestern parts +of New York; but the recruiting service advanced so slowly, and so +much difficulty was found in clothing and arming those who were +enlisted, that it became indispensable to call in the aid of the +militia; and the plan of the campaign on the part of the British was +involved in so much obscurity that General Washington deemed it +adviseable to direct eight of the regiments of Massachusetts to +rendezvous at Peekskill. + +[Sidenote: An inquiry into the conduct of General Schuyler, which +terminates to his honour.] + +{May 22.} + +The service of General Schuyler in the northern department had been +more solid than brilliant. Dissatisfied with his situation, and +disgusted with the injustice[77] he supposed himself to experience, he +had for some time meditated a resignation, and had been retained in +the service only by the deep interest he felt in the struggle of his +country for independence. So soon as his fears for Ticonderoga were +removed by the partial opening of Lake Champlain, he waited in person +on congress for the purpose of adjusting his accounts, obtaining an +inquiry into his conduct, and supporting those necessary measures of +defence in the north, which were suggested by his perfect knowledge of +the country. At his request, a committee, consisting of a member from +each state, was appointed to inquire into his conduct during the time +he had held a command in the army. The arduous services performed by +this meritorious officer, when investigated, were found so far to +exceed any estimate which had been made of them, that congress deemed +it essential to the public interest to prevail on him to retain his +commission. The resolution which fixed his head quarters at Albany was +repealed, and he was directed to proceed forthwith to the northern +department, and to take the command of it. + + [Footnote 77: When the command of the operating army was + given to General Thomas in March 1776, the head quarters of + General Schuyler had been fixed by congress at Albany, and + that resolution remained in force. General Gates was now + directed to repair to Ticonderoga and take command of the + army; and Major General St. Clair was ordered to the same + place to serve under him.] + +On his arrival, he found the army of the north not only too weak for +the objects entrusted to it, but badly supplied with arms, clothes, +and provisions. From a spy who had been seized near Onion River, he +obtained information that General Burgoyne was at Quebec, and was to +command the British forces in that department so soon as they should +march out of Canada. That while Ticonderoga should be attacked by the +main army, Sir John Johnson, with a strong body of British, Canadians, +and Indians, was to penetrate to the Mohawk by Oswego, and place +himself between fort Stanwix and fort Edward. + +[Sidenote: Burgoyne appears before Ticonderoga.] + +General Schuyler was sensible of the danger which threatened him, and +made every exertion to meet it. After completing his arrangements at +Ticonderoga for sustaining a siege, he had proceeded to Albany, for +the purpose of attending to his supplies, and of expediting the march +of reinforcements, when he received intelligence from General St. +Clair, who was entrusted with the defence of Ticonderoga, that +Burgoyne had appeared before that place. + +In the course of the preceding winter, a plan for penetrating to the +Hudson, from Canada, by the way of the lakes, had been digested in the +cabinet of London. General Burgoyne, who assisted in forming it, was +entrusted with its execution, and was to lead a formidable army +against Ticonderoga as soon as the season would permit. At the same +time a smaller party under Colonel St. Leger, composed of Canadians, +newly raised Americans, and a few Europeans, aided by a powerful body +of Indians, was to march from Oswego, to enter the country by the way +of the Mohawk, and to join the grand army on the Hudson. + +{January 22.} + +Burgoyne reached Quebec as soon as it was practicable to sail up the +St. Lawrence, and appeared in full force on the river Bouquet, on the +western banks of lake Champlain, much earlier than the American +general had supposed to be possible. At this place he met the Indians +in a grand council, after which he gave them a war feast. Much of the +cruelty afterwards perpetrated by the savages has been attributed to +this unfortunate officer; but justice requires the admission that his +speech was calculated rather to diminish than increase their habitual +ferocity. He endeavoured to impress on them the distinction between +enemies in the field, and the unarmed inhabitants, many of whom were +friends; and, addressing himself to their avarice, promised rewards +for prisoners, but none for scalps. It was perhaps fortunate for +America, that, in some instances, peculiarly calculated to excite and +interest the human feelings, these feeble restraints were disregarded. + +After publishing a manifesto at Putnam River, designed to act on the +hopes and fears of the people of the country through which he was to +pass, he halted a few days at Crown Point, to make the necessary +dispositions for investing Ticonderoga. + +{June 30.} + +{July 1.} + +From Crown Point, the royal army advanced on both sides the lake, +keeping up a communication between its divisions, by means of the +fleet; and on the 1st of July encamped within four miles of the +American works. A strong party was pushed forward to Three Mile Point; +and the fleet anchored just beyond the range of the guns of the fort. +The next day they took possession, without opposition, of the +important post at Mount Hope, which commanded, in part, the lines on +the northern side, and entirely cut off the communication with lake +George. + +The weakness of his garrison induced General St. Clair to give up this +post without a struggle. Believing it to be impracticable to support +it without hazarding a general action, he determined to concentrate +his force about Ticonderoga and Mount Independence. + +After taking possession of Mount Hope, the British lines were extended +on the western side of Champlain, from the mountain quite to the lake, +so as completely to inclose the garrison on that side. The German +division under Major General Reidisel, which occupied the eastern +shore of the lake, was encamped at Three Mile Point, and had pushed +forward a detachment near the rivulet, which runs east of Mount +Independence. + +{July.} + +The besiegers laboured assiduously to bring up their artillery and +complete their works. Sugar Hill, a rugged mountain standing at the +confluence of the waters that unite at Ticonderoga, which overlooks +the fortress and had been thought inaccessible, was examined; and the +report being that the ascent, though extremely difficult, was +practicable, the work was immediately commenced, and was pressed with +so much vigour that the batteries might have opened next day. The +garrison was not in a condition to check these operations. + +The situation of St. Clair was now at its crisis. Only the ground +between the Eastern run and the South River remained open; and this he +was informed would be occupied the next day, so that the investment +would be complete. The place must be immediately evacuated, or +maintained at the hazard of losing the garrison when it should be no +longer tenable. + +Between these cruel alternations, General St. Clair did not hesitate +to choose the first; but deeming it prudent to take the advice of a +council of war, he convened the general officers, who unanimously +advised the immediate evacuation of the fort. + +[Sidenote: Evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence.] + +{July 5.} + +Preparations for the retreat were instantly commenced. The invalids, +the hospital, and such stores as could be moved in the course of the +night, were put on board the batteaux, which proceeded under the guard +of Colonel Long, up the South River to Skeensborough; and, before day +on the morning of the 6th of July, the main body of the army directed +its march to the same place. + +In the hope of making considerable progress before his retreat should +be discovered, General St. Clair had ordered the troops to observe the +most profound silence, and, particularly, to set nothing on fire. +These judicious orders were disobeyed; and, before the rear guard was +in motion, the house which had been occupied by General De Fermoy was +in flames. This served as a signal to the besiegers, who immediately +entered the works. The main body of the retreating army was rapidly +pursued by Generals Frazer and Reidisel, while General Burgoyne, in +person, followed the detachment under Colonel Long. + +{July 6.} + +The bridge, the boom, and those other works, the construction of which +had employed the labour of ten months, were cut through by nine in the +morning, so as to afford a passage for the Royal George and Inflexible +frigates, as well as for the gun boats, which engaged the American +galleys, about three in the afternoon, near the falls of +Skeensborough. + +[Sidenote: The American army evacuate Skeensborough and retire to fort +Anne.] + +In the mean time, three regiments had disembarked at some distance +from the fort, with the intention of attacking it by land, and cutting +off the retreat of the garrison, as well as that of the detachment in +the boats and galleys. This manoeuvre being discovered, the works and +batteaux were set on fire, and the troops retired to fort Anne. On +this occasion, the baggage of the army, and a great quantity of +military stores, were either destroyed by the Americans, or taken by +the British. + +Knowing that he could save his army only by the rapidity of his march, +General St. Clair reached Castletown, thirty miles from Ticonderoga, +on the night succeeding the evacuation of the fort. The rear guard +under Colonel Warner halted six miles short of that place. Having been +augmented by those who from excessive fatigue had fallen out of the +line of march, it amounted to rather more than one thousand men. + +{July 7.} + +[Sidenote: Colonel Warner attacked by General Frazer and obliged to +retreat.] + +The next morning at five, they were overtaken and attacked by General +Frazer with eight hundred and fifty men. The action was warm and well +contested. In its commencement, two regiments of militia, which lay +within two miles of Colonel Warner, were ordered to his assistance. +Instead of obeying these orders, they consulted their own safety, and +hastened to Castletown. Had these orders been executed, the corps +which attacked Warner would probably have been cut to pieces. While +the action was maintained with equal spirit on both sides, General +Reidisel arrived with his division of Germans, and the Americans were +routed. + +In this action, Colonel Francis, several other officers, and upwards +of two hundred men were left dead on the field; and one colonel, seven +captains, ten subalterns, and two hundred and ten privates were made +prisoners. Near six hundred are supposed to have been wounded, many of +whom must have perished in attempting to escape through the woods +towards the inhabited country. The British state their own loss at +thirty-five killed, among whom was one field officer, and one hundred +and forty-four wounded, including two majors, and five inferior +officers. It is scarcely credible, notwithstanding the difference in +arms, that in a well contested action, the disparity in the killed +could have been so considerable. It is the less probable, as the +pursuit was not of long continuance. + +To avoid that division of the British army which had proceeded up the +North River, St. Clair changed his route; and directed his march to +Rutland, to which place he ordered Warner also to retire. At Rutland +he fell in with several soldiers who had been separated from their +corps, and, two days afterwards, at Manchester, was joined by Warner +with about ninety men. From this place he proceeded to fort Edward, +where he met General Schuyler. + +After taking possession of Skeensborough, Burgoyne had found it +necessary to suspend the pursuit, and to give his army refreshment. +The troops were in some disorder; distinct corps were intermingled, +and his detachments were far apart from each other. He determined +therefore to halt a few days at that place, in order to reassemble and +arrange his army. + +{July 7.} + +[Sidenote: Colonel Long evacuates Fort Anne and retires to Fort +Edward.] + +Colonel Long having been directed to defend fort Anne, the ninth +regiment of British, under Lieutenant Colonel Hill, had been detached +against that place. It being understood that the Americans were in +some force, two other regiments, under Brigadier Powell, were ordered +to support the first party. Before the arrival of this reinforcement, +Colonel Long attacked the ninth regiment, and a sharp skirmish ensued, +in which the British kept their ground, and the advantage was claimed +by both parties. Hearing that a reinforcement was approaching, Long +set fire to the works at fort Anne, and retired to fort Edward. + +{July 7.} + +At Stillwater, on his way to Ticonderoga, General Schuyler was +informed of the evacuation of that place; and, on the same day, at +Saratoga, of the loss of the stores at Skeensborough. He had heard +nothing from General St. Clair; and was seriously apprehensive for +that officer and his army, which, after the junction of Colonel Long, +consisted of about fifteen hundred continental troops, and the same +number of militia. They were dispirited by defeat, without tents, +badly armed, and had lost great part of their stores and baggage. The +country was generally much alarmed; and even the well affected +discovered more inclination to take care of themselves than to join +the army. In this gloomy state of things, no officer could have +exerted more diligence and skill than were displayed by Schuyler. +Having fixed his head quarters at fort Edward, he employed to the +utmost advantage the short respite from action which Burgoyne +unavoidably gave. The country between Skeensborough and fort Edward +was almost entirely unsettled, was covered with thick woods, and of a +surface extremely rough, and much intersected with creeks and +morasses. Wood creek was navigable with batteaux as far as fort Anne; +and military stores of every description might be transported up it. +He obstructed its navigation by sinking numerous impediments in its +course, broke up the bridges, and rendered the roads impassable. He +was also indefatigable in driving the live stock out of the way, and +in bringing from fort George to fort Edward, the ammunition and other +military stores which had been deposited at that place. Still farther +to delay the movements of the British, he posted Colonel Warner on +their left flank, with instructions to raise the militia in that +quarter. The hope was entertained, that the appearance of a +respectable force, threatening the flank and rear of the invading +army, would not only retard its advance, but would induce General +Burgoyne to weaken it, in order to strengthen the garrison of +Ticonderoga. + +While thus endeavoring to obstruct the march of the enemy, Schuyler +was not less attentive to the best means of strengthening his own +army. Reinforcements of regular troops were earnestly solicited; the +militia of New England and New York were required to take the field, +and all his influence in the surrounding country was exerted to +reanimate the people, and to prevent their defection from the American +cause. + +[Sidenote: Proclamation of Burgoyne and counter-proclamation of +Schuyler.] + +While at Skeensborough General Burgoyne issued a second +proclamation[78] summoning the people of the adjacent country to send +ten deputies from each township to meet Colonel Skeene at Castletown, +in order to deliberate on such measures as might still be adopted to +save those who had not yet conformed to his first, and submitted to +the royal authority. General Schuyler apprehending some effect from +this paper, issued a counter proclamation, stating the insidious +designs of the enemy. Warning the inhabitants, by the example of +Jersey, of the danger to which their yielding to this seductive +proposition would expose them, and giving them the most solemn +assurances that all who should send deputies to this meeting, or in +any manner aid the enemy, would be considered traitors, and should +suffer the utmost rigour of the law. + + [Footnote 78: Remem.] + +The evacuation of Ticonderoga was a shock for which no part of the +United States was prepared. Neither the strength of the invading army, +nor of the garrison had been understood. When therefore intelligence +was received that a place, on the fortifications of which much money +and labour had been expended, which was considered as the key to the +whole northwestern country, and supposed to contain a garrison nearly +equal to the invading army, had been abandoned without a siege; that +an immense train of artillery, and all the military stores, had either +fallen into the hands of the enemy, or been destroyed; that the army, +on its retreat, had been attacked, defeated, and dispersed; +astonishment pervaded all ranks of men; and the conduct of the +officers was universally condemned. Congress recalled all the generals +of the department, and directed an inquiry into their conduct. +Throughout New England especially, the most bitter aspersions were +cast on them and General Schuyler, who, from some unknown cause, had +never been viewed with favour in that part of the continent, was +involved in the common charge of treachery, to which this accumulation +of unlooked-for calamity was generally attributed by the mass of the +people. + +On the representations of General Washington, the recall of the +officers was suspended, until he should be of opinion that the service +would not suffer by the measure; and, on a full inquiry afterwards +made into their conduct, they were acquitted of all blame. + +In a letter of St. Clair to the Commander-in-chief, stating his +motives for evacuating Ticonderoga, he represented the strength of his +garrison, including nine hundred militia, who would consent to stay +but a few days, at only three thousand effective rank and file, many +of whom were without bayonets. The lines required ten thousand to man +them properly. He also affirmed, that his supply of provisions was +sufficient for only twenty days, and that the works on the Ticonderoga +side were incomplete, with their flanks undefended. He justified his +having failed to call in a larger reinforcement of militia, by the +scarcity of provisions, the supply on hand not having been procured +until General Schuyler had resumed the command in the department; and +attributed his not having evacuated the place in time to preserve his +army and stores, to the prevalent opinion that there was not a +sufficient force in Canada to attempt so hardy an enterprise, and to +his not being at liberty to adopt that measure but in the last +necessity. + +A court of inquiry justified his conduct, and he retained the +confidence of the Commander-in-chief. + +On learning the distressed state of the remnant of the army, General +Washington made great exertions to repair its losses, and to reinforce +it. The utmost industry was used to procure a supply of tents; +artillery and ammunition were forwarded from Massachusetts; the +remaining troops of that state were ordered to that department; and +General Lincoln, who possessed, in a high degree, the confidence of +the New England militia, was directed to raise and command them. +General Arnold, so often distinguished for his gallantry in the field, +was ordered to the northern army, in the hope that his presence and +reputation might reanimate the troops; and Colonel Morgan, with his +corps of riflemen, was detached on the same service. Through the +present dark gloom, Washington discerned a ray of light, and already +cherished the hope that much good might result from present evil. "The +evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence," said he in a letter +of the 15th of July, to General Schuyler, "is an event of chagrin and +surprise, not apprehended, nor within the compass of my reasoning. +This stroke is severe indeed, and has distressed us much. But, +notwithstanding, things at present wear a dark and gloomy aspect, I +hope a spirited opposition will check the progress of General +Burgoyne's arms, and that the confidence derived from success will +hurry him into measures that will, in their consequences, be +favourable to us. We should never despair. Our situation has before +been unpromising, and has changed for the better. So, I trust, it will +again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth new +exertions, and proportion our efforts to the exigency of the times." + +On receiving a letter from General Schuyler of the seventeenth, +stating the divided situation of the British army, he seemed to +anticipate the event which afterwards occurred, and to suggest the +measure in which originated that torrent of misfortune with which +Burgoyne was overwhelmed. "Though our affairs," he said in reply to +this information, "have for some days past worn a dark and gloomy +aspect, I yet look forward to a fortunate and happy change. I trust +General Burgoyne's army will meet, sooner or later, an effectual +check; and, as I suggested before, that the success he has met with +will precipitate his ruin. From your accounts, he appears to be +pursuing that line of conduct which, of all others, is most favourable +to us. I mean acting in detachment. This conduct will certainly give +room for enterprise on our part, and expose his parties to great +hazard. Could we be so happy as to cut one of them off, though it +should not exceed four, five, or six hundred men, it would inspirit +the people, and do away much of their present anxiety. In such an +event, they would lose sight of past misfortunes; and, urged at the +same time by a regard for their own security, would fly to arms, and +afford every aid in their power." + +After allowing a short repose to his army, General Burgoyne proceeded +with ardour to the remaining objects of the campaign. The toils and +delays which must be encountered in reaching the Hudson were soon +perceived. He found it necessary to open Wood creek, and to repair the +roads and bridges which Schuyler had broken up. Such was the +unavoidable delay of this difficult operation, that the army did not +arrive on the Hudson, in the neighbourhood of fort Edward, till the +fourteenth of July. At this place it was necessary again to halt, in +order to bring artillery, provisions, batteaux, and other articles +from fort George. + +[Sidenote: Burgoyne approaches Fort Edward and Schuyler retires to +Saratoga.] + +[Sidenote: From thence to Stillwater.] + +The time afforded by this delay had been employed by Schuyler to the +utmost advantage. Some reinforcements of continental troops had +arrived from Peekskill, and the militia had been assembled; but his +strength did not yet afford a reasonable prospect of success in a +contest with the enemy opposed to him. On this account, as Burgoyne +approached fort Edward, Schuyler retired over the Hudson to Saratoga, +and soon afterwards to Stillwater, not far from the mouth of the +Mohawk. At this place, General Lincoln, who had been detached to take +command of the militia assembling at Manchester, was ordered to rejoin +him, and he fortified his camp in the hope of being strong enough to +defend it. + +{August 15} + +At Stillwater, information was obtained that Burgoyne had evacuated +Castletown; so that the only communication with Ticonderoga, whence +nearly all his supplies were drawn, was through Lake George; and that +the garrison of that important place had been reduced to three hundred +men. In consequence of this intelligence, the orders to General +Lincoln were countermanded, and he was directed with the militia of +Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and of the Grants, making, as was +understood, a total of between two and three thousand men, to place +himself in the rear of the British army, and cut off its communication +with the lakes. Here too he was informed that Colonel St. Leger, with +a large body of Indians, in addition to his regulars, had penetrated +from Oswego, by the way of the Oneida lake and Wood creek, to the +Mohawk, where he had laid siege to fort Schuyler, and had totally +defeated General Herkimer, who had raised the militia of Tryon county, +in order to relieve the fort. The importance of protecting the +inhabitants from the savages, and of preventing a junction between St. +Leger and Burgoyne, and the consequent loss of the country on the +Mohawk, determined Schuyler, weak as he was, to detach Major General +Arnold with three continental regiments to raise the siege. The army +was so enfeebled by this measure, that its removal to a place of +greater security became necessary, and it was withdrawn to some +islands in the confluence of the Hudson and the Mohawk, where the camp +was deemed more defensible. Burgoyne had now marched down the east +side of the Hudson, and his advanced parties had crossed the river, +and occupied the ground at Saratoga. + +[Sidenote: St. Leger invests Fort Schuyler.] + +On the 3d of August, after a message vaunting of his strength, and +demanding a surrender, which was answered by a declaration that the +fort would be defended to the last extremity, St. Leger invested fort +Schuyler. The garrison amounted to six hundred men, all continental +troops, who were commanded by Colonel Gansevoort. The besieging army +rather exceeded fifteen hundred, of whom from six to nine hundred were +Indians. + +On the approach of the enemy, General Herkimer, who commanded the +militia of Tryon county, assembled them in considerable numbers, and +gave information to the garrison, about eleven in the morning of the +sixth, of his intention to force a passage that day through the +besieging army. Gansevoort determined to favour the execution of this +design by a vigorous sortie; and upwards of two hundred men, to be +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Willet, were drawn out for that +purpose. + +[Sidenote: Herkimer, advancing to the relief of the fort, falls into +an ambuscade, and is defeated with loss.] + +Unfortunately St. Leger received information the preceding day of +Herkimer's approach, and, early in the morning, placed a strong party, +composed of regulars and Indians, in ambuscade on the road along which +he was to march. His first notice of it was given by a heavy discharge +of small arms, which was followed by a furious attack from the Indians +with their tomahawks. He defended himself with resolution; but was +defeated with great slaughter. The general and several of the field +officers were wounded; and many others, among whom were several +persons of distinction, were killed or taken prisoners. The loss was +estimated at four hundred men. The destruction was prevented from +being still more complete, by the very timely sortie made by +Lieutenant Colonel Willet, which checked the pursuit, and recalled +those engaged in it to the defence of their own camp. + +As soon as Gansevoort understood that Herkimer was advancing, the +sortie which he had planned was made. Lieutenant Colonel Willet fell +on the camp of the besiegers, and routed them at the first onset. +After driving them, some into the woods, and others over the river, he +returned to the fort without the loss of a man. + +Burgoyne had received early intimation of the arrival of St. Leger +before fort Schuyler; and was aware of the advantage to be derived +from an immediate and rapid movement down the Hudson. But the +obstacles to his progress multiplied daily, and each step produced new +embarrassments. Not more than one-third of the horses expected from +Canada had arrived; and Schuyler had been active in removing the draft +cattle of the country. With unremitting exertion, he had been able to +transport from fort George to the Hudson, a distance of eighteen +miles, only twelve batteaux, and provisions for four days in advance. +The defectiveness of his means to feed his army until it should reach +the abundant country below him, presented an impediment to his farther +progress, not readily to be surmounted. The difficulty of drawing +supplies from fort George would increase every day with the increasing +distance; and the communications, already endangered by a considerable +body of militia assembling at White Creek, could be secured only by +larger detachments from his army than he was in a condition to make. +These were strong inducements to attempt some other mode of supply. + +[Sidenote: Colonel Baum is detached to seize the magazines at +Bennington.] + +It was well known that large magazines of provisions for the use of +the American army were collected at Bennington, which place was +generally guarded by militia, whose numbers varied from day to day. +The possession of these magazines would enable him to prosecute his +ulterior plans without relying for supplies from Lake George; and he +determined to seize them. + +To try the affections of the country, to complete a corps of +loyalists, and to mount Reidisel's dragoons, were subordinate objects +of the expedition.[79] Lieutenant Colonel Baum with five hundred +Europeans, and a body of American loyalists, was detached on this +service. + + [Footnote 79: Letter of Burgoyne.] + +To facilitate the enterprise, and be ready to take advantage of its +success, Burgoyne moved down the east side of the Hudson, and threw a +bridge of rafts over that river for the passage of his van, which took +post at Saratoga. At the same time Lieutenant Colonel Brechman, with +his corps, was advanced to Batten Hill, in order, if necessary, to +support Colonel Baum.[80] + + [Footnote 80: Letter of Burgoyne.] + +On approaching Bennington, Baum discovered that he should have to +encounter a much more considerable force than had been suspected. The +New Hampshire militia, commanded by General Starke, had reached that +place on their way to camp; and, uniting with Colonel Warner, made in +the whole about two thousand men. + +Perceiving his danger, Baum halted about four miles from Bennington, +and despatched an express for a reinforcement. In the mean time, he +strengthened his position by intrenchments. + +Lieutenant Colonel Brechman was immediately ordered to his assistance; +but, such was the state of the roads that, though the distance was +only twenty-four miles, and his march was pressed unremittingly from +eight in the morning of the 15th, he did not reach the ground on which +Baum had encamped, until four in the afternoon of the next day.[81] + + [Footnote 81: Ibid.] + +[Sidenote: Is attacked in his intrenchments by General Starke, and +entirely routed.] + +In the mean time, General Starke determined to attack him in his +intrenchments. So confident were the provincials belonging to this +party, of the attachment of the country to the royal cause, that the +American troops, while making their dispositions for the attack, were +mistaken for armed friends coming to join them. On discovering his +error, Baum prepared for the contest, and made a gallant defence. His +works however were carried by storm, and great part of his detachment +killed, or taken prisoners. A few escaped into the woods, and saved +themselves by flight. + +[Sidenote: Brechman advances to Baum's aid, is attacked by Colonel +Warner, and defeated.] + +Brechman arrived during the pursuit, and obtained from the fugitives, +the first intelligence of the disaster which had befallen them. He +immediately attacked the parties of militia who were engaged in the +pursuit, and gained some advantage over them. Fortunately for the +Americans, Colonel Warner[82] came up at this critical juncture with +his continental regiment, and restored, and continued the action, +until the main body of the militia re-assembled, and came to support +him. Brechman in turn was compelled to retire; but he maintained the +engagement until dark, when, abandoning his artillery and baggage, he +saved his party under cover of the night. + + [Footnote 82: Gordon.] + +One thousand stand of arms, and nine hundred swords were taken in this +battle. General Burgoyne represented his loss in men at about four +hundred; but thirty-two officers, and five hundred and sixty-four +privates, including Canadians and loyalists, were made prisoners. The +number of the dead was not ascertained, because the action with +Brechman had been fought in the woods, and been continued for several +miles. + +The British general therefore must have included in his estimate of +loss, only his European troops. + +This important success was soon followed by another of equal influence +on the fate of the campaign. + +Fort Schuyler had been fortified with more skill, and was defended +with more courage, than St. Leger had expected. His artillery made no +impression on its walls; and his Indians, who were much better pleased +with obtaining plunder and scalps, than besieging fortresses, became +intractable, and manifested great disgust with the service. In this +temper, they understood that Arnold was advancing with a large body of +continental troops; and, soon afterwards were told that Burgoyne and +his army had been totally defeated; a report probably founded on the +affair at Bennington. Unwilling to share the misfortune of their +friends, they manifested a determination not to await the arrival of +Arnold. The efforts of St. Leger to detain them being ineffectual, +many of them decamped immediately, and the rest threatened to follow. + +[Sidenote: St. Leger abandons the siege of Fort Schuyler, and retreats +to Ticonderoga.] + +The time for deliberation was past. The camp was broken up with +indications of excessive alarm. The tents were left standing; and the +artillery, with great part of the baggage, ammunition, and provisions, +fell into the hands of the Americans. The retreating army was pursued +by a detachment from the garrison; and it was stated by deserters, +that the Indians plundered the remaining baggage of the officers, and +massacred such soldiers as could not keep up with the line of march. +St. Leger returned to Montreal, whence he proceeded to Ticonderoga, +with the intention of joining General Burgoyne by that route. + +The decisive victory at Bennington, and the retreat of St. Leger from +fort Schuyler, however important in themselves, were still more so in +their consequences. An army, which had spread terror and dismay in +every direction, which had, previously, experienced no reverse of +fortune, was considered as already beaten; and the opinion became +common, that the appearance of the great body of the people in arms, +would secure the emancipation of their country. It was too an +advantage of no inconsiderable importance resulting from this change +of public opinion, that the disaffected became timid, and the wavering +who, had the torrent of success continued, would have made a merit of +contributing their aid to the victor, were no longer disposed to put +themselves and their fortunes in hazard, to support an army whose fate +was so uncertain. + +The barbarities which had been perpetrated by the Indians belonging to +the invading armies, excited still more resentment than terror. As the +prospect of revenge began to open, their effect became the more +apparent; and their influence on the royal cause was the more sensibly +felt because they had been indiscriminate. + +[Sidenote: The murder of Miss M'Crea.] + +The murder of Miss M'Crea passed through all the papers of the +continent: and the story, being retouched by the hand of more than one +master, excited a peculiar degree of sensibility.