Skip to main content

Full text of "Life of George Washington"

See other formats 


^f^^^ 


'RnU!!--    -^ 


^*^^ 


ff 


/••'.  • 


•       iprcsentcC)  to 

Zbc  Xibrar? 

of  tbe 

innipereit?  of  tToronto 

bs 


Dr.F.Amold  Clarkson 


TS^ 


T^ 


._ i 


j^^ 


^ 


\Mm 


I  I 

I 


Y^' 


LIFE 


OF 


GEORGE     WASHINGTON 


~>-:^gI~=^^_^_=-j^-v£fx 


fT^ 


1 


LIFE 


OF 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


BY 

WASHINGTON  IRVING. 


IN  FIVE  VOLS. 
VOL.  IL 


NEW     YORK: 

G.    P.    PUTNAM;     IIURD    AND    HOUGHTON. 

401  Broadway,  cok.  Walker  St.  «-x  \0 


1865. 


<b 


Kntered  according  to  Act  of  Conj^ress,  in  the  year  1855,  by 

G.   P.  PUTNAM  &  CO., 

Ill  thtC'lfrks  Ortire  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  Southern 

District  of  New  York 


lllVRKSIDE,     CAMBRIDQK: 
PRINTBI)   BY    H.    0.    HOUGHTON    AND   COMPANY. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II. 


CHAPTEE  I. 

PAGB. 

Washington  takes  commaud  of  the  Armies — Sketch  of  General  Lee — Characters  of  the 
British  Commanders,  Howe,  Clinton,  and  Burgoyne — Survey  of  the  Camps  from 
Prospect  Hill — The  Camps  contrasted — Description  of  the  Eevolutionary  Army — 
Ehode  Island  Troops — Character  of  General  Greene — "Washington  represents  the 
Deficiencies  of  the  Army — His  Apology  for  the  Massachusetts  Troops — Governor 
Trumbull— Cragie  House,  Washington's  Head-Quarters 1 


CHAPTEE  II. 

Questions  cf  Military  Eank — Popularity  of  Putnam — Arrangements  at  Head-Quarters 
— Colonel  Mifflin  and  John  Trumbull,  Aides-de  Camp — Josepli  Eeed,  Washington's 
Secretary  and  confidential  friend — Gates  as  Adjutant-General — Hazardous  Situation 
of  the  Army— Strengthening  of  the  Defences— Efficiency  of  Putnam — Eapid  Changes 
— New  Distribution  of  the  Forces — Eigid  Discipline — Lee  and  his  cane — His  Idea 
as  to  Strong  Battalions — Arrival  of  Eifle  Companies — Daniel  Morgan  and  his  Sharp 
Shooters — Washington  declines  to  detach  Troops  to  distant  points  for  their  Protec- 
tion— His  Eeasons  for  so  doing 12 


CHAPTEE  IIL 

Washington's  Object  in  distressing  Boston — Scarcity  and  Sickness  in  the  Town — A 
Startling  Discovery — Scarcity  of  Powder  in  the  Camp — Its  Perilous  Situation — 
Economy  of  Ammunition — Correspondence  between  Lee  and  Burgoyne — Corres- 
pondence between  Washington  and  Gage — The  Dignity  of  the  Patriot  Army 
asserted 22 


CHAPTEE  IV. 

Dangers  in  the  Interior — Machinations  of  the  Johnson  Family — Eivalry  of  Ethan 
Allen  and  Benedict  Arnold — Government  Perplexities  about  the  Ticonderoga  Cap- 
ture— Measures  to  secure  the  Prize — Allen  and  Arnold  ambitious  of  further  Laurels 


VI  CONTENTS. 


PAOB 

— Pn'Jccts  for  Uic  Inviislon  of  Caiiiula— Etliiui  Allen  and  Scth  Warner  honored  by 
Congrt'Sa— Arnold  displaced  by  a  Coniinitlee  of  Inrjuiry— His  Indignation— News 
from  Canuda— The  liuvoliitlon  to  he  extended  Into  that  Province — Enlistment  of 
Green  MountiUn  Boys— Selmjler  nt  Ticonderoga— State  of  Affairs  there— Election 
for  Odlccrs  of  tho  Green  Mountain  Boys— Ethan  Allen  dismounted— Joins  tho 
Army  os  n  Volunteer—Preparations  for  tho  Invasion  of  Canada— General  Mont- 
gomery—Indian Cldcf:^  at  Cambridge— Council  Fire— Plan  for  an  Expedition 
against  Quebec— Departure  of  Troops  from  Ticonderoga — Arrival  at  Islo  aux  Noix,    32 


CHAPTER  V. 

A  Challenge  declined— A  Blow  meditated— A  cautious  Council  of  War- Preparations 
for  the  Quebec  Expedition— Benedict  Arnold  the  Leader— Advice  and  Instructions 
— Departure- General  Schuyler  on  the  Sorel— Reconnoitres  St.  Johns — Camp  at 
Isle  aux  Noix- Illness  of  Schuyler— Returns  to  Ticonderoga— Expedition  of  Mont- 
comery  against  St.  Jotins — Letter  of  Ethan  Allen— His  Dash  against  Montreal— Its 
Catastrophe — A  Hero  in  Irons — Correspondence  of  Washington  with  Schuyler  and 
Arnold — His  Anxiety  about  them 49 


CHAPTER  VL 

British  in  Boston  send  out  Cruisers — Depredations  of  Captain  Wallace  along  the  Coast 
— Treason  in  the  Camp — Arrest  of  Dr.  Church — His  Trial  and  Fate — Conflagration 
of  Falmouth — Irritation  throughout  the  Country — Fitting  out  of  Vessels  of  War — 
Embarication  of  General  Gage  for  England — Committee  from  Congress — Conferences 
with  Washington — Resolutions  of  Congress  to  carry  on  the  War — Return  (  f  Secre- 
tary Reed  to  Philadelphia 67 


^  CHAPTER  VIL 

Measures  of  General  Howe — Desecration  of  Churches — Three  Proclamations — Seizure 
of  Tories— Want  of  Artillery — Henry  Knox,  the  Artillerist — His  Mission  to  Ticon- 
deroga—Re-enlistment  of  Troops — Lack  of  Public  Spirit — Comments  of  General 
Greene.., 7T 


CHAPTER  VIIL 

Airairs  in  Canada — Capture  of  Fort  Chamblee — Siege  of  St  Johns — Maclean  and  his 
Highlanders — Montgomery  on  the  Treatment  of  Ethan  Allen — Repulse  of  Carleton 
— Capitulation  of  the  Garrison  of  St.  Johns — Generous  Conduct  of  Montgomery — 
Maclean  re-embarks  fur  Quebec — Weary  Struggle  of  Arnold  through  the  Wilderness 
— Defection  of  Colonel  Enos — Arnold  in  the  Valley  of  the  Chaudiere — Ilis  Arrival 
opposite  Quebec— Surrender  of  Montreal — Escape  of  Carleton — Home  sickness  of 
the  American  Troops. 83 


CONTENTS.  VU 

CHAPTER  IX- 

PAGK 

"Washington's  anticipations  of  Success  at  Quebec — His  Eulogium  of  Arnold— Sctiuyler 
and  Montgomery  talk  of  resigning— Expostulations  of  Washington — Tlieii*  Effect — 
Schuyler's  Conduct  to  a  Captive  Foe 95 

CHAPTER  X. 

DifiSculties  in  filling  up  the  Army — ^The  Connecticut  Troops  persist  in  going  Home — 
Tlicir  reception  there — Timely  Arrival  of  Spoils  in  the  Camp — Putnam  and  the 
Prize  Mortar — A  Maraud  by  Americans — Rebuked  by  Washington — Correspond- 
ence of  Washington  with  General  Howe  about  the  treatment  of  Ethan  Allen- 
Fraternal  zeal  of  Levi  Allen — Treatment  of  General  Prescott — Preparations  to  Bom- 
bai'd  Boston— Battery  at  Lechmere's  Point— Prayer  of  Putnam  for  Powder 100 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Mount  Vernon  in  Danger — Mrs.  Washington  invited  to  the  Camp — Lund  Washington, 
the  General's  Agent — Terms  on  which  he  serves — Instructed  to  keep  up  the  Hos- 
pitality of  the  House— Journey  of  Mrs.  Washington  to  Camp — Iler  Equipage  and 
Liveries — Arrival  at  Camp — Domestic  Atfairs  at  Head- Quarters — Gayeties  in  Camp 
— A  Brawl  between  Round-Jackets  and  Rifle-Shiils 110 

CHAPTER  XIL 

Affairs  in  Canada — Arnold  at  Point  Levi— Quebec  reinforced — Crossing  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence— Landing  in  Wolfe's  Cove — Arnold  on  the  Heights  of  Abraham — Cautious 
Counsel — Quebec  aroused — The  Invaders  baffled — Withflraw  to  Point  aux  Trembles 
— Booming  of  Cannon — Carleton  at  Quebec— Letter  of  Washington  to  Arnold 118 

CHAPTER  XIIL 

Lord  Dunmore— His  Plans  of  harassing  Virginia — Lee's  Policy  respecting  Tory  Gover- 
nors and  Placemen — Rhode  Island  harassed  by  Wallace  and  his  Cruisers,  and  in- 
fested by  Tories— Lee  sent  to  its  Relief— His  Vigorous  Measures — The  Army  dis- 
banding— Washington's  Perplexities — Sympathy  of  General  Greene — His  Loyalty 
in  time  of  Trouble— The  Crisis — Cheering  News  from  Canada— Gloomy  Opening  of 
the  New  Year- News  from  Colonel  Knox 124 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Military  Preparations  in  Boston — A  Secret  Expedition — Its  Object — Lee's  Plan  for  the 
Security  of  New  York — Opinion  of  Adams  on  the  Subject— Instructions  to  Lee — 
Transactions  of  Lee  in  Connecticut— Lee's  Policy  in  regard  to  the  Tories — Uneasi- 
ness in  New  York— Letter  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  to  Lee — His  Reply— His 
Opinion  of  the  People  of  Connecticut — Of  the  Hysterical  Letter  from  the  New  York 
Congress 133 


Vjll  CONTENTS. 

CllArTKU  XV. 

I-AGB 

MontRoinory  bofitro  Quebec— TTIs  rinn  of  Oporallons— A  Summons  to  Surrender— A 
y\,\g  Insullcd— Tlio  Town  Besieged— Plan  of  iin  Escalade— Attack  of  the  Lower 
Town— Montgomery  in  tlic  Advance— His  Deatli— Retreat  of  Colonel  Campbell- 
Attack  by  Arnold— Defence  of  the  Lower  Town— Arnold  -wounded— Retreat  of  tlio 
Americans- Gallant  Resolve  of  Arnold 141 

CHAPTER  XVL 

("orrospondenco  of  Wftshington  and  Schuyler  on  tlio  disasters  in  Canada— Reinforce- 
ments reciuiivd  from  Now  England- Dangers  in  the  Interior  of  New  York— John- 
son Hall  IJeleaguered- SirJolm  Capitulates— Generous  Conduct  of  Schuyler — Gov- 
ernor Tryon  and  the  Tories— Tory  Machinations — Leo  at  New  York— Sir  Henry 
Clinton  in  the  Harbor— Menaces  of  Lee- The  City  and  River  fortified- Lee's  Treat- 
ment of  the  Tories— His  Plans  of  Fortification— Ordered  to  the  Command  in  Canada 
— Uis  Speculations  on  Titles  of  Dignity 153 

CHAPTER  XVIL 

Monotonous  State  of  AlTairs  before  Boston— Washington  anxious  for  Action— Exploit 
of  Putnam— Its  Dramatic  Consequences— The  Farce  of  the  Blockade  of  Boston— 
An  Alarnnng  Interruption— Distresses  of  the  Besieged— Washington's  Irksome 
Predicament — His  Bold  Proposition — Demur  of  the  Council  of  War — Arrival  of 
Knox  with  Artillery — Dorchester  Heights  to  be  seized  and  fortified — Preparations 
for  the  Attempt 164 

CHAPTER  XVIIL 

The  affair  of  Dorchester  Heights — ximcrican  and  English  Letters  respecting  it — A  Labo- 
rious Night— Revelations  at  Daybreak — Howe  in  a  Perplexity — A  Night  Attack 
meditated — Stormy  Weather — The  Town  to  be  evacuated — Negotiations  and  Ar- 
rangements— Prej^rations  to  Embark — Excesses  of  the  Troops— Boston  Evacuated 
—Speech  of  the  Duke  of  Manchester  on  the  subject— A  Medal  voted  by  Congress..  171 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Destination  of  the  Fleet — Commission  of  the  two  Howes — Character  of  Lord  Howe — 
,  The  Colonies  divided  into  Departments — Lee  assigned  to  the  Southern  Department 
^General  Thomas  to  Cannda — Character  of  Lee,  by  Washington — Letters  of  Lee 
from  the  South — A  Dog  in  a  Dancing  School — Committee  of  Safety  in  Virginia — 
Lee's  Grenadiers — Putnam  in  Command  at  New  York— State  of  Affairs  there — 
Arrival  of  Washington — New  Arrangements — Perplexities  with  respect  to  Canada 
— England  subsidizes  Hessian  Troops 1S6 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Arnold  blockades  Quebec — His  Difficulties — Arrival  of  General  Wooster— Of  General 
Thomas — Abortive  Attempt  on  Quebec — Preparations  for  Retreat — Sortie  of  Carle- 


CONTENTS.  IX 


PAGE 

ton— Retreat  of  the  Americans— Halt  at  Point  Deschambeault — Alarm  in  the  Colo- 
nies at  the  Eeti'eat  Of  the  Army — Popular  Clamor  against  Schuyler— Slanders 
refuted -• 198 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Gates  sent  to  Philadelphia  with  the  Canada  Despatches— Promoted  to  the  rank  of 
Major-General — "Washington  Summoned  to  Philadelphia— Putnam  left  in  Com- 
mand— Conference  with  Congress — Army  Arrangements — A  Board  of  War  insti- 
tuted— The  Clintons  of  New  York — Mrs.  Washington  Inoculated — Reed  made  Ad- 
jutant-General   206 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

Affairs  in  Canada — Disaster  at  the  Cedars — Hostile  Designs  of  the  Johnsons — A  Bloody 
Summer  expected — Forts  in  the  Highlands — Colonel  James  Clinton  in  Command 
— Fortifications  at  King's  Bridge  and  on  Long  Island 212 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Retreat  of  General  Thomas — His  Death — General  Sullivan  in  Command — Scene  on  tl.e 
Sorel — Sanguine  Expectations  of  Sullivan — Washington's  Opinion  of  Sullivan's 
Character — Gates  appointed  to  the  Command  in  Canada — Reinforcements  of  the 
Enemy— Reverses — Thompson  Captured— Retreat  of  Sullivan— Close  of  the  Inva- 
sion of  Canada 220 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Designs  of  the  Enemy  against  New  York  and  the  Hudson — Plot  of  Tryon  and  the 
Tories — Arrival  of  a  Fleet — Alarm  Posts — Treachery  up  the  Hudson — Fresh  Arri- 
vals— General  Howe  at  Staten  Island — Washington's  Preparationa 228 


CHAPTER  x:-:v. 

First  Appearance  of  Alexander  Hamilton — His  Early  Days — General  Hugh  Mercer  in 
command  of  the  Flying  Camp — Declaration  of  Independence — Announced  to  the 
Army — Downfall  of  the  King's  Statue 237 


CHAPTER  XXYI. 

Arrival  of  more  Ships — Movements  of  the  Phoenix  and  the  Rose — Panic  in  the  City — 
Hostile  Ships  up  the  Hudson — Stir  of  War  along  the  River — General  George  Clin- 
ton, and  the  Militia  of  Ulster  County — Fresh  Agitation  of  New  York — ^Arrival  of 
Lord  Howe 244 


X  CONTENTS. 

ciiAiTKu  xxvir. 

PAOB 

rrc^-ititlons  ngaln!<t  Tories— Secret  CoiiiiiiiUcc»— Doclnralion  of  Lord  IIowg— His  Lct- 
lor  lo  tho  Culiinlul  Oovornors— Ills  Licttcr  to  Wasliinyton  rejected — Interview  Lo- 
tweeti  llio  lirltlsli  A<ljulurit-Ocnc'raI  and  Colom-l  Kecd— Koccpiion  of  Uie  Adjutant- 
Ociu-rnl  by  "Wiusliinijloii— Tlio  riitrnlx  and  IJoso  in  the  Tappiin  Sea,  and  llaver- 
Btrnw  IJay— Arinlug  of  the  Itlver  Yooniaury— George  Cliuton  at  the  Gates  of  tho 
llighhuidu. 250 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Qiiestiun  «if  Command  between  Gates  and  Sclinyler— Condition  of  the  Army  at  Crown 
Point — Discontent  and  Departure  of  Sullivan — Fortifications  at  Ticonderoga — The 
Quotlon  of  Command  adjusted — Secret  Discontents — Sectional  Jealousies  in  tho 
Army — Southern  Troops — Suialhvood's  Macaroni  Battalion — Connecticut  Light- 
Horse 260 

CIIAPTEPw  XXIX. 

Southern  Crtiisc  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton— Fortifications  at  Charleston — ^Arrival  there  of 
General  Lee— Battle  at  Sullivan's  Island — Washington  Announces  the  result  to  the 
Army 272 

CHAPTEE  XXX. 

Putnam's  Military  Projects— Chevaux-dc-frise  at  Fort  Washington— Meditated  Attack 
on  Statcn  Island — Arrival  of  Ships — Hessian  Eeinforcements — Scotch  Highlanders 
— Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  Lord  Cornwallis— Putnam's  Obstructions  of  the  Hudson 
—The  Phoenix  and  Rose  Attacked  by  Row  Galleys  at  Tarrytown- General  Order 
of  Washington  on  the  subject  of  Sectional  Jealousies — Profane  Swearing  prohibited 
in  the  Camp — Preparations  against  Attack — Levies  of  Yeomanry — George  Ointon 
in  Command  of  tfie  Levies  along  the  Hudson— Alarms  of  the  People  of  New  York 
—Benevolent  Sympathy  of  Washington — The  Phoenix  Grappled  by  a  Fire-Ship — 
The  Shii)s  Evacuate  the  Hudson 279 

CHAPTER  XXXL 
Tho  Battle  of  Long  Island 291 

CHAPTER  XXXIL 
The  Retreat  from  Long  Island 310 

CHAPTER  XXXIIL 

Long  Island  in  Possession  of  the  Enemy— Distressed  Situation  of  the  American  Army 
at  New  York— Question  of  Abandoning  the  City— Letters  from  either  CamD— 
Enemy's  Ships  in  the  Sound— Removal  of  Women  and  Children  from  the  City- 
Yearning  for  Home  among  the  Militia— Tolerant  Ideas  of  Washington  and  Greene 
-  -Fort  Constitution — Conference  of  Lord  Howe  with  a  Committee  from  Congi-ess.  318 


CONTENTS.  XI 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

FAOB 

Movements  of  the  Enemy — Councils  of  "War— Question  of  the  Abandonment  of  the  City 
— Distribution  of  the  Army — Ships  in  the  East  Elver — The  Enemy  at  Hell  Gate — 
Skirmish  at  Turtle  Bay — Panic  of  the  Connecticut  Militia — Eage  and  Personal  Peril 
of  Washington — Putnam's  Perilous  Eetreat  from  the  City — British  Eegalo  at 
Murray  HUl 828 

CHAPTER  XXXY. 

Fortified  Camp  at  King's  Bridge— American  and  British  Lines — The  Morris  House — 
Alexander  Hamilton — The  Enemy  Advance — Successful  Skirmish — Death  of 
Knowlton — Great  Fire  in  New  York— Eeorganization  of  the  Army — Exchange  of 
Prisoners— Daniel  Morgan  Regained — De  Lancey's  Tory  Brigade — Robert  Rogers, 
the  Partisan — His  Eangers — The  Eoebuck,  Phoenix,  and  Tartar  in  the  Hudson — 
Military  Movements  by  Land  and  Water — Letter  of  John  Jay 837 

CHAPTER  XXXVL 

Lee  expected  in  Camp— His  Letter  of  Advice  to  the  President  of  Congress — ^The  Enemy 
at  Throg's  Neck — Washington's  Arrangements — Rides  to  Throg's  Neck — The 
Enemy  brought  to  a  Stand — Military  Movements — Arrival  of  Lee — A  Command 
assigned  to  Him — Criticises  the  Conduct  of  Congress  and  the  Army — Council  of 
War— The  Army  to  move  to  the  Mainland — Fort  Washington  to  be  kept  up. 354 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

Army  Arrangements — Washington  at  White  Plains— The  Enemy  at  Throg's  Point — 
Skirmishof  Colonel  Glover — 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 — Reconnoitring — The  Affair 
at  Chatterton  Hill — Relative  Situation  of  the  Armies — Change  of  Position — Contrast 
of  the  Appearance  of  the  Troops — George  Clinton's  Idea  of  Strategy — Movement  of 
the  British  Army — Incendiaries  at  White  Plains 362 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

Conjectures  as  to  the  Intentions  of  the  Enemy — Consequent  Precautions— Correspond- 
ence with  Greene  respecting  Fort  Washington — Distribution  of  the  Army — Lee  left 
in  Command  at  Northcastle — Instructions  to  Him — Washington  at  Peekskill — 
Visits  to  the  Posts  in  the  Highlands 376 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Affairs  on  Lake  Cham  plain— Gates  at  Ticonderoga — Arnold's  Flotilla— Military  Pre- 
parations of  Sir  Guy  Carleton  at  St.  John's — Nautical  Encounters — Gallant  Conduct 
of  Arnold  and  Waterbury — Carleton  in  Possession  of  Crown  Point — His  return  to 
Canada  and  Winter  Quarters 3S4 

CHAPTER  XL. 

Washington  Crosses  the  Hudson— Arrives  at  Fort  Lee — Affairs  at  Fort  Washington — 
Question  about  its  Abandonment — Movements  of  Howe — The  Fort  summoned  to 
Surrender— Refusal  of  Colonel  McGaw— The  Fort  Attacked— Capture  of  the  Fort 
and  Garrison — Comments  of  Washington  on  the  State  of  Affairs 392 


Xii  CONTENTS. 

ClIArTEll  XLI. 

TAOtf 

Tho  Enemy  Crow  Iho  llu<l.s)ii— Kotrofit  of  tho  Oarrisou  from  Fort  Loc— The  Crossing 
of  tho  HnckiMisHck— Lot"  Ordered  to  Move  to  tho  West  fildo  of  tho  Kivcr— Heed's 
Lctltr  to  lllm— yecond  Move  of  tho  Army  Beyond  tho  Passaic— Assistance  sought 
ft-om  various  quarters— Corrospoudcnco  and  Schemes  of  Loc— Heath  stanch  to  iiia 
Instructions— Anxiety  of  George  Clinton  for  the  Safety  of  tho  Hudson— Critical 
Situation  of  liio  Army— Disparaging  Correspondence  between  Leo  and  Reed— 
Waslilngton  Retreats  across  tlio  Raritan— Arrives  at  Trenton— Removes  his  Bng- 
gago  across  tlio  Delaware— Dismay  and  Despondency  of  tho  Country— Proclama- 
tion of  Lord  Uowc— Exultation  of  the  Enemy— Washington's  Resolve  in  case  of 
Extremity 408 


I 


9 


CUAPTER  XLII. 


.1b$  at  Pcekskill— Stanch  Adlierence  of  Ileath  to  Orders— Lee  Crosses  tho  Hudson — 
Washington  at  Trenton— Leo  at  tho  heels  of  the  Enemy — His  Speculations  oa 
Military  Greatness — Forced  March  of  Cornwallis — Washington  Crosses  tho  Dela- 
ware— Putnam  in  Command  at  Philadelphia— Baffling  Letters  of  Leo — Hopes  to 
Reconquer  tho  Jerseys— Gates  on  tho  March — Lee  Quartered  at  Baskingridge— 
Surprised  and  Captured- Speculations  on  his  Conduct. > 423 

CHAPTER  XLIIL 

Washington  Clothed  with  Additional  Powers— Recruitment  of  the  Army— Increased 
Pay — Colonel  John  Cadwalader — Arrival  of  Sullivan— Gates — Wilkinson — A  Coup 
de  Main  Meditated— Posture  of  Affairs  at  Trenton— Gates  Declines  to  take  a  Part 
— His  Comments  on  Washington's  Plans — Preparations  for  tho  Coup  de  Main — 
Crossing  of  the  Delaware — Attack  on  the  Enemy's  Forces  at  Trenton — Death  of 
Eahl— His  Character. 438 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 

Treatment  of  the  Hessian  Prisoners — Their  Interviews  with  Washington— Their  Recep- 
tion by  the  People 459 

CHAPTER  XLV. 

Episode — Colonel  Griffin  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  bacfc 
through  the  Country— Washington  made  Military  Dictator 463 

CHAPTER  XLVI. 

Howe  hears  of  the  Affair  at  Trenton — Cornwallis  sent  back  to  the  Jerseys— Recon- 
noitring Expedition  of  Reed— His  Exploits — Washington  in  Peril  at  Trenton— Re- 
inforced by  Troops  under  Cadwalader  and  Mifflin — Position  of  his  Men— Corn- 
wallis at  Trenton— Repulsed  at  the  Assanpink— The  American  Camp  Menaced — 
Night  March  of  Washington— Affair  at  Princeton— Death  of  Mercer— Rout  of 
British  Troops— Pursued  by  Washington— Cornwallis  at  Princeton— Baffled  and 
Perplexed— Washington  at  Morristown— His  System  of  Annoyance— The  Tables 
Turned  upon  the  Enemy 470 


LIFE   OF   WASHOGTOI. 


CHAPTER    I. 

WASmNGTON  TAKES  COMMAND  OF  THE  AKMIES— SKETCH  OF  GENERAL  LEE — 
CHARACTERS  OF  THE  BRITISH  COMMANDERS,  HOWE,  CLINTON,  AND  BUR- 
GOYNE SURVEY  OF  THE  CAMPS  FROM  PROSPECT  HILL THE  CAMPS  CON- 
TRASTED  DESCRIPTION     OF    THE     REVOLUTIONARY     ARMY RHODE    ISLAND 

TROOPS — CHARACTER   OF  GENERAL  GREENE — WASHINGTON  REPRESENTS   THE 

DEFICIENCIES      OF     THE     ARMY HIS      APOLOGY     FOR     THE     MASSACHUSETTS 

TROOPS GOVERNOR     TRUMBULL CRAGIE     HOUSE,     WASHINGTON'S     HEAD- 
QUARTERS.' 

On  the  3d  of  July,  the  morning  after  his  arrival  at  CamhridgOj 
Washington  took  formal  command  of  the  army.  It  was  drawn 
up  on  the  Common  about  half  a  mile  from  head-quarters.  A 
multitude  had  assembled  there,  for  as  yet  military  spectacles 
were  novelties,  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  Washington, 
as  he  arrived  from  head-quarters  accompanied  by  Greneral  Lee  and 
VOL.  u. — 1 


2  LIFE    OF    WARIIINOTON.  [1775. 

a  miincrous  snito,  wlioolcd  liis  liorsc;,  and  dnsw  liis  sword  as 
coiuiiKUidcr-iii-cliiof  of  tlu;  aniiics.  We  liavo  cited  the  poetical 
description  of  liiiii  furnished  by  tlio  |)cii  of  Mrs.  Adams;  we 
give  her  Bkctcb  of  his  military  compeer — less  poetical,  but  no 
less  graphic. 

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

Accompanied  by  this  veteran  campaigner,  on  whoscr  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  acquaint- 
ed with  the  strength  and  relative  position  of  both  armies:  and 
here  we  will  give  a  few  particulars  concerning  the  distinguished 
commanders  jvith  whom  he  was  brought  immediately  in  compe- 
tition. 

Congress,  speaking  of  them  reproachfully,  observed,  "  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  deportment.  He  is  said  to  have  been  not  unlike  Wash- 
ington in  appearance,  though  wanting  his  energy  and  activity. 
He  lacked  also  his  air  of  authority;  but  affability  of  manners, 
and  a  generous  disposition,  made  him  popular  with  both  officers 
and  soldiers. 

There  was  a  sentiment  in  his  favor  even  among  Americans  at 
the  time  when  he  arrived  at  Boston.     It  was  remembered  that 

*  Mrs.  Adams  to  John  Adams,  1775. 


ABIGAIL    ADAMS. 


1775.]  HOWE — CLINTON— BURGOTNE.  3 

he  was  brother  to  the  gallant  and  generous  youth,  Lord  Howe, 
who  fell  in  the  flower  of  his  days,  on  the  banks  of  Lake  George, 
and  whose  untimely  death  had  been  lamented  throughout  the 
colonies.  It  was  remembered  that  the  general  himself  had  won 
reputation  in  the  same  campaign,  commanding  the  light  infantry 
under  Wolfe,  on  the  famous  plains  of  Abraham.  A  mournful 
feeling  had  therefore  gone  through  the  country,  when  General 
Howe  was  cited  as  one  of  the  British  commanders  who  had  most 
distinguished  themselves  in  the  bloody  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill. 
Congress  spoke  of  it  with  generous  sensibility,  in  their  address 
to  the  people  of  Ireland  already  quoted.  "  America  is  amazed," 
said  they,  "  to  find  the  name  of  Howe  on  the  catalogue  of  her 
enemies — she  loved  his  brother  !  " 

General  Henry  Clinton,  the  next  in  command,  was  grandson 
of  the  Earl  of  Lincoln,  and  son  of  George  Clinton,  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  corpu- 
lency ;  with  a  full  face  and  prominent  nose.  His  manners  were 
reserved,  and  altogether  he  was  in  strong  contrast  with  Howe, 
and  by  no  means  so  popular. 

Burgoyne,  the  other  British  general  of  note,  was  natural  son 
of  Lord  Bingley,  and  had  entered  the  army  at  an  early  age. 
While  yet  a  subaltern,  he  had  made  a  runaway  match  with  a 
daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Derby,  who  threatened  never  to  admit 
the  ofienders  to  his  presence.  In  1758,  Burgoyne  was  a  lieu- 
tenant-colonel of  light  dragoons.  In  1761,  he  was  sent  with  a 
force  to  aid  the  Portuguese  against  the  Spaniards,  joined  the 
army  commanded  by  the  Count  de  la  Lippe,  and  signalized  him- 
self by  surprising  and  capturing  the  town  of  Alcantara.      He 


4  LIFE   OF    WA8IIINUT0N.  [1775. 

had  since  been  elected  to  Parliament  for  the  borough  of  Middle- 
sex,  and  dis])layed  considerable  parliamentary  talents.  In  1772, 
he  was  made  a  major-general.  His  taste,  wit,  and  intelligence, 
and  his  aptness  at  devising  and  promoting  elegant  amusements, 
made  him  lur  a  time  a  leader  in  the  gay  world ;  though  Junius 
accuses  him  of  unfair  practices  at  the  gaming  table.  His  repu- 
tation for  talents  and  services  had  gradually  mollified  the  heart 
of  his  father-in-law,  the  Earl  of  Derby.  In  1774,  he  gave  celeb- 
rity to  the  marriage  of  a  son  of  the  Earl  with  Lady  Betty  Hamil- 
ton, by  producing  an  elegant  dramatic  trifle,  entitled,  "  The  Maid 
of  the  Oaks,"  afterwards  performed  at  Drury  Lane,  and  honored 
with  a  biting  sarcasm  by  Horace  Walpole.  "  There  is  a  new 
puppet-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  it."* 

It  is  but  justice  to  Burgoyne's  memory  to  add,  that  in  after 
years  he  produced  a  dramatic  work,  "  The  Heiress,"  which  ex- 
torted even  Walpole's  approbation,  who  pronounced  it  the  gen- 
teelest  comedy  in  the  Ei^lish  language. 

Such  were  the  three  British  commanders  at  Boston,  who  were 
considered  especially  formidable ;  and  they  had  with  them  eleven 
thousand  veteran  troops,  well  appointed  and  well  disciplined. 

In  visiting  the  different  posts,  Washington  halted  for  a  time 
at  Prospect  Hill,  which,  as  its  name  denotes,  commanded  a  wide 
view  over  Boston  and  the  surrounding  country.  Here  Putnam 
had  taken  his  position  after  the  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill,  fortify- 
ing himself  with  works  which  he  deemed  impregnable ;  and  hero 
the  veteran  was  enabled  to  point  out  to  the  commander-in-chief, 

*  Walpole  to  the  Hon.  W.  S.  Conway. 


JOUN   BUKQOYNB. 


1775.]  SURVEY    FROM    PROSPECT    HILL.  5 

and  to  Lee,  the  main  features  of  the  belligerent  rep;ion,  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  Greueral  Howe  was  intrenching  itself  strongly  about 
half  a  mile  beyond  the  place  of  the  recent  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  Charlestown  in  ashes,  "  nothing  to  be 
seen  of  that  fine  town  but  chimneys  and  rubbish." 

Howe's  sentries  extended  a  hundred  and  fifty  yards  beyond 
the  neck  or  isthmus,  over  which  the  Americans  retreated  after 
the  battle.  Three  floating  batteries  in  Mystic  E-iver  commanded 
this  isthmus,  and  a  twenty-gun  ship  was  anchored  between  the 
peninsula  and  Boston. 

General  Gage,  the    commander-in-chief,  still    had    his  head- 
quarters in  the  town,  but  there  were  few  troops  there  besides- 
Burgoyne's  light-horse.     A  large  force,  however,  was  intrenched 
south  of  the  town  on  the  neck  leading  to  Roxbury, — the  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  reconnoitred  the  British  posts  from  various  points 
of  view.  Every  thing  about  them  was  in  admirable  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,  disappointed  him.  He  had  expected  to  find 
eighteen  or  twenty  thousand  men  under  arms;  there  were  not 


6  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  r^77r>. 

much  moro  thau  fourteen  thousand.  ]Ie  had  expected  to  find 
some  degree  of  system  and  discipline ;  whereas  all  were  raw 
militia,  lie  had  expected  to  find  works  scientifically  construct- 
ed, and  proofs  of  knowledge  and  skill  in  engineering ;  whereas, 
what  he  saw  of  the  latter  was  very  imperfect,  and  confined  to 
the  mere  manual  exercise  of  cannon.  There  was  abundant  evi- 
dence of  aptness  at  trenching  and  throwing  up  rough  defences; 
and  in  that  way  General  Thomas  had  fortified  Roxbury  Neck, 
and  Putnam  had  strengthened  Prospect  Hill.  But  the  semi- 
circular line  which  linked  the  extreme  posts,  was  formed  of 
rudely-constructed  works,  far  too  extensive  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  defe^ided  by  ships  and  floating  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," 
gays  a  contemporary,  "  is,  starve  them  out.  Drive  them  from 
the  town,  and  let  His  Majesty's  ships  be  their  only  place  of 
refuge." 

In  riding  throughout  Ihe  camp,  Washington  observed  that 
nine  thousand  of  the  troops  belonged  to  Massachusetts;  the  rest 


'''•'^-l  AMERICAN    ARMY GREENE.  7   * 

were  from  other  provinces.  They  were  encamped  in  separate 
bodies,  each  with  its  own  regulations,  and  officers  of  its  own 
appointment.  Some  had  tents,  others  were  in  barracks,  and 
others  sheltered  themselves  as  best  they  might.  Many  were 
Badly  in  want  of  clothing,  and  all,  said  Washington,  were  strong- 
ly imbued  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  primitive  army  of  the  Revolution.  "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  portraiture  of  the  temper  and  taste  of  the 
persons  who  encamp  in  it.  Some  are  made  of  boards,  and  some 
are  made  of  sail-cloth;  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  contrast 
with  the  rest,  and  might  vie  with  those  of  the  British  for  order 
and  exactness.  Here  were  tents  and  marquees  pitched  in  the 
English  style ;  soldiers  well  drilled  and  well  equipped ;  every 
thing  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  G-reene,  of  that  prov- 
ince, whose  subsequent  renown  entitles  him  to  an  introduction  to 
the  reader. 

Nathaniel  Greene  was  born  in  Rhode  Island,  on  the  26th  of 
May,  1742.  His  father  was  a  miller,  an  anchor-smith,  and  a 
Quaker  preacher.     The  waters  of  the  Potowhammet  turned  the 

*  The  Rev.  William  Emerson. 


8  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [^^75 

whoelrf  of  tlio  mill,  niul  riiiscd  tlie  ponderous  Hledgc-hammer  of 
the  forge.  Greene,  in  his  boyhood,  followed  the  plough,  and 
occasionally  worked  at  the  forge  of  his  father.  His  education 
■was  of  an  ordinary  kind;  but  having  an  early  thirst  for  knowl- 
edge, he  applied  himself  sedulously  to  various  studies,  while 
subsisting  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  instructive  in  con- 
versation, and  his  letters,  still  extant,  show  that  he  held  an  able 
pen. 

In  the  late  turn  of  public  affairs,  he  had  caught  the  belliger- 
ent spirit  prevalent  throughout  the  country.  Plutarch  and 
Caesar's  Commentaries  became  his  delight.  He  applied  himself 
to  military  studies,  for  which  he  was  prepared  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  visit  to  Boston,  he  had  taken  note  of  every  thing  about  the 
discipline  of  the  British  troops.  In  the  month  of  May,  he  had 
been  elected  commandei>of  the  Rhode  Island  contingent  of  the 
army  of  observation,  and  in  June  had  conducted  to  the  lines 
before  Boston,  three  regiments,  whose  encampment  we  have  just 
described,  and  who  were  pronounced  the  best  disciplined  and 
appointed  troops  in  the  army. 

Greene  made  a  soldier-like  address  to  Washington,  welcoming 
him  to  the  camp.  His  appearance  and  manner  were  calculated 
to  make  a  favorable  impression.  He  was  about  thirty-nine  years 
of  age,  nearly  six  feet  high,  well  built  and  vigorous,  with  an  open, 
animated,  intelligent  countenance,  and  a  frank,  manly  demean- 
or. He  may  be  said  to  have  stepped  at  once  into  the  confidence 
of  the    commander-in-chief,  which   he   never  forfeited,  but   be- 


1775.]  DESTITUTE    TKOOPS.  9 

came  one  of  his  most  attached,  faithful,  and  efficient  coadjutors 
throughout  the  war. 

Having  taken  his  survey  of  the  army,  Washington  wrote  to 
the  President  of  Congress,  representing  its  various  deficiencies, 
and,  amoug  other  things,  urging  the  aiDpointment  of  a  commissary- 
general,  a  quartermaster-general,  a  commissary  of  musters,  and 
a  commissary  of  artillery.  Above  all  things,  he  requested  a  sup- 
ply 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  fron- 
tier expediency,  learnt  in  his  early  campaigns.  Speaking  of  the 
ragged  condition  of  the  army,  and  the  difficulty  of  procuring  the 
requisite  kind  of  clothing,  he  advises  that  a  number  of  hunting- 
shirts,  not  less  than  ten  thousand,  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  happier  tendency  to 
unite  the  men,  and  abolish  those  provincial  distinctions  that  lead 
to  jealousy  and  dissatisfaction." 

Among  the  troops  most  destitute,  were  those  belonging 
to  Massachusetts,  which  formed  the  larger  part  of  the  army. 
Washington  made  a  noble  apology  for  them.  "  This  unhappy 
and  dqvoted  province,"  said  he,  ''has  bean  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  under  such  cir- 
cumstances. 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  South- 
erner; for  there  was  a  disposition  among  the  Southern   officers 

VOL.   II. — 1* 


10  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  L^^"*"^ 

to  regard  the  Eastern  troops  disparagingly.  But  Washington 
already  I'elt  as  eonimandcr-in-cbief,  who  looked  with  an  equal  eye 
ou  all  ;  or  rather  as  a  true  patriot,  who  was  above  all  sectional 

prejudices. 

One  of  the  most  efficient  co-operators  of  Washington  at  this 
time  and  throughout  the  war,  was  Jonathan  Trumbull,  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Connecticut.  He  was  a  well  educated  man,  experienced 
in  public  business,  who  had  sat  for  many  years  in  the  legislative 
councils  of  his  native  province.  Misfortune  had  cast  him  down 
from  affluence,  at  an  advanced  period  of  life,  but  had  not  subdued 
his  native  energy.  He  had  been  one  of  the  leading  spirits  of 
the  Revolution,  and  the  only  colonial  governor  who,  at  its  com- 
mencement, proved  true  to  the  popular  cause.  He  was  now  sixtyx 
five  years  of  age,  active,  zealous,  devout,  a  patriot  of  the  primitive 
New  England  stamp,  whose  religion  sanctified  his  patriotism.  A 
letter  addressed  by  him  to  Washington,  just  after  the  latter  had 
entered  upon  the  command,  is  worthy  of  the  purest  days  of  the 
Covenanters.  "  Congress,"  writes  he,  "  have,  with  one  united 
voice,  appointed  you  to  the  high  station  you  possess.  The  Su- 
preme Director  of  all  events  hath  caused  a  wonderful  union  of 
hearts  and  counsels  to  subsist  among  us. 

"  Now,  therefore,  be  strong,  and  very  courageous.  May  the 
God  of  the  armies  of  Israel  shower  down  the  blessings  of  his 
Divine  providence  on  you ;  give  you  wisdom  and  fortitude,  cover 
your  head  in  the  day  of  battle  and  danger,  add  success,  convince 
our  enemies  of  their  mistaken  measures,  and  that  all  their  at- 
tempts to  deprive  these  colonies  of  their  inestimable  constitu- 
tional rights  and  liberties,  are  injurious  and  vain." 


KEY.  EZRA  STILES,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  PRESIDENT  OF  YALE   COLLEGE,  1777-1795. 
From  the  painting  in  the  Trumbull  Gallery,  New  Haven. 


I 


» r,  <.,,</•>  4// /A  /Vi«*-«^V»i    "^im-,^^       t    WILLIAM    SA>IUP:L    JOHNSON./..  l^<(/<«.  7  .V^^^'l'^^^e- 


i 


1775.] 


CKAGIE   HOUSE. 


NOTE. 


We  are  obliged  to  Professor  Felton,  of  Cambridge,  for  correcting  an  erro 
in  our  first  volume  in  regard  to  "Washington's  head-quarters,  and  for  some  par 
ticulars  concerning  a  house,  associated  with  the  history  and  literatiu'e  of  ou 
country. 

The  house  assigned  to  Washington  for  head-quarters,  was  that  of  the  pres 
ident  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  not  of  the  University.  It  had  been  one  o 
those  tory  mansions  noticed  by  the  Baroness  Reidesel,  in  her  mention  of  Cam 
bridge.  "  Seven  families,  who  were  connected  by  relationship,  or  lived  i 
great  intimacy,  had  here  farms,  gardens,  and  splendid  mansions,  and  not  fa 
off,  orchards  ;  and  the  buildings  were  at  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant  from  eac' 
other.  The  owners  had  been  in  the  habit  of  assembling  every  afternoon  in  on 
or  other  of  these  houses,  and  of  diverting  themselves  "with  music  or  dancinfi- 
and  lived  in  affluence,  in  good  humor,  and  without  care,  until  this  unfortunat 
war  dispersed  them,  and  transformed  all  these  houses  into  solitary  abodes. 

The  house  in  question  was  confiscated  by  Government.  It  stood  on  th 
Watertovvn  road,  about  half  a  mile  west  of  the  college,  and  has  long  bee: 
known  as  the  Cragie  house,  from  the  name  of  Andrew  Cragie,  a  wealthy  gen 
tleman,  who  purchased  it  after  the  war,  and  revived  its  former  hospitalit} 
He  is  said  to  have  acquired  great  influence  among  the  leading  members  of  th 
"  great  and  general  court,"  by  dint  of  jovial  dinners.  He  died  long  ago  hv 
his  widow  survived  until  within  fifteen  years.  She  was  a  woman  of  much  tal 
ent  and  singularity.  She  refused  to  have  the  canker  worms  destroyed,  whe 
they  were  making  sad  ravages  among  the  beautiful  trees  on  the  la^vn  befor 
the  house.  "  We  are  all  worms,"  said  she,  "  and  they  have  as  good  a  rigli 
here  as  I  have."     The  consequence  was  that  more  than  half  of  the  trees  perishec 

The  Cragie  House  is  associated  with  American  literature  through  some  o 
its  subsequent  occupants.  Mr.  Edward  Everett  resided  in  it  the  first  year  c 
two  after  his  marriage.  Later,  Mr.  Jared  Sparks,  during  part  of  the  time  th£ 
he  was  preparing  his  collection  of  Washington's  writings ;  editing  a  volume  c 
two  of  his  letters  in  the  veiy  room  from  which  they  were  written.  Next  cam 
Mr.  Worcester,  author  of  the  pugnacious  dictionary,  and  of  many  exceller 
books,  and  lastly  Longfellow,  the  poet,  who,  having  maxTied  the  heroine  o 
Hyperion,  purchased  the  house  of  the  heirs  of  Mr.  Cragie  and  refitted  it. 


CHAPTER    II. 

QUKSnOXS    OF    MILITARY    RANK POPULARITY    OF   PUTNAM ARRANGEMENTS   AT 

JIIC^VD-QUAUTERS COLONICL    MIFFLIN    AND    JOHN    TRUMDULL,  AIDES-DE-CAMP 

— JOSEPH    REED,  Washington's  secretary  and  confidential  friend — 

GATES     AS     ADJUTANT-GENERAL HAZARDOUS     SITUATION     OF     THE     ARMY 

STRENGTHENING      OF     THE      DEFENCES EFFICIENCY      OF     PUTNAM RAPID 

CHANGES NEW     DISTRIBUTION     OF     THE      FORCES RIGID     DISCIPLINE — LEE 

AND    HIS    CANF. HIS    IDEA  AS    TO    STRONG    BATTALIONS ARRIVAL    OF  RIFLE 

COMPANIES DANIEL    MORGAN  AND    HIS    SHARP  SHOOTERS WASHINGTON  DE- 
CLINES   TO    DETACH    TROOPS    TO    DISTANT   POINTS    FOR   THEIR   PROTECTION 

HIS    REASONS    FOR    SO    DOING. 

The  justice  and  impartiality  of  "VYasliington  were  called  into  ex- 
ercise  as  soon  as  he  entered  upon  Lis  command,  in  allaying  dis- 
contents among  his  general  officers,  caused  by  the  recent  apj)oint- 
ments  and  promotions  made  by  the  Continental  Congress.  Gen- 
eral Spencer  was  so  offended  that  Putnam  should  be  promoted 
over  his  head,  that  he  left  the  army,  without  visiting  the  com- 
mander-in-chief; but  was  subsequently  induced  to  return.  Gen- 
eral Thomas  felt  aggrieved  by  being  outranked  by  the  veteran 
Pomeroy ;  the  latter,  however,  declining  to  serve,  he  found  him- 
self senior  brigadier,  and  was  appeased. 

The  sterling  merits  of  Putnam  soon  made  every  one  acquiesce 
in  his  promotion.     There  was  a  generosity  and  buoyancy  about 


^'^'^^']  Washington's  family.  13 

the  brave  old  man  that  made  him  a  favorite  throughout  the  army ; 
especially  with  the  younger  oiFicers,  who  spoke  of  him  familiarly 
and  fondly  as  "  Old  Put ;  "  a  sobriquet  by  which  he  is  called 
even  in  one  of  the  private  letters  of  the  commander-in-chief. 

The  Congress  of  Massachusetts  manifested  considerate  liber- 
ality 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  jStted  for  New  England 
housekeeping.  His  wishes  were  to  be  consulted  in  regard  to  the 
supply  of  his  table.  This  his  station,  as  commander-in-chief,  re- 
quired 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  function- 
aries 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.  Sometimes  nothing  but  baked 
apples  or  berries,  with  cream  and  milk.  He  would  retire  early 
from  the  board,  leaving  an  aide-de-camp  or  one  of  his  officers  to 
take  his  place.  Colonel  Mifflin  was  the  first  person  who  officiat- 
ed as  aide-de-camp.  He  was  a  Philadelphia  gentleman  of  high 
respectability,  who  had  accompanied  him  from  that  city,  and  re- 
ceived his  appointment  shortly  after  their  arrival  at  Cambridge. 
The  second  aide-de-camp  was  John  Trumbull,*  son  of  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Connecticut.     He  had  accompanied  General  Spencer  to 

*  In  after  years  distinguished  as  a  historical  painter. 


14  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  L1775. 

the  cainj),  and  liad  cauglit  tlit;  I'avorable  notice  of  Washington 
by  some  drawings  which  he  had  made  of  the  enemy's  works. 
"I  now  suddenly  found  myself,"  writes  Trumbull,  "  in  the  family 
of  one  of  the  most  distinguished  and  dignified  men  of  the  age; 
surrounded  at  his  table  by  the  principal  officers  of  the  army,  and 
in  constant  intercourse  with  them — it  was  further  my  duty  to  re- 
ceive company,  and  do  the  honors  of  the  house  to  many  of  the 
first  people  of  the  country  of  both  sexes."  Trumbull  was  young, 
and  unaccustomed  to  society,  and  soon  found  himself,  he  says,  un- 
equal 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  men- 
tion at  present,  was  his  secretary,  Mr.  Joseph  Reed.  With  this 
gentleman  he  had  formed  an  intimacy  in  the  course  of  his  visits 
to  Philadelpliia,  to  attend  the  sessions  of  the  Continental  Congress. 
Mr.  Reed  was  an  accomplished  man,  had  studied  law  in  America, 
and  at  the  Temple  in  Loudon,  and  had  gained  a  high  reputation  at 
the  Philadelphia  bar.  In  the  dawning  of  the  Revolution  he  had 
embraced  the  popular  cause,  and  carried  on  a  correspondence  with 
the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  endeavoring  to  enlighten  that  minister  on 
the  subject  of  colonial  affairs.  He  had  since  been  highly  instru- 
mental in  rousing  the  Philadelphiaus  to  co-operate  with  the 
patriots  of  Boston.  A  sympathy  of  views  and  feelings  had  at- 
tached him  to  Washington,  and  induced  him  to  accompany  him  to 
the  camp.  He  liad  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  profession,  a  young 


1775.]  ARRIVAL    OF    GATES.  15 

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  remon- 
strated on  the  peril  of  the  step.  "  I  have  no  inclination,"  replied 
Reed,  "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  dan- 
ger; and  have  a  most  sovereign  contempt  for  the  man  who  can 
plan  measures  he  has  not  the  spirit  to  execute." 

Washington  has  occasionally  been  represented  as  cold  and  re- 
served ;  yet  his  intercourse  with  Mr.  Eeed  is  a  proof  to  the  con- 
trary. His  friendship  towards  him  was  frank  and  cordial,  and 
the  confidence  he  reposed  in  him  full  and  implicit.  Reed,  in  fact, 
became,  in  a  little  time,  the  intimate  companion  of  his  thoughts, 
Lis  bosom  counsellor.  He  felt  the  need  of  such  a  friend  in  the 
present  exigency,  placed  as  he  was  in  a  new  and  untried  situation, 
and  having  to  act  with  persons  hitherto  unknown  to  him. 

In  military  matters,  it  is  true  lie  had  a  shrewd  counsellor  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  humors,  v/hich  often  clashed 
with  propriety  and  sound  policy.  Reed  on  the  contrary,  though 
less  informed  on  military  matters,  had  a  strong  common  sense, 
unclouded  by  passion  or  prejudice,  and  a  pure  patriotism,  which 
regarded  every  thing  as  it  bore  upon  the  welfare  of  his  country. 

Washington's  confidence  in  Lee  had  always  to  be  measured 
and  guarded  in  matters  of  civil  policy. 

The  arrival  of  Gates  in  camp,  was  heartily  welcomed  by  the 


16  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [MirK 

commaiuler-iii-cliicr,  wlio  had  received  a  letter  from  that  ofrieer, 
gratefully  aeknowledgiug  his  friendly  iufluciicc  in  proeuring  liini 
the  appointment  of  adjutant-general.  Washington  may  have  pro- 
mised himself  much  cordial  co-operation  from  liiiu,  recollecting 
the  warm  friendship  professed  by  iiini  when  he  visited  at  Mount 
Vernon,  and  they  talked  together  over  their  early  companionship 
in  arms;  but  of  that  kind  of  friendship  there  was  no  further 
manifestation.  Gates  was  certainly  of  great  service,  from  hio 
practial  knowledge  and  military  experience  at  this  juncture,  when 
the  whole  army  had  in  a  manner  to  be  organized ;  but  from  the 
familiar  intimacy  of  Washington  he  gradually  estranged  himself. 
A  contemporary  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  fitted  by  his 
military  knowledge  and  experience,  and  which  he  thought  Wash- 
intrton  mi«>-ht  have  obtained  for  him  had  he  used  his  influence  with 
Congress.  We  shall  have  to  advert  to  this  estrangement  of 
Gates  on  subsequent  occasions. 

The  hazardous  position  of  the  army  from  the  great  extent  and 
weakness  of  its  lines,  was  what  most  pressed  on  the  immediate  at- 
tention of  Washington ;  and  he  summoned  a  council  of  war,  to 
take  the  matter  into  consideration.  In  this  it  was  urged  that,  to 
abandon  the  line  of  works,  after  the  great  labor  and  expense  of 
their  construction,  would  be  dispiritiog  to  the  troops  and  encour- 
aging to  the  enemy,  while  it  would  expose  a  wide  extent  of  the 
surrounding  country  to  maraud  and  ravage.  Beside,  no  safer 
position  presented  itself,  on  which  to  fall  back.  This  being  gen- 
erally admitted,  it  was  determined  to  hold  on  to  the  works,  and 
defend  them  as  long  as  possible ;  and,  in  the  mean  time,  to  aug- 
ment  the  avmy  to  at  least  twenty  thousand  men. 


1775.]  DIVISIONS   OF    THE    ARMY.  l7 

Washington  now  hastened  to  improve  the  defences  of  the 
camp,  strengthen  the  weak  parts  of  the  line,  and  throw  up  addi- 
tional works  round  the  main  forts.  No  one  seconded  him  more 
eflfectually  in  this  matter  than  General  Putnam,  No  works  were 
thrown  up  with  equal  rapidity  to  those  under  his  superintendence. 
''  You  seem,  general,"  said  Washington,  "  to  have  the  faculty  of 
infusing  your  own  spirit  into  all  the  workmen  you  employ ;" — and 
it  was  the  fact. 

The  observing  chaplain  already  cited,  gazed  with  wonder  at 
the  rapid  effects  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  River;  very 
soon  it  will  be  morally  impossible  for  the  enemy  to  get  between 
the  works,  except  in  one  place,  which  is  supposed  to  be  left  pur- 
posely 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  with  American  camps, 
and  cut  up  into  forts  and  intrenchments,  and  all  the  lands,  fields, 
orchards,  laid  common, — horses  and  cattle  feeding  on  the  choicest 
mowing  land,  whole  fields  of  corn  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  by  water ;  and  horses 
were  kept  ready  saddled  at  various  points  of  the  widely  extended 
lines,  to  convey  to  head-quarters  intelligence  of  any  special  move- 
ment of  the  enemy. 

The  army  was  distributed  by  Washington  into  three  grand 
divisions.     One,  forming  the  right  wing,  was  stationed  on  the 


18  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [^775. 

heights  of  lloxlmry.  It  was  comiuanded  by  Major-general  Ward, 
who  had  uinU'v  liini  J}rigadier-g(;rierals  Spencer  and  Thomas. 
Another,  forming  the  left  whig  under  Major-general  Lee,  having 
witli  liim  Brigadier-generals  Sullivan  and  Greene,  was  stationed 
on  Winter  and  Prospect  Hills;  while  the  centre,  under  Major-gen- 
eral Putnam  and  Brigadier-general  Heath,  was  stationed  at  Cam- 
bridge. With  Putnam  was  encamped  his  favorite  oflficer  Knowl- 
ton,  who  had  been  promoted  by  Congress  to  the  rank  of  major 
for  his  gallantry  at  Bunker's  Hill. 

At  Washington's  recommendation,  Joseph  Trumbull,  the  eldest 
Bon  of  the  governor,  received  on  the  24th  of  July  the  appoint- 
ment of  commissary-general  of  the  continental  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 
rco-iments  every  morning  after  prayers.  The  strictest  government 
is  taking  place,  and  great  distinction  is  made  between  officers  and 
soldiers.  Every  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. 
His  notions  of  military  authority  were  acquired  in  the  armies  of 
the  North.  Quite  a  sensation  was,  on  one  occasion,  produced  in 
camp  by  his  threatening  to  cane  an  officer  for  unsoldierly  conduct. 
His  laxity  in  other  matters  occasioned  almost  equal  scandal.  He 
scoffed,  we  are  told,  "  with  his  usual  profaneness,"  at  a  resolution 


DANIEL  MOKGAN. 


1775.]  morgan's    riflemen.  19 

of  Congress  appointing  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  to  obtain  tlie 
favor  of  Heaven  upon  their  cause.  "  Heaven,"  he  observed, 
"wa3  ever  found  favorable  to  strong  battalions."* 

Washington  differed  from  him  in  this  respect.  By  his  orders 
the  resolution  of  Coijgiess  was  scrupulously  enforced.  All  labor, 
excepting  that  absolutely  necessary,  was  suspended  on  the  appoint- 
ed 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  vis- 
itors to  the  camp,  than  the  arrival  of  several  rifle  companies,  four- 
teen hundred  men  in  all,  from  Pennsylvania,  Maryland  and  Vir- 
ginia; such  stalwart  fellows  as  Washington  had  known  in  his 
early  campaigns.  Stark  hunters  and  bush  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  sharp  shooting  were  soon  among  the  marvels  of  the  camp. 
We  are  told  that  while  advancing  at  quick  step,  they  could  hit  a 
mark  of  seven  inches  diameter,  at  the  distance  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty  yards,  f 

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  waggoner.  He  had 
since  carried  arms  on  the  frontier  and  obtained  a  command.  He 
and  his  riflemen  in  coming  to  the  camp  had  marched  six  hundred 
miles  in  three  weeks.  They  will  be  found  of  signal  efficiency  in 
the  sharpest  conflicts  of  the  revolutionary  war. 

While  all  his  forces  were  required  for  the  investment  of 
Boston,  Washington  was  importuned  by  the  Legislature  of  Mas- 
sachusetts and  the  Governor  of  Connecticut,  to  detach  troops  for 

*  Graydon's  Memoirs,  p.  138.  f  Thacher's  Military  Journal,  p.  37a 


20  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [177.'). 

• 

tbo  protcctiou  of  dififerent  points  of  the  sea-coast,  where  deprcda- 
tious  by  armed  vessels  were  apprehended.  The  ease  of  New 
London  was  specified  by  Governor  Trumbull,  where  Captain 
AVallace  of  the  Hose  frigate,  with  two  other  ships  of  war,  had 
entered  the  harbor,  landed  men,  spiked  the  cannon,  and  gone  off 
threatening  future  visits. 

Washington  referred  to  his  instructions,  and  consulted  with 
his  general  ofiicers  and  such  members  of  the  Continental  Congress 
as  happened  to  be  in  camp,  before  he  replied  to  these  requests ; 
he  then  respectfully  declined  compliance. 

In  his  reply  to  the  General  Assembly  of  Massachusetts,  he 
stated  frankly  and  explicitl}'^  the  policy  and  system  on  which  the 
war  was  to  be  conducted,  and  according  to  which  he  was  to  act 
as  commander-in-chief.  "  It  has  been  debated  in  Congress  and 
settled,"  writes  he,  "  that  the  militia,  or  other  internal  strength  of 
each  province,  is  to  be  applied  for  defence  against  those  small  and 
particular  depredations,  which  were  to  be  expected,  and  to  which 
they  were  supposed  to  be  competent.  This  will  appear  the  more 
proper,  when  it  is  considered  that  every  town,  and  indeed  every 
part  of  our  sea-coast,  which  is  exposed  to  these  depredations, 
would  have  an  equal  claim  upon  this  army. 

"  It  is  the  misfortune  of  our  situation  which  exposes  us  to 
these  ravages,  and  against  which,  in  my  judgment,  no  such  tem- 
porary relief  could  possibly  secure  us.  The  great  advantage  the 
enemy  have  of  transporting  troops,  by  being  masters  of  the  sea, 
will  enable  them  to  harass  us  by  diversions  of  this  kind ;  and 
should  we  be  tempted  to  ]3ursue  them,  upon  every  alarm,  the 
army  must  either  be  so  weakened  as  to  expose  it  to  destruction, 
or  a  great  part  of  the  coast  be  still  left  unprotected.  Nor,  indeed, 
does  it  appear  to  me  that  such  a  pursuit  would  be  attended  with 


^775.]  j^    VITAL    QUESTION    SETTLED.  21 

the  least  effect.  The  first  notice  of  such  an  excursion  would  be 
its  actual  execution,  aud  long  before  any  troops  could  reach  the 
scene  of  action,  the  enemy  would  have  an  opportunity  to  accom- 
plish their  purpose  and  retire.  It  would  give  me  great  pleasure 
to  have  it  in  my  power  to  extend  protection  and  safety  to  every 
individual ;  but  the  wisdom  of  the  General  Court  will  anticipate 
me  on  the  necessity  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  Grovernor  of  Connecticut  was  to  the  same 
effect.  "  I  am  by  no  means  insensible  to  the  situation  of  the 
people  on  the  coast.  I  wish  I  could  extend  protection  to  all,  but 
the  numerous  detachments  necessary  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  decision.  It  was  in  fact  a  vital 
question,  involving  the  whole  character  and  fortune  of  the  war; 
and  it  was  acknowledged  that  he  met  it  with  a  forecast  and  de- 
termination befitting  a  commander-in-chief. 


CHAPTER    III. 

^ASHINOTON's    object    in     distressing     boston — SCARCITY    AND    SICKNESS    IN 

THE    TOWN — A    STARTLING  DISCOVERY SCARCITY  OF  POWDER    IN    THE  CAMP 

ITS    PERILOUS     SITUATION ECONOMY     OF    AMMUNIITON — CORRESPONDENCE 

BETWEEN     LEE    AND   BURGOYNE CORRESPONDENCE    BETWEEN    WASHINGTON 

AND    GAGE THE    DIGNITY    OF    THE    PATRIOT    ARMY    ASSERTED, 

The  great  object  of  Washington  at  present,  was  to  force  the  ene- 
my to  come  out  of  Boston  and  try  a  decisive  action.  His  lines 
had  for  some  time  cut  oflf  all  communication  of  the  town  with 
the  country,  and  he  had  caused  the  live  stock  within  a  considera- 
ble distance  of  the  place  to  be  driven  back  from  the  coast,  out  of 
reach  of  the  men-of-war's  boats.  Fresh  provisions  and  vegetables 
were  consequently  growing  more^  and  more  scarce  and  extrava- 
gantly dear,  and  sickness  began  to  prevail.  "  I  have  done  and 
shall  do  every  thing  in  my  power  to  distress  them,"  writes  he  to 
his  brother  John  Augustine.  "  The  transports  have  all  arrived, 
and  their  whole  reinforcement  is  landed,  so  that  I  see  no  reason 
why  they  should  not,  if  they  ever  attempt  it,  come  boldly  out  and 
put  the  matter  to  issue  at  once." 

"  We  are  in  the  strangest  state  in  the  world,"  writes  a  lady 
from  Boston,  "  surrounded  on  all  sides.  The  whole  country  is 
in  arms  and  intrenched.     We  are  deprived  of  fresh  provisions. 


^'^T^^']  SCARCITY    OF    POWDER.  23 

subject  to  continual  alarms  and  cannonadings,  the  Provincials 
being  very  audacious  and  advancing  to  our  lines,  since  tbe  arrival 
of  Generals  Washington  and  Lee  to  command  them.'* 

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

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

This  was  an  astounding  discovery.  Washington  instant- 
ly despatched  letters  and  expresses  to  Ehode  Island,  the  Jerseys, 
Ticonderoga  and  elsewhere,  urging  immediate  supplies  of  powder 
and  lead ;  no  quantity,  however  small,  to  be  considered  beneath 
notice.  In  a  letter  to  Governor  Cooke  of  Rhode  Isand,  he  suo-- 
gested  that  an  armed  vessel  of  that  province  might  be  sent  to 
seize  upon  a  magazine  of  gunpowder,  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  hazardous,  and  its  suc- 
cess must  depend  on  the  concurrence  of  many  circumstances ;  but 
we  are  in  a  situation  which  requires  us  to  run  all  risks.  *  '•''  * 
Enterprises  which  appear  chimerical,  often  prove  successful  froin 
that  very  circumstance.  Common  sense  ard  prudence  will  sug- 
gest vigilance  and   care,  where  the  danger  is  plain  and  obvious; 

*  Letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  Aug.  4. 


24  hiVE    OF    WASHINCiTON.  C^^^S. 

but  where  little  danger  is  approliciidcd,  the  more  the  enemy  will 
bo  unprepirrod,  and,  consequently,  there  is  tlic  fairest  prospect  of 
success." 

Day  after  day  elapsed  without  the  arrival  of  any  supplies;  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  anv.^ 
Prospect  Hills.     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  fort- 
nio-ht ;    the    anxious    commander    incessantly    apprehending    an 
attack.     At  length  a  partial  supply  from  the  Jerseys  put  an  end 
to  this  imminent  risk.     Washington's  secretary,  Reed,  who  had 
been  the  confidant  of  his  troubles  and  anxieties,  gives  a  vivid  ex- 
pression of  his  feelings  on  the  arrival  of  this  relief.       "  I  can 
hardly  look  back,  without  shuddering,  at  our  situation  before  this 
increase  of  our  stock.      Stock  did  I  say  ?  it  was  next  to  no+hing. 
Almost  the  whole  powder  of   the  army  was  in  the  cartridge- 
boxes."* 

It  is  thought  that,  considering  the  clandestine  intercourse 
carried  on  between  the  two  camps,  intelligence  of  this  deficiency 
of  ammunition  on  the  part  of  the  besiegers  must  have  been  con- 
veyed to  the  British  commander;  but  that  the  bold  face  with 
which  the  Americans  continued  to  maintain  their  position,  made 
him  discredit  it. 

Notwithstanding  the  supply  from  the  Jerseys,  there  was  not 
more  powder  iu    camp   than  would   serve  the    artillery  for  one 

*  Reed  to  Thomas  Bradford.     Life  and  Correspondence,  vol.  i.  p.  118. 


1775.]  LEE   AND    BURGOYNE.  25 

clay  of  general  action.  None,  therefore,  was  allowed  to  be 
wasted ;  the  troops  were  even  obliged  to  bear  in  silence  an  oc- 
casional cannonading.  "  Our  poverty  in  ammunition,"  writes 
Washington,  "prevents  our  making  a  suitable  return." 

One  of  the  painful  circumstances  attending  the  outbreak'of  a 
revolutionary  war  is,  that  gallant  men,  who  have  held  allegiance 
to  the  same  government,  and  fought  side  by  side  under  the  same 
flag,  suddenly  find  themselves  in  deadly  conflict  with  each  other. 
Such  was  the  case  at  present  in  the  hostile  camps.     Greneral  Lee 
it  will  be  recollected,  had  once  served  under  General  Burgoyne 
in  Portugal,  and  had  won  his  brightest  laurels  when  detached  by 
that  commander  to  surprise  the  Spanish  camp,  near  the  Moorish 
castle  of  Yilla  Yelha.     A  soldier's  friendship  had  ever  since  ex- 
isted between  them,  and  when  Lee  had  heard  at  Philadelphia 
before  he  had  engaged  in  the  American  service,  that  his  old  com- 
rade and  commander  was  arrived  at  Boston,  he  wrote  a  letter  to 
him  giving  his  own  views  on  the  points  in  dispute  between  the 
colonies  and  the  mother  country,  and  inveighing  with  his  usual 
vehemence  and  sarcastic  point,  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  sanction. 

Since  his    arrival    in  camp    he    had    received  a    reply  from 
Burgoyne,  couched  in    moderate    and    courteous    languao-e,  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  Congress  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  requested  their  commands  with  respect  to  the 
proposed  interview.     They  expressed,  in  reply,  the  highest  con- 

VOL.  II. — 2 


26  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [^''^S- 

lidcnco  in  IiIh  wisdom,  discretion  and  integrity,  but  questioned 
whether  the  interview  might  not  be  regarded  by  the  public  witli 
distrust ;  "  a  people  contending  for  their  liberties  being  naturally 
disposed  to  jealousy."  They  suggested,  therefore,  as  a  means  of 
preventing  popular  misconception,  that  Lee  on  seeking  the  inter- 
view, j^hould  be  accompanied  by  Mr.  Elbridge  Gerry ;  or  that  tlio 
advice  of  a  council  of  war  should  be  taken  in  a  matter  of  such 
apparent  delicacy. 

Lee  became  aware  of  the  surmises  that  might  bo  awakened  by 
the  proposed  interview,  and  wrote  a  friendly  note  to  Burgoyno 
declining  it. 

A  correspondence  of  a  more  important  character  took  place 
between  Washington  and  General  Gage.  It  was  one  intended 
to  put  the  hostile  services  on  a  proper  footing.  A  strong  dispo- 
sition had  been  manifested  among  the  British  officers  to  regard 
those  engaged  in  the  patriot  cause  as  malefactors,  outlawed  from 
the  courtesies  of  chivalric  warfare.  Washington  was  determined 
to  have  a  full  understanding  on  this  point.  He  was  peculiarly 
sensitive  with  regard  to  Gage.  They  had  been  companions  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  legitimate  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  offi- 
cers 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  jr.:l,  appropriated  to  felons;  that 


ELBRIDGK   GKBRY. 


QEBBYMANDEB. 


1775.]  WASHINGTON    TO    GAGE HIS    REPLY.  27 

no  consideration  has  been  liad  for  those  of  the  most  respectable 
rank,  when  languishing  with  wounds  and  sickness,  and  that  some 
have  been  amputated  in  this  unworthy  situation.  Let  your  opin- 
ion, 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  con- 
ceive, are  foreign  to  this  point.  The  obligations  arising  from  the 
rights  of  humanity  and  claims  of  rank  are  universally  binding 
and  extensive,  except  in  case  of  retaliation.  These,  I  should 
have  hoped,  would  have  dictated  a  more  tender  treatment  of 
those  individuals  v/hom  chance  or  war  had  put  in  your  power. 
Nor  car)  I  forbear  suggesting  its  fatal  tendency  to  widen  that  un- 
happy breach  which  you,  and  those  ministers  under  whom  you 
act,  have  repeatedly  declared  your  wish  to  see  for  ever  closed. 
My  duty  now  makes  it  necessary  to  apprise  you  that,  for  the  fu- 
ture, I  shall  regulate  all  my  conduct  towards  those  gentlemen 
who  are,  or  may  be,  in  our  possession,  exactly  by  the  rule  you 
shall  observe  towards  those  of  ours,  now  in  your  custody. 

"  If  severity  and  hardships  mark  the  line  of  your  conduct, 
painful  as  it  may  be  to  me,  your  prisoners  will  feel  its  effects. 
But  if  kindness  and  humanity  are  shown  to  us,  I  shall  with  plea 
sure  consider  those  in  our  hands  only  as  unfortunate,  and  the^ 
shall  receive  from  me  that  treatment  to  which  the  unfortunate 
are  ever  entitled." 

The  following  are  the  essential  parts  of  a  letter  from  General 
Gage  in  reply. 

"  Sir, — To  the  glory  of  civilized  nations,  humanity  and  war 
have  been  compatible,  and  humanity  to  the  subdued  has  become 
almost  a  general  system.  Britons,  ever  pre-eminent  in  mercy, 
have  outgone  common  examples,  and  overlooked  the  criminal  in  the 


28  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

ciiptivc.  Upon  tlioHo  principles  your  prisoners,  whoso  lives  by  the 
law  of  the  land  arc  destined  to  the  cord,  have  hitherto  been 
treated  with  care  and  kindness,  and  more  comfortably  lodged 
than  the  King's  troops  in  the  hospitals;  indiscriminately  it  is 
true,  for  I  acknowledge  no  rank  that  is  not  derived  from  the  King. 

"  My  intelligence  from  your  army  would  justify  severe  recrim- 
inations. I  understand  there  are  of  the  King's  faithful  subjects, 
taken  some  time  since  by  the  rebels,  laboring,  like  negro  slaves 
to  gain  their  daily  subsistence,  or  reduced  to  the  wretched  alter- 
native 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  pretence  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,  will  be  exerted  to 
correct  these  misdoings.  Be  temperate  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.  Should  those,  under  whoso 
usurped  authority  you  act,  control  such  a  disposition,  and  dare  to 
call  severity  retaliation;  to  God,  who  knows  all  hearts,  be  the 
appeal  of  the  dreadful  consequences,"  &c. 

There  were  expressions  in  the  foregoing  letter  well  calculated 
to  rouse  indignant  feelings  in  the  most  temperate  bosom.  Had 
Washington  been  as  readily  moved  to  transports  of  passion  as 
some  are  pleased  to  represent  him,  the  rchel  and  the  cord  might 
readily  have  stung  him  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  following  was  his 
noble  and  dignified  reply  to  General  Gage : 


1775.]  WASHINGTON    IN    ANSWER    TO   GAGE.  29 

*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  America,  whom  the  fortune  of  war,  chance,  or  a  mistaken 
confidence  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  instruments  of  lawless  domination, 
avarice,  and  revenge,  best  deserve  the  appellation  of  rebels,  and 
the  punishment  of  that  cord,  which  your  affected  clemency  has 
forborne  to  inflict ;  whether  the  authority  under  which  I  act  is 
usurped,  or  founded  upon  the  genuine  principles  of  liberty,  were 
altogether  foreign  to  the  subject.  I  purposely  avoided  all  political 
disquisition ;  nor  shall  I  now  avail  myself  of  those  advantages 
which  the  sacred  cause  of  my  country,  of  liberty,  and  of  human 
nature  give  me  over  you ;  much  less  shall  I  stoop  to  retort  and. 
invective ;  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  ofiicers  and  soldiers  have  been  treated  with  the 
tenderness  due  to  fellow-citizens  and  brethren,  but  even  those  ex^ 
ecrable  parricides,  whose  counsels  and  aid  have  deluged  their 
country  with  blood,  have  been  protected  from  the  fury  of  a  justly 
enraged  people.  Far  from  compelling  or  permitting  their  as- 
sistance, 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 


30  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

source  with  your  own.  i  cauuot  conceive  one  more  honorable, 
than  that  which  flows  from  the  uncorrupted  choice  of  a  brave  and 
free  people,  the  purest  source  and  original  fountain  of  all  power. 
Far  from  uuiking  it  a  plea  for  cruelty,  a  mind  of  true  niagnauim- 
ity  and  enlarged  ideas  would  comprehend  and  respect  it. 

"  What  may  have  been  the  ministerial  views  which  have 
precipitated  the  present  crisis,  Lexington,  Concord,  and  Charles- 
town  can  best  declare.  May  that  God,  to  whom  you,  too,  appeal, 
judge  between  America  and  you.  Under  his  providence,  those 
who  influence  the  councils  of  America,  and  all  the  other  inhabi- 
tants of  tbo  united  colonies,  at  the  hazard  of  their  lives,  are  de- 
termined to  hand  down  to  posterity  those  just  and  invaluable 
privileges  which  they  received  from  their  ancestors. 

"  I  shall  now,  sir,  close  my  correspondence  with  you,  perhaps 
for  ever.  If  your  officers,  our  prisoners,  receive  a  treatment  from 
me  difi"erent  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  entire,  for 
they  contain  his  manifesto  as  commander-in-chief  of  the  armies 
of  the  Revolution ;  setting  forth  the  opinions  and  motives  by 
which  he  was  governed,  and  the  principles  on  which  hostilities  on 
his  part  would  be  conducted.  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 ;  explaining  to  them  that  this  con- 
duct, which  might  appear  to  them  harsh  and  cruel,  was  contrary 
to  his  disposition,  but  according  to  the  rule  of  treatment  observed 
by  General  Gage  toward  the  American  prisoners  in  his  hands ; 


1776.]  TREATMENT    OF    BRITISH    PRISONERS.      ^  3X 

making  no  distinction  of  rank.  Circumstances,  of  which  we 
Iiave  no  explanation,  induced  subsequently  a  revocation  of  this 
order ;  the  officers  were  permitted  to  remain  as  before,  at  large 
upon  parole,  experiencing  every  indulgence  and  civility  consistent 
with  their  security. 


CHAPTER    lY. 

DANGERS   IN   TTIK    INTERIOH — MACHINATIONS    OF  THE  JOHNSON  FAMILY — RIVAL,- 
KY    OF    ETHAN  ALLEN    AND    BENEDICT  ARNOLD — GOVERNMENT  PERPLEXITIES 

ABOUT    THE   TICONDEROOA    CAPTURE MEASURES   TO     SECURE    THE    PRIZE — 

ALLEN  AND  ARNOLD    AMBITIOUS    OF  FURTHER    LAURELS — PROJECTS    FOR  THE 

INVASION     OF    CANADA ETHAN     ALLEN     AND     SETH    WARNER     HONORED     BY 

CONGRESS — ARNOLD  DISPLACED  BY  A  COMMITTEE  OF  INQUIRY — HIS  INDIG- 
NATION  NEWS    FROM    CANADA THE     REVOLUTION     TO    BE    EXTENDED    INTO 

THAT   PROVINCE — ENLIST.-MENT    OF   GREEN    MOUNTAIN    BOYS — SCHUYLER   AT 

TICONDEROGA — STATE     OF    AFFAIRS    THERE ELECTION     FOR     OFFICERS    OP 

THE  GREEN  MOUNTAIN  BOYS — ETHAN  ALLEN  DIS:M0UNTED JOINS  THE  ARMY 

AS  A  VOLUNTEER — PREPARATIONS  FOR  THE  INVASION  OF  CANADA — GENE- 
RAL MONTGOMERY — INDIAN  CHIEFS  AT  CAMBRIDGE — COUNCIL  FIRE — PLAN 
FOR  AN  EXPEDITION  AGAINST  QUEBEC — DEPARTURE  OF  TROOPS  FROM  TI- 
CONDEROGA  ARRIVAL   AT   ISLE    AUX   NOIX. 

We  must  interrupt  our  narrative  of  the  siege  of  Boston  to  give 
an  account  of  events  in  other  quarters,  requiring  the  superintend- 
ing care  of  Washington  as  commander-in-chief.  Letters  from 
General  Schuyler,  received  in  the  course  of  July,  had  awakened 
apprehensions  of  danger  from  the  interior.  The  Johnsons  were 
said  to  be  sfllrring  up  the  Indians  in  the  western  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  were  menaced  by  a  powerful  combination 
in  rear.     To  place  this  matter  in  a  proper  light,  we  will  give  a 


1775  J  RIVALRY    OF   ALLEN    AND    ARNOLD.  33 

brief  statement  of  occurrences  in  the  upper  part  of  New  York, 
and  on  the  frontiers  cf  Canada,  since  the  exploits  of  Ethan  Allen 
and  Benedict  Arnold,  at  Ticonderoga  and  on  Lake  Champlain. 

Great  rivalry,  as  has  already  been  noted,  had  arisen  between 
these  doughty  leaders.  Both  had  sent  off  expresses  to  the  provin- 
cial authorities,  giving  an  account  of  their  recent  triumphs. 
Allen  claimed  command  at  Ticonderoga,  on  the  authority  of  the 
committee  from  the  Connecticut  Assembly,  which  had  originated 
the  enterprise.  Arnold  claimed  it  on  the  strength  of  his  instruc- 
tions from  the  Massachusetts  committee  of  safety.  He  bore  a 
commission,  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  command  their  Green 
Mountain  Boys  against  the  encroachments  of  New  York. 

"  Colonel  Allen,"  said  Arnold,  "  is  a  proper  man  to  head  his 
own  wild  people,  but  entirely  anacquainted  with  military  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."  * 

The  public  bodies  themselves  seemed  perplexed  what  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  conquest.  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  Continental  Congress. 

*  Arnold  to  Mass.  Comm.  of  Safety.     Am,  Arch.  ii.  557. 
VOL.  II. — 2* 


34  LIFK    OF    WASHINGTON.  [Uiri. 

The  Massachusetts  committee  of  safety,  to  whom  Arnohl  had 
"written,  referred  the  affair  to  the  Massachusetts  Provincial  Con- 
gress. That  body,  as  the  enterprise  had  begun  in  Connecticut, 
wrote  to  its  General  Assembly  to  take  tlie  whole  matter  under 
their  care  and  direction,  until  the  advice  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress 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  invited  the 
"  Governor  and  Company  of  the  English  colony  of  Connecticut " 
to  place  part  of  their  forces  in  these  captured  posts,  until  relieved 
by  New  York  troops ;  and  Trumbull,  the  Governor  of  Connecti- 
cut, soon  gave  notice  that  one  thousand  men  under  Colonel  Hin- 
man,  were  on  the  point  of  marching,  for  the  reinforcement  of 
Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point. 

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

Both  Allen  and  Arnold  were  ambitioifs  of  further  laurels. 
Both  were  anxious  to  lead  an  expedition  into  Canada;  and 
Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point  would  open  the  way  to  it.  "  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 


^''^■1  PROJECT  OF  ETHAN  ALLEN.  35 

would  oppose  them,  in  the  extensive  province  of  Quebec,  except 
a  reinforcement  from  England  should  prevent  it.  Such  a  diver- 
sion would  weaken  Gage,  and  insure  us  Canada.  I  wish  to  God 
America  would,  at  this  critical  juncture,  exert  herself  agreeably 
to  the  indignity  offered  her  by  a  tyrannical  ministry.  She  might 
rise  on  eagles'  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  free<iom,  immense  wealth,  inexpressible  felicity, 
and  immortal  fame. 

"  I  will  lay  my  life  on  it,  that  with  fifteen  hundred  men,  and 
a  proper  train  of  artillery,  I  will  take  Montreal.  Provided  I 
could  be  thus  furnished,  and  if  an  army  could  command  the  field, 
it  would  be  no  insuperable  difiiculty  to  take  Quebec." 

A  letter  to  the  same  purport,  and  with  the  same  rhetorical 
flourish,  on  which  he  appeared  to  value  himself,  was  written  by 
Allen  to  Trumbull,  the  Governor  of  Connecticut.  Arnold  urged 
the  same  project,  but  in  less  magniloquent  language,  upon  the 
attention  of  the  Continental  Congress.  His  letter  was  dated  from 
Crown  Point ;  where  he  had  a  little  squadron,  composed  of  the 
sloop  captured  at  St.  Johns,  a  schooner,  and  a  flotilla  of  bateaux. 
All  these  he  had  equipped,  armed,  manned,  and  officered;  and 
his  crews  were  devoted  to  him.  In  his  letter  to  the  Continen- 
tal Congress  he  gave  information  concerning  Canada,  collected 
through  spies  and  agents.  Carleton,  he  said,  had  not  six  hundred 
effective  men  under  him.  The  Canadians  and  Indians  were  dis- 
affected to  the  British  Government,  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. 


36  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  fl775. 

"  I  beg  leave  to  add/'  says  lie,  "  that  if  no  person  appears 
who  will  undertaku  to  carry  the  plan  into  execution,  I  will  under- 
take, and,  with  the  smiles  of  Heaven,  answer  for  the  success,  pro- 
vided I  am  supplied  with  men,  &c.,  to  carry  it  into  execution 
without  loss  of  time." 

In  a  postcript  of  his  letter,  he  specifies  the  forces  requisite  for 
his  suggested  invasion.  "  In  order  to  give  satisfaction  to  the 
diflferent  colonies,  I  propose  that  Colonel  Hinman's  regiment, 
now  on  their  march  from  Connecticut  to  Ticonderoga,  should  form 
part  of  the  army ;  say  one  thousand  men ;  five  hundred  men  to 
be  sent  from  New  York,  five  hundred  of  General  Arnold's  regi- 
ment, including  the  seamen  and  marines  on  board  the  vessels  (no 
Green  Mountain  Boys)." 

"Within  a  few  days  after  the  date  of  this  letter,  Colonel  Hin- 
man  with  the  Connecticut  troops  arrived.  The  greater  part  of 
the  Green  Mountain  Boys  now  returned  home,  their  term  of  en- 
listment 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  dis- 
tinguished honor  by  that  body.  The  same  pay  was  awarded  to 
the  men  who  had  served  under  them  as  that  allowed  to  the  conti- 
nental troops;  and  it  was  recommended  to  the  New  York  Conven- 
tion 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  York  Convention,  Allen  and  Warner  now  re- 
paired. There  was  a  difficulty  about  admitting  them  to  the  hall 
of  Assembly,  for  their  attainder  of  outlawry  had  not  been  re- 
pealed.     Patriotism,   however,  pleaded  in  their  behalf.      They 


1775.J        ARNOLD    AND    THE    COMMITTEE    OF    INQUIRY.  37 

obtained  an  audience.  A  regiment  of  Green  Mountain  Boys,  five 
hundred  strong,  was  decreed,  and  General  Schuyler  notified  the 
people  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants  of  the  resolve,  and  re- 
quested them  to  raise  the  regiment. 

Thus  prosperously  went  the  afi'airs  of  Ethan  Allen  and  Seth 
Warner.  As  to  Arnold,  difficulties  instantly  took  place  between 
him  and  Colonel  Hinmau.  Arnold  refused  to  give  up  to  him  the 
command  of  either  post,  claiming  on  the  strength  of  his  instruc- 
tions from  the  committee  of  safety  of  Massachusetts,  a  right  to 
the  command  of  all  the  posts  and  fortresses  at  the  south  end  of 
Lake  Champlain  and  Lake  George.  This  threw  every  thing  into 
confusion.  Colonel  Hinmau  was  himself  perplexed  in  this  con- 
flict of  various  authorities ;  being,  as  it  were,  but  a  locum  tenens 
for  the  province  of  New  York. 

Arnold  was  at  Crown  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  with  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  arrogant  and  undue  assumption  of 
command. 

Arnold  was  thunderstruck  at  being  subjected  to  inquiry,  when 
he  had  expected  an  ovation.  He  requested  a  sight  of  the  commit- 
tee's instructions.  The  sight  of  them  only  increased  his  indigna- 
tion. They  were  to  acquaint  themselves  with  the  manner  in  which 
he  had  executed  his  commission;  w^itli  his  spirit,  capacity,  and  con- 
duct. Should  they  think  proper,  they  might  order  him  to  return 
to   Massachusetts^  to  render  account  of  the  moneys,  ammunition 


38  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  L177r>. 

and  stores  ho  had  received,  and  the  debts  lie  liad  contracted  on 
behalf  of  the  colony.  While  at  Ticonderoga,  he  and  his  men 
wore  to  be  under  connnand  of  the  principal  officer  from  Connec- 
ticut. 

Arnold  was  furious.  lie  swore  he  would  be  second  in  com' 
maud  to  no  one,  disbanded  his  men,  and  threw  up  his  commission. 
Quite  a  scene  ensued.  Ilis  men  became  turbulent;  some  refused 
to  serve  under  any  other  leader;  others  clamored  for  their  pay, 
which  was  in  arrears.  Part  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.  Johns. 

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  off  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  Continental  Congress 
having  formally  resolved  to  make  no  hostile  attempts  upon  that 
province.  Intelligence  subsequently  received,  induced  it  to  change 
its  plans.  Carleton  was  said  to  be  strengthening  the  fortifications 
and  garrison  at  St.  Johns,  and  preparing  to  launch  vessels  on  the 
lake  wherewith  to  regain  command  of  it,  and  retake  the  captured 
posts.  Powerful  reinforcements  were  coming  from  England  and 
elsewhere.  Guy  Johnson  was  holding  councils  with  the  fierce 
Cayugas  and  Senecas,  and  stirring  up  the  Six  Nations  to  hostility. 
On  the  other  hand,. Canada  was  full  of  religious  and  political  dis- 
sensions. The  late  exploits  of  the  Americans  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  had  produced  a  favorable  effect  on  the  Canadians,  who 
would  flock  to  the  patriot  standard  if  unfurled  among  them  by  an 


1775.]  CANADA   TO    BE    INVADED.  39 

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.  In- 
fluenced by  these  considerations,  Congress  now  determined  to  ex- 
tend the  revolution  into  Canada,  but  it  was  an  enterprise  too  im- 
portant to  be  entrusted  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  find  it  practi- 
cable, and  not  disagreeable  to  the  Canadians,  immediately  to  take 
possession  of  St  Johns  and  Montreal,  and  pursue  such  other  mea- 
sures in  Canada  as  might  have  a  tendency  to  promote  the  peace 
and  security  of  these  provinces." 

It  behooved  General  Schulyer  to  be  on  the  alert,  lest  the  en- 
terprise should  be  snatched  from  his  hands.  Ethan  Allen  and 
Seth  Warner  were  at  Benniugton,  among  the  Green  Mountains. 
Enlistments  were  going  on,  but  too  slow  for  Allen's  impatience, 
who  had  his  old  hankering  for  a  partisan  foray.  In  a  letter  to 
Governor  Trumbull  (July  12th),  he  writes,  "  Were  it  not  that  the 
grand  Continental  Congress  had  totally  incorporated  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys  into  a  battalion  under  certain  regulations  and 
command,  I  would  forthwith  advance  them  into  Canada  and  invest 
Montreal,  exclusive  of  any  help  from  the  colonies  ;  though  under 
present  circumstances  I  would  not,  for  my  right  arm,  act  without 
or  contrary  to  order.  If  my  fond  zeal  for  reducing  the  King^s 
fortresses  and  destroying  or  imprisoning  his  troops  in  Canada 
he  the  result  of  enthusiasm,  I  hope  and  expect  the  wisdom  of  the 
Continent  will  treat  it  as  such ;  and  on  the  other  hand,  if  it  pro- 
ceed from  sound  policy,  that  the  plan  will  be  adopted."  * 

Schuyler  arrived  at   Ticonderoga   on  the   18th  of  July.     A 

*  Force's  Am.  Archives,  ii.  164:9. 


40  '  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [J 775. 

letter  to  Washiiigtou,  to  whom,  as  coiumaiidor-in-cliiof,  he  made 
coustaut  reports,  gives  a  striking  picture  of  a  frontier  post  in 
those  crude  days  of  the  llevolutioii. 

"  You  will  expect  that  I  should  say  something  about  this  place 
and  the  troops  here.  Not  one  earthly  thing  for  offence  or  defence 
has  been  done ;  ihe  commandiny  ojjicer  has  no  orders  ;  he  only 
came  to  reinforce  the  garrison^  and  he  expected  the  general 
About  ten  last  night  I  arrived  at  the  landing-place,  at  the  norti. 
end  of  Lake  George  ;  a  post  occupied  by  a  captain  and  one  hun- 
dred men.  A  sentinel,  on  being  informed  that  I  was  in  the  boat, 
quitted  his  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  recommended  vigilance  and  care,  as  all  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  deportment,  and  I  really  be- 
lieve will  make  good  soldiers  as  soon  as  I  can  get  the  better  of 
this  nonchalance  of  theirs.  Bravery,  I  believe,  they  are  far -from 
wantino;." 

Colonel  Hinman,  it  will  bo  recollected,  was  in  temporary 
command  at  Ticonderoo-a,  if  that  could  be  called  a  command 
where  none  seemed  to  obey.  The  garrison  was  about  twelve  hun- 
dred strong  :  the  greater  part  Connecticut  men  brought  by  him- 
self;  some  were  New  YOrk  troops,  and  some  few  Green  Mountain 
Boys.     Schuyler,  on  taking  command,  despatched  a  confidential 


JOHN   BROWN. 


''"'^•J  GENERAL    SCHUYLER.  41 

agent  into  Canada,  Major  John  Brown,  an  American,  who  resided 
on  the  Sorel  River,  and  was  popular  among  the  Canadians.  He 
was  to  collect  information  as  to  the  British  forces  and  fortifica- 
tions, and  to  ascertain  how  an  invasion  and  an  attack  on  St. 
Johns  would  be  considered  by  the  people  of  the  province  :  in  the 
mean  time,  Schuyler  set  diligently  to  work  to  build  boats  and 
prepare  for  the  enterprise,  should  it  ultimately  be  ordered  by 
Congress. 

Schuyler  was  an  authoritative  man,  and  inherited  from  his 
Dutch  ancestry  a  great  love  of  order ;  he  was  excessively  annoyed, 
therefore,  by  the  confusion  and  negligence  prevalent  around  him, 
and  the  difficulties  and  delays  thereby  occasioned.  He  chafed  in 
spirit  at  the  disregard  of  discipline  among  his  yeoman  soldiery, 
and  their  opposition  to  all  system  and  regularity.  This  was  espe- 
cially the  case  with  the  troops  from  Connecticut,  officered  gener- 
ally by  their  own  neighbors  and  familiar  companions,  and  unwill- 
ing 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  owr.  troubles 
and  grievances  in  the  camp  at  Cambridge,  and  the  spirit  with 
which  he  cojDcd  with  them.  "  From  my  own  experience,"  writes 
he  (July  28),  "  I  can  easily  judge  of  your  difficulties  in  introduc- 
ing order  and  discipline  into  troops,  who  have,  from  their  infancy, 
imbibed  ideas  of  the  most  contrary  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  por- 
trait at  full  leDgth  of  what  you  have  had  in  miniature.  Confu- 
sion and  discord  reigned  in  every  department,  which,  in  a  little 
time,  must  have  ended  either  in  the  separation  of  the  army,  or 


42  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

fatal  contests  with  one  auotlicr.  The  better  genius  of  America 
has  prevailed,  and  most  happily,  the  ministerial  troops  have  not 
availed  themselves  of  these  advantages,  till,  I  trust,  the  opportunity 
is  in  a  great  measure  passed  over.  #  #  #  "yye  mend  every 
day,  and,  I  Hatter  myself,  that  in  a  little  time  we  shall  work  up 
these  raw  materials  into  a  good  manufacture.  I  must  recommend 
to  you,  what  I  endeavor  to  practise  myself,  patience  and  perse- 
verance." 

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  semblance  of  yours.  Yes,  my  gen- 
eral, I  will  strive  to  copy  your  bright  example,  and  patiently  and 
steadily  persevere  in  that  line  which  only  can  promise  the 
wished-for  reformation." 

He  had  calculated  on  being  joined  by  this  time  by  the  regi- 
ment 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  townships.  Ethan 
Allen  was  entirely  passed  by,  and  Seth  Warner  nominated  as 
Lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regiment.  Allen  was  thunderstruck 
at  finding  himself  thus  suddenly  dismounted.  His  patriotism 
and  love  of  adventure,  however,  were  not  quelled  :  and  he  forth- 
with repaired  to  the  army  at  Ticonderoga  to  offer  himself  as  a 
volunteer. 

Schuyler,  at  first,  hesitated  to  accept  his  services.  He  was 
aware  of  his  aspiring  notions,  and  feared  there  would  be  a  difficul- 
ty in  keeping  him  within  due  bounds,  but  was  at  length  persua- 


1775.]  ETHAN    ALLEN.  43 

ded  by  his  officers  to  retain  him,  to  act  as  a  pioneer  on  the  Cana- 
dian frontier. 

In  a  letter  from  camp,  Allen  gave  Governor  Trumbull  an  ac- 
count of  the  downfall  cf  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  committee  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  myself  in  the 
favor  of  the  officers  of  the  army  and  the  young  Green  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  expedition 
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 ;  three  hundred  of  them  at  St. 
Johns,  about  fifty  at  Quebec,  the  remainder  at  Montreal,  Cham- 
blee,  and  the  upper  posts.  Colonel  Guy  Johnson  was  at  Mon- 
treal with  three  hundred  men,  mostly  his  tenants,  and  with  a 
number  of  Indians.  Two  batteries  had  been  finished  at  St. 
Johns,  mounting  nine  guns  each  :  other  works  were  intrenched 
and  picketed.  Two  large  row  galleys  were  on  the  stocks,  and 
would  soon  be  finished.  Now  was  the  time,  according  to  his 
informants,  to  carry  Canada.  It  might  be  done  with  great  ease 
and  little  cost.  The  Canadians  were  disaffected  to  British  rule, 
and  would  join  the  Americans,  and  so  would  many  of  the  In- 
dians. 

"  I  am  prepared,"  writes  he  to  Washington,  "  to  move  against 
*  Am.  Archives,  4th  Series,  iii.  17. 


44  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

tlio  enemy,  unless  your  Excellency  and  Congress  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  exe- 
cute it  in  such  a  manner  as  "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  with  the  Caughuawa- 
gas,  and  the  warriors  of  the  Six  Nations,  whom,  as  one  of  the 
commissioners  of  Indian  affairs,  he  had  invited  to  meet  him  at 
that  place.  General  Ilichard  Montgomery  was  to  remain  in  com- 
mand at  Ticonderoga,  during  his  absence,  and  to  urge  forward 
the  military  jDrcparations.  As  the  subsequent  fortunes  of  this 
gallant  officer  are  inseparably  connected  with  the  Canadian  cam- 
paign, and  have  endeared  his  name  to  Americans,  we  pause  to 
give  a  few  particulars  concerning  him. 

