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THE  WORKS  OF 

WASHINGTON    IRVING 

IN    TWENTY-FOUR    VOLUMES 


IMITED    TO    ONE    THOUSAND 
REGISTERED  SETS,  OF  WHICH 


THIS  IS  NUMBER ^^^ 


Til':  '•.•.'. 


.4        « 


Arrival  of  Knox  with  Artillery. 
Darley. 


From  a  LJCbign  by  F.  O 


THE  WORKS  OF 


Washington 


Irving 

VOLUME     TWELVE 


Life  of  Washington 

PART  U. 


THE  JENSON  SOCIETY 

PRINTED  FOR  MEMBERS  ONLY 
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obCD 


v/.  IZ 


Contents  of  Volume  IL 


r 


OHAPTEB  L 

Vuliliigton  takes  oommand  of  the  Annies.— Sketch  of  (General  Lee. 
—Characters  of  the  British  Commanders,  Howe,  Clinton,  and 
Boigojne. — Snirej  of  the  Camps  from  Prospect  Hill^^The 
Gamps  contrasted. — Description  of  the  Berolatknutty  Annj.-* 
Rhode  Island  Troops. — Character  of  Gknerai  Greene. — ^Washin^ 
ion  represents  the  Deficiencies  of  the  Army. — His  Apciogy  fat 
the  Massachusetts  Troops. — Goyemor  TmmbuIL — Oragie  House, 
Washington's  Head-quarten 81 

OHAPTEB  n. 

QoeBtlons  of  Military  Rank. — ^Popularity  of  Putnam. — ^Arrangementi 
at  Head-quarters.— Colonel  Mifflin  and  John  Trumbull,  Aides- 
de-camp.— Joseph  Reed,  Washington's  Secretary  and  Confident 
tial  Frlend.^-Gates  as  Adjutant-general. — Hazardous  Situation 
of  the  Army.— Strengthening  of  the  Defenses. — ^Efficiency  of 
PutnanL — Rapid  Changes. — New  Distribution  of  the  Forces. — 
Rigid  Discipline. — Lee  and  his  Cane. — ^His  Idea  as  to  strong 
Battalions. — ArriTal  of  Rifle  Companies. — ^Daniel  Morgan  and 
his  Sharpshooters.— Washington  declines  to  detach  Troops  to 
DiiUiit  Points  for  their  Protection.— His  Reasons  lor  so  ddng. .    8Q 

T 


8  OONTJeNT& 

OHAPTEB  m. 

MM 

Wiuliisgton's  Object  in  distreesmg  Boston. — ScaioHy  and  SkskneBs 
in  the  Town. — ^A  Startling  DiBoovery. — Scaioity  of  Powder  in 
the  Camp. — Its  Perilous  Situation. — Economy  of  Ammunition. 
^Correspondence  between  Lee  and  Burgoyne. — Ck>rre8pondenoe 
between  Washington  and  Gage.— The  Dignity  of  the  Patriot 
Axmyaflserted 4 

OHAPTEB  IV. 

Pingeri  in  the  Interior. — Machinations  of  the  Johnson  Famllj.^ 
Biyalry  of  Ethan  Allen  and  Benedict  Arnold. — (Jovemment  Pev> 
plezities  about  the  Ticonderoga  Capture. — Measures  to  secuie 
the  Prize.— Allen  and  Arnold  ambitious  of  Future  Laurels.— 
PM^ects  for  the  Inyasion  of  Canada.— Ethan  Allen  and  Seth 
Warner  honored  by  Congress.— Arnold  displaced  by  a  Commit- 
tee of  Inqidry. — His  Indignation. — ^News  from  Canada. — ^Thd 
BeYolution  to  be  extended  into  that  Proyince. — ^Enlistment  at 
Green  Mountain  Boys.— Schuyler  at  Ticonderoga.— State  of  Af- 
fairs there. — Election  for  Officers  of  the  Green  Mountain  Bqya. 
^^ithan  Allen  dismounted. — Joins  the  Army  as  a  Volunteer.'-^ 
Preparations  for  the  Invasion  of  Canada.— General  Montgomery. 
—Indian  Chie&  at  Cambridge. — Council  Fire. — Plan  for  an  Ex- 
pedition against  Quebec.— Departure  of  Troops  from  Tioonde* 
.—Arrival  at  Isle  Auz  Noix. fll 


OHAPTEB  V. 

A  Challenge  declined.— A  Blow  meditated. — A  Cautious  CouneQ  of 
War. — Preparation  for  the  Quebec  Expedition. — Benedict  Ar- 
nold the  Leader. — Advice  and  Instructions. — ^Departure. — Gen- 
eral Schuyler  on  the  SoreL — ^Beconnoiters  St.  John's. — Camp  aft 
Isle  Aux  Noix. — ^Illnessof  Schuyler. — ^Returns  to  Ticonderoga.— 
Bi^pedition  of  Montgomery  against  St.  John's. — ^Letter  of  Ethaa 


eOITTENTS.  9 


ASkoL^BHa  Dash  against  Montreal— Its  Gatastiophe.— A  Hero 
in  Irons. — Correspondence  of  Washington  with  Sohnyler  and 
Arnold. — ^His  Anxiety  about  them 89 

OHAPTBB  VL 

British  in  Boston  send  oat  Cmisers.— Depredations  of  Captain  Wal- 
lace along  the  Coast — ^Treason  in  the  Camp. — ^Arrest  of  Dr. 
Church.— His  Trial  and  Fate.— Conflagration  of  Falmouth. — 
Irritation  throoghont  the  Conntrj.— Fitting  oat  of  Vessels  of 
War. — ^Embarkation  of  General  Gage  for  England.— Committee 
from  Congress.— Conferences  with  Washington.— Besolations  of 
Congress  to  oarrj  on  the  War.— Betam  of  Secretarj  Beed  to 
Philadelphia. 101 

CHAPTER  VIL 

Mnsores  of  General  Howe.— Desecration  of  Churches. — Three  Proo- 
lamations.  —  Seizure  of  Tories. — Want  of  Artillery. —  Henry 
Knox,  the  Artillerist — ^His  Mission  to  Ticonderoga. — ^BeSnlist- 
ment  of  Troops. — ^Lack  of  Public  Spirit— Comments  of  Gten- 
•Eal  Greene. 118 

CHAPTER  Vm. 

Afiairs  in  Canada.— Capture  of  Fort  Chamblee.— Siege  of  St  John's. 
—Maclean  and  his  Highlanders.— Montgomery  on  the  Treatment 
of  Ethan  Allen. — Repulse  of  Carleton. — Capitulation  of  the  Qar- 
tison  of  St  John's. — Generous  Conduct  of  Montgomery. — Mac- 
lean reembarks  for  Quebec. — ^Weary  Struggle  of  Arnold  through 
the  Wilderness. — Defection  of  Colonel  Enos. — Arnold  in  the 
Valley  of  the  Chaudiere. — His  ArriTal  opposite  Quebec. — Sur- 
render of  MontreaL — ^Escape  of  Carleton. — ^Home-sickness  of  the 
American  TroopB 180 


10  OOMTENTb. 

OHAPTEB  EL 

WatUogtoQ^  AntidpftttoDB  of  Snocen  at  Qnebeo.— Hii  Bakghna  oC~ 
Arnold.— Sohayler  and  Montgomery  talk  of  Bedgning. — "Exgo^ 
tnlationa  of  Washington.— Their  Efleot— Sohojkr's  Ooodnot  to 
nO^ifeiTeFoeL HI 

OHAPTEB  X. 

DifBooltlee  in  FUUng np  the  Army.— The  Ocmneotloat  Troops  Fenlit 
in  going  Home.— Their  Beoeption  There.— Timelj  Ani?al  of 
SpoQa  in  the  Gamp. — ^Putnam  and  the  Piin  Mortar.— A  Munmi 
by  Amerioan8.^-Bebiiic6d  by  Washington.— CorreBpondenoe  of 
Waaliington  with  Cteneral  Howe  about  the  Treatment  of  Btiiaa 
Allen.— Fraternal  Zeal  of  Ley!  Allen.-»Treatment  of  General 
Presoott— PreparatioDs  to  Bombard  Boetcm.— Battery  at  Ledi- 
flMce^  Point.— Firayer  of  Potnam  for  Powder. ]M 

OHAPTEB  XL 

Mount  Vernon  in  Danger.— Mrs.  Washington  inyited  to  the  Gamp.-* 
Land  Waahington,  the  General's  Agent— Terms  on  whioh  ha 
nnres.— Instmoted  to  keep  np  the  Hospitality  of  the  Honsei^ 
^oomey  of  Mrs.  Washington  to  Camp. —Her  Equipage  and  Lfr- 
«rie8.^Arriyal  at  Camp.<— Domestic  AfCairs  at  Head-qnarters.— 
Gayeties  in  Gamp.— A  Brawl  between  Bound-jadLets  and  Bifla- 
ahirts Ifil 

OHAPTEB  Xn. 

iBsSn  in  Oanada. — ^Arnold  at  Point  Leyi.— Quebec  Belnfbreed. — 
Oiossfaig  of  the  St.  Lawrence. — Landing  in  Wolfe's  Oove. — ^Aiw 
nold  on  the  Heights  of  Abraham. — Cautious  CounaeL — Qnebeo 
Aroused. — The  Invaders  bafAed.  —  Withdraw  to  Point  Auz 
Trembles. — ^Booming  of  Cannon.— Carieton  at  Quebec.— Letter 
of  Washington  to  Arnold ....  161 


oojsmsm&  jx 

OHAPTEB  XTTT, 

rsAca 
Ini  Bnnmom.— flb  Flans  of  hninHBing  Tbghiia.— Iioifii  Mkj  re- 

^wctiiig  Tory  Qcfnamaa  and  Plaoemeiu— Bhode  Idaiid  haiassed 

by  Wallaoe  and  his  Ornlsen,  and  infested  bj  Tories.— Lee  sent 

to  its  Beliel^His  Yigocons  Measoros.— The  Anny  Disbanding. 

—Washington's  Perplezitifls.— flljrnipathj  oi  General  Greene.*— 

Bib  Lq^alty  in  Time  of  Trouble.— The  Giisis.— Cheering  News 

torn  GanadA.— Gloomy  Opening  of  the  Kew  Tear.— News  from 

OoionelEjioz. 169 

OHAPTEB  XIV. 

■Utery  Pnpaistlons  in  Boston.— A  Secret  Expedition.— Its  Object 
--Lee's  Plan  lor  the  Seoority  of  New  York.— Opinion  of  Adams 
oo  the  Subject- Instmctions  to  Lee. — ^Transactions  of  Lee  in 
Oonnectiont — ^Lee's  Policy  in  regard  to  the  Tories. — ^Uneasiness 
In  Kew  York. — ^Letter  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  to  Lee.— His 
Beply. — ^His  Opinion  of  the  People  of  Connecticat — Of  the  Hys- 
lerioal  Letter  from  the  Kew  York  Congress 179 

OHAPTEB  XV. 

Kontgomery  betee  Qnebeo. — His  Plan  of  Operations. — A  SommoDS 
to  Surrender. — ^A  Flag  insulted. — The  Town  besieged. — Plan  of 
an  Escalade. — Attack  of  the  Lower  Town. — Montgomery  in  the 
Adyanoe. — ^His  Death. — ^Retreat  of  CoL  Campbell — Attack  by 
Amold.-»I>efen8e  of  Lower  Town. — Arnold  Wounded. — Retreat 
of  the  Anufffcana — Gkdlant  Besolye  of  Arnold. 181 

OHAPTEB  XVI. 

Oon«q)ondenoe  of  Washington  and  Schuyler  on  the  Disasters  in 
Canada.— Reinforcements  required  from  Kew  England. — Dan- 
in  the  Interior  of  Kew  York.— Johnson  Hall  Beleaguered.— 


IS  otMVTffirm 

Sir  John  0ftpitii]ate8.<~G«i6ioci8  Oonchwt  of  Sohn^ar.- 
nor  TryoQ  and  the  Tories.— Tofj  Maohiiiatioos.— Leo  at  Kev 
Tark.— Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  the  Haiter.— Menaces  of  Lea- 
Hie  €%  and  BiTer  Fcntiiled.— Lee's  Treatment  of  the  Tories.— 

His  Plans  of  Foiiifloatlon.— Ordered  to  the  Oomniand  in  ChttUMbL 
-His  Speoolaliflns  oo  Titles  of  Dignity 


OHAPTEE  XVn. 

MoDotonoQs  State  of  Affairs  before  Boston.— Wssbingfeoa  ^^T'^ifm 
for  Action.— Exploit  of  Pntnanu— -Its  Drmmatio  Cooseqiienoea.— 
The  Faroe  of  the  Blockade  of  Boston. — ^An  Alarming  Internqn 
tion.— Distresses  of  the  Besieged.- Washington's  Ltenne  Pie* 
dioament— His  Bold  Proposition. — ^Demor  of  the  Coimoil  of 
War.— Arrival  of  Knox  with  Artillery.— Dorchester  Heights  to 
be  Seised  and  F(irtified.—Prepaiations  for  the  Attempt tU 

OHAPTEB  XVm. 

Che  Affair  of  Dorchester  Heights. — American  and  Wnglish  Leitett 
respecting  it.— A  Laborious  Night — ^Revelations  at  Daybreak. — 
Howe  in  a  Perplexity.— A  Night  Attack  meditated.— Stormy 
Weather.— ^The  Town  to  be  Evacuated. — ^Negotiations  and  Ar* 
nuigemeQts.-»Pl»parations  to  Embark.— Excesses  of  the  troopa 
—Boston  BvBonated.— Speech  of  the  Duke  of  Manchester  on  the 
Subjeot.— A.  Medal  voted  by  Gongress. 

OHAPTEE  XEL 

Destination  of  the  Fleet — Ck>mmi8sion  of  the  Two  Howes.— Chano> 
ter  of  Lord  Howe.— The  Oolonies  divided  into  Departments. — 
Lee  assigned  to  the  Southern  Department— General  Thomas  to 
Canada.— Character  of  Lee,  by  Washington.-»Letter8  of  Lee 
from  the  South.— A  Dog  in  a  Dancing  SohooL— Committee  oC 
Safety  in  Virginia.— Lee's  Grenadiers.— Putnam  in  Command  aft 


CONTENTS.  18 


Ncftr  York.— State  of  AlEain  there.— Airiyal  of  WashingtoiL— 
Kew  Amngements.— Pezplezitifis  with  Begpeot  to  Oanada.— 
Rngland  snbsidixeB  Hefldan  Troops 241 

OHAPTBE  XX. 

Arnold  bloekades  Qoebeo. — 'EHb  BifflcultieB. — Aniral  of  General 
Wboster. — Of  General  Thomas. — ^Abortiye  Attempt  on  Qaebea 
— ^Preparations  for  Betreat — Sortie  of  Carleton. — ^Ketreat  of  the 
Americans. — ^Halt  at  Point  Deschambault. — ^Alarm  in  the  Colo- 
nies at  tibe  Betreat  of  the  Armj. — ^Popular  Clamor  against 
Sdhnjler.— Slanders  Befoted dM 

OHAPTEB  XXL 

Qites  sent  to  Philadelphia  with  the  Canada  Despatches.— Promoted 
to  the  Bank  of  Major^peneraL — ^Washington  sommoned  to  Phila- 
delphia.— Pntnam  left  in  Command. — Conference  with  Congress. 
—Army  Arrangements. — A  Board  of  War  instituted. — The 
CQintons  of  New  York. — ^Mrs.  Washington  inoculated.— Beed 
made  Adjutant-general 26| 

OHAPTEB  XXn. 

Af&UTB  in  Canada. — Disaster  at  the  Cedars. — Hostile  Designs  of  the 
Johnsons. — A  Bloody  Summer  expected. — Forts  in  the  EQgh- 
hnds. — Colonel  James  Clinton  in  command. — Fortiflcations  at 
King's  Bridge,  and  on  Long  Island. 871 

OHAPTEB  XXm. 

Retreat  of  General  Thomas. — His  Death. — (General  Sullivan  in  Ocnn^ 
mand. — Scene  on  the  SoreL — Sanguine  Expectations  of  SulB- 
Tsn. — Washington's  Opinion  of  Sullivan's  Character. — Gbtes 
appointed  to  the  command  in  Canada. — ^Beinforoements  of  tha 


14  OOATEHTB. 

Bnemy.— Bflyersea,— Thompeon  oaptoiecL— Botwat  dt  SuIttviiL 
^dose  of  the  InTiflion  of  CanadA 961 

OHAPTBE  XXIV. 

OesigiiB  of  the  Enemy  against  New  York  and  the  HndaoQ. — Plot  dt 
Tryon  and  the  Tories. -^ArriTml  of  a  Fleet  —  Alann  Pdata. — 
Traaohery  up  the  Hudson. — Fresh  ArriTala.— General  Ho>W6  it 
Staten  Island.— Wadiington's  Preparationa 961 


OHAPTEB   XXV. 

First  Appearance  of  Alexander  Hamilton. — ^His  Barly  Days*— Gen- 
eral Hugh  Mercer  in  Command  of  the  Flying  Gamp. — ^Dedar^ 
Hon  of  Independence. — ^Announced  to  the  Army. — ^Downfall  at 
the  King's  Statue 


OHAPTEB  XXVL 

Arriyal  of  more  Ships.— Movements  of  the  PhcBnix  and  the  Bom.^^ 
Panic  in  the  City.— Hostile  Ships  up  the  Hndson.— Stir  of  War 
along  the  River. — General  George  Clinton,  and  the  Militia  of  UI* 
ster  Coonty.— Fresh  Agitation  of  New  York.— Arrival  of  Lofd 
Howe M8 

OHAPTEB  XXVIL 

Precantions  against  Tories.— Secret  Committees. » Declaration  of 
Lord  Howe. — His  Letter  to  the  Colonial  Governors. — His  Letter 
to  Washington  rejected. — Interview  between  the  British  Adjn* 
tant-general  and  Colonel  Reed.  —  Reception  of  the  Adjntant- 
general  by  Washington. — The  Phcenix  and  Bow  in  the  Tappan 
Sea  and  Haverstraw  Bay.— Arming  of  the  River  Yeomanry. — 
Geozge  Clinton  at  the  Gates  of  the  Highlands 814 


CHAPTER  XXVllL 


^Bwtkm  of  CommflBd  between  Gates  and  Sohnyler.— Dondition  dt 
the  Anny  at  Grown  Pdnt— DInootent  and  departoie  of  Salli« 
Tan.— FortUlcatioiui  at  Ticondeioga. — The  QaHtkm  of  Command 
adjusted.  —  Seoiet  Discontents.  —  Sectional  Jealousies  hi  the 
Anny. — Southern  Troops.— Smallwood's  Macaroni  Battalion. — 
Oonnecticut  Light  hfflne 885 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Boothem  Croise  of  Sur  Henry  Clinton.— Fortifications  at  Charleston. 
— Aniyal  there  of  General  Lee.— Battle  at  SnlliTan's  Idand.— 
Washington  annovmoes  the  Besah  to  the  Army 880 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

Putnam's  Military  Pn^eots.— Cheyaox-de-frise  at  Fort  Washington. 
—Meditated  Attack  on  Staten  Island. — ^Arrival  of  Ships.— Hes- 
sian Reinforcements. — Scotch  Highlanders.— Sir  Henry  Clinton 
and  Lord  Comwallis. — Putnam's  Obstmctions  of  the  Hudson. — 
The  Phcenix  and  Rose  attacked  by  Bow  Galleys  at  Tarrytown. — 
General  Order  of  Washington  on  the  Subject  of  Sectional  Jeal- 
ousies.— Profane  Swearing  prohibited  in  the  Camp. — Prepara- 
tions against  Attack. — ^Levies  of  Yeomanry. — George  Clinton  in 
Command  of  the  Levies  along  the  Hudson. — Alarms  of  the  Peo- 
ple of  New  York.  —  Benevolent  Sympathy  of  Washington.  — 
The  FhmUx  grappled  by  a  Fire-ship. — The  Ships  eyaouate  the 
Hudson 847 

CHAPTER  XXXL 
As  Battle  of  Long  Island « 861 

CHAPTER  XXXn. 
the  Betreat  from  Long  Island 889 


16  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXXm, 

Long  Island  in  Poeseesion  of  the  Bnemy.^DistresBed  Sitoatian  of 
the  American  Army  at  New  York. — Question  of  Abandoning  the 
City. — Letters  from  either  Camp. — ^Enemy's  Ships  in  the  Sonnd. 
— ^Removal  of  Women  and  Children  from  the  City. — Teaming 
for  Home  among  the  Militia. — Tolerant  Ideas  of  Washington 
and  Greene. — Fort  Constitution. — Conference  of  Lord  Howe 
with  a  Committee  from  Congress 881 

OHAPTEE  XXXIV. 

Movements  of  the  Enemy. — Councils  of  War. — Question  of  the  Aban- 
donment of  the  City. — ^Distribution  of  the  Army. — Ships  in  the 
Bast  River.— The  Enemy  at  Hell  (Hte.— Skirmish  at  Turtle  Bay. 
— Panic  of  the  Connecticut  Militia. — Rage  and  Personal  Peril  of 
Washington. — Putnam's  Perilous  Retreat  from  the  City. — ^Brit- 
ish Regale  at  Murray  Hill 404 

OHAPTEB  XXXV. 

Fortified  Camp  at  King's  Bridge. — ^American  and  British  Lines. — 
The  Morris  House. — Alexander  Hamilton.  —  The  Enemy  Ad- 
vance.— Successful  Skirmish. — ^Death  of  Enowlton. — Great  Fire 
in  New  York. — Reorganization  of  the  Army. — ^Exchange  of  Prie> 
oners. — ^Daniel  Morgan  Regained.— De  Lancey's  Tory  Brigade. — 
Robert  Rogers,  the  Partisan. —His  Rangers. — The  Boebuckf 
Fhcsnio^  and  Tartar  in  the  Hudson.  —  Military  Movements  by 
Land  and  Water.— >Letter  of  John  Jay. 411 

OHAPTEE  XXXVL 

Lee  expected  in  Camp.— His  Letter  of  Advice  to  the  Fteddent  of 
Congress.  —The  Enemy  at  Threes  Neck.— Washington's  Ar- 
langements.— Rides  to  Throg's  Neck.— The  Enemy  brought  to  a 


00NTEN113.  17 


8lttii^  —  Military  MoTements. — ^Aniral  of  L8e.*A  Cknnmand 
UBigned  to  Him. — CritioifleB  the  Conduct  of  CongroBS  and  the 
Anny. — ConncU  of  War. — ^The  Army  to  more  to  the  Mainland. 
—Fort  Washington  to  be  kept  np 485 

OHAPTBB  XXXVIL 

koBLj  ArzBDgementB.— Washington  at  White  Plains. — ^The  Bnemy 
at  Throg's  Point. — Skirmish  of  Colonel  Gloyer. — ^Attempt  to 
surprise  Rogers,  the  Renegade.— Troopers  in  a  Rough  Country. — 
Alarms  at  White  Plains. — Cannonading  of  Ships  at  Fort  Wash- 
ington.—March  of  Lee.— Fortified  Camp  at  White  Plains.— Reo- 
(Rmoitezing.— The  Afhir  at  Chatterton  Hill. — ^RelatiTe  Sltnation 
of  the  Armies.— Change  of  Position. — Contrast  of  the  Appear- 
aooe  of  the  Troops.— G^rge  Clinton's  Idea  of  Stxategy.— Moye- 
ment  of  the  British  Army.— Incendiaries  at  White  Plains 445 

OHAPTEE  XXXVUL 

CoDJectares  as  to  the  Intentions  of  the  Enemy. — Consequent  Precau- 
tions.— Correspondence  with  Greene  respecting  Fort  Washing- 
ton.— Distribution  of  the  Army. — Lee  left  in  Command  at  North- 
castle. — Instmctions  to  him. — Washington  at  Peekskill. — ^Visits 
to  the  Posts  in  the  Highlands 489 


OHAPTEE  XXXIX. 

Affairs  on  Lake  Champlain. — Gates  at  Ticonderoga. — Arnold's  Flo- 
tilla.— Military  Preparations  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton  at  St.  John's. 
—Nautical  Encounters. — Gallant  Conduct  of  Arnold  and  Water- 
bury. — Carieton  in  Possession  of  Crown  Point. — ^His  Return  to 

Ouiada  and  Winter  Quarters 479 

lou  ii»— 3 


18  OONTSNTS. 

OHAPTEB  TU 

WiMhingtoQ  orosses  the  HndBon.— Arriyes  st  Fort  Lea. — ASaAn  at 
Fort  Washington. — Question  aboat  its  Abandonmenl — ^More- 
ments  of  Howe. — The  Fort  sommoned  to  Surrender. — Befnsal  of 
Cblonel  Magaw. — The  Fort  attacked.— Capture  of  the  Fort  and 
flarrison. — Commenta  of  Wellington  on  the  State  of  AiEain .. .  489 

OHAPTEB  XLL 

The  Enemy  cross  the  Hudson.— Retreat  of  the  Ghunjson  fram  Foit 
Lee. — The  Crossing  of  the  Hackensack. — Lee  ordered  to  mofe  to 
the  West  Side  of  the  Riyer.  —  Beed's  Letter  to  him.— Second 
Moye  of  the  Army  beyond  the  Passaic. — Assistance  sought  from 
Various  Quarters.  —  Correspondences  and  Schemes  of  Lee. — 
Heath  stanch  to  his  Instructions. — Aiixiety  of  G^rge  Clinton 
for  the  Safety  of  the  Hudson. — Critical  Situation  of  the  Army. — 
Disparaging  Correspondence  between  Lee  and  Reed. — Washing- 
ton  retreats  across  the  Raritan. — Arrives  at  Trenton. — ^RemoTes 
his  Baggage  across  the  Delaware. — Dismay  and  Despondency  of 
the  Country. — Proclamation  of  Lord  Howe. — ^Exultation  of  the 
Boemy.— Washington's  Resolve  in  Case  of  Extremity 4M 

OHAPTEB  XLH. 

Lee  at  PeekskilL— Stanch  Adherence  of  Heath  to  Orders. — ^Lee  crosns 
tho  Hudson. — Washington  at  Trenton. — ^Lee  at  the  Heels  of  the 
Enemy.  — His  Speculations  on  Military  Greatness.  —  Forced 
Haroh  of  Comwallis. — ^Washington  crosses  the  Delaware. — Put- 
nam in  Command  at  Philadelphia. — Baffling  Letters  of  Lee. — 
Hopes  to  reconquer  the  Jerseys.  —  Crates  on  the  March. — Lee 
Quartered  at  Baskingridge. — Surprised  and  Captured. — Specula- 
tions on  his  Conduct 518 


00NTENT8.  IQ 

OHAPTEE  XmL 


Waahin^fton  dothed  with  Additional  Powen. — ^Beoroitmflnt  of  the 
Army. — ^Inoroased  Pay. — Colonel  John  CadwaUder. — Amyalof 
SnlliTan. — Gkites.— Wilkinson.— A  Co>up  de  Main  Meditated.— 
Postore  of  Aflaiis  at  Trenton. — Crates  declines  to  take  a  Part — 
His  Comments  on  Washington's  Plans. — Preparations  for  the 
Coup  de  Main. — Crossing  of  the  Delaware. — Attack  on  the  Eno' 
mfB  Forces  at  Trenton.— Death  of  RahL— His  Character 688 

OHAPTEE  XMV. 

Treatment  of  Hie  Hessian  Prisoners. — ^Their  Intenrisws  with  Wash- 
ington.— Their  Beoeption  by  the  People 664 

CHAPTER  XLV. 

Spiflode. — Colone.  GrifDn  in  the  Jerseys. — Donop  decoyed. — Inroad  of 
Cadwalader  and  Reed. — ^Retreat  and  Confusion  of  the  Enemy's 
Outposts. — Washington  recrosses  the  Delaware  with  his  Troops. 
—The  Game  Reversed. — The  Hessians  hunted  back  through  the 
Country. — Washington  made  Military  Dictator 668 

CHAPTER   XLVL 

Hove  hears  of  the  Affair  at  Trenton. — Comwallis  sent  back  to  the 
Jerseys. — Reconnoitering  Expedition  of  Reed.— His  Exploits. — 
Washington  in  Peril  at  Trenton. — Reinforced  by  Troops  under 
Cadwalader  and  Mifflin. — Position  of  his  Men. — Comwallis  at 
Trenton. — Repulsed  at  the  Assunpink. — The  American  Camp 
Menaced.  — Night  March  of  Washington. — Affair  at  Princeton. — 
Death  of  Mercer.— Rout  of  British  Troops.— Pursued  by  Wash- 
ington.— Comwallis  at  Princeton. — Baffled  and  Perplexed. — 
Washington  at  Morristown.— His  System  of  Annoyance.— The 
Tables  turned  upon  the  Enemy 576 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

ARRIVAL   OF    KNOX   WITH   ARTILLERY.      FROM   A 

DESIGN  BY  F.  O.  DARLEY FrOtUtSpiece 

OLD  CITY  HALL,  WALL  STREET,  N.  Y.,  1 789.      FROM 

A  DESIGN  BY  SMILLIE Pcige  1 78 


Life  of  WASHmoToir. 


OHAPTEB  L 


TAXM  OQMlfAHD  OF  TRM  ASMDB.— SXBTOH  OF  arnmn^j^  lAI.— 
0HARA.CTXB8  OF  THB  BBITUB  OOMMA^CDERS,  HOWB,  OLIirTOH,  AND  BU»> 
OOTinL— flUBYBT  OF  THB  CAMPB  FBOM  FB08FICT  HIU..— THB  CAMPB  OOH« 
fEABTSD.— DSSGBIFTIOH  OF  THl.  SBYOLUTIQNABT  ABMT.— BBODB  IBLAXD 
«IOOF8.— CHABAOTBB  OF  OSMMKAI*  GBBKIB.— WABHINOTON  XXFU8B1IT8 
THB  DUnCOnromB  of  TBB  ABXT.^BIS  APOLOOT  fob  THB  MASSAOHUaBTTS 
TBOOF8. — OOTBBMOB  TRUMBULL.— <JBAOIB  HOUBB,  WABHIHOTOM'S  HBAD- 
qUABTBBS. 

the  3d  of  Jtiljy  the  morning  after  his  arriyal 
at  Oambridge,  Washington  took  formal  com- 
H  mand  of  the  army.  It  was  drawn  up  on  the 
common  about  half  a  mile  from  head-qnarters.  A  mul- 
titude had  assembled  there,  for  as  yet  military  spectacles 
were  noyelties,  and  the  camp  was  full  of  visitors,  men, 
women,  and  children,  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  who 
had  relatives  among  the  yeoman  soldiery. 

An  ancient  elm  is  still  pointed  out,  under  which  Wash- 
ington, as  he  arrived  from  head-quarters  accompanied 
by  General  Lee  and  a  numerous  suite,  wheeled  his  horse, 

88 


24  UFB  OF  WAanmQTOXr. 

and  drew  his  sword  as  commander-in-chief  of  ihe  armiea 
We  have  cited  the  poetical  description  of  him  famished 
by  the  pen  of  Mrs.  Adams;  we  give  her  sketch  of  his 
military  compeer — less  poetical,  but  no  less  graphia 

** General  Lee  looks  like  a  careless,  hardy  veteran;  and 
by  his  appearance  brought  to  my  mind  his  namesake, 
Charles  XTT.  of  Sweden.  The  elegance  of  his  pen  far 
exceeds  that  of  his  person."  * 

Accompanied  by  this  veteran  campaigner,  on  whose 
military  judgment  he  had  great  reliance,  Washington 
visited  the  different  American  posts,  and  rode  to  the 
heights,  commanding  views  over  Boston  and  its  environs^ 
being  anxious  to  make  himself  acquainted  with  the 
strength  and  relative  position  of  both  armies :  and  here 
we  will  give  a  few  particulars  concerning  the  distinguished 
commanders  with  whom  he  was  brought  immediately  in 
competition. 

Congress,  speaking  of  them  reproachfully,  obaerved, 
^  Three  of  England's  most  experienced  generals  are  sent 
to  wage  war  with  their  fellow-subjects."  The  first  here 
alluded  to  was  the  Honorable  William  Howe,  next  in 
command  to  Gage.  He  was  a  man  of  a  fine  presence,  six 
feet  high,  well  proportioned,  and  of  graceful  deport- 
ment He  is  said  to  have  been  not  unlike  Washington 
in  appearance,  though  wanting  his  energy  and  activity. 
He  lacked  also  his  air  of  authority ;  but  affiftbiliiy  of 

*  Mrs.  Adams  to  John  Adams,  1778. 


iatWM--aiAiJitvjr.—jttjaatinrs.  sq 

numecB,  and  &  genaioiu  disposition,  mode  him  popnlax 
villi  both  ofBoen  and  ooldien. 

There  ma  a  sentiiaeni  in  hig  favor  eTen  amoog  Ameri- 
OHoa  at  the  time  when  he  arrived  at  Boston.  It  was  xe- 
membered  that  he  was  hxother  to  the  gallant  and  generous 
youth.  Lord  Howe,  who  fell  in  the  flower  of  his  dajs,  on 
the  banks  of  Lake  Gteorge,  and  whose  ontinielj  death  had 
been  lamented  thronghont  the  oolonieB.  It  was  remem- 
bered that  the  general  himself  had  won  lepotation  in  the 
same  campaign,  commanding  the  light  Infantry  tmder 
WolfeiOnthefamons  Plains  of  Abraham.  A  moomfol  fear- 
ing had  therefore  gone  through  the  ooonlzy,  when  Gtonezal 
Howe  was  died  as  one  of  the  British  oommanders  who  had 
Bost  diaiingDiahed  themselTes  in  the  bloody  bottle  of 
finnker'sHilL  Congress  spoke  of  it  with  generons  sensibil- 
ity, in  their  address  to  the  people  of  Ireland  already  quoted. 
"America  is  amazed,"  said  they, "  to  find  the  name  of  Howe 
cm  the  catalc^oe  of  her  enemies — «Ae  hved  hia  brother  /  " 

General  Henry  Clinton,  the  next  in  command,  was 
grandson  of  the  Earl  of  Lincoln,  and  son  of  George  Clin- 
ton, who  had  been  governor  of  the  province  of  New  York 
for  ten  years,  from  1743.  The  general  had  seen  service 
on  the  continent  in  the  Seven  Years'  War.  He  was  of 
short  stature,  and  inclined  to  corpulency  ;  with  a  fall  face 
and  prominent  nose.  His  manners  were  reserved,  and 
altc^ther  he  was  in  strong  contrast  with  Howe,  and  by 
no  means  so  popular. 

Burg<^ne,  the    other    British    general  of  note,  waa 


ad  LtfE  Of  WABsmerojr. 

Bfttnral  ion  of  Lord  Bingley,  and  had  entaied  tbe  amy 
at  an  early  age.  While  yet  a  subaltern,  he  had  made  a 
mnaway  match  with  a  daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Derby, 
who  threatened  never  to  admit  the  offdndem  to  hia  proa- 
enoe.  In  1768,  Burgoyne  was  a  lientenant^oolcxnel  of 
light  dragoons.  In  1761,  he  was  sent  with  a  foroe  to  aid 
the  Portuguese  against  the  Spaniards^  joined  the  anny 
commanded  by  the  Count  de  la  lippe,  and  aignaliaftd 
himself  by  surprising  and  capturing  the  town  of  Alcan- 
tara. He  had  since  been  elected  to  Parliament  for  the 
borough  of  Middlesex,  and  displayed  considerable  pai^ 
liamentary  talents.  In  1772,  he  was  made  a  mi^jor-gen* 
eral.  His  taste,  wit,  and  intelligence,  and  his  aptness  at 
devising  and  promoting  elegant  amusements,  made  him 
for  a  time  a  leader  in  the  gay  world ;  though  Juniua  ac- 
cuses him  of  unfair  practices  at  the  gaming  table.  IBb 
reputation  for  talents  and  services  had  gradually  molli- 
fied the  heart  of  his  father-in-law,  the  Earl  of  Derby.  In 
1774,  he  gave  celebrity  to  the  marriage  of  a  son  of  the 
Earl  with  Lady  Betty  Hamilton,  by  producing  an  el^^ant 
dramatic  trifle,  entitled,  <'  The  Maid  of  the  Oaks,*'  after- 
wards performed  at  Drury  Lane,  and  honored  with  a  bit- 
ing sarcasm  by  Horace  Walpole.  **  There  is  a  new  pup- 
pet show  at  Drury  Lane,**  writes  the  wit,  ''as  fine  as  the 
scenes  can  make  it,  and  as  dull  as  the  author  could  not 
help  making  ii'*  * 

*  Walpde  to  the  Hbnu  W.  8.  Oonwai; 


BUEYBT  FBOM  PS08PB0T  SILL.  27 

It  ia  bnt  jaBiioe  to  Bnrgoyne's  memory  to  add»  that  in 
after  years  he  produced  a  dramatic  work,  **  The  Heiress," 
which  extorted  eyen  Walpole's  approbation^  who  pro* 
nonnced  it  the  genteelest  comedy  in  the  English  Ian* 
guage. 

Snch  were  the  three  British  commanders  at  Boston, 
who  were  considered  especially  formidable;  and  they 
had  with  them  eleyen  thousand  yeteran  troops,  well  ap- 
pointed and  well  disciplined. 

In  Tisiting  the  different  posts,  Washington  halted  far  a 
time  at  Prospect  Hill,  which,  as  its  name  denotes,  com- 
manded a  wide  view  oyer  Boston  and  the  surrounding 
oountiy.  Here  Putnam  had  taken  his  position  after  the 
hatUe  of  Bunker^s  Hill,  fortifying  himself  with  works 
which  he  deemed  impregnable ;  and  here  the  veteran  was 
enabled  to  point  out  to  the  commander-in-chief,  and  to 
Lee,  the  main  features  of  the  belligerent  region,  which 
lay  spread  out  like  a  map  before  them. 

Bunker's  Hill  was  but  a  mile  distant  to  the  east,  the 
British  standard  floating  as  if  in  triumph  on  its  summit 
The  main  force  under  (General  Howe  was  intrenching 
itself  strongly  about  half  a  mile  beyond  the  place  of  the 
lecent  battle.  Scarlet  uniforms  gleamed  about  the  hill  • 
tents  and  marquees  whitened  its  sides.  All  up  there 
was  bright,  brilliant,  and  triumphant  At  the  base  of  the 
hill  lay  Oharlestown  in  ashes,  ''nothing  to  be  seen  of 
that  fine  town  but  chimneys  and  rubbish.** 

Howe*8  sentries  extended  a  hundred  and  fifty  yards 


S8  ^^^  OF  WASHmGTOJSr. 

beyond  the  neck  or  isihmns,  oyer  which  {he  Amerieaofl 
retreated  after  the  battle.  Three  floating  batteries  in 
Mystic  Biyer  commanded  this  isthmus,  and  a  twenty-gun 
ship  was  anchored  between  the  peninsula  and  Boston. 

Qeneral  Qage,  the  oommander-in-chie^  still  had  his 
head-quarters  in  the  town,  but  there  were  few  troops 
there  besides  Burgoyne's  light  horse.  A  large  force, 
howeyer,  was  intrenched  sooQi  q|  {he  tovn  oa  the  neck 
leading  to  Boxbuiy, — fhe  only  entrance  to  Boston  by 
land. 

The  American  troops  were  irregularly  distributed  in  a 
kind  of  semicircle  eight  or  nine  miles  in  extent ;  the  left 
resting  on  Winter  Hill,  the  most  northern  post ;  the  right 
extending  on  the  south  to  Boxbury  and  Dorchester  Neck. 

Washington  reconnoitered  the  British  posts  from  yari- 
ous  points  of  yiew.  Eyerything  about  them  was  in  ad- 
mirable order.  The  works  appeared  to  be  constructed 
with  military  science,  the  troops  to  be  in  a  high  state  of 
discipline.  The  American  camp,  on  the  contrary,  disap- 
pointed him.  He  had  expected  to  find  eighteen  or  twenty 
thousand  men  under  arms ;  there  were  not  much  more 
than  fourteen  thousand.  He  had  expected  to  find  some 
degree  of  system  and  discipline ;  whereas  all  were  raw 
militia.  He  had  expected  to  find  works  scientifically 
constructed,  and  proofs  of  knowledge  and  skill  in  en- 
gineering :  whereas,  what  he  saw  of  the  latter  was  yeiy 
imperfect,  and  confined  to  the  mere  manual  exercise  of 
oannon.    There  was  abundant  eyidence  of  aptness  al 


mS  AMBBWAN  AEMT.  29 

trenching  and  tlirowing  up  rongli  defenses ;  and  in  thai 
way  General  Thomas  had  fortified  Boxbnry  Neck,  and 
Putnam  had  strengthened  Prospect  Hill.  But  the  semi** 
circular  line  which  Unked  the  extreme  posts,  was  formed 
of  rudely-constructed  works,  far  too  extensiye  for  the 
troops  which  were  at  hand  to  man  them. 

Within  this  attenuated  semicircle,  the  British  forces 
lay  concentrated  and  compact ;  and  having  command  of 
the  water,  might  suddenly  bring  their  main  strength  to 
bear  upon  some  weak  point,  force  it,  and  sever  the 
American  camp. 

In  fact,  when  we  consider  the  scanty,  ill-conditioned» 
and  irregular  force  which  had  thus  stretched  itself  out  to 
beleaguer  a  town  and  harbor  defended  by  ships  and  float* 
ing  batteries,  and  garrisoned  by  eleven  thousand  strongly 
posted  veterans,  we  are  at  a  loss  whether  to  attribute  its 
hazardous  position  to  ignorance,  or  to  that  daring  self- 
confidence,  which  at  times,  in  our  military  history,  has 
snatched  success  in  defiance  of  scientific  rules.  It  was 
revenge  for  the  slaughter  at  Lexington,  which,  we  are 
told,  first  prompted  the  investment  of  Boston.  ''The 
universal  voice,'*  says  a  contemporary,  **  is,  starve  them 
out  Drive  them  from  th«  town,  and  let  His  Majesty's 
ships  be  their  only  place  of  refuge.*' 

In  riding  throughout  the  camp,  Washington  observed 
that  nine  thousand  of  the  troops  belonged  to  Massachu- 
setts; the  rest  were  from  other  provinces.  They  were 
encamped  in  separate  bodies,  each  with  its  own  regiH 


80  i^^TV  OW  WABHINGTOXr. 

lations,  and  officers  of  its  own  appointmeni  Some  had 
tents,  others  were  in  barraoks,  and  others  sheltered  them* 
selves  as  best  they  might.  Many  were  sadly  in  want  of 
dothing,  and  all,  said  Washington,  were  strongly  imbned 
with  the  spirit  of  insubordination,  which  they  mistook 
for  independence. 

A  chaplain  of  one  of  the  regiments  *  has  left  on  record 
a  graphic  sketch  of  this  primitiYe  army  of  the  Bevoln- 
tion.  ^^  It  is  very  diverting,'*  writes  he,  ^  to  walk  among 
the  camps.  They  are  as  different  in  their  forms,  as  the 
owners  are  in  their  dress ;  and  every  tent  is  a  portraitnre 
of  the  temper  and  taste  of  the  persons  who  encamp  in  it 
Some  are  made  of  boards,  and  some  are  made  of  sail- 
doth ;  some  are  partly  of  one,  and  partly  of  the  other 
Again  others  are  made  of  stone  and  turf,  brick  and  brush. 
Some  are  thrown  up  in  a  hurry,  others  curiously  wrought 
with  wreaths  and  withes." 

One  of  the  encampments,  however,  was  in  striking  con- 
trast with  the  rest,  and  might  vie  with  those  of  the  Brit- 
ish for  order  and  exactness.  Here  were  tents  and  mar- 
quees pitched  in  the  English  style ;  soldiers  well  drilled 
and  well  equipped ;  everything  had  an  air  of  discipline 
and  subordination.  It  was  a  body  of  Rhode  Island 
troops,  which  had  been  raised,  drilled,  and  brought  to 
the  camp  by  Brigadier-general  Greene,  of  that  province, 
whose  subsequent  renown  entitles  him  to  an  introdnotioQ 
to  the  reader. 

*  The  Ber.  William  EmenoiL 


MATBUnn  9BESNI  gj 

Nathaniel  Greene  was  bom  in  Rhode  Islancl,  on  the 
26th  of  Maj,  1742.  His  father  was  a  miller,  an  anohor- 
smith,  and  a  Quaker  preacher.  The  waters  of  the  Potow- 
hammet  turned  the  wheels  of  the  mill  and  raised  the 
ponderous  sledge-hammer  of  the  forge.  Qreene,  in  his 
boyhood,  followed  the  plough,  and  ocoasionallj  worked 
at  the  forge  of  his  father.  His  education  was  of  an  ordi- 
nary kind ;  but  haying  an  early  thirst  for  knowledge,  he 
applied  himself  sedulously  to  yarious  studies,  while  sub- 
sisting by  the  labor  of  his  hands.  Nature  had  endowed 
him  with  quick  parts,  and  a  sound  judgment,  and  his 
assiduity  was  crowned  with  success.  He  became  fluent 
and  instnictiye  in  conyersation,  and  his  letters,  still  ex- 
tant^ show  that  he  held  an  able  pen. 

In  the  late  turn  of  public  affairs,  he  had  caught  the 
belligerent  spirit  preyalent  throughout  the  country.  Plu- 
tarch and  OsBsar's  Commentaries  became  his  delight.  He 
applied  himself  to  military  studies,  for  which  he  was  pre- 
pared by  some  knowledge  of  mathematics.  His  ambition 
was  to  organize  and  discipline  a  corps  of  militia  to  which 
he  belonged.  For  this  purpose,  during  a  yisit  to  Boston, 
he  had  taken  note  of  eyerything  about  the  discipline  of 
the  British  troops.  In  the  month  of  May,  he  had  been 
elected  commander  of  the  Bhode  Island  contingent  of  the 
army  of  obseryation,  and  in  June  had  conducted  to  the 
hues  before  Boston  three  regiments,  whose  encampment 
we  haye  just  described,  and  who  were  pronounced  the 
best  disciplined  and  appointed  troops  in  the  army* 


82  t^XFB  OF  WASnmGTOlt. 

Oieene  made  a  soldier-like  address  to  Washington, 
welcoming  him  to  the  camp.  His  appearance  and  mannef 
were  caloolatod  to  make  a  favorable  impression.  He  was 
abont  thirty-nine  years  of  age,  nearly  six  feet  high,  well 
bnilt  and  yigorous,  with  an  open,  animated,  intelligent 
countenance,  and  a  frank,  manly  demeanor.  He  may  be 
said  to  have  stepped  at  once  into  the  confidence  of  the 
oommander-in-chiet  which  he  never  forfeited,  bnt  became 
one  of  his  most  attached,  &dthfal,  and  efficient  coadjutors 
throughout  the  war. 

Haying  taken  his  survey  of  the  army,  Washington 
wrote  to  the  President  of  Congress,  representing  its  va- 
rious deficiencies,  and,  among  other  things,  urging  the 
appointment  of  a  commissary-general,  a  quartermaster* 
general,  a  commissary  of  musters,  and  a  commissary  of 
artillery.  Above  all  things,  he  requested  a  supply  of 
money  as  soon  as  possible.  **  I  find  myself  already  much 
embarrassed  for  want  of  a  military  chest." 

In  one  of  his  recommendations  we  have  an  instance  of 
frontier  expediency,  learnt  in  his  early  campaigns.  Speak* 
ing  of  the  ragged  condition  of  the  army,  and  the  difficulty 
of  procuring  the  requisite  kind  of  clothing,  he  advises 
that  a  number  of  hunting  shirte,  not  less  than  ten  fhon* 
sand,  should  be  provided;  as  being  the  cheapest  and 
quickest  mode  of  supplying  this  necessity.  *^I  know 
nothing  in  a  speculative  view  more  trivial,'*  observes 
he,  **  yet  which,  if  put  in  practice,  would  have  a  happief 
tendency  to  unite  the  men,  and  abolish  those  provitti 


JONATHAN  TBXTMBULL.  83 

^ial  distinctions  that  lead  to  jealonsj  and  dissatisfao* 
tion.'* 

Among  the  troops  most  destitate,  were  those  belonging 
to  Massachusetts,  which  formed  the  larger  part  of  the 
army.  Washington  made  a  noble  apology  for  them.  ''This 
unhappy  and  devoted  proyince/'  said  he,  "  has  been  so 
long  in  a  state  of  anarchy,  and  the  yoke  has  been  laid  so 
heavily  on  it,  that  great  allowances  are  to  be  made  for 
troops  raised  nnder  snch  circnmstanoes.  The  deficiency 
of  numbers,  discipline,  and  stores,  can  only  lead  to  this 
conclusion,  that  their  spirit  has  exceeded  their  strength.^* 

This  apology  was  the  more  generous,  coming  from  a 
Southerner;  for  there  was  a  disposition  among  the 
Southern  officers  to  regard  the  Eastern  troops  dispara- 
gingly. But  Washington  abready  felt  as  commander-in-* 
diie^  who  looked  with  an  equal  eye  on  all ;  or  rather  as 
a  true  patriot,  who  was  above  all  sectional  prejudices. 

One  of  the  most  efficient  cooperators  of  Washington 
at  this  time,  and  throughout  the  war,  was  Jonathan 
Tmmbully  the  governor  of  Connecticut.  He  was  a  well- 
educated  man,  experienced  in  public  business,  who  had 
sat  for  many  years  in  the  legislative  councils  of  his  na- 
ftve  province.  Misfortune  had  cast  him  down  from  affiu- 
ence,  at  an  advanced  period  of  life,  but  had  not  subdued 
Ids  native  energy.  He  had  been  one  of  the  leading  spirits 
of  the  Bevolution,  and  the  only  colonial  governor  who,  at 
Us  commencement,  proved  true  to  the  popular  cause. 
Be  was  now  sixty-five  years  of  age,  active,  zealous,  de« 


M 


84  ^^2^  OF  WABBINQTOir. 

Tont^  a  patriot  of  the  primitiTe  New  Tgngjim^  atampi 
whose  religion  sanctified  his  patriotism.  A  letter  ad- 
dressed by  him  to  Washington,  jost  after  the  latter  ha^ 
entered  upon  the  command,  is  worthy  of  the  parefll 
days  of  the  Ooyenanters.  '*  Oongress,"  writes  he, ''  hairo^ 
with  one  united  yoice,  appointed  you  to  the  high  statioii 
you  possess.  The  Supreme  Director  of  all  eyents  hath 
caused  a  wonderful  union  of  hearts  and  counsels  to  sob* 
sist  among  u& 

''Now,  therefore,  be  strong,  and  very  oourageoua 
May  the  Ood  of  the  armies  of  Israel  shower  down  the 
blessings  of  his  Divine  providence  on  you ;  give  joa  wis* 
dom  and  fortitude,  cover  your  head  in  the  day  of  battle 
and  danger,  add  success,  convince  our  enemies  of  thel 
mistaken  measures,  and  that  all  their  attempts  to  deprive 
these  colonies  of  their  inestimable  constitutional  nights 
and  liberties  are  injurious  and  vain.** 


KOTK 

We  aie  obliged  to  Professor  Felton  of  Cambridge  for  ooneoUng  an 
error  in  oar  first  Tolnme  in  regard  to  Washington's  head-qnarteni  and 
for  some  partioolars  conoeming  a  house  assooiated  with  the  history  and 
literature  of  our  ooontry. 

The  house  assigned  to  Washington  for  head-quarters,  was  that  of  the 
president  of  the  provincial  Ck>ngre6s,  not  of  the  UniTersity.  It  had  been 
one  of  those  tory  mansions  noticed  by  the  Baroness  Beidesel,  in  her  men* 
tion  of  Cambridge.  "  Seven  families,  who  were  oonneoted  by  relation* 
ship,  or  lived  in  great  intimacy,  had  here  farms,  gardens,  and  qptaodid 
mansions,  and  not  far  off,  orchards  ;  and  the  buildings  wen  at  a  quaitsf 
of  a  mile  distant  from  each  other.  The  owners  had  been  in  the  hafaitel 
ibling  every  aftfvooon  in  one  or  other  of  these  houses^  and  of  diveii^ 


OBACfta  aouBB. 


85 


tbg  UiemaelTBB  with  musio  or  dancing ;  and  liTed  in  affluence,  in  good 
iramary  and  without  care,  until  this  onfortonate  war  diepennd  tkiem,  and 
tnuutomed  all  these  houses  into  solitary  abodes.** 

The  house  in  question  was  oonflsnated  by  GoremmeDt  It  stood  on 
the  Watertown  road,  about  half  a  mile  west  of  the  college^  and  has 
long  been  known  as  the  Cmgie  House,  from  the  name  of  Andrew  Cragie, 
a  wealthy  gentleman,  who  purchased  it  after  the  war,  and  reviyed  its 
tomer  hospitality.  He  is  said  to  haye  acquired  great  influence  among 
the  leading  memben  of  the  ^' great  and  general  court,"  by  dint  of  Jorial 
dlmieta.  He  died  long  ago,  but  his  widow  surviyed  until  within  fifteen 
yean.  She  was  a  woman  of  much  talent  and  singularity.  She  refused 
to  haye  the  canker-worms  destroyed,  when  they  were  making  sad  rayages 
imoog  the  beautiful  trees  on  the  lawn  before  the  house.  "  We  are  all 
wonns^"  said  she,  <*  and  they  haye  as  good  a  right  here  as  I  haye.**  The 
oopsequenee  was  that  more  than  a  half  of  the  trees  perished. 

The  Cragie  House  is  associated  with  American  literature  through  some 
«l  its  subsequent  occupants.  Mr.  Bdward  Byerett  resided  in  it  the  first 
fear  or  two  after  his  marriage.  Later,  Mr.  Jared  Sparia,  during  part  of 
the  time  that  he  was  preparing  his  collection  of  Washington's  writings ; 
iditang  a  yolume  or  two  of  his  letters  in  the  yery  room  from  which  they 
were  written.  Next  came  Mr.  Worcester,  author  of  the  pugnacious  dio- 
tionary.  and  <rf  many  excellent  books,  and  lastly,  Longfellow,  the  poeit, 
who,  haying  married  the  heroine  of  Hyperion,  purchased  the  house  of  the 
bdrs  of  Mr.  Cngie  and  refitted  it 


OTTAPTEB  n 

^tUPnum  OF  MILITART  lUIOL— POPDLABITT  Or  FUnTAlC-^ABBAVaBam  At 
■■▲D-QUARTBBS.— OOLOMSL  MIFFLDI  AVD  JOHV  TKDXBULL,  AIUS-Da-CAlCP. 
--^OUBPH  BUD,  WA8HUIOTON*8  8I0BSTABT  AND  OOMFIDBHTIAIi  FBIBIII.-- 
UATm  AS  ADJUTAira-OSiniRAL.— HAZABDOU8  SITUATION  OF  THB  ABMT.— 
iTHXNUTHIMINQ  OF  THI  DBFBN8BS.  ~  BFFICmGT  OF  PCTMAM. — RAFID 
dlUNUBS.— NBW  DISTRIBUTION  OF  THB  FOB0B8.— RIGID  DISCIPUNR.— LBB 
AND  Ills  OANB.— UI8  IDBA  AS  TO  STRONG  BATTALIONS.— ARRIVAL  OF  RIFLB 
(K»I1*ANIBS.— DANIBL  MORGAN  AND  HIS  8HARF8HOOTBBS.— WA8HINOTOH  DB- 
0UNB8  TO  PBTAOH  TBOOP8  TO  DISTANT  POINTS  FOR  THBIR  PBOTBOTIOB.-^ 
HIS  RBABONS  FOR  SO  DOIBO. 

justdce  and  impartiality  of  Washington  weie 
oalled  into  exercise  as  soon  as  he  entered  upon 
his  oommandy  in  allaying  discontents  among  his 
aaiiurid  officers,  caused  by  the  recent  appointments  and 
iiriauotiouH  made  by  the  Continental  Congress.  General 
HiMHUHtr  wiuft  HO  offended  that  Putnam  should  be  promoted 
iivor  IiIm  h(«ad,  that  he  left  the  army,  without  visiting  the 
itMiiMiuviHlor-Iii'Oliiof ;  but  was  subsequently  induced  to 
m4ui'U.  (loiiitral  Thomas  felt  aggrieved  by  being  out- 
iHukiMl  by  lliu  vt^tcrau  Pomeroy ;  the  latter,  however,  de- 
I«M^U«||  io  Borvo,  ho  found  himself  senior  brigadier,  and 

'II^M  M^tvKiiM  luorits  of  Putnam  soon  made  every  one 


AMBAir&SMJSIfTS  AT  HEAD-^UAETBBB.  87 

aoqiiieBce  in  his  promotioiL  There  was  a  generosiiy  and 
booyancj  about  the  brave  old  man  that  made  him  a  fa- 
Torite  throughout  the  army ;  espeoiallj  with  the  younger 
officers,  who  spoke  of  him  familiarly  and  fondly  as  **  Old 
Put;"  a  sobriquet  by  which  he  is  called  even  in  one  of 
tiie  private  letters  of  the  commander-in-chief. 

The  Congress  of  Massachusetts  manifested  considerate 
liberality  with  respect  to  head-quarters.  According  to 
their  minutes,  a  committee  was  charged  to  procure  a 
steward,  a  housekeeper,  and  two  or  three  women  cooks — 
Washington,  no  doubt,  having  brought  with  him  none 
but  the  black  servants  who  had  accompanied  him  to 
Philadelphia,  and  who  were  but  little  fitted  for  New  Eng* 
land  housekeeping.  His  wishes  were  to  be  considted  in 
regard  to  the  supply  of  his  table.  This  his  station,  as 
oommander-in-chief^  required  should  be  kept  up  in  ample 
and  hospitable  style.  Every  day  a  number  of  his  officers 
dined  with  him.  As  he  was  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
seat  of  the  Provincial  Government,  he  would  occasionally 
have  members  of  Congress  and  other  functionaries  at  his 
board*  Though  social,  however,  he  was  not  convivial  in 
his  habits.  He  received  his  guests  with  courtesy ;  but 
his  mind  and  time  were  too  much  occupied  by  grave  and 
anxious  concerns,  to  permit  him  the  genial  indulgence  of 
the  table.  His  own  diet  was  extremely  simple.  Some- 
times nothing  but  baked  apples  or  berries,  with  cream 
and  milk.  He  would  retire  early  from  the  board,  leaving 
ail  aide-de-camp  or  one  of  his  officers  to  take  his  place. 


88  ^tJPB  OF  WASRmGTOJr. 

Oclonel  'M'lfflin  was  the  first  person  who  officiated  as  aide 
de-oamp.  He  was  a  Philadelphia  gentleman  of  high  re- 
speotabilitjy  who  had  accompanied  him  from  that  oiiy, 
and  received  his  appointment  shortly  after  their  arriTa] 
at  Cambridge.  The  second  aide-de-camp  was  John  Tmm- 
bnll,*  son  of  the  governor  of  Oonnecticat.  He  had  ao- 
companied  (General  Spencer  to  the  camp,  and  had  caught 
the  favorable  notice  of  Washington  by  some  drawings 
which  he  had  made  of  the  enemy's  works.  **  I  now  sud- 
denly found  myself*'  writes  Trumbnll,  "  in  the  &unily  of 
one  of  the  most  distinguished  and  dignified  men  of  the 
age ;  surroimded  at  his  table  by  the  principal  officers  of 
the  army,  and  in  constant  intercourse  with  them — ^it  was 
further  my  duty  to  receive  company,  and  do  the  honors 
of  the  house  to  many  of  the  first  people  of  the  coimtry  of 
both  sexes.'*  Trumbull  was  young,  and  unaccustomed  to 
society,  and  soon  found  himself,  he  says,  imequal  to  the 
elegant  duties  of  his  situation  ;  he  gladly  exchanged  it^ 
therefore,  for  that  of  major  of  brigade. 

The  member  of  Washington's  family  most  deserving  of 
mention  at  present,  was  his  secretary,  Mr.  Joseph  Beed. 
With  this  gentleman  he  had  formed  an  intimacy  in  the 
course  of  his  visits  to  Philadelphia,  to  attend  the  sessions 
of  the  Continental  Congress.  Mr.  Beed  was  an  acoom« 
plished  man,  had  studied  law  in  America,  and  at  the 
Temple  in  London,  and  had  gained  a  high  repuiaiioa  at 

^  In  after  yean  distiDguished  as  a  historical  painta; 


JOSEPH  BBBD.  39 

the  Pliiladelphia  bar.  In  the  dawning  of  the  Beyolntion 
he  had  embraced  the  popular  cause,  and  carried  on  a 
eorrespondence  with  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  endeavoring 
to  enlighten  that  minister  on  the  subject  of  colonial  af- 
fairs. He  had  since  been  highly  instrumental  in  rousing 
the  Philadelphians  to  cooperate  with  the  patriots  of  Bos«> 
ton.  A  sympathy  of  views  and  feelings  had  attached 
him  to  Washington,  and  induced  him  to  accompany  Tiitt^ 
to  the  camp.  He  had  no  definite  purpose  when  he  left 
home,  and  his  friends  in  Philadelphia  were  surprised,  on 
receiving  a  letter  from  him  written  from  Cambridge,  to 
find  that  he  had  accepted  the  post  of  secretary  to  the 
commander-in-chief. 

They  expostulated  with  him  by  letter.  That  a  man 
in  the  thirty-fifth  year  of  his  age,  with  a  lucrative  pro- 
fession, a  young  wife  and  growing  family,  and  a  happy 
home,  should  suddenly  abandon  all  to  join  the  hazardous 
fortunes  of  a  revolutionary  camp,  appeared  to  them  the 
height  of  infatuation.  They  remonstrated  on  the  peril  of 
the  step.  **I  have  no  inclination,"  replied  Beed,  **  to  be 
hanged  for  half  treason.  When  a  subject  draws  his  sword 
against  his  prince,  he  must  cut  his  way  through,  if  he 
means  to  sit  down  in  safety.  I  have  taken  too  active  a 
part  in  what  may  be  called  the  civil  part  of  opposition, 
to  renounce,  without  disgrace,  the  public  cause  when  it 
seems  to  lead  to  danger ;  and  have  a  most  sovereign  con- 
tempt for  the  man  who  can  plan  measures  he  has  not  the 
spirit  to  execute." 


J 


40  LiFB  OF  WAanmGTOnr. 

Washington  has  occasionally  been  represented  as  oold 
and  reserved ;  yet  his  intercourse  with  Mr.  Beed  is  a 
proof  to  the  contrary.  His  friendship  towards  him  was 
frank  and  cordial,  and  the  confidence  he  reposed  in  him 
fall  and  implicit  Beed,  in  fact,  became,  in  a  little  time^ 
the  intimate  companion  of  his  thoughts,  his  bosom  coun- 
selor. He  felt  the  need  of  such  a  friend  in  the  present 
exigency,  placed  as  he  was  in  a  new  and  xmtried  situation, 
and  having  to  act  with  persons  hitherto  unknown  to  him. 

In  military  a£Eairs,  it  is  true,  he  had  a  shrewd  counselor 
in  General  Lee ;  but  Lee  was  a  wayward  character ;  a 
cosmopolite,  without  attachment  to  country,  somewhat 
splenetic,  and  prone  to  follow  the  bent  of  his  whims  and 
huxnors,  which  often  clashed  with  propriety  and  sound 
policy.  Beed,  on  the  contrary,  though  less  informed  on 
tniliUry  matters,  had  a  strong  common  sense,  xmdouded 
by  passion  or  prejudice,  and  a  pure  patriotism,  which 
roKardod  everything  as  it  bore  upon  the  welfare  of  his 

country. 

WaHliington*s  confidence  in  Lee  had  always  to  be  meas- 
urnd  and  guarded  in  matters  of  civil  policy. 

Tho  arrival  of  Gates  in  camp  was  heartily  welcomed  by 
tlio  coinuiandor-in-chief,  who  had  received  a  letter  from 
lliiii  ()fil(5cr,  gratefully  acknowledging  his  friendly  in- 
flijnnco  in  procuring  him  the  appointment  of  adjutant^ 
goni)raI.  Washington  may  have  promised  himself  much 
cvmlial  cooperation  from  him,  recollecting  the  wann 
friendship  professed  by  him  when  he  visited  at  Mount 


EAZABDOUB  P08ITI0N  OF  THB  AEMT.  41 

Temon,  and  they  talked  together  oyer  their  early  com- 
panionship in  arms;  but  of  that  kind  of  friendship  there 
was  no  farther  manifestation.  Gates  was  certainly  of 
great  service,  from  his  practical  knowledge  and  military 
experience  at  this  joncture,  when  the  whole  army  had  in 
a  manner  to  be  organized ;  bnt  from  the  familiar  intimacy 
of  Washington  he  gradually  estranged  himselL  A  con- 
temporary has  accounted  for  this,  by  alleging  that  he  was 
secretly  chagrined  at  not  having  received  the  appointment 
of  major-general,  to  which  he  considered  himself  well  fit- 
ted by  his  military  knowledge  and  experience,  and  whidi 
he  thought  Washington  might  have  obtained  for  him  had 
he  used  his  influence  with  Congress.  We  shall  have  to  ad- 
vert to  this  estrangement  of  Gates  on  subsequent  occasions. 
The  hazardous  position  of  the  army  from  the  great  ex« 
tent  and  weakness  of  its  lines,  was  what  most  pressed  on 
the  immediate  attention  of  Washington;  and  he  sum* 
moned  a  council  of  war,  to  take  the  matter  into  consid- 
eration. In  this  it  was  urged  that,  to  abandon  the  line 
of  works,  after  the  great  labor  and  expense  of  their  con* 
struction,  would  be  dispiriting  to  the  troops  and  encour* 
aging  to  the  enemy,  while  it  would  expose  a  wide  extent 
of  the  surroimding  country  to  maraud  and  ravage.  Be- 
sides, no  safer  position  presented  itself  on  which  to  fall 
back.  This  being  generally  admitted,  it  was  determined 
to  hold  on  to  the  works,  and  defend  them  as  long  as  pos- 
sible ;  and,  in  the  meantime,  to  augment  the  army  to  ak 
feast  twenty  thousand  men. 


J 


42  i^^  OF  WASHINQTON. 

WaBhington  now  huBiened  to  improTe  the  defanaeg  ol 
ibe  camp,  strengthen  the  weak  parts  of  the  line^  and 
throw  np  additional  works  roond  the  main  forts.  No 
one  seconded  him  more  effectually  in  this  matter  than 
General  Patnam.  No  works  were  thrown  up  with  equal 
rapidiiy  to  those  imder  his  superintendence.  **  You  seenii 
general,"  said  Washington,  '^  to  have  the  faculty  of  infus- 
ing jour  own  spirit  into  all  the  workmen  you  employ  ;** 
•^and  it  was  the  fact 

The  obsenring  chaplain  already  cited,  gaaed  with  wan- 
der at  the  rapid  effscts  soon  produced  by  the  labors  of  an 
army.  '^  It  is  surprising/'  writes  he,  **  how  much  work 
has  been  done.  The  lines  are  extended  almost  from 
Cambridge  to  Mystic  Biyer ;  very  soon  it  will  be  moralty 
impossible  for  the  enemy  to  get  between  the  works,  ex« 
cept  in  one  place,  which  is  supposed  to  be  left  purposely 
unfortified,  to  entice  the  enemy  out  of  their  fortresses. 
Who  would  have  thought,  twelve  months  past,  that  all 
Cambridge  and  Charlestown  would  be  covered  over  wiih 
American  camps,  and  cut  up  into  forts  and  intrench- 
ments,  and  all  the  lands,  fields,  orchards,  laid  common,^ 
horses  and  cattle  feeding  on  the  choicest  mowing  land, 
whole  fields  of  com  eaten  down  to  the  ground,  and  large 
parks  of  well-regulated  forest  trees  cut  down  for  fire- 
wood and  other  public  uses." 

Beside  the  main  dispositions  above  mentioned,  about 
seven  hundred  men  were  distributed  in  the  small  towns 
and  villages  along  the  coast,  to  prevent  depredations  l^ 


OBDBB  AND  REGULABJTl.  43 

water;  and  horses  were  kept  ready  saddled  at  yariomi 
points  of  the  widely  extended  lines,  to  convey  to  head« 
quarters  intelligence  of  any  special  moyement  of  the 
enemy. 

The  army  was  distributed  by  Washington  into  three 
grand  divisions.  One,  forming  the  right  wing,  was 
stationed  on  the  heights  of  Boxbury.  It  was  commanded 
by  Major-general  Ward,  who  had  under  him  Brigadier- 
generals  Spencer  and  Thomas.  Another,  forming  the 
left  wing,  imder  Major-general  Lee,  having  with  him 
Brigadier-generals  Sullivan  and  Greene,  was  stationed  on 
Winter  and  Prospect  Hills;  while  the  centre,  under 
Major-general  Putnam  and  Brigadier-general  Heath,  was 
stationed  at  Cambridge.  With  Putnam  was  encamped 
his  favorite  officer  Enowlton,  who  had  been  promoted  by 
Congress  to  the  rank  of  major  for  his  gallantry  at  Bun- 
ker's HilL 

At  Washington's  recommendation,  Joseph  Trumbull, 
the  eldest  son  of  the  governor,  received,  on  the  24th  of 
July,  the  appointment  of  commissary-general  of  the  con- 
tinental army.  He  had  already  officiated  with  talent  in 
that  capacity  in  the  Connecticut  militia.  ^' There  is  a 
great  overturning  in  the  camp  as  to  order  and  regularity,'* 
writes  the  military  chaplain ;  **  new  lords,  new  laws. 
The  generals  Washington  and  Lee  are  upon  the  lines 
every  day.  New  orders  from  his  excellency  are  read  to 
the  respective  regiments  every  morning  after  prayers. 
The  strictest  government  is  taking  place,  and  ccreat  dis- 


44  LJ^I^  OF  WASHINGTOJr. 


is  made  between  officers  and  soldiers.  Ereiy 
one  is  made  to  know  his  place  and  keep  it»  or  be  tied  up 
and  receive  thirty  or  forty  lashes  according  to  his  crime. 
Thousands  are  at  work  every  day  from  four  till  eleven 
o'clock  in  the  morning." 

Lee  was  supposed  to  have  been  at  the  bottom  of  this 
rigid  discipline — the  result  of  his  experience  in  European 
campaigning.  TTig  notions  of  military  authorilry  were 
acquired  in  the  armies  of  the  North.  Quite  a  sensation 
waSy  on  one  occasion,  produced  in  camp  by  his  threaten- 
ing to  cane  an  officer  for  unsoldierly  conduct  His  lax- 
ity in  other  matters  occasioned  almost  equal  scandal. 
He  scoffed,  we  are  told,  **  with  his  usual  profaneness,"  at 
a  resolution  of  Congress  appointing  a  day  of  fasting  and 
prayer,  to  obtain  the  favor  of  Heaven  upon  their  cause. 
^^Seaven,*'  he  observed,  ^'was  ever  foimd  favorable  to 
strong  battalions."  * 

Washington  differed  from  him  in  this  respeci  By  his 
orders  the  resolution  of  Congress  was  scrupulously  en- 
forced. All  labor,  excepting  that  absolutely  necessary, 
was  suspended  on  the  appointed  day;  and  officers  and 
soldiers  were  required  to  attend  divine  service,  armed 
and  equipped  and  ready  for  immediate  action. 

Nothing  excited  more  gaze  and  wonder  among  the 
rustic  visitors  to  the  camp,  than  the  arrival  of  several 
companies,  fourteen  himdred  men  in  all,  from  Pemfe* 

*  GrajFdon's  Memoira,  p.  188. 


DEFBNaE  OF  THE  SBA-COAST.  4g 

sflTania,  Maryland,  and  Virginia;  such  stalwart  fellows 
as  Washington  had  known  in  his  early  campaigns.  Stark 
hunters  and  bosh  fighters ;  many  of  them  upwards  of  six 
feet  high,  and  of  vigorous  frame;  dressed  in  fringed 
frocks,  or  rifle  shirts,  and  round  hats.  Their  displays 
of  sharpshooting  were  soon  among  the  marrels  of  the 
camp.  We  are  told  that  while  advancing  at  quick  step, 
fhey  could  hit  a  mark  of  seven  inches  diameter,  at  the 
distance  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards.* 

One  of  these  companies  was  commanded  by  Captain 
Daniel  Morgan,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  whose  first 
experience  in  war  had  been  to  accompany  Braddock's 
army  as  a  wagoner.  He  had  since  carried  arms  on  the 
frontier  and  obtained  a  command.  He  and  his  rifle- 
men in  coming  to  the  camp  had  marched  six  hundred 
miles  in  three  weeks.  They  will  be  found  of  signal  effi- 
ciency in  the  sharpest  conflicts  of  the  Revolutionary 
War. 

While  all  his  forces  were  required  for  the  investment 
of  Boston,  Washington  was  importuned  by  the  Legisla- 
ture of  Massachusetts  and  the  governor  of  Connecticut, 
to  detach  troops  for  the  protection  of  different  points  of 
the  sea-coast,  where  depredations  by  armed  vessels  were 
apprehended.  The  case  of  New  London  was  specified  by 
Governor  Trumbull,  where  Captain  Wallace  of  the  Boae 
frigate,  with  two  other  ships  of  war,  had  entered  the 

*  Thacher's  Military  Journal,  p.  37. 


06  LIFE  OF  WASHmOTOJr. 

harbor,  landed  men,  spiked   the  oannon,  and  gone  oA 
threatening  fatnre  visits. 

Washington  referred  to  his  instructions,  and  oonsnlted 
with  his  general  officers  and  such  members  of  the  Con- 
tinental Congress  as  happened  to  be  in  camp,  before  he 
replied  to  these  requests ;  he  then  respectfully  declined 
compliance. 

In  his  reply  to  the  Ceneral  Assembly  of  Massachusetts, 

he  stated  frankly  and  explicitly  the  policy  and  system  on 

which  the  war  was  to  be  conducted,  and  according  to 

which  he  was  to  act  as  commander-in-chiel    ''It  has 

boon  debated  in  Congress  and  settled,"  writes  he,  **  that 

tho  militia,  or  other  internal  strength  of  each  proTince, 

Im  to  1)0  applied  for  defense  against  those  small  and  par- 

tioiilar  depredations,  which  were  to  be  expected,  and  to 

whioh  tlioy  were  supposed  to  be  competent     This  will 

Appoar  tlie  more  proper,  when  it  is  considered  that  OTeiy 

town,  and  indeed  every  part  of  our  sea-coast,  which  is 

oipoNiMl  to  these  depredations,  would  have  an  equal  claim 

upon  thiM  army. 

"It  Im  the  misfortune  of  our  situation  which  exposes 
llM  U}  thoHo  ravages,  and  against  which,  in  my  judgment, 
no  Niinli  tnniporary  relief  could  possibly  secure  us.  The 
|/r<mt  liilviuitfigo  the  enemy  have  of  transporting  troops, 
\iy  l»nlnf<  inaHti^rs  of  the  sea,  will  enable  them  to  harass 
MM  \iy  illvht'NionH  of  this  kind;  and  should  we  be  tempted 
to  pto'MiiM  thnni,  upon  every  alarm,  the  army  must  either 
liM  mi  wimkonttd  as  to  expose  it  to  destruction,  or  a  great 


A   VITAL  qUESTION  8BTTLBD. 


41 


part  of  the  coast  be  still  left  nnproteoted.    Nor,  indeed, 

does  it  appear  to  me  that  such  a  pursuit  would  be  at* 

tended  with  the  least  effect    The  first  notice  of  such  an 

exoorsion  would  be  its  actual  execution,  and  long  before 

any  troops  ootdd  reach  the  scene  of  action,  the  enemy 

would  have  an  opportunity  to  accomplish  their  purpose 

and  retire.    It  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  have  it  in 

my  power  to  extend  protection  and  safeiy  to  every  indi« 

yidual ;  but  the  wisdom  of  the  Qeneral  Court  will  antici-* 

pate  me  on  the  neoessiiy  of  conducting  our  operations  on 

A  general  and  impartial  scale,  so  as  to  exclude  any  just 

cause  of  complaint  and  jealousy." 

His  reply  to  the  governor  of  Connecticut  was  to  the 
same  c^ci  ''I  am  by  no  means  insensible  to  the  situa- 
tion of  the  people  on  the  coast.  I  wish  I  could  extend 
protection  to  all,  but  the  numerous  detachments  neces- 
sary to  remedy  the  evil  would  amount  to  a  dissolution  of 
the  army,  or  make  the  most  important  operations  of  the 
campaign  depend  upon  the  piratical  expeditions  of  two  or 
three  men-of-war  and  transports." 

His  refusal  to  grant  the  required  detachments  gave 
much  dissatisfaction  in  some  quarters,  until  sanctioned 
and  enforced  by  the  Continental  Congress.  All  at  length 
saw  and  acquiesced  in  the  justice  and  wisdom  of  his  de- 
cision. It  was  in  fact  a  vital  question,  involving  the 
whole  character  and  fortune  of  the  war ;  and  it  was  ao« 
knowledged  that  he  met  it  with  a  forecast  and  determi* 
nation  befitting  a  commander-in-chic^f. 


OHAPTEB  m 


WiflnmTov*8  OBnoT  ni  bibtbbbsino  bo0tok.— maboitt  askd  niUKwrnB  if 

TBB    TOWV.— ▲    BTABTLINO    DIBCOYKBT.— 0OABGITT    OF   POWDKE    Dl    TBI 
OlMP.— ITS  FBBILOU8  8ITUATIOM.— BCOMOMT  OF  AMMUHITIOir.—OOHBBBFOHD- 
KSCB   BBTWSBN    LIB    AND  BUROOTNB. — COBBB8POBDBNCB  BBTWBBH  WlflB 
nrOTOK  AND  OAOB.— TBB  DIOIOTT  OF  TBB  PATBIOT  ABICT  ABSBBTMDw 


^MmmmMMB'^m 


'«*f:.^«^i 


great  object  of  Washington  at  present^ 
to  force  the  enemy  to  come  out  of  Boston  and 
try  a  decisive  action.  His  lines  had  for  some 
time  out  off  all  communication  of  the  town  with  the  oonn* 
try,  and  he  had  caused  the  live  stock  within  a  consider- 
able distance  of  the  place  to  be  driven  back  from  the 
ooasty  out  of  reach  of  the  men-of-war's  boats.  Fresh 
provisions  and  vegetables  were  consequently  growing 
more  and  more  scarce  and  extravagantly  dear,  and  sick- 
ness began  to  prevaiL  "  I  have  done  and  shall  do  every- 
thing in  my  power  to  distress  them/'  writes  he  to  his 
brother  John  Augustine.  "Tlie  transports  have  all  ar- 
rived,  and  their  whole  reinforcement  is  landed,  so  that 
I  see  no  reason  why  they  should  not,  if  they  ever  at- 
tempt  it,  come  boldly  out  and  put  the  matter  to  isBoe 
atonc0»** 


BOABCmr  OF  POWDML  49 

*  We  aie  in  the  strangest  state  in  the  world,**  writes  a 
hdy  from  Boston,  **  sorronnded  on  all  sides.  The  whole 
oonntry  is  in  arms  and  intrenched.  We  are  deprived  of 
fresh  provisions,  subject  to  continual  alarms  and  can« 
nonadings,  the  provincials  being  very  audacious  and  ad<- 
Tsndng  to  our  lines,  since  the  arrival  of  generals  Wash- 
ington  and  Lee  to  command  them." 

At  this  critical  juncture,  when  Washington  was  press- 
ing the  siege,  and  endeavoring  to  provoke  a  general  ac- 
tion, a  startling  fact  came  to  light;  the  whole  amount 
of  powder  in  the  camp  would  not  furnish  more  than  nine 
cartridges  to  a  man  I* 

A  gross  error  had  been  made  by  the  committee  of  sup- 
plies when  Washington,  on  taking  command,  had  re- 
quired a  return  of  the  ammunition.  They  had  returned 
the  whole  amount  of  powder  collected  by  the  province, 
apwards  of  three  hundred  barrels  ;  without  stating  what 
had  been  expended.  The  blunder  was  detected  on  an 
order  being  issued  for  a  new  supply  of  cartridges.  It 
was  found  that  there  were  but  thirty-two  barrels  of  pow- 
der in  store. 

This  was  an  astounding  discovery.  Washington  in- 
Btantiy  despatched  letters  and  expresses  to  Bhode  Island, 
the  Jerseys,  Ticonderoga  and  elsewhere,  'irging  immediate 
supplies  of  powder  and  lead ;  no  quantity,  however  small, 
to  be  considered  beneath  notice.    In  a  letter  to  Gk>vemor 

*  Letter  to  the  Pireeideat  of  CkmgreflB,  Aug.  4 


so  UFB  OF  WASHINGTOSr. 

Oooke  of  Bhode  Island,  he  suggested  that  an  armed  tob* 
sel  of  that  province  might  be  sent  to  seize  upon  a  maga- 
zine of  gnnpowdery  said  to  be  in  a  remote  part  of  the 
island  of  Bermuda.  "I  am  very  sensible/'  writes  he, 
"  that  at  first  view  the  project  may  appear  hazardouSy 
and  its  success  must  depend  on  the  concurrence  oi 
many  circumstances ;  but  we  are  in  a  situation  which  re- 
quires us  to  run  all  risks.  •  •  •  •  Enterprises  which 
appear  chimerical,  often  prove  successful  from  that  very 
circumstance.  Common  sense  and  prudence  will  suggest 
vigilance  and  care,  where  the  danger  is  plain  and  obvi- 
ous ;  but  where  little  danger  is  apprehended,  the  more 
the  enemy  will  be  unprepared,  and,  consequently,  there 
is  the  fairest  prospect  of  success." 

Day  after  day  elapsed  without  the  arrival  of  any  sup- 
plies ;  for  in  these  irregular  times,  the  munitions  of  war 
were  not  readily  procured.  It  seemed  hardly  possible 
that  the  matter  could  be  kept  concealed  from  the  enemy. 
Their  works  on  Bunker's  Hill  commanded  a  full  view  of 
those  of  the  Americans  on  Winter  and  Prospect  hilla. 
Each  camp  could  see  what  was  passing  in  the  other. 
The  sentries  were  almost  near  enough  to  converse* 
There  was  furtive  intercourse  occasionally  between  the 
men.  In  this  critical  state,  the  American  camp  remained 
for  a  fortnight ;  the  anxious  commander  incessantly  ap« 
prehending  an  attack.  At  length  a  partial  supply  from 
the  Jerseys  put  an  end  to  this  imminent  risk.  Washing- 
ton's secretary,  Heed,  who  had  been  the  confidant  of  hia 


ZaS  AND  BUBGOTNS.  51 

hoables  And  anxieties,  gives  a  yivid  expression  of  his 
fBelings  on  the  arriyal  of  this  reliel  *^  I  can  hardly  look 
back  without  shuddering,  at  our  situation  before  this  in« 
erease  of  our  stocL  Stock  did  I  say  ?  it  was  next  to  noth- 
ing. Almost  the  whole  powder  of  the  army  was  in  the 
eartridge-boxes.**  * 

It  is  thought  that,  oonsidering  the  clandestine  inter- 
oourse  carried  on  between  the  two  camps,  intelligence  of 
fliis  defideuoy  of  ammunition  on  the  part  of  the  besiegers 
must  have  been  conveyed  to  the  British  commander ;  but 
that  the  bold  face  with  which  the  Americans  continued 
to  maintain  their  position  made  him  discredit  ii 

Notwithstanding  the  supply  from  the  Jerseys,  there 
vas  not  more  powder  in  camp  than  woxdd  serve  the  artil- 
lery for  one  day  of  general  action.  None,  therefore,  was 
allowed  to  be  wasted ;  the  troops  were  even  obliged  to 
bear  in  silence  an  occasional  cannonading.  '*  Our  poverty 
in  ammunition,'*  writes  Washington,  *^  prevents  our  mak- 
ing a  suitable  return.'* 

One  of  the  painful  circumstances  attending  the  out- 
break of  a  revolutionary  war  is,  that  gallant  men,  who 
have  held  allegiance  to  the  same  government,  and  fough: 
aide  by  side  under  the  same  flag,  suddenly  find  them- 
aelves  in  deadly  conflict  with  each  other.  Such  was  th9 
case  at  present  in  the  hostile  camps.  General  Lee.  rj 
^rill  be  recollected,  had  once  served  under  Qeneral  Bur* 

*  Seed  to  Thomas  Biadfoid.    lAfe  and  Correspondence,  tqL  i  p.  118L 


62  LIFE  OF  WASJSmOTOir. 

goyne,  in  Portugal,  and  had  won  his  brightest  laoreLi 
when  detached  by  that  commander  to  sorprise  the  Span- 
ish camp,  near  the  Moorish  castle  of  Villa  Yelha.  A 
soldier's  friendship  had  ever  since  existed  between  ihem, 
and  when  Lee  had  heard  at  Philadelphia^  before  he  had 
engaged  in  the  American  service,  that  his  old  comrade 
and  commander  was  arrived  at  Boston,  he  wrote  a  letter 
to  him  giving  his  own  views  on  the  points  in  dispute  be- 
tween the  colonies  and  the  mother  conntiy,  and  invei^- 
ing  with  his  usual  vehemence  and  sarcastic  pointy  against 
the  conduct  of  the  court  and  ministry.  Before  sending 
the  letter,  he  submitted  it  to  the  Boston  delegates  and 
other  members  of  Congress,  and  received  their  sanctiQiL 

Since  his  arrival  in  camp  he  had  received  a  reply  from 
Borgoyne,  couched  in  moderate  and  courteous  langoage, 
and  proposing  an  interview  at  a  designated  house  on 
Boston  Neck,  within  the  British  sentries,  mutual  pledges 
to  be  given  for  each  other's  safety. 

Lee  submitted  this  letter  to  the  Provincial  Oongress 
of  Massachusetts,  and  requested  their  commands  with 
respect  to  the  proposed  interview.  They  expressed,  in 
reply,  the  highest  confidence  in  his  wisdom,  discretion, 
and  integrity,  but  questioned  whether  the  interview 
might  not  be  regarded  by  the  public  with  distrust ;  **  a 
people  contending  for  their  liberties  being  naturally  dis* 
posed  to  jealousy."  They  suggested,  therefore,  as  a 
means  of  preventing  popular  misconception,  that  Lee,  on 
seeking  the  interview,  should  be  accompanied  by  1I& 


WABHINQTON  TO  GAGE.  68 

Elbridge  Geny ;  or  that  the  adyice  of  a  oonnoil  of  war 
should  be  taken  in  a  matter  of  snoh  apparent  delicacy. 

Lee  became  aware  of  the  snrmises  that  might  be  awa< 
kened  by  the  proposed  interview,  and  wrote  a  friendly 
note  to  Bnrgoyne  declining  it 

A  correspondence  of  a  more  important  character  took 
place  between  Washington  and  Qeneral  Gage.  It  was 
one  intended  to  put  the  hostile  services  on  a  proper  foot- 
ing. A  strong  disposition  had  been  manifested  among 
the  British  officers  to  regard  those  engaged  in  the  patriot 
canse  as  malefactors,  outlawed  from  the  courtesies  of 
chivabic  warfare.  Washington  was  determined  to  have 
a  full  understanding  on  this  point  He  was  peculiarly 
sensitive  with  regard  to  Gktge.  They  had  been  com- 
panions in  arms  in  their  early  days  ;  but  Gage  might  now 
affect  to  look  down  upon  him  as  the  chief  of  a  rebel 
army.  Washington  took  an  early  opportunity  to  let  him 
know,  that  he  claimed  to  be  the  commander  of  a  legiti- 
mate force,  engaged  in  a  legitimate  cause,  and  that  both 
himself  and  his  army  were  to  be  treated  on  a  footing  of 
perfect  equality.  The  correspondence  arose  from  the 
treatment  of  several  American  officers. 

"  I  understand,"  writes  Washington  to  Gage,  **  that  the 
officers  engaged  in  the  cause  of  liberty  and  their  country, 
who  by  the  fortune  of  war  have  fallen  into  your  hands, 
have  been  thrown  indiscriminately  into  a  common  jail, 
appropriated  to  felons;  that  no  consideration  has  been 
had  for  those  of  the  most  respectable  rank,  when  Ian- 


54  LIFE  OF  WASHmOTOHr. 

goishing  with  wonnds  and  sickness^  and  that  some  haTQ 
been  amputated  in  this  unworthy  situation.  Let  your 
opinion,  sir,  of  the  principles  which  actuate  them,  be 
what  it  may,  they  suppose  that  they  act  from  the  noblest 
of  all  principles,  love  of  freedom  and  their  country.  But 
political  principles^  I  conceive,  are  foreign  to  this  point 
The  obligations  arising  from  the  rights  of  humanity  and 
daims  of  rank  are  universally  binding  and  extensive,  ex- 
cept in  case  of  retaliation.  These,  I  should  have  hoped, 
would  have  dictated  a  more  tender  treatment  of  those 
individuals  whom  chance  or  war  had  put  in  your  power. 
Nor  can  I  forbear  suggesting  its  fatal  tendency  to  widen 
that  unhappy  breach  which  you,  and  those  ministers 
under  whom  you  act,  have  repeatedly  declared  your  wish 
to  see  forever  dosed.  My  duty  now  makes  it  necessary 
to  apprise  you  that,  for  the  future,  I  shall  regulate  all  my 
conduct  towards  those  gentlemen  who  are,  or  may  be,  in 
our  possession,  exactly  by  the  rule  you  shall  observe  to- 
wards those  of  ours,  now  in  your  custody. 

"  If  severity  and  hardships  mark  the  line  of  your  con- 
duct, painful  as  it  may  be  to  me,  your  prisoners  will  feel 
its  e£fects.  But  if  kindness  and  humanity  are  shown  to 
us,  I  shall  with  pleasure  consider  those  in  our  hands 
only  as  unfortunate,  and  they  shall  receive  from  me 
that  treatment  to  which  the  unfortunate  are  ever  en- 
titled." 

The  following  are  the  essential  parts  of  a  letter  fxoam 
General  Gage  in  reply : — 


aXPLT  OF  &A&m  66 

''BoL, — ^To  ihe  gloiy  of  dyilized  nationBy  humanity  and 
war  have  been  oompatible,  and  humanitj  to  ihe  subdued 
has  become  almost  a  general  system.  Britons,  ever  pre* 
eminent  in  mercy,  have  outgone  common  examples,  and 
oferlooked  the  criminal  in  the  captive.  Upon  these  prin* 
eiples  your  prisoners,  whose  lives  by  the  law  of  the  land 
are  destined  to  the  cord,  have  hitherto  been  treated  with 
eare  and  kindness,  and  more  comfortably  lodged  than  the 
kbg^s  troops  in  the  hospitals ;  indiscriminately,  it  is  true^ 
bft  I  acknowledge  no  rank  that  is  not  derived  from  the 
king. 

**  My  intelligence  from  your  army  would  justify  severe 
leeriminations.  I  xmderstand  there  are  of  the  king's 
fuihful  subjects,  taken  some  time  since  by  the  rebels, 
laboring,  like  negro  slaves  to  gain  their  daily  subsistence, 
or  reduced  to  the  wretched  alternative  to  perish  by 
famine  or  take  arms  against  their  king  and  country. 
Those  who  have  made  the  treatment  of  the  prisoners  in 
my  hands,  or  of  your  other  friends  in  Boston,  a  pretense 
for  such  measures,  found  barbarity  upon  falsehood. 

''I  would  willingly  hope,  sir,  that  the  sentiments  of 
liberality  which  I  have  always  believed  you  to  possess, 
win  be  exerted  to  correct  these  misdoings.  Be  temper^ 
ate  in  political  disquisition :  give  free  operation  to 
truth,  and  punish  those  who  deceive  and  misrepresent ; 
and  not  only  the  effects,  but  the  cause,  of  this  unhappy 
conflict  will  be  removed.  Shoxdd  those,  under  whose 
uaorped  authority  you  act,  control  such  a  disposition. 


66  LIFB  OF  WASHINGTOir. 

and  dare  to  oall  seyeriiy  retaliation ;  to  Gk)d,  who  knows 
all  hearts,  be  the  appeal  of  the  dreadful  oonaeqaencea»" 
etc. 

There  were  expressions  in  the  foregoing  letter  well 
calculated  to  rouse  indignant  feelings  in  the  most  tern* 
perate  bosom.  Had  Washington  been  as  readily  moved 
to  transports  of  passion  as  some  are  pleased  to  represent 
him,  the  rebd  and  the  cord  might  readily  have  stung 
Mm  to  fury;  but  with  him,  anger  was  checked  in  its 
impulses  by  higher  energies,  and  reined  in  to  give  a 
grander  effect  to  the  dictates  of  his  judgment  The  fol- 
lowing was  his  noble  and  dignified  reply  to  General 
Gage: — 

"I  addressed  you,  sir,  on  the  11th  instant^  in  terms 
which  gave  the  fairest  scope  for  that  humanity  and 
politeness  which  were  supposed  to  form  a  part  of  your 
character.  I  remonstrated  with  you  on  the  unworthy 
treatment  shown  to  the  officers  and  citizens  of  AmerioSi 
whom  the  fortune  of  war,  chance,  or  a  mistaken  confi- 
dence, had  thrown  into  your  hands.  Whether  British  or 
American  mercy,  fortitude,  and  patience  are  most  pre- 
eminent ;  whether  our  virtuous  citizens,  whom  the  hand 
of  tyranny  has  forced  into  arms  to  defend  their  wives, 
their  children,  and  their  property,  or  the  merciless  in- 
struments of  lawless  domination,  avarice,  and  revenge^ 
best  deserve  the  appellation  of  rebels  and  the  pnniBh- 
ment  of  that  cord  which  your  affected  clemen<^  has  for- 
borne to  inflict;  whether  the  authority  under  whioli  I 


WABHINQTON  IN  ANSWER  TO  GAQB.  57 

act  IB  usurped,  or  founded  upon  the  genuine  principles 
of  liberty,  were  altogether  foreign  to  the  subject.  I  pur- 
posely avoided  all  political  disquisition ;  nor  shall  I  now 
ayail  myself  of  those  advantages  which  the  sacred  cause 
of  my  oountry,  of  liberty,  and  of  human  nature  give 
me  over  you ;  much  less  shall  I  stoop  to  retort  and  in- 
TOctiye ;  but  the  intelligence  you  say  you  have  received 
from  our  army  requires  a  reply.  I  have  taken  time,  sir, 
to  make  a  strict  inquiry,  and  find  it  has  not  the  least 
foundation  in  truth.  Not  only  your  officers  and  soldiers 
have  been  treated  with  the  tenderness  due  to  fellow- 
citizens  and  brethren,  but  even  those  execrable  par- 
ricides, whose  counsels  and  aid  have  deluged  their 
country  with  blood,  have  been  protected  from  the 
fury  of  a  justly  enraged  people.  Far  from  compel* 
ling  or  permitting  their  assistance,  I  am  embarrassed 
with  the  numbers  who  crowd  to  our  camp,  animated 
with  the  purest  principles  of  virtue  and  love  to  their 
country.    •    •    •    • 

"  You  affect,  sir,  to  despise  all  rank  not  derived  from 
the  same  source  with  your  own.  I  cannot  conceive  one 
more  honorable  than  that  which  flows  from  the  uncor- 
ropted  choice  of  a  brave  and  free  people,  the  purest 
source  and  original  fountain  of  all  power.  Far  from 
mfilriTig  it  a  plea  for  cruelty,  a  mind  of  true  magna- 
nimity and  enlarged  ideas  would  comprehend  and  re- 
spect it. 

"What  may  have  been  the  ministerial  views  which 


68  ijFE  oif  WAsmmros. 

have  precipitated  the  present  crisis,  Lexington,  Concord, 
and  Charlestown  can  best  declare.  May  that  God,  to 
whom  yon,  too,  appeal,  judge  between  America  and  you. 
Under  his  providence,  those  who  inflaenoe  the  oooncils 
of  America^  and  all  the  other  inhabitants  of  the  united 
oolonies,  at  the  hazard  of  their  lives,  are  determined  to 
hand  down  to  posterity  those  just  and  invaluable  privi- 
leges which  they  received  from  their  ancestors. 

*^  I  shall  now,  sir,  dose  my  correspondence  with  you» 
perhaps  forever.  If  your  officers,  our  prisoners,  receive 
a  treatment  from  me  different  from  that  which  I  wished 
to  show  them,  they  and  you  will  remember  the  occasion 
of  it." 

We  have  given  these  letters  of  Washington  almost  en- 
tire, for  they  contain  his  manifesto  as  commander-in-chief 
of  the  armies  of  the  Bevolution ;  setting  forth  the  opin- 
ions and  motives  by  which  he  was  governed,  and  the 
principles  on  which  hostilities  on  his  part  would  be  con- 
ducted. It  was  planting  with  the  pen,  that  standard 
which  was  to  be  maintained  by  the  sword. 

In  conformity  with  the  threat  conveyed  in  the  latter 
part  of  his  letter,  Washington  issued  orders  that  British 
officers  at  Watertown  and  Cape  Ann,  who  were  at  large 
on  parole,  should  be  confined  in  Northampton  jail ;  ex- 
plaining to  them  that  this  conduct,  which  might  appear 
to  them  harsh  and  cruel,  was  contrary  to  his  disposition, 
but  according  to  the  rule  of  treatment  observed  by  Gen- 
eral Gage  towards  the  American  prisoners  in  his  hands ; 


KUn)  TREATMENT  OF  0FFICEB8. 


59 


making  no  distinctions  of  rank.  CircnmstanceSy  of  which 
we  have  no  ezplanationy  indnced  subsequently  a  revo* 
cation  of  this  order ;  the  officers  were  permitted  to  re^ 
main  as  before,  at  large  upon  parole,  experiencing  every 
indulgence  and  civilitf  consistent  with  their  security. 


CHAPTER  T? 

DAVCFIRS   IN  THE  IHTBBIOR.— MACHINATIONS    OF   THB   J0HK80H  VAMILT.- 
YALAT  OF  ETUAN  ALLEN   AND  BENEDICT  ARNOLD. — GOYSBNMBMT  FBHFl 
TIES    ABOUT    THE    TICONDEROOA    CAPTURE.  —  MEASURES    TO    8BCUBB 
PRIZE.— ALLEN    AND  ARNOLD  AMBITIOUS    OF    FUTURE    LAURELS. ^PROJECTS 
FOR    THE    INVASION  OF  CANADA.— ETHAN  ALLEN  AND    SETH  WARNER   HOV* 
ORED  BY  CONGRESS. — ARNOLD  DISPLACED  BT  A  COMMITTEE  OF  INQUIRT.^ 
HIS    INDIGNATION.  —  NEWS    FROM  CANADA. — THE    REVOLUTION    TO  BE  BX 
TENDED  INTO  THAT  PROVINCE.— ENLISTMENT  OF  GREEN  MOUNTAnf  BOTE.-* 
80HUTLER  AT  TICONDEROGA.  —  STATE  OF  AFFAIRS  THERE. — BLBOTION  FOB 
OFFICERS  OF  THE    GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOTS.— ETHAN  ALLEN  DISMOUHTBD.^ 
JOINS  THE  ARMY  AS  A  VOLUNTEER.— PREPARATIONS  FOR  THS  XNYAfilOH  OT 
CANADA.— GENERAL  MONTGOMERY. — INDIAN  CHIEFS  AT  OAMBBIDOB. — OOUIH 
OIL  FIRE.  — PLAN  FOR  AN  EXPEDITION  AGAINST  QUEBBO.  —  DBPARTUBI  <MP 
TROOPS  FROM  TICONDEROGA.— ARRIVAL  AT  ISLB  AUX  NOIX. 

p^^^^E  must  interrupt  our  narrative  of  the  siege  of 
||^||m  Boston  to  give  an  account  of  events  in  other 
W^^ml  quarters,  requiring  the  superintending  care  of 
Washington  as  commander-in-chief.  Letters  from  Gen- 
eral Schuyler,  received  in  the  course  of  July,  had  awakened 
apprehensions  of  danger  from  the  interior.  The  John- 
sons were  said  to  be  stirring  up  the  Indians  in  the  west- 
em  parts  of  New  York  to  hostility,  and  preparing  to  join 
the  British  forces  in  Canada ;  so  that,  while  the  patriots 

were  battling  for  their  rights  along  the  seaboard,  they 

60 


RIVALBT  OF  ALLEM  AND  AENOLD.  Q 

veie  menaced  by  a  powerful  combination  in  rear.  To 
place  this  matter  in  a  proper  light,  we  will  give  a  brief 
statement  of  occurrences  in  the  upper  part  of  New  York, 
and  on  the  frontiers  of  Canada,  since  the  exploits  of 
Ethan  Allen  and  Benedict  Arnold,  at  Ticonderoga  and  on 
Lake  Champlain. 

Great  riyahy,  as  has  already  been  noted,  had  arisen 
between  these  doughty  leaders.  Both  had  sent  off  ex- 
presses to  the  provincial  authorities,  giving  an  accotmt  of 
their  recent  triumphs.  Allen  claimed  command  at  Ticon%. 
deroga^  on  the  authority  of  the  committee  from  the  Oon- 
nectieat  Assembly,  which  had  originated  the  enterprise. 
Arnold  claimed  it  on  the  strength  of  his  instructions  from 
the  Massachusetts  committee  of  safety.  He  bore  a  com- 
mission, too,  given  him  by  that  committee ;  whereas  Allen 
Had  no  other  commission  than  that  given  him  before  the 
war  by  the  committees  in  the  Hampshire  Grants,  to  com- 
mand their  Green  Mountain  Boys  against  the  encroach- 
ments of  New  York. 

'*  Colonel  Allen,"  said  Arnold, ''  is  a  proper  man  to  head 
Kis  own  wild  people,  but  entirely  unacquainted  with  mili- 
tary service,  and  as  I  am  the  only  person  who  has  been 
legally  authorized  to  take  possession  of  this  place,  I  am 
determined  to  insist  on  my  right ;  •  .  •  •  and  shall 
keep  it  [the  fort]  at  every  hazard,  until  I  have  further 
orders."* 

^  Arnold  to  Mass.  Comm.  of  Safety.    Am,  AreK  iL  907* 


82  1^^^  OF  WAsnmQTON. 

The  public  bodies  themselyes  seemed  perplexed  whal 
to  do  with  the  prize,  so  bravely  seized  upon  by  these 
bold  men.  Allen  had  written  to  the  Albany  committee^ 
for  men  and  provisions,  to  enable  him  to  maintain  his 
oonqnesi  The  committee  feared  this  daring  enterprise 
might  involve  the  northern  part  of  the  province  in  the 
horrors  of  war  and  desolation,  and  asked  advice  of  the 
New  York  committee.  The  New  York  committee  did  not 
think  themselves  authorized  to  give  an  opinion  upon  a 
matter  of  such  importance,  and  referred  it  to  the  Oonti« 
nental  Congress. 

The  Massachusette  committee  of  safety,  to  whom  Ar- 
nold had  written,  referred  the  afiEEur  to  the  Massachu- 
sette Provincial  Oongress.  That  body,  as  the  enterprise 
had  begun  in  Connecticut,  wrote  to  ite  General  Assembly 
to  take  the  whole  matter  under  their  care  and  direction, 
until  the  advice  of  the  Continental  Congress  could  be  had. 

The  Continental  Congress  at  length  legitimated  the 
exploit,  and,  as  it  were,  accepted  the  captured  fortress. 
As  it  was  situated  within  New  York,  the  custody  of  it 
was  committed  to  that  province,  aided  if  necessary  by 
the  New  England  colonies,  on  whom  it  was  authorized  to 
call  for  military  assistance. 

The  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York  forthwith  in- 
vited the  **  Gbvemor  and  Company  of  the  EngUsh  colony 
of  Connecticut"  to  place  part  of  their  forces  in  these 
captured  poste,  until  relieved  by  New  York  troops ;  and 
Trumbull,  the  governor  of  Connecticut,  soon  gave  notice 


ALLEN'S  APPEAL.  68 

that  one  fhonsand  men,  nnder  Colonel  Hinman,  were  oa 
the  point  of  marohing  for  the  reinforcement  of  Ticonde* 
roga  and  Grown  Point 

It  had  been  the  idea  of  the  Continental  Congress  to 
have  those  posts  dismantled,  and  the  cannon  and  stores 
remoTed  to  the  south  end  of  Lake  George,  where  a 
strong  post  was  to  be  established.  But  both  Allen  and 
Arnold  exclaimed  against  such  a  measure ;  vaunting,  and 
with  reason,  the  importance  of  those  forts. 

Both  Allen  and  Arnold  were  ambitious  of  farther  lau- 
rels. Both  were  anxious  to  lead  an  expedition  into 
Canada ;  and  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point  would  open 
the  way  to  ii  **  The  key  is  ours,"  writes  Allen  to  the 
New  York  Congress.  *'If  the  colonies  would  suddenly 
push  an  army  of  two  or  three  thousand  men  into  Canada^ 
they  might  make  an  easy  conquest  of  all  that  would 
oppose  them,  in  the  extensive  province  of  Quebec,  except 
a  reinforcement  from  England  should  prevent  ii  Such 
a  diversion  would  weaken  Gktge,  and  insure  us  Canada.  I 
wish  to  God  America  would,  at  this  critical  juncture,  ex- 
trt  herself  agreeably  to  the  indignity  offered  her  by  a 
tyrannical  ministry.  She  might  rise  on  eagle's  wings, 
and  mount  up  to  glory,  freedom,  and  immortal  honor,  if 
she  did  but  know  and  exert  her  strength.  Fame  is  now 
hovering  over  her  head.  A  vast  continent  must  now 
sink  to  slavery,  poverty,  horror,  and  bondage,  or  rise  to 
unconquerable  freedom,  immense  wealth,  inexpressible 
felioityy  and  immortal  fame. 


64  I'l^  OF  wAssmoTOjr. 

'^I  will  lay  mj  life  on  it,  that  with  fifteen  hnndzed 
men,  and  a  proper  train  of  artillery,  I  will  take  Montreal 
Provided  I  could  be  thus  furnished,  and  if  an  army 
oould  command  the  field,  it  would  be  no  insuperable 
difficulty  to  take  Quebec.*' 

A  letter  to  the  same  purport,  and  with  the  same  rhe- 
torical flourish,  on  which  he  appeared  to  value  himself 
was  written  by  Allen  to  Trumbull,  the  governor  of  Con- 
necticui  Arnold  urged  the  same  project,  but  in  less 
magniloquent  language,  upon  the  attention  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress.  His  letter  was  dated  from  Crown  Pointy 
where  he  had  a  little  squadron,  composed  of  the  sloop 
captured  at  Si  John's,  a  schooner,  and  a  flotilla  of  ba- 
teaux. All  these  he  had  equipped,  armed,  manned  and 
officered ;  and  his  crews  were  devoted  to  him*  In  his 
letter  to  the  Continental  Congress,  he  gave  information 
concerning  Canada,  collected  through  spies  and  agents. 
Carleton,  he  said,  had  not  six  hundred  effective  men  un- 
der him.  The  Canadians  and  Indians  were  disaffected  to 
the  British  Gbvemment,  and  Montreal  was  ready  to 
throw  open  its  gates  to  a  patriot  force.  Two  thousand 
men,  he  was  certain,  would  be  sufficient  to  get  possession 
of  the  province. 

"  I  beg  leave  to  add,"  says  he,  "  that  if  no  person  ap- 
pears who  will  undertake  to  carry  the  plan  into  execu- 
tion, I  will  undertake,  and,  with  the  smiles  of  Heaven, 
answer  for  the  success,  provided  I  am  supplied  with  moD^ 
etc,  to  carry  it  into  execution  without  loss  of  time*^' 


HOKOBa  OF  aONQBBSS.  86 

III  a  postscript  of  his  letter,  he  specifies  the  fixroes 
requisite  for  his  suggested  invasion.  **  In  order  to  give 
satisfaction  to  the  different  colonies,  I  propose  that 
Colonel  Hinman's  regiment,  now  on  their  march  from 
Oonnecticut  to  Ticonderoga^  should  form  part  of  the 
annj ;  say  one  thousand  men ;  five  hundred  men  to  be 
sent  from  New  York,  five  hundred  of  General  Arnold's 
regiment^  including  the  seamen  and  marines  on  board 
the  Tessels  (no  Oreen  Mountain  Boysy* 

Within  a  few  days  after  the  date  of  this  letter.  Colonel 
HinmATi  with  the  Oonnecticut  troops  arrived.  The 
greater  part  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  now  returned 
home,  their  term  of  enlistment  having  expired.  Ethan 
Allen  and  his  brother  in  arms,  Seth  Warner,  repaired  to 
Congress  to  get  pay  for  their  men,  and  authority  to  raise 
a  new  regiment.  They  were  received  with  distinguished 
honor  by  that  body.  The  same  pay  was  awarded  to  the 
men  who  had  served  under  them  as  that  allowed  to  the 
continental  troops ;  and  it  was  recommended  to  the  New 
Tork  Convention  that,  should  it  meet  the  approbation  of 
General  Schuyler,  a  fresh  corps  of  Green  Mountain  Boys 
about  to  be  raised,  should  be  employed  in  the  army 
under  such  officers  as  they  (the  Green  Mountain  Boys) 
should  choose. 

To  the  New  Tork  Convention  Allen  and  Warner  now 
repaired.  There  was  a  difficulty  about  admitting  them 
to  the  Hall  of  Assembly,  for  their  attainder  of  outlawry 
had  not  been  repealed.    Patriotism,  however,  pleaded  in 


66  LIFE  OF  WASSmGTflJSr. 

their  behalf.  They  obtoinod  an  audience.  A  regiment 
of  Qreen  Monntain  Boys,  five  hundred  strong,  was  de- 
creed, and  General  Schuyler  notified  the  people  of  the 
New  Hampshire  Grants  of  the  resolve,  and  requested 
them  to  raise  the  regiment 

Thus  prosperously  went  the  affairs  of  Ethan  Allen  and 
Seth  Warner.  As  to  Arnold,  difficulties  instantly  took 
place  between  him  and  Colonel  Hi n man,  Arnold  refused 
to  give  up  to  him  the  command  of  either  post,  claiming 
on  the  strength  of  his  instructions  from  the  committee  of 
safety  of  Massachusetts,  a  right  to  the  command  of  all 
the  posts  and  fortresses  at  the  south  end  of  Lake  Oham- 
plain  and  Lake  George.  This  threw  everything  into  con- 
fusion. Oolonel  Hinman  was  himself  perplexed  in  this 
conflict  of  various  authorities;  being,  as  it  were,  but  a 
locum  tenena  for  the  province  of  New  York. 

Arnold  was  at  Grown  Point,  acting  as  commander  of 
the  fort  and  admiral  of  the  fleet ;  and,  having  about  a 
hundred  and  fifty  resolute  men  under  him,  was  expecting 
vnth  confidence  to  be  authorized  to  lead  an  expedition 
into  Canada. 

At  this  juncture  arrived  a  committee  of  three  members 
of  the  Congress  of  Massachusetts,  sent  by  that  body  to 
inquire  into  the  manner  in  which  he  had  executed  his 
instructions;  complaints  having  been  made  of  his  arro* 
gant  and  undue  assumption  of  command. 

Arnold  was  thunderstruck  at  being  subjected  to  in« 
qniry,  when  he  had  expected  an  ovation.    He  requested 


AJUfOLD  '8  WMQISrATlOlsr.  67 

A  nghi  of  the  committee's  instmctioiis.  The  sight  of 
them  only  increased  his  indignation.  Thej  were  to  ac- 
quaint  themselves  with  the  manner  in  which  he  had  exe« 
eated  his  commission;  with  his  spirit,  capacity,  and 
oonduot  Shonld  they  think  proper,  they  might  order 
bim  to  return  to  Massachusetts,  to  render  account  of  the 
znoneys,  ammunition,  and  stores  he  had  received,  and  the 
debts  he  had  contracted  on  behalf  of  the  colony.  While 
at  Tioonderoga^  he  and  his  men  were  to  be  under  com* 
mand  of  the  principal  officer  from  Connecticut. 

Arnold  was  furious.  He  swore  he  would  be  second  in 
command  to  no  one,  disbanded  his  men,  and  threw  up  his 
commission.  Quite  a  scene  ensued.  His  men  became 
turbulent ;  some  refused  to  serve  under  any  other  leader; 
others  clamored  for  their  pay,  which  was  in  arrears.  Pari 
joined  Arnold  on  board  of  the  vessels  which  were  drawn 
out  into  the  lake ;  and  among  other  ebullitions  of  passion, 
there  was  a  threat  of  sailing  for  St.  John's. 

At  length  the  storm  was  allayed  by  the  interference  of 
several  of  the  officers,  and  the  assurances  of  the  committee 
that  every  man  should  be  paid.  A  part  of  them  enlisted 
under  Colonel  Easton,  and  Arnold  set  ofif  for  Cambridge 
to  settle  his  accounts  with  the  committee  of  safety. 

The  project  of  an  invasion  of  Canada,  urged  by  Allen 
and  Arnold,  had  at  first  met  with  no  favor,  the  Continen- 
tal Congress  having  formally  resolved  to  make  no  hostile 
attempts  upon  that  province.  Intelligence  subsequently 
received,  induced  it  to  change  its  plans.    Carleton  was 


gg  '  LIFE  OF  WABHINOTOir* 

Baid  to  be  strengthening  the  fortifications  and  garrison  al 
St  John's,  and  preparing  to  launch  vessels  on  the  lake 
wherewith  to  regain  command  of  it,  and  retake  the  cap- 
tured posts.  Powerful  reinforcements  were  coming  from 
England  and  elsewhere.  Guj  Johnson  was  holding  conn* 
cils  with  the  fierce  Cayugas  and  Senecas,  and  stirring  up 
the  Six  Nations  to  hostilit j.  On  the  other  hand,  Canada 
was  full  of  religious  and  political  dissensions.  The  late 
exploits  of  the  Americans  on  Lake  Ohamplain,  had  pro- 
duced a  favorable  effect  on  the  Canadians,  who  would 
flock  to  the  patriot  standard  if  unfurled  among  them  by 
an  imposing  force.  Now  was  the  time  to  strike  a  blow 
to  paralyze  all  hostility  from  this  quarter ;  now,  while 
Carleton's  regular  force  was  weak,  and  before  the  arrival 
of  additional  troops.  Influenced  by  these  considerations^ 
Congress  now  determined  to  extend  the  Bevolution  into 
Canada,  but  it  was  an  enterprise  too  important  to  be  in* 
trusted  to  any  but  discreet  hands.  General  Schuyler, 
then  in  New  York,  was  accordingly  ordered,  on  the  27th 
June,  to  proceed  to  Ticonderoga,  and,  ''  should  he  flnd  it 
practicable  and  not  disagreeable  to  the  Canadians,  imme- 
diately to  take  possession  of  St  John's  and  Montreal,  and 
pursue  such  other  measures  in  Canada  as  might  have  a 
tendency  to  promote  the  peace  and  security  of  these 
provinces." 

It  behooved  General  Schuyler  to  be  on  the  alert,  lest 
the  enterprise  should  be  snatched  from  his  hands.  Ethan 
Allen  and  Seth  Warner  were  %i  Bennington,  among  the 


.ALLEN'S  ZEAL.  69 

Gre^n  Motmtain&  Enlistments  were  going  on,  but  too 
slow  for  AUen's  impatience,  who  had  his  old  hankering 
for  a  partisan  foray.  In  a  letter  to  Governor  Trumbull 
(July  12th)9  he  writes,  ^'  Were  it  not  that  the  grand  Con- 
tinental Congress  had  totally  incorporated  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys  into  a  battalion  under  certain  regulations 
and  command,  I  would  forthwith  advance  them  into  Can- 
ada and  invest  Montreal,  exclusive  of  any  hdp  fnym  the 
cdonies;  though  under  present  circumstances  I  would 
not,  for  my  right  arm,  act  without  or  contrary  to  order. 
J^  my  fond  teoifor  redticing  the  king's  fortresses  and  destroy^ 
ing  or  imprisoning  his  troops  in  Canadabethe  resvUofenthii* 
siasm,  I  hope  and  expect  the  wisdom  of  the  continent  will 
treat  it  as  such ;  and  on  the  other  hand,  if  it  proceed  from 
sound  policy,  that  the  plan  will  be  adopted."  * 

Schuyler  arrived  at  Ticonderoga  on  the  18th  of  July. 
A  letter  to  Washington,  to  whom,  as  commander-in-chie^ 
he  made  constant  reports,  gives  a  striking  picture  of  a 
frontier  post  in  those  crude  days  of  the  Bevolution. 

**  You  will  expect  that  I  should  say  something  about 
this  place  and  the  troops  here.  Not  one  earthly  thing  for 
offense  or  defense  has  been  done ;  the  commanding  t^fwer 
hasno  orders;  he  only  oavne  to  reinforce  the  garriso%  and  he 
expected  the  general  About  ten  last  night  I  arrived  at  the 
landing-place,  at  the  north  end  of  Lake  George ;  a  post 
ocoapied  by  a  captain  and  one  hundred  men.   A  sentineli 

•  FaroeTs  Am.  Archives,  IL  1640. 


r 


70  -tira?  Of  WAssmoToir. 

on  being  informed  that  I  was  in  the  boat,  quitted  hit 
post  to  go  and  awaken  the  guard,  consisting  of  three  men, 
in  which  he  had  no  success.  I  walked  up  and  came  to 
another,  a  sergeant's  guard.  Here  the  sentinel  challenged, 
but  suffered  me  to  come  up  to  him;  the  whole  guard, 
like  the  first,  in  the  soundest  sleep.  With  a  penknife 
only  I  could  have  cut  off  both  guards,  and  then  have  set 
fire  to  the  block-house,  destroyed  the  stores,  and  starved 
the  people  here.  At  this  post  I  had  pointedly  re<y 
ommended  vigilance  and  care,  as  aU  the  stores  from  Lake 
George  must  necessarily  be  landed  here.  But  I  hope  to 
get  the  better  of  this  inattention.  The  officers  and  men 
are  all  good-looking  people,  and  decent  in  their  deport- 
ment, and  I  really  belieye  will  make  good  soldiers  aa 
soon  as  I  can  get  the  better  of  this  nonchalanoe  of  theirs. 
Bravery,  I  believe,  they  are  far  from  wanting.'* 

Oolonel  TTinman,  it  will  be  recollected,  was  in  tempo- 
rary command  at  Ticonderoga,  if  that  could  be  called 
a  command  where  none  seemed  to  obey.  The  garrison 
was  about  twelve  hundred  strong :  the  greater  part  Oon- 
nectibut  men  brought  by  himself ;  some  were  New  York 
troops,  and  some  few  Green  Mountain  Boys.  Schuyler, 
on  taking  command,  despatched  a  confidential  agent  into 
Canada,  Major  John  Brown,  an  American,  who  resided  at 
the  Sorel  Biver,  and  was  popular  among  the  Canadians. 
He  was  to  collect  information  as  to  the  British  forces  and 
fortifications,  and  to  ascertain  how  an  invasion  and  an 
attack  on  St  John's  would  be  considered  by  the  people 


aCHUTLBR'B  GBtB7A2!rOBB.  71 

ol  the  proyince :  in  the  meantime,  Schuyler  set  diligently 
to  work  to  build  boats  and  prepare  for  the  entexpriaet 
should  it  ultimately  be  ordered  by  Oongress. 

Schuyler  was  an  authoritative  man,  and  inherited  from 
his  Dutch  ancestry  a  great  love  of  order ;  he  was  exces* 
siyely  amioyed,  therefore,  by  the  confusion  and  negligence 
preyalent  around  him,  and  the  difficulties  and  delays 
thereby  occasioned.  He  chafed  in  spirit  at  the  disre* 
gard  of  discipline  among  his  yeoman  soldiery,  and  their 
opposition  to  all  system  and  regularity.  This  was  es« 
pecially  the  case  with  the  troops  from  Connecticut,  offi« 
oered  generally  by  their  own  neighbors  and  fn-milmr  com- 
panions, and  unwilling  to  acknowledge  the  authority  of  a 
commander  from  a  different  province.  He  poured  out 
his  complaints  in  a  friendly  letter  to  Washington;  the 
latter  consoled  him  by  stating  his  own  troubles  and 
grievances  in  the  camp  at  Cambridge,  and  the  spirit  with 
which  he  coped  with  them.  **  From  my  own  experience,'* 
writes  he  (July  28),  **  I  can  easily  judge  of  your  difficul- 
ties in  introducing  order  and  discipline  into  troops,  who 
h»7e,  from  their  in&ncy,  imbibed  ideas  of  the  most  con- 
trary kind.  It  would  be  far  beyond  the  compass  of  a 
letter,  for  me  to  describe  the  situation  of  things  here  [at 
Cambridge],  on  my  arrival  Perhaps  you  will  only  be 
able  to  judge  of  it,  from  my  assuring  you,  that  mine  must 
be  a  portrait  at  full  length  of  what  you  have  had  in 
miniature.  Confusion  and  discord  reigned  in  every  de- 
psirtment,  which,  in  a  little  time,  must  have  ended  eithei 


72  LIFE  OF  WABHINQTON. 

in  the  separation  of  the  army,  or  £atal  contests  with  ons 
another.  The  better  genius  of  America  has  prevailed, 
and,  most  happily,  the  ministerial  troops  have  not  availed 
themselves  of  these  advantages,  till,  I  trust,  the  oppor- 
tunity is  in  a  great  measure  passed  over.  .  •  •  •  We 
mend  every  day,  and,  I  flatter  myself,  that  in  a  little  time 
wo  shall  work  up  these  raw  materials  into  a  good  manu« 
facture.  I  must  recommend  to  you,  what  I  endeavor  to 
practice  myself  patience  and  perseverance." 

Schuyler  took  the  friendly  admonition  in  the  spirit  in 
which  it  was  given.  ''I  can  easily  conceive,"  writes  he 
(Aug.  6th),  **  that  my  difficulties  are  only  a  faint  sem- 
blance of  yours.  Yes,  my  general,  I  will  strive  to  copy 
your  bright  example,  and  patiently  and  steadily  perse- 
vere in  that  line  which  only  can  promise  the  wished-foir 
reformation." 

He  had  calculated  on  being  joined  by  this  time  l^  the 
regiment  of  Green  Mountain  Boys  which  Ethan  Allen 
and  Seth  Warner  had  undertaken  to  raise  in  the  New 
Hampshire  Grants.  Unfortunately,  a  quarrel  had  arisen 
between  those  brothers  in  arms,  which  filled  the  Green 
Mountains  with  discord  and  party  feuds.  The  election 
of  officers  took  place  on  the  27th  of  July.  It  was  made 
by  committees  from  the  different  township&  Ethaa 
Allen  was  entirely  passed  by,  and  Seth  Warner  nomi- 
nated as  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regiment.  Allen  was 
thunderstruck  at  finding  himself  thus  suddenly  dis- 
mounted.   His  patriotism  and  love  of  adventoze,  how«* 


FOILED  AMBITlOir,  73 

8Ter,  were  not  quelled ;  and  he  forthwith  repaired  to  the 
army  at  Tioonderoga  to  offer  himself  as  a  yolonteer. 

Sohnjler,  at  first,  hesitated  to  accept  his  seryice&  He 
was  aware  of  his  aspiring  notions,  and  feared  there 
would  be  a  difficulty  in  keeping  him  within  due  bounds, 
but  was  at  length  persuaded  by  his  officers  to  retain  him, 
to  act  as  a  pioneer  on  the  Oanadian  frontier. 

In  a  letter  from  camp,  Allen  gave  Governor  Trum* 
bull  an  account  of  the  downfall  of  his  towering  hopes. 
''  Notwithstanding  my  zeal  and  success  in  my  country's 
cause,  the  old  farmers  on  the  New  Hampshire  (Grants, 
who  do  not  incline  to  go  to  war,  have  met  in  a  commit- 
tee meeting,  and  in  their  nomination  of  officers  for  the 
regiment  of  Green  Mountain  Boys,  have  wholly  omitted 
me." 

His  letter  has  a  consolatory  postscript  **  I  find  my- 
self in  the  favor  of  the  officers  of  the  army  and  the  young 
Gtoeen  Mountain  Boys.  How  the  old  men  came  to  reject 
me  I  cannot  conceive,  inasmuch  as  I  saved  them  from  the 
encroachments  of  New  York."  * — ^The  old  men  probably 
doubted  his  discretion. 

Schuyler  was  on  the  alert  with  respect  to  the  expedi- 
tion against  Canada.  From  his  agent  Major  Brown,  and 
from  other  sources,  he  had  learnt  that  there  were  but 
about  seven  hundred  king's  troops  in  that  province; 
thzee  hundred  of  them  at  St  John's,  about  fifty  at  Que* 

*  Am*  ArekwftB,  4th  Series,  iiL  17. 


74  ItM  OF  WAsmNGTOJr. 


beo,  the  remainder  at  Montreal,  Ohamblee,  and  the  nppef 
posts.  Oolonel  Quy  Johnson  was  at  Montreal  with  three 
hnndred  men,  mostly  his  tenants,  and  with  a  number  of 
Tndianpu  Two  batteries  had  been  finished  at  Si  John's, 
mounting  nine  guns  eaoh  :  other  works  were  intrenched 
and  picketed.  Two  large  row-galleys  were  on  the  stocks, 
and  would  soon  be  finished.  Now  was  the  time,  accord* 
ing  to  his  informants,  to  carry  Canada.  It  might  be  done 
with  great  ease  and  little  cost  The  Canadians  were 
disaffected  to  British  role,  and  would  join  the  Americansi 
and  so  would  many  of  the  Indians. 

**  I  am  prepared,'*  writes  he  to  Washington,  ''to  more 
against  the  enemy,  unless  your  Excellency  and  OongroBB 
should  direct  otherwise.  In  the  course  of  a  few  days  I 
expect  to  receive  the  ultimate  determination.  Whatever 
it  may  be,  I  shall  try  to  execute  it  in  such  a  manner  aa 
will  promote  the  just  cause  in  which  we  are  engaged.** 

While  awaiting  orders  on  this  head,  he  repaired  to 
Albany,  to  hold  a  conference  and  negotiate  a  treaty  wifh 
the  Caughnawagas,  and  the  warriors  of  the  Six  Nationflp 
whom,  as  one  of  the  commissioners  of  Indian  affairs,  he 
had  invited  to  meet  him  at  that  place.  Qeneral  Biohaid 
Montgomery  was  to  remain  in  command  at  Ticonderog% 
du2dng  his  absence,  and  to  urge  forward  the  military 
preparations.  As  the  subsequent  fortunes  of  this  gal* 
lant  officer  are  inseparably  connected  with  the  Canadian 
campaign,  and  have  endeared  his  name  to  AmericanSy 
pause  to  give  a  fow  particulars  concerning  him. 


GENERAL  MONTGOMEBT.  7g 

General  Biohard  Montgomery  was  of  a  good  family  in 
ihe  north  of  Ireland,  where  he  was  bom  in  1736.  He 
entered  the  army  when  about  eighteen  years  of  age; 
serred  in  America  in  the  French  war ;  won  a  lieutenancy 
by  gallant  conduct  at  Louisburg ;  followed  (General  Am- 
herst to  Lake  Ohamplain,  and,  after  the  conquest  of 
Canada,  was  promoted  to  a  captaincy  for  his  services  in 
the  West  Indies. 

After  the  peace  of  Yersailles  he  resided  in  England; 
bat,  about  three  years  before  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Seyolution,  he  sold  out  his  commission  in  the  army  and 
emigrated  to  New  York.  Here  he  married  the  eldest 
daughter  of  Judge  Bobert  R  Liyingston,  of  the  Clermont 
branch  of  that  family ;  and  took  up  his  residence  on  an 
estate  which  he  had  purchased  in  Dutchess  County  on 
the  banks  of  the  Hudson. 

Being  known  to  be  in  fayor  of  the  popular  cause,  he 
was  drawn  reluctantly  from  his  rural  abode,  to  represent 
his  county  in  the  first  convention  of  the  province ;  and  on 
the  recent  oi^anization  of  the  army,  his  military  reputa- 
tion gained  him  the  unsought  commission  of  brigadier- 
generaL  '*  It  is  an  event,"  writes  he  to  a  friend,  ^^  which 
must  put  an  end  for  a  while,  perhaps  forever,  to  the  quiet 
scheme  of  life  I  had  prescribed  for  myself ;  for,  though 
entirely  unexpected  and  undesired  by  me,  the  will  of  an 
oppressed  people,  compelled  to  choose  between  liberty 
and  slavery,  must  be  obeyed." 

At  the  time  of  receiving  his  commission,  Montgomery 


76  £i3V  OF  WASnntQTOir. 

was  about  thirty-nine  years  of  age,  and  the  hean  tdeoil  of  a 
soldier.  His  form  was  well  proportioned  and  vigorous ; 
his  countenance  expressive  and  prepossessing;  he  was 
cool  and  discriminating  in  council,  energetic  and  fearless 
in  action.  His  principles  commanded  the  respect  of 
friends  and  foes,  and  he  was  noted  for  winning  the  a£foo- 
tions  of  the  soldiery. 

While  these  things  were  occurring  at  Ticonderoga» 
several  Indian  chie&  made  their  appearance  in  the  camp 
at  Oambridge.  They  came  in  savage  state  and  costume, 
as  ambassadors  from  their  respective  tribes,  to  have  a 
talk  about  the  impending  invasion  of  Canada.  One  was 
chief  of  the  Caughnawaga  tribe,  whose  residence  was  on 
the  banks  of  the  St  Lawrence,  six  miles  above  MontreaL 
Others  were  from  St  Francis,  about  forty-five  leagues 
above  Quebec,  and  were  of  a  warlike  tribe,  from  which 
hostilities  had  been  especially  apprehended. 

Washington,  accustomed  to  deal  with  the  red  warriors 
of  the  wilderness,  received  them  with  great  ceremoniaL 
They  dined  at  head-quarters  among  his  officers,  and  it  is 
observed  that  to  some  of  the  latter  they  might  have 
served  as  models,  such  was  their  grave  dignity  and  de- 
corum. 

A  council-fire  was  held.  The  sachems  all  offered,  on 
lielialf  of  their  tribes,  to  take  up  the  hatchet  for  the 
Americans,  should  the  latter  invade  Canada.  The  offer 
was  embarrassing.  Congress  had  publicly  resolved  to 
HOok  nothing  but  neutrality  from  the  Indian  nation^ 


UfDIAN  ovBBTxmsa.  77 


unless  the  ministerial  agents  should  make  an  offensive 
alliance  with  them.  The  chief  of  the  Si  Francis  tribe 
declared  that  Gbyemor  Oarleton  had  endeayored  to  per« 
snade  him  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against  the  Americans, 
but  in  Tain.  *'As  our  ancestors  gave  this  countiy  to 
youy"  added  he  grandly,  **  we  would  not  hare  you  de- 
stroyed by  England;  but  are  ready  to  afford  you  our 
assistance.** 

Washington  wished  to  be  certain  of  the  conduct  of  the 
enemy,  before  he  gaye  a  reply  to  these  Indian  oyertures. 
He  wrote  by  eatress,  therefore,  to  (General  Schuyler,  re- 
questing him  to  ascertain  the  intentions  of  the  British 
goyemor  with  respect  to  the  natiye  tribes. 

By  the  same  express,  he  commimicated  a  plan  which 
had  occupied  his  thoughts  for  seyeral  days.  As  the  con- 
templated moyement  of  Schuyler  would  probably  cause  ' 
all  the  British  force  in  Canada  to  be  concentrated  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Montreal  and  Sb  John's,  he  proposed  to 
send  off  an  expedition  of  ten  or  twelye  hundred  men,  to 
penetrate  to  Quebec  by  the  way  of  the  Kennebec  Biyer. 
^  If  you  are  resolyed  to  proceed,"  writes  he  to  Schuyler, 
^  which  I  gather  from  your  last  letter  is  your  intention, 
it  would  make  a  diyersion  that  would  distract  Carleton. 
He  must  either  break  up,  and  follow  this  party  to  Que- 
bec, by  which  he  would  leaye  you  a  free  passage,  or  he 
must  suffer  that  important  place  to  fall  into  other  hands 
— an  event  that  would  haye  a  decisiye  effect  and  influence 
on  the  public  interest    .    •    •    .    The  few  whom  I  have 


78  LIFB  OF  WASHINGTOir. 

oonsnltod  on  the  project  approve  it  much,  bnt  the  final 
determination  is  deferred  until  I  hear  from  yon.  Not  a 
moment's  time  is  to  be  lost  in  the  preparations  for  this 
enterprise,  if  the  advices  from  you  favor  it  With  the 
utmost  expedition  the  season  will  be  considerably  ad« 
vanced,  so  that  you  will  dismiss  the  express  as  soon  aa 
possible." 

The  express  found  Schuyler  in  Albany,  where  he  had 
been  attending  the  conference  with  the  Six  Nations.  He 
had  just  received  intelligence  which  convinced  him  of  the 
propriety  of  an  expedition  into  Canada ;  had  sent  word 
to  General  Montgomery  to  get  everything  ready  for  ii^ 
and  was  on  the  point  of  departing  for  Ticonderoga  to 
cany  it  into  effect  In  reply  to  Washington,  he  declared 
his  conviction,  from  various  accounts  which  he  had  re- 
ceived, that  Carleton  and  his  agents  were  exciting  the 
Indian  tribes  to  hostility.  '^I  should,  therefore,  not 
hesitate  one  moment,"  adds  he,  **  to  employ  any  savages 
that  might  be  willing  to  join  us." 

He  expressed  himself  delighted  with  Washington's 
project  of  sending  off  an  expedition  to  Quebec,  regretting 
only  that  it  had  not  been  thought  of  earlier.  ^*  Should 
the  detachment  from  your  body  penetrate  into  Oanada,** 
added  he,  **  and  we  meet  with  success,  Canada  must  in- 
evitably fall  into  our  hands." 

Having  sent  off  these  despatches,  Schuyler  hastened 
back  to  Ticonderoga.  Before  he  reached  there,  Mont' 
gomery  had  received  intelligence  that  Carleton  had  oom« 


BMBAEKATION  OF  M0NTQ0MEB7.  79 

plated  his  armed  vessels  at  St.  John'si  and  was  about  to 
send  tbem  into  Lake  Champlain  by  the  Sorel  Biver.  No 
time,  therefore,  was  to  be  lost  in  getting  possession  of 
the  Isle  Anx  Noix,  which  commanded  the  entrance  to 
that  river.  Montgomery  hastened,  therefore,  to  embark 
with  about  a  thousand  men,  which  were  as  many  as  the 
boats  now  ready  could  hold,  taking  with  him  two  pieces  of 
artillery;  with  this  force  he  set  off  down  the  lake.  A 
letter  to  General  Schuyler  explained  the  cause  of  his 
sudden  departure,  and  entreated  him  to  follow  on  in  a 
whaleboat^  leaving  the  residue  of  the  artillery  to  come 
on  as  soon  as  conveyances  could  be  procured. 

