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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/18593-8.txt b/18593-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..54e4e08 --- /dev/null +++ b/18593-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12221 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of George Washington, Vol. 3 (of 5), by +John Marshall + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Life of George Washington, Vol. 3 (of 5) + Commander in Chief of the American Forces During the War + which Established the Independence of his Country and First + President of the United States + +Author: John Marshall + +Release Date: June 15, 2006 [EBook #18593] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni, David Widger, +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +[Illustration] + +THESE VOLUMES of +The Sponsors' +Edition +OF THE AUTHORIZED LIFE OF +George Washington +by John Marshall +ISSUED IN ITS ORIGINAL +FORMAT, BUT WITH THE +TEXT OF THE REVISED +EDITION, HAVE BEEN +SPECIALLY PREPARED +FOR +Henry H. Kimball + + +[Illustration: George Washington + +_From the portrait by Gilbert Stuart_ + +_This canvas, valued at $60,000, hangs in the Masonic Lodge rooms at +Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is one of the several portraits of +Washington which the artist began executing in 1795 and which are the +most famous of both artist and sitter. Of our First President, this +celebrated painter has also given us his interesting pen-picture of +his subject: "All of his features were indications of the strongest +and most ungovernable passions, and had he been born in the forest, he +would have been the fiercest man among the savage tribes."_] + + + + +THE + +LIFE + +OF + +GEORGE WASHINGTON, + +COMMANDER IN CHIEF + +OF THE + +AMERICAN FORCES, + +DURING THE WAR WHICH ESTABLISHED THE INDEPENDENCE OF HIS COUNTRY, + +AND + +FIRST PRESIDENT + +OF THE + +UNITED STATES. + + +COMPILED UNDER THE INSPECTION OF + +THE HONOURABLE BUSHROD WASHINGTON, + +FROM + +_ORIGINAL PAPERS_ + +BEQUEATHED TO HIM BY HIS DECEASED RELATIVE, AND NOW IN POSSESSION OF +THE AUTHOR. + + +TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, + +AN INTRODUCTION, + +CONTAINING A COMPENDIOUS VIEW OF THE COLONIES PLANTED BY THE ENGLISH +ON THE + +CONTINENT OF NORTH AMERICA, + +FROM THEIR SETTLEMENT TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THAT WAR WHICH TERMINATED +IN THEIR + +INDEPENDENCE. + + +BY JOHN MARSHALL. + + +VOL. III. + + +THE CITIZENS' GUILD +OF WASHINGTON'S BOYHOOD HOME +FREDERICKSBURG, VA. + +1926 + +Printed in the U.S.A. + + +[Transcriber's Note: In the original book, some proper names are +spelled inconsistently. The inconsistencies have been preserved in +this e-text. For the reader's information, the first of each of the +following pairs of names is the correct spelling: Wemys/Wemyss, +Tarleton/Tarlton; Dundass/Dundas; M'Lane/M'Clane; Viominel/Viominil.] + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER I. + +Incursion into Jersey.... General Lacy surprised.... Attempt on +Lafayette at Barren hill.... General Howe resigns the command of the +British army.... Is succeeded by Sir H. Clinton.... He evacuates +Philadelphia, and marches through the Jerseys.... A council of war +which decides against attacking the British on their march.... Battle +of Monmouth.... General Lee arrested.... Sentenced to be suspended for +one year.... Thanks of Congress to General Washington and his army. + + +CHAPTER II. + +Count D'Estaing arrives with a French fleet.... Meditates an attack on +the British fleet in New York harbour.... Relinquishes it.... Sails to +Rhode Island.... Lord Howe appears off Rhode Island.... Both fleets +dispersed by a storm.... General Sullivan lays siege to Newport.... +D'Estaing returns.... Sails for Boston.... Sullivan expresses his +dissatisfaction in general orders.... Raises the siege of Newport.... +Action on Rhode Island.... The Americans retreat to the Continent.... +Count D'Estaing expresses his dissatisfaction with Sullivan in a +letter to congress.... General Washington labours successfully to heal +these discontents.... Lord Howe resigns the command of the British +fleet.... Colonel Baylor's regiment surprised.... Captain Donop +defeated by Colonel Butler.... Expedition of the British against Egg +Harbour.... Pulaski surprised. + + +CHAPTER III. + +Arrival of the British commissioners.... Terms of conciliation +proposed.... Answer of congress to their propositions.... Attempts of +Mr. Johnson to bribe some members of congress.... His private letters +ordered to be published.... Manifesto of the commissioners, and +counter-manifesto of congress.... Arrival of Monsieur Girard, minister +plenipotentiary of France.... Hostilities of the Indians.... Irruption +into the Wyoming settlement.... Battle of Wyoming.... Colonel Dennison +capitulates for the inhabitants.... Distress of the settlement.... +Colonel Clarke surprises St. Vincent.... Congress determines to invade +Canada.... General Washington opposes the measure.... Induces congress +to abandon it. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Divisions in Congress.... Letters of General Washington on the state +of public affairs.... Invasion of Georgia.... General Howe defeated by +Colonel Campbell.... Savannah taken.... Sunbury surrenders.... Georgia +reduced.... General Lincoln takes command of the Southern army.... +Major Gardener defeated by General Moultrie.... Insurrection of the +Tories in South Carolina.... They are defeated by Colonel Pickens.... +Ash surprised and defeated.... Moultrie retreats.... Prevost marches +to Charleston.... Lincoln attacks the British at Stono Ferry +unsuccessfully.... Invasion of Virginia. + + +CHAPTER V. + +Discontents in a part of the American army.... Letter from General +Washington on the subject.... Colonel Van Schaick destroys an Indian +settlement.... Expedition against the Indians meditated.... Fort +Fayette surrendered to the British.... Invasion of Connecticut.... +General Wayne storms Stony Point.... Expedition against Penobscot.... +Powles Hook surprised by Major Lee.... Arrival of Admiral +Arbuthnot.... Of the Count D'Estaing.... Siege of Savannah.... +Unsuccessful attempt to storm that place.... Siege raised.... Victory +of General Sullivan at Newtown.... Spain offers her mediation to the +belligerents.... Declares war against England.... Letter from General +Washington to congress respecting the annual formation of the army.... +The army goes into winter quarters. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +South Carolina invaded.... The British fleet passes the bar, and gets +possession of the harbour of Charleston.... Opinion of General +Washington on the propriety of defending that place.... Sir Henry +Clinton invests the town.... Tarleton surprises an American corps at +Monk's Corner.... Fort Moultrie surrendered.... Tarleton defeats +Colonel White.... General Lincoln capitulates.... Buford defeated.... +Arrangements for the government of South Carolina and Georgia.... Sir +Henry Clinton embarks for New York.... General Gates takes command of +the Southern army.... Is defeated near Camden.... Death of De Kalb.... +Success of General Sumpter.... He is defeated. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Distress in the American camp.... Expedition against Staten Island.... +Requisitions on the states.... New scheme of finance.... Committee of +congress deputed to camp.... Resolution to make up depreciation of +pay.... Mutiny in the line of Connecticut.... General Knyphausen +enters Jersey.... Sir Henry Clinton returns to New York.... Skirmish +at Springfield.... Exertions to strengthen the army.... Bank +established in Philadelphia.... Contributions of the ladies.... +Farther proceedings of the states.... Arrival of a French armament in +Rhode Island.... Changes in the quartermaster's department.... +Enterprise against New York abandoned.... Naval superiority of the +British. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Treason and escape of Arnold.... Trial and execution of Major +André.... Precautions for the security of West Point.... Letter of +General Washington on American affairs.... Proceedings of congress +respecting the army.... Major Talmadge destroys the British stores at +Coram.... The army retires into winter quarters.... Irruption of Major +Carleton into New York.... European transactions. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Transactions in South Carolina and Georgia.... Defeat of Ferguson.... +Lord Cornwallis enters North Carolina.... Retreat out of that +state.... Major Wemys defeated by Sumpter.... Tarleton repulsed.... +Greene appointed to the command of the Southern army.... Arrives in +camp.... Detaches Morgan over the Catawba.... Battle of the +Cowpens.... Lord Cornwallis drives Greene through North Carolina into +Virginia.... He retires to Hillsborough.... Greene recrosses the +Dan.... Loyalists under Colonel Pyle cut to pieces.... Battle of +Guilford.... Lord Cornwallis retires to Ramsay's mills.... To +Wilmington.... Greene advances to Ramsay's mills.... Determines to +enter South Carolina.... Lord Cornwallis resolves to march to +Virginia. + + +CHAPTER X. + +Virginia invaded by Arnold.... He destroys the stores at Westham and +at Richmond.... Retires to Portsmouth.... Mutiny in the Pennsylvania +line.... Sir H. Clinton attempts to negotiate with the mutineers.... +They compromise with the civil government.... Mutiny in the Jersey +line.... Mission of Colonel Laurens to France.... Propositions to +Spain.... Recommendations relative to a duty on imported and prize +goods.... Reform in the Executive departments.... Confederation +adopted.... Military transactions.... Lafayette detached to +Virginia.... Cornwallis arrives.... Presses Lafayette.... Expedition +to Charlottesville, to the Point of Fork.... Lafayette forms a +junction with Wayne.... Cornwallis retires to the lower country.... +General Washington's letters are intercepted.... Action near +Jamestown. + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Farther state of affairs in the beginning of the year 1781.... +Measures of Mr. Morris, the superintendent of finances.... Designs of +General Washington against New York.... Count Rochambeau marches to +the North River.... Intelligence from the Count de Grasse.... Plan of +operations against Lord Cornwallis.... Naval engagement.... The +combined armies march for the Chesapeake.... Yorktown invested.... +Surrender of Lord Cornwallis. + + + + +THE LIFE + +OF + +GEORGE WASHINGTON + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Incursion into Jersey.... General Lacy surprised.... Attempt + on Lafayette at Barren Hill.... General Howe resigns the + command of the British army.... Is succeeded by Sir H. + Clinton.... He evacuates Philadelphia, and marches through + the Jerseys.... A council of war which decides against + attacking the British on their march.... Battle of + Monmouth.... General Lee arrested.... Sentenced to be + suspended for one year.... Thanks of congress to General + Washington and his army. + + +[Sidenote: 1778] + +The position at Valley Forge had been taken for the purposes of +covering the country, protecting the magazines, and cutting off all +supplies to Philadelphia. Although the intercourse of the inhabitants +with that place could not be entirely prevented; the sufferings of the +British army from the scarcity of fresh provisions and forage were +considerable; and, as the spring opened, several expeditions were +undertaken both to relieve their own wants, and to distress the army +of the United States. + +About the middle of March, Colonel Mawhood and Major Simcoe, who were +detached into Jersey at the head of about twelve hundred men, landed +at Salem, nearly opposite Reedy Island, and dispersed the small bodies +of militia who were stationed in that part of the country. + +[Sidenote: March 23.] + +General Washington had given early intelligence of this expedition to +Governor Livingston; and had requested that he would immediately order +out the militia to join Colonel Shreve, whose regiment was detached +into Jersey; but the legislature had neglected to make provision for +paying them; and the governor could not bring them into the field. +Colonel Shreve, on his arrival at Haddonfield, the place at which they +had been directed to assemble, found less than one hundred men. +Colonel Ellis, their commanding officer, remarked, in a letter to the +governor, that "without some standing force, little was to be expected +from the militia, who, being alone not sufficient to prevent the +incursions of the enemy, each one naturally consults his own safety, +by not being found in arms." + +Mawhood, of course, was unrestrained; and the devastation committed by +his party was wantonly distressing. Its course of destruction was +preceded by a summons to Colonel Hand, the commanding officer of the +militia, to lay down his arms, which was accompanied with a threat of +the consequences to result from his refusal. This threat was too +faithfully executed. + +After completing his forage, without molestation, Mawhood returned to +Philadelphia. During the continuance of this incursion, which lasted +six or seven days, not more than two hundred men could be collected to +reinforce Colonel Shreve, who was consequently unable to effect any +thing, and did not even march to the lower parts of Jersey, which were +plundered without restraint.[1] + +[Footnote 1: See note No. I. at the end of the volume.] + +[Sidenote: May 1.] + +Not long after this incursion into Jersey, an enterprise was +undertaken against General Lacy, who, with a small number of +Pennsylvania militia, seldom amounting to six hundred, and sometimes +not exceeding fifty, watched the roads leading to Philadelphia on the +north side of the Schuylkill, and was generally posted within twenty +miles of that town. + +[Sidenote: General Lacy surprised.] + +This expedition was entrusted to Colonel Abercrombie and Major Simcoe, +who avoided all the posts Lacy had established for his security, and +threw a body of troops into his rear before he discovered their +approach. After a short resistance, he escaped with the loss of a few +men killed, and all his baggage. His corps were entirely dispersed, +and he was soon afterwards relieved by General Potter. + +To maintain the command of the water as far as was practicable, +congress had ordered impediments to be sunk in many of the rivers of +common use, so as to obstruct the passage up them, and had +constructed frigates, and other smaller vessels, to be employed above +those impediments or elsewhere, as the occasion might require. Several +of them had been commenced above Philadelphia, but were not completed +when the British obtained the command of the river. General Washington +then became apprehensive for their safety, and repeatedly expressed +his desire that they should be sunk in such a manner as to be weighed +with difficulty, should any attempt be made to raise them. The +persons, however, who were entrusted by congress with this business, +supposed it would be equally secure to put plugs in their bottoms, +which might be drawn out on the approach of danger. + +Against these vessels, and some stores collected at Bordentown, an +expedition was planned which ended in their total destruction. General +Dickenson was in the neighbourhood, but his force was too small to +interrupt the execution of the design; and General Maxwell, who had +been ordered to his assistance, was retarded in his march by a heavy +rain, which did not obstruct the movement of the British, who passed +up the river in vessels. + +[Sidenote: May 18.] + +To cover the country more effectually on the north of the Schuylkill, +to form an advance guard for the security of the main army, and to be +in readiness to annoy the rear of the enemy, should he evacuate +Philadelphia, an event believed to be in contemplation, General +Washington detached the Marquis de Lafayette, with more than two +thousand choice troops, to take post near the lines. As this corps +formed a very valuable part of the army, the Commander-in-chief +recommended in his instructions to General Lafayette the utmost +attention to its safety; and, particularly, to avoid any permanent +station, as a long continuance in one position would facilitate the +execution of measures which might be concerted against him. + +[Sidenote: Attempt on Lafayette at Barren Hill.] + +The Marquis crossed the Schuylkill and took post near Barren Hill +church, eight or ten miles in front of the army. Immediate notice[2] +of his arrival was given to Sir William Howe, who reconnoitred his +position, and formed a plan to surprise and cut him off. + +[Footnote 2: General Wilkinson, in his memoirs, says that this notice +was given by a person formerly a lieutenant in Proctor's regiment of +artillery, who, disgusted at being discarded from the American +service, became a spy to Sir William Howe; and, the better to fulfil +his new engagements, kept up his acquaintance with his former +comrades, and frequently visited the camp at Valley Forge. To avoid +the suspicion which would be excited by his going into Philadelphia, a +rendezvous had been established on Frankford Creek, where he met a +messenger from General Howe, to whom his communications were +delivered. This statement is certainly correct.] + +[Sidenote: May 20.] + +On the night of the 19th of May, General Grant with five thousand +select troops, took the road which leads up the Delaware, and +consequently diverges from Barren Hill. After marching some distance, +he inclined to the left, and passing White Marsh, where several roads +unite, took one leading to Plymouth meeting-house, the position he was +directed to occupy, something more than a mile in the rear of the +Marquis, between him and Valley Forge. He reached his point of +destination rather before sunrise. Here the roads fork; the one +leading to the camp of Lafayette, and the other to Matron's ford over +the Schuylkill. + +In the course of the night, General Gray, with a strong detachment, +had advanced up the Schuylkill on its south side, along the ridge +road, and taken post at a ford two or three miles in front of the +right flank of Lafayette, while the residue of the army encamped on +Chestnut hill. + +Captain M'Clane, a vigilant partisan of great merit, was posted on the +lines some distance in front of Barren Hill. In the course of the +night, he fell in with two British grenadiers at Three Mile Run, who +informed him of the movement made by Grant, and also that a large body +of Germans was getting ready to march up the Schuylkill. Immediately +conjecturing the object, M'Clane detached Captain Parr, with a company +of riflemen across the country to Wanderers hill, with orders to +harass and retard the column advancing up the Schuylkill, and hastened +in person[3] to the camp of Lafayette. He arrived soon after daybreak, +and communicated the intelligence he had received. It was, not long +afterwards, confirmed by the fire of Parr on the Ridge road, and by an +inhabitant who had escaped from White Marsh as the British column +passed that place.[4] + +[Footnote 3: Extracts of letters from the adjutant general and the +officer of the day to Captain M'Clane. + +_Camp Valley Forge, May 21st, 1778._ + +Dear Captain,--I am happy you have with your brave little party +conducted with so much honour to yourself. The Marquis effected, owing +to your vigilance, a glorious retreat as well as a difficult one. + +Signed ALEX. SCAMMELL, _Adj. Gen._ + +_Camp Valley Forge, May 23d, 1778._ + +Dear Captain,--I am pleased to hear you are still doing something to +distinguish yourself in the eyes of your country. I have the pleasure +to inform you that your conduct with the Marquis has been very +pleasing to his Excellency and the whole army. + +I am your obedient servant, + +CHARLES SCOTT, _Brig. Gen. and officer of the day._] + +[Footnote 4: The danger with which this detachment was threatened, was +perceived from the camp at Valley Forge, soon after it had been +communicated to Lafayette. Alarm-guns were fired to announce it to +him, and the whole army was put under arms, to act as circumstances +might require. It has been erroneously stated that General Washington +was unapprised of this movement of the British army until its object +was defeated. The author was in camp at the time, saw the +Commander-in-chief, accompanied by his aids and some of the general +officers ride, soon after sun-rise, to the summit of the hill on the +side of which the huts were constructed, and look anxiously towards +the scene of action through a glass. He witnessed too the joy with +which they returned after the detachment had crossed the Schuylkill.] + +Thus surrounded with danger, Lafayette took with promptitude and +decision the only course which could preserve him. He instantly put +his troops in motion, and passed over at Matron's ford, which was +rather nearer to General Grant, than to himself, without being +intercepted by that officer, or sustaining a greater loss than nine +men. + +General Grant, who reached the ground lately occupied by Lafayette +soon after it was abandoned, followed his rear, and appeared at the +ford just after the Americans had crossed it; but, finding them +advantageously posted, did not choose to attack them; and the whole +army returned to Philadelphia, having effected nothing. + +He did not escape censure for having allowed the great advantage he +had acquired, to slip through his hands unused. He might with the +utmost certainty have reached Matron's ford before the Marquis, and +have cut off the only retreat which remained for him. But the same +skill and address were not displayed in executing this plan as in +forming it.[5] + +[Footnote 5: It has been said that his troops were excessively +fatigued by a march of upwards of twenty miles, and that he waited, +confident that the Marquis could not escape him, for information that +Gray had reached his position.] + +In the statement of this affair made by General Lafayette, he +represents himself to have advanced the head of a column towards +Grant, as if to attack him, while the rear filed off rapidly towards +the Schuylkill. This movement gained ground even for the front, which, +while it advanced towards the enemy, also approached the river, and at +the same time induced General Grant to halt, in order to prepare for +battle. + +While this manoeuvre was performing in the face of the detachment +under Grant, a small party was thrown into the church yard, on the +road towards General Gray, which also gave the appearance of an +intention to attack in that quarter. By these dispositions, happily +conceived, and executed with regularity, the Marquis extricated +himself from the destruction which had appeared almost inevitable. In +a letter to congress, General Washington termed it "a timely and +handsome retreat," and certainly the compliment was merited. + +It might be supposed that this young nobleman had not displayed the +same degree of military talent in guarding against the approach of +danger, as in extricating himself from it. But the imputation which +generally attaches to an officer who permits an enemy to pass +unobserved into his rear, is removed by a circumstance stated by +Lafayette. The Pennsylvania militia were posted on his left flank with +orders to guard the roads about White Marsh. Without his knowledge, +they changed their position, and retired into the rear, leaving that +important pass open to the enemy. + +[Sidenote: General Howe resigns his command and returns to England; is +succeeded by Sir Henry Clinton.] + +This was the last enterprise attempted by Sir William Howe. He +resigned the command of the army into the hands of Sir Henry Clinton, +and embarked for Great Britain. About the same time, orders were +received for the evacuation of Philadelphia. The part it was now +evident France was about to take in the war, and the naval force which +had been prepared by that power before she declared herself, rendered +that city a dangerous position, and determined the administration to +withdraw the army from the Delaware. + +The preparations for this movement could not be made unobserved; but +they indicated equally an embarkation of the whole army, or an +intention to march to New York through Jersey. The last was believed +by the American chief to be most probable; and he made every exertion +to take advantage of the movement. His detachments were called in, and +the state governments were pressed to expedite the march of their +levies. + +In the mean time Sir Henry Clinton hastened his preparations for the +evacuation of Philadelphia; and the opinion that he intended to reach +New York through Jersey, gained ground. + +General Maxwell, with the Jersey brigade, was ordered over the +Delaware to take post at Mount Holly, and to join Major General +Dickenson, who was assembling the militia of that state for the +purpose of co-operating with the continental troops, in breaking down +the bridges, felling trees in the roads, and otherwise embarrassing +the march of the British General. + +[Sidenote: June 17.] + +In this state of things intelligence was received that a great part of +the British army had crossed the Delaware, and that the residue would +soon follow. + +The opinion of the general officers was required on the course now to +be pursued. General Lee, who had been lately exchanged, and whose +experience gave great weight to his opinions, was vehement against +risking either a general or partial engagement. The British army was +computed at ten thousand effective men, and that of the Americans +amounted to between ten and eleven thousand. General Lee was decidedly +of opinion that, with such an equality of force, it would be +"criminal" to hazard an action. He relied much on the advantageous +ground on which their late foreign connexions had placed the United +States, and contended that defeat alone could now endanger their +independence. To this he said the army ought not to be exposed. It +would be impossible he thought to bring on a partial action, without +risking its being made general, should such be the choice of the +enemy, since the detachment which might engage must be supported, or +be cut to pieces. A general action ought not to be fought unless the +advantage was manifestly with the American army. This at present was +not the case. He attributed so much to the superior discipline of the +enemy as to be of opinion that the issue of the engagement would be, +almost certainly, unfavourable. + +General Du Portail, a French officer of considerable reputation, +maintained the same opinions; and the Baron de Steuben concurred in +them. The American officers seem to have been influenced by the +councils of the Europeans; and, of seventeen generals, only Wayne and +Cadwallader were decidedly in favour of attacking the enemy. Lafayette +appeared inclined to that opinion without openly embracing it; and +General Greene was inclined to hazard more than the councils of the +majority would sanction. The country, he thought, must be protected; +and if, in doing so, an engagement should become unavoidable, it would +be necessary to fight. + +[Sidenote: The British army evacuate Philadelphia and march through +the Jerseys.] + +On the morning of the 18th, Philadelphia was evacuated;[6] and, by two +in the afternoon, all the British troops were encamped on the Jersey +shore, from Cooper's Creek to Red Bank. Although they availed +themselves to a great extent of the transportation by water, yet their +line of march was so lengthened and encumbered by baggage, and the +weather was so intensely hot, that they were under the necessity of +proceeding slowly. Indeed their movements wore the appearance of +purposed delay; and were calculated to favour the opinion that Sir +Henry Clinton was willing to be overtaken, and wished for a general +engagement. + +[Footnote 6: As the British army moved down Second street, Captain +M'Lane, with a few light horse and one hundred infantry, entered the +city, and cut off, and captured one Captain, one Provost Marshal, one +guide to the army, and thirty privates, without losing a man.] + +As his line of march, until he passed Crosswicks, led directly up the +Delaware, General Washington found it necessary to make an extensive +circuit, and to cross the river at Coryell's Ferry; after which he +kept possession of the high grounds in Jersey, thereby retaining the +choice of bringing on, or avoiding an action. + +[Sidenote: June 24.] + +As Sir Henry Clinton encamped at, and about, Allentown, the main body +of the American army lay in Hopewell township, about five miles from +Princeton, Major General Dickenson, with about one thousand militia, +and Maxwell's brigade, hung on Sir Henry Clinton's left flank. General +Cadwallader, with Jackson's regiment and a few militia, was in his +rear; and Colonel Morgan with a regiment of six hundred men watched +his right. + +[Sidenote: Council of war called by General Washington; decide +against attacking the enemy on the march.] + +Notwithstanding the almost concurrent opinion of his general officers +against risking an action, Washington appears to have been strongly +inclined to that measure. He could not be persuaded that, with an army +rather superior in point of numbers to his enemy, too much was +hazarded by fighting him. The situation of the two armies was, +therefore, once more submitted to the consideration of the general +officers, who were asked whether it would be adviseable, of choice, to +hazard a general action? And, if it would, whether it should be +brought on by an immediate general attack, by a partial attack, or by +taking such a position as must compel the enemy to become the +assailants? + +If the council should be of opinion that it was unadviseable to hazard +an engagement, then he asked what measures could be taken with safety +to the army, to annoy the enemy in his march, should he proceed +through the Jerseys? + +The proposition respecting a general action was decidedly negatived. +But it was proposed to strengthen the corps on the left flank of the +enemy with a reinforcement of fifteen hundred men, and to preserve, +with the main body of the army, a relative position which would enable +it to act as circumstances might require. + +In pursuance of this opinion, the troops on the lines were +strengthened with a detachment of fifteen hundred select men, +commanded by General Scott; and the army moved forward the next day to +Kingston. + +[Sidenote: The opinion of the general against this decision.] + +[Sidenote: June 25.] + +Though the council had been almost unanimous against a general action, +several officers, whose opinions were highly valued, secretly wished +for something more than light skirmishing. Knowing this, General +Washington, who was still in favour of an engagement, determined to +take his measures on his own responsibility. As the British army moved +towards Monmouth court-house, he ordered Brigadier General Wayne, with +an additional detachment of one thousand select men, to join the +advanced corps. As the continental troops, now constituting the front +division, amounted to at least four thousand men, he deemed it proper +that they should be commanded by a major general. Lee had a right to +claim this tour of duty; but, as he had declared himself openly and +strongly against hazarding even a partial engagement, and supposed +that nothing further would be attempted than merely to reconnoitre +the enemy, and restrain plundering parties, he showed no inclination +to assert his claim. Unintentionally promoting the private wishes of +General Washington, that the command should be given to an officer +whose view of the service comported more with his own, Lee yielded +this important tour of duty to Lafayette. The orders given to this +general were, to proceed immediately with the detachment; and, after +forming a junction with General Scott, and taking command of the +troops on the lines, to gain the enemy's left flank and rear; give him +every practicable annoyance; and attack by detachment, or with his +whole force, as the occasion might require. + +These dispositions and orders could scarcely fail to bring on an +engagement. Wayne had openly supported that measure; and Lafayette, +though against seeking a general action, had been in favour of a +partial one. Of consequence, should any proper occasion offer, he +would certainly attack with his whole force, which would as certainly +produce such a state of things as would render it proper to support +him with the whole army. + +[Sidenote: June 26.] + +Immediately after the march of this detachment, General Washington +moved to Cranberry, that he might be in readiness to support his front +division. + +The intense heat of the weather; a heavy storm; and a temporary want +of provisions, prevented the army from continuing its march that day. +The advanced corps had pressed forward, and taken a position about +five miles in rear of the British army, with the intention of +attacking it next morning on its march. Thinking this corps too remote +to be supported in case of action, General Washington ordered the +Marquis to file off by his left towards Englishtown. These orders were +executed early in the morning of the twenty-seventh. + +[Sidenote: June 27.] + +Lafayette had scarcely taken command of the advanced party, when +General Lee began to regret having yielded it to him. He perceived +that, in the opinion of all the general officers, great importance was +attached to it, and that his reputation was in danger of being +impaired by connecting his strenuous opposition to even a partial +action, with his declining the command of a very strong detachment, +which, it was believed, would engage the rear of the enemy. He +therefore solicited earnestly for the command he had before declined. + +To relieve the feelings of Lee, without wounding those of Lafayette, +General Washington detached him with two additional brigades to +Englishtown, to support the Marquis. He would, of course, have the +direction of the whole front division, which would now amount to five +thousand continental troops; but it was expressly stipulated, that if +any enterprise had been already formed by Lafayette, it should be +carried into execution, as if the commanding officer had not been +changed. Lee acceded to this condition; and, with two additional +brigades, joined the front division of the army, encamped at +Englishtown. The rear division also moved forward, and encamped about +three miles in his rear. Morgan's corps still hovered on the right +flank of the British, and General Dickenson on their left. + +Sir Henry Clinton occupied the high grounds about Monmouth +court-house, having his right flank in the skirt of a small wood, +while his left was secured by a very thick one, and a morass running +towards his rear. His whole front was also covered by a wood, and for +a considerable distance towards his left, by a morass. + +This position seemed unassailable; and the British were within twelve +miles of the high grounds about Middletown, after reaching which they +would be perfectly secure. + +Under these circumstances, General Washington ordered Lee to attack +the British rear the moment it should move from its ground. + +[Sidenote: June 28.] + +About five in the morning, intelligence was received from General +Dickenson that the front of the enemy was in motion. The troops were +immediately put under arms, and Lee was ordered to attack the rear, +"unless there should be powerful reasons to the contrary." He was at +the same time informed that the rear division would be on its march to +support him. + +Sir Henry Clinton had observed the appearances on his flanks and rear +on the twenty-seventh; and, conjecturing that the American army was in +his neighbourhood, had changed the order of his march. The baggage was +placed under the care of General Knyphausen, while the strength and +flower of his army, entirely unincumbered, formed the rear division, +under the particular command of Lord Cornwallis, who was accompanied +by the Commander-in-chief. + +To avoid pressing on Knyphausen, Cornwallis remained on his ground +until about eight; and then, descending from the heights of Freehold +into an extensive plain, took up his line of march in rear of the +front division.[7] + +[Footnote 7: Letter of Sir Henry Clinton.] + +General Lee had made dispositions for executing the orders given the +preceding evening, and repeated in the morning; and, soon after the +British rear had moved from its ground, prepared to attack it. General +Dickenson had been directed to detach some of his best troops, to take +such a position as to co-operate with him; and Morgan was ordered to +act on the right flank. + +Lee appeared on the heights of Freehold soon after Lord Cornwallis had +left them; and, following the British into the plain, ordered General +Wayne to attack the rear of their covering party with sufficient +vigour to check it, but not to press it so closely as either to force +it up to the main body, or to draw reinforcements to its aid. In +the mean time, he intended to gain the front of this party by a +shorter road, and, intercepting its communication with the line, to +bear it off before it could be assisted. + +[Illustration: Martha Washington + +_From the portrait by Gilbert Stuart_ + +_After studying under Benjamin West, the American painter who +succeeded Sir Joshua Reynolds as (second) president of the Royal +Academy in London, Gilbert Stuart established a studio in Philadelphia +where he met and painted the first of his famous portraits of George +Washington. This one of Martha Washington, the best known likeness of +her in existence, was painted in the city of Washington, where the +artist had a studio between 1800 and 1802. She gave him several +sittings at Mount Vernon._] + +While in the execution of this design, a gentleman in the _suite_ of +General Washington came up to gain intelligence; and Lee communicated +to him his present object. + +Before he reached the point of destination, there was reason to +believe that the British rear was much stronger than had been +conjectured. The intelligence on this subject being contradictory, and +the face of the country well calculated to conceal the truth, he +deemed it adviseable to ascertain the fact himself. + +Sir Henry Clinton, soon after the rear division was in full march, +received intelligence that an American column had appeared on his left +flank. This being a corps of militia was soon dispersed, and the march +was continued. When his rear guard had descended from the heights, he +saw it followed by a strong corps, soon after which a cannonade was +commenced upon it; and, at the same time, a respectable force showed +itself on each of his flanks. Suspecting a design on his baggage, he +determined to attack the troops in his rear so vigorously, as to +compel a recall of those on his flanks; and, for this purpose, marched +back his whole rear division. This movement was in progress as Lee +advanced for the purpose of reconnoitring. He soon perceived his +mistake respecting the force of the British rear, but still determined +to engage on that ground, although his judgment disapproved the +measure; there being a morass immediately in his rear, which would +necessarily impede the reinforcements which might be advancing to his +aid, and embarrass his retreat should he be finally overpowered. + +This was about ten. While both armies were preparing for action, +General Scott (as stated by General Lee) mistook an oblique march of +an American column for a retreat; and, in the apprehension of being +abandoned, left his position, and repassed the ravine in his rear. + +Being himself of opinion that the ground was unfavourable, Lee did not +correct the error he ascribed to Scott, but ordered the whole +detachment to regain the heights. He was closely pressed, and some +slight skirmishing ensued without much loss on either side. + +As soon as the firing announced the commencement of the action, the +rear division of the army advanced rapidly to the support of the +front. As they approached the scene of action, General Washington, who +had received no intelligence from Lee giving notice of his retreat, +rode forward, and, to his utter astonishment and mortification, met +the advanced corps retiring before the enemy, without having made a +single effort to maintain its ground. The troops he first saw neither +understood the motives which had governed General Lee, nor his present +design; and could give no other information than that, by his orders, +they had fled without fighting. + +General Washington rode to the rear of the division, where he met +General Lee, to whom he spoke in terms of some warmth, implying +disapprobation of his conduct. + +Orders were immediately given to Colonel Stewart and Lieutenant +Colonel Ramsay to form their regiments for the purpose of checking the +pursuit; and General Lee was directed to take proper measures with the +residue of his force to stop the British column on that ground. The +Commander-in-chief then rode back to arrange the rear division of the +army. + +[Sidenote: He attacks the enemy at Monmouth Court-house.] + +These orders were executed with firmness; and, when forced from his +ground, Lee brought off his troops in good order, and was directed to +form in the rear of Englishtown. + +This check afforded time to draw up the left wing and second line of +the American army on an eminence, covered by a morass in front. Lord +Stirling, who commanded the left wing, brought up a detachment of +artillery under Lieutenant Colonel Carrington, and some field pieces, +which played with considerable effect on a division of the British +which had passed the morass, and was pressing on to the charge. These +pieces, with the aid of several parties of infantry, effectually +stopped the advance of the enemy. + +[Sidenote: The action severe but not decisive.] + +Finding themselves warmly opposed in front, the British attempted to +turn the left flank of the American army, but were repulsed. They then +attempted the right with as little success. General Greene had +advanced a body of troops with artillery to a commanding piece of +ground in his front, which not only disappointed the design of turning +the right, but enfiladed the party which yet remained in front of the +left wing. At this moment, General Wayne was advanced with a body of +infantry to engage them in front, who kept up so hot and well directed +a fire, that they soon withdrew behind the ravine, to the ground on +which the action had commenced immediately after the arrival of +General Washington.[8] + +[Footnote 8: General Lafayette, in a communication made to the author +respecting this battle, expresses himself thus: "Never was General +Washington greater in war than in this action. His presence stopped +the retreat. His dispositions fixed the victory. His fine appearance +on horseback, his calm courage, roused by the animation produced by +the vexation of the morning, (le depit de la matinée) gave him the air +best calculated to excite enthusiasm."] + +The position now taken by the British army was very strong. Both +flanks were secured by thick woods and morasses; and their front was +accessible only through a narrow pass. The day had been intensely hot, +and the troops were much fatigued. Notwithstanding these +circumstances, General Washington resolved to renew the engagement. +For this purpose he ordered Brigadier General Poor, with his own and +the North Carolina brigade, to gain their right flank, while Woodford +with his brigade should turn their left. At the same time the +artillery was ordered to advance, and play on their front. These +orders were obeyed with alacrity; but the impediments on the flanks of +the British were so considerable that, before they could be overcome, +it was nearly dark. Farther operations were therefore deferred until +next morning; and the brigades which had been detached to the flanks +of the British army continued on their ground through the night, and +the other troops lay on the field of battle with their arms in their +hands. General Washington passed the night in his cloak in the midst +of his soldiers. + +The British employed the early part of the night in removing their +wounded; and, about midnight, marched away in such silence that their +retreat was not perceived until day. + +As it was certain that they must gain the high grounds about +Middletown before they could be overtaken; as the face of the country +afforded no prospect of opposing their embarkation; and as the battle +already fought had terminated in a manner to make a general impression +favourable to the American arms; it was thought proper to relinquish +the pursuit, leaving a detachment to hover about the British rear, the +main body of the army moved towards the Hudson. + +The Commander-in-chief was highly gratified with the conduct of his +troops in this action. Their behaviour, he said, after recovering from +the first surprise occasioned by the unexpected retreat of the +advanced corps, could not be surpassed. General Wayne was particularly +mentioned; and the artillery were spoken of in terms of high praise. + +The loss of the Americans in the battle of Monmouth was eight officers +and sixty-one privates killed, and about one hundred and sixty +wounded. Among the slain were Lieutenant Colonel Bonner of +Pennsylvania, and Major Dickenson of Virginia, both of whom were much +regretted. One hundred and thirty were missing; but a considerable +number of these afterwards rejoined their regiments. + +In his official letter, Sir Henry Clinton states his dead and missing +at four officers, and one hundred and eighty-four privates. His +wounded at sixteen officers and one hundred and fifty-four privates. +This account, so far as respects the dead, can not be correct, as four +officers and two hundred and forty-five privates were buried on the +field by persons appointed for the purpose, who made their report to +the Commander-in-chief; and some few were afterwards found, so as to +increase the number to nearly three hundred. The uncommon heat of the +day proved fatal to several on both sides. + +As usual, when a battle has not been decisive, both parties claimed +the victory. In the early part of the day, the advantage was certainly +with the British; in the latter part, it may be pronounced with equal +certainty to have been with the Americans. They maintained their +ground, repulsed the enemy, were prevented only by the night, and by +the retreat of the hostile army from renewing the action, and suffered +less in killed and wounded than their adversaries. + +It is true that Sir Henry Clinton effected what he states to have been +his principal object,--the safety of his baggage. But when it is +recollected that the American officers had decided against hazarding +an action, that this advice must have trammeled the conduct, and +circumscribed the views of the Commander-in-chief, he will be admitted +to have effected no inconsiderable object in giving the American arms +that appearance of superiority which was certainly acquired by this +engagement. + +Independent of the loss sustained in the action, the British army was +considerably weakened in its march from Philadelphia to New York. +About one hundred prisoners were made, and near one thousand soldiers, +chiefly foreigners, deserted while passing through Jersey. + +The conduct of Lee was generally disapproved. As however he had +possessed a large share of the confidence and good opinion of the +Commander-in-chief, it is probable that explanations might have been +made which would have rescued him from the imputations that were cast +on him, and have restored him to the esteem of the army, could his +haughty temper have brooked the indignity he believed to have been +offered him on the field of battle. General Washington had taken no +measures in consequence of the events of that day, and would probably +have come to no resolution concerning them without an amicable +explanation, when he received from Lee a letter expressed in very +unbecoming terms, in which he, in the tone of a superior, required +reparation for the injury sustained "from the very singular +expressions" said to have been used on the day of the action by the +Commander-in-chief. + +[Sidenote: June 30.] + +[Sidenote: General Lee arrested for his behavior in this action, and +afterwards to the commander-in-chief.] + +This letter was answered by an assurance that, so soon as +circumstances would admit of an inquiry, he should have an opportunity +of justifying himself, to the army, to America, and to the world in +general; or of convincing them that he had been guilty of disobedience +of orders, and misbehaviour before the enemy. On his expressing a wish +for a speedy investigation of his conduct, and for a court-martial +rather than a court of inquiry, he was arrested. + +First. For disobedience of orders in not attacking the enemy on the +28th of June, agreeably to repeated instructions. + +Secondly. For misbehaviour before the enemy on the same day, in making +an unnecessary, disorderly, and shameful retreat. + +Thirdly. For disrespect to the Commander-in-chief in two letters. + +[Sidenote: Court-martial appointed to try him. Sentenced to be +suspended for one year.] + +Before this correspondence had taken place, strong and specific +charges of misconduct had been made against General Lee by several +officers of his detachment, and particularly by Generals Wayne and +Scott. In these, the transactions of the day, not being well +understood, were represented in colours much more unfavourable to Lee, +than facts, when properly explained, would seem to justify. These +representations, most probably, induced the strong language of the +second article in the charge. A court-martial, over which Lord +Stirling presided, after a tedious investigation, found him guilty of +all the charges exhibited against him, and sentenced him to be +suspended for one year. This sentence was, afterwards, though with +some hesitation, approved, almost unanimously, by congress. The court +softened, in some degree, the severity of the second charge, by +finding him guilty, not in its very words, but "of misbehaviour before +the enemy, by making an unnecessary, and, in some few instances, a +disorderly retreat." + +Lee defended himself with his accustomed ability. He proved that, +after the retreat had commenced, in consequence of General Scott's +repassing the ravine, on the approach of the enemy, he had designed to +form on the first advantageous piece of ground he could find; and +that, in his own opinion, and in the opinion of some other officers, +no safe and advantageous position had presented itself until he met +General Washington; at which time it was his intention to fight the +enemy on the very ground afterwards taken by that officer. He +suggested a variety of reasons in justification of his retreat, which, +if they do not absolutely establish its propriety, give it so +questionable a form as to render it probable that a public examination +never would have taken place, could his proud spirit have stooped to +offer explanation instead of outrage, to the Commander-in-chief. + +His suspension gave general satisfaction through the army. Without +being masters of his conduct as a military man, they perfectly +understood the insult offered to their general by his letters; and, +whether rightly or not, believed his object to have been to disgrace +Washington, and to obtain the supreme command for himself. So +devotedly were all ranks attached to their general, that the mere +suspicion of such a design, would have rendered his continuance in the +army extremely difficult. + +Whatever judgment may be formed on the propriety of his retreat, it is +not easy to justify, either the omission to keep the +Commander-in-chief continually informed of his situation and +intentions, or the very rude letters written after the action was +over. + +[Sidenote: The thanks of congress presented to General Washington and +his army for their conduct in the battle at Monmouth.] + +The battle of Monmouth gave great satisfaction to congress. A +resolution was passed unanimously, thanking General Washington for the +activity with which he marched from the camp at Valley Forge, in +pursuit of the enemy; for his distinguished exertions in forming the +line of battle, and for his great good conduct in the action; and he +was requested to signify the thanks of congress to the officers and +men under his command, who distinguished themselves by their conduct +and valour in the battle. + +[Sidenote: July 5.] + +After remaining a few days on the high grounds of Middletown, Sir +Henry Clinton proceeded to Sandy Hook, whence his army passed over to +New York. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + Count D'Estaing arrives with a French fleet.... Meditates an + attack on the British fleet in New York harbour.... + Relinquishes it.... Sails to Rhode Island.... Lord Howe + appears off Rhode Island.... Both fleets dispersed by a + storm.... General Sullivan lays siege to Newport.... + D'Estaing returns.... Sails for Boston.... Sullivan + expresses his dissatisfaction in general orders.... Raises + the siege of Newport.... Action on Rhode Island.... The + Americans retreat to the Continent.... Count D'Estaing + expresses his dissatisfaction with Sullivan in a letter to + congress.... General Washington labours successfully to heal + these discontents.... Lord Howe resigns the command of the + British fleet.... Colonel Baylor's regiment surprised.... + Captain Donop defeated by Colonel Butler.... Expedition of + the British against Egg Harbour.... Pulaski surprised. + + +[Sidenote: 1778 July.] + +[Sidenote: Count D'Estaing arrives on the coast of Virginia with a +French fleet under his command.] + +Before General Washington could reach the ground he designed to +occupy, intelligence was received that a powerful French fleet, under +the command of the Count D'Estaing, had appeared off Chingoteague +inlet, the northern extremity of the coast of Virginia. + +The Count had sailed from Toulon on the 13th of April, with twelve +ships of the line and six frigates, having on board a respectable body +of land forces. His destination was the Delaware; and he hoped to find +the British fleet in that river, and their army in Philadelphia. An +uncommon continuance of adverse winds, protracted his voyage across +the Atlantic to the extraordinary length of eighty-seven days. This +unusual circumstance saved the British fleet and army. + +[Sidenote: He meditates an attack on the British fleet at New York, +but is obliged to relinquish it.] + +On reaching the capes of the Delaware, the Count announced his arrival +to congress; and, having failed in accomplishing his first object, +proceeded along the coast to New York, in the hope of being able to +attack the British fleet in the harbour of that place. + +Sir Henry Clinton was again indebted to some fortunate incidents for +his safety. + +The violent storms of the preceding winter had broken through the +narrow isthmus by which Sandy Hook was connected with the continent, +and had converted the peninsula into an island. This rendered it +necessary for the army to pass from the main to the Hook on a bridge +of boats, which would have been impracticable, if obstructed by a +superior fleet. It was effected the very day on which D'Estaing +appeared off Chingoteague inlet. + +[Sidenote: July 13.] + +At Paramus, in Jersey, General Washington received a letter from the +president of congress, advising him of this important event, and +requesting that he would concert measures with the Count for conjoint +and offensive operations. + +The next day he received a second letter on the same subject, +enclosing two resolutions, one directing him to co-operate with the +French admiral, and the other authorizing him to call on the states +from New Hampshire to New Jersey inclusive, for such aids of militia +as he might deem necessary for the operations of the allied arms. + +He determined to proceed immediately to the White Plains, whence the +army might co-operate with more facility in the execution of any +attempt which might be made by the fleet, and despatched Lieutenant +Colonel Laurens, one of his aids de camp, with all the information +relative to the enemy, as well as to his own army, which might be +useful to D'Estaing. Lieutenant Colonel Laurens was authorized to +consult on future conjoint operations, and to establish conventional +signals for the purpose of facilitating the communication of +intelligence. + +The French admiral, on arriving off the Hook, despatched Major de +Choisi, a gentleman of his family, to General Washington, for the +purpose of communicating fully his views and his strength. His first +object was to attack New York. If this should be found impracticable, +he was desirous of turning his attention to Rhode Island. To assist in +coming to a result on these enterprises, General Washington despatched +Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton with such farther communications as had +been suggested, by inquiries made since the departure of Lieutenant +Colonel Laurens. + +[Sidenote: July 21.] + +Fearing that the water on the bar at the entrance of the harbour was +not of sufficient depth to admit the passage of the largest ships of +the French fleet without much difficulty and danger, General +Washington had turned his attention to other objects which might be, +eventually, pursued. General Sullivan, who commanded the troops in +Rhode Island, was directed to prepare for an enterprise against +Newport; and the Marquis de Lafayette was detached with two brigades +to join him at Providence. The next day Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton +returned to camp with the final determination of the Count D'Estaing +to relinquish the meditated attack on the fleet in the harbour of New +York, in consequence of the impracticability of passing the bar. + +General Greene was immediately ordered to Rhode Island, of which state +he was a native; and Lieutenant Colonel Laurens was directed to attach +himself to the French admiral, and to facilitate all his views by +procuring whatever might give them effect; after which he was to act +with the army under Sullivan. + +[Sidenote: Sails out to Rhode Island and arrives off Newport.] + +The resolution being taken to proceed against Rhode Island, the fleet +got under way, and, on the 25th of July, appeared off Newport, and +cast anchor about five miles from that place, just without Brenton's +ledge; soon after which, General Sullivan went on board the Admiral, +and concerted with him a plan of operations for the allied forces. The +fleet was to enter the harbour, and land the troops of his Christian +Majesty on the west side of the island, a little to the north of +Dyer's island. The Americans were to land at the same time on the +opposite coast, under cover of the guns of a frigate. + +Although the appearance of the French fleet had animated the whole +country, and had produced a considerable degree of alacrity for the +service; although the success of the enterprise essentially depended +on maintaining a superiority at sea, which there was much reason to +apprehend would soon be wrested from them; yet such are the delays +inseparable from measures to bring husbandmen into the field as +soldiers, that the operations against Newport were suspended for +several days on this account. + +[Sidenote: August 8.] + +As the militia of New Hampshire and Massachusetts approached, General +Sullivan joined General Greene at Tiverton, and it was agreed with the +Admiral that the fleet should enter the main channel immediately, and +that the descent should be made the succeeding day. The ships of war +passed the British batteries and entered the harbour, without +receiving or doing any considerable damage. + +The militia not arriving precisely at the time they were expected, +General Sullivan could not hazard the movement which had been +concerted, and stated to the Count the necessity of postponing it till +the next day. Meanwhile, the preparations for the descent being +perceived, General Pigot drew the troops which had been stationed on +the north end of the island into the lines at Newport. + +[Sidenote: August 9.] + +On discovering this circumstance the next morning, Sullivan determined +to avail himself of it, and to take immediate possession of the works +which had been abandoned. The whole army crossed the east passage, and +landed on the north end of Rhode Island. This movement gave great +offence to the Admiral, who resented the indelicacy supposed to have +been committed by Sullivan in landing before the French, and without +consulting him. + +Unfortunately, some difficulties, on subjects of mere punctilio, had +previously arisen. The Count D'Estaing was a land as well as sea +officer; and held the high rank of lieutenant general in the service +of France. Sullivan being only a major general, some misunderstanding +on this delicate point had been apprehended; and General Washington +had suggested to him the necessity of taking every precaution to avoid +it. This, it was supposed, had been effected in their first +conference, in which it was agreed that the Americans should land +first, after which the French should land, to be commanded by the +Count D'Estaing in person. The motives for this arrangement are not +stated; but it was most probably made solely with a view to the +success of the enterprise. Either his own after-reflections or the +suggestions of others dissatisfied the Count with it, and he insisted +that the descent should be made on both sides of the island precisely +at the same instant, and that one wing of the American army should be +attached to the French, and land with them. He also declined +commanding in person, and wished the Marquis de Lafayette to take +charge of the French troops as well as of the Americans attached to +them. + +It being feared that this alteration of the plan might endanger both +its parts, D'Estaing was prevailed on to reduce his demand from one +wing of the American army to one thousand militia. When, afterwards, +General Sullivan crossed over into the island before the time to which +he had himself postponed the descent, and without giving previous +notice to the Count of this movement, some suspicions seem to have +been excited, that the measure was taken with other views than were +avowed, and no inconsiderable degree of excitement was manifested. The +Count refused to answer Sullivan's letter, and charged Lieutenant +Colonel Fleury, who delivered it, with being more an American than a +Frenchman. + +At this time a British fleet appeared, which, after sailing close into +the land, and communicating with General Pigot, withdrew some +distance, and came to anchor off point Judith, just without the narrow +inlet leading into the harbour. + +After it had been ascertained that the destination of the Count +D'Estaing was America, he was followed by a squadron of twelve ships +of the line under Admiral Byron, who was designed to relieve Lord +Howe, that nobleman having solicited his recall. The vessels composing +this squadron meeting with weather unusually bad for the season, and +being separated in different storms, arrived, after lingering through +a tedious passage, in various degrees of distress, on different and +remote parts of the American coast. Between the departure of D'Estaing +from the Hook on the 23d of July, and the 30th of that month, four +ships of sixty-four and fifty guns arrived at Sandy Hook. + +This addition to the British fleet, though it left Lord Howe +considerably inferior to the Count D'Estaing, determined him to +attempt the relief of Newport. He sailed from New York on the 6th of +August; and, on the 9th, appeared in sight of the French fleet, before +intelligence of his departure could be received by the Admiral. + +[Sidenote: Sails to attack Lord Howe, who appears off Rhode Island.] + +[Sidenote: August 10.] + +At the time of his arrival the wind set directly into the harbour, so +that it was impossible to get out of it; but it shifted suddenly to +the north-east the next morning, and the Count determined to stand out +to sea, and give battle. Previous to leaving port, he informed General +Sullivan that, on his return, he would land his men as that officer +should advise. + +Not choosing to give the advantage of the weather-gage, Lord Howe also +weighed anchor and stood out to sea. He was followed by D'Estaing; +and both fleets were soon out of sight. + +The militia were now arrived; and Sullivan's army amounted to ten +thousand men. Some objections were made by Lafayette to his commencing +operations before the return of D'Estaing. That officer advised that +the army should be advanced to a position in the neighbourhood of +Newport, but should not break ground until the Count should be in +readiness to act in concert with them. It was extremely desirable to +avoid whatever might give offence to the great ally on whose +assistance so much depended; but time was deemed of such importance to +an army which could not be kept long together, that this advice was +overruled, and it was determined to commence the siege immediately. + +[Sidenote: August 12.] + +[Sidenote: Fifteenth.] + +[Sidenote: General Sullivan lays siege to Newport.] + +Before this determination could be executed, a furious storm blew down +all the tents, rendered the arms unfit for immediate use, and greatly +damaged the ammunition, of which fifty rounds had just been delivered +to each man. The soldiers, having no shelter, suffered extremely; and +several perished in the storm, which continued three days. On the +return of fair weather the siege was commenced, and continued without +any material circumstance for several days. + +As no intelligence had been received from the Admiral, the situation +of the American army was becoming very critical. On the evening of +the 19th, their anxieties were relieved for a moment by the +reappearance of the French fleet. + +[Sidenote: Both fleets dispersed by a storm.] + +The two Admirals, desirous the one of gaining, and the other of +retaining the advantage of the wind, had employed two days in +manoeuvring, without coming to action. Towards the close of the +second, they were on the point of engaging, when they were separated +by the violent storm which had been felt so severely on shore, and +which dispersed both fleets. Some single vessels afterwards fell in +with each other, but no important capture was made; and both fleets +retired in a very shattered condition, the one to the harbour of New +York, and the other to that of Newport. + +[Sidenote: D'Estaing returns to Newport, and against the solicitations +of Sullivan, sails for Boston.] + +A letter was immediately despatched by D'Estaing to Sullivan, +informing him that, in pursuance of orders from the King, and of the +advice of all his officers, he had taken the resolution to carry the +fleet to Boston. His instructions directed him to sail for Boston +should his fleet meet with any disaster, or should a superior British +fleet appear on the coast. + +This communication threw Sullivan and his army into despair. General +Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette were directed to wait on the +Admiral with a letter from Sullivan remonstrating against this +resolution, and to use their utmost endeavors to induce him to change +it. + +They represented to him the certainty of carrying the garrison if he +would co-operate with them only two days, urged the impolicy of +exposing the fleet at sea, in its present condition, represented the +port of Boston as equally insecure with that of Newport, and added +that the expedition had been undertaken on condition that the French +fleet and army should co-operate with them; that confiding in this +co-operation, they had brought stores into the island to a great +amount, and that to abandon the enterprise in the present state of +things, would be a reproach and disgrace to their arms. To be deserted +at such a critical moment would have a pernicious influence on the +minds of the American people, and would furnish their domestic foes, +as well as the common enemy, with the means of animadverting severely +on their prospects from an alliance with those who could abandon them +under circumstances such as the present. They concluded with wishing +that the utmost harmony and confidence might subsist between the two +nations, and especially between their officers; and entreated the +Admiral, if any personal indiscretions had appeared in conducting the +expedition, not to permit them to prejudice the common cause. + +Whatever impression these observations may have made on the Count, +they could not change the determination he had formed. + +General Greene, in his representation of this conversation, stated +that the principal officers on board the fleet were the enemies of +D'Estaing. He was properly a land officer, and they were dissatisfied +with his appointment in the navy. Determined to thwart his measures, +and to prevent, as far as could be justified, his achieving any +brilliant exploit, they availed themselves of the letter of his +instructions, and unanimously persevered in advising him to relinquish +the enterprise, and sail for Boston. He could not venture, with such +instructions, to act against their unanimous opinion; and, although +personally disposed to re-enter the harbour, declined doing so, and +sailed from the island. + +On the return of Greene and Lafayette, Sullivan made yet another +effort to retain the fleet. He addressed a second letter to the +Admiral, pressing him, in any event, to leave his land forces. The +bearer of this letter was also charged with a protest signed by all +the general officers in Rhode Island except Lafayette, the only effect +of which was to irritate D'Estaing, who proceeded, without delay, on +his voyage to Boston. + +[Sidenote: In consequence of the departure of the French fleet, +Sullivan raises the siege of Newport.] + +Thus abandoned by the fleet, Sullivan called a council of general +officers, who were in favour of attempting an assault if five thousand +volunteers who had seen nine months service could be obtained for the +enterprise; but the departure of the fleet had so discouraged the +militia, that this number could not be procured; and, in a few days, +the army was reduced by desertion to little more than five thousand +men. As the British were estimated at six thousand, it was determined +to raise the siege, and retire to the north end of the island, there +to fortify, and wait the result of another effort to induce D'Estaing +to return. + +[Sidenote: August 28.] + +In the night of the 28th, the army retired by two roads leading to the +works on the north end of the island, having its rear covered by +Colonels Livingston and Laurens, who commanded light parties on each. + +[Sidenote: August 29.] + +Early next morning the retreat was discovered by the British, who +followed in two columns, and were engaged on each road by Livingston +and Laurens, who retreated slowly and kept up the action with skill +and spirit until the English were brought into the neighbourhood of +the main body of the Americans, drawn up in order of battle on the +ground of their encampment. The British formed on Quaker Hill, a very +strong piece of ground, something more than a mile in front of the +American line. + +[Sidenote: Action between Sullivan and the British army.] + +Sullivan's rear was covered by strong works; and in his front, rather +to the right, was a redoubt. In this position, the two armies +cannonaded each other for some time, and a succession of skirmishes +was kept up in front of both lines until about two in the afternoon, +when the British advanced in force, attempted to turn the right +flank, and made demonstrations of an intention to carry the redoubt in +front of the right wing. General Greene, who commanded that wing, +advanced to its support, and a sharp engagement was continued for +about half an hour, when the British retreated to Quaker Hill. The +cannonade was renewed, and kept up intermingled with slight +skirmishing until night. + +According to the return made by General Sullivan, his loss in killed, +wounded and missing was two hundred and eleven. That of the British, +as stated by General Pigot, amounted to two hundred and sixty. + +[Sidenote: August 30.] + +The next day, the cannonade was renewed, but neither army was inclined +to attack the other. The British waited for reinforcements, and +Sullivan had at length determined to retire from the island. + +The Commander-in-chief had observed some movements among the British +transports indicating the embarkation of troops, and had suggested to +Sullivan the necessity of securing his retreat. A fleet of transports +soon put to sea with a large body of troops, of which immediate notice +was given to Sullivan in a letter recommending his retreat to the +continent. This reinforcement, which consisted of four thousand men, +commanded by Sir Henry Clinton in person, was delayed by adverse winds +until the letter of General Washington was received, and the +resolution to evacuate the island was taken. The whole army passed +over to the continent unobserved by the enemy, and disembarked about +Tiverton by two in the morning. + +[Sidenote: Sullivan retreats with his army to the continent.] + +Never was retreat more fortunate. Sir Henry Clinton arrived the next +day; and the loss of the American army would have been inevitable. + +[Sidenote: Sullivan, in one of his general orders, makes use of +expressions which offend the count.] + +The complete success of this expedition had been confidently +anticipated throughout America; and the most brilliant results had +been expected from the capture of so important a part of the British +army as the garrison of Newport. The chagrin produced by +disappointment was proportioned to the exaltation of their hopes. In +general orders issued by Sullivan, soon after the departure of +D'Estaing, he permitted some expressions to escape him which were +understood to impute to the Count D'Estaing, and to the French nation, +an indisposition to promote the interests of the United States. These +insinuations wounded the feelings of the French officers, and added, +in no small degree, to the resentments of the moment. In subsequent +orders, the General sought to correct this indiscretion; and alleged +that he had been misunderstood by those who supposed him to blame the +Admiral, with whose orders he was unacquainted, and of whose conduct +he was, consequently, unable to judge. He also stated explicitly the +important aids America had received from France, aids of which he +ought not to be unmindful under any disappointment; and which should +prevent a too sudden censure of any movement whatever. + +[Sidenote: Count D'Estaing expresses to congress his dissatisfaction +with General Sullivan.] + +The Count D'Estaing, on his part, addressed a letter to congress +containing a statement of all the movements of his fleet subsequent to +its arrival on the coast, in which his chagrin and irritation were but +ill concealed. + +In congress, after approving the conduct of Sullivan and his army, an +indiscreet proposition was made to inquire into the causes of the +failure of the expedition; but this was set aside by the previous +question. + +In the first moments of vexation and disappointment, General Sullivan +had addressed some letters to the governor of Rhode Island, +complaining bitterly of being abandoned by the fleet. These despatches +were