General  Ilichard  Montgomery  was  of  a  good  family  in  the 
north  of  Ireland,  where  he  was  born  in  1736.  He  entered  the 
army  when  about  eighteen  years  of  age ;  served  in  America  in 
the  French  war ;  won  a  lieutenancy  by  gallant  conduct  at  Louis- 
burg;  followed  General  Amherst  to  Lake  Champlain,  and,  after 
the  conquest  of  Canada,  was  promoted  to  a  captaincy  for  his  ser- 
vices in  the  West  Indies. 

After  the  peace  of  Versailles  he  resided  in  England ;  but, 
about  three  years  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution,  he 
sold  out  his  commission  in  the  army  and  emigrated  to  New  York. 
Here  he  married  the  eldest  daughter  of  Judge  Robert  R.  Liv- 
ingston, 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  favor  of  the   popular   cause,  he  was 


ROBERT  R.  LIVINGSTON.     (THE  NATIONAL  PORTRAIT  GALLERY. 


1775.]  GENERAL    MONTGOMERY.  45 

drawn  reluctantly  from  his  rural  abode,  to  represent  his  county 
in  the  first  convention  of  the  province ;  and  on  the  recent  organ- 
ization of  the  army,  his  military  reputation  gained  him  the  un- 
sought commission  of  Brigadier-general.  "  It  is  an  event," 
writes  he  to  a  friend,  "  which  must  put  an  end  for  a  while,  per- 
haps for  ever,  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  was 
about  thirty-nine  years  of  age,  and  the  heau  ideal  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  command- 
ed the  respect  of  friends  and  foes,  and  he  was  noted  for  winning 
the  affections  of  the  soldiery. 

While  these  things  were  occurring  at  Ticonderoga,  several  In- 
dian chiefs  made  their  appearance  in  the  camp  at  Cambridge. 
They  came  in  savage  state  and  costume,  as  ambassadors  from 
their  respective  tribes,  to  have  a  talk  about  the  impending  inva- 
sion 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  decorum. 


46  LIFE    OF   WASHINGTON.  [^775. 

A  council  fire  was  held.  Tlic  Kachcms  all  ofxcrcd,  on  behalf 
of  their  tribes,  to  take  up  the  hatchet  for  the  Americans,  diould 
the  latter  invade  Canada.  The  offer  was  cmbarrassinc;.  Con- 
gross  had  publicly  resolved  to  seek  nothing  but  neutrality  from 
the  Indian  nations,  unless  the  ministerial  agents  should  make  an 
offensive  alliance  with  them.  The  chief  of  the  St.  Francis  tribe 
declared  that  Governor  Carleton  had  enHeavored  to  persuade  him 
to  take  up  the  hatchet  against  the  Americans,  but  in  vain.  "  As 
our  ancestors  gave  this  country  to  you,"  added  he  grandly,  "  we 
would  not  have  you  destroyed  by  England ;  but  are  ready  to 
afford  you  our  assistance." 

Washington  wished  to  be  certain  of  the  conduct  of  the  ene- 
my, before  he  gave  a  reply  to  these  Indian  overtures.  He  wrote 
by  express,  therefore,  to  General  Schuyler,  requesting  him  to  as- 
certain the  intentions  of  the  British  governor  with  respect  to  the 
native  tribes. 

By  the  same  express,  he  communicated  a  plan  which  had  oc- 
cupied his  thoughts  for  several  days.  As  the  contemplated 
movement  of  Schuyler  would  probably  cause  all  the  British  force 
in  Canada  to  be  concentrated  in  the  neighborhood  of  Montreal 
and  St.  Johns,  he  proposed  to  send  off  an  expedition  of  ten  or 
twelve  hundred  men,  to  penetrate  to  Quebec  by  the  way  of  the 
Kennebec  Eiver.  "If  you  are  resolved  to  proceed,"  writes  he  to 
Schuyler,  "  which  I  gather  from  your  last  letter  is  your  intention, 
it  would  make  a  diversion  that  would  distract  Carleton.  He  must 
either  break  up,  and  follow  this  party  to  Quebec,  by  which  he 
would  leave  you  a  free  passage,  or  he  must  suffer  that  important 
place  to  fall  into  other  hands ;  an  event  that  would  have  a  deci- 
sive effect  and  influence  on  the  public  interest.  *  *  *  * 
The  few  whom  I  have  consulted  on  the  project  approve  it  much, 


1775.]  EMBAKKATION    OF    MONTGOMERY.  47 

but  the  final  determination  is  deferred  until  I  hear  from  you. 
Not  a  moment's  time  is  to  be  lost  in  the  preparations  for  this  en- 
terprise, if  the  advices  from  you  favor  it.  "With  the  utmost  ex- 
pedition the  season  will  be  considerably  advanced,  so  that  you 
•will  dismiss  the  express  as  soon  as  possible." 

The  express  found  Schuyler  in  Albany,  where  he  had  been 
attending  the  conference  with  the  Six  Nations.  He  had  just  re- 
ceived intelligence  which  convinced  him  of  the  propriety  of  an 
expedition  into  Canada ;  had  sent  word  to  Greneral  Montgomery 
to  get  every  thing  ready  for  it,  and  was  on  the  point  of  departing 
for  Ticonderoga  to  carry  it  into  effect.  In  reply  to  Washing- 
ton, he  declared  his  conviction,  from  various  accounts  which  he 
had  received,  that  Carleton  and  his  agents  were  exciting  the  In- 
dian 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  Canada,"  added  he,  "  and  we  meet  with  suc- 
cess, Canada  must  inevitably  fall  into  our  hands." 

Having  sent  off  these  despatches,  Schuyler,  hastened  back  to 
Ticonderoga.  Before  he  reached  there,  Montgomery  had  received 
intelligence  that  Carleton  had  completed  his  armed  vessels  at  St. 
Johns,  and  was  about  to  send  them  into  Lake  Champlain  by  the 
Sorel  Hiver.  No  time,  therefore,  was  to  be  lost  in  getting  pos- 
session of  the  Isle  aux  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 


48  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [^77/5. 

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  whale-boat,  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  80th  of 
Auo-ust,  but  too  ill  of  a  bilious  fever  to  push  on  in  a  whale- 
boat.  He  caused,  however,  a  bed  to  be  prepared  for  him  in  a 
covered  bateau,  and,  ill  as  he  was,  continued  forward  on  the  fol 
lowing  day.  On  the  4th  of  September  he  overtook  Montgomery 
at  the  Isle  ]a  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. 
Johns — where  for  the  present  we  shall  leave  him,  and  return  to 
the  head-quarters  of  the  commander-in-chief. 


OLD    SOUTH    CHURCH,    BOSTON. 


t 


CHAPTER    V. 

A    CHALLENGE     DECLINED A      BLOW    MEDITATED — A    CAUTIOUS    COUNCIL     OF 

WAR — PREPARATION  FOR  THE  QUEBEC  EXPEDITION — BENEDICT  ARNOLD 
THE  LEADER — ADVICE  AND  INSTRUCTIONS DEPARTURE — GENERAL  SCHUY- 
LER    ON     THE     SOREL RECONNOITRES      ST.     JOHNS — CAMP     AT      ISLE      AUX 

NOIX ILLNESS     OF    SCHUYLER RETURNS     TO      TICONDEROGA — EXPEDITION 

OF    MONTGOMERY     AGAINST     ST.     JOHNS — LETTER     OF     ETHAN     ALLEN HIS 

DASH  AGAINST  MONTREAL ITS  CATASTROPHE A  HERO  IN  IRONS — COR- 
RESPONDENCE OF  WASHINGTON  WITH  SCHUYLER  AND  ARNOLD — HIS  ANXIE- 
Ti'  ABOUT   THEM. 

The  siege  of  Boston  had  been  kept  up  for  several  weeks  without 
any  remarkable  occurrence.  The  British  remained  within  their 
lines,  diligently  strengthening  them ;  the  besiegers  having  received 
further  supplies  of  ammunition,  were  growing  impatient  of  a 
state  of  inactivity.  Towards  the  latter  part  of  August  there 
were  rumors  from  Boston,  that  the  enemy  were  preparing  for  a 
sortie.  Washington  was  resolved  to  provoke  it  by  a  kind  of  chal- 
lenge. He  accordingly  detached  fourteen  hundred  men  to  seize 
at  night  upon  a  height  within  musket  shot  of  the  enemy's  line  on 
Charlestown  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  executed  with  silence  and 
celerity,  and  by  daybreak  the  hill  presented  to  the  astonished  foe, 
the  aspect  of  a  fortified  post. 

VOL.  II. — 3 


50  T-IFK    OF    WASHINGTON.  \\77rK 

The  cliailcngc  ^Yas  uot  accepted.  The  British  opened  a  lieavy 
cannonade  from  Bunker's  Hill,  but  kept  witliin  their  works. 
The  Americans,  scant  of  ammunition,  could  only  r(;ply  with  a 
single  nine-pounder ;  this,  however,  sank  one  of  the  flouting  bat- 
teries which  guarded  the  neck.  They  went  on  to  complete  and 
strengthen  this  advanced  post,  exposed  to  daily  cannonade  and 
bombardment,  wdiich,  however,  did  but  little  injury.  They  con- 
tinued to  answer  from  time  to  time  with  a  single  gun  ;  reserving 
their  ammunition  for  a  general  action.  "  We  arc  just  in  the 
situation  of  a  man  with  little  money  in  his  pocket,"  writes  Secre- 
tary Beed ;  "  he  will  do  twenty  mean  things  to  prevent  his  break- 
ing in  upon  his  little  stock.  We  are  obliged  to  bear  with  the 
rascals  on  Bunker's  Hill,  when  a  few  shot  now  and  then  in  return, 
would  keep  our  men  attentive  to  their  business  and  give  the 
enemy  alarms."  * 

The  evident  unwillingness  of  the  latter  to  come  forth  was 
perplexing.  "  Unless  the  ministerial  troops  in  Boston  are  wait- 
ing for  reinforcements,"  writes  Washington,  "  I  cannot  devise 
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  con- 
test at  once." 

Perhaps  they  persuaded  themselves  that  his  army,  composed 
of  crude,  half-disciplined  levies  from  different  and  distant  quar- 
ters, would  gradually  fall  asunder  and  disperse,  or  that  its  means 
of  subsistence  would  be  exhausted.  He  had  his  own  fears  on  the 
subject,  and  looked  forward  with  doubt  and  anxi3ty  to  a  winter's 
campaign ;  the  heavy  expense  that  would  be  incurred  in  providing 
barracks,  fuel  and  warm  clothing ;  the  difficulty  there  would  be 
of  keeping  together,  through  the  rigorous  season,  troops  unaccus- 

*  Life  of  Reed,  vol.  i  119. 


1775  1  WASHINGTON    MEDITATES    A    BLOW.  51 

tomed  to  military  hardships,  and  none  of  whose  terms  of  enlist- 
ment extended  beyond  the  1st  of  January  :  the  supplies  of  ammu- 
nition, too,  that  would  be  required  for  protracted  operations;  the 
stock  of  powder  on  hand,  notwithstanding  the  most  careful  hus- 
bandry, being  fearfully  small.  Revolving  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  briga- 
dier-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  co-operation  with  an  attempt  upon  their 
lines  at  Roxbury.  "  The  success  of  such  an  enterprise,"  adds  he, 
''  depends,  I  well  know,  upon  the  Allwise  Disposer  of  events,  and 
it  is  not  within  the  reach  of  human  wisdom  to  foretell  the  issue ; 
but  if  the  prospect  is  fair,  the  undertaking  is  justifiable." 

He  proceeded  to  state  the  considerations  already  cited,  which 
appeared  to  justify  it.  The  council  having  thus  had  time  for 
previous  deliberation,  met  on  the  11th  of  September.  It  was 
composed  of  Major-generals  Ward,  Lee,  and  Putnam,  and  Briga- 
dier-generals Thomas,  Heath,  Sullivan,  Spencer,  and  Greene. 
They  unanimously  pronounced  the  suggested  attempt  inexpedi- 
ent, at  least  for  the  present. 

It  certainly  was  bold  and  hazardous,  yet  it  seems  to  have 
taken  strong  hold  on  the  mind  of  the  commander-in-chief,  usually 
BO  cautious.  "  I  cannot  say,"  writes  he  to  the  President  of  Con- 
gress, "  that  I  have  wholly  laid  it  aside ;  but  new  events  may  oc- 


52  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

casiou  ucw  measures.  Of  this  I  hope  the  honorable  Congress  can 
need  no  at^surance,  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  mean  time,  as  it  was  evident  the  enemy  did  not  intend 
to  come  out,  but  were  only  strengthening  their  defences  and  pre- 
paring for  winter,  Washington  was  enabled  to  turn  his  attention 
to  the  expedition  to  be  sent  into  Canada  by  the  way  of  the 
Kennebec  River. 

A  detachment  of  about  eleven  hundred  men,  chosen  for  the 
purpose,  was  soon  encamped  on  Cambridge  Common.  There 
were  ten  companies  of  New  England  infantry,  some  of  them  from 
General  Greene's  Rhode  Island  regiments;  three  rifle  companies 
from  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  one  of  them  Captain  Daniel 
Morgan's  famous  company;  and  a  number  of  volunteers;  among 
whom  was  Aaron  Burr,  then  but  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,  skilful  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.  Whatever  faults  may  have  been  found 
with  his  conduct  in  some  particulars,  his  exploits  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain  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  recep- 
tion at  head-quarters,  and  now  considered  him  the  very  man  for 
the   present   enterprise.      He   had   shown   aptness   for  military 


^^^•"^•]  ARNOLD  -IN    COMMAND.  53 

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  lieu- 
tenant-colonel in  the  continental  army. 

As  he  would  be  intrusted  with  dangerous  powers,  Washington, 
beside  a  general  letter  of  instructions,  addressed  a  special  one  to 
him  individually,  full  of  cautious  and  considerate  advice.  "  Upon 
your  conduct  and  courage,  and  that  of  the  officers  and  soldiers 
detailed  on  this  expedition,  not  only  the  success  of  the  present 
enterprise,  and  your  own  honor,  but  the  safety  and  welfare  of  the 
whole  continent,  may  depend.,  I  charge  you,  therefore,  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  in- 
habitants of  Canada  and  the  Indian  nations  have  approved 
themselves,  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  infa- 
mous as  to  injure  any  Canadian  or  Indian  in  his  person  or  prop- 
erty, I  do  most  earnestly  enjoin  you  to  bring  him  to  such  severe 
and  exemplary  punishment  as  the  enormity  of  the  crime  may  re- 
quire. Should  it  extend  to  death  itself,  it  will  not  be  dispropor- 
tioned  to  its  guilt  at  such  a  time  and  in  such  a  cause.  *  *  *  * 
I  also  give  in  charge  to  you,  to  avoid  all  disrespect  to  the  religion 
of  the  country  and  its  ceremonies.  *  *  While  we  are  con- 
tending for  our  own  liberty,  we   should  be  very  cautious  not  to 


54  LIFE    OK    WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

violate  the  rights  of  coiiscieuoe  in  others,  ever  considering  that 
God  alone  is  the  judge  of  the  hearts  of  men,  and  to  him  only,  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  sou  of  so  illustrious  a  character  and 
so  true  a  friend  to  America." 

Arnold  was,  moreover,  furnished  witli  handbills  for  distribu- 
tion in  Canada,  setting  forth  the  friendly  objects  of  the  present 
expedition,  as  well  as  of  that  under  General  Schuyler ;  and  call- 
ino-  on  the  Canadians  to  furnish  necessaries  and  accommodations 

o 

of  every  kind;  for  which  they  were  assured   ample  ccmpensation. 

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  command  of  an 
expedition  into  Canada ;  and  trusted  in  the  capture  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,  impatient  to  receive  tidings  of 
his  progress  up  the  Kennebec,  and  expecting  that  the  expedition 
w^ould  reach  Quebec  about  the  middle  of  October.  In  the  inte- 
rim came  letters  from  General  Schuyler,  giving  particulars  of  the 
main  expedition. 

In  a  preceding  chapter  we  left  the  general  and  his  little 
army  at  the  Isle  aux  Noix,  near  the  Sorel  River,  the  outlet  of 
the  lake.  Thence,  on  the  5th  of  September,  he  sent  Colonel 
Ethan   Allen   and   Major   Brown    to    reconnoitre   the   country 


1775.]  SCHUYLER    ON    THE    SOREL.  "i  55 

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  River  the  next  day  with  his  boats, 
until  within  two  miles  of  St.  Johns,  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  discussed  in  a  council  of  war  in  the  morning, 
it  was  determined  that  they  had  neither  men  nor  artillery  suffi- 
cient to  undertake  a  siege.  They  returned,  therefore,  to  the  Isle 
aux  Noix,  cast  up  fortifications,  and  threw  a  boom  across  the 
channel  of  the  river  to  prevent  the  passage  of  the  enemy's  ves- 
sels into  the  lake,  and  awaited  the  arrival  of  artillery  and  rein- 
forcements from  Ticonderoga. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  days  the  expected  reinforcements  ar- 
rived, and  with  them  a  small  train  of  artillery.  Ethan  Allen 
also  returned  from  his  reconnoitring  expedition,  of  which  he  made 
a  most  encouraging  report.  The  Canadian  captains  of  militia 
were  ready,  he  said,  to  join  the  Americans,  whenever  they  should 


56  i^iFE  OK  WAh?iiiK(JTON.  [n7r,. 

appear  with  suiricicnt  force.  Ho  had  hehl  talks,  too,  with  the  In- 
dians, and  found  them  well  disposed.  In  a  word,  he  was  convinced 
tiiat  an  attack  on  St.  Johns,  and  jin  inroad  into  the  province, 
would  meet  with  hearty  co-operation. 

Preparations  were  now  made  for  the  investment  of  St.  Johns 
by  land  and  water.  Major  Brow^n,  who  had  already  acted  as  a 
scout,  was  sent  with  one  hundred  Americans,  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.  Johns. 

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  re- 
cruits among  the  people  whom  he  had  recently  visited. 

For  some  time  past,  General  Schuyler  had  been  struggling 
with  a  complication  of  maladies,  but  exerting  himself  to  the 
utmost  in  the  harassing  business  of  the  camp,  still  hoping  to  be 
able  to  move  with  the  army.  When  every  thing  was  nearly 
ready,  he  was  attacked  in  the  night  by  a  severe  access  of  his  dis- 
order, which  confined  him  to  his  bed,  and  compelled  him  to  sur- 
render 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  covered  bateau, 
and  set  off  for  Ticonderoga,  to  hasten  forward  reinforcements 
and  supplies.  An  hour  after  his  departure,  he  met  Colonel  Seth 
"Warner,  with  one  hundred  and  seventy  Green  Mountain  Boys, 
steering  for  the  camp,  "  being  the  first,"  adds  he,  "  that  have  ap- 
peared of  that  boasted  corps."  Some  had  mutinied  and  deserted 
the  colonel,  and  the  remainder  were  at  Crown  Point;  whence 
they  were  about  to  embark. 

Such  was   the   purport    of    different    letters    received    from 


1775.]  SOLICITUDE    ABOUT    ARNOLD.  57 

Schuyler ;  the  last  bearing  date  September  20th.  Washington 
was  deeply  concerned  when  informed  that  he  had  quitted  the 
army,  supposing  that  General  Wooster,  as  the  eldest  brigadier, 
would  take  rank  and  command  of  Montgomery,  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  infallibly  perish,  if  the  invasion 
and  entry  into  Canada  are  abandoned  by  your  successor.  I  hope 
by  this  time  the  penetration  into  Canada  by  your  army  is  efiect- 
ed ;  but  if  it  is  not,  and  there  are  any  intentions  to  lay  it  aside, 
I  beg  it  may  be  done  in  such  a  manner  that  Arnold  may  be 
saved,  by  giving  him  notice ;  and  in  the  mean  time,  your  army 
may  keep  such  apearances  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  Arnold,  was  a  let- 
ter received  from  him,  dated  ten  days  previously  from  Fort  West- 
ern, on  the  Kennebec  Kiver.  He  had  sent  reconnoitring  parties 
ahead  in  light  canoes,  to  gain  intelligence  from  the  Indians,  and 
take  the  courses  and  distances  to  Dead  River,  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  riflemen 
in  the  first  division.  Lieutenant-colonel  Roger  Enos  commanding 
the  last.  As  soon  as  the  last  division  should  be  under  way,  Ar- 
nold was  to  set  off  in  a  light  skiff  to  overtake  ^.  the  advance. 
Chaudiere   Pond   on  the  Chaudiere  River,  was    the    appointed 

VOL.  II. — 3* 


58  I^IFE    OF   WASHINGTON.  [Uir,. 

rondezvoiis,  wlioiico    tlioy    were    to    marcli    in    a  body    toward.s 
Quebec. 

Judging  from  tbe  date  of  the  letter,  Arnold  must  at  this  time 
bo  making  his  way,  by  land  and  water,  through  an  uninhabited 
and  unexplored  wilderness ;  and  beyond  the  reach  of  recall ;  his 
Bituation,  therefore,  would  be  desperate  should  General  Wooster 
fail  to  follow  up  the  campaign  against  St.  Johns.  The  solicitude 
of  Washington  on  his  account  was  heightened  by  the  conscious- 
ness, that  the  hazardous  enterprise  in  which  he  was  engaged  had 
chiefly  been  set  on  foot  by  himself,  and  he  felt  in  some  degree  re- 
sponsible for  the  safety  of  the  resolute  partisan  and  his  com- 
panions. 

Fortunately,  Wooster  was  not  the  successor  to  Schuyler  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  no- 
bly in  the  matter,  in  reply  to  some  inquiry  made  by  Schuyler. 
"  I  have  the  cause  of  my  country  too  much  at  heart,"  said  he, 
*'  to  attempt  to  make  any  difficulty  or  uneasiness  in  the  army, 
upon  whom  the  success  of  an  enterprise  of  almost  infinite  import- 
ance to  the  country  is  now  depending.  I  shall  consider  my  rank 
in  the  army  what  my  commission  from  the  Continental  Congress 
makes  it,  and  shall  not  attempt  to  dispute  the  command  with 
General  Montgomery  at  St.  Johns."  We  shall  give  some  further 
particulars  concerning  this  expedition  against  St.  Johns,  towards 
which  Washington  was  turning  so  anxious  an  eye. 

On  the  16th  of  September,  the  day  after  Schuyler's  depart- 
ure for  Ticonderoga,  Montgomery  proceeded  to  carry  out  the 
plans  which  had  been  concerted  between  them.     Landing  on  the 


1775.]  BOLD    STROKE    OF    ETHAN    ALLEN.  59 

17tli  at  the  place  where  they  had  formerly  eiicamped,  within  a  mile 
and  a  half  of  the  fort,  he  detached  a  force  of  five  hundred  men, 
among  whom  were  three  hundred  Green  Mountain  Boys  under 
Colonel  Seth  Warner,  to  tal:e  a  position  at  the  junction  of  two 
roads  leading  to  Montreal  and  Chamblee,  so  as  to  intercept  relief 
from  those  points.  He  now  proceeded  to  invest  St.  Johns.  A 
battery  was  erected  on  a  point  of  land  commanding  the  fort, 
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  incessant  fire  from  the  enemy,  which,  as  yet,  was 
but  feebly  returned. 

St.  Johns  had  a  garrison  of  five  or  six  hundred  regulars  and 
two  hundred  Canadian  militia.  Its  commander,  Major  Preston, 
made  a  brave  resistance.  Montgomery  had  not  proper  battering 
cannon;  his  mortars  were  defective ;  his  artillerists  unpractised, 
and  the  engineer  ignorant  of  the  first  principles  of  his  art.  The 
siege  went  on  slowly,  until  the  arrival  of  an  artillery  company 
under  Captain  Lamb,  expedited  from  Saratoga  by  General 
Schuyler.  Lamb,'who  was  an  able  of&cer,  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  Colonel 
Ethan  Allen,  giving  hope  of  further  reinforcement.  "  I  am 
now,"  writes  he,  "  at  the  Parish  of  St.  Ours,  four  leagues  from 
Sorel  to  the  south.  I  have  two  hundred  and  fifty  Canadians 
under  arms.  As  I  march,  they  gather  fast.  You  may  rely  on 
it,  that  I  shall  join  you  in  about  three  jdays,  with  five  hundred  or 
more  Canadian  volunteers.     I  could  raise  one  or  two  thousand  in 


60  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  ['775. 

a  week's  time;  but  I  will  first  visit  the  army  with  a  less  number, 
aud,  if  uecessary,  go  agaiu  recruiting.  Tliose  that  used  to  bo 
enemies  to  our  cause,  come  cap  in  band  to  me ;  and  I  swear  by 
the  Lord,  I  can  raise  three  times  the  number  of  our  army  in 
Canada,  provided  you  continue  the  siege.  *  *  ♦  The  eyes  of 
all  America,  nay,  of  Europe,  are  or  will  be  on  the  economy  of 
this  army  and  the  consequences  attending  it."  * 

Allen  was  actually  on  his  way  toward  St.  Johns,  when,  between 
Longueil  and  La  Prairie,  he  met  Colonel  Brown  with  his  party 
of  Americans  and  Canadians.  A  conversation  took  place  be- 
tween 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  Lon- 
gueil, which  is  nearly  opposite  Montreal,  and  cross  the  St.  Law- 
rence 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  simultaneously  at  opposite  points. 

All  this  was  arranged  and  put  in  action  without  the  consent 
or  knowledge  of  General  Montgomery ;  Allen  was  again  the  par- 
tisan leader,  acting  from  individual  impulse.  His  late  letter 
also  to  General  Montgomery,  would  seem  to  have  partaken  of 
fanfaronade;  for  the  whole  force  with  which  he  undertook  his 
part  of  this  inconsiderate  enterprise,  was  thirty  Americans,  and 
eighty  Canadians.  With  these  he  crossed  the  river  on  the  night 
of  the  24th  of  September,  the  few  canoes  found  at  Longueil  hav- 
ing to  pass  to  and  fro  repeatedly,  before  his  petty  force  could  be 
landed.     Guards  were  stationed  on  the  roads  to  prevent  any  one 

*  Am.  Archives,  4:th  Series,  iii.  754. 


1775.]  ETHAN    ALLEN    A    PRISONER.  61 

passing  and  giving  the  alarm  in  Montreal.  Day  dawned,  but 
there  was  no  signal  of  Major  Brown  having  performed  his  part 
of  the  scheme.  The  enterprise  seems  to  have  been  as  ill  concert- 
ed, as  it  was  ill  advised.  The  day  advanced,  but  still  no  signal ; 
it  was  evident  Major  Brown  had  not  crossed.  Allen  would 
gladly  have  recrossed  the  river,  but  it  was  too  late.  An  alarm 
had  been  given  to  the  town,  and  he  soon  found  himself  encoun- 
tered by  about  forty  regular  soldiers,  and  a  hasty  levy  of  Cana- 
dians and  Indians.  A  smart  action  ensued ;  most  of  Allen's  Ca- 
nadian recruits  gave  way  and  fled,  a  number  of  Americans  were 
slain,  and  he  at  length  surrendered  to  the  British  officer,  Major 
Campbell,  being  promised  honorable  terms  for  himself  and 
thirty-eight  of  his  men,  who  remained  with  him,  seven  of  whom 
were  wounded.  The  prisoners  were  marched  into  the  town  and 
delivered  over  to  General  Prescott,  the  commandant.  Their 
rough  appearance,  and  rude  equipments,  were  not  likely  to  gain 
them  favor  in  the  eyes  of  the  military  tactician,  who  doubtless 
considered  them  as  little  better  than  a  band  of  freebooters  on  a 
maraud.  Their  leader,  albeit  a  colonel,  must  have  seemed  wor- 
thy of  the  band ;  for  Allen  was  arrayed  in  rough  frontier  style ; 
a  deer-skin  jacket,  a  vest  and  breeches  of  coarse  serge,  worsted 
stockings,  stout  shoes,  and  a  red  woollen  cap. 

We  give  Allen's  own  account  of  his  reception  by  the  British 
officer.  "  He  asked  me  my  name,  which  I  told  him.  He  then 
asked  me  whether  I  was  that  Colonel  Allen  who  took  Ticonde- 
roga.  I  told  him  I  was  the  very  man.  Then  he  shook  his  cane 
over  my  head,  calling  me  many  hard  names,  among  which,  he  fre- 
quently used  the  word  rebel,  and  put  himself  in  a  great  rage."  * 

♦  .Am.  Archives,  in.  800. 


62  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

Ethan  Allen,  aocording  to  his  own  account,  answered  with 
bcconiin<»;  spirit.  Indeed  he  gives  somewhat  of  a  nitilodraniatio 
scene,  which  ended  by  his  being  sent  on  board  of  the  Gaspeo 
schooner  of  war,  heavily  ironed,  to  be  transported  to  England  for 
trial ;  Prcscott  giving  him  the  parting  assurance,  sealed  with  an 
emphatic  oath,  that  he  would  grace  a  halter  at  Tyburn. 

Neither  Allen's  courage  nor  his  rhetorical  vein  deserted  him 
on  this  trying  occasion.  From  his  place  of  coniSnement,  ho 
indited  the  following  epistle  to  the  general : — 

"  Honorable  Sir, — In  the  wheel  of  transitory  events  I  find 
myself  prisoner,  and  in  irons.  Probably  your  honor  has  certain 
reasons  to  me  inconceivable,  though  I  challenge  an  instance  of 
this  sort  of  economy  of  the  Americans  during  the  late  war  to  any 
officers  of  the  crown.  On  my  part,  I  have  to  assure  your  honor, 
that  when  I  had  the  command  and  took  Captain  Delaplace  and 
Lieutenant  Fulton,  with  the  garrison  of  Ticonderoga,  I  treated 
them  with  every  mark  of  friendship  and  generosity,  the  evidence 
of  which  is  notorious,  even  in  Canada.  I  have  only  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  Allen." 

In  the  British  publication  from  which  we  cite  the  above,  the 
following  note  is  appended  to  the  letter,  probably  on  the  authority 
of  G-eneral  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."  * 

*  Remembrancer,  ii.  51. 


J 


i775.J  ANNOYANCES    OF    SCHUYLER.  G3 

The  reckless  dash  at  Montreal,  was  viewed  with  concern  by 
the  American  commander.  "  I  am  'apprehensive  of  disagreeable 
consequences  arising  from  Mr.  AUen's  imprudence,"  writes  General 
Schuyler.  "  I  always  dreaded  his  impatience  of  subordination, 
and  it  was  not  until  after  a  solemn  promise  made  me  in  the  pres- 
ence of  several  officers,  that  he  would  demean  himself  with  pro- 
priety, that  I  would  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  Wash- 
ington. "  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  bewil- 
dered the  imagination  of  Allen,  and  unfitted  him  for  regular  war- 
fare. Still  his  name  will  ever  be  a  favorite  one  with  his  country- 
men. Even  his  occasional  rhodomontade  will  be  tolerated  with 
a  good-humored  smile,  backed  as  it  was  by  deeds  of  darino- 
courage ;  and  among  the  hardy  pioneers  of  our  Kevolution  whose 
untutored  valor  gave  the  first  earnests  of  its  triumphs,  will  be 
remembered,  with  honor,  the  rough  Green  Mountain  partisan, 
who  seized  upon  the  "  Keys  of  Champlain." 

In  the  letters  of  Schuyler,  which  gave  Washington  accounts, 
from  time  to  time,  of  the  preceding  events,  were  sad  repinings  at 
his  own  illness,  and  the  multiplied  annoyances  which  beset  him. 
"  The  vexation  of  spirit  under  which  I  labor,"  writes  he,  "  that  a 
barbarous  complication  of  disorders  should  prevent  me  from 
reaping  those  laurels  for  which  I  have  unweariedly  wrought  since 


64  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  I  177.",. 

I  was  houorcd  with  this  coiiiniaiul ;  the  anxiety  I  liavc  Hufiorcd 
since  my  arrival  here  (at  Ticondoroga),  lest  the  uriny  sliould 
starve,  occa.yioiied  by  a  scandalous  want  of  subordination  and  in- 
attention to  my  orders,  in  some  of  the  officers  that  I  left  to  com- 
mand at  the  diflferent  posts ;  the  vast  variety  of  disagreeable  and 
vexatious  incidents  that  almost  every  hour  arise  in  some  depart- 
ment or  other, — not  only  retard  my  cure,  but  have  put  me  con- 
siderably back  for  some  days  past.  If  Job  had  been  a  general  iu 
my  situation,  his  memory  had  not  been  so  famous  for  patience. 
But  the  glorious  end  we  have  in  view,  and  which  I  have  confident 
hope  will  be  attained,  will  atone  for  all."  Washington  replied  in 
that  spirit  of  friendship  which  existed  between  them.  "  You  do 
me  justice  in  believing  that  I  feel  the  utmost  anxiety  for  your 
situation,  that  1  sympathize  with  you  in  all  your  distresses,  and 
shall  most  heartily  share  in  the  joy  of  your  success.  My  anxiety 
extends  itself  to  poor  Arnold,  whose  fate  depends  upon  the  issue 
of  your  campaign.  *****  The  more  I  reflect  upon 
the  importance  of  your  expedition,  the  greater  is  my  concern,  lest 
it  should  sink  under  insuperable  difficulties.  I  look  upon  ;the 
interests  and  salvation  of  our  bleeding  country  in  a  great  degree 
as  depending  upon  your  success." 

Shortly  after  writing  the  above,  and  while  he  was  still  full  of 
solicitude  about  the  fate  of  Arnold,  he  received  a  despatch  from 
the  latter,  dated  October  13th,  from  the  great  portage  or  carry- 
ing-place between  the  Kennebec  and  Dead  River. 

"  Your  Excellency,"  writes  Arnold,  "  may  possibly  think  we 
have  been  tardy  in  our  march,  as  we  have  gained  so  little ;  but 
when  you  consider  the  badness  and  weight  of  the  bateaux,  and 
large  quantities  of  provisions,  &c.,  we  have  been  obliged  to  force 
up  against  a  very  rapid  stream,  where  you  would  have  taken  the 


17^5.]  PROGRESS    OF    ARNOLD.  65 

men  for  amphibious  animals,  as  they  were  a  great  part  of  the 
time  under  water :  add  to  this  the  great  fatigue  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  Eiver  had 
indeed  been  excessive.  Part  of  the  men  of  each  division  managed 
the  boats — part  marched  along  the  banks.  Those  on  board  had 
to  labor  against  swift  currents;  to  unload  at  rapids;  transport 
the  cargoes,  and  sometimes  the  boats  themselves,  for  some  dis- 
tance on  their  shoulders,  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  scrcamble  over  rocks  and  precipices,  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  progress  was  but  from  four  to  ten 
miles  a  day.  At  night  the  men  of  each  division  encamped 
together. 

o 

By  the  time  they  arrived  at  the  place  whence  the  letter  was 
written,  fatigue,  swamp  fevers  and  desertion  had  reduced  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  Chaudiere  in  eight  or  ten  days,  the  greatest  difficulty  being, 
I  hope,  already  past." 

He  had  some  days  previously  despatched  an  Indian,  whom  he 
considered  trusty,  with  a  letter  for  General  Schuyler,  apprising  him 


66 


LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [\77r>. 


of  his  wlicroaboiitP,  but  as  yet  liad  received  no  intelligence  citlier 
of,  or  from  the  general,  nor  did  he  expect  to  receive  any  until  ho 
should  reach  Chaudiere  Pond.  There  he  calculated  to  meet  the 
return  of  his  express,  and  then  to  determine  his  plan  of  opera- 
tions. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

BRITISH    IN    BOSTON   SEND  OUT  CRUISERS DEPREDATIONS    OF  CAPTAIN  WALLACE 

ALONG   THE  COAST — TREASON  IN    THE    CAMP — ARREST   OF  DR.   CHURCH HIS 

TRIAL   AND    FATE CONFLAGRATION    OF    FALMOUTH IRRITATION   THROUGH- 
OUT  THE    COUNTRY FITTING    OUT    OF    VESSELS    OF    WAR EMBARKATION    OP 

GENERAL     GAGE     FOR     ENGI-AND COMMITTEE      FR03I     CONGRESS — CONFER- 
ENCES   WITH   WASHINGTON RESOLUTIONS   OF    CONGRESS   TO<  CARRY    ON   THE 

WAR RETURN    OF    SECRETARY    REED    TO    PHILADELPHIA. 

While  the  two  expeditions  were  threatening  Canada  from  differ- 
ent quarters,  the  war  was  going  on  along  the  seaboard.  The  Brit- 
ish in  Boston,  cut  off  from  supplies  by  land,  fitted  out  small  armed 
vessels  to  seek  them  along  the  coast  of  New  England.  The  in- 
habitants drove  their  cattle  into  the  interior,  or  boldly  resisted 
the  aggressors.  Parties  landing  to  forage  were  often  repulsed  by 
hasty  levies  of  the  yeomanry.  Scenes  of  ravage  and  violence  oc- 
curred. Stonington  was  cannonaded,  and  further  measures  of 
vengeance  were  threatened  by  Captain  Wallace  of  the  Rose  man- 
of-war,  a  naval  officer,  who  had  acquired  an  almost  piratical  repu- 
tation along  the  coast,  and  had  his  rendezvous  in  the  harbor  of 
Newport :  domineering  over  the  waters  of  Rhode  Island.* 

About  this  time  there  was  an  occurrence,  which  caused  great 

*  Gov.  Trumbull  to  'Washington.     Sparks'  Corresp.  of  the  Rev.,  i.  27. 


G8  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [^775. 

excitement  in  the  armies.  A  woman,  coming  from  the  camp  at 
Cambridge,  applied  to  a  Mr.  Waiuwood  of  Newport,  Rliodo 
Island,  to  aid  her'  in  gaining  access  to  Captain  Wallace,  or  Mr. 
DudU;y,  the  collector.  Wainwood,  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.  Suspect- 
ing something  wrong,  he  T)revailed  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.  lie  took  it  to  Mr. 
Henry  Ward,  secretary  of  the  colony.  Tlie  latter,  apprehending 
it  might  contain  treasonable  information  to  the  enemy,  transmit- 
ted it  to  General  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  Wallace  the  nau- 
tical 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  Cam- 
bridge. Tradition  gives  us  a  graphic  scene  connected  with  her 
arrest.  Washington  was  in  his  chamber  at  head-quarters,  when 
he  beheld  from  his  window,  General  Putnam  approaching  on 
horseback,  with  a  stout  woman  en  croupe  behind  him.  He  had 
pounced  upon  the  culprit.  The  group  presented  by  the  old  gen- 
eral and  his  prize,  overpowered  even  Washington's  gravity.  It 
was  the  only  occasion  throughout  the  whole  campaign,  on  which 
he  was  known  to  laugh  heartily.  He  had  recovered  his  gravity  by 
the  time  the  delinquent  was  brought  to  the  foot  of  the  broad  stair- 
case in  head-quarters,  and  assured  her  in  a  severe  tone  from  the 
head  of  it,  that,  unless  she  confessed  every  thing  before  the  next 
morning,  a  halter  would  be  in  readiness  for  her. 


1775.]  TREASON    IN    THE    CAMP.  69 

So  far  the  tradition ; — his  owu  letter  to  the  President  of  Con- 
gress 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  patriotic  writings;  a  member  of  the  Massachusetts 
House  of  Representatives ;  one  of  the  committee  deputed  to  con- 
duct Washington  to  the  army,  and  at  present  he  discharged  the 
functions  of  surgeon-general  and  director  of  the  hospitals.  That 
such  a  man  should  be  in  traitorous  correspondence  with  the  en- 
emy, was  a  thunderstroke.  Orders  were  given  to  secure  him  and 
his  papers.  On  his  arrest  he  was  extremely  agitated,  but  acknow- 
ledged 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  appeared,  how- 
ever, on  inquiry,"  says  Washington,  "  that  a  confidant  had  been 
among  the  papers  before  my  messenger  arrived." 

The  letter  was  deciphered.  It  gave  a  description  of  the 
army.  The  doctor  made  an  awkward  defence,  protesting  that  he 
had  given  an  exaggerated  account  of  the  American  force,  for  the 
purpose  of  deterring  the  enemy  from  attacking  the  American 
lines  in  their  present  defenceless  condition  from  the  want  of  pow- 
der. His  explanations  were  not  satisfactory.  The  army  and 
country  were  exceedingly  irritated.  In  a  council  of  war  he  was 
convicted  of  criminal  correspondence ;  he  was  expelled  from  the 
Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives,  and  the  Continental  Con- 
gress ultimately  resolved  that  he  should  be  confined  in  some  secure 
jail  in  Connecticut,  without  the  use  of  pen,  ink,  or  paper;  ''and 
that  no  person  be  allowed  to  converse  with  him,  except  in  the  pre- 
sence and  hearing  of  a  magistrate  or  the  sherifi*  of  the  county." 


70  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

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.  Church 
was  the  kind  of  warfare  already  mentioned,  carried  on  along  the 
coast  by  British  cruisers,  and  notoriously  by  Captain  Wallace. 
To  check  these  maraudings,  and  to  capture  the  enemy's  trans- 
ports laden  with  supplies,  the  provinces  of  Massachusetts,  llhode 
Island  and  Connecticut,  fitted  out  two  armed  vessels  each,  at  their 
own  expense,  without  seeking  the  sanction  or  aid  of  Congress. 
Washington,  also,  on  his  own  responsibility,  ordered  several 
to  be  equipped  for  like  purpose,  which  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  cruise  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  brigantines  which 
Congress  had  been  informed  had  sailed  from  England  for  Quebec, 
with  ammunition  and  military  stores.  Among  the  sturdy  little 
New  England  seaports,  which  had  become  obnoxious  to  punish- 
ment by  resistance  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  punishment  on  them  for  their  "  premedita- 
ted 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 


1775.]  CONFLAGRATION    OF    FALMOUTH.  71 

the  main-topgallant  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  seaport  towns  between  Bos- 
ton and  Halifax ;  and  he  expected  New  York,  at  the  present  mo- 
ment, was  in  ashes. 

With  much  difficulty,  and  on  the  surrendering  of  some  arms, 
the  committee  obtained  a  respite  until  nine  o'clock  the  next  morn- 
ing, and  the  inhabitants  employed  the  interval  in  removing  their 
families  and  effects.  The  next  morning  the  committee  returned 
on  board  before  nine  o'clock.  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  mast- 
head, and  the  signal  gun  fired.  Within  five  minutes  several 
houses  were  in  flames,  from  a  discharge  of  carcasses  and  bomb- 
shells, which  continued  throughout  the  day.  The  inhabitants, 
''  standing  on  the  heights,  were  spectators  of  the  conflagration, 
which  reduced  many  of  them  to  penury  and  despair."  One  hun- 
dred and  thirty-nine  dwelling  houses,  and  two  hundred  and 
twenty-eight  stores,  are  said  to  have  been  burnt.*  All  the  ves- 
sels in  the  harbor,  likewise,  were  destroyed  or  carried  away  aa 
prizes. 

Having  satisfied  his  sense  of  justice  with  respect  to  Fal- 
mouth, the  gallant  lieutenant  left  it  a  smoking  ruin,  and  mado 
sail,  as  was  said,  for  Boston,  to  supply  himself  with  more  am- 
munition, having  the  intention  to  destroy  Portsmouth  also.f 

The  conflao-ration  of  Falmouth  was  as  a  bale  fire  throuo-hout 

o  O 

*  Holmes's  Annals,  ii.  220.  f  Letter  of  P.  Jones. 


72  LIFE    OF    WASHINO'TON.  Cl'^S. 

the  country.  Lioutcnaiit  Mowat  was  said  to  liavo  informed  the 
committee  at  tliat  phice,  that  orders  had  come  from  England  to 
burn  all  the  seaport  towns  that  would  not  lay  down  and  deliver 
up  their  arms,  and  give  hostages  for  their  good  behavior.* 

Washington  himself  supposed  such  to  be  the  case.  "  The 
desolation  and  misery,"  writes  he,  "  which  ministerial  vengeanco 
had  planned,  in  contempt  of  every  principle  of  humanity,  and  so 
lately  brought  on  the  town  of  Falmouth,  I  know  not  how  suffi- 
ciently to  commiserate,  nor  can  my  compassion  for  the  general 
suffering  be  conceived  beyond  the  true  measure  of  my  feelings." 

General  Greene,  too,  in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  expresses  himself 
with  equal  warmth.  "  0,  could  the  Congress  behold  the  distress- 
es and  wretched  condition  of  the  poor  inhabitants  driven  from 
the  seaport  towns,  it  must,  it  would,  kindle  a  blaze  of  indig- 
nation against  the  commissioned  pirates  and  licensed  robbers 
*  *  *  People  begin  heartily  to  wish  a  declaration  of  indepen- 
dence." t 

General  Sullivan  was  sent  to  Portsmouth,  where  there  was  a 
fortification  of  some  strength,  to  give  the  inhabitants  his  advice 
and  assistance  in  warding  off  the  menaced  blow.  Newport,  also, 
was  put  on  the  alert,  and  recommended  to  fortify  itself.  "  I  ex- 
pect every  hour,"  writes  Washington,  "  to  hear  that  Newport  has 
shared  the  same  fate  of  unhappy  Falmouth."  |  Under  the  feeling 
roused  by  these  reports,  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts,  ex- 
ercising a  sovereign  power,  passed  an  act  for  encouraging  the  fit-= 
ting  out  of  armed  vessels  to  defend  the  sea  coast  of  America, 
and  for  erecting  a  court  to  try  and  condemn  all  vessels  that 
should  be  found  infesting  the  same.     This  act,  granting  letters 

*  Letter  from  Gen.  Greene  to  Gov.  Cooke.  J  Aju.  Archives,  iii.  11-45. 

t  Letter  to  the  President  of  Congress. 


JOUN    ADAMS. 


1776.]  GAGE    RETURNS    TO    ENGLAND.  73 

of  marque  and  reprisal,  anticipated  any  measure  of  the  kind  on 
the  part  of  the  General  Government,  and  was  pronounced  by 
John  Adams,  "  one  of  the  most  important  documents  in  his- 
tory."* 

The  British  ministry  have,  in  later  days,  been  exculpated 
from  the  charge  of  issuing  such  a  desolating  order  as  that  said 
to  have  been  reported  by  Lieutenant  Mowat.  The  orders  under 
which  that  officer  acted,  we  are  told,  emanated  from  General 
Gage  and  Admiral  Graves.  The  former  intended  merely  the  an- 
noyance and  destruction  of  rebel  shipping,  whether  on  the  coast 
or  in  the  harbors  to  the  eastward  of  Boston ;  the  burning  of  the 
town  is  surmised  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 
government,  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  absolute- 
ly superseded,  but  called  home,  "  in  order,"  as  it  was  consider- 
ately said,  "  to  give  his  majesty  exact  information  of  every 
thing,  and  suggest  such  matters  as  his  knowledge  and  experience 
of  the  service  might  enable  him  to  furnish."  During  his  ab- 
sence. Major-general  Howe  would  act  as  commander-in-chief  of 
the  colonies  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  and  Major-general  Carletoa 
of  the  British  forces  in  Canada  and  on  the  frontiers.  Gage  fully 
expected  to  return  and  resume  the  command.  In  a  letter  writ- 
ten to  the  minister,  Lord  Dartmouth,  the  day  before  sailing,  he 

*  See  Life  of  Gerry,  109- 
VOL,  II. — 4 


74  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  ,  [1776. 

urged  the  arrival,  early  in  the  spring,  of  reinforcements  which 
had  been  ordered,  anticipating  great  hazard  at  the  opening  of 
the  campaign.  In  the  mean  time  he  trusted  that  two  thousand 
troops,  shortly  expected  from  Ireland,  would  enable  him  "  to  dis- 
tress the  rebels  by  incursions  along  the  coast," — and — "  he  hoped 
Portsmouth  in  New  Hampshire  would  feel  the  weight  of  his 
majesty's  arms."  "  Poor  Crage,"  writes  Horace  Walpole,  "  is  to 
be  the  scape-goat  for  what  was  a  reason  against  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  Washington,  and  with 
delegates  from  the  governments  of  Connecticut,  Rhode  Island, 
Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire,  on  the  subject  of  a  new  or- 
ganization 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  unwary  general  by  his 
sagacious  counsels  and  prompt  expedients.  Franklin  was  regarded 
with  especial  deference  in  the  camp  at  Cambridge.  Greene,  who 
had  never  met  with  him  before,  listened  to  him  as  to  an  oracle. 

Washington  was  president  of  the  board  of  conference,  and 
Mr.  Joseph  Heed  secretary.  The  committee  brought  an  intima- 
tion from  Congress  that  an  attack  upon  Boston  was  much  de- 
sired, 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 


h*^f.         THOMAS   m'kEAN.  ife^mit  U  CfffU^H 


1775.]  BOARD    OF    CONFERENCE.  75 

might  be  pushed  to  the  destruction  of  houses  and  property. 
They  considered  it  a  question  of  too  much  importance  to  be  de- 
cided by  them,  and  said  it  must  be  referred  to  Congress.  But 
though  they  declined  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  Harrison,  as  well  as 
Judge  Wales,  delegate  from  Connecticut,  when  the  possible 
effects  of  a  bombardment  were  suggested  at  a  dinner  table,  de- 
clared that  they  would  be  willing  to  see  Boston  in  flames.  Lee 
who  was  present,  observed  that  it  was  impossible  to  burn  it  un- 
less they  sent  in  men  with  bundles  of  straw  to  do  it.  "  It  could 
not  be  done  with  carcasses  and  red-hot  shot.  Isle  Boyal,"  he 
added,  "  in  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  had  been  fired  at  for  a  long 
time  in  1760,  with  a  fine  train  of  artillery,  hot-shot  and  carcass- 
es, without  effect."  * 

The  board  of  conference  was  repeatedly  in  session,  for  three 
or  four  days.  The  report  of  its  deliberations  rendered  by  the 
committee,  produced  a  resolution  of  Congress,  that  a  new  army 
of  twenty-two  thousand  two  hundred  and  seventy-two  men  and 
officers,  should  be  formed,  to  be  recruited  as  much  as  possible 
from  the  troops  actually  in  service.  Unfortunately  the  term  for 
which  they  were  to  be  enlisted  was  to  be  hut  for  one  year.  It 
formed  a  precedent  which  became  a  recurring  cause  of  embar- 
rassment throughout  the  war. 

Washington's  secretary,  Mr.  Reed,  had,  after  the  close  of  the 
conference,  signified  to  him  his  intention  to  return  to  Philadel- 
phia, where  his  private  concerns  required  his  presence.     His  de- 

*  Life  of  Dr.  Belknap,  p.  96.  The  doctor  was  present  9,t  the  above-cited 
conversation. 


V6  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [^775. 

parturc  was  dcq)ly  regretted.  His  fluent  pen  had  been  of  great 
assistance  to  Washington  in  the  despatch  of  his  multifarious  cor- 
respondence, and  his  judicious  counsels  and  cordial  sympathies  had 
been  still  more  appreciated  by  the  commander-in-chief,  amid  the 
multiplied  diflTiculties  of  his  situation.  On  the  departure  of  Mr. 
Keed,  his  place  as  secretary  was  temporarily  supplied  by  Mr. 
Robert  Harrison  of  Maryland,  and  subsequently  by  Colonel 
Mifflin;  neither,  however,  attained  to  the  affectionate  confidence 
reposed  in  their  predecessor. 

We  shall  have  occasion  to  quote  the  correspondence  kept  up 
between  Washington  and  Reed,  during  the  absence  of  the  latter. 
The  letters  of  the  former  are  peculiarly  interesting,  as  giving 
views  of  what  was  passing,  not  merely  around  him,  but  in  the  re- 
cesses of  his  own  heart.  No  greater  proof  need  be  given  of  the 
rectitude  of  that  heart,  than  the  clearness  and  fulness  with 
which,  in  these  truthful  documents,  every  thought  and  feeling  is 
laid  open. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

MEASURES    OF   GENKRAL,    HOWE DESECRATION    OF    CHURCHES THREE   PROCLA- 
MATIONS  SEIZURE    OF    TORIES WANT     OF    ARTILLERY HENRY    KNOX,    THE 

ARTILLERIST HIS     MISSION     TO    TICONDEROGA RE-ENLISTMENT    OF   TROOPS 

LACK    OF    PUBLIC    SPIRIT COMMENTS    OF    GENERAL    GREENE. 

The  measures  which  Greneral  Howe  had  adopted  after  taking 
command  in  Boston,  rejoiced  the  royalists,  seeming  to  justify 
their  anticipations.  He  proceeded  to  strengthen  the  works  on 
Bunker's  Hill  and  Boston  Neck,  and  to  clear  away  houses  and 
throw  up  redoubts  on  eminences  within  the  town.  The  patriot 
inhabitants  were  shocked  by  the  desecration  of  the  Old  South 
Church,  which  for  more  than  a  hundred  years  had  been  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  Burgoyne's  light  dragoons.  To  excuse  its  des- 
ecration, it  was  spoken  of  scoffingly  as  a  "  meeting-house,  where 
sedition  had  often  been  preached." 

The  North  Church,  another  "  meeting-house,"  was  entirely 
demolished  and  used  for  fuel.  ''Thus,"  says  a  chronicler  of  the 
day,  "  thus  are  our  houses  devoted  to  religious  worship,  profaned 
and  destroyed  by  the  subjects  of  his  royal  majesty."  * 

*  Thacher's  Military  Journal,  p.  50. 


78  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

About  the  last  of  October,  IIowo  issued  three  proclamations. 
The  first  forbade  all  persons  to  leave  Boston  without  his  permis- 
sion under  pain  of  military  execution ;  the  second  forbade  any 
one,  so  permitted,  to  take  with  him  more  than  five  pounds  ster- 
ling, under  pain  of  forfeiting  all  the  money  found  upon  his  per- 
son 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  conflagration 
of  Falmouth;  the  conduct  of  Governor  Dunmore  who  had  pro- 
claimed martial  law  in  Virginia,  and  threatened  ruin  to  the  patri- 
ots, had  added  to  his  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  Governor  Trumbull 
of  Connecticut,  "to  seize  those  tories  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  was  fortifying 
Portsmouth,  "  to  seize  upon  such  persons  as  held  commissions  under 
the  crown,  and  were  acting  as  open  and  avowed  enemies  to  their 
country,  and  hold  them  as  hostages  for  the  security  of  the  town." 
Still  he  was  moderate  in  his  retaliation,  and  stopped  short  of  pri- 
vate individuals.  ''  For  the  present,"  said  he,  "  I  shall  avoid  giv- 
ing the  like  order  with  regard  to  the  tories  of  Portsmouth ;  but 
the  day  is  not  far  off  when  they  will  meet  with  this,  or  a  worse 


HENRY  KNOX.        (THE    NATIONAL   PORTRAIT  GALLEl    i 


^''75.]  HENRY    KNOX.  79 

fate,  if  there  is  not  a  considerable  reformation  in  their  con- 
duct."* 

The  season  was  fast  approaching  when  the  bay  between  the 
camp  and  Boston  would  be  frozen  over,  and  military  operations 
might  be  conducted  upon  the  ice.  General  Howe,  if  reinforced, 
would  then  very  probably  "  endeavor  to  relieve  himself  from  the 
disgraceful  confinement  in  which  the  ministerial  troops  had  been 
all  summer."  Washington  felt  the  necessity,  therefore,  of  guard- 
ing the  camps  wherever  they  were  most  assailable ;  and  of  throw- 
ing up  batteries  for  the  purpose.  He  had  been  embarrassed 
throughout  the  siege  by  the  want  of  artillery  and  ordnance  stores ; 
but  never  more  so  than  at  the  present  moment.  In  this  juncture, 
Mr.  Henry  Knox  stepped  forward,  and  oifered  to  proceed  to  the 
frontier  forts  on  Champlain  in  quest  of  a  supply. 

Knox  was  one  of  those  providential  characters  which  spring 
up  in  emergencies,  as  if  they  were  formed  by  and  for  the  occasion. 
A  thriving  bookseller  in  Boston,  he  had  thrown  up  business  to 
take  up  arms  for  the  liberties  of  his  country.  He  was  one  of  the 
patriots  who  had  fought  on  Bunker's  Hill,  since  when  he  had 
aided  in  planning  the  defences  of  the  camp  before  Boston.  The 
aptness  and  talent  here  displayed  by  him  as  an  artillerist,  had 
recently  induced  Washington  to  recommend  him  to  Congress  for 
the  command  of  the  regiment  of  artillery  in  place  of  the  veteran 
Gridley,  who  was  considered  by  all  the  officers  of  the  camp,  too 
old  for  active  employment.  Congress  had  not  yet  acted  on  that 
recommendation ;  in  the  mean  time  Washington  availed  hmself  of 
the  ofi*ered  services  of  Knox  in  the  present  instance.  He  was, 
accordingly,  instructed  to  examine  into  the  state  of  the  artillery 

*  Letter  to  William  Palfrey.     Sparks,  iii.  158. 


80  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

in  camp,  and  tako  an  account  of  the  cannon,  mortars,  shells,  lead 
and  ammunition  that  were  wanting.  He  was  then  to  hasten  to 
New  York,  jjrocure  and  forward  all  that  could  he  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  at  Ticonderoga,  Crown 
Point,  St.  Johns,  and  even  Quebec,  should  it  be  in  the  hands  of 
the  Americans.  Knox  set  off  on  his  errand  with  promptness  and 
alacrity,  and  shortly  afterwards  the  commission  of  colonel  of  the 
regiment  of  artillery  which  AVashington  had  advised,  was  for- 
warded to  him  by  Congress. 

The  re-enlistment  of  troops  actually  in  service  was  now  at- 
tempted, and  proved  a  fruitful  source  of  perplexity.  In  a  letter 
to  the  President  of  Congress,  Washington  observes  that  half  of 
the  officers  of  the  rank  of  captain  were  inclined  to  retire ;  and  it 
was  probable  their  example  would  influence  their  men.  Of  those 
who  were  disposed  to  remain,  the  officers  of  one  colony  were  un- 
willing to  mix  in  the  same  regiment  with  those  of  another.  Many 
sent  in  their  names,  to  serve  in  expectation  of  promotion ;  others 
stood  aloof,  to  see  what  advantages  they  could  make  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  officers.  They  would  not  enlist  unless  they  knew  their 
colonel,  lieutenant-colonel  and  captain ;  Connecticut  men  being 
unwilling  to  serve  under  officers  from  Massachusetts,  and  Massa- 
chusetts men  under  officers  from  Khode  Island ;  so  that  it  was  ne- 
cessary to  appoint  the  officers  first. 

Twenty  days  later  he  again  writes  to  the  President  of  Con- 

*  Washington  to  the  President  of  Congress,  Nov.  8. 


1775.]  DIFFICULTIES   IN   RECRUITING.  81 

gress :  "  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  likely  to 
be  deserted  in  a  most  critical  time.  *  *  *  Our  situation  is 
truly  alarming,  and  of  this  General  Howe  is  well  apprised.  No 
doubt  when  he  is  reinforced  he  will  avail  himself  of  the  informa- 
tion." 

In  a  letter  to  Reed  he  disburdened  his  heart  more  completely. 
"  Such  dearth  of  public  spirit,  and  such  want  of  virtue ;  such 
stock-jobbing,  and  fertility  in  all  the  low  arts  to  obtain  advantage 
of  one  kind  or  another  in  this  great  change  of  military  arrange- 
ment, 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 
manoeuvres  is  beyond  my  scan.  I  tremble  at  the  prospect.  We 
have  been  till  this  time  (Nov.  28)  enlisting  about  three  thousand 
five  hundred  men.  To  engage  these,  I  have  been  obliged  to  allow 
furloughs  as  far  as  fifty  men  to  a  regiment,  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  fur- 
lough ;  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  consideration  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  general."     He  grieved  at 

VOL.  II. — 4* 


82  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

Washington's  annoyances,  but  attributed  them  in  part  to  Lis 
being  somewhat  of  a  stranger  in  New  Eugluiid.  "  He  has  not 
had  time,"  writes  he,  "  to  make  himself  acquainted  with  the 
genius  of  this  people;  they  are  naturally  as  brave  and  spirited 
as  the  peasantry  of  any  other  country,  but  you  cannot  expect 
veterans  of  a  raw  militia  from  only  a  few  months'  service.  The 
common  people  are  exceedingly  avaricious;  the  genius  of  the 
people  is  commercial,  from  their  long  intercourse  with  trade. 
The  sentiment  of  honor,  the  true  characteristic  of  a  soldier,  has 
not  yet  got  the  better  of  interest.  His  Excellency  has  been 
taught  to  believe  the  people  here  a  superior  race  of  mortals ; 
and  finding  them  of  the  same  temper  and  dispositions,  passions 
and  prejudices,  virtues  and  vices  of  the  common  people  of  other 
governments,  they  sank  in  his  esteem."  * 

*  Greene  to  Dep.  Gov.  "Ward.     Am.  Arch.  4th  Series,  iii.  114:5« 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

AFFAIRS   IN    CANADA — CAPTUUE    OF    FORT    CHAMBLEE — SIEGE     OF    ST,    JOHNS-^ 

MACLEAN    AND     HIS     HIGHLANDERS MONTGOMERY    ON    THE    TREATMENT    OF 

ETHAN    ALLEN REPULSE    OF   CARLETON CAPITULATION    OF   THE    GARRISON 

OF     ST.      JOHNS GENEROUS     CONDUCT     OF     MONTGOMERY MACLEAN     RE- 
EMBARKS     FOR      QUEBEC WEARY     STRUGGLE     OF    ARNOLD     THROUGH      THE 

WILDERNESS DEFECTION    OF    COLONEL    ENOS ARNOLD    IN    THE    VALLEY    OF 

THE    CHAUDIERE HIS   ARRIVAL   OPPOSITE    QUEBEC — SURRENDER    OF    MON- 
TREAL  ESCAPE  OF  CARLETON HOME  SICKNESS   OF   THE   AJVIERICAN  TROOPS. 

Despatches  from  Schuyler  dated  October  26th,  gave  Washing- 
ton another  chapter  of  the  Canada  expedition.  Chamblee,  an 
inferior  fort,  within  five  miles  of  St.  Johns,  had  been  taken  by 
Majors  Brown  and  Livingston  at  the  head  of  fifty  Americans  and 
three  hundred  Canadians.  A  large  quantity  of  gunpowder  and 
other  military  stores  found  there,  was  a  seasonable  supply  to  the 
army  before  St.  Johns,  and  consoled  General  Montgomery  for  his 
disappointment  in  regard  to  the  aid  promised  by  Colonel  Ethan 
Allen.  He  now  pressed  the  siege  of  St.  Johns  with  vigor.  The 
garrison,  cut  ofi"  from  supplies,  were  sufiering  from  want  of  pro- 
visions ;  but  the  brave  commander,  Major  Preston,  still  held  out 
manfully,  hoping  speedy  relief  from  Greneral  Carleton,  who  was 
assembling  troops  for  that  purpose  at  Montreal. 

Carleton,  it  is   true,  had  but  about  one  hundred   regulars 


84  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [^^75. 

several  hundred  Canadians,  and  a  nuinbur  of  Indians  witli  him  ; 
but  lie  calculated  greatly  on  the  co-operation  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  lloyal  Highland  Emigrants."  This 
doughty  Highlander  was  to  hind  at  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel, 
where  it  empties  into  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  proceed  along  the 
former  river  to  St.  Johns,  to  join  Carleton,  who  would  repair 
thither  by  the  way  of  Longueil. 

In  the  mean  time  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  un- 
necessary severity,  being  loaded  with  irons;  and  that  even  the 
colonel  himself  was  subjected  to  this  "  shocking  indignity." 
Montgomery  addressed  a  letter  to  Carleton  on  the  subject,  strong 
and  decided  in  its  purport,  but  written  in  the  spirit  of  a  courteous 
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. 

"  Your  character,  sir,''  writes  he,  "  induces  me  to  hope  I  am 
ill  informed.  Nevertheless,  the  duty  I  owe  the  troops  committed 
to  my  charge,  lays  me  under  the  necessity  of  acquainting  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  necessary  law  of  retaliation  upon  the  garrison  of  Cham- 
blee,  now  in  my  possession,  and  upon  all  others  who  may  here- 
after fall  into  my  hands.  *  *  *  *  J  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 


1775.]  SIEGE    OF    ST.    JOHNS.  85 

of  a  barbarous  war.  I  cannot  pass  this  opportunity  without 
lamenting  the  melancholy  and  fatal  necessity,  which  obliges  the 
firmest  friends  of  the  constitution  to  oppose  one  of  the  most 
respectable  officers  of  the  crown." 

While  waiting  for  a  reply,  Montojomery  pressed  the  siege 
of  St.  Johns,  though  thwarted  continually  by  the  want  of  subor- 
dination and  discipline  among  his  troops ;  hasty  levies  from  vari- 
ous colonies,  who,  said  he,  "  carry  the  spirt  of  freedom  into  the 
field,  and  think  for  themselves."  Accustomed  as  he  had  been,  in 
his  former  military  experience,  to  the  implicit  obedience  of  Euro- 
pean troops,  the  insubordination  of  these  yeoman  soldiery  was 
intolerable  to  him.  "  Were  I  not  afraid,"  writes  he,  "  the 
example  would  be  too  generally  followed,  and  that  the  public 
service  might  suff'er,  I  would  not  stay  an  hour  at  the  head  of 
troops  whose  operations  I  cannot  direct.  I  must  say  I  have  no 
hopes  of  success,  unless  from  the  garrison's  wanting  provisions." 

He  had  advanced  his  lines  and  played  from  his  batteries  on 
two  sides  of  the  fort  for  some  hours,  when  tidings  brought  by  four 
prisoners,  caused  him  to  cease  his  fire. 

General  Carleton,  on  the  31st  of  September,  had  embarked 
his  motley  force  at  Montreal  in  thirty-four  boats,  to  cross  the  St. 
Lawrence,  land  at  Longueil,  and  push  on  for  St.  Johns,  where,  as 
concerted,  he  was  to  be  joined  by  Maclean  and  his  Highlanders. 
As  the  boats  approached  the  right  bank  of  the  river  at  Longueil, 
a  terrible  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry  was  unexpectedly  opened 
upon  them,  and  threw  them  into  confusion.  It  was  from  Colonel 
Seth  Warner's  detachment  of  Green  Mountain  Boys  and  New 
Yorkers.  Some  of  the  boats  were  disabled,  some  were  driven  on 
shore  on  an  island;  Carleton  reteated  with  the  rest  to  Montreal, 
with  some  loss  in  killed  and  wounded.     The  Americans  captured 


86  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

two  Canadians  and  two  Indiana;  and  it  was  these  prisoners  who 
brou;]jht  tidin2;s  to  the  camp  of  Carlcton's  signal  repulse. 

Aware  tliat  the  garrison  held  out  merely  in  expectation  of 
tlio  relief  thus  intercepted,  Montojomery  ceased  his  fire,  and  sent 
a  flao;  by  one  of  the  Canadian  prisoners  with  a  letter  informing 
Major  Preston  of  the  event,  and  inviting  a  surrender  to  spare 
the  effusion  of  blood. 

Preston  in  reply  expressed  a  doubt  of  the  truth  of  the  report 
brounrht  by  the  prisoners,  but  offered  to  surrender  if  not  relieved  in 
four  days.  The  condition  was  refused  and  the  gallant  major  was 
obliged  to  capitulate.  His  garrison  consisted  of  five  hundred 
regulars  and  one  hundred  Canadians;  among  the  latter  were 
several  of  the  provincial  noblesse. 

Montgomery  treated  Preston  and  his  garrison  with  the  cour- 
tesy 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  aristo- 
cratic 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  capitulation,  the  baggage  of  both  officers  and  men 
was  secured  to  them,  and  each  of  the  latter  received  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  scantily  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 
reputation,  nor  disgraced  the  Continental  arms  by  such  a  breach 


177^]  SUCCESSES   OF    THE    AMERICANS.  87 

of  capitulation  for  the  universe,"  said  Montgomery.  Having 
sent  liis  prisoners  up  Lake  Champlain  to  Ticonderoga,  lie  pre- 
pared to  proceed  immediately  to  Montreal ;  requesting  General 
Schuyler  to  forward  all  the  men  he  could  possibly  spare. 

The  royal  Highland  Emigrants  who  were  to  have  co-operated 
with  General  Carleton,  met  with  no  better  fortune  than  that 
commander.  Maclean  landed  at  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel,  and 
added  to  his  force  by  recruiting  a  number  of  Canadians  in  the 
neighborhood,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  He  was  in  full 
march  for  St.  Johns  when  he  was  encountered  by  Majors  Brown 
and  Livingston  with  their  party,  fresh  from  the  capture  of 
Chamblee,  and  reinforced  by  a  number  of  Green  Mountain  Boys. 
These  pressed  him  back  to  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel,  where,  hear- 
ing of  the  repulse  of  Carleton,  and  being  deserted  by  his  Cana- 
dian recruits,  he  embarked  the  residue  of  his  troops,  and  set  oif 
down  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Quebec.  The  Americans  now  took 
post  at  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel,  where  they  erected  batteries  so 
as  to  command  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  prevent  the  descent  of  any 
armed  vessels  from  Montreal. 

Thus  closed  another  chapter  of  the  invasion  of  Canada. 
"Not  a  word  of  Arnold  yet,"  said  Montgomery,  in  his  last 
despatch.  "  I  have  sent  two  expresses  to  him  lately,  one  by  an 
Indian  who  promised  to  return  with  expedition.  The  instant  I 
have  any  news  of  him,  I  will  acquaint  you  by  express." 

We  will  anticipate  his  express,  by  giving  the  reader  the  pur- 
port of  letters  received  by  Washington  direct  from  Arnold  him- 
self, bringing  forward  the  collateral  branch  of  this  eventful 
enterprise. 

The  transportation  of  troops  and  effects  across  the  carry ing- 
plaee  between  the  Kennebec  and  Dead  Rivers,  had  been  a  work 


88  LIFE   OF   WASniNGTON.  [J77r>. 

of  severe  toil  and    difliculty   to  Arnold  and  his   men,  but  per- 
formed with  admirable  spirit.    There  were  ponds  and  streams  full 
of  trout  and  salmon,  which  furnished  them  with  fresh  provisions. 
Launching  their  boats  on  the  sluggish  waters  of  the  Dead  River, 
they  navigated  it  in  divisions,  as  before,   to   the  foot  of  snow- 
crowned  mountains;  a  part  of  the  great  granite  chain  which  ex- 
tends from  south-west  to  north-east  throughout  our  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  overturned,  much  of  their  provisions    was    lost, 
the  sick  list  increased,  and  the  good  spirits  which  had  hitherto 
sustained  them  began  to  give  way.     They  were  on  scanty  allow- 
ance, 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 
incumbrances.      Arnold,  accordingly,  wrote  to  the  commanders 
of  the  other  divisions,  to  press  on  with  as  many  of  their  men  as 
they  could  furnish  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    Norridgewock,  whither   he  immediately  re- 
turned. 

Letters  from  Arnold  and  Enos  apprised  Washington  of  this 
grievous  flaw  in  the  enterprise.  He  regarded  it,  however,  as 
usual,  with  a  hopeful  eye.     "  Notwithstanding  this  great  defec- 


I 


1775.]  ARNOLD   IN    THE   WILDERNESS.  89 

tion,"  said  he,  "I  do  not  despair  of  Colonel  Arnold's  success. 
He  will  have,  in  all  probability,  many  more  difficulties  to  en- 
counter, than  if  he  had  been  a  fortnight  sooner ;  as  it  is  likely 
that  Governor  Carleton  will,  with  what  forces  he  can  collect  after 
the  surrender  of  the  rest  of  Canada,  throw  himself  into  Quebec, 
and  there  make  his  last  effort."  * 

Washington  was  not  mistaken  in  the  confidence  he  had  placed 
in  the  energy  of  Arnold.  Though  the  latter  found  his  petty 
force  greatly  reduced  by  the  retrograde  move  of  Enos  and  his 
party,  and  although  snow  and  ice  rendered  his  march  still  more 
bleak  among  the  mountains,  he  kept  on  with  unflinching  spirit 
until  he  arrived  at  the  ridge  which  divides  the  streams  of  New 
England  and  Canada.  Here,  at  Lake  Megantic,  the  source  of 
the  Chaudiere,  he  met  an  emissary  whom  he  had  sent  in  advance 
to  ascertain  the  feelings  of  the  habitans,  or  French  yeomanry, 
in  the  fertile  valley  of  that  stream.  His  report  being  favorable, 
Arnold  shared  out  among  the  different  companies  the  scanty 
provisions  which  remained,  directing  them  to  make  the  best  of 
their  way  for  the  Chaudiere  settlements ;  while  he,  with  a  light 
foraging  party,  would  push  rapidly  ahead,  to  procure  and  send 
back  supplies. 

He  accordingly  embarked  with  his  little  party  in  five  bateaux 
and  a  birch  canoe,  and  launched  forth  without  a  guide  on  the 
swift  current  of  the  Chaudiere.  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 
xlifficulty.  At  one  time,  the  Avhole  party  came  near  being  pre- 
cipitated over  a  cataract,  where   all   might  have  perished;    at 

*  Washington  to  the  President  of  Congress,  Nov.  19th. 


90  LIFE    OF   WASHINGTON.  [^775. 

length  they  reached  Sertigan,  the  first  French  eettleracnt,  where 
they  were  cordially  received.  Here  Arnold  bought  provisions, 
which  he  sent  back  by  the  Canadians  and  Indians  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,  fol- 
lowers of  the  camp;  and  others  had  boiled  their  moccasins,  car- 
touch  boxes,  and  other  articles  of  leather,  in  the  hope  of  render- 
ing them  eatable. 

Arnold  halted  for  a  short  time  in  the  hospitable  valley  of  the 
Chaudiere,  to  give  his  troops  repose,  and  distributed  among  the 
inhabitants  the  printed  manifesto  with  which  he  had  been  fur- 
nished by  Washington.  Here  he  was  joined  by  about  forty  Nor- 
ridgewock  Indians.  On  the  9th  of  November,  the  little  army 
emerged  from  the  woods  at  Point  Levi,  on  the  St.  Lawrence, 
opposite  to  Quebec.  A  letter  written  by  an  inhabitant  of  that 
place,  speaks  of  their  sudden  apparition. 

"  There  are  about  500  Provincials  arrived  at  Point  Levi, 
opposite  to  the  town,  by  the  way  of  Chaudiere  across  the 
woods.  Surely  a  miracle  must  have  been  wrought  in  their  favor. 
It  is  an  undertaking  above  the  common  race  of  men  in  this 
debauched  age.  They  have  travelled  through  woods  and.  bogs, 
and  over  precipices,  for  the  space  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
miles,  attended  with  every  inconvenience  and  difficulty,  to  be  sur- 
mounted only  by  men  of  indefatigable  zeal  and  industry." 

Leaving  Arnold  in  full  sight  of  Quebec,  which,  after  his  long 
struggle  through  the  wilderness,  must  have  appeared  like  a  land 
of  promise ;  we  turn  to  narrate  the  events  of  the  upper  expedi- 
tion into  Canada,  of  which  the  letters  of  Schuyler  kept  Wash- 
ington faithfully  informed. 

Montgomery  appeared  before  Montreal  on  the  12th  of  No- 


1775.]  CAPTURE   OF    MONTREAL.  91 

vember.  General  Carleton  had  embarked  with  his  little  garri- 
8on,  and  several  of  the  civil  officers  of  the  place,  on  board  of  a 
flotilla  of  ten  or  eleven  small  vessels,  and  made  sail  in  the  night, 
with  a  favorable  breeze,  carrying  away  with  him  the  powder  and 
other  important  stores.  The  town  capitulated,  of  course;  and 
Montgomery  took  quiet  possession.  His  urbanity  and  kindness 
soon  won  the  good  will  of  the  inhabitants,  both  English  and 
French,  and  made  the  Canadians  sensible  that  he  really  came  to 
secure  their  rights,  not  to  molest  them.  Intercepted  letters  ac- 
quainted him  with  Arnold's  arrival  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Quebec,  and  the  great  alarm  of  "  the  king's  friends,"  who  ex- 
pected to  be  besieged :  "  which,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  they 
shall  be,"  said  Montgomery,  "  if  the  severe  season  holds  off,  and 
I  can  prevail  on  the  troops  to  accompany  me." 

His  great  immediate  object  was  the  capture  of  Carleton ; 
which  would  form  a  triumphal  close  to  the  enterprise,  and  might 
decide  the  fate  of  Canada.  The  flotilla  in  which  the  general  was 
embarked,  had  made  repeated  attempts  to  escape  down  the  St. 
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  Montgom- 
ery prepared  to  attack  it  with  bateaux  and  light  artillery,  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  accompanied  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  Rivers,  where  he  embarked  in  a 
vessel  for  Quebec.  After  his  departure  the  flotilla  surrendered, 
and  all  those  who  had  taken  refuge  on  board  were  made  prisoners 


1)2  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  l^^To. 

of  war.     Among  them  was  General  Prcscott,  late  commander  of 
Montreal. 

JMontgomery  now  j)laced  f^arrisons  in  Montreal,  St.  Johns  and 
Chambloe,  and  made  final  ])reparation.s  for  descending  the  St. 
Lawrence,  and  co-operating  with  Arnold  against  Quebec.  To  his 
disappointment  and  deej)  chagrin,  he  found  but  a  handful  of  his 
troops  disposed  to  accompany  him.  Some  pleaded  ill  health  ;  the 
term  of  enlistment  of  many  had  expired,  and  they  were  bent  on 
returning  home ;  and  others,  who  had  no  such  excuses  to  make, 
became  exceedingly  turbulent,  and  indeed  mutinous.  Nothing 
but  a  sense  of  public  duty,  and  gratitude  to  Congress  for  an 
unsought  commission,  had  induced  Montgomery  to  engage  in  the 
service ;  wearied  by  the  continual  vexations  which  beset  it,  he 
avowed,  in  a  letter  to  Schuyler,  his  determination  to  retire  as 
soon  as  the  intended  expedition  against  Quebec  was  finished. 
*'  Will  not  your  health  permit  you  to  reside  at  Montreal  this 
winter  ?  "  writes  he  to  Schuyler ;  "  I  must  go  home,  if  I  walk  by 
the  side  of  the  lake.  I  am  weary  of  power,  and  totally  want 
that  patience  and  temper  so  requisite  for  such  a  command." 
Much  of  the  insubordination  of  the  troops  he  attributed  to  the 
want  of  tact  and  cultivation  in  their  officers;  who  had  been  sud- 
denly advanced  from  inferior  stations  and  coarse  employments. 
"  An  affair  happened  yesterday,"  writes  he  to  Schuyler  on  the 
24th  of  November,  "which  had  very  near  sent  me  home.  A 
number  of  officers  presumed  to  remonstrate  against  the  indul- 
gence I  had  given  some  of  the  king's  troops.  Such  an  insult  I 
could  not  bear,  and  immediately  resigned.  To-day  they  qualified 
it  by  such  an  apology,  as  put  it  in  my  power  to  resume  the  com- 
mand." In  the  same  spirit  he  writes:  "I  wish  some  method 
could  be  fallen  upon  for  "engaging  gentlemen  to  serve.     A  point 


1775.]  HOME    SICKNESS — SCHUYLER   INDIGNANT.  93 

of  honor  and  more  knowledge  of  the  world,  to  be  found  in  that 
class  of  men,  would  greatly  reform  discipline,  and  render  the 
troops  much  more  tractable." 

The  troops  which  had  given  Montgomery  so  much  annoyance 
and  refused  to  continue  with  him  in  Canada,  soon  began  to  arrive 
at  Ticonderoga.  Schuyler,  in  a  letter  to  Congress,  gives  a  half 
querulous,  half  humorous  account  of  their  conduct.  ''About 
three  hundred  of  the  troops  raised  in  Connecticut,  passed  here 
within  a  few  days.  An  unhappy  home-sickness  prevails.  These 
all  came  down  as  invalids,  not  one  willing  to  re-engage  for  the 
winter's  service ;  and,  unable  to  get  any  work  done  by  them,  I 
discharged  them  en  groujpe.  Of  all  the  specifics  ever  invented 
for  any^  there  is  none  so  efficacious  as  a  discharge  for  this  pre- 
vailing disorder.  No  sooner  was  it  administered  but  it  perfected 
the  cure  of  nine  out  of  ten ;  who,  refusing  to  wait  for  boats  to  go 
by  the  way  of  Lake  George,  slung  their  heavy  packs,  crossed  the 
lake  at  this  place,  and  undertook  a  march  of  two  hundred  miles 
with  the  greatest  good-will  and  alacrity." 

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

A  schooner  and  tow  galley  arrived  at  Crown  Point,  with 
upwards  of  a  hundred  persons.  They  were  destitute  of  provi- 
sions; none  were  to  be  had  at  the  Point,  and  the  ice  prevented 
them  from  penetrating  to  Ticonderoga.  In  starving  condition 
they  sent  an  express  to  General  Schuyler,  imploring  relief.  He 
immediately  ordered  three  captains  of  General  Wooster's  regi- 
ment, with  a  considerable  body  of  men  in  bateaux,  to  "  attempt  a 
relief  for  the  unhappy  sufferers."     To  his  surprise  and  disgust, 


94  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

they  manifested  the  utmost  unwillingness  to  comply,  and  made  a 
variety  of  excuses,  which  he  spurned  at  as  frivolous,  and  as  evin- 
cing the  greatest  want  of  humanity.  lie  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  so  much  importance  to  men  of  so  little  feeling,  has 
ordered  Lieutenant  Riker,  of  Col.  Holmes's  regiment,  to  make 
the  attempt.  He  received  the  order  with  the  alacrity  becoming 
a  gentleman,  an  officer,  and  a  Christian." 

This  high-minded  rebuke,  given  in  so  public  a  manner,  rankled 
in  the  breasts  of  those  whose  conduct  had  merited  it,  and  insured 
to  Schuyler  that  persevering  hostility  with  which  mean  minds 
revenge  the  exposure  of  their  meanness. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Washington's  anticipations  of  success  at  Quebec — his  eulogium  of 
arnold — schuyler  and  montgomery  talk  of  resigning expostula- 
TIONS OF  WASHINGTON — THEIR  EFFECT — SCHUYLER's  CONDUCT  TO  A  CAPTIVE 
FOE. 

We  Lave  endeavored  to  compress  into  a  succinct  account  various 
events  of  the  invasion  of  Canada,  furnished  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  every  thing  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  Montgom- 
ery joins  him,  and  our  conquest  of  Canada  will  be  complete.'' 

Certain  passages  of  Schuyler's  letters,  however,  gave  him  deep 
concern,  wherein  that  general  complained  of  the  embarrassments 
and  annoyances  he  had  experienced  from  the  insubordination  of 


96  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

tlio  army.  "  Habituated  to  order,"  said  lie,  "  I  cannot  without 
pain  see  that  disregard  of  discipline,  confusion  and  inattention, 
which  reign  so  generally  in  this  quarter,  and  I  am  determined  to 
retire.     Of  this  resolution  I  have  advised  Congress." 

He  had  indeed  done  so.  In  communicating  to  the  President 
of  Congress  the  complaints  of  General  Montgomery,  and  his  in- 
tention to  retire,  "  my  sentiments,"  said  he,  "  exactly  coincide 
with  his.  I  shall,  with  him,  do  every  thing  in  my  power  to  put 
a  finishing  stroke  to  the  campaign,  and  make  the  best  arrange- 
ment 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  produced  a  prompt  re- 
solution expressive  of  tbeir  high  sense  of  his  attention  and  perse- 
verance, "  which  merited  the  thanks  of  the  United  Colonies." 
He  had  alleged  his  impaired  health, — they  regretted  the  injuries 
it  had  sustained  in  the  service,  but  begged  he  would  not  insist  on 
a  measure  "  which  would  deprive  America  of  the  benefits  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  Schuyler  than 
any  encomium  or  entreaty  on  the  part  of  Congress,  were  the  ex- 
postulations of  Washington,  inspired  by  strong  friendship  and 
kindred  sympathies.  "  I  am  exceedingly  sorry,"  writes  the  lat- 
ter, "  to  find  you  so  much  embarrassed  by  the  disregard  of  disci- 
pline, confusion,  and  want  of  order  among  the  troops,  as  to  have 
occasioned  you  to  mention  to  Congress  an  inclination  to  retire. 
I  know  that  your  complaints  are  too  well  founded,  but  would  wil- 
lingly hope  that  nothing  will  induce  you  to  quit  the  service. 
*     *     *     *     I  have  met  with  difficulties  of  the  same  sort,  and 


1775.]  PATRIOTIC    SACRIFICES.  97 

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,  there- 
fore, 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  Montgom- 
ery, incline  to  quit  the  service.  Let  me  ask  you,  sir,  when  is 
the  time  for  brave  men  to  exert  themselves  in  the  cause  of 
liberty  and  their  country,  if  this  is  not  ?  Should  any  difficulties 
that  they  may  have  to  encounter  at  this  important  crisis  deter 
them  ?  God  knows  there  is  not  a  diificulty  that  you  both  very 
justly  complain  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  mankind,  as  they  are, 
since  we  cannot  have  them  as  we  wish.  Let  me,  therefore,  con- 
jure you,  and  Mr.  Montgomery,  to  lay  aside  such  thoughts — as 
thoughts  injurious  to  yourselves,  and  extremely  so  to  your  coun- 
try, which  calls  aloud  for  gentlemen  of  your  ability." 

This  noble  appeal  went  straight  to  the  heart  of  Schuyler,  and 
brought  out  a  magnanimous  reply.  "  I  do  not  hesitate,"  writes 
he,  "  to  answer  my  dear  general's  question  in  the  affirmative,  by 
declaring  that  now  or  never  is  the  time  for  every  virtuous 
American  to  exert  himself  in  the  cause  of  liberty  and  his  coun- 
try; and  that  it  is  become  a  duty  cheerfully  to  sacrifice  the 
sweets  of  domestic  felicity  to  attain  the  honest  and  glorious  end 
America  has  in  view." 

In  the  same  letter  he  reveals  in  confidence  the  true  cause  of 
his  wish  to  retire  from  an  official  station ;  it  was  the  annoyance  he 
had  sufi'ered  throughout  the  campaign  from  sectional  prejudice 
VOL.  ir. — 5 


98  LIFE    OF    WASHINCiTUN.  [1775. 

and  jealousy.  "  I  could  point  out  particular  persons  of  rank  in 
tho  army,"  writes  Lc,  "who  have  frequently  dechired  that  the 
general  commanding  in  this  quarter,  ought  to  be  of  the  colony 
from  whence  the  majority  of  the  troops  came.  But  it  is  not  from 
opinions  or  principles  of  individuals  that  I  have  drawn  the  fol- 
lowing conclusion :  that  troops  from  the  colony  of  Connecticut 
will  not  bear  with  a  general  from  another  colony;  it  is  from  the 
■daily  and  common  conversation  of  all  ranks  of  people  from  that 
colony,  both  in  and  out  of  the  army ;  and  I  assure  you  that  I 
sincerely  lament  that  people  of  so  much  public  virtue  should  be 
actuated  by  such  an  unbecoming  jealousy,  founded  on  such  a 
narrow  principle."  Having  made  this  declaration,  he  adds, 
''  although  I  frankly  own  that  I  feel  a  resentment,  yet  I  shall  con- 
tinue to  sacrifice  it  to  a  nobler  object,  the  weal  of  that  country  in 
which  I  have  drawn  the  breath  of  life,  resolved  ever  to  seek,  with 
unwearied  assiduity,  for  opportunities  to  fulfil  my  duty  to  it." 

It  is  with  pride  we  have  quoted  so  frequently  the  corespond- 
ence  of  these  two  champions  of  our  Revolution,  as  it  lays  open 
their  hearts,  and  shows  the  lofty  patriotism  by  which  they  were 
animated. 

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

The  "politeness"  in  fact,  was  that  noble  courtesy  which  a 
high-minded  soldier  extends  towards  a  captive  foe.     If  his  cour- 

*  Letter  Book  of  Gen.  Thomas.     MS. 


17'75.]  GENERAL    SCHUYLER.  99 

tesy  was  imposed  upon,  it  only  proved  that,  incapable  of  double- 
dealing  himself,  he  suspected  it  not  in  others.  All  generous 
natures  are  liable  to  imposition ;  their  warm  impulses  being  too 
quick  for  selfish  caution.  It  is  the  cold,  the  calculating  and  the 
mean,  whose  distrustful  wariness  is  never  taken  in. 


CHAPTER    X. 

DIFFICULTIES    IN    FILLING    UP   THE     ARMY THE    CONNECTICUT    TROOPS    PERSIST 

I 

IN    GOING    HOME THEIR    RECEPTION     THERE — TIMELY   ARRIVAL    OP   SPOILS 

IN   THE     CAMP PUTNAM    AND    THE     PRIZE    MORTAR — A    MARAUD    BY   AMERI- 
CANS  REBUKED  BY  WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE  OF  WASHINGTON  WITH 

GEN.    HOWE    ABOUT   THE    TREATMENT   OF    ETHAN   ALLEN FRATERNAL   ZEAL 

OF    LEVI    ALLEN TREATMENT    OF    GEN.   PRESCOTT PREPARATIONS    TO    BOM- 
BARD   BOSTON BATTERY  AT    LECHMERe's    POINT PRAYER    OF   PUTNAM    FOR 

POWDER. 

The  forming  even  of  the  skeleton  of  an  army  under  the  new 
regulations,  had  been  a  work  of  infinite  difficulty;  to  fill  it  up 
was  still  more  difficult.  The  first  burst  of  revolutionary  zeal  had 
passed  away ;  enthusiasm  had  been  chilled  by  the  inaction  and 
monotony  of  a  long  encampment;  an  encampment,  moreover, 
destitute  of  those  comforts  which,  in  experienced  warfare,  are 
provided  by  a  well-regulated  commissariat.  The  troops  had  suf- 
fered privations  of  every  kind,  want  of  fuel,  clothing,  provisions. 
They  looked  forward  with  dismay  to  the  rigors  of  winter,  and 
longed  for  their  rustic  homes  and  their  family  firesides. 

Apprehending  that  some  of  them  would  incline  to  go  home 
when  the  time  of  their  enlistment  expired,  Washington  summoned 
the  general  officers  at  head-quarters,  and  invited  a  delegation  of 
the   General  Court  to  be  present,  to   adopt  measures  for  the 


^"'^•]  INSUBORDINATION.  101 

defence  and  support  of  the  lines.  The  result  of  their  delibera- 
tions was  an  order  that  three  thousand  of  the  minute  men  and 
militia  of  Massachusetts,  and  two  thousand  from  New  Hampshire, 
should  be  at  Cambridge  by  the  lOtli  of  December,  to  relieve  the 
Connecticut  regiments,  and  supply  the  deficiency  that  would  be 
caused  by  their  departure,  and  by  the  absence  of  others  on 
furlouojli. 

With  this  arrangement  the  Connecticut  troops  were  made  ac- 
quainted, and,  as  the  time  of  most  of  them  would  not  be  out 
before  the  10th,  they  were  ordered  to  remain  in  camp  until  re- 
lieved. Their  officers  assured  Washington  that  he  need  appre- 
hend 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,  re- 
solved 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  their  names  to  Governor 
Trumbull.  "  I  submit  it  to  your  judgment,"  writes  he,  "  whether 
an  example  should  not  be  made  of  these  men  who  have  deserted 
the  cause  of  their  country  at  this  critical  juncture,  when  the 
enemy  are  receiving  reinforcements  ?  " 

We  anticipate  the  reply  of  Grovernor  Trumbull,  received 
several  days  subsequently.  "  The  late  extraordinary  and  repre- 
hensible conduct  of  some  of  the  troops  of  this  colony,"  writes  he, 
"  impresses  me,  and  the  minds  of  many  of  our  people,  with  great 
surprise  and  indignation,  since  the  treatment  they  met  with,  and  the 
order  and  request  made  to  them,  were  so  reasonable,  and  appa- 
rently necessary  for  the  defence  of  our  common  cause,  and  safety 
of  our  rights  and  privileges,  for  which  they  freely  engaged." 


102  LIFK    OF    WASHINGTON.  [^775. 

Wc  will  hero  add,  that  the  homeward-bound  warriorfl  seem  to 
have  run  the  gauntlet  along  the  road;  for  their  conduct  on  (|uit- 
ting  the  army  drew  upon  them  such  indignation,  that  they  could 
hardly  get  any  thing  to  eat  on  their  journey,  and  when  they 
arrived  at  home  they  met  with  such  a  reception  (to  the  credit  of 
the  Connecticut  women  be  it  recorded),  that  many  were  soon  dis- 
posed to  return  again  to  the  camp.  * 

On  the  very  day  after  the  departure  homeward  of  these 
troops,  and  while  it  was  feared  their  example  would  be  conta- 
gious, a  long,  lumbering  train  of  waggons,  laden  with  ordnance  and 
military  stores,  and  decorated  with  flags,  came  wheeling  into  the 
camp  escorted  by  continental  troops  and  country  militia.  They 
were  part  of  the  cargo  of  a  large  brigantine  laden  with  muni- 
tions of  war,  captured  and  sent  in  to  Cape  Ann  by  the  schooner 
Lee,  Captain  Manly,  one  of  the  cruisers  sent  out  by  Washington. 
*'  Such  universal  joy  ran  through  the  whole  camp,"  writes  an 
officer,  "  as  if  each  one  grasped  a  victory  in  his  own  hands." 

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

"  Surely  nothing,"  writes  Washington,  "  ever  came  more 
apropos.'''' 

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  pounds.  It 
was  considered  a  glorious  trophy,  and  there  was  a  resolve  to 
christen  it.  Mifflin,  Washington's  secretary,  suggested  the  name. 
The  mortar  was  fiixed  in  a  bed ;  old  Putnam  mounted  it,  dashed 

♦  See  Letter  of  Gen.  Greene  to  Samuel  Ward.    Am.  Arcli.  4tli  Series,  vol.  iv. 


1775.]  INDIGNITIES   TO    ALLEN.  103 

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  objects  of  their  cruise,  they  landed  on  the  island  of  St. 
Johns,  plundered  the  house  of  the  governor  and  several  private 
dwellings,  and  brought  off  three  of  the  principal  inhabitants 
prisoners ;  one  of  whom,  Mr.  Callbeck,  was  president  of  the 
council,  and  acted  as  governor. 

These  gentlemen  made  a  memorial  to  Washington  of  this 
scandalous  maraud.  He  instantly  ordered  the  restoration  of  the 
effects  which  had  been  pillaged ; — of  his  conduct  towards  the 
gentlemen  personally,  we  may  judge  by  the  following  note  ad- 
dressed to  him  by  Mr.  Callbeck. 

"  I  should  ill  deserve  the  generous  treatment  which  your  Ex- 
cellency has  been  pleased  to  show  me,  had  I  not  the  gratitude  to 
acknowledge  so  great  a  favor.  I  cannot  ascribe  any  part  of  it  to 
my  own  merit,  but  must  impute  the  whole  to  the  philanthropy  and 
humane  disposition  that  so  truly  characterize  General  Washing- 
ton. Be  so  obliging,  therefore,  as  to  accept  the  only  retui-n  in 
my  power,  that  of  my  most  grateful  thanks."  * 

Shortly  after  the  foregoing  occurrence,  information  was  re- 
ceived of  the  indignities  which  had  been  heaped  upon  Colonel 
Ethan  Allen,  when  captured  at  Montreal  by  General  Prescott, 

*  Sparks,     "NN'ashington's  Writings,  vol.  iii.  p.  194. 


104  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [^775. 

who,  himself,  was  now  :i  ])iisoin  r  in  thj  bM:;ds  ut'  the  American.s. 
It  touched  Washington  on  a  i)()iiit  on  which  lie  was  most  sensi- 
tive and  tenacious,  the  treatment  of  American  officers  when  caj)- 
tured;  and  produced  the  following  letter  from  him  to  General 
Howe  : 

"  Sill, — We  have  just  been  informed  of  a  circumstance  which, 
were  it  not  so  well  authenticated,  I  should  scarcely  think  credi- 
ble. It  is  that  Colonel  Allen,  who,  with  his  small  party,  was  de- 
feated and  made  prisoner  near  Montreal,  has  been  treated  with- 
out regard  to  decency,  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  eclaircissement  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  you 
that  I  shall  consider  your  silence  as  a  confirmation  of  the  report, 
and  further  assuring  you,  that  whatever  treatment  Colonel  Allen 
receives,  whatever  fate  he  undergoes,  such  exactly  shall  be  thj 
treatment  and  fate  of  Brigadier  Prescott,  now  in  our  hands. 
The  law  of  retaliation  is  not  only  justifiable  in  the  eyes  of  God 
and  man,  but  absolutely  a  duty,  which,  in  our  present  circum- 
stances, we  owe  to  our  relations,  friends  and  fellow-citizens. 

"  Permit  me  to  add,  sir,  that  we  have  all  here  the  highest  re- 
gard and  reverence  for  your  great  personal  qualities  and  attain- 
ments, 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,  should  appear  at  the  head  of  the  catalogue  of  the  instru- 
ments employed  by  a  wicked  ministry  for  their  destruction." 