[83] But there were +other causes of still greater influence in producing the events which +afterwards took place. The last reinforcements of continental troops +arrived in camp about this time, and added both courage and strength +to the army. The harvest, which had detained the northern militia upon +their farms, was over; and General Schuyler, whose continued and +eminent services had not exempted him from the imputation of being a +traitor, was succeeded by General Gates, who possessed a large share +of the public confidence. + + [Footnote 83: See note No. IX. at the end of the volume.] + +[Sidenote: General Gates takes command of the Northern Army.] + +When Schuyler was directed by congress to resume the command of the +northern department, Gates withdrew himself from it. When the +resolution passed recalling the general officers who had served in +that department, General Washington was requested to name a successor +to Schuyler. On his expressing a wish to decline this nomination, and +representing the inconvenience of removing all the general officers, +Gates was again directed to repair thither and take the command, and +their resolution to recall the brigadiers was suspended until the +Commander-in-chief should be of opinion that it might be carried into +effect with safety. + +Schuyler retained the command until the arrival of Gates, which was on +the 19th of August, and continued his exertions to restore the affairs +of the department, though he felt acutely the disgrace of being +recalled in this critical and interesting state of the campaign. "It +is," said he, in a letter to the Commander-in-chief, "matter of +extreme chagrin to me to be deprived of the command at a time when, +soon if ever, we shall probably be enabled to face the enemy; when we +are on the point of taking ground[84] where they must attack to a +disadvantage, should our force be inadequate to facing them in the +field; when an opportunity will, in all probability, occur, in which I +might evince that I am not what congress have too plainly insinuated +by taking the command from me." + + [Footnote 84: The islands in the mouth of the Mohawk.] + +If error be attributable to the evacuation of Ticonderoga, no portion +of it was committed by Schuyler. His removal from the command was +probably severe and unjust as respected himself; but perhaps wise as +respected America. The frontier towards the lakes was to be defended +by the troops of New England; and, however unfounded their prejudices +against him might be, it was prudent to consult them. + +Notwithstanding the difficulties which multiplied around him, Burgoyne +remained steady to his purpose. The disasters at Bennington and on the +Mohawk produced no disposition to abandon the enterprise and save his +army. + +{September 14.} + +[Sidenote: Burgoyne encamps on the heights of Saratoga.] + +It had now become necessary to recur to the slow and toilsome mode of +obtaining supplies from fort George. Having, with persevering labour, +collected provision for thirty days in advance, he crossed the Hudson +on the 13th and 14th of September, and encamped on the heights and +plains of Saratoga, with a determination to decide the fate of the +expedition in a general engagement. + +General Gates, having been joined by all the continental troops +destined for the northern department, and reinforced by large bodies +of militia, had moved from his camp in the islands, and advanced to +the neighbourhood of Stillwater. + +[Sidenote: He attacks Gates at Stillwater.] + +{September 19.} + +The bridges between the two armies having been broken down, the roads +being excessively bad, and the country covered with wood, the progress +of the British army down the river was slow. On the night of the 17th, +Burgoyne encamped within four miles of the American army, and the next +day was employed in repairing the bridges between the two camps.[85] +In the morning of the 19th he advanced in full force towards the +American left. Morgan was immediately detached with his corps to +observe the enemy, and to harass his front and flanks. He fell in with +a picket in front of the right wing, which he attacked with vivacity, +and drove in upon the main body. Pursuing with too much ardour, he was +met in considerable force, and, after a severe encounter, was +compelled, in turn, to retire in some disorder. Two regiments being +advanced to his assistance, his corps was rallied, and the action +became more general. The Americans were formed in a wood, with an open +field in front, and invariably repulsed the British corps which +attacked them; but when they pursued those corps to the main body, +they were in turn driven back to their first ground. Reinforcements +were continually brought up, and about four in the afternoon, upwards +of three thousand American troops[86] were closely engaged with the +whole right wing of the British army commanded by General Burgoyne in +person. The conflict was extremely severe, and only terminated with +the day. At dark, the Americans retired to their camp, and the +British, who had found great difficulty in maintaining their ground, +lay all night on their arms near the field of battle. + + [Footnote 85: Letter of Burgoyne.] + + [Footnote 86: The accounts of the day stated that the + Americans were commanded by General Arnold, but General + Wilkinson says that no general officer was in the field.] + +In this action the killed and wounded on the part of the Americans +were between three and four hundred. Among the former were Colonels +Coburn and Adams, and several other valuable officers. The British +loss has been estimated at rather more than five hundred men. + +Each army claimed the victory; and each believed itself to have beaten +near the whole of the hostile army with only a part of its own force. +The advantage, however, taking all circumstances into consideration, +was decidedly with the Americans. In a conflict which nearly consumed +the day, they found themselves at least equal to their antagonists. In +every quarter they had acted on the offensive; and, after an encounter +for several hours, had not lost an inch of ground. They had not been +driven from the field, but had retired from it at the close of day, to +the camp from which they had marched to battle. Their object, which +was to check the advancing enemy, had been obtained; while that of the +British general had failed. In the actual state of things, to fight +without being beaten was, on their part, victory; while, on the part +of the British, to fight without a decisive victory, was defeat. The +Indians, who found themselves beaten in the woods by Morgan, and +restrained from scalping and plundering the unarmed by Burgoyne, who +saw before them the prospect of hard fighting without profit, grew +tired of the service, and deserted in great numbers. The Canadians and +Provincials were not much more faithful; and Burgoyne soon perceived +that his hopes must rest almost entirely on his European troops. + +With reason, therefore, this action was celebrated throughout the +United States as a victory, and considered as the precursor of the +total ruin of the invading army. The utmost exultation was displayed, +and the militia were stimulated to fly to arms, and complete the work +so happily begun. + +General Lincoln, in conformity with directions which have been stated, +had assembled a considerable body of New England militia in the rear +of Burgoyne, from which he drew three parties of about five hundred +men each. One of these was detached under the command of Colonel +Brown, to the north end of Lake George, principally to relieve a +number of prisoners who were confined there, but with orders to push +his success, should he be fortunate, as far as prudence would admit. +Colonel Johnson, at the head of another party, marched towards Mount +Independence, and Colonel Woodbury, with a third, was detached to +Skeensborough to cover the retreat of both the others. With the +residue, Lincoln proceeded to the camp of Gates. + +Colonel Brown, after marching all night, arrived, at the break of day, +on the north end of the lake, where he found a small post which he +carried without opposition. The surprise was complete; and he took +possession of Mount Defiance, Mount Hope, the landing place, and about +two hundred batteaux. With the loss of only three killed and five +wounded, he liberated one hundred American prisoners, and captured two +hundred and ninety-three of the enemy. This success was joyfully +proclaimed through the northern states. It was believed confidently +that Ticonderoga and Mount Independence were recovered; and the +militia were exhorted, by joining their brethren in the army, to +insure that event if it had not already happened. + +The attempt on those places however failed. The garrison repulsed the +assailants; who, after a few days, abandoned the siege. On their +return through Lake George in the vessels they had captured, the +militia made an attack on Diamond Island, the depot of all the stores +collected at the north end of the lake. Being again repulsed, they +destroyed the vessels they had taken, and returned to their former +station.[87] + + [Footnote 87: Remem.] + +{September 21.} + +The day after the battle of Stillwater, General Burgoyne took a +position almost within cannon shot of the American camp, fortified his +right, and extended his left to the river. Directly after taking this +ground he received a letter from Sir Henry Clinton, informing him that +he should attack fort Montgomery about the 20th of September. The +messenger returned with information that Burgoyne was in extreme +difficulty, and would endeavour to wait for aid until the 12th of +October.[88] + + [Footnote 88: Letter of Burgoyne.] + +Both armies retained their position until the 7th of October. +Burgoyne, in the hope of being relieved by Sir Henry Clinton; and +Gates, in the confidence of growing stronger every day. + +{October 7.} + +Having received no farther intelligence from Sir Henry, and being +reduced to the necessity of diminishing the ration issued to his +soldiers, the British general determined to make one more trial of +strength with his adversary. In execution of this determination, he +drew out on his right fifteen hundred choice troops, whom he commanded +in person, assisted by Generals Philips, Reidisel, and Frazer. + +The right wing was formed within three-quarters of a mile of the left +of the American camp; and a corps of rangers, Indians, and +provincials, was pushed on through secret paths, to show themselves in +its rear, and excite alarm in that quarter.[89] + + [Footnote 89: Remem.] + +These movements were perceived by General Gates, who determined to +attack their left, and, at the same time, to fall on their right +flank. Poor's brigade, and some regiments from New Hampshire, were +ordered to meet them in front; while Morgan with his rifle corps made +a circuit unperceived, and seized a very advantageous height covered +with wood on their right. As soon as it was supposed that Morgan had +gained the ground he intended to occupy, the attack was made in front +and on the left, in great force. At this critical moment Morgan poured +in a deadly and incessant fire on the front and right flank. + +While the British right wing was thus closely pressed in front, and on +its flank, a distinct division of the American troops was ordered to +intercept its retreat to camp, and to separate it from the residue of +the army. Burgoyne perceived the danger of his situation, and ordered +the light infantry under General Frazer, with part of the 24th +regiment, to form a second line, in order to cover the light infantry +of the right, and secure a retreat. While this movement was in +progress, the left of the British right was forced from its ground, +and the light infantry was ordered to its aid. In the attempt to +execute this order, they were attacked by the rifle corps, with great +effect; and Frazer was mortally wounded. Overpowered by numbers, and +pressed on all sides by a superior weight of fire, Burgoyne, with +great difficulty, and with the loss of his field pieces, and great +part of his artillery corps, regained his camp. The Americans followed +close in his rear; and assaulted his works throughout their whole +extent. Towards the close of day, the intrenchments were forced on +their right; and General Arnold, with a few men, actually entered +their works; but his horse being killed under him, and himself +wounded, the troops were forced out of them; and it being nearly dark, +they desisted from the assault. The left of Arnold's division was +still more successful. Jackson's regiment of Massachusetts, then led +by Lieutenant Colonel Brooks, turned the right of the encampment, and +stormed the works occupied by the German reserve. Lieutenant Colonel +Brechman who commanded in them was killed, and the works were carried. +The orders given by Burgoyne to recover them were not executed; and +Brooks maintained the ground he had gained. + +Darkness put an end to the action; and the Americans lay all night +with their arms in their hands, about half a mile from the British +lines, ready to renew the assault with the return of day. The +advantage they had gained was decisive. They had taken several pieces +of artillery, killed a great number of men, made upwards of two +hundred prisoners, among whom were several officers of distinction, +and had penetrated the lines in a part which exposed the whole to +considerable danger. + +Unwilling to risk the events of the next day on the same ground, +Burgoyne changed his position in the course of the night, and drew his +whole army into a strong camp on the river heights, extending his +right up the river. This movement extricated him from the danger of +being attacked the ensuing morning by an enemy already in possession +of part of his works. + +{October 8.} + +General Gates perceived the strength of this position, and was not +disposed to hazard an assault. Aware of the critical situation of his +adversary, he detached a party higher up the Hudson for the purpose of +intercepting the British army on its retreat, while strong corps were +posted on the other side of the river to guard its passage. + +[Sidenote: Retreats to Saratoga.] + +This movement compelled Burgoyne again to change his position, and to +retire to Saratoga. About nine at night the retreat was commenced, and +was effected with the loss of his hospital, containing about three +hundred sick, and of several batteaux laden with provision and +baggage. On reaching the ground to be occupied, he found a strong +corps already intrenched on the opposite side of the river, prepared +to dispute its passage. + +{October 10.} + +From Saratoga, Burgoyne detached a company of artificers, under a +strong escort, to repair the roads and bridges towards fort Edward. +Scarcely had this detachment moved, when the Americans appeared in +force on the heights south of Saratoga creek, and made dispositions +which excited the apprehension of a design to cross it and attack his +camp. The Europeans escorting the artificers were recalled, and a +provincial corps, employed in the same service, being attacked by a +small party, ran away and left the workmen to shift for themselves. + +No hope of repairing the roads remaining, it became impossible to move +the baggage and artillery. + +The British army was now almost completely environed by a superior +force. No means remained of extricating itself from difficulties and +dangers which were continually increasing, but fording a river, on the +opposite bank of which a formidable body of troops was already posted; +and then escaping to fort George, through roads impassable by +artillery or wagons, while its rear was closely pressed by a +victorious enemy.[90] + + [Footnote 90: Mr. Gordon, in his history of the war, states + himself to have received from General Glover an anecdote, + showing, that all these advantages were on the point of + being exposed to imminent hazard. "On the morning of the + eleventh, Gates called the general officers together, and + informed them of his having received certain intelligence, + which might be depended upon, that the main body of + Burgoyne's army was marched off for fort Edward with what + they could take; and that the rear guard only was left in + the camp, who, after awhile, were to push off as fast as + possible, leaving the heavy baggage behind. On this it was + concluded to advance and attack the camp in half an hour. + The officers repaired immediately to their respective + commands. General Nixon's being the eldest brigade, crossed + the Saratoga creek first. Unknown to the Americans, Burgoyne + had a line formed behind a parcel of brush-wood, to support + the park of artillery where the attack was to be made. + General Glover was upon the point of following Nixon. Just + as he entered the water, he saw a British soldier making + across, whom he called and examined." This soldier was a + deserter, and communicated the very important fact that the + whole British army were in their encampment. Nixon was + immediately stopped: and the intelligence conveyed to Gates, + who countermanded his orders for the assault, and called + back his troops, not without sustaining some loss from the + British artillery. + + Gordon is confirmed by General Wilkinson, who was adjutant + general in the American army. The narrative of the general + varies from that of Gordon only in minor circumstances.] + +A council of general officers called to deliberate on their situation, +took the bold resolution to abandon every thing but their arms and +such provisions as the soldiers could carry; and, by a forced march in +the night up the river, to extricate themselves from the American +army; and crossing at fort Edward, or at a ford above it, to press on +to fort George. + +Gates had foreseen this movement, and had prepared for it. In addition +to placing strong guards at the fords of the Hudson, he had formed an +intrenched camp on the high grounds between fort Edward and fort +George. The scouts sent to examine the route returned with this +information, and the plan was abandoned as impracticable. + +Nothing could be more hopeless than the condition of the British army, +or more desperate than that of their general, as described by himself. +In his letter to Lord George Germain, secretary of state for American +affairs, he says, "A series of hard toil, incessant effort, stubborn +action, until disabled in the collateral branches of the army by the +total defection of the Indians; the desertion, or timidity of the +Canadians and provincials, some individuals excepted; disappointed in +the last hope of any co-operation from other armies; the regular +troops reduced by losses from the best parts, to three thousand five +hundred fighting men, not two thousand of which were British; only +three days provisions, upon short allowance, in store; invested by an +army of sixteen thousand men; and no appearance of retreat remaining; +I called into council all the generals, field officers, and captains +commanding corps, and by their unanimous concurrence and advice, I was +induced to open a treaty with Major General Gates." + +A treaty was opened with a general proposition, stating the +willingness of the British general to spare the further effusion of +blood, provided a negotiation could be effected on honourable terms. + +[Sidenote: Surrender of the army under Burgoyne.] + +{October 17.} + +This proposition was answered by a demand that the whole army should +ground their arms in their encampment, and surrender themselves +prisoners of war. This demand was instantly rejected, with a +declaration that if General Gates designed to insist on it, the +negotiation must immediately break off, and hostilities recommence. On +receiving this decided answer, Gates receded from the rigorous terms +at first proposed; and a convention was signed, in which it was agreed +that the British army, after marching out of their encampment with all +the honours of war, should lay down their arms, and not serve against +the United States till exchanged. They were not to be detained in +captivity, but to be permitted to embark for England. + +The situation of the armies considered,[91] these terms were highly +honourable to the British general, and favourable to his nation. They +were probably more advantageous than would have been granted by +General Gates, had he entertained no apprehension from Sir Henry +Clinton, who was, at length, making the promised diversion on the +North River, up which he had penetrated as far as Æsopus. + + [Footnote 91: The American army consisted of nine thousand + and ninety-three continental troops. The number of the + militia fluctuated; but amounted, at the signature of the + convention, to four thousand one hundred and twenty-nine. + The sick exceeded two thousand five hundred men.] + +The drafts made from Peekskill for both armies had left that post in a +situation to require the aid of militia for its security. The +requisitions of General Putnam were complied with; but the attack upon +them being delayed, the militia, who were anxious to seed their farms, +became impatient; many deserted; and General Putnam was induced to +discharge the residue. + +Governor Clinton immediately ordered out half the militia of New York, +with assurances that they should be relieved in one month by the other +half. This order was executed so slowly that the forts were carried +before the militia were in the field. + +Great pains had been taken, and much labour employed, to render this +position, which is naturally strong, still more secure. The principal +defences were forts Montgomery and Clinton. They had been constructed +on the western bank of the Hudson, on very high ground, extremely +difficult of access, and were separated from each other by a small +creek which runs from the mountains into the river. These forts were +too much elevated to be battered from the water, and the hills on +which they stood were too steep to be ascended by troops landing at +the foot of them. The mountains, which commence five or six miles +below them, are so high and rugged, the defiles, through which the +roads leading to them pass, so narrow, and so commanded by the heights +on both sides, that the approaches to them are extremely difficult and +dangerous. + +To prevent ships from passing the forts, chevaux-de-frise had been +sunk in the river, and a boom extended from bank to bank, which was +covered with immense chains stretched at some distance in its front. +These works were defended by the guns of the forts, and by a frigate +and galleys stationed above them, capable of opposing with an equal +fire in front any force which might attack them by water from below. + +Fort Independence is four or five miles below forts Montgomery and +Clinton, and on the opposite side of the river, on a high point of +land; and fort Constitution is rather more than six miles above them, +on an island near the eastern shore. Peekskill, the general head +quarters of the officer commanding at the station, is just below fort +Independence, and on the same side of the river. The garrisons had +been reduced to about six hundred men; and the whole force under +General Putnam did not much exceed two thousand. Yet this force, +though far inferior to that which General Washington had ordered to be +retained at the station, was, if properly applied, more than competent +to the defence of the forts against any numbers which could be spared +from New York. To insure success to the enterprise, it was necessary +to draw the attention of Putnam from the real object, and to storm the +works before the garrisons could be aided by his army. This Sir Henry +Clinton accomplished. + +{October 6.} + +Between three and four thousand men embarked at New York, and landed +on the 5th of October at Verplank's Point, on the east side of the +Hudson, a short distance below Peekskill, upon which General Putnam +retired to the heights in his rear. On the evening of the same day, a +part of these troops re-embarked, and the fleet moved up the river to +Peekskill Neck, in order to mask King's ferry, which was below them. +The next morning, at break of day, the troops destined for the +enterprise, landed on the west side of Stony Point, and commenced +their march through the mountains, into the rear of forts Clinton and +Montgomery.[92] This disembarkation was observed; but the morning was +so foggy that the numbers could not be distinguished; and a large +fire, which was afterwards perceived at the landing place, suggested +the idea that the sole object of the party on shore was the burning of +some store houses. In the mean time, the manoeuvres of the vessels, +and the appearance of a small detachment left at Verplank's Point, +persuaded General Putnam that the meditated attack was on fort +Independence. + + [Footnote 92: Letter of Sir Henry Clinton.] + +[Sidenote: Forts Montgomery and Clinton taken by the British.] + +His whole attention was directed to this object; and the real designs +of the enemy were not suspected, until a heavy firing from the other +side of the river announced the assault on forts Clinton and +Montgomery. Five hundred men were instantly detached to reinforce the +garrisons of those places; but before this detachment could cross the +river the forts were in possession of the British. + +Having left a battalion at the pass of Thunderhill, to keep up a +communication, Sir Henry Clinton had formed his army into two +divisions; one of which consisting of nine hundred men, commanded by +Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, made a circuit by the forest of Deane, in +order to fall on the back of fort Montgomery; while the other, +consisting of twelve hundred men, commanded by General Vaughan, and +accompanied by Sir Henry Clinton in person, advanced slowly against +fort Clinton.[93] + + [Footnote 93: Letter of Sir Henry Clinton.] + +Both posts were assaulted about five in the afternoon. The works were +defended with resolution, and were maintained until dark, when, the +lines being too extensive to be completely manned, the assailants +entered them in different places. The defence being no longer +possible, some of the garrison were made prisoners, while their better +knowledge of the country enabled others to escape. Governor Clinton +passed the river in a boat, and General James Clinton, though wounded +in the thigh by a bayonet, also made his escape. Lieutenant Colonels +Livingston and Bruyn, and Majors Hamilton and Logan were among the +prisoners. The loss sustained by the garrisons was about two hundred +and fifty men. That of the assailants, was stated by Sir H. Clinton, +at less than two hundred. Among the killed were Lieutenant Colonel +Campbell, and two other field officers. + +[Sidenote: Peekskill, together with Forts Independence and +Constitution evacuated by the Americans.] + +As the boom and chains drawn across the river could no longer be +defended, the continental frigates and galleys lying above them were +burnt, to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. Fort +Independence and fort Constitution were evacuated the next day, and +Putnam retreated to Fishkill. General Vaughan, after burning +Continental village, where stores to a considerable amount had been +deposited, proceeded, at the head of a strong detachment, up the river +to Æsopus, which he also destroyed.[94] + + [Footnote 94: Intelligence of the success of Sir Henry + Clinton on the North River was received by General Burgoyne, + in the night after the convention at Saratoga had been + agreed upon, but before the articles had been signed and + executed. The British general had serious thoughts of + breaking off the treaty.] + +{October 8.} + +General Putnam, whose army had been augmented by reinforcements of +militia to six thousand men, detached General Parsons with two +thousand, to repossess himself of Peekskill, and of the passes in the +highlands; while, with the residue, he watched the progress of the +enemy up the river. The want of heavy artillery prevented his annoying +their ships in the Hudson. + +On the capitulation of Burgoyne, near five thousand men had been +detached by Gates to his aid. Before their arrival, General Vaughan +had returned to New York, whence a reinforcement to General Howe was +then about to sail. + +Great as was the injury sustained by the United States from this +enterprise, Great Britain derived from it no solid advantage. It was +undertaken at too late a period to save Burgoyne; and though the +passes in the highlands were acquired, they could not be retained. The +British had reduced to ashes every village, and almost every house +within their power; but this wanton and useless destruction served to +irritate, without tending to subdue. A keenness was given to the +resentment of the injured, which outlasted the contest between the two +nations. + +The army which surrendered at Saratoga exceeded five thousand men. On +marching from Ticonderoga, it was estimated at nine thousand. In +addition to this great military force, the British lost, and the +Americans acquired, a fine train of artillery, seven thousand stand of +excellent arms, clothing for seven thousand recruits, with tents, and +other military stores, to a considerable amount. + +The thanks of congress were voted to General Gates and his army; and a +medal of gold, in commemoration of this great event, was ordered to be +struck, and presented to him by the President, in the name of the +United States. Colonel Wilkinson, his Adjutant General, whom he +strongly recommended, was appointed Brigadier General by brevet. + +[Illustration: The Saratoga Battle Monument + +_Schuylerville, New York_ + +_"Nothing bespeaks more strongly the consummate tragedy of Benedict +Arnold's career than the Battle Monument which rises on the banks of +the Hudson to commemorate the victory of Saratoga. In the square shaft +are four high Gothic arches, and in these are placed heroic statues of +the generals who won the victory. Horatio Gates, unworthy though he +was, stands there in bronze. The gallant Schuyler, the intrepid +Morgan, honor the other two. But where is he whose valor turned back +the advancing Saint-Leger? whose prompt decision saved the Continental +position at Bemis Heights? whose military genius truly gained the day? +A vacant niche--empty as England's rewards, void as his own +life--speaks more eloquently than words, more strongly than +condemnation, more pitifully than tears, of a mighty career blighted +by treason and hurled into the bottomless pit of despair. This is +America's way of honoring Arnold in his dishonor."