transmitted by the governor to the speaker of the assembly, and +were on the point of being submitted publicly to the house, when they +were fortunately arrested by General Greene, who had been introduced +on the floor, and placed by the side of the chair; and to whom they +were shown by the speaker. + +The discontent in New England generally, and in Boston particularly, +was so great as to inspire fears that the means of repairing the +French ships would not be supplied. To guard against the mischief +which might result from this temper, as well as for other objects, +General Hancock had repaired from camp to Boston, and Lafayette had +followed him on a visit to D'Estaing. + +[Sidenote: General Washington labours to heal these discontents, in +which he succeeds.] + +The consequences to be apprehended from this unavailing manifestation +of ill temper, soon induced all reflecting men to exert themselves to +control it. In the commencement of its operation, General Washington, +foreseeing the evils with which it was fraught, had laboured to +prevent them. He addressed letters to General Sullivan, to General +Heath, who commanded at Boston, and to other individuals of influence +in New England, urging the necessity of correcting the intemperance of +the moment, and of guarding against the interference of passion with +the public interest. + +Soon after the transmission of these letters, he received a resolution +of congress, directing him to take every measure in his power to +prevent the publication of the protest entered into by the officers of +Sullivan's army. In his letter communicating this resolution, he said, +"the disagreement between the army under your command and the fleet, +has given me very singular uneasiness. The continent at large is +concerned in our cordiality, and it should be kept up by all possible +means, consistent with our honour and policy. First impressions, you +know, are generally longest retained, and will serve to fix, in a +great degree, our national character with the French. In our conduct +towards them, we should remember that they are a people old in war, +very strict in military etiquette, and apt to take fire when others +scarcely seem warm. Permit me to recommend in the most particular +manner, the cultivation of harmony and good agreement, and your +endeavours to destroy that ill humour which may have found its way +among the officers. It is of the utmost importance too, that the +soldiers and the people should know nothing of this misunderstanding, +or, if it has reached them, that means may be used to stop its +progress, and prevent its effects." In a letter to General Greene, +after expressing his fears that the seeds of dissension and distrust +might be sown between the troops of the two nations, he added, "I +depend much on your temper and influence, to conciliate that animosity +which, I plainly perceive by a letter from the Marquis, subsists +between the American and French officers in our service. This, you may +be assured, will extend itself to the Count, and to the officers and +men of his whole fleet, should they return to Rhode Island, unless a +reconciliation shall have taken place. The Marquis speaks kindly of a +letter from you to him on this subject. He will therefore take any +advice from you in a friendly way; and, if he can be pacified, the +other French gentlemen will, of course, be satisfied; since they look +up to him as their head. The Marquis grounds his complaint on a +general order of the 24th of August, and upon the universal clamour +that prevailed against the French nation. + +"I beg you will take every measure to keep the protest entered into by +the general officers from being made public. Congress, sensible of the +ill consequences that will flow from our differences being known to +the world, have passed a resolve to that purpose. Upon the whole, my +dear sir, you can conceive my meaning,[9] better than I can express +it, and I therefore fully depend on your exerting yourself to heal all +private animosities between our principal officers and the French, and +to prevent all illiberal expressions and reflections that may fall +from the army at large." + +[Footnote 9: Alluding, it is presumed, to the delicacy of suggesting +to General Sullivan the mischief to be apprehended from any +intemperate expressions.] + +The General also seized the first opportunity to recommence his +correspondence with the Count; and his letters, without noticing the +disagreement which had taken place, were calculated to soothe every +angry sensation which might have been excited. A letter from the +admiral stating the whole transaction, was answered by General +Washington in a manner so perfectly satisfactory, that the irritation +which threatened such serious mischief, appears to have entirely +subsided. + +Congress also, in a resolution which was made public, expressed their +perfect approbation of the conduct of the Count, and directed the +president to assure him, in the letter which should transmit it, that +they entertained the highest sense of his zeal and attachment. + +These prudent and temperate measures restored harmony to the allied +armies. + +[Sidenote: Lord Howe resigns command of the British fleet.] + +The storm under which the French fleet had suffered so severely did +considerable damage also to that of Lord Howe. The British, however, +had sustained less injury than the French, and were soon in a +condition to put again to sea. Having received information that the +Count D'Estaing had made for Boston, Lord Howe sailed for the same +port, in the hope of reaching it before him. But in this he was +disappointed. On entering the bay he found the French fleet already in +Nantasket Road, where such judicious dispositions had been made for +its defence, that he relinquished the idea of attacking it, and +returned to New York; where he resigned the command to Admiral +Gambier, who was to retain it till the arrival of Admiral Byron. + +Finding that General Sullivan had retreated to the continent, Sir +Henry Clinton returned to New York, leaving the command of the troops +on board the transports with Major General Gray, who was directed to +conduct an expedition to the eastward, as far as Buzzards bay. + +[Sidenote: September 5.] + +Gray entered Acushnet River, where he destroyed a number of privateers +with their prizes, and some merchant vessels. He also reduced part of +the towns of Bedford and Fairhaven to ashes, in which some military +and naval stores had been collected. The troops re-embarked the next +day, before the militia could be assembled in sufficient force to +oppose them, and sailed to Martha's Vineyard, where they destroyed +several vessels, and some salt works, and levied a heavy contribution +of live stock on the inhabitants. + +While so large a detachment from the British army was depredating the +coasts of New England, preparations were making in New York for some +distant expedition; and many were of opinion that the French fleet was +its object. To be in readiness to oppose a combined attack by sea and +land on the fleet, General Gates was directed with three brigades, to +proceed by easy marches as far as Danbury, in Connecticut. And +Washington moved northward to Fredericksburg; while General Putnam was +detached with two brigades to the neighbourhood of West Point, and +General M'Dougal, with two others, to join General Gates at Danbury. + +[Sidenote: September 22.] + +Soon after the return of General Gray from New England, the British +army moved up the North River on each side in great force. The column +on the west side, commanded by Lord Cornwallis, consisting of about +five thousand men, took a position with its right on the river, and +its left extending to Newbridge, on the Hackensack; while the other +division, which was commanded by General Knyphausen, consisting of +about three thousand men, was advanced about the same distance on the +east side of the Hudson. The command of the river enabled these two +columns to communicate freely with each other; and, at any time, to +reunite. Although General Washington conjectured that this movement +was made for the purpose of foraging, yet it was possible that the +passes in the Highlands might be its object; and orders were given to +the detachments on the lines to hold themselves in readiness to +anticipate the execution of such a design. + +Colonel Baylor, with his regiment of cavalry, had crossed the +Hackensack early in the morning of the 27th of September, and taken +quarters at Taupaun, or Herringtown, a small village near New Taupaun, +where some militia were posted. Immediate notice of his position was +given to Lord Cornwallis, who formed a plan to surprise and cut off +both the cavalry and militia. The party designed to act against +Colonel Baylor was commanded by General Gray, and that against the +militia, by Lieutenant Colonel Campbell. + +[Sidenote: September 28.] + +[Sidenote: Colonel Baylor's regiment surprised.] + +That part of the plan which was to be executed by Campbell was +defeated by delays in passing the river, during which a deserter gave +notice of his approach, and the militia saved themselves by flight. +But the corps commanded by General Gray, guided by some of the country +people, eluded the patrols, got into the rear of the sergeant's guard +which had been posted at a bridge over the Hackensack, cut it off +without alarming Baylor, and completely surprised his whole regiment. +The British troops rushed into a barn where the Americans slept; and, +refusing to give quarter, bayoneted for a time all they saw. Of one +hundred and four privates, sixty-seven were killed, wounded, and +taken. The number of prisoners, amounting to about forty, is stated to +have been increased by the humanity of one of Gray's captains, who, +notwithstanding his orders, gave quarter to the whole of the fourth +troop. Colonel Baylor and Major Clough, who were both wounded with the +bayonet, the first dangerously, the last mortally, were among the +prisoners. + +[Sidenote: September 30.] + +[Sidenote: Captain Donop, with his corps, attacked by Colonel Butler, +and defeated.] + +Three days after this affair, Colonel Richard Butler, with a +detachment of infantry, assisted by Major Lee with a part of his +cavalry, fell in with a small party of chasseurs and yagers under +Captain Donop, which he instantly charged, and, without the loss of a +man, killed ten on the spot, and took the officer commanding the +chasseur, and eighteen of the yagers, prisoners. Only the extreme +roughness of the country, which impeded the action of the cavalry, and +prevented part of the infantry from coming up, enabled a man of the +enemy to escape. Some interest was taken at the time in this small +affair, because it seemed, in some measure, to revenge the loss of +Colonel Baylor. + +After completing their forage, the British army returned to New York. + +[Sidenote: Expedition of the British against Egg Harbour.] + +This movement had been, in part, designed to cover an expedition +against Little Egg Harbour, which was completely successful; and the +works and store-houses at the place, as well as the merchandise and +vessels, were entirely destroyed. + +[Sidenote: Pulaski surprised, and his infantry cut off.] + +It has been already stated that Count Pulaski had been appointed +general of the American cavalry. The dissatisfaction given by this +appointment to the officers, had induced him to resign his commission; +but, thirsting for military fame, and zealous in the American cause, +he obtained permission to raise a legionary corps, which he officered +chiefly with foreigners, and commanded in person. In this corps, one +Juliet, a deserter, had been admitted as an officer. The Count had +been ordered to march from Trenton towards Little Egg Harbour, and was +lying eight or ten miles from the coast, when this Juliet again +deserted, carrying with him intelligence of Pulaski's strength and +situation. A plan was formed to surprise him, which succeeded +completely so far as respected his infantry, who were put to the +bayonet. The British accounts of this expedition assert that the whole +corps was destroyed. Pulaski stated his loss at about forty; and +averred that on coming up with his cavalry to the relief of his +infantry, he repulsed the enemy. It is probable that the one account +diminishes the importance of this enterprise as much as the other +magnifies it. + +[Sidenote: October 12.] + +Admiral Byron reached New York, and took command of the fleet about +the middle of September. After repairing his shattered vessels, he +sailed for the port of Boston. Soon after his arrival in the bay, +fortune disconcerted all his plans. A furious storm drove him out to +sea, and damaged his fleet so much that he found it necessary to put +into the port of Rhode Island to refit. This favourable moment was +seized by the Count D'Estaing, who sailed, on the 3d of November, for +the West Indies. + +Thus terminated an expedition from which the most important advantages +had been anticipated. A variety of accidents had defeated plans +judiciously formed, which had every probability in their favour. + +The Marquis de Lafayette, ambitious of fame on another theatre, was +desirous of returning to France. Expecting war on the continent of +Europe, he was anxious to tender his services to his king, and to his +native country. + +From motives of real friendship as well as of policy, General +Washington was desirous of preserving the connexion of this officer +with the army, and of strengthening his attachment to America. He +therefore expressed to congress his wish that Lafayette, instead of +resigning his commission, might have unlimited leave of absence, to +return when it should be convenient to himself; and might carry with +him every mark of the confidence of the government. + +This policy was adopted by congress in its full extent. The partiality +of America for Lafayette was well placed. Never did a foreigner, whose +primary attachments to his own country remained undiminished, feel +more solicitude for the welfare of another, than was unceasingly +manifested by this young nobleman, for the United States. + +There being no prospect of an active winter campaign in the northern +or middle states, and the climate admitting of military operations +elsewhere, a detachment from the British army, consisting of five +thousand men commanded by Major General Grant, sailed, early in +November, under a strong convoy, for the West India Islands; and, +towards the end of the same month, another embarkation was made for +the southern parts of the continent. This second detachment was +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, who was escorted by +Commodore Hyde Parker, and was destined to act against the southern +states. + +[Sidenote: December.] + +As a force sufficient for the defence of New York yet remained, the +American army retired into winter quarters. The main body was cantoned +in Connecticut, on both sides the North River, about West Point, and +at Middlebrook. Light troops were stationed nearer the lines; and the +cavalry were drawn into the interior to recruit the horses for the +next campaign. The distribution, the protection of the country, the +security of important points, and a cheap and convenient supply of +provisions, were consulted. + +The troops again wintered in huts; but they were accustomed to this +mode of passing that inclement season. Though far from being well +clothed, their condition in that respect was so much improved by +supplies from France, that they disregarded the inconveniences to +which they were exposed. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Arrival of the British commissioners.... Terms of + conciliation proposed.... Answer of congress to their + propositions.... Attempts of Mr. Johnson to bribe some + members of congress.... His private letters ordered to be + published.... Manifesto of the commissioners, and + counter-manifesto of congress.... Arrival of Monsieur + Girard, minister plenipotentiary of France.... Hostilities + of the Indians.... Irruption into the Wyoming settlement.... + Battle of Wyoming.... Colonel Dennison capitulates for the + inhabitants.... Distress of the settlement.... Colonel + Clarke surprises St. Vincent.... Congress determines to + invade Canada.... General Washington opposes the measure.... + Induces congress to abandon it. + + +[Sidenote: 1778] + +About the time that Commodore Parker sailed for the southern +states, the commissioners appointed to give effect to the late +conciliatory acts of Parliament, embarked for Europe. They had exerted +their utmost powers to effect the object of their mission, but without +success. Great Britain required that the force of the two nations +should be united under one common sovereign; and America was no longer +disposed, or even at liberty to accede to this condition. All those +affections, which parts of the same empire should feel for each other, +had been eradicated by a distressing war; the great body of the people +were determined, at every sacrifice, to maintain their independence; +and the treaty with France had pledged the honour and the faith of +the nation, never to consent to a reunion with the British empire. + +[Sidenote: Arrival of the British commissioners.] + +[Sidenote: Terms of conciliation proposed.] + +The commissioners arrived in Philadelphia while that place was yet in +possession of their army, and are understood to have brought positive +orders for its evacuation. Their arrival was immediately announced to +General Washington by Sir Henry Clinton, who was joined with them in +the commission, and a passport was requested for their secretary, +Doctor Ferguson, as the bearer of their first despatches to congress. +The Commander-in-chief declined granting this passport until he should +receive the instructions of his government; on which a letter +addressed "To the president and other the members of congress," was +forwarded in the usual manner. Copies of their commission, and of the +acts of Parliament on which it was founded, together with propositions +conforming to those acts, drawn in the most conciliatory language, +were transmitted with this letter. + +[Sidenote: Answer of Congress to these propositions.] + +Some observations having been introduced into it reflecting on the +conduct of France,[10] the reading was interrupted, and a motion made +to proceed no farther in consequence of this offensive language to his +most Christian Majesty. This motion producing some debate, an +adjournment was moved and carried. When congress reassembled, the +warmth of the preceding day had not entirely subsided; but, after +several ineffectual motions to prevent it, the letter was read and +committed. The answer which was reported by the committee, and +transmitted to the commissioners, declared that "nothing but an +earnest desire to spare the farther effusion of human blood, could +have induced them to read a paper containing expressions so +disrespectful to his most Christian Majesty, the good and great ally +of these states, or to consider propositions so derogatory to the +honour of an independent nation. + +[Footnote 10: The offensive words were "insidious interposition of a +power which has, from the first settlement of the colonies, been +actuated with enmity to us both; and notwithstanding the pretended +date or present form of the French offers."] + +"That the acts of the British Parliament, the commission from their +sovereign, and their letter, supposed the people of the United States +to be subjects of the crown of Great Britain, and were founded on the +idea of dependence, which is totally inadmissible. + +"That congress was inclined to peace, notwithstanding the unjust +claims from which this was originated, and the savage manner in which +it was conducted. They would therefore be ready to enter upon the +consideration of a treaty of peace and commerce, not inconsistent with +treaties already subsisting, when the King of Great Britain should +demonstrate a sincere disposition for that purpose. The only solid +proof of this disposition would be an explicit acknowledgment of the +independence of these states, or the withdrawing his fleets and +armies." + +[Sidenote: July 13.] + +On the 13th of July, after arriving at New York, the commissioners +addressed a second letter to congress, expressing their regrets that +any difficulties were raised which must prolong the calamities of war; +and reviewing the letter of congress in terms well calculated to make +an impression on those who had become weary of the contest, and to +revive ancient prejudices in favour of England and against France. + +This letter being read, congress resolved that, as neither the +independence of the United States was explicitly acknowledged, nor the +fleets and armies withdrawn, no answer should be given to it. + +It would seem that the first letter of congress must have convinced +the British commissioners that no hope could be indulged of restoring +peace on any other terms than the independence of the United States. +Congress must have been equally certain that the commissioners were +not empowered to acknowledge that independence, or to direct the +fleets and armies of Great Britain to be withdrawn. The intercourse +between them therefore, after the first communications were exchanged, +and all subsequent measures, became a game of skill, in which the +parties played for the affections and passions of the people; and was +no longer a diplomatic correspondence, discussing the interests of two +great nations with the hope of accommodation. + +[Sidenote: Attempts of Mr. Johnson to bribe influential members of +congress.] + +The first packet addressed by the commissioners to congress, contained +several private letters, written by Governor Johnson to members of +that body, in which he blended, with flattering expressions of respect +for their characters and their conduct, assurances of the honours and +emoluments to which those would be entitled who should contribute to +restore peace and harmony to the two countries and to terminate the +present war. + +[Sidenote: Congress orders the publication of the private letters +from Johnson to the members of that body.] + +A few days before the receipt of the letter of the 13th of July, +congress passed a resolution requiring that all letters of a public +nature received by any member from any subject of the British crown, +should be laid before them. In compliance with this resolution, the +letters of Governor Johnson were produced; and, some time afterwards, +Mr. Read stated, in his place, a direct offer which had been made him +by a third person, of a considerable sum of money, and of any office +in the gift of the crown, as an inducement to use his influence for +the restoration of harmony between the two countries. Congress +determined to communicate these circumstances to the American people, +and made a solemn declaration, in which, after reciting the offensive +paragraphs of the private letters, and the conversation stated by Mr. +Read, they expressed their opinion "that these were direct attempts to +corrupt and bribe the congress of the United States, and that it was +incompatible with their honour to hold any manner of correspondence +or intercourse with the said George Johnson, Esquire, especially to +negotiate with him upon affairs in which the cause of liberty is +interested." After an unsuccessful attempt to involve the other +commissioners in the same exclusion, this declaration was transmitted +to them while they were expecting an answer to a remonstrance on the +detention of the army of General Burgoyne. + +On receiving it, Mr. Johnson withdrew from the commission, declaring +that he should be happy to find congress inclined to retract their +former declaration, and to negotiate with others on terms equally +conducive to the happiness of both countries. This declaration was +accompanied by one signed by the other commissioners, in which, +without admitting the construction put by congress on his letters, or +the authority of the person who held the conversation with Mr. Read, +they denied all knowledge of those letters or of that conversation. +They at the same time detailed the advantages to be derived by America +from the propositions they had made, "advantages," they added, +"decidedly superior to any which could be expected from an unnatural +alliance with France, only entered into by that nation for the purpose +of prolonging the war, after the full knowledge on their part of the +liberal terms intended to be offered by Great Britain." With this +declaration was transmitted a copy of the former remonstrance[11] +against the detention of the convention troops, without the signature +of Governor Johnson, and an extract from the instructions given by the +Secretary of State to Sir Henry Clinton, authorizing him to demand, in +express terms, a performance of the convention made with General +Burgoyne, and, if required, to renew and ratify all its conditions in +the name of the king. + +[Footnote 11: Some expressions having been used in the letter, +respecting the convention troops, which were deemed disrespectful, no +other reply was made to it than that "congress gave no answer to +insolent letters."] + +All the publications of the British commissioners indicate an opinion +that they could be more successful with the people than with congress; +and, not unfrequently betray the desire that the constituents of that +body might be enabled to decide on the measures taken by their +representatives. + +On the part of congress, it was decreed of the utmost importance to +keep the public mind correct, and to defeat all attempts to make +unfavourable impressions on it. Several members of that body entered +the lists as disputants, and employed their pens with ability and +success, as well in serious argument, as in rousing the various +passions which influence the conduct of men. The attempt to accomplish +the object of the mission by corruption was wielded with great effect; +and it was urged with equal force that should the United States now +break their faith with France, and treat on the footing of dependence, +they would sacrifice all credit with foreign nations, would be +considered by all as faithless and infamous, and would forfeit all +pretensions to future aid from abroad; after which the terms now +offered might be retracted, and the war be recommenced. To these +representations were added the certainty of independence, and the +great advantages which must result from its establishment. The letters +of the commissioners were treated as attempts to sow divisions among +the people of which they might afterwards avail themselves, and thus +effect by intrigue, what had been found unattainable by arms. + +These essays were read with avidity, and seem to have produced all the +effect which was expected from them among the friends of the +revolution. + +[Sidenote: October 8.] + +[Sidenote: Manifesto of the commissioners, and counter-manifestos by +congress.] + +The commissioners appear still to have cherished the hope, that a +complete knowledge of the terms they had offered, operating on the +disappointment of the extravagant hopes which had been founded on the +arrival of a French fleet, would make a great impression on a large +portion of the American people. This opinion induced them, before +their departure, to publish a manifesto, addressed, not only to +congress, but to all the provincial assemblies, and all the +inhabitants of the colonies of whatever denomination, briefly +recapitulating the several steps they had taken to accomplish the +object of their mission, and the refusal of congress even to open a +conference with them. They declared their readiness still to proceed +in the execution of the powers contained in their commission, and to +treat either with deputies from all the colonies conjointly, or with +any provincial assembly or convention individually, at any time within +the space of forty days from the date of their manifesto. They also +proclaimed a general pardon for all treasons and rebellious practices +committed at any time previous to the date of their manifesto, to such +as should, within the term of forty days, withdraw from their +opposition to the British government, and conduct themselves as +faithful and loyal subjects. To enable all persons to avail themselves +of this proffered pardon, thirteen copies of the manifesto were +executed, one of which was transmitted by a flag of truce to each +state. A vast number of copies were printed, and great exertions were +made by flags and other means to disperse them among the people. + +On being informed of these proceedings, congress, without hesitation, +adopted the course which the government of an independent nation is +bound to pursue, when attempts are made by a foreign power to open +negotiations with unauthorized individuals. They declared the measure +"to be contrary to the law of nations, and utterly subversive of that +confidence which could alone maintain those means which had been +invented to alleviate the horrors of war; and, therefore, that the +persons employed to distribute such papers, were not entitled to the +protection of a flag." They recommended it to the executive +departments in the respective states, "to secure, in close custody, +every person who, under the sanction of a flag, or otherwise, was +found employed in circulating those manifestoes." At the same time, to +show that these measures were not taken for the purpose of +concealment, they directed a publication of the manifesto in the +American papers. Care, however, was taken to accompany it with +comments made by individuals, calculated to counteract its effect. A +vessel containing a cargo of these papers being wrecked on the coast, +the officers and crew were made prisoners; and the requisition of +Admiral Gambier for their release, in consequence of the privilege +afforded by his flag, was answered by a declaration that they had +forfeited that privilege by being charged with seditious papers. + +[Sidenote: October 30.] + +Not long after the publication of this paper, a counter-manifesto was +issued by congress, in which, after touching on subjects which might +influence the public mind, they "solemnly declare and proclaim, that +if their enemies presume to execute their threats, or persist in their +present course of barbarity, they will take such exemplary vengeance +as shall deter others from a like conduct." + +Thus ended this fruitless attempt to restore a connexion which had +been wantonly broken, the reinstatement of which had become +impracticable. With the war, and with independence, a course of +opinion had prevailed in America, which not only opposed great +obstacles to a reunion of the two countries under one common +sovereign, but, by substituting discordant materials in the place of +the cement which formerly bound them together, rendered such an event +undesirable even to the British themselves. The time was arrived when +the true interest of that nation required the relinquishment of an +expensive war, the object of which was unattainable, and which, if +attained, could not be long preserved; and the establishment of those +amicable relations which reciprocal interests produce between +independent states, capable of being serviceable to each other by a +fair and equal interchange of good offices. + +This opinion, however, was not yet embraced by the cabinet of London; +and great exertions were still to be made for the reannexation of the +American states to the British empire. Even the opposition was not +united against a continuance of the war for the object now proposed; +and the Earl of Chatham, who had endeavoured first to prevent the +conflict, and afterwards to produce conciliation, closed his splendid +life in unavailing efforts to prevent that dismemberment which had +become inevitable.[12] + +[Footnote 12: The author has been favoured by his estimable friend, +Major General Scott, with the perusal of an introduction written by +Mr. L. De Sevelinges, to Botta's "History of the war of the +independence of the United States of America," translated into French. + +Mr. De Sevelinges professes to have received the most precious +explanations, relative to incidents and motives, from a gentleman +equally distinguished for his knowledge and his character, whose +situation enabled him to become acquainted with facts which were +concealed from the public. Speaking of the attempt made by Mr. +Johnson, he says, p. 19, it was essential "to break off all +communication with the agents of the British minister. Mr. Girard +directed all his efforts to this object, and had the good fortune to +effect it. + +"But the English faction of tories subsisted. It was powerful from the +credit of its chiefs." + +In a note on this passage, he says, "The most influential were Samuel +Adams and Richard Lee, (Richard H. Lee,) the brother of Arthur Lee, +one of the deputies of congress in France. He was convicted of having +secret intelligence with the British minister." + +It would be injustice to the memoirs of these distinguished patriots +to attempt their vindication against this atrocious and unfounded +calumny. A calumny supported by no testimony, nor by a single +circumstance wearing even the semblance of probability, and confuted +by the whole tenour of their lives. The annals of the American +revolution do not furnish two names more entirely above suspicion than +Samuel Adams and Richard Henry Lee. With the first gentleman the +author was not personally acquainted. With the last he was; and can +appeal with confidence to every man who knew him, to declare the +conviction, that he died as he lived, a pure and devoted, as well as +enlightened friend of American independence. The same character was +maintained by Mr. Adams. + +In casting about for the foundation of this calumny, the author is +inclined to look for it in the opinions entertained by these +gentlemen, on subjects connected with the negotiations for peace. + +Since the publication of the secret journals of congress, it is +generally known that France countenanced the claim of Spain to +circumscribe the western boundary of the United States, by the line +prescribed in the royal proclamation of 1763, for settlement of vacant +lands. After Great Britain had consented to acknowledge the +independence of the United States, it was understood by those who were +acquainted with the views of the belligerents, that a disposition +existed on the part of France and Spain, to continue the war for +objects in which the United States felt no interest,--among others, +for Gibraltar and Jamaica. Some American statesmen, and the Lees were +of the number, probably Mr. Adams also, were extremely apprehensive +that the miseries of their country would be prolonged for these +objects. It is not impossible that the sentiments of these gentlemen +on these subjects, being in opposition to the views of France, might, +though founded entirely in American policy, be attributed to British +intrigues.] + +[Sidenote: July 14.] + +[Sidenote: Arrival of Girard, minister plenipotentiary from the King +of France.] + +In the midst of these transactions with the commissioners of Great +Britain, the Sieur Girard arrived at Philadelphia, in the character of +Minister Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty. + +The joy produced by this event was unbounded; and he was received by +congress with great pomp. + +While these diplomatic concerns employed the American cabinet, and +while the war seemed to languish on the Atlantic, it raged to the west +in its most savage form. + +[Sidenote: June 11.] + +The difficulties which the inability of the American government to +furnish the neighbouring Indians with those European articles which +they were accustomed to use, opposed to all the efforts of congress to +preserve their friendship, have already been noticed. Early in 1778, +there were many indications of a general disposition among those +savages to make war on the United States; and the frontiers, from the +Mohawk to the Ohio, were threatened with the tomahawk and the scalping +knife. Every representation from that country supported the opinion +that a war with the Indians should never be defensive; and that, to +obtain peace, it must be carried into their own country. Detroit, +whose governor was believed to have been particularly active in +exciting hostilities, was understood to be in a defenceless condition; +and congress resolved on an expedition against that place. This +enterprise was entrusted to General M'Intosh, who commanded at +Pittsburg, and was to be carried on with three thousand men, chiefly +militia, to be drawn from Virginia. To facilitate its success, the +resolution was also taken to enter the country of the Senecas at the +same time, by the way of the Mohawk. The officer commanding on the +east of the Hudson was desired to take measures for carrying this +resolution into execution; and the commissioners for Indian affairs, +at Albany, were directed to co-operate with him. + +Unfortunately, the acts of the government did not correspond with the +vigour of its resolutions. The necessary preparations were not made, +and the inhabitants of the frontiers remained without sufficient +protection, until the plans against them were matured, and the storm +which had been long gathering, burst upon them with a fury which +spread desolation wherever it reached. + +[Sidenote: Colonel John Butler, with a party of Indians, breaks into +the Wyoming settlement.] + +About three hundred white men, commanded by Colonel John Butler, and +about five hundred Indians, led by the Indian chief Brandt, who had +assembled in the north, marched late in June against the settlement of +Wyoming. These troops embarked on the Chemung or Tyoga, and +descending the Susquehanna, landed at a place called the Three +Islands, whence they marched about twenty miles, and crossing a +wilderness, and passing through a gap in the mountain, entered the +valley of Wyoming near its northern boundary. At this place a small +fort called Wintermoots had been erected, which fell into their hands +without resistance, and was burnt. The inhabitants who were capable of +bearing arms assembled on the first alarm at Forty fort, on the west +side of the Susquehanna, four miles below the camp of the invading +army. + +The regular troops, amounting to about sixty, were commanded by +Colonel Zebulon Butler;[13] the militia by Colonel Dennison. Colonel +Butler was desirous of awaiting the arrival of a small reinforcement +under Captain Spalding, who had been ordered by General Washington to +his aid on the first intelligence of the danger which threatened the +settlement; but the militia generally, believing themselves +sufficiently strong to repel the invading force, urged an immediate +battle so earnestly, that Colonel Butler yielded to their +remonstrances, and on the 3d of July marched from Forty fort at the +head of near four hundred men to attack the enemy. + +[Footnote 13: This gentleman is stated not to have been of the same +family with the leader of the invading army.] + +The British and Indians were prepared to receive him. Their line was +formed a small distance in front of their camp, in a plain thinly +covered with pine, shrub oaks, and under growth, and extended from the +river about a mile to a marsh at the foot of the mountain. The +Americans advanced in a single column, without interruption, until +they approached the enemy, when they received a fire which did not +much mischief. The line of battle[14] was instantly formed, and the +action commenced with spirit. The Americans rather gained ground on +the right where Colonel Butler commanded, until a large body of +Indians passing through the skirt of the marsh turned their left +flank, which was composed of militia, and poured a heavy and most +destructive fire on their rear. The word "retreat" was pronounced by +some person, and the efforts of the officers to check it were +unavailing. The fate of the day was decided, and a flight commenced on +the left which was soon followed by the right. As soon as the line was +broken, the Indians, throwing down their rifles and rushing upon them +with the tomahawk, completed the confusion. The attempt of Colonel +Butler and of the officers to restore order were unavailing, and the +whole line broke and fled in confusion. The massacre was general, and +the cries for mercy were answered by the tomahawk. Rather less than +sixty men escaped, some to Forty fort, some by swimming the river, and +some to the mountain. A very few prisoners were made, only three of +whom were preserved alive, who were carried to Niagara. + +[Footnote 14: The representation of this battle, and of the +circumstances attending the destruction of the Wyoming settlement, +have been materially varied from the statement made of them in the +first edition. The papers of General Washington furnished allusions to +the transaction, but no particular account of it. The author therefore +relied on Mr. Gordon and Mr. Ramsay, whose authority was quoted. Soon +after the work was published, he received a letter from a gentleman +then residing in that country, (Mr. Charles Miner,) who asserted with +confidence that the statement was incorrect, and gave himself a minute +detail of events, collected from persons who were in the settlement at +the time, and witnessed them. + +The author has been since indebted to the same gentleman for a +statement of the battle, and of the events which followed it, drawn up +by one of the descendants of Colonel Zebulon Butler, to which the +certificates of several gentlemen are annexed, who were engaged in the +action. These documents, with one which will be mentioned, convince +him that the combined treachery and savage ferocity which have been +painted in such vivid colours, in the narratives that have been given +of this furious and desolating irruption, have been greatly +exaggerated. Historic truth demands that these misstatements should be +corrected. + +The other document alluded to, is a letter from Zebulon Butler to the +board of war, making his report of the transaction. The letter has +been lately found among his papers, and is copied below. + +_Grandenhutten, Penn Township, July 10th, 1778._ + +Honoured Sir,--On my arrival at Westmoreland, (which was only four +days after I left Yorktown,) I found there was a large body of the +enemy advancing on that settlement. On the first of July we mustered +the militia, and marched towards them by the river above the +settlement,--found and killed two Indians at a place where the day +before they had murdered nine men engaged in hoeing corn. We found +some canoes, &c. but finding we were above their main body, it was +judged prudent to return. And as every man had to go to his own house +for his provision, we could not muster again till the 3d of July. In +the mean time, the enemy had got possession of two forts, one of which +we had reason to believe was designed for them, though they burnt them +both. The inhabitants had seven forts for the security of their women +and children, extending about ten miles on the river, and too many men +would stay in them to take care of them; but after collecting about +three hundred of the most spirited of them, including Captain Hewitt's +company, I held a council with the officers, who were all agreed that +it was best to attack the enemy before they got any farther. We +accordingly marched,--found their situation,--formed a front of the +same extension of the enemy's, and attacked from right to left at the +same time. Our men stood the fire well for three or four shots, till +some part of the enemy gave way; but unfortunately for us, through +some mistake, the word _retreat_ was understood from some officer on +the left, which took so quick that it was not in the power of the +officers to form them again, though I believe, if they had stood three +minutes longer, the enemy would have been beaten. The utmost pains +were taken by the officers, who mostly fell. A lieutenant colonel, a +major and five captains, who were in commission in the militia, all +fell. Colonel Durkee, and Captains Hewitt and Ransom were likewise +killed. In the whole, about two hundred men lost their lives in the +action on our side. What number of the enemy were killed is yet +uncertain, though I believe a very considerable number. The loss of +these men so intimidated the inhabitants, that they gave up the matter +of fighting. Great numbers ran off, and others would comply with the +terms that I had refused. The enemy sent flags frequently--the terms +you will see in the enclosed letter. They repeatedly said they had +nothing to do with any but the inhabitants, and did not want to treat +with me. Colonel Dennison, by desire of the inhabitants, went and +complied,--which made it necessary for me and the little remains of +Captain Hewitt's company to leave the place. Indeed it was determined +by the enemy to spare the inhabitants after their agreement, and that +myself and the few continental soldiers should be delivered up to the +savages. Upon which I left the place, and came scarcely able to move, +as I have had no rest since I left Yorktown. It has not been in my +power to find a horse or man to wait on the board till now. I must +submit to the board what must be the next step. The little remains of +Hewitt's company (which are about fifteen) are gone to Shamoken, and +Captain Spalding's company, I have heard, are on the Delaware. Several +hundred of the inhabitants are strolling in the country destitute of +provisions, who have large fields of grain and other necessaries of +life at Westmoreland. In short, if the inhabitants can go back, there +may yet be saved double the quantity of provisions to support +themselves, otherwise they must be beggars, and a burthen to the +world. + +I have heard from men that came from the place since the people gave +up, that the Indians have killed no person since, but have burnt most +of the buildings, and are collecting all the horses they can, and are +moving up the river. They likewise say the enemy were eight hundred, +one-half white men. I should be glad that, if possible, there might be +a sufficient guard sent for the defence of the place, which will be +the means of saving thousands from poverty--but must submit to the +wisdom of congress. I desire farther orders from the honourable board +of war with respect to myself, and the soldiers under my direction. + +I have the honour to be + +Your Honour's most obedient, humble servant, + +ZEBULON BUTLER.] + +[Sidenote: Colonel Dennison capitulates for the inhabitants.] + +Further resistance was impracticable, Colonel Dennison proposed terms +of capitulation, which were granted to the inhabitants. It being +understood that no quarter would be allowed to the continental troops, +Colonel Butler with his few surviving soldiers fled from the valley. + +[Sidenote: Distress of the settlement.] + +The inhabitants generally abandoned the country, and, in great +distress, wandered into the settlements on the Lehigh and the +Delaware. The Indians, as is the practice of savages, destroyed the +houses and improvements by fire, and plundered the country. After +laying waste the whole settlement, they withdrew from it before the +arrival of the continental troops, who were detached to meet them. + +[Sidenote: July 15.] + +To cover every part of the United States would have required a much +greater number of men than could be raised. Different districts were +therefore unavoidably exposed to the calamities ever to be experienced +by those into the bosom of whose country war is carried. The militia +in every part of the Union, fatigued and worn out by repeated tours of +duty, required to be relieved by continental troops. Their +applications were necessarily resisted; but the danger which +threatened the western frontier had become so imminent; the appeal +made by its sufferings to national feeling was so affecting, that it +was determined to spare a more considerable portion of the army for +its defence, than had been allotted to that part of the Union, since +the capture of Burgoyne. On the first intelligence of the destruction +of Wyoming, the regiments of Hartley and Butler, with the remnant of +Morgan's corps, commanded by Major Posey, were detached to the +protection of that distressed country. They were engaged in several +sharp skirmishes, made separate incursions into the Indian +settlements, broke up their nearest villages, destroyed their corn, +and by compelling them to retire to a greater distance, gave some +relief to the inhabitants. + +While the frontiers of New York and Pennsylvania were thus suffering +the calamities incident to savage warfare, a fate equally severe was +preparing for Virginia. The western militia of that state had made +some successful incursions into the country north-west of the Ohio, +and had taken some British posts on the Mississippi. These were +erected in the county of Illinois; and a regiment of infantry, with a +troop of cavalry, were raised for its protection. The command of these +troops was given to Colonel George Rogers Clarke, a gentleman whose +courage, hardihood, and capacity for Indian warfare, had given +repeated success to his enterprises against the savages. + +This corps was divided into several detachments, the strongest of +which remained with Colonel Clarke at Kaskaskia. Colonel Hamilton, the +Governor of Detroit, was at Vincennes with about six hundred men, +principally Indians, preparing an expedition, first against Kaskaskia, +and then up the Ohio to Pittsburg; after which he purposed to +desolate the frontiers of Virginia. Clarke anticipated and defeated +his design by one of those bold and decisive measures, which, whether +formed on a great or a small scale, mark the military and enterprising +genius of the man who plans and executes them. + +[Sidenote: 1779 February.] + +[Sidenote: Colonel Clarke surprises St. Vincents, and takes +possession of it.] + +He was too far removed from the inhabited country to hope for support, +and was too weak to maintain Kaskaskia and the Illinois against the +combined force of regulars and Indians by which he was to be attacked +so soon as the season for action should arrive. While employed in +preparing for his defence, he received unquestionable information that +Hamilton had detached his Indians on an expedition against the +frontiers, reserving at the post he occupied only about eighty +regulars, with three pieces of cannon and some swivels. Clarke +instantly resolved to seize this favourable moment. After detaching a +small galley up the Wabash with orders to take her station a few miles +below Vincennes, and to permit nothing to pass her, he marched in the +depth of winter with one hundred and thirty men, the whole force he +could collect, across the country from Kaskaskia to Vincennes. This +march, through the woods, and over high waters, required sixteen days, +five of which were employed in crossing the drowned lands of the +Wabash. The troops were under the necessity of wading five miles in +water, frequently up to their breasts. After subduing these +difficulties, this small party appeared before the town, which was +completely surprised, and readily consented to change its master. +Hamilton, after defending the fort a short time, surrendered himself +and his garrison prisoners of war. With a few of his immediate agents +and counsellors, who had been instrumental in the savage barbarities +he had encouraged, he was, by order of the executive of Virginia, put +in irons, and confined in a jail. + +This expedition was important in its consequences. It disconcerted a +plan which threatened destruction to the whole country west of the +Alleghany mountains; detached from the British interest many of those +numerous tribes of Indians south of the waters immediately +communicating with the great lakes; and had, most probably, +considerable influence in fixing the western boundary of the United +States. + +[Sidenote: Congress determine to attack Canada, and the other British +possessions in North America.] + +We have already seen that congress, actuated by their wishes rather +than governed by a temperate calculation of the means in their +possession, had, in the preceding winter, planned a second invasion of +Canada, to be conducted by the Marquis de Lafayette; and that, as the +generals only were got in readiness for this expedition, it was +necessarily laid aside. The design, however, seems to have been +suspended, not abandoned. The alliance with France revived the latent +wish to annex that extensive territory to the United States. That +favourite subject was resumed; and, towards autumn, a plan was +completely digested for a combined attack to be made by the allies on +all the British dominions on the continent, and on the adjacent +islands of Cape Breton and Newfoundland. This plan was matured about +the time the Marquis de Lafayette obtained leave to return to his own +country, and was ordered to be transmitted by that nobleman to Doctor +Franklin, the minister of the United States at the court of +Versailles, with instructions to induce, if possible, the French +cabinet to accede to it. Some communications respecting this subject +were also made to the Marquis, on whose influence in securing its +adoption by his own government, much reliance was placed; and, in +October, 1778, it was, for the first time, transmitted to General +Washington, with a request that he would inclose it by the Marquis, +with his observations on it, to Doctor Franklin. + +This very extensive plan of military operations for the ensuing +campaign, prepared entirely in the cabinet, without consulting, so far +as is known, a single military man, consisted of many parts. + +Two detachments, amounting, each, to sixteen hundred men, were to +march from Pittsburg and Wyoming against Detroit, and Niagara. + +A third body of troops, which was to be stationed on the Mohawk during +the winter, and to be powerfully reinforced in the spring, was to +seize Oswego, and to secure the navigation of Lake Ontario with +vessels to be constructed of materials to be procured in the winter. + +A fourth corps was to penetrate into Canada by the St. Francis, and to +reduce Montreal, and the posts on Lake Champlain, while a fifth should +guard against troops from Quebec. + +Thus far America could proceed unaided by her ally. But, Upper Canada +being reduced, another campaign would still be necessary for the +reduction of Quebec. This circumstance would require that the army +should pass the winter in Canada, and, in the mean time, the garrison +of Quebec might be largely reinforced. It was therefore essential to +the complete success of the enterprise, that France should be induced +to take a part in it. + +The conquest of Quebec, and of Halifax, was supposed to be an object +of so much importance to France as well as to the United States, that +her aid might be confidently expected. + +It was proposed to request his Most Christian Majesty to furnish four +or five thousand troops, to sail from Brest, the beginning of May, +under convoy of four ships of the line and four frigates; the troops +to be clad as if for service in the West Indies, and thick clothes to +be sent after them in August. A large American detachment was to act +with this French army; and it was supposed that Quebec and Halifax +might be reduced by the beginning or middle of October. The army +might then either proceed immediately against Newfoundland, or remain +in garrison until the spring, when the conquest of that place might be +accomplished. + +It had been supposed probable that England would abandon the farther +prosecution of the war on the continent of North America, in which +case the government would have a respectable force at its disposal, +the advantageous employment of which had engaged in part the attention +of the Commander-in-chief. He had contemplated an expedition against +the British posts in Upper Canada as a measure which might be +eventually eligible, and which might employ the arms of the United +States to advantage, if their troops might safely be withdrawn from +the sea board. He had, however, considered every object of this sort +as contingent. Having estimated the difficulties to be encountered in +such an enterprise, he had found them so considerable as to hesitate +on the extent which might safely be given to the expedition, admitting +the United States to be evacuated by the British armies. + +In this state of mind, he received the magnificent plan already +prepared by congress. He was forcibly struck with the impracticability +of executing that part of it which was to be undertaken by the United +States, should the British armies continue in their country; and with +the serious mischief which would result to the common cause, as well +from diverting so considerable a part of the French force from other +objects to one which was, in his opinion, so unpromising, as from the +ill impression which would be made on the court and nation by the +total failure of the American government to execute its part of a plan +originating with itself; a failure which would, most probably, +sacrifice the troops and ships employed by France. + +On comparing the naval force of England with that of France in the +different parts of the world, the former appeared to him to maintain a +decided superiority, and consequently to possess the power of shutting +up the ships of the latter which might be trusted into the St. +Lawrence. To suppose that the British government would not avail +itself of this superiority on such an occasion, would be to impute to +it a blind infatuation, or ignorance of the plans of its adversary, +which could not be safely assumed in calculations of such serious +import. + +[Sidenote: General Washington urges reasons against the plan.] + +A plan too, consisting of so many parts, to be prosecuted both from +Europe and America, by land and by water; which, to be successful, +required such a harmonious co-operation of the whole, such a perfect +coincidence of events, appeared to him to be exposed to too many +accidents, to risk upon it interests of such high value. + +[Illustration: George Washington + +_From the portrait by John Trumbull_ + +_Colonel Trumbull, whose portraits of Washington, Hamilton, Jay, +Adams, George Clinton and other Revolutionary contemporaries form a +notable gallery, was General Washington's aide-de-camp at the outbreak +of the War for Independence, and during its progress became a pupil of +Benjamin West, in London. The news of André's execution fastened upon +him the suspicion of being a spy, and he spent eight months in an +English prison. Returning to America he painted this and other +portraits of Washington, as well as a number of historical pictures, +including the "Resignation of Washington at Annapolis," which hangs in +the Capitol at Washington._] + +In a long and serious letter to congress, he apologized for not +obeying their orders to deliver the plan with his observations upon it +to the Marquis; and, entering into a full investigation of all its +parts, demonstrated the mischiefs, and the dangers, with which it was +replete. This letter was referred to a committee, whose report admits +the force of the reasons urged by the Commander-in-chief against the +expedition, and their own conviction that nothing important could be +attempted unless the British armies should be withdrawn from the +United States; and that, even in that event, the present plan was far +too complex. + +Men, however, recede slowly and reluctantly from favourite and +flattering projects on which they have long meditated; and the +committee, in their report, proceeded to state the opinion that the +posts held by the British in the United States would probably be +evacuated before the active part of the ensuing campaign; and that, +therefore, eventual measures for the expedition ought to be taken. + +This report concludes with recommending "that the general should be +directed to write to the Marquis de Lafayette on that subject; and +also to write to the minister of these states at the court of +Versailles very fully, to the end that eventual measures may be taken, +in case an armament should be sent from France to Quebec, for +co-operating therewith, to the utmost degree, which the finances and +resources of these states will admit." + +This report also was approved by congress, and transmitted to the +Commander-in-chief; who felt himself greatly embarrassed by it. While +his objections to the project retained all their force, he found +himself required to open a correspondence for the purposes of +soliciting the concurrence of France in an expedition he disapproved, +and of promising a co-operation he believed to be impracticable. In +reply to this communication, he said, "The earnest desire I have +strictly to comply in every instance, with the views and instructions +of congress, can not but make me feel the greatest uneasiness, when I +find myself in circumstances of hesitation or doubt, with respect to +their directions. But the perfect confidence I have in the justice and +candour of that honourable body, emboldens me to communicate, without +reserve, the difficulties which occur in the execution of their +present order; and the indulgence I have experienced on every former +occasion, induces me to imagine that the liberty I now take will not +meet with disapprobation." + +After reviewing the report of the committee, and stating his +objections to the plan, and the difficulties he felt in performing the +duty assigned to him, he added, "But if congress still think it +necessary for me to proceed in the business, I must request their more +definitive and explicit instructions, and that they will permit me, +previous to transmitting the intended despatches, to submit them to +their determination. + +"I could wish to lay before congress more minutely the state of the +army, the condition of our supplies, and the requisites necessary for +carrying into execution an undertaking that may involve the most +serious events. If congress think this can be done more satisfactorily +in a personal conference, I hope to have the army in such a situation +before I can receive their answer, as to afford me an opportunity of +giving my attendance." + +[Sidenote: Induces Congress to abandon it.] + +Congress acceded to his request of a personal interview; and, on his +arrival in Philadelphia, a committee was appointed to confer with him, +as well on this particular subject as on the general state of the army +and of the country. + +The result of these conferences was, that the expedition against +Canada was entirely, though reluctantly,[15] given up, and every +arrangement recommended by the Commander-in-chief, received the +attention to which his judgment and experience gave all his opinions +the fairest claim. + +[Footnote 15: See note No. II. at the end of the volume.] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Divisions in Congress.... Letters of General Washington on + the state of public affairs.... Invasion of Georgia.... + General Howe defeated by Colonel Campbell.... Savannah + taken.... Sunbury surrenders.... Georgia reduced.... General + Lincoln takes command of the Southern army.... Major + Gardiner defeated by General Moultrie.... Insurrection of + the Tories in South Carolina.... They are defeated by + Colonel Pickens.... Ash surprised and defeated.... Moultrie + retreats.... Prevost marches to Charleston.... Lincoln + attacks the British at Stono Ferry unsuccessfully.... + Invasion of Virginia. + + +[Sidenote: 1779] + +After the relinquishment of that extensive plan of conquest which +had been meditated against Canada, no other object seemed to call +forth the energies of the nation, and a general languor appeared to +diffuse itself through all the civil departments. The alliance with +France was believed to secure independence; and a confidence that +Britain could no longer prosecute the war with any hope of success--a +confidence encouraged by communications from Europe--prevented those +exertions which were practicable, but which it was painful to make. +This temper was seen and deplored by the Commander-in-chief, who +incessantly combated the opinion that Britain was about to relinquish +the contest, and insisted that great and vigorous exertions on the +part of the United States were still necessary to bring the war to a +successful termination. + +It being no longer practicable to engage soldiers by voluntary +enlistment, and government not daring to force men into the service +for three years, or during the war, the vacant ranks were scantily +supplied with drafts for nine, twelve, and eighteen months. A great +proportion of the troops were discharged in the course of each year; +and, except that the old officers remained, almost a new army was to +be formed for every campaign. + +Although the Commander-in-chief pressed congress and the state +governments continually and urgently, to take timely measures for +supplying the places of those who were leaving the service, the means +adopted were so slow and ineffectual in their operation, that the +season for action never found the preparations completed; and the +necessity of struggling against superior numbers was perpetual. + +The pleasing delusion that the war was over, to which the public mind +delighted to surrender itself, made no impression on the judgment of +Washington. Viewing objects through a more correct medium, he +perceived that Great Britain had yet much to hope, and America much to +fear, from a continuance of hostilities. He feared that the impression +which the divisions, and apparent inertness of the United States had +made on the British commissioners, would be communicated to their +government; and this consideration increased his anxiety in favour of +early and vigorous preparations for the next campaign. Yet it was not +until the 23d of January that congress passed the resolution, +authorizing the Commander-in-chief to re-enlist the army, nor, until +the 9th of March, that the requisition was made on the several states +for their quotas. The bounty offered by the first resolution being +found insufficient, the government was again under the necessity of +resorting to the states. Thus, at a season when the men ought to have +been in camp, the measures for raising them were still to be adopted. + +About this period, several circumstances conspired to foment those +pernicious divisions and factions in congress, which, in times of +greater apparent danger, patriotism would have suppressed. + +[Sidenote: Divisions in congress.] + +The ministers of the United States, in Europe, had reciprocally +criminated each other, and some of them had been recalled. Their +friends in congress supported their respective interests with +considerable animation; and, at length, Mr. Deane published a +manifesto, in which he arraigned at the bar of the public, the conduct +not only of those concerned in foreign negotiations, but of the +members of Congress themselves. + +The irritation excited by these and other contests was not a little +increased by the appearance, in a New York paper, of an extract from +a letter written by Mr. Laurens, the president of congress, to +Governor Huiston, of Georgia, which, during the invasion of that +state, was found among his papers. In this letter, Mr. Laurens had +unbosomed himself with the unsuspecting confidence of a person +communicating to a friend the inmost operations of his mind. In a +gloomy moment, he had expressed himself with a degree of severity, +which even his own opinion, when not under the immediate influence of +chagrin, would not entirely justify, and had reflected on the +integrity and patriotism of members, without particularizing the +individuals he designed to censure. + +These altercations added much to the alarm with which General +Washington viewed that security which had insinuated itself into the +public mind; and his endeavours were unremitting to impress the same +apprehensions on those who were supposed capable of removing the +delusion. In his confidential letters to gentlemen of the most +influence in the several states, he represented in strong terms the +dangers which yet threatened the country, and earnestly exhorted them +to a continuance of those sacrifices and exertions which he still +deemed essential to the happy termination of the war. The dissensions +in congress; the removal of individuals of the highest influence and +character from the councils of the nation to offices in the respective +states; the depreciation of the currency; the destructive spirit of +speculation which the imaginary gain produced by this depreciation had +diffused throughout the Union; a general laxity of principles; and an +unwillingness to encounter personal inconvenience for the attainment +of the great object, in pursuit of which so much blood and treasure +had been expended; were the rocks on which, he apprehended, the state +vessel might yet split, and to which he endeavoured, incessantly, to +point the attention of those whose weight of political character +enable them to guide the helm. + +[Sidenote: Letters from General Washington on the state of public +affairs.] + +"I am particularly desirous of a free communication of sentiments with +you at this time," says the General in a letter written to a gentleman +of splendid political talents, "because I view things very +differently, I fear, from what people in general do, who seem to think +the contest at an end, and that to make money, and get places, are the +only things now remaining to be done. I have seen without despondency, +even for a moment, the hours which America has styled her gloomy ones; +but I have beheld no day since the commencement of hostilities, when I +have thought her liberties in such imminent danger as at present. +Friends and foes seem now to combine to pull down the goodly fabric we +have hitherto been raising at the expense of so much time, blood, and +treasure." + +After censuring with some freedom the prevailing opinions of the day, +he added, "To me it appears no unjust simile to compare the affairs +of this great continent to the mechanism of a clock, each state +representing some one or other of the smaller parts of it, which they +are endeavouring to put in fine order, without considering how useless +and unavailing their labour is, unless the great wheel, or spring, +which is to set the whole in motion, is also well attended to, and +kept in good order. I allude to no particular state, nor do I mean to +cast reflections upon any one of them, nor ought I, it may be said, to +do so on their representatives; but, as it is a fact too notorious to +be concealed, that congress is rent by party; that much business of a +trifling nature and personal concernment, withdraws their attention +from matters of great national moment at this critical period; when it +is also known that idleness and dissipation take place of close +attention and application, no man who wishes well to the liberties of +this country, and desires to see its rights established, can avoid +crying out--where are our men of abilities? Why do they not come forth +to save their country? Let this voice, my dear sir, call upon you, +Jefferson, and others. Do not, from a mistaken opinion that we are to +sit down under our vine and our own fig-tree, let our hitherto noble +struggle end in ignominy. Believe me when I tell you there is danger +of it. I have pretty good reasons for thinking that administration, a +little while ago, had resolved to give the matter up, and negotiate a +peace with us upon almost any terms; but I shall be much mistaken if +they do not now, from the present state of our currency, dissensions, +and other circumstances, push matters to the utmost extremity. Nothing +I am sure will prevent it but the intervention of Spain, and their +disappointed hope from Russia." + +The circumstances in the situation and temper of America, which made +so deep an impression on the Commander-in-chief, operated with equal +force on the British commissioners, and induced them to think that, by +continuing the war, more favourable terms than were now demanded might +be obtained. They seem to have taken up the opinion that the mass of +the people, fatigued and worn out by the complicated calamities of the +struggle, sincerely desired an accommodation on the terms proposed by +Great Britain; and that the increasing difficulties resulting from the +failure of public credit, would induce them to desert congress, or +compel that body to accede to those terms. These opinions, when +communicated to the government, most probably contributed to protract +the war. + +The narrative of military transactions will now be resumed. + +The British arms had heretofore been chiefly directed against the +northern and middle states. The strongest parts of the American +continent were pressed by their whole force; and, with the exception +of the attempt on Sullivan's island in 1776, no serious design had +yet been manifested to make an impression in the south. Entertaining +the most confident hopes of recovering all the colonies, the British +government had not prosecuted the war with a view to partial conquest. +But the loss of the army commanded by Burgoyne, the alliance of +America with France, and the unexpected obstinacy with which the +contest was maintained, had diminished their confidence; and, when the +pacific propositions made in 1778 were rejected, the resolution seems +to have been taken to change, materially, the object of their military +operations; and, maintaining possession of the islands of New York, to +direct their arms against the southern states, on which, it was +believed, a considerable impression might be made. + +It was not unreasonable to suppose that the influence of this +impression might extend northward; but, however this might be, the +actual conquest and possession of several states would, when +negotiations for a general peace should take place, give a complexion +to those negotiations, and afford plausible ground for insisting to +retain territory already acquired. The most active and interesting +operations therefore of the succeeding campaigns, were in the southern +states. + +Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, who sailed from the Hook about the last +of November, 1778, escorted by a small squadron commanded by +Commodore Hyde Parker, reached the isle of Tybee, near the Savannah, +on the 23d of December; and, in a few days, the fleet and the +transports passed the bar, and anchored in the river. + +The command of the southern army, composed of the troops of South +Carolina and Georgia, had been committed to Major General Robert Howe, +who, in the course of the preceding summer, had invaded East +Florida.[16] The diseases incident to the climate made such ravages +among his raw soldiers, that, though he had scarcely seen an enemy, he +found himself compelled to hasten out of the country with considerable +loss. After this disastrous enterprise, his army, consisting of +between six and seven hundred continental troops, aided by a few +hundred militia, had encamped in the neighbourhood of the town of +Savannah, situated on the southern bank of the river bearing that +name. The country about the mouth of the river is one tract of deep +marsh, intersected by creeks and cuts of water, impassable for troops +at any time of the tide, except over causeways extending through the +sunken ground. + +[Footnote 16: So early as January, 1776, congress had recommended the +reduction of St. Augustine to the southern colonies.