^77^-]  ^         LEVI    ALLEN.  105 

General  Howe  felt  acutely  the  sorrowful  reproach  in  the  lat- 
ter part  of  the  letter.  It  was  a  reiteration  of  what  had  already 
been  expressed  by  Congress ;  in  the  present  instance  it  produced 
irritation,  if  we  may  judge  from  the  reply. 

"  Sir, — In  answer  to  your  letter,  I  am  to  acquaint  you  that 
my  command  does  not  extend  to  Canada.  Not  having  any  ac- 
counts wherein  the  name  of  Allen  is  mentioned,  I  cannot  give  you 
the  smallest  satisfaction  upon  the  subject  of  your  letter.  But 
trusting  Major-general  Carleton's  conduct  will  never  incur  cen- 
sure upon  any  occasion,  I  am  to  conclude  in  the  instance  of  your 
inquiry,  that  he  has  not  forfeited  his  past  pretensions  to  decency 
and  humanity. 

"  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  resent  a  sentence  in  the 
conclusion  of  your  letter,  big  with  invective  against  my  superiors, 
and  insulting  to  myself,  which  should  obstruct  any  further  inter- 
course between  us.     I  am,  sir,  &c." 

In  transmitting  a  copy  of  his  letter  to  the  President  of  Con- 
gress, Washington  observed  :  "  My  reason  for  pointing  out  Brig- 
adier-general Prescott  as  the  object,  who  is  to  suffer  for  Mr, 
Allen's  fate,  is,  that  by  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  consulted  thereon." 

For  the  sake  of  continuity  we  will  anticipate  a  few  facts  con- 
nected with  the  story  of  Ethan  Allen.  Within  a  few  weeks  after 
the  preceding  correspondence,  Washington  received  a  letter  from 
Levi  Allen,  a  brother  to  the  colonel,  and  of  like  enterprising 

VOL.  II. — 5* 


106  LIFE    or    WASIIINGTOIJ.  [\77r>. 

and  etithusiastic  ebaractcr.  It  was  dalcd  iVdiu  Salisbury  in  Con- 
necticut;  and  enclosed  aflidavitH  of  tlic  liai>:h  treatment  l:i.s 
])rotlier  had  experienced,  and  of  his  being  confined  on  board  of 
tl;e  Gaspee,  "  with  a  bar  of  iron  fixed  to  one  of  his  legs  and  iron 
to  liis  hands."  Levi  was  bent  upon  effecting  his  deliverance,  and 
the  mode  proposed  was  in  unison  with  the  bold,  but  wild  schemes 
of  the  colonel.     We  <|uote  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  mo  if  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  ad- 
vance any  money  for  that  purpose,  as  my  brother  was  a  man 
blessed  with  more  fortitude  than  fortune.  Your  excellency  may 
think,  at  first  thought,  I  can  do  nothing  by  going  to  England ;  I 
feel  as  if  I  could  do  a  great  deal,  by  raising  a  mob  in  London, 
bribing  the  jailer,  or  by  getting  into  some  servile  employment 
with  the  jailer,  and  over-faithfulness  make  myself  master  of  the 
key,  or  at  least  be  able  to  lay  my  hand  on  it  some  night.  I  beg 
your  excellency  will  countenance  my  going ;  can  muster  more 
than  one  hundred  pounds,  my  own  property ;  shall  regard  spend- 
ing that  no  more  than  one  copper.  Your  excellency  must  know 
Allen  was  not  only  a  brother,  but  a  real  friend  that  sticketh 
closer  than  a  brother." 

In  a  postscript  he  adds,  "  cannot  live  without  going  to  Eng- 
land, if  my  brother  is  sent  there." 

In  reply,  Washington  intimated  a  belief  that  the  colonel  had 
been  sent  to  England,  but  discountenanced  Levi's  wild  project  of 
following  him  thither ;  as  there  was  no  probability  of  its  success, 


1775.]  PUTNAM    CONSTRUCTING    BATTERIES.  107 

and  he  would  be  running  himself  into  danger  without  a  prospect 
of  rendering  service  to  his  brother. 

The  measure  of  retaliation  mentioned  in  Washington's  letter 
to  Howe,  was  actually  meted  out  by  Congress  on  the  arrival  of 
General  Prescott  in  Philadelphia.  He  was  ordered  into  close 
confinement  in  the  jail ;  though  not  put  in  irons.  He  was  subse- 
quently released  from  confinement,  on  account  of  ill  health,  and 
was  treated  by  some  Philadelphia  families  with  unmerited  hospi- 
tality.* 

At  the  time  of  the  foregoing  correspondence  with  Howe, 
Washington  was  earnestly  occupied  preparing  works  for  the 
bombardment  of  Boston,  should  that  measure  be  resolved  upon 
by  Congress.  General  Putnam,  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's  Creek,  and  a  covered  way.    Lechmere  Point  is  irn- 

*  Thomas  Walker,  a  merchant  of  Montreal,  who,  accused  of  traitorous 
dealings  with  the  Americans,  had  been  thrown  into  prison  dming  Prescott'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  captive  there, 
trusting  to  obtain  satisfaction  for  his  ill-treatment.  To  his  great  surprise,  he 
found  Mr.  Prescott  lodged  in  the  best  tavern  of  the  place,  walking  or  riding  at 
large  through  Philadelphia  and  Bucks  counties,  feasting  with  gentlemen  of  the 
first  rank  in  the  province,  and  keeping  a  levee  for  the  reception  of  the  gran- 
dees. In  consequence  of  which  unaccountable  phenomena,  and  the  little  pros- 
pect of  his  obtaining  any  adequate  redress  in  the  present  unsettled  state  of 
public  affairs,  Mr.  Walker  has  returned  to  Montreal. — Ani^  Archives,  Ath  Se~ 
ries,  vol.  iv.  1178. 


108  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

modiatoly  opposite  tlio  wost  part  of  Boston  ;  and  the  Scarbor- 
ough ship-of-war  was  anchored  near  it.  Putnam  availed  himself 
of  a  dark  and  fo^i^y  day  (Dec.  17),  to  commence  oi)orations,  and 
broke  ground  with  four  liundrcd  men,  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, on  a  hill  at  the  Point.  "  The  mist,"  says  a  contemporary 
account,  "  was  so  great  as  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  discovering 
what  he  was  about  until  near  twelve  o'clock,  when  it  cleared  up, 
and  opened  to  their  view  our  whole  party  at  the  Point,  and 
another  at  the  causeway  throwing  a  bridge  over  the  creek.  The 
Scarborough,  anchored  off  the  Point,  poured  in  a  broadside. 
The  enemy  from  Boston  threw  shells.  The  garrison  at  Cobble 
Hill  returned  fire.  Our  men  were  obliged  to  decamp  from  the 
Point,  but  the  work  was  resumed  by  the  brave  old  general  at 
night," 

On  the  next  morning,  a  cannonade  from  Cobble  Hill  obliged 
the  Scarborough  to  weigh  anchor,  and  drop  down  below  the 
ferry ;  and  General  Heath  was  detached  with  a  party  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  con- 
tinue on  with  their  work.  The  fire  ceased  in  the  afternoon,  and 
Washington  visited  the  hill  accompanied  by  several  officers,  and 
inspected  the  progress  of  the  work.  It  was  to  consist  of  two  re- 
doubts, 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  Con- 
gress." Prom  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." 


1775.]  PUTNAM    AND    HIS    PRIZE    MORTAR.  109 

For  several  days  the  labor  at  the  works  was  continued ;  the 
redoubts  were  thrown  up,  and  a  covered  way  was  constructed 
leading  down  to  the  bridge.  All  this  was  done  notwithstanding 
the  continual  fire  of  the  enemy.  The  letter  of  a  British  officer 
gives  his  idea  of  the  efficiency  of  the  work. 

"  The  rebels  for  some  days  past  have  been  erecting  a  battery 
on  Phipps'  Farm.  The  new  constructed  mortar  taken  on  board 
the  ordnance  brig,  we  are  told,  will  be  mounted  upon  it,  and  we 
expect  a  warm  salute  from  the  shells,  another  part  of  that  ves- 
sel'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  beino-  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  can- 
not destroy  the  rebel  battery  by  our  guns,  we  must  march  out 
and  take  it  sword  in  hand." 

Putnam  anticipated  great  efi'ects  from  this  work,  and  espe- 
cially from  his  grand  mortar,  "The  Congress."  Shells  there 
were  in  abundance  for  a  bombardment ;  the  only  thing  wantino- 
was  a  supply  of  powder.  One  of  the  officers,  writing  of  the  un- 
usual mildness  of  the  winter,  observes  :  "  Every  thing  thaws  here 
except  old  Put.  He  is  still  as  hard  as  ever,  crying  out  for  pow- 
der— powder — powder.     Ye  gods,  give  us  powder !  " 


CHAPTER    XI. 

MOUNT    VERNON    IN   DANGER MRS.    WASHINGTON    INVITED  TO  THE  CAMP LUND 

WASHINGTON,    THE     GENEUAl's     AGENT TEIiMS     ON     WHICH     HE    SERVES 

INSTRUCTED    TO    KEEP    UP     THE     HOSPITALITY    OF   THE    HOUSE JOURNEY    OF 

MRS.    WASHINGTO]^    TO    CAMP HER    EQUIPAGE    AND    LIVERIES ARRIVAL    AT 

CAMP DOMESTIC     AFFAIRS     AT     HEAD-QUARTERS — GAYETIE3     IN      CAMP A 

BRAWL    BETWEEN    ROUND-JACKETS    AND    RIFLE-SHIRTS. 

Amid  the  various  concerns  of  the  war,  and  the  multiplied  per- 
plexities 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 
Washington,  who  had  charge  of  his  various  estates.  The  general 
gave  clear  and  minute  directions  as  to  their  management,  and  the 
agent  rendered  as  clear  and  minute  returns  of  every  thing  that 
had  been  done  in  consequence. 

According  to  recent  accounts.  Mount  Yernon  had  been  con- 
sidered in  danger.  Lord  Dunmore  was  exercising  martial  law  in 
the  Ancient  Dominion,  and  it  was  feared  that  the  favorite  abo^^^"^ 
of  the  "  rebel  commander-in-chief"  would  be  marked  out  for  hos- 
tility, and  that  the  enemy  might  land  from  then-  ships  in  the 
Potomac,  and  lay  it  waste.  Washington's  brother,  John  Augus- 
tine, had  entreated  Mrs.  Washington  to  leave  it.     The  people  of 


.MAKTHA     \\ASII1NGT()N. 


1776.]  AFFAIRS    AT    MOUNT    VERNON.  Ill 

Loudoun  had  advised  her  to  seek  refuge  beyond  the  Blue  Ridge, 
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  apprehensions  on  the  subject.  "  Lord 
Dunmore,"  writes  he,  "  will  hardly  himself  renture  up  this  river, 
nor  do  I  believe  he  will  send  on  that  errand.  You  may  depend 
I  will  be  watchful,  and  upon  the  least  alarm  persuade  her  to 
move." 

Though  alive  to  every  thing  concerning  Mount  Vernon,  Wash- 
ington 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  Boston  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  relationship.  Washington's  letter 
to  him  gives  a  picture  of  his  domestic  policy. 

"  I  will  engage  for  the  year  coming,  and  the  year  following, 
if  these  troubles  and  my  absence  continue,  that  your  wages  shall 
be  standing  and  certain  at  the  highest  amount  that  any  one  year's 
crop  has  produced  you  yet.  I  do  not  offer  this  as  any  tempta- 
tion 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 
every  thing  sordid ;  but  I  offer  it  in  consideration  of  the  great 


112  LIFE    OF    WARIIINGTON'.  [1775. 

charge  3011  liave  upon  your  liandn,  and  niy  entire  dependence  upon 
your  lidclity  and  iudustry. 

"  It  is  the  greatest,  indeed  it  is  tlic  only  comfortable  reflection 
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  for  this,  I  should  feel  very 
unhappy  on  account  of  the  situation  of  my  affairs.  But  I  am 
persuaded  you  will  do  for  me  as  you  would  for  yourself." 

The  following  were  his  noble  directions  concerning  Mount 
Yernon. 

"  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  peo- 
ple should  be  in  want  of  corn,  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  year,  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,  is  now 
in  the  way  to  do  those  good  offices." 

Mrs.  Washington  came  on  with  her  own  carriage  and  horses, 
accompanied  by  her  son,  Mr.  Custis,  and  his  wife.  She  travelled 
by  very  easy  stages,  partly  on  account  of  the  badness  of  the 
roads,  partly  out  of  regard  to  the  horses,  of  which  Washington 
was  always  very  careful,  and  which  were  generally  remarkable  for 
beauty  and  excellence.  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.  In- 
cidental mention  is  made  of  the  equipage  in  which  she  appeared 
there.     A  chariot  and  four,  with  black  postilions  in  scarlet  and 


1775.]  HEAD-QUARTERS.  113 

white  liveries.  It  has  been  suggested  that  this  was  an  English 
style  of  equipage,  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  Lead-quarters, 
were  becoming  matters  of  pride  and  solicitude.  "  I  am  much 
obliged  to  you,"  writes  "Washington  to  Reed,  "for  the  hints 
respecting  the  jealousies  which  you  say  are  gone  abroad.  I  can- 
not charge  myself  with  incivility,  or  what  in  my  opinion  is  tanta- 
mount, ceremonious  civility  to  gentlemen  of  this  colony;  but  if 
such  my  conduct  appears,  I  will  endeavor  at  a  reformation ;  as  I 
can  assure  you,  my  dear  Eeed,  that  I  wish  to  walk  in  such  a  line 
as  will  give  most  general  satisfaction.  You  know  that  it  was  my 
wish  at  first  to  invite  a  certain  number  to  dinner,  but  uninten- 
tionally we  somehow  or  other  missed  of  it.  If  this  has  given 
rise  to  the  jealousy,  I  can  only  say  that  I  am  very  sorry  for  it ; 
at  the  same  time  I  add,  that  it  was  rather  owing  to  inattention, 
or  more  properly,  too  much  attention  to  other  matters,  which 
caused  me  to  neglect  it." 

And  in  another  letter  : 

"  My  constant  attention  to  the  great  and  perplexing  objects 
which  continually  arise  to  my  view,  absorbs  all  lesser  considera- 
tions; and,  indeed,  scarcely  allows  me  to  reflect  that  there  is 
such  a  body  as  the  General  Court  of  this  colony,  but  when  I  am 
reminded  of  it  by  a  committee;  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  propriety 
in  unbosoming  the  secrets  of  the  army  to  them;  that  it  was 
necessary  to  ask  their  opinion  in  throwing  up  an  intrenchment  or 
forming  a  battalion.  It  must  be,  therefore,  what  I  before  hinted 
to  you ;  and  how  to  remedy  it  I  hardly  know,  as  I  am  acquainted 


114  LIFE    OF    WAKHINGTON.  [^775. 

with  few  of  the  mcmbera,  never  go  out  of  my  own  lines,  nor  seo 
any  of  tliein  in  tlicni." 

The  presence  of  Mr.s.  Washington  soon  relieved  the  general 
from  this  kind  of  perplexity.  Slie  presided  at  hcad-cjuarters 
with  mingled  dignity  and  affability.  We  have  an  anecdote  or 
two  of  the  internal  affairs  of  head-(|uarters,  furnished  by  the  de- 
scendant of  one  who  was  an  occasional  inmate  there. 

Washington  had  prayers  morning  and  evening,  and  was  regu- 
lar  in  his  attendance  at  the  church  in  which  he  was  a  communi- 
cant. On  one  occasion,  for  want  of  a  clergyman,  the  Episcopal 
service  was  read  by  Colonel  William  Palfrey,  one  of  Washing- 
ton's aides-de-camp ;  who  substituted  a  prayer  of  his  own  compo- 
sition 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  due  style,  as  the  anniversary  of  her  wed- 
ding. "  The  general,"  says  the  same  informant,  "  was  somewhat 
thoughtful,  and  said  he  was  afraid  he  must  refuse  it."  His  ob- 
jections were  overcome,  and  twelfth-night  and  the  wedding  anni- 
versary 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  individ- 
ual departments  to  attend  to.  Adjutant-general  Mifflin's  house 
appears  to  have  been  a  gay  one.  "  He  was  a  man  of  education, 
ready  apprehension  and  brilliancy,"  says  Grraydon;  "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."  * 

*  Graydon's  Memoirs,  p.  154. 


-7^.     ' '  'f^fT^  rr^r"'  --'Wf^m: 


'-M 


1775.]  A   CAMP   BRAWL.  115 

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  General  Lee,  who  was  very 
ur"-ent  for  me  to  tarry  in  town,  and  dine  with  him  and  the  ladies 
present  at  Hobgoblin  Hall ;  but  I  excused  myself.  The  general 
was  determined  that  I  should  not  only  be  acquainted  with  him, 
but  with  his  companions  too;  and  therefore  placed  a  chair  before 
me,  into  which  he  ordered  Mr.  Spada  (his  dog)  to  mount,  and 
present  his  paw  to  me  for  a  better  acquaintance.  I  could  not  do 
otherwise  than  accept  it."  * 

John  Adams,  likewise,  gives  us  a  picture  of  festivities  at 
head-quarters,  where  he  was  a  visitant  on  the  recess  of  Congress. 

"  I  dined  at  Col.  Mifflin's  witli  the  general  (Washington)  and 
lady,  and  a  vast  collection  of  other  company,  among  whom  were 
six  or  seven  sachems  and  warriors  of  the  French  Caughnawaga 
Indians,  with  their  wives  and  children.  A  savage  feast  they 
made  of  it ;  yet  were  very  polite  in  the  Indian  style.  I  was  intro- 
duced to  them  by  the  general  as  one  of  the  grand  council  at 
Philadelphia,  which  made  them  prick  up  their  ears.  They  came 
and  shook  hands  with  me."  f 

While  giving  these  familiar  scenes  and  occurrences  at  the 
camp,  we  are  tempted  to  subjoin  one  furnished  from  the  manu- 
script memoir  of  an  eye  witness.  A  large  party  of  Virginia 
riflemen,  who  had  recently  arrived  in  camp,  were  strolling  about 
Cambridge,  and  viewing  the  collegiate  buildings,  now  turned  into 
barracks.  Their  half-Indian  equipments,  and  fringed  and  ruffled 
hunting  garbs,   provoked  the    merriment  of  some   troops   from 

*  Letters  of  Mr.  Adams,  vol.  i.  p.  85. 

t  Adams's  Letters,  vol.  ii.  p.  80.  Adams  adds,  that  they  made  him  "  low 
bows  and  scrapes" — a  kind  of  homage  never  paid  by  an  Indian  warrior. 


116  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

I\[arblehead,  chiefly  liHlierinfin  and  HailorH,  wlio  thought  noth- 
iug  o(|iial  to  the  round  jacket  and  trowfc>er.s.  A  bantering  en- 
Hued  between  them.  There  was  snow  U])on  the  ground,  and 
snowballs  began  to  i\y  wheu  jokes  were  wanting.  The  parties 
waxed  warm  with  the  contest.  They  closed,  and  came  to  blows; 
botli  sides  were  reinforced,  and  in  a  little  while  at  least  a  thou- 
sand were  at  fisticuifs,  and  there  was  a  tumult  in  the  camp  worthy 
of  the  days  of  Homer.  "  At  this  juncture,"  writes  our  inform- 
ant, '^  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.  lie  threw  the  bridle  of 
his  own  horse  into  his  servant's  hands,  sprang  from  his  seat, 
rushed  into  the  thickest  of  the  mel6e,  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  pecu- 
liarly responsible  for  their  good  conduct ;  they  were  engaged, 
too,  in  one  of  those  sectional  brawls  which  were  his  especial  ab- 
horrence ;  his  reprimand  must,  therefore,  have  been  a  vehement 
one.  He  was  commanding  in  his  serenest  moments,  but  irresist- 
ible in  his  bursts  of  indignation.  On  the  present  occasion,  we 
are  told,  his  appearance  and  strong-handed  rebuke  put  an  instant 
end  to  the  tumult.  The  combatants  dispersed  in  all  directions, 
and  in  less  than  three  minutes  none  remained  on  the  ground  but 
the  two  he  had  collared. 

The  veteran  who  records  this  exercise  of  military  authority, 
seems  at  a  loss  which  most  to  admire,  the  simplicity  of  the  pro- 
cess or  the  vigor  with  which  it  was  administered.  "  Here," 
writes  he,  "  bloodshed,  imprisonments,  trials  by  court-martial,  re- 
vengeful feelings  between  the  diflPerent  corps  of  the  army,  were 


1J76.]  THE    FERMENT    ALLAYED.  117 

happily  prevented  by  the  physical  and  mental  energies  of  a  single 
person,  and  the  only  damage  resulting  from  the  fierce  encounter 
was,  a  few  torn  hunting  frocks  and  round  jackets."  * 

*  From  memoranda  written  at  an  advanced  age,  by  the  late  Hon,  Israel 
Trask  ;  who,  when  but  ten  years  old,  was  in  the  camp  at  Cambridge  with  his 
father,  who  was  a  lieutenant. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

AFFAIRS  IN  CANADA ARNOI/D  AT    POINT  LEVI — QUEBEC  REINFORCED CROSSING 

OF     THE     ST.  LAWRENCE lANDING     IN    WOLFE's     COVE ARNOLD     ON     THe 

HEIGHTS    OF   ABKAH^Vai CAUTIOUS  COUNSEL QUEBEC  AKOUSKD THE    INVA- 
DERS BAFFLED WITHDRAW  TO  POINT  AUX  TREMBLES BOOMING  OF  CANNON 

C^UILEI'ON   AT   QUEBEC LETTER   OF   WASHINGTON   TO   ARNOLD. 

We  again  turn  from  the  siege  of  Boston,  to  the  invasion  of  Can- 
ada, which  at  that  time  shared  the  anxious  thoughts  of  Washing- 
ton. His  last  accounts  of  the  movements  of  Arnold,  left  him  at 
Point  Levi,  opposite  to  Quebec.  Something  brilliant  from  that 
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  pre- 
vailed 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  Indians, 
to  Generals  Schuyler  and  Montgomery,  had  been  carried  by  his 
faithless  messengers,  to  Caramhe,  the  Ijeutenant-governor,  who, 
thus  apprised  of  the  impending  danger,  had  caused  all  the  boats 
of  Point  Levi  to  be  either  removed  or  destroyed. 

Arnold   was   not   a   man  to   be  disheartened  by  difficulties. 
With  great  exertions  he  procured  about  forty  birch  canoes  from 


1775.]  ARNOLD    CROSSES    THE    ST.    LAWRENCE.  119 

the  Canadians  and  Indians,  with  forty  of  the  latter  to  navigate 
them ;  but  stormy  winds  arose,  and  for  some  days  the  river  was 
too  boisterous  for  such  frail  craft.  In  the  mean  time  the  garri- 
son at  Quebec  was  gaining  strength.  Kecruits  arrived  from 
Nova  Scotia.  The  veteran  Maclean,  too,  who  had  been  driven 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel  by  the  detachment  under  Brown 
and  Livingston,  arrived  down  the  river  with  his  corps  of  Royal 
Highland  Emigrants,  and  threw  himself  into  the  place.  The 
Lizard  frigate,  the  Hornet  sloop-of-war,  and  two  armed  schooners 
were  stationed  in  the  river,  and  guard-boats  patrolled  at  night. 
The  prospect  of  a  successful  attack  upon  the  place  was  growing 
desperate. 

On  the  13th  of  November,  Arnold  received  intelligence  thjit 
Montgomery  had  captured  St.  Johns.  He  was  instantly  roused 
to  emulation.  His  men,  too,  were  inspirited  by  the  news.  The 
wind  had  abated:  he  determined  to  cross  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  birch  canoes,  easy  to  be  upset,  required  skilful  man- 
agement. By  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  a  large  part  of  his 
force  had  crossed  without  being  perceived,  and, landed  about  a 
mile  and  a  half  above  Cape  Diamond,  at  Wolfe's  Cove,  so  called 
from  being  the  landing-place  of  that  gallant  commander. 

Just  then  a  guard-boat,  belonging  to  the  Lizard,  came  slowly 
along  shore  and  discovered  them.  They  hailed  it,  and  ordered  it 
to  land.  Not  complying,  it  was  fired  into,  and  three  men  were 
killed.  The  boat  instantly  pulled  for  the  frigate,  giving  vocifer- 
1  ous  alarm. 

Without  waiting  the  arrival  of  the  residue  of  his  men,  for 
)whom  the  canoes  had  been  despatched,  Arnold  led  those  who  had 


120  LIFE    OF    WASniNGTON.  [1775. 

landed  to  the  foot  of  tlio  craggcd  dofilo,  onco  scaled  by  tlic  intrepid 
AVoHc,  and  scrambled  up  it  in  all  baste.  By  dayligbt  be  bad 
planted  bis  daring  flag  on  tlie  far-famed  lleigbts  of  Abrabam. 

Here  tbe  main  difficulty  stared  bim  in  tbe  face.  A  strong 
line  of  walls  and  bastions  traversed  tbe  promontory  from  one  of 
its  precipitous  sides  to  tbe  otber ;  enclosing  the  upper  and  lower 
towns.  On  tbe  rigbt,  tbe  great  bastion  of  Cape  Diamond  crowned 
tbe  rocky  beigbt  of  tbat  name.  On  tbe  left  was  the  bastion  of 
La  Potasse,  close  by  tbe  gate  of  St.  Johns  opening  upon  the 
barracks  ;  the  gate  where  Wolfe's  antagonist,  the  gallant  Mont- 
calm, 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.  Johns.  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  tbe  Lizard  to  the  lieutenant-governor  had  not  yet  been  deliv- 
ered, and  no  alarm  had  reached  the  fortress. 

The  formidable  aspect  of  the  place,  however,  awed  Arnold's 
associates  in  council.  They  considered  that  their  whole  force  was 
but  between  seven  and  eight  hundred  men ;  tbat  nearly  one  third 
of  their  fire-arms  had  been  rendered  useless,  and  much  of  their  am- 
munition damaged  in  their  march  through  the  wilderness ;  they 
had  no  artillery,  and  the  fortress  looked  too  strong  to  be  carried 
by  a  coup  de  main.  Cautious  counsel  is  often  fatal  to  a  daring 
enterprise.  While  the  council  of  war  deliberated,  the  favorable 
moment  passed  away.  Tbe  lieutenant-governor  received  the  tardy 
message.  He  hastily  assembled  the  merchants,  officers  of  militia, 
and  captains  of  merchant  vessels.  All  promised  to  stand  by 
him ;  he  had  strong  distrust,  however,  of  the  French  part  of  the 


1775]  ALARM    IN    QUEBEC.  121 

population  and  the  Canadian  militia ;  his  main  reliance  was  on 
Colonel  Maclean  and  his  Kojal  Highland  Emigrants. 

The  din  of  arms  now  resounded  through  the  streets.  The 
cry  was  up — "  The  enemy  are  on  the  Heights  of  Abraham  ! 
The  gate  of  St.  Johns  is  open  !  "  There  was  an  attempt  to  shut 
it.  The  keys  were  not  to  be  found.  It  was  hastily  secured  by 
ropes  and  handspikes,  and  the  walls  looking  upon  the  heights 
were  soon  manned  by  the  military,  and  thronged  by  the  populace. 

Arnold  paraded  his  men  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  walls, 
and  caused  them  to  give  three  hearty  cheers ;  hoping  to  excite  a 
revolt  in  the  place,  or  to  provoke  the  scanty  garrison  to  a  sally. 
There  were  a  few  scatterd  cheerings  in  return  ;  but  the  taunting 
bravado  failed  to  produce  a  sortie  ;  the  governor  dared  not  ven- 
ture beyond  the  walls  with  part  of  his  garrison,  having  too  little 
confidence  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  matches  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  Colonies  the  surrender  of  the  place.  Some  of  the 
disaffected  and  the  faint-hearted  were  inclined  to  open  the  gates, 
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  repeat- 
edly insulted,  but  he  saw  the  futility  of  resenting  it,  and  attacking 

VOL.  II. — 6 


122  LIFE    OF    WASIIINUTON.  [1775. 

tho  place  with  liis  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  General  Carlcton,  having  escaped  from  that  place,  was 
on  his  way  down  to  Quebec.  He  thought  at  present,  therefore, 
to  draw  off  on  the  19th  to  Point  aux  Trembles  (Aspen-treo 
Point),  twenty  miles  above  Quebec,  there  to  await  the  arrival  of 
General  Montgomery  with  troops  and  artillery.  As  his  little 
army  wended  its  way  along  the  high  bank  of  the  river  towards 
its  destined  encampment,  a  vessel  passed  below,  which  had  just 
touched  at  Point  aux  Trembles.  On  board  of  it  was  General 
Carleton,  hurrying  on  to  Quebec. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  distant  booming  of  artillery  told  of 
his  arrival  at  his  post,  where  he  resumed  a  stern  command.  He 
was  unpopular  among  the  inhabitants;  even  the  British  mer- 
chants and  other  men  of  business,  were  offended  by  the  coldness 
of  his  manners^  and  his  confining  his  intimacy  to  the  military  and 
the  Canadian  noblesse.  He  was  aware  of  his  unpopularity,  and 
looked  round  him  with  distrust ;  his  first  measure  was  to  turn 
out  of  the  place  all  suspected  persons,  and  all  who  refused  to  aid 
in  its  defence.  This  caused  a  great  "  trooping  out  of  town," 
but  what  was  lost  in  numbers  was  gained  in  strength.  With  the 
loyally  disposed  who  remained,  he  busied  himself  in  improving 
the  defences. 

Of  the  constant  anxiety,  yet  enduring  hope,  with  which 
Washington  watched  this  hazardous  enterprise,  we  have  evidence 
in  his  various  letters.     To  Arnold,  when  at  Point  Levi,  baffled  iu 


^^^^•]  WASHINGTON    TO    ARNOLD.  123 

the  expectation  of  finding  the  means  of  making  a  dash  upon 
Quebec,  he  writes :  "  It  is  not  in  the  power  of  any  man  to  com- 
mand success,  but  you  have  done  more,  you  have  deserved  it ; 
and  before  this  time  (Dec.  5th),  I  hope  you  have  met  with  the 
laurels  which  are  due  to  your  toils,  in  the  possession  of  Quebec. 
"  I  have  no  doubt  but  a  junction  of  your  detachment  with 
the  army  under  General  Montgomery,  is  effected  before  this.  If 
60,  you  will  put  yourself  under  his  command  ^  and  will,  I  am  per- 
suaded, give  him  all  the  assistance  in  your  power,  to  finish  the 
glorious  work  you  have  begun." 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

LORD  DUNMORE HIS  PLANS  OF    HARASSING  VIRGINIA LEe's    POLICY    RESPECT- 
ING    TORY     GOVERNORS     AND     PLACEMEN RHODE      ISLAND      HARASSED     BY 

WALI^CE  AND    IHS    CRUISERS,    AND    INFESTED    BY  TORIES — LEE   SENT    TO    ITS 

RELIEF HIS  VIGOROUS  MEASURES THE  ARMY  DISIiANDING WASHINGTON'S 

PERPLEXITIES SYMPATHY    OF    GENERAL     GREENE HIS     LOYALTY     IN    TIME 

OF   TROUBLE THE    CRISIS — CHEERING  NEWS  FROM  CANADA GLOOMY  OPEN- 
ING  OF   THE   NEW   YEAR ^NEWS    FROM    COLONEL   KNOX. 

In  the  month  of  December  a  vessel  had  been  captured,  bearing 
supplies  from  Lord  Dunmore,  to  the  army  at  Boston.  A  letter 
on  board,  from  his  lordship  to  General  Howe,  invited  him  to 
transfer  the  war  to  the  southern  colonies;  or,  at  all  events,  to 
send  reinforcements  thither ;  intimating  at  the  same  time  his  plan 
of  proclaiming  liberty  to  indentured  servants,  negroes,  and  others 
appertaining  to  rebels,  and  inviting  them  to  join  his  majesty's 
troops.  In  a  word, — to  inflict  upon  Virginia  the  horrors  of  a 
servile  war. 

"  If  this  man  is  not  crushed  before  spring,"  writes  Washing- 
ton, "  he  will  become  the  most  formidable  enemy  America  has. 
His  strength  will  increase  as  a  snowball.  *  *  *  Motives  of 
resentment  actuate  his  conduct  to  a  degree  equal  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  colony." 


CUAELES   LEE. 


1775]  lee's  policy.  125 

General  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  minis- 
ters and  their  adherents  set  on  edge. 

"  Had  my  opinion  been  thought  worthy  of  attention,"  would 
he  say,  "  Lord  Dunmore  would  have  been  disarmed  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  theibllowing  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  contributions  for  the  public.  Their  persons 
should  be  secured,  in  some  of  the  interior  towns,  as  hostages  for 
the  treatment  of  those  of  our  party,  whom  the  fortune  of  war 
shall  throw  into  their  hands ;  they  should  be  allowed  a  reasonable 
pension  out  of  their  fortunes  for  their  maintenance."  * 

Such  was  the  polic}^  advocated  by  Lee  in  his  letters  and  con- 
versation, and  he  soon  had  an  opportunity  of  carrying  it  partly  into 
operation.  Khode  Island  had  for  some  time  past  been  domineered 
over  by  Captain  Wallace  of  the  royal  navy ;  who  had  stationed 
himself  at  Newport  with  an  armed  vessel,  and  obliged  the  place 
to  furnish  him  with  supplies.  Latterly  he  had  landed  in  Conan- 
icut  Island,  opposite  to  Newport,  with  a  number  of  sailors  and 
marines,  plundered  and  burnt  houses,  and  driven  off  cattle  for 
the  supply  of  the  army.  In  his  exactions  and  maraudings,  he 
was  said  to  have  received  countenance  from  the  tory  part  of  the 
inhabitants.     It  was  now  reported   that  a  naval  armament  was 

*  Lee  to  Rich.  Heiuy  Lee.     Am.  Archives,  4th  Series,  iv.  248. 


126  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  11775. 

coming  from  Boston  against  the  island.  In  this  emergency,  llic 
governor  (Cooke)  wrote  to  Washington,  requesting  military  aid, 
and  an  cflieient  ofliccr  to  put  the  island  in  a  state  of  defence,  sug- 
gesting the  name  of  General  Lee  for  the  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  such  as  are  disaffected  to 
American  liberty." 

Lee  set  out  for  Rhode  Island  with  his  guard  and  a  party  of 
riflemen,  and  at  Providence  was  joined  by  the  cadet  company  of 
that  place,  and  a  number  of  minute  men.  Preceded  by  these,  he 
entered  the  town  of  Newport  on  Christmas  day,  in  military  style. 
While  there,  he  summoned  before  him  a  number  of  persons  who 
had  supplied  the  enemy  ;  some  according  to  a  convention  original- 
ly made  between  Wallace  and  the  authorities,  others,  as  it  was 
suspected,  through  tory  feelings.  All  were  obliged  by  Lee  to 
take  a  test  oath  of  his  own  devising,  by  which  they  "  religiously 
swore  that  they  would  neither  directly,  nor  indirectly,  assist  the 
wicked  instruments  of  ministerial  tyranny  and  villainy  common- 
ly called  the  king's  troops  and  navy,  by  furnishing  them  with  pro- 
visions and  refreshments."  They  swore,  moreover,  to  "  denounce 
all  traitors  before  the  public  authority,  and  to  take  arms  in  de- 
fence 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  Providence.  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  legisla- 


1775.]  THE    ARMY    DISBANDING.  127 

tivc  c:nsures.  "  One  must  not  be  trammelled  by  laws  in  war 
time,"  said  he ;    "  in  a  revolution,  all  means  are  legal." 

Washington  approved  of  his  measures.  "  I  have  seen  General 
Lee  since  his  expedition,"  writes  he,  "  and  hope  Rhode  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  kim  and  the 
committee.  *  *  *  I  know  not  what  pernicious  consequences 
may  result  from  a  precedent  of  this  sort.  Other  places,  circum- 
stanced as  Newport  is,  may  follow  the  example,  and  by  that 
means  their  whole  fleet  and  army  will  be  furnished  with  what  it 
highly  concerns  us  to  keep  from  them.  *  *  *  Vigorous  reg- 
ulations, and  such  as  at  another  time  would  appear  extraordinary, 
are  now  become  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  piece- 
meal before  his  eyes.  Homeward  every  face  was  turned  as  soon  as 
the  term  of  enlistment  was  at  an  end.  Scare  could  the  disband- 
ing troops  be  kept  a  few  days  in  camp  until  militia  could  be  pro- 
cured to  supply  their  place.  Washington  made  repeated  and 
animated  appeals  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 ! 
home !  throbbed  in  every  heart.  "  The  desire  of  retiring  into  a 
chimney-corner,"  says  Washington  reproachfully,  "  seized  the 
troops  as  soon  as  their  terms  expired." 

Can  wc  wonder  at  it  ?     They  were  for  the  most  part  yeoman- 

♦   Washington  to  Gov.  Cooke.     Sparks,  iii.  227. 


128  IJFE    OF    WASHI.NGTON.  [^775. 

ry,  unusod  to  military  restraint,  and  suffcrinf]j  all  the  hardships 
of  a  starveling  camp,  almost  within  sight  of  the  smoke  of  their 
own  firesides. 

Greene,  throughout  this  tryhig  month,  was  continually  by 
"Washington's  side.  Ilis  letters  expressing  the  same  cares  and 
apprehensions,  and  occasionally  in  the  same  language  with  those 
of  the  commander-in-chief,  show  how  completely  he  was  in  his 
councils.  He  could  well  sympathize  with  him  in  his  solicitudes. 
Some  of  his  own  Rhode  Island  troops  were  with  Arnold  in  his 
Canada  expedition.  Others  encamped  on  Prospect  Hill,  and 
whose  order  and  disciplnie  had  been  his  pride,  were  evincing  the 
prevalent  disposition  to  disband.  "  They  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  num- 
ber." * 

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." 

*  Greene  to  Henry  "Ward. 


PJdn.ted  "bjr  Coi.  J. 'rnimbiiU, 


Bngrs  V?  d  "by  J .  B .  Tarre  st . 


IVLyOiR    iT.K'.I^'i'li'ixLiL.  MATiBLMflEl.   SRTElE^^lBo 


^-<^ 


1776.]  CHEERING    NEWS    FROM    CANADA.  129 

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

The  thirty-first  of  December  arrived,  the  crisis  of  the  army ; 
for  with  that  month  expired  the  last  of  the  old  terms  of  enlist- 
ment. "  We  never  have  been  so  weak,"  writes  Greene,  "  as  we 
shall  be  to-morrow,  when  we  dismiss  the  old  troops."  On  this 
day  Washington  received  cheering  intelligence  from  Canada.  A 
junction  had  taken  place,  a  month  previously,  between  Arnold 
and  Montgomery  at  Point  aux  Trembles.  They  were  about  two 
thousand  strong,  and  were  making  every  preparation  for  attack- 
ing Quebec.  Carleton  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  gat 
the  same  conditions  that  were  granted  to  the  inhabitants  of  Mon- 
treal. * 

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

On  the  following  morning  (January  1st,  1776),  his  army  did 
not  amount  to  ten  thousand  men,  and  was  composed  of  but  half- 
filled  regiments.  Even  in  raising  this  inadequate  force,  it  had 
been  necessary  to  indulge  many  of  the  men  with  furloughs,  that 
they  might  visit  their  families  and  friends.  The  expedients 
resorted  to  in  equipping  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  appraised 
value.  Those  who  enlisted,  were  required  to  bring  a  gun,  or 
were  charged  a  dollar  for  the  use  of  one  during  the  campaign. 

*  Letter  of  Washington  to  the  President  of  Congress,  Dec.  31. 


1:50  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [l'7r.. 

ITo  who  brought  a  blanket  was  allowed  two  dollars.  It  was  im- 
possible to  furnish  uniforms;  the  troops,  therefore,  presented  a 
motley  appearance,  in  garments  of  divers  cuts  and  colors;  *tho 
price  of  each  man'3  garb  being  deducted  from  his  pay. 

The  detachments  of  militia  from  the  neighboring  provinces 
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  easily  have  been  forced. 

The  anxiety  of  Washington,  in  this  critical  state  of  the  army, 
may  be  judged  from  his  correspondence  with  Reed.  "  It  is 
easier  to  conceive  than  to  describe  the  situation  of  my  mind  for 
some  time  past,  and  my  feelings  under  our  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,  without  powder, 
and  then  to  have  one  army  disbanded  and  another  raised  within 
the  same  distance  (musket  shot)  of  a  reinforced  enemy.  What 
may  be  the  issue  of  the  last  manoeuvre,  time  only  can  unfold. 
I  wish  this  month  were  well  over  our  head.  *  *  *  ^^Q  ^re 
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  necessity  of  their  stay  be  ever  so  urgent.  Thus, 
for  more  than  two  months  past,  I  have  scarcely  emerged  from  one 
difficulty  before  I  have  been  plunged  in  another.  How  it  will 
end,  God,  in  his  great  goodness,  will  direct.  I  am  thankful  for 
his  protection  to  this  time.  We  are  told  that  we  shall  soon  get 
the  army  completed,  but  I  have  been  told  so  many  things  which 
have  never  come  to  pass,  that  I  distrust  every  thing." 


1775.]  ANXIOUS    VIGILS.  131 

In  a  subsequent  letter  to  Mr.  Reed,  he  reverts  to  tlie  subject, 
and  pours  forth  his  feelings  with  confiding  frankness.  AVhat  can 
be  more  touching  than  the  picture  he  draws  of  himself  and  his 
lonely  vigils  about  his  sleeping  camp  ?  "  The  reflection  on  my 
situation  and  that  of  this  army,  produces  many  an  unhappy  hour, 
when  all  around  me  are  wrapped  in  sleep.  Few  people  know  the 
predicament  we  are  in  on  a  thousand  accounts;  fewer  still  will 
believe,  if  any  disaster  happens  to  these  lines,  from  what  cause  it 
flows.  I  have  often  thought  how  much  happier  I  should  have 
been,  if,  instead  of  accepting  the  command,  under  such  circum- 
stances, I  had  taken  my  musket  on  my  shoulder  and  entered  the 
ranks ;  or,  if  I  could  have  justified  the  measure  to  posterity  and 
my  own  conscience,  had  retired  to  the  back  country  and  lived  in  a 
wigwam.  If  1  shall  be  able  to  rise  superior  to  these  and  many 
other  difiiculties,  which  might  be  enumerated,  I  shall  most  reli- 
giously believe  that  the  finger  of  Providence  is  in  it,  to  blind  the 
eyes  of  our  enemies;  for  surely  if  we  get  well  through  this 
month,  it  must  be  for  want  of  their  knowing  the  disadvantages 
which  we  labor  under." 

Recurring  to  the  project  of  an  attack  upon  Boston,  which  he 
had  reluctantly  abandoned  in  deference  to  the  adverse  opinions 
of  a  council  of  war — "  Could  I  have  foreseen  the  difiiculties 
which  have  come  upon  us ;  could  I  have  known  that  such  a  back- 
wardness would  have  been  discovered  among  the  old  soldiers  to 
the  service,  all  the  generals  upon  earth  should  not  have  convinced 
me  of  the  propriety  of  delaying  an  attack  upon  Boston  till  this 
time.  When  it  can  now  be  attempted,  I  will  not  undertake  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  received  let- 


132  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  fl775. 

ters  from  Knox,  sliowiiig  the  spirit  and  energy  with  which  he  was 
executing  his  mission,  iu  quest  of  cannon  and  ordnance  stores. 
He  luid  struggled  manfully  and  successfully  with  all  kinds  of 
difl&cultics  from  the  advanced  season,  and  head  winds,  in  getting 
them  from  Ticoudero";a  to  the  head  of  Lake  George.  "  Three 
days  ago,"  writes  he,  on  the  17th  of  December,  "  it  was  very 
uncertain  whether  we  could  get  them  over  until  next  spring;  but 
now,  please  God.  they  shall  go.  I  have  made  forty-two  exceed- 
ingly strong  sleds,  and  have  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  tlius  that  hardships  and  emergencies  were  bringing  out 
the  merits  of  the  self-made  soldiers  of  the  Revolution ;  and 
showing  their  commander-in-chief  on  whom  he  might  rely. 


Hancock's  house. 


PROVINCE   HOUSE. 


CHAPTER    XIV, 

MILITARY     PREPARATIONS    IN    BOSTON — A    SECRET     EXPEDITION ITS    OBJECT — 

lee's    plan     for     the     SECURITY     OF     NEW   YORK OPINION    OF   ADAMS   ON 

THE     SUBJECT INSTRUCTIONS    TO    LEE — TRANSACTIONS    OF   LEE    IN    CONNEC- 
TICUT— lee's     POLICY    IN    REGARD     TO    THE     TORIES UNEASINESS     IN     NEW 

YORK LETTER   OF   THE    COMMITTEE  OF    SAFETY   TO    LEE — HIS     REPLY HIS 

OPINION   OF   THE     PEOPLE    OF    CONNECTICUT — OF   THE   HYSTERICAL     LETTER 
FROM   THE   NEW   YORK    CONGRESS. 

Early  in  the  month  of  January,  there  was  a  great  stir  of  prepa- 
ration 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  convey  the  armament. 
Its  destination  was  kept  secret ;  but  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  cred- 
ibility, and  revealing  a  secret  plan  of  operations  said  to  have  been 
sent  out  by  ministers  to  the  commanders  in  Boston.  The  follow- 
ing is  the  purport :  Possession  was  to  be  gained  of  New  York 
and  Albany,  through  the  assistance  of  Governor  Tryon,  on  whose 
influence  with  the  tory  part  of  the  poplulation,  much  reliance  was 
placed.     These  cities  were  to  be  very  strongly  garrisoned.     All 


134  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [^^^^ 

•who  did  not  join  the  king's  forces  were  to  be  declared  rebels. 
The  Hudson  lliver,  and  the  East  lliver  or  Sound,  were  to  be 
commanded  by  a  number  of  small  men-of-war  and  cutters,  sta- 
tioned in  different  parts,  so  as  wholly  to  cut  off  all  communication 
by  water  between  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,  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  those  to  the  southward  of  them.  '  By  these  means," 
said  the  letter,  "  the  administration  and  their  friends  fancy  they 
shall  soon  either  starve  out  or  retake  the  garrisons  of  Crown 
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  Indians  to  be  procured  by 
Guy  Johnson,  to  make  continual  irruptions  into  New  Hampshire, 
Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  and  so  distract  and  divide  the 
Provincial  forces,  as  to  render  it  easy  for  the  British  army  at 
Boston  to  defeat  them,  break  the  spirits  of  the  Massachusetts  peo- 
ple, depopulate  their  coimtry,  and  compel  an  absolute  subjection 
to  Great  Britain."  * 

It  was  added  that  a  lord,  high  in  the  American  department, 
had  been  very  particular  in  his  inquiries  about  the  Hudson  Biver; 
what  sized  vessels  could  get  to  Albany  ;  and  whether,  if  bat- 
teries 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  respecting  the 

*  Am.  Archives,  4th  Series,  iii.  1281. 


1776.]  lee's   military   PLANS.  '  135 

Hudson,  and  led  to  measures  for  its  protection.  It  was  now 
surmised  that  the  expedition  preparing  to  sail  from  Boston,  and 
which  was  to  be  conducted  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  might  be  des- 
tined 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  awaiting  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  Congress,  for  obvious 
reasons.  They  find  themselves  awkwardly  situated  on  this  head. 
You  must  step  in  to  their  relief.  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  assured 
that  I  shall  find  no  difficulty  in  assembling  a  sufficient  number 
for  the  purposes  wanted.  This  body,  in  conjunction  (if  there 
should  appear  occasion  to  summon  them)  with  the  Jersey  regi- 
ment under  the  command  of  Lord  Stirling,  now  at  Elizabeth- 
town,  will  effect  the  security  of  New  York,  and  the  expulsion  or 
suppression  of  that  dangerous  banditti  of  tories,  who  have 
appeared  on  Long  Island,  with  the  professed  intention  of  acting 
against  the  authority  of  Congress.  Not  to  crush  these  serpents 
before  their  rattles  are  grown  would  be  ruinous. 

"  This  manoeuvre,  I  not  only  think  prudent  and  right,  but 
absolutely  necessary  to  our  salvation ;  and  if  it  meets,  as-  I 
ardently  hope  it  will,  with    your  approbation,  the  sooner    it  is 


13G  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [177C. 

entered  upon  the  better ;  tlie  delay  of  a  single  day  may  bo 
fatal." 

Washington,  while  he  approved  of  Lee's  military  suggestions, 
was  cautious  in  exercising  the  extraordinary  powers  so  recently 
vested  in  him,  and  fearful  of  transcending  them.  John  Adams 
was  at  tbat  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,  tl^ought  the  enterprise  might  easily 
be  accomplished  by  the  friends  of  liberty  in  New  York,  in  con- 
nection 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  River,  being  the  nexus  of  the  northern  and  southern 
colonies,  a  kind  of  key  to  the  whole  continent,  as  it  is  a  passage 
to  Canada,  to  the  Great  Lakes,  and  to  all  the  Indian  nations. 
No  effort  to  secure  it  ought  to  be  omitted. 

That  it  was  within  the  limits  of  Washington's  command,  he 
considered  perfectly  clear,  he  being  "  vested  with  full  power  and 
authority,  to  act  as  he  should  think  for  the  good  and  welfare  of 
the  service." 

If  there  was  a  body  of  people  on  Long  Island,  armed  to  op- 
pose the  American  system  of  defence,  and  furnishing  supplies  to 
the  British  army  and  navy,  they  were  invading  American  liberty 
as  much  as  those  besieged  in  Boston. 

If,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  a  body  of  tories  were  waiting 
only  for  a  force  to  protect  them,  to  declare  themselves  on  the 
side  of  the  enemy,  it  was  high  time  that  city  was  secured.* 

*  Adams  to  Washington,  Corr.  of  Rev.,  i.  113. 


1"^^-]  LEE    IN   CONNECTICUT.  137 

Thus  fortified,  as  it  were,  by  congressional  sanction,  through 
one  of  its  most  important  members,  who  pronounced  New  York 
as  much  within  his  command  as  Massachusetts ;  he  gave  Lee  au- 
thority to  carry  out  his  plans.  He  was  to  raise  volunteers  in 
Connecticut ;  march  at  their  head  to  New  York ;  call  in  military 
aid  from  New  Jersey ;  put  the  city  and  the  posts  on  the  Hudson, 
in  a  posture  of  security  against  surprise ;  disai:m  all  persons  on 
Long  Island  and  elsewhere,  inimical  to  the  views  of  Congress,  or 
secure  them  in  some  other  manner  if  necessary ;  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  January.  On  the 
IGth,  he  was  at  New  Haven,  railing  at  the  indecision  of  Congress. 
They  had  ordered  the  enlistment  of  troops  for  the  security  of 
New  York.  A  Connecticut  regiment  under  Colonel  Waterbury 
had  been  raised,  equipped,  and  on  the  point  of  embarking  for 
Oyster  Bay,  on  Long  Island,  to  attack  the  tories,  who  were  to  be 
attacked  on  the  other  side  by  Lord  Stirling,  "  when  suddenly," 
says  Lee,  "  Colonel  Waterbury  received  an  order  to  disband  his 
regiment ;  and  the  tories  are  to  remain  unmolested  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  re- 
assembled, 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  situation,  and  at  the  same  time, 
conjuring  them  not  to  suffer  the  accursed  Provincial  Congress  of 
New  York  to  defeat  measures  so  absolutely  necessary  to  salva- 
tion." 

Lee's  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  showed  that  the  in- 


138  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [MUl 

structions  dictated  by  tlic  moderate  and  considerate  spirit  of 
Washington,  were  not  strong  enough  on  some  points,  to  suit  his 
stern  military  notions.  The  scheme,  simply  of  disarming  the 
tories,  seemed  to  him  totally  ineflleetual ;  it  would  only  embitter 
their  minds,  and  add  virus  to  their  venom.  They  could  and 
would  always  be  supplied  with  fresh  arms  by  the  enemy.  That 
of  seizing  the  most  dangerous,  would,  from  its  vagueness,  be  at- 
tended with  some  bad  consequences,  and  could  answer  no  good 
one.  "  The  plan  of  explaining  to  these  deluded  people  the 
justice  of  the  American  cause,  is  certainly  generous  and  hu- 
mane," observed  he;  "but  I  am  afraid  will  be  fruitless.  They 
are  so  riveted  in  their  opinions,  that  I  am  persuaded,  should  an 
angel  descend  from  heaven  with  his  golden  trumpet,  and  ring  in 
their  ears  that  their  conduct  was  criminal,  he  would  be  disre- 
garded." 

Lee's  notion  of  the  policy  proper  in  the  present  case  was,  to 
disarm  the  disaffected  of  all  classes,  supplying  our  own  troops 
with  the  arms  thus  seized ;  to  appraise  their  estates,  and  oblige 
them  to  deposit  at  least  one  half  the  value  with  the  Continental 
Congress,  as  a  security  for  good  behavior ;  to  administer  the 
strongest  oath  that  could  be  devised,  that  they  would  act  offen- 
sively and  defensively  in  support  of  the  common  rights ;  and 
finally,  to  transfer  all  such  as  should  prove  refractory,  to  some 
place  in  the  interior,  where  they  would  not  be  dangerous. 

The  people  of  New  York,  at  all  times  very  excitable,  were 
thrown  into  a  panic  on  hearing  that  Lee  was  in  Connecticut,  on 
his  way  to  take  military  possession  of  the  city.  They  appre- 
hended his  appearance  there  would  provoke  an  attack  from  the 
ships  in  the  harbor.  Some,  who  thought  the  war  about  to  be 
brought  to  their  own  doors,  packed  up  their  effects,  and  made  off 


177G.]  HYSTERICAL     LETTER.  139 

into  the  country  with  their  wives  and  children.  Others  bcloa- 
guerod  the  committee  of  safety  with  entreaties  against  the  depre- 
cated protection  of  General  Lee.  The  committee,  through  Pierre 
Van  Cortlandt,  their  chairman,  addressed  a  letter  to  Lee,  inquir- 
ing into  the  motives  of  his  coming  with  an  army  to  New  York, 
and  stating  the  incapacity  of  the  city  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  the  present,  and  the  ne- 
cessity of  "  saving  appearances,"  with  the  ships  of  war,  till  at 
least  the  month  of  March,  when  they  hoped  to  be  able  to  face 
their  enemies  with  some  countenance. 

"We,  therefore,"  continued  the  letter,  "ardently  wish  to  re- 
main in  peace  for  a  little  time,  and  doubt  not  we  have  assigned 
sufficient  reasons  for  avoiding  at  present,  a  dilemma,  in  which  the 
entrance  of  a  large  body  of  troops  into  the  city,  will  almost  cer- 
tainly involve  us.  Should  you  have  such  an  entrance  in  design, 
we  beg  at  least  the  troops  may  halt  on  the  western  confines  of 
Connecticut,  till  we  have  been  honored  by  you  with  such  an  ex- 
planation 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  reply,  dated  Stamford,  Jan.  23d,  disclaimed  all  inten-. 
tion  of  commencing  actual  hostilities  against  the  men-of-war  in 
the  harbor :  his  instructions  from  the  commander-in-chief  beino- 
solely  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  taking  post  in  the  city,  or  lodo-- 
ing  themselves  on  Long  Island.  Some  subordinate  purposes 
were  likewise  to  be  executed,  which  were  much  more  proper  to  be 
communicated  by  word  of  mouth  than  by  writing.  In  compli- 
ance with  the  wishes  of  the  committee,  he  promised  to  carry  with 


140  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [^770. 

him  into  tlio  town  jnst  troops  enough  to  Rocuro  it  against  any 
present  designs  of  the  enemy,  leaving  his  main  force  on  the  west- 
ern border  of  Connecticut.  "  T  give  you  my  word,"  added  he, 
"  that  no  active  service  is  proposed,  as  you  seem  to  apprehend. 
If  the  ships  of  war  are  quiet,  I  shall  be  quiet ;  but  I  dechirc 
Bolenmly,  that  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  zealous  than  my  most 
sanguine  expectations.  I  believe  I  might  have  collected  two 
thousand  volunteers.  I  take  only  four  companies  with  me,  and 
Waterbury's  regiment.  #  *  *  These  Connecticutians  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." 

Speaking  of  the  people  of  New  York,  and  the  letter  from 
their  Provincial  Congress,  which  he  encloses  :  "  The  whigs,"  says 
be,  "I  mean  the  stout  ones,  are,  it  is  said,  very  desirous  that  a 
body  of  troops  should  march  and  be  stationed  in  the  city — the 
timid  ones  are  averse,  merely  from  the  spirit  of  procrastination, 
which  is  the  characteristic  of  timidity.  The  letter  from  the 
Provincial  Congress,  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  cal- 
culated 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  chapter. 


i-^ 


i!;:"^ 


:s>*i^ 


m'     S 


& 


CHAPTER    XV. 

MONTGOMERY  BEFORE  QUEBEC — HIS  PLAN  OF  OPERATIONS — A  SUMMONS  TO 
SURRENDER A  FLAG  INSULTED THE  TOWN  BESIEGED — PLAN  OF  AN  ES- 
CALADE  ATTACK  OF   THE    LOWER   TOWN — MONTGOMERY  IN  THE  ADVANCE 

HIS   DEATH — RETREAT   OF    COL.    CAMPBELL — ATTACK  BY  ARNOLD — DEFENCE 

OF   THE   LOWER  TOWN ARNOLD  WOUNDED — RETREAT  OF  THE  AMERICANS — 

GALLANT   RESOLVE    OF   ARNOLD. 

From  amid  surrounding  perplexities,  "Washington  still  turned  a 
hopeful  eye  to  Canada.  He  expected  daily  to  receive  tidings 
that  Montgomery  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  large  quantities  of  arms,  blankets,  clothing 
and  other  military  stores,  said  to  be  deposited  there ;  the  army 
before  Boston  being  in  great  need  of  such  supplies. 

On  the  18th  of  January  came  despatches  to  him  from  Gen- 
eral Schuyler,  containing  withering  tidings.  The  following  is 
the  purport.  Montgomery,  on  the  2d  of  December,  the  day  after 
his  arrival  at  Point  aux  Trembles,  set  off  in  face  of  a  driving 
snow-storm  for  Quebec,  and  arrived  before  it  on  the  5th.  The 
works,  from  their  great  extent,  appeared  to  him  incapable  of 
being  defended  by  the  actual  garrison;  made  up,  as  he  said,  of 
"  Maclean's  banditti,"  the  sailors  from  the  frigates  and  other 


142  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [^775. 

vessels,  together  with  the  citizens  obliged  to  take  up  arms ;  most 
of  whom  were  impatient  of  tlic  fatigues  of  a  siege,  and  wished  to 
sec  matters  accommodated  amicably.  "  I  propose,"  added  he, 
*'  amusing  Mr.  Carleton  with  a  formal  attack,  erecting  batteries, 
&c.,  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  fa- 
tigue, and  well  accustomed  to  a  cannon  shot,  having  served  at 
Cambridge.  "  There  is  a  style  of  discipline  among  them,"  adds 
he,  "  much  superior  to  what  I  have  been  used  to  see  in  this  cam- 
paign. 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  summons  to 
surrender.  It  was  fired  upon,  and  obliged  to  retire.  Exasper- 
ated at  this  outrage,  which,  it  is  thought,  was  committed  by  the 
veteran  Maclean,  Montgomery  wrote  an  indignant,  reproachful, 
and  even  menacing  letter  to  Carleton,  reiterating  the  demand, 
mao-nifying  the  number  of  his  troops,  and  warning  him  against 
the  consequences  of  an  assault.  Finding  it  was  rejected  from 
the  walls,  it  was  conveyed  in  by  a  woman,  together  with  letters 
addressed  to  the  principal  merchants,  promising  great  indulgence 
in  case  of  immediate  submission.  By  Carleton's  orders,  the 
messenger  was  sent  to  prison  for  a  few  days,  and  then  drummed 
out  of  town. 

*  Montgomery  to  Schuyler,  Dec.  5. 


1775.]  THE    "ice    battery."  143 

Montgomery  now  prepared  for  an  attack.  The  ground  was 
frozen  to  a  great  depth,  and  covered  with  snow ;  he  was  scantily 
provided  with  intrenching  tools,  and  had  only  a  field  train  of  ar- 
tillery, and  a  few  mortars.  By  dint  of  excesssive  labor  a  breast- 
work was  thrown  up,  four  hundred  yards  distant  from  the  walla 
and  opposite  to  the  gate  of  St.  Louis,  which  is  nearly  in  the 
centre.  It  was  formed  of  gabions,  ranged  side  by  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.  Roque,  which 
extends  on  the  left  of  the  promontory,  below  the  heights,  and 
nearly  on  a  level  with  the  river. 

From  the  "  Ice  Battery  "  Captain  Lamb  opened  a  well-sus- 
tained and  well-directed  fire  upon  the  walls,  but  his  field-pieces 
were  too  light  to  be  effective.  With  his  howitzer  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,  and  increase  the  dissatisfaction  of  the  inhabitants.  His 
flag  of  truce  being  still  fired  upon,  he  caused  the  Indians  in  his 
camp  to  shoot  arrows  into  the  town,  having  letters  attached  to 
them,  addressed  to  the  inhabitants,  representing  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 ;  several  of  the  guns  had  been  rendered 


144  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [^776. 

useless.  Just  as  they  arrived  at  tlie  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  de- 
structive. "  This  is  warm  work,  sir,"  said  Montgomery  to  Cap- 
tain Lamb.  "  It  is  indeed,  and  certainly  no  place  for  you,  sir." 
''  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  re- 
.  tiring,  gave  Captain  Lamb  permission  to  leave  it  whenever  he 
thought  proper.  The  veteran  waited  until  after  dark,  when,  se- 
curing all  the  guns,  he  abandoned  the  ruined  redoubt.  The  gen- 
eral  in  this  visit  was  attended  by  Aaron  Burr,  whom  he  had  ap- 
pointed his  aide-de-camp.  Lamb  wondered  that  he  should  en- 
cumber himself  with  such  a  boy.  The  perfect  coolness  and  self- 
possession  with  which  the  youth  mingled  in  this  dangerous  scene, 
and  the  fire  which  sparkled  in  his  eye,  soon  convinced  Lamb,  ac- 
cording to  his  own  account,  that  "  the  young  volunteer  was  no 
ordinary  man."  * 

Nearly  three  weeks  had  been  consumed  in  these  futile  opera- 
tions. The  army,  ill-clothed,  and  ill-provided,  was  becoming  im- 
patient of  the  rigors  of  a  Canadian  winter ;  the  term  for  which 
part  of  the  troops  had  enlisted  would  expire  with  the  year,  and 
they  already  talked  of  returning  home.  Montgomery  was  sadly 
conscious  of  the  insufficiency  of  his  means ;  still  he  could  not  en- 
dure the  thoughts  of  retiring  from  before  the  place  without 
striking  a  blow.  He  knew  that  much  was  expected  from  him,  in 
consequence  of  his  late  achievements,  and  that  the  eyes  of  the 
public   were   fixed   upon  this   Canadian  enterprise.     He  deter- 

*  Life  of  John  Lamb,  p.  125. 


AARON    BURR, 


1775.]  PREPARATIONS    FOR   ASSAULT.  145 

mined,  tliorefore,  to  attempt  to  carry  the  place  by  escalade.  One 
third  of  his  men  were  to  set  fire  to  the  houses  and  stockades  of 
the  suburb  of  St.  Boquc,  and  force  the  barriers  of  the  lower 
town ;  while  the  main  body  should  scale  the  bastion  of  Cape 
Diamond. 

It  was  a  hazardous,  almost  a  desperate  project,  yet  it  has  met 
with  the  approbation  of  military  men.  He  calculated  upon  the 
devotion  and  daring  spirit  of  his  men ;  upon  the  discontent 
which  prevailed  among  the  Canadians,  and  upon  the  incompe- 
tency of  the  garrison  for  the  defence  of  such  extensive  works. 

In  regard  to  the  devotion  of  his  men,  he  was  threatened  with 
disappointment.  When  the  plan  of  assault  was  submitted  to  a 
council  of  war,  three  of  the  captains  in  Arnold's  division,  the 
terms  of  whose  companies  were  near  expiring,  declined  to  serve, 
unless  they  and  their  men  could  be  transferred  to  another  com- 
mand. This  almost  mutinous  movement,  it  is  supposed,  was  fo- 
mented by  Arnold's  old  adversary,  Major  Brown,  and  it  was  with 
infinite  difficulty  Montgomery  succeeded  in  overcoming  it. 

The  ladders  were  now  provided  for  the  escalade^  and  Mont- 
gomery waited  with  impatience  for  a  favorable  night  to  put  it 
into  execution.  Smallpox  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  Liv- 
ingston was  to  make  a  false  attack  on  the  gate  of  St.  Johns  and 
set  fire  to  it ;  Major  Brown,  with  another  detachment,  was  to 
menace  the  bastion  of  Cape  Diamond.  Arnold,  with  three  hun- 
dred 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  battsries  of  St.  Roque ; 

VOL.  II. — 7 


146  LIFE    OF   WASHINGTON.  [^775. 

wtilc  Montgomery,  with  the  residue  of  his  forces,  was  to  pass 
below  the  bastion  at  Cape  Diamond,  defile  along  the  river,  carry 
the  defences  at  Drunimoud's  Wharf,  and  thus  enter  the  lower 
town  on  one  side,  while  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 ,  thus  distracting  the  enemy, 
and  calling  their  attention  to  four  several  points. 

On  the  31st  of  December,  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the 
troops  repaired  to  their  several  destinations,  under  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  ofii- 
cers,  who  gave  the  alarm.  Livingston,  also,  failed  to  make  the 
false  attack  on  the  gate  of  St.  Johns,  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  Cape  Diamond, 
was  successful,  and  concealed  the  march  of  General  Montgomery. 
That  gallant  commander  descended  from  the  heights  to  Wolfe's 
Cove,  and  led  his  division  along  the  shore  of  the  St.  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 ;  beyond  which 
was  a  second  defence,  a  kind  of  block-house,  forming  a  battery  of 
small  pieces,  manned  by  Canadian  militia,  and  a  few  seamen,  and 
commanded  by  the  captain  of  a  transport.  The  aim  of  Mont- 
gomery was  to  come  upon  these  barriers  by  surprise.  The  pass 
which  they  defended  is  formidable  at  all  times,  having  a  swift 
river  on  one  side,  and  overhanging  precipices  on  the  other ;  but 
at  this  time  was  rendered  peculiarly  difficult  by  drifting  snow, 


fc-S^teHc 


n^'Cfv 


Ja.?Ar| 


1775.]  MONTGOMERY   AT    CAPE    DIAMOND.  147 

and  by  great  masses  of  ice  piled  on  each  other  at  the  foot  of 
the  cliflfs. 

The  troops  made  their  way  painfully,  in  extended  and  strag- 
gling 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  Cheeseman.  Montgomery,  who  was 
familiar  with  them,  urged  them  on.  "  Forward,  men  of  New 
York !  "  cried  he.  "  You  are  not  the  men  to  flinch  when  your 
general  leads  you  on  !  "  In  his  eagerness,  he  threw  himself  far 
in  the  advance,  with  his  pioneers  and  a  few  oflficers,  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  sufiiciently  wide  to  admit  three 
or  four  men  abreast,  entered  sword  in  hand,  followed  by  his  staff", 
Captain  Cheeseman,  and  some  of  his  men.  The  Canadians  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  n"'~'""  ..c  ^,z  if  the  surprise  had  been  com- 
plete. He  paused  in  the  breach  to  rally  on  the  troops,  who  were 
stumbling  along  the  difficult  pass.  "  Push  on,  my  brave  boys," 
cried  he,  "  Quebec  is  ours  !  " 

He  again  dashed  forward,  but,  when  within  forty  paces  of  the 
battery,  a  discharge  of  grape-shot  from  a  single  cannon,  made 
deadly  havoc.  Mongtomery,  and  McPherson,  one  of  his  aides, 
were  killed  on  the  spot.  Captain  Cheeseman,  who  was  leading 
on  his  New  Yorkers,  received  a  canister  shot  through  the  body ; 
made  an  eff"ort  to  rise  and  push  forward,  but  fell  back  a  corpse ; 
with  him  fell  his  orderly  sergeant  and  several  of  his  men.      This 


148  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [1775. 

fearful  slaughter,  and  the  death  of  their  general,  threw  every 
thing  in  coufubion.  The  officer  next  in  lineal  rank  to  the  general, 
was  far  in  the  rear;  in  this  emergency,  Colonel  Campbell, 
quarter-master-general,  took  the  command,  but,  instead  of  rally- 
ing the  men,  and  endeavoring  to  effect  the  junction  with  Arnold, 
ordered  a  retreat,  and  abandoned  the  half-won  field,  leaving  be- 
hind him  the  bodies  of  the  slain. 

While  all  this  was  occurring  on  the  side  of  Cape  Diamond, 
Arnold  led  his  division  against  the  opposite  side  of  the  lower 
town  along  the  suburb  and  street  of  St.  Roque.  Like  Montgom- 
ery, 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  Ticonderoga.  Captain  Lamb  and  his  artillery 
company  came  next,  with  a  field-piece  mounted  on  a  sledge. 
Then  came  a  company  with  ladders  and  scaling  implements,  fol- 
lowed by  Morgan  and  his  riflemen.  In  the  rear  of  all  these 
came  the  main  body.  A  battery  on  a  wharf  commanded  the  nar- 
row pass  by  which  they  had  to  advance.  This  was  to  be  at- 
tacked with  the  field-piece,  and  then  scaled  with  ladders  by  the 
forlorn  hope;  wniie  uaptam  Morga.^  - n'ltii  his  riflemen,  was  to 
pass  round  the  wharf  on  the  ice. 

The  false  attack  which  was  to  have  been  made  by  Livingstou 
on  the  gate  of  St.  Johns,  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  detachment.  The  troops,  as 
they  straggled  along  in  lengthened  file  through  the  drifting  snow, 
were  sadly  galled  by  a  flanking  fire  on  the  right,  from  walls  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  mean  time,  he  and  his  artillery 


1775.]  ARNOLD    AND   LAMB   WOUNDED.  149 

company  were  brought  to  a  halt.  The  company  with  the  scaling 
ladders  would  have  halted  also,  having  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  leading  on 
his  forlorn  hope  to  attack  the  barrier.  Before  he  reached  it,  a 
severe  wound  in  the  right  leg  with  a  musket  ball  completely  dis- 
abled him,  and  he  had  to  be  borne  from  the  field.  Morgan  in- 
stantly took  the  command.  Just  then  Lamb  came  up  with  his 
company,  armed  with  muskets  and  bayonets,  having  received  or- 
ders to  abandon  the  field-piece,  and  support  the  advance.  Os- 
wald joined  him  with  the  forlorn  hope.  The  battery  which  com- 
manded the  defile  mounted  two  pieces  of  cannon.  There  was  a 
discharge  of  grape-shot  when  the  assailants  were  close  under  the 
muzzles  of  the  guns,  yet  but  one  man  was  killed.  Before  there 
could  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  just  dawning  as  Morgan  led  on  to  attack  the 
second  barrier,  and  his  men  had  to  advance  under  a  fire  from  the 
town  walls  on  their  right,  which  incessantly  thinned  their  ranks. 
The  second  barrier  was  reached ;  they  applied  their  scaling  lad- 
ders to  storm  it.  The  defence  was  brave  and  obstinate,  but  the 
defenders  were  at  length  driven  from  their  guns,  and  the  battery 
was  gained.  At  the  last  moment  one  of  the  gunners  ran  back, 
linstock  in  hand,  to  give  one  more  shot.  Captain  Lamb  snapped 
a  fusee  at  him.  It  missed  fire.  The  cannon  was  discharged,  and 
a  grape-shot  wounded  Lamb  in  the  head,  carrying  away  part  of 


150  LIFE    OF    WASIIINaTON.  []77r,. 

the  clicok-bouo.  Ho  was  borne  oil"  senseless,  to  a  neigli})()iiiig 
alied. 

The  two  barriers  being  now  taken,  the  way  on  this  sido 
into  the  lower  town  seemed  open.  Morgan  prepared  to  enter  it 
with  the  vietorious  vanguard  ;  first  stationing  Captain  Dearborn 
and  some  provineialsat  Palace  Gate,  which  opened  down  into  tho 
detilo  from  the  upper  town.  By  this  time,  however,  the  death  of 
Montgomery  and  retreat  of  Campbell,  had  enabled  the  enemy  to 
turn  all  their  attention  in  this  direction.  A  larire  detachment 
sent  by  General  Carleton,  sallied  out  of  Palace  Gate  after  Mor- 
gan had  passed  it,  surprised  and  captured  Dearborn  and  the 
guard,  and  completely  cut  off  the  advanced  party.  The  main 
body,  informed  of  the  death  of  Montgomery,  and  giving  up  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.  Roque. 

Morgan  and  his  men  were  now  hemmed  in  on  all  sides,  and 
obliged  to  take  refuge  in  a  stone  house,  from  the  inveterate  fire 
which  assailed  them.  From  the  windows  of  this  house  they  kept 
up  a  desperate  defence,  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  Carleton,  however,  contented 
himself  with  having  secured  the  safety  of  the  place,  and  remained 
cautiously  passive  until  he  should  be  properly  reinforced;    dis- 


'77«"'-]  Arnold's  resolution.  151 

trusting  tlie*good  faith  of  the  motley  inhabitants.  He  is  said  to 
have  treated  the  prisoners  with  a  humanity  the  more  honorable, 
considering  the  "  habitual  military  severity  of  his  temper;"  their 
heroic  daring,  displayed  in  the  assault  upon  the  lower  town,  hav- 
ing excited  his  admiration. 

The  remains  of  the  gallant  Montgomery  received  a  sol- 
dier's grave,  within  the  fortifications  of  Quebec,  by  the  care  of 
Cramahe,  the  lieutenant-governor,  who  had  formerly  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 
General  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  them  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.  I 
am  in  the  way  of  my  duty^  and  I  know  no  fear !  "  f 

Happy  for  him  had  he  fallen  at  this  moment. — Happy  for  him 
had  he  found  a  soldier's  and  a  patriot's  grave,  beneath  the 
rock-built  walls  of  Quebec.     Those  walls  would  have  remained 


*  Civil  War  in  America,  vol.  i.  p.  112. 

t  See  Arnold's  Letter.     Remembrancer,  ii.  368. 


152 


LIFE    OF  'WAKIIINCTON.  [\77r,. 


enduring  iiioiiumeiits  of  his  renown.  His  name,  like  that  of 
Montgomery-,  would  have  been  treawured  up  among  the  dearest 
though  most  mournful  recollections  of  his  country,  and  that 
country  would  have  hccn  spared  the  single  traitorous  blot  that 
dims  the  bright  page  of  its  revolutionary  history. 


CHAPTER    XYI. 

CORRESPONDENCE    OF   WASHINGTON  AND  SCHUYLER   ON   THE    DISASTERS   IN    CAN- 
ADA  REINFORCEMENTS  REQUIRED    FROM    NEW  ENGLAND DANGERS    IN    THE 

INTERIOR     OF   NEW   YORK — JOHNSON     HALL     BELEAGUERED — SIR   JOHN    CA- 
PITULATES  GENEROUS     CONDUCT     OF     SCHUYLER GOVERNOR     TRYON    AND 

THE    TORIES — TORY    MACHINATIONS LEE  AT   NEW   YORK SIR    HENRY  CLIN- 
TON   IN    THE    HARBOR MENACES  OF  LEE THE    CITY  AND    RIVER    FORTIFIED 

lee's    treatment    of    THE    TORIES HIS    PLANS    OF     FORTIFICATION OR- 
DERED  TO   THE     COMMAND    IN    CANDIDA HIS     SPECULATIONS   ON   TITLES     OF 

DIGNITY. 

Schuyler's  letter  to  Washington,  announcing  the  recent  events, 
was  written  with  manly  feeling.  "  I  wish,"  said  he,  "  I  had  no 
occasion  to  send  my  dear  general  this  melancholy  account.  My 
amiable  friend,  the  gallant  Montgomery,  is  no  more ;  the  brave 
Arnold  is  wounded ;  and  we  have  met  with  a  severe  check  in  an 
unsuccessful  attempt  on  Quebec.  May  Heaven  be  graciously 
pleased  that  the  misfortune  may  terminate  here !  I  tremble  for 
our  people  in  Canada." 

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

VOL.  II. — 7* 


ir)4  LIFE    OF    WARIIINOTON.  [177G. 

Wasliington  was  deeply  moved  by  tlie  disastrous  intelligence. 
"  I  most  sincerely  condole  with  you,"  writes  he,  in  reply  to 
Schuyler,  "  upon  the  fall  of  the  brave  and  worthy  Montgom- 
ery. In  the  death  of  this  gentleman,  America  has  sustained  a 
heavy  loss.  I  am  much  concerned  for  the  intrepid  and  enterpris- 
ing Arnold,  and  greatly  fear  that  consequences  of  the  most 
alarming  nature  will  result  from  this  well-intended,  but  unfortu- 
nate attempt." 

General  Schuyler,  who  was  now  in  Albany,  urged  the  neces- 
sity of  an  immediate  reinforcement  of  three  thousand  men  for  the 
army  in  Canada.  Washington  had  not  a  man  to  spare  from  the 
army  before  Boston.  He  applied,  therefore,  on  his  own  responsi- 
bility, to  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire  and  Connecticut,  for 
three  regiments,  which  were  granted.  His  prompt  measure  re- 
ceived the  approbation  of  Congress,  and  further  reinforcements 
were  ordered  from  the  same  quarters. 

Solicitude  was  awakened  about  the  interior  of  the  province 
of  New  York.  Arms  and  ammunition  were  said  to  be  concealed 
in  Tryon  County,  and  numbers  of  the  tories  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  Congress  to 
take  measures  for  securing  the  military  stores,  disarming  the  dis- 
afiected,  and  apprehending  their  chiefs.  He  forthwith  hastened 
from  Albany,  at  the  head  of  a  body  of  soldiers ;  was  joined  by 
Colonel  Herkimer,  with  the  militia  of  Tryon  County  marshalled 
forth  on  the  frozen  bosom  of  the  Mohawk  Kiver,  and  appeared 


1776.]  CAPITULATION    OF    SIR    JOHN    JOHNSON.  155 

before  Sir  Jolin's  stronghold,  near  Johnstown,  on  the  19th  of 
January. 

Thus  beleaguered.  Sir  John,  after  much  negotiation,  capitu- 
lated. He  was  to  surrender  all  weapons  of  war  and  military 
stores  in  his  possession,  and  to  give  his  parole  not  to  take  arms 
against  America.  On  these  conditions  he  was  to  be  at  liberty 
to  go  as  far  westward  in  Tryon  County  as  the  German  Flats  and 
Kingsland  districts,  and  to  every  part  of  the  colony  to  the  south- 
ward 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 :  "  General  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),  between  his  quarters 
and  the  Court  House,  to  receive  the  surrender  of  the  Highland- 
ers, enjoining  profound  silence  on  his  officers  and  men,  when  the 
surrender  should  be  made.  Every  thing  was  conducted  with 
great  regard  to  the  feelings  of  Sir  John's  Scottish  adherents; 
they  marched  to  the  front,  grounded  their  arms,  and  were  dis- 
missed 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  question.  Washington,  too,  congratu- 
lated him  on  his  success.     "  i  hope,"  writes  he,  "  General  Lee 


156  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  W'''^- 

will  execute  a  work  of  the  same  kind  on  Long  Island.  It  is  hii^h 
time  to  begin  with  our  internal  foes,  when  we  are  threatcDcd  with 
such  severity  of  chastisement  from  our  kind  parent  without." 

The  recent  reverses  in  Canada  had,  in  fact,  heightened  the 
solicitude  of  Washington  about  the  province  of  New  York. 
That  province  was  the  central  and  all-important  link  in  the  con- 
federacy ;  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  com- 
mercial classes;  rank  tories,  (as  they  were  called,)  in  the  city  and 
about  the  neighboring  country ;  particularly  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  in- 
trigues with  those  disaffected  to  the  popular  cause,  in  all  parts  of 
the  neighborhood.  County  committees  had  been  empowered  by 
the  New  York  Congress  and  convention,  to  apprehend  all  persons 
notoriously  disaffected,  to  examine  into  their  conduct,  and  ascer- 
tain whether  they  were  guilty  of  any  hostile  act  or  machination. 
Imprisonment  or  banishment  was  the  penalty.  The  committees 
could  call  upon  the  militia  to  aid  in  the  discharge  of  their  func- 
tions. Still,  disaffection  to  the  cause  was  said  to  be  rife  in  the 
province,  and  Washington  looked  to  General  Lee  for  effective 
measures  to  suppress  it. 

Lee  arrived  at  New  York  on  the  4th  of  February,  his  caustic 
humors  sharpened  by  a  severe  attack  of  the  gout,  which  had  ren- 
dered it  necessary,  while  on  the  march,  to  carry  him  for  a  consid- 
erable part  of  the  way  in  a  litter.  His  correspondence  is  a  com- 
plete mental  barometer.  "  I  consider  it  as  a  piece  of  the  greatest 
good  fortune,"  writes  he  to  Washington  (Feb.  5th),  "that  the 


(i     Vsytij  i.ki. 


I  g  n  Tm 


i  fJK 


I-    ,  if  1^  r 

.  ,;•  ^ri  l^-4'^J^i#•^.,.^• 


1776.]  LEE    AT    NEW    YORK.  157 

Congress  have  detached  a  committee  to  this  place,  otherwise  I 
should  have  made  a  most  ridiculous  figure,  besides  bringing  upon 
myself  the  enmity  of  the  whole  province.  My  hands  were  effec- 
tually tied  up  from  taking  any  step  necessary  for  the  public  ser- 
vice 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  very  day  of  his  arrival  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  with  the  squadron  which  had  ciailed  so  mysteriously 
from  Boston,  looked  into  the  harbor.  "  Though  it  was  Sabbath," 
says  a  letter-writer  of  the  day,  "  it  threw  the  whole  city  into  such 
a  convulsion  as  it  never  knew  before.  Many  of  the  inhabitants 
hastened  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  surprise  and 
concern  at  the  distress  caused  byhis  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  inhabitants  might  be  informed  of  the  purport  of 
his  visit,  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  Tryo».  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  Philadel- 
phia, reports  one  of  the  general's  characteristic  menaces,  which 
kept  the  town  in  a  fever. 

*  Remembrancer,  vol.  iii. 


158  LIFE   OF   WASHINQTON".  [\77Cu 

" Leo  says,  ho  wWl  aoud  word  on  ))()iird  of   tlio    men-of-war,      * 
that,  if  they  set  a  house  ou  fire,  he  will  chain  a  hundred  of  their 
friends  by  the  neck,  and  make  the  house  their  funeral  pile."  * 

For  this  time,  the  inhabitants  of  New  York  were  let  off  for 
their  fears.  Clinton,  after  a  brief  visit,  continued  his  mysterious 
cruise,  openly  avowing  his  destination  to  be  North  Carolina — 
which  nobody  believed,  simply  because  he  avowed  it. 

The  Duke  of  Manchester,  speakijig  in  the  House  of  Lords  of 
the  conduct  of  Clinton,  contrasts  it  with  that  of  Lord  Dunmore, 
who  wrapped  Norfolk  in  flames,  "  I  will  pass  no  censure  on 
that  noble  lord,"  said  he,  ''  but  I  could  wish  that  he  had  acted 
with  that  generous  spirit  that  forbade  Clinton  uselessly  to  destroy 
the  town  of  New  York.  My  lords,  Clinton  visited  New  York ; 
the  inhabitants  expected  its  destruction.  Lee  appeared  before  it 
with  an  army  too  powerful  to  be  attacked,  and  Clinton  passed 
by  without  doing  any  wanton  damage." 

The  necessity  of  conferring  with  committees  at  every  step, 
was  a  hard  restraint  upon  a  man  of  Lee's  ardent  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  commit- 
tees of  safety,  and  your  humble  servant,"  writes  he  to  Washing- 
ton, "have  had  two  conferences.  The  result  is  such  as  will 
agreeably  surprise  you.  It  is  in  the  first  place  agreed,  and  justly, 
that  to  fortify  the  town  against  shipping  is  impracticable ;  but  we 
are  to  fortify  lodgments  on  some  commanding  part  of  the  city 
for  two  thousand  men.     We  are  to  erect  enclosed  batteries  on 

*  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  iv.  941. 


1776.]  THE    TORIES   UNDt:R   DISCIPLINE.  159 

'  both  sides  of  the  water,  near  Hell  Gate,  which  will  answer  the 
double  purpose  of  securing  the  town  against  piracies  through  the 
Sound,  and  secure  our  communication  with  Long  Island,  now  be- 
come a  more  important  point  than  ever ;  as  it  is  determined  to 
form  a  strong  fortified  camp  of  three  thousand  men,  on  the 
Island,  immediately  opposite  to  New  York.  The  pass  in  the 
Highlands  is  to  be  made  as  respectable  as  possible^  and  guarded 
by  a  battalion.  In  short,  I  think  the  plan  judicious  and  com' 
plete." 

The  pass  in  the  Highlands  above  alluded  to,  is  that  grand 
defile  of  the  Hudson,  where,  for  upwards  of  fifteen  miles,  it 
wends  its  deep  channel  between  stern,  forest-clad  mountains  and 
rocky  promontories.  Two  forts,  about  six  miles  distant  from 
each  other,  and  commanding  narrow  parts  of  the  river  at  its 
bends  through  these  Highlands,  had  been  commenced  in  the  pre- 
ceding autumn,  by  order  of  the  Continental  Congress ;  but  they 
were  said  to  be  insufficient  for  the  security  of  that  important 
pass,  and  were  to  be  extended  and  strengthened. 

Washington  had  charged  Lee,  in  his  instructions,  to  keep  a 
stern  eye  upon  the  tories,  who  were  active  in  New  York.  "  You 
can  seize  upon  the  persons  of  the  principals,"  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  in- 
structions, and  weeded  out  with  a  vigorous  hand,  some  of  the 
rankest  of  the  growth.  This  gave  great  ofi'ence  to  the  peace-lov- 
ing citizens,  who  insisted  that  he  was  arrogating  a  power  vested 
solely  in  the  civil  authority.  One  of  them,  well-affected  to  the 
cause,  writes :  "  To  see  the  vast  number  of  houses  shut  up,  one 
would  think  the  city  almost  evacuated.  Women  and  children  are 
scarcely  to  be  seen  in  the  streets.     Troops  are  daily  coming  in: 


IGO  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  P776. 

they  break  opcu  and  quarter  themselves  in  any  house  they  find  • 
shut."* 

The  enemy,  too,  regarded  his  measures  with  apprehension. 
"  That  arch  rebel  Lee,"  writes  a  British  officer,  "  has  driven  all 
the  well-affected  people  from  the  town  of  New  York.  If  some- 
thing is  not  speedily  done,  his  Britannic  majesty's  American  do- 
minions will  be  confined  within  a  very  narrow  compass."  f 

In  the  exercise  of  his  military  functions,  Lee  set  Governor 
Tryon  and  the  captain  of  the  Asia  at  defiance.  "  They  had 
threatened  perdition  to  the  town,"  writes  he  to  Washington,  "  if 
the  cannon  were  removed  from  the  batteries  and  wharves,  but  I 
ever  considered  their  threats  as  a  hrutum  fulmen^  and  even  per- 
suaded the  town  to  be  of  the  same  way  of  thinking.  We  accord- 
ingly conveyed  them  to  a  place  of  safety  in  the  middle  of  the 
day,  and  no  cannonade  ensued.  Captain  Parker  publishes  a  plea- 
sant reason  for  his  passive  conduct.  He  says  that  it  was  mani- 
festly my  intention,  and  that  of  the  New  England  men  under  my 
command,  to  bring  destruction  on  this  town,  so  hated  for  their 
loyal  principles,  but  that  he  was  determined  not  to  indulge  us ; 
so  remained  quiet  out  of  spite.  The  people  here  laugh  at  his 
nonsense,  and  begin  to  despise  the  menaces  which  formerly  used 
to  throw  them  into  convulsions." 

Washington  appears  to  have  shared  the  merriment.  In  his 
reply  to  Lee,  he  writes,  "  I  could  not  avoid  laughing  at  Captain 
Parker's  reasons  for  not  putting  his  repeated  threats  into  execu- 
tion,"— 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  won- 

*  Fred.  Rhinelander  to  Peter  Van  Schaack,  Feb.  23. 
t  Am.  Archives,  v.  425. 


1776.]  WORKS   OF   DEFENCE.  161 

derful  alacrity  in  removing  the  cannon.  "  Men  and  boys  of  all 
acres,"  writes  be,  "  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  re- 
moval of  the  guns  from  the  battery ;  as  it  was  without  the  appro- 
bation or  knowledge  of  our  Congress."  * — Lee  seldom  waited  for 
the  approbation  of  Congress  in  moments  of  exigency. 

He  now  proceeded  with  his  plan  of  defences.  A  strong  re- 
doubt, capable  of  holding  three  hundred  men,  was  commenced  at 
Horen's  Hook,  commanding  the  pass  at  Hell  Gate,  so  as  to  block 
up  from  the  enemy's  ships,  the  passage  between  the  mainland  and 
Long  Island.  A  regiment  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  impos- 
sible 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  whoever  commands  the  sea  must  com- 
mand 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  citadel.  I  shall  barrier  the  principal  streets,  and,  at  least,  if  I 
cannot  make  it  a  continental  garrison,  it  shall  be  a  disputable 
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  York 

*  Fred.  Rhinelander  to  Peter  Van  Schaack. 


1G2  Ll?^E    OF    WARIlINfJTON.  [1770. 

Island,  linking  it  with  the  mainland,  was  pronounced  by  Lee  "  a 
most  important  pass,  without  which  the  city  could  have  no  com- 
munication with  Connecticut."  It  was,  therefore,  to  be  made  as 
strong  as  possible. 

Heavy  cannon  were  to  be  sent  up  to  the  forts  in  the  High- 
lands ;  which  were  to  be  enlarged  and  strengthened. 

In  the  midst  of  his  schemes,  Lee  received  orders  from  Con- 
gress to  the  command  in  Canada,  vacant  by  the  death  of  Mont- 
gomer3^  He  bewailed  the  defencelesa  condition  of  the  city ;  the 
Continental  Congress,  as  he  said,  not  having,  as  yet,  taken  the 
least  step  for  its  security.  "  The  instant  I  leave  it,"  said  he,  "  I 
conclude  the  Provincial  Congress,  and  inhabitants  in  general,  will 
relapse  into  their  former  hysterics.  The  men-of-war  and  Mr. 
Tryon  will  return  to  their  old  station  at  the  wharves,  and  the 
first  regiments  who  arrive  from  England,  will  take  quiet  posses- 
sion of  the  town  and  Long  Island." 

It  must  be  observed  that,  in  consequence  of  his  military  de- 
monstrations in  the  city,  the  enemy's  ships  bad  drawn  off  and 
dropped  down  the  bay;  and  he  had  taken  vigorous  measures, 
without  consulting  the  committees,  to  put  an  end  to  the  practice 
of  supplying  them  with  provisions. 

"  Governor  Tryon  and  the  Asia,"  writes  he  to  Washington^ 
"  continue  between  Nutten  and  Bedlow's  Inlands.  It  has  pleased 
his  excellency,  in  violation  of  the  compact  he  has  made,  to  seizo 
several  vessels  from  Jersey  laden  with  flour.  It  has,  in  return, 
pleased  my  excellency  to  stop  all  provisions  from  the  city,  and 
cut  off  all  intercourse  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  inconceivable. 
They  cannot  be  weaned  from  him.     We  must  put  wormwood  on 


1776.]  LEE    ON   TITLES.  163 

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  commonwealth."  "  For  my  own  part," 
said  he,  "  I  would  as  lief  they  would  put  ratsbane  in  my  mouth, 
as  the  excellency  with  which  I  am  daily  crammed.  How  much 
more  true  dignity  was  there  in  the  simplicity  of  address  among 
the  Romans !  Marcus  Tullius  Cicero,  Decius  Bruto  Imperatori, 
or  Caio  Marcello  Consuli,  than  to  '  His  Excellency  Major-general 
Noodle,'  or  to  the  '  Honorable  John  Doodle.' " 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

MOXOTONOUS    STATE    OE    AFFAIRS    BEFORE    BOSTON — WASHINGTON    ANXIOUS    FOR 

ACTION EXPLOIT    OF    PUTNAM ITS     DRAMATIC    CONSEC^UENCES — TUE    FARCE 

OF  THE  BLOCKADK  OF  BOSTON AN  ALARMING  INTERRUPTION DISTRESSES  OP 

THE  BESIEGED WASHINGTON'S  IRKSOME  PREDICAMENT HIS  BOLD  PROPO- 
SITION  DEMUR  OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  WAR ARRIVAL  OF  KNOX  WITH  AR- 
TILLERY  DORCHESTER  HEIGHTS  TO  BE  SEIZED  Ai^D  FOUTIFIED— PREPA- 
RATIONS  FOR  THE   ATCEMPT. 

The  siege  of  Boston  continued  through  the  winter,  without  any 
striking  incident  to  enliven  its  monotony.  The  British  remained 
within  their  works,  leaving  the  beleaguering  army  slowly  to  aug- 
ment its  forces.  The  country  was  dissatisfied  with  the  inaction 
of  the  latter.  Even  Congress  was  anxious  for  some  successful 
blow  that  might  revive  popular  enthusiasm.  Washington  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  it.  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  mean  time,  having  completed  the  new 
works  at  Lechmere  Point,  and  being  desirous  of  keeping  up  the 
spirit  of  his  men,  resolved  to  treat  them  to  an  exploit.     Accord- 


1776.J  BRITISH    THEATRICALS.  165 

ingly,  from  liis  "  impregnable  fortress  "  of  Cobble  Hill,  he  de- 
tached a  party  of  about  two  hundred,  under  his  favorite  officer. 
Major  Knowlton,  to  surprise  and  capture  a  British  guard  sta- 
tioned at  Charlestown.  It  was  a  daring  enterprise,  and  executed 
with  spirit.  As  Charlestown  Neck  was  completely  protected, 
Knowlton  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  afterpiece 
was  to  be  performed,  entitled  "  The  Blockade  of  Boston,"  intend- 
ed 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  country  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  piece  was  over,  and  the  curtain  was  rising  for  the  farce, 
when  a  sergeant  made  his  appearance,  and  announced  that  "  the 
alarm  guns  were  firing  at  Charlestown,  and  "the  Yankees  attacking 
Bunker's  Hill."  At  first  this  was  supposed  to  be  a  part  of  the 
entertainment,  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  of  '^  The  Blockade  of 
Boston  "  had  a  more  serious  than  comic  termination. 


1G6  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [177G. 

Tlio  London  Chronicle,  in  a  sneering  comment  on  Boston 
affairs,  gave  Burgojnc  us  the  author  of  this  burlesque  afterpiece, 
though  perhaps  unjustly.  "  General  Burgoyne  has  opened  a 
theatrical  campaign,  of  which  himself  is  sole  manager,  being 
determined  to  act  Tvith  the  Provincials  on  tlie  defensive  only. 
Tom  Thumb  has  been  already  represented ;  while,  on  the  other 
hand,  the  Provincials  are  preparing  to  exhibit,  early  in  the  spring, 
'Measure  for  Measure.'  " 

The  British  officers,  like  all  soldiers  by  profession,  endeavored 
to  while  away  the  time  by  every  amusement  within  their  reach ; 
but,  in  truth,  the  condition  of  the  besieged  town  was  daily  becom- 
ing more  and  more  distressino;.  The  inhabitants  were  without 
flour,  pulse,  or  vegetables;  the  troops  were  nearly  as  destitute. 
There  was  a  lack  of  fuel,  too,  as  well  as  food.  The  smallpox 
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  houses  were  broken 
open  and  plundered ;  others  were  demolished  by  the  soldiery  for 
fuel.  General  Howe  resorted  to  the  sternest  measures  to  put  a  stop 
to  these  excesses.  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  re- 
ceiving stolen  goods,  was  sentenced  to  one  hundred  lashes  on  her 
bare  back,  at  the  cart's  tail,  in  diJGFerent  parts  of  the  town,  and  an 
imprisonment  of  three  months. 

Meanwhile,  Washington  was  incessantly  goaded  by  the  impa- 
tient murmurs  of  the  public,  as  we  may  judge  by  his  letters  to 
Mr.  Reed.     "  I  know  the  integrity  of  my  own  heart,"  writes  he, 


OLD     STATE    HOUSE,    BOSTON. 