_ + +--From The Real America in Romance.] + +In the opinion that the British would not immediately abandon the +passes in the highlands, congress ordered Putnam to join General +Washington with a reinforcement not exceeding two thousand five +hundred men, and directed Gates to take command of the army on the +Hudson, with unlimited powers to call for aids of militia from the New +England States, as well as from New York and New Jersey. + +A proposition to authorize the Commander-in-chief, after consulting +with General Gates and Governor Clinton, to increase the detachment +designed to strengthen his army, if he should then be of opinion that +it might be done without endangering the objects to be accomplished by +Gates, was seriously opposed. An attempt was made to amend this +proposition so as to make the increase of the reinforcement to depend +on the assent of Gates and Clinton; but this amendment was lost by a +considerable majority, and the original resolution was carried. These +proceedings were attended with no other consequences than to excite +some degree of attention to the state of parties. + +[Sidenote: Ticonderoga and Mount Independence evacuated by the enemy.] + +Soon after the capitulation of Burgoyne, Ticonderoga and Mount +Independence were evacuated, and the garrison retired to Isle Aux +Noix, and St. Johns. + +The effect produced by this event on the British cabinet and nation +was great and immediate. It seemed to remove the delusive hopes of +conquest with which they had been flattered, and suddenly to display +the mass of resistance which must yet be encountered. Previous to the +reception of this disastrous intelligence, the employment of savages +in the war had been the subject of severe animadversion. Parliament +was assembled on the 20th of November; and, as usual, addresses were +proposed in answer to the speech from the throne, entirely approving +the conduct of the administration. In the House of Lords, the Earl of +Chatham moved to amend the address by introducing a clause +recommending to his Majesty, an immediate cessation of hostilities, +and the commencement of a treaty of conciliation, "to restore peace +and liberty to America, strength and happiness to England, security +and permanent prosperity to both countries." In the course of the very +animated observations made by this extraordinary man in support of his +motion, he said,[95] "But, my Lords, who is the man that, in addition +to the disgraces and mischiefs of war, has dared to authorize and +associate to our arms the tomahawk and scalping-knife of the savage? +to call into civilized alliance the wild and inhuman inhabitant of the +woods? to delegate to the merciless Indian the defence of disputed +rights, and to wage the horrors of his barbarous war against our +brethren? My Lords, these enormities cry aloud for redress and +punishment. Unless thoroughly done away they will be a stain on the +national character. It is not the least of our national misfortunes +that the strength and character of our army are thus impaired. +Familiarized to the horrid scenes of savage cruelty, it can no longer +boast of the noble and generous principles which dignify a soldier. No +longer sympathize with the dignity of the royal banner, nor feel the +pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war that makes ambition +virtue. What makes ambition virtue? the sense of honour. But is this +sense of honour consistent with the spirit of plunder, or the practice +of murder? Can it flow from mercenary motives? or can it prompt to +cruel deeds?"[96] + + [Footnote 95: Life of Chatham.--Belsham.] + + [Footnote 96: See note No. X. at the end of the volume.] + +The conduct of administration, however, received the full approbation +of large majorities; but the triumph these victories in Parliament +afforded them was of short duration. The disastrous issue of an +expedition from which the most sanguine expectations had been formed, +was soon known, and the mortification it produced was extreme. A +reluctant confession of the calamity was made by the minister, and a +desire to restore peace on any terms consistent with the integrity of +the empire found its way into the cabinet. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Defects in the Commissary department.... Distress of the + army at Valley Forge.... The army subsisted by + impressments.... Combination in congress against General + Washington.... Correspondence between him and General + Gates.... Distress of the army for clothes.... Washington's + exertions to augment the army.... Congress sends a committee + to camp.... Attempt to surprise Captain Lee.... Congress + determines on a second expedition to Canada.... Abandons + it.... General Conway resigns.... The Baron Steuben + appointed Inspector General.... Congress forbids the + embarkation of Burgoyne's army.... Plan of reconciliation + agreed to in Parliament.... Communicated to congress and + rejected.... Information of treaties between France and the + United States.... Great Britain declares war against + France.... The treaties with France ratified by congress.... + Complaints of the treatment of prisoners.... A partial + exchange agreed to. + + +{1777} + +The army under the immediate command of General Washington was engaged +through the winter in endeavouring to stop the intercourse between +Philadelphia and the country. To effect this object General Smallwood +was detached with one division to Wilmington; Colonel Morgan was +placed on the lines on the west side of the Schuylkill; and General +Armstrong, with the Pennsylvania militia, was stationed near the old +camp at White Marsh. Major Jameson, with two troops of cavalry, and +M'Lane's infantry, was directed to guard the east, and Captain Lee +with his troop, the west side of that river. General Count Pulaski, a +Polish nobleman who commanded the horse, led the residue of the +cavalry to Trenton, where he trained them for the ensuing campaign. + +{December 22.} + +One of the first operations meditated by General Washington after +crossing the Schuylkill was the destruction of a large quantity of hay +which remained in the islands above the mouth of Derby Creek, within +the power of the British. Early in the morning after his orders for +this purpose had been given, Sir William Howe marched out in full +force, and encamped between Derby and the middle party, so as +completely to cover the islands; while a foraging party removed the +hay. Washington, with the intention of disturbing this operation, gave +orders for putting his army in motion, when the alarming fact was +disclosed, that the commissary's stores were exhausted, and that the +last ration had been delivered and consumed. + +Accustomed as were the continental troops to privations of every sort, +it would have been hazarding too much to move them, under these +circumstances, against a powerful enemy. In a desert, or in a garrison +where food is unattainable, courage, patriotism, and habits of +discipline, enable the soldier to conquer wants which, in ordinary +situations, would be deemed invincible. But to perish in a country +abounding with provisions, requires something more than fortitude; nor +can soldiers readily submit, while in such a country, to the +deprivation of food. It is not therefore surprising that, among a few +of the troops, some indications of a mutiny appeared. It is much more +astonishing that the great body of the army bore a circumstance so +irritating, and to them so unaccountable, without a murmur. + +On receiving intelligence of the fact, General Washington ordered the +country to be scoured, and provisions, for supplying the pressing +wants of the moment, to be seized wherever found. In the mean time, +light parties were detached to harass the enemy about Derby, where Sir +William Howe, with his accustomed circumspection, kept his army so +compact, and his soldiers so within the lines, that an opportunity to +annoy him was seldom afforded even to the vigilance of Morgan and Lee. +After completing his forage, he returned, with inconsiderable loss, to +Philadelphia. + +That the American army, while the value still retained by paper bills +placed ample funds in the hands of government, should be destitute of +food, in the midst of a state so abounding with provisions as +Pennsylvania, is one of those extraordinary facts which can not fail +to excite attention. + +[Sidenote: Defects in the Commissary Department.] + +Early in the war, the office of commissary general had been confirmed +on Colonel Trumbull, of Connecticut, a gentleman fitted by his +talents, activity and zeal, for that important station. Yet, from the +difficulty of arranging so complicated a department in its +commencement, without the advantages of experience, complaints were +repeatedly made of the insufficiency of supplies. + +The subject was taken up by congress; but the remedy administered, as +well from the time of its application, as from the ingredients of +which it was composed, served only to increase the disease. The system +was not completed until near midsummer; and then its arrangements were +such that Colonel Trumbull refused to accept the office assigned to +him; and new men were to be called into service at a time when the +strongest necessity required the exertions of those who understood the +plan of supplies for the campaign in all its modifications. In +addition to the commissary of purchases, and a commissary general of +issues, each to be appointed by congress, the new plan contemplated +four deputies in each department, also to be appointed by that body, +who were not accountable to, nor removeable by the head of the +department, but might be suspended, and accused before congress who +should examine the charge, and either remove the accused from his +office, or reinstate him in it. + +[Sidenote: Distress of the American army at Valley Forge for +provisions.] + +This _imperium in imperio_, erected in direct opposition to the +opinion of the Commander-in-chief, drove Colonel Trumbull from the +army. Congress, however, persisted in the system; and the effects of +deranging so important a department as that which feeds the troops, in +the midst of a campaign, were not long in unfolding themselves. In +every military division of the continent, loud complaints were made of +the deficiency of supplies. The success of Gates appears to have been +more endangered by this cause, than by the movement of Sir Henry +Clinton up the Hudson. The army of General Washington was often +greatly embarrassed, and his movements not unfrequently suspended, by +the want of provisions. The present total failure of all supply was +preceded, for a few days, by the issuing of meat unfit to be eaten. +Representations on this subject were made to the Commander-in-chief, +who, on the morning that Sir William Howe moved out to Derby, and +before intelligence of that movement had been received, communicated +them to congress. + +[Sidenote: The army subsisted in a great measure by impressments.] + +That body had authorized the Commander-in-chief to seize provisions +for the use of his army within seventy miles of head quarters; and +either to pay for them in money, or in certificates, for the +redemption of which the faith of the United States was pledged. The +odium of this measure was increased by the failure of the government +to provide funds to take up these certificates when presented. + +At the same time, the provisions carried into Philadelphia were paid +for in specie at a good price. The inhabitants of that part of +Pennsylvania were not zealous in support of the war, and the +difference between prompt payment in gold or silver, and a +certificate, the value of which was often diminished by depreciation +before its payment, was too great not to influence their wishes and +their conduct. Such was the dexterity they employed that, +notwithstanding the rigour of the laws, and the vigilance of the +troops stationed on the lines, they often succeeded in concealing +their provisions from those who were authorized to impress for the +army, and in conveying them privately into Philadelphia. + +{December 10.} + +General Washington exercised the powers confided to him with caution, +but he did exercise them; and by doing so, acquired considerable +supplies. Congress appeared as much dissatisfied with the lenity of +the Commander-in-chief, as the people were with his rigour, in +consequence of which the subject was taken into consideration, his +forbearance disapproved, and instructions given for the rigorous +exertions in future of the powers with which he was invested. In reply +to the letter communicating these resolves, the General stated the +conduct he had observed, insisted that provisions had been taken very +extensively, and repeated his opinion, that such measures would be +much more readily submitted to if executed by the civil authority. + +In obedience, however, to the will of congress, he issued a +proclamation, requiring the farmers within seventy miles of head +quarters, to thrash out one half of their grain by the first of +February, and the residue by the first of March, under the penalty of +having the whole seized as straw. + +The success of this experiment did not correspond with the wishes of +congress. It was attended with the pernicious consequences which had +been foreseen by the General, to avoid which he had considered this +system as a dernier ressort, of which he was to avail himself only in +extreme cases. In answer to a letter on this subject from the board of +war, he said, "I shall use every exertion that may be expedient and +practicable for subsisting the army, and keeping it together; but I +must observe, that this never can be done by coercive means. Supplies +of provisions and clothing must be had in another way, or it can not +exist. The small seizures that were made of the former some time ago, +in consequence of the most pressing and urgent necessity--when the +alternative was to do that or dissolve--excited the greatest alarm and +uneasiness imaginable, even among some of our best and warmest +friends. Such procedures may relieve for an instant, but eventually +will prove of the most pernicious consequence. Besides spreading +disaffection and jealousy among the people, they never fail, even in +the most veteran armies, to raise in the soldiery a disposition to +licentiousness, plunder, and robbery, which it has ever been found +exceeding difficult to suppress; and which has not only proved ruinous +to the inhabitants, but, in many instances, to the armies themselves." +In a subsequent letter to congress, he added, "I regret the occasion +which compelled us to the measure the other day, and shall consider it +as among the greatest of our misfortunes to be under the necessity of +practising it again. I am now obliged to keep several parties from the +army thrashing grain, that our supplies may not fail; but this will +not do." + +[Sidenote: Combination formed in Congress against General Washington.] + +About this time, a strong combination was forming against the +Commander-in-chief, into which several members of congress, and a very +few officers of the army are believed to have entered. + +[Sidenote: General Gates supposed to be concerned in it.] + +[Sidenote: Correspondence on this subject between the two generals.] + +The splendour with which the capture of a British army had surrounded +the military reputation of General Gates, acquired some advocates for +the opinion that the arms of America would be more fortunate, should +that gentleman be elevated to the supreme command. He could not be +supposed hostile himself to the prevalence of this opinion; and some +parts of his conduct would seem to warrant a belief that, if it did +not originate with him, he was not among the last to adopt it. After +the victory of the seventh of October had opened to him the prospect +of subduing the arms of Burgoyne, he not only omitted to communicate +his success to General Washington, but carried on a correspondence +with General Conway, in which that officer expressed great contempt +for the Commander-in-chief. When the purport of this correspondence +was disclosed to General Washington, Gates demanded the name of the +informer in a letter far from being conciliatory in its terms, which +was accompanied with the very extraordinary circumstance of being +passed through congress.[97] The state of Pennsylvania too, chagrined +at the loss of its capital, and forgetful of its own backwardness in +strengthening the army, which had twice fought superior numbers in its +defence, furnished many discontented individuals. They imputed it to +General Washington as a fault that, with forces inferior to his enemy +in numbers, and in every equipment, he had not effected the same +result which had been produced in the north, by a continental army, in +itself, much stronger than its adversary, and so reinforced by militia +as to treble his numbers. On the report that General Washington was +moving into winter quarters, the legislature of that state addressed a +remonstrance to congress on the subject, manifesting, in very +intelligible terms, their dissatisfaction with the Commander-in-chief. +About the same time, a new board of war was created, of which General +Gates was appointed the President; and General Mifflin, who was +supposed to be of the party unfriendly to Washington, was one of its +members. General Conway, who was probably the only brigadier in the +army that had joined this faction, was appointed inspector general, +and was promoted, above senior brigadiers, to the rank of major +general. These were evidences that, if the hold which the +Commander-in-chief had taken of the affections and confidence of the +army and of the nation could be loosened, the party in congress +disposed to change their general, was far from being contemptible in +point of numbers. But to loosen this hold was impossible. The +indignation with which the idea of such a change was received even by +the victorious troops who had conquered under Gates, forms the most +conclusive proof of its strength. Even the northern army clung to +Washington as the saviour of his country. + + [Footnote 97: See note No. XI. at the end of the volume.] + +These machinations to diminish the well-earned reputation of the +Commander-in-chief, could not escape his notice. They made, however, +no undue impression on his steady mind, nor did they change one of his +measures. His sensibilities seem to have been those of patriotism, of +apprehension for his country, rather than of wounded pride. His desire +to remain at the head of the army seemed to flow from the conviction +that his retaining that station would be useful to his country, rather +than from the gratification his high rank might furnish to ambition. +When he unbosomed himself to his private friends, the feelings and +sentiments he expressed were worthy of Washington. To Mr. Laurens, the +president of congress, and his private friend, who, in an unofficial +letter, had communicated an anonymous accusation made to him as +president, containing heavy charges against the Commander-in-chief, he +said, "I can not sufficiently express the obligation I feel towards +you for your friendship and politeness upon an occasion in which I am +deeply interested. I was not unapprised that a malignant faction had +been for some time forming to my prejudice, which, conscious as I am +of having ever done all in my power to answer the important purposes +of the trusts reposed in me, could not but give me some pain on a +personal account; but my chief concern arises from an apprehension of +the dangerous consequences which intestine dissensions may produce to +the common cause. + +"As I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am +unambitious of honours not founded in the approbation of my country, I +would not desire, in the least degree, to suppress a free spirit of +inquiry into any part of my conduct that even faction itself may deem +reprehensible. The anonymous paper handed you exhibits many serious +charges, and it is my wish that it may be submitted to congress. This +I am the more inclined to, as the suppression or concealment may +possibly involve you in embarrassment hereafter, since it is uncertain +how many, or who, may be privy to the contents. + +"My enemies take an ungenerous advantage of me. They know the delicacy +of my situation, and that motives of policy deprive me of the defence +I might otherwise make against their insidious attacks. They know I +can not combat their insinuations, however injurious, without +disclosing secrets it is of the utmost moment to conceal. But why +should I expect to be free from censure, the unfailing lot of an +elevated station? Merit and talents which I can not pretend to rival, +have ever been subject to it. My heart tells me it has been my +unremitted aim to do the best which circumstances would permit. Yet I +may have been very often mistaken in my judgment of the means, and may +in many instances deserve the imputation of error."[98] + + [Footnote 98: See note No. XII. at the end of the volume.] + +Fortunately for America, these combinations only excited resentment +against those who were believed to be engaged in them. + +{December.} + +{December 23.} + +Soon after being informed of the unfavourable disposition of some +members of congress towards him, and receiving the memorial of the +legislature of Pennsylvania against his going into winter quarters, +the General also discovered the failure already mentioned in the +commissary department. On this occasion, he addressed congress in +terms of energy and plainness which he had used on no former occasion. +In his letter to that body he said, "Full as I was in my +representation of the matters in the commissary's department +yesterday, fresh and more powerful reasons oblige me to add that I am +now convinced beyond a doubt that, unless some great and capital +change suddenly takes place in that line, this army must inevitably be +reduced to one or other of these three things--to starve, dissolve, or +disperse in order to obtain subsistence. Rest assured, sir, that this +is not an exaggerated picture, and that I have abundant reason to +suppose what I say. + +"Saturday afternoon, receiving information that the enemy, in force, +had left the city, and were advancing towards Derby with apparent +design to forage, and draw subsistence from that part of the country, +I ordered the troops to be in readiness, that I might give every +opposition in my power; when, to my great mortification, I was not +only informed, but convinced, that the men were unable to stir on +account of a want of provisions; and that a dangerous mutiny, begun +the night before, and which with difficulty was suppressed by the +spirited exertions of some officers, was still much to be apprehended +from the want of this article. + +"This brought forth the only commissary in the purchasing line in this +camp, and with him this melancholy and alarming truth, that he had not +a single hoof of any kind to slaughter, and not more than twenty-five +barrels of flour! From hence, form an opinion of our situation, when I +add that he could not tell when to expect any. + +[Sidenote: Distress of the American army for clothes.] + +"All I could do under these circumstances, was to send out a few light +parties to watch and harass the enemy, whilst other parties were +instantly detached different ways to collect, if possible, as much +provision as would satisfy the present pressing wants of the soldiers; +but will this answer? No, sir. Three or four days of bad weather would +prove our destruction. What then is to become of the army this winter? +And if we are now as often without provisions as with them, what is to +become of us in the spring, when our force will be collected, with the +aid perhaps of militia, to take advantage of an early campaign before +the enemy can be reinforced? These are considerations of great +magnitude, meriting the closest attention, and will, when my own +reputation is so intimately connected with, and to be affected by the +event, justify my saying, that the present commissaries are by no +means equal to the execution of the office, or that the disaffection +of the people surpasses all belief. The misfortune, however, does, in +my opinion, proceed from both causes; and, though I have been tender +heretofore of giving any opinion, or of lodging complaints, as the +change in that department took place contrary to my judgment, and the +consequences thereof were predicted; yet, finding that the inactivity +of the army, whether for want of provisions, clothes, or other +essentials, is charged to my account, not only by the common vulgar, +but by those in power; it is time to speak plain in exculpation of +myself. With truth, then, I can declare that no man, in my opinion, +ever had his measures more impeded than I have, by every department of +the army. Since the month of July, we have had no assistance from the +quartermaster general; and to want of assistance from this department, +the commissary general charges great part of his deficiency. To this I +am to add that, notwithstanding it is a standing order (often +repeated) that the troops shall always have two days provisions by +them, that they may be ready at any sudden call; yet, scarcely any +opportunity has ever offered of taking advantage of the enemy, that +has not been either totally obstructed, or greatly impeded, on this +account; and this, the great and crying evil is not all. Soap, +vinegar, and other articles allowed by congress, we see none of, nor +have we seen them, I believe, since the battle of Brandywine. The +first, indeed, we have little occasion for; few men having more than +one shirt, many, only the moiety of one, and some, none at all. In +addition to which, as a proof of the little benefit from a clothier +general, and at the same time, as a farther proof of the inability of +an army under the circumstances of this to perform the common duties +of soldiers, we have, by a field return this day made, besides a +number of men confined to hospitals for want of shoes, and others in +farmers' houses on the same account, no less than two thousand eight +hundred and ninety-eight men, now in camp, unfit for duty, because +they are bare-foot, and otherwise naked. By the same return, it +appears that our whole strength in continental troops, including the +eastern brigades, which have joined us since the surrender of General +Burgoyne, exclusive of the Maryland troops sent to Wilmington, amounts +to no more than eight thousand two hundred in camp fit for duty; +notwithstanding which, and that since the fourth instant, our number +fit for duty, from the hardships and exposures they have undergone, +particularly from the want of blankets, have decreased near two +thousand men, we find gentlemen, without knowing whether the army was +really going into winter quarters or not, (for I am sure no resolution +of mine would warrant the remonstrance), reprobating the measure as +much as if they thought the soldiers were made of stocks or stones, +and equally insensible of frost and snow; and moreover, as if they +conceived it easily practicable for an inferior army, under the +disadvantages I have described ours to be, which are by no means +exaggerated, to confine a superior one, in all respects well appointed +and provided for a winter's campaign, within the city of Philadelphia, +and to cover from depredation and waste the states of Pennsylvania, +Jersey, &c. But what makes this matter still more extraordinary in my +eye is, that these very gentlemen, who were well apprised of the +nakedness of the troops from ocular demonstration, who thought their +own soldiers worse clad than others, and advised me, near a month ago, +to postpone the execution of a plan I was about to adopt, in +consequence of a resolve of Congress for seizing clothes, under strong +assurances that an ample supply would be collected in ten days, +agreeably to a decree of the state; (not one article of which by the +by is yet to come to hand,) should think a winter's campaign, and the +covering of their states from the invasion of an enemy, so easy and +practicable a business. 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 fireside, than to occupy a cold bleak +hill, and sleep under frost and snow, without clothes or blankets. +However, although they seem to have little feeling for the naked and +distressed soldiers, I feel superabundantly for them, and from my soul +pity those miseries which it is not in my power either to relieve or +to prevent." + +The representations made in this letter were not exaggerated. The +distresses of the army, however, so far as respected clothing, did not +arise from the inattention of congress. Measures for the importation +of clothes had been adopted early in the war, but had not produced the +effect expected from them. Vigorous but ineffectual means had also +been taken to obtain supplies from the interior. The unfortunate +non-importation agreements which preceded the commencement of +hostilities, had reduced the quantity of goods in the country below +the ordinary amount, and the war had almost annihilated foreign +commerce. The progress of manufactures did not equal the consumption; +and such was the real scarcity, that exactions from individuals +produced great distress, without relieving the wants of the army. A +warm blanket was a luxury in which not many participated, either in +the camp or in the country. + +In the northern states, where the sea coast was too extensive, and the +ports too numerous to be completely guarded, and where the people were +more inclined to maritime enterprise, supplies both of arms and +clothes were attainable in a more considerable degree than in those +farther south; but the large sums of money expended in that part of +the union for the support of the army, had lessened the value of the +currency there more rapidly than elsewhere, and a consequent high +nominal price was demanded for imported articles. Congress deemed the +terms on which some large contracts had been made by the clothier +general in Massachusetts, so exorbitant, as to forbid their execution; +and at the same time, addressed a letter to the state government, +requesting that the goods should be seized for the use of the army, at +prices to be fixed by the legislature, in pursuance of a resolution of +the 22d of November. + +These recommendations from congress, so far as they exhorted the +states to supply the wants of the soldiers, were strongly supported by +the General. In his letters to the several governors, he represented +the very existence of the army, and the continuance of the contest, as +depending on their exertions in this respect. + +{1778} + +[Sidenote: General Washington's exertions to increase his force, and +to place it on a respectable footing before the ensuing campaign.] + +To recruit the army for the ensuing campaign became again an object of +vital importance; and the Commander-in-chief again pressed its +necessity on congress, and on the states. To obtain a respectable +number of men by voluntary enlistment had, obviously, become +impossible. Coercion could be employed only by the state governments; +and it required all the influence of General Washington to induce the +adoption of a measure so odious in itself, but so indispensable to the +acquirement of means to meet the crisis of the war, which, in his +judgment, had not yet passed away. He enclosed to each state a return +of its troops on continental establishment, thereby exhibiting to each +its own deficiency. To those who had not resorted to coercive means, +he stated the success with which they had been used by others; and he +urged all, by every motive which could operate on the human mind, to +employ those means early enough to enable him to anticipate the enemy +in taking the field. + +To the causes which had long threatened the destruction of the army, +the depreciation of paper money was now to be added. It had become so +considerable that the pay of an officer would not procure even those +absolute necessaries which might protect his person from the extremes +of heat and cold. The few who possessed small patrimonial estates +found them melting away; and others were unable to appear as +gentlemen. Such circumstances could not fail to excite disgust with +the service, and a disposition to leave it. Among those who offered +their commissions to the Commander-in-chief, were many who, possessing +a larger portion of military pride, and therefore feeling with +peculiar sensibility the degradation connected with poverty and rags, +afforded the fairest hopes of becoming the ornaments of the army. This +general indifference about holding a commission; this general opinion +that an obligation was conferred, not received by continuing in the +service, could not fail to be unfavourable, not only to that spirit of +emulation which stimulates to bolder deeds than are required, but to a +complete execution of orders, and to a rigid observance of duty. + +An officer whose pride was in any degree wounded, whose caprice was +not indulged, who apprehended censure for a fault which his +carelessness about remaining in the army had probably seduced him to +commit, was ready to throw up a commission which, instead of being +valuable, was a burden almost too heavy to be borne. With extreme +anxiety the Commander-in-chief watched the progress of a temper which, +though just commencing, would increase, he feared, with the cause that +produced it. He was, therefore, early and earnest in pressing the +consideration of this important subject on the attention of congress. + +{January 10.