--_Secret Journals +of Congress, page 38._] + +[Sidenote: Invasion of Georgia.] + +Without much opposition, Lieutenant Colonel Campbell effected a +landing on the 29th, about three miles below the town; upon which Howe +formed his line of battle. His left was secured by the river; and +along the whole extent of his front was a morass which stretched to +his right, and was believed by him to be impassable for such a +distance, as effectually to secure that wing. + +After reconnoitring the country, Colonel Campbell advanced on the +great road leading to Savannah; and, about three in the afternoon, +appeared in sight of the American army. While making dispositions to +dislodge it, he accidentally fell in with a negro, who informed him of +a private path leading through the swamp, round the right of the +American lines to their rear. Determining to avail himself of this +path, he detached a column under Sir James Baird, which entered the +morass unperceived by Howe. + +[Sidenote: General Howe defeated by the British under Colonel +Campbell, who takes possession of Savannah.] + +As soon as Sir James emerged from the swamp, he attacked and dispersed +a body of Georgia militia, which gave the first notice to the American +general of the danger which threatened his rear. At the same instant, +the British troops in his front were put in motion, and their +artillery began to play upon him. A retreat was immediately ordered; +and the continental troops were under the necessity of running across +a plain, in front of the corps which had been led into their rear by +Sir James Baird, who attacked their flanks with great impetuosity, and +considerable effect. The few who escaped, retreated up the Savannah; +and, crossing that river at Zubly's ferry, took refuge in South +Carolina. + +The victory was complete, and decisive in its consequences. About one +hundred Americans were either killed in the field, or drowned in +attempting to escape through a deep swamp. Thirty-eight officers, and +four hundred and fifteen privates, were taken. Forty-eight pieces of +cannon, twenty-three mortars, the fort with all its military-stores, a +large quantity of provisions collected for the use of the army, and +the capital of Georgia, fell into the hands of the conqueror. These +advantages were obtained at the expense of only seven killed, and +nineteen wounded. + +No military force now remained in Georgia, except the garrison of +Sunbury, whose retreat to South Carolina was cut off. All the lower +part of that state was occupied by the British, who adopted measures +to secure the conquest they had made. The inhabitants were treated +with a lenity as wise as it was humane. Their property was spared, and +their persons protected. To make the best use of victory, and of the +impression produced by the moderation of the victors, a proclamation +was issued, inviting the inhabitants to repair to the British +standard, and offering protection to those who would return to their +allegiance. + +The effect of these measures did not disappoint those who adopted +them. The inhabitants flocked in great numbers to the royal standard; +military corps for the protection of the country were formed; and +posts were established for a considerable distance up the river. + +[Sidenote: Sunbury surrenders to General Prevost.] + +The northern frontier of Georgia being supposed to be settled into a +state of quiet, Colonel Campbell turned his attention towards Sunbury, +and was about to proceed against that place, when he received +intelligence that it had surrendered to General Prevost. + +[Sidenote: The State of Georgia reduced.] + +Sir Henry Clinton had ordered that officer to co-operate from East +Florida, with Colonel Campbell. On hearing that the troops from the +north were off the coast, he entered the southern frontier of Georgia, +and invested Sunbury, which, after a slight resistance, surrendered at +discretion. Having placed a garrison in the fort, he proceeded to +Savannah, took command of the army, and detached Colonel Campbell with +eight hundred regulars and a few provincials to Augusta, which fell +without resistance, and thus the whole state of Georgia was reduced. + +While the expedition conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Campbell was +preparing at New York, congress was meditating the conquest of East +Florida. + +[Sidenote: General Lincoln takes the command of the southern army.] + +The delegates of South Carolina and Georgia, anxious that a general of +more experience than Howe should command in the southern department, +had earnestly pressed that he should be recalled, and that General +Lincoln, whose military reputation was high, should be appointed to +succeed him. In compliance with their solicitations, Howe was ordered +in September, 1778, to repair to the head quarters of General +Washington, and Lincoln was directed to proceed immediately to +Charleston, in South Carolina, in order to take command in the +southern department. In pursuance of this resolution, General Lincoln +repaired to Charleston, where he found the military affairs of the +country in a state of utter derangement. Congress had established no +continental military chest in the southern department. This omission +produced a dependence on the government of the state for supplies to +move the army on any emergency, and consequent subjection of the +troops in continental service to its control. The militia, though +taken into continental service, considered themselves as subject only +to the military code of the state. These regulations threatened to +embarrass all military operations, and to embroil the general with the +civil government. + +While Lincoln was labouring to make arrangements for the ensuing +campaign, he received intelligence of the appearance of the enemy off +the coast. The militia of North Carolina, amounting to two thousand +men, commanded by Generals Ash and Rutherford, had already reached +Charleston; but were unarmed, and congress had been unable to provide +magazines in this part of the Union. These troops were, therefore, +entirely dependent on South Carolina for every military equipment; and +arms were not delivered to them until it was too late to save the +capital of Georgia. + +So soon as it was ascertained that the British fleet had entered the +Savannah river, General Lincoln proceeded with the utmost expedition +towards the scene of action. On his march, he received intelligence of +the victory gained over General Howe; and was soon afterwards joined +by the remnant of the defeated army at Purysburg, a small town on the +north side of the Savannah, where he established his head quarters. + +The regular force commanded by General Prevost must have amounted to +at least three thousand effective men; and this number was increased +by irregulars who had joined him in Georgia. The American army rather +exceeded three thousand six hundred men, of whom not quite two +thousand five hundred were effective. Something more than one thousand +were continental troops, part of whom were new levies; the rest were +militia. + +[Sidenote: Major Gardiner defeated by General Moultrie.] + +The theatre of action was so well adapted to defensive war, that, +although General Prevost was decidedly superior to his adversary, it +was difficult to extend his conquests into South Carolina. With the +view of entering that state by the way of the sea coast, he detached +Major Gardiner with about two hundred men, to take possession of the +island of Port Royal. That officer, soon after reaching his place of +destination, was attacked by General Moultrie, and compelled to +retreat with considerable loss. This repulse checked the designs of +Prevost on South Carolina. + +[Sidenote: Insurrection of the Tories in South Carolina, who are +defeated by Colonel Pickens.] + +From the commencement of the war, a considerable proportion of the +western inhabitants of the three southern states had been attached to +the royal cause. The first successes of the British were soon +communicated to them, and they were invited to assemble and join the +king's standard at Augusta. About seven hundred embodied themselves on +the frontiers of South Carolina, and began their march to that place. +They were overtaken by Colonel Pickens at the head of the neighbouring +militia, near Kittle Creek, and defeated with considerable loss. +Colonel Boyd, their leader, was among the slain; and several of those +who escaped were apprehended, tried, and five of them executed as +traitors. About three hundred reached the British out-posts, and +joined the royal standard. This defeat broke the spirits of the Tories +for a time; and preserved quiet in the west. + +As the American army gained strength by reinforcements of militia, +General Lincoln began to contemplate offensive operations. A +detachment had been stationed nearly opposite to Augusta under General +Ash, and he purposed joining that officer so soon as a sufficient +force could be collected, and attempting to recover the upper parts of +Georgia. Before he was able to execute this plan, General Prevost +withdrew his troops from Augusta to Hudson's Ferry. Ash was then +ordered to cross the Savannah, and take post near the confluence of +Briar Creek with that river. This camp was thought unassailable. Its +left was covered by a deep swamp, and by the Savannah. The front was +secured by Briar Creek, which is unfordable several miles, and makes +an acute angle with the river. + +[Sidenote: Ash surprised and defeated by Prevost.] + +Having determined to dislodge the Americans from this position, +Prevost kept up the attention of General Lincoln by the semblance of a +design to cross the Savannah; and, at the same time amused General Ash +with a feint on his front, while Lieutenant Colonel Prevost made a +circuit of about fifty miles, and, crossing Briar Creek fifteen miles +above the ground occupied by Ash, came down, unperceived and +unsuspected, on his rear. Ash, unused to the stratagems of war, was so +completely engaged by the manoeuvres in his front, that Lieutenant +Colonel Prevost was almost in his camp before any intelligence of his +approach was received. The continental troops under General Elbert +were drawn out to oppose him, and commenced the action with great +gallantry; but most of the militia threw away their arms and fled in +confusion. As they precipitated themselves into the swamp and swam the +river, not many of them were taken. General Elbert and his small band +of continental troops, aided by one regiment of North Carolina +militia, were soon overpowered by numbers, and the survivors were +compelled to surrender themselves prisoners of war. The killed and +taken amounted to between three and four hundred men. General Elbert +and Colonel M'Intosh were among the latter. But the loss sustained by +the American army was much more considerable. The dispersed militia +returned to their homes; and not more than four hundred and fifty of +them could be reassembled. + +This victory was supposed to give the British such complete possession +of Georgia, that a proclamation was issued the succeeding day by +General Prevost, establishing civil government, and appointing +executive and judicial officers to administer it. + +These disasters, instead of terrifying South Carolina into submission, +animated that state to greater exertions. Mr. John Rutledge, a +gentleman of great talents and decision, was elected governor; and the +legislature passed an act empowering him and the council to do every +thing that appeared to him and them necessary for the public good. All +the energies of the state were drawn forth. The militia were called +out in great numbers, and the laws for their government were rendered +more severe.[17] + +[Footnote 17: Ramsay.] + +Thus reinforced, General Lincoln resumed his plan for recovering the +upper parts of Georgia; and marched the main body of his army up the +Savannah. + +This river was now swelled greatly beyond its usual limits; and the +swamps, marshes, and creeks which intersect the country being full, +seemed to present an almost impassable barrier to an invading army. A +small military force being deemed sufficient to arrest the progress of +an enemy through a route which, if at all practicable, was so +difficult, about eight hundred of the state militia, aided by two +hundred continental troops, were left with General Moultrie for the +defence of the country. + +[Sidenote: Prevost compels Moultrie to retreat.] + +Aware of the importance of this movement, and hoping to recall Lincoln +by alarming him for the safety of Charleston, General Prevost suddenly +crossed the Savannah with three thousand men; and, advancing rapidly +on General Moultrie, obliged him to retreat with precipitation. The +militia could not be prevailed on to defend the passes with any degree +of firmness; and Moultrie, instead of drawing aid from the surrounding +country, sustained an alarming diminution of numbers by desertion. + +On the passage of the river by Prevost, an express had been despatched +to Lincoln with the intelligence. Persuaded that the British general +could meditate no serious attempt on Charleston, and that the real +object was to induce him to abandon the enterprise in which he was +engaged, he detached a reinforcement of three hundred light troops to +aid Moultrie, and crossing the Savannah himself, continued his march +down the south side of that river towards the capital of Georgia. + +[Sidenote: Prevost marches to Charleston.] + +Though the original purpose of General Prevost had been limited to the +security of Georgia, the opposition he encountered was so much less +than he had expected; the tenour of the country was so apparent; the +assurances of those who flocked to his standard; of the general +disposition of the people to terminate the calamities of war by +submission, were so often and so confidently repeated, that he was +emboldened to extend his views, and to hazard the continuation of his +march to Charleston. + +On receiving intelligence of this threatening aspect of affairs in +South Carolina, Lincoln recrossed the Savannah, and hastened to the +relief of that state. + +The situation of Charleston was extremely critical. The inhabitants, +entirely unapprehensive of an attack by land, had directed their whole +attention to its protection against an invasion by sea. Had Prevost +continued his march with the rapidity with which it was commenced, the +place must have fallen. But, after having gained more than half the +distance, he halted, and consumed two or three days in deliberating on +his future measures. While his intelligence determined him to proceed, +and assured him of a state of things which rendered success almost +certain, that state of things was rapidly changing. Fortifications on +the land side were commenced and prosecuted with unremitting labour; +the neighbouring militia were drawn into the town; the reinforcements +detached by General Lincoln, and the remnant of the legion of Pulaski +arrived; and the governor also entered the city, at the head of some +troops which had been stationed at Orangeburg. + +The next morning Prevost crossed Ashly River, and encamped just +without cannon shot of the works. The town was summoned to surrender, +and the day was spent in sending and receiving flags. The neutrality +of South Carolina during the war, leaving the question whether that +state should finally belong to Great Britain or the United States, to +be settled in the treaty of peace, was proposed by the garrison, and +rejected by Prevost; who required that they should surrender +themselves prisoners of war. This proposition being also rejected, the +garrison prepared to sustain an assault. But an attempt to carry the +works by storm was too hazardous to be made; and Prevost came to the +prudent resolution of decamping that night, and recrossing Ashly +River. + +[Sidenote: Lincoln attacks the British at the ferry but without +success.] + +The British army passed into the island of St. James, and thence to +that of St. John's, which lies south of Charleston harbour; soon after +which General Lincoln encamped in the neighbourhood, so as to confine +them in a great degree to the island they occupied. This island is +separated from the main land by an inlet, to which the name of Stono +River has been given; and the communication is preserved by a ferry. A +British post was established upon the main land at this ferry, and +works were thrown up in front for its defence. When Prevost commenced +his retreat, and the troops were moving from island to island, the +occasion seemed a fair one for attacking it. Only eight hundred men, +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Maitland, defended it; but a large +corps still lay on the island. To prevent these troops from supporting +those on the main land, General Moultrie, who commanded in Charleston, +was ordered to pass over a body of militia into James's island, who +should amuse the enemy in St. John's, while a real attack should be +made on the post at the ferry. About seven in the morning, General +Lincoln commenced this attack with about one thousand men; and +continued it with great spirit, until he perceived that strong +reinforcements were crossing over from the island; when he called off +his troops, and retreated, unmolested, to his old ground. + +General Moultrie had been unable to execute that part of the plan +which devolved on him. Boats were not in readiness to convey the men +into James's island, and consequently the feint on St. John's was not +made. + +The loss of the Americans, in killed and wounded, amounted to +twenty-four officers, and one hundred and twenty-five privates. That +of the British was stated to be rather less. + +Three days after this action, the posts at Stono and St. John's were +evacuated. The heat now became too excessive for active service; and +the British army, after establishing a post on the island contiguous +to Port Royal and St. Helena, retired into Georgia and St. Augustine. + +The American militia dispersed, leaving General Lincoln at the head of +about eight hundred men; with whom he retired to Sheldon, where his +primary object was to prepare for the next campaign, which it was +supposed would open in October. + +The invasion of the southern states wore so serious an aspect, that +Bland's regiment of cavalry, and the remnant of that lately Baylor's, +now commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Washington, with the new levies of +Virginia, were ordered to repair to Charleston, and to place +themselves under the command of General Lincoln. The execution of +these orders was for a time suspended by the invasion of Virginia. + +[Sidenote: Invasion of Virginia by General Matthews.] + +An expedition against that state had been concerted in the spring +between Sir Henry Clinton and Sir George Collier, the +Commander-in-chief of the British naval force on the American station. +The land troops assigned to this service were commanded by General +Matthews. The transports, on board of which they embarked, were +convoyed by the Admiral in person. On the 9th of May the fleet entered +the Chesapeake, and the next day anchored in Hampton Roads. + +Virginia had raised a regiment of artillery for the performance of +garrison duty in the state, which had been distributed along the +eastern frontier; and slight fortifications had been constructed in +the most important situations, which were defensible on the side of +the water, but were not tenable against a military force strong enough +to act on land. Fort Nelson, on the west side of Elizabeth river, +garrisoned by about one hundred and fifty soldiers, commanded by Major +Matthews, was designed to protect the towns of Norfolk and Portsmouth, +which were on each side of the river just above it; and the town of +Gosport, which lies still higher up on a point of land intervening +between two branches of the river. Norfolk and Portsmouth were places +of the most considerable commerce in Virginia. Large supplies for the +army were deposited in them; and the state government had established +at Gosport a marine yard, where ships of war and other vessels were +building, for which naval stores were collected to a very great +amount. The destruction of these vessels and stores, constituted the +principal object of General Matthews. + +On the morning of the tenth, the fleet entered Elizabeth river, and +the troops were landed about three miles below the fort, without +opposition. Foreseeing that the works would be attacked the next +morning on the land side, the garrison evacuated the fort in the +night, and took refuge in a deep and extensive swamp, called the +Dismal, which could not be penetrated without difficulty, even by +single persons. + +The whole sea-board, on the south side of James' river, being now in +possession of General Matthews, he fixed his head quarters at +Portsmouth, whence small parties were detached to Norfolk, Gosport, +Kemps' landing, and Suffolk, where military and naval stores to a +great amount, and several vessels richly laden, fell into his hands. + +This invasion was of short duration. General Matthews, after +destroying the magazines which had been collected in the small towns +near the coast, and the vessels in the rivers, was ordered by Sir +Henry Clinton to return to New York, where he arrived towards the last +of May. + +The Admiral and General were both so impressed with the importance of +Portsmouth as a permanent station, that they united in representing to +the Commander-in-chief the advantages to be derived from keeping +possession of it. But, in the opinion of Sir Henry Clinton, the army +did not at that time admit of so many subdivisions; and, with a view +to more interesting objects, Portsmouth was evacuated. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + Discontents in a part of the American army.... Letter from + General Washington on the subject.... Colonel Van Schaick + destroys an Indian settlement.... Expedition against the + Indians meditated.... Fort Fayette surrendered to the + British.... Invasion of Connecticut.... General Wayne storms + Stony Point.... Expedition against Penobscot.... Powles Hook + surprised by Major Lee.... Arrival of Admiral Arbuthnot.... + Of the Count D'Estaing.... Siege of Savannah.... + Unsuccessful attempt to storm that place.... Siege + raised.... Victory of General Sullivan at Newtown.... Spain + offers her mediation to the belligerents.... Declares war + against England.... Letter from General Washington to + congress respecting the annual formation of the army.... The + army goes into winter quarters. + + +[Sidenote: 1779] + +The barbarities committed by the Indians, in the course of the +preceding year, on the inhabitants of the western frontiers, had added +motives of mingled resentment and humanity to those of national +interest, for employing a larger force in the protection of that part +of the Union than had heretofore been devoted to it. + +General Washington had always believed that it was impossible to +defend the immense western frontier by any chain of posts which could +be established; and that the country would be protected much more +certainly by offensive than by defensive war. His plan was to +penetrate into the heart of the Indian settlements with a force +competent to the destruction of their towns; and also to reduce the +British post at Niagara, which gave its possessors an almost +irresistible influence over the six nations. This plan constituted one +of the various subjects of conference with the committee of congress +in Philadelphia, and received the entire approbation of that body. + +The state governments also took a strong interest in the protection of +their western settlements. Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania, +applied, severally, to congress, urging the adoption of such vigorous +measures as would secure the frontiers against a repetition of the +horrors which had been already perpetrated. These papers were referred +to the committee which had been appointed to confer with General +Washington, in conformity with whose report it was resolved, "that the +Commander-in-chief be directed to take efficient measures for the +protection of the inhabitants, and chastisement of the savages." + +The Six Nations had made some advances towards acquiring the comforts +of civilized life. Several comfortable houses were to be seen in their +populous villages; and their fertile fields and orchards yielded an +abundant supply of corn and fruit. Some few of their towns were +attached to the United States; but, in general, they were under the +influence of the British. Many of the loyalists had taken refuge among +them, and had added to their strength without diminishing their +ferocity. It was determined to lead a force into these villages, +sufficient to overpower any numbers they could possibly bring into the +field, and to destroy the settlements they had made. To guard against +reinforcements from Canada, means were used to inspire that colony +with fears for itself. + +[Sidenote: Discontents in a part of the American army.] + +As the army destined for this expedition was about to move, alarming +symptoms of discontent appeared in a part of it. The Jersey brigade, +which had been stationed during the winter at Elizabethtown, was +ordered early in May, to march by regiments. This order was answered +by a letter from General Maxwell, stating that the officers of the +first regiment had delivered a remonstrance to their Colonel, +addressed to the legislature of the state, declaring that, unless +their complaints on the subjects of pay and support should obtain the +immediate attention of that body, they were, at the expiration of +three days, to be considered as having resigned; and requesting the +legislature, in that event, to appoint other officers to succeed them. +They declared, however, their readiness to make every preparation for +obeying the orders which had been given, and to continue their +attention to the regiment until a reasonable time should elapse for +the appointment of their successors. "This," added the letter of +General Maxwell, "is a step they are extremely unwilling to take, but +it is such as I make no doubt they will all take; nothing but +necessity--their not being able to support themselves in time to come, +and being loaded with debts contracted in time past, could have +induced them to resign at so critical a juncture." + +The intelligence conveyed in this letter made a serious impression on +the Commander-in-chief. He was strongly attached to the army and to +its interests; had witnessed its virtue and its sufferings; and +lamented sincerely its present distresses. The justice of the +complaints made by the officers could no more be denied, than the +measure they had adopted could be approved. Relying on their +patriotism and on his own influence, he immediately wrote a letter to +General Maxwell, to be laid before them, in which, mingling the +sensibility of a friend with the authority of a general, he addressed +to their understanding and to their love of country, observations +calculated to invite their whole attention to the consequences which +must result from the step they were about to take. + +[Sidenote: Letter from General Washington on this subject.] + +"The patience and perseverance of the army," proceeds the letter, +"have been, under every disadvantage, such as to do them the highest +honour both at home and abroad, and have inspired me with an unlimited +confidence of their virtue, which has consoled me amidst every +perplexity and reverse of fortune, to which our affairs, in a struggle +of this nature, were necessarily exposed. Now that we have made so +great a progress to the attainment of the end we have in view, so +that we can not fail without a most shameful desertion of our own +interests, any thing like a change of conduct would imply a very +unhappy change of principles, and a forgetfulness, as well of what we +owe to ourselves, as to our country. Did I suppose it possible this +could be the case, even in a single regiment of the army, I should be +mortified and chagrined beyond expression. I should feel it as a wound +given to my own honour, which I consider as embarked with that of the +army at large. But this I believe to be impossible. Any corps that was +about to set an example of the kind, would weigh well the +consequences; and no officer of common discernment and sensibility +would hazard them. If they should stand alone in it, independent of +other consequences, what would be their feelings on reflecting that +they had held themselves out to the world in a point of light inferior +to the rest of the army. Or if their example should be followed, and +become general, how could they console themselves for having been the +foremost in bringing ruin and disgrace upon their country. They would +remember that the army would share a double portion of the general +infamy and distress, and that the character of an American officer +would become as infamous as it is now glorious. + +"I confess the appearances in the present instance are disagreeable, +but I am convinced they seem to mean more than they really do. The +Jersey officers have not been outdone by any others in the qualities +either of citizens or soldiers; and I am confident, no part of them +would seriously intend any thing that would be a stain on their former +reputation. The gentlemen can not be in earnest; they have only +reasoned wrong about the means of obtaining a good end, and, on +consideration, I hope and flatter myself they will renounce what must +appear to be improper. At the opening of a campaign, when under +marching orders for an important service, their own honour, duty to +the public and to themselves, and a regard to military propriety, will +not suffer them to persist in a measure which would be a violation of +them all. It will even wound their delicacy, coolly to reflect that +they have hazarded a step, which has an air of dictating terms to +their country, by taking advantage of the necessity of the moment. + +"The declaration they have made to the state, at so critical a time, +that unless they obtain relief in the short period of three days, they +must be considered out of the service, has very much that aspect; and +the seeming relaxation of continuing until the state can have a +reasonable time to provide other officers, will be thought only a +superficial veil. I am now to request that you will convey my +sentiments to the gentlemen concerned, and endeavour to make them +sensible that they are in an error. The service for which the +regiment was intended will not admit of delay. It must at all events +march on Monday morning, in the first place to camp, and farther +directions will be given when it arrives. I am sure I shall not be +mistaken in expecting a prompt and cheerful obedience." + +The representations of this letter did not completely produce the +desired effect. The officers did not recede from their claims. In an +address to the Commander-in-chief, they expressed their unhappiness +that any act of theirs should give him pain, but proceeded to justify +the step they had taken. Repeated memorials had been presented to +their legislature, which had been received with promises of attention, +but had been regularly neglected. "At length," said they, "we have +lost all confidence in our legislature. Reason and experience forbid +that we should have any. Few of us have private fortunes; many have +families who already are suffering every thing that can be received +from an ungrateful country. Are we then to suffer all the +inconveniences, fatigues, and dangers of a military life, while our +wives and our children are perishing for want of common necessaries at +home;--and that without the most distant prospect of reward, for our +pay is now only nominal? We are sensible that your excellency can not +wish nor desire this from us. + +"We are sorry that you should imagine we meant to disobey orders. It +was and still is our determination to march with our regiment, and to +do the duty of officers until the legislature should have a reasonable +time to appoint others, but no longer. + +"We beg leave to assure your Excellency, that we have the highest +sense of your ability and virtues;--that executing your orders has +ever given us pleasure;--that we love the service, and we love our +country;--but when that country gets so lost to virtue and justice as +to forget to support its servants, it then becomes their duty to +retire from its service." + +This letter was peculiarly embarrassing. To adopt a stern course of +proceeding might hazard the loss of the Jersey line, an event not less +injurious to the service, than painful to himself. To take up the +subject without doing too much for the circumstances of the army, +would be doing too little for the occasion. He therefore declined +taking any other notice of the letter, than to declare through General +Maxwell that, while they continued to do their duty in conformity with +the determination they had expressed, he should only regret the part +they had taken, and should hope they would perceive its impropriety. + +The legislature of New Jersey, alarmed at the decisive step taken by +the officers, was at length induced to pay some attention to their +situation; they consenting, on their part, to withdraw their +remonstrance. In the meantime, they continued to perform their duty; +and their march was not delayed by this unpleasant altercation. + +In communicating this transaction to congress, General Washington took +occasion to remind that body of his having frequently urged the +absolute necessity of some general and adequate provision for the +officers of the army. "I shall only observe," continued the letter, +"that the distresses in some corps are so great, either where they +were not until lately attached to any particular state, or where the +state has been less provident, that the officers have solicited even +to be supplied with the clothing destined for the common soldiery, +coarse and unsuitable as it was. I had not power to comply with the +request. + +"The patience of men animated by a sense of duty and honour, will +support them to a certain point, beyond which it will not go. I doubt +not congress will be sensible of the danger of an extreme in this +respect, and will pardon my anxiety to obviate it." + +[Sidenote: Colonel Van Schaick surprises and destroys one of the +Indian settlements.] + +Before the troops destined for the grand expedition were put in +motion, an enterprise of less extent was undertaken, which was +completely successful. A plan for surprising the towns of the +Onondagas, one of the nearest of the hostile tribes, having been +formed by General Schuyler, and approved by the Commander-in-chief, +Colonel Van Schaick, assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Willet, and Major +Cochran, marched from fort Schuyler on the morning of the 19th of +April, at the head of between five and six hundred men; and, on the +third day, reached the point of destination. The whole settlement was +destroyed, after which the detachment returned to fort Schuyler +without the loss of a single man. For this handsome display of talents +as a partisan, the thanks of congress were voted to Colonel Van +Schaick, and the officers and soldiers under his command. + +[Sidenote: Expedition against the Indians meditated.] + +The cruelties exercised by the Indians in the course of the preceding +year, had given a great degree of importance to the expedition now +meditated against them; and the relative military strength and +situation of the two parties, rendered it improbable that any other +offensive operations could be carried on by the Americans in the +course of the present campaign. The army under the command of Sir +Henry Clinton, exclusive of the troops in the southern department, was +computed at between sixteen and seventeen thousand men. The American +army, the largest division of which lay at Middlebrook, under the +immediate command of General Washington, was rather inferior to that +of the British in real strength. The grand total, except those in the +southern and western country, including officers of every description, +amounted to about sixteen thousand. Three thousand of these were in +New England under the command of General Gates; and the remaining +thirteen thousand were cantoned on both sides the North River. The +bare statement of numbers, must show the incompetency of the American +army to the expulsion of the British from either New York or Rhode +Island. On their part, therefore, the plan of the campaign was, +necessarily, defensive; and the hazards and difficulties attending the +execution of even a defensive plan were considerable. + +Independent of an extensive coast, at all places accessible to the +invading army, the Hudson, penetrating deep into the country which was +to be the theatre of action, gave great advantages in their military +operations to those who commanded the water. + +After the destruction of forts Clinton and Montgomery in 1777, it had +been determined to construct the fortifications intended for the +future defence of the North River, at West Point, a position which, +being more completely embosomed in the hills, was deemed more +defensible. The works had been prosecuted with unremitting industry, +but were far from being completed. + +Some miles below West Point, about the termination of the Highlands, +is King's Ferry, where the great road, affording the most convenient +communication between the middle and eastern states, crosses the North +River. The ferry is completely commanded by the two opposite points of +land. That on the west side, a rough and elevated piece of ground, is +denominated Stony Point; and the other, on the east side, a flat neck +of land projecting far into the water, is called Verplank's Point. The +command of King's Ferry was an object worth the attention of either +army; and Washington had comprehended the points which protect it +within his plan of defence for the Highlands. A small but strong work, +termed fort Fayette, was completed at Verplank's, and was garrisoned +by a company commanded by Captain Armstrong. The works on Stony Point +were unfinished. As the season for active operations approached, Sir +Henry Clinton formed a plan for opening the campaign with a brilliant +_coup de main_ up the North River; and, towards the latter end of May, +made preparations for the enterprise. + +[Sidenote: May.] + +These preparations were immediately communicated to General +Washington, who was confident that the British general meditated an +attack on the forts in the highlands, or designed to take a position +between those forts and Middlebrook, in order to interrupt the +communication between the different parts of the American army, to +prevent their reunion, and to beat them in detail. Measures were +instantly taken to counteract either of these designs. The +intelligence from New York was communicated to Generals Putnam and +M'Dougal, who were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to march; +and, on the 29th of May, the army moved by divisions from Middlebrook +towards the highlands. On the 30th, the British army, commanded by Sir +Henry Clinton in person, and convoyed by Sir George Collier, proceeded +up the river; and General Vaughan, at the head of the largest +division, landed next morning, about eight miles below Verplank's. The +other division, under the particular command of General Patterson, but +accompanied by Sir Henry Clinton, advancing farther up, landed on the +west side within three miles of Stony Point. + +[Sidenote: June 1.] + +[Sidenote: Fort Fayette surrendered to the British.] + +That place being immediately abandoned, General Patterson took +possession of it on the same afternoon. He dragged some heavy cannon +and mortars to the summit of the hill in the course of the night; and, +at five next morning, opened a battery on fort Fayette, at the +distance of about one thousand yards. During the following night, two +galleys passed the fort, and, anchoring above it, prevented the escape +of the garrison by water; while General Vaughan invested it closely by +land. No means of defending the fort, or of saving themselves +remaining, the garrison became prisoners of war. Immediate directions +were given for completing the works at both posts, and for putting +Stony Point, in particular, in a strong state of defence. + +It is scarcely supposable that the views of Sir Henry Clinton in +moving up the river, were limited to this single acquisition. The +means employed were so disproportioned to the object, as to justify a +belief that he contemplated farther and more important conquests. +Whatever may have been his plans, the measures of precaution taken by +Washington counteracted their execution; and before Clinton was in a +situation to proceed against West Point, General M'Dougal was so +strengthened, and the American army took such a position on the strong +grounds about the Hudson, that the enterprise became too hazardous to +be farther prosecuted. + +[Sidenote: July.] + +[Sidenote: Invasion of Connecticut.] + +After completing the fortifications on both sides the river, at King's +Ferry, Sir Henry Clinton placed a strong garrison in each fort, and +proceeded down the river to Philipsburg. The relative situation of the +hostile armies presenting insuperable obstacles to any grand +operation, they could be employed offensively only on detached +expeditions. Connecticut from its contiguity to New York, and its +extent of sea coast, was peculiarly exposed to invasion. The numerous +small cruisers which plied in the Sound, to the great annoyance of +British commerce, and the large supplies of provisions drawn from the +adjacent country, for the use of the continental army, furnished great +inducements to Sir Henry Clinton to direct his enterprises +particularly against that state. He also hoped to draw General +Washington from his impregnable position on the North River into the +low country, and thus obtain an opportunity of striking at some part +of his army, or of seizing the posts, which were the great object of +the campaign. With these views, he planned an expedition against +Connecticut, the command of which was given to Governor Tryon, who +reached New Haven bay on the 5th of July, with about two thousand six +hundred men. + +General Washington was at the time on the lines, examining in person +the condition of the works on Stony and Verplank's Points; in +consequence of which, the intelligence which was transmitted to head +quarters that the fleet had sailed, could not be immediately +communicated to the governor of Connecticut, and the first intimation +which that state received of its danger, was given by the appearance +of the enemy. The militia assembled in considerable numbers with +alacrity; but the British effected a landing, and took possession of +the town. After destroying the military and naval stores found in the +place, they re-embarked, and proceeded westward to Fairfield, which +was reduced to ashes. The good countenance shown by the militia at +this place is attested by the apology made by General Tryon for the +wanton destruction of private property, which disgraced his conduct. +"The village was burnt," he says, "to resent the fire of the rebels +from their houses, and to mask our retreat." + +[Sidenote: July.] + +From Fairfield the fleet crossed the Sound to Huntingdon bay, where it +remained until the eleventh, when it recrossed that water, after +which the troops were landed in the night on the low pasture, a +peninsula on the east side of the bay of Norwalk. About the same time, +a much larger detachment from the British army directed its course +towards Horse Neck, and made demonstrations of a design to penetrate +into the country in that direction. + +[Sidenote: July.] + +On the first intelligence that Connecticut was invaded, General +Parsons, a native of that state, had been directed by General +Washington to hasten to the scene of action. Placing himself at the +head of about one hundred and fifty continental troops, who were +supported by considerable bodies of militia, he attacked the British +in the morning of the twelfth, as soon as they were in motion, and +kept up an irregular distant fire throughout the day. But being too +weak to prevent the destruction of any particular town on the coast, +Norwalk was reduced to ashes; after which the British re-embarked, and +returned to Huntingdon bay, there to wait for reinforcements. At this +place, however, Tryon received orders to return to the White Stone; +where, in a conference between Sir Henry Clinton and Sir George +Collier, it was determined to proceed against New London with an +increased force. + +On the invasion of Connecticut, the Commander-in-chief was prompt in +his exertions to send continental troops from the nearest encampments +to its aid; but, before they could afford any real service, Sir Henry +Clinton found it necessary to recall Tryon to the Hudson. + +General Washington had planned an enterprise against the posts at +King's Ferry, comprehending a double attack, to be made at the same +time, on both. But the difficulty of a perfect co-operation of +detachments, incapable of communicating with each other, determined +him to postpone the attack on Verplank's, and to make that part of the +plan dependent on the success of the first. His whole attention +therefore was turned to Stony Point; and the troops destined for this +critical service, proceeded on it as against a single object. + +[Sidenote: July.] + +The execution of the plan was entrusted to General Wayne, who +commanded the light infantry of the army. Secrecy was deemed so much +more essential to success than numbers, that no addition was made to +the force already on the lines. One brigade was ordered to commence +its march, so as to reach the scene of action in time to cover the +troops engaged in the attack, should any unlooked-for disaster befall +them; and Major Lee of the light dragoons, who had been eminently +useful in obtaining the intelligence which led to the enterprise, was +associated with General Wayne, as far as cavalry could be employed in +such a service. The night of the fifteenth, and the hour of twelve, +were chosen for the assault. + +Stony Point is a commanding hill, projecting far into the Hudson, +which washes three-fourths of its base. The remaining fourth is, in a +great measure, covered by a deep marsh, commencing near the river on +the upper side, and continuing into it below. Over this marsh there is +only one crossing place; but at its junction with the river, is a +sandy beach, passable at low tide. On the summit of this hill stood +the fort, which was furnished with heavy ordnance. Several +breast-works and strong batteries were advanced in front of the main +work; and, about half way down the hill, were two rows of abattis. The +batteries were calculated to command the beach and the crossing place +of the marsh, and to rake and enfilade any column which might be +advancing from either of those points towards the fort. In addition to +these defences, several vessels of war were stationed in the river, +and commanded the ground at the foot of the hill. The garrison +consisted of about six hundred men, commanded by Colonel Johnson. + +General Wayne arrived about eight in the afternoon at Spring Steel's, +one and a half miles from the fort; and made his dispositions for the +assault. + +[Sidenote: General Wayne surprises and takes Stony Point.] + +It was intended to attack the works on the right and left flanks at +the same instant. The regiments of Febiger and of Meigs, with Major +Hull's detachment, formed the right column; and Butler's regiment, +with two companies under Major Murfree, formed the left. One hundred +and fifty volunteers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Fleury and Major +Posey, constituted the van of the right; and one hundred volunteers +under Major Stewart, composed the van of the left. At half past eleven +the two columns moved to the assault, the van of each with unloaded +muskets, and fixed bayonets. They were each preceded by a forlorn hope +of twenty men, the one commanded by Lieutenant Gibbon, and the other +by Lieutenant Knox. They reached the marsh undiscovered; and, at +twenty minutes after twelve, commenced the assault. + +Both columns rushed forward under a tremendous fire. Surmounting every +obstacle, they entered the works at the point of the bayonet; and, +without discharging a single musket, obtained possession of the fort. + +The humanity displayed by the conquerors was not less conspicuous, nor +less honourable than their courage. Not an individual suffered after +resistance had ceased. + +All the troops engaged in this perilous service manifested a degree of +ardour and impetuosity, which proved them to be capable of the most +difficult enterprises; and all distinguished themselves, whose +situation enabled them to do so. Colonel Fleury was the first to enter +the fort and strike the British standard. Major Posey mounted the +works almost at the same instant, and was the first to give the watch +word--"The fort's our own."--Lieutenants Gibbon and Knox performed +the service allotted to them with a degree of intrepidity which could +not be surpassed. Of twenty men who constituted the party of the +former, seventeen were killed or wounded. + +Sixty-three of the garrison were killed, including two officers. The +prisoners amounted to five hundred and forty-three, among whom were +one lieutenant colonel, four captains, and twenty subaltern officers. +The military stores taken in the fort were considerable.[18] + +[Footnote 18: The author was in the covering party, visited the fort +next day, and conversed with the officers who had been engaged in +storming the works.] + +The loss sustained by the assailants was not proportioned to the +apparent danger of the enterprise. The killed and wounded did not +exceed one hundred men; General Wayne, who marched with Febiger's +regiment in the right column, received a slight wound in the head +which stunned him for a time, but did not compel him to leave the +column. Being supported by his aids, he entered the fort with a +regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Hay was also among the wounded. + +Although the design upon fort Fayette had yielded to the desire of +securing the success of the attack on Stony Point, it had not been +abandoned. Two brigades under General M'Dougal had been ordered to +approach the works on Verplank's, in which Colonel Webster commanded, +and be in readiness to attack them the instant General Wayne should +obtain possession of Stony Point. That this detachment might not +permit the favourable moment to pass unimproved, Wayne had been +requested to direct the messenger who should convey the intelligence +of his success to the Commander-in-chief, to pass through M'Dougal's +camp, and give him advice of that event. He was also requested to turn +the cannon of the fort against Verplank's, and the vessels in the +river. The last orders were executed, and a heavy cannonade was opened +on fort Fayette, and on the vessels, which compelled them to fall down +the river. Through some misconception, never explained, the messenger +despatched by General Wayne did not call on M'Dougal, but proceeded +directly to head quarters. Thus, every advantage expected from the +first impression made by the capture of Stony Point was lost; and the +garrison had full leisure to recover from the surprise occasioned by +that event, and to prepare for an attack. This change of circumstances +made it necessary to change the plan of operation. General Howe was +directed to take the command of M'Dougal's detachment, to which some +pieces of heavy artillery were to be annexed. He was ordered, after +effecting a breach in the walls, to make the dispositions for an +assault, and to demand a surrender; but not to attempt a storm until +it should be dark. To these orders, explicit instructions were +added not to hazard his party by remaining before Verplank's, after +the British should cross Croton River in force. + +[Illustration: The Ruins of Stony Point--On the Hudson + +_Here, on the night of July 16, 1779, Brigadier-General (Mad Anthony) +Wayne led his troops up the hill in darkness, surprised the British +garrison and captured this British stronghold at the point of the +bayonet. Not a shot was fired by the Americans, who lost fifteen +killed and eighty-three wounded; the British sixty-three killed and +533 prisoners. The fortifications were destroyed and the place, being +untenable, was abandoned shortly afterwards by the Americans._] + +Through some unaccountable negligence in the persons charged with the +execution of these orders, the battering artillery was not accompanied +with suitable ammunition; and the necessary intrenching tools were not +brought. These omissions were supplied the next day; but it was then +too late to proceed against Verplank's. + +On receiving intelligence of the loss of Stony Point, and of the +danger to which the garrison of fort Fayette was exposed, Sir Henry +Clinton relinquished his views on Connecticut, and made a forced march +to Dobbs' Ferry. Some troops were immediately embarked to pass up the +river, and a light corps was pushed forward to the Croton. This +movement relieved fort Fayette. + +The failure of the attempt to obtain possession of Verplank's Point +leaving that road of communication still closed, diminished the +advantages which had been expected to result from the enterprise so +much, that it was deemed unadviseable to maintain Stony Point. On +reconnoitring the ground, General Washington believed that the place +could not be rendered secure with a garrison of less than fifteen +hundred men; a number which could not be spared from the army without +weakening it too much for farther operations. He determined therefore +to evacuate Stony Point, and retire to the Highlands. As soon as this +resolution was executed, Sir Henry Clinton repossessed himself of that +post, repaired the fortifications, and placed a stronger garrison in +it; after which he resumed his former situation at Philipsburg. + +The two armies watched each other for some time. At length, Sir Henry +Clinton, finding himself unable to attack Washington in the strong +position he had taken, or to draw him from it, and being desirous of +transferring the theatre of active war to the south, withdrew into +York Island, and was understood to be strengthening the fortifications +erected for its defence, as preparatory to the large detachments he +intended making to reinforce the southern army. + +Although this movement was made principally with a view to southern +operations, it was in some degree hastened by the opinion, that New +York required immediate additional protection during the absence of +the fleet, which was about to sail for the relief of Penobscot. + +[Sidenote: Expedition against Penobscot.] + +Early in June, Colonel M'Clean, with six hundred and fifty men, had +penetrated from Nova Scotia into the eastern parts of Maine, and taken +possession of a strong piece of ground on the Penobscot, which he had +begun to fortify. + +[Sidenote: July 25.] + +The state of Massachusetts, alarmed at an invasion which threatened a +serious diminution of territory, determined to dislodge him. A +respectable fleet, commanded by Commodore Saltonstal, and an army of +near four thousand men, under General Lovell, were prepared with so +much celerity, that the whole armament appeared in the Penobscot as +early as the 25th of July. + +M'Clean had taken possession of a peninsula on the eastern side of +Penobscot, and had intrenched the isthmus connecting it with the +continent. The part towards the river was steep and difficult of +access; and was also defended by his frigates and batteries, the +principal of which was constructed about the centre of the peninsula. + +After being repulsed in his first attempt, General Lovell effected a +landing on the western part of the peninsula, where he ascended a +precipice of two hundred feet; and, with the loss of only fifty men +killed and wounded, drove the party which defended it from the ground. +A battery was erected within seven hundred and fifty yards of the main +work of the besieged, and a warm cannonade was kept up for several +days on both sides. + +Perceiving the difficulty of carrying the place with a militia +impatient to return to their homes, General Lovell represented his +situation to the government of Massachusetts, who applied to General +Gates, then commanding at Providence, for a reinforcement of four +hundred continental troops. This request was readily granted, and +Jackson's regiment was ordered to Penobscot. In the mean time an +ineffectual cannonade was continued, and preparations were made to +storm the works on the arrival of the expected reinforcements. + +Such was the posture of affairs on the 13th of August, when Lovell +received information that Sir George Collier had entered the river +with a superior naval force. He re-embarked his whole army the +following night, and drew up his flotilla in a crescent across the +river, as if determined to maintain its position. This show of +resistance was made in the hope of stopping Sir George Collier until +the land forces on board the transports could be conveyed up the +river, and disembarked on the western shore. But the British general +was too confident in his strength to permit this stratagem to succeed; +and, as he approached, the Americans sought for safety in flight. A +general chase and unresisted destruction ensued. The ships of war were +blown up, and the transports fled in the utmost confusion up the +river. Being pursued by the British squadron, the troops landed in a +wild uncultivated country; and were obliged to explore their way, +without provisions, through a pathless wilderness, for more than a +hundred miles. Exhausted with famine and fatigue, they at length +gained the settled parts of the country, after having lost several men +who perished in the woods. + +While Sir Henry Clinton continued encamped just above Haerlem, with +his upper posts at Kingsbridge, and the American army preserved its +station in the Highlands, a bold plan was formed for surprising a +British post at Powles Hook, which was executed with great address by +Major Lee. + +This officer was employed on the west side of the river with +directions to observe the situation of the British in Stony Point, +but, principally, to watch the motions of their main army. While his +parties scoured the country, he obtained intelligence which suggested +the idea of surprising and carrying off the garrison at Powles Hook, a +point of land on the west side of the Hudson, immediately opposite the +town of New York, penetrating deep into the river. On the point +nearest New York, some works had been constructed, which were +garrisoned by four or five hundred men. + +A deep ditch, into which the water of the river flowed, having over it +a drawbridge connected with a barred gate, had been cut across the +isthmus, so as to make the Hook, in reality, an island. This ditch +could be passed only at low water. Thirty paces within it was a row of +abattis running into the river; and some distance in front of it, is a +creek fordable only in two places. + +This difficulty of access, added to the remoteness of the nearest +corps of the American army, impressed the garrison with the opinion +that they were perfectly secure; and this opinion produced an +unmilitary remissness in the commanding officer, which did not escape +the vigilance of Lee. + +On receiving his communications, General Washington was inclined to +favour the enterprise they suggested; but withheld his full assent, +until he was satisfied that the assailants would be able to make good +their retreat. + +The Hackensack, which communicates with the waters of the Hudson below +New York, runs almost parallel with that river quite to its source, +and is separated from it only a few miles. This neck is still farther +narrowed by a deep creek which divides it, and empties into the +Hackensack below fort Lee. West of that river runs the Passaick, which +unites with it near Newark, and forms another long and narrow neck of +land. From Powles Hook to the new bridge, the first place where the +Hackensack could be crossed without boats, the distance is fourteen +miles; and from the North River to the road leading from the one place +to the other, there are three points of interception, the nearest of +which is less than two miles, and the farthest not more than three. +The British were encamped in full force along the North River, +opposite to these points of interception. To diminish the danger of +the retreat, it was intended to occupy the roads leading through the +mountains of the Hudson to the Hackensack with a select body of +troops. + +Every preparatory arrangement being made, the night of the eighteenth +of August was fixed on for the enterprise. A detachment from the +division of Lord Stirling, including three hundred men designed for +the expedition, was ordered down as a foraging party. As there was +nothing unusual in this movement, it excited no suspicion. Lord +Stirling followed with five hundred men, and encamped at the new +bridge. + +[Sidenote: The British post at Powles Hook surprised by Major Lee and +the garrison made prisoners.] + +Major Lee, at the head of three hundred men, took the road through the +mountains which ran parallel to the North River; and, having secured +all the passes into York Island, reached the creek which surrounds the +Hook between two and three in the morning. He passed first the creek, +and then the ditch undiscovered; and, about three in the morning, +entered the main work, and with the loss of only two killed and three +wounded, made one hundred and fifty-nine prisoners, including three +officers. Very few of the British were killed. Major Sutherland, who +commanded the garrison, threw himself with forty or fifty Hessians +into a strong redoubt, which it was thought unadviseable to attack, +because the time occupied in carrying it might endanger the retreat. +Wasting no time in destroying what could easily be replaced, Major Lee +hastened to bring off his prisoners and his detachment. + +To avoid the danger of retreating up the narrow neck of land which has +already been described, some boats had been brought in the course of +the night to Dow's Ferry on the Hackensack, not far from Powles Hook. +The officer who guarded them was directed to remain until the arrival +of the troops engaged in the expedition, which, it was understood, +would happen before day. The light having made its appearance without +any intelligence from Major Lee, the officer having charge of the +boats conjectured that the attack had been postponed; and, to avoid +discovery, retired with them to Newark. The head of the retreating +column soon afterwards reached the ferry; and, fatigued as they were +by the toilsome march of the preceding night, were compelled to pass +as rapidly as possible up the narrow neck of land between the two +rivers to the new bridge. A horseman was despatched with this +information to Lord Stirling, and the line of march was resumed. + +About nine in the preceding evening, Major Buskirk had been detached +up the North River with a considerable part of the garrison of Powles +Hook, and some other troops, for the purpose of falling in with the +American party supposed to be foraging about the English +neighbourhood. + +On receiving intelligence of the disappointment respecting the boats, +Lord Stirling took the precaution to detach Colonel Ball with two +hundred fresh men to meet Lee, and cover his retreat. Just after Ball +had passed, Buskirk entered the main road, and fired on his rear. +Taking it for granted that this was only the advanced corps of a large +detachment sent to intercept the party retreating from Powles Hook, +Ball made a circuit to avoid the enemy; and Buskirk, finding a +detachment he had not expected, took the same measure to secure his +own retreat. The two parties, narrowly missing each other, returned to +their respective points of departure; and Lee reached the new bridge +without interruption.[19] + +[Footnote 19: The author states these facts from his own observation, +and conversations with other officers of the detachment.] + +This critical enterprise reflected much honour on the partisan with +whom it originated, and by whom it was conducted. General Washington +announced it to the army in his orders with much approbation; and +congress bestowed upon it a degree of applause more adapted to the +talent displayed in performing the service than to its magnitude. + +[Sidenote: Arrival of Admiral Arbuthnot.] + +A few days after the surprise of Powles Hook, the long expected fleet +from Europe, under the command of Admiral Arbuthnot, having on board a +reinforcement for the British army, arrived at New York. This +reinforcement however did not enable Sir Henry Clinton to enter +immediately on that active course of offensive operations which he +had meditated. It was soon followed by the Count D'Estaing, who +arrived on the southern coast of America with a powerful fleet; after +which the British general deemed it necessary to turn all his +attention to his own security. Rhode Island, and the posts up the +North River were evacuated, and the whole army was collected in New +York, the fortifications of which were carried on with unremitting +industry. + +[Sidenote: St. Lucia taken by the British. St. Vincents and Grenada +by the French.] + +The Count D'Estaing and Admiral Byron, having sailed about the same +time from the coast of North America, met in the West Indies, where +the war was carried on with various success. St. Lucia surrendered to +the British, in compensation for which the French took St. Vincents +and Grenada. About the time of the capture of the latter island, +D'Estaing received reinforcements which gave him a decided naval +superiority; after which a battle was fought between the two hostile +fleets, in which the Count claimed the victory, and in which so many +of the British ships were disabled that the Admiral was compelled to +retire into port in order to refit. + +The earnest representations made on the part of the United States had +prevailed on the cabinet of Versailles to instruct the Count D'Estaing +to afford them all the aid in his power; and the present moment seemed +a fit one for carrying these orders into execution. Letters from +General Lincoln, from the executive of South Carolina, and from the +French consul at Charleston, urged him to pay a visit to the southern +states; and represented the situation of the British in Georgia to be +such that his appearance would insure the destruction of the army in +that quarter, and the recovery of the state. + +[Sidenote: Count D'Estaing with his fleet arrives on the southern +coast of America.] + +Yielding to these solicitations, the Count sailed with twenty-two +ships of the line, and eleven frigates, having on board six thousand +soldiers, and arrived so suddenly on the southern coast of America, +that the Experiment of fifty guns, and three frigates, fell into his +hands. A vessel was sent to Charleston with information of his +arrival, and a plan was concerted for the siege of Savannah. D'Estaing +was to land three thousand men at Beaulieu on the 11th of September, +and Lincoln was to cross the Savannah on the same day with one +thousand Americans, and effect a junction with him. + +The town of Savannah was, at that time, the head quarters of General +Prevost. Apprehending no immediate danger, he had weakened the +garrison by establishing several out-posts in Georgia; and by leaving +Colonel Maitland with a strong detachment in the island of Port Royal, +in South Carolina. + +On the appearance of the French fleet, expresses were despatched to +Colonel Maitland and to all the out-posts, directing the troops to +repair without loss of time to Savannah. These orders were promptly +obeyed; and, on the 10th of September, the several detachments in +Georgia had all arrived in safety, except the sick and convalescents +of the garrison of Sunbury, who were intercepted. + +[Sidenote: September.] + +[Sidenote: Siege of Savannah by the combined armies.] + +On the 11th, General Lincoln reached Zubly's Ferry, and, on the 15th, +was assured that the French had disembarked in force. A junction of +the two armies was formed the next day before the town of Savannah. + +On the night of the 12th, the Count D'Estaing had landed about three +thousand men at Beaulieu; and the next day, before the arrival of +General Lincoln, had summoned the garrison to surrender to the arms of +the King of France. Being desirous of gaining time, General Prevost +answered the summons in such a manner as to encourage the opinion that +he designed to capitulate; in the expectation of which a suspension of +hostilities for twenty-four hours was granted. In that important +interval, Colonel Maitland arrived from Beaufort, with the troops +which had been stationed at that place. + +As the French were in possession of the main channel by which the +Savannah communicates with the sea, Colonel Maitland entered the town +by a route which had been deemed impracticable. He came round by +Dawfuskie, an island north of the mouth of the river, and landing in a +deep marsh, drew his boats through it into the Savannah, above the +place where the ships lay at anchor, and thence made his way by small +parties into the town. + +On receiving this reinforcement, the resolution was taken to defend +the place to the last extremity; and, the next day, this determination +was communicated to the Count D'Estaing. + +[Sidenote: September.] + +After bringing up the heavy ordnance and stores from the fleet, the +besieging army broke ground; and, by the first of October, had pushed +their sap within three hundred yards of the abattis on the left of the +British lines. Several batteries were opened on the besieged which +played almost incessantly upon their works, but made no impression on +them. + +The situation of D'Estaing was becoming critical. More time had +already been consumed on the coast of Georgia than he had supposed +would be necessary for the destruction of the British force in that +state. He became uneasy for the possessions of France in the West +Indies, and apprehensive for the safety of the ships under his +command. The naval officers remonstrated strenuously against longer +exposing his fleet on an insecure coast, at a tempestuous season of +the year, and urged the danger of being overtaken by a British +squadron, when broken and scattered by a storm, with a degree of +persevering earnestness which the Count found himself incapable of +resisting. + +In a few days the lines of the besiegers might have been carried by +regular approaches, into the works of the besieged, which would have +rendered the capture of the town and garrison inevitable. But +D'Estaing declared that he could devote no more time to this object; +and it only remained to raise the siege, or to attempt the works by +storm. The latter part of the alternative was adopted. + +On the left of the allied army, was a swampy hollow way which afforded +a cover for troops advancing on the right flank of the besieged, to a +point within fifty yards of their principal work. It was determined to +march to the main attack along this hollow; and, at the same time, to +direct feints against other parts of the lines. + +[Sidenote: Unsuccessful attempt to storm it.] + +On the morning of the 9th of October, before day, a heavy cannonade +and bombardment were commenced from all the batteries, as preliminary +to the assault. About three thousand five hundred French, and one +thousand Americans, of whom between six and seven hundred were +regulars, and the residue militia of Charleston, advanced in three +columns, led by D'Estaing and Lincoln, aided by the principal officers +of both nations, and made a furious assault on the British lines. +Their reception was warmer than had been expected. The fire from the +batteries of the besieged reached every part of the columns of the +assailants which had emerged from the swamp, and did great execution. +Yet the allied troops advanced with unabated ardour, passed through +the abattis, crossed the ditch, and mounted the parapet. Both the +French and Americans planted their standards on the walls, and were +killed in great numbers, while endeavouring to force their way into +the works. For about fifty minutes, the contest was extremely +obstinate. At length, the columns of the assailants began to relax, +and a pause was manifested in the assault. + +In this critical moment, Major Glaziers, at the head of a body of +grenadiers and marines, rushing suddenly from the lines, threw himself +on those who had made their way into the redoubts, and drove them over +the ditch and abattis into the hollow which they had marched to the +attack. It became apparent that farther perseverance could produce no +advantage, and a retreat was ordered. + +In this unsuccessful attempt, the French lost in killed and wounded, +about seven hundred men. Among the latter, were the Count D'Estaing +himself, Major General De Fontanges, and several other officers of +distinction. The continental troops lost two hundred and thirty-four +men, and the Charleston militia, who, though associated with them in +danger, were more fortunate, had one captain killed, and six privates +wounded. + +The loss of the garrison was astonishingly small. In killed and +wounded, it amounted only to fifty-five. So great was the advantage +of the cover afforded by their works. + +[Sidenote: The siege raised.] + +[Sidenote: October 18.] + +After this repulse, the Count D'Estaing announced to General Lincoln, +his determination to raise the siege. The remonstrances of that +officer were ineffectual; and the removal of the heavy ordnance and +stores was commenced. This being accomplished, both armies moved from +their ground on the evening of the 18th of October. The Americans, +recrossing the Savannah at Zubly's Ferry, again encamped in South +Carolina, and the French re-embarked. + +Although the issue of this enterprise was the source of severe chagrin +and mortification, the prudence of General Lincoln suppressed every +appearance of dissatisfaction, and the armies separated with +manifestations of reciprocal esteem. + +The hopes which had brought the militia into the field being +disappointed, they dispersed; and the affairs of the southern states +wore a more gloomy aspect than at any former period. + +On receiving intelligence of the situation of Lincoln, congress passed +a resolution requesting General Washington to order the North Carolina +troops, and such others as could be spared from the northern army, to +the aid of that in the south; and assuring the states of South +Carolina and Georgia of the attention of government to their +preservation; but requesting them, for their own defence, to comply +with the recommendations formerly made respecting the completion of +their continental regiments, and the government of their militia while +in actual service. + +During these transactions in the south, the long meditated expedition +against the Indians was prosecuted with success. + +The largest division of the western army was to assemble at Wyoming, +on the main branch of the Susquehanna, and General Sullivan expected +to leave that place in the month of June. Such, however, were the +delays in procuring provisions and military stores, that it was the +last of July[20] before he could move from the place of rendezvous. + +[Footnote 20: While Sullivan was preparing to invade their country, +the savages were not inactive. At the head of a small party of whites +and Indians, Joseph Brandt fell upon the frontiers of New York, +murdered several of the inhabitants, carried others into captivity, +and burnt several houses. He was pursued by about one hundred and +fifty militia, whom he drew into an ambuscade, and entirely defeated. +A few days afterwards, Captain M'Donald, at the head of a small party, +of whom a third were British, took a fort on the west branch of the +Susquehanna, and made the garrison, amounting to thirty men, prisoners +of war. The women and children, contrary to the usage of Indians, were +permitted to retire into the settled country.