1776.]  WASHINGTON'S    DIFFJCUI/riES.  167 

on  the  10th  of  February ;  "  but  to  declare  it,  unless  to  a  friend, 
may  be  an  argument  of  vanity.  I  know  the  unhappy  predica- 
ment I  stand  in ;  I  know  that  much  is  expected  of  me ;  I  know 
that,  without  men,  without  arms,  without  ammunition,  without 
any  thing  fit  for  the  accommodation  of  a  soldier,  little  is  to  be 
done ;  and,  what  is  mortifying,  I  know  that  I  cannot  stand  justi- 
fied to  the  world  without  exposing  my  own  weakness,  and  injur- 
ing 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  tranquillity,  I 
should  long  ere  this  have  put  every  thing  on  the  cast  of  a  die. 
So  far  from  my  having  an  army  of  twenty  thousand  men,  well 
arn.ed,  I  have  been  here  with  less  than  one  half  of  that  number, 
including  sick,  furloughed,  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 !  And  how  fortunate  that  the 
abscjice  of  Mr.  Keed  from  camp,  should  have  procured  for  us 
such  confidential  outpourings  of  Washington'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  consid- 
erable loss,  but  believed  it  would  be  successful  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  Pteed,  "  I  thought,  knowing  the  ice 
would  not  last,  a  favorable  opportunity  to  make  an  assault  upon 


I 


168  LIFF.    OF    WARIIINGTON.  ['776. 

the  troopp  in  town.  I  proposed  it  in  council ;  but  beliold,  thounrli 
we  had  been  waitinf^  ull  the  year  for  this  favorable  event,  tiio 
enterprise  was  thought  too  dangerous.  Perhaps  it  was;  perhaps 
the  irksomcness  of  my  situation  led  me  to  undertake  more  than 
could  be  warranted  by  prudence,  I  did  not  think  so,  and  I  am 
sure  yet  that  the  enterprise,  if  it  had  been  undertaken  with  reso- 
lution, must  have  succeeded ;  without  it,  any  would  fail." 

Ilis  proposition  was  too  bold  for  the  field-officers  assembled 
in  council  (Feb.  IGth),  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  unani- 
mous; yet  he  felt  the  irksomeness  of  his  situation.  "  To  have  the 
eyes  of  the  whole  continent,"  said  he,  "  fixed  with  anxious  expec- 
tation 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  enemy,  conceal  it  also  from  our 
friends,  and  add  to  their  wonder." 

In  the  council  of  war  above  mentioned,  a  cannonade  and  bom- 
bardment 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 
Knox,  with  his  long  train  of  sledges  drawn  by  oxen,  bringing 
more  than  fifty  cannon,  mortars,  and  howitzers,  beside  supplies  of 
lead  and  flints.  The  zeal  and  perseverance  which  he  had  dis- 
played 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  con- 


I'^C.J  PUBLIC    GLOOM.  1G9 

duct  in  this  enterprise  was  but  an  earnest  of  that  energy  and 
ability  which  he  displayed  throughout  the  war. 

Further  ammunition  being  received  from  the  royal  arsenal  at 
New  York,  and  other  quarters,  and  a  reinforcement  of  ten  regi- 
ments of  militia,  Washington  no  longer  met  with  opposition  to 
his  warlike  measures.  Lechmere  Point,  which  Putnam  had  for- 
tified, was  immediately  to  be  supplied  with  mortars  and  heavy 
cannon,  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  any  thing,"  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  enable  him  to  push 
his  works  to  Nook's  Hill,  and  other  points  opposite  Boston, 
whence  a  cannonade  and  bombardment  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  accoutrements,  on  receiving  a  precon- 
certed signal. 

Washington  felt  painfully  aware  how  n:uch  depended  upon 
the  success  of  this  attempt.  There  was  a  cloud  of  gloom  and 
distrust  lowering  upon  the  public  mind.  Danger  threatened  on 
the  north  and  on  the  south.  Montgomery  had  fallen  before  the 
walls  of  Quebec.  The  army  in  Canada  was  shattered.  Try  on 
and  the  tories  were  plotting  mischief  in  New  York.  Dunmore 
was  harassing  the  lower  part  of  Virginia,  and  Clinton  and  his 

VOL.  II. — 8 


170  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [I'Tft 

fleet  were  prowling  along  the  coast,  on  a  secret  errand  of 
mischief. 

Washington's  general  orders  evince  the  solemn  and  anxious 
state  of  his  feelings.  In  those  of  the  26th  of  February,  ho  for- 
bade all  playing  at  cards  and  other  games  of  chance.  "  At  this 
time  of  public  distress,"  writes  he,  "  men  may  find  enough  to  do 
in  the  service  of  God  and  their  country,  without  abandoning 
themselves  to  vice  and  immorality.  *  *  *  *  It  is  a  noble 
cause  we  are  engaged  in ;  it  is  the  cause  of  virtue  and  mankind ; 
every  advantage  and  comfort  to  us  and  our  posterity  depend  upon 
the  vigor  of  our  exertions ;  in  short,  freedom  or  slavery  must  be 
the  result  of  our  conduct ;  there  can,  therefore,  be  no  greater  in- 
ducement to  men  to  behave  well.  But  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  orders 
of  his  commanding  officer,  he  will  be  instantly  shot  down  as  an 
example  of  cowardice;  cowards  having  too  frequently  discon- 
certed the  best  formed  troops  by  their  dastardly  behavior." 

In  the  general  plan  it  was  concerted,  that,  should  the  ene- 
my detach  a  large  force  to  dislodge  our  men  from  Dorchester 
Heights,  as  had  been  done  in  the  affair  of  Bunker's  Hill,  an 
attack  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  town  should  forthwith  be 
made  by  General  Putnam.  For  this  purpose  he  was  to  have 
four  thousand  picked  men  in  readiness,  in  two  divisions,  under 
Generals  Sullivan  and  Greene.  At  a  concerted  signal  from  Box- 
bury,  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  Boxbury  troops. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

THE   AEFAIR  OF  DORCHESTER  HEIGHTS — AMERICAN    AND  ENGLISH    LETTERS    RE- 
SPECTING  IT — A  LABORIOUS    NIGHT REVELATIONS  AT  DAYBREAK HOWE  IN 

A    PERPLEXITY A     NIGHT    AITACK    MEDITATED STORMY     WEATHER — THE 

TOWN    TO    BE    EVACUATED — NEGOTIATIONS  AND  ARRANGEMENTS PREPARA- 
TIONS TO  EMBARK EXCESSES  OF  THE  TROOPS — BOSTON  EVACUATED SPEECH 

OF  THE  DUKE  OF  MANCHESTER  ON  THE  SUBJECT A   MEDAL   VOTED    BY  CON- 
GRESS. 

The  evening  of  Monday,  the  4tli  of  Mareli,  was  fixed  upon  for 
the  occupation  of  Dorchester  Heights.  The  ground  was  frozen 
too  hard  to  be  easily  intrenched ;  fascines,  therefore,  and  gabions, 
and  bundles  of  screwed  hay,  were  collected  during  the  two  pre- 
ceding nights,  with  which  to  form  breastworks  and  redoubts. 
During  these  two  busy  nights  the  enemy's  batteries  were  can- 
nonaded and  bombarded  from  opposite  points,  to  occupy  their 
attention,  and  prevent  their  noticing  these  preparations.  They 
replied  with  spirit,  and  the  incessant  roar  of  artillery  thus  kept 
up,  covered  completely  the  rumbling  of  waggons  and  ordnance. 

How  little  the  enemy  were  aware  of  what  was  impending,  we 
may  gather  from  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  an  officer 
of  distinction  in  the  British  army  in  Boston  to  his  friend  in  Lon- 
don, dated  on  the  3d  of  March : 

"  For  these  last  six  weeks  or  near  two  months,  we  have   been 


172  LIFE    OF   WASHINGTON.  >     [U7C>. 

better  ainu.sed  tliau  could  possibly  be  expected  in  our  situutiou. 
AVe  had  a  theatre,  we  had  balls,  and  there  is  actually  a  subscrip- 
tion on  foot  for  a  masquerade.  England  seems  to  have  forgot 
us,  and  we  have  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  mc.  Oi»e  foil  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,  "  is  not  brave,  I  believe,  but  it  is  agreed  on  all  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  you  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  not.  But  hark  !  The  house  this  instant  snakes  with 
the  roar  of  cannon.  I  have  been  to  the  door,  and  find  it  is  a 
cannonade  from  our  army.  Orders,  I  find,  are  come,  for  all  the 
remaining  militia  to  repair  to  the  lines  Monday  night,  by  twelve 
o'clock.     No  sleep  for  me  to-night." 

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  night.  We  have  had  a  pretty 
quiet  day,  but  what  to-morrow  will  bring  forth,  God  only 
knows." 

*  Am.  Archives,  4th  Series,  v.  425. 


l'"''^]  DORCHESTER   HEIGHTS.  173 

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  grand- 
est in  nature,  and  is  of  the  true  species  of  the  sublime.  'Tis  now 
an  incessant  roar;  but  oh,  the  fatal  ideas  which  are  connected 
with  the  sound !  How  many  of  our  dear  countrymen  must 
fall ! 

"  I  went  to  bed  about  twelve,  and  rose  again  a  little  after 
one.  I  could  no  more  sleep  than  if  I  had  been  in  the  engage- 
ment; 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  conception.  I  hope  to  give  you  joy  of  Bos- 
ton, even  if  it  is  in  ruins,  before  I  send  this  away." 

On  the  Monday  evening  thus  graphically  described,  as  soon 
as  the  firing  commenced,  the  detachment  under  General  Thomas 
set  out  on  its  cautious  and  secret  march  from  the  lines  of  Kox- 
bury  and  Dorchester.  Every  thing  was  conducted  as  regularly 
and  quietly  as  possible.  A  covering  party  of  eight  hundred  men 
preceded  the  carts  with  the  intrenching  tools;  then  came  General 
Thomas  with  the  working  party,  twelve  hundred  strong,  followed 
by  a  train  of  three  hundred  waggons,  laden  with  fascines,  gabions, 
and  hay  screwed  into  bundles  of  seven  or  eight  hundred  weight. 
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,  although  the  moon,  as  Washington  writes,  was  shin- 
ing in  its  full  lustre,  the  flash  and  roar  of  cannonry  from  opposite 
points,  and  the  bursting  of  bombshells  high  in  the  air,  so  engaged 


174  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [177C. 

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,  Washington 
could  not  be  absent  from  this  eventful   operation.     An  eloquent 
orator  has    imagined    his  situation — "  All    around    him    intense 
movement;  while  nothing  was  to  be  heard  excepting  the  tread  of 
busy  feet,  and  the  dull  sound  of  the  mattock  upon  the  frozen  soil. 
Beneath  him  the  slumbering  batteries  of  the  castle ;   the  road- 
steads and  harbor  filled  with  the  vessls  of  the  royal  fleet,  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 
unnatural  vigilance  by  the  incessant  and  destructive  cannonade, 
yet  unobservant  of  the  great  operations  in  progress  so  near  them ; 
the  surrounding  country,   dotted  with  a  hundred  rural   settle- 
ments, roused  from  the  deep  sleep  of  a  New  England  village,  by 
the  unwonted  glare  and  tumult."  * 

The  same  plastic  fancy  suggests  the  crowd  of  visions,  phan- 
toms of  the  past,  which  may  have  passed  through  Washington's 
mind,  on  this  night  of  feverish  excitement.  "  His  early  training 
m  the  wilderness ;  his  escape  from  drowning,  and  the  deadly  rifle 

*  OratioB  of  the  Hon.  Edward  Everett  at  Dorchester,  July  4th,  1855. 


1776.]  DORCHESTER    HEIGHTS.  175 

of  the  savage  in  the  perilous  mission  to  Yenango ;  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  he  failed  at 
the  outset ;  the  triumphant  consolidation  of  the  Revolution  if  he 
prevailed.  " 

The  labors  of  the  night  were  carried  on  by  the  Americans 
with  their  usual  activity  and  address.  When  a  relief  party  ar- 
rived at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  two  forts  were  in  sufficient 
forwardness  to  furnish  protection  against  small-arms  and  grape- 
shot;  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 
already  quoted,  for  the  fact.  "  This  morning  at  daybreak  we  dis- 
covered 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  astonishment,  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  their  movements,  to   intend  an  attack." 

An  American,  who  was  on  Dorchester  Heights,  gives  a  pic- 


176  LIFE  OF  WAsniNOToy,  []77r,. 

ture  of  llie  scene.  A  tremendous  cannonade  was  commenced 
from  tlic  forts  in  l^oston,  and  the  shipping  in  the  harbor.  "  Can- 
non shot,"  -writes  lie,  "  arc  continually  rolling  and  rebounding 
over  tlic  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  arc  covered  with  spectators,  to  witness  deeds  of 
horror  in  the  expected  conflict.  His  excellency,  General  Wash- 
ington, 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  de- 
fence 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  of  the  assail- 
ants 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  assailed  :  "All  the  forenoon,"  says  the  Amer- 
ican above  cited,  "  we  were  in  momentary  expectation  of  witness- 
ing an  awful  scene;  nothing  less  than  the  carnage  of  Breed's 
Hill  battle  was  expected." 

As  Washington  rode  about  the  heights,  he  reminded  the  troops 
that  it  was  the  5th  of  March,  the  anniversary  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,  "  appeared  impatient  for  the  appeal.     The  event, 


1776.]  DORCHESTER    HEIGHTS.  177 

I  think,  must  have  been  fortunate ;  nothing  less  than  success  and 
victory  on  our  side." 

Howe,  in  the  mean  time,  was  perplexed  between  his  pride  and 
the  hazards  of  his  position.  In  his  letters  to  the  ministry,  he  had 
scouted  the  idea  of  "  being  in  darger  from  the  rebels."  He  had 
*' hoped  they  would  attack  him."  Apparently,  they  were  about 
to  fulfil  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  embark  to-night  at 
seven,"  writes  the  gay  British  officer  already  quoted.  "  I  think 
it  likely  to  be  a  general  affair.  Adieu  balls,  masquerades,  &c., 
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  east.  The 
transports  could  not  reach  their  place  of  destination.  The  men- 
of-war  could  not  cover  and  support  them.  A  furious  surf  beat 
on  the  shore  where  the  boats  would  have  to  land.  The  attack 
was  consequently  postponed  until  the  following  day. 

That  day  was  equally  unpropitious.  The  storm  continued, 
with  torrents  of  rain.  The  attack  was  again  postponed.  In  the 
mean  time,  the  Americans  went  on  strengthening  their  works ;  by 
the  time  the  storm  subsided,  General  Howe  deemed  them  too 
strong  to  be  easily  carried;  the  attempt,  therefore,  was  relin- 
quished altogether. 
VOL.  II. — 8* 


178  LfFE   OF    WASniNOTON.  [1770. 

What  was  to  bo  done?  The  shells  thrown  from  the  heights 
into  the  town,  proved  that  it  was  no  longer  tenable.  The  Heet 
was  equally  ex})osed.  Admiral  Shuldham,  the  suceessor  to  (i  raves, 
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  perplexity. 
The  troops,  in  embarking,  would  be  exposed  to  a  destructive  fire. 
How  was  this  to  be  prevented  ?  Crcneral  Howe's  pride  would  not 
suffer  him  to  make  capitulations ;  he  endeavored  to  work  on  the 
fears  of  the  Bostonians,  by  hinting  that  if  his  troops  were  mo- 
lested while  embarking,  he  might  be  obliged  to  cover  their  retreat, 
by  setting  fire  to  the  town. 

The  hint  had  its  effect.  Several  of  the  principal  inhabitants 
communicated  with  him  through  the  medium  of  General  Bobert- 
son.  The  result  of  the  negotiation  was,  tliat  a  paper  was  con- 
cocted and  signed  by  several  of  the  "  select  men"  of  Boston,  stating 
the  fears  they  had  entertained  of  the  destruction  of  the  place, 
but  that  those  fears  had  been  quieted  by  General  Howe's  declara- 
tion that  it  should  remain  uninjured,  provided  his  troops  were 
unmolested  while  embarking ;  the  select  men,  therefore,  begged 
"  some  assurance  that  so  dreadful  a  calamity  might  not  be  brought 
on,  by  any  measures  from  without." 

This  paper  was  sent  out  from  Boston,  on  the  evening  of  the 
8th,  with  a  flag  of  truce,  which  bore  it  to  the  American  lines  at 
Boxbury.  There  it  was  received  by  Colonel  Learned,  and  carried 
by  bim  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 


,'S  v>- 


•■J.  /-  j/ 


•^m^lvi^y'V  r 


1776.]  BOSTON   PILLAGED.  1*79 

other  act  obliging  that  commander  to  fulfil  the  promise,  asserted 
to  have  been  made  by  hun.  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  commander-in-chief,  and  the  reasons  assigned  for  not 
answering  it. 

With  this  uncompromising  letter,  the  flag  returned  to  Boston. 
The  Americans  suspended  their  fire,  but  continued  to  fortify  their 
positions.  On  the  night  of  the  9th,  a  detachment  was  sent  to 
plant  a  battery  on  Nook's  Hill,  an  eminence  at  Dorchester,  which 
lies  nearest  to  Boston  Neck.  A  fire  kindled  behind  the  hill,  re- 
vealed the  project.  It  provoked  a  cannonade  from  the  British, 
which  was  returned  with  interest  from  Cobble  Hill,  Lechmere 
Point,  Cambridge,  and  Roxbury.  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  Americans  had  to  desist,  for  the 
present,  from  the  attempt  to  fortify  Nook's  Hill.  Among  the 
accidents  of  the  bombardment,  was  the  bursting  of  Putnam's 
vaunted  mortar,  "  the  Congress." 

Daily  preparations  were  now  made  by  the  enemy  for  departure. 
By  proclamation,  the  inhabitants  were  ordered  to  deliver  up  all 
linen  and  woollen  goods,  and  all  other  goods,  that,  in  possession 
of  the  rebels,  would  aid  them  in  carrying  on  the  war.  Crean 
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  his  myrmidons  broke  open 
stores,  and  stripped  them  of  their  contents.  Marauding  gangs 
from  the  fleet  and  army  followed  their  example,  and  extended 
their  depredations  to  private  houses.     On  the  14th,  Howe,  in  a 


180  LIFK    OF   WASHINGTON.  t^77G. 

general  order,  declared  that  the  first  soldier  cauglit  plundering 
should  be  hanged  on  the  spot.  Still  on  the  IGth  houscB  were 
broken  open,  goods  destroyed,  and  furniture  defaced  by  the  troopn, 
Some  of  the  furniture,  it  is  (rue,  lielonged  to  the  oflicers,  and  wub 
destroyed  because  they  could  neither  sell  it  nor  carry  it  away. 

The  letter  of  a  British  officer  gives  a  lively  picture  of  the 
hurried  preparations  for  retreat.  "  Our  not  being  burdened  with 
provisions,  permitted  us  to  save  some  stores  and  ammunition,  the 
light  field-pieces,  and  such  things  as  were  most  convoniei.t  of  car- 
riage. 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  wej-e  disabled,  aiid  every 
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  nothing  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  iu  the  hospital.  The  con- 
fusion 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  his  duty ; 
it  was  like  departing  your  country  with  your  wives,  your  servants, 
your  household  furniture,  and  all  your  incumbrances.  The 
ofl&cers,  who  felt  the  disgrace  of  their  retreat,  did  their  utmost 
to   keep   up    appearances.     The   men,  who    thought   they  were 


177G.]  EMBARKATION    OF    THE    BRITISH.  181 

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  delayed  by 
adverse  winds.  Washington,  who  was  imperfectly  informed  of 
affairs  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  on  Saturday,  the  16th,  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  con- 
fusion at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  harbor  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  effects.  The  refugees,  in  fact,  labored 
under  greater  disadvantages  than  th^  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  taken 
upon  themselves  the  style  and  title  of  government  men"  in 
Boston,  and  acted  an  unfriendly  part  in  this  great  contest,  Wash- 
ington observes :  "  By  all  accounts  there  never  existed  a  more 
miserable  set  of  beings  than  these  w^retched  creatures  now  are. 
Taught  to  believe  that  the  power  of  Great  Britain  was  superior 
to  all  opposition,,  and  that  foreign  aid,  if  not,  was  at  hand,  they 
were  even  higher  and  more  insulting  in  their  opposition  than  the 

*  Remembrancer,  vol.  iii.  p.  108. 


182  ^^VK    OV   WASTIINaTON.  [1776. 

llopjular.s.  Wlioii  ilio  order  issuod,  tlioreforc,  for  cinljurking  tho 
troops  ill  ]Joston,  no  electric  wliock — no  sudden  clup  of  thunder, 
■ — in  ;i  word,  the  last  trump  could  not  have  atruek  thcni  with 
greater  consternation.  They  were  at  their  wits'  end,  and  con- 
BciouH  of  their  black  ingratitude,  chose  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  country- 
men." * 

While  this  tumultuous  embarkation  was  going  on,  the  Ameri- 
cans looked  on  in  silence  from  their  batteries  on  Dorchester 
Heights,  without  firing  a  shot.  "  It  was  lucky  for  the  inhabit- 
ants now  left  in  Boston,  that  they  did  not,"  writes  a  British  offi- 
cer ;  "  for  I  am  informed  every  thing  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  Roxbury  had  paraded,  and  several  regiments 
under  Putnam  had  embarked  in  boats,  and  dropped  down  Charles 
River,  to  SewalPs  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  sol- 
diers were  putting  off  for  the  shipping.  Two  scouts  were  sent  from 
the  camp  to  reconnoitre.  The  works  appeared  still  to  be  occu- 
pied, for  sentries  were  posted  about  them  with  shouldered  mus- 
kets. 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  Americans.  Pushing  on,  they  found  the 
works  deserted,  and  gave  signal  of  the  fact ;  whereupon,  a  detach- 
ment was  sent  from  the  camp  to  take  possession. 

*  Letter  to  John  A.  Washington,  Am.  Arch.  4th  Series,  v.  560. 
f  Frothingham,  Siege  of  Boston,  310. 


17'76.]  WASHINGTON    ENTERS   BOSTON.  183 

Part  of  Putnam's  troops  were  now  sent  back  to  Cambridge ; 
a  part  were  ordered  forward  to  occupy  Boston.  General  Ward, 
too,  with  five  hundred  men,  made  his  way  from  Roxbury,  across 
the  neck,  about  which  the  enemy  had  scattered  caltrops  or  crow's 
feet,  *  to  impede  invasion.  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  occupied  the  im- 
portant points,  and  the  flag  of  thirteen  stripes,  the  standard  of 
the  Union,  floated  above  all  the  forts. 

On  the  following  day,  Washington  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  evi- 
dences, also,  of  the  haste  with  which  the  British  had  retreated — 
five  pieces  of  ordnance  with  their  trunnions  knocked  ofi";  others 
hastily  spiked;  others  thrown  off  the  wharf.  "General  Howe's 
retreat,"  writes  Washington,  "  was  precipitate  beyond  any  thing 
I  could  have  conceived.  The  destruction  of  the  stores  at  Dun- 
bar'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  every  thing  carrying  with  it  the  face  of  disorder  and 
confusion,  as  also  of  distress."  f 

To  add  to  the  mortification  of  General  Howe,  he  received,  we 
are  told,  while  sailing  out  of  the  harbor,  despatches  from  the 
ministry,  approving  the  resolution  he   had   so    strenuously  ex~ 

*  Iron  balls,  with  four  sharp  points,  to  wound  the  feet  of  men  or  horses, 
t  Lee's  Memoirs,  p.  1G2. 


184  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [177(1. 

pressed,  of  maintaining  his  post  until  he  should  receive  reinforce- 
ments. 

As  the  smallpox  prevailed  in  some  parts  of  the  town,  precau- 
tions were  taken  by  Washington  for  its  purification ;  and  the 
main  body  of  the  army  did  not  march  in  until  the  20th.  "  The 
joy  manifested  in  the  countenances  of  the  inhabitants,"  eays  an 
observer,  "  was  overcast  by  the  melancholy  gloom  caused  by  ten 
tedious  months  of  siege;  "  but  when,  on  the  22d,  the  people  from 
the  country  crowded  into  the  town,  "  it  was  truly  interesting," 
writes  the  same  observer,  "  to  witness  the  tender  interviews  and 
fond  embraces  of  those  who  had  been  long  separated  under  cir- 
cumstances so  peculiarly  distressing."  * 

Notwithstanding  the  haste  with  which  the  British  army  was 
embarked,  the  fleet  lingered  for  some  days  in  Nantucket  Road. 
Apprehensive  that  the  enemy,  now  that  their  forces  were  col- 
lected 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  which  pro- 
tected 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  hand  of  husbandmen  became  sol- 
diers, and  were  enabled  to  invest,  for  nearly  a  year,  and  finally  to 
expel  a  brave  army  of  veterans,  commanded  by  the  most  experi- 
enced generals,"  drew  forth  the  enthusiastic  applause  of  the 
nation.     No  higher  illustration  of  this  great  achievement  need  be 

*  Thacher's  Mil.  Journal,  p.  50. 


177G.]  HUMILIATION    OF    THE    ENEMY.  185 

given,  than  the  summary  of  it  contained  in  the  speech  of  a 
British  statesman,  the  Duke  of  Manchester,  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 
authority ; — 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  at- 
tempt. One  way,  indeed,  of  escape  was  left ;  the  fleet  is  yet  re- 
spected ;  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  unanimous  vote  of  thanks  to  him  was 
passed  in  Congress;  and  it  was  ordered  that  a  gold  medal  be 
struck,  commemorating  the  evacuation  of  Boston,  bearing  the 
effigy  of  Washington  as  its  deliverer. 


CHAPTETv    XIX. 

DESTINATION   OF  THE    FLEET— COMMISSION   OF  THE     T\VO     nOVVES— CIIARACTER 

OP  LORD  HOWE THE  COLONIES  DIVIDED  INTO  DEPAKTMEXTS LEE  ASSIGNED 

TO    THE    SOUTHERN    DEPARTMENT GENERAL     THOMAS     TO     CANADA CHAR- 
ACTER    OF     LEK,    1)Y    WASHINGTON LETTERS    OF    LEE    FROM     THE     SOUTH 

A    DOG    IN     A     DANCING     SCHOOL COMMITTEE     OF     SAFETY     IN     VIRGINIA 

lee's     GRENADIERS PUTNAM    IN    COMMAND    AT   NEW    \'ORK STATE    OF    AF- 
FAIRS   THERE ARRIVAL  OF  WASHINGTON NEW  ARRANGEMENTS RERPLEX- 

ITIES   WITH    RESPECT   TO    C^VNADA — ENGLAND    SUBSIDIZES    UESSI^VN   TROOPS. 

The  Britisli  fleet  bearing  the  army  from  Boston,  had  disappeared 
from  the  coast.  "  Whither  they  are  bound,  and  where  they  next 
will  pitch  their  tents,"  writes  Washington,  "  I  know  not."  He 
conjectured  their  destination  to  be  New  York,  and  made  his 
arrangements  accordingly ;  but  he  was  mistaken.  General  Howe 
had  steered  for  Halifax,  there  to  await  the  arrival  of  strong  rein- 
forcements 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  co-operate  admirably 
in  the  exercise  of  their  relative  functions  on  land  and  water. 
Yet  they  were  widely  difierent  in  their  habits  and  dispositions. 
Sir  William,  easy,  indolent,  and  self-indulgent,  "  hated  busi- 
nes5s,"  we  are  told,  "  and  never  did  any.     Lord  Howe  loved  it, 


IT'^G]  CHARACTER   OF   LORD    HOWE.  187 

dwelt  upon  it,  never  could  leave  it."  Beside  his  nautical  com- 
mands, he  had  been  treasurer  of  the  navy,  member  of  the  board 
of  admiralty,  and  had  held  a  seat  in  Parliament ;  where,  accord- 
ing to  Walpole,  he  was  "  silent  as  a  rock,"  excepting  when  naval 
affairs  were  under  discussion ;  when  he  spoke  briefly  and  to  the 
point.  "  My  Lord  Howe,"  said  George  II.,  "  your  life  has  been 
a  continued  series  of  services  to  your  country."  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,  occasionally  mistaken  for  haughtiness.  As  a  naval 
officer,  he  was  esteemed  resolute  and  enterprising,  yet  cool  and 
firm;  In  his  younger  days  he  had  contracted  a  friendship  for 
Wolfe ;  "  it  was  like  the  union  of  cannon  and  gunpowder,"  said 
Walpole.  Howe,  strong  in  mind,  solid  in  judgment,  firm  of 
purpose,  was  said  to  be  the  cannon  ;  Wolfe,  quick  in  concep- 
tion, prompt  in  execution,  impetuous  in  action — the  gunpowder.* 
The  bravest  man,  we  are  told,  could  not  wish  for  a  more  able, 
or  more  gallant  commander  than  Howe,  and  the  sailors  used  to 
say  of  him,  "  Give  us  Black  Dick,  and  we  fear  nothing." 

Such  is  his  lordship's  portrait  as  sketched  by  English  pencils ; 
we  shall  see  hereafter  how  far  his  conduct  conforms  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,  com- 

* 

*  Barrow's  Life  of  Earl  Howe,  p.  400. 


138  LIFE   OF   WARIIINnTON.  [\77C,. 

prclioiuliiig  New  York,  N(!W  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware  and 
ISIaryland,  was  to  be  under  the  eomniand  of  a  major-general,  and 
two  brigadier-generals;  tlie  other,  comprising  Virginia,  the  Car- 
olinas  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  congrat- 
ulate you  on  your  appointment  to  the  command  in  Canada,  when 
I  received  the  account  that  your  destination  was  altered.  As  a 
Virginian,  I  must  rejoice  at  the  change,  but  as  an  American,  I 
think  you  would  have  done  more  essential  service  to  the  common 
cause  in  Canada.  For,  besides  the  advantage  of  speaking  and 
thinking  in  French,  an  officer  who  is  acquainted  with  their 
manners  and  customs,  and  has  travelled  in  their  country,  must 
certainly  take  the  strongest  hold  of  their  affection  and  confi- 
dence." 

The  command  in  Canada  was  given  to  General  Thomas,  who 
had  distinguished  himself  at  Roxbury,  and  was  promoted  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  complete  the  work  "  so  conspicuously 
begun  and  well  conducted  "  under  his  orders,  in  the  last  cam. 


1"'^.]  LEE    AT    WILLIAMSBURG.  189 

paign ;  and,  as  not  merely  tlie  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,  without  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  necessary  for  the  defence  of  New  York  and  the 
Hudson  River,  .ind  the  affairs  of  the  whole  middle  department. 

Lee  set  out  for  the  South  on  the  7th  of  March,  carrying 
with  him  his  bold  spirit,  his  shrewd  sagacity,  and  his  whimsical 
and  splenetic  humors.  The  following  admirably  impartial  sketch 
is  given  of  him  by  Washington,  in  a  letter  to  his  brother  Augus- 
tine :  "  He  is  the  first  iu  military  knowledge  and  experience  we 
have  in  the  whole  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  ppssesses  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  letters, 
illustrative  of  his  character  and  career.  The  news  of  the  evacu- 
ation of  Boston  reached  him  in  Virginia.  In  a  letter  to  Wash- 
ington, dated  Williamsburg,  April  5,  he  expresses  himself  on  the 
subject  with  generous  warmth.  "  My  dear  general,"  writes  he, 
"  I  most  sincerely  congratulate  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.  Go  on,  my 
dear  general ;  crown  yourself  with  glory,  and  establish  the  liber- 

*  Force's  Am.  Archives,  4th  Series,  v.  562. 


190  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1^70. 

tics  and  lustre  of  your  country  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  nm  like  a  dog  in  a  dancing-school;  I  know  not  where  to  turn 
myself,  where  to  fix  myself.  The  circumstancen  of  the  country, 
intersected  with  navigable  rivers ;  the  uncertainty  of  the  enemy's 
designs  aiid  motions,  who  can  fly  in  an  instant  to  any  spot  they 
choose,  with  their  canvas  wings,  throw  me,  or  would  throw  Julius 
Cajsar  into  this  inevitable  dilemma;  I  may  possibly  be  in  the 
North,  when,  as  Richard  says,  I  should  serve  my  sovereign  in  the 
AVest.  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. — Libera  nos  domine  !  " 

Lee's  letters  from  Virginia,  written  at  a  later  date,  were  in  a 
better  humor.  "  There  is  a  noble  spirit  in  this  province  pervad- 
ing all  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  preserve  their  confidence  and  good  opinion.' 


))  # 


*  Force's  Am.  Archives,  4th  Series,  vol.  v.  792. 


PAUL    RETERE    BRINGING    NEWS    TO    SILLIVAN. 


I'^G.]  PUTNAM    IN    COMMAND.  191 

And  in  a  letter  to  Washington : 

*'I  have  formed  two  companies  of  grenadiers  to  each  regi- 
ment, and  with  spears  thirteen  feet  long.  Tiieir  rifles  (for  they 
arc  all  riflemen)  sling  over  their  shoulders,  their  appearance  is 
formidable,  and  the  men  are  conciliated  to  the  weapon.  *  *  * 
I  am  likewise  furnishing  myself  with  four-ounced  rifled  amu- 
settes,  which  will  carry  an  infernal  distance ;  the  two-ounced  hit 
a  half  sheet  of  paper,  at  five  hundred  yards  distance." 

On  Lee's  departure  for  the  South,  Brigadier-general  Lord 
Stirling  had  remained  in  temporary  command  at  New  York. 
Washington,  however,  presuming  that  the  British  fleet  had 
steered  for  that  port,  with  the  force  which  had  evacuated  Boston, 
hastened  detachments  thither  under  Generals  Heath  and  Sullivan, 
and  wrote  for  three  thousand  additional  men  to  be  furnished  by 
Connecticut.  The  command  of  the  whole  he  gave  to  General 
Putnam,  who  was  ordered  to  fortify  the  city  and  the  passes  of 
the  Hudson,  according  to  the  plans  of  General  Lee.  In  the 
mean  time,  Washington  delayed  to  come  on  himself,  until  he 
should  have  pushed  forward  the  main  body  of  his  army  by 
divisions. 

Lee's  anticipations  that  laxity  and  confusion  would  prevail 
after  his  departure,  were  not  realized.  The  veteran  Putnam,  on 
taking  command,  put  the  city  under  rigorous  military  rule.  The 
Boldiers  were  to  retire  to  their  barracks  and  quarters  at  the  beat- 
ing of  the  tattoo,  and  remain  there  until  the  reveille  in  the  morn- 
ing. The  inhabitants  were  subjected  to  the  same  rule.  None 
would  be  permitted  to  pass  a  sentry,  without  the  countersign, 
which  would  be  furnished  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  bo  fur- 


\[)'2  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  1'"'^- 

nislied  Avltli  proviwioiis.  Any  person  taken  in  tlic  act  of  holding 
conmiunifation  with  them  would  be  eouaidered  an  enemy,  and 
treated  accordingly. 

Wo  have  a  lively  picture  of  the  state  of  the  city,  in  letters^ 
written  at  the  time,  and  already  cited.  "  When  you  are  informed 
that  New  York  is  deserted  by  its  old  inhabitants,  and  filled  with 
soldiers  from  New  England,  Philadelphia,  Jersey,  &c.,  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  a 
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  fortifications  in  every  part  of  the  town. 
*  *  *  Grovernor  Tryon  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, 
promising  a  speedy  support  to  the  friends  of  government,  declar- 
ing a  door  of  mercy  open  to  the  penitent,  and  a  rod  for  the  dis- 
obedient, &c.  The  friends  of  government  were  provoked  at 
being  so  distinguished,  and  the  friends  to  liberty  hung  him  in 
effigy,  and  printed  a  dying  speech  for  him.  A  letter,  too,  was  in- 
tercepted 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  governer  has  so  lost  himself,  a  man  once  so  much  beloved. 
0  Lucifer,  once  the  son  of  morn,  how  fallen !  General  Washing- 
ton is  expected  hourly ;  General  Putnam  is  here,  with  several 
other  generals,  and  some  of  their  ladies.  *  *  *  The  variety  of 
reports  keeps  one's  mind  always  in  agitation.     Clinton  and  Howe 


1776.]  WASHINGTON    AT    NEW    YORK.  193 

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  came  the  soldiers  flocking  from  every  part.  No 
sooner  was  it  known  that  he  was  not  going  to  laud  here,  than  ex- 
presses were  sent  to  Virginia  and  Carolina,  to  put  them  on  their 
guard;  his  next  expedition  was  to  Virginia;  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,  Norwich  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  commenced  were  by  this  time  finished ; 
others  were  in  progress.  It  was  apprehended  the  principal 
operations  of  the  enemy  would  be  on  Long  Island,  the  high 
grounds  of  which,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Brooklyn,  commanded 
the  city.  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  com- 
plete the  fortifications  of  that  important  post,  and  to  make  him- 
self 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  en- 

*  Remembrancer,  vol.  iii.  p.  S.". 
VOL.  II. 9 


194  LIFE    OF    WAKniNGTON.  ['^"^J 

listed,  without  arms,  and  no  one  could  Hay  where  arms  were  to  bo 
procured. 

Washington  saw  the  inadc(jnacy  of  the  force  to  tlie  purposes 
re(|uircd,  and  was  full  of  solicitude  about  the  security  of  a  place, 
the  central  point  of  the  Confederacy,  and  the  grand  deposit  of 
ordnance  and  military  stores.  He  was  aware  too,  of  the  disaffec- 
tion to  the  cause  among  many  of  the  inhabitants ;  and  apprehen- 
sive 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  Long  Islands,  and 
in  other  parts  of  the  neighborhood. 

Washington  took  an  early  occasion  to  address  an  urgent  letter 
to  the  committee  of  safety,  pointing  out  the  dangerous,  and  even 
treasonable  nature  of  this  correspondence.  He  had  more  weight 
and  influence  with  that  body  than  had  been  possessed  by  General 
Lee,  and  procured  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  secretaries  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  con- 
fined from  morning  until  evening,  hearing  and  answering  applica- 
tions and  letters."  The  presence  of  Mrs.  Washington  was  a 
solace  in  the  midst  of  these  stern  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, 


1776.]  A    MILITARY    DILEMMA.  195 

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  York, 
Washington  had  to  provide  for  the  perilous  exigencies  of  the  army 
in  Canada.  Since  his  arrival  in  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  further  corps  of  six  regiments  under  Brigadier-general  Sulli- 
van, with  orders  to  join  General  Thomas  as  soon  as  possible. 

Still  Congress  inquired  of  him,  whether  further  reinforce- 
ments to  the  army  in  Canada  would  not  be  necessary,  and 
whether  they  could  be  spared  from  the  army  in  New  York.  His 
reply  shows  the  peculiar  perplexities  of  his  situation,  and  the  tor- 
menting uncertainty  in  which  he  was  kept,  as  to  where  the  next 
storm  of  war  would  break.  "  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  St.  Lawrence,  to  relieve  Quebec  and  recover  Canada,  the 
troops  gone  and  now  going,  will  be  insufficient  to  stop  their  pro- 
gress ;  and,  should  they  think  proper  to  send  that,  or  an  equal 
force,  this  way  from  Great  Britain,  for  the  purpose  of  possessing 
this  city  and  securing  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  River,  the 
troops  left  here  will  not  be  sufficient  to  oppose  them ;  and  yet,  for 
any  thing  we  know,  I  think  it  not  improbable  they  may  attempt 
both ;  both  being  of  the  greatest  importance  to  them,  if  they 
have  men.     I  could  wish,  indeed,  that  the  army  in  Canada  should 


196  LIFE    OF    WASniNGTON.*  [177G. 

be  more  powerfully  reinforced ;  at  tlie  same  time,  I  am  conscious 
that  the  trusting  of  this  important  post,  which  is  now  become  the 
grand  magazine  of  America,  to  the  handful  of  men  remaining 
here,  is  running  too  great  a  risk.  The  securing  of  this  post  and 
Hudson's  River  is  to  us  also  of  so  great  importance,  that  I  cannot, 
at  present,  advise  the  sending  any  more  troops  from  lience ;  on 
the  contrary,  the  general  officers  now  here,  whom  I  thought  it  my 
duty  to  consult,  think  it  absolutely  necessary  to  increase  tlie 
army  at  this  place  with  at  least  ten  thousand  men ;  especially 
when  it  is  considered,  that  from  this  place  only  the  army  in 
Canada  must  draw  its  supplies  of  ammunition,  provisions,  and 
most  probably  of  men." 

Washington  at  that  time  was  not  aware  of  the  extraordinary 
expedients  England  had  recently  resorted  to,  against  the  next 
campaign.  The  Duke  of  Brunswick,  the  Landgrave  of  Hesse 
Cassel,  and  the  Hereditary  Prince  of  Cassel,  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 
service.  Beside  the  subsidy  exacted  by  the  German  princes,  they 
were  to  be  paid  seven  pounds  four  shillings  and  four  pence  ster- 
ling for  every  soldier  furnished  by  them,  and  as  much  more  for 
every  one  slain. 

Of  this  notable  arrangement,  Washington,  as  we  observed,  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  of  operations  for  the  summer's  campaign.  We  are  left 
to  wander,  therefore,  in  the  field  of  conjecture."  * 

*  Letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  5th  May. 


MAP   OF   THE    BATTERY   IN    1783   AND   1883. 


1776.]  HESSIAN    TROOPS.  197 

Within  a  few  days  afterwards,  he  had  vague  accounts  of 
"  Hessians  and  Hanoverian  troops  coming  over;"  but  it  was  not 
until  the  17th  of  May,  when  he  received  letters  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  cam- 
paign on  the  banks  of  the  St.  Lawrence ;  which  we  shall  give  to 
the  reader  in  the  ensuing  chapter. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

ARNOLD    BLOCKADES   QUEBEC HIS  DIFFICULTIES — ARRIVAL  OF  GENERAL  WOOS- 

TER OF   GENERAL    THOMAS ABORTIVE   AriEMPT     ON     QUEBEC PREI'AKA- 

TIONS    FOR    RETREAT SOUTIE    OF    CARLETOX RETltEAT  OF    THE    AMKItlCANS 

HALT    AT    POINT    DESCHAMBAULT ALARM    IN    THE    COLONII^    AT    THK    RE- 
TREAT   OF     THE    ARMY POPULAR     CL^VMOR    AGAINST    SCHUYLER SLANDERS 

REFUTED. 

In  a  former  chapter,  we  left  Arnold  before  the  walls  of  Quebec, 
wounded,  crippled,  almost  disabled,  yet  not  disheartened ;  block- 
ading that  "  proud  town  "  with  a  force  inferior,  by  half,  in  number 
to  that  of  the  garrison.  For  his  gallant  services.  Congress  pro- 
moted him  in  January  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general. 

Throughout  the  winter  he  kept  up  the  blockade  with  his  shat- 
tered army;  though  had  Carleton  ventured  upon  a  sortie,  he 
might  have  been  forced  to  decamp.  That  cautious  general,  how- 
ever, remained  within  his  walls.  He  was  sure  of  reinforcements 
from  England  in  the  spring,  and,  in  the  mean  time,  trusted  to  the 
elements  of  dissolution  at  work  in  the  besieging  army. 

Arnold,  in  truth,  had  diflSculties  of  all  kinds  to  contend  with. 
His  military  chest  was  exhausted ;  his  troops  were  in  want  of 
necessaries ;  to  procure  supplies,  he  was  compelled  to  resort  to 
the  paper  money  issued  by  Congress,  which  was  uncurrent  among 


177G.]  THE    CAMP    BEFORE    QUEBEC.  199 

the  Canadians ;  he  issued  a  proclamation  making  the  refusal  to 
take  it  in  payment  a  penal  oflence.  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 
imw  militia,  did  not  exceed  seven  hundred. 

The  failure  of  the  attack  on  Quebec  had  weakened  the  cause 
among  the  Canadians ;  the  peasantry  had  been  displeased  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  batteries,  he  opened  a 
fire  upon  the  town,  but  with  little  cfi'ect ;  the  best  part  of  the 
artillerists,  with  Lamb,  their  capable  commander,  were  prisoners 
within  the  walls. 

On  the  1st  day  of  April,  G-eneral  Wooster  arrived  from  Mon- 
treal, 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  wounded,  and  was  disabled 
for  upwards  of  a  week.  Considering  himself  slighted  by  General 
Wooster,  who  did  not  consult  him  in  military  afiairs,  he  obtained 
leave  of  absence  until  he  should  be  recovered  from  his  lameness, 
and  repaired  to  Montreal,  where  he  took  command. 

General  Thomas  arrived  at  the  camp  in  the  course  of  April, 
and  found  the  army  in  a  forlorn  condition,  scattered  at  different 
posts,  and  on  the  island  of   Orleans.     It  was  numerically  in- 


200  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  L177G. 

creased  to  upwards  of  two  thousand  men,  but  Hcveral  hundred 
were  unfit  for  Bervice.  The  smallpox  had  made  great  ravages. 
They  had  inoculated  each  other.  In  their  sick  and  debilitated 
state,  they  were  without  barracks,  and  almost  without  medicine. 
A  portiou,  whose  term  of  enlistment  had  expired,  refused  to  do 
duty,  and  clamored  for  their  discharge. 

The  winter  was  over,  the  river  was  breaking  up,  reinforcements 
to  the  garrison  might  immediately  be  expected,  and  then  the  case 
would  be  desperate.  Observing  that  the  river  about  Quebec  was 
clear  of  ice.  General  Thomas  determined  on  a  bold  effort.  It 
•was,  to  send  up  a  fire-ship  with  the  flood,  and,  while  the  ships  in 
the  harbor  were  in  flames,  and  the  town  in  confusion,  to  scale  the 
walls. 

Accordingly,  on  the  third  of  May,  the  troops  turned  out  with 
scaling  ladders;  the  fire-ship  came  up  the  river  under  easy  sail, 
and  arrived  near  the  shipping  before  it  was  discovered.  It  was 
fired  into.  The  crew  applied  a  slow  match  to  the  train  and 
pulled  off.  The  ship  was  soon  in  a  blaze,  but  the  flames  caught 
and  consumed  the  sails ;  her  way  was  checked,  and  she  drifted  off 
harmlessly  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  Carle- 
ton  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  garri- 


A776.]  SORTIE    OF    CARLETON.  20] 

son,  by  this  time  much  improved,  and  in  high  spirts,  marched  out 
of  the  ports  of  St.  Louis  and  SI.  Johns,  to  see  what  these  mighty 
boasters  were  about.  They  were  found  very  busy  in  their  prepa- 
rations for  a  retreat.  A  few  shots  being  exchanged,  the  line 
marched  forward,  and  the  place  was  soon  cleared  of  these  plun- 
derers." 

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  walls;  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  guard.*  One  officer  declares,  in  a  letter,  that  for 
eighty  successive  nights  he  slept  in  his  clothes,  to  be  ready  in  case 
of  alarm. 

All  this,  too,  was  effected  by  a  handful  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  Carleton'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  baggage,  artillery,  every  thing  was 
abandoned.  Even  the  sick  were  left  behind;  many  of  whom 
crawled  away  from  the  camp  hospitals,  and  took  refuge  in  the 
woods,  or  among  the  Canadian  peasantry. 

General  Carleton  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  engage  in  a  pur- 
suit with  his  newly-landed  troops.     He  treated  the  prisoners  with 

*  Carleton  to  Lord  George  Germaiue,  May  14. 
VOL.  II. 9* 


202  LIFE    OF    WASIJINGTON-.  [177& 

great  Immaiiitj,  and  caused  the  sick  to  be  sought  out  in  their 
hiding-places,  and  brought  to  the  general  hospitals;  with  assu- 
rances, that,  when  healed,  they  should  have  liberty  to  return  to 
their  homes. 

General  Thomas  came  to  a  halt  at  Point  Dcschambault,  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  but  two  or  three  leagues  distant. 
The  camp  was  without  cannon;  powder,  forwarded  by  General 
Schuyler,  had  fallen  into  the  enemy's  hands ;  there  were  not  pro- 
visions enough  to  subsist  the  army  for  more  than  two  or  three 
days ;  the  men-of-war,  too,  might  run  up  the  river,  intercept  all 
their  resources,  and  reduce  them  to  the  same  extremity  they  had 
experienced  before  Quebec.  It  was  resolved,  therefore,  to  ascend 
the  river  still  further. 

General  Thomas,  however,  determined  to  send  forward  the 
invalids,  but  to  remain  at  Point  Deschambault  with  about  five 
hundred  i.  en,  until  he  should  receive  orders  from  Montreal,  and 
learn  whether  such  supplies  could  be  forwarded  immediately  as 
would  enable  him  to  defend  his  position.* 

The  despatches  of  General  Thomas,  setting  forth  the  disas- 
trous state  of  affairs,  had  a  disheartening  efi"ect  on  Schuyler,  who 
feared  the  army  would  be  obliged  to  abandon  Canada.  Washing- 
ton, on  the  contrary,  spoke  cheeringly  on  the  subject.  '•  We 
must  not  despair.  A  manly  and  spirited  opposition  only  can 
insure  success,  and  prevent  the  enemy  from  improving  the  advan- 
tage they  have  obtained. "f 

He  regretted  that  the  troops  had  not  been  able  to  make  a  stand 

*  General  Thomas  to  "Washington,  May  8th. 
t  Washingtou  to  Schuyler,  May  17. 


1776.]  SCHUYLER   MISJUDGED.  203 

at  Point  Descbainbault,  but  hoped  they  would  maintain  a  post  as 
far  down  the  river  as  possible.  The  lower  it  was,  the  more  im- 
portant would  be  the  advantages  resulting  from  it,  as  all  the 
country  above  would  be  favorable,  and  furnish  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  army,  had  spread  consternation  throughout  the  New 
Hampshire  Grants,  and  the  New  England  frontiers,  which  would 
now  be  laid  open  to  invasion.  Committees  of  towns  and  districts 
assembled  in  various  places,  to  consult  on  the  alarming  state  of 
affairs.  In  a  time  of  adversity,  it  relieves  the  public  mind  to 
have  some  individual  on  whom  to  charge  its  disasters.  General 
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  stigma- 
tized 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  misconstrued  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  Avere  not  generally  advanced ;  and  when 
advanced,  were  not  generally  countenanced ;  but  a  committee  of 
King's  County  appears  to  have  given  them  credence,  addressing  a 
letter  to  the  commander-in-chief  on  the  subject,  accompanied  by 
documents. 

Washington,  to  whom  Schuyler's  heart  had  been  laid  open 


204  LIFE    OF    WAHHINGTON.  [177G. 

throughout  all  its  trials,  and  who  knew  its  rectitude,  received  the 
letter  and  documents  with  indignation  and  disgust,  and  sent  copies 
of  them  to  the  gLMieial.  "  From  these,"  said  he,  *'  you  will 
readily  discover  tlio  diabolical  and  insidious  arts  and  schemes 
carrying  on  by  the  tories  and  friends  of  government  to  raise  dis- 
trust, 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  in- 
formed that  copies  were  sent  to  different  committees,  and  to 
Governor  Trumbull,  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  belief,  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  requesting  that  an  immediate  inquiry  be  made 
into  the  matter ;  when  I  trust  it  will  appear  that  it  was  more  a 
scheme  calculated  to  ruin  me,  than  to  disunite  and  create  jeal- 
ousies in  the  friends  of  America.  Your  Excellency  will,  there- 
fore, please  to  order  a  court  of  inquiry  the  soonest  possible ;  for 
I  cannot  sit  easy  under  such  an  infamous  imputation;  since  on 
this  extensive  continent,  numbers  of  the  most  respectable  charac- 

*  Washington  to  Schuyler,  May  21. 


177G.]  SCHUYLER    JUSTIFIED.  205 

tcrs  may  not  know  what  your  Excellency  and  Congress  do  of  my 
principles  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  in- 
famously scandalized  and  ill-treated  as  I  am." 

'  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  acknowledged,  in  a  letter  to  Washington,  that  they 
were  satisfied  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 
posterity,  as  one  of  the  great  pillars  of  the  American  cause." 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

GATES   SENT   TO    nilLADELPIlIA    WITH  THE  CANADA  DESPATCHES — PROMOTED  TO 

THE     RANIC    OF    MAJOR-GENEKAL WASHINGTON    SUMMONED     TO     PHILAI^EL- 

PIUA PUTNAM     LEIT    IN    COMMAND CONFERENCE    WITH     CONGRESS — ARMY 

ARRANGEMENTS A    BOARD    OF   WAR    INSTITUTED — THE    CLINTONS     OF     NEW 

YORK MRS.   WASHINGTON  INOCULATED REED  MADE  ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 

As  the  reverses  in  Canada  would  affect  the  fortunes  of  the  Revo- 
lution elsewhere,  Washington  sent  General  Gates  to  lay  the  des- 
patches concerning  them,  before  Congress.  ''  His  military  expe- 
rience," said  he,  "  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  situation 
of  our  affairs,  will  enable  him  to  give  Congress  the  fullest  satis- 
faction about  the  measures  necessary  to  be  adopted  at  this  alarm- 
ing crisis;  and,  with  his  zeal  and  attachment  to  the  cause  of 
America,  he  will  have  a  claim  to  their  notice  and  favors." 

Scarce  had  Gates  departed  on  his  mission  (May  19th),  when 
Washington  himself  received  a  summons  to  Philadelphia,  to  advise 
with  Congress  concerning  the  opening  campaign.  He  was  in- 
formed also  that  Gates,  on  the  16th  of  May,  had  been  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  major-general,  and  Mifflin  to  that  of  brigadier- 
general,  and  a  wish  was  intimated  that  they  might  take  the  com- 
mand of  Boston. 

Washington  prepared  to  proceed  to  Philadelphia.     His  gen- 


1776.J  INSTRUCTIONS   TO   PUTNAM.  207 

eral  orders  issued  on  tlie  19th  of  May,  show  the  anxious  situation 
of  affairs  at  New  York.  In  case  of  an  alarm  the  respective  regi- 
ments were  to  draw  up  opposite  to  their  encampments  or  quar- 
ters, until  ordered  to  repair  to  the  alarm  posts.  The  alarm 
signals  for  regulars,  militia,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  city, 
were,  in  the  day-time — two  cannon  fired  from  the  rampart  at 
Fort  George,  and  a  flag  hoisted  on  the  top  of  Washington's  head- 
quarters. 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  command  during  his 
absence,  Washington  informed  him  of  the  intention  of  the  Pro- 
vincial Congress  of  New  York  to  seize  the  principal  tories,  and 
disaffected  persons  in  the  city,  and  the  surrounding  country,  espe- 
cially on  Long  Island,  and  authorized  him  to  afford  military  aid, 
if  required,  to  carry  the  same  into  execution.  He  was  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  report  what  was  necessary  to 
put  them  in  a  posture  of  defence.     Their  garrisons  were  chiefly 

*  The  following  statement  of  the  batteries  at  New  York,  we  find  dated 
May  22d. 

The  Grand  Batteivj^  on  the  south  part  of  the  town.- 

Fort  George,  immediately  above  it. 

White  Hall  Battenj,  on  the  left  of  the  Grand  Battery. 

Oyster  Battery,  behind  General  Washington's  head-quarters. 

Grenadier  Battery,  near  the  Brew  House  on  the  North  River. 

Jersey  Battery,  on  the  left  of  the  Grenadier  Battery. 

Bayard's  Hill  Redoubt,  on  Bayard's  Hill. 

Spencer's  Redoubt,  on  the  hill  where  his  brigade  is  encamped. 

Waierbury's  Battery  (fascines),  on  a  wharf  below  this  hill. 

Badlands  Redoubt,  on  a  hill  near  the  Jews'  burying  ground. 


208  LIFE   OF    "WASHINGTON.  [177G. 

composed  of  parts  of  a  regiment  of  New  York  troops,  commanded 
by  Colonel  James  Clinton,  of  Ulster  County,  and  were  said  to  be 
sufficient. 

The  general,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Washington,  departed  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,  augured  good 
effects  from  it.  "  I  am  extremely  glad,  dear  general,"  writes  he, 
"  that  you  are  in  Philadelphia,  for  their  councils  sometimes  lack  a 
little  of  military  electricity." 

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  indi- 
cated unsparing  hostility.  A  protracted  war,  therefore,  was  in- 
evitable ;  but  it  would  be  impossible  to  carry  it  on  successfully, 
with  the  scanty  force  actually  embodied,  and  with  transient 
enlistments  of  militia. 

In  consequence  of  his  representations,  resolutions  were  passed 
in  Congress  that  soldiers  should  be  enlisted  for  three  years,  with 
a  bounty  of  ten  dollars  for  each  recruit ;  that  the  army  at  New 
York  should  be  reinforced  until  the  1st  of  December,  with  thir- 
teen thousand  eight  hundred  militia ;  that  gondolas  and  fire-rafts 
should  be  built,  to  prevent  the  men-of-war  and  enemy's  ships 
from  coming  into  New  York  Bay,  or  the  Narrows ;  and  that  a 
flying  camp  of  ten  thousand  militia,  fui*nished  by  Pennsylvaniaj. 


-1^ 


Z^'^c 


^^<i^^^r  ^^d^^^-^^y 


1776.]  A   WAR    OFFICE   ESTABLISHED.  209 

Delaware  and  Maryland,  and  likewise  engaged  until  the  1st  De- 
comber,  should  be  stationed  in  the  Jerseys  for  the  defence  of  the 
Middle  colonies.  Washington  was,  moreover,  empowered,  in  case 
of  emergency,  to  call  on  the  neighboring  colonies  for  temporary 
aid  with  their  militia. 

Another  important  result  of  his  conferences  with  Congress 
was  the  establishment  of  a  war  office.  Military  affairs  had  hither- 
to been  referred  in  Congress  to  committees  casually  appointed, 
and  had  consequently  been  subject  to  great  irregularity  and  neg- 
lect. Henceforth  a  permanent  committee,  entitled  the  Board  of 
War  and  Ordnance,  was  to  take  cognizance  of  them.  The  first 
board  was  composed  of  five  members;  John  Adams,  Colonel 
Benjamin  Harrison,  Roger  Sherman,  James  Wilson,  and  Edward 
Butledge ;  with  Richard  Peters  as  secretary.  It  went  into  ope- 
ration on  the  12th  of  June. 

While  at  Philadelphia,  Washington  had  frequent  consultations 
w^ith  George  Clinton,  one  of  the  delegates  from  New  York,  con- 
cerning the  interior  defences  of  that  province,  especially  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  affairs  of  that  province, 
and  ultimately  in  its  political  history,  entitles  them  to  a  special 
notice. 

They  were  of  the  old  Clinton  stock  of  England ;  being  descend- 
ed 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  I.  Their  father,  Charles  Clinton,  grandson  of  the 
general,, emigrated  to  America  in  1729,  and  settled  in  Ulster, 
now  Orange  County,  just  above  the  Highlands  of  the  Hudson. 


210  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [^770. 

Though  not  more  tliaii  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  neces- 
sity, if  not  by  choice.  lie  took  an  active  part  in  Indian  and 
French  wars,  commanded  a  provhjcial  regiment  stationed  at  Fort 
Herkimer,  joined  in  the  expedition  under  General  liradstreet, 
when  it  passed  up  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  and  was  present  at 
the  capture  of  Fort  Frontcnac.  His  sons,  James  and  George, 
one  twenty,  the  other  seventeen  years  of  age,  served  in  the  same 
campaign,  the  one  as  captain,  the  other  as  lieutenant ;  thus  tak- 
ing an  early  lesson  in  that  school  of  American  soldiers,  the 
French  war. 

James,  whose  propensities  were  always  military,  continued 
in  the  provincial  army  until  the  close  of  that  war  ;  and  after- 
wards, when  settled  on  an  estate  in  Ulster  County,  was  able  and 
active  in  organizing  its  militia.  George  applied  himself  to  the 
law,  and  became  successful  at  the  bar,  in  the  same  county. 
Their  father,  having  laid  aside  the  sword,  occupied  for  many 
years,  with  discernment  and  integrity,  the  honorable  station  of 
Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  He  died  in  Ulster  Coun- 
ty, in  1773,  in  the  eighty-third  year  of  his  age,  "  in  full  view  of 
that  revolution  in  which  his  sons  were  to  act  distinguished 
parts."  With  his  latest  breath  he  charged  them  "  to  stand  by  the 
liberties  of  their  country." 

They  needed  no  such  admonition.  From  the  very  first,  they 
had  been  heart  and  hand  in  the  cause.  George  had  championed  it 
for  years  in  the  New  York  legislature,  signalizing  himself  by  his 
zeal  as  one  of.  an  intrepid  minority  in  opposing  ministerial  op- 


1776.]  THE   CLINTONS   OF    NEW    YORK.  211 

pression.  He  had  but  recently  taken  his  seat  as  delegate  to 
the  Contmental  Congress. 

James  Clinton,  appointed  colonel  on  the  30th  of  June,  1775, 
had  served  with  his  regiment  of  New  York  troops  under  Mont- 
gomery at  the  siege  of  St.  Johns,  and  the  capture  of  Montreal, 
after  which  he  had  returned  home.  He  had  subsequently  been 
appointed  to  the  command  of  a  regiment  in  one  of  the  four  bat- 
talions raised  for  the  defence  of  New  York.  We  shall  soon  have 
occasion  to  speak  further  of  these  patriot  brothers. 

The  prevalence  of  the  small-pox  had  frequently  rendered 
Washington  uneasy  on  Mrs.  Washington's  account  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  Reed,  to  the  post  of  adjutant-general, 
vacated  by  the  promotion  of  General  Gates,  thus  placing  him 
once  more  by  his  side. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

AFFAIRS     IN    CANADA — DISASTER    AT    THIC     CKDARS HOSTILE    DESIGNS    OF    THE 

JOHNSONS — A  BLOODY  SUMMEft  EXPECTED — FORTS  IN  THE  HIGHLANDS COL- 
ONEL JA.-MES  CLINTON  IN  COMMAND — FORTIFICATIONS  AT  KING's  BRIDGE  AND 
ON  LONG  ISLAND. 

Despatches  from  Canada  continued  to  be  disastrous.  General 
Arnold,  who  was  in  command  at  Montreal,  had  established  a  post 
on  the  St.  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  intelli- 
gence 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  com- 
mand of  the  post,  he  hastened  down  to  Montreal  to  obtain  rein- 
forcements. Arnold  immediately  detached  one  hundred  men, 
under  Major  Shelburne,  and  prepared  to  follow  in  person,  with 
a  much  greater  force.  In  the  mean  time,  the  post  at  the  Cedars 
had  been  besieged,  and  Major  Butterfield  intimidated  into  a  sur- 
render, by  a  threat  from  Captain  Forster,  that  resistance  would 


1776.]  DISASTER   AT    THE   CEDARS.  213 

provoke  a  massacre  of  his  whole  garrison  by  the  Indians.  The 
reinforcements  under  Major  Shelburne  were  assailed  within  four 
miles  of  the  Cedars,  hy  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  over- 
take the  savages,  and  demand  a  surrender  of  the  prisoners ;  with 
a  threat  that,  in  case  of  a  refusal,  and  that  any  of  them  were  mur- 
dered, he  would  sacrifice  every  Indian  who  fell  into  his  hands,  and 
would  follow  the  ofi"enders  to  their  towns,  and  destroy  them  by 
fire  and  sword.  He  now  embarked  four  h-undred  of  his  men  in 
bateaux,  and  pushed  on  with  the  remainder  by  land.  Arriving 
at  St.  Ann's,  above  the  rapids  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  he  discov- 
ered several  of  the  enemy's  bateaux,  taking  the  prisoners  off 
from  an  island,  a  league  distant.  It  was  a  tormenting  sight,  as 
it  was  not  in  his  power  to  relieve  them.  His  bateaux  were  a 
league  behind,  coming  up  the  rapids  very  slowly.  He  sent  sev- 
eral expresses  to  hurry  them.  It  was  sunset  before  they  arrived 
and  he  could  embark  all  his  people ;  in  the  mean  time,  his  Caugh- 
nawaga messengers  returned  with  an  answer  from  the  savages. 
They  had  five  hundred  prisoners  collected  together,  they  said,  at 
Quinze  Chiens,  where  they  were  posted;  should  he  offer  to  land 
and  attack  them,  they  would  kill  every  prisoner,  and  give  no 
quarter  to  any  who  should  fall  into  their  hands  thereafter. 

''  Words  cannot  express  my  feelings,"  writes  Arnold,  "  at  the 
delivery  of  this  message.  Torn  by  the  conflicting  passions  of 
revenge  and  humanity ;  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 


214  LIFE   OF   WASUINGTON.  [177C. 

strong  oil  tlio  other."  In  this  situation,  ho  ordered  the  boats 
to  row  inunodiatcly  for  the  i.shuidjWliitlicr  lie  had  seen  the  enemy 
taking  their  prisoners.  Before  ho  reached  it,  the  savages  had 
conveyed  thcni  all  away,  excepting  five,  whom  he  found  na- 
hod,  and  almost  starved,  and  one  or  two,  whom,  being  unw(;ll, 
they  had  butchered.  Arnold  now  pushed  for  Quinze  Chiens, 
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 
hind,  without  returning  a  shot.  By  this  time  it  was  too  dark  to 
distinguish  any  thing  on  shore,  and  being  unacquainted  with  the 
ground,  he  judged  it  prudent  to  return  to  St.  Johns. 

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  flag  was  sent  by  Captain  Forster,  with  articles  for  an 
exchange  of  prisoners,  which  had  been  entered  into  by  him  and 
Major 'Sherburne.  As  the  terms  were  not  equal,  they  were  ob- 
jected 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  num- 
ber 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  home?.  Nine  days  were  allowed  for 
the  delivery  of  the  prisoners,  during  which  time  hostilities  should 
be  suspended. 

Arnold,  in  a  letter  to  the  commissioners  of  Congress  then  at 
Montreal,  giving  an  account  of  this  arrangement,  expressed  his 
indignation  at  the  conduct  of  the  king's  officers,  in  employing 


1776.]  THE    JOHNSONS    PLOTTING.  215 

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  released,  I  hope 
it  will  be  in  our  power  to  take  ample  vengeance,  or  nobly  fall  in 
the  attempt."  * 

The  accounts  which  reached  Washington  of  these  affairs  were 
vague  and  imperfect,  and  kept  him  for  some  days  in  painful  sus- 
pense. The  disasters  at  the  Cedars  were  attributed  entirely  to 
the  base  and  cowardly  conduct  of  Bedel  and  Butterworth,  and 
he  wrote  to  Schuyler  to  have  good  courts  appointed,  and  bring 
them,  and  every  other  officer  guilty  of  misconduct,  to  trial. 

"  The  situation  of  our  affairs  in  Canada,"  observes  he,  "  is 
truly  alarming.  I  sincerely  wish  the  next  letters  from  the  north- 
ward may  not  contain  the  melancholy  advices  of  General  Arnold's 
defeat,  and  the  loss  of  Montreal.  The  most  vigorous  exertions 
will  be  necessary  to  retrieve  our  circumstances  there,  and  I  hope 
you  will  strain  every  nerve  for  that  purpose.  Unless  it  can  bo 
done  now,  Canada  will  be  lost  to  us  for  ever." 

While  his  mind  was  agitated  by  these  concerns,  letters  from 
Schuyler  showed  that  mischief  was  brewing  in  another  quarter. 

Colonel  Guy  Johnson,  accompanied  by  the  Sachem  Brant  and 
the  Butlers,  had  been  holding  councils  with  the  Indians,  and  de- 
signed, it  was  said,  to  come  back  to  the  Mohawk  country,  at  the 
head  of  a  British  and  savage  force.  A  correspondence  was 
carried  on  between  him  and  his  cousin,  Sir  John  Johnson,  who 

*  Arnold  to  the  Commis.  of  Cong.  27th  May. 


216  LIFK    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

was  said  to  be  preparing  to  co-operate  with  his  Scotch  dependants 
and  Indian  allies. 

Considering  thin  a  breach  of  Sir  John's  parole,  Scluiyler  had 
sent  Colonel  Elias  Dayton  with  a  force  to  apprehend  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  of  Johnson  Hall,  placed  guards  about  it, 
seized  upon  Sir  John's  papers,  and  read  them  in  presence  of 
Lady  Johnson,  and  subsequently  conveyed  her  ladyship  as  a  kind 
of  hostage  to  Albany. 

Shortly  afterwards  came  further  intelligence  of  the  designs 
of  the  Johnsons.  Sir  John,  with  his  Scotch  warriors  and  Indian 
allies,  was  said  to  be  actually  coming  down  the  valley  of  the 
Mohawk,  bent  on  revenge,  and  prepared  to  lay  every  thing  waste ; 
and  Schuyler  collecting  a  force  at  Albany  to  oppose  him.  Wash- 
ington instantly  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  responsi- 
bility, directed  him  to  hold  a  conference  with  the  Six  Nations,  and 
with  any  others  whom  he  and  his  brother  commissioners  on  Indian 
affairs  might  think  necessary,  and  secure  their  active  services, 
without  waiting  further  directions  from  Congress;  that  body 
having  recently  resolved  to  employ  Indian  allies  in  the  war,  the 
enemy  having  set  the  example. 

"  We  expect  a  bloody  summer  in  New  York  and  Canada," 
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 


1776.J  POSTS    ON    THE    HIGHLANDS.  217 

religiously  believe  it,  the  same  Providence  which  has  in  many 
instances  appeared  for  us,  will  still  go  on  to  afford  its  aid." 

Lord  Stirling,  who,  by  Washington's  orders,  had  visited  and 
inspected  the  defences  in  the  Highlands,  rendered  a  report  of 
their  condition,  of  which  we  give  the  purport.  Fort  Montgom- 
ery, at  the  lower  part  of  the  Highlands,  was  on  the  west  bank  of 
the  river,  north  of  Dunderberg  (or  Thunder  Hill).  It  was  situated 
on  a  bank  one  hundred  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  rifiemen  stationed 
here,  might  command  the  decks  of  vessels.  Fort  Montgomery 
appeared  to  Lord  Stirling  the  proper  place  for  a  guard  post. 

Fort  Constitution  was  about  six  miles  higher  up  the  river,  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  preservation  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  garrisond  by  three  companies  of  the  same  regi- 
ment, 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  Provincial  Con- 
gress of  New  York.  The  general  command  of  the  posts  required 
to  be  adjusted.  Several  persons  accused  of  being  "notorious 
tories,"  had  recently  been  sent  into  Fort  Montgomery  by  the 

VOL.  II.— 10 


218  LIFE    OF    WAHHINGTON.  ['^70 

district  committees  of  the  counties  of  Albany,  Dutchess  and 
Westchester,  with  directions  to  the  commandnig  officers,  to  keep 
them  at  hard  labor  until  their  further  order.  They  were  employed 
upon  the  fortifications. 

In  view  of  all  these  circumstances,  Washington,  on  the  14th 
of  June,  ordered  Colonel  James  Clinton  to  take  command  of  both 
posts,  and  of  all  the  troops  stationed  at  them.  He  seemed  a  fit 
custodian  for  them,  having  been  a  soldier  from  his  youth ;  brought 
up  on  a  frontier  subject  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  communication  between  New 
York  and  the  mainland,  and  to  the  security  of  the  Hudson,  were 
reconnoitred  by  Washington  on  horseback,  about  the  middle  of 
the  month ;  ordering  where  works  should  be  laid  out.  Breast- 
works 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  Duivel  Creek, 
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  of  the  bridge, 
commanding  the  channel  of  the  Hudson ;  and  below  it  were  to 
be  redoubts  on  the  banks  of  the  river  at  Jeffrey's  Point.  In 
honor  of  the  general,  the  citadel  received  the  name  of  Fort  Wash- 
ington. 

Colonel  Rufus  Putnam  was  the  principal  engineer,  who  had 
the  direction  of  the  works.  General  Mifflin  encamped  in  their 
vicinity,  with  part  of  the  two  battalions  from  Pennsylvania,  to  be 
employed  in  their  construction,  aided  by  the  militia. 


RCFUS   PUTNAM.       /■ - 


1776.]  WORKS    AT    BROOKLYN.  219 

While  these  preparations  were  made  for  the  protection  of  the 
Hudson,  the  works  about  Brooklyn  on  Ijong  Island  were  carried 
on  with  great  activity,  under  the  superintendence  of  General 
Greene.  In  a  word,  the  utmost  exertions  were  made  at  every 
point,  to  put  the  city,  its  environs,  and  the  Hudson  River,  in  a 
state  of  defence,  before  the  arrival  of  another  hostile  armament. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

RITREAT  OF  GENKRAL    THOMAS HIS    DEATH — GENERAL    STTLLIVAN  IN  COMMAND 

SCENE  ON  THE  SOREL SANGUINE  EXPECTATIONS  OF  SULLIVAN — WASHING- 
TON'S OPINION  OF  Sullivan's  character — gates  appointed  to  the  com- 
mand IN  CANADA reinforcements  OF  THE  ENEMY REVERSES ^THOMI'SON 

captured — RETREAT  OF  SULLIVAN — CLOSE  OF  THE  INVASION  OF    CANADA. 

Operations  in  Canada  were  drawing  to  a  disastrous  close.  Gren- 
eral  Thomas,  finding  it  impossible  to  make  a  stand  at  Point 
Deschambault,  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  defence.  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  arrived  with 
the  main  detachment  of  troops  from  New  York,  succeeded  to  the 
command ;  General  Wooster  having  been  recalled.  He  advanced 
immediately  with  his  brigade  to  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel,  where  he 
found  General  Thompson  with  but  very  few  troops  to  defend  that 


1776.]  SULLIVAN    ON    THE    SOREL.  221 

post,  having  detached  Colonel  St.  Clair,  with  six  or  seven  hundred 
men,  to  Three  Rivers,  about  fifty  miles  down  the  St.  Lawrence, 
to  give  check  to  an  advanced  corps  of  the  enemy  of  about  eight 
hundred  regulars  and  Canadians,  under  the  veteran  Scot,  Colonel 
Maclean.  In  the  mean  time  Greneral  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  neces- 
sary. "  It  really  was  affecting,"  writes  Sullivan  to  Washington, 
"  to  see  the  banks  of  the  Sorel  lined  with  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren, 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  mean  time  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  Rivers, 
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  direc- 
tion of  a  kind  Providence,  you  will  open  the  way  for  our  recover- 
ing that  ground  which  former  troops  have  so  shamefully  lost." 

Sullivan's  letter  to  Washington,  written  at  the  same  time,  is 
full  of  sanguine  anticipation.  It  was  his  fixed  determination  to 
gain  post  at  Deschambault,  and  fortify  it  so  as  to  make  it  inac- 
cessible. "  The  enemy's  ships  are  now  above  that  place,"  writes 
he ;  "  but  if  General  Thompson  succeeds  at  Three  Rivers,  I  will 


222  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

soon  remove   the   ships  below   Richelieu  Falls,  and   after  that, 
approach  Quebec  as  fast  as  possible." 

"  Our  affairs  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  disaffection  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  impossible." 

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  misfor- 
tunes. But  I  now  hope  that  our  affairs,  from  the  confused, 
distracted,  and  almost  forlorn  state  in  which  you  found  them,  will 
change,  and  assume  an  aspect  of  order  and  success."-  Still  his 
sagacious  mind  perceived  a  motive  for  this  favorable  coloring  of 
affairs.  Sullivan  was  aiming  at  the  command  in  Canada;  and 
Washington  soberly  weighed  his  merits  for  the  appointment,  in  a 
letter  to  the  President  of  Congress.  "  He  is  active,  spirited,  and 
zealously  attached  to  the  cause.  He  has  his  wants,  and  he  has 
his  foibles.  The  latter  are  manifested  in  his  little  tincture  of 
vanity,  and  in  an  over-desire  of  being  popular,  which  now  and 
then  lead  him  into  embarrassments.  His  wants  are  common  to 
us  all.  He  wants  experience  to  move  upon  a  grand  scale ;  for 
the  limited  and  contracted  knowledge,  which  any  of  us  have  in 
military  matters,  stands  in  very  little  stead."  This  want  was 
overbalanced,  on  the  part  of  General  Sullivan,  by  sound  judgment, 


1776.J  GATES    APPOINTED    TO    CANADA.  223 

some  acquaintance  with  men  and  books,  and  an  enterprising 
genius. 

"  As  the  security  of  Canada  is  of  the  last  importance  to  the 
well-being  of  these  colonies,"  adds  Washington,  "  I  should  like 
to  know  the  sentiments  of  Congress,  respecting  the  nomination 
of  any  officer  to  that  command.  The  character  I  have  drawn 
of  General  Sullivan  is  just,  according  to  my  ideas  of  him.  Con- 
gress will  therefore  determine  upon  the  propriety  of  continuing 
him  in  Canada,  or  sending  another,  as  they  shall  see  fit."  * 

Scarce  had  Washington  despatched  this  letter,  when  he 
received  one  from  the  President  of  Congress,  dated  the  18th  of 
June,  informing  him  that  Major-general  Gates  had  been  ap- 
pointed to  command  the  forces  in  Canada,  and  requesting  him  to 
expedite  his  departure  as  soon  as  possible.  The  appointment 
of  Gates  has  been  attributed  to  the  influence  of  the  Eastern  dele- 
gates, 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  affairs  in  that  "  distant,  dangerous,  and 
shifting  scene."  "  I  would  fain  hope,"  writes  Washington,  "  his 
arrival  there  will  give  our  affairs  a  complexion  different  from 
what  they  have  worn  for  a  long  time  past,  and  that  many  essen- 
tial benefits  will  result  from  it." 

Despatches  just  received  from  General  Sullivan,  had  given 
a  different  picture  of  affairs  in  Canada  from  that  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 

•  Washington  to  the  President  of  Congress,  July  12,  1776. 


224  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [I77r,. 

recently  been  uugnicntcd  to  about  ll>,000  iucmi  ;  .several  regiments 
Laving  arrived  from  Irehiii(],  one  from  England,  another  from 
General  llowe,  and  a  body  of  Brunswick  troops  under  the  Baron 
lieidosel.  Of  these,  the  greater  part  were  on  the  way  up  from 
Quebec  in  divisions,  by  land  and  water,  with  Generals  Carleton, 
Burgoyne,  Philips  and  Reidesel ;  while  a  considerable  number 
under  General  Frazer  had  arrived  atT  Three  Rivers,  and  others, 
under  General  Nesbit,  lay  near  them  on  board  of  transports. 

Sullivan's  despatch,  dated  on  the  8th  of  June,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Sorel,  began  in  his  former  sanguine  vein,  anticipating 
the  success  of  General  Thompson's  expedition  to  Three  Rivers. 
"  He  has  proceeded  in  the  manner  proposed,  and  made  his  attack 
at  daylight,  for  at  that  time  a  very  heavy  cannonading  began, 
which  lasted  with  some  intervals  to  twelve  o'clock.  It  is  now 
near  one  p.  m.;  the  firing  has  ceased,  except  some  irregular  firing 
with  cannon,  at  a  considerable  distance  of  time  one  from  the 
other.  At  eight  o'clock  a  very  heavy  firing  of  small-arms  was 
beard  even  here,  at  the  distance  of  forty-five  miles.  I  am 
almost  certain  that  victory  has  declared  in  our  favor,  as  the 
irregular  firing  of  the  cannon  for  such  a  length  of  time  after  the 
small-arms  ceased,  shows  that  our  men  are  in  possession  of  the 
ground." 

The  letter  was  kept  open  to  give  the  particulars  of  this  sup- 
posed victory ;  it  closed  with  a  dismal  reverse.  General  Thomp- 
son 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  Rivers,  intend* 
ing  to  surprise  the  enemy  before  daylight;    he  was  not   aware 


1776.]  CAPTURE    OF    THOMPSON.  225 

at   the  time  that   additional  troops  had  arrived  under  General 
Burgoyne. 

After  landing,  he  marched  with  rapidity  toward  Three  Rivers, 
but  was  led  by  treacherous  guides  into  a  morass,  and  obliged  to 
return  back  nearly  two  miles.  Day  broke,  and  he  was  discovered 
from  the  ships.  A  cannonade  was  opened  upon  his  men  as  they 
made  their  way  slowly  for'  an  hour  and  a  half  through  a  swamp. 
At  length  they  arrived  in  sight  of  Three  Rivers,  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  in  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 
pursued  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  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  In  these  they  made  their  way  back  to  the  Sorel,  bring- 
ing General  Sullivan  a  sad  explanation  of  all  the  firing  he  had 
heard,  and  the  alarming  intelligence  of  the  overpowering  force 
that  was  coming  up  the  river. 

"  This,  my  dear  general,"  writes  Sullivan,  in  the  conclusion 
of  his  letter,  "  is  the  state  of  this  unfortunate  enterprise.  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  hundred  and  thirty-three  rank  and  file. 
Most  of  the  officers  seem  discouraged,  and,  of  course,  their  men. 
I  am  employed  day  and  night  in  fortifying   and   securing  my 

VOL.  n. — 10* 


226  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  (1770. 

camp,  and  am  dotcrinincd  to  bold  it  as  long  as  a  pcrKon  will 
Btick  by  mc." 

He  bad,  indeed,  made  tbe  desperate  resolve  to  defend    tbe 
moutb  of   tbe    Sorel,   but  was  induced    to    abandon   it   by  the 

unanimous   opinion    of  bis  officers,  and  tbe   evident   uuwilliufr- 

o 

uess  of  bis  troops.  Dismantling  his  batteries,  tbcrefore,  be 
retreated  with  bis  artillery  and  stores,  just  before  tbe  arrival 
of  the  enemy,  and  was  followed,  step  by  step  along  the  Sorel, 
by  a  strong  column  under  General  Burgoyne. 

On  tbe  I8tb  of  June,  he  was  joined  by  Greneral  Arnold  with 
three  hundred  men,  tbe  garrison  of  Montreal,  who  had  crossed 
at  Longueil  just  in  time  to  escape  a  large  detachment  of  the 
enemy.  Thus  reinforced,  and  the  evacuation  of  Canada  being 
determined  on  in  a  council  of  war,  Sullivan  succeeded  in  destroy- 
ing every  thing  at  Cbamblee  and  St.  Johns  that  he  could  not 
carry  away,  breaking  down  bridges,  and  leaving  forts  and  vessels 
in  flames,  and  continued  his  retreat  to  the  Isle  aux  Noix,  where 
he  made  a  halt  for  some  days,  until  he  should  receive  positive 
orders  from  Washington  or  Greneral  Schuyler.  In  a  letter  to 
Washington,  he  observes,  "  I  am  extremely  sorry  it  was  not  in 
my  power  to  fulfil  your  Excellency's  wishes,  by  leading  on  our 
troops  to  victory."  After  stating  the  reason  of  his  failure,  he 
adds,  "  I  think  we  shall  secure  all  the  public  stores  and  baggage 
of  the  army,  and  secure  our  retreat  with .  very  little  loss. 
Whether  we  shall  have  well  men  enough  to  carry  them  on,  I 
much  doubt,  if  we  don't  remove  quickly  ;  unless  Heaven  is 
pleased  to  restore  health  to  this  wretched  army,  now,  perhaps, 
the  most  pitiful  one  that  ever  was  formed." 

Tbe  low,  unhealthy  situation  of  the  Isle  aux  Noix,  obliged 
him  soon  to  remove  his  camp  to  the  Isle  la  Motte,  whence,  on 


1776.]  END    OF    THE    INVASION    OF    CANADA.  227 

receiving  orders  to  that  effect  from  General  Schuyler,  he  ulti- 
mately 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  unfore- 
seen circumstances  counteracted  its  well-devised  plans,  might 
have  added  all  Canada  to  the  American  confederacy. 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

DESIGNS  OP  THE    ENEMY  AGAINST  NEW  YORK  AND  THE  HUDSON PLOT  OF  TRYON 

AND  THE  TORIES ARRIVAL  OF  A  FLEET ALARM  POSTS TREACHERY  UP  THE 

HUDSON — FRESH    ARRIVALS GENERAL  HOWE  AT  STATEN  ISLAND WASHING- 
TON'S PREPARATIONS. 

The  great  aim  of  the  British,  at  present,  was  to  get  possession  of 
New  York  and  the  Hudson,  and  make  them  the  basis  of  military 
operations.  This  they  hoped  to  effect  on  the  arrival  of  a  power- 
ful armament,  hourly  expected,  and  designed  for  operations  on 
the  seaboard. 

At  this  critical  juncture  there  was  an  alarm  of  a  conspiracy 
among  the  tories  in  the  city  and  on  Long  Island,  suddenly  to 
take  up  arms  and  co-operate  with  the  British  troops  on  their 
arrival.  The  wildest  reports  were  in  circulation  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.  Washington  was  to  be  killed  or  delivered  up  to 
the  enemy.  Some  of  his  own  body-guard  were  said  to  be  in  the 
plot. 

Several  publicans  of  the  city  were  pointed  out,  as  having  aided 
or  abetted  the  plot.  One  was  landlord  of  the  Highlander,  at  the 
corner  of  Beaver   Street   and   Broadway.      Another   dispensed 


1776.]  Tjj£    TOilY    CONSPIRACY.  229 

liquor  under  the  sign  of  Robin  Hood.  Another  named  Lowry, 
described  as  a  "  fat  man  in  a  blue  coat,"  kept  tavern  in  a  low 
house  opposite  the  Oswego  market.  Another,  James  Houlding, 
kept  a  beer  house  in  Tryon  Row,  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  south-east  of  General  Wash- 
ington'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 
Richmond  Hill ;  a  mansion  surrounded  by  trees,  at  a  short  dis- 
tance 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,  purchase  arms,  and  corrupt  the  soldiery. 

Washington  was  authorized  and  requested  by  the  committee, 
to  cause  the  mayor  to  be  apprehended,  and  all  his  papers  secured. 
Matthews  was  at  that  time  residing  at  Flatbush  on  Long  Island, 
at  no  great  distance  from  General  Greene's  encampment.  Wash- 
ington transmitted  the  warrant  of  the  committee  to  the  general 
on  the  21st,  with  directions  that  it  should  "  be  executed  with  pre- 
cision, and  exactly  by  one  o'clock  of  the  ensuing  morning,  by  a 
careful  officer." 

Precisely  at  the  hour  of  one,  a  detachment  from  Greene's  brig- 
ade surrounded  the  house  of  the  mayor,  and  secured  his  person ; 
but  no  papers  were  found,  though  diligent  search  was  made. 


230  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  1^770. 

Numerous  other  arrests  took  place,  and  ainon<^  the  number, 
Bome  of  Washington's  body-guard.  A  great  dismay  fell  upon 
tlic  torics.  Some  of  those  on  Long  Island  who  had  proceeded  to 
arm  themselves,  finding  the  plot  discovered,  sought  refuge  in 
woods  and  morasses.  Washington  directed  that  those  arrested, 
who  belonged  to  the  army,  should  be  tried  by  a  court-martial,  and 
the  rest  handed  over  to  the  secular  power. 

According  to  statements  made  before  the  committee,  five 
guineas  bounty  was  ofiered  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  to  act  on  shore,  in  co- 
operation with  the  king's  troops  when  they  came. 

Corbie's  tavern,  near  Washington's  quarters,  was  a  kind  of 
rendezvous  of  the  conspirators.  There  one  Gilbert  Forbes,  a 
gunsmith,  "  a  short,  thick  man,  with  a  white  coat,"  enlisted  men, 
gave  them  money,  and  "swore  them  on  the  book  to  secrecy." 
From  this  house  a  correspondence  was  kept  up  with  Governor 
Tryon  on  shipboard,  through  a  "  mulatto-colored  negro,  dressed 
in  blue  clothes."  At  this  tavern  it  was  supposed  Washington'i 
body-guards  were  tampered  with.  Thomas  Hickey,  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,  Greene  the  drummer,  and 
Johnson  the  fifer. 

It  was  further  testified  before  the  committee,  that  one  Ser- 
geant Graham,  an  old  soldier,  formerly  of  the  royal  artillery,  had 
been  employed  by  Governor  Tryon  to  prowl  round  and  survey 
the  grounds  and  works  about  the  city,  and  on  Long  Island,  and 
that,  on  information  thus  procured,  a  plan  of  operations  had  been 


1776.]    .  T2JJ   CONSPIRACY.  231 

concerted.  On  the  arrival  of  the  fleet,  a  man-of-war  should  can- 
nonade the  battery  at  Red  Hook;  while  that  was  doing,  a  detach- 
ment of  the  army  should  land  below  with  cannon,  and  by  a  cir- 
cuitous 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  sworn  to 
hostile  operations,  but  Washington  did  not  think  that  any  regulav 
plan  had  been  digested  by  the  conspirators.  "  The  matter," 
writes  he,  "I  am  in  hopes,  by  a  timely  discovery,  will  be  sup- 
pressed." t 

According  to  the  mayor's  own  admission  before  the  commit- 
tee, he  had  been  cognizant  of  attempts  to  enlist  tories  and  corrupt 
Washington's  guards,  though  he  declared  that  he  had  discounte- 
nanced them.  He  had  on  one  occasion,  also,  at  the  request  of 
Governor  Tryon,  paid  money  for  him  to  Gilbert  Forbes,  the  gun- 
smith, for  rifles  and  round -bored  guns  which  he  had  already  fur- 
nished, and  for  others  which  he  was  to  make.  He  had  done  so, 
however  (according  to  his  account),  with  great  reluctance,  and 
after  much  hesitation  and  delay,  warning  the  gunsmith  that  he 
would  be  hanged  if  found  out.  The  mayor,  with  a  number  of 
others,  were  detained  in  prison  to  await  a  trial. 

Thomas  Hickey,  the  individual  of  Washington's  guard,  was 
tried  before  a  court-martial.     He  was  an  Irishman,  and  had  been 

*  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  vi.  1177. 

t  Washington  \o  the  President  of  Congress,  June  28. 


232  L1FI-:    OF    WASHINGTON.  M^^^- 

a  deserter  from  the  Britiwh  army.  The  court-iuartial  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  carried 
promptly  into  effect,  in  the  most  solemn  and  impressive  manner, 
to  serve  as  a  warning  and  example  in  this  time  of  treachery  and 
danger.  On  the  morning  of  the  28th,  all  the  officers  and  men 
off  duty,  belonging  to  the  brigades  of  Heath,  Spencer,  Stirling 
and  Scott,  assembled  under  arms  at  their  respective  parades  at 
10  o'clock,  and  marched  thence  to  the  ground.  Twenty  men 
from  each  brigade,  with  bayonets  fixed,  guarded  the  prisoner  to 
the  place  of  execution,  which  was  a  field  near  the  Bowery  Lane. 
There  he  was  hanged  in  the  presence,  we  are  told,  of  near  twenty 
thousand  persons. 

While  the  city  was  still  brooding  over  this  doleful  spectacle, 
four  ships-of-war,  portentous  visitants,  appeared  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  tbe  reports  which  circulated  throughout  the  country, 
concerning  this  conspiracy,  we  give  an  extract  from  a  letter,  written  from 
Wethersfield,  in  Connecticut,  9th  of  July,  1776,  by  the  Reverend  John 
Marsh. 

"  You  have  heard  of  the  infernal  plot  that  has  been  discovered.  About 
ten  days  before  any  of  the  conspirators  were  taken  up,  a  woman  went  to  the 
general  and  desired  a  private  audience.  He  granted  it  to  her,  and  she  let  him 
know  that  his  life  was  in  danger,  and  gave  him  such  an  account  of  the  con:-./- 
racy  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  fa- 
vorable opportunity  occurred  ;  when  the  general  ^ent  to  bed  as  usual,  arose 


177G.]  ^   FLEET    FROM    HALIFAX.  233 

On  the  29th  of  June,  an  express  from  the  look-out  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 ;  together  with  six 
transports  filled  with  Highland  troops,  which  had  joined  the  fleet 
at  sea.  At  sight  of  this  formidable  armament  standing  into  the 
harbor,  Washington  instantly  sent  notice  of  its  arrival  to  Colonel 
James  Clinton,  who  had  command  of  the  posts  in 'the  Highlands, 
and  urged  all  possible  preparations  to  give  the  enemy  a  warm 
reception  should  they  push  their  frigates  up  the  river. 

According  to  general  orders  issued  from  head-quarters  on  the 
following  day  (June  30),  the  officers  and  men,  not  on  duty,  were 
to  march  from  their  respective  regimental  parades  to  their  alarm 
posts,  at  least  once  every  day,  that  they  might  become  well 
acquainted  with  them.  They  were  to  go  by  routes  least  exposed 
to  a  fire  from  the  shipping,  and  all  the  officers,  from  the  highest 
to  the  lowest,  were  to  make  themselves  well  acquainted  with  the 
grounds.     Upon  a  signal  of  the  enemy's  approach,  or  upon  any 


about  two  o'clock,  told  his  lady  he  was  a  going,  with  some  of  .the  Provincial 
Congress,  to  order  some  tories  seized — desired  she  would  make  herself  easy, 
and  go  to  sleep.  He  went  off  without  any  of  his  aides-de-camp,  except  the 
captain  of  his  life-guard,  was  joined  by  a  number  of  chosen  men,  with  lan- 
terns, and  proper  instruments  to  break  open  houses,  and  before  six  o'clock 
next  morning,  had  forty  men  under  guard  at  the  City  Hall,  among  whom  was 
the  mayor  of  the  city,  several  merchants,  and  five  or  six  of  his  own  life- 
guard. Upon  examination,  one  Forbes  confessed  that  the  plan  was  to  assassi- 
nate the  general,  and  as  many  of  the  superior  officers  as  they  could,  and  to 
blow  up  the  magazine  upon  the  appearance  of  the  enemy's  fleet,  and  to  go  off 
in  boats  prepared  for  that  purpose  to  join  the  enemy.  Thos.  Hickey,  who 
has  been  executed,  went  from  this  place.  He  came  from  Ireland  a  few  years 
ago.  What  will  be  done  with  the  mayor  is  uncertain.  He  can't  be  tried  by 
court-martial,  and,  it  is  said,  there  is  no  law  of  that  colony  by  which  he  can 
be  condemned.     May  he  have  his  deserts." 


234  IJI'K    OF    WASniNUTON.  IMICk 

alani),  all  fatigue  parties  were  immediately  to  repair  to  their 
respective  corps  with  their  arms,  ammuuitiou  and  accoutrements, 
ready  for  instant  action. 

It  was  ascertained  that  the  ramifications  of  the  conspiracy 
lately  detected,  extended  up  the  Hudson.  Many  of  the  dis- 
affected in  the  upper  counties  were  enlisted  in  it.  The  commit- 
tee of  safety  at  Cornwall,  in  Orange  County,  sent  word  to 
Colonel  James  Clinton,  Fort  Constitution,  of  the  mischief  that 
was  brewing.  James  Haff,  a  tory,  had  confessed  before  them, 
that  he  was  one  of  a  number  who  were  to  join  the  British  troops 
as  soon  as  they  should  arrive.  It  was  expected  the  latter  would 
push  up  the  river  and  land  at  Vcrplanck's  Point ;  whereupon  the 
guns  at  the  forts  in  the  Highlands  were  to  be  spiked  by  soldiers 
of  their  own  garrisons ;  and  the  tories  throughout  the  country 
were  to  be  up  in  arms.* 

Clinton  received  letters,  also,  from  a  meeting  of  committees 
in  the  precincts  of  Newburgh,  apprising  him  that  persons  danger- 
ous to  the  cause  were  lurking  in  that  neighborhood,  and  request- 
ing him  to  detach  twenty-five  men  under  a  certain  lieutenant  ac- 
quainted with  the  woods,  "  to  aid  in  getting  some  of  these  rascals 
apprehended  and  secured." 

MTiile  city  and  country  were  thus  agitated  by  apprehensions 
of  danger,  internal  and  external,  other  arrivals  swelled  the  num- 
ber of  ships  in  the  bay  of  New  York  to  one  hundred  and  thirty, 
men-of-war  and  transports.  They  made  no  movement  to  ascend 
the  Hudson,  but  anchored  off  Staten  Island,  where  they  landed 
their  troops,  and  the  hill  sides  were  soon  whitened  with  their 
tents. 

*  Extracts  from  minutes  of  the  committee.  Am.  Archives,  4  th  S.  vi.  1112. 


^^^^•J  ARRIVAL    OF    GENERAL    HOWE.  235 

In  the  frigate  Greyhound,  one  of  the  four  ships  which  first 
arrived,  came  General  Howe.  He  had  preceded  the  fleet,  in 
order  to  confer  with  Governor  Tryon,  and  inform  himself  of  the 
state  of  affairs.  In  a  letter  to  his  government  he  writes  :  "  I  met 
with  Governor  Tryon  on  board  of  a  ship  at  the  Hook,  and 
many  gentlemen,  fast  friends  of  government,  attending  him, 
from  whom  I  have  the  fullest  information  of  the  state  of  the 
rebels.  *****  ^e  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  account  under  the  oppression  of  the  rebels  stationed  among 
them ;  who  precipitately  fled  on  the  approach  of  the  shipping. 
#  #  #  #  *  There  is  great  reason  to  expect  a  numerous 
body  of  the  inhabitants  to  join  the  army  from  the  province  of 
York,  the  Jerseys  and  Connecticut,  who,  in  this  time  of  universal 
oppression,  only  wait  for  opportunities  to  give  proofs  of  their 
loyalty  and  zeal."  * 

Washington  beheld  the  gathering  storm  with  an  anxious  eye, 
aware  that  General  Howe  only  awaited  the  arrival  of  his  brother, 
the  admiral,  to  commence  hostile  operations.  He  wrote  to  the 
President  of  Congress,  urging  a  call  on  the  Massachusetts  govern- 


*  Governor  Tryon,  in  a  letter  dated  about  this  time  from  on  board  of 
the  Duchess  of  Gordon,  off  Staten  Island,  writes :  "  The  testimony  given 
by  the  inhabitants  of  the  island,  of  loyalty  to  his  majesty,  and  attachment  to 
his  government,  I  flatter  myself  will  be  general  throughout  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  provisions  for  the  army,  and  place 
them  in  a  better  situation  to  cut  off  the  rebels'  retreat  when  forced  from  their 
strong  hold:*-~Am.  Arch.  5ih  S.  i.  122. 


236  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [1770. 

iiiont  for  its  quota  of  continental  troops;  anil  the  formation  of  a 
lining  camp  of  ten  thousand  men,  to  be  stationed  in  the  Jerseys 
as  a  central  force,  ready  to  act  in  any  direction  a&  circumstances 
might  re(|uire. 

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  craven  would  be  exposed  and  punished.  No 
favor  would  be  shown  to  such  as  refused  or  neglected  to  do  their 
duty  at  so  important  a  crisis. 


ALEXANDER   HAMILTON. 


^C6£ibyH!''*y».»<'ft>rt/ 


CHAPTER    XXV. 


FIRST  APPEARANCE  OF  ALEXANDER  HAMILTON — HIS  EARLY  DATS — GENERAL 
HUGH  MERCER  IN  COMMAND  OF  THE  FLYING  CAMP DECLARATION  OF  INDE- 
PENDENCE  ANNOUNCED  TO  THE  ARMY DOWNFALL  OF  THE  KINO's  STATUE. 


About  this  time,  we  have  the  first  appearance  in  the  military 
ranks  of  the  Revolution,  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  Washington's 
head-quarters,  was  passing  through  a  field, — then  on  the  outskirts 
of  the  city,  now  in  the  heart  of  its  busiest  quarter,  and  known  as 
"  the  Park," — he  paused  to  notice  a  provincial  company  of  artil- 
lery, and  was  struck  with  its  able  performances,  and  with  the  tact 
and  talent  of  its  commander.  He  was  a  mere  youth,  apparently 
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  dis- 
play of  military  science  ;  a  little  conversation  sufficed  to  convince 
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. 


238  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [^776. 

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-houno 
at  Santa  Cruz.  Ilis  nature,  however,  was  aspiring.  "  I  contemn 
the  grovelling  condition  of  a  clerk  to  which  my  fortune  condemns 
nie,"  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  philosopher, 
and  may  be  justly  said  to  build  castles  in  the  air ;  yet  we  have 
seen  such  schemes  succeed,  when  the  projector  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  establishment.  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 
indulged  a  strong  propensity  to  literature.  Some  early  achieve- 
ments of  his  pen  attracted  attention,  and  showed  such  proof  of 
talent,  that  it  was  determined  to  give  him  the  advantage  of  a 
regular  education.  He  was  accordingly  sent  to  Elizabethtown,  in 
the  Jerseys,  in  the  autumn  of  1772,  to  prepare,  by  a  course  of 
studies,  for  admission  into  King's  (now  Columbia)  College,  at 
New  York.  He  entered  the  college  as  a  private  student,  in  the 
latter  part  of  1773,  and  endeavored,  by  diligent  application,  to  fit 
himself  for  the  medical  profession. 

The  contentions  of  the  colonies  with  the  mother  country  gave 
a  difi"erent  direction  and  impulse  to  his  ardent  and  aspiring  mind. 
He  soon  signalized  himself  by  the  exercise  of  his  pen,  sometimes 


1776.]  ALEXANDER    HAMILTON.  239 

in  a  grave,  sometimes  in  a  satirical  manner.  On  the  6th  of 
July,  1774,  there  was  a  general  meeting  of  the  citizens  in  the 
"  Fields,"  to  express  their  abhorrence  of  the  Boston  Port  Bill. 
Hamilton  was  present,  and,  prompted  by  his  excited  feelings  and 
the  instigation  of  youthful  companions,  ventured  to  address  the 
multitude.  The  vigor  and  maturity  of  his  intellect,  contrasted 
with  his  youthful  appearance,  won  the  admiration  of  his  auditors ; 
even  his  diminutive  size  gave  additional  effect  to  his  eloquence. 

The  war,  for  which  in  his  boyish  days  he  had  sighed,  was 
approaching.  He  now  devoted  himself  to  military  studies,  espe- 
cially pyrotechnics  and  gunnery,  and  formed  an  amateur  corps 
out  of  a  number  of  his  fellow  students,  and  the  young  gentlemen 
of  the  city.  In  the  month  of  March,  1776,  he  became  captain 
of  artillery,  in  a  provincial  corps,  newly  raised,  and  soon,  by  able 
drilling,  rendered  it  conspicuous  for  discipline. 

It  was  while  exercising  his  artillery  company  that  he  attracted, 
as  we  have  mentioned,  the  attention  of  General  Greene.  Further 
acquaintance  heightened  the  general's  opinion  of  his  extraordi- 
nary merits,  and  he  took  an  early  occasion  to  introduce  him  to 
the  commander-in-chief,  by  whom  we  shall  soon  find  him  properly 
appreciated. 

A  valuable  accession  to  the  army,  at  this  anxious  time,  was 
Washington's  neighbor,  and  former  companion  in  arms,  Hugh 
Mercer,  the  veteran  of  Culloden  and  Fort  Duquesne.  His  mili- 
tary spirit  was  alert  as  ever ;  the  talent  he  had  shown  in  organ- 
izing the  Virginia  militia,  and  his  zeal  and  efficiency  as  a  member 
of  the  committee  of  safety,  had  been  properly  appreciated  by 
Congress,  and  on  the  5th  of  June  he  had  received  the  commis- 
sion of  brigadier-general.  He  was  greeted  by  "Washington  with 
the  right  hand  of  fellowship.     The  flying  camp  was  about  form- 


240  LIFE    OF    WASIIlNCiTON.  [177G. 

ing.  The  committco  of  wafcty  of  Pennsylvania  were  forward- 
ing some  of  the  militia  of  that  province  to  the  Jerseys,  to  perform 
the  service  of  the  camp  until  the  militia  levies,  specified  by  Con- 
gress, should  arrive.  Washington  liad  the  nomination  of  pome 
continental  officer  to  the  command.  lie  gave  it  to  Mercer,  of 
whose  merits  lie  felt  sure,  and  sent  him  over  to  Paulus  Hook,  in 
the  Jerseys,  to  make  arrangements  for  the  Pennsylvania  militia 
as  they  should  come  in  ;  recommending  him  to  Brigadier-general 
William  Livingston,  as  an  officer  on  whose  experience  and  judg- 
ment great  confidence  miglit  be  reposed. 

Livingston  was  a  man  inexperienced  in  arms,  but  of  educa- 
tion, talent,  sagacity  and  ready  wit.  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  Liberty  Hall.  Mercer  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  for  local  defence.  New  Jersey's  greatest  danger  of 
invasion  was  from  Staten  Island,  where  the  British  were  throw- 
ing 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  in- 
veterate enemies,  have  induced  me  to  give  directions  that  all  per- 
sons 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  peo- 


1776.]  TJJJ2    QUESTION    OF    INDEPENDENCE.  241 

pled  in   those    agitated    times   by   *'  unknown,   unrecommended 
strangers,  guilty-looking  tories,  and  very  knavish  whigs." 

While  danger  was  gathering  round  New  York,  and  its  inhab- 
itants were  in  mute  suspense  and  fearful  anticipations,  the  Gen- 
eral Congress  at  Philadelphia  was  discussing,  with  closed  doors, 
what  John  Adams  pronounced — "  The  greatest  question  ever 
debated  in  America,  an,d  as  great  as  ever  was  or  will  be  de- 
bated among  men."  The  result  was,  a  resolution  passed  unani- 
mously, 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  patriotic  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  festival.  It  ought  to  be  commemo- 
rated as  the  day  of  deliverance,  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  that  day,  the  "  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,"  that  solemn  and  sublime  document,  was 
adopted.  Tradition  gives  a  dramatic  effect  to  its  announcement. 
It  was  known  to  be  under  discussion,  but  the  closed  doors  of 
Congress  excluded  the  populace.  They  await.ed,  in  throngs,  an 
appointed  signal.  In  the  steeple  of  the  state-house  was  a  bell, 
imported  twenty-three  years  previously  from  London  by  the  Pro- 
vincial Assembly  of  Pennsylvania.  It  bore  the  portentous  text 
from  scripture  :    "  Proclaim  liberty  throughout  all  the  land,  unto 

VOL.  II. — 11 


242  LIFE    or    WAHHINGTON.  ['^"C 

all  tbo  inhabitants  tliorcof."  A  joyous  peal  from  that  boll  gave 
notice  that  the  bill  had  been  paHsed.  It  was  the  knell  of  British 
domination. 

No  one  felt  the  importance  of  the  event  more  deeply  than 
John  Adams,  for  no  one  had  been  more  active  in  producing  it. 
We  quote  his  words  written  at  the  moment.  "  When  I  look  back 
to  the  year  1761,  and  recollect  the  argument  concerning  writs  of 
assistance  in  the  superior  court,  which  I  have  hitherto  considered 
as  the  commencement  of  the  controversy  between  Oreat^  Britain 
and  America,  and  run  through  the  whole  period  from  that  time 
to  this,  and  recollect  the  series  of  political  events,  the  chain  of 
causes  and  effects ;  I  am  surprised  at  the  suddenness,  as  well  as 
the  greatness  of  this  Revolution ;  Great  Britain  has  been  filled 
with  folly,  America  with  wisdom." 

His  only  regret  was,  that  the  declaration  of  independence  had 
not  been  made  sooner.  "  Had  it  been  made  seven  months  ago," 
said  he,  "  we  should  have  mastered  Quebec,  and  been  in  posses- 
sion of  Canada,  and  might  before  this  hour  have  formed  alliances 
with  foreign  states.  Many  gentlemen  in  high  stations,  and  of 
great  influence,  have  been  duped  by  the  ministerial  bubble  of 
commissioners  to  treat,  and  have  been  slow  and  languid  in  pro- 
moting measures  for  the  reduction  of  that  province." 

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  put  an  end  to  all  those  temporizing  hopes  of  recon- 
ciliation which  had  clogged  the  military  action  of  the  coimtry. 

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  oflacer  and  soldier,  to  act 


1776.]  DECLARATION    OF    INDEPENDENCE.  243 

with  fidelity  and  courage,  as  knowing  that  now  the  peace  and 
safety  of  his  country  depend,  under  God,  solely  on  the  success  of 
our  arms ;  and  that  he  is  now  in  the  service  of  a  state,  possessed 
of  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  content  with  the 
ringing  of  bells  to  proclaim  their  joy.  There  was  a  leaden  statue 
of  George  III.  in  the  Bowling  Green,  in  front  of  the  fort. 
Since  kingly  rule  is  at  an  end,  why  retain  its  effigy  ?  On  the 
same  evening,  therefore,  the  statue  was  pulled  down  amid  the 
shouts  of  the  multitude,  and  broken  up  to  be  run  into  bullets 
"  to  be  used  in  the  cause  of  independence." 

Some  of  ilie  soldiery  having  been  implicated  in  this  popular 
effervescence,  Washington  censured  it  in  general  orders,  as  having 
much  the  appearance  of  a  riot  knd  a  want  of  discipline,  and  the 
army  was  forbidden  to  indulge  in  any  irregularities  of  the  kind. 
It  was  his  constant  effort  to  inspire  his  countrymen  in  arms  with 
his  own  elevated  idea  of  the  cause  in  which  they  were  engaged, 
and  to  make  them  feel  that  it  was  no  ordinary  warfare,  admitting 
of  vulgar  passions  and  perturbations.  "  The  general  hopes  and 
trusts,"  said  he,  "  that  every  officer  and  man  will  endeavor  so  to 
live  and  act  as  becomes  a  Christian  soldier,  defending  the  dearest 
rights  and  liberties  of  his  country."  * 

*  Orderly  book,  July  9,  Sparks,  iii  456. 


CHAPTER    XXVI 


ARRIVAL  OF  MORE  STHPS — MOVEMENTS  OF  THE  PHCENIX    AND  TITE   ROSE — PANIC 

IN  THE    CITY HOSTILE     SHIPS     UP    THE     HUDSON STIU  OF  WAR    ALONG    THE 

RIVER — GENERAL  GEORGE  CLINTON,  AND  THE  MILITIA    OF    ULSTER  COUNTY 

FRESH  AGITATION  OF  NEW  YORK ARRIVAL  OF  LORD  HOWE. 


The  exultation  of  the  patriots  of  New  York,  caused  by  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  was  soon  overclouded.  On  the 
12th  of  July,  several  ships  stood  in  from  sea,  and  joined  the 
naval  force  below.  Every  nautical  movement  was  now  a  matter 
of  speculation  and  alarm,  and  all  the  spy-glasses  in  the  city  were 
incessantly  reconnoitring  the  bay. 

"  The  enemy  are  now  in  the  harbor,"  writes  an  American 
officer,  "  although  they  have  not  yet  ventured  themselves  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  certain  that  it  will  not  be  long  before  we 
have  an  engagement." 

Scarce  had  this  letter  been  penned,  when  two  ships-of-war 
were  observed  getting  under  way,  and  standing  toward  the  city. 
One  was  the  Phoenix,  of  forty  guns ;  the  other  the  Rose,  of 
twenty   guns,    commanded   by  Captain  Wallace,   of  unenviable 


^^^^^^t^^sl. 


</7<i?^ 


"■■'•.Vi..     ^...'.xry     ./</»/.W.. 


1776.]  THE   PHCENIX    AND   ROSE.  245 

renown,  who  had  marauded  the  New  England  coast,  and  domi- 
neered over  Rhode  Island.  The  troops  were  immediately  at  their 
alarm  posts.  It  was  about  half-past  three  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon, as  the  ships  and  three  tenders  came  sweeping  up  the  bay 
with  the  advantage  of  wind  and  tide,  and  shaped  their  course  up  the 
Hudson.  The  batteries  of  the  city  and  of  Paulus  Hook  on  the 
opposite  Jersey  shore,  opened  a  fire  upon  them.  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! 
What  will  become  of  us  ?  " 

The  Phoenix  and  the  Hose  continued  their  course  up  the 
Hudson.  They  had  merely  fired  upon  the  batteries  as  they 
passed ;  and  on  their  own  part  had  sustained  but  little  damage, 
their  decks  having  ramparts  of  sand-bags.  The  ships  below 
remained  in  sullen  quiet  at  their  anchors,  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  the  ships 
might  be  with  a  difi'erent  object.  They  might  be  sent  to  land 
troops  and  seize  upon  the  passes  of  the  Highlands.  Forts  Mont- 
gomery and  Constitution  were  far  from  complete,  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  co-operate  in  the 
apprehended  attack  upon  New  York. 

Thus  thinking,  the  moment  Washington  saw  these  ships 
standing  up  the  river,  he  sent  off  an  express  to  put  General 


246  LIFE    OF    WASIIIN(;T()N.  [J776. 

Miniiii  on  the  alert,  wlio  was  stationed  willi  liis  Plnladel])liia 
trooj).s  at  Fort  Washington  and  King's  JJridge.  The  same 
express  carried  a  letter  from  him  to  the  New  York  Convention, 
at  that  time  holding  its  sessions  at  White  Plains  in  Wcstehester 
County,  apprising  it  of  the  impending  danger.  II is  immediate 
solicitude  was  for  the  safety  of  Forts  Constitution  and  Mont- 
gomery. 

Fortunately  George  Clinton,  the  patriotic  legislator,  had  re- 
cently been  appointed  brigadier-general  of  the  militia  of  Ulster 
and  Orange  counties.  Called  to  his  native  State  by  his  mili- 
tary duties  in  this  time  of  danger,  he  had  only  remained  in 
Congress  to  vote  for  the  declaration  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 
possible  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  will  be  absolutely 
necessary,  if  it  were  only  to  prevent  an  insurrection  of  your  own 
tories." 

Long  before  the  receipt  of  Washington's  letter,  Clinton  had 
been  put  on  the  alert.  About  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the 
13th,  an  alarm  gun  from  his  brother  at  Fort  Constitution, 
thundered  through  the  echoing  defiles  of  the  mountains.  Shortly 
afterw^ards,  two  river  sloops  came  to  anchor  above  the  Highlands 
before  the  general's  residence.  Their  captains  informed  him  that 
New  York  had  been  attacked  on  the  preceding  afternoon.  They 
had  seen  the  cannonade  from  a  distance,  and  judged  from  the 


1776.]  GATHERING    IN    THE    HIGHLANDS.  247 

subsequent  firing,  that  the  enemy's  ships  were  up  the  river  as  far 
as  King's  Bridge. 

Clinton  was  as  prompt  a  soldier  as  he  had  been  an  in- 
trepid legislator.  The  neighboring  militia  were  forthwith  put 
in  motion.  Three  regiments  were  ordered  out ;  one  was  to 
repair  to  Fort  Montgomery ;  another  to  Fort  Constitution ;  the 
third  to  rendezvous  at  Newburgh,  just  above  the  Highlands, 
ready  to  hasten  to  the  assistance  of  Fort  Constitution,  should 
another  signal  be  given.  All  the  other  regiments  under  his  com- 
mand were  to  be  prepared  for  service  at  a  moment's  notice.  In 
ordering  these  hasty  levies,  however,  he  was  as  considerate  as  he 
was  energetic.  The  colonels  were  directed  to  leave  the  frontier 
companies  at  home,  to  protect  the  country  against  the  Indians, 
and  some  men  out  of  each  company  to  guard  against  internal 
enemies. 

Another  of  his  sagacious  measures  was  to  send  expresses  to 
all  the  owners  of  sloops  and  boats  twenty  miles  up  the  west  side 
of  the  river,  to  haul  them  off  so  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  Constitution,  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  about  forty  of  his 
neighbors,  to  Fort  Constitution ;  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  Wash- 
ington's letter,  written  two  days  previously ;  but  by  this  time  he 


248  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

liad  anticipated  its  orderw,  aud  stirred  up  tlio  whole  country. 
On  that  nanie  evening,  two  or  three  hundred  of  the  hardy  Ulster 
yeomanry,  roughly  ecj^uipped,  part  of  one  of  the  regiments  he  had 
ordered  out,  marched  into  Fort  Montgomery,  headed  by  their 
colonel  (Woodhull).  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  be  to  Washington,  "  turn  out  of  their 
barvest  fields  to  defend  their  country  with  surprising  alacrity. 
The  absence  of  so  many  of  them,  however,  at  this  time,  when 
their  harvests  are  perishing  for  want  of  the  sickle,  will  greatly 
distress  the  country.  I  could  wish,  therefore,  that  a  less  number 
might  answer  the  purpose." 

On  no  one  could  this  prompt  and  brave  gathering  of  ibe 
yeomanry  produce  a  more  gratifying  effect,  than  upon  the  com- 
mander-in-chief; and  no  one  could  be  more  feelingly  aliv^  in 
the  midst  of  stern  military  duties,  to  the  appeal  in  behalf  of  the 
peaceful  interests  of  the  husbandman. 

Wbile  the  vigilant  Clinton  was  preparing  to  defend  the  passes 
of  the  Highlands,  danger  was  growing  more  imminent  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Hudson. 

New  York  has  always  been  a  city  prone  to  agitations.  That 
into  which  it  was  thrown  on  the  afternoon  of  the  12th  of  July, 
by  the  broadsides  of  the  Phoenix  and  the  Rose,  was  almost 
immediately  followed  by  another.  On  the  same  evening  there 
was  a  great  booming  of  cannon,  with  clouds  of  smoke,  from  the 
shipping  at  anchor  at  Staten  Island.  Every  spy-glass  was  again 
in  requisition.  The  British  fleet  were  saluting  a  ship  of  the 
line,  just  arrived  fi-om  sea.     She  advanced  grandly,  every  man- 


1^^^]  ARRIVAL   OF   LORD    HOWE.  249 

of-war  thundering  a  salute  as  she  passed.  At  her  foretop  mast- 
head she  bore  St.  George's  flag.  "  It  is  the  admiral's  ship  !  '^ 
cried  the  nautical  men  on  the  look-out  at  the  Battery.  "  It  is 
the  admiral's  ship  !  "  was  echoed  from  mouth  to  mouth,  and  the 
word  soon  flew  throughout  the  city,  "  Lord  Howe  is  come ! " 
VOL.  II. — 11* 


CHAPTER    XXVIT. 

PRECAUTIONS    AGAINST    TORIES SECRKT    COMMITTEES — DECLARATION    OF    LORD 

HOWE HIS    LETTER  TO  THE  COLONIAL    GOVERNORS HIS    LETTER  TO  WASH- 
INGTON REJECTED INTERVIEW  BETWEEN  THE  BRITISH  ADJUTANT-GENERAL 

AND    COLONEL     REED RECEPTION    OF    THE    ADJUTANT-GENERAL     BY    WASH- 
INGTON  THE   PHOENIX    AND   ROSE     IN   THE   TAPPAN   SEA     AND    HAVERSTRAW 

BAY — ARMING    OF   THE    RIVER   YEOMiVNRY GEORGE  CLINTON  AT  THE  GATES 

OF   THE    HIGHLANDS. 

Lord  Howe  was  indeed  come,  and  affairs  now  appeared  to  be 
approaching  a  crisis.  In  consequence  of  the  recent  conspiracy, 
the  Convention  of  New  York,  seated  at  White  Plains  in  West- 
chester County,  had  a  secret  committee  stationed  in  New  York 
for  the  purpose  of  taking  cognizance  of  traitorous  machinations. 
To  this  committee  Washington  addressed  a  letter  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  treasonable  offences ;  who  might  become  extremely  dan- 
gerous 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  lurk- 
ing in  his  camp.  And  he  was  well  aware  that  the  city  and 
the   neighboring   country,  especially  Westchester    County,   and 


mCHAUl).   FillST    KARl.    HOWE 


1776.]  DECLARATION   OF   LORD   HOWE.  251 

Queens  and  Suffolk  counties  on  Long  Island,  abounded  with 
"  tories,"  ready  to  rally  under  the  royal  standard  whenever 
backed  by  a  commanding  force. 

In  consequence  of  his  suggestion,  thirteen  persons  in  confine- 
ment for  traitorous  offences,  were  removed  to  the  jail  of  Litch- 
field in  Connecticut.  Among  the  number  was  the  late  mayor ; 
but  as  his  offence  was  not  of  so  deep  a  dye  as  those  whereof  the 
rest  stood  charged,  it  was  recommended  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  declaration, 
addressed  to  the  people  at  large,  informing  them  of  the  powers 
vested  in  his  brother  and  himself  as  commissioners  for  restor- 
ing peace ;  and  inviting  communities  as  well  as  individuals, 
who,  in  the  tumult  and  disasters  of  the  times,  had  deviated 
from  their  allegiance  to  the  crown,  to  merit  and  receive  pardon 
by  a  prompt  return  to  their  duty.  It  was  added,  that  proper 
consideration  would  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  de- 
stroyer," *  and  had  founded  great  hopes  in  the  efl&cacy  of  this 
document  in  rallying  back  the  people  to  their  allegiance ;  it  was 
a  sore  matter  of  regret  to  him,  therefore,  to  find  that,  in  con- 
sequence of  his  tardy  arrival,  his  invitation  to  loyalty  had  been 
forestalled  by  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

Still  it  might  have  an  effect  in  bringing  adherents  to  tha 
royal  standard ;  he  sent  a  flag  on  shore,  therefore,  bearing  a  cir- 

*  Letter  of  Mr.  Dennis  de  Berdt,  to  Mr.  Joseph  Reed.  Am.  Archives,  5th 
Series,  i.  372. 


252  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  ['776. 

cular  letter,  written  in  his  civil  and  military  capacity,  to  the 
colonial  governor,  requesting  him  to  publish  his  address  to  the 
j)eople  as  widely  as  possible. 

We  have  heretofore  shown  the  tenacity  with  which  Wash- 
ington, in  his  correspondence  with  Generals  Gage  and  Howe, 
exacted  the  consideration  and  deference  due  to  him  as  com- 
mander-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  military  title.  Washington's  general  officers  had  urged 
Lim  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  of  this  mat- 
ter. Within  a  day  or  two  an  officer  of  the  British  navy.  Lieuten- 
ant Brown,  came  with  a  flag  from  Lord  Howe,  seeking  a  conference 
with  Washington.  Colonel  Reed,  the  adjutant-general,  embarked 
in  a  barge,  and  met  him  half  way  between  Governor's  and 
Staten  Islands.  The  lieutenant  informed  him  that  he  was  the 
bearer  of  a  letter  from  Lord  Howe  to  Mr.  Washington.  Col- 
onel Reed  replied,  that  he  knew  no  such  person  in  the  American 
army.  The  lieutenant  produced  and  offered  the  letter.  It  was 
addressed  to  George  Washington,  Esquire.  He  was  informed 
that  it  could  not  be  received  with  such  a  direction.  The  lieuten- 
ant 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,  Reed 


1776.]  LORD  Howe's  letter.  253 

maintained  his  coolness,  politely  declining  to  receive  the  letter, 
as  inconsistent  with  his  duty.  They  parted  ;  but  after  the  lieuten- 
ant had  been  rowed  some  little  distance,  his  barge  was  put  about, 
and  Reed  waited  to  hear  what  further  he  had  to  say.  It  was 
to  ask  by  what  title  General — but,  catching  himself,  Mr.  Wash- 
ington chose  to  be  addressed. 

Reed  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  dis- 
appointment and  regret,  and  their  interview  closed. 

On  the  19th,  an  aide-de-camp  of  General  Howe  came  with 
a  flag,  and  requested  to  know,  as  there  appeared  to  be  an  obsta- 
cle to  a  correspondence  between  the  two  generals,  whether 
Colonel  Patterson,  the  British  adjutant-general,  could  be  admit- 
ted to  an  interview  with  General  Washington.  Colonel  Reed, 
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.  Col.  Reed  and  Colonel  Webb,  one  of 
Washington's  aides,  met  the  flag  in  the  harbor,  took  Colonel  Pat- 
terson into  their  barge,  and  escorted  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  conver- 
sation the  whole  way.  Washington  received  the  adjutant-general 
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  your  excel- 
lency^ endeavored  to  explain  the  address  of  the  letter  as  consist- 


254  LIFE    OF    WASIIIKCITON.  [177G. 

cnt  with  propriety,  and  founded  on  a  similar  address  in  the  pre- 
vious summer,  to  General  Howe.  That  General  Howe  did  not 
mean  to  derogate  from  the  respect  or  rank  of  General  Washing- 
ton, but  conceived  such  an  address  consistent  with  what  had  been 
used  by  ambassadors  or  plenipotentiaries  where  difficulties  of 
rank  had  arisen.  He  then  produced,  but  did  not  offer,  a  letter 
addressed  to  George  Washington,  Esquire,  &c.  &c.,  hoping  that 
the  et  ceteras,  which  implied  every  thing,  would  remove  all 
impediments. 

Washington  replied,  that  it  was  true,  the  et  ceteras  implied 
every  thing,  but  they  also  implied  any  thing.  His  letter  alluded 
to,  of  the  previous  summer,  was  in  reply  to  one  addressed  in  like 
manner.  A  letter,  he  added,  addressed  to  a  person  acting  in  a 
public  character,  should  have  some  inscriptions  to  designate  it 
from  a  mere  private  letter ;  and  he  should  absolutely  decline  any 
letter  addressed  to  himself  as  a  private  person,  when  it  related  to 
his  public  station. 

Colonel  Patterson,  finding  the  letter  would  not  be  received, 
endeavored,  as  far  as  he  could  recollect,  to  communicate  the  scope 
of  it  in  the  course  of  a  somewhat  desultory  conversation.  What 
he  chiefly  dwelt  upon  was,  that  Lord  Howe  and  his  brother  had 
been  specially  nominated  commissioners  for  the  promotion  of 
peace,  which  was  esteemed  a  mark  of  favor  and  regard  to 
America;  that  they  had  great  powers,  and  would  derive  the 
highest  pleasure  from  effecting  an  accommodation;  and  he  con- 
cluded by  adding,  that  he  wished  his  visit  to  be  considered  as 
making  the  first  advance  toward  that  desirable  object. 

Washington  replied  that,  by  what  had  appeared  (alluding,  no 
doubt,  to  Lord  Howe's  circular),  their  powers,  it  would  seem, 
were  only  to  grant  pardons.     Now  those  who  had  committed  no 


■mssssmm- 


1776.]  HUDSON   RIVER    AND    HIGHLANDS.  255 

fault  needed  no  pardon ;  and  such  was  the  case  with  the  Ameri- 
cans, who  were  only  defending  what  they  considered  their  indis- 
putable rights. 

Colonel  Patterson  avoided  a  discussion  of  this  matter,  which, 
he  observed,  would  open  a  very  wide  field ;  so  here  the  confer- 
ence, which  had  been  conducted  on  both  sides  with  great  cour- 
tesy, terminated.  The  colonel  took  his  leave,  excusing  himself 
from  partaking  of  a  collation,  having  made  a  late  breakfast,  and 
was  again  conducted  to  his  boat.  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  Congress  and  of  the 
public  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,  thenceforward,  it  would  be  politic 
to  change  the  superscription  of  his  letters. 

In  the  mean  time  the  irruption  of  the  Phoenix  and  the  Rose 
into  the  waters  of  the  Hudson  had  roused  a  belligerent  spirit 
along  its  borders.  The  lower  part  of  that  noble  river  is  com- 
manded on  the  eastern  side  by  the  bold  woody  heights  of  Man- 
hattan Island  and  Westchester  County,  and  on  the  western  side 
by  the  rocky  cliff's  of  the  Palisades.  Beyond  those  clifis,  the 
river  expands  into  a  succession  of  what  may  almost  be  termed 
lakes ;  first  the  Tappan  Sea,  then  Haverstraw  Bay,  then  the  Bay 
of  Peekskill ;  separated  from  each  other  by  long  stretching 
points,  or  high  beetling  promontories,  but  affording  ample  sea 
room  and  safe  anchorao;e.  Then  come  the  redoubtable  Hio-h- 
lands,  that  strait,  fifteen  miles  in  length,  where  the  river  bends  its 
course,  narrow  and  deep,  between  rocky,  forest-clad  mountains. 


256  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [J77a 

"  lie  who  has  command  of  that  grand  defile,"  said  an  old  navi- 
gator, "  may  at  any  time  throttle  the  Hudson." 

The  New  York  Convention,  aware  of  the  impending  danger, 
despatched  military  envoys  to  stir  up  the  yeomanry  along  the 
river,  and  order  out  militia.  Powder  and  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  County  and  Cortlandt's  Manor  were  hastening,  rudely 
armed,  to  protect  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  Colonel 
Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  of  an  old  colonial  family,  which  held  its 
manorial  residence  at  the  mouth,  of  the  Croton.  With  his  regi- 
ment he  kept  a  dragon  watch  along  the  eastern  shore  of  the 
Tappan  Sea  and  Haverstraw  Bay ;  while  equal  vigilance  was 
maintained  night  and  day  along  the  western  shore,  from  Nyack 
quite  up  to  the  Donderberg,  by  Colonel  Hay  and  his  regiment 
of  Haverstraw.  Sheep  and  cattle  were  driven  inland,  out  of 
the  reach  of  maraud.  Sentinels  were  posted  to  keep  a  look-out 
from  heights  and  headlands  and  give  the  alarm  should  any  boats 
approach  the  shore,  and  rustic  marksmen  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  Tappan  Sea  and 
Haverstraw  Bay ;  shifting  their  ground  occasionally,  and  keep- 
ing out  of  musket  shot  of  the  shore,  apparently  sleeping  in  the 
summer  sunshine,  with  awnings  stretched  above  their  decks; 
while  their  boats  were  out  taking  soundings  quite  up  to  the 
Highlands,  evidently  preparing  for  further  operations.     At  night, 


1776.]  CLINTON   ON    THE    ALEET.  257 

too,  their  barges  were  heard  rowing  up  and  down  the  ri^^er  on 
mysterious  errands  ;  perriaugers,  also,  paid  them  furtive  visits 
occasionally ;  it  was  surmised,  with  communications  and  supplies 
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  George  Clinton  was 
ensconced  with  six  hundred  of  the  militia  of  Orange  and  Ulster 
counties.  As  the  tender  approached,  a  thirty- two  pounder  was 
brought  to  range  upon  her.  The  ball  passed  through  her  quar- 
ter ;  whereupon  she  put  about,  and  ran  round  the  point  of  the 
Donderberg,  where  the  boat  landed,  plundered  a  solitary  house  at 
the  foot  of  the  mountain,  and  left  it  in  flames.  The  marauders, 
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  within 
six  miles  of  Fort  Montgomery.  General  Clinton  apprehended 
they  might  mean  to  take  advantage  of  a  dark  night,  and  slip  by 
him  in  the  deep  shadows  of  the  mountains.  The  shores  were 
high  and  bold,  the  river  was  deep,  the  navigation  of  course  safe 
and  easy.  Once  above  the  Highlands,  they  might  ravage  tlie 
country  beyond,  and  destroy  certain  vessels  of  war  which  were 
being  constructed  at  Poughkeepsie. 

To  prevent  this,  he  stationed  a  guard  at  night  on  the  furthest 
point  in  view,  about  two  miles  and  a  half  below  the  fort,  prepared 
to  kindle  a  blazing  fire  should  the  ships  appear  in  sight.  Large 
piles  of  dry  brushwood  mixed  with  combustibles,  were  prepared 
at  various  places  up  and  down  the  shore  opposite  to  the  fort,  and 
men  stationed  to  set  fire  to  them  as  soon  as  a  signal  should  be 
given  from  the  lower  point.     The  fort,  therefore,  while  it  re- 


25S  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [177(;. 

maiucJ  in  darkness,  would  liavo  a  fair  chance  with  its  batteries  as 
the  ships  passed  between  it  and  these  conflagrations. 

A  private  committee  sent  up  by  the  New  York  Convention, 
had  a  conference  with  the  general,  to  devise  further  means  of  ob- 
structing the  passage  of  ships  up  the  river.  Fire  rafts  were  to 
be  brouglit  from  Poughkcepsie  and  kept  at  hand  ready  for  action. 
These  were  to  be  lashed  two  together,  with  chains,  between  old 
sloops  filled  with  combustibles,  and  sent  down  with  a  strong  wmd 
and  tide,  to  drive  upon  the  ships.  An  iron  chain,  also,  was  to  be 
stretched  obliquely  across  the  river  from  Fort  Montgomery  to  the 
foot  of  Anthony's  Nose,  thus,  as  it  were,  chaining  up  the  gate  of 
the  Highlands. 

For  a  protection  below  the  Highlands,  it  was  proposed  to 
station  whale-boats  about  the  coves  and  promontories  of  Tappan 
Sea  and  Haverstraw  Bay;  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy,  cruise 
about  at  night,  carry  intelligence  from  post  to  post,  seize  any 
river  craft  that  might  bring  the  ships  supplies,  and  cut  off  their 
boats  when  attempting  to  land.  Gralleys,  also,  were  prepared, 
with  nine-pounders  mounted  at  the  bows. 

Colonel  Hay  of  Haverstraw,  in  a  letter  to  Washington, 
rejoices  that  the  national  Congress  are  preparing  to  protect  this 
great  highway  of  the  country,  and  anticipates  that  the  banks  of 
the  Hudson  were  about  to  become  the  chief  theatre  of  the  war. 

NOTE. 

The  Van  Cortlaxdt  Family. — Two  members  of  this  old  and  honorable 
family  were  conspicuous  patriots  throughout  the  Revolution.  Pierre  Van 
Cortlandt,  the  father,  at  this  time  about  5G  years  of  age,  a  stanch  friend  and 
ally  of  George  Clinton,  was  member  of  the  first  Provincial  Congress,  and 
president  of  the  Committee  of  Public  Safety.  Governor  Tryon  had  visited 
him  in  his  old  manor  house  at  the  mouth  of  the  Croton,  in  1774,  and  made  him 


1776.]  Y^N    CORTLANDT    FAMILY.  259 

ofifcrs  of  royal  favors,  honors,  grants  of  land,  &c.,  if  he  would  abandon  the 
popular  cause.  His  offers  were  nobly  rejected.  The  Cortlandt  family  suf- 
fered in  consequence,  being  at  one  time  obliged  to  abandon  their  manorial 
residence  :  but  the  head  remained  true  to  the  cause,  and  subsequently  filled 
the  office  of  Lieutenant-governor  with  great  dignity. 

His  son  Pierre,  mentioned  in  the  above  chapter,  and  then  about  27  years 
of  age,  liad  likewise  resisted  the  overtures  of  Tryon,  destroying  a  major's  com- 
mission in  the  Cortlandt  militia,  which  he  sent  him.  Congress,  in  1775,  made 
him  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  Continental  service,  in  which  capacity  we  now 
find  him,  acquitting  himself  with  zeal  and  abiUty. 


CHAPTEK    XXYIII. 

QUESTION    OF    COMMAND    BKTWEKN   GATES   AND   SnitlYLEU — CONDITION    OF    THK 

AUMY    AT     CUOWN     POINT DISCONTICNT      AND     DEPAUTUKE     OF     SULLIVAN 

FORTIFICATIONS    AT   TICONDEROGA — THE   QUESTION   OF    COMMAND    ADJUSTED 

SECRET    DISCONTENTS — SECn"IONAL    JEALOUSIES    IN    THE    ARMY — SOUTHERN 

TROOPS SMALLWOOD's    BLVCARONI    BATTALION CONNECTICUT    LiailT-IIORSE. 

While  the  security  of  the  Hudson  from  invading  ships  was 
claiming  the  attention  of  Washington,  he  was  equally  anxious 
to  prevent  an  irruption  of  the  enemy  from  Canada.  He  was 
grieved,  therefore,  to  find  there  was  a  clashing  of  authorities 
between  the  generals  who  had  charge  of  the  Northern  frontier. 
Gates,  on  his  way  to  take  command  of  the  army  in  Canada,  had 
heard  with  surprise  in  Albany,  of  its  retreat  across  the  New 
York  frontier.  He  still  considered  it  under  his  orders,  and  was 
proceeding  to  act  accordingly ;  when  General  Schuyler  observed, 
that  the  resolution  of  Congress,  and  the  instructions  of  Washing- 
ton, applied  to  the  army  only  while  in  Canada ;  the  moment  it 
retreated  within  the  limits  of  New  York,  it  came  within  his 
(Schuyler's)  command.  A  letter  from  Schuyler  to  Washington, 
written  at  the  time,  says  :  "  If  Congress  intended  that  General 
Gates  should  command  the  Northern  army,  wherever  it  may  be, 
as  he  assures  me  they  did,  it  ought  to  have  been  signified  to  me, 


1776.]  THE   FORCES   AT    CROWN    POINT.  2G1 

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  Excellency  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  com- 
mand to  Congress,  and  in  the  mean  time  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  bad 
been  harassed  in  their  retreat  by  land ;  their  transportation  on 
the  lake  had  been  in  leaky  boats,  without  awnings,  where  the 
sick,  suffering  from  smallpox,  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  under 
sheds,  and  others  in  huts  hastily  formed  of  bushes ;  scarce  one 
of  which  but  contained  a  dead  or  dying  man.  Two  thousand 
eight  hundred  were  to  be  sent  to  a  hospital  recently  established 
at  the  south  end  of  Lake  Greorge,  a  distance  of  fifty  miles ;  when 
they  were  gone,  with  those  who  were  to  row  them  in  boats,  there 
would  remain  but  the  shadow  of  an  army.* 

la  a  council  of  war,  it  was  determined  that,  under  present 

*  Col.  Johu  Trumbull's  Autobiogi'aphy,  p.  285,  Appendix. 


2G2  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

circumstances,  the  post  of  Crown  Point  was  not  tenable ;  neither 
was  it  capable  of  being  made  so  this  summer,  without  a  forco 
greatly  superior  to  any  tlicy  might  reasonably  expect ;  and  that, 
therefore,  it  was  expedient  to  fall  back,  and  take  a  strong  posi- 
tion at  Ticonderoga. 

General  Sullivan  had  been  deeply  hurt  that  Gates,  his  for- 
mer inferior  in  rank,  should  have  been  appointed  over  him  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  ujwn  him.  lie  now,  therefore,  re- 
quested leave  of  absence,  in  order  to  wait  on  the  commander- 
in-chief.  It  was  granted  with  reluctance.  Before  departing,  he 
communicated  to  the  army,  through  General  Schuyler,  his  high 
and  grateful  sense  of  their  exertions  in  securing  a  retreat  from 
Canada,  and  the  cheerfulness  with  which  his  commands  had  been 
received  and  obeyed. 

On  the  9th  of  July,  Schuyler  and  Gates  returned  to  Ticon- 
deroga, accompanied  by  Arnold.  Instant  arrangements  were  made 
to  encamp  the  troops,  and  land  the  artillery  and  stores  as  fast  as 
they  should  arrive.  Great  exertions,  also,  were  made  to  strength- 
en the  defences  of  the  place.  Colonel  John  Trumbull,  who  was 
to  have  accompanied  Gates  to  Canada,  as  adjutant-general,  had 
been  reconnoitring  the  neighborhood  of  Ticonderoga,  and  had 
pitched  upon  a  place  for  a  fortification  on  the  eastern  side  of  the 
lake,  directly  opposite  the  east  point  of  Ticonderoga,  where  Fort 
Independence  was  subsequently  built.  He  also  advised  the  erec- 
tion of  a  work  on  a  lofty  eminence,  the  termination  of  a  moun- 
tain ridge,  which  separates  Lake  George  from  Lake  Champlain. 
His  advice  was  unfortunately  disregarded.  The  eminence,  sub- 
sequently called  Mount  Defiance,  looked  down  upon  and  com 


^^■^'■'■'« '  .  iw 


#^;#*&>5% 


^^^K^mk 


Xrimmm^'''- 


#■-*«#• '^ 


^l^?^.-.^' 
% 

■ ,  ''J 

m^ 

13 

1776.]  THE    QUESTION    OF    COMMAND    SETTLED.  263 

manded  tlie  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  cm- 
ployed  at  Skenesborough,  to  build  the  hulls  of  galleys  and  boats, 
which,  when  launched,  were  to  be  sent  down  to  Ticonderoga  for 
equipment  and  armament,  under  the  superintendence  of  General 
Arnold. 

Schuyler  soon  returned  to  Albany,  to  superintend  the  general 
concerns  of  the  Northern  department.  He  was  indefatigable  in 
procuring  and  forwarding  the  necessary  materials  and  artillery  for 
the  fortification  of  Ticonderoga. 

The  question  of  command  between  him  and  Gates,  was  ap- 
parently at  rest.  A  letter  from  the  President  of  Congress,  dated 
July  8th,  informed  General  Gates,  that  according  to  the  resolu- 
tion of  that  body  under  which  he  had  been  appointed,  his  com- 
mand was  totally  independent  of  General  Schuyler,  while  the 
army  was  in  Canada^  but  no  longer.  Congress  had  no  design 
to  divest  General  Schuyler  of  the  command  while  the  troops  were 
on  this  side  of  Canada.''^ 

To  Schuyler,  under  the  same  date,  the  president  writes  : 
"  The  Congress  highly  approve  of  your  patriotism  and  magna- 
nimity in  not  sufiering  any  difference  of  opinion  to  hurt  the  public 
service. 

"  A  mutual  confidence  and  good  understanding  are  at  this 
time  essentially  necessary,  so  that  I  am  persuaded  they  will  take 
place  on  all  occasions  between  yourself  and  General  Gates." 

Gates  professed  himself  entirely  satisfied  with  the  explana, 
tion  he  had  received,  and  perfectly  disposed  to  obey  the  com- 
mands of  Schuyler.     "  I  am  confident,"  added  he,  "  we  shall,  as 


264  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [I77a 

the  Congress  wish,  go  haud  in  hand  to  promote  the  public  wel- 
fare." 

Schuyler,  too,  assured  both  Congress  and  Washington,  "  that 
the  diflercucc  in  o})inion  between  Gates  and  himself  had  not 
caused  the  least  ill-will,  nor  interrupted  that  harmony  necessary 
to  subsist  between  their  officers." 

Samuel  Adams,  however,  who  was  at  that  time  in  Congress, 
had  strong  doubts  in  the  matter. 

"  Schuyler  and  Gates  are  to  command  the  troops,"  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  Marlborough,  or  a  Eugene,  I  cannot 
conceive  that  such  a  disposition  of  them  will  be  attended  with 
any  good  eflfects,  unless  harmony  subsists  between  them.  Alas, 
I  fear  this  is  not  the  case.  Already  disputes  have  arisen,  which 
they  have  referred  to  Congress  ;  and,  although  they  affect  to  treat 
each  other  with  a  politeness  becoming  their  rank,  in  my  mind,  al- 
tercations between  commanders  who  have  pretensions  nearly 
equal  (I  mean  in  point  of  command),  forebode  a  repetition  of  mis- 
fortune. I  sincerely  wish  my  apprehensions  may  prove  ground- 
less." * 

We  have  a  letter  before  us,  also,  written  to  Gates,  by  his 
friend  Joseph  Trumbull,  commissary-general,  on  whose  appoint- 
ment of  a  deputy,  the  question  of  command  had  arisen.  Trum- 
bull's letter  was  well  calculated  to  inflame  the  jealousy  of  Gates. 
"  I  find  you  are  in  a  cursed  situation,"  writes  he ;  "  your  author- 
ity at  an  end ;   and  commanded  by  a  person  who  will  be  willing 

*  S.  Adams  to  R.  H.  Lee.     Am.  Arcli.  oth  Series,  i.  34 7» 


BAMUEL   AVAM8 — THE  JOUN8TON    I'ORTKAIT. 


1776.]  SECTIONAL    JEALOUSIES.  265 

to  have  you  knocked  in  the  head,  as  General  Montgomery  was,  if 
he  can  have  the  money  chest  in  his  power." 

Governor  Trumbull,  too,  the  father  of  the  commissary-gen- 
eral, observes  subsequently :  "  It  is  justly  to  be  e:^pected  that 
General  Gates  is  discontented  with  his  situation,  finding  himself 
limited  and  removed  from  the  command,  to  be  a  wretched  spec- 
tator of  the  ruin  of  the  army,  without  power  of  attempting  to 
save  them."  *  We  shall  have  frequent  occasion  hereafter  to 
notice  the  discord  in  the  service  caused  by  this  rankling  discon- 
tent. 

As  to  General  Sullivan,  who  repaired  to  Philadelphia  and 
tendered  his  resignation,  the  question  of  rank  which  had 
aggrieved  him  was  explained  in  a  manner  that  induced  him  to 
continue  in  service.  It  was  universally  allowed  that  his  retreat 
had  been  ably  conducted  through  all  kinds  of  difficulties  and  dis- 
asters. 

A  greater  source  of  solicitude  to  Washington  than  this  jeal- 
ousy between  commanders,  was  the  sectional  jealousy  springing 
up  among  the  troops.  In  a  letter  to  Schuyler  (July  17th),  he 
says,  "  I  must  entreat  your  attention  to  do  away  the  unhappy  and 
pernicious  distinctions  and  jealousies  between  the  troops  of  dif- 
ferent governments.  Enjoin  this  upon  the  officers,  and  let  them 
inculcate  and  press  home  to  the  soldiery,  the  necessity  of  order 
and  harmony  among  those  who  are  embarked  in  one  common 
cause,  and  mutually  contending  for  all  that  freemen  hold  dear." 

Nowhere  were  these  sectional  jealousies  more  prevalent  than 
in  the  motley  army  assembled  from  distant  quarters  under  Wash- 
ington's own  command.     Keed,  the  adjutant-general,  speaking  on 

*  Gov.  Trumbull  to  Mr.  William  Williams. 

VOL.  n. — 12 


2G6  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1770. 

this  subject,  observes  :  "  The  Soutlicrn  troops,  comprising  the 
regiments  south  of  the  Delaware,  looked  with  very  unkind  feel- 
ings on  those  of  New  England ;  especially  those  from  Connec- 
ticut, whoso  peculiarities  of  deportment  made  them  the  objects 
of  ill-disguised  derision  among  their  fellow-soldiers."* 

Among  the  troops  thus  designated  as  Southern,  were  some 
from  Virginia  under  a  Major  Leitch;  others  from  Maryland, 
under  Colonel  Sniallwood ;  others  from  Delaware  led  by  Colonel 
Haslet.  There  were  four  Continental  battalions  from  Pennsyl- 
vania, commanded  by  Colonels  Shoe,  St.  Clair,  Wayne,  and 
Magaw ;  and  provincial  battalions,  two  of  which  were  severally 
commanded  by  Colonels  Miles  and  Atlee.  The  Continental  bat- 
talion under  Colonel  Shee,  was  chiefly  from  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia, especially  the  ofl&cers ;  among  whom  were  Lambert  Cad- 
walader  and  William  Allen,  members  of  two  of  the  principal, 
and  most  aristocratic  families,  and  Alexander  Graydon,  to  whose 
memoirs  we  are  indebted  for  some  graphic  pictures  of  the  times. 

These  Pennsylvania  troops  were  under  the  command  of  Brig- 
adier-general Mifflin,  who,  in  the  preceding  year,  had  acted  as 
Washington's  aide-de-camp,  and  afterwards  as  quartermaster-gen- 
eral. 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  apparently  of  fire  ;  but  rather  too  much  of  a  bustler, 
harassing  his  men  unnecessarily.  "He  assumed,"  adds  Gray- 
don, "a  little  of  the  veteran,  from  having  been  before  Boston." 
His  troops  were  chiefly  encamped  near  King's  Bridge,  and  em- 
ployed in  constructing  works  at  Fort  Washington. 

*  Life  of  Reed,  vol.  i.  p.  239. 


V    Ik 


1776.]  T2E   CONNECTICUT    DRAGOONS.  267 

Smallwood's  Maryland  battalion  was  one  of  the  brightest  in 
point  of  equipment.  The  scarlet  and  buff  uniforms  of  those 
Southerners  contrasted  vividly  with  the  rustic  attire  of  the  yeo- 
man battalions  from  the  East.  Their  officers,  too,  looked  down 
upon  their  Connecticut  compeers,  who  could  only  be  distinguished 
from  their  men  by  wearing  a  cockade.  "  There  were  none,"  says 
Graydon,  "  by  whom  an  unofficer-like  appearance  and  deportment 
could  be  tolerated  less  than  by  a  city-bred  Marylander ;  who,  at 
this  time,  was  distinguished  by  the  most  fashionable  cut  coat,  the 
most  macaroni  cocked-hat,  and  hottest  blood  in  the  Union." 
Alas,  for  the  homespun-clad  officers  from  Connecticut  River ! 

The  Pennsylvania  regiment  under  Shee,  according  to  Gray- 
don, promoted  balls  and  other  entertainments,  in  contradistinc- 
tion to  the  fast-days  and  sermons  borrowed  from  New  England. 
There  was  nothing  of  the  puritanical  spirit  among  the  Pennsyl- 
vanian  soldiery. 

In  the  same  sectional  spirit,  he  speaks  of  the  Connecticut 
light-horse  :  "  Old-fashioned  men,  truly  irregulars ;  whether  their 
clothing,  equipments,  or  caparisons  were  regarded,  it  would  have 
been  difficult  to  have  discovered  any  circumstance  of  uniformity. 
Instead  of  carbines  and  sabres,  they  generally  carried  fowling- 
pieces,  some  of  them  very  long,  such  as  in  Pennsylvania  are 
used  for  shooting  ducks.  Here  and  there  one  appeared  in  a 
dingy  regimental  of  scarlet,  with  a  triangular,  tarnished,  laced 
hat.  These  singular  dragoons  were  volunteers,  who  came  to 
make  a  tender  of  their  services  to  the  compaander-in-chief.  But 
they  staid  not  long  in  New  York.  As  such  a  body  of  cavalry 
had  not  been  counted  upon,  there  was  in  all  probability  a  want 
ot  forage  for  their  jades ^  which,  in  the  spirit  of  ancient  knight- 
hood, they  absolutely  refused  to  descend  from ;   and  as  the  gen- 


268  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [^77G. 

eral  had  no  use  for  cavaliers  in  his  insular  opcrationB,  they  were 
forthwith  disuiisbcd,  with  Huitable  acknowlcdgmunts  for  their 
truly  chivalrous  ardor."  * 

The  troops  thus  satirized,  were  a  body  of  between  four  and 
five  hundred  Connecticut  light-horse,  under  Colonel  Thomas  Sey- 
mour. On  an  appeal  for  aid  to  the  governor  of  their  State,  they 
had  voluntarily  hastened  on  in  advance  of  the  militia,  to  render 
the  most  speedy  succor.  Supposing,  from  the  suddenness  and 
urgency  of  the  call  upon  their  services,  that  they  were  immedi- 
ately to  be  called  into  action  and  promptly  to  return  home,  they 
had  come  off  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  part,  if 
not  all,  men  of  reputation  and  property.  They  were,  in  fact, 
mostly  farmers.  As  to  their  sorry  jades,  they  were  rough  coun- 
try horses,  such  as  farmers  keep,  not  for  show,  but  service.  As 
to  their  dingy  regimentals,  we  quote  a  word  in  their  favor  from  a 
writer  of  that  day.  "  Some  of  these  worthy  soldiers  assisted  in 
their  present  uniforms  at  the  reduction  of  Louisburg,  and  their 
'  lank  cheeks  and  war-worn  coats,'  are  viewed  with  more  venera- 
tion by  their  honest  countrymen,  than  if  they  were  glittering 
nabobs  from  India,  or  bashaws  with  nine  tails."  f 

On  arriving,  their  horses,  from  scarcity  of  forage,  had  to  be 
pastured  about  King's  Bridge.  In  fact,  Washington  informed 
them  that,  under  present  circumstances,  they  could  not  be  of  use 
as  horsemen ;  on  which  they  concluded  to  stay,  and  do  duty  on 
foot  till  the  arrival  of  the  new  levies.  J  In  a  letter  to  Governor 
Trumbull  (July  11),  Washington  observes  :   "  The  officers  and 

*  Graydon's  Memoirs,  p.  155.  t  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  i.  175. 

X  Webb  to  Gov.  Ti-umbull. 


lA)    .SI.   DAVll/rf    CHUI(CII. 


1^7C.]  ri^HE    CONNECTICUT    DRAGOONS.  2G9 

men  of  that  corps  have  manifested  so  firm  an  attachment  to  the 
cause  we  are  engaged  in,  that  they  have  consented  to  remain 
here,  till  such  a  body  of  troops  are  marched  from  your  colony  a3 
will  be  a  sufl&cient  reinforcement,  so  as  to  admit  of  their  leaving 
this  city  with  safety.  *  #  *  *  They  have  the  additional 
merit  of  determining  to  stay,  even  if  they  are  obliged  to  maintain 
their  horses  at  their  own  expense."  *  * 

In  a  very  few  days,  however,  the  troopers,  on  being  requested 
to  mount  guard  like  other  soldiers,  grew  restless  and  uneasy. 
Colonel  Seymour  and  his  brother  field-officers,  therefore,  ad- 
dressed a  note  to  Washington,  stating  that,  by  the  positive  laws 
of  Connecticut,  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  come  "  without  the  least 
expectation  or  preparation  for  such  services."  They  respectfully, 
therefore,  asked  a  dismission  in  form.  Washington's  brief  reply, 
shows  that  he  was  nettled  by  their  conduct. 

"  Gentlemen :  In  answer  to  yours  of  this  date,  I  can  only  re- 
peat to  you  what  I  said  last  night,  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 

*  Am,  Archives,  5th  Series,  I  192. 


270  LTFK  OF  Washington:.  M"'<'- 

dangerous  example  to  others,  and  be  ])roductive  of  many  evil 
eoii«e(]ueuees. 

lu  the  hurry  of  various  coneerns  lie  direeted  his  aidc-de- 
eanip,  Colonel  Webb,  to  write  iu  his  uaiue  to  Goveruor  Trumbull 
ou  the  subjeet. 

Colonel  Seymour,  on  his  return  home,  addressed  a  long  letter 
to  the  goveruor  explanatory  of  his  eonduct.  "  I  can't  help  re- 
marking to  your  honor,"  adds  he,  "  that  it  may  with  truth  be 
said.  General  Washijigton  is  a  gentleman  of  extreme  care  and 
caution  :  that  his  requisitions  for  men  are  fully  equal  to  the 
necessities  of  the  case.  *  *  #  j  should  have  stopped  here, 
but  am  this  moment  informed  that  Mr.  Webb,  General  Washing- 
ton's aide-de-camp,  has  written  to  your  honor  something  dishon- 
orable 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  defence  of  their 
couutry."  * 

As  to  the  Connecticut  infantry  which  had  been  furnished  by 
Governor  Trumbull  in  the  present  emergency,  they  likewise  were 
substantial  farmers,  whose  business,  he  observed,  would  require 
their  return,  when  the  necessity  of  their  further  stay  in  the  army 
should  be  over.  They  were  all  men  of  simple  rural  manners, 
from  an  agricultural  State,  where  great  equality  of  condition  pre- 
vailed ;  the  officers  were  elected  by  the  men  out  of  their  own 
ranks,  they  were  their  own  neighbors,  and  every  way  their 
equals.     All   this,  as  yet,  was  but  little  understood  or  appreci- 

*  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  i.  513. 


1""^-]  ARMY    JEALOUSIES.  271 

ated  by  the  troops  from  the  South,  among  whom  military  rank 
was  more  defined  and  tenaciously  observed,  and  where  the  officers 
were  men  of  the  cities,  and  of  more  aristocratic  habits. 

We  have  drawn  out  from  contemporary  sources  these  few 
particulars  concerning  the  sectional  jealousies  thus  early  spring- 
ing 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  growing  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  Can- 
ada, observes :  "  It  requires  more  serenity  of  temper,  a  deeper 
understanding,  and  more  courage  than  fell  to  the  lot  of  Marl- 
borough, to  ride  in  this  whirlwind."  * 

*  Am.  Archives,  ith  Series,  v.  1112. 


CHAPTER    XXIX 


SOUTHERN     CRUISE    OF    SIR     HENRY     CLINTON FORTIFICATIONS   AT   CHARLESTON 

ARRIVAL     THERE    OF   GENERAL     LEE BATTLE    AT     SULLIVAjN's    ISLAND  — 

WASHINGTON    ANNOUNCES   THE   RESULT   TO    THE    ARMY. 


Letters  from  General  Lee  gave  Washington  intelligence  of  the 
fate  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  expedition  to  the  South ;  that  ex- 
pedition which  had  been  the  subject  of  so  much  surmise  and  per- 
plexity. Sir  Henry  in  his  cruise  along  the  coast  had  been  re- 
peatedly foiled  by  Lee.  First,  as  we  have  shown,  when  he  looked 
in  at  New  York;  next,  when  he  paused  at  Norfolk  in  Virginia; 
and  lastly,  when  he  made  a  bold  attempt  at  Charleston  in  South 
Carolina ;  for  scarce  did  his  ships  appear  off  the  bar  of  the  harbor, 
than  the  omnipresent  Lee  was  marching  his  troops  into  the  city.' 
Within  a  year  past,  Charleston  had  been  fortified  at  various 
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  recently  been  constructed  nearly  opposite,  on 
the  south-west  point  of  Sullivan's  Island,  about  six  miles  below 
the  city.  It  was  mounted  with  twenty-six  guns,  and  garrisoned 
by  three  hundred  and  seventy-five  regulars  and  a  few  militia,  and 
commanded  by  Colonel  William  Moultrie,  of  South    Carolina, 


C.    THOMSON.       (LENT    BY    DR.    T.    A.    EMMET. 


177G.]  LEE   AT    CHARLESTON.  273 

who  had  constructed  it.     This  fort,  in  connection  with  that  on 
James  Island,  was  considered  the  key  of  the  harbor. 

Cannon  had  also  been  mounted  on  Haddrell's  Point  on  the 
mainland,  to  the  north-west  of  Sullivan's  Island,  and  along  the 
bay  in  front  of  the  town. 

The  arrival  of  General  Lee  gave  great  joy  to  the  people  of 
Charleston,  from  his  high  reputation  for  military  skill  and  experi-. 
ence.  According  to  his  own  account  in  a  letter  to  Washington, 
the  town  on  his  arrival  was  "  utterly  defenceless."  He  was  re- 
joiced therefore,  when  the  enemy,  instead  of  immediately  attack- 
ing 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,  situated  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  north- 
eastern extremity  of  Sullivan's  Island,  to  prevent  the  passage  of 
the  enemy  over  the  Breach,  stationing  a  force  of  regulars  and 
militia  there,  under  Colonel  Thompson.  G-eneral  Lee  encamped 
on  Haddrell's  Point,  on  the  mainland,  to  the  north  of  the  island, 
whence  he  intended  to  keep  up  a  communication  by  a  bridge  of 
boats,  so  as  to  be  ready  at  any  moment  to  aid  either  Moultrie  or 
Thompson. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  on  the  other  hand,  had  to  construct  bat- 
teries on  Long  Island,  to  oppose  those  of  Thompson,  and  cover 
VOL.  II. — 12* 


274  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [177G. 

tlio  passage  of  liis  troops  by  boats  or  by  the  ford.  Thus  tim3 
was  consumed,  mid  tlie  enemy  were,  from  the  1st  to  tlie  28th  of 
June,  preparing  for  the  attack ;  their  troops  sufTcring  from  the 
intense  heat  of  the  sun  on  the  burning  sands  of  Long  Ishmd,  and 
both  fleet  and  army  complaining  of  brackish  water  and  scanty 
and  bad  provisions. 

At  length  on  the  '28th  of  June,  the  Thunder  Bomb  com- 
menced the  attack,  throwing  shells  at  the  fort  as  the  fleet,  under 
Sir  Peter  Parker,  advanced.  About  eleven  o'clock  the  ships 
dropped  their  anchors  directly  before  the  front  battery.  "  I  was 
at  this  time  in  a  boat,"  writes  Lee,  "  endeavoring  to  make  the 
island ;  but  the  wind  and  tide  being  violently  against  us,  drove 
us  on  the  main.  They  immediately  commenced  the  most  furious 
fire  I  ever  heard  or  saw.  I  confess  I  was  in  pain,  from  the  little 
confidence  I  reposed  in  our  troops ;  the  officers  being  all  boys,  and 
the  men  raw  recruits.  What  augmented  my  anxiety  was,  that 
we  had  no  bridge  finished  for  retreat  or  communication ;  and  the 
creek  or  cove  which  separates  it  from  the  continent  is  near  a  mile 
wide.  I  had  received,  likewise,  intelligence  that  their  land 
troops  intended  at  the  same  time  to  land  and  assault.  I  never  in 
my  life  felt  myself  so  uneasy ;  and  what  added  to  my  uneasiness 
was,  that  I  knew  our  stock  of  ammunition  was  miserably  low.  I 
had  once  thought  of  ordering  the  commanding  officer  to  spike  his 
gims,  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  my  aide-de-camp,  Mr.  Byrd  (who  is  a  lad  of  magnani- 
mous courage),  to  j)ass  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  defence.     His  report  was  flattering. 


WILLIAM   BYRD. 


EVELYN    BYRD. 


1776.]  BRAVERY    OF    THE    TROOPS.  275 

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  garri- 
son in  propria  persona ;  but  I  found  they  had  no  occasion  for 
such  an  encouragement. 

"  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  enraptured  me,  for  I  do  assure 
you,  my  dear  general,  I  never  experienced  a  better  fire.  Twelve 
full  hours  it  was  continued  without  intermission.  The  noble 
fellows  who  were  mortally  wounded,  conjured  their  brethren 
never  to  abandon  the  standard  of  liberty.  Those  who  lost  their 
limbs  deserted  not  their  posts.  Upon  the  whole,  they  acted  like 
Romans  in  the  third  century." 

Much  of  the  foregoing  is  corroborated  by  the  statement  of 
a  British  historian.  "  While  the  continued  fire  of  our  ships," 
writes  he,  "  seemed  sufficient  to  shake  the  fierceness  of  the 
bravest  enemy,  and  daunt  the  courage  of  the  most  veteran  sol- 
dier, the  return  made  by  the  fort  could  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  deliberately  and  slowly,  and  took  a  cool  and  effective  aim. 
The  ships  suffered  accordingly,  they  were  torn  almost  to  pieces, 
and  the  slaughter  was  dreadful.  Never  did  British  valor  shine 
more  conspicuous,  and  never  did  our  marine  in  an  engagement 
of  the  same  nature  with  any  foreign  enemy  experience  so  rude 
an  encounter."  * 

The  fire  from  the  ships  did  not  produce  the  expected  effect. 

*  Hist.  Civil  War  in  America.     Dublin,  1779.     Annual  Register. 


27G  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [^"70. 

The  fortifications  w(m*o  low,  composed  of  earth  and  palmetto 
wood,  which  ia  soft,  and  makes  no  s])linter8,  and  tlic  merlouH  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.  Tlirough 
unskilful  pilotage,  several  of  the  ships  ran  aground,  where  one, 
the  frigate  Actaeon,  remained ;  the  rest  were  extricated  with 
difficulty.  Those  which  bore  the  brunt  of  the  action  were 
much  cut  up.  One  hundred  and  seventy-five  men  were  killed, 
and  nearly  as  many  wounded.  Captain  Scott,  commanding  the 
Experiment,  of  fifty  guns,  lost  an  arm,  and  was  otherwise  wound- 
ed. Captain  Morris,  commanding  the  Actaeon,  was  slain.  So 
also  was  Lord  Campbell,  late  governor  of  the  province,  who 
served  as  a  volunteer  on  board  of  the  squadron. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with  two  thousand  troops  and  five  or  six 
liundred  seamen,  attempted  repeatedly  to  cross  from  Long  Island, 
and  co-operate  in  the  attack  upon  the  fort,  but  was  as  often  foiled 
by  Colonel  Thompson,  with  his  battery  of  two  cannons,  and  a 
body  of  South  Carolina  rangers  and  North  Carolina  regulars. 
"  Upon  the  whole,"  says  Lee,  "  the  South  and  North  Carolina 
troops  and  Virginia  rifle  battalion  we  have  here,  are  admirable 
soldiers." 

The  combat  slackened  before  sunset,  and  ceased  before  ten 
o'clock.  Sir  Peter  Parker,  who  had  received  a  severe  contusion 
in  the  engagement,  then  slipped  his  cables,  and  drew  ofi"  his 
shattered  ships  to  Five  Fathom  Hole.  The  Actaeon  remained 
aground. 

On  the  following  morning  Sir  Henry  Clinton  made  another 


177G.]  THE    ENEMY    REPULSED.  277 

attempt  to  cross  from  Long  Island  to  Sullivan's  Island ;  but  was 
again  repulsed,  and  obliged  to  take  shelter  behind  his  breast- 
works. Sir  Peter  Parker,  too,  giving  up  all  hope  of  reducing  the 
fort  in  the  shattered  condition  of  his  ships,  ordered  that  the 
Actaeon  should  be  set  on  fire  and  abandoned.  The  crew  left  her 
in  flames,  with  the  guns  loaded,  and  the  colors  flying.  The 
Americans  boarded  her  in  time  to  haul  down  her  colors,  and 
secure  them  as  a  trophy,  discharge  her  guns  at  one  of  the  enemy's 
ships,  and  load  three  btvats  with  stores.  They  then  abandoned  her 
to  her  fate,  and  in  half  an  hour  she  blew  up. 

Within  a  few  days  the  troops  were  re-embarked  from  Long 
Island ;  the  attempt  upon  Charleston  was  for  the  present  aban- 
doned, 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-five  men.  Colonel  Moultrie  derived  the  greatest  glory 
from  the  defence  of  Sullivan's  Island ;  though  the  thanks  of 
Congress  were  voted  as  well  to  G-eneral  Lee,  Colonel  Thompson, 
and  those  under  their  command. 

*'  For  God's  sake,  my  dear  general,"  writes  Lee  to  Washing- 
ton, "  urge  the  Congress  to  furnish  me  with  a  thousand  cavalry. 
With  a  thousand  cavalry  I  could  insure  the  safety  of  these 
Southern  provinces;  and  without  cavalry,  I  can  answer  for 
nothing.  From  want  of  this  species  of  troops  we  had  infalli- 
bly 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  apprehending  an  attack 
upon  New  York.  He  writes  in  a  familiar  vein  to  Schuyler  on 
the  subject.     "  Sir  Peter  Parker  and  his  fleet  got  a  severe  drub- 


278  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1770. 

bing  in  an  attack  upon  our  worka  on  Sullivan's  Island,  just  by 
Cliarleston  in  South  Carolina-,  a  part  of  their  troops,  at  the 
same  time,  in  attempting  to  land,  were  repulsed."  He  assumed  a 
different  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  can  be  done  by  brave  men  fighting  in 
defence  of  their  country,  we  shall  be  loaded  with  a  double  share 
of  shame  and  infamy  if  we  do  not  acquit  ourselves  with  courage, 
and  manifest  a  determined  resolution  to  conquer  or  die." 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

Putnam's  military  projects — chevaux-de-frise  at  fort  washtngtoit — 
meditated  attack  on  staten  island arrival  of  ships hessian  rein- 
forcements  scotch  highlanders — sir  henry  clinton  and  lord  corn- 

WALLis — Putnam's  obstructions  of  the  hudson — the  phcenix  and  rose 

ATTACKED  BY  ROW  GALLIES  AT  TARRYTOWN — GENERAL  ORDER  OF  WASHING- 
TON ON  THE  SUBJECT  OF  SECTIONAL  JEALOUSIES — PROFANE  SWEARING  PRO- 
HIBITED IN  THE  CAMP PREPARATIONS  AGAINST  ATTACK LEVIES  OF  YEO- 
MANRY  GEORGE    CLINTON  IN  COBrVIAND  OF  THE  LEVIES    ALONG  THE  HUDSON 

ALARMS  OF  THE  PEOPLE  OF  NEW  YORK — BENEVOLENT  SYIVIPATHY  OF  WASH- 
INGTON— THE   PHCENIX    GRAPPLED    BY  A  FIRE-SHIP THE    SHIPS    EVACUATE 

THE  HUDSON. 

General  Putnam,  beside  his  bravery  in  the  field,  was  somewhat 
of  a  mechanical  projector.  The  batteries  at  Fort  Washington 
had  proved  ineffectual  in  opposing  the  passage  of  hostile  ships  up 
the  Hudson.  He  was  now  engaged  on  a  plan  for  obstructing  the 
channel  opposite  the  fort,  so  as  to  prevent  the  passing  of  any 
more  ships.  A  letter  from  him  to  G-eneral  Gates  (July  26th)  ex- 
plains his  project.  "  We  are  preparing  chevaux-de-frise,  at  which 
we  make  great  despatch  by  the  help  of  ships,  which  are  to  be 
sunk — a  scheme  of  mine  which  you  may  be  assured  is  very  sim- 
ple ;  a  plan  of  which  I  send  you.  The  two  ships'  sterns  lie  to- 
wards each  other,  about  seventy  feet  apart.  Three  large  logs, 
which  reach  from  ship  to  ship,  are  fastened  to  them.     The  two 


280  LIFK    OF    WAHIIINCJTON.  [J77a 

phips  and  logs  stop  the  river  two  hundred  aud  eighty  feet.  Tlic 
.ships  are  to  be  sunk,  and  when  hauled  down  on  one  side,  the 
prieks  will  be  raised  to  a  proper  heiglit,  and  tliey  must  inevitably 
Btop  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  Con- 
gress for  destroying  the  enemy's  fleet  in  the  harbor  of  New  York. 
lie  had  attempted  an  enterprise  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- 
covered 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  instructed  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.  Simultaneous  with  the  attack,  a  descent  was 
to  be  made  on  the  British  camp  on  Staten  Island,  from  the  near- 
est point  of  the  Jersey  shore,  by  troops  from  Mercer's  flying 
camp,  and  by  others  stationed  at  Bergen  under  Major  Knowlton, 
Putnam's  favorite  officer  for  daring  enterprises. 

Putman  entered  into  the  scheme  as  zealously  as  if  it  had  been 
his  own.  Indeed,  by  the  tenor  of  his  letter  to  Gates,  already 
quoted,  he  seemed  almost  to  consider  it  so.  ''  The  enemy's  fleet," 
writes  he,  "  now  lies  in  the  bay,  close  under  Staten  Island. 
Their  troops  possess  no  land  here  but  the  island.  Is  it  not 
strange  that  those  invincible  troops,  who  were  to  lay  waste  all 
this  country  with  their  fleets  and  army,  are  so  fond  of  islands 
and  peninsulas,  and  dare  not  put  their  feet  on  the  main  ?  But 
I  hope,  by  the  blessing  of  Grod,  and  good  friends,  we  shall  pay 


1776.]  FIRE   SHIPS.  281 

tlicm  a  visit  on  tlieir  ialaiid.  For  that  end  we  are  preparing 
fourteen  fire-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  assiduous  in  the  preparation  of  fire-ships.  Two  are  already 
complete,  and  hauled  off  into  the  stream ;  two  more  will  be  off  to- 
morrow, and  the  residue  in  a  very  short  time.  In  my  next, 
I  hope  to  give  you  a  particular  account  of  a  general  conflagration, 
as  every  thing  in  my  power  shall  be  exerted  for  the  demolition 
of  the  enemy's  fleet.  I  expect  to  take  an  active  part,  and  be  an 
instrument  for  that  purpose.  I  am  determined  (God  willing)  to 
make  a  conspicuous  figure  among  them,  by  being  a  '  burning  and 
shining  light,'  and  thereby  serve  my  country,  and  have  the  honor 
of  meeting  the  approbation  of  Congress."  * 

Projectors  are  subject  to  disappointments.  It  was  impossible 
to  construct  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  encampment 
was  concerted  by  Mercer  and  Knowlton,  and  twice  attempted. 
On  one  occasion,  they  were  prevented  from  crossing  the  strait  by 
tempestuous  weather,  on  another  by  deficiency  of  boats. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  days  arrived  a  hundred  sail,  with  large 
reinforcements,  among  which  were  one  thousand  H.essians,  and  as 
many  more  were  reported  to  be  on  the  way.     The  troops  were 

*  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  i.  155. 


282  LIFE    OF    WASlIINCiTON.  M"''*^- 

diaembarkiMl  on  Staton    Island,  and  fortiflcatious  tlirown  up  on 
some  of  the  most  commanding  Lilln. 

All  projects  of  attack  upon  tl)c  enemy  wore  now  out  of  the 
question.  Indeed,  some  of  Wasliington's  ablest  advisers  ques- 
tioned the  policy  of  remaining  in  New  York,  where  they  might 
be  entrapped  as  the  British  had  been  in  B(jston.  Heed,  the  ad- 
jutant-general, observed  that,  as  the  commiTnication  by  the  Hud- 
son was  interrupted,  there  was  nothing  now  to  keep  them  at  New 
York  but  a  mere  point  of  honor ;  in  the  mean  time,  they  en- 
dangered the  loss  of  the  army  and  its  military  stores.  Why 
should  they  risk  so  much  in  defending  a  city,  while  the  greater- 
part  of  its  inhabitants  were  plotting  their  destruction  ?  His  ad- 
vice was,  that,  when  they  could  defend  the  city  no  longer,  they 
should  evacuate,  and  burn  it,  and  retire  from  Manhattan  Island ; 
should  avoid  any  general  action,  or  iadeed  any  action,  unless  in 
view  of  great  advantages ;  and  should  make  it  a  war  of  posts. 

During  the  latter  part  of  July,  and  the  early  part  of  August, 
ships  of  war  with  their  tenders  continued  to  arrive,  and  Scotch 
Highlanders,  Hessians,  and  other  troops  to  be  landed  on  Staten 
Island.  At  the  beginning  of  August,  the  squadron  with  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  recently  repulsed  at  Charleston,  anchored  in  the 
bay.  "  His  coming,"  writes  Colonel  Reed,  "  was  as  unexpected 
as  if  he  had  dropped  from  the  clouds."  He  was  accompanied  by 
Lord  Cornwallis,  and  brought  three  thousand  troops. 

In  the  mean  time,  Putnam's  contrivances  for  obstructing  the 
channel  had  reached  their  destined  place.  A  letter  dated  Eort 
Washington,  August  3d,  says  :  "  Four  ships  chained  and  boomed, 
with  a  number  of  amazing  large  chevaux-de-frise,  were  sunk  close 
by  the  fort  under  command  of  Greneral  Mifl3in,  which  fort  mounts 
thirty-two  pieces  of  heavy  cannon.     We  are  thoroughly  sanguine 


LORD    COUNWALLIS. 


177G.]  THE   PH(ENIX    AND    ROSE    ATTACKED.  283 

that  they  [the  ships  up  the  river]  never  will  be  able  to  join  the 
British  fleet,  nor  assistance  from  the  fleet  be  afi'orded  to  them ;  so 
that  we  may  set  them  down  as  our  own." 

Another  letter,  written  at  the  same  date  from  Tarry  town,  on 
the  borders  of  the  Tappan  Sea,  gives  an  account  of  an  attack 
made  by  six  row  galleys  upon  the  Phoenix  and  the  Rose.  They 
fought  bravely  for  two  hours,  hulling  the  ships  repeatedly,  but 
sustaining  great  damage  in  return ;  until  their  commodore.  Col- 
onel Tupper,  gave  the  signal  to  draw  off.  "  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  Grod  prosper !  " 

Such  was  the  belligerent  spirit  prevailing  up  the  Hudson. 

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  in- 
creased to  twenty  thousand,  for  the  most  part,  raw  and  undisci- 
plined. One  fourth  were  on  the  sick  list  with  bilious  and  putrid 
fevers  and  dysentery ;  others  were  absent  on  furlough  or  com- 
mand; the  rest  had  to  be  distributed  over  posts  and  stations 
fifteen  miles  apart. 

The  sectional  jealousies  prevalent  among  them,  were  more 
and  more  a  subject  of  uneasiness  to  Washington.  In  one  of  his 
general  orders  he  observes :  "  It  is  with  great  concern  that 
the  general  understands  that  jealousies  have  arisen  among  the 


284  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  ri77<;. 

troops  froDi  tlio  dlfiforciit  proviiicos,  and  reflections  are  frecpuiiitly 
thrown  out  whidi  can  only  tend  to  irritate  each  other,  and  injure 
the  noble  cause  in  winch  we  are  engaged,  and   which  we  ought  to 
support    with    one    hand    and    one    heart.        The    general    most 
earnestly  entreats  the  officers  aiid  soldiers  to  ^jonsider   the   conse- 
quences ;   that  they  can  no  way  assist  our  enemies  more  effectu- 
ally than  by  making  divisions  among  ourselves ;   that  the  honor 
and  success  of  the  army,  and  the  safety  of  our  bleeding  country 
depend  upon  harmony  and  good  agreement  with  each  other ;   that 
the  provinces  are  all  united  to  oppose  the  common  enemy,  and  all 
distinctions  sunk  in  the  name  of  an  American.     To  make  this 
name  honorable,    and   to    preserve    the   liberty  of  our   country, 
ought  to  be  our  only  emulation ;   and  he  will  be  the  best  soldier 
and  the  best  patriot,  who  contributes  most  to  this  glorious  work, 
whatever  be  his  station,  or  from  whatever  part  of  the  continent 
he  may  come.     Let  all  distinction  of  nations,  countries  and  prov- 
inces, therefore,  be  lost  in  the  generous  contest,  who  shall  behave 
with  the  most  courage  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,  as  to  con- 
tinue in  such  practices  after  this  order,  the  general  assures  them, 
and  is  authorized  by  Congress  to  declare  to  the  whole  army,  that 
such  persons  shall  be  severely  punished,  and  dismissed  from  the 
service  with  disgrace." 

The  urgency  of  such  a  general  order  is  apparent  in  that  early 
period  of  our  confederation,  when  its  various  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  our  Union  ! 


1776.]  WASHINGTON    TO   THE    ARMY.  285 

"We  subjoin  another  of  the  general  orders  issued  in  this  time 
of  gloom  and  anxiety  : 

''  That  the  troops  may  have  an  opportunity  of  attending 
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,  except  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  Ameri- 
can 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  have  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  en- 
gaged, he  kept  the  most  watchful  eye  upon  the  movements  of  the 
enemy.  Beside  their  great  superiority  in  point  of  numbers  as  well 
as  discipline,  to  his  own  crude  and  scanty  legions,  they  possessed 
a  vast  advantage  in  their  fleet.  "  They  would  not  be  half  the 
enemy  they  are,"  observed  Colonel  Reed,  "  if  they  were  once 
separated  from  their  ships."  Every  arrival  and  departure  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   uncle,  of  thirty  transports, 

*  Orderly  Book,  Aug.   3,  as  cited  by  Sparks.     Writings  of  Washington, 
vol.  iv.  p.  28. 


286  LIFE    OF   WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

"wliich,  uiulcr  convoy  of  three  frigates,  had  put  to  sea  on  the  7th 
of  August,  with  the  intention  of  Hailing  round  Long  Island  and 
coming  through  the  Sound,  and  thus  investing  the  city  by  the 
North  and  East  Kivors.  "  They  are  then  to  land  on  both  sides 
of  the  island,"  writes  he,  "join  their  forces,  and  draw  a  line 
across,  whieli  will  hem  us  in,  and  totally  cut  off  all  communica- 
tion ;  after  which,  they  will  have  their  own  fun."  He  adds : 
"  They  hold  us  in  the  utmost  contempt.  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  Mercer  for 
2,000  men  from  the  flying  camp.  Colonel  Smallwood'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  shore  of  the  Sound,  and  on  that  of  the 
Hudson  above  King's  Bridge,  to  annoy  the  enemy,  should  they 
attempt  to  land  from  their  ships  on  either  of  these  waters. 
Others  were  sent  to  reinforce  the  posts  on  Long  Island.  As 
Kings  County  on  Long  Island  was  noted  for  being  a  strong- 
bold  of  the  disaffected,  the  Convention  ordered  that,  should  any 
of  the  militia  of  that  county  refuse  to  serve,  they  should  be 
disarmed  and  secured,  and  their  possessions  laid  waste. 

Many  of  the  yeomen  of  the  country,  thus  hastily  summoned 
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  Grraydon ;  but  it  was  in  truth  one  of  the  glori- 

*  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  i.  887. 


177G.]  PREPARATIONS    FOR    CONFLICT.  287 

ous  features  of  the  Revolution,  to  be  thus  aided  in  its  emergencies 
by  "  hasty  levies  of  husbandmen."  * 

By  the  authority  of  the  New  York  Convention,  Washington 
had  appointed  General  George  Clinton  to  the  command  of  the 
levies  on  both  sides  of  the  Hudson.  He  now  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  up  works  at  the  pass  of 
Anthony's  Nose,  where  the  main  road  to  Albany  crosses  that 
mountain.  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  for  the 
impending  conflict.  All  suspected  persons,  whose  presence  might 
promote  the  plans  of  the  enemy,  were  removed  to  a  distance. 
All  papers  respecting  afi'airs  of  State  were  put  up  in  a  large  case, 
to  be  delivered  to  Congress.     As  to  his  doniestic  arrangements, 

*  General  orders,  Aug.  8th,  show  the  feverish  state  of  affairs  in  the  city. 
"As  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  intelligence  by  deserters,  give  the 
utmost  reason  to  believe  that  the  great  struggle  in  which  we  are  contendhig 
for  every  thing  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  anns, 
ammunition,  and  flints ;  that  if  we  should  be  suddenly  called  to  action,  noth- 
ing 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  fired  quick  T)at  distinct,  is  to  be  con- 
sidered as  a  signal  for  the  troops  to  repair  to  their  alarm  posts,  and  prepare 
for  action.  And  that  the  alarm  may  be  more  effectually  given,  the  drums 
are  immediately  to  beat  to  arms  upon  the  signal  being  given  from  Bayard's 
Hill.  This  order  is  not  to  be  considered  as  countermanding  the  firing  two 
guns  at  Fort  George,  as  formerly  ordered.  That  is  also  to  be  done  on  an 
alarm,  but  the  flag  wiU  not  be  hoisted  at  the  old  head-quarters  in  Broad- 
way."— Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  i.  912. 


288  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

Mr.s.  Waaliington  had  some  time  previously  gone  to  Philadolpliia, 
with  the  intention  of  returning  to  Virginia,  as  there  was  no  pros- 
pect of  her  being  with  him  any  part  of  tlio  summer,  which  threat- 
ened to  be  one  of  turmoil  and  danger.  The  other  ladies,  wives 
of  general  ofiicers,  wlio  used  to  grace  and  enliven  head-quarters, 
had  all  been  sent  out  of  the  way  of  the  storm  wliich  was  lower- 
ing over  this  devoted  city. 

Accounts  of  deserters,  and  other  intelligence,  informed  Wash- 
ington, on  the  17th,  that  a  great  many  of  the  enemy's  troops  had 
goue  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  were  bound, 
or  whether  they  had  not  merely  shifted  their  station.  Every 
thing  indicated,  however,  that  affairs  were  tending  to  a  crisis. 

The  *'  hysterical  alarms"  of  the  peaceful  inhabitants  of  New 
York,  which  had  provoked  the  soldierlike  impatience  and  satiri- 
cal sneers  of  Lee,  inspired  different  sentiments  in  the  benevolent 
heart  of  Washington,  and  produced  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  con- 
cern. When  the  men-of-war  (the  Phoenix  and  Kose)  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 


1776.]  PATERNAL    CARES    OF    WASHINGTON.  289 

young  and  inexperienced  soldiery.  Can  no  method  be  devised 
for  their  removal  ?  " 

How  vividly  does  this  call  to  mind  the  compassionate  sensibil- 
ity of  his  younger  days,  when  commanding  at  Winchester,  in 
Virginia,  in  time  of  public  peril ;  and  melted  to  "  deadly  sorrow" 
by  the  "  supplicating  tears  of  the  women,  and  moving  petitions 
of  the  men."  As  then,  he  listened  to  the  prompt  suggestions-  of 
his  own  heart;  and,  without  awaiting  the  action  of  the  Conven- 
tion, issued  a  proclamation,  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  expeditious  manner. 

A  gallant  little  exploit  at  this  juncture,  gave  a  fillip  to  the 
spirits  of  the  community.  Two  of  the  fire-ships  recently  con- 
structed, went  up  the  Hudson  to  attempt  the  destruction  of  the 
ships  which  had  so  long  been  domineering  over  its  waters.  One 
succeeded  in  grappling  the  Phoenix,  and  would  soon  have  set  her 
in  flames,  but  in  the  darkness  got  to  leeward,  and  was  cast  loose 
without  effecting  any  damage.  The  other,  in  making  for  the 
Rose,  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  ships  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  in- 
cendiaries, while  riding  at  anchor.  Taking  advantage  of  a  brisk 
wind,  and  favoring  tide,  they  made  all  sail  early  on  the  morning 
of  the  18th  of  August,  and  stood  down  the  river,  keeping  close 
under  the  eastern  shore,  where   they  supposed  the   guns  from 

VOL.  II. — 13 


290  LIFE    OF    WA8HIN(JT0N.  [177G. 

Mount  Wasliington  could  not  bo  Ijrought  to  bear  upon  tlicm. 
Notwithstanding  this  precaution,  the  Phoenix  was  thrice  liuUed 
by  shots  from  the  fort,  and  one  of  tlio  tenders  once.  The  Rose, 
also,  was  hulled  once  by  a  shot  from  Burdett's  Ferry.  The  men 
on  board  were  kept  close,  to  avoid  being  picked  oflf  by  a  party  of 
riflemen  posted  on  the  river  bank.  The  ships  fired  grape-shot  as 
they  passed,  but  without  effecting  any  injury.  Unfortunately,  a 
passage  had  been  left  open  in  the  obstructions  on  which  General 
Putnam  had  calculated  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  career,  and  utterly 
destroyed  by  the  batteries. 


CHAPTER    XXXI 


THE   BATTLE    OF    LONG   ISLAND. 


The  movements  of  the  British  fleet,  and  of  the  camp  on  Staten 
Island,  gave  signs  of  a  meditated  attack ;  but,  as  the  nature  of 
that  attack  was  uncertain,  Washington  was  obliged  to  retain  the 
greater  part  of  his  troops  in  the  city  for  its  defence,  holding  them 
ready,  however,  to  be  transferred  to  any  point  in  the  vicinity. 
General  Mifflin,  with  about  five  hundred  of  the  Pennsylvania 
troops,  of  Colonels  Shee  and  Magaw's  regiments,  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  just  reviewed  them.  General  George 
Clinton  was  at  that  post,  with  about  fourteen  hundred  of  his 
yeomanry  of  the  Hudson.  As  the  Phoenix  and  Hose  had  ex- 
plored the  shores,  and  taken  the  soundings  as  far  as  they  had 
gone  up  the  river,  General  Heath  thought  Howe  might  attempt 
an  attack  somewhere  above  King's  Bridge,  rather  than  in  the 
face  of  the  many  and  strong  works  erected  in  and  around  the 
city.  "  Should  his  inclination  lead  him  this  way,"  adds  he, 
"  nature  has  done  much  for  us,  and  we  shall,  as  fast  as  possible, 
add  the  strength  of  art.  We  are  pushing  our  works  with  great 
diligence."  * 

♦  Heath  to  Washington,  Aug.  17-18 . 


292  LIFK    or    WASHINGTON.  [^776. 

Reports  from  diflforent  quarterH,  gave  WaHliington  reaBon  to 
approheud  that  the  design  of  the  enemy  miglit  he  to  land  ])art  of 
their  force  on  Long  Ishmd,  and  endeavor  to  get  possession  of  tho 
heights  of  Brooklyn,  which  overlooked  New  York ;  while  another 
part  should  land  above  tho  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  possessed  of 
every  facility  for  operating  by  land  and  water. 

General  Greene,  with  a  considerable  force,  was  stationed  at 
Brooklyn.  He  had  acquainted  himself  with  all  the  localities  of 
the  island,  from  Hell  Gate  to  the  Narrows,  and  made  his  plan  of 
defence  accordingly.  His  troops  were  diligently  occupied  in 
works  which  he  laid  out,  about  a  mile  beyond  the  village  of 
Brooklyn,  and  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. 
TIijB  village  stood  on  a  kind  of  peninsula,  formed  by  the  deep 
inlets  of  Wallabout  Bay  on  the  north,  and  Gowanus  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 
south-west  corner  of  the  peninsula,  and  a  fort  on  Governor's 
Island,  nearly  opposite. 

About  two  miles  and  a  half  in  front  of  the  line  of  intrench- 
ments and  redoubts,  a  range  of  hills,  densely  wooded,  extended 
from  south-west  to  north-east,  forming  a  natural  barrier  across  the 


^''"^  J  THE   ENEMY    ON    LONG   ISLAND.  293 

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  Bedford  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  protection  of 
its  passes,  had  been  designed  by  General  Greene ;  but  unfortu- 
nately, in  the  midst  of  his  arduous  toils,  he  was  taken  down  by  a 
raging  fever,  which  confined  him  to  his  bed ;  and  General  Sulli- 
van, just  returned  from  Lake  Champlain,  had  the  temporary 
command. 

Washington  saw  that  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  landing  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  Congress,  "  we  shall  attempt  to  harass  them 
as  much  as  possible,  which  is  all  that  we  can  do." 

On  the  21st  came  a  letter,  written  in  all  haste  by  Brigadier- 
general  William  Livingston,  of  New  Jersey.  Movements  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  thousand  men  had  embarked  to  make  an 
attack  on  Long  Island,  and  up  the  Hudson.  Fifteen  thousand 
remained  on  Staten  Island,  to  attack  Bergen  Point,  Elizabeth- 
town  Point,  and  Amboy.  The  spy  declared  that  he  had  heard 
orders  read,  and  the  conversation  of  the  generals.  "  They  appear 
very  determined,"  added  he,  "  and  will  put  all  to  the  sword !  " 

Washington  sent  a  copy  of  the  letter  to  the  New  York  Con- 
vention.    On  the  following   morning  (August  22d)  the  enemy 


294  LIFE    OF    WASHINCTON.  [^776. 

appeared  to  be  carrying  their  plans  into  execution.  Tbc  reports 
of  cannon  and  musketry  were  heard  from  Long  Island,  and  col- 
unms  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 
regiment,  had  retreated  to  the  lines,  setting  fire  to  stacks  of 
wheat,  and  other  articles,  to  keep  them  from  falling  into  the 
enemy's  bauds. 

Washington  apprehended  an  attempt  of  the  foe  by  a  forced 
march,  to  surprise  the  lines  at  Brooklyn.  He  immediately  sent 
over  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,  however, 
were  ordered  to  be  ready  as  a  reinforcement,  if  required.  "  Be 
cool,  but  determined,"  was  the  exhortation  given  to  the  departing 
troops.  "  Do  not  fire  at  a  distance,  but  wait  the  commands  of 
your  ofl&cers.  It  is  the  general's  express  orders,  that  if  any  man 
attempt  to  skulk,  lie  down,  or  retreat  without  orders,  he  be  in- 
stantly shot  down  for  an  example." 

In  justice  to  the  poor  fellows,  most  of  whom  were  going  for 
the  first  time  on  a  service  of  life  and  death,  Washington  observes, 
that  "  they  went  off  in  high  spirits,"  and  that  the  whole  ca- 
pable of  duty  evinced  the  same  cheerfulness.* 

Nine  thousand  of  the  enemy  had  landed,  with  forty  pieces  of 
cannon.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  the  chief  command,  and  led 
the    first    division.       His  associate  officers  were  the    Earls    of 

*  Washington  to  the  President  of  Congress. 


1776.]  RUMORS    AND    ALARMS.  295 

Cornwallis  and  Percy,  G-eneral  Grant,  and  General  Sir  William 
Erskine.  As  their  boats  approached  the  shore,  Colonel  Hand, 
stationed,  as  has  been  said,  in  the  neighborhood  with  his  rifle 
regiment,  retreated  to  the  chain  of  wooded  hills,  and  took  post 
on  a  height  commanding  the  central  road  leading  from  Flatbush. 
The  enemy  having  landed  without  opposition.  Lord  Cornwallis 
was  detached  with  the  reserve  to  Flatbush,  while  the  rest  of  the 
army  extended  itself  from  the  ferry  at  the  Narrows  through 
Utrecht  and  Gravesend,  to  the  village  of  Flatland. 

Lord  Cornwallis,  with  two  battalions  of  light-infantry.  Col- 
onel 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  defence. 
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  suc- 
ceed. New  York  would  be  at  their  mercy.  The  panic  and  dis- 
tress of  the  inhabitants  went  on  increasing.  Most  of  those  who 
could  aff'ord  it,  had  already  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 
Washington  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  wortliy  citizens  and  their  families,  that  nothing  but  the 


2i)G  Lll'E   OF   WASHINQTON,  [177C. 

last  necessity,  and  that  such  an  would  justify  me  to  tlie  whole 
world,  would  induce  ujo  to  give  orders  to  that  purpose." 

In  this  time  of  general  alarm,  bead-quarters  were  besieged 
by  applicants  for  safeguard  from  the  impeLding  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  endeavored 
to  allay  their  fears.  Again  he  urged  the  Convention  to  carry  out 
their  measures  for  the  removal  of  these  defenceless  beings. 
"  There  are  many,"  writes  he,  "  who  anxiously  wish  to  remove, 
but  have  not  the  means." 

On  the  24th  he  crof^sed  over  to  Brooklyn,  to  inspect  the  lines 
and  reconnoitre  the  neighborhood.  In  this  visit  he  felt  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.  An- 
other road  leading  from  Flatbush  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  Pennsylvanian  rifle 
regiment,  under  Colonel  Miles,  posted  on  the  south  side.  The 
enemy  were  stretched  along  the  country  beyond  the  chain  of 
hills. 

As  yet,  nothing  had  taken  place  but  skirmishing  and  irre- 
gular flring  between  the  outposts.  It  was  with  deep  concern 
Washington  noticed  a  prevalent  disorder  and  confusion  in  the 


€^'n^        ^^yj< 


^776.]  PUTNAM    ON    LONG    ISLAND.  297 

camp.  There  was  a  want  of  system  among  the  officers,  and  co- 
operation among  the  troops,  each  corps  seeming  to  act  independ- 
ently of  the  rest.  Few  of  the  men  had  any  military  experience, 
except,  perchance,  in  bush-fighting  with  the  Indians.  Unaccus- 
tomed to  discipline  and  the  restraint  of  camps,  they  sallied  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  illness  of 
Grcneral  Grreene. 

On  returning  to  the  city,  therefore,  Washington  gave  the 
command  on  Long  Island  to  Greneral  Putnam,  warning  him, 
however,  in  his  letter  of  instructions,  to  summon  the  officers  to- 
gether, and  enjoin  them  to  put  a  stop  to  the  irregularities  which 
he  had  observed  among  the  troops.  Lines  of  defence  were  to  be 
formed  round  the  encampment,  and  works  on  the  most  advanta- 
geous ground.  Guards  were  to  be  stationed  on  the  lines,  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  guards,  and  no  one  was  to  pass  beyond  the  lines 
without  a  special  permit  in  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 
carrying  off  the  horses  and  cattle  of  the  country  people. 