} + +[Sidenote: Congress send a committee of their own body to the army.] + +The weak and broken condition of the continental regiments, the strong +remonstrances of the General, the numerous complaints received from +every quarter, determined congress to depute a committee to reside in +camp during the winter, for the purpose of investigating the state of +the army, and reporting such reforms as the public good might require. + +This committee repaired to head quarters in the month of January. The +Commander-in-chief laid before them a general statement, taking a +comprehensive view of the condition of the army, and detailing the +remedies necessary for the correction of existing abuses, as well as +those regulations which he deemed essential to its future prosperity. + +This paper, exhibiting the actual state of the army, discloses defects +of real magnitude in the existing arrangements. In perusing it, the +reader is struck with the numerous difficulties, in addition to those +resulting from inferiority of numbers, with which the American general +was under the necessity of contending. The memorial is too long to be +inserted, but there are parts which ought not to be entirely +overlooked. The neglect of the very serious representation it +contained respecting a future permanent provision for the officers, +threatened, at an after period, to be productive of such pernicious +effects, that their insertion in this place will not, it is presumed, +be unacceptable. + +He recommended as the basis of every salutary reform, a comfortable +provision for the officers, which should render their commissions +valuable; to effect which the future, as well as the present, ought to +be contemplated. + +"A long and continual sacrifice of individual interest for the general +good, ought not," he said, "to be expected or required. The nature of +man must be changed, before institutions built on the presumptive +truth of such a principle can succeed. + +"This position," he added, "is supported by the conduct of the +officers of the American army, as well as by that of all other men. At +the commencement of the dispute, in the first effusions of zeal, when +it was believed the service would be temporary, they entered into it +without regard to pecuniary considerations. But finding its duration +much longer than had been at first expected, and that, instead of +deriving advantage from the hardships and dangers to which they are +exposed, they were, on the contrary, losers by their patriotism, and +fell far short of even a competency for their wants, they have +gradually abated in their ardour; and, with many, an entire +disinclination to the service, under present circumstances, has taken +place. To this, in an eminent degree, must be ascribed the frequent +resignations daily happening, and the more frequent importunities for +permission to resign, from some officers of the greatest merit. + +"To this also may be ascribed the apathy, inattention, and neglect of +duty, which pervade all ranks; and which will necessarily continue and +increase, while an officer, instead of gaining any thing, is +impoverished by his commission, and conceives he is conferring, not +receiving a favour, in holding it. There can be no sufficient tie on +men possessing such sentiments. Nor can any method be adopted to +compel those to a punctual discharge of duty, who are indifferent +about their continuance in the service, and are often seeking a +pretext to disengage themselves from it. Punishment, in this case, +would be unavailing. But when an officer's commission is made valuable +to him, and he fears to lose it, you may exact obedience from him. + +"It is not indeed consistent with reason or justice that one set of +men should make a sacrifice of property, domestic ease, and happiness; +encounter the rigours of the field, the perils and vicissitudes of +war, without some adequate compensation, to obtain those blessings +which every citizen will enjoy in common with them. It must also be a +comfortless reflection to any man, that, after he may have contributed +to secure the rights of his country, at the risk of his life, and the +ruin of his fortune, there will be no provision made to prevent +himself and his family, from sinking into indigence and wretchedness." +With these and other arguments, General Washington recommended, in +addition to present compensation, a half pay and pensionary +establishment for the army. + +"I urge my sentiments," said he, "with the greater freedom, because I +can not, and shall not, receive the smallest benefit from the +establishment; and can have no other inducement for proposing it, than +a full conviction of its utility and propriety." + +The wants and distresses of the army, when actually seen by the +committee of congress, made a much deeper impression than could have +been received from any statement whatever. They endeavoured to +communicate to congress the sentiments felt by themselves, and to +correct the errors which had been committed. But a numerous body, if +it deliberate at all, proceeds slowly in the conduct of executive +business; and will seldom afford a prompt corrective to existing +mischiefs, especially to those growing out of its own measures. + +{February 5.} + +Much of the sufferings of the army was attributed to mismanagement in +the quartermaster's department, which, notwithstanding the repeated +remonstrances of the Commander-in-chief, had long remained without a +head. This subject was taken up early by the committee, and proper +representations made respecting it. But congress still remained under +the influence of those opinions which had already produced such +mischievous effects, and were still disposed to retain the subordinate +officers of the department in a state of immediate dependence on their +own body. In this temper, they proposed a plan which, not being +approved in camp, was never carried into execution. + +While congress was deliberating on the reforms proposed, the +distresses of the army approached their acme, and its dissolution was +threatened. Early in February, the commissaries gave notice that the +country, to a great distance, was actually exhausted; and that it +would be impracticable to obtain supplies for the army longer than to +the end of that month. Already the threatened scarcity began to be +felt, and the rations issued were often bad in quality, and +insufficient in quantity. General Washington found it necessary again +to interpose his personal exertions to procure provisions from a +distance. + +In the apprehension that the resources of the commissary department +would fail before the distant supplies he had taken measures to obtain +could reach him, and that the enemy designed to make another incursion +into the country around Philadelphia, for the purpose of gleaning what +yet remained in possession of the inhabitants, he detached General +Wayne, with orders to seize every article proper for the use of an +army within fifteen miles of the Delaware, and to destroy the forage +on the islands between Philadelphia and Chester. + +To defeat the object of this foraging party, the inhabitants concealed +their provisions and teams, and gave to the country every appearance +of having been entirely pillaged. Before any sufficient aid could be +obtained by these means, the bread, as well as the meat, was +exhausted, and famine prevailed in camp. + +In an emergency so pressing, the Commander-in-chief used every effort +to feed his hungry army. Parties were sent out to glean the country; +officers of influence were deputed to Jersey, Delaware and Maryland; +and circular letters were addressed to the governors of states by the +committee of congress in camp and by the Commander-in-chief, +describing the wants of the army, and urging the greatest exertions +for its immediate relief. + +Fortunately for America, there were features in the character of +Washington which, notwithstanding the discordant materials of which +his army was composed, attached his officers and soldiers so strongly +to his person, that no distress could weaken their affection, nor +impair the respect and veneration in which they held him. To this +sentiment is to be attributed, in a great measure, the preservation of +a respectable military force, under circumstances but too well +calculated for its dissolution. + +Through this severe experiment on their fortitude, the native +Americans persevered steadily in the performance of their duty; but +the conduct of the Europeans, who constituted a large part of the +army, was, to a considerable extent, less laudable; and at no period +of the war was desertion so frequent as during this winter. Aided by +the disaffected, deserters eluded the vigilance of the parties who +watched the roads, and great numbers escaped into Philadelphia with +their arms. + +In a few days, the army was rescued from the famine with which it had +been threatened, and considerable supplies of provisions were laid up +in camp. It was perceived that the difficulties which had produced +such melancholy effects, were created more by the want of due exertion +in the commissary department, and by the efforts of the people to save +their stock for a better market, than by any real deficiency of food +in the country. + +This severe demonstration seems to have convinced congress that their +favourite system was radically vicious, and the subject was taken up +with the serious intention of remodeling the commissary department on +principles recommended by experience. But such were the delays +inherent in the organization of that body, that the new system was not +adopted until late in April. + +At no period of the war had the situation of the American army been +more perilous than at Valley Forge. Even when the troops were not +entirely destitute of food, their stock of provisions was so scanty +that a quantity sufficient for one week was seldom in store. +Consequently, had General Howe moved out in force, the American army +could not have remained in camp; and their want of clothes disabled +them from keeping the field in the winter. The returns of the first of +February exhibit the astonishing number of three thousand nine hundred +and eighty-nine men in camp, unfit for duty for want of clothes. +Scarcely one man of these had a pair of shoes. Even among those +returned capable of doing duty, many were so badly clad, that exposure +to the cold of the season must have destroyed them. Although the total +of the army exceeded seventeen thousand men, the present effective +rank and file amounted to only five thousand and twelve. + +While the sufferings of the soldiers filled the hospitals, a dreadful +mortality continued to prevail in those miserable receptacles of the +sick. A violent putrid fever swept off much greater numbers than all +the diseases of the camp. + +If then during the deep snow which covered the earth for a great part +of the winter, the British general had taken the field, his own army +would indeed have suffered greatly, but the American loss is not to be +calculated. + +[Illustration: Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge + +_Here on December 17, 1777, after the Battles of Brandywine and +Germantown and the occupation of Philadelphia by the British, +Washington established his headquarters for what may be paradoxically +termed the darkest winter of the Revolutionary War. The American +Commander-in-Chief chose this place partly for its defensibility and +partly to protect Congress, then in session at York, Pennsylvania, +from a sudden British attack. It was here that Washington and Baron +Steuben planned the reorganization of the American army, and it was +here, May 1, 1778, that news reached Washington of the consummation of +the French alliance._] + +[Sidenote: Attempt to surprise Captain Lee's corps, and the gallant +resistance made by him.] + +{March 28.} + +Happily, the real condition of Washington was not well understood by +Sir William Howe; and the characteristic attention of that officer to +the lives and comfort of his troops, saved the American army. +Fortunately, he confined his operations to those small excursions that +were calculated to enlarge the comforts of his own soldiers, who, +notwithstanding the favourable dispositions of the neighbouring +country, were much distressed for fuel, and often in great want of +forage and fresh provisions. The vigilance of the parties on the +lines, especially on the south side of the Schuylkill, intercepted a +large portion of the supplies intended for the Philadelphia market; +and corporal punishment was frequently inflicted on those who were +detected in attempting this infraction of the laws. As Captain Lee was +particularly active, a plan was formed, late in January, to surprise +and capture him in his quarters. An extensive circuit was made by a +large body of cavalry, who seized four of his patrols without +communicating an alarm. About break of day the British horse appeared; +upon which Captain Lee placed his troopers that were in the house, at +the doors and windows, who behaved so gallantly as to repulse the +assailants without losing a horse or man. Only Lieutenant Lindsay and +one private were wounded. The whole number in the house did not exceed +ten.[99] That of the assailants was said to amount to two hundred. +They lost a sergeant and three men with several horses, killed; and an +officer and three men wounded. + + [Footnote 99: Major Jameson was accidentally present, and + engaged in this skirmish.] + +The result of this skirmish gave great pleasure to the +Commander-in-chief, who had formed a high opinion of Lee's talents as +a partisan. He mentioned the affair in his orders with strong marks of +approbation; and, in a private letter to the captain, testified the +satisfaction he felt. For his merit through the preceding campaign, +congress promoted him to the rank of major, and gave him an +independent partisan corps to consist of three troops of horse. + +[Sidenote: Congress determine upon a second expedition against +Canada.] + +While the deficiency of the public resources, arising from the +alarming depreciation of the bills of credit, manifested itself in all +the military departments, a plan was matured in congress, and in the +board of war, without consulting the Commander-in-chief, for a second +irruption into Canada. It was proposed to place the Marquis de +Lafayette at the head of this expedition, and to employ Generals +Conway and Starke, as the second and third in command. + +This young nobleman, possessing an excellent heart, and all the +military enthusiasm of his country, had left France early in 1777, in +opposition to the will of his sovereign, to engage in the service of +the United States. His high rank, and supposed influence at the court +of Versailles, secured him the unlimited respect of his countrymen in +America; and, added to his frankness of manners and zeal in their +cause, recommended him strongly to congress. While the claims of +others of the same country to rank were too exorbitant to be +gratified, he demanded no station in the army; would consent to +receive no compensation, and offered to serve as a volunteer. He had +stipulated with Mr. Deane for the rank of major general without +emolument; and, on his arrival in America, that rank was conferred on +him, but without any immediate command. In that capacity, he sought +for danger, and was wounded at the battle of Brandywine. He attached +himself with the ardour of youth to the Commander-in-chief, who +smoothed the way to his receiving a command in the army equal to his +rank. + +The first intimation to General Washington that the expedition was +contemplated, was given in a letter from the president of the board of +war of the 24th of January, inclosing one of the same date to the +Marquis, requiring the attendance of that nobleman on congress to +receive his instructions. The Commander-in-chief was requested to +furnish Colonel Hazen's regiment, chiefly composed of Canadians, for +the expedition; and in the same letter, his advice and opinion were +asked respecting it. The northern states were to furnish the necessary +troops. + +Without noticing the manner in which this business had been conducted, +and the marked want of confidence it betrayed, General Washington +ordered Hazen's regiment to march towards Albany; and the Marquis +proceeded immediately to the seat of congress. At his request, he was +to be considered as an officer detached from the army of Washington, +to remain under his orders, and Major General the Baron de Kalb was +added to the expedition; after which the Marquis repaired in person to +Albany to take charge of the troops who were to assemble at that place +in order to cross the lakes on the ice, and attack Montreal. + +[Sidenote: Before its execution, it is abandoned.] + +On arriving at Albany, he found no preparations made for the +expedition. Nothing which had been promised being in readiness, he +abandoned the enterprise as impracticable. Some time afterward, +congress also determined to relinquish it; and General Washington was +authorized to recall both the Marquis de Lafayette, and the Baron de +Kalb. + +{February 27.} + +While the army lay at Valley Forge, the Baron Steuben arrived in camp. +This gentleman was a Prussian officer, who came to the United States +with ample recommendations. He was said to have served many years in +the armies of the great Frederick; to have been one of the aids de +camp of that consummate commander; and to have held the rank of +lieutenant general. He was, unquestionably, versed in the system of +field exercise which the king of Prussia had introduced, and was well +qualified to teach it to raw troops. He claimed no rank, and offered +to render his services as a volunteer. After holding a conference with +congress, he proceeded to Valley Forge. + +[Sidenote: General Conway resigns. Duel between him and General +Cadwallader.] + +[Sidenote: The Baron Steuben appointed inspector general.] + +Although the office of inspector general had been bestowed on Conway, +he had never entered on its duties; and his promotion to the rank of +major general had given much umbrage to the brigadiers, who had been +his seniors. That circumstance, in addition to the knowledge of his +being in a faction hostile to the Commander-in-chief, rendered his +situation in the army so uncomfortable, that he withdrew to York, in +Pennsylvania, which was then the seat of congress. When the expedition +to Canada was abandoned, he was not directed, with Lafayette and De +Kalb, to rejoin the army. Entertaining no hope of being permitted to +exercise the functions of his new office, he resigned his commission +about the last of April, and, some time afterwards, returned to +France.[100] On his resignation, the Baron Steuben, who had, as a +volunteer, performed the duties of inspector general, much to the +satisfaction of the Commander-in-chief, and of the army, was, on the +recommendation of General Washington, appointed to that office with +the rank of major general, without exciting the slightest murmur. + + [Footnote 100: General Conway, after his resignation, + frequently indulged in expressions of extreme hostility to + the Commander-in-chief. These indiscretions were offensive + to the gentlemen of the army. In consequence of them, he was + engaged in an altercation with General Cadwallader, which + produced a duel, in which Conway received a wound, supposed + for some time to be mortal. While his recovery was despaired + of, he addressed the following letter to General Washington. + + _Philadelphia, July 23d, 1778._ + + Sir,--I find myself just able to hold the pen during a few + minutes, and take this opportunity of expressing my sincere + grief for having done, written, or said any thing + disagreeable to your excellency. My career will soon be + over, therefore, justice and truth prompt me to declare my + last sentiments. You are, in my eyes, the great and good + man. May you long enjoy the love, veneration, and esteem of + these states, whose liberties you have asserted by your + virtues. + + I am with the greatest respect, sir, + + Your excellency's most obedient humble servant, + + PHS. CONWAY.] + +This gentleman was of real service to the American troops. He +established one uniform system of field exercise; and, by his skill +and persevering industry, effected important improvements through all +ranks of the army during its continuance at Valley Forge. + +{1777} + +While it was encamped at that place, several matters of great interest +engaged the attention of congress. Among them, was the stipulation in +the convention of Saratoga for the return of the British army to +England. Boston was named as the place of embarkation. At the time of +the capitulation, the difficulty of making that port early in the +winter was unknown to General Burgoyne. Consequently, as some time +must elapse before a sufficient number of vessels for the +transportation of his army could be collected, its embarkation might +be delayed until the ensuing spring. + +{November 25.} + +On receiving this unwelcome intelligence, he applied to General +Washington to change the port of embarkation, and to substitute +Newport, in Rhode Island, or some place on the Sound, for Boston. If +any considerations not foreseen should make this proposal +objectionable, he then solicited this indulgence for himself and his +suite. This request was communicated to congress, in terms favourable +to that part of the application which respected General Burgoyne and +his suite; but the objections to any change in the convention which +might expedite the transportation of the army, were too weighty to be +disregarded; and the General pressed them earnestly on congress. This +precaution was unnecessary. The facility with which the convention +might be violated by the British, and the captured army be united to +that under General Howe, seems to have suggested itself to the +American government, as soon as the first rejoicings were over; and +such was its then existing temper, that the faith and honour of +British officers were believed to be no securities against their +appearing again in the field. Under this impression, a resolution had +passed early in November, directing General Heath to transmit to the +board of war a descriptive list of all persons comprehended in the +convention, "in order that, if any officer, soldier, or other person +of the said army should hereafter be found in arms against these +states in North America, during the present contest, he might be +convicted of the offence, and suffer the punishment in such case +inflicted by the law of nations." + +No other notice was taken of the application made by General Burgoyne +to congress through the Commander-in-chief, than to pass a resolution +"that General Washington be directed to inform General Burgoyne that +congress will not receive, nor consider, any proposition for +indulgence, nor for altering the terms of the convention of Saratoga, +unless immediately directed to their own body." + +{December.} + +Contrary to expectation, a fleet of transports for the reception of +the troops reached Rhode Island, on its way to Boston, in the month of +December. But, before its arrival, the preconceived suspicions of +congress had ripened into conviction several circumstances combined to +produce this result. General Burgoyne, dissatisfied with the +accommodations prepared for his officers in Boston, had, after a +fruitless correspondence with General Heath, addressed a letter to +General Gates, in which he complained of the inconvenient quarters +assigned his officers, as a breach of the articles of the convention. +This complaint was considered by congress as being made for the +purpose of letting in the principle, that the breach of one article of +a treaty discharges the injured party from its obligations. + +This suspicion was strengthened by the indiscreet hesitation of +General Burgoyne to permit the resolution requiring a descriptive list +of his troops to be executed. His subsequent relinquishment of the +objection did not remove the impression it had made. + +It was also alleged, that the number of transports was not sufficient +to convey the troops to Europe; nor was it believed possible that Sir +William Howe could have laid in, so expeditiously, a sufficient stock +of provisions for the voyage. + +These objections to the embarkation of Burgoyne's troops were +strengthened by some trivial infractions of the convention, which, it +was contended, gave congress a strict right to detain them. It was +stipulated that "the arms" should be delivered up; and it appeared +that several cartouch boxes and other military accoutrements, supposed +to be comprehended in the technical term _arms_, had been detained. +This was deemed an infraction of the letter of the compact, which, on +rigid principle, justified the measures afterwards adopted by +congress. + +[Sidenote: Congress forbid the embarkation of the British troops taken +at Saratoga.] + +The whole subject was referred to a committee who reported all the +circumstances of the case, whereupon congress came to several +resolutions, enumerating the facts already mentioned, the last of +which was in these words: "Resolved, therefore, that the embarkation +of Lieutenant General Burgoyne, and the troops under his command, be +suspended, until a distinct and explicit ratification of the +convention of Saratoga shall be properly notified by the court of +Great Britain to congress." + +These resolutions, together with the report on which they were +founded, were transmitted to the several states, and to General +Washington. Two copies of them were sent to General Heath, with +directions to deliver one of them to General Burgoyne, and with +farther directions, "to order the vessels which may have arrived, or +which shall arrive, for the transportation of the army under +Lieutenant General Burgoyne, to quit, without delay, the port of +Boston." + +[Sidenote: Burgoyne permitted to depart.] + +On receiving these resolutions, General Burgoyne addressed a letter to +congress, containing papers, on which he founded a defence of his +conduct, and insisted on the embarkation of his army, as stipulated in +the convention; but the committee, to whom these papers were referred, +reported their opinion, after the most attentive consideration of +them, to be, "that nothing therein contained was sufficient to induce +congress to recede from their resolves of the 8th of January last, +respecting the convention of Saratoga." This application was +accompanied by another letter from General Burgoyne, to be delivered +if the army should still be detained, in which, in consideration of +the state of his health, he solicited permission to return to England. +This request was readily granted. + +The impression made on the British nation by the capitulation of +Burgoyne, notwithstanding the persevering temper of the king, at +length made its way into the cabinet, and produced resolutions in +favour of pacific measures. + +{1778} + +{February.} + +After the rejection of repeated motions made by the opposition members +tending to the abandonment of the American war, Lord North gave +notice, in the House of Commons, that he had digested a plan of +reconciliation which he designed shortly to lay before the house. + +[Sidenote: Plan of reconciliation with America agreed to in +Parliament.] + +In conformity with this notice, he moved for leave to bring in, +"first, A bill for removing all doubts and apprehensions concerning +taxation by the Parliament of Great Britain in any of the colonies and +plantations of North America. + +"Second. A bill to enable his Majesty to appoint commissioners with +sufficient powers to treat, consult, and agree upon the means of +quieting the disorders now subsisting in certain of the colonies of +North America." + +The first contained a declaration that Parliament will impose no tax +or duty whatever payable within any of the colonies of North America, +except only such duties as it may be expedient to impose for the +purposes of commerce, the net produce of which should always be paid +and applied to and for the use of the colonies in which the same shall +be respectively levied, in like manner as other duties collected under +the authority of their respective legislatures are ordinarily paid and +applied. + +The second authorized the appointment of commissioners by the crown, +with power to treat either with the existing governments, or with +individuals, in America; provided that no stipulations which might be +entered into should have any effect until approved in Parliament, +other than is afterward mentioned. + +It is then enacted, that the commissioners may have power "to proclaim +a cessation of hostilities in any of the colonies, to suspend the +operation of the non-intercourse law; and farther, to suspend, during +the continuance of the act, so much of all or any of the acts of +Parliament which have passed since the 10th day of February, 1763, as +relates to the colonies. + +"To grant pardon to any number or description of persons, and to +appoint a governor in any colony in which his majesty had heretofore +exercised the power of making such appointments." + +These bills passed both houses of Parliament with inconsiderable +opposition. + +Intelligence of the treaty between the United States and France having +been received by the minister about the time of their being +introduced, copies of them, before they had gone through the requisite +forms, were hurried to America, to be laid before congress and the +public, in the hope and expectation that they might counteract the +effects which it was feared the treaty with France would produce. + +{April.} + +General Washington received early information of their arrival, and +entertained serious fears of their operation. He was apprehensive that +the publication of a proposition for the restoration of peace on the +terms originally required by America, would greatly increase the +numbers of the disaffected; and immediately forwarded the bills to +congress in a letter suggesting the policy of preventing their +pernicious influence on the public mind by all possible means, and +especially through the medium of the press. + +[Sidenote: Communicated to, and rejected by Congress.] + +{April 22.} + +This letter was referred to a committee, consisting of Messrs. Morris, +Drayton, and Dana, by whom a report was made, investigating the bills +with great acuteness as well as asperity. This report, and the +resolutions upon it, were ordered to be published. Other resolutions +were passed the succeeding day, recommending it to the states to +pardon under such limitations as they might think proper to make, such +of their misguided fellow-citizens as had levied war against the +United States. + +This resolution was accompanied by an order directing it to be printed +in English and in German, and requesting General Washington to take +such measures as he should deem most effectual for circulating the +copies among the American recruits in the enemy's army.[101] + + [Footnote 101: This request afforded the Commander-in-chief + a fair retort on Major General Tryon. That officer had + addressed a letter to him enclosing the bills brought into + Parliament, and containing, to use the language of General + Washington himself, "the more extraordinary and impertinent + request" that their contents should be communicated through + him to the army. General Washington now acknowledged the + receipt of this letter, and, in return, enclosed to Governor + Tryon copies of the resolution just mentioned, with a + request that he would be instrumental in making them known + to the persons on whom they were to operate.] + +During these transactions, the frigate _La Sensible_ arrived with the +important intelligence that treaties of alliance and of commerce, had +been formed between the United States of America and France. The +treaties themselves were brought by Mr. Simeon Deane, the brother of +the American Minister in Paris. + +This event had long been anxiously expected, and the delay attending +it had been such as to excite serious apprehension that it would never +take place. + +France was still extremely sore under the wounds inflicted during the +war which terminated in 1763. It was impossible to reflect on a treaty +which had wrested from her so fair a part of North America, without +feeling resentments which would seek the first occasion of +gratification. + +The growing discontents between Great Britain and her colonies were, +consequently, viewed at a distance with secret satisfaction; but +rather as a circumstance which might have some tendency to weaken and +embarrass a rival, and which was to be encouraged from motives of +general policy, than as one from which any definite advantage was to +be derived. France appears, at that time, to have required, and wished +for, repose. The great exertions of the preceding disastrous war had +so deranged her finances, that the wish to preserve peace seems to +have predominated in her cabinet. The young monarch, who had just +ascended the throne, possessed a pacific unambitious temper, and the +councils of the nation were governed by men alike indisposed to +disturb the general tranquillity. The advice they gave the monarch +was, to aid and encourage the colonies secretly, in order to prevent a +reconciliation with the mother country, and to prepare privately for +hostilities, by improving his finances, and strengthening his marine; +but to avoid every thing which might give occasion for open war. The +system which for a time regulated the cabinet of Versailles, conformed +to this advice. While the utmost attention was paid to the Minister of +Britain, and every measure to satisfy him was openly taken, intimation +was privately given to those of the United States, that these measures +were necessary for the present, but they might be assured of the good +will of the French government. + +During the public demonstration of dispositions favourable to England, +means were taken to furnish aids of ammunition and arms, and to +facilitate the negotiation of loans to the United States; and the +owners of American privateers, though forbidden to sell their prizes, +or to procure their condemnation, found means to dispose of them +privately. + +Meanwhile, another party was formed in the cabinet, to whose political +system subsequent events gave the ascendency. Its avowed object was to +seize the present moment to revenge past injuries, humble the haughty +rival of France, and dismember her empire. + +Matters remained in a fluctuating state until December, 1777. +Privately encouraged, but discountenanced publicly, the prospects of +the American Ministers varied according to the complexion of American +affairs. + +Intelligence of the convention of Saratoga reached France early in +December, 1777. The American deputies took that opportunity to press +the treaty which had been under consideration for the preceding twelve +months; and to urge the importance, at this juncture, when Britain +would, most probably, make proposals for an accommodation,[102] of +communicating to congress, precisely, what was to be expected from +France and Spain. + + [Footnote 102: Congress, in their first instructions to + their commissioners, directed them to press the immediate + declaration of France in favour of the United States, by + suggesting that a reunion with Great Britain might be the + consequence of delay.