--_Gordon._] + +[Sidenote: August.] + +Another body of troops, designed to compose a part of the western +army, had passed the winter on the Mohawk. On the 22d of August, these +two divisions united, and the whole army, amounting to five thousand +men, marched up the Tyoga, which led into the heart of the Indian +country. + +Such extensive and tedious preparations could not be made unobserved. +The plan of operations contemplated by Sullivan seems to have been +completely understood; and, notwithstanding the vast superiority of +his force, the Indians determined to defend their country. They +resolved to risk a general action for its preservation, and selected +the ground for the conflict with judgment. + +About a mile in front of Newtown, they collected their whole force, +estimated by General Sullivan at fifteen hundred men, but by +themselves at only eight hundred, commanded by the two Butlers, Grey, +Johnson, M'Donald, and Brandt. Five companies of whites, calculated at +two hundred men, were united with them. They had constructed a +breast-work about half a mile in length, on a piece of rising ground. +The right flank of this work was covered by the river, which, bending +to the right, and winding round their rear, exposed only their front +and left to an attack. On the left, was a high ridge nearly parallel +to the general course of the river, terminating somewhat below the +breast-work; and still farther to the left, was another ridge running +in the same direction, and leading to the rear of the American army. +The ground was covered with pine interspersed with low shrub-oaks, +many of which, for the purpose of concealing their works, had been cut +up and stuck in front of them, so as to exhibit the appearance of +being still growing. The road, after crossing a deep brook at the foot +of the hill, turned to the right, and ran nearly parallel to the +breast-work, so as to expose the whole flank of the army to their +fire, if it should advance without discovering their position. + +Parties communicating with each other were stationed on both hills, so +as to fall on the right flank and rear of Sullivan, as soon as the +action should commence. + +[Sidenote: August.] + +About eleven in the morning of the 29th of August, this work was +discovered by Major Par, who commanded the advance guard of the army; +upon which, General Hand formed the light infantry in a wood, about +four hundred yards distant from the enemy, and stood upon his ground +until the main body should arrive. In the mean time, a continual +skirmishing was kept up between Par's rifle corps, and small parties +of Indians who sallied from their works, and suddenly retreated, +apparently with the hope of being incautiously pursued. + +Conjecturing that the hills on his right were occupied by the savages, +Sullivan ordered General Poor to take possession of that which led +into his rear, and, thence, to turn the left, and gain the rear, of +the breast-work; while Hand, aided by the artillery, should attack in +front. These orders were promptly executed. While the artillery played +on the works, Poor pushed up the mountain, and a sharp conflict +commenced, which was sustained for some time, with considerable spirit +on both sides. Poor continued to advance rapidly, pressing the +Indians before him at the point of the bayonet, and occasionally +firing on them. They retreated from tree to tree, keeping up an +irregular fire, until he gained the summit of the hill. Perceiving +that their flank was completely uncovered by this movement, and that +they were in danger of being surrounded, the savages abandoned their +breast-work, and, crossing the river, fled with the utmost +precipitation. + +[Sidenote: Victory of General Sullivan at Newtown.] + +This victory cost the Americans about thirty men. The ascertained loss +of the Indians was also inconsiderable. But they were so intimidated, +that every idea of farther resistance was abandoned. As Sullivan +advanced, they continued to retreat before him without harassing his +main body, or even skirmishing with his detachments, except in a +single instance. + +He penetrated far into the heart of their country, which his parties +scoured, and laid waste in every direction. Houses, corn-fields, +gardens, and fruit trees, shared one common fate; and Sullivan +executed strictly the severe but necessary orders he had received, to +render the country completely uninhabitable for the present, and thus +to compel the hostile Indians, by want of food, to remove to a greater +distance. + +The objects of the expedition being accomplished, Sullivan returned to +Easton in Pennsylvania, having lost only forty men by sickness and +the enemy. + +The devastation of the country has been spoken of with some degree of +disapprobation; but this sentiment is the result rather of an amiable +disposition in the human mind to condemn whatever may have the +appearance of tending to aggravate the miseries of war, than of +reflection. Circumstances existed which reconciled to humanity this +seeming departure from it. Great Britain possessed advantages which +ensured a controlling influence over the Indians, and kept them in +almost continual war with the United States. Their habitual ferocity +seemed to have derived increased virulence from the malignity of the +whites who had taken refuge among them; and there was real foundation +for the opinion that an annual repetition of the horrors of Wyoming +could be prevented only by disabling the savages from perpetrating +them. No means in the power of the United States promised so certainly +to effect this desirable object, as the removal of neighbours whose +hostility could be diminished only by terror, and whose resentments +were to be assuaged only by fear. + +While Sullivan laid waste the country on the Susquehanna, another +expedition under Colonel Brodhead, was carried on from Pittsburg up +the Alleghany, against the Mingo, Munscy, and Seneca tribes. At the +head of between six and seven hundred men, he advanced two hundred +miles up the river, and destroyed the villages and corn-fields on its +head branches. Here too the Indians were unable to resist the invading +army. + +After one unsuccessful skirmish, they abandoned their villages to a +destruction which was inevitable, and sought for personal safety in +their woods. + +On receiving the communications of General Sullivan, congress passed a +vote approving his conduct, and that of his army. That approbation, +however, seems not to have extended beyond his conduct in the Indian +country. His demands for military stores for the expedition had been +so high; in his conversations with his officers, he had so freely +censured the government for its failure to comply with those demands; +in general orders, he had so openly complained of inattention to the +preparations necessary to secure the success of the enterprise; that +considerable offence was given to several members of congress, and +still more to the board of war. From the operation of these causes, +when Sullivan, at the close of the campaign, complained of ill health, +and offered, on that account, to resign his commission, the endeavours +of his friends to obtain a vote requesting him to continue in the +service, and permitting him to retire from actual duty until his +health should be restored, were overruled; and his resignation was +accepted. The resolution permitting him to resign was, however, +accompanied with one thanking him for his past services. + +Although these great exertions to terminate Indian hostility did not +afford complete security to the western frontiers, they were attended +with considerable advantages. The savages, though not subdued, were +intimidated; and their incursions became less formidable, as well as +less frequent. + +The summer of 1779 passed away without furnishing any circumstance in +America which could be supposed to have a material influence on the +issue of the war. In Europe, however, an event took place which had +been long anxiously expected, and was believed to be of decisive +importance. Spain at length determined to make one common cause with +France against Great Britain. It was supposed that the two powers +would be able to obtain a complete ascendency at sea; and that their +combined fleets would maintain a superiority on the American coast, as +well as in Europe. + +From the first determination of France to take part in the war, it +appears to have been the earnest wish of the cabinet of Versailles to +engage Spain likewise in the contest. + +Her resentments against England, her solicitude to diminish the naval +strength of that nation, and her wish to recover Jamaica, Gibraltar, +and the Floridas, urged her to seize the fair occasion now offered of +dismembering the British empire, and accomplishing these favourite +objects. But her dread of the effect which the independence of the +United States might produce on her own colonies, mingled with some +apprehensions of danger from the contest she was about to provoke, had +produced an appearance of irresolution, which rendered her future +course, for a time, uncertain. In this conflict of opposite interests, +the influence of the cabinet of Versailles, and the jealousy of the +naval power of Britain, at length obtained the victory; and his +Catholic Majesty determined to prevent the reannexation of the United +States to their mother country; but to effect this object by +negotiation rather than by the sword. + +[Sidenote: Spain offers her mediation to the belligerent powers.] + +In pursuance of this pacific system, he offered his mediation to the +belligerent powers. This proposition was readily accepted by France; +but the minister of his Britannic Majesty evaded any explicit +arrangements on the subject, while he continued to make general verbal +declarations of the willingness of his sovereign to give peace to +Europe under the mediation of his Catholic Majesty. In consequence of +these declarations, the Spanish minister proposed a truce for a term +of years, and that a congress of deputies from the belligerent powers +should assemble at Madrid to adjust the terms of a permanent treaty; +into which deputies from the United States were to be admitted, as +the representatives of a sovereign nation. Although an explicit +acknowledgment of their independence was not to be required, it was to +be understood that they should be independent in fact, and should be +completely separated from the British empire. + +This negotiation was protracted to a considerable length; and in the +mean time, all the address of the cabinet of London was used to detach +either France or the United States from their alliance with each +other. Notice of it was given to the American government by the +minister of France at Philadelphia, as well as by Mr. Arthur Lee, one +of their agents in Europe; and congress was repeatedly urged by the +former, to furnish those who might be authorized to represent them in +the conferences for a general treaty, with ample powers and +instructions to conclude it. An extraordinary degree of solicitude was +manifested to hasten the full powers, and to moderate the claims of +the United States. + +It seems to have been the policy of the cabinet of Versailles to +exclude the American States from a share of the fisheries, and to +limit their western boundary to the settlements then made. Either from +a real apprehension that the war might be protracted should the United +States insist on the acknowledgment of their independence as a +preliminary to any treaty, or from an opinion that such preliminary +acknowledgment would leave the terms of the treaty less under the +control of France, and the American plenipotentiaries more masters of +their own conduct, Monsieur Girard laboured to persuade congress to +recede from that demand. If they could be independent in fact, he +thought the form not worth contending for.[21] + +[Footnote 21: The author has seen notes taken by a member of congress, +of communications made by Mr. Girard, when admitted to an audience, +which avow these sentiments. The secret journals of congress sustain +this statement.] + +While congress was employed in debating the instructions to their +ministers, the negotiation was brought to a close. As Spain became +prepared for hostilities, the offered mediation was pressed in such +terms as to produce the necessity of either accepting or rejecting it. +This drew from the cabinet of London a declaration that the +independence of the United States was inadmissible; upon which his +Catholic Majesty determined to take part in the war. + +[Sidenote: War between Spain and England.] + +On the departure of his minister from London without taking leave, the +British government issued letters of marque and reprisal against the +vessels and subjects of the Spanish crown; and a powerful Spanish +fleet, which had been preparing during the negotiation, was expedited, +to co-operate with that of France. Yet the independence of the United +States was not acknowledged, nor was their minister accredited. +Despatches, giving notice of the hostilities meditated by his +Catholic Majesty, were forwarded to Don Galvez, the governor of +Louisiana, who collected a considerable military force at New Orleans, +and reduced the settlements held by the British crown on the +Mississippi, which had not been apprised of the war. + +Intelligence of this important event was given to congress while that +body was deliberating on the instructions to their negotiators. It is +not impossible that this information had some influence on those +deliberations; and, rendering the American government less solicitous +about the future conduct of Spain, diminished the motives for making +territorial sacrifices to that power. Their ministers were ordered to +make it a preliminary article to any negotiation, that Great Britain +should agree to treat with the United States, as sovereign, free, and +independent; and that their independence should be expressly assured +and confirmed by the terms of the treaty itself. + +That the United States might be enabled to avail themselves without +further delays, of any occasion which might be presented for +terminating the war, Mr. John Adams, who was already in Europe, was +authorized to negotiate a treaty of peace, and a commercial treaty +with Great Britain; and Mr. Jay, at that time president of congress, +was appointed minister plenipotentiary to the court of Madrid, with +instructions to insist on the free navigation of the Mississippi;--a +claim to which Spain objected, and which was discountenanced by +France. + +As the campaign drew to a close without affording any solid foundation +for the hope that the war was about to terminate, General Washington +repeated those efforts which he had made so often and so +unsuccessfully, to induce early preparations for the ensuing year. He +submitted to the view of his government a detailed report of the whole +army, which exhibited the alarming fact, that by the last of the +following June, the terms of service of nearly one-half the men under +his command would expire. + +It was not the least considerable of the inconveniences attending the +complex system of government then prevailing in the United States, +that measures essential to the safety of the nation were never taken +in season. Thus, when the time for raising the quotas of the +respective states by voluntary enlistment had passed away, and the +necessity of resorting to coercive means had become absolute, those +means were so delayed, and so irregularly put in execution, that the +terms of service of different portions of the army expired almost +every month in the year; and raw troops, ignorant of the first +rudiments of military duty, were introduced in the most critical +moments of a campaign. Had timely and correspondent measures been +taken by the states to raise their respective quotas by a specified +time in the depth of winter, the recruits would have received the +advantage of a few months training before they were brought into +actual service, and the General, that of a certain uninterrupted force +for each campaign. This course of proceeding had been continually +recommended, and the recommendation had been as continually neglected. + +[Sidenote: Letter from General Washington to Congress.] + +"In the more early stages of the contest," said the Commander-in-chief +to congress, in a letter of the 8th of November, "when men might have +been enlisted for the war, no man, as my whole conduct, and the +uniform tenor of my letters will evince, was ever more opposed to +short enlistments than I was; and while there remained a prospect of +obtaining recruits on a permanent footing in the first instance, as +far as duty and a regard to my station would permit, I urged my +sentiments in favour of it. But the prospect of keeping up an army by +voluntary enlistments being changed, or at least standing on too +precarious and uncertain a footing to depend on for the exigency of +our affairs, I took the liberty in February, 1778, in a particular +manner, to lay before the committee of arrangement then with the army +at Valley Forge, a plan for an annual draught, as the surest and most +certain, if not the only means left us, of maintaining the army on a +proper and respectable ground. And, more and more confirmed in the +propriety of this opinion by the intervention of a variety of +circumstances, unnecessary to detail, I again took the freedom of +urging the plan to the committee of conference in January last; and, +having reviewed it in every point of light, and found it right, at +least the best that has occurred to me, I hope I shall be excused by +congress in offering it to them, and in time for carrying into +execution for the next year; if they should conceive it necessary for +the states to complete their quotas of troops. + +"The plan I would propose is, that each state be informed by congress +annually of the _real deficiency_ of its troops, and called upon to +make it up, or such less specific number as congress may think proper, +by a draught. That the men draughted join the army by the first of +January, and serve until the first of January in the succeeding year. +That from the time the draughts join the army, the officers of the +states from which they come, be authorized and directed to use their +endeavours to enlist them for the war, under the bounties granted to +the officers themselves, and to the recruits, by the act of the 23d of +January, 1779, viz: ten dollars to the officer for each recruit, and +two hundred to the recruits themselves. That all state, county, and +town bounties to draughts, if practicable, be entirely abolished, on +account of the uneasiness and disorders they create among the +soldiery, the desertions they produce, and for other reasons which +will readily occur. That on or before the first of October annually, +an abstract, or return, similar to the present one, be transmitted to +congress, to enable them to make their requisitions to each state with +certainty and precision. This I would propose as a general plan to be +pursued; and I am persuaded that this, or one nearly similar to it, +will be found the best now in our power, as it will be attended with +the least expense to the public, will place the service on the footing +of order and certainty, and will be the only one that can advance the +general interest to any great extent." + +These representations on the part of the Commander-in-chief were not +more successful than those which had before been made. Although the +best dispositions existed in congress, the proceedings of that body +were unavoidably slow; and the difficulty of effecting a concert of +measures among thirteen sovereign states, was too great to be +surmounted. In consequence of these radical defects in the system +itself, the contributions of men made by the states continued to be +irregular, uncertain, and out of season; and the army could never +acquire that consistency and stability, which would have resulted from +an exact observance of the plan so often recommended. + +On receiving information of the disaster which had been sustained by +the allied arms at Savannah, Sir Henry Clinton resumed his plan of +active operations against the southern states. A large embarkation +took place soon after that event had been announced to him, which +sailed from the Hook towards the end of December. The troops were +commanded by himself in person, and the fleet by Admiral Arbuthnot. +The defence of New York and its dependencies were entrusted to General +Knyphausen. + +The preparations made in New York for some distant enterprise were +immediately communicated by his faithful intelligencers to General +Washington, who conjectured its object, and hastened the march of the +troops designed to reinforce General Lincoln. + +The season for action in a northern climate being over, the General +turned his attention to the distribution of his troops in winter +quarters. Habit had familiarized the American army to the use of huts +constructed by themselves; and both officers and men were content to +pass the winter in a hutted camp. In disposing of the troops, +therefore, until the time for action should return, wood and water, a +healthy situation, convenience for supplies of provisions, stations +which would enable them to cover the country, and to defend particular +positions, were the objects taken into consideration, and were all to +be consulted. + +[Sidenote: The American army goes into winter quarters.] + +With a view to these various circumstances, the army was thrown into +two great divisions. The northern was to be commanded by General +Heath; and its chief object was the security of West Point, and of the +posts on the North River, as low as King's Ferry. Subordinate to +this, was the protection of the country on the Sound, and down the +Hudson to the neighbourhood of Kingsbridge. The other and principal +division, under the immediate command of General Washington, was put +under cover, late in December, in the neighbourhood of Morristown. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + South Carolina invaded.... The British fleet passes the bar, + and gets possession of the harbour of Charleston.... Opinion + of General Washington on the propriety of defending that + place.... Sir Henry Clinton invests the town.... Tarlton + surprises an American corps at Monk's Corner.... Fort + Moultrie surrendered.... Tarlton defeats Colonel White.... + General Lincoln capitulates.... Buford defeated.... + Arrangements for the government of South Carolina and + Georgia.... Sir Henry Clinton embarks for New York.... + General Gates takes command of the Southern army.... Is + defeated near Camden.... Death of De Kalb.... Success of + General Sumpter.... He is defeated. + + +[Sidenote: 1780.] + +The departure of the French fleet produced a sudden change in the +prospects of the southern states. The sanguine hopes which had been +entertained of the recovery of Georgia, gave place to gloomy and well +founded apprehensions for South Carolina. + +The facility with which General Prevost had passed through the state, +and the assurances he had received of the indisposition of a large +portion of the people to defend themselves, disclosed too certainly +the true situation of the country, not to convince all discerning men +that a real attempt at conquest would be made the ensuing year. +General Lincoln perceived the approaching danger, without being able +to provide against it. His power, as a military commander, was too +limited, and his influence on the government of the state too weak, to +draw forth even the means it possessed in time for its protection. + +Though the preservation of its metropolis was of vast importance to +the state, no preparations were making to put it in a condition to +stand a siege. The forts on the islands were in ruins, and the works +across the neck remained unfinished. The representations made on this +subject to the governor by General Lincoln were not disregarded; but +from some defect in the existing law, the executive found it +impracticable to obtain labour for these interesting objects. + +[Sidenote: January 23.] + +Admiral Arbuthnot arrived at Savannah on the 31st of January. One of +his transports, which had been separated from the fleet in a storm, +was brought into Charleston harbour on the 23d of that month; and the +prisoners gave the first certain intelligence that the expedition from +New York was destined against the capital of South Carolina. + +[Sidenote: Sir Henry Clinton invests Charleston.] + +Before the middle of February, the fleet entered the harbour, or +inlet, of North Edisto; and landed the troops without opposition on +St. John's Island. A part of the fleet was sent round to blockade the +harbour of Charleston, while the army proceeded slowly and cautiously +from Stono Creek to Wappoo Cut, and through the islands of St. John +and St. James. + +This delay, in the event so fatal, but then deemed so propitious to +the American arms, was employed to the utmost advantage in improving +the defence of Charleston. The legislature had enabled the executive +to employ slaves to work on the fortifications; and had passed an act +delegating great powers to the Governor and such of his council as he +could conveniently consult. Under these acts, six hundred slaves were +employed on the works, and vigorous, though not very successful +measures were taken by the executive to assemble the militia of the +country. The fallacious hope was entertained that, if the town could +be rendered defensible, the garrison would be made sufficiently strong +by reinforcements from the north, and by the militia of the state, to +maintain the place and compel Sir Henry Clinton to raise the siege. + +The American army being too weak to make any serious opposition to the +progress of the British through the country, the cavalry, with a small +corps of infantry, were directed to hover on their left flank; and the +other troops, consisting of about fourteen hundred regulars fit for +duty, aided by the militia, were drawn into the town, and employed on +the works. + +[Sidenote: Colonel Washington defeats Tarlton.] + +Understanding that great exertions were making to improve the +fortifications, and that the garrison was gaining strength, Sir Henry +Clinton ordered General Patterson to join him with the troops which +could be spared from Georgia, and directed Lieutenant Colonel +Tarlton, after supplying the horses which had been lost during a very +stormy voyage from New York, to cover his march through South +Carolina. In one of the excursions of that active officer to disperse +the militia who assembled to oppose the progress of Patterson through +the country, his cavalry encountered Lieutenant Colonel Washington, +who commanded the remnant of Baylor's regiment, and were driven back +with some loss; but the want of infantry disabled Washington from +pressing his advantage. + +In defending Charleston, the command of the harbour is of great +importance. To preserve this advantage, congress had ordered four +frigates to South Carolina, which, with the marine force belonging to +the state, and two French vessels, were placed under the command of +Commodore Whipple. + +General Washington was the more sanguine in the hope of defending the +harbour, because it was understood that the bar was impassable by a +ship of the line, and that even a large frigate could not be brought +over it, without first taking out her guns, or careening her so much +that the crew would be unable to work her. + +On sounding within the bar it was discovered that the water was too +shallow for the frigates to act with any effect, and that, in making +the attempt, they would be exposed to the fire of the batteries which +the assailants had erected. Under these circumstances, the officers +of the navy were unanimously of opinion that no successful opposition +could be made at the bar, and that the fleet might act more +advantageously in concert with the fort on Sullivan's Island. + +The intention of disputing the passage over the bar being abandoned, +Commodore Whipple moored his squadron in a line with fort Moultrie, in +a narrow passage between Sullivan's Island and the middle ground; and +the British ships, without their guns, passed the bar, and anchored in +five fathom hole. + +It being now thought impossible to prevent the fleet from passing fort +Moultrie, and taking such stations in Cooper River as would enable +them to rake the batteries on shore, and to close that communication +between the town and country, the plan of defence was once more +changed, and the armed vessels were carried into the mouth of Cooper +River, and sunk in a line from the town to Shute's folly. + +This was the critical moment for evacuating the town. The loss of the +harbour rendered the defence of the place, if not desperate, so +improbable, that the hope to maintain it, could not have been +rationally entertained by a person, who was not deceived by the +expectation of aids much more considerable than were actually +received. + +[Sidenote: Opinion of General Washington on the subject of defending +Charleston.] + +When this state of things was communicated to General Washington, by +Lieutenant Colonel Laurens, he said in reply, "The impracticability +of defending the bar, I fear, amounts to the loss of the town and +garrison. At this distance it is impossible to judge for you. I have +the greatest confidence in General Lincoln's prudence; but it really +appears to me, that the propriety of attempting to defend the town, +depended on the probability of defending the bar; and that when this +ceased, the attempt ought to have been relinquished. In this, however, +I suspend a definitive judgment, and wish you to consider what I say +as confidential." Unfortunately, this letter did not arrive in time to +influence the conduct of the besieged. + +[Sidenote: April 1.] + +Having crossed Ashley River, Sir Henry Clinton moved down the neck, +and, on the night of the first of April, broke ground within eight +hundred yards of the American lines. + +The defences of Charleston had been constructed under the direction of +a Mr. Laumay, a French gentleman in the American service; and, +although not calculated to resist a regular siege, were far from being +contemptible. + +While the besiegers were employed on their first parallel, the +garrison received a considerable reinforcement. General Woodford, who +had marched from Morristown in December, entered the town with the old +continental troops of the Virginia line, now reduced to seven hundred +effectives. General Hogan, with the line of North Carolina, had +arrived before him. The garrison consisted of rather more than two +thousand regular troops, of about one thousand North Carolina militia, +and of the citizens of Charleston. The exertions of the Governor to +bring in the militia of South Carolina had not succeeded. + +[Sidenote: April 9.] + +By the 9th of April, Sir Henry Clinton completed his first parallel +extending across the neck, and mounted his guns in battery. His works +formed an oblique line, from six to seven hundred yards distant from +those of the besieged. About the same time, Admiral Arbuthnot passed +Sullivan's Island, under a heavy and well directed fire from fort +Moultrie, then commanded by Colonel Pinckney, and anchored under +James' Island near fort Johnson, just out of gunshot of the batteries +of the town. + +Being now in complete possession of the harbour, the British General +and Admiral sent a joint summons to General Lincoln, demanding the +surrender of the town, to which he returned this firm and modest +answer. "Sixty days have elapsed since it has been known that your +intentions against this town were hostile, in which, time has been +afforded to abandon it; but duty and inclination point to the +propriety of supporting it to the last extremity." + +On receiving this answer, the besiegers opened their batteries, but +seemed to rely principally on proceeding by sap quite into the +American lines. + +About this time, the Governor with half the members of the council, +went into the country, in the hope of collecting a respectable force +in the rear, and on the left flank of the besieging army. The +Lieutenant Governor, and the other members of the council remained in +town. + +Hitherto, Sir Henry Clinton had not extended his lines north of +Charleston neck, and the communication of the garrison with the +country north-east of Cooper remained open. The American cavalry, +under the command of General Huger, had passed that river, and was +stationed in the neighbourhood of Monk's corner, about thirty miles +above Charleston. As an additional security to this, the only +remaining communication, two posts of militia were established, one +between the Cooper and the Santee rivers, to which the Governor +repaired in person; and another at a ferry on the Santee, where boats +were to be collected for the purpose of facilitating the passage of +the American army over that river, should it be deemed adviseable to +evacuate the town. + +Such importance was attached to this object, that Lincoln, after +Woodford had entered Charleston, detached a part of his regular +troops, to throw up some works about nine miles above the town, on +Wando, the eastern branch of Cooper, and on Lamprere's point. The +militia, it was hoped, though unwilling to enter Charleston, might be +drawn to these posts. + +[Sidenote: April 14.] + +[Sidenote: Tarlton surprises and defeats an American corps at Monk's +corner.] + +After the fleet had entered the harbour, Sir Henry Clinton turned his +attention to the country on the east of Cooper, to acquire the +possession of which it was necessary to disable the American cavalry. +This service was committed to Lieutenant Colonel Webster, who detached +Tarlton with the horse and a corps of infantry to execute it. He +succeeded completely. Conducted in the night through unfrequented +paths to the American videttes, he entered the camp with them, killed +and took about one hundred men, and dispersed the residue, who saved +themselves on foot in a swamp. Near fifty wagons loaded with military +stores, and about four hundred horses, fell into the hands of the +victors. + +This decisive blow gave Lieutenant Colonel Webster possession of the +whole country between Cooper and Wando; and closed the only route by +which the garrison could have retreated. + +The besiegers had now commenced their second parallel, and it became +every day more apparent that the town must ultimately yield to their +regular approaches. An evacuation was proposed, and Lincoln is +understood to have been in favour of that measure; but the +remonstrances of the principal inhabitants, who entreated him not to +abandon them to the fury of a disappointed enemy, added to the great +difficulty which must attend such an attempt, especially when opposed +by the civil government, deterred him from adopting the only course +which afforded even a probability, by saving his army, of saving the +southern states. + +Soon after the affair at Monk's corner, Sir Henry Clinton received a +reinforcement of three thousand men from New York. This addition to +his strength enabled him to detach largely to the aid of Lieutenant +Colonel Webster, after which Lord Cornwallis took command of the +troops on that side of Cooper River. + +[Sidenote: April 20.] + +Upon this change of situation, Lincoln called another council of war. +Notwithstanding the multiplied difficulties attending an evacuation of +Charleston, he appears to have been still inclined to it. But a number +of fortunate circumstances must have concurred to render a retreat +possible; and the attempt was effectually prevented by the opposition +of the civil government. The opinion seems to have prevailed, that the +escape of the garrison would be followed by the destruction of the +town, and the ruin of its inhabitants. + +The council advised that a capitulation should be proposed, and that +the town should be surrendered on condition that the garrison should +be at liberty still to bear arms, and that the inhabitants should be +secured in their persons and property. These propositions being +rejected, hostilities recommenced. + +The besiegers had completed their second parallel, and had begun the +third, when Colonel Henderson made a vigorous sally on their right, +which was attended with some success. That this was the only sortie +made during the siege, is to be ascribed to the weakness of the +garrison. General Lincoln deemed it necessary to reserve all his +strength to man his lines in the event of an assault, or to force a +retreat, should he determine to evacuate the city. + +In this state of things, General Du Portail, who had been directed to +join the southern army, was conducted by secret ways into the town. He +perceived the impossibility of defending the place, and repeated the +proposition for attempting a retreat. This proposition was again +rejected; and it only remained to defer the surrender as long as +possible, in the vain hope that some fortunate occurrence might bring +relief. + +[Sidenote: The garrison of fort Moultrie surrender themselves +prisoners of war.] + +Every day diminished this hope, and added to the difficulties of the +besieged. The admiral took possession of Mount Pleasant, which induced +the immediate evacuation of Lamprere's point; soon after which the +garrison of fort Moultrie, amounting to about two hundred men,[22] +surrendered themselves prisoners of war. On the same day, the cavalry +which had escaped the disaster at Monk's corner, and had been +reassembled under the command of Colonel White, of New Jersey, was +again surprised and defeated by Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton at +Lanneau's ferry. + +[Footnote 22: After the fleet passed the fort, Colonel Pinckney and a +part of the garrison were withdrawn.] + +The investment of the town was now complete; the advances were rapid; +and it became obvious that the place could be defended only a few days +longer. The besiegers had finished their third parallel; and by a sap +pushed to the dam that supplied the canal with water, had drained it +in many places to the bottom. The garrison, fatigued and worn out with +constant duty, was too weak to man the lines sufficiently; their guns +were almost all dismounted; most of the embrasures demolished; their +shot nearly expended; their provisions, with the exception of a few +cows, entirely consumed; and the approaches of the besiegers so near, +that their marksmen frequently picked off the men from the guns, and +killed[23] any person who showed himself above the works. + +[Footnote 23: Colonel Parker and Captain Peyton, two valuable officers +from Virginia, fell in this manner.] + +In this state of things, the garrison was summoned, a second time, to +surrender; on which a council was again called, which advised a +capitulation. In pursuance of this advice, General Lincoln proposed +terms which were refused, and hostilities recommenced. + +The besiegers now advanced their works in front of their third +parallel, crossed the canal, pushed a double sap to the inside of the +abattis, and approached within twenty yards of the American works. +Preparations for an assault by sea and land were making. With less +than three thousand men, many of whom were militia, lines three miles +in extent were to be defended against the flower of the British army, +assisted by a powerful maritime force. Convinced that success was not +possible, the citizens prepared a petition to General Lincoln, +entreating him to surrender the town on the terms which had been +offered by the besiegers. + +[Sidenote: General Lincoln capitulates.] + +This proposition was made and accepted; and the capitulation was +signed on the 12th of May. + +[Sidenote: May 12.] + +The town, and all public stores were surrendered. The garrison, as +well the citizens who had borne arms as the continental troops, +militia, and sailors, were to be prisoners of war. The garrison were +to march out of town, and to deposite their arms in front of their +works; but their drums were not to beat a British march, nor their +colours to be reversed. The militia were to retire to their homes on +parole, and their persons and property, as well as the persons and +property of the inhabitants of the town, to be secure while they +adhered to their paroles. + +These terms being agreed on, the garrison laid down their arms, and +General Leslie was appointed to take possession of the town. + +The defence of Charleston was obstinate, but not bloody. The besiegers +conducted their approaches with great caution; and the besieged, too +weak to hazard repeated sorties, kept within their lines. The loss on +both sides was nearly equal. That of the British was seventy-six +killed and one hundred and eighty-nine wounded; and that of the +Americans, excluding the inhabitants of the town not bearing arms, was +ninety-two killed, and one hundred and forty-eight wounded. + +From the official returns made to Sir Henry Clinton by his deputy +adjutant general, the number of prisoners, exclusive of sailors, +amounted to five thousand six hundred and eighteen men. This report, +however, presents a very incorrect view of the real strength of the +garrison. It includes every male adult inhabitant of the town. The +precise number of privates in the continental regiments, according to +the report made to congress by General Lincoln, was one thousand nine +hundred and seventy-seven; of whom five hundred were in the hospital. + +The unfortunate are generally condemned; and the loss of the garrison +of Charleston so maimed the force, and palsied the operations of the +American government in the south, that censure was unsparingly +bestowed on the officer who had undertaken and persevered in the +defence of that place. In his justificatory letter to the +Commander-in-chief, General Lincoln detailed at large the motives of +his conduct, and stated the testimony on which those delusive hopes of +substantial assistance were founded, which tempted him to remain in +town, until the unexpected arrival of the reinforcement from New York +deprived him of the power to leave it. + +The importance of that great mart of the southern states, which had +become the depot for the country to a considerable extent around it; +the magazines and military stores there collected, which, from the +difficulty of obtaining wagons, could not be removed; the ships of +war, which must be sacrificed should the town be evacuated; the +intention of congress that the place should be defended; the +assurances received that the garrison should be made up to ten +thousand men, of whom nearly one half would be regular troops; the +anxious solicitude of the government of South Carolina; all concurred +to induce the adoption of a measure which, in its consequences, was +extremely pernicious to the United States. In the opinion of those who +were best enabled to judge of his conduct, General Lincoln appears to +have been completely justified. The confidence of his government, and +the esteem of the Commander-in-chief, sustained no diminution. + +Sir Henry Clinton was aware of the impression his conquest had made, +and of the value of the first moments succeeding it. Calculating on +the advantages to be derived from showing an irresistible force in +various parts of the country at the same time, he made three large +detachments from his army;--the first and most considerable, towards +the frontiers of North Carolina; the second to pass the Saluda to +Ninety-Six; and the third up the Savannah towards Augusta. + +[Sidenote: Buford defeated.] + +Lord Cornwallis, who commanded the northern detachment, received +intelligence, soon after passing the Santee, that Colonel Buford, with +about four hundred men, was retreating in perfect security towards +North Carolina. He detached Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton with his +legion, the infantry being mounted, in pursuit of this party. That +officer, by making a movement of near one hundred miles in two days, +overtook Buford, in a line of march, at the Waxhaws, and demanded a +surrender on the terms which had been granted to the garrison of +Charleston. This was refused. While the flags were passing, Tarlton +continued to make his dispositions for the assault, and, the instant +the truce was over, his cavalry made a furious charge on the +Americans, who had received no orders to engage, and who seem to have +been uncertain whether to defend themselves or not. In this state of +dismay and confusion, some fired on the assailants, while others threw +down their arms and begged for quarter. None was given. Colonel Buford +escaped with a few cavalry; and about one hundred infantry, who were +in advance, saved themselves by flight; but the regiment was almost +demolished. Tarlton, in his official report, says that one hundred and +thirteen were killed on the spot, one hundred and fifty so badly +wounded as to be incapable of being moved, and fifty-three were +brought away as prisoners. The loss of the British was five killed and +fourteen wounded. + +Tarlton gives a very different account of the circumstances which +preceded this massacre. He says that the demand for a surrender was +made long before Buford was overtaken, and was answered by a defiance; +that, on overtaking him, the British vanguard made prisoners of a +sergeant and four light dragoons, in the presence of the two +commanders, who immediately prepared for action; that as he advanced +to the charge, when within fifty paces, the American infantry +presented, and were commanded by their officers to retain their fire +until the British cavalry should be nearer.[24] + +[Footnote 24: Lieutenant Bowyer, an American officer who was in the +engagement, near the person of Colonel Buford, in a letter which the +author has lately seen, states this affair in a manner not much +conflicting with the statement made of it by Colonel Tarlton.] + +The American officers who survived the carnage of the day, generally +assert that flags passed after being overtaken, that they had received +no orders from Colonel Buford when the charge was made, and that the +fire of their troops was retained until the enemy was upon them, +because they did not think themselves authorized to give it. The facts +that Buford's field pieces were not discharged, and that the loss was +so very unequal, are not to be reconciled with the idea of deliberate +preparation for battle, and justify the belief that the statement +made by the American officers is correct. + +After the defeat of Buford, scarcely the semblance of opposition +remained in South Carolina and Georgia. The military force employed by +congress was nearly destroyed; the spirit of resistance seemed +entirely broken; and a general disposition to submit to the victor +displayed itself in almost every part of the country. + +The two other detachments saw no appearance of an enemy. They received +the submission of the inhabitants, who either became neutral by giving +their paroles, not to bear arms against his Britannic Majesty, or took +the oaths of allegiance, and resumed the character of British +subjects. + +To keep up this disposition, garrisons were posted in different +stations, and a series of measures was pursued for the purpose of +settling the civil affairs of the province, and of giving stability to +the conquest which had been made. + +[Sidenote: Sir Henry Clinton takes measures for settling the +government of South Carolina and Georgia.] + +[Sidenote: June 3.] + +So entirely did the present aspect of affairs convince Sir Henry +Clinton of the complete subjugation of the state, and of the +favourable disposition of the people towards the British government, +that he ventured to issue a proclamation, in which he discharged the +militia who were prisoners from their paroles, with the exception of +those who were taken in Charleston and fort Moultrie, and restored +them to all the rights and duties of British subjects; declaring, at +the same time, that such of them as should neglect to return to their +allegiance, should be considered and treated as enemies and rebels. + +This proclamation disclosed to the inhabitants their real situation. +It proved that a state of neutrality was not within their reach; that +the evils of war were unavoidable; that they must arrange themselves +on the one side or the other; and that the only alternative presented +to them was, to drive the enemy out of their country, or take up arms +against their countrymen. + +[Sidenote: June 5.] + +With the most sanguine hopes that the southern states would be +reunited to the British empire, Sir Henry Clinton embarked for New +York, leaving about four thousand British troops in South Carolina, +under the command of Lord Cornwallis. + +His lordship found it necessary to suspend the expedition he had +meditated against North Carolina. The impossibility of supporting an +army in that state before harvest, as well as the intense heat of the +season, required this delay. His first care was to distribute his +troops through South Carolina and the upper parts of Georgia, so as to +promote the great and immediate objects of enlisting the young men who +were willing to join his standard, of arranging the plan of a militia, +and of collecting magazines at convenient places. + +In the mean time, he despatched emissaries to his friends in North +Carolina, to inform them of the necessary delay of his expedition +into their country, and to request them to attend to their harvest, +collect provisions, and remain quiet until late in August or early in +September, when the King's troops would be ready to enter the +province. + +The impatience of the royalists, stimulated by the triumph of their +friends in a neighbouring state, and by the necessary severities of a +vigilant government, could not be restrained by this salutary counsel. +Anticipating the immediate superiority of their party, they could not +brook the authority exercised over them, and broke out into premature +and ill concerted insurrections, which were vigorously encountered, +and generally suppressed. One body of them, however, amounting to +about eight hundred men, led by Colonel Bryan, marched down the east +side of the Yadkin to a British post at the Cheraws, whence they +proceeded to Camden. + +Having made his dispositions, and fixed on Camden as the place for his +principal magazines, Cornwallis left the command of the frontiers to +Lord Rawdon, and retired to Charleston for the purpose of making those +farther arrangements of a civil nature, which the state of affairs and +the interest of his sovereign might require. + +His lordship, as well as Sir Henry Clinton, seems to have supposed the +state of South Carolina to be as completely subdued in sentiment as +in appearance. Impatient to derive active aids from the new conquest, +his measures were calculated to admit of no neutrality. For some time +these measures seemed to succeed, and professions of loyalty were made +in every quarter. But under this imposing exterior, lurked a mass of +concealed discontent, to which every day furnished new aliment, and +which waited only for a proper occasion to show itself. + +The people of the lower parts of South Carolina, though far from being +united, were generally attached to the revolution, and had entered +into the war with zeal. They were conducted by a high spirited and +intelligent gentry, who ardently sought independence as a real and +permanent good. + +Several causes had combined to suspend the operation of this +sentiment. Many of their leaders were prisoners; and the brilliant +successes of the British arms had filled numbers with despair. Others +were sensible of the inutility of present resistance; and a still +greater number, fatigued and harassed with militia duty, were willing +to withdraw from the conflict, and, as spectators, to await its issue. +To compel these men to share the burdens of the war, was to restore +them to their former friends. + +Late in March, General Washington had obtained the consent of congress +to reinforce the southern army with the troops of Maryland and +Delaware, and with the first regiment of artillery. This detachment +was to be commanded by the Baron De Kalb, a German veteran who had +engaged early in the service of the United States. + +Such, however, was the deranged state of American finances, and such +the depression of public credit, that these troops could not be put +immediately in motion. They were at length embarked at the Head of +Elk, and conveyed by water to Petersburg, in Virginia, whence they +marched towards South Carolina. Their progress was delayed by that +difficulty of obtaining subsistence which had induced Lord Cornwallis +to suspend the invasion of North Carolina until harvest should be +gathered. No preparations having been made for them, they were reduced +to the necessity of spreading themselves over the country in small +detachments, to collect corn, and grind it for their daily food. In +this manner they proceeded through the upper parts of North Carolina +to Deep River, and encamped near Buffalo Ford in July. At this place +the Baron halted for a few days, in some uncertainty respecting his +future course.[25] + +[Footnote 25: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +The militia of North Carolina, commanded by General Caswell, were +beyond the Pedee, on the road to Camden, and had nearly consumed the +scanty supplies which could be gleaned from a country that was far +from being productive. The Baron was premeditating on a plan for +leaving the direct road and moving up the country to the fertile +banks of the Yadkin, when the approach of Major General Gates was +announced by the arrival of his aid-de-camp, Major Armstrong.[26] + +[Footnote 26: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +[Sidenote: General Gates appointed to the command of the southern +army.] + +[Sidenote: July.] + +Aware of the danger to which the loss of Charleston had exposed that +part of the confederacy, congress deemed it of the utmost importance +to select a general for that department, in whom great military +talents should be combined with that weight of character which might +enable him to draw out the resources of the country. They turned their +eyes on Gates;[27] and sanguine hopes were entertained that the +conqueror of Burgoyne would prove the saviour of the southern states. +On the 13th of June, he was called to the command in the southern +department, and was directed to repair immediately to the army. He +entered, without loss of time, on the duties of his station; and, on +the 25th of July, reached the camp, where he was received by the Baron +De Kalb with the utmost cordiality and respect. + +[Footnote 27: This appointment was made without consulting the +Commander-in-chief. He had determined, if consulted, to recommend +General Greene.] + +The approach of this army, and the information that great exertions +were making in Virginia to augment it, revived the hopes of South +Carolina, and brought again into action a spirit supposed to be +extinguished. The British troops having occupied the north-western +parts of the state, the most active friends of the revolution in that +quarter had fled from their homes, and sought an asylum in North +Carolina and Virginia. As the discontents of their countrymen +increased, and the prospect of being supported by regular troops +brightened, a small body of these exiles, amounting to less than two +hundred, assembled together, and choosing Colonel Sumpter, an old +continental officer, for their chief, entered South Carolina. They +skirmished with the royal militia and small corps of regulars on the +frontiers, sometimes successfully, and always with the active courage +of men fighting for the recovery of their property. The followers of +Sumpter were soon augmented to six hundred men; and a disposition once +more to take up arms showed itself in various parts of the state. Some +corps of militia, which had been embodied under the authority of Lord +Cornwallis, deserted his standard, and joined their countrymen. +Perceiving this change of temper, the British general thought it +necessary to draw in his out-posts, and to collect his troops into +larger bodies. + +On taking command of the southern army, General Gates directed the +troops to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning; +and, on the morning of the 27th, put the whole in motion. Disregarding +the judicious remonstrances which were made to him against pursuing +the direct road, he determined on taking the nearest route to the +advanced post of the British on Lynch's Creek, a few miles from +Camden. The motives assigned by himself for passing through this +barren country were, the necessity of uniting with Caswell, who had +evaded the orders repeatedly given him to join the army, the danger of +dispiriting the troops, and intimidating the people of the country, by +pursuing a route not leading directly towards the enemy, and the +assurances he had received that supplies would overtake him, and would +be prepared for him on the road. + +[Sidenote: August 13.] + +These assurances were not fulfilled; and, the country being still more +barren than had been anticipated, the distress of the army was +extreme. The soldiers subsisted on a few lean cattle found in the +woods, and a very scanty supply of green corn and peaches. Encouraged +by the example of their officers, who shared all their sufferings, and +checked occasional murmurs, they struggled through these difficulties, +and, after effecting a junction with General Caswell and with +Lieutenant Colonel Porterfield,[28] the army reached Clermont, +sometimes called Rugely's mills, on the 13th of August. Possession was +taken of this place without any opposition from Lord Rawdon, who, on +the approach of the American army, drew in his out-posts, and +assembled all his forces at Camden.[29] + +[Footnote 28: This valuable officer was pressing forward to Charleston +when that place surrendered. Continuing to advance, he was within one +day's march of Colonel Buford, when that officer was defeated. Colonel +Porterfield still remained on the frontiers of the Carolinas; and had +the address not only to avoid the fate of every other corps sent to +the relief of Charleston, but to subsist his men; and keep up the +semblance of holding that part of South Carolina.] + +[Footnote 29: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +The day after the arrival of Gates at Clermont, he was joined by seven +hundred militia from Virginia, commanded by Brigadier General Stevens, +an officer of considerable merit, who, during the campaigns of 1777 +and 1778, had commanded a continental regiment. On the same day, an +express arrived from Colonel Sumpter, with information that an escort +of clothing, ammunition, and other stores for the garrison at Camden, +was on the way from Ninety-Six, and must pass the Wateree at a ferry +about a mile from Camden, which was covered by a small redoubt on the +opposite side of the river. One hundred regular infantry with two +brass field-pieces, were immediately detached to join Colonel Sumpter, +who was ordered to reduce the redoubt, and to intercept the +convoy.[30] + +[Footnote 30: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +To attract the attention of the garrison in Camden, and thus +co-operate with the expedition under Sumpter, it was determined in a +council of general officers to put the army in motion that evening, +and to take a post about seven miles from Camden with a deep creek in +front. + +The sick, the heavy baggage, and the military stores were ordered +under a guard to Waxhaws,[31] and the army was directed to be in +readiness to march precisely at ten in the evening in the following +order. + +[Footnote 31: Colonel Williams says these orders were not executed.] + +Colonel Armand's legion composed the van. Porterfield's light +infantry, reinforced by a company of picked men from Stevens's +brigade, covered the right flank of the legion; while Major +Armstrong's light infantry of North Carolina militia, reinforced in +like manner from Caswell's division, covered the left. The Maryland +division, followed by the North Carolina and Virginia militia, with +the artillery, composed the main body and rear guard; and the +volunteer cavalry were equally distributed on the flanks of the +baggage. + +In the event of an attack in front by the British cavalry, the +infantry on the flanks were directed to march up, and to continue +their fire on the assailants. It was supposed they would enable +Colonel Armand to resist the shock; and his orders were positive to +maintain his ground against the cavalry, whatever their numbers might +be.[32] + +[Footnote 32: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +At the time of communicating these orders to Colonel Otho H. Williams, +the Deputy Adjutant General, Gates, showed him a rough estimate of the +army, making it upwards of seven thousand. Convinced that this +estimate was exaggerated, Colonel Williams availed himself of his +means of information to make an abstract of the whole, which he +presented to the general, and which exhibited exactly three thousand +and fifty-two in the column of present fit for duty, of whom more than +two-thirds were militia. Gates expressed some surprise at the numbers, +but said, "there are enough for our purpose," and directed the orders +to be issued to the army. About ten at night, the line of march was +taken up, and the army had advanced about half way to Camden, when a +firing commenced in front.[33] + +[Footnote 33: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +Intelligence of the approach of the American army, and of the +defection of the country between Pedee and the Black River, had been +communicated to Lord Cornwallis, and had induced him to hasten in +person to Camden, which place he reached the day Gates arrived at +Clermont. + +The British army did not much exceed two thousand men, of whom about +nineteen hundred were regulars; but, as the whole country was rising, +Lord Cornwallis apprehended that every day would strengthen his enemy, +and therefore determined to attack him in his camp; hoping, by a +prompt execution of this resolution, to surprise him. By one of those +caprices of fortune on which great events often depend, he marched +from Camden to attack Gates in Clermont, at the very hour that Gates +moved from that place towards Camden.[34] + +[Footnote 34: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +[Sidenote: August 16.] + +About half past two in the morning, the advanced parties of the +hostile armies, to their mutual surprise, met in the woods, and began +to skirmish with each other. Some of Armand's cavalry being wounded +by the first fire, threw the others into disorder, and the whole +recoiled so suddenly that the first Maryland regiment, composing the +front of the column was broken, and the whole line thrown into +consternation. From this first impression, the raw troops never +recovered. The light infantry, however, particularly Porterfield's +corps, behaved so well as to check the advance of the British. +Unfortunately, their gallant commander received a mortal wound, which +compelled him to leave his regiment. Yet a part of it kept its ground; +and, with the aid of the legion infantry, stopped the British van; +upon which order was restored to the American army. + +The officers were immediately employed in forming a line of battle in +front. The Maryland division, including the troops of Delaware, were +on the right, the North Carolina militia in the centre, and the +Virginia militia on the left. + +In this rencounter some prisoners were made, from one of whom Colonel +Williams drew the information that the British army, consisting of +near three thousand men, commanded by Lord Cornwallis in person, was +in full march five or six hundred yards in front. This intelligence +was immediately communicated to General Gates, who had supposed Lord +Cornwallis to be still in Charleston. The general officers were +assembled in the rear of the line, and this information submitted to +them. After a short silence, Stevens said, "Gentlemen, is it not too +late to do any thing but fight?" No other advice being given, General +Gates, who seems to have been himself disposed to risk a battle, +directed the officers to repair to their respective commands. + +The ground on which the army was drawn up was so narrowed by a marsh +on each flank, as to admit of removing the first Maryland brigade, so +as to form a second line about two hundred yards in rear of the first. +The artillery was placed in the centre of the first line, and +Armstrong's light infantry was ordered to cover a small interval +between the flank of the left wing and the marsh. + +Frequent skirmishes occurred during the night between the advanced +parties, with scarcely any other effect than to discover the situation +of the armies, evince the intention of the generals, and serve as a +prelude to the events of the succeeding morning. + +At dawn of day the British appeared in front, advancing in column. +Lieutenant Colonel Webster commanded on the right, and Lord Rawdon on +the left. The seventy-first regiment composed the reserve. Four field +pieces were attached to the left, and one to the corps de reserve. + +Captain Singleton opened some field pieces on the front of the column, +at the distance of about two hundred yards, soon after which the +American left was ordered to commence the action. It was then +perceived that the British right was advancing in line; and as Stevens +led on his brigade in good order, Colonel Williams advanced in front +with a few volunteers, intending by a partial fire to extort that of +the enemy at some distance, and thereby diminish its effect on the +militia. The experiment did not succeed. The British rushed forward +with great impetuosity, firing and huzzaing at the same time; and the +terrified militia, disregarding the exertions of Stevens, who, in the +firm tone of courage, endeavoured to inspire them with confidence in +the bayonets they had just received, threw down their loaded muskets, +fled from the field with the utmost precipitation, and were followed +by the light infantry of Armstrong. The whole North Carolina division, +except one regiment commanded by Colonel Dixon, an old continental +officer, which was posted nearest the continental troops, followed the +shameful example. Other parts of the same brigade, which was commanded +by Gregory, paused for an instant; but the terror of their brethren +was soon communicated to them, and they also threw away their arms, +and sought for safety in flight. Their general, while endeavouring to +rally them, was dangerously wounded. + +Tarlton's legion charged them as they broke, and pursued them in their +flight. Gates, in person, assisted by their generals, made several +efforts to rally the militia; but the alarm in their rear still +continuing, they poured on like a torrent, and bore him with them. He +hastened with General Caswell to Clermont, in the hope of stopping a +sufficient number of them at their old encampment, to cover the +retreat of the continental troops; but this hope was entirely +disappointed. Believing the continental troops also to be dispersed, +he gave up all as lost, and retreated with a few friends to Charlotte, +about eighty miles from the field of battle, where he left General +Caswell to assemble the neighbouring militia, and proceeded himself to +Hillsborough, in order to concert some plan of farther defence with +the government. + +Entirely deserted by the militia who composed the whole centre and +left wing of the army, the continental troops, with the Baron De Kalb +at their head, were left without orders, under circumstances which +might have justified a retreat. But taking counsel from their courage, +and seeing only the path of duty, they preferred the honourable and +dangerous part of maintaining their position. They were charged by +Lord Rawdon about the time the militia on their left were broken by +Webster; but the charge was received with unexpected firmness. The +bayonet was occasionally resorted to by both parties, and the conflict +was maintained for near three quarters of an hour with equal +obstinacy. During this time, the regiment on the left of the second +Maryland brigade being covered by the reserve, so that it could be +only engaged in front, gained ground and made prisoners. + +The reserve, having its left entirely exposed, was flanked by the +British right wing under Webster; who, after detaching a part of his +cavalry and light infantry in pursuit of the flying militia, wheeled +on that brigade, and attacking it in front and round the left flank, +threw it into some disorder. The soldiers were, however, quickly +rallied, and renewed the action with unimpaired spirit. Overpowered by +numbers, they were again broken, and by the exertion of their officers +were again formed, so as still to maintain the combat, and still to +cover the flank of their brethren of the second brigade, who were in a +manner blended with the enemy, and who kept up a desperate conflict in +the hope of yet obtaining the victory. + +[Sidenote: Death of De Kalb.] + +The fire of the whole British army was now directed against these two +devoted brigades. They had not lost an inch of ground when Lord +Cornwallis, perceiving that they were without cavalry, pushed his +dragoons upon them, and at the same instant, charged them with the +bayonet. These gallant troops were no longer able to keep the field. +They were at length broken; and, as they did not give way until +intermingled with the enemy, they dispersed and fled in confusion. +Before they were reduced to this last extremity, the Baron De Kalb, +who fought on foot with the second Maryland brigade, fell under eleven +wounds. His aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Colonel Du Buysson, received him +in his arms, announced his rank and nation to the surrounding foe, and +begged that they would spare his life. While thus generously exposing +himself to save his friend, he received several wounds, and, with his +general, was taken prisoner. The Baron expired in a few hours, and +spent his last breath in dictating a letter, expressing the warmest +affection for the officers and men of his division, and the most +exalted admiration of their courage and good conduct.[35] + +[Footnote 35: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +Never was a victory more complete. Every corps was broken and +dispersed in the woods. The general officers were divided from their +men; and, except Rutherford of the North Carolina militia who was made +a prisoner, reached Charlotte at different times. Colonel Williams, +who witnessed the whole battle, and bore a conspicuous part in it, +concludes his very animated description of it, with the observation, +that "if in this affair the militia fled too soon, the regulars may be +thought almost as blameable for remaining too long on the field; +especially after all hope of victory must have been despaired of." He +censures freely the conduct of the brigadiers, who gave, he says, no +orders whatever to their brigades. + +About two hundred wagons, with a great part of the baggage, military +stores, small arms, and all the artillery, fell into the hands of the +conqueror. The loss of men could never be accurately ascertained, as +no returns were received from the militia. Of the North Carolina +division, between three and four hundred were made prisoners, and +between sixty and one hundred were wounded. Of the Virginia militia, +three were wounded on the field; and, as they were the first to fly, +not many were taken. + +For the numbers engaged, the loss sustained by the regulars was +considerable. It amounted to between three and four hundred men, of +whom a large portion were officers. The British accounts state the +loss of the American army at eight or nine hundred killed, and about +one thousand prisoners; while their own is said to be only three +hundred and twenty-five, of whom two hundred and forty-five were +wounded. Although many of the militia were killed during the flight, +this account is probably exaggerated. It would seem too, that while +the continental troops kept the field, the loss on both sides, in that +part of the action, must have been nearly equal. + +On his retreat, the day of the battle, General Gates received +information of the complete success of Sumpter. That officer had, on +the evening that Lord Cornwallis marched from Camden, reduced the +redoubt on the Wateree, captured the guard, and intercepted the +escort with the stores. + +This gleam of light cheered the dark gloom which enveloped his affairs +but for a moment. He was soon informed that this corps also was +defeated, and entirely dispersed. + +[Sidenote: August 18.] + +On hearing of the disaster which had befallen Gates, Sumpter began to +retreat up the south side of the Wateree. Believing himself out of +danger, he had halted on the twenty-eighth, during the heat of the +day, near the Catawba Ford, to give his harassed troops some repose. +At that place he was overtaken by Tarlton, who had been detached in +pursuit of him on the morning of the 17th, and who, advancing with his +accustomed celerity, entered the American camp so suddenly, as in a +great measure to cut off the men from their arms. Some slight +resistance made from behind the wagons was soon overcome, and the +Americans fled precipitately to the river and woods. Between three and +four hundred of them were killed and wounded; their baggage, +artillery, arms, and ammunition were lost; and the prisoners and +stores they had taken, were recovered. This advantage was gained with +the loss of only nine men killed and six wounded. + +Two videttes had been placed by Sumpter, on the road along which +Tarlton had advanced, who fired upon his van and killed one of his +dragoons, upon which they were both sabred. We are informed by +Colonel Tarlton that the inquiries made by Sumpter respecting the two +shots, were answered by an assurance from an officer, just returned +from the advanced sentries, that the militia were firing at cattle. + +[Sidenote: August 19.] + +Intelligence of this disaster reached Charlotte next day. Generals +Smallwood and Gist were then arrived at that place, and about one +hundred and fifty straggling, dispirited, half famished officers and +soldiers had also dropped in. It was thought adviseable to retreat +immediately to Salisbury. From that place, General Gates directed the +remnant of the troops to march to Hillsborough, where he was +endeavouring to assemble another army, which might enable him yet to +contend for the southern states. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Distress in the American camp.... Expedition against Staten + Island.... Requisitions on the states.... New scheme of + finance.... Committee of congress deputed to camp.... + Resolution to make up depreciation of pay.... Mutiny in the + line of Connecticut.... General Knyphausen enters Jersey.... + Sir Henry Clinton returns to New York.... Skirmish at + Springfield.... Exertions to strengthen the army.... Bank + established in Philadelphia.... Contributions of the + ladies.... Farther proceedings of the states.... Arrival of + a French armament in Rhode Island.... Changes in the + quartermaster's department.... Enterprise against New York + abandoned.... Naval superiority of the British. + + +[Sidenote: 1780.] + +While disasters thus crowded on each other in the southern states, +the Commander-in-chief found himself surrounded with difficulties, +which required his utmost exertions to avoid calamities equally +distressing. His urgent requisitions for men to supply the places of +those who were leaving the service, were not complied with, and the +soldiers who remained, could scarcely be preserved from either +perishing with cold and hunger, or dispersing and living on plunder. + +General Greene and Colonel Wadsworth, who had, for the preceding year, +been at the head of the quartermaster and commissary departments, +possessed distinguished merit, and had employed assistants of +unquestionable ability and integrity. Yet, for a great part of the +campaign, the rations were frequently reduced, and the army was +rarely supplied with provisions for more than a few days in advance. +Soon after coming into winter quarters, the magazines were exhausted, +and afforded neither meat nor flour to be delivered to the men. + +This state of things had been long foreseen; and all the means in the +power of the Commander-in-chief had been used to prevent it. Repeated +representations of the actual famine with which the army was +threatened, had been made to congress, and to the state governments; +but no adequate relief was afforded; and such was the condition of the +finances, so embarrassing the state of affairs, that it was perhaps +attainable only by measures which the governments could not venture to +adopt. + +The rapid depreciation of the continental currency, had long been +viewed with apprehensive anxiety by the enlightened friends of the +revolution, and various unsuccessful expedients had been essayed for +the purpose of checking its progress. All perceived that the great +quantity in circulation was the principal cause of the diminution of +its value; and congress had resolved not to exceed two hundred +millions of dollars in their emissions. In the mean time, the utmost +endeavours were used to defer an evil so justly dreaded, and among the +expedients employed, was that of withholding from the public agents, +the money which was necessary for public purposes. This unwise +experiment, while it defeated its own object, threatened the +dissolution of the American army. + +The difference between the value of the article at the times of +contract and of payment was soon perceived, and, of course, influenced +its price. But this was the least mischievous consequence of this +mistaken policy. The public agents contracted enormous debts which +they were unable to discharge. Repeated disappointments destroyed +their credit; and, towards the close of the year 1779, they found it +impracticable to obtain supplies for the subsistence of the army. + +From these causes, the contracts entered into could not be +co-extensive with the public wants; and many of those which were made +were not complied with. + +In this critical state of things, an entire revolution was made in the +commissary department. Such was the prejudice against the system +adopted by Great Britain, for supplying by contract, that it had been +usual to allow, as a compensation to the commissary, a stipulated +commission on all the monies expended on public account. After some +time, this allowance was supposed to be an inducement to purchase at +high prices; and an arrangement was made on the first of January, by +which the commissary general was to receive a fixed nominal salary in +the paper currency, and was permitted to appoint assistants whose +compensations were also fixed, and who were to defray, out of those +compensations, all the expenses attending the transactions of the +business. The practice of allowing them rations and forage was +discontinued. + +This new system was unfortunately so modified as to increase the +embarrassments of the department. It was found difficult to obtain +assistants and agents for the compensation allowed; and those who were +willing to be employed, were unequal to the duties assigned them. + +For several days, the soldiers were reduced to half allowance, and +sometimes to less. At length, affairs came to the crisis which had +long been threatened; and, early in January, a letter was received +from Colonel Wadsworth, informing the general that it was absolutely +out of his power to supply the army longer with meat, as he was +without money, and had totally exhausted his credit. About the same +time, the assistant commissary, residing in camp, gave notice that his +stock of provisions was on the point of being expended, and that he +had no immediate prospect of a farther supply. + +This state of things compelled the Commander-in-chief to adopt +efficacious measures, to relieve the immediate and pressing wants of +his soldiers. He required from each county in the state of Jersey, a +quantity of meat and flour proportioned to its resources, to be raised +and forwarded to the army within a limited time, not exceeding six +days. In a circular letter addressed to the magistrates, he stated the +pressing wants of the army, and the necessity of resorting to coercion +should his requisition fail. + +To the honour of the magistrates and people of New Jersey, although +their country was much exhausted, the supplies required were instantly +furnished, and a temporary relief obtained. + +The patient and uncomplaining fortitude with which the soldiers bore +their sufferings, was strong evidence of their patriotism, and could +not fail to make a deep impression on their general. But while their +virtues excited his sensibilities, he expressed his fears very freely +to congress, that they might be too severely tried. + +The unusual severity of the winter, seemed to furnish an opportunity +for active enterprise, which the Commander-in-chief observed, without +being able to improve. The garrison of New York and its immediate +dependencies, was supposed to be reduced to ten or eleven thousand +effectives; and the security heretofore derived from its insular +situation no longer existed. The ice was so strong that the whole +army, with its train of wagons and artillery, might pass over without +danger. This circumstance afforded a glorious occasion for striking a +blow, which, if successful, would most probably terminate the war. +The effort would seem not to have exceeded the strength of America, +could that strength have been exerted in proper season; but the +government possessed neither sufficient energy nor concentration of +power to call it forth; and this opportunity passed away, as many +which present themselves in the course of human affairs, must pass +away, if those who should take advantage of them, only begin to +deliberate about making preparations in the season for action. + +The force under the immediate command of General Washington, was +decidedly inferior to that in New York; and so far was he from having +reason to expect immediate reinforcements, that congress had not +agreed on making a requisition for them. In addition to this +feebleness in point of numbers, the soldiers were not half clothed; +provisions for immediate use could be obtained only by contributions +from the people; the quartermaster's department was unable to put an +army in motion; and the military chest did not contain a dollar. + +Under the pressure of this combination of discouraging circumstances, +the active mind of Washington still looked forward to the possibility +of deriving some advantage from the exposed situation of his +adversary. + +The troops on Staten Island were computed at one thousand or twelve +hundred men; and the firm bridge of ice now uniting that island to +the Jersey shore, seemed to furnish an opportunity for bearing off +this corps. General Washington determined to make the attempt with two +thousand five hundred men, to be commanded by Major General Lord +Stirling. The more distant troops moved down on sleds; and, to favour +a surprise, the opinion was inculcated that they only constituted a +relief for the detachment already on the lines. + +[Sidenote: January.] + +On the night of the 14th of January, Lord Stirling moved over from De +Hart's point; and, detaching Lieutenant Colonel Willet to Decker's +house, where Buskirk's regiment was stationed, proceeded himself to +the watering place, where the main body was posted. Notwithstanding +the precautions which had been taken, the alarm had been given at each +post, and the troops had saved themselves in their works; so that only +a few prisoners were made. Contrary to the intelligence previously +received, the communication with New York was still open; and the +works appeared too strong to justify the hazard of attempting to carry +them by assault. + +[Sidenote: January 17.] + +The object of the expedition being unattainable, Lord Stirling +commenced his retreat, which was effected with inconsiderable loss. A +body of cavalry, which charged his rear, was repulsed; but, from the +intenseness of the cold, and the defectiveness of his means to protect +his men from it, some of them were frost bitten, and a few stragglers +were made prisoners. + +The excessive cold continuing, the rivers were soon afterwards +completely blocked up. Even arms of the sea were passable on the ice; +and the islands about the mouth of the Hudson, presented the +appearance of one whole and unbroken continent. This state of things +produced a great degree of suffering among all classes in New York. +The supplies usually received by water failed totally, and a great +scarcity of provisions and of fuel was the consequence. To increase +this scarcity, the American troops on the lines were so disposed as to +interrupt the communication between the country and the town; and +these arrangements produced a partisan war, in which the advantage was +rather on the side of the British. + +In one of the most important of these skirmishes, Captain Roberts, of +Massachusetts, with fourteen of his men, were killed on the spot; +seventeen were wounded, of whom three died in a few days; and +Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, of Massachusetts, who commanded the +party, two captains, four subalterns, and ninety non-commissioned +officers and privates were made prisoners. + +The emission of the full sum of two hundred millions of dollars in +continental bills of credit, which congress had solemnly resolved not +to exceed, had been completed in November, 1779, and the money was +expended. The requisitions on the states to replenish the treasury by +taxes were not fully complied with; and, had they even been strictly +observed, would not have produced a sum equal to the public +expenditure. It was therefore necessary to devise other measures for +the prosecution of the war. During the distresses which brought the +army to the brink of dissolution, these measures were under +consideration. So early as December, 1779, congress had determined to +change the mode of supplying the army from purchases to requisitions +of specific articles on the several states. As preliminary to this +system, commissioners were appointed to make the estimates, and to +introduce every practicable reform in the expenditures. This subject +was under deliberation until the 25th of February, when sundry +resolutions were passed, apportioning on the states their respective +quotas of provisions, spirits, and forage, for the ensuing campaign. +The value of the several articles was estimated in specie; and +assurances were given that accounts between the states should be +regularly kept, and finally settled in Spanish milled dollars. + +For the purpose of inducing and facilitating a compliance with these +requisitions, congress also resolved, "that any state which shall have +taken the necessary measures for furnishing its quota, and have given +notice thereof to congress, shall be authorized to prohibit any +continental quartermaster or commissary from purchasing within its +limits." + +These resolutions, constituting the basis of a new system on which the +future subsistence of the army was essentially to depend, were too +deeply interesting not to receive the anxious attention of the +Commander-in-chief. With regret, he communicated to congress the +radical defects he perceived in their arrangements, with his +apprehensions that this untried scheme would fail in practice. + +His judgment, and the judgment of all men engaged in high and +responsible situations, was decidedly in favour of conducting the war +on a national rather than on a state system. But, independent of this +radical objection, economy had been so much more consulted than the +probable necessities of the army, that, in almost every article, the +estimate had fallen far short of the demand to be reasonably expected. + +The total omission to provide means for supplying occasional +deficiencies from the surplus resources of any particular state, was +an error of still greater magnitude. It was obvious that the demand in +any state which should become the theatre of war, would be much +greater than its quota; and experience had shown that the carriage of +specific articles from distant places was always difficult and +expensive, and sometimes impracticable. Yet no means were adopted to +supply such extraordinary demand, whatever might be the resources of +the country. A still more radical objection to the system was the +principle, enabling any state which should take means to comply with +the requisition, and should notify those means to the government of +the United States, to prohibit the continental agents from making any +purchases within its territory. Among the states which adopted the +proposition of congress was New Jersey, in which the largest division +of the army was stationed. Its legislature passed an act prohibiting +the purchase of provisions within its jurisdiction by the staff of the +continental line, under severe penalties; and refused to authorize its +own agents to provide for any emergency however pressing. It was an +additional objection to these requisitions, that they specified no +periods of the year within which certain portions of the articles +demanded should be raised, and consequently might be complied with, +although the army should be left destitute of every necessary for a +considerable part of the campaign. + +These suggestions, however, with others less material to the military +operations, did not receive the attention which was due to their +importance. A disposition in the members of congress, growing +inevitably out of the organization of the government, to consult the +will of their respective states, and to prefer that will to any other +object, had discovered itself at an early period, and had gained +strength with time. The state of the national treasury was calculated +to promote this disposition. It was empty, and could be replenished +only by taxes, which congress had not the power to impose; or by new +emissions of bills of credit, which the government had pledged the +public faith not to make, and which would rest for their redemption +only on that faith, which would be violated in the very act of their +emission. Under these circumstances, it required a degree of energy +seldom found, to struggle with surrounding difficulties for the +preservation of a general system, and to resist the temptation to +throw the nation at the feet of the states, in whom the vital +principle of power, the right to levy taxes, was exclusively vested. +While the continental currency preserved its value, this essential +defect of the constitution was, in some measure, concealed. The +facility with which money was obtained from the press, was a temporary +substitute for the command of the resources of the country. But when +this expedient failed, it was scarcely possible to advance a single +step, but under the guidance of the respective states. + +[Sidenote: Financial regulations.] + +Whatever might be the future effect of this system, it was +impracticable to bring it into immediate operation. The legislatures +of the several states, by whom it was to be adopted, and carried into +execution, were, many of them, not then in session; and were to meet +at different times through the ensuing spring. It was consequently to +be expected that great part of the summer would pass away before the +supplies to be raised by the measure, could be brought into use. In +the mean time, and until a new scheme of finance, which accompanied +the requisition of specific articles, should be tried, there was no +regular provision for the army. Bills to the amount of Ł100,000 +sterling, payable at six months' sight, were drawn on Mr. Jay, and +others to the same amount, on Mr. Laurens, who were empowered to +negotiate loans in Europe. These bills were sold in small sums on +pressing occasions; and the loan offices remained open for the purpose +of borrowing from individuals. + +This new scheme of finance was a second essay to substitute credit +unsupported by solid funds, and resting solely on the public faith, +for money. + +The vast quantity of bills unavoidably emitted before the +establishment of regular governments possessing sufficient energy to +enforce the collection of taxes, or to provide for their redemption, +and before the governments of Europe were sufficiently confident of +their stability to afford them aid or credit, was assigned by congress +as the principal cause of that depreciation which had taken place in +the continental currency. The United States were now, they said, under +different circumstances. Their independence was secure; their civil +governments were established and vigorous; and the spirit of their +citizens ardent for exertion. The government being thus rendered +competent to the object, it was necessary to reduce the quantity of +paper in circulation, and to appropriate funds that should ensure the +punctual redemption of the bills. + +For these purposes, the several states were required to continue to +bring into the continental treasury, monthly, from February to April +inclusive, their full quotas of fifteen millions of dollars. In +complying with this requisition, one Spanish milled dollar was to be +received in lieu of forty dollars of the paper currency. + +The bills so brought in were not to be reissued, but destroyed; and +other bills, not to exceed one dollar for every twenty received in +discharge of taxes, were to be emitted. + +These bills were to be redeemable within six years, and were to bear +an interest of five _per centum per annum_, to be paid at the time of +their redemption in specie, or, at the election of the holder, +annually, in bills of exchange drawn by the United States on their +commissioners in Europe, at four shillings and six pence sterling for +each dollar. They were to be issued in ascertained proportions on the +funds of the several states, with a collateral security on the part of +the government, to pay the quota of any particular state, which the +events of the war might render incapable of complying with its own +engagements. The bills were to be deposited in the continental +loan-offices of the several states, and were to be signed only as the +money then in circulation should be brought in by taxes or otherwise. +After being signed, six-tenths of them were to be delivered to the +states on whose funds they were to be issued, and the remaining +four-tenths to be retained for the use of the continent. + +The operation of this scheme of finance was necessarily suspended by +the same causes which suspended that for requiring specific articles. +It depended on the sanction and co-operation of the several state +legislatures, many of which were yet to convene. + +As it would be impracticable to maintain the value of the money about +to be emitted, should the states continue to issue bills of credit, +they were earnestly requested to suspend future emissions, and to call +the current paper out of circulation. But the time for this measure +was not yet arrived, and many of the states continued the use of the +press till late in the following year. + +The establishment of the army for the ensuing campaign was fixed at +thirty-five thousand two hundred and eleven men, and the measures for +recruiting it were founded on the state system, which was become +entirely predominant. + +The few intelligent statesmen who could combine practical good sense +with patriotism, perceived the dangerous inefficacy of a system which +openly abandoned the national character, and proceeded on the +principle that the American confederacy was no more than an alliance +of independent nations. + +That great delays would be experienced, that the different parts of +the plan would be acted on too unequally and too uncertainly to +furnish a solid basis for military calculations, that the system would +be totally deranged in its execution, were mischiefs foreseen and +lamented by many, as resulting inevitably from a course of measures to +which the government of the Union was under the painful necessity of +submitting. + +"Certain I am," said the Commander-in-chief, in a confidential letter +to a member of the national legislature, "that unless congress speaks +in a more decisive tone; unless they are vested with powers by the +several states, competent to the great purposes of the war, or assume +them as matter of right, and they and the states respectively act with +more energy than they hitherto have done, our cause is lost. We can no +longer drudge on in the old way. By ill-timing the adoption of +measures; by delays in the execution of them, or by unwarrantable +jealousies; we incur enormous expenses, and derive no benefit from +them. One state will comply with a requisition from congress; another +neglects to do it; a third executes it by halves; and all differ in +the manner, the matter, or so much in point of time, that we are all +working up hill; and, while such a system as the present one, or +rather want of one, prevails, we ever shall be unable to apply our +strength or resources to any advantage. + +"This, my dear sir, is plain language to a member of congress; but it +is the language of truth and friendship. It is the result of long +thinking, close application, and strict observation. I see one head +gradually changing into thirteen; I see one army branching into +thirteen; and, instead of looking up to congress as the supreme +controlling power of the United States, consider themselves as +dependent on their respective states. In a word, I see the power of +congress declining too fast for the respect which is due to them as +the great representative body of America, and am fearful of the +consequences." + +But whatever might be his objections to the proposed system, General +Washington was unremitting in his endeavours to render the plan +perfect in detail, and to give to its execution all the aid which his +situation and influence enabled him to afford. + +The distresses of the army for food, which had found temporary relief +in the particular exertions of the magistrates and people of New +Jersey, soon returned; and it became once more necessary, even after +the magazines had been in some degree replenished, to recur to the +same persons for assistance. The supplies of forage had failed, and a +great proportion of the horses had perished, or been rendered unfit +for use. Neither funds nor credit were possessed for the purchase of +others, and the quarter-master-general found himself unable to +transport provisions from remote magazines into camp. This +circumstance reduced the Commander-in-chief to the painful necessity +of calling on the patriotism of private citizens, under the penalty of +a military impressment, should a voluntary contribution be refused, +for those means of conveyance which the government could not supply. + +The want of food was not the only difficulty to be surmounted. Others +of a serious nature presented themselves. The pay of an officer was +reduced by the depreciation of the currency, to such a miserable +pittance as to be unequal to the supply of the most moderate demands. +The pay of a major general would no longer hire an express rider, and +that of a captain would not purchase the shoes in which he marched. +The American officers were not rich; and many of them had expended +their _little all_ in the service. If they had exhausted their private +funds, or if they possessed none, they could rely only on the state to +which they belonged for such clothing as the state might be willing or +able to furnish. These supplies were so insufficient and unequal, as +to produce extreme dissatisfaction. In the lines of some of the +states, the officers gave notice in a body, of their determination to +resign on a given day, if some decent and certain provision should not +be made for them. The remonstrances of the Commander-in-chief produced +an offer to serve as volunteers until their successors should be +appointed; and, on the rejection of this proposition, they were with +difficulty induced to remain in service. + +Under these complicated embarrassments, it required all that +enthusiastic patriotism which pre-eminently distinguishes the soldier +of principle; all that ardent attachment to the cause of their country +which originally brought them into the field, and which their +sufferings could not diminish; all the influence of the +Commander-in-chief, whom they almost adored; to retain in the service +men who felt themselves neglected, and who believed themselves to be +the objects of the jealousy of their country, rather than of its +gratitude. + +Among the privates, causes of disgust grew out of the very composition +of the army, which increased the dissatisfaction produced by their +multiplied wants. + +The first effort made to enlist troops for the war had, in some +degree, succeeded. While these men found themselves obliged to +continue in service without compensation, and often without the common +necessaries of life, they perceived the vacant ranks in their +regiments filled up by men who were to continue only for a few months, +and who received bounties for that short service, from individuals or +from the states, which were of great real value, and which appeared to +soldiers not acquainted with the actual state of depreciation, to be +immense. They could not fail to compare situations, and to repine at +engagements which deprived them of advantages which they saw in +possession of others. Many were induced to contest those +engagements;[36] many to desert a service in which they experienced +such irritating inequalities; and all felt with the more poignant +indignation, those distressing failures in the commissary department, +which so frequently recurred. + +[Footnote 36: In some instances, the civil power of the state in which +such soldiers happened to be, attempted to interfere and to discharge +even those belonging to the lines of other states, who asserted their +right to be discharged. It was with some difficulty the general could +arrest this dangerous interposition.] + +[Sidenote: Committee of Congress deputed to camp.] + +In consequence of the strong representations made to congress on these +various causes of disquiet, a committee of three members repaired to +camp for the purpose of consulting with the Commander-in-chief on such +arrangements as the means in possession of the government would enable +it to make, and the present state of the army might require. In +representing the condition of the troops, they said, "That the army +was unpaid for five months; that it seldom had more than six days' +provisions in advance, and was on several occasions, for several +successive days, without meat; that the army was destitute of forage; +that the medical department had neither tea, chocolate, wine, nor +spirituous liquors of any kind; that every department of the army was +without money, and had not even the shadow of credit left; that the +patience of the soldiers, borne down by the pressure of complicated +sufferings, was on the point of being exhausted." + +To relieve this gloomy state of things by transfusing into it a ray of +hope for the future, a resolution was passed, declaring that congress +would make good to the line of the army, and to the independent corps +thereof, the deficiency of their original pay, which had been +occasioned by the depreciation of the continental currency; and that +the money or other articles heretofore received, should be considered +as advanced on account, to be comprehended in the settlement to be +finally made. The benefits of this resolution were confined to those +who were then in actual service, or should thereafter come into it, +and who were engaged for the war or for three years. + +This resolution was published in general orders, and had considerable +influence on the army, but not sufficient to remove the various causes +of dissatisfaction which existed, and were continually multiplying. +The engagement to make good the depreciation of their pay, was an act +of justice too long withheld; and no promise for the future, could +supply the place of present comfortable subsistence. No hope was +given that their condition, in this respect, would be improved. For a +considerable time, the troops received only from one-half to +one-eighth of a ration of meat; and, at length, were several days +without a single pound of that necessary article. + +This long course of suffering had unavoidably produced some relaxation +of discipline, and had gradually soured the minds of the soldiers to +such a degree, that their discontents broke out into actual mutiny. + +[Sidenote: May 25.] + +On the 25th of May, two regiments belonging to Connecticut paraded +under arms with a declared resolution to return home, or to obtain +subsistence at the point of the bayonet. The soldiers of the other +regiments, though not actually joining the mutineers, showed no +disposition to suppress the mutiny. By great exertions on the part of +the officers, aided by the appearance of a neighbouring brigade of +Pennsylvania, then commanded by Colonel Stewart, the leaders were +secured, and the two regiments brought back to their duty. Some +sentiments, however, were disclosed by the soldiers, in answer to the +remonstrances of their officers, of a serious and alarming nature. +Their pay was now five months in arrear, and the depreciation of the +money, they said, was such, that it would be worth nothing when +received. When reminded of the late resolution of congress for making +good the loss sustained by depreciation, of the reputation acquired by +their past good conduct, and of the value of the object for which +they were contending; they answered that their sufferings were too +great to be longer supported; that they wanted present relief; and +must have some present substantial recompense for their services. A +paper was found in the brigade, which appeared to have been brought by +some emissary from New York, stimulating the troops to the abandonment +of the cause in which they were engaged. + +[Sidenote: June 6.] + +[Sidenote: General Knyphausen enters Jersey.] + +The discontents of the army, and the complaints excited in the country +by the frequent requisitions on the people of New Jersey, had been +communicated, with such exaggeration, to the officer commanding in New +York, as to induce the opinion that the American soldiers were ready +to desert their standards; and the people of New Jersey to change +their government. To countenance these dispositions, General +Knyphausen embarked at Staten Island, and landed in the night with +about five thousand men at Elizabethtown Point, in New Jersey. Early +next morning he marched towards Springfield, by the way of Connecticut +Farms, but soon perceived that the real temper, both of the country +and the army, had been misunderstood. + +On the appearance of the enemy, the militia assembled with alacrity, +and aided the small patrolling parties of continental troops in +harassing him on his march from Elizabethtown to the Connecticut +Farms, a distance of five or six miles, where a halt was made. In a +spirit of revenge, unworthy the general of an army, more in the +character of Tryon who was present, than of Knyphausen who commanded, +this settlement was reduced to ashes.[37] + +[Footnote 37: This circumstance would scarcely have deserved notice +had it not been accompanied by one of those melancholy events, which +even war does not authorize, and which made, at the time, a very deep +impression. + +Mrs. Caldwell, the wife of the clergyman of the village, had been +induced to remain in her house, under the persuasion that her presence +might protect it from pillage, and that her person could not be +endangered, as Colonel Dayton who commanded the militia determined not +to stop in the settlement. While sitting in the midst of her children, +with a sucking infant in her arms, a soldier came up to the window and +discharged his musket at her. She received the ball in her bosom, and +instantly expired.] + +From the Farms, Knyphausen proceeded to Springfield. The Jersey +brigade, commanded by General Maxwell, and the militia of the adjacent +country, took an advantageous position at that place, and seemed +determined to defend it. Knyphausen halted in its neighbourhood, and +remained on his ground until night. + +Having received intelligence of this movement, General Washington put +his army in motion early in the same morning that Knyphausen marched +from Elizabethtown Point, and advanced to the Short Hills, in the rear +of Springfield, while the British were in the neighbourhood of that +place. Dispositions were made for an engagement the next morning, but +Knyphausen retired in the night to the place of his disembarkation. + +General Washington continued on the hills near Springfield, too weak +to hazard an engagement, but on ground chosen by himself. His +continental troops did not exceed three thousand men. A return of the +whole army under his immediate command, made on the 3d of June, +exhibited in the column, of present, fit for duty, only three thousand +seven hundred and sixty, rank and file. So reduced was that force on +which America relied for independence. "You but too well know," said +General Washington in a letter to a friend, giving an account of this +incursion, "and will regret with me the cause which justifies this +insulting manoeuvre on the part of the enemy. It deeply affects the +honour of the states, a vindication of which could not be attempted in +our present circumstances, without most intimately hazarding their +security; at least so far as it may depend on the preservation of the +army. Their character, their interest, their all that is dear, call +upon them in the most pressing manner, to place the army immediately +on a respectable footing." + +The long continuance of Knyphausen at Elizabethtown, strengthened a +suspicion that Sir Henry Clinton was about to return from South +Carolina, and intended, without disembarking his troops, to proceed up +the Hudson to West Point; and that the movement into Jersey was a +feint designed to cover the real object. + +The letters of the Commander-in-chief, addressed about this period, to +those who might be supposed to possess influence in the government of +the Union, or in those of the states, exhibit his conjectures +respecting the designs of his adversary, as well as his apprehensions +from the condition of his own army. To the committee of congress, in +camp, he observed, "General Knyphausen still continues in the Jerseys +with all the force which can be spared from New York, a force greatly +superior to ours. Should Sir Henry join him, their superiority will be +decided, and equal to almost any thing they may think proper to +attempt. The enemy, it is true, are at this time inactive; but their +continuance in their present position proves that they have some +project of importance in contemplation. Perhaps they are only waiting +until the militia grow tired and return home, (which they are doing +every hour,) to prosecute their designs with the less opposition. This +would be a critical moment for us. Perhaps they are waiting the +arrival of Sir Henry Clinton, either to push up the North River +against the Highland posts, or to bend their whole force against this +army. In either case, the most disastrous consequences are to be +apprehended. You, who are well acquainted with our situation, need no +arguments to evince the danger. + +"The militia of this state have run to arms, and behaved with an +ardour and spirit of which there are few examples. But perseverance, +in enduring the rigours of military service, is not to be expected +from those who are not by profession obliged to it. The reverse of +this opinion has been a great misfortune in our affairs, and it is +high time we should recover from an error of so pernicious a nature. +We must absolutely have a force of a different composition, or we must +relinquish the contest. In a few days, we may expect to rely almost +entirely on our continental force, and this, from your own +observation, is totally inadequate to our safety. The exigency calls +loudly on the states to carry all the recommendations of the committee +into the most vigorous and immediate execution; but more particularly +that for completing our batteries by a draught with all possible +expedition." + +[Sidenote: June 18.] + +[Sidenote: Sir Henry Clinton returns to New York.] + +In this precise state of things, he received intelligence of the +return of Sir Henry Clinton from the conquest of South Carolina. + +The regular force in New York and its dependencies was now estimated +at twelve thousand men, great part of whom might be drawn into the +field for any particular purpose, because Sir Henry Clinton could +command about four thousand militia and refugees for garrison duty. + +In communicating to congress the appearance of the British fleet off +the Hook, General Washington observed, "a very alarming scene may +shortly open, and it will be happy for us if we shall be able to +steer clear of some serious misfortune in this quarter. I hope the +period has not yet arrived, which will convince the different states +by fatal experience, that some of them have mistaken the true +situation of this country. I flatter myself, however, that we may +still retrieve our affairs if we have but a just sense of them, and +are actuated by a spirit of liberal policy and exertion equal to the +emergency. Could we once see this spirit generally prevailing, I +should not despair of a prosperous issue of the campaign. But there is +no time to be lost. The danger is imminent and pressing; the obstacles +to be surmounted are great and numerous; and our efforts must be +instant, unreserved, and universal." + +On the arrival of Sir Henry Clinton, the design of acting offensively +in the Jerseys was resumed; but, to divide the American army, +demonstrations were made of an intention to seize West Point. To be in +readiness for either object, General Greene was left at Springfield +with two brigades of continental troops, and with the Jersey militia; +while, with the greater part of his army, General Washington proceeded +slowly towards Pompton, watching attentively the movements of the +British, and apparently unwilling to separate himself too far from +Greene. He had not marched farther than Rockaway, eleven miles beyond +Morristown, when the British army advanced from Elizabethtown towards +Springfield in great force. General Washington detached a brigade to +hang on their right flank, and returned with the residue of his army +five or six miles, in order to be in a situation to support Greene. + +[Sidenote: June.] + +[Sidenote: Skirmish at Springfield.] + +Early in the morning of the 23d, the British army moved in two +columns, with great rapidity, towards Springfield. Major Lee was +advanced on the Vauxhall road, which was taken by the right column; +and Colonel Dayton on the direct road, which was taken by the left. +Both these corps made every possible exertion to check the advancing +enemy, while General Greene concentrated his little army at +Springfield. Scarcely had he made his dispositions, when the British +front appeared, and a cannonade commenced between their van and the +American artillery which defended a bridge over Rahway, a small river +running east of the town, which was guarded by Colonel Angel with less +than two hundred men. Colonel Shreve was posted at a second bridge, +also over a branch of the Rahway, in order to cover the retreat of +Angel from the first. Major Lee with his dragoons and the piquets +under Captain Walker, supported by Colonel Ogden, was directed to +defend a bridge on the Vauxhall road. The residue of the continental +troops were drawn up on high ground, in the rear of the town, with the +militia on their flanks. + +The right column of the British advanced on Lee, who disputed the +passage of the bridge until a considerable body of the enemy forded +the river above him, and gained the point of a hill which endangered +his position. At this instant, their left attacked Colonel Angel, who +defended himself with persevering gallantry. The conflict was sharp, +and was maintained for about half an hour, when, compelled by superior +numbers to give way, he retired in good order, and brought off his +wounded. His retreat was covered by Colonel Shreve, who, after Angel +had passed him, was ordered by General Greene to join his brigade. The +English then took possession of the town and reduced it to ashes. + +The obstinate resistance which had been encountered; the gallantry and +discipline displayed by the continental troops who had been engaged; +the strength of Greene's position; the firm countenance maintained by +his troops, small detachments of whom kept up a continual skirmishing +with a view to save a part of the town; all contributed to deter Sir +Henry Clinton from a farther prosecution of his original plan. He +withdrew that afternoon to Elizabethtown; and, in the following night, +passed over to Staten Island. It is probable that the caution +manifested during this expedition is to be ascribed to the +intelligence that a formidable fleet and army from France was daily +expected on the coast. + +When the Marquis de Lafayette obtained permission to visit his native +country, he retained, with his rank in the American army, that zeal +for the interests of the United States, which the affectionate +attentions he had received, and the enthusiasm of a soldier in the +cause of those for whom he had made his first campaigns, were +calculated to inspire in a young and generous mind, in favour of an +infant people, struggling for liberty and self-government with the +hereditary rival of his nation. + +He was received at the court of Versailles with every mark of favour +and distinction;[38] and all his influence was employed in impressing +on the cabinet, the importance and policy of granting succours to the +United States. + +[Footnote 38: After he had visited the ministers, an arrest of eight +days, during which he resided with his relation the Marshal de +Noailles, was imposed on him for the sake of form and in honour of the +royal authority, which he had disregarded by proceeding to America. +After the expiration of this term he presented himself to the King, +who graciously said he pardoned his disobedience, in consideration of +his good conduct and of his services.--_Letter from Gen. Lafayette._] + +[Sidenote: Lafayette brings intelligence of aid from France.] + +[Sidenote: Exertions of Congress and of the Commander-in-chief to +strengthen the army.] + +Having succeeded in this favourite object, and finding no probability +of active employment on the continent of Europe, he obtained +permission to return to America. He arrived late in April at Boston, +and hastened to head quarters; whence he proceeded to the seat of +Government with the information that his most Christian Majesty had +consented to employ a considerable land and naval armament in the +United States, for the ensuing campaign. This intelligence gave a new +impulse both to congress and the state legislatures. The states from +New Hampshire to Virginia inclusive were required to pay, within +thirty days, ten millions of dollars, part of their quotas which +became due on the first of March; and specie bills to the amount of +fifty thousand dollars were drawn on Messieurs Franklin and Jay. These +sums were sacredly appropriated to the objects of bringing the army +into the field, and forwarding their supplies. + +The defects in the requisition system, which had been suggested by +General Washington, were corrected; and the committee in camp, at the +head of which was the late General Schuyler, was empowered, at the +request of the Commander-in-chief, to take such measures as were in +the power of congress, for drawing out the resources of the nation. + +To give effect to these resolutions, the several state legislatures +from New Hampshire to Virginia inclusive, were requested to invest the +Executives, or some other persons, with powers sufficiently ample to +comply with such applications as might be made to them by the +committee in camp, and a circular letter was addressed to the state +governments, urging them to second the efforts of Congress. + +Letters equally stimulating were written by the committee from camp; +and the well earned influence of the Commander-in-chief was also +employed to induce an exertion proportioned to the crisis. In addition +to those incentives which might operate on ardent minds, he +endeavoured, by a temperate review of the situation and resources of +the belligerent powers, to convince the judgment that America would +have real cause to fear the issue of the contest, should she neglect +to improve the advantage to be afforded by the succours expected from +France.[39] + +[Footnote 39: See note No. III. at the end of the volume.] + +Under the impressions produced by these representations, the state +legislatures, generally, passed the laws which were required; but the +energy displayed in their passage was not maintained in their +execution. In general, the assemblies followed the example of +congress, and apportioned on the several counties or towns within the +state, the quota to be furnished by each. This division of the state +was again to be subdivided into classes, each of which was to furnish +a man by contributions or taxes imposed upon itself. + +[Sidenote: Tardy proceedings of the states.] + +These operations were slow and unproductive. + +It was not on the state sovereignties only that beneficial effects +were produced by a candid statement of public affairs, several +patriotic individuals contributed largely from their private funds to +the aid of the public. The merchants, and other citizens of +Philadelphia, with a zeal guided by that sound discretion which turns +expenditure to the best account, established a bank, for the support +of which they subscribed Ł315,000, Pennsylvania money, to be paid, if +required, in specie, the principal object of which was to supply the +army with provisions and rum. By the plan of this bank, its members +were to derive no emolument whatever from the institution. For +advancing their credit and their money, they required only that +congress should pledge the faith of the Union to reimburse the costs +and charges of the transaction in a reasonable time, and should give +such assistance to its execution as might be in their power. + +The ladies of Philadelphia too gave a splendid example of patriotism, +by large donations for the immediate relief of the suffering army. +This example was extensively followed;[40] but it is not by the +contributions of the generous that a war can or ought to be +maintained. The purse of the nation alone can supply the expenditures +of a nation; and, when all are interested in a contest, all ought to +contribute to its support. Taxes, and taxes only, can furnish for the +prosecution of a national war, means which are just in themselves, or +competent to the object. Notwithstanding these donations, the +distresses of the army, for clothing especially, still continued; and +were the more severely felt when a co-operation with French troops was +expected. So late as the 20th of June, General Washington informed +congress, that he still laboured under the painful and humiliating +embarrassment of having no shirts for the soldiers, many of whom were +destitute of that necessary article. "For the troops to be without +clothing at any time," he added, "is highly injurious to the service, +and distressing to our feelings; but the want will be more peculiarly +mortifying when they come to act with those of our allies. If it be +possible, I have no doubt, immediate measures will be taken to relieve +their distress. + +[Footnote 40: This instance of patriotism on the part of our fair and +amiable countrywomen, is far from being single. Their conduct +throughout the war was uniform. They shared with cheerfulness and +gaiety, the privations and sufferings to which the distress of the +times exposed their country. In every stage of this severe trial, they +displayed virtues which have not been always attributed to their sex, +but which it is believed they will, on every occasion calculated to +unfold them, be found to possess. With a ready acquiescence, with a +firmness always cheerful, and a constancy never lamenting the +sacrifices which were made, they not only yielded up all the +elegancies, delicacies, and even conveniences to be furnished by +wealth and commerce, relying on their farms and on domestic industry +for every article of food and raiment, but, consenting to share the +produce of their own labour, they gave up without regret, a +considerable portion of the covering designed for their own families, +to supply the wants of the distressed soldiers; and heroically +suppressed the involuntary sigh which the departure of their brothers, +their sons, and their husbands, for the camp, rended from their +bosoms.] + +"It is also most sincerely wished, that there could be some supplies +of clothing furnished to the officers. There are a great many whose +condition is still miserable. This is, in some instances, the case +with the whole lines of the states. It would be well for their own +sakes, and for the public good, if they could be furnished. They will +not be able, when our friends come to co-operate with us, to go on a +common routine of duty; and if they should, they must, from their +appearance, be held in low estimation." + +This picture presents in strong colours, the real patriotism of the +American army. One heroic effort, though it may dazzle the mind with +its splendour, is an exertion most men are capable of making; but +continued patient suffering and unremitting perseverance, in a service +promising no personal emolument, and exposing the officer unceasingly, +not only to wants of every kind, but to those circumstances of +humiliation which seem to degrade him in the eyes of others, +demonstrate a fortitude of mind, a strength of virtue, and a firmness +of principle, which ought never to be forgotten. + +As the several legislative acts for bringing the army into the field, +did not pass until the months of June and July, General Washington +remained uninformed of the force on which he might rely, and was +consequently unable to form any certain plan of operations. + +This suspense was the more cruelly embarrassing, as, in the event of +an attempt upon New York, it was of the utmost importance that the +French fleet should, on its arrival, take possession of the harbour, +which was then weakly defended. But, should this measure be followed +by a failure to furnish the requisite support, it would not only be +ineffectual; but, in a very possible state of things, might sacrifice +the fleet itself. + +Should it be ascertained that the states were either unable or +unwilling to make the exertions necessary for the siege of New York, +other objects presented themselves against which the allied arms might +be turned to advantage. To avoid the disgrace and danger of attempting +what could not be effected, and the reproach of neglecting any +attainable object, were equally desirable, and equally required a +correct knowledge of the measures which would be taken by the states. + +In a letter to congress communicating his anxiety on this interesting +subject, and his total want of information respecting it, General +Washington observed, "The season is come when we have every reason to +expect the arrival of the fleet, and yet, for want of this point of +primary consequence, it is impossible for me to form a system of +co-operation. I have no basis to act upon; and, of course, were this +generous succour of our ally now to arrive, I should find myself in +the most awkward, embarrassing, and painful situation. The general and +the admiral, from the relation in which I stand, as soon as they +approach our coast, will require of me a plan of the measures to be +pursued, and there ought of right to be one prepared; but +circumstanced as I am, I can not even give them conjectures. From +these considerations, I have suggested to the committee, by a letter I +had the honour of addressing them yesterday, the indispensable +necessity of their writing again to the states, urging them to give +immediate and precise information of the measures they have taken and +of the result. The interest of the states, the honour and reputation +of our councils, the justice and gratitude due to our allies, all +require that I should, without delay, be enabled to ascertain and +inform them, what we can or can not undertake. There is a point which +ought now to be determined, on the success of which all our future +operations may depend, on which, for want of knowing our prospects, I +can make no decision. For fear of involving the fleet and army of our +allies in circumstances which would expose them, if not seconded by +us, to material inconvenience and hazard, I shall be compelled to +suspend it, and the delay may be fatal to our hopes." + +The tardy proceedings of the states were not less perplexing to +congress than to the Commander-in-chief. To the minister of his most +Christian Majesty, who had in the preceding January communicated the +probability of receiving succour from France, that body, without +calculating accurately the means of complying with its engagements, +had pledged itself unequivocally for effectual co-operation. The +minister was assured, that the United States had expectations on which +they could rely with confidence, of bringing into the field, for the +next campaign, an army of twenty-five thousand men; and that such +numbers of militia might be added to this continental force, as would +render it competent to any enterprise against the posts occupied by +the British within the United States. + +Assurances were also given that ample supplies of provisions for the +combined armies should be laid up in magazines under the direction of +congress. The French minister addressed congress on this subject about +the time that General Washington expressed so strongly, the necessity +of knowing with certainty, on what reinforcements he was to calculate. + +Thus pressed by their general and their ally, congress renewed their +urgent requisitions on the states, and desired the several governments +to correspond weekly with the committee at head quarters, on the +progress made in complying with them. + +In the mean time, General Washington meditated unceasingly on the +course to be pursued in the various contingencies which might happen; +and endeavoured to prepare for any plan of operations which +circumstances might render adviseable. The arrival of Sir Henry +Clinton diminished the variety of aspects in which the relative +situation of the two armies was to be contemplated, and rendered the +success of an attempt on New York more doubtful. It was now thought +adviseable that the armament from France, instead of sailing directly +to the Hook, should proceed in the first instance to Rhode Island; +where, after disembarking the troops, and providing for the sick, it +might wait until a definitive plan of operations should be concerted. + +[Sidenote: July 13.] + +[Sidenote: Arrival of a French armament in Rhode Island.] + +On the 13th of July, while the result of the measures adopted by the +several states remained uncertain, the French fleet entered the +harbour of Newport, and letters were soon afterwards received from the +Count de Rochambeau and the Chevalier Tunay, the officers commanding +the land and naval forces, transmitting to General Washington an +account of their arrival, of their strength, their expectations, and +their orders. + +The troops designed to serve in the United States had assembled, early +in the year, at Brest; but the transports at that place having been +chiefly employed for an armament destined for the West Indies; and the +ports from which it had been intended to draw others, being blockaded, +only the first division, consisting of five thousand men, had arrived +at Newport; but letters from France contained assurances that the +second division of the army might soon be expected. + +To obviate those difficulties which had occurred on former occasions +respecting rank, the orders given to Lieutenant General Count de +Rochambeau, which were inclosed in his first letter, placed him +entirely under the command of General Washington. The French troops +were to be considered as auxiliaries, and were, according to the +usages of war, to cede the post of honour to the Americans.[41] + +[Footnote 41: These orders were given at the instance of General +Lafayette.--_Correspondence with General Lafayette._] + +Convinced that cordial harmony between the allied forces was essential +to their success, both generals cultivated carefully the friendly +dispositions felt by the troops towards each other. Warm professions +of reciprocal respect, esteem, and confidence, were interchanged +between them; and each endeavoured to impress on the other, and on all +the military and civil departments, the conviction that the two +nations, and two armies, were united by the ties of interest and +affection. On this occasion, General Washington recommended to his +officers, as a symbol of friendship and affection for their allies, to +engraft on the American cockade, which was black, a white relief, that +being the colour of the French cockade. + +Late as was the arrival of the French troops, they found the Americans +unprepared for active and offensive operations. Not even at that time +were the numbers ascertained which would be furnished by the states. +Yet it was necessary for General Washington to communicate a plan of +the campaign to the Count de Rochambeau. + +The season was already so far advanced that preparations for the +operations contemplated eventually, on the arrival of the second +division of the French fleet, must be immediately made, or there +would not be time, though every circumstance should prove favourable, +to execute the design against New York. Such a state of things so ill +comported with the engagements of congress, and with the interests of +the nation, that, trusting to his being enabled, by the measures +already taken by the states, to comply with what was incumbent on him +to perform, he determined to hazard much rather than forego the +advantages to be derived from the aids afforded by France. In +communicating this resolution to congress, he said--"Pressed on all +sides by a choice of difficulties in a moment which required decision, +I have adopted that line of conduct which comported with the dignity +and faith of congress, the reputation of these states, and the honour +of our arms. I have sent on definitive proposals of co-operation to +the French general and admiral. Neither the period of the season, nor +a regard to decency, would permit delay. The die is cast, and it +remains with the states either to fulfil their engagements, preserve +their credit, and support their independence, or to involve us in +disgrace and defeat. Notwithstanding the failures pointed out by the +committee, I shall proceed on the supposition that they will, +ultimately, consult their own interest and honour and not suffer us to +fail for the want of means which it is evidently in their power to +afford. What has been done, and is doing, by some of the states, +confirms the opinion I have entertained of sufficient resources in the +country. Of the disposition of the people to submit to any arrangement +for bringing them forth, I see no reasonable ground to doubt. If we +fail for want of proper exertions in any of the governments, I trust +the responsibility will fall where it ought; and that I shall stand +justified to congress, my country, and the world." + +[Illustration: Beverly Robinson Mansion at West Point + +_Benedict Arnold made this house his headquarters while in command of +the fort and garrison there. It was here that Washington came to +breakfast with Arnold, one September morning in 1780 and made the +discovery that his host had turned traitor and was conspiring to +surrender West Point to the British._] + +A decisive naval superiority, however, was considered as the basis of +any enterprise to be undertaken by the allied arms. This naval +superiority being assumed, the outlines of the plan were drawn, and +the 5th of August was named as the day on which the French troops +should re-embark, and the American army assemble at Morrissania. + +This plan was committed to Major General the Marquis de la Fayette, +who was authorized to explain the situation of the American army, and +the views of the General, to the Count de Rochambeau. It was to be +considered as preliminary to any operation--that the fleet and army of +France should continue their aid until the enterprise should succeed, +or be abandoned by mutual consent. + +The Chevalier de Tunay did not long maintain his superiority at sea. +Three days after he reached Newport, Admiral Greaves arrived with six +ships of the line, and transferred it to the British. On his +appearance off the Hook, Arbuthnot passed the bar with four ships of +the line; and hearing that De Tunay had reached Rhode Island, +proceeded thither, and cruised off the harbour. The Count de +Rochambeau had been put into possession of all the forts and batteries +about Newport, and the fleet had been moved in a line so as to +co-operate with the land forces. This position appearing too +formidable to be attempted by the fleet alone, Arbuthnot continued to +cruise off Block Island. + +As the commanders of the allied forces still cherished the hope of +acquiring a superiority at sea, the design on New York was only +suspended. This hope was strengthened by intelligence that the Count +de Guichen had been joined in the West Indies by a powerful Spanish +armament. The Chevalier de Tunay had despatched a packet to inform him +that he was blocked up by a superior force, and to solicit such +reinforcements as the situation of the Count might enable him to +spare. Relying on the success of this application, and on the arrival +of the second division of the squadron from Brest, the American +general impatiently expected the moment when De Tunay would be enabled +to act offensively. + +In this crisis of affairs, a derangement took place in a most +important department, which threatened to disconcert the whole plan of +operations, though every other circumstance should prove favourable. + +The immense expenditure of the quartermaster's department--the +inadequacy of the funds with which it was supplied--the reciprocal +disgusts and complaints produced by these causes, had determined +congress to make still another radical change in the system. This +subject had been taken up early in the winter; but such were the +delays inseparable from the proceedings of the government, that the +report of the committee was not made until the month of March, nor +finally decided on until the middle of July. + +This subject was too interesting to the army, and to the important +operations meditated for the campaign, not to engage the anxious +attention of the Commander-in-chief. At his request, the quartermaster +general, while the army lay in winter quarters, repaired to +Philadelphia for the purpose of giving congress all the information he +possessed. He proposed to withdraw the management of the department +almost entirely from the civil government, and to place it under the +control of the person who should be at its head, subject only to the +direction of the Commander-in-chief. + +The views of congress were entirely different. While the subject +remained suspended before that body, it was taken up by the committee +of co-operation at head quarters, where the combined experience and +talents of Generals Washington, Schuyler, and Greene, were employed in +digesting a system adapted to the actual situation of the United +States, which was recommended to congress. To give the more weight to +his opinion by showing its disinterestedness, General Greene offered +to continue in the discharge of the duties assigned to him, without +any other extra emolument than his family expenses. This plan, +whatever might have been its details, was, in its general outlines, +unacceptable to congress. A system was, at length, completed by that +body, which General Greene believed to be incapable of execution. +Resolving not to take upon himself the responsibility of measures the +issue of which must be calamitous and disgraceful, he determined to +withdraw from a station in which he despaired of being useful. + +Apprehending the worst consequences from his resignation in so +critical a moment, General Washington pressed him to suspend this +decisive step, until the effect of an application from himself and +from the committee of co-operation should be known. Their +representations produced no effect. The resolution to make this bold +experiment was unalterable. General Greene's resignation was accepted; +and the letter conveying it excited so much irritation, that a design +was intimated of suspending his command in the line of the army. But +these impressions soon wore off, and the resentment of the moment +subsided. Colonel Pickering, who succeeded General Greene, possessed, +in an eminent degree, those qualities which fitted him to combat and +subdue the difficulties of his department. To great energy of mind and +body, he added a long experience in the affairs of the continent, with +an ardent zeal for its interests; and General Greene himself, with +several of the former officers, at the request of the +Commander-in-chief, continued for some time after their resignation, +to render all the services in their power; but there was a defect of +means, for which neither talents nor exertion could compensate. + +In the commissary department the same distress was experienced. +General Washington was driven to the necessity of emptying the +magazines at West Point, and of foraging on a people whose means of +subsisting themselves were already nearly exhausted by the armies on +both sides. The inadequate supplies drawn from these sources afforded +but a short relief; and, once more, at a time when the public +imagination was contemplating brilliant plans, the execution of which +required steady courage with persevering labour, and consequently +ample magazines, the army was frequently reduced to the last extremity +by the want of food. + +So great were the embarrassments produced by the difficulty of +procuring subsistence that, although the second division of the fleet +from Brest was daily expected, General Washington found it necessary +to countermand the orders under which the militia were marching to +camp. + +Such was the state of preparation for the campaign, when intelligence +was brought by the Alliance frigate that the port of Brest was +blockaded. In the hope, however, that the combined fleets of France +and Spain would be able to raise the blockade, General Washington +adhered steadily to his purpose respecting New York, and continued his +exertions to provide the means for its execution. The details of the +plan of co-operation continued to be the subject of a correspondence +with the Count de Rochambeau, and the Chevalier de Tunay; and, at +length, a personal interview was agreed upon, to take place on the +21st of September, at Hartford, in Connecticut. + +[Sidenote: Enterprise against New York relinquished.] + +In this interview, ulterior eventual measures, as well as an explicit +and detailed arrangement for acting against New York, were the +subjects of consideration. No one of the plans, however, then +concerted for the present campaign, was carried into execution. All, +except an invasion of Canada, depended on a superiority at sea, which +was soon rendered almost hopeless by certain information that the +Count de Guichen had sailed for Europe. + +[Sidenote: Naval superiority of the British.] + +Not long after receiving this information, Admiral Rodney arrived at +New York with eleven ships of the line and four frigates. This +reinforcement not only disconcerted all the plans of the allies, but +put it in the power of the British to prosecute in security their +designs in the south. + +[Sidenote: Plans for the campaign abandoned.] + +It may well be supposed that the Commander-in-chief did not +relinquish, without infinite chagrin, the sanguine expectations he had +formed of rendering this summer decisive of the war. Never before had +he indulged so strongly the hope of happily terminating the contest. +In a letter to an intimate friend, this chagrin was thus expressed. +"We are now drawing to a close an inactive campaign, the beginning of +which appeared pregnant with events of a very favourable complexion. I +hoped, but I hoped in vain, that a prospect was opening which would +enable me to fix a period to my military pursuits, and restore me to +domestic life. The favourable disposition of Spain, the promised +succour from France, the combined force in the West Indies, the +declaration of Russia, (acceded to by other powers of Europe, +humiliating the naval pride and power of Great Britain) the +superiority of France and Spain by sea in Europe, the Irish claims and +English disturbances, formed in the aggregate an opinion in my breast, +(which is not very susceptible of peaceful dreams) that the hour of +deliverance was not far distant; for that, however unwilling Great +Britain might be to yield the point, it would not be in her power to +continue the contest. But alas! these prospects, flattering as they +were, have proved delusive; and I see nothing before us but +accumulating distress. We have been half of our time without +provisions, and are likely to continue so. We have no magazines, nor +money to form them. We have lived upon expedients until we can live no +longer. In a word, the history of the war is a history of false hopes +and temporary devices, instead of system and economy. It is in vain, +however, to look back, nor is it our business to do so. Our case is +not desperate, if virtue exists in the people, and there is wisdom +among our rulers. But to suppose that this great revolution can be +accomplished by a temporary army; that this army will be subsisted by +state supplies; and that taxation alone is adequate to our wants, is +in my opinion absurd, and as unreasonable as to expect an inversion of +the order of nature to accommodate itself to our views. If it were +necessary, it could be easily proved to any person of a moderate +understanding, that an annual army, or any army raised on the spur of +the occasion, besides being unqualified for the end designed, is, in +various ways that could be enumerated, ten times more expensive than a +permanent body of men under good organization and military discipline; +which never was, nor will be the case with raw troops. A thousand +arguments, resulting from experience and the nature of things, might +also be adduced to prove that the army, if it is to depend upon state +supplies, must disband or starve, and that taxation alone (especially +at this late hour) can not furnish the means to carry on the war. Is +it not time to retract from error, and benefit by experience? Or do we +want farther proof of the ruinous system we have pertinaciously +adhered to." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Treason and escape of Arnold.... Trial and execution of + Major André.... Precautions for the security of West + Point.... Letter of General Washington on American + affairs.... Proceedings of congress respecting the army.... + Major Talmadge destroys the British stores at Coram.... The + army retires into winter quarters.... Irruption of Major + Carlton into New York.... European transactions. + + +[Sidenote: 1780.] + +While the public mind was anticipating great events from the +combined arms of France and America, treason lay concealed in the +American camp, and was plotting the ruin of the American cause. + +The great services and military talents of General Arnold, his courage +in battle, and patient fortitude under excessive hardships, had +secured to him a high place in the opinion of the army and of his +country. + +Not having sufficiently recovered from the wounds received before +Quebec and at Saratoga to be fit for active service, and having large +accounts to settle with the government which required leisure, he was, +on the evacuation of Philadelphia in 1778, appointed to the command in +that place. + +Unfortunately, that strength of principle and correctness of judgment, +which might enable him to resist the various seductions to which his +fame and rank exposed him in the metropolis of the Union, were not +associated with the firmness which he had displayed in the field, and +in the most adverse circumstances. Yielding to the temptations of a +false pride, and forgetting that he did not possess the resources of +private fortune, he indulged in the pleasures of a sumptuous table and +expensive equipage, and soon swelled his debts to an amount which it +was impossible to discharge. Unmindful of his military character, he +engaged in speculations which were unfortunate; and with the hope of +immense profit, took shares in privateers which were unsuccessful. His +claims against the United States were great, and he looked to them for +the means of extricating himself from the embarrassments in which his +indiscretions had involved him; but the commissioners to whom his +accounts were referred for settlement, had reduced them considerably; +and, on his appeal from their decision to congress, a committee +reported that the sum allowed by the commissioners was more than he +was entitled to receive. + +He was charged with various acts of extortion on the citizens of +Philadelphia, and with peculating on the funds of the continent. Not +the less soured by these multiplied causes of irritation, from the +reflection that they were attributable to his own follies and vices, +he gave full scope to his resentments, and indulged himself in +expressions of angry reproach against, what he termed, the ingratitude +of his country, which provoked those around him, and gave great +offence to congress. Having become peculiarly odious to the government +of Pennsylvania, the Executive of that state exhibited formal charges +against him to congress, who directed that he should be arrested and +brought before a court martial. His trial was concluded late in +January, 1779, and he was sentenced to be reprimanded by the +Commander-in-chief. This sentence was approved by congress and carried +into execution. + +From the time the sentence against him was approved, if not sooner, +his proud unprincipled spirit revolted from the cause of his country, +and determined him to seek an occasion to make the objects of his +resentment, the victims of his vengeance. Turning his eyes on West +Point as an acquisition which would give value to treason, and inflict +a mortal wound on his former friends, he sought the command of that +fortress for the purpose of gratifying both his avarice and his +hate.