Schuyler  arrived  at  Ticonderoga  on  the  night  of  the 
30ih  of  August^  but  too  ill  of  a  bilious  fever  to  push  on 
in  a  whaleboat.  He  caused,  however,  a  bed  to  be  pre- 
pared for  him  in  a  covered  bateau,  and,  ill  as  he  was, 
continued  forward  on  the  following  day.  On  the  4th 
of  September  he  overtook  Montgomery  at  the  Isle  la 
Motte,  where  he  had  been  detained  by  contrary  weather, 
and,  assuming  command  of  the  little  army,  kept  on  the 
same  day  to  the  Isle  Aux  Noix,  about  twelve  miles  south 
of  St  John's — where  for  the  present  we  shall  leave  him, 
and  return  to  the  head-quarters  of  the  commander-iii- 


OTTAPTEB  V. 

k  OHAUunroB  DBOLnm).  —  a.  blow  mbditatbd.— a.  oaxttioub  oodvoil  of 

WAB.— 'PBKPARATION  FOB  THX  QUEBEC  EXPEDITION.— BENEDIOT  ARNOLD 
THE  LBADBB.— ADYICB  AND  IN8TBUCTION8.— DBPABTUBE.— OENEEAL  BCHUT* 
LBB  ON  THE  BOREL.— RBCONNOITEB8  ST.  JOHN*8.— CAMP  AT  ISLE  AUZ  NOIX. 
— ILLNESS  OF  SCHUTLER.— RETURNS  TO  TICONDEROOA.— EXPEDITION  OF 
MONTOOMERT  AGAINST  ST.  JOHN*S.— LETTER  OF  ETHAN  ALLEN.— HIS  DASH 
AGAINST  MONTREAL.  — ITS  CATASTROPHE.  —  A  HERO  IN  IRONS.  —  CORRE- 
SPONDENCE OF  WASHDrOTON  WITH  SCHUTLER  AND  AJWOLD.— HD  ANZIBTT 
ABOUT  THEM. 

[BDEi  siege  of  Boston  had  been  kept  up  for  sey-* 
eral  weeks  without  any  remarkable  occurrence. 
The  British  remained  within  their  lines,  dili- 
gently strengthening  them ;  the  besiegers  having  received 
further  supplies  of  ammunition,  were  growing  impatient 
of  a  state  of  inactivity.  Towards  the  latter  part  of  Au- 
gust there  were  rumors  from  Boston,  that  the  enemy 
were  preparing  for  a  sortie.  Washington  was  resolved 
to  provoke  it  by  a  kind  of  challenge.  He  accordingly 
detached  fourteen  hundred  men  to  seize  at  night  upon 
a  height  within  musket-shot  of  the  enemy's  line  on 
Oharlestown  Neck,  presuming  that  the  latter  would  sally 
forth  on  the  following  day  to  dispute  possession  of  it^ 
and  thus  be  drawn  into  a  general  battle.    The  task  was 


TANTAUZnfB.  81 

exeoaied  with  silenoe  and  celerity,  and  bj  daybreak  the 
hill  presented  to  the  aetonished  foe  the  aspect  of  a  forti^ 
fiedpost 

The  challenge  was  not  accepted.  The  British  opened 
a  hea^y  cannonade  from  Bunker's  Hill,  but  kept  within 
their  works.  The  Americans,  scant  of  ammunition,  conid 
only  reply  with  a  single  nine-ponnder ;  this,  howeyer, 
sank  one  of  the  floating  batteries  which  guarded  the 
NecL  They  went  on  to  complete  and  strengthen  this 
adyanced  poet^  exposed  to  daily  cannonade  and  bom* 
bardment^  which,  howeyer,  did  bnt  little  injury.  They 
continued  to  answer  from  time  to  time  with  a  single  gun; 
reserving  their  ammunition  for  a  general  action.  ^'We 
are  just  in  the  situation  of  a  man  with  little  money  in  his 
pocket,**  writes  Secretaiy  Beed;  ''he  will  do  twenty 
mean  things  to  preyent  his  breaking  in  upon  his  little 
stock.  We  are  obliged  to  bear  with  the  rascals  on  Bun« 
ker's  Hill,  when  a  few  shot  now  and  then  in  return  would 
keep  our  men  attentiye  to  their  business  and  giye  the 
enemy  alarms."  * 

The  eyident  unwillingness  of  the  latter  to  come  forth 
was  perplexing.  **  Unless  the  ministerial  troops  in  Bos« 
ton  are  waiting  for  reinforcements,**  writes  Washington, 
**!  cannot  deyise  what  they  are  staying  there  for,  nor 
why,  as  they  affect  to  despise  the  Americans,  they  do 
not  come  forth  and  put  an  end  to  the  contest  at  once.'* 

•Xf/«o/i2aacf,ToLi.  119. 


82  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTOHr. 

Perhaps  they  persuaded  themselyes  thai  his  army, 
oomposed  of  crude,  half-disciplined  levies  from  different 
and  distant  quarters,  would  gradually  fall  asunder  and 
disperse,  or  that  its  means  of  subsistence  would  be  ex* 
hausted.  He  had  his  own  fears  on  the  subject,  and 
looked  forward  with  doubt  and  anxiety  to  a  winter's 
campaign;  the  heavy  expense  that  would  be  incurred 
in  providing  barracks,  fuel,  and  warm  clothing ;  the  dif- 
ficult there  would  be  of  keeping  together,  through  the 
rigorous  season,  troops  unaccustomed  to  military  hard- 
ships, and  none  of  whose  terms  of  enlistment  extended 
beyond  the  first  of  January :  the  supplies  of  ammunition, 
too,  that  would  be  required  for  protracted  operations; 
the  stock  of  powder  on  hand,  notwithstanding  the  most 
careful  husbandry,  being  fearfully  smalL  Bevolving 
these  circumstances  in  his  mind,  he  rode  thoughtfully 
about  the  commanding  points  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston, 
considering  how  he  might  strike  a  decisive  blow  that 
would  put  an  end  to  the  murmuring  inactivity  of  the 
army,  and  relieve  the  country  from  the  consuming 
expense  of  maintaining  it.  The  result  was,  a  letter  to 
the  major  and  brigadier-generals,  summoning  them  to  a 
council  of  war  to  be  held  at  the  distance  of  three  days, 
and  giving  them  previous  intimation  of  its  purpose.  It 
was  to  know  whether,  in  their  judgment,  a  successful 
attack  might  not  be  made  upon  the  troops  at  Boston  by 
means  of  boats,  in  cooperation  with  an  attempt  upon 
their  lines  at  Boxbury.    '^  The  success  of  such  an  enter- 


A  OAiTTiotrB  WAR  oomroiL.  68 

prise,**  adds  he,  **  depends,  I  well  know,  npon  the  All- 
wise  Disposer  of  eyents,  and  it  is  not  within  the  reaoh 
of  human  wisdom  to  foretell  the  issne ;  but  if  the  pros- 
pect is  fair,  the  undertaking  is  justifiable." 

He  proceeded  to  state  the  considerations  already  cited, 
which  appeared  to  justify  ii  The  council  having  thus 
had  time  for  preyious  deliberation,  met  on  the  11th  of 
September.  It  was  composed  of  Major-generals  Ward, 
Lee,  and  Putnam,  and  Brigadier-generals  Thomas,  Heath, 
Salliyan,  Spencer,  and  Greene.  They  unanimously  pro- 
nounced the  suggested  attempt  inexpedient,  at  least  for 
the  present. 

It  certainly  was  bold  and  hazardous,  yet  it  seems  to 
haye  taken  strong  hold  on  the  mind  of  the  commander* 
in-chief,  usuaUy  so  cautious.  ''  I  cannot  say,"  writes  he 
to  the  President  of  Oongress,  '^  that  I  have  wholly  laid  it 
aside  ;  but  new  eyents  may  occasion  new  measures.  Of 
tiiis  I  hope  the  honorable  Oongress  can  need  no  assur- 
ance, that  there  is  not  a  man  in  America  who  more 
earnestly  wishes  such  a  termination  of  the  campaign,  as 
to  make  the  army  no  longer  necessary." 

In  the  meantime,  as  it  was  eyident  the  enemy  did  not 
intend  to  come  out,  but  were  only  strengthening  their 
defenses  and  preparing  for  winter,  Washington  was  en- 
abled to  turn  his  attention  to  the  expedition  to  be  sent 
into  Oanada  by  the  way  of  the  Kennebec  Biyer. 

A  detachment  of  about  eleyen  hundred  men,  chosen  for 
the  pnrpose,  was  soon  encamped  on  Oambridge  Oommon. 


84  -W2rff  OF  WA8BINQT0N. 

There  weie  ten  oompanies  of  New  England  infantry,  some 
of  them  from  (General  Greene's  Bhode  Island  regiments ; 
three  rifle  oompanies  from  Pennsjlyania  and  Virginia^ 
one  of  them  Oaptain  Daniel  Morgan's  famous  company ; 
and  a  number  of  Tolonteers;  among  whom  was  Aaron 
Burr,  then  bnt  twenty  years  of  age,  and  just  commencing 
his  varied,  brilliant,  but  ultimately  unfortunate  career. 

The  proposed  expedition  was  wild  and  perilous,  and 
required  a  hardy,  skillful,  and  intrepid  leader.  Such  a 
one  was  at  hand.  Benedict  Arnold  was  at  Cambridge, 
occupied  in  settling  his  accounts  with  the  Massachusetts 
committee  of  safety.  These  were  nearly  adjusted.  What- 
ever faults  may  have  been  found  with  his  conduct  in  some 
particulars,  his  exploits  on  Lake  Champlain  had  atoned 
for  them ;  for  valor,  in  time  of  war,  covers  a  multitude 
of  sins.  It  was  thought,  too,  by  some,  that  he  had  been 
treated  harshly,  and  there  was  a  disposition  to  soothe  his 
irritated  pride.  Washington  had  given  him  an  honorable 
reception  at  head-quarters,  and  now  considered  him  the 
very  man  for  the  present  enterprise.  He  had  shown  apt- 
ness for  military  service,  whether  on  land  or  water.  He 
was  acquainted,  too,  with  Canada,  and  especially  with 
Quebec,  having,  in  the  course  of  his  checkered  life, 
traded  in  horses  between  that  place  and  the  West  Indies. 

With  these  considerations  he  intrusted  him  with  the 
• 

command  of  the  expedition,  giving  him  the  commission 
of  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  continental  army. 
As  he   would  be  intrusted   with   dangerous  powers^ 


WABHINQTON  TO  ARNOLD.  86 

Washiiigtony  beside  a  general  letter  of  instructions,  ad- 
dressed a  special  one  to  him  indiyidaaUj,  fall  of  cautious 
and  considerate  advice.  "  Upon  jour  conduct  and  couiy 
age,  and  tliat  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  detailed  on  this 
expedition,  not  only  the  success  of  the  present  enter- 
prise, and  your  own  honor,  but  the  safefy  and  welfare  of 
the  whole  continent,  may  depend.  I  charge  you,  there- 
fore, and  the  officers  and  soldiers  under  your  command, 
as  you  value  your  own  safety  and  honor,  and  the  favor 
and  esteem  of  your  country,  that  you  consider  yourselves 
as  marching,  not  through  the  country  of  an  enemy,  but 
of  our  friends  and  brethren ;  for  such  the  inhabitants  of 
Canada  and  the  Indian  nations  have  approved  them- 
selves, in  this  unhappy  contest  between  Great  Britain 
and  America;  and  that  you  check  by  every  motive  of 
duty  and  fear  of  punishment  every  attempt  to  plunder  or 
insult  the  inhabitants  of  Canada.  Should  any  American 
soldier  be  so  base  and  infamous  as  to  injure  any  Cana- 
dian or  Indian  in  his  person  or  property,  I  do  most 
earnestly  enjoin  you  to  bring  him  to  such  severe  and 
exemplary  punishment  as  the  enormity  of  the  crime  may 
require.  Should  it  extend  to  death  itself,  it  will  not  be 
disproportioned  to  its  guilt  at  such  a  time  and  in  such  a 

cause I  also  give  in  charge  to  you,  to  avoid 

ail  disrespect  to  the  religion  of  the  country  and  its  cere- 
monies  While  we  are  contending  for  our  own 

liberty,  we  should  be  very  cautious  not  to  violate  the 
lights  of  conscience  in  others,  ever  considering  that  Gk>d 


86  LIFE  OF  WA8EINQT0N. 

alone  is  the  jndge  of  the  hearts  of  men,  and  to  him  Qnlji 
in  this  case,  are  they  answerable." 

In  the  general  letter  of  instructions,  Washington 
inserted  the  following  clause :  "  If  Lord  Chatham's  son 
should  be  in  Canada,  and  in  any  way  fall  into  your  power, 
you  are  enjoined  to  treat  him  with  all  possible  deference 
and  respect.  You  cannot  err  in  paying  too  much  honor 
to  the  son  of  so  illustrious  a  character  and  so  true  a 
friend  to  America.*' 

Arnold  was,  moreoTer,  furnished  with  hand-bills  for 
distribution  in  Canada,  setting  forth  the  friendly  objects 
of  the  present  expedition,  as  well  as  of  that  under  (Gen- 
eral Schuyler ;  and  calling  on  the  Canadians  to  furnish 
necessaries  and  accommodations  of  eyery  kind;  for  which 
they  were  assured  ample  compensation. 

On  the  13th  of  September  Arnold  struck  his  tents,  and 
set  out  in  high  spirits.  More  fortunate  than  his  rival,  Ethan 
Allen,  he  had  attained  the  object  of  his  ambition,  the  com- 
mand of  an  expedition  into  Canada ;  and  trusted,  in  the  cap- 
ture of  Quebec,  to  eclipse  even  the  surprise  of  Ticonderoga. 

Washington  enjoined  upon  him  to  push  forward  as 
rapidly  as  possible,  success  depending  upon  celerity ;  and 
counted  the  days  as  they  elapsed  after  his  departure,  im- 
patient to  receive  tidings  of  his  progress  up  the  Ken- 
nebec, and  expecting  that  the  expedition  would  reach 
Quebec  about  the  middle  of  October.  In  the  interim 
came  letters  from  Oeneral  Schuyler,  giving 
of  the  main  expedition. 


ON  THE  80BEL.  87 

In  a  preceding  chapter  we  left  the  general  and  his  lit* 
tie  army  at  the  Isle  Anx  Noix,  near  the  Sorel  Eiver,  the 
outlet  of  the  lake.  Thence,  on  the  5th  of  September,  he 
sent  Colonel  Ethan  Allen  and  Major  Brown  to  reconnoi- 
ter  the  country  between  that  river  and  the  St  Lawrence, 
to  distribute  friendly  addresses  among  the  people  and 
ascertain  their  feelings.  This  done,  and  having  landed 
his  baggage  and  provisions,  the  general  proceeded  along 
the  Sorel  Biver  the  next  day  with  his  boats,  until  within 
two  miles  of  St  John's,  when  a  cannonade  was  opened 
from  the  fort  Keeping  on  for  half  a  mile  further,  he 
landed  his  troops  in  a  deep,  close  swamp,  where  they 
had  a  sharp  skirmish  with  an  ambuscade  of  tories  and 
Indians,  whom  they  beat  off  with  some  loss  on  both  sides. 
Night  coming  on,  they  cast  up  a  small  intrenchment,  and 
encamped,  disturbed  occasionally  by  shells  from  the  fort, 
which,  however,  did  no  other  mischief  than  slightly 
wounding  a  lieutenant 

In  the  night  the  camp  was  visited  secretly  by  a  person 
who  informed  (General  Schuyler  of  the  state  of  the  fort 
The  works  were  completed,  and  furnished  with  cannon. 
A  vessel  pierced  for  sixteen  guns  was  launched,  and 
would  be  ready  to  sail  in  three  or  four  days.  It  was  not 
probable  that  any  Canadians  would  join  the  army,  being 
disposed  to  remain  neutral  This  intelligence  being  dis- 
cussed in  a  council  of  war  in  the  morning,  it  was  deter- 
mined that  they  had  neither  men  nor  artillery  sufficient 
to  undertake  a  siege.    They  returned,  therefore,  to  the 


68  LIFE  OF  wAsmmroir. 

Isle  Anx  Noix,  oast  np  fortifications,  and  threw  a  boom 
across  the  channel  of  the  river  to  prevent  the  passage  of 
the  enemy's  vessels  into  the  lake,  and  awaited  the  arrival 
of  artillery  and  reinforcements  from  Ticonderoga. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  days  the  expected  reinforce* 
ments  arrived,  and  with  them  a  small  train  of  artillery. 
Ethan  Allen  also  returned  from  his  reconnoitering  ex- 
pedition, of  which  he  made  a  most  encouraging  report. 
The  Canadian  captains  of  militia  were  ready,  he  said,  to 
join  the  Americans,  whenever  they  should  appear  with 
sufficient  force.  He  had  held  talks,  too,  with  the  Indians, 
and  found  them  well  disposed.  In  a  word,  he  was  con* 
vinced  that  an  attack  on  St  John's,  and  an  inroad  into 
the  province,  would  meet  with  hearty  cooperation. 

Preparations  were  now  made  for  the  investment  of  Sb 
John's  by  land  and  water.  Major  Brown,  who  had  al- 
ready acted  as  a  scout,  was  sent  with  one  hundred  Amer- 
icans, and  about  thirty  Canadians  towards  Chamblee,  to 
make  friends  in  that  quarter,  and  to  join  the  army  as 
soon  as  it  should  arrive  at  St  John's. 

To  quiet  the  restless  activity  of  Ethan  Allen,  who  had 
no  command  in  the  army,  he  was  sent  with  an  escort  of 
thirty  men  to  retrace  his  steps,  penetrate  to  La  Prairie, 
and  beat  up  for  recruits  among  the  people  whom  he  had 
recently  visited. 

For  some  time  past,  (General  Schuyler  had  been  strug- 
gling with  a  complication  of  maladies,  but  exerting  liiai* 
fself  to  the  utmost  in  the  harassing  business  of  the  camj^ 


AMXnSTT  FOB  ABNOLD.  gjl 

still  hoping  to  be  able  to  move  with  the  army.  When 
eyeijthing  was  nearly  ready,  he  was  attacked  in  the  night 
by  a  severe  access  of  his  disorder,  which  confined  him  to 
his  bed,  and  compelled  him  to  surrender  the  conduct  of 
the  expedition  to  (General  Montgomery.  Since  he  could 
be  of  no  further  use,  therefore,  in  this  quarter,  he  caused 
his  bed,  as  before,  to  be  placed  on  board  a  coyered  bateau^ 
and  set  off  for  Ticonderoga^  to  hasten  forward  reinforce- 
ments and  supplies.  An  hour  after  his  departure,  he 
met  Oolonel  Seth  Warner,  with  one  hundred  and  seyenty 
Qreen  Mountain  Boys,  steering  for  the  camp,  **  being  the 
firsts'*  adds  he,  ''that  have  appeared  of  that  boasted  corps.** 
Some  had  mutinied  and  deserted  the  colonel,  and  the  re- 
mainder were  at  drown  Point ;  whence  they  were  about 
to  embark. 

Such  was  the  purport  of  different  letters  received  from 
Schuyler ;  the  last  bearing  date  September  20tlL  Wash- 
ington was  deeply  concerned  when  informed  that  he  had 
qnitted  the  army,  supposing  that  General  Wooster,  as  the 
eldest  brigadier,  would  take  rank  and  command  of  Mont- 
gomery, and  considering  him  deficient  in  the  activity  and 
energy  required  by  the  difficult  service  in  which  he  was 
engaged.  "  I  am,  therefore,"  writes  he  to  Schuyler,  "  much 
alarmed  for  Arnold,  whose  expedition  was  built  upon 
yours,  and  who  will  in&Jlibly  perish,  if  the  invasion  and 
entry  into  Canada  are  abandoned  by  your  successor.  I 
lu)pe  by  this  time  the  penetration  into  Oanada  by  your 
ttmy  is  effected ;  but  if  it  is  not,  and  there  are  any  inten« 


M)  t^S  OP  WASHINGTOS. 

tions  to  lay  it  aside,  I  beg  it  may  be  done  in  snoli  a  man* 
ner  that  Arnold  may  be  saved,  by  giving  him  notioe ;  and 
in  the  meantime,  your  army  may  keep  sach  appearanoes 
as  to  fix  Carleton,  and  to  prevent  the  force  of  Canada 
being  turned  wholly  upon  Arnold. 

"  Should  this  find  you  at  Albany,  and  General  Wooster 
about  taking  the  command,  I  entreat  you  to  impress  him 
strongly  with  the  importance  and  necessity  of  proceeding, 
or  so  to  conduct,  that  Arnold  may  have  time  to  retreat*' 

What  caused  this  immediate  solicitude  about  Amoldi 
was  a  letter  received  from  him,  dated  ten  days  previ* 
ously  from  Fort  Western,  on  the  Kennebec  Biver.  He 
had  sent  reconnoitering  parties  ahead  in  light  canoes,  to 
gain  intelligence  from  the  Indians,  and  take  the  courses 
and  distances  to  Dead  Biver,  a  branch  of  the  Kennebec^ 
and  he  was  now  forwarding  his  troops  in  bateaux  in  five 
divisions,  one  day's  march  apart ;  Morgan  with  his  rifle- 
men in  the  first  division.  Lieutenant-colonel  Boger  Enos 
commanding  the  lasi  As  soon  as  the  last  division 
should  be  under  way,  Arnold  was  to  set  off  in  a  light 
skiff  to  overtake  the  advance.  Chaudiere  Pond,  on  the 
Chaudiere  Biver,  was  the  appointed  rendezvous,  whence 
they  were  to  march  in  a  body  towards  Quebea 

Judging  from  the  date  of  the  letter,  Arnold  must  at 
this  time  be  mating  his  way,  by  land  and  water,  through 
an  uninhabited  and  unexplored  wilderness ;  and  beyond 
the  reach  of  recall ;  his  situation,  therefore,  would  be 
desperate  should  General  Wooster  fail  to  follow  up  tiia 


WOOSTER'S  DEFEBENOK  gi 

eampaign  against  Si  J0W&  The  solicitude  of  Wash- 
ington on  his  acconnt  was  heightened  by  the  conscious- 
ness that  the  hazardous  enterprise  in  which  he  was  en- 
gaged had  chiefly  been  set  on  foot  by  himself  and  he  felt 
in  some  degree  responsible  for  the  safely  of  the  resolute 
partisan  and  his  companions. 

Fortunately,  Wooster  was  not  the  successor  to  Schuy- 
ler in  the  command  of  the  expedition.  Washington  was 
mistaken  as  to  the  rank  of  his  commission,  which  was 
one  degree  lower  than  that  of  Montgomery.  The  veteran 
himself  who  was  a  gallant  soldier,  and  had  seen  service 
in  two  wars,  expressed  himself  nobly  in  the  matter,  in 
reply  to  some  inquiry  made  by  Schuyler.  '^Ihave  the 
cause  of  my  country  too  much  at  heart,"  said  he,  *^  to  at« 
tempt  to  make  any  difficulty  or  uneasiness  in  the  army, 
upon  whom  the  success  of  an  enterprise  of  almost  infinite 
importance  to  the  country  is  now  depending.  I  shall 
consider  my  rank  in  the  army  what  my  commission  from 
the  Continental  Oongress  makes  it,  and  shall  not  attempt 
to  dispute  the  command  with  General  Montgomery  at 
Si  John's.''  We  shall  give  some  further  particulars 
eonceming  this  expedition  against  Si  John's,  towards 
which  Washington  was  turning  so  anxious  an  eye. 

On  the  16th  of  September,  the  day  after  Schuyler's  de- 
parture for  Ticonderoga,  Montgomery  proceeded  to  cany 
out  the  plans  which  had  been  concerted  between  them* 
T^mling  on  the  17th  at  the  place  where  they  had  formerly 
encamped,  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  the  fort,  he  de« 


92  -M^W  OF  WABHINQTOir. 

taohed  a  force  of  fiye  hundred  men,  among  whom  were 
three  hundred  Ghreen  Mountain  Boys  under  Colonel  Seth 
Warner,  to  take  a  position  at  the  junction  of  two  roads 
leading  to  Montreal  and  Chamblee,  so  as  to  intercept  re- 
lief from  those  points.  He  now  proceeded  to  invest  St 
John's.  A  battery  was  erected  on  a  point  of  land  com- 
manding the  forty  the  ship-yards,  and  the  armed  schooner. 
Another  was  thrown  up  in  the  woods  on  the  east  side  of 
the  fort,  at  six  hundred  yards'  distance,  and  furnished 
with  two  small  mortars.  All  this  was  done  under  an  in* 
oessant  fire  from  the  enemy,  which,  as  yet,  was  but  feebly 
returned. 

Sb  John's  had  a  garrison  of  five  or  six  hundred  regu* 
lars  and  two  hundred  Canadian  militia.  Its  commander. 
Major  Preston,  made  a  brave  resistance.  Montgomery 
haa  not  proper  battering  cannon ;  his  mortars  were  de- 
fective ;  his  artillerists  unpracticed,  and  the  engineer  ig- 
norant of  the  first  principles  of  his  art  The  siege  went 
on  slowly,  until  the  arrival  of  an  artillery  company  un- 
der Captain  Lamb,  expedited  from  Saratoga  by  General 
Schuyler.  Lamb,  who  was  an  able  officer,  immediately 
bedded  a  thirteen-inch  mortar,  and  commenced  a  fire  of 
shot  and  shells  upon  the  fort  The  distance,  however,  was 
too  great,  and  the  positions  of  the  batteries  were  ill  chosen. 

A  flourishing  letter  was  received  by  the  general  from 
Oolonel  Ethan  Allen,  giving  hope  of  further  reinforce- 
ment "I  am  now,"  writes  he,  "at  the  Parish  of  St. 
OarSy  four  leagues  from  Sorel  to  the  south.    I  have  two 


DASH  AGAINST  MONTBSAL.  93 

Irandred  and  fifty  Canadians  under  arms.    As  I  march, 
they  gather  fasi    You  may  rely  on  it,  that  I  shall  join 
jon  in  about  three  days,  with  five  hundred  or  more  Oana* 
dian  volunteers.    I  could  raise  one  or  two  thousand  in  a 
week's  time ;  but  I  will  first  visit  the  army  with  a  less 
number,  and,  if  neoessaiy,  go  again  recruiting.    Those 
that  used  to  be  enemies  to  our  cause,  come  cap  in  hand 
to  me ;  and  I  swear  by  the  Lord,  I  can  raise  three  times 
the  number  of  our  army  in  Canada,  provided  you  con- 
tinue the  siege.    ....    The  eyes  of  all  America^  nay, 
of  Europe,  are  or  will  be  on  the  economy  of  this  army 
and  the  consequences  attending  ii"  * 

Allen  was  actually  on  his  way  toward  St.  John's,  when, 
between  Longueil  and  La  Prairie,  he  met  Colonel  Brown 
with  his  party  of  Americans  and  Canadians.  A  conver- 
sation took  place  between  them.  Brown  assured  him 
that  the  garrison  at  Montreal  did  not  exceed  thirty  men, 
and  might  easily  be  surprised.  Allen's  partisan  spirit 
was  instantly  excited.  Here  was  a  chance  for  another 
bold  stroke  equal  to  that  at  Ticonderoga.  A  plan  was 
forthwith  agreed  upon.  Allen  was  to  return  to  Longueil, 
which  is  nearly  opposite  Montreal,  and  cross  the  Sb 
Lawrence  in  canoes  in  the  night,  so  as  to  land  a  little 
below  the  town.  Brown,  with  two  hundred  men,  was  to 
cross  above,  and  Montreal  was  to  be  attacked  simultane- 
ously at  opposite  points. 

•Asoi.  AreKivea,  4th  Series,  iiL  764. 


94  LlfS  or   WJ  SBIJS^GTON'. 

All  this  was  arranged  and  put  in  action  without  \ 
consent  or  knowledge  of  General  Montgomery ;  Allen  17 
again  the  partisan  leader,  acting  from  individual  impu] 
His  late  letter  also  to  General  Montgomery,  would  se 
to  have  partaken  of  fanfaronade ;  for  the  whole  force  w 
which  he  undertook  his  part  of  this  inconsiderate  < 
terprise  was  thirty  Americans  and  eighty  Canadia 
With  these  he  crossed  the  river  on  the  night  of  the  2^ 
of  September,  the  few  canoes  found  at  Longueil  hav 
to  pass  to  and  fro  repeatedly,  before  his  petty  force  coi 
be  landed.  Guards  were  stationed  on  the  roads  to  p 
vent  any  one  passing  and  giving  the  alarm  in  Montn 
Day  dawned,  but  there  was  no  signal  of  Major  Bro 
having  performed  his  part  of  the  scheme.  The  ent 
prise  seems  to  have  been  as  ill  concerted  as  it  was 
advised.  The  day  advanced,  but  still  no  signal ;  it  t 
evident  Major  Brown  had  not  crossed.  Allen  woi 
gladly  have  recrossed  the  river,  but  it  was  too  late, 
alarm  had  been  given  to  the  town,  and  he  soon  fon 
himself  encountered  by  about  forty  regular  soldiers,  a 
a  hasty  levy  of  Canadians  and  Indians.  A  smart  act: 
ensued ;  most  of  Allen's  Canadian  recruits  gave  way  a 
fled,  a  number  of  Americans  were  slain,  and  he  at  lenj 
surrendered  to  the  British  officer,  Major  Campbell,  be: 
promised  honorable  terms  for  himself  and  thirty-ei( 
of  his  men,  who  remained  with  him,  seven  of  whom  w< 
wounded.  The  prisoners  were  marched  into  the  to 
and  delivered  over  to  General  Prescott,  the  commands 


ALLEN  A  PRiaOJSrEB.  05 

Their  rough  appearance,  and  mde  eqiiipmenis,  were 
not  likely  to  gain  them  &yor  in  the  eyes  of  the  mili<- 
taiy  tactician,  who  doubtless  considered  them  as  little 
better  than  a  band  of  freebooters  on  a  maraud.  Their 
leader,  albeit  a  colonel,  must  haye  seemed  worthy  o| 
the  band;  for  Allen  was  arrayed  in  rough  frontiei 
style — a  deer-skin  jai^et,  a  vest  and  breeches  of  coarse 
aeq^,  worsted  stockings,  stout  shoes,  and  a  red  woolen 
cap. 

We  giye  Allen's  own  account  of  his  reception  by  the 
Britash  officer.  ''  He  asked  me  my  name,  which  I  told 
bim.  He  then  asked  me  whether  I  was  that  Golonel 
Allen  who  took  Ticonderoga.  I  told  him  I  was  the  very 
nuoL  Then  he  shook  his  cane  over  my  head,  calling  me 
many  hard  names,  among  which,  he  frequently  used  the 
word  rebel,  and  put  himself  in  a  great  rage."  * 

Ethan  Allen,  according  to  his  own  account,  answered 

with  becoming  spirit.    Indeed  he  gives  somewhat  of  a 

* 

melodramatic  scene,  which  ended  by  his  being  sent  on 
board  of  the  Qnspee  schooner  of  war,  heavily  ironed,  to 
be  transported  to  England  for  trial ;  Prescott  giving  him 
the  parting  assurance,  sealed  with  an  emphatic  oath,  that 
be  would  grace  a  halter  at  Tyburn. 

Neither  Allen's  courage  nor  his  rhetorical  vein  deserted 
him  on  this  trying  occasion.  From  his  place  of  confine* 
meat  he  indited  the  following  epistle  to  the  general 

•Am.  ArchmB.^  800. 


M  LIFE  OF  WASHINQTOS. 

^  HoNOBABLB  SiB, — ^In  the  wheel  of  transitoiy  events  I 
find  mjaelf  prisoner,  and  in  irons.  Probably  your  honor 
has  certain  reasons  to  me  inoonceiyable,  though  I  chal- 
lenge an  instance  of  this  sort  of  economy  of  the  Ameri- 
cans during  the  late  war  to  any  officers  of  the  crown.  On 
my  party  I  have  to  assure  your  honor,  that  when  I  had 
the  command  and  took  Captain  Delaplace  and  Lieuten- 
ant Fulton,  with  the  garrison  of  Ticonderoga,  I  treated 
Ihem  with  every  mark  of  friendship  and  generosity,  the 
imdence  of  which  is  notorious,  even  in  Oanada.  I  have 
<mly  to  add,  that  I  expect  an  honorable  and  humane 
treatment,  as  an  officer  of  my  rank  and  merit  should  have, 
and  subscribe  myself  your  honor's  most  obedient  servant^ 

Ethan  Allbn.** 

In  the  British  publication  from  which  we  cite  the  above, 
the  following  note  is  appended  to  the  letter,  probably 
on  the  authority  of  General  Prescott:  "N.  B.— The 
author  of  the  above  letter  is  an  outlaw,  and  a  reward  is 
offered  by  the  New  York  Assembly  for  apprehending 
him."* 

The  reckless  dash  at  Montreal  was  viewed  with  oon* 
.cem  by  the  American  commander.  "  I  am  apprehensive 
of  disagreeable  consequences  arising  from  Mr.  Allen's  im* 
prudence,"  writes  General  Schuyler.  **  I  always  dreaded 
his  impatience  of  subordination,  and  it  was  not  until  aftex 


WASHINQTON  CENSURES  ALLEN.  97 

a  solemn  promise  made  me  in  the  presence  of  seyeraJ 
officers  that  he  wonld  demean  himself  with  propriety, 
that  I  wonld  permit  him  to  attend  the  army ;  nor  would 
I  have  consented  then,  had  not  his  solicitations  been 
backed  by  several  officers." 

The  conduct  of  Allen  was  also  severely  censured  by 
Washington.  "  His  misfortune/*  said  he,  **  will,  I  hope, 
teach  a  lesson  of  prudence  and  subordination  to  others 
who  may  be  ambitious  to  outshine  their  general  officers, 
and,  regardless  of  order  and  duty,  rush  into  enterprises 
which  have  unfavorable  effects  on  the  public,  and  are 
destructive  to  themselves." 

Partisan  exploit  had,  in  fact,  inflated  the  vanity  and 
bewildered  the  imagination  of  Allen,  and  unfitted  him  for 
r^ular  warfare.  Still  his  name  will  ever  be  a  favorite 
one  with  his  countrymen.  Even  his  occasional  rhodo- 
montade  will  be  tolerated  with  a  good-humored  smile, 
backed  as  it  was  by  deeds  of  daring  courage ;  and  among 
the  hardy  pioneers  of  our  Bevolution  whose  untutored 
valor  gave  the  first  earnest  of  its  triumphs,  will  be  re- 
membered, with  honor,  the  rough  Green  Mountain  par- 
tisan, who  seized  upon  the  ^'Keys  of  Champlain." 

In  the  letters  of  Schuyler,  which  gave  Washington  ac- 
counts, from  time  to  time,  of  the  preceding  events,  were 
sad  repinings  at  his  own  illness,  and  the  multiplied  an- 
noyances which  beset  him.  ''The  vexation  of  spirit 
under  which  I  labor,"  writes  he,  "  that  a  barbarous  com- 
plication of  disorders  should  prevent  me  from  reaping 

VOUIL— 7 


96  LIFB  OF  WA8HINQT0N. 

those  laurels  for  whioli  I  have  imweariedlj  wrought  sinoi 
I  was  honored  with  this  command ;  the  anxiety  I  hayi 
suffered  since  my  arriyal  here  (at  Ticonderoga),  lest  tb 
army  should  starve,  occasioned  by  a  scandalous  want  o 
subordination  and  inattention  to  my  orders,  in  some  o 
the  officers  that  I  left  to  command  at  the  different  posts 
the  vast  variety  of  disagreeable  and  vexatious  inoidenti 
that  almost  every  hour  arise  in  some  department  o] 
other, — ^not  only  retard  my  cure,  but  have  put  me  con 
siderably  back  for  some  days  pasi  If  Job  had  been  i 
general  in  my  situation,  his  memory  had  not  been  8< 
famous  for  patience.  But  the  glorious  end  we  have  ii 
view,  and  which  I  have  confident  hope  will  be  attained 
will  atone  for  alL'*  Washington  replied  in  that  spirit  o: 
friendship  which  existed  between  them.  **You  do  mc 
justice  in  believing  that  I  feel  the  utmost  anxiety  fo] 
your  situation,  that  I  sympathize  with  you  in  all  yom 
distresses,  and  shall  most  heartily  share  in  the  joy  o: 
your  success.  My  anxiety  extends  itself  to  poor  Arnold 
whose  &te  depends  upon  the  issue  of  your  campaign 
•  .  .  .  The  more  I  reflect  upon  the  importance  o: 
your  expedition,  the  greater  is  my  concern,  lest  it  shoxdc 
sink  under  insuperable  difficulties.  I  look  upon  the  in- 
terests and  salvation  of  our  bleeding  country  in  a  greai 
degree  as  depending  upon  your  success." 

Shortly  after  writing  the  above,  and  while  he  was  stil 
full  of  solicitude  about  the  fate  of  Arnold,  he  received 
a  despatch  from  the  latter  dated  October  13th,  from  the 


PB09BB88  OF  ARNOLD.  99 

great  portage  or  carrjing-plaoe  between  the  Kennebec 
and  Dead  Biver. 

**Tonr  Exoellenoy/'  writes  Arnold,  "may  possibly  think 
we  haye  be^i  tardy  in  oar  march,  as  we  have  gained  so 
little  ;  but  when  you  consider  the  badness  and  weight  of 
ike  bateaux,  and  large  quantities  of  provisions,  etc.,  we 
have  been  obliged  to  force  np  against  a  yery  rapid  stream, 
where  you  would  have  taken  the  men  for  amphibious  ani- 
mals, as  they  were  a  great  part  of  the  time  under  water : 
add  to  this  the  great  &tigue  in  the  portage,  you  will 
think  I  have  pushed  the  men  as  fast  as  they  could  possi- 
bly bear." 

The  toils  of  the  expedition  up  the  Kennebec  Biver  had 
indeed  been  excessive.  Part  of  the  men  of  each  divis- 
ion managed  the  boats — ^part  marched  along  the  bank& 
Those  on  board  had  to  labor  against  swift  currents  ;  to 
unload  at  rapids ;  transport  the  cargoes,  and  sometimes 
the  boats  themselves,  for  some  distance  on  their  shoul- 
ders, and  then  to  reload.  They  were  days  in  making  their 
way  round  stupendous  cataracts ;  several  times  their 
boats  were  upset  and  filled  with  water,  to  the  loss  or 
damage  of  arms,  ammunition,  and  provisions. 

Those  on  land  had  to  scramble  over  rocks  and  preci- 
pices, to  struggle  through  swamps  and  fenny  streams  ;  or 
cut  their  way  through  tangled  thickets,  which  reduced 
their  clothes  to  rags.  With  all  their  efforts,  their  prog- 
ress was  but  from  four  to  ten  miles  a  day.  At  night  the 
men  of  each  division  encamped  together. 


100  LlFle  OF  WASBmQTOJSr. 

By  the  time  they  arriyed  at  the  place  whence  the  letter 
was  written,  fatigue,  swamp  fevers  and  desertion  had  re- 
duced their  numbers  to  about  nine  hundred  and  fifty 
effective  men.  Arnold,  however,  wrote  in  good  heart 
*'The  last  division,"  said  he,  "is  just  arrived;  three 
divisions  are  over  the  first  carrying-place,  and  as  the  men 
are  in  high  spirits,  I  make  no  doubt  of  reaching  the  river 
Ohaudiere  in  eight  or  ten  days,  the  greatest  difficulty 
being,  I  hope,  already  pasi" 

He  had  some  days  previously  despatched  an  Tndian, 
whom  he  considered  trusty,  with  a  letter  for  General 
Schuyler,  apprising  him  of  his  whereabouts,  but  as  yet 
had  received  no  intelligence  either  of,  or  from  the  gen- 
eral, nor  did  he  expect  to  receive  any  until  he  should 
reach  Chaudiere  Pond.  There  he  calculated  to  meet  the 
return  of  his  express,  and  then  to  determine  his  plan  of 
operations. 


OHAPTEB  YL 


IRRIIB  DT  BO0T€ir  BIVD  OUT  OBOISBBS.  —  DKPKBDATIOH8  OF  OAFTAIN  WAL* 
UCB  ALOHO  THB  COAST.— -TBXAflOH  IH  THE  CAMP.— ▲RRK8T  OF  DR.  CHUBCH. 
—BIS  TBIAIi  AND  FATB. — COBFLAOBATION  OF  FALMOUTH.  —  IBBITATIOB 
HBOUeBOUT  THB  COUHTBT.  ~  FITTIliO  OUT  OF  YBSSBLS  OF  WAB. — BM- 
lABXATIOB  OF  OBVBBAL  OAGB  FOB  BNOLABD.  ~  COMMITTBB  FBOM  COM- 
QKUS.— COXFBBBNCBS  WITH  WASHUCOTOM.  — BBSOLUTIOH8  OF  COMOBB88  TO 
OABBT  OB  THB  WAB. — ^BBTUBH  OF  SICBBTABT  BBBD  TO  PHUADBLFHIA. 


i:ii 


the  two  expeditions  were  threatening 
Canada  from  different  quarters,  the  war  was 
going  on  along  the  seaboard.  The  British  in 
Boston,  cut  off  from  supplies  by  land,  fitted  out  small 
armed  vessels  to  seek  them  along  the  coast  of  New  Eng- 
land. The  inhabitants  drove  their  cattle  into  the  in- 
terior, or  boldly  resisted  the  aggressors.  Parties  land- 
ing to  forage  were  often  repulsed  by  hasty  levies  of 
the  yeomanry.  Scenes  of  ravage  and  violence  occurred. 
Stonington  was  cannonaded,  and  further  measures  of 
vengeance  were  threatened  by  Captain  Wallace  of  the 
£o9e  man-of-war,  a  naval  officer,  who  had  acquired  an 
ahnost  piratical  reputation  along  the  coast,  and  had  his 
rendezvous  in  the  harbor  of  Newport,  domineering  over 
the  waters  of  Bhode  Island.* 

^  Got.  Tromboll  to  Washin^^n.    Sparia'  Corretp.  of  (he  Bev.  L  87. 

101 


102  ^^^^  ^^  WA8HINQT0N. 

About  this  time  there  was  an  oocorrencey  which  caused 
great  excitement  in  the  armies.  A  woman,  coming  from 
the  camp  at  Cambridge,  applied  to  a  Mr.  Wainwood  of 
I^ewport,  Bhode  Island,  to  aid  her  in  gaining  access  to 
Captain  Wallace,  or  Mr.  Dudley,  the  collector.  Wain- 
wood,  who  was  a  patriot,  drew  from  her  the  object  of  her 
errand.  She  was  the  bearer  of  a  letter  from  some  one  in 
camp,  directed  to  Major  Kane  in  Boston :  but  which  she 
was  to  deliver  either  to  the  captain  or  the  collector.  Sus- 
pecting something  wrong,  he  prevailed  upon  her  to  leave 
it  with  him  for  delivery.  After  her  departure  he  opened 
the  letter.  It  was  written  in  cipher,  which  he  could  not 
read.  He  took  it  to  Mr.  Henry  Ward,  secretary  of  the 
colony.  The  latter,  apprehending  it  might  contain  trea- 
sonable information  to  the  enemy,  transmitted  it  to  Gen- 
eral Greene,  who  laid  it  before  Washington. 

A  letter  in  cipher,  to  a  person  in  Boston  hostile  to  the 
cause,  and  to  be  delivered  into  the  hands  of  Captain  Wal- 
lace the  nautical  marauder ! — there  evidently  was  treason 
in  the  camp;  but  how  was  the  traitor  to  be  detected? 
The  first  step  was  to  secure  the  woman,  the  bearer  of  the 
letter,  who  had  returned  to  Cambridge.  Tradition  gives 
us  a  graphic  scene  connected  with  her  arresi  Washing- 
ton was  in  his  chamber  at  head-quarters,  when  he  beheld 
from  his  window,  General  Putnam  approaching  on  horse- 
back, with  a  stout  woman  en  croupe  behind  him.  He  had 
pounced  upon  the  culprit.  The  group  presented  by  the 
old  general  and  his  prize,  overpowered  even  Washington's 


TREASON  IN  THE  CAMP.  103 

gmTiiy.  It  was  the  only  occasion  throughout  the  whole 
campaign,  on  which  he  was  known  to  laugh  heartily.  He 
had  recoyered  his  gravity  by  the  time  the  delinquent  was 
brought  to  the  foot  of  the  broad  staircase  in  head-quar- 
ters, and  assured  her  in  a  severe  tone  from  the  head  of 
it,  that,  unless  she  confessed  everything  before  the  next 
morning,  a  halter  would  be  in  readiness  for  her. 

So  far  the  tradition ; — ^his  own  letter  to  the  President 
of  Congress  states  that,  for  a  long  time,  the  woman  was 
proof  against  every  threat  and  persuasion  to  discover  the 
author,  but  at  length  named  Dr.  Benjamin  Church.  It 
seemed  incredible.  He  had  borne  the  character  of  a 
distinguished  patriot;  he  was  the  author  of  various  patri- 
otic writings ;  a  member  of  the  Massachusetts  House  of 
Bepresentatives ;  one  of  the  committee  deputed  to  con- 
duct Washington  to  the  army,  and  at  present  he  dis- 
oharged  the  functions  of  surgeon-general  and  director  of 
the  hospitals.  That  such  a  man  should  be  in  traitorous 
correspondence  with  the  enemy,  was  a  thunderstroke. 
Orders  were  given  to  secure  him  and  his  papers.  On  his 
arrest  he  was  extremely  agitated,  but  acknowledged  the 
letter,  and  said  it  would  be  found,  when  deciphered,  to 
contain  nothing  criminal  His  papers  were  searched,  but 
nothing  of  a  treasonable  nature  discovered.  ''It  ap- 
peared, however,  on  inquiry,"  says  Washington,  "that 
a  confidant  had  been  among  the  papers  before  my  mes-^ 
aenger  arrived." 

The  letter  was  deciphered.    It  gave  a  description  of 


104  LIFE  OF  WABHrnamif. 

the  army.  The  doctor  made  an  awkward  defense,  pro* 
testing  that  he  had  giyen  an  exaggerated  acooont  of  the 
Amerioan  force,  for  the  purpose  of  deterring  the  enemy 
from  attacking  the  American  lines  in  their  present  de* 
fenseless  condition  from  the  want  of  powder.  His  ex" 
planations  were  not  satisfactory.  The  army  and  country 
were  exceedingly  irritated.  In  a  council  of  war  he  was 
oouTicted  of  criminal  correspondence;  he  was  expelted 
from  the  Massachusetts  House  of  Bepresentatiyes,  and 
the  Oontinental  Oongress  ultimately  resolved  that  he 
should  be  confined  in  some  secure  jail  in  Gonnectioui^ 
without  the  use  of  pen,  ink,  or  paper ;  "  and  that  no  per- 
son be  allowed  to  converse  with  him,  except  in  the  pres- 
ence and  hearing  of  a  magistrate  or  the  sheriff  of  the 
county." 

His  sentence  was  afterwards  mitigated  on  account  of 
his  health,  and  he  was  permitted  to  leave  the  country. 
He  embarked  for  the  West  Indies,  and  is  supposed  to 
have  perished  at  sea. 

What  had  caused  especial  irritation  in  the  case  of  Dr. 
Ohurch,  was  the  kind  of  warfare  already  mentioned,  car- 
ried on  along  the  coast  by  British  cruisers,  and  notori- 
ously by  Captain  Wallace.  To  check  these  maraudings, 
and  to  capture  the  enemy's  transports  laden  with  sup- 
plies, the  provinces  of  Massachusetts,  Bhode  Island,  and 
Connecticut,  fitted  out  two  armed  vessels  each,  at  their 
own  expense,  without  seeking  the  sanction  or  aid  of  Con- 
gress.   Washington,  also,  on  his  own  responsibility,  or* 


DE8TEU0TI0N  OF  FALMOUTH.  106 

lared  several  to  be  equipped  for  like  purpose,  whioh 
were  to  be  manned  by  hardy  mariners,  and  commanded 
by  able  sea  captains,  actually  serving  in  the  army.  One 
of  these  vessels  was  despatched,  as  soon  as  ready,  to 
omise  between  Cape  Ann  and  Cape  Cod.  Two  others 
were  fitted  out  with  all  haste,  and  sent  to  cruise  in  the 
waters  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  to  intercept  two  unarmed 
bngantines  which  Congress  had  been  informed  had  sailed 
from  England  for  Quebec,  with  ammunition  and  military 
stores.  Among  the  sturdy  little  New  England  seaports^ 
▼hioh  had  become  obnoxious  to  punishment  by  resist- 
ance to  nautical  exactions,  was  Falmouth  (now  Portland), 
in  Maine. 

On  the  evening  of  the  11th  of  October,  Lieutenant 
Mowat,  of  the  royal  navy,  appeared  before  it  with  several 
armed  vessels,  and  sent  a  letter  on  shore,  apprising  the 
inhabitants  that  he  was  come  to  execute  a  just  punish- 
ment on  them  for  their  ''premeditated  attacks  on  the 
legal  prerogatives  of  the  best  of  sovereigns."  Two  hours 
were  given  them,  ''to  remove  the  human  species  out  of 
the  town,*^  at  the  period  of  which,  a  red  pendant  hoisted 
at  the  main-top-gallant  masthead,  and  a  gun,  would  be 
the  signal  for  destruction* 

The  letter  brought  a  deputation  of  three  persons  on 
board.  The  lieutenant  informed  them  verbally,  that  he 
had  orders  from  Admiral  Graves  to  set  fire  to  all  the  sea- 
port towns  between  Boston  and  Halifax ;  and  he  expected 
Kew  York,  at  the  present  moment,  was  in  ashes. 


j.Oe  LIFE  OF  WA8HINQT0N. 

With  muoli  difficulty,  and  on  the  surrendering  of  some 
arms,  the  committee  obtained  a  respite  until  nine  o'clock 
the  next  morning,  and  the  inhabitants  employed  the 
juiteryal  in  removing  their  families  and  effects.  The  next 
morning  the  committee  returned  on  board  before  nine 
o'docL  The  lieutenant  now  offered  to  spare  the  town  on 
certain  conditions,  which  were  refused  About  half-past 
nine  o'clock  the  red  pendant  was  run  up  to  the  masthead, 
and  the  signal  gun  fired.  Within  five  minutes  seyeral 
houses  were  in  flames,  from  a  discharge  of  carcasses  and 
bombshells,  which  continued  throughout  the  day.  The 
inhabitants,  ^'  standing  on  the  heights,  were  spectators  of 
the  conflagration ;  which  reduced  many  of  them  to  pen- 
ury and  despair."  One  hundred  and  thirty-nine  dwelling- 
houses,  and  two  hundred  and  twenty-eight  stores,  are 
said  to  have  been  burnt*  All  the  vessels  in  the  harbor, 
likewise,  were  destroyed  or  carried  away  as  prizes. 

Having  satisfied  his  sense  of  justice  with  respect  to 
Falmouth,  the  gallant  lieutenant  left  it  a  smoking  ruin, 
and  made  sail,  as  was  said,  for  Boston,  to  supply  himself 
with  more  ammunition,  having  the  intention  to  destroy 
Portsmouth  also.f 

The  conflagration  of  Falmouth  was  as  a  bale-fire 
throughout  the  country.  Lieutenant  Mowat  was  said  to 
have  informed  the  committee  at  that  place,  that  orders 
had  come  from  England  to  bum  all  the  seaport  towns 

•  Holmes' winfMiZs,  11220.  \ljsMba  ot  ^,  ^oobg. 


BSIGN  OF  TSRBOB  ON  THE  00A8T.  107 

fliat  would  not  lay  down  and  deliyer  ap  iheir  arms,  and 
give  hoBtages  lor  their  good  beliavior.^ 

Washington  himself  supposed  such  to  be  the  case. 
**  The  desolation  and  misery/'  writes  he,  "  which  minis- 
terial yengeance  had  planned,  in  contempt  of  every  prin- 
ciple of  humanity,  and  so  lately  brought  on  the  town  of 
Falmouth,  I  know  not  how  sufficiently  to  commiserate, 
nor  can  my  compassion  for  the  general  suffering  be  con- 
OBiyed  beyond  the  true  measure  of  my  feelings." 

General  Greene,  too,  in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  expresses 
himself  with  equal  warmth.  ''  O,  could  the  Congress  be- 
hold the  distresses  and  wretched  condition  of  the  poor 
inhabitants  driven  from  the  seaport  towns,  it  must,  it 
would,  kindle  a  blaze  of  indignation  against  the  commis- 
sioned pirates  and  licensed  robbers.  .  •  .  •  People 
begin  heartily  to  wish  a  declaration  of  independence."  t 

General  Sullivan  was  sent  to  Portsmouth,  where  there 
was  a  fortification  of  some  strength,  to  give  the  inhabit 
tants  his  advice  and  assistance  in  warding  off  the  menaced 
blow.  Newport,  also,  was  put  on  the  alert,  and  recom- 
mended to  fortify  itsell  "  I  expect  every  hour,"  writes 
Washington,  ''  to  hear  that  Newport  has  shared  the  same 
late  of  unhappy  Falmouth."  J  Under  the  feeling  roused 
by  these  reports,  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts, 
Bxercising  a  sovereign  power,  passed  an  act  for  encourage 

♦  Letter  from  Gen.  Greene  to  Qor,  Cooke. 
f  Letter  to  the  President  of  Congress. 
X  Am,  ArchiveSf  iii.  1145. 


X06  LIFE  OF  WABHINQTOir. 

ii^  the  fitiang  oat  oi  armed  vesaels  to  defend  the  sea- 
ooast  of  Amerioa^  and  for  erecting  a  court  to  try  and 
condemn  all  vessels  that  should  be  found  infesting  the 
same.  This  act,  granting  letters  of  marque  and  reprisal, 
anticipated  any  measure  of  the  kind  on  the  part  of  the 
General  Qoyemmenty  and  was  pronounoed  by  John  Adams 
**  one  of  the  most  important  documents  in  history."  * 

The  British  ministry  have,  in  latter  days,  been  excul- 
pated from  the  charge  of  issuing  such  a  desolating  order 
as  that  said  to  have  been  reported  by  Lieutenant  Mowai 
The  orders  under  which  that  officer  acted,  we  are  told, 
emanated  from  (General  Gage  and  Admiral  Ghraves.  The 
former  intended  merely  the  annoyance  and  destruction  of 
rebel  shipping,  whether  on  the  coast  or  in  the  harpors  to 
the  eastward  of  Boston ;  the  burning  of  the  town  is  sur- 
mised to  have  been  an  additional  thought  of  Admiral 
Graves.  Naval  officers  have  a  passion  for  bombardments. 

Whatever  part  General  Gage  may  have  had  in  this 
most  ill-advised  and  discreditable  measure,  it  was  the 
last  of  his  military  govomment,  and  he  did  not  remain 
long  enough  in  the  country  to  see  it  carried  into  effect. 
He  sailed  for  England  on  the  10th  of  October.  The 
tidings  of  the  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill  had  withered  his 
laurels  as  a  commander.  Still  he  was  not  absolutely 
superseded,  but  called  home,  ''  in  order,"  as  it  was  con- 
siderately said,  **  to  give  His  Majesty  exact  information 

♦  See  Lift  of  &erfy,  p.  IW. 


90AaD  OF  OOJTVBBBSVX.  109 

of  flVBiTthiii^  and  BOggest  saoh  matten  as  his  knovle^e 
and  expeiienoe  of  the  aerrioe  might  eitable  hitn  to  for- 
niah."  I>aiiiig  his  absenoe,  Majoi-genezal  Howe  Toold 
M)i  aa  oommandar-in-ohigf  of  the  colonies  on  the  Atlantic 
Ooaan,  and  Hajjor-geueral  Oorleton  of  the  Britiah  foxoes 
in  Canada  and  on  the  frontieTa.  Gage  folly  expected  to 
retnm  and  reaome  the  command.  In  a  letter  written  to 
the  miiuata',  Lord  Dartmouth,  the  day  before  sailing,  he 
nged  the  arriral,  early  in  the  spring,  of  reinforoemente 
vhioh  had  been  ordered,  anticipating  great  hazard  at  the 
t^iening  of  the  campaign.  In  the  meantime  he  trosted 
that  iwo  thonsand  troops,  shortly  expected  from  Ireland, 
would  enable  him  "  to  distress  the  rebels  by  incursiona 
■loog  the  ooas^" — and — "he  hoped  Portsmonth  in  New 
^mpehire  would  feel  the  weight  of  His  Majesty's  arms." 
"Poor  Gage,"  writes  Horace  Walpole,  "is  to  be  the 
soape-goat  for  what  was  a  reason  gainst  employing  him 
— incapacity."    He  never  returned  to  America. 

On  the  15th  of  October  a  Committee  from  Congress 
arrived  in  camp,  sent  to  hold  a  Conference  with  Wash- 
ington, and  with  delegates  from  the  govemmeDts  of  Con- 
necticut, Bhode  Island,  Massachnsetts,  and  New  Hamp> 
flhiie,  on  the  subject  of  a  new  organization  of  the  army. 
The  committee  consisted  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  Thomas 
Lynch  of  Carolina,  and  Colonel  Harrison  of  Virginia. 
It  was  just  twenty  years  since  Washington  had  met 
Franklin  in  Braddock's  camp,  aiding  that  onwary  genera] 
by  his  sagacioos  coonsels  and  prompt  expedients.    Frank- 


no  LIFE  OF  WA8HINQT0K 

lin  was  regarded  with  especial  deference  in  the  camp  al 
Cambridge.  Greene,  who  had  never  met  with  him  be 
fore,  listened  to  him  as  to  an  oracle. 

Washington  was  president  of  the  board  of  confer- 
ence, and  Mr.  Joseph  Beed  secretary.  The  committee 
brought  an  intimation  from  Congress  that  an  attack 
upon  Boston  was  much  desired,  if  practicable. 

Washington  called  a  council  of  war  of  his  generals  on 
the  subject ;  they  were  unanimously  of  the  opinion  that 
an  attack  would  not  be  prudent  at  present 

Another  question  now  arose.  An  attack  upon  the  British 
forces  in  Boston,  whenever  it  should  take  place,  might 
require  a  bombardment;  Washington  inquired  of  the 
delegates  how  far  it  might  be  pushed  to  the  destruction 
of  houses  and  property.  They  considered  it  a  question 
of  too  much  importance  to  be  decided  by  them,  and  said 
it  must  be  referred  to  Congress.  But  though  they  de- 
clined taking  upon  themselves  the  responsibility,  the 
majority  of  them  were  strongly  in  favor  of  it;  and  ex- 
pressed themselves  so,  when  the  matter  was  discussed 
informally  in  camp.  Two  of  the  committee,  Lynch  and 
EEarrison,  as  well  as  Judge  Wales,  delegate  from  Con* 
necticut,  when  the  possible  effects  of  a  bombardment 
were  suggested  at  a  dinner  table,  declared  that  they 
would  be  willing  to  see  Boston  in  ilames.  Lee,  who  was 
present,  observed  that  it  was  impossible  to  bum  it 
unless  they  sent  in  men  with  bundles  of  straw  to  do 
it     ''It  could  not  be  done  with  carcasses  and  red-hoi 


XMXD  BBTUBN8  BOMS.  lU 

diot  Isle  Bojal,**  be  added,  "in  tlie  river  St.  Lav- 
renoe,  had  been  fized  at  for  a  long  time  in  1760,  with  a 
fine  train  of  artilleiy,  hot-ehot  and  oaroaaaes,  without 
aSbot"* 

The  board  of  oonferenoe  was  repeatedly  in  aeaaion,  for 
Uiree  or  fonr  daya.  The  report  of  ita  deliberations  ren- 
dered bj  the  oommittee,  prodnoed  a  resolution  of  Con- 
peaa,  that  a  new  armj  of  twenty-two  thooaand  two  ban- 
died and  aerenty-two  men  and  cheers,  shonld  be  formed, 
to  be  recxnited  as  mnoh  as  possible  from  the  troops 
ictoally  in  service.  Uofortiinately  the  term  for  whioh 
they  were  to  be  enlisted  was  to  be  &ti<  for  one  year.  It 
tonned  a  precedent  which  became  a  reonrring  oanse  of 
embarrassment  throughout  the  war. 

Washington's  secretary,  Mr.  Beed,  had,  after  the  close 
o{  the  conference,  signified  to  him  his  intention  to  return 
to  Philadelphia,  where  his  private  concerns  required  his 
pnaence.  His  departure  was  deeply  regretted.  His 
Wnt  pen  had  been  of  great  assistance  to  Washington 
in  the  despatch  of  his  multifarious  correspondence,  and 
Mg  jndicions  counsels  and  cordial  sympathies  had  been 
stiU  more  appreciated  by  the  commander-in-chief,  amid 
the  multiplied  difficulties  of  his  situation.  On  the  de- 
PUtnre  of  Mr.  Beed,  his  place  as  secretary  was  tempo- 
rarily supplied  by  Mr.  Robert  Harrison  of  Maryland,  and 
sabsequently  by  Colonel  Mifflin ;  neither,  however,  at- 
*  Uft  of  Dr  Belknap,  p.  H.    The  doctor  wbb  piesent  at  tbe  atxif» 


112  LIFE  OF  WASEmOTOHr. 

tained  to  the  affectionate  confidence  reposed  in  their 
predecessor. 

We  shall  have  occasion  to  quote  the  correspondence 
kept  up  between  Washington  and  Beed,  during  the  ab- 
sence of  the  latter.  The  letters  of  the  former  are  pecu- 
liarly interesting,  as  giTing  views  of  what  was  passing; 
not  merely  around  him,  but  in  the  recesses  of  hid  own 
heart.  No  greater  proof  need  be  given  of  the  rectitude 
of  that  heart,  than  the  clearness  and  fullness  with  which, 
in  these  truthful  documents,  every  thought  and  feeling  y 
open. 


OHAFTEB  Vn. 


nwoLV 

ABTILLBBT, — BDIRT  ZHOX,  TBI 
. — RaiVLISTMINT  OF  TBOon. 


S  measures  whicli  General  Howe  had  adopted 
after  taking  oommand  in  Boston,  rejoiced  the 
I  royalists,  seeming  to  justify  their  anticipations. 
He  proceeded  to  strengthen  the  works  on  Bunker's  TTilT 
uid  Boston  Neok,  and  to  clear  away  honses  and  throw 
up  redonhts  on  eminences  within  the  town.  The  patriot 
inhabitants  were  shocked  by  the  desecration  of  the  Old 
fioath  Chnrch,  which  for  mora  than  a  hundred  years  had 
1>een  a  favorite  place  of  worship,  where  some  of  the  most 
eminent  divines  had  officiated.  The  pulpit  and  pews 
were  now  removed,  the  floor  was  covered  with  earth,  and 
the  sacred  edifice  was  converted  into  a  riding-school  for 
Borgoyne's  light  dragoons.  To  excuse  its  desecration, 
it  was  spoken  of  scoffingly  as  a  "  meeting-hoiiae,  where 
edition  had  often  been  preached." 

The  North  Church,  another  "  meeting-hoose,"  was  en- 
tirely demolished  and  was  used  for  fuel    "  Thos,"  says 


114  -"^^  OF  WAanmoTON. 

the  olironicler  of  the  day,  ''  thus  are  our  houses  devoted 
to  religious  worship,  profaned  and  destroyed  by  the  sub* 
jects  of  His  Boyal  Majesty."  * 

About  the  last  of  October,  Howe  issued  three  procla- 
mations. The  first  forbade  all  persons  to  leave  Boston 
without  his  permission  under  pain  of  military  execution; 
the  second  forbade  any  one,  so  permitted,  to  take  with 
him  more  than  five  pounds  sterling,  under  pain  of  for- 
feiting all  the  money  found  upon  his  person  and  being 
subject  to  fine  and  imprisonment ;  the  third  called  upon 
the  inhabitants  to  arm  themselves  for  the  preservation 
of  order  within  the  town;  they  to  be  commanded  by 
officers  of  his  appointment 

Washington  had  recently  been  incensed  by  the  confla- 
gration of  Falmouth ;  the  conduct  of  Governor  Dunmore 
who  had  proclaimed  martial  law  in  Virginia,  and  threat- 
ened ruin  to  the  patriots,  had  added  to  this  provocation; 
the  measures  of  General  Howe  seemed  of  the  same  harsh 
character,  and  he  determined  to  retaliate. 

"Would  it  not  be  prudent,"  writes  he  to  Gk)vemor 
Trumbxdl  of  Connecticut,  "to  seize  those  tones  who 
have  been,  are,  and  we  know  will  be  active  against  us  ? 
Why  should  persons  who  are  preying  upon  the  vitals  of 
their  country,  be  suffered  to  stalk  at  large,  whilst  we 
know  they  will  do  us  every  mischief  in  their  power?  " 

In  this  spirit  he  ordered  General  Sullivan,  who 

*  Thaoher's  Military  Jaumdl,  p.  OOl 


BBSBT  KITOX.  116 

bntifjring  Portsmonih,  "  to  seize  upon  such  persons  as 
held  oommieaione  onder  the  crown,  and  were  acting  as 
open  and  avowed  enemies  to  their  conntiy,  and  hold 
them  as  hostages  for  the  secority  of  tiie  town."  Still  he 
vaa  moderate  in  his  retaliation,  and  stopped  short  of 
private  indiTidnals.  "For  the  preaent,"  said  he,  "I  shall 
iToid  giving  the  like  order  with  regard  to  the  toriea  of 
Fortsmooth ;  bnt  the  day  is  not  far  off  when  thej  will 
meet  with  this,  or  a  worse  fate,  if  there  is  not  a  consider- 
able reformation  in  their  conduct.**  * 

The  season  was  fast  approaching  when  the  bay  be> 
tween  the  camp  and  Boston  woidd  be  frozen  over,  and 
militarj  operations  might  be  oondncted  upon  the  ice- 
General  Howe,  if  reinforced,  would  then  very  probably 
"  endeavor  to  relieve  himself  from  the  disgraceful  confine- 
ment in  which  the  ministerial  troops  had  been  all  sum- 
mer." Washington  felt  the  necessity,  therefore,  of  goard- 
ing  the  camps  wherever  they  were  most  assailable ;  and 
of  throwing  up  batteries  for  the  purpose.  He  had  been 
embarrassed  throoghout  the  siege  by  the  want  of  artil- 
lery and  ordnajice  stores ;  but  never  more  so  than  at  the 
present  moment.  In  this  juncture,  Mr.  Henry  Knox 
stepped  forward,  and  offered  to  proceed  to  the  frontier 
forts  on  Ohamplain  in  guest  of  a  supply. 

Enox  was  one  of  those  providential  characters  which 
spring  np  in  emergencies,  as  if  they  were  formed  by  and 

•Letter to  WilUunPaUier.    Sporkf,  UL  ISSL 


116  UFB  OF  WA8HINQT0N. 

for  the  oooaBion.  A  thnTing  bookseller  in  Boston,  he 
bad  thrown  np  business  to  take  up  arms  for  the  liberties 
of  his  oonntry.  He  was  one  of  the  patriots  who  had 
fonght  on  Bunker's  Hill,  since  when  he  had  aided  in 
planning  the  defenses  of  the  camp  before  Boston.  The 
aptness  and  talent  here  displayed  by  him  as  an  artQ- 
lerist,  had  recently  induced  Washington  to  recommend 
him  to  Oongress  for  the  command  of  the  regiment  of 
artillery  in  place  of  the  veteran  Gridley,  who  was  con- 
sidered by  all  the  officers  of  the  camp  too  old  for  active 
employment  Oongress  had  not  yet  acted  on  that  reoom« 
mendation;  in  the  meantime  Washington  availed  him- 
self of  the  offered  services  of  Knox  in  the  present  in- 
stance. He  was  accordingly  instructidd  to  examine  into 
the  state  of  the  artillery  in  camp,  and  take  an  account 
of  the  cannon,  mortars,  shells,  lead,  and  ammunition 
that  were  wanting.  He  was  then  to  hasten  to  New  York, 
procure  and  forward  all  that  could  be  had  there;  and 
thence  proceed  to  the  head-quarters  of  General  Schuyler, 
who  was  requested  by  letter  to  aid  him  in  obtaining 
what  further  supplies  of  the  kind  were  wanting  from  the 
forts  of  Ticonderoga,  Crown  Point,  St.  John's,  and  even 
Quebec,  should  it  be  in  the  hands  of  the  Americans. 
Enox  set  off  on  his  errand  with  promptness  and  alacrity, 
and  shortly  afterwards  the  commission  of  colonel  of  the 
regiment  of  artillery  which  Washington  had  advised, 
was  forwarded  to  him  by  Congress. 
The  reenlistment  of  troops  actually  in  service  was  now 


BSMNLIBTMENT.  117 

ittemptedy  and  proved  a  froitfol  source  of  perplexity.  In 
a  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  Washington  ob- 
seryes  that  half  of  the  officers  of  the  rank  of  captain  were 
inclined  to  retire ;  and  it  was  probable  their  example 
wonld  influence  their  men.  Of  those  who  were  disposed 
to  remain,  the  officers  of  one  colony  were  unwilling  to 
mix  in  the  same  regiment  with  those  of  another.  Many 
sent  in  their  names,  to  serve  in  expectation  of  promotion; 
others  stood  aloo^  to  see  what  advantages  they  could 
nuike  for  themselves ;  while  those  who  had  declined  sent 
in  their  names  again  to  serve.*  The  difficulties  were 
greater,  if  possible,  with  the  soldiers  than  with  the  offi- 
cers. They  would  not  enlist  unless  they  knew  their 
colonel,  lieutenant-colonel,  and  captain ;  Connecticut  men 
being  unwilling  to  serve  under  officers  from  Massachusetts, 
and  Massachusetts  men  under  officers  from  Bhode  Island ; 
Bo  that  it  was  necessary  to  appoint  the  officers  firsi 

Twenty  days  later  he  again  writes  to  the  President  of 
Congress : ''  I  am  sorry  to  be  necessitated  to  mention  to  you 
the  egregious  want  of  public  spirit  which  prevails  here. 
Instead  of  pressing  to  be  engaged  in  the  cause  of  their 
country,  which  I  vainly  flattered  myself  would  be  the  case, 
I  find  we  are  most  likely  to  be  deserted  in  a  most  critical 

time Our  situation  is  truly  alarming,  and  of 

this  Oeneral  Howe  is  well  apprised.    No  doubt  when  he 
is  reinforced  he  will  avail  himself  of  the  information." 

*  Waahingtoii  to  the  President  of  Congreoi,  Kor.  8L 


118  LIFE  OF  WABHINGTOK, 

In  a  letter  to  Beed  he  disburdened  his  heart  more  com- 
pletely. ''  Such  dearth  of  public  spirit,  and  such  want 
of  virtue ;  such  stock-jobbing,  and  fertility  in  aU  the  low 
arts  to  obtain  advantage  of  one  kind  or  another  in  this 
great  change  of  military  arrangement,  I  never  saw  before, 
and  I  pray  God's  mercy  that  I  may  never  be  witness  to 
again.  What  will  be  the  end  of  these  maneuvers  is  be- 
yond my  scan.  I  tremble  at  the  prospect  We  have 
been  till  this  time  (Nov.  28)  enlisting  about  three  thou- 
sand five  hundred  men.  To  engage  these,  I  have  been 
obliged  to  allow  furloughs  as  far  as  fifty  men  to  a  reg- 
iment, and  the  officers  I  am  persuaded  indulge  many 
more.  The  Connecticut  troops  will  not  be  prevailed 
upon  to  stay  longer  than  their  term,  saving  those  who 
have  enlisted  for  the  next  campaign,  and  are  mostly  on 
furlough;  and  such  a  mercenary  spirit  pervades  the 
whole,  that  I  should  not  be  surprised  at  any  disaster  that 

may  happen Could  I  have  foreseen  what  I 

have  experienced  and  am  likely  to  experience,  no  consid- 
eration upon  earth  should  have  induced  me  to  accept 
this  command.'* 

No  one  drew  closer  to  Washington  in  this  time  of  his 
troubles  and  perplexities  than  General  Greene.  He  had 
a  real  veneration  for  his  character,  and  thought  himself 
*^  happy  in  an  opportunity  to  serve  under  so  good  a  gen- 
eral." He  grieved  at  Washington's  annoyances,  but  at- 
tributed them  in  part  to  his  being  somewhat  of  a  stranger 
in  New  England.     ''He  has  not  had  time,"  writes  he,  **  to 


mAEACTSSIBTIOS  OF  Tffn  JTEW  axr&tAJTDSBa.     Hd 

Buka  himaelf  scqaoiiited  wiUi  Qm  genioB  of  this  people ; 
tliey  are  naturaUj  as  bntTs  and  spirited  as  the  peasantry 
of  any  other  ootmtry,  but  yon  oannot  expect  veterans  of  a 
nv  militia  from  only  a  few  months'  serrioe.  The  oom- 
um  people  are  exoeedingly  avarioions ;  the  genins  of  the 
people  is  oommeroial,  from  their  long  interoonzse  ol 
tnds.  The  sentiment  of  honor,  the  tme  oharaoteristio 
«f »  soldier,  has  not  yet  got  the  better  of  interest  His 
feeelleney  has  been  tan^t  to  belieTO  the  people  here  a 
nperior  zaoe  of  mortals ;  and  flniling  them  of  the  same 
temper  and  dispositiona,  passions  and  prejndioes,  Tirtaes 
Hid  Tioes  of  the  oonmuHi  people  of  other  goTemmenta, 
tbfij  Bank  in  his  esteem."  * 


CHAPTER  Vm. 

ifVAIBS  2V  OAVADA.— OAFTUBB  OF  FORT  CH4MBLKB.— flMQB  OV  8T.  JOHS^ 
^MACXJUH  ASD  HI8  HIQHLANDBBS.— MONTOOMEBT  OV  THB  TBBATMSHI 
OF  STHAH  ALLBX.^BBFULSB  OF  OABLBTON.— <;APITniJLTIOH  OF  THB  OAB* 
BI80H  OF  8T.  JQmr*B.— OB2QEBOU8  CONDUCT  OF  VOMTOOICEBT.— MAGLBAS 
^»»w»A«M  itA  QUSBBO. — WSABT  8TBUOOLS  OF  ABTt<W,P  THBOUOB  THB 
1VILDBRNX8S.— DKFBCnON  OF  COLONSL  BN08.  — ARNOLD  Off  THl  TALUT 
OF  THB  CHAUDIBRB.— HJ8  ARRIVAL  0PP08ITB  QUBBBO.— 8UBBBHBBB  Of 
XOXTBBAL.— BUOAPB  OF  OABLBTOV.  —  HOMH-BIOKNSflS   OF  THB   aMBBIOAH 

TBOOFB. 

[ESPATCHES  from  Schnjler  dated  October 
26th9  gave  Washington  another  ohaptor  of  the 
Canada  expedition.  Ghamblee,  an  inferior  fort^ 
within  five  miles  of  St  John's,  had  been  taken  by  Majors 
Brown  and  Livingston  at  the  head  of  fifty  Americans  and 
three  hnndred  Canadians.  A  large  quantity  of  gunpow- 
der and  other  military  stores  found  there,  was  a  season- 
able supply  to  the  army  before  S&  John's,  and  consoled 
(General  Montgomery  for  his  disappointment  in  regard 
to  the  aid  promised  by  Colonel  Ethan  Allen.  He  now 
pressed  the  siege  of  S&  John's  with  vigor.  The  garrison, 
out  off  from  supplies,  were  suffering  from  want  of  pro- 
visions; but  the  brave  commander,  Major  Preston,  still 
held  out  manfully,  hoping  speedy  relief  from  General 


MAQLEAN'B  REGIMENT.  121 

Garleton,  who  was  asBembling  troops  for  that  purpose  at 
MontreaL 

Carleton,  it  is  true,  had  but  about  one  hnndred  regn« 
lars,  several  hundred  Canadians,  and  a  number  of  TiK^mTifiy 
with  him ;  but  he  calculated  greatly  on  the  cooperation 
of  Colonel  Maclean,  a  veteran  Scot,  brave  and  bitterly 
loyal,  who  had  enlisted  three  hundred  of  his  countrymen 
at  Quebec,  and  formed  them  into  a  regiment  called  **  The 
Boyal  Highland  Emigrants."  This  doughty  Highlander 
was  to  land  at  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel,  where  it  empties 
into  the  Si  Lawrence,  and  proceed  along  the  former 
river  to  Si  John's,  to  join  Carleton,  who  would  repair 
thither  by  the  way  of  LongueiL 

In  the  meantime  Montgomery  received  accounts  from 
various  quarters  that  Colonel  Ethan  Allen  and  his  men, 
captured  in  the  ill-advised  attack  upon  Montreal,  were 
treated  with  cruel  and  unnecessary  severity,  being  loaded 
with  irons ;  and  that  even  the  colonel  himself  was  sub- 
jected to  this  ''shocking  indignity."  Montgomery  ad- 
dressed a  letter  to  Carleton  on  the  subject,  strong  and 
decided  in  its  purport,  but  written  in  the  spirit  of  a  cour- 
teous and  high-minded  gentleman,  and  ending  with  an 
expression  of  that  sad  feeling  which  gallant  officers  must 
often  have  experienced  in  this  revolutionary  conflict,  on 
being  brought  into  collision  with  former  brothers  in 
arms. 

"Tour  character,  sir,"  writes  he,  "  induces  me  to  hope 
I  am  ill-informed.    Nevertheless,  the   duty  I  owe  the 


122  i^^  ^^  WA8HINQT0lf. 

troops  oommitted  to  my  charge,  lays  me  under  tlie  necM* 
sity  of  aoqoainting  your  Excellency,  that,  if  you  allow 
this  conduct  and  persist  in  it,  I  shall,  though  with  the 
most  painful  regret,  execute  with  rigor  the  just  and  neo* 
essary  law  of  retaliation  upon  the  garrison  of  Ohamblee, 
now  in  my  possession,  and  upon  all  others  who  may  here- 
after fall  into  my  hands.  .  •  •  •  I  shall  expect  your 
Excellency's  answer  in  six  days.  Should  the  bearer  not 
return  in  that  time,  I  must  interpret  your  silence  into  a 
declaration  of  a  barbarous  war.  I  cannot  pass  this  op- 
portunity without  lamenting  the  melancholy  and  fiital 
necessity,  which  obliges  the  firmest  friends  of  the  consti- 
tution to  oppose  one  of  the  most  respectable  officers  of 
the  crown." 

While  waiting  for  a  reply,  Montgomery  pressed  the 
siege  of  St  John's,  though  thwarted  continually  by  the 
want  of  subordination  and  discipline  among  his  troops 
—hasty  levies  from  varioug  colonies,  who,  said  he,  ''  oarzy 
the  spirit  of  freedom  into  the  field,  and  think  for  them- 
selves." Accustomed  as  he  had  been,  in  his  former  mili* 
tary  experience,  to  the  implicit  obedience  of  European 
troops,  the  insubordination  of  these  yeoman  soldiery  was 
intolerable  to  him.  "  Were  I  not  afraid,"  writes  he,  **  the 
example  would  be  too  gener  Jly  followed,  and  that  the 
public  service  might  suffer,  T  would  not  stay  an  hour  at 
the  head  of  troops  whose  oj  erations  I  cannot  direct.  I 
must  say  I  have  no  hopes  of  success,  unless  from  iha 
garrison's  wanting  provisions." 


ilXSLSTOir'S  BEPUL8K.  123 

He  had  adTanoed  his  lines  and  played  from  his  batter- 
isB  on  two  sides  of  the  fort  for  some  hours,  when  tidings 
brought  hy  four  ptiaoners  caused  him  to  cease  his  fire. 

General  Carleton,  on  the  31st  of  September,  had  em- 
barked his  motley  force  at  Montreal  in  thirty-foor  boats, 
to  cross  the  St.  lATrence,  land  at  Longneil,  and  posh  on 
br  St.  John's,  vhere,  as  oonoerted,  he  was  to  be  joined  by 
Ifaclean  and  hi^  Highlandera  As  the  boats  approached 
tbe  right  bank  of  the  river  at  Longneil,  a  terrible  fire  of 
artillery  and  mnsketry  was  unexpectedly  opened  upon 
them,  and  threw  them  into  confusion.  It  was  from 
Ookinel  Seth  Warner's  detachment  of  Green  Monntain 
Boys  and  Kew  Yorkers.  Some  of  the  boats  were  dis- 
abled, some  were  driTen  on  shore  on  an  island ;  Carleton 
retreated  with  the  rest  to  Montreal,  with  some  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded.  The  Americans  captured  two  Cana- 
dians and  two  Indians  ;  and  it  was  these  prisoners  who 
brought  tidings  to  the  camp  of  Oarleton's  signal  repulse. 
Awaie  that  the  gairison  held  out  merely  in  expectation 
of  tbe  relief  thus  intercepted  Montgomery  ceased  his 
fire,  and  sent  a  flag  by  one  of  the  Canadian  prisoners  with 
a  letter  informing  Major  Preston  of  the  event,  and  invit- 
iiig  a  Burrender  to  spare  the  effasion  of  blood. 

Preston  in  reply  expressed  a  doubt  of  the  tmth  of  the 
Teport  brought  by  the  prisoners,  but  offered  to  surrender 
if  not  relieved  in  fonr  days.  The  condition  was  refosed, 
and  the  gallant  major  was  obliged  to  capitulate.  His 
gmiaoQ  oonsiated  of  five  hundred  regulars  and  one  hnn- 


19,4  Wyy^  "OF  WASHINGTOir. 

dred  Oanadians ;  among  the  latter  were  several  of  the 
provincial  noblesse. 

Montgomery  treated  Preston  and  his  garrison  with  the 
courtesy  inspired  by  their  gallant  resistance.  He  had 
been  a  British  officer  himself,  and  his  old  associations 
with  the  service  made  him  sympathize  with  the  brave 
men  whom  the  fortune  of  war  had  thrown  into  his  hands. 
Perhaps  their  high-bred  and  aristocratic  tone  contrasted 
favorably  in  his  eyes,  with  the  rough  demeanor  of  the 
crude  swordsmen  with  whom  he  had  recently  associated, 
and  brought  back  the  feelings  of  early  days  when  war 
with  him  was  a  gay  profession,  not  a  melancholy  duty. 
According  to  the  capitulation,  the  baggage  of  both  officers 
and  men  was  secured  to  them,  and  each  of  the  latter  re- 
ceived a  new  suit  of  clothing  from  the  captured  stores. 
This  caused  a  murmur  among  the  American  soldiery, 
many  of  whom  were  nearly  naked,  and  the  best  but  scant- 
ily provided.  Even  some  of  the  officers  were  indignant 
that  all  the  articles  of  clothing  had  not  been  treated  as 
lawful  spoiL  "I  would  not  have  sullied  my  own  reputa* 
tion,  nor  disgraced  the  Continental  arms  by  such  a  breach 
of  capitulation  for  the  universe,"  said  Montgomery. 
Having  sent  his  prisoners  up  Lake  Ghamplain  to  Ticon- 
deroga,  he  prepared  to  proceed  immediately  to  Montreal; 
requesting  General  Schuyler  to  forward  all  the  men  he 
could  possibly  spare. 

The  Boyal  Highland  Emigrants  who  were  to  have  co- 
operated with  General  Carleton,  met  with  no  better  for- 


Bvoosaa  or  tbb  patriots.  12s 

iane  than  that  oommander.  Maclean  landed  at  the  moath 
of  the  Sorel,  and  added  to  his  force  by  reamiting  a  nom- 
ber  of  Canadians  in  the  neighborhood,  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet  He  was  in  fall  march  for  St  John's  when  he 
waa  enooiuttered  by  Majors  Brown  and  LiTiogston  with 
iheir  paHry,  freah  from  the  oaptnre  of  Chamblee,  and  rein* 
broed  by  a  nmnber  of  Green  Monntaiu  Boys.  These 
pressed  him  back  to  the  month  of  the  Sorel,  where  hear- 
ii^  oi  the  repnlse  of  Oarleton,  and  being  deserted  by  his 
Oauadian  recmits,  he  embarked  the  residue  of  bis  troops, 
kod  set  off  down  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Quebec.  The  Amep> 
loans  now  took  post  at  the  month  of  the  Sorel,  where  they 
erected  batteries  so  as  to  command  the  St.  Lawreooe,  and 
pzevent  the  descent  of  any  armed  vessels  from  MontreoL 
Thos  closed  another  chapter  of  the  invasion  of  Canada 
"Kot  a  word  of  Arnold  yet,"  said  Montgomery,  in  his  last 
despatch.  "I  have  sent  two  expresses  to  him  lately,  ons 
by  an  Indian  who  promised  to  retam  with  ezpeditioiL 
The  instant  I  have  any  news  of  him,  I  will  aoqnaint  yon 
by  express." 

We  will  anticipate  his  express,  by  giving  the  reader  the 
purport  of  letters  received  by  Washington  direct  from 
Amold  himself  bringing  forward  the  collateral  branch  of 
Uiia  eventfal  enterprise. 

The  transportation  of  troops  and  effecte  across  the  oar- 
lying-plaoe  between  the  Kennebec  and  Dead  Itivers,  had 
been  a  work  of  severe  toil  and  difficulty  to  Arnold  and  his 
men,  but  performed  with  admirable  spirit    There  weia 


126  J^^  OF  WAaHnSfQTOJBr. 

ponds  and  streams  full  of  trout  and  salmon,  which  {in> 
nished  them  with  fresh  provisions.  Lannohing  theii 
boats  on  the  sluggish  waters  of  the  Dead  BiTer,  they 
navigated  it  in  divisions,  as  before,  to  the  foot  of  snow- 
orowned  mountains;  a  part  of  the  great  granite  chain 
which  extends  from  southwest  to  northeast  throughout 
Dur  continent  Here,  while  Arnold  and  the  first  division 
were  encamped  to  repose  themselves,  heavy  rains  set  in, 
and  they  came  near  being  swept  away  by  sudden  torrents 
from  the  mountains.  Several  of  their  boats  were  over- 
turned, much  of  their  provisions  was  lost,  the  sick  list 
increased,  and  the  good  spirits  which  had  hitherto  sus- 
tained them  began  to  give  way.  They  were  on  scanty  al- 
lowance, with  a  prospect  of  harder  times,  for  there  were 
still  twelve  or  fifteen  days  of  wilderness  before  them,  where 
no  supplies  were  to  be  had.  A  council  of  war  was  now 
held,  in  which  it  was  determined  to  send  back  the  sick 
and  disabled,  who  were  mere  encumbrances.  Arnold,  ao- 
eordingly,  wrote  to  the  commanders  of  the  other  divisions, 
to  press  on  with  as  many  of  their  men  as  they  could  fur- 
nish with  provisions  for  fifteen  days,  and  to  send  the  rest 
back  to  a  place  on  the  route  called  Norridgewock.  This 
order  was  misunderstood,  or  misinterpreted,  by  Colonel 
Enos,  who  commanded  the  rear  division ;  he  gave  all  the 
provisions  he  could  spare  to  Colonel  Greene  of  the  third 
division,  retaining  merely  enough  to  supply  his  own 
corps  of  three  hundred  men  on  their  way  back  to  Kor> 
ridgewock,  whither  he  immediately  returned. 


oi>NnDEjiTOE  nr  absold.  127 

Lfttteis  from  Arnold  and  Edoh  apprised  Woshiiigdon  of 
Ibis  grievous  flaw  in  the  enterprise.  He  regarded  i^ 
luweTer,  aa  usual,  with  a  hopeful  eje.  "  Notwithstand< 
ing  this  great  defection,"  said  he,  "I  do  not  despair  of 
OoIoDel  Axnold's  snooess.  He  will  have,  in  all  probfr* 
biHtjr,  monj  more  diffionlties  to  enoonnter,  than  if  he  had 
been  a  ftntnight  sooner;  as  it  is  likelj  that  Qovemcn 
Osrlekm,  will,  with  what  forces  he  can  collect  after  the 
nrrender  of  the  rest  of  Canada,  throw  himself  into  Qn»- 
bec^  and  there  make  his  last  effort."  * 

Washington  was  not  mistaken  in  the  confidence  he  had 
placed  in  the  ene^y  of  Arnold.  Thoogh  the  latter  fonnd 
his  petty  force  greatlj  reduced  by  the  retrograde  move  of 
Enos  and  his  party,  and  althon^  snow  and  ice  rendered 
his  march  still  more  bleak  among  the  moontains,  he  kept 
on  with  tinflinftliing  spirit  ontil  he  arrived  at  the  ridge 
which  divides  the  streams  of  New  England  and  Canada. 
Here,  at  Lake  Megantio,  the  source  of  the  Chaadiere,  he 
met  an  emissary  whom  he  had  sent  in  advance  to  ascer- 
tain the  feelings  of  the  habUana,  or  French  yeomanry,  in 
the  fertile  valley  of  that  stream.  His  report  being  favor- 
able, Arnold  shared  out  among  the  different  companies 
the  scanty  provisions  which  remained,  directing  them  to 
make  the  best  of  their  way  for  the  Ohandiere  settlements; 
while  he,  with  a  light  foraging  party,  wonld  posh  rapidly 
aihead,  to  pnxsore  and  send  back  supplies. 

*  TlHlmgton  to  tbe  Fntldait  of  Coiigi«%  Nor.  IMh. 


128  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON. 

He  aooordingly  embarked  with  his  little  party  in  Ato 
bateaux  and  a  birch  oanoe,  and  launched  forth  without  a 
guide  on  the  swift  current  of  the  Ghaudiere.  It  was  little 
better  than  a  mountain  torrent,  full  of  rocks  and  rapids. 
Three  of  their  boats  were  dashed  to  pieces,  the  cargoes 
lost,  and  the  crews  saved  with  difficulty.  At  one  time, 
the  whole  party  came  near  being  precipitated  over  a  cat- 
aract, where  all  might  have  perished;  at  length  they 
reached  Sertigan,  the  first  French  settlement,  where  they 
were  cordially  received.  Here  Arnold  bought  provisions, 
which  he  sent  back  by  the  Oanadians  and  TudiauB  to  his 
troops.  The  latter  were  in  a  state  of  starvation.  Some 
had  not  tasted  food  for  eight- and-forty  hours;  others 
had  cooked  two  dogs,  followers  of  the  camp ;  and  others 
had  boiled  their  moccasins,  cartouoh  boxes,  and  other 
articles  of  leather,  in  the  hope  of  rendering  them  eatable- 
Arnold  halted  for  a  short  time  in  the  hospitable  valley 
of  the  Ghaudiere,  to  give  his  troops  repose,  and  dis- 
tributed among  the  inhabitants  the  printed  manifesto 
with  which  he  had  been  furnished  by  Washington.  Here 
he  was  joined  by  about  forty  Norridgewock  Indians.  On 
the  9th  of  November,  the  little  army  emerged  from  the 
woods  at  Point  Levi,  on  the  S&  Lawrence,  opposite  to 
Quebea  A  letter  written  by  an  inhabitant  of  that  place, 
speaks  of  their  sudden  apparition. 

"  There  are  about  five  hundred  provincials  arrived  at 
Point  Levi,  opposite  to  the  town,  by  the  way  of  Ghau- 
diere across  the  woods.    Surely  a  miracle  must  have  been 


QAPTSnLATlOS  OF  MOIfTSaAL.  129 

wiooglit  in  their  favor.  It  is  an  trndertakiiig  abore  tlia 
eommon  race  of  men  in  this  debaaohed  age.  Tliej  ham 
travelled  through  irooda  and  bogs,  and  over  preeipioea, 
for  the  epaoe  of  one  himdzed  and  twenty  mileB,  attended 
with  eveTj-  inoonvenienoe  and  diffienlt;,  to  be  sormoanted 
<nilj  \(j  men  of  inde&tigable  zeal  and  indnatry." 

Leaving  Arnold  in  fall  flight  of  Qnebeo,  whioh,  after  his 
hmg  abnggle  through  the  wilderness,  most  have  appeared 
Hke  a  land  of  promise,  we  torn  to  narrate  the  events  of 
the  upper  expedition  into  Canada,  of  which  the  letters 
of  Sohnjler  kept  Washington  faithfully  informed. 

Ifontgomeiy  appeared  before  Montreal  on  the  12th  of 
November.  Oeneral  Oarleton  had  embarked  with  his 
httle  garrison,  and  several  of  the  civil  (^oers  of  the 
place,  on  board  of  a  flotilla,  of  ten  or  eleven  small  ves- 
sels, and  made  sail  in  the  night,  with  a  favorable  breese, 
carrying  away  with  him  the  powder  and  other  important 
etores.  The  town  oapitnlated,  of  course;  and  Montgom- 
ery took  quiet  possession.  His  urbanity  and  kindness 
soon  won  the  good-will  of  the  inhabitants,  both  EngUsh 
snd  French,  and  made  the  Canadians  sensible  that  he 
nally  came  to  secure  their  rights,  not  to  molest  thent 
Intercepted  letters  acquainted  him  with  Amold'a  arrival 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Qaebec,  and  the  great  alarm 
di  "the  king's  friends,"  who  expected  to  be  besieged: 
"whidi,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  they  shall  be,"  said 
Montgomery,  "  if  the  severe  season  holds  ofi^  and  I  can 
^vul  on  the  troops  to  accompany  me." 
v(H-  n.— • 


130  LIFB  OF  WABSmaWN. 

His  great  immediate  object  was  the  capture  of  Carle« 
ton,  wliich  would  form  a  triumphal  close  to  the  enter- 
prise, and  might  decide  the  fate  of  Canada.  The  flotilla 
in  which  the  g^eral  was  embarked,  had  made  repeated 
attempts  to  escape  down  the  Si  Lawrence ;  but  had  as 
often  been  driven  back  by  the  batteries  thrown  up  by 
the  Americans  at  the  mouth  of  the  SoreL  It  now  lay 
anchored  about  fifteen  miles  above  that  river,  and  Mont- 
gomery prepared  to  attack  it  with  bateaux  and  light  ar- 
tillery, so  as  to  force  it  down  upon  the  batteries. 

Carleton  saw  his  imminent  periL  Disguising  himself 
as  a  Canadian  voyager,  he  set  off  on  a  dark  night  accom- 
panied by  six  peasants,  in  a  boat  with  muffled  oars,  which 
he  assisted  to  pull,  slipped  quietly  and  silently  past  all 
the  batteries  and  guard-boats,  and  effected  his  escape  to 
Three  Bivers,  where  he  embarked  in  a  vessel  for  Quebea 
After  his  departure  the  flotilla  surrendered,  and  all  those 
who  had  taken  refuge  on  board  were  made  prisoners  of 
war.  Among  them  was  Gteneral  Prescott,  late  commander 
of  Montreal 

Montgomery  now  placed  garrisons  in  Montreal,  S& 
John's,  and  Chamblee,  and  made  final  preparations  for 
descending  the  Si  Lawrence,  and  cooperating  with  Arnold 
against  Quebec.  To  his  disappointment  and  deep  chagrin, 
he  found  but  a  handful  of  his  troops  disposed  to  accom- 
pany him.  Some  pleaded  ill-health ;  the  term  of  enlistment 
of  many  had  expired,  and  they  were  bent  on  returning 
borne ;  and  others,  who  had  no  such  excuses  to  make,  be* 


MOSraoMSBT^a  dststAJfcxa.  isi 

flttu  flxoeediiigly  tarbnlent,  and  indeed  matinooB.  Noth- 
ing bat  a  sense  of  public  duty,  and  gratitude  to  Oongrees 
for  an  misoaght  oommiasion,  bad  indaoed  Montgomeiy  to 
ei^age  in  the  serrioe ;  wearied  l^  the  oontinnal  rezatituis 
which  beset  it,  he  avowed,  in  a  letter  to  Sohajler,  his 
determination  to  retire  as  soon  as  the  intended  expedi- 
tion  against  Quebec  was  finished.  "Will  not  ^or  health 
permit  jon  to  reside  at  Montreal  this  winter?"  writes  he 
to  Schnyler;  "I  most  go  home,  il  I  walk  bj  the  aide  of 
the  lake.  I  am  weaij  of  power,  and  totally  want  that 
patienoe  and  temper  so  requisite  for  such  a  oommand." 
Koch  of  the  insnbordination  of  the  troops  he  atfacibated 
to  the  want  of  tact  and  ooltiTation  in  their  officers,  who 
had  been  snddenlj  advanced  from  inferior  stations  and 
ooaise  employments.  "  An  affair  happened  yesterday," 
writes  he  to  Schnyler  on  the  24th  of  November,  "which 
Ud  rery  near  sent  me  home.  A  nnmber  of  officers  pre- 
nuued  to  remonstrate  against  the  indnlgenoe  I  had  given 
■ome  of  the  king's  troops.  Sach  an  insnlt  I  could  not 
bur,  and  immediately  resigned.  To<day  they  qaalified  it 
by  such  an  apology,  as  pot  it  in  my  power  to  resome  the 
oommand."  In  the  same  spirit  he  writes :  "  I  wish  some 
method  coold  be  &lleD  apon  for  engaging  gendemea  to 
serve.  A  point  of  honor  and  more  knowledge  of  the 
world,  to  be  found  in  that  class  of  men,  wonld  greatly 
refcnm  discipline,  and  render  the  troops  much  more 
tractable." 
The   taroops  which  had   given  Montgomery  so  mooh 


182  ^^^  ^^  WABHINQTON. 

annoyanoe  and  refused  to  oontinne  with  him  in  Oani 
soon  began  to  arrive  at  Tioonderoga.  Schnjleri  in  a 
ter  to  Congress,  gives  a  half  qnenilonsy  half  hnmor 
aoooont  of  their  conduct  ''About  three  hundred  of 
troops  raised  in  Oonnecticut,  passed  here  within  a 
days.  An  unhappy  home-sickness  prevails.  These 
came  down  as  invalids,  not  one  willing  to  reengage 
the  winter's  service ;  and,  unable  to  get  any  work  d 
by  them,  I  discharged  them  en  groupe.  Of  all  the  c 
cifics  ever  invented  for  any^  there  is  none  so  efficacioui 
a  discharge  for  this  prevailing  disorder.  No  sooner 
it  administered  but  it  perfected  the  cure  of  nine  on 
ten ;  who,  refusing  to  wait  for  boats  to  go  by  the  wa; 
Lake  Gteorge,  slung  their  heavy  packs,  crossed  the  lak 
this  place,  and  undertook  a  march  of  two  hundred  n 
with  the  greatest  good-will  and  alacrity.*' 

This  home-sickness  in  rustic  soldiers,  after  a  ro 
campaign,  was  natural  enough,  and  seems  only  to  1 
provoked  the  testy  and  subacid  humor  of  Schuyler ; 
other  instances  of  conduct  roused  his  indignation. 

A  schooner  and  tow  galley  arrived  at  Crown  P( 
with  upwards  of  a  hundred  persons.  They  were  di 
tute  of  provisions ;  none  were  to  be  had  at  the  Point, 
the  ice  prevented  them  from  penetrating  to  Ticonder 
In  starving  condition  they  sent  an  express  to  Gtei) 
Schuyler,  imploring  relief.  He  immediately  ord 
three  captains  of  Gteneral  Wooster's  regiment,  wil 
eonsid^able  body  of  men  in  bateaux,  to  **  attempt  a 


A  WBLL-MBBITBD  RBBURB.  133 

lief  for  ihe  nnliappj  sufferers."  To  his  surprise  and  dis« 
gust^  they  manifested  the  utmost  unwillingness  to  comply, 
and  made  a  variety  of  excusesi  which  he  spumed  at  as 
frivolouSy  and  as  evincing  the  greatest  want  of  human- 
ity. He  expressed  himself  to  that  effect  the  next  day, 
in  a  general  order,  adding  the  following  stinging  words; 
"  The  general,  therefore,  not  daring  to  trust  a  matter  of 
80  much  importance  to  men  of  so  little  feeUng,  has  ordered 
Lieutenant  Biker,  of  OoL  Holmes*  regiment,  to  make  the 
attempt  He  received  the  order  with  the  alacrity  becom- 
ing a  gentleman,  an  officer,  and  a  Christian.'* 

This  high-minded  rebuke,  given  in  so  public  a  man- 
ner, rankled  in  the  breasts  of  those  whose  conduct  had 
merited  it,  and  insured  to  Schuyler  that  persevering  hos- 
tility with  which  mean  minds  revenge  the  exposure  of 
iheir  meanness* 


OHAPTEB  IX. 


WlSBniGTOH'8  AXnOIPATIOKB  OV  8U0CB88  AT  QUBBBO.— HIS  XULOOIUX  Of 
ABXOLD.— SOHUTLBB  AND  XONTOOIOBT  TALK  OF  BMIOHINO.— nCFOSTU* 
LATIONS    or   WA8HINGTOK.— THBIB    XFnCT.— BOHUTLBR'S    OOHDUOT    TO  A 

OAPnys  worn. 


have  endeavored  to  compress  into  a  sucoinot 
aoconnt  varions  events  of  the  invasion  of  Can- 
ada, famished  to  Washington  by  letters  from 
Schuyler  and  Arnold.  The  tidings  of  the  capture  of 
Montreal  had  given  him  the  liveliest  satisfaction.  He 
now  looked  forward  to  equal  success  in  the  expedition 
against  Quebec.  In  a  letter  to  Schuyler,  he  passed  a 
high  eulogium  on  Arnold.  ''  The  merit  of  this  gentleman 
is  certainly  great,"  writes  he,  "  and  I  heartily  wish  that 
fortune  may  distinguish  him  as  one  of  her  favorites.  I 
am  convinced  that  he  will  do  everything  that  prudence 
and  valor  shall  suggest  to  add  to  the  success  of  our  arms, 
and  for  reducing  Quebec  to  our  possession.  Should  he 
not  be  able  to  accomplish  so  desirable  a  work  with  the 
forces  he  has,  I  flatter  myself  that  it  will  be  effected 
when  General  Montgomery  joins  him,  and  our  conquest 
of  Canada  will  be  complete." 
Certain  passages  of  Schuyler's  letters,  however,  gave 

18i 


BORUTLBB  BEXKB  BSTlBEMBJSrT.  136 

hini  deep  conoem,  wherein  that  general  complained  of 
the  embarrassments  and  annojanoes  he  had  experienced 
from  the  insubordination  of  the  army.  ''  Habituated  to 
order/'  said  he,  '^  I  cannot  without  pain  see  that  disre- 
gard of  discipline,  confusion  and  inattention,  which  reign 
80  generally  in  this  quarter,  and  I  am  determined  to  re* 
tire.    Of  this  resolution  I  have  advised  Oongress." 

He  had  indeed  done  so.  In  communicating  to  the 
President  of  Congress  the  complaints  of  General  Mont« 
gomery,  and  his  intention  to  retire,  ''my  sentiments," 
said  he,  ''  exactly  coincide  with  his.  I  shall,  with  him« 
do  eyerything  in  my  power  to  put  a  finishing  stroke  to 
the  campaign,  and  make  the  best  arrangement  in  my 
power,  in  order  to  insure  success  to  the  next.  This 
done,  I  must  beg  leave  to  retire." 

Congress,  however,  was  too  well  aware  of  his  value, 
readily  to  dispense  with  his  services.  His  letter  pro- 
duced a  prompt  resolution  expressive  of  their  high  sense 
of  his  attention  and  perseverance,  ''which  merited  the 
ihanks  of  the  United  Colonies."  He  had  alleged  his  im- 
paired health, — ^they  regretted  the  injuries  it  had  sus- 
tained in  the  service,  but  begged  he  would  not  insist  on 
a  measure  "which  would  deprive  America  of  the  bene- 
fits of  his  zeal  and  abilities,  and  rob  him  of  the  honor  of 
completing  the  work  he  had  so  happily  begun." 

What,  however,  produced  a  greater  effect  upon  Schuy- 
ler than  any  encomium  or  entreaty  on  the  part  of  Con- 
gE6Sfl»  were  the  expostulations  of  Washington,  inspired 


136  LIFE  OF  WABHINQTOSr. 

by  strong  friendship  and  kindred  sympathies.  "I  am 
exceedingly  sorry,"  writes  the  latter,  '^to  find  you  so 
much  embarrassed  by  the  disregard  of  discipline,  oonfa- 
sion  and  want  of  order  among  the  troops,  as  to  have  occa 
sioned  you  to  mention  to  Congress  an  inclination  to  re- 
tire. I  know  that  your  complaints  are  too  well  founded, 
but  would  willingly  hope  that  nothing  will  induce  you  to 

quit  the  service I  have  met  with  difficulties 

of  the  same  sort,  and  such  as  I  never  expected ;  but  they 
must  be  borne  with.  The  cause  we  are  engaged  in  is  so 
just  and  righteous,  that  we  must  try  to  rise  superior  to 
every  obstacle  in  its  support ;  and,  therefore,  I  beg  that 
you  will  not  think  of  resigning,  unless  you  have  carried 
your  application  to  Congress  too  far  to  recede." 

And  in  another  letter  he  makes  a  still  stronger  appeal 
to  his  patriotism.  "I  am  sorry  that  you  and  General 
Montgomery  incline  to  quit  the  service.  Let  me  ask 
you,  sir,  when  is  the  time  for  brave  men  to  exert  them- 
selves in  the  cause  of  liberty  and  their  country,  if  this  is 
not  ?  Should  any  difficulties  that  they  may  have  to  en- 
counter at  this  important  crisis  deter  them  ?  Gk>d  knows 
there  is  not  a  difficulty  that  you  both  very  justly  com- 
plain of,  that  I  have  not  in  an  eminent  degree  experi- 
enced, that  I  am  not  every  day  experiencing;  but  we 
must  bear  up  against  them,  and  make  the  best  of  man* 
kind,  as  they  are,  since  we  cannot  have  them  as  we  wish. 
Let  me,  therefore,  conjure  you,  and  Mr.  Montgomery,  to 
lay  aside  such  thoughts — as  thoughts  injurious  to  your- 


A  Sa001T8IDERA.TtOS.  137 

■dres,  and  extremely  ao  to  your  ooontiy,  which  caUs 
*bnd  for  gentlemen  of  jonr  abili^." 

This  noble  appeal  irest  straight  to  the  heart  of  Soha]r~ 
ler,  and  brought  out  a  magnanimaiia  reply.  "  I  do  not 
hesitate,"  writes  he,  "  to  answer  mj  dear  general's  qae»- 
tkm  in  the  affirmatiTe,  l^  declaring  that  now  or  never  ig 
the  time  for  every  -nrtnons  Amerioan  to  exert  himself  in 
the  oanse  of  Kberfy  and  his  oonntry ;  and  that  it  is  be- 
oane  a  duty  oheerfally  to  sacrifice  the  sweete  of  domestic 
felicity  to  attain  the  honest  and  glorions  end  America 
h»8  in  riew." 

In  the  same  letter  he  reveals  in  confidence  the  trne 
ctose  of  his  wish  to  retire  from  an  official  station ;  it  was 
the  annoyance  he  had  snfiered  throoghont  the  campaign 
Emm  Bectional  prejudice  and  jealonsy.  "I  could  point 
rat  particular  persons  of  rank  in  the  army,"  writes  he, 
"who  have  frequently  declared  that  the  general  com- 
aanding  in  this  quarter  ought  to  be  of  the  colony  from 
vkence  the  majority  of  the  troops  came.  But  it  is  not 
(torn  opinions  or  principles  of  individuals  that  I  have 
^wn  the  following  conclusion :  that  troops  from  the 
colony  of  Connecticut  will  not  bear  with  a  general  from 
uother  colony ;  it  is  from  the  daily  and  common  conver- 
iation  of  all  ranks  of  people  from  that  colony,  both  in  and 
ODt  of  the  army ;  and  I  assure  you  that  I  sincerely  lament 
that  people  of  so  much  public  virtue  should  be  actu- 
ated by  such  an  unbecoming  jealousy,  founded  on  such  a 
narrow  principle."    Having  made  this  declaration,  he 


138  LIFS  OF  WASHmGTOJf. 

adds,  "  although  I  frankly  own  that  I  feel  a-  resentmeni 
yet  I  shall  oontinae  to  sacrifice  it  to  a  nobler  object^  the 
weal  of  that  country  in  which  I  have  drawn  the  breath  ol 
life,  resolved  ever  to  seek,  with  unwearied  assiduiiy,  for 
opportunities  to  fulfill  my  duty  to  it" 

It  is  with  pride  we  have  quoted  so  frequently  the  eor« 
respondence  of  these  two  champions  of  our  Bevolution, 
as  it  lays  open  their  hearts^  and  shows  the  lofty  patriot* 
ism  by  which  they  were  animated. 

A  letter  from  John  Adams  to  General  ThomaSy  alleges 
as  one  cause  of  Schuyler's  unpopularity  with  the  eastern 
troops,  the  *'  politeness  "  shown  by  him  to  Oanadian  and 
British  prisoners  ;  which  '^  enabled  them  and  their  min- 
isterial friends  to  impose  upon  him."  * 

The  ^'  politeness "  in  fact,  was  that  noble  oonrieijf 
which  a  high-minded  soldier  extends  towards  a  oaptbtt 
foe.  If  his  courtesy  was  imposed  upon,  it  only  proYed 
that,  incapable  of  double-dealing  himself,  he  suspected  it 
not  in  others.  All  generous  natures  are  liable  to  impo- 
sition ;  their  warm  impulses  being  too  quick  for  selfish 
caution.  It  is  the  cold,  the  calculating,  and  the  meai^ 
whose  distrustful  wariness  is  never  taken  in. 

*  Letter  book  of  Gen.  Thomas.    MBL 


J 


CHAPTER  Z. 


B  (UMP. — FUTKAa    ASO    t 


lu.  ZBU.  or  um  . 

■AtlOM      TO 

rKAIBH  OF  FCTVUI  FOR  : 


;  lorming  even  of  the  skeleton  of  an  army 
under  the  nev  regnlationB,  had  been  a  work  of 
I  infinite  dif&cultj ;  to  fill  it  np  was  atill  more 
difficult  The  first  burst  of  revoltttionaiy  zeal  had  passed 
unj :  enthusiasm  had  been  chilled  bj  the  inaction  and 
monotony  of  a  long  encampment, — an  encampment,  more- 
onr,  destitute  of  those  comforts  which,  in  experienced 
nrt&re,  are  provided  by  a  well-regnlated  oommissariat. 
The  troops  hod  suffered  privations  of  every  kind,  want  of 
food,  clothing,  provisions.  They  looked  forward  with 
dismay  to  the  rigors  of  winter,  and  loi^ed  for  their  rus- 
iio  homes  and  their  &mily  firesides. 

Apprehending  that  some  of  them  would  incline  to  go 
home  when  the  time  of  their  enlistment  expired.  Wash- 


140  LIFE  OF  WASEINGTOJf. 

ington  snmmoued  the  general  officers  to  liead-qiiartei8| 
and  invited  a  delegation  of  the  General  Court  to  be  prea- 
ent,  to  adopt  measures  for  the  defense  and  support  of  the 
lines.  The  result  of  their  deliberations  was  an  order  that 
three  thousand  of  the  minute  men  and  militia  of  Massa- 
chusetts, and  two  thousand  from  New  Hampshire,  should 
be  at  Cambridge  by  the  tenth  of  December,  to  relieye 
the  Connecticut  regiments,  and  supply  the  deficiency 
that  would  be  caused  by  their  departure,  and  by  the  ab- 
sence of  others  on  furlough. 

With  this  arrangement  the  Connecticut  troops  were 
made  acquainted,  and,  as  the  time  of  most  of  them  would 
not  be  out  before  the  10th,  they  were  ordered  to  remain 
in  camp  until  relieved.  Their  officers  assured  Washing- 
ton that  he  need  apprehend  no  defection  on  the  part  of 
their  men ;  they  would  not  leave  the  lines.  The  officers 
themselves  were  probably  mistaken  in  their  opinion  of 
their  men,  for  on  the  1st  of  December,  many  of  the  latter, 
some  of  whom  belonged  to  Putnam's  regiment,  resolved 
to  go  home  immediately.  Efforts  were  made  to  prevent 
them,  but  in  vain ;  several  carried  off  with  them  their 
arms  and  ammunition.  Washington  sent  a  list  of  theii 
names  to  Governor  Trumbull.  "I  submit  it  to  your 
judgment,"  writes  he,  "  whether  an  example  should  nol 
be  made  of  these  men  who  have  deserted  the  oause  of 
their  country  at  this  critical  juncture,  when  the  enemy 
are  receiving  reinforcements  ?  " 

We  anticipate  the  reply  of  Governor  Trumbull,  received 


AJr  niPOBTANT  OAPTITBB.  141 

MTeral  days  BabseqaenUj.  "  The  late  extraordinarj  and 
teprehensibld  ooudnot  of  some  of  the  troops  of  thin  ool- 
ooy,"  vrites  he,  "  impresses  me,  tmd  the  minds  of  many 
of  OUT  people,  with  great  surprise  and  indignation,  since 
the  treatment  thej  met  with,  aad  the  order  and  request 
made  to  them,  were  so  reasonable,  and  apparently  neces- 
sary for  the  defense  of  onr  common  caoee,  and  safety 
of  onr  rights  and  privileges,  for  which  they  freely  en- 
gaged." 

We  will  here  add,  that  the  homeward-bound  warriors 
seem  to  have  ran  the  gauntlet  along  the  road  ;  for  their 
oonduot  on  quitting  the  army  drew  upon  them  such  in- 
d^nation,  that  they  oould  hardly  get  anything  to  eat  oq 
their  journey,  and  when  they  uriTed  at  home  they  met 
with  such  a  reception  (to  the  credit  of  the  Connecticut 
women  be  it  recorded),  that  many  were  Boon  disposed  to 
letnm  again  to  the  camp.* 

On  the  veiy  day  after  the  departure  homeward  of  these 
troops,  and  while  it  was  feared  their  example  would  be 
eontagioas,  a  long,  lumbering  train  of  wagons,  laden  with 
ordnance  and  military  stores,  and  decorated  with  flags, 
eame  wheeling  into  the  camp  escorted  by  continental 
troops  and  country  nulitia.  They  were  part  of  the  oai^ 
of  a  lai^  brigantine  laden  with  munitions  of  war,  cap- 
tured and  sent  in  to  Cape  Ann  by  the  schooner  Lee,  Cap* 
tain  Manly,  one  of  the  cruisers  sent  out  by  Washington. 


142  ^^^  OF  WABHINGTOK 

^  Saoh  Tuiiversal  joy  ran  through  the  whole  oamp/*  writes 
an  offioer, ''  as  if  each  one  grasped  a  Tiotory  in  his  own 
hands." 

Beside  the  ordnance  captured,  there  were  two  thou- 
sand stand  of  arms,  one  hundred  thousand  flints, 
thirty  thousand  round  shot,  and  thirty-two  tons  of  mus- 
ket-balls. 

'^  Surely  nothing,"  writes  Washington,  **  ever  came  more 
d  propoa.*^ 

It  was  indeed  a  cheering  incident,  and  was  eagerly 
turned  to  account  Among  the  ordnance  was  a  huge 
brass  mortar  of  a  new  construction,  weighing  near  three 
thousand  poimds.  It  was  considered  a  glorious  trophy, 
and  there  was  a  resolve  to  christen  it  Miflflin,  Wash- 
ington's secretary,  suggested  the  name.  The  mortar  was 
fixed  in  a  bed ;  old  Putnam  moxmted  it,  dashed  on  it  a 
bottle  of  rum,  and  gave  it  the  name  of  **  Congress."  The 
shouts  which  rent  the  air  were  heard  in  Boston.  When 
the  meaning  of  them  was  explained  to  the  British,  they 
observed,  that  '^should  their  expected  reinforcements 
arrive  in  time,  the  rebels  would  pay  dear  in  the  spring 
for  all  their  petty  triumphs." 

With  Washington,  this  transient  gleam  of  nautical 
success  was  soon  overshadowed  by  the  conduct  of  the 
cruisers  he  had  sent  to  the  St  Lawrence.  Failing  to 
intercept  the  brigantines,  the  object  of  their  cruise,  they 
landed  on  the  island  of  St  John's,  plxmdered  the  house 
of   the    governor   and   several   private    dwellings,  and 


A  JTOTBWOBTBT  JNOXDSIfT.  143 

brought  off  three  of  the  principal  inhahitanta  prisoners ; 
one  oJE  vhom,  Mr.  Oallbeok,  -was  president  of  the  ooanail« 
and  acted  as  goTemor. 

Theae  gentlemen  made  a  memorial  to  Washington  of 
this  soandalons  marand.  He  instantly  ordered  a  resto- 
ration of  the  effeotfl  which  had  been  pillaged :  of  his 
oondaot  towards  the  gentlemen  personally,  we  may  judge 
by  the  following  note  addressed  to  him  by  Mr.  Oall- 
beok:— 

*'I  ahonld  iU  deserre  the  generous  treatment  which 
your  Bzoellency  has  been  pleased  to  show  me,  had  I  not 
the  gratitude  to  acknowledge  so  great  a  &Tor.  I  cannot 
asoribe  any  port  of  it  to  my  own  merit,  but  mnst  impute 
ibe  wh(^  to  the  philanthropy  and  humane  disposition 
that  so  tmly  characterize  Oenerol  Washington.  Be  so 
obliging,  therefore,  as  to  accept  the  only  retnm  in  my 
power,  that  of  my  most  grateful  thanks."  * 

Shortly  after  the  foregoing  occurrence,  information 
ns  received  of  the  indignities  which  had  been  heaped 
Dpon  Colonel  Ethan  Allen,  when  captured  at  Montreal 
by  General  Frescott,  who,  himself  was  now  a  prisoner 
in  the  hands  of  the  Americans.  It  touched  Washing- 
ton on  a  point  on  which  he  was  most  sensitive  and  te- 
sacious,  the  treatment  of  American  officers  when  cap< 
tared ;  and  produced  the  following  letter  from  him  to 
General  Howe : — 

*  SsaAa.     WaaKUgton'e  Writmgi.  toI.  ilL  p.  191 


144  LIFB  OF  WASHINGTOIf. 

**  SiB» — ^We  have  jnst  been  informed  of  a  oirciimBtanoft 
which,  were  it  not  so  well  authenticated,  I  should 
Bcaroelj  think  credible.  It  is  that  Colonel  Allen,  who, 
with  his  small  party,  was  defeated  and  made  prisoner 
near  Montreal,  has  been  treated  without  regard  to  de- 
cency, humanity,  or  the  rules  of  war ;  that  he  has  been 
thrown  into  irons,  and  suffers  all  the  hardships  inflicted 
upon  common  felons. 

'^  I  think  it  my  duty,  sir,  to  demand,  and  do  expect 
from  you,  an  edaircissement  on  this  subject.  At  the 
same  time,  I  flatter  myself  from  the  character  which 
Mr.  Howe  bears  as  a  man  of  honor,  gentleman,  and 
soldier,  that  my  demand  will  meet  with  his  approbation. 
I  must  take  the  liberty,  also,  of  informing  jou  that  I 
shaU  consider  your  silence  as  a  confirmation  of  the 
report,  and  further  assuring  you,  that  whatever  treat- 
ment Ck)lonel  Allen  receives,  whatever  fate  he  under- 
goes, such  exactly  shall  be  the  treatment  and  fate  of 
Brigadier  Prescott,  now  in  our  hands.  The  law  of  re- 
taliation is  not  only  justifiable  in  the  eyes  of  God  and 
man,  but  absolutely  a  duty,  which,  in  our  present  cir- 
cumstances, we  owe  to  our  relations,  friends,  and  fellow 
citizens. 

'' Permit  me  to  add,  sir,  that  we  have  all  here  the 
highest  regard  and  reverence  for  your  great  personal 
qualities  and  attainments,  and  the  Americans  in  general 
esteem  it  as  not  the  least  of  their  misfortunes,  that  the 
name  of  Howe,  a  name  so  dear  to  them,  shoxdd  appear  at 


QBNBRAL  HOWE* 8  BBaSNTMBNT.  146 

ihe  head  of  the  oatalogne  of  the  instmmentB  employed 
by  a  wicked  ministiy  for  iheir  destmotion." 

General  Howe  felt  acutely  the  sorrowfol  reproach  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  letter.  It  was  a  reiteration  of  what 
liad  already  been  expressed  by  Congress ;  in  the  present 
instance  it  produced  irritation,  if  we  may  judge  from  the 
leply. 

**  SiB» — ^In  answer  to  your  letter,  I  am  to  acquaint  you 
that  my  command  does  not  extend  to  Canada.  Not  hav- 
ing any  accounts  wherein  the  name  of  Allen  is  mentioned, 
I  cannot  give  you  the  smallest  satisfaction  upon  the  sub- 
ject of  your  letter.  But  trusting  Major-general  Carleton's 
conduct  will  never  incur  censure  upon  any  occasion,  I  am 
to  conclude  in  the  instance  of  your  inquiry,  that  he  has 
not  forfeited  his  past  pretensions  to  decency  and  hu- 
manity. 

"  It  is  with  regret,  considering  the  character  you  have 
always  maintained  among  your  friends,  as  a  gentleman  of 
the  strictest  honor  and  delicacy,  that  I  find  cause  to  re- 
sent a  sentence  in  the  conclusion  of  your  letter,  big  with 
invective  against  my  superiors,  and  insulting  to  myself, 
which  should  obstruct  any  further  intercourse  between 
OS.    I  am,  sir,  etc." 

In  transmitting  a  copy  of  his  letter  to  the  President  of 

Congress,  Washington  observed  :  "  My  reason  for  point* 

ing  out  Brigadier-general  Frescott  as  the  object  who  is 
VOL.  n.— 10 


X46  I^^  OF  WASHINGTOir. 

to  suffer  for  Mr.  Allen's  fate,  is,  that  bj  letters  from 
General  Schuyler  and  copies  of  letters  from  General 
Montgomery  to  Schuyler,  I  am  given  to  understand  that 
Prescott  is  the  cause  of  Allen's  sufferings.  I  thought  it 
best  to  be  decisive  on  the  occasion,  as  did  the  generals 
whom  I  consxdted  thereon." 

For  the  sake  of  continuity  we  will  anticipate  a  few 
fiEkcts  connected  with  the  story  of  Ethan  Allen.  Within  a 
few  weeks  after  the  preceding  correspondence,  Washing- 
ton received  a  letter  from  Levi  Allen,  a  brother  to  the 
colonel,  and  of  like  enterprising  and  enthusiastic  charac- 
ter. It  was  dated  from  Salisbury  in  Oonnecticut;  and 
inclosed  affidavits  of  the  harsh  treatment  his  brother  had 
experienced,  and  of  his  being  confined  on  board  of  the 
Oaspee^  *'  with  a  bar  of  iron  fixed  to  one  of  his  legs  and 
iron  to  his  hands."  Levi  was  bent  upon  effecting  his  de** 
Uverance,  and  the  mode  proposed  was  in  unison  with  the 
bold,  but  wild  schemes  of  the  colonel  We  quote  his 
crude,  but  characteristic  letter. 

''Have  some  thoughts  of  going  to  England,  incognito, 
after  my  brother ;  but  am  not  positively  certain  he  is  sent 
there,  though  believe  he  is.  Beg  your  Excellency  will 
favor  me  with  a  line,  and  acquaint  me  of  any  intelligence 
concerning  him,  and  if  your  Excellency  please,  your 
opinion  of  the  expediency  of  going  after  him,  and  whether 
your  Excellency  would  think  proper  to  advance  any 
money  for  that  purpose,  as  my  brother  was  a  man  blessed 
with  more  fortitude  than  fortune.     Your  Excellency  laarf 


SETALtATmHr.  lit 

flunk,  at  fixBt  thought,  I  can  do  nothing  1^  going  to  En^f- 
land ;  I  feel  as  if  I  ooold  do  a  great  deal,  by  raising  a  mob 
in  London,  bribing  the  jailer,  or  bj  getting  into  Bome 
aervile  employment  viih  the  jailer,  and  oyer-faithfalneu 
moke  myself  master  of  the  key,  or  at  least  be  able  to  lay 
my  hand  on  it  some  night  I  beg  yoor  Ikoellenciy  Till 
ooontenanoe  my  going ;  can  mnster  more  than  one  hun- 
dred pounds,  my  own  property;  shall  regard  spending 
that  no  nune  than  one  copper.  Your  Excellency  most 
knov  Allen  was  not  onfy  a  brother,  bat  a  real  friend  that 
atioketh  closer  than  a  brother." 

In  a  postscript  he  adds,  "  cannot  lire  without  going  to 
Blnglii.Tii^j  if  my  toother  is  sent  there. " 

In  reply,  Washington  intimated  a  belief  that  the  cot 
imel  had  been  sent  to  England,  but  discountenanced 
Levi's  wild  project  of  following  him  thither ;  as  there  was 
no  probability  of  its  snooess,  and  he  woidd  be  ronning 
Himself  into  danger  without  a  prospect  of  rendering  ser- 
fioe  to  his  brother. 

The  measnre  of  retaliation  mentioned  in  Washington's 
letter  to  Howe,  was  actnally  meted  ont  by  Congress  on 
the  arrival  of  (General  Frescott  in  Philadelphia.  He  was 
ordered  into  close  confinement  in  the  jail;  though  not 
put  in  irons.  He  was  subsequently  released  from  con- 
finement,  on  aocoont  of  ill-health,  and  was  treated  hy 
aome  Philadelphia  families  with  unmerited  hospitality.* 

*  Tbomu  Walker,  «  merchuit  of  Hontreftl,  vho,  ftooased  of  tnltorona 
with  the  Amerioaiu,  had  beea  throvn  into  prison  doring  Prv 


148  LIFE  OF  WAanmOTON. 

At  the  time  of  the  foregoing  correspondenoe  with 
Howe,  Washington  was  earnestly  oocapied  preparing 
works  for  the  bombardment  of  Boston,  should  that  meas- 
ure be  resolved  upon  by  Congress.  General  Patnam,  in 
the  preceding  month,  had  taken  possession  in  the  night 
of  Cobble  Hill  without  molestation  from  the  enemy, 
though  a  commanding  eminence  ;  and  in  two  days  had 
constructed  a  work,  which,  from  its  strength,  was  named 
Putnam's  impregnable  fortress. 

He  was  now  engaged  on  another  work  on  Lechmere 
Point,  to  be  connected  with  the  works  at  Cobble  Hill  by 
a  bridge  thrown  across  Willis*  Creek,  and  a  covered  way. 
Lechmere  Point  is  immediately  opposite  the  west  part  of 
Boston;  and  the  Soarborotyh  shipof-war  was  anchored 
near  it.  Putnam  availed  himself  of  a  dark  and  foggy  day 
(Dec.  17),  to  commence  operations,  and  broke  ground 
with  four  hundred  men,  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning,  on 
a  hill  at  the  Point  "The  mist,"  says  a  contemporary 
account,  "  was  so  great  as  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  dis- 
covering what  he  was  about  until  near  twelve  o'clock, 

oott's  sway,  and  his  country-house  burnt  down,  undertook  a  journey  to 
Philadelphia  in  the  depth  of  winter,  when  he  understood  the  general  was 
a  oaptiTe  there,  trusting  to  obtain  satisfaction  for  his  ill-treatment  To 
his  great  surprise,  he  found  Mr.  Prescott  lodged  in  the  best  tayem  of  the 
place,  walking  or  riding  at  large  through  Philadelphia  and  Bucks  ooun- 
tioB,  feasting  with  gentlemen  of  the  first  rank  in  the  province,  and  keep- 
ing a  levee  for  the  reception  of  the  grandees.  In  consequence  of  which 
iinaocountable  phenomena,  and  the  little  prospect  of  his  obtaining  any 
adequate  redress  in  the  present  unsettled  state  of  public  affairs,  Mr. 
Walker  has  returned  to  MontreaL— Am.  Arehiw9,  4th  Series,  toL  iy. 
1178. 


OONBTBUOTIOK  OF  BATTEBIE&  U9 

when  it  deared  up,  and  opened  to  their  view  onr  whole 
party  at  the  Point,  and  another  at  the  causeway  throwing 
a  bridge  over  the  oreek.  The  Scarborough,  anchored  ofl 
the  Pointy  poured  in  a  broadside.  The  enemy  from  Bos- 
ton threw  shells.  The  garrison  at  Cobble  Hill  re« 
tamed  fire.  Onr  men  were  obliged  to  decamp  from  the 
Pointy  bat  the  work  was  resumed  by  the  brave  old  gen« 
eral  at  night" 

On  the  next  morning,  a  cannonade  from  Cobble  Hill 
obliged  the  Scarborough  to  weigh  anchor,  and  drop  down 
below  the  ferry ;  and  Oeneral  Heath  was  detached  with 
a  pariy  of  men  to  carry  on  the  work  which  Putnam  had 
commenced.  The  enemy  resumed  their  fire.  Sentinels 
were  placed  to  give  notice  of  a  shot  or  shell ;  the  men 
would  crouch  down  or  dodge  it,  and  continue  on  with 
Uieir  work.  The  fire  ceased  in  the  afternoon,  and  Wash- 
ington visited  the  hill  accompanied  by  several  officers, 
tnd  inspected  the  progress  of  the  work.  It  was  to  con- 
sist of  two  redoubts,  on  one  of  which  was  to  be  a  mortar 
battery.  There  was,  as  yet,  a  deficiency  of  ordnance ; 
but  the  prize  mortar  was  to  be  mounted  which  Putnam 
had  recently  christened,  ''The  Congress."  From  the 
spirit  with  which  the  work  was  carried  on,  Washington 
trusted  that  it  would  soon  be  completed,  "  and  then,** 
said  he,  ''if  we  have  powder  to  sport  with,  and  Congress 
gives  the  word,  Boston  can  be  bombarded  from  this  point.** 

For  several  days  the  labor  at  the  works  was  continued; 
tlie  redoubts  were  thrown  up,  and  a  covered  way  was 


ISO  iJ^^  OP  WAssmoTor. 

eonstraoted  leading  down  to  the  bridge.  AH  this  waa 
done  notwithstanding  the  continaal  fire  of  the  enemy. 
The  letter  of  a  British  officer  gives  his  idea  of  the  effi- 
cdenqy  of  the  work. 

**  The  rebels  for  some  days  have  been  ereoting  a  bat* 
tery  on  Phipps*  Farm.  The  new  constmcted  mortar 
taken  on  board  the  ordnanoe  brig,  we  are  told,  will  be 
mounted  upon  it,  and  we  expect  a  warm  salute  from  the 
shells,  another  part  of  that  vessel's  cargo;  so  that,  in 
spite  of  her  capture,  we  are  likely  to  be  complimented 
with  the  contents  of  her  lading. 

**  If  the  rebels  can  complete  their  battery,  this  town 
will  be  on  fire  about  our  ears  a  few  hours  after ;  all  our 
buildings  being  of  wood,  or  a  mixture  of  brick  and  wood* 
work.  Had  the  rebels  erected  their  battery  on  the  other 
side  of  the  town,  at  Dorchester,  the  admiral  and  all  his 
booms  would  have  made  the  first  blaze,  and  the  burning 
of  the  town  would  have  followed.  If  we  cannot  destroy 
the  rebel  battery  by  our  guns,  we  must  march  out  and 
take  it  sword  in  hand.** 

Putnam  anticipated  great  effects  from  this  work,  and 
especially  from  his  grand  mortar,  "  The  Congress.**  Shells 
there  were  in  abundance  for  a  bombardment;  the  only 
thing  wanting  was  a  supply  of  powder.  One  of  the  officers, 
writing  of  the  unusual  mildness  of  the  winter,  observes: 
''  Everything  thaws  here  except  old  Pui  He  is  still  aa 
hard  as  ever,  crying  out  for  powder — ^powder — ^powdeiE^ 
Te  gods,  give  us  powder.*' 


OHAFFEB  XL 

wnmn  vwaaKoa  a  danobb.— mbs.  washinoton  invitbd  to  ths  camp.— lums 

WABHDrOTOK,  THS  OBNBBAL'S  AOKNT.— TBBXS  ON  WHICH  HE  BBBYBS.— IN- 
8TKD0THD  TO  KBBP  UP  THB  HOSPITALITT  OF  THE  HOU8B. — JOUBNBT  OF  MB& 
WABKINOTON  TO  GAMP.— HER  EQUIPAGE  AND  LIYBRIES.— ARBIVAL  AT  OAMP. 
— IXnfBSnO  AFFAIB8  AT  HSAD-QUARTEB8.— OATBTUB8  IN  CAMP.— A  BBAWI. 
BOUNIWACKET8  AND  BIFLE-SHIBTS. 


...y>  ^ 


Mil)  the  yarioas  concerns  of  the  war,  and  the  mul- 
tiplied perplexities  of  the  camp,  the  thoughts 
of  Washington  continually  reverted  to  his  home 
on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac.  A  constant  correspondence 
was  kept  up  between  him  and  his  agent,  Mr.  Lund  Wash- 
ington, who  had  charge  of  his  various  estates.  The  gen- 
eral gave  dear  and  minute  directions  as  to  their  manage- 
ment, and  the  agent  rendered  as  clear  and  minute  returns 
of  eyetything  that  had  been  done  in  consequence. 

According  to  recent  accounts,  Mount  Yemon  had  been 
considered  in  danger.  Lord  Dunmore  was  exercising 
martial  law  in  the  Ancient  Dominion,  and  it  was  feared 
that  the  fayorite  abode  of  the  **  rebel  commander-in-chief*' 
would  be  marked  out  for  hostility,  and  that  the  enemy 
might  land  from  their  ships  in  the  Potomac,  and  lay  it 
traste.    Waahington*s  brother,  John  Augustine,  had  en- 

m 


16S  UFB  OF  WASHINQTOlSf. 

treated  Mrs.  Washington  to  leave  ii  The  people  of  Loil« 
dooD  had  advised  her  to  seek  refuge  beyond  the  Blue 
Bidge,  and  had  offered  to  send  a  guard  to  escort  her. 
She  had  declined  the  offer,  not  considering  herself  in 
danger.  Lund  Washington  was  equally  free  from  appre- 
hensions on  the  subject.  "Lord  Dunmore/'  writes  he^ 
"  will  hardly  himself  venture  up  this  river,  nor  do  I  be- 
Ueve  he  will  send  on  that  errand.  You  may  depend  I  wiU 
be  watchful,  and  upon  the  least  alarm  persuade  her  to 
move." 

Though  alive  to  everything  concerning  Mount  Vernon, 
Washington  agreed  with  them  in  deeming  it  in  no  present 
danger  of  molestation  by  the  enemy.  Still  he  felt  for  the 
loneliness  of  Mrs.  Washington's  situation,  heightened  as 
it  must  be  by  anxiety  on  his  own  account  On  taking 
command  of  the  army,  he  had  held  out  a  prospect  to  her, 
that  he  would  rejoin  her  at  home  in  the  autumn ;  there 
was  now  a  probability  of  his  being  detained  before  Bos- 
ton all  winter.  He  wrote  to  her,  therefore,  by  express, 
in  November,  inviting  her  to  join  him  at  the  camp.  He 
at  the  same  time  wrote  to  Lund  Washington,  engaging 
his  continued  services  as  an  agent  This  person,  though 
bearing  the  same  name,  and  probably  of  the  same  stock, 
does  not  appear  to  have  been  in  any  near  degree  of  rela- 
tionship. Washington's  letter  to  him  gives  a  picture  of 
his  domestic  policy. 

"  I  will  engage  for  the  year  coming,  and  the  year  foL 
lowing,  if  these  troubles  and  my  absence  continue,  that 


AFFAIRS  AT  MOUNT  VERNOX,  153 

your  wages  shall  be  standing  and  certain  at  the  highest 

amoimt  that  any  one  year's  crop  has  produced  you  yet. 

I  do  not  offer  this  as  any  temptation  to  induce  you  to  go 

on  more  cheerfully  in  prosecuting  those  schemes  of  mine. 

I  should  do  injustice  to  you  were  I  not  to  acknowledge, 

that  your  conduct  has  ever  appeared  to  me  above  eyery- 

thing  sordid ;  but  I  offer  it  in  consideration  of  the  great 

charge  you  have  upon  your  hands,  and  my  entire  depend* 

ence  upon  your  fidelity  and  industry. 

"It  is  the  greatest,  indeed  it  is  the  only  comfortable 
loflection  I  enjoy  on  this  score,  that  my  business  is  in  the 
hands  of  a  person  concerning  whose  integrity  I  have  not 
a  doubt,  and  on  whose  care  I  can  rely.  Were  it  not  foi 
this,  I  should  feel  very  unhappy  on  account  of  the  situa- 
tion of  my  aflEEurs.  But  I  am  persuaded  you  will  do  for 
ma  as  you  would  for  yoursell'* 

The  following  were  his  noble  directions  concerning 
Monnt  Yemon : — 

^Let  the  hospitality  of  the  house  with  respect  to  the 

poor  be  kept  up.    Let  no  one  go  hungry  away.    If  any  of 

this  kind  of  people  should  be  in  want  of  com,  supply 

their  necessaries,  provided  it  does  not  encourage  them  to 

idleness;   and  I  have  no  objection  to  your  giving  my 

money  in  charity  to  the  amount  of  forty  or  fifty  pounds  a 

jear,  when  you  think  it  well  bestowed.    What  I  mean  by 

having  no  objection  is,  that  it  is  my  desire  it  should  be 

done.    You  are  to  consider  that  neither  myself  nor  wife 

la  now  in  the  way  to  do  those  good  offices." 


164  UFB  OF  WA8HINGT0]f. 

Mrs.  Washington  came  on  with  her  own  carriage  and 
horseSy  accompanied  by  her  son,  Mr.  Cnstis,  and  his  wife. 
She  travelled  by  very  easy  stages,  partly  on  aooonnt  of 
the  badness  of  the  roads,  partly  oat  of  regard  to  the 
horses,  of  which  Washington  was  always  very  careful,  and 
which  were  generally  remarkable  for  beaaty  and  excel* 
lence.  Escorts  and  guards  of  honor  attended  her  from 
place  to  place,  and  she  was  detained  some  time  at  Phila- 
delphia, by  the  devoted  attention  of  the  inhabitants. 

Her  arrival  at  Cambridge  was  a  glad  event  in  the 
army.  Incidental  mention  is  made  of  the  equipage  in 
which  she  appeared  there.  A  chariot  and  four,  with 
black  postilions  in  scarlet  and  white  liveries.  It  has 
been  suggested  that  this  was  an  English  style  of  equi- 
page, derived  from  the  Fairfaxes ;  but  in  truth  it  was  a 
style  still  prevalent  at  that  day  in  Virginia. 

It  would  appear  that  dinner  invitations  to  head-quar- 
ters were  becoming  matters  of  pride  and  solicitude.  ''  I 
am  much  obliged  to  you,"  writes  Washington  to  Beed» 
**  for  the  hints  respecting  the  jealousies  which  you  say 
are  gone  abroad.  I  cannot  charge  myself  with  incivility, 
or  what  in  my  opinion  is  tantamount,  ceremonious  civility 
to  gentlemen  of  this  colony ;  but  if  such  my  conduct  ap- 
pears, I  will  endeavor  at  a  reformation ;  as  I  can  assure 
you,  my  dear  Beed,  that  I  wish  to  walk  in  such  a  line  as 
will  give  most  general  satiisfaction.  You  know  that  it 
was  my  wish  at  first  to  invite  a  certain  number  to  dinner, 
but  unintentionally  we  somehow  or  other  missed  of  iv 


HEAD-qUABTEBB.  155 

If  ihiB  has  given  rise  to  the  jealoosyy  I  can  only  say  that 
I  am  Teiy  sony  for  it ;  at  the  same  time  I  add,  that  it  was 
rather  owing  to  inattention,  or,  more  properly,  too  muoh 
attention  to  other  matters,  whioh  cansed  me  to  neglect  ii  " 

And  in  another  letter : — 

''My  constant  attention  to  the  great  and  perplexing 
olijects  which  continually  arise  to  my  view,  absorbs  all 
leaser  considerations ;  and,  indeed,  scarcely  allows  me  to 
reflect  that  there  is  such  a  body  as  the  Gbneral  Court  of 
this  colony,  but  when  I  am  reminded  of  it  by  a  com- 
mittee; nor  can  I,  upon  recollection,  discover  in  what 
instance  I  have  been  inattentive  to,  or  slighted  them* 
They  could  not  surely  conceive  that  there  was  a  propri** 
ety  in  unbosoming  the  secrets  of  the  army  to  them;  that 
it  was  necessary  to  ask  their  opinion  in  throwing  up  an 
intrenohment  or  forming  a  battalion.  It  must  be,  there- 
fore, what  I  before  hinted  to  you ;  and  how  to  remedy  it 
I  hardly  know,  as  I  am  acquainted  with  few  of  the  mem- 
bers, never  go  out  of  my  own  lines,  nor  see  any  of  them 
inthem.** 

The  presence  of  Mrs.  Washington  soon  relieved  the 
general  from  this  kind  of  perplexity.  She  presided  at 
head-quarters,  with  mingled  dignity  and  affiEtbility.  We 
liave  an  anecdote  or  two  of  the  internal  affairs  of  head- 
quarters,  furnished  by  the  descendant  of  one  who  was  an 
occasional  inmate  there. 

Washington  had  prayers  morning  and  evening,  and  was 
regular  in  his  attendance  at  the  church  in  which  he  was 


166  i^^^Q'^  OF  WASSmGTOJr. 

a  commtuiicant.  On  one  occasion^  for  want  of  a  cleigj« 
man,  the  Episcopal  service  was  read  by  Oolonel  William 
Faifrey,  one  of  Washington's  aides-de-camp ;  who  snb« 
stituted  a  prayer  of  his  own  composition  in  place  of  the 
one  formerly  offered  up  for  the  king. 

Not  long  after  her  arrival  in  camp,  Mrs.  Washington 
claimed  to  keep  Twelfth-night  in  dne  style,  as  the  anni* 
versary  of  her  wedding.  "  The  general,"  says  the  same 
informant,  **was  somewhat  thoughtful,  and  said  he  was 
afraid  he  must  refuse  ii"  His  objections  were  overcome, 
and  Twelfth-night  and  the  wedding  anniversary  were 
duly  celebrated. 

There  seems  to  have  been  more  conviviality  at  the 
quarters  of  some  of  the  other  generals ;  their  time  and 
minds  were  less  intensely  engrossed  by  anxious  cares, 
having  only  their  individual  departments  to  attend  ta 
Adjutant-general  Mifflin's  house  appears  to  have  been  a 
gay  one.  '^He  was  a  man  of  education,  ready  apprehen- 
sion, and  brilliancy,"  says  Graydon;  "had  spent  some 
time  in  Europe,  particularly  in  France,  and  was  very 
easy  of  access,  with  the  manners  of  genteel  life,  though 
occasionally  evolving  those  of  the  Quaker."  * 

Mrs.  Adams  gives  an  account  of  an  evening  party  at 
his  house.  "  I  was  very  politely  entertained  and  noticed 
by  the  generals,"  writes  she,  "more  especially  Qeneral 
Lee,  who  was  very  urgent  for  me  to  tarry  in  town,  and 

*  Qiaydon's  Memoirs,  p.  154. 


FgarirrriBs  at  ssaj>-quabtsb3.  157 

dine  vith  him  and  the  ladies  present  at  Hol^blin  Hall ; 
bat  I  excused  niTBdli  The  general  waa  determined  that 
I  shoold  not  onlj  be  aoqnainted  vith  him,  bat  with  his 
oompaiiions  too;  and  therefore  placed  a  chair  before 
me,  into  which  he  ordered  Mr.  Spada  (his  d(^  to  mount, 
■nd  present  his  paw  to  me  for  a  better  acquaintance.  I 
ocntld  not  do  otherwise  than  accept  it"  * 

John  Adams,  likewise,  gives  ns  a  picture  of  festiTities 
at  head-qoarters,  where  he  was  a  visitant  on  the  recess 
of  CongreBB. 

"I  dined  at  Colonel  Mifflin's  with  the  general  (Wash- 
ington) and  lady,  and  a  vaet  collection  of  other  company, 
among  whom  were  six  or  seven  sachems  and  warriors  o! 
the  French  Canghnawaga  Indians,  with  their  wives  and 
diildren.  A  savage  feast  they  made  of  it ;  yet  were  very 
polite  in  the  Indian  style.  I  was  introduced  to  them  by 
ttie  general  as  one  of  the  grand  cooncil  at  Philadelphia, 
which  made  them  prick  op  their  ears.  They  came  and 
shook  hands  with  me."  t 

While  giving  these  fATnilinr  scenes  and  occurrences  at 
the  camp,  we  are  tempted  to  subjoin  one  famished  from 
the  manoscript  memoir  of  an  eye-witness.  A  large  party 
of  Virginia  riflemen,  who  had  recently  arrived  in  camp, 
were  strolling  abont  Cambridge,  and  viewing  the  colle- 

'LttUnofMr.  Adamt,  toL  i  p.  SB. 

f  Adaou'  Ldten,  rot.  ii.  p.  80.  Adams  adda,  that  they  mode  him 
"low  bovB  and  •crapes'' — a  kind  at  homage  narer  paid  by  an  Indias 


168  LIFE  OF  WABHINQTON. 

giate  btiildiiigs,  now  turned  into  barracks.  Their  half* 
Indian  equipments^  and  fringed  and  ruffled  hunting  garbsi 
provoked  the  merriment  of  some  troops  from  Marble** 
head,  chiefly  fishermen  and  sailors,  who  thought  noth- 
ing equal  to  the  round  jacket  and  trowsers.  A  banter- 
ing ensued  between  them.  There  was  snow  upon  the 
ground,  and  snow-balls  began  to  fly  when  jokes  were 
wanting.  The  parties  waxed  warm  with  the  contest 
They  closed,  and  came  to  blows ;  both  sides  were  rein- 
forced, and  in  a  little  while  at  least  a  thousand  were  at 
fisticufls,  and  there  was  a  tumult  in  the  camp  worthy  of 
the  days  of  Homer.  ''  At  this  juncture,"  writes  our  in- 
formant, ''Washington  made  his  appearance,  whether 
by  accident  or  design,  I  never  knew.  I  saw  none  of  his 
aides  with  him;  his  black  servant  just  behind  him 
mounted.  He  threw  the  bridle  of  his  own  horse  into  his 
servant's  hands,  sprang  from  his  seat,  rushed  into  the 
thickest  of  the  melee,  seized  two  tall  brawny  riflemen  by 
the  throat,  keeping  them  at  arm's-length,  talking  to  and 
shaking  them." 

As  they  were  from  his  own  province,  he  may  have  felt 
peculiarly  responsible  for  their  good  conduct ;  they  were 
engaged,  too,  in  one  of  those  sectional  brawls  which  were 
his  especial  abhorrence ;  his  reprimand  must,  therefore, 
have  been  a  vehement  one.  He  was  commanding  in  his 
serenest  moments,  but  irresistible  in  his  bursts  of  indig- 
nation. On  the  present  occasion,  we  are  told,  his  ap- 
pearance and  strong-handed  rebuke  put  an  instant  end 


aroppnrG  a  camp  b&awl. 


169 


fo  the  tnmnlt  The  oombatantB  dispersed  in  all  direo- 
tiona,  and  in  less  ihan  three  minutes  none  remained  on 
the  groDud  but  the  two  be  had  collared. 

The  Teteran  who  records  this  ezeroise  of  military  aiH 
tliority,  seems  at  a  loss  which  most  to  admire,  the  Bio>- 
plicity  of  the  process  or  the  vigor  with  which  it  was 
administered.  "Here,"  writes  be,  "bloodshed,  impris- 
onments, trials  \>j  oonrt-martial,  Tevengefol  feelings  be- 
tween the  difGarent  corps  of  the  armj,  were  happily 
piBvented  \fj  the  physical  and  mental  energies  of  a  sin- 
gle person,  and  the  only  damage  resulting  from  the  fierce 
moonnteT  was  a  few  torn  hnnting  frocks  and  roond 
iBdratB."* 

*  I^om  memoianda  written  st  uiadvanoed  age,  bjUielate  Hon.  Inael 
Tnak ;  wbt^  •mbea  bnt  ten  jean  cdd,  wu  in  tha  oamp  at  Oamlnldgs  wiOi 
U>  Uher,  wbo  wm  »  UentenanL 


OHAPTEB  Xn. 

AlVAIBS  m  OANADA. — ARNOLD  AT  I'OINT  LEVI. — QUEBBO  REIKTOBOBD.- 

DfO  OF  THE  8T.  LAWRENCE.— LANDING  IN  WOLFE'S  COVE.— ARNOLD  OK  T&4 
HEIGHTS  OF  ABRAHAM. — CAUTIOUS  COUNSEL. —QUEBEC  AROUSED.— THX  Uh 
YADERS  BAFFLED. — WITHDRAW  TO  POINT  AUX  TREMBLBS.^BOOMIHG  Of 
OAKKOH.— OARLBTOH  AT  QUBBBO.— LETTBR  OF  WAaHOiaTOIl  TO  ABHOLD. 

|E  again  torn  from   the  siege  of  Boston,  to  the 
invasion  of  Canada,  which  at  that  time  shared 
the  anxious  thoughts  of  Washington.     His  last 
accounts  of  the  movements  of  Arnold,  left  him  at  Point 
Levi,  opposite  to  Quebec.     Something  brilliant  from  thai 
daring  officer  was  anticipated.    It  was  his  intention  to 
cross  the  river  immediately.     Had  he  done  so,  he  might 
have  carried  the  town  by  a  coup  de  main  ;  for  terror  as  well 
as  disaffection  prevailed  among  the  inhabitants.  At  Point 
Levi,  however,  he  was  brought  to  a  stand;  not  a  boat 
was  to  be  found  there.    Letters  which  he  had  despatched 
some  days  previously,  by  two  Lidisms,  to  Generals  Schuy- 
ler and  Montgomery,  had  been  carried  by  his  faithless 
messengers,  to  Oaramhe,  the   lieutenant-governor,   who, 
thus  apprised  of  the  impending  danger,  had  caused  all 
the  boats  of  Point  Levi  to  be  either  removed  or  de- 
stroyed. 

100 


VBOaaiNG  THE  8T,  LAWRENCE.  161 

Arnold  was  not  a  man  to  be  disheartened  by  diffiool- 
ties.  With  great  exertions  he  procured  aboat  forty  birch 
canoes  from  the  Canadians  and  Indians,  with  forty  of  the 
latter  to  nayigate  them ;  bat  stormy  winds  arose,  and  for 
some  days  the  river  was  too  boisterous  for  such  frail 
craft  In  the  meantime  the  garrison  at  Qaebec  was 
gaining  strength.  Recmite  arrived  from  Nova  Scotia. 
The  veteran  Madean,  too,  who  had  been  driven  from  the 
moaih  of  the  Sorel  by  the  detachment  under  Brown  and 
livingston,  arrived  down  the  river  with  his  corps  of 
Boyal  Highland  Emigrante,  and  threw  himself  into  the 
place.  The  lAstard  frigate,  the  Hornet  sloop-of-war,  and 
two  armed  schooners  were  stetioned  in  the  river,  and 
gnard-boate  patrolled  at  nighi  The  prospect  of  a  suo- 
cessfnl  attack  upon  the  place  was  growing  desperate. 

On  the  13th  of  November,  Arnold  received  intelligence 
that  Montgomery  had  captured  St.  John's.  He  was  in- 
Btanily  roused  to  emulation.  His  men,  too,  were  inspir- 
ited by  the  news.  The  wind  had  abated ;  he  determined 
to  Gross  the  river  that  very  night  At  a  late  hour  in  the 
evening  he*  embarked  with  the  first  division,  principally 
riflemen.  The  river  was  wide;  the  current  rapid;  the 
birdi  canoes,  easy  to  be  upset,  required  skillful  manage- 
ment By  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  a  large  part  of  his 
force  bad  crossed  without  being  perceived,  and  landed 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  above  Oape  Diamond,  at  Wolfe's 
Cbve,  BO  called  from  being  the  landing-place  of  that  gal« 
lant  commander. 


i 


162  LIFB  OF  WABSmOTOJf. 

Just  then  a  guard-boaty  belonging  to  the  Lizard^  oame 
slowly  along  shore  and  disoovered  them.  They  hailed  iti 
and  ordered  it  to  land.  Not  complying  it  was  fired  into^ 
and  three  men  were  killed.  The  boat  instantly  pnlled 
for  the  frigate,  giving  yociferoos  alarm. 

Without  waiting  the  arrival  of  the  residue  of  his  men, 
for  whom  the  canoes  had  been  despatched,  Arnold  led 
those  who  had  landed  to  the  foot  of  the  cragged  defile, 
once  scaled  by  the  intrepid  Wolfe,  and  scrambled  up  it 
in  all  haste.  By  daylight  he  had  planted  his  daring  flag 
on  the  far-famed  Heights  of  Abraham. 

Here  the  main  difficulty  stared  him  in  the  &ce.  A 
strong  line  of  walls  and  bastions  traversed  the  promon- 
tory from  one  of  its  precipitous  sides  to  the  other;  in- 
closing the  upper  and  lower  towns.  On  the  right,  the 
great  bastion  of  Cape  Diamond  crowned  the  rocky  height 
of  that  name.  On  the  left  was  the  bastion  of  La  Potasse, 
close  by  the  gate  of  St.  John's  opening  upon  the  bar- 
racks; the  gate  where  Wolfe's  antagonist,  the  gallant 
Montcalm,  received  his  death  wound. 

A  council  of  war  was  now  held.  Arnold,  who  had 
some  knowledge  of  the  place,  was  for  dashing  forward 
at  once  and  storming  the  gate  of  St  John's.  Had  they 
done  so,  they  might  have  been  successful.  The  gate  was 
open  and  unguarded.  Through  some  blunder  and  delay, 
a  message  from  the  commander  of  the  Lizard  to  the  lieu- 
tenant-governor had  not  yet  been  delivered,  and  no  alarm 
had  reached  the  fortress. 


ASNOLD  OJF  TBB  BBIOHT8  OF  ABRAHAM.       168 

The  foniiidable  aspect  of  the  pUce,  however,  awed 
Arnold's  asBocdates  in  ooonoiL  Thej  oonsidered  thai 
their  vhole  foroe  waa  bat  betveen  Beven  and  ei^t  hun- 
dred men ;  that  nearly  one  tlkird  of  their  fire-arms  had 
been  rendered  useless,  and  much  of  their  ammnnition  dam- 
aged in  their  march  throogh  the  -wilderness ;  they  had  no 
artillery,  and  the  fortress  looked  too  strong  to  be  carried 
try  a  cowp  de  mam.  Cantioos  ooimsel  is  often  fatal  to  a 
daring  enterprise.  While  the  oonnoil  of  war  deliberated, 
the  fsTorable  moment  passed  away.  The  lientenanfrf^T- 
smor  reoeiTed  the  tardy  message.  He  hastily  assembled 
the  merchants,  offioeis  of  Tnilirift,  and  oaptains  of  mer> 
chant  Tessels.  All  promised  to  stand  by  him ;  he  had 
itrong  distnist,  however,  of  the  French  part  of  the  popn- 
Istion  "■"'^  the  Canadian  militia;  his  main  reliance  was 
on  Colonel  Maclean  and  his  Boyal  Highland  Emigrants. 

The  din  of  arms  now  resonnded  throagh  the  streets. 
The  cry  was  np — "The  enemy  are  on  the  Heights  of 
Abraham  I  The  gate  of  St.  John's  is  open  t "  There  was 
an  attempt  to  shnt  it.  The  keys  were  not  to  be  fonnd. 
It  was  hastily  secured  by  ropes  and  handspikes,  and  the 
walls  looking  npon  the  heists  were  soon  manned  by  the 
militaiy,  and  tiironged  by  the  populace. 

Arnold  paraded  his  men  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the 
walls,  and  caused  them  to  ^ve  three  hearty  cheers; 
hoping  to  excite  a  revolt  in  the  place,  or  to  provoke  the 
scanty  garrison  to  a  sally.  There  were  a  few  scattered 
cheerily  in  retom;  bat  the  taunting  bravo  failed  to 


164  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTOir. 

produce  a  sortie ;  the  goyemor  dared  not  yentnre  beyond 
the  walls  with  part  of  his  garrison,  having  too  little  con- 
fidence in  the  loyalty  of  those  who  would  remain  behind. 
There  was  some  firing  on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  but 
merely  as  an  additional  taunt ;  they  were  too  far  off  for 
their  musketry  to  have  effect  A  large  cannon  on  the 
ramparts  was  brought  to  bear  on  them,  and  nmtohes 
were  procured  from  the  Lizard^  with  which  to  fire  it  off 
A  few  shots  obliged  the  Americans  to  retire  and  encamp. 

In  the  evening  Arnold  sent  a  flag,  demanding  in  the 
name  of  the  United  Oolonies  the  surrender  of  the  place. 
Some  of  the  disaffected  and  the  faint-hearted  were  in-« 
clined  to  open  the  gate,  but  were  held  in  check  by  the 
mastiff  loyalty  of  Maclean.  The  veteran  guarded  the 
gate  with  his  Highlanders;  forbade  all  communication 
with  the  besiegers,  and  fired  upon  their  flag  as  an  ensign 
of  rebellion. 

Several  days  elapsed.  Arnold's  flags  of  truce  were  re< 
peatedly  insulted,  but  he  saw  the  futility  of  resenting  it, 
and  attacking  the  place  with  his  present  means.  The 
inhabitants  gradually  recovered  from  their  alarm,  and 
armed  themselves  to  defend  their  property.  The  sailors 
and  marines  proved  a  valuable  addition  to  the  garrison, 
which  now  really  meditated  a  sortie. 

Arnold  received  information  of  all  this  from  friends 
within  the  walls ;  he  heard  about  the  same  time  of  the 
capture  of  Montreal,  and  that  deneral  Oarleton,  having 
escaped  from  that  place,  was  on  his  way  down  to  Quebea 


WJuBBmeTOir  to  arutold.  igg 

Xe  thought  at  present,  therefore,  to  drsv  off  on  the  19th 
"to  Point  aux  Tren^iea  (Aspen-tree  Point),  twenty  miles 
sboTe  Quebec^  there  to  await  the  aniTal  of  Qeneral 
Hftmtgomeiy  with  troops  and  artillerj.  Ab  his  little 
armj  wauded  its  way  along  the  high  bank  of  the  river 
&owardB  its  destined  encampment,  a  vessel  passed  below, 
'^hioh  had  jnst  tonohed  at  Point  anx  Trembles.  On 
tioard  of  it  wag  General  Oarleton,  hnnjing  on  to  Qnebeo. 
It  was  not  long  before  the  distant  booming  of  artillery 
-told  of  his  arriTal  at  his  post,  where  he  resnmed  a  stem 
oonunand.  He  was  nnpopnlor  among  the  inhabitants ; 
even  the  British  merohants  and  other  men  of  bosiness 
"Were  offended  by  the  coldness  of  his  manners,  and  his 
oonfining  tiiti  intiniacT  to  the  military  and  the  Canadian 
noblesse. 

He  was  aware  of  his  nnpopnlarity,  and  looked  ronnd 
him  with  distrust ;  his  first  measure  was  to  turn  ont  of 
Uie  place  all  suspected  persons,  and  all  who  refused  to 
^  in  its  defense.  This  caused  a  great  "  trooping  out  of 
town,"  but  what  was  lost  in  numbers  was  gained  in 
rtrength.  With  the  loyally  disposed  who  remained,  he 
Wied  himself  in  improving  the  defenses. 

Of  the  constant  anxiety,  yet  endnring  hope,  with  which 
Vashington  watched  this  hazardous  enterprise,  we  have 
eTidenoe  in  his  various  letters.  To  Arnold,  when  at 
Point  Levi,  baffled  in  the  expectation  of  finding  the  means 
of  m wiring  a  dash  upon  Quebec,  he  writes :  "  It  is  not  in 
the  power  of  any  man  to  command  saccess,  but  yon  havo 


166  LIFB  OF  WASHmGTOK. 

done  morOy  yon  have  deserved  it ;  and  before  this  t 
(Deo.  6th))  I  hope  jon  have  met  with  the  laurels  wl 
are  due  to  jonr  toils^  in  the  possession  of  Quebec. 

**  I  haye  no  doubt  but  a  junction  of  jour  detachn 
witn  the  army  under  General  Montgomery,  is  effected 
fore  this.  If  so,  you  will  put  yourself  under  his  o 
mand,  and  will,  I  am  persuaded,  give  him  all  the  asf 
anoe  in  your  power,  to  finish  the  glorious  work  you  1: 
b^gaa.** 


OHAPTEB  TTTT, 


TOBT  OOTIBMOaS 


T  wAuxn  un>  h 


GAKiDL— ouXHCi   oemraa  o 


■    BMW     IMU.— nVWB   7 


the  month  of  DeoemheT  a  reasel  had  been 
I  captured,  bearing  supplies  from  Lord  Don- 
I  more,  to  the  army  at  BoBton.  A  letter  on 
hoard  from  his  lordship  io  Q«neral  Howe,  incited  him 
to  transfer  the  war  to  the  sonthem  colonies ;  or,  at  all 
eTBnts,  to  send  reinforcements  thither ;  intimstiug  at  the 
8ime  time  his  plan  of  proclaiming  liberty  to  indentured 
Berrants,  negroes,  and  others  appertaining  to  rebels, 
And  iuTiting  them  to  join  His  Majes^'s  troops.  In  a 
word, — ^to  inflict  npon  Yii^nia  the  horrors  of  a  servile 
war. 

"  If  this  man  is  not  crashed  before  spring,"  irrites 
Washington, "  he  will  become  the  most  formidable  enemy 
America  has.     His  strength  will  increase  as  a  snowball 

167 


168  LIFE  OF  WASHmCMTOJir. 

•  ,  .  •  Motiyes  of  resentment  actuate  his  conduct  to 
a  degree  equal  to  the  destruction  of  the  colony." 

Gteneral  Lee  took  the  occasion  to  set  forth  his  own 
system  of  policy,  which  was  particularly  rigid  wherever 
men  in  authority  and  tories  were  concerned.  It  was  the 
old  grudge  against  ministers  and  their  adherents  set  on 
edge. 

''  Had  my  opinion  been  thought  worthy  of  attention," 
would  he  say,  "Lord  Dunmore  would  have  been  dis- 
armed of  his  teeth  and  claws."  He  would  have  seized 
Tryon  too,  "  and  all  his  tories  at  New  York/'  and,  having 
struck  the  stroke,  would  have  applied  to  Congress  for 
approbation. 

"I  propose  the  following  measures,"  would  he  add: 
''To  seize  every  governor,  government  man,  placeman, 
tory,  and  enemy  to  liberty  on  the  continent,  to  confiscate 
their  estates ;  or  at  least  lay  them  under  heavy  contribu- 
tions for  the  public  Their  persons  should  be  secured, 
in  some  of  the  interior  towns,  as  hostages  for  the  treat- 
ment of  those  of  our  party,  whom  the  fortune  of  war  shall 
throw  into  their  hands ;  they  should  be  allowed  a  rea- 
sonable pension  out  of  their  fortunes  for  their  mainte- 
nance." * 

Such  was  the  policy  advocated  by  Lee  in  his  letters 
and  conversation,  and  he  soon  had  an  opportunity  of  car* 
rying  it  partly  into  operation.     Bhode  Island  had  for 

*  Lee  to  Rich.  Henry  Lee.    Am.  ArcMves,  4th  Seriefl,  iv.  948. 


LBB'B  SXPBDIimN  TO  RHODE  miASD.         169 

■ome  time  past  been  donuneeied  over  by  Osptain  'Wal- 
lace of  the  ro7«l  navy;  vho  had  stationed  himBelf  at 
Xewpoii  iriUi  an  armed  veesel,  and  oUiged  the  plaoe  io 
famish  him  with  enpplies.  Latterly  he  had  landed  in 
Conaniont  Island,  opposite  to  NsTrport;  vith  a  nnmbei 
itf  sailors  and  marines,  plundered  and  bnmt  booses,  and 
driven  off  cattle  for  the  sapply  of  the  army.  In  his  ex- 
actions and  marandings,  be  was  said  to  have  reoeiTed 
oonntenanoe  from  the  toiy  part  of  the  inhsbitasts.  It 
"vras  nov  reported  that  a  naval  armament  was  ooming 
txam  Boston  against  the  island.  In  this  emergency,  the 
goTemor  (Oooke)  wrote  to  Washington,  requesting  mili- 
±aij  aid,  and  an  efficient  officer  to  pat  the  island  in  a 
state  of  defense,  snggesting  the  name  of  General  Lee  ha 
ftlie  purpose. 

Lee  undertook  the  task  with  alacrity.  "I  sincerely 
"wish,"  said  Washington,  "  he  may  be  able  to  do  it  with 
effect ;  as  that  place,  in  its  present  state,  is  an  asylum  for 
SQoh  as  are  disaffected  to  American  liberty." 

Lee  set  out  for  Bhode  Island  with  his  gntud  and  a 
puty  of  riflemen,  and  at  Providence  was  joined  by  the 
eadet  company  of  that  place,  and  a  number  of  minate 
Bien.  Preceded  by  these,  he  entered  the  town  of  New- 
prat  on  Christmas-day,  in  military  style.  While  there, 
be  summoned  before  him  a  nnmber  of  persQns  who  had 
supplied  the  enemy ;  some  according  to  a  convention 
originally  made  between  Wallace  and  the  autiiorities, 
others^  aa  it  was  suspected,  through  tory  fiaelings.    AU 


170  ^^^  ^^  wAsmnrQTOir. 

weie  obliged  by  Lee  to  take  a  test  oath  of  his  own  de< 
vising,  by  which  they  "  religiously  swore  that  they  wonld 
neither  directly,  nor  indirectly,  assist  the  wicked  instm- 
ments  of  ministerial  tjrranny  and  villainy  commonly  called 
the  king's  troops  and  navy,  by  famishing  them  with  pro- 
i  visions  and  refreshments."  They  swore,  moreover,  to 
''denounce  all  traitors  before  the  public  authority,  and 
to  take  arms  in  defense  of  American  liberty,  whenever 
required  by  Congress  or  the  provincial  authority."  Two 
custom-house  officers,  and  another  person,  who  refused 
to  take  the  oath,  were  put  under  guard  and  sent  to  Provi- 
dence. Having  laid  out  works,  and  given  directions  for 
fortifications,  Lee  returned  to  camp  after  an  absence  of 
ten  days.  Some  of  his  proceedings  were  considered  too 
high-handed,  and  were  disapproved  by  Congress.  Lee 
made  light  of  legislative  censures.  ''One  must  not  be 
trammeled  by  laws  in  war-time,"  said  he ;  "  in  a  revolu- 
tion all  means  are  legaL" 

Washington  approved  of  his  measures.  "I  have  seen 
General  Lee  since  his  expedition,"  writes  he,  "  and  hope 
Bhode  Island  will  derive  some  advantage  from  it  I  am 
told  that  Captain  Wallace's  ships  have  been  supplied  for 
some  time  by  the  town  of  Newport,  on  certain  conditions 

stipulated  between  him  and  the  committee I 

know  not  what  pernicious  consequences  may  result  from 
a  precedent  of  this  sort  Other  places,  circumstanced  as 
Newport  is,  may  follow  the  example,  and  by  that  means 
their  whole  fleet  and  army  vnll  be  furnished  with  what  it 


TB00P8  BSTUBNINQ  HOME.  171 

bighly  oonoems  us  to  keep  from  theuL  ....  Vigor- 
ens  regulations,  and  such  as  at  another  time  would  ap< 
pear  extraordinary,  are  now  beoome  absolutely  necessary 
for  preserving  our  country  against  the  strides  of  tyranny, 
making  against  it."  * 

December  had  been  throughout  a  month  of  severe  trial 
to  Washington;  during  which  he  saw  his  army  dropping 
away  piecemeal  before  his  eyes.  Homeward  every  fac9 
was  turned  as  soon  as  the  term  of  enlistment  was  at  an. 
end.  Scarce  could  the  disbanding  troops  be  kept  a  few 
days  in  camp  until  militia  could  be  procured  to  supply 
their  place.  Washington  made  repeated  and  animated  ap* 
peals  to  their  patriotism ;  they  were  almost  unheeded.  He 
caused  popular  and  patriotic  songs  to  be  sung  about  the 
camp.  They  passed  by  like  the  idle  wind.  Home!  home  I 
home !  throbbed  in  every  heari  ^'  The  desire  of  retiring 
into  a  chimney-comer/'  says  Washington  reproachfully, 
"  seized  the  troops  as  soon  as  their  terms  expired.'* 

Can  we  wonder  at  it?  They  were  for  the  most  part 
yeomanry,  unused  to  military  restraint,  and  suffering  all 
the  hardships  of  a  starveling  camp,  almost  within  sight 
of  the  smoke  of  their  own  firesides. 

Greene,  throughout  this  trying  month,  was  continually 
by  Washington's  side.  His  letters  expressing  the  sam^ 
oares  and  apprehensions,  and  occasionally  in  the  same 
language  with    those  of   the  commander-in-chie^  show 

•  Waihington  to  Got.  Cooke.    Sparks,  iiL  SST. 


172  TJFS  OF  WABHINGTON. 

how  oompletelj  he  was  in  his  councils.  He  ootdd  well 
Bympathizse  with  him  in  his  solicitudes.  Some  of  his  own 
Bhode  Island  troops  were  with  Arnold  in  his  Oanada  ex- 
pedition. Others  encamped  on  Prospect  Hill,  and  whose 
order  and  discipline  had  been  his  pride,  were  eyincing 
the  prevalent  disposition  to  disband.  **  Thej  seem  to  be 
so  sick  of  this  way  of  life,  and  so  homesick,"  writes  he, 
**  that  I  fear  the  greater  part  of  the  best  troops  from  our 
colony  will  soon  go  home."  To  provide  against  such  a 
contingency,  he  strengthened  his  encampment,  so  that, 
''  if  the  soldiery  should  not  engage  as  cheerfully  as  he 
expected,  he  might  defend  it  with  a  less  number."  * 

Still  he  was  buoyant  and  cheerful ;  frequently  on  his 
white  horse  about  Prospect  Hill,  haranguing  his  men, 
and  endeavoring  to  keep  them  in  good  humor.  ''  This  is 
no  time  for  disgusting  the  soldiery,"  would  he  say,  "  when 
their  aid  is  so  essential  to  the  preservation  of  the  rights 
of  human  nature  and  the  liberties  of  America." 

He  wore  the  same  cheery  aspect  to  the  commander-in* 
chief ;  or  rather  he  partook  of  his  own  hopeful  spirit.  "  I 
expect,"  would  he  say,  "  the  army,  notwithstanding  all  the 
difficulties  we  meet  with,  will  be  full  in  about  six  weeks.** 

It  was  this  loyalty  in  time  of  trouble,  this  buoyancy 
onder  depression,  this  thorough  patriotism,  which  won 
for  him  the  entire  confidence  of  Washington. 

The  thirty-first  of  December  arrived,  the  crisis  of  the 

*Greea»  to  Henry  Ward. 


BLOOMY  opmrme  of  thb  new  tbab,      173 

army ;  for  with  that  month  expired  the  last  of  the  old 
terms  of  enlistment.  ''We  never  have  been  so  weak, 
writes  Greene,  **  as  we  shall  be  to-morrow,  when  we  dis- 
miss the  old  troops.'*  On  this  day  Washington  received 
cheering  intelligence  from  Canada.  A  junction  had  taken 
place,  a  month  previonsly,  between  Arnold  and  Mont- 
gomery at  Point  anz  Trembles.  They  were  about  two 
thousand  strong,  and  were  making  every  preparation  for 
attacking  Quebec.  Oarleton  was  said  to  have  with  him 
but  about  twelve  hundred  men,  the  majority  of  whom 
were  sailors.  It  was  thought  that  the  French  would  give 
up  Quebec,  if  they  could  get  the  same  conditions  thai 
were  granted  to  the  inhabitants  of  Montreal^ 

Thus  the  year  closed  upon  Washington  with  a  ray  of 
light  from  Canada,  while  all  was  doubt  around  him. 

On  the  following  morning  (January  Ist,  1776),  his  army 
did  not  amount  to  ten  thousand  men,  and  was  composed 
of  bat  half-filled  regiments.     Even  in  raising  this  inade- 
quate force,  it  had  been  necessary  to  indulge  many  of 
the  men  with  furloughs,  that  they  might  visit  their  fami- 
lies and  friends.     The  expedients  resorted  to  in  equip- 
ping the  army,  show  the  prevailing  lack  of  arms.    Those 
soldiers  who  retired  from  service,  were  obliged  to  leave 
their  weapons  for  their  successors,  receiving  their  ap- 
praised value.     Those  who  enlisted,  were  required  to 
bring  a  gun,  or  were  charged  a  dollar  for  the  use  of  one 

*  Lttter  ol  Waahington  to  the  President  of  OongneB,  Deo.  81* 


174  LIFE  OF  WASHmQTOir. 

during  ihe  campaign.  He  who  brought  a  blanket  wai 
allowed  two  dollars.  It  was  impossible  to  furnish  uni* 
forms ;  the  troops,  therefore,  presented  a  motlej  appear* 
ance,  in  garments  of  divers  cuts  and  colors ;  the  price  d 
each  man's  garb  being  deducted  from  his  pay. 

The  detachments  of  militia  from  the  neighboring  piov* 
inoes  which  replaced  the  disbanding  troops,  remained 
but  for  brief  periods ;  so  that,  in  despite  of  every  effort^ 
the  lines  were  often  but  feebly  manned,  and  might  easil} 
have  been  forced. 

The  anxiety  of  Washington,  in  this  critical  state  of  the 
army,  may  be  judged  from  his  correspondence  with  Beed. 
*^  It  is  easier  to  conceive  than  to  describe  the  situation  o{ 
my  mind  for  some  time  past,  and  my  feelings  under  oux 
present  circumstances,"  writes  he  on  the  4th  of  January. 
**  Search  the  volumes  of  history  through,  and  I  much 
question  whether  a  case  similar  to  ours  is  to  be  found, 
namely,  to  maintain  a  post  against  the  power  of  the  British 
troops  for  six  months  together,  Trithout  powder,  and  then 
to  have  one  army  disbanded  ard  another  raised  within 
the  same  distance  (musket  shot;  of  a  reinforced  enemy. 
What  may  be  the  issue  of  the  last  mancBuvre,  time  only 
can  unfold.  I  wish  this  month  were  well  over  our  head. 
....  We  are  now  left  with  a  good  deal  less  than 
half-raised  regiments,  and  about  five  thousand  militia, 
who  only  stand  engaged  to  the  middle  of  this  month ; 
when,  according  to  custom,  they  will  depart,  let  the  ne- 
cessity of  their  stay  be  ever  so  urgent     Thus,  for  more 


U2TEAPPT  BSFLEOnOSB,  X75 

tlian  two  months  past,  I  hare  soaroely  ameTged  from  ons 
diffionltjr  before  I  hATe  been  plauged  in  aoother.  How 
it  will  end,  God,  in  his  great  goodness,  will  direct.  I  am 
tttankfol  for  his  protection  to  this  time.  We  are  told  that 
re  shall  soon  get  the  army  oompleted,  bat  I  have  been 
tcdd  so  many  things  which  have  never  oome  to  pass,  that 
I  distrust  everything." 

In  a  sabseqnent  letter  to  Mr.  Beed,  he  reverts  to  the 
■abject,  and  poon  forth  his  feelings  with  confiding  frank- 
ness. What  can  be  more  toaohing  than  the  pictore  he 
draws  of  himself  and  his  lonely  vigils  abont  his  sleepily 
esmp  ?  "  The  refleotioQ  on  my  sitoation  ood  that  of  this 
army,  prodaoes  many  an  anhappy  hour,  when  all  aroond 
me  are  wrapped  in  sleep.  Few  people  know  the  predica- 
ment we  are  in  on  a  thooBand  acooonts ;  fewer  still  will 
believe,  if  any  disaster  happens  to  these  lines,  &om  what 
CftOBe  it  flows.  I  have  often  thon^t  how  mnoh  happier 
I  ahoald  have  been,  i^  instead  of  accepting  the  command, 
under  each  drcamstancea,  I  had  taken  my  musket  on 
s^  shoalder  and  entered  the  ranks;  or,  if  I  ooold  have 
jmtified  the  measore  to  posterity  and  my  own  conscience, 
tad  retired  to  the  back  conntry  and  Uved  in  a  wig- 
mm.  If  I  shall  be  able  to  rise  snperior  to  these  and 
many  other  difficolties,  which  might  be  enamerated,  I 
siball  most  religioaely  believe  that  the  finger  of  Provi- 
dence is  in  it,  to  blind  the  eyes  of  oar  enemies ;  for  surely 
if  we  get  well  throngh  this  month,  it  most  be  for  want  of 
their  knowing  the  disadvantages  whidi  we  labor  onder." 


176  LIFE  OF  WABHrnGTOir. 

Becuning  to  the  project  of  an  attack  npon  Boston, 
which  he  had  reluctantly  abandoned  in  deference  to  the 
adverse  opinions  of  a  council  of  war, — ''  Oould  I  haye  fore- 
seen the  difficulties  which  have  come  upon  us ;  oould  I 
have  known  that  such  a  backwardness  would  haye  been 
discovered  among  the  old  soldiers  to  the  sendee,  all  the 
generals  upon  earth  should  not  haye  conyinoed  me  of  the 
propriety  of  delaying  an  attack  upon  Boston  till  this 
time.  When  it  can  now  be  attempted,  I  will  not  under- 
take to  say;  but  thus  much  I  will  answer  for,  that  no 
opportunity  can  present  itself  earlier  than  my  wishes.'* 

In  the  midst  of  his  discouragements,  Washington  re- 
ceiyed  letters  from  Knox,  showing  the  spirit  and  energy 
with  which  he  was  executing  his  mission,  in  quest  of 
cannon  and  ordnance  stores.  He  had  struggled  manfullj 
and  successfully  with  all  kinds  of  difficulties  from  the  ad* 
yanced  season,  and  head  winds,  in  getting  them  from  Ti- 
conderoga  to  the  head  of  Lake  George.  **  Three  days  ago,** 
writes  he,  on  the  17th  of  December,  "it  was  yery  uncer- 
tain whether  we  could  get  them  oyer  until  next  spring  ; 
but  now,  please  God,  they  shall  go.  I  haye  made  forty- 
two  exceedingly  strong  sleds,  and  haye  provided  eighty 
yoke  of  oxen  to  drag  them  as  far  as  Springfield,  where  I 
shall  get  fresh  cattle  to  take  them  to  camp." 

It  was  thus  that  hardships  and  emergencies  were 
bringing  out  the  merits  of  the  self-made  soldiers  of  the 
Beyolution;  and  showing  their  commander-in-chief  oil 
whom  he  might  rely* 


OTTAPTEB  XIV. 

VUTAST  PBBPABATIOHB  IH  BOSTON.— A  8SCRET  EXFBDITIOH.— ITS  OBiaOT.-* 
UB'B  PXJUr  FOB  THB  BBOUBITT  OF  IfBW  TORK.— OPINION  OF  ADAMS  0> 
THB  BUBnOT.— IN8TBUOTION8  TO  LEB.— TRANSAOTION8  OF  LBB  IN  CONNBCT* 
ICOT.— IJB*B  FOUOT  IB  BBOABD  TO  THB  TORIBS.— UNBA8INB88  IN  NBW 
TOBX.— LBTTBB  OF  THB  COMMITTBB  OF  BAFBTT  TO  LBB.— HIS  BBFLT.— HIS 
OronOB  OF  THB  FBOPLB  of  CONNBOTIOUT.— of  THB  HTSTBBICAL  LBTTBB 
FBOM  THB  XBW  TOBX  CONOBB8S. 

ABLY  in  the  month  of  January,  there  was  a 
great  stir  of  preparation  in  Boston  harbor.  A 
fleet  of  transports  were  taking  in  supplies,  and 
making  arrangements  for  the  embarkation  of  troops. 
Bomb -ketches  and  flat -bottomed  boats  were  getting 
ready  for  sea^  as  were  two  sloops-of-war,  which  were  to 
conTey  the  armameni  Its  destination  was  kept  secret ; 
bnt  was  confidently  surmised  by  Washington. 

In  the  preceding  month  of  October,  a  letter  had  been 
laid  before  Congress,  written  by  some  person  in  London 
of  high  credibility,  and  revealing  a  secret  plan  of  opera- 
tions said  to  haye  been  sent  out  by  ministers  to  the  com- 
manders in  Boston.  The  following  is  the  purport :  Pos- 
sesflion  was  to  be  gained  of  New  York  and  Albany, 

through  the  assistance  of  Qovemor  Tryon,  on  whose  in« 
Tou  n.— Id  177 


178  LIFE  OF  WASSmGTOJr. 

flnenoe  with  the  torj  part  of  the  population,  muoh  reli- 
ance was  placed.  These  cities  were  to  be  yexy  strongly 
garrisoned.  All  who  did  not  join  the  king's  forces  were 
to  be  declared  rebels.  The  Hudson  Biyer,  and  the  East 
Biver  or  Sound,  were  to  be  commanded  by  a  number  of 
small  men-of-war  and  cutters,  stationed  in  different  parts, 
so  as  wholly  to  cut  off  all  communication  by  water  be- 
tween New  York  and  the  provinces  to  the  northward  of 
it;  and  between  New  York  and  Albany,  except  for  the 
king's  service;  and  to  prevent,  also,  all  communication 
between  the  city  of  New  York  and  the  provinces  of  New 
Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  and  those  to  the  southward  of 
them.  **  By  these  means,"  said  the  letter,  "  the  admin- 
istration and  their  friends  fancy  they  shall  soon  either 
starve  out  or  retake  the  garrisons  of  Grown  Point  and 
Ticonderoga,  and  open  and  maintain  a  safe  intercourse 
and  correspondence  between  Quebec,  Albany,  and  New 
York ;  and  thereby  offer  the  fairest  opportunity  to  their 
soldiery  and  the  Canadians,  in  conjunction  with  the  In- 
dians to  be  procured  by  Guy  Johnson,  to  make  con- 
tinual irruptions  into  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts, 
and  Connecticut,  and  so  distract  and  divide  the  provin- 
cial forces,  as  to  render  it  easy  for  the  British  army  at 
Boston  to  defeat  them,  break  the  spirits  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts people,  depopulate  their  country,  and  compel 
an  absolute  subjection  to  Great  Britain."  * 

•  Am.  Arehivea,  4th  Series,  iiL  188L 


I        •  1 


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■.■•j-     .^.-n"  .'■"     . 


LEirS  MILITARY  PLANS.  179 

It  was  added  that  a  lord,  high  in  the  American  depart- 
ment, had  been  yery  particular  in  his  inquiries  about  the 
Hudson  River ;  what  sized  vessels  could  get  to  Albany ; 
and  whether,  if  batteries  were  erected  in  the  Highlands, 
they  would  not  control  the  navigation  of  the  river,  and 
prevent  vessels  from  going  up  and  down. 

This  information  had  already  excited  solicitude  re- 
specting the  Hudson,  and  led  to  measures  for  its  protec- 
tion. It  was  now  surmised  that  the  expedition  preparing 
to  sail  from  Boston,  and  which  was  to  be  conducted  by 
Sir  Henry  Clinton,  might  be  destined  to  seize  upon  New 
York.  How  was  the  apprehended  blow  to  be  parried  ? 
General  Lee,  who  was  just  returned  from  his  energetic 
visit  to  Rhode  Island,  offered  his  advice  and  services  in 
the  matter.  In  a  letter  to  Washington,  he  urged  him  to 
act  at  once,  and  on  his  own  responsibility,  without  await- 
ing the  tardy  and  doubtful  sanction  of  Congress,  for 
which,  in  military  matters,  Lee  had  but  small  regard 

"  New  York  must  be  secured,"  writes  he,  "  but  it  will 
never,  I  am  afraid,  be  secured  by  due  order  of  the  Con- 
gress, for  obvious  reasons.  They  find  themselves  awk- 
wardly situated  on  this  head.  You  must  step  in  to  their 
reliel  I  am  sensible  no  man  can  be  spared  from  the 
lines  under  present  circumstances ;  but  I  would  propose 
that  you  should  detach  me  into  Connecticut,  and  lend 
your  name  for  collecting  a  body  of  volunteers.  I  am  as- 
sured that  I  shall  find  no  difficulty  in  assembling  a  suf- 
ficient number  for  the  purposes  wanted.    This  body,  in 


180  LIFE  OIP  WASHmOTOir. 

oonjtmction  (if  there  should  appear  occasion  to  snmmon 
them)  with  the  Jersey  regiment  nnder  the  command  of 
Ijord  Stirling,  now  at  Elizabethtown,  will  effect  the  se- 
cnritj  of  New  York,  and  the  expulsion  or  suppression  ol 
that  dangerous  banditti  of  tories,  who  have  appeared  on 
Long  Island,  with  the  professed  intention  of  acting 
against  the  authority  of  Congress.  Not  to  crush  these 
serpents  before  their  rattles  are  grown  would  be  ruinous. 
''This  manoeuvre,  I  not  only  think  prudent  and  righ^ 
but  absolutely  necessary  to  our  salvation ;  and  if  it  meets, 
as  I  ardently  hope  it  will,  with  your  approbation,  the 

# 

sooner  it  is  entered  upon  the  better ;  the  delay  of  a  single 
day  may  be  fatal" 

Washington,  while  he  approved  of  Lee's  military  sug- 
gestions, was  cautious  in  exercising  the  extraordinary 
powers  so  recently  vested  in  him,  and  fearful  of  tran- 
scending them.  John  Adams  was  at  that  time  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  camp,  and  he  asked  his  opinion  as  to  the 
practicability  and  expediency  of  the  plan,  and  whether  it 
**  might  not  be  regarded  as  beyond  his  line." 

Adams,  resolute  of  spirit,  thought  the  enterprise  mighfe 
easily  be  accomplished  by  the  friends  of  liberty  in  New 
York,  in  connection  with  the  Connecticut  people,  **  who 
are  very  ready,"  said  he,  "  upon  such  occasions." 

As  to  the  expediency,  he  urged  the  vast  importance,  in 
the  progress  of  this  war,  of  the  city  and  province  of  New 
York,  and  the  Hudson  Biver,  being  the  tiespua  of  the 
northern  and  southern  colonies,  a  kind  of  key  to  ihm 


ZXS  AUTHORIZED  TO  OASST  OtTT  MIS  PLAmS.    181 

irhole  oontiitent,  as  it  is  a  passage  to  Canada,  to  tlie 
Great  Lakes,  and  to  all  the  Indian  nations.  No  effort  to 
eecnie  it  ought  to  be  omitted. 

That  it  was  vithin  the  limits  of  Washington's  oom- 
anaud,  he  considered  perfectly  clear,  he  being  "  vested 
nith  fnll  power  and  authority,  to  act  as  he  should  think 
Cor  the  good  and  welfare  of  the  serrice." 

If  there  was  a  body  of  people  on  Long  Island,  armed 
"to  oppose  the  American  system  of  defense,  and  fomish- 
xng  supplies  to  the  British  army  and  navy,  they  were  in- 
-vading  American  liberty  as  much  as  those  besieged  in 
"Soston. 

JS,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  a  body  of  tories  were  wait- 
ing only  tar  a  force  to  protect  them,  to  declare  them- 
selves on  the  side  of  the  enemy,  it  was  high  time  that 
«iiy  was  secured.* 

Thus  fortified,  as  it  were,  by  congressional  sanction, 
through  one  of  ite  most  important  members,  who  pro- 
nounced Kew  York  as  much  within  his  command  as 
Uassachusette,  he  gave  Lee  authority  to  carry  out  his 
[dans.  He  was  to  raise  volunteers  in  Connecticut ; 
march  at  their  head  to  Xew  York  ;  call  in  military  aid 
from  New  Jersey ;  pat  the  city  and  the  poste  on  the  Hnd- 
Bon  in  a  posture  of  security  gainst  surprise ;  disarm  all 
persons  on  Long  Island  and  elsewhere,  inimical  to  the 
views  of  Congress,  or  secure  them  in  some  other  manner 

'Adams  t<i Waahingtcm,  dorr.  efSm.,  L  118. 


182  -E^^  OF  WASHrnGTON. 

if  neoessaay ;  and  seize  upon  all  medicines,  shirts,  and 
blankets,  and  send  them  on  for  the  use  of  the  American 
army. 

Lee  departed  on  his  mission  on  the  8th  of  Jannaiy. 
On  the  16th  he  was  at  New  Haven,  railing  at  the  inde- 
cision of  Congress.  Thej  had  ordered  the  enlistment  of 
troops  for  the  security  of  New  York.  A  Oonnectioitt 
regiment  under  Colonel  Waterbury  had  been  raised, 
equipped,  and  on  the  point  of  embarking  for  Oyster  Bay, 
Long  Island,  to  attack  the  tories,  who  were  to  be  at* 
tacked  on  the  other  side  by  Lord  Stirling,  "  when  sad* 
denly,"  says  Lee,  "  Colonel  Waterbury  receiyed  an  order 
to  disband  his  regiment ;  and  the  tories  are  to  remain 
tmmolested  till  they  are  joined  by  the  king's  assassins." 

Trumbull,  the  governor  of  Connecticut,  however,  **like  a 
man  of  sense  and  spirit,*'  had  ordered  the  regiment  to  be 
reassembled,  and  Lee  trusted  it  would  soon  be  ready  to 
march  with  him.  '^  I  shall  send  immediately,"  said  he, 
*^  an  express  to  the  Congress,  informing  them  of  my  situ- 
ation, and  at  the  same  time,  conjuring  them  not  to  suffer 
the  accursed  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York  to  defeat 
measures  so  absolutely  necessary  to  salvation." 

Lee's  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  showed  that 
the  instructions  dictated  by  the  moderate  and  consider- 
ate spirit  of  Washington,  were  not  strong  enough  on 
some  points,  to  suit  his  stem  military  notions.  The 
scheme,  simply  of  disarming  the  tories,  seemed  to  him 
totally  ineffectual;  it  would  only  embitter  their  minds^ 


PAsrm  m  saw  toss. 


16S 


maid  add  Tims  to  their  Tenom.    They  ooxild  and  vonl^ 

nX-wa,j9  be  supplied  irith    fresh   arms  by  the   enemy. 

ThAt  of  seizing  the   most  dai^roos  would,  from  iti 

Tagoeness,  be  attended  trith  some  bad  oonseqaenoes, 

Knd  ooold  ansver  no  good  one.    "  The  plan  of  explaining 

io  these  deluded  people  the  jostioe  of  the  American 

cause,  is  oertsinlj  generous  and  hnmane,"  observed  he, 

"bat  I  am  afraid  will  be  fmitless.    They  are  so  riveted 

in  their  opinions,  that  I  am  persuaded,  shonld  an  oogel 

desoend  from  heaven  with  hia  golden  tmmpet,  and  ring 

intheir  eazs  that  their  oondnot  was  criminal,  he  wonld 

be  disr^arded." 

Lee's  notion  of  the  policy  proper  in  the  present  case 
viB,  to  disarm  the  disaffected  of  all  classes,  supplying 
ov  own  troops  with  the  arms  thus  seized ;  to  appraise 
tlieir  estates,  and  oblige  them  to  deposit  at  least  one 
Wf  the  valne  with  the  Continental  Congress,  as  a  se- 
niity  for  good  behavior;  to  administer  the  strongest 
oath  that  conld  be  devised,  that  they  wonld  act  offen- 
nrely  and  defensively  in  snpport  of  the  common  rights; 
ttd  finally,  to  transfer  all  such  as  should  prove  refrao- 
toTy,  to  some  place  in  tie  interior,  where  they  would  not 
be  dangerous. 

The  people  of  New  York,  at  all  times  very  excitable, 
vere  thrown  into  a  panic  on  hearing  that  Lee  was  in  Con- 
necticut, on  his  way  to  take  military  possession  of  the 
aty.  They  apprehended  his  appearance  there  would 
provoke  an  attack  from  the  ships  in  the  harbor.     Some^ 


184  LIFE  OP  WASmNQfO». 

who  thoaghl  the  war  about  to  be  brought  to  their  own 
doors/ packed   np  their  effects,  and  made  off  into  the 
oonntry  with    their  wives    and   children.     Others   be- 
leagaered  the  committee  of  safety  with  entreaties  against 
the  deprecated  protection  of  General  Lee.    The  com* 
mittee,  through  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  their  chairman, 
addressed  a  letter  to  Lee,  inquiring  into  the  motives  oi 
his  coming  with  an  army  to  New  York,  and  stating  the 
incapacity  of  the  diy  to  act  hostilely  against  the  ships 
of  war  in  port,  from  deficiency  of  powder,  and  a  want  of 
military  works.     For   these,  and    other  reasons,   they 
urged  the  impropriety  of  provoking  hostilities  for  thi^ 
present,  and  the  necessiiy  of  ^'  saving  appearances,"  with- 
the  ships  of  war,  till  at  least  the  month  of  March,  whenB 
they  hoped  to  be  able  to  face  their  enemies  with  aoms 
countenance* 

"  We,  therefore,"  continued  the  letter,  "  ardently  wiaH 
to  remain  in  peace  for  a  little  time,  and  doubt  not  w — 
have  assigned  sufficient  reasons  for  avoiding  at  present 
dilemma,  in  which  the  entrance  of  a  lai^  body  of  troo£M 
into  the  city,  will  almost  certainly  involve  u&     Shonlt/ 
you  have  such  an  entrance  in  design,  we  beg  at  least  the 
troops  may  halt  on  the  western  confines  of  ConnecticQ^ 
till  we  have  been  honored  by  you  with  such  an  explana- 
tion on  this  important  subject,  as  you  may  conceive  your 
duty  may  permit  you  to  enter  upon  with  us,  the  grounds 
of  which,  you  may  easily  see,  ought  to  be  kept  an  entire 
secret** 


LEE  IN  CONNECTICUT.  l86 

Lee,  in  reply,  dated  Stamford,  Jannary  23d,  disclaimed 
all  intention  of  commencing  actual  hostilities  against  the 
men-of-war  in  the  harbor,  his  instructions  from  the  com- 
mander-in-chief being  solely  to  prevent  the  enemy  from 
taking  post  in  the  city,  or  lodging  themselves  on  Long 
Idand.  Some  subordinate  purposes  were  likewise  to  be 
executed,  which  were  much  more  proper  to  be  communi- 
cated by  word  of  mouth  than  by  writing.  In  compliance 
with  the  wishes  of  the  committee,  he  promised  to  carry 
with  him  into  the  town  just  troops  enough  to  secure  it 
againBt  any  present  designs  of  the  enemy,  leaving  his 
main  force  on  the  western  border  of  Oonnecticui  ^'I 
give  you  my  word,'*  added  he,  "  that  no  active  service  ia 
proposed,  as  you  seem  to  apprehend.  If  the  ships  of  war 
are  quiet,  I  shall  be  quiet ;  but  I  declare  solemnly,  thai 
if  they  make  a  pretext  of  my  presence  to  fire  on  the  town, 
the  first  house  set  on  flames  by  their  guns  shall  be  the 
funeral  pile  of  some  of  their  best  friends.*' 

In  a  letter  to  Washington,  written  on  the  following  day, 
he  says  of  his  recruiting  success  in  Connecticut :  '^  I  find 
the  people  throughout  this  province  more  alive  and  zeal- 
ous than  my  most  sanguine  expectations.  I  believe  I 
might  have  collected  two  thousand  volunteers.  I  take 
only  lour  companies  with  me,  and  Waterbury*s  regiment 
•  •  •  •  These  Oonnecticutians  are,  if  possible,  more 
eager  to  go  out  of  their  country,  than  they  are  to  return 
home,  when  they  have  been  absent  for  any  considerable 
time.** 


« 


X86  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON. 

Speaking  of  the  people  of  New  York,  and  Che  lettei 
from  their  Proyincial  Congress,  which  he  incloses:  '^The 
whigSy"  says  he,  ''  I  mean  the  stoat  ones,  are,  it  is  said, 
very  desirous  that  a  body  of  troops  should  march  and  be 
stationed  in  the  ciiy — the  timid  ones  are  averse,  merely 
from  the  spirit  of  procrastination,  which  is  the  character- 
istio  of  timidity.  The  letter  from  the  Provincial  CongresSi 
you  will  observe,  breathes  the  very  essence  of  this  spirit ; 
it  is  wofully  hysterical." 

By  the  by,  the  threat  contained  in  Lee*s  reply  about  a 
'^  funeral  pile,*'  coming  from  a  soldier  of  his  mettle,  was 
not  calculated  to  soothe  the  hysterical  feelings  of  the 
committee  of  safety.  How  he  conducted  himself  on  his 
arrival  in  the  city,  we  shall  relate  in  a  future  ohaptez; 


OHAPTEB  XT. 


r  BirOHB  QinBM.— BU  flak  or  ofsutkom.— ^  tumroiw  M 

CAI.4Itl. — ATTACK  OP  TBI  LOITBB  TOWV. — MOHTaOMMST  Dt  THB  ASTANOB. 
— BU    DKAIB. — BBTBBAT    OF    COL.   CAMFBILI. — ATTACK    ST    ARKOLJD. — D* 

OAM.— «AU.ABT  U80LTB  OV  AWTOUt. 

IM  amid  aarroonding  perplexities,  Washing- 
ton still  tamed  a  hopeful  eye  to  Oanada.  He 
expected  daily  to  receive  tidings  tbat  Mont- 
gomety  and  Arnold  were  within  the  walls  of  Quebec,  and 
he  had  even  written  to  the  former  to  forward  as  much  as 
could  be  spared  of  the  lai^e  quantities  of  arms,  blankets, 
clothing  and  other  military  stores,  said  to  be  deposited 
there,  the  army  before  Boston  being  in  great  need  of  snch 
supplies. 

On  the  18^1  of  January  came  despatches  to  him  from 
Oeneral  Schuyler,  containing  withering  tidings.  The  fol- 
lowing is  the  purport.  Montgomery,  on  the  2d  of  De- 
wmher,  the  day  after  his  arrival  at  Point  auz  Trembles, 
nt  off  in  face  of  a  driving  snow-storm  for  Quebec,  and 
anivBd.  before  it  on  the  6th.  The  works,  from  their  great 
txteni,  appeared  to  him  incapable  of  being  defended  by 


188  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON. 

{he  actual  garrison ;  made  up,  as  lie  said,  of  ^Maolean*fl 
banditti,"  the  sailors  from  the  frigates  and  other  vessels, 
together  with  the  citizens  obliged  to  take  up  arms ;  most 
of  whom  were  impatient  of  the  fatigues  of  a  siege,  and 
wished  to  see  matters  accommodated  amicably.  ''  I  pro- 
pose," added  he,  "  amusing  Mr.  Carleton  with  a  formal 
attack,  erecting  batteries,  etc.,  but  mean  to  assault  the 
works,  I  believe  towards  the  lower  town,  which  is  the 
weakest  part" 

According  to  his  own  account,  his  whole  force  did  not 
exceed  nine  hundred  effective  men,  three  hundred  of 
whom  he  had  brought  with  him ;  the  rest  he  found  with 
Colonel  Arnold.  The  latter  he  pronounced  an  exceeding 
fine  corps,  inured  to  fatigue,  and  well  accustomed  to  a 
cannon  shot,  having  served  at  Cambridge.  "  There  is  a 
style  of  discipline  among  them,"  adds  he,  ^'  much  supe- 
rior to  what  I  have  been  used  to  see  in  this  campaign. 
He,  himself  (Arnold),  is  active,  intelligent  and  enterpris- 
ing. Fortune  often  baffles  the  sanguine  expectations  of 
poor  mortals.  I  am  not  intoxicated  with  her  favors,  but 
I  do  think  there  is  a  fair  prospect  of  success."  * 

On  the  day  of  his  arrival,  he  sent  a  flag  with  a  sum- 
mons to  surrender.  It  was  fired  upon,  and  obliged  to 
retire.  Exasperated  at  this  outrage,  which,  it  is  thought, 
was  committed  by  the  veteran  Maclean,  Montgomery 
wrote  an  indignant,  reproachful,  and  even  menacing  let- 

*  Montgomery  to  Schuyler,  Dec.  0. 


MONTOOMBBT  BBFORB  QITSBBO.  189 

iex  to  Carleton,  reiterating  the  demand,  magaifying  the 
nambei  of  lus  troops,  and  warning  him  against  the  oonse- 
qnenoes  oi  an  aseaolt  Finding  it  was  rejected  from  tha 
mUs,  it  was  oonrajed  in  by  a  woman,  tt^Uier  with  let- 
ters addressed  to  the  prinoipal  merchants,  promising 
great  indnlgenoe  in  case  of  immediate  sabmission.  By 
Carleion's  orders,  the  messenger  was  sent  to  prison  for  a 
£bw  days,  and  tiien  drammed  oat  of  town. 

Uontgomeiy  now  prepared  for  au  attack.  The  groond 
mm  frozen  to  a  great  depth,  and  oovered  with  snow ;  he 
was  scantily  provided  with  intrenching  tools,  and  had 
only  a  field  train  of  artdUery,  and  a  few  mortars.  By  dint 
of  exoesshre  labor  a  breastwork  was  thrown  np,  fonr  hun- 
dred yards  distant  from  the  walls  and  opposite  to  the  gate 
tA  St  Louis,  which  is  nearly  in  the  centre.  It  was  formed 
of  gabions,  ranged  side  l^  side,  and  filled  with  snow,  over 
which  water  was  thrown  until  thoroughly  frozen.  Here 
Captain  Lamb  mounted  five  light  pieces  and  a  howitzer. 
Several  mortars  were  placed  in  the  suburbs  of  St  Boque, 
which  extends  on  the  left  of  the  promontory,  below  the 
heights,  and  nearly  on  a  level  with  the  river. 

From  the  "  Ice  Sattery  "  Captain  Lamb  opened  a  well- 
BDBtained  and  well-directed  fire  upon  the  walls,  but  his 
field-pieces  were  too  light  to  be  effective.  With  his  how> 
Hser  he  threw  shells  into  the  town  and  set  it  on  fire  in 
several  places.  For  five  days  and  nights  the  garrison 
was  kept  on  the  alert  by  the  teasing  fire  of  this  battery. 
The  object  of  Montgomery  was  to  harass  the  town,  luut 


190  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTOir. 

increase  the  dissatisfaction  of  the  inhabitants.  His  flag 
of  trace  being  still  fired  upon,  he  caused  the  TTi<lifl.i^tf  in 
his  camp  to  shoot  arrows  into  the  town,  having  letters 
attached  to  them,  addressed  to  the  inhabitants,  represent- 
ing Carleton's  refusal  to  treat,  and  advising  them  to  rise 
in  a  body,  and  compel  him.  It  was  all  in  vain ;  whatever 
might  have  been  the  disposition  of  the  inhabitants,  they 
were  completely  under  the  control  of  the  military. 

On  the  evening  of  the  fifth  day,  Montgomery  paid  a 
visit  to  the  ice  battery.  The  heavy  artillery  from  the 
wall  had  repaid  its  ineffectual  fire  with  ample  usury. 
The  brittle  ramparts  had  been  shivered  like  glass ;  sev<i 
eral  of  the  guns  had  been  rendered  useless.  Just  as  they 
arrived  at  the  battery,  a  shot  from  the  fortress  dismounted 
one  of  the  guns,  and  disabled  many  of  the  men.  A  second 
shot  immediately  following,  was  almost  as  destructive. 
**  This  is  warm  work,  sir,*'  said  Montgomery  to  Captain 
Lamb.  "  It  is  indeed,  and  certainly  no  place  for  you,  air.** 
"Why  so,  Captain?**  " Because  there  are  enough  of  us 
here  to  be  killed,  without  the  loss  of  you,  which  would 
be  irreparable.** 

The  general  saw  the  insufficiency  of  the  battery,  and, 
on  retiring,  gave  Captain  Lamb  permission  to  leave  it 
whenever  he  thought  proper.  The  veteran  waited  until 
after  dark,  when,  securing  all  the  guns,  he  abandoned  the 
ruined  redoubt  The  general  in  this  visit  was  attended 
by  Aaron  Burr,  whom  he  had  appointed  his  aide-de-camp. 
Lamb  wondered  that  he  should  encumber  himself  with 


PBXPASATlOlFa  FOB  ASSAULT.  191 

taoh  a  boy.  The  perfect  coolness  and  self-poaseBsion 
irith  which  the  youth  mingled  in  this  dangeroTts  aoene, 
and  the  fire  which  sparkled  in  his  eye,  soon  oonrinced 
Lunb,  according  to  his  own  aocoont,  that  "  the  young 
volimteer  was  no  ordinary  man."  * 

Nearly  three  weeks  had  been  oonsiimed  in  these  fntile 
operations.  The  army,  ill-olothed  and  ill-proTided,  was 
beooming  impatient  of  the  rigors  of  a  Canadian  winter ; 
the  term  for  which  part  of  the  troops  had  enlisted  would 
expire  witti  the  year,  and  they  already  talked  of  retom- 
ing  home.  Montgomery  was  sadly  oonscioos  of  the  in< 
sufficiency  of  his  means ;  still  he  ooold  not  endure  the 
thonghts  of  retiring  from  before  the  place  withoat  strik- 
ing a  blow.  He  knew  that  much  was  expected  from  him, 
in  oouseqnence  of  his  late  achieveinents,  and  that  the 
eyes  of  the  pnblio  were  fixed  apon  this  Canadian  entei^ 
prise.  He  determined,  therefore,  to  attempt  to  carry 
the  place  by  escalade.  One  third  of  his  men  were  to  set 
fire  to  the  houses  and  stookadea  of  the  snbnrb  of  St. 
Boqne,  and  force  the  barriers  of  the  lower  town ;  while 
the  main  body  shonid  scale  the  bastion  of  Cape  I>ia- 
mond. 

It  was  a  hazardone,  almost  a  desperate  prcgeot,  yet  it 
has  met  with  the  approbation  of  military  men.  He  calca- 
lated  npon  the  devotion  and  daring  spirit  of  his  men ; 
upcm  the  discontent  which  prevailed  among  the  Oana- 

*L^  efJoh»  Xomfi,  p.  ISO. 


192  ^^^S  OF  WABHmGTOir. 

dians,  and  upon  the  incompetenqy  of  the  garrison  for  the 
defence  of  such  extensive  works. 

In  regard  to  the  devotion  of  his  men,  he  was  ihreatene<^ 
with  disappointment  When  the  plan  of  assault  was  sub- 
mitted to  a  council  of  war,  three  of  the  captains  in  Ar* 
nold*s  division,  the  terms  of  whose  companies  were  neat 
expiring,  declined  to  serve,  unless  they  and  their  meu 
could  be  transferred  to  another  command.  This  almost 
mutinous  movement,  it  is  supposed,  was  fomented  by 
Arnold's  old  adversary.  Major  Brown,  and  it  was  with  in- 
finite difficulty  Montgomery  succeeded  in  overcoming  it. 

The  ladders  were  now  provided  for  the  eaooltufe,  and 
Montgomery  waited  with  impatience  for  a  favorable  night 
to  put  it  into  execution.  Small-pox  and  desertion  had 
reduced  his  little  army  to  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men. 
From  certain  movements  of  the  enemy,  it  was  surmised 
that  the  deserters  had  revealed  his  plan.  He  changed, 
therefore,  the  arrangement  Colonel  Livingston  was  to 
make  a  false  attack  on  the  gate  of  St  John's  and  set  fire 
to  it ;  Major  Brown,  with  another  detachment,  was  to 
menace  the  bastion  of  Cape  Diamond.  Arnold,  with 
three  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  hardy  fellows  who  had 
followed  him  through  the  wilderness,  strengthened  by 
Captain  Lamb  and  forty  of  his  company,  was  to  assault 
the  suburbs  and  batteries  of  St  Boque ;  while  Montgom* 
ery,  with  the  residue  of  his  forces,  was  to  pass  below  the 
bastion  at  Cape  Diamond,  defile  along  the  river,  carry  the 
defenses  at  Drummond*s  Wharf,  and  thus  enter  the  lower 


MONTQOMEBT  AT  CAPE  DIAMOND.  I93 

town  on  one  side,  wUle  Arnold  forced  his  way  into  it  on 
the  other.  These  movements  were  all  to  be  made  at  the 
same  time,  on  the  discharge  of  signal  rockets,  thns  dis- 
tracting the  enemy,  and  calling  their  attention  to  four 
several  points. 

On  the  31st  of  December,  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, the  troops  repaired  to  their  several  destinations, 
nnder  cover  of  a  violent  snow-storm.  By  some  accident 
or  mistake,  such  as  is  apt  to  occur  in  complicated  plans 
of  attack,  the  signal  rockets  were  let  off  before  the  lower 
divisions  had  time  to  get  to  their  fighting  ground.  They 
were  descried  by  one  of  Maclean's  Highland  officers,  who 
gave  the  alarm.  Livingston,  also,  failed  to  make  the 
false  attack  on  the  gate  of  St.  John's,  which  was  to  have 
caused  a  diversion  favorable  to  Arnold's  attack  on  the 
suburb  below. 

The  feint  by  Major  Brown,  on  the  bastion  of  Oape  Dia- 
mond, was  successful,  and  concealed  the  march  of  Qen- 
end  Montgomery.  That  gallant  commander  descended 
from  the  heights  to  Wolfe's  Cove,  and  led  his  division 
along  the  shore  of  the  Si  Lawrence,  round  the  beetling 
promontory  of  Cape  Diamond.  The  narrow  approach 
to  the  lower  town  in  that  direction  was  traversed  by  a 
picket  or  stockade,  defended  by  Canadian  militia;  be- 
yond which  was  a  second  defense,  a  kind  of  block-house, 
forming  a  battery  of  small  pieces,  manned  by  Canadian 
militia,  and  a  few  seamen,  and  commanded  by  the  cap« 
tarn  of  a  transport  The  aim  of  Montgomery  was  to  come 
IQU  n.— 18 


194  LIFE  OF  WASmNGTOir. 

upon  these  barriers  by  surprise.  The  pass  which  they 
defended  is  formidable  at  all  times,  haying  a  swift  river 
on  one  side,  and  overhanging  precipices  on  the  other ; 
but  at  this  time  was  rendered  peculiarly  difficult  by  drift- 
ing snoWy  and  by  great  masses  of  ice  piled  on  each  other 
at  the  foot  of  the  cliffs. 

The  troops  made  their  way  painfully,  in  extended  and 
straggling  files,  along  the  narrow  footway,  and  over  the 
slippery  piles  of  ice.  Among  the  foremost,  were  some  of 
the  first  New  York  regiment,  led  on  by  Captain  Cheese- 
man.  Montgomery,  who  was  familiar  with  them,  urged 
them  on.  "  Forward,  men  of  New  York  1 "  cried  he. 
''You  are  not  the  men  to  fiinch  when  your  general  leads 
you  on !  **  In  his  eagerness,  he  threw  himself  far  in  the 
advance,  with  his  pioneers  and  a  few  officers,  and  made 
a  dash  at  the  first  barrier.  The  Canadians  stationed 
there,  taken  by  surprise,  made  a  few  random  shots,  then 
threw  down  their  muskets  and  fled.  Montgomery  sprang 
forward,  aided  with  his  own  hand  to  pluck  down  the 
pickets,  which  the  pioneers  were  sawing,  and  having 
made  a  breach  sufficiently  wide  to  admit  three  or  four 
men  abreast,  entered  sword  in  hand,  followed  by  his  stafi^ 
Captain  Cheeseman,  and  some  of  his  men.  The  Cana- 
dians had  fled  from  the  picket  to  the  battery  or  block- 
house, but  seemed  to  have  carried  the  panic  with  them, 
for  the  battery  remained  silent.  Montgomery  felt  for  a 
moment  as  if  the  surprise  had  been  complete.  He  paused 
in  the  breach  to  rally  on  the  troops,  who  were  stumblinc; 


AaXrOLD'B  FOBLOaif  HOPE.  19S 

■long  the  difficult  pass.  "  Pnsli  on,  my  lirsvB  boyH," 
cried  he,  "  Quebec  is  oars  I " 

He  again  dashed  forward,  hat,  vhen  vithin  Eorfy  paoes 
of  the  battery,  a  diacha^e  of  grape-shot  from  a  single 
cannon,  made  deadly  havoa  Montgomery  and  MoPher- 
Bon,  one  of  his  aides,  were  killed  on  the  spot  Captain 
Gheesemaii,  vho  was  leading  on  hia  New  Yorkers,  re- 
oeiTed  a  canister-shot  through  the  body ;  made  an  effort 
to  rise  and  push  forward,  but  fell  back  a  corpse ;  with 
him  fell  his  orderly  sei^ant  and  aeveral  of  his  men. 
This  fearful  slaughter,  and  the  death  of  their  general, 
threw  everything  in  confusion.  The  officer  next  in  lineal 
laok  to  the  general,  was  far  in  the  rear ;  in  this  emei^ 
gency.  Colonel  Campbell,  quartermaster-general,  took 
the  command,  bat,  instead  of  rallying  the  men,  and  en- 
deavoring to  effect  the  junction  with  Arnold,  ordered  a 
retreat,  and  abandoned  the  halt-won  field,  leaving  behind 
him  the  bodies  of  the  slain. 

While  all  this  was  occurring  on  the  side  of  Cape  Disp 
mond,  Arnold  led  hia  division  against  the  opposite  side 
(A  the  lower  town  along  the  suharb  and  street  of  St. 
Boque.  Like  Montgomery,  he  took  the  advance  at  the 
head  of  a  forlorn  hope  of  twenty-five  men,  accompanied 
by  his  secretary,  Oswald,  formerly  one  of  his  captains  at 
Ticonderc^a.  Captain  Lamb  and  his  artillery  company 
came  next,  with  a  field-piece  moanted  on  a  sledge.  Then 
came  a  company  with  ladders  and  scaling  implements, 
followed  by  Morgan  and  his  riflemen.    In  the  rear  of  al] 


196  tl^  OF  WASSmOlVS. 

these  oame  the  main  body.  A  battery  on  a  wbarf  oom« 
manded  the  narrow  pass  by  which  they  had  to  adyanoe. 
This  was  to  be  attacked  with  the  field-piece,  and  then 
scaled  with  ladders  by  the  forlorn  hope ;  while  Captain 
Morgan  with  his  riflemen,  was  to  pass  ronnd  the  wharf 
on  the  ice. 

The  false  attack  which  was  to  have  been  made  by  liy- 
ingston  on  the  gate  of  St  John's,  by  way  of  diversion^  had 
not  taken  place ;  there  was  nothing,  therefore,  to  call  off 
the  attention  of  the  enemy  in  this  quarter  from  the  de- 
tachment The  troops,  as  they  straggled  along  in  length- 
ened file  through  the  drifting  snow,  were  sadly  galled  by 
a  flanking  fire  on  the  right,  from  wall  and  pickets.  The 
field-piece  at  length  became  so  deeply  embedded  in  a 
snow-drift,  that  it  could  not  be  moved.  Lamb  sent  word 
to  Arnold  of  the  impediment ;  in  the  meantime  he  and 
his  artillery  company  were  brought  to  a  halt  The  com- 
pany with  the  scaling  ladders  would  have  halted  also, 
haying  been  told  to  keep  in  the  rear  of  the  artillery ;  but 
they  were  urged  on  by  Morgan  with  a  thundering  oath, 
who  pushed  on  after  them  with  his  riflemen,  the  artillery 
company  opening  to  the  right  and  left  to  let  them  pass. 

They  arrived  in  the  advance  just  as  Arnold  was  lead- 
ing on  his  forlorn  hope  to  attack  the  barrier.  Before  he 
reached  it,  a  severe  wound  in  the  right  leg  with  a  muskei- 
ball  completely  disabled  him,  and  he  had  to  be  borne 
from  the  fleld.  Morgan  instantly  took  the  command. 
Just  then  Lamb  came  up  with  his  companyi  armed  with 


uoB&AiT'a  attach:  197 

muskets  and  bajronets,  having  reoeived  orders  to  abandon 
the  field-pieoe,  and  sapport  the  adranoe.  Osirald  joined 
him  with  tiie  forlorn  hope.  The  Irattery  -which  com- 
manded  the  defile  moonted  tvo  pieces  of  cannon.  There 
vas  a  discharge  of  grape-shot  when  the  aasaihuita  veie 
eloae  nnder  tiie  mnszles  of  the  gons,  jet  bnt  one  man 
was  killed.  Before  there  ooold  be  a  second  discharge, 
the  battery  was  carried  by  assault,  some  firing  into  the 
embrasures,  others  scaling  the  walls.  The  captain  and 
thirty  of  his  men  were  taken  prisoners. 

The  day  was  jnst  dawning  as  Mo^an  led  on  to  attack 
the  second  barrier,  and  his  men  had  to  advanoe  nnder  a 
fire  from  the  town  walls  on  their  right,  which  incessantly 
thinned  their  ranks.  The  second  barrier  was  reached; 
they  applied  their  scaling  ladders  to  storm  it.  The  de* 
fense  was  brave  and  obstinate,  bnt  the  defenders  were 
at  length  driven  from  their  gons,  and  the  battery  was 
gained.  At  the  last  moment  one  of  the  gnnners  ran 
back,  linstock  in  hand,  to  give  one  more  shot.  Captain 
Lamb  snapped  a  fasee  at  him.  It  missed  fire.  The  can- 
non was  discharged,  and  a  grape-shot  wounded  Lamb  in 
the  bead,  carrying  away  part  of  the  cheek-bone.  He  was 
borne  off  senseless,  to  a  neighboring  shed. 

The  two  barriers  being  now  taken,  the  way  on  this  side 
into  the  lower  town  seemed  open.  Morgan  prepared  to 
enter  it  with  the  riotorioos  vangnard,  first  stationing 
Captain  Dearborn  and  some  provincials  at  Palace  Gate, 
which  opened  down  into  the  defile  from  the  npper  town. 


198  LIFE  OF  WASHmGTOir. 

Bj  this  time,  howeyer,  the  death  of  Montgomery  and  xe* 
treat  of  Campbell,  had  enabled  the  enemy  to  torn  all 
their  attention  in  this  direction*  A  large  detaohment 
sent  by  General  Carleton,  sallied  out  of  Palace  Gate  afler 
Morgan  had  passed  it,  surprised  and  ci^tnred  Dearborn 
and  the  gnard,  and  completely  cut  off  the  advanced  party. 
The  main  body,  informed  of  the  death  of  Montgomery, 
and  giving  np  the  game  as  lost,  retreated  to  the  camp, 
leaving  behind  the  field-piece  which  Lamb's  company 
had  abandoned,  and  the  mortars  in  the  battery  of  St 
Boqne. 

Morgan  and  his  men  were  now  hemmed  in  on  all  sides, 
and  obliged  to  take  refuge  in  a  stone  house,  from  the  in- 
veterate fire  which  assailed  them.  From  the  windows  of 
this  honse  they  kept  np  a  desperate  defense,  until  cannon 
were  brought  to  bear  upon  it  Then,  hearing  of  the  death 
of  Montgomery,  and  seeing  that  there  was  no  prospect  of 
relief,  Morgan  and  his  gallant  handful  of  followers  were 
compelled  to  surrender  themselves  prisoners  of  war. 

Thus  foiled  at  every  point,  the  wrecks  of  the  little  army 
abandoned  their  camp,  and  retreated  about  three  miles 
from  the  town ;  where  they  hastily  fortified  themselves, 
apprehending  a  pursuit  by  the  garrison.  General  Carl»- 
ton,  however,  contented  himself  with  having  secured  the 
safety  of  the  place,  and  remained  cautiously  passive  until 
he  should  be  properly  reinforced ;  distrusting  the  good 
faith  of  the  motley  inhabitants.  He  is  said  to  have 
treated  the  prisoners  with  a  humanity  the  more  honor* 


GALLAJTT  BE80L  VE  OF  ARNOLD.  199 

able,  oonsidermg  the  ''habitual  military  seyeritj  of  his 
temper  ;**  their  heroic  daring,  displayed  in  the  assault 
upon  the  lower  town,  having  excited  his  admiration. 

The  remains  of  the  gallant  Montgomery  receiyed  a  sol- 
dier's graye,  within  the  fortifications  of  Quebec,  by  the 
care  of  Oramah^,  the  lieutenant-goyemor,  who  had  for- 
merly known  him. 

Arnold,  wounded  and  disabled,  had  been  assisted  back 
to  the  camp,  dragging  one  foot  after  the  other  for  nearly 
a  mile  in  great  agony,  and  exposed  continually  to  the 
musketry  from  the  walls  at  fifty  yards*  distance,  which 
shot  down  several  at  his  side. 

He  took  temporary  command  of  the  shattered  army, 
until  Qeneral  Wooster  should  arrive  from  Montreal,  to 
whom  he  sent  an  express,  urging  him  to  bring  on  succor. 
"  On  this  occasion,**  says  a  contemporary  writer,  "  he 
discovered  the  utmost  vigor  of  a  determined  mind,  and  a 
genius  full  of  resources.  Defeated  and  wounded,  as  he 
was,  he  put  his  troops  into  such  a  situation  as  to  keep 
fhem  still  formidable.*'  * 

With  a  mere  handful  of  men,  at  one  time  not  exceeding 
five  hundred,  he  maintained  a  blockade  of  the  strong 
fortress  from  which  he  had  just  been  repulsed.  ''  I  have 
no  thoughts,"  writes  he,  "  of  leaving  this  proud  town 
until  I  enter  it  in  triumph.  /  am  in  the  way  of  my  dtdy, 
and  I  know  no  fear  /  *'  t 

♦  avU  War  in  America,  vol.  i.  p.  113. 

t  See  Arnold's  Letter.    Bemembraneer^  iL  868. 


200  I'J^^  OF  WABHINaTON. 

Happy  for  him  Iiad  he  fallen  at  this  moment — ^Happy 
for  him  had  he  found  a  soldier's  and  a  patriot's  grave, 
beneath  the  rook-built  walls  of  Quebec.  Those  walls 
would  have  remained  enduring  monuments  of  his  re- 
nown. His  name,  like  that  of  Montgomery,  would  have 
been  treasured  up  among  the  dearest  though  most  mourn- 
ful recollections  of  his  country,  and  that  country  would 
hhr^  been  spared  the  single  traitorous  blot  that  dims  the 
bright  page  of  ite  reyolutionary  history. 


CHAPTER  XYL 

^^tmMWPimfHr"^^  of  washiuqton  amd  bghutlbr  oh  thb  DiaisTBas  nr  oar* 

▲DA. — ^BKIHTOaOmXHTS  RBQUIBSD  FBOM  NBW  BMQLAMD.— DAN0BB8  IN  THE 
DmSIOR  OF  nW  TOBK.— JOHNBON  hall  BELBAQUBBED.— bib  JOHN  CAPITU- 
LATB8.^<IBNBBOn8  CONDUCT  OF  SOHUTLBB. — OOYBBNOB  TBTON  AND  THB 
TOBIB8. — TOBT  ICACHINATIONS.— LEE  AT  NEW  TOBK. — SIB  HBNBT  CLINTON  IN 
THE  HABBOB. — ^MBNAGBS  OF  LEE. — THE  CITY  AND  BIYEB  FOBTIFIBD. — ELBE'S 
TBBATMBHT  OF  THE  TOBIES. — ^HIS  FLANS  OF  FOBTIFIOATION.— OBDEBED  TO 
THE  CXnCMAND  IH  CANADA.— HIS  SPECULATIONS  ON  TITLES  OF  DIQNITT. 

CHUTLEB'S  letter  to  Washington,  announcing 
the  recent  eyents,  was  written  with  manly  feel- 
ing. ''  I  wish/*  said  he,  "  I  had  no  occasion  to 
send  my  dear  general  this  melancholy  account  My  ami* 
able  friend,  the  gallant  Montgomery,  is  no  more;  the 
braye  Arnold  is  wounded ;  and  we  haye  met  with  a  se- 
yere  check  in  an  unsuccessful  attempt  on  Quebec.  May 
Heayen  be  graciously  pleased  that  the  misfortune  may 
terminate  here :  I  tremble  for  our  people  in  Oanada.*' 

Alluding  to  his  recent  request  to  retire  from  the  army, 
he  writes :  '*  Our  affidrs  are  much  worse  than  when  I  made 
the  request.  This  is  motiye  sufficient  for  me  to  continue 
to  serye  my  country  in  any  way  I  can  be  thought  most 
seryioeable ;  but  my  utmost  can  be  but  little,  weak  and 
indisposed  as  I  am.'* 

901 


202  I'IFB  OF  WASHZNGTOir. 

Wasliiiigton  was  deeply  moyed  by  the  disastrons  intel* 
ligenoe.  **  I  most  sincerely  condole  with  yon,**  writes  he, 
in  reply  to  Schnyler,  ''  npon  the  fall  of  the  braye  and 
worthy  Montgomery.  In  the  death  of  this  gentleman, 
America  has  sustained  a  heavy  loss.  I  am  mnch  con- 
cerned for  the  intrepid  and  enterprising  Arnold,  and 
greatly  fear  that  consequences  of  the  most  alarming  na- 
ture will  result  from  this  well-intended  but  unfortunate 
attempt." 

General  Schuyler,  who  was  now  in  Albany,  urged  the 
necessity  of  an  immediate  reinforcement  of  three  thou- 
sand men  for  the  army  in  Canada.  Washington  had 
not  a  man  to  spare  from  the  army  before  Boston*  He 
applied,  therefore,  on  his  own  responsibility,  to  Massa- 
chusetts, New  Hampshire,  and  Connecticut,  for  three 
regiments,  which  were  granted.  His  prompt  measure 
received  the  approbation  of  Congress,  and  further  rein- 
forcements were  ordered  from  the  same  quarters. 

Solicitude  was  awakened  about  the  interior  of  the  proY- 
ince  of  New  York.  Arms  and  ammunition  were  said  to 
be  concealed  in  Tryon  County,  and  numbers  of  the  tones 
in  that  neighborhood  preparing  for  hostilities.  Sir  John 
Johnson  had  fortified  Johnson  Hall,  gathered  about  him 
his  Scotch  Highland  tenants  and  Indian  allies,  and  it  was 
rumored  he  intended  to  carry  fire  and  sword  along  the 
valley  of  the  Mohawk. 

Schuyler,  in  consequence,  received  orders  from  Oon* 
gress  to  take  measures  for  securing  the  military  storeay 


SIS  JOHN  JOHNSON  CAPITULATES.  203 

disarming  the  disaffected,  and  apprehending  their  chiefa 
He  forthwith  hastened  from  Albany,  at  the  head  of  a 
body  of  soldiers ;  was  joined  by  Colonel  Herkimer,  with 
the  militia  of  Tryon  County  marshaled  forth  on  the 
frozen  bosom  of  the  Mohawk  Biver,  and  appeared  before 
Sir  John's  stronghold,  near  Johnstown,  on  the  19th  of 

January. 

Thus  beleaguered,  Sir  John,  after  much  negotiation, 
capitulated.  He  was  to  surrender  all  weapons  of  war 
and  military  stores  in  his  possession,  and  to  giye  his 
parole  not  to  take  arms  against  America.  On  these  con* 
ditiouB  he  was  to  be  at  liberty  to  go  as  far  westward  in 
Tryon  County  as  the  Gterman  Flats  and  Kingsland  dis- 
tricts, and  to  every  part  of  the  colony  to  the  southward 
and  eastward  of  these  districts ;  provided  he  did  not  go 
into  any  seaport  town. 

Sir  John  intimated  a  trust  that  he,  and  the  gentlemen 
with  him,  would  be  permitted  to  retain  such  arms  as 
were  their  own  property.  The  reply  was  characteristic : 
**  Gbneral  Schuyler's  feelings  as  a  gentleman  induce  him 
to  consent  that  Sir  John  Johnson  may  retain  the  few 
favorite  family  arms,  he  making  a  list  of  them.  General 
Schuyler  never  refused  a  gentleman  his  side-arms." 

The  capitulation  being  adjusted,  Schuyler  ordered  his 
troops  to  be  drawn  up  in  line  at  noon  (Jan.  20th),  be« 
tween  his  quarters  and  the  court-house,  to  receive  the 
surrender  of  the  Highlanders,  enjoining  profound  silence 
on  his  officers  and  men,  when  the  surrender  should  be 


204  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON. 

made.  Everything  wa«  conducted  with  great  regard  to 
the  feelings  of  Sir  John's  Scottish  adherents;  they 
marched  to  the  front,  grounded  their  arms,  and  were 
dismissed  with  exhortations  to  good  behavior. 

The  conduct  of  Schuyler,  throughout  this  affair,  drew 
forth  a  resolution  of  Congress,  applauding  him  for  his 
fidelity,  prudence,  and  expedition,  and  the  proper  temper 
he  had  maintained  toward  the  '^  deluded  people  "  in  ques- 
tion. Washington,  too,  congratulated  him  on  his  suc- 
cess. "  I  hope,"  writes  he,  "  General  Lee  will  execute  a 
work  of  the  same  kind  on  Long  Island.  It  is  high  time 
to  begin  with  our  internal  foes,  when  we  are  threatened 
with  such  severity  of  chastisement  from  our  kind  parent 
withoui" 

The  recent  reverses  in  Canada  had,  in  fact,  height- 
ened the  solicitude  of  Washington  about  the  province  of 
New  York.  That  province  was  the  central  and  all-im- 
portant link  in  the  confederacy ;  but  he  feared  it  might 
prove  a  brittle  one.  We  have  already  mentioned  the 
adverse  influences  in  operation  there.  A  large  number 
of  friends  to  the  crown,  among  the  official  and  commer- 
cial classes ;  rank  tories  (as  they  were  called),  in  the  city 
and  about  the  neighboring  country ;  partictdarly  on  Long 
and  Staten  Islands;  king's  ships  at  anchor  in  the  bay 
and  harbor,  keeping  up  a  suspicious  intercourse  with  the 
citizens ;  while  Governor  Tryon,  castled,  as  it  were,  on 
board  one  of  these  ships,  carried  on  intrigues  with  those 
disaffected  to  the  popular  cause,  in  all  parts  of  the  neigh* 


ZBS  AT  NSW  TOaX.  305 

borhood.  Ooontj  oommitteea  hod  been  empowered  by 
the  Neir  York  Congress  and  Conveation,  to  apprehend 
all  pezsons  notorioaalj  disaflEected,  to  examine  into  their 
oondnct,  and  ascertain  whether  thej  were  guilty  of  anj 
hostile  act  or  machination.  Imprisonment  or  banish- 
ment was  the  penally.  The  committees  conld  call  upon 
the  "''^'<^*  to  aid  in  the  discha^e  of  their  functions. 
Btill,  disaffection  to  the  caoae  was  said  to  be  rife  in  the 
prorinoe,  and  Washington  looked  to  General  Lee  for 
efiectiTe  measures  to  suppress  it. 

Lee  arrived  at  New  York  on  the  4th  of  February,  his 
caostdo  hnmom  sharpened  by  a  severe  attack  of  the  goat, 
whioh  had  rendered  it  necessary,  while  on  Uie  march,  to 
carry  him  for  a  considerable  part  of  the  way  in  a  litter. 
His  correspondence  is  a  complete  mental  barometer.  "I 
consider  it  as  a  piece  of  the  greatest  good  fortone," 
writes  he  to  Washington  (Feb.  6th),  "  that  the  Congress 
have  detached  a  committee  to  this  place,  otherwise  I 
should  have  made  a  most  ridionloos  figure,  besides 
bringing  upon  myself  the  enmity  of  the  whole  province. 
My  hands  were  effectually  tied  up  from  taking  any  step 
necessaiy  for  the  pablio  service  by  the  late  resolve  of 
Congress,  putting  every  detachment  of  the  continental 
forces  under  the  command  of  the  Provincial  Congress 
where  such  detachment  is." 

By  a  singular  coincidence,  on  the  veiy  day  of  his  ar- 
rival, Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with  the  squadron  which  had 
sailed  so  mysteriously  from  Boston,  looked  into  the  har- 


206  -WF^  OF  WASHINGTON. 

bor.  ''  Thoagh  it  was  Sabbath/*  says  a  letter-writer  of 
the  day, ''  it  threw  the  whole  city  into  such  a  convulsioii 
as  it  never  knew  before.  Many  of  the  inhabitants  has- 
tened to  move  their  effects  into  the  country,  expecting 
an  immediate  conflict  All  that  day  and  all  night,  were 
there  carts  going  and  boats  loading,  and  women  and 
children  crying,  and  distressed  voices  heard  in  the  roads 
in  the  dead  of  the  night"  * 

Clinton  sent  for  the  mayor,  and  expressed  much  sur- 
prise and  concern  at  the  distress  caused  by  his  arrival ; 
which  was  merely,  he  said,  on  a  short  visit  to  his  friend 
Tryon,  and  to  see  how  matters  stood«  He  professed  a 
juvenile  love  for  the  place,  and  desired  that  the  inhabi- 
tants might  be  informed  of  the  purport  of  his  visits  and 
that  he  would  go  away  as  soon  as  possible. 

"  He  brought  no  troops  with  him,'*  writes  Lee,  *'  and 
pledges  his  honor  that  none  are  coming.  He  says  it  is 
merely  a  visit  to  his  friend  Tryon.  If  it  is  really  so,  it  is 
the  most  whimsical  piece  of  civility  I  ever  heard  of.'* 

A  gentleman  in  New  York,  writing  to  a  friend  in  Phila* 
delphia,  reports  one  of  the  general's  characteristic  men- 
aces, which  kept  the  town  in  a  fever : — 

"Lee  says  he  will  send  word  on  board  of  the  men-of- 
war,  that,  if  they  set  a  house  on  fire,  he  will  chain  a  hun- 
dred of  their  friends  by  the  neck,  and  make  the  housi 
their  funeral  pile."  f 

*  Reimmnbnmcerf  y6L  ili. 

t  Am.  AreMvee,  5th  Series,  iy.  941. 


aUNTOir'B  rORBEASANaK  207 

For  ihis  tiiee,  ibe  inhabitants  of  New  York  were  let 
off  for  their  feara  Clinton,  after  a  brief  -risi^  oontini»d 
his  iDTBteriotis  omise,  openly  avowing  h^  destination  to 
be  Ncnth  Carolina — whioh  nobodj  believed,  simplj  be- 
oanae  he  avowed  it 

The  Dake  of  Manoheeter,  speaking  in  the  House  of 
Lords  of  the  oondnct  of  Clinton,  ccatrasts  it  with  that  ol 
Ijord  I>iimQore,  who  wrapped  Norfolk  in  flames.  *'  I  wUl 
pftss  no  oensnre  tm.  that  noble  lord,"  said  he,  "bnt  I  oonld 
wish  that  he  had  acted  with  that  generous  spirit  thai 
forbade  Clinton  uselessly  to  destroy  the  town  of  New 
lork.  Uy  lords,  Clinton  visited  New  York ;  the  inhabiF 
tants  expected  its  destmction.  Lee  appeared  before  ii 
with  an  army  too  powerful  to  be  attacked,  and  Clinton 
passed  by  without  doing  any  wanton  damage." 

The  neoessity  of  conferring  with  committees  at  every 
step,  was  a  hard  restraint  upon  a  man  of  Lee's  ardeni 
and  impatient  temper,  who  had  a  soldierlike  contempt 
for  the  men  of  peace  around  him ;  yet  at  the  outset  he 
bore  it  better  than  might  have  been  expected. 

**  The  Congress  committees,  a  certain  number  of  the 
ooDunittees  of  safety,  and  yonr  humble  servant,"  writes 
he  to  Washington,  "  have  had  two  conferences.  The  re- 
sult is  such  as  will  agreeably  surprise  yon.  It  is  in  the 
first  place  agreed,  and  justly,  that  to  fortify  the  town 
against  shipping  is  impracticable ;  but  we  are  to  foriify 
lodgments  on  some  commanding  part  of  the  city  for  two 
thousand  men.    We  are  to  erect  inclosed  batteries  od 


908  ^^I^^  OF  WASHmGTOJr. 

both  sides  of  the  water,  near  Hell  Gate,  which  will  aa> 
swer  the  doable  purpose  of  securing  the  town  against 
piracies  through  the  Sound,  and  secure  our  communica* 
tion  with  Long  Island,  now  become  a  more  important 
point  than  ever;  as  it  is  determined  to  form  a  strong 
fortified  camp  of  three  thousand  men,  on  the  island,  im« 
mediately  opposite  to  New  York  The  pass  in  the  High- 
lands is  to  be  made  as  respectable  as  possible,  and 
guarded  by  a  battalion.  In  shorty  I  think  the  plan  judi- 
oious  and  complete.** 

The  pass  in  the  Highlands  aboye  alluded  to,  is  that 
grand  defile  of  the  Hudson,  where,  for  upwards  of  fifteen 
miles,  it  wends  its  deep  channel  between  stem,  forest* 
dad  mountains  and  rocky  promontories.  Two  fortSi 
about  six  miles  distant  from  each  other,  and  command 
ing  narrow  parts  of  the  river  at  its  bends  through  these 
TTigliUTi<1fl^  had  been  commenced  in  the  preceding  au« 
tumn,by  order  of  the  Oontinental  Congress;  but  they 
were  said  to  be  insufficient  for  the  security  of  that  im- 
portant pass,  and  were  to  be  extended  and  strengthened* 

Washington  had  charged  Lee,  in  his  instructions,  to 
keep  a  stem  eye  upon  the  tories,  who  were  active  in  New 
York.  "  You  can  seize  upon  the  persons  of  the  princi- 
pals/' said  he ;  **  they  must  be  so  notoriously  known, 
that  there  will  be  little  danger  of  committing  mistakes.'* 
Lee  acted  up  to  the  letter  of  these  instructions,  and 
weeded  out  with  a  vigorous  hand  some  of  the  rankest  ol 
the  growth.    This  gave  great  o£fense  to  the  peace-loving 


CAPTAm  PABEEB'B  PASSIVE  CONDUOT         209 

dtizeiis,  who  insisted  that  he  was  arrogating  a  power 
vested  solely  in  the  civil  authority.  One  of  them,  well- 
affiooted  to  the  cause,  writes,  '^  To  see  the  vast  number  of 
houses  shut  up,  one  would  think  the  city  almost  evacu- 
ated. Women  and  children  are  scarcely  to  be  seen  in  the 
streets.  Troops  are  daily  coming  in ;  they  break  open 
and  quarter  themselves  in  any  house  they  find  shut"  * 

The  enemy,  too,  regarded  his  measures  with  apprehen* 
sion.  ''That  arch  rebel  Lee,*'  writes  a  British  officer, 
''  has  driven  all  the  well-affected  people  from  the  town  of 
New  YorL  If  something  is  not  speedily  done.  His  Bri- 
tannic Majesty's  American  dominions  will  be  confined 
within  a  very  narrow  compass."  t 

In  the  exercise  of  his  miUtary  functions,  Lee  set  Gov 
emor  Tryon  and  the  captain  of  the  Asia  at  defiance. 
''  They  had  threatened  perdition  to  the  town,"  vnrites  he 
to  Washington,  **  if  the  cannon  were  removed  from  the 
batteries  and  wharves,  but  I  ever  considered  their  threats 
as  a  hrvtumfvlmm^  and  even  persuaded  the  town  to  be  of 
the  same  way  of  thinking.  We  accordingly  conveyed 
them  to  a  place  of  safety  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  and 
no  cannonade  ensued.  Captain  Parker  publishes  a 
pleasant  reason  for  his  passive  conduct  He  says  that  it 
was  manifestly  my  intention,  and  that  of  the  New  Eng- 
land men  under  my  command,  to  bring  destruction  on 
this  town,  so  hated  for  their  loyal  principles,  but  that  he 

*  Fred.  Bhinelander  to  Peter  Van  Schaack»  Feb.  28L 
t  Am,  ArcMtfea,  y.  425, 


210  LIFE  OF  WASHlNQTOISr. 

was  determined  not  to  indulge  us ;  so  remained  qtdel 
out  of  spite.  The  people  here  laugh  at  his  nonsenaei 
and  begin  to  despise  the  menaces  which  formerly  used  to 
throw  them  into  convulsions." 

Washington  appears  to  hare  shared  the  merriment 
In  his  reply  to  Lee,  he  writes,  "  I  could  not  avoid  laugh* 
ing  at  Captain  Parker's  reasons  for  not  putting  his  re« 
peated  threats  into  execution/' — a  proof,  by  the  way, 
under  his  own  hand,  that  he  could  laugh  occasionally ; 
and  even  when  surrounded  by  perplexities. 

According  to  Lee's  account,  the  New  Yorkers  showed 
a  wonderful  alacrity  in  removing  the  cannon.  **  Men  and 
boys  of  all  ages,**  writes  he,  **  worked  with  the  greatest; 
zeal  and  pleasure.  I  really  believe  the  generality  are  as 
well  affected  as  any  on  the  continent."  Some  of  the  well- 
affected,  however,  thought  he  was  rather  too  self-willed 
and  high-handed.  "Though  General  Lee  has  many 
things  to  recommend  him  as  a  general,'*  writes  one  of 
them,  "  yet  I  think  he  was  out  of  luck  when  he  ordered 
the  removal  of  the  guns  from  the  battery ;  as  it  was  with* 
out  the  approbation  or  knowledge  of  our  Congress.**  *— 
Lee. seldom  waited  for  the  approbation  of  Congress  in 
moments  of  exigency. 

He  now  proceeded  with  his  plan  of  defenses.  A  strong 
redoubt,  capable  of  holding  three  hundred  men,  was 
oommenced  at  Horen's  Hook,  commanding  the  pass  at 

*  Fred.  Bhinelander  to  Peter  Van  Sohaadk. 


PLAJHra  OF  FORTIFICATION.  211 

Hell  Gate,  so  as  to  block  up  from  the  enemy's  ships  the 
passage  between  the  mainland  and  Long  Island.  A  reg- 
iment was  stationed  on  the  island,  making  fascines,  and 
preparing  other  materials  for  constructing  the  works  for 
an  intrenched  camp,  which,  Lee  hoped  would  render  it 
impossible  for  the  enemy  to  get  a  footing  there,  "  What 
to  do  with  this  city,"  writes  he,  "  I  own,  puzzles  me.  It 
is  so  encircled  with  deep  navigable  water,  that  whoeve] 
commands  the  sea  must  command  the  town.  To-morrow 
I  shall  begin  to  dismantle  that  part  of  the  fort  next  to 
the  town,  to  prevent  its  being  converted  into  a  dtadeL 
I  shall  barrier  the  principal  streets,  and,  at  least,  if  1 
cannot  make  it  a  continental  garrison,  it  shall  be  a  dis- 
putable field  of  battle.**  Batteries  were  to  be  erected  on 
an  eminence  behind  Trinity  Church,  to  keep  the  enemy's 
ships  at  so  great  a  distance  as  not  to  injure  the  town. 

King's  Bridge,  at  the  upper  end  of  Manhattan  or  New 
Tork  Island,  linking  it  with  the  main  land,  was  pro- 
nounced  by  Lee  ''  a  most  important  pass,  without  which 
the  city  could  have  no  communication  with  Connecticut.** 
It  was,  therefore,  to  be  made  as  strong  as  possible. 

Heavy  cannon  were  to  be  sent  up  to  the  forts  in  the 
Highlands,  which  were  to  be  enlarged  and  strengthened. 

In  the  midst  of  his  schemes,  Lee  received  orders  from 
Cbngress  to  the  command  in  Canada,  vacant  by  the  death 
of  Montgomery.  He  bewailed  the  defenseless  condition 
of  the  city ;  the  Continental  Congress,  as  he  said,  not 
having  as  yet  taken  the  least  step  for  its  security.    ^*  The 


212  LIFB  OF  WASmNGTOISr. 

instant  I  leave  it,"  said  he,  *'  I  conolnde  the  ProyinciaS 
Oongress,  and  inhabitants  in  general,  will  relapse  into 
their  former  hysterics.  The  men-of-war  and  Mr.  Trjon 
will  return  to  their  old  station  at  the  wharves,  and  the 
first  regiments  who  arrive  from  England  will  take  quiet 
possession  of  the  town  and  Long  Island." 

It  must  be  observed  that,  in  consequence  of  his  military 
demonstrations  in  the  city,  the  enemy's  ships  had  drawn 
o£f  and  dropped  down  the  bay ;  and  he  had  taken  vigor- 
ous measures,  without  consulting  the  committees,  to  put 
an  end  to  the  practice  of  supplying  them  with  provisions. 

"  Gbvemor  Tryon  and  the  -4«ta,"  writes  he,  to  Wash- 
ington, "  continue  between  Nutten  and  Bedlow's  TalRTiflq, 
It  has  pleased  his  Excellency,  in  violation  of  the  compact 
he  has  made,  to  seize  several  vessels  from  Jersey  laden 
with  flour.  It  has,  in  rettim,  pleased  my  Excellency  to 
stop  all  provisions  from  the  city,  and  out  off  all  inter- 
course with  him, — a  measure  which  has  thrown  the 
mayor,  council,  and  tories  into  agonies.  The  propensity, 
or  rather  rage,  for  paying  court  to  this  great  man,  is  in- 
conceivable. They  cannot  be  weaned  from  him.  We 
must  put  wormwood  on  his  paps,  or  they  will  cry  to 
suck,  as  they  are  in  their  second  childhood." 

We  would  observe  in  explanation  of  a  sarcasm  in  the* 
above  quoted  letter,  that  Lee  professed  a  great  contempt 
for  the  titles  of  respect  which  it  was  the  custom  to  prefix 
to  the  names  of  men  in  office  or  command.  He  scoffed 
at  them  as  unworthy  of  ^'  a  great,  free,  manly,  equal  com* 


LEB'B  CONTEMPT  FOB  T1TLB6.  213 

monwealth."  **  For  my  own  part,"  said  he,  *^  I  would  as 
lief  they  would  pat  ratsbane  in  my  moath,  as  the  Excel  •> 
lency  with  which  I  am  daily  crammed.  How  much  more 
trae  dignity  was  there  in  the  simplicity  of  address  among 
the  Bomans  I  Marcus  Tnllins  Cicero,  Decios  Brato  Im- 
peratori,  or  Caio  Marcello  Consnli,  than  to  *  His  Excel- 
lency Major-general  Noodle/  or  to  the  *  Honorable  John 
Doodle.*** 


CHAPTER  XYIL 


MOVOTOirOUl  BTATB  OF  AFFAIRS  BBFORB  BOSTON.— WABHINOTOV  AXZIOUB 

ACTION.— EXPLOIT  OF  PUTNAM.— ITS  DRAMATIO  CONSBQUBNOBS. — THB  PABGB 
OF  THB  BLOGKADB  OF  BOSTON. — AN  ALARMING  INTERRUPTION. — ^DI8TBB88B8 
OF  THB  BBSIEGBD.  —  WASHINGTON'S  IRKSOMB  PREDICAMENT. — HIS  BOLD 
PROPOSITION. — DEMUR  OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  WAR. — ARRIVAL  OF  KNOX  WITH 
ARTILLERY.  —  DORCHESTER  HEIGHTS  TO  BE  SEIZED  AND  FORTIFIED.  — FSBP- 
ARATION8  FOR  THE  ATTEMPT. 


|HE  siege  of  Boston  continued  through  the  win- 
ter, without  any  striking  incident  to  enliven  its 
monotony.  The  British  remained  within  their 
works,  leaving  the  beleaguering  army  slowly  to  augment 
its  forces.  The  country  was  dissatisfied  with  the  inaction 
of  the  latter.  Even  Congress  was  anxious  for  some  suc- 
cessful blow  that  might  revive  popular  enthusiasm.  Wash- 
ington shared  this  anxiety,  and  had  repeatedly,  in  councils 
of  war,  suggested  an  attack  upon  the  town,  but  had  found 
a  majority  of  his  general  officers  opposed  to  ii  He  had 
hoped  some  favorable  opportunity  would  present,  when, 
the  harbor  being  frozen,  the  troops  might  approach  the 
town  upon  the  ice.  The  winter,  however,  though  severe 
at  first,  proved  a  mild  one,  and  the  bay  continued  open. 
General  Putnam,  in  the  meantime,  having  completed  the 

U4 


•«  THE  BLOCKADE  OF  BOSTON.^  216 

new  works  at  Leclimere  Point,  and  being  desirous  of 
keeping  np  the  spirit  of  his  men,  resolved  to  treat  them 
to  an  exploit  Accordingly,  from  his  '^  impregnable  for^ 
tress  '*  of  Cobble  Hill,  he  detached  a  party  of  about  two 
hundred,  under  his  favorite  officer,  Major  Enowlton,  to 
surprise  and  capture  a  British  guard  stationed  at  Charles- 
town.  It  was  a  daring  enterprise,  and  executed  with 
spirit  As  Charlestown  Neck  was  completely  protected, 
£nowlton  led  his  men  across  the  mill-dam,  round  the 
base  of  the  hill,  and  immediately  below  the  fort ;  set  fire 
to  the  guard-house  and  some  buildings  in  its  vicinity; 
made  several  prisoners,  and  retired  without  loss,  although 
thundered  upon  by  the  cannon  of  the  fort  The  exploit 
was  attended  by  a  dramatic  effect  on  which  Putnam  had 
not  calculated.  The  British  officers,  early  in  the  winter, 
had  fitted  up  a  theatre,  which  was  well  attended  by  the 
troops  and  tories.  On  the  evening  in  question,  an  after* 
piece  was  to  be  performed,  entitled,  ^'  The  Blockade  of 
Boston,"  intended  as  a  burlesque  on  the  patriot  army 
which  was  beleaguering  it  Washington  is  said  to  have 
been  represented  in  it  as  an  awkward  lout,  equipped  with 
a  huge  wig,  and  a  long  rusty  sword,  attended  by  a  coun- 
try booby  as  orderly  sergeant,  in  rustic  garb,  with  an  old 
firelock  seven  or  eight  feet  long. 

The  theatre  was  crowded,  especially  by  the  military. 
The  first  pioce  was  over,  and  the  curtain  was  rising  for 
the  &rcc,  when  a  sergeant  made  his  appearance,  and  an« 
jiounoed  that  'Hhe  alarm  guns  were  firing  at  Charlestown, 


216  LIFE  OF  WASHmQTOlf. 

and  the  Yankee;:  attacking  Bunker's  Hill."  At  first  tliia 
was  supposed  to  be  a  part  of  the  entertamment^  until 
General  Howe  gave  the  word,  "  Officers,  to  your  alarm 
posts." 

Great  confusion  ensued ;  every  one  scrambled  out  of 
the  theatre  as  fast  as  possible.  There  was,  as  usual^ 
some  shrieking  and  fainting  of  ladies ;  and  the  farce  oi 
^'The  Blockade  of  Boston"  had  a  more  serious  than 
oomic  termination. 

The  London  "  Chronicle/'  in  a  sneering  comment  on 
Boston  affiiiirs,  gave  Burgoyne  as  the  author  of  this  bur- 
lesque afterpiece,  though  perhaps  unjustly.  ''General 
Burgoyne  has  opened  a  theatrical  campaign,  of  which 
himself  is  sole  manager,  being  determined  to  act  with  the 
proyincials  on  the  defensive  only.  Tom  Thumb  has  been 
already  represented ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  pro- 
vincials are  preparing  to  exhibit,  early  m  the  spring, 
'  Measure  for  Measure.' " 

The  British  officers,  like  all  soldiers  by  profession,  en* 
deavored  to  while  away  the  time  by  every  amusement 
within  their  reach ;  but,  in  truth,  the  condition  of  the  be- 
sieged town  was  daily  becoming  more  and  more  distress- 
ing. The  inhabitants  were  without  flour,  pulse,  or  vege- 
tables ;  the  troops  were  nearly  as  destitute.  There  waa 
a  lack  of  fuel,  too,  as  well  as  food.  The  small-pox  broke 
out,  and  it  was  necessary  to  inoculate  the  army.  Men, 
women,  and  children  either  left  the  city  voluntarily,  or 
were  sent  out  of  it ;  yet  the  distress  increased.    Several 


WASBlNOTOir'B  DtFflOULTlBa.  217 

honses  were  broken  open  and  plundered;  others  were 
demolished  by  the  soldiery  for  fneL  General  Howe  re- 
sorted to  the  sternest  measures  to  put  a  stop  to  these 
exoesses.  The  provost  was  ordered  to  go  the  rounds 
with  the 'hangman,  and  hang  up  the  first  man  he  should 
detect  in  the  fact,  without  waiting  for  further  proof  for 
triaL  Offenders  were  punished  with  four  hundred,  six 
hundred,  and  even  one  thousand  lashes.  The  wife  of  a 
private  soldier,  convicted  of  receiving  stolen  goods,  was 
sentenced  to  one  hundred  lashes  on  her  bare  back,  at  the 
cart*s  tail,  in  different  parts  of  the  town,  and  an  imprison- 
ment of  three  months. 

Meanwhile,  Washington  was  incessantly  goaded  by  the 
impatient  murmurs  of  the  public,  as  we  may  judge  by  his 
letters  to  Mr.  Beed.  ''  I  know  the  integrity  of  my  own 
heart/'  writes  he,  on  the  10th  of  February ;  "  but  to  de- 
clare it,  unless  to  a  friend,  may  be  an  argument  of  vanity. 
I  know  the  unhappy  predicament  I  stand  in  ;  I  know  that 
much  is  expected  of  me  ;  I  know  that,  without  men,  with- 
out arms,  without  ammunition,  without  anything  fit  for 
the  accommodation  of  a  soldier,  little  is  to  be  done ;  and, 
what  is  mortifying,  I  know  that  I  cannot  stand  justified 
to  the  world  without  exposing  my  own  weakness,  and 
injuring  the  cause,  by  declaring  my  wants  ;  which  I  am 
determined  not  to  do,  further  than  unavoidable  necessity 
brings  every  man  acquainted  with  them. 

^My  own  situation  is  so  irksome  to  me  at  times,  that, 
if  I  did  not  consult  the  public  good  more  than  my  own 


# 


J18  LIFE  OF  WABHINQTOJSr. 

tranquillity,  I  should  long  ere  this  have  put  eyerything 
on  the  cast  of  a  die.  So  far  from  my  having  an  army  of 
twenty  thousand  men,  well  armed,  I  have  been  here  with 
less  than  one  half  of  that  number,  including  sick,  fur- 
loughed,  and  on  command ;  and  those  neither  armed  nor 
clothed  as  they  should  be.  In  short,  my  situation  has 
been  such,  that  I  have  been  obliged  to  use  art  to  conceal 
it  from  my  own  officers." 

How  precious  are  those  letters  I  And  how  fortunate 
that  the  absence  of  Mr.  Beed  from  camp,  should  have 
procured  for  us  such  confidential  outpourings  of  Wash* 
ington's  heart  at  this  time  of  its  great  triaL 

He  still  adhered  to  his  opinion  in  favor  of  an  attempt 
upon  the  town.  He  was  aware  that  it  would  be  attended 
with  considerable  loss,  but  believed  it  would  be  success- 
ful if  the  men  should  behave  well.  Within  a  few  days 
after  the  date  of  this  letter,  the  bay  became  sufficiently 
frozen  for  the  transportation  of  troops.  "  This,"  writes 
he  to  Beed,  ''  I  thought,  knowing  the  ice  would  not  last, 
a  favorable  opportunity  to  make  an  assault  upon  the 
troops  in  town.  I  proposed  it  in  council;  but  behold, 
though  we  had  been  waiting  all  the  year  for  this  favor- 
able event,  the  enterprise  was  thought  too  dangerous. 
Perhaps  it  was;  perhaps  the  irksomeness  of  my  situa- 
tion led  me  to  undertake  more  than  could  be  warranted 
by  prudence.  I  did  not  think  so,  and  I  am  sure  yet  thai 
the  enterprise,  if  it  had  been  undertaken  with  resolution, 
must  have  succeeded ;  without  it,  any  would  faiL*' 


COL.  KNOX  BBING8  SUPPLIES.  219 

ffis  proposition  was  too  bold  for  the  field-officers  as- 
sembled in  council  (Feb.  16th),  who  objected  that  there 
was  not  force,  nor  arms  and  ammunition  sufficient  in 
camp  for  such  an  attempt  Washington  acquiesced  in 
the  decision,  it  being  almost  unanimous ;  yet  he  felt  the 
irksomeness  of  his  situation.  ''  To  have  the  eyes  of  the 
whole  continent,"  said  he, ''  fixed  with  anxious  expecta- 
tion  of  hearing  of  some  great  event,  and  to  be  restrained 
in  every  military  operation  for  want  of  the  necessary 
means  of  carrying  it  on,  is  not  very  pleasing,  especially 
as  the  means  used  to  conceal  my  weakness  from  the  en- 
emy, conceal  it  also  from  our  friends,  and  add  to  {heir 
wonder.** 

In  the  council  of  war  above  mentioned,  a  cannonade 
ind  bombardment  were  considered  advisable,  as  soon  as 
there  should  be  a  sufficiency  of  powder ;  in  the  mean- 
time, preparations  might  be  made  for  taking  possession 
of  Dorchester  Heights  and  Noddle's  Island. 

At  length  the  camp  was  rejoiced  by  the  arrival  of 
Colonel  Enox,  with  his  long  train  of  sledges  drawn  by 
oxen,  bringing  more  than  fifty  cannon,  mortars,  and 
howitzsers,  besides  supplies  of  lead,  and  flints.  The  seal 
and  perseverance  which  he  had  displayed  in  his  wintry 
expedition  across  frozen  lakes  and  snowy  wastes,  and 
the  intelligence  with  which  he  had  fulfilled  his  instruc- 
tions, won  him  the  entire  confidence  of  Washington. 
His  conduct  in  this  enterprise  was  but  an  earnest  of  thai 
energy  and  ability  which  he  displayed  throughout  the  wac 


220  LIFE  OF  WAamNQTON. 

Further  ammunition  being  received  from  the  royal 
arsenal  at  New  York,  and  other  quarters,  and  a  rein- 
forcement of  ten  regiments  of  militia,  Washington  no 
longer  met  with  opposition  to  his  warlike  measures. 
Leohmere  Point,  which  Putnam  had  fortified,  was  im- 
mediately to  be  supplied  with  mortars  and  heavy  can- 
non, so  as  to  command  Boston  on  the  north;  and 
Dorchester  Heights,  on  the  south  of  the  town,  were 
forthwith  to  be  taken  possession  of.  "If  anything," 
said  Washington, ''  will  induce  the  enemy  to  hazard  an 
engagement,  it  will  be  our  attempting  to  fortify  those 
heights,  as,  in  that  event  taking  place,  we  shall  be  able 
to  command  a  great  part  of  the  town,  and  almost  the 
whole  harbor.'*  Their  possession,  moreover,  would  ena- 
ble him  to  push  his  works  to  Nook's  Hill,  and  other 
points  opposite  Boston,  whence  a  cannonade  and  bom- 
bardment must  drive  the  enemy  from  the  city. 

The  council  of  Massachusetts,  at  his  request,  ordered 
the  militia  of  the  towns  contiguous  to  Dorchester  and 
Boxbury,  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  repair  to  the 
lines  at  those  places  with  arms,  ammunition,  and  accou- 
trements, on  receiving  a  preconcerted  signaL 

Washington  felt  painfully  aware  how  much  depended 
upon  the  success  of  this  attempt.  There  was  a  cloud  of 
gloom  and  distrust  lowering  upon  the  public  mind.  Dan- 
ger threatened  on  the  north  and  on  the  south.  Mont- 
gomery had  fallen  before  the  walls  of  Quebec.  The 
army  in  Canada  was  shattered.    Tryon  and  the  tories 


PtTBLW  QLOOK,  221 

were  plotting  miscliief  in  New  York.  Zhuunore  was 
harasaing  the  lower  part  of  Yirginia,  and  Clinton  and 
hia  fleet  were  prowling  along  the  coast,  on  a  eeoret  er- 
rand of  niiBcluef. 

Washington's  general  orders  evince  the  solemn  and 
utzioos  state  of  Hia  feelings.  In  those  of  the  26th  of 
Febmaiy,  he  forbade  aU  playing  at  cards  and  other 
james  of  ohanoe.  "At  this  time  of  public  distress," 
grrites  he,  "  men  may  find  eooogh  to  do  in  the  service  of 
Gh>d  and  their  oonntry,  without  abandoning  themselves 

to  -vioe  and  immorality It  is  a  noble  cause 

are  are  engaged  in ;  it  is  the  oanse  of  virtne  and  man' 
kind ;  every  advantage  and  comfort  to  ns  and  onr  pos* 
beri^  depend  npon  the  vigor  of  oor  exertions ;  in  short, 
freedom  or  slavery  mnst  be  the  result  of  oor  conduct ; 
there  can,  therefore,  be  no  greater  indncement  to  men  to 
bebAve  well  Bnt  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  the  troops  to 
know,  that  if  any  man  in  action  shall  presume  to  skulk, 
hide  himself,  or  retreat  from  the  enemy  without  the  or* 
ders  of  his  commanding  officer,  he  will  be  instantly  shot 
down  as  an  example  of  cowardice ;  cowards  having  too 
frequently  disconcerted  the  best  formed  troops  by  their 
dastardly  behavior." 

In  the  general  plan  it  was  concerted  that,  should  the 
enemy  detach  a  large  force  to  dislodge  our  men  from  Dor- 
chester Heights,  as  had  been  done  in  the  affair  of  Buu' 
tar's  Hill,  an  attack  npon  the  opposite  side  of  the  town 
ihotdd  forthwith  be  made  by  Oeneral  Putnam.     For  this 


222  LIFE  OF  WAaniNQTON. 

purpose  he  was  to  have  four  thousand  picked  men  in 
readiness,  in  two  divisions,  under  Generals  Sullivan  and 
Ghreene.  At  a  concerted  signal  from  Boxburj,  they  were 
to  embark  in  boats  near  the  mouth  of  Charles  Biver, 
cross  under  cover  of  the  fire  of  three  floating  batteries, 
land  in  two  places  in  Boston,  secure  its  strong  posts, 
force  the  gates  and  works  at  the  Neck,  and  let  in  the 
Eoxbury  troops. 


CHAPTER  XVnL 


!  eveiUDg  of  Mondaj,  the  4tli  of  Harch,  vas 
I  fixed  npon  for  the  occapatdon  of  DorcheBter 
I  Heights.  The  groiud  was  frozen  too  hard  to 
be  eaailj  intrenohed ;  koines,  therefore,  and  gabions,  and 
bundles  of  screwed  hay,  were  collected  daring  the  two 
preceding  nights,  with  which  to  form  breastworks  and 
redoubts.  Dnring  these  two  busy  nights  the  enemy's 
batteries  were  cannonaded  and  bombarded  from  oppo- 
site points,  to  occupy  their  attention,  and  prevent  their 
noticing  these  preparations.  They  replied  with  spirit, 
and  the  incessant  roar  of  artillery  thus  kept  np,  ooveied 
cwmpletely  the  rumbling  of  w^i;ons  and  ordnance. 

How  little  the  enemy  were  aware  of  what  was  impend- 
ing, we  may  gather  from  the  following  extract  of  a  letter 
from  an  officer  of  distinction  in  the  British  army  in  Bee* 


224  LIFE  OF  WASHmGTOm 

BoBton  to  his  friend  in  London^  dated  on  the  3d  of 
March : — 

**  For  these  last  six  weeks  or  near  two  months  we  have 
been  better  amused  than  could  possibly  be  expected  in 
our  situation.  We  had  a  theatre,  we  had  balls,  and 
there  is  actually  a  subscription  on  foot  for  a  masque- 
rade. England  seems  to  have  forgot  us,  and  we  ha^e 
endeavored  to  forget  ourselves.  But  we  were  roused  to 
a  sense  of  our  situation  last  night,  in  a  manner  unpleas- 
ant  enough.  The  rebels  have  been  for  some  time  past 
erecting  a  bomb  battery,  and  last  night  began  to  play 
upon  us.  Two  shells  fell  not  far  from  me.  One  fell 
upon  Colonel  Monckton's  house,  but  luckily  did  not 
burst  until  it  had  crossed  the  street.  Many  houses  were 
damaged,  but  no  lives  lost  The  rebel  army,**  adds  he» 
'4s  not  brave,  I  believe,  but  it  is  agreed  on  aQ  hands 
that  their  artillery  officers  are  at  least  equal  to  ours."  * 

The  wife  of  John  Adams,  who  resided  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  American  camp,  and  knew  that  a  general  action 
was  meditated,  expresses  in  a  letter  to  her  husband  the 
feelings  of  a  patriot  woman  during  the  suspense  of  these 
nights. 

"  I  have  been  in  a  constant  state  of  anxiety  since  yon 
left  me,'*  writes  she  on  Saturday.  "It  has  been  said 
to-morrow,  and  to-morrow  for  this  month,  and  when  the 
dreadful  to-morrow  will  be,  I  know  noi    But  harkt 

*  Am,  Archives,  4th  Series,  v.  4dS. 


AFFAIR  OF  D0B0HE8TEB  BEIQET8.  226 

The  honse  this  inBtant  shakes  with  the  roar  of  oannoiL 
I  haye  been  to  the  door,  and  find  it  is  a  cannonade  from 
our  army.  Orders,  I  find,  are  come,  for  all  the  remain- 
ing militia  to  repair  to  the  lines  Monday  night,  by  twelve 
o*olook.    No  sleep  for  me  to-nighi" 

On  Sunday  the  letter  is  resumed.  "  I  went  to  bed  after 
twelve,  but  got  no  rest ;  the  cannon  continued  firing,  and 
my  heart  kept  pace  with  them  all  nighi  We  have  had 
a  pretty  quiet  day,  but  what  to-morrow  will  bring  forth, 
God  only  knows.'* 

On  Monday,  the  appointed  evening,  she  continues :  ^  I 
have  just  returned  from  Penn's  Hill,  where  I  have  been 
sitting  to  hear  the  amazing  roar  of  cannon,  and  from 
whence  I  could  see  every  shell  which  was  thrown.  The 
sound,  I  think,  is  one  of  the  grandest  in  nature,  and  is  of 
the  true  species  of  the  sublime.  'Tis  now  an  incessant 
roar ;  but  O,  the  fatal  ideas  which  are  connected  with  the 
sound  1    How  many  of  our  dear  countrymen  must  fall  I 

''I  went  to  bed  about  twelve,  and  arose  again  a  little 
after  one.  I  could  no  more  sleep  than  if  I  had  been  in 
the  engagement ;  the  rattling  of  the  windows,  the  jar  of 
the  house,  the  continual  roar  of  twenty-four-pounders, 
and  the  bursting  of  shells,  give  us  such  ideas,  and  realize 
a  scene  to  us  of  which  we  could  scarcely  form  any  concep- 
tion. I  hope  to  give  you  joy  of  Boston,  even  if  it  is  in 
nuns,  before  I  send  this  away." 

On  the  Monday  evening  thus  graphically  described,  as 

■oon  as  the  firing  commenced,  the  detachment  under 
VOL.  n.— 15 


/■ 


226  TJFS  OF  WASHmQTOJr. 

General  Thomas  set  out  on  its  cautions  and  secret  march 
from  the  lines  of  Boxburj  and  Dorchester.    Everything 
was  conducted  as  regularly  and  quietly  as  possible.    A 
coyering  parly  of  eight  hundred  men  preceded  the  carts 
with  the  intrenching  tools ;  then  came  General  Thomas 
with  the  working  pariy,  twelve  hundred  strong,  followed 
by  a  train  of  three  hundred  wagons,  laden  with  fascines^ 
gabions,  and  hay  screwed  into  bundles  of  seven  or  eight 
hundred-weighi    A  great  number  of  such  bundles  were 
ranged  in  a  line  along  Dorchester  Neck  on  the  side  next 
the  enemy,  to  protect  the  troops,  while  passing,  from 
being  raked  by  the  fire  of  the  enemy.    Fortunately,  al- 
though the  moon,  as  Washington  writes,  was  shining  in 
its  full  lustre,  the  flash  and  roar  of  cannonry  from  oppo- 
site points,  and  the  bursting  of  bombshells  high  in  the 
air,  so  engaged  and  diverted  the  attention  of  the  enemy, 
that  the  detachment  reached   the  heights  about  eight 
o'clock,  without  being  heard  or  perceived.    The  covering 
party  then  divided;    one  half  proceeded  to  the    point 
nearest  Boston,  the  other  to  the    one  nearest  to  Castle 
Williams.     The   working  party  commenced  to  fortify, 
under  the  directions  of  Gridley,  the  veteran  engineer, 
who  had  planned  the  works  on  Bunker's  Hill.    It  was 
severe  labor,  for  the  earth  was  frozen  eighteen  inches 
deep ;  but  the  men  worked  with  more  than  their  usual 
spirit,  for  the  eye  of  the  commander-in-chief  was  upon 
them.    Though  not  called  there  by  his  duties,  Wash- 
ington could  not  be  absent  from  this  eventful  operation. 


DOHCHESTEM  HEIGHTS.  227 

An  eloqnent  orator  has  imagined  liis  situation, — ''All 
around  him  intense  movement ;  while  nothing  was  to 
be  heard  excepting  the  tread  of  busy  feet,  and  the 
dtdl  soiind  of  the  mattock  upon  the  frozen  soil.  Be- 
neath him  the  slumbering  batteries  of  the  castle;  the 
roadsteads  and  harbor  filled  with  the  vessels  of  the 
royal  fleets  motionless,  except  as  they  swung  round  at 
their  moorings  at  the  turn  of  the  midnight  tide ;  the 
beleaguered  city  occupied  with  a  powerful  army,  and  a 
considerable  non-combatant  population,  startled  into  un- 
natural vigilance  by  the  incessant  and  destructive  can- 
nonade, yet  unobservant  of  the  great  operations  in  prog- 
ress so  near  them  ;  the  surrounding  country,  dotted  with 
a  hundred  rural  settiements,  roused  from  the  deep  sleep 
of  a  New  England  village,  by  the  unwonted  glare  and 
tumulf'  ♦ 

The  same  plastic  fancy  su^ests  the  crowd  of  visions^ 
phantoms  of  the  past,  which  may  have  passed  through 
Washington's  mind,  on  this  night  of  feverish  excitement 
''  Hir  eady  training  in  the  wilderness ;  his  escape  from 
drowning,  and  the  deadly  rifle  of  the  savage  in  the  peril- 
ous mission  to  Venango  ;  the  shower  of  iron  hail  through 
which  he  rode  unharmed  on  Braddock's  field ;  the  early 
stages  of  the  great  conflict  now  brought  to  its  crisis,  and, 
still  more  solemnly,  the  possibilities  of  the  future  for 
himself  and  for  America — ^the  ruin  of  the  patriot  cause  if 

•Ontion  ol  the  Hon.  Bdward  Bverett  at  Dorohester,  Julj  4th,  186S. 


228  ^^^  OF  WASSmGTOm 

he  failed  at  the  outset ;  the  triumphant  oonsolidatioii  o( 
the  Beyolution  if  he  prevailed." 

The  labors  of  the  night  were  carried  on  by  the  Amer- 
loans  with  their  usual  aotiyity  and  address.  When  a 
relief  party  arrived  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  two 
forts  were  in  sufficient  forwardness  to  furnish  protection 
against  small-arms  and  grapeshot;  and  such  use  was 
made  of  the  fascines  and  bundles  of  screwed  hay,  that,  at 
dawn,  a  formidable-looking  fortress  frowned  along  the 
height.  We  have  the  testimony  of  a  British  officer  al« 
ready  quoted,  for  the  faci  "  This  morning  at  daybreak 
we  discovered  two  redoubts  on  Dorchester  Point,  and 
two  smaller  ones  on  their  flanks.  They  were  all  raised 
during  the  last  night,  with  an  expedition  equal  to  that  of 
the  genii  belonging  to  Aladdin's  wonderful  lamp.  From 
these  hills  they  command  the  whole  town,  so  that  we 
must  drive  them  from  their  post,  or  desert  the  place.*' 

Howe  gazed  at  the  mushroom  fortress  with  astonish- 
ment, as  it  loomed  indistinctly,  but  grandly,  through  a 
morning  fog.  "  The  rebels,"  exclaimed  he,  '*  have  done 
more  work  in  one  night,  than  my  whole  army  would  have 
done  in  one  month." 

Washington  had  watched,  with  intense  anxiety,  the 
effect  of  the  revelation  at  daybreak.  "  When  the  enemy 
first  discovered  our  works  in  the  morning,"  writes  he, 
**  they  seemed  to  be  in  great  confusion,  and  from  theit 
movements,  to  intend  an  attack." 

An  American,  who  was  on  Dorchester  Heights,  gives  8 


pichurd  of  the  scene.  A  tremendous  cannonade  was  com- 
menced from  the  forts  in  Boston,  and  the  shipping  in  the 
harbor.  ''  Cannon  shot,"  writes  he,  *^  are  continually  roll- 
ing and  rebounding  over  the  hill,  and  it  is  astonishing 
to  observe  how  little  our  soldiers  are  terrified  by  them. 
The  royal  troops  are  perceived  to  be  in  motion,  as  if 
embarking  to  pass  the  harbor  and  land  on  Dorchester 
shore,  to  attack  our  works.  The  hills  and  elevations  in 
this  vicinity  are  covered  with  spectators,  to  witness  deeds 
of  horror  in  the  expected  conflict.  His  Excellency,  Gen- 
eral Washington,  is  present,  animating  and  encouraging 
the  soldiers,  and  they  in  return  manifest  their  joy,  and 
express  a  warm  desire  for  the  approach  of  the  enemy ; 
each  man  knows  his  own  place.  Our  breastworks  are 
strengthened,  and  among  the  means  of  defense  are  a 
great  number  of  barrels,  filled  with  stones  and  sand,  and 
arranged  in  front  of  our  works,  which  are  to  be  put  in 
motion,  and  made  to  roll  down  the  hill,  to  break  the  legs 
if  the  assailants  as  they  advance." 

(General  Thomas  was  reinforced  with  two  thousand 
men.  Old  Putnam  stood  ready  to  make  a  descent  upon 
the  north  side  of  the  town,  with  his  four  thousand  picked 
men,  as  soon  as  the  heights  on  the  south  should  be  as- 
sailed: "All  the  forenoon,"  says  the  American  above 
cited,  **  we  were  in  momentary  expectation  of  witnessing 
an  awful  scene ;  nothing  less  than  the  carnage  of  Breed's 
Hill  battle  was  expected." 

As  Washington  rode  about  the  heights,  he  reminded 


i 


230  LIFE  OF  WASEmGTOJf. 

the  troops  that  it  was  the  5th  of  March,  the  anniyersary 
of  the  Boston  massacre,  and  called  on  them  to  revenge 
the  slaughter  of  their  brethren.  They  answered  him 
with  shouts.  **  Our  officers  and  men,"  writes  he,  "  ap- 
peared impatient  for  the  appeal  The  event,  I  think, 
must  have  been  fortunate ;  nothing  less  than  success  and 
victory  on  our  side." 

Howe,  in  the  meantime,  was  perplexed  between  his 
pride  and  the  hazards  of  his  position.  In  his  letters  to 
the  miBistiy.  he  had  scouted  the  idea  of  "  being  in  dan- 
ger  from  the  rebels."  He  had  "  hoped  they  would  attack 
him.'*  Apparently  they  were  about  to  fulfill  his  hopes, 
and  with  formidable  advantages  of  position.  He  must 
dislodge  them  from  Dorchester  Heights,  or  evacuate 
Boston.  The  latter  was  an  alternative  too  mortifying  to 
be  readily  adopted.  He  resolved  on  an  attack,  but  it 
was  to  be  a  night  one. 

''A  body  of  light  infantry,  under  the  command  of 
Major  Mulgrave,  and  a  body  of  grenadiers,  are  to  em- 
bark to-night  at  seven,"  writes  the  gay  British  officer 
already  quoted.  ''  I  think  it  likely  to  be  a  general  affair. 
Adieu  balls,  masquerades,  etc.,  for  this  may  be  looked 
upon  as  the  opening  of  the  campaign." 

In  the  evening  the  British  began  to  move.  Lord 
Percy  was  to  lead  the  attack.  Twenty-five  hundred  men 
were  embarked  in  transports,  which  were  to  convey  them 
to  the  rendezvous  at  Castle  Williams.  A  violent  storm 
set  in  from  the  easi    The  transports  could  not  reach 


FBABB  OF  THE  BOSTONIAITS.  231 

{heir  plaoe  of  destination.  The  men-of-war  oonld  not 
cover  and  support  them.  A  furious  snrf  beat  on  the 
shore  where  the  boats  would  have  to  land.  The  attack 
was  consequentlj  postponed  until  the  following  day. 

That  daj  was  equally  unpropitious.  The  storm  con- 
tinued, with  torrents  of  rain.  The  attack  was  i^ain 
postponed.  In  the  meantime,  the  Americans  went  on 
strengthening  their  works ;  by  the  time  the  storm  sub- 
sided, (General  Howe  deemed  them  too  strong  to  be 
easily  carried ;  the  attempt,  therefore,  was  relinquished 
altogether. 

What  was  to  be  done  ?  The  shells  thrown  from  the 
heights  into  the  town,  proved  that  it  was  no  longer  ten- 
able. The  fleet  was  equally  exposed.  Admiral  Shuld- 
ham,  the  successor  to  Ghraves,  assured  Howe  that  if  the 
Americans  maintained  possession  of  the  heights,  his 
ships  could  not  remain  in  the  harbor.  It  was  determined, 
therefore,  in  a  council  of  war,  to  evacuate  the  place  as 
soon  as  possible.  But  now  came  on  a  humiliating  per* 
plexity.  The  troops,  in  embarking,  would  be  exposed 
to  a  destructive  fire.  How  was  this  to  be  prevented? 
(General  Howe's  pride  would  not  suffer  him  to  make  cap- 
itulations; he  endeavored  to  work  on  the  fears  of  the 
Bostonians,  by  hinting  that  if  his  troops  were  molested 
while  embarking,  he  might  be  obliged  to  cover  their  re- 
treat by  setting  fire  to  the  town. 

The  hint  had  its  effect  Several  of  the  principal  in- 
habitants communicated  with  him  through  the  medium 


232  J^^S  OF  WASHINQTON. 

of  General  Bobertson.  The  result  of  the  negotiation  was, 
that  a  paper  was  concocted  and  signed  by  several  of  the 
''  selectmen  "  of  Boston,  stating  the  fears  they  had  enter- 
tained of  the  destruction  of  the  place,  but  that  those  fears 
had  been  quieted  by  General  Howe's  declaration  that 
it  should  remain  uninjured,  provided  his  troops  were 
unmolested  while  embarking;  the  selectmen,  therefore, 
begged  ''some  assurance  that  so  dreadful  a  calamity 
might  not  be  brought  on,  by  any  measures  from  with- 
out" 

This  paper  was  sent  out  from  Boston,  on  the  evening 
of  the  8th,  with  a  fli^  of  truce,  which  bore  it  to  the 
American  lines  at  Boxbury.  There  it  was  received  by 
Colonel  Learned,  and  carried  by  him  to  head-quarters. 
Washington  consulted  with  such  of  the  general  officers 
as  he  could  immediately  assemble.  The  paper  was  not 
addressed  to  him,  nor  to  any  one  else.  It  was  not  au- 
thenticated by  the  signature  of  General  Howe  ;  nor  was 
there  any  other  act  obliging  that  commander  to  fulfill  the 
promise  asserted  to  have  been  made  by  him.  It  was 
deemed  proper,  therefore,  that  Washington  should  give 
no  answer  to  the  paper  ;  but  that  Colonel  Learned  should 
signify  in  a  letter,  his  having  laid  it  before  the  com- 
mander-in-chief,  and  the  reasons  assigned  for  not  an- 
swering it. 

With  this  uncompromising  letter,  the  flag  returned  to 
Boston.  The  Americans  suspended  their  fire,  but  con- 
tinued to  fortify  their  positions.    On  the  night  of  the  9th, 


BOSTON  PILLAGED.  238 

a  detaohment  was  sent  to  plant  a  battery  on  Nook's  Hill, 
an  eminence  at  Dorohester,  which  lies  nearest  to  Boston 
Keck.  A  fire  kindled  behind  the  hill  revealed  the  proj* 
ect.  It  provoked  a  cannonade  from  the  British,  which 
was  retomed  with  interest  from  Gobble  Hill,  Lechmere 
Pointy  Cambridge,  and  Boxburj.  The  roar  of  cannonry 
and  bursting  of  bombshells  prevailed  from  half  after 
eight  at  night,  until  six  in  the  morning.  It  was  another 
night  of  terror  to  the  people  of  Boston ;  but  the  Ameri- 
cans had  to  desist,  for  the  present,  from  the  attempt  to 
fortify  Nook's  Hill.  Among  the  accidente  of  the  bom- 
bardment, was  the  bursting  of  Putnam's  vaunted  mortar, 
"The  Congress-" 

Daily  preparations  were  now  made  by  the  enemy  for 
departure.  By  proclamation,  the  inhabitante  were  or- 
dered to  deliver  up  all  linen  and  woolen  goods,  and  all 
other  goods,  that,  in  possession  of  the  rebels,  would  aid 
them  in  carrying  on  the  war.  Grean  Bush,  a  New  York 
tory,  was  authorized  to  take  possession  of  such  goods, 
and  put  them  on  board  of  two  of  the  transports.  Under 
cover  of  his  commission,  he  and  hiis  myrmidons  broke 
open  stores,  and  stripped  them  of  their  contents.  Ma% 
rauding  gangs  from  the  fleet  and  army  followed  their  ex- 
ample, and  extended  their  depredations  to  private  houses. 
On  the  14th,  Howe,  in  a  general  order,  declared  that  the 
first  soldier  caught  plundering  should  be  hanged  on  the 
spot.  Still  on  the  16th  houses  were  broken  open,  goods 
destroyed,  and  furniture  defaced  by  the  troops.     Some 


234  ^^^^  OF  wAsnmGTOJsr. 

of  the  fomitorey  it  is  true,  belonged  to  the  officers,  and 
was  destroyed  because  thej  could  neither  sell  it  nor 
carry  it  away. 

The  letter  of  a  British  officer  gives  a  lively  picture  of 
the  hurried  preparations  for  retreai  ''Our  not  being 
burdened  with  provisions,  permitted  us  to  save  some 
stores  and  ammunition^  the  light  field-pieces,  and  such 
things  as  were  most  convenient  of  carriage.  The  rest,  I 
am  sorry  to  say,  we  were  obliged  to  leave  behind ;  such 
of  the  guns  as  by  dismounting  we  could  throw  into  the 
sea  was  so  done.  The  carriages  were  disabled,  and  eveiy 
precaution  taken  that  our  circumstances  would  permit ; 
for  our  retreat  was  by  agreement  The  people  of  the 
town  who  were  friends  to  government,  took  care  of  noth- 
ing but  their  merchandise,  and  found  means  to  employ 
the  men  belonging  to  the  transports  in  embarking  their 
goods,  so  that  several  of  the  vessels  were  entirely  filled 
with  private  property,  instead  of  the  king's  stores.  By 
some  unavoidable  accident,  the  medicines,  surgeons' 
chests,  instruments,  and  necessaries,  were  left  in  the 
hospital  The  confusion  unavoidable  to  such  a  disaster, 
will  make  you  conceive  how  much  must  be  forgot,  where 
every  man  had  a  private  concern.  The  necessary  care 
and  distress  of  the  women,  children,  sick,  and  wounded, 
required  every  assistance  that  could  be  given.  It  was 
not  like  breaking  up  a  camp,  where  every  man  knows  hia 
duty ;  it  was  like  departing  your  country  with  your  wives, 
your  servants,  your  household  furniture,  and  all  your  en« 


EMBARKATION  OF  THE  BBIT28H.  236 

cnmbranoes.  The  officers,  who  felt  the  disgrace  of  their 
retreat,  did  their  utmost  to  keep  up  appearances.  The 
men,  who  thought  they  were  changing  for  the  better, 
strove  to  take  advantage  of  the  present  times,  and  were 
kept  from  plunder  and  drink  with  difficulty."  * 

For  some  days  the  embarkation  of  the  troops  was  de- 
layed by  adverse  winds.  Washington,  who  was  imper- 
fectly informed  of  affidrs  in  Boston,  feared  that  the 
movements  there  might  be  a  feint  Determined  to  bring 
things  to  a  crisis,  he  detached  a  force  to  Nook's  Hill  oq 
Saturday,  the  sixteenth,  which  threw  up  a  breastwork  in 
the  night  regardless  of  the  cannonading  of  the  enemy. 
This  commanded  Boston  Neck,  and  the  south  part  of  the 
town,  and  a  deserter  brought  a  false  report  to  the  British 
that  a  general  assault  was  intended. 

The  embarkation,  so  long  delayed,  began  with  hurry 
and  confusion  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  har- 
bor of  Boston  soon  presented  a  striking  and  tumultuous 
scene.  There  were  seventy-eight  ships  and  transports 
casting  loose  for  sea,  and  eleven  or  twelve  thousand  men, 
soldiers,  sailors,  and  refugees,  hurrying  to  embark ;  many, 
especially  of  the  latter,  with  their  families  and  personal 
effdcts.  The  refugees,  in  fact,  labored  under  greater  dis- 
advantages than  the  king's  troops,  being  obliged  to  man 
their  own  vessels,  as  sufficient  seamen  could  not  be  spared 
from  the  king's  transports.    Speaking  of  those  **  who  had 

*  Eemembraneer,  vol.  iiL  p.  1061 


236  I^^  OF  WASHINGTON. 

taken  upon  fhemselves  the  style  and  title  of  goyemment 
men "  in  Boston,  and  acted  an  unfriendly  part  in  this 
great  contest,  Washington  observes:  "By  all  accounts 
there  never  existed  a  more  miserable  set  of  beings  than 
these  wretched  creatures  now  are.  Taught  to  believe 
that  the  power  of  Great  Britain  was  superior  to  all  op« 
position,  and  that  foreign  aid,  if  not,  was  at  hand,  they 
were  even  higher  and  more  insulting  in  their  opposition 
than  the  Begulars.  When  the  order  issued,  therefore, 
for  embarking  the  troops  in  Boston,  no  electric  shock — 
no  sudden  clap  of  thunder, — in  a  word  the  last  trump 
could  not  have  struck  them  with  greater  consternation. 
They  were  at  their  wits'  end,  and  conscious  of  their  black 
ingratitude,  choose  to  commit  themselves,  in  the  manner 
I  have  above  described,  to  the  mercy  of  the  waves  at  a 
tempestuous  season,  rather  than  meet  their  offended 
countrymen."  * 

While  this  tumultuous  embarkation  was  going  on,  the 
Americans  looked  on  in  silence  from  their  batteries  on 
Dorchester  Heights,  without  firing  a  shot.  ''It  was 
lucky  for  the  inhabitants  now  left  in  Boston,  that  they 
did  not,"  writes  a  British  oflScer ;  "  for  I  am  informed 
everything  was  prepared  to  set  the  town  in  a  blaze,  had 
they  fired  one  cannon."  f 

At  an  early  hour  of  the  morning,  the  troops  stationed 
at  Cambridge  and  Boxbury  had  paraded,  and  several 

*  Letter  to  John  A.  Washington,  Am,  ArehiMS,  4th  Series,  ▼.  660. 
f  Frothingham,  Siege  of  Boeton^  p.  810. 


AMEBIOANB  ENTER  BOBTOIT.  237 

regiments  under  Putnam  had  embarked  in  boats,  and 

dropped  down  Charles  Biver,  to  Sewall's  Point,  to  watch 

the  movements  of  the  enemy  by  land  and  water.    About 

nine  o'clock  a  large  body  of  troops  was  seen  marching 

down  Bunker's  Hill,  while  boats  full  of  soldiers  were 

putting  off  for  the  shipping.    Two  scouts  were  sent  from 

fhe  camp  to  reconnoiter.    The  works  appeared  still  to  be 

occupied,  for  sentries  were  posted  about  them  with  shoul* 

dered  muskets.     Observing  them  to  be  motionless,  the 

scouts  made  nearer  scrutiny,  and  discovered  them  to  be 

mere  effigies,  set  up  to  delay  the  advance  of  the  Ameri* 

cans.    Pushing  on,  they  found  the  works  deserted,  and 

gave  signal  of  the  fact;  whereupon  a  detachment  was 

fient  from  the  camp  to  take  possession. 

Part  of  Putnam's  troops  were  now  sent  back  to  Oam^ 
bridge  ;  a  part  were  ordered  forward  to  occupy  Boston. 
General  Ward,  too,  with  five  hundred  men,  made  his  way 
from  Boxbury,  across  the  Neck,  about  which  the  enemy 
had  scattered  caltrops  or  crow's  feet,"*^  to  impede  inva- 
sion. The  gates  were  unbarred  and  thrown  open,  and 
the  Americans  entered  in  triumph,  with  drums  beating 
and  colors  flying. 

By  ten  o'clock  the  enemy  were  all  embarked  and  under 
way ;  Putnam  had  taken  command  of  the  city,  and  occu« 
pied  the  important  points,  and  the  flag  of  thirteen  stripes, 
the  standard  of  the  Union,  floated  above  all  the  forts. 

*  lion  bftlls,  with  four  sharp  points,  to  wound  the  feet  of  men  or  horsef. 


238  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON. 

On  the  following  day,  Wasliington  himself  entered 
the  town^  where  he  was  joyfully  welcomed.  He  beheld 
around  him  sad  traces  of  the  devastation  caused  by  the 
bombardment,  though  not  to  the  extent  that  he  had 
apprehended  There  were  evidences,  also,  of  the  haste 
with  which  the  British  had  retreated — ^five  pieces  of  ord- 
nance with  their  trunnions  knocked  ofiF;  others  hastily 
spiked ;  others  thrown  oflf  the  wharf.  "  General  Howe's 
retreat,"  writes  Washington,  "was  precipitate  beyond 
anything  I  could  have  conceived.  The  destruction  of 
the  stores  at  Dunbar's  camp,  after  Braddock's  defeat, 
was  but  a  faint  image  of  what  may  be  seen  at  Boston ; 
artillery  carts  cut  to  pieces  in  one  place,  gun  carriages 
in  another;  shells  broke  here,  shots  buried  there,  and 
everything  carrying  with  it  the  face  of  disorder  and  oon« 
fusion,  as  also  of  distress."  * 

To  add  to  the  mortification  of  General  Howe,  he  re- 
ceived, we  are  told,  while  sailing  out  of  the  harbor,  de- 
spatches from  the  ministry,  approving  the  resolution  he 
had  so  strenuously  expressed  of  maintaining  his  post 
until  he  should  receive  reinforcements. 

As  the  small-pox  prevailed  in  some  parts  of  the  town, 
precautions  were  taken  by  Washington  for  its  purifica- 
tion ;  and  the  main  body  of  the  army  did  not  march  in 
until  the  20th.  "  The  joy  manifested  in  the  countenances 
*of  the  inhabitants,"  says  an  observer,  "  was  overcast  bj 

*  Leo's  Memoirs,  p.  1621 


HUMILIATION  OF  THE  ENEMY.  289 

the  melancholy  gloom  caused  by  ten  tedious  months  of 
siege ; "  but  when,  on  the  22d,  the  people  from  the  coun- 
try crowded  into  the  town,  "it  was  truly  interesting," 
writes  the  same  observer,  "  to  witness  the  tender  inter- 
views and  fond  embraces  of  those  who  had  been  long 
separated  under  circumstances  so  peculiarly  distress- 
mg. 

Notwithstanding  the  haste  with  which  the  British 
army  was  embarked,  the  fleet  lingered  for  some  days  in 
Nantaskei  Boad.  Apprehensive  that  the  enemy,  now 
that  their  forces  were  collected  in  one  body,  might 
attempt  by  some  blow  to  retrieve  their  late  disgrace, 
Washington  hastily  threw  up  works  on  Fort  Hill^  which 
commanded  the  harbor,  and  demolished  those  whicli 
protected  the  town  from  the  neighboring  country.  The 
fleet  at  length  disappeared  entirely  from  the  coast,  and 
the  deliverance  of  Boston  was  assured* 

The  eminent  services  of  Washington  throughout  this 
arduous  siege,  his  admirable  management,  by  which  ''in 
the  course  of  a  few  months,  an  undisciplined  band  oj 
huinindmen  became  soldiers,  and  were  enabled  to  invest, 
for  nearly  a  year,  and  finally  to  expel  a  brave  army  of 
veterans  commanded  by  the  most  experienced  generals," 
drew  forth  the  enthusiastic  applause  of  the  nation.  No 
h^her  illustration  of  this  great  achievement  need  be 
given  than  the  summary  of  it  contained  in  the  speech 

•  Tbacher'8  Mil  Journal,  p.  150. 


240  I'^^  OF  WAaHmOTON. 

of  a  Britisli  statesman,  the  Duke  of  Manohestery  in  the 
House  of  Lords.  '^The  army  of  Britain,"  said  he, 
''equipped  with  every  possible  essential  of  war;  a  chosen 
army,  with  chosen  officers,  backed  by  the  power  of  a 
mighty  fleet,  sent  to  correct  revolted  subjects;  sent  to 
chastise  a  resisting  city ;  sent  to  assert  Britain's  author- 
ity,—  has,  for  many  tedious  months,  been  imprisoned 
within  that  town  by  the  provincial  army;  who,  their 
watchful  guards,  permitted  them  no  inlet  to  the  country ; 
who  braved  all  their  efforts,  and  defied  all  their  skill  and 
ability  in  war  could  ever  attempt  One  way.  indeed,  of 
escape  was  left ;  the  fleet  is  yet  respected ;  to  the  fleet 
the  army  has  recourse ;  and  British  generals,  whose  name 
never  met  with  a  blot  of  dishonor,  are  forced  to  quit  that 
town  which  was  the  first  object  of  the  war,  the  immediate 
cause  of  hostilities,  the  place  of  arms,  which  has  cost 
this  nation  more  than  a  million  to  defend." 

We  close  this  eventful  chapter  of  Washington's  history, 
with  the  honor  decreed  to  him  by  the  highest  authority 
of  his  country.  On  motion  of  John  Adams,  who  had  first 
moved  his  nomination  as  commander-in-chief,  a  unani- 
mous vote  of  thanks  to  him  was  passed  in  Oongress ;  and 
it  was  ordered  that  a  gold  medal  be  struck,  commemora- 
ting the  evacuation  of  Boston,  bearing  the  effigy  of  Wash« 
ington  as  its  deliverer. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

mnnXATIOV  OV  THS  VLBBT.— commission  of  the  two  HOWB8.— charactbb 
OF  liORD  HOWS.  —  THB  OOLOMIBS  DIVIDED  INTO  DEPABTMENT8. — LBB  AS- 
BItfKSD  TO  THB  SOUTHERN  DEPARTMENT.— GENERAL  THOMAS  TO  CANADA. — 
CHABACTBH  Of  LXB,  BY  WASHINGTON.— LETTERS  OP  LEE  PROM  THB  SOUTH. 
— ▲  DOO  IB  A  DANODfO  SCHOOL.  —  COMMITTEE  OP  SAPETT  IK  TIROINIA.— 
LBB'S  aBBNADIBRS.- PUTNAM  IN  COMMAND  AT  NEW  YORK.— STATE  OP  AV* 
PAIRS  THBRB.— ARRIVAL  OP  WASHINGTON.  —  NEW  ARRANGEMENTS.  —  PBR- 
FLBXniBB  WITH  RB8FB0T  TO  CANADA.  —  BNGLAND  SUBSIDIZES  HBSSIAH 
TROOPS^ 

IHE  Britisli  fleet  bearing  the  armj  from  Boston, 
had  disappeared  from  the  coasi  "Whither 
they  are  bounds  and  where  they  next  will  pitch 
their  tents,''  writes  Washington,  "  I  know  not"  He  con- 
jectnred  their  destination  to  be  New  York,  and  made  his 
arrangements  accordingly;  but  he  was  mistaken.  Gen- 
eral Howe  had  steered  for  Halifax,  there  to  await  the 
arriyal  of  strong  reinforcements  from  England,  and  the 
fleet  of  his  brother,  Admiral  Lord  Howe ;  who  was  to  be 
commander-in-chief  of  the  naval  forces  on  the  North 

American  station. 

It  was  thought  these  brothers  would  cooperate  admir- 
ably in  the  exercise  of  their  relative  functions  on  land 
and  water.  Tet  they  were  widely  different  in  their  habits 
VOL.  n.— 16  241 


242  ^^^  OF  WASHINGTON. 

and  dispositions.  Sir  William,  easy,  indolent^  and  self- 
indulgent, ''  hated  business,"  we  are  told,  "  and  never  did 
any.  Lord  Howe  loved  it,  dwelt  upon  it,  never  could 
leave  ii"  Beside  his  nautical  commands,  he  had  been 
treasurer  of  the  navy,  member  of  the  board  of  admiralty, 
and  had  held  a  seat  in  Parliament ;  where,  according  to 
Walpole,  he  was  **  silent  as  a  rock,"  excepting  when  naval 
afiEears  were  under  discussion;  when  he  spoke  briefly  and 
to  the  i)oini  "  My  Lord  Howe,"  said  Gleorge  EL,  **  your 
life  has  been  a  continued  series  of  services  to  your  coun- 
try." He  was  now  about  fifty-one  years  of  age,  tall  and 
well  proportioned  like  his  brother;  but  wanting  his  ease 
of  deportment  His  complexion  was  dark,  his  countenance 
grave  and  strongly  marked,  and  he  had  a  shy  reserve,  oc- 
casionally mistaken  for  haughtiness.  As  a  naval  officer, 
he  was  esteemed  resolute  and  enterprising,  yet  cool  and 
firm.  Li  his  younger  days  he  had  contracted  a  friendship 
for  Wolfe ;  ''it  was  like  the  union  of  cannon  and  gunpow- 
der," said  Walpole.  Howe,  strong  in  mind,  solid  in  judg- 
ment, firm  of  purpose,  was  said  to  be  the  cannon ;  Wolfe, 
quick  in  conception,  prompt  in  execution,  impetuous  in 
action,  the  gunpowder.*  The  bravest  man,  we  are  told, 
could  not  wish  for  a  more  able,  or  more  gallant  com- 
mander than  Howe,  and  the  sailors  used  to  say  of  "hini, 
"  Give  us  Black  Dick,  and  we  fear  nothing." 
Such  is  his  lordship's  portrait  as  sketched  by  "Rrigmii 

'Barrows,  Life  of  Earl  Howe,  p.  400l 


LBE  SENT  TO  THE  SOUTH.  243 

pencils ;  we  shall  see  hereafter  how  far  his  conduct  con- 
forms to  it.  At  present  we  must  consider  the  state  of  the 
American  army,  in  the  appointments  and  commands  of 
which  various  changes  had  recently  taken  place. 

It  was  presumed  the  enemy  in  the  ensuing  campaign 
would  direct  their  operations  against  the  Middle  and 
Southern  colonies.  Congress  divided  those  colonies  into 
two  departments ;  one  comprehending  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  and  Maryland,  was  to  be 
under  the  command  of  a  major-general,  and  two  brigadier- 
generals  ;  the  other,  comprising  Virginia,  the  Carolinas, 
and  Georgia,  to  be  under  the  command  of  a  major-general, 
and  four  brigadiers. 

In  this  new  arrangement,  the  orders  destining  General 
Lee  to  Canada  were  superseded,  and  he  was  appointed 
to  the  command  of  the  Southern  department,  where  he 
was  to  keep  watch  upon  the  movements  of  Sir  Henry 
Clinton.  He  was  somewhat  dissatisfied  with  the  change 
in  his  destination.  ''  As  I  am  the  only  general  officer  on 
the  continent,"  writes  he  to  Washington, ''  who  can  speak 
or  think  in  French,  I  confess  I  think  it  would  have  been 
more  prudent  to  have  sent  me  to  Canada;  but  I  shall 
obey  with  alacrity,  and  I  hope  with  success." 

In  reply,  Washington  observes,  *'  I  was  just  about  to 
congratulate  you  on  your  appointment  to  the  command 
in  Canada,  when  I  received  the  account  that  your  desti- 
nation was  altered.  As  a  Virginian,  I  must  rejoice  at  the 
change,  but  as  an  American,  I  think  you  would  have  done 


244  T^^  OF  WASEmGTOir. 

more  essential  service  to  the  common  cause  in  Oanada. 
For,  beside  the  advantage  of  speaking  and  thinking  in 
French,  an  officer  who  is  acquainted  with  their  maimers 
and  customs,  and  has  travelled  in  their  country,  must 
certainly  take  the  strongest  hold  of  their  affection  and 
confidence." 

The  command  in  Canada  was  given  to  General  Thomas* 
who  had  distinguished  himself  at  Boxbury,  and  was  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  major-general  It  would  have  been 
given  to  Schuyler,  but  for  the  infirm  state  of  his  health ; 
still  Congress  expressed  a  reliance  on  his  efforts  to  com- 
plete the  work  '^  so  conspicuously  begun  and  well  con- 
ducted "  under  his  orders,  in  the  last  campaign ;  and,  as 
not  merely  the  success  but  the  very  existence  of  the  army 
in  Canada  would  depend  on  supplies  sent  from  these 
colonies  across  the  lakes,  he  was  required,  until  further 
orders,  to  fix  his  head-quarters  at  Albany,  where,  with- 
out being  exposed  to  the  fatigue  of  the  camp  until  his 
health  was  perfectly  restored,  he  would  be  in  a  situation 
to  forward  supplies  ;  to  superintend  the  operations  neces* 
sary  for  the  defense  of  New  York  and  the  Hudson  Bivei; 
and  the  affsdrs  of  the  whole  middle  department 

Lee  set  out  for  the  South  on  the  7th  of  March^  carry 
ing  with  him  his  bold  spirit,  his  shrewd  sagacity,  and  hii^ 
whimsical  and  splenetic  humors.  The  following  admf« 
rably  impartial  sketch  is  given  of  him  by  Washington,  in 
a  letter  to  his  brother  Augustine :  "  He  is  the  first  in 
military  knowledge  and  experience  we  have  in  the  whole 


LES  AT  WILLIAM8BUMG.  246 

army.  He  is  zealously  attached  to  the  cause ;  honest  and 
well  meaning,  but  rather  fickle  and  violent,  I  fear,  in  his 
temper.  However,  as  he  possesses  an  uncommon  share 
of  good  sense  and  spirit,  I  congratulate  my  countrymen 
on  his  appointment  to  that  department"  * 

We  give  by  anticipation  a  few  passages  from  Lee's  let* 
ters,  illustrative  of  his  character  and  career.  The  news 
of  the  evacuation  of  Boston  reached  him  in  Virginia.  In 
a  letter  to  Washington,  dated  Williamsburg,  April  6,  he 
expresses  himself  on  the  subject  with  generous  warmth. 
"  My  dear  general,"  writes  he,  "  I  most  sincerely  con- 
gratulate you ;  I  congratulate  the  public,  on  the  great 
and  glorious  event,  your  possession  of  Boston.  It  will 
be  a  most  bright  page  in  the  annals  of  America^  and 
a  most  abominable  black  one  in  those  of  the  beldam 
Britain.  Gk>  on,  my  dear  general ;  crown  yourself  with 
glory,  and  establish  the  liberties  and  lustre  of  your  coun- 
try on  a  foundation  more  permanent  than  the  Capitol 
rock." 

Then  reverting  to  himself  his  subacid  humors  work 
up,  and  he  shows  that  he  had  been  as  much  annoyed  in 
Williamsburg,  by  the  interference  of  committees,  as  he 
had  been  in  New  York.  "  My  situation,"  writes  he,  "  is 
just  as  I  expected.  I  am  afraid  I  shall  make  a  shabby 
figure,  without  any  real  demerits  of  my  own.  I  am  like 
a  dog  in  a  dancing-school;  I  know  not  where  to  turn 

•  Foroe's  Am.  Archive;  4th  Series,  v.  Sea 


246  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON. 

myself  where  to  fix  myself.  The  cironmstanoes  of  the 
oonntry,  intersected  with  navigable  rivers;  the  uncer- 
tainty of  the  enemy's  designs  and  motions,  who  can  fly  in 
an  instant  to  any  spot  they  choose,  with  their  canvas 
wings,  throw  me,  or  would  throw  JuUus  Csesar  into  this 
inevitable  dilemma;  I  may  possibly  be  in  the  North, 
when,  as  Bichard  says,  I  should  serve  my  sovereign  in 
the  West.  I  can  only  act  from  surmise,  and  have  a  very 
good  chance  of  surmising  wrong.  I  am  sorry  to  grate 
your  ears  with  a  truth,  but  must,  at  all  events,  assure 
you,  that  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York  are  angels 
of  decision,  when  compared  with  your  countrymen,  the 
committee  of  safety  assembled  at  Williamsburg.  Page, 
Lee,  Mercer,  and  Payne,  are,  indeed,  exceptions;  but 
from  Pendleton,  Bland,  the  Treasurer,  and  Co. — lAbera 
no8  domine  !  " 

Lee's  letters  from  Virginia,  written  at  a  later  date,  were 
in  a  better  humor.  *^  There  is  a  noble  spirit  in  this  prov- 
ince pervading  aU  orders  of  men ;  if  the  same  becomes 
universal,  we  shall  be  saved.  I  am,  fortunately  for  my 
own  happiness,  and,  I  think,  for  the  well-being  of  the 
community,  on  the  best  terms  with  the  senatorial  part^ 
as  well  as  the  people  at  large.  I  shall  endeavor  to  pre« 
serve  their  confidence  and  good  opinion."''^ 

And  in  a  letter  to  Washington : — 

*  I  have  formed  two  companies  of  grenadiers  to  eaoh 

*  Faroe's  Am.  Arehivea,  4th  Series,  v.  708L 


PXTTJirAM  AT  NEW  TOME.  247 

egimeni^  and  with  spears  tliirteen  feet  long.  Their  rifles 
Car  they  are  all  riflemen)  sling  over  their  shoulders,  their 
ppearanoe  is  formidable,  and  the  men  are  conciliated  to 
beweapon.  ....  I  am  likewise  furmshing  myself 
dth  fonr-oonoed  rifled  amnsettes,  which  will  carry  an 
Eifemal  distance;  the  two-ounced  hit  a  half  sheet  of 
taper,  at  five  hundred  yards  distance." 

On  Lee's  departure  for  the  South,  Brigadier-general 
jord  Stirling  had  remained  in  temporary  command  at 
few  York.  Washington,  however,  presuming  that  the 
txitish  fleet  had  steered  for  that  port,  with  the  force 
rhich  had  evacuated  Boston,  hastened  detachments 
biiher  under  Generals  Heath  and  Sullivan,  and  wrote 
nr  three  thousand  additional  men  to  be  furnished  by 
knmecticut.  The  command  of  the  whole  he  gave  to 
leneral  Putnam,  who  was  ordered  to  fortify  the  city  and 
be  passes  of  the  Hudson,  according  to  the  plans  of  Gen- 
ral  Lee.  Li  the  meantime,  Washington  delayed  to 
ome  on  himselt  until  he  should  have  pushed  forward 
lie  main  body  of  his  army  by  divisions. 

Lee's  anticipations  that  laxity  and  confusion  would 
revail  after  his  departure,  were  not  realized.  The 
eteran  Putnam,  on  taking  command,  put  the  city  under 
igorous  military  rule.  The  soldiers  were  to  retire  to 
lieir  barracks  and  quarters  at  the  beating  of  the  tattoo, 
nd  remain  there  until  the  reveille  in  the  morning.  The 
ohabitants  were  subjected  to  the  same  rule.  None 
rould  be  permitted  to  pass  a  sentry,  without  the  counter* 


24d  i^^  OP  VTABEmoTOir. 

sigHy  which  would  be  famished  to  them  on  applying  to 
any  of  the  brigade  majors.  All  communication  between 
the  '^  ministerial  fleet "  and  shore  was  stopped ;  the  ships 
were  no  longer  to  be  furnished  with  provisions.  Any 
person  taken  in  the  act  of  holding  communication  with 
them  would  be  considered  an  enemy,  and  treated  accord- 
ingly. 
We  have  a  lively  picture  of  the  state  of  the  city,  in  let* 

ters  written  at  the  timey  and  abeady  cited.  ^  When  you 
ore  informed  that  New  York  is  deserted  by  its  old  in- 
habitants, and  filled  with  soldiers  from  New  England, 
Philadelphia,  Jersey,  etc,  you  will  naturally  conclude  the 
environs  of  it  are  not  very  safe  from  so  undisciplined  a 
multitude  as  our  provincials  are  represented  to  be ;  but 
I  do  believe  there  are  very  few  instances  of  so  great  & 
number  of  men  together,  with  so  little  mischief  done  by 
them.  They  have  all  the  simplicity  of  ploughmen  in 
their  manners,  and  seem  quite  strangers  to  the  vices  of 
older  soldiers :  they  have  been  employed  in  creating  for- 
tifications in  every  part  of  the  town.  •  •  •  •  Gbvemor 
Try  on  loses  his  credit  with  the  people  here  prodigiously; 
he  has  lately  issued  a  proclamation,  desiring  the  deluded 
people  of  this  colony  to  return  to  their  obedience,  prom- 
ising a  speedy  support  to  the  friends  of  government,  de- 
claring a  door  of  mercy  open  to  the  penitent,  and  a  rod 
for  the  disobedient,  etc  The  friends  of  government  were 
provoked  at  being  so  distinguished,  and  the  friends  to 
liberty  hung  him  in  effigy,  and  printed  a  dying  speech  fox 


WABHINGTON  AT  NEW  TORE.  249 

A  letter,  too,  was  intercepted  from  him,  hastening 
Lord  Howe  to  New  York,  as  the  rebels  were  fortifying. 
These  have  entirely  lost  him  the  good-will  of  the  people. 
•  •  •  •  You  cannot  think  how  sorry  I  am  the  governor  has 
Bo  lost  himself  a  man  once  so  much  beloved.  O  Lucifer, 
once  the  son  of  mom,  how  fallen  1  General  Washington 
Is  expected  hourly ;  Qeneral  Putnam  is  here,  with  several 
other  generals,  and  some  of  their  ladies.  ....  The 
variefy  of  reports  keeps  one's  mind  always  in  agitation. 
Clinton  and  Howe  have  set  the  continent  a  racing  from 
Boston  to  Carolina.  Clinton  came  into  our  harbor :  away 
flew  the  women,  children,  goods,  and  chattels,  and  in 
oame  the  soldiers  flocking  from  every  pari  No  sooner 
was  it  known  that  he  was  not  going  to  land  here,  than 
expresses  were  sent  to  Virginia  and  Carolina,  to  put 
them  on  their  guard;  his  next  expedition  was  to  Vir- 
ginia ;  there  they  were  ready  to  receive  him ;  from  thence, 
without  attempting  to  land,  he  sailed  to  Carolina.  Now 
General  Howe  is  leading  us  another  dance."  * 

Washington  came  on  by  the  way  of  Providence,  Nor- 
wich and  New  London,  expediting  the  embarkation  of 
troops  from  these  posts,  and  arrived  at  New  York  on  the 
13th  of  April  Many  of  the  works  which  Lee  had  com" 
menoed  were  by  this  time  finished ;  others  were  in  prog- 
ress. It  was  apprehended  the  principal  operations  of 
the  enemy  would  be  on  Long  Island,  the  high  grounds  oi 

*  Bemembrancer^  vol.  iiL  p.  85. 


260  i^i^  OF  WASHINGTOJSr. 

which,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Brooklyn,  commanded  fhe 
cify.  Washington  saw  that  an  able  and  efficient  officer  was 
needed  at  that  place.  Greene  was  accordingly  stationed 
there,  with  a  division  of  the  army.  He  immediately 
proceeded  to  complete  the  fortifications  of  that  important 
post,  and  to  make  himself  acquainted  with  the  topography, 
and  the  defensive  points  of  the    surrounding  country. 

The  aggregate  force  distributed  at  several  extensive 
posts  in  New  York  and  its  environs,  and  on  Long  Island, 
Staten  Island,  and  elsewhere,  amounted  to  little  more 
than  ten  thousand  men ;  some  of  those  were  on  the  sick 
list,  others  absent  on  command,  or  on  furlough ;  there 
were  but  about  eight  thousand  available  and  fit  for  duty. 
These,  too,  were  without  pay;  those  recently  enlisted^ 
without  arms,  and  no  one  could  say  where  arms  were  to 
be  procured. 

Washington  saw  the  inadequacy  of  the  force  to  the 
purposes  required,  and  was  full  of  solicitude  about  thft 
security  of  a  place,  the  central  point  of  the  Confederacy, 
and  the  grand  deposit  of  ordnance  and  military  storea 
He  was  aware,  too,  of  the  disaffection  to  the  cause  among 
many  of  the  inhabitants,  and  apprehensive  of  treachery. 
The  process  of  fortifying  the  place  had  induced  the  ships 
of  war  to  fall  down  into  the  outer  bay,  within  the  Hook, 
upwards  of  twenty  miles  from  the  city;  but  Governor 
Tryon  was  still  on  board  of  one  of  them,  keeping  up  an 
active  correspondence  with  the  tories  on  Staten  and  Liong 
Islands,  and  in  other  parts  of  the  neighborhood. 


LIFE  AT  HBAD-qUABTERa.  25 J 

Wasliington  took  an  early  occasion  to  address  an  ur^ 
gent  letter  to  the  committee  of  safety^  pointing  out  the 
dangerous  and  even  treasonable  nature  of  this  corre- 
spondence. He  had  more  weight  and  influence  with  that 
body  than  had  been  possessed  by  General  Lee,  and  pro- 
cured the  passage  of  a  resolution  prohibiting,  under 
severe  penalties,  all  intercourse  with  the  king's  ships. 

Head-quarters,  at  this  time,  was  a  scene  of  incessant 
toil  on  the  part  of  the  commander-in-chief,  his  secre- 
taries and  aides-de-camp.  *'I  give  in  to  no  kind  of 
amusements  myself"  writes  he,  '^  and  consequently  those 
about  me  can  have  none,  but  are  confined  from  morning 
until  evening,  hearing  and  answering  applications  and 
letters."  The  presence  of  Mrs.  Washington  was  a  solace 
in  the  midst  of  these  stem  military  cares,  and  diffused  a 
feminine  grace  and  decorum,  and  a  cheerful  spirit  over 
the  domestic  arrangements  of  head-quarters,  where  every- 
thing was  conducted  with  simplicity  and  dignity.  The 
wives  of  some  of  the  other  generals  and  officers  rallied 
around  Mrs.  Washington,  but  social  intercourse  was 
generally  at  an  end.  "  We  all  live  here,"  writes  a  lady 
of  New  York,  "like  nuns  shut  up  in  a  nunnery.  No 
society  with  the  town,  for  there  are  none  there  to  visit ; 
neither  can  we  go  in  or  out  after  a  certain  hour  without 
the  countersign." 

In  addition  to  his  cares  about  the  security  of  New 
Tork,  Washington  had  to  provide  for  the  perilous  exi- 
gencies of   the   army  in  Canada.     Since   his   arrival  in 


262  L^^  0^  WASHINGTON. 

the  city,  four  regiments  of  troops,  a  company  of  riflemen, 
and  another  of  artificers  had  been  detached  under  the 
command  of  Brigadier-general  Thompson,  and  a  farther 
corps  of  six  regiments  under  Brigadier-general  SalliyaD, 
with  orders  to  join  General  Thomas  as  soon  as  possible. 
Still  Congress  inquired  of  him,  whether  farther  rein- 
forcements to  the  army  in  Oanada  woold  not  be  neces- 
sary, and  whether  they  coold  be  spared  from  the  army 
in  New  York.  His  reply  shows  the  peculiar  perplexities 
of  his  situation,  and  the  tormenting  uncertainiy  in  which 
he  was  kept,  as  to  where  the  next  storm  of  war  would 
breaL  ''With  respect  to  sending  more  troops  to  that 
country,  I  am  really  at  a  loss  what  to  advise,  as  it  is 
impossible,  at  present,  to  know  the  designs  of  the  enemy. 
Should  they  send  the  whole  force  under  General  Howe 
up  the  river  Si  Lawrence,  to  relieve  Quebec  and  recover 
Canada,  the  troops  gone  and  now  going,  will  be  insuf- 
ficient to  stop  their  progress;  and,  should  they  think 
proper  to  send  that,  or  an  equal  force,  this  way  from 
Oreat  Britain,  for  the  purpose  of  possessing  this  city  and 
securing  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  Biver,  the  troops 
left  here  will  not  be  sufficient  to  oppose  them  ;  and  yet, 
for  anything  we  know,  I  think  it  not  improbable  they 
may  attempt  both ;  both  being  of  the  greatest  import- 
ance to  them,  if  they  have  men.  I  could  wish,  indeed, 
that  the  army  in  Canada  should  be  more  powerfully  rein- 
forced ;  at  the  same  time,  I  am  conscious  that  the  trust- 
ing of  this  important  post,  which  is  now  become  the 


HE8BIAN  TROOPS.  253 

grand  magazine  of  America,  to  the  handful  of  men  re- 
maining here,  is  running  too  great  a  risk.  The  secur- 
ing of  this  post  and  Hudson's  Biver  is  to  us  also  of  so 
great  importance,  that  I  cannot,  at  present,  adyise  the 
sending  any  more  troops  from  hence ;  on  the  contrary, 
the  general  officers  now  here,  whom  I  thought  it  my 
duty  to  consult,  think  it  absolutely  necessary  to  in- 
crease the  army  at  this  place  with  at  least  ten  thou- 
sand men ;  especially  when  it  is  considered,  that  from 
this  place  only  the  army  in  Canada  must  draw  its  sup- 
plies of  ammunition,  provisions,  and  most  probably  of 
men." 

Washington  at  that  time  was  not  aware  of  the  extraor- 
dinary expedients  England  had  recently  resorted  to, 
against  the  next  campaign.  The  Duke  of  Brunswick,  the 
Landgrave  of  Hesse  Cassel,  and  the  Hereditary  Prince  of 
Gassel,  Count  of  Hanau,  had  been  subsidized  to  furnish 
troops  to  assist  in  the  subjugation  of  her  colonies.  Four 
thousand  three  hundred  Brunswick  troops,  and  nearly 
thirteen  thousand  Hessians,  had  entered  the  British  ser- 
vice. Beside  the  subsidy  exacted  by  the  Qerman  princes, 
they  were  to  be  paid  seven  pounds  four  shillings  and  four 
pence  sterling  for  every  soldier  furnished  by  them,  and 
as  much  more  for  every  one  slain. 

Of  this  notable  arrangement,  Washington,  as  we  ob- 
served, was  not  yet  aware.  "  The  designs  of  the  enemy," 
writes  he,  *'  are  too  much  behind  the  curtain  for  me  to 
form  any  accurate  opinion  of  their  plan  oi  operations  for 


261  ^^^  OF  WABHINQTOli. 

the  snmmer's  campaign.    We  are  left  to  wander,  there* 
fore,  in  the  field  of  conjecture."  * 

Within  a  few  days  afterwards,  he  had  vagae  accounts 
of  ^*  Hessians  and  Hanoverian  troops  coming  over ; "  but 
it  was  not  until  the  17th  of  May,  when  he  received  let- 
ters from  General  Schuyler,  inclosing  others  from  the 
commanders  in  Canada,  that  he  knew  in  what  direction 
some  of  these  bolts  of  war  were  launched ;  and  this  calls 
for  some  further  particulars  of  the  campaign  on  the 
banks  of  the  St.  Lawrence ;  which  we  shall  give  to  the 
reader  in  the  ensuing  chapter. 

•  Letter  to  the  Pteodent  of  Oongran  5tli  Mai; 


CHAPTEB  XX. 


WOOBTKR.— or  OBVB&U.  THOILU.— ASOXTITB  ATTSIirT  OX  QCZBIC,— PBSP- 
AKATI<»8  V(M  KBTKM&T.— SOSTIS  OV  CASLXTOH.— KBTUUT  OF  THX  AMSBI- 
— SALT  AT  FOUri  DaBCHAMBAUI.T.— ALASK  IK  TBI  0OI.OHIBS  AT  TBI 

nn  Axm.— forouB  ci,^iiok  AaAixar  aoHUTLn.— aLAMsm 


r  a  former  ohspter,  we  left  Arnold  before  the 
I  valla  of  Quebec,  voonded,  crippled,  almost  dis- 
I  abled,  yet  not  diBheartened ;  blockading  that 
"proud  town"  with  a  force  inferior,  by  half,  in  nomber 
to  that  of  the  garrison.  For  his  gallant  serrices.  Con- 
gress promoted  him  in  Janoary  to  the  rank  of  brigadier- 
generaL 

Throoghoat  the  winter  he  kept  ap  the  blockade  with 
his  shattered  army ;  thoogh  had  Carleton  Tentnred  npon 
a  sortie,  he  might  have  been  forced  to  decamp.  That 
oantions  general,  howeTer,  remained  within  his  walls. 
He  was  snre  of  reinforcements  from  England  in  the 
Spring,  and,  in  the  meantime,  trusted  to  the  elements  of 
diasolntiou  at  work  in  the  besieging  army. 

Arnold,  in  truth,  had  dif&culties  of  all  kinds  to  con- 
tend with.     His  military  chest  was  exhausted ;  his  troops 


256  U^^  OF  WABHINGTOir. 

were  in  want  of  necessaries ;  to  proonre  supplies,  he  was 
compelled  to  resort  to  the  paper  money  issned  by  Oon- 
gressy  which  was  oncorrent  among  the  Canadians;  he 
issned  a  proclamation  making  the  refusal  to  take  it  in 
payment  a  penal  offense.  This  only  produced  irritation 
and  disgust.  As  the  terms  of  their  enlistment  expired, 
his  men  claimed  their  discharge  and  returned  home. 
Sickness  also  thinned  his  ranks;  so  that,  at  one  time, 
his  force  was  reduced  to  five  hundred  men,  and  for  two 
months,  with  all  his  recruitments  of  raw  militia^  did  not 
exceed  seven  hundred. 

The  failure  of  the  attack  on  Quebec  had  weakened  the 
cause  among  the  Canadians ;  the  peasantry  had  been  dis-  - 
pleased  by  the  conduct  of  the  American  troops ;  they  had  - 
once  welcomed  them  as  deliverers ;  they  now  began  to» 
regard  them  as  intruders.     The  seigneurs,  or  noblesse^ 
also,  feared  to  give  further  countenance  to  an  invasion, 
which,  if  defeated,  might  involve  them  in  ruin. 

Notwithstanding  all  these  discouragements,  Arnold  still 
kept  up  a  bold  face ;  cut  off  supplies  occasionally,  and 
harassed  the  place  with  alarms.  Having  repaired  his  bat- 
teries, he  opened  a  fire  upon  the  town,  but  with  little 
effect ;  the  best  part  of  the  artillerists,  with  Lamb,  their 
capable  commander,  were  prisoners  within  the  walls. 

On  the  1st  day  of  April,  General  Wooster  arrived  from 
Montreal,  with  reinforcements,  and  took  the  command. 
The  day  after  his  arrival,  Arnold,  by  the  falling  of  his 
horse,  again    received    an    injury  on  the  leg  recently 


ISM  OAMF  BBFOBB  qUBBOO.  S67 

Tooncled,  and  was  disabled  for  npwarda  of  a  veek. 
Otmsidezing  himself  slighted  by  General  Wooster,  who 
did  not  oonsalt  him  in  militaij  affiiirs,  he  obtained 
leave  of  absence  nntil  he  shonld  be  recovered  from  bis 
lameness,  and  repaired  to  Montreal,  vhere  he  took  com- 

General  Thomas  arrived  at  the  camp  in  the  oonrse  ol 
A.pril,  and  found  the  army  in  a  forlorn  condition,  scat- 
tered at  different  posts,  and  on  the  island  of  Orleans.  It 
was  nnmerioally  increased  to  upwards  of  two  thousand 
men,  bnt  several  htmdred  were  unfit  for  service.  The 
Bmall-pcnt  had  made  great  ravages.  They  had  inoculated 
each  other.  In  their  sick  and  debilitated  state,  they  were 
without  barracks,  and  almost  vrithoat  medicine.  A  por* 
tion,  whose  term  of  enlistment  had  expired,  refused  to  do 
duty,  and  clamored  for  their  dischai^. 

The  winter  was  over,  the  river  was  breaking  np,  rein* 
forcements  to  the  garrison  might  immediately  be  ex- 
pected, and  then  the  case  woold  be  desperate.  Observing 
that  the  river  aboat  Quebec  was  dear  of  ice,  General 
Thomas  determined  on  a  bold  effort  It  was,  to  send  np 
a  fire-ship  with  the  flood,  and,  while  the  ships  in  the  har- 
bor  were  in  flames,  and  the  town  in  confnaion,  to  scale 
the  walls. 

Accordingly,  on  the  3rd  of  May,  the  troops  tnmed  out 
with  scaling  ladders;  the  fire-ship  came  np  the  river 
under  easy  sail,  and  arrived  near  the  shipping  before  it 
was  discovered.    It  was  fired  into.    The  crew  applied  a 


258  ^^^  OF  wAanmoTON. 

slow  matoh  to  the  train  and  pulled  o£  The  ship  waa 
soon  in  a  blaze,  but  the  flames  caught  and  consumed  the 
sails ;  her  way  was  checked,  and  she  drifted  off  harm-* 
lessly  with  the  ebbing  tide.  The  rest  of  the  plan  was^ 
of  course,  abandoned. 

Nothing  now  remained  but  to  retreat  before  the  enemy 
should  be  reinforced.  Preparations  were  made  in  all 
haste,  to  embark  the  sick  and  the  military  stores.  While 
this  was  taking  place,  five  ships  made  their  way  into  the 
harbor,  on  the  6th  of  May,  and  began  to  land  troops. 
Thus  reinforced,  General  Carleton  sallied  forth,  with  eight 
hundred  or  a  thousand  men.  We  quote  his  own  letter 
for  an  account  of  his  sortie.  "  As  soon  as  part  of  the  29th 
regiment  with  the  marines,  in  all  about  two  hundred  were 
landed,  they,  with  the  greatest  part  of  the  garrison,  by 
this  time  much  improved,  and  in  high  spirits,  marched 
out  of  the  ports  of  St  Louis  and  St  John's,  to  see  what 
these  mighty  boasters  were  about  They  were  found  very 
busy  in  their  preparations  for  a  retreat  A  few  shots 
being  exchanged,  the  line  marched  forward,  and  the  place 
was  soon  cleared  of  these  plunderers." 

By  his  own  account,  however,  these  "  mighty  boasters  ** 
had  held  him  and  his  garrison  closely  invested  for  five 
months;  had  burnt  the  suburbs,  battered  the  waUs, 
thrown  red-hot  shot  among  the  shipping,  made  repeated 
and  daring  attempts  to  carry  the  place  by  assault  and 
stratagem,  and  rendered  it  necessary  for  soldiers,  sailors, 
marines,  and  even  judges  and  other  civil  officers  to  mount 


A  COUNCIL  OF  WAB.  259 

guard.*  One  officer  declajres,  in  a  letter,  that  for  eighty 
snooessiye  nights  he  slept  in  his  clothes,  to  be  ready  in 
ease  of  alarm. 

All  this,  too,  was  effected  by  a  handfol  of  men,  exposed 
in  open  encampments  to  the  rigors  of  a  Canadian  winter. 
If  in  truth  they  were  boasters,  it  must  be  allowed  their 
deeds  were  equal  to  their  words. 

The  Americans  were  in  no  condition  to  withstand  Car- 
leton's  unlooked-for  attack.  They  had  no  intrenchments, 
and  could  not  muster  three  hundred  men  at  any  point. 
A  precipitate  retreat  was  the  consequence,  in  which  bag- 
gage, artillery,  everything  was  abandoned.  Even  the  sick 
were  left  behind ;  many  of  whom  crawled  away  from  the 
oamp  hospitals,  and  took  refuge  in  the  woods,  or  among 
the  Canadian  peasantry. 

General  Carleton  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  engage  in 
a  pursuit  with  his  newly-landed  troops.  He  treated  the 
prisoners  with  great  humanity,  and  caused  the  sick  to  be 
sought  out  in  their  hiding-places,  and  brought  to  the 
general  hospitals,  with  assurances,  that,  when  healed,  they 
should  have  liberty  to  return  to  their  homes. 

Gtoneral  Thomas  came  to  a  halt  at  Point  Deschambault, 
about  sixty  miles  above  Quebec,  and  called  a  council  of 
war  to  consider  what  was  to  be  done.  The  enemy's  ships 
were  hastening  up  the  St.  Lawrence ;  some  were  already 
bat  two  or  three  leagues'  distance.    The  camp  was  with' 

*  Carleton  to  Lord  G^rge  (^ennaine,  May  14th. 


260  J^^^  OF  WABSmQTOJt. 

out  oannon ;  powder,  forwarded  by  General  Sohnyler,  liad 
fallen  into  the  enemy's  hands ;  there  were  not  provisions 
enongh  to  subsist  the  army  for  more  than  two  or  three 
days ;  the  men-of-war,  too,  might  ran  np  the  river,  inter- 
cept all  their  resources,  and  reduce  them  to  the  same 
extremity  they  had  experienced  before  Quebec.  It  was 
resolved,  therefore,  to  ascend  the  river  still  farther. 

Qeneral  Thomas,  however,  determined  to  send  forward 
the  invalids,  but  to  remain  at  Point  Deschambanlt  with 
about  five  hundred  men,  until  he  should  receive  orders 
from  Montreal,  and  learn  whether  such  supplies  oould  be 
forwarded  immediately  as  would  enable  him  to  defend 
his  position.* 

The  despatches  of  Qeneral  Thomas,  setting  forth  the 
disastrous  state  of  affairs,  had  a  disheartening  effect  oik. 
Schuyler,  who  feared  the  army  would  be  obliged  to  aban- 
don Canada.  Washington,  on  the  contrary,  spoke  oheer- 
ingly  on  the  subject  *^  We  must  not  despair.  A  manly 
and  spirited  opposition  only  can  insure  success,  and  pre- 
vent the  enemy  from  improving  the  advanti^  they  have 
obtained."  t 

He  regretted  that  the  troops  had  not  been  able  to 
make  a  stand  at  Point  Deschambanlt,  but  hoped  they 
would  maintain  a  post  as  far  down  the  river  as  possible. 
The  lower  it  was,  the  more  important  would  be  the  ad- 
vantages resulting  from  it,  as  all  the  country  above  would 

*  General  Thomas  to  Washington,  May  8. 
f  Washington  to  Schuyler,  May  17th. 


BLANDBB8  AGAINST  8CHUTLBB.  261 

be  £aTorable>  and  fumisli  assistance  and  support ;  while  all 
below  would  necessarily  be  in  the  power  of  the  enemy. 

The  tidings  of  the  reverses  in  Canada  and  the  retreat 
of  the  American  arrny^  had  spread  consternation  through- 
oat  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  and  the  New  England 
frontiers,  which  would  now  be  laid  open  to  invasion. 
Committees  of  towns  and  districts  assembled  in  varioua 
places,  to  consult  on  the  alarming  state  of  affiEdrs.  In  a 
time  of  adversity,  it  relieves  the  public  mind  to  have 
some  individual  on  whom  to  charge  its  disasters.  (Gen- 
eral Schuyler,  at  present,  was  to  be  the  victim.  We  have 
already  noticed  the  prejudice  and  ill-will,  on  the  part 
of  the  New  England  people,  which  had  harassed  him 
throughout  the  campaign,  and  nearly  driven  him  from 
the  service.  His  enemies  now  stigmatized  him  as  the 
cause  of  the  late  reverses.  He  had  neglected,  they  said, 
to  forward  reinforcements  and  supplies  to  the  army  in 
Canada.  His  magnanimity  in  suffering  Sir  John  Johnson 
to  go  at  large,  while  in  his  power,  was  again  miscon- 
strued into  a  crime :  he  had  thus  enabled  that  dangerous 
man  to  renew  his  hostilities.  Finally,  it  was  insinuated 
that  he  was  untrue  to  his  country,  if  not  positively  leagued 
with  her  enemies. 

These  imputations  were  not  generally  advanced;  and 
when  advanced,  were  not  generally  countenanced ;  but  a 
committee  of  Eing's  County  appears  to  have  given  them 
credence,  addressing  a  letter  to  the  commander-in-chief 
on  the  subject,  accompanied  by  documents. 


J 


262  I'^^  OF  WASHmGTOJf. 

Waslimgton,  to  whom  Sohnjler's  heart  had  been  laid 
open  throughout  all  its  trials,  and  who  knew  its  recti- 
tude, received  the  letter  and  documents  with  indignation 
and  disgust,  and  sent  copies  of  them  to  the  generaL 
*^  From  these,"  said  he,  "  you  will  readily  discover  the 
diabolical  and  insidious  arts  and  schemes  carrying  on  by 
the  tories  and  friends  of  government  to  raise  distrust, 
dissensions,  and  divisions  among  us.  Having  the  utmost 
confidence  in  your  integrity,  and  the  most  incontestable 
proof  of  your  great  attachment  to  our  common  country 
and  its  interest,  I  could  not  but  look  upon  the  charge 
against  you  with  an  eye  of  disbelief,  and  sentiments  of 
detestation  and  abhorrence ;  nor  should  I  have  troubled 
you  with  the  matter,  had  I  not  been  informed  that  copies 
were  sent  to  different  committees,  and  to  Governor  Trum* 
bull,  which  I  conceived  would  get  abroad,  and  that  you» 
should  you  find  I  had  been  furnished  with  them,  would 
consider  my  suppressing  them  as  an  evidence  of  my  be- 
lief, or  at  best  of  my  doubts,  of  the  charges."  * 

We  will  go  forward,  and  give  the  sequel  of  this  matter. 
While  the  imputations  in  question  had  merely  floated  in 
public  rumor,  Schuyler  had  taken  no  notice  of  them; 
"  but  it  is  now,"  writes  he,  in  reply  to  Washington,  **  a 
duty  which  I  owe  myself  and  my  country,  to  detect  the 
scoundrels,  and  the  only  means  of  doing  this  is  by  re* 
questing  that  an  immediate  inquiry  be  made  into  the 

•  Washington  to  Schuyler,  May  81. 


SCHUYLER  EXONERATED  263 

matter ;  when  I  trust  it  will  appear  that  it  was  more  a 
scheme  caloolated  to  rain  me,  than  to  disunite  and  ore- 
ate  jealousies  in  the  friends  of  America.  Your  Excel- 
lencj,  willy  therefore,  please  to  order  a  court  of  inquiry 
the  soonest  possible ;  for  I  cannot  sit  easy  under  such 
an  in&mous  imputation;  since  on  this  extensive  conti 
nent  numbers  of  the  most  respectable  characters  may  not 
know  what  your  Excellency  and  Oongress  do  of  my  prin- 
ciples and  exertions  in  the  common  cause." 

He  further  adds :  *'I  am  informed  by  persons  of  good 
credit,  that  about  one  hundred  persons,  living  on  what 
are  commonly  called  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  have 
had  a  design  to  seize  me  as  a  tory,and  perhaps  still  have. 
There  never  was  a  man  so  infamously  scandalized  and 
ill-treated  as  I  aoL" 

We  need  only  add,  that  the  Berkshire  committees 
which,  in  a  time  of  agitation  and  alarm,  had  hastily 
given  countenance  to  these  imputations,  investigated 
them  deliberately  in  their  cooler  moments,  and  acknowl- 
edged, in  a  letter  to  Washington,  that  they  were  satis- 
fied their  suspicions  respecting  General  Schuyler  were 
wholly  groundless.  "We  sincerely  hope,"  added  they, 
''his  name  may  be  handed  down,  with  immortal  honor, 
to  the  latest  posteriiy,  as  one  of  the  great  pillars  of  the 
American  cause.** 


CHAPTER  XXL 

OATBB  BBNT  TO  FfilLADKLPHIA.  WITH  THB  CANADA  DB8PAT0HK8.  —  PBOMOm 
TO  THB  BANK  OF  MAJOR-OBNBRAL.  —  WASHINGTON  8UMMONBD  TO  PHILA- 
DBLPHIA.  -—  PUTNAM  LEFT  IN  COMMAND. — OONFBRBNCB  WITH  OONORBBS.^ 
ARMY  ABRAN0BMBNT8.~A  BOABD  OF  WAB  1N8TITUTBD.— THB  CLINTONS  OF 
NBW  TOBK.  — MB8.  WASHINGTON  INOCULATBD.  —  HBBD  MADB  ADmTAXT- 
OBNBBAL. 

IS  the  reverses  in  Canada  would  affect  the  for* 
tunes  of  the  Bevolution  elsewhere,  Washington 
sent  Gteneral  Gates  to  lay  the  despatches  con- 
cerning them  before  Congress.  "  His  militarj  experience/' 
said  he,  **  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  situation  of 
our  affiedrs,  will  enable  him  to  give  Congress  the  fullest 
satisfaction  about  the  measures  necessary  to  be  adopted 
at  this  alarming  crisis ;  and,  with  his  zeal  and  attachment 
to  the  cause  of  America,  he  will  have  a  claim  to  their  no- 
tice and  favors." 

Scarce  had  Gates  departed  on  his  mission  (May  19th), 
when  Washington  himself  received  a  summons  to  Phila- 
delphia, to  advise  with  Congress  concerning  the  opening 
campaign.  He  was  informed  also  that  Gates,  on  the  16th 
of  May,  had  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major-gen- 
eral, and  Mifflin  to  that  of  brigadier-general,  and  a  wish 

964 


INTENTIONS   OF  PROVINCIAL   CONGRESS.         265 

was   intimated  that  they  might  take  the  command  of 
Boston. 

WaBhington  prepared  to  proceed  to  Philadelphia.    His 
general  orders  issued  on  the  19th  of  May,  show  the  anx- 
ious situation  of  affiedrs  at  New  York.  In  case  of  an  alarm 
the  zespectiye  regiments  were  to  draw  up  opposite  to 
their  encampments  or  quarters,  until  ordered  to  repair 
to   the   alarm  posts.     The  alarm  signals  for   regulars, 
militia^  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  city,  were,  in  the  day- 
timey  two  cannon  fired  from  the  rampart  at  Fort  (George, 
and  a  flag  hoisted  on  the  top  of  Washington's  head-quar- 
ters.    In  the  night,  two  cannon  fired  as  above,  and  two 
lighted  lanterns  hoisted  on  the  top  of  head-quarters.* 

In  his  parting  instructions  to  Putnam,  who,  as  the 
oldest  major-general  in  the  city,  would  have  the  com- 
mand during  his  absence,  Waediington  informed  him  of 
the  intention  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York  to 
sein  the  principal  tories  and  disaffected  persons  in  the 

*Tlie  foOowing  statement  of  the  batteries  at  New  York,  we  And  dated 
Va^aSd:— 

The  Ortmd  Battery,  on  the  soath  part  of  the  town. 

Fort  Qeorgty  immediately  above  it. 

irhUe  BaU  Battery,  on  the  left  of  the  Grand  Battery. 

Oyst&r  Battery,  behind  General  Washington's  head-qnartera 

Grenadier  Battery,  near  the  Brew  House  on  the  North  Biyer* 

Jirmy  Battery,  on  the  left  of  the  Grenadier  Battery. 

Bayctrd^B  BUI  Redoubt,  on  Bayard's  Hill. 

Speneer^B  Redoubt,  on  the  hill  where  his  brigade  is  encamped. 

Waterbwry*8  Battery  (fascines),  on  a  wharf  below  this  hill. 

BadlanCs  Redoubt,  on  a  hill  near  the  Jews'  burying  ground. 


266  L^^  0^  WASHINGTOir. 

oiiy,  and  the  surroonding  country,  especiaU^  on  Long 
Island,  and  authorized  him  to  afford  military  aid,  if  re« 
quired,  to  carry  the  same  into  execution.  He  waB  also 
to  send  Lord  Stirling,  Colonel  Putnam  the  engineer,  and 
Colonel  Knox,  if  he  could  be  spared,  up  to  the  Highlands, 
to  examine  the  state  of  the  forts  and  garrisons,  and  re- 
port what  was  necessary  to  put  them  in  a  posture  of 
defense.  Their  garrisons  were  chiefly  composed  of  parii 
of  a  regiment  of  New  York  troops,  commanded  by  Col- 
onel James  Clinton,  of  Ulster  Couniy,  and  were  said  to  be 
sufficieni 

The  general,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Washington,  de- 
parted from  New  York  on  the  21st  of  May,  and  they  were 
invited  by  Mr.  Hancock,  the  President  of  Congress,  to  be 
his  guests  during  their  sojourn  at  Philadelphia. 

Lee,  when  he  heard  of  Washington's  visit  there,  ar- 
gued good  effects  from  ii  '^  I  am  extremely  glad,  dear 
general,"  writes  he,  "  that  you  are  in  Philadelphia,  for 
their  councils  sometimes  lack  a  little  of  military  elec- 
tricity." 

Washington,  in  his  conferences  with  Congress,  appears 
to  have  furnished  this  electricity.  He  roundly  expressed 
his  conviction,  that  no  accommodation  could  be  effected 
with  Great  Britain,  on  acceptable  terms.  Ministerialists 
had  declared  in  Parliament,  that,  the  sword  being  drawn, 
the  most  coercive  measures  would  be  persevered  in,  until 
there  was  complete  submission.  The  recent  subsidizing 
of  foreign  troops  was  a  part  of  this  policy,  and  indicated 


aosrs&sxoE  wite  oonobbbb.  267 

nnsparing  hostility.  A  protracted  var,  therefore,  was 
inentable;  but  it  would  be  impoBsible  to  carry  it  on 
BQooesafally  vith  the  scanty  force  actnally  embodied,  and 
Tith  transient  enlistments  of  militia. 

In  oonseqnenoe  of  his  representations,  resolntionB 
vere  passed  in  Congress  that  soldiers  shoold  be  enlisted 
for  three  years,  with  a  bounty  of  ten  dollars  for  each  re- 
croii ;  that  tiie  army  at  Kew  Tork  should  be  reinforced 
nntil  the  first  of  December,  with  thirteen  thoosand  eight 
hundred  militia ;  tiiat  gondolas  and  fire-rafts  should  be 
bnilt,  to  prevent  the  men-of-war  and  enemy's  ships  from 
coming  into  New  Tork  Bay,  or  the  Narrows ;  and  that  a 
flying  camp  of  ten  thousand  miUtia,  famished  by  Penn- 
sylvaoia,  Delaware,  and  Maryland,  and  likewise  eng^^ed 
ontil  the  lat  of  December,  should  be  stationed  in  the 
Jerseys  for  the  defense  of  the  Middle  colonies.  Wash- 
ington was,  moreover,  empowered,  in  case  of  emergency, 
te  call  on  the  neighboring  colonies  for  temporary  aid  with 

tbeij  Tnilif-ift 

Another  important  result  of  his  conferences  with  Oon- 
giess  was  the  establishment  of  a  war  ofBoe.  Military 
affiurs  had  hitherto  been  referred  in  Congress  to  com- 
mittees casoally  appointed,  and  had  conaeqaently  been 
subject  to  great  irregularity  and  neglect.  Henceforth  a 
permanent  committee,  entitled  "the  Board  of  War  and 
Ordnance,"  was  to  take  cognizanoe  of  them.  The  first 
board  was  composed  of  five  members ;  John  Adams,  Col- 
onel Benjamin  Harrison,  Soger  Sherman,  James  Wilson* 


268  LIFE  OF  WA8HINQT0N. 

and  Edward  Butledge ;  with  Bichard  Peters  as  seoretazy. 
It  went  into  operation  on  the  12th  of  June. 

While  at  Philadelphia,  Washington  had  frequent  oon« 
saltations  with  Gteorge  Clinton,  one  of  the  delegates  from 
New  York,  concerning  the  interior  defenses  of  that  proy- 
ince,  especiallj  those  connected  with  the  security  of  the 
Highlands  of  the  Hudson,  where  part  of  the  regiment  of 
Colonel  James  Clinton,  the  brother  of  the  delegate,  was 
stationed.  The  important  part  which  these  brothers 
were  soon  to  act  in  the  military  a£EiEdrs  of  that  proyinoe, 
and  ultimately  in  its  political  history,  entitles  them  to  a 
special  notice. 

They  were  of  the  old  Clinton  stock  of  England,  being 
descended  from  (General  James  Clinton,  an  adherent  of  : 
royalty  in  the  time  of  the  civil  wars,  but  who  passed  . 
over  to  Ireland,  after  the  death  of  Charles  L     Theirs 
father,  Charles  Clinton,  grandson  of  the  general,  emi — 
grated  to  America  in  1729,  and  settled  in  Ulster,  now"* 
Orange  County,  just  above  the  Highlands  of  the  Hudson-i^ 
Though  not  more  than  fifty  miles  from  the  city  of  New^ 
York,  it  was  at  that  time  on  the  borders  of  a  wilderness^ 
where  every  house  had  at  times  to  be  a  fortress.    Charles 
Clinton,  like  most  men  on  our  savage  frontier  in  those 
days,  was  a  warrior  by  necessity,  if  not  by  choice.     He 
took  an   active  part  in  Indian  and  French  wars,  com- 
manded a  provincial  regiment  stationed  at  Fort  Herki- 
mer, joined  in  the  expedition  under  General  Bradstreet, 
when  it  passed  up  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  and  was 


THB  ozmroirs  or  saw  tobk.  369 

pzesent  at  the  oaptnre  of  Fort  Frontenao.  His  Bons, 
James  and  Qeoige,  one  twenfy,  the  other  seventeen  yean 
ol  age,  served  in  the  same  campaign,  the  one  as  oaptoin, 
the  other  as  lieatenant ;  thus  taking  an  early  lesson  in 
that  st^ool  of  American  soldiers,  the  French  war. 

James,  whose  propensities  vere  always  military,  oon- 
tinned  in  the  provinoial  army  until  the  close  of  that  war ; 
and  afterwards,  when  settled  on  an  estate  in  Ulster 
Ooonty,  was  able  and  aodTe  in  organizing  its  Tniliri|>, 
George  applied  himself  to  the  law,  and  became  sncoeas- 
fol  at  the  bar,  in  the  same  ooonty.  Their  father,  having 
laid  aside  the  sword,  ooonpied  for  many  years,  with  dis> 
oemment  and  integrity,  the  honorable  station  of  Judge  of 
tiie  Oonrt  of  Common  Pleas.  He  died  in  TTlster  Connfy, 
in  1773,  in  the  eighty-third  year  of  his  age,  "  in  fall  view 
of  that  Bevolntion  in  which  his  sons  were  to  act  distin- 
gniflhed  parts."  With  his  latest  breath  he  charged  them 
"  to  stand  by  the  liberties  of  their  oonntry." 

They  needed  no  such  admonition.  From  the  very  first, 
they  had  been  heart  and  hand  in  the  oaose.  Oeorge  had 
championed  it  for  years  in  the  New  York  legislature, 
pgnaltging  himself  by  his  zeal  as  one  of  an  intrepid  mi- 
nority in  opposing  ministerial  oppression.  He  had  bat 
teoentlj  taken  his  seat  aa  delegate  to  the  Ckmtinental 
Congress. 

James  Clinton,  appointed  colonel  on  the  30th  of  Jnne, 
1775,  had  served  with  his  regiment  of  New  York  troops 
nnder  Montgomery  at  the  siege  of  St  John's,  and  the 


270  ^'^^  OF  WABHmOTON. 

capture  of  Montreal,  after  which  he  had  returned  homa 
He  had  sabsequentlj  been  appointed  to  the  command  oi 
a  regiment  in  one  of  the  four  battalions  raised  for  the 
defense  of  New  York.  We  shall  soon  have  occasion  to 
speak  farther  of  these  patriot  brothers. 

The  prevalence  of  the  small-pox  had  frequently  ren- 
dered Washington  uneasy  on  Mrs.  Washington's  acoount 
during  her  visits  to  the  army ;  he  was  relieved,  therefore, 
by  her  submitting  to  inoculation  during  their  sojourn  in 
Philadelphia,  and  having  a  very  favorable  time. 

He  was  gratified,  also,  by  procuring  the  appointment 
of  his  late  secretary,  Joseph  Beed,  to  the  post  of  adjn* 
tant-general,  vacated  by  the  promotion  of  General  Gateay 
thus  placing  him  once  more  bv  his  side. 


OHAFTEB  TTTT 

ilVAOM  Hr  OAXADA. — DISASTER  AT   THB  CEDARS. — ^HOSTILE   DBSIOE8  Or  THE 

JomrsoHS. — a  bloodt  summer  exfeoted. — forts  in  the  highlands. — 

OQLOHEL  JAMES  OLINTON  IN  OOMM  AND.— FORTIFICATIONS  AT  KINO'S  BBIDOB 
ABD  ON  LONG  ISLAND. 

ISPATCHES  from  Canada  continued  to  be  dis- 
astrous. General  Arnold,  who  was  in  command 
at  Montreal,  had  established  a  post  on  the  Si 
Lawrence,  about  forty  miles  above  that  place,  on  a  point 
of  land  called  the  Cedars;  where  he  had  stationed 
Colonel  Bedel,  with  about  four  hundred  men,  to  prevent 
goods  being  sent  to  the  enemy,  in  the  upper  country,  and 
to  guard  against  surprise  from  them,  or  their  Indians. 

In  the  latter  part  of  May,  Colonel  Bedel  received  in- 
telligence that  a  large  body  of  British,  Canadians,  and 
Indians,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Forster,  were 
coming  down  from  Oswegatchie,  to  attack  him.  Leaving 
Major  Butterfield  in  command  of  the  post,  he  hastened 
down  to  Montreal  to  obtain  reinforcements.  Arnold  im- 
mediately detached  one  hundred  men,  under  Major  Shel- 
bume,  and  prepared  to  follow  in  person,  with  a  much 

greater  force.    In  the  meantime,  the  post  at  the  Cedars 

871 


272  L^^  OF  WASHINGTOISr. 

had  been  besieged,  and  Major  Butterfield  intimidated 
into  a  surrender,  by  a  threat  from  Captain  Forster,  that 
resistance  would  provoke  a  massacre  of  his  whole  garri- 
son by  the  Indians.  The  reinforcements  under  Major 
Shelbume  were  assailed  within  four  miles  of  the  Cedars, 
by  a  large  party  of  savages,  and  captured  after  a  sharp 
skirmish,  in  which  several  were  killed  on  both  sides. 

Arnold  received  word  of  these  disasters  while  on  the 
march.  He  instantly  sent  forward  some  Caughnawaga 
Indians,  to  overtake  the  savages,  and  demand  a  surren- 
der of  the  prisoners ;  with  a  threat  that,  in  case  of  a  re- 
fusal, and  that  any  of  them  were  murdered,  he  would 
sacrifice  every  Indian  who  fell  into  his  hands,  and  would 
follow  the  offenders  to  their  towns,  and  destroy  them  by 
fire  and  sword.  He  now  embarked  four  hundred  of  his 
men  in  bateaux,  and  pushed  on  with  the  remainder  by 
land.  Arriving  at  Si  Ann's,  above  the  rapids  of  the  Si 
Lawrence,  he  discovered  several  of  the  enemy's  bateaux, 
taking  the  prisoners  off  from  an  island,  a  league  distani 
It  was  a  tormenting  sight,  as  it  was  not  in  his  power  to 
relieve  them.  His  bateaux  were  a  league  behind,  oom- 
ing  up  the  rapids  very  slowly.  He  sent  several  ex- 
presses to  hurry  them.  It  was  sunset  before  they  ar- 
rived and  he  could  embark  all  his  people ;  in  the  mean- 
time, his  Caughnawaga  messengers  returned  with  an 
answer  from  the  savages.  They  had  five  hundred  pris- 
oners collected  together,  they  said,  at  Quinze  Chiens, 
where  they  were  posted;  should  he  offer  to  land  and 


ARNOLD* a  DiaiBEBa.  278 

attack  them,  they  would  kill  every  prisoner,  and  give  no 
quarter  to  any  who  should  fall  into  their  hands  there-* 
after. 

''Words  cannot  express  my  feelings,"  writes  Arnold, 
**  at  the  delivery  of  this  message.  Tom  by  the  conflict- 
ing passions  of  revenge  and  humaniiy ;  a  sufficient  force 
to  take  ample  revenge,  raging  for  action,  urged  me  on 
one  hand,  and  humanity  for  five  hundred  unhappy 
wretches,  who  were  on  the  point  of  being  sacrificed,  if 
our  vengeance  was  not  delayed,  pleaded  equally  strong 
on  the  other."  In  this  situation,  he  ordered  the  boats 
to  row  immediately  for  the  island,  whither  he  had  seen 
the  enemy  taking  their  prisoners.  Before  he  reached  it, 
the  savages  had  conveyed  them  all  away,  excepting  five, 
whom  he  found  naked,  and  almost  starved,  and  one  or 
two,  whom,  being  unwell,  they  had  butchered.  Arnold 
now  pushed  for  Quinze  Ohiens,  about  four  miles  distant, 
on  the  mainland.  Here  was  the  whole  force  of  the 
enemy,  civilized  and  savage,  intrenched  and  fortified. 
As  Arnold  approached,  they  opened  a  fire  upon  his 
boats,  with  small  arms,  and  two  brass  six-pounders.  He 
rowed  near  the  land  without  returning  a  shoi  By  this 
time  it  was  too  dark  to  distinguish  anything  on  shore, 
and  being  unacquainted  with  the  ground,  he  judged  it 
prudent  to  return  to  Si  John's. 

Here  he  called  a  council  of  war,  and  it  was  determined 

to  attack  the  enemy  early  in  the  morning. '  In  the  course 

of  the  night,  a  fiag  was  sent  by  Captain  Forster,  with 
YOL.  n.— 18 


274  LIFE  OF  WASHUfOTON. 

articles  for  an  exchange  of  prisoners  which  had  been 
entered  into  by  him  and  Major  Shelbame.  As  the 
terms  were  not  equal,  they  were  objected  to  by  Arnold, 
and  a  day  passed  before  they  were  adjusted.  A  cartel 
was  then  signed,  by  which  the  prisoners,  consisting  of 
two  majors,  nine  captains,  twenty  subalterns,  and  four 
hundred  and  forty-three  privates,  were  to  be  exchanged 
for  an  equal  number  of  British  prisoners  of  the  same 
rank,  and  were  to  be  sent  to  the  south  shore  of  the  St. 
Lawrence,  near  Caughnawaga,  whence  to  return  to  their 
homes.  Nine  days  were  allowed  for  the  deliyery  of  the 
prisoners,  during  which  time  hostiUties  should  be  sus- 
pended. 

Arnold,  in  a  letter  to  the  commissioners  of  Oongress 
then  at  Montreal,  giving  an  account  of  this  arrangement, 
expressed  his  indignation  at  the  conduct  of  the  king's 
officers,  in  employing  savages  to  screen  their  butcheries, 
and  suffering  their  prisoners  to  be  killed  in  cold  blood. 
"  I  intend  being  with  you  this  evening,"  added  he,"  "  to 
consult  on  some  effectual  measures  to  take  with  these 
savages,  and  still  more  savage  British  troops,  who  are 
still  at  Quinze  Chiens.  As  soon  as  our  prisoners  are  re- 
leased, I  hope  it  will  be  in  our  power  to  take  ample  ven- 
geance, or  nobly  fall  in  the  attempt."  * 

The  accounts  which  reached  Washington  of  these  af- 
fairs were  vague  and  imperfect,  and  kept  him  for  some 

•  Arnold  to  the  Cominissioners  of  Congress,  27tli  Maj, 


am  JOHN  JOHNSON  BREAKa  HIS  PAROLE.       276 

days  in  pamfol  suspense.  The  disasters  at  the  Cedars 
were  attributed  entirely  to  the  base  and  cowardly  con- 
duct of  Bedel  and  Butterworth,  and  he  wrote  to  Schuyler 
to  have  good  courts  appointed,  and  bring  them,  and  every 
other  officer  guiliy  of  misconduct  to  triaL 

**  The  situation  of  our  affairs  in  Canada,'*  observes  he, 
''is  truly  alarming.  I  sincerely  wish  the  next  letters 
from  the  northward  may  not  contain  the  melancholy  ad- 
vices of  Gteneral  Arnold's  defeat,  and  the  loss  of  Mont- 
real The  most  vigorous  exertions  will  be  necessary  to 
retrieve  our  circumstances  there,  and  I  hope  you  wiU 
strain  every  nerve  for  that  purpose.  Unless  it  can  be 
done  now,  Canada  will  be  lost  to  us  forever." 

While  his  mind  was  agitated  by  these  concerns,  letters 
from  Schuyler  showed  that  mischief  was  brewing  in 
another  quarter. 

Colonel  Guy  Johnson,  accompanied  by  Sachem  Brant 
and  the  Butlers,  had  been  holding  councils  with  the  In- 
dians, and  designed,  it  was  said,  to  come  back  to  the  Mo- 
hawk country,  at  the  head  of  a  British  and  savage  force. 
A  correspondence  was  carried  on  between  him  and  his 
cousin.  Sir  John  Johnson,  who  was  said  to  be  preparing  to 
cooperate  with  his  Scotch  dependants  and  Indian  allies. 

Considering  this  a  breach  of  Sir  John's  parole,  Schuy- 
ler had  sent  Colonel  Elias  Dayton  with  a  force  to  appre- 
hend him.  Sir  John,  with  a  number  of  his  armed 
tenants,  retreated  for  refuge  among  the  Indians,  on  the 
borders  of  the  lakes.    Dayton  took  temporary  possession 


276  I^^  OF  WAaHINGTON. 

of  Johnson  Hall,  placed  guards  about  it,  seized  upon  Sii 
John's  papers,  and  read  them  in  presence  of  Lady  John« 
son,  and  subsequently  conveyed  her  ladyship  as  a  kind 
of  hostage  to  Albany. 

Shortly  afterwards  came  further  intelligence  of  the  de« 
signs  of  the  Johnsons.  Sir  John,  with  his  Scotch  war- 
riors and  Indian  aUies,  was  said  to  be  actuaUy  coming 
down  the  yalley  of  the  Mohawk,  bent  on  reyenge,  and 
prepared  to  lay  eyerything  waste ;  and  Schuyler  collect- 
ing a  force  at  Albany  to  oppose  him.  Washington  in* 
stantly  wrote  to  Schuyler,  to  detach  Colonel  Dayton  with 
his  regiment  on  that  service,  with  instructions  to  secure 
a  post  where  Fort  Stanwix  formerly  stood,  in  the  time  of 
the  French  war.  As  to  Schuyler  himself,  Washington, 
on  his  own  responsibility,  directed  him  to  hold  a  confer- 
ence with  the  Six  Nations,  and  with  any  others  whom  he 
and  his  brother  commissioners  on  Indian  affidrs  might 
think  necessary,  and  secure  their  active  services,  with- 
out waiting  further  directions  from  Congress — that  body 
haying  recently  resolved  to  employ  the  Indian  allies  in 
the  war,  the  enemy  having  set  the  example. 

**  We  expect  a  bloody  summer  in  New  York  and  Can- 
ada," writes  Washington  to  his  brother  Augustine,  **  and 
I  am  sorry  to  say  that  we  are  not,  either  in  men  or  arms, 
prepared  for  it.  However,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  that,  if  our 
cause  is  just,  as  I  most  religiously  believe  it,  the  same 
Providence  which  has  in  many  instances  appeared  for  uSi 
will  still  go  on  to  afford  its  aid." 


THE  BIQBLAND  DBFENSBa.  277 

Lord  Sidrlingy  who,  by  Washington's  orders,  had  yisitod 
and  inspected  the  defenses  in  the  Highlands,  rendered  a 
report  of  their  condition,  of  which  we  giye  the  purport. 
Fort  Montgomery,  at  the  lower  part  of  the  Highlands, 
was  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  north  of  Donderberg 
(or  Thunder  Hill).  It  was  situated  on  a  bank  one  hun- 
dred feet  high.  The  river  at  that  place  was  about  half 
a  mile  wide.  Opposite  the  fort  was  the  promontory  of 
Anthony's  Nose,  many  hundred  feet  high,  accessible  only 
to  goats,  or  men  expert  in  climbing.  A  body  of  riflemen 
stationed  here,  might  command  the  decks  of  yessel& 
Fort  Montgomery  appeared  to  Lord  Stirling  the  proper 
place  for  a  guard  posi 

Fort  Constitution  was  about  six  miles  higher  up  the 
riyer,  on  a  rocky  island  of  the  same  name,  at  a  narrow 
strait  where  the  Hudson,  shouldered  by  precipices,  makes 
a  sudden  bend  round  West  Point  A  redoubt,  in  the 
opinion  of  Lord  Stirling,  would  be  needed  on  the  point, 
not  only  for  the  preseryation  of  Fort  Constitution,  but  for 
its  own  importance. 

The  garrison  of  that  fort  consisted  of  two  companies  of 
Colonel  James  Clinton's  regiment,  and  Captain  Wisner's 
company  of  minute  men,  in  all  one  hundred  and  sixty 
rank  and  file.  Fort  Montgomery  was  garrisoned  by  three 
companies  of  the  same  regiment,  about  two  hundred  rank 
and  file.  Both  garrisons  were  miserably  armed.  The 
direction  of  the  works  of  both  forts  was  in  the  hands  of 
commissioners  appointed  by  the  Proyincial  Congress  of 


278  LIFB  OF  WASHINGTON. 

New  York.  The  general  command  of  the  posts  required 
to  be  adjusted.  Seyeral  persons  accused  of  being  ^^no- 
torious tories,"  had  recently  been  sent  into  Fort  Mont* 
gomery  by  the  district  committees  of  the  counties  of 
Albany,  Dutchess,  and  Westchester,  with  directions  to 
the  commanding  ofiSicers,  to  keep  them  at  hard  labor 
until  their  further  order.  They  were  employed  upon  the 
fortifications. 

In  Tiew  of  all  these  circumstances,  Washington,  on  the 
14th  of  June,  ordered  Oolonel  James  Olinton  to  take  com- 
mand of  both  posts,  and  of  all  the  troops  stationed  at 
them.  He  seemed  a  fit  custodian  for  them,  haying  been 
a  soldier  from  his  youth ;  brought  up  on  a  frontier  sub- 
ject to  Indian  alarms  and  incursions,  and  acquainted  with 
the  strong  points  and  fastnesses  of  the  Highlands. 

King's  Bridge,  and  the  heights  adjacent,  considered  by 
General  Lee  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  communi- 
cation between  New  York  and  the  mainland,  and  to  the 
security  of  the  Hudson,  were  reconnoitered  by  Washing- 
ton on  horseback,  about  the  middle  of  the  month ;  order- 
ing where  works  should  be  laid  oui  Breastworks  were 
to  be  thrown  up  for  the  defence  of  the  bridge,  and  an 
advanced  work  (subsequently  called  Fort  Independence), 
was  to  be  built  beyond  it,  on  a  hill  commanding  Spyt  den 
Duiyel  Greek,  as  that  inlet  of  the  Hudson  is  called,  which 
links  it  with  the  Harlaem  Biver. 

A  strong  work,  intended  as  a  kind  of  citadel,  was  to 
crown  a  rocky  height  between  two  and  three  miles  south 


FORTIFYING  THE  HUDSON.  279 

of  the  bridge,  commanding  the  channel  of  the  Hudson ; 
and  below  it  were  to  be  redoubts  on  the  banks  of  the 
river  at  Jefiej's  Point.  In  honor  of  the  general,  the 
<dtadel  received  the  name  of  Fort  Washington. 

CSolonel  Bofos  Putnam  was  the  principal  engineer,  who 
Jhad  the  direction  of  the  works.  General  Mifflin  encamped 
xn  their  yicimty,  with  part  of  the  two  battalions  from 
iPennsjlyania,  to  be  employed  in  their  construction,  aided 
lofj  the  militia. 

While  these  preparations  were  made  for  the  protection 
of  the  Hudson,  the  works  about  Brooklyn  on  Long  Island 
"were  carried  on  with  great  activity,  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  (General  Greene.    In  a  word,  the  utmost  ex- 
ertions were  made  at  every  point,  to  put  the  city,  its 
environs,  and  the  Hudson  Biver,  in  a  state  of  defense, 
before  the  arrival  of  another  hostile  armament 


OHAPTEB  X^TTT, 

BBTBBAT  OF  OBNSBAL  TH01CA8.— HIS  DEATH.— GENERAL  BUUJVAV  Dl  0Q» 
MAND. — SCENE  ON  THE  80REL. — SANGUINE  E2CPECTATION8  OF  SULLIYAH.— 
WASHINGTON'S  OPINION  OF  SULLIVAN'S  CHAKAGTEB.— GATES  AFPOOrTBD  TO 
THE  COMMAND  IN  CANADA.— REINFORCEMENTS  OF  THE  ENEMY. — BBTBBSB. 
—THOMPSON  CAPTURED.— BBTBBAT  OF  SULLIYAN.— CLOSE  OF  THE  lirTA- 
SION  OF  CANADA. 

^EBATIONS  in  Canada  were  drawing  to  a  dis* 
astrons  close.  General  Thomas,  finding  it  im- 
possible to  make  a  stand  at  Point  Descham- 
bault,  had  continued  his  retreat  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Sorel,  where  he  found  General  Thompson  with  part  of 
the  troops  detached  by  Washington,  from  New  York,  who 
were  making  some  preparations  for  defense.  Shortly 
after  his  arrival,  he  was  taken  ill  with  the  small-pox,  and 
removed  to  Chamblee.  He  had  prohibited  inoculation 
among  his  troops,  because  it  put  too  many  of  their  scanty 
number  on  the  sick  list ;  he  probably  fell  a  victim  to  his 
own  prohibition,  as  he  died  of  that  malady  on  the  2d  of 
June. 

On  his  death.  General  Sullivan,  who  had  recently  ar- 
rived with  the  main  detachment  of  troops  from  New 
York,  succeeded  to  the  command.  General  Wooster  hav- 

2S0 


BENERAL  SULLIVAN'S  OPERATIONS.  281 

ing  been  recalled.  He  advanced  immediately  with  his 
brigade  to  the  mouth  of  the  Sorely  where  he  found  Qen« 
eral  Thompson  with  but  very  few  troops  to  defend  that 
post,  having  detached  Colonel  St.  Clair,  with  six  or  seven 
hundred  men,  to  Three  Bivers,  about  fifty  miles  down  the 
St.  Lawrence,  to  give  check  to  an  advanced  corps  of  the 
enemy  of  about  eight  hundred  regulars  and  Canadians,  un- 
der the  veteran  Scot,  Colonel  Maclean.  In  the  meantime 
General  Thompson,  who  was  left  with  but  two  hundred 
men  to  defend  his  post,  was  sending  off  his  sick  and  his 
heavy  baggage,  to  be  prepared  for  a  retreat,  if  necessary. 
''It  really  was  affecting,'*  writes  Sullivan  to  Washington, 
^  to  see  the  banks  of  the  Sorel  lined  with  men,  women,  and 
children,  leaping  and  clapping  their  hands  for  joy,  to  see 
me  arrive ;  it  gave  no  less  joy  to  General  Thompson,  who 
seemed  to  be  wholly  forsaken,  and  left  to  fight  against  an 
unequal  force  or  retreat  before  them." 

Sullivan  proceeded  forthwith  to  complete  the  works 
on  the  Sorel;  in  the  meantime  he  detached  General 
Thompson  with  additional  troops  to  overtake  St.  Clair, 
and  assume  command  of  the  whole  party,  which  would 
then  amount  to  two  thousand  men.  He  was  by  no  means 
to  attack  the  encampment  at  Three  Bivers,  unless  there 
was  great  prospect  of  success,  as  his  defeat  might  prove 
the  total  loss  of  Canada.  '^  I  have  the  highest  opinion  of 
the  bravery  and  resolution  of  the  troops  you  command,'* 
says  Sullivan  in  his  instructions,  ''and  doubt  not  but, 
under  the  direction  of  a  kind  Providence,  you  will  open 


282  I^B  OF  WABSmGTOK. 

the  way  for  our  recovering  that  ground  which  formei 
troops  have  so  Bhamefnllj  lost." 

Sulliyan's  letter  to  Washington,  written  at  the  same 
time,  is  full  of  sanguine  anticipation.  It  was  his  fixed 
determination  to  gain  post  at  Deschambanlt,  and  fortify 
it  so  as  to  make  it  inaccessible.  ''The  enemy's  ships  are 
now  above  that  place,"  writes  he ; ''  but  if  General  Thomp- 
son succeeds  at  Three  Bivers,  I  will  soon  remove  the 
ships  below  Bichelieu  Falls,  and  after  that,  approach 
Quebec  as  fast  as  possible." 

''Our  affiedrs  here,"  adds  he,  "have  taken  a  strange 
turn  since  our  arrival  The  Canadians  are  flocking  by 
hundreds  to  take  a  part  with  us.  The  only  reason  of 
their  disa£fection  was,  because  our  exertions  were  so 
feeble  that  they  doubted  much  of  our  success,  and  even 
of  our  ability  to  protect  them. 

"  I  venture  to  assure  you,  and  the  Congress,  that  I  can 
in  a  few  days  reduce  the  army  to  order,  and  with  the 
assistance  of  a  kind  Providence,  put  a  new  face  to  our 
affairs  here,  which  a  few  days  since  seemed  almost  im- 
possible." 

The  letter  of  Sullivan  gave  Washington  an  unexpected 
gleam  of  sunshine.  "  Before  it  came  to  hand,"  writes  he 
in  reply^  "  I  almost  dreaded  to  hear  from  Canada,  as  my 
advices  seemed  to  promise  nothing  favorable,  but  rather 
further  misfortunes.  But  I  now  hope  that  our  afiEEdrs, 
from  the  confused,  distracted,  and  almost  forlorn  state  in 
which  you  found  them,  will  change,  and  assume  an  aspect 


WABHm&TON'B  OPimos  OF  aUlLTFAN.         388 

<tf  order  and  Baocees."  Still  his  sagaoioos  mind  pei> 
oeired  a  motiTe  for  tbis  fiivorable  coloring  of  affairs.  Sol' 
liran  waB  aiming  at  the  command  in  Canada ;  and  Wash- 
ington soberly  veighed  his  merits  for  the  appointment 
in  a  letter  to  the  President  of  Oongress.  "  He  is  aotiTBi 
spirited,  and  zealooslj  attached  to  the  caose.  He  has 
hia  vanis,  and  he  has  his  foibles.  The  latter  are  mani- 
fested in  his  little  tincture  of  vaiiity,  and  in  an  orer-desin 
of  being  pt^nlar,  which  now  and  then  lead  him  into  em- 
barrassments. His  wants  are  common  to  ns  alL  He 
wants  experience  to  more  upon  a  grand  scale ;  for  the 
limited  and  contracted  knowledge,  which  any  of  ns  have 
in  militaiy  matters,  stands  in  very  little  stead."  This 
want  was  overbalanced,  on  the  part  of  General  SnlliTan, 
\tj  sound  judgment,  some  acqQaintfmoe  with  men  and 
books,  and  an  enterprising  genins. 

"As  the  seoorify  of  Canada  is  of  the  last  importance 
to  the  well-being  of  these  colonies,"  adds  Washington, 
"I  shonid  like  to  know  the  sentiments  of  Congress,  re- 
specting the  nomination  of  any  officer  to  that  command. 
The  character  I  have  drawn  of  General  Snllivan  is  jnst, 
according  to  mj  ideas  of  him.  Congress  will  therefore 
determine  apon  the  propriety  of  continning  him  in  Can- 
ada, or  sending  another,  as  they  shall  see  fit."  * 

Scarce  had  Washington  despatched  this  letter,  when 
lie  leoeired  one  from  the  President  of  Congress,  dated  the 

■  WwhinfUmtotliePreBlileiitof  CcmgTMi,  Jnly  IS,  1770^ 


284  L^^^  OF  WASHINGTOm 

18th  of  June,  informing  liim  that  Major-general  Gates 
had  been  appointed  to  command  the  forces  in  OaDada, 
and  requesting  him  to  expedite  his  departure  as  soon  as 
possible.    The  appointment  of  Gates  has  been  attributed 
to  the  influence  of  the  eastern  delegates,  with  whom  he 
was  a  favorite ;  indeed,  during  his  station  at  Boston,  he 
had  been  highly  successful  in  cultivating  the  good  graces 
of  the  New  England  people.    He  departed  for  his  com- 
mand on  the  26th  of  June,  vested  with  extraordinary 
powers  for  the  regulation  of  affiedrs  in  that  *'  distant,  dan- 
gerous, and  shifting  scene."    ''  I  would  fain  hope,"  writes 
Washington, ''  his  arrival  there  will  give  our  a&irs  a  com- 
plexion different  from  what  they  have  worn  for  a  long  time 
past,  and  that  many  essential  benefits  will  result  from  it." 
Despatches  just  received  from  General  Sullivan,  had 
given  a  different  picture  of  affisdrs  in  Canada  from  thai 
contained  in  his  previous  letter.    In  fact,  when  he  wrote 
that  letter,  he  was  ignorant  of  the  actual  force  of  the 
enemy  in  Canada,  which  had  recently  been  augmented  to 
about  13,000  men ;  several  regiments  having  arrived  from 
Ireland,  one  from  England,  another  from  General  Howe, 
and  a  body  of  Brunswick  troops  under  the  Baron  Beide- 
seL    Of  these,  the  greater  part  were  on  the  way  up  from 
Quebec  in  divisions,  by  land  and  water,  with  Generals 
Carleton,  Burgoyne,  Philips,  and  Beidesel ;  while  a  con- 
siderable number  under  General  Frazer  had  arrived  at 
Three  Bivers,  and  others,  under  (General  Nesbit,  lay  near 
them  on  board  of  transports. 


OLOOMT  BSYBBaSB.  286 

SnlliTan's  despatch,  dated  on  the  8th  of  Jane,  at  the 
month  of  the  Sorel,  began  in  his  former  sanguine  vein, 
anticipating  the  snooess  of  General  Thompson's  enpedi- 
tion  to  Three  Bivers.  "  He  has  proceeded  in  the  manner 
proposed,  and  made  his  attack  at  daylight,  for  at  that 
time  a  rery  heavy  cannonading  began,  which  lasted  vith 
Bome  intervals  to  twelve  o'clock.  It  ia  now  near  one 
p.  K. ;  the  firing  has  ceased,  except  some  irregular  firing 
viih  cannon,  at  a  considerable  distance  of  time  one  from 
the  other.  At  eight  o'clock  a  very  heavy  firing  of  small* 
anns  was  heard  even  here,  it  the  distance  of  forty-five 
miles.  I  am  almost  certain  that  victory  has  declared  in 
oar  favor,  as  the  irregolar  firing  of  the  cannon  few  snch  a 
length  of  time  after  the  small-arms  ceased,  shows  that 
onr  men  are  in  posaeseion  of  the  ground." 

The  letter  was  kept  open  to  give  the  partiDalars  of 
this  gapposed  victory ;  it  closed  with  a  dismal  reverse. 
General  Thompson  had  coasted  in  bateaux  along  the 
right  bank  of  the  river  at  that  expanse  called  Lake  St. 
Pierre,  and  arrived  at  Nicolete,  where  he  found  St  Clair 
and  his  detachment.  He  crossed  the  river  in  the  night, 
and  landed  a  few  miles  above  Three  Bivers,  intending  to 
Baiprise  the  enemy  before  daylight ;  he  was  not  aware  at 
the  time  that  additional  troops  had  arrived  under  Oen- 
etal  Bnif;oyne. 

After  landing,  he  marched  with  rapidity  towards  Three 
Bivers,  but  was  led  by  treacherous  guides  into  a  morass, 
and  obliged  to  return  back  nearly  two  miles.    Day  broke) 


286  LIFE  OF  WASHINQTOJSr. 

and  he  was  discovered  from  the  ships.  A  oaxmonade  was 
opened  upon  his  men  as  they  made  their  way  slowly  for 
an  hour  and  a  half  throngh  a  swamp.  At  length  they 
arrived  in  sight  of  Three  Bivers,  but  it  was  to  find  a 
large  force  drawn  up  in  battle  array,  under  General 
Frazer,  by  whom  they  were  warmly  attacked,  and  after  a 
brief  stand  thrown  into  confusion.  Thompson  attempted 
to  rally  his  troops,  and  partly  succeeded,  until  a  fire  was 
opened  upon  them  in  rear  by  Nesbit,  who  had  landed 
from  his  ships.  Their  rout  now  was  complete.  General 
Thompson,  Colonel  Irvine,  and  about  two  hundred  men 
were  captured,  twenty-five  were  slain,  and  the  rest  pur- 
sued for  several  miles  through  a  deep  swamp.  After 
great  fatigues  and  sufferings,  they  were  able  to  get  on 
board  of  their  boats,  which  had  been  kept  from  idling 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  In  these  they  made  their 
way  back  to  the  Sorel,  bringing  (General  Sullivan  a  sad 
explanation  of  all  the  firing  he  had  heard,  and  the  alarm- 
ing intelligence  of  the  overpowering  force  that  was  com- 
ing up  the  river. 

"  This,  my  dear  general,'*  writes  Sullivan,  in  the  con- 
clusion of  his  letter,  "  is  the  state  of  this  unfortunate  en^ 
terprise.  What  you  will  next  hear  I  cannot  say.  I  am 
every  moment  informed  of  the  vast  number  of  the  enemy 
which  have  arrived.  I  have  only  two  thousand  five  hun- 
dred and  thirty-three  rank  and  file.  Most  of  the  officers 
seem  discouraged,  and  of  course,  their  men,  I  am  em- 
ployed day  and  night  in  fortifying  and  securing  my  camp 


SrAOffATTOir  OF  CANADA.  287 

ftnd  am  detennined  to  hold  it  as  long  as  a  persoQ  will 
stick  by  me." 

He  had,  indeed,  made  the  desperate  leBolTe  to  defend 
the  month  of  the  Sorel,  bnt  vas  indnoed  to  abandon  it  hj 
the  tinanimons  opinion  of  his  officers,  and  the  evident 
unwillingness  of  his  troops.  Dismantling  his  batteries, 
therefore,  he  retreated  with  his  artillery  and  stores,  just 
before  the  arrlTal  of  the  enemy,  and  was  followed,  step 
by  step  along  the  Sorel,  by  a  strong  ooliimn  under  Gen* 
eral  Borgc^ne. 

On  the  16th  of  June  he  was  joined  by  Qenerol  Arnold 
with  three  htmdred  men,  the  garrison  of  Montreid,  who 
had  crossed  at  Longneil  just  in  time  to  escape  a  laige 
detachment  of  the  enemy.  Thos  reinforced,  and  the 
evacnatioQ  of  Canada  being  determined  on  in  a  connci] 
of  war,  SnlliTati  snoceeded  in  destroying  eTerything  at 
Chomblee  and  St  John's  that  he  could  not  carry  away, 
breaking  down  bridges,  and  leaving  forts  and  Tesaels  in 
flames,  and  continued  his  rebvat  to  the '  Isle  anx  Noix, 
where  he  made  a  halt  for  some  days,  nntil  he  shonld  re- 
oeive  positive  orders  from  Washington  or  General  Sohay- 
ler.  In  a  letter  to  Washington,  he  observes,  "  I  am  ex- 
tremely sorry  it  was  not  in  my  power  to  fnlfill  your 
Excellency's  wishes,  by  leading  on  oar  troops  to  victory." 
After  stating  the  reason  of  his  failore,  he  adds,  "  I  think 
we  shall  secore  chll  the  public  stores  and  b^^^e  of  the 
army,  and  secnre  onr  retreat  with  very  little  loss. 
Whether  we  shall  have  weU  men  enough  to  carry  them 


288  ^^^  OF  WASHINGTON. 

on,  I  much  donbi,  if  we  don't  remove  qnicklj ;  nnlen 
Heaven  is  pleased  to  restore  health  to  this  wretched 
army,  now,  perhaps,  the  most  pitiful  one  that  ever  was 
formed." 

The  low,  unhealthy  situation  of  the  Isle  aux  Noix, 
obliged  him  soon  to  remove  his  camp  to  the  Isle  La 
Motte,  whence,  on  receiving  orders  to  that  effect  from 
(General  Schuyler,  he  ultimately  embarked  with  his 
forces,  sick  and  well,  for  Crown  Point 

Thus  ended  this  famous  invasion ;  an  enterprise  bold 
in  its  conceptions,  daring  and  hardy  in  its  execution; 
full  of  ingenious  expedients,  and  hazardous  exploits; 
and  which,  had  not  unforeseen  circumstances  counter- 
acted its  well-devised  plans,  might  have  added  all  Oanada 
to  the  American  Confederacy. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


JMBiem  OF  THS  SRBMT  AOAIH8T  KSW  TOBK  AND  THB  Bt7DW>N. — ^PLOT  Of 
TBTOK  AND  THB  TOBIBS.— ABRIYAL  OF  A  FLBET.— ALABM  FOBT8.— TRBAOH- 
XET  UP  THB  HUDSON. — FRB8H  ABRIYALfl. — QBNBBAL  HOWB  AT  8TATBN 
I8LAND.— WASHINGTON'S  FBBPABATION8. 


ki-fti'" 


-  v<!v« •-» w  .  5X\  A 


great  aim  of  the  British,  at  present,  was  to 
get  possession  of  New  York  and  the  Hudson, 
and  make  them  the  basis  of  military  opera- 
tions. This  they  hoped  to  effect  on  the  arrival  of  a 
powerful  armament,  hourly  expected,  and  designed  for 
operations  on  the  seaboard. 

At  this  critical  juncture  there  was  an  alarm  of  a  con- 
spiracy among  the  tories  in  the  city  and  on  Long  Island, 
suddenly  to  take  up  arms  and  cooperate  with  the  British 
troops  on  their  arrivaL  The  wildest  reports  were  in  cir- 
culation concerning  it.  Some  of  the  tories  were  to  break 
down  King's  Bridge,  others  were  to  blow  up  the  magazines, 
spike  the  guns,  and  massacre  all  the  field-officers.  Wash- 
ington was  to  be  killed  or  delivered  up  to  the  enemy. 
Some  of  his  own  body-^ard  were  said  to  be  in  the  plov. 
Several  publicans  of  the  city  were  pointed  out,  as  hav- 
ing aided  or  abetted  the  plot.  One  was  landlord  of  the 
Tou  n.— 19  289 


290  L^^^  OF  WABSmGTOJr. 

*<  Highlander/'  at  the  comer  of  Beaver  Street  and  Broad« 
way.  Another  dispensed  liquor  under  the  sign  of  ^'Bobui 
Hood."  Another,  named  Lowrj,  described  as  a  ''  fat  man 
in  a  blue  coat/'  kept  tavern  in  a  low  house  opposite  the 
Oswego  market.  Another,  James  Hotdding,  kept  a  beer- 
house in  Trjon  Bow,  opposite  the  gates  of  the  upper 
barracks.  It  would  seem  as  if  a  network  of  corruption 
and  treachery  had  been  woven  throughout  the  city  by 
means  of  these  liquor  dealers.  One  of  the  most  noted, 
however,  was  Corbie,  whose  tavern  was  said  to  be  '^  to 
the  southeast  of  Qeneral  Washington's  house,  to  the 
westward  of  Bayard's  Woods,  and  north  of  Lispenard's 
Meadows,"  from  which  it  would  appear  that,  at  that 
time,  the  general  was  quartered  at  what  was  formerly 
called  Bichmond  Hill ;  a  mansion  surrounded  by  trees, 
at  a  short  distance  from  the  city,  in  rather  an  isolated 
situation. 

A  committee  of  the  New  York  Congress,  of  which  John 
Jay  was  chairman,  traced  the  plot  up  to  Governor  Tryon, 
who,  from  his  safe  retreat  on  shipboard,  acted  through 
agents  on  shore.  The  most  important  of  these  was  David 
Matthews,  the  tory  mayor  of  the  city.  He  was  accused 
of  disbursing  money  to  enlist  men.  pnrohase  arms,  and 
corrupt  the  soldiery. 

Washington  was  authorized  and  requested  by  the  com- 
mittee, to  cause  the  mayor  to  be  apprehended,  and  all 
his  papers  secured.  Matthews  was  at  that  time  resid- 
ing at  Flatbush  on  Long  Island,  at  no  great 


TEH  TORT  OON^IBAOT.  291 

frcHo  General  Greene's  encampment.  Washington  trasth 
mitted  the  varrant  of  the  committee  to  the  general  on 
the  Slst,  with  directions  that  it  ahonld  "  be  executed 
wiUi  precision,  and  exactly  by  one  o'clock  of  the  ensuing 
mominj^  bj  a  careful  officer." 

Fredaely  at  tiie  hour  of  one,  a  detachment  from 
Greene's  brigade  snrroonded  the  house  of  the  mayor, 
and  seoTtred  his  person ;  bat  no  papers  were  foond, 
though  diligent  search  was  made. 

Nomerons  other  arrests  took  place,  and  among  the 
nomber,  some  of  Washington's  body-goard.  A  great  dis- 
may fell  npon  the  (ories.  Bome  of  those  on  Long  Island 
who  had  proceeded  to  arm  themselves,  finding  the  plot 
discovered,  sought  refoge  in  woods  and  morasses.  Wash- 
ington directed  that  those  arrested,  who  belonged  to  the 
umy,  should  be  tried  by  a  coort-martial,  and  the  rest 
handed  over  to  the  secular  power. 

Ax»!ordlDg  to  statements  made  before  the  committee, 
fire  guineas  bounty  was  offered  by  Governor  Tryon  to 
each  man  who  should  enter  the  king's  service ;  with  a 
promise  of  two  hundred  acres  of  land  for  himself  one 
hundred  for  his  wife,  and  fifty  for  each  child.  The  men 
thus  recruited  were  set  to  act  on  shore,  in  cooperation 
with  the  king's  troops  when  they  came. 

Corbie's  tavern,  near  Washington's  quarters,  was  a 
kind  of  rendesvous  of  the  conspirators.  There  one  Gil- 
bert Forbes,  a  gunsmith,  "a  short,  thick  man,  with  a 
white  coat,"  enlisted  men,  gave  them  money,  and  "  swore 


2d2  LIFE  Of  WAaHm&TOnr. 

them  on  the  book  to  secrecy."  From  this  house  a  cot* 
respondence  was  kept  up  with  Governor  Tryon  on  ship- 
board, through  a  '^  mulatto-colored  negro,  dressed  in 
blue  clothes."  At  this  tavern  it  was  supposed  Washing* 
ton's  bodj-guards  were  tampered  with.  Thomas  Hiokej, 
one  of  the  guards,  a  dark-complexioned  man,  five  feet  six 
inches  high,  and  well  set,  was  said  not  only  to  be  enlisted, 
but  to  have  aided  in  corrupting  his  comrades;  among 
others,  Ghreen  the  drummer,  and  Johnson  the  fifer. 

It  was  further  testified  before  the  committee,  that  one 
Sergeant  Graham,  an  old  soldier,  formerly  of  the  royal 
artillery,  had  been  employed  by  Gbvemor  Tryon  to  prowl 
round  and  survey  the  grounds  and  works  about  the  city, 
and  on  Long  Island,  and  that,  on  information  thus  pro* 
cured,  a  plan  of  operations  had  been  concerted.  On  the 
arrival  of  the  fleet,  a  man-of-war  should  cannonade  the 
battery  at  Bed  Hook ;  while  that  was  doing,  a  detachment 
of  the  army  should  land  below  with  cannon,  and  by  a 
circuitous  march  surprise  and  storm  the  works  on  Long 
Island.  The  shipping  then,  with  the  remainder  of  the 
army,  were  to  divide,  one  part  to  run  up  the  Hudson,  the 
other  up  the  East  River ;  troops  were  to  land  above  New 
York,  secure  the  pass  at  King's  Bridge,  and  cut  off  all 
communication  between  the  city  and  country.* 

Much  of  the  evidence  given  was  of  a  dubious  kind.  It 
was  certain  that  persons  had  secretly  been  enlisted,  and 

^  Am.  ArchiveSy  6th  Series,  tL  1177. 


TBB  TORT  OON^IAaOT.  2^3 

Rwora  io  hoetile  operations,  bat  WaBhington  did  not  think 
tiiai  anj  regular  plan  had  been  digested  by  the  oonspira 
tors,  "The  matter,"  writes  he>  "I  am  in  hopes,  by  s 
timely  discovery,  wUl  be  suppressed."  * 

Aooording  to  the  mayor's  own  admission  before  the 
committee,  he  had  been  cognizant  of  attempts  to  enlist 
tories  and  corrapt  Washington's  gnards,  though  he  de- 
clared he  had  disoonntenauced  them.  He  had  on  one 
ocoasion,  also,  at  the  request  of  Qovemor  Tryon,  paid 
money  for  him  to  Gilbert  Forbes,  the  gonsmith,  for  rifles 
and  roond-bored  gans  which  he  had  already  famished, 
and  for  others  which  he  was  to  make.  He  had  dons  so, 
however  (according  to  his  acoonnt),  with  great  reluctance, 
and  after  much  hesitation  and  delay,  warning  the  gun- 
smiih  that  he  wonld  be  hanged  if  found  out.  The  mayor, 
with  a  number  of  others,  were  detained  in  prison  to  await 
atrial 

Thomas  Hickey,  the  indi-ridnal  of  Washington's  guard, 
was  tried  before  a  coart-martial.  He  was  an  Irishman, 
and  had  been  a  deserter  from  the  British  army.  The 
oourt-martial  found  him  guilty  of  mutiny  and  sedition, 
and  treacherous  correspondence  with  the  enemy,  and 
sentenced  him  to  be  hanged. 

The  sentence  was  approved  by  Washington,  and  was 
earried  promptly  into  effect,  in  the  most  solemn  and  im- 
pressive  manner,  to  serve  as  a  warning  and  example  in 

*  Waahingtoa  to  tbe  President  of  Congnaa^  Juiu  St 


294  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTOir. 

this  time  of  treachery  and  danger.  On  the  morning  oi 
the  28th,  all  the  officers  and  men  off  dufy,  belonging  to 
the  brigades  of  Heath,  Spencer,  Stirling,  and  Scott,  as- 
sembled under  arms  at  their  respective  parades  at  ten 
o'clock,  and  marched  thence  to  the  ground.  Twenty  men 
from  each  brigade,  with  bayonets  fixed,  guarded  the  pris- 
oner to  the  place  of  execution,  which  was  a  field  near  the 
Bowery  Lane.  There  he  was  hanged  in  the  presence,  we 
are  told,  of  nearly  twenty  thousand  persons. 

While  the  city  was  still  brooding  over  this  doleful 
spectacle,  four  ships-of-war,  portentous  visitants,  ap- 
peared off  the  Hook,  stood  quietly  in  at  the  Narrows, 
and  dropped  anchor  in  the  bay. 

In  his  orderly  book,  Washington  expressed  a  hope  that 
the  unhappy  fate  of  Thomas  Hickey,  executed  that  day 
for  mutiny,  sedition,  and  treachery,  would  be  a  warning 
to  every  soldier  in  the  line,  to  avoid  the  crimes  for  which 
he  suffered.* 

*  As  a  specimen  of  the  reports,  which  drculated  thioughoat  the  ooan- 
tiy,  oonoeming  this  conspiracy,  we  give  an  extract  from  a  letter,  written 
from  Wethersfield,  in  Connecticut,  9th  of  July,  1776,  by  the  Beyerend 
John  Marsh. 

"  You  haye  heard  of  the  infernal  plot  that  has  been  discoTered.  About 
ten  days  before  any  of  the  conspirators  were  taken  up,  a  woman  went  to 
the  general  and  desired  a  private  andience.  He  granted  it  to  her,  and  she 
let  him  know  that  his  life  was  in  danger,  and  gave  him  such  an  aoooont 
of  the  conspiracy  as  gained  his  confidence.  He  opened  the  matter  to  a 
few  friends,  on  whom  he  could  depend.  A  strict  watch  was  kept  night 
and  day,  until  a  fayorable  opportunity  occurred ;  when  the  general  went 
to  bed  as  usual,  arose  about  two  o'dock,  told  his  lady  he  was  a-going, 
with  some  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  to  order  some  tories  aeiied— dniral 


ALABU  POSTS.  295 

On  the  29th  of  Jane,  an  express  from  the  lookont  on 
Staten  Island,  announced  that  forty  sail  were  in  sight. 
They  were,  in  fact,  ships  from  Halifax,  bringing  between 
nine  and  ten  thousand  of  the  troops  recently  expelled 
from  Boston,  t<^ther  with  six  transports  filled  with 
JTighhtnd  troops,  whioh  had  joined  the  fleet  at  sea.  At 
sight  of  this  formidable  armament  standing  into  the  har- 
~bor,  Washington  instantly  sent  notice  of  its  arriral  to 
"^Jolonel  James  Glinton,  who  had  command  of  the  posts 
dn  the  Highlands,  and  urged  all  possible  preparations  to 
^ve  the  enemy  a  worm  reception  shoold  they  push  their 
frigates  np  the  river. 

AxMwrding  to  general  orders  issned  from  head-qnarters 
•^m  the  following  day  (June  30),  the  officers  and  men,  not 
on  duty,  were  to  march  from  their  respectiTe  regimental 
^larades  to  their  alarm  posts,  at  least  once  every  day, 
~tliat  they  mi^^t   become  well  acquainted  with  them. 


«he  woold  Duke  henell  easf,  and  go  to  sleep.  He  vent  o9  without  tuj 
«I  hia  aidee-dfr-aunp,  except  the  captain  of  hia  life-guard,  was  Joined  by 
«  Dumber  of  chooen  man,  with  lanterns,  and  proper  instrameiits  to  Ireak 
vpea  bonseB,  and  before  sis  o'clocli  next  morning,  had  fort;  men  onaei 
gOMxA  at  the  City  Hall,  among  whom  was  the  maTor  of  the  city,  several 
niEichBiita,  and  Ave  or  six  of  his  oim  life-giiard.  Upon  examination,  one 
l^)Ibe■  ctmfeeMd  th&t  the  plan  was  to  assasBinate  the  general,  and  as 
■Muy  of  the  saperior  officers  as  they  conld,  and  to  blow  op  the  magazine 
upon  the  appearance  of  the  enemy's  fleet,  and  tn  go  ofl  in  boats  prepared 
for  that  pnrpGoe  to  join  the  enemy.  Thomas  Hickey,  who  haa  been  ex- 
tcoted,  went  bom  this  place.  He  came  from  Ireland  a  few  years  ago. 
That  win  be  done  with  the  mayor  is  uncertain.  He  cant  be  tried  by 
eooit-martiBl,  and,  it  Is  »aid,  there  is  no  Uw  of  that  colony  by  which  he 
laa  be  condemned.    May  be  havo  bis  deaerts," 


296  LIFE  OF  WABHINGTOJSr. 

Thej  were  to  go  by  routes  least  exposed  to  a  fire  iron 
the  shipping,  and  all  the  officers,  from  the  highest  ii 
the  lowest,  were  to  make  themselves  weU  aoqaamte< 
with  the  grounds.  Upon  a  signal  of  the  enemy's  a{ 
proachy  or  upon  any  alarm,  all  fatigue  parties  were  in 
mediately  to  repair  to  their  respective  corps,  with  thei 
arms,  ammunition,  and  accoutrements,  ready  for  instai 
action. 

It  was  ascertained  that  the  ramifications  of  the  ooi 
spiracy  lately  detected,  extended  up  the  Hudson.  Man 
of  the  disaffected  in  the  upper  counties  were  enliste 
in  ii  The  committee  of  safely  at  Oomwall,  in  Orang 
County,  sent  word  to  Oolonel  James  Clinton,  Fort  Coi 
stitntion,  of  the  mischief  that  was  brewing.  Jame 
Ha£^  a  tory,  had  confessed  before  them,  that  he  wa 
one  of  a  number  who  were  to  join  the  British  troops  a 
soon  as  they  should  arrive.  It  was  expected  the  latte 
would  push  up  the  river  and  land  at  Verplanck*s  Point 
whereupon  the  guns  at  the  forts  in  the  Highlands  wer 
to  be  spiked  by  soldiers  of  their  own  garrisons ;  an. 
the  tones  throughout  the  country  were  to  be  up  i 
arms.* 

Clinton  received  letters,  also,  from  a  meeting  of  coit 
mittees  in  the  precincts  of  Newburg,  apprising  him  ths 
persons  dangerous  to  the  cause  were  lurking  in  the 
neighborhood,  and  requesting  him  to  detach  twenty-fii 

*  Extracts  from  minutes  of  the  committee.    Am.  Arekwes^  ^h  Seni 
rL1112. 


ABBiTAL  or.  emrssAZ  sows.  997 

nan  under  a  certain  lieutenant  acquainted  with  the 
Toods,  "  to  aid  in  getting  some  of  these  raaoala  appT&- 
hended  and  aeonred." 

While  city  and  ooontry  were  thos  agitated  by  apprfr* 
hensiona  of  danger,  internal  and  external,  other  arriTals 
swelled  the  nomber  of  ships  in  the  bsj  of  New  York  to 
one  handled  and  thirty,  men-of-war  and  tranapaxta. 
Thej  made  no  movement  to  aaoend  the  Hndaon,  Imt 
anoluned  off  Staten  Island,  where  they  landed  their 
troops,  and  the  hill-sides  were  soon  whitened  with  their 
tents. 

In  the  frigate  Oreyhound,  one  of  the  four  ships  which 
first  arrived,  came  General  Howe.  He  had  preceded  the 
fleet  in  order  to  confer  with  Qovemor  Tryon,  and  inform 
himself  of  the  state  of  affairs.  In  a  letter  to  his  govern- 
ment he  writes :  "  I  met  with  Ckiremor  Tryon  on  board 
of  a  ship  st  the  Hook,  and  many  gentlemen,  iaat  frienda 
of  government,  attending  him,  from  whom  I  have  the  foll- 
est  information  of  the  state  of  the  rebels.  ....  We 
passed  the  Narrows  with  three  ships-of-war,  and  the  first 
division  of  transports,  landed  the  grenadiers  and  light 
infantry,  as  the  ships  came  up,  on  this  island,  to  the  great 
joy  of  a  most  loyal  people,  long  suffering  on  that  accoont 
onder  the  oppression  of  the  rebels  stationed  among  them ; 
who  precipitately  fled  on  the  approach  of  the  shipping. 
....  There  is  great  reason  to  expect  a  nnmeroos 
body  of  the  inhabitants  to  join  the  army  from  the  prov- 
ince of  York,  the  Jerseys  and  Gounecticat,  who,  in  this 


298  LIFB  OF  WJLBHUSrGTOJSr. 

time  of  nniyersal  oppression,  only  wait  for  opportimities 
to  giye  proofs  of  their  loyalty  and  zeaL"  * 

Washington  beheld  the  gathering  storm  with  an  anx* 
ions  eye,  aware  that  (General  Howe  only  awaited  the  ar- 
rival of  his  brother,  the  admiral,  to  oommenoe  hostile 
operations.  He  wrote  to  the  President  of  Oongress,  nrg- 
ing  a  call  on  the  Massachusetts  government  for  its  quota 
of  oontinental  troops ;  and  the  formation  of  a  flying  oamp 
of  ten  thousand  men,  to  be  stationed  in  the  Jerseys  as 
a  central  force,  ready  to  act  in  any  direction  as  oiroum- 
stances  might  require. 

On  the  2d  of  July,  he  issued  a  general  order,  calling 
upon  the  troops  to  prepare  for  a  momentous  conflict 
which  was  to  decide  their  liberties  and  fortunes.  Those 
who  should  signalize  themselves  by  acts  of  bravery, 
would  be  noticed  and  rewarded  ;  those  who  proved  cra- 
ven would  be  exposed  and  ptmished.  No  favor  would  be 
shown  to  such  as  refused  or  neglected  to  do  their  duiy  at 
so  important  a  crisis. 

*  Governor  Tryon,  in  a  letter  dated  about  this  time  from  on  board  of 
the  Ducheaa  of  Gord&n,  off  Staten  Island,  writes  :  **  The  testimony  given 
by  the  inhabitants  of  the  island,  of  loyalty  to  His  Majesty,  and  attach- 
ment to  his  government,  I  flatter  myself  will  be  general  throoghout  the 
province,  as  soon  as  the  army  gets  the  main  body  of  the  rebels  between 
them  and  the  sea;  which  will  leave  all  the  back  country  open  to  the 
command  of  the  king's  friends,  and  yield  a  plentiful  resource  of  provi- 
sions for  the  army,  and  place  them  in  a  better  situation  to  out  off  tht 
rebeb*  retreat  when  forced  from  their  stronghold.**— Am.  Archives,  9tk 
Series,     123. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

imST  APFBAIUHOB  OF  ALEXAMDEB  HAMUiTON.— HIS  lABLT  DATS.— OIHUUl 
HUGH  MERCER  IN  COMMAND  OF  THE  FLTTNO  CAMP.— DECLARATION  OF  IN" 
DBFENDENOB.— ANNOUNCED  TO  THE  ARMT.— DOWNFALL  OF  THE  KINO'f 
STATUS. 

IBOUT  this  tdmey  we  have  the  first  appearance 
in  the  military  ranks  of  the  Beyolation,  of  one 
destined  to  take  an  active  and  distinguished 
part  in  public  affairs ;  and  to  leave  the  impress  of  his 
genius  on  the  institutions  of  the  country. 

As  General  Greene  one  day,  on  his  way  to  Washing- 
ton's head-quartersy  was  passing  through  a  field, — ^then 
on  the  outskirts  of  the  eily,  now  in  the  heart  of  its 
busiest  quarter,  and  known  as  '^  the  Park/* — ^he  paused 
to  notice  a  provincial  company  of  artillery,  and  was 
struck  with  its  able  performances,  and  with  the  tact  and 
talent  of  its  commander.  He  was  a  mere  youth,  appar- 
ently about  twenty  years  of  age;  small  in  person  and 
stature,  but  remarkable  for  his  alert  and  manly  bearing. 
It  was  Alexander  Hamilton. 

Greene  was  an  able  tactician,  and  quick  to  appreciate 
any  display  of  military  science;  a  little  conversatioii 


300  LIFE  OF  WASSlNGTOJr. 

sufficed  to  conyince  him  that  the  youth  before  him  had  a 
mind  of  no  ordinary  grasp  and  quickness.  He  invited 
him  to  his  quarters,  and  from  that  time  cultivated  his 
friendship. 

Hamilton  was  a  native  of  the  island  of  Nevis,  in  the 
West  Indies,  and  at  a  very  early  age  had  been  put  in  a 
counting-house  at  Santa  Cruz.  His  nature,  however, 
was  aspiring.  "  I  contemn  the  groveling  condition  of  a 
clerk  to  which  my  fortune  condemns  me,"  writes  he  to 
a  youthful  friend,  ''and  would  willingly  risk  my  life, 
though  not  my  character,  to  exalt  my  station.  .... 
I  mean  to  prepare  the  way  for  futurity.  I  am  no  philoso- 
pher,  and  may  be  justly  said  to  build  castles  in  the  air; 
yet  we  have  seen  such  schemes  succeed,  when  the  pro- 
jector is  constant  I  shall  conclude  by  saying,  I  wish 
there  was  a  war.** 

Still  he  applied  himself  with  zeal  and  fidelity  to  the 
duties  of  his  station,  and  such  were  the  precocity  of  his 
judgment,  and  his  aptness  at  accounts,  that,  before  he 
was  fourteen  years  of  age,  he  was  left  for  a  brief  interval, 
during  the  absence  of  the  principal,  at  the  head  of  the 
establishmeni  While  his  situation  in  the  house  gave 
him  a  practical  knowledge  of  business,  and  experience  in 
finance,  his  leisure  hours  were  devoted  to  self-cultivation. 
He  made  himself  acquainted  with  mathematics  and 
chemistry,  and  indued  a  strong  propensity  to  literature. 
Some  early  achievements  of  his  pen  attracted  attention, 
and  showed  such  proof  of  talent,  that  it  was  determined 


ALKXAJTDES  BAMILTON,  801 

^ve  him  the  adyantage  of  a  regular  education.  Ha 
I  aooordiugly  seat  to  Elizabethtoirn,  in  the  Jerseys,  in 
antamn  of  1772,  to  prepare,  hy  a  coarBe  of  studies, 
admissioB  into  King's  (now  Colombia)  College,  at 
w  York.  He  entered  in  the  oollege  as  a  private  Btn-> 
it,  in  the  latter  part  of  1773;  and  endeavored,  by  dili- 
it  application,  to  fit  himself  for  the  medical  professicoL 
fhe  contentions  of  the  colonies  with  the  mother  ooan>^ 
gave  a  different  direotion  and  impnlH«i  to  his  ardent 
1  aspiring  mind.  He  soon  signalized  himself  by  the 
iroise  of  his  pen,  sometimes  in  a  grave,  sometimes  in 
satirical  manner.  On  the  6th  of  July,  1774,  there  was 
jeneral  meeting  of  the  citizens  in  the  "Fields,"  to  ex> 
na  their  abhorrence  of  the  Boston  Port  Bill.  Ham- 
in  was  present,  and,  prompted  by  his  excited  feelings 
1  the  instigation  of  yoathfnl  companions,  ventured  to 
iress  the  moltitade.  The  vigor  and  maturity  of  his 
eUect,  contrasted  with  bis  yonthfnl  appearance,  won 
)  admiration  of  his  auditors  ;  even  his  diminutive  size 
re  additional  effect  to  his  eloquence. 
Fhe  war,  for  which  in  his  boyish  days  he  had  sighed, 
8  approaching.  He  nov^Muted  himself  to  military 
idies,  especially  pyrote6h^^|Ptid  gunnery,  and  formed 
amateur  corps  out  of  a  nunber  of  his  fellow-students, 
1  the  young  gentlemen  of  the  city.  In  the  month  of 
LTch,  1776,  he  became  captain  of  artillery,  in  a  provin- 
I  corps,  newly  raised,  and  soon,  by  able  drilling,  ren- 
ed  it  oonspionous  for  discipline. 


302  LIFE  OF  WASHINOTOlSr. 

It  was  while  exercising  his  artillery  company  that  hi0 
attracted,  as  we  have  mentioned,  the  attention  of  Qffof 
eral  Greene.  Farther  acquaintance  heightened  the  geft" 
eral's  opinion  of  his  extraordinary  merits,  and  he  took  an 
early  occasion  to  introduce  him  to  the  commander-iik- 
chie^  by  whom  we  shall  soon  find  him  properly  appied' 
ated* 

A  valuable  accession  to  the  army  at  this  anxious  time: 
was  Washington's  neighbor,  and  former  companion  ii 
arms,  Hugh  Mercer,  the  veteran  of  OuUoden  and  Fori 
Duquesne.  His  military  spirit  was  alert  as  ever ;  tiu 
talent  he  had  shown  in  organizing  the  Virginia  miUtia 
and  his  zeal  and  efficiency  as  a  member  of  the  oommittei 
of  safety,  had  been  properly  appreciated  by  Oongresfl 
and  on  the  5th  of  June  he  had  received  the  oomnussio] 
of  brigadier-general  He  was  greeted  by  Wadungton  witi 
the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  The  flying  camp  was  abou 
forming.  The  committee  of  safety  of  Pennsylvania  war 
forwarding  some  of  the  militia  of  that  province  to  th 
Jerseys,  to  perform  the  service  of  the  camp  until  the  mi 
litia  levies,  specified  by  Oongress,  should  arrive.  Wasl 
ington  had  the  nominatioMIII^  some  continental  officer  t 
the  command.  He  gav^^«»  Mercer,  of  whose  merits  l 
felt  sure,  and  sent  him  over  to  Paulus  Hook,  in  the  Je 
seys,  to  make  arrangements  for  the  Pennsylvania  milit 
as  they  should  come  in ;  recommending  him  to  Brigadie 
general  William  Livingston,  as  an  officer  on  whose  exp 
rience  and  judgment  great  confidence  might  be  repoiaed. 


DBOLABATION  OF  UimEPBNDBNCB.  903 

liyingston  was  a  man  inexperienced  in  arms,  but  of 
edncationy  talent,  sagacity,  and  ready  wii  He  was  of  the 
New  York  family  of  the  same  name,  but  had  resided  for 
some  time  in  the  Jerseys,  having  a  spacious  mansion  in 
Elizabethtown,  which  he  had  named  Liberiy  HalL  Mer- 
cer and  he  were  to  consult  together,  and  concert  plans  to 
repel  invasions ;  the  New  Jersey  militia,  however,  were 
distinct  from  the  flying  camp,  and  only  called  out  fox 
local  defense.  New  Jersey's  greatest  danger  of  invasion 
was  from  Staten  Island,  where  the  British  were  throwing 
up  works,  and  whence  they  might  attempt  to  cross  to 
Amboy.  The  flying  camp  was  therefore  to  be  stationed 
in  the  neighborhood  of  that  place. 

''The  known  disaffection  of  the  people  of  Amboy,** 
writes  Washington,  "and  the  treachery  of  those  on  Staten 
Island,  who,  after  the  fairest  professions,  have  shown 
themselves  our  most  inveterate  enemies,  have  induced  me 
to  give  directions  that  all  persons  of  known  enmity  and 
doubtful  character  should  be  removed  from  those  places.** 

According  to  General  Livingston's  humorous  account, 
his  own  village  of  Elizabethtown  was  not  much  more 
reliable,  being  peopled  in  those  agitated  times  ''  by  un« 
known,  unrecommended  strangers,  guilty-looking  tories, 
and  very  knavish  whigs.** 

While  danger  was  gathering  round  New  York,  and  its 
inhabitants  were  in  mute  suspense  and  fearful  anticipa- 
tions, the  General  Congress  at  Philadelphia  was  dis- 
cussing, with  closed  doors,  what  John  Adams  pronounced 


804  ^^^  OF  WASHINGTOlSr. 

— *'TIie  greatest  question  ever  debated  in  Amerioa,  and 
as  great  as  ever  was  or  will  be  debated  among  men."  The 
result  was,  a  resolution  passed  unanimously,  on  the  2d  of 
July, ''  that  these  United  Colonies  are,  and  of  right  ought 
to  be,  free  and  independent  States." 

''  The  2d  of  July,"  adds  the  same  patriot  statesman, 
^will  be  the  most  memorable  epoch  in  the  history  of 
America.  I  am  apt  to  believe  that  it  will  be  celebrated 
by  succeeding  generations,  as  the  great  anniversary  festi- 
val It  ought  to  be  commemorated  as  the  day  of  deliv- 
erance, by  solemn  acts  of  devotion  to  Almighty  God.  It 
ought  to  be  solemnized  with  pomp  and  parade,  with 
shows,  games,  sports,  guns,  bells,  bonfires,  and  illumi- 
nations, from  one  end  of  this  continent  to  the  other,  from 
this  time  forth  for  evermore." 

The  glorious  event  has,  indeed,  given  rise  to  an  annual 
jubilee,  but  not  on  the  day  designated  by  Adams.  The 
fourth  of  July  is  the  day  of  national  rejoicing,  for  on  thai 
day  the  '^  Declaration  of  Independence,"  that  solemn  and 
sublime  document,  was  adopted.  Tradition  gives  a  dra- 
matic effect  to  its  announcement  It  was  known  to  be 
under  discussion,  but  the  closed  doors  of  Congress  ex- 
cluded the  populace.  They  awaited,  in  throngs,  an  ap- 
pointed signal.  In  the  steeple  of  the  state-house  was  a 
bell,  imported  twenty-three  years  previously  from  Lon- 
don by  the  Provincial  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania.  It 
bore  the  portentous  text  from  Scripture  :  "  Proclaim 
liberty  throughout  all  the  land,  unto  all  the  inhabitants 


SSOLABATlOir  OF  mBSPSlTDSIfOS.  306 

Jierent"  A  joy ous  peal  from  that  bell  gave  notice  that 
he  bill  had  been  passed.  It  vas  the  knell  of  British 
lomination. 

No  one  felt  the  importance  of  the  event  more  deeply 
han  John  Adams,  for  no  one  had  been  more  active  in 
kTododng  it  We  quote  hig  words  written  at  the  mo- 
nent.  "  When  I  look  back  to  the  year  1761,  and  recol- 
eot  the  argoment  concerning  writs  of  assistance  in  the 
nperior  ooort,  which  I  have  hitherto  considered  as  the 
onunenoement  of  tiie  oontrorersj  between  Omai  Britain 
tad  America,  and  ran  throogh  the  whole  period  from 
hat  time  to  this,  and  recollect  the  series  of  political 
(▼ents,  the  dhain  of  causes  and  effects,  I  am  surprised  at 
lie  saddennesfl,  as  well  as  the  greatness  of  this  Bevo- 
ntion ;  Great  Britain  has  been  filled  with  folly,  America 
^tti  wisdom." 

His  only  regret  was,  that  the  declaration  of  indepen- 
^nce  had  not  been  made  sooner.  "  Had  it  been  made 
Keren  months  ago,"  said  he,  "  we  should  hare  mastered 
Qnebec,  and  been  in  poaseBaion  of  Canada,  and  might  be- 
Iflte  this  honr  have  formed  alliances  with  foreign  states. 
Hany  gentlemen  in  high  stations,  and  of  great  inflnence, 
li»Te  been  duped  by  the  ministerial  bubble  of  commis- 
sioners to  treat,  and  have  been  slow  and  languid  in  pro- 
moting measures  for  the  reduction  of  that  proTince." 

Washington  hailed  the  declaration  with  joy.  It  is  true, 
it  was  but  a  formal  recognition  of  a  state  of  things  which 
had  long  existed,  but  it  pat  an  end  to  all  those  temporiz" 

TOL.  IL^O  ... 


306  L^J^  OF  WABHINQTOJSf. 

ing  hopes  of  reoonciliation  which  had  dogged  the  mili* 
tary  action  of  the  countiy. 

On  the  9th  of  July,  he  caused  it  to  be  read  at  six 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  at  the  head  of  each  brigade  of  the 
army.  ''The  general  hopes,"  said  he  in  his  orders,  ''that 
this  important  event  will  serve  as  a  fresh  incentive  to 
every  officer  and  soldier,  to  act  with  fidelily  and  courage, 
as  knowing  that  now  the  peace  and  safety  of  his  conntiy 
depend,  under  God,  solely  on  the  success  of  our  anns ; 
and  that  he  is  now  in  the  service  of  a  state,  possessed  oi 
sufficient  power  to  reward  his  merit,  and  advance  him  to 
the  highest  honors  of  a  free  country/* 

The  excitable  populace  of  New  York  were  not  conteift'fc 
with  the  ringing  of  bells  to  proclaim  their  joy.  Ther^ 
was  a  leaden  statue  of  (George  TTT.  in  the  Bowling  Qiee 
in  front  of  the  fort  Since  kingly  rule  is  at  an  em 
why  retain  its  effigy  ?  On  the  same  evening,  therefoi^s 
the  statue  was  pulled  down  amid  the  shouts  of  the  mxk%^ 
titude,  and  broken  up  to  be  run  into  bullets  "  to  be  U8»^ 
in  the  cause  of  independence.*' 

Some  of  the  soldiery  having  been  implicated  in  thi^ 
popular  effervescence,  Washington  censured  it  in  geners/ 
orders,  as  having  much  the  appearance  of  a  riot  and  a 
want  of  discipline,  and  the  army  was  forbidden  to  in- 
dulge in  any  irregularities  of  the  kind.  It  was  his  con- 
stant effort  to  inspire  his  countrymen  in  arms  with  hia 
own  elevated  idea  of  the  cause  in  which  they  were  en- 
gaged, and  to  make  them  feel  that  it  was  no  ordinary 


TBS  OBBISTIAS  BOLDIEB. 


807 


rfare,  admittmg  of  mlgar  passions  and  perturbations, 
he  general  hopes  and  trasts,"  said  he,  "that  every 
oer  and  man  will  endeavor  so  to  live  and  act  as  be- 
aes  a  Christian  soldier,  defending  the  dearest  rights 
I  liberties  of  his  ootmtry."* 


•  <Me4rl»ok,Jtilj9.    ^«ifca,liL4K 


OHAPTEB  XXVL 


ABBIYAL  OF  MQBB 
— ^PAHIO  Df   THl 
▲LOKO  THB 
8TBB  OOUHTT. 


SHIPS.— MOYEKSNTS  OF  THB  "FHXSXIX**  AXD  THB  "BOOL" 

OITT.  —  HOSTILB    SHIPS  UP    THB   HUSBOB.  —  8TIB  OT  WAl 

BIYBB. — GBNBBAL  OBOBOB  GUBTON,  AXD  THB  MIUTIA  Of  U/ 

FBB8H  AGITATION  OF  BBW  TOBK.— ABBIYAL  OF  LOBD  HOWL 


|HE  exultation  of  the  patriots  of  New  Tork, 
caused  by  the  Declaration  of  Independenoe, 
was  soon  overclouded.  On  the  12th  of  July, 
several  ships  stood  in  from  sea,  and  joined  the  nayal 
force  below.  Every  nautical  movement  was  now  a  mftt- 
ter  of  speculation  and  alarm,  and  all  the  spy-glasses  in 
the  city  were  incessantly  reconnoitering  the  bay. 

"  The  enemy  are  now  in  the  harbor/'  writes  an  Ameri- 
can officer,  "  although  they  have  not  yet  ventured  them- 
selves  within  gunshot  of  the  city,  but  we  hourly  expect 
to  be  called  into  action.  The  whole  army  is  out  between 
two  and  three  every  morning,  at  their  respective  alarm 
posts,  and  remain  there  until  sunrise.  I  am  morally  cer- 
tain that  it  will  not  be  long  before  we  have  an  engage* 
ment." 

Scarce  had  this  letter  been  penned,  when  two  ships* 
of-war  were  observed  getting  under  way,  and  standing 

808 


toward  (Jie  city.  One  was  the  Phoemx,  of  forly  gtins; 
ihe  other  the  BosCf  of  twenty  guns,  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain Wallace,  of  ttnenyiable  renown,  who  had  marauded 
the  New  England  coast,  and  domineered  over  Bhode  Isl- 
and. The  troops  were  immediately  at  their  alarm  posts. 
It  was  about  half-past  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  as 
the  ships  and  three  tenders  came  sweeping  up  the  bay 
wiih  the  advantage  of  wind  and  tide,  and  shaped  their 
course  up  the  Hudson.  The  batteries  of  the  city  and  of 
Paulns  Hook,  on  the  opposite  Jersey  shore,  opened  a  fire 
npon  theoL  They  answered  it  with  broadsides.  There 
was  a  panic  throughout  the  city.  Women  and  children 
ran  hither  and  thither  about  the  streets,  mingling  their 
shrieks  and  cries  with  the  thundering  of  the  cannon. 
''  The  attack  has  begun !  The  city  is  to  be  destroyed  I 
What  will  become  of  us  ?  ** 

The  Plwenix  and  the  Rose  continued  their  course  up 
ihe  Hudson.  They  had  merely  fired  upon  the  batteries 
as  they  passed ;  and  on  their  own  part  had  sustained  but 
little  damage,  their  decks  having  ramparte  of  sand-bags. 
Ihe  ships  below  remained  in  sullen  quiet  at  their  an- 
chors, and  showed  no  intention  of  following  them.  The 
firing  ceased.  The  fear  of  a  general  attack  upon  the  city 
died  away,  and  the  agitated  citizens  breathed  more  freely. 

Washington,  however,  apprehended  this  movement  of 
tiie  ships  might  be  with  a  different  object  They  might 
be  sent  to  land  troops  and  seize  upon  the  passes  of  the 
Hig^l^^-^^^g-    Forte  Montgomery  and  Constitution  were 


810  -WFJS?  OF  WA8HINQT0K 

far  from  oomplete,  and  were  scantily  manned.  A  small 
force  might  be  sufficient  to  surprise  them.  The  ships 
might  intend,  also,  to  distribute  arms  among  the  tories 
in  the  river  counties,  and  prepare  them  to  cooperate  in 
the  apprehended  attack  upon  New  York. 

Thus  thinking,  the  moment  Washington  saw  these 
ships  standing  up  the  riyer,  he  sent  off  an  express  to 
put  Qeneral  Mifflin  on  the  alert,  who  was  stationed  with 
his  Philadelphia  troops  at  Fort  Washington  and  Eling's 
Bridge.  The  same  express  carried  a  letter  from  him  to 
the  New  York  Convention,  at  that  time  holding  its  ses- 
sions at  White  Plains  in  Westchester  CSounty,  apprising 
it  of  the  impending  danger.  His  immediate  solicitude 
was  for  the  safety  of  Forts  Oonstitution  and  Mont- 
gomery. 

Fortunately  Gteorge  Clinton,  the  patriotic  legislator, 
had  recently  been  appointed  brigadier-general  of  the 
militia  of  Ulster  and  Orange  counties.  Called  to  his  na- 
tive State  by  his  military  duties  in  this  time  of  danger, 
he  had  only  remained  in  Congress  to  vote  for  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence,  and  then  hastened  home.  He  was 
now  at  New  Windsor,  in  Ulster  County,  just  above  the 
Highlands.  Washington  wrote  to  him  on  the  afternoon 
of  the  12th,  urging  him  to  collect  as  great  a  force  as  pos- 
sible of  the  New  York  militia,  for  the  protection  of  the 
Highlands  against  this  hostile  irruption,  and  to  solicit 
aid,  if  requisite,  from  the  western  parts  of  Connecticut 
*'I  have  the  strongest  reason  to  believe,*'  added  he,  *'it 


0ATasama  vf  tbe  m&ELAsi>B.  sil 

will  be  abaolntelj  necessaiT',  if  it  were  onlj  to  pieveiit  an 
insairection  of  joar  own  tories." 

Long  before  the  receipt  of  Washington's  letter,  Clinton 
had  been  put  on  the  alert  Abont  nine  o'dock  on  the 
jnoming  of  the  13th,  an  alarm  gnn  from  his  brother  at 
Fort  Constitation,  thondered  throogh  the  echoing  defiles 
of  the  mountains.  Shortly  afterwards,  two  river  sloops 
came  to  anchor  above  the  Highlands  before  the  general's 
residence.  Their  oaptaios  informed  him  that  New  York 
had  been  attacked  on  the  preceding  afternoon.  The; 
had  seen  the  cannonade  from  a  distance,  and  judged  from 
the  sabseqnent  firing  that  the  eneraj's  ships  were  np  the 
river  as  far  as  King's  Bridge. 

Clinton  was  as  prompt  a  soldier  as  he  had  been  an 
intrepid  legislator.  The  neighboring  militia  were  forth' 
with  pnt  in  motion.  Three  regiments  were  ordered  ont ; 
one  was  to  repair  to  Fort  Montgomery' ;  another  to  Fort 
Conaiitation ;  the  third  to  rendezvous  at  Newbnrg,  jost 
above  the  Highlands,  ready  to  hasten  to  the  assistance  of 
Fort  Constitation,  should  another  signal  be  given.  All 
the  other  regiments  under  his  command  were  to  be  pre- 
pared for  service  at  a  moment's  notice.  In  ordering  these 
lusty  levies,  however,  he  was  as  considerate  as  he  was 
«itergetio.  The  colonels  were  directed  to  leave  the  fron- 
tier companies  at  home,  to  protect  the  country  against 
tiie  Indians,  and  some  men  ont  of  each  company  to  gnard 
■gunst  internal  enemies. 
Another  of  his  sagaoions  measures  was  to  send  ex- 


dia  Lifs  OP  wAsmsrctTOA 

presses  to  all  the  owners  of  sloops  and  boats  twenty 
miles  up  the  west  side  of  the  river,  to  haul  them  ofF  ao 
as  to  prevent  their  grounding.  Part  of  them  were  to  be 
ready  to  carry  over  the  militia  to  the  forts ;  the  rest  were 
ordered  down  to  Fort  Oonstitntion^  where  a  chain  of  them 
might  be  drawn  across  the  narrowest  part  of  the  river,  to 
be  set  on  fire,  should  the  enemy's  ships  attempt  to  pass. 

Having  made  these  prompt  arrangements,  he  proceeded 
early  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  with  aboni  forty 
of  his  neighbors,  to  Fort  Oonstitution ;  whence,  leaving 
some  with  his  brother,  he  pushed  down  on  the  same 
evening  to  Fort  Montgomery,  where  he  fixed  his  head- 
quarters, as  being  nearer  the  enemy  and  better  situated 
to  discover  their  motions. 

Here,  on  the  following  day  (July  14th),  he  received 
Washington's  letter,  written  two  days  previously ;  but  by 
this  time  he  had  anticipated  its  orders,  and  stirred  up  the 
whole  country.  On  that  same  evening,  two  or  three  hun- 
dred of  the  hardy  Ulster  yeomanry,  roughly  equipped, 
part  of  one  of  the  regiments  he  had  ordered  out,  marched 
into  Fort  Montgomery,  headed  by  their  colonel  (Wood- 
hull).  Early  the  next  morning  five  hundred  of  another 
regiment  arrived,  and  he  was  told  that  parts  of  two  other 
regiments  were  on  the  way. 

"The  men,"  writes  he  to  Washington,  "turn  out  of 
their  harvest  fields  to  defend  their  country  with  surpris- 
ing alacrity.  The  absence  of  so  many  of  them,  however, 
at  this  time,  when  their  harvests  are  perishing  for  want 


ABBITAL  OF  LOBD  SOWB.  313 

of  the  aickle,  frill  greatlj  distress  the  oonntiy.  I  oonld 
wish*  therefore,  that  a  leas  number  might  answer  the 
purpose." 

On  no  one  oonld  this  prompt  and  brave  gathering  of 
tiie  jeomamy  produce  a  more  gratrfying  efTect  than  npon 
the  oommander-in-chief ;  and  no  one  could  be  more  feel- 
ingly ali-TO,  in  the  midst  of  stern  military  daties,  to  the 
appeal  in  behalf  of  the  peaoefnl  interests  of  the  hnsband- 

While  the  vigilant  Clinton  was  preparing  to  defend 
the  passes  of  the  Highlands,  danger  was  growing  more 
imminent  at  the  month  of  the  Hudson. 

New  York  hss  always  been  a  city  prone  to  agitations. 
That  into  which  it  was  thrown  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
13th  of  Joly,  by  the  broadsides  of  the  Fhanix  and  the 
£oae,  was  almost  immediately  followed  by  another.  On 
Ute  same  evening  there  was  a  great  booming  of  cannon, 
with  clouds  of  smoke,  from  the  shipping  at  anchor  at 
Btaten  Island.  Every  spy-glass  was  ^ain  in  requisition. 
The  British  fleet  were  saluting  a  ship  of  the  line,  just 
arrived  from  sea.  She  advanced  grandly,  every  man-of- 
war  thundering  a  salute  as  she  passed.  At  her  foretop 
mast-head  she  bore  St  George's  flag.  *'  It  is  the  admi- 
ral's ship  I"  cried  the  nautical  men  on  the  look-out  at 
ihe  Battery.  "  It  is  the  admiral's  ship  I "  was  echoed 
from  mouth  to  mouth,  and  the  word  soon  flew  through 
the  dty,  "  Lord  Howe  is  come  I " 


CHAPTER  XXVn. 

nBOAUnONS  AOADIBT  TORIBS.  —  BBORBT  OOMMITTEBS.  —  DB0LAB4TKnr  Of 
LORD  HOWB. — ^HIB  LBTTBR  TO  THB  OOLOMIAL  GOTBRNOB8. — HIB  URTBB 
TO  WASHINGTON  RBJBGTBD.  —  INTBBVIBW  BBTWBBM  THB  BBITI8H  ASHXJ' 
TANT-OBNBBAIj  and  COLONBL  BBBD.^aBGBFTION  OF  THB  ADJUTABT-OBX- 
BBAL  BT  WASHINQTOM. — THB  ''FHCBNIX'*  AKD  "BOBB'*  DT  THB  TAPPAN 
BBA  AND  HAVBRBTRAW  BAT.— ARMDIO  OV  THB  BITBB  TBOMABBT.— «BOBOI 
CLINTON    AT  THB  OATB8  OF  THB  HKiHT^ATfDB. 

OBD  HOWE  was  indeed  oomey  and  affiaiis  now 
appeared  to  be  approaching  a  crisis.  In  con- 
sequence  of  the  recent  conspiracy,  the  Conven- 
tion of  New  York,  seated  at  White  Plains  in  Westchester 
County,  had  a  secret  committee  stationed  in  New  York 
for  the  purpose  of  taking  cognizance  of  traitorous  machi- 
nations. To  this  committee  Washington  addressed  a  let- 
ter the  day  after  his  lordship's  arrival,  suggesting  the 
policy  of  removing  from  the  city  and  its  environs,  "  all 
persons  of  known  disaffection  and  enmity  to  the  cause  of 
America ; "  especially  those  confined  in  jail  for  treason- 
able offenses  ;  who  might  become  extremely  dangerous  in 
case  of  an  attack  and  alarm.  He  took  this  step  with  great 
reluctance ;  but  felt  compelled  to  it  by  circumstances. 
The  late  conspiracy  had  shown  him  that  treason  might  be 

8U 


DECLARATION  OF  LORD  HOWE.  315 

lurking  in  his  camp.  And  lie  was  well  aware  that  the 
city  and  the  neighboring  country,  especiallj  Westchester 
County,  and  Queens  and  Suffolk  counties  on  Long  Island, 
abounded  with  **  tories "  ready  to  rally  under  the  royal 
standard  whenever  backed  by  a  commanding  force. 

la  consequence  of  his  suggestion,  thirteen  persons  in 
confinement  for  traitorous  offenses,  were  removed  to  the 
jail  of  Litchfield  in  Oonnecticut  Among  the  number  was 
-the  late  mayor ;  but  as  his  offense  was  not  of  so  deep  a 
dye  as  those  whereof  the  rest  stood  charged,  it  was 
xeoommended  by  the  president  of  the  Convention  that  he 
should  be  treated  with  indulgence. 

The  proceedings  of  Lord  Howe  soon  showed  the  policy 
of  these  precautions.    His  lordship  had  prepared  a  dec- 
laration addressed  to  the  people  at  large,  informing  them 
of  the  powers  vested  in  his  brother  and  himself  as  com- 
missioners for  restoring  peace ;  and  inviting  communities 
as  well  as  individuals,  who,  in  the  tumult  and  disasters 
of  ihe  times,  had  deviated  from  their  allegiance  to  the 
erown,  to  merit  and  receive  pardon  by  a  prompt  return 
to  their  duty.    It  was  added,  that  proper  consideration 
wonld  be  had  of  the  services  of  all  who  should  contribute 
to  the  restoration  of  public  tranquillity. 

His  lordship  really  desired  peace.  According  to  a  con- 
temporary, he  came  to  America  ^^  as  a  mediator,  not  as  a 
destroyer,*'  *  and  had  founded  great  hopes  in  the  efficacy 

*  Letter  of  Mr.  Dennie  de  Berdt,  to  Mr.  Joseph  Beed.  Am,  Archives, 
Bth  Series,  i,  872. 


816  I^S  OF  WASHINQTOir. 

of  this  document  in  rallying  back  the  people  to  theii 
allegiance ;  it  was  a  sore  matter  of  regret  to  him,  there- 
fore,  to  find  that,  in  consequence  of  his  tardy  arriyal,  his 
invitation  to  loyalty  had  been  forestalled  by  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence. 

Still  it  might  have  an  e£fect  in  bringing  adherents  to 
Ihe  royal  standard ;  he  sent  a  flag  on  shore,  therefore, 
bearing  a  circular  letter,  written  in  his  civil  and  military 
capacity,  to  the  colonial  goyemor,  requesting  him  to  pub- 
lish his  address  to  the  people  as  widely  as  possible. 

We  have  heretofore  shown  the  tenacity  with  which 
Washington,  in  his  correspondence  with  Generals  Gage 
and  Howe,  exacted  the  consideration  and  deference  due  to 
him  as  commander-in-chief  of  the  American  armies ;  he 
did  this  not  from  official  pride  and  punctilio,  but  as  the 
guardian  of  American  rights  and  dignities.  A  further 
step  of  the  kind  was  yet  to  be  taken.  The  British  officers, 
considering  the  Americans  in  arms  rebels  without  valid 
commissions,  were  in  the  habit  of  denying  them  all  mili- 
tary title.  Washington's  general  officers  had  urged  him 
not  to  submit  to  this  tacit  indignity,  but  to  reject  all  let- 
ters directed  to  him  without  a  specification  of  his  official 
rank. 

An  occasion  now  presented  itself  for  the  adjustment  ol 
this  matter.  Within  a  day  or  two  an  officer  of  the  Brit- 
ish navy,  Lieutenant  Brown,  came  with  a  flag  from  Lord 
Howe,  seeking  a  conference  with  Washington.  Colonel 
Beed,  the  adjutant-general,  embarked  in  a  barge,  and  met 


LORD  HOWE'S  LETTER.  317 

Mm  half  way  between  Gbvemor's  and  Staten  lalanda 
The  lientenant  informed  him  that  he  was  the  bearer  of  a 
letter  from  Lord  Howe  to  Mr.  Washington.  Oolonel 
Beed  replied,  that  he  knew  no  such  person  in  the  Ameri-« 
can  army.  The  lientenant  produced  and  offered  the  let- 
ter. It  was  addressed  to  George  Washington,  Esquire. 
He  was  informed  that  it  could  not  be  received  with  such 
a  direction.  The  Ueutenant  expressed  much  concern. 
The  letter,  he  said,  was  of  a  civil,  rather  than  a  military 
nature — ^Lord  Howe  regretted  he  had  not  arrived  sooner 
— ^he  had  great  powers — ^it  was  much  to  be  wished  the 
letter  could  be  received. 

While  the  lieutenant  was  embarrassed  and  agitated, 
Beed  maintained  his  coolness,  politely  declining  to  re- 
ceive the  letter,  as  inconsistent  with  his  duty.  They 
parted;  but  after  the  lieutenant  had  been  rowed  some 
tittle  distance,  his  barge  was  put  about,  and  Beed  waited 
to  hear  what  further  he  had  to  say.  It  was  to  ask  by 
what  title  Oeneral — ^but  catching  himself  Mr.  Washing- 
ton chose  to  be  addressed. 

Beed  replied  that  the  general's  station  in  the  army  was 
well  known ;  and  they  could  not  be  at  a  loss  as  to  the 
proper  mode  of  addressing  him,  especially  as  this  matter 
had  been  discussed  in  the  preceding  summer,  of  which, 
he  presumed,  the  admiral  could  not  be  ignorant  The 
lieutenant  again  expressed  his  disappointment  and  regret, 
and  their  interview  closed. 

On  the  19th,  an  aide-de-camp  of  General  Howe  came 


818  I^Om  OF  WASHINQTON. 

with  a  flag,  and  requested  to  know,  as  there  appeared  ta 
be  an  obstacle  to  a  correspondenoe  between  the  two 
generals,  whether  Colonel  Patterson,  the  British  adjn« 
tant-general,  could  be  admitted  to  an  interview  with 
General  Washington.  Colonel  Beed,  who  met  the  flag, 
consented  in  the  name  of  the  general,  and  pledged  his 
honor  for  the  safety  of  the  adjutant-general  during  the 
interview,  which  was  fixed  for  the  following  morning. 

At  the  appointed  time,  Colonel  Beed,  and  Colonel 
Webb,  one  of  Washington's  aides,  met  the  flag  in  the 
harbor,  took  Colonel  Patterson  into  their  barge,  and  es- 
corted him  to  town,  passing  in  front  of  the  grand  battery. 
The  customary  precaution  of  blindfolding  was  dispensed 
with ;  and  there  was  a  lively  and  sociable  conversation 
the  whole  way.  Washington  received  the  adjutant-gen- 
eral at  head-quarters  with  much  form  and  ceremony,  in 
full  military  array,  with  his  officers  and  guards  about 
him. 

Colonel  Patterson,  addressing  him  by  the  title  of  yowr 
taooeBency,  endeavored  to  explain  the  address  of  the  letter 
as  consistent  with  propriety,  and  founded  on  a  aimiUr 
address  in  the  previous  summer,  to  Gteneral  Howe.  That 
General  Howe  did  not  mean  to  derogate  from  the  rank  or 
respect  of  General  Washington,  but  conceived  such  an 
address  consistent  with  what  had  been  used  by  ambas 
sadors  or  plenipotentiaries  where  difficulties  of  rank  had 
arisen.  He  then  produced,  but  did  not  offer,  a  letter  ad* 
dressed  to  (George  Washington,  Esquire,  eta  eta. 


QOUONSL  pATTxsaos's  Moawir.  319 

ttuU  ihe  et  ceteras,  vhioh  implied  eTerytiiiiig,  vould  m- 
more  &11  impediments. 

Washington  replied  that  it  waa  true  the  et  ceteras  im- 
plied eTeiything,  bat  they  also  implied  anything.  His 
letter  alluded  to,  of  the  prenoos  sommer,  was  in  reply 
to  one  addressed  in  like  manner.  A  letter,  he  added, 
iddreased  to  a  person  acting  in  a  public  character, 
ihonld  have  some  insoriptionB  to  designate  it  from  a  mere 
prxTate  letter ;  and  he  shoold  absolntely  dedine  any  let- 
ter addressed  to  himself  as  a  prirate  person,  when  it  te- 
isted  to  his  pnblio  station. 

Colonel  Patterson,  finding  the  letter  vonld  not  be  re- 
jeiTed,  endeaTored,  as  far  as  he  oonld  reoolleot,  to  oom- 
nttnioate  the  scope  of  it  in  the  coarse  of  a  somewhat 
loBaltoiy  oonTersation.  What  he  chiefly  dwelt  upon  was, 
hat  Lord  Howe  and  bis  brother  had  been  specially 
tominated  commissioners  for  the  promotion  of  peace, 
rhich  was  esteemed  a  mark  of  favor  and  regard  to 
Lmerioa ;  that  they  had  great  powers,  and  woold  derive 
ihe  highest  pleasure  from  effecting  an  accommodation; 
md  he  conclnded  by  adding,  that  he  wished  his  visit  to 
y&  considered  as  mftVing  the  first  advance  toward  tiiat 
lesirable  object. 

Washington  replied  that,  by  what  had  appeared  (al* 
"odin^  no  doabt,  to  Lord  Howe's  cirotdar),  their  pow- 
vn,  it  wOTild  seem,  were  only  to  grant  pardons.  Now 
^oae  who  had  committed  no  fanlt  needed  no  pardon ; 
hod  soch  was  the  case  with  the  Americans,  who  were 


320  XiFJy  OF  WA8HINQT0N. 


only  defending  what  thej  considered  their  indisputabls 
rights. 

Colonel  Patterson  avoided  a  discussion  of  this  matter, 
which,  he  observed,  would  open  a  very  wide  field ;  so 
here  the  conference,  which  had  been  conducted  on  both 
sides  with  great  courtesy,  terminated.  The  colonel  took 
his  leave,  excusing  himself  from  partaking  of  a  coUatioii, 
having  made  a  late  breakfast,  and  was  again  conducted  to 
his  boai  He  expressed  himself  highly  sensible  of  the 
courtesy  of  his  treatment,  in  having  the  usual  ceremony 
of  blindfolding  dispensed  with. 

Washington  received  the  applause  of  Oongress  and  of 
the  pubUc  for  sustaining  the  dignity  of  his  station.  His 
conduct  in  this  particular  was  recommended  as  a  model 
to  all  American  officers  in  corresponding  with  the  enemy; 
and  Lord  Howe  informed  his  government  that,  thencefor- 
ward, it  would  be  politic  to  change  the  superscription  of 
his  letters. 

In  the  meantime  the  irruption  of  the  Phasnix  and  the 
Boae  into  the  waters  of  the  Hudson  had  roused  a  bellig- 
erent spirit  along  its  borders.  The  lower  part  of  that 
noble  river  is  commanded  on  the  eastern  side  by  the 
bold  woody  heights  of  Manhattan  Island  and  West- 
chester County,  and  on  the  western  side  by  the  rocky 
clifiis  of  the  Palisades.  Beyond  those  cliffs,  the  river  ex- 
pands into  a  succession  of  what  may  almost  be  termed 
lakes ;  first  the  Tappan  Sea,  then  Haverstraw  Bay,  then 
the  Bay  of  Feekskill ;  separated  from  each  other  by  long 


HUDSON  KIVP:R  and   the  H1QHLAND8.         321 

etretching  points,  or  high  beetUng  promontories,  but  af- 
fording ample  sea-room  and  safe  anchorage.  Then  come 
the  redoubtable  Highlands,  that  strait,  fifteen  miles  in 
length,  where  the  river  bends  its  course,  narrow  and 
deep,  between  rocky,  forest^lad  mountains. 

**  He  who  has  command  of  that  grand  defile,'*  said  an 
old  navigator, ''  may  at  any  time  throttle  the  Hudson.** 

The  New  York  Convention,  aware  of  the  impending 
danger,  despatched  military  envoys  to  stir  up  the  yeo- 
manry along  the  river,  and  order  out  militia.  Powder 
snd  ball  were  sent  to  Tarrytown,  before  which  the  hostile 
ships  were  anchored,  and  yeoman  troops  were  stationed 
-there  and  along  the  neighboring  shores  of  the  Tappan 
Sea^  In  a  little  while  the  militia  of  Dutchess  Counfy 
snd  Gortlandt's  Manor  were  hastening,  rudely  armed,  to 
j>rotect  the  public  stores  at  Peekskill,  and  mount  guard 
at  the  entrance  of  the  Highlands. 

No  one  showed  more  zeal  in  this  time  of  alarm,  than 

C!olonel  Pierre  Van  Oortlandt,  of  an  old  colonial  family, 

^which  held  its  manorial  residence  at  the  mouth  of  the 

Oroton.     With  his  regiment  he  kept  a  dragon  watch 

^ong  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Tappan  Sea  and  Haver- 

atraw  Bay ;  while  equal  vigilance  was  maintained  night 

ttnd  day  along  the  western  shore,  from  Nyack  quite  up 

to  the  Dunderberg,  by  Colonel  Hay  and  his  regiment  of 

Saverstraw.     Sheep  and  cattle  were  driven  inland,  out 

of  the  reach  of  maraud.    Sentinels  were  posted  to  keep  a 

lookout  from  heights  and  headlands,  and  give  the  alarm 
VOL.  n.— 21 


322  ^^^  OF  WASSmQTOir. 

Bhoold  any  boats  approach  the  shore ;  and  rustic  marks- 
men were  ready  to  assemble  in  a  moment,  and  give  them 
a  warm  reception. 

The  ships  of  war  which  caused  this  alarm  and  turmoil, 
lay  quietly  anchored  in  the  broad  expanses  of  the  Tap- 
pan  Sea  and  Haverstraw  Bay ;  shifting  their  ground  oo- 
oasionaUy,  and  keeping  out  of  musket  shot  of  the  shore, 
apparently  sleeping  in  the  summer  sunshine,  with  awn- 
ings stretched  above  their  decks ;  while  their  boats  were 
out  taking  soundings  quite  up  to  the  Highlands,  evi- 
dently preparing  for  further  operations.  At  night,  too, 
their  barges  were  heard  rowing  up  and  down  the  river 
on  mysterious  errands ;  perriaugers,  also,  paid  them  fur- 
tive visits  occasionally ;  it  was  surmised,  with  communi- 
cations and  suppUes  from  tories  on  shore. 

While  the  ships  were  anchored  in  Haverstraw  Bay,  one 
of  the  tenders  stood  into  the  Bay  of  Peekskill,  and  beat 
up  within  long  shot  of  Fort  Montgomery,  where  General 
Oeoi^  Clinton  was  ensconced  with  six  hundred  of  the  mi- 
litia of  Orange  and  Ulster  counties.  As  the  tender  ap- 
proached, a  thirty-two  pounder  was  brought  to  range  upo 
her.  The  ball  passed  through  her  quarter ;  whereupon  sha 
put  about,  and  ran  round  the  point  of  the  Dunderberg, 
where  the  boat  landed,  plundered  a  solitary  house  at  the 
foot  of  the  mountain,  and  left  it  in  flames.  The  maraud- 
ers, on  their  way  back  to  the  ships,  were  severely  galled 
by  rustic  marksmen,  from  a  neighboring  promontory. 

The  ships,  now  acquainted  with  the  channel,  moved  up 


ctmroK  OS  tbe  albrt.  323 

rithin  BIX  miles  of  Fort  Montgomeiy.  General  Clinton 
pprehended  they  might  mean  to  take  adyantage  of  a 
Ark  night,  and  slip  b;  him  in  the  deep  shadows  of  the 
lonntains.  The  shores  were  high  and  bold,  the  river 
■as  deep,  the  navigation  of  coarse  safs  and  eaaj.  Onoe 
bove  the  Highlands,  thej  might  ravage  the  coonbry  be- 
ond,  and  destroy  certain  veaeels  of  war  which  were 
eing  conatrooted  at  Fonghkeepsie. 
To  prevent  this,  he  stationed  a  guard  at  night  on  the 
irtliest  point  in  view,  about  two  miles  and  a  half  below 
tie  fort,  prepared  to  kindle  a  blazing  fire  should  the 
bips  appear  in  sight.  Large  piles  of  dry  bmsbwood 
lized  with  combastibles,  were  prepared  at  varioiu 
laces  np  and  down  the  shore  opposite  to  the  fort,  and 
ten  stationed  to  set  fire  to  them  as  soon  as  a  signal 
tkonld  be  given  from  the  lower  point  The  fort,  there* 
>Te,  while  it  remained  in  darkness,  woold  have  a  fair 
hance  with  its  batteries  as  the  ships  passed  between  it 
Old  these  conflagrations. 

A  private  committee  sent  np  by  tiie  New  York  Con- 
vention, had  a  conference  with  the  general,  to  devise  far- 
ther means  of  obstructing  the  passage  of  ships  ap  the 
river.  Fire  rafts  were  to  be  brought  from  Poaghkeepsie 
U)d  kept  at  hand  ready  for  action.  These  were  to  be 
lashed  two  together,  with  chains,  between  old  sloops 
iiQed  with  combnatibles,  and  sent  down  with  a  strong 
wind  and  tide,  to  drive  npon  the  ships.  An  iron  chain, 
also,  was  to  be  stretched  obliquely  across  die  river  from 


824  ^^^  OF  WAaBm&TOV. 

Fort  Montgomery  to  the  foot  of  Anthony's  Nose,  thus,  a 
it  were,  chaining  up  the  gate  of  the  Highlands, 

For  a  protection  below  the  Highlands,  it  was  propose 
to  station  whale-boats  about  the  coves  and  promontorie 
of  Tappan  Sea  and  Haverstraw  Bay ;  to  reconnoiter  th 
enemy,  cruise  about  at  night,  carry  intelligence  from  pa 
to  post,  seize  any  river  craft  that  might  bring  the  shi{ 
supplies,  and  cut  o£F  their  boats  when  attempting  to  lan< 
Galleys  also,  were  prepared,  with  nine-pounders  mounte 
at  the  bows. 

Colonel  Hay  of  Haverstraw,  in  a  letter  to  Washingtoi 
rejoices  that  the  national  Congress  are  preparing  to  pn 
tect  this  great  highway  of  the  country,  and  anticipate 
that  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  were  about  to  become  tfa 
chief  theatre  of  the  war. 

NOTE. 

Thb  Van  Oobtlanbt  Familt.— Two  members  of  this  old  and  homo 
able  family  were  conspicuous  patriots  throughout  the  Bevolutioii.  Pier 
Van  Ck>rtlandt,  the  father,  at  this  time  about  66  years  of  age,  a  stanc 
friend  and  ally  of  G^rge  Clinton,  was  member  of  the  first  Provinci 
Congress,  and  president  of  the  Committee  of  Public  Safety,  (ioyem 
Tryon  had  visited  him  in  his  old  manor-house  at  the  mouth  of  the  Crotoi 
in  1774,  and  made  him  offers  of  royal  favors,  honors,  grants  of  land,  etc 
if  he  would  abandon  the  popular  cause.  His  offers  were  nobly  rejeotei 
The  Cortlandt  family  suffered  in  consequence,  being  at  one  time  obliged! 
abandon  their  manorial  residence  :  but  the  head  remained  true  to  the  cans 
and  subsequently  filled  the  office  of  lieutenant-governor  with  great  dignit 

His  son  Pierre,  mentioned  in  the  above  chapter,  and  then  about  27  yea 
of  age,  had  likewise  resisted  the  overtures  of  Tryon,  destroying  a  majoi 
commission  in  the  Cortlandt  militia,  which  he  sent  him.  Oongress,  i 
1775,  made  him  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  continental  servioe,  in  wfaii 
capacity  we  now  find  him,  acquitting  himself  with  leal  and  ability. 


QFTAPTTgR  XXVllL 


AWCT    AT  CSOWV  FOIMT.  —  DISCaMTEItT    AND    CKPABTOTU  O 


I     tfCatriOYI    OF     -MMMAXD    tjt- 
U.   4UM>USIB8  n   TBI    ABHT.— 

sotrrax&M  noon.— BitAu.wooD'B  luoABom  batulioh.— ooKRcmoDT 

"-■OUB. 

HHIii'R  the  seoarify  of  the  Hadaon  horn  inTod- 
ing  ships  was  olaiming  the  attention  of  Wash- 
ington, he  was  equally  anzions  to  prevent  an 
irruption  of  the  enemy  from  Canada.  He  was  grieved, 
therefore,  to  find  there  vas  a  clashing  of  anthorities  be- 
tween the  generals  -who  had  charge  of  the  Northern 
frontier.  Gates,  on  his  vaj  to  take  command  of  the 
army  in  Canada,  had  heard  with  snrprise  in  Albany,  of 
itB  retreat  across  the  New  York  frontier.  He  still  con- 
ddered  it  nnder  his  orders,  and  was  proceeding  to  act 
accordingly ;  when  General  Schayler  observed,  that  the 
lesolntion  of  Congress,  and  the  instmctiong  of  Washing- 
ton, applied  to  the  army  only  while  in  Canada ;  the  mo- 
ment it  retreated  within  the  limits  of  New  York,  it  came 
within  his  (Schnyler's)  command.  A  letter  from  Schuy- 
ler to  Washington,  written  at  the  time  says:  "If  C!on- 


826  LIFE  OF  WABHINGTOir. 

gress  intended  that  General  Ghites  shonld  command  the 
Northern  army,  wherever  it  may  be,  as  he  assures  me 
they  did,  it  ought  to  have  been  signified  to  me,  and  I 
should  then  have  immediately  resigned  the  command  to 
him;  but  until  such  intention  is  properly  conveyed  to 
me,  I  never  can.  I  must,  therefore,  entreat  your  Excel- 
lency to  lay  this  letter  before  Congress,  that  they  may 
clearly  and  explicitly  signify  their  intentions,  to  avert 
the  dangers  and  evils  that  may  arise  from  a  disputed 
command." 

That  there  might  be  no  delay  in  the  service  at  this 
critical  juncture,  the  two  generals  agreed  to  refer  the 
question  of  command  to  Congress,  and  in  the  meantime 
to  act  in  concert  They  accordingly  departed  together 
for  Lake  Champlain,  to  prepare  against  an  anticipated 
invasion  by  Sir  Guy  Carleton.  They  arrived  at  Crown 
Point  on  the  6th  of  July,  and  found  there  the  wrecks  of 
the  army  recently  driven  out  of  Canada.  They  had  been 
harassed  in  their  retreat  by  land ;  their  transportation 
on  the  lake  had  been  in  leaky  boats,  without  awnings^ 
where  the  sick,  suffering  from  small-pox,  lay  on  straw, 
exposed  to  a  burning  July  sun ;  no  food  but  salt  pork, 
often  rancid,  hard  biscuit  or  unbaked  flour,  and  scarcely 
any  medicine.  Not  more  than  six  thousand  men  had 
reached  Crown  Point,  and  half  of  those  were  on  the  sick 
list ;  the  shattered  remains  of  twelve  or  fifteen  very  fine  « 
battalions.  Some  few  were  sheltered  in  tents,  some  un«  — 
der  sheds,  and  others  in  huts  hastily  formed  of  bushes;  ^ 


X>ISO0IfTEST  OF  OESERAL  SULLTVAir.  837 

•oaroe  one  of  whieh  but  oontained  a  dead  or  dying  man. 
TwD  thooBand  eight  hnndzed  weie  to  be  Bent  to  a  bos' 
pital  leoenily  establiBhed  at  tbe  eonth  end  of  Xaika 
George,  a  distance  of  fifty  miles ;  when  they  were  gone, 
-with  those  who  were  to  row  them  in  boats,  there  wonld 
TOmain  bat  the  shadow  of  an  army.* 

In  a  oouuoil  of  war,  it  was  determined  that,  under 
present  dronmstanoes,  the  post  of  Grown  Point  was  noi 
tenable;  neither  was  it  capable  of  being  made  so  this 
anmmer,  without  a  force  greatly  saperior  to  any  they 
might  reasonably  expect ;  and  that,  therefore,  it  was  ex- 
pedient to  tall  baok,  and  take  a  strong  position  at  Tiocm- 
ileroga. 

General  Sullivan  had  been  deeply  hurt  that  Gates,  his 
forzaer  inferior  in  rank,  should  have  been  appointed  oret 
liim  to  the  command  of  the  army  in  Canada ;  considering 
it  a  tacit  intimation  that  Congress  did  not  esteem  him 
competent  to  the  trust  which  had  devolved  upon  him. 
Se  now,  therefore,  requested  leave  of  absenoe,  in  order 
to  wait  on  the  commander-in-chie&  It  was  granted  with 
relnctanoe.  Before  departing,  he  communicated  to  the 
army,  through  General  Schuyler,  his  high  and  gratefnl 
sense  of  their  exertions  in  secnring  a  retreat  from  Canada, 
and  the  oheerfnlnesa  with  which  his  commands  had  been 
received  and  obeyed. 

On  the  9ih  of  July,  Schayler  and  Gates  returned  to 

*  (M.  John  TnunbiiU'i  ^ufoMo^rapAjr,  p.  38S,  Appendlz. 


^ 


828  LIFE  OF  WASHlNGTOJSr. 

Tioonderoga^  accompanied  by  Arnold.  Instant  arrange- 
ments were  made  to  encamp  the  troops,  and  land  the 
artillery  and  stores  as  fast  as  they  should  arrive.  Great 
exertions,  also,  were  made  to  strengthen  the  defenses  of 
the  place.  Colonel  John  Tmmbnll,  who  was  to  have 
accompanied  Gkites  to  Canada,  as  adjatant-generaly  had 
been  reconnoitering  the  neighborhood  of  Ticonderoga^ 
and  had  pitched  upon  a  place  for  a  fortification  on  the 
eastern  side  of  the  lake,  directiy  opposite  the  east  point 
of  Ticonderoga,  where  Fort  Independence  was  snbse- 
qnentiy  boilt.  He  also  advised  the  erection  of  a  work  on 
a  lofty  eminence,  the  termination  of  a  mountain  ridge, 
which  separates  Lake  George  from  Lake  Champlain.  His 
advice  was  unfortunately  disregarded.  The  eminence, 
subsequently  called  Mount  Defiance,  looked  down  upon 
And  commanded  the  narrow  parts  of  both  lakes.  We 
shall  hear  more  of  it  hereafter. 

Preparations  were  made,  also,  to  augment  the  naval 
force  on  the  lakes.  Ship  carpenters  from  the  Eastern 
States  were  employed  at  Skenesborough,  to  build  the 
hulls  of  galleys  and  boats,  which,  when  launched,  were 
to  be  sent  down  to  Ticonderoga  for  equipment  and  arma- 
ment, under  the  superintendence  of  General  Arnold. 

Schuyler  soon  returned  to  Albany,  to  superintend  th 
general  concerns  of  the  Northern  department.     He  waar 
indefatigable  in  procuring  and  forwarding  the  necessary 
materials  and  artillery  for  the  fortification  of  Tioonde* 
roga. 


TBS  qUSBTIOlf  OF  001tl£Ain>  SETTLED  329 

The  qnestion  of  oommand  between  him  and  Gates  was 
apparently  at  reat  A  letter  from  the  President  of  Con- 
greaa,  dated  July  8th,  informed  General  Gates,  tiiat  ac- 
cording to  the  resolation  of  that  body  under  which  he 
had  been  appointed,  his  oommand  was  totally  indepen- 
dent of  General  Sohnyler  tokSe  the  army  was  in  Canada, 
but  no  longer.  Congress  had  no  design  to  direst  Gen- 
eral Sohnyler  of  the  command  while  the  troops  were  on 
ttw  aide  of  Canada. 

To  Sohnyler,  under  the  same  date,  the  president 
writes :  "  The  Congress  highly  approve  of  yonr  patriot- 
ism and  magnanimily  in  not  suffering  any  difference  of 
<^inion  to  hurt  the  pnblio  service. 

"  A  mntnol  confidence  and  good  nnderstanding  are  at 
this  time  essentially  necessary,  so  that  I  am  persnaded 
they  wiU  take  place  on  all  occasions  between  yourself 
and  General  Gates." 

Gates  professed  himself  entirely  satisfied  with  the  ex- 
planation he  had  received,  and  perfectly  disposed  to 
obey  the  commands  of  Schnyler.  "I  am  confident," 
added  he,  "  we  shall,  as  the  Congress  wish,  go  hand  in 
hand  to  promote  the  public  welfare." 

Schuyler,  too,  assured  both  Congress  and  Washii^ton, 
"  that  the  difference  in  opinion  between  Gates  and  him- 
self had  not  caused  the  least  iU-will,  nor  interrupted  that 
harmony  necessary  to  subsist  between  their  officers." 

Samuel  Adams,  however,  who  was  at  that  time  in  Con' 
gress,  had  strong  doubts  in  the  matter. 


830  ^'^^  OF  WAaHUIfGTOir. 

"Schnjler  and  Gates  are  to  oommand  ihe  troopB," 
writes  he,  ''  the  former  while  they  are  without^  the  latter 
while  they  are  within  the  bounds  of  Canada.  Admitting 
these  generals  to  have  the  accomplishments  of  a  Marl- 
borough, or  a  Eugene,  I  cannot  conceive  that  such  a  dis- 
position of  them  will  be  attended  with  any  good  effects, 
unless  harmony  subsiste  between  them.  Alas,  I  fear  this 
is  not  the  case.  Already  disputes  have  arisen,  which 
they  have  referred  to  Congress ;  and,  although  they  a&ot 
to  treat  each  other  with  a  politeness  becoming  their  rank, 
in  my  mind,  altercations  between  commanders  who  have 
pretensions  nearly  equal  (I  mean  in  point  of  oommand), 
forebode  a  repetition  of  misfortune.  I  sincerely  wish  my 
apprehensions  may  prove  groundless."  * 

We  have  a  letter  before  us,  also,  written  to  Gates,  by 
his  friend  Joseph  Trumbull,  commissary-general,  on 
whose  appointment  of  a  deputy,  the  question  of  com- 
mand had  arisen.  Trumbull's  letter  was  well  calculated 
to  inflame  the  jealousy  of  Gates.  "  I  find  you  are  in  a 
cursed  situation,"  writes  he ;  ''  your  authority  at  an  end; 
and  commanded  by  a  person  who  will  be  willing  to  have 
you  knocked  in  the  head,  as  General  Montgomery  waa, 
if  he  can  have  the  money  chest  in  his  power." 

Governor  Trumbull,  too,  the  father  of  the  commis- 
sary-general, observes  subsequently  :  "  It  is  justly  to  be 
expected  that  General  Gkites  is  discontented  with  hia 

*  S.  Adams  to  R.  H.  Lee.    Am,  Archives,  6th  Series,  L  847. 


SECTIONAL   JEALOUSIES.  33I 

situation,  finding  himself  limited  and  removed  from  the 
command,  to  be  a  wretched  spectator  of  the  rain  of  the 
army,  withont  power  of  attempting  to  save  them."  *  We 
shall  have  frequent  occasion  hereafter  to  notice  the  dis- 
oord  in  the  service  caused  by  this  rankling  discontent 

As  to  (General  Sullivan,  who  repaired  to  Philadelphia 
and  tendered  his  resignation,  the  question  of  rank  which 
Iiad  aggrieved  him  was  explained  in  a  manner  that  in- 
diioed  him  to  continue  in  service.  It  was  universally 
allowed  that  his  retreat  had  been  ably  conducted  through 
all  lands  of  difficulties  and  disasters. 

A  greater  source  of  solicitude  to  Washington  than  this 

jealousy  between  commanders,  was  the  sectional  jealoufify 

springing  up  among  the  troops.     In  a  letter  to  Schuyler 

(July  17th),  he  says,  **  I  must  entreat  your  attention  to  do 

away  vrith  the  unhappy  and  pernicious  distinctions  and 

jealousies  between  the  troops  of  different  governments. 

Unjoin  this  upon  the  officers,  and  let  them  inculcate  and 

press  home  to  the  soldiery,  the  necessity  of  order  and 

Iiannony  among  those  who  are  embarked  in  one  common 

cause,  and  mutually  contending  for  all  that  freemen  hold 

dear.'' 

Nowhere  were  these  sectional  jealousies  more  preva- 
lent than  in  the  motley  army  assembled  from  distant 
quarters  under  Washington's  own  command.  Beed,  the 
adjutant -general,  speaking  on  this    subject,  observes: 

*  QoYemor  TrombuU  to  Mr.  William  Williami. 


332  ^ZJT^r  OF  WAJSSmOTOir. 

''The  Southern  troops,  comprisiiig  the  xegiments  south 
the  Delaware,  looked  with  yeij  unkiiid  feelings  on  those 
New  England ;  especially  those  from  Oonnectiont,  whos^ 
{>eculiarities  of  deportment  made  them  the  objects  of  ill'- 
disguised  derision  among  their  fellow-soldiers.''  * 

Among  the  troops  thus  designated  as  Southern,  we 
some  from  Virginia,  under  a  Major  Leitch ;  others  fro: 
Maryland,  under  Colonel  Smallwood ;  others  from 
ware,  led  by  Colonel  Haslei     There  were  four  oon 
tinental  battalions  from  Pennsylyania^  oommanded 
Colonels  Shee,  Si  Clair,  Wayne,  and  Magaw ;  and 
yincial  battalions,  two  of  which  were  seyerally  com — 
manded  by  Colonels  Miles  and  Atlee.    The  continental 
battalion  under  Colonel  Shee,  was  chiefly  from  the  ciiy 
of  Philadelphia,  especially  the  officers;   among  whom 
were  Lambert  Cadwalader  and  William  Allen,  members 
of  two  of  the  principal  and  most  aristocratic  families, 
and  Alexander  Graydon,  to  whose  memoirs  we  are  in- 
debted for  some  graphic  pictures  of  the  times. 

These  Pennsylvania  troops  were  under  the  command 
of  Brigadier-general  Mifflin,  who,  in  the  preceding  year, 
had  acted  as  Washington's  aide-de-camp,  and  afterwards 
as  quartermaster-generaL  His  townsman  and  intimate, 
Graydon,  characterizes  him  as  a  man  of  education  and 
cultivated  manners,  with  a  great  talent  at  haranguing; 
highly  animated  in  his  appearance,  full  of  activity  and 

♦  Life  of  Beedy  voL  i.  p.  389. 


TSS  OONITECTIOUT  I>MAa00S8.  838 

apparently  of  fire;  bat  rather  too  maoh  of  a  bnsiler, 
TiftTftflflirig  hia  men  uimeooasatily.  "  He  assumed,"  adds 
Orajdon,  "  a  little  of  the  Teteran,  from  haviog  been  be- 
fore Boston."  Hia  troops  were  ohieflj  encamped  near 
King's  Bridge,  and  employed  in  oonstmoiing  works  at 
fort  Washington. 

SmaUwood's  Maryland  battalion  vas  one  of  the  bright- 
est in  point  of  eqoipment.  The  scarlet  and  boff  Tiniforms 
of  those  SoQthemers  contrasted  vividly  with  the  nutio 
attire  of  the  yeoman  battalions  from  the  East.  Their 
officers,  too,  looked  down  npon  tiieir  Conneotioat  oom> 
peers,  vho  could  only  be  distingoished  from  their  men 
by  wearing  a  oodcade.  "There  were  none,"  says  Gray- 
don,  "  by  whom  an  oni^oer-like  appearance  and  deport- 
ment could  be  tolerated  less  than  by  a  city-bred  Mary- 
lander  ;  who,  at  this  time,  was  distinguished  by  the  most 
fashionable  cut  ooat,  the  moat  macaroni  cocked-hat,  and 
hottest  blood  in  the  Union."  Alas,  for  the  homespnu- 
clad  (^oers  from  Counectiout  Biver  I 

The  Pennsylvania  regiment  onder  Shee,  according  to 
Graydon,  promoted  balls  and  other  entertainments,  in 
contradistinction  to  the  fast-days  and  sermons  borrowed 
from  New  England.  There  was  nothing  of  the  pnritan- 
ical  spirit  among  the  Pennsylvania  soldiery. 

In  the  same  sectional  spirit,  he  speaks  of  the  Oonnei>- 
tiont  light-horse  :  "  Old-^shioned  men,  tmly  irregnlars ; 
whether  their  clothing,  equipments,  or  caparisons  were 
r^arded,  it  would  have  been  difficult  So  bivo  discovered 


884  I^I^^  OF  WASHmGTOy. 

any  oircnmstance  of  iiniformitj.  Instead  of  carbinds  and 
sabresy  they  generally  carried  fowling-pieoes,  some  of 
ihem  very  long,  such  as  in  Pennsylvania  are  nsed  for 
shooting  ducks.  Here  and  there  one  appeared  in  a  dingy 
regimental  of  scarlet,  with  a  triangular,  tarnished,  laced 
hai  These  singular  dragoons  were  volunteers,  who  came 
to  make  a  tender  of  their  services  te  the  commander-in- 
ohiei  But  they  stayed  not  long  in  New  York.  As  such 
a  body  of  cavalry  had  not  been  counted  upon,  there  was 
in  all  probability  a  want  of  forage  for  their  jades,  which, 
in  the  spirit  of  ancient  knighthood,  they  absolutely  re- 
fused to  descend  from ;  and  as  the  general  had  no  use  for 
cavaliers  in  his  insular  operations,  they  were  forthwith 
dismissed,  with  suitable  acknowledgmente  for  their  truly 
chivalrous  ardor."  * 

The  troops  thus  satirized,  were  a  body  of  between  four 
imd  five  hundred  Connecticut  light-horse,  under  Colonel 
Thomas  Seymour.  On  an  appeal  for  aid  to  the  governor 
of  their  State,  they  had  voluntarily  hastened  on  in  ad- 
vance of  the  militia,  to  render  the  most  speedy  succor. 
Supposing,  from  the  suddenness  and  ui^ncy  of  the  call 
upon  their  services,  that  they  were  immediately  to  be 
called  into  action  and  promptly  to  return  home,  they  had 
come  oflf  in  such  haste,  that  many  were  unprovided  even 
with  a  blanket  or  a  change  of  clothing. 

Washington  speaks  of  them  as  being  for  the  most  par<i 

*  Graydon*s  Memoirs,  p.  16S. 


THE  CONJfBOTICUT  DRAQ00N8.  335 

all,  men  of  repatation  and  properly.  They  vera,  in 
oostlj  &rmen.    As  io  their  aanyjadea,  theyvere 

oosntry  borseB,  saoh  as  formera  kjep,  not  for  shoT, 
orioe.  Aa  to  their  dingy  regimentala,  ve  qaote  s 
in  their  &vor  irom  a  writer  of  that  day.  "  Some  of 
voithy  soldieTB  aaaiated  in  their  present  nnifoTms 
<  redaction  of  Loaiaborg,  and  their  'lank  oheeka  and 
'om  ooata*  are  vieved  with  more  veneration  hj  their 
t  ooontrymen,  than  if  &ey  were  glittering  nabobs 
bidia,  or  bashaws  with  nine  tails."  * 
arriving,  their  horses,  from  acaroity  of  forage,  bad 
pastured  about  King's  Bridge.  In  &ct,  Waahington 
jed  them  that,  nnder  present   circomatanoea,  thej 

not  be  of  nae  as  horsemen ;  on  whioh  they  con- 
i  to  Btaj,  and  do  dnty  on  foot  till  the  arrival  of  the 
sriea-t  In  a  letter  to  Governor  Trumbnll  (Jnly  11), 
tngton  observes : "  The  officers  and  men  of  that  corps 
manifested  so  firm  an  attachment  to  the  canse  we 
igaged  in,  that  they  have  consented  to  remain  here, 
oh  a  body  of  troopa  are  marched  from  your  colony 
[1  be  a  sufficient  reinforcement,  so  as  to  admit  of 
Leaving  this  city  with  safety.  ....  They  have 
Iditionat  merit  of  determining  to  stay,  even  if  they 
t>liged  to  maintain  their  horses  at  their  own  ex- 

*  Am.  Arehivee,  Sth  Series,  L  175 

fWebb  to  Got.  Trumbull. 

t  Am.  Arehivet,  Sth  Series,  1.  193. 


S36  ^^^^  ^^  WABHINQTQN. 

In  a  T6iy  few  days,  however,  the  troopers  on  being 
quested  to  mount  guard  like  other  soldiers,  grew  restlesar 
and  uneasy.    Oolonel  Seymour  and  his  brother  field-offi— - 
oers,  therefore,  addressed  a  note  to  Washington,  stating^ 
that»  by  the  positive  laws  of  Oonneoticui,  the  light-horse 
were  expressly  exempted  from  staying  in  garrison,  or 
doing  duty  on  foot,  apart  from  their  horses ;  and  that 
they  found  it  impossible  to  detain  their  men  any  longer 
under  that  idea,  they  having  oome  ^^  without  the  least 
expectation  or  preparation  for  such  services."    They  re- 
spectfully, therefore,  asked  a  dismission  in  form.    Wash- 
ington's brief  reply  shows  that  he  was  nettled  by  their 
conduct 

**  Oentlemen, — ^In  answer  to  yours  of  this  date,  I  can 
only  repeat  to  you  what  I  said  last  nighty  and  that  is,  that 
if  your  men  think  themselves  exempt  from  the  common 
duty  of  a  soldier — ^will  not  mount  guard,  do  garrison  duty, 
or  service  separate  from  their  horses — ^they  can  no  longer 
be  of  any  use  here,  where  horses  cannot  be  brought  to 
action,  and  I  do  not  care  how  soon  they  are  dismissed.** 

In  fact,  the  assistance  of  these  troops  was  much 
needed ;  yet  he  apprehended  the  exemption  from  fatigue 
and  garrison  duty  which  they  demanded  as  a  right, 
would,  if  granted,  set  a  dangerous  example  to  others, 
and  be  productive  of  many  evil  consequences. 

In  the  hurry  of  various  concerns,  he  directed  his  aide* 


THB  CONNBCTIOUT  INFANTBT.  887 

de-camp,  Colonel  Webb,  to  write  in  his  name  to  Gk>Ter* 
nor  Tmmbnll  on  the  subjeci 

Colonel  Seymour,  on  his  return  home,  addressed  a  long 
letter  to  the  goyemor  explanatory  of  his  conduct.  **I 
can't  help  remarking  to  your  Honor,"  adds  he,  **  that  it 
may  with  truth  be  said.  General  Washington  is  a  gentle- 
man of  extreme  care  and  caution :  that  his  requisitions 
(or  men  are  fuUy  equal  to  the  necessities  of  the  case. 
•  •  .  •  I  should  have  stopped  here,  but  am  this  mo- 
ment informed  that  Mr.  Webb,  General  Washington's  aide- 
de-camp,  has  written  to  your  Honor  something  dishonor^ 
able  to  the  light-horse.  Whatever  it  may  be  I  know  not» 
but  this  I  do  know,  that  it  is  a  general  observation  both 
in  camp  and  country,  if  the  butterflies  and  coxcombs  were 
away  from  the  army,  we  should  not  be  put  to  so  much 
difficulty  in  obtaining  men  of  common  sense  to  engage  in 
the  defense  of  their  country."  * 

As  to  the  Connecticut  infantry  which  had  been  fur- 
nished by  Governor  Trumbull  in  the  present  emergency, 
they  likewise  were  substantial  farmers,  whose  business, 
he  observed,  would  require  their  return,  when  the  neces- 
sity of  their  further  stay  in  the  army  should  be  over. 
They  were  all  men  of  simple  rural  manners,  from  an  ag- 
ricultural State,  where  great  equality  of  condition  pre- 
vailed ;  the  officers  were  elected  by  the  men  out  of  their 
0"wn  ranks,  they  were  their  own  neighbors,  and  every  way 

*  Am,  ArehiveSf  5th  Series,  L  518. 
you  n. — f " 


838 


LIFE  OF  WABHINGTOIT. 


their  equals.  All  this,  as  yet^  was  but  litUe  nndeistood 
or  appreciated  by  the  troops  from  the  South,  among 
whom  militarj  rank  was  more  defined  and  tenaciously 
observed,  and  where  the  officers  were  men  of  the  cities, 
and  of  aristocratic  habits. 

We  have  drawn  out  from  contemporary  sources  these 
few  particulars  concerning  the  sectional  jealousies  thus 
early  springing  up  among  the  troops  from  the  different 
States,  to  show  the  difficulties  with  which  Washington 
had  to  contend  at  the  outset,  and  which  formed  a  grow- 
ing object  of  solicitude  throughout  the  rest  of  his  career. 

John  Adams,  speaking  of  the  violent  passions,  and 
discordant  interests  at  work  throughout  the  country, 
from  Florida  to  Canada,  observes:  "It  requires  more 
serenity  of  temper,  a  deeper  understanding,  and  more 
courage  than  fell  to  the  lot  of  Marlborough,  to  ride  in 
this  whirlwind.'*  * 


*  Am,  Archives,  4th  Series,  y.  IIIS. 


CHAPTEB  TTTT. 


— FOBTIFIOATIOMt  A 


1  from  Gteneral  Lee  gave  Washington 
intelligence  of  the  &te  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton's 
I  expedition  to  the  Soath ;  that  expedition  which 
had  been  the  subject  of  so  mach  saTmise  and  perplexit^r. 
Sir  S.ewrj  in  his  cruise  along  the  coast  had  been  repeat- 
edly foiled  by  Lee.  First,  as  ve  have  shown,  when  he 
looked  in  at  New  York ;  next,  when  he  paused  at  Nor- 
folk in  Yirginia;  and  lastly,  when  he  made  a  bold  at- 
tempt at  Cbarleston  in  South  Carolina;  for  scarce  did 
his  ships  appear  off  the  bar  of  the  harbor,  than  the  omni- 
present Lee  was  marching  his  troops  into  the  city. 

Within  a  year  past,  Charleston  had  been  fortified  at 
Tarions  points.  Fort  Johnson,  on  James  Island,  three 
miles  from  the  city,  and  commanding  the  breadth  of  the 
channel,  was  garrisoned  by  a  regiment  of  South  Carolina 
regulars  under  Colonel  Gadsden.  A  strong  fort  had  re- 
cently been  constructed  nearly  opposite,  on  the  south- 
west point  of  SulliTan's  Island,  about  six  miles  below  the 


840  LIFB  OF  WASHmOTON 

city.  It  was  moxLnted  with  twentj-six  guns,  and  garri- 
Boned  by  three  hundred  and  seyenty-five  regulars  and  a 
few  militia^  and  commanded  by  Colonel  William  Moul- 
trie of  South  Carolina,  who  had  constructed  it.  This 
fort,  in  connection  with  that  on  James  Island,  was  con- 
sidered the  key  of  the  harbor. 

Cannon  had  also  been  mounted  on  Haddrell's  Point  on 
the  mainland,  to  the  northwest  of  Sulliyan's  Island,  and 
along  the  bay  in  front  of  the  town. 

The  arrival  of  Q^neral  Lee  gaye  great  joy  to  the  people 
of  Charleston,  from  his  high  reputation  for  military  skill 
and  experience.  According  to  his  own  account  in  a  letter 
to  Washington,  the  town  on  his  arrival  was  "  utterly  de- 
fenseless.'* He  was  rejoiced  therefore,  when  the  enemy, 
instead  of  immediately  attacking  it,  directed  his  whole 
force  against  the  fort  on  Sullivan's  Island.  "  He  has  lost 
an  opportunity,"  said  Lee,  "  such  as  I  hope  will  never 
occur  again,  of  taking  the  town." 

The  British  ships,  in  fact,  having  passed  the  bar  with 
some  difficulty,  landed  their  troops  on  Long  Island,  situ- 
ated to  the  east  of  Sullivan's  Island,  and  separated  from 
it  by  a  small  creek  called  the  Breach.  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
meditated  a  combined  attack  with  his  land  and  naval 
forces  on  the  fort  commanded  by  Moultrie ;  the  capture 
of  which,  he  thought,  would  insure  the  reduction  of 
Charleston. 

The  Americans  immediately  threw  up  works  on  the 
northeastern  extremity  of  Sullivan's  Island,  to  prevent 


ATTACK  OS  FOBT  MOULTBO.  Sfi 

flie  passage  of  the  enemj  over  the  Breach,  stationiiig  a 
foroe  of  regalan  and  militia  there,  ander  Oolonel  Thomp- 
son. Qeneral  Lee  encamped  on  Haddrell's  Point,  on  the 
mainland,  to  the  north  of  the  island,  vhenoe  he  intended 
to  keep  np  a  commonication  by  a  bridge  of  boaia,  so  aa 
to  be  ready  at  any  moment  to  aid  either  Moultrie  or 
Thompson. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  on  the  other  hand,  had  to  oonstmofc 
batteries  on  Long  Island,  to  oppose  those  of  Thompson, 
and  cover  the  passage  of  his  troops  by  boats  or  by  the 
ford.  Thns  time  was  oonenmed,  and  the  enemy  vere, 
from  the  Ist  to  the  28th  of  Jane,  preparing  for  the  attack; 
their  troops  snffering  from  the  intense  heat  of  the  son  on 
the  boming  sands  of  Long  Island,  and  both  fleet  and 
army  oomplaining  of  brackish  water  and  scanty  and  bad 
I^trovisions. 

M  length  on  the  28&  of  Jnne,  the  Thonder  Bomb  com- 
=menoed  the  attack,  throwing  shells  at  the  fort  as  the  fleet, 
imder  Sir  Peter  Parker,  advanced.  About  eleven  o'clock 
^e  ships  dropped  their  anchors  directly  before  the  frcAit 
l)attery.  "  I  was  at  this  time  in  a  boat,"  writes  Lee,  "  en> 
^earoring  to  make  the  island ;  bat  the  wind  and  tide 
Tteing  violently  against  ns,  drove  as  on  the  main.  They 
immediately  commenced  the  most  farloas  fire  I  ever 
lieard  or  saw.  I  confess  I  was  in  pain,  from  the  little 
oonfidenoe  I  reposed  in  our  troops ;  the  o£Soers  being  all 
Im^s,  and  the  men  raw  recmits.  What  angmented  my 
■Dzietry  was,  that  we  had  no  bridge  finished  for  retreat  or 


342  ^^^  OF  WABHINGTOJf. 

commnnioation ;  and  the  creek  or  cove  which  separates 
it  from  the  continent  is  near  a  mile  wide.  I  had  reoeiyed^ 
Ukewise,  intelligence  that  their  land  troops  intended  at 
the  same  time  to  land  and  assault  I  neyer  in  my  life 
felt  myself  so  uneasy ;  and  what  added  to  my  nneasiness 
was,  that  I  knew  our  stock  of  ammunition  was  miserably 
low.  I  had  once  thought  of  ordering  the  commanding 
officer  to  spike  his  guns,  and,  when  his  ammunition  was 
spent,  to  retreat  with  as  little  loss  as  possible.  However, 
I  thought  proper  previously  to  send  to  town  for  a  fresh 
supply,  if  it  could  possibly  be  procured,  and  ordered  mj 
aide-de-camp,  Mr.  Byrd  (who  is  a  lad  of  magnanimous 
courage),  to  pass  over  in  a  small  canoe,  and  report  the 
state  of  the  spirit  of  the  garrison.  If  it  had  been  low, 
I  should  have  abandoned  all  thoughts  of  defense.  His 
report  was  flattering.  I  then  determined  to  maintain  the 
post  at  all  risks,  and  passed  the  creek  or  cove  in  a  small 
boat,  in  order  to  animate  the  garrison  in  propria  peraond ; 
but  I  found  they  had  no  occasion  for  such  an  encourage- 
ment 

^'They  were  pleased  with  my  visit,  and  assured  me 
they  never  would'  abandon  the  post  but  with  their  lives. 
The  cool  courage  they  displayed  astonished  and  enrap« 
tured  me,  for  I  do  assure  you,  my  dear  general,  I  never 
experienced  a  better  fire.  Twelve  full  hours  it  was  oon-^ 
tinned  without  intermission.  The  noble  fellows  who  were 
mortally  wounded,  conjured  their  brethren  never  to  aban- 
don the  standard  of  liberty.    Those  who  lost  their  limbs 


ATTACK  OS  FORT  MOTTLTRZB.  843 

deserted  not  their  poets.    tJpon  the  whole,  they  acted  like 
Somans  in  the  third  ceutarj." 

Hnoh  of  the  forgoing  is  oorroborated  hj  the  state- 
ment of  a  British  historian.  "  While  the  continued  fire 
of  oar  ships,"  writes  he,  "  seemed  sufficient  to  shake  the 
£eroene88  of  the  brarest  enemy,  and  daunt  the  courage 
of  the  most  veteran  soldier,  the  return  made  by  the  fort 
oonld  not  fail  calling  for  the  respect,  as  well  as  of  highly 
incommoding  the  brave  seamen  of  Britain.  In  the  midst 
of  that  dreadful  roar  of  artillery,  they  stuck  with  the 
greatest  constancy  and  firmness  to  their  guns ;  fired  de- 
liberately and  slowly,  and  took  a  cool  and  efiective  ainL 
^The  ships  suffered  accordingly;  they  were  torn  almost 
■k^  pieces,  and  the  slai^;hter  was  dreadfuL  Kever  did 
IBritiBh  valor  shine  more  conspicuous,  and  never  did  our 
znarine  in  an  engagement  of  the  same  nature  with  any 
foreign  enemy  experience  so  rnde  an  encounter. "  * 

The  fire  from  the  ships  did  not  prodace  the  expected 
effect  The  fortifications  were  low,  composed  of  earth 
and  palmetto  wood,  which  is  soft,  and  makes  no  splin- 
ters, and  the  merlons  were  extremely  thick.  At  one  time 
there  was  a  considerable  pause  in  the  American  fire,  and 
the  enemy  thought  the  fort  was  abandoned.  It  was  only 
because  the  powder  was  exhausted.  As  soon  as  a  supply 
could  be  forwarded  from  the  mainland  by  General  Lee, 
the  fort  resumed  its  fire  with  still  more  deadly  effect. 

*  iKi&  CVtftI  War  in  Amer^a,  Dublin,  1770.    ^HMtml  Stffisler. 


34i  J^X^^  OF  WASEDfGnS. 


Through  wnnkillfBl  pilotege,  acfMi  cC  tike  ASfg  xtt 
aground,  where  one,  the  frjgito  liiiiWj  iCBBBed;  As 
rest  weie  exirieated  with  dHEfwHy.  TVnti  wUcih  ban 
the  bmnft  of  the  aetMHi  were  aradi  cat  vfL  One  t— tod 
and  flerenty-fiTe  men  were  killed^  and 
wounded.  Captain  Seott,  commanding  Ibe 
of  fiftj  gonsy  loat  an  arm,  and  was  otterwii 
Captain  Morrisy  commanding  the  AdtBom^  wna  alaia.  So 
also  was  Lord  Campbell,  hite  governor  of  Ibe  piaiinee^ 
who  eerred  as  a  Tolnnteer  cm  board  of  the  squadron. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with  two  thonaand  troops  and  fife 
or  six  hundred  seamen,  attempted  repeatedly  to  craai 
from  Long  Island,  and  cooperate  in  the  attack  iqpon  Ae 
fort^  bnt  was  as  often  foiled  by  Colonel  ThampsoBiy  wiBi 
his  battery  of  two  cannons,  and  a  body  of  Sooth  rSMwKii^ 
rangers  and  North  Carolina  regulars.  ''Upon  the  whole," 
says  Lee,  **  the  South  and  North  Carolina  troops  and  ^St> 
ginia  rifle  battalion  we  have  here,  are  admirable  soldiers.* 

The  combat  slackened  before  sunset,  and  ceased  before 
ten  o'clock.  Sir  Peter  Parker,  who  had  receiyed  a  seTere 
contusion  in  the  engagement,  then  slipped  his  cables,  and 
drew  off  his  shattered  ships  to  Five  Fathom  Hole.  The 
AcUpon  remained  aground. 

On  the  following  morning  Sir  Henry  Clinton  made 
another  attempt  to  cross  from  Long  Island  to  SnlliTan*6 
Island;  but  was  again  repulsed,  and  obliged  to  take 
shelter  behind  his  breastworks.  Sir  Peter  Parker,  too^ 
giving  up  all  hope  of  reducing  the  fort  in  the  shattered 


A  OALL  FOR  CAVALttT.  845 

condition  of  his  sliipSy  ordered  that  the  Adceon  should  be 
set  on  fire  and  abandoned.  The  crew  left  her  in  flames, 
with  the  guns  loaded,  and  the  colors  flying.  The  Ameri- 
cans boarded  her  in  time  to  haul  down  her  colors,  and 
secore  them  as  a  trophy,  discharge  her  guns  at  one  of  the 
enemy's  ships,  and  load  three  boats  with  stores.  They 
then  abandoned  her  to  her  fate,  and  in  half  an  hour  she 
blew  up. 

Within  a  few  days  the  troops  were  reembarked  from 
Long  Island ;  the  attempt  upon  Charleston  was  for  the 
present  abandoned,  and  the  fleet  once  more  put  to  sea. 

In  this  action,  one  of  the  severest  in  the  whole  course 
of  the  war,  the  loss  of  the  Americans  in  killed  and 
wounded,  was  but  thirty-fiye  men.  Oolonel  Moultrie  de- 
rived the  greatest  glory  from  the  defense  of  Sullivan's 
Island ;  though  the  thanks  of  Congress  were  voted  as 
well  to  (General  Lee,  Colonel  Thompson,  and  those  under 
their  command. 

''For  God's  sake,  my  dear  general,"  writes  Lee  to 
Washington,  ''urge  the  Congress  to  furnish  me  with  a 
thousand  cavalry.  With  a  thousand  cavalry  I  could  in- 
sure the  safety  of  these  Southern  provinces ;  and  without 
cavalry,  I  can  answer  for  nothing.  From  want  of  this 
species  of  troops  we  had  infallibly  lost  this  capital,  but 
the  dilatoriness  and  stupidity  of  the  enemy  saved  us." 

The  tidings  of  this  signal  repulse  of  the  enemy  came 
most  opportunely  to  Washington,  when  he  was  appre« 
bending  an  attack  upon  New  York.   He  writes  in  a  famil' 


346  LIFB  OF  WASSmGTOir. 

iar  yein  to  Schuyler  on  the  snbjeci  ''Sir  Peter  Parker 
and  his  fleet  got  a  severe  drubbing  in  an  attack  upon  onr 
works  on  Sulliyan's  Island,  just  by  Charleston  in  South 
Carolina ;  a  part  of  their  troops,  at  the  same  time,  in 
attempting  to  land,  were  repulsed."  He  assumed  a  differ- 
ent tone  in  announcing  it  to  the  army  in  a  general  order 
of  the  21st  July.  '^  This  generous  example  of  our  troops 
under  the  like  circumstances  with  us,  the  general  hopes, 
will  animate  every  officer  and  soldier  to  imitate,  and  even 
outdo  them,  when  the  enemy  shall  make  the  same  attempt 
on  us.  With  such  a  bright  example  before  us  of  what 
oau  be  done  by  brave  men  fighting  in  defense  of  their 
ootuitry,  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." 


OHAPTEB  "gVTT, 


nnuM'B  HLiTAXT  raotmcn.—CBavixix-B 


EKAL  FTTTNAM,  beside  his  braTerj  in  the 
I  field,  was  somewhat  of  a  mechanical  projector. 
I  The  batteries  at  Fort  Washington  had  proved 
inefiectnal  is  opposing  the  passage  of  hostile  ships  op 
the  Htidson.  Ma  waa  nov  engt^ed  on  a  plan  for  ob- 
straeting  the  channel  opposite  the  fort,  so  as  to  prevent 
the  passing  of  any  more  ships.  A  letter  from  him  to 
General  Gates  (July  26th)  eiplflins  his  project  "  We  are 
preparing  choTanx-de-frise,  at  which  we  make  great  de- 
spatch by  the  help  of  ships,  which  are  to  be  annk — a 
scheme  of  mine  which  you  may  be  assured  is  very  sim- 
ple ;  s  plan  of  which  I  send  jon.     The  two  ships'  sterna 


848  ^^^  OF  wAsnmGToir. 

lie  towards  each  other,  about  seyenij  feet  apari  Three 
large  logs,  which  reach  from  ship  to  ship,  are  fsistened  to 
them.  The  two  ships  and  logs  stop  the  riyer  two  hmi^ 
dred  and  eighty  feci  The  ships  are  to  be  sunk,  and 
when  hauled  down  on  one  side,  the  pricks  will  be  raised 
to  a  proper  height,  and  they  must  ineyitably  stop  the 
river,  if  the  enemy  will  let  us  sink  them." 

It  so  happened  that  one  Ephraim  Anderson,  adjutant 
to  the  second  Jersey  battalion,  had  recently  submitted  a 
project  to  Congress  for  destroying  the  enemy's  fleet  in 
the  harbor  of  New  York.  He  had  attempted  an  enter- 
prise of  the  kind  against  the  British  ships  in  the  harbor 
of  Quebec  during  the  siege,  and,  according  to  his  own 
account,  would  have  succeeded,  had  not  the  enemy  dis- 
coyered  his  intentions,  and  stretched  a  cable  across  the 
mouth  of  the  harbor,  and  had  he  not  accidentally  been 
much  burnt 

His  scheme  was  favorably  entertained  by  Congress, 
and  Washington,  by  a  letter  dated  July .  10th,  was  in- 
structed to  aid  him  in  carrying  it  into  effect  Anderson, 
accordingly,  was  soon  at  work  at  New  York  constructing 
fire-ships,  with  which  the  fleet  was  to  be  attacked.  Si- 
multaneous with  the  attack,  a  descent  was  to  be  made  on 
the  British  camp  on  Staten  Island,  from  the  nearest  point 
of  the  Jersey  shore,  by  troops  from  Mercer's  flying  camp, 
and  by  others  stationed  at  Bergen  under  Major  Enowl- 
ton,  Putnam's  favorite  officer  for  daring  enterprises. 

Putnam  entered  into  the  scheme  as  zealously  as  if  it 


i 


liad  been  his  oim.    Indeed,  bj  the  tenor  of  hia  letter  to 

dates,  already  quoted,  he  seemed  almost  to  consider  it 

BO.     "  The  enemy's  fleet,"  writes  he,  "  now  lies  in  the 

iMy,  close  nnder  Staten  Island.    Their  troops  poBsess  no 

land  here  hat  the  Island.    Is  it  not  strange  that  those 

inrinoible  troops,  vho  were  to  lay  waste  all  this  conntry 

with  their  fleets  and  army,  are  so  fond  of  islands  and 

peninsulas,  and  dare  not  put  their  feet  on  the  main  ? 

Bat  I  hope,  by  the  blessing  of  Ood,  and  good  friends,  we 

shall  pay  them  a  visit  on  their  island.    For  that  end  we 

are  preparing  fonrteen  flre-ships  to  go  into  their  fleet, 

some  of  which  are  ready  charged  and  fitted  to  sail,  and 

I  hope  soon  to  have  them  all  fixed." 

Anderson,  also,  on  the  31st  July,  writes  from  New  York 

to  the  President  of  Congress :  "  I  have  been  for  some 

time  past  very  assidaons  in  the  preparation  of  fire-ships. 

"Hwo  are  already  complete,  and  hauled  off  into  the  stream ; 

two  more  will  be  off  to-morrow,  and  the  residue  in  a  very 

flhort  time.    In  my  next,  I  hope  to  give  jon  a  partioalar 

aooonnt  of  a  general  conflagration,  as  STerything  in  my 

power  shall  be  exerted  for  the  demolition  of  the  enemy's 

fleet.     I  expect  to  take  an  active  part,  and  be  an  instm- 

ment  for  that  purpose.     I  am  determined  (Ood  willing) 

to  make  a  ocmspicnons  figore  among  them,  by  being  a 

*  l>mning  and  abining  light,'  and  thereby  serve  my  conn- 

tx7,  and  have  the  honor  of  meeting  the  approbation  of 


•  Am.  ArMvu,  0th  Stake,  I ISB. 


360  LIFE  OF  WASHINQTON. 

Projectors  are  subject  to  disappointments.  It  was  inh* 
possible  to  constmct  a  sufficient  number  of  fire-ships  and 
galleys  in  time.  The  flying  camp,  too,  recruited  but 
slowly,  and  scarcely  exceeded  three  thousand  men ;  the 
combined  attack  by  fire  and  sword  had  therefore  to  be 
given  up,  and  the  "burning  and  shining  light"  again 
failed  of  conflagration. 

Still,  a  partial  night  attack  on  the  Staten  Island  en« 
campment  was  concerted  by  Mercer  and  Ejiowlton,  and 
twice  attempted.  On  one  occasion,  they  were  prevented 
from  crossing  the  strait  by  tempestuous  weather,  on  an- 
other by  deficiency  of  boats. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  days  arrived  a  hundred  sail,  with 
large  reinforcements,  among  which  were  one  thousand 
Hessians,  and  as  many  more  were  reported  to  be  on  the 
way.  The  troops  were  disembarked  on  Staten  Island,  and 
fortifications  thrown  up  on  some  of  the  most  commanding 
hills. 

All  projects  of  attack  upon  the  enemy  were  now  out  of 
the  question.  Indeed,  some  of  Washington's  ablest  ad- 
visers questioned  the  policy  of  remaining  in  New  York, 
where  they  might  be  entrapped  as  the  British  had  been 
iQ  Boston.  Beed,  the  adjutant-general,  observed  that,  as 
the  communication  by  the  Hudson  was  interrupted,  there 
was  nothing  now  to  keep  them  at  New  York  but  a  mere 
point  of  honor;  in  the  meantime,  they  endangered  the 
loss  of  the  army  and  its  military  stores.  Why  should 
they  risk  so  much  in  defending  a  city,  while  the  greatel 


OBffmUOTINQ  TEE  OEAJFlfSL.  861 

part  of  its  inhabitauts  were  plotting  their  destmotioti? 
His  adrioe  vas,  that,  vhen  they  ooald  defend  the  oify  no 
longer,  they  ehonld  evacuate,  and  bom  it,  and  retire  from 
Manhattan  Island;  should  avoid  any  general  action,  or 
indeed  any  aotioo,  nnleaa  in  view  of  great  advant^es ; 
oad  should  make  it  a  war  of  poets. 

During  the  latter  part  of  Jnly,  and  the  early  part  of 
August,  ships  of  war  with  their  tenders  oontinned  to 
arrive,  and  Scotch  Highlanders,  Hesraans,  and  other 
troops  to  be  landed  on  Staten  Island.  At  the  beginning 
of  Angost,  the  sqnadron  with  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  recently 
Tepolsed  at  Charleston,  anchored  in  the  bay.  "  His  com- 
ing," writes  Colonel  Beed,  "  was  as  nnezpected  as  if  he 
had  dropped  from  the  doads."  He  was  accompanied  by 
Lord  ComwaUifi,  and  brooght  three  thousand  troops. 

In  the  meantime,  Putnam's  contrivances  for  obstraot- 
ing  the  channel  had  reached  their  destined  place.    A  let- 
ter dated  Fort  Washington,  Aogost  3d,  says :   "  Four 
ahipB  chained  and  boomed,  with  a  nomber  of  amftging 
large  chevanx-de-£rise,  were  sank  close  by  the  fort  under 
command  of  General  Mifflin,  which  fort  mounts  thirty-two 
pieces  of  heavy  cannon.     We  are  thoroughly  sanguine 
ttiat  they  [the  ships  up  the  river]  never  will  be  able  to 
join  the  British  fleet,  nor  assistance  from  (he  fleet  be 
Afforded  to  them ;  so  that  we  may  set  them  down  as  oar 
o-wn." 

Another  letter,  written  at  the  same  date  from  Tarry- 
town,  on  the  borders  of  the  Tappan  Sea,  gives  an  aooonnt 


862  I^^^  OF  WABHINQTOir. 

of  an  attack  made  by  six  row  galleys  upon  the  Phoeniss 
and  the  Boae.    They  fought  bravely  for  two  hours,  hull** 
ing  the  ships  repeatedly,  but  sustaimng  great  damage  in 
return ;  tmtil  their  commodore.  Colonel  Tupper,  gave  the 
signal  to  draw  ofL    **  Never/'  says  the  writer,  "  did  men 
behave  with  more  firm,  determined  spirit,  than  our  little 
crews.    One  of  our  tars  being  mortally  wounded,  cried  to 
his  companions :  'I  am  a  dying  man;  revenge  my  blood, 
my  boys,  and  carry  me  alongside  my  gun,  that  I  may  die 
there.*    We  were  so  preserved  by  a  gracious  Providence, 
that  in  all  our  galleys  we  had  but  two  men  killed  and 
fourteen  wounded,  two  of  which  are  thought  dangerous 
We  hope  to  have  another  touch  at  those  pirates  before 
they  leave  our  river ;  which  God  prosper  1  ** 

Such  was  the  belligerent  spirit  prevailing  up  the  Hud- 
son. 

The  force  of  the  enemy  collected  in  the  neighborhood 
of  New  York  was  about  thirty  thousand  men  ;  that  of  the 
Americans  a  little  more  than  seventeen  thousand,  but 
was  subsequently  increased  to  twenty  thousand,  for  the 
most  part  raw  and  undisciplined.  One  fourth  were  on 
the  sick-list  with  bilious  and  putrid  fevers  and  dysen- 
tery ;  others  were  absent  on  furlough  or  command ;  the 
rest  had  to  be  distributed  over  posts  and  stations  fifteen 
miles  apari 

The  sectional  jealousies  prevalent  among  them  were 
more  and  more  a  subject  of  tmeasiness  to  Washingtoik 
In  one  of  his  general  orders  he  observes :    ^'  It  is  with 


SBOrXOMAL  JXAZOaSIXB.  868 

great  oonoerD  that  the  general  onderstands  that  jealoaaies 
have  arisen  among  the  troops  from  the  difEerent  prov* 
inoea,  and  reflections  ore  freqneniJj  thrown  oat  which  can 
obIj  tend  to  irritate  each  other,  and  injnre  the  noble 
cause  in  which  we  ore  engaged,  and  which  we  ought  to 
snpport  with  one  hand  and  one  heart  The  general  most 
earnestly  entreats  the  officers  and  soldiers  to  consider  the 
conseqnenceB ;  that  thej  can  no  waj  assist  onr  enemies 
more  effeotoally  than  hj  making  divisions  among  onr* 
Belves ;  that  the  honor  and  snccesa  of  the  army,  and  the 
safety  of  oar  bleeding  conntry,  depend  npon  harmony  and 
good  agreement  with  each  other ;  that  the  proTinces  are 
all  anited  to  oppose  the  common  enemy,  and  all  distino- 
tions  sank  in  the  name  of  an  American.  To  make  this 
name  honorable,  and  to  preserve  the  liberty  of  our  conn- 
tiy,  oaght  to  be  onr  only  emalation ;  and  he  will  be  the 
best  soldier  and  the  best  patriot,  who  contribates  most  to 
this  glorious  work,  whatever  be  his  station,  or  from  what- 
ever part  of  the  continent  he  may  come.  Let  all  distinc- 
tion of  nations,  countries,  and  provinces,  therefore,  be  lost 
in  the  generous  contest,  who  shall  behave  with  the  most 
ooorage  against  the  enemy,  and  the  most  kindness  and 
good-humor  to  each  other.  If  there  be  any  officers  or 
soldiers  so  lost  to  virtue  and  a  love  of  their  country,  so  as 
to  oontiuoe  in  such  practices  ^tor  this  order,  the  general 
assures  them,  and  is  aathorized  bj  Oongress  to  declare 
to  the  whole  army,  that  snch  persons  shall  be  severely 
punished,  and  dismissed  from  the  service  with  disgrace." 


854  ^'^^^V  0^  WASHINGTOW. 

The  nrgenoy  of  such  a  general  oxder  is  apparent  ui 
that  early  period  of  our  confederation,  when  its  yarioni 
parts  had  not  as  yet  been  sufficiently  welded  together  to 
acquire  a  thorough  feeling  of  nationality ;  yet  what  an 
enduring  lesson  does  it  furnish  for  every  stage  of  oui 
Union! 

We  subjoin  another  of  the  general  orders  issued  in 
this  time  of  gloom  and  anxiety : — 

''  That  the  troops  may  have  an  opportunity  of  attend- 
ing public  worship,  as  well  as  to  take  some  rest  after  the 
great  fatigue  they  have  gone  through,  the  general,  in 
future,  excuses  them  from  fatigue  duty  on  Sundays,  ex- 
cept at  the  ship-yards,  or  on  special  occasions,  until 
further  orders.  The  general  is  sorry  to  be  informed,  that 
the  foolish  and  wicked  practice  of  profane  cursing  and 
swearing,  a  vice  heretofore  little  known  in  an  American 
army,  is  growing  into  fashion.  He  hopes  the  officers 
will,  by  example  as  well  as  influence,  endeavor  to  check 
it,  and  that  both  they  and  the  men  will  reflect,  that  we 
can  little  hope  of  the  blessing  of  Heaven  on  our  arms,  if 
we  insult  it  by  our  impiety  and  folly.  Added  to  this,  it 
is  a  vice  so  mean  and  low,  without  any  temptation,  that 
every  man  of  sense  and  character  detests  and  despises  it"  * 

While  Washington  thus  endeavored  to  elevate  the 
minds  of  his  soldiery  to  the  sanctity  of  the  cause  in  which 
they  were  engaged,  he  kept  the  most  watchful  eye  upon 

*  Orderly  Book,  Aug.  8,  as  cited  by  Sparks.    Wr%t%ng$  of  Wcuihinfftot^ 
ToL  iv.  p.  28. 


AAROX  BURU'S  LETTER.  355 

the  moyements  of  the  euemj.  Beside  their  great  superi- 
ority in  point  of  numbers  as  well  as  discipline,  to  his 
own  cmde  and  scanty  legions,  they  possessed  a  vast  ad- 
vantage in  their  fleet.  ''They  would  not  be  half  the 
enemy  they  are/'  observed  Colonel  Beed,  "  if  they  were 
once  separated  from  their  ships."  Every  arrival  and  de- 
parture of  these,  therefore,  was  a  subject  of  speculation 
and  conjecture.  Aaron  Burr,  at  that  time  in  New  York, 
aide-de-camp  to  General  Putnam,  speaks  in  a  letter  to  an 
unde,  of  thiriy  transports,  which,  under  convoy  of  three 
frigates,  had  put  to  sea  on  the  7th  of  August,  with  the 
intention  of  sailing  round  Long  Island  and  coming 
through  the  Sound,  and  thus  investing  the  city  by  the 
North  and  East  Bivers.  "  They  are  then  to  land  on  both 
sides  of  the  island,"  writes  he,  ''join  their  forces,  and 
draw  a  line  across,  which  will  hem  us  in,  and  totally  cut 
off  all  communication ;  after  which,  they  will  have  their 
own  fun."  He  adds :  "  They  hold  us  in  the  utmost  con- 
tempt. Talk  of  forcing  all  our  lines  without  firing  a  gun. 
The  bayonet  is  their  pride.  They  have  forgot  Bunker's 
Hill."  ♦ 

In  this  emergency,  Washington  wrote  to  General  Mer- 
cer for  2,000  men  from  the  flying  camp.  Colonel  Small- 
wood's  battalion  was  immediately  furnished,  as  a  part  of 
them.  The  Convention  of  the  State  ordered  out  hasty 
levies  of  country  militia,  to  form  temporary  camps  on  the 

« 

*  Am,  AreMveSf  Sth  Series,  i.  887. 


866  iJ^^  OP  WABmscntonr. 

shore  of  the  Sound,  and  on  that  of  the  Hudson  abort 
King's  Bridge,  to  annoy  the  enemy,  should  they  attempt 
to  land  from  their  ships  on  either  of  these  waters. 
Others  were  sent  to  reinforoe  the  posts  on  Long  Island. 
As  King's  County  on  Long  Island  was  noted  for  being  a 
stronghold  of  the  disaffected,  the  Convention  ordered 
that,  should  any  of  the  militia  of  that  couniy  refuse  to 
serve,  they  should  be  disarmed  and  secured,  and  their 
possessions  laid  waste. 

Many  of  the  yeomen  of  the  country,  thus  hastily  sum- 
moned from  the  plough,  were  destitute  of  arms,  in  lieu 
of  which  they  were  ordered  to  bring  with  them  a  shovel, 
spade,  or  pickaxe,  or  a  scythe  straightened  and  fastened 
to  a  pole.  This  rustic  array  may  have  provoked  the 
thoughtless  sneers  of  city  scoffers,  such  as  those  cited  by 
Ghraydon ;  but  it  was  in  truth  one  of  the  glorious  features 
of  the  Bevolution,  to  be  thus  aided  in  its  emergencies  by 
**  hasty  levies  of  husbandmen."  * 

*  Gteneral  orders,  Aug.  8th,  show  the  feverish  state  of  affairs  in  the 
city.  *'  As  the  moyements  of  the  enemy,  and  intelligence  by  deeerters, 
give  the  utmost  reason  to  believe  that  the  great  struggle  in  which  we  ara 
contending  for  everything  dear  to  us  and  our  posterity  is  near  at  hand, 
the  general  most  earnestly  recommends  the  closest  attention  to  the  state 
of  the  men's  arms,  ammunition,  and  flints  ;  that  if  we  should  be  sod* 
denly  called  to  action,  nothing  of  this  kind  may  be  to  provide.  And  he 
does  most  anxiously  exhort  both  officers  and  soldiers  not  to  be  out  of  their 
quarters  or  encampments,  especially  in  the  morning  or  upon  the  tide  of 
flood. 

"  A  flag  in  the  daytime,  or  a  light  at  night,  in  the  fort  on  Bayard's 
Hill,  with  three  guns  from  the  same  place  flred  quick  but  distinot,  is  to 
be  considered  as  a  signal  for  the  troops  to  repair  to  their  alarm  posts,  and 


By  the  anthori^  of  the  Nev  York  Convention,  Waah- 
ington  had  appointed  Oeneral  George  Clinton  to  the 
command  of  the  leTies  on  both  sides  of  the  Hadaon.  He 
nov  ordered  him  to  hasten  down  with  them  to  the  fort 
just  erected  on  the  north  side  of  King's  Bridge  ;  leaving 
two  hundred  men  under  the  command  of  a  brave  and 
alert  officer  to  throw  np  works  at  the  pass  of  Anthony's 
Noee,  where  the  main  road  to  Albany  crossea  that  moon* 
tun.  Troops  of  horse  also  were  to  be  posted  by  him 
along  the  river  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy. 

Washington  now  made  the  last  solemn  preparations 
tor  the  impending  oonfliot.  All  suspected  persons,  whose 
presence  might  promote  the  plans  of  the  enemy,  were  re- 
moved to  a  distance.  All  papers  respecting  affairs  of 
state  were  pat  np  in  a  large  case,  to  be  delivered  to  Con- 
gress. As  to  his  domestic  arrangements,  Mrs.  Washing- 
ton had  some  time  previoosly  gone  to  Philadelphia,  with 
the  intention  of  retoming  to  Yirgioia,  as  there  was  no 
I>ro8pect  of  her  being  with  him  any  part  of  the  summer, 
vhich  threatened  to  be  one  of  turmoil  and  danger.  The 
other  ladies,  wives  of  general  officers,  who  nsed  to  grace 
find  enliven  head-quarters,  had  all  been  sent  out  of  the 
way  of  the  storm  which  was  lowering  over  this  devoted  oi^. 

p«pue  for  action.  And  that  the  alarm  inaf  be  more  eSeotuallj  giTen, 
tbe  drnmfl  are  immediately  to  beat  to  arms  upon  the  signal  being  giTen 
from  BajBid's  Hill.  This  order  is  not  to  be  ccmsidered  as  conntermand- 
ing  the  Oring  two  guns  at  Fort  George,  as  formerly  ordered.  That  ia 
■1k>  to  be  dcHie  on  an  alarm,  but  tbe  flag  will  not  be  hoisted  M  tlie  dd 
bMd-qaarten  in  Broaiws>j."~Am.  Arekivet,  Bth  Series,  i.  SIS. 


868  LIFE  OF  WJJBHmGTOS. 

Aooounts  of  deserters,  and  other  intelligenoe,  informed 
Washington  on  the  17th,  that  a  great  many  of  the  ene- 
my's troops  had  gone  on  board  of  the  transports ;  that 
three  days'  provisions  had  been  cooked,  and  other  steps 
taken  indicating  an  intention  of  leaving  Staten  Island. 
Putnam,  also,  came  up  from  below  with  word  that  at 
least  one  fourth  of  the  fleet  had  sailed.  There  were  many 
conjectures  at  head-quarters  as  to  whither  they  weie 
bound,  or  whether  they  had  not  merely  shifted  their 
station.  Everything  indicated,  however,  that  affairs  veie 
tending  to  a  crisis. 

The  "hysterical  alarms"  of  the  peaceful  inhabitants 
of  New  York,  which  had  provoked  the  soldierlike  impa- 
tience and  satirical  sneers  of  Lee,  inspired  different  sen- 
timents in  the  benevolent  heart  of  Washington,  and  pro- 
duced the  following  letter  to  the  New  York  Convention : 

"  When  I  consider  that  the  city  of  New  York  will,  in 
all  human  probability,  very  soon  be  the  scene  of  a  bloody 
conflict,  I  cannot  but  view  the  great  numbers  of  women, 
children,  and  infirm  persons  remaining  in  it,  with  the 
most  melancholy  concern.  When  the  men-of-war  (the 
Phoenix  and  Bose)  passed  up  the  river,  the  shrieks  and 
cries  of  these  poor  creatures,  running  every  way  with 
their  children,  were  truly  distressing,  and  I  fear  they 
will  have  an  unhappy  effect  upon  the  ears  and  minds  of 
our  young  and  inexperienced  soldiery.  Can  no  method 
be  devised  for  their  removal  ?  *' 

How  vividly  does  this  call  to  mind  the  compassionate 


A  QALLAirr  EXPLOIT.  859 

■enBihUity  of  his  yonnger  Aajs,  when  oommanding  ak 
'Wincfaester,  in  Virginia,  in  time  of  public  peril ;  and 
melted  to  "  deadly  sorrow  *"  by  the  "  supplicating  tears  oi 
the  women,  and  moviDg  petitionB  of  the  men."  As  then, 
he  listened  to  the  prompt  soggestions  of  his  own  heart ; 
and,  without  awaiting  the  aotiau  of  the  Convention,  is- 
sued a  pTocbuoation,  advising  the  inhabitants  to  remove, 
and  requiring  the  officers  and  soldiery  to  aid  the  helpless 
and  the  indigent.  The  Convention  soon  responded  to 
his  appeal,  and  appointed  a  committee  to  effect  these 
purposes  in  the  most  humane  and  expeditions  manner. 

A  gallant  little  exploit  at  this  juncture,  gave  a  fillip  to 
the  spirits  of  the  community.  Two  of  the  fire-ships  re- 
cently eonstraoted,  went  np  the  Hudson  to  attempt  the 
destruction  of  the  ships  which  bad  so  long  been  domi- 
neering over  its  waters.  One  sncoeeded  in  grappling  the 
PheiTux,  and  would  soon  have  set  her  in  flames,  but  in 
the  darkness  got  to  leeward,  and  was  cast  looae  without 
effecting  suy  damage.  The  other,  in  making  for  the  JSose, 
fell  foul  of  one  of  the  tenders,  grappled  and  burnt  her. 
The  enterprise  was  conducted  with  spirit,  and  though  it 
failed  of  its  main  object,  had  an  important  effect.  The 
commanders  of  the  sliips  determined  to  abandon  those 
waters,  where  their  boats  were  fired  upon  by  the  very 
yeomanry  whenever  they  attempted  to  land ;  and  where 
their  ships  were  in  danger  from  midnight  incendiaries, 
while  riding  at  anchor.  Taking  advantage  of  a  brisk 
wind,  and  favoring  tide,  they  made  all  sail  early  on  the 


860  ^^^  OF  WAaHINQTON^ 

morning  of  the  18th  of  Augost,  and  stood  down  the  riTdFi 
keeping  close  under  the  eastern  shore,  where  they  sup- 
posed the  guns  from  Mount  Washington  could  not  be 
brought  to  bear  upon  them,  Notwithstanding  this  pre- 
eaution,  the  Phoenix  was  thrice  hulled  by  shots  from  the 
fort,  and  one  of  the  tenders  once.  The  Bo9e,  also,  was 
hulled  once  by  a  shot  from  Burdett's  Ferry.  The  men 
on  board  were  kept  close,  to  avoid  being  picked  off  by  a 
party  of  riflemen  posted  on  the  river  bank.  The  ships 
fired  grapeshot  as  they  passed,  but  without  effecting  any 
injury.  Unfortunately,  a  passage  had  been  left  open  in 
the  obstructions  on  which  General  Putnam  had  calcu- 
lated so  sanguinely ;  it  was  to  have  been  closed  in  the 
course  of  a  day  or  two.  Through  this  they  made  their 
way,  guided  by  a  deserter;  which  alone,  in  Putnam's 
opinion,  saved  them  from  being  checked  in  their  careei^ 
and  utterly  destroyed  by  the  batterieSi 


^'  • .—  V 


OHAPTEB  XTKI 

TSI  UTTLB  OP  LOMS    ULUfn. 

I  moTementfi  of  the  British  fleet,  and  ol  th« 
I  oamp  on  Staten  Island,  gave  signs  of  a  meditated 
I  attack ;  but,  as  the  nature  of  that  attack  was 
imoertain,  Washington  was  obliged  to  retain  the  greater 
part  of  his  troops  in  the  dtj  for  its  defense,  holding  them 
ready,  however,  to  be  transferred  to  any  point  in  the 
Tioinitj.  General  Mifflin,  with  abont  fire  hundred  of  the 
PennsylTania  troops,  of  Colonels  Shee  and  Magaw's  regi- 
ments, were  at  King's  Bridge,  ready  to  aid  at  a  moment's 
notice.  "They  are  the  best  disciplined  of  any  troops 
that  I  have  yet  seen  in  the  army,"  said  General  Heath, 
who  had  jnst  reviewed  them.  General  George  Clinton 
was  at  that  post,  with  abont  foorteeH  hundred  of  his 
yeomanry  of  the  Hndson.  As  the  Phanix  and  Boee  had 
explored  the  shores,  and  taken  the  soondings  aa  far  as 
they  had  gone  np  the  river,  General  Heath  thought  Howe 
might  attempt  an  attack  somewhere  above  King's  Bridge, 
lather  than  in  the  &oe  of  the  many  and  strong  works 
erected  in  and  aronnd  the  city.  "  Should  his  inclination 
lead  him  this  way,"  adds  he,  "  nature  has  done  maoh  for 


862  .  I^^^  OF  WASffmGTOJr. 

ns,  and  we  shally  as  fast  as  possible,  add  the  strengih 
of  art.  We  are  poshing  our  works  with  great  dili* 
genoe."  * 

Beports  from  different  quarters,  gaye  Washington  rea- 
son to  apprehend  that  the  design  of  the  enemy  might  be 
to  land  part  of  their  force  on  Long  Island,  and  endeavor 
to  get  possession  of  the  heights  of  Brooklyn,  which  over- 
looked New  York ;  while  another  part  should  land  above 
the  city,  as  General  Heath  suggested.  Thus,  various 
disconnected  points,  distant  from  each  other,  and  a  great 
extent  of  intervening  country,  had  to  be  defended  by  raw 
troops,  against  a  superior  force,  well  disciplined,  and  pos- 
sessed of  every  faciliiy  for  operating  by  land  and  water. 

General  Greene,  with  a  considerable  force,  was  sta- 
tioned at  Brooklyn.    He  had  acquainted  himself  with  all 
the  localities  of  the  island,  from  Hell  Gate  to  the  Nar- 
rows, and  made  his  plan  of  defense  accordingly, 
troops  were  diligently  occupied  in  works  which  he  laidK* 
out,  about  a  mile  beyond  the  village  of  Brooklyn,  an£ 
facing  the  interior  of  the  island,  whence  a  land  attack 
might  be  attempted. 

Brooklyn  was  immediately  opposite  to  New  York.  The 
Sound,  commonly  called  the  East  Biver,  in  that  place 
about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  in  width,  swept  its  rapid 
tides  between  them.  The  village  stood  on  a  kind  of 
peninsula,  formed  by  the  deep  inlets  of  Wallabout  Bay 

*  Heath  to  Washinjrton,  Aug.  17-ia 


BOADS  AND  WORKS  ON  LONG  ISLAND.         363 

on  the  northy  and  Gbwanns  Cove  on  the  south.  A  line 
of  intrenchments  and  strong  redoubts  extended  across 
the  neck  of  the  peninsula,  from  the  bay  to  a  swamp  and 
creek  emptying  into  the  cove.  To  protect  the  rear  of 
the  works  from  the  enemy's  ships,  a  battery  was  erected 
at  Bed  Hook,  the  southwest  comer  of  the  peninsula,  and 
a  fort  on  Governor's  Island,  nearly  opposite. 

About  two  miles  and  a  half  in  front  of  the  line  of 
intrenchments  and  redoubts,  a  range  of  hills,  densely 
wooded,  extended  from  southwest  to  northeast,  forming 
a  natural  barrier  across  the  island.  It  was  traversed  by 
three  roads.  One,  on  the  left  of  the  works,  stretched 
eastwardly  to  Bedford,  and  then  by  a  pass  through  the 
Sedford  Hills  to  the  village  of  Jamaica ;  another,  central 
and  direct,  led  through  the  woody  heights  to  Flatbush ; 
a  third,  on  the  right  of  the  lines,  passed  by  Gowanus 
Cove  to  the  Narrows  and  Gravesend  Bay. 

The  occupation  of  this  range  of  hills,  and  the  protect 
tion  of  its  passes,  had  been  designed  by  General  Greene ; 
but  unfortunately,  in  the  midst  of  his  arduous  toils,  he 
was  taken  down  by  a  raging  fever,  which  confined  him  to 
his  bed ;  and  General  Sullivan,  just  returned  from  Lake 
Ohamplain,  had  the  temporary  command. 

Washington  saw  that  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  land- 
ing on  Long  Island  would  be  impossible,  its  great  extent 
affording  so  many  places  favorable  for  that  purpose,  and 
the  American  works  being  at  the  part  opposite  to  New 
York.     '^  However,"  writes  he  to  the  President  of  Con^ 


364  LIFE  OF  WABHINQTOK. 

gresSy  **  we  shall  attempt  to  harass  them  as  much  as  poa- 
sible,  which  is  all  that  we  can  do." 

On  the  21st  came  a  letter,  written  in  all  haste  by  Briga- 
dier-general William  Livingston,  of  New  Jersey.    Moye- 
ments  of  the  enemy  on  Staten  Island  had  been  seen  from 
his  camp.    He  had  sent  over  a  spy  at  midnight,  who 
brought  back  the  following  intelligence.     Twenty  thou- 
sand men  had  embarked  to  make  an  attack  on  Long  Isl- 
and, and  up  the  Hudson.    Fifteen  thousand  remained  on 
Staten  Island,  to  attack  Bergen    Point,  Elizabethtown. 
Point,  and  Amboy.    The  spy  declared  that  he  had  heard^ 
orders  read,  and  the  conversation  of  the  generals.   ''  Thej — 
appear  very  determined,"  added  he,  '^  and  will  put  all  to^ 
the  sword  I " 

Washington  sent  a  copy  of  the  letter  to  the  New  York=: 
Oonvention.    On  the  following  morning  (August  22d)  the^ 
enemy  appeared  to  be  carrying  their  plans  into  execution* 
The  reports  of  cannon  and  musketry  were  heard  fronv 
Long  Island,  and  columns  of  smoke  were  descried  rising 
above  the  groves  and  orchards  at  a  distance.     The  city, 
as  usual,  was  alarmed,  and  had  reason  to  be  so ;  for  word 
soon  came  that  several  thousand  men,  with  artillery  and 
light-horse,  were  landed  at  Gravesend  ;  and  that  Colonel 
Hand,  stationed  there  with  the  Pennsylvania  rifle  regi- 
ment, had  retreated  to  the  lines,  setting  fire  to  stacks  of 
wheat,  and  other  articles,  to  keep  them  from  falling  into 
the  enemy's  hands. 

Washington  apprehended  an  attempt  of  the  foe  by  a 


THE  ENEMY  ON  LONG  ISLAND.  365 

forced  march,  to  surprise  the  lines  at  Brooklyn.  He 
immediately  sent  oyer  a  reinforcement  of  six  battalions. 
It  was  all  that  he  could  spare,  as  with  the  next  tide  the 
ships  might  bring  up  the  residue  of  the  army,  and  attack 
the  city.  Five  battalions  more,  howeyer,  were  ordered 
to  be  ready  as  a  reinforcement,  if  required.  **  Be  cool, 
but  determined,"  was  the  exhortation  giyen  to  the  depart- 
ing troops.  *^  Do  not  fire  at  a  distance,  but  wait  the 
commands  of  your  officers.  It  is  the  general's  express 
orders,  that  if  any  man  attempt  to  skulk,  lie  down,  ox 
retreat  without  orders,  he  be  instantly  shot  down  for 
aai  example." 

In  justice  to  the  poor  fellows,  most  of  whom  were  going 
for  the  first  time  on  a  service  of  life  and  death,  Washing- 
ton observes,  that ''  they  went  off  in  high  spirits,"  and 
that  the  whole  capable  of  duty  evinced  the  same  cheer- 
fulness.* 

Nine  thousand  of  the  enemy  had  landed,  with  forty 
pieces  of  cannon.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  the  chief  com- 
mand, and  led  the  first  division.  EUs  associate  officers 
were  the  Earls  of  Comwallis  and  Percy,  General  Grant, 
and  (General  Sir  William  Erskine.  As  their  boats  ap- 
proached the  shore  Colonel  Hand,  stationed,  as  has  been 
said,  in  the  neighborhood  with  his  rifle  regiment,  re- 
treated to  the  chain  of  wooded  hills,  and  took  post  on  a 
height  commanding  the  central  road  leading  from  Flat- 

*  Washington  to  the  Prefiident  of  Congrees. 


866  -"^^  OF  WASHINGTON. 

bush.  The  enemy  haying  landed  without  opposition, 
Lord  Comwallis  was  detached  with  the  reserre  to  Flat- 
bnshy  while  the  rest  of  the  army  extended  itself  from  the 
ferry  at  the  Narrows  through  Utrecht  and  GraTesend  to 
the  village  of  Flatland. 

Lord  Comwallis,  with  two  battalions  of  light-infantry. 
Colonel  Donop's  corps  of  Hessians,  and  six  field-pieces, 
advanced  rapidly  to  seize  upon  the  central  pass  through 
the  hills.  He  found  Hand  and  his  riflemen  ready  to  make 
a  vigorous  defense.  This  brought  him  to  a  halt,  having 
been  ordered  not  to  risk  an  attack  should  the  pass  be 
occupied.  He  took  post  for  the  night,  therefore,  in  the 
village  of  Flatbush. 

It  was  evidently  the  aim  of  the  enemy  to  force  the 
lines  at  Brooklyn,  and  get  possession  of  the  heights. 
Should  they  succeed.  New  York  would  be  at  their  mercy. 
The  panic  and  distress  of  the  inhabitants  went  on  in- 
creasing. Most  of  those  who  could  afford  it,  had  abready 
removed  to  the  country.  There  was  now  a  new  cause  of 
terror.  It  was  rumored  that,  should  the  American  army 
retreat  from  the  city,  leave  would  be  given  for  any  one  to 
set  it  on  fire.  The  New  York  Convention  apprised  Wash- 
ington of  this  rumor.  "I  can  assure  you,  gentlemen," 
writes  he  in  reply,  "  that  this  report  is  not  founded  on 
the  least  authority  from  me.  On  the  contrary,  I  am  so 
sensible  of  the  value  of  such  a  city,  and  the  consequences 
of  its  destruction  to  many  worthy  citizens  and  their  fami- 
lies, that  nothing  but  the  last  necessity,  and  that  such  as 


WASHINGTON  IN  BROOKLYN  367 

would  justify  me  to  the  whole  world,  would  induce  me  to 
^ve  orders  to  that  purpose." 

In  this  time  of  general  alarm,  head-quarters  were 
besieged  by  applicants  for  safeguard  from  the  impend- 
ing danger;  and  Washington  was  even  beset  in  his 
walks  by  supplicating  women  with  their  children.  The 
patriot's  heart  throbbed  feelingly  under  the  soldier's 
belt.  Nothing  could  surpass  the  patience  and  benig- 
nant sympathy  with  which  he  listened  to  them,  and  en- 
deavored to  allay  their  fears.  Again  he  urged  the  Oon- 
Tention  to  carry  out  their  measures  for  the  remoyal  of 
these  defenseless  beings.  ''There  are  many/'  writes 
he,   ''  who  anxiously  wish  to  remove,  but  have  not  the 


means." 


On  the  24th  he  crossed  oyer  to  Brooklyn,  to  inspect 
the  lines  and  reconnoiter  the  neighborhood.  In  this  visit 
he  £elt  sensibly  the  want  of  General  Greene's  presence, 
to  explain  his  plans  and  point  out  the  localities. 

The  American  advanced  posts  were  in  the  wooded 
hills.  Colonel  Hand,  with  his  riflemen,  kept  watch  over 
the  central  road,  and  a  strong  redoubt  had  been  thrown 
up  in  front  of  the  pass,  to  check  any  advance  of  the 
enemy  from  Flatbush.  Another  road  leading  from  Flat- 
bush  to  Bedford,  by  which  the  enemy  might  get  round 
to  the  left  of  the  works  at  Brooklyn,  was  guarded  by  two 
regiments,  one  under  Colonel  Williams,  posted  on  the 
north  side  of  the  ridge,  the  other  by  a  Pennsylvania  rifle 
raiment,  under  Colonel  Miles,  posted  on  the  south  side. 


368  LIFE  OF  WABHINQTOir. 

The  enemy  were  stretched  along  the  oonntiy  beyond  the 
chain  of  hills. 

As  yety  nothing  had  taken  place  bnt  skirmishing  and 
irregular  firing  between  the  outposts.  It  was  with  deep 
concern  Washington  noticed  a  prevalent  disorder  and 
confusion  in  the  camp.  There  was  a  want  of  system 
among  the  officers,  and  cooperation  among  the  troops, 
each  corps  seeming  to  act  independently  of  the  resi 
Few  of  the  men  had  auy  military  experience,  except, 
perchance,  in  bush-fighting  with  the  Indians.  Unaccus- 
tomed to  discipline  and  the  restraint  of  camps,  they  sal- 
lied forth  whenever  they  pleased,  singly  or  in  squads, 
prowling  about  and  firing  upon  the  enemy,  like  hunters 
after  game. 

Much  of  this  was  no  doubt  owing  to  the  protracted  ill< 
ness  of  General  Greene. 

On  returning  to  the  city,  therefore,  Washington  gavi 
the  command  on  Long  Island  to  General  Putnam,  warn 
ing  him,  however,  in  his  letter  of  instructions,  to  sun  • 
mon  the  officers  together,  and  enjoin  them  to  put  a  sto^ 
to  the  irregularities  which  he  had  observed  among  the 
troops.  Lines  of  defense  were  to  be  formed  round  the 
encampment,  and  works  on  the  most  advantageous 
ground.  Guards  were  to  be  stationed  on  the  linos,  with 
a  brigadier  of  the  day  constantly  at  hand  to  see  that 
orders  were  executed.  Field-officers  were  to  go  the 
rounds  and  report  the  situation  of  the  guardsi^  and  no  one 
was  to  pass  beyond  the  lines  without  a  special  permit  in 


mOEBABB  OF  THB  BNBMT.  369 

writing.  At  the  same  time,  partisan  and  scouting  parties, 
under  proper  officers,  and  with  regular  license,  might 
sally  forth  to  harass  the  enemy,  and  prevent  their  carry- 
ing off  the  horses  and  cattle  of  the  country  people. 

Especial  attention  was  called  to  the  wooded  hills  be- 
tween the  works  and  the  enemy's  camp.  The  passes 
through  them  were  to  be  secured  by  abatis,  and  defended 
by  the  best  troops,  who  shoxdd,  at  all  hazards,  prevent 
the  approach  of  the  enemy.  The  militia  being  the  least 
tutored  and  experienced,  might  man  tiie  interior  works. 

Putnam  crossed  with  alacrity  to  his  posi  ''He  was 
made  happy,"  writes  Colonel  Beed, ''  by  obtaining  leave 
to  go  over.  The  brave  old  man  was  quite  miserable  at 
being  kept  here." 

In  the  meantime,  the  enemy  were  augmenting  their 
forces  on  the  island.  Two  brigades  of  Hessians,  under 
Xieutenant-general  De  Heister,  were  transferred  from 
the  camp  on  Staten  Island  on  the  25th.  This  movement 
did  not  escape  the  vigilant  eye  of  Washington.  By  the 
aid  of  his  telescope,  he  had  noticed  that  from  time  to 
time  tents  were  struck  on  Staten  Island,  and  portions  of 
the  encampment  broken  up;  while  ship  after  ship 
weighed  anchor,  and  dropped  down  to  the  Narrows. 

He  now  concluded  that  the  enemy  were  about  to  make 

a  push  with  their  main  force   for    the    possession    of 

Brooklyn  Heights.    He  accordingly  sent  over  additional 

reinforcements,  and  among  them  Colonel  John  Haslet's 

well  equipped  and  well  disciplined  Delaware  regiment^ 
VOL.  n.— 24 


370  LIFE  OF  WAaniNQTOK. 

which  was  joined  to  Lord  Stirling's  brigade,  chiefly  oom« 
posed  of  Southern  troops,  and  stationed  outside  of  the 
lines.  These  were  troops  which  Washington  regarded 
with  peculiar  satisfaction,  on  account  of  their  soldier-like 
appearance  and  discipline. 

On  the  29th,  he  crossed  over  to  Brooklyn,  accompanied 
by  Beed,  the  adjutant-general  There  was  much  move- 
ment among  the  enemy's  troops,  and  their  number  was 
evidently  augmented.  In  ^t,  General  De  Heister  had 
reached  Flatbush  with  his  Hessians,  and  taken  command 
of  the  centre  ;  whereupon  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with  the 
right  wing,  drew  off  to  Flatlands,  in  a  diagonal  line  to  the 
right  of  De  Heister,  while  the  left  wing,  commanded  by 
Oeneral  Grant,  extended  to  the  place  of  landing  on 
Gravesend  Bay. 

Washington  remained  all  day,  aiding  General  Putnam 
with  his  counsels,  who,  new  to  the  command,  had  not 
been  able  to  make  himself  well  acquainted  with  the  for- 
tified posts  beyond  the  lines.    In  the  evening  Washing* 
ton  returned  to  the  city,  full  of  anxious  thought.     A  gen- 
eral attack  was  evidently  at  hand.     Where  would  it  bo 
made  ?    How  would  his  inexperienced  troops  stand  the 
encounter?    What  would  be  the  defense  of  the  city  if 
assailed  by  the  ships  ?    It  was  a  night  of  intense  solici- 
tude, and  well  might  it  be ;  for  during  that  night  a  plan 
was    carried  into  effect,  fraught  with   disaster  to  the 
Americans. 

The  plan  to  which  we  allude  was  concerted  by  General 


PLAN  OF  THE  ENEMY.  871 

Howe,  the  oommander-in-chiel  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with 
the  Tan-goard,  composed  of  the  choicest  troops,  was  by 
a  cmmitoos  march  in  the  nighty  to  throw  himself  into  the 
road  leading  from  Jamaica  to  Bedford,  seize  upon  a  pass 
through  the  Bedford  Hills,  within  three  miles  of  that 
Tillage,  and  thus  tnm  the  left  of  the  American  advanced 
posts.  It  was  preparatory  to  this  nocturnal  march,  that 
Sir  Henry  during  the  day  had  fallen  back  with  his 
troops  from  Flatbush  to  Flatlands,  and  caused  that  stir 
and  movement  which  had  attracted  the  notice  of  Wash- 
ington. 

To  divert  the  attention  of  the  Americans  from  this 
stealthy  march  on  their  left.  General  Grant  was  to  men* 
aoe  their  right  flank  toward  Ghravesend  before  daybreak, 
and  General  De  Heister  to  cannonade  their  centre,  where 
Colonel  Hand  was  stationed.  Neither,  however,  was  to 
press  an  attack  until  the  guns  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
should  give  notice  that  he  had  effected  his  purpose,  and 
turned  the  left  flank  of  the  Americans ;  then  the  latter 
were  to  be  assailed  at  all  points  with  the  utmost  vigor. 

About  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  the  26tli,  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  began  his  march  from  Flatlands  with  the 
van-guard,  composed  of  light  infantry.  Lord  Percy  fol- 
lowed with  the  grenadiers,  artillery,  and  light  dragoons, 
forming  the  centre.  Lord  Comwallis  brought  up  the 
rear-guard  with  the  heavy  ordnance.  General  Howe  ac- 
companied this  division* 

It  was  a  silent  march,  without  beat  of  drum  or  sound 


S72  ^^^^  OF  WASHINGTON. 

of  trumpet^  under  gnidanoe  of  a  Long  Island  toiy  along 
by-roads  traversing  a  swamp  by  a  narrow  oanseway,  and 
po  across  the  oountry  to  the  Jamldoa  road.  About  two 
honrs  before  daybreak,  they  arriyed  within  half  a  mile 
of  the  pass  through  the  Bedf  cnrd  Hills,  and  halted  to  pre- 
pare for  an  attaok.  At  this  jnnctnre  they  captued  an 
American  patrol,  and  learnt,  to  their  sorprise,  that  the 
Bedford  pass  was  unoccupied.  In  fact»  the  whole  road 
beyond  Bedford,  leading  to  Jamaica,  was  left  unguarded, 
excepting  by  some  light  yolunteer  troops.  Colonels  Wil- 
liams and  Miles,  who  were  stationed  to  the  left  of  Colo- 
nel Hand,  among  the  wooded  hills,  had  been  instructed 
to  send  out  parties  occasionally  to  patrol  the  road,  but 
no  troops  had  been  stationed  at  the  Bedford  pass.  The 
road  and  pass  may  not  have  been  included  in  QeneraL 
Greene's  plan  of  defense,  or  may  have  been  thought  toc^ 
fer  out  of  the  way  to  need  special  precaution.  The  neglect 
of  them,  however,  proved  fatal. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  immediately  detached  a  battalion  of 
light-infantry  to  secure  the  pass ;  and,  advancing  with  his 
corps  at  the  first  break  of  day,  possessed  himself  of  the 
heights.  He  was  now  within  three  miles  of  Bedford,  and 
his  march  had  been  undiscovered.  Having  passed  the 
heights,  therefore,  he  halted  his  division  for  the  soldiers 
to  take  some  refreshment,  preparatory  to  the  morning's 
hostilities. 

There  we  will  leave  them,  while  we  note  how  the  othet 
divisions  performed  their  part  of  the  plan. 


LORD  BTIBLINQ'S  SOUTHBBJSf  TROOPS.  373 

Aboat  midnight  General  Grant  moyed  from  Gravesend 
Bay,  with  the  left  wing,  composed  of  two  brigades  and  a 
regiment  of  regulars,  a  battalion  of  New  York  loyalists, 
and  ten  field-pieces.  He  proceeded  along  the  road  lead- 
ing past  the  Narrows  and  Gk>wanus  C!oye,  toward  the 
right  of  the  American  works.  A  picket  goard  of  Penn- 
qrlTanian  and  New  York  militia^  under  Colonel  Atlee, 
retired  before  him  fighting  to  a  position  on  the  skirts 
of  the  wooded  hills. 

In  the  meantime,  scouts  had  brought  in  word  to  the 
American  lines  that  the  enemy  were  approaching  in  force 
upon  the  right  General  Putnam  ordered  Lord  Stirling 
to  hasten  with  the  two  regiments  nearest  at  hand,  and 
hold  them  in  check.  These  were  Haslet's  Delaware,  and 
Smallwood's  Maryland  regiments;  the  latter  the  maca^ 
rofiis,  in  scarlet  and  buff,  who  had  outshone,  in  camp, 
their  yeoman  fellow-soldiers  in  homespim.  They  turned 
out  with  great  alacrity,  and  Stirling  pushed  forward  with 
them  on  the  road  toward  the  Narrows.  By  the  time  he 
had  passed  Gk>wanus  Oove,  daylight  began  to  appear. 
Here,  on  a  rising  ground,  he  met  Colonel  Atlee  with  his 
Pennsylvania  provincials,  and  learned  that  the  enemy 
were  near.  Indeed,  their  front  began  to  appear  in  the 
uncertain  twilight.  Stirling  ordered  Atlee  to  place  him- 
self in  ambush  in  an  orchard  on  the  left  of  the  road,  and 
await  their  coming  up,  while  he  formed  the  Delaware  and 
Maryland  regiments  along  a  ridge  from  the  road,  up  to  a 
pieoe  of  woods  on  the  top  of  the  hilL 


374  I^^B  OF  WASmNQTON. 

Atlee  gave  the  enemy  two  or  three  voile  js  as  they  ap- 
proachedy  and  then  retreated  and  formed  in  the  wood  on 
Lord  Stirling's  left  By  this  time  his  lordship  was  rein- 
forced by  Kichline's  riflemen,  part  of  whom  he  placed 
along  a  hedge  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  part  in  front  of 
the  wood.  General  Grant  threw  his  light  troops  in  the 
advance,  and  posted  them  in  an  orchard  and  behind 
hedges,  extending  in  front  of  the  Americans,  and  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  distant. 

It  was  now  broad  daylight.  A  rattling  fire  commenoed 
between  the  British  light  troops  and  the  American  rifle- 
men, which  continued  for  about  two  hours,  when  the 
former  retired  to  their  main  body.  In  the  meantime, 
Stirling's  position  had  been  strengthened  by  the  arrival 
of  Captain  Oarpenter  with  two  field-pieces.  These  were 
placed  on  the  side  of  the  hill,  so  as  to  command  the  road 
and  the  approach  for  some  hundred  yards.  (General  Orant, 
likewise,  brought  up  his  artillery  within  three  hundred 
yards,  and  formed  his  brigades  on  opposite  hills,  about  six 
hundred  yards  distant  There  was  occasional  cannonad- 
ing on  both  sides,  but  neither  party  sought  a  general 
action. 

Lord  Stirling's  object  wus  merely  to  hold  the  enemy 
in  check ;  and  the  instructions  of  General  Grant,  as  we 
have  shown,  were  not  to  press  an  attack  until  aware  that 
Sir  Henry  Olinton  was  on  the  left  flank  of  the  Americans. 

During  this  time,  De  Heister  had  commenced  his  part 
of  the  plan  by  opening  a  cannonade  from  his  oamp  at 


TBBBOB  nr  NEW  TOME.  876 

Flatlnisliy  upon  the  redoubt,  at  the  pass  of  the  wooded 
hills,  where  Hand  and  his  riflemen  were  stationed.  On 
hearing  this  General  Solliyan,  who  was  within  the  lines, 
rode  forth  to  C!olonel  Hand's  post  to  reoonnoiter*  De 
Heisier,  however,  according  to  the  plan  of  operations, 
did  not  advance  from  Flatbnsh,  but  kept  up  a  brisk  fire 
from  his  artillery  on  the  redoubt  in  front  of  the  pass, 
which  replied  as  briskly.  At  the  same  time,  a  cannon- 
ade from  a  British  ship  upon  the  battery  at  Bed  Hook, 
contributed  to  distract  the  attention  of  the  Americans. 

In  the  meantime  terror  reigned  in  New  York.  The 
volleying  of  musketry  and  the  booming  of  cannon  at  early 
dawn,  had  told  of  the  fighting  that  had  commenced.  As 
£he  morning  advanced,  and  pktoon  firing  and  the  oc 
easional  discharge  of  a  field-piece  were  heard  in  different 
directions,  the  terror  increased.  Washington  was  still  in 
doubt  whether  this  was  but  a  part  of  a  general  attack,  in 
which  the  city  was  to  be  included.  Five  ships  of  the  line 
were  endeavoring  to  beat  up  the  bay.  Were  they  to  can- 
nonade the  city,  or  to  land  troops  above  it  ?  Fortunately, 
a  strong  head-wind  baffled  all  their  efforts ;  but  one  ves- 
sel of  inferior  force  got  up  far  enough  to  open  the  fire 
already  mentioned  upon  the  fort  at  Bed  Hook. 

Seeing  no  likelihood  of  an  immediate  attack  upon  the 
city,  Washington  hastened  over  to  Brooklyn  in  his  barge, 
and  galloped  up  to  the  works.  He  arrived  there  in  time 
to  witness  the  catastrophe  for  which  all  the  movements 
of  the  enemy  had  been  concerted. 


OT6  LIFB  OF  WASmNQTOir, 

The  thnndering  of  artillery  in  the  direction  of  Bedfoid, 
had  given  notice  that  Sir  Henry  had  tamed  the  left  ol 
the  Americans. .  De  Heister  immediately  ordered  Col- 
onel Connt  Donop  to  advance  with  his  Hessian  regiment^ 
and  storm  the  redonbt,  while  he  followed  with  his  whob 
division.    Sullivan  did  not  remain  to  defend  the  redoubt 
Sir  Henry's  cannon  had  apprised  him  of  the  &tal  truth, 
that  his  flank  was  tamed,  and  he  in  danger  of  being  S1l^ 
rounded.    He  ordered  a  retreat  to  the  lines,  bat  it  was 
already  too  late.     Scarce  had  he  descended   from  the 
height,  and  emerged  into  the  plain,  when  he  was  met  by 
the  British  light-infantry,  and  dragoons,  and  driven  back 
into  the  woods.    By  this  time  De  Heister  and  his  Hes- 
sians had  come  ap,  and  now  commenced  a  scene  of  con- 
fusion, consternation,  and  slaughter,  in  which  the  troope 
under  Williams  and   Miles  were  involved.    Hemmed  is 
and  entrapped  between  the  British  and  Hessians,  and 
driven  from  one  to  the  other,  the  Americans  fought  for  a 
time  bravely,  or  rather  desperately.  Some  were  cut  down 
and  trampled  by  the  cavalry,  others  bayoneted  without 
mercy  by  the  Hessians.     Some  rallied  in  groups,  and 
made  a  brief  stand  with  their  rifles  from  rocks  or  behind 
trees.    The  whole  pass  was  a  scene  of  carnage,  resound- 
ing with  the  clash  of  arms,  the  tramp  of  horses,  the  toI- 
leying  of  fire-arms  and  the  cries  of  the  combatants,  with 
now  and  then  the  dreary  braying  of  the  trumpet    We 
give  the  words  of  one  who  mingled  in  the  fight,  and  whom 
we  have  heard  speak  with  horror  of  the  sanguinary  loiy 


THE  OATAaTBOPHB.  8TJ 

whicli  the  Hessians  plied  the  bayonet  At  length 
some  of  the  Americans,  by  a  desperate  effort,  cut  their 
way  through  the  host  of  foes,  and  effected  a  retreat  to  the 
lines,  fighting  as  they  went.  Others  took  refuge  among 
the  woods  and  fastnesses  of  the  hills,  but  a  great  part 
were  either  killed  or  taken  prisoners.  Among  the  latter 
was  (General  Sallivan. 

Washington,  as  we  have  observed,  arriyed  in  time  to 
witness  this  catastrophe,  but  was  unable  to  prevent  it. 
He  had  heard  the  din  of  the  battle  in  the  woods,  and 
seen  the  smoke  rising  from  among  the  trees ;  but  a  deep 
column  of  the  enemy  was  descending  from  the  hills  on 
the  left ;  his  choicest  troops  were  all  in  action,  and  he 
had  none  but  militia  to  man  the  works.  His  solicitude 
was  now  awakened  for  the  safety  of  Lord  Stirling  and  his 
corps,  who  had  been  all  the  morning  exchanging  can- 
nonades with  General  Qrant.  The  forbearance  of  the 
latter  in  not  advancing,  though  so  superior  in  force,  had 
been  misinterpreted  by  the  Americans.  According  to 
C!olonel  Haslet's  statement,  the  Delawares  and  Mary- 
landers,  drawn  up  on  the  side  of  the  hill,  *^  stood  up- 
wards of  four  hours,  with  a  firm  and  determined  counte- 
nance, in  close  array,  their  colors  flying,  the  enemy's 
artillery  playing  on  them  all  the  while,  7u>t  daring  to  ad- 
vance and  attack  them,  though  six  times  their  number,  and 
nearly  surrounding  them."  * 

*  Atlee  to  Colonel  Bodnoy.    Sparks,  iv.  516i. 


876  -t22?»  OF  WASSmQTOS. 

Washington  saw  the  danger  to  which  these  bra^e  fel- 
lows were  exposed,  though  they  could  not.  Stationed  on 
a  hill  within  the  lines,  he  commanded,  with  his  tele- 
scope, a  view  of  the  whole  field,  and  saw  the  enemy's  re- 
serve, under  Comwallis,  marching  down  by  a  cross  road 
to  get  in  their  rear,  and  thus  place  them  between  two 
fires.    With  breathless  anxiety  he  watched  the  result 

The  sound  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  cannon  apprised 
Stirling  that  the  enemy  was  between  him  and  the  linea 
Oeneral  Ghrant,  too,  aware  that  the  time  had  come  for 
earnest  action,  was  closing  up,  and  had  already  taken 
Colonel  Atlee  prisoner.  His  lordship  now  thought  to  effect 
a  circuitous  retreat  to  the  lines,  by  crossing  the  creel 
which  empties  into  Gowanus  Coye,  near  what  was  called 
the  Yellow  Mills.  There  was  a  bridge  and  milldani,  and 
the  creek  might  be  forded  at  low  water,  but  no  time  vas 
to  be  lost,  for  the  tide  was  rising. 

Leaving  part  of  his  men  to  keep  face  towards  General 
Grant,  Stirling  advanced  with  the  rest  to  pass  the  creek, 
but  was  suddenly  checked  by  the  appearance  of  Covor 
wallis  and  his  grenadiers. 

Washington,  and  some  of  his  officers  on  the  hill,  who 
watched  every  movement,  had  supposed  that  Stirling  and 
his  troops,  finding  the  case  desperate,  would  surrender 
in  a  body,  without  firing.     On  the  contrary  his  lordship 
boldly  attacked  Comwallis  with  half  of  Smallwood*s  bat- 
talion, while  the  rest  of  his  troops  retreated  across  the 
creek.     Washington  wrung  his  hands  in  agony  at  th« 


LOBD  BTIRLINQ  SUBBOUNDED.  379 

right  "Good  God!"  cried  he,  "what  brave  fellows  I 
must  this  day  lose  I  "* 

It  was,  indeed,  a  desperate  fight ;  and  now  Smallwood's 
maoaronia  showed  their  game  spirit.  They  were  repeat- 
edly broken,  but  as  often  rallied,  and  renewed  the  fight. 
"We  were  on  the  point  of  driving  Lord  Comwallis  from 
his  station,'*  writes  Lord  Stirling,  "  but  large  reinforce- 
ments arriving,  rendered  it  impossible  to  do  more  than 
provide  for  safety." 

^  Being  thus  surrounded,  and  no  probability  of  a  rein- 
loroement,"  writes  a  Maryland  officer,  "  his  lordship  or- 
dered me  to  retreat  with  the  remaining  part  of  our  men, 
and  force  our  way  to  our  camp.  We  soon  fell  in  with  a 
party  of  the  enemy,  who  clubbed  their  firelocks,  and 
waved  their  hats  to  us  as  if  they  meant  to  surrender  as 
prisoners ;  but  on  our  advancing  within  sixty  yards,  they 
presented  their  pieces  and  fired,  which  we  returned  with 
so  much  warmth  that  they  soon  quitted  their  post,  and 
retired  to  a  large  body  that  was  lying  in  ambuscade."  f 

The  enemy  rallied,  and  returned  to  the  combat  with 
additional  force.  Only  five  companies  of  Smallwood's 
battalion  were  now  in  action.  There  was  a  warm  and 
close  engagement  for  nearly  ten  minutes.  The  struggle 
became  desperate  on  the  part  of  the  Americans.  Broken 
and  disordered,  they  rallied  in  a  piece  of  woods,  and 
made  a  second  attack.    They  were  again  overpowered 

*  Letter  from  an  American  officer.    Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  ii.  108l 
f  Letter  from  a  Marylander.    Am,  Archives^  5th  Series,  i.  1282. 


880  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON'. 

with  nnmbers.  Some  were  surrounded  and  bayoneted  is 
a  field  of  Indian  com ;  others  joined  their  comrades  who 
were  retreating  across  a  marsh.  Lord  Stirling  had  en- 
couraged and  animated  his  young  soldiers  by  his  voice 
and  example,  but  when  all  was  lost»  he  sought  out  (Gen- 
eral De  Heister,  and  surrendered  himself  as  his  prisoner. 

More  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  brave  fellows,  most 
of  them  of  SmaUwood's  regiment,  perished  in  this  deadly 
struggle,  within  sight  of  the  lines  of  Brooklyn.  Tliat 
part  of  the  Delaware  troops  who  had  first  crossed  the 
creek  and  swamp,  made  good  their  retreat  to  the  lines 
with  a  trifling  loss,  and  entered  the  camp  covered  with 
mud  and  drenched  with  water,  but  bringing  with  them 
twenty-three  prisoners,  and  their  standard  tattered  by 
grape-shoi 

The  enemy  now  concentrated  their  forces  within  a  few 
hundred  yards  of  the  redoubts.  The  grenadiers  were 
within  musket  shot.  Washington  expected  they  woold 
storm  the  works,  and  prepared  for  a  desperate  defense. 
The  discharge  of  a  cannon  and  volleys  of  musketry  from 
the  part  of  the  lines  nearest  to  them,  seemed  to  bring 
them  to  a  pause. 

It  was,  in  truth,  the  forbearance  of  the  British  com- 
mander that  prevented  a  bloody  conflict.    TTia  troops, 
heated  with  action  and  flushed  with  success,  were  eager 
to  storm  the  works;  but  he  was  unwilling  to  risk  the 
loss  of  life  that  must  attend  an  assault,  when  the  object 
might  be  attained  at  a   cheaper  rate,  by   regular  ap* 


€LOBB  OF  THB  FIGBT.  881 

ihes.  Checking  the  ardor  of  his  men,  theiefore, 
;h  with  some  difficulty,  he  drew  them  off  to  a  hollow 
in  front  of  the  lines,  but  out  of  reach  of  the  mns- 
',  and  encamped  there  for  the  nighi* 
e  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  disastrous  battle 
been  variously  stated,  but  is  thought,  in  killed, 
ded,  and  prisoners,  to  have  been  nearly  two  thou 
;  a  large  number,  considering  that  not  above  five 
land  were  engaged.  The  enemy  acknowledged  a 
>f  880  killed  and  wounded.! 

e  success  of  the  enemy  was  attributed,  in  some 
ore  to  the  doubt  in  which  Washington  was  kept  as 
)  nature  of  the  intended  attack,  and  at  what  point 
old  chiefly  be  made.  This  obliged  him  to  keep  a 
part  of  his  forces  in  New  York,  and  to  distribute 
at  Brooklyn  over  a  wide  extent  of  country,  and  at 
y  distant  places.  In  fact,  he  knew  not  the  superior 
»er  of  the  enemy  encamped  on  Long  Island,  a  ma- 
of  them  having  been  furtively  landed  in  the  night, 
days  after  the  debarkation  of  the  first  division, 
ich  of  the  day's  disaster  has  been  attributed,  also, 
confusion  in  the  command,  caused  by  the  illness  of 
ral  Oreene.  Putnam,  who  had  supplied  his  place 
e  emergency  after  the  enemy  had  landed,  had  not 
to  make  himself  acquainted  with  the  post,  and  the 

neral  Howe  to  Lord  G.  Oermaine.    Refnemltranetr,  iiL  847. 

»we  states  the  prisoners  at  1,004^  and  oomputes  the  whole  Ameiioatt 

8,80a 


882  LIFS  OF  WABSmGTOir. 

Burronnding  ooimtry.  SnlliYan,  thongh  in  his  letters  lie 
professes  to  have  considered  himself  subordinate  to  Gen- 
eral Putnam  within  the  lines,  seems  still  to  have  exer- 
cised somewhat  of  an  independent  command,  and  to 
have  acted  at  his  own  discretion:  while  Lord  Stirling 
was  said  to  have  command  of  all  the  troops  outside  of 
the  works. 

The  fatal  error,  however,  and  one  probably  arisiog 
from  all  these  causes,  consisted  in  leaving  the  pasfltf 
through  the  wooded  hills  too  weakly  fortified  and 
guarded ;  and  especially  in  needing  the  eastern  road, 
by  which  Sir  Henry  Clinton  got  in  the  rear  of  the  ad- 
ranced  troops,  cut  them  off  from  the  lines,  and  subjected 
them  to  a  cross  fire  of  his  own  men  and  De  Heister's 
Hessians. 

This  able  and  fatal  scheme  of  the  enemy  might  have 
been  thwarted,  had  the  army  been  provided  with  a  few 
troops  of  light  horse  to  serve  as  videttes.  With  these 
to  scour  the  roads  and  bring  intelligence,  the  night 
march  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  so  decisive  of  the  fortunes 
of  the  day,  could  hardly  have  failed  to  be  discovered  and 
reported.  The  Connecticut  horsemen,  therefore,  ridi- 
culed by  the  Southerners  for  their  homely  equipments, 
sneered  at  as  useless,  and  dismissed  for  standing  on  their 
dignity  and  privileges  as  troopers,  might,  if  retained, 
have  saved  the  army  from  being  surprised  and  severed, 
its  advanced  guards  routed,  and  those  very  Southern 
troops  cut  up,  captured,  and  almost  annihilated. 


OHAPTEB  XXXTT, 


THB  BBTBB1.T    FBOM    LONG  ISLAHB. 


Km 


night  after  the  battle  was  a  weary,  yet  al« 
most  sleepless  one  to  the  Americans.  Fatigued, 
dispirited,  many  of  them  sick  and  wounded, 
yet  they  were,  for  the  most  part,  without  tent  or  other 
shelter.  To  Washington  it  was  a  night  of  anxious  vigiL 
Everything  boded  a  close  and  deadly  conflict  The  en<- 
emy  had  pitched  a  number  of  tents  about  a  mile  distant. 
Their  sentries  were  but  a  quarter  of  a  mile  off,  and  close 
to  the  American  sentries.  At  four  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, Washington  went  the  round  of  the  works,  to  see  that 
all  was  right,  and  to  speak  words  of  encouragement  The 
morning  broke  lowering  and  dreary.  Large  encamp- 
ments were  gradually  descried ;  to  appearance,  the  enemy 
were  twenty  thousand  strong.  As  the  day  advanced,  their 
ordnance  began  to  play  upon  the  works.  They  were  pro- 
ceeding to  intrench  themselves,  but  were  driven  into  their 
tents  by  a  drenching  rain. 

Early  in  the  morning  General  Mifflin  arrived  in  camp, 
with  part  of  the  troops  which  had  been  stationed  at  Fori 
Washington  and  King's  Bridge.    He  brought  with  him 

888 


884  £I7»  OF  WASHINQTOir. 

Shee's  prime  Philadelphia  regiment,  and  Magaw's  Fenn- 
Bjlyania  regiment,  both  well   disciplined  and  officered, 
and  accustomed  to  act  together.    They  were  so  much  re- 
dnced  in  number,  however,  by  sickness,  that  they  did  not 
amount  in  the  whole,  to  more  than  eight  hundred  men. 
With  Mifflin  came  also  Oolonel  Glover's  Massachusetis 
regiment,  composed  chiefly  of  Marblehead  fishermen  and 
sailors,  hardy,  adroit,  and  weather-proof ;  trimly  dad  iiL 
bluejackets  and  trowsers.    The  detachment  numbered^ 
in  the  whole,  about  thirteen  hundred  men,  all  fresh  aoA 
full  of  spirits.    Every  eye  brightened  as  they  marched 
briskly  along  the  line  with  alert  step  and  cheery  aspect. 
They  were  posted  at  the  left  extremity  of  the  intrench- 
ments  towards  the  Wallaboui 

There  were  skirmishes  throughout  the  day,  between 
the  riflemen  on  the  advanced  posts  and  the  British 
**  irregulars,"  which  at  times  were  quite  severe ;  but  no 
decided  attack  was  attempted.  The  main  body  of  the 
enemy  kept  within  their  tents  until  the  latter  part  of  the 
day;  when  they  began  to  break  ground  at  about  five 
hundred  yards'  distance  from  ijie  works,  as  if  preparing 
to  carry  them  by  regular  approaches. 

On  the  29th,  there  was  a  dense  fog  over  the  island, 
that  wrapped  everything  in  mystery.  In  the  course  of 
the  morning.  General  Mifflin,  with  Adjutant-general 
Beed,  and  Colonel  Grayson  of  Virginia,  one  of  Wash- 
ington's aides-de-camp,  rode  to  the  western  outposts, 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Bed  Hook.    While  they  were 


PBBIL0U8  POaiTIOir  OF  THE  AMEBWAITB.       886 

there,  a  light  breeze  lifted  the  fog  from  a  part  of  the 
New  York  Bay,  and  revealed  the  British  ships  at  their 
anchorage  opposite  Staten  Island  There  appeared  to 
be  an  tmnsnal  bustle  amoi^  them.  Boats  were  passing 
to  and  from  the  admiral's  ship,  as  if  seeking  or  car- 
rying orders.  Some  movement  was  apparently  in  agi- 
tation. The  idea  occurred  to  the  reconnoitering  party 
that  the  fleet  was  preparing,  should  the  wind  hold  and 
the  fog  clear  away,  to  come  up  the  bay  at  the  turn  of 
the  tide,  silence  the  feeble  batteries  at  Bed  Hook  and 
the  city,  and  anchor  in  the  East  Biver.  In  that  case  the 
army  on  Loi^  Island  would  be  completely  surrounded 
and  entrapped. 

Alarmed  at  this  perilous  probabiUty,  they  spurred 
back  to  head-quarters,  to  urge  the  immediate  withdrawal 
of  the  army.  As  this  might  not  be  acceptable  advice, 
Beed,  emboldened  by  his  intimacy  with  the  commander- 
in-chief  undertook  to  give  it.  Washington  instantly 
summoned  a  council  of  war.  The  difficulty  was  already 
apparent,  of  guarding  such  extensive  works  with  troops 
fatigued  and  dispirited,  and  exposed  to  the  inclemencies 
of  the  weather.  Other  dangers  now  presented  them- 
selves. Their  communication  with  New  York  might  be 
cut  off  by  the  fleet  from  below.  Other  ships  had  passed 
round  Long  Island,  and  were  at  Flushing  Bay  on  the 
3ound.  These  might  land  troops  on  the  east  side  of 
Harlem  Biver,  and  make  themselves  masters  of  King's 
Bridge ;  that  key  of  Manhattan  Island.  Taking  all  these 
VOL.  n.— 25 


386  LIFE  OF  WABHmQTON. 

things  into  consideration,  it  was  resolved  to  cross  witk 
the  troops  to  the  city  that  very  night. 

Never  did  retreat  require  greater  secrecy  and  circom* 
spection.  Nine  thousand  men,  with  all  the  mnnitions  of 
war,  were  to  be  withdrawn  from  before  a  victorious  army, 
encamped  so  near  that  every  stroke  of  spade  and  pickaxe 
from  their  trenches  could  be  heard.  The  retreating 
troops,  moreover,  were  to  be  embarked  and  conveyed 
across  a  strait  three-quarters  of  a  mile  wide,  swept  by 
rapid  tides.  The  least  alarm  of  their  movement  would 
bring  the  enemy  upon  them,  and  produce  a  terrible  scene 
of  confusion  and  carnage  at  the  place  of  embarkation. 

Washington  made  the  preparatory  arrangements  with 
great  alertness,  yet  profound  secrecy.  Verbal  orders 
were  sent  to  Colonel  Hughes,  who  acted  as  quartermas- 
ter-general, to  impress  all  water  craft,  large  and  small, 
from  Spyt  den  Duivel  on  the  Hudson  round  to  Hell  Gkite 
on  the  Sound,  and  have  them  on  the  east  side  of  the  city 
by  evening.  The  order  was  issued  at  noon,  and  so 
promptly  executed,  that,  although  some  of  the  vessels 
had  to  be  brought  a  distance  of  fifteen  miles,  they  were 
all  at  Brooklyn  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  put 
imder  the  management  of  Colonel  Glover's  amphibious 
Marblehead  regimeni 

To  prepare  the  army  for  a  general  movement  without 
betraying  the  object,  orders  were  issued  for  the  troops  to 
hold  themselves  in  readiness  for  a  night  attack  upon  the 
enemy.    The  orders  caused  surprise,  for  the  poor  fellows 


TSB  WITHDRAWAL  FROM  THE  OAMP.  387 

were  exhausted,  and  their  arms  rendered  nearly  useless 
by  the  rain ;  all,  however,  prepared  to  obey ;  but  several 
made  nuncupative  wills,  as  is  customary  among  soldiers 
on  the  eve  of  sudden  and  deadly  periL 

According  to  Washington's  plan  of  retreat,  to  keep  the 
enemy  from  discovering  the  withdrawal  of  the  Americans 
until  their  main  body  should  have  embarked  in  the  boats 
and  pushed  off  from  the  shore,  General  Mifflin  was  to  re- 
main at  the  lines  with  his  Pennsylvania  troops,  and  the 
gallant  remains  of  Haslet,  Smallwood,  and  Hand's  reg- 
iments, with  guards  posted  and  sentinels  alert,  as  if 
nothing  extraordinary  was  taking  place  ;  when  the  main 
embarkation  was  effected,  they  were  themselves  to  move 
off  quietly,  march  briskly  to  the  ferry,  and  embark.  In 
case  of  any  alarm  that  might  disconcert  the  arrange- 
ments, Brooklyn  church  was  to  be  the  rallying  place, 
whither  all  should  repair,  so  as  unitedly  to  resist  any 
attack. 

It  was  late  in  the  evening  when  the  troops  began  to 
retire  from  the  breastworks.  As  one  regiment  quietly 
withdrew  from  their  station  on  guard,  the  troops  on  the 
right  and  left  moved  up  and  filled  the  vacancy.  There 
was  a  stifled  murmur  in  the  camp,  unavoidable  in  a 
movement  of  the  kind ;  but  it  gradually  died  away  in  the 
diiection  of  the  river,  as  the  main  body  moved  on  in 
Bilenoe  and  order.  The  youthful  Hamilton,  whose  mili- 
tary merits  had  won  the  favor  of  (General  Ghreene,  and 
who  had  lost  his  baggage  and  a  field-piece  in  the  battle, 


^88  LIF^  OF  WABHmeTOV. 

brought  up  the  rear  of  the  retreating  parfy.  In  the  dead 
of  the  night,  and  in  the  midst  of  this  hnshed  and  anxions 
moyementy  a  cannon  went  off  with  a  tremendous  roar. 
''The  effect,*'  sajs  an  American  who  was  present,  ''was 
at  once  alarming  and  sublime.  If  the  explosion  was 
within  our  lines,  the  gun  was  probably  discharged  in  the 
act  of  spiking  it,  and  could  have  been  no  less  a  matter  of 
speculation  to  the  enemy  than  to  ourselyes."  * 

"  What  with  the  greatness  of  the  stake,  the  darkness  of 
the  night,  the  uncertainty  of  the  design,  and  the  extreme 
hazard  of  the  issue,"  adds  the  same  writer,  "  it  would  be 
difficult  to  conceive  a  more  deeply  solemn  and  interesting 
scene." 

The  meaning  of  this  midnight  gun  was  never  ascer- 
tained ;  f ortimately,  though  it  startled  the  Americans,  it 
failed  to  rouse  the  British  camp. 

In  the  meantime  the  embarkation  went  on  with  all 
possible  despatch,  under  the  vigilant  eye  of  Washington, 
who  stationed  himself  at  the  ferry,  superintending  every 
movement  In  his  anxiety  for  despatch,  he  sent  back 
Colonel  Scammel,  one  of  his  aides-de-camp,  to  hasten 
forward  all  the  troops  that  were  on  the  march.  Scammel 
blimdered  in  executing  his  errand,  and  gave  the  order 
to  MiffliTi  likewise.  The  general  instantly  called  in  his 
pickets  and  sentinels,  and  set  off  for  the  ferry. 

By  this  time  the  tide  had  turned ;  there  was  a  strong 

•  Grajdon's  Memoirs,  edited  by  I.  S.  Littell,  jk  lOT. 


THB  WITHDRAWAL  FROM  TEE  CAMP.  889 

wind  from  the  northeast ;  the  boats  with  oars  were  insuf- 
ficient to  oonvej  the  troops ;  those  with  sails  oonld  not 
make  headway  against  wind  and  tide.  There  was  some 
confusion  at  the  ferry,  and  in  the  midst  of  it,  (General 
Mi£Bin  came  down  with  the  whole  oovering  party,  adding 
to  the  embarrassment  and  uproar. 

''  Good  God  1  General  Mifflin  I "  cried  Washington,  *'  I 
am  afraid  yon  have  mined  ns  by  so  unseasonably  with- 
drawing the  troops  from  the  lines.** 

''  I  did  so  by  yonr  order,"  replied  Mifflin  with  some 
warmth. 

^  It  cannot  be  I "  exclaimed  Washington. 

"By  G— ,  I  did!  "  was  the  blunt  rejoinder.  "Did 
Scammel  act  as  aide-de-camp  for  the  day,  or  did  he  not  ?  ** 

"He  did." 

"  Then,"  said  Mifflin,  "  I  had  orders  through  him." 

"  It  is  a  dreadful  mistake,"  rejoined  Washington,  "  and 
unless  the  troops  can  regain  the  lines  before  their  absence 
is  discovered  by  the  enemy,  the  most  disastrous  con- 
sequences are  to  be  apprehended." 

Mifflin  led  back  his  men  to  the  lines,  which  had  been 
completely  deserted  for  three-quarters  of  an  hour.  Fortu- 
nately, the  dense  fog  had  prevented  the  enemy  from  dis-» 
covering  that  they  were  unoccupied.  The  men  resumed 
their  former  posts,  and  remained  at  them  until  called  off 
to  cross  the  ferry.  "  Whoever  has  seen  troops  in  a  simi- 
lar situation,"  writes  General  Heath,  "  or  duly  contem- 
plates the  human  heart  in  such  trials,  will  know  how  to 


390  LIFB  OF  WABHINGTOIf. 

appreciate  the  conduct  of  these  brave  men  on  this  oooa* 


Bion." 


The  fog  which  prevailed  all  this  time,  seemed  almost 
providential    While  it  hung  over  Long  Island,  and  con- 
cealed the  movements  of  the  Americans,  the  atmosphere 
was  clear  on  the  New  York  side  of  the  river.  The  adverse 
wind,  too,  died  away,  the  river  became  so  smooth  that  th^ 
row-boats  could  be  laden  almost  to  the  gunwale  ;  and  ^ 
favoring  breeze  sprang  up  for  the  sail-boats.    The  whol^ 
embarkation  of  troops,  artillery,  ammunition,  provisions, 
cattle,  horses  and  carts,  was  happily  effected,  and  by  day— 
break  the  greater  part  had  safely  reached  the  city,  thanks 
to  the  aid  of  Glover's  Marblehead  men.    Scarce  anything 
was  abandoned  to  the   enemy,  excepting  a  few   heavy 
pieces  of  artillery.    At  a  proper  time,  MiiBin  with  his 
covering  party  left  the  lines,  and  effected  a  silent  retreat 
to  the  ferry.    Washington,  though  repeatedly  entreated, 
refused  to  enter  a  boat  until  all  the  troops  were  em- 
barked ;  and  crossed  the  river  with  the  last. 

A  Long  Island  tradition  tells  how  the  British  camp 
became  aware  of  the  march  which  had  been  stolen  upon 
it.*  Near  the  ferry,  resided  a  Mrs.  Bapelye,  whose  hus* 
band,  suspected  of  favoring  the  enemy,  had  been  removed 
to  the  interior  of  New  Jersey.  On  seeing  the  embar- 
kation of  the  first  detachment,  she,  out  of  loyalty  or  re- 
venge, sent  off  a  black  servant  to  inform  the  first  British 

^Eist,  Long  Island,  p.  S6& 


TBE  RETREAT  ACOOMPLISBED.  391 

officer  he  conld  find,  of  what  was  going  on.  The  negro 
Buooeeded  in  passing  the  American  sentinels,  but  arrived 
at  a  Hessian  outpost,  where  he  could  not  make  himseli 
understood,  and  was  put  under  guard  as  a  suspicious  per- 
son. There  he  was  kept  until  daybreak,  when  an  officer 
yisiting  the  post,  examined  him,  and  was  astounded  by 
his  story.  An  alarm  was  given,  the  troops  were  called 
to  arms;  Captain  Montresor,  aide-de-camp  of  General 
Howe,  followed  by  a  handful  of  men,  climbed  cautiously 
over  the  crest  of  the  works  and  found  them  deserted. 
Advanced  parties  were  hurried  down  to  the  ferry.  The 
fog  had  cleared  away  sufficiently  for  them  to  see  the 
rear  boats  of  the  retreating  army  half-way  across  the 
river.  One  boat,  still  within  musket  shot,  was  compelled 
to  return ;  it  was  manned  by  three  vagabonds,  who  had 
lingered  behind  to  plunder. 

This  extraordinary  retreat,  which,  in  its  silence  and 
celerity,  equaled  the  midnight  fortifying  of  Bunker's  Hill, 
was  one  of  the  most  signal  achievements  of  the  war,  and 
redounded  greatly  to  the  reputation  of  Washington,  who, 
we  are  told,  for  forty-eight  hours  preceding  the  safe  extri- 
cating of  his  army  from  their  perilous  situation,  scarce 
closed  his  eyes,  and  was  the  greater  part  of  the  time  on 
horseback.  Many,  however,  who  considered  the  variety 
of  risks  and  dangers  which  surrounded  the  camp,  and  the 
apparently  fortuitous  circumstances  which  averted  them 
all,  were  disposed  to  attribute  the  safe  retreat  of  the  pa- 
triot army  to  a  peculiar  Providence. 


I 


OHAPTEB 


:#:^  1 1 


umo  iiLAjn>  ni  poflsmsiON  or  thb  bkkmt.— di8Trm8kd  nruATiov  ov  fll 

AKIBIOAM  ABICT  AT  NBW  TOBK.— QUB8TIOH  Or  ABAMDQimrO  THS  dTT.- 
JMtrmaS  WBOM   XITHXB  OAMP.— XNBMT'B  ships    DI  thb   SOUHD.— BBlfOTA& 

or  woMBM  Aio)  childbui  raoM  thb  oitt.— tbabnino  roB  bomb  amom 

THB  MILITIA.— TOLBBAHT  IDBAS  OP  WABHIHOTOH  AXD  OBBBNB.^TOBT  OOV- 
BTITUTION.  — CONrBBBNGB  Or  LOBD  HOWB  WITH  ▲  OOMMITTBB  IBOB 
OOHQRBSS. 


W^ 


enemy  had  now  possession  of  Long  Isl^ 
and.  British  and  Hessian  troops  garrisoned 
the  works  at  Brooklyn,  or  were  distributed  ai 
Bnshwicky  Newton,  Hell  Gate,  and  Flashing.  Admiral 
Howe  came  up  with  the  main  body  of  the  fleet,  and  an- 
chored close  to  Governor's  Island,  within  cannon  shot  of 
the  city. 

**  Onr  situation  is  truly  distressing,"  writes  Washington 
to  the  President  of  Congress,  on  the  2d  of  September. 
''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 


WASnmGTON  ON  THE  BITUATmjf:  893 

are  disniftyed,  intractable,  and  impatient  to  return.  Great 
nnmbers  of  them  have  gone  off;  in  some  instances  almost 
\fj  whole  regiments,  by  half  ones,  and  by  companies,  at  a 
time.  ....  With  the  deepest  concern,  I  am  obliged 
to  confess  my  want  of  confidence  in  the  generality  of  the 
troops.  •  •  •  •  Oar  number  of  men  at  present  fit  for 
duty  is  under  twenty  thousand.  I  have  ordered  General 
Uercer  to  send  the  men  intended  for  the  flying  camp 
to  this  place,  about  a  thousand  in  number,  and  to  try 
with  the  militia^  if  practicable,  to  make  a  diversion 
npon  Staten  Island.  Till  of  late,  I  had  no  doubt  in 
my  own  mind  of  defending  this  place;  nor  should  I 
haye  yet,  if  the  men  would  do  their  duty,  but  this  I  de- 
spair o£ 

**  If  we  should  be  obliged  to  abandon  the  town,  ought 
it  to  stand  as  winter  quarters  for  the  enemy  ?  They  would 
derive  great  conveniences  from  it,  on  the  one  hand,  and 
much  property  would  be  destroyed  on  the  other.    It  is 
an  important  question,  but  will  admit  of  but  little  time 
for  deliberation.    At  present,  I  dare  say  the  enemy  mean 
^  preserve  it  if  they  can.    If  Congress,  therefore,  should 
I^solve  upon  the  destruction  of  it,  the  resolution  should 
^  a  profound  secret,  as  the  knowledge  will  make  a  cap- 
ital change  in  their  plans." 

Colonel  Beed,  writing  on  the  same  day  to  his  wife,  says, 

"I  have  only  time  to  say  I  am  alive  and  well ;  as  to  spir- 

Ub,  but  middling.    ....    My  country  will,  I  trust,  yet 

be  free,  whatever  may  be  our  fate  who  are  cooped  up,  or 


394  tsIFB  OF  WASSmOTOir. 

aie  in  danger  of  so  being,  on  this  tongue  of  land^  wbere 
we  onght  never  to  have  been."  * 

We  turn  to  cite  letters  of  the  very  same  date  from  Brit* 
ish  officers  on  Long  Island,  fall  of  rumors  and  surmiseSi 
**I  have  just  heard,"  writes  an  English  field-officer,  **  there 
has  been  a  most  dreadful  fray  in  the  town  of  New  Toric 
The  New  Englanders  insisted  on  setting  tiie  town  on  fire 
and  retreating.  This  was  opposed  by  the  New  Yorken, 
who  were  joined  by  the  Pennsylvanians,  and  a  battle  has 
been  the  consequence,  in  which  many  have  lost  theii 
lives.  By  the  steps  our  general  is  taking,  I  imagine  he 
will  effi)ctually  cut  off  their  retreat  at  King's  Bridge,  by 
which  the  island  of  New  York  is  joined  to  the  oontineni** 

An  English  officer  of  the  Guards,  writing  from  camp 
on  the  same  day,  varies  the  rumor.  The  Pennsylvaniaiis, 
according  to  his  version,  joined  with  the  New  Englanden 
in  the  project  to  set  fire  to  the  town ;  both  had  a  battle 
with  the  New  Yorkers  on  the  subject,  and  then  withdrew 
themselves  from  the  city — which,  "  with  other  favorable 
circumstances,"  gave  the  latter  writer  a  lively  "hope 
that  this  distressful  business  would  soon  be  brought  to  a 
happy  issne." 

Another  letter  gives  a  different  version.  **  tn  the  night 
of  the  2d  instant,  three  persons  escaped  from  the  city  in 
a  canoe  and  informed  our  general  that  Mr.  Washington 
had  ordered  three  battalions  of  New  York  provincials  to 

*F6roe'B  Am.  ArMves,  5th  Seriee,  IL  188, 


STATE  OF  FEEL  ma.  398 

leave  New  York,  and  thai  they  should  be  replaced  by  an 
eqnal  number  of  Gonnecticnt  troops ;  but  the  former,  as- 
sored  that  the  Connectiontians  would  bum  and  destroy 
all  the  houses,  peremptorily  refused  to  give  up  their  city, 
declaring  that  no  cause  of  exigency  whatever  should  in- 
duce them  to  intrust  the  defense  of  it  to  any  other  than 
her  own  inhabitants.  This  spirited  and  stubborn  resolu* 
tion  prevailed  over  the  order  of  their  commander,  and 
the  New  Yorkers  continue  snugly  in  possession  of  the 
place."  ♦ 

''Matters  go  on  swimmingly/'  writes  another  officer. 
**  I  don't  doubt  tiie  next  news  we  send  you,  is,  that  New 
York  is  ours,  though  in  ashes,  for  tiie  rebel  troops  have 
vowed  to  put  it  in  flames  if  the  tory  troops  get  over." 

An  American  officer  writes  to  an  absent  New  Yorker, 
in  a  different  tone.  **  I  fear  we  shall  evacuate  your  poor 
d^.  The  very  thought  gives  me  the  horrors  I  "  Still  he 
indulges  a  vague  hope  of  succor  from  (General  Lee,  who 
was  returning,  all  glorious,  from  his  successes  at  the 
South.  "  General  Lee,"  writes  he,  "  is  hourly  expected, 
as  if  from  heaven, — ^with  a  legion  of  flaming  swordsmen." 
It  was,  however,  what  Lee  himself  would  have  termed  a 
mere  hrvinmh  fvlmen. 

These  letters  show  the  state  of  feeling  in  the  opposite 
camps,  at  this  watchful  moment,  when  matters  seemed 
hnnying  to  a  crisis. 

*  /onid*%  Am,  Archives,  5th  Series,  iL  108. 


296  LIES  OF  WABHINGTOJf. 

On  the  night  of  Monday  (Sept.  2d),  a  feriy-gim  Aift 
taking  advantage  of  a  fayorable  wind  and  tide,  passed 
between  Goyemor's  Island  and  Long  Island,  swept  im< 
harmed  by  the  batteries  which  opened  npon  her,  and 
anchored  in  Turtle  Bay,  aboye  the  city.  In  the  nioniiii{^ 
Washington  despatched  Major  Orane  of  the  artillery,  with 
two  twelye-pounders  and  a  howitzer  to  annoy  her  from 
the  New  York  shore.  They  hnlled  her  several  times,  and 
obliged  her  to  take  shelter  behind  Blackwell's  Island. 
Several  other  ships  of  war,  with  transports  and  store- 
ships,  had  made  their  appearance  in  the  apper  part  of 
the  Sound,  having  gone  round  Long  Island* 

As  the  ciiy  might  speedily  be  attacked,  WashingtocB. 
caused  all  the  siok  and  wounded  to  be  conveyed  to 
Orangetown,  in  the  Jerseys,  and  such  military  stored 
and  baggage  as  were  not  immediately  needed,  to  be  r»^ 
moved,  as  fast  as  conveyances  could  be  procured,  to  & 
post  partially  fortified  at  Dobbs'  Ferry,  on  the  eastern 
bank  of  the  Hudson,  about  tweniy-two  miles  above  the 
city. 

Beed,  in  his  letters  to  his  wife,  talks  of  the  dark  and 
3iysterious  motions  of  the  enemy,  and  the  equally  dark 
and  intricate  councils  of  Congress,  by  which  the  army 
were  disheartened  and  perplexed.     "  We  are  still  here,** 
writes  he  on  the  6th,  "  in  a  posture  somewhat  awkward; 
we  think  (at  least  I  do)  that  we  cannot  stay,  and  yet  we 
do  not  know  how  to  go,  so  that  we  may  be  properly  said 
to  be  between  hawk  and  buzzard." 


MILITIA   TBABNING  FOB  BOMB.  JtffI 

The  '^  shameful  and  soandaloas  desertionB/'  as  Wash- 
ington termed  them,  continued.  In  a  few  days  the  Oon- 
necticat  militia  dwindled  down  from  six  to  less  than 
two  thousand*  ''The  impulse  for  going  home  was  so 
irresistible,"  writes  he,  "  that  it  answered  no  purpose  to 
oiipose  ii  Though  I  would  not  disohaige  them,  I  hare 
been  obliged  to  acquiesce." 

Still  his  considerate  mind  was  tolerant  of  their  defeo- 
tion.  ''  Men,"  said  he,  "  accustomed  to  unbounded  free- 
dom, cannot  brook  the  restraint  which  is  indispensably 
necessary  to  the  good  order  and  government  of  an  army." 
And  again,  ''Men  just  dragged  from  the  tender  scenes  of 
domestic  life,  unaccustomed  to  the  din  of  arms,  totally 
unacquainted  with  every  kind  of  miUtary  skill  (which 
is  followed  by  a  want  of  confidence  in  themselves,  when 
opposed  to  troops  regularly  trained,  superior  in  knowl- 
edge, and  superior  in  arms),  are  timid  and  ready  to  fly 
from  their  own  shadows.  Besides,  the  sudden  change 
in  their  manner  of  living,  brings  on  an  unconquerable 
desire  to  return  to  their  homes." 

Greene,  also,  who  coincided  so  much  with  Washington 
in  opinions  and  sentiments,  observes :  "  People  coming 
from  home  with  all  the  tender  feelings  of  domestic  life, 
are  not  sufficiently  fortified  with  natural  courage  to  stand 
the  shocking  scenes  of  war.  To  march  over  dead  men, 
to  hear  without  concern  the  groans  of  the  wounded,  I 
say  few  men  can  stand  such  scenes  unless  steeled  by 
habit  or  fortified  by  military  pride." 


898  ^^^  0^  WASSmGTOir. 

Nor  was  this  ill-timed  jeaming  for  home  confined  to 
the  yeomanry  of  Connecticut,  who  might  well  look  back 
to  their  humble  farms,  where  they  had  left  the  plough 
standing  in  the  furrow,  and  where  eyerything  might  go 
to  ruin,  and  their  family  to  want,  in  their  absence.  Some 
of  the  gentlemen  volunteers  from  beyond  the  Delaware^ 
who  had  made  themselyes  merry  at  the  expense  of  the 
rustic  soldiery  of  New  England,  were  likewise  among  the 
first  to  feel  the  homeward  impxdse.  '^  When  I  look  around," 
said  Beed,  the  adjutant-general,  "  and  see  how  few  of  the 
numbers  who  talked  so  loudly  of  death  and  honor  are 
around  me,  I  am  lost  in  wonder  and  surprise.  Some  of 
our  Philadelphia  gentiemen  who  came  over  on  yisiis, 
upon  the  first  cannon,  went  off  in  a  most  violent  hunj. 
Tour  noisy  sons  of  liberty,  are,  I  find,  the  quietest  on 
the  field."  ♦ 

Present  experience  induced  Washington  to  reiterate 
the  opinion  he  had  repeatedly  expressed  to  Congress, 
that  little  reliance  was  to  be  placed  on  militia  enlisted 
for  short  periods.  The  only  means  of  protecting  the 
national  liberties  from  great  hazard,  if  not  utter  loss,  was, 
he  said,  an  army  enlisted  for  the  war. 

The  thousand  men  ordered  from  the  flying  camp  were 
furnished  by  (General  Mercer.'  They  were  Maryland 
troops  under  Colonels  Griffith  and  Bichardson,  and  were 
a  seasonable  addition  to  his  effective  forces ;  but  the  am* 

^  Life  of  Reed,  l  291. 


LORD  HOWB'8  OYBBTUBE  TO  C0NQBBB8.        399 

munition  carried  o2F  by  the  disbanding  militia^  was  a 
serious  loss  at  this  critical  juncture. 

A  work  had  been  commenced  on  the  Jersey  shore,  op- 
posite Fort  Washington,  to  aid  in  protecting  Putnam's 
oheyaux-de-frise  which  had  been  sunk  between  them. 
This  work  had  received  the  name  of  Fort  Constitution 
(a  name  already  borne  by  one  of  the  forts  in  the  High- 
lands). Troops  were  drawn  from  the  flying  camp  to 
make  a  strong  encampment  in  the  Ticiniiy  of  the  fort, 
with  an  able  officer  to  command  it  and  a  skillful  engineer 
to  strengthen  the  works.  It  was  hoped,  by  the  coopera- 
tion of  these  opposite  forts  and  the  chevaux-de-frise,  to 
command  the  Hudson,  and  prevent  the  passing  and  re- 
passing of  hostile  ships. 

The  British,  in  the  meantime,  forebore  to  press  further 
hostilities.  Lord  Howe  was  really  desirous  of  a  peace- 
ful adjustment  of  the  strife  between  the  colonies  and  the 
mother  country,  and  supposed  this  a  propitious  moment 
for  a  new  attempt  at  pacification.  He  accordingly  sent 
off  Qeneral  Sullivan  on  parole,  charged  with  an  overture 
to  Congress.  In  this  he  declared  himself  empowered 
and  disposed  to  compromise  the  dispute  between  Great 
Britain  and  America,  on  the  most  favorable  terms,  and, 
though  he  could  not  treat  with  Congress  as  a  legally  or- 
ganized body,  he  was  desirous  of  a  conference  with  some 
of  its  members.  These,  for  the  time  he  should  consider 
only  as  private  gentlemen,  but  if  in  the  conference  any 
probable  scheme  of   accommodation  should  be  agreed 


400  LIFB  OF  WABHmGTOHr. 

upon,  the  authority  of  Oongress  would  afterwaids  be  ao* 
knowledgedy  to  render  the  compaot  complete.* 

The  message  caused  some  embarrassment  in  C!ongre8& 
To  accede  to  the  interview  might  seem  to  waive  the  ques- 
tion of  independence ;  to  decline  it  was  to  shut  the  door 
on  all  hope  of  conciliation,  and  might  alienate  the  coojh 
eration  of  some  worthy  whigs  who  still  dung  to  that 
hope.  After  much  debate,  Oongress,  on  the  6th  Septem- 
ber, replied,  that,  being  the  representatives  of  the  free 
and  independent  States  of  America,  they  could  not  send 
any  members  to  confer  with  his  lordship  in. their  prifate 
characters,  but  that,  ever  desirous  of  establishing  peace 
on  reasonable  terms,  they  would  send  a  oommittee  of 
their  body  to  ascertain  what  authority  he  had  to  treat 
with  persons  authorized  by  Oongress,  and  what  proposi- 
tions he  had  to  offer. 

A  committee  was  chosen  on  the  6th  of  September, 
composed  of  John  Adams,  Edward  Butledge,  and  Doctor 
Franklin.    The  latter,  in  the  preceding  year,  during  hiB 
residence  in  England,  had  become  acquainted  with  Lord 
Howe,  at  the  house  of  his  lordship's  sister,  the  Honor- 
able Mrs.  Howe,  and  they  had  held  frequent  conversationB 
on  the  subject  of  American  affairs,  in  the  course  of  which 
his  lordship  had  intimated  the  possibility  of  his  being 
sent  commissioner  to  settle  the  differences  in  America. 

Franklin  had  recently  adverted  to  this  in  a  letter  to 

•  Oiva  War,  voL  L  p.  190. 


SOWB  TO  FRAWKLm.  401 

Lord  Howe.  '^Yonr  lordship  may  possibly  remember 
the  tears  of  joy  that  wet  my  oheek,  when,  at  your  good 
sister's  in  London,  you  gave  me  expectations  that  a  rec 
onoiliation  might  soon  take  place.  I  had  the  misfor« 
tone  to  find  those  expectations  disappointed. 


''The  well-founded  esteem,  and,  permit  me  to  say, 
affection,  which  I  shall  always  haye  for  yonr  lordship^ 
makes  it  painful  for  me  to  see  you  engaged  in  conducting 
a  war,  the  great  ground  of  which,  as  expressed  in  your 
letter,  is  'the  necessity  of  preventing  the  American 
trade  from  passing  into  foreign  channels.'  •  .  .  •  I 
know  your  great  motive  in  coming  hither,  was  the  hope 
of  being  instrumental  in  a  reconciliation ;  and  I  believe 
that  when  you  find  thai  impossible  on  any  terms  given  to 
you  to  propose,  you  will  relinquish  so  odious  a  com- 
mand, and  return  to  a  more  honorable  private  situa- 
tion." 

"I  can  have  no  difficulty  to  acknowledge,"  repUed 
Lord  Howe,  "that  the  powers  I  am  invested  with  were 
never  calculated  to  negotiate  a  reunion  with  America^ 
under  any  other  description  than  as  subject  to  the  crown 
of  Great  Britain.  But  I  do  esteem  these  powers  com- 
petent, not  only  to  confer  and  negotiate  with  any  gen- 
tleman of  influence  in  the  colonies  upon  the  terms, 
but  also  to  effect  a  lasting  peace  and  reunion  between 

the  two  countries,  were  the  tempers  of  the  colonies 
TOL.n.— S6 


102  LIFE  OF  WASEmQTOJSr. 

tEmch  as  professed  in  the  last  petition  of  Cbngressto 
the  king."  * 

A  hope  of  the  kind  lingered  in  the  breast  of  his  lord- 
ship  when  he  sought  the  proposed  conference.  It  was 
to  take  place  on  the  llth,  at  a  house  on  Staten  Island, 
opposite  to  Amboj;  at  which  latter  place  the  yeteran 
Mercer  was  stationed  with  his  flying  camp.  At  Amboy, 
the  committee  found  Lord  Howe's  barge  waiting  to  re- 
ceive them ;  with  a  British  officer  of  rank,  who  was  to 
remain  within  the  American  lines  during  their  absence, 
as  a  hostage.  This  guarantee  of  safety  was  promptly 
declined,  and  the  parties  crossed  together  to  Staten  Isl- 
and. The  admiral  met  them  on  their  landing,  and  con- 
ducted them  through  his  guards  to  his  house. 

On  opening  the  conference,  his  lordship  again  inti- 
mated that  he  could  not  treat  with  them  as  a  committee 
of  Congress,  but  only  confer  with  them  as  private  gen- 
tlemen of  influence  in  the  colonies,  on  the  means  of 
restoring  peace  between  the  two  countries. 

The  commissioners  replied  that,  as  their  business  was 
to  hear,  he  might  consider  them  in  what  light  he  pleased; 
but  that  they  should  consider  themselves  in  no  other 
character  than  that  in  which  they  were  placed  by  order 
of  Congress. 

Lord  Howe  then  entered  into  a  discourse  of  consider- 
able length,  but  made  no  explicit  proposition  of  peace, 

♦  Franklin's  Wriiinqs.  y.  108. 


THE  GOSFEBEiraS,  403 

ItoT  promiae  of  redress  of  grievaooes,  excepting  on  oondi- 
tion  that  the  colonies  shoold  retom  to  their  allegiance. 

This,  the  oommissioners  replied,  was  not  now  to  be 
expected.  Their  repeated  hnmble  petitions  to  the  king 
and  parliament  haTing  been  treated  with  contempt,  and 
answered  by  additional  injorieB,  and  war  having  been 
declared  against  them,  the  colonies  had  declared  their 
independence,  and  it  was  not  in  the  power  of  Congress  to 
agree  for  them  that  thej  should  return  to  their  former 
dependent  state.* 

Hie  lordship  expressed  his  sorrow  that  no  acoommo- 
dation  was  likely  to  take  place ;  and,  on  breaking  up  the 
conferenoe,  assored  his  old  friend.  Dr.  Franklin,  that  be 
should  Boffer  great  pain  in  being  obliged  to  distress  fJuwe 
for  whom  he  had  bo  much  regard. 

"  I  feel  thankful  to  your  lordship  for  your  regard," 
replied  Franklin  good-humoredly ;  "  the  Americana,  on 
their  part,  will  endeavor  to  lessen  the  pain  yon  may  feel, 
l^  taking  good  care  of  themselves." 

The  result  of  this  conferenoe  had  a  beneficial  effeot 
It  showed  that  his  lordship  hod  no  power  bnt  what  was 
given  by  the  act  of  Parliament ;  and  put  an  end  to  the 
popular  notion  that  he  was  vested  with  secret  powers  to 
negotiate  an  adjustment  of  grievances. 

*  Bepwt  of  tha  OommiBaionen  to  Congreas,  Sept.  18,  177SL 


OHAFTEB  XZXIV. 


MOmaNTS  OT  THB  linDffT.— COUNCILS  OV  WAR.— ^UBSTXOV  OT  THB  ABAV 
DOmCXHT  OF  THI  CITT.— DISTBIBUTIOM  OF  THB  ABMr. — SHIPS  Dl  THl 
HAST  BIVXB.  — THB  BVBMT  AT  HBLL  OATB.  — 8KIBMI8H  AT  TUBTLB  BAT. 
— PABIO  OF  THB  OONVBCTICUT  MILITIA.  —  BAOB  AND  FBB80NAL  FBBIL  Of 
WABHINOTON.—FXTTNAM'S  FBBILOUS  RBTBBAT  FBOM  THB  GITT.— >BBITiaH 
RBOALB  AT  MUBBAT  HILL. 


%-J0QO.-i  ■  .'^.wvsOt   ■ 


INCE  the  retreat  from  Brooklyn,  Washingtoii 
had  narrowly  watched  the  movements  of  the 
enemy  to  discoyer  their  farther  plans.  Their 
whole  force,  excepting  about  four  thousand  men,  had 
been  transferred  from  Staten  to  Long  Island.  A  great 
part  was  encamped  on  the  peninsula  between  Newtown 
Inlet  and  Flushing  Bay.  A  battery  had  been  thrown  up 
near  the  extremity  of  the  peninsula,  to  check  an  Amer> 
can  battery  at  Horen's  Hook  opposite,  and  to  command 
the  mouth  of  Harlem  Biver.  Troops  were  subsequently 
stationed  on  the  islands  about  Hell  Gate.  **  It  is  evi- 
dent,"  writes  Washington,  "  the  enemy  mean  to  inclose 
us  on  the  island  of  New  York,  by  taking  post  in  our  rear, 
while  the  shipping  secures  the  front,  and  thus,  by  cut- 
ting off  our  communication  with  the  country,  oblige  us 
to  fight  them  on  their  own  terms,  or  surrender  at 

404 


QUJOSTTOir  OP  ABAHDONma  XHS  OITT.         i06 

Hon;  or  by  a  brilliant  stroke  endeavor  to  oat  this  armj 
in  pieces,  and  seoore  the  collection  of  arms  and  stores, 
which,  they  well  know,  we  shall  not  be  able  soon  to  xe« 
place."* 

The  question  was,  how  conld  their  plans  be  most  sue- 
oessfolly  opposed  ?  On  every  side,  he  saw  a  choice  of 
difficulties ;  every  measure  was  to  be  formed  with  some 
apprehension  that  all  the  troops  would  not  do  their  duty. 
Qistoiy,  experience,  the  opinions  of  able  friends  in  Eu- 
rope, the  fears  of  the  enemy,  even  the  declarations  of 
Oongress,  all  concurred  in  demonstrating  that  the  war  on 
the  American  side  should  be  defensive ;  a  war  of  posts; 
Qiat,  on  all  occasions,  a  general  action  should  be  avoided, 
md  nothing  put  at  risk  unnecessarily.  "  With  these 
news/'  said  Washington,  ''and  being  folly  persuaded 
diat  it  would  be  presumption  to  draw  out  our  young 
troops  into  open  ground  against  their  superiors,  both  in 
lumber  and  discipline,  I  have  never  spared  the  spade 
Udd  pickaxe." 

In  a  council  of  war,  held  on  the  7th  of  September,  the 
question  was  discussed,  whether  the  ciiy  should  be  de- 
fended or  evacuated.  All  admitted  that  it  would  not  be 
tenable,  should  it  be  cannonaded  and  bombarded.  Sev- 
eral of  the  council,  among  whom  was  General  Putnam, 
were  for  a  total  and  immediate  removal  from  the  city ; 
urging  that  one  part  of  the  army  might  be  cut  off  before 

*  LeiUr  to  the  President  of  Oongnfli, 


406  I'^^  OF  WASBmQTOS. 

the  other  conid  support  it ;  the  extremities  being  at  least 
sixteen  miles  apart,  and  the  whole,  when  collected,  being 
inferior  to  the  enemy.  By  removing,  they  would  deprive 
the  enemy  of  the  advantage  of  their  ships ;  they  would 
keep  them  at  bay ;  put  nothing  at  hazard  ;  keep  the  army 
together  to  be  recruited  another  year,  and  preserve  the 
unspent  stores  and  the  heavy  artillery.  Washington 
himself  inclined  to  this  opinion.  Others,  however,  were 
unwilling  to  abandon  a  place  which  had  been  fortified 
with  great  cost  and  labor,  and  seemed  defensible ;  and 
which,  by  some,  had  been  considered  the  key  to  the 
northern  country ;  it  might  dispirit  the  troops,  and  en- 
feeble the  cause.  General  Mercer,  who  was  prevented 
by  illness  from  attending  the  councU,  communicated  his 
opinion  by  letter.  "  We  should  keep  New  York  if  possi-  - 
ble,*'  said  he,  *'  as  the  acquiring  of  it  will  give  eclat  to  the^ 
arms  of  Ghreat  Britain,  afford  the  soldiers  good  quarterSss. 
and  furnish  a  safe  harbor  for  the  fleet.'' 

General  Greene,  also,  being  still  unwell,  conveyed  hi^ 
opinion  in  a  letter  to  Washington,  dated  September  Stln. 
He  advised  that  the  army  should  abandon  both  city  and 
island,  and  post  itself  at  King's  Bridge  and  along  tbd 
Westchester  shore.    That  there  was  no  object  to  be  ob- 
tained by  holding  any  position  below  King's  Bridge.  The 
enemy  might  throw  troops  on  Manhattan  Island,  from 
their  camps  on  Long  Island,  and  their  ships  on  the  Hud- 
son, and  form  an  intrenched  line  across  it,  between  the 
dty  and  the  middle  division  of  the  army,  and  support 


qUBBTIOir  OF  ABASBOSmQ  NSW  TOBK.       407 

the  two  flanks  of  the  line  by  their  ehipping.  In  snoh 
sue,  it  would  be  neoeBsaiy  to  fight  them  on  disadvantf^ 
geoos  temiB  or  mibntit. 

The  dty  and  island,  he  observed,  were  objeotB  not  to  be 
pat  in  oompetiticai  with  the  general  interests  of  America. 
Two  thirds  of  the  oit;'  and  saborbs  belonged  to  tories ; 
there  was  no  great  reaeon,  therefore,  to  ran  any  consider- 
able risk  in  its  defense.  The  honor  and  interest  of 
America  required  a  general  and  speedy  retreat.  Bat  as 
the  enemy,  once  in  posseBsion,  coold  never  be  dislodged 
without  a  superior  naval  force  ;  as  the  place  would  fur- 
nish &em  with  excellent  winter  qaarters  and  barrack 
room,  and  an  abundant  market,  he  advised  to  bom  both 
ci^  and  suburbs  before  retreating.* 

Well  might  the  poor,  harassed  citizena  feel  hysterical, 
threatened  as  they  were  by  sea  and  land,  and  their  very 
defenders  debating  the  policy  of  burning  their  booses 
over  their  heads.  Fortunately  for  them,  Congress  had 
axpressly  forbidden  that  any  harm  should  be  done  to 
Kew  York,  trusting,  that  though  the  enemy  might  occupy 
it  for  a  time,  it  would  ultimately  be  regained. 

After  maoh  discussion  a  middle  course  was  adopted. 
Putnam,  with  five  thousand  men,  was  to  be  stationed  in 
the  city.  Heath,  with  nine  thousand,  was  to  keep  guard 
on  the  upper  part  of  the  island,  and  oppose  any  attempt 
of  tiie  enemy  to  land    His  troops,  among  whom  were 

*Fone^..lm..inAttiH,5tb  Series,  iL  182. 


408  t^B  09  wAaaiN&toir. 

Ifagaw's,  Shea's,  Hand's,  and  Miles's  PennsylTanian  l)at- 
talions,  and  Haslet's  Delaware  regiment,  were  posted 
about  King's  Bridge  and  its  yicinitj. 

The  third  division,  composed  principally  of  militiai 
was  under  the  command  of  (Generals  Greene  and  Spencer, 
the  former  of  whom,  however,  was  still  unwelL    It  was 
stationed  about  the  centre  of  the  island,  chiefly  along 
Turtle  Bay  and  Eip's  Bay,  where  strong  works  had  been 
thrown  up,  to  guard  against  any  landing  of  troops  from 
the  ships  or  from  the  encampments  on  Long  Island.    It 
was  also  to  hold  itself  ready  to  support  either  of  the 
other  divisions.    Washington  himself  had  his  head-qua^ 
ters  at  a  short  distance  from  the  city.    A  resolution  of 
Congress,  passed  the  10th  of  September,  left  the  occupa- 
tion or  abandonment  of  the  ciiy  entirely  at  Washing- 
ton's discretion.    Nearly  the  whole  of  his  officers,  too,  in 
a  second  council  of  war,  retracted  their  former  opinion, 
and  determined  that  the  removal  of  his  army  was  not 
only  prudent,  but  absolutely  necessary.    Three  members 
of  the  council,  however,  Generals  Spencer,  Heath,  and 
George   Clinton,   tenaciously  held    to    the    former  de- 
cision. 

Convinced  of  the  propriety  of  evacuation,  Washington 
prepared  for  it  by  ordering  the  removal  of  all  stores,  ex- 
cepting such  as  were  indispensable  for  the  subsistence  of 
the  troops  while  they  remained.    A  letter  from  a  Bhode 
Island  officer,  on  a  visit  to  New  York,  gives  an  idea  of  its 
agitations.    '^  On  the  13th  of  September,  just  after  din* 


THS  BNBMT  AT  HSLL  GATB.  409 

Mr,  three  frigates  and  a  forty-gnu  ship  sailed  np  the 
East  Biyer  with  a  gentle  breeze,  toward  Hell  Gate,  and 
kept  np  an  incessant  fire,  assisted  by  the  cannon  at  Gbv* 
mior's  Island.  The  batteries  of  the  city  returned  the 
iliipB  the  like  salutation.  Three  men  agape,  idle  specta- 
iors,  had  the  misfortune  of  being  killed  by  one  cannon 
ImJL  One  shot  struck  within  six  feet  of  General  Wash- 
ngton,  as  he  was  on  horseback,  riding  into  the  fort"  * 

On  the  14:th,  Washington's  baggage  was  remoyed  to 
Sing's  Bridge,  whither  head-quarters  were  to  be  trans- 
erred  the  same  eyening,  it  being  clear  that  the  enemy 
rere  preparing  to  encompass  him  on  the  island.  '*  It  is 
tow  a  trial  of  skill  whether  they  will  or  not,"  writes 
Jolonel  Beed, ''  and  eyery  night  we  lie  down  with  the 
dOst  anxious  fears  for  the  fate  of  to-morrow."  f 

About  sunset  of  the  same  day,  six  more  ships,  two  of 
hem  men-of-war,  passed  up  the  Sound  and  joined  those 
Jbore.  Within  half  an  hour  came  expresses  spurring  to 
Lead-quarters,  one  from  Mifflin  at  Swing's  Bridge,  the 
4lier  from  Colonel  Sargent  at  Horen's  Hook.  Three  or 
our  thousand  of  the  enemy  were  crossing  at  Hell  Ghtte  to 
ihe  islands  at  the  mouth  of  Harlem  Biyer,  where  num- 
bers were  already  encamped.  An  immediate  landing  at 
Sarlem,  or  Morrisania,  was  apprehended.  Washington 
WBB  instantly  in  the  saddle,  spurring  to  Harlem  Heights. 
Che  night,  howeyer,  passed  away  quietly.    In  the  mom« 

*  CoL  Baboock  to  (}oy.  Cooke.    Am.  Archives^  6th  BerieB,  li.  448. 
t  Beed  to  Mn.  Beed. 


fiO  LIFE  OF  WASSmGTOJT. 

ing  the  enemy  oommenoed  operations.    Three  ships  d 
war  stood  up  the  Hudson,  "  causing  a  most  tremendovi 
firing,  assisted  by  the  cannons   of  Gk>yenior*s  Ishuid, 
which  firing  was  returned  from  the  city  as  well  as  the 
scarcity  of  heayy  cannon  would  allow."*    Hie  ships 
anchored  opposite  Bloomingdale,  a  few  miles  above  the 
dty,  and  put  a  stop  to  the  remoyal  by  water  of  stores  aod 
provisions  to  DobVs  Ferry.    About  eleven  o*olodk,  the 
ships  in  the  East  Biver  commenced  a  heavy  oannomde 
upon  the  breastworks  between  Turtle  Bay  and  the  dtf. 
At  the  same  time  two  divisions  of  the  troops  encamped 
on  Long  Island,  one  British,  under  Sir  Henij  dinioD, 
the  other  Hessian,  under  Colonel  Donop,  emerged  in 
boats  from  the  deep,  woody  recesses  of  Newton  Lilet^ 
and  under  cover  of  the  fire  from  the  ships,  began  to  land 
at  two  points  between  Turtle  and  Eip*s   Bays.    The 
breastworks  were  manned  by  militia  who  had  recentlj 
served  at  Brooklyn.    Disheartened  by  their  late  defeat, 
they  fled  at  the  first  advance  of  the  enemy.    Two  bri- 
gades of  Putnam's  Connecticut  troops  (Parsons'  and  Fel- 
lows') which  had  been  sent  that  morning  to  support  then, 
caught  the  panic,  and,  regardless  of  the  commands  and 
entreaties  of  their  officers,  joined  in  the  general  scamper. 
At  this  moment  Washington,  who  had  mounted  his 
horse  at  the  first  sound  of  the  cannonade,  came  galloping 
to  the  scene  of  confusion ;  riding  in  among  the  fugitiveti 

*  Letter  of  CoL  Baboock  to  Gof.  Oooka. 


SAGS  Aim  PEB80NAL  PERIL  OF  WA8HINQT0N.    4XX 

lie  endeayoied  to  ratty  and  restore  them  to  order.  All  in 
yain.  At  the  first  appearance  of  sixty  or  seventy  red- 
coats, they  broke  again  without  firing  a  shot,  and  fled  in 
headlong  terror.  Losing  all  self-oommand  at  tiie  sight 
of  snch  dastardly  conduct,  he  dashed  his  hat  upon  the 
ground  in  a  transport  of  rage.  ''Are  these  the  men,** 
exdaimed  he,  "  with  whom  I  am  to  defend  America  I " 
In  a  paroi^m  of  passion  and  despair  he  snapped  his 
pistols  at  some  of  them,  threatened  others  with  his  sword, 
and  was  so  heedless  of  his  own  danger,  that  he  might 
hBTe  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  who  were  not 
eighty  yards  distant,  had  not  an  aide-de-camp  seized  the 
bridle  of  his  horse,  and  absolutely  hurried  him  away.*  . 

It  was  one  of  the  rare  moments  of  his  life,  when  the 
Tehement  element  of  his  nature  was  stirred  up  from  its 
deep  recesses.  He  soon  recovered  his  self-possession,  and 
took  measures  agarnst  the  general  peril  The  enemy 
might  land  another  force  about  Hell  Gate,  seize  upon. 
Harlem  Heig^its,  the  strong  central  portion  of  the  island, 
out  off  all  retreat  of  the  lower  divisions,  and  effectually 
sever  his  army.  In  all  haste,  therefore,  he  sent  off  an 
express  to  the  forces  encamped  above,  directing  them  to 


*  Giajdon's  MemoirB^  Idttell's  ed.,  p.  174.  (General  Greene^  in  a  letter 
to  a  Mend,  writes :  ''We  made  a  miserable,  disorderly  retreat  from  New 
Yo^  owing  to  the  oondnot  of  the  militia,  who  ran  at  the  appearanoe  of 
the  enemy's  adranced  guard.  Fellows'  and  Parsons'  brigades  ran  away 
from  aboat  fifty  men,  and  left  his  ExceUency  on  the  ground,  within 
eiglity  yards  of  tiie  enemy,  so  vexed  at  the  infamons  oondnot  of  bis  troops, 
thai  ha  sought  death  rather  than  life." 


412  LIFE  OF  WASHmQTOJBT. 

secure  that  position  immediately ;  while  another  express 
to  Putnam,  ordered  an  immediate  retreat  from  the  city  to 
those  heights. 

It  was  indeed  a  perilous  moment  Had  the  enemy  fol- 
lowed up  their  advantage,  and  seized  upon  the  heights, 
before  thus  occupied ;  or  had  they  extended  themselyes 
across  the  island,  from  the  place  where  they  had  effected 
a  landing,  the  result  might  have  been  most  disastrous  to 
the  Americans.  Fortunately,  they  contented  themselTcs 
for  the  present  with  sending  a  strong  detachment  down 
the  road  along  the  East  Biyer,  leading  to  the  city,  while 
the  main  body,  British  and  Hessians,  rested  on  their 
arms. 

In  the  meantime,  Putnam,  on  receiying  Washington's 
express,  caUed  in  his  pickets  and  guards,  and  abandoned 
the  city  in  all  haste,  leaving  behind  him  a  large  quantity 
of  provisions  and  military  stores,  and  most  of  the  heavy 
cannon.  To  avoid  the  enemy  he  took  the  Bloomingdale 
road,  though  this  exposed  him  to  be  raked  by  the  enemy's 
ships  anchored  in  the  Hudson.  It  was  a  forced  march, 
on  a  sultry  day,  under  a  burning  sun  and  amid  clouds  of 
dust.  Hift  army  was  encumbered  with  women  and  chil- 
dren and  all  kinds  of  baggage.  Many  were  overcome  by 
fatigue  and  thirst,  some  perished  by  hastily  drinking  cold 
water ;  but  Putnam  rode  backward  and  forward  hurrying 
every  one  on. 

Oolonel  Humphreys,  at  that  time  a  volunteer  in  his 
division,  writes :  I  had  frequent  opportunities  that  day 


SRITISS  REOALB  AT  HURRAY  SILL.  413 

d.  beholding  him,  for  the  purpose  of  iBsaing  orders  and 
enoonragiog  the  troops,  fljing  on  his  horse  oorered  with 
foam,  wherever  his  presence  wu  most  necessary.  With- 
out hie  extraordinary  exertions,  the  guards  most  have 
been  inevitably  lost,  and  it  is  probable  the  entire  corps 
would  have  been  cat  in  pieoes. 

"  When  we  were  not  far  from  Bloomingdale,  an  aide- 
de-camp  came  to  him  at  foil  speed,  to  inform  him  that  a 
oolamn  of  British  infantry  was  descending  npon  our 
right.  Onr  rear  was  soon  fired  npon,  and  f^e  colonel  of 
onr  regiment,  whose  order  was  jost  oommonicated  for  the 
front  to  file  off  to  the  left,  was  killed  npon  the  spot  With 
no  other  loss,  we  joined  the  army  after  dark  npon  the 
heights  of  HarleuL"  * 

Tradition  gives  a  circumstance  which  favored  Putnam's 
retreat.  The  British  generals,  in  passing  by  Murray 
Hill,  the  country  residence  of  a  patriot  of  that  name  who 
was  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  made  a  halt  to  seek  some 
refreshment.  The  proprietor  of  the  house  was  absent ; 
bat  his  wife  set  cake  and  wine  before  them  in  abun- 
dance. So  grateful  were  these  refreshments  in  the  heat  of 
the  day,  that  they  lingered  over  their  wine,  qnafiOng  and 
langhin^  and  bantering  their  patriotio  hostess  about  the 
lodiorouB  panic  and  discomfiture  of  her  countrymen.  In 
the  nuantime,  before  they  were  roused  from  their  re- 
gale, Putnam  and  his  forces  had  nearly  passed  by,  within 

•?oiltKAj.  Life  of  Putnam.    BpvAi  Am.  Biog.,  J&. -m. 


414  I'^^s  OF  wAaniNGToir. 

a  mile  of  them.  All  the  loss  sustained  by  him  in  Ida 
perilous  retreat,  was  about  fifteen  killed,  and  about  thiee 
hundred  taken  prisoners.  It  became,  adds  the  tradition, 
a  common  saying  among  the  American  officers,  that  Aba 
Mxirray  saved  Putnam's  division  of  the  army.* 

#  Tbacher's  MOUary  Jawmal,  p.  Nl 


OHAfTEB  XXXY. 


fOOTAJriMD  OAMP  AT  KINO'S  BBIDOS.— AMBBICAN  AHB  BRITIBH  LUm.- 
MORXI8  HOUBB.— AUOAimSB  HAXILTOH. 
FUI.  WTTKMTBIf.— PBATH  OF  KMOWLTOH.- 
QBOABIZATIOH  OF  THB  ABUT.— SXOHAVOB  OF  FlUSOllSSt.— DAIOSL  MOBOAH 
BBQAINKD.— DB  LAKCBT'S  TOBT  SRIOADB.— BOBBET  B00BB8,  THB  PABTHAIT. 
—SIS  BAHOBB8.— THB  **  EOBBUOK,"  *'  PHOWIX,"  ABD  "  TABTAB  "  Off  THB 
HUD0ON.— mUTABT  MOTBMBBTS  BT  LAHD  ABD  WATBB.^LBTTBB  OV  ^OBH 
^AT. 


-^^ — :^> 


fortified  oamp,  where  the  main  body  of  the 
army  was  now  assembled,  was  upon  that  neck  of 
land  several  miles  long,  and  for  the  most  part 
not  above  a  mile  wide,  which  forms  the  upper  part  of  Man<* 
hattan  or  New  York  Island.  It  forms  a  chain  of  rocky 
heights,  and  is  separated  from  the  mainland  by  Harlem 
Biver,  a  narrow  strait,  extending  from  Hell  Gktte  on  the 
Sound,  to  Spyt  den  Duivel,  a  creek  or  inlet  of  the  Hud* 
son.  Fort  Washington  occupied  the  crest  of  one  of  the 
rocky  heights  above  mentioned,  overlooking  the  Hudson^ 
and  about  two  miles  north  of  it  was  King's  Bridge, 
crossing  Spyt  den  Duivel  Creek,  and  forming  at  that  time 
the  only  pass  from  Manhattan  Island  to  the  mainland. 

About  a  mile  and  a  half  south  of  the  fort,  a  double  row 
of  lines  extended  across  the  neck  from  Harlem  Biver  to 

416 


416  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON: 

the  Hudson.  They  faced  south  towards  New  York,  wen 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  apart,  and  were  defended  by 
batteries. 

There  were  strong  adyanoed  posts,  about  two  miles 
south  of  the  outer  line ;  one  on  the  left  of  Harlem,  com- 
manded by  General  Spencer,  the  other  on  the  right,  at 
what  was  called  McGbwan's  Pass,  commanded  by  Gen- 
eral Putnam.  About  a  mile  and  a  half  beyond  these 
posts  the  British  lines  extended  across  the  island  from 
Horen's  Hook  to  the  Hudson,  being  a  continuous  en- 
campment^ two  miles  in  length,  with  both  flanks  covered 
by  shipping.  An  open  plain  intervened  between  the  hos- 
tile camps. 

Washington  had  established  his  head-quarters  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  within  the  inner  line ;  at  a  countiy-seat^ 
the  owners  of  which  were  absent.    It  belonged  in  fact  to 
Colonel  Boger  Morris,  his  early  companion  in  arms  in 
Braddock's  campaign,  and  his  successful  competitor  for 
the  hand  of  Miss  Mary  Philipse.    Morris  had  remained 
in  America,  enjoying  the  wealth  he  had  acquired  by  his 
marriage ;  but  had  adhered  to  the  royal  party,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  council  of  the  colony.     It  is  said  that  at 
this  time  he  was  residing  in  the  Highlands  at  Beverley, 
the  seat  of  his  brother-in-law,  Washington's  old  friend, 
Beverley  Robinson.* 

*  The  portrait  of  Wm  Marj  Philipse  is  still  to  be  seen  in  the  poawMgioQ 
of  Frederick  Phillips,  Esquire,  at  the  Grange,  on  the  Highlands  opposite 
West  Point. 


TEX  ENEMY  ADVANOR  417 

While  ihoB  posted,  Washington  was  incessantly  ooon- 
pied  in  fortifying  the  approaches  to  his  camp  by  re- 
doubts, abatis,  and  deep  intrenchments.  "Here,"  said 
he,  '^  I  should  hope  the  enemy,  in  case  of  attack,  wonld 
meet  a  defeat,  if  the  generality  of  onr  troops  would  be- 
haye  with  tolerable  bravery ;  but  experience,  to  my  ex- 
treme affliction,  has  convinced  me  that  it  is  rather  to  be 
wished  than  expected.  However,  I  trust  there  are  many 
who  will  act  like  men  worthy  of  the  blessings  of  free- 
dom.'* The  late  disgraceful  scene  at  Kip's  Bay  was  evi- 
dently rankling  in  his  mind. 

In  the  course  of  his  rounds  of  inspection,  he  was  struck 
with  the  skill  and  science  displayed  in  the  construction 
of  some  of  the  works,  which  were  thrown  up  under  the 
direction  of  a  youthful  captain  of  artillery.  It  proved  to 
be  the  same  young  officer,  Alexander  Hamilton,  whom 
Greene  had  recommended  to  his  notice.  After  some  con- 
versation with  him,  Washington  invited  him  to  his  mar- 
quee, and  thus  commenced  that  intercourse  which  has 
indissolubly  linked  their  memories  together. 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th,  word  was  brought  to  head- 
quarters that  the  enemy  were  advancing  in  three  large 
columns.  There  had  been  so  many  false  reports,  that 
Beed,  the  adjutant-general,  obtained  leave  to  sally  forth 
and  ascertain  the  truth.  Washington  himself  soon  mounted 
his  horse  and  rode  towards  the  advanced  posts.  On  ar- 
riving there  he  heard  a  brisk  firing.  It  was  kept  up  for 
a  time  with  great  spirit  There  was  evidently  a  sharp 
T0U  s.— 87 


^8  JU2^  OF  WAsnnr&Tow. 

oonflicL  At  length  Beed  oame  gaUopiiig  bade  wilh  in- 
fbrmatioiL  A  strong  detachment  of  the  enemy  had  at* 
tacked  the  most  advanced  post,  which  was  situated  on  % 
hill  skirted  by  a  wood.  It  had  been  bravely  defended  by 
Lieutenant-colonel  Enowlton,  Putnam's  favorite  officer, 
who  had  distinguished  himself  at  Bunker's  HOI ;  he  had 
under  him  a  party  of  Oonnecticut  rangers,  volunteen 
from  di£GBrent  regiments.  After  skirmishing  lor  a  time, 
the  party  had  been  overpowered  by  numbers  and  driven 
in,  and  the  outpost  was  taken  possession  of  by  the  en- 
emy. Beed  supposed  the  latter  to  be  about  three  hundred 
strong,  but  they  were  much  stronger,  the  main  part  hav- 
ing been  concealed  behind  a  rising  ground  in  the  wood. 
They  were  composed  of  a  battalion  of  light  infantry,  an- 
other of  Boyal  Highlanders,  and  three  companies  of  Hes- 
sian riflemen ;  all  under  the  command  of  Oeneral  Leslie. 

Beed  urged  that  troops  should  be  sent  to  support  the 
brave  fellows  who  had  behaved  so  welL  While  he  waa 
talking  with  Washington,  "  the  enemy,"  he  says,  "  ap- 
peared in  open  view,  and  sounded  their  bugles  in  the 
most  insulting  manner,  as  usual  after  a  fox-chase.  I 
never,*'  adds  he, ''  felt  such  a  sensation  before ;  it  seemed 
to  crown  our  disgrace." 

Washington,  too,  was  stung  by  the  taunting  note  of 
derision ;  it  recalled  the  easy  triumph  of  the  enemy  at 
Kip's  Bay.  Besolved  that  something  should  be  done  to 
wipe  out  that  disgrace,  and  rouse  the  spirits  of  the  army, 
he  ordered  out  three  companies  from  Colonel  Weedon'i 


A  8W0B88FVL  aKtOMiaB.  419 

tegimetii  jtut  arrived  from  '^zgiiuB«  and  ssni  th«m  under 
Major  Leitdi,  to  join  Enovlton's  raagers.  The  troops 
thus  united  were  to  get  in  the  rear  of  tiie  enen^,  while  a 
feigned  attack  was  made  npon  them  in  front. 

The  plan  was  partiallj  BnooeesfoL  As  the  foroe  od' 
Tanoed  to  nuike  tiie  blae  attack,  the  enemy  ran  down  the 
hill,  and  took  what  they  otmsidered  an  advantageoos  po< 
■ition  behind  some  fenosB  and  boshes  whioh  skirted  it 
A  filing  oommenoed  between  them  and  the  advandng 
parfy,  bnt  at  too  great  a  dietanoe  to  do  maoh  harm  on 
either  side.  In  the  meantime,  Snowlton  and  Leitch, 
ignorant  of  Ihie  change  in  the  enemy's  position,  h&vii^ 
znode  a  drooit,  came  upon  them  in  fiank  instead  cA  in 
xear.  They  were  sharply  received.  A  vivid  contest  took 
plaoe,  in  whioh  Oonnectiont  vied  with  Tirgini&in  bravery. 
In  a  little  while  Major  Leitoh  received  three  ballets  in 
bis  side,  and  was  borne  off  the  field.  Shortly  afterward, 
a  wonnd  in  the  head  from  a  mnsket  ball,  bronght  Enowl- 
hm  to  the  ground.  Colonel  Beed  placed  him  on  his 
hone,  and  conveyed  him  to  a  distant  redonbt  The  men, 
undismayed  by  the  fall  of  their  leaden,  fooght  with  nu- 
flinohing  resolution  nnder  the  command  of  their  captains. 
The  anemy  were  reinforced  by  a  battalion  of  Hessians  and 
a  oompany  of  ehassennu  Washington  likewise  sent  rein- 
forcements of  New  England  and  Maryland  troops.  The 
action  waxed  hotter  and  hotter ;  the  enemy  were  driven 
from  the  wood  into  the  plain,  and  pushed  for  some  dis- 
tance; the  Americans  were  pnrsmng  tikem  with  ardcn; 


420  ^^^^  Of  WABHWQTON. 

when  Washington,  having  effected  the  object  of  this 
nal  encounter,  and  being  unwilling  to  risk  a  general 
action,  ordered  a  retreat  to  be  sounded. 

It  was  with  difficulty,  however,  his  men  could  be  called 
off,  so  excited  were  they  by  the  novelty  of  pursuing  an 
enemy.  They  retired  in  good  order;  and,  as  it  subse^ 
quently  appeared,  in  good  season,  for  the  main  body  of 
the  enemy  were  advancing  at  a  rapid  rate,  and  might 
have  effectually  reversed  the  scene. 

Colonel  Enowlton  did  not  long  survive  the  action. 
**  When  gasping  in  the  agonies  of  death,*'  says  Colonel 
Beed,  "  all  his  inquiry  was  whether  he  had  driven  in  the 
enemy."  He  was  anxious  for  the  tarnished  honor  of 
Connecticui  He  had  the  dying  satisfaction  of  knowing 
that  his  men  had  behaved  bravely,  and  driven  the  enemy 
in  an  open  field-fighi    So  closed  his  gallant  career. 

The  encounter  thus  detailed  was  a  small  affedr  in  itself 
but  important  in  its  effects.  It  was  the  first  gleam  of 
success  in  the  campaign,  and  revived  the  spirits  of  the 
army.  Washington  sought  to  turn  it  to  the  greatest  ad" 
vantage.  In  his  general  orders,  he  skillfully  distributed 
praise  and  censure.  The  troops  under  Leitch  were 
thanked  for  being  the  first  to  advance  upon  the  enemy ; 
and  the  New  England  troops  for  gallantly  supporting 
them ;  and  their  conduct  was  honorably  contrasted  with 
that  of  the  recreant  troops  at  Kip's  Bay.  Of  Knowlton, 
who  had  fallen  while  gloriously  fighting,  he  spoke  as 
**  one  who  would  have  done  honor  to  any  country." 


GREAT  FIRE  IX  NEW    YORK.  421 

The  name  of  Leitch  was  given  by  him  for  the  next 
day's  parole.  That  brave  officer  died  of  his  wounds  on 
the  1st  of  October,  soothed  in  his  last  moments  by  that 
recompense  so  dear  to  a  soldier's  heart,  the  encomium 
of  a  beloved  commander. 

In  the  dead  of  the  night,  on  the  20th  of  September,  a 
great  light  was  beheld  by  the  picket  guards,  looming  up 
from  behind  the  hills  in  the  direction  of  the  city.  It 
continued  throughout  the  night,  and  was  at  times  so 
strong  that  the  heavens  in  that  direction  appeared  to 
them,  they  said,  as  if  in  flames.  At  daybreak  huge  col- 
umns of  smoke  were  still  rising.  It  was  evident  there 
had  been  a  great  conflagration  in  New  York. 

In  the  course  of  the  morning  Captain  Montresor,  aide- 
de-camp  to  Gteneral  Howe,  came  out  with  a  flag,  bearing 
a  letter  to  Washington  on  the  subject  of  an  exchange  of 
prisoners.  According  to  Montresor's  account  a  great 
part  of  the  city  had  been  burnt  down,  and  as  the  night 
was  extremely  windy,  the  whole  might  have  been  so,  but 
for  the  exertions  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  British 
army.  He  implied  it  to  be  the  act  of  American  incen- 
diaries, several  of  whom,  he  informed  Colonel  Beed,  had 
been  caught  in  the  fact  and  instantly  shot.  (General 
Howe,  in  his  private  correspondence,  makes  the  same 
assertion,  and  says  they  were  detected,  and  killed  on  the 
spot  by  the  enraged  troops  in  garrison. 

Enraged  troops,  with  weapons  in  their  hands,  are  not 
apt,  in  a  time  of  confusion  and  alarm,  to  be  correct 


422  L^^  OF  WAaHINQTON* 

judges  of  &cty  or  dispensers  of  jnstioe.  The  Aot  was 
always  disclaimed  by  the  Americans^  and  it  is  oertain 
their  oommanders  knew  nothing  about  ii  We  hafe 
shown  that  the  destmotion  of  the  city  was  at  one  time 
discussed  in  a  council  of  war  as  a  measure  of  policy^  but 
ne^er  a&pted,  and  was  expressly  forbidden  by  Cod- 
gress. 

The  enemy  were  now  bringing  up  their  heary  cannon, 
preparatory  to  an  attack  upon  the  American  camp  by* 
the  troops  and  by  the  ships.    What  was  the  state  ot 
Washington's  army  ?    The  terms  of  engagement  of  man^ 
of  his  men  would  soon  be  at  an  end,  most  of  them  wonlc 
terminate  with  the  year,  nor  did  Congress  hold  out  offai^^ 
to  encourage  reenlistments.    ''We  are  now,  as  it  iretOp^ 
upon  the  e^e  of  another  dissolution  of  the  army/*  writes^ 
he,  ''  and  unless  some  speedy  and  effectual  measures  are  ^ 
adopted  by  Congress,  our  cause  will  be  losi**    Under  ' 
these  gloomy  apprehensions,  he  borrowed,  as  he  sfdd, 
''  a  few  moments  from  the  hours  allotted  to  sleep,*'  and  - 
on  the  night  of  the  24th  of  September,  penned  an  admir-  ^ 
able  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  setting  forth  the  ^ 
total  inefficiency  of  the  existing  military  system,  ihe^ 
total  insubordination,  waste,  confusion,  and  disconten*^ 
produced  by  it  among  the  men,  and  the  harassing  care^ 
and  vexations  to  which  it  subjected  the  commander^-' 
Nor  did  he  content  himself  with  complaining,  but»  in  hitf 
full,  clear,  and  sagacious  manner,  pointed  out  the  reme- 
To  the  achievements  of  his  indefatigable  pen,  we 


BBOBQANIZATION  OF  THE  ARMY.  433 

may  trace  the  most  fortunate  turns  in  the  current  of  ou 
revolutionary  affidrs.  In  the  present  instance  his  repre- 
sentations, illustrated  by  sad  experience,  produced  at 
length  a  reoi^anization  of  the  army,  and  the  establish- 
ment of  it  on  a  permanent  footing.  It  was  decreed  that 
eighty-eight  battalions  should  be  furnished  in  quotas,  by 
the  different  States,  according  to  their  abilities.  The  pay 
of  the  officers  was  raised.  The  troops  which  engaged  to 
serve  throughout  the  war  were  to  receive  a  bounty  of 
twenty  dollars  and  one  hundred  acres  of  land,  besides  a 
yearly  suit  of  clothes  while  in  service.  Those  who  en- 
listed for  but  three  years,  received  no  bounty  in  land. 
The  bounty  to  officers  was  on  a  higher  ratio.  The  States 
were  to  send  commissioners  to  the  army,  to  arrange  with 
the  commander-in-chief  as  to  the  appointment  of  officers 
in  their  quotas;  but,  as  they  might  occasionally  be  slow 
in  complying  with  this  regulation,  Washington  was  em- 
powered to  fill  up  all  vacancies. 

All  this  was  a  great  relief  to  his  mind.  He  was  grati- 
fied, also,  by  effecting,  after  a  long  correspondence  with 
the  British  commander,  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  in 
which  those  captured  in  Canada  were  included.  Among 
those  restored  to  the  service  were  Lord  Stirling  and 
Oaptain  Daniel  Morgan.  The  latter,  in  reward  of  his 
good  conduct  in  the  expedition  with  Arnold,  and  of  "  his 
intrepid  behavior  in  the  assault  upon  Quebec  where  the 
brave  Montgomery  fell,"  was  recommended  to  Congress 
by  Washington  for  the  command  of  a  rifle  regiment  about 


431  MFB  OF  WAasmGTOIf. 

to  be  raised.    We  shall  see  how  eminenily  he  pioyed 
himself  worthy  of  this  recommendation. 

About  this  time  information  was  reoeiyed  that  the 
enemy  were  enlisting  great  numbers  of  the  loyalists  of 
Long  Island,  and  collecting  large  quantities  of  stock  for 
their  support  Oliver  De  Lancey,  a  leading  loyalist  of 
New  York,  member  of  a  wealthy  family  of  honorable 
Huguenot  descent,  was  a  prime  agent  in  the  matter.  He 
had  recently  been  appointed  brigadier-general  in  the 
royal  service,  and  authorized  by  General  Howe  to  raise  a 
brigade  of  provincials ;  and  was  actually  at  Jamaica,  on 
Long  Island,  offering  commissions  of  captain,  lieutenant,  , 
and  ensign,  to  any  respectable  person  who  should  raise  m 
a  company  of  seventy  men ;  the  latter  to  receive  British^ 

pay- 

A  descent  upon  Long  Island,  to  counteract  these  proj — 
ects,  was  concerted  by  General  Q«orge  Clinton  of  Ne^" 
York,  and  General  Lincoln  of  Massachusetts,  but  m 
and  water  craft  were  wanting  to  carry  it  into  effect,  ml* 
the  "  tory  enlistments  continued."    They  were  not  coix- 
fined  to  Long   Island,  but  prevailed  more  or  less  on 
Staten  Island,  in  the  Jerseys,  up  the  Hudson  as  far  as 
Dutchess  County,   and    in  Westchester    County,  mow 
especially.    Many  of  the  loyalists,  it  must  be  acknowl- 
edged, were  honorable  men,  conscientiously  engaged  in 
the  service  of  their  sovereign,  and  anxious  to  put  down 
what  they  sincerely  regarded  as  an  unjustifiable  rebel* 
lion;  and  among  these  may  be  clearly  classed  the  Do 


R0QER6  THE  RENEGADE,  426 

Lanceys.     There  were   others,  however,  of  a  different 
stamp,  the  most  notorious  of  whom,  at  this  juncture,  was 
one  Bobert  Bogers  of  New  Hampshire.    He  had  been  a 
worthy  comrade  of  Putnam  and  Stark,  in  some  of  their 
early  enterprises  during  the  French  war,  and  had  made 
liiniself  famous  as  major  of  a   partisan   corps   called 
3Kogers'  Bangers.    Governor  Trumbull  described  him  as 
&  **  famous  scouter  and  wood-hunter,  skilled  in  waylay- 
ing, ambuscade,  and  sudden  attack."    His  feats  of  arms 
Iiad  evidently  somewhat  of  the  Indian  character.    He 
Iiad  since  been  governor  of  Michilimackinac  (1766),  and 
iMxrased  of  a  plot  to  plunder  his  own  fort  and  join  the 
IFrench.    At  the  outbreak  of  the  Bevolution  he  played 
a  skulking,  equivocal  part,  and  appeared  ready  to  join 
either  party.    In  1775,  Washington  had  received  notice 
that  he  was  in  Canada^  in  the  service  of  Carleton,  and 
had  been  as  a  spy,  disguised  as  an  Indian,  through  the 
American  camp  at  St  John's. 

Becently,  on  learning  that  he  was  prowling  about  the 
ooimtry  under  suspicious  circumstances,  Washington  had 
caused  him  to  be  arrested.  On  examination,  he  declared 
that  he  was  on  his  way  to  offer  his  secret  services  to  Con- 
gress. He  was  accordingly  sent  on  to  that  body,  iu 
custody  of  an  officer.  Congress  liberated  him  on  his 
pledging  himself  in  writing,  '^  on  the  honor  of  a  gentle- 
man," not  to  bear  arms  against  the  American  United 
Colonies  in  any  manner  whatever,  during  the  contest 
with  Great  Britain. 


426  I^^  OF  WABHINQTOJSr. 

Scarcely  was  he  liberated  when  he  forfeited  his  parole^ 
offiBred  his  services  to  the  enemy,  reoeived  a  colonel's 
commission,  and  was  now  actually  raising  a  toxy  corps 
to  be  called  the  Queen's  Bangers.    All  such  aa  should 
bring  recruits  to  his  standard  were  promised  oommis^ 
sions,  portions  of  rebel  lands,  and  privileges  equal 
any  of  His  Majesty's  troops. 

Of  all  Americans  of  note  enlisted  under  the  ^^y*       I 
standard,  this    man  had   rendered    himself    the    mos^Kii 
odious.    He  was  stigmatized  as  an  arrant  ren^^ade,       41 
perfect  Judas    Iscariot;    and  his    daring,  adventuro 
spirit  and  habits  of  Indian  warfare  rendered  him  a  fo 
midable  enemy. 

Nothing  perplexed  Washington  at  this  juncture  moxv 
than  the  conduct  of  the  enemy.    La  beheld  before  hinn   a 
hostile  army,  armed  and  equipped  at  all  points,  superior 
in  numbers,  thoroughly  disciplined,  flushed  with  sucoesfl^ 
and  abounding  in  the  means  of  pushing  a  vigorous  cam- 
paign, yet  suffering  day  after  day  to  elapse  unimproved.       . . 
What  could  be  the  reason  of  this  supineness  on  the  part      I . 
of  Sir  William  Howe  ?    He  must  know  the  depressed  and 
disorganized  state  of  the  American  camp ;  the  absolato 
chaos  that  reigned  there.    Did  he  meditate  an  irruption 
into  the  Jerseys?    A  movement  towards  Philadelpliia' 
Did  he  intend  to  detach  a  part  of  his  forces  for  a  winter's 
campaign  against  the  South  ? 

In  this  uncertainty,  Washington   wrote    to    General     l:i 
Mercer,  of  the  flying  camp,  to  keep  a  vigilant  watch  fron     I  »^ 


<   1 


OBsmuoTioNa  of  the  EUDSOJT.  427 

Jersey  shore  on  the  moyements  of  the  enemy,  by  sea 
ind  land,  and  to  station  yidettes  on  the  Neversink 
Bbights,  to  give  immediate  intelligence  should  any  of 
ihe  British  fleet  pat  to  sea.  At  the  same  time  he  him- 
lelf  practiced  unceasing  vigilance,  visiting  the  different 
Murts  of  his  camp  on  horseback  Occasionally  he  crossed 
nrer  to  Fort  Constitution,  on  the  Jersey  shore,  of  which 
General  Qreene  had  charge,  and,  accompanied  by  him, 
ixtended  his  reconnoiterings  down  to  Paulus  Hook,  to 
^beerve  what  was  going  on  in  the  city  and  among  the 
inemy's  ships.  Greene  had  recently  been  promoted  to 
he  rank  of  major-general,  and  now  had  command  of  all 
he  troops  ia  the  Jerseys.  He  had  liberty  to  shift  his 
[uarters  to  Baskingridge  or  Bergen,  as  circumstances 
oight  require ;  but  was  enjoined  to  keep  up  a  communis 
tation  with  the  main  army,  east  of  the  Hudson,  so  as  to 
leoure  a  retreat  in  case  of  necessity. 

The  security  of  the  Hudson  was  at  this  time  an  object 
d  great  solicitude  with  Congress,  and  much  reliance  was 
>laced  on  Putnam's  obstructions  at  Fort  Washington. 
?'oiir  galleys,  mounted  with  heavy  guns  and  swivels,  were 
ttationed  at  the  chevaux-de-frise,  and  two  new  ships  were 
it  hand,  which,  filled  with  stones,  were  to  be  sunk  where 
liey  would  block  up  the  channeL  A  sloop  was  also  at 
mchor,  having  on  board  a  machine,  invented  by  a  Mc 
Bushnell,  for  submarine  explosion,  with  which  to  blow 
ap  the  men-of-war ;  a  favorite  scheme  with  Oeneral  Put* 
nam.    The  obstructions  were  so  commanded  by  batteries 


^8  XZFil?  OF  WABEHr&TOir. 

on  each  shore,  that  it  was  thought  no  hostile  ship  wonld 
be  able  to  pass. 

On  the  9th  of   October,  howeTer,  the  Boebndt  and 
PJuBfdx,  each  of   forfy-fonr   gtins»  and  the   Tartar  of 
twenty  gnns,  which  had  been  lying  for  some  time  op* 
posite  Bloomingdale,  got  under  way  with  their  three 
tenders,  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  came  stand- 
Ing  up  the  river  with  an  easy  southern  breese.    At  thei] 
approach,  the  galleys  and  the  two  ships  intended  to 
sunk,  got  under  way  with  all  haste,  as  did  a  8ch< 
laden  with  rum,  sugar,  and  other  supplies  for  the  Ameri- 
can army,  and  the  sloop  with  Bushnell's  submarine 
chine. 

The  Bodmcikf  Phoenix^  and  Tartar,  broke  through  th « 

Taunted  barriers  as  through  a  cobweb.    Seven  ba 
kept  a  constant  fire  upon  them,  yet  a  gentleman  was  o1 
served  walking  the  deck  of  the  second  ship  as  coolly 
if  nothing  were  the  matter.*    Washington,  indeed,  in     3 
letter  to  Schuyler,  says  '^  they  passed  without  any  kizmd 
^  damage  or  interruption ; "  but  Lord  Howe  reports  to 
the  admiralty  that  they  suffered  much  in  their  masts  and 
rigging,  and  that  a  lieutenant,  two  midshipmen,  and  sii 
men  were  killed,  and  eighteen  wounded. 

The  hostile  ships  kept  on  their  course,  the  American 
vessels  scudding  before  them.  The  schooner  was  ove^ 
hauled  and  captured ;  a  well-aimed  shot  sent  the  sloop 

*  OoL  Bwing  to  the  Maryland  Committee  of  Saletj. 


AGITATION  ALONG  THE  HUDSON.  429 

and  BoBlinell's  submarine  engine  to  the  bottom  of  the 
river.  The  two  new  ships  would  have  taken  refuge  in 
Spyt  den  Duiyel  Creek,  but  fearing  there  might  not  be 
water  enough,  they  kept  on  and  drove  ashore  at  Philips' 
Mills  at  Yonkers.  Two  of  the  galleys  got  into  a  place  of 
safety,  where  they  were  protected  from  the  shore ;  the 
other  two  trusted  to  outsail  their  pursuers.  The  breeze 
freshened,  and  the  frigates  gained  on  them  fast ;  at  11 
o'dock  began  to  fire  on  them  with  their  bow-chasers,  and 
at  12  o'clock  overreached  them,  which  caused  them  to 
bear  in  shore  ;  at  half-past  one  the  galleys  ran  aground 
just  above  Dobb's  Ferry,  and  lay  exposed  to  a  shower  of 
grape-shoi  The  crews,  without  stopping  to  bum  or 
bilge  them,  swam  on  shore,  and  the  enemy  took  posses* 
sion  of  the  two  galleys,  which  were  likely  to  be  formi<< 
dable  means  of  annoyance  in  their  hands. 

One  express  after  another  brought  Washington  word 
of  these  occurrences.  First,  he  sent  off  a  party  of  rifle 
and  artillery  men,  with  two  twelve-pounders,  to  secure 
the  new  ships  which  had  run  aground  at  Yonkers.  Next, 
he  ordered  Colonel  Sargent  to  march  up  along  the  east- 
em  shore  with  five  hundred  infantry,  a  troop  of  light 
horse,  and  a  detachment  of  artillery,  to  prevent  the  land- 
ing of  the  enemy.  Before  the  troops  arrived  at  Dobb's 
Ferry  the  ships'  boats  had  plundered  a  store  there,  and 
set  it  on  fire. 

To  prevent,  if  possible,  the  men-of-war  already  up  the 
liver  from  coming  down,  or  others  from  below  joining 


430  LIFE  OF  WASHmGTOJfr. 

them,  Washington  gave  orders  to  complete  the  obstme* 
tions.  Two  hulks  which  lay  in  Spyt  den  DuiYol  Greek, 
were  hastily  ballasted  by  men  from  General  Heath's 
division,  and  men  were  sent  np  to  get  off  the  ships  which 
had  ran  aground  at  Philips'  Mills,  that  they  might  be 
brought  down  and  sunk  immediately. 

It  is  difficult  to  give  an  idea  of  the  excitement  caxised 
by  this  new  irruption  of  hostile  ships  into  the  waters  o; 
the  Hudson  or  of  the  various  conjectures  as  to  their 
jeci    They  might  intend  merely  to  interrupt  navigatio 


and  prevent  supplies  from  coming  down  to  the  Americans 
army.  They  might  be  carrying  arms  and  ammunition  foi^ 
domestic  enemies  skulking  about  the  river,  and  only  waii 
ing  an  opportunity  to  strike  a  blow.  They  might  ha^ 
troops  concealed  on  board  with  intent  to  surprise  thi 
posts  in  the  Highlands,  and  cut  off  the  intercourse 
tween  the  American  armies.  To  such  a  degree  had  th« 
spirit  of  disaffection  been  increased  in  the  counties  ad- 
jacent to  the  river,  since  the  descent  of  the  Jiose  and 
Phoenix^  by  the  retreats  and  evacuation  which  had  takeii 
place,  and  so  great  had  been  the  drain  on  the  militia  oi 
those  counties  for  the  army  of  Washington,  that,  in  case 
of  insurrection,  those  who  remained  at  home  and  were 
well  affected,  would  be  outnumbered,  and  might  easily 
be  overpowered,  especially  with  the  aid  of  troops  landed 
from  ships. 

While  this  agitation  prevailed  below,  fugitive   river 
crafts  carried  the  news  up  to  the  Highlands  that  the 


AGITATION  ALONG  THE  HUDSON.  481 

tr^tes  were  already  before  Tarrytown  in  the  Tappan 
Sea.  Word  was  instantly  despatched  to  Peter  B.  liying- 
Bton,  president  of  the  Proyinoial  Congress,  and  startled 
that  deliberative  body,  which  was  then  seated  at  Fishldll 
just  above  the  Highlands.  The  Committee  of  Safely 
pnrote,  on  the  spnr  of  the  moment,  to  Washington. 
<  Nothing,"  say  they,  **  can  be  more  alarming  than  the 
^resent  sitnation  of  onr  State.  We  are  daily  getting  the 
nost  authentic  intelligence  of  bodies  of  men  enlisted  and 
unned  in  order  to  assist  the  enemy.  We  much  fear  that 
ihey,  cooperating  with  the  enemy,  may  seize  snch  passes 
\B  will  cut  off  the  communication  between  the  army  and 
18,  and  prevent  your  supplies.  •  •  .  .  We  beg  leave 
o  suggest  to  your  Excellency  the  propriety  of  sending 
k  body  of  men  to  the  Highlands  or  Peekskill,  to  secure 
he  passes,  prevent  insurrection,  and  overawe  the  dis- 
sected." 

Washington  transmitted  the  letter  to  the  President  of 
Uongress  on  the  12th.  *^  I  have  ordered  up,"  writes  he, 
''  part  of  the  militia  from  Massachusetts,  under  General 
Lincoln,  to  prevent,  if  possible,  the  consequences  which 
(hey  suggest  may  happen,  and  which  there  is  reason  to 
believe  the  conspirators  have  in  contemplation.  I  am 
persuaded  that  they  are  on  the  eve  of  breaking  out,  and 
that  they  will  leave  nothing  unessayed  that  will  distress 
IS,  and  favor  the  designs  of  the  enemy,  as  soon  as  their 
schemes  are  ripe  for  it"  In  fact,  it  was  said  that  the 
were  arming  and  collecting  in  the  Highlands  under 


432  LI^S  OF  WASEnrGTOir. 

the  direction  of  disguised  officers,  to  aid  the  conspiraoiei 
formed  by  Gbyemor  Tryon  and  his  adherents. 

As  a  farther  precaution,  an  express  was  sent  off  by 
Washington  to  Colonel  Tash,  who,  with  a  regiment  of 
New  Hampshire  militia,  was  on  his  way  from  Hartford  io 
the  camp,  ordering  him  to  repair  with  all  possible  de- 
spatch to  Fishkill,  and  there  hcAd  himself  at  the  dispo- 
sition of  the  Committee  of  Safety. 

James  Clinton,  also,  who  had  charge  of  the  poets  in  the 
Highlands,  was  put  on  the  alert  That  tmsiy  officer  was 
now  a  brigadier-general,  haying  been  promoted  by  Con- 
gress, on  the  8th  of  August  He  was  charged  to  have  all 
boats  passing  up  and  down  the  river  rigidly  searched, 
and  the  passengers  examined.  Beside  the  usual  sentries, 
a  barge,  well  manned,  was  to  patrol  the  river  opposite  to 
each  fort  every  night;  all  barges,  row-boats,  and  other 
small  craft,  between  the  forts,  in  the  Highlands  and  the 
army,  were  to  be  secured  in  a  place  of  safety,  to  prevent 
their  falling  into  the  enemy's  hands  and  giving  intelli- 
gence. Moreover,  a  French  engineer  was  sent  up  to  aid 
in  strengthening  and  securing  the  passes.  The  command- 
ing officers  of  the  counties  of  Litchfield  and  Fairfield  in 
Connecticut,  had,  likewise,  orders  to  hold  their  militia  in 
readiness  to  render  assistance  in  case  of  insurrections  in 
the  State  of  New  York. 

So  perilous  appeared  the  condition  of  affairs  to  resi* 
dents  up  the  river,  that  John  Jay,  a  member  of  the  Kew 
York  Convention,  and  one  of  the  secret  committee  for  the 


A   REMARKABLE  LETTEli.  433 

detense  of  the  Hudson,  applied  for  leave  of  absence,  that 

he  might  remove  his  aged  parents  to  a  place  of  safety. 

[  A  letter  from  him  to  Edward  Bntledge,  of  the  Board  of 

War,  oontains  this  remarkable  sentence:  ^^I  wish  our 

army  well  stationed  in  the  Highlands,  and  all  the  lower 

ooimtry  desolated ;  we  might  then  bid  defiance  to  all  the 

farther  efforts  of  the  enemy  in  that  quarter." 

Nor  was  this  a  random  or  despairing  wish.    It  shows  a 

brave  spirit  of  a  leading  civilian  of  the  day,  and  the  sac* 

rifioes  that  true  patriots  were  disposed  to  make  in  the 

cause  of  independence. 

But  a  few  days  previously  he  had  held  the  following 

language  to  Gbuvemeur  Morris,  chairman  of  a  special 

committee :  *'  Had  I  been  vested  with  absolute  power  in 

this  State,  I  have  often  said,  and  still  think,  that  I  would 

last  spring  have  desolated  all  Long  Idomi^  Staien  Idand, 

the  city  and  county  of  New  Tork^  and  all  that  part  of  the 

county  of  Westchester  which  lies  below  the  mountains.    I 

would  then  have  stationed  the  main  body  of  the  army  in 

the  mountains  on  the  east,  and  eight  or  ten  thousand  men 

in  the  Highlands  on  the  west  side  of  the  river.    I  would 

have  directed  the  river  at  Fart  Montgomery^  which  is 

nearly  at  the  southern  extremity  of  the  mountains,  to  be 

so  shallowed  as  to  afford  only  depth  sufficient  for  an 

Albany  sloop,  and  all  the  southern  passes  and  defiles  in 

the  mountains  to  be  strongly  fortified.    Nor  do  I  think 

the  shallowing  of  the  river  a  romantic  scheme.    Bocky 

mountains  rise  immediately  from  the  shores.  The  breadth 
VOL.  n.~28 


434  -^^^^  ^^  WABHINQTOXr. 

is  not  very  great,  though  the  depth  is.  But  what  oumoi 
eight  or  ten  thousand  men,  well  worked,  e£Bdot  ?  Acoord*- 
ing  to  this  plan  of  defense  the  State  would  be  absolutely 
impregnable  against  all  the  world,  on  the  seaside,  aod 
would  have  nothing  to  fear  except  from  the  way  of  the 
lake.  Should  the  enemy  gain  the  river,  even  below  the 
mountains,  I  think  I  foresee  that  a  retreat  would  become 
necessary,  and  I  can't  forbear  wishing  that  a  desire  of 
saying  a  few  acres  may  not  lead  us  into  difficulties.*'  * 

Three  days  after  this  remarkable  letter  was  written, 
the  enemy's  ships  did  gain  the  river ;  and  two  days  after- 
wards,  October  11th,  Beed,  the  adjutant -general,  the 
confidant  of  Washington's  councils,  writes  to  his  wife 
from  Harlem  Heights :  **  My  most  sanguine  views  do  Dot 
extend  further  than  keeping  our  ground  here  tiU  thu 
campaign  doses.     If  the  enemy  incline  to  press  iiB,it 
is  resolved  to  risk  an  engagement,  for,  if  we  cannot 
fight  them  on  this  ground,  we  can  on  none  in  America. 
The  ships  are  the  only  circumstances  un&vorable  to  ns 
here- 
on the  same  day  that  this  letter  was  written,  a  small 
vessel,  sloop-rigged,  with  a  topsail,  was  descried  from 
Fort  Washington,  coming  down  the  river  with  a  fresh 
breeze.    It  was  suspected  by  those  on  the  look-out  to 
be  one  of  the  British  tenders,  and  they  gave  it  a  shot 
from  a  twelve-pounder.    Their  aim  was  unfortunately 

*iiffi.  Arck/ivu^  5th  Series,  toL  iL  (XU* 


UNFOBTUNATB. 


436 


>  true.  Three  of  the  crew  were  killed  and  the  captain 
funded.  It  proved  to  be  Washington's  yacht,  which 
i  ran  np  the  river  preyioosly  to  the  enemy's  shipsi 
1  was  now  on  its  return.* 


*  Heath's  Mmno¥r$, 


OHAPTEB  ZXXVL 

Um  aZFIOTBD  m  OAMP.— HIS  LBTTBB  or  ADVIOB  TO  THE  PBI8IBBR  OV  0» 
GBB88.— THB  ENSMT  AT  THBOO'S  NaOK.^WA8HDIGT(ni'S  ABHASeBam- 

Bmn  TO  thboq'b  mbgk.— tbb  smMT  bbouost  to  a  btaxii.— muTAir 

MOVBlCBirro.— ARRIVAL  OT  LBS.— A  COMMAND  AflUCOnD  TO  HIM.— Cim- 
CI8B8  THB  OONDUOT  OF  GONORBB8  AND  THB  ABMT. — OOUBOIL  OF  WAI. 
—THB  ABMT  TO  MOYB  TO  THB  MAINLAND.  — fOBT  WASHneVON  TO  Bl 
KEPT  UP. 

Oeneral  Lee  should  be  in  Philadelphia,** 
writes  John  Jay  to  Butledge,  **  pray  hasten  his 
departure — ^he  is  much  wanted  at  New  Tort" 
The  successes  of  Lee  at  the  south  were  contrasted  by 
many  with  the  defeat  on  Long  Island,  and  eyacuation  of 
New  York,  and  they  began  to  consider  him  the  maiii  hope 
of  the  army.  Hazard,  the  postmaster,  writing  from  Har- 
lem Heights  to  Oeneral  Oates  on  the  11th,  laments  it  as  a 
misforttme  that  Lee  should  have  been  to  the  southward 
for  several  months  past,  but  adds  cheeringly,  **  he  is  ex- 
pected here  to-day." 

Joseph  Trumbull,  the  commissary-general,  also  writes 
to  Oates  under  the  same  date :  **  Oeneral  Lee  is  to  be 
here  this  eyoning.    He  left  Philadelphia  on  the  8th." 
Lee,  the  object  of  so  many  hopes,  was  actually  in  the 


LEE\S  LETTER   TO   CONOliESS.  437 

Jerseys,  on  his  way  to  the  camp.  He  writes  from  Amboy 
on  the  12thy  to  the  President  of  Congress,  informing  him 
that  the  Hessians,  encamped  opposite  on  Staten  Island, 
had  disappeared  on  the  preceding  night,  quitting  the  isl- 
and entirely,  and  some  great  measure  was  believed  to  be 
in  agitation.  '^  I  am  confident,''  writes  he,  **  they  will  not 
attack  General  Washington's  lines ;  such  a  measure  is  too 
absurd  for  a  man  of  Mr.  Howe's  genius ;  and  unless  they 
have  received  flattering  accounts  from  Burgoyne,  that  he 
will  be  able  to  effectuate  a  junction  (which  I  conceive 
they  have  not),  they  will  no  longer  remain  kicking  their 
heels  at  New  York.  They  will  put  the  place  in  a  respect- 
able state  of  defense,  which,  with  their  command  of  the 
waters,  may  be  easily  done,  leave  four  or  five  thousand 
men,  and  direct  their  operations  to  a  more  decisive  ob- 
ject. They  will  infallibly  proceed  either  immediately  up 
the  river  Delaware  with  their  whole  troops,  or,  what  is 
more  probable,  land  somewhere  about  South  Amboy  or 
Shrewsbury,  and  march  straight  to  Trenton  or  Burling- 
ton. On  the  supposition  that  this  will  be  the  case,  what 
are  we  to  do  ?  What  force  have  we  ?  What  means  have 
we  to  prevent  their  possessing  themselves  of  Philadel- 
phia ?  Gbneral  Washington's  army  cannot  possibly  keep 
pace  with  them.  The  length  of  his  route  is  not  only  in- 
finitely greater,  but  his  obstructions  almost  insuperable. 
In  short,  before  he  could  cross  Hudson  Biver,  they  might 
be  lodged  and  strongly  fortified  on  both  banks  of  the 
Delaware For  Heaven's  sake  arouse  your« 


438  LIFE  OF  WAaHINQTOJSr. 

selyesl  For  Heaven's  sake  let  ten  thousand  men  Im 
immediately  assembled,  and  stationed  somewhere  about 
Trenton.  In  my  opinion,  yoor  whole  depends  upon  ii 
I  set  ont  immediately  for  head-qnarters,  where  I  shall 
communicate  my  apprehension  that  such  will  be  the  next 
operation  of  the  enemy,  and  urge  the  expediency  of  spar- 
ing a  part  of  his  army  (if  he  has  any  to  spare)  for  this 
object"  ♦ 

On  the  very  morning  that  Lee  was  writing  this  letter 
at  Amboy,  Washington  received  intelligence  by  express 
from  General  Heath,  stationed  above  King's  Bridge,  that 
the  enemy  were  landing  with  artillery  on  Throg's  Neckt 
in  the  Sound,  about  nine  miles  from  the  camp.  Wash- 
ington surmised  that  Howe  was  pursuing  his  original 
plan  of  getting  into  the  rear  of  the  American  army,  cut- 
ting off  its  supplies,  which  were  chiefly  derived  from  the 
East,  and  interrupting  its  communication  with  the  main 
country.  Officers  were  ordered  to  their  alarm  posts,  and 
the  troops  to  be  ready,  under  arms,  to  act  as  occasion 
might  require.  Word,  at  the  same  time,  was  sent  to 
General  Heath,  to  dispose  of  the  troops  on  his  side  of 
King's  Bridge,  and  of  two  militia  regiments  posted  on 
the  banks  of  Harlem  Biver  opposite  the  camp,  in  such 
manner  as  he  should  think  necessary. 

made  all  his  arrangements  as  promptly  as  pes* 


^Am,  Arehives,  6th  Series,  iL  1008. 

t  Properiy  Throok's  Neck,  from  Throckmorton,  the  mme  of  the  oi%l 
nal  proprietor. 


THB  BNSMT  AT  THBOQ'a  NBOR.  489 

sible,  Washington  mounted  his  horse,  and  rode  oyer 
towards  Throg's  Neck  to  reconnoiter. 

Throg*8  Neok  is  a  peninsula  in  Westchester  Gonnty, 
stretohing  upwards  of  two  miles  into  the  Sound.  It  was 
separated  from  the  mainland  by  a  narrow  creek  and  a 
marsh,  and  was  surrounded  by  water  every  high  tide.  A 
bridge  across  a  creek  connecting  with  a  ruined  causeway 
across  the  marsh,  led  to  the  mainland,  and  the  upper  end 
of  the  creek  was  fordable  at  low  water.  Early  in  the 
morning,  eighty  or  ninety  boats  full  of  men  had  stood  up 
the  Sound  from  Montresor's  Island,  and  Long  Island, 
and  had  landed  troops  to  the  number  of  four  thousand 
on  Throg's  Point,  the  extremity  of  the  Neok.  Thence 
tiieir  advance  pushed  forward  toward  the  causeway  and 
bridge,  to  secure  that  pass  to  the  mainland.  General 
Heath  had  been  too  rapid  for  them.  Colonel  Hand  and 
his  Philadelphia  riflemen,  the  same  who  had  checked  the 
British  advance  on  Long  Island,  had  taken  up  the  planks 
of  the  bridge,  and  posted  themselves  opposite  the  end  of 
the  causeway,  whence  they  commenced  firing  with  their 
rifles.  They  were  soon  reinforced  by  Colonel  Prescott, 
of  Bunker's  Hill  renown,  with  his  regiment,  and  Lieu- 
tenant Bryant  of  the  artillery,  with  a  three-pounder. 
Checked  at  this  pass,  the  British  moved  toward  the  head 
of  the  creek ;  here  they  found  the  Americans  in  posses- 
sion of  the  ford,  where  they  were  reinforced  by  Colonel 
Graham,  of  the  New  York  line,  with  his  regiment,  and 
Lieutenant  Jackson  of  the  artillery,  with  a  six-pounder. 


440  I^B  OF  WASHnrC^TOJT. 

These  skillful  dispositions  of  his  troops  bj  G^enend 
Heath  had  brought  the  enemy  to  a  stand.  By  the  time 
Washington  arrived  in  the  vicinity,  the  British  had  en- 
camped on  the  Neck ;  the  riflemen  and  yagers  keeping 
up  a  scattering  fire  at  each  other  across  the  marsh ;  and 
Captain  Bryant  now  and  then  saluting  the  enemy  with 
his  field-piece. 

Having  surveyed    the  ground,  Washington    ordered 
works  to  be  thrown  up  at  the  passes  from  the  Neck  to 
the  mainland.    The  British  also  threw  up  a  work  at  the 
end  of  the  causeway.    In  the  afternoon  nine  ships,  irith 
a  great  number  of  schooners,  sloops,  and  flat-bottomed 
boats  full  of  men,  passed  through  Hell  (}ate,  towards 
Throg's  Point;  and  information  received  from  two  de- 
serters, gave  Washington   reason  to  believe  that  the 
greater  part  of  the  enemy*s  forces  were  gathering  in  that 
quarter.    Gbneral  McDougall's  brigade,  in  which  were 
Oolonel  Smallwood  and  the  independent  companies,  was 
sent  in  the  evening  to  strengthen  Heath's  division  at 
King's  Bridge,  and  to  throw  up  works  opposite  the  ford 
of  Harlem  Biver.     Greene,  who  had  heard  of  the  landing 
of  the  enemy  at  Throg's  Neck,  wrote  over  to  Washing- 
ton, from  Fort  Constitution,  informing  him  that  he  had 
three  brigades  ready  to  join  him  if  required.     ''  If  the 
troops  are  wanted  over  your  side,"  said  he,  **  or  likely  to 
be  so,  they  should  be  got  over  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
night,  as  the  shipping  may  move  up  from  below,  and  im- 
pede, if  not  totally  stop  the  troops  from  passing.    The 


LBB*8  8TBI0TUBE8  ON  C0NQBE88.  441 

tents  upon  Staten  Island/'  he  added,  ''had  all  been 
struck,  as  far  as  oonld  be  ascertained."  It  was  plain  the 
Rrhole  scene  of  action  was  changing. 

On  the  Mth,  General  Lee  arrived  in  camp,  where  he 
was  welcomed  as  the  harbinger  of  good  luck.  Washing- 
ton was  absent,  visiting  the  posts  beyond  King's  Bridge, 
uid  the  passes  leading  from  Throg's  Neck ;  Lee  immedi- 
ately rode  forth  to  join  him.  No  one  gave  him  a  sincerer 
l^reeting  than  the  commander-in-chief,  who,  diffident  of 
bis  own  military  knowledge,  had  a  high  opinion  of  that 
[>f  Lee.  He  immediately  gave  him  command  of  the 
troops  above  King's  Bridge,  now  the  greatest  part  of  the 
urmy,  but  desired  that  he  would  not  exercise  it  for  a  day 
3r  two,  until  he  had  time  to  acquaint  himself  with  the 
localities  and  arrangements  of  the  post ;  Heath,  in  the 
interim,  held  the  command. 

Lee  was  evidently  elevated  by  his  successes  at  the 
South,  and  disposed  to  criticise  disparagingly  the  mili- 
tary operations  of  other  commanders.  In  a  letter,  writ- 
ten on  the  day  of  his  arrival  to  his  old  associate  in  arms, 
Gieneral  Gates,  he  condemns  the  position  of  the  army, 
Emd  censures  Washington  for  submitting  to  the  dictation 
of  Congress,  whose  meddlesome  instructions  had  pro- 
duced it  "  Inter  nos,**  writes  he,  "  the  Congress  seem  to 
stumble  every  step.  I  do  not  mean  one  or  two  of  the 
cattle,  but  the  whole  stable.  I  have  been  very  free  in 
delivering  my  opinion  to  them.  In  my  opinion  General 
Washington  is  much  to  blame  in  not  menacing  'em  with 


44^  Life  of  WASttmotoir. 

resignation,  unless  they  refrain  from  unliinging  the  army 
by  their  absurd  interference. 

**  Keep  us  Ticonderoga ;  much  depends  upon  ii  We 
ought  to  have  an  army  in  the  Delaware.  I  have  roared 
it  in  the  ears  of  Congress,  but  earent  aurtbua.  Adieu,  mj 
dear  friend ;  if  we  do  meet  again — ^why,  we  shall  smile."* 

In  the  meantime,  Congress,  on  the  11th  of  October, 
having  heard  of  the  ingress  of  the  Phosnix,  Roebuck^  and 
Tarixir^  passed  a  resolution  that  Gbneral  Washington  be 
desired,  if  it  be  practicable,  by  every  arjb,  and  at  what- 
ever expense,  to  obstruct  effectually  the  navigation  of 
the  North  Biver  between  Fort  Washington  and  Fort 
Constitution,  as  well  to  prevent  the  regress  of  the  ene- 
my's vessels  lately  gone  up  as  to  hinder  them  from  re- 
ceiving succors. 

Under  so  many  conflicting  circumstances,  Washington 
held  a  council  of  war  on  the  16th,  at  Lee's  head-quarters, 
at  which  all  the  major-generals  were  present,  excepting 
Greene,  and  all  the  brigadiers,  as  well  as  Colonel  Knox, 
who  commanded  the  artillery.    Letters  from  the  Con- 
vention and  from  individual  members  of  it  were  read, 
concerning  the  turbulence  of  the  disaffected  in  the  upper 
parts  of  the  State;  intelligence  gained  from  deserters 
was  likewise  stated,  showing  the  intention  of  the  enemy 
to  surround  the  camp.    The  policy  was  then  discussed 
of  remaining  in  their  present  position  on  Manhattan  Ist 

*  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  ii.  108& 


OOXTNOIL  OF  WAR.  4I3 

md,  and  awaiting  there  the  menaced  attack :  the  strength 
>f  the  position  was  urged ;  its  being  weU  fortified,  and 
extremely  difficult  of  access.  Lee,  in  reply,  scoffed  at 
Aie  idea  of  a  position  being  good  merely  because  its  ap^ 
proaches  were  difficult.  How  could  they  think  of  hold«- 
ing  a  position  where  the  enemy  were  so  strong  in  front 
ind  rear ;  where  ships  had  the  command  of  the  water  on 
)ach  side,  and  where  King's  Bridge  was  their  only  pass 
\yj  which  to  escape  from  being  wholly  inclosed?  Had 
lot  their  recent  experience  on  Long  Island  and  at  New 
fork  taught  them  the  danger  of  such  positions  ?  *'  For 
tn  J  part,"  said  he,  **  I  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  the 
islands  to  which  you  have  been  clinging  so  pertina- 
dously — ^I  would  give  Mr.  Howe  a  fee-simple  of  them." 

**  After  much  consideration  and  debate,"  says  the  record 
•>i  the  council,  ''the  following  question  was  stated: 
VHiether  (it  haying  appeared  that  the  obstructions  in 
the  North  Biver  have  proved  insufficient,  and  that  the 
enemy's  whole  force  is  now  in  our  rear  on  Frog  Point) 
it  is  now  deemed  possible,  in  our  situation,  to  prevent 
the  enemy  from  cutting  off  the  communication  with  the 
oonntry,  and  compelling  us  to  fight  them  at  all  disad- 
vantages or  surrender  prisoners  at  discretion  ?  " 

All  agreed,  with  but  one  dissenting  voice,  that  it  was 
not  possible  to  prevent  the  commxmication  from  being 
out  o£^  and  that  one  of  the  consequences  mentioned  in 
&e  question  must  follow. 

The  dissenting  voice  was  that  of  General  George  Clin- 


44A  LIFE  OF  WABHINGTOir. 

ton,  a  brave  downright  man,  bat  little  versed  in  the 
science  of  warfare.  He  could  not  comprehend  the  policy 
of  abandoning  so  strong  a  position ;  they  were  equal  in 
number  to  the  enemy,  and,  as  they  must  fight  them 
somewhere,  could  do  it  to  more  advantage  there  than 
anywhere  else.  Clinton  felt  as  a  guardian  of  the  Hudson 
and  the  upper  country,  and  wished  to  meet  the  enemj, 
as  it  were,  at  the  very  threshold. 

As  the  resolve  of  Congress  seemed  imperative  with  re- 
gard to  Fort  Washington,  that  post,  it  was  agreed,  should 
be  ^*  retained  as  long  as  possible.'* 

A  strong  garrison  was  accordingly  placed  in  it,  com- 
posed chiefly  of  troops  from  Magaw's  and  Shee's  Penn- 
sylvania regiments,  the  latter  under  Lieutenant-colonel 
Lambert  Cadwalader,  of  Philadelphia.    Shee  having  ob- 
tained leave  of  absence.  Colonel  Magaw  was  put  in  com- 
mand of  the  post,  and  solemnly  charged  by  Washington 
to  defend  it  to  the  last  extremity.    The  name  of  the  op- 
posite post  on  the  Jersey  shore,  where  Greene  was  sta- 
tioned, was  changed  from  Fort  Constitution  to  Fort  Lee, 
in  honor  of  the  general    Lee,  in  fact,  was  the  military 
idol  of  the  day.    Even  the  family  of  the  commander-in- 
chief   joined  in    paying  him  homage.     Colonel  Tench 
Tilghman,  Washington's  aide-de-camp,  in  a  letter  tea 
friend,  writes  :  '^  You  ask  if  General  Lee  is  in  health,  and 
our  people  bold.     I  answer  both  in  the  affirmative.    His 
appearance  amongst  us  has  contributed  not  a  little  to  the 
latter." 


C5HAPTER  XXX7I1 

ASICr  ▲BRAireSiailTS.—WABHINOTOH  AT  WHITB  PLJUXTS.— THB  nHDET  41 
THBOG'8  POnrr.— fiKIBXUH  OF  OOLONXL  OLOYKB.— ATTEMFT  TO  8UBPBI8B 
BOOXB8,  THB  BXNIOUDB.— TB0OPEB8  Df  ▲  BOUOH  OOUITTBT.— AULBMS  AT 
WHITB  FLAnCS.— K^ANHONADIHO  OF  8HIFS  AT  FOBT  WASHIirOTOH.— MABOH 
OF  LBB.— FORTIFDED  GAMP  AT  WHITB  FLAnC8.~BB0OlfHOITBBING.— THB  AF- 
FAIB  AT  OHATTBBTOB'8  HILL.  —  BBLATIVB  SITUATIOH  OF  THB  ABIOBS. 
— CHAHOB  OF  FOSITIOH.— COBTBAST  OF  THB  APPBABABOB  OF  THB  TB00P8. 
^OBOBGB  OLIBTOB'S  IDBA  OF  8TBATBOT.— ICOYBMBBT  OF  THB  BRITISH 
ABICT.— IBGBBDIABIB8  AT  WHITB  FLAIB8. 

IKEYIOUS  to  decamping  from  Manhattan  Isl- 
and, Washington  formed  four  divisions  of  the 
armjy  which  were  respectively  assigned  to 
Gbnerals  Lee,  Heath,  Sullivan  (recently  obtained  in  ex- 
change for  General  Prescott),  and  Lincoln.  Lee  wa» 
stationed  on  Valentine's  Hill  on  the  mainland,  immedi- 
ately opposite  King's  Bridge,  to  cover  the  transportation 
across  it  of  the  military  stores  and  heavy  baggage.  The 
other  divisions  were  to  form  a  chain  of  fortified  posts, 
extending  about  thirteen  miles  along  a  ridge  of  hills  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Bronx,  from  Lee's  camp  up  to  the 
Tillage  of  White  Plains. 

Washington's  head-quarters  continued  to  be  on  Har- 
lem Heights  for  several  days,  during  which  time  he  was 

415 


446  J^*^^  OF  WASSmOTOJT. 

oontmually  in  the  saddle,  riding  about  a  broken,  woody, 
and  half  wild  oountry,  forming  posts,  and  choosing  sites 
for  breastworks  and  redoubts.  By  his  skillful  disposi 
tion  of  the  army,  it  was  protected  in  its  whole  length  by 
the  Bronx,  a  narrow  but  deep  stream,  fringed  with  trees, 
which  ran  along  the  foot  of  the  ridge ;  at  the  same  time 
his  troops  faced  and  outflanked  the  enemy,  and  coYei«d 
the  roads  along  which  the  stores  and  baggage  had  to  be 
transported.  On  the  21st,  he  shifted  his  head-quarters 
to  Valentine's  Hill,  and  on  the  23d  to  White  Plains, 
where  he  stationed  himself  in  a  fortified  camp. 

While  he  was  thus  incessantly  in  action,  Qeneral,  now 
Sir  William  Howe  (having  recently,  in  reward  for  his 
services,  been  made  a  knight  companion  of  the  Bath), 
remained  for  six  days  passive  in  his  camp  on  Throg's 
Point  awaiting  the  arrival  of  supplies  and  reinforce- 
ments, instead  of  pushing  across  to  the  Hudson,  and 
throwing  himself  between  Washington's  army  and  the 
upper  country.  His  inaction  lost  him  a  golden  oppor^ 
tunity.  By  the  time  his  supplies  arrived,  the  Americans 
had  broken  up  the  causeway  leading  to  the  mainland, 
and  taken  positions  too  strong  to  be  easily  forced. 

Finding  himself  headed  in  this  direction.  Sir  William 
leembarked  part  of  his  troops  in  flat  boats  on  the  18th, 
crossed  Eastchester  Bay,  and  landed  on  Pell's  Point,  at 
the  mouth  of  Hutchinson's  Biver.  Here  he  was  joined 
in  a  few  hours  by  the  main  body,  with  the  baggage  and 
artillery,  and  proceeded  through  the  manor  of  Pelham 


OOL.  BABLBT'8  FEAT.  447 

towards  New  Bochelle;  still  with  a  view  to  get  aboye 
Washington's  army. 

In  their  march,  the  British  were  waylaid  and  harassed 
by  Colonel  Qlover  of  Massachusetts,  with  his  own,  Seed's, 
and  Shepard's  regiments  of  infantry.  Twice  the  British 
adTance  guard  were  thrown  into  confusion  and  driven 
back  with  severe  loss,  by  a  sharp  fire  from  behind  stone 
fence&  A  third  time  they  advanced  in  solid  columns. 
The  Americans  gave  them  repeated  volleys,  and  then 
retreated  with  the  loss  of  eight  killed  and  thirteei) 
wounded,  among  whom  was  Colonel  Shepard.  Colonel 
Glover,  and  the  officers  and  soldiers  who  were  with  him 
in  this  skirmish,  received  the  public  thanks  of  Washing* 
ton  for  their  merit  and  good  behavior. 

On  the  21st,  General  Howe  was  encamped  about  two 
miles  north  of  New  Bochelle,  with  his  outposts  extend- 
ing to  Mamaroneck  on  the  Sound.  At  the  latter  place 
was  posted  Colonel  Bogers,  the  renegade,  as  he  was 
called,  with  the  Queen's  Bangers,  his  newly-raised  corps 
of  loyalists. 

Hearing  of  this.  Lord  Stirling  resolved,  if  possible,  to 
cut  off  this  outpost  and  entrap  the  old  hunter.  Colonel 
Haslet^  of  his  brigade,  always  prompt  on  such  occasions, 
undertook  the  exploit  at  the  head  of  seven  hundred  and 
fifty  of  the  Delaware  troops,  who  had  fought  so  bravely 
on  Long  Island.  With  these  he  crossed  the  line  of  the 
British  march,  came  undiscovered  upon  the  post,  drove 
in  tiie  guard,  killed  a  lieutenant  and  several  men.  and 


448  LIFE  OF  WABHINGTOS. 

bronght  away  thirtj-six  prisoners^  with  a  pair  of  colon, 
sixty  stands  of  arms,  and  other  spoils.  He  missed  the 
main  prize,  however.  Sogers  skulked  off  in  the  dark  at 
the  first  fire.  He  was  too  old  a  partisan  to  be  easily  en- 
trapped. 

For  this  exploit,  Colonel  Haslet  and  his  men  were  pub- 
licly thanked  by  Lord  Stirling,  on  parade. 

These,  and  other  spirited  and  snocessfol  skirmishes, 
while  they  retarded  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  had  the 
far  more  important  effect  of  exercising  and  i^TiimAfing  the 
American  troops,  and  accustomed  them  to  danger. 

While  in  this  neighborhood,  Howe  was  reinforced  by  a 
second  division  of  Hessians  under  Gbneral  Knyphanseiit 
and  a  regiment  of  Waldeckers,  both  of  which  had  recently 
arrived  in  New  York.  He  was  joined,  also,  by  the  whole 
of  the  seventeenth  light  dragoons,  and  a  part  of  the  six- 
teenth, which  had  arrived  on  the  3d  instant  from  Ireland, 
with  Lieutenant-colonel  (afterwards  Earl)  Harcourt  Some 
of  their  horses  had  been  brought  with  them  across  the 
sea,  others  had  been  procured  since  their  arrivaL 

The  Americans  at  first  regarded  these  troopers  with 
great  dread.  Washington,  therefore,  took  pains  to  con- 
vince them,  that  in  a  rough,  broken  country,  like  the 
present,  full  of  stone  fences,  no  troops  were  so  inefficient 
as  cavalry.  They  could  be  waylaid  and  picked  off  by 
sharpshooters  from  behind  walls  and  thickets,  while  they 
oould  not  leave  the  road  to  pursue  their  covert  foe. 

Further  to  inspirit  them  afisaiust  this  new  enemy,  he 


BBmaH  FRIGATES  OUT  THE  EUDSOJSr.  419 

proclaimed,  in  general  orders,  a  reward  of  one  hundred 
dollars  for  every  trooper  brought  in  with  his  horse  and 
acooutrements,  and  so  on,  in  proportion  to  the  oomplete* 
ness  ot  the  capture. 

On  the  25th,  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  intel« 
ligence  was  brought  to  head-quarters  that  three  or  four 
detachments  of  the  enemy  were  on  the  march,  within 
four  miles  of  the  camp,  and  the  main  army  following  in 
columns.  The  drums  beat  to  arms ;  the  men  were  ordered 
to  their  posts ;  an  attack  was  expected.  The  day  passed 
away,  however,  without  any  demonstration  of  the  enemy. 
Howe  detached  none  of  his  force  on  lateral  expeditions, 
evidently  meditating  a  general  engagement  To  prepare 
for  it,  Washington  drew  all  his  troops  from  the  posts 
along  the  Bronx  into  the  fortified  camp  at  White  Plains. 
Here  everything  remained  quiet  but  expectant,  through^ 
out  the  26th.  In  the  morning  of  the  27th,  which  was 
Sunday,  the  heavy  booming  of  cannon  was  heard  from  a 
distance,  seemingly  in  the  direction  of  Fort  Washington* 
Scouts  galloped  off  to  gain  intelligence.  We  will  antici- 
pate their  report 

Two  of  the  British  frigates,  at  seven  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  had  moved  up  the  Hudson,  and  come  to  anchor 
near  Burdett's  Ferry,  below  the  Morris  House,  Washing- 
ton's old  head-quarters,  apparently  with  the  intention  of 
stopping  the  ferry,  and  cutting  off  the  communication 
between  Fort  Lee  and  Fort  Washington.    At  the  same 

time,  troops  made  their  appearance  on  Harlem  FlainSi 
VOL.  n.— 29 


450  -2;iF»  OF  WASnmOTOlT. 

where  Lord  Percy  held  command.  Colonel  Morgan  in* 
mediately  manned  the  lines  with  troops  from  the  garrisoo 
of  Fort  Washington.  The  ships  opened  a  fire  to  enfilade 
and  dislodge  them.  A  barbette  battery  on  the  difib  ol 
the  Jersey  shore,  left  of  the  ferry,  fired  down  npon  the 
frigates,  bat  with  little  effect  Colonel  Magaw  got  dovn 
an  eighteen-ponnder  to  the  lines  near  the  Morris  House, 
and  fired  fifiy  or  sixty  ronnds,  two  balls  at  a  time.  Two 
eighteen-pounders  were  likewise  brought  down  from  Fort 
Lee,  and  planted  opposite  the  ships.  By  the  fire  from 
both  shores,  they  were  hulled  repeatedly. 

It  was  the  thundering  of  these  cannonades  which  had 
reached  Washington's  camp  at  White  Plains,  and  even 
startled  the  Highlands  of  the  Hudson.  The  ships  soon 
hoisted  all  sail  The  foremost  slipped  her  cable,  and 
appeared  to  be  in  the  greatest  confusion.  She  ooold 
make  no  way,  though  towed  by  two  boats.  The  other 
ship  seeing  her  distress,  sent  two  barges  to  her  assist- 
ance, and  by  the  four  boats  she  was  dragged  out  of  reach 
of  the  American  fire,  her  pumps  going  all  the  time.  ''  Had 
the  tide  been  flood  one  half  hour  longer,"  writes  General 
Greene,  ^'  we  should  have  sunk  her." 

At  the  time  that  the  fire  from  the  ships  began.  Lord 
Percy  brought  up  his  field-pieces  and  mortars,  and  made 
an  attack  upon  the  lines.  He  was  resolutely  answered 
by  the  troops  sent  down  from  Fort  Washington,  and 
several  Hessians  were  killed.  An  occasional  firing  was 
kept  up  until  evening,  when  the  ships  fell  down  the  river. 


WABHTSQTOirS  CAMP.  ^ 

ft&d  the  troops  which  had  adyanced  on  Harlem  Plaimi 
drew  within  their  lines  again. 

''We  take  this  day's  moyement  to  be  only  a  feint^'* 
writes  one  of  the  garrison  at  Fort  Lee ;  ''  at  any  rate,  it 
is  little  honorable  to  the  red-coats."  Its  chief  effect  was 
to  startle  the  distant  camp,  and  astound  a  quiet  country 
with  the  thundering  din  of  war. 

The  celebrated  Thomas  Paine,  author  of  **  The  Bights 
of  Man,"  and  other  political  works,  was  a  spectator  of 
the  affiEdr  from  the  rocky  summit  of  the  Palisades,  on  the 
Jersey  shore. 

While  these  things  were  passing  at  Fort  Washington, 
Lee  had  struck  his  tents,  and  with  the  rear  diyision,  eight 
thousand  strong,  the  baggage  and  artillery,  and  a  train 
of  wagons  four  miles  long,  laden  with  stores  and  ammu- 
nition, was  lumbering  along  the  rough  coxmtry  roads  to 
join  the  main  army.  It  was  not  until  Monday  morning, 
after  being  on  the  road  all  night,  that  he  arrived  at  White 
Plains. 

Washington's  camp  was  situated  on  high  ground,  facing 
the  east  The  right  wing  stretched  towards  the  south 
ilong  a  rocky  hill,  at  the  foot  of  which  the  Bronx,  making 
tin  elbow,  protected  it  in  flank  and  rear.  The  left  wing 
rested  on  a  small,  deep  lake  among  the  hills.  The  camp 
iras  strongly  entrenched  in  front. 

About  a  quarter  of  a  mile  to  the  right  of  the  camp,  and 
ieparated  from  the  height  on  which  it  stood  by  the  Bronx 
ind  a  marshy  interval,  was  a  corresponding  height  called 


462  ^^^^^  OF  wABEnmro. 

Oliatterton's  Hill.  As  this  partly  conunanded  the  riglil 
flank,  and  as  the  interyening  bend  of  the  Bronx  was 
easily  passable,  Washington  had  stationed  on  its  snrnxmi 
a  miUtia  regiment 

The  whole  encampment  was  a  temporary  one,  to  be 
changed  as  soon  as  the  military  stores  collected  there 
conld  be  removed ;  and  now  that  Gbneral  Lee  was  arrived, 
Washington  rode  oat  with  him,  and  other  general  officers 
who  were  off  duty^  to  reconnoiter  a  height  which  ap- 
peared more  eligible.  When  arrived  at  it,  Lee  pointed 
to  another  on  the  north,  still  more  commanding.  ''  Yon- 
der," said  he,  "  is  the  ground  we  ought  to  occupy."  "  Let 
us  go,  then,  and  view  it^"  replied  Washington.  They  were 
gently  riding  in  that  direction,  when  a  trooper  came 
spurring  up  his  panting  horse.  '*  The  British  are  in  the 
camp,  sir !  "  cried  he.  '^  Then,  gentlemen,"  said  Wash- 
ington, **  we  have  other  business  to  attend  to  than  recon- 
noitering."  Putting  spurs  to  his  horse,  he  set  off  for  the 
camp  at  full  gallop,  the  others  spurring  after  him. 

Arrived  at  head-quarters,  he  was  informed  by  Adjutant- 
general  Beed,  that  the  picket  guards  had  all  been  driven 
in,  and  the  enemy  were  advancing :  but  that  the  whole 
American  army  was  posted  in  order  of  battle.  **  Gentle- 
men," said  Washington,  turning  calmly  to  his  compan- 
ions, '<  you  will  return  to  your  respective  posts,  and  do 
the  best  you  can." 

Apprehensive  that  the  enemy  might  attempt  to  get 
possession  of  Ghatterton's   Hill,  he  detached  Colonel 


THIS  ElSfEMT  AT  WBTTB  PLAINS.  458 

Haslet  with  his  Delaware  regiment,  to  reinforce  the  mili- 
tia posted  there.  To  these  he  soon  added  Gbneral  Mo- 
Dongall's  brigade,  composed  of  Smallwood's  Maryland* 
ers,  Bitzema's  New  Yorkers,  and  two  other  regiments. 
These  were  much  reduced  by  sickness  and  absence. 
(General  McDongall  had  command  of  the  whole  force 
npon  the  hill,  which  did  not  exceed  1,600  men. 

These  dispositions  were  scarcely  made,  when  the  en* 
emy  appeared  glistening  on  the  high  grounds  beyond 
the  Tillage  of  White  Plains.  They  advanced  in  two 
columns,  the  right  commanded  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
the  left  by  the  Hessian  general,  De  Heister.  There  was 
also  a  troop  of  horse ;  so  formidable  in  the  inexperienced 
eyes  of  the  Americans.  *'It  was  a  brilliant  but  formi- 
dable sight,"  writes  Heath  in  his  memoirs.  '*  The  sun 
shone  bright,  their  arms  glittered ;  and  perhaps  troops 
never  were  shown  to  more  advantage." 

For  a  time  they  halted  in  a  wheat  field,  behind  a  rising 
ground,  and  the  general  officers  rode  up  in  the  centre  to 
hold  a  consultation.  Washington  supposed  they  were 
preparing  to  attack  him  in  front,  and  such  indeed  was 
their  intention ;  but  the  commanding  height  of  Chatter- 
ton's  Hill  had  caught  Sir  William's  eye,  and  he  deter- 
mined first  to  get  possession  of  ii 

Colonel  Bahl  was  accordingly  detached  with  a  brigade 
of  Hessians,  to  make  a  circuit  southwardly,  round  a  piece 
of  wood,  cross  the  Bronx  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  below, 
and  ascend  the  south  side  of  the  hill;  while  (General 


464  LIF^  OF  WABHINGTOa. 

Leslie,  with  a  large  force,  Britisli  and  HesBian,  ahomU 
adyanoe  direoUy  in  fronts  throw  a  bridge  across  the 
stream,  and  charge  up  the  hilL 

A  forions  cannonade  was  now  opened  bj  the  Britisli 
from  fifteen  or  twenty  pieces  of  artillery,  placed  on  h^ii 
ground  opposite  the  hill;  under  coyer  of  which,  the 
troops  of   General   Leslie  hastened   to  construet  the 
bridge.    Li  so  doing,  they  were  seyerely  galled  by  two 
field-pieces,  planted  on  a  ledge  of  rock  on  Ohatterttm'fl 
Hill,  and  in  charge  of  Alexander  Hamilton,  the  youthful 
captain  of  artillery.      Smallwood's  Maryland  battslioo, 
also,  kept  up  a  sharp  fire  of  small  arms. 

As  soon  as  the  bridge  was  finished,  the  British  and 
Hessians  under  Leslie  rushed  oyer  it»  formed  and  ohaiged 
up  the  hill  to  take  Hamilton's  two  field-pieces.  Three 
times  the  two  field-pieces  were  discharged,  ploughing  the 
ascending  columns  from  hill-top  to  riyer,  while  Small^ 
wood'9  **  blue  and  buff "  Marylanders  kept  up  their  Tol- 
leys  of  musketry. 

In  the  meantime  Bahl  and  his  Hessian  brigade  forded 
the  Bronx  lower  down,  pushed  up  the  south  side  of  the 
hill,  and  endeayored  to  turn  MoDougall's  right  flsnt 
The  militia  gaye  the  general  but  little  support    They 
had  been  dismayed  at  the  opening  of  the  engagement  by 
a  shot  from  a  British  cannon,  which  wounded  one  of  them 
in  the  thigh,  and  nearly  put  the  whole  to  flight.    It  wis 
with  the  utmost  difficulty  McDougaU  had  rallied  them, 
and  posted  them  behind  a  stone  wall.    Here  they  did 


AFFAIB  AT  OSATTISBTOir'B  SILL.  455 

some  serrioe,  until  a  troop  of  British  oayaby,  haying 
gained  the  inrest  of  the  hill,  oame  on,  brandishing  their 
sabres.  At  their  first  charge  the  militia  gare  a  random, 
scattering  fire,  then  broke,  and  fled  in  complete  confa- 
sion. 

A  brave  stand  was  made  on  the  somtnit  of  the  hill  by 
Haslet,  Bitsema,  and  Smallwood,  with  their  troops. 
Twice  they  repulsed  horse  and  foot,  British  and  Hefr- 
sians,  until,  cramped  for  room  and  greatiy  outntmibered, 
they  slowly  and  sullenly  retreated  down  the  north  side 
of  the  hill,  where  there  was  a  bridge  across  tiie  Bronx. 
Smallwood  remained  upon  the  ground  for  some  time  after 
ihe  retreat  had  begun,  and  receiyed  two  flesh  wounds, 
one  in  the  hip,  the  other  through  the  arm.  At  tiie  bridge 
oyer  the  Bronx,  the  retreating  troops  were  met  by  Qen- 
eral  Putnam,  who  was  coming  to  their  assistance  with 
Beall's  brigade.  In  the  rear  of  this  they  marched  back 
into  the  camp. 

The  loss  on  both  sides,  in  this  short  but  seyere  action, 
was  nearly  equaL  That  of  the  Americans  was  between 
three  and  four  hundred  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  taken 
prisoners.  At  first  it  was  thought  to  be  much  more,  many 
of  the  militia  and  a  few  of  the  regulars  being  counted  as 
lost,  who  had  scattered  themselyes  among  the  hills,  but 
afterwards  returned  to  head-quarters. 

The  British  army  now  rested  with  their  left  wing  on 
the  hill  they  had  just  taken,  and  which  they  were  busy 
intrenching.    They  were  extending  their  right  wing  to 


CS6  LIFB  OF 


ihe  left  of  ihe  Anierioan  lines  8o  thai  their  two  liii^ 
centre  formed  nearly  a  semicixole.   It  wae  eYidenily  their 
design  to  outflank  the  American  camp,  and  get  in  the 
rear  of  ii    The  day,  however,  being  far  adTanoed,  was 
Bn£fored  to  pass  withont  any  farther  attack ;  bat  the  mor- 
row was  looked  forward  to  for  a  deadly  conflict    Wash- 
ington availed  himself  of  this  interval  to  have  the  sick 
and  wounded,  and  as  much  of  the  stores  as  possible,  re- 
moved from  the  camp.    '*  The  two  armies,"  says  General 
Heath  in  his  memoirs,  **  lay  looking  at  each  other,  within 
long  cannon  shoi    In  the  night-time  the  British  lighted 
up  a  vast  number  of  fires,  the  weather  growing  pretty 
cold.    These  fires,  some  on  the  level  ground,  some  at  the 
foot  of  the  hills,  and  at  all  distances  to  their  brows,  some 
of  which  were  lofty,  seemed  to  the  eye  to  mix  with  the 
stars.     The  American  side  doubtless  exhibited  to  them 
a  similar  appearance." 

Daring  this  anxious  night,  Washington  was  assiduously 
occupied  throwing  back  his  right  wing  to  stronger 
ground;  doubling  his  intrenchments  and  constructing 
three  redoubts,  with  a  line  in  front,  on  the  summit  of  his 
post  These  works  were  principally  intended  for  defense 
against  small  arms,  and  were  thrown  up  with  a  rapidity 
that  to  the  enemy  must  have  savored  of  magic.  They 
were,  in  fact,  made  of  the  stalks  of  Indian  com  or  maize 
taken  from  a  neighboring  corn-field,  and  pulled  up  with 
the  earth  clinging  in  masses  to  the  large  roots.  '*  The  roots 
of  the  stalks,"  says  Heath,  "  and  earth  on  them  placed  in 


OONDITION  OF  THE  ABMT.  457 

the  face  of  the  works,  answered  the  purpose  of  sods  and 
fascines.  The  tops  being  placed  inwards,  as  the  loose 
earth  was  thrown  upon  them,  became  as  so  many  trees 
to  the  work,  which  was  carried  up  with  a  despatch 
scarcely  conceivable. 

In  the  morning  of  the  29th9  when  Howe  beheld  how 
greatly  Washington  had  improved  his  position  and 
strengthened  it,  by  what  appeared  to  be  solidly  con- 
structed works,  he  postponed  his  meditated  assault, 
ordered  up  Lord  Percy  from  Harlem  with  the  fourth  bri- 
gade and  two  battalions  of  the  sixth,  and  proceeded  to 
throw  up  lines  and  redoubts  in  front  of  the  American 
camp,  as  if  preparing  to  cannonade  it  As  the  enemy 
were  endeavoring  to  outflank  him,  especially  on  his 
right  wing,  Washington  apprehended  one  of  their  o1> 
jects  might  be  to  advance  a  part  of  their  force  and 
seize  on  Pine's  Bridge  over  Croton  Biver,  which  would 
cut  off  his  communication  with  the  upper  country.  Gen- 
eral BeaU,  with  three  Maryland  regiments,  was  sent  off 
with  all  expedition  to  secure  that  pass.  It  was  Washing- 
ton's idea  that,  having  possession  of  Croton  Biver  and 
the  passes  in  the  SEighlands,  his  army  would  be  safe  from 
farther  pursuit,  and  have  time  to  repose  after  its  late 
excessive  fatigue,  and  would  be  fresh,  and  ready  to  ha- 
rass the  enemy  should  they  think  fit  to  winter  up  the 
country. 

At  present  nothing  could  exceed  the  war-worn  condi- 
tion of  the  troops,  unseasoned  as  they  were  to  this  kind 


C68  ^I^^  OF  WASHINOTOJr. 

of  service.    A  Boomfal  letter,  written  at  this  time  hj  a 
Britisli  officer  to  his  friend  in  London,  gives  a  picture  of 
the  ragged  plight  to  which  they  were  reduced,  in  this 
rainy  and  inclement  season.     "  The  rebel  army  are  in  so 
wretched  a  condition  as  to  clothing  and  acGoutremeniB» 
that  I  believe  no  nation  ever  saw  such  a  set  of  tatterde- 
malions.   There  are  few  coats  among  them  but  what  aie 
out  at  the  elbows,  and  in  a  whole  regiment  there  is  soaroe 
a  pair  of  breeches.  Judge,  then,  how  they  mnstbe  pinched 
by  a  winter's  campaign.     "We,  who  are  warmly  dothed 
and  well  equipped,  already  feel  it  severely ;  for  it  is  even 
now  much  colder  than  I  ever  felt  it  in  England." 

Alas  for  the  poor  half-naked  weather-beaten  pstriois, 
who  had  to  cope  with  these  well-fed,  well-clad,  well* 
appointed  mercenaries !  A  letter  written  at  the  veij 
same  date  (October  31),  by  General  George  Olintoiii 
shows  what,  in  their  forlorn  plight,  they  had  to  grapple 
with. 

"  We  had  reason,**  writes  he,  "  to  apprehend  an  attack 
last  night,  or  by  daylight  this  morning.  Our  lines  were 
manned  all  night  in  consequence;  and  a  most  horrid 
night  it  was  to  lay  in  cold  trenches.  Uncovered  as  ^ 
are,  daily  on  fatigue,  making  redoubts,  fleches,  abatis, 
and  retreating  from  them  and  the  little  temporary  huts 
made  for  our  comfort  before  they  are  all  finished,  I 
fear  will  ultimately  destroy  our  army  without  fighting."* 

*  Oeorge  Clinton  to  John  McKesson,  October  81.    Am,  Arehivt\  6tk 
Series,  U.  1812^ 


CLINTON'S  IDEA  OF  aTRATBGT.  459 

**  Howeyer/'  adds  he,  honestly,  *'  I  would  not  be  under* 
stood  to  condemn  measures.  They  may  be  right  for 
aught  I  know.  I  do  not  understand  much  of  the  refined 
art  of  war ;  it  is  said  to  consist  in  stratagem  and  decep- 
tion." In  a  previous  letter  to  the  same  friend,  in  a 
moment  of  hurry  and  alarm,  he  writes,  "  Pray  let  Mrs. 
Clinton  know  that  I  am  well,  and  that  she  need  not  be 
uneasy  about  me.  It  would  be  too  much  honor  to  die 
in  so  good  a  cause.'* 

Clinton,  as  we  have  before  intimated,  was  an  honest 
and  ardent  patriot,  of  resolute  spirit,  and  plain,  direct 
good  sense;  but  an  inexperienced  soldier.  His  main 
idea  of  warfare  was  straightforward  fighting ;  and  he  was 
greatly  perplexed  by  the  continual  strategy  which  Wash- 
ington's situation  required.  One  of  the  aides-de-camp 
of  the  latter  had  a  truer  notion  on  the  subject  "  The 
campaign  hitherto,"  said  he,  ''has  been  a  fair  trial  of 
generalship,  in  which  I  flatter  myself  we  have  had  the 
advantage.  If  we,  with  our  motley  army,  can  keep  Mr. 
Howe  and  his  grand  appointment  at  bay,  I  think  we 
shall  make  no  contemptible  military  figure."  ^ 

On  the  night  of  the  31st,  Washington  made  another 
of  those  moves  which  perplexed  the  worthy  Clinton.  In 
the  course  of  the  night  he  shifted  his  whole  position,  set 
fire  to  the  bams  and  out-houses  containing  forage  and 
stores,  which  there  was  no  time  to  remove,  and  leaving 

*  Tench  Tilghman  to  William  Doer,  October  8t 


160  *^UFB  OF  wABsmofoir. " 

a  strong  rear-guard  on  the  heights  and  in  the  neighlx^ 
ing  woods,  retired  with  his  main  army  a  distance  of  fiie 
miles,  among  the  high,  rocky  hills  about  Northcastle. 
Here  he  immediately  set  to  work  to  intrench  and  foriiff 
himself ;  his  policy  at  this  time  being,  as  he  used  to  say, 
'*  to  fight  with  the  spade  and  mattock.** 

(General  Howe  did  not  attempt  to  dislodge  him  from 
this  fastness.  He  at  one  time  ordered  an  attack  on  the 
rear-guard,  but  a  violent  rain  prevented  it,  and  for  two 
or  three  days  he  remained  seemingly  inactive.  ''All 
matters  are  as  quiet  as  if  the  enemy  were  one  hundred 
miles  distant  from  us,"  writes  one  of  Washington's  aides 
on  the  2d  of  November.  During  the  night  of  the  4th, 
this  quiet  was  interrupted.  A  '  mysterious  sound  was 
heard  in  the  direction  of  the  British  camp,  like  the  ram- 
bling of  wagons  and  artillery.  At  daybreak  the  meaning 
of  it  was  discovered.  The  enemy  were  decamping.  Long 
trains  were  observed  defiling  across  the  hilly  country, 
along  the  roads  leading  to  Dobb's  Ferry  on  the  HudsoiL 
The  movement  continued  for  three  successive  days,  un- 
til their  whole  force,  British  and  Hessians,  disappeared 
from  White  Plains. 

The  night  after  their  departure  a  party  of  Americans, 
heated  with  liquor,  set  fire  to  the  court-house  and  other 
edifices  in  the  village,  as  if  they  had  belonged  to  the  en- 
emy ;  an  outrage  which  called  forth  a  general  order  from 
Washington,  expressive  of  his  indignation,  and  threaten* 
ing  the  perpetrators  with  signal  punishment  when  de- 


EXPLANATOBT. 


4Sl 


teoied.  We  notice  this  matter,  beoaose  in  British  ao* 
counts,  the  burning  of  those  buildings  had  been  charged 
upon  Washington  himself ;  being,  no  doubt,  confounded 
with  the  burning  of  the  bams  and  out-houses  ordered  by 
him  on  shifting  his  encampment. 


CHAPTER  XKXVnL 

OOKIKOTURBS  IB  TO  THB  IMTBNTIOITS  OF  THB  SNXXT.— <X>N8BQUKBIT  HS 
OAUnOHS.— CORRB8FONDBIICB  WITH  GSEKNB  BI8FB0TIHG  lOBT  WISOM* 
TOH.'DISTBIBUTION  OF  THB  ABICT.— LIB  LHFT  OT  OOMM AXD  AT  BOBTI* 
0A8TLB.— niBTBUOTIOirs  TO  HIM.— WASHnrOTON  AT  FBBKBKHiL.— miTS  fO 
THB  POSTS  IN  THB  HIGmLAlVDS. 

[OUS  were  the  speonlations  at  head-qtiarten 
on  the  Budden  moyement  of  the  enemy.  Wash- 
ington writes  to  General  William  Livingston 
(now  governor  of  the  Jerseys) :  "  They  have  gone  towards 
the  North  Biver  and  King's  Bridge.  Some  suppose  they 
are  going  into  winter  quarters,  and  will  sit  down  in  New 
York  without  doing  more  than  investing  Fort  Washing- 
ton. I  cannot  subscribe  wholly  to  this  opinion  mysell 
That  they  will  invest  Fort  Washington,  is  a  matter  of 
which  there  can  be  no  doubt ;  and  I  think  there  is  a 
strong  probability  that  General  Howe  will  detach  a  part 
of  his  force  to  make  an  incursion  into  the  Jerseys,  pro- 
vided he  is  going  to  New  York.  He  must  attempt  some* 
thing  on  account  of  his  reputation,  for  what  has  he  done, 
as  yet,  with  his  great  army  ?  " 

In  the  same  letter  he  expressed  his  determination,  as 
soon  as  it  should  appear  that  the  present  manoeuvre  was 

«0d 


nrTHNTN>N8  OF  THB  BNEM7.  463 

a  real  retreat,  and  not  a  {eint^  to  throw  over  a  body  of 
troops  into  the  Jerseys  to  assist  in  checking  Howe's  prog* 
ress.  He,  moreover,  recommended  to  the  governor  to 
have  the  militia  of  that  State  pnt  on  the  best  possible 
footing,  and  a  part  ot  them  held  in  readiness  to  take  the 
place  of  the  State  levies,  whose  term  of  service  wonld 
soon  expire.  He  advised,  also,  that  the  inhabitants  con- 
tigaons  to  the  water,  should  be  prepared  to  remove  their 
stock,  grain,  effects,  and  carriages,  on.  the  earliest  notice* 

In  a  letter  of  the  same  date,  he  charged  General 
Chreene,  shonld  Howe  invest  Fort  Washington  with  part 
of  his  force,  to  give  the  garrison  all  possible  assistance. 

On  the  following  day  (Nov.  8),  his  aide-de-camp, 
Oolonel  Tilghman,  writes  to  (General  Ghreene  from  head- 
quarters :  "  The  enemy  are  at  Dobb's  Ferry  with  a  great 
number  of  boats,  ready  to  go  into  Jersey,  or  proceed  tip 
the  river.** 

Greene  doubted  any  intention  of  the  enemy  to  cross 
the  river ;  it  might  only  be  a  feint  to  mislead ;  still,  as  a 
precaution,  he  had  ordered  troops  up  from  the  flying 
camp,  and  was  posting  them  opposite  Dobb's  Ferry,  and 
at  other  passes  where  a  landing  might  be  attempted ; 
the  whole  being  under  the  command  of  Oeneral  Mercer. 

Affairs  at  Fort  Washington  soon  settled  the  question 
of  the  enemy's  intentions  with  regard  to  it.  Lord  Percy 
took  his  station  with  a  body  of  troops  before  the  lines  to 
the  south.  Knyphausen  advanced  on  the  north.  The 
Americans  had  previously  abandoned  Fort  Independence^ 


464  LIFS  OF  WASSmGTOir. 

burnt  its  barracks,  and  remoTed  the  stores  and  cannoa 
Grossing  King's  Bridge,  Enyphansen  took  a  position  be^ 
tween  it  and  Fort  Washington.  The  approach  to  the 
fort,  on  this  side,  was  exceedingly  steep  and  rocky ;  aSi 
indeed,  were  all  its  approaches  excepting  that  on  the 
south,  where  the  country  was  more  open,  and  the  ascent 
graduaL  The  fort  could  not  hold  within  its  waUs  aboTe 
one  thousand  men;  the  rest  of  the  troops  were  dis- 
tributed about  the  lines  and  outworks.  While  the  fort 
was  thus  menaced,  the  cheyaux-de-frise  had  again  proved 
inefficient.  On  the  night  of  the  6th,  a  frigate  and  two 
transports,  bound  up  to  Dobb's  Ferry,  with  supplies  for 
Howe's  army,  had  broken  through ;  though  according  to 
Greene's  account,  not  without  being  considerably  shat- 
tered by  the  batteries. 

Informed  of  these  facts,  Washington  wrote  to  Greene  on 
the  8th  :  '^  If  we  cannot  prevent  vessels  from  passing  up 
the  river,  and  the  enemy  are  possessed  of  all  the  sur- 
rounding country,  what  valuable  purpose  can  it  answer 
to  hold  a  post  from  which  the  expected  benefit  cannot 
be  had  ?  I  am,  therefore,  inclined  to  think  that  it  will 
not  be  prudent  to  hazard  the  men  and  stores  at  Monst 
Washington ;  but,  as  you  are  on  the  spot,  I  leave  it 
to  you  to  give  such  orders  as  to  evacuating  Monnt 
Washington  as  you  may  judge  best,  and  so  far  revoking 
the  orders  given  to  Oolonel  Magaw,  to  defend  it  to  the 
last" 

Accounts  had  been  received  at  head-guarters  of  a  con* 


FOBT  WASSmOTOJr.  466 

siderable  movement  on  the  preceding  eyening  (Not.  Tth), 
among  the  enemy's  boats  at  Dobb's  Feny,  with  the  in- 
tention,  it  was  said,  of  penetrating  the  Jerseys,  and  fell- 
ing down  upon  Fort  Lee.  Washington,  therefore,  in  the 
same  letter  directed  Ghreene  to  have  all  the  stores  not 
necessary  to  the  defense  removed  immediately,  and  to 
destroy  all  the  stock,  the  hay  and  grain,  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, which  the  owners  refused  to  remove.  "Experi- 
ence has  shown,"  adds  he,  ''that  a  contrary  conduct  is 
not  of  the  least  advantage  to  the  poor  inhabitants,  from 
whom  all  their  effects  of  every  kind  are  taken  without 
distinction  and  without  the  least  satisfaction." 

Qreene,  in  reply  (Nov.  9th),  adhered  with  tenacity  to 
the  policy  of  maintaining  Fort  Washington.  "The 
enemy,"  said  he,  "  must  invest  it  with  double  the  num- 
ber of  men  required  for  its  defense.  They  must  keep 
troops  at  King's  Bridge,  to  crt  off  all  communication 
with  the  country,  and  in  considerable  force,  for  fear  of  an 
attack."  He  did  not  consider  the  fort  in  immediate  dan- 
ger. Colonel  Magaw  thought  it  would  take  the  enemy 
until  the  end  of  December  to  carry  it  In  the  meantime, 
the  garrison  could  at  any  time  be  brought  off,  and  even 
the  stores  removed,  should  matters  grow  desperate.  If 
the  enemy  should  not  find  it  an  object  of  importance, 
they  would  not  trouble  themselves  about  it;  if  they 
should,  it  would  be  a  proof  that  they  felt  an  injury  from 
its  being  maintained.  The  giving  it  up  would  open  for 
them  a  free  communication  with  the  country  by  the  way 
VOL,  n.— 80 


466  LIFB  OF  WAaniNQTON. 

of  King's  Bridge.*  It  is  doubtful  when  or  where  Wash- 
ington received  this  letter,  as  he  left  the  camp  at  North- 
castle  at  eleyen  o'clock  of  the  following  morning.  There 
being  still  considerable  uncertainty  as  to  the  intentioDS 
of  the  enemy,  all  his  arrangements  were  made  accord- 
ingly. All  the  troops  belonging  to  the  States  west  of  the 
Hudson,  were  to  be  stationed  in  the  Jerseys,  under  com- 
mand of  Qeneral  Putnam.  Lord  Stirling  had  abeady 
been  sent  forward  with  the  Maryland  and  Yirginia  troops 
to  Peekskill,  to  cross  the  riyer  at  King's  Ferry.  Another 
division,  composed  of  Oonnecticut  and  Massachusetts 
troops,  under  (General  Heath,  was  to  cooperate  with  the 
brigade  of  New  York  militia  under  Qeneral  Gborge  Olintos, 
in  securing  the  Highland  posts  on  both  sides  of  the  river. 
The  troops  which  would  remain  at  Northcastle  after 
the  departure  of  Heath  and  his  division,  were  to  be  com' 
manded  by  Lee.  Washington's  letter  of  instructions  to 
that  general  is  characterized  by  his  own  modesty,  and  his 
deference  for  Lee's  superior  military  experience.  He 
suggests,  rather  than  orders,  yet  his  letter  is  sufficiently 
explicit  "  A  little  time  now,"  writes  he,  "  must  manifest 
the  enemy's  designs,  and  point  out  to  you  the  measures 
proper  to  be  pursued  by  that  part  of  the  army  under 
your  command.  I  shall  give  no  directions,  therefore, 
on  this  head,  having  the  most  entire  confidence  in  youi 
judgment  and  military  exertions.     One  thing,  however; 

•Jim.  Archives.  5th  Series,  iii  6ia 


WASHINGTON  AT  PSSESEZLL.  467 

I  urill  suggest,  namely,  that  the  appearance  of  embarking 
troops  for  the  Jerseys  may  be  intended  as  a  feint  to 
weaken  ns,  and  render  the  post  we  now  hold  more  ynl** 
nerable,  or  the  enemy  may  find  that  troops  are  assembled 
with  more  expedition,  and  in  greater  numbers,  than  they 
expected,  on  the  Jersey  shore,  to  oppose  them;  and,  as 
it  is  possible,  from  one  or  other  of  these  motives,  that 
they  may  yet  pay  the  party  nnder  yonr  command  a  yisit, 
it  will  be  unnecessary,  I  am  persuaded,  to  recommend  to 
you  the  propriety  of  putting  this  post,  if  you  stay  at  it, 
into  a  proper  posture  of  defense,  and  guarding  against 
surprises.  But  I  would  recommend  it  to  your  consider- 
ation whether,  under  the  suggestion  above,  your  retiring 
to  Croton  Bridge,  and  some  strong  post  still  more  east- 
erly (covering  the  passes  through  the  Highlands),  may 
not  be  more  advisable  than  to  run  the  hazard  of  an  attack 
with  unequal  numbers.  At  any  rate,  I  think  all  your 
baggage  and  stores,  except  such  as  are  necessary  for  im- 
mediate use,  ought  to  be  to  the  northward  of  Croton 
Biver.  ....  You  will  consider  the  post  at  Croton's 
(or  Pine's)  Bridge  as  under  your  immediate  care.  •  .  • 
If  the  enemy  should  remove  the  whole,  or  the  greater 
part  of  their  force  to  the  west  side  of  Hudson's  Biver,  I 
have  no  doubt  of  your  following  with  all  possible  de- 
spatch, leaving  the  militia  and  invalids  to  cover  the  fron 
tiers  of  Connecticut  in  case  of  need." 

We  have  been  minute  in  stating  these  matters,  from 
their  bearing  on  subsequent  operations. 


468  ^^^  0^  wASHnrGToir. 

On  the  lOih  of  Noyember  Washington  left  the  oamp  al 
Korthoastle  at  11  o'olook^  and  arrived  at  Peekskill  at  Bun- 
Bet  ;  whither  General  Heath,  with  hiB  division,  had  pre- 
oeded  ^^rn  by  a  few  hours.  Lord  Stirling  was  there, 
likewise,  having  effected  the  transportation  of  the  Mazy- 
land  and  Yirginia  troops  across  the  river,  and  landed 
them  at  the  ferry  south  of  Stony  Point ;  though  a  better 
landing  was  subsequently  found  north  of  the  point.  His 
lordship  had  thrown  out  a  scouting  party  in  the  advance, 
and  a  hundred  men  to  take  possession  of  a  gap  in 
the  mountain,  through  which  a  road  passed  toward  the 
Jerseys. 

Washington  was  now  at  the  entrance  of  the  Highlanda, 
that  grand  defile  of  the  Hudson,  the  object  of  so  much 
precaution  and  solicitude.     On  the  following  morning, 
accompanied   by  Generals  Heath,  Stirling,  James  and 
Gborge  Olinton,  Mifflin,  and  others,  he  made  a  mihtai; 
visit  in  boats  to  the  Highland  posts.     Fort  Monlgomery 
was  in  a  considerable  state  of  forwardness,  and  a  work 
in  the  vicinity  was  projected  to  cooperate  with  it    Fort 
Constitution  commanded  a  sudden  bend  of  the  river,  bat 
Lord  Stirling  in  his  report  of  inspection  had  intimated 
that  the  fort  itself  was  commanded  by  West  Point  oppo- 
site.   A  glance  of  the  eye,  without  going  on  shore,  was 
sufficient  to  convince  Washington  of  the  fact     A  fortress 
subsequently  erected  on  that  point,  has  been  considered 
the  Key  of  the  Highlands. 

On  the  morning  of  the  12th,  at  an  early  hour.  Washing* 


OONTINBNTAL  VILLAGS.  iJSd 

km  rode  out  with  (General  Heath  to  reconnoiter  the  east 
edde  of  the  Hudson,  at  the  gorge  of  the  HighlandFu  Heniy 
Wisnor,  in  a  report  to  the  New  York  Gonyention,  had 
mentioned  a  hill  to  the  north  of  Peekskill,  so  situated, 
vdth  the  road  winding  along  the  side  of  it,  that  ten  men 
cm  the  top,  by  rolling  down  stones,  might  prevent  ten 
thousand  from  passing.  "I  belieye,"  said  he,  *'noth^ 
Lug  more  need  be  done  than  to  keep  great  quantities  of 
stones  at  the  dififerent  places  where  the  troops  must  pass, 
if  they  attempt  penetrating  the  mountains.** 

Near  Bobinson's  Bridge,  in  this  vicinity,  about  two 
miles  from  Peekskill,  Washington  chose  "a  place  where 
troops  should  be  stationed  to  cover  the  south  entrance 
into  the  mountains;  and  here,  afterwards,  was  estab- 
lished an  important  military  depot  called  Oontinental 
Village. 

On  the  same  day  (12th),  he  wrote  to  General  Lee,  in- 
doeing  a  copy  of  resolutions  just  received  from  Congress, 
respecting  levies  for  the  new  army,  showing  the  impor- 
tance  of  immediately  beginning  the  recruiting  service. 
If  no  commissioners  arrived  from  Bhode  Island,  he  was 
to  appoint  the  officers  recommended  to  that  State  by 
General  Greene.  **  I  cannot  conclude,"  adds  he,  "  with- 
out reminding  you  of  the  military  and  other  stores  about 
your  encampment,  and  at  Northcastle,  and  to  press  the 
removal  of  them  above  Croton  Bridge,  or  such  other 
places  of  security  as  you  may  think  proper.  Gen- 
eral Howe,  having  sent  no  part  of  his  force  to  Jersey 


470  I^^  OF  WASHZNGTOir. 

yety  makes  the  measure  more  neoessary,  as  he  msy 
tarn  his  yiews  another  way,  and  attempt  their  destnio* 
tion." 

It  was  evidently  Washington's  desire  that  Lee  shonU 
post  himself  as  soon  as  possible,  beyond  the  CSroton, 
where  he  wonld  be  safe  from  surprise,  and  at  hand  to 
throw  his  troops  promptly  aoross  the  Hudson  should 
the  Jerseys  be  invaded. 

Having  made  all  these  surveys  and  arrangemeni8» 
Washington  plaoed  Heath  in  the  general  command  of 
the  Highlands,  with  written  instructions  to  fortify  the 
passes  with  all  possible  despatch,  and  directions  how 
the  troops  were  to  be  distributed  on  both  sides  of  the 
river ;  and  here  we  take  occasion  to  give  some  personal 
notice  of  this  trusty  officer. 

Heath  was  now  in  the  fortieth  year  of  his  age.  lSk» 
many  of  the  noted  officers  of  the  Bevolution,  he  had  been 
brought  up  in  rural  life,  on  an  hereditary  farm  near  Boe- 
ton ;  yet,  according  to  his  own  account,  though  passion- 
j^tely  fond  of  agricultural  pursuits,  he  had  also,  almost 
from  childhood,  a  great  relish  for  military  affidrs,  and 
had  studied  every  treatise  on  the  subject  in  the  Eng- 
lish  language,  so  that  he  considered  himself  "  fully  ac- 
quainted with  the  theory  of  war,  in  all  its  branches  and 
duties,  from  the  private  soldier  to  the  commander-in- 
chiet" 

He  describes  himself  to  be  of  a  middling  stature,  light 
complexion,  very  corpulent  and  bald-headed,  so  that  the 


GENERAL  HEATH. 


471 


French  officers  who  served  in  America,  compared  him,  in 
person,  to  the  Marquis  of  Granby.* 

Snch  was  the  officer  intrusted  with  the  command  of 
the  Highland  passes,  and  encamped  at  Peekskill,  their 
portaL  We  shall  find  him  faithful  to  his  trust ;  scrupu- 
lous in  obeying  the  letter  of  his  instructions ;  but  sturdy 
and  punctilious  in  resisting  any  undue  assumption  <4 
aathority. 

•  HMth'8  Memain. 


OHAPTEB  XXTnC, 

AWAIRS  ON  LAKE  CHAMPLAIN.— OATB8  AT  TICONDBBOOA.— ARNOLD'S  WLOflttUL 
— ^MILITABT  PRBPARATION8  OF  BIB  OUT  CABLBTON  AT  ST.  JOHN'S.— NAUTICAL 
BNCOUNTBKS. — GAUiANT  CONDUCT  OF  ABNOLD  AND  WATEBBUBT. — CABLROV 
IN  POSSESSION  OF  CBOWN  POINT.— HIS  BBTUBN  TO  CANADA  AND  WDITIB 
QUABTEB8. 

^^^plURING  his  brief  and  busy  sojonm  at  Peeks 
KI^PI  kill,  Washington  received  important  intelligence 
midmSM  from  the  northern  army ;  especially  that  part  of 
it  on  Lake  Champlain,  under  the  command  of  Greneral 
Gates.  A  slight  retrospect  of  affairs  in  that  quarter  is 
proper,  before  we  proceed  to  narrate  the  eventful  cam- 
paign in  the  Jerseys. 

The  preparations  for  the  defense  of  Ticonderoga,  and 
the  nautical  service  on  the  lake,  had  met  with  difficulties 
at  every  step.  At  length,  by  the  middle  of  August,  a 
small  flotilla  was  completed,  composed  of  a  sloop  and  a 
schooner  each  of  twelve  guns  (six  and  four  pounders), 
two  schooners  mounting  eight  guns  each,  and  five  gon- 
dolas, each  of  three  guns.  The  flotilla  was  subsequently 
augmented,  and  the  command  given  by  Gates  to  Arnold, 

in  compliance  with  the  advice  of  Washington  ;  who  had 

472 


BIB  GUT  CARLETOir  S  PLANA  478 

Gt  liigli  opinion  of  that  officer's  energy,  intrepidity,  and 
fertility  in  expedients. 

Sir  Guy  Oarleton,  in  the  meantime,  was  straining  every 
oerve  for  the  approaching  conflict  The  successes  of  the 
British  forces  on  the  sea-board  had  excited  the  zealous 
riyalry  of  the  forces  in  Canada.  The  commanders,  newly 
arrived,  were  fearful  the  war  might  be  brought  to  a  close, 
before  they  could  have  an  opportunity  to  share  in  the 
g^ry.  Hence  the  ardor  with  which  they  encountered 
Bud  vanquished  obstacles  which  might  other¥nse  have 
appeared  insuperable.  Vessels  were  brought  from  Eng- 
land in  pieces  and  put  together  at  St  John's,  boats  of 
various  kinds  and  sizes  were  transported  over  land,  or 
dragged  up  the  rapids  of  the  SoreL  The  soldiers  shared 
with  the  seamen  in  the  toiL  The  Canadian  farmers,  also, 
were  taken  from  their  agricultural  pursuits,  and  com- 
pelled to  aid  in  these,  to  them,  unprofitable  labors.  Sir 
Guy  was  full  of  hope  and  ardor.  Should  he  get  the  com- 
mand of  Lakes  Ohamplain  and  George,  the  northern  part 
of  New  York  would  be  at  his  mercy  ;  before  winter  set  in 
he  might  gain  possession  of  Albany.  He  would  then  be 
able  to  cooperate  with  General  Howe  in  severing  and 
subduing  the  northern  and  southern  provinces,  and  bring- 
mg  the  war  to  a  speedy  and  triumphant  dose. 

In  despite  of  every  exertion,  three  months  elapsed 
before  his  armament  was  completed.  Winter  was  fast 
ipproaching.  Before  it  arrived,  the  success  of  his  brill- 
ant  plan  required  that  he  should  fight  his  way  across 


474  -ZLTF^  OF  WABHINGTOir. 

Lake  Champlain ;  carry  the  strong  posts  of  Grown  Pcnni 
and  Ticonderoga ;  traverse  Lake  Qeoi^,  and  pursue  a 
^ng  and  dangerous  march  through  a  wild  and  nigged 
country,  beset  with  forests  and  morasses,  to  Albany.  That 
was  the  first  post  to  the  southward  where  he  expected  to 
find  rest  and  winter  quarters  for  his  troops.* 

By  the  month  of  October,  between  twenty  and  thirty 
sail  were  afloat,  and  ready  for  action.  The  flagship  (the 
Ii^leximje)  mounted  eighteen  twelve-pounders ;  the  rest 
were  gunboats,  a  gondola  and  a  flat-bottomed  Teasel 
called  a  radeau,  and  named  the  Thunderer;  canyinga 
battery  of  six  twenty-four  and  twelve  six-pounders,  be- 
sides howitzers.  The  gunboats  mounted  brass  field- 
pieces  and  howitzers.  Seven  hundred  seamen  navigated 
the  fleet ;  two  hundred  of  them  were  volunteers  from  the 
transports.  The  guns  were  worked  by  detachments  from 
the  corps  of  artillery  Li  a  word,  according  to  British 
accounts,  "  no  equipment  of  the  kind  was  ever  better  ap- 
pointed or  more  amply  furnished  with  every  kind  of  pro- 
vision necessary  for  the  intended  service.**  f 

Captain  Pringle  conducted  the  armament,  but  Sir  Gny 
Carleton  was  too  full  of  zeal,  and  too  anxious  for  the 
event,  not  to  head  the  enterprise ;  he  accordingly  took 
his  station  on  the  deck  of  the  flag-ship.  They  made  sail 
early  in  October,  in  quest  of  the  American  squadron, 
which  was  said  to  be  abroad  upon  the  lake.     Amoldi 

*  C%v%l  War  in  America,  yoL  L  p.  ML 
t  Ibid.,  i.  211. 


JTAUnCAL  ENCOUNTERS.  m 

however,  being  ignorant  of  the  strength  of  the  enemy, 
and  unwilling  to  encounter  a  superior  force  in  the  open 
lake,  had  taken  his  post  under  cover  of  Yalcour  Island, 
in  the  upper  part  of  a  deep  channel,  or  strait  between 
that  island  and  the  mainland.  His  force  consisted  of 
three  schooners,  two  sloops,  three  galleys  and  eight  gon- 
dolas ;  carrying  in  all  seventy  guns,  many  of  them  eigh« 
teen  pounders. 

The  British  ships,  sweeping  past  Cumberland  Head 
witii  a  fair  wind  and  flowing  sail  on  the  morning  of  the 
nth,  had  left  the  southern  end  of  Yalcour  Island  astern, 
^hen  they  discovered  Arnold's  flotilla  anchored  behind 
it,  in  a  line  extending  across  the  strait  so  as  not  to  be 
outflanked.  They  immediately  hauled  close  to  the  wind, 
and  tried  to  beat  up  into  the  channel  The  wind,  how- 
ever, did  not  permit  the  largest  of  them  to  enter.  Ar« 
nold  took  advantage  of  the  circumstance.  He  was  on 
board  of  the  galley  Congress,  and,  leaving  the  line,  ad* 
vanced,  with  two  other  galleys  and  the  schooner  Boyd 
EkwagCf  to  attack  the  smaller  vessels  as  they  entered  be- 
fore the  large  ones  could  come  up.  About  twelve  o'clock 
the  enemy's  schooner  Oarleton  opened  a  brisk  fire  upon 
the  Boyai  Bavage  and  the  galleys.  It  was  as  briskly  re« 
turned.  Seeing  the  enemy's  gunboats  approaching,  the 
Americans  endeavored  to  return  to  the  line.  In  so  doing, 
the  Royci  Savage  ran  aground  Her  crew  set  her  on  fire 
and  abandoned  her.  In  about  an  hour  the  British 
toought  all  their  gunboats  in  a  range  acroes  the  lowef 


476  ^^^^^  OF  WASBUmTOS. 

part  of  the  channel,  within  musket  shot  of  the  AmericiDik 
the  schooner  Carldon  in  the  advance.   They  landed,  also, 
a  large  number  of  Tndians  on  the  island,  to  keep  np  a 
galling  fire  from  the  shore  upon  the  Americans  with  theii 
rifles.    The  action  now  became  general,  and  was  seyere 
and  sanguinaiy.  The  Americans,  finding  themselves  thus 
hemmed  in  by  a  superior  force,  fought  with  desperation. 
Arnold  pressed  with  his  galley  into  the  hottest  of  the 
fighi    The   Gangresa  was  hulled  several  times,  receiTed 
seven  shots  between  wind  and  water,  was  shattered  in 
mast  and  rigging,  and  many  of  the  crew  were  killed  or 
wounded.    The  ardor  of  Arnold  increased  with  his  duo- 
ger.    He  cheered  on  his  men  by  voice  and  example,  often 
pointing  the  guns  with  his  own  hands.    He  was  ably 
seconded  by  Brigadier-general  Waterbury,  in  the  WaA' 
ington  galley,  which,  like  his  own  vessel,  was  terribly  out 
up.    The  contest  lasted  throughout  the  day.     Oarried  cm 
as  it  was  within  a  narrow  compass,  and  on  a  tranquil 
lake,  almost  every  shot  took  efieci    The  fire  of  the  In- 
dians from  the  shore  was  less  deadly  than  had  been  ex- 
pected ;  but  their  whoops  and  yells,  mingling  with  the 
rattling  of  the  musketry,  and  the  thundering  of  the  can- 
non, increased  the  horrors  of  the  scene.    Volumes  oi 
smoke  rose  above  the  woody  shores,  which  echoed  with 
the  unusual  din  of  war,  and  for  a  time  this  lovely  recess 
of  a  beautiful  and  peaceful  lake  was  rendered  a  perfect 
pandemonium. 
The  evening  drew  nigh,  yet  the  contest  was  undecided. 


ABirOLl/a  B8CAPB  ON  LAKE  CHAMPLAUr.       4,Tl 

Oapiaiii  Pringle,  after  a  consultation  with  Sir  Ouy  Oarle* 
ton,  called  off  the  smaller  vessels  which  had  been  en« 
gaged,  and  anchored  his  whole  squadron  in  a  line  as  near 
as  possible  to  the  Americans,  so  as  to  prevent  their  es- 
cape; trusting  to  capture  the  whole  of  them  when  th^ 
wind  should  prove  favorable,  so  that  he  could  bring  hi& 
large  vessels  into  action* 

Arnold,  however,  sensible  that  with  his  inferior  and 
crippled  force  all  resistance  would  be  unavailing,  took 
advantage  of  a  dark  cloudy  night,  and  a  strong  north 
wind;  his  vessels  slipped  silently  through  the  enemy's 
line  without  being  discovered,  one  following  a  light  on 
the  stem  of  the  other :  and  by  daylight  they  were  out  of 
sight.  They  had  to  anchor,  however,  at  Schuyler's 
Island,  about  ten  miles  up  the  lake,  to  stop  leaks  and 
make  repairs.  Two  of  the  gondolas  were  here  sunk,  be- 
ing past  remedy.  About  noon  the  retreat  was  resumed, 
but  the  wind  had  become  adverse ;  and  they  made  little 
progress.  Arnold's  galley,  the  Congress,  the  Washington 
galley  and  four  gondolas,  all  which  had  suffered  severely 
in  the  late  fight,  feU  astern  of  the  rest  of  the  squadron  in 
the  course  of  the  night.  In  the  morning,  when  the  sun 
lifted  a  fog  which  had  covered  the  lake,  they  beheld  the 
enemy  within  a  few  miles  of  them  in  full  chase,  while 
their  own  comrades  were  nearly  out  of  sight,  making  the 
best  of  their  way  for  Grown  Point. 

It  was  now  an  anxious  trial  of  speed  and  seamanship. 
Aniold,  with  the  crippled  relics  of  his  squadron,  man« 


478  L^^  OF  WA8HINQT0N. 

aged  by  noon  to  get  within  a  few  leagues  of  Orows 
Pointy  when  they  were  overtaken  by  the  UnfleJcStik^  the 
CarleUm,  and  the  schooner  Maria  of  14  gons.  As  soon  as 
they  came  up,  they  poured  in  a  tremendous  fire.  The 
Washington  galley,  already  shattered,  and  having  lo6t 
most  of  her  officers,  was  compelled  to  strike,  and  GknenI 
Waterbury  and  the  crew  were  taken  prisoners.  Amold 
had  now  to  bear  the  brunt  of  the  action.  For  a  long 
time  he  was  engaged  within  musket  shot  with  the  h^ 
fiexHief  and  the  two  schooners,  until  his  galley  was  re- 
duced to  a  wreck  and  one  third  of  the  crew  were  killed. 
The  gondolas  were  nearly  in  the  same  desperate  oon* 
dition ;  yet  the  men  stood  stoutly  to  their  guns.  Seeing 
resistance  vain,  Amold  determined  that  neither  vesseb 
nor  crew  should  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  He 
ordered  the  gondolas  to  run  on  shore,  in  a  small  cnreek  in 
the  neighborhood,  the  men  to  set  fire  to  them  as  soon  ae 
they  grounded,  to  wade  on  shore  with  their  muskets,  and 
keep  off  the  enemy  until  they  were  consumed.  He  did 
the  same  with  his  own  galley ;  remaining  on  board  of  her 
until  she  was  in  flames,  lest  the  enemy  should  get  posses- 
sion and  strike  his  flag,  which  was  kept  flying  to  the  last 
He  now  set  off  with  his  gallant  crew,  many  of  whom 
were  wounded,  by  a  road  through  the  woods  to  Orown 
Point,  where  he  arrived  at  night,  narrowly  escaping  an 
Indian  ambush.  Two  schooners,  two  galleys,  one  sloop, 
and  one  gondola,  the  remnant  which  had  escaped  of  this 
squadron,  were  at  anchor  at  the  Pointy  and  General 


0ABLET0N*8  MOVEMENTS.  479 

Waterbnrj  and  most  of  his  men  arriyed  there  the  next 
day  on  parole.  Seeing  that  the  plaoe  must  soon  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  they  set  fire  to  the  houses,  de« 
stroyed  eyerything  they  oonld  not  carry  away,  and  em- 
barking in  the  yessels  made  sail  for  Tioonderoga. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  these  two  actions  is  said 
to  haye  been  between  eighty  and  ninety  men ;  that  of  the 
British  about  forty.  It  is  worthy  of  mention,  that  among 
the  young  officers  in  Sir  Guy  Oarleton's  squadron,  was 
Edward  Pellew,  who  afterwards  rose  to  renown  as  Ad- 
miral Viscount  Exmouth ;  celebrated,  among  other  things 
for  his  yictory  at  Algiers. 

The  conduct  of  Arnold  in  these  nayal  affairs  gained 
him  new  laurels.  He  was  extolled  for  the  judgmenj;  with 
which  he  chose  his  position,  and  brought  his  yessels  into 
action ;  for  his  masterly  retreat,  and  for  the  self-sacrific- 
ing deyotion  with  which  he  exposed  himself  to  the  oyer* 
whelming  force  of  the  enemy  in  ooyering  the  retreat  of 
part  of  his  flotilla. 

Sir  Guy  Carleton  took  possession  of  the  ruined  works 
at  Crown  Point,  where  he  was  soon  joined  by  the  army. 
He  made  seyeral  moyements  by  land  and  water,  as  if 
meditating  an  attack  upon  Ticonderoga ;  pushing  strong 
detachments  on  both  sides  of  the  lake,  which  approached 
within  a  small  distance  of  the  fort,  while  one  yessel  ap- 
peared within  cannon  shot  of  a  lower  battery,  sounding 
the  depth  of  the  channel,  until  a  few  shot  obliged  her  to 
retire.    (General  Gates,  in  the  meantime,  strengthened 


480  I^^  0^  WASHmOTOJSr. 

his  works  with  incessant  assiduity,  and    made   evei} 
preparation  for  an  obstinate  defense.    A  strong  easterfy 
wind  prevented  the  enemy's  ships  from  advanoing  to  at- 
tack the  lines,  and  gave  time  for  the  arrival  of  reinforce- 
ments of  militia  to  the  garrison.    It  also  afforded  time 
for  Sir  Guy  Oarleton  to  cool  in  ardor,  and  calculate  the 
chances  and  the  value  of  success.    The  post,  from  its 
strength,  and  the  apparent  number  and  resolution  of  the 
garrison,  could  not  be  taken  without  great  loss  of  lib 
If  taken,  the  season  was  now  too  far  advanced  to  think  of 
passing  Lake  George,  and  exposing  the  army  to  the  perils 
of  a  winter  campaign  in  the  inhospitable  and  impracti- 
cable wilds  to  the  southward.    Ticonderoga,  too,  could 
not  be  kept  during  the  winter,  so  that  the  only  result  of 
the  capture  would  be  the  reduction  of  the  works  and  the 
taking  of  some  cannon  ;  all  which  damage  the  Americans 
could  remedy  before  the  opening  of  the  summer  cam- 
paign.   If,  however,  the  defense  should  be  obstinate,  the 
British  army,  even  if  successful,  might  sustain  a  loss 
sufficient  to  cripple  its  operations  in  the  coming  year.* 

These  and  other  prudential  reasons  induced  Carleton 
to  give  up  all  attempt  upon  the  fortress   at   present; 
wherefore,  reembarking  his  troops,  he  returned  to  Si 
John's,  and  cantoned  them  in  Canada  for  the  winter.    It 
was  not  tmtil  about  the  1st  of  November  that  a  recon- 
noitering  party,  sent  out  from  Ticonderoga  by  General 

•  OMl  War  in  America,  vol.  L  p.  814 


BBITI8R  ABANDOir  OROWN  POINT. 


481 


(Sates,  brought  him  back  intelligence  that  Crown  Point 
was  abandoned  by  the  enemy,  and  not  a  hostile  sail  in 
sight  All  apprehensions  of  an  attack  upon  Ticonderoga 
during  the  present  year  were  at  an  end,  and  many  of  the 
troops  stationed  there  were  already  on  their  march 
toward  Albany. 

Such  was  the  purport  of  the  news  from  the  north,  re« 
oeived  by  Washington  at  Peekskill.  It  relieved  him  for 
the  present  from  all  anxiety  respecting  affiedrs  on  Lake 
Ohamplain,  and  gaye  him  the  prospect  of  reinforcements 
from  that  quarter. 


OHAPTEB  XL. 

WASHmOTOH  CB0B8B8  THB  HUD80H.— ARBIYBS  AT  VOBT  IJO.— IWAIBf  if 
FORT  WA8HIN0T01I.— 4)nB8TIOH  ABOUT  ITS  ABANPOHMBaVT.— MOTXMXIITS  Of 
HOWB.— THB  TORT  BUMMONBD  TO  BUBBBNDBB.— BBFUBAL  OF  OOLOHIL 
MjLOaW.— THB  FORT  ATTAOKKD.— OAPTUBB  OF  THB  FOBT  ABD  CIABBI80I.- 
OOMMBBTS  OF  WA8HIBQTOH  OB  THB  BTATB  OF  AFFAIBS. 

!T  the  morning  of  the  12th  of  Noyember,  Waah- 
ington  crossed  the  Hudson^  to  the  ferry  below 
^  Stony  Pointy  with  the  residue  of  the  troopB 
destined  for  the  Jerseys.  Far  below  were  to  be  descried 
the  Phoenix^  the  Boebuck^  and  the  Tartar ,  at  anchor  in  the 
broad  waters  of  Hayerstraw  Bay  and  the  Tappan  8ea» 
guarding  the  lower  ferries.  The  army,  thus  shut  out 
from  the  nearer  passes,  was  slowly  winding  its  way  bj  a 
circuitous  route  through  the  gap  in  the  mountains,  which 
Lord  Stirling  had  secured.  Leaying  the  troops  which  had 
just  landed,  to  pursue  the  same  route  to  the  Hacken* 
sack,  Washington^  accompanied  by  Oolonel  Beed,  stmck 
a  direct  course  for  Fort  Lee,  being  anxious  about  affiuia 
at  Fort  Washington.  He  arriyed  there  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  and  found,  to  his  disappointment,  that  General 
Ghreene  had  taken  no  measures  for  the  eyacuation  of  that 
fortress ;  but  on  the  contrary,  had  reinforced  it  with  a 

488 


AFFAIB8  AT  VOBT  WASHINGTON.  488 

li  Colonel  Dnrkee's  regimenti  and  the  regiment  of 
lel  Bawlings,  so  that  its  garrison  now  numbered  np- 
I  of  two  thousand  men ;  a  great  part»  however  were 
A.  Washington's  orders  for  its  evaouation  had,  in 
been  discretionary,  leaving  the  execution  of  them  to 
le's  judgment,  *'  as  being  on  the  spoi"  The  latter 
liffered  in  opinion  as  to  the  poliqr  of  such  a  meas- 
and  Colonel  Magaw,  who  had  charge  of  the  fortress, 
ikewise  confident  it  might  be  maintained, 
ionel  Beed  was  of  opposite  counsels ;  but  then  he 
personally  interested  in  the  safety  of  the  garrison, 
s  composed  almost  entirely  of  Penner^lvania  troops 
r  Magaw  and  Lambert  Cadwalader;  excepting  a 
detachment  of  Maryland  riflemen  commanded  by 
H.  Williams.  They  were  his  friends  and  neigh- 
the  remnant  of  the  brave  men  who  had  su£Eered  so 
Bly  under  Atlee  and  Smallwood.*  The  fort  was  now 
bed  on  all  sides  but  one ;  and  the  troops  under  Howe 
i  had  been  encamped  at  Dobb's  Ferry,  were  said  to 
oving  down  toward  ii  Beed*s  solicitude  was  not 
d  by  the  garrison  itsel£  Colonel  Magaw,  its  brave 
Lander,  still  thought  it  was  in  no  immediate  danger, 
flhington  was  much  perplexed.  The  main  object  of 
s  was  still  a  matter  of  doubt  with  him.  He  could 
link  that  Sir  William  was  moving  his  whole  force 
that  fortress,  to  invest  which  a  part  would  be  suffi« 

•  W.  B.  Reed's  Life  of  Bud.  L  VSL 


484  I^B  OF  WABHmGTOHr. 

denb  He  snspeoted  an  ulterior  objeoti  probably  a  Soaih< 
em  expedition^  as  he  was  told  a  large  number  of  ships 
were  taking  in  wood  and  water  at  New  YorL  He  re- 
solved, therefore,  to  continue  a  few  days  in  this  neigh- 
borhood, during  which  he  trusted  the  designs  of  the 
enemy  would  be  more  apparent;  in  the  meantime  he 
would  distribute  troops  at  Brunswick,  Amboy,  Elizabeth- 
town,  and  Fort  Lee,  so  as  to  be  ready  at  these  varioiu 
points,  to  check  any  incursions  into  the  Jerseys. 

In  a  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress  he  urged  for 
an  increase  of  ordnance  and  field-artillery.  The  rough, 
hilly  country  east  of  the  Hudson,  and  the  strongholdfl 
and  fastnesses  of  which  the  Americans  had  possessed 
themselves,  had  preyented  the  enemy  from  profiting  by 
the  superiority  of  their  artillery  ;  but  this  would  not  be 
the  case,  should  the  scene  of  action  change  to  an  open 
campaign  country  like  the  Jerseys. 

Washington  was  mistaken  in  his  conjecture  as  to  Sir 
William  Howe's  design.  The  capture  of  Fort  Washing- 
ton wfiks,  at  present,  his  main  object ;  and  he  was  en- 
camped on  Fordham  Heights,  not  far  from  King's  Bridge, 
until  preliminary  steps  should  be  taken.  In  the  night  of 
the  14th,  thirty  flat-bottomed  boats  stole  quietly  up  the 
Hudson,  passed  the  American  forts  undiscovered,  and 
made  their  way  through  Spytden  Duivel  Greek  into  Har- 
lem River.  The  means  were  thus  provided  for  orossbg 
that,  river  and  landing  before  unprotected  parts  of  the 
American  works. 


ATTAOK  ON  POBf  WASfftNOTOJT.  4BS 

On  the  ISih,  General  Howe  sent  in  a  summons  to  sur- 
render, with  a  threat  of  extremities  should  he  have  to 
carry  the  place  by  assault.  Magaw,  in  his  reply,  inti« 
mated  a  doubt  that  General  Howe  would  execute  a  threat 
**  so  unworthy  of  himself  and  the  British  nation ;  but  giye 
me  leaye,"  added  he,  **  to  assure  his  Excellency,  that, 
actuated  by  the  most  glorious  cause  that  mankind  ever 
fought  in,  I  am  determined  to  defend  this  post  to  theyery 
last  extremity." 

Apprised  by  the  colonel  of  his  peril,  General  Greene 
sent  oyer  reinforcements,  with  an  exhortation  to  him  to 
persist  in  his  defense;  and  despatched  an  express  to 
Washington,  who  was  at  Hackensack,  where  the  troops 
which  had  crossed  from  Peekskill  were  encamped.  It 
was  nightfall  when  Washington  arriyed  at  Fort  Lee. 
Greene  and  Putnam  were  oyer  at  the  besieged  fortress. 
He  threw  himself  into  a  boat,  and  had  partly  crossed  the 
riyer,  when  he  met  those  generals  returning.  They  in- 
formed him  of  the  garrison's  haying  being  reinforced, 
and  assured  him  that  it  was  in  high  spirits,  and  capable 
of  tn<^lnTig  a  good  defense.  It  was  with  difficulty,  how- 
eyer,  they  could  preyail  on  him  to  return  with  them  to 
the  Jersey  shore,  for  he  was  excessiyely  excited. 

Early  the  next  morning  (16th),  Magaw  made  his  dis- 
positions for  the  expected  attack.  His  forces,  with  the 
recent  addition,  amounted  to  nearly  three  thousand  men. 
As  the  fort  could  not  contain  aboye  a  third  of  that  num« 
ber^  most  of  them  were  stationed  about  the  outworks. 


486  ^^^  OT  WA8HINQT0K. 

Oolonel  Lambert  Oadwalader,  with  eight  hmidied 
PennsylvanianSy  was  posted  in  the  outer  lines,  about 
two  miles  and  a  half  south  of  the  fort,  the  side  menaced 
by  Lord  Percy  with  sixteen  hundred  men.  Oolonel  Baw- 
lings,  of  Maryland,  with  a  body  of  troops,  many  of  them 
riflemen,  was  stationed  by  a  three-gun  battery,  on  a 
rooky,  preoipitous  hill,  north  of  the  fort,  and  between  it 
and  Spyt  den  Duivel  Greek.  C!olonel  Baxter,  of  Bucb 
County,  Pennsylvania,  with  his  regiment  of  Tnilitia,  was 
posted  east  of  the  fort,  on  rough,  woody  heights,  border- 
ing the  Harlem  Biver,  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemj, 
who  had  thrown  up  redoubts  on  high  and  commanding 
ground,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  apparently  to 
cover  the  crossing  and  landing  of  troops. 

Sir  William  Howe  had  planned  four  simultaneous  at- 
tacks ;  one  on  the  north  by  Enyphausen,  who  was  en- 
camped on  the  York  side  of  King's  Bridge,  within  cannon 
shot  of  Fort  Washington,  but  separated  from  it  by  higli 
and  rough  hills,  covered  with  almost  impenetrable  wood& 
He  was  to  advance  in  two  columns,  formed  by  detach- 
rments  made  from  the  Hessians  of  his  corps,  the  brigade 
of  Bahl,  and  the  regiment  of  Waldeckers.     The  second 
attack  was  to  be  by  two  battalions  of  light  infEmtry,  and 
two  battalions  of  guards,  under  Brigadier-general  Mathew, 
who  was  to  cross  Harlem  Biver  in  flat-boats,  under  cover 
of  the  redoubts  above  mentioned,  and  to  land  on  the 
right  of  the  fori    This  attack  was  to  be  supported  bj 
the  first  and  second  grenadiers,  and  a  regiment  of  light 


FQBT  WABnnrOTON  A88AILED.  487 

infantzy  under  oommand  of  Lord  Oomwallis.  The  third 
attack,  intended  as  a  feint  to  distract  the  attention  of  the 
Americans,  was  to  be  by  Colonel  Sterling,  with  the  fortj^ 
second  regiment,  who  was  to  drop  down  the  Harlem 
Biyer  in  bateaux,  to  the  left  of  the  American  lines,  &kcing 
New  York.  The  fourth  attack  was  to  be  on  the  south, 
bjr  Lord  Percy,  with  the  English  and  Hessian  troops 
under  his  command,  on  the  right  flank  of  the  American 
intrenchments.* 

About  noon,  a  heavy  cannonade  thundering  along  the 
rocky  hills,  and  sharp  volleys  of  musketry,  proclaimed 
that  the  action  was  commenced.  Enyphausen's  division 
was  pushing  on  from  the  north  in  two  columns,  as  had 
been  arranged.  The  right  was  led  by  Colonel  Bahl,  the 
left  by  himsell  Bahl  essayed  to  mount  a  steep,  broken 
height  called  Cock  Hill,  which  rises  from  Spyt  den  Duivel 
Creek,  and  was  covered  with  woods.  Enyphausen  under* 
took  a  hill  rising  from  the  King's  Bridge  road,  but  soon 
found  himself  entangled  in  a  woody  defile,  difficult  to 
penetrate,  and  where  his  Hessians  were  exposed  to  the 
fire  of  the  three-gun  battery,  and  Bawlings'  riflemen. 

While  this  was  going  on  at  the  north  of  the  fort,  Gen- 
eral Mathew,  with  his  light  infantry  and  guards,  crossed 
the  Harlem  Biver  in  the  flat-boats,  under  cover  of  a  heavy 
fire  from  the  redoubts. 

He  made  good  his  landing,  after  being  severely  hauf 

*8ir  William  Howe  to  Lord  George  GermaiiMi. 


488  I*!^^  OF  WASHINGTOF. 

died  by  Baxter  and  his  men,  from  behind  rocks  and  treei^ 
and  the  breastworks  thrown  up  on  the  steep  river  bauL 
A  short  contest  ensued.  Baxter,  while  brayely  encour- 
aging his  men,  was  killed  by  a  British  officer.  Hu 
troops,  overpowered  by  numbers,  retreated  to  the  fort 
General  Mathew  now  pushed  on  with  his  guards  and 
light  infantry  to  cut  off  Cadwalader.  That  officer  had 
gallantly  defended  the  lines  against  the  attack  of  Loid 
Percy,  until  informed  that  Colonel  Sterling  was  dropping 
down  Harlem  Biver  in  bateaux  to  flank  the  lines,  and 
take  him  in  the  rear.  He  sent  off  a  detachment  to  op- 
pose his  landing.  They  did  it  manfully.  About  ninety 
of  Sterling's  men  were  killed  or  wounded  in  their  boats, 
but  he  persevered,  landed,  and  forced  his  way  up  a  steep 
height,  which  was  well  defended,  gained  the  summit^ 
forced  a  redoubt,  and  took  nearly  two  hundred  prisoners. 
Thus  doubly  assailed,  Cadwalader  was  obliged  to  re- 
treat to  the  fort.  He  was  closely  pursued  by  Percy  with 
his  English  troops  and  Hessians,  but  turned  repeatedlj 
on  his  pursuers.  Thus  he  fought  his  way  to  the  fort^ 
with  the  loss  of  several  killed  and  more  taken  prison- 
ers ;  but  marking  his  track  by  the  number  of  Hessians 
slain. 

The  defense  on  the  north  side  of  the  fort  was  equallj 
obstinate  and  unsuccessful  Bawlings  with  his  Maryland 
riflemen  and  the  aid  of  the  three-gun  battery,  had  for 
some  time  kept  the  left  column  of  Hessians  and  Wal« 
deckers  under  Elnyphausen  at  bay.    At  length  Oolonal 


BBOOND  BUiiMOIfa  TO  SUSSSITDMM.  489 

Bahl,  with  the  right  coluxnn  of  the  diyision,  haying  forced 
his  way  directly  up  the  north  side  of  the  steep  hill  at 
Spyt  den  Dnivel  Creek,  came  upon  Bawlings*  men, 
whose  rifles  from  frequent  discharges  had  become  foul 
and  almost  useless,  drove  them  from  their  strong  post, 
and  followed  them  until  within  a  hundred  yards  of 
the  fort,  where  he  was  joined  by  Enyphausen,  who 
had  slowly  made  his  way  through  dense  forest  and  over 
felled  trees.  Here  they  took  post  behind  a  large  stone 
house,  and  sent  in  a  flag,  with  a  second  summons  to  sur- 
render. 

Washington,  surrounded  by  several  of  his  officers,  had 
been  an  anxious  spectator  of  the  battle  from  the  opposite 
side  of  the  Hudson.  Much  of  it  was  hidden  from  him 
by  intervening  hills  and  forest ;  but  the  roar  of  cannonry 
from  the  valley  of  Harlem  Biver,  the  sharp  and  incessant 
reports  of  rifles,  and  the  smoke  rising  above  the  tree 
tops,  told  him  of  the  spirit  with  which  the  assault  was 
received  at  various  points,  and  gave  him  for  a  time  a 
hope  that  the  defense  might  be  successful  The  action 
about  the  lines  to  the  south  lay  open  to  him,  and  could 
be  distinctly  seen  through  a  telescope ;  and  nothing  en- 
couraged him  more  than  the  gallant  style  in  which  Oad« 
walader  with  an  inferior  force  maintained  his  position* 
When  he  saw  him,  however,  assailed  in  flank,  the  line 
broken,  and  his  troops,  overpowered  by  numbers,  retreat* 
ing  to  the  fort,  he  gave  up  the  game  as  lost  The  worst 
sight  of  all,  was  to  behold  his  men  cut  down  and  bayo« 


|j90  £1737  OF  WABBUmfTOJBT. 

neied  by  fhe  HessiaiiiB  wbile  begging  quarter.  It  is  nid 
go  completely  to  have  overoome  him,  that  he  wept  ^wifh 
the  tenderness  of  a  child." 

Seeing  the  flag  go  into  the  fort  from  Knyphansen's 
division,  and  surmising  it  to  be  a  summons  to  surrender, 
he  wrote  a  note  to  Magaw,  telling  him  that  if  he  ooold 
hold  out  nntil  evening  and  the  place  conld  not  be  main- 
tained, he  would  endeavor  to  bring  off  the  garrison  in 
the  night.  Captain  Gk>och,  of  Boston,  a  brave  and  cb^ 
ing  man,  offered  to  be  the  bearer  of  the  note.  ''He  no 
down  to  the  river,  jumped  into  a  small  boat,  poshed  OTar 
the  river,  landed  under  the  bank,  ran  up  to  the  fort  and 
delivered  the  message ;  came  out,  ran  and  jumped  o^er 
the  broken  ground,  dodging  the  Hessians,  some  of  whom 
struck  at  him  with  their  pieces  and  others  attempted  to 
thrust  him  with  their  bayonets ;  escaping  through  them, 
he  got  to  his  boat  and  returned  to  Fort  Lee."  * 

Washington's  message  arrived  too  late.  ''The  fort  was 
so  crowded  by  the  garrison,  and  the  troops  which  had 
retreated  into  it,  that  it  was  difficult  to  move  about  '  The 
enemy,  too,  were  in  possession  of  the  little  redoubts 
around,  and  could  have  poured  in  showers  of  shells  and 
ricochet  balls  that  would  have  made  dreadful  slaughter.** 
It  was  no  longer  possible  for  Magaw  to  get  his  troops  to 
man  the  lines;  he  was  compelledt  therefore,  to  yield 
himself  and  his  garrison  prisoners  of  war.    The  onl| 

•  Hfltth'8  Jfemoifi,  p.  81 


LBTTBB  FROM  LBS.  481 

tenns  granted  them  were,  that  the  men  Bhonld  retain 
their  baggage  and  the  officers  their  swords. 

The  sight  of  the  American  flag  hauled  down,  and  the 
British  flag  waving  in  its  place,  told  Washington  of  the 
surrender.  His  instant  care  was  for  the  safety  of  the 
upper  country,  now  that  the  lower  defenses  of  the  Hud- 
son were  at  an  end.  Before  he  knew  anything  about  the 
terms  of  wpitulation,  he  wrote  to  General  Lee,  inform- 
ing him  of  the  surrender,  and  calling  his  attention  to  the 
passes  of  the  Highlands  and  those  which  lay  east  of  the 
liyer;  begging  him  to  have  such  measures  adopted  for 
their  defense  as  his  judgment  should  suggest  to  be  neces- 
sary. **  I  do  not  mean,"  added  he,  **  to  adyise  abandon- 
ing your  present  post,  contrary  to  your  own  opinion ;  but 
only  to  mention  my  own  ideas,  of  the  importance  of 
those  passes,  and  that  you  cannot  give  too  much  atten** 
tion  to  their  security,  by  having  works  erected  on  the 
most  advantageous  places  for  that  purpose." 

Lee,  in  reply,  objected  to  removing  from  his  actual 
encampment  at  Northcastle.  "It  would  give  us,"  said 
he,  '*  the  air  of  being  frightened ;  it  would  expose  a  fine, 
fertile  country  to  their  ravages ;  and  I  must  add,  that  we 
are  as  secure  as  we  could  be  in  any  position  whatever." 
After  stating  that  he  should  deposit  his  stores,  etc.,  in  # 
place  fully  as  safe,  and  more  central  than  Peekskill,  he 
adds:  "As  to  ourselves,  light  as  we  are,  several  retreats 
present  themselves.  In  short,  if  we  keep  a  good  look-out, 
we  are  in  no  danger ;  but  I  must  entreat  your  Excellency 


492  i^s  OF  WAasmoTos. 

to  enjoin  the  officers  posted  at  Fort  Lee,  to  gi^e  ns  {hi 
quickest  intelligence,  if  they  observe  any  embarkation  on 
the  North  Biver."  As  to  the  affieur  of  Fort  Washington, 
all  that  Lee  observed  on  the  subject  was :  **  O,  general, 
why  would  you  be  over-persuaded  by  men  of  inferior 
judgment  to  your  own?    It  was  a  cursed  aflEEor.*' 

Lee's  allusion  to  men  of  inferior  judgment,  was  prin- 
dpally  aimed  at  Greene,  whose  influence  with  the  com- 
mander-in-chief seems  to  have  excited  a  jealousy  of  othef 
officers  of  rank  So  Colonel  Tilghman,  Washington's 
aide-de-camp,  writes  on  the  17th,  to  Bobert  &  Living- 
ston of  New  York,  **  We  were  in  a  fair  way  of  finisliing 
the  campaign  with  credit  to  ourselves,  and,  I  think,  to 
the  disgrace  of  Mr.  Howe ;  and,  had  the  general  followed 
his  own  opinion,  the  garrison  would  have  been  withdrawn 
immediately  upon  the  enemy's  fiJling  down  from  Dobb's 
Ferry.  But  General  Greene  was  positive  that  our  forces 
might  at  any  time  be  drawn  off  under  the  guns  of  Fort 
Lee.    Fatal  experience  has  evinced  the  contrary.*'* 

Washington's  own  comments  on  the  reduction  of  the 
fort,  made  in  a  letter  to  his  brother  Augustine,  are  wo^ 
thy  of  special  note.  "  This  is  a  most  unfortunate  aflhir, 
and  has  given  me  great  mortification ;  as  we  have  lost, 
not  only  two  thousand  men,t  that  were  there,  but  a  good 


*  Am,  Arehivea,  5th  Series,  iiL  780. 

t  The  number  of  prisoners,  as  retamed  by  Sir  William  Howe,  WM 
S;818,  of  whom  2,607  were  privates.  Thej  were  marched  off  to  New  Yoik 
at  midnight 


WASHINGTON '8  PBBPLEXITIB8.  493 

deal  of  artUleiy,  and  some  of  the  best  arms  we  had.  And 
what  adds  to  my  mortification  is,  that  this  post,  after  the 
last  ships  went  past  it,  was  held  contrary  to  my  wishes 
and  opinion^  as  I  conceived  it  to  be  a  hazardons  one : 
but  it  having  been  determined  on  by  a  full  council  of 
general  officers,  and  a  resolution  of  C!ongress  having  been 
received,  strongly  expressive  of  their  desire  that  the 
channel  of  the  river  which  we  had  been  laboring  to  stop 
for  a  long  time  at  that  place,  might  be  obstructed,  if  pos« 
sible ;  and  knowing  that  this  could  not  be  done,  unless 
there  were  batteries  to  protect  the  obstructions,  I  did 
not  care  to  give  an  absolute  order  for  withdrawing  the 
garrison,  till  I  could  get  round  and  see  the  situation  of 
things ;  and  then  it  became  too  late,  as  the  place  was 
invested.  Upon  the  passing  of  the  last  ships,  I  had 
given  it  as  my  opinion  to  General  Greene,  under  whose 
care  it  was,  that  it  would  be  best  to  evacuate  the  place ; 
but,  as  the  order  was  discretionary,  and  his  opinion  dif- 
fered from  mine,  it  was  unhappily  delayed  too  long,  to 
my  great  grief." 

The  correspondence  of  Washington  with  his  brother, 
is  full  of  gloomy  anticipations.  **  In  ten  days  from  this 
date,  there  will  not  be  above  two  thousand  men,  if  that 
number,  of  the  fixed  established  regiments  on  this  side 
of  Hudson  Biver,  to  oppose  Howe's  whole  army ;  and 
very  little  more  on  the  other,  to  secure  the  eastern  colo- 
nies, and  the  important  passes  leading  through  the  High- 
lands to  Albany,  and  the  country  about  the  lake&    In 


494  ZJFii?  OF  WASHINGTON. 

shorty  it  is  impossible  for  me,  in  the  compass  of  a  letteii 
to  give  you  any  idea  of  onr  situation,  of  my  difficulties, 
and  of  the  constant  perplexities  I  meet  with,  deriyed  from 
the  unhappy  policy  of  short  enlistments,  and  delaying 
them  too  long.  Last  fall,  or  winter,  before  the  army, 
which  was  then  to  be  raised,  was  set  about,  I  repre- 
sented in  clear  and  explicit  terms  the  evils  which  would 
arise  from  short  enlistments,  the  expense  which  must 
attend  the  raising  an  army  every  year,  and  the  futility  of 
such  an  army  when  raised ;  and  if  I  had  spoken  with  a 
prophetic  spirit,  I  could  not  have  foretold  the  evils  with 
more  accuracy  than  I  did.  All  the  year  since,  I  haye 
been  pressing  Congress  to  delay  no  time  in  engaging  men 
upon  such  terms  as  would  insure  success,  telling  them 
that  the  longer  it  was  delayed,  the  more  difficult  it  would 
prove.  But  the  measure  was  not  commenced  until  it  was 
too  late  to  be  effected.  •  •  •  •  I  am  wearied  almost 
to  death  with  the  retrograde  motion  of  things ;  and  I 
solemnly  protest,  that  a  pecuniary  reward  of  twenty 
thousand  pounds  a  year  would  not  induce  me  to  undergo 
what  I  do,  and,  after  all,  perhaps  to  lose  my  character; 
as  it  is  impossible,  under  such  a  variety  of  distressing 
circumstances,  to  conduct  matters  agreeably  to  publio 
expectations." 


OHAPTEB 


WHM  WnMY  0R0B8  THB  HUDSON.— RBTBSAT  OF  THB  OABBIBOH  FBOM  VOST 

— THB  0BOS8IHO  OF  THB  HAGKSKSACK.  —LSB  OBDBBBD  TO  MOYB  TO  THB 
WX8T  SIDB  OF  THB  BIYBB.  —  BBBB'B  LBTTBB  TO  HUC.—SBOOND  MOYB  OF 
THB  ABMT  BETONB  THB  PA88UC. — A88I8TAN0B  BOUGHT  FBOM  YABIOUB 
QUABTBB8.  — GORRE8FOMDBNCB8  AUB  BCHBMBS  OF  LBB.  — HBATH  BTANOH 
TO  HIB  niBTBUGTIONB.— ANXIBTT  OF  OBOBOB  CLINTON  FOB  THB  BAFBTT  OF 
THB  HUDBON.—CKITICAL  SITUATION  OF  THB  ABMT.  —  DIBFABAOINO  COBBB- 
BFONDBNCB  BBTWBBN  LBB  AND  BBBD.—WABHINOTON  BBTKBATS  AGBOSB  THB 
BARITAN.— ABBIYBB  AT  TBBNTON.  —  BBMOYBS  HIS  BAOQAOB  A0B068  THB 
DBLAWABB.— DI8MAT  AND  DBBFONDBNOT  OF  THB  OOUNTBT. — FBOOLAMA- 
TION  OF  LORD  HOWB.  ~  EXULTATION  OF  THB  BNBMT.  —  WABHINOTON'S  BB- 
SOLYZ  IN  CASB  OF  BXTRBMITT. 

the  captnre  of  Port  Wasliingtony  the  proj- 
ect of  obstructing  the  nayigation  of  the  Hudson, 
at  that  point,  was  at  an  end.  Fort  Lee,  conse- 
quently, became  useless,  and  Washington  ordered  all 
the  ammunition  and  stores  to  be  removed,  preparatory 
to  its  abandonment.  This  was  effected  with  the  whole 
of  the  ammunition,  and  a  part  of  the  stores,  and  every 
exertion  was  making  to  hurry  off  the  remainder,  when 
early  in  the  morning  of  the  20th,  intelligence  was  brought 
that  the  enemy,  with  two  hundred  boats,  had  crossed  the 
river  and  landed  a  few  miles  above.    General  Greene 

495 


496  L^B  OF  WABHINOTOJSr. 

immediately  ordered  the  garrison  under  arms,  sent  oni 
troops  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check,  and  sent  off  an  ex- 
press to  Washington  at  Hackensack. 

The  enemy  had  crossed  the  Hudson  on  a  ymj  rainy 
night,  in  two  diyisions,  one  diagonally  upward  from 
King's  Bridge,  landing  on  the  west  side,  abont  ei^t 
o'clock ;  the  other  marched  up  the  east  bank,  three  or 
four  miles,  and  then  crossed  to  the  opposite  shore.  The 
whole  corps,  six  thousand  strong,  and  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lord  Comwallis,  were  landed,  with  iheir  can- 
non, by  ten  o'clock,  at  a  place  called  Gloster  Dock,  fiTe 
or  six  miles  above  Fort  Lee,  and  under  that  line  of  bfty 
and  perpendicular  cliffs  known  as  the  Palisades.  ^  The 
seamen,"  says  Sir  William  Howe,  **  distinguished  them- 
selves remarkably  on  this  occasion,  by  their  readiness 
to  drag  the  cannon  up  a  very  narrow  road,  for  nearly 
half  a  mile  to  the  top  of  a  precipice,  which  bounds  the 
shore  for  some  miles  on  the  west  side."  * 

Washington  arrived  at  the  fort  in  three-quarters  of  an 
hour.  Being  told  that  the  enemy  were  extending  them- 
selves across  the  country,  he  at  once  saw  that  they  in- 
tended to  form  a  line  from  the  Hudson  to  the  Hacken- 
sack, and  hem  the  whole  garrison  in  between  the  two 
rivers.    Nothing  would  save  it  but  a  prompt  retreat  to 

»  Some  writers  have  stated  that  Cornwallis  crossed  on  the  18th.  They 
have  been  misled  by  a  letter  of  Sir  William  Howe,  which  gives  that  dito. 
Lord  Howe,  in  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Admiralty,  gives  the  dite 
we  have  stated  (the  80th),  which  is  the  true  one. 


OBossma  of  the  HAOKBiraAOK.  4sn 

secure  the  bridge  over  the  Hackensack.  No  time  was  to 
be  lost.  The  troops  sent  out  to  check  the  enemy  were 
recalled.  The  retreat  commenced  in  all  haste.  There 
was  a  want  of  horses  and  wagons;  a  great  quantity  of 
baggage,  stores,  and  provisions,  therefore,  was  abandoned. 
So  was  all  the  artillery  excepting  two  twelve-ponnders. 
Eren  the  tents  were  left  standing,  and  camp-kettles  on 
the  fire.  With  all  their  speed  they  did  not  reach  the 
Hackensack  Biver  before  the  yangoard  of  the  enemy  was 
dose  upon  them.  Expecting  a  brush,  the  greater  part 
hurried  over  the  bridge,  others  crossed  at  the  ferry,  and 
some  higher  up.  The  enemy,  however,  did  not  dispute 
the  passage  of  the  river;  but  Comwallis  stated  in  his 
despatches,  that,  had  not  the  Americans  been  apprised 
of  his  approach,  he  would  have  surrounded  them  at  the 
fort  Some  of  hie  troops  that  night  occupied  the  tents 
they  had  abandoned. 

From  Hackensack,  Colonel  Grayson,  one  of  Washings 
ton's  aides-de-camp,  wrote  instantly,  by  his  orders,  to 
General  Lee ;  informing  him  that  the  enemy  had  crossed 
into  the  Jerseys,  and,  as  was  reported,  in  great  numbers. 
''His  Excellency,"  adds  Grayson,  ''thinks  it  would  be 
advisable  in  you  to  remove  the  troops  under  your  com- 
mand on  this  side  of  the  North  Biver,  and  there  wait  for 
further  commands." 

Washington  himself  wrote  to  Lee  on  the  following  day 
(Nov.  21st).  "  I  am  of  opinion,"  said  he,  "  and  the  gen- 
tlemen about  me  concur  in  it,  that  the  public  interest 


498  -Urar  OF  WABHmGTON. 

lequiieB  your  coming  over  to  this  aide  of  the  Hndsoa 
with  the  continentftl  troops.  •  •  •  •  The  enemy  is  eTi- 
dently  changing  the  seat  of  war  to  this  aide  of  the  North 
Biver,  and  the  inhabitants  of  this  conntiy  will  erp&ck 
the  continental  army  to  give  them  what  snpport  they 
can ;  and  &uling  in  that,  they  will  cease  to  depend  npon, 
or  support  a  force  from  which  no  protection  is  to  be  de- 
rived. It  is,  therefore,  of  the  utmost  importance,  that  at 
least  an  appearance  of  force  should  be  made,  to  keep  thk 
province  in  connection  with  the  others.'* 

In  this  moment  of  hurry  and  agitation,  Colonel  Beed, 
also,  Washington's  ySiitf  Achaiesy  wrote  to  Lee,  but  in  a 
tone  and  spirit  that  may  surprise  the  reader,  knowing 
the  devotion  he  had  hitherto  manifested  for  the  com- 
mander-in-chie£  After  expressing  the  common  wish  that 
Lee  should  be  at  the  principal  scene  of  action,  he  adds: 
**  I  do  not  mean  to  flatter  or  praise  you  at  the  expense 
of  any  other ;  but  I  do  think  it  is  entirely  owing  to  yon, 
that  this  army,  and  the  liberties  of  America^  so  far  as 
they  are  dependent  on  it,  are  not  entirely  cut  o£  Ton 
have  decision,  a  quality  often  wanting  in  minds  otherwise 
valuable,  and  I  ascribe  to  this  our  escape  from  York  Isl* 
and.  King's  Bridge,  and  the  Plains ;  and  I  have  no  douH 
had  you  been  here,  the  garrison  of  Mount  Washington 
would  now  have  composed  a  part  of  this  army ;  and  from 
all  these  circumstances,  I  confess,  I  do  ardently  wish  to 
see  you  removed  from  a  place  where  there  will  be  so  lit- 
tle call  for  your  judgment  and  experience,  to  the  pkoe 


BjBSB'a  LETTER  TO  LEE.  499 

where  ihey  are  likely  to  be  so  neoessary.  Nor  am  I  sin- 
gular in  my  opinion ;  every  gentleman  of  the  family,  the 
officers  and  soldiers  generally,  have  a  confidence  in  yon. 
The  enemy  constantly  inquire  where  yon  are,  and  seem 
to  be  less  confident  when  yon  are  present." 

Then  alluding  to  the  late  affieur  at  Fort  Washington,  he 
oontinaes:  '^  General  Washington's  own  judgment,  sec- 
onded by  representations  from  us,  would,  I  believe,  have 
saved  the  men,  and  their  arms ;  but,  unluckily.  General 
Gbeene's  judgment  was  contrary.  This  kept  the  general's 
mind  in  a  state  of  suspense,  till  the  stroke  was  strucL 
O  general!  An  indecisive  mind  is  one  of  the  greatest 
misfortunes  that  can  befall  an  army;  how  often  have  I 
lamented  it  this  campaign.  All  circumstances  consid- 
ered, we  are  in  a  very  awful  and  alarming  situation ;  one 
that  requires  the  utmost  wisdom  and  firmness  of  mind. 
As  soon  as  the  season  will  admit,  I  think  yourself  and 
some  others  should  go  to  Congress,  and  form  the  plan  of 

the  new  army I  must  conclude,  with  my 

clear  and  explicit  opinion,  that  your  presence  is  of  the 
last  importance."* 

Well  might  Washington  apprehend  that  his  character 
and  conduct,  in  the  perplexities  in  which  he  was  placed, 
would  be  liable  to  be  misunderstood  by  the  public,  when 
the  friend  of  his  bosom  could  so  misjudge  him. 

Beed  had  evidently  been  dazzled  by  the  daring  spirit 

•  Memoirs  of  Reed,  L  25B. 


600  ^^^  OF  WASHnfGTOJr. 

and  tmsonipiilotis  policy  of  Lee,  who,  in  oarrjing  ont  hii 
measores,  heeded  but  little  the  counsels  of  others,  or 
even  the  orders  of  goyemment.  Washington's  respect 
for  both,  and  the  caution  with  which  he  hesitated  in 
adopting  measures  in  opposition  to  them,  was  stamped 
by  the  bold  soldier  and  his  admirers  as  indecision. 

At  Hackensack  the  army  did  not  exceed  three  thoo- 
sand  men,  and  they  were  dispirited  by  ill-success,  and 
the  loss  of  tents  and  baggage.  They  were  without  in* 
trenching  tools,  in  a  flat  country,  where  there  were  no 
natural  fastnesses.  Washington  resolved,  therefore,  to 
avoid  any  attack  from  the  enemy,  though,  by  so  doin^ 
he  must  leave  a  fine  and  fertile  region  open  to  their  la?- 
ages ;  or  a  plentiful  storehouse,  from  which  they  would 
draw  voluntary  supplies.  A  second  move  was  necessaiji 
again  to  avoid  the  danger  of  being  inclosed  between  two 
rivers.  Leaving  three  regiments,  therefore,  to  guard  the 
passes  of  the  Hackensack,  and  serve  as  covering  parties^ 
he  again  decamped,  and  threw  himself  on  the  west  bank 
of  the  Passaic,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Newark 

His  army,  small  as  it  was,  would  soon  be  less.  The 
term  of  enlistment  of  those  under  General  Mercer,  from 
the  flying  camp,  was  nearly  expired;  and  it  was  not 
probable  that,  disheartened  as  they  were  by  defeats  and 
losses,  exposed  to  inclement  weather,  and  unaccustomed 
to  military  hardships,  they  would  longer  forego  the  com* 
forts  of  their  homes,  to  drag  out  the  residue  of  a  ruinone 
campaign. 


00BBB8P0NDBNCE8  OF  LBS.  gOl 

In  addition,  too,  to  the  superiority  of  the  foroe  that 
was  following  him,  the  rivers  gave  the  enemy  facilities, 
by  means  of  their  shipping,  to  throw  troops  in  his  rear. 
In  this  extremity  he  cast  about  in  every  direction  for 
assistance.  Colonel  Beed,  on  whom  he  relied  as  on  a 
second  self,  was  despatched  to  Burlington,  with  a  letter 
to  Gk>vemor  William  Livingston,  describing  his  hazard- 
ous situation,  and  entreating  him  to  call  out  a  portion  of 
the  New  Jersey  militia ;  and  General  Mifflin  was  sent  to 
Philadelphia  to  implore  immediate  aid  from  Congress 
and  the  local  authorities. 

His  main  reliance  for  prompt  assistance,  however,  was 
upon  Lee.  On  the  24th  came  a  letter  from  that  general, 
addressed  to  Colonel  Beed.  Washington  opened  it,  as 
he  was  accustomed  to  do,  in  the  absence  of  that  officer, 
with  letters  addressed  to  him  on  the  business  of  the 
army.  Lee  was  at  his  old  encampment  at  Northcastle. 
He  had  no  means,  he  said,  of  crossing  at  Dobb's  Ferry, 
and  the  round  by  King's  Ferry  would  be  so  great,  that 
he  could  not  get  there  in  time  to  answer  any  purpose. 
''  I  have  therefore,''  added  he,  **  ordered  General  Heath, 
who  is  dose  to  the  only  ferry  which  can  be  passed,  to 
detach  two  thousand  men  to  apprise  his  Excellency,  and 
await  his  further  orders ;  a  mode  which  I  flatter  myself 
will  answer  better  what  I  conceive  to  be  the  spirit  of  the 
orders,  than  should  I  move  the  corps  from  hence.  With- 
drawing our  troops  from  hence  would  be  attended  with 
some  very  serious  consequences,  which  at  present  would 


602  LIFB  OF  WASSmGTOir. 

be  tedious  to  enmnerate ;  as  to  mysel£,"  adds  he,  ''I  hops 
to  set  out  to-morrow." 

A  letter  of  the  same  date  (Not.  23d),  from  Lee  to 
James  Bowdoin,  president  of  the  Massaohnsetts  oomioi], 
may  throw  some  light  on  his  motives  for  delaying  to 
obey  the  orders  of  the  oommander-in-chie£  ''Before  tlie 
nnfortnnate  affair  at  Fort  Washington,"  writes  he,  *'it 
was  my  opinion  that  the  two  armies — ^that  on  the  eas^ 
and  that  on  the  west  side  of  the  North  Biver — mnst  rest 
each  on  its  own  bottom ;  that  the  idea  of  detaching  and 
reinforcing  from  one  side  to  the  other,  on  every  motkm 
of  the  enemy,  was  chimerical;  but  to  harbor  such  a 
thought  in  our  present  circumstances,  is  absolute  in- 
sanity. In  this  invasion,  should  the  enemy  alter  the 
present  direction  of  their  operations,  and  attempt  to 
open  the  passage  of  the  Highlands,  or  enter  New  Eng- 
land, I  should  never  entertain  the  thought  of  being  suc- 
cored by  the  western  army.  I  know  it  is  impossible. 
We  must,  therefore,  depend  upon  ourselves.  To  Con- 
necticut and  Massachusetts,  I  shall  look  for  assistance. 
....  I  hope  the  cursed  job  of  Fort  Washington  will 
occasion  no  dejection :  the  place  itself  was  of  no  valne. 
For  my  own  part,  I  am  persuaded  that  if  we  only  act 
with  common  sense,  spirit,  and  decision,  the  day  must  Im 
our  own.*' 

In  another  letter  to  Bowdoin,  dated  on  the  following 
day,  and  inclosing  an  extract  from  Washington's  letter  of 
Nov.  21st,  he  writes :  "  Indecision  bids  fair  for  tumbling 


PLANS  OF  ZB&  503 

down  the  goodly  &brio  of  American  freedom,  and,  with 

it^  the  rights  of  mankbd    'Twas  indecision  of  Oongress 

pieyented  our  having  a  noble  army,  and  on  an  excellent 

footing.    'Twas  indecision  in  onr  military  councils  which 

cost  ns  the  garrison  of  Fort  Washington,  the  consc 

qnenoe  of  which  mnst  be  fatal,  unless  remedied  in  time 

by  a  contrary  spirit.    Inclosed  I  send  yon  an  extract  of 

a  letter  from  the  general,  on  which  yon  wiU  make  yonr 

comments;  and  I  have  no  doubt  you  will  concur  with  mei 

in  the  necessity  of  raising  immediately  an  army  to  saye 

us  from  perdition.    Affiurs  appear  in  so  important  a 

crisis,  that  I  think  the  resolves  of  the  Congress  must  no 

bi^er  too  nicely  weigh  with  u&    We  must  save  the 

oommunity,  in  spite  of  the  ordinances  of  the  legislature. 

There  are  times  when  we  must  commit  treason  against 

the  laws  of  the  State,  for  the  salvation  of  the  State. 

The  present  crisis  demands  this  brave,  virtuous  kind 

of  treason."    He  urges  President  Bowdoin,  therefore, 

to  waive   all  formalities,  and   not   only  complete  the 

regiments  prescribed  to  the  province,  but  to  add  four 

oompanies  to  each  regiment.    ^*  We  must  not  only  have 

a  force  sufficient  to  cover  your  province,  and  all  these 

fertile  districts,  from  the  insults  and  irruptions  of  the 

tyrant's  troops,  but  sufficient  to  drive  'em  out  of  all 

their  quarters  in  the  Jerseys,  or  all  is  lost.    .    •    .    • 

In  the  meantime,  send  up  a  formidable  body  of  militia» 

to  supply  the  place  of  the  continental  troops,  which  I  am 

Ordered  to  convey  over  the  river.    Let  your  people  be 


504  LIFB  Of  WASSlNGfOlr. 

well  supplied  with  blankets,  and  warm  dofhes,  as  I  am 
determined,  by  the  help  of  God,  to  niinest  'em,  eyen  in 
the  dead  of  winter.**  ♦ 

It  is  eyident  Lee  considered  Washington's  star  to  be 
on  the  decline,  and  his  own  in  the  ascendant.  The  ''afiEair 
of  Fort  Washington,*'  and  the  ''indecision  of  the  com- 
mander-inohief,'*  were  apparently  his  watchwords. 

On  the  following  day  (24th),  he  writes  to  Washington 
from  Northcastle,  on  the  subject  of  removing  troops 
across  the  Hudson.  ''  I  have  receiyed  your  orders,  and 
shall  endeavor  to  put  them  in  execution,  but  question 
whether  I  shall  be  able  to  carry  with  me  any  conside^ 
able  number ;  not  so  much  from  a  want  of  zeal  in  the 
men,  as  from  their  wretched  condition  with  respect  to 
shoes,  stockings,  and  blankets,  which  the  present  bad 
weather  renders  more  intolerable.  I  sent  Heath  orders 
to  transport  two  thousand  men  across  the  river,  apprise 
the  general,  and  wait  for  further  orders ;  but  that  great 
man  (as  I  might  have  expected)  intrenched  himself  within 
the  letter  of  his  instructions,  and  refused  to  part  with  a 
single  file,  though  I  undertook  to  replace  them  with  a 
part  of  my  own."  He  concludes  by  showing  that,  so  hr 
from  hurrying  to  the  support  of  his  commander-in-chie( 
he  was  meditating  a  side  blow  of  his  own  devising.  "I 
should  march  this  day  with  Qlover's  brigade ;  but  hate 
just  received  intelligence  that  Bogers*  corps,  a  part  of  the 

*  Am.  Archivn^  6th  Series,  iiL  811. 


LEB'a  BEPLT  TO   WASHINGTOIT.  506 

light  horse,  and  another  brigade  lie  in  so  exposed  a  situ- 
ation, as  to  present  us  the  fairest  opportunity  of  carrying 
them  oft  If  we  succeed,  it  will  have  a  great  effect,  and 
amply  compensate  for  two  days'  delay." 

Scarce  had  Lee  sent  this  letter,  when  he  received  one 
from  Washington,  informing  him  that  he  had  mistaken 
his  yiews  in  regard  to  the  troops  required  to  cross  the 
Hudson;  it  was  his  (Lee's)  division  that  he  wanted  to 
have  over.  The  force  under  Heath  must  remain  to  guard 
the  posts  and  passes  through  the  Highlands,  the  im- 
portance of  which  was  so  infinitely  great,  that  there 
should  not  be  the  least  possible  risk  of  losing  them. 
In  the  same  letter  Washington,  who  presumed  Lee  was 
by  this  time  at  Peekskill,  advised  him  to  take  every 
precaution  to  come  by  a  safe  route,  and  by  all  means  to 
keep  between  the  enemy  and  the  mountains,  as  he  under- 
stood they  were  taking  measures  to  intercept  his  march. 

Lee's  reply  was  still  from  Northcastle.  He  explained 
that  his  idea  of  detaching  troops  from  Heath's  division 
was  merely  for  expedition's  sake,  intending  to  replace 
them  from  his  own.  The  want  of  carriages  and  other 
causes  had  delayed  him.  From  the  force  of  the  enemy 
remaining  in  Westchester  County,  he  did  not  conceive 
the  number  of  them  in  the  Jerseys  to  be  near  so  great  as 
Washington  was  taught  to  believe.  He  had  been  making 
a  sweep  of  the  country  to  clear  it  of  the  tories.  Part  of 
his  army  had  now  moved  on,  and  he  would  set  out  on  the 
following  day.     He  concluded  with  the  assurance,  ''I 


£06  tIFB  OF  wAssmoToisr. 

shall  take  care  to  obey  your  Excellency's  orders,  in  xo* 
gard  to  my  march,  as  exactly  as  possible/' 

On  the  same  day,  he  vents  his  spleen  in  a  tart  letter  to 
Heath*  **  I  perceive/'  writes  he,  ^*  that  yon  have  formed 
an  idea,  that  shonld  General  Washington  remove  to  the 
Straits  of  Magellan,  the  instructions  he  left  with  yon, 
upon  a  particular  occasion,  have,  to  all  intents  and  pur* 
poses,  invested  you  with  a  command  separate  from,  and 
independent  of,  any  other  superiors.  •  •  •  •  That  Gen- 
eral Heath  is  by  no  means  to  consider  himself  obliged  to 
obey  the  second  in  command."  He  concluded  by  inform- 
ing him  that,  as  the  commander-in-chief  was  now  separ- 
ated from  them,  he  (Lee)  commanded,  of  course,  on  this 
side  of  the  water,  and  for  the  future  would  and  must  be 
obeyed. 

Before  receiving  this  letter,  Heath,  doubtful  whether 
Washington  might  not  be  pressed,  and  desirous  of  hay- 
ing his  troops  across  the  Hudson,  had  sent  off  an  express 
to  him  for  explicit  instructions  on  that  point,  and,  in  the 
meantime,  had  kept  them  ready  for  a  move. 

General  George  Clinton,  who  was  with  him,  and  had 
the  safety  of  the  Hudson  at  heart,  was  in  an  agony  of 
solicitude.  *^  We  have  been  under  marching  orders  these 
three  days  past,"  writes  he,  *^  and  only  wait  the  direc- 
tions of  General  Washington.  Should  they  be  to  move, 
all's  over  with  the  river  this  season,  and,  I  fear,  forever. 
Gteneral  Lee,  four  or  five  days  ago,  had  orders  to  move 
with  his  division  across  the  river.     Listead  of  so  doings 


WAaniNGTON  TO  LEE,  607 

he  ordered  General  Heath  to  marcli  his  men  through, 
and  he  wonld  replace  them  with  so  many  of  his.  Gen- 
eral Heath  conld  not  do  this  consistent  with  his  instruc- 
tionsy  but  put  his  men  under  marching  orders  to  wait  his 
Excellency's  orders."  Honest  Gteorge  Clinton  was  still 
perplexed  and  annoyed  by  these  marchings  and  counter- 
marchings  ;  and  especially  with  these  incessant  retreats. 
''  A  strange  way  of  cooking  business !  *'  writes  he.  ^^  We 
haye  no  particular  accounts  yet  from  head-quarters,  hut  1 
am  apt  to  hdteve  retreaUng  is  yet/ashimable.'* 

The  return  of  the  express  sent  to  Washington,  relieved 
Olinton's  anxiety  about  the  Highlands;  reiterating  the 
original  order,  that  the  division  under  Heath  should  re- 
main for  the  protection  of  the  passes. 

Washington  was  still  at  Newark  when,  on  the  27th,  he 
received  Lee's  letter  of  the  24th,  speaking  of  his  scheme 
of  capturing  Bogers  the  partisan.  Under  other  circum- 
stances it  might  have  been  a  sufficient  excuse  for  his 
delay,  but  higher  interests  were  at  stake ;  he  immediately 
wrote  to  Lee  as  follows :  "  My  former  letters  were  so  full 
and  explicit,  as  to  the  necessity  of  your  marching  as 
early  as  possible,  that  it  is  unnecessary  to  add  more  on 
that  head.  I  confess  I  expected  you  would  have  been 
sooner  in  motion.  The  force  here,  when  joined  by  yours, 
will  not  be  adequate  to  any  great  opposition ;  at  present 
it  is  weak,  and  it  has  been  more  owing  to  the  badness  of 
the  weather  that  the  enemy's  progress  has  been  checked, 
than  any  resistance  we  could  make.    They  are  now  push- 


608  ^^^  OF  WASHINQTOir. 

ing  this  way — ^part  of  'em  have  passed  the  Passaio.  Their 
plan  is  not  entirely  unfolded^  but  I  shall  not  be  snrprifled 
if  Philadelphia  should  turn  out  tho  object  of  their  moTe* 
ment" 

The  situation  of  the  little  army  was  daily  beooming 
more  perilous.  In  a  council  of  war,  several  of  the  mem- 
bers urged  a  move  to  Morristown,  to  form  a  junction  with 
the  troops  expected  from  the  Northern  army.  Washing" 
ton,  however,  still  cherished  the  idea  of  unAViTig  a  stand 
at  Brunswick  on  the  Baritan,  or,  at  all  events,  of  disputing 
the  passage  of  the  Delaware ;  and  in  this  intrepid  reso- 
lution he  was  warmly  seconded  by  Greene. 

Breaking  up  his  camp  once  more,  therefore,  he  con- 
tinued his  retreat  towards  New  Brunswick ;  but  so  cIo66 
was  Comwallis  upon  him,  that  his  advance  entered  one 
end  of  Newark,  just  as  the  American  rear-guard  had  left 
the  other. 

From  Brunswick,  Washington  wrote  on  the  29th  to 
William  Livingston,  governor  of  the  Jerseys,  request- 
ing him  to  have  all  boats  and  river  craft,  for  seventy 
miles  along  the  Delaware,  removed  to  the  western  bank 
out  of  the  reach  of  the  enemy,  and  put  under  guard.  He 
was  disappointed  in  his  hope  of  making  a  stand  on  the 
banks  of  the  Earitan.  All  the  force  he  could  muster  at 
Brunswick,  including  the  New  Jersey  militia,  did  not 
exceed  four  thousand  men.  Colonel  Beed  had  &iled  in 
procuring  aid  from  the  New  Jersey  legislature.  That 
body,  shifting  from  place  to  place,  was  on  the  eve  of  did* 


CORBEaPONDENCB  OF  LEE  AND  SEED.  609 

BolutioiL  The  term  of  the  Maryland  and  New  Jersey 
troops  in  the  flying  camp  had  expired.  (General  Mercer 
endeavored  to  detain  them,  representing  the  disgrace  of 
turning  their  back  upon  the  cause  when  the  enemy  was 
at  hand:  his  remonstrances  were  fruitless.  As  to  the 
Pennsylvania  levies,  they  deserted  in  such  numbers,  that 
guards  were  stationed  on  the  roads  and  ferries  to  inter- 
cept them. 

At  this  moment  of  care  and  perplexity,  a  letter,  for- 
warded by  express,  arrived  at  head-quarters.  It  was  from 
General  Lee,  dated  from  his  camp  at  Northcastle,  to 
Oolonel  Beed,  and  was  in  reply  to  the  letter  written  by 
that  officer  from  Hackensack  on  the  21st,  which  we  have 
already  laid  before  the  reader.  Supposing  that  it  related 
to  official  business,  Washington  opened  it^  and  read  as 
follows : — 

^  Mt  deab  Beed, — ^I  received  your  most  obliging,  flatter- 
ing letter ;  lament  with  you  that  fatal  indecision  of  mind, 
which  in  war  is  a  much  greater  disqualification  than  stu- 
pidity, or  even  want  of  personal  courage.  Accident  may 
put  a  decisive  blunderer  in  the  right ;  but  eternal  defeat 
and  miscarriage  must  attend  the  man  of  the  best  parts, 
if  cursed  with  indecision.  The  general  recommends  in 
so  pressing  a  manner  as  almost  to  amount  to  an  order, 
to  bring  over  the  continental  troops  under  my  command, 
which  recommendation,  or  order,  throws  me  into  the 
greatest  dilemma  from  several  considerations.*'     After 


510  £/7V  OF  WASSnTQTOJT. 

stttting  these  considerations,  he  adds :  **  My  leasont  for 
not  haying  marched  abready  is,  that  we  have  just  re- 
oeived  intelligence  that  Sogers'  corps,  the  light  horse, 
part  of  the  Highlanders,  and  another  brigade,  lie  in  so 
exposed  a  situation  as  to  giye  the  fairest  opportnnify  of 
being  carried.  I  should  have  attempted  it  last  night,  but 
the  rain  was  too  yiolent,  and  when  our  pieces  are  wet, 
you  know  our  troops  are  hora  de  combat.  This  night  I 
hope  will  be  better,  ....  I  only  wait  myself  for 
this  business  of  Bogers  and  company  being  oyer.  I  shall 
then  fly  to  you ;  for,  to  confess  a  truth,  I  really  think  our 
chief  will  do  better  with  me  than  without  me." 

A  glance  oyer  this  letter  sufficed  to  show  Washington 
ihat^  at  this  dark  moment^  when  he  most  needed  support 
and  sympathy,  his  character  and  military  conduct  were 
the  subject  of  disparaging  comments,  between  the  friend 
in  whom  he  had  so  implicitly  confided,  and  a  sarcastic 
and  apparently  self-constituted  riyaL  Whateyer  may 
haye  been  his  feelings  of  wounded  pride  and  outraged 
friendship,  he  restrained  them,  and  inclosed  the  letter  to 
Beed,  with  the  following  chilling  note : 

**  DsAB  Sm, — ^The  inclosed  was  put  into  my  hands  by 
an  express  from  White  Plains.  Haying  no  idea  of  itB 
being  a  priyate  letter,  much  less  suspecting  the  tendency 
of  the  correspondence,  I  opened  it ;  as  I  haye  done  all 
other  letters  to  you  from  the  same  place,  and  Ftekskill, 


WABHnrQTON  AND  BSED.  fiH 

upon  the  business  of  your  office,  as  I  oonceived,  and  found 
Uiem  to  be.  This,  as  it  is  the  tmth,  must  be  m  j  excuse 
&xr  seeing  the  contents  of  a  letter,  which  neither  indinar 
tion  nor  intention  would  have  prompted  me  to,"  eta 

The  yery  calmness  and  coldness  of  this  note  must  have 
had  a  greater  effect  upon  Beed,  than  could  have  been 
produced  by  the  most  vehement  reproaches.  In  subse- 
qiient  communications,  he  endeayored  to  explain  away 
ilie  offidnsive  paragraphs  in  Lee's  letter,  declaring  there 
was  nothing  in  his  own  inconsistent  with  the  respect  and 
iflection  he  had  ever  borne  for  Washington's  person  and 
oiharaoter. 

Fortunately  for  Beed,  Washington  never  saw  that  let- 
ter. There  were  passages  in  it  beyond  the  reach  of  soft- 
Bning  explanation.  As  it  was,  the  purport  of  it,  as 
reflected  in  Lee's  reply,  had  given  him  a  sufficient  shock. 
His  magnanimous  nature,  however,  was  incapable  of  har- 
boring long  resentments;  especially  in  matters  relating 
lolely  to  himsel£  His  personal  respect  for  Colonel  Beed 
continued ;  he  invariably  manifested  a  high  sense  of  his 
merits,  and  consulted  him,  as  before,  on  military  affairs ; 
but  his  hitherto  affectionate  confidence  in  him,  as  a  sym-* 
pathizing  friend,  had  received  an  incurable  wound.  His 
letters,  before  so  frequent,  and  such  perfect  outpourings 
of  heart  and  mind,  became  few  and  far  between,  and  con- 
fined to  matters  of  business. 

It  must  have  been  consoling  to  Washington  at  this 


512  •£>^3rV  OF  WASHmGTOJn 

moment  of  bittemdis,  to  receive  the  following  letlef 
(dated  Not.  27th)  from  William  Liyingston,  the  intelli^ 
gent  and  patriotic  governor  of  New  Jersey.  It  showed 
that  while  many  misjudged  him,  and  friends  seemed  fall- 
ing from  his  side,  others  appreciated  him  truly,  and  the 
ordeal  he  was  undergoing. 

*^  I  can  easily  form  some  idea  of  the  difficulties  under 
which  you  labor,"  writes  Livingston,  ''particularly  of 
one  for  which  the  public  can  make  no  allowance,  because 
your  prudence  and  fidelity  to  the  cause  will  not  suffiu* 
you  to  reveal  it  to  the  public;  an  instance  of  magna- 
nimity, superior,  perhaps,  to  any  that  can  be  shown  is 
battle.  But  depend  upon  it,  my  dear  sir,  the  impartial 
world  will  do  you  ample  justice  before  long.  May  God 
support  you  under  the  &tigue,  both  of  body  and  mind,  to 
which  you  must  be  constantly  exposed.'*  * 

Washington  lingered  at  Brunswick  until  the  Ist  of 
December,  in  the  vain  hope  of  being  reinforced.  The 
enemy,  in  the  meantime,  advanced  through  the  countiy, 
impressing  wagons  and  horses,  and  collecting  cattle  and 

•  We  cannot  dkmiBBthbpdiiM  incident  in  Wadiingtcm'slif^ 
a  prospeotiye  note  en  the  subject.  Reed  was  really  of  too  generonfl  aai 
intelligent  a  natoie  not  to  be  aware  of  the  immense  Talne  of  the  friend- 
ship he  had  pnt  at  hazard.  He  griered  over  his  mistake,  especially  tf 
after  eyents  showed  more  and  more  the  majestic  greatness  of  Washing 
ton's  character.  A  letter  in  the  following  year,  in  which  he  songfat  to 
convince  Washington  of  his  sincere  and  devoted  attachment^  is  resDy 
touching  in  its  appeals.  We  are  happy  to  add,  that  it  appears  to  hft^e 
been  successful,  and  to  have  restored,  in  a  great  measure^  their  xelatkiof 
9f  friendly  ooiUQideDoe. 


WABHlNQTrON  AT  TREITTON.  513 

sheep,  as  if  for  a  distant  march.  At  length  their  yan« 
guard  appeared  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Baritan* 
Washington  immediately  broke  down  the  end  of  the 
bridge  next  the  village,  and  after  nightfall  resumed  his 
retreat.  In  the  meantime,  as  the  river  was  fordable. 
Captain  Alexander  Hamilton  planted  his  field-pieces  on 
high,  commanding  ground,  and  opened  a  spirited  fire,  to 
check  any  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  cross. 

At  Princeton,  Washington  left  twelve  hundred  men  in 
two  brigades,  under  Lord  Stirling  and  General  Adam 
Stephen,  to  cover  the  country,  and  watch  the  motions  of 
the  enemy.  Stephen  was  the  same  officer  that  had  served 
as  a  colonel  under  Washington  in  the  French  war,  as 
second  in  command  of  the  Virginia  troops,  and  had 
charge  of  Fort  Cumberland.  In  consideration  of  his 
courage  and  military  capacity,  he  had,  in  1764  been 
intrusted  with  the  protection  of  the  frontier.  He  had 
recently  brought  a  detachment  of  Virginia  troops  to  the 
army,  and  received  from  Congress,  in  September,  the 
commission  of  brigadier-generaL 

The  harassed  army  reached  Trenton  on  the  2d  of  De- 
cember. Washington  immediately  proceeded  to  remove 
his  baggage  and  stores  across  the  Delaware.  In  his  let- 
ters from  this  place  to  the  President  of  Congress,  he 
gives  his  reasons  for  his  continued  retreai  '^Nothing 
but  necessity  obliged  me  to  retire  before  the  enemy,  and 
leave  so  much  of  the  Jerseys  unprotected.    Sorry  am  I 

to  observe  that  the  frequent  calls  upon  the  militia  of 
voL.n.— i 


514  I*^^^  OF  WAaniNQTOJSf. 

this  State,  the  want  of  exertion  in  the  principal  gentlemen 
of  th^  coontiy,  and  a  fatal  sapineness  and  insensibility 
of  danger,  till  it  is  too  late  to  prevent  an  evil  that  was 
not  only  foreseen,  but  foretold,  have  been  the  causes  of 
our  late  disgraces. 

^*  If  the  militia  of  this  State  had  stepped  forth  in  sea- 
son (and  timelj  notice  thej  had),  we  might  have  pre- 
yented  the  enemy's  crossing  the  Hackensack.  We  mighty 
with  equal  possibility  of  success,  have  made  a  stand  at 
Brunswick  on  the  Baritan.  But  as  both  these  riyeis 
were  fordable  in  a  variety  of  places,  being  knee  deep 
only,  it  required  many  men  to  guard  the  passes,  and 
these  we  had  not" 

In  excuse  for  the  people  of  New  Jersey,  it  may  be  ob- 
served, that  they  inhabited  an  open,  agricultural  country, 
where  the  sound  of  war  had  never  been  heard.  Many  of 
them  looked  upon  the  Bevolution  as  rebellion;  others 
thought  it  a  ruined  enterprise ;  the  armies  engaged  in  it 
had  been  defeated  and  broken  up.  They  beheld  the 
commander-in-chief  retreating  through  their  country 
with  a  handful  of  men,  weary,  wayworn,  dispirited ;  with- 
out tents,  without  clothing,  many  of  them  barefooted, 
exposed  to  wintry  weather,  and  driven  from  post  to  post, 
by  a  weU-clad,  well-fed,  triumphant  force,  tricked  out  in 
all  the  glittering  bravery  of  war.  Could  it  be  wondered 
at,  that  peaceful  husbandmen,  seeing  their  quiet  fields 
thus  suddenly  overrun  by  adverse  hosts,  and  their  very 
hearthstones  threatened  with  outrage,  should^  instead  oi 


EXULTATION  OF  TBS  ENEMY.  616 

flyiTig  to  annBy  seek  for  the  safety  of  their  wives  and  little 
oneSy  and  the  protection  of  their  humble  means,  from  the 
desolation  whioh  too  often  marks  the  course  even  of 
friendly  armies  ? 

Lord  Howe  and  his  brother  sought  to  profit  by  this 
dismay  and  despondency.  A  proclamation,  dated  80th 
of  November,  commanded  all  persons  in  arms  against 
TTiR  Majesty's  government  to  disband  and  return  home, 
and  all  Congresses  to  desist  from  treasonable  acts :  offer- 
ing a  free  pardon  to  all  who  should  comply  within  fifty 
days. 

Many  who  had  been  prominent  in  the  cause,  hastened 
to  take  advantage  of  this  proclamation*  Those  who  had 
most  property  to  lose,  were  the  first  to  submit  The 
middle  ranks  remained  generally  steadfast  in  this  time  of 
trial* 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  a  field-officer  in 
ISfew  York,  dated  December  2d,  to  his  friend  in  London, 
gives  the  British  view  of  affairs.  '*  The  rebels  continue 
ffying  before  our  army.  Lord  Oomwallis  took  the  fort 
opposite  Brunswick,  plunged  into  Baritan  Biver,  and 
seized  the  town.  Mr.  Washington  had  orders  from  the 
Congress  to  rally  and  defend  that  post,  but  he  sent  them 
word  he  could  noi  He  was  seen  retreating  with  two 
brigades  to  Trenton,  where  they  talk  of  resisting;  but 
gnoh  a  panic  has  seized  the  rebels,  that  no  part  of  the 

•Gocdon's  EiiA.  Am.  War,  iL  p.  lam 


516  UFB  OF  WABHINQTOJSf. 

JeisejB  will  hold  them,  and  I  doubt  whether  Philadet 
phia  itself  will  stop  their  career.  The  CSongress  have  lost 
their  authority They  are  in  such  consterna- 
tion that  they  know  not  what  to  do.  The  two  Adamses 
are  in  New  England ;  Franklin  gone  to  France ;  Lynch 
has  lost  his  senses ;  Butledge  has  gone  home  disgusted ; 
Dana  is  persecuting  at  Albany,  and  Jay's  in  the  country 
playing  as  bad  a  part ;  so  that  the  fools  have  lost  the 
assistance  of  the  knaves.  However,  should  they  embrace 
the  indosed  proclamation^  they  may  yet  escape  the  halter. 
•  .  •  •  Honest  David  Mathew,  the  mayor,  has  made 
his  escape  from  them,  and  arrived  here  this  day.**  * 

In  this  dark  day  of  peril  to  the  cause  and  to  himself 
Washington  remained  firm  and  undaunted.  In  casting 
about  for  some  stronghold  where  he  might  make  a  des- 
perate stand  for  the  liberties  of  his  country,  his  thoughts 
reverted  to  the  mountain  regions  of  his  early  campaigD& 
(General  Mercer  was  at  hand,  who  had  shared  his  perils 
among  these  mountains,  and  his  presence  may  have  con- 
tributed to  bring  them  to  his  mind.  ''  What  think  yon," 
said  Washington ;  '^  if  we  should  retreat  to  the  back  parts 
of  Peimsylvania,  would  the  Peimsylvanians  support  us?*' 

**  If  the  lower  counties  give  up,  the  back  counties  will 
do  the  same,"  was  the  discouraging  reply. 

"  We  must  then  retire  to  Augusta  County  in  Virginia," 
said  Washington.   *'  Numbers  will  repair  to  us  for  safety, 

•Am.  Ardkivu,  5th  Seriea,  UL  1067. 


A  LA8T  BB80URCE. 


517 


and  we  will  try  a  predatory  war.    If  overpowered,  we 
most  cross  the  Alleghanies." 

Such  was  the  indomitable  spirit,  rising  nnder  diffionl- 
ties,  and  buoyant  in  the  darkest  moment^  that  kept  our 
tempest-toBsed  cause  from 


OTTAFTEB  ZLU 

LIB  AT  FSEK8KILL.— STAHOH  ADHBBXNOB  07  HBATH  TO  OB]>XB8.«-UB 

THB  HUDflOK.  — WABHINOTON  AT  TBBNTON.  —  LSI  AT  THB  HBBL8  OV  TBM 
BMBMT.— HIS  8PBOULATION8  ON  lOLITABT  aBBATNBSS.— rOKCXD  MABCH  OT 
COBKWALIiIS.-^WA8HIl«OTON  CBOSaSS  THB  DBLAWABB.— PUTM  AM  Of  OamUXD 
AT  PHUJLDBLPHIA.— BAFFLINO  LBTTBB8  07  LBB.— HOFB8  TO  BBOOBQUBB  TBI 
JBB8BT8.— GATB8  ON  THB  MABOH.— LBB  QUABTBBBD  AT  BABKINOBID6B.— 
8DBFBI8BD  AND  OAPTUBBD.— SPBOULATIONS  ON  HIS  CONDUCT. 

IT  WITHSTANDING  the  repeated  and  pleas- 
ing orders  and  entreaties  of  the  oommander-in- 
ohief,  Lee  did  not  reach  Peekskill  until  the 
30th  of  November.  In  a  letter  of  that  date  to  Washing- 
ton, who  had  complained  of  his  delay,  he  simply  alleged 
difficulties,  which  he  would  explain  when  both  had  Jekure, 
His  scheme  to  entrap  Bogers,  the  renegade,  had  failed; 
the  old  Indian  hunter  had  been  too  much  on  the  alert; 
he  boasted,  however,  to  have  rendered  more  service  by 
his  delay,  than  he  would  have  done  had  he  moved  sooner. 
His  forces  were  thereby  augmented,  so  that  he  expected 
to  enter  the  Jerseys  with  four  thousand  firm  and  willing 
men,  who  would  make  a  very  important  diversion. 

"The  day  after  to-morrow,"  added  he,  "we  shall  pass 
the  river,  when  I  should  be  glad  to  receive  your  instruo* 

618 


BEATH'a  mUTARY  PXTNOTILtO.  619 

tions ;  bat  I  could  wish  you  would  bind  me  as  little  as 
possible ;  not  from  any  opinion,  I  do  assnre  yon,  of  my 
own  parts,  bat  from  a  persuasion  that  detached  generals 
cannot  have  too  great  latitude,  unless  they  are  very  in* 
competent  indeed." 

Lee  had  calculated  upon  meeting  no  further  difficulty 
in  obtaining  men  from  Heath.  He  rode  to  that  general's 
quarters  in  the  evening,  and  was  invited  by  him  to  alight 
and  take  tea.  On  entering  the  house,  Lee  took  Heath 
aside,  and  alluding  to  his  former  refusal  to  supply  troops 
as  being  inconsistent  with  the  orders  of  the  commander- 
in-chiei  '*  Li  point  of  Zau;,"  said  he,  '*  you  are  right,  but 
in  point  of  policy  I  think  you  are  wrong.  I  am  going 
into  the  Jerseys  for  the  salvation  of  America ;  I  wish  to 
take  with  me  a  larger  force  than  I  now  have,  and  request 
you  to  order  two  thousand  of  your  men  to  march  with 


me. 


Heath  answered  that  he  could  not  spare  that  number. 
He  was  then  asked  to  order  one  thousand ;  to  which  he 
replied,  that  the  business  might  be  as  well  brought  to  a 
point  at  once — that  not  a  single  man  should  march  from 
the  post  by  his  order.  '^  Then,"  exclaimed  Lee,  *'  I  will 
order  them  mysell"  "That  makes  a  wide  difference,** 
rejoined  Heath.  ''  You  are  my  senior,  but  I  have  received 
positive  written  instructions  from  him  who  is  superior  to 
us  both,  and  I  will  not  myddf  break  those  orders.**  In 
proof  of  his  words.  Heath  produced  the  recent  letter 
received  from  Washington,  repeating  his  former  orders 


620  J^^B  OF  wAannsrGToy: 

{hat  no  troops  should  be  removed  from  that  posL  Lei 
glanced  over  the  letter.  **  The  commander-in-chief  is  now 
at  a  distance,  and  does  not  know  what  is  necessary  here 
so  well  as  I  do."  He  asked  a  sight  of  the  return  book  of 
{he  division.  It  was  brought  by  Major  Huntington,  the 
deputy  adjutant-generaL  Lee  ran  his  eye  over  it,  and 
chose  two  regiments.  "  You  will  order  them  to  march 
early  to-morrow  morning  to  join  me/*  said  he  to  the 
major.  Heath  ruffling  with  {he  pride  of  military  law, 
turned  to  the  major  with  an  air  of  authority.  "  Lena 
such  orders  at  your  peril ! "  exclaimed  he :  then  address* 
ing  Lee,  **  Sir/'  said  he,  **  if  you  come  to  this  post,  and 
mean  to  issue  orders  here  which  wiU  break  the  positive 
ones  I  have  received,  I  pray  you  to  do  it  oompletefy 
yourself  and  through  your  own  deputy  adjutant-general 
who  is  present,  and  not  draw  me  or  any  of  my  &mily  in 
as  partners  in  the  guili'* 

''  It  is  right/'  said  Lee ;  **  Colonel  Scammel,  do  yon 
issue  the  order."  It  was  done  accordingly ;  but  Heath's 
punctilious  scruples  were  not  yet  satisfied.  "  I  have  one 
more  request  to  make,  sir/'  said  he  to  Lee,  **  and  that  is, 
that  you  will  be  pleased  to  give  me  a  certificate  that  yon 
exercise  command  at  this  post,  and  order  from  it  these 
regiments." 

Lee  hesitated  to  comply,  but  George  Clinton,  who  was 
present,  told  him  he  could  not  refuse  a  request  so  rea- 
sonable. He  accordingly  wrote,  "  For  the  satisfaction  oi 
(General  Heath,  and  at  his  request,  I  do  certify  that  I  am 


PROFITING  BY  DELAY.  621 

oommanding  officer,  at  this  present  writings  in  this  post, 
and  that  I  have,  in  that  capacity,  ordered  Prescott's  and 
WylLV  regiments  to  march." 

Heath's  military  punctilio  was  satisfied,  and  he  smooth^ 
ed  his  ruffled  plumes.  Early  the  next  morning  the  regi** 
ments  moved  from  their  cantonments  ready  to  embark, 
when  Lee  again  rode  up  to  his  door.  **  Upon  further 
consideration,"  said  he,  ''I  have  concluded  not  to  take 
the  two  regiments  with  me — ^you  may  order  them  to  re- 
turn to  their  former  posi" 

''This  conduct  of  (General  Lee,"  adds  Heath  in  his 
memoirs,  ^*  appeared  not  a  little  extraordinary,  and  one 
is  almost  at  a  loss  to  account  for  it  He  had  been  a  sol- 
dier from  his  youth,  had  a  perfect  knowledge  of  service 
in  all  its  branches,  but  was  rather  obstinate  in  his  tem- 
per.  and  conld  scarcely  brook  being  crossed  in  anything 
in  the  line  of  his  profession."* 

It  was  not  until  the  4th  of  December  that  Lee  crossed 
the  Hudson  and  began  a  laggard  march,  though  aware  of 
the  imminent  peril  of  Washington,  and  his  army — ^how 
different  from  the  celerity  of  his  movements  in  his  expe- 
dition to  the  South  I 

Li  the  meantime,  Washington,  who  was  at  Trenton^ 
had  profited  by  a  delay  of  the  enemy  at  Brunswick,  and 
removed  most  of  the  stores  and  baggage  of  the  army 
across  the  Delaware;  and  being  reinforced  by  fifteen 

*  The  above  scene  is  given  almost  literally  from  General  Heath's  Me* 
moira. 


522  -ZJTV  OF  WAaEmQTOJf. 

hundred  of  the  Penns jlyania  militift,  procnred  by  Mifflioi 
prepared  to  face  about,  and  march  back  to  Prinoeton 
with  such  of  his  troops  as  were  fit  for  service,  there  to 
be  governed  by  circumstances,  and  the  movements  of 
General  Lee.  Accordingly,  on  the  6th  of  December  he 
sent  about  twelve  hundred  men  in  the  advance,  to  rein- 
force Lord  Stirling,  and  the  next  day  set  off  himsftlf  with 
the  residue. 

**  The  general  has  gone  forward  to  Princeton,*'  writes 
Colonel  Beed,  ''where  there  are  about  three  thousaDd 
men,  with  which,  I  fear,  he  will  not  be  able  to  make  any 
stand."  * 

While  on  the  march,  Washington  received  a  letter  from 
Oreene,  who  was  at  Princeton,  informing  him  of  a  report 
that  Lee  was  "  at  the  heels  of  the  enemy."  '*  I  should 
think,**  adds  Greene, ''  he  had  better  keep  on  the  flanb 
than  the  rear,  unless  it  were  possible  to  concert  an  at- 
tack at  the  same  instant  of  time  in  front  and  rear.  .... 
I  think  General  Lee  must  be  confined  within  the  lines  of 
some  general  plan,  or  else  his  operations  will  be  inde- 
pendent of  yours.  His  own  troops,  General  St  Clair's, 
and  the  militia,  must  form  a  respectable  army.** 

Lee  had  no  idea  of  conforming  to  a  general  plan ;  he 
had  an  independent  plan  of  his  own,  and  was  at  that 
moment  at  Pompton,  indulging  speculations  on  military 
greatness,  and  the  lamentable  want  of  it  in  his  Americai 

*  'SLbed  to  the  President  of  CongieaB. 


Q0ENWALLI8'8  MAB€B.  623 

eomtemporaries.  In  a  letter  from  that  place  to  Gbvemor 
Cooke  of  Shode  Island,  he  imparts  his  notions  on  the 
sabjecL  '*  Theory  joined  to  practice,  or  a  heaven-bom 
genins,  can  alone  constitute  a  general.  As  to  the  latter, 
Ood  Almighty  indulges  the  world  very  rarely  with  the 
spectacle;  and  I  do  not  know,  from  what  I  have  seen, 
that  he  has  been  more  profose  of  this  ethereal  spirit  to 
the  Americans,  than  to  other  nations.'* 

While  Lee  was  thus  loitering  and  speculating,  Com- 
wallis,  knowing  how  far  he  was  in  the  rear,  and  how 
weak  was  the  situation  of  Washington's  army,  and  being 
himself  strongly  reinforced,  made  a  forced  march  from 
Brunswick  and  was  within  two  miles  of  Princeton.  Stir- 
ling, to  avoid  being  surrounded,  immediately  set  out  with 
two  brigades  for  Trenton.  Washington,  too,  receiving 
intelligence  by  express  of  these  movements,  hastened 
back  to  that  place,  and  caused  boats  to  be  collected  from 
all  quarters,  and  the  stores  and  troops  transported  across 
the  Delaware.  He  himself  crossed  with  the  rear-guard 
on  Sunday  morning,  and  took  up  his  quarters  about  a 
mile  from  the  river ;  causing  the  boats  to  be  destroyed, 
and  troops  to  be  posted  opposite  the  fords.  He  was 
conscious,  however,  as  he  said,  that  with  his  small  force 
he  could  make  no  great  opposition,  should  the  enemy 
bring  boats  with  them.  Fortunately,  they  did  not  come 
thus  provided. 

The  rearguard,  says  an  American  account,  had  barely 
eroBsed  the  river,  when  Lord  Com  wallis  ''came  marching 


524  ^ZJ^^  OJF  WABHmGTOJT.  i 

down  with  all  the  pomp  of  war^  in  great  expectation  of  got* 
ting  boatSy  and  immediately  pursuing."    Not  one  was  to  be 
had  there  or  elsewhere ;  for  Washington  had  caused  the 
boats,  for  an  extent  of  seventy  miles  up  and  down  the 
river,  to  be  secured  on  the  right  bank     His  lordship 
was   effectuaUj  brought  to  a  stand.     He  made  some 
moves  with  two  columns,  as  if  he  would  cross  the  Dela- 
ware above  and  below,  either  to  push  on  to  Philadelphia^ 
or  to  entrap  Washington  in  the  acute  angle  made  by  the 
bend  of  the  river  opposite  Bordentown.    An  able  dispo- 
sition of  American  troops  along  the  upper  part  of  tb 
river,  and  of  a  number  of  galleys  below,  discouraged  anj 
attempt  of  the  kind.     Comwallis,  therefore,  gave  up  the 
pursuit,  distributed  the  German  troops  in  cantonments 
along  the  left  bank  of  the  river,  and  stationed  his  meio 
force  at  Brunswick,  trusting  to  be  able  before  long  io 
cross  the  Delaware  on  the  ioe. 

On  the  8th,  Washington  wrote  to  the  President  of  Con- 
gress :  '^  There  is  not  a  moment's  time  to  be  lost  in  as- 
sembling such  a  force  as  can  be  collected,  as  the  object 
of  the  enemy  cannot  now  be  doubted  in  the  smallest 
degree.  Indeed,  I  shall  be  out  in  my  conjecture,  for  it 
is  only  conjecture,  if  the  late  embarkation  at  New  York 
is  not  for  Delaware  Biver,  to  cooperate  with  the  army 
tmder  Gteneral  Howe,  who,  I  am  informed  from  good 
authority,  is  with  the  British  troops,  and  his  whole  force 
upon  this  route.  I  have  no  certain  intelligence  of  Gen- 
eral Lee,  although  I  have  sent  expresses  to  him,  and 


PVTNAM  IN  COMMAND  AT  PHILADELPHIA.     625 

lately  a  Colonel  Humpton,  to  bring  me  some  accurate  ao- 
oonnts  of  his  situation*  I  last  night  despatched  another 
gentleman  to  him  (Major  Hoops),  desiring  he  would 
hasten  his  march  to  the  Delaware,  on  which  I  would 
proyide  boats  near  a  place  called  Alexandria,  for  the 
transportation  of  his  troops.  I  cannot  account  for  the 
slowness  of  his  march.** 

In  further  letters  to  Lee,  Washington  urged  the  peril 
of  Philadelphia.  *^  Do  come  on,"  writes  he ;  **  your  ar« 
lival  may  be  fortunate,  and,  if  it  can  be  effected  without 
delay,  it  may  be  the  means  of  preserving  a  city,  whose 
loss  must  prove  of  the  most  fatal  consequence  to  the 
cause  of  America." 

Putnam  was  now  detached  to  take  command  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  put  it  in  a  stete  of  defense,  and  (General 
Ttfifflin  to  have  charge  of  the  munitions  of  war  deposited 
{here.  By  their  advice  Congress  hastily  adjourned  on 
{he  12th  of  December,  to  meet  again  on  the  20th,  at 
Baltimore. 

Washington's  whole  force  at  this  time,  was  about  five 
{housand  five  hundred  men ;  one  thousand  of  them  Jer* 
sey  militia,  fifteen  hundred  militia  from  Philadelphia, 
and  a  battalion  of  five  hundred  of  the  (German  yeomanry 
of  Pennsylvania.  Gates,  however,  he  was  informed,  was 
coming  on  with  seven  regimente  detached  by  Schuyler 
from  the  Northern  department ;  reinforced  by  these,  and 
the  troops  under  Lee,  he  hoped  to  be  able  to  attempt  a 
stroke  upon  the  enemy's  forces,  which  lay  a  good  deal 


626  -C^^  OF  WASHINGTOir. 

Boattered,  and,  to  all  appearancesi  in  a  state  of  secnrity. 
"  A  lucky  blow  in  this  quarter,"  writes  he,  "  would  be 
fatal  to  them,  and  would  most  certainly  raise  the  spirits 
of  the  people,  which  are  quite  sunk  by  our  late  misfor- 
tunes.*' * 

While  cheering  himself  with  these  hopes,  and  trust- 
ing to  speedy  aid  from  Lee,  that  wayward  commander, 
though  nearly  three  weeks  had  elapsed  since  he  had  re- 
ceived Washington's  orders  and  entreaties  to  join  him 
with  all  possible  despatch,  was  no  further  on  his  march 
than  Morristown,  in  the  Jerseys;  where,  with  militia 
recruits,  his  force  was  about  four  thousand  men.  In  a 
letter  written  by  him  on  the  8th  of  December  to  a  com« 
mittee  of  Congress,  he  says:  **If  I  was  not  taught  to 
think  the  army  with  General  Washington  had  been  con- 
siderably reinforced,  I  should  immediately  join  him ;  but 
as  I  am  assured  he  is  very  strong,  I  should  imagine  we  can 
make  a  better  impression  by  beating  np  and  barassing 
their  detached  parties  in  their  rear,  for  which  purpose  a 
good  post  at  Chatham  seems  the  best  calculated.  It 
is  a  happy  distance  from  Newark,  Elizabethtown,  Wood- 
bridge,  and  Boundbrook.  We  shall,  I  expect,  annoy, 
distract,  and  consequently  weaken  them  in  a  desultory 
war."  t 

On  the  same  day  he  writes  from  Chatham,  in  reply  to 
Washington's  letter  by  Major  Hoops,  just  received:  **1 

•  Washington  to  Gov.  Trumbull,  14th  Dec;, 
f  Am*  ArcMvtB,  5th  Series,  iii.  1181« 


BAFFLING  LBTTERB  OF  LBS.  627 

am  extremely  shodced  to  hear  that  your  force  is  bo  in* 
adequate  to  the  necessity  of  your  situation,  as  I  had  been 
taught  to  think  you  had  been  considerably  reinforced. 
Your  last  letters  proposing  a  plan  of  surprises  and  forced 
marches,  conyinoed  me  that  there  was  no  danger  of  your 
being  obliged  to  pass  the  Delaware ;  in  consequence  of 
which  proposals,  I  have  put  myself  in  a  position  the  most 
oonTenient  to  cooperate  with  you  by  attacking  their  rear. 
I  cannot  persuade  myself  that  Philadelphia  is  their  ob- 
ject at  present  ....  It  will  be  difficult,  I  am  afraid, 
to  join  you ;  but  cannot  I  do  you  more  service  by  attack- 
ing their  rear  ?  '* 

This  letter,  sent  by  a  light-horseman,  received  an  in- 
stant reply  from  Washington.  *^  Philadelphia,  beyond  all 
question,  is  the  object  of  the  enemy's  movements,  and 
nothing  less  than  our  utmost  exertions  will  prevent  Gen- 
eral Howe  from  possessing  ii  The  force  I  have  is  weak, 
and  utterly  incompetent  to  that  end.  I  must,  therefore, 
entreat  you  to  push  on  with  every  possible  succor  you 
can  bring."  * 

On  the  9th,  Lee,  who  was  at  Chatham,  received  infor- 
mation from  Heath,  that  three  of  the  regiments  detached 
under  Qates  from  the  Northern  army,  had  arrived  from 
Albany  at  Peekskill.  He  instantly  writes  to  him  to  for- 
ward them,  without  loss  of  time,  to  Morristown :  *^  I  am 
in  hopes,**  adds  he,  '*  to  reconquer  (if  I  may  so  express 

^Am  Arehivti,  Sth  Series,  liL  1188. 


528  LIFB  Of  WABHINGTOir. 

myself)  the  Jerseys.    It  was  really  in  the  hands  of  ths 
enemy  before  my  arrivaL" 

On  the  11th,  Lee  writes  to  Washington  from  Morris* 
town,  where  he  says  his  troops  had  been  obliged  to  halt 
two  days  for  want  of  shoes.  He  now  talked  of  orossiiig 
the  great  Bronswick  post-road,  and,  by  a  forced  night'i 
march,  making  his  way  to  the  ferry  above  Burlington, 
where  boats  should  be  sent  up  from  Philadelphia  to 
receiye  him. 

'^  I  am  much  surprised,**  writes  Washington  in  repfy, 
*'  that  you  should  be  in  any  doubt  respecting  the  ronte 
you  should  take,  after  the  information  you  have  reoeifed 
upon  that  head.  A  large  number  of  boats  was  procured, 
and  is  still  retained  at  Tinicum,  under  a  strong  guard,  to 
facilitate  your  passage  across  the  Delaware.  I  have  so 
frequently  mentioned  our  situation,  and  the  necessity  of 
your  aid,  that  it  is  painful  for  me  to  add  a  word  on  the 
subject  ....  Congress  have  directed  Philadelphia 
to  be  defended  to  the  last  extremity.  The  fatal  conse- 
quences that  must  attend  its  loss,  are  but  too  obyions  to 
every  one ;  your  arrival  may  be  the  means  of  saving  it" 

In  detailing  the  close  of  General  Lee's  march,  so  extra- 
ordinary for  its  tardiness,  we  shall  avail  ourselves  of  the 
memoir  already  cited,  of  (General  Wilkinson,  who  was  at 
that  time  a  brigade  major,  about  twenty-two  years  of 
age,  and  was  accompanying  (General  Gates,  who  had  been 
detached  by  Schuyler  with  seven  regiments  to  reinforce 
Washington.     Three  of   these   regiments,  as  we  hxn 


MABCE  OF  GATES.  629 

shown,  had  descended  the  Hudson  to  Peekskill,  and  were 
ordered  by  Lee  to  Morristown.  Gates  had  embarked 
with  the  remaining  four,  and  landed  with  them  at  Eso- 
pnsy  whence  he  took  a  back  route  by  the  Delaware  and 
the  Mim'flink. 

On  the  11th  of  December,  he  was  detained  by  a  heavy 
snow  storm,  in  a  sequestered  yalley  near  the  Wallpeck 
in  New  Jersey.  Being  cut  o&  from  all  information  re- 
specting the  adverse  armies,  he  detached  Major  Wilkin- 
son to  seek  Washington's  camp,  with  a  letter,  stating  the 
force  under  his  command,  and  inquiring  what  route  he 
should  take.  Wilkinson  crossed  the  hills  on  horseback 
to  Sussex  court-house,  took  a  guide,  and  proceeded  down 
the  country.  Washington,  he  soon  learnt,  had  passed 
the  Delaware  several  days  before ;  the  boats,  he  was  told, 
had  been  removed  from  the  ferries,  so  that  he  would  find 
some  difficulty  in  getting  over,  but  Major-general  Lee 
was  at  Morristown.  Finding  such  obstacles  in  his  way 
to  the  commander-in-chief,  he  determined  to  seek  the 
second  in  command,  and  ask  orders  from  him  for  General 
Gates.  Lee  had  decamped  from  Morristown  on  the  12th 
of  December,  but  had  marched  no  further  than  Yealtown, 
barely  eight  miles  distant  There  he  left  (General  Sul- 
livan with  the  troops,  while  he  took  up  his  quarters 
three  miles  off,  at  a  tavern,  at  Baskingridge.  As  there 
was  not  a  British  cantonment  within  twenty  miles,  he 
took  but  a  small  guard  for  his  protection,  thinking  him*' 

self  perfectly  secure. 
VOL.  n.— 84 


630  LIFE  OF  WASHnfGTOir. 

About  four  o'clock  in  the  moming,  Willdiison 
at  his  quarters.  He  was  presented  to  the  general  as  he 
lay  in  bed,  and  delivered  into  his  hands  the  letter  of  (Gen- 
eral Gates.  Lee,  observing  it  was  addressed  to  Wash- 
ington, declined  opening  it,  until  apprised  by  Wilkinson 
of  its  contents,  and  the  motives  of  his  visit.  He  then 
broke  the  seal,  and  recommended  Wilkinson  to  take  re- 
pose. The  latter  lay  down  on  his  blanket^  before  a  com- 
fortable fire,  among  the  officers  of  his  suite ;  '^  for  we 
were  not  encumbered  in  those  days,'*  says  he,  ''with 
beds  or  baggage." 

Lee,  naturally  indolent,  lingered  in  bed  until  eight 
o'clock.  He  then  came  down  in  his  usual  slovenly  style, 
half-dressed,  in  slippers  and  blanket  coat,  his  collar 
open,  and  his  linen  apparently  of  some  days'  wear.  After 
some  inquiries  about  the  campaign  in  the  North,  he  gaye 
Wilkinson  a  brief  account  of  the  operations  of  the  main 
army,  which  he  condemned  in  strong  terms,  and  in  his 
usual  sarcastic  way.  He  wasted  the  morning  in  alterca- 
tion with  some  of  the  militia,  particularly  the  Connecti- 
cut light  horse :  "  several  of  whom,"  says  Wilkinson, 
"appeared  in  large  full-bottomed  perukes,  and  were 
treated  very  irreverently.  One  wanted  forage,  another 
his  horse  shod,  another  his  pay,  a  fourth  provisions,  etc ; 
to  which  the  general  replied,  *Tour  wants  are  numerous; 
but  you  have  not  mentioned  the  last, — ^you  want  to  go 
home,  and  shall  be  indulged;  for  d —  you,  you  do  no  good 
here.'  •' 


BOBNB  AT  UBE'a  HEAl>-qXTAMTEE8.  631 

Colonel  Scammel,  the  adjatant-genenJ^  called  from 
G(eneral  Sullivan  for  orders  concerning  the  morning 
march.  After  musing  a  moment  or  two,  Lee  asked  him 
if  he  had  a  manuscript  map  of  the  conntij.  It  was  pro- 
duced, and  spread  upon  a  table.  Wilkinson  observed  Lee 
trace  with  his  finger  the  route  from  Yealtown  to  Fluoka- 
min,  thence  to  Somerset  court-house,  and  on,  by  Bocky 
Hill,  to  Princeton;  he  then  returned  to  Fluckamin, 
and  traced  the  route  in  the  same  manner  bj  Bound- 
brook  to  Brunswick,  and  after  a  close  inspection  care- 
lessly said  to  Scammel,  '^  Tell  General  Sullivan  to  move 
down  towards  Pluckamin;  that  I  will  soon  be  with 
him." 

This,  observes  Wilkinson,  was  off  his  route  to  Alex- 
andria on  the  Delaware,  where  he  had  been  ordered  to 
cross,  and  directly  on  that  towards  Brunswick  and  Prince- 
ton. He  was  convinced,  therefore,  that  Lee  meditated 
an  attack  on  the  British  post  at  the  latter  place. 

From  these  various  delays  they  did  not  sit  down  to 
breakfast  before  ten  o'clock.  After  breakfast  Lee  sat 
writing  a  reply  to  General  Gates,  in  which,  as  usual,  he 
indulged  in  sarcastic  comments  on  the  commander-in- 
chiel  '^  The  ingenious  manoeuvre  of  Fort  Washington,** 
writes  he,  ''has  completely  unhinged  the  goodly  fabric 
we  had  been  building.  There  never  was  so  d — d  a  stroke ; 
enJtre  nousy  a  certain  great  man  is  most  damnably  deficient. 
He  has  thrown  me  into  a  situation  where  I  have  my 
choice  of  difficulties:  if  I  stay  in  this  province  I 


532  i^s  OF  wAsmsrGTosr. 

myself  and  army,  and  if  I  do  not  stay,  the  proTinoe  is  losi 

forever As  to  what  relates  to  yourself  if  yon 

think  you  can  be  in  time  to  aid  the  general^  I  would  haTS 
you  by  all  means  go ;  you  will  at  least  save  your  armyi" 
etc.* 

While  Lee  was  writing,  Wilkinson  was  looking  out  of  a 
window  down  a  lane,  about  a  hundred  yards  in  lengUi, 
leading  from  the  house  to  the  main  road.  Suddenly  a 
party  of  British  dragoons  turned  a  comer  of  the  ayenne 
at  full  charge.  **Here,  sir,  are  the  British  oaYaby!" 
exclaimed  Wilkinson. 

**  Where  ?  "  replied  Lee,  who  had  just  signed  his  letter. 

'^  Around  the  house  1" — ^for  they  had  opened  file  and 
surrounded  ii 

"  Where  is  the  guard  ?  d —  the  guard,  why  don't  they 
fire?"  Then  after  a  momentary  pause — ''Do,  sir,  see 
what  has  become  of  the  guard." 

The  guards,  alas,  unwary  as  their  general,  and  chilled 
by  the  air  of  a  frosty  morning,  had  stacked  their  arms, 
and  repaired  to  the  south  side  of  a  house  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  road  to  sun  themselves,  and  were  now  chased 
by  the  dragoons  in  different  directions.  Li  fitct,  a  torj, 
who  had  visited  the  general  the  evening  before,  to  com- 
plain of  the  loss  of  a  horse  taken  by  the  army,  having 
fotmd  where  Lee  was  to  lodge  and  breakfast,  had  ridden 
eighteen  miles  in  the  night,  to  Brunswick,  and  given  the 

•Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  iiL  IML 


OAPTUBS  OF  LEK  533 

iiilcxrmaiion,  and  had  piloted  back  Colonel  Haroowrt  with 
his  dragoons.* 

The  women  of  the  house  would  fain  have  concealed 
Lee  in  a  bed,  but  he  rejected  the  proposition  with  dis- 
dain. WiUdnson,  according  to  his  own  account^  posted 
himself  in  a  place  where  only  one  person  could  approach 
at  a  time,  and  there  took  his  stand,  a  pistol  in  each  hand, 
resolTed  to  shoot  the  first  and  second  assailant^  and  then 
appeal  to  his  sword.  While  in  this  **  unpleasant  situa- 
tion," as  he  terms  it,  he  heard  a  Toice  declare,  '^  If  the 
general  does  not  surrender  in  fiye  minutes,  I  will  set  fire 
to  the  house  1 "  After  a  short  pause  the  threat  was  re- 
peated, with  a  solemn  oath.  Within  two  minutes  he 
heard  it  proclaimed,  "  Here  is  the  general,  he  has  sur- 
rendered." 

There  was  a  shout  of  triumph,  but  a  great  hurry  to 
make  sure  of  the  prize  before  the  army  should  arrive  to 
the  rescue.  A  trumpet  sounded  the  recall  to  the  dra- 
goons, who  were  chasing  the  scattered  guards.  The  gen- 
eral, bareheaded,  and  in  his  slippers  and  blanket  coai^ 
was  mounted  on  Wilkinson's  horse,  which  stood  at  the 
door,  and  the  troop  clattered  off  with  their  prisoner  to 
Brunswick.  In  three  hours  the  booming  of  the  cannon 
in  that  direction  told  the  exultation  of  the  enemy.t  They 
boasted  of  having  taken  the  American  Palladium;  for 

*  Joseph  Tramball  to  Governor  Trnmbii]].    Am,  ArMwa,  6th  Seriaib 

m.  1S6S. 

tlUd. 


684  LIFB  OF  WABBINBTOXr. 

ihey  considered  Lee  the  most  sdentifio  and  experienoed 
of  the  rebel  generals. 

On  the  departure  of  the  troops,  Wilkinson,  finding  the 
coast  clear,  yentnred  from  his  stronghold,  repaired  to  the 
stable,  mounted  the  first  horse  he  oonld  find,  and  rode 
foil  speed  in  quest  of  General  SuUiyan,  whom  he  &mnd 
under  march  toward  Pludkamin.  He  handed  him  the 
letter  to  Qates,  written  by  Lee  the  moment  before  hb 
capture,  and  still  open.  SuUiyan  having  read  it,  returned 
it  to  Wilkinson,  and  advised  him  to  rejoin  General  GateB 
without  delay :  for  his  own  part,  being  now  in  command, 
he  changed  his  route,  and  pressed  forward  to  join  the 
commander-in-chie£ 

The  loss  of  Lee  was  a  severe  shock  to  the  Americans; 
many  of  whom,  as  we  have  shown,  looked  to  him  as  the 
man  who  was  to  rescue  them  from  their  critical  and  well- 
nigh  desperate  situation.  With  their  regrets,  bowevei; 
were  mingled  painful  doubts,  caused  by  his  delay  in 
obeying  the  repeated  summons  of  his  commander-in- 
chiet  when  the  latter  wa8  in  peril;  and  by  his  ezpodng 
himself  so  unguardedly  in  the  very  neighborhood  of  the 
enemy.  Some  at  first  suspected  that  he  had  done  so  de« 
signedly,  and  with  collusion;  but  this  was  soon  disap^ 
proved  by  the  indignities  attending  nis  capture,  and  hifl 
rigorous  treatment  subsequently  by  the  British;  who 
affected  to  consider  him  a  deserter,  from  his  having  for- 
merly served  in  their  army. 

Wilkinson,  who  was  at  that  time  conversant  with  the 


SPECULATION  ON  LEE '8  CONDUCT.  636 

oabals  of  the  camp,  and  apparently  in  the  confidence  of 
some  of  the  leaders,  points  oat  what  he  considers  the 
true  secret  of  Lee's  condnci  His  military  reputation, 
originally  very  high,  had  been  enhanced  of  late,  by  its 
being  generally  known  that  he  had  been  opposed  to  the 
occupation  of  Fort  Washington;  while  the  fall  of  that 
fortress  and  other  misfortunes  of  the  campaign,  though 
beyond  the  control  of  the  commander-in-chie^  had  quick- 
ened the  discontent  which,  according  to  Wilkinson,  had 
been  generated  against  him  at  Gambridge,  and  raised  a 
party  against  him  in  Congress.  <'  It  was  confidently  as- 
serted at  the  time,"  adds  he,  ''but  is  not  worthy  of 
credit,  that  a  motion  had  been  made  in  that  body  tend- 
ing to  supersede  him  in  the  command  of  the  army.  In 
this  temper  of  the  times,  if  General  Leo  had  anticipated 
General  Washington  in  cutting  the  cordon  of  the  enemy 
between  New  York  and  the  Delaware,  the  commander- 
in-chief  would  probably  have  been  superseded.  In  this 
case,  Lee  would  have  have  succeeded  him." 

What  an  unfortunate  change  would  it  have  been  for 
the  country!  Lee  was  undoubtedly  a  man  of  brilliant 
talents,  shrewd  sagacity,  and  much  knowledge  and  expe- 
rience  in  the  art  of  war ;  but  he  was  willfal  and  nncertam 
in  his  temper,  self-indulgent  in  his  habits,  and  an  egoist 
in  warfare:  boldly  dashing  for  a  soldier's  glory  rather 
than  warily  acting  for  a  country's  good.  He  wanted 
those  great  moral  qualities  which,  in  addition  to  military 
capacity,  inspired  such  universal  confidence  in  the  wis* 


636  -tiFJy  OF  WAamNQTON. 

dom,  rectitude,  and  patriotism  of  Washington,  enabling 
him  to  direct  and  control  legislative  bodies  as  well  as 
armies ;  to  harmonize  the  jarring  passions  and  jealousies 
of  a  wide  and  imperfect  confederacy,  and  to  cope  with 
the  varied  exigencies  of  the  Bevolntion. 

The  very  retreat  which  Washington  had  jnst  effected 
through  the  Jerseys  bore  evidence  to  his  generalship 
Thomas  Paine,  who  had  accompanied  the  army  ''from 
Fort  Lee  to  the  edge  of  Pennsylvania,"  thus  speaks  in 
one  of  his  writings  published  at  the  time :  ''With  a  hand' 
ful  of  men  we  sustained  an  orderly  retreat  for  near  an 
hundred  miles,  brought  off  our  ammunition,  all  our  field*' 
pieces,  the  greatest  part  of  our  stores,  and  had  four 
rivers  to  pass.  None  can  say  that  our  retreat  was  pie* 
cipitate,  for  we  were  three  weeks  in  performing  it,  that 
the  country  might  have  time  tc  come  vel  Twice  we 
marched  back  to  meet  the  enemy,  and  remained  out  until 
dark.  The  sign  of  fear  was  not  seen  in  our  camp ;  and 
had  not  some  of  the  cowardly  and  disaffected  inhabitants 
spread  false  alarms  through  the  country,  the  Jerseys  had 
never  been  ravaged." 

And  this  is  his  testimony  to  the  moral  qualities  of  the 
commander-in-chief,  as  evinced  in  this  time  of  perils  and 
hardships.  "  Voltaire  has  remarked,  that  King  William 
never  appeared  to  full  advanti^  but  in  difficulties  and  in 
action.  The  same  remark  may  be  made  of  Qeneral  Wash- 
ington, for  the  character  fits  him.  There  is  a  natural 
firmness  in  some  minds,  which  cannot  be  unlocked  by 


PAINE* 8  OPINION  OF  WABHINQTON. 


63T 


;  but  which,  when  unlocked,  discovers  a  cabinet  of 
fortitude ;  and  I  reckon  it  among  those  kinds  of  public 
blessings  which  we  do  not  immediately  see,  that  God 
hath  blessed  him  with  uninterrupted  health,  and  given 
turn  a  mind  that  can  even  flourish  upon  care.**  * 


OHAPTEB 


WASmirOTOH  GLOTHSD  WITH  ADDITIONAL  POWnW.  —  BBORUITMBn  OT  THf 
▲RMT.— INCRBA8ED  PAT.— COLONEL  JOHN  CADWALADHR  ^ABUYAL  09  WL- 
LIYAN.—OATB8.— WILKINSON.— A  "COUP  DB  MAIN"  MKDITATBD.— POCTDSl 
OF  AFFAIBS  AT  TRENTON.— OATB8  DRCLINB8  TO  TAKB  A  PART.— HI8  OOlf- 
MBNT8  ON  WASHINGTON'S  PLANS.  —  PRBPARATION8  FOR  THR  "  COUP  M 
MAIN."— CROSSING  OF  THE  DELAWARE.— ATTACK  ON  THR  BHRMT'B  FOBCtt 
AT  TRENTON.— DEATH  OF  RAHL.— HIS  CHARAOTRR. 

|EFOBE  you  reoeive  this  letter/'  writes  Wash- 
ington to  his  brother  Augostine,  ^'jon  will 
undoubtedly  have  heard  of  the  captiyity  of 
(General  Lee.  This  is  an  additional  misfortune  ;  and  the 
more  yexatious,  as  it  was  by  his  own  folly  and  impni- 
dence,  and  without  a  view  to  effect  any  good,  that  he  was 
taken.  As  he  went  to  lodge  three  miles  out  of  his  own 
camp,  and  within  twenty  miles  of  the  enemy,  a  rascally 
tory  rode  in  the  night  to  give  notice  of  it  to  the  enemy, 
who  sent  a  party  of  light  horse  that  seized  him,  and  car- 
ried him  off  with  every  mark  of  triumph  and  indignity.*' 
This  is  the  severest  comment  that  the  magnanimons 
spirit  of  Washington  permitted  him  to  make  on  the  con- 
duct and  fortunes  of  the  man  who  would  have  supplanted 
him  ;  and  this  is  made  in  his  private  correspondence  with 

588 


BEOBUITMBNT  OF  TMB  AMMT.  ^9 

his  brother.  No  harsh  strictures  on  them  appear  in  ^ 
official  letters  to  Congress  or  the  Board  of  War ;  nothing 
bat  regret  for  his  capture,  as  a  loss  to  the  servioe. 

In  the  same  letter  he  speaks  of  the  critioal  state  o{ 
affidrs :  '^  If  every  nerve  is  not  strained  to  recruit  the 
anny  with  all  possible  expedition,  I  think  the  game  is 
pretty  nearly  up.  .  •  •  •  You  can  form  no  idea  of  the 
perplexity  of  my  situation.  No  man  I  believe  ever  had  a 
greater  choice  of  evils  and  less  means  to  extricate  himself 
from  them.  However,  under  a  full  persuasion  of  the  jus^ 
tice  of  our  cause,  I  cannot  entertain  an  idea  that  it  will 
finally  sink,  though  it  may  remain  for  some  time  under  i^ 
doud." 

Fortunately,  Congress,  prior  to  their  adjournment^  had 
resolved  that  **  until  they  should  otherwise  order,  Gen<r 
eral  Washington  should  be  possessed  of  all  power  to  order 
and  direct  all  things  relative  to  the  department  and  tq 
the  operations  of  war. "  Thus  empowered,  he  proceeded 
immediaiely  to  recruit  three  bctttalions  of  artillery.  To 
those  whose  terms  were  expiring,  he  promised  an  aug^ 
mentation  of  twenty*five  per  cent,  upon  their  pay,  and  ^ 
bounty  of  ten  dollars  to  the  men  for  six  weeks'  service. 
^  It  was  no  time,"  he  said,  ^^  to  stand  upon  expense ;  nqr 
in.  matters  of  self-evident  exigency,  to  refer  to  Congresf 
at  the  distance  of  a  hundred  and  thirty  or  forty  miles.'* 
**  11  any  good  officers  will  o£kr  to  raise  men  upon  con? 
tinental  pay  and  establishment  in  this  quarter,  I  shall 
encourage  them  to  do  so,  and  regiment  them  when  they 


040  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTOlSt. 

haye  done  ii.  It  may  be  thought  that  I  am  going  a  good 
deal  out  of  the  line  of  m j  duty,  to  adopt  these  measuresi 
or  to  advise  thus  freely.  A  oharaoter  to  lose,  an  estate 
to  forfeit,  the  inestimable  blessings  of  liberty  at  stakes 
and  a  life  devoted,  must  be  my  excuse.**  * 
,  The  promise  of  increased  pay  and  bounties  had  kept 
together  for  a  time  the  dissolving  army.  The  local  mi- 
litia began  to  turn  out  freely.  Oolonel  John  Oadwalader, 
a  gentleman  of  gallant  spirit,  and  cultivated  mind  and 
manners,  brought  a  large  volunteer  detachment^  well 
equipped,  and  composed  principally  of  PhiladelphiA 
troops.  Washington,  who  held  Oadwalader  in  high  es- 
teem, assigned  him  an  important  station  at  Bristol,  with 
Oolonel  Beed,  who  was  his  intimate  friend,  as  an  asso- 
ciate. They  had  it  in  charge  to  keep  a  watchful  eye  upon 
Oount  Donop*s  Hessians,  who  were  cantoned  along  the 
opposite  shore  from  Bordentown  to  the  Black  Horse. 

On  the  20th  of  December  arrived  Oeneral  Sullivan  in 
camp,  with  the  troops  recently  commanded  by  the  un- 
lucky Lee.  They  were  in  a  miserable  plight ;  destitute 
of  almost  everything ;  many  of  tham  fit  only  for  the  hoe* 
pital,  and  those  whose  terms  were  nearly  out,  thinking 
of  nothing  but  their  discharge.  About  four  hundred  of 
them,  who  were  Bhode  Islanders,  were  sent  down  under 
Oolonel  Hitchcock  to  reinforce  Oadwalader;  who  was 
now  styled  brigadier-general  by  courtesy^  lest  the  con- 

*  Letter  to  the  President  of  Ckmgreei. 


A  COUP  DE  MAIN  MEDITATED.  ^ 

tinental  troops  might  object  to  act  tmder  his  corn* 
znand. 

On  the  same  day  arrived  General  Oates,  with  the  rem- 
Hants  of  four  regiments  from  the  Northern  army.  With 
him  came  Wilkinson,  who  now  resumed  his  station  as 
brigade  major  in  Si  Clair's  brigade,  to  which  he  be- 
longed. To  his  memoirs  we  are  indebted  for  notices 
of  the  commander-in-chie£  ''When  the  divisions  of 
Sullivan  and  Gkktes  joined  General  Washington/'  writes 
Wilkinson^  ''he  found  his  numbers  increased,  yet  his 
difficulties  were  not  sensibly  diminished ;  ten  days  would 
disband  his  corps  and  leave  him  1,400  men,  miserably 
provided  in  all  things.  I  saw  him  in  that  gloomy  period ; 
dined  with  him,  and  attentively  marked  his  aspect ;  al« 
ways  grave  and  thoughtful,  he  appeared  at  that  time 
pensive  and  solemn  in  the  extreme." 

There  were  vivid  schemes  forming  under  that  solemn 
aspeci  The  time  seemed  now  propitious  for  the  omp  de 
main  which  Washington  had  of  late  been  meditating. 
Everything  showed  careless  confidence  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy.  Howe  was  in  winter  quarters  at  New  York.  His 
troops  were  loosely  cantoned  about  the  Jerseys,  from  the 
Delaware  to  Brunswick,  so  that  they  could  not  readily 
be  brought  to  act  in  concert  on  a  sudden  alarm.  The 
Hessians  were  in  the  advance,  stationed  along  the  Dela- 
ware, facing  the  American  lines,  which  were  along  the  west 
bank.  Oomwallis,  thinking  his  work  accomplished,  had 
obtained  leave  of  absence,  and  was  likewise  at  New  York, 


642  LIFE  OF  WABHmQTOlT. 

preparing  to  embark  for  England.  Waahiiigton  had  ncnf 
between  five  and  six  thousand  men  fit  for  service ;  with 
these  he  meditated  to  cross  the  river  at  ni^i,  at  d]fk^ 
ent  points,  and  make  simultaneous  attacks  upon  the  Hes- 
sian advance  posts. 

He  calculated  upon  the  eager  support  of  his  troops, 
who  were  burning  to  revenge  the  outrages  on  their 
homes  and  families,  committed  by  these  foreign  merce- 
naries. They  considered  the  Hessians  mere  hirelings; 
slaves  to  a  petty  despot,  fighting  for  sordid  pay,  and  so- 
tuated  by  no  sentiment  of  patriotism  or  honor.  They 
had  rendered  themselves  the  horror  of  the  Jerseys,  by 
rapine,  brutality,  and  heartlessness.  At  first,  their  mili- 
tary discipline  had  inspired  awe,  but  of  late  they  had 
become  careless  and  unguarded,  knowing  the  broken  and 
dispirited  state  of  the  Americans,  and  considering  them 
incapable  of  any  offensive  enterprise. 

A  brigade  of  three  Hessian  regiments,  those  of  Bahl,* 
Lossberg,  and  Knyphausen,  was  stationed  at  Trenton. 
Oolonel  Sahl  had  the  command  of  the  post  at  his  own 
solicitation,  and  in  consequence  of  the  laurels  he  had 
gained  at  White  Plains  and  Fort  Washington.  We  have 
before  us  journals  of  two  Hessian  lieutenants  and  a  cor- 
poral, which  give  graphic  particulars  of  the  colonel  and 


*  Seldom  has  a  name  of  so  few  letters  been  spelled  so  manj  ways  as 
that  of  this  commander.  We  find  it  written  Ball  in  the  militarj  joxunali 
before  us  ;  yet  we  adhere  to  the  one  hitherto  adopted  hj  ns,  apparent!/ 
on  good  authority. 


COLONEL  BAHL.  643 

his  posi  According  to  their  representatioiis,  he,  with 
all  his  bravery,  was  little  fitted  for  such  an  important 
command.  He  lacked  the  necessary  vigilance  and  fore* 
cast. 

One  of  the  lieutenants  speaks  of  him  in  a  sarcastic 
Teiuy  and  evidently  with  some  degree  of  prejudice.  Ao^ 
cording  to  his  account,  there  was  more  bustle  than  busi- 
ness at  the  post  The  men  were  harassed  with  watches, 
detachments,  and  pickets,  without  purpose  and  without 
end.  The  cannon  must  be  drawn  forth  every  day  from 
their  proper  places,  and  paraded  about  the  town,  seem- 
ingly only  to  make  a  stir  and  uproar. 

The  lieutenant  was  especially  annoyed  by  the  coloneFs 
passion  for  music.  Whether  his  men  when  off  duty 
were  well  or  ill  dad,  whether  they  kept  their  muskets 
dean  and  bright,  and  their  ammunition  in  good  order, 
was  of  little  moment  to  the  colonel,  he  never  inquired 
about  it ;  but  the  music!  that  was  the  thing!  the  haut* 
boys — he  never  could  have  enough  of  them.  The  main 
guard  was  at  no  great  distance  from  his  quarters,  and 
the  music  could  not  linger  there  long  enough.  There 
was  a  church  close  by,  surrounded  by  palings;  the  offi- 
cer on  guard  must  march  round  and  round  it,  with  his 
men  and  musicians,  looking,  says  the  lieutenant,  like  a 
Catholic  procession,  wanting  only  the  cross  and  the 
banner,  and  chanting  choristers. 

According  to  the  same  authority,  Sahl  was  a  boon 
companion ;  made  merry  until  a  late  hour  in  the  nighti 


5ii  LIFE  OF  wAannrGTOir. 

and  then  lay  in  bed  until  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
When  the  officers  came  to  parade  between  ten  and  eleyen 
o'clock,  and  presented  themselves  at  head-quarters,  he 
was  often  in  his  bath,  and  the  guard  must  be  kept  wait- 
ing half  an  hour  longer.  On  parade,  too,  when  any  other 
comm^der  would  take  occasion  to  talk  with  his  staff 
officers  and  others  upon  duty  about  the  concerns  of  the 
garrison,  the  colonel  attended  to  nothing  but  the  musio 
— ^he  was  wrapped  up  in  it,  to  the  great  disgust  of  the 
testy  lieutenant. 

And  then,  according  to  the  latter,  he  took  no  precau- 
tions  against  the  possibility  of  being  attacked.  A  veteran 
officer.  Major  von  Dechow,  proposed  that  some  works 
should  be  thrown  up,  where  the  cannon  might  be  placed, 
ready  against  any  assault.  ''Works!  —  pooh  —  pooh:** 
the  colonel  made  merry  with  the  very  idea — ^using  an  un- 
seemly jest,  which  we  forbear  to  quote.  ''  An  assault  by 
the  rebels!  let  them  come!  We'll  at  them  with  the 
bayonet." 

The  veteran  Dechow  gravely  persisted  in  his  counsel 
''Herr  Oolonel,"  said  he,  respectfully,  ''it  costs  aknost 
nothing;  if  it  does  not  help,  it  does  not  hann."  The 
pragmatical  lieutenant,  too,  joined  in  the  advice,  and 
offered  to  undertake  the  work.  The  jovial  colonel  only 
repeated  his  joke,  went  away  laughing  at  them  both,  and 
no  works  were  thrown  up. 

The  lieutenant,  sorely  nettled,  observes,  sneeringly: 
^'He  believed  the  name  of  Sahl  more  fearful  and  re« 


POBTURB  OF  AFFAIRS  AT  TEENTOIT.  646 

doubtable  than  all  the  works  of  Yauban  and  Oohom,  and 
that  no  rebel  would  dare  to  encounter  it.  A  fit  man 
tmlj  to  oommand  a  corps!  and  still  more  to  defend  a 
place  lying  so  near  an  enemy  having  a  hundred  times  his 
advantages.  Everything  with  him  was  done  heedlessly 
and  without  forecast"  * 

Such  is  the  account  given  of  this  brave,  but  incon- 
siderate and  light-hearted  commander;  given,  however, 
by  an  officer  not  of  his  regiment.  The  honest  corporal 
already  mentioned,  who  was  one  of  Bahl's  own  men,  does 
him  more  justice.  According  to  his  journal,  rumors 
that  the  Americans  meditated  an  attack  had  aroused 
the  vigilance  of  the  colonel,  and  on  the  21st  of  De* 
oember  he  had  reconnoitered  the  banks  of  the  I>el»* 
ware,  with  a  strong  detachment,  quite  to  Frankfort,  to 
see  if  there  were  any  movements  of  the  Americans  in« 
dioative  of  an  intention  to  cross  the  river.  He  had  re- 
turned without  seeing  any ;  but  had  since  caused  pickets 
and  alarm  posts  to  be  stationed  every  night  outside  the 
iown.t 

Such  was  the  posture  of  affidrs  at  Trenton  at  the  time 
ihe  oowp  de  main  was  meditated. 

Whatever  was  to  be  done,  however,  must  be  done 
quicUy,  before  the  river  was  frozen.  An  intercepted 
letter  had  convinced  Washington  of  what  he  had  before 
suspected,  that  Howe  was  only  waiting  for  that  event  to 

*  Tagebnch  eines  Heasischen  Officien.— MS. 

t  Ta^;ebiioh  dee  Corporals  Johannes  Beober.— MSL 

voun— 86 


546  LIFE  OF  WAamNQTOJSr. 

reBome  actiye  operations,  cross  the  riTsr  on  the  ioe,  sod 
push  triumphantly  to  Philadelphiai 

He  oommmiioated  his  project  to  Gates,  and  wished 
him  to  go  to  Bristol,  take  command  there»  and  cooperate 
from  that  quarter.  €hktes,  however,  pleaded  ill  health, 
and  requested  leave  to  proceed  to  Philadelphia.* 

The  request  may  have  surprised*  Washington,  oonsid* 
ering  the  spirited  enterprise  that  was  on  foot ;  but  GatsBi 
as  has  before  been  observed,  had  a  disinclination  to  serve 
immediately  under  the  commander-in-chief ;  like  Lee,  he 
had  a  disparaging  opinion  of  him,  or  rather  an  imp»» 
tience  of  his  supremacy.  He  had,  moreover,  an  ulterior 
object  in  view.  Having  been  disappointed  and  cha- 
grined, in  finding  himself  subordinate  to  General  Sdhny* 
ler  in  the  Northern  campaign,  he  was  now  intent  on 
making  interest  among  the  members  of  Congress  for 
an  independent  command.  Washington  ui^d  that^  on 
his  way  to  Philadelphia,  he  would  at  least  stop  for  a 
day  or  two  at  Bristol,  to  concert  a  plan  of  operatkum 
with  Bead  and  Cadwalader,  and  adjust  any  little  qoes* 
tions  of  etiquette  and  command  that  might  arise  be- 
tween the  continental  colonels  who  had  gone  thither 
with  Lee's  troops  and  the  volunteer  officers  stationed 
there. 

He  does  not  appear  to  have  complied  even  witl^  this 
request     According  to  Wilkinson's  account^  he  took 

•  WMhingtoQ  to  Oatee.    QnMn  pap«i» 


PLAN  OF  0PEBATJON8.  JUH 

quaarteTS  at  Kewtown,  and  set  out  thenoe  for  Baltimcwe 
on  the  24th  of  December,  the  yerj  day  before  that  of  Vbb 
intended  otmp  de  mam.  He  prevailed  cm  Wilkinson  to 
aooompanj  him  as  far  as  Philadelphia.  On  the  road  he 
appeared  to  be  much  depressed  in  spirits;  bnt  he  re« 
lieyed  himself  like  Lee,  by  criticising  the  plans  of  the 
oommander-in-chiel  *'He  frequently/'  writes  Wilkin- 
son, **  expressed  the  opinion  that,  while  Washington  was 
watching  the  enemy  above  Trenton,  they  would  construct 
bateaux,  pass  the  Delaware  in  his  rear,  and  take  posses- 
sion of  Philadelphia  before  he  was  aware ;  and  that,  in* 
stead  of  vainly  attempting  to  stop  Sir  William  Howe  at 
the  Delaware,  General  Washington  ought  to  retire  to  the 
south  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  there  form  an  army.  Hs 
mM  U  was  Mb  intention  to  propose  this  measure  to  Oongreaa 
ai  Baltimore^  and  urged  me  to  accompany  him  to  that 
place ;  but  my  duty  forbade  the  thought'* 

Here  we  have  somewhat  of  a  counterpart  to  Lee*s  proj* 
eet  of  eclipsing  the  commander-in-chiel  Evidently  the 
two  military  veterans  who  had  once  been  in  conclave 
with  him  at  Mount  Yemon  considered  the  truncheon  of 
command  falling  from  his  grasp. 

The  projected  attack  upon  the  Hessian  posts  was  to  be 
threefold. 

Isi  Washington  was  to  cross  the  Delaware  with  a  c(m* 
nderable  force,  at  McEonkey's  Ferry  (now  Taylorsville), 
about  nine  miles  above  Trenton,  and  march  down  upon 
that  place,  where  Bahl's  cantonment  comprised  a  brigade 


54d  i^^  OF  WA6HmQT(ar. 

of  fifteen  hundred  Hessians,  a  troop  of  Bxitisli  li^ 
horse,  and  a  number  of  chasseurs. 

2d.  General  Ewing,  with  a  bod  J  of  PennsylTaaia  miliii% 
was  to  cross  at  a  ferry  about  a  mile  below  Trenton;  se* 
cure  the  bridge  oyer  the  Assunpink  creek,  a  stream  flow- 
ing along  the  south  side  of  the  town,  and  cut  off  any 
retreat  of  the  enemy  in  that  direction. 

8d.  General  Putnam,  with  the  troops  occupied  in  forth 
fying  Philadelphia,  and  those  under  General  Oadwalader, 
was  to  cross  below  Burlington,  and  attack  the  lower  posfai 
under  Oount  Donop.  The  seyeral  divisions  were  to  ctosB 
the  Delaware  at  night,  so  as  to  be  ready  for  simultaneoiia 
action,  by  fiye  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

Seldom  is  a  combined  plan  carried  into  full  operatunL 
Symptoms  of  an  insurrection  in  Philadelphia,  obliged 
Putnam  to  remain  with  some  force  in  that  city ;  but  ha 
detached  fiye  or  six  hundred  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia 
under  Oolonel  Griffin,  his  adjutant-general,  who  threw 
himself  into  the  Jerseys,  to  be  at  hand  to  cooperate  witii 
Cadwalader. 

A  letter  from  Washington  to  Oolonel  Beed,  who  waa 
stationed  with  Oadwalader,  shows  the  anxiety  of  his  mind, 
and  his  consciousness  of  the  peril  of  the  enterprise. 

*^  Ohristmas  day  at  night,  one  hour  before  day,  is  the 
time  fixed  upon  for  our  attempt  upon  Trenton.  For 
Heaven's  sake  keep  this  to  yourself,  as  the  discovery  of 
it  may  prove  fatal  to  us ;  our  numbers,  I  am  sorry  to  say, 
being  less  than  I  had  any  conception  of;  yet  nothing  but 


imB  COUP  DM  MAm  640 

lieoesBitj,  dire  neoessiiyy  will,  nay  miiBty  justify  an  attack. 
Prepare,  and  in  concert  with  Gbiffin,  attack  as  many  of 
their  posts  as  you  possibly  can,  with  a  prospect  of  suc- 
cess ;  the  more  we  can  attack  at  the  same  instant,  the 
more  confusion  we  shall  spread,  and  the  greater  good 
will  result  from  it.  •  •  •  •  I  have  ordered  our  men 
to  be  provided  with  three  days'  provision  ready  cooked, 
with  which,  and  their  blankets,  they  are  to  march ;  for 
if  we  are  successful,  which  Heayen  grant,  and  the  circum- 
stances fayor,  we  may  push  on.  I  shall  direct  every  ferry 
and  ford  to  be  well  guarded,  and  not  a  soul  su&red  to 
pass  without  an  officer's  going  down  with  the  permit 
Do  the  same  with  you." 

It  has  been  said  that  Ohristmas  night  was  fixed  upon 
for  the  enterprise,  because  the  Grermans  are  prone  to 
reyel  and  carouse  on  that  festival,  and  it  was  supposed  a 
great  part  of  the  troops  would  be  intoxicated,  and  in  a 
state  of  disorder  and  confusion;  but  in  truth  Washington 
would  have  chosen  an  earlier  day,  had  it  been  in  his 
power.  ''We  could  not  ripen  matters  for  the  attack 
before  the  time  mentioned,"  said  he  in  his  letter  to  Beed, 
''so  much  out  of  sorts,  and  so  much  in  want  of  everything 
are  the  troops  under  Sullivan." 

Early  on  the  eventful  evening  (Dec  26th),  the  troops 
destined  for  Washington's  part  of  the  attack,  about  two 
thousand  four  hundred  strong,  with  a  train  of  twenty 
small  pieces,  were  paraded  near  McEonkey*s  Ferxy, 
ready  to  pass  as  soon  as  it  grew  dark,  in  the  hope  of 


560  •^^^'^  ^^  WASHiNaToir. 

being  all  on  the  other  side  by  twelye  o'dooL  Waahing- 
ton  repaired  to  the  ground  acoompanied  bjr  Generals 
Ghreene,  Sullivan,  Meroer,  Stephen,  and  Lord  Stirling. 
Ghreene  was  full  of  ardor  for  the  enterprise ;  eager,  no 
doubt,  to  wipe  out  the  reoolleotion  of  Fort  Washii^toik 
It  was,  indeed,  an  anxious  moment  for  alL 

We  have  here  some  circumstances  famished  to  us  bj 
the  memoirs  of  Wilkinson.  That  oflScer  had  returned 
from  Philadelphia,  and  brought  a  letter  from  Gkites  to 
Washington.  There  was  some  snow  on  the  ground,  and 
he  had  traced  the  march  of  the  troops  for  the  last  few 
miles  by  the  blood  from  the  feet  of  those  whose  shoes 
were  broken.  Being  directed  to  Washington's  quarten, 
he  found  him,  he  says,  alone,  with  his  whip  in  his  hand, 
prepared  to  mount  his  horse.  **  When  I  presented  the 
letter  of  General  Gates  to  him,  before  reoeiving  it,  he 
exclaimed  with  solemnity, — *  What  a  time  is  this  to  hand 
me  letters  t  *  I  answered  that  I  had  been  charged  with  it 
by  General  Ghttes.  'By  General  Gates !  Where  is  he?' 
'  I  left  him  this  morning  in  Philadelphia. '  *  What  was  he 
doing  there  ? '  'I  understood  him  that  he  was  on  his  way 
to  Congress.*  He  earnestly  repeated,  'On  his  way  to  Con- 
gress ! '  then  broke  the  seal,  and  I  made  my  bow,  and 
joined  (General  Si  Clair  on  the  bank  of  the  river.** 

Did  Washington  surmise  the  incipient  intrigues  and 
cabals,  that  were  already  aiming  to  undermine  him? 
Had  Gates*  eagerness  to  push  on  to  Congress,  instead  ci 
remaining  with  the  army  in  a  moment  of  daring  ente^ 


OBOssma  of  the  delawabe.  551 

prise,  suggested  any  doubts  as  to  his  object?  Perhaps 
not.  Washington's  nature  was  too  noble  to  be  suspicions, 
and  yet  he  had  received  sufficient  cause  to  be  distrustfuL 

Boats  being  in  readiness,  the  troops  began  to  cross 
about  sunset.  The  weather  was  intensely  cold ;  the  wind 
was  high,  the  current  strong,  the  river  full  of  floating  ice. 
Oolonel  Qlover,  with  his  amphibious  regiment  of  Marble- 
head  fishermen,  was  in  advance ;  the  same  who  had  nav- 
igated the  army  across  the  Sound,  in  its  retreat  from 
Brooklyn  on  Long  Island,  to  New  York.  They  were  men 
accustomed  to  battle  with  the  elements,  yet  with  all  their 
skill  and  experience,  the  crossing  was  difficult  and  peril- 
ous. Washington,  who  had  crossed  with  the  troops,  stood 
anxiously,  yet  patiently,  on  the  eastern  bank,  while  one 
precious  hour  after  another  elapsed,  until  the  transpor- 
tation of  the  artillery  should  be  effected.  The  night  was 
dark  and  tempestuous,  the  drifting  ice  drove  the  boats 
out  of  their  course,  and  threatened  them  with  destruc- 
tion. Colonel  Knox,  who  attended  to  the  crossing  of  the 
artillery,  assisted  with  his  labors,  but  still  more  with  his 
"  stentorian  lungs,"  giving  orders  and  directions. 

It  was  three  o'clock  before  the  artillery  was  landed, 
and  nearly  four  before  the  troops  took  up  their  line  of 
march.  Trenton  was  nine  miles  distant,  and  not  to  be 
reached  before  daylight.  To  surprise  it,  therefore,  was 
out  of  the  question.  There  was  no  making  a  retreat 
without  being  discovered,  and  harassed  in  repassing  the 
river.    Besides,  the  troops  from  the  other  points  might 


552  X/7i7  OF  wABHnsroToir. 

have  crossed,  and  cooperation  was  essential  to  theii 
safety.  Washington  resolyed  to  push  forward,  and  trust 
to  Providence. 

He  formed  the  troops  into  two  columns.  The  first  he 
led  himself,  accompanied  by  Greene,  Stirling,  Mercer,  and 
Stephen ;  it  was  to  make  a  circuit  by  the  upper  or  Pen- 
nington road,  to  the  north  of  Trenton.  The  other,  led  by 
Snllivan,  and  including  the  brigade  of  Si  Glair,  was  to 
take  the  lower  river  road,  leading  to  the  west  end  of  the 
town.  Solliyan's  column  was  to  halt  a  few  moments  at  a 
cross-road  leading  to  Howland's  Ferry,  to  give  Washing- 
ton's column  time  to  effect  its  circuit,  so  that  the  attack 
might  be  simultaneous.  On  arriving  at  Trenton,  they 
were  to  force  the  outer  guards,  and  push  directly  into  the 
town  before  the  enemy  had  time  to  form. 

The  Hessian  journals  before  us  enable  us  to  give  the 
reader  a  glance  into  the  opposite  camp  on  this  eventful 
night.  The  situation  of  Washington  was  more  critical 
than  he  was  aware.  Notwithstanding  the  secrecy  with 
which  his  plans  had  been  conducted,  Colonel  Sahl  had 
received  a  warning  from  General  Grant,  at  Princeton,  of 
the  intended  attack,  and  of  the  very  time  it  was  to  be 
made,  but  stating  that  it  was  to  be  by  a  detachment 
under  Lord  Stirling.     Bahl  was  accordingly  on  the  alert 

It  so  happened  that  about  dusk  of  this  very  evening, 
when  Washington  must  have  been  preparing  to  cross  the 
Delaware,  there  were  alarm  guns  and  firing  at  the  Tren- 
ton  outpost.     The  whole  garrison  was  instantly  drawn 


THB  MABOH  ON  TBBNTOIT.  668 

out  under  arms,  and  Colonel  Bahl  hastened  to  the  out- 
post. It  was  found  in  confusion,  and  six  men  wounded. 
A  body  of  men  had  emerged  from  the  woods,  fired  upon 
the  picket^  and  immediately  retired.*  Oolonel  Bahl,  with 
two  companies  and  a  field-piece,  marched  through  the 
woods,  and  made  the  rounds  of  the  outposts,  but  seeing 
and  hearing  nothing,  and  finding  all  quiet,  returned. 
Supposing  this  to  be  the  attack  against  which  he  had 
been  warned,  and  that  it  was  **  a  mere  flash  in  the  pan," 
he  relapsed  into  his  feeling  of  security;  and,  as  the  night 
was  cold  and  stormy,  permitted  the  troops  to  return  to 
their  quarters  and  lay  aside  their  arms.  Thus  the  garri- 
son and  its  unwary  commander  slept  in  fimcied  security, 
at  the  very  time  that  Washington  and  his  troops  were 
making  their  toilsome  way  across  the  Delaware.  How 
perilous  would  have  been  their  situation  had  their  enemy 
been  more  Tigilant  I 

It  began  to  hail  and  snow  as  the  troops  commenced  their 
march,  and  increased  in  yiolence  as  they  advanced,  the 
storm  driving  the  sleet  in  their  &ces.  So  bitter  was  the 
cold  that  two  of  the  men  were  frozen  to  death  that  night. 
The  day  dawned  by  the  time  Sullivan  halted  at  the  cross- 


*  Who  it  was  that  made  this  attack  upon  the  oatpost  is  not  dearly 
asoertaiiied.  The  Hessian  lientenant  who  commanded  at  the  picket,  says 
it  was  a  patrol  sent  out  by  Washin^n,  under  command  of  a  captain,  to 
xeoonnoiter,  with  strict  orders  not  to  engage,  bat  if  disoorered,  to  retire 
instantly  as  silently  as  possible.  Ck>lonel  Beed,  in  a  memorandum,  says^ 
it  was  an  advance  party  returning  from  the  Jerseys  to  Pennsylvania.-^ 
See  Life  <md  Correep.,  toL  L  p.  2T7. 


564  -^kirar  OF  WASEONQTOJSt. 

ToacL  It  was  disoovered  that  the  storm  had  vandaied 
many  of  the  muskets  wet  and  useless.  '*  What  is  to  be 
done  ?  "  inquired  Sullivan  of  Si  Glair.  '*  Yon  have  noth^ 
ing  for  it  but  to  push  on,  and  use  the  bayonet^"  was  the 
reply.  While  some  of  the  soldiers  were  endeaToring  to 
clear  their  muskets,  and  squibbing  off  priming,  SuniTan 
despatched  an  officer  to  apprise  the  commander-in-oluef 
of  the  condition  of  their  arms.  He  came  back  half  dis- 
mayed by  an  indignant  burst  of  Washington,  who  ordered 
him  to  return  instantly  and  tell  General  Sullivan  to  ^ad- 
vance and  charge." 

It  was  about  eight  o'clock  when  Washington's  column 
arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  the  village.  The  storm,  which 
had  rendered  the  march  intolerable,  had  kept  every  one 
within  doors,  and  the  snow  had  deadened  the  tread  of 
the  troops  and  the  rumbling  of  the  artillery.  As  they 
approached  the  village,  Washington,  who  was  in  fronts 
came  to  a  man  that  was  chopping  wood  by  the  roadside, 
and  inquired,  '^  Which  way  is  the  Hessian  picket  ?  "  ^I 
don't  know,"  was  the  surly  reply.  "  Tou  may  tell,**  said 
Captain  Forest  of  the  artillery,  ^'for  that  is  G^eneral 
Washington."  The  aspect  of  the  man  changed  in  an 
instant.  Baising  his  hands  to  heaven,  ''Gk>d  bless  and 
prosper  you  I "  cried  he.  ^'  The  picket  is  in  that  honae, 
and  the  sentry  stands  near  that  tree."  * 

The  advance  guard  was  led  by  a  brave  young  offioei; 

a  Wilkinson's  MemxAfrt^  tol  L  p.  1911 


THB  aUBPBIBAL.  665 

Captain  William  A*  Washington,  seconded  by  lientenani 
James  Monroe  (in  after  years  President  of  the  United 
States).  They  reoeived  orders  to  dislodge  the  picket 
Here  happened  to  be  stationed  the  very  lieutenant  whose 
oensnres  of  the  negligence  of  Oolonel  Bahl  we  haye  just 
quoted.  By  his  own  account,  he  was  very  near  being 
entrapped  in  the  guard-house.  His  sentries,  he  says, 
were  not  alert  enough ;  and  had  he  not  stepped  out  of 
the  picket  house  himself  and  discovered  the  enemy,  they 
would  have  been  upon  him  before  his  men  could  scram- 
ble to  their  arms.  '^Der  feind!  der  feindt  heraust  he- 
rausT'  (the  enemy!  the  enemy!  turn  out!  turn  out!)  was 
now  the  cry.  He  at  first,  he  says,  made  a  stand,  think- 
ing he  had  a  mere  marauding  party  to  deal  with;  but 
seeing  heavy  battalions  at  hand,  gave  way,  and  fell  back 
upon  a  company  stationed  to  support  the  picket;  but 
which  appears  to  have  been  no  better  prepared  against 
surprise. 

By  this  time  the  American  artillery  was  unlimbered ; 
Washington  kept  beside  it,  and  the  column  proceeded. 
The  report  of  fire-arms  told  that  Snlliyan  was  at  the 
lower  end  of  the  town.  Colonel  Stark  led  his  advance 
guard,  and  did  it  in  gallant  style.  The  attacks,  as  con- 
certed, were  simultaneous.  The  outposts  were  driven  in ; 
they  retreated,  firing  from  behind  houses.  The  Hessian 
drums  beat  to  arms;  the  trumpets  of  the  light  horse 
sounded  the  alarm ;  the  whole  place  was  in  an  uproar. 
Some  of  the  enemy  made  a  wUd  and  undirected  fire  from 


ZJFS  OF  washobtom: 

the  windowB  of  {heir  qnairtan;  olhan  nuliecl  forOi  ik 
disorder,  and  attempted  to  form  in  the  main  street^  while 
dragoons  hastily  mounted,  and  galloping  aboni^  added 
to  the  confnsion,  Washington  adTanoed  witii  his  oolnmn 
to  the  head  of  King  Street,  riding  beside  Oaptain  Forest 
of  the  artillery.  When  Forest's  battezy  of  six  gons  was 
opened  the  general  kept  on  the  left  and  adTanoed  with  ii^ 
giying  directions  to  the  fire.  His  position  was  an  ex- 
posed  one,  and  he  was  repeatedly  entreated  to  fall  back; 
bat  all  snoh  entreaties  were  nselessi  when  onoe  he  be- 
oame  heated  in  action. 

The  enemy  were  training  a  oonple  of  cannon  in  ih< 
main  street  to  form  a  battery,  which  might  haye  given 
the  Americans  a  serious  check ;  but  Oaptain  Washington 
and  Lieutenant  Monroe,  with  a  part  of  the  advanced 
guard  rushed  forward,  drove  the  artillerists  from  theii 
guns,  and  took  the  two  pieces  when  on  the  point  of  being 
fired.  Both  of  these  officers  were  wounded ;  the  captain 
in  the  wrist,  the  lieutenant  in  the  shoulder. 

While  Washington  advanced  on  the  north  of  the  town, 
Sullivan  approached  on  the  west,  and  detached  Stark  to 
press  on  the  lower  or  south  end  of  the  town.  The  Brit- 
ish light  horse,  and  about  five  hundred  Hessians  and 
chasseurs,  had  been  quartered  in  the  lower  part  of  the 
town.  Seeing  Washington's  column  pressing  in  front, 
and  hearing  Stark  thundering  in  their  rear,  they  took 
headlong  flight  by  the  bridge  across  the  Assunpink,  and 
so  along  the  banks  of  the  Delaware  toward  Oount  Do- 


BASL  '5  INDBK3I8IOK.  557 

nop's  encampment  at  Bordentown.  Had  Washington's 
plan  been  carried  into  full  effdct,  their  retreat  would 
haye  been  cut  off  by  General  Ewing;  but  that  oflScer  had 
been  preyented  from  crossing  the  river  by  the  ice. 

Ciolonel  Bahl,  according  to  the  account  of  the  lieuten- 
ant who  had  commanded  the  picket,  completely  lost  his 
head  in  the  confusion  of  the  surprise.  The  latter,  when 
driyen  in  by  the  American  advance,  found  the  colonel 
on  horseback,  endeavoring  to  rally  his  panic-stricken 
and  disordered  men,  but  himself  sorely  bewildered.  He 
asked  the  lieutenant  what  was  the  force  of  the  assailants. 
The  latter  answered  that  he  had  seen  four  or  five  batta^ 
lions  in  the  woods,  three  of  them  had  fired  upon  him 
before  he  had  retreated — ^^but,"  added  he,  ^*  there  are 
other  troops  to  the  right  and  left,  and  the  town  will  soon 
be  surrounded."  The  colonel  rode  in  front  of  his  troops : 
'^Forward!  march!  advance!  advance!"  cried  he.  With 
some  difficulty  he  succeeded  in  extricating  his  troops 
from  the  town,  and  leading  them  into  an  adjacent  or- 
chard. Now  was  the  time,  writes  the  lieutenant,  for  him 
to  have  pushed  for  another  place,  there  to  make  a  stipid. 
At  this  critical  moment  he  might  have  done  so  with 
credit,  and  without  loss.  The  colonel  seems  to  have  had 
such  an  intention.  A  rapid  retreat  by  the  Princeton 
road  was  apparently  in  his  thoughts ;  but  he  lacked  de- 
cision. The  idea  of  flying  before  the  rebels  was  intoler- 
able. Some  one,  too,  exclaimed  at  the  ruinous  loss  of 
leaving  all  their  baggage  to  be  plundered  by  the  enemy. 


658  ^^^  OF  WASHmGTQJf. 

Changing  his  mind,  he  made  a  rash  resolye.  ^  All  who 
are  my  grenadiers,  forward!"  oried  he,  and  went  back, 
writes  his  corporal,  like  a  storm  upon  the  town.  '^What 
madness  was  this ! "  writes  the  critical  lieutenant.  ''  A 
town  that  was  of  no  use  to  us ;  that  but  ten  or  fifteen  min- 
utes before  he  had  gladly  left;  that  was  now  filled  with 
three  or  four  thousand  enemies,  stationed  in  houses  or 
behind  walls  and  hedges,  and  a  battery  of  six  cannon 
planted  on  the  main  street.  And  he  to  think  of  retaking 
it  with  his  six  or  seven  hundred  men  and  their  bayo- 
nets ! " 

Still  he  led  his  grenadiers  bravely  but  rashly  on,  when, 
in  the  midst  of  his  career,  he  received  a  fatal  wound  from 
a  musket  ball,  and  fell  from  his  horse.  His  men,  left 
without  their  chief,  were  struck  with  dismay ;  heedless 
of  the  orders  of  the  second  in  command,  they  retreated 
by  the  right  up  the  banks  of  the  Assunpink,  intending  to 
escape  to  Princeton.  Washington  saw  their  design,  and 
threw  Colonel  Hand's  corps  of  Pennsylvania  riflemen  in 
their  way  ;  while  a  body  of  Virginia  troops  gained  their 
left.  Brought  to  a  stand,  and  perfectly  bewildered, 
Washington  thought  they  were  forming  in  order  of  bat- 
tle, and  ordered  a  discharge  of  canister  shot.  "  Sir,  they 
have  struck,"  exclaimed  Forest.  "  Struck  I "  echoed  the 
generaL  "Yes,  sir,  their  colors  are  down."  "So  thej 
are  I "  replied  Washington,  and  spurred  in  that  directioni 
followed  by  Forest  and  his  whole  command.  The  meir 
grounded  their  arms  and  surrendered  at  discretion;  "birf 


WASHINQTON'B  TRIUMPH.    .  559 

Iiad  not  Colonel  Bahl  been  seyerelj  wounded,'*  remarks 
his  loyal  corporal,  ''we  would  neyer  have  been  taken 
aUve  1 " 

The  skirmiflhing  had  now  ceased  in  every  direction. 
Major  Wilkinson,  who  was  with  the  lower  column,  was 
sent  to  the  commander-in-chief  for  orders.  He  rode  up, 
he  says,  at  the  moment  that  Oolonel  Bahl,  supported  by 
a  file  of  sergeants,  was  presenting  his  sword.  ''  On  my 
approach,"  continues  he, ''  the  commander-in-chief  took 
me  by  the  hand  and  observed,  '  Major  Wilkinson,  this  is 
a  glorious  day  for  our  country ! '  his  countenance  beam- 
ing with  complacency ;  whilst  the  unfortunate  Bahl,  who 
the  day  before  would  not  have  changed  fortunes  with 
him,  now  pale,  bleeding,  and  covered  with  blood,  in 
broken  accents  seemed  to  implore  those  attentions  which 
the  victor  was  well  disposed  to  bestow  on  him." 

He  was,  in  fact,  conveyed  with  great  care  to  his  quar- 
ters, which  were  in  the  house  of  a  kind  and  respectable 
Quaker  family. 

The  number  of  prisoners  taken  in  this  affidr  was  nearly 
one  thousand,  of  which  thirty-two  were  officers.  The 
veteran  Major  von  Dechow,  who  had  urged  in  vain  the 
throwing  up  of  breastworks,  received  a  mortal  wound,  of 
which  he  died  in  Trenton.  Washington's  triumph,  how- 
ever, was  impaired  by  the  failure  of  the  two  simultaneous 
attacks.  Greneral  Ewing,  who  was  to  have  crossed  before 
day  at  Trenton  Ferry,  and  taken  possession  of  the  bridge 
leading  out  of  the  town,  over  which  the  light  horse  and 


5eO  ^"E^V  OF  WABRINi 

Hessians  retreated,  was  preTented  by  the  qnantitjr  of  io8 
in  the  river.  Oadwalader  was  hindered  by  the  same 
obstacle.  He  got  part  of  his  troops  over,  but  found  it 
impossible  to  embark  his  cannon,  and  was  obliged,  there- 
fore, to  retom  to  the  Pennsylvania  side  of  the  river.  Had 
he  and  Ewing  crossed,  Donop's  quarters  would  have 
been  beaten  up,  and  the  fugitives  from  Trenton  inter- 
cepted. 

By  the  failure  of  this  part  of  his  plan,  Washington 
had  been  exposed  to  the  most  imminent  hazard.  The 
force  with  which  he  had  crossed,  twenty-four  hundred 
men,  raw  troops,  was  not  enough  to  cope  with  the  vet* 
eran  garrison,  had  it  been  properly  on  its  guard ;  and 
then  there  were  the  troops  under  Donop  at  hand  to 
cooperate  with  it  Nothing  saved  him  but  the  utter 
panic  of  the  enemy ;  their  want  of  proper  alarm  places, 
and  their  exaggerated  idea  of  his  forces :  for  one  of  the 
journals  before  us  (the  corporars)  states  that  he  had 
with  him  15,000  men,  and  another  6,000.*  Even  now  that 
the  place  was  in  his  possession  he  dared  not  linger  in  ii 
There  was  a  superior  force  under  Donop  below  him,  and 
a  strong  battalion  of  infantry  at  Princeton.  His  own 
troops  were  exhausted  by  the  operations  of  the  night  and 
morning  in  cold,  rain,  snow,  and  storm.    They  had  to 


*  The  lieutenant  giyes  the  latter  number  on  the  authority  of  Lord  Sta>* 
ling ;  but  his  lordship  meant  the  whole  number  intended  for  the  thiM 
several  attacks.  The  force  that  actually  crossed  with  Washingtco  wM 
what  we  have  stated. 


OBAEAOTBR  OF  BARL.  66] 

gaaxd  about  a  thousand  prisoners,  taken  in  action  or 
found  oonoealed  in  houses ;  there  was  little  prospect  of 
(succor,  owing  to  the  season  and  the  state  of  the  riyer. 
Washington  gave  up,  therefore,  all  idea  of  immediately 
pursuing  the  enemy  or  keeping  possession  of  Trenton, 
and  determined  to  recross  the  Delaware  with  his  pris- 
oners and  captured  artillery.  Understanding  that  the 
brave  but  unfortunate  Bahl  was  in  a  dying  state,  he  paid 
him  a  visit  before  leaving  Trenton,  accompanied  by  Gen- 
eral Greene.  They  found  him  at  his  quarters  in  the 
house  of  a  Quaker  family.  Their  visit  and  the  respect- 
ful consideration  and  unaffected  sympathy  manifested  by 
them,  evidently  soothed  the  feelings  of  the  unfortunate 
soldier ;  now  stripped  of  his  late  won  laurels,  and  re- 
signed to  die  rather  than  outlive  his  honor.* 

We  have  given  a  somewhat  sarcastic  portrait  of  the 
colonel  drawn  by  one  of  his  lieutenants ;  another.  Lieu- 
tenant Piel,  paints  with  a  soberer  and  more  reliable 
penoiL 

"  For  our  whole  ill  luck,"  writes  he, "  we  have  to  thank 
Colonel  BahL  It  never  occurred  to  him  that  the  rebels 
might  attack  us ;  and,  therefore,  he  had  taken  scarce  any 
precautions  against  such  an  event.  In  truth  I  must  con- 
fess we  have  universally  thought  too  little  of  the  rebels, 
who,  until  now,  have  never  on  any  occasion  been  able  to 
withstand  us.    Our  brigadier  (Bahl)  was  too  proud  to 

*  Journal  of  LimUmani  FUL 
TOU  JL — 86 


602  ^^^  ^^ 


retiie  a  step  before  such  an  enemy;  althon^  noHuiig 
remained  for  ns  but  to  retreat. 

'^  General  Howe  had  judged  this  man  from  a  wrong 
point  of  Tiew,  or  he  would  hardly  have  intrusted  such  an 
important  post  as  Trenton  to  him.  He  was  formed  for  a 
soldier,  but  not  for  a  general  At  the  capture  of  Fork 
Washington  he  had  gained  much  honor  while  under  the 
command  of  a  great  general,  but  he  lost  all  his  renown  at 
Trenton  where  he  himself  was  general  He  had  courage 
to  dare  the  hardiest  enterprise ;  but  he  alone  wanted  the 
cool  presence  of  mind  necessary  in  a  surprise  like  that  at 
Trenton.  His  yiyaoilrjr  was  too  great ;  one  thought  crowded 
on  another  so  that  he  could  come  to  no  decision.  Oon- 
sidered  as  a  priTate  man,  he  was  descrying  of  high 
regard.  He  was  generous,  open-handed,  hospitable: 
neyer  cringing  to  his  superiors,  nor  arrogant  to  his  in- 
feriors ;  but  courteous  to  alL  Eyen  his  domestics  weie 
treated  more  like  friends  than  seryants." 

The  loyal  corporal,  too,  contributes  his  mite  of  praise 
to  his  dying  commander.  '^  In  his  last  agony,'*  writes  the 
grateful  soldier,  ''  he  yet  thought  of  his  grenadiers,  and 
entreated  General  Washington  that  nothing  might  be 
taken  from  them  but  their  arms.  A  promise  was  giyen,** 
adds  the  corporal,  '^  and  was  kepi'* 

Eyen  the  satirical  lieutenant  half  mourns  oyer  hia 
memory.  '^  He  died,"  says  he,  "  on  the  following  eyen- 
ing,  and  lies  buried  in  this  place  which  he  has  rendeted 
so  famous,  in  the  grayeyard  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 


nracBiPTioN  on  rahl. 


663 


Sleep  well  1  dear  Commander !  (thenrer  Feldherr).  The 
Americans  will  hereafter  set  up  a  stone  above  thy  grave 
with  this  inscription : — 

••'Hierliegt  der  Obent  Bah]» 
Hit  ihm  ist  ail68  aUl  "* 

(Here  lies  the  Colonel  Bali^ 
With  bim  aU  is  ofoc) 


COAFTBB  XLI?. 


|HE  Hessiaii  prisoneTs  were  oonyeyed  aerooB  ihe 
Delaware  hj  Johnson's  Ferry,  into  Pennsyl* 
yania;  the  private  soldiers  were  mardhed  oA 
immediately  to  Newtown;  the  officers,  iwenfy-ihree  in 
number,  remained  in  a  small  chamber  in  the  Feny  House, 
where,  according  to  their  own  account^  they  passed  a 
dismal  night;  sore  at  heart  that  their  recent  triumphs 
at  White  Plains  and  Fort  Washington  should  be  so  sod- 
denly  eclipsed. 

On  the  following  morning  they  were  conducted  fa> 
Newtown  under  the  escort  of  Colonel  Weedon.  His  ex- 
terior, writes  Lieutenant  Piel,  spoke  but  little  in  his 
&yor,  yet  he  won  all  our  hearts  by  his  kind  and  friendly 
conduct. 

At  Newtown  the  officers  were  quartered  in  inns  and 
private  houses,  the  soldiers  in  the  church  and  jaiL  The 
officers  paid  a  visit  to  Lord  Stirling,  whom  some  of  them 
had  known  from  his  being  captured  at  Long  Island.  He 
them  with  great  kindness.    **  Your  general,  Yil 


mTEBVIBW  WITH  WASHINQTOir  665 

Heistor/*  said  he, ''  treated  me  like  a  brother  when  I  was 
a  prisoner,  and  so,  gentlemen,  will  jon  be  treated  by 
me. 

**  We  had  scarce  seated  onrselyes,**  continues  Lieuten- 
ant Piel,  **  when  a  long,  meagre,  dark-looking  man,  whom 
we  took  for  the  parson  of  the  place,  stepped  forth  and 
held  a  discourse  in  (German,  in  which  he  endeayored  to 
set  forth  the  justice  of  the  American  side  in  this  war. 
He  told  us  he  was  a  Hanoyerian  bom ;  called  the  King 
of  England  nothing  but  the  Elector  oi  Hanoyer,  and 
spoke  of  him  so  contemptuously  that  his  garruUlrjr  be- 
came intolerable.  We  answered  that  we  had  not  come 
to  America  to  inquire  which  party  was  in  the  right;  but 
to  fight  for  the  king. 

*'Lord  Stirling,  seeing  how  little  we  were  edified  by 
the  preacher,  relieyed  us  from  him  by  proposing  to  take 
us  with  him  to  yisit  Oeneral  Washington.  The  latter 
receiyed  us  yery  courteously,  though  we  understood  yery 
little  of  what  he  said,  as  he  spoke  nothing  but  English,  a 
language  in  which  none  of  us  at  that  time  were  strongs 
In  his  aspect  shines  forth  nothing  of  the  great  man  that 
he  is  uniyersally  considered.  His  eyes  haye  scarce  any 
fire.  There  is,  howeyer,  a  smiling  expression  on  his 
countenance  when  he  speaks,  that  wins  affection  and 
respect  He  inyited  four  of  our  officers  to  dine  with  him ; 
the  rest  dined  with  Lord  Stirling.'*  One  of  those  who 
dined  with  the  commander-in-chief,  was  the  satirical 
lieutenant  whom  we  haye  so  often  quoted,  and  who  was 


566  Zi7^  OF  WASRIIfBTOW. 

stationed  at  the  picket  on  the  morning  of  the  attack 
fiowever  disparagingly  he  may  have  thought  of  his  niK* 
fortunate  commander,  he  evidently  had  a  yery  good  opin- 
ion of  himseli 

*'  (General  Washington,"  writes  he  in  his  journal,  '^  did 
me  the  honor  to  converse  a  good  deal  with  me  concerning 
ihe  unfortunate  afiEiedr.  I  told  him  freely  my  opinion  that 
our  dispositions  had  been  bad,  otherwise  we  should  not 
haye  fallen  into  his  hands.  He  asked  me  if  I  oould  have 
made  better  dispositions,  and  in  what  manner  ?  I  told 
him  yes ;  stated  all  the  faults  of  our  arrangements,  and 
showed  him  how  I  would  haye  done;  and  would  have 
managed  to  come  out  of  the  aflTair  with  honor.*' 

We  have  no  doubt,  from  the  specimens  furnished  in 
the  Ueutenant's  journal,  that  he  went  largely  into  his  own 
merits  and  achiLments,  and  the  demerite  and  short- 
comings  of  his  luckless  commander.  Washington,  he 
added,  not  only  applauded  his  exposition  of  what  he 
would  haye  done,  but  made  him  a  eulogy  thereupon,  and 
upon  his  watchfulness  and  the  defense  he  had  made  with 
his  handful  of  men  when  his  picket  was  attacked.  Yet 
according  to  his  own  account,  in  his  journal,  with  all  his 
watchfulness,  he  came  near  being  caught  napping. 

**  General  Washington,"  continues  he,  "  is  a  courteous 
and  polite  man,  but  yery  cautious  and  reserved;  talks 
little;  and  has  a  crafty  (listige)  physiognomy."  We 
surmise  the  lieutenant  had  the  most  of  the  talk  on  that 
oooasiou.  and  that  the  crafty  or  sly  expression  in  Wash* 


TSE  HEaaiAN  PmaOUfBRB.  667 

ington's  physiognomy  may  haye  been  a  Inrking  but  8np« 
pressed  smile,  provoked  by  the  lieutenant's  self-landation 
and  wordiness. 

The  Hessian  prisoners  were  subsequently  transferred 
from  place  to  place,  until  they  reached  Winchester  in 
the  interior  of  Yi:^ginia.  Wherever  they  arrived,  people 
thronged  from  far  and  near  to  see  these  terrible  beings 
of  whom  they  had  received  such  formidable  accounts; 
and  were  surprised  and  disappointed  to  find  them  look- 
ing like  other  men.  At  first  they  had  to  endure  the 
hootings  and  revilings  of  the  multitude,  for  having  hired 
themselves  out  to  the  trade  of  blood ;  and  they  especially 
speak  of  the  scoldings  they  received  from  old  women  in 
the  villages,  who  upbraided  them  for  coming  to  rob  them 
of  their  liberty.  '*  At  length,'*  writes  the  corporal  in  his 
journal,  **  (General  Washington  had  written  notices  put  up 
in  town  and  country,  that  we  were  innocent  of  this  war 
and  had  joined  in  it  not  of  our  free  will,  but  through 
compulsion.  We  should,  therefore,  be  treated  not  as 
enemies,  but  friends.  From  this  time,"  adds  he, ''  things 
went  better  with  us.  Every  day  came  many  out  of  the 
towns,  old  and  young,  rich  and  poor,  and  brought  us 
provisions,  and  treated  us  with  kindness  and  humanity/'  * 

^Tagebuoh  dee  Oorponb  Jdhannes  Beober.— MBL 


OHAPTEE  XLV. 


||MK>I».— OOLOmn*  GRIFFIN  IN  THB  XBR8BTB.— D0«(»  BBCXnnD.— IKBOAB  Of 
GADWALADSB  AND  BBBD.  —  RXTBBAT  AND  0ONFU8ION  OF  THB  XNBKT'I 
OUTPOSTS.— WASHINGTON  BBCROSSBS  THB  DBLAWABB  WITH  HIB  TB00F8.— 
THB  OAMB  BBYBBSBD.— THB  HBSSIANS  ftUNTBD  BACK  THB0I70B  THB  GOUB- 
niT.— WABHINeTON  MADB  MILITABT  DICTATOR. 


jHEKE  was  a  kind  of  episode  in  the  affidr  at 
Trenton.  Colonel  Griffin,  who  had  thrown  him- 
self previously  into  the  Jerseys  with  his  de- 
tachment of  Pennsylvania  militia,  found  himself  throngli 
indisposition  and  the  scanty  number  of  his  troops,  un- 
able to  render  efficient  service  in  the  proposed  attacL 
He  sent  word  to  Cadwalader,  therefore,  that  he  should 
probably  render  him  more  real  aid  by  making  a  demon- 
stration in  front  of  Donop,  and  drawing  him  off  so  far 
into  the  interior  as  to  be  out  of  the  way  of  rendering 
support  to  Oolonel  Bahl. 

He  accordingly  presented  himself  in  sight  of  Donop'a 
cantonment  on  the  25th  of  December,  and  succeeded  in 
drawing  him  out  with  nearly  his  whole  force  of  two 
thousand  men.  He  then  retired  slowly  before  him, 
skirmishing,  but  avoiding  anything  like  an  action, 
until  he  had  lured  him  as  far  as  Mount  Holly;  when 

668 


DONOP  DECOYED.  669 

he  lefc  itija^  to  find  his  way  back  to  his  post  at  his 
leisure. 

The  oanncjiade  of  Washington's  attack  in  Trenton  on 
the  morning  of  the  26th,  was  distinctly  heard  at  Cadwala- 
der's  camp  at  Bristol  Imperfect  tidings  of  the  result 
reached  there  about  eleyen  o'clock,  and  produced  the 
highest  exultation  and  excitement  Cadwalader  made 
another  attempt  to  cross  the  river  and  join  Washington, 
whom  he  supposed  to  be  still  in  the  Jerseys,  following 
up  the  blow  he  had  struck.  He  could  not  effect  the  pas- 
sage of  the  river  with  the  most  of  the  troops,  until  mid- 
day of  the  27th,  when  he  received  from  Washington  a 
detailed  account  of  his  success,  and  of  his  having  re- 
erossed  into  Pennsylvania. 

Oadwalader  was  now  in  a  dilemma.  Donop,  he  pre- 
sumed, was  still  at  Mount  Holly,  whither  Grifl^  had  de- 
coyed him ;  but  he  might  soon  march  back.  His  forces 
were  equal,  if  not  superior  in  number  to  his  own,  and 
veterans  instead  of  raw  militia.  But  then  there  was  the 
glory  of  rivaling  the  exploit  at  Trenton,  and  the  impor- 
tance of  following  out  the  effort  for  the  relief  of  the  Jer- 
seys, and  the  salvation  of  Philadelphia.  Besides,  Wash- 
ington, in  all  probability,  after  disposing  of  his  prisoners, 
had  again  crossed  into  the  Jerseys  and  might  be  acting 
offensively. 

Eeed  relieved  Cadwalader  from  his  dilemma,  by  pro- 
posing that  they  should  push  on  to  Burlington,  and  there 
determine,  according  to  intelligence,  whether  to  proceed 


670  tIFS  OF  WABHINQTOtt. 

to  Bordentown  or  Mount  Holly.  The  plan  was  adopfei 
There  was  an  alarm  that  the  Hessian  yagers  larked  in  i 
neighboring  wood.  Beed,  accompanied  by  two  offioersi 
rode  in  advance  to  reconnoiter.  He  sent  word  to  Cad- 
walader  that  it  was  a  £alse  alarm,  and  the  latter  took  up 
his  line  of  march. 

Beed  and  his  companions  spnrred  on  to  reoonnoiter 
the  enemy's  outposts,  about  four  miles  from  Bnrlingfam, 
but  pulled  up  at  the  place  where  the  picket  was  usnallj 
stationed.  There  was  no  smoke,  nor  any  sign  of  a  human 
being.  They  rode  up  and  found  the  place  deserted. 
From  the  country  people  in  the  neighborhood  they  re- 
ceived an  explanation.  Oount  Donop  had  returned  to 
his  post  from  the  pursuit  of  Griffin,  only  in  time  to  hear 
of  the  disaster  at  Trenton.  He  immediately  began  a 
retreat  in  the  utmost  panic  and  confusion,  calling  in  his 
guards  and  parties  as  he  hurried  forward.  The  troops 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Burlington  had  decamped  pre« 
cipitately  the  preceding  evening. 

Colonel  Beed  sent  back  intelligence  of  this  to  Cadwala- 
der,  and  still  pushed  on  with  his  companions.  As  they 
rode  along,  they  observed  the  inhabitants  pulling  down 
red  rags  which  had  been  nailed  to  their  doors;  toiy 
signs  to  insure  good-will  from  the  British.  Arrived  at 
Bordentown  not  an  enemy  was  to  be  seen ;  the  fugitives 
from  Trenton  had  spread  a  panic  on  the  26th,  and  the 
Hessians  and  their  refugee  adherents  had  fled  in  confa** 
aion,  leaving  their  sick  behind  them.    The  broken  and 


EBBD  AT  TBEirrOIf.  671 

Iiaggard  looks  of  the  inhabitants  showed  what  they  had 
suffered  dnring  the  Hessian  occupation.  One  of  Heed's 
companions  retnmed  to  Cadwalader,  who  had  halted  at 
^nrlington,  and  advised  him  to  proceed. 

C^walader  wrote  in  the  night  to  Washington,  inform- 
ing him  of  his  whereabouts,  and  that  he  should  march 
for  Bordentown  in  the  morning.  **  If  jou  should  think 
proper  to  cross  oyer,"  added  he,  '4t  may  easily  be 
e£kcted  at  the  place  where  we  passed ;  a  pursuit  would 
keep  up  the  panic.  They  went  off  with  great  precipita- 
tion, and  pressed  all  the  wagons  in  their  reach ;  I  am 
told  many  of  them  are  gone  to  South  Amboy.  If  we  can 
driye  them  from  West  Jersey,  the  success  will  raise  an 
army  next  spring,  and  establish  the  credit  of  the  conti- 
nental money  to  support  ii" 

There  was  another  letter  from  Oadwalader,  dated  on 
the  following  day,  from  Bordentown.  He  had  eighteen 
hundred  men  with  him.  Five  hundred  more  were  on  the 
way  to  join  hiuL  General  Mifflin,  too,  had  sent  over  fiye 
hundred  from  Philadelphia,  and  three  hundred  from  Bur- 
lington, and  was  to  follow  with  seven  or  eight  hundred 
more. 

Colonel  Beed,  too,  wrote  from  Trenton  on  the  28th. 
He  had  found  that  place  without  a  single  soldier  of 
either  army,  and  in  a  still  more  wretched  condition 
than  Bordentown.  He  urged  Washington  to  recross 
the  river,  and  pursue  the  advantages  abeady  gained 
Ponop   might    be    overtaken   before    he    could   reach 


572  LIFE  OF  WA8HINQT0ir. 

Princeton  or  Brunswick,  where  the  enemy  were  yet  in 
force.* 

Washington  needed  no  prompting  of  the  kind.  B&nt 
upon  following  up  his  blow,  he  had  barely  allowed  his 
troops  a  day  or  two  to  recover  from  recent  exposure  and 
fatigue,  that  they  might  have  strength  and  spirit  to  pur< 
sue  the  retreating  enemy,  beat  up  other  of  their  quarters, 
and  entirely  reverse  affairs  in  the  Jerseys.  In  this  spirit 
he  had  written  to  Oenerals  McDougall  and  Maxwell  at 
Morristown,  to  collect  as  large  a  body  of  militia  as  xk>8- 
sible,  and  harass  the  enemy  in  flank  and  rear.  Heath, 
also,  had  been  ordered  to  abandon  the  Highlands,  which 
there  was  no  need  of  guarding  at  this  season  of  the  year, 
and  hasten  down  with  the  eastern  militia,  as  rapidly  as 
possible,  by  the  way  of  Hackensack,  continuing  on  until 
he  should  send  him  further  orders.  "  A  fair  opportunity 
is  offered,"  said  he,  "  of  driving  the  enemy  entirely  from 
the  Jerseys,  or  at  least  to  the  extremity  of  the  province." 

Men  of  influence  also  were  despatched  by  him  into 
different  parts  of  the  Jerseys,  to  spirit  up  the  militia  to 
revenge  the  oppression,  the  ravage,  and  insults  they  had 
experienced  from  the  enemy,  especially  from  the  Hes- 
sians. "  If  what  they  have  suffiered,"  said  he,  "  does  not 
rouse  their  resentment,  they  must  not  possess  the  feelings 
<vf  humanity." 

On  the  29th  his  troops  began  to  cross  the  river,    h 

*  Life  and  Carreapondence  of  Pres,  Reedy  vol.  L  p.  981. 


FOLLOWING  UP  THE  BLOW.  573 

would  be  a  slow  and  difficult  operation,  owing  to  the  ioe ; 
two  parties  of  light  troops,  therefore,  were  detached  in 
advance,  whom  Colonel  Beed  was  to  send  in  pursuit  of 
the  enemy.  They  marched  into  Trenton  about  two 
o'clock,  and  were  immediately  put  on  the  traces  of  Do- 
nop,  to  hang  on  his  rear  and  harass  him  until  other 
troops  should  come  up.  Cadwalader  also  detached  a 
party  of  riflemen  from  Bordentown  with  like  orders.  Do- 
nop,  in  retreating,  had  divided  his  force,  sending  one 
part  by  a  cross-road  to  Princetown,  and  hurrying  on 
with  the  remainder  to  Brunswick.  Notwithstanding  the 
fieverity  of  the  weather,  and  the  wretchedness  of  the 
road,  it  was  a  service  of  animation  and  delight  to  the 
American  troops  to  hunt  back  these  Hessians  through 
the  country  they  had  recently  outraged,  and  over  ground 
which  they  themselves  had  trodden  so  painfully  and  de- 
spondingly  in  their  retreat.  In  one  instance  the  riflemen 
surprised  and  captured  a  party  of  refugees  who  lingered 
in  the  rear-guard,  among  whom  were  several  newly-made 
officers.  Never  was  there  a  more  sudden  reversal  in  the 
game  of  war  than  this  retreat  of  the  heavy  (German  veter- 
ans, harassed  by  light  parties  of  a  raw  militia,  which 
they  so  lately  had  driven  like  chaff  before  them. 

While  this  was  going  on,  Washington  was  effecting  the 
passage  of  his  main  force  to  Trenton.  He  himself  had 
crossed  on  the  29th  of  December,  but  it  took  two  days 
more  to  get  the  troops  and  artillery  over  the  icy  river, 
and  that  with  great  labor  and  difficulty.    And  now  cama 


574  I^^OFB  OF  WABHUrGTOlf. 

a  perplexity.  With  the  year  expired  the  term  of  seyeral 
regiments,  which  had  seen  most  service,  and  become  in« 
nred  to  danger.  Knowing  how  indispensable  were  such 
troops  to  lead  on  those  which  were  raw  and  nndisci- 
plined,  Washington  had  them  paraded  and  invited 
to  reenlisi  It  was  a  difficult  task  to  persuade  them. 
They  were  haggard  with  fatigue,  and  hardship,  and  pri- 
vation of  every  kind ;  and  their  hearts  yearned  for  home. 
By  the  persuasions  of  their  officers,  however,  and  a  bounty 
of  ten  dollars,  the  greater  proportion  of  those  from  the 
eastward  were  induced  to  remain  six  weeks  longer. 

Hard  money  was  necessary  in  this  emei^ncy.  How 
was  it  to  be  furnished  ?  The  military  chest  was  incom- 
petent  On  the  30th,  Washington  wrote  by  express  to 
Bobert  Morris,  the  patriot  financier  at  Philadelphia, 
whom  he  knew  to  be  eager  that  the  blow  should  be  fol- 
lowed up.  *'  If  you  could  possibly  collect  a  sum,  if  it 
were  but  one  hundred,  or  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds, 
it  would  be  of  service." 

Morris  received  the  letter  in  the  evening.  He  was  at 
his  wit*s  end  to  raise  the  sum,  for  hard  money  was 
scarce.  Fortunately  a  wealthy  Quaker  in  this  moment  of 
exigency  supplied  the  "sinews  of  war,**  and  early  the 
next  morning  the  money  was  forwarded  by  the  express. 

At  this  critical  moment,  too,  Washington  received  a 
letter  from  a  committee  of  Oongress,  transmitting  him  re- 
solves of  that  body  dated  the  27th  of  December,  investing 
him  with  military  powers  quite  dictatorial    "  Happy  ii 


DWTATOBIAL  POWER. 


676 


it  for  this  conntrj/'  write  the  committee,  '^  that  the  gen« 
eral  of  their  foroes  can  safely  be  intrusted  with  the  most 
unlimited  power,  and  neither  personal  security,  liberty, 
or  property,  be  in  the  least  degree  endangered  thereby."  * 
Washington's  acknowledgment  of  this  great  mark  of  con« 
fidence  was  noble  and  characteristic  **  I  find  Oongress 
hare  done  me  the  honor  to  intrust  me  with  powers,  in  my 
military  capaciiy,  of  the  highest  nature  and  almost  un« 
limited  extent  Instead  of  <;liiii1riTig  myself  freed  from  all 
dvil  obligations  by  this  mark  of  their  confidence,  I  shall 
constantly  bear  in  mind  that,  as  the  sword  was  the  last 
resort  for  the  preservation  of  our  liberties,  so  it  ought  to 
be  the  first  thing  laid  aside  when  those  liberties  are 
firmly  established." 


•  Am.  ArcMvn,  6th  Series  fH  ISlfll 


OTTAPTEB  XL7L 


•OWB  BBAB8  OV  THS  AVFAIB  AT  TBDnTQN.— COBHWALLD  SDiT  BAOK  TO  Ot 
JSB8BT8.~BBGONNOITSBIHO  IZFBDITION  OT  BBBD.— HIS  XXPLOIT8.— WISH- 
mOTON  Dl  FBBIL  AT  TBBNTON.— BUNVOBGED  BT  TBOOFB  URBKB  CABWlIr 
JLDBB  AND  mFFLDI.— POSITION  OV  HIS  KBH.— COBXWAUJ8  AT  TBKKTOV.— 
BBPUL8BD  AT  THB  ABBUlfFIinE.^THB  AMKBIOAH  GAMP  MXBUOXD.— HieBI 
XABCH  or  WAflHINOTOH.— ATFAIB  AT  FIUNCBTOH.— DBATH  OF  MBBCIB.— 
BOUT  or  BBITISH  TBOOF8.— PUBSUBD  BT  WASHDVOTOM.— OOBBWALLIS  IT 
FBINOBTOH.— BATFLBD  AND  FBBFLBXBD.— WABHDIGTOll  AT  MOBBIBfrOini.— 
HI8  8T8TBK  OV  AmOTAllOB.— TBB  TABLB8  TUBBBD  OFOB  THB 


SNEBAL  HOWE  was  taking  his  ease  in  winter 
qnarters  at  New  York,  waiting  for  the  frees- 
ing  of  the  Delaware  to  pursue  his  triumphant 
march  to  Philadelphia,  when  tidings  were  brought  him 
of  the  surprise  and  capture  of  the  Hessians  at  TrentoiL 
''That  three  old  established  regiments  of  a  people 
who  made  war  their  profession,  should  lay  down  their 
arms  to  a  ragged  and  tmdisciplined  militia^  and  that 
with  scarcely  any  loss  on  either  side,"  was  a  matter  of 
amazement  He  instantly  stopped  Lord  Comwallis,  who 
was  on  the  point  of  embarking  for  England,  and  sent 
him  back  in  all  haste  to  resume  the  command  in  the 
Jerseys. 
The  ice  in  the  Delaware  impeded  the  crossing  of  the 


OAPTUBE  OF  BRITISH  DBAQ00N8.  677 

American  troops,  and  gave  the  British  time  to  draw  in 
their  scattered  cantonments  and  assemble  their  whole 
force  at  Princeton.  While  his  troops  were  yet  crossing, 
Washington  sent  ont  Colonel  Beed  to  reconnoiter  the' 
position  and  movements  of  the  enemy  and  obtain  infor- 
mation.  Six  of  the  Philadelphia  light  horse,  spirited 
young  fellows,  but  who  had  never  seen  service,  volun- 
teered to  accompany  Beed.  They  patrolled  the  country 
to  the  very  vicinity  of  Princeton,  but  oould  collect  no 
information  from  the  inhabitants;  who  were  harassed, 
terrified,  and  bewildered  by  the  ravaging  marches  to  and 
fro  of  friend  and  enemy. 

Emerging  from  a  wood  almost  within  view  of  Prince- 
ion,  they  caught  sight,  from  a  rising  ground,  of  two  or 
three  red-coats  passing  from  time  to  time  from  a  bam 
to  a  dwelling-house.  Here  must  be  an  outposi  Keep- 
ing the  bam  in  a  line  with  the  house  so  as  to  cover 
their  approach,  they  dashed  up  to  the  latter  without 
being  discovered,  and  surrounded  ii  Twelve  British 
dragoons  were  within,  who,  though  well  armed,  were 
80  panic-stricken  that  they  surrendered  without  mak- 
ing defense.  A  commissary,  also,  was  taken;  the  ser- 
geant of  the  dragoons  alone  escaped.  Oolonel  Beed 
and  his  six  cavaliers  returned  in  triumph  to  head- 
quarters. Important  information  was  obtained  from 
their  prisoners.  Lord  Oomwallis  had  joined  (General 
Grant  the  day  before  at  Princeton,  with  a  reinforcement 
of  chosen  troops.    They  had  now  seven  or  eight  thou- 


578  bill's  O^  WABBISeTOa, 

Bftnd  men,  and  were  pressing  wagons  tat  &  marsh  npai 
Trenton.* 

Oadwalader,  stationed  at  Orosswioks,  aboni  seven  milei 
distant,  between  Bordentown  and  Trenton,  sent  inteDi- 
genoe  to  the  same  purport,  received  by  him  from  a  yavag 
gentleman  who  had  escaped  from  Prinoeton. 

Word,  too,  was  brought  from  other  qoaiters,  that  Gen- 
eral Howe  was  on  the  march  with  a  thousand  light  troops 
with  which  he  had  landed  at  Amboy. 

The  situation  of  Washington  was  growing  critioaL  The 
enemy  were  beginning  to  advance  their  large  piokete 
towards  Trenton.  Everything  indicated  an  approadiii^ 
attack.  The  force  with  him  was  small ;  to  retreat  acioes 
the  river  wonld  destroy  the  dawn  of  hope  awakened  is 
the  bosoms  of  the  Jersey  militia  by  the  late  exploit ;  bnt 
to  make  a  stand  without  reinforcements  was  impoarabl& 
In  this  emergency,  he  called  to  his  aid  Qeneral  Cadwala- 
der  from  Crosewioks,  and  Qeneral  Mifflin  from  Borden- 
town, with  their  collective  forces,  amounting  to  about 
three  thousand  six  hundred  men.  He  did  it  with  re- 
luctance, for  it  seemed  like  involving  them  in  the  com- 
mon danger ;  bnt  the  exigency  of  the  case  admitted  of 
no  alternative.  They  promptly  answered  to  his  call, 
and  marching  in  the  nighty  joined  him  on  the  Ist  of 
January. 

WaahingtoQ  ohose  a  positioQ  for  his  main  body  on  thi 

•£<ft  nfBMd.  L  tta. 


OOBirWALLIB  AT  TBBNTOS  679 

Met  side  of  the  Assonpink.  There  was  a  narrow  stone 
bridge  across  it,  where  the  water  was  very  deep — the 
same  bridge  over  whioh  part  of  Bahl's  brigade  had  es- 
caped in  the  recent  affair.  He  planted  his  artillery  so  as 
to  conunand  the  bridge  and  the  fords.  His  advance 
guard  was  stationed  about  three  miles  off  in  a  wood,  hav- 
ing in  front  a  stream  called  Shabbakong  Oreek. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  2^^  came  certain  word 
that  Comwallis  was  approaching  with  all  his  force. 
Strong  parties  were  sent  out  under  General  Greene,  who 
skirmished  with  the  enemy  and  harassed  them  in  their 
advance.  By  twelve  o'clock  they  reached  the  Shabba- 
kong, and  halted  for  a  time  on  its  northern  bank  Then 
crossing  it,  and  moving  forward  with  rapidity,  they  drove 
the  advance  guard  out  of  the  woods,  and  pushed  on  until 
they  reached  a  high  ground  near  the  town.  Here  Hand's 
corps  of  several  battalions  was  drawn  up,  and  held  them 
for  a  time  in  check.  All  the  parties  in  advance  ulti- 
mately retreated  to  the  main  body,  on  the  east  side  of 
the  Assunpink,  and  found  some  difficulty  in  crowding 
across  the  narrow  bridge. 

From  all  these  checks  and  delays,  it  was  nearly  sun- 
set before  Comwallis  with  the  head  of  his  army  entered 
Trenton*  His  rear-guard  under  General  Leslie  rested  at 
Maiden  Head,  about  six  miles  distant,  and  nearly  half 
way  between  Trenton  and  Princeton.  Forming  his  troops 
into  columns,  he  now  made  repeated  attempts  to  cross  the 
Assunpink  at  the  bridge  and  the  fords,  but  was  as  often 


580  UFE  OF  WASSINQTOHr. 

xepnlsed  by  the  artdlleiy.  For  a  part  of  the  time  Wash- 
ington,  mounted  on  a  white  horse,  stationed  himself  at 
the  south  end  of  the  bridge,  issuing  his  orders.  Each 
time  the  enemy  was  repulsed  there  was  a  shout  along 
the  American  lines.  At  length  they  drew  o£^  came  to  a 
halt,  and  lighted  their  camp  firea  The  Americans  did 
the  same,  using  the  neighboring  fences  for  the  purpose. 
Sir  William  Erskine,  who  was  with  Comwallis,  urged 
him,  it  is  said,  to  attack  Washington  that  evening  in  his 
camp;  but  his  lordship  declined;  he  felt  sure  of  the 
game  which  had  so  often  escaped  him ;  he  had  at  length, 
he  thought,  got  Washington  into  a  situation  from  which 
he  could  not  escape,  but  where  he  might  make  a  des- 
perate stand,  and  he  was  willing  to  give  his  wearied 
troops  a  night's  repose  to  prepare  them  for  the  dosiiig 
struggle.  He  would  be  sure,  he  said^  to  *'bag  the  ton 
in  the  morning." 

A  cannonade  was  kept  up  on  both  sides  until  dark ; 
but  with  little  damage  to  the  Americans.  When  night 
closed  in,  the  two  camps  lay  in  sight  of  each  other's  fires, 
ruminating  the  bloody  action  of  the  following  day.  It 
was  the  most  gloomy  and  anxious  night  that  had  jet 
closed  in  on  the  American  army,  throughout  its  series  of 
perils  and  disasters ;  for  there  was  no  concealing  the 
impending  danger.  But  what  must  have  been  the  feelings 
of  the  commander-in-chie(  as  he  anxiously  patrolled  his 
camp,  and  considered  his  desperate  position  ?  A  small 
stream,  fordable  in  several  places,  was  all  that  separated 


A  GLEAM  OF  BOPB.  681 

raw,  inexperienced  army,  from  an  enemy  vastly  8ape« 
nor  in  numbers  and  discipline,  and  stong  to  action  by 
the  mortification  of  a  late  defeat  A  general  action  with 
them  mnst  be  minoas ;  but  how  was  he  to  retreat  ? 
Behind  him  was  the  Delaware,  impassable  from  floating 
ice.  Granting  even  (a  thing  not  to  be  hoi>ed)  that  a 
retreat  across  it  could  be  effected,  the  consequences 
wonld  be  equally  fatal  The  Jerseys  would  be  left  in 
possession  of  the  enemy,  endangering  the  immediate  cap» 
ture  of  Philadelphia^  and  flinlring  the  public  mind  into 
despondency. 

In  this  darkest  of  moments  a  gleam  of  hope  flashed 
upon  his  mind :  a  bold  expedient  suggested  itseli  Al« 
most  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  force  must  by  this  time 
be  drawn  out  of  Princeton,  and  advancing  by  detach* 
ments  toward  Trenton,  while  their  baggage  and  principal 
stores  must  remain  weakly  guarded  at  Brunswick.  Was 
it  not  possible  by  a  rapid  night-march  along  the  Quaker 
road,  a  different  road  from  that  on  which  (General  Leslie 
with  the  rear-guard  was  resting,  to  get  past  that  force 
undiscovered,  come  by  surprise  upon  those  left  at  Prince* 
ton,  capture  or  destroy  what  stores  were  left  there,  and 
then  push  on  to  Brunswick  ?  This  would  save  the  army 
from  being  cut  off;  would  avoid  the  appearance  of  a 
defeat ;  and  might  draw  the  enemy  away  from  Trenton, 
whfle  some  fortunate  stroke  might  give  additional  repu* 
tation  to  the  American  arms.  Even  should  the  enemy 
march  on  to  Philadelphia^  it  could  not  in  any  case  bo 


688  -Ura  OF  WASRINQTOM. 


prevented ;  while  a  oonnter-blow  in  the  Jerae js  would  lit 
of  great  oonsolation. 

Snoh  was  the  plan  which  Washington  reyolved  in  his 
mind  on  the  gloomy  banks  of  the  Assnnpink,  and  which 
he  laid  before  his  officers  in  a  council  of  war,  held  after 
nightfall,  at  the  quarters  of  General  Mercer.  It  met  with 
instant  concurrence,  being  of  that  hardy,  adventuroufl^ 
kind,  which  seems  congenial  with  the  American  ohaa^ 
acter.  One  formidable  difficulty  presented  itself.  The 
weather  was  unusually  mild ;  there  was  a  thaw,  by  which 
the  roads  might  be  rendered  deep  and  miry,  and  ahnost 
impassable.  Fortunately,  or  rather  proyidentially,  as 
Washington  was  prone  to  consider  it,  the  wind  veered  to 
the  north  in  the  course  of  the  evening ;  the  weather  be- 
came intensely  cold,  and  in  two  hours  the  roads  were 
once  more  hard  and  frost-bound.  In  the  meantime,  the 
ba^age  of  the  army  was  silently  removed  to  Burlington, 
and  every  other  preparation  was  made  for  a  rapid  march 
To  deceive  the  enemy,  men  were  employed  to  dig  trenches 
near  the  bridge  within  hearing  of  the  British  sentries, 
with  orders  to  continue  noisily  at  work  until  daybreak ; 
others  were  to  go  the  rounds;  relieve  guards  at  the 
bridge  and  fords  ;  keep  up  the  camp  fires,  and  maintain 
all  the  appearance  of  a  regular  encampment.  At  day- 
break they  were  to  hasten  after  the  army. 

In  the  dead  of  the  night,  the  army  drew  quietly  out  of 
the  encampment  and  began  its  march.  General  Mercer, 
mounted  on  a  favorite  gray  horse,  was  in  the  advance 


MiOET  MAMOL  688 


vitli  the  remnant  of  his  flying  camp^  now  bat  about  thiee 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  principally  reUca  of  the  brave 
Delaware  and  Maryland  regiments,  with  some  of  the 
Pennsylvania  militia.  Among  the  latter  were  youths  be* 
longing  to  the  best  families  in  Philadelphia^  The  main 
body  followed,  under  Washington's  immediate  ^fw»^yn^ii<l^ 

The  Quaker  road  was  a  complete  roundabout,  joining 
the  main  road  about  two  miles  from  Princeton,  where 
Washington  expected  to  arrive  before  daybreak.  The 
road,  however,  was  new  and  rugged ;  cut  through  woods, 
where  the  stamps  of  trees  broke  the  wheels  of  some  of  the 
baggage  trains,  and  retarded  the  march  of  the  troops ;  so 
that  it  was  near  sunrise  of  a  bright,  frosty  morning,  when 
Washington  reached  the  bridge  over  Stony  Brook,  about 
three  miles  frcmi  Princeton.  After  crossing  the  bridge, 
he  led  his  troops  along  the  bank  of  the  brook  to  the  edge 
of  a  wood,  where  a  by-road  led  off  on  the  right  through 
low  grounds,  and  was  said  by  the  guides  to  be  a  short 
imt  to  Princeton,  and  less  exposed  to  view.  By  this  road 
Washington  defiled  with  the  main  body,  ordering  Mercer 
to  continue  along  the  brook  with  his  brigade,  until  he 
should  arrive  at  the  main  road,  where  he  was  to  secure, 
and  if  possible  destroy,  a  bridge  over  which  it  passes ;  so 
as  to  intercept  any  fugitives  from  Princeton,  and  check 
any  retrograde  movements  of  the  British  troops  which 
Slight  have  advanced  towards  Trenton. 

Hitherto  the  movements  of  the  Americans  had  been 
undiscovered  by  the  enemy.    Three  regiments  of  the  lat* 


584  -2^^^  ^^  WABEmQTOm 

ter,  the  17ih,  4Dth,  and  66th,  with  three  troops  of  dragoon^ 
had  been  quartered  all  night  in  Prinoeton,  under  march- 
ing orders  to  join  Lord  Oomwallis  in  the  morning*  The 
17th  regiment  under  Oolonel  Mawhood,  was  alreadj  on 
the  march ;  the  65th  regiment  was  preparing  to  foUow, 
Mawhood  had  crossed  the  bridge  by  which  the  old  oi 
main  road  to  Trenton  passes  over  Stony  Brook,  and  was 
proceeding  through  a  wood  beyond,  when,  as  he  attained 
the  summit  of  a  hill  about  sunrise,  the  ^ttering  of  armi 
betrayed  to  him  the  movement  of  Mercer's  troops  to  the 
lefty  who  were  filing  along  the  Quaker  road  to  secure  the 
bridge,  as  they  had  been  ordered 

The  woods  prevented  him  from  seeing  their  number. 
He  supposed  them  to  be  some  broken  portion  of  the 
American  army  flying  before  Lord  Comwallis.  With 
this  idea,  he  faced  about  and  made  a  retrograde  moye- 
ment,  to  intercept  them  or  hold  them  in  check ;  while 
messengers  spurred  off  at  all  speed,  to  hasten  forward 
the  regiments  still  lingering  at  Princeton,  so  as  com- 
pletely  to  surround  them. 

The  woods  concealed  him  until  he  had  recrossed  the 
bridge  of  Stony  Brook,  when  he  came  in  full  sight  of  the 
van  of  Mercer's  brigade.  Both  parties  pushed  to  get 
possession  of  a  rising  ground  on  the  right  near  the  house 
of  a  Mr.  Clark,  of  the  peaceful  Society  of  Friends.  The 
Americans  being  nearest,  reached  it  first,  and  formed  be- 
hind a  hedge  fence  which  extended  along  a  slope  in  front 
of  the  house;  whence  being  chiefly  armed  with  riflefl^ 


ACITION  AT  PRINOETON.  586 

tiiej  opened  a  destmotive  fire.  It  was  retnmed  with 
great  spirit  by  the  enemj.  At  the  first  discharge  Mercer 
was  dismounted,  ^'  his  gallant  gray  "  being  crippled  by  a 
musket  ball  in  the  leg.  One  of  his  colonels,  also,  was 
mortally  wounded  and  carried  to  the  rear.  Ayailing 
ihemselyes  of  the  confusion  thus  occasioned,  the  British 
charged  with  the  bayonet ;  the  American  riflemen,  having 
no  weapon  of  the  kind,  were  thrown  into  disorder  and 
retreated.  Mercer,  who  was  on  foot,  endeavored  to  rally 
them,  when  a  blow  from  the  butt  end  of  a  musket  felled 
him  to  the  ground.  He  rose  and  defended  himself  with 
his  sword,  but  was  surrounded,  bayoneted  repeatedly, 
and  left  for  dead. 

Mawhood  pursued  the  broken  and  retreating  troops  to 
the  brow  of  the  rising  ground,  on  which  Clark's  house 
was  situated,  when  he  beheld  a  large  force  emerging  from 
a  wood  and  advancing  to  the  rescue.  It  was  a  body  of 
Pennsylvania  militia^  which  Washington,  on  hearing  the 
firing,  had  detached  to  the  support  of  Mercer.  Maw- 
hood instantly  ceased  pursuit,  drew  up  his  artillery,  and 
by  a  heavy  discharge  brought  the  militia  to  a  stand. 

At  this  moment  Washington  himself  arrived  at  the 
scene  of  action,  having  galloped  from  the  by-road  in 
advance  of  his  troops.  From  a  rising  ground  he  beheld 
Mercer's  troops  retreating  in  confusion,  and  th6  detach- 
ment of  militia  checked  by  Mawhood's  artillery.  JlSvery-^ 
thing  was  at  periL  Putting  spurs  to  his  horse,  he  dashed 
past  the  hesitating  militia,  waving  his  hat  and  cheering 


686  LIFE  OF  WASSmQTOJr. 


them  on.  His  oommanding  figure  and  wHie  liorse  mad« 
him  a  oonspicnons  object  for  the  enemy's  marksmen,  but 
he  heeded  it  not  GkJloping  forward  nnder  the  fire  of 
Mawhood's  battery,  he  called  npon  Meroer^s  broken  bri- 
gade. The  Pennsylvanians  rallied  at  the  sound  of  his 
voice,  and  oanght  fire  from  his  example.  At  the  same 
time  the  7th  Virginia  regiment  emerged  from  the  wood, 
and  moved  forward  with  loud  cheers,  while  a  fire  of 
grapeshot  was  opened  by  Oaptain  Moidder  of  the  Ameri- 
can artillery,  from  the  brow  of  a  ridge  to  the  south. 

Ck>lonel  Mawhood,  who  a  moment  before  had  thought 
his  triumph  secure,  found  himself  assailed  on  every  side, 
and  separated  from  the  other  British  regiments.  He 
fought,  however,  with  great  bravery,  and  for  a  short  time 
the  action  was  desperate.  Washington  was  in  the  midst 
of  it ;  equally  endangered  by  the  random  fire  of  his  own 
men,  and  the  artillery  and  musketry  of  the  enemy.  Wb 
aide-de-camp,  Colonel  Fitzgerald,  a  young  and  ardent 
Irishman,  losing  sight  of  him  in  the  heat  of  the  fight 
when  enveloped  in  dust  and  smoke,  dropped  the  bridle 
on  the  neck  of  his  horse  and  drew  his  hat  over  his  eyes, 
giving  him  up  for  lost  When  he  saw  him,  however,  emerge 
from  the  cloud,  waving  his  hat,  and  beheld  the  enemy 
giving  way,  he  spurred  up  to  his  side.  **  Thank  God,** 
said  he,  "  your  Excellency  is  safe  I "  "  Away,  my  dear 
colonel,  and  bring  up  the  troops,**  was  the  reply ;  **  the 
day  is  our  own ! "  It  was  one  of  those  occasions  in 
the  latent  fire  of  Washizigton*s  character  blazed  forth. 


ACTION  AT  PBUrVBTON.  587 

Mawhood^  by  ihis  tiine,  had  forced  his  way,  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet,  through  gathering  foes,  thongh 
with  heayy  loss,  back  to  the  main  road,  and  was  in  foil 
retreat  towards  Trenton  to  join  Ck>mwallis.  Washington 
detached  Major  Kelly  with  a  party  of  PennsylTani» 
troops,  to  destroy  the  bridge  at  Stony  Brook,  over  which 
Slawhood  had  retreated,  so  as  to  impede  the  advance  of 
General  Leslie  from  Maiden  Head. 

In  the  meantime  the  66th  regiment,  which  had  been 
on  the  left  and  nearer  Princeton,  had  been  encountered 
by  the  American  advance  gnard  under  General  Si  Clair, 
and  after  some  sharp  %hting  in  a  ravine  had  given  way, 
and  was  retreating  across  fields  and  along  a  by-road  to 
Brunswick.  The  remaining  regiment,  the  40th,  had  not 
been  able  to  come  up  in  time  for  the  action;  a  part  of  it 
fled  toward  Brunswick;  the  residue  took  refuge  in  the 
college  at  Princeton,  recently  occupied  by  them  as  bar* 
racks.  Artillery  was  now  brought  to  bear  on  the  college, 
and  a  few  shot  compelled  those  within  to  surrender. 

In  this  brief  but  brilliant  action,  about  one  hundred  of 
the  British  were  left  dead  on  the  field,  and  nearly  three 
hundred  taken  prisoners,  fourteen  of  whom  were  officers. 
Among  the  slain  was  Captain  Leslie,  son  of  the  Earl  of 
Leven.  His  death  was  greatly  lamented  by  his  captured 
companions. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  about  twenty-five  or 
thirty  men  and  several  officers.  Among  the  latter  was 
Colonel  Haslet,  who  had  distinguished  himself  through- 


088  LiFB  OF  wAsmnrQTOjar. 

out  the  campaign,  by  being  among  the  foremost  in  86^ 
vices  of  danger.  He  was  indeed  a  gallant  officer,  and 
gallantly  seconded  by  his  Delaware  troops. 

A  greater  loss  was  that  of  General  Mercer.  He  was 
said  to  be  either  dead  or  dying,  in  the  honse  of  M& 
Clark,  whither  he  had  been  conveyed  by  his  aide-de- 
camp, Major  Armstrong,  who  found  him,  after  the  retreat 
of  Mawhood's  troops,  lying  on  the  field  gashed  with  sev« 
eral  wounds,  and  insensible  from  cold  and  loss  of  blood. 
Washington  would  have  ridden  back  from  Princeton  to 
visit  him,  and  have  him  conveyed  to  a  place  of  greater 
security ;  but  was  assured,  that,  if  alive,  he  was  too  des- 
perately wounded  to  bear  removal ;  in  the  meantime  he 
was  in  good  hands,  being  faithfully  attended  to  by  his 
aide-de-camp.  Major  Armstrong,  and  treated  with  the 
utmost  care  and  kindness  by  Mr.  01ark*s  family.* 

Under  these  circumstances  Washington  felt  compelled 
to  leave  his  old  companion  in  arms  to  his  fate.  Indeed, 
he  was  called  away  by  the  exigencies  of  his  command, 
having  to  pursue  the  routed  regiments  which  were  mak- 
ing a  headlong  retreat  to  Brunswick.  In  this  pursuit  he 
took  the  lead  at  the  head  of  a  detachment  of  cavaliy. 
At  Kingston,  however,  three  miles  to  the  northeast  of 
Princeton,  he  pulled  up,  restrained  his  ardor,  and  held 
a  council  of  war  on  horseback.  Should  he  keep  on  to 
Brunswick  or  not?    The  capture  of  the  British  store! 

*  See  Washington  to  Colonel  Beed,  Jan.  15. 


TffS  AMEBI0AN8  AT  PLUOEAMIN.  ggg 

and  ba^age  would  make  his  trimnpli  complete ;  but,  on 
the  other  hand,  his  troops  were  excessively  &itigaed  by 
their  rapid  march  all  night  and  hard  fight  in  the  morn- 
ing. All  of  them  had  been  one  night  without  sleep,  and 
some  of  them  two,  and  many  were  half-starved.  They 
were  without  blankets,  thinly  clad,  some  of  them  bar» 
footed,  and  this  in  freezing  weather.  Ck>mwallis  would 
be  upon  them  before  they  could  reach  Brunswick.  His 
rear-guard,  under  General  Leslie,  had  been  quartered 
but  six  miles  from  Princeton,  and  the  retreating  troops 
must  have  roused  them.  Under  these  considerations,  it 
was  determined  to  discontinue  the  pursuit  and  push  for 
Morristown.  There  they  would  be  in  a  mountainous 
country,  heavily  wooded,  in  an  abundant  neighborhood, 
and  on  the  flank  of  the  enemy,  with  various  defiles  by 
which  they  might  change  their  position  according  to  his 
movements. 

Filing  off  to  the  left,  therefore,  from  Kingston,  and 
breaking  down  the  bridges  behind  him,  Washington 
took  the  narrow  road  by  Bocky  Hill  to  Pluckamin.  His 
troops  were  so  exhausted,  that  many  in  the  course  of  the 
march  would  lie  down  in  the  woods  on  the  frozen  ground 
and  fall  asleep,  and  were  with  difficulty  roused  and 
cheered  forward.  At  Pluckamin  he  halted  for  a  time,  to 
allow  them  a  little  repose  and  refreshment.  While  they 
are  taking  breath  we  will  cast  our  eyes  back  to  the  camp 
of  Comwallis,  to  see  what  was  the  effect  upon  him  of  this 
masterly  movement  of  Washington.    His  lordship  had 


090  ^^^  OF  WASHnroTOJsr. 

retired  to  rest  at  Trenton  with  the  Bportsman's  Tanni 
that  he  wonld  '^bag  the  fox  in  the  morning.*'  Nothing 
ooidd  surpass  his  surprise  and  chagrin  when  at  daybreak 
the  expiring  watchfires  and  deserted  camp  of  the  Ameri- 
eans  told  him  that  the  prize  had  once  more  evaded  his 
grasp ;  that  the  general  whose  military  skill  he  had  de« 
eried  had  ontgeneralled  him. 

For  a  time  he  conld  not  learn  whither  the  army,  which 
had  stolen  away  so  silently,  had  directed  its  stealthy 
march.  By  sunrise,  however,  there  was  the  booming  of 
cannon,  like  the  rumbling  of  distant  thunder,  in  the  di- 
rection of  Princeton.  The  idea  flashed  upon  him  that 
Washington  had  not  merely  escaped,  but  was  about  to 
make  a  dash  at  the  British  magazines  at  BrunswicL 
Alarmed  for  the  safety  of  his  military  stores,  his  lord- 
ship forthwith  broke  up  his  camp,  and  made  a  rapid 
march  towards  Princeton.  As  he  arrived  in  sight  of  the 
bridge  over  Stony  Brook,  he  beheld  Major  Kelly  and  his 
party  busy  in  its  destruction.  A  distant  discharge  of 
round  shot  from  his  field-pieces  drove  them  away,  bnt 
the  bridge  was  already  broken.  It  would  take  time  to 
repair  it  for  the  passage  of  the  artillery ;  so  Comwallifl 
in  his  impatience  urged  his  troops  breast-high  through 
the  turbulent  and  icy  stream,  and  again  pushed  forward. 
He  was  brought  to  a  stand  by  the  discharge  of  a  thirty- 
two  pounder  from  a  distant  breastwork.  Supposing  the 
Americans  to  be  there  in  force,  and  prepared  to  make 
resistance,  he  sent  out  some  horsemen  to  reconnoitei) 


ON  THE  ALEBT.  69] 

and  adyanoed  to  stonn  the  battery.  There  was  no  one 
there.  The  thirty-two  pounder  had  been  left  behind  hj 
the  Americans,  as  too  nnwieldy,  and  a  match  had  been 
applied  to  it  by  some  lingerer  of  Washington's  rearw 
guard. 

Without  further  delay  Oomwallis  hurried  forward, 
eager  to  save  his  magazines.  Grossing  the  bridge  at 
Eingston,  he  kept  on  along  the  Brunswick  road,  suppos-^ 
ing  Washington  still  before  him.  The  latter  had  got  far 
in  the  advance,  during  the  delays  caused  by  the  broken 
bridge  at  Stony  Brook,  and  the  discharge  of  the  thirty- 
two  pounder ;  and  the  alteration  of  his  course  at  King- 
ston had  carried  him  completely  out  of  the  way  of 
Comwallis.  His  lordship  reached  Brunswick  towards 
evening,  and  endeavored  to  console  himself  by  the  safety 
of  the  military  stores,  for  being  so  completely  foiled  and 
out-manoeuvered. 

Washington,  in  the  meantime,  was  all  on  the  alert; 
the  lion  part  of  his  nature  was  aroused ;  and  while  his 
weary  troops  were  in  a  manner  panting  upon  the  ground 
around  him,  he  was  despatching  missives  and  calling  out 
aid  to  enable  him  to  follow  up  his  successes.  In  a  letter 
to  Putnam,  written  from  Pluckamin  during  the  halt,  he 
says  :  **  The  enemy  appear  to  be  panic-struck.  I  am  in 
hopes  of  driving  them  out  of  the  Jerseys.  March  the 
troops  under  your  command  to  Orosswicks,  and  keep  a 
strict  watch  upon  the  enemy  in  this  quarter.  Keep  as 
many  spies  out  as  you  think  proper.    A  number  of  horse- 


692  ^^^  ^^  WASffmGTOX, 

men  in  the  dress  of  the  country  mnst  be  kept  0QU8faai% 
going  backwards  and  forwards  for  this  purpose.  If  yoa 
discover  any  motion  of  the  enemy  of  consequenoe,  let  me 
be  informed  thereof  as  soon  as  possible,  by  expross." 

To  (General  Heath,  also,  who  was  stationed  in  the 
Highlands  of  the  Hudson,  he  wrote  at  the  same  harried 
moment.  **  The  enemy  are  in  great  consternation ;  and 
as  the  panic  affords  us  a  favorable  opportunity  to  drive 
them  out  of  the  Jerseys,  it  has  been  determined  in  oo«m- 
cil  that  you  shoidd  move  down  towards  New  York  with 
a  considerable  force,  as  if  you  had  a  design  upon  the  city. 
That  being  an  object  of  great  importance,  the  enemy  will 
be  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  withdrawing  a  considerable 
part  of  their  force  from  the  Jerseys^  if  not  the  whole,  to 
secure  the  city." 

These  letters  despatched,  he  continued  forward  to 
Morristown,  where  at  length  he  came  to  a  halt  from  his 
incessant  and  harassing  marchings.  There  he  learnt 
that  General  Mercer  was  still  alive.  He  immediately 
sent  his  own  nephew,  Major  George  Lewis,  under  the 
protection  of  a  flag,  to  attend  upon  him.  Mercer  had 
indeed  been  kindly  nursed  by  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Clark 
and  a  negro  woman,  who  had  not  been  frightened  from 
their  home  by  the  storm  of  battle  which  raged  around  ii 
At  the  time  that  the  troops  of  Oomwallis  approached, 
Major  Armstrong  was  binding  up  Mercer's  wounds.  The 
latter  insisted  on  his  leaving  him  in  the  kind  hands  of 
Mr.  Clark's  household,  and  rejoining  the  army.    Lewis 


ORDERS  TO  UNOOLB.  593 

Connd  him  langnishiiig  in  great  pain;  he  had  been 
treated  with  respect  by  the  enemy,  and  great  tendemesa 
by  the  benevolent  &imily  who  had  sheltered  him.  He 
expired  in  the  arms  of  Major  Lewis  on  the  12th  of  Jan- 
nary,  in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  Dr.  Benjamin 
Bush,  afterwards  celebrated  as  a  physician,  was  with 
him  when  he  died. 

He  was  upright,  intelligent,  and  brave ;  esteemed  as  a 
soldier  and  beloved  as  a  man,  and  by  none  more  so  than 
by  Washington.  His  career  as  a  general  had  been  brief; 
but  long  enough  to  secure  him  a  lasting  renown.  His  name 
remains  one  of  the  consecrated  names  of  the  Bevolution, 

From  Morristown,  Washington  again  wrote  to  General 
Heath,  repeating  his  former  orders.  To  Major-general 
Lincoln,  also,  who  was  just  arrived  at  Peekskill,  and  had 
command  of  the  Massachusetts  militia,  he  writes  on  tha 
7th,  **  General  Heath  will  communicate  mine  of  this  date 
to  you,  by  which  you  will  find  that  the  greater  part  ol 
your  troops  are  to  move  down  towards  New  York,  to 
draw  the  attention  of  the  enemy  to  that  quarter ;  and  if 
they  do  not  throw  a  considerable  body  back  again,  you 
may,  in  all  probability,  carry  the  city,  or  at  least  block"^ 
ade  them  in  it.  .  •  •  •  Be  as  expeditious  as  possible 
in  moving  forward,  for  the  sooner  a  panic-struck  enemy 
is  followed  the  better.  If  we  can  oblige  them  to  evacuate 
the  Jerseys,  we  must  drive  them  to  the  utmost  distress ; 
for  they  have  depended  upon  the  supplies  from  that 
State  for  their  winter's  support" 

TOL.  n.— ^ 


594  XHV  OF  WASSmGTON. 

Oolonel  Beed  was  ordered  to  send  out  rangers  and 
bodies  of  militia  to  scour  the  country,  waylay  foragiiig 
parties,  cut  off  supplies,  and  keep  the  cantonments  of 
the  enemy  in  a  state  of  si^e.  ^'I  woidd  not  suffer  a 
man  to  stir  beyond  their  Unes,'*  writes  Washington,  "nor 
suffer  them  to  have  the  least  oommimication  with  the 
country." 

The  expedition  under  General  Heath  toward  New 
York,  from  which  much  had  been  anticipated  by  Wash- 
ington, proved  a  &dlure.  It  mored  in  three  divisioiUi 
by  different  routes,  but  all  arriving  nearly  at  the  same 
time  at  the  enemy's  outpost  at  King's  Bridge.  There 
was  some  skirmishing,  but  the  great  feature  of  the  expe- 
dition was  a  pompous  and  peremptory  summons  of  Fort 
Independence  to  surrender.  '^Tweniy  minutes  only  can 
be  allowed,"  said  Heath,  "  for  the  garrison  to  give  their 
answer,  and,  should  it  be  in  the  negative,  they  must 
abide  the  consequences."  The  garrison  made  no  answer 
but  an  occasional  cannonade.  Heath  failed  to  follow  np 
his  summons  by  corresponding  deeds.  He  hovered  and 
skirmished  for  some  days  about  the  outposts  and  Spjt 
den  Diiivel  Greek,  and  then  retired  before  a  threatened 
snow-storm,  and  the  report  of  an  enemy's  fleet  from 
Bhode  Island,  with  troops  under  Lord  Percy,  who  might 
land  in  Westchester,  and  take  the  besieging  force  in 
rear. 

Washington,  while  he  spoke  of  Heath's  failure  with  in- 
4ulgence  in  his  despatches  to  government,  could  not  but 


IRKBOMS  aiTJTATION  OF  CORITWALLIB.  695 

give  him  a  rebuke  in  a  priyate  letter.  ^'  Your  summonay** 
writes  he,  *^  as  yon  did  not  attempt  to  fulfill  your  threats, 
was  not  only  idle,  but  farcical ;  and  will  not  fail  of  turn- 
ing the  laugh  exceedingly  upon  us.  These  things  I 
mention  to  you  as  a  friendi  for  you  will  perceive  they 
have  composed  no  part  of  my  public  letter/' 

But  though  disappointed  in  this  part  of  his  plan^ 
Washington,  having  received  reinforcements  of  Tnili^ni^ 
continued,  with  his  scanty  army,  to  carry  on  his  system 
of  annoyance.  The  situation  of  Oomwallis,  who  but  a 
short  time  before  traversed  the  Jerseys  so  triumphantly, 
became  daily  more  and  more  irksome.  Spies  were  in  his 
camp,  to  give  notice  of  every  movement^  and  foes  without 
to  take  advantage  of  it ;  so  that  not  a  foraging  party  could 
sally  forth  without  being  waylaid.  By  degrees  he  drew 
in  his  troops  which  were  posted  about  the  country,  and 
collected  them  at  New  Brunswick  and  Amboy,  so  as  to 
have  a  communication  by  water  with  New  York,  whence 
he  was  now  compelled  to  draw  nearly  all  his  supplies ; 
**  presenting,"  to  use  the  words  of  Hamilton,  **  the  extra- 
ordinary spectacle  of  a  powerful  army,  straitened  within 
narrow  limits  by  the  phantom  of  a  military  force,  and 
never  permitted  to  transgress  those  limits  with  im- 
punity." 

In  fact,  the  recent  operations  in  the  Jerseys  had  sud- 
denly changed  the  whole  aspect  of  the  war,  and  given  a 
triumphant  close  to  what  had  been  a  disastrous  campaign. 

The  troops,  which  for  months  had  been  driven  from 


Ifd6  t'Ov  0^  WAasmGT^olf. 

post  to  posty  apparently  an  undisciplined  rabble,  had  all 
at  once  tnmed  upon  their  pursuers,  and  astounded  them 
by  brilliant  stratagems  and  daring  exploits.  The  com- 
mander, whose  cautious  policy  had  been  sneered  at  bj 
enemies,  and  regarded  with  impatience  by  misjudging 
friends,  had  all  at  once  shown  that  he  possessed  enter- 
prise as  well  as  circumspection,  energy  as  well  as  en- 
durance, and  that  beneath  his  wary  coldness  lurked  a  fire 
to  break  forth  at  the  proper  moment  This  year's  cam- 
paign, the  most  critical  one  of  the  war,  and  especially  the 
part  of  it  which  occurred  in  the  Jerseys,  was  the  ordeal 
that  made  his  great  qualities  fully  appreciated  by  IiiB 
countrymen,  and  gained  for  him  from  the  statesmen  and 
generals  of  Europe  the  appellation  of  the  Amebicau 
Fabius. 


KMD  or  TQUJUBn. 


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