--_Secret Journals of Congress_, v. ii. + p. 30.] + +They were informed by M. Girard, one of the secretaries of the king's +council of state, that it was determined to acknowledge the +independence of the United States, and to make a treaty with them. +That his Most Christian Majesty was resolved not only to acknowledge, +but to support their independence. That in doing this, he might +probably soon be engaged in a war; yet he should not expect any +compensation from the United States on that account; nor was it +pretended that he acted wholly for their sakes; since, besides his +real good will to them, it was manifestly the interest of France that +the power of England should be diminished by the separation of her +colonies. The only condition he should require would be that the +United States, in no peace to be made, should give up their +independence, and return to their obedience to the British government. + +On determining to take this decisive course, the cabinet of Versailles +had despatched a courier to his Catholic majesty with information of +the line of conduct about to be pursued by France. On his return, the +negotiation was taken up in earnest, and a treaty of friendship and +commerce was soon concluded. This was accompanied by a treaty of +alliance eventual and defensive between the two nations, in which it +was declared, that if war should break out between France and England +during the existence of that with the United States, it should be made +a common cause; and that neither of the contracting parties should +conclude either truce or peace with Great Britain without the formal +consent of the other, first obtained; and they mutually engaged "not +to lay down their arms until the independence of the United States +shall have been formally, or tacitly assured by the treaty, or +treaties that shall terminate the war." + +It was the wish of the ministers of the United States to engage France +immediately in the war; and to make the alliance, not eventual, but +positive. This proposition, however, was rejected. + +In a few weeks after the conclusion of these negotiations, the Marquis +de Noailles announced officially to the court of London, the treaty of +friendship and commerce France had formed with the United States. The +British government, considering this notification as a declaration of +war, published a memorial for the purpose of justifying to all Europe +the hostilities it had determined to commence. + +Soon after their commencement, the Count de Vergennes received private +intelligence that it was contemplated in the cabinet of London to +offer to the United States an acknowledgment of their independence as +the condition of a separate peace. He immediately communicated this +intelligence to the American ministers, requesting them to lose no +time in stating to congress that, though war was not declared in form, +it had commenced in fact; and that he considered the obligations of +the treaty of alliance as in full force; consequently that neither +party was now at liberty to make a separate peace. Instructions of a +similar import were given to the minister of France in the United +States. + +[Sidenote: Information received of treaties of alliance and commerce +being entered into between France and the United States.] + +The despatches containing these treaties were received by the +president on Saturday the second of May, after congress had adjourned. +That body was immediately convened, the despatches were opened, and +their joyful contents communicated. + +In the exultation of the moment, the treaty of alliance, as well as +that of commerce and friendship was published; a circumstance which, +not without reason, gave umbrage to the cabinet of Versailles; because +that treaty, being only eventual, ought not to have been communicated +to the public but by mutual consent. + +From this event, which was the source of universal exultation to the +friends of the revolution, the attention must be directed to one which +was productive of very different sensations. + +Among the various improvements which struggling humanity has gradually +engrafted on the belligerent code, none have contributed more to +diminish the calamities of war, than those which meliorate the +condition of prisoners. No obligations will be more respected by the +generous and the brave; nor are there any, the violation of which +could wound the national character more deeply, or expose it to more +lasting or better merited reproach. + +In wars between nations nearly equal in power, and possessing rights +acknowledged to be equal, a departure from modern usage in this +respect is almost unknown; and the voice of the civilized world would +be raised against the potentate who could adopt a system calculated to +re-establish the rigours and misery of exploded barbarism. But in +contests between different parts of the same empire, those practices +which mitigate the horrors of war yield, too frequently, to the +calculations of a blind and erring resentment. The party which +supports the ancient state of things, often treats resistance as +rebellion, and captives as traitors. The opposite party, supporting +also by the sword principles believed to be right, will admit of no +departure from established usage, to its prejudice; and may be +expected, if possessing the power, to endeavour, by retaliating +injuries, to compel the observance of a more just and humane system. +But they participate in the fault imputable to their adversaries, by +manifesting a disposition to punish those whom they deem traitors, +with the same severity of which they so loudly and justly complain, +when they are themselves its victims. + +General Gage, as Commander-in-chief of the British army, in the +harshness of spirit which had been excited while governor of +Massachusetts, not only threw all his prisoners into a common jail, +but rejected every proposition for an exchange of them. When the +command devolved on Sir William Howe, this absurd system was +abandoned, and an exchange[103] took place to a considerable extent. +But the Americans had not made a sufficient number of prisoners to +relieve all their citizens, and many of them still remained in +confinement. Representations were continually received from these +unfortunate men, describing in strong terms, the severity of their +treatment. They complained of suffering almost the extremity of +famine, that even the supply of provisions allowed them was unsound, +and that they were crowded into prison-ships, where they became the +victims of disease. + + [Footnote 103: In the execution of this agreement, the + inconveniences arising from having committed the custody of + prisoners to the several states, was severely felt. In + addition to the delay inseparable from the necessity of + inquiring for them, and collecting them from different + places, they were often sent in without the knowledge of + General Washington; and, in some instances, they passed + unobserved, with permits from a state government, through + his camp, into that of the enemy. These irregularities, and + the remonstrances of the Commander-in-chief, at length, + induced congress to appoint a commissary of prisoners.] + +When charged with conduct so unworthy of his character and station, +Sir William Howe positively denied its truth. + +It would be unjust to ascribe this excess of inhumanity to an officer +who, though perhaps severe in his temper, did not mingle cruelties in +his general system, which would excite universal indignation in other +wars. It must be admitted that his supplies of provisions were neither +good nor abundant; and that the American soldiers, in their own camp, +were unhealthy. But the excessive mortality prevailing among the +prisoners can be accounted for on no ordinary principles; and the +candid, who were least inclined to criminate without cause, have ever +been persuaded that, if his orders did not produce the distress which +existed, his authority was not interposed with sufficient energy, to +correct the abuses which prevailed. + +The capture of General Lee furnished an additional ground of +controversy on the subject of prisoners. As he had been an officer in +the British service, whose resignation had not, perhaps, been received +when he entered into that of America, a disposition was, at first, +manifested to consider him as a deserter, and he was closely confined. +On receiving information of this circumstance, congress directed +General Howe to be assured that Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, and five +Hessian field-officers, should be detained, and should experience +precisely the fate of General Lee. These officers were taken into +close custody, and informed that the resolution announced to General +Howe should be strictly enforced. + +The sentiments of the Commander-in-chief on the subject of +retaliation, seem to have been less severe than those of congress. So +great was his abhorrence of the cruelties such a practice must +generate, that he was unwilling to adopt it in any case not of +absolute and apparent necessity. Not believing that of General Lee to +be such a case, he remonstrated strongly against these resolutions. +But congress remained inflexible; and the officers designated as the +objects of retaliation, were kept in rigorous confinement until +General Lee was declared to be a prisoner of war.[104] + + [Footnote 104: See note No. XIII. at the end of the volume.] + +The resolutions of congress respecting the prisoners taken at the +Cedars, were also the source of much embarrassment and chagrin to the +Commander-in-chief. Alleging that the capitulation had been violated +on the part of the enemy, and that the savages had been permitted to +murder some of the prisoners, and to plunder others, they withheld +their sanction from the agreement entered into by General Arnold with +Captain Forster, and refused to allow other prisoners to be returned +in exchange for those liberated under that agreement, until the +murderers should be given up, and compensation made for the baggage +said to have been plundered. As the fact alleged was not clearly +established, Sir William Howe continued to press General Washington on +this subject. Reminding him of the importance of a punctilious +observance of faith, plighted in engagements like that made by General +Arnold, he persisted to hold the Commander-in-chief personally bound +for an honourable compliance with military stipulations entered into +by an officer under his authority. + +General Washington, feeling the keenness of the reproach, pressed +congress to change their resolution on this subject; but his +remonstrances were, for a long time, unavailing. + +After the sufferings of the prisoners in New York had been extreme, +and great numbers had perished in confinement, the survivors were +liberated for the purpose of being exchanged; but so miserable was +their condition, that many of them died on their way home. For the +dead as well as the living, General Howe claimed a return of +prisoners, while General Washington contended that reasonable +deductions should be made for those who were actually dead, of +diseases under which they laboured when permitted to leave the British +prisons. + +Until this claim should be admitted, General Howe rejected any partial +exchange. General Washington was immoveable in his determination to +repel it; and thus all hope of being relieved in the ordinary mode +appeared to be taken from those whom the fortune of war had placed in +the power of the enemy. + +[Sidenote: Complaints made by General Washington of the treatment of +American prisoners in possession of the enemy.] + +In the mean time, the sufferings of the American prisoners increased +with the increasing severity of the season. Information continued to +be received, that they suffered almost the extremity of famine. +Repeated remonstrances, made on this subject to the British general, +were answered by a denial of the fact. He continued to aver that the +same food, both in quantity and quality, was issued to the prisoners, +as to British troops when in transports, or elsewhere, not on actual +duty; and that every tenderness was extended to them, which was +compatible with the situation of his army. He yielded to the request +made by General Washington to permit a commissary to visit the jails, +and demanded passports for an agent to administer to the wants of +British prisoners. + +When Mr. Boudinot, the American commissary of prisoners, who was +appointed by General Washington to visit the jails in Philadelphia, +met Mr. Ferguson, the British commissary, he was informed that General +Howe thought it unnecessary for him to come into the city, as he would +himself inspect the situation and treatment of the prisoners. There is +reason to believe that their causes of complaint, so far as respected +provisions, did not exist afterwards in the same degree as formerly; +and that the strong measures subsequently taken by congress, were +founded on facts of an earlier date. + +But clothes and blankets were also necessary, and the difficulty of +furnishing them was considerable. General Howe would not permit the +purchase of those articles in Philadelphia; and they were not +attainable elsewhere. + +[Sidenote: Proceedings of congress on this subject.] + +To compel him to abandon this distressing restriction, and to permit +the use of paper money within the British lines, congress resolved, +that no prisoner should be exchanged until all the expenditures made +in paper for the supplies they received from the United States, should +be repaid in specie, at the rate of four shillings and sixpence for +each dollar. They afterwards determined, that from the 1st day of +February, no British commissary should be permitted to purchase any +provisions for the use of prisoners west of New Jersey, but that all +supplies for persons of that description should be furnished from +British stores. + +Sir William Howe remonstrated against the last resolution with great +strength and justice, as a decree which doomed a considerable number +of prisoners, far removed into the country, to a slow and painful +death by famine; since it was impracticable to supply them immediately +from Philadelphia. The severity of this order was in some degree +mitigated by a resolution that each British commissary of prisoners +should receive provisions from the American commissary of purchases, +to be paid for in specie, according to the resolution of the 19th of +December, 1777. + +About the same time, an order was hastily given by the board of war, +which produced no inconsiderable degree of embarrassment; and exposed +the Commander-in-chief to strictures not less severe than those he had +applied to the British general. + +General Washington had consented that a quartermaster, with a small +escort, should come out of Philadelphia, with clothes and other +comforts for the prisoners who were in possession of the United +States. He had expressly stipulated for their security, and had given +them a passport. + +{January 26.} + +While they were travelling through the country, information was given +to the board of war that General Howe had refused to permit provisions +to be sent in to the American prisoners in Philadelphia by water. This +information was not correct. General Howe had only requested that +flags should not be sent up or down the river without previous +permission obtained from himself. On this information, however, the +board ordered Lieutenant Colonel Smith immediately to seize the +officers, though protected by the passport of General Washington, +their horses, carriages, and the provisions destined for the relief of +the British prisoners; and to secure them until farther orders, either +from the board or from the Commander-in-chief. + +General Washington, on hearing this circumstance, despatched one of +his aids with orders for the immediate release of the persons and +property which had been confined; but the officers refused to proceed +on their journey, and returned to Philadelphia.[105] + + [Footnote 105: They alleged that their horses had been + disabled, and the clothing embezzled.] + +This untoward event was much regretted by the Commander-in-chief. In a +letter received some time afterwards, General Howe, after expressing +his willingness that the American prisoners should be visited by +deputy commissaries, who should inspect their situation, and supply +their wants required, as the condition on which this indulgence should +be granted, "that a similar permit should be allowed to persons +appointed by him, which should be accompanied with the assurance of +General Washington, that his authority will have sufficient weight to +prevent any interruption to their progress, and any insult to their +persons." This demand was ascribed to the treatment to which officers +under the protection of his passport had already been exposed. + +General Washington lamented the impediment to the exchange of +prisoners, which had hitherto appeared to be insuperable; and made +repeated, but ineffectual efforts to remove it. General Howe had +uniformly refused to proceed with any cartel, unless his right to +claim for all the diseased and infirm, whom he had liberated, should +be previously admitted. + +At length, after all hope of inducing him to recede from that high +ground had been abandoned, he suddenly relinquished it of his own +accord, and acceded completely to the proposition of General +Washington for the meeting of commissioners, in order to settle +equitably the number to which he should be entitled for those he had +discharged in the preceding winter. This point being adjusted, +commissaries were mutually appointed, who were to meet on the 10th of +March, in Germantown, to arrange the details of a general cartel. + +{March 4.} + +The Commander-in-chief had entertained no doubt of his authority to +enter into this agreement. On the fourth of March, however, he had the +mortification to perceive in a newspaper, a resolution of congress +calling on the several states for the amounts of supplies furnished +the prisoners, that they might be adjusted according to the rule of +the 10th of December, before the exchange should take place. + +On seeing this embarrassing resolution, General Washington addressed a +letter to Sir William Howe, informing him that particular +circumstances had rendered it inconvenient for the American +commissioners to attend at the time appointed, and requesting that +their meeting should be deferred from the 10th to the 21st of March. +The interval was successfully employed in obtaining a repeal of the +resolution. + +It would seem probable that the dispositions of congress on the +subject of an exchange, did not correspond with those of General +Washington. From the fundamental principle of the military +establishment of the United States at its commencement, an exchange of +prisoners would necessarily strengthen the British, much more than the +American army. The war having been carried on by troops raised for +short times, aided by militia, the American prisoners, when exchanged, +returned to their homes as citizens, while those of the enemy again +took the field. + +General Washington, who was governed by a policy more just, and more +permanently beneficial, addressed himself seriously to congress, +urging, as well the injury done the public faith, and his own personal +honour, by this infraction of a solemn engagement, as the cruelty and +impolicy of a system which must cut off for ever all hopes of an +exchange, and render imprisonment as lasting as the war. He +represented in strong terms the effect such a measure must have on the +troops on whom they should thereafter be compelled chiefly to rely, +and its impression on the friends of those already in captivity. These +remonstrances produced the desired effect, and the resolutions were +repealed. The commissioners met according to the second appointment; +but, on examining their powers, it appeared that those given by +General Washington were expressed to be in virtue of the authority +vested in him; while those given by Sir William Howe contained no such +declaration. + +This omission produced an objection on the part of the United States; +but General Howe refused to change the language, alleging that he +designed the treaty to be of a personal nature, founded on the mutual +confidence and honour of the contracting generals; and had no +intention either to bind his government, or to extend the cartel +beyond the limits and duration of his own command. + +This explanation being unsatisfactory to the American commissioners, +and General Howe persisting in his refusal to make the required +alteration in his powers, the negotiation was broken off, and this +fair prospect of terminating the distresses of numerous unfortunate +persons passed away, without effecting the good it had promised. + +Some time after the failure of this negotiation for a general cartel, +Sir William Howe proposed that all prisoners actually exchangeable +should be sent in to the nearest posts, and returns made of officer +for officer of equal rank, and soldier for soldier, as far as numbers +would admit; and that if a surplus of officers, should remain, they +should be exchanged for an equivalent in privates. + +[Sidenote: A partial exchange agreed to.] + +On the representations of General Washington, congress acceded to this +proposition, so far as related to the exchange of officer for officer, +and soldier for soldier; but rejected the part which admitted an +equivalent in privates for a surplus of officers, because the officers +captured with Burgoyne were exchangeable within the powers of General +Howe. Under this agreement, an exchange took place to a considerable +extent; but as the Americans had lost more prisoners than they had +taken, unless the army of Burgoyne should be brought into computation, +many of their troops were still detained in captivity. + + + + +NOTES. + + +NOTE--No. I. _See Page 5._ + +It will not be unacceptable to the reader to peruse this first report +of a young gentleman who afterwards performed so distinguished a part +in the revolution of his country, it is therefore inserted at large. + +I was commissioned and appointed by the Hon. Robert Dinwiddie, Esq. +Governor &c. of Virginia, to visit and deliver a letter to the +commandant of the French forces on the Ohio, and set out on the +intended journey on the same day: the next, I arrived at +Fredericksburg, and engaged Mr. Jacob Vanbraam to be my French +interpreter, and proceeded with him to Alexandria, where we provided +necessaries. From thence we went to Winchester, and got baggage, +horses, &c. and from thence we pursued the new road to Wills' Creek, +where we arrived the 14th November. + +Here I engaged Mr. Gist to pilot us out, and also hired four others as +servitors, Barnaby Currin, and John M'Quire, Indian traders, Henry +Steward, and William Jenkins; and in company with those persons left +the inhabitants the next day. + +The excessive rains and vast quantity of snow which had fallen, +prevented our reaching Mr. Frazier's, an Indian trader, at the mouth +of Turtle creek, on Monongahela river, until Thursday the 22d. We were +informed here, that expresses had been sent a few days before to the +traders down the river, to acquaint them with the French general's +death, and the return of the major part of the French army into winter +quarters. + +The waters were quite impassable without swimming our horses, which +obliged us to get the loan of a canoe from Frazier, and to send +Barnaby Currin and Henry Steward down the Monongahela, with our +baggage, to meet us at the forks of Ohio, about ten miles; there, to +cross the Alleghany. + +As I got down before the canoe, I spent some time in viewing the +rivers, and the land in the fork, which I think extremely well +situated for a fort, as it has the absolute command of both rivers. +The land at the point is twenty, or twenty-five feet above the common +surface of the water; and a considerable bottom of flat, well timbered +land all around it very convenient for building. The rivers are each a +quarter of a mile or more across, and run here very nearly at right +angles; Alleghany, bearing northeast; and Monongahela, southeast. The +former of these two is a very rapid and swift running water, the other +deep and still, without any perceptible fall. + +About two miles from this, on the southeast side of the river, at the +place where the Ohio company intended to erect a fort, lives Shingiss, +king of the Delawares. We called upon him, to invite him to council at +the Loggstown. + +As I had taken a good deal of notice yesterday of the situation at the +fork, my curiosity led me to examine this more particularly, and I +think it greatly inferior, either for defence or advantages; +especially the latter. For a fort at the fork would be equally well +situated on the Ohio, and have the entire command of the Monongahela, +which runs up our settlement, and is extremely well designed for water +carriage, as it is of a deep, still nature. Besides, a fort at the +fork might be built at much less expense than at the other places. + +Nature has well contrived this lower place for water defence; but the +hill whereon it must stand being about a quarter of a mile in length, +and then descending gradually on the land side, will render it +difficult and very expensive to make a sufficient fortification there. +The whole flat upon the hill must be taken in, the side next the +descent made extremely high, or else the hill itself cut away: +otherwise, the enemy may raise batteries within that distance without +being exposed to a single shot from the fort. + +Shingiss attended us to the Loggstown, where we arrived between +sun-setting and dark, the twenty-fifth day after I left Williamsburg. +We travelled over some extremely good and bad land to get to this +place. + +As soon as I came into town, I went to Monakatoocha (as the half king +was out at his hunting cabin on Little Beaver creek, about fifteen +miles off) and informed him by John Davidson, my Indian interpreter, +that I was sent a messenger to the French general; and was ordered to +call upon the sachems of the Six Nations to acquaint them with it. I +gave him a string of wampum and a twist of tobacco, and desired him to +send for the half king, which he promised to do by a runner in the +morning, and for other sachems. I invited him and the other great men +present, to my tent, where they stayed about an hour and returned. + +According to the best observations I could make, Mr. Gift's new +settlement (which we passed by) bears about west northwest seventy +miles from Wills' creek; Shanapins, or the forks, north by west, or +north northwest about fifty miles from that; and from thence to the +Loggstown, the course is nearly west about eighteen or twenty miles: +so that the whole distance, as we went and computed it, is, at least, +one hundred and thirty-five or one hundred and forty miles from our +back inhabitants. + +25th. Came to town, four of ten Frenchmen, who had deserted from a +company at the Kuskuskas, which lies at the mouth of this river. I got +the following account from them. They were sent from New Orleans with +a hundred men, and eight canoe loads of provisions, to this place, +where they expected to have met the same number of men, from the forts +on this side of lake Erie, to convoy them and the stores up, who were +not arrived when they ran off. + +I inquired into the situation of the French on the Mississippi, their +numbers, and what forts they had built. They informed me, that there +were four small forts between New Orleans and the Black Islands, +garrisoned with about thirty or forty men, and a few small pieces in +each. That at New Orleans, which is near the mouth of the Mississippi, +there are thirty-five companies of forty men each, with a pretty +strong fort mounting eight carriage guns; and at the Black Islands +there are several companies and a fort with six guns. The Black +Islands are about a hundred and thirty leagues above the mouth of the +Ohio, which is about three hundred and fifty above New Orleans. They +also acquainted me, that there was a small pallisadoed fort on the +Ohio, at the mouth of the Obaish, about sixty leagues from the +Mississippi. The Obaish heads near the west end of lake Erie, and +affords the communication between the French on the Mississippi and +those on the lakes. These deserters came up from the lower Shannoah +town with one Brown, an Indian trader, and were going to Philadelphia. + +About three o'clock this evening the half king came to town. I went up +and invited him with Davidson, privately, to my tent; and desired him +to relate some of the particulars of his journey to the French +commandant, and of his reception there; also, to give me an account of +the ways and distance. He told me, that the nearest and levelest way +was now impassable, by reason of many large miry savannas; that we +must be obliged to go by Venango, and should not get to the near fort +in less than five or six nights sleep, good travelling. When he went +to the fort, he said he was received in a very stern manner by the +late commander, who asked him very abruptly, what he had come about, +and to declare his business: which he said he did in the following +speech: + +"Fathers, I am come to tell you your own speeches; what your own +mouths have declared. Fathers, you, in former days, set a silver basin +before us, wherein there was the leg of a beaver, and desired all the +nations to come and eat of it, to eat in peace and plenty, and not to +be churlish to one another: and that if any such person should be +found to be a disturber, I here lay down by the edge of the dish a +rod, which you must scourge them with; and if your father should get +foolish, in my old days, I desire you may use it upon me as well as +others. + +"Now, fathers, it is you who are the disturbers in this land, by +coming and building your towns; and taking it away unknown to us, and +by force. + +"Fathers, we kindled a fire a long time ago, at a place called +Montreal, where we desired you to stay, and not to come and intrude +upon our land. I now desire you may despatch to that place; for be it +known to you, fathers, that this is our land and not yours. + +"Fathers, I desire you may hear me in civilness; if not, we must +handle that rod which was laid down for the use of the obstreperous. +If you had come in a peaceable manner, like our brothers the English, +we would not have been against your trading with us, as they do; but +to come, fathers, and build houses upon our land, and to take it by +force, is what we can not submit to. + +"Fathers, both you and the English are white, we live in a country +between; therefore, the land belongs to neither one nor the other. But +the great Being above allowed it to be a place of residence for us; +so, fathers, I desire you to withdraw, as I have done our brothers the +English; for I will keep you at arm's length. I lay this down as a +trial for both, to see which will have the greatest regard to it, and +that side we will stand by, and make equal sharers with us. Our +brothers, the English, have heard this, and I come now to tell it to +you; for I am not afraid to discharge you off this land." This he said +was the substance of what he spoke to the general, who made this +reply. + +"Now, my child, I have heard your speech: you spoke first, but it is +my time to speak now. Where is my wampum that you took away, with the +marks of towns in it? This wampum I do not know, which you have +discharged me off the land with: but you need not put yourself to the +trouble of speaking, for I will not hear you. I am not afraid of flies +or musquitoes, for Indians are such as those: I tell you down that +river I will go, and build upon it, according to my command. If the +river was blocked up, I have forces sufficient to burst it open, and +tread under my feet all that stand in opposition, together with their +alliances; for my force is as the sand upon the sea shore: therefore +here is your wampum; I sling it at you. Child, you talk foolish; you +say this land belongs to you, but there is not the black of my nail +yours. I saw that land sooner than you did, before the Shannoahs and +you were at war; Lead was the man who went down and took possession of +that river. It is my land, and I will have it, let who will stand up +for, or say against it. I will buy and sell with the English +(mockingly). If people will be ruled by me, they may expect kindness, +but not else." + +The half king told me he had inquired of the general after two +Englishmen, who were made prisoners, and received this answer: + +"Child, you think it a very great hardship that I made prisoners of +those two people at Venango. Don't you concern yourself with it: we +took and carried them to Canada, to get intelligence of what the +English were doing in Virginia." + +He informed me that they had built two forts, one on lake Erie, and +another on French creek, near a small lake, about fifteen miles +asunder, and a large wagon road between. They are both built after the +same model, but different in size: that on the lake the largest. He +gave me a plan of them of his own drawing. + +The Indians inquired very particularly after their brothers in +Carolina gaol. + +They also asked what sort of a boy it was who was taken from the south +branch; for they were told by some Indians, that a party of French +Indians had carried a white boy by Kuskuska town, towards the lakes. + +26th. We met in council at the long house about nine o'clock, when I +spoke to them as follows: + +"Brothers, I have called you together in council, by order of your +brother the governor of Virginia, to acquaint you, that I am sent with +all possible despatch, to visit and deliver a letter to the French +commandant, of very great importance to your brothers the English; and +I dare say to you, their friends and allies. + +"I was desired, brothers, by your brother the governor to call upon +you, the sachems of the nations, to inform you of it, and to ask your +advice and assistance to proceed the nearest and best road to the +French. You see, brothers, I have gotten thus far on my journey. + +"His honour likewise desired me to apply to you for some of your young +men to conduct and provide provisions for us on our way; and be a +safeguard against those French Indians who have taken up the hatchet +against us. I have spoken thus particularly to you, brothers, because +his honour our governor treats you as good friends and allies, and +holds you in great esteem. To confirm what I have said, I give you +this string of wampum." + +After they had considered for some time on the above discourse, the +half king got up and spoke. + +"Now, my brother, in regard to what my brother the governor had +desired of me, I return you this answer. + +"I rely upon you as a brother ought to do, as you say we are brothers, +and one people. We shall put heart in hand and speak to our fathers, +the French, concerning the speech they made to me; and you may depend +that we will endeavour to be your guard. + +"Brother, as you have asked my advice, I hope you will be ruled by it, +and stay until I can provide a company to go with you. The French +speech belt is not here; I have it to go for to my hunting cabin. +Likewise, the people whom I have ordered in are not yet come, and can +not until the third night from this; until which time, brother, I must +beg you to stay. + +"I intend to send the guard of Mingos, Shannoahs, and Delawares, that +our brothers may see the love and loyalty we bear them." + +As I had orders to make all possible despatch, and waiting here was +very contrary to my inclination, I thanked him in the most suitable +manner I could; and told him that my business required the greatest +expedition, and would not admit of that delay. He was not well pleased +that I should offer to go before the time he had appointed, and told +me, that he could not consent to our going without a guard, for fear +some accident should befall us, and draw a reflection upon him. +Besides, said he, this is a matter of no small moment, and must not be +entered into without due consideration; for I intend to deliver up the +French speech belt, and make the Shannoahs and Delawares do the same. +And accordingly he gave orders to king Shingiss, who was present, to +attend on Wednesday night with the wampum; and two men of their nation +to be in readiness to set out with us next morning. As I found it was +impossible to get off without affronting them in the most egregious +manner, I consented to stay. + +I gave them back a string of wampum which I met with at Mr. Frazier's, +and which they sent with a speech to his honour the governor, to +inform him, that three nations of French Indians, viz. Chippoways, +Ottoways, and Orundaks, had taken up the hatchet against the English; +and desired them to repeat it over again. But this they postponed +doing until they met in full council with the Shannoah and Delaware +chiefs. + +27th. Runners were despatched very early for the Shannoah chiefs. The +half king set out himself to fetch the French speech belt from his +hunting cabin. + +28th. He returned this evening, and came with Monakatoocha, and two +other sachems to my tent; and begged (as they had complied with his +honour the governor's request, in providing men, &c.) to know on what +business we were going to the French? This was a question I had all +along expected, and had provided as satisfactory answers to as I +could; which allayed their curiosity a little. + +Monakatoocha informed me, that an Indian from Venango brought news, a +few days ago, that the French had called all the Mingos, Delawares, +&c. together at that place; and told them that they intended to have +been down the river this fall, but the waters were growing cold, and +the winter advancing, which obliged them to go into quarters; but that +they might assuredly expect them in the spring, with a far greater +number; and desired that they might be quite passive, and not +intermeddle unless they had a mind to draw all their force upon them: +for that they expected to fight the English three years (as they +supposed there would be some attempts made to stop them) in which time +they should conquer. But that if they should prove equally strong, +they and the English would join to cut them all off, and divide the +land between them: that though they had lost their general, and some +few of their soldiers, yet there were men enough to reinforce them, +and make them masters of the Ohio. + +This speech, he said, was delivered to them by one Captain Joncaire, +their interpreter in chief, living at Venango, and a man of note in +the army. + +29th. The half king and Monakatoocha, came very early and begged me to +stay one day more: for notwithstanding they had used all the diligence +in their power, the Shannoah chiefs had not brought the wampum they +ordered, but would certainly be in to night; if not, they would delay +me no longer, but would send it after us as soon as they arrived. When +I found them so pressing in their request, and knew that returning of +wampum was the abolishing of agreements; and giving this up was +shaking off all dependence upon the French, I consented to stay, as I +believed an offence offered at this crisis, might be attended with +greater ill consequence, than another day's delay. They also informed +me, that Shingiss could not get in his men; and was prevented from +coming himself by his wife's sickness; (I believe, by fear of the +French) but that the wampum of that nation was lodged with Kustalogo, +one of their chiefs, at Venango. + +In the evening, late, they came again, and acquainted me that the +Shannoahs were not yet arrived, but that it should not retard the +prosecution of our journey. He delivered in my hearing the speech that +was to be made to the French by Jeskakake, one of their old chiefs, +which was giving up the belt the late commandant had asked for, and +repeating nearly the same speech he himself had done before. + +He also delivered a string of wampum to this chief, which was sent by +king Shingiss, to be given to Kustalogo, with orders to repair to the +French, and deliver up the wampum. + +He likewise gave a very large string of black and white wampum, which +was to be sent up immediately to the Six Nations, if the French +refused to quit the land at this warning; which was the third and last +time, and was the right of this Jeskakake to deliver. + +30th. Last night, the great men assembled at their council house, to +consult further about this journey, and who were to go: the result of +which was, that only three of their chiefs, with one of their best +hunters, should be our convoy. The reason they gave for not sending +more, after what had been proposed at council the 26th, was, that a +greater number might give the French suspicions of some bad design, +and cause them to be treated rudely: but I rather think they could not +get their hunters in. + +We set out about nine o'clock with the half king, Jeskakake, White +Thunder, and the Hunter; and travelled on the road to Venango, where +we arrived the fourth of December, without any thing remarkable +happening but a continued series of bad weather. + +This is an old Indian town, situated at the mouth of French creek, on +Ohio; and lies near north about sixty miles from the Loggstown, but +more than seventy the way we were obliged to go. + +We found the French colours hoisted at a house from which they had +driven Mr. John Frazier, an English subject. I immediately repaired to +it, to know where the commander resided. There were three officers, +one of whom, Captain Joncaire, informed me that he had the command of +the Ohio; but that there was a general officer at the near fort, where +he advised me to apply for an answer. He invited us to sup with them, +and treated us with the greatest complaisance. + +The wine, as they dosed themselves pretty plentifully with it, soon +banished the restraint which at first appeared in their conversation, +and gave a license to their tongues to reveal their sentiments more +freely. + +They told me, that it was their absolute design to take possession of +the Ohio, and by G-d they would do it: for that, although they were +sensible the English could raise two men for their one, yet they knew +their motions were too slow and dilatory to prevent any undertaking of +theirs. They pretend to have an undoubted right to the river from a +discovery made by one La Salle, sixty years ago: and the rise of this +expedition is, to prevent our settling on the river or waters of it, +as they heard of some families moving out in order thereto. From the +best intelligence I could get, there have been fifteen hundred men on +this side Ontario lake. But upon the death of the general, all were +recalled to about six or seven hundred, who were left to garrison four +forts, one hundred and fifty or thereabout in each. The first of them +is on French creek, near a small lake, about sixty miles from Venango, +near north northwest: the next lies on lake Erie, where the greater +part of their stores are kept, about fifteen miles from the other: +from this it is one hundred and twenty miles to the carrying place, at +the falls of Lake Erie, where there is a small fort, at which they +lodge their goods in bringing them from Montreal, the place from +whence all their stores are brought. The next fort lies about twenty +miles from this, on Ontario lake. Between this fort and Montreal, +there are three others, the first of which is nearly opposite to the +English fort Oswego. From the fort on lake Erie to Montreal is about +six hundred miles, which, they say, requires no more (if good +weather,) than four weeks voyage, if they go in barks or large +vessels, so that they may cross the lake: but if they come in canoes, +it will require five or six weeks, for they are obliged to keep under +the shore. + +5th. Rained excessively all day, which prevented our travelling. +Captain Joncaire sent for the half king, as he had but just heard that +he came with me. He affected to be much concerned that I did not make +free to bring them in before. I excused it in the best manner of which +I was capable, and told him, I did not think their company agreeable, +as I had heard him say a good deal in dispraise of Indians in general: +but another motive prevented me from bringing them into his company: I +knew that he was an interpreter, and a person of very great influence +among the Indians, and had lately used all possible means to draw them +over to his interest; therefore, I was desirous of giving him no +opportunity that could be avoided. + +When they came in, there was great pleasure expressed at seeing them. +He wondered how they could be so near without coming to visit him, +made several trifling presents, and applied liquor so fast, that they +were soon rendered incapable of the business they came about, +notwithstanding the caution which was given. + +6th. The half king came to my tent, quite sober, and insisted very +much that I should stay and hear what he had to say to the French. I +fain would have prevented him from speaking any thing until he came to +the commandant, but could not prevail. He told me, that at this place +a council fire was kindled, where all their business with these people +was to be transacted, and that the management of the Indian affairs +was left solely to Monsieur Joncaire. As I was desirous of knowing the +issue of this, I agreed to stay; but sent our horses a little way up +French creek, to raft over and encamp; which I knew would make it near +night. + +About ten o'clock, they met in council. The king spoke much the same +as he had before done to the general; and offered the French speech +belt which had before been demanded, with the marks of four towns on +it, which Monsieur Joncaire refused to receive, but desired him to +carry it to the fort to the commander. + +7th. Monsieur La Force, Commissary of the French stores, and three +other soldiers, came over to accompany us up. We found it extremely +difficult to get the Indians off to-day, as every stratagem had been +used to prevent their going up with me. I had last night left John +Davidson (the Indian interpreter) whom I brought with me from town, +and strictly charged him not to be out of their company, as I could +not get them over to my tent; for they had some business with +Kustologa, chiefly to know why he did not deliver up the French speech +belt which he had in keeping: but I was obliged to send Mr. Gist over +to-day to fetch them, which he did with great persuasion. + +At twelve o'clock, we set out for the fort, and were prevented from +arriving there until the eleventh by excessive rains, snows, and bad +travelling through many mires and swamps; these we were obliged to +pass to avoid crossing the creek, which was impossible, either by +fording or rafting, the water was so high and rapid. + +We passed over much good land since we left Venango, and through +several extensive and very rich meadows, one of which, I believe, was +nearly four miles in length, and considerably wide in some places. + +12th. I prepared early to wait upon the commander, and was received, +and conducted to him by the second officer in command. I acquainted +him with my business, and offered my commission and letter: both of +which he desired me to keep until the arrival of Monsieur Reparti, +captain at the next fort, who was sent for and expected every hour. + +This commander is a knight of the military order of St. Louis, and +named Legardeur de St. Pierre. He is an elderly gentleman, and has +much the air of a soldier. He was sent over to take the command, +immediately upon the death of the late general, and arrived here about +seven days before me. + +At two o'clock, the gentleman who was sent for arrived, when I offered +the letter, &c. again, which they received, and adjourned into a +private apartment for the captain to translate, who understood a +little English. After he had done it, the commander desired I would +walk in and bring my interpreter to peruse and correct it; which I +did. + +13th. The chief officers retired to hold a council of war, which gave +me an opportunity of taking the dimensions of the fort, and making +what observations I could. + +It is situated on the south, or west fork of French creek, near the +water; and is almost surrounded by the creek, and a small branch of it +which forms a kind of island. Four houses compose the sides. The +bastions are made of piles driven into the ground, standing more than +twelve feet above it, and sharp at top; with port holes cut for +cannon, and loop holes for the small arms to fire through. There are +eight six pound pieces mounted in each bastion, and one piece of four +pound before the gate. In the bastions are a guard house, chapel, +doctor's lodging, and the commander's private store: round which are +laid platforms for the cannon and men to stand on. There are several +barracks without the fort, for the soldiers' dwelling, covered, some +with bark, and some with boards, made chiefly of logs. There are also +several other houses, such as stables, smith's shop, &c. + +I could get no certain account of the number of men here; but +according to the best judgment I could form, there are an hundred, +exclusive of officers, of which there are many. I also gave orders to +the people who were with me, to take an exact account of the canoes +which were hauled up to convey their forces down in the spring. This +they did, and told fifty of birch bark, and an hundred and seventy of +pine; besides many others which were blocked out, in readiness for +being made. + +14th. As the snow increased very fast, and our horses daily became +weaker, I sent them off unloaded, under the care of Barnaby Currin and +two others, to make all convenient despatch to Venango, and there to +wait our arrival, if there was a prospect of the river's freezing: if +not, then to continue down to Shanapin's town, at the forks of Ohio, +and there to wait until we came to cross the Alleghany; intending +myself to go down by water, as I had the offer of a canoe or two. + +As I found many plots concerted to retard the Indians' business, and +prevent their returning with me, I endeavoured all that lay in my +power to frustrate their schemes, and hurried them on to execute their +intended design. They accordingly pressed for admittance this evening, +which at length was granted them, privately, to the commander and one +or two other officers. The half king told me that he offered the +wampum to the commander, who evaded taking it, and made many fair +promises of love and friendship; said he wanted to live in peace and +trade amicably with them, as a proof of which, he would send some +goods immediately down to the Loggstown for them. But I rather think +the design of that is to bring away all our straggling traders they +meet with, as I privately understood they intended to carry an +officer, &c. with them. And what rather confirms this opinion, I was +inquiring of the commander by what authority he had made prisoners of +several of our English subjects. He told me that the country belonged +to them; that no Englishman had a right to trade upon those waters; +and that he had orders to make every person prisoner who attempted it +on the Ohio, or the waters of it. + +I inquired of Captain Reparti about the boy that was carried by this +place, as it was done while the command devolved on him, between the +death of the late general, and the arrival of the present. He +acknowledged that a boy had been carried past: and that the Indians +had two or three white men's scalps, (I was told by some of the +Indians at Venango, eight) but pretended to have forgotten the name of +the place where the boy came from, and all the particular facts, +though he had questioned him for some hours, as they were carrying +past. I likewise inquired what they had done with John Trotter and +James M'Clocklan, two Pennsylvania traders, whom they had taken with +all their goods. They told me that they had been sent to Canada, but +were now returned home. + +This evening, I received an answer to his honour the governor's +letter, from the commandant. + +15th. The commandant ordered a plentiful store of liquor, provision, +&c. to be put on board our canoes, and appeared to be extremely +complaisant, though he was exerting every artifice which he could +invent to set our Indians at variance with us, to prevent their going +until after our departure: presents, rewards, and every thing which +could be suggested by him or his officers. I can not say that ever in +my life I suffered so much anxiety as I did in this affair. I saw that +every stratagem, which the most fruitful brain could invent, was +practised to win the half king to their interest; and that leaving him +there was giving them the opportunity they aimed at. I went to the +half king and pressed him in the strongest terms to go; he told me +that the commandant would not discharge him until the morning. I then +went to the commandant, and desired him to do their business, and +complained of ill treatment; for keeping them, as they were part of my +company, was detaining me. This he promised not to do, but to forward +my journey as much as he could. He protested he did not keep them, but +was ignorant of the cause of their stay; though I soon found it out. +He had promised them a present of guns, &c. if they would wait until +the morning. As I was very much pressed by the Indians to wait this +day for them, I consented, on a promise that nothing should hinder +them in the morning. + +16th. The French were not slack in their inventions to keep the +Indians this day also. But as they were obliged, according to promise, +to give the present, they then endeavoured to try the power of liquor, +which I doubt not would have prevailed at any other time than this: +but I urged and insisted with the king so closely upon his word, that +he refrained, and set off with us as he had engaged. + +We had a tedious and very fatiguing passage down the creek. Several +times we had like to have been staved against rocks; and many times +were obliged all hands to get out and remain in the water half an hour +or more, getting over the shoals. At one place, the ice had lodged, +and made it impassable by water; we were, therefore, obliged to carry +our canoe across the neck of land, a quarter of a mile over. We did +not reach Venango until the 22d, where we met with our horses. + +This creek is extremely crooked. I dare say the distance between the +fort and Venango, can not be less than one hundred and thirty miles to +follow the meanders. + +23d. When I got things ready to set off, I sent for the half king, to +know whether he intended to go with us, or by water. He told me that +White Thunder had hurt himself much, and was sick, and unable to walk; +therefore he was obliged to carry him down in a canoe. As I found he +intended to stay here a day or two, and knew that Monsieur Joncaire +would employ every scheme to set him against the English, as he had +before done, I told him, I hoped he would guard against his flattery, +and let no fine speeches influence him in their favour. He desired I +might not be concerned, for he knew the French too well, for any thing +to engage him in their favour; and that though he could not go down +with us, he yet would endeavour to meet at the forks with Joseph +Campbell, to deliver a speech for me to carry to his honour the +governor. He told me he would order the Young Hunter to attend us, and +get provisions, &c. if wanted. + +Our horses were now so weak and feeble, and the baggage so heavy, (as +we were obliged to provide all the necessaries which the journey would +require) that we doubted much their performing it. Therefore, myself +and others, except the drivers, who were obliged to ride, gave up our +horses for packs, to assist along with the baggage. I put myself in an +Indian walking dress, and continued with them three days, until I +found there was no probability of their getting home in any reasonable +time. The horses became less able to travel every day; the cold +increased very fast; and the roads were becoming much worse by a deep +snow, continually freezing: therefore, as I was uneasy to get back, to +make report of my proceedings to his honour the governor, I determined +to prosecute my journey, the nearest way through the woods, on foot. + +Accordingly, I left Mr. Vanbraam in charge of our baggage, with money +and directions to provide necessaries from place to place for +themselves and horses, and to make the most convenient despatch in +travelling. + +I took my necessary papers, pulled off my clothes, and tied myself up +in a watch coat. Then, with gun in hand, and pack on my back, in which +were my papers and provisions, I set out with Mr. Gist, fitted in the +same manner, on Wednesday the 26th. The day following, just after we +had passed a place called Murdering town, (where we intended to quit +the path and steer across the country for Shanapin's town) we fell in +with a party of French Indians, who had laid in wait for us. One of +them fired at Mr. Gist or me, not fifteen steps off, but fortunately +missed. We took this fellow into custody, and kept him until about +nine o'clock at night, then let him go, and walked all the remaining +part of the night without making any stop, that we might get the +start, so far, as to be out of the reach of their pursuit the next +day, since we were well assured they would follow our track as soon as +it was light. The next day we continued travelling until quite dark, +and got to the river about two miles above Shanapin's. We expected to +have found the river frozen, but it was not, only about fifty yards +from each shore. The ice, I suppose, had broken up above, for it was +driving in vast quantities. + +There was no way for getting over but on a raft, which we set about, +with but one poor hatchet, and finished just after sun setting. This +was a whole day's work: we next got it launched, then went on board of +it, and set off; but before we were half way over, we were jammed in +the ice, in such a manner, that we expected every moment our raft to +sink, and ourselves to perish. I put out my setting pole to try to +stop the raft, that the ice might pass by, when the rapidity of the +stream threw it with so much violence against the pole, that it jerked +me out into ten feet water; but I fortunately saved myself by catching +hold of one of the raft logs. Notwithstanding all our efforts, we +could not get to either shore, but were obliged, as we were near an +island, to quit our raft and make to it. + +The cold was so extremely severe, that Mr. Gist had all his fingers, +and some of his toes frozen, and the water was shut up so hard, that +we found no difficulty in getting off the island on the ice in the +morning, and went to Mr. Frazier's. We met here with twenty warriors, +who were going to the southward to war; but coming to a place on the +head of the great Kanawa, where they found seven people killed and +scalped, (all but one woman with very light hair) they turned about +and ran back, for fear the inhabitants should rise and take them as +the authors of the murder. They report that the bodies were lying +about the house, and some of them much torn and eaten by the hogs. By +the marks which were left, they say they were French Indians of the +Ottoway nation, &c. who did it. + +As we intended to take horses here, and it required some time to find +them, I went up about three miles to the mouth of Yohogany, to visit +queen Alliquippa, who had expressed great concern that we passed her +in going to the fort. I made her a present of a watch coat and a +bottle of rum, which latter was thought much the best present of the +two. + +Tuesday, the first of January, we left Mr. Frazier's house, and +arrived at Mr. Gist's, at Monongahela, the second, where I bought a +horse, saddle, &c. The sixth, we met seventeen horses loaded with +materials and stores for a fort at the forks of Ohio, and the day +after, some families going out to settle. This day, we arrived at +Wills' creek, after as fatiguing a journey as it is possible to +conceive, rendered so by excessive bad weather. From the first day of +December to the fifteenth, there was but one day on which it did not +rain or snow incessantly; and throughout the whole journey, we met +with nothing but one continued series of cold, wet weather, which +occasioned very uncomfortable lodgings, especially after we had +quitted our tent, which was some screen from the inclemency of it. + +On the 11th, I got to Belvoir, where I stopped one day to take +necessary rest; and then set out and arrived in Williamsburg the 16th, +when I waited upon his honour the governor, with the letter I had +brought from the French commandant, and to give an account of the +success of my proceedings. This I beg leave to do by offering the +foregoing narrative, as it contains the most remarkable occurrences +which happened in my journey. + +I hope what has been said will be sufficient to make your honour +satisfied with my conduct; for that was my aim in undertaking the +journey, and chief study throughout the prosecution of it. + + * * * * * + +NOTE--No. II. _See Page 10._ + +_The author is indebted, for the letter alluded to, to the Editor of +the Lancaster Journal._ + +SIR,--I am really sorry that I have it not in my power to answer your +request, in a more satisfactory manner. If you had favoured me with +the journal a few days sooner, I would have examined it carefully, and +endeavoured to point out such errors as might conduce to your use, my +advantage, and the public satisfaction; but now it is out of my power. + +I had no time to make any remarks upon that piece which is called my +journal. The enclosed are observations on the French notes. They are +of no use to me separated, nor will they, I believe, be of any to you; +yet I send them unconnected and incoherent as they were taken, for I +have no opportunity to correct them. + +In regard to the journal, I can only observe in general, that I kept +no regular one during that expedition: rough minutes of occurrences I +certainly took, and find them as certainly and strangely +metamorphosed--some parts left out which I remember were entered, and +many things added that never were thought of; the names of men and +things egregiously miscalled; and the whole of what I saw Englished, +is very incorrect and nonsensical:--yet, I will not pretend to say +that the little body who brought it to me, has not made a literal +translation, and a good one. + +Short as my time is, I can not help remarking on Villiers' account of +the battle of, and transactions at the Meadows, as it is very +extraordinary, and not less erroneous than inconsistent. He says the +French received the first fire. It is well known that we received it +at six hundred paces distance. He also says, our fears obliged us to +retreat in the most disorderly manner after the capitulation. How is +this consistent with his other account? He acknowledges that we +sustained the attack, warmly, from ten in the morning until dark, and +that he called first to parley, which strongly indicates that we were +not totally absorbed in fear. If the gentleman in his account had +adhered to the truth, he must have confessed, that we looked upon his +offer to parley as an artifice to get into and examine our trenches, +and refused on this account, until they desired an officer might be +sent to them, and gave their parole for his safe return. He might +also, if he had been as great a lover of the truth as he was of vain +glory, have said, that we absolutely refused their first and second +proposals, and would consent to capitulate on no other terms than such +as we obtained. That we were wilfully, or ignorantly deceived by our +interpreter in regard to the word _assassination_, I do aver, and will +to my dying moment; so will every officer that was present. The +interpreter was a Dutchman, little acquainted with the English tongue, +therefore might not advert to the tone and meaning of the word in +English; but, whatever his motives were for so doing, certain it is, +he called it the _death_, or the _loss_ of the Sieur Jumonville. So we +received and so we understood it, until to our great surprise and +mortification, we found it otherwise in a literal translation. That we +left our baggage and horses at the Meadows is certain; that there was +not even a possibility to bring them away is equally certain, as we +had every horse belonging to the camp killed or taken away during the +action; so that it was impracticable to bring any thing off that our +shoulders were not able to bear, and to wait there was impossible, for +we had scarce three days provisions, and were seventy miles from a +supply; yet, to say we came off precipitately is absolutely false; +notwithstanding they did, contrary to articles, suffer their Indians +to pillage our baggage, and commit all kinds of irregularity, we were +with them until ten o'clock the next day; we destroyed our powder and +other stores, nay, even our private baggage, to prevent its falling +into their hands, as we could not bring it off. When we had got about +a mile from the place of action, we missed two or three of the +wounded, and sent a party back to bring them up-this is the party he +speaks of. We brought them all safe off, and encamped within three +miles of the Meadows. These are circumstances, I think, that make it +evidently clear, that we were not very apprehensive of danger. The +colours he speaks of to be left, was a large flag of immense size and +weight; our regimental colours were brought off and are now in my +possession. Their gasconades, and boasted clemency, must appear in the +most ludicrous light to every considerate person who reads Villiers' +journal;--such preparations for an attack, such vigour and intrepidity +as he pretends to have conducted his march with, such revenge, as by +his own account, appeared in his attack, considered, it will hardly be +thought that compassion was his motive for calling a parley. But to +sum up the whole, Mr. Villiers pays himself no great compliment, in +saying, we were struck with a panic when matters were adjusted. We +surely could not be afraid without cause, and if we had cause after +capitulation, it was a reflection upon himself. + +I do not doubt, but your good nature will excuse the badness of my +paper, and the incoherence of my writing--think you see me in a public +house in a crowd, surrounded with noise, and you hit my case. You do +me particular honour in offering your friendship: I wish I may be so +happy as always to merit it, and deserve your correspondence, which I +should be glad to cultivate. + + * * * * * + +NOTE--No. III. _See Page 51._ + +SIR,-We your most obedient and affectionate officers, beg leave to +express our great concern, at the disagreeable news we have received +of your determination to resign the command of that corps, in which we +have under you long served. + +The happiness we have enjoyed, and the honour we have acquired +together, with the mutual regard that has always subsisted between you +and your officers, have implanted so sensible an affection in the +minds of us all, that we can not be silent on this critical occasion. + +In our earliest infancy you took us under your tuition, trained us up +in the practice of that discipline, which alone can constitute good +troops, from the punctual observance of which you never suffered the +least deviation. + +Your steady adherence to impartial justice, your quick discernment, +and invariable regard to merit, wisely intended to inculcate those +genuine sentiments of true honour and passion for glory, from which +the greatest military achievements have been derived, first heightened +our natural emulation and our desire to excel. How much we improved by +those regulations and your own example, with what alacrity we have +hitherto discharged our duty, with what cheerfulness we have +encountered the severest toils, especially while under your particular +directions, we submit to yourself, and natter ourselves that we have +in a great measure answered your expectations. + +Judge, then, how sensibly we must be affected with the loss of such an +excellent commander, such a sincere friend, and so affable a +companion. How rare is it to find those amiable qualifications blended +together in one man! How great the loss of such a man! Adieu to that +superiority, which the enemy have granted us over other troops, and +which even the regulars and provincials have done us the honour +publicly to acknowledge! Adieu to that strict discipline and order, +which you have always maintained! Adieu to that happy union and +harmony, which have been our principal cement! + +It gives us additional sorrow, when we reflect, to find our unhappy +country will receive a loss no less irreparable than our own. Where +will it meet a man so experienced in military affairs--one so renowned +for patriotism, conduct, and courage? Who has so great a knowledge of +the enemy we have to deal with?--who so well acquainted with their +situation and strength?--who so much respected by the soldiery?--who, +in short, so able to support the military character of Virginia? + +Your approved love to your king and country, and your uncommon +perseverance in promoting the honour and true interest of the service, +convince us that the most cogent reasons only could induce you to quit +it; yet we, with the greatest deference, presume to intreat you to +suspend those thoughts for another year, and to lead us on to assist +in the glorious work of extirpating our enemies, towards which, so +considerable advances have been already made. In you, we place the +most implicit confidence. Your presence only will cause a steady +firmness and vigour to actuate in every breast, despising the greatest +dangers, and thinking light of toils and hardships, while led on by +the man we know and love. + +But if we must be so unhappy as to part, if the exigencies of your +affairs force you to abandon us, we beg it as our last request, that +you will recommend some person most capable to command, whose military +knowledge, whose honour, whose conduct, and whose disinterested +principles, we may depend on. + +Frankness, sincerity, and a certain openness of soul, are the true +characteristics of an officer, and we flatter ourselves that you do +not think us capable of saying any thing contrary to the purest +dictates of our minds. Fully persuaded of this, we beg leave to assure +you, that, as you have hitherto been the actuating soul of our whole +corps, we shall at all times pay the most invariable regard to your +will and pleasure, and will always be happy to demonstrate by our +actions with how much respect and esteem we are, &c. + + * * * * * + +NOTE--No. IV. _See Page 54._ + +The delegates of the United Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts +Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, +the counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, +Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina: + +To George Washington, esquire. + +We, reposing special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, +conduct, and fidelity, do, by these presents constitute and appoint +you to be general and commander-in-chief of the army of the United +Colonies, and of all the forces now raised, or to be raised by them, +and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their service, and join +the said army for the defence of American liberty, and for repelling +every hostile invasion thereof: and you are hereby invested with full +power and authority to act as you shall think for the good and welfare +of the service. + +And we do hereby strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers +under your command, to be obedient to your orders, and diligent in the +exercise of their several duties. + +And we also enjoin and require you to be careful in executing the +great trust reposed in you, by causing strict discipline and order to +be observed in the army, and that the soldiers be duly exercised and +provided with all convenient necessaries. + +And you are to regulate your conduct in every respect by the rules and +discipline of war, (as herewith given you) and punctually to observe +and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall +receive from this or a future congress of these United Colonies, or +committee of congress. + +This commission to continue in force, until revoked by us, or a future +congress. + + * * * * * + +NOTE--No. V. _See Page 78._ + +_This letter is so truly characteristic of the writer, and treats in a +manner so peculiar to himself, the measures of congress on this +subject, that, although it may not be immediately connected with the +Life of General Washington, the reader will not be displeased with its +insertion._ + +Stamford, January 22, 1779. + +SIR,--As General Washington has informed the congress of his motives +for detaching me, it is needless to trouble you upon the subject. I am +therefore only to inform you that I have collected a body of about +twelve hundred men from the colony of Connecticut, whose zeal and +ardour demonstrated on this occasion can not be sufficiently praised. +With this body I am marching directly to New York to execute the +different purposes for which I am detached. I am sensible, sir, that +nothing can carry the air of greater presumption than a servant +intruding his opinion unasked upon his master, but at the same time +there are certain seasons when the real danger of the master may not +only excuse, but render laudable, the servant's officiousness. I +therefore flatter myself that the congress will receive with +indulgence and lenity the opinion I shall offer. The scheme of simply +disarming the tories seems to me totally ineffectual; it will only +embitter their minds and add virus to their venom. They can, and will, +always be supplied with fresh arms by the enemy. That of seizing the +most dangerous will, I apprehend, from the vagueness of the +instruction, be attended with some bad consequences, and can answer no +good one. It opens so wide a door for partiality and prejudice to the +different congresses and committees on the continent, that much +discord and animosity will probably ensue; it being next to impossible +to distinguish who are, and who are not the most dangerous. The plan +of explaining to these deluded people the justice and merits of the +American cause is certainly generous and humane, but I am afraid, will +be fruitless. They are so riveted in their opinions, that I am +persuaded should an angel descend from heaven with his golden trumpet, +and ring in their ears that their conduct was criminal, he would be +disregarded. I had lately myself an instance of their infatuation +which, if it is not impertinent, I will relate. At Newport I took the +liberty, without any authority but the conviction of necessity, to +administer a very strong oath to some of the leading tories, for which +liberty I humbly ask pardon of the congress. One article of this oath +was to take arms in defence of their country, if called upon by the +voice of the congress. To this Colonel Wanton and others flatly +refused their assent; to take arms against their sovereign, they said, +was too monstrous an impiety. I asked them if they had lived at the +time of the revolution whether they would have been +revolutionists--their answers were at first evasive, circuitous, and +unintelligible, but, by fixing them down precisely to the question, I +at length drew from them a positive confession that no violence, no +provocation on the part of the court, could prevail upon them to act +with the continent. Such, I am afraid, is the creed and principles of +the whole party great and small.--Sense, reason, argument, and +eloquence, have been expended in vain; and in vain you may still argue +and reason to the end of time. Even the common feelings and +resentments of humanity have not aroused them, but rather with a +malignant pleasure they have beheld the destruction of their +fellow-citizens and relations. But I am running into declamation, +perhaps impertinent and presuming, when I ought to confine myself to +the scheme I submit to your consideration. It is, sir, in the first +place, to disarm all the manifestly disaffected, as well of the lower +as the higher class, not on the principle of putting them in a state +of impotence (for this I observed before will not be the case) but to +supply our troops with arms of which they stand in too great need. +Secondly, to appraise their estates and oblige them to deposite at +least the value of one half of their respective property in the hands +of the continental congress as a security for their good behaviour. +And lastly, to administer the strongest oath that can be devised to +act offensively and defensively in support of the common rights. I +confess that men so eaten up with bigotry, as the bulk of them appear +to be, will not consider themselves as bound by this oath; +particularly as it is in some measure forced, they will argue that it +is by no means obligatory; but if I mistake not, it will be a sort of +criterion by which you will be able to distinguish the desperate +fanatics from those who are reclaimable. The former must of course be +secured and carried to some interior parts of the continent where they +can not be dangerous. This mode of proceeding I conceive (if any can) +will be effectual--but whether it meets with the approbation or +disapprobation of the congress, I most humbly conjure them not to +attribute the proposal to arrogance, or self-conceit, or pragmatical +officiousness, but, at worst, to an intemperate zeal for the public +service. + +Notwithstanding the apparent slimness of the authority, as I am myself +convinced that it is substantial, I think it my duty to communicate a +circumstance to congress. I have with me here, sir, a deserter from +Captain Wallace's ship before Newport. It is necessary to inform you +that this Captain Wallace has the reputation of being the most +imprudent and rash of all mortals--particularly when he is heated with +wine, which, as reported, is a daily incident: that in these moments +he blabs his most secret instructions even to the common men. This +deserter, then, informs us that the captain a few days ago assembled +the sailors and marines on the quarter-deck, and assured them, by way +of encouragement, that they were to proceed very soon to New York, +where they were to be joined by his majesty's most loyal subjects of +White Plains, Poughkeepsie, and Long Island, and at the same time +bestowed abundantly his curses on the admiral and general for their +dilatoriness and scandalous conduct in not availing themselves sooner +of the invitation they had received from the worthy gentlemen. The +congress will make what comments they please on this information, +which I must repeat I thought it my duty to communicate. Upon the +whole, sir, you may be assured that it is the intention of the +ministerialists to take possession, and immediately, of New York. The +intercepted letters, the unguarded expressions of their officers, in +their interviews with ours on the lines, but above all the manifest +advantages resulting to their cause from this measure, put their +intention beyond dispute. With submission therefore to the wisdom of +the congress, it behooves them, I should think, not to lose a moment +in securing this important post, which, if in the hands of the enemy, +must cut the continent in twain, and render it almost impossible for +the northern and southern colonies to support each other. This crisis, +when every thing is at stake, is not a time to be over complacent to +the timidity of the inhabitants of any particular spot. I have now +under my command a respectable force adequate to the purpose of +securing the place, and purging all its environs of traitors, on which +subject I shall expect with impatience the determination of the +congress. Their orders I hope to receive before or immediately on my +arrival. + +This instant, the enclosed, express from the provincial congress of +New York, was delivered into my hands, but as these gentlemen probably +are not fully apprised of the danger hanging over their heads, as I +have received intelligence from the camp that the fleet is sailed, and +that it is necessary to urge my march, I shall proceed with one +division of the forces under my command to that city. A moment's delay +may be fatal. The force I shall carry with me is not strong enough to +act offensively, but just sufficient to secure the city against any +immediate designs of the enemy. If this is to give umbrage, if the +governor and captain of the man of war are pleased to construe this +step as an act of positive hostility, if they are to prescribe what +number of your troops are and what number are not to enter the city, +all I can say is that New York must be considered as the minister's +place, and not the continent. I must now, sir, beg pardon for the +length of this letter, and more so, for the presumption in offering so +freely my thoughts to the congress, from whom it is my duty simply to +receive my orders, and as a servant and soldier strictly to obey; +which none can do with greater ardour and affection than, + +Sir, + +Your most obedient humble servant, + +CHARLES LEE. + +To the honourable John Hancock, esquire, president of the continental +congress. + + * * * * * + +NOTE--No. VI. _See Page 153._ + +THE NAMES OF THE MEMBERS WHO SUBSCRIBED THE DECLARATION OF +INDEPENDENCE WERE AS FOLLOWS, VIZ: + +_New Hampshire._ + +Josiah Bartlett, +William Whipple, +Matthew Thornton. + +_Massachusetts Bay._ + +Samuel Adams, +John Adams, +Robert Treat Paine, +Elbridge Gerry. + +_Rhode Island, &c._ + +Stephen Hopkins, +William Ellery. + +_Connecticut._ + +Roger Sherman, +Samuel Huntington, +William Williams, +Oliver Wolcott. + +_New York._ + +William Floyd, +Philip Livingston, +Francis Lewis, +Lewis Morris. + +_New Jersey._ + +Richard Stockton, +John Witherspoon, +Francis Hopkinson, +John Hart, +Abram Clark. + +_Pennsylvania._ + +Robert Morris, +Benjamin Rush, +Benjamin Franklin, +John Morton, +George Clymer, +James Smith, +George Taylor, +James Wilson, +George Ross. + +_Delaware._ + +Cesar Rodney, +George Reed. + +_Maryland._ + +Samuel Chase, +William Paca, +Thomas Stone, +Charles Carroll, _of Carrollton_. + +_Virginia._ + +George Wythe, +Richard Henry Lee, +Thomas Jefferson, +Benjamin Harrison, +Thomas Nelson, jun. +Francis Lightfoot Lee, +Carter Braxton. + +_North Carolina._ + +William Hooper, +Joseph Hughes, +John Penn. + +_South Carolina._ + +Edward Rutledge, +Thomas Heyward, jun. +Thomas Lynch, jun. +Arthur Middleton. + +_Georgia._ + +Button Gwinn, +George Walton, +Lyman Hall. + +The people of the United States have taken such universal interest in +the composition of this celebrated instrument as to excuse a more +minute attention to it than has been bestowed on the other +cotemporaneous state papers. + +Mr. Jefferson has preserved a copy of the original draft as reported +by the committee, with the amendments made to it in congress, which +has been published in his correspondence. The following is extracted +from that work. + +_Mr. Jefferson's draft as _As amended by congress._ +reported by the committee._ + +A declaration by the A declaration by the +representatives of the representatives of the +United States of America United States of America +in _general_ congress in congress assembled. +assembled. + +When in the course of +human events it becomes +necessary for one people to +dissolve the political bonds +which have connected them +with another, and to assume +among the powers of the +earth the separate and equal Not altered. +station to which the laws of +nature and of nature's God +entitle them, a decent respect +for the opinions of mankind +requires that they should +declare the causes which impel +them to the separation. + +We hold these truths to be We hold these truths to be +self-evident, that all men are self-evident, that all men are +created equal; that they are created equal; that they are +endowed by their creator with endowed by their creator with +_inherent and_ inalienable _certain_ inalienable rights; +rights; that among these are that among these are life, +life, liberty, and the pursuit liberty, and the pursuit of +of happiness; that to secure happiness; that to secure +these rights, governments are these rights, governments are +instituted among men, deriving instituted among men, deriving +their just powers from their just powers from +the consent of the governed; the consent of the governed; +that whenever any form of that whenever any form of +government becomes destructive government becomes destructive +of these ends, it is the of these ends, it is the +right of the people to alter or right of the people to alter or +to abolish it, and to institute to abolish it, and to institute +new government, laying its new government, laying its +foundation on such principles, foundation on such principles, +and organising its powers in and organising its powers in +such form, as to them shall such form, as to them shall +seem most likely to effect their seem most likely to effect their +safety and happiness. Prudence safety and happiness. Prudence +indeed will dictate that indeed will dictate that +governments long established governments long established +should not be changed for should not be changed for +light and transient causes; light and transient causes; +and accordingly all experience and accordingly all experience +hath shown that mankind are hath shown that mankind are +more disposed to suffer while more disposed to suffer while +evils are sufferable, than to evils are sufferable, than to +right themselves by abolishing right themselves by abolishing +the forms to which they the forms to which they +are accustomed. But when a are accustomed. But when a +long train of abuses and long train of abuses and +usurpations _begun at a usurpations pursuing +distinguished period and_ invariably the same object, +pursuing invariably the same evinces a design to reduce +object, evinces a design to them under absolute despotism, +reduce them under absolute it is their right, it is +despotism, it is their right, their duty to throw off such +it is their duty to throw off government, and to provide +such government, and to provide new guards for their future +new guards for their security. Such has been the +future security. Such has patient sufferance of these +been the patient sufferings of colonies, and such is now the +these colonies; and such is necessity which constrains +now the necessity which constrains them to _alter_ their former +them to _expunge_ their systems of government. The +former systems of government. history of the present king of +The history of the Great Britain is a history of +present king of Great Britain _repeated_ injuries and +is a history of _unremitting_ usurpations, _all having_ +injuries and usurpations in direct object +_among which appears no the establishment of an +solitary fact to contradict the absolute tyranny over these +uniform tenor of the rest, but states. To prove this let facts +all have_ in direct object the be submitted to a candid +establishment of an absolute world. +tyranny over these states. To +prove this let facts be submitted +to a candid world, _for +the truth of which we pledge +a faith yet unsullied by +falsehood_. + +He has refused his assent +to laws the most wholesome Not altered. +and necessary for the public +good. + +He has forbidden his +governors to pass laws of +immediate and pressing +importance, unless suspended Not altered. +in their operation till his +assent should be obtained; +and when so suspended he +has utterly neglected to +attend to them. + +He has refused to pass +other laws for the accommodation +of large districts of +people, unless those people +would relinquish the right of Not altered. +representation in the +legislature, a right inestimable +to them, and formidable to +tyrants only. + +He has called together +legislative bodies at places +unusual, uncomfortable, and +distant from the depositary of Not altered. +their public records, for the +sole purpose of fatiguing +them into compliance with his +measures. + +He has dissolved representative He has dissolved representative +houses repeatedly _and houses repeatedly for +continually_, for opposing with opposing with manly firmness +manly firmness his invasions his invasions on the rights of +on the rights of the people. the people. + +He has refused for a long +time after such dissolutions to +cause others to be elected, +whereby the legislative +powers, incapable of annihilation, +have returned to the people Not altered. +at large for their exercise, +the state remaining, in the +mean time, exposed to the +dangers of invasion from +without and convulsions +within. + +He has endeavoured to +prevent the population of +these states; for that purpose +obstructing the laws for the +naturalization of foreigners, Not altered. +refusing to pass others to +encourage their migrations +hither, and raising the +conditions of new appropriations +of lands. + +He has _suffered_ the He has _obstructed_ the +administration of justice administration of justice +_totally to cease in some _by_ refusing his assent +of these states_, refusing his to laws for establishing +assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. +judiciary powers. + +He has made _our_ judges He has made judges dependent +dependent on his will alone on his will alone for the +for the tenure of their offices, tenure of their offices, and the +and the amount and payment amount and payment of their +of their salaries. salaries. + +He has erected a multitude He has erected a multitude +of new offices, _by a of new offices, and sent hither +self-assumed power_, and swarms of new officers to +sent hither swarms of new harass our people and eat out +officers to harass our people their substance. +and eat out their substance. + +He has kept among us in He has kept among us in +times of peace standing armies times of peace standing armies +_and ships of war_ without without the consent of our +the consent of our legislatures. legislatures. + +He has affected to render +the military independence of Not altered. +and superior to the civil +power. + +He has combined with He has combined with +others to subject us to a others to subject us to a +jurisdiction foreign to our jurisdiction foreign to our +constitutions and constitutions and +unacknowledged unacknowledged +by our laws, giving his assent by our laws, giving his assent +to their acts of pretended to their acts of pretended +legislation for quartering legislation for quartering +large bodies of armed troops large bodies of armed troops +among us; for protecting by among us; for protecting by +a mock trial from punishment a mock trial from punishment +for any murders which they for any murders which they +should commit on the inhabitants should commit on the inhabitants +of these states; for cutting of these states; for cutting +off our trade with all off our trade with all +parts of the world; for imposing parts of the world; for imposing +taxes on us without taxes on us without +our consent; for depriving us our consent; for depriving us +of the benefits of trial by _in many cases_ of the +jury; for transporting us beyond benefits of trial by jury; +seas to be tried for pretended for transporting us beyond +offences; for abolishing seas to be tried for pretended +the free system of English offences; for abolishing the +laws in a neighbouring province, free system of English laws +establishing therein an in a neighbouring province, +arbitrary government, and establishing therein an +enlarging its boundaries, so arbitrary government, and +as to render it at once an enlarging its boundaries, so +example and fit instrument for as to render it at once an +introducing the same absolute example and fit instrument for +rule into these _states_; for introducing the same absolute +taking away our charters, rule into these _colonies_; +abolishing our most valuable for taking away our charters, +laws, and altering fundamentally abolishing our most valuable +the forms of our governments; laws, and altering fundamentally +for suspending our the forms of our governments; +own legislatures, and declaring for suspending our own +themselves invested with legislatures, and declaring +power to legislate for us in themselves invested with +all cases whatsoever. power to legislate for us in + all cases whatsoever. + +He has abdicated government He has abdicated government +here, _withdrawing his here _by declaring us out +governors and declaring us of his protection and waging +out of his allegiance and war against us_. +protection_. + +He has plundered our seas, +ravaged our coasts, burnt our Not altered. +towns and destroyed the lives +of our people. + +He is at this time transporting He is at this time transporting +large armies of foreign large armies of foreign +mercenaries to complete the mercenaries to complete the +works of death, desolation works of death, destruction +and tyranny already begun and tyranny already begun +with circumstances of cruelty with circumstances of cruelty +and perfidy unworthy the and perfidy _scarcely +head of a civilized nation. paralleled in the most + barbarous ages and totally_ + unworthy the head of a + civilized nation. + +He has constrained our +fellow-citizens taken captive +on the high seas to bear arms +against their country, to Not altered. +become the executioners of +their friends and brethren, or +to fall themselves by their +hands. + +He has endeavoured to He has _excited domestic +bring on the inhabitants of insurrections among us and has_ +the frontiers the merciless endeavoured to bring on the +Indian savages whose known inhabitants of the frontiers +rule of warfare is an the merciless Indian savages +undistinguished destruction of whose known rule of warfare +all ages, sexes and conditions is an undistinguished destruction +_of existence_. of all ages, sexes, and + conditions. + +He has excited treasonable +insurrections of our +fellow-citizens, with the Struck out. +allurements of forfeiture and +confiscation of our property. + +He has waged cruel war +against human nature itself, +violating its most sacred +rights of life and liberty in +the persons of a distant people +who never offended him, +captivating and carrying them +into slavery in another +hemisphere, or to incur +miserable death in their +transportation thither. +This piratical warfare, the +opprobrium of INFIDEL powers, +is the warfare of the CHRISTIAN +king of Great Britain. +Determined to keep open a +market where MEN should be +bought and sold, he has +prostituted his negative for Struck out. +suppressing every legislative +attempt to prohibit or to +restrain this execrable commerce. +And that this assemblage +of horrors might want no fact of +distinguished die, he is now +exciting those very people to +rise in arms among us, and to +purchase that liberty of which +he has deprived them, by +murdering the people on whom he +also obtruded them; thus paying +off former crimes committed +against the LIBERTIES of one +people with crimes which he +urges them to commit against +the LIVES of another. + +In every stage of these +oppressions we have petitioned +for redress in the most Not altered. +humble terms; our repeated +petitions have been answered +only by repeated injuries. + +A prince whose character is A prince whose character is +thus marked by every act thus marked by every act +which may define a tyrant is which may define a tyrant is +unfit to be the ruler of a unfit to be the ruler of a +people _who mean to be free. _free_ people. +Future ages will scarcely +believe that the hardiness of one +man adventured, within the +short compass of twelve years +only, to lay a foundation so +broad and so undisguised for +tyranny over a people fostered +and fixed in principles of +freedom._ + +Nor have we been wanting Nor have we been wanting +in attention to our British in attention to our British +brethren. We have warned brethren. We have warned +them from time to time of them from time to time of +attempts by their legislature to attempts by their legislature to +extend _a_ jurisdiction over extend _an unwarrantable_ +_these our states_. We have jurisdiction over _us_. We have +reminded them of the reminded them of the +circumstances of our emigration circumstances of our emigration +and settlement here; _no one of and settlement here; we _have_ +which could warrant so appealed to their native justice +strange a pretension; these and magnanimity, _and we +were effected at the expense have conjured them by_ the +of our own blood and treasure, ties of our common kindred +unassisted by the wealth or to disavow these usurpations +the strength of Great Britain; which _would inevitably_ +that in constituting indeed interrupt our connexion and +our several forms of government, correspondence. They too have +we had adopted one been deaf to the voice of +common king; thereby laying justice and of consanguinity. +a foundation for perpetual _We must therefore_ acquiesce +league and amity with them; in the necessity which denounces +but that submission to their our separation, _and hold them_ +parliament was no part of our as we hold the rest of mankind, +constitution, nor ever in idea enemies in war, in peace +if history may be credited; friends. +and_ we appealed to their +native justice and magnanimity, +_as well as to_ the ties of our +common kindred, to disavow +these usurpations which _were +likely to_ interrupt our +connexion and correspondence. +They too have been deaf to +the voice of justice and of +consanguinity, _and when +occasions have been given them +by the regular course of their +laws, of removing from their +councils the disturbers of our +harmony, they have by their +free election re-established +them in power. At this very +time too, they are permitting +their chief magistrate to send +over not only soldiers of our +common blood, but Scotch and +foreign mercenaries to invade +and destroy us. These facts +have given the last stab to +agonizing affection, and +manly spirit bids us to renounce +for ever these unfeeling +brethren. We must endeavour +to forget our former +love for them, and hold them +as we hold the rest of mankind, +enemies in war, in +peace friends. We might have +been a free and a great people +together; but a communication +of grandeur and of +freedom, it seems, is below +their dignity. Be it so, since +they will have it. The road +to happiness and to glory is +open to us too. We will tread +it apart from them, and_ +acquiesce in the necessity +which denounces our _eternal_ +separation. + +We, therefore, the We, therefore, the +representatives of the United representatives of the United +States of America in general States of America in general +congress assembled, do, in the congress assembled, _appealing +name and by the authority of to the supreme judge of the +the good people of these world for the rectitude of our +_states, reject and renounce all intentions_, do in the name, +allegiance and subjection to and by the good people of +the kings of Great Britain, these _colonies, solemnly +and all others who may hereafter publish and declare that these +claim by, through or united colonies are and of +under them; we utterly dissolve right ought to be free and +all political connexion which independent states; that they +may heretofore have are absolved from all +subsisted between us and the allegiance to the British crown, +people or parliament of Great and that all political +Britain; and finally we do connexion between them and the +assert and declare these colonies state of Great Britain is, and +to be free and independent ought to be, totally dissolved_; +states_, and that as free and and that as free and independent +independent states, they have states they have full +full power to levy war, power to levy war, conclude +conclude peace, contract alliances, peace, contract alliances, +establish commerce, and to do establish commerce, and to do +all other acts and things all other acts and things +which independent states may which independent states may +of right do. of right do. + +And for the support of this And for the support of this +declaration, we mutually declaration, _with a firm +pledge to each other our lives, reliance on the protection of +our fortunes, and our sacred divine providence_, we mutually +honour. pledge to each other our lives, + our fortunes, and our sacred + honour. + +The words expunged from the original draft are distinguished by +italics, as are the words that were introduced by congress. + + * * * * * + +NOTE--No. VII. _See Page 229._ + +"My reasons for this measure," said the Commander-in-chief in his +letter to General Lee, ordering him to cross the Hudson, "and which I +think must have weight with you, are, that the enemy are evidently +changing the seat of war to this side of the North river; that this +country, therefore, will expect the continental army to give what +support they can; and, if disappointed in this, will cease to depend +upon, or support a force by which no protection is given to them. It +is, therefore, of the utmost importance that at least an appearance of +force should be made, to keep this state in connexion with the others. +If that should not continue, it is much to be feared that its +influence on Pennsylvania would be very considerable; and the public +interests would be more and more endangered. Unless, therefore, some +new event should occur, or some more cogent reason present itself, I +would have you move over by the easiest and best passage. I am +sensible your numbers will not be large, and that the movement may not +perhaps be agreeable to your troops. As to the first, report will +exaggerate them, and there will be preserved the appearance of an +army, which will, at least, have the effect of encouraging the +desponding here; and, as to the other, you will doubtless represent to +them, that in duty and gratitude, their service is due wherever the +enemy may make the greatest impression, or seem to intend to do so." + + * * * * * + +NOTE--No. VIII. _See Page 268._ + +In a postscript, it is stated, that an accurate return could not be +obtained, but that from the best estimate he could form, the whole +force in Jersey fit for duty was under three thousand; all of whom, +except nine hundred and eighty-one, were militia, who stood engaged +only until the last of that month. The continental troops under +inoculation, including their attendants, amounted to about one +thousand. + +In a letter of the sixth of March to Governor Trumbull, calling on the +state of Connecticut for two thousand militia to be marched to +Peekskill, after complaining of the militia he had called from the +southern states, who came and went as their own caprice might direct, +he says, "I am persuaded, from the readiness with which you have ever +complied with all my demands, that you will exert yourself in +forwarding the aforementioned number of men, upon my bare request. But +I hope you will be convinced of the necessity of the demand, when I +tell you, in confidence, that after the 15th of this month, when the +time of General Lincoln's militia expires, I shall be left with the +remains of five Virginia regiments, not amounting to more than as many +hundred men, and parts of two or three other continental battalions, +all very weak. The remainder of the army will be composed of small +parties of militia from this state and Pennsylvania, on whom little +dependence can be put, as they come and go when they please. I have +issued peremptory orders to every colonel in the regular service, to +send in what men he has recruited, even if they amount to but one +hundred to a regiment: if they would do this, it would make a +considerable force upon the whole. The enemy must be ignorant of our +numbers and situation, or they would never suffer us to remain +unmolested; and I almost tax myself with imprudence in committing the +secret to paper; not that I distrust you, of whose inviolable +attachment I have had so many proofs; but for fear the letter should +by any accident fall into other hands than those for which it is +intended." + + * * * * * + +NOTE--No. IX. _See Page 382._ + +Justice to the unfortunate demands that an extract from the +correspondence between Generals Burgoyne and Gates on this subject +should be inserted. + +The British general had complained of the harsh treatment experienced +by the provincial prisoners taken at Bennington, and requested that a +surgeon from his army should be permitted to visit the wounded; and +that he might be allowed to furnish them with necessaries and +attendants. "Duty and principle," he added, "make me a public enemy to +the Americans, who have taken up arms; but I seek to be a generous +one; nor have I the shadow of resentment against any individual, who +does not induce it by acts derogatory to those maxims, upon which all +men of honour think alike." In answer to this letter, General Gates, +who had just taken command of the American army, said, "that the +savages of America should, in their warfare, mangle and scalp the +unhappy prisoners who fall into their hands is neither new nor +extraordinary, but that the famous Lieutenant General Burgoyne, in +whom the fine gentleman is united with the soldier and the scholar, +should hire the savages of America to scalp Europeans, and the +descendants of Europeans; nay more, that he should pay a price for +each scalp so barbarously taken, is more than will be believed in +Europe, until authenticated facts shall, in every gazette, confirm the +truth of the horrid tale. + +"Miss M'Crea, a young lady, lovely to the sight, of virtuous +character, and amiable disposition, engaged to an officer of your +army, was, with other women and children, taken out of a house near +fort Edward, carried into the woods, and there scalped and mangled in +a most shocking manner. Two parents with their six children, were all +treated with the same inhumanity, while quietly resting in their once +happy and peaceful dwelling. The miserable fate of Miss M'Crea was +particularly aggravated, by being dressed to receive her promised +husband; but met her murderer employed by you. Upwards of one hundred +men, women and children, have perished by the hands of the ruffians to +whom, it is asserted, you have paid the price of blood." + +To this part of his letter, General Burgoyne replied, "I have +hesitated, sir, upon answering the other paragraphs of your letter. I +disdain to justify myself against the rhapsodies of fiction and +calumny, which from the first of this contest, it has been an unvaried +American policy to propagate, but which no longer imposes on the +world. I am induced to deviate from this general rule, in the present +instance, lest my silence should be construed an acknowledgment of the +truth of your allegations, and a pretence be thence taken for +exercising future barbarities by the American troops. + +"By this motive, and upon this only, I condescend to inform you, that +I would not be conscious of the acts you presume to impute to me, for +the whole continent of America, though the wealth of worlds was in its +bowels, and a paradise upon its surface. + +"It has happened, that all my transactions with the Indian nations, +last year and this, have been clearly heard, distinctly understood, +accurately minuted, by very numerous, and in many parts, very +unprejudiced persons. So immediately opposite to the truth is your +assertion that I have paid a price for scalps, that one of the first +regulations established by me at the great council in May, and +repeated and enforced, and invariably adhered to since, was, that the +Indians should receive compensation for prisoners, because it would +prevent cruelty; and that not only such compensation should be +withheld, but a strict account demanded for scalps. These pledges of +conquest, for such you well know they will ever esteem them, were +solemnly and peremptorily prohibited to be taken from the wounded, and +even the dying, and the persons of aged men, women, children, and +prisoners, were pronounced sacred, even in an assault. + +"In regard to Miss M'Crea, her fall wanted not the tragic display you +have laboured to give it, to make it as sincerely abhorred and +lamented by me, as it can be by the tenderest of her friends. The fact +was no premeditated barbarity. On the contrary, two chiefs who had +brought her off for the purpose of security, not of violence to her +person, disputed which should be her guard, and in a fit of savage +passion in one, from whose hands she was snatched, the unhappy woman +became the victim. Upon the first intelligence of this event, I +obliged the Indians to deliver the murderer into my hands, and though +to have punished him by our laws, or principles of justice, would have +been perhaps unprecedented, he certainly should have suffered an +ignominious death, had I not been convinced from my circumstances and +observation, beyond the possibility of a doubt, that a pardon under +the terms which I presented, and they accepted, would be more +efficacious than an execution, to prevent similar mischiefs. + +"The above instance excepted, your intelligence respecting the cruelty +of the Indians is false. + +"You seem to threaten me with European publications, which affect me +as little as any other threats you could make; but in regard to +American publications, whether your charge against me, which I acquit +you of believing, was penned _from_ a gazette, or _for_ a gazette, I +desire and demand of you, as a man of honour, that should it appear in +print at all this answer may follow it." + + * * * * * + +NOTE--No. X. _See Page 405._ + +Lord Suffolk, secretary of state, contended for the employment of +Indians, in the war. "Besides its policy and necessity," his lordship +said, "that the measure was also allowable on principle, for that it +was perfectly justifiable to use all the means that God and nature had +put into our hands." + +This moving the indignation of Lord Chatham, he suddenly rose, and +gave full vent to his feelings in one of the most extraordinary bursts +of eloquence that the pen of history has recorded: "I am astonished," +exclaimed his lordship, "shocked to hear such principles confessed; to +hear them avowed in this house or even this country. My lords, I did +not intend to have encroached again on your attention, but I can not +repress my indignation. I feel myself impelled to speak. My lords, we +are called upon as members of this house, as men, as christians, to +protest against such horrible barbarity. That God and nature had put +into our hands! what ideas of God and nature that noble lord may +entertain I know not, but I know that such detestable principles are +equally abhorrent to religion and humanity. What, to attribute the +sacred sanction of God and nature to the massacres of the Indian +scalping knife! to the cannibal savage, torturing, murdering, +devouring, drinking the blood of his mangled victims! such notions +shock every precept of morality, every feeling of humanity, every +sentiment of honour. These abominable principles and this more +abominable avowal of them, demand the most decisive indignation. I +call upon that right reverend and this most learned bench to vindicate +the religion of their God, to support the justice of their country. I +call upon the bishops to interpose the unsullied sanctity of their +lawn, upon the judges to interpose the purity of their ermine, to save +us from this pollution. I call upon the honour of your lordships, to +reverence the dignity of your ancestors, and to maintain your own. I +call upon the spirit and humanity of my country, to vindicate the +national character. I invoke the genius of the constitution. From the +tapestry that adorns these walls, the immortal ancestor of this noble +lord, frowns with indignation at the disgrace of his country. In vain +did he defend the liberty, and establish the religion of Britain +against the tyranny of Rome, if these worse than popish cruelties and +inquisitorial practices are endured among us. To send forth the +merciless cannibal thirsting for blood!--against whom?--Your +protestant brethren--to lay waste their country, to desolate their +dwellings, and extirpate their race and name, by the aid and +instrumentality of these horrible hell-hounds of war! Spain can no +longer boast preeminence of barbarity. She armed herself with +blood-hounds to extirpate the wretched natives of Mexico, but we more +ruthless, loose these dogs of war against our countrymen in America, +endeared to us by every tie that should sanctify humanity. My lords, I +solemnly call upon your lordships, and upon every order of men in the +state, to stamp upon this infamous procedure the indelible stigma of +the public abhorrence. More particularly I call upon the holy prelates +of our religion to do away this iniquity; let them perform a +lustration to purify their country from this deep and deadly sin. My +lords, I am old and weak, and at present unable to say more, but my +feelings and indignation were too strong to have said less. I could +not have slept this night in my bed, nor reposed my head upon my +pillow, without giving this vent to my eternal abhorrence of such +enormous and preposterous principles." + + * * * * * + +NOTE--No. XI. _See Page 414._ + +_The following are the letters which passed between the two generals +on this subject:_ + +Albany, December 18, 1777. + +SIR,--I shall not attempt to describe what, as a private gentleman, I +can not help feeling, on representing to my mind the disagreeable +situation which confidential letters, when exposed to public +inspection, may place an unsuspecting correspondent in; but, as a +public officer, I conjure your excellency, to give me all the +assistance you can, in tracing out the author of the infidelity, which +put extracts from General Conway's letters to me into your hands. +Those letters have been stealingly copied; but, which of them, when, +or by whom, is to me, as yet, an unfathomable secret. + +There is not one officer in my suite, or amongst those who have a free +access to me, upon whom I could, with the least justification to +myself, fix the suspicion; and yet, my uneasiness may deprive me of +the usefulness of the worthiest men. It is, I believe, in your +excellency's power to do me, and the United States, a very important +service, by detecting a wretch who may betray me, and capitally injure +the very operations under your immediate direction. For this reason, +sir, I beg your excellency will favour me with the proofs you can +procure to that effect. But, the crime being, eventually so important, +that the least loss of time may be attended with the worst +consequences; and, it being unknown to me whether the letter came to +you from a member of congress, or from an officer, I shall have the +honour of transmitting a copy of this to the president, that congress +may, in concert with your excellency, obtain, as soon as possible, a +discovery which so deeply affects the safety of the states. Crimes of +that magnitude ought not to remain unpunished. + +I have the honour to be, + +Sir, With the greatest respect, + +Your excellency's most humble and most obedient servant, + +HORATIO GATES. + +His excellency General Washington. + + * * * * * + +Valley Forge, January 4, 1778. + +SIR,--Your letter of the 18th ultimo, came to my hands a few days ago, +and to my great surprise informed me, that a copy of it had been sent +to congress, for what reason, I find myself unable to account; but, as +some end doubtless was intended to be answered by it, I am laid under +the disagreeable necessity of returning my answer through the same +channel, lest any member of that honourable body should harbour an +unfavourable suspicion of my having practised some indiscreet means to +come at the contents of the confidential letters between you and +General Conway. + +I am to inform you then, that ----, on his way to congress in the +month of October last, fell in with Lord Stirling at Reading: and, not +in confidence that I ever understood, informed his aid-de-camp, Major +M'Williams, that General Conway had written thus to you, "heaven has +been determined to save your country, or a weak general and bad +counsellors[106] would have ruined it." Lord Stirling, from motives of +friendship, transmitted the account with this remark. "The enclosed +was communicated by ---- to Major M'Williams; such wicked duplicity of +conduct I shall always think it my duty to detect." + + [Footnote 106: One of whom, by the by, he was.] + +In consequence of this information, and without having any thing more +in view, than merely to show that gentleman that I was not unapprised +of his intriguing disposition, I wrote him a letter in these words. + +"Sir, a letter which I received last night contained the following +paragraph. + +"In a letter from General Conway to General Gates, he says, heaven has +been determined to save your country, or a weak general and bad +counsellors would have ruined it. I am, sir, &c." + +Neither the letter, nor the information which occasioned it, was ever, +directly, or indirectly, communicated by me to a single officer in +this army (out of my own family) excepting the Marquis de Lafayette, +who having been spoken to on the subject, by General Conway, applied +for, and saw, under injunctions of secrecy, the letter which contained +this information; so desirous was I of concealing every matter that +could, in its consequences, give the smallest interruption to the +tranquillity of this army, or afford a gleam of hope to the enemy by +dissensions therein. + +Thus, sir, with an openness and candour, which I hope will ever +characterize and mark my conduct, have I complied with your request. +The only concern I feel upon the occasion, finding how matters stand, +is, that in doing this, I have necessarily been obliged to name a +gentleman, who, I am persuaded, (although I never exchanged a word +with him upon the subject) thought he was rather doing an act of +justice, than committing an act of infidelity; and sure I am, that, +until Lord Stirling's letter came to my hands, I never knew that +General Conway, (whom I viewed in the light of a stranger to you) was +a correspondent of yours, much less did I suspect that I was the +subject of your confidential letters. Pardon me then for adding, that, +so far from conceiving that the safety of the states can be affected, +or in the smallest degree injured, by a discovery of this kind, or +that I should be called upon in such solemn terms to point out the +author, that I considered the information as coming from yourself, and +given with a friendly view to forewarn, and consequently forearm me, +against a secret enemy, or in other words, a dangerous incendiary, in +which character sooner or later, this country will know General +Conway. But, in this, as well as other matters of late, I have found +myself mistaken. I am, sir, + +Your most obedient servant, + +GEO: WASHINGTON. + +To Major General Gates. + + * * * * * + +NOTE--No. XII. _See Page 417._ + +_During the existence of this faction, an attempt appears to have been +made to alienate the affections of the leading political personages in +the states from the commander-in-chief. The following letters exhibit +a very unsuccessful effort of this sort, which was made on Governor +Henry, of Virginia, by a gentleman not supposed to be a member of +congress from that state._ + +Williamsburgh, February 20, 1778. + +DEAR SIR,--You will no doubt be surprised at seeing the enclosed +letter, in which the encomiums bestowed on me are as undeserved, as +the censures aimed at you are unjust. I am sorry there should be one +man who counts himself my friend, who is not yours. + +Perhaps I give you needless trouble in handing you this paper. The +writer of it may be too insignificant to deserve any notice. If I knew +this to be the case, I should not have intruded on your time, which is +so precious. But there may possibly be some scheme or party forming to +your prejudice. The enclosed leads to such a suspicion. Believe me, +sir, I have too high a sense of the obligations America has to you, to +abet or countenance so unworthy a proceeding. The most exalted merit +hath ever been found to attract envy. But I please myself with the +hope, that the same fortitude and greatness of mind which have +hitherto braved all the difficulties and dangers inseparable from your +station, will rise superior to every attempt of the envious partisan. + +I really can not tell who is the writer of this letter, which not a +little perplexes me. The hand writing is altogether strange to me. + +To give you the trouble of this, gives me pain. It would suit my +inclination better, to give you some assistance in the great business +of the war. But I will not conceal any thing from you, by which you +may be affected, for I really think your personal welfare and the +happiness of America are intimately connected. I beg you will be +assured of that high regard and esteem with which I ever am, + +Dear sir, + +Your affectionate friend and very humble servant, + +P. HENRY. + +His excellency General Washington. + +(_Letter enclosed in the preceding._) + +Yorktown, January 12, 1778. + +DEAR SIR,--The common danger of our country first brought you and me +together. I recollect with pleasure the influence of your conversation +and eloquence upon the opinions of this country in the beginning of +the present controversy. You first taught us to shake off our +idolatrous attachment to royalty, and to oppose its encroachments upon +our liberties with our very lives. By these means you saved us from +ruin. The independence of America is the offspring of that liberal +spirit of thinking, and acting, which followed the destruction of the +sceptres of kings and the mighty power of Great Britain. + +But, sir, we have only passed the Red Sea. A dreary wilderness is +still before us, and unless a Moses or a Joshua are raised up in our +behalf, we must perish before we reach the promised land. We have +nothing to fear from our enemies on the way. General Howe, it is true, +has taken Philadelphia; but he has only changed his prison. His +dominions are bounded on all sides by his outsentries. America can +only be undone by herself. She looks up to her councils and arms for +protection; but alas! what are they? her representation in congress +dwindled to only twenty-one members--her Adams--her Wilson--her Henry, +are no more among them. Her councils weak--and partial remedies +applied constantly for universal diseases. Her army--what is it? a +major general belonging to it called it a few days ago in my hearing a +_mob_. Discipline unknown or _wholly_ neglected. The quartermaster and +commissary's departments filled with idleness, ignorance and +peculation--our hospitals crowded with six thousand sick, but half +provided with necessaries or accommodations, and more dying in them in +one month, than perished in the field during the whole of the last +campaign. + +The money depreciating without any effectual measures being taken to +raise it--the country distracted with the Don Quixote attempts to +regulate the prices of provisions, an _artificial_ famine created by +it, and a _real_ one dreaded from it. The spirit of the people failing +through a more intimate acquaintance with the causes of our +misfortunes--many submitting daily to General Howe, and more wishing +to do it, only to avoid the calamities which threaten our country. But +is our case desperate? by no means. We have wisdom, virtue, and +strength _eno'_ to save us if they could be called into action. The +northern army has shown us what Americans are capable of doing with A +GENERAL at their head. The spirit of the southern army is no ways +inferior to the spirit of the northern. A Gates--a Lee, or a Conway +would, in a few weeks, render them an irresistible body of men. The +last of the above officers has accepted of the new office of inspector +general of our army, in order to reform abuses--but the remedy is only +a palliative one. In one of his letters to a friend he says, "a great +and good God hath decreed America to be free--or the ---- and weak +counsellors would have ruined her long ago"--you may rest assured of +_each_ of the facts related in this letter. The author of it is one of +your Philadelphia friends. A hint of his name, if found out by the +hand writing, must not be mentioned to your most intimate friend. Even +the letter _must_ be thrown in the fire. But some of its contents +ought to be made public in order to awaken, enlighten, and alarm our +country. I rely upon your prudence, and am, dear sir, with my usual +attachment to _you_, and to our beloved independence, + +Yours, sincerely. + +His excellency P. Henry. + + * * * * * + +Williamsburgh, March 5, 1778. + +DEAR SIR,--By an express which Colonel Finnie sent to camp, I enclosed +you an anonymous letter, which I hope got safe to hand. I am anxious +to hear something that will serve to explain the strange affair, which +I am now informed is taken up, respecting you. Mr. Custis has just +paid us a visit, and by him I learn sundry particulars concerning +General Mifflin, that much surprise me. It is very hard to trace the +schemes and windings of the enemies to America. I really thought that +man its friend: however, I am too far from him to judge of his present +temper. + +While you face the armed enemies of our liberty in the field, and, by +the favour of God, have been kept unhurt, I trust your country will +never harbour in her bosom the miscreant who would ruin her best +supporter. I wish not to flatter; but when arts unworthy honest men +are used to defame and traduce you, I think it not amiss, but a duty, +to assure you of that estimation in which the public hold you. Not +that I think any testimony I can bear, is necessary for your support, +or private satisfaction, for a bare recollection of what is past must +give you sufficient pleasure in every circumstance of life. But I can +not help assuring you, on this occasion, of the high sense of +gratitude which all ranks of men, in this your native country, bear to +you. It will give me sincere pleasure to manifest my regards, and +render my best services to you or yours. I do not like to make a +parade of these things, and I know you are not fond of it; however, I +hope the occasion will plead my excuse. + +The assembly have at length empowered the executive here to provide +the Virginia troops serving with you, with clothes, &c. I am making +provision accordingly, and hope to do something towards it. Every +possible assistance from government is afforded the commissary of +provisions, whose department has not been attended to. It was taken up +by me too late to do much. Indeed the load of business devolved on me +is too great to be managed well. A French ship, mounting thirty guns, +that has been long chased by the English cruisers, has got into +Carolina, as I hear last night. + +Wishing you all possible felicity, I am, my dear sir, + +Your ever affectionate friend, + +and very humble servant, + +P. HENRY. + +His excellency General Washington. + + * * * * * + +Valley Forge, March 27, 1778. + +DEAR SIR,--About eight days past, I was honoured with your favour of +the 20th ultimo. + +Your friendship, sir, in transmitting me the anonymous letter you had +received, lays me under the most grateful obligations; and, if any +thing could give a still further claim to my acknowledgments, it is +the very polite and delicate terms in which you have been pleased to +make the communication. + +I have ever been happy in supposing that I held a place in your +esteem, and the proof of it you have afforded on this occasion makes +me peculiarly so. The favourable light in which you hold me is truly +flattering, but I should feel much regret if I thought the happiness +of America so intimately connected with my personal welfare, as you so +obligingly seem to consider it. All I can say, is, that she has ever +had, and, I trust, she ever will have, my honest exertions to promote +her interest. I can not hope that my services have been the best; but +my heart tells me that they have been the best that I could render. + +That I may have erred in using the means in my power for accomplishing +the objects of the arduous, exalted station with which I am honoured, +I can not doubt; nor do I wish my conduct to be exempted from the +reprehension it may deserve. Error is the portion of humanity, and to +censure it, whether committed by this or that public character, is the +prerogative of freemen.... + +This is not the only secret insidious attempt that has been made to +wound my reputation. There have been others equally base, cruel, and +ungenerous; because conducted with as little frankness and proceeding +from views perhaps as personally interested. + +I am, dear sir, &c. + +GEO: WASHINGTON. + +To his excellency Patrick Henry, esquire, Governor of Virginia. + + * * * * * + +Camp, March 28, 1778. + +DEAR SIR,--Just as I was about to close my letter of yesterday, your +favour of the fifth instant came to hand. + +I can only thank you again, in the language of the most undissembled +gratitude, for your friendship: and assure you, the indulgent +disposition which Virginia in particular, and the states in general +entertain towards me, gives me the most sensible pleasure. The +approbation of my country is what I wish; and, as far as my abilities +and opportunity will permit, I hope I shall endeavour to deserve it. +It is the highest reward to a feeling mind; and happy are they who so +conduct themselves as to merit it. + +The anonymous letter with which you were pleased to favour me, was +written by ----, so far as I can judge from a similitude of hands.... + +My caution to avoid any thing that could injure the service, prevented +me from communicating, except to a very few of my friends, the +intrigues of a faction which I know was formed against me, since it +might serve to publish our internal dissensions; but their own +restless zeal to advance their views has too clearly betrayed them, +and made concealment on my part fruitless. I can not precisely mark +the extent of their views, but it appeared in general, that General +Gates was to be exalted on the ruin of my reputation and influence. +This I am authorized to say from undeniable facts in my own +possession, from publications the evident scope of which could not be +mistaken, and from private detractions industriously circulated. ----, +it is commonly supposed, bore the second part in the cabal; and +General Conway, I know, was a very active and malignant partisan; but +I have good reason to believe that their machinations have recoiled +most sensibly upon themselves. I am, dear sir, &c. + +GEO: WASHINGTON. + +His excellency Patrick Henry, esquire, Gov. of Virginia. + +_The following extract is taken from a letter written about the same +time to a gentleman in New England, who had expressed some anxious +apprehensions occasioned by a report that the commander-in-chief had +determined to resign his station in the army:_ + +"I can assure you that no person ever heard me drop an expression that +had a tendency to resignation. The same principles that led me to +embark in the opposition to the arbitrary claims of Great Britain, +operate with additional force at this day; nor is it my desire to +withdraw my services while they are considered of importance in the +present contest; but to report a design of this kind, is among the +arts, which those who are endeavouring to effect a change are +practising to bring it to pass. I have said, and I still do say, that +there is not an officer in the service of the United States, that +would return to the sweets of domestic life with more heartfelt joy +than I should. But I would have this declaration accompanied by these +sentiments, that while the public are satisfied with my endeavours, I +mean not to shrink from the cause: but the moment her voice, not that +of faction, calls upon me to resign, I shall do it with as much +pleasure as ever the wearied traveller retired to rest." + + * * * * * + +NOTE--No. XIII. _See Page 456._ + +_The following is an extract of a letter addressed on this occasion by +General Washington to congress:_ + +"Though I sincerely commiserate the misfortune of General Lee, and +feel much for his present unhappy situation; yet, with all possible +deference to the opinion of congress, I fear that their resolutions +will not have the desired effect, are founded in impolicy, and will, +if adhered to, produce consequences of an extensive and melancholy +nature. + +"Retaliation is certainly just, and sometimes necessary, even where +attended with the severest penalties: but when the evils which may, +and must result from it, exceed those intended to be redressed, +prudence and policy require that it should be avoided. + +"Having premised thus much, I beg leave to examine the justice and +expediency of it in the instance before us. From the best information +I have been able to obtain, General Lee's usage has not been so +disgraceful and dishonourable, as to authorize the treatment decreed +to these gentlemen, was it not prohibited by many other important +considerations. His confinement, I believe, has been more rigorous +than has been generally experienced by the rest of our officers, or +those of the enemy who have been in our possession; but if the reports +received on that head be true, he has been provided with a decent +apartment, and with most things necessary to render him comfortable. +This is not the case with one of the officers comprehended in the +resolves, if his letter, of which a copy is transmitted, deserves your +credit. Here retaliation seems to have been prematurely begun, or to +speak with more propriety, severities have been, and are exercised +towards Colonel Campbell, not justified by any that General Lee has +yet received. + +"In point of policy, and under the present situation of our affairs, +most surely the doctrine can not be supported. The balance of +prisoners is greatly against us, and a general regard to the happiness +of the whole should mark our conduct. Can we imagine that our enemies +will not mete the same punishments, the same indignities, the same +cruelties, to those belonging to us in their possession, that we +impose on theirs? why should we suppose them to have more humanity +than we possess ourselves? or why should an ineffectual attempt to +relieve the distresses of one brave man, involve many more in misery? +At this time, however disagreeable the fact may be, the enemy have in +their power, and subject to their call, near three hundred officers +belonging to the army of the United States. In this number there are +some of high rank, and the most of them are men of bravery and of +merit. The quota of theirs in our hands bears no proportion, not being +more than fifty. Under these circumstances, we certainly should do no +act to draw upon the gentlemen belonging to us, and who have already +suffered a long captivity, greater punishments than they now +experience. If we should, what will be their feelings, and those of +their numerous and extensive connexions? Suppose the treatment +prescribed for the Hessian officers should be pursued, will it not +establish what the enemy have been aiming to effect by every artifice, +and the grossest misrepresentations? I mean, an opinion of our enmity +towards them, and of the cruel conduct they experience when they fall +into our hands; a prejudice which we, on our part, have heretofore +thought it politic to suppress, and to root out by every act of +kindness and of lenity. It certainly will. The Hessians will hear of +the punishments with all the circumstances of heightened exaggeration, +and would feel the injury without investigating the cause, or +reasoning upon the justice of it. The mischiefs which may, and must +inevitably flow from the execution of the resolves, appear to be +endless and innumerable." + + +END OF VOLUME II. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of George Washington, Vol. 2 +(of 5), by John Marshall + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON *** + +***** This file should be named 18592-8.txt or 18592-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/5/9/18592/ + +Produced by Linda Cantoni and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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