[42] + +[Footnote 42: The author is informed by General Lafayette that Arnold, +while commanding at West Point, endeavoured to obtain from General +Washington the names of his secret emissaries in New York, and his +means of communicating with them. He pressed Lafayette, who had also +his private intelligencers, for the same information. His applications +were of course unsuccessful. It cannot be doubted that his object was +to commit the additional crime of betraying them to Sir Henry +Clinton.] + +To New York, the safety of West Point was peculiarly interesting; and, +in that state, the reputation of Arnold was particularly high. To its +delegation he addressed himself; and one of its members had written a +letter to General Washington, suggesting doubts respecting the +military character of Howe, to whom its defence was then entrusted, +and recommending Arnold for that service. This request was not +forgotten. Some short time afterwards, General Schuyler mentioned to +the Commander-in-chief a letter he had received from Arnold intimating +his wish to join the army, but stating his inability, in consequence +of his wounds, to perform the active duties of the field. General +Washington observed that, as there was a prospect of a vigorous +campaign, he should be gratified with the aid of General Arnold. That +so soon as the operations against New York should commence, he +designed to draw his whole force into the field, leaving even West +Point to the care of invalids and a small garrison of militia. +Recollecting however the former application of a member of congress +respecting this post, he added, that "if, with this previous +information, that situation would be more agreeable to him than a +command in the field, his wishes should certainly be indulged." + +This conversation being communicated to Arnold, he caught eagerly at +the proposition, though without openly discovering any solicitude on +the subject; and, in the beginning of August, repaired to camp, where +he renewed the solicitations which had before been made indirectly. + +At this juncture, Sir Henry Clinton embarked on an expedition he +meditated against Rhode Island, and General Washington was advancing +on New York. He offered Arnold the left wing of the army, which that +officer declined under the pretexts mentioned in his letter to General +Schuyler. + +Incapable of suspecting a man who had given such distinguished proofs +of courage and patriotism, the Commander-in-chief was neither alarmed +at his refusal to embrace so splendid an opportunity of recovering the +favour of his countrymen, nor at the embarrassment accompanying that +refusal. Pressing the subject no farther, he assented to the request +which had been made, and invested Arnold with the command of West +Point. Previous to his soliciting this station, he had, in a letter to +Colonel Robinson, signified his change of principles, and his wish to +restore himself to the favour of his Prince by some signal proof of +his repentance. This letter opened the way to a correspondence with +Sir Henry Clinton, the immediate object of which, after obtaining the +appointment he had solicited, was to concert the means of delivering +the important post he commanded to the British general. + +Major John André, an aid-de-camp of Sir Henry Clinton, and adjutant +general of the British army, was selected as the person to whom the +maturing of Arnold's treason, and the arrangements for its execution +should be entrusted. A correspondence was carried on between them +under a mercantile disguise, in the feigned names of Gustavus and +Anderson; and, at length, to facilitate their communications, the +Vulture sloop of war moved up the North River, and took a station +convenient for the purpose, but not so near as to excite suspicion. + +[Sidenote: Treason and escape of Arnold.] + +The time when General Washington met the Count de Rochambeau at +Hartford was selected for the final adjustment of the plan; and, as a +personal interview was deemed necessary, Major André came up the +river, and went on board the Vulture. The house of a Mr. Smith, +without the American posts, was appointed for the interview; and to +that place both parties repaired in the night--André being brought +under a pass for John Anderson, in a boat despatched from the shore. +While the conference was yet unfinished, day light approached; and, to +avoid discovery, Arnold proposed that André should remain concealed +until the succeeding night. He is understood to have refused +peremptorily to be carried within the American posts; but the promise +to respect this objection was not observed. They continued together +the succeeding day; and when, in the following night, his return to +the Vulture was proposed, the boatmen refused to carry him because she +had shifted her station during the day, in consequence of a gun which +was moved to the shore without the knowledge of Arnold, and brought +to bear upon her. This embarrassing circumstance reduced him to the +necessity of endeavouring to reach New York by land. To accomplish +this purpose, he reluctantly yielded to the urgent representations of +Arnold; and, laying aside his regimentals, which he had hitherto worn +under a surtout, put on a plain suit of clothes, and received a pass +from General Arnold, authorizing him, under the name of John Anderson, +to proceed on the public service to the White Plains, or lower if he +thought proper. + +With this permit, he had passed all the guards and posts on the road +unsuspected, and was proceeding to New York in perfect security, when +one of three militia men who were employed between the lines of the +two armies, springing suddenly from his covert into the road, seized +the reins of his bridle, and stopped his horse. Losing his accustomed +self-possession, Major André, instead of producing the pass[43] from +General Arnold, asked the man hastily where he belonged? He replied +"to below;" a term implying that he was from New York. "And so," said +André, not suspecting deception, "am I." He then declared himself to +be a British officer on urgent business, and begged that he might not +be detained. The appearance of the other militia men disclosed his +mistake, too late to correct it. He offered a purse of gold, and a +valuable watch, with tempting promises of ample reward from his +government, if they would permit him to escape; but his offers were +rejected, and his captors proceeded to search him. They found +concealed in his boots, in Arnold's hand writing, papers containing +all the information which could be important respecting West Point. +When carried before Lieutenant Colonel Jameson, the officer commanding +the scouting parties on the lines, he still maintained his assumed +character, and requested Jameson to inform his commanding officer that +Anderson was taken. Jameson despatched an express with this +communication. On receiving it, Arnold comprehended the full extent of +his danger, and, flying from well merited punishment, took refuge on +board the Vulture. + +[Footnote 43: Mr. Johnson says he did produce it; but that, on being +surprised, he had thrust a paper containing a plan of the route in his +boot, which, having been perceived, was demanded, and led to his +discovery.] + +[Illustration: Where Washington Stayed During André's Trial + +_In this brick house at Tappan, Rockland County, New York, the +American Commander-in-Chief, during September, 1780, awaited the +result of the trial of Major John André, who conspired with Benedict +Arnold for the betrayal of West Point to the British. Fourteen +American officers sat in judgment on André and ordered his execution +on October 2, 1780. In Tappan also is still standing the old Tavern +where André was imprisoned._] + +When sufficient time for the escape of Arnold was supposed to have +elapsed, André, no longer affecting concealment, acknowledged himself +to be the adjutant general of the British army. Jameson, seeking to +correct the mischief of his indiscreet communication to Arnold, +immediately despatched a packet to the Commander-in-chief containing +the papers which had been discovered, with a letter from André, +relating the manner of his capture, and accounting for the disguise he +had assumed. + +The express was directed to meet the Commander-in-chief, who was then +on his return from Hartford; but, taking different roads,[44] they +missed each other, and a delay attended the delivery of the papers, +which insured the escape of Arnold. + +[Footnote 44: General Lafayette adds some circumstances which are not +found among the manuscript papers of General Washington. The +Commander-in-chief with Generals Lafayette and Knox had turned from +the direct route in order to visit a redoubt. Colonels Hamilton and +M'Henry, the aids-de-camp of Generals Washington and Lafayette, went +forward to request Mrs. Arnold not to wait breakfast. Arnold received +André's billet in their presence. He turned pale, left them suddenly, +called his wife, communicated the intelligence to her and left her in +a swoon, without the knowledge of Hamilton and M'Henry. Mounting the +horse of his aid-de-camp, which was ready saddled, and directing him +to inform General Washington on his arrival that Arnold was gone to +receive him at West Point, he gained the river shore, and was conveyed +in a canoe to the Vulture. + +The Commander-in-chief, on his arrival, was informed that Arnold +awaited him at West Point. Taking it for granted that this step had +been taken to prepare for his reception, he proceeded thither without +entering the house, and was surprised to find that Arnold was not +arrived. On returning to the quarters of that officer he received +Jameson's despatch, which disclosed the whole mystery.] + +[Sidenote: Precautions for the security of West Point.] + +Every precaution was immediately taken for the security of West Point; +after which, the attention of the Commander-in-chief was turned to +André. A board of general officers, of which Major General Greene was +president, and the two foreign generals, Lafayette and Steuben, were +members, was called, to report a precise state of his case, and to +determine the character in which he was to be considered, and the +punishment to which he was liable. + +The frankness and magnanimity with which André had conducted himself +from the time of his appearance in his real character, had made a +very favourable impression on all those with whom he had held any +intercourse. From this cause he experienced every mark of indulgent +attention which was compatible with his situation; and, from a sense +of justice as well as of delicacy, was informed, on the opening of the +examination, that he was at liberty not to answer any interrogatory +which might embarrass his own feelings. But, as if only desirous to +rescue his character from imputations which he dreaded more than +death, he confessed every thing material to his own condemnation, but +would divulge nothing which might involve others. + +[Sidenote: Trial and execution of Major André.] + +The board reported the essential facts which had appeared, with their +opinion that Major André was a spy, and ought to suffer death. The +execution of this sentence was ordered to take place on the day +succeeding that on which it was pronounced. + +Superior to the terrors of death, but dreading disgrace, André was +deeply affected by the mode of execution which the laws of war decree +to persons in his situation. He wished to die like a soldier, not as a +criminal. To obtain a mitigation of his sentence in this respect, he +addressed a letter[45] to General Washington, replete with the +feelings of a man of sentiment and honour. But the occasion required +that the example should make its full impression, and this request +could not be granted. He encountered his fate with composure and +dignity; and his whole conduct interested the feelings of all who +witnessed it. + +[Footnote 45: See note No. IV. at the end of the volume.] + +The general officers lamented the sentence which the usages of war +compelled them to pronounce; and never perhaps did the +Commander-in-chief obey with more reluctance the stern mandates of +duty and policy. The sympathy excited among the American officers by +his fate, was as universal as it is unusual on such occasions; and +proclaims alike the merit of him who suffered, and the humanity of +those who inflicted the punishment. + +Great exertions were made by Sir Henry Clinton, to whom André was +particularly dear, first, to have him considered as protected by a +flag of truce, and afterwards, as a prisoner of war. + +Even Arnold had the hardihood to interpose. After giving a certificate +of facts tending, as he supposed, to exculpate the prisoner, +exhausting his powers of reasoning on the case, and appealing to the +humanity of the American general, he sought to intimidate that +officer, by stating the situation of many of the most distinguished +individuals of South Carolina, who had forfeited their lives, but had +hitherto been spared through the clemency of the British general. This +clemency, he said, could no longer be extended to them should Major +André suffer. + +It may well be supposed that the interposition of Arnold could have no +influence on Washington. He conveyed Mrs. Arnold to her husband in New +York,[46] and also transmitted his clothes and baggage, for which he +had written; but, in every other respect, his letters, which were +unanswered, were also unnoticed. + +[Footnote 46: General Lafayette mentions a circumstance not previously +known to the author, which serves to illustrate the character of +Washington, and to mark the delicacy of his feelings towards even the +offending part of that sex which is entitled to all the consolation +and protection man can afford it. + +The night after Arnold's escape, when his letter respecting André was +received, the general directed one of his aids to wait on Mrs. Arnold, +who was convulsed with grief, and inform her that he had done every +thing which depended on him to arrest her husband, but that, not +having succeeded, it gave him pleasure to inform her that her husband +was safe. It is also honourable to the American character, that during +the effervescence of the moment, Mrs. Arnold was permitted to go to +Philadelphia, to take possession of her effects, and to proceed to New +York under the protection of a flag, without receiving the slightest +insult.] + +The mingled sentiments of admiration and compassion excited in every +bosom for the unfortunate André, seemed to increase the detestation in +which Arnold was held. "André," said General Washington in a private +letter, "has met his fate with that fortitude which was to be expected +from an accomplished man and a gallant officer; but I am mistaken if +_at this time_ Arnold is undergoing the torments of a mental hell. He +wants feeling. From some traits[47] of his character which have +lately come to my knowledge, he seems to have been so hardened in +crime, so lost to all sense of honour and shame, that, while his +faculties still enable him to continue his sordid pursuits, there will +be no time for remorse." + +[Footnote 47: This allusion is thus explained in a private letter from +Colonel Hamilton--"This man (Arnold) is in every sense despicable. In +addition to the scene of knavery and prostitution during his command +in Philadelphia, which the late seizure of his papers has unfolded, +the history of his command at West Point is a history of little as +well as great villanies. He practised every dirty act of peculation, +and even stooped to connexions with the suttlers to defraud the +public."] + +From motives of policy, or of respect for his engagements, Sir Henry +Clinton conferred on Arnold the commission of a brigadier general in +the British service, which he preserved throughout the war. Yet it is +impossible that rank could have rescued him from the contempt and +detestation in which the generous, the honourable, and the brave, +could not cease to hold him. It was impossible for men of this +description to bury the recollection of his being a traitor, a sordid +traitor, first the slave of his rage, then purchased with gold, and +finally secured at the expense of the blood of one of the most +accomplished officers in the British army. + +His representations of the discontent of the country and of the army +concurring with reports from other quarters, had excited the hope that +the loyalists and the dissatisfied, allured by British gold, and the +prospect of rank in the British service, would flock to his standard, +and form a corps at whose head he might again display his accustomed +intrepidity. With this hope he published an address to the inhabitants +of America, in which he laboured to palliate his own guilt, and to +increase their dissatisfaction with the existing state of things. + +This appeal to the public was followed by a proclamation addressed "To +the officers and soldiers of the continental army, who have the real +interests of their country at heart, and who are determined to be no +longer the tools and dupes of congress or of France." + +The object of this proclamation was to induce the officers and +soldiers to desert the cause they had embraced from principle, by +holding up to them the very flattering offers of the British general, +and contrasting the substantial emoluments of the British service with +their present deplorable condition. He attempted to cover this +dishonourable proposition with a decent garb, by representing the base +step he invited them to take, as the only measure which could restore +peace, real liberty, and happiness, to their country. + +These inducements did not produce their intended effect. Although the +temper of the army might be irritated by real suffering, and by the +supposed neglect of government, no diminution of patriotism had been +produced. Through all the hardships, irritations, and vicissitudes of +the war, Arnold remains the solitary instance of an American officer +who abandoned the side first embraced in this civil contest, and +turned his sword upon his former companions in arms. + +When the probable consequences of this plot, had it been successful, +were considered, and the combination of apparent accidents by which it +was discovered and defeated, was recollected, all were filled with +awful astonishment; and the devout perceived in the transaction, the +hand of Providence guiding America to independence. + +The thanks of congress were voted to the three militia men[48] who had +rendered this invaluable service; and a silver medal, with an +inscription expressive of their fidelity and patriotism, was directed +to be presented to each of them. In addition to this flattering +testimonial of their worth, and as a farther evidence of national +gratitude, a resolution was passed granting to each, two hundred +dollars per annum during life, to be paid in specie or an equivalent +in current money. + +[Footnote 48: Their names were John Paulding, David Williams, and +Isaac Vanwert.] + +The efforts of General Washington to obtain a permanent military +force, or its best substitute, a regular system for filling the vacant +ranks with draughts who should join the army on the first day of +January in each year, were still continued. Notwithstanding the +embarrassments with which congress was surrounded, it is not easy to +find adequate reasons for the neglect of representations so +interesting, and of recommendations apparently so essential to the +safety of the United States. + +[Sidenote: Parties in Congress.] + +Private letters disclose the fact that two parties still agitated +congress. One entered fully into the views of the Commander-in-chief. +The other, jealous of the army, and apprehensive of its hostility to +liberty when peace should be restored, remained unwilling to give +stability to its constitution by increasing the numbers who were to +serve during the war. They seemed to dread the danger from the enemy +to which its fluctuations would expose them, less than the danger +which might be apprehended for the civil authority from its permanent +character. They caught with avidity at every intelligence which +encouraged the flattering hope of a speedy peace,[49] but entered +reluctantly into measures founded on the supposition that the war +might be of long duration. Perfectly acquainted with the extent of the +jealousies entertained on this subject, although, to use his own +expressions to a friend, "Heaven knows how unjustly," General +Washington had foreborne to press the necessity of regular and timely +reinforcements to his army so constantly and so earnestly as his own +judgment directed. But the experience of every campaign furnished such +strong additional evidences of the impolicy and danger of continuing +to rely on temporary expedients, and the uncertainty of collecting a +force to co-operate with the auxiliaries from France was so peculiarly +embarrassing, that he at length resolved to conquer the delicacy by +which he had been in some degree restrained, and to open himself fully +on the subject which he deemed more essential than any other to the +success of the war. + +[Footnote 49: The following extract from a private letter of General +Washington to a member of congress, shows how sensible he was of the +mischief produced by this temper. "The satisfaction I have in any +successes that attend us, even in the alleviation of misfortunes, is +always allayed by the fear that it will lull us into security. +Supineness, and a disposition to flatter ourselves, seem to make parts +of our national character. When we receive a check and are not quite +undone, we are apt to fancy we have gained a victory; and when we do +gain any little advantage, we imagine it decisive, and expect the war +immediately to end. The history of the war is a history of false hopes +and temporary expedients. Would to God they were to end here! This +winter, if I am not mistaken, will open a still more embarrassing +scene than we have yet experienced, to the southward. I have little +doubt, should we not gain a naval superiority, that Sir Henry Clinton +will detach to the southward to extend his conquests. I am far from +being satisfied that we shall be prepared to repel his attempts."] + +[Sidenote: August.] + +In August, while looking anxiously for such a reinforcement to the +Chevalier de Tunay as would give him the command of the American seas, +and while uncertain whether the campaign might not pass away without +giving a single advantage promised at its opening, he transmitted a +letter to congress, fully and freely imparting his sentiments on the +state of things. + +[Sidenote: Letter of General Washington on American affairs.] + +As this letter contains an exact statement of American affairs, +according to the view taken of them by General Washington, and a +faithful picture of the consequences of the ruinous policy which had +been pursued, drawn by the man best acquainted with them, copious +extracts from it will, at least, be excused. + +After examining the sources of supplies for the campaign, he proceeds +to say--"But while we are meditating offensive operations which may +not be undertaken at all, or, being undertaken, may fail, I am +persuaded congress are not inattentive to the present state of the +army, and will view in the same light with me the necessity of +providing in time against a period (the first of January) when one +half of our present force will dissolve. The shadow of an army that +will remain, will have every motive, except mere patriotism, to +abandon the service, without the hope which has hitherto supported +them, of a change for the better. This is almost extinguished now, and +certainly will not outlive the campaign, unless it finds something +more substantial to rest upon. This is a truth of which every +spectator of the distresses of the army can not help being convinced. +Those at a distance may speculate differently; but on the spot an +opinion to the contrary, judging human nature on the usual scale, +would be chimerical. + +"The honourable the committee of congress, who have seen and heard for +themselves, will add their testimony to mine; and the wisdom and +justice of congress can not fail to give it the most serious +attention. To me it will appear miraculous, if our affairs can +maintain themselves much longer in their present train. If either the +temper or the resources of the country will not admit of an +alteration, we may expect soon to be reduced to the humiliating +condition of seeing the cause of America, in America, upheld by +foreign arms. The generosity of our allies has a claim to all our +confidence, and all our gratitude; but it is neither for the honour of +America, nor for the interest of the common cause, to leave the work +entirely to them." + +He then reviewed the resources of Great Britain; and, after showing +her ability still to prosecute the war, added--"The inference from +these reflections is, that we can not count upon a speedy end of the +war; and that it is the true policy of America not to content herself +with temporary expedients, but to endeavour, if possible, to give +consistency and solidity to her measures. An essential step to this +will be immediately to devise a plan and put it in execution, for +providing men in time to replace those who will leave us at the end of +the year; and for subsisting and for making a reasonable allowance to +the officers and soldiers. + +"The plan for this purpose ought to be of general operation, and such +as will execute itself. Experience has shown that a peremptory draught +will be the only effectual one. If a draught for the war or for three +years can be effected, it ought to be made on every account; a shorter +period than a year is inadmissible. + +"To one who has been witness to the evils brought upon us by short +enlistments, the system appears to have been pernicious beyond +description; and a crowd of motives present themselves to dictate a +change. It may easily be shown that all the misfortunes we have met +with in the military line, are to be attributed to this cause. + +"Had we formed a permanent army in the beginning, which, by the +continuance of the same men in service, had been capable of +discipline, we never should have to retreat with a handful of men +across the Delaware in 1776, trembling for the fate of America, which +nothing but the infatuation of the enemy could have saved; we should +not have remained all the succeeding winter at their mercy, with +sometimes scarcely a sufficient body of men to mount the ordinary +guards, liable at every moment to be dissipated, if they had only +thought proper to march against us; we should not have been under the +necessity of fighting at Brandywine with an unequal number of raw +troops, and afterwards of seeing Philadelphia fall a prey to a +victorious army; we should not have been at Valley Forge with less +than half the force of the enemy, destitute of every thing in a +situation neither to resist nor to retire; we should not have seen New +York left with a handful of men, yet an overmatch for the main army of +these states, while the principal part of their force was detached for +the reduction of two of them; we should not have found ourselves this +spring so weak as to be insulted by five thousand men, unable to +protect our baggage and magazines, their security depending on a good +countenance, and a want of enterprise in the enemy; we should not +have been, the greatest part of the war, inferior to the enemy, +indebted for our safety to their inactivity, enduring frequently the +mortification of seeing inviting opportunities to ruin them, pass +unimproved for want of a force which the country was completely able +to afford; to see the country ravaged, our towns burnt, the +inhabitants plundered, abused, murdered, with impunity from the same +cause." + +After presenting in detail the embarrassments under which the civil +departments of the army also had laboured, in consequence of the +expensiveness and waste inseparable from its temporary character, he +proceeded to observe--"There is every reason to believe, that the war +has been protracted on this account. Our opposition being less, made +the successes of the enemy greater. The fluctuation of the army kept +alive their hopes; and at every period of a dissolution of a +considerable part of it, they have flattered themselves with some +decisive advantages. Had we kept a permanent army on foot, the enemy +could have had nothing to hope for, and would in all probability have +listened to terms long since. If the army is left in its present +situation, it must continue an encouragement to the efforts of the +enemy; if it is put in a respectable one, it must have a contrary +effect; and nothing I believe will tend more to give us peace the +ensuing winter. Many circumstances will contribute to a negotiation. +An army on foot, not only for another campaign, but for several +campaigns, would determine the enemy to pacific measures, and enable +us to insist upon favourable terms in forcible language. An army +insignificant in numbers, dissatisfied, crumbling to pieces, would be +the strongest temptation they could have to try the experiment a +little longer. It is an old maxim that the surest way to make a good +peace is to be well prepared for war. + +"I can not forbear returning in this place to the necessity of a more +ample and equal provision for the army. The discontents on this head +have been gradually matured to a dangerous extremity. There are many +symptoms that alarm and distress me. Endeavours are using to unite +both officers and men in a general refusal of the money, and some +corps now actually decline receiving it. Every method has been taken +to counteract it, because such a combination in the army would be a +severe blow to our declining currency. The most moderate insist that +the accounts of depreciation ought to be liquidated at stated periods, +and certificates given by government for the sums due. They will not +be satisfied with a general declaration that it shall be made good. + +"I have often said, and I beg leave to repeat it, the half pay +provision is in my opinion the most politic and effectual that can be +adopted. On the whole, if something satisfactory be not done, the +army (already so much reduced in officers by daily resignations as not +to have a sufficiency to do the common duties of it) must either cease +to exist at the end of the campaign, or will exhibit an example of +more virtue, fortitude, self-denial, and perseverance, than has +perhaps ever yet been paralleled in the history of human enthusiasm. + +"The dissolution of the army is an event that can not be regarded with +indifference. It would bring accumulated distress upon us; it would +throw the people of America into a general consternation; it would +discredit our cause throughout the world; it would shock our allies. +To think of replacing the officers with others is visionary. The loss +of the veteran soldiers could not be replaced. To attempt to carry on +the war with militia against disciplined troops, will be to attempt +what the common sense and common experience of mankind will pronounce +to be impracticable. But I should fail in respect to congress, to +dwell on observations of this kind in a letter to them." + +[Sidenote: Proceedings of Congress respecting the army.] + +At length the committee presented their report, reorganizing the +regiments, reducing their number, and apportioning on the several +states their respective numbers to complete the establishment. This +report, being approved by congress, was transmitted to the +Commander-in-chief for his consideration. By this arrangement, the +states were required to recruit their quotas for the war, and to +bring them into the field by the first of January; but, if in any +state, it should be found impracticable to raise the men for the war +by the first day of December, it was recommended to such state to +supply the deficiency with men engaged to serve for not less than one +year. + +In compliance with the request of congress, General Washington +submitted his objections to the plan, in a long and respectful letter. + +He recommended that legionary corps should be substituted in the place +of regiments entirely of cavalry. He thought it more adviseable that +the infantry attached to the cavalry should compose a part of the +corps permanently, than that it should be drawn occasionally from the +regiments of foot. + +The reduction in the number of regiments appeared to him a subject of +great delicacy. The last reduction, he said, had occasioned many to +quit the service, independent of those who were discontinued; and had +left durable seeds of discontent among those who remained. The general +topic of declamation was, that it was as hard as dishonourable, for +men who had made every sacrifice to the service, to be turned out of +it, at the pleasure of those in power, without an adequate +compensation. In the maturity to which their uneasiness had now risen +from a continuance of misery, they would be still more impatient under +an attempt of a similar nature. + +It was not, he said, the intention of his remarks to discourage a +reform, but to show the necessity of guarding against the ill effects +which might otherwise attend it, by making an ample provision both for +the officers who should remain in the service, and for those who +should be reduced. This should be the basis of the plan; and without +it, the most mischievous consequences were to be apprehended. He was +aware of the difficulty of making a present provision sufficiently +ample to give satisfaction; but this only proved the expediency of +making one for the future, and brought him to that which he had so +frequently recommended as the most economical, the most politic, and +the most effectual, that could be devised; this was half pay for life. +Supported by the prospect of a permanent provision, the officers would +be tied to the service, and would submit to many momentary privations, +and to those inconveniences, which the situation of public affairs +rendered unavoidable. If the objection drawn from the principle that +the measure was incompatible with the genius of the government should +be thought insurmountable, he would propose a substitute, less +eligible in his opinion, but which would answer the purpose. It was to +make the present half pay for seven years, whole pay for the same +period. He also recommended that depreciation on the pay received, +should be made up to the officers who should be reduced. + +No objection occurred to the measure now recommended, but the expense +it would occasion. In his judgment, whatever would give consistency to +the military establishment, would be ultimately favourable to economy. +It was not easy to be conceived, except by those who had witnessed it, +what an additional waste and increased consumption of every thing, and +consequently what an increase of expense, resulted from laxness of +discipline in an army; and where officers thought they did a favour by +holding their commissions, and the men were continually fluctuating, +to maintain discipline was impossible. Nothing could be more obvious +to him than that a sound military establishment and real economy were +the same. That the purposes of war would be greatly promoted by it was +too clear to admit of argument. He objected also to the mode of +effecting the reduction. This was by leaving it to the several states +to select the officers who should remain in service. He regretted that +congress had not thought proper to retain the reduction and +incorporation of the regiments under their own discretion. He +regretted that it should be left to the states, not only because it +was an adherence to the state system, which in the arrangements of the +army, he disapproved; but because also he feared it would introduce +much confusion and discontent in a business which ought to be +conducted with the greatest circumspection. He feared also that +professing to _select_ the officers to be retained in service would +give disgust both to those who should be discontinued, and to those +who should remain. The former would be sent away under the public +stigma of inferior merit, and the latter would feel no pleasure in a +present preference, when they reflected that, at some future period, +they might experience a similar fate. + +He wished with much sincerity that congress had been pleased to make +no alteration in the term of service, but had confined their +requisition to men who should serve for the war, to be raised by +enlistment, draught, or assessment, as might be found necessary. As it +now stood, there would be very few men for the war, and all the evils +of temporary engagements would still be felt. In the present temper of +the states, he entertained the most flattering hopes that they would +enter on vigorous measures to raise an army for the war, if congress +appeared decided respecting it; but if they held up a different idea +as admissible, it would be again concluded that they did not think an +army for the war essential. This would encourage the opposition of men +of narrow, interested, and feeble tempers, and enable them to defeat +the primary object of the revolution. + +This letter was taken into consideration; and the measures it +recommended were pursued in almost every particular. Even the two +great principles which were viewed with most jealousy,--an army for +the war, and half pay for life,--were adopted. It would have greatly +abridged the calamities of America, could these resolutions have been +carried into execution. Every effort for the purpose was made by the +Commander-in-chief. + +To place the officers of the army in a situation which would render +their commissions valuable, and hold out to them the prospect of a +comfortable old age, in a country saved by their blood, their +sufferings, and the labours of their best years, was an object which +had always been dear to the heart of General Washington, and he had +seized every opportunity to press it on congress. That body had +approached it slowly, taking step after step with apparent reluctance, +as the necessity of the measure became more and more obvious. + +The first resolution on the subject, passed in May, 1778, allowed to +all military officers who should continue in service during the war, +and not hold any office of profit under the United States or any of +them, half pay for seven years, if they lived so long. At the same +time the sum of eighty dollars, in addition to his pay, was granted to +every non-commissioned officer and soldier who should serve to the end +of the war. In 1779 this subject was resumed. After much debate, its +farther consideration was postponed; and the officers and soldiers +were recommended to the attention of their several states, with a +declaration that their patriotism, valour, and perseverance, in +defence of the rights and liberties of their country, had entitled +them to the gratitude, as well as the approbation of their fellow +citizens. + +In 1780, a memorial from the general officers, depicting in strong +terms the situation of the army, and requiring present support, and +some future provision, was answered by a reference to what had been +already done, and by a declaration "That patience, self-denial, +fortitude and perseverance, and the cheerful sacrifice of time and +health, are necessary virtues which both the citizen and soldier are +called to exercise, while struggling for the liberties of their +country; and that moderation, frugality, and temperance, must be among +the chief supports, as well as the brightest ornaments of that kind of +civil government which is wisely instituted by the several states in +this Union." + +This philosophic lecture on the virtues of temperance to men who were +often without food, and always scantily supplied, was still calculated +to assuage irritations fomented by the neglect which was believed to +have been sustained. In a few days afterwards, the subject was brought +again before congress, and a more conciliating temper was manifested. +The odious restriction, limiting the half pay for seven years to those +who should hold no post of profit under the United States or any of +them, was removed; and the bounty allowed the men was extended to the +widows and orphans of those who had died or should die in the service; +at length, the vote passed which has been stated, allowing half pay +for life to all officers who should serve in the armies of the United +States to the end of the war. + +Resolutions were also passed, recommending it to the several states to +make up the depreciation on the pay which had been received by the +army; and it was determined that their future services should be +compensated in the money of the new emission, the value of which, it +was supposed, might be kept up by taxes and by loans. + +While the government of the Union was thus employed in maturing +measures for the preservation of its military establishment, the time +for action passed away without furnishing any material event. The +hostile armies continued to watch each other until the season of the +year forced them out of the field. + +Just before retiring into winter quarters, a handsome enterprise was +executed by Major Talmadge, of Colonel Sheldon's regiment of light +dragoons. That gentleman had been generally stationed on the lines, on +the east side of the North River, and had been distinguished for the +accuracy of his intelligence. + +He was informed that a large magazine of forage had been collected at +Coram, on Long Island, which was protected by the militia of the +country, the cruisers in the Sound, and a small garrison in its +neighbourhood. + +[Sidenote: Major Talmadge destroys the British stores at Coram.] + +[Sidenote: Nov. 21.] + +At the head of a detachment of eighty dismounted dragoons, under the +command of Captain Edgar, and of eight or ten who were mounted, he +passed the Sound where it was twenty miles wide, marched across the +island in the night, and so completely surprised the fort, that his +troops entered the works on three different sides before the garrison +was prepared to resist them. The British took refuge in two houses +connected with the fortifications, and commenced a fire from the doors +and windows. These were instantly forced open; and the whole party, +amounting to fifty-four, among whom were a lieutenant colonel, +captain, and subaltern, were killed or taken. Stores to a considerable +amount were destroyed, the fort was demolished, and the magazines were +consumed by fire. The objects of the expedition being accomplished, +Major Talmadge recrossed the Sound without having lost a man. On the +recommendation of General Washington, congress passed a resolution, +expressing a high sense of the merit of those engaged in the +expedition. + +[Sidenote: December.] + +[Sidenote: The army retires into winter quarters.] + +No objects for enterprise presenting themselves, the troops were +placed in winter quarters early in December. The Pennsylvania line was +stationed near Morristown; the Jersey line about Pompton, on the +confines of New York and New Jersey; and the troops belonging to the +New England states, at West Point, and in its vicinity, on both sides +the North River. The line of the state of New York remained at Albany, +to which place it had been detached for the purpose of opposing an +invasion from Canada. + +[Sidenote: Irruption of Major Carlton into New York.] + +Major Carlton, at the head of one thousand men, composed of Europeans, +Indians, and Tories, had made a sudden irruption into the northern +parts of New York, and taken forts Ann and George, with their +garrisons. At the same time, Sir John Johnson, at the head of a corps +composed of the same materials, appeared on the Mohawk. Several sharp +skirmishes were fought in that quarter with the continental troops, +and a regiment of new levies, aided by the militia of the country. +General Clinton's brigade was ordered to their assistance; but before +he could reach the scene of action, the invading armies had retired, +after laying waste the whole country through which they passed. + +[Sidenote: European transactions.] + +While the disorder of the American finances, the exhausted state of +the country, and the debility of the government, determined Great +Britain to persevere in offensive war against the United States, by +keeping alive her hopes of conquest, Europe assumed an aspect not less +formidable to the permanent grandeur of that nation, than hostile to +its present views. In the summer of 1780, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, +entered into the celebrated compact, which has been generally +denominated "THE ARMED NEUTRALITY." Holland had also declared a +determination to accede to the same confederacy; and it is not +improbable that this measure contributed to the declaration of war +which was made by Great Britain against that power towards the close +of the present year. + +The long friendship which had existed between the two nations was +visibly weakened from the commencement of the American war. Holland +was peculiarly desirous of participating in that commerce which the +independence of the United States would open to the world: and, from +the commencement of hostilities, her merchants, especially those of +Amsterdam, watched the progress of the war with anxiety, and engaged +in speculations which were profitable to themselves and beneficial to +the United States. The remonstrances made by the British minister at +the Hague against this conduct, were answered in the most amicable +manner by the government, but the practice of individuals continued +the same. + +When the war broke out between France and England, a number of Dutch +vessels trading with France, laden with materials for shipbuilding, +were seized, and carried into the ports of Great Britain, although the +existing treaties between the two nations were understood to exclude +those articles from the list of contraband of war. The British cabinet +justified these acts of violence, and persisted in refusing to permit +naval stores to be carried to her enemy in neutral bottoms. This +refusal, however, was accompanied with friendly professions, with an +offer to pay for the vessels and cargoes already seized, and with +proposals to form new stipulations for the future regulation of that +commerce. + +The States General refused to enter into any negotiations for the +modification of subsisting treaties; and the merchants of all the +great trading towns, especially those of Amsterdam, expressed the +utmost indignation at the injuries they had sustained. In consequence +of this conduct, the British government required those succours which +were stipulated in ancient treaties, and insisted that the _casus +foederis_ had now occurred. Advantage was taken of the refusal of +the States General to comply with this demand, to declare the treaties +between the two nations at an end. + +The temper produced by this state of things, inclined Holland to enter +into the treaty for an armed neutrality; and, in November, the Dutch +government acceded to it. Some unknown causes prevented the actual +signature of the treaty on the part of the States General, until a +circumstance occurred which was used for the purpose of placing them +in a situation not to avail themselves of the aid stipulated by that +confederacy to its members. + +While Mr. Lee, one of the ministers of the United States, was on a +mission to the courts of Vienna and Berlin, he fell in company with a +Mr. John de Neufwille, a merchant of Amsterdam, with whom he held +several conversations on the subject of a commercial intercourse +between the two nations, the result of which was, that the plan of an +eventual commercial treaty was sketched out, as one which might +thereafter be concluded between them. This paper had received the +approbation of the Pensionary Van Berkel, and of the city of +Amsterdam, but not of the States General. + +Mr. Henry Laurens, late president of congress, was deputed to the +States General with this plan of a treaty, for the double purpose of +endeavouring to complete it, and of negotiating a loan for the use of +his government. On the voyage he was captured by a British frigate; +and his papers, which he had thrown overboard, were rescued from the +waves by a British sailor. Among them was found the plan of a treaty +which has been mentioned, and which was immediately transmitted to Sir +Joseph Yorke, the British minister at the Hague, to be laid before the +government. + +The explanations of this transaction not being deemed satisfactory by +the court of London, Sir Joseph Yorke received orders to withdraw from +the Hague, soon after which war was proclaimed against Holland. + +This bold measure, which added one of the first maritime powers in +Europe to the formidable list of enemies with whom Britain was already +encompassed, was perhaps, not less prudent than courageous. + +There are situations, to which only high minded nations are equal, in +which a daring policy will conduct those who adopt it, safely through +the very dangers it appears to invite; dangers which a system +suggested by a timid caution might multiply instead of avoiding. The +present was, probably, one of those situations. Holland was about to +become a member of the armed neutrality, after which her immense +navigation would be employed, unmolested, in transporting the property +of the enemies of Britain, and in supplying them with all the +materials for shipbuilding, or the whole confederacy must be +encountered. + +America, however, received with delight the intelligence that Holland +also was engaged in the war; and founded additional hopes of its +speedy termination on that event. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Transactions in South Carolina and Georgia.... Defeat of + Ferguson.... Lord Cornwallis enters North Carolina.... + Retreats out of that state.... Major Wemyss defeated by + Sumpter.... Tarlton repulsed.... Greene appointed to the + command of the Southern army.... Arrives in camp.... + Detaches Morgan over the Catawba.... Battle of the + Cowpens.... Lord Cornwallis drives Greene through North + Carolina into Virginia.... He retires to Hillsborough.... + Greene recrosses the Dan.... Loyalists under Colonel Pyle + cut to pieces.... Battle of Guilford.... Lord Cornwallis + retires to Ramsay's mills.... To Wilmington.... Greene + advances to Ramsay's mills.... Determines to enter South + Carolina.... Lord Cornwallis resolves to march to Virginia. + + +[Sidenote: 1780.] + +[Sidenote: Transactions in South Carolina and Georgia.] + +In the South, Lord Cornwallis, after having nearly demolished the +American army at Camden, found himself under the necessity of +suspending, for a few weeks, the new career of conquest on which he +had intended to enter. His army was enfeebled by sickness as well as +by action; the weather was intensely hot, and the stores necessary for +an expedition into North Carolina had not been brought from +Charleston. In addition, a temper so hostile to the British interests +had lately appeared in South Carolina as to make it unsafe to withdraw +any considerable part of his force from that state, until he should +subdue the spirit of insurrection against his authority. Exertions +were made in other parts of the state, not inferior to those of +Sumpter in the north-west. Colonel Marion, who had been compelled by +the wounds he received in Charleston to retire into the country, had +been promoted by Governor Rutledge to the rank of a brigadier general. +As the army of Gates approached South Carolina, he had entered the +north-eastern parts of that state with only sixteen men; had +penetrated into the country as far as the Santee; and was successfully +rousing the well-affected inhabitants to arms, when the defeat of the +16th of August chilled the growing spirit of resistance which he had +contributed to increase. + +With the force he had collected, he rescued about one hundred and +fifty continental troops who had been captured at Camden, and were on +their way to Charleston. Though compelled, for a short time, to leave +the state, he soon returned to it, and at the head of a few spirited +men, made repeated excursions from the swamps and marshes in which he +concealed himself, and skirmished successfully with the militia who +had joined the British standard, and the small parties of regulars by +whom they were occasionally supported. + +His talents as a partisan, added to his knowledge of the country, +enabled him to elude every attempt to seize him; and such was his +humanity as well as respect for the laws, that no violence or outrage +was ever attributed to the party under his command. + +The interval between the victory of the 16th of August, and the +expedition into North Carolina, was employed in quelling what was +termed the spirit of revolt in South Carolina. The efforts of the +people to recover their independence were considered as new acts of +rebellion, and were met with a degree of severity which policy was +supposed to dictate, but which gave a keener edge to the resentments +which civil discord never fails to engender. Several of the most +active militia men who had taken protections as British subjects, and +entered into the British militia, having been afterwards found in +arms, and made prisoners at Camden, were executed as traitors. Orders +were given to officers commanding at different posts to proceed in the +same manner against persons of a similar description; and these orders +were, in many instances, carried into execution. A proclamation was +issued for sequestering the estates of all those inhabitants of the +province, not included in the capitulation of Charleston, who were in +the service, or acting under the authority of Congress, and of all +those who, by an open avowal of what were termed rebellious +principles, or by other notorious acts should manifest a wicked and +desperate perseverance in opposing the re-establishment of royal +authority.[50] + +[Footnote 50: Rem.] + +While taking these measures to break the spirit of independence, Lord +Cornwallis was indefatigable in urging his preparations for the +expedition into North Carolina. + +The day after the battle near Camden, emissaries had been despatched +into that state for the purpose of inviting the friends of the British +government to take up arms. Meanwhile the utmost exertions were +continued to embody the people of the country as a British militia; +and Major Ferguson was employed in the district of Ninety Six, to +train the most loyal inhabitants, and to attach them to his own +corps.[51] After being employed for some time in Ninety Six, he was +directed to enter the western parts of North Carolina, for the purpose +of embodying the royalists in that quarter. + +[Footnote 51: Sted.] + +The route marked out for the main army was from Camden, through the +settlement of the Waxhaws to Charlottestown, in North Carolina. On the +8th of September Lord Cornwallis moved from Camden, and reached +Charlotte late in that month, where he expected to be joined by +Ferguson. But in attempting to meet him, Ferguson was arrested by an +event as important as it was unexpected. + +[Sidenote: September.] + +Colonel Clarke, a refugee from Georgia, had formed a plan for the +reduction of Augusta, which was defended only by a few provincials, +under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Brown. About the time Lord +Cornwallis commenced his march from Camden, Clarke advanced against +Augusta, at the head of a body of irregulars whom he had collected in +the frontiers of North and South Carolina, and invested that place. +Brown made a vigorous defence; and the approach of Lieutenant Colonel +Cruger with a reinforcement from Ninety Six, compelled Clarke to +relinquish the enterprise, and to save himself by a rapid retreat. +Intelligence of the transactions at Augusta was given to Ferguson, +who, to favour the design of intercepting Clarke, moved nearer the +mountains, and remained longer in that country than had been intended. +This delay proved fatal to him. It gave an opportunity to several +volunteer corps to unite, and to constitute a formidable force. The +hardy mountaineers inhabiting the extreme western parts of Virginia +and North Carolina, assembled on horseback with their rifles, under +Colonels Campbell, M'Dowell, Cleveland, Shelby, and Sevier, and moved +with their accustomed velocity towards Ferguson. On receiving notice +of their approach, that officer commenced his march for Charlotte, +despatching, at the same time, different messengers to Lord Cornwallis +with information of his danger. These messengers being intercepted, no +movement was made to favour his retreat. + +When within about sixteen miles of Gilbert-town, where Ferguson was +then supposed to lie, Colonel M'Dowell deputed to Gates with a +request that he would appoint a general officer to command them; and, +in the mean time, Colonel Campbell of Virginia was chosen for that +purpose. On reaching Gilbert-town, and finding that the British had +commenced their retreat, it was determined to follow them with the +utmost celerity. At the Cowpens, this party was joined by Colonels +Williams, Tracy, and Branan, of South Carolina, with about four +hundred men, who also gave information respecting the distance and +situation of their enemy. About nine hundred choice men were selected, +by whom the pursuit was continued through the night, and through a +heavy rain; and, the next day, about three in the afternoon, they came +within view of Ferguson, who, finding that he must be overtaken, had +determined to await the attack on King's mountain, and was encamped on +its summit,--a ridge five or six hundred yards long, and sixty or +seventy wide. + +[Sidenote: October 7.] + +The Americans, who had arranged themselves into three columns, the +right commanded by Colonel Sevier and Major Winston, the centre by +Colonels Campbell and Shelby, and the left by Colonels Cleveland and +Williams, immediately rushed to the assault. The attack was commenced +by the centre, while the two wings gained the flanks of the British +line; and, in about five minutes, the action became general. Ferguson +made several impetuous charges with the bayonet, which, against +riflemen, were necessarily successful. But, before any one of them +could completely disperse the corps against which it was directed, the +heavy and destructive fire of the others, who pressed him on all +sides, called off his attention to other quarters, and the broken +corps was rallied, and brought back to the attack. + +[Sidenote: Defeat of Ferguson.] + +In the course of these successive repulses, the right and centre had +become intermingled, and were both, by one furious charge of the +bayonet, driven almost to the foot of the mountain. With some +difficulty they were rallied and again brought into the action; upon +which the British, in turn, gave way, and were driven along the summit +of the ridge, on Cleveland and Williams, who still maintained their +ground on the left. In this critical state of the action, Ferguson +received a mortal wound, and instantly expired. The courage of his +party fell with him, and quarter was immediately demanded.[52] The +action continued rather more than an hour. + +[Footnote 52: The details of this battle are chiefly taken from a +paper signed by Colonels Campbell, Shelby, and Cleveland, and +published in the Virginia Gazette of the 18th of November, 1780.] + +In this sharp action one hundred and fifty of Ferguson's party were +killed on the spot, and about the same number were wounded. Eight +hundred and ten, of whom one hundred were British troops, were made +prisoners, and fifteen hundred stand of excellent arms were taken. + +The Americans fought under cover of trees, and their loss was +inconsiderable; but among the slain was Colonel Williams, who was +greatly and justly lamented. As cruelty generally begets cruelty, the +example set by the British at Camden was followed, and ten of the most +active of the royalists were selected from the prisoners, and hung +upon the spot. The victorious mountaineers, having accomplished the +object for which they assembled, returned to their homes. + +[Sidenote: Lord Cornwallis retreats out of North Carolina.] + +The destruction of this party arrested the progress of Lord Cornwallis +in North Carolina, and inspired serious fears for the posts in his +rear. He retreated to Wynnsborough, between Camden and Ninety Six, +where he waited for reinforcements from New York. + +The victory obtained on the 16th of August having suggested views of +more extensive conquest in the south, Sir Henry Clinton had determined +to send a large reinforcement to the southern army. In the opinion +that Lord Cornwallis could meet with no effectual resistance in the +Carolinas, he had ordered the officer commanding this reinforcement to +enter the Chesapeake in the first instance, and to take possession of +the lower parts of Virginia, after which he was to obey the orders he +should receive from Lord Cornwallis, to whom a copy of his +instructions had been forwarded. + +The detachment amounted to near three thousand men, under the command +of General Leslie. It sailed on the 6th of October, and, entering +James River after a short passage, took possession of the country on +the south side as high as Suffolk. After a short time, Leslie drew in +his out-posts, and began to fortify Portsmouth. At this place he +received orders from Lord Cornwallis to repair to Charleston by water. + +While Cornwallis waited at Wynnsborough for this reinforcement, the +light corps of his army were employed in suppressing the parties which +were rising in various quarters of the country, in opposition to his +authority. Marion had become so formidable as to endanger the +communication between Camden and Charleston. Tarlton was detached +against him, and Marion was under the necessity of concealing himself +in the swamps. From the unavailing pursuit of him through marshes +which were scarcely penetrable, Tarlton was called to a different +quarter, where an enemy supposed to be entirely vanquished, had +reappeared in considerable force. + +[Sidenote: Major Wemyss attacks and is defeated by Sumpter.] + +Sumpter had again assembled a respectable body of mounted militia, at +the head of which he advanced towards the posts occupied by the +British. On receiving intelligence of his approach, Earl Cornwallis +formed a plan for surprising him in his camp on Broad River, the +execution of which was committed to Major Wemyss. That officer marched +from Wynnsborough at the head of a regiment of infantry and about +forty dragoons, reached the camp of Sumpter several hours before day, +and immediately charged the out piquet, which made but a slight +resistance. Only five shots are said to have been fired, but from +these Wemyss received two dangerous wounds which disabled him from the +performance of his duty. The assailants fell into confusion, and were +repulsed with the loss of their commanding officer and about twenty +men. After this action, Sumpter crossed Broad River, and, having +formed a junction with Clarke and Branan, threatened Ninety Six. + +Alarmed for the safety of that post, Earl Cornwallis recalled Tarlton, +and ordered him to proceed against Sumpter. So rapid was his movement +that he had nearly gained the rear of his enemy before notice of his +return was received. In the night preceding the day on which he +expected to effect his purpose, a deserter apprised Sumpter of the +approaching danger, and that officer began his retreat. Tarlton, +pursuing with his usual rapidity, overtook the rear guard at the ford +of the Ennoree, and cut it to pieces; after which, fearing that +Sumpter would save himself by passing the Tyger, he pressed forward, +with, as he states, about two hundred and eighty cavalry and mounted +infantry, and, in the afternoon, came within view of the Americans, +who were arranged in order for battle. + +Sumpter had reached the banks of the Tyger, when the firing of his +videttes announced the approach of his enemy. He immediately posted +his troops to great advantage on a steep eminence, having their rear +and part of their right flank secured by the river, and their left +covered by a barn of logs, into which a considerable number of his men +were thrown. + +Tarlton, without waiting for his infantry, or for a field piece left +with them in his rear, rushed to the charge with his usual +impetuosity. After several ineffectual attempts to dislodge the +Americans, he retired from the field with great precipitation and +disorder, leaving ninety-two dead, and one hundred wounded. + +After remaining in possession of the ground for a few hours, Sumpter, +who was severely wounded in the action, crossed the Tyger, after which +his troops dispersed. His loss was only three killed, and four +wounded. + +Availing himself of the subsequent retreat and dispersion of the +American militia, Tarlton denominated this severe check a victory; +while congress, in a public resolution, voted their thanks to General +Sumpter and the militia he commanded, for this and other services +which had been previously rendered. + +The shattered remains of the army defeated near Camden, had been +slowly collected at Hillsborough, and great exertions were made to +reorganize and reinforce it. The whole number of continental troops in +the southern army amounted to about fourteen hundred men. + +On receiving intelligence that Lord Cornwallis had occupied Charlotte, +Gates detached Smallwood to the Yadkin, with directions to post +himself at the ford of that river, and to take command of all the +troops in that quarter of the country. The more effectually to harass +the enemy, a light corps was selected from the army and placed under +the command of Morgan, now a brigadier general. + +As Lord Cornwallis retreated, Gates advanced to Charlotte, Smallwood +encamped lower down the Catawba on the road to Camden; and Morgan was +pushed forward some distance in his front. In the expectation that +farther active operations would be postponed until the spring, Gates +intended to pass the winter in this position. Such was the arrangement +of the troops when their general was removed. + +[Sidenote: November 5.] + +On the 5th of November, without any previous indications of +dissatisfaction, congress passed a resolution requiring the +Commander-in-chief to order a court of inquiry on the conduct of +General Gates as commander of the southern army, and to appoint some +other officer to that command, until the inquiry should be made. + +[Sidenote: Greene appointed to the command of the southern army.] + +Washington, without hesitation, selected Greene for that important and +difficult service. In a letter to congress recommending him to their +support, he mentioned General Greene as "an officer in whose +abilities, fortitude, and integrity, from a long and intimate +experience of them, he had the most entire confidence." To Mr. +Matthews, a delegate from South Carolina, he said, "You have your wish +in the officer appointed to the southern command. I think I am giving +you a general; but what can a general do without men, without arms, +without clothing, without stores, without provisions?" About the same +time the legion of Lee was ordered into South Carolina. + +[Sidenote: Arrives in camp.] + +Greene hastened to the army he was to command; and, on the second of +December, reached Charlotte, then its head quarters. Soon after his +arrival in camp, he was gratified with the intelligence of a small +piece of good fortune obtained by the address of Lieutenant Colonel +Washington. + +Smallwood, having received information that a body of royal militia +had entered the country in which he foraged, for the purpose of +intercepting his wagons, detached Morgan and Washington against them. +Intelligence of Morgan's approach being received, the party retreated; +but Colonel Washington, being able to move with more celerity than the +infantry, resolved to make an attempt on another party, which was +stationed at Rugely's farm, within thirteen miles of Camden. He found +them posted in a logged barn, strongly secured by abattis, and +inaccessible to cavalry. Force being of no avail, he resorted to the +following stratagem. Having painted the trunk of a pine, and mounted +it on a carriage so as to resemble a field piece, he paraded it in +front of the enemy, and demanded a surrender. The whole party, +consisting of one hundred and twelve men, with Colonel Rugely at their +head, alarmed at the prospect of a cannonade, surrendered themselves +prisoners of war.[53] + +[Footnote 53: The author received this account both from General +Morgan and Colonel Washington.] + +[Sidenote: Detaches Morgan over the Catawba.] + +To narrow the limits of the British army, and to encourage the +inhabitants, Greene detached Morgan west of the Catawba, with orders +to take a position near the confluence of the Pacolet with the Broad +River. His party consisted of rather more than three hundred chosen +continental troops, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Howard, of +Maryland, of Washington's regiment of light dragoons, amounting to +about eighty men, and of two companies of militia from the northern +and western parts of Virginia commanded by Captains Triplet and Taite, +which were composed almost entirely of old continental soldiers. He +was also to be joined on Broad River by seven or eight hundred +volunteers and militia commanded by General Davidson, and by Colonels +Clarke and Few. + +After making this detachment, Greene, for the purpose of entering a +more plentiful country, advanced lower down the Pedee, and encamped on +its east side, opposite the Cheraw hills. Lord Cornwallis remained at +Wynnsborough, preparing to commence active operations, so soon as he +should be joined by Leslie. + +The position he occupied on the Pedee was about seventy miles from +Wynnsborough, and towards the north of east from that place. The +detachment commanded by Morgan had taken post at Grindal's ford on the +Pacolet, one of the south forks of Broad River, not quite fifty miles +north-west of Wynnsborough. The active courage of his troops, and the +enterprising temper of their commander, rendered him extremely +formidable to the parties of royal militia who were embodying in that +quarter of the country. + +Supposing Morgan to have designs on Ninety Six, Lord Cornwallis +detached Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton with his legion, part of two +regiments of infantry, and a corps of artillery with two field pieces, +consisting altogether of about one thousand men, across the Broad +River, to cover that important post. As he lay between Greene and +Morgan, he was desirous of preventing their junction, and of striking +at one of them while unsupported by the other. To leave it uncertain +against which division his first effort would be directed, he ordered +Leslie to halt at Camden until the preparations for entering North +Carolina should be completed. Having determined to penetrate into that +state by the upper route, he put his army in motion and directed his +course northwestward, between the Catawba and Broad Rivers. Leslie was +directed to move up the banks of the former, and to join him on the +march; and Tarlton was ordered to strike at Morgan. Should that +officer escape Tarlton, the hope was entertained that he might be +intercepted by the main army.[54] + +[Footnote 54: Letter of Lord Cornwallis.--_Stedman._] + +High waters delayed Cornwallis and Leslie longer than had been +expected; but Tarlton overcame the same obstacles, and reached Morgan +before a correspondent progress was made by the other divisions.[55] + +[Footnote 55: Letter of Lord Cornwallis.--_Stedman._] + +[Sidenote: 1781 January 14.] + +[Sidenote: Sixteenth.] + +The combined movements of the British army were communicated to +General Morgan on the 14th of January. Perceiving the insecurity of +his own position, he retired across the Pacolet, the fords over which +he was desirous of defending. But a passage of that river being +effected at a ford about six miles below him, he made a precipitate +retreat; and, on the evening of the same day, his pursuers occupied +the camp he had abandoned. Morgan retired to the Cowpens, where he +determined to risk a battle. It was believed that he might have +crossed the Broad River, or have reached a mountainous country which +was also near him, before he could have been overtaken; and the +superiority of his adversary was so decided as to induce his best +officers to think that every effort ought to be made to avoid an +engagement. But Morgan had great and just confidence in himself and in +his troops; he was unwilling to fly from an enemy not so decidedly +his superior as to render it madness to fight him; and he also thought +that, if he should be overtaken while his men were fatigued and +retreating, the probability of success would be much less than if he +should exhibit the appearance of fighting from choice. + +These considerations determined him to halt earlier than was +absolutely necessary.[56] + +[Footnote 56: These reasons for his conduct were given to the author +by General Morgan soon after his return from the southern campaign.] + +[Sidenote: Battle of the Cowpens.] + +Tarlton, having left his baggage under a strong guard, with orders not +to move until break of day, recommenced the pursuit at three in the +morning. + +Before day, Morgan was informed of his approach, and prepared to +receive him. + +Although censured by many for having determined to fight, and by some +for the ground he chose, all admit the judgment with which his +disposition was made. + +On an eminence, in an open wood, he drew up his continental troops, +and Triplet's corps, deemed equal to continentals, amounting to +between four and five hundred men, who were commanded by Lieutenant +Colonel Howard. In their rear, on the descent of the hill, Lieutenant +Colonel Washington was posted with his cavalry, and a small body of +mounted Georgia militia commanded by Major M'Call, as a corps de +reserve. On these two corps rested his hopes of victory, and with them +he remained in person. The front line was composed entirely of +militia, under the command of Colonel Pickens. Major M'Dowell, with a +battalion of North Carolina volunteers, and Major Cunningham, with a +battalion of Georgia volunteers, were advanced about one hundred and +fifty yards in front of this line, with orders to give a single fire +as the enemy approached, and then to fall back into the intervals, +which were left for them in the centre of the first line. The militia, +not being expected to maintain their ground long, were ordered to keep +up a retreating fire by regiments, until they should pass the +continental troops, on whose right they were directed again to form. +His whole force, as stated by himself, amounted to only eight hundred +men. + +Soon after this disposition was made, the British van appeared in +sight. Confident of a cheap victory, Tarlton formed his line of +battle, and his troops rushed forward with great impetuosity, shouting +as they advanced. + +After a single well directed fire, M'Dowell and Cunningham fell back +on Colonel Pickens, who, after a short but warm conflict, retreated +into the rear of the second line.