Especial  attention  was  called  to  the  wooded  hills  between  the 
works  and  the  enemy's  camp.  The  passes  through  them  were 
to  be  secured  by  abatis^  and  defended  by  the  best  troops,  who 
should,  at  all  hazards,  prevent  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  The 
militia  being  the  least  tutored  and  experienced,  might  man  the 
interior  works. 

Putnam  crossed  with  alacrity  to  his  post.  "  He  was  made 
VOL.  II. — 13* 


298  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

happy,"  writes  Colonel  Rccd,  "  by  obtaining  leave  to  go  over. 
The  brave  old  man  was  quite  miserable  at  being  kept  here." 

In  the  mean  time,  the  enemy  were  augmenting  their  forces  on 
the  island.  Two  brigades  of  Hessians,  under  Lieutenant-general 
Do  Ileister,  were  transferred  from  the  camp  on  Statcn  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  Statcn  Island,  and  por- 
tions 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 ;  which  was  joined  to  Lord  Stirling's  brigade, 
chiefly  composed  of  Southern  troops,  and  stationed  outside  of  the 
lines.  These  were  troops  which  Washington  regarded  with 
peculiar  satisfaction,  on  account  of  their  soldierlike  appearance 
and  discipline. 

On  the  26th,  he  crossed  over  to  Brooklyn,  accompanied  by 
Reed,  the  adjutant-general.  There  was  much  movement  among 
the  enemy's  troops,  and  their  number  was  evidently  augmented. 
In  fact.  General  De  Heister  had  reached  Flatbush  with  his  Hes- 
sians, 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  General  Grant,  extended  to  the  place  of  landing  on  Graves- 
end  Bay. 

Washington  remained  all  day,  aiding  General  Putnam  with 
his  counsels,  who,  new  to  the  command,  had  not  been  able  to 


1776].  THE    NOCTURNAL    MARCH.  299 

make  himself  well  acquainted  with  the  fortified  posts  beyond  the 
lines.  In  the  evening,  Washington  returned  to  the  city,  full  of 
anxious  thought.  A  geceral  attack  was  evidently  at  hand. 
Where  would  it  be  made  ?  How  would  his  inexperienced  troops 
stand  the  encounter  ?  What  would  be  the  defence  of  the  city  if 
assailed  by  the  ships  ?  It  was  a  night  of  intense  solicitude,  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  Howe, 
the  commander-in-chief.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with  the  vanguard, 
composed  of  the  choicest  troops,  was,  by  a  circuitous  march  in 
the  night,  to  throw  himself  into  the  road  leading  from  Jamaica 
to  Bedford,  seize  upon  a  pass  through  the  Bedford  Hills,  within 
three  miles  of  that  village,  and  thus  turn  the  left  of  the  Ameri- 
can 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  Washington. 

To  divert  the  attention  of  the  Americans  from  this  stealthy 
march  on  their  left,  General  Grant  was  to  menace  their  right 
flank  toward  Gravesend  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  pur- 
pose, 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  26th,  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  began  his  march  from  Flatlands  with  the  vanguard,  com- 
posed of  light  infantry.  Lord  Percy  followed  with  the  grena- 
diers, artillery,  and  light  dragoons,  forming  the  centre.     Lord 


300  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  ['776. 

Cornwallis  brouglit  up  the  rcar-giiard  willi  IIk!  heavy  ordnance. 
General  Howe  acconipauied  this  divi«ion. 

It  was  a  silent  nuircli,  without  beat  of  drum  or  Bound  of 
trumpet,  under  guidance  of  u  Long  Island  tory,  along  by-roads 
traversing  a  swamp  by  a  narrow  causeway,  and  so  across  the  coun- 
try to  the  Jamaica  road.  About  two  hours  before  daybreak, 
they  arrived  within  half  a  mile  of  the  pass  through  the  Bedford 
Hills,  and  halted  to  prepare  for  an  attack.  At  this  juncture 
they  captured  an  American  patrol,  and  learnt,  to  their  surprise, 
that  the  Bedford  pass  was  unoccupied.  In  fact,  the  whole  road 
beyond  Bedford,  leading  to  Jamaica,  had  been  left  unguarded,  ex- 
cepting by  some  light  volunteer  troops.  Colonels  Williams  and 
Miles,  who  were  stationed  to  the  left  of  Colonel  Hand,  among 
the  wooded  hills,  had  been  instructed  to  send  out  parties  occa- 
sionally to  patrol  the  road,  but  no  troops  had  been  stationed  at 
the  Bedford  pass.  The  road  and  pass  may  not  have  been  in- 
cluded in  General  Greene's  plan  of  defence,  or  may  have  been 
thought  too  far  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  un- 
discovered. 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  other  divi- 
eions  performed  their  part  of  the  plan. 

About  midnight  General  Grant  moved  from  Gravesend  Bay, 
with  the  left  wicg,  composed  of  two  brigades  and  a  regiment  of 


1776.]  STIRLING'S    SOUTHERN    TROOPS.  301 

regulars,  a  battalion  of  New  York  loyalists,  and  ten  field-pieces. 
.  He  proceeded  along  the  road  leading  past  the  Narrows  and  Gow- 
anus  Cove,  toward  the  right  of  the  American  works.  A  picket 
guard  of  Pennsylvanian  and  New  York  militia,  under  Colonel 
Atlee,  retired  before  him  fighting  to  a  position  on  the  skirts  of 
the  wooded  hills. 

In  the  mean  time,  scouts  had  brought  in  word  to  the  Ameri- 
can lines  that  the  enemy  were  approaching  in  force  upon  the 
right.  General  Putnam  instantly  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  Mary- 
land regiments ;  the  latter  the  macaronis,  in  scarlet  and  buff, 
who  had  outshone,  in  camp,  their  yoeman  fellow-soldiers  in  home- 
spun. They  turned  out  with  great  alacrity,  and  Stirling  pushed 
forward  with  them  on  the  road  toward  the  Narrows.  By  the 
time  he  had  passed  Gowanus  Cove,  daylight  began  to  appear. 
Here,  on  a  rising  ground,  he  met  Colonel  Atlee  with  his  Penn- 
sylvania Provincials,  and  learned  that  the  enemy  were  near. 
Indeed,  their  front  began  to  appear  in  the  uncertain  twilight. 
Stirling  ordered  Atlee  to  place  himself  in  ambush  in  an  orchard 
on  the  left  of  the  road,  and  await  their  coming  up,  while  he 
formed  the  Delaware  and  IMaryland  regiments  along  a  ridge 
from  the  road,  up  to  a  piece  of  woods  on  the  top  of  the  hill. 

Atlee  gave  the  enemy  two  or  three  volleys  as  they  ap- 
proached, and  then  retreated  and  formed  in  the  wood  on  Lord 
Stirling's  left.  By  this  time  his  lordship  was  reinforced  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  or- 


302  LIFE    OF    WASUINUTON.  L^77G. 

rliard  and  Ijoliiiid  licdgcs,  extending  in  front  of  the  AmoricanB, 
and  about  one  liundrcd  and  fifty  yards  distant. 

It  was  now  broad  dayliglit.  A  rattling  fire  commenced 
between  tlic  British  light  troops  and  the  American  riflemen, 
which  continued  for  about  two  hours,  when  the  former  retired  to 
their  main  body.  In  the  mean  time,  Stirling's  position  had  been 
strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  Captain  Carpenter  with  two  field- 
pieces.  These  were  placed  on  the  side  of  the  hill,  so  as  to  com- 
mand the  road  and  the  approach  for  some  hundred  yards.  Gen- 
eral Grant,  likewise,  brought  up  his  artillery  within  three  hun- 
dred yards,  and  formed  his  brigades  on  opposite  hills,  about  six 
hundred  yards  distant.  There  was  occasional  cannonading  on 
both  sides,  but  neither  party  sought  a  general  action. 

Lord  Stirling's  object  was  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  Clinton  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  camp  at  Flatbush,  upon  the 
redoubt,  at  the  pass  of  the  wooded  hills,  where  Hand  and  his 
riflemen  were  stationed.  On  hearing  this.  General  Sullivan,  who 
was  within  the  lines,  rode  forth  to  Colonel  Hand's  post  to  recon- 
noitre. De  Heister,  however,  according  to  the  plan  of  opera- 
tions, did  not  advance  from  Flatbush,  but  kept  up  a  brisk  fire 
from  his  artillery  on  the  redoubt  in  front  of  the  pass,  which  re- 
plied as  briskl}-.  At  the  same  time,  a  cannonade  from  a  British 
ship  upon  the  battery  at  Bed  Hook,  contributed  to  distract  the 
attention  of  the  Americans. 

In  the  mean  time  terror  reigned  in  New  York.  The  volley- 
ing of  musketry  and  the  booming  of  cannon  at  early  dawn,  had 


^776.]  THE    CATASTROPHE.  303 

told  of  the  fighting  that  had  commenced.  As  the  morning  ad- 
vanced, and  platoon  firing  and  the  occasional  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 
cannonade  the  city,  or  to  land  troops  above  it  ?  Fortunately^  a 
strong  head-wind  baffled  their  eff"orts ;  but  one  vessel  of  inferior 
force  got  up  far  enough  to  open  the  fire  already  mentioned  upon 
the  fort  at  Red  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  ca- 
tastrophe for  which  all  the  movements  of  the  enemy  had  been 
concerted. 

The  thundering  of  artillery  in  the  direction  of  Bedford,  had 
given  notice  that  Sir  Henry  had  turned  the  left  of  the  Americans. 
JDe  Heister  immediately  ordered  Colonel  Count  Donop  to  advance 
with  his  Hessian  regiment,  and  storm  the  redoubt,  while  he  fol- 
lowed with  his  whole  division.  Sullivan  did  not  remain  to  defend 
the  redoubt.  Sir  Henry's  cannon  had  apprised  him  of  the  fatal 
truth,  that  his  flank  was  turned,  and  he  in  danger  of  being  sur- 
rounded. He  ordered  a  retreat  to  the  lines,  but  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  Hessians  had  come  up,  and  now  commenced  a 
scene  of  confusion,  consternation,  and  slaughter,  in  which  the 
troops  Tinder  Williams  and  Miles  were  involved.  Hemmed  in  and 
entrapped  between  the  British  and    Hessians,  and  driven  from 


304  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  1 177a 

one  to  the  other,  the  Americaus  fought  for  a  time  bravely,  or 
rather  desperately.  Some  were  cut  down  and  trampled  by  the 
cavalry,  others  bayoneted  without  mercy  by  the  lleasiana.  Sumo 
rallied  in  groups,  and  made  a  brief  stand  with  tlieir  rifles  from 
rocks  or  behind  trees.  The  whole  j)ass  was  a  scene  of  carnage, 
resounding  with  the  clash  of  arms,  the  tramp  of  horses,  the  vol- 
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  fury  with  which  the  Hessians  plied 
the  bayonet.  At  length  some  of  the  Americans,  by  a  desperate 
efifort,  cut  their  way  through  the  host  of  foes,  and  efi'ected  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 
Sullivan. 

Washington,  as  we  have  observed,  arrived  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  cannonades  with  Gen- 
eral Grant.  The  forbearance  of  the  latter  in  not  advancing, 
though  so  superior  in  force,  had  been  misinterpreted  by  the 
Americans.  According  to  Colonel  Haslet's  statement,  the  Del- 
awares  and  Marylanders,  drawn  up  on  the  side  of  the  hill,  "  stood 
upwards  of  four  hours,  with  a  firm  and  determined  countenance, 
in  close  array,  their  colors  flying,  the  enemy's  artillery  playing 


i776.]  LORD    STIRLING   SURROUNDED.  305 

on  them  all  the  while,  not  daring  to  advance  and  attack  them^ 
though  six  times  their  number^  aud  nearly  surrounding  them."  * 

Washington  saw  the  danger  to  which  these  brave  fellows  were 
exposed,  though  they  could  not.  Stationed  on  a  hill  within  the 
lines,  he  commanded,  with  his  telescope,  a  view  of  the  whole 
field,  and  saw  the  enemy's  reserve,  under  Cornwallis,  marching 
down  by  a  cross-road  to  get  in  their  rear,  and  thus  place  them 
between  two  fires.  With  breathless  anxiety  he  watched  the  re- 
sult. 

The  sound  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  cannon  apprised  Stirling 
that  the  enemy  was  between  him  and  the  lines.  General  Grant, 
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  creek  which  empties  into  Gowanus  Cove,  near  what  was  called 
the  Yellow  Mills.  There  was  a  bridge  and  mill-dam,  and  the 
creek  might  be  forded  at  low  water,  but  no  time  was  to  be  lost, 
for  the  tide  was  rising. 

Leaving  part  of  his  men  to  keep  face  toward  General  Grant, 
Stirling  advanced  with  the  rest  to  pass  the  creek,  but  was  sud- 
denly checked  by  the  appearance  of  Cornwallis  and  his  grena- 
diers. 

Washington,  and  some  of  his  officers  on  the  hill,  who  watched 
every  movement,  had  supposed  that  Stirling  and  his  troops,  find- 
ing the  case  desperate,  would  surrender  in  a  body,  without  firing. 
On  the  contrary,  his  lordship  boldly  attacked  Cornwallis  with 
half  of  Small  wood's  battalion,  while  the  rest  of  his  troops  re- 
treated across  the  creek.     Washington  wrung  his  hands  in  agony 

*  Atlee  to  Col.  Rodney.     Sparks,  iv.  616. 


306  LIKK    OF    WAHI11N(;T0N.  L'^^g. 

nt   the   siglit.     "Good   God!"  cried  he,  "  what  brave  fellows  I 
must  this  day  lose !  "  * 

It  was,  indeed,  a  desperate  fi^rlit;  and  now  Sraallwood's  mac- 
aronis showed  their  game  spirit.  They  were  repeatedly  broken, 
but  as  often  rallied,  and  renewed  the  figlit.  "  We  were  on  the 
point  of  driving  Ijord  Cornwallis  from  his  station,"  writes  Lord 
Stirling,  "  but  large  reinforcements  arriving,  rendered  it  impos- 
sible to  do  more  than  provide  for  safety." 

"  Being  thus  surrounded,  and  -no  probability  of  a  reinforce- 
ment," writes  a  Maryland  officer,  "  his  lordship  ordered  me  to  re- 
treat with  the  reu'aining  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  re- 
turned 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  addi- 
tional 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  with  numbers.  Some  were  surrounded  and  bayon- 
eted in  a  field  of  Indian  corn ;  others  joined  their  comrades  who 
were  retreating  across  the  marsh.  Lord  Stirling  had  encouraged 
and  animated  his  young  soldiers  by  his  voice  and  example,  but 


*  Letter  from  an  American  officer.     Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  ii.  108. 
I  Letter  from  a  Marylander.     Idem,  5th  Series,  i.  1232. 


1776.]  CLOSE    OF    THE    FIGHT.  307 

when  all  was  lost,  he  sought  out  General  De  Heister,  and  surren- 
dered himself  as  his  prisoner. 

More  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  brave  fellows,  most  of  them 
of  Smallwood's  regiment,  perished  in  this  deadly  struggle,  within 
sight  of  the  lines  of  Brooklyn.  That  part  of  the  Delaware  troops 
who  had  first  crossed  the  creek  and  swamp,  made  good  their  re- 
treat to  the  lines  with  a  trifling  loss,  and  entered  the  camp  cov- 
ered with  mud  and  drenched  with  water,  but  bringing  with  them 
twenty-three  prisoners,  and  their  standard  tattered  by  grape- 
shot. 

The  enemy  now  concentrated  their  forces  within  a  few  hun- 
dred yards  of  the  redoubts.  The  grenadiers  were  within  musket 
shot.  Washington  expected  they  would  storm  the  works,  and  pre- 
pared for  a  desperate  defence.  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  commander 
that  prevented  a  bloody  conflict.  His  troops,  heated  with  action 
and  Hushed  with  success,  were  eager  to  storm  the  works ;  but  he 
was  unwilling  to  risk  the  loss  of  life  that  must  attend  an  aissault, 
when  the  object  might  be  attained  at  a  cheaper  rate,  by  regular 
approaches.  Checking  the  ardor  of  his  men,  therefore,  though 
with  some  difiiculty,  he  drew  them  ofi"  to  a  hollow  way,  in  front 
of  the  lines,  but  out  of  reach  of  the  musketry,  and  encamped 
there  for  the  night.  * 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  disastrous  battle  has  been 
variously  stated,  but  is  thought  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners, 
to  have  been  nearly  two  thousand ;  a  large  number,  considering 

*  General  Howe  to  Lord  G.  Germaine.     Remembrancer,  iii.  347. 


:U)8  LIFE    OF    WASIIlN(iT()N.  M77G. 

that  not  above  five  thousand  were  engaged.     The  enemy  acknow- 
ledgd  a  loss  of  380  killed  and   wounded.* 

The  success  of  the  enemy  was  attributed,  in  some  measure,  to 
the  doubt  in  which  Washington  was  kept  as  to  the  nature  of  the 
intended  attack,  and  at  wliat  ])oint  it  would  chiefly  bo  made. 
This  obliged  him  to  keep  a  great  part  of  his  forces  in  New  York, 
and  to  distribute  those  at  Brooklyn  over  a  wide  extent  of  coun- 
try, and  at  widely  distant  places.  In  fact,  he  knew  not  the  su- 
perior number  of  the  enemy  encamped  on  Long  Island,  a  major- 
ity of  them  having  been  furtively  landed  in  the  night,  some  days 
after  the  debarkation  of  the  first  division. 

Much  of  the  day's  disaster  has  been  attributed,  also,  to  a  con- 
fusion in  the  command,  caused  by  the  illness  of  General  Greene. 
Putnam,  who  had  supplied  his  place  in  the  emergency  after  the 
enemy  had  landed,  had  not  time  to  make  himself  acquainted  with 
the  post,  and  the  surrounding  country.  Sullivan,  though  in  his 
letters  he  professes  to  have  considered  himself  subordinate  to 
General  Putnam  within  the  lines,  seems  still  to  have  exercised 
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  arising  from  all 
these  causes,  consisted  in  leaving  the  passes  through  the  wooded 
hills  too  weakly  fortified  and  guarded ;  and  especially  in  neglect- 
ing the  eastern  road,  by  which  Sir  Henry  Clinton  got  in  the  rear 
of  the  advanced  troops,  cut  them  off  from  the  lines,  and  sub- 
jected them  to  a  cross  fire  of  his  own  men  and  De  Heister's  Hes- 
sians. 

*  Howe  states  the  prisoners  at  1094,  and  computes  the  whole  American 
loss  at  3,300. 


1776.]  FATAL    NEGLECTS.  309 

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  de- 
cisive of  the  fortunes  of  the  day,  could  hardly  have  failed  to  be 
discovered  and  reported.  The  Connecticut  horsemen,  therefore, 
ridiculed  by  the  Southerners  for  their  homely  equipments,  sneered 
at  as  useless,  and  dismissed  for  standing  on  their  dignity  and  privi- 
leges 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  annihi- 
lated. 


CHAPTER     XXXII. 


TllE    RETKICAT    FROM    LONG    ISLAND. 


The  night  after  the  battle  was  a  weary,  yet  almost  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.  Every 
thing  boded  a  close  and  deadly  conflict.  The  enemy  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  morning,  Washington  went  the  round  of  the 
works,  to  see  that  all  was  right,  and  to  speak  words  of  encourage- 
ment. 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  proceeding  to  intrench 
themselves,  but  were  driven  into  their  tents  by  a  drenching  rain. 
Early  in  the  morning  General  Mifflin  arrived  in  camp,  witl; 
part  of  the  troops  which  had  been  stationed  at  Fort  Washington 
and  King's  Bridge.  He  brought  with  him  Shee's  prime  Phila- 
delphia regiment,  and  Magaw's  Pennsylvania  regiment,  both  well 
disciplined  and  officered,  and  accustomed  to  act  together.  They 
were  so  much  reduced  in  number,  however,  by  sickness,  that  they 


WASHINGTON'S    HK AD-QUARTERS    AT    NEWBURGII. 


1776]  RECONNOITRING.  311 

did  not  amount  in  the  whole,  to  more  than  eight  hundred  men. 
With  Mifflin  came  also  Colonel  Glover's  Massachusetts  regiment, 
composed  chiefly  of  Marblehead  fishermen  and  sailors,  hardy, 
adroit,  and  weather-proof;  trimly  clad  in  blue  jackets  and  trow- 
sers.  The  detachment  numbered,  in  the  whole,  about  thirteen 
hundred  men,  all  fresh  and  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  Wallabout. 

There  were  skirmishes  throughout  the  day,  between  the  rifle- 
men 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  the  works,  as  if  prepar- 
ing to  carry  them  by  regular  approaches. 

On  the  29th,  there  was  a  dense  fog  over  the  island,  that 
wrapped  every  thing  in  mystery.  In  the  course  of  the  morning, 
General  Mifflin,  with  Adjutant-general  Reed,  and  Colonel  Gray- 
son of  Virginia,  one  of  Washington's  aides-de-camp,  rode  to  the 
western  outposts,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Red  Hook.  While  they 
were  there,  a  light  breeze  lifted  the  fog  from  a  part  of  the  New 
York  Bay,  and  revealed  the  British  ships  at  their  anchorage  op- 
posite Staten  Island.  There  appeared  to  be  an  unusual  bustle 
among  them.  Boats  were  passing  to  and  from  the  admiral's  ship, 
as  if  seeking  or  carrying  orders.  Some  movement  was  appa- 
rently in  agitation.  The  idea  occurred  to  the  reconnoitring 
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  Red  Hook  and  the  city,  and  anchor  in  tlie 


312  LIFE    OF    WASniNGTON.  L'^^fi. 

Kast  Rivor.  In  tliat  case  the  army  on  Long  Island  would  bo 
completely  surrounded  and  cntrapjjcd. 

Alarmed  at  this  perilous  probability,  they  spurred  back  to 
head-quarters,  to  urge  the  immediate  withdrawal  of  the  army. 
As  this  might  not  be  accepta])le  advice,  llced,  emboldened  by  his 
intimacy  with  the  commander-in-chief,  undertook  to  give  it. 
AVashington  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  themselves. 
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  Sound.  These  might  land 
troops  on  the  east  side  of  Harlem  River,  and  make  themselves 
masters  of  King's  Bridge ;  that  key  of  Manhattan  Island. 
Taking  all  these  things  into  consideration,  it  was  resolved  to 
cross  with  the  troops  to  the  city  that  very  night. 

Never  did  retreat  require  greater  secrecy  and  circumspection. 
Nine  thousand  men,  with  all  the  munitions  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  quartermaster-general,  to  impress 
all,  water  craft,  large  and  small,  from  Spyt  den  Duivel  on  the 


1776.]  PREPARATIONS    FOR    RETREAT.  313 

Hudson  round  to  Hell  Gate  on  the  Sound,  and  have  them  on  the 
cast  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  Brook- 
lyn at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  put  under  the  manage- 
ment of  Colonel  Glover's  amphibious  Marblehead  regiment. 

To  prepare  the  army  for  a  general  movement  without  betray- 
ing the  object,  orders  were  issued  for  the  troops  to  hold  them- 
selves in  readiness  for  a  night  attack  upon  the  enemy.  The 
orders  caused  surprise,  for  the  poor  fellows  were  exhausted,  and 
their  arms  rendered  nearly  useless  by  the  rain  ;  all,  however,  pre- 
pared to  obey ;  but  several  made  nuncupative  wills ;  as  is  cus- 
tomary 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  remain  at  the  lines  with 
his  Pennsylvania  troops,  and  the  gallant  remains  of  Haslet, 
Smallwood  and  Hand's  regiments,  with  guards  posted  and  sen- 
tinels alert,  as  if  nothing  extraordinary  was  taking  place  ;  when 
the  main  embarkation  was  elFected,  they  were  themselves  to  move 
off  quietly,  march  briskly  to  the  ferry,  and  embark.  In  case  of 
any  alarm  that  might  disconcert  the  arrangements,  Brooklyn 
church  was  to  be  the  rallying  place,  whither  all  should  repair, 
60  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 
VOL.  II. — 14 


314  LIFE    OF    WAblllisUTON.  [1776. 

away  in  tho  direction  of  the  river,  as  tlic  main  Lody  moved  on 
in  silence  and  order.  The  jouthl'ul  Hamilton,  wliuwe  military 
merits  bad  won  the  favor  of  General  Greene,  and  wiio  had  lost 
bis  baggage  and  a  field-piece  in  the  battle,  brought  up  the  rear 
of  the  retreating  party.  In  the  dead  of  the  night,  and  in  the 
midst  of  this  hushed  and  anxious  movement,  a  cannon  went  off 
with  a  tremendous  roar.  "  The  effect,"  says  an  American  who 
was  present,  "  was  at  once  alarming  and  sublime.  If  the  explo- 
sion was  within  our  lines,  the  gun  was  probably  discharged  in  the 
act  of  spiking  it,  and  could  have  been  no  less  a  matter  of  specu- 
lation to  the  enemy  than  to  ourselves."  * 

"  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  con- 
ceive a  more  deeply  solemn  and  interesting  scene." 

The  meaning  of  this  midnight  gun  was  never  ascertained ; 
fortunately,  though  it  startled  the  Americans,  it  failed  to  rouse 
the  British  camp. 

In  the  mean  time  the  embarkation  went  on  witb  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  blundered  in  executing  his  errand,  and  gave 
the  order  to  Mifflin  likewise.  The  general  instantly  called  in  hia 
pickets  and  sentinels,  and  set  off  for  the  ferry. 

By  this  time  the  tide  had  turned ;  there  was  a  strong  wind 
from  the  north-east ;   the  boats  with  oars  were  insufficient  to  con* 

*  Graydoii's  Memoirs,  edited  by  I.  S.  Littell,  p.  167. 


^^w.  "■": 


ENTRANCK    TO    WASHINGTON  S    UKAD-QUARTERS. 


•kit^i 


THE    TEMPLE. 


1776.]  THE    WITHDRAWAL    FROM    THE    CAMP.  315 

vey  the  troops ;  those  with  sails  could  not  make  headway  against 
wind  and  tide.  There  was  some  confusion  at  the  ferry,  and  in 
the  midst  of  it,  Greneral  Mifflin  came  down  with  the  whole  cover- 
ing party;  adding  to  the  embarrassment  and  uproar. 

"Good  God!  General  Mifflin!"  cried  Washington,  "1  am 
afraid  you  have  ruined  us  by  so  unseasonably  withdrawing  the 
troops  from  the  lines." 

"  I  did  so  by  your  order,"  replied  Mifflin  with  some  warmth. 
"  It  cannot  be  !  "  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 
consequences  are  to  be  apprehended." 

Mifflin  led  back  his  men  to  the  lines,  which  had  been  com- 
pletely deserted  for  three  quarters  of  an  hour.  Fortunately,  the 
dense  fog  had  prevented  the  enemy  from  discovering  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  similar  situation,"  writes  General  Heath,  "  or 
duly  contemplates  the  human  heart  in  such  trials,  will  know  how 
to  appreciate  the  conduct  of  these  brave  men  on  this  occasion." 

The  fog  which  prevailed  all  this  time,  seemed  almost  provi- 
dential. While  it  hung  over  Long  Island,  and  concealed  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  the  row-boats  could  be  laden 
almost  to  the  gunwale ;  and  a  favoring  breeze  sprang  up  for  the 
sail-boats.     The  whole  embarkation  of  troops,  artillery,  ammuni- 


316  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

tion,  provisions,  cattle,  horses  and  carts,  was  happily  effected,  and 
by  daybreak  the  greater  part  had  safely  reached  the  city,  thanks 
to  the  aid  of  Glover's  Marblehead  men.  Scarce  any  thing  was 
abandoned  to  the  enemy,  excepting  a  few  heavy  pieces  of  artil- 
lery. At  a  proper  time,  Mifllin  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  embarked ;  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.  Rapelye,  whose  husband,  suspected  of  favor- 
ing the  enemy,  had  been  removed  to  the  interior  of  New  Jersey. 
On  seeing  the  embarkation  of  the  first  detachment,  she,  out  of  loy- 
alty or  revenge,  sent  off  a  black  servant  to  inform  the  first  British 
officer  he  could  find,  of  what  was  going  on.  The  negro  succeeded 
in  passing  the  American  sentinels,  but  arrived  at  a  Hessian  out- 
post, where  he  could  not  make  himself  understood,  and  was  put 
under  guard  as  a  suspicious  person.  There  he  was  kept  until 
daybreak,  when  an  officer  visiting  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,  suffi- 
ciently 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. 

*  Hist.  Long  Island,  p.  258. 


1776.]  RETREAT    FROM    LONG    ISLAND.  317 

This  extraordinary  retreat,  which,  in  its  silence  and  celerity, 
equalled  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  extricating  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  appa- 
rently fortuitous  circumstances  which  averted  them  all,  were  dis- 
posed to  attribute  the  safe  retreat  of  the  patriot  army  to  a  pecu- 
liar Providence. 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

LONQ     ISLAND    IN    POSSESSION    OF   THE    ENEMY DISTRESSED   SITUATION    OF    THE 

AMERICAN     ARMY    AT    NEW    YORK QUESTION    OK    ABANDONING    THE     CITY 

LETTERS  FROM  EITHER  CAMP — ENEMY's  SHIPS  IN  THE  SOUND — REMOVAL 
OF  WOMEN  AND  CHILDREN  FROM  THE  CITY — YEARNING  FOR  HOME  AMONG 
THE  MILITIA TOLERANT  IDEAS  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  GREENE FORT  CON- 
STITUTION— CONFERENCE  OF  LORD  HOWE  WITH  A  COMIHITTEE  FROM  CON- 
GRESS. 

The  enemy  had  now  possession  of  Long  Island.  British  and 
Hessian  troops  garrisoned  the  works  at  Brooklyn,  or  were  dis- 
tributed at  Bushwiek,  Newtown,  Hell  Gate  and  Flushing.  Admi- 
ral Howe  came  up  with  the  main  body  of  the  fleet,  and  anchored 
close  to  Governor's  Island,  within  cannon  shot  of  the  city. 

"  Our  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,  are  dismayed,  intractable,  and  impatient  to 
return.  Great  numbers  of  them  have  gone  off;  in  some  instances 
almost  by  whole  regiments,  by  half  ones,  and  by  companies,  at  a 
time.     *     *     *     *     With  the  deepest  concern,  I  am  obliged  to 


177G.]  QUESTION    OF    DESTROYING    THE    TOWN.  319 

confess  my  want  of  confidence  in  the  generality  of  the  troops. 
#  *  #  Qm.  i^uniber  of  men  at  present  fit  for  duty  is  under 
twenty  thousand.  I  have  ordered  General  Mercer  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  upon  Staten  Island.  Till  of  late,  I  had  no  doubt  in  my 
own  mind  of  defending  this  place ;  nor  should  I  have  yet,  if  the 
men  would  do  their  duty,  but  this  I  despair  of 

"  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  to  preserve  it  if  they  can.  If  Con- 
gress, therefore,  should  resolve  upon  the  destruction  of  it,  the 
resolution  should  be  a  profound  secret,  as  the  knowledge  will 
make  a  capital  change  in  their  plans." 

Colonel  Reed,  writing  on  the  same  day  to  his  wife,  says,  "  I 
have  only  time  to  say  I  am  alive  and  well ;  as  to  spirits,  but 
middling.  *  *  *  *  ]yXy  country  will,  I  trust,  yet  be  free, 
whatever  may  be  our  fate  who  are  cooped  up,  or  are  in  danger 
of  so  being,  on  this  tongue  of  land,  where  we  ought  never  to  have 
been/'  * 

We  turn  to  cite  letters  of  the  very  same  date  from  British 
officers  on  Long  Island,  full  of  rumors  and  surmises.  "  I  have 
just  heard,"  writes  an  English  field-officer,  "  there  has  been  a 
most  dreadful  fray  in  the  town  of  New  York.  The  New  Eng- 
landers  insisted  on  setting  the  town  on  fire  and  retreating.     This 

*  P'orce's  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  ii.  123. 


320  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

was  opposed  by  tho  Nvw  Yorkers,  who  were  joined  by  the  Penn- 
Bylvanians,  and  a  battle  has  been  tho  consequence,  in  which  many 
have  lost  their  livcf.  l>y  the  steps  our  general  is  taking,  I 
imagine  he  will  eflcctually  cut  off  their  retreat  at  King's  Bridge, 
by  whicli  the  island  of  New  York  is  joined  to  the  continent." 

An  English  oirieer  of  the  guards,  writing  from  camp  on  tho 
same  day,  varies  the  rumor.  The  Pennsylvanians,  according  to 
his  version,  joined  with  the  New  Englauders  in  the  project  to  set 
j6re  to  the  town ;  both  had  a  battle  with  the  New  Yorkers  on  tho 
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  issue." 

Another  letter  gives  a  different  version.  "  In  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  leave  New  York,  and  that 
they  should  be  replaced  by  an  equal  number  of  Connecticut  troops ; 
but  the  former,  assured  that  the  Connecticutians  would  burn 
and  destroy  all  the  houses,  peremptorily  refused  to  give  up  their 
city,  declaring  that  no  cause  of  exigency  whatever  should  induce 
them  to  intrust  the  defence  of  it  to  any  other  than  her  own  inhab- 
itants. This  spirited  and  stubborn  resolution  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  the  nest  news  we  send  you,  is,  that  New  York  is  ours^ 
though  in  ashes,  for  the  rebel  troops  have  vowed  to  put  it  in  flames 
if  the  tory  troops  get  over." 

*  Force's  Am,  Archives,  oth  Series,  ii.  168, 


1776.]  REMOVAL    OF    SICK    AND    WOUNDED.  321 

An  American  officer  writes  to  an  absent  New  Yorker,  in  a  dif- 
ferent tone.  "  I  fear  we  shall  evacuate  your  poor  city.  Tlio 
very  thought  gives  me  the  horrors  !  "  Still  he  indulges  a  van-ue 
hope  of  succor  from  Greneral  Lee,  who  was  returning,  all  glorious, 
from  his  successes  at  the  South.  "  Crcneral  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  hrutum  fulmen. 

These  letters  show  the  state  of  feeling  in  the  opposite  camps, 
at  this  watchful  moment,  when  matters  seemed  hurrying  to  a 
crisis. 

On  the  night  of  Monday  (Sept.  2d),  a  forty  gun  ship,  taking 
advantage  of  a  favorable  wind  and  tide,  passed  between  Governor's 
Island  and  Long  Island,  swept  unharmed  by  the  batteries  which 
opened  upon  her,  and  anchored  in  Turtle  Bay,  above  the  city.  In 
the  morning,  Washington  despatched  Major  Crane  of  the  artil- 
lery, with  two  twelve-pounders  and  a  howitzer  to  annoy  her  from 
the  New  York  shore.  They  hulled  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  upper  part  of  the  Sound,  having  gone 
round  Long  Island. 

As  the  city  might  speedily  be  attacked,  Washington  caused 
all  the  sick  and  wounded  to  be  conveyed  to  Orangetown,  in  the 
Jerseys,  and  such  military  stores  and  baggage  as  were  not  imme- 
diately needed,  to  be  removed,  as  fast  as  conveyances  could  be  pro- 
cured, to  a  post  partially  fortified  at  Dobbs'  Ferry,  on  the  eastern 
bank  of  the  Hudson,  about  twenty-two  miles  above  the  city. 

Reed,  in  his  letters  to  his  wife,  talks  of  the  dark  and  myste- 
rious motions  of  the  enemy,  and  the  equally  dark  and  intricate 
VOL.  II. — 14* 


322  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  H^TG. 

councils  of  Congress,  by  which  the  army  wore  tlishcartcncd  and 
pcrpluxcd.  "  We  aro  still  here,"  writes  he  on  the  Gth,  "  in  a 
posture  somewhat  awkward ;  wo  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." 

The  "  shameful  and  scandalous  desertions,"  as  Washington 
termed  them,  continued.  In  a  few  days  the  Connecticut  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  oppose  it.  Though  I  would  not  discharge 
them,  I  have  been  obliged  to  acquiesce." 

Still  his  considerate  mind  was  tolerant  of  their  defection. 
"  Men,"  said  he,  "  accustomed  to  unbounded  freedom,  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,  unaccustomd  to 
the  din  of  arms,  totally  unacquainted  with  every  kind  of  mili- 
tary skill  (which  is  followed  by  a  want  of  confidence  in  them- 
selves, when  opposed  to  troops  regularly  trained,  superior  in 
knowledge,  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." 


^'"^^•J  YEARNINGS    FOR    HOME.  323 

Nor  was  this  ill-timed  yearning  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  every  thing  might  go  to  ruin,  and  their  family 
to  want,  in  their  absence.  Some  of  the  gentlemen  volunteers 
from  beyond  the  Delaware,  who  had  made  themselves  merry  at 
the  expense  of  the  rustic  soldiery  of  New  England,  were  like- 
wise among  the  first  to  feel  the  homeward  impulse.  "  When  I 
look  around,"  said  Reed,  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  gentlemen  who  came  over  on  visits,  upon  the  first 
cannon,  went  off"  in  a  most  violent  hurry.  Your  noisy  sons  of  lib- 
erty, are,  I  find,  the  quietest  on  the  field."  * 

Present  experience  induced  Washington  to  reiterate  the  opin- 
ion 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  fur- 
nished by  General  Mercer.  They  were  Maryland  troops  under 
Colonels  Griffith  and  Richardson,  and  were  a  seasonable  addition 
to  his  effective  forces ;  but  the  ammunition  carried  ofi"  by  the 
disbanding  militia,   was  a  serious  loss  at  this  critical  juncture. 

A  work  had  been  commenced  on  the  Jersey  shore,  opposite 
Fort  Washington,  to  aid  in  protecting  Putnam's  chevaux-de-frise 
which  had  been  sunk  between  them.  This  work  had  received 
the  name  of  Fort  Constitution  (a  name  already  borne  by  one  of 

*  Life  of  Reed,  i.  231. 


324  LIFE    OF    WABIIINCJTON.  l'-'^^. 

the  forts  in  the  Iliglilancls.)  Troops  were  drawn  from  the  flying 
camp  to  make  a  Htrong  encampment  in  the  vicinity  of  tlie  fort, 
with  an  abU^  oilicor  to  connnand  it  and  a  akilful  engineer  to 
strengthen  the  works.  It  was  hoped,  by  the  co-operation  of  these 
opposite  forts  and  the  chevaux-de-frise,  to  command  the  Hudson, 
and  prevent  the  passing  and  repassing  of  Jiostile  ships. 

The  British,  in  the  mean  time,  forbore  to  press  further  hos- 
tilities. Lord  Howe  was  really  desirous  of  a  peaceful  adjust- 
ment of  the  strife  between  the  colonies  and  the  mother  country, 
and  supposed  this  a  propitious  moment  for  a  new  attempt  at  pacifi- 
cation. He  accordingly  sent  ofif  General  Sullivan  on  parole, 
charged  with  an  overture  to  Congress.  In  this  he  declared  him- 
self 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  organized 
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  upon,  the  authority  of  Congress  would  after- 
wards be  acknowledged,  to  render  the  compact  complete.* 

The  message  caused  some  embarrassment  in  Congress.  To 
accede  to  the  interview  might  seem  to  waive  the  question  of  in- 
dependence ;  to  decline  it  was  to  shut  the  door  on  all  hope  of 
conciliation,  and  might  alienate  the  co-operation  of  some  worthy 
whigs  who  still  clung  to  that  hope.  After  much  debate.  Con- 
gress, on  the  5th  September,  replied,  that,  being  the  representa- 
tives of  the  free  and  independent  States  of  America,  they  could 
not  Bend  any  members  to  confer  with  his  lordship  in  their  private 

*  Civil  War,'  vol.  i.  p.  190. 


1776.]  A    CONFERENCE    PROPOSED.  325 

characters,  but  that,  ever  desirous  of  establishing  peace  on  rea- 
sonable terms,  they  would  send  a  committee  of  their  body  to  as- 
certain what  authority  he  had  to  treat  with  persons  authorized  by 
Congress,  and  what  propositions  he  had  to  offer. 

A  committee  was  chosen  on  the  6th  of  September,  composed 
of  John  Adams,  Edward  Rutledge,  and  Doctor  Franklin.  The 
latter,  in  the  preceding  year,  during  his  residence  in  England, 
had  become  acquainted  with  Lord  Howe,  at  the  house  of  his 
lordship's  sister,  the  Honorable  Mrs.  Howe,  and  they  had  held 
frequent  conversations  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  Lord 
Howe.  "  Your  lordship  may  possibly  remember  the  tears  of  joy 
that  wet  my  cheek,  when,  at  your  good  sister's  in  London,  you 
gave  me  expectations  that  a  reconciliation  might  soon  take  place. 
I  had  the  misfortune  to  find   those  expectations   disappointed. 

"  The  well-founded  esteem,  and,  permit  me  to  say,  affection, 
which  I  shall  always  have  for  your  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  prevent- 
ing 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  that  impossible  on  any  terms  given  to  you  to  pro- 
pose, you  will  relinquish  so  odious  a  command,  and  return  to  a 
more  honorable  private  station." 

"  I  can  have  no  difficulty  to  acknowledge,"  replied  Lord 
Howe,  "  that  the  powers  I  am  invested  with  were  never  calculated 


326  LIFE    Ul!     WA8I11NGTON.  I '"''<»• 

to  negotiate  a  reunion  with  America,  under  any  other  description 
tlian  as  subject  to  tlie  crown  of  Great  Britain.  ]>iit  I  do  esteem 
these  powers  competent,  not  only  to  confer  and  negotiate  with 
any  gentknncn  of  influence  in  the  colonies  upon  the  terms,  but 
also  to  effect  a  lasting  peace  and  reunion  between  the  two  coun- 
tries, were  the  tempers  of  the  colonies  such  as  professed  in  the 
last  petition  of  Congress  to  the  king."  * 

A  hope  of  the  kind  lingered  in  the  breast  of  his  lordship 
when  he  sought  the  proposed  conference.  It  was  to  take  place 
on  the  11th,  at  a  house  on  Staten  Island,  opposite  to  Amboy; 
at  which  latter  place  the  veteran  Mercer  was  stationed  with  his 
flying  camp.  At  Amboy,  the  committee  found  Lord  Howe's 
barge  waiting  to  receive  them ;  with  a  British  ofiicer  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  Island.  The  admiral 
met  them  on  their  landing,  and  conducted  them  through  his 
guards  to  his  house. 

On  opening  the  conference,  his  lordship  again  intimated  that 
he  could  not  treat  with  them  as  a  committee  of  Congress,  but 
only  confer  with  them  as  private  gentlemen  of  influence  in  the 
colonies,  on  the  means  of  restoring  peace  between  the  two  coun- 
tries. 

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  considerable 

♦  FrankliB's  "Writings,  v.  103. 


177^]  THE    CONFERENCE.  327 

length,  but  made  no  explicit  proposition  of  peace,  nor  promise  of 
redress  of  grievances,  excepting  on  condition  that  the  colonies 
should  return  to  their  allegiance. 

This,  the  commissioners  replied,  was  not  now  to  be  expected. 
Their  repeated  humble  petitions  to  the  king  and  parliament 
having  been  treated  with  contempt,  and  answered  by  additional 
injuries,  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  they  should  return  to  their 
former  dependent  state.* 

His  lordship  expressed  his  sorrow  that  no  accommodation  was 
likely  to  take  place ;  and,  on  breaking  up  the  conference,  assured 
his  old  friend,  Dr.  Franklin,  that  he  should  suffer  great  pain  in 
being  obliged  to  distress  those  for  whom  he  had  so  much  regard. 

"  I  feel  thankful  to  your  lordship  for  your  regard,"  replied 
Franklin  good-humoredly ;  "  the  Americans,  on  their  part,  will 
endeavor  to  lessen  the  pain  you  may  feel,  by  taking  good  care  of 
themselves." 

The  result  of  this  conference  had  a  beneficial  effect.  It 
showed  that  his  lordship  had  no  power  but  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. 

"  Report  of  the  Comm.  to  Cong.,  Sept.  13,  1776. 


CHAPTEE    XXXIV. 

MOVEJIENT9    OF   THE  ENEMY COUNCILS  OF   WAR QUESTION  OF  THE    ABANDOX- 

MENT  OF  THE  CITY DISTRIBUTION  OF  THE  ARMY SHIPS  IN  THE  EAST  RIVER 

THE    ENEMY    AT  HELL    GATE SKIRMISH  AT  TURTLE    BAY PANIC    OF    THE 

CONNECTICUT    MILITIA RAGE    AND    PERSONAL  PERIL  OF  WASHINGTON — PUT- 

NAm's   PERILOUS    RETREAT    FROM    THE    CITY BRITISH    REG.VLE    AT  MURRAY 

HILL. 

Since  the  retreat  from  Brooklyn,  Washington  had  narrowly 
watched  the  movements  of  the  enemy  to  discover  their  further 
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  extrem- 
ity of  the  peninsula,  to  check  an  American  battery  at  Horen's 
Hook  opposite,  and  to  command  the  mouth  of  Harlem  River. 
Troops  were  subsequently  stationed  on  the  islands  about  Hell 
Gate.  "  It  is  evident,"  writes  Washington,  "  the  enemy  mean  to 
enclose  us  on  the  island  of  New  York,  by  taking  post  in  our  rear, 
while  the  shipping  secures  the  front,  and  thus,  by  cutting  off  our 
communication  with  the  country,  oblige  us  to  fight  them  on  their 
own  terms,  or  surrender  at  discretion ;  or  by  a  brilliant  stroke 
endeavor  to  cut  this  army  in  pieces,  and  secure  the  collection  of 


1776.J  QUESTION    OF    ABANDONING    THE    CITY.  329 

arms  and  stores,  which,  they  well  know,  we  shall  not  be  able  soon 
to  replace."  * 

The  question  was,  how  could  their  plans  be  most  successfully 
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.  History,  experience,  the  opin- 
ions of  able  friends  in  Europe,  the  fears  of  the  enemy,  even  the 
declarations  of  Congress,  all  concurred  in  demonstrating  that  the 
war  on  the  American  side  should  be  defensive ;  a  war  of  posts ; 
that,  on  all  occasions,  a  general  action  should  be  avoided,  and 
nothing  put  at  risk  unnecessarily.  "  With  these  views,"  said 
Washington,  ''  and  being  fully  persuaded  that  it  would  be  pre- 
sumption to  draw  out  our  young  troops  into  open  ground  against 
their  superiors,  both  in  number  and  discipline,  I  have  never 
spared  the  spade  and  pickaxe." 

In  a  council  of  war,  held  on  the  7th  of  September,  the  ques- 
tion was  discussed,  whether  the  city  should  be  defended  or  evac- 
uated. All  admitted  that  it  would  not  be  tenable,  should  it  be 
cannonaded  and  bombarded.  Several  of  the  council,  among 
whom  was  General  Putnam,  were  for  a  total  and  immediate  re- 
moval from  the  city ;  urging  that  one  part  of  the  army  might  be 
cut  off  before  the  other  could  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  re- 
cruited 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 

*  Letter  to  the  President  of  Congress. 


330  LIFE    or    WASHINGTON.  L^^Td 

been  fortified  with  great  cost  and  labor,  and  seemed  defensible; 
and  which,  by  some,  l;ad  been  considered  the  key  to  the  northern 
country ;  it  might  dispirit  the  troops,  and  enfeeble  the  cause. 
General  Mercer,  who  was  prevented  by  illness  from  attending  the 
council,  communicated  his  opinion  by  letter.  "  We  should  keep 
New  York  if  possible,"  said  he,  "  as  the  accjuiring  of  it  will  give 
eclat  to  the  arms  of  Great  Britain,  afford  the  soldiers  good  quar- 
ters, and  furnish  a  safe  harbor  for  the  fleet." 

General  Greene,  also,  being  still  unwell,  conveyed  his  opinion 
in  a  letter  to  Washington,  dated  Sept.  5th.  He  advised  that  the 
army  should  abandon  both  city  and  island,  and  post  itself  at 
King's  Bridge  and  along  the  Westchester  shore.  That  there 
was  no  object  to  be  obtained  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 
Hudson,  and  form  an  intrenched  line  across  it,  between  the  city 
and  the  middle  division  of  the  army,  and  support  the  two  flanks 
of  the  line  by  their  shipping.  In  such  case,  it  would  be  neces- 
sary to  fight  them  on  disadvantageous  terms  or  submit. 

The  city  and  island,  be  observed,  were  objects  not  to  be  put 
in  competition  with  the  general  interests  of  America.  Two 
thirds  of  the  city  and  suburbs  belonged  to  tories,  there  was  no 
great  reason,  therefore,  to  run  any  considerable  risk  in  its  de- 
fence. The  honor  and  interest  of  America  required  a  general 
and  speedy  retreat.  But  as  the  enemy,  once  in  possession,  could 
never  be  dislodged  without  a  superior  naval  force ;  as  the  place 
would  furnish  them  with  excellent  winter  quarters  and  barrack 
room,  and  an  abundant  market,  he  advised  to  burn  both  city  and 
suburbs  before  retreating.* 

*  Force's  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  ii.  182, 


1776]  DISTRIBUTION    OF    THE    ARMY.  331 

Well  might  the  poor,  harassed  citizens  feel  hysterical,  threat- 
ened as  they  were  't)y  sea  and  land,  and  their  very  defenders  de- 
bating the  policy  of  Durninjr  their  houses  over  their  heads.  For- 
tunately for  them,  CoD«:^ess  had  expressly  forbidden  that  any 
harm  should  be  done  to  New  York,  trusting,  that  though  the 
enemy  might  occupy  Jt  for  a  time,  it  would  ultimately  be  re- 
gained. 

After  much  discussion  a  middle  course  was  adopted.  Put- 
nam, 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  the  enemy  to  land. 
His  troops,  among  whom  were  Magaw's,  Shee's,  Hand's,  and 
Miles's  Pennsylvanian  battalions,  and  Haslet's  Delaware  regiment, 
were  posted  about  King's  Bridge  and  its  vicinity. 

The  third  division,  composed  principally  of  militia,  was  under 
the  command  of  Grenerals  Greene  and  Spencer,  the  former  of 
whom,  however,  was  still  unwell.  It  was  stationed  about  the  cen- 
tre of  the  island,  chiefly  along  Turtle  Bay  and  Kip'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  sujDport  either  of  the  other  divi- 
sions. Washington  himself  had  his  head-quarters  at  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  city.  A  resolution  of  Congress,  passed  the  10th 
of  September,  left  the  occupation  or  abandonment  of  the  city  en- 
tirely at  Washington's  discretion.  Nearly  the  whole  of  his  offi- 
cers, too,  in  a  second  council  of  war,  retracted  their  former  opin- 
ion, and  determined  that  the  removal  of  his  army  was  not  only 
prudent,  but  absolutely  necessary.  Three  members  of  the  coun- 
cil, however,  Grenerals  Spencer,  Heath,  and  George  Clinton,  te- 
naciously held  to  the  former  decision. 


332  LIFK    OF    WASHINGTON.  1^776. 

Convinced  of  tlie  propriety  of  evacuation,  Washington  pre- 
pared for  it  by  ordering  the  removal  of  all  Ktores,  excepting  such 
as  were  indispen.sa])le  for  tlio  subnistence  of  the  troops  while  they 
remained.  A  letter  from  a  llliode  Island  officer,  on  a  visit 
to  New  York,  gives  an  idea  of  its  agitations.  "On  the  13th 
of  September,  just  after  dinner,  three  frigates  and  a  forty-gun 
ship  sailed  up  the  East  River  with  a  gentle  breeze,  toward  Hell 
Grate,  and  kept  up  an  incessant  fire,  assisted  by  the  cannon  at 
Governor's  Island.  The  batteries  of  the  city  returned  the  ships 
the  like  salutation.  Throe  men  agape,  idle  spectators,  had  the 
misfortune  of  being  killed  by  one  cannon  ball.  One  shot  struck 
within  six  feet  of  General  Washington,  as  he  was  on  horseback, 
riding  into  the  fort."  * 

On  the  14th,  Washington's  baggage  was  removed  to  King's 
Bridge,  whither  head-quarters  were  to  be  transferred  the  same 
evening ;  it  being  clear  that  the  enemy  were  preparing  to  encom- 
pass him  on  the  island.  "  It  is  now  a  trial  of  skill  whether  they 
will  or  not,"  writes  Colonel  Reed,  "  and  every  night  we  lie  down 
with  the  most  anxious  fears  for  the  fate  of  to-morrow."  \ 

About  sunset  of  the  same  day,  six  more  ships,  two  of  them 
men-of-war,  passed  up  the  Sound  and  joined  those  above.  Within 
half  an  hour  came  expresses  spurring  to  head-quarters,  one  from 
Mifflin  at  King's  Bridge,  the  other  from  Colonel  Sargent  at 
Keren's  Hook.  Three  or  four  thousand  of  the  enemy  were  cross- 
ing at  Hell  Gate  to  the  islands  at  the  mouth  of  Harlem  River, 
where  numbers  were  already  encamped.  An  immediate  landing 
at  Harlem,  or  Morrisania,  was  apprehended.  Washington  wag 
instantly  in  the  saddle,  spurring  to  Harlem  Heights.     The  night, 

.  *  Col.  Babcock  to  Gov.  Cooke.     Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  ii.  443. 
t  Reed  to  Mrs.  Reed. 


1776.]  SKIRMISH    AT   TURTLE   BAY.  333 

however,  passed  away  quietly.  In  tlie  morning  the  enemy  com- 
menced operations.  Three  ships  of  war  stood  up  the  Hudson, 
"  causing  a  most  tremendous  firing,  assisted  by  the  cannons  of 
Governor's  Island,  which  firing  was  returned  from  the  city  as 
well  as  the  scarcity  of  heavy  cannon  would  allow."  *  The  ships 
anchored  opposite  Bloomingdale,  a  few  miles  above  the  city,  and 
put  a  stop  to  the  removal  by  water  of  stores  and  provisions  to 
Dobbs'  Ferry.  About  eleven  o'clock,  the  ships  in  the  East  River 
commenced  a  heavy  cannonade  Upon  the  breastworks  between 
Turtle  Bay  and  the  city.  At  the  same  time  two  divisions  of  the 
troops  encamped  on  Long  Island,  one  British,  under  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  the  other  Hessian,  under  Colonel  Donop,  emerged  in 
boats  from  the  deep,  woody  recesses  of  Newtown  Inlet,  and  under 
cover  of  the  fire  from  the  ships,  began  to  land  at  two  points  be- 
tween Turtle  and  Kip's  Bays.  The  breastworks  were  manned  by 
militia  who  had  recently  served  at  Brooklyn.  Disheartened  by 
their  late  defeat,  they  fled  at  the  first  advance  of  the  enemy. 
Two  brigades  of  Putnam's  Connecticut  *  troops  (Parsons'  and 
Fellows')  which  had  been  sent  that  morning  to  support  them, 
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  fugitives,  he  endeavored  to  rally 
and  restore  them  to  order.  All  in  vain.  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-command  at 
the  sight  of  such  dastardly  conduct,  he  dashed  his  hat  upon  the 

*  Letter  of  Col.  Babcock  to  Gov.  Cooke. 


334  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1770. 

ground  in  a  transport  of  rage.  "  Arc  tlicsc  the  men,"  exclaimed 
he,  "  with  whom  I  am  to  defend  America !  "  In  a  paroxysm  of 
passion  and  despair  he  snapped  liis  pistols  at  some  of  them, 
threatened  others  with  his  sword,  and  was  so  heedless  of  his  own 
danger,  that  he  might  have  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  vehe- 
ment element  of  his  nature  was  stirred  up  from  its  deep  recesses. 
He  soon  recovered  his  self-possession,  and  took  measures  against 
the  general  peril.  The  enemy  might  land  another  force  about 
Hell  Gate,  seize  upon  Harlem  Heights,  the  strong  central  portion 
of  the  island,  cut  off  all  retreat  of  the  lower  divisions,  and  effect- 
ually sever  his  army.  In  all  haste,  therefore,  he  sent  off  an  ex- 
press to  the  forces  encamped  above,  directing  them  to  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  followed 
up  their  advantage,  and  seized  upon  the  heights,  before  thus  occu- 
pied ;  or  had  they  extended  themselves  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  themselves  for  the  present  with  sending  a  strong  de- 
tachment down  the  road  along  the  East  River,  leading  to  the  city, 
while  the  main  body,  British  and  Hessians,  rested  on  their  arms. 

*  Graydon's  Memoirs,  Littell's  ed.,  p.  174.  General  Greene,  in  a  letter  to  a 
friend,  writes :  "  We  made  a  miserable,  disorderly  retreat  from  New  York,  owino- 
to  the  conduct  of  the  militia,  who  ran  at  the  appearance  of  the  enemy's  advanced 
guard.  Fellows'  and  Parsons'  brigades  ran  away  from  about  fifty  men,  and 
left  his  excellency  on  the  ground,  within  eighty  yards  of  the  enemy,  so  vexed 
at  the  infamous  conduct  of  his  troops,  that  he  sought  death  rather  than  life." 

VOL.  II. — 23 


1776.]  PUTNAM'S    RETREAT    FROM    THE    CITY.  335 

In  the  mean  time,  Putnam,  on  receiving  Washington's  ex- 
press, called  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  d  burning  sun  and 
amid  clouds  of  dust.  His  army  was  encumbered  with  women  and 
children  and  all  kinds  of  baggage.  Many  were  overcome  by  fa- 
tigue and  thirst,  some  perished  by  hastily  drinking  cold  water ; 
but  Putnam  rode  backward  and  forward,  hurrying  every  one  on. 

Colonel  Humphreys,  at  that  time  a  volunteer  in  his  division, 
writes  :  "  I  had  frequent  opportunities  that  day  of  beholding 
him,  for  the  purpose  of  issuing  orders  and  encouraging  the 
troops,  flying  on  his  horse  covered  with  foam,  wherever  his  pres- 
ence was  most  necessary.  Without  his  extraordinary  exertions, 
the  guards^  must  have  been  inevitably  lost,  and  it  is  probable  the 
entire  corps  would  have  been  cut  in  pieces. 

"  When  we  were  not  far  from  Bloomingdale,  an  aide-de-camp 
came  to  him  at  full  speed,  to  inform  him  that  a  column  of  British 
infantry  was  descending  upon  our  right.  Our  rear  was  soon  fired 
upon,  and  the  colonel  of  our  regiment,  whose  order  was  just  com- 
municated for  the  front  to  file  off  to  the  left,  was  killed  upon  the 
spot.  With  no  other  loss,  we  joined  the  army  after  dark  upon 
the  heights  of  Harlem."* 

Tradition  gives  a  circumstance  which  favored  Putnam's  re- 
treat. The  British  generals,  in  passing  by  Murray  Hill,  the 
country  residence  of  a  patriot  of  that  name  wlio  was  of  the  So- 

*  Peabody,  Life  of  Putnam.     Sparks'  Am.  Biog.,  vii.  189. 


336  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

ciety  of  Friends,  made  a  halt  to  sock  some  refreshment.  The 
proprietor  of  tiie  house  was  absent;  but  his  wife  set  cake  and 
wine  before  them  in  abundance.  So  grateful  were  tliese  refresh- 
ments iu  the  heat  of  the  day,  that  they  lingered  over  their  wine, 
quaffing  and  laughing,  and  bantering  their  patriotic  hostess  about 
the  ludicrous  panic  and  discomfiture  of  her  countrymen.  In  the 
mean  time,  before  they  were  roused  from  their  regale,  Putnam 
and  his  forces  had  nearly  passed  by,  within  a  mile  of  them.  All 
the  loss  sustained  by  him  in  his  perilous  retreat,  was  fifteen 
killed,  and  about  three  hundred  taken  prisoners.  It  became, 
adds  the  tradition,  a  common  saying  among  the  American  offi- 
cers, that  Mrs.  Murray  saved  Putnam's  division  of  the  army.* 

*  Thacher's  Military  Journal,  p.  70. 


CHAPTER    XXXV. 

FORTinED    CAMP  AT  KING's  BRIDGE AMERICAN  AND  BRITISH  LINES — ^THE  MOR- 
RIS    HOUSE — ALEXANDER    HAMILTON THE     ENEMY    ADVANCE — SUCCESSFUIj 

SKIR3USn — DEATH  OF  KNOWLTON — GREAT  FIRE  IN  NEW  YORK REORGAN- 
IZATION OF  THE  ARMY EXCHANGE  OF  PRISONERS DANIEL  MORGAN  RE- 
GAINED  DE  LANCEy's    TORY    BRIGADE — ROBERT    ROGERS,  THE    PARTISAN 

HIS  RANGEHS THE  ROEBUCK,  PHCENIX,  AND  TARTAR  IN  THE  HUDSON MILI- 
TARY MOVEMENTS  BY  LAND  AND  WATER LETTER  OF  JOHN  JAY. 

The  fortified  camp,  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  Manhattan  or  New  York  Island.  It  forms  a  chain  of  rocky 
heights,  and  is  separated  from  the  mainland  by  Harlem  River,  a 
narrow  strait,  extending  from  Hell  Gate  on  the  Sound,  to  Spyt 
den  Duivel,  a  creek  or  inlet  of  the  Hudson.  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  River  to  the  Hud- 
son.    They  faced  south  towards  New  York,  were  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  apart,  and  were  defended  by  batteries. 
VOL.  II. — 15 


338  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  L177C. 

There  were  wtrong  udvnnced  posts,  about  two  miles  south  of 
the  outer  line ;  one  on  the  left  of  Harlem,  commanded  by  Gen- 
eral Spencer,  the  other  on  the  right,  at  what  was  called  Mc- 
Gowan's  Pass,  commanded  by  General  Putnam.  About,  a  mile 
and  a  half  beyond  these  posts  the  British  lines  extended  across 
the  island  from  Iloren's  Hook  to  the  Hudson,  being  a  continuous 
encampment,  two  miles  in  length,  with  both  flanks  covered  by 
shipping.     An  open  plain  intervened  between  the  hostile  camps. 

"Washington  had  established  his  head-quarters  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  within  the  inner  line;  at  a  country-seat,  the  owners  of 
which  were  absent.  It  belonged  in  fact  to  Colonel  Roger  Mor- 
ris, his  early  companion  in  arms  in  Braddock's  campaign,  and  his 
successful  competitor  for  the  hand  of  Miss  Mary  Philipse.  Mor- 
ris 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.* 

While  thus  posted,  Washington  was  incessantly  occupied  in 
fortifying  the  approaches  to  his  camp  by  redoubts,  abatis,  and 
deep  intrenchments.  "  Here,"  said  he,  "  I  should  hope  the 
enemy,  in  case  of  attack,  would  meet  a  defeat,  if  the  generality 
of  our  troops  would  behave  with  tolerable  bravery ;  but  experi- 
ence, to  my  extreme  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  freedom."  The 
late  disgraceful  scene  at  Kip's  Bay  was  evidently  rankling  in  his 
mind. 

*  The  portrait  of  Miss'  Mary  Philipse  is  still  to  be  seen  in  the  possession 
of  Frederick  Phillips,  Esquire,  at  the  Grange,  on  the  Highlands  opposite  West 
Point. 


1776.]  THE    ENEMY    ADVANCE.  339 

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  no- 
tice. After  some  conversation  with  him,  Washington  invited 
him  to  his  marquee,  and  thus  commenced  that  intercourse  which 
has  indissolubly  linked  their  memories  together. 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th,  word  was  brought  to  head-quar- 
ters that  the  enemy  were  advancing  in  three  large  columns. 
There  had  been  so  many  false  reports,  that  Reed,  the  adjutant- 
general,  obtained  leave  to  sally  out  and  ascertain  the  truth. 
"Washington  himself  soon  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  towards 
the  advanced  posts.  On  arriving  there  he  heard  a  brisk  firing. 
It  was  kept  up  for  a  time  with  great  spirit.  There  was  evidently 
a  sharp  conflict.  At  length  Reed  came  galloping  back  with  in- 
formation. A  strong  detachment  of  the  enemy  had  attacked  the 
most  advanced  post,  which  was  situated  on  a  hill  skirted  by  a 
wood.  It  had  been  bravely  defended  by  Lieutenant-colonel 
Knowlton,  Putnam's  favorite  officer,  who  had  distinguished  him- 
self at  Bunker's  Hill ;  he  had  under  him  a  party  of  Connecticut 
rangers,  volunteers  from  different  regiments.  After  skirmishing 
for  a  time,  the  party  had  been  overpowered  by  numbers  and 
driven  in,  and  the  outpost  was  taken  possession  of  by  the  enemy. 
Reed  supposed  the  latter  to  be  about  three  hundred  strong,  but 
they  were  much  stronger,  the  main  part  having  been  concealed 
behind  a  rising  ground  in  the  wood.  They  were  composed  of  a 
battalion  of  light  infantry,  another  of  Royal  Highlanders,  and 
three  companies  of  Hessian  riflemen ;  all  under  tho  command  of 
General  Leslie. 


340  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [177C. 

llocd  urged  that  troops  should  bo  scut  to  BUj)port  the  bravo 
follows  who  had  behaved  so  well.  While  ho  waa  talking  witlj 
Washiugton,  "  the  enemy,"  he  says,  "  appeared  in  open  view,  and 
Bounded  their  bugles  in  the  most  insulting  manner,  as  usual  after 
a  fox-chase.  I  never,"  adds  lie,  "  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.  He- 
solved  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's  regiment  just  arrived  from  Virginia,  and 
sent  them  under  Major  Leitch,  to  join  Knowlton's  rangers.  The 
troops  thus  united  were  to  get  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  while  a 
feigned  attack  was  made  upon  them  in  front. 

The  plan  was  partially  successful.  As  the  force  advanced  to 
make  the  false  attack,  the  enemy  ran  down  the  hill,  and  took 
what  they  considered  an  advantageous  position  behind  some 
fences  and  bushes  which  skirted  it.  A  firing  commenced  between 
them  and  the  advancing  party,  but  at  too  great  distance  to  do 
much  harm  on  either  side.  In  the  mean  time,  Knowlton  and 
Leitch,  ignorant  of  this  change  in  the  enemy's  position,  having 
made  a  circuit,  came  upon  them  in  flank  instead  of  in  rear. 
They  were  sharply  received.  A  vivid  contest  took  place,  in 
which  Connecticut  vied  with  Virginia  in  bravery.  In  a  little 
while  Major  Leitch  received  three  bullets  in  his  side,  and  was 
borne  oflf  the  field.  Shortly  afterward,  a  wound  in  the  head  from 
a  musket  ball,  brought  Knowlton  to  the  ground.  Colonel  Reed 
placed  him  on  his  horse,  and  conveyed  him  to  a  distant  redoubt. 
The  men,  undismayed  by  the  fall  of  their  leaders,  fought  with 
unflinching    resolution    under   the    command    of  their    captains. 


177^1  A    SUCCESSFUL    SKIRMISH.  341 

The  enemy  were  reinforced  by  a  battalion  of  Ilessiai.s  and  a 
company  of  chasseurs.  Washington  likewise  sent  reinforcements 
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  distance;  the  Americans  were  pursuing 
them  with  ardor,  when  Washington,  having  effected  the  object  of 
this  casual  encounter,  and  being  unwilling  to  risk  a  general  ac- 
tion, 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  subsequently  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  Knowlton  did  not  long  survive  the  action,  "  When 
gasping  in  the  agonies  of  death,"  says  Colonel  Reed,  ''  all  his  in- 
quiry was  whether  he  had  driven  in  the  enemy."  He  was  anx- 
ious  for  the  tarnished  honor  of  Connecticut.  He  had  the  dying 
satisfaction  of  knowing  that  his  men  had  behaved  bravely,  and 
'  driven  the  enemy  in  an  open  field-fight.  So  closed  his  gallant 
career. 

The  encounter  thus  detailed  was  a  small  affair  in  itsef,  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  advantage.  In  his  general 
orders,  he  skilfully  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  support- 
ing them,  and  their  conduct  was  honorably  contrasted  with  that 
of  the  recreant  troops  at  Kip's  Bay.     Of  Kuowltou,  who  had 


342  UVK    OF    WASHINGTON.  l>77(;. 

fiillen   while  gloriouHly   ^'gliling,   l»c  spoke  as  "one   who   would 
have  done  honor  to  any  country." 

The  name  of  Leiteh  was  given  l)y  liiin  for  the  next  day's 
parole.  That  brave  officer  died  of  his  wounds  on  the  l.st  of  Oc- 
tober, soothed  in  his  last  moments  by  that  recompense  so  dear  to 
a  soldier's  heart,  the  encomium  of  a  beloved  connnander. 

In  the  dead  of  the  night,  on  the  20th  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  day- 
break huge  columns  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  General  Howe,  came  out  with  a  flag,  bearing  a  letter  to 
Washington  on  the  subject  of  an  exchange  of  prisoners.  Ac- 
cording 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 
incendiaries,  several  of  whom,  he  informed  Colonel  Reed,  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  judges  of  fact,  or 
dispensers  of  justice.  The  act  was  always  disclaimed  by  the 
Americans,  and  it  is  certain  their  commanders  knew  nothing 
about  it.     We  have  shown  that  the  destruction  of  the  city  was  at 


1770.]  REORGANIZATION    OF    THE    ARMY.  343 

one  time  discussed  in  a  council  of  war  as  a  measure  of  policy, 
but  never  adopted,  and  was  expressly  forbidden  by  Congress. 

The  enemy  were  now  bringing  up  their  heavy  cannon,  prepar- 
atory to  an  attack  upon  the  American  camp  by  the  troops  and  by 
the  ships.  What  was  the  state  of  Washington's  army  ?  The 
terms  of  engagement  of  many  of  his  men  would  soon  be  at  an 
end,  most  of  them  would  terminate  with  the  year,  nor  did  Con- 
gress hold  out  offers  to  encourage  re-enlistments.  "  We  are  now, 
as  it  were,  upon  the  eve  of  another  dissolution  of  the  army," 
writes  he,  "  and  unless  some  speedy  and  effectual  measures  are 
adopted  by  Congress,  our  cause  will  be  lost."  Under  these 
gloomy  apprehensions,  he  borrowed,  as  he  said,  "  a  few  moments 
from  the  hours  allotted  to  sleep,"  and  on  the  night  of  the  24th 
of  September,  penned  an  admirable  letter  to  the  President  of 
Congress,  setting  forth  the  total  inefficiency  of  the  existing  mili- 
tary system,  the  total  insubordination,  waste,  confusion,  and  dis- 
content produced  by  it  among  the  men,  and  the  harassing  cares 
and  vexations  to  which  it  subjected  the  commanders.  Nor  did 
he  content  himself  with  complaining,  but,  in  his  full,  clear,  and 
sagacious  manner,  pointed  out  the  remedies.  To  the  achieve- 
ments of  his  indefatigable  pen,  we  may  trace  the  most  fortunate 
turns  in  the  current  of  our  revolutionary  affairs.  In  the  present 
instance  his  representations,  illustrated  by  sad  experience,  pro- 
duced at  length  a  reorganization  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 


344  LIFE   OF    WARIIINGTON.  M''7<;. 

■\vlio  enlisted  lor  Imt  tliree  years,  received  no  bounty  in  land. 
The  bounty  to  officers  was  on  u  liigher  ratio.  Tlic  States  were  to 
send  conmiLssioncrs  to  the  army,  to  arrange  with  the  conimander- 
iu-chief  as  to  the  appointment  of  officers  in  their  quotas ;  but,  as 
they  might  occasionally  be  slow  in  complying  with  this  regula- 
tion, Washington  was  empowered  to  fill  up  all  vacancies. 

All  this  was  a  great  relief  to  his  mind.  lie  was  gratified, 
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  Captain  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  Wash- 
ington for  the  command  of  a  rifle  regiment  about  to  be  raised. 
We  shall  see  how  eminently  he  proved  himself  worthy  of  this 
recommendation. 

About  this  time  information  was  received  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  pesron  who  should  raise  a  company  of  seventy  men ; 
the  latter  to  recieive  British  pay. 

A  descent  upon  Long  Island,  to  counteract  these  projects, 
was  concerted  by  General  George   Clinton   of  New  York,  and 


1776.]  ROCEIIS    THE    RENEGADE.  345 

General  Lincoln  of  Massachusetts,  l)ut  men  and  water  craft  were 
wanting  to  carry  it  into  effect,  and  the  "  tory  enlistments  contin- 
ued." They  were  not  confined  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  more  es- 
pecially. Many  of  the  loyalists,  it  must  be  acknowledged,  were 
honorable  men,  conscientiously  engaged  in  the  service  of  their 
sovereign,  and  anxious  to  put  down  what  they  sincerely  regarded 
as  an  unjustifiable  rebellion ;  and  among  these  may  be  clearly 
classed  the  De  Lanceys.  There  were  others,  however,  of  a  differ- 
ent stamp,  the  most  notorious  of  whom,  at  this  juncture,  was  one 
Robert  Rogers  of  New  Hampshire.  He  had  been  a  worthy  com- 
rade of  Putnam  and  Stark,  in  some  of  their  early  enterprises 
during  the  French  war,  and  had  made  himself  famous  as  major 
of  a  partisan  corps  called  Rogers'  Rangers.  Governor  Trumbull 
described  him  as  a  "  famous  scouter  and  wood-hunter,  skilled  in 
waylaying,  ambuscade,  and  sudden  attack."  His  feats  of  arms 
had  evidently  somewhat  of  the  Indian  character.  He  had  since 
been  Governor  of  Michilimackinac  (1766),  and  accused  of  a  plot 
to  plunder  his  own  fort  and  join  the  French.  At  the  outbreak 
of  the  Revolution  he  played  a  skulking,  equivocal  part,  and  ap- 
peared ready  to  join  either  party.  In  1775,  Washington  had  re- 
ceived notice  that  he  was  in  Canada,  in  the  service  of  Carleton, 
and  had  been  as  a  spy,  disguised  as  an  Indian,  through  the  Amer- 
ican camp  at  St.  Johns. 

Recently,  on  learning  that  he  was  prowling  about  the  country 
under  suspicious  circumstances,  Washington  had  caused  him  to  be 
arrested.  On  examination,  he  declared  that  he  was  on  his  way 
to  offer  his  secret  serviccb  to  Congress.  He  was  accordingly  sent 
on  to  that  body,  in  custody  of  an  officer.     Congress  liberated 

VOL.   II.  — 15* 


34(J  LIFE    OF    WASTIINflTON.  [177C. 

liiiii  on  his  pledging  hiui.sclf  in  writing,  "  on  the  honor  of  a  gen- 
tleman," not  to  bimr  arniH  against  the  American  United  Colonies 
in  any  manner  whatever,  during  the  contest  with  Great  Britain. 

Scarcely  was  he  liberated  when  he  forfeited  his  parole,  offered 
liis  services  to  the  enemy,  received  a  colonel's  commission,  and 
was  now  actually  raising  a  tory  corps  to  be  called  the  Queen's 
Rangers.  All  such  as  should  bring  recruits  to  his  standard  were 
promised  commissions,  portions  of  rebel  lands,  and  privileges 
ecjual  to  any  of  his  majesty's  troops. 

Of  all  Americans  of  note  enlisted  under  the  royal  standard, 
this  man  had  rendered  himself  the  most  odious.  He  was  stigma- 
tized as  an  arrant  renegade,  a  perfect  Judas  Iscariot ;  and  his 
daring,  adventurous  spirit  and  habits  of  Indian  warfare  rendered 
him  a  formidable  enemy. 

Nothing  perplexed  Washington  at  this  juncture  more  than 
the  conduct  of  the  enemy.  He  beheld  before  him  a  hostile  army, 
armed  and  equipped  at  all  points,  superior  in  numbers,  thorough- 
ly disciplined,  flushed  with  success,  and  abounding  in  the  means 
of  pushing  a  vigorous  campaign,  yet  suff"ering  day  after  day  to 
elapse  unimproved.  What  could  be  the  reason  of  this  supinenoss 
on  the  part  of  Sir  William  Howe  ?  He  must  know  the  depressed 
and  disorganized  state  of  the  American  camp ;  the  absolute 
chaos  that  reigned  there.  Did  he  meditate  an  irruption  into  the 
Jerseys  ?  A  movement  towards  Philadelphia  ?  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  Mercer,  of  the 
flying  camp,  to  keep  a  vigilant  watch  from  the  Jersey  shore  on  the 
movements  of  the  enemy,  by  sea  and  land,  and  to  station  videttes 
on  the  Neversiuk  Heights,  to  give  immediate  intelligence  should 


WEm  iF£^^n'S£^m  m.m^w..m  ®rj  -^mie  mm 


mE^.E:iR,WTs  ^rir  is^i^j^s:,  mjsw  if(n.T^j^ 


I 


1776.J  OBSTRUCTIONS    OF    THE    HUDSON.  347 

any  of  the  British  fleet  put  to  sea.  At  the  same  time  he  him- 
self practised  unceasing  vigilance,  visiting  the  different  parts  of 
his  camp  on  horseback.  Occasionally  he  crossed  over  to  Fort 
Constitution,  on  the  Jersey  shore,  of  which  General  Greene  had 
charge,  and,  accompanied  by  him,  extended  his  reconnoitrings 
down  to  Paulus  Hook,  to  observe  what  was  going  on  in  the  city 
and  among  the  enemy's  ships.  •  Greene  had  recently  been  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  major-general,  and  now  had  command  of  all 
the  troops  in  the  Jerseys.  He  had  liberty  to  shift  his  quarters 
to  Baskingridge  or  Bergen,  as  circumstances  might  require;  but 
was  enjoined  to  keep  up  a  communication  with  the  main  army, 
east  of  the  Hudson,  so  as  to  secure  a  retreat  in  case  of  neces- 
sity. 

The  security  of  the  Hudson  was  at  this  time  an  object  of 
great  solicitude  with  Congress,  and  much  reliance  was  placed  on 
Putnam's  obstructions  at  Fort  Washington.  Four  galleys, 
mounted  with  heavy  guns  and  swivels,  were  stationed  at  the 
chevaux-de-frise,  and  two  new  ships  were  at  hand,  which,  filled 
with  stones,  were  to  be  sunk  where  they  would  block  up  the 
channel.  A  sloop  was  also  at  anchor,  having  on  board  a  ma- 
chine, invented  by  a  Mr.  Bushnell,  for  submarine  explosion,  with 
which  to  blow  up  the  men-of-war  ;  a  favorite  scheme  with  Gen- 
eral Putnam.  The  obstructions  were  so  commanded  by  batteries 
on  each  shore,  that  it  was  thought  no  hostile  ship  would  be  able 
to  pass. 

On  the  9th  of  October,  however,  the  Roebuck  and  Phoenix, 
each  of  forty-four  guns,  and  the  Tartar  of  twenty  guns,  which 
had  been  lying  for  some  time  opposite  Bloomingdale,  got  under 
way  with  their  three  tenders,  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and 
came  standing  up  the  river  with  an  easy  southern  breeze.     At 


348  LIFE    OF    VVASlIINtiTON.  [1776. 

tLeir  ;ipi)roaL'li,  tlio  galleys  .-ind  the  two  nliips  intended  to  be  sunk, 
got  under  way  witli  :ill  Jiaste,  as  did  a  schoouer  laden  with  rum, 
sugar,  and  other  supplies  for  the  American  army,  and  the  sloop 
with  Bushnell's  submarine  nuichine. 

The  Roebu(;k,  Phojnix  and  Tartar,  broke  through  the  vaunted 
barriers  as  through  a  cobweb.  Seven  batteries  kept  up  a  con- 
stant fire  upon  them,  yet  a  gentleman  was  observed  walking  the 
deck  of  the  second  ship  as  coolly  as  if  nothing  were  the  matter.* 
Washington,  indeed,  in  a  letter  to  Schuyler,  says  "  they  passed 
without  any  kind  of  damage  or  interruj  tion  ;  "  but  Lord  Howe 
reports  to  the  admiralty  that  they  suffered  much  in  their  masts 
and  rigging,  and  that  a  lieutenant,  two  midshipmen,  and  six  men 
were  killed,  and  eighteen  wounded. 

The  hostile  ships  kept  on  their  course,  the  American  vessels 
scudding  before  them.  The  schooner  was  overhauled  send  cap- 
tured ;  a  well-aimed  shot  sent  the  sloop  and  Bushnell's  submarine 
engine  to  the  bottom  of  the  river.  The  two  new  ships  would 
have  taken  refuge  in  Spyt  den  Duivel  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'clock  began  to  fire  on 
them  with  their  bow-cbasers,  and  at  12  o'clock  overreached  them, 
which  caused  them  to  bear  in  shore ;  at  half  past  one  the  galleys 
ran  aground  just  above  Dobbs'  Ferry,  and  lay  exposed  to  a 
shower  of  grape-shot.  The  crews,  without  stopping  to  burn  or 
bilge  them,  swam  on  shore,  and  the  enemy  took  possession  of  the 

*  Col.  Ewing  to  the  Maryland  Comm.  of  Safety. 


PLAN  OF  TIIK  ATTACK  ON  FORTS  OLINTON  AND  MONTGOMKRY, 
OOTOUKR  6,  1777.— [drawn  HY  a  liRITISll  OFFICER,  AN1> 
PUIJLISIIED    IN    LONDON    IN    1784.] 


1776.]  AGITATION    ALONG    THE    HUDSON.  349 

two  galle\'S.  which  were  likely  to  be  formidable  means  of  annov- 
ance  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  eastern  shore  with  five  hundred  infantry,  a  troop  of 
light-horse,  and  a  detachment  of  artillery,  to  prevent  the  landing 
of  the  enemy.  Before  the  troops  arrived  at  Dobbs*  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  river 
from  coming  down,  or  others  from  below  joining  them.  "Washing- 
ton gave  orders  to  complete  the  obstructions.  Two  hulks  which 
lay  in  Spyt  den  Duivel  Creek,  were  hastily  ballasted  by  men  from 
General  Heath's  division,  and  men  were  sent  up  to  get  off  the 
ships  which  had  run  aground  at  Philips'  3Iills.  that  they  might 
be  brought  down  and  sunk  immediately. 

It  is  difficult  to  give  an  idea  of  the  excitement  caused  by  this 
new  irruption  of  hostile  ships  into  the  waters  of  the  Hudson,  or 
of  the  various  conjectures  as  to  their  object.  They  might  intend 
merely  to  interrupt  navigation,  and  prevent  supplies  from  coming 
down  to  the  American  army.  They  might  be  carrying  arms  and 
ammunition  for  domestic  enemies  skulking  about  the  river,  and 
only  waiting  an  opportunity  to  strike  a  blow.  They  might  have 
troops  concealed  on  board  with  intent  to  surprise  the  posts  in  the 
Highlands,  and  cut  off  the  intercourse  between  the  American 
armies.  To  such  a  degree  had  the  spirit  of  disaffection  been  in- 
creased in  the  counties  adjacent  to  the  river,  since  the  descent  of 
the  Rose  and  Phoenix,  by  the  retreats  and  evacuation  which  had 
take  place ;   and  so  great  had  been  the  drain  on  the  militia  of 


350  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

those  counties  for  tbo  army  of  Wasirin^ton,  tliat,  in  oaso  of  in- 
surrection, those  who  remained  at  liomc  and  were  well  affected, 
would  bo  outnumbered,  and  might  easily- be  overpowered,  espe- 
cially with  the  aid  of  troops  landed  from  ships. 

While  this  agitation  prevailed  below,  fugitive  river  crafts  car- 
ried the  news  up  to  the  Highlands  that  the  frigates  were  already 
before  Tarrytowu  in  the  Tappan  Sea.  Word  was  instantly  de- 
spatched to  Peter  R.  Livingston,  president  of  the  Provincial 
Congress,  and  startled  that  deliberative  body,  which  was  then 
seated  at  Fishkill  just  above  the  Highlands.  The  committee  of 
safety  wrote,  on  the  spur  of  the  moment,  to  Washington. 
"  Nothing,"  say  they,  "  can  be  more  alarming  than  the  present 
situation  of  our  State.  We  are  daily  getting  the  most  authentic 
intelligence  of  bodies  of  men  enlisted  and  armed  in  order  to 
assist  the  enem)^  We  much  fear  that  they,  co-operating  with  the 
enemy,  may  seize  such  passes  as  will  cut  off  the  communication 
between  the  army  and  us,  and  prevent  your  supplies.  *  *  *  * 
We  beg  leave  to  suggest  to  your  Excellency  the  propriety  of 
sending  a  body  of  men  to  the  Highlands  or  Peekskill,  to  secure 
the  passes,  prevent  insurrection,  and  overawe  the  disaffected." 

Washington  transmitted  the  letter  to  the  President  of  Con- 
gress 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  they  suggest  may  happen,  and 
"which  there  is  reason  to  believe  the  conspirators  have  in  contem- 
plation. I  am  persuaded  that  they  are  on  the  eve  of  breaking 
out,  and  that  they  will  leave  nothing  unessayed  that  will  distress 
us,  and  favor  the  designs  of  the  enemy,  as  soon  as  their  schemes 
are  ripe  for  it."  In  fact,  it  was  said  that  the  tories  were  arming 
and  collecting  in  the  Highlands  under  the  direction  of  disguised 


TllK    KLYBIAN    FlliLl>b    ANIJ    CABTLK    POINT. 


1776.]  AGITATION   ALONG    THE    HUDSON.  351 

officers,  to  aid  the  conspiracies  formed  by  Governor  Tryon  and 
his  adherents. 

As  a  further  precaution,  an  express  was  sent  off  by  Washing- 
ton to  Colonel  Tash,  who,  with  a  regiment  of  New  Hampshire 
militia,  was  on  his  way  from  Hartford  to  the  camp,  ordering  him 
to  repair  with  all  possible  dispatch  to  Fishkill,  and  there  hold 
himself  at  the  disposition  of  the  committee  of  safety. 

James  Clinton,  also,  who  had  charge  of  the  posts  in  the  High- 
lands, was  put  on  the  alert.  That  trusty  officer  was  now  a  brig- 
adier-general, having  been  promoted  by  Congress,  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  intelligence.  Moreover,  a 
French  engineer  was  sent  up  to  aid  in  strengthening  and  securing 
the  passes.  The  commanding  officers  of  the  counties  of  Litch- 
field and  Fairfield  in  Connecticut,  had,  likewise,  orders  to  hold 
their  militia  in  readiness  to  render  assistance  in  case  of  insurrec- 
tions in  the  State  of  New  York. 

So  perilous  appeared  the  condition  of  affairs  to  residents  up 
the  river,  that  John  Jay,  a  member  of  the  New  York  Conven- 
tion, and  one  of  the  secret  committee  for  the  defence  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 
Rutledge,  of  the  Board  of  War,  contains  this  remarkable  sen- 
tence :  "  I  wish  our  army  well  stationed  in  the  Highlands,  and 


352  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [177G. 

all  tlic  lower  country  desolated ;  we  miglit  then  bid  defiance  to 
all  the  further  efforts  of  the  enemy  in  that  quarter." 

Nor  was  this  a  random  or  despairing  wish.  It  shows  a  bravo 
spirit  of  a  leading  civilian  of  the  day,  and  the  sacrifices  that  true 
patriots  were  disposed  to  make  in  the  cause  of  independence. 

But  a  few  days  previously  he  had  held  the  following  languaorc 
10  Gouverneur  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 
Island^  Staten  Island,  the  city  and  county  of  New  York,  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  Fort  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  forti- 
fied. Nor  do  I  think  the  shallowing;  of  the  river  a  romantic 
scheme.  Rocky  mountains  rise  immediately  from  the  shores. 
The  breadth  is  not  very  great,  though  the  depth  is.  But  what 
cannot  eight  or  ten  thousand  men,  well  worked,  effect  ?  Accord- 
ing to  this  plan  of  defence  the  State  would  be  absolutely  impreg- 
nable against  all  the  world,  on  the  seaside,  and  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  fore- 
see that  a  retreat  would  become  necessary,  and  I  can't  forbear 
wishing  that  a  desire  of  saving  a  few  acres  may  not  lead  us  into 
difficulties. "  * 

*  Am.  Archives,  5tli  Series,  vol.  ii.  921. 


1776.]  Washington's  tacht.  353 

Three  days  after  this  remarkable  letter  was  written,  the 
enemy's  ships  did  gain  the  river ;  and  two  days  afterwards, 
October  11th,  Reed,  the  adjutant-general,  the  confidant  of  Wash- 
ington's councils,  writes  to  his  wife  from  Harlem  Heights :  "  My 
most  sanguine  views  do  not  extend  further  than  keeping  our 
ground  here  till  this  campaign  closes.  If  the  enemy  incline  to 
press  us,  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  unfavorable  to  tis  here." 

On  the  same  day  that  this  letter  was  written,  a  small  vessel, 
sloop-rigged,  with  a  topsail,  was  descried  from  Mount  Washing- 
ton, coming  down  the  river  with  a  fresh  breeze.  It  was  sus- 
pected 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  too  true.  Three  of  the  crew  were  killed  and  the 
captain  wounded.  It  proved  to  be  Washington's  yacht,  which 
had  run  up  the  river  previously  to  the  enemy's  ships,  and  was 
now  on  its  return.* 

*  Heath's  Memoirs. 


CHAPTER    XXXVI. 


LEE  EXPECTEn  IN    CAMP — IIIS    T.ETTER  OF    ADVICE  TO  THE    PRESIDENT    OF    CON- 
GRESS  THE     ENEMY    AT   TliROO's     NECK WASHINGTON'S    ARRANGEMENTS 

HIDES   TO    TIIROG's   NECK — THE     ENEMY    BROUGHT   TO    A    STAND — MILITARY 

MOVEMENTS — ARRIVAL   OF  LEE — A  COMMAND    A&SIGNED   TO  HIM CRITICISES 

THE    CONDUCT   OF    CONGRESS   AND  THE  ARMY — COUNCIL  OF  WAR THE  ARMY 

TO    MOVE   TO    THE    MAINLAND FORT    WASHINGTON    TO    BE    ICEPT    UP. 


^'  If  General  Lee  should  be  in  Philadelpliia,"  writes  John  Jay  to 
Rutledge,  "  pray  hasten  his  departure — he  is  much  wanted  at 
New  York."  The  successes  of  Lee  at  the  South  were  contrasted 
by  many  with  the  defeat  on  Long  Island,  and  evacuation  of 
New  York,  and  they  began  to  consider  him  the  main  hope  of  the 
army.  Hazard,  the  postmaster,  writing  from  Harlem  Heights  to 
General  Gates  on  the  11th,  laments  it  as  a  misfortune  that  Lee 
should  have  been  to  the  southward  for  several  months  past,  but 
adds  cheeringly,  "he  is  expected  here  to-day." 

Joseph  Trumbull,  the  commissary-general,  also  writes  to 
Gates  under  the  same  date  :  "  General  Lee  is  to  be  here  this 
evening.     He  left  Philadelphia  on  the  8th." 

Lee,  the  object  of  so  many  hopes,  was  actually  in  the  Jer- 
seys, on  his  way  to  the  camp.  He  writes  from  Amboy  on  the 
12th,  to  the  President  of  Congress,  informing  him,  that  the  Hes- 


1776.]  lee's    letter    OF    ADVICE    TO    CONGRESS.  355 

sians,  encamped  opposite  on  Staten  Island,  had  disappeared  on  th. 
preceding  night,  quitting  the  island  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  un- 
less 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  respectable  state  of  defence,  which, 
with  their  command  of  the  waters,  may  be  easily  done,  leave  four 
or  five  thousand  men,  and  direct  their  operations  to  a  more  de- 
cisive object.  They  will  infallibly  proceed  either  immediately  up 
the  river  Delaware  with  their  whole  troops,  or,  what  is  more  pro- 
bable, land  somewhere  about  South  Amboy  or  Shrewsbury,  and 
march  straight  to  Trenton  or  Burlington.  On  the  supposition 
that  this  will  be  the  case,  what  are  we  to  do  ?  What  force  h^ve 
we  ?  What  means  have  we  to  prevent  their  possessing  them- 
selves of  Philadelphia  ?  Greneral  Washington's  army  cannot  pos- 
sibly keep  pace  with  them.  The  length  of  his  route  is  not  only 
infinitely  greater,  but  his  obstructions  almost  insuperable.  In 
short,  before  he  could  cross  Hudson  River,  they  might  be  lodged 
and  strongly  fortified  on  both  banks  of  the  Delaware,  *  * 
For  Heaven's  sake,  arouse  yourselves  !  For  Heaven's  sake  let 
ten  thousand  men  be  immediately  assembled,  and  stationed  some- 
where about  Trenton.  In  my  opinion,  your  whole  depends  upon 
it.  I  set  out  immediately  for  head-quarters,  where  I  shall  com- 
municate my  apprehension  that  such  will  be  the  next  operation 
of  the  enemy,  and  urge  the  expediency  of  sparing  a  part  of  his 
army  (if  he  has  any  to  spare)  for  this  object."  * 

*  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  ii.  1008. 


.*^r)()  LIFE    OF    WARHINGTON.  [\7:ii. 

Oil  tlu!  very  iiiorn'm*^  that  Ijuc  wuh  writing  this  lettor  at  Am* 
boy,  AViishingtou  received  iiitelligoiice  by  express  from  General 
Heath,  stationed  above  King's  Bridge,  that  the  enemy  were  land- 
ing witli  artillery  on  Throg's  Neck*  in  tlie  Sound,  about  nine 
miles  from  the  camp.  Washington  surmised  that  Howe  was  pur- 
suing his  orginal  plan  of  g(!tting  into  tlic  rear  of  the  American 
army,  cutting  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  regi- 
ments posted  on  the  banks  of  Harlem  River  opposite  the  camp, 
in  such  manner  as  he  should  think  necessary. 

Having  made  all  his  arrangements  as  promptly  as  possible, 
Washington  mounted  his  horse,  and  rode  over  towards  Throg's 
Neck  to  reconnoitre. 

Throg's  Neck  is  a  peninsula  in  Westchester  County,  stretch- 
ing 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  ex- 
tremity of  the  neck.  Thence  their  advance  pushed  forward 
toward  the  causeway  and  bridge,  to  secure  that  pass  to  the  main- 

*  Properly  Throck's  Neck,  from  Throckmorton,  the  name  of  the  original 
proprietor. 


177G.]  WASHINGTON'S   ARRANGEMENTS  357 

land.  G-eneral  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  Lieutenant  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  possession 
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.  These  skilful  dispositions 
of  his  troops  by  General  Heath  had  brought  the  enemy  to  a 
stand.  By  the  time  Washington  arrived  in  the  vicinity,  the 
British  had  encamped  on  the  neck ;  the  riflemen  and  yagers  keep- 
ing up  a  scattering  fire  at  each  other  across  the  marsh ;  and  Ca],- 
tain  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,  with  a  great  number  of  schooners,  sloops, 
and  flat-bottomed  boats  full  of  men,  passed  through  Hell  Gate, 
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.  General 
McDougall's  brigade,  in  which  were  Colonel  Smallwood  and  the 
independent  companies,  was  sent  in  the  evening  to  strengthen 
Heath's  division  at  King's  Bridge,  and  to  throw  up  works  oppo- 
site the  ford  of  Harlem  River. 

Greene,  who    had   heard  of  the   landing   of  the   enemy  at 


:],')S  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [177G. 

Throg's  Neck,  wrote  over  to  Washington,  from  Fort  Constitution, 
iulbnning  him  that  he  had  three  brigades  ready  to  join  him  if 
ro(|uired.  "  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 
tlio  night,  as  the  shipping  may  move  up  from  below,  and  impede, 
if  not  totally  stop  the  troops  from  passing.  The  tents  upon 
Staten  Island,"  he  added,  "  had  all  been  struck,  as  far  as  could 
^)e  ascertained."  It  was  plain  the  whole  scene  of  action  was 
chan<2;inff. 

On  the  14th,  General  Lee  arrived  in  camp,  where  he  was 
welcomed  as  the  harbinger  of  good  luck.  Washington  was  ab- 
sent, visiting  the  posts  beyond  King's  Bridge,  and  the  passes 
leading  from  Throg's  Neck  ;  Lee  immediately  rode  forth  to  join 
him.  No  one  gave  him  a  sincerer  greeting  than  the  commander- 
in-chief;  who,  diffident  of  his  own  military  knowledge,  had  a 
high  opinion  of  that  of  Lee.  He  immediately  gave  him  com- 
mand of  the  troops  above  King's  Bridge,  now  the  greatest  part 
of  the  army,  but  desired  that  he  would  not  exercise  it  for  a  day 
or  two,  until  he  had  time  to  acquaint  himself  with  the  localities 
and  arrangements  of  the  post;  Heath,  m  the  interim,  held  the 
command. 

Lee  was  evidently  elevated  by  his  successes  at  the  South,  and 
disposed  to  criticise  disparagingly  the  military  operations  of 
other  commanders.  In  a  letter,  written  on  the  day  of  his  arrival 
to  his  old  associate  in  arms,  General  Gates,  he  condemns  the  po- 
sition of  the  army,  and  censures  Washington  for  submitting  to 
the  dictation  of  Congress,  whose  meddlesome  instructions  had 
produced  it.  Inter  nosj^^  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 


I'^G.]  COUNCIL    OF    WAR.  359 

to  tliera.  In  my  opinion  General  Washington  is  much  to  blame 
in  not  menacing  'em  with  resignation,  unless  they  refrain  from 
unhinging  the  army  by  their  absurd  interference. 

"  Keep  us  Ticonderoga ;  much  depends  upon  it.  "We  ought 
to  have  an  army  in  the  Delaware.  I  have  roared  it  in  the  ears  of 
Congress,  but  carent  aurihus.  Adieu,  my  dear  friend ;  if  we  do 
meet  again — why,  we  shall  smile."  * 

In  the  mean  time,  Congress,  on  the  11th  of  October,  having 
heard  of  the  ingress  of  the  Phoenix,  Roebuck  and  Tartar,  passed 
a  resolution  that  General  Washington  be  desired,  if  it  be  prac- 
ticable, by  every  art,  and  at  whatever  expense,  to  obstruct  effect- 
ually the  navigation  of  the  North  River  between  Fort  Washing- 
ton and  Mount  Constitution,  as  well  to  prevent  the  regress  of  the 
enemy's  vessels  lately  gone  up  as  to  hinder  them  from  receiving 
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  Convention  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  dis- 
cussed of  remaining  in  their  present  position  on  Mahattan  Island, 
and  awaiting  there  the  menaced  attack :  the  strength  of  the  posi- 
tion was  urged ;  its  being  well  fortified,  and  extremely  difficult  of 
access.     Lee,  in  reply,  scoffed  at  the  idea  of  a  position  being  good 

*  Am.  Archives,  5tli  Series,  ii.  1038. 


3G0  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

merely  because  its  approaches  were  difficult.  IToyr  could  tbcy 
think  of  holding  a  position  where  the  enemy  were  so  strong  in 
front  iiud  rear;  where  ships  had  the  command  of  the  water  on 
each  side,  and  where  King's  Bridge  was  their  only  pass  by  which 
to  escape  from  being  wholly  enclosed  ?  Had  not  their  recent  ex- 
perience on  Long  Island  and  at  New  York  taught  them  the  dan- 
ger of  such  positions  ?  "  For  my  part,"  said  he,  "  I  would  have- 
nothing  to  do  with  the  islands  to  "which  you  have  been  clinging 
so  pertinaciously — I  would  give  Mr.  Howe  a  fee-simple  of 
them." 

"  After  much  consideration  and  debate,"  says  the  record  of  the 
council,  "  the  following  question  was  stated  :  Whether  (it  having 
appeared  that  the  obstructions  in  the  North  River  have  proved  in- 
sufficient, 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 
country,  and  compelling  us  to  fight  them  at  all  disadvantages 
or  surrender  prisoners  at  discretion  ?  " 

All  agreed,  with  but  one  dissenting  voice,  that  it  was  not  pos- 
sible to  prevent  the  communication  from  being  cut  off,  and  that 
one  of  the  consequences  mentioned  in  the  question  must  follow. 

The  dissenting  voice  was  that  of  Greneral  George  Clinton,  a 
brave  downright  man,  but  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  any  where  else.  Clinton  felt  as  a  guardian  of  tho 
Hudson  and  the  upper  country,  and  wished  to  meet  the  enemy,  a.i 
it  were,  at  the  very  threshold. 

As  the  resolve  of  Congress  seemed  imperative  with  regard  to 


177G.]  POPULARITY    OF    LEE.  361 

Fort  Washington,  that  post,  it  was  agreed,  should  be  ^'  retained 
as  long  as  possible." 

A  strong  garrison  was  accordingly  placed  in  it,  composed 
chiefly  of  troops  from  Magaw's  and  Shoe's  Pennsylvania  regi- 
ments, the  latter  under  Lieutenant-colonel  Lambert  Cadwalader, 
of  Philadelphia.  Shee  having  obtained  leave  of  absence,  Colonel 
Magaw  was  put  in  command  of  the  post,  and  solemnly  charged 
by  Washington  to  defend  it  to  the  last  extremity.  The  name  of 
the  opposite  post  on  the  Jersey  shore,  where  Greene  was  stationed, 
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 
to  a  friend,  writes :  "  You  ask  if  General  Lee  is  in  health,  and 
our  people  bold.  I  answer  both  in  the  affirmative.  His  appear- 
ance amongst  us  has  contributed  not  a  little  to  the  latter." 

VOL.  IL — 16 


CHAPTER    XXXVII. 

ABMY     ARRANGEMENTS WASHINGTON     AT     -WHITE     PLAINS THE      ENEMY      AT 

THROG's   point — SKIRMISH     OF     COLONEL,     GLOVER ATTEMPl'    TO    SURPlilSE 

ROGERS,    THE     RENEGADE ^TROOPERS     IN    A    ROUGH     COUNTRY ALARMS    AT 

WHITE  PLAINS CANNONADING  OF  SHIPS  AT    FORT  WASHINGTON — MARCH    OP 

LEE FORTIFIED    CAMP    AT   WHITE     PLAINS — RECONNOITRING THE    AFFAIR 

AT  CHATTERTON  HILL — RELATIVE  SITUATION  OF  THE  ARMIES — CH.VNGE  OF 
POSITION — CONTRAST  OF  THE  APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TROOPS — GEORGE  CLIN- 
TON'S IDEA  OF  STRATEGY MOVEMENT  OF  THE  BRITISH  ARMY INCENDIA- 
RIES AT  WHITE  PLAINS. 

Previous  to  decamping  from  Manhattan  Island,  Washington 
formed  four  divisions  of  the  army,  which  were  respectively  as- 
signed to  G-enerals  Lee,  Heath,  Sullivan  (recently  obtained  in 
exchange  for  G-eneral  Prescott),  and  Lincoln.  Lee  was  stationed 
on  Valentine's  Hill  on  the  mainland,  immediately  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 
village  of  White  Plains. 

Washington's  head-quarters  continued  to  be  on  Harlem 
Heights  for  several  days,  during  which  time  he  was  continually  in 
the  saddle,  riding  about  a  broken,  woody,  and  half  wild  country, 


iv  •" 


1^"^-]  MOVEMENTS   OF    THE   AKMIES.  363 

forming  posts,  and  choosing  sites  for  breastworks  and  redoubts. 
By  his  skilful  disposition  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  covered  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,  General,  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  reinforcements,  instead  of  pushing  across  to  the 
Hudson,  and  throwing  himself  between  Washington's  army  and 
the  upper  country.  His  inaction  lost  him  a  golden  opportunity. 
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  re- 
embarked  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  River.  Here  he  was  joined  in  a  few  hours  by  the 
main  body,  with  the  baggage  and  artillery,  and  proceeded 
through  the  manor  of  Pelham  towards  New  Bochelle ;  still  with 
a  view  to  get  above  Washington's  army. 

In  their  march,  the  British  were  waylaid  and  harassed  by 
Colonel  Glover  of  Massachusetts,  with  his  own.  Reed's,  and 
Shepard's  regiments  of  infantry.  Twice  the  British  advance 
guard  were  thrown  into  confusion  and  driven  back  with  severe 


364  LIFE   OF    WASrilNGTOK.  [1776. 

loss,  by  a  sharp  fire  from  behind  stone  fenccH.  A  third  time  they 
advanced  in  oo'id  columns.  The  Americans  gave  them  repeated 
volleys,  and  then  retreated  with  the  loss  of  eiglit  killed  and 
thirteen  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  Washington  for  their  merit 
and  good  behavior. 

On  the  21st,  General  Uowe  was  encamped  about  two  miles 
north  of  New  Rochelle,  with  his  outposts  extending  to  Mamaroneck 
on  the  Sound.  At  the  latter  place  was  posted  Colonel  Rogers, 
the  renegade,  as  he  was  called,  with  the  Queen's  Rangers,  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  the  guard ;  killed  a  lieutenant  and  several 
men,  and  brought  away  thirty-six  prisoners,  with  a  pair  of  col- 
ors, sixty  stands  of  arms,  and  other  spoils.  He  missed  t  jc  main 
prize,  however. — Rogers  skulked  off  in  the  dark  at  the  first  fire. 
He  was  too  old  a  partisan  to  be  easily  entrapped. 

For  this  exploit.  Colonel  Haslet  and  his  men  were  publicly 
thanked  by  Lord  Stirling,  on  parade. 

These,  and  other  spirited  and  successful  skirmishes,  while 
they  retarded  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  had  the  far  more 
important  effect  of  exercising  and  animating  the  American  troops, 
and  accustoming  them  to  danger. 

While  in  this  neighborhood,  Howe  was  reinforced  by  a  second 


1776.]  HESSIANS,    WALDECKERS,    AND    DRAGOONS.  3G5 

division  of  Hessians  under  General  Knyphausen,  and  a  regiment 
of  Waldeekers,  both  of  which  had  recently  arrived  in  New  York. 
He  was  joined,  also,  by  the  whole  of  the  seventeenth  light-dra- 
goons, and  a  part  of  the  sixteenth,  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  convince  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  sharp-shooters  from  behind  walls  and  thickets, 
while  they  could  not  leave  the  road    to  pursue  their  covert  foe. 

Further  to  inspirit  them  against  this  new  enemy,  he  proclaim- 
ed, in  general  orders,  a  reward  of  one  hundred  dollars  for  every 
trooper  brought  in  vrith  his  horse  and  accoutrements,  and  so  on, 
in  proportion  to  the  completeness  of  the  capture. 

On  the  25th,  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  intelligence 
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  ihain  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  every  thing 
remained  quiet  but  expectant,  throughout  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 


366  Lll^E    OF    WASHINGTON,  [^770. 

Fort    Washington.       Scouts   galloped    oflf    to   gain    iutelligence. 
Wc  will  anticipate  their  roport. 

Two  of  the  British  frigates,  at  bcvcu  o'clock  in  tlic  morning, 
Lad  moved  up  the  Hudson,  and  come  to  anchor  near  Bourdet^/'s 
Ferry,  below  the  Morris  House,  Washington's  old  head-quarters, 
apparently  with  the  intention  of  stopping  the  ferry,  and  cutting 
ofi'  the  communicatiou  between  Fort  Lee  and  Fort  Washington. 
At  the  same  time,  troops  made  their  appearance  on  Harlem 
Plains,  where  Lord  Percy  held  command.  Colonel  Morgan 
immediately  manned  the  lines  with  troops  from  the  garrison  of 
Fort  Washington.  The  ships  opened  a  fire  to  enfilade  and  dis- 
lodge them.  A  barbette  battery  on  the  cliffs  of  the  Jersey 
shore,  left  of  the  ferry,  fired  down  upon  the  frigate,  but  with  little 
effect.  Colonel  Magaw  got  down  an  eighteeu-pounder  to  the 
lines  near  the  Morris  House,  and  fired  fifty  or  sixty  rounds,  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  High- 
lands of  the  Hudson.  The  ships  soon  hoisted  all  sail.  '  The 
foremost  slipped  her  cable,  and  appeared  to  be  in  the  greatest 
confusion.  She  could  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  beon 
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 


1776.J  MARCH   OF    LEE.  367 

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,  and  the  troops  which  had  advanced  on  Harlem 
Plains  drew  within  their  lines  again. 

"  We  take  this  day's  movement  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  Rights  of 
Man,"  and  other  political  works,  was  a  spectator  of  the  affair 
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  division,  eight  thousand 
strong,  the  baggage  and  artillery,  and  a  train  of  waggons  four 
miles  long,  laden  with  stores  and  ammunition,  was  lumbering 
along  the  rough  country  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  along  a  rocky 
hill,  at  the  foot  of  which  the  Bronx,  making  an  elbow,  protected 
it  in  flank  and  rear.  .  The  left  wing  rested  on  a  small,  deep  lake 
among  the  hills.     The  camp  was  strongly  intrenched  in  front. 

About  a  quarter  of  a  mile  to  the  right  of  the  camp,  and  sepa- 
rated from  the  height  on  which  it  stood  by  the  Bronx  and  a 
marshy  interval,  was  a  corresponding  height  called  Chatterton's 
Hill.  As  this  partly  commmanded  the  right  flank,  and  as  the 
intervening  bend  of  the  Bronx  was  easily  passable,  Washington 
had  stationed  on  its  summit  a  militia  regiment. 


3G8  LIFE    OF    WABHINGTON.  [1770. 

The  whole  encampment  was  a  temporary  one,  to  be  changed 
as  soon  as  the  military  stores  collected  there  could  be  removed; 
and  now  that  General  Lee  was  arrived,  Washington  rode  out  with 
him,  and  other  general  officers  who  were  off  duty,  to  reconnoitre 
a  height  which  appeared  more  eligible.  When  arrived  at  it,  Leo 
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  Washington,  "  we  have  other  business 
to  attend  to  than  reconnoitring."  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.  "  Gentlemen,"  said  Washington,  turn- 
ing calmly  to  his  companions,  "  you  will  return  to  your  respective 
posts,  and  do  the  best  you  can." 

Apprehensive  that  the  enemy  might  attempt  to  get  possession 
of  Chatterton's  Hill,  he  detached  Colonel  Haslet  with  his  Dela- 
ware regiment,  to  reinforce  the  militia  posted  there.  To  these  he 
soon  added  General  McDougall's  brigade,  composed  of  Small- 
wood's  Marylanders,  Ritzema's  New  Yorkers,  and  two  other  regi- 
ments. These  were  much  reduced  by  sickness  and  absence. 
General  McDougall  had  command  of  the  whole  force  upon  the 
hill,  which  did  not  exceed  1,600  men. 

These  dispositions  were  scarcely  made,  when  the  enemy  ap- 
peared glistening  on  the  high  grounds  beyond  the  village  of  White 
Plains.    They  advanced  in  two  columns,  the  right  commanded  by 


1776.]  THE   ENEMY   AT   WHITE   PLAINS.  369 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  the  left  by  the  Hessian  general,  De  Heister. 
There  was  also  a  troop  of  horse;  so  formidable  in  the  inexpe- 
rienced eyes  of  the  Americans.  "  It  was  a  brilliant  but  formida- 
ble 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  Chatterton's  Hill  had  caught  Sir  William's 
eye,  and  he  determined  first  to  get  possession  of  it. 

Colonel  Rahl  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  Leslie,  with  a  large 
force,  British  and  Hessian,  should  advance  directly  in  front, 
throw  a  bridge  across  the  stream,  and  charge  up  the  hill. 

A  furious  cannonade  was  now  opened  by  the  British  from 
fifteen  or  twenty  pieces  of  artillery,  placed  on  high  ground  oppo- 
site the  hill ;  under  cover  of  which,  the  troops  of  General  Leslie 
hastened  to  construct  the  bridge.  In  so  doing,  they  were  severe- 
ly galled  by  two  field-pieces,  planted  on  a  ledge  of  rock  on  Chat- 
terton's Hill,  and  in  charge  of  Alexander  Hamilton,  the  youthful 
captain  of  artillery.  Smallwood's  Maryland  battalion,  also,  kept 
up  a  sharp  fire  of  small  arms. 

As  soon  as  the  bridge  was  finished,  the  British  and  Hessians 
under  Leslie  rushed  over  it,  formed,  and  charged  up  the  hill  to 
take  Hamilton's  two  field-pieces.  Three  times  the  two  field- 
pieces  were  discharged,  ploughing  the  ascending  columns  from 
VOL.  IT. — 16* 


:i70  LIFK    OF    WASHINGTON.  L'^^G, 

hill-top  to  river,  while  Smallwood's  "  blue  and  bufif"  Maryland- 
ers  kept  up  their  volleys  of  musketry. 

In  the  mean  time,  Rahl  and  his  Hessian  brigade  forded  the 
Bronx  lower  down,  pushed  up  the  south  side  of  the  hill,  and 
endeavored  to  turn  McDougall's  right  flank.  The  militia  gave 
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  was  with  the  utmost  difl&culty  McDougall  had 
rallied  them,  and  posted  them  behind  a  stone  wall.  Here  they 
did  some  service,  until  a  troop  of  British  cavalry,  having  gained 
the  crest  of  the  hill,  came  on,  brandishing  their  sabres.  At  their 
first  charge  the  militia  gave  a  random,  scattering  fire,  then  broke, 
and  fled  in  complete  confusion. 

A  brave  stand  was  made  on  the  summit  of  the  hill  by  Has- 
let, Kitzema,  and  Smallwood,  with  their  troops.  Twice  they  re- 
pulsed horse  and  foot,  British  and  Hessians,  until,  cramped  for 
room  and  greatly  outnumbered,  they  slowly  and  sullenly  retreat- 
ed down  the  north  side  of  the  hill,  where  there  was  a  bridge 
across  the  Bronx.  Smallwood  remained  upon  the  ground  for 
some  time  after  the  retreat  had  begun,  and  received  two  flesh 
wounds,  one  in  the  hip,  the  other  through  the  arm.  At  the 
bridge  over  the  Bronx,  the  retreating  troops  were  met  by  Grene- 
ral  Putnam,  who  was  coming  to  their  assistance  with  BealPs 
brigade.     In  the  rear  of  this  they  marched  back  into  the  camp. 

The  loss  on  both  sides,  in  this  short  but  severe  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 


17T6.J  AFFAIR    AT    CHATTERTON'S    HILL.  371 

themselves  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  the  left  of  the  Ameri- 
can lines,  so  that  their  two  wings  and  centre  formed  nearly  a 
semicircle.  It  was  evidently  their  design  to'  outflank  the  Ameri- 
can camp,  and  get  in  the  rear  of  it.  The  day,  however,  being 
far  advanced,  was  suffered  to  pass  without  any  further  attack ; 
but  the  morrow  was  looked  forward  to  for  a  deadly  conflict. 
Washington  availed  himself  of  this  interval  to  have  the  sick  and 
wounded,  and  as  much  of  the  stores  as  possible,  removed  from  the 
camp.  "  The  two  armies,"  says  General  Heath  in  his  Memoirs, 
"  lay  looking  at  each  other,  within  long  cannon  shot.  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." 

During  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  defence  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  corn  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 


372  LIFE    OK    WAHHINUTON.  Ii77(;. 

in  the  face  of  the  works,  atiswered  the  iJiirpose  of  sods  and 
fascines.  The  tops  being  placed  inwards,  as  the  loose  earth  was 
thrown  upon  tlicni,  ht'canii!  ns  ho  many  trees  to  the  work,  which 
was  carried  up  with  a  despatch  scarcely  conceivable. 

In  the  morning  of  the  29th,  when  Howe  beheld  how  greatly 
Washington  had  improved  his  position  and  strengthened  it,  by 
what  appeared  to  be  solidly  constructed  works,  he  postponed  his 
meditated  assault,  ordered  up  Lord  Percy  from  Harlem  with  the 
fourth  brigade  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  appre- 
hended one  of  their  objects  might  be  to  advance  a  part  of  their 
force,  and  seize  on  Pine's  Bridge  over  Croton  River,  which  would 
cut  ofif  his  communication  with  the  upper  country.  General 
Beall,  with  three  Maryland  regiments,  was  sent  ofif  with  all 
expedition  to  secure  that  pass.  It  was  Washington's  idea  that, 
having  possession  of  Croton  River  and  the  passes  in  the  High- 
lands, his  army  would  be  safe  from  further  pursuit,  and  have 
time  to  repose  after  its  late  excessive  fatigue,  and  would  be  fresh, 
and  ready  to  harass  the  enemy  should  they  think  fit  to  winter 
up  the  country. 

At  present  nothing  could  exceed  the  war-worn  condition  of 
the  troops,  unseasoned  as  they  were  to  this  kind  of  service.  A 
scornful  letter,  written  at  this  time  by  a  British  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 
accoutrements,  that  I  believe  no  nation  ever  saw  such  a  set  of 
tatterdemalions.     There  are  few  coats  among  them  but  what  are 


1776.]  GEORGE    CLINTON'S    IDEA    OF    STRATEGY.  373 

out  at  elbows,  and  in  a  whole  regiment  there  is  scarce  a  pair  of 
breeches.  Judge,  then,  how  they  must  be  pinched  by  a  winter's 
campaign.  We,  who  are  warmly  clothed  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  patriots,  who 
had  to  cope  with  these  well-fed,  well-clad,  well-appointed  merce- 
naries !  A  letter  written  at  the  very  same  date  (October  31),  by 
General  George  Clinton,  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  we  are,  daily  on  fatigue,  making 
redoubts,  fleches,  abattis,  and  retreating  from  them  and  the  little 
temporary  huts  made  for  our  comfort  before  they  are  well  fin- 
ished, I  fear  will  ultimately  destroy  our  army  without  fighting."* 
"  However,"  adds  he,  honestly,  "  I  would  not  be  understood  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  deception."  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  ar- 
dent patriot,  of  resolute  spirit,  and  plain,  direct  good  sense; 
but  an  inexperienced    soldier.     His    main  idea  of  warfare  was 

*■  George  Clinton  to  Jolin  McKesson,  Oct.  31.     Am.  Archives,  Stli  Series, 
ii.  1312. 


.S74  MFM    UF    WASHINGTON.  [!""<>• 

straightforward  figliting;  and  he  was  greatly  perplexed  by  the 
continual  strategy  which  Washington's  situation  recpiired.  One 
of  the  aides-de-camp  of  the  latter  had  a  truer  notion  on  the  sub- 
ject. "  The  campaign  hitlierto,"  said  he,  "  has  been  a  fair  trial 
of  generalship,  in  which  I  flatter  myself  we  have  had  the  advan- 
tage. If  we,  with  our  motley  army,  can  keep  Mr.  Howe  and  his 
grand  appointment  at  bay,  I  think  we  shall  make  no  contemptible 
military  jfigurc."  * 

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  barns  and 
out-houses  containing  forage  and  stores,  which  there  was  no  time 
to  remove,  and,  leaving  a  strong  rear-guard  on  the  heights,  and 
in  the  neighboring  woods,  retired  with  his  main  army  a  distance 
of  five  miles,  among  the  high,  rocky  hills  about  Northcastle. 
Here  he  immediately  set  to  work  to  intrench  and  fortify  himself; 
his  policy  at  this  time  being,  as  he  used  to  say,  "  to  fight  with 
the  spade  and  mattock." 

G-eneral  Howe  did  not  attempt  to  dislodge  him  from  this  fast- 
ness. 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  Washing- 
ton'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  rumbling  of  wag- 
gons and  artillery.  At  daybreak  the  meaning  of  it  was  discov- 
ered.    The  enemy  were  decamping.     Long  trains  were  observed, 

*  Tench  Tilghman  to  William  Duer,  Oct.  31. 


^^      /UZ77. 


!? 


/ 


O'l.c 


y^^zJ^,eMi^7z^^  ^  .-^VCv-  ^?-7  ,y. 


/ 


*7^]  tSCE>-I>lARI£S    AT    WHITE    PLAIXS.  375 

deifiB^  across  Ae  kD^  covdIit,  mlo^  tbe  lottdb  ImCi^  to 
Pobbs'  FeriT  on  the  Hvdboa.  TIms  aoftMest  CKMti»Kd  for 
tiii«e  successir^  «i^J^  until  their  vMe  force.  Britisk  and  He^ 
auis.  disappeared  froii  WMte  Pljdi^ 

Tlie  night  after  tkeir  d^partwre  a  party  c^  Americai^  heated 
with  liq[iior.  set  fiie  to  &o  QOut-ko«se  aad  otiber  cdiiees  ia  1d« 
riUa^  as  if  th^  had  bdoaged  to  tiM  onm j ;  aa  oatiage  wkiek 
caJkd  ftrtli  a  genaal  order  froM  Wajshington,  exprosare  of  kis 
in^oatna,  and  tkieateBii^  the  popetiators  vith  ^aal  paakk* 
iMAi  vken  detected.  We  Mtice  diis  matler,  koeaase  ia  Brili^ 
aceoaals,  tiie  boinii^of  ^oee  iMuMiags  kad  ke^  ^ai«edapoa 
Washii^toii  kiaisdf ;  kcan^,  no  dimkl>  oosfhaaded  wilk  ^e  kan^ 
mg  of  tiie  kans  and  ovVkoues  ordered  kr  kiM  on  sUfliag  kis 


CHAPTER    XXXVIII. 

CONJECTTTREa  AS  TO  THE  INTENTIONS  OF  THE  ENEMY CONSEQUENT  PRECAtrnONS 

COKHESPONDKNCE  WITH  GREENE  RESPE(mNO  FOKT  WASHINGTON  —  DIS- 
TRIBUTION OF  THE  ARMY LEE  LEFT  IN  COMMAND  AT  NORTHCA8TLE IN- 
STRUCTIONS  TO    HIM WASHINGTON    AT    PKEKSKILL VISITS     TO     THE     POSTS 

IN    THE    HIGHLANDS. 

Various  were  tlie  speculations  at  Lead-quarters  on  the  sudden 
movement  of  the  enemy.  Washington  writes  to  General  William 
Livingston  (now  governor  of  the  Jerseys)  :  "  They  have  gone 
towards  the  North  River  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  Washington.  I 
cannot  subscribe  wholly  to  this  opinion  myself.  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,  provided  he  is  going  to  New  York.  He  must  at- 
tempt something  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  a  real  retreat, 
and  not  a  feint,  to  throw  over  a  body  of  troops  into  the  Jerseys 


1776.]  FORT    WASHINGTON,  377 

to  assist  in  checking  Howe's  progress.  lie,  moreover,  recom- 
mended to  the  governor  to  have  the  militia  of  that  State  put  on 
the  best  possible  footing,  and  a  part  of  them  held  in  readiness 
to  take  the  place  of  the  State  levies,  whose  term  of  service  would 
soon  expire.  He  advised,  also,  that  the  inhabitants  contiguous 
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  Greene, 
should  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,  Colonel 
Tilghman,  writes  to  General  Greene  from  head-quarters :  "  The 
enemy  are  at  Dobbs'  Ferry  with  a  great  number  of  boats,  ready 
to  go  into  Jersey,  or  'proceed  up  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  Dobbs'  Ferry,  and  at  other  passes  where  a  landing 
might  be  attempted ;  the  whole  being  under  the  command  of 
General  Mercer. 

Affairs  at  Fort  Washington  soon  settled  the  question  of  the 
enemy's  intentions  with  regard  to  it.  Lord  Percy  took  his  sta- 
tion with  a  body  of  troops  before  the  lines  to  the  south.  Knyp- 
hausen  advanced  on  the  north.  The  Americans  had  previously 
abandoned  Fort  Independence,  burnt  its  barracks,  and  removed 
the  stores  and  cannon.  Crossing  King's  Bridge,  Knyphausen 
took  a  position  between  it  and  Fort  Washington.  The  approach 
to  the  fort,  on  this  side,  was  exceedingly  steep  and  rocky ;  as, 
indeed,  were  all  its  approaches  excepting  that  on  the  south, 
where  the  country  was  more  open,  and  the  ascent  gradual.     The 


378  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [^770. 

fort  could  not  hold  within  its  walls  above  ono  thousand  men ;  the 
rest  of  the  troops  were  distributed  about  the  lines  and  outworks. 
While  the  fort  was  thus  menaced,  the  chcvaux-de-frise  had  again 
proved  inefficient.  On  the  night  of  the  5th,  a  frigate  and  two 
transports,  bound  up  to  Dobbs'  Ferry,  with  supplies  for  Howe's 
army,  had  broken  through ;  though,  according  to  Greene's  ac- 
count, not  without  being  considerably  shattered  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  surrounding  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 
Mount  Washington;  but,  as  you  are  on  the  spot,  I  leave  it  to 
you  to  give  such  orders  as  to  evacuating  Mount  Washington  as 
you  may  judge  best,  and  so  far  revoking  the  orders  given  to 
Colonel  Magaw,  to  defend  it  to  the  last." 

Accounts  had  been  received  at  head-quarters  of  a  consider- 
able movement  on  the  preceding  evening  (Nov.  7th),  among  the 
enemy's  boats  at  Dobbs'  Ferry,  with  the  intention,  it  was  said,  of 
penetrating  the  Jerseys,  and  falling  down  upon  Fort  Lee. 
Washington,  therefore,  in  the  same  letter  directed  Greene  to 
have  all  the  stores  not  necessary  to  the  defence  removed  imme- 
diately, and  to  destroy  all  the  stock,  the  hay  and  grain,  in  the 
neighborhood,  which  the  owners  refused  to  remove.  "  Expe- 
rience 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." 

Greene,  in  reply  (Nov.  9th),  adhered  with  tenacity  to  the 


1776.]  FORT    WASHINGTON.  379 

• 

policy  of  maintaining  Fort  Washington.  "  The  enemy,"  said  he, 
"  must  invest  it  with  double  the  number  of  men  required  for  its 
defence.  They  must  keep  troops  at  King's  Bridge,  to  cut  off  all 
communication  with  the  country,  and  in  considerable  force,  for 
fear  of  an  attack."  He  did  not  consider  the  fort  in  immediate 
danger.  Colonel  Magaw  thought  it  would  take  the  enemy  until 
the  end  of  December  to  carry  it.  In  the  mean  time,  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  of 
King's  Bridge.* 

It  is  doubtful  when  or  where  Washington  received  this  letter, 
as  he  left  the  camp  at  Northcastle  at  eleven  o'clock  of  the  follow- 
ing morning.  There  being  still  considerable  uncertainty  as  to 
the  intentions  of  the  enemy,  all  his  arrangements  were  made 
accordingly.  All  the  troops  belonging  to  the  States  west  of  the 
Hudson,  were  to  be  stationed  in  the  Jerseys,  under  command  of 
General  Putnam.  Lord  Stirling  had  already  been  sent  forward 
with  the  Maryland  and  Virginia  troops  to  Peekskill,  to  cross  the 
river  at  King's  Ferry.  Another  division  composed  of  Connec- 
ticut and  Massachusetts  troops,  under  General  Heath,  was  to 
co-operate  with  the  brigade  of  New  York  militia  under  General 
George  Clinton,  in  securing  the  Highland  posts  on  both  sides  of 
the  river. 

The   troops   which  would   remain   at   Northcastle  after  the 

*  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  iid.  618. 


380  LIFE    OF   WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

(loparturc  of  Ilcatb  and  his  division,  wero  to  be  commanded  by 
Leo.  \ya.sliington's  letter  of  instructions  to  that  general  is  char- 
acterized by  his  own  modesty,  and  his  deference  for  Lee's  supe- 
rior military  experience.  lie  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  your  judgment  and  military 
exertions.  One  thing,  however,  I  will  suggest,  namely,  that  the 
appearance  of  embarking  troops  for  the  Jerseys  may  be  intended 
as  a  feint  to  weaken  us,  and  render  the  post  we  now  hold  more 
vulnerable,  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 
under  your  command  a  visit,  it  will  be  unnecessary,  I  am  per- 
suaded, to  recommend  to  you  the  propriety  of  putting  this  post, 
if  you  stay  at  it,  into  a  proper  posture  of  defence,  and  guarding 
against  surprises.  But  I  would  recommend  it  to  your  considera- 
tion, whether,  under  the  suggestion  above,  your  retiring  to  Croton 
Bridge,  and  some  strong  post  still  more  easterly  (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  immediate  use,  ought  to  be  to  the  northward  of 
Croton  Biver,  *  *  *  *  You  will  consider  the  post  at  Cro- 
ton'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 


1776.]  WASHINGTON   AT   PEEKSKILL.  381 

no  doubt  of  your  following  witb  all  possible  dispatch,  leaving  the 
militia  and  invalids  to  cover  the  frontiers  of  Connecticut  in  case 
of  need." 

We  have  been  minute  in  stating  these  matters,  from  their 
bearing  on  subsequent  operations. 

On  the  10th  of  November,  Washington  left  the  camp  at  North- 
castle,  at  11  o'clock,  and  arrived  at  Peekskill  at  sunset;  whither 
General  Heath,  with  his  division,  had  preceded  him  by  a  few 
hours.  Lord  Stirling  was  there,  likewise,  having  effected  the 
transportation  of  the  Maryland  and  Virginia  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  Highlands,  that 
grand  defile  of  the  Hudson,  the  object  of  so  much  precaution 
and  solicitude.  On  the  following  morning,  accompanied  by  Gene- 
rals Heath,  Stirling,  James  and  George  Clinton,  Mifflin,  and 
others,  he  made  a  military  visit  in  boats  to  the  Highland  posts. 
Fort  Montgomery  was  in  a  considerable  state  of  forwardness, 
and  a  work  in  the  vicinity  was  projected  to  co-operate  with  it. 
Fort  Constitution  commanded  a  sudden  bend  of  the  river,  but 
Lord  Stirling,  in  his  report  of  inspection,  had  intimated  that  the 
fort  itself  was  commanded  by  West  Point  opposite.  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,  Washington 
rode  out  with  General   Heath  to  reconnoitre  the  east  side  of 


382  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

the  Hudson,  at  tho  gorge  of  tho  Highlands.  Henry  Wisner,  in  a 
report  to  tho  New  York  Convention,  had  mentioned  a  hill  to  the 
north  of  Pcckskill,  so  situated,  with  the  road  winding  along  the 
side  of  it,  that  ten  men  on  the  top,  by  rolling  down  stones, 
might  prevent  ten  thousand  from  passing.  "  I  believe,"  said  he, 
"  nothing  more  need  be  done  than  to  keep  great  quantities  of 
stones  at  the  different  places  where  the  troops  must  pass,  if  they 
attempt  penetrating  the  mountains." 

Near  Robinson's  Bridge,  in  this  vicinity,  about  two  miles 
from  Peckskill,  Washington  chose  a  place  where  troops  should 
be  stationed  to  cover  the  south  entrance  into  the  mountains ;  and 
here,  afterwards,  was  established  an  important  military  depot 
called  Continental  Village. 

On  the  same  day  (12th),  he  wrote  to  G-eneral  Lee,  inclosing  a 
copy  of  resolutions  just  received  from  Congress,  respecting  levies 
for  the  new  army,  showing  the  importance  of  immediately  begin- 
ning the  recruiting  service.  If  no  commissioners  arrived  from 
Khode  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.  .  General  Howe,  having  sent  no  part  of 
his  force  to  Jersey  yet,  makes  the  measure  more  necessary,  as  he 
may  turn  his  views  another  way,  and  attempt  their  destruction." 

It  was  evidently  Washington's  desire  that  Lee  should  post 
himself,  as  soon  as  possible,  beyond  the  Croton,  where  he  would 
be  safe  from  surprise,  and  at  hand  to  throw  his  troops  promptly 
across  the  Hudson,  should  the  Jerseys  be  invaded. 

Having  made  all  these  surveys  and  arrangements,  Washington 


17-^6]  GENERAL    HEATH.  383 

placed  Heatli  in  the  general  eommand  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.  Like  Inany 
of  the  noted  officers  of  the  Kevolution,  he  had  been  brought  up 
in  rural  life,  on  an  hereditary  farm  near  Boston ;  yet,  according 
to  his  own  account,  though  passionately  fond  of  agricultural 
pursuits,  he  had  also,  almost  from  childhood,  a  great  relish  for 
military  affairs,  and  had  studied  every  treatise  on  the  subject 
in  the  English  language,  so  that  he  considered  himself  "  fully 
acquainted  with  the  theory  of  war,  in  all  its  branches  and  duties, 
from  the  private  soldier  to  the  commander-in-chief." 

He  describes  himself  to  be  of  a  middling  stature,  light 
complexion,  very  corpulent  and  bald-headed,  so  that  the  French 
officers  who  served  in  America,  compared  him,  in  person,  to  the 
Marquis  of  Granby.* 

Such  was  the  officer  intrusted  with  tbe  command  of  the  High- 
land passes,  and  encamped  at  Peekskill,  their  portal.  We  shall 
find  him  faithful  to  his  trust ;  scrupulous  in  obeying  the  letter  of 
his  instructions ;  "but  sturdy  and  punctilious  in  resisting  any 
undue  assumption  of  authority. 

*  Heath's  Memoirs. 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 

AFFAIRS    ON   LAKE   CHAMPLAIN — GATES   AT   TICONDEnOOA ARNOLD'S    FLOTILLA 

— MILITARY    PREPARATIONS  OF  SIR  GUY    CARLETON  AT  ST.  JOHNS NADTICAL 

ENCOUNTERS GALLANT    CONDUCT   OF  ARNOLD  AND  WATERBURY CARLETON 

IN   POSSESSION     OF   CROWN   POINT HIS     RETUBN   TO     CANADA   AND    WINTER 

QUARTERS. 

During  his  brief  and  busy  sojourn  at  Peekskill,  Washington 
received  important  intelligence  from  the  Northern  army ;  es- 
pecially that  part  of  it  on  Lake  Champlain,  under  the  command 
of  General  Gates.  A  slight  retrospect  of  affairs  in  that  quarter 
is  proper,  before  we  proceed  to  narrate  the  eventful  campaign  in 
the  Jerseys. 

The  preparations  for  the  defence  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  schooner  each  of  twelve  guns 
(six  and  four  pounders),  two  schooners  mounting  eight  guns  each, 
and  five  gondolas,  each  of  three  guns.  The  flotilla  was  subse- 
quently augmented,  and  the  command  given  by  Gates  to  Arnold, 
in  compliance  with  the  advice  of  Washington ;  who  had  a  high 
opinion  of  that  officer's  energy  intrepidity,  and  fertility  in  ex- 
pedients. 


1776.]  PLAN    OF    SIR    GUY    CAKLETON.  385 

Sir  Guy  Carleton,  in  tlie  mean  time,  was  straining  every  nerve 
for  the  approaching  conflict.  The  successes  of  the  British  forces 
on  the  seaboard,  had  excited  the  zealous  rivalry  of  the  forces  in 
Canada.  The  commanders,  newly  arrived,  were  fearful  the  war 
might  be  brought  to  a  close,  before  they  could  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  share  in  the  glory.  Hence  the  ardor  with  which  they 
encountered  and  vanquished  obstacles  which  might  otherwise 
have  appeared  insuperable.  Vessels  were  brought  from  England 
in  pieces  and  put  together  at  St.  Johns,  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  compelled  to  aid  in  these,  to  them,  unprofitable 
labors.  Sir  Guy  was  full  of  hope  and  ardor.  Should  he  get  the 
command  of  Lakes  Champlain  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  co-operate 
with  General  Howe  in  severing  and  subduing  the  northern  and 
southern  provinces,  and  bringing  the  war  to  a  speedy  and  tri- 
umphant close. 

In  despite  of  every  exertion,  three  months  elapsed  before 
his  armament  was  completed.  Winter  was  fast  approaching. 
Before  it  arrived,  the  success  of  his  brilliant  plan  required  that  he 
should  fight  his  way  across  Lake  Champlain ;  carry  the  strong 
posts  of  Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga ;  traverse  Lake  George, 
and  pursue  a  long  and  dangerous  march  through  a  wild  and  rug- 
ged 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.* 

*  Civil  War  in  America,  vol.  i.  p.  212. 
VOL.   II. 17 


386  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  1^776. 

By  the  month  of  October,  between  twenty  and  tliirty  sail 
were  afloat,  and  ready  for  action.  The  fli»g-ship.(tlie  Inflexible) 
mounted  eighteen  twelve-pounders ;  tlie  rest  were  gunboats,  a 
gondola  and  a  flat-bottomed  vessel  called  a  radeau,  and  named 
the  Thunderer;  carrying  a  battery  of  six  twenty-four  and  twelve 
six-pounders,  besides  howitzers.  The  gunboats  mounted  brass 
fieldpieces  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  artil- 
lery. In  a  word,  according  to  British  accounts,  "  no  equipment 
of  the  kind  was  ever  better  appointed  or  more  amply  furnished 
with  every  kind  of  provision  necessary  for  the  intended  service."  * 

Captain  Pringle  conducted  the  armament,  but  Sir  Guy  Carle- 
ton  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. 
Arnold,  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  main- 
land. His  force  consisted  of  three  schooners,  two  sloops,  three 
galleys  and  eight  gondolas ;  carrying  in  all  seventy  guns,  many 
of  them  eighteen-pounders. 

The  British  ships,  sweeping  past  Cumberland  Head  with  a 
fair  wind  and  flowing  sail  on  the  morning  of  the  11th,  had  left 
the  southern  end  of  Yalcour  Island  astern,  when  they  dis- 
covered Arnold's  .flotilla  anchored  behind  it,  in  a  line  extend- 

*  Civil  war  in  America,  i.  211. 


1776.]  ARNOLD   ON    LAKE   CHAMPLAIN.  387 

ing   across  the  strait    so    as   not   to   be  outflanked.     They  im- 
mediately hauled  close  to  the  wind,  and   tried  to  beat  up  into 
the  channel.      The  wind,  however,  did  not  permit  the   largest 
of    them   to    enter.       Arnold   took   advantage    of    the   circum- 
stance.    He  was  on  board  of  the  galley  Congress,  and,  leaving 
the   line,    advanced    with   two   other   galleys   and   the  schooner 
Royal    Savage,    to   attack  the   smaller  vessels  as  they  entered 
before    the  large  ones  could    come  up.     About    twelve  o'clock 
the  enemy's  schooner    Carleton   opened   a   brisk  fire    upon    the 
Eoyal  Savage   and  the   galleys.     It    was   as   briskly    returned. 
Seeing  the   enemy's   gunboats    approaching,  the  Americans   en- 
deavored to  return  to  the  line.     In  so  doing,  the  Royal  Sav- 
age ran  aground.     Her    crew  set   her   on   fire   and    abandoned 
her.      In   about    an  hour    the    British    brought   all   their   gun- 
boats in  a  range  across  the  lower  part  of  the  channel,  within 
musket   shot  of  the  Americans,   the  schooner    Carleton    in  the 
advance.      They   landed,    also,    a  large    number   of  Indians  on 
the  island,  to  keep  up  a  galling  fire  from  the   shore  upon  the 
Americans  with  their  rifles.     The  action  now  became  general, 
and  was  severe  and  sanguinary.     The  Americans,  finding  them- 
selves thus  hemmed  in  by  a  superior   force,   fought   with    des- 
peration.    Arnold  pressed  with  his   galley   into  the  hottest  of 
the  fight.      The    Congress  was   hulled    several    times,  received 
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  danger.     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  Washington  galley,    which,  like  his 
own  vessel,  was   terribly  cut  up.     The  contest  lasted  through- 


388  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [177a 

out  the  day.  Carried  on  as  it  was  within  a  narrow  compass, 
and  on  a  tranquil  hike,  almost  every  shot  took  effect.  The 
fire  of  the  Indians  from  the  shore  was  less  deadly  than  had 
been  expected ;  but  their  whoops  and  yells,  mingling  with  the 
rattling  of  the  musketry,  and  the  thundering  of  the  cannon, 
increased  the  horrors  of  the  scene.  Volumes  of  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. 
Captain  Pringle,  after  a  consultation  with  Sir  Guy  Carleton, 
called  off  the  smaller  vessels  which  had  been  engaged,  and 
anchored  his  whole  squadron  in  a  line  as  near  as  possible  to 
the  Americans,  so  as  to  prevent  their  escape ;  trusting  to 
capture  the  whole  of  them  when  the  wind  should  prove 
favorable,  so  that  he  could  bring  his  large  vessels  into  action. 

Arnold,  however,  sensible  that  with  his  inferior  and  crip- 
pled 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  dis- 
covered, one  following  a  light  on  the  stern  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,  being  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,  fell  astern  of  the  rest  of  the  squadron  in 
the  course  of  the  night.     In  the  morning,  when  the  sun  lifted 


1776.]  BRAVE    RESISTANCE   OF    ARNOLD.  389 

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   Crown  Point. 

It  was  now  an  anxious  trial  of  speed  and  seamanship.  Ar- 
nold, with  the  crippled  relics  of  his  squadron,  managed  by  noon 
to  get  within  a  few  leagues  of  Crown  Point,  when  they  were  over- 
taken by  the  Inflexible,  the  Carleton,  and  the  schooner  Maria  of 
14  guns.  As  soon  as  they  came  up,  they  poured  in  a  tremendous 
fire.  The  Washington  galley,  already  shattered,  and  having  lost 
most  of  her  officers,  was  compelled  to  strike,  and  Greneral  Water- 
bury  and  the  crew  were  taken  prisoners.  Arnold  had  now  to 
bear  the  brunt  of  the  action.  For  a  long  time  he  was  engaged 
within  musket  shot  with  the  Inflexible,  and  the  two  schooners, 
until  his  galley  was  reduced  to  a  wreck  and  one  third  of  the  crew 
were  killed.  The  gondolas  were  nearly  in  the  same  desperate 
condition ;  yet  the  men  stood  stoutly  to  their  guns.  Seeing  resist- 
ance vain,  Arnold  determined  that  neither  vessels  nor  crew  should 
fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  He  ordered  the  gondolas  to 
run  on  shore,  in  a  small  creek  in  the  neighborhood,  the  men  to  set 
fire  to  them  as  soon  as  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  possession  and  strike 
his  flag,  which  was  kept  flying  to  the  last. 

He  now  set  off  with  his  gallant  crew,  many  of  whom  were  wound- 
ed, by  a  road  through  the  woods  to  Crown  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  Point,  and  Greneral 


390  LIFE   OF   WASIJINGTON.  [1776. 

Watcrbury  and  most  of  his  mon  arrived  tlicrc  tlic  next  day  on 
parole.  Seeing  that  the  place  must  soon  fall  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  they  set  fire  to  the  houses,  destroyed  every  thing  they 
could  not  carry  away,  and  embarking  in  the  vessels  made  sail  for 
Ticonderoga. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  these  two  actions  is  said  to  have 
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  Carleton's  squadron,  was  Edward  Pellew,  who  after- 
Vpards  rose  to  renown  as  Admiral  Viscount  Exmouth  ;  celebrated, 
among  other  things  for  his  victory  at  Algiers. 

The  conduct  of  Arnold  in  these  naval  afi"airs  gained  him  new 
laurels.  He  Was  extolled  for  the  judgment  with  which  he  chose 
his  position,  and  brought  his  vessels  into  action ;  for  his  masterly 
retreat,  and  for  the  self-sacrificing  devotion  with  which  he  exposed 
himself  to  the  overwhelming  force  of  the  enemy  in  covering  the 
retreat  of  part  of  his  flotilla. 

Sir  Guy  Carleton  took  possession  of  the  ruined  works  at  Crown 
Anoint,  where  he  was  soon  joined  by  the  army.  He  made  several 
movements  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  vessel  appeared  within  cannon  shot  of  a  lower  battery,  sound- 
ing the  depth  of  the  channel,  until  a  few  shot  obliged  her  to  retire 
General  Gates,  in  the  mean  time,  strengthened  his  works  with 
incessant  assiduity,  and  made  every  preparation  for  an  obstinate 
defence.  A  strong  easterly  wind  prevented  the  enemy's  ships 
from  advancing  to  attack  the  line,^,  and  gave  time  for  the  arrival 
of  reinforcements  of  militia  to  the  garrison.  It  also  afforded  time 
for  Sir  Guy  Carleton  to  cool  in  ardor,  and  calculate  the  chances 


Lawrence  i^tn-x 


.^  to;  !i^  D  i^/AH.  Ny Q  s  (S  ©  y  ii^  r    It:  ^{  m  (O)  y  tt  m 


OB.  1535. 


1776.]  CARLETON    RETURNS    TO    CANADA.  391 

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  life.  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  impracticable  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  apd  the  taking 
of  some  cannon ;  all  which  damage  the  Americans  could  remedy 
before  the  opening  of  the  summer  campaign.  If,  however,  the 
defence  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, 
re-embarking  his  troops,  he  returned  to  St.  Johns,  and  cantoned 
them  in  Canada  for  the  winter.  It  was  not  until  about  the  1st 
of  November,  that  a  reconnoitring  party,  sent  out  from  Ticon- 
deroga by  General  Gates,  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,  received 
by  Washington  at  Peekskill.  It  relieved  him  for  the  present 
from  all  anxiety  respecting  affairs  on  Lake  Champlain,  and  gave 
him  the  prospect  of  reinforcements  from  that  quarter. 

*  Civil  "War  in  America,  vol.  i.  p.  214. 


CHAPTER    XL. 

WASHINGTON  CROSSES  THE  HUDSON ARRIVES    AT    FORT   LEE AFFAIRS  AT   FORt 

WASHINGTON QUESTION    ABOUT   ITS    ABANDONMENT MOVEMENTS   OF  HOWE 

^TIIE    FORT    SUMMONED     TO     SURRENDER REFUSAL   OF     COLONEL    BLVGAW 

THE    FORT   ATTACKED — CAPTURE  OF  THE  FORT  AND  GARRISON COMMENTS 

OF   WASHINGTON    ON   THE    STATE    OF    AFFAIRS. 

On  tlie  morning  of  the  12th  of  November,  Washington  crossed 
the  Hudson,  to  the  ferry  below  Stony  Point,  with  the  residue 
of  the  troops  destined  for  the  Jerseys.  Far  below  were  to  be 
descried  the  Phoenix,  the  Roebuck,  and  the  Tartar,  at  anchor 
in  the  broad  waters  of  Haverstraw  Bay  and  the  Tappan  Sea, 
guarding  the  lower  ferries.  The  army,  thus  shut  out  from  the 
nearer  passes,  was  slowly  winding  its  way  by  a  circuitous  route 
through  the  gap  in  the  mountains,  which  Lord  Stirling  had 
secured.  Leaving  the  troops  which  had  just  landed,  to  pursue 
the  same  route  to  the  Hackensack,  Washington,  accompanied  by 
Colonel  Reed,  struck  a  direct  course  for  Fort  Lee,  being  anxious 
about  affairs  at  Fort  Washington.  He  arrived  there  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  and  found,  to  his  disappointment,  that  General  Greene 
had  taken  no  measures  for  the  evacuation  of  that  fortress ;  but 
on  the  contrary,  had  reinforced  it  with  a  part  of  Colonel  Durkee's 
regiment,  and  the    regiment  of   Colonel  Rawlings,  so   that   its 


1776.S  AFFAIRS   AT    FORT   WASHINGTON.  393 

garison  now  mimbered  upwards  of  two  thousand  men ;  a  great  part, 
however,  were  militia.  Washington's  orders  for  its  evacuation 
had,  in  fact,  been  discretionary,  leaving  the  execution  of  them 
to  G-reene's  judgment,  "  as  being  on  the  spot."  The  latter  had 
differed  in  opinion  as  to  the  policy  of  such  a  measure;  and 
Colonel  Magaw,  who  had  charge  of  the  fortress,  was  likewise 
confident  it  might  be  maintained. 

Colonel  Reed  was  of  opposite  counsels ;  but  then  he  was 
personally  interested  in  the  safety  of  the  garrison.  It  was  com- 
posed almost  entirely  of  Pennsylvania  troops  under  Magaw  and 
Lambert  Cadwalader ;  excepting  a  small  detachment  of  Maryland 
riflemen  commanded  by  Otho  H.  Williams.  They  were  his 
friends  and  neighbors,  the  remnant  o£  the  brave  men  who  had 
suffered  so  severely  under  Atlee  and  Smallwood.*  The  fort  was 
now  invested  on  all  sides  but  one ;  and  the  troops  under  Howe 
which  had  been  encamped  at  Dobbs'  Ferry,  were  said  to  be 
moving  down  toward  it.  Reed's  solicitude  was  not  shared  by 
the  garrison  itself.  Colonel  Magaw,  its  brave  commander,  still 
thought  it  was  in  no  immediate  danger. 

Washington  was  much  perplexed.  The  main  object  of  Howe 
was  still  a  matter  of  doubl  with  him.  He  could  not  think  that  Sir 
William  was  moving  his  whole  force  upon  that  fortress,  to  invest 
which,  a  part  would  be  sufficient.  He  suspected  an  ulterior 
object,  probably  a  Southern  expedition,  as  he  was  told  a  large 
number  of  ships  were  taking  in  wood  and  water  at  New  York. 
He  resolved,  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  mean  time  he  would  distribute 


*  W.  B.  Reed's  Life  of  Reed,  i.  252. 


VOL.  II. — 17* 


^^^  LIFE    OF    WA'SHINOTON.  [177G. 

troops  at,  Brunswick,  Amboy,  Ellzabctlitowu  and  Fort  Lee,  so  as 
to  be  ready  at  these  various  points,  to  check  any  incursions  into 
the  Jerseys. 

In  a  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress  he  urged  for  an  in- 
crease of  ordnance  and  field-artillery.  The  rough,  hilly  country 
east  of  the  Hudson,  and  the  strongholds  and  fastnesses  of  which 
the  Americans  had  possessed  themselves,  had  prevented  the  ene- 
my from  profiting  by  the  superiority  of  their  artillery ;  but  this 
would  not  be  the  case,  should  the  scene  of  action  change  to  an 
open  champaign  country,  like  the  Jerseys. 

Washington  was  mistaken  in  his  conjecture  as  to  Sir  William 
Howe's  design.  The  capture  of  Fort  Washington  was,  at  present, 
bis  main  object ;  and  he  was  encamped  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  Spyt  den  Duivel  Creek  into  Harlem 
River.  The  means  were  thus  provided  for  crossing  that  river  and 
lauding  before  unprotected  parts  of  the  American  works. 

On  the  15th,  Greneral  Howe  sent  in  a  summons  to  surrender, 
with  a  threat  of  extrem'^ies  should  he  have  to  carry  the  place  by 
assault.  Magaw,  in  Iiis  reply,  intimated  a  doubt  that  G-eneral 
Howe  would  execute  a  threat  "  so  unworthy  of  himself  and  the 
British  nation ;  but  give  me  leave,"  added  he,  "  to  assure  his 
Excellency,  that,  actuated  by  the  most  glorious  cause  that  man- 
kind ever  fought  in,  I  am  determined  to  defend  this  post  to  the 
very  last  extremity." 

Apprised  by  the  Colonel  of  his  peril,  Greneral  Greene  sent 
over  reinforcements,  with  an  exhortation  to  bim  to  persist  in  his 
defence ;  and  despatched  an  express  to  Washington,  who  was  at 


1776.J  ATTACK    OF    FORT    WASHINGTON.  395 

Hackensack,  where  the  troops  which  had  crossed  from  Peekskill 
were  encamped.  It  was  nightfall  when  Washington  arrived  at 
Fort  Lee.  Greene  and  Putnam  were  over  at  the  besieged  fort- 
ress. He  threw  himself  into  a  boat,  and  had  partly  crossed  the 
river,  when  he  met  those  generals  returning.  They  informed 
him  of  the  garrison's  having  been  reinforced,  and  assured  him 
that  it  was  in  high  spirits,  and  capable  of  making  a  good  de- 
fence. It  was  with  difficulty,  however,  they  could  prevail  on  him 
to  return  with  them  to  the  Jersey  shore,  for  he  was  excessively 
excited. 

Early  the  next  morning  (16th),  Magaw  made  his  dispositions 
for  the  expected  attack.  His  forces,  with  the  recent  addition, 
amounted  to  nearly  three  thousand  men.  As  the  fort  could  not 
contain  above  a  third  of  that  number,  most  of  them  were  sta- 
tioned about  the  outworks. 

Colonel  Lambert  Cadwalader,  with  eight  hundred  Pennsyl- 
vanians,  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.  Colonel  Rawlings,  of  Maryland,  with  a  body  of 
troops,  many  of  them  riflemen,  was  stationed  by  a  three  gun  bat- 
tery, on  a  rocky,  precipitous  hill,  north  of  the  fort,  and  between 
it  and  Spyt  den  Duivel  Creek.  Colonel  Baxter,  of  Bucks  Coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania,  with  his  regiment  of  militia,  was  posted  east 
of  the  fort,  on  rough,  woody  heights,  bordering  the  Harlem  River, 
to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy,  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  simultnneous  attacks ; 
one  on  the  north  by  Knyphausen,  who  was  encamped  on  the 
York  side  of  King's  Bridge,  within  cannon  shot  of  Fort  Wash- 


396  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  L^^Tft 

ington,  but  separated  from  it  by  liigli  and  rough  hilln,  covered 
with  ahiiost  impenetrable  woods,  lie  was  to  advance  in  two 
columns,  formed  by  detachments  made  from  the  Hessians  of  his 
corps,  the  brigade  of  llalil,  and  the  regiment  of  Waldeckers. 
The  second  attack  was  to  be  by  two  battalions  of  light  infantry, 
and  two  battalions  of  guards,  under  Brigadier-general  Mathew, 
who  was  to  cross  Harlem  River  in  flat-boats,  under  cover  of  the 
Lcdoubts  above  mentioned,  and  to  land  on  the  right  of  the  fort. 
This  attack  was  to  be  supported  by  the  first  and  second  gren- 
adiers, and  a  regiment  of  light  infantry  under  command  of  Lord 
Cornwallis.  The  third  attack,  intended  as  a  feint  to  distract 
the  attention  of  the  Americans,  was  to  be  by  Colonel  Sterling, 
with  the  forty-second  regiment,  who  was  to  drop  down  the  Har- 
lem River  in  bateaux,  to  the  left  of  the  American  lines,  facing 
New  York.  The  fourth  attack  was  to  be  on  the  south,  by  Lord 
Percy,  with  the  English  and  Hessian  troops  under  his  com'uuand, 
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.  Knyphausen's  division  was  pushing  on  from, 
the  north  in  two  columns^  as  had  been  arranged.  The  right  was 
led  by  Colonel  Rahl,  the  left  by  himself.  Rahl  essayed  to  mount 
a  steep,  broken  height  called  Cock  Hill,  which  rises  from  Spyt 
den  Duivel  Creek,  and  was  covered  with  woods.  Knyphausen  un- 
dertook 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  bat- 
tery, and  Rawlings'  riflemen. 

*  Sir  William  Howe  to  Lord  George  Germaine. 


1776.]  FORT    WASHINGTON    ASSAILED.  397 

While  this  was  going  on  at  the  north  of  the  fort,  General 
Mathew,  with  his  light  infantry  and  guards,  crossed  the  Harlem 
River  in  the  flat-boats,  under  cover  of  a  heavy  fire  from  the  re- 
doubts. 

He  made  good  his  landing,  after  being  severely  handled  by 
Baxter  and  his  men,  from  behind  rocks  and  trees,  and  the  breast- 
works thrown  up  on  the  steep  river  bank.  A  short  contest  ensued. 
Baxter,  while  bravely  encouraging  his  men,  was  killed  by  a  Brit- 
ish officer.  His  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  de- 
fended the  lines  against  the  attack  of  Lord  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  de- 
tachment to  oppose  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  retreat  to  the  fort.  He  was  closely 
pursued  by  Percy  with  his  English  troops  and  Hessians,  but 
turned  repeatedly  on  his  pursuers.  Thus  he  fought  his  way  to 
the  fort,  with  the  loss  of  several  killed  and  more  taken  prisoners ; 
but  marking  his  track  by  the  number  of  Hessians  slain. 

The  defence  on  the  north  side  of  the  fort  was  equally  obsti- 
nate 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  Waldeckers  under  Knyphausen  at  bay. 
At  length  Colonel  Bahl,  with  the  right  column  of  the  division, 
having  forced  his  way  directly  up  the  north  side  of  the  steep  hill 


308  LIFE    OF   WAflTTTNGTON.  [177C. 

at  Spyt  den  Diiivcl  Creek,  came  upon  RawHngs'  men,  whoso 
rifles,  from  frequent  discharges,  had  become  foul  aud  almost  use- 
less, drove  tliem  from  their  strong  post,  and  followed  them  until 
witliin  a  hundred  yards  of  the  fort,  where  he  was  joined  by 
Knypliauson,  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  River, 
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  hopje 
that  the  defence  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  encouraged  him  more  than  the  gallant 
style  in  which  Cadwalader  with  an  inferior  force  maintained  his 
position.  When  he  saw  him,  however,  assailed  in  flank,  the  line 
broken,  and  his  troops,  overpowered  by  numbers,  retreating  to 
the  fort,  he  gave  up  the  game  as  lost.  The  worst  sight  of  all, 
was  to  behold  his  men  cut  down  and  bayoneted  by  the  Hessians 
while  begging  quarter.  It  is  said  so  completely  to  have  overcome 
him,  that  he  wept  "  with  the  tenderness  of  a  child." 

Seeing  the  flag  go  into  the  fort  from  Knyphausen's  division, 
and  surmising  it  to  be  a  summons  to  surrender,  he  wrote  a  note 
to  Magaw,  telling  him  that  if  he  could  hold  out  until  evening, 
and  the  place  could  not  be  maintained,  he  would  endeavor  to 
bring  off  the  garrison  in  the  night.     Captain  Grooch,  of  Boston,  a 


1776.]  TjjE    SURRENDER.  399 

brave  and  daring  man,  offered  to  be  the  bearer  of  the  note.  "  He 
ran  down  to  the  river,  jumped  into  a  small  boat,  pushed  over  the 
river,  landed  under  the  bank,  ran  up  to  the  fort  and  delivered 
the  message : — came  out,  ran  and  jumped  over  the  broken 
ground,  dodging  the  Hessians,  some  of  whom  struck  at  him  with 
their  pieces  and  others  attempted  to  thrust  him  with  their  bayo- 
nets; 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  compelled,  therefore,  to  yield 
himself  and  his  garrison  prisoners  of  war.  The  only  terms  grant- 
ed them  were,  that  the  men  should  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  defences  of  the  Hudson  were  at  an  end.  Before  he  knew 
any  thing  about  the  terms  of  capitulation,  he  wrote  to  General 
Lee,  informing  him  of  the  surrender,  and  calling  his  attention  to 
the  passes  of  the  Highlands  and  those  which  lay  east  of  the 
river ;  begging  him  to  have  such  measures  adopted  for  their  de- 
fence as  his  judgment  should  suggest  to  be  necessary.  *'  I  do 
not  mean,"  added  he,  "  to  advise  abandoning  your  present  post, 

*  Heath's  Memoirs,  p.  8G. 


400  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  L'"7G. 

contrary  to  your  own  opinion ;  but  only  to  mentioi  my  own  ideas 
of  the  importance  of  those  passes,  and  that  you  cannot  give  too 
much  attention  to  their  security,  by  having  works  erected  on  tho 
most  advantageous  places  for  that  purpose." 

Lee,  in  reply,  objected  to  removing  from  his  actual  encamp- 
ment 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,  &c.,  in  a  place  fully  as  safe,  and  more  central  than  Peek- 
skill,  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  to  enjoin  the 
officers  posted  at  Fort  Lee,  to  give  us  the  quickest  intelligence,  if 
they  observe  any  embarkation  on  the  North  River."  As  to  the 
affair  of  Fort  Washington,  all  that  Lee  observed  on  the  subject 
was :  "Oh,  general,  why  would  you  be  over-persuaded  by  men 
of  inferior  judgment  to  your  own  ?   It  was  a  cursed  affair." 

Lee's  allusion  to  men  of  inferior  judgment,  was  principally 
aimed  at  G-reene,  whose  influence  with  the  commander-in-chief 
seems  to  have  excited  the  jealousy  of  other  officers  of  rank.  So 
Colonel  Tilghman,  Washington's  aide-de-camp,  writes  on  the  17th, 
to  Robert  R.  Livingston  of  New  York,  "  We  were  in  a  fair  way 
of  finishing  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  immediate- 
ly upon  the  enemy's  falling  down  from  Dobbs'  Ferry.  But  Gen- 
eral G-reene  was  positive  that  our  forces  might  at  any  time  be 
drawn  off  under  the  guns  of  Fort  Lee.  Fatal  experience  has 
evinced  the  contrary."  * 

*  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  iii.  780. 


1776.]  Washington's  perplexities.  401 

WasliiDgton's  own  comments  on  the  reduction  of  the  fort, 
made  in  a  letter  to  his  brother  Augustine,  are  worthy  of  special 
note.  "  This  is  a  most  unfortunate  afifair,  and  has  given  me  great 
mortification ;  as  we  have  lost,  not  only  two  thousand  men,*  that 
were  there,  but  a  good  deal  of  artillery,  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  hazardous  one  :  but 
it  having  been  determined  on  by  a  full  council  of  general  officers, 
and  a  resolution  of  Congress  having  been  received,  strongly  ex- 
pressive 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  possible ;  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  be- 
came 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  River,  to  oppose 
Howe's  whole  army ;  and  very  little  more  on  the  other,  to  secure 

*  The  number  of  prisoners,  as  returned  by  Sir  William  Howe,  was  2,8  18 
of  wlioni  2,607  were  privates.  They  were  marched  off  to  New  York  at  mid- 
niofht. 


402  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  1^770. 

the  eastern  colonies,  and  the  important  passes  leading  through  the 
Highlands  to  Albany,  and  the  country  about  the  lakes.  In  short 
it  is  impossible  for  me,  in  the  compass  of  a  letter,  to  give  you  any 
idea  of  our  situation,  of  my  difficulties,  and  of  the  constant  per- 
plexities I  meet  with,  derived  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 
represented  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  have  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  pub- 
lic expectation." 


CHAPTER    XLI. 

THE    ENEMY    CROSS   THE    HUDSON RETREAT   OF   THE   GARRISON    FROM  FORT  LEE 

THE    CROSSING    OF    THE    HACKENSACK LEE    ORDERED    TO      MOVE    TO    THE 

WEST    SIDE  OF  THE  RIVER — REED's    LE'lTER  TO    HIM SECOND  MOVE    OF   THE 

ARMY    BEYOND   THE    PASSAIC ASSISTANCE  SOUGHT  FROM  VARIOUS  QUARTERS 

CORRESPONDENCES  AND  SCHEMES  OF  LEE HEATH  STANCH  TO  HIS  INSTRUC- 
TIONS  ANXIETY    OF  GEORGE    CLINTON  FOR    THE    SAFETY    OF  THE    HUDSON 

CRITICAL  SITUATION  OF  THE  ARMY DISPARAGING  CORRESPONDENCE  BE- 
TWEEN LEE  AND  REED — WASHINGTON  RETREATS  ACROSS  THE  RARITAN ^AR- 
RIVES  AT    TRENTON REMOVES     HIS     BAGGAGE     ACROSS     THE    DELAWARE 

DISMAY  AND  DESPONDENCY  OF  THE  COUNTRY PROCLAMATION  OF  LORD  HOWE 

EXULTATION  OF  THE  ENEMY WASHINGTON'S  RESOLVE  IN  CASE  OF  EX- 
TREMITY. 

With  the  capture  of  Fort  Washington,  the  project  of  obstructing 
the  navigation  of  the  Hudson,  at  that  point,  was  at  an  end. 
Fort  Lee,  consequently,  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  ammuni- 
tion, 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  immediately  ordered  the  garrison  under  arms,  sent  out 
troops  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check,  and  sent  off  an  express  to 
Washington,  at  Hackensack. 


404  LIFE   OF    WAHlIINCiTON.  [^77G. 

Tho  oiicmy  had  crossed  the  Hudson,  on  ii  very  rainy  night,  in 
two  divisions,  one  diagonally  upward  from  King's  Bridge,  land- 
ing on  the  west  side,  about  eight  o'clock ;  the  other  marched  up 
the  cast  bank,  three  or  four  miles,  and  then  crossed  to  the  oppo- 
site shore.  The  whole  corps,  six  thousand  strong,  and  under  tlic 
command  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  were  landed,  with  their  cannon,  by 
ten  o'clock,  at  a  place  called  Closter  Dock,  f;ve  or  six  miles  above 
Fort  Lee,  and  under  that  line  of  lofty  and  i)erpendicular  cliffs 
known  as  the  Palisades.  "  The  seamen,"  says  Sir  William 
Howe,  "  distinguished  themselves  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  themselves  across  the 
country,  he  at  once  saw  that  they  intended  to  form  a  line  from 
the  Hudson  to  the  Hackensack,  and  hem  the  whole  garrison  in 
between  the  two  rivers.  Nothing  would  save  it  but  a  prompt 
retreat  to  secure  the  bridge  over  the  Hackensack.  No  time  was 
to  be  lost.  The  troops  sent  out  to  check  the  enemy  were  re- 
called. The  retreat  commenced  in  all  haste.  There  was  a  want 
of  horses  and  waggons ;  a  great  quantity  of  baggage,  stores  and 
provisions,  therefore,  was  abandoned.  So  was  all  the  artillery 
excepting  two  twelve-pounders.  Even  the  tenis  were  left  stand- 
ing, and  camp-kettles  on  the  fire.  With  all  their  speed  they  did 
not  reach  the  Hackensack  River  before  the  vanguard  of  the  ene- 

*  Some  writers  have  stated  that  Cornwallis  crossed  on  the  18th.  They 
have  been  misled  by  a  letter  of  Sir  William  Howe,  which  gives  that  date. 
Lord  Howe,  in  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Admiralty,  gives  the  date  we 
have  stated  (the  20th),  which  is  the  true  one. 


^''76-]  CROSSING   OF    THE    HACKENSACK.  405 

my  was  cIosg  upon  tlicin.  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  Cornwallis  stated  in  his  despatches,  that,  had  not 
the  Americans  been  apprised  of  his  approach,  he  would  have  sur- 
rounded them  at  the  fort.  Some  of  his  troops  that  night  occupied 
the  tents  they  had  abandoned. 

From  Hackensack,  Colonel  Grayson,  one  of  Washington's  aides- 
de-camp,  wrote  instantly,  by  his  orders,  to  General  Lee ;  inform- 
ing 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  command  on  this  side  of  the  North  River,  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  gentlemen  about 
me  concur  in  it,  that  the  public  interest  requires  your  coming 
over  to  this  side  of  the  Hudson  with  the  Continental  troops. 
#  #  *  #  rj\^Q  enemy  is  evidently  changing  the  seat  of  war  to 
this  side  of  the  North  Kiver,  and  the  inhabitants  of  this  country 
will  expect  the  Continental  army  to  give  them  what  support  they 
can ;  and  failing  in  that,  they  will  cease  to  depend  upon,  or  sup- 
port a  force  from  which  no  protection  is  to  be  derived.  It  is, 
therefore,  of  the  utmost  importance,  that  at  least  an  appearance 
of  force  should  be  made,  to  keep  this  province  in  connection  with 
the  others." 

In  this  moment  of  hurry  and  agitation.  Colonel  Reed,  also, 
Washington's  Jldus  Achates,  wrote  to  Lee,  but  in  a  tone  and 
spirit  that  may  surprise  the  reader,  knowing  the  devotion  he  had 
hitherto  manifested  for  the  commander-in-chief     After  express- 


406  LIFE   OF    WASIIINaTON.  [1776. 

iiig  the  common  wish  tliat  Loe  should  bo  at  tho  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 
you,  that  this  army,  and  the  liberties  of  America,  so  far  as  they 
are  dependent  on  it,  are  not  entirely  cut  off".  You  have  decision, 
a  quality  often  wanting  in  minds  otherwise  valuable,  and  I  ascribe 
to  this  our  escape  from  York  Island,  King's  Bridge,  and  the 
Plains ;  and  I  have  no  doubt,  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 
little  call  for  your  judgment  and  experience,  to  the  place  where 
they  are  likely  to  be  so  necessary.  Nor  am  I  singular  in  my 
opinion ;  every  gentleman  of  the  family,  the  officers  and  soldiers 
generally,  have  a  confidence  in  you.  The  enemy  constantly  in- 
quire where  you  are,  and  seem  to  be  less  confident  when  you  are 
present." 

Then  alluding  to  the  late  aff'air  at  Fort  Washington,  he  con- 
tinues :  "  General  Washington's  own  judgment,  seconded  by  rep- 
resentations from  us,  would,  I  believe,  have  saved  the  men,  and 
their  arms ;  but,  unluckily.  General  Greene's  judgment  was  con- 
trary. This  kept  the  general's  mind  in  a  state  of  suspense,  till 
the  stroke  was  struck.  Oh,  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  considered, 
we  are  in  a  very  awful  and  alarming  situation ;  one  that  requires 
the  utmost  wisdom,  and  firmness  of  mind.  As  soon  as  the  sea- 
son will  admit,  I  think  yourself  and  some  others,  should  go  to 
Congress,  and  form  the  plan  of  the  new  army.     *     •     *     *     i 


177C.]  ^    SECOND    MOVE    OF    THE    ARMY.  407 

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. 

Reed  had  evidently  been  dazzled  by  the  daring  spirit  and  un- 
scrupulous policy  of  Lee,  who,  in  carrying  out  his  measures, 
heeded  but  little  the  counsels  of  others,  or  even  the  orders  of 
government;  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  inde- 
cision. 

At  Hackensack  the  army  did  not  exceed  three  thousand  men, 
and  they  were  dispirited  by  ill  success,  and  the  loss  of  tents  and 
baggage.  They  were  without  intrenching  tools,  in  a  flat  country, 
where  there  were  no  natural  fastnesses.  Washington  resolved, 
therefore,  to  avoid  any  attack  from  the  enemy,  though,  by  so  do- 
ing, he  must  leave  a  fine  and  fertile  region  open  to  their  ravages ; 
or  a  plentiful  storehouse,  from  which  they  would  draw  voluntary 
supplies.  A  second  move  was  necessary,  again  to  avoid  the  dan- 
ger of  being  enclosed  between  two  rivers.  Leaving  three  regi- 
ments, 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 

*  Memoirs  of  Reed,  L  255. 


40S  LIFE    OF    WARniNC;T<)N.  {177C,. 

as  they  were  by  defc^ats  and  losses,  exposed  to  iiielemont  weatlicr, 
and  unaccustonicd  to  military  hardships,  tlicy  would  longer  forego 
the  comforts  of  their  homes,  to  drag  out  the  residue  of  a  ruinous 
campaign. 

In  addition,  too,  to  the  superiority  of  the  force  tliat  was  fol- 
lowing him,  the  rivers  gave  the  enemy  facilities,  by  means  of  their 
shipping,  to  throw  troops  in  his  rear.  In  this  extremity  ho  cast 
about  in  very  direction  for  assistance.  Colonel  Reed,  on  whom 
he  relied  as  on  a  second  self,  was  despatched  to  Burlington,  with 
letter  to  Governor  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  Philadel- 
phia to  implore  immediate  aid  from  Congress,  and  the  local 
authorities. 

His  main  reliance  for  prompt  assistance,  however,  was  upon 
Lee.  On  the  24tli  came  a  letter  from  that  general,  addressed  to 
Colonel  Reed.  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  ci:ossing  at  Dobbs' 
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  close  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. 
Withdrawing  our  troops  from  hence  would  be  attended  with  some 
very  serious  consequences,  which  at  present  would  be  tedious  to 
enumerate;  as  to  myself,"  adds  he,  "  I  hope  to  set  out  to-morrow." 


1776.]  PROJECTS   OF    LEE.  409 

A  letter  of  the  same  date  (Nov.  23d),  from  Lee  to  James 
Bowdoin,  president  of  the  Massachusetts  council,  may  throw  some 
light  on  his  motives  for  delaying  to  obey  the  orders  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief. ^'  Before  the  unfortunate  affair  of  Fort  Wash- 
ington," writes  he,  "  it  was  my  opinion  that  the  two  armies — that 
on  the  east,  and  that  on  the  west  side  of  the  North  Biver — must 
rest  each  on  its  own  bottom ;  that  the  idea  of  detaching  and  re- 
inforcing from  one  side  to  the  other,  on  every  motion  of  the 
enemy,  was  chimerical ;  but  to  harbor  such  a  thought  in  our 
present  circumstances,  is  absolute  insanity.  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 
England,  I  should  never  entertain  the  thought  of  being  succored 
by  the  western  army.  I  know  it  is  impossible.  We  must,  there- 
fore, depend  upon  ourselves.  To  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts, 
I  shall  look  for  assistance.  *  *  *  *  *  j  hope  the  cursed 
job  of  Fort  Washington  will  occasion  no  dejection :  the  place 
itself  was  of  no  value.  For  my  own  part,  I  am  persuaded  that 
if  we  only  act  with  common  sense,  spirit,  and  decision,  the  day 
must  be  our  own." 

In  another  letter  to  Bowdoin,  dated  on  the  following  day,  and 
enclosing  an  extract  from  Washington's  letter  of  Nov.  21st,  he 
writes  :  "  Indecision  bids  fair  for  tumbling  down  the  goodly  fab- 
ric of  American  freedom,  and,  with  it,  tlie  rights  of  mankind. 
'Twas  indecision  of  Congress  prevented  our  having  a  noble  army, 
and  on  an  excellent  footing.  'Twas  indecision  in  our  military 
councils  which  cost  us  the  garrison  of  Fort  Washington,  the  con- 
sequence of  which  must  be  fatal,  unless  remedied  in  time  by  a  con- 
trary spirit.  Enclosed  I  send  you  an  extract  of  a  letter  from  the 
general,  on  which  you  will  make  your  comments ;  and  I  have  no 

VOL.  II — 18 


410  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

doubt  you  will  concur  with  mc  in  the  ncccRsity  of  raising  immedi- 
ately an  army  to  save  us  from  perdition.  Aflairs  ai)peur  in  so  im- 
portant a  crisis,  that  I  think  the  resolves  of  the  Congress  must  no 
longer  too  nicely  weigh  with  u.s.  We  must  save  the  community,  in 
spite  of  the  ordinances  of  the  legislature.  Tlierc  are  times  when 
we  must  commit  trea^n  against  the  laws  of  the  State,  for  the  sal 
vation  of  the  State.  The  present  crisis  demands  this  brave,  vir- 
tuous kind  of  treason."  He  urges  President  Bowdoin,  therefore, 
to  waive  all  formalities,  and  not  only  complete  the  regiments  pre- 
scribed to  the  province,  but  to  add  four  companies  to  each  regi- 
ment. "  We  must  not  only  have  a  force  sufficient  to  cover  your 
province,  and  all  these  fertile  districts,  from  the  insults  and  irrup- 
tions of  the  tyrant's  troops,  but  sufficient  to  drive  'em  out  of  all 
their  quarters  in  the  Jerseys,  or  all  is  lost.  *  *  *  In  the  mean 
time,  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  well  supplied  with  blankets,  and  warm 
clothes,  as  I  am  determined,  by  the  help  of  God,  to  unnest  'em, 
even  in  the  dead  of  winter.  "* 

It  is  evident  Lee  considered  Washington's  star  to  be  on  the 
decline,  and  his  own  in  the  ascendant.  The  "  affair  of  Fort 
Washington,"  and  the  "  indecision  of  the  commander-in-chief," 
were  apparently  his  watchwords. 

On  the  following  day  (24th),  he  writes  to  Washington  from 
Northcastle,  on  the  subject  of  removing  troops  across  the  Hud- 
son. "  I  have  received  your  orders,  and  shall  endeavor  to  put 
them  in  execution,  but  question  whether  I  shall  be  able  to  carry 
with  me  any  considerable  number ;  not  so  much  from  a  want  of 

*  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  iii.  811. 


1776.1  PLANS   OF    LEE.  411 

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  re- 
fused to  part  with  a  single  file,  though  I  undertook  to  replace 
them  with  a  part  of  my  own."  He  concludes  by  showing  that, 
so  far  from  hurrying  to  the  support  of  his  commander-in-chief, 
he  was  meditating  a  side  blow  of  his  own  devising.  "  I  should 
march  this  day  with  Glover's  brigade ;  but  have  just  received  in- 
telligence that  Rogers'  corps,  a  part  of  the  light-horse,  and 
another  brigade  lie  in  so  exposed  a  situation,  as  to  present  us  the 
fairest  opportunity  of  carrying  them  off.  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  views  in  re- 
gard to  the  troops  required  to  cross  the  Hudson;  it  was  his 
(Lee's)  division  that  he  wanted  to  have  over.  The  force  under 
Pleath  must  remain  to  guard  the  posts  and  passes  through  the 
Highlands,  the  importance  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  understood  they  were  taking  measures  to  inter- 
cept 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. 


412  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [^77^ 

Tho  want  of  carriapfcs  and  other  causes  had  delayed  lilni.  From 
the  force  of  tho  enemy  remaining  in  Wcstciicstor  County,  ho  did 
not  conceive  tho  numbiT  of  them  in  the  Jerseys  to  be  near  ho 
great  as  Washington  was  taught  to  believe.  He  had  been  iii:ik- 
iug  a  sweep  of  the  country  to  clear  it  of  the  torios.  Part  of  his 
army  had  now  moved  on,  and  he  would  set  out  on  the  following 
day.  He  concluded  with  the  assurance,  "  I  shall  take  care  to 
obey  your  Excellency's  orders,  in  regard  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  you  have  formed  an  idea, 
that  should  General  Washington  remove  to  the  Straits  of  Magel- 
lan, the  instructions  he  left  with  you,  upon  a  particular  occasion, 
have,  to  all  intents  a  :d  purposes,  invested  you  with  a  command 
separate  from,  and  independent  of  any  other  superiors.  *  * 
*  *  That  General  Heath  is  by  no  means  to  consider  himself 
obliged  to  obey  the  second  in  command."  He  concluded  by  in- 
forming him  that,  as  the  commander-in-chief  was  now  separated 
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  Wash- 
ington might  not  be  pressed,  and  desirous  of  having  his  troops 
across  the  Hudson,  had  sent  off  an  express  to  him  for  explicit 
instructions  on  that  point,  and,  in  the  mean  time,  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  directions  of  General  Washington.  Should 
they  be  to  move,  all's  over  with  the  river  this  season,  and,  I  fear, 


1776.]  PERPLEXITY    OF   GEORGE    CLINTON.  413 

for  ever.  General  Lee,  four  or  five  days  ago,  had  orders  to  move 
with  his  division  across  the  river.  Instead  of  so  doing,  he  order- 
ed General  Heath  to  march  his  men  through,  and  he  would  re- 
place them  with  so  many  of  his.  General  Heath  could  not  do  this 
consistent  with  his  instructions,  but  put  his  men  under  marching 
orders  to  wait  his  Excellency's  orders."  Honest  George  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  have  no  par- 
ticular accounts  yet  from  head-quarters,  hut  I  am  apt  to  believe 
retreating  is  yet  fashionable.''^ 

The  return  of  the  express  sent  to  Washington,  relieved  Clin- 
ton's anxiety  about  the  Highlands ;  reiterating  the  original  order, 
that  the  division  under  Heath  should  remain  for  the  protection 
of  the  passes. 

Washington  was  still  at  Newark  when,  on  the  27th,  he  re- 
ceived Lee's  letter  of  the  24th,  speaking  of  his  scheme  of  captur- 
ing Rogers  the  partisan.  Under  other  circumstances  it  might 
have  been  a  sufficient  excuse  for  his  delay,  but  higher  interests 
were  at  stake ;  he  immediately  wrote  to  Lee  as  follows  :  "  My  for- 
mer 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  ade- 
quate 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  pushing  this  way, — ^part  of  'em  have  passed  the 
Passaic.     Their  plan  is  not  entirely  unfolded,  but  I  shall  not  bo 


414  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [1770. 

surprised   if   JMiila(l(;lj>hi!i   nliould   turn   out   llic  ()l>ject   of   tlicir 
moveuicut." 

The  tjituation  of  the  little  iiruiy  was  daily  beconiiTig  more  per- 
ilous. In  a  council  of  war,  several  of  the  members  urged  a  move 
to  Morristown,  to  form  a  junction  with  the  troops  expected  from 
the  Northern  army.  Washington,  however,  still  cherished  the 
idea  of  making  a  stand  at  Brunswick  on  the  Raritan,  or,  at  all 
events,  of  disputing  the  passage  of  the  Delaware ;  and  in  this  in- 
trepid resolution  he  was  warmly  seconded  by  Greene. 

Breaking  up  his  camp  once  more,  therefore,  he  continued  his 
retreat  towards  New  Brunswick;  but  so  close  was  Cornwallis 
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,  requesting  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  Baritan.  All  the  force  he  could 
muster  at  Brunswick,  including  the  New  Jersey  militia,  did  not 
exceed  four  thousand  men.  Colonel  Beed  had  failed  in  procuring 
aid  from  the  New  Jersey  legislature.  That  body,  shifting  from 
place  to  place,  was  on  the  eve  of  dissolution.  The  term  of  the 
Maryland  and  New  Jersey  troops  in  the  flying  camp  had  ex- 
pired. 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  Penn- 
sylvania levies,  they  deserted  in  such  numbers,  that  guards  were 
etationed  on  the  roads  and  ferries  to  intercept  them. 

At  this  moment  of  care  and  perplexity,  a  letter,  forwarded 


^'^'^^■]  WASHINGTON    AT    BRUNSWICK.  415 

by  express,  arrived  at  head-quarters.  It  was  from  General  Lee, 
dated  from  his  camp  at  Northcastle,  to  Colonel  Reed,  and  was 
in  reply  to  the  letter  written  by  that  officer  from  Hackensack 
on  the  21st,  which  we  have  already  laid  before  the  reader.  Sup- 
posing that  it  related  to  official  business,  Washington  opened  it, 
and  read  as  follows  : 

My  dear  Reed  : — I  received  your  most  obliging,  flattering 
letter ;  lament  with  you  that  fatal  indecision  of  mind,  which  in  war 
is  a  much  greater  disqualification  than  stupidity,  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  stating  these 
considerations,  he  adds  :  "  My  reason  for  not  having  marched 
already  is,  that  we  have  just  received  intelligence  that  Rogers' 
corps,  the  light-horse,  part  of  the  Highlanders,  and  another 
brigade,  lie  in  so  exposed  a  situation  as  to  give  the  fairest  oppor- 
tunity of  being  carried.  I  should  have  attempted  it  last  night, 
but  the  rain  was  too  violent,  and  when  our  pieces  are  wet,  you 
know  our  troops  are  hors  du  combat.  This  night  I  hope  will 
be  better.  ******  j  q^\j  ^^^it  myself  for  this  busi- 
ness of  Rogers  and  company  being  over.  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  over  this  letter  sufficed  to  show  Washington  that, 
at  this  dark  moment,  when  he  most  needed  support  and  sympa- 
thy, his    character   and   military  conduct  were    the    subject  of 


416  LIFE    OF    WASUrN(JTON.  [1776. 

disparaging  comments,  between  the  friend  in  whom  he  hud  bo 
implicitly  confided,  and  a  narcastic  and  apparently  self-constituted 
rival.  Whatever  may  have  been  his  feelings  of  wounded  pride 
and  outraged  friendship,  he  restrained  them,  and  enclosed  the 
letter  to  Reed,  with  the  following  chilling  note : 

"  Dear  Sir  : — The  enclosed  was  put  into  my  hands  by  an 
express  from  White  Plains.  Having  no  idea  of  its  being  a  pri- 
vate letter,  much  less  suspecting  the  tendency  of  the  corre- 
spondence, I  opened  it;  as  I  have  done  all  other  letters  to 
you  from  the  same  place,  and  Peekslvill,  upon  the  business  of 
your  office,  as  I  conceived,  and  found  them  to  be.  This,  as  it  is 
the  truth,  must  be  my  excuse  for  seeing  the  contents  of  a  letter, 
which  neither  inclination  nor  intention  would  have  prompted  me 
to,"  &c. 

The  very  calmness  and  coldness  of  this  note  must  have  had 
a  greater  effect  upon  Reed,  than  could  have  been  produced  by 
the  most  vehement  reproaches.  In  subsequent  communications, 
he  endeavored  to  explain  away  the  offensive  paragraphs  in  Lee's 
letter,  declaring  there  was  nothing  in  his  own  inconsistent  with 
the  respect  and  affection  he  had  ever  borne  for  Washington's 
person  and  character. 

Fortunately  for  Reed,  Washington  never  saw  that  letter. 
There  were  passages  in  it  beyond  the  reach  of  softening  explana- 
tion. 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  harboring  long  resentments ;  especially  in  mat- 
ters relating  solely  to  himself.  His  personal  respect  for  Colonel 
Reed  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  sympathizing  friend, 


1776.]  ADVANCE   OF   THE   ENEMY.  4l7 

had  received  an  incurable  wound.  His  letters,  before  so  frequent, 
and  such  perfect  outpourings  of  heart  and  mind,  became  few  and 
far  between,  and  confined  to  matters  of  business. 

It  must  have  been  consoling  to  Washington  at  this  moment 
of  bitterness,  to  receive  the  following  letter  (dated  Nov.  27th) 
from  William  Livingston,  the  intelligent  and  patriotic  governor 
of  New  Jersey.  If  showed  that  while  many  misjudged  him,  and 
friends  seemed  falling  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  suffer  you  to  reveal  it  to  the  public ;  an 
instance  of  magnanimity,  superior,  perhaps,  to  any  that  can  be 
shown  in  battle.  But  depend  upon  it,  my  dear  sir,  the  impartial 
world  will  do  you  ample  justice  before  long.  May  God  support 
you  under  the  fatigue,  both  of  body  and  mind,  to  which  you  must 
be  constantly  exposed."  * 

Washington  lingered  at  Brunswick  until  the  1st  of  Decem- 
ber, in  the  vain  hope  of  being  reinforced.  The  enemy,  in  the 
mean  time,  advanced  through  the  country,  impressing  waggons 
and  horses,  and  collecting  cattle  and  sheep,  as  if  for  a  distant 
march.     At  length  their  vanguard  appeared  on  the  opposite  side 

*  We  cannot  dismiss  this  painful  incident  in  Washington's  life,  without  a 
prospective  note  on  the  subject.  Reed  was  really  of  too  generous  and  intelli- 
gent a  nature  not  to  be  aware  of  the  immense  value  of  the  friendship  he  had 
put  at  hazard.  He  grieved  over  his  mistake,  especially  as  after  events  showed 
more  and  more  the  majestic  greatness  of  Washington's  character.  A  letter  in 
the  following  year,  in  which  he  sought  to  convince  Washington  of  his  sincere 
and  devoted  attachment,  is  really  touching  in  its  appeals.  We  are  happy  to 
add,  that  it  appears  to  have  been  successful,  and  to  have  restored,  in  a  great 
measure,  their  relations  of  friendly  confidence. 

VOL.  II. — 18* 


418  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [177d 

of  tlic  Riiritan.  Washington  imiiicdiatcly  broke  down  the  end 
of  the  bridge  next  the  village,  and  after  nightfall  resumed  his 
retreat.  In  the  mean  time,  as  the  river  was  fordable,  Captain 
Alexander  Hamilton  planted  his  fiekl-pieecs  on  higli,  commanding 
ground,  and  opened  a  spirited  fire,  to  check  any  attempt  of  tho 
enemy  to  cross. 

At  Princeton,  "Washington  loft  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  Wash- 
ington in  the  French  war,  as  second  in  command  of  the 
Virginia  troops,  and  had  charge  of  Eort  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  commis- 
,sion  of  brigadier-general. 

The  harassed  army  reached  Trenton  on  the  2d  of  December. 
Washington  immediately  proceeded  to  remove  his  baggage  and 
stores  across  the  Delaware.  In  his  letters  from  this  place  to  the 
President  of  Congress,  he  gives  his  reasons  for  his  continued 
retreat.  "  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  this  State, 
the  want  of  exertion  in  the  principal  gentlemen  of  the  country, 
and  a  fatal  supineness  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  season  (and 
timely  notice  they  had),  we  might  have  prevented  the  enemy's 


1770]  DESPONDENCY   OF    THE   COUNTRY.  419 

crossing  the  Hackensack.  We  might,  with  equal  possibility  of 
success,  have  made  a  stand  at  Brunswick  on  the  Raritan.  But  as 
both  these  rivers  were  ford  able  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  observed, 
that  they  inhabited  an  open,  agricultural  country,  where  the 
sound  of  war  had  never  been  heard.  Many  of  them  looked  upon 
the  Revolution  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 ;  without 
tents,  without  clothing,  many  of  them  barefooted,  exposed  to 
wintry  weather,  and  driven  from  post  to  post,  by  a  well-clad, 
well-fed,  triumphant  force,  tricked  out  in  all  the  glittering  bravery 
of  war.  Could  it  be  wondered  at,  that  peaceful  husbandmen,  see- 
ing their  quiet  fields  thus  suddenly  overrun  by  adverse  hosts,  and 
their  very  hearthstones  threatened  with  outrage,  should,  instead  of 
flying  to  arms,  seek,  for  the  safety  of  their  wives  and  little  ones, 
and  the  protection  of  their  humble  means,  from  the  desolation 
which  too  often  marks  the  course  even  of  friendly  armies  ? 

Lord  Howe  and  his  brother  sought  to  profit  by  this  dismay 
and  despondenc}^  A  proclamation,  dated  30th  of  November,  com- 
manded all  persons  in  arms  against  his  majesty's  government,  to 
disband  and  return  home,  and  all  Congresses  to  desist  from 
treasonable  acts  :  offering  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 


420  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1770. 

to  lose,  were  the  first  to  submit.  The  middle  ranks  remained 
general! J  steadfast  iu  this  time  of  trial.* 

The  followinnr  extract  of  a  letter  from  a  field-oiTicer  in  New 

o 

York,  dated  Dec.  2d,  to  his  friend  in  London,  gives  the  British 
view  of  aflairs.  "  The  rebels  continue  flying  before  our  army. 
Lord  Cornwallis  took  the  fort  opposite  Brunswick,  plunged  into 
Raritan  llivcr,  and  seized  the  town.  Mr.  Washington  had 
orders  from  the  Congress  to  rally  and  defend  that  post,  but  he 
sent  them  word  he  could  not.  He  was  seen  retreating  with  two 
brigades  to  Trenton,  where  they  talk  of  resisting ;  but  such  a 
panic  has  seized  tlie  rebels,  that  no  part  of  the  Jerseys  will  hold 
them,  and  I  doubt  whether  Philadelphia  itself  will  stop  their 
career.  The  Congress  have  lost  their  authority.  *  *  *  * 
They  are  in  such  consternation  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  enclosed  proclama- 
tion, they  may  yet  escape  the  halter.  *  *  *  Honest  David 
Mathew,  the  mayor,  has  made  his  escape  from  them,  and  arrived 
here  this  day."  f 

In  this  dark  day  of  peril  to  the  cause,  and  to  himself,  Wash- 
ington remained  firm  and  undaunted.  In  casting  about  for  some 
stronghold  where  he  might  make  a  desperate  stand  for  the  liber- 
ties of  his  country,  his  thoughts  reverted  to  the  mountain  regions 
of  his  early  campaigns.  Greneral  Mercer  was  at  hand,  who  had 
shared  his  perils  among  these  mountains,  and  his  presence  may 

*  Gordon's  Hist.  Am.  War,  ii.  p.  129. 
t  Am.  Archives,  5tli  Series,  iii.  1037. 


177C.J  AN    INDOMITABLE    SPIRIT.  421 

have  contributed  to  bring  them  to  his  mind.  "  What  think  you," 
said  Washington ;  "  if  we  should  retreat  to  the  back  parts  of 
Pennsylvania,  would  the  Pennsylvanians  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,  and  we  will 
try  a  predatory  war.     If  overpowered,  we  must  cross  the  AUe- 

ganies." 

Such  was  the  indomitable  spirit,  rising  under  difficulties,  and 
buoyant  in  the  darkest  moment,  that  kept  our  tempest-tost  cause 
from  foundering. 


CHAPTER    XLII. 

LEE    AT   PFEKSKTTX STAXCH    ADHERKNCE   OF    HEATTI  TO  OKDERS LEE  CROSSES 

THE  HUDSON WASHINGTON  AT  TRENTON LEK  AT  THE  HEELS  OF  THE  EN- 
EMY  HIS     SPECULATIONS     ON     MILITARY     GREATNESS FORCED     MARCH    OP 

CORNAVALLIS — WASHINGTON  CROSSES  THE  DELAWARE — PUTNAM  IN  COM- 
MAND AT  PHILADELPHIA — BAFFLING  LETTERS  OF  LEE — HOPES  TO  RECON- 
QUER  THE  JERSEYS — GATES  ON  THE  MARCH LEE   QUARTERED   AT   BASKINQ- 

RIDGE SURPRISED    AND    CAPTURED — SPECULATIONS   ON    HIS    CONDUCT. 

Notwithstanding  the  repeated  and  pressing  orders  and  entrea- 
ties of  the  commander-in-chief,  Lee  did  not  reach  Peekskill  until 
the  30th  of  November.  In  a  letter  of  that  date  to  Washington, 
who  had  complained  of  his  delay,  he  simply  alleged  difficulties^ 
which  he  would  explain  ivlien  both  had  leisure.  His  scheme  to 
entrap  Eogers,  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  instructions ;  but  I 
could  wish  you  would  bind  me  as  little  as  possible ;  not  from  any 
opinion,  I  do  assure  you,  of  my  own  parts,  but  from  a  persuasion 


1776].  heath's   military   PUNCTILIO.  423 

that  detached  generals  cannot  have  too  great  latitude,  unless  they 
are  very  incompetent  indeed." 

Lee  had  calculated  upon  meeting  no  further  difficulty  in  ob- 
taining 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-chief,  "  in  point  of  Zaw,"  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  myself."  "  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  myself  break  those  orders." 
In  proof  of  his  words,  Heath  produced  the  recent  letter  received 
from  Washington,  repeating  his  former  orders  that  no  troops 
should  be  removed  from  that  post.  Lee  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  the  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    the  pride  of  military  law,  turned    to  the 


424  LIFE    OK    WASHINGTON.  ['"^G 

major  with  an  air  of  authority.  "  Issue  such  orders  at  your 
peril !  "  exclaimed  he  :  then  addressing  Lee,  *'  Sir,"  said  he,  "  if 
you  come  to  this  post,  and  mean  to  issue  orders  here  which  will 
break  the  positive  ones  I  have  received,  I  pray  you  do  it  com- 
pletely yourself,  and  through  your  own  deputy  adjutant-general 
who  is  present,  and  not  draw  me  or  any  of  my  family  in  as  part- 
ners in  the  guilt." 

"  It  is  right,"  said  Lee ;  "  Colonel  Scammol,  do  you  issue  the 
order."  It  was  done  accordingly;  but  Heath's  punctilious  scru- 
ples 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  you  exercise  command  at  this  post,  and 
order  from  it  these  regiments." 

Lee  hesitated  to  comply,  but  George  Clinton,  who  was  pres- 
ent, told  him  he  could  not  refuse  a  request  so  reasonable.  He 
accordingly  wrote,  "  For  the  satisfaction  of  General  Heath,  and 
at  his  request,  I  do  certify  that  I  am  commanding  officer,  at  this 
present  writing,  in  this  post,  and  that  I  have,  in  that  capacity, 
ordered  Prescott's  and  Wyllis's  regiments  to  march." 

Heath's  military  punctilio  was  satisfied,  and  he  smoothed  his 
ruffled  plumes.  Early  the  next  morning  the  regiments  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  or- 
der them  to  return  to  their  former  post." 

"  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  soldier  from  his  youth,  had  a 
perfect  knowledge  of  service  in  all  its  branches,  but  was  rather 


1776.]  I^EE    CROSSES    THE    HUDSON.  425 

obstinate  in  his  temperj  and  could  scarcely  brook  being  crossed 
in  any  thing  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  immi- 
nent peril  of  Washington  and  his  army — how  different  from  the 
celerity  of  his  movements  in  his  expedition  to  the  South  ! 

In  the  mean  time,  Washington,  who  was  at  Trenton,  had  pro- 
fited 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  iiundred  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia, 
procured  by  Mifflin,  prepared  to  face  about,  and  march  back  to 
Princeton  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  5th  of  December  he  sent  about  twelve  hun- 
dred men  in  the  advance,  to  reinforce  Lord  Stb-ling,  and  the  next 
day  set  off  himself  with  the  residue. 

"  The  general  has  gone  forward  to  Princeton,"  writes  Colonel 
Reed,  "  where  there  are  about  three  thousand  men,  with  which,  I 
fear,  he  will  not  be  able  to  make  any  stand."  f 

While  on  the  march,  Washington  received  a  letter  from 
Greene,  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  flanks  than  the  rear,  unless 
it  were  possible  to  concert  an  attack  at  the  same  instant  of  time 
in  front  and  rear.  *  *  *  J  think  General  Lee  must  be  con- 
fined within  the  lines  of  some  general  plan,  or  else  his  operations 
will  be  independent  of  yours.  His  own  troops,  General  St. 
Clair's,  and  the  militia,  must  form  a  respectable  army." 

*"  The  above  scene  is  given  almost  literally  from  General  Heath's  Memoirs, 
t  Keed  to  the  President  of  Congress. 


426  LIFE    OF   "WASHINGTON.  [\77G. 

Loo  had  no  idoa  of  conforming  to  a  general  plan;  he  had  an 
independent  phm  of  his  own,  and  was  at  that  moment  at  Pomp- 
ton,  indulging  speculations  on  military  greatness,  and  the  lament- 
able want  of  it  in  his  American  contemporaries.  In  a  letter 
from  that  place  to  Governor  Cooke  of  Rhode  Island,  he  imparts 
Lis  notions  on  the  subject.  "  Theory  joined  to  practice,  or  a 
heaven-born  genius,  can  alone  constitute  a  general.  As  to  the 
latter,  God  Almighty  indulges  the  modern  world  very  rarely 
with  the  spectacle ;  and  I  do  not  know,  from  what  I  have  seen, 
that  he  has  been  more  profuse  of  .this  ethereal  spirit  to  the 
Americans,  than  to  other  nations." 

While  Lee  was  thus  loitering  and  speculating,  Cornwallis, 
knowing  how  far  ho  was  in  the  rear,  and  how  weak  was  the  situa- 
tion of  Washington's  army,  and  being  himself  strongly  reinforced, 
made  a  forced  march  from  Brunswick,  and  was  within  two  miles 
of  Princeton.  Stirling,  to  avoid  being  surrounded,  immediately 
Bet  out  with  two  brigades  for  Trenton.  Washington,  too,  receiv- 
ing 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,  fle 
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  rear-guard,  says  an  American  account,  had  barely  crossed 
the  river,  when  Lord  Cornwallis  "came  marching  down  with  all 
the  pomp  of  war,  in  great  expectation  of  getting  boats,  and  imme- 
diately pursuing."     Not  one  was  to  be  had  there  or  elsewhere; 


1776.]  PERIL    OF    PHILADELPHIA.  '  427 

for  Washington  liad  caused  the  boats,  for  an  extent  of  seventy 
miles  up  and  down  the  river,  to  be  secured  on  the  right  bank. 
His  lordship  was  effectually  brought  to  a  stand.  He  made  some 
moves  with  two  columns,  as  if  he  would  cross  the  Delaware 
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  disposition  of  American  troops 
along  the  upper  part  of  the  river,  and  of  a  number  of  galleys  below, 
discouraged  any  attempt  of  the  kind.  Cornwallis,  therefore,  gave 
up  the  pursuit,  distributed,  the  German  troops  in  cantonments 
along  the  left  bank  of  the  river,  and  stationed  his  main  force  at 
Brunswick,  trusting  to  be  able  before  long  to  cross  the  Delaware 
on  the  ice. 

On  the  8th,  Washington  wrote  to  the  President  of  Congress : 
"  There  is  not  a  moment's  time  to  be  lost  in  assembling  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  co-operate  with  the  army 
under  General  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  General  Lee,  although  I  have  sent 
expresses  to  him,  and  lately  a  Colonel  Humpton,  to  bring  me 
some  accurate  accounts  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  provide 
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  arrival  may  be 


428  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  L177«. 

fortunate,  aiul,  if  it  can  be  effected  without  delay,  it  may  be  the 
means  of  preserving  a  city,  whose  hjss  must  prove  of  the  most 
fatal  consequence  to  the  cause  of  America." 

Putnam  was  now  detached  to  take  command  of  Philadelphia, 
and  put  it  in  a  state  of  defence,  and  General  Mifflin  to  have 
charge  of  the  munitions  of  war  deposited  there.  By  their  advice 
Congress  hastily  adjourned  on  the  12th  of  December,  to  meet 
again  on  the  20th,  at  Baltimore. 

Washington's  whole  force  at  this  time,  was  about  five  thou- 
sand five  hundred  men ;  one  thousand  of  them  Jersey  militia, 
fifteen  hundred  militia  from  Philadelphia,  and  a  battalion  of  five 
hundred  of  the  German  yeomanry  of  Pennsylvania.  Gates,  how- 
ever, he  was  informed,  was  coming  on  with  seven  regiments  de- 
tached by  Schuyler  from  the  Northern  department ;  reinforced 
by  these,  and  the  troops  under  Lee,  he  hoped  to  be  able  to  at- 
tempt a  stroke  upon  the  enemy's  forces,  which  lay  a  good  deal 
scattered,  and  to  all  appearances,  in  a  state  of  security.  "  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  misfortunes."  * 

While  cheering  himself  with  these  hopes,  and  trusting  to 
speedy  aid  from  Lee,  that  wayward  commander,  though  nearly 
three  weeks  had  elapsed  since  he  had  received  Washington's  or- 
ders and  entreaties  to  join  him  with  all  possible  despatch,  was  no 
farther  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  committee 
of  Congress,  he  says :  "  If  I  was  not  taught  to  think  the  army  with 

*  Washington  to  Gov.  Trambull,  14th  Dec, 


1776.]  TARDY    MARCH    OF   LEE.  429 

General  Washington  had  been  considerably  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  up 
and  harassing  their  detached  parties  in  their  rear,  for  which  pur- 
pose, a  good  post  at  Chatham  seems  the  best  calculated.  It  is  a 
happy  distance  from  Newark,  Elizabethtown,  Woodbridge  and 
Boundbrook.  We  shall,  I  expect,  annoy,  distract,  and  conse- 
quently weaken  them  in  a  desultory  war."  * 

On  the  same  day  he  writes  from  Chatham,  in  reply  to  Wash- 
ington's letter  by  Major  Hoops,  just  received  :  "  I  am  extremely 
shocked  to  hear  that  your  force  is  so  inadequate  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,  convinced  me  that  there  was  no 
danger  of  your  being  obliged  to  pass  the  Delaware ;  in  conse- 
quence of  which  proposals,  I  have  put  myself  in  a  position  the 
most  convenient  to  co-operate  with  you  by  attacking  their  rear. 
I  cannot  persuade  myself  that  Philadelphia  is  their  object  at 
present.  *  *  *  It  will  be  difficult,  I  am  afraid,  to  join  you; 
but  cannot  I  do  you  more  service  by  attacking  their  rear  ?  " 

This  letter,  sent  by  a  light-horseman,  received  an  instant  reply 
from  Washington.  "  Philadelphia,  beyond  all  question,  is  the  ob- 
ject of  the  enemy's  movements,  and  nothing  less  than  our  ut- 
most exertions  will  prevent  G-eneral  Howe  from  possessing  it. 
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."  f 

On  the  9th,  Lee,  who  was  at  Chatham,  receives  information 

*  Am.  Archives,  6th  Series,  iii.  1121. 
t  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  iii.  1138. 


430  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

from  Heath,  that  three  of  the  regiments  detaehed  under  Gates 
from  the  Northern  army,  had  arrived  from  Albany  at  Peekskill. 
He  instantly  writes  to  him  to  forward  them,  without  loss  of  time, 
to  Morristown :  "  I  am  in  hopes,"  adds  he,  "  to  reconquer  (if  I 
may  so  express  myself)  the  Jerseys.  It  was  really  in  the  hands 
of  the  enemy  before  my  arrival." 

On  the  11th,  Lee  writes  to  Washington  from  Morristown, 
where  he  says  his  troops  had  been  obliged  to  halt  two  days  for 
want  of  shoes.  He  now  talked  of  crossing  the  great  Brunswick 
post-road,  and,  by  a  forced  night's  march,  making  his  way  to  the 
ferry  above  Burlington,  where  boats  should  be  sent  up  from 
Philadelphia  to  receive  him. 

"  I  am  much  surprised,"  writes  Washington  in  reply,  "  that 
you  should  be  in  any  doubt  respecting  the  route  you  should  take, 
after  the  information  you  have  received  upon  that  head.  A 
large  number  of  boats  was  procured,  and  is  still  retained  at  Tini- 
cum,  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  consequences  that 
must  attend  its  loss,  are  but  too  obvious  to  every  one;  your 
arrival  may  be  the  means  of  saving  it." 

In  detailing  the  close  of  General  Lee's  march,  so  extraordi- 
nary for  its  tardiness,  we  shall  avail  ourselves  of  the  memoir 
already  cited  of  General  Wilkinson,  who  was  at  that  time  a  brig- 
ade 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  have  shown,  had  descended  the  Hudson  to  Peekskill,  and 


1776.]  JOURNEY   OF   WILKINSON.  431 

were  ordered  by  Lee  to  Morristown.  Gates  had  embarked  with 
the  remaining  four,  and  landed  with  them  at  Esopus,  whence  he 
took  a  back  route  by  the  Delaware  and  the  Miuisink. 

On  the  11th  of  December,  he  was  detained  by  a  heavy  snow 
storm,  in  a  sequestered  valley  near  the  Wallpcck  in  New  Jersey. 
Being  cut  off  from  all  information  respecting  the  adverse  ar- 
mies, he  detached  Major  Wilkinson  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.  Find- 
ing such  obstacles  in  his  way  to  the  commander-in-chief,  he  de- 
termined to  seek  the  second  in  command,  and  ask  orders  from 
him  for  G-eneral  Gates.  Lee  had  decamped  from  Morristown  on 
the  12th  of  December,  but  had  marched  no  further  than  Yeal- 
town,  barely  eight  miles  distant.  There  he  left  General  Sullivan 
with  the  troops,  while  he  took  up  his  quarters  three  miles  oflf,  at 
a  tavern,  at  Baskingridge.  As  there  was  not  a  British  canton- 
ment within  twenty  miles,  he  took  but  a  small  guard  for  his 
protection,  thinking  himself  perfectly  secure. 

About  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  Wilkinson  arrived  at  his 
quarters.  He  was  presented  to  the  general  as  he  lay  in  bed,  and 
delivered  into  his  hands  the  letter  of  General  G  ates.  Lee,  ob- 
serving it  was  addressed  to  Washington,  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  repose.     The  latter  lay  down  on  his  blanket,  before  a  com- 


432  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

fortablo  fire,  among  the  officers  of  his  suite ;  "  for  we  were  not 
encumbered  iu  those  days,"  says  he,  "  with  beds  or  baggage." 

Lee,  naturally  indolent,  lingered  in  bed  until  eight  o'clock. 
He  tlien  came  down  in  his  usual  slovenly  style,  half-dressed,  in  slip- 
pers and  blanket  coat,  his  collar  open,  and  his  linen  apparently  of 
some  days'  wear.  After  some  inquiries  about  the  campaign  in 
the  North,  he  gave  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  altercation 
with  some  of  the  militia,  particularly  the  Connecticut  light- 
horse;  "several  of  whom,"  says  Wilkinson, ,"  appeared  in  large, 
full-buttoned  perukes,  and  were  treated  very  irreverently.  One 
wanted  forage,  another  his  horse  shod,  another  his  pay,  a  fourth 
provisions,  &c. ;  to  which  the  general  replied,  '  Your  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.' " 

Colonel  Scammel,  the  adjutant-general,  called  from  General 
Sullivan  for  orders  concerning  the  morning's  march.  After  mu- 
sing a  moment  or  two,  Lee  asked  him  if  he  had  a  manuscript  map 
of  the  country.  It  was  produced,  and  spread  upon  a  table. 
Wilkinson  observed  Lee  trace  with  his  finger  the  route  from 
Vealtown  to  Pluckamin,  thence  to  Somerset  court-house,  and  on, 
by  Rocky  Hill,  to  Princeton;  he  then  returned  to  Pluckamin, 
and  traced  the  route  in  the  same  manner  by  Boundbrook  to 
Brunswick,  and  after  a  close  inspection  carelessly  said  to  Scam- 
mel, "  Tell  General  Sullivan  to  move  down  towards  Pluckamin ; 
that  I  will  soon  be  with  him."  This,  observes  Wilkinson,  waa 
off  his  route  to  Alexandria  on  the  Delaware,  where  he  had  been 
ordered  to  cross,  and  directly  on  that  towards  Brunswick  and 


1776.]  CAPTUHE    OF    LEE.  433 

Princeton.  He  was  eonvincea,  therefore,  that  Lee  meditated  an 
attack  on  the  British  post  at  the  latter  place. 

From  these  various  delays  they  did  not  sit  down  to  break- 
fast 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-chief.  "  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;  entre  nous,  a  certain  great  man  is  most  damnably  defi- 
cient. He  has  thrown  me  into  a  situation  where  I  have  my 
choice  of  difficulties :  if  I  stay  in  this  province  I  risk  myself  and 
army;  and  if  I  do  not  stay,  the  province  is  lost  for  ever.  *  *  * 
*  *  As  to  what  relates  to  yourself,  if  you  think  you  can  be  in 
time  to  aid  the  general,  I  would  have  you  by  all  means  go ;  you 
will  at  least  save  your  army,"  &c.* 

While  Lee  was  writing,  Wilkinson  was  looking  out  of  a  win- 
dow down  a  lane,  about  a  hundred  yards  in  length,  leading  from 
the  house  to  the  main  road.  Suddenly  a  party  of  British  dra- 
goons turned  a  corner  of  the  avenue  at  a  full  charge.  "  Here, 
sir,  are  the  British  cavalry ! "  exclaimed  Wilkinson.  "  Where  ?  " 
replied  Lee,  who  had  just  signed  his  letter.  "  Around  the 
house  !  " — for  they  had  opened  file  and  surrounded  it.  "  Where 
is  the  guard?  d —  the  guard,  why  dont  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 

*  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  iii.  1201. 

VOL.  n.— -19 


434  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1770 

themselves,  aud  were  now  cliascd  by  the  dragoons  in  different 
directions.  In  fact,  a  tory,  who  had  visited  the  general  the  even- 
ing before,  to  complain  of  the  loss  of  a  horse  taken  by  the  army, 
having  found  where  Lee  was  to  lodge  and  breakfast,  had  ridden 
eighteen  miles  in  the  night  to  Brunswick  and  given  the  informa- 
tion, and  had  piloted  back  Colonel  Ilarcourt  with  his  dragoons.* 

The  women  of  the  house  would  fain  have  concealed  Lee  in  a 
bed,  but  he  rejected  the  proposition  with  disdain.  Wilkinson, 
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,  resolved  to  shoot  the  first  and  second 
assailant,  and  then  appeal  to  his  sword.  While  in  this  "  unpleas- 
ant situation,"  as  he  terms  it,  he  heard  a  voice  declare,  "  If  the 
general  does  not  surrender  in  five  minutes,  I  will  set  fire  to  the 
house ! "  After  a  short  pause  the  threat  was  repeated,  with  a 
solemn  oath.  Within  two  minutes  he  heard  it  proclaimed, 
"  Here  is  the  general,  he  has  surrendered." 

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  dragoons,  who  were  chasing  the 
scattered  guards.  The  general,  bareheaded,  and  in  his  slippers 
and  blanket  coat,  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  cannon  in  that  direc- 
tion told  the  exultation  of  the  enemy. f  They  boasted  of  having 
taken  the  American  Palladium ;  for  they  considered  Lee  the 
most  scientific  and  experienced  of  the  rebel  generals. 

On  the  departure  of  the  troops,  Wilkinson,  finding  the  coast 

*  Jos.  Trumbull  to  Gov.  Trumbull. — Am.  Archives,  5th  Serieiy  iii.  1265. 
t  Idem. 


1776.]  SULLIVAN    IN    COMMAND.  435 

clear,  ventured  from  his  stronghold,  repaired  to  the  stable, 
mounted  the  first  horse  he  could  find,  and  rode  full  speed  in 
quest  of  Greneral  Sullivan,  whom  he  found  under  march  toward 
Pluckamin.  He  handed  him  the  letter  to  Gates,  written  by  Lee 
the  moment  before  his  capture,  and  still  open.  Sullivan  having 
read  it,  returned  it  to  Wilkinson,  and  advised  him  to  rejoin  Gene- 
ral Gates  without  delay :  for  his  own  part,  being  now  in  command, 
he  changed  his  route,  and  pressed  forward  to  join  the  commander- 
in-chief. 

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  situa- 
tion. With  their  regrets,  however,  were  mingled  painful  doubts, 
caused  by  his  delay  in  obeying  the  repeated  summons  of  his 
commander-in-chief,  when  the  latter  was  in  peril;  and  by  his 
exposing  himself  so  unguardedly  in  the  very  neighborhood  of  the 
enemy.  Some  at  first  suspected  that  he  had  done  so  designedly, 
and  with  collusion  ;  but  this  was  soon  disproved  by  the  indignities 
attending  his  capture,  and  his  rigorous  treatment  subsequently  by 
the  British;  who  afi'ected  to  consider  him  a  deserter,  from  his 
having  formerly  served  in  their  army.  * 

Wilkinson,  who  was  at  that  time  conversant  with  the  cabals 
of  the  camp,  and  apparently  in  the  confidence  of  some  of  the 
leaders,  points  out  what  he  considers  the  true  secret  of  Lee's 
conduct.  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-chief,  had  quickened  the 
discontent   which,  according  to  Wilkinson,  had  been  generated 


436  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  L^^^^^ 

against  him  at  Cambridge,  and  raised  a  party  against  him  in 
Congress.  *'  It  was  confidently  asserted  at  the  time,"  adds  he, 
"  but  is  not  worthy  of  credit,  that  a  motion  had  been  made  in 
that  body  tending  to  supersede  him  in  tlie  command  of  the 
army.  In  this  temper  of  the  tinuis,  if  General  Lee  had  antici- 
pated 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  Avould 
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  experience  in  the  art  of  war ; 
but  he  was  wilful  and  uncertain  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  wisdom,  rectitude  and 
patriotism  of  Washington,  enabling  him  to  direct  and  control 
legislative  bodies  as  well  as  armies ;  to  harmonize  the  jarring 
pasions  and  jealousies  of  a  wide  and  imperfect  confederacy,  and 
to  cope  with  the  varied  exigencies  of  the  Kevolution. 

The  very  retreat  which  Washington  had  just  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  handful  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  precipitate,  for  we 
were  three  weeks  in  performing  it,  that  the  country  might  have 


177G.J  PAINE'S    opinion    OF    WASHINGTON.  437 

time  to  come  in.  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  hard- 
ships. "  Voltaire  has  remarked,  that  King  William  never  ap- 
peared to  full  advantage  but  in  difficulties  and  in  action.  The 
same  remark  may  be  made  of  General  Washington,  for  the  char- 
acter fits  him.  There  is  a  natural  firmness  in  some  minds,  which 
cannot  be  unlocked  by  trifles ;  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  him  a  mind  that 
can  even  flourish  upon  care."  * 

*  American  Crisis,  No.  1. 


CHAPTER    XLIII. 

WASHINGTON  OL<>^HED  WITH  ADDITIONAL  POWERS — RECRUITMENT  OP   THE  AKMT 

INCREASED  PAY. — COLONEL  JOHN  CADWALADER ARRIVAL  OF  SULLIVAN 

GATES WILKINSON — A  COUP  DE   MAIN    MEDITATED — POSTURE  OF  AFFAIRS 

AT   TRENTON GATES    DECLINES  TO  TAKE  A  PART — HIS    COMMENTS  ON  WASH- 
INGTON'S PLANS — PREPARATIONS  FOR  THE  COUP  DE  MAIN CROSSING    OF  THE 

DELAWARE ATTACK    ON    THE      ENEMY's    FORCES  AT     TRENTON — DEATH     OF 

BAHL HIS  CHARACTER. 

"  Before  you  receive  this  letter,"  writes  Washington  to  his 
brother  Augustine,  "  you  will  undoubtedly  have  heard  of  the  cap- 
tivity of  Greneral  Lee.  This  is  an  additional  misfortune ;  and  the 
more  vexatious,  as  it  was  by  his  own  folly  and  imprudence,  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  carried  him  off  with  every  mark  of  triumph  and  indignity." 

This  is  the  severest  comment  that  the  magnanimous  spirit  of 
Washington  permitted  him  to  make  on  the  conduct  and  fortunes 
of  the  man  who  would  have  supplanted  him ;  and  this  is  made  in 
his  private  correspondence  with  his  brother.  No  harsh  strictures 
on  them  appear  in  his  official  letters  to  Congress  or  the  Board  of 
War  ;   nothing  but  regret  for  his  capture,  as  a  loss  to  the  service. 


1776.]  KECKUITMENT    OF    THE    ARMY.  439 

In  the  same  letter  lie  speaks  of  the  critical  state  of  affairs : 
*'  If  every  nerve  is  not  strained  to  recruit  the  army  with  all  possi- 
ble 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  persua- 
sion of  the  justice  of  our  cause,  I  cannot  entertain  an  idea  that  it 
will  finally  sink,  though  it  may  remain  for  some  time  under  a 
cloud." 

Fortunately,  Congress,  prior  to  their  adjournment,  had  resolved 
that  "  until  they  should  otherwise  order,  Greneral  Washington 
should  be  possessed  of  all  power  to  order  and  direct  all  things 
relative  to  the  department  and  to  the  operations  of  war."  Thus 
empowered,  he  proceeded  immediately  to  recruit  three  battalions 
of  artillery.  To  those  whose  terms  were  expiring,  he  promised  an 
augmentation  of  twenty-five  per  cent,  upon  their  pay,  and  a  bounty 
of  ten  dollars  to  the  men  for  six  weeks'  service.  ''  It  was  no  time," 
he  said,  "  to  stand  upon  expense ;  nor  in  matters  of  self-evident 
exigency,  to  refer  to  Congress  at  the  distance  of  a  hundred  and 
thirty  or  forty  miles."  "  If  any  good  officers  will  offer  to  raise 
men  upon  continental  pay  and  establishment  in  this  quarter,  I 
shall  encourage  them  to  do  so,  and  regiment  them  when  they 
have  done  it.  It  may  be  thought  that  I  am  going  a  good  deal 
out  of  the  line  of  my  duty,  to  adopt  these  measures,  or  to  advise 
thus  freely.  A  character  to  lose,  an  estate  to  forfeit,  the  ines- 
timable blessings  of  liberty  at  stake,  and  a  life  devoted,  must  be 
my  excuse."* 

The  promise  of  increased  pay  and  bounties,  had  kept  together 

*  Letter  to  the  President  of  Conoi'ess. 


440  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

for  a  time  the  dissolving  army.  The  local  militia  began  to  turn 
out  freely.  Colonel  John  Cadwaladcr,  a  gentleman  of  gallant 
spirit,  and  cultivated  mind  and  manners,  brought  a  large  volun- 
teer detachment,  well  equipped,  and  composed  principally  of 
Philadelphia  troops.  Washington,  who  held  Cadwalader  in  high 
esteem,  assigned  him  an  important  station  at  Bristol,  with  Colonel 
Reed,  who  was  his  intimate  friend,  as  an  associate.  They  had  it 
in  charge  to  keep  a  watchful  eye  upon  Count  Donop's  Hessians, 
who  were  cantoned  along  the  opposite  shore  from  Bordentown  to 
the  Black  Horse. 

On  the  20th  of  December  arrived  General  Sullivan  in  camp, 
with  the  troops  recently  commanded  by  the  unlucky  Lee.  They 
were  in  a  miserable  plight ;  destitute  of  almost  every  thing ;  many 
of  them  fit  only  for  the  hospital,  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  Colonel  Hitchcock  to  reinforce  Cadwalader ;  who  was  now 
styled  brigadier-general  by  courtesy,  lest  the  Continental  troops 
might  object  to  act  under  his  command. 

On  the  same  day  arrived  General  Gates,  with  the  remnants 
of  four  regiments  from  the  Northern  army.  With  hina  came  Wil- 
kinson, who  now  resumed  his  station  as  brigade-major  in  St. 
Clair's  brigade,  to  which  he  belonged.  To  his  Memoirs  we  are 
indebted  for  notices  of  the  commander-in-chief  "When  the 
divisions  of  Sullivan  and  Gates  joined  General  Washington," 
writes  Wilkinson,  "  he  found  his  numbers  increased,  yet  his  difl&- 
culties  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 


1776.]  A   COUP    DE    MAIN    MEDITATED.  441 

marked  his  aspect ;  always  grave  and  thoughtful,  he  appeared  at 
that  time  pensive  and  solemn  in  the  extreme." 

There  were  vivid  schemes  forming  under  that  solemn  aspect. 
The  time  seemed  now  propitious  for  the  coup  de  main  which 
Washington  had  of  late  been  meditating.  Every  thing  showed 
careless  confidence  on  the  part  of  the  enemy.  Howe  was  in  win- 
ter 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  Delaware, 
facing  the  American  lines,  which  were  along  the  west  bank. 
Cornwallis,  thinking  his  work  accomplished,  had  obtained  leave  of 
absence,  and  was  likewise  at  New  York,  preparing  to  embark  for 
England.  Washington  had  now  between  five  and  six  thousand 
men  fit  for  service ;  with  these  he  meditated  to  cross  the  river  at 
night,  at  difierent  points,  and  make  simultaneous  attacks  upon  the 
Hessian  advance  posts. 

He  calculated  upon  the  eager  support  of  his  troops,  who  were 
burning  to  revenge  the  outrages  on  their  homes  and  families,  com- 
mitted by  these  foreign  mercenaries.  They  considered  the  Hes- 
sians mere  hirelings  ;  slaves  to  a  petty  despot,  fighting  for  sordid 
pay,  and  actuated  by  no  sentiment  of  patriotism  or  honor.  They 
had  rendered  themselves  the  horror  of  the  Jerseys,  by  rapine, 
brutality,  and  heartlessness.  At  first,  their  military  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  Rahl,*  Loss- 

*  Seldom  lias  a  name  of  so  few  letters  been  spelled  so  many  ways  as  that 
of  this  commander.     We  find  it  written  Rail  in  the  military  journals  before  us; 
yet  we  adhere  to  the  one  hitherto  adopted  by  us,  apparently  on  good  authority. 
VOL.  II. 19* 


442  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  1-1776. 

I)org,  and  Knyphausen,  was  stationed  at  Trenton.  Colonel  Rabl 
liad  the  command  of  the  post  at  his  own  solicitation,  and  in  conse- 
quence of  the  laurels  he  had  gained  at  White  Plains  and  Fort 
Washington.  We  have  before  us  journals  of  two  Hessian  lieuten- 
ants and  a  corporal,  which  give  graphic  particulars  of  the  colonel 
and  his  post.  According  to  their  representations,  he,  with  all  his 
bravery,  was  little  fitted  for  such  an  important  command.  He 
lacked  the  necessary  vigilance  and  forecast. 

One  of  the  lieutenants  speaks  of  him  in  a  sarcastic  vein,  and 
evidently  with  some  degree  of  prejudice.  According  to  his 
account,  there  was  more  bustle  than  business  at  the  post.  The 
men  were  harassed  with  watches,  detachments,  and  pickets,  with- 
out purpose  and  without  end.  The  cannon  must  be  drawn  forth 
every  day  from  their  proper  places,  and  paraded  about  the  town, 
seemingly  only  to  make  a  stir  and  uproar. 

The  lieutenant  was  especially  annoyed  by  the  colonel's  passion 
for  music.  Whether  his  men  when  off  duty  were  well  or  ill  clad, 
whether  they  kept  their  muskets  clean  and  bright,  and  their  am- 
munition in  good  order,  was  of  little  moment  to  the  colonel,  he 
never  inquired  about  it ; — but  the  music  !  that  was  the  thing  !  the 
hautboys — 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,  sur- 
rounded by  palings  ;  the  officer  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,  Rahl  was  a  boon  compan- 
ion ;  made  merry  until  a  late  hour  in  the  night,  and  then  lay  in 
bed  until  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning.     When  the  officers  came 


^776]  COLONEL    RAHL.  443 

to  parade  between  ten  end  eleven  o'clock,  and  presented  them- 
selves at  head-quarters,  he  was  often  in  his  bath,  and  the  guard 
must  be  kept  waiting  half  an  hour  longer.  On  parade,  too,  when 
any  other  commander  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  music — he  was  wrapped 
up  in  it  to  the  great  disgust  of  the  testy  lieutenant. 

And  then,  according  to  the  latter,  he  took  no  precautions 
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  unseemly  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 
Colonel,"  said  he,  respectfully,  "it  costs  almost  nothing;  if  it 
does  not  help,  it  does  not  harm."  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  Rahl  more  fearful  and  redoubtable  than 
all  the  works  of  Yauban  and  Cohorn,  and  that  no  rebel  would 
dare  to  encounter  it.  A  fit  man  truly  to  command  a  corps !  and 
still  more  to  defend  a  place  lying  so  near  an  enemy  having  a  hun- 
dred times  his  advantages.  Every  thing  with  him  was  done 
heedlessly  and  without  forecast."  * 

*  Tagebuch  eines  Hessischen  officiers. — MS. 


444  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

Such  is  the  account  given  of  this  brave,  but  inconsiderate  and 
light-hearted  commander ;  given,  however,  by  an  officer  not  of 
liis  regiment.  The  lionest  corporal  already  mentioned,  who  was 
one  of  Rahl'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  Decem- 
ber he  had  reconnoitred  the  banks  of  the  Delaware,  with  a  strong 
detachment,  quite  to  Frankfort,  to  see  if  there  were  any  move- 
ments of  the  Americans  indicative  of  an  intention  to  cross  the 
river.  He  had  returned  without  seeing  any ;  but  had  since 
caused  pickets  and  alarm  posts  to  be  stationed  every  night  out- 
side the  town.* 

Such  was  the  posture  of  affairs  at  Trenton  at  the  time  the 
coup  de  main  was  meditated. 

Whatever  was  to  be  done,  however,  must  be  done  quickly, 
before  the  river  was  frozen.  An  intercepted  letter  had  con- 
vinced Washington  of  what  he  had  before  suspected,  that  Howe 
was  only  waiting  for  that  event  to  resume  active  operations,  cross 
the  river  on  the  ice,  and  push  on  triumphantly  to  Philadelpliia. 

He  communicated  his  project  to  Gates,  and  wished  him 
to  go  to  Bristol,  take  command  there,  and  co-operate  from  that 
quarter.  Gates,  however,  pleaded  ill  health,  and  requested  leave 
to  proceed  to  Philadelphia. 

The  request  may  have  surprised  Washington,  considering  the 
spirited  enterprise  that  was  on  foot ;  but  Gates,  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  impatience  of  his  supremacy.     He  had^ 

*  Tagebuch  des  corporals  Johannes  Reuber. — MS. 


1776.]  GATES    DECLINES    TO    CO-OPERATE.  445 

moreover,  an  ulterior  object  in  view.  Having  been  disappointed 
and  chagrined,  in  finding  himself  subordinate  to  General  Schuy- 
ler in  the  Northern  campaign,  he  was  now  intent  on  making 
interest  among  the  members  of  Congress  for  an  independent 
command.  Washington  urged  that,  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia, 
he  would  at  least  stop  for  a  day  or  two  at  Bristol,  to  concert  a 
plan  of  operations  with  Reed  and  Cadwalader,  and  adjust  any 
little  questions  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  with  this  request. 
According  to  Wilkinson's  account,  he  took  quarters  at  Newtown, 
and  set  out  thence  for  Baltimore  on  the  24th  of  December,  the 
very  day  before  that  of  the  intended  coii'p  de  main.  He  pre- 
vailed on  Wilkinson  to  accompany  him  as  far  as  Philadelphia. 
On  the  road  he  appeared  to  be  much  depressed  in  spirits ;  but  he 
relieved  himself,  like  Lee,  by  criticising  the  plans  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief. "  He  frequently,"  writes  Wilkinson,  "  expressed 
the  opinion  that,  while  Washington  was  watching  the  enemy 
above  Trenton,  they  would  construct  bateaux,  pass  the  Dela- 
ware in  his  rear,  and  take  possession  of  Philadelphia  before  he 
was  aware ;  and  that,  instead  of  vainly  attempting  to  stop  Sir 
William  Howe  at  the  Delaware,  Greneral  Washington  ought  to 
retire  to  the  south  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  there  form  an  army. 
He  said  it  was  his  intention  to  propose  this  measure  to  Con- 
gress at  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  project  of 

*  Washington  to  Gates.     Gates's  papers. 


446  LIFE    OF    WAfcHilNGTON.  [1776. 

eclipsing  the  commander-in-chief.  Evidently  the  two  military 
veterans  who  had  once  been  in  conclave  with  him  at  Mount 
Vernon,  considered  the  truncheon  of  command  falling  from  his 
grasp. 

The  projected  attack  upon  the  Hessian  posts  was  to  be  threefold. 

1st.  Washington  was  to  cross  the  Delaware  with  a  considerable 
force,  at  McKonkey's  F^rry  (now  Talyorsville),  about  nine  miles 
above  Trenton,  and  march  down  upon  that  place,  where  Kahl's 
cantonment  comprised  a  brigade  of  fifteen  hundred  Hessians,  a 
troop  of  British  light-horse,  and.  a  number  of  chasseurs. 

2d.  General  Ewing,  with  a  body  of  Pennsylvania  militia, 
was  to  cross  at  a  ferry  about  a  mile  below  Trenton ;  secure  the 
bridge  over  the  Assunpink  creek,  a  stream  flowing  along  the 
south  side  of  the  town,  and  cut  off  any  retreat  of  the  enemy  in 
that  direction. 

3d.  Greneral  Putnam,  with  the  troops  occupied  in  fortifying 
Philadelphia,  and  those  under  General  Cadwalader,  was  to  cross 
below  Burlington,  and  attack  the  lower  posts  under  Count  Do- 
nop.  The  several  divisions  were  to  cross  the  Delaware  at  night, 
so  as  to  be  ready  for  simultaneous  action,  by  five  o'clock  in  the 
morning. 

Seldom  is  a  combined  plan  carried  into  full  operation. 
Symptoms  of  an  insurrection  in  Philadelphia,  obliged  Putnam 
to  remain  with  some  force  in  that  city ;  but  he  detached  five  or 
six  hundred  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia  under  Colonel  Grifl^, 
his  adjutant-general,  who  threw  himself  into  the  Jerseys,  to  be  at 
hand  to  co-operate  with  Cadwalader. 

A  letter  from  Washington  to  Colonel  Heed,  who  was  sta- 
tioned with  Cadwalader,  shows  the  anxiety  of  his  mind,  and  bis 
consciousness  of  the  peril  of  the  enterprise. 


^776.]  PLAN    OF    OPERATIONS.  447 

"Christmas  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  necessity,  dire  necessity,  will,  nay 
must,  justify  an  attack.  Prepare,  and  in  concert  with  Griffin, 
attack  as  many  of  their  posts  as  you  possibly  can,  with  a  prospect 
of  success;  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  blar. 
kets,  they  are  to  march ;  for  if  we  are  successful,  which  Heaven 
grant,  and  the  circumstances  favor,  we  may  push  on.  I  shall 
direct  every  ferry  and  ford  to  be  well  guarded,  and  not  a  soul 
suffered  to  pass  without  an  officer's  going  down  with  the  permit. 
Do  the  same  with  you." 

It  has  been  said  that  Christmas  night  was  fixed  upon  for  the 
enterprise,  because  the  Germans  are  prone  to  revel  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  Reed, 
"  so  much  out  of  sorts,  and  so  much  in  want  of  every  thing  are 
the  troops  under  Sullivan." 

Early  on  the  eventful  evening  (Dec.  25th),  the  troops  destined 
for  Washington's  part  of  the  attack,  about  two  thousand  four 
hundred  strong,  with  a  train  of  twenty  small  pieces,  were  pa- 
raded near  McKonkey's  Ferry,  ready  to  pass  as  soon  as  it  grew 
dark,  in  the  hope  of  being  all  on  the  other  side  by  twelve  o'clock. 


448  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [n7(X 

Washington  repaired  to  the  ground  accompanied  by  Generals 
Greene,  Sullivan,  Mercer,  Stephen,  and  Lord  Stirling.  Greene 
was  full  of  ardor  for  the  enterprise;  eager,  no  doubt,  to  wipe 
out  the  recollection  of  Fort  Washington.  It  was,  indeed,  an 
anxious  moment  for  all. 

Wo  have  here  some  circumstances  furnished  to  us  by  the 
Memoirs  of  Wilkinson.  That  officer  had  returned  from  Phila- 
delphia, and  brought  a  letter  from  Gates  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 
quarters,  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  receiving  it,  he  exclaimed  with 
solemnity, — '  What  a  time  is  this  to  hand  me  letters  ! '  I  an- 
swered that  I  had  been  charged  with  it  by  General  Gates.  '  By 
General  Gates  !  Where  is  he  ?  '  'I  left  him  this  morning  in  Phil- 
adelphia.' '  What  was  he  doing  there  ? '  'I  understood  him 
that  he  was  on  his  way  to  Congress,'  He  earnestly  repeated, 
'  On  his  way  to  Congress !  '  then  broke  the  seal,  and  I  made  my 
bow,  and  joined  General  St.  Clair  on  the  bank  of  the  river." 

Did  Washington  surmise  the  incipient  intrigues  and  cabals, 
that  were  already  aiming  to  undermine  him  ?  Had  Gates's  eager- 
ness to  push  on  to  Congress,  instead  of  remaining  with  the  army 
in  a  moment  of  daring  enterprise,  suggested  any  doubts  as  to  his 
object  ?  Perhaps  not.  Washington's  nature  was  too  noble  to  be 
suspicious;  and  yet  he  had  received  sufficient  cause  to  be  dis- 
trustful. 

Boats  being  in  readiness,  the  troops  began  to  cross  about 
sunset.     The  weather  was  intensely  cold ;  the  wind  was  high,  the 


/fl 


1776.J  CROSSING    OF    THE   DELAWARE.  449 

curreDt  strong,  and  the  river  full  of  floating  ice.  Colonel  Glo- 
ver, with  his  amphibious  regiment  of  Marblehead  fishermen,  was 
in  advance;  the  same  who  had  navigated  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  perilous.  Washington,  who  had  crossed  with  the  troops, 
stood  anxiously,  yet  patiently,  on  the  eastern  bank,  while  one 
precious  hour  after  another  elapsed,  until  the  transportation  of 
the  artillery  should  be  effected.  The  night  was  dark  and  tem- 
pestuous, the  drifting  ice  drove  the  boats  out  of  their  course,  and 
threatened  them  with  destruction.  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.  Beside,  the  troops  from  the 
other  points  might  have  crossed,  and  co-operation  was  essential  to 
their  safety.  Washington  resolved  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  Pennington  road,  to  the 
north  of  Trenton.  The  other  led  by  Sullivan,  and  including  the 
brigade  of  St.  Clair,  was  to  take  the  lower  river  road,  leading  to 
the  west  end  of  the  town.  Sullivan's  column  was  to  halt  a  few 
moments  at  a  cross-road    leading  to    Howland's  Ferry,  to  give 


450  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

Washington's  column  time  to  nlTcct  its  circuit,  80  that  the  attack 
miglit  bo  simultaneous.  On  arriving  at  Trenton,  they  were  to 
foroo  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,  Colon ol  Rahl  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  de- 
tachment under  Lord  Stirling.  Rahl  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  Trenton  outpost. 
The  whole  garrison  was  instantly  drawn  out  under  arms,  and 
Colonel  Rahl  hastened  to  the  outpost.  It  was  found  in  confu- 
sion, and  six  men  wounded.  A  body  of  men  had  emerged  from  the 
woods,  fired  upon  the  picket,  and  immediately  retired.*  Colonel 
Rahl,  with  two  companies  and  a  field-piece,  marched  through  the 
woods,  and  made  the  rounds  of  the  outposts,  but  seeing  and  hear- 
ing nothing,  and  finding  all  quiet,  returned.  Supposing  this  to 
be  the    attack  against  which   he  had  been  warned,  and  that  it 

*  Who  it  was  that  made  this  attack  upon  the  outpost  is  not  clearly  ascer- 
tained. The  Hessian  lieutenant  who  commanded  at  the  picket,  says  it  was  a 
patrol  sent  out  by  Washington,  under  command  of  a  captain,  to  reconnoitre, 
with  strict  orders  not  to  engage,  but  if  discovered,  to  retire  instantly  as  silently 
as  possible.  Colonel  Reed,  in  a  memorandum,  says,  it  was  an  advance  party 
returning  from  the  Jerseys  to  Pennsylvania. — See  Life  and  Corresp.  vol.  i.  p. 
277. 


1776.]  rpjjji    HESSIAN    PICKET,  451 

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  garrison  and  its  unwary  commander  slept  in  fancied  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  vigilant ! 

It  began  to  hail  and  snow  as  the  troops  commenced  their 
march,  and  increased  in  violence  as  they  advanced,  the  storm 
driving  the  sleet  in  their  faces.  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-road.  It  was  discovered 
that  the  storm  had  rendered  many  of  the  muskets  wet  and  useless. 
"  What  is  to  be  done  ?  "  inquired  Sullivan  of  St,  Clair.  "  You 
have  nothing  for  it  but  to  push  on,  and  use  the  bayonet,"  was  the 
reply.  While  some  of  the  soldiers  were  endeavoring  to  clear 
their  muskets,  and  squibbing  off  priming,  Sullivan  despatched  an 
officer  to  apprise  the  coinmander-in-chief  of  the  condition  of 
their  arms.  He  came  back  half-dismayed  by  an  indignant  burst 
of  Washington,  who  ordered  him  to  return  instantly  and  tell 
General  Sullivan  to  "advance  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  front,  came  to  a  man  that  was  chopping  wood  by  the  road- 
side, and  inquired,  "  Which  way  is  the  Hessian  picket?  "  "  I  don't 
know,'.'  was  the  surly  relpy.  "  You  may  tell,"  said  Captain  Forest 
of  the  artillery,  "for  that  is  General  Washington."     The  aspect 


452  LIFE    OF    WABHINCiTON.  [J77G. 

of  the  man  changed  in  au  instant.  Raising  liis  hands  to  heaven, 
"  God  bless  and  prospor  you  !  "  cried  he,  "  Tlie  picket  is  in  that 
house,  and  the  sentry  stands  near  that  tree."  * 

The  advance  guard  was  led  by  a  brave  young  officer,  Captain 
William  A.  Washington,  seconded  by  Lieutenant  James  Monroe 
(in  after  years  President  of  the  United  States).  They  received 
orders  to  dislodge  the  picket.  Here  happened  to  be  stationed  the 
very  lieutenant  whose  censures  of  the  negligence  of  Colonel 
Kahl  we  have  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  scramble  to  their  arms.  "  Der 
feind  !  der  feind !  heraus  !  heraus  !  "  (the  enemy  !  the  enemy  ! 
turn  out !  turn  out !)  was  now  the  cry.  He  at  first,  he  says, 
made  a  stand,  thinking  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 ;  Wash- 
ington kept  beside  it,  and  the  column  proceeded.  The  report 
of  fire-arms  told  that  Sullivan  was  at  the  lower  end  of  the 
town.  Colonel  Stark  led  his  advance  guard,  and  did  it  in 
gallant  style.  The  attacks,  as  concerted,  were  simultaneous. 
The  outposts  were  driven  in ;  they  retreated,  firing  from  be- 
hind 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  wild  and   undirected 

*   Wilkinson's  Memoirs,  vol.  i.  p.  129. 


COLONEL  WILLIAM   WASUINQTON. 


:<ATHANIEL   QBEENE, 


177G.]  THE    SURPRISAL.  453 

fire  from  the  windows  of  their  quarters ;  others  rushed  forth  in 
disorder,  and  attempted  to  form  in  the  main  street,  while  dra- 
goons hastily  mounted,  and  galloping  about,  added  to  the  confu- 
sion. Washington  advanced  with  his  column  to  the  head  of 
King  Street ;  riding  beside  Captain  Forest  of  the  artillery. 
When  Forest's  battery  of  six  guns  was  opened  the  general 
kept  on  the  left  and  advanced  with  it,  giving  directions  to  the 
fire.  His  position  was  an  exposed  one,  and  he  was  repeatedly 
entreated  to  fall  back ;  but  all  such  entreaties  were  useless,  when 
once  he  became  heated  in  action. 

The  enemy  were  training  a  couple  of  cannon  in  the  main 
street  to  form  a  batter}?-,  which  might  have  given  the  Americans 
a  serious  check ;  but  Captain  Washington  and  Lieutenant  Mon- 
roe, with  a  part  of  the  advance  guard  rushed  forward,  drove 
the  artillerists  from  their  guns,  and  took  the  two  pieces  when 
on  the  point  of  being  fired.  Both  of  these  officers  were  wound- 
ed ;  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  British  light- 
horse,  and  about  five  hundred  Hessians  and  Chasseurs,  had 
been  quartered  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town.  Seeing  Washing- 
ton'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  Count 
Dunop's  encampment  at  Bordentown.  Had  Washington's  plan 
been  carried  into  full  effect,  their  retreat  would  have  been  cut 
off"  by  General  Ewing ;  but  that  officer  had  been  prevented  from 
crossing  the  river  by  the  ice. 

Colonel  Rahl,  according  to  the  account  of  the  lieutenant  who 


454  LIFE    OF   WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

had  commanded  tLo  picket,  completely  lost  his  head  in  the  confu- 
sion of  the  snrprisc.  The  latter,  when  driven  in  by  the  Ameri- 
can advance,  found  the  colonel  on  horseback,  endeavoring  to  rally 
his  panic-stricken  and  disordered  men,  but  himself  sorely  bewil- 
dered, lie  asked  the  lieutenant  what  was  the  force  of  the  assail- 
ants. 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  colo- 
nel rode  in  front  of  his  troops  : — "  Forward  !  march  !  advance  ! 
advance  !  "  cried  he.  With  some  difficulty  he  succeeded  in  extrica- 
ting his  troops  from  the  town,  and  leading  them  into  an  adjacent 
orchard.  Now  was  the  time,  writes  the  lieutenant,  for  him  to 
have  pushed  for  another  place,  there  to  make  a  stand.  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  decision.  The  idea  of  flying  before  the  rebels  was 
intolerable.  Some  one,  too,  exclaimed  at  the  ruinous  loss  of  leav- 
ing all  their  baggage  to  be  plundered  by  the  enemy.  Changing 
his  mind,  he  made  a  rash  resolve.  "  All  who  are  my  grenadiers, 
forwarii  !  "  cried  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  minutes  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 
Beven  hundred  men  and  their  bayonets !  " 

Still  he  led  his  grenadiers  bravely  but  rashly  on,  when,  in  the 


1776.]  SURRENDER    OF    THE    HESSIANS.  455 

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  com- 
mand, 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  battle,  and  ordered  a  discharge  of  canis- 
ter shot.  "  Sir,  they  have  struck,"  exclaimed  Forest.  "  Struck  !  " 
echoed  the  general.  "  Yes,  sir,  their  colors  are  down."  "  So  they 
are !  "  replied  Washington,  and  spurred  in  that  direction,  followed 
by  Forest  and  his  whole  command.  The  men  grounded  their 
arms  and  surrendered  at  discretion  ;  "  but  had  not  Colonel  Rahl 
been  severely  wounded,"  remarks  his  loyal  corporal,  "  we  would 
never  have  been  taken  alive  !  " 

The  skirmishing  had  now  ceased  in  every  direction.  Major 
Wilkinson,  who  was  with  the  lower  column,  was  sent  to  the  com- 
mander-in-chief for  orders.  He  rode  up,  he  says,  at  the  moment 
that  Colonel  Rahl,  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  beaming 
with  complacency ;  whilst  the  unfortunate  Kahl,  who  the  day  be- 
fore would  not  have  changed  fortunes  with  him,  now  pale,  bleed- 
ing, 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  quarters, 
which  were  in  the  house  of  a  kind  and  respectable  Quaker  family. 


45n  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  l'""^- 

Tlio  nunihor  of  prisonors  takon  in  this  affair  was  nearly  one 
tlioiis;iml,  of  which  thirty-two  were  ofliccrs.  Tlic  veteran  Major 
Von  Deehow,  who  had  urged  in  vain  the  throwing  np  of  lirejist- 
works,  received  a  mortal  wound,  of  which  he  died  in  Trenton. 
AVaslungton'H  triumph^  how(!ver,  was  impaired  by  the  failure  of 
the  two  simultaneous  attacks.  General  Ewing,  who  was  to  have 
crossed  before  day  at  Trenton  Ferry,  and  takeii  possession  of  the 
bridge  leading  out  of  the  town,  over  which  the  light-horse  and 
Hessians  retreated,  was  prevented  by  the  quantity  of  ice  in  the 
river.  Cadwalader  was  hindered  by  the  same  obstacle.  He  got 
part  of  his  troops  over,  but  found  it  impossible  to  embark  his  can- 
non, and  was  obliged,  therefore,  to  return  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  veteran  garrison,  had  it  been  properly  on 
its  guard  ;  and  then  there  were  the  troops  under  Donop  at  hand 
to  co-operate  with  it.  Nothing  saved  him  but  the  utter  panic  of 
the  enemy  ;  their  want  of  proper  alarm  places,  and  their  exagger- 
ated idea  of  his  forces  :  for  one  of  the  journals  before  us  (the  cor- 
poral's) 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  it.     There  was  a  superior  force  under  Donop  below 

*  The  lieutenant  gives  the  latter  number  on  the  authority  of  Lord  Stirling  ; 
but  his  lordship  meant  the  Avhole  number  of  men  intended  for  the  three  several 
attacks.  The  force  that  actually  crossed  with  Washington  was  what  we  have 
stated. 


t776.]  CHARACTER    OF    RAHL.  457 

him,  and  a  strong  battalion  of  infantry  at  Princeton.  His  own 
troops  ■R'orc  exhausted  by  the  operations  of  the  night  and  morn- 
ing in  cold,  rain,  snow  and  storm.  They  had  to  guard  about  a 
thousand  prisoners,  taken  in  action  or  found  concealed  in  houses ; 
there  was  little  prospect  of  succor,  owing  to  the  season  and  the 
state  of  the  river.  Washington  gave  up,  therefore,  all  idea  of  im- 
mediately pursuing  the  enemy  or  keeping  possession  of  Trenton, 
and  determined  to  recross  the  Delaware  with  his  prisoners  and 
captured  artillerj^  Understanding  that  the  brave  but  unfortu- 
nate Rahl  was  in  a  dying  state,  he  paid  him  a  visit  before  leaving 
Trenton,  accompanied  by  Greneral  Grreene.  They  found  him  at 
his  quarters  in  the  house  of  a  Quaker  family.  Their  visit  and 
the  respectful  consideration  and  unaffected  sympathy  manifested 
by  them,  evidently  soothed  the  feelings  of  the  unfortunate  soldier ; 
now  stripped  of  his  late  won  laurels,  and  resigned  to  die  rather 
than  outlive  his  honor.* 

We  have  given  a  somewhat  sarcastic  portrait  of  the  colonel 
drawn  by  one  of  his  lieutenants  ;  another.  Lieutenant  Piel,  paints 
with  a  soberer  and  more  reliable  pencil. 

"  For  our  whole  ill  luck,"  writes  he,  "  we  have  to  thank  Colo- 
nel Kahl.  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  confess  we  have  universally 
thought  too  little  of  the  rebels,  who,  until  now,  have  never  on  any 
occasion  been  able  to  withstand  us.  Our  brigadier  (Kahl)  was  toa 
proud  to  retire  a  step  before  such  an  enemy ;  although  nothing  re- 
mained for  us  but  to  retreat. 

"  General  Howe  had  judged  this  man  from  a  wrong  point  of 

*  Journal  of  Lieut.  Piel. 

VOL.  II. — 20 


458  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [177(1. 

view,  or  he  would  hardly  have  intrusted  such  an  Important  post 
as  Trenton  to  him.  He  was  formed  for  a  soldier,  hut  not  for 
a  general.  At  the  capture  of  Fort  Washington  ho  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  vivacity  was  too  great ;  one  thought  crowded 
on  another  so  that  he  could  come  to  no  decision.  Cons' -^ered  as 
a  private  man,  he  was  deserving  of  high  regard.  He  was  gener- 
ous, open-handed,  hospitable ;  never  cringing  to  his  superiors,  nor 
arrogant  to  his  inferiors  ;  but  courteous  to  all.  Even  his  domes- 
tics were  treated  more  like  friends  than  servants." 

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  given,"  adds  the  corporal,  "and  was  kept." 

Even  the  satirical  lieutenant  half  mourns  over  his  memory. 
"  He  died,"  says  he,  ''  on  the  following  evening,  and  lies  buried  in 
this  place  which  he  has  rendered  so  famous,  in  the  graveyard  of 
the  Presbyterian  church.  Sleep  well !  dear  Commander  !  (theu- 
rer  Feldherr.)  The  Americans  will  hereafter  set  up  a  stono 
above  thy  grave  with  this  inscription : 

"  Hier  liegt  der  Oberst  Rahl, 
Mit  ilim_  ist  alles  all ! 

(Here  lies  the  Colonel  Ralil, 
With  him  all  is  over.)" 


CHAPTER    XLIY. 

TREATMENT   OF   THE    HESSIAN    PRISONERS THEIR    INTERVIEWS  WITH    WASHINO- 

TON THEIR    RECEPTION  BY  THE  PEOPLE. 

The  Hessian  prisoners  were  conveyed  across  the  Delaware  by 
Johnson's  Ferry,  into  Pennsylvania ;  the  private  soldiers  were 
marched  off  immediately  to  Newtown;  the  officers,  twenty-three 
in  number,  remained  in  a  small  chamber  in  the  Ferry  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  suddenly  eclipsed. 

On  the  following  morning  they  were  conducted  to  Newtown 
under  the  escort  of  Colonel  Weedon.  His  exterior,  writes  Lieu- 
tenant Piel,  spoke  but  little  in  his  favor,  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  received  them  with  great 
kindness.  "  Your  general,  Van  Heister,"  said  he,  "  treated  me 
like  a  brother  when  I  was  a  prisoner,  and  so,  gentlemen,  will  you 
be  treated  by  me." 


460  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

"  Wo  had  scarce  seated  ourselves,"  continues  Lieutenant  Piel, 
"  when  a  long,  meagre,  dark-looking  man,  whom  wo  took  for  the 
parson  of  the  place,  stepped  forth  and  licld  a  discourse  in  Ger- 
man, in  which  he  endeavored  to  set  fortli  the  justice  of  tlie 
American  side  in  this  war.  lie  told  us  he  was  a  Hanoverian 
born;  called  the  king  of  England  nothing  but  the  Elector  of 
Hanover,  and  spoke  of  him  so  contemptuously  that  his  garrulity 
became  intolerable.  Wc  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,  relieved  us  from  him  by  proposing  to  take  us  with 
him  to  visit  General  Washington.  The  latter  received  us  very 
courteously,  though  we  understood  very  little  of  what  he  said,  as 
he  spoke  nothing  but  English,  a  language  in  which  none  of  us 
at  that  time  were  strong.  In  his  aspect  shines  forth  nothing 
of  the  great  man  that  he  is  universally  considered.  His  eyes 
have  scarce  any  fire.  There  is,  however,  a  smiling  expres- 
sion on  his  countenance  when  he  speaks,  that  wins  afi'ection  and 
respect.  He  invited  four  of  our  officers  to  dine  with  him ;  the 
rest  dined  with  Lord  Stirling."  One  of  those  officers  who 
dined  with  the  commander-in-chief,  was  the  satirical  lieutenant 
whom  we  have  so  often  quoted,  and  who  was  stationed  at  the 
picket  on  the  morning  of  the  attack.  However  disparagingly  he 
may  have  thought  of  his  unfortunate  commander,  he  evidently 
had  a  very  good  opinion  of  himself. 

"  General  Washington,"  writes  he  in  his  journal,  "  did  me 
the  honor  to  converse  a  good  deal  with  me  concerning  the  un- 
fortunate afi"air.  I  told  him  freely  my  opinion  that  our  dis- 
positions   had  been  bad,  otherwise  we    should    not   have    fallen 


1776.]  Tjjj,    LIEUTENANT    AND    WASHINGTON.  461 

into  his  hands.  He  asked  me  if  I  could  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 
have  done ;  and  would  have  managed  to  come  out  of  the  affair 
with  honor." 

We  have  no  doubt,  from  the  specimens  furnished  in  the 
lieutenant's  journal,  that  he  went  largely  into  his  own  merits 
and  achievements,  and  the  demerits  and  shortcomings  of  his 
luckless  commander.  Washington,  he  added,  not  only  ap- 
plauded his  exposition  of  what  he  would  have  done,  but  made 
him  a  eulogy  thereupon,  and  upon  his  watchfulness  and  the  de- 
fence 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. 

"Greneral  Washington,"  continues  he,  "is  a  courteous  and 
polite  man,  but  very  cautious  and  reserved ;  talks  little ;  and 
has  a  crafty  (listige)  physiognomy,"  We  surmise  the  lieuten- 
ant had  the  most  of  the  talk  on  that  occasion,  and  that  the 
crafty  or  sly  expression  in  Washington's  physiognomy,  may  have 
been  a  lurking  but  suppressed  smile,  provoked  by  the  lieuten- 
ant's self-laudation  and  wordiness. 

The  Hessian  prisoners  were  subsequently  transferred  from 
place  to  place,  until  they  reached  Winchester  in  the  interior 
of  Virginia.  Wherever  they  arrived,  people  thronged  from  far 
and  near  to  see  these  terrible  beings  of  whom  they  had  re- 
ceived such  formidable  accounts;  and  were  surprised  and  dis- 
appointed to  find  them  looking  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 


462  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1776. 

in  tlio  villages,  who  upbraided  them  for  coming  to  rob  them  of 
their  liberty.  "  At  hingth,"  writes  the  corporal  in  his  journal, 
*'  General  Washington  had  written  notices  ])ut  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  hu- 
manity." * 

*  Tagebuch  des  corporals  Johannes  Reuber.     MS. 


CHAPTER    XLV. 

EPISODE— COLONEL    GRIFFIX    IX    THE    JERSEYS DOXOP    DECOYED— INROAD   OP 

CADWALADER  AND  RKKD RETREAT    AND    CONFUSION    OF    TITE    EXEMY's  OUT- 
POSTS  WASHINGTOX    RECR0SSE3    THE    DELAWARE    WITH     HIS    TROOPS THE 

GAME  REVERSED THE  HESSIANS  HUNTED    BACK    THROUGH    THE    COUNTRY 

WxVSHINGTON  MADE  MILITARY  DICTATOR. 

There  was  a  kind  of  episode  in  the  affair  at  Trenton.  Colonel 
Griffin,  who  had  thrown  himself  previously  into  the  Jerseys  with 
his  detachment  of  Pennsylvania  militia,  found  himself,  through 
indisposition  and  the  scanty  number  of  his  troops,  unable  to  ren- 
der efficient  service  in  the  proposed  attack.  He  sent  word  to 
Cadwalader,  therefore,  that  he  should  probably  render  him  more 
real  aid  by  making  a  demonstration  in  front  of  Donop,  and  draw- 
ing him  off  so  far  into  the  interior  as  to  be  out  of  the  way  of 
rendering  support  to  Colonel  Rahl. 

He  accordingly  presented  himself  in  sight  of  Donop's  canton- 
ment 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  any  thing 
like  an  action,  until  he  had  lured  him  as  far  as  Mount  Holly ; 
when  he  left  him  to  find  his  way  back  to  his  post  at  his  leisure. 

The   cannonade  of  Washington's  attack  in   Trenton  on  the 


4G4  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  11776. 

morning  of  tlio  20th,  was  distinctly  heard  at  Cadwalader's  camp 
at  Bribtul.  Impcrtect  tidings  of  the  result  reached  there  about 
eleven  o'clock,  and  produced  the  highest  exultation  and  excite- 
ment. Cadwalader  made  another  attempt  to  cross  the  liver  and 
join  Washington,  whom  he  supposed  to  be  still  in  the  JerKeys 
following  up  the  blow  he  had  struck.  lie  could  not  effect  the 
l)assage  of  the  river  with  the  most  of  the  troops,  until  mid-day 
of  the  27th,  when  he  received  from  Washington  a  detailed  ac- 
count of  his  success,  and  of  his  having  recrossed  into  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Cadwalader  was  now  in  a  dilemma.  Donop,  he  presumed,, 
was  still  at  Mount  Holly,  whither  Griffin  had  decoyed  him ;  but 
lie  might  soon  march  back.  Ilis  forces  were  equal,  if  not  supe- 
rior in  number  to  his  own,  and  veterans  instead  of  raw  militia. 
But  then  there  was  the  glory  of  rivalling  the  exploit  at  Trenton, 
and  the  importance  of  following  out  the  effort  for  the  relief  of 
the  Jerseys,  and  the  salvation  of  Philadelphia.  Beside,  Wash- 
ington, in  all  probability,  after  disposing  of  his  prisoners,  had 
again  crossed  into  the  Jerseys  and  might  be  acting  offensively. 

Beed  relieved  Cadwalader  from  his  dilemma,  by  propos^'rg 
that  they  should  push  on  to  Burlington,  and  there  determine, 
according  to  intelligence,  whether  to  proceed  to  Bordentown  or 
Mount  Holly.  The  plan  was  adopted.  There  was  an  alarm 
that  the  Hessian  yagers  lurked  in  a  neighboring  wood.  Beed, 
accompanied  by  two  officers,  rode  in  advance  to  reconnoitre.  He 
sent  word  to  Cadwalader  that  it  was  a  false  alarm,  and  the  latter 
took  up  his  line  of  march. 

Beed  and  his  companions  spurred  on  to  reconnoitre  the  ene- 
my's outposts,  about  four  miles  from  Burlington,  but  pulled  up 
at  the  place  where  the  picket  was  usually  stationed.     There  was 


1776.]  FLIGHT    OF    HESSIANS    AND    REFUGEES.  465 

no  smoke,  nor  any  sign  of  a  human  being.  They  rode  up  and 
found  the  place  deserted.  From  the  country  people  in  the  neigh- 
borhood they  received  an  explanation.  Count  Donop  had  re- 
turned 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  par- 
ties as  he  hurried  forward.  The  troops  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Burlington  had  decamped  precipitately  the  preceding  evening. 

Colonel  Reed  sent  back  intelligence  of  this  to  Cadwalader, 
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 ;  tory  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  confu- 
sion, leaving  their  sick  behind  them.  The  broken  and  haggard 
looks  of  the  inhabitants  showed  what  they  had  suffered  during 
the  Hessian  occupation.  One  of  Reed's  companions  returned  to 
Cadwalader,  who  had  halted  at  Burlington,  and  advised  him  to 
proceed. 

Cadwalader  wrote  in  the  night  to  Washington,  informing  him 
of  his  whereabouts,  and  that  he  should  march  for  Bordentown  in 
the  morning.  "  If  you  should  think  proper  to  cross  over,"  added 
he,  "  it  may  easily  be  effected  at  the  place  where  we  passed ;  a 
pursuit  would  keep  up  the  panic.  They  went  off  with  great  pre- 
cipitation, and  pressed  all  the  waggons  in  their  reach ;  I  am  told 
many  of  them  are  gone  to  South  Amboy.  If  we  can  drive  them 
from  West  Jersey,  the  success  will  raise  an  army  next  spring, 
and  establish  the  credit  of  the  Continental  money  to  support 
it." 

VOL.  II. — 20* 


4GG  LIFE    OF    WASillNGTON.  [1776. 

There  was  another  letter  from  Cadwalader,  dated  on  the  fol- 
lowing day,  from  Bordcntown.  He  had  eighteen  hundred  men 
with  liini.  Five  hundred  more  were  on  the  way  to  join  him. 
General  Mifllin,  too,  had  .sent  over  five  hundred  from  Philadel- 
phia, and  three  hundred  from  Burlington,  and  was  to  foll6w  with 
seven  or  eight  hundred  more. 

Colonel  Heed,  too,  wrote  from  Trenton  on  the  28th.  He  had 
found  that  place  without  a  single  soldier  of  either  army,  and  in  a 
still  more  wTetched  eondition  than  Bordentown.  He  urged 
Washington  to  recross  the  river,  and  pursue  the  advantages  al- 
ready gained.  Ponop  might  be  overtaken  before  he  could  reach 
Princeton  or  Brunswick,  where  the  enemy  were  yet  in  force.* 

Washington  needed  no  prompting  of  the  kind.  Bent  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  pursue  the  retreating  enemy,  beat  up 
other  of  their  quarters,  and  entirely  reverse  afifairs  in  the  Jer- 
seys. In  this  spirit  he  had  written  to  Generals  McDougall  and 
Maxwell  at  Morristown,  to  collect  as  large  a  body  of  militia  as 
possible,  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  or- 
ders. "  A  fair  opportunity  is  ofl'ered,"  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  difi"erent 

*  Life  and  Correspondence  of  Pres.  Reed,  vol.  i.  p.  281. 


1776.]  WASHINGTON    FOLLOWS    UP    HIS    BLOW.  467 

parts  of  the  Jerseys,  to  spirit  up  the  militia  to  revenge  the  op- 
pression, the  ravage,  and  insults  they  had  experienced  from  the 
enemy,  especially  from  the  Hessians.  "  If  what  they  have  suf- 
fered," said  he,  "  does  not  rouse  their  resentment,  they  must  not 
possess  the  feelings  of  humanity." 

On  the  29th,  his  troops  began  to  cross  the  river.  It  would 
he  a  slow  and  difficult  operation,  owing  to  the  ice ;  two  parties 
of  light  troops  therefore  were  detached  in  advance,  whom  Colo- 
nel Reed  was  to  send  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  They  marched 
into  Trenton  about  two  o'clock,  and  were  immediately  put  on 
the  traces  of  Donop,  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.  Donop,  in  retreat- 
ing, had  divided  his  force,  sending  one  part  by  a  cross  road  to 
Princeton,  and  hurrying  on  with  the  remainder  to  Brunswick. 
Notwithstanding  the  severity  of  the  weather,  and  the  wretched- 
ness of  the  road,  it  was  a  service  of  animation  and  delight  to  the 
American  troops  to  hunt  back  these  Hessians  through  the  coun- 
try they  had  recently  outraged,  and  over  ground  which  they 
themselves  had  trodden  so  painfully  and  despondingly,  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  sud- 
den reversal  in  the  game  of  war  than  this  retreat  of  the  heavy 
German  veterans,  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 


4(J8  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [177G. 

difficulty.  And  now  canio  a  perplexity.  With  the  year  expired 
the  term  of  weveral  regiments,  wliicli  luid  Hoen  most  Hervicc,  and 
become  inured  to  danger.  Knowing  how  indispensable  were 
Buc'h  troopri  to  lead  on  those  which  were  raw  and  undisciplined, 
Wasliington  had  theju  paraded  and  invited  to  re-enlist.  It  was  a 
difficult  tasjk  to  persuade  them.  They  were  haggard  with  fatigue, 
and  hardship  and  privation  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  emergency.  How  was  it  to 
be  furnished  ?  The  military  chest  was  incompetent.  On  the  30th, 
Washington  wrote  by  express  to  Robert  Morris,  the  patriot  finan- 
cier at  Philadelphia,  whom  he  knew  to  be  eager  that  the  blow 
should  be  followed  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 
wits'  end  to  raise  the  sum,  for  hard  money  was  scarce.  Fortunate- 
ly a  wealthy  Quaker,  in  this  moment  of  exigency  supplied  the 
*'  sinews  of  war,"  and  early  the  next  morning  the  money  was  for- 
warded by  the  express. 

At  this  critical  moment,  too,  Washington  received  a  letter 
from  a  committee  of  Congress,  transmitting  him  resolves  of  that 
body  dated  the  27th  of  December,  investing  him  with  military 
powers  quite  dictatorial.  "  Happy  is  it  for  this  country,"  write 
the  committee,  "  that  the  general  of  their  forces  can  safely  be  in- 
trusted with  the  most  unlimited  power,  and  neither  personal 
security,  liberty  or  property,  be  in  the  least  degree  endangered 
thereby."  * 

*  Am.  Archives,  5th  Series,  iii.  1510. 


robert   morris. 

(from    "the   national   portrait 

gallery,"   published   in  new  york.) 


1776.]  INVESTED    WITH    DICTATORIAL    POWERS.  469 

Washington's  acknowledgment  of  this  great  mark  of  confi- 
dence was  noble  and  characteristic.  "  I  find  Congress  have  done 
me  the  honor  to  intrust  me  with  powers,  in  my  military  capacity, 
of  the  highest  nature  and  almost  unlimited  extent.  Instead  of 
thinking  myself  freed  from  all  civil  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.'' 


CHAPTER    XLVI. 

HOWE  IIKARS  OF  TTTR  AFFATH  AT  TRFNTON — CORJTSVALT.ig  SFNT  BACK  TO  TTIE 
JEltSKYS RICCONNOITEKING  EXIMCDITION  OF  REED IIIS  EXPLOITS — WASH- 
INGTON   IN    PERIL  AT   TRENTON — REINFORCED  BY  TROOPS    UNDER    CADWALA- 

DER     AND    MIFFLIN POSITION     OF      HIS     MEN CORNWALLI8    AT    IRENTON 

REPULSED     AT     THE     ASSUNPINK THE     AMERICAN      CAMP    MENACED NIGHT 

MARCH     OF    WASHINGTON AFFAIR     AT    PRINCETON DEATH     OF     MERCER 

ROUT     OF     BRITISH     TROOPS PURSUED      BY      WASHINGTON CORNWALLIS     AT 

PRINCETON — BAFFLED    AND     PERPLEXED — WASHINGTON    AT    MORRISTOWN 

HIS    SYSTEM  OF    ANNOYANCE — THE    TABLES    TURNED    UPON  THE  ENEMY. 

General  Howe  was  taking  liis  ease  in  winter  quarters  at  New 
York,  waiting  for  the  freezing  of  the  Delaware  to  pursue  his  tri- 
umphant march  to  Philadelphia,  when  tidings  were  brought  him 
of  the  surprise  and  capture  of  the  Hessians  at  Trenton.  "  That 
three  old  established  regiments  of  a  people  who  made  war  their 
profession,  should  lay  down  their  arms  to  a  ragged  and  undisci- 
plined militia,  and  that  with  scarcely  any  loss  on  either  side,"  was 
a  matter  of  amazement.  He  instantly  stopped  Lord  Cornwallis, 
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  Ameri- 
can troops,  and  gave  the  British  time  to  draw  in  their  scattered 
cantonments  and  assemble  their  whole  force  at  Princeton.     While 


17^6]  BRITISH    PICKET    SURPRISED.  471 

his  troops  were  yet  crossing,  Washington  sent  out  Colonel  Reed 
to  reconnoitre  the  postion  and  movements  of  the  enemy  and  ob- 
tain information.  Six  of  the  Philadelphia  light-horse,  spirited 
young  fellows,  but  who  had  never  seen  service,  volunteered  to 
accompany  E-eed.  They  patrolled  the  country  to  the  very  vicin- 
ity of  Princeton,  but  could  collect  no  information  from  the  inhab- 
itants; 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  Princeton,  they 
caught  sight,  from  a  rising  ground,  of  two  or  three  red  coats 
passing  from  time  to  time  from  a  barn  to  a  dwelling  house. 
Here  must  be  an  outpost.  Keeping  the  barn  in  a  line  with 
the  house  so  as  to  cover  their  approach,  they  dashed  up  to  the 
latter  without  being  discovered,  and  surrounded  it.  Twelve  Brit- 
ish dragoons  were  within,  who,  though  well  armed,  were  so 
panic-stricken  that  they  surrendered  without  making  defence. 
A  commissary,  also,  was  taken ;  the  sergeant  of  the  dragoons 
alone  escaped.  Colonel  Reed  and  his  six  cavaliers  returned  in 
triumph  to  head-quarters.  Important  information  was  obtained 
from  their  prisoners.  Lord  Cornwallis  had  joined  General  Grant 
the  day  before  at  Princeton,  with  a  reinforcement  of  chosen 
troops.  They  had  now  seven  or  eight  thousand  men,  and  were 
pressing  waggons  for  a  march  upon  Trenton.* 

Cadwalader,  stationed  at  Crosswicks,  about  seven  miles  dis- 
tant, between  Bordentown  and  Trenton,  sent  intelligence  to  the 
same  purport,  received  by  him  from  a  young  gentleman  who  had 
escaped  from  Princeton. 

Word,  too,  was  brought  from   other  quarters,  that   General 

»  Life  of  Reed,  i.  282. 


472  LIKE    OK    WASI11NGT(JM.  L'777. 

IIowo  was  on  tlic  lu.iich  \villi  a  tliousand  light  troops,  with  which 
ho  had  hiiidcd  at  Amboy. 

Tho  situation  of  Washington  was  growing  critical  The  enemy 
were  beginning  to  advance  their  hirge  pickets  towards  Trenton. 
Every  thing  indicated  an  approaching  attack.  The  force  with 
him  was  small ;  to  retreat  across  the  river,  would  destroy  the 
dawn  of  hope  awakened  in  the  bosoms  of  the  Jersey  militia  by 
the  late  exploit ;  but  to  make  a  stand  without  reinforcements  was 
impossible.  In  this  emergency,  he  called  to  his  aid  Greneral 
Cadwalader  from  Crosswicks,  and  General  Mifflin  from  Borden- 
town,  with  their  collective  forces,  amounting  to  about  three  thou- 
sand six  hundred  men.  He  did  it  with  reluctance,  for  it  seemed 
like  involving  them  in  the  common  danger,  but  the  exigency  of 
the  case  admitted  of  no  alternative.  They  promptly  answered  to 
his  call,  and  marching  in  the  night,  joined  him  on  the  1st  of 
January. 

Washington  chose  a  position  for  his  main  body  on  the  cast 
side  of  the  Assunpiuk.  There  was  a  narrow  stone  bridge  across 
it,  where  the  water  was  very  deep ;  the  same  bridge  over  which 
part  of  E-ahl's  brigade  had  escaped  in  the  recent  affair.  He 
planted  his  artillery  so  as  to  command  the  bridge  and  the  fords. 
His  advance  guard  was  stationed  about  three  miles  off  in  a  wood, 
having  in  front  a  stream  called  Shabbakong  Creek. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  2d,  came  certain  word  that  Corn- 
wallis  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  Shabbakong,  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 


17^7.]  CRITICAL    SITUATION    OF    WASHINGTON.  473 

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  ultimately  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  sunset  before 
Cornwallis  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  repulsed  by  the  artillery.  For  a  part  of 
the  time  Washington,  mounted  on  a  white  horse,  stationed  him- 
self at  the  south  end  of  the  bridge,  issuing  his  orders.  Each 
time  the  enemy  was  repulsed  there  was  a  shout  along  the  Ameri- 
can lines.  At  length  they  drew  off,  came  to  a  halt,  and  lighted 
their  camp  fires.  The  Americans  did  the  same,  using  the  neigh- 
boring fences  for  the  purpose.  Sir  William  Erskiue,  who  was 
with  Cornwallis,  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  desperate  stand,  and  he 
was  willing  to  give  his  wearied  troops  a  night's  repose  to  prepare 
them  for  the  closing  struggle.  He  w^ould  be  sure,  he  said,  to 
''bag  the  fox  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 


474  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  L1777. 

j\\rr]\l  that  liad  yot  closed  in  on  tlio  American  army,  throughout 
its  scries  of  perils  and  disasters;  for  there  was  no  concealing  the 
impending  danger.  But  what  must  liave  been  the  feelings  of  the 
commander-in-chief,  as  he  anxiously  patrolled  his  camp,  and  con- 
sidered his  desperate  position  ?  A  small  stream,  fordable  in  sev- 
eral places,  was  all  that  separated  his  raw,  inexperienced  army, 
from  au  enemy  vastly  superior  in  numbers  and  discipline,  and 
stung  to  action  by  the  mortification  of  a  late  defeat.  A  general 
action  with  them  must  be  ruinous ;  but  how  was  he  to  retreat  ? 
Behind  him  was  the  Delaware,  impassable  from  floating  ice. 
Granting  even  (a  thing  not  to  be  hoped)  that  a  retreat  across  it 
could  be  effected,  the  consequences  would  be  equally  fatal.  The 
Jerseys  would  be  left  in  possession  of  the  enemy,  endangering 
the  immediate  capture  of  Philadelphia,  and  sinking  the  public 
mind  into  despondency. 

In  this  darkest  of  moments  a  gleam  of  hope  flashed  upon  his 
mind  :  a  bold  expedient  suggested  itself.  Almost  the  whole  of  the 
enemy's  force  must  by  this  time  be  drawn  out  of  Princeton,  and 
advancing  by  detachments  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  Princeton,  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  appear- 
ance of  a  defeat ;  and  might  draw  the  enemy  away  from  Trenton, 
while  some  fortunate  stroke  might  give  additional  reputation  to 
the  American  arms.     Even  should  the  enemy  march  on  to  Phila- 


1777.]  THE    DECAMPMENT.  475 

dclphia,  it  could  not  in  any  case  be  prevented ;  while  a  counter- 
blow in  the  Jerseys  would  be  of  great  consolation. 

Such  was  the  plan  which  Washington  revolved  in  his  mind 
on  the  gloomy  banks  of  the  Assunpink,  and  which  he  laid  before 
his  officers  in  a  council  of  war,  held  after  nightfall,  at  the  quar- 
ters of  General  Mercer.  It  met  with  instant  concurrence,  being 
of  that  hardy,  adventurous  kind,  which  seems  congenial  with  the 
American  character.  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  almost  impassa- 
ble. Fortunately,  or  rather  providentially,  as  Washington  was 
prone  to  consider  it,  the  wind  veered  to  the  north  in  the  course 
of  the  evening ;  the  weather  became  intensely  cold,  and  in  two 
hours  the  roads  were  once  more  hard  and  frost-bound.  In  the 
mean  time,  the  baggage  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  reg- 
ular encampment.  At  daybreak  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  with  the  remnant  of  his 
flying  camp,  now  but  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  men,  princi- 
pally relics  of  the  brave  Delaware  and  Maryland  regiments,  with 
some  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia.     Among  the  latter  were  youths 


47G  LIFE   OF    WASHINGTON.  [1777. 

belonging  to  the  best  families  in  Phihidelphia.     The  main  body 
followed,  under  Washington's  immediate  command. 

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  stumps  of  trees 
broke  the  wheels  of  ■some  of  the  baggage  trains,  and  retarded  the 
march  of  tiie  troops;  so  that  it  was  near  sunrise  of  a  bright, 
frosty  morning,  when  Washington  reached  the  bridge  over  Stony 
Brook,  about  three  miles  from  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  oif  on  the  right  through  low 
grounds,  and  was  said  by  the  guides  to  be  a  short  cut  to  Prince- 
ton, 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 
might  have  advanced  towards  Trenton. 

Hitherto  the  movements  of  the  Americans  had  been  undis- 
covered by  the  enemy.  Three  regiments  of  the  latter,  the  17th, 
40th,  and  55th,  with  three  troops  of  dragoons,  had  been  quar- 
tered all  night  in  Princeton,  under  marching  orders  to  join  Lord 
Cornwallis  in  the  morning.  The  17th  regiment,  under  Colonel 
Mawhood,  was  already  on  the  march ;  the  55th  regiment  was 
preparing  to  follow.  Mawhood  had  crossed  the  bridge  by  which 
the  old  or  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  glittering  of  arms  betrayed 


1777.]  ACTION    AT    PRINCETON.  477 

to  him  tho  movement  of  Mercer's  troops  to  the  left,  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  sup- 
posed them  to  be  some  broken  portion  of  the  American  army 
flying  before  Lord  Cornwallis.  With  this  idea,  he  faced  about 
and  made  a  retrograde  movement,  to  intercept  them  or  hold  them 
in  check ;  while  messengers  spurred  off  at  all  speed,  to  hasten  for- 
ward the  regiments  still  lingering  at  Princeton,  so  as  completely 
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  behind  a  hedge  fence  which  extended  along  a 
slope  in  front  of  the  house  ;  whence,  being  chiefly  armed  with 
rifles,  they  opened  a  destructive  fire.  It  was  returned  with  great 
spirit  by  the  enemy.  At  the  first  discharge  Mercer  was  dismount- 
ed, ''  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.  Availing  themselves  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, 


47S  LIFE   OF   WASHINGTON.  [1777. 

wlicn  he  behold  a  large  force  emerging  from  a  wood  and  advanc- 
ing to  the  rescue.  It  was  a  body  of  Pennsylvania  militia,  which 
Washington,  on  hearing  the  firing,  had  detached  to  the  support  of 
IMercer.  Mawhood  instantly  ceased  pursuit,  drew  up  his  artil- 
lery, and  by  a  heavy  discharge  brouglit  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  con- 
fusion, and  the  detachment  of  militia  checked  by  Mawhood's  ar- 
tillery. Every  thing  was  at  peril.  Putting  spurs  to  his  horse  he 
dashed  past  the  hesitating  militia,  waving  his  hat  and  cheering 
them  on.  His  commanding  figure  and  white  horse,  made  him 
a  conspicuous  object  for  the  enemy's  marksmen ;  but  he  heed- 
ed it  not.  Galloping  forward  under  the  fire  of  Mawhood's  bat- 
tery, he  called  upon  Mercer's  broken  brigade.  The  Pennsylva- 
nians  rallied  at  the  sound  of  his  voice,  and  caught  fire  from  his  ex- 
ample. 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  Captain  Moulder  of  the  American 
artillery,  from  the  brow  of  a  ridge  to  the  south. 

Colonel  Mawhood,  who  a  moment  before  had  thought  his  tri- 
umph 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.  His  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 


1777.]  ACTION    AT    PRINCETON.  479 

lost.  When  lie  saw  him,  however,  emerge  from  the  cloud,  wa- 
ving his  hat,  and  beheld  the  enemy  giving  way,  he  spurred  up  to 
his  side.  "  Thank  God,"  cried  he,  "  your  excellency  is  safe  !  " 
"Away,  my  dear  colonel,  and  bring  up  the  troops,"  was  the  reply  -, 
*'  the  day  is  our  own !  "  It  was  one  of  those  occasions  in  which 
the  latent  fire  of  Washington's  character  blazed  forth. 

Mawhood,  by  this  time,  had  forced  his  way,  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet,  through  gathering  foes,  though  with  heavy  loss^ 
back  to  the  main  road,  and  was  in  full  retreat  towards  Trenton 
to  join  Cornwallis.  Washington  detached  Major  Kelly  with  a 
party  of  Pennsylvania  troops,  to  destroy  the  bridge  at  Stony 
Brook,  over  which  Mawhood  had  retreated,  so  as  to  impede  the 
advance  of  General  Leslie  from  Maiden  Head. 

In  the  mean  time  the  55th  regiment,  which  had  been  on  the 
left  and  nearer  Princeton,  had  been  encountered  by  the  Ameri- 
can advance-guard  under  General  St.  Clair,  and  after  some  sharp 
fighting  in  a  ravine  had  given  way,  and  was  retreating  across 
fields  and  along  a  by-road  to  Brunswick.  The  remaiDing  regi- 
ment, the  40th,  had  not  been  able  to  come  up  in  time  for  the  ac- 
tion ;  a  part  of  it  fled  toward  Brunswick  ;  the  residue  took  refuge 
in  the  college  at  Princeton,  recently  occupied  by  them  as  barracks. 
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, 


4S0  LITK    OF    WAKIIINCJTON.  [1777. 

who  li:ul  distinguished  liimsclf  tlirougliout  the  campaign,  by  being 
among  the  foremost  in  services  of  danger.  He  was  indeed  a  gal- 
lant officer,  and  gallantly  seconded  by  his  Delaware  troops. 

A  greater  loss  was  that  of  General  Mercer,  lie  was  said  to 
be  cither  dead  or  dying,  in  tlio  liouse  of  Mr.  Clark,  whither  ho 
had  been  conveyed  by  his  aide-de-camp,  Major  Armstrong,  who 
found  him,  after  tlie  retreat  of  IMawhood's  troops,  lying  on  the 
field  gashed  with  several  wounds,  and  insensible  from  cold  and 
loss  of  blood.  Washington  would  have  ridden  back  from  Prince- 
ton to  visit  him,  and  have  him  conveyed  to  a  place  of  greater  se- 
curity ;  but  was  assured,  that,  if  alive,  he  was  too  desperately 
wounded  to  bear  removal ;  in  the  mean  time  he  was  in  good  hands, 
being  faithfully  attended  to  by  his  aide-de-camp.  Major  Arm- 
strong, and  treated  with  the  utmost  care  and  kindness  by  Mr. 
Clark'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  rout- 
ed regiments  which  were  muking  a  headlong  retreat  to  Brunswick. 
In  this  pursuit  he  took  the  lead  at  the  head  of  a  detachment 
of  cavalry.  At  Kingston,  however,  three  miles  to  the  northeast 
of  Princeton,  he  pulled  up,  restrained  his  ardor,  and  held  a  coun- 
cil of  war  on  horseback.  Should  he  keep  on  to  Brunswick  or 
not  ?  The  capture  of  the  British  stores  and  baggage  would  make 
his  triumph  complete;  but,  on  the"  other  hand,  his  troops  were 
excessively  fatigued  by  their  rapid  march  all  night  and  hard 
fight  in  the  morning.  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  barefooted,  and 

*  See  Washington  to  Col.  Reed,  Jan.  15. 


1777.J  CORNWALLIS    OUTGENERALJLED.  481 

this  in  freezing  weather.  Cornwallia  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  con- 
siderations, 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  Rocky  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  diffi- 
culty 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 
Cornwallis,  to  see  what  was  the  effect  upon  him  of  this  masterly 
movement  of  Washington. 

His  lordship  had  retired  to  rest  at  Trenton  with  the  sports- 
man's vaunt  that  he  would  "bag  the  fox  in  the  morning." 
Nothing  could  surpass  his  surprise  and  chagrin,  when  at  day- 
break the  expiring  watchfires  and  deserted  camp  of  the  Ameri- 
cans told  him  that  the  prize  had  once  more  evaded  his  grasp; 
that  the  general  whose  military  skill  he  had  decried  had  outgen- 
eralled  him. 

For  a  time  he  could  not  learn  whither  the  army,  which  had 
stolen  away  so  silently,  had  directed  its.  stealthy  march.    By  sun- 
risGj  however,  there  was  the  booming  of  cannon,  like  the  rum- 
bling of  distant  thunder,  in  the  direction  of  Princeton.     The  idea 
TOL.  II. — 21 


482  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON. 


• 


[1777. 


flashed  upon  liiiu  tluit  Wasliingto^  liad  not  merely  CHcaped,  but 
■was  about  to  make  a  dash  at  the  British  ujagazinca  at  Bruuswick. 
Alarmed  for  tlic  safety  of  his  military  stores,  his  lordship  forth- 
with broko  up  his  camp,  ajid  made  a  rapid  march  towards  Prince 
ton.  As  ho  arrived  in  sight  of  the  bridge  over  Stony  Brook,  ho 
beheld  Major  Kelly  and  his  party  busy  in  its  destruction.  A 
distant  discharge  of  round  shot  from  his  field-pieces  drove  them 
away,  but  the  bridge  was  already  broken.  It  would  take  time  to 
repair  it  for  the  passage  of  the  artillery;  so  Cornwallia  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  recon- 
noitre, and  advanced  to  storm  the  battery.  There  was  no  one 
there.  The  thirty-two  pounder  had  been  left  behind  by  the 
Americans,  as  too  unwieldy,  and  a  match  had  been  applied  to  it 
by  some  lingerer  of  Washington's  rear-guard. 

Without  further  delay  Cornwallis  hurried  forward,  eager  to 
save  his  magazines.  Crossing  the  bridge  at  Kingston,  he  kept 
on  along  the  Brunswick  road,  supposing  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 
l^ingston  had  carried  him  completely  out  of  the  way  of  Corn- 
wallic.  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-manoeuvred. 

Washington,  in  the  mean  time,  was  all  on  the  alert ;  the  lion 
part  of  his  nature  was  aroused ;  and  while  his  weary  troops  were 


1777. J  DEATH    OF    MERGER.  483 

in  a  manner  panting  upon  the  ground  around  him,  ho  was  de- 
spatching 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  Crosswicks,  and  keep  a  strict 
watch  upon  the  enemy  in  this  quarter.  Keep  as  many  spies  out 
as  you  think  proper.  A  number  of  horsemen  in  the  dress  of 
the  country  must  be  kept  constantly  going  backwards  and  for- 
wards for  this  purpose.  If  you  discover  any  motion  of  the  enemy 
of  consequence,  let  me  be  informed  thereof  as  soon  as  possible, 
by  express." 

To  General  Heath,  also,  who  was  stationed  in  the  Highlands 
of  the  Hudson,  he  wrote  at  the  same  hurried  moment.  "  The 
enemy  are  in  great  consternation ;  and  as  the  panic  affords  us  a  fa- 
vorable opportunity  to  drive  them  out  of  the  Jerseys,  it  has  been 
determined  in  council  that  you  should  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  Morris- 
town,  where  at  length  he  came  to  a  halt  from  his  incessant  and 
harassing  marchings.  There  he  learnt  that  G-eneral  Mercer  was 
still  alive.  He  immediately  sent  his  own  nephew.  Major  George 
Lewis,  under  the  protection  of  a  flag,  to  attend  upon  him.  Mer- 
cer 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  it.  At  the 
time  that  the  troops  of  Cornwallis  approached.  Major  Armstrong 


484  LIFE    OF    WASHINGTON.  [^777. 

was  binding  up  Mercer's  wounds.  The  latter  insisted  on  his 
leaving  him  in  the  kind  hands  of  IMr.  Clark's  household,  and 
rejoining  the  army.  Lewis  found  him  languishing  in  great  pain ; 
he  had  been  treated  with  respect  by  the  enemy,  and  great  tender- 
ness by  the  benevolent  fiimily  who  had  sheltered  him.  He  ex- 
pired in  the  arms  of  Major  Lewis  on  the  12th  of  January,  in  the 
fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush,  afterwards  cele- 
brated 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  con- 
secrated names  of  the  Revolution. 

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  the  7th,  "  General  Heath  will 
communicate  mine  of  this  date  to  you,  by  which  you  will  find 
that  the  greater  part  of  your  troops  are  to  move  down  towards 
New  York,  to  draw  the  attention  of  the  enemy  to  that  quarter ; 
and  if  they  do  not  throw  a  considerable  body  back  again,  you 
may,  in  all  probability,  carry  the  city,  or  at  least  blockade  them 
in  it.  *  *  *  *  Be  as  expeditious  as  possible  in  moving 
forward,  for  the  sooner  a  panic-struck  enemy  is  followed  the  bet- 
ter. 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." 

Colonel  Reed  was  ordered  to  send  out  rangers  and  bodies  of 
militia  to  scour  the  country,  waylay  foraging  parties,  cut  off  sup- 
plies, and  keep  the  cantonments  of  the  enemy  in  a  state  of  siege. 


1777.J  heath's  diversion.  485 

"  I  would  not  suffer  a  man  to  stir  beyond  their  lines,"  writes 
"Washington,  "  nor  suffer  them  to  have  the  least  communication 
with  the  country." 

The  expedition  under  General  Heath  toward  New  York,  from 
which  much  had  been  anticipated  by  Washington,  proved  a  fail- 
ure. It  moved  in  three  divisions,  by  different  routes,  but  all 
arriving  nearly  at  the  same  time  at  the  enemy's  outposts  at  King's 
Bridge.  There  was  some  skirmishing,  but  the  great  feature  of 
the  expedition  was  a  pompous  and  peremptory  summons  of  Fort  In- 
dependence to  surrender.  "  Twenty  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  up  his  summons  by  corresponding  deeds.  He 
hovered  and  skirmished  for  some  days  about  the  outposts  and 
Spyt  den  Duivel  Creek,  and  then  retired  before  a  threatened 
snow-storm,  and  the  report  of  an  enemy's  fleet  from  Rhode 
Island,*  with  troops  under  Lord  Percy,  who  might  land  in  West- 
chester, and  take  the  besieging  force  in  rear. 

Washington,  while  he  spoke  of  Heath's  failure  with  indul- 
gence in  his  despatches  to  government,  could  not  but  give  him 
a  rebuke  in  a  private  letter.  "  Your  summons,"  writes  he,  "  as  you 
did  not  attempt  to  fulfil  your  threats,  was  not  only  idle,  but 
farcical ;  and  will  not  fail  of  turning  the  laugh  exceedingly  upon 
us.  These  things  I  mention  to  you  as  a  friend,  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  militia,  continued,  with  his  scanty 
army,  to  carry  on  his  system  of  annoyance.  The  situation  of  Corn- 
wallis,  who,  but  a  short  time  before,  traversed  the  Jerseys  so 


48(J  LIFK    OF    WASHINGTON.  [1777. 

trium])liantly,  became  daily  more  and  more  irksome.  8pioH  wore 
in  his  camp,  to  give  notice  of  every  movement,  and  foca  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  Ambo}^,  so  as  to  have  a  communication  by  water 
with  New  York,  wlicnco  he  was  now  compelled  to  draw  nearly 
all  his  supplies ;  ''  presenting,"  to  use  the  words  of  Hamilton,  "  tlic 
extraordinary  spectacle  of  a  powerful  army,  straitened  within 
narrow  limits  by  the  phantom  of  a  military  force,  and  never  per- 
mitted to  transgress  those  limits  with  impunity." 

In  fact,  the  recent  operations  in  the  Jerseys  had  suddenly 
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  post  to 
post,  apparently  an  undisciplined  rabble,  had  all  at  once  turned 
upon  their  pursuers,  and  astounded  them  by  brilliant  stratagems 
and  daring  exploits.  The  commander,  whose  cautious  policy  had 
been  sneered  at  by  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  endurance,  and 
that  beneath  his  wary  coldness  lurked  a  fire  to  break  forth  at  the 
proper  moment.  This  year's  campaign,  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  appreci- 
ated by  his  countrymen,  and  gained  for  him  from  the  statesmen 
and  generals  of  Europe  the  appellation  of  the  American  Fabius. 

END    OF    VOL.    II. 


V       ^\ 


v^S^ 


o 


(D 


$13 

o 
-p 


H 
O 

> 


O 
-P 

•H 

to 

CD 

Id) 


*.  fciO  o 


c 
o 
-p 

•H 

w 
cd 


(D 


5:5 

w  Cm 

cd    O 

(D 


^ 


m 


•  CO  to 


CO 


to   'c-i 


.?*ift-j 


University  of  Toronto 
Library 


DO  NOT 

REMOVE 

THE 

CARD 

FROM 

THIS 

POCKET 


'< 


Acme  Library  Card  Pocket 
LOWE-MARTIN  CO.  limited 


pHi 

o  < 

-s 

^               oi  \ 

^ 

— .t  J 

LU" 

.,    ^ 

> 

9  ^ 

Q-   C 

Z 
^ 

1     - 

CO   c 

__<  ^