[57] The British pressed forward with +great eagerness; and, though received by the continental troops with a +firmness unimpaired by the rout of the front line, continued to +advance. Soon after the action with the continental troops had +commenced, Tarlton ordered up his reserve. Perceiving that the enemy +extended beyond him both on the right and left, and that, on the right +especially, his flank was on the point of being turned, Howard ordered +the company on his right to change its front, so as to face the +British on that flank. From some mistake in the officer commanding +this company, it fell back, instead of fronting the enemy, upon which +the rest of the line, supposing a change of ground for the whole to +have been directed, began to retire in perfect order. At this moment +General Morgan rode up, and directed the infantry to retreat over the +summit of the hill, about one hundred yards to the cavalry. This +judicious but hazardous movement was made in good order, and +extricated the flanks from immediate danger. Believing the fate of the +day to be decided, the British pressed on with increased ardour, and +in some disorder; and when the Americans halted, were within thirty +yards of them. The orders then given by Howard to face the enemy were +executed as soon as they were received; and the whole line poured in a +fire as deadly as it was unexpected. Some confusion appearing in the +ranks of the enemy, Howard seized the critical moment, and ordered a +charge with the bayonet. These orders were instantly obeyed, and the +British line was broken. + +[Footnote 57: Some of them formed afterwards, and renewed the action +on Howard's right.] + +At the same moment the detachment of cavalry on the British right was +routed by Washington. The militia of Pickens, who rode to the ground, +had tied their horses in the rear of Howard's left. When the front +line was broken, many of them fled to their horses, and were closely +pursued by the cavalry, who, while the continental infantry were +retiring, passed their flank, and were cutting down the scattered +militia in their rear. Washington, who had previously ordered his men +not to fire a pistol, now directed them to charge the British cavalry +with drawn swords. A sharp conflict ensued, but it was not of long +duration. The British were driven from the ground with considerable +slaughter, and were closely pursued. Both Howard and Washington +pressed the advantage they had respectively gained, until the +artillery, and great part of the infantry had surrendered. So sudden +was the defeat, that a considerable part of the British cavalry had +not been brought into action; and, though retreating, remained +unbroken. Washington, followed by Howard with the infantry, pursued +them rapidly, and attacked[58] them with great spirit; but, as they +were superior to him in numbers, his cavalry received a temporary +check; and in this part of the action he sustained a greater loss than +in any other. But the infantry coming up to support him, Tarlton +resumed the retreat.[59] + +[Footnote 58: In the eagerness of pursuit, Washington advanced near +thirty yards in front of his regiment. Three British officers, +observing this, wheeled about, and made a charge upon him. The officer +on his right aimed a blow to cut him down as an American sergeant came +up, who intercepted the blow by disabling his sword arm. The officer +on his left was about to make a stroke at him at the same instant, +when a waiter, too small to wield a sword, saved him by wounding the +officer with a ball from a pistol. At this moment, the officer in the +centre, who was believed to be Tarlton, made a thrust at him which he +parried; upon which the officer retreated a few paces, and then +discharged a pistol at him, which wounded his horse.] + +[Footnote 59: The author has received statements of this action from +General Morgan and from Colonels Howard and Washington.] + +In this engagement upwards of one hundred British, including ten +commissioned officers, were killed; twenty-nine commissioned officers, +and five hundred privates were made prisoners. Eight hundred muskets, +two field pieces, two standards, thirty-five baggage wagons, and one +hundred dragoon horses, fell into the hands of the conquerors. + +Tarlton retreated towards the headquarters of Lord Cornwallis, then +about twenty-five miles from the Cowpens. + +This complete victory cost the Americans less than eighty men in +killed and wounded. + +Seldom has a battle in which greater numbers were not engaged, been so +important in its consequences as that of the Cowpens. Lord Cornwallis +was not only deprived of a fifth of his numbers, but lost a most +powerful and active part of his army. Unfortunately, Greene was not in +a condition to press the advantage. The whole southern army did not +much exceed two thousand men, a great part of whom were militia. + +[Sidenote: Pursuit of the American army through North Carolina into +Virginia.] + +The camp of Lord Cornwallis at Turkey Creek on the east side of Broad +River, was as near as the Cowpens to the fords at which Morgan was to +cross the Catawba. Of consequence, that officer had much cause to fear +that, encumbered as he was with prisoners and military stores, he +might be intercepted before he could pass that river. Comprehending +the full extent of his danger, he abandoned the baggage he had taken, +and leaving his wounded under the protection of a flag, detached the +militia as an escort to his prisoners, and brought up the rear in +person with his regulars. Passing Broad River on the evening of the +day on which the battle was fought, he hastened to the Catawba, which +he crossed on the 23d, at Sherald's ford, and encamped on its eastern +bank. + +[Sidenote: January.] + +Lord Cornwallis employed the 18th in forming a junction with Leslie. +Early next morning he put his army in motion, and, on the 25th, +reached Ramsay's mills, where the roads taken by the two armies unite. +At this place, to accelerate his future movements, he destroyed his +baggage; and, after collecting a small supply of provisions, resumed +the pursuit. He reached Sherald's ford in the afternoon of the 29th; +and, in the night, an immense flood of rain rendered the river +impassable. + +[Sidenote: January 31.] + +While Morgan remained on the Catawba, watching the motions of the +British army, and endeavouring to collect the militia, General Greene +arrived, and took command of the detachment. + +In his camp on the Pedee, opposite the Cheraw hills, Greene had been +joined by Lee's legion, amounting to about one hundred cavalry, and +one hundred and twenty infantry. The day after his arrival, he was +ordered to join Marion for the purpose of attempting to carry a +British post at Georgetown, distant about seventy-five miles from the +American army. The fort was surprised, but the success was only +partial. + +On receiving intelligence of the victory at the Cowpens, Greene +detached Stevens' brigade of Virginia militia, whose terms of service +were on the point of expiring, to conduct the prisoners to +Charlottesville in Virginia, and turned his whole attention to the +effecting of a junction between the two divisions of his army. It was +principally with a view to this object that he hastened to the +detachment under Morgan, leaving the other division to be commanded by +General Huger. + +[Sidenote: February 1.] + +Early in the morning of the first of February, Lord Cornwallis forced +a passage over the Catawba, at a private ford which was defended by +General Davidson, with about three hundred North Carolina militia. +Davidson was killed, and his troops dispersed. They were followed by +Tarlton, who, hearing in the pursuit, that several bodies of militia +were assembling at a tavern about ten miles from the ford, hastened to +the place of rendezvous, and charging them with his usual impetuosity, +broke their centre, killed some, and dispersed the whole party. + +It was found impracticable to bring the militia into the field, and +Huger, who had been directed to march to Salisbury, was ordered to +effect a junction between the two divisions of the army at some place +farther north. + +Greene retreated along the Salisbury road, and, in the evening of the +third, crossed the Yadkin at the trading ford. His passage of the +river, then already much swollen by the rain of the preceding day, was +facilitated by boats which had been previously collected. The rear +guard, which, being impeded by the baggage of the whigs who fled from +Salisbury did not cross till midnight, was overtaken by the van of the +British army, and a skirmish ensued in which some loss was sustained, +but the Americans effected the passage of the river. + +[Sidenote: February 3.] + +[Sidenote: Ninth.] + +The rains having rendered the Yadkin unfordable, and the boats being +collected on the opposite side, the pursuit was necessarily suspended; +but Greene continued his march to Guilford court house where he was +joined by Huger. + +After some delay, and apparent hesitation respecting his movements, +Lord Cornwallis marched up the Yadkin, which he crossed near its +source on the morning of the eighth. + +After the junction between the divisions of Huger and Morgan, the +infantry of the American army, including six hundred militia, amounted +to about two thousand effectives; and the cavalry to between two and +three hundred. Lord Cornwallis lay twenty-five miles above them at +Salem, with an army estimated from twenty-five hundred to three +thousand men, including three hundred cavalry. Having failed in his +attempt to prevent the junction of the two divisions of the American +army, his object was to place himself between Greene and Virginia, and +force that officer to a general action before he could be joined by +the reinforcements which were known to be preparing for him in that +state. His situation favoured the accomplishment of this object. + +Greene, on the other hand, was indefatigable in his exertions to cross +the Dan without exposing himself to the hazard of a battle. To effect +this object, the whole of his cavalry, with the flower of his +infantry, amounting together to rather more than seven hundred men, +were formed into a light corps, for the purpose of harassing and +impeding the advance of the enemy, until the less active part of his +force, with the baggage and military stores should be secured. Morgan +being rendered incapable of duty by severe indisposition, the command +of this corps was conferred on Colonels Otho and Williams. + +Lord Cornwallis had been informed that it would be impossible to +obtain boats at the ferries on the Dan in sufficient numbers for the +transportation of the American troops before he could overtake them. +And, as the river could not be forded below, he calculated with +confidence on succeeding in his object by keeping above Greene, and +prevent his reaching those shallow fords by which alone it was thought +possible to escape into Virginia. + +Dix's ferry is about fifty miles from Guilford court house, and was +almost equidistant from the two armies. Considerably below, and more +than seventy miles from Guilford court house, were two other ferries, +Boyd's and Irwin's, which were only four miles apart. By directing +their march towards the lower and more remote ferries, the distance +from Lord Cornwallis was so much ground gained; and by despatching an +officer with a few men to Dix's, the boats at that, and at an +intermediate ferry, might be brought down the river in time to meet +the army at the intended crossing place. These facts being suggested +by Lieutenant Colonel Carrington, quartermaster general for the +southern department, the proposition was instantly adopted, and an +officer despatched to bring the boats from above down to Boyd's +ferry.[60] + +[Footnote 60: The author received this fact from Colonel Carrington.] + +The next day both armies resumed their line of march. While General +Greene pressed forward to Boyd's, Williams gained an intermediate road +leading to Dix's ferry, and thus placed himself between the two +armies, a small distance in front of the one, and considerably in rear +of the other. Such was the boldness and activity of this corps that +Lord Cornwallis found it necessary to temper the eagerness of his +pursuit with caution. Yet he moved with great rapidity;--marching +nearly thirty miles each day. On the morning of the third day, he +attempted to surprise the Americans by marching from the rear of his +column into the road which had been taken by them, while his van +proceeded slowly on its original route. Information of this movement +was received, and Lieutenant Colonel Lee charged his advanced cavalry +with such impetuosity, as to cut a company nearly to pieces. A captain +and several privates were made prisoners. The whole British army +turned into this road and followed in the rear of Williams, who used +every effort to delay their march. + +[Sidenote: February 14.] + +The measures adopted by Greene for collecting the boats were +successful; and, on the fourteenth, he effected the passage of his +troops and stores. + +When Williams supposed that the American army had reached the Dan, he +left the road leading to Dix's ferry, and entering that which Greene +had taken, urged his march to the lower ferries with the utmost +celerity. Lord Cornwallis, being at length informed that Greene had +taken the lower road, turned into it about the same time by a nearer +way, and his front was in sight of the rear of Williams. So rapid were +the movements of both armies that, in the last twenty-four hours, the +Americans marched forty miles; and the rear had scarcely touched the +northern bank, when the van of the enemy appeared on the opposite +shore. + +That General Greene was able to effect this retreat without loss, +evidences the judgment with which he improved every favourable +circumstance. + +The exertions, the fatigues, the sufferings, and the patience of both +armies, during this long, toilsome, and rapid pursuit, were extreme. +Without tents, without spirits, often without provisions, and always +scantily supplied with them; through deep and frozen roads, high +waters, and frequent rains; each performed, without a murmur, the +severe duties assigned to it. The difference between them consists +only in this,--the British troops were well clothed; the Americans +were almost naked, and many of them barefooted. + +Great praise was bestowed by the general on his whole army; but the +exertions of Colonel Williams, and of Lieutenant Colonel Carrington +were particularly noticed. + +Although that part of North Carolina through which the armies had +passed, was well affected to the American cause, such was the rapidity +with which they moved, and such the terror inspired by the presence of +the enemy, that no aid was drawn from the militia. Indeed, those who +had joined the army from the more remote parts of the country could +not be retained; and, when it reached the Dan, the militia attached to +it did not exceed eighty men. + +[Sidenote: Lord Cornwallis retires to Hillsborough.] + +Having driven Greene out of North Carolina, Lord Cornwallis turned his +attention to the re-establishment of regal authority in that state. +For this purpose, he proceeded by easy marches to Hillsborough, at +that time its capital, where he erected the royal standard, and issued +a proclamation inviting the inhabitants to repair to it, and to assist +him in restoring the ancient government. + +As soon as it was known that General Greene had entered Virginia, he +was reinforced by six hundred militia drawn from the neighbouring +counties, the command of which was given to General Stevens. + +Apprehension that Lord Cornwallis, if left in the undisturbed +possession of North Carolina, would succeed, to the extent of his +hopes, in recruiting his army and procuring the submission of the +people, General Greene determined, on receiving this small +reinforcement, to re-enter that state; and, avoiding a general +engagement, to keep the field against a superior enemy, who had +demonstrated his capacity for rapid movement and hardy enterprise. + +[Sidenote: February.] + +[Sidenote: Greene recrosses the Dan.] + +On the 18th, while Lord Cornwallis remained on the opposite shore, the +legion of Lee had passed the Dan. On the 21st, the light infantry also +recrossed it; and, on the 23d, they were followed by the main body of +the army. + +The light infantry hung round the quarters of the enemy, while the +main body advanced slowly, keeping in view the roads to the western +parts of the country, from which a considerable reinforcement of +militia was expected.[61] + +[Footnote 61: The western militia had been engaged in a war with the +Cherokee Indians, who, neglected by the United States, and incited by +the British, had determined once more to take up the hatchet. The +militia from the western parts of Virginia and North Carolina entered +their country, burnt their towns, containing near one thousand houses, +destroyed fifty thousand bushels of grain, killed twenty-nine men, +took several prisoners, and compelled the nation to sue for peace.] + +General Greene was not mistaken in the consequences of leaving Lord +Cornwallis in the peaceable possession of North Carolina. He was +informed that seven independent companies were raised in one day. A +large body of royalists had begun to embody themselves on the branches +of the Haw River; and Colonel Tarlton, with the cavalry of his legion +and some infantry, was detached from Hillsborough to favour their +rising, and to conduct them to the British army. + +Intelligence of the movements of the loyalists and of Tarlton being +received, Greene ordered Lieutenant Colonel Lee with the cavalry of +his legion, and General Pickens with between three and four hundred +militia, who had just formed a junction near Hillsborough, to move +against both parties. + +[Sidenote: Party of loyalists commanded by Colonel Pyle, cut to +pieces.] + +In a long lane, Lee, whose cavalry was in front of the whole +detachment, came up with the royalists. He was mistaken by them for +Tarlton, whom they had not yet seen, to whose encampment they were +proceeding, and whose corps was then taking refreshment, not much more +than a mile distant from them. Perceiving their mistake, Lee received +their expressions of joy and attachment, and had just reached their +colonel, to whom he was about to make communications which might have +enabled him to proceed on his design of surprising Tarlton, when the +infantry who followed close in his rear, were recognized by the +insurgents; and a firing took place between them. It being apparent +that this circumstance must give the alarm to the British, Lee changed +his plan, and turning on the royalists, who still supposed him to be a +British officer, cut them to pieces while they were making +protestations of loyalty, and asserting that they were "the very best +friends of the king." More than one hundred, among whom was Colonel +Pyle, their leader, fell under the swords of his cavalry. This +terrible but unavoidable carnage broke, in a great measure, the +spirits of the tories in that part of the country. Some who were on +their march to join the British standard, returned, determined to +await the issue of events before they went too far to recede. + +The hope of surprising Tarlton being thus disappointed, Pickens and +Lee determined to postpone the attack till the morning; and took a +position for the night between him and a corps of militia which was +advancing from the western counties of Virginia under Colonel Preston. +Tarlton had meditated an attempt on this corps; but at midnight, when +his troops were paraded to march on this design, he received an +express from Lord Cornwallis, directing his immediate return to the +army. In obedience to this order, he began his retreat long before +day, and crossed the Haw, just as the Americans, who followed him, +appeared on the opposite bank. Two pieces of artillery commanded the +ford and stopped the pursuit. + +To approach more nearly the great body of the loyalists, who were +settled between Haw and Deep Rivers, and to take a position in a +country less exhausted than that around Hillsborough, Lord Cornwallis +crossed the Haw, and encamped on Allimance creek. + +As the British army retired, General Greene advanced. Not being yet in +a condition to hazard an engagement, he changed his ground every +night. In the course of the critical movements, which were made in +order to avoid an action, and at the same time to overawe the +loyalists, and maintain a position favourable to a junction with the +several detachments who were marching from different quarters to his +assistance, he derived immense service from a bold and active light +infantry, and from a cavalry which, though inferior in numbers, was +rendered superior in effect to that of his enemy, by being much better +mounted. They often attacked boldly and successfully, and made sudden +incursions into the country, which so intimidated the royalists, that +Lord Cornwallis found it difficult to obtain intelligence. By these +means, all his attempts to bring the American general to action were +frustrated; and his lordship was under the necessity of keeping his +men close in their quarters. + +During this hazardous trial of skill, Lord Cornwallis moved out in +full force towards Rudy fork, where the light infantry lay, in the +hope of surprising that corps under cover of a thick fog; and probably +with ulterior views against General Greene. His approach was +perceived, and a sharp skirmish ensued between a part of the light +infantry, and a much superior body of British troops commanded by +Lieutenant Colonel Webster, in which the loss was supposed to be +nearly equal. The advance of the British army obliged Williams to +retire; and General Greene, by recrossing the Haw and uniting with the +light infantry on its north-eastern bank at the Rocky ford, +disappointed any farther designs which might have been formed against +the army then under his command, or against the reinforcements which +were approaching. Being thus foiled, Lord Cornwallis withdrew to Deep +River, and General Greene fell back to the iron works on Troublesome +creek. + +At length his reinforcements, though much inferior to the number he +had been taught to expect, were received, and Greene, in his turn, +sought a battle. With this view, he dissolved the corps of light +infantry, advanced towards his enemy, and encamped within eight miles +of him, at Guilford court house. + +His army, including officers, amounted to about four thousand five +hundred men, of whom not quite two thousand were continental troops +and the residue consisted of Virginia and North Carolina militia. +Those of Virginia were commanded by Generals Stevens and Lawson, and +by Colonels Preston, Campbell, and Lynch; and those of North Carolina, +by Generals Butler and Eaton. + +Of the four regiments which composed the continental infantry, only +one, the first of Maryland, was veteran. The other three consisted of +new levies, with a few old continental soldiers interspersed among +them. The legion of Lee, and the cavalry of Washington, like the first +regiment of Maryland, added every advantage of experience to approved +courage; and nearly all the officers commanding the new levies were +veteran. + +[Sidenote: March 15.] + +[Sidenote: Battle of Guilford.] + +Having determined to risk an action, Greene chose his ground with +judgment. Early in the morning of the 15th, the fire of his +reconnoitring parties announced the approach of the enemy on the great +Salisbury road, and his army was immediately arranged in order of +battle. It was drawn up in three lines, on a large hill, surrounded by +other hills, chiefly covered with trees and underwood. + +The front line was composed of the two brigades of North Carolina +militia, who were posted to great advantage on the edge of the wood, +behind a strong rail fence, with an extensive open field in front. + +The two brigades of Virginia militia formed the second line. They were +drawn up entirely in the wood, about three hundred yards in rear of +the first, and on either side of the great Salisbury road. + +The third line was placed about three hundred yards in rear of the +second, and was composed of continental troops. The Virginia brigade, +commanded by General Huger, was on the right; that of Maryland, +commanded by Colonel Williams, was on the left. They were drawn up +obliquely, with their left diverging from the second line, and partly +in open ground. + +The first and third regiments of dragoons, amounting to one hundred +and two troopers, Kirkwood's company of light infantry, and a +regiment of militia riflemen under Colonel Lynch, formed a corps of +observation for the security of the right flank, which was commanded +by Lieutenant Colonel Washington. The legion, consisting of one +hundred and sixty-eight horse and foot, and a body of riflemen +commanded by Colonels Campbell and Preston, formed a corps of +observation for the security of the left flank, which was placed under +Lieutenant Colonel Lee. The artillery was in the front line, in the +great road leading through the centre, with directions to fall back as +the occasion should require. + +Though Lord Cornwallis was sensible that the numbers of the American +army were greatly augmented by troops whose continuance in service +would be of short duration, he deemed it so important to the interests +of his sovereign to maintain the appearance of superiority in the +field, that he was unwilling to decline the engagement now offered +him. + +[Sidenote: March 14.] + +[Sidenote: Fifteenth.] + +On the advance of Greene, therefore, he prepared for action; and early +in the morning moved from his ground, determined to attack the adverse +army wherever it should be found. About four miles from Guilford court +house, the advance, led by Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton, fell in with +Lee, and a sharp skirmish ensued, which was terminated by the +appearance of such large bodies of British troops, as rendered it +prudent for Lee to retire. His lordship continued to advance until he +came within view of the American army. His disposition for the attack +was then made in the following order. + +The seventy-first British regiment, with the German regiment of Bose, +led by General Leslie, and supported by the first battalion of the +guards under Colonel Norton, formed the right, and the twenty-third +and thirty-third regiments, led by Lieutenant Colonel Webster, and +supported by Brigadier General O'Hara with the grenadiers and second +battalion of the guards, formed the left. The light infantry of the +guards and the Yagers, posted in the wood on the left of the +artillery, and the cavalry in column behind it in the road, formed a +corps of observation.[62] + +[Footnote 62: Letter of Lord Cornwallis.--_Stedman._] + +This disposition being made, the British troops advanced to the +charge, with the cool intrepidity which discipline inspires. + +The North Carolina militia were not encouraged by the great advantages +of their position to await the shock. They broke instantly; and, +throwing away their arms and flying through the woods, sought their +respective homes. + +The British then advanced on the second line, which received them with +more firmness; and maintained their ground for some time with great +resolution. Lord Cornwallis perceiving the corps on his flanks, +brought the whole of his reserved infantry into the line. On the +right, General Leslie brought up the guards to oppose Lee; and, on the +left, Webster changed his front to the left, and attacked Washington, +while the grenadiers and second battalion of guards moved forward to +occupy the place which he had just quitted.[63] + +[Footnote 63: Letter of Lord Cornwallis.--_Stedman._] + +The ground being unfavourable to the action of horse, Washington had +posted Lynch's riflemen, with whom he remained in person, on a height +covered with thick woods; and had drawn up his cavalry and continental +infantry about one hundred yards in their rear. On being attacked by +Webster, the riflemen broke; and Washington, finding it impossible to +rally them, rejoined his cavalry. + +The British continuing to advance, and it being well understood that +the militia could not stand the bayonet, General Stevens, who had +received a ball in his right thigh, ordered his brigade to retreat. +Lawson's brigade having given way a short time before, the second line +was entirely routed; and the enemy advanced boldly on the third. + +The several divisions of the British army had been separated from each +other by extending themselves to the right and left in order to +encounter the distinct corps which threatened their flanks; and by +advancing in regiments at different times, as the different parts of +the second line had given way. The thickness of the wood increased +the difficulty of restoring order. They pressed forward with great +eagerness, but with a considerable degree of irregularity. + +Greene, in this state of the action, entertained the most sanguine +hopes of a complete victory. His continental troops were fresh, in +perfect order, and upon the point of engaging an enemy, broken into +distinct parts, and probably supposing the severity of the action to +be over. This fair prospect was blasted by the misconduct of a single +corps. The second regiment of Maryland was posted at some distance +from the first, in open ground; its left forming almost a right angle +with the line, so as to present a front to any corps which might +attack on that flank. The British in advancing, inclined to the right; +and the second battalion of guards entered the open ground immediately +after the retreat of Stevens, and rushed on the second regiment of +Maryland while the first was engaged with Webster. Without waiting to +receive the charge, that regiment broke in confusion. By pursuing +them, the guards were thrown into the rear of the first regiment, from +which they were concealed by the unevenness of the ground, and by a +skirt of wood. + +Greene was himself on the left, and witnessed the misfortune without +being able to remedy it. His militia being entirely routed, the flight +of one-fourth of his continental troops would most probably decide +the fate of the day. Unwilling to risk his remaining three regiments, +only one of which could be safely relied on, without a man to cover +their retreat should the event prove unfortunate, he ordered Colonel +Greene of Virginia to withdraw his regiment from the line, and to take +a position in the rear, for the purpose of affording a rallying point, +and of covering the retreat of the two regiments which still continued +in the field. + +The guards were soon called from the pursuit of the second Maryland +regiment, and led by Lieutenant Colonel Stuart against the first. +About this time Webster, finding himself overpowered by the first +Maryland regiment, then commanded by Colonel Gunby, and by Kirkwood's +company and the remaining regiment of Virginia, with whom he was +engaged at the same time, had in a great measure withdrawn from the +action, and retired across a ravine into an adjoining wood. This +critical respite enabled Gunby to provide for the danger in his rear. +Facing about, he met the guards, and a very animated fire took place +on both sides, during which the Americans continued to advance. + +In this critical moment, Lieutenant Colonel Washington, who was drawn +to this part of the field by the vivacity of the fire, made a furious +charge upon the guards and broke their ranks. At this juncture, +Gunby's horse was killed under him, and the command devolved on +Lieutenant Colonel Howard. The regiment advanced with such rapidity +that Gunby could not overtake it, and was within thirty yards of the +guards when they were charged by the cavalry. Almost at the same +instant the Maryland infantry rushed upon them with the bayonet, and +following the horse through them, were masters of the whole battalion. +In passing through it, Captain Smith of the infantry killed its +commanding officer. + +After passing through the guards into the open ground where the second +regiment had been originally posted, Howard perceived several British +columns, with some pieces of artillery. Believing his regiment to be +the sole infantry remaining in the field, he retreated in good order, +and brought off some prisoners. The cavalry also retreated.[64] + +[Footnote 64: After passing through the guards into the cleared +ground, Washington, who always led the van, perceived an officer +surrounded by several persons who appeared to be aids-de-camp. +Believing this to be Lord Cornwallis, he rushed forward in the hope of +making him a prisoner, but was arrested by an accident. His cap fell +from his head, and, as he leaped to the ground to recover it, the +officer leading the column was shot through the body, and rendered +incapable of managing his horse. The animal wheeled round with his +rider, and galloped off the field. He was followed by all the cavalry, +who supposed that this movement had been directed.] + +About the same time the remaining Virginia regiment commanded by +Colonel Hawes, and Kirkwood's infantry, who were still engaged with +Webster, were directed by General Greene to retreat. The artillery was +unavoidably abandoned; the horses which drew the pieces being killed, +and the woods too thick to admit of their being dragged elsewhere +than along the great road. The retreat was made in good order, and +Greene, in person, brought up the rear. + +Though the action was over on the right and centre, Campbell's +riflemen still maintained their ground on the extreme of the American +left, against General Leslie with the regiment of Bose and the first +battalion of guards. + +After the guards had routed the brigade commanded by Lawson, they were +attacked on their right flank by the infantry of Lee's legion and by +Campbell's riflemen, and were driven behind the regiment of Bose, +which having moved with less impetuosity, was advancing in compact +order. + +This regiment sustained the American fire until Lieutenant Colonel +Norton was able to rally the guards and to bring them back to the +charge; after which the action was maintained with great obstinacy on +both sides until the battle was decided on the right. Lieutenant +Colonel Tarlton was then ordered to the support of Leslie. The legion +infantry had retreated, and only a few resolute marksmen remained in +the rear of Campbell who continued firing from tree to tree. Being +unable to resist a charge of cavalry, they were quickly driven from +the field. + +Two regiments of infantry and a detachment of cavalry pursued the +right wing and centre of the Americans for a short distance, but were +soon ordered to return. On examining his situation, Lord Cornwallis +found himself too much weakened, and his troops too much fatigued by +the action, to hazard its renewal, or to continue the pursuit. General +Greene halted about three miles from the field of battle, behind Rudy +fork creek, for the purpose of collecting his stragglers; after which +he retired about twelve miles, to the iron works on Troublesome creek, +the place appointed for the rendezvous of his army in the event of its +being defeated. + +The returns made immediately after the action, exhibited a loss in +killed, wounded and missing in the continental troops, of fourteen +commissioned officers, and three hundred and twelve non-commissioned +officers and privates. Major Anderson, a valuable officer of Maryland, +was killed; and General Huger, who commanded the continental troops of +Virginia, was wounded. + +The same return states the loss of the militia at four captains and +seventeen privates killed; and, in addition to General Stevens, one +major, three captains, eight subalterns, and sixty privates, were +wounded. A great proportion of this part of the army was missing; but +it seems to have been expected that they would either rejoin their +corps, or be found at their homes. + +The victory at Guilford was dearly purchased. Official accounts state +the loss of the British army at five hundred and thirty-two men, among +whom were several officers of high rank and distinguished merit. +Lieutenant Colonel Stuart of the guards was killed, and Lieutenant +Colonel Webster, who was ranked by his enemies among the best officers +in the British service, was mortally wounded. This loss, when compared +with the numbers brought by Lord Cornwallis into the field, was very +considerable. The Americans did not compute his troops at more than +two thousand rank and file, but his own accounts state them at only +fourteen hundred and forty-five. + +No battle in the course of the war reflects more honour on the courage +of the British troops, than that of Guilford. On no other occasion +have they fought with such inferiority of numbers, or disadvantage of +ground. Estimating his first line at nothing, General Greene's army +consisted of three thousand two hundred men, posted on ground chosen +by himself; and his disposition was skilfully made. + +The American general, expecting to be again attacked, prepared for +another engagement. But the situation of Lord Cornwallis had become +too desperate to hazard a second battle, or to maintain his position. +He found himself under the necessity of retreating to a place of +greater security, where provisions might be obtained. + +When the expedition into North Carolina was originally meditated, +Major Craig, at the head of a small military and naval force, took +possession of Wilmington, a town near the mouth of Cape Fear, and +extended his authority several miles up the river. Lord Cornwallis now +looked to a communication with this post for aids which had become +indispensable to the farther operations of the campaign. + +On the third day after the battle, he broke up his encampment, and +proceeded by slow and easy marches towards Cross creek. + +[Sidenote: Greene advances to Ramsay's mills with a determination to +enter South Carolina.] + +General Greene, on hearing that the British army was retreating, +resolved to follow it. The difficulty of subsisting the troops in an +exhausted and hostile country; and the necessity of waiting for a +supply of ammunition, impeded the march of his army so much that he +did not reach Ramsay's mills until the 28th of March. + +[Sidenote: April 7.] + +At this place Lord Cornwallis had halted, and here General Greene +expected to overtake and attack him. But, on the approach of the +American army, his lordship resumed his march to Cross creek, and +afterwards to Wilmington, where he arrived on the 7th of April. + +General Greene gave over the pursuit at Ramsay's mills. So excessive +had been the sufferings of his army from the want of provisions, that +many of the men fainted on the march, and it had become absolutely +necessary to allow them some repose and refreshment. The expiration of +the time for which the Virginia militia had been called into service, +furnished an additional motive for suspending the pursuit. + +At this place, the bold and happy resolution was taken to carry the +war into South Carolina. + +The motives which induced the adoption of this measure were stated by +himself in a letter communicating his determination to the +Commander-in-chief. It would compel Lord Cornwallis to follow him, and +thus liberate North Carolina, or to sacrifice all his posts in the +upper parts of South Carolina and Georgia. + +The Southern army amounted to about seventeen hundred effectives. That +of Lord Cornwallis is understood to have been still less numerous. So +impotent were the means employed for the conquest and defence of +states which were of immense extent and value. + +This unexpected movement gave a new aspect to affairs, and produced +some irresolution in the British general respecting his future +operations. After weighing the probable advantages and disadvantages +of following Greene into South Carolina, he decided against this +retrograde movement and determined to advance into Virginia. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Virginia invaded by Arnold.... He destroys the stores at + Westham and at Richmond.... Retires to Portsmouth.... Mutiny + in the Pennsylvania line.... Sir H. Clinton attempts to + negotiate with the mutineers.... They compromise with the + civil government.... Mutiny in the Jersey line.... Mission + of Colonel Laurens to France.... Propositions to Spain.... + Recommendations relative to a duty on imported and prize + goods.... Reform in the Executive departments.... + Confederation adopted.... Military transactions.... + Lafayette detached to Virginia.... Cornwallis arrives.... + Presses Lafayette.... Expedition to Charlottesville, to the + Point of Fork.... Lafayette forms a junction with Wayne.... + Cornwallis retires to the lower country.... General + Washington's letters are intercepted.... Action near + Jamestown. + + +[Sidenote: 1781] + +[Sidenote: Virginia invaded by Arnold.] + +The evacuation of Portsmouth by Leslie afforded Virginia but a +short interval of repose. So early as the 9th of December, 1780, a +letter from General Washington announced to the governor that a large +embarkation, supposed to be destined for the south, was about taking +place at New York. On the 30th, a fleet of transports under convoy, +having on board between one and two thousand men, commanded by General +Arnold, anchored in Hampton road. The troops were embarked the next +day on board vessels adapted to the navigation, and proceeded up +James' River under convoy of two small ships of war. On the fourth of +January they reached Westover, which is distant about twenty-five +miles from Richmond, the capital of Virginia. + +[Sidenote: January 2.] + +On receiving intelligence that a fleet had entered the capes, General +Nelson was employed in raising the militia of the lower country; and +on the 2d of January orders were issued to call out those above the +metropolis and in its neighbourhood. + +On reaching Westover, Arnold landed with the greater part of his army, +and commenced his march towards Richmond. The few continental troops +at Petersburg were ordered to the capital; and between one and two +hundred militia, who had been collected from the town and its +immediate vicinity, were directed to harass the advancing enemy. + +This party was too feeble for its object; and, the day after landing +at Westover, Arnold entered Richmond, where he halted with about five +hundred men. The residue, amounting to about four hundred, including +thirty horse, proceeded under Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe to Westham, +where they burnt a valuable foundry, boring mill, powder magazine, and +other smaller buildings, with military stores to a considerable +amount, and many valuable papers belonging to the government, which +had been carried thither as to a place of safety. + +[Sidenote: He destroys valuable stores at Richmond.] + +This service being effected, Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe rejoined Arnold +at Richmond; where the public stores, and a large quantity of rum and +salt, the property of private individuals, were entirely destroyed. + +[Sidenote: January.] + +Leaving Richmond the next day, the army returned to Westover[65] on +the seventh; and, re-embarking on the morning of the tenth, proceeded +down the river. It was followed by the Baron Steuben, who commanded in +Virginia; and, near Hoods, Colonel Clarke drew a party of them into an +ambuscade, and gave them one fire with some effect; but, on its being +partially returned, the Americans broke and fled in the utmost +confusion.[66] + +[Footnote 65: While the army lay at Westover, Lieutenant Colonel +Simcoe, at the head of less than fifty horse, attacked and dispersed a +body of militia at Charles City court house, with the loss of only one +man killed, and three wounded.] + +[Footnote 66: The author witnessed this skirmish.] + +Arnold proceeded slowly down the river; and on the twentieth reached +Portsmouth, where he manifested the intention of establishing a +permanent post. + +The loss of the British in this expedition, was stated in the gazette +of New York, at seven killed, including one subaltern, and +twenty-three wounded, among whom was one captain. This small loss was +sustained almost entirely in the ambuscade near Hoods. + +In the north, the year commenced with an event, which, for a time, +threatened the American cause with total ruin. + +The accumulated sufferings and privations of the army constitute a +large and interesting part of the history of that war which gave +independence to the United States. Winter, without much lessening +their toils, added to those sufferings. The soldiers were perpetually +on the point of starving, were often entirely without food; were +exposed without proper clothing to the rigours of the season, and had +now served almost twelve months without pay. + +This state of things had been of such long continuance that scarcely +the hope of a change could be indulged. It produced, unavoidably, some +relaxation of discipline; and the murmurs, occasionally escaping the +officers, sometimes heard by the soldiers, were not without their +influence. + +In addition to the general causes of dissatisfaction, the Pennsylvania +line complained of a grievance almost peculiar to itself. + +When congress directed enlistments to be made for three years, or +during the war, the recruiting officers of Pennsylvania, in some +instances, instead of engaging their men, definitively, for the one +period or the other, engaged them generally for three years, or the +war. This ambiguity in the terms of enlistment produced its natural +effect. The soldier claimed his discharge at the expiration of three +years, and the officer insisted on retaining him in service during the +war. The soldier submitted with the more reluctance to the supposed +imposition, as he constantly witnessed the immense bounties given to +those who were not bound by a former enlistment. + +[Sidenote: Mutiny in the Pennsylvania line.] + +The discontents which these various causes had been long fomenting, +broke out on the night of the 1st of January, in an open and almost +universal revolt of the line. + +On a signal given, the great body of the non-commissioned officers and +privates paraded under arms, avowing the determination to march to the +seat of congress, and either obtain redress of their complicated +grievances, or serve no longer. In the attempt to suppress the mutiny, +six or seven of the mutineers were wounded on the one side; and on the +other, Captain Billing was killed, and several other officers were +dangerously wounded. The authority of General Wayne availed nothing. +On cocking his pistol, and threatening some of the most turbulent, the +bayonet was presented to his bosom; and he perceived that strong +measures would produce his own destruction, and perhaps the massacre +of every officer in camp. A few regiments who did not at first join +the mutineers, were paraded by their officers; but, had they even been +willing to proceed to extremities, they were not strong enough to +restore order. Infected quickly with the general contagion, or +intimidated by the threats of the mutineers, they joined their +comrades; and the whole body, consisting of about thirteen hundred +men, with six field pieces, marched, under the command of their +sergeants, towards Princeton. + +The next day. General Wayne, accompanied by Colonels Butler and +Stewart, officers possessing, in a high degree, the affections of the +soldiery, followed them, in the hope of bringing them back to their +duty, or at least of dividing them. They were overtaken near +Middlebrook, and invited by a written message from General Wayne, to +appoint one man from each regiment to state the grievances of which +they complained. + +In consequence of this invitation, a sergeant from each regiment met +the officers at their quarters, and some verbal communications were +made, from the complexion of which sanguine hopes were entertained +that the affair might be terminated without farther hazard, or much +injury to the service. + +On the following day, the line of march was resumed, and the soldiers +proceeded to Princeton. The propositions of the general and field +officers were reported to them, and a committee of sergeants, to whom +they were referred, stated their claims. These were, + +1st. A discharge for all those who had served three years under their +original engagements, whatever those engagements might have been, and +who had not taken the increased bounty, and re-enlisted for the war. + +2nd. An immediate payment of all their arrears of pay and clothing, as +well to those who should be discharged, as to those who should +continue in service. + +3rd. The residue of their bounty, and future real pay to those who +should continue in the army. + +General Wayne being unwilling to discharge all those who had not +re-enlisted for the war, the subject was referred to the civil power. + +On receiving intelligence of the mutiny, congress appointed a +committee to confer with the executive of Pennsylvania respecting it. +The result of this conference was that both the committee, and the +governor with some members of the executive council, left Philadelphia +for the purpose of endeavouring to accommodate this dangerous +commotion. + +At his head quarters, at New Windsor, on the North River, General +Washington received intelligence of this alarming mutiny. Accustomed +as he had been to contemplate hazardous and difficult situations, it +was not easy, under existing circumstances, to resolve instantly on +the course it was most prudent to pursue. His first impression--to +repair to the camp of the mutineers--soon gave place to opinions which +were formed on more mature reflection. + +It was almost certain that the business was already in the hands of +the civil government, with whose arrangements it might be improper for +him to interfere. Independent of this consideration, other motives of +irresistible influence detained him on the North River. + +The most important among those subjects of complaint which were +alleged as the causes of the mutiny, were true in fact, were common to +the whole army, and were of a nature to disseminate too generally +those seeds of disquiet, which had attained their full growth and +maturity in the Pennsylvania line. Strong symptoms of discontent had +already been manifested; and it was, therefore, impossible to say with +confidence, how far the same temper existed among the other troops; or +how far the contagion of example had or would spread. + +The danger arising from this state of things was much increased by the +circumstance that the river was perfectly open, and afforded Sir Henry +Clinton an easy and rapid transportation for his army to West Point, +should the situation of its garrison invite an enterprise against that +post. + +It was an additional consideration of great weight, that it might have +a most pernicious influence on the discipline of the whole army, +should the authority of the Commander-in-chief be disregarded. He +ought not to place himself in a situation where his orders might be +disobeyed with impunity; an event much to be apprehended, should he +repair to the camp of the mutineers, unattended by a military force +adequate to the occasion. + +Such a force could not be immediately commanded. His effectives in the +Highlands amounted only to thirteen hundred and seventy-six men; and +that whole division of the army, dispersed at various and distant +stations, excluding the sick and those on furlough, did not exceed +four thousand. Assuming therefore the fidelity of the troops, it was +impracticable to march immediately with a force sufficient to reduce +the Pennsylvania line, without leaving the Highlands undefended. Nor +was it unworthy of consideration that, in the actual situation of the +mutineers, the probability of their being attacked by such a force +might drive them to the enemy, or disperse them, events, either of +which would deprive the army of a valuable part of its strength. + +It was therefore thought adviseable to leave the negotiation with the +civil power, and to prepare for those measures which ought to be +adopted in the event of its failure. The disposition of the troops on +the North River was sounded, and found to be favourable; after which, +a detachment of eleven hundred men was ordered to be in readiness to +move on a moment's warning. On the first notice of the mutiny, the +militia of Jersey took the field under General Dickenson, and measures +were taken to call out those of New York should the occasion require +it. + +[Sidenote: Sir Henry Clinton attempts to negotiate with the +mutineers.] + +To avail himself of an event appearing so auspicious to the royal +cause, Sir Henry Clinton ordered a large body of troops to be in +readiness to move on the shortest notice; and despatched three +emissaries with tempting offers to the revolters; and instructions to +invite them, while the negotiation should be depending, to take a +position behind the South River, where they should be effectually +covered by detachments from New York. While these measures were +taking, Sir Henry kept his eye on West Point, and held himself in +readiness to strike at that place, should any movement on the part of +General Washington open to him a prospect of success.[67] + +[Footnote 67: Letter of Sir Henry Clinton.] + +His emissaries were immediately seized by the revolters, and their +proposals communicated to General Wayne, with assurances of the utter +detestation in which every idea of going over to the common enemy was +held. + +This favourable symptom, however, was accompanied by suspicious +circumstances. They retained the British emissaries in their own +possession; and could not be induced to cross the Delaware, or to +march from Princeton. They would not permit any of their former +officers, other than those already mentioned, to enter their camp; and +General St. Clair, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Lieutenant Colonel +Laurens, were ordered to leave Princeton. + +Such was the state of things when the committee of congress, and +President Read with a part of his executive council, arrived in the +neighbourhood of the revolters. The former having delegated their +power to the latter, a conference was held with the sergeants who now +commanded, after which proposals were made and distributed among the +troops for consideration. + +In these proposals the government offered, + +1st. To discharge all those who had enlisted indefinitely for three +years or during the war, the fact to be examined into by three +commissioners, to be appointed by the executive; and to be +ascertained, when the original enlistment could not be produced, by +the oath of the soldier. + +2dly. To give immediate certificates for the depreciation on their +pay, and to settle the arrearages as soon as circumstances would +admit. + +3dly. To furnish them immediately with certain specified articles of +clothing which were most wanted. + +[Sidenote: They compromise with the civil authority.] + +On receiving these propositions, the troops agreed to march to +Trenton. At that place the terms were accepted, with the addition that +three commissioners should also be deputed by the line, who, +conjointly with those of the executive should constitute the board +authorized to determine on the claims of the soldiers to be +discharged; and thereupon the British emissaries were surrendered, who +were tried, condemned, and executed as spies. + +Until the investigation should be made, and discharges given to those +who should be found entitled to them, the sergeants retained their +command. In consequence of the irksomeness of this state of things, +the business was pressed with so much precipitation, that before the +enlistments themselves could be brought from the huts, almost the +whole of the artillery, and of the five first regiments of infantry, +were liberated on the testimony of their own oaths. The enlistments +being then produced, it was found that not many of the remaining +regiments had engaged on the terms which, under the compact, would +entitle them to leave the service; and that, of those actually +dismissed, far the greater number had been enlisted absolutely for the +war. The discharges given, however, were not cancelled; and the few +who were to remain in service received furloughs for forty days. + +Thus ended, in a temporary dissolution of the whole line of +Pennsylvania, a mutiny, which a voluntary performance of much less +than was extorted, would have prevented; and which, in the actual +condition of the army, was of a nature and extent to inspire the most +serious alarm. + +[Sidenote: Mutiny in the Jersey line.] + +The dangerous policy of yielding even to the just demands of soldiers +made with arms in their hands, was soon illustrated. The success of +the Pennsylvania line inspired that of Jersey, many of whom were also +foreigners, with the hope of obtaining similar advantages. On the +night of the 20th, a part of the Jersey brigade, which had been +stationed at Pompton, rose in arms; and, making precisely the same +claims which had been yielded to the Pennsylvanians, marched to +Chatham, where a part of the same brigade was cantoned, in the hope of +exciting them also to join in the revolt. + +General Washington, who had been extremely chagrined at the issue of +the mutiny in the Pennsylvania line, and who was now assured of the +confidence to be placed in the fidelity of the eastern troops, who +were composed of natives, determined, by strong measures, to stop the +farther progress of a spirit which threatened the destruction of the +army, and ordered a detachment to march against the mutineers, and to +bring them to unconditional submission. General Howe, who commanded +this detachment, was instructed to make no terms with the insurgents +while in a state of resistance; and, as soon as they should surrender, +to seize a few of the most active leaders, and to execute them on the +spot. These orders were promptly obeyed, and the Jersey mutineers +returned to their duty. + +In the hope of being more successful with the revolters of Jersey than +he had been with those of Pennsylvania, Sir Henry Clinton offered them +the same terms which had been proposed to the mutineers at Princeton; +and General Robertson, at the head of three thousand men, was +detached to Staten Island with the avowed purpose of crossing over +into Jersey, and covering any movement which they might make towards +New York. The emissary, being in the American interest, delivered his +papers to the officer commanding at the first station to which he +came. Other papers were dispersed among the mutineers; but the mutiny +was crushed too suddenly to allow time for the operation of these +propositions. + +The vigorous measures taken in this instance were happily followed by +such an attention on the part of the states, to the actual situation +of the army, as checked the progress of discontent. Influenced by the +representations of the Commander-in-chief, they raised three months' +pay in specie, which they forwarded to the soldiers, who received it +with joy, considering it as evidence that their fellow citizens were +not entirely unmindful of their sufferings. + +Although the army was thus reduced to such extreme distress, the +discontents of the people were daily multiplied by the contributions +which they were required to make, and by the irritating manner in +which those contributions were drawn from them. Every article for +public use was obtained by impressment; and the taxes were either +unpaid, or collected by coercive means. Strong remonstrances were made +against this system; and the dissatisfaction which pervaded the mass +of the community, was scarcely less dangerous than that which had +been manifested by the army. + +To the judicious patriots throughout America, the necessity of giving +greater powers to the federal government became every day more +apparent; but the efforts of enlightened individuals were too feeble +to correct that fatal disposition of power which had been made by +enthusiasm uninstructed by experience. + +[Sidenote: Mission of Colonel Laurens to France.] + +To relieve the United States from their complicated embarrassments, a +foreign loan seemed an expedient of indispensable necessity, and from +France they hoped to obtain it. Congress selected Lieutenant Colonel +Laurens, a gentleman whose situation in the family of the +Commander-in-chief had enabled him to take a comprehensive view of the +military capacities and weaknesses of his country, for this +interesting service; and instructed him also to urge the advantage of +maintaining a naval superiority in the American seas. Before his +departure, he passed some days at headquarters, and received from +General Washington in the form of a letter, the result of his +reflections on the existing state of things. + +In this paper he detailed the pecuniary embarrassments of the +government, and represented, with great earnestness, the inability of +the nation to furnish a revenue adequate to the support of the war. He +dwelt on the discontents which the system of impressment had excited +among the people, and expressed his fears that the evils felt in the +prosecution of the war, might weaken the sentiments which began it. + +From this state of things, he deduced the vital importance of an +immediate and ample supply of money, which might be the foundation for +substantial arrangements of finance, for reviving public credit, and +giving vigour to future operations; as well as of a decided effort of +the allied arms on the continent to effect the great objects of the +alliance, in the ensuing campaign. + +Next to a supply of money, he considered a naval superiority in the +American seas, as an object of the deepest interest. + +To the United States, it would be of decisive importance, and France +also might derive great advantages from transferring the maritime war +to the coast of her ally. + +The future ability of the United States to repay any loan which might +now be obtained was displayed; and he concluded with assurances that +there was still a fund of inclination and resource in the country, +equal to great and continued exertions, provided the means were +afforded of stopping the progress of disgust, by changing the present +system, and adopting another more consonant with the spirit of the +nation, and more capable of infusing activity and energy into public +measures; of which a powerful succour in money must be the basis. +"The people were discontented, but it was with the feeble and +oppressive mode of conducting the war, not with the war itself." + +With reason did the Commander-in-chief thus urge on the cabinet of +Versailles, the policy of advancing a sum of money to the United +States which might be adequate to the exigency. Deep was the gloom +with which their political horizon was overcast. The British, in +possession of South Carolina and of Georgia, had overrun the greater +part of North Carolina also; and it was with equal hazard and address +that Greene maintained himself in the northern frontier of that state. + +A second detachment from New York was making a deep impression on +Virginia, where the resistance had been neither so prompt nor so +vigorous[68] as the strength of that state and the unanimity of its +citizens had given reason to expect. + +[Footnote 68: A slave population must be unfavourable to great and +sudden exertions by militia.] + +The perplexities and difficulties in which the affairs of America were +involved, were estimated by the British government even above their +real value. Intercepted letters of this date from the minister, +expressed the most sanguine hopes that the great superiority of force +at the disposal of Sir Henry Clinton, would compel Washington with his +feeble army to take refuge on the eastern side of the Hudson. + +[Sidenote: Propositions to Spain.] + +Even congress relaxed for an instant from its habitual firmness; and, +receding from the decisive manner in which that body had insisted on +the territorial and maritime rights of the nation, directed the +American minister at Madrid to relinquish, if it should be absolutely +necessary, the claims of the United States to navigate the Mississippi +below the thirty-first degree of north latitude, and to a free port on +the banks of that river within the Spanish territory. It is remarkable +that only Massachusetts, Connecticut, and North Carolina, dissented +from this resolution; New York was divided.[69] On a subsequent day, +the subject was again brought forward, and a proposition was made for +still farther concessions to Spain; but this proposition was negatived +by all the states.[70] + +[Footnote 69: Secret journals of Congress, v. 2, pp. 393, 396, 407. +This measure was moved by the delegation from Virginia, in consequence +of instructions of 2d Jan. 1781. Sec. 10, H. at large, 538.] + +[Footnote 70: Secret journals of Congress, v. 2, p. 468.] + +Happily for the United States, Mr. Jay, their minister at the court of +Madrid, required as the price of the concessions he was instructed to +make, that the treaty he was labouring to negotiate should be +immediately concluded. + +[Sidenote: Recommendations relative to a duty on imported and prize +goods.] + +The establishment of a revenue subject to the exclusive control and +direction of the continental government, was connected inseparably +with the restoration of credit. The efforts therefore to negotiate a +foreign loan were accompanied by resolutions requesting the +respective states to place a fund under the control of congress, which +should be both permanent and productive. A resolution was passed, +recommending to the respective states to vest a power in congress to +levy for the use of the United States a duty of five _per centum ad +valorem_ on all goods imported into any of them; and also on all +prizes condemned in any of the American courts of admiralty. + +This fund was to be appropriated to the payment of both the principal +and interest of all debts contracted in the prosecution of the war; +and was to continue until those debts should be completely discharged. + +Congress, at that time, contained several members who perceived the +advantages which would result from bestowing on the government of the +nation the full power of regulating commerce, and, consequently, of +increasing the import as circumstances might render adviseable; but +state influence predominated, and they were overruled by great +majorities. Even the inadequate plan which they did recommend was +never adopted. Notwithstanding the greatness of the exigency, and the +pressure of the national wants, never, during the existence of the +confederation, did all the states unite in assenting to this +recommendation; so unwilling are men possessed of power, to place it +in the hands of others. + +[Sidenote: Reform in the organization of the executive departments.] + +About the same time a reform was introduced into the administration, +the necessity of which had been long perceived. From a misplaced +prejudice against institutions sanctioned by experience, all the great +executive duties had been devolved either on committees of congress, +or on boards consisting of several members. This unwieldy and +expensive system had maintained itself against all the efforts of +reason and public utility. But the scantiness of the national means at +length prevailed over prejudice, and the several committees and boards +yielded to a secretary for foreign affairs, a superintendent of +finance, a secretary of war, and a secretary of marine. But so +miserably defective was the organization of congress, as an executive +body, that the year had far advanced before this measure, the utility +of which all acknowledged, could be carried into complete operation by +making all the appointments. + +[Sidenote: Confederation adopted.] + +About this time the articles of confederation were ratified. Much +difficulty was encountered in obtaining the adoption of this +instrument. The numerous objections made by the states yielded +successively to the opinion that a federal compact would be of vast +importance in the prosecution of the war. One impediment it was found +peculiarly difficult to remove. Within the chartered limits of several +states, were immense tracts of vacant territory, which, it was +supposed, would constitute a large fund of future wealth; and the +states not possessing that advantage insisted on considering this +territory as a joint acquisition. At length this difficulty also was +surmounted; and, in February, 1781, to the great joy of America, this +interesting compact was rendered complete.[71] Like many other human +institutions, it was productive, neither in war nor in peace, of all +the benefits which its sanguine advocates had expected. Had peace been +made before any agreement for a permanent union was formed, it is far +from being improbable that the different parts might have fallen +asunder, and a dismemberment have taken place. If the confederation +really preserved the idea of union until the good sense of the nation +adopted a more efficient system, this service alone entitles that +instrument to the respectful recollection of the American people, and +its framers to their gratitude. + +[Footnote 71: The secret journals of congress, published under the +resolutions of March 27th, 1818, and April 21st, 1820, contain "A +History of the Confederation." The course of public opinion on a most +important point--the nature of the connexion which ought to be +maintained between these United States--may be in some degree +perceived in the progress of this instrument, and may not be entirely +uninteresting to the American reader. + +So early as July, 1775, Doctor Franklin submitted "Articles of +Confederation and perpetual union" to the consideration of congress, +which were to continue in force until a reconciliation with Great +Britain should take place on the terms demanded by the colonies. Into +this confederation, not only all the British colonies on the +continent, but Ireland and the West India islands were to be admitted. + +Congress was to consist of members chosen by each colony in proportion +to its numbers, and was to sit in each successively. Its powers were +to embrace the external relations of the country, the settling of all +disputes between the colonies, the planting of new colonies; and were +to extend to ordinances on such general subjects as, though necessary +to the general welfare, particular assemblies can not be competent to, +viz. "Those that may relate to our general commerce, or general +currency; the establishment of ports; and the regulation of our common +forces." + +The executive was to consist of a council of twelve, selected by +congress from its own body, one-third of whom were to be changed +annually. + +Amendments were to be proposed by congress; and, when approved by a +majority of the colonial assemblies, were to become a part of the +constitution. + +In June, 1776, a committee was appointed to prepare and digest the +form of a confederation to be entered into between the United +Colonies, which brought in a draft (in the hand writing of Mr. John +Dickinson) on the 12th of the succeeding month. + +This report was under debate until the 14th of November, 1777, on +which day congress agreed on the articles afterwards adopted by the +states. + +In the scheme supposed to be prepared by Mr. Dickinson, the +confederation is considered as an alliance of sovereign states, who +meet as equals by their deputies assembled to deliberate on their +common concerns, each sovereign having a voice. This principle was +retained; but several modifications in the language and principle of +the original scheme were made, which indicate a watchful and growing +jealousy of the powers of congress. + +In each, an article is introduced reserving the rights of the states. +That which is found in the report, "reserves to each state the sole +and exclusive regulation and government of its internal police, in all +matters that _shall not interfere with the articles of this +confederation_." + +This article was so modified as to declare that "each state retains +its sovereignty," "and every power, jurisdiction and right, which is +not by this confederation _expressly_ delegated to the United States +in congress assembled." + +This denial of all incidental powers had vast influence on the affairs +of the United States. It defeated, in many instances, the granted +powers, by rendering their exercise impracticable. + +The report permits the states to impose duties on imports and exports; +provided they "do not interfere with any stipulations in treaties +hereafter entered into by the United States." + +The confederation confines this restriction on the power of the state +to such duties as interfere with the stipulations in treaties entered +into "in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by congress to the +courts of France and Spain." + +Each plan assigns to the state in which troops shall be raised for the +common defence, the power of appointing the field and inferior +officers. The confederation adds the power of filling up such +vacancies as may occur. + +The report inhibits a state from endeavouring by force to obtain +compensation for advances made or injuries suffered during the war, +which shall not be allowed by congress. + +The confederation omits this inhibition. + +The report gives to congress the power of making treaties. + +The confederation adds a proviso, "that no treaty of commerce shall be +made whereby the legislative power of the respective states shall be +restrained from imposing such imports and duties on foreigners as +their own people are subjected to, or from prohibiting the exportation +or importation of any species of goods or commodities whatever." + +The report authorizes congress to appoint "courts for the trial of all +crimes, frauds, and piracies committed on the high seas, or on any +navigable river not within a county or parish." + +The confederation limits the jurisdiction to "piracies and felonies +committed on the high seas." + +Both empower congress to appoint courts for the trial of appeals in +cases of capture; but the confederation provides that no member of +congress shall be appointed a judge of any such court. + +Both empower congress to settle differences between the states. The +confederation prescribes minutely the manner in which this power shall +be exercised. + +Both empower congress "to regulate the trade and manage all affairs +with the Indians." The confederation provides "that the legislative +right of any state within its own limits be not infringed or +violated." + +The report gives the power of "establishing and regulating post +offices throughout all the United Colonies (states) _on the lines of +communication_ from one colony (state) to another." + +The confederation varies the phraseology and adds, "and exacting such +postage on the papers passing through the same as may be requisite to +defray the expenses of the said office." + +The report places many important portions of the executive power in a +council of state, to consist of one delegate from each state to be +named annually by the delegates of that state. + +The confederation empowers congress to appoint a committee to sit in +the recess of congress, to be denominated "a committee of the states," +and to consist of one delegate from each state, to exercise such +powers as congress might from time to time vest them with. + +A few of the states agreed to ratify the confederation +unconditionally. By many, amendments were proposed which were steadily +rejected by congress. It was obvious that the delays would be almost +interminable should congress relax this determination, because every +change would make it necessary again to submit the instrument as +amended to the several states. It is remarkable that Jersey alone +proposed an enlargement of the powers of congress. That state was +desirous of investing the representatives of the state with the power +of regulating commerce. + +The states possessing no vacant lands, or an inconsiderable quantity +within their chartered limits, pressed earnestly and perseveringly +their claim to participate in the advantages of territory, which was, +they said, acquired by the united arms of the whole; and Maryland +refused, on this account, to accede to the confederation. At length, +several of the states empowered their members in congress to ratify +that instrument as forming a union between the twelve states who had +assented to it. Maryland, alarmed at the prospect of being excluded +from the union, gave her reluctant consent to the confederation, +accompanied by a protest, in which she still asserted her claim to her +interest in the vacant territory which should be acknowledged at the +treaty of peace, to be within the United States. + +It required the repeated lessons of a severe and instructive +experience to persuade the American people that their greatness, their +prosperity, their happiness, and even their safety, imperiously +demanded the substitution of a government for their favourite league.] + +[Sidenote: Military transactions.] + +Such was the defensive strength of the positions taken by the adverse +armies on the Hudson, and such their relative force, that no decisive +blow could be given by either in that quarter of the continent. The +anxious attentions of General Washington, therefore, were +unremittingly directed to the south. One of those incidents which +fortune occasionally produces, on the seizing or neglect of which the +greatest military events frequently depend, presented, sooner than was +expected, an opportunity which he deemed capable of being improved to +the destruction of the British army in Virginia. + +The French fleet, from its arrival on the American coast, had been +blocked up in the harbour of Newport; and the land forces of that +nation had been reduced to a state of inactivity by the necessity of +defending their ships. Late in January, a detachment from the British +fleet was encountered on the east end of Long Island by a furious +storm, in which such damage was sustained as to destroy for a time the +naval superiority which Arbuthnot had uniformly preserved. + +To turn this temporary superiority to advantage, Monsieur Destouches +resolved to detach a ship of the line, with two frigates, to the +Chesapeake; a force which the delegation from Virginia had assured him +would be sufficient for the purpose. + +On receiving certain accounts of the loss sustained in the storm, +General Washington conceived the design of improving that +circumstance by immediate and powerful operations against Arnold. +Confident that the critical moment must be seized, or the enterprise +would fail, he ordered a detachment of twelve hundred men, under the +command of the Marquis de Lafayette, to the head of the Chesapeake; +there to embark for that part of Virginia which was to become the +theatre of action, under convoy of a French frigate, for which he +applied to the admiral. He immediately communicated this measure to +the Count de Rochambeau, and to Monsieur Destouches, to whom he also +stated his conviction that no serious advantage could be expected from +a few ships, unaided by land troops. "There were," he said, "a variety +of positions to be taken by Arnold, one of which was Portsmouth, his +present station, where his ships might be so protected by his +batteries on the shore as to defy a mere naval attack; and where he +would certainly be able to maintain himself until the losses sustained +in the late storm should be repaired, and the superiority at sea +recovered, when he would unquestionably be relieved." + +To insure the success of the expedition, he recommended that the whole +fleet should be employed on it, and that a detachment of one thousand +men should be embarked for the same service. + +[Sidenote: February 9.] + +These representations did not prevail. The original plan had already +been put in execution. On the 9th of February, a sixty-four gun ship +with two frigates, under Monsieur de Tilley, had sailed for the +Chesapeake; and, as some of the British ships had been repaired, the +French admiral did not think it prudent to put to sea with the residue +of his fleet. + +As had been foreseen by General Washington, de Tilley found Arnold in +a situation not to be assailed with any prospect of success. After +showing himself therefore in the bay, and making an ineffectual +attempt to enter Elizabeth River, he returned to Newport. At the +capes, he fell in with the Romulus, a fifty gun ship, coming from +Charleston to the Chesapeake, which he captured. + +Both the Count de Rochambeau, and the Chevalier Destouches, being well +disposed to execute the plans suggested by General Washington, they +determined, on the return of Monsieur de Tilley, to make a second +expedition to the Chesapeake with the whole fleet, and eleven hundred +men. General Washington, therefore, hastened to Newport, that in a +personal conference with them, he might facilitate the execution of an +enterprise from which he still entertained sanguine hopes. + +[Sidenote: March 6.] + +Early on the 6th of March he reached Newport, and went instantly on +board the Admiral, where he was met by the Count de Rochambeau. It was +determined that a detachment from the army, then in perfect readiness, +should be embarked under the Count de Viominil; and that the fleet +should put to sea as soon as possible. The wind was favourable to the +French, and adverse to the British. Yet the fleet did not sail until +the evening of the eighth. It appears from a letter of Monsieur +Destouches, that this delay was in some measure attributable to a +disaster which befel one of his frigates in getting out of port; and +there is reason to suppose that it may be ascribed to a want of +supplies. Whatever may have been the cause, Arnold is most probably +indebted to it for his escape from the fate which his treason merited. + +Two days after Destouches had sailed, he was followed by Arbuthnot, +who overtook him off the capes of Virginia. A partial engagement +ensued which continued about an hour, when the fleets were separated. + +The French admiral called a council of war the next day, in which it +was declared unadviseable to renew the action, and he returned to +Newport. + +[Sidenote: March 26.] + +The arrival of two thousand men commanded by General Philips, gave the +British a decided superiority in Virginia, and changed the destination +of Lafayette, who had been ordered to join the southern army, but to +whom the defence of that state was now committed. The troops under his +command being taken chiefly from the eastern regiments, had imbibed +strong prejudices against a southern climate; and desertions became so +frequent as to threaten the dissolution of the corps. + +This unpromising state of things was completely changed by a happy +expedient adopted by Lafayette. Appealing to the generous principles +of his soldiers, principles on which the feelings of his own bosom +taught him to rely, he proclaimed in orders, that he was about to +enter on an enterprise of great danger and difficulty, in which he +persuaded himself his soldiers would not abandon him. If, however, any +individual of the detachment was unwilling to accompany him, a permit +to return should most assuredly be granted him. + +This measure had the desired effect, and put an end to desertion.[72] +To keep up the good dispositions of the moment, this ardent young +nobleman, who was as unmindful of fortune as he was ambitious of fame, +borrowed from the merchants of Baltimore, on his private credit, a sum +of money sufficient to purchase shoes, linen, spirits, and other +articles of immediate necessity for the detachment.[73] + +[Footnote 72: The author was assured by General Lafayette that this +was true. Such was the enthusiasm of the moment, that a lame sergeant +hired a place in a cart to keep up with the army.] + +[Footnote 73: It is not unworthy of notice, that the ladies of +Baltimore charged themselves with the toil of immediately making up +the summer clothing for the troops. Innumerable instances of their +zeal in the common cause of their country were given in every state in +the union.] + +Having made these preparations for the campaign, he marched with the +utmost celerity to the defence of Virginia. That state was in great +need of assistance. The enemy had penetrated deep into its bosom, and +was committing those excesses on its inhabitants to which a country +unable to repel invasion must always be exposed. + +General Philips, on his arrival, took command of all the British +troops in Virginia; and, after completing the fortification of +Portsmouth, commenced offensive operations. + +[Sidenote: April 24.] + +About two thousand five hundred men were embarked on board some small +vessels, and landed at various places in the neighbourhood of +Williamsburg. Different detachments spread themselves over the lower +part of that neck of land which is made by York and James Rivers; and, +after destroying, without opposition, a ship yard belonging to the +state, with some armed vessels and public stores, re-embarked and +proceeded to City Point, where they landed in the afternoon of the +24th. The next day they marched against Petersburg, at which place, +immense quantities of tobacco and other stores were deposited. + +Baron Steuben was not in a situation to check their progress. The +levies of Virginia had marched to the aid of General Greene; and the +whole number of militia, at that time in the field, did not much +exceed two thousand men. Unwilling to abandon so important a place as +Petersburg without the semblance of fighting, the baron posted about +one thousand men a mile below the town with orders to skirmish with +the enemy. The British troops, without being able to bring him to a +close engagement, were two or three hours employed in driving him +across the Appomattox, the bridge over which being taken up as soon as +the militia had passed it, farther pursuit became impracticable. + +This skirmish having terminated with scarcely any loss on either side, +the baron retreated towards Richmond, and Philips took quiet +possession of Petersburg; where he destroyed a considerable quantity +of tobacco, and all the vessels lying in the river. + +This service being accomplished, Arnold was detached through Osbornes +to Warwick, between which place and Richmond, a respectable naval +force, consisting of small armed vessels, had been collected with the +intention of co-operating with the French fleet against Portsmouth; +and a few militia were stationed on the northern bank of the river to +assist in defending the flotilla. + +[Sidenote: April 30.] + +The crews of the vessels, on receiving a fire from a few field pieces +ordered by Arnold to the bank, scuttled them, escaped to the opposite +shore, and dispersed with the militia. Philips marched with the +residue of the army to Chesterfield court house, the place of +rendezvous for the new levies of Virginia, where he destroyed the +barracks with a few public stores; after which he joined Arnold in the +neighbourhood of Warwick, and marched without interruption to +Manchester, a small town on the southern bank of James River, +immediately opposite to Richmond; where, as was the general practice, +the warehouses were set on fire, and all the tobacco consumed. + +On the preceding evening, the Marquis de Lafayette, who had made a +forced march from Baltimore, arrived with his detachment at Richmond; +and that place, in which a great proportion of the military stores of +the state were then collected, was saved, for the time, from a visit +which was certainly designed. + +The regular troops composing this detachment were joined by about two +thousand militia, and sixty dragoons. Not thinking it adviseable to +attempt the passage of the river in the presence of so respectable an +army, General Philips retired to Bermuda Hundred, a point of land in +the confluence of the James and Appomatox, [Transcriber's Note: sic] +at which place he re-embarked his troops, and fell down the river to +Hog Island. + +The Marquis fixed his head quarters on the north of Chiccahominy, +about eighteen miles from Richmond; where he remained until a letter +from Lord Cornwallis called Philips again up James River. + +When that nobleman determined on marching from Wilmington into +Virginia, he signified his wish that the British troops in that state, +should take their station at Petersburg. + +On receiving this letter, Philips proceeded to comply with the request +it contained. As soon as the fleet moved up the river, Lafayette +returned to the defence of Richmond. Having, on his arrival, received +intelligence that Lord Cornwallis was marching northward, and finding +Philips landed at Brandon on the south side of the river, he was +persuaded that a junction of the two armies must be intended, and +hastened to take possession of Petersburg[74] before Philips could +reach that place. In this however he was anticipated by the British +general; upon which he recrossed James River, and, encamping a few +miles below Richmond, used his utmost exertions to remove the military +stores in that town to a place of greater security. + +[Footnote 74: General Lafayette states that this movement also +facilitated the transportation of some military stores to the southern +army, which were greatly needed.] + +[Sidenote: Cornwallis arrives.] + +In this position his army was permitted to repose itself but a few +days. Lord Cornwallis, after passing through North Carolina and the +southern parts of Virginia without encountering much opposition, and +effecting a junction with Arnold, who had succeeded by the death of +Philips to the command of the army in Virginia,[75] found himself at +the head of a force which nothing in that state could resist; and +determined on a vigorous plan of offensive operations. His immediate +object was to bring the Marquis to an action; for which purpose he +crossed James River at Westover, where he was joined by a +reinforcement from New York, and attempted, by turning the left flank +of the American army, to get into its rear. Lafayette was not in a +condition to risk an engagement. His objects were the security of the +public stores, the preservation of his small army for future services, +and a junction with the Pennsylvania line which was on its march +southward, under the command of General Wayne. As Lord Cornwallis +crossed James River, he retired towards the upper country, inclining +his route to the north in order to favour a junction with Wayne. + +[Footnote 75: General Philips died the day on which the army entered +Petersburg. Arnold on succeeding to the command addressed a letter to +Lafayette, which the American general refused to receive, informing +the officer who brought it, and whom he treated in other respects with +great politeness, that he would receive no letter from Arnold.--_Cor. +of Lafayette._] + +The fine horses found in the stables of private gentlemen, gave to the +British general an efficient cavalry; and enabled him to mount so +many infantry, as to move large detachments with unusual rapidity. +With these advantages, he was so confident of overtaking and +destroying his enemy, as to say exultingly in a letter which was +intercepted, "the boy can not escape me." His sanguine hopes, however, +were disappointed. Lafayette moved with so much celerity and caution +as to convince Cornwallis of the impracticability of overtaking him, +or of preventing his junction with Wayne. + +After marching some distance up the northern side of Northanora, his +lordship relinquished the pursuit, and turned his attention to other +objects which were more attainable. + +Military stores had been collected in various parts of the middle +country, and, among others, at the Point of Fork, a point of land made +by the confluence of the Rivanna and Fluvanna, the two branches of +James' River. Colonel Simcoe was detached with five hundred men +against this post, which was protected by between five and six hundred +new levies, and a few militia. Tarlton, with two hundred and fifty +cavalry and mounted infantry, was ordered at the same time against +Charlottesville, where the general assembly was in session. So rapid +were his movements that a mere accident prevented his entering the +town before any notice of his approach was given. A private gentleman, +Mr. Jouiette, who was acquainted with a nearer route than the great +road, hastened to Charlottesville on a fleet horse with the +interesting intelligence, and entered the town about two hours before +the British cavalry. Nearly all[76] the members of the legislature +made their escape, and reassembled at Staunton, on the western side of +the Blue Ridge. Tarlton, after destroying the stores at +Charlottesville, proceeded down the Rivanna to the Point of Fork. + +[Footnote 76: Seven fell into the hands of Tarlton.] + +The detachment commanded by Simcoe, being composed chiefly of +infantry, could not move with equal celerity. That officer, however, +conducted his march with so much secrecy and address, that Steuben +seems to have been either unapprized of his approach, or to have had +no accurate information of his numbers. Intelligence of the expedition +to Charlottesville had reached him, and he had prudently employed +himself in removing his stores from the Point of Fork to the south +side of the Fluvanna. + +The river was at the time unfordable; and the boats were all secured +on the southern bank. Yet Steuben, suspecting the detachment of Simcoe +to be the van of the British army, or apprehending that Tarlton might +get into his rear, withdrew precipitately in the night, and marched +near thirty miles, leaving behind him such stores as could not be +removed. These were destroyed next morning by a small detachment of +men who crossed the river in a few canoes. + +[Sidenote: Presses Lafayette over the Rapidan.] + +To secure his junction with Wayne, and to keep open his communication +towards the north, Lafayette had crossed the Rapidan. + +[Sidenote: Lafayette forms a junction with Wayne.] + +These movements of the two armies had thrown Lord Cornwallis between +Lafayette and the military stores which had been transported from +Richmond up James' River, and deposited at different places, but +principally at Albemarle old court house, high up that river. To this +place Lord Cornwallis directed his march. + +The Marquis, having effected a junction with the Pennsylvania line +consisting of eight hundred men, recrossed the Rapidan, and advanced +with so much celerity towards the British army, that he encamped +within a few miles of it, while upwards of a day's march from its +point of destination. + +Confident that the object of the American general must be to protect +the magazines on the Fluvanna, Lord Cornwallis encamped at Elk Island, +and advanced his light troops to a position commanding the road, by +which it was supposed the Americans must pass. + +Lafayette, however, discovered in the night a nearer road which had +long been disused; and the next morning the British general had the +mortification to perceive that the American army had crossed the +Rivanna, and taken a strong position behind the Mechunk creek, which, +in a great measure, commanded the route leading from the camp of his +lordship to Albemarle old court house. At this place a considerable +reinforcement of mountain militia was received. + +[Sidenote: Cornwallis retires to the lower country.] + +Apprehending the force opposed to him to be greater than it was in +reality, and probably desirous of transferring the war to the lower +country, Lord Cornwallis abandoned the objects he had pursued, and +retired first to Richmond, and afterwards to Williamsburg. + +[Sidenote: June 18.] + +The Marquis followed with cautious circumspection. On the 18th of +June, he was reinforced by four or five hundred new levies under the +Baron Steuben, which augmented his army to four thousand men, of whom +two thousand were regulars. That of Lord Cornwallis was, probably, +rather more numerous. + +As the British army retreated to Williamsburg, Lafayette, who sought a +partial, though he avoided a general engagement, pressed its rear with +his light parties. Colonel Simcoe, who covered the retreat, was +overtaken by Colonel Butler about six miles from Williamsburg, and a +sharp action ensued. The Americans claimed the advantage; but were +compelled to retire by the approach of the whole British army. + +In the bold and rapid course taken by Lord Cornwallis through the +lower and central parts of Virginia, much private as well as public +property[77] was destroyed; and the resources of the state were +considerably diminished; but no solid advantage was obtained. +Although, from various causes, especially from a want of arms, and +from that general repugnance which a harassed, unpaid militia, will +universally manifest to military service, less resistance was +encountered than was to be expected from the strength and population +of the state; no disposition was openly manifested to join the royal +standard, or to withdraw from the contest. The Marquis complained of +"much slowness, and much carelessness in the country; but the +dispositions of the people," he said, "were good, and they required +only to be awakened." This, he thought, would be best effected by the +presence of General Washington, an event for which he expressed the +most anxious solicitude. But Washington deemed it of more importance +to remain on the Hudson, for the purpose of digesting and conducting a +grand plan of combined operations then meditated against New York, by +the execution of which he counted more certainly on relieving the +southern states, than by any other measure it was in his power to +adopt. + +[Footnote 77: While the British army overran the country, their ships +sailed up the rivers, pillaged the farms, received the slaves who fled +from their masters, and, in some instances, reduced the houses to +ashes. While they were in the Potowmac, a flag was sent on shore at +Mount Vernon, requiring a supply of fresh provisions. The steward of +General Washington, believing it to be his duty to save the property +of his principal, and entertaining fears for the magnificent buildings +of the Commander-in-chief, went on board with the flag, carried a +supply of fresh provisions, asked the restoration of the slaves who +had taken refuge in the fleet, and requested that the buildings might +be spared. Mr. Lund Washington, to whom the general had entrusted the +management of his estate, communicated these circumstances to him, and +informed him that he too had sustained considerable losses. "I am +sorry," said the general, in reply, "to hear of your loss; I am a +little sorry to hear of my own. But that which gives me most concern +is, that you should have gone on board the vessels of the enemy and +furnished them with refreshments. It would have been a less painful +circumstance to me to have heard, that in consequence of your +non-compliance with their request, they had burnt my home and laid the +plantation in ruins. You ought to have considered yourself as my +representative, and should have reflected on the bad example of +communicating with the enemy, and making a voluntary offer of +refreshment to them, with a view to prevent a conflagration."] + +[Sidenote: General Washington's letters are intercepted.] + +An express carrying letters, communicating to congress the result of +his consultations on this subject, with the commanders of the land and +naval forces of France, was intercepted in Jersey. The interesting +disclosure made by these letters, alarmed Sir Henry Clinton for the +safety of New York, and determined him to require the return of a part +of the troops in Virginia. Supposing himself too weak, after complying +with this requisition, to remain at Williamsburg, Lord Cornwallis took +the resolution of retiring to Portsmouth. + +In pursuance of this resolution, he marched from Williamsburg and +encamped in such a manner as to cover the ford into the island of +Jamestown. On the same evening, the Queen's rangers crossed over into +the island; and the two succeeding days were employed in passing over +the baggage. + +The morning after the evacuation of Williamsburg, Lafayette changed +his position, and pushed his best troops within nine miles of the +British camp, with the intention of attempting their rear, when the +main body should have passed into Jamestown. + +[Sidenote: July 6.] + +Suspecting his design, Lord Cornwallis encamped the greater part of +his army on the main land as compactly as possible, and displayed a +few troops on the island in such a manner as, in appearance, to +magnify their numbers. All the intelligence received by Lafayette +concurred in the representation that the greater part of the British +army had passed over to the island in the night. Believing this to be +the fact, he detached some riflemen to harass their out-posts, while +he advanced at the head of the continental troops in order to cut off +the rear. + +Every appearance was calculated to countenance the opinion he had +formed. The British light parties were drawn in, and the piquets were +forced by the riflemen without much resistance, but an advanced post +which covered the encampment from the view of the Americans, was +perseveringly maintained, though three of the officers commanding it +were successively picked off by the riflemen. Lafayette, who arrived a +little before sunset, suspected from the obstinacy with which this +post was maintained, that it covered more than a rear guard, and +determined to reconnoitre the camp, and judge of its strength from his +own observation.[78] It was in a great measure concealed by woods; +but from a tongue of land stretching into the river, he perceived the +British force to be much more considerable than had been supposed, and +hastened to call off his men. + +[Footnote 78: Correspondence with Lafayette.] + +[Sidenote: Action near Jamestown.] + +He found Wayne closely engaged. A piece of artillery had been left +weakly defended, which Wayne determined to seize. Scarcely was the +attempt made, when he discovered the whole British army, arranged in +order for battle, moving out against him. To retreat was impossible, +and the boldest had become the safest measure. Under this impression +he advanced rapidly, and, with his small detachment, not exceeding +eight hundred men, made a gallant charge on the British line. A warm +action ensued, which was kept up with great spirit until the arrival +of Lafayette, who, perceiving Wayne to be out-flanked both on the +right and left, ordered him to retreat and form in a line with the +light infantry, who were drawn up about half a mile in his rear. The +whole party then saved itself behind a morass. + +Fortunately for Lafayette, Lord Cornwallis did not improve the +advantage he had gained. Suspecting this to be a stratagem of the +American general to draw him into an ambuscade, a suspicion equally +favoured by the hardiness and time of the attack, Lord Cornwallis, who +supposed his enemy to be stronger than he was in reality, would allow +no pursuit; and, in the course of the night, crossed over into the +island, whence he, soon afterwards, proceeded to Portsmouth. + +In this action, the Americans lost one hundred and eighteen men, among +whom were ten officers; and two pieces of artillery were left on the +field, the horses attached to them being killed. The British loss was +less considerable. + +All active operations were now suspended; and the harassed army of +Lafayette was allowed some repose. + +Although no brilliant service was performed by that young nobleman, +the campaign in Virginia enhanced his military reputation, and raised +him in the general esteem. That with so decided an inferiority of +effective force, and especially of cavalry, he had been able to keep +the field in an open country, and to preserve a considerable +proportion of his military stores, as well as his army, was believed +to furnish unequivocal evidence of the prudence and vigour of his +conduct. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Farther state of affairs in the beginning of the year + 1781.... Measures of Mr. Morris, the superintendent of + finances.... Designs of General Washington against New + York.... Count Rochambeau marches to the North River.... + Intelligence from the Count de Grasse.... Plan of operations + against Lord Cornwallis.... Naval engagement.... The + combined armies march for the Chesapeake.... Yorktown + invested.... Surrender of Lord Cornwallis. + + +[Sidenote: 1781] + +[Sidenote: State of affairs at the beginning of the year 1781.] + +The deep gloom which had enveloped the prospects of America in the +commencement of the year, which darkened for a time in the south, had +also spread itself over the north. The total incompetency of the +political system adopted by the United States to their own +preservation, became every day more apparent. Each state seemed +fearful of doing too much, and of taking upon itself a larger portion +of the common burden than was borne by its neighbour. + +The resolutions of congress had called for an army of thirty-seven +thousand men, to be in camp by the first of January. Had this +requisition been made in time, it is not probable that so large a +force could have been brought into the field; but it was made late, +and then the difficulties and delays on the part of the several +states, exceeded every reasonable calculation. The regular force drawn +from Pennsylvania to Georgia inclusive, at no time, during this +active and interesting campaign, amounted to three thousand effective +men; and the states from New Hampshire to New Jersey inclusive, so +late as the month of April, had furnished only five thousand infantry. +Of these, the returns for that month exhibit, in the northern +department, less than three thousand effectives. The cavalry and +artillery, at no time, amounted to one thousand men. This small army +was gradually and slowly augmented so as, in the month of May, to +exhibit a total of near seven thousand men, of whom rather more than +four thousand might have been relied on for action. + +The prospects for the campaign were rendered still more unpromising by +the failure of supplies for the support of the troops. The long +expected clothing from Europe had not arrived; and the want of +provisions[79] furnished a still more serious cause of alarm. + +[Footnote 79: See note No. V. at the end of the volume.] + +After congress had come to the resolution of emitting no more bills on +the credit of the continent, the duty of supplying the army with +provisions necessarily devolved on the states, who were required to +furnish certain specified articles for the subsistence of the troops, +according to a ratio established by the federal government. These +requisitions had been neglected to such a degree as to excite fears +that the soldiers must be disbanded from the want of food. + +To increase the general embarrassment, the quartermaster department +was destitute of funds, and unable to transport provisions or other +stores from place to place, but by means of impressment supported by a +military force. This measure had been repeated, especially in New +York, until it excited so much disgust and irritation among the +people, that the Commander-in-chief was under serious apprehensions of +actual resistance to his authority. + +While in this state of deplorable imbecility, intelligence from every +quarter announced increasing dangers. + +Information was received that an expedition was preparing in Canada +against Fort Pitt, to be conducted by Sir John Johnston, and Colonel +Conelly; and it was understood that many, in the country threatened +with invasion, were ready to join the British standard. The Indians +too had entered into formidable combinations, endangering the whole +extent of the western frontier. + +In addition to these alarming circumstances, some vessels had arrived +at Crown Point from Canada, with information that three thousand men +had been assembled on the lakes, for the purpose of attempting, once +more, an invasion from that quarter. + +This information, though unfounded, was believed to be true, and was, +at that critical moment, the more alarming, because a correspondence +of a criminal nature had just been discovered between some persons in +Albany and in Canada. A letter intercepted by Generals Schuyler and +Clinton, stated the disaffection of particular settlements, the +provision made in those settlements for the subsistence of an invading +army, and their readiness to join such army. + +This intelligence from the northern frontier derived increased +interest from the ambiguous conduct observed by the inhabitants of +that tract of country which now constitutes the state of Vermont. They +had settled lands within the chartered limits of New York, under +grants from the governor of New Hampshire; and had, early in the war, +declared themselves independent, and exercised the powers of +self-government. The state of New York, however, still continuing to +assert her claim of sovereignty, the controversy on this delicate +subject had become so violent as to justify the apprehension that, in +the opinion of the people of Vermont, the restoration of British +authority was an evil not of greater magnitude, than the establishment +of that of New York. The declaration was openly made that, if not +admitted into the union as an independent state, they held themselves +at liberty to make a separate peace; and some negotiations had been +commenced, which were believed to manifest a disposition in Vermont, +to abandon the common cause of America. + +Accustomed to contemplate all public events which might grow out of +the situation of the United States, and to prepare for them while at a +distance, the American chief was not depressed by this state of +American affairs. With a mind happily tempered by nature, and improved +by experience, those fortunate events which had occasionally +brightened the prospects of his country, never relaxed his exertions, +or lessened his precautions; nor could the most disastrous state of +things drive him to despair. Although entirely uncertain what +operation he might be enabled to undertake during the approaching +campaign, he had adopted such preparatory steps as might enable him to +turn to advantage any fortunate incident which might occur. In +consequence of conferences previously held with the Count de +Rochambeau, for the purpose of digesting a system adapted to +contingent events, orders were transmitted to that officer, directing +him to be in readiness to march as large a body of the French troops +to the North River, as could be spared from the protection of the +fleet. + +Early in May, the Count de Barras, who had been appointed to the +command of the French fleet stationed on the American coast, arrived +in Boston accompanied by the Viscount de Rochambeau, and brought the +long expected information from the cabinet of Versailles, respecting +the naval armament designed to act in the American seas. Twenty ships +of the line, to be commanded by the Count de Grasse, were destined for +the West Indies, twelve of which were to proceed to the continent of +America, and might be expected to arrive in the month of July. + +[Sidenote: Designs of General Washington against New York.] + +An interview between General Washington and the Count de Rochambeau +immediately took place at Weathersfield, in which it was determined to +unite the troops of France to those of America on the Hudson, and to +proceed against New York. The regular army at that station was +estimated at four thousand five hundred men,[80] and though it was +understood that Sir Henry Clinton would be able to reinforce it with +five or six thousand militia, it was believed that the post could not +be maintained without recalling a considerable part of the troops from +the south; in which event, the allied army might be employed +advantageously in that part of the union. + +[Footnote 80: Sir H. Clinton in a letter to Lord Cornwallis, dated +June 11, 1781, states his effective force at ten thousand nine hundred +and thirty-one.] + +The prospect of expelling the British from New York roused the +northern states from that apathy into which they appeared to be +sinking, and vigorous measures were taken to fill their regiments. Yet +those measures were not completely successful. In the month of June, +when the army took the field, and encamped at Peekskill, its +effective numbers did not exceed five thousand men. + +Such was the American force in the north, with which the campaign of +1781 was opened. It fell so far short of that on which the +calculations had been made at Weathersfield, as to excite serious +doubts respecting the propriety of adhering to the plan there +concerted, although some compensation was made for this deficiency on +the part of the states by the arrival of a reinforcement of fifteen +hundred men to the army of Rochambeau under convoy of a fifty gun +frigate. + +To supply even this army with provisions, required much greater +exertions than had ever been made since the system of requisitions had +been substituted for that of purchasing. The hope of terminating the +war produced these exertions. The legislatures of the New England +states took up the subject in earnest, and passed resolutions for +raising the necessary supplies. But until these resolutions could be +executed, the embarrassments of the army continued; and, for some time +after the troops had taken the field, there was reason to apprehend, +either that the great objects of the campaign must be relinquished for +want of provisions, or that coercive means must still be used. + +New England not furnishing flour, this important article was to be +drawn from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The two first +states were much exhausted; and the application to Pennsylvania did +not promise to be very successful. On this subject, therefore, serious +fears existed. + +These were removed, in a great degree, by the activity and exertions +of an individual. + +[Sidenote: Superintendent of finances appointed.] + +The management of the finances had been lately committed to Mr. Robert +Morris, a delegate to congress from the state of Pennsylvania. This +gentleman united considerable political talents to a degree of +mercantile enterprise, information, and credit, seldom equalled in any +country. He had accepted this arduous appointment on the condition of +being allowed the year 1781 to make his arrangements; during which +time, the department was to be conducted by those already employed, +with the resources which government could command. But the critical +state of public affairs, and the pressing wants of the army, furnished +irresistible motives for changing his original determination, and +entering immediately on the duties of his office. The occasion +required that he should bring his private credit in aid of the public +resources, and pledge himself personally and extensively, for articles +of absolute necessity which could not be otherwise obtained. +Condemning the system of violence and of legal fraud, which had too +long been practised, as being calculated to defeat its own object, he +sought the gradual restoration of confidence by the only means which +could restore it:--a punctual and faithful compliance with his +engagements. Herculean as was this task in the existing derangement of +American finances, he entered upon it courageously; and, if not +completely successful, certainly did more than could have been +supposed possible with the means placed in his hands. It is, in no +inconsiderable degree, to be attributed to him, that the very active +and decisive operations of the campaign were not impeded, perhaps +defeated, by a failure of the means for transporting military stores, +and feeding the army. + +On determining to enter on the duties of his office, Mr. Morris laid +before congress the plan of a national bank, whose notes were to be +receivable from the respective states as specie, into the treasury of +the United States. Congress gave its full approbation to this +beneficial institution; and passed an ordinance for its incorporation. + +Important as was this measure to the future operations of the army, a +contract entered into with the state of Pennsylvania was of still more +immediate utility. + +After furnishing flour to relieve the wants of the moment on his +private credit, Mr. Morris proposed to take on himself the task of +complying with all the specific requisitions made on Pennsylvania, and +to rely for reimbursement on the taxes imposed by law, to be +collected under his direction. This proposition being accepted, the +contract was made; and supplies which the government found itself +unable to furnish, were raised by an individual. + +[Sidenote: Count Rochambeau marches to the North River.] + +As the French troops approached the North River, intelligence was +received that a large detachment from New York had made an incursion +into Jersey, under appearances indicating an intention not to return +immediately. This being thought a favourable moment for gaining the +posts on the north end of York Island, a plan was formed for seizing +them by a _coup de main_. General Washington fixed on the night of the +second of July for making the attempt; it being supposed that the +Count de Rochambeau might join the American army at Kingsbridge by +that time. An aid-de-camp was therefore despatched to meet that +officer with letters explaining the enterprise, and requesting him to +meet the Commander-in-chief at the time and place appointed. + +With the proposed attack on these works, an attempt to cut off some +light troops stationed on the outside of Kingsbridge at Morrissania, +under the command of Colonel Delaney, was to be combined. This part of +the plan was to be executed by the Duke de Lauzun, to whose legion +Sheldon's dragoons, and a small body of continental troops dispersed +on the lines, under the command of General Waterbury, were to be +added. + +On the part of the Americans, all that could contribute to the success +of this enterprise was done. A strong detachment commanded by General +Lincoln, which fell down the river in boats with muffled oars, reached +its ground undiscovered on the night of the first of July; and the +army, conducted by General Washington, marched to Valentine's hill. +The next day, Lincoln perceived that the detachment had returned from +Jersey, that the British were encamped in great force on the north end +of the island, and that a ship of war watched the landing place. These +unexpected obstacles having defeated the design upon the works, he +proceeded to execute his eventual orders of co-operation with the Duke +de Lauzun. These were, after landing above Spiken Devil Creek, to +march to the high ground in front of Kingsbridge, and there conceal +his detachment, until the attack on Delaney's corps should commence. + +The Duke de Lauzun did not arrive, and the return of day betrayed +Lincoln. A British corps advanced upon him; on hearing which, General +Washington put his troops in motion, and, on his approach, the British +troops retired into the island. + +Both parts of the plan having thus failed, the army retreated to +Dobbs' ferry, where it was joined by the Count de Rochambeau on the +sixth of July. + +The thanks of the Commander-in-chief were given to that officer in +general orders, for the unremitting zeal with which he had proceeded +to form his so long wished for junction with the American army; and he +was requested to convey to the officers and soldiers under his +command, the grateful sense which the general entertained of the +cheerfulness with which they had performed so long and laborious a +march at so hot a season. + +The utmost exertions were made for the grand enterprise against New +York. But as the execution of any plan that could be formed, depended +on events which were uncertain, the Commander-in-chief directed his +attention to other objects, to be pursued if that which was most +desirable should prove unattainable. Should the siege of New York +become unadviseable, his views were turned to Virginia, the Carolinas, +and Georgia. + +[Sidenote: Intelligence from the Count de Grasse.] + +Early in August, the apprehension that he should be unable to +accomplish his favourite object, began to influence his conduct. +Letters from the Marquis de Lafayette announced that a large portion +of the troops in Virginia were embarked, and that their destination +was believed to be New York. This intelligence induced him to turn his +attention more seriously to the south; but, to conceal from Sir Henry +Clinton this eventual change of plan, his arrangements were made +secretly, and the preparations for acting against New York were +continued. A reinforcement from Europe of near three thousand men, +induced Sir Henry Clinton to countermand the orders he had given to +Lord Cornwallis to detach a part of the army in Virginia to his aid; +and also to direct that nobleman to take a strong position on the +Chesapeake, from which he might execute the designs meditated against +the states lying on that bay, so soon as the storm which threatened +the British power for the moment, should blow over. In a few days +after the arrival of this reinforcement, the Count de Barras gave +General Washington the interesting information, that De Grasse was to +have sailed from Cape Francis for the Chesapeake, on the third of +August, with from twenty-five to twenty-nine ships of the line, having +on board three thousand two hundred soldiers; and that he had made +engagements with the officers commanding the land and naval forces of +Spain in the West Indies, to return to those seas by the middle of +October. + +This intelligence manifested the necessity of determining immediately, +and positively, on the object against which the combined forces should +be directed. The shortness of the time appropriated by De Grasse for +his continuance on the American coast, the apparent unwillingness of +the naval officers to attempt to force a passage into the harbour of +New York, and the failure of the states to comply with the +requisitions which had been made on them for men, decided in favour of +operations to the south; and Lafayette was requested to make such a +disposition of his army as should be best calculated to prevent Lord +Cornwallis from saving himself by a sudden march to Charleston.[81] + +[Footnote 81: In pursuance of these orders, Wayne was detached to the +south side of James River, under the pretext of reinforcing Greene, +but was ordered to maintain a position which would enable him to +intercept and oppose the march of Lord Cornwallis, should he attempt +to force his way to Charleston. Lafayette was on the alert to +co-operate with Wayne in the event of such a movement.--_Cor. with +Lafayette._] + +Conformably to the intelligence communicated by the Count de Barras, +the Count de Grasse arrived in the Chesapeake late in August with +twenty-eight ships of the line and several frigates. At Cape Henry he +found an officer despatched by Lafayette with full intelligence of the +situation of the armies in Virginia. Lord Cornwallis had collected his +whole force at Yorktown and Gloucester Point, which he was fortifying +assiduously; and the Marquis had taken a position on James River. + +In consequence of this information, four ships of the line and several +frigates were detached to block up the mouth of York River, and convey +the land forces brought from the West Indies, under the command of the +Marquis de St. Simon, up the James to join Lafayette, who, on +receiving this reinforcement, took post at Williamsburg. In the mean +time, the fleet lay at anchor just within the capes. On the 25th of +August the Count de Barras[82] sailed from Newport for the Chesapeake. + +[Footnote 82: This admiral was the senior of De Grasse, to whom the +command of the expedition had been entrusted, and was therefore +authorized by the minister of marine, to cruise on the coast of +Newfoundland while his ships should join the grand fleet. He preferred +serving under his junior officer.--_Cor. of Lafayette._] + +Rodney was apprized of the destination of De Grasse, but seems not to +have suspected that the whole fleet would sail for the continent of +America. Supposing therefore that a part of his squadron would be +sufficient to maintain an equality of naval force in the American +seas, he detached Sir Samuel Hood to the continent with only fourteen +sail of the line. That officer arrived at Sandy Hook on the +twenty-eighth of August. + +Admiral Greaves, who had succeeded Arbuthnot in the command of the +fleet on the American station, lay in the harbour of New York with +seven ships of the line, only five of which were fit for service. On +the day that Hood appeared and gave information that De Grasse was +probably on the coast, intelligence was also received that De Barras +had sailed from Newport. + +The ships fit for sea were ordered out of the harbour; and Greaves, +with the whole fleet, consisting of nineteen sail of the line, +proceeded in quest of the French. + +Not suspecting the strength of De Grasse, he hoped to fall in with one +or the other of their squadrons, and to fight it separately. + +Early in the morning of the 5th of September, while the French fleet +lay at anchor just within the Chesapeake, the British squadron was +descried. Orders were immediately given by De Grasse to form the line, +and put to sea. About four in the afternoon, the action commenced +between the headmost ships, and continued until sunset. Several ships +were much damaged, but neither admiral could claim the victory. For +five successive days the hostile fleets continued within view of each +other. After which, De Grasse returned to his former station within +the capes. At his anchorage ground he found De Barras with the +squadron from Newport, and fourteen transports laden with heavy +artillery, and military stores proper for carrying on a siege. The +British admiral approaching the capes, found the entrance of the +Chesapeake defended by a force with which he was unable to contend, +and therefore bore away for New York. + +[Sidenote: Plan of operations against Lord Cornwallis.] + +[Sidenote: The combined armies march for the Chesapeake.] + +General Washington had determined to entrust the defence of the Hudson +to General Heath, and to command the southern expedition in person. +All the French, and a detachment amounting to upwards of two thousand +men from the continental army, were destined for this service. On the +19th of August, Hazen's regiment and the Jersey line, were directed +to pass the Hudson at Dobbs' ferry, and take a position between +Springfield and Chatham, where they were to cover some bake-houses to +be constructed in the neighbourhood, for the purpose of veiling the +real designs of the American chief, and of exciting fears for Staten +Island. On the same day, the whole army was put in motion; and on the +twenty-fifth the passage of the river was completed. + +[Sidenote: September 6.] + +To conceal as long as possible the real object of this movement, the +march of the army was continued until the thirty-first, in such a +direction as to keep up fears for New York; and a considerable degree +of address was used to countenance the opinion that the real design +was against that place. The letters which had been intercepted by Sir +Henry Clinton favoured this deception; and so strong was the +impression they made that, even after it became necessary for the +combined army to leave the route leading down the Hudson, he is stated +to have retained his fears for New York, and not to have suspected the +real object of his adversary until he had approached the Delaware;[83] +and it had become too late to obstruct the progress of the allied army +towards Virginia. He then resolved to make every exertion in his power +to relieve Lord Cornwallis, and in the mean time to act offensively +in the north. An expedition was planned against New London, in +Connecticut, and a strong detachment, under the command of General +Arnold, was embarked on board a fleet of transports, which landed +early in the morning of the 6th of September on both sides the +harbour, about three miles from the town. + +[Footnote 83: The first indication given by Sir Henry Clinton of +suspecting the southern expedition, is in his letter to Lord +Cornwallis of the 2nd of September, in which he says, "By intelligence +I have this day received, it would seem that Washington is moving +southward."] + +New London is a seaport town on the west side of the Thames. A fort +called fort Trumbull, and a redoubt had been constructed just below +it, on the same side of the river; and opposite to it, on Groton hill, +was fort Griswold, a strong square fortification, but not fully +manned. General Arnold, who commanded in person the troops that landed +on the western side of the harbour, advanced immediately against the +posts on that side. These being untenable, were evacuated on his +approach; and he took possession of them with inconsiderable loss. To +prevent the escape of the vessels up the river, Lieutenant Colonel +Eyre, who commanded the division which landed on the Groton side of +the harbour, had been ordered to storm fort Griswold, which had been +represented to Arnold as too incomplete to make any serious +resistance. But the place being of some strength, and the approach to +it difficult, Colonel Ledyard, who commanded it with a garrison of one +hundred and sixty men, determined to defend it. On his refusing to +surrender, the British assaulted it on three sides, and overcoming the +difficulties opposed to them, made a lodgement on the ditch and +fraized work, and entered the embrasures with charged bayonets. +Further resistance being hopeless, the action ceased on the part of +the Americans, and Colonel Ledyard delivered his sword to the +commanding officer of the assailants. Irritated by the obstinacy of +the defence, and the loss sustained in the assault, the British +officer on whom the command had devolved, tarnished the glory of +victory by the inhuman use he made of it. Instead of respecting, with +the generous spirit of a soldier, the gallantry which he had subdued, +he indulged the vindictive feelings which had been roused by the +slaughter of his troops. In the account given of this affair by +Governor Trumbull to General Washington, he says, "The sword presented +by Colonel Ledyard was immediately plunged into his bosom, and the +carnage was kept up until the greater part of the garrison was killed +or wounded." + +In this fierce assault, Colonel Eyre was killed, and Major Montgomery, +the second in command, also fell, as he entered the American works. +The total loss of the assailants was not much less than two hundred +men. + +The town of New London, and the stores contained in it, were consumed +by fire. To escape the odium which invariably attends the wanton +destruction of private property, this fire was attributed to accident; +but all the American accounts unite in declaring it to have been +intentional. + +[Sidenote: September 6.] + +The march of General Washington was not arrested by this excursion +into New England. Having made the arrangements for the transportation +of his army down the Chesapeake, he proceeded in person to Virginia, +attended by the Count de Rochambeau, and the Chevalier de Chatelleux; +and, on the 14th of September, reached Williamsburg[84] accompanied by +Rochambeau, Chatelleux, Knox, and Du Portail, he immediately repaired +to the fleet, and a plan of co-operation was adjusted on board the +Ville de Paris, conforming to his wish in every respect, except that +the Count de Grasse declined complying with a proposition to station +some of his ships in the river above Yorktown, thinking it too +hazardous. + +[Footnote 84: While the American troops were encamped at Williamsburg +and the French fleet lay in the bay, the Count de Grasse, +circumscribed in point of time, and therefore, unwilling to await the +arrival of the army from the north, urged Lafayette to attack the +British in Yorktown; offering to aid him not only with all the marines +of the fleet, but with as many seamen as he should require. The +Marquis de St. Simon, an officer of great experience, united himself +with the admiral in pressing this measure. He stated that, the works +of Cornwallis being incomplete, Yorktown and Gloucester might, in all +probability, be carried by storm, if attacked by superior numbers. The +temptation was great for a young general scarcely twenty-four years of +age. A full excuse for the attempt was found in the declaration of De +Grasse, that he could not wait for the arrival of the troops from the +north. Success would have given unrivaled brilliancy to the reputation +of Lafayette, but would necessarily have cost much blood. Lafayette +refused to sacrifice the soldiers which were confided to him to his +personal glory, and persuaded De Grasse to await the arrival of +Washington and Rochambeau, when the capture of Cornwallis would be +certainly made without the waste of human life.--_Cor. with +Lafayette._] + +While the close investment of the British army was delayed, only until +the troops from the north should arrive, serious apprehensions were +excited that the brilliant results confidently anticipated from the +superiority of the land and naval forces of the allies, would be put +in imminent hazard. + +Information was received that a reinforcement of six ships of the line +under Admiral Digby had reached New York. Confident that the British +fleet, thus augmented, would attempt every thing for the relief of +Lord Cornwallis, De Grasse expected to be attacked by a force not much +inferior to his own. Thinking his station within the Chesapeake +unfavourable for a naval combat, he designed to change it, and +communicated to General Washington his intention to leave a few +frigates to block up the mouths of James and York Rivers, and to put +to sea with his fleet in quest of the British. If they should not have +left the harbour of New York, he purposed to block them up in that +place; supposing that his operations in that quarter would be of more +service to the common cause, than his remaining in the bay, an idle +spectator of the siege of York. + +The Commander-in-chief was much alarmed at this communication. Should +the admiral put to sea, the winds and many accidents might prevent +his return to the Chesapeake. During his absence, a temporary naval +superiority might be acquired by the British in those waters, and the +army of Lord Cornwallis might be placed in perfect security. The +movement would expose to the caprice of fortune, an object of vast +importance, which was now reduced almost to certainty. The admiral was +therefore entreated to preserve his station. + +Fortunately, the wishes of the general prevailed, and the admiral +consented to relinquish those plans of active enterprise which his +thirst for military glory had suggested, and to maintain a station +which the American general deemed so conducive to the interests of the +allies. + +[Sidenote: September 25.] + +On the 25th of September, the last division of the allied troops +arrived in James River, and were disembarked at the landing near +Williamsburg; soon after which, the preparations for the siege were +completed. + +[Sidenote: Yorktown invested.] + +York is a small village on the south side of the river which bears +that name, where the long peninsula between the York and the James, is +only eight miles wide. In this broad and bold river, a ship of the +line may ride in safety. Its southern banks are high, and, on the +opposite shore, is Gloucester Point, a piece of land projecting deep +into the river, and narrowing it, at that place, to the space of one +mile. Both these posts were occupied by Lord Cornwallis. The +communication between them was commanded by his batteries, and by some +ships of war which lay under his guns. + +The main body of his army was encamped on the open grounds about +Yorktown, within a range of outer redoubts and field works, calculated +to command the peninsula, and impede the approach of the assailants; +and Lieutenant Colonel Dundass, with a small detachment consisting of +six or seven hundred men, held the post at Gloucester Point. He was +afterwards reinforced by Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton. + +The legion of Lauzun, and a brigade of militia under General Weedon, +the whole commanded by the French General de Choisé, were directed to +watch the enemy on the side of Gloucester; and, on the twenty-eighth, +the grand combined army moved down on the south side of the river, by +different roads, towards Yorktown. About noon, the heads of the +columns reached the ground assigned them respectively; and, after +driving in the piquets and some cavalry, encamped for the evening. The +next day, the right wing, consisting of Americans, extended farther to +the right, and occupied the ground east of Beverdam creek; while the +left wing, consisting of French, was stationed on the west side of +that stream. In the course of the night, Lord Cornwallis withdrew from +his outer lines; and the works he had evacuated were, the next day, +occupied by the besieging army, which now invested the town completely +on that side. + +Two thousand men were stationed on the Gloucester side for the purpose +of keeping up a rigorous blockade. On approaching the lines, a sharp +skirmish took place which terminated unfavourably for the British; +after which they remained under cover of their works, making no +attempt to interrupt the blockade. + +[Sidenote: October 6.] + +[Sidenote: October.] + +On the night of the sixth of October, until which time the besieging +army was incessantly employed in disembarking their heavy artillery +and military stores, and drawing them to camp, the first parallel was +commenced within six hundred yards of the British lines. This +operation was conducted with so much silence, that it appears not to +have been perceived until the return of daylight disclosed it to the +garrison; by which time the trenches were in such forwardness as to +cover the men. By the evening of the ninth, several batteries and +redoubts were completed, and the effect of their fire was soon +perceived. New batteries were opened the next day, and the fire became +so heavy that the besieged withdrew their cannon from the embrasures, +and scarcely returned a shot. The shells and red hot balls from the +batteries of the allied army reached the ships in the harbour, and, in +the evening, set fire to the Charon of forty-four guns, and to three +large transports, which were entirely consumed. Reciprocal esteem, and +a spirit of emulation between the French and Americans, being +carefully cultivated by the Commander-in-chief, the siege was carried +on with great rapidity. The second parallel was opened, on the night +of the eleventh, within three hundred yards of the British lines. The +three succeeding days were devoted to the completion of this parallel, +during which the fire of the garrison, which had opened several new +embrasures, became more destructive than at any previous time. The men +in the trenches were particularly annoyed by two redoubts advanced +three hundred yards in front of the British works, which flanked the +second parallel of the besiegers. Preparations were made, on the +fourteenth, to carry them both by storm. The attack of one was +committed to the Americans, and of the other to the French. The +Marquis de Lafayette commanded the American detachment, and the Baron +de Viominel the French. Towards the close of the day, the two +detachments marched with equal firmness to the assault. Colonel +Hamilton, who had commanded a battalion of light infantry throughout +this campaign, led the advanced corps of the Americans; and Colonel +Laurens turned the redoubt at the head of eighty men, in order to take +the garrison in reverse, and intercept their retreat. The troops +rushed to the charge without firing a gun and without giving the +sappers time to remove the abattis and palisades. Passing over them, +they assaulted the works with irresistible impetuosity on all sides at +the same time, and entered them with such rapidity that their loss was +inconsiderable.[85] This redoubt was defended by Major Campbell, with +some inferior officers, and forty-five privates. The major, a captain, +a subaltern, and seventeen privates, were made prisoners, and eight +privates were killed while the assailants were entering the works. + +[Footnote 85: One sergeant and eight privates were killed; and one +lieutenant colonel, four captains, one subaltern, one sergeant, and +twenty-five rank and file, were wounded. + +The irritation produced by the recent carnage in fort Griswold had not +so far subdued the humanity of the American character as to induce +retaliation. Not a man was killed except in action. "Incapable," said +Colonel Hamilton in his report, "of imitating examples of barbarity, +and forgetting recent provocation, the soldiery spared every man that +ceased to resist." Mr. Gordon, in his History of the American War, +states the orders given by Lafayette, with the approbation of +Washington, to have directed that every man in the redoubt, after its +surrender, should be put to the sword. These sanguinary orders, so +repugnant to the character of the Commander-in-chief and of Lafayette, +were never given. There is no trace of them among the papers of +General Washington; and Colonel Hamilton, who took a part in the +enterprise, which assures his perfect knowledge of every material +occurrence, has publicly contradicted the statement. It has been also +contradicted by Lafayette.] + +The redoubt attacked by the French was defended by a greater number of +men; and the resistance, being greater, was not overcome so quickly, +or with so little loss. One hundred and twenty men, commanded by a +lieutenant colonel, were in this work, eighteen of whom were killed, +and forty-two, including a captain and two subaltern officers, were +made prisoners. The assailants lost, in killed and wounded, near one +hundred men. + +The Commander-in-chief was highly gratified with the active courage +displayed in this assault. Speaking of it in his diary, he says--"The +bravery exhibited by the attacking troops was emulous and +praiseworthy. Few cases have exhibited greater proofs of intrepidity, +coolness, and firmness, than were shown on this occasion." The orders +of the succeeding day, congratulating the army on the capture of these +important works, expressed a high sense of the judicious dispositions +and gallant conduct of both the Baron de Viominel and the Marquis de +Lafayette, and requested them to convey to every officer and man +engaged in the enterprise, the acknowledgments of the +Commander-in-chief for the spirit and rapidity with which they +advanced to the attack, and for the admirable firmness with which they +supported themselves under the fire of the enemy without returning a +shot. "The general reflects," concluding the orders, "with the highest +degree of pleasure, on the confidence which the troops of the two +nations must hereafter have in each other. Assured of mutual support, +he is convinced there is no danger which they will not cheerfully +encounter, no difficulty which they will not bravely overcome."[86] + +[Footnote 86: General Lafayette states a fact which proves in an +eminent degree the good feelings of the American soldiers towards +their allies. While encamped together under his command at +Williamsburg, the Americans, who were _bivouacked_, saw their allies +under tents without a murmur; and saw them supplied regularly with +rations of flour for three days from the American magazines, while +corn meal was measured out very irregularly to themselves. The +superior officers lent their horses to those of France and walked +themselves. Although their general was himself a Frenchman, the +Americans saw not only without jealousy, but with pleasure, every +preference given to their allies.] + +[Illustration: The Moore House at Yorktown, Virginia + +_Where the terms for the surrender of the British army were arranged +between Washington and Cornwallis. The actual drafting of the terms +was done by the Viscount de Noailles and Lieutenant-Colonel Laurens, +representing the French-American forces, and Colonel Dundas and Major +Ross for the British._] + +During the same night, these redoubts were included in the second +parallel; and, in the course of the next day, some howitzers were +placed in them, which, by five in the afternoon, were opened on the +besieged. + +[Sidenote: October 16.] + +The situation of Lord Cornwallis was becoming desperate. His works +were sinking, in every quarter, under the fire of the besiegers. The +batteries already playing on him had silenced nearly all his guns, and +the second parallel was about to open, which must in a few hours +render the town untenable. To suspend a catastrophe which appeared +almost inevitable, he resolved on attempting to retard the completion +of the second parallel, by a vigorous sortie against two batteries +which appeared to be in the greatest forwardness, and were guarded by +French troops. The party making this sortie was led by Lieutenant +Colonel Abercrombie, who attacked the two batteries with great +impetuosity about four in the morning, and carried both with +inconsiderable loss; but the guards from the trenches immediately +advancing on the assailants, they retreated without being able to +effect any thing of importance. + +About four in the afternoon the besiegers opened several batteries in +their second parallel; and it was apparent that, in the course of the +ensuing day, the whole line of batteries in that parallel would be +ready to play on the town. The works of the besieged were not in a +condition to sustain so tremendous a fire. In this extremity, Lord +Cornwallis formed the bold design of forcing his way to New York. + +He determined to leave his sick and baggage behind, and, crossing over +in the night with his effectives to the Gloucester shore, to attack De +Choisé. After cutting to pieces or dispersing the troops under that +officer, he intended to mount his infantry on the horses taken from +that detachment, and on others to be seized on the road, and, by a +rapid march to gain the fords of the great rivers, and, forcing his +way through Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Jersey, to form a junction +with the army in New York.[87] + +[Footnote 87: Stedman, Annual Register, letter of Lord Cornwallis.] + +This desperate attempt would be extremely hazardous; but the situation +of the British general had become so hopeless, that it could scarcely +be changed for the worse. + +Boats prepared under other pretexts were held in readiness to receive +the troops at ten in the evening, and convey them over the river. The +arrangements were made with such secrecy that the first embarkation +arrived at the point unperceived, and part of the troops were landed, +when a sudden and violent storm interrupted the execution of this +hazardous plan, and drove the boats down the river. The storm +continued till near daylight, when the boats returned. But the plan +was necessarily abandoned, and the boats were sent to bring back the +soldiers, who were relanded on the southern shore in the course of the +forenoon without much loss. + +[Sidenote: October 17.] + +[Sidenote: October 18.] + +[Sidenote: Surrender of Lord Cornwallis.] + +In the morning of the seventeenth, several new batteries were opened +in the second parallel, which poured in a weight of fire not to be +resisted. The place being no longer tenable, Lord Cornwallis, about +ten in the forenoon, beat a parley, and proposed a cessation of +hostilities for twenty-four hours, that commissioners might meet at +Moore's house, which was just in the rear of the first parallel, to +settle terms for the surrender of the posts of York and Gloucester. To +this letter General Washington returned an immediate answer declaring +his "ardent desire to spare the further effusion of blood, and his +readiness to listen to such terms as were admissible;" but as in the +present crisis he could not consent to lose a moment in fruitless +negotiations, he desired that "previous to the meeting of the +commissioners, the proposals of his lordship might be transmitted in +writing, for which purpose a suspension of hostilities for two hours +should be granted." The general propositions[88] stated by Lord +Cornwallis as forming the basis of the capitulation, though not all +admissible, being such as led to the opinion that no great difficulty +would occur in adjusting the terms, the suspension of hostilities was +prolonged for the night. In the mean time, to avoid the delay of +useless discussion, the Commander-in-chief drew up and proposed such +articles[89] as he would be willing to grant. These were transmitted +to Lord Cornwallis with the accompanying declaration that, if he +approved them, commissioners might be immediately appointed to digest +them into form. In consequence of this message, the Viscount de +Noailles, and Lieutenant Colonel Laurens, were met next day by Colonel +Dundass and Major Ross; but, being unable to adjust the terms of +capitulation definitively, only a rough draught of them could be +prepared, which was to be submitted to the consideration of the +British general. Determined not to expose himself to those accidents +which time might produce, General Washington could not permit any +suspense on the part of Lord Cornwallis. He therefore immediately +directed the rough articles which had been prepared by the +commissioners to be fairly transcribed, and sent them to his lordship +early next morning, with a letter expressing his expectation that they +would be signed by eleven, and that the garrison would march out by +two in the afternoon. Finding all attempts to obtain better terms +unavailing, Lord Cornwallis submitted to a necessity no longer to be +avoided, and, on the 19th of October, surrendered the posts of +Yorktown and Gloucester Point, with their garrisons, and the ships in +the harbour with their seamen, to the land and naval forces of America +and France. + +[Footnote 88: See note No. VI. at the end of the volume.] + +[Footnote 89: See note No. VII. at the end of the volume.] + +[Sidenote: Nineteenth.] + +The army, artillery, arms, military chest, and public stores of every +denomination, were surrendered to General Washington; the ships and +seamen, to the Count de Grasse. The total number of prisoners,[90] +excluding seamen, rather exceeded seven thousand men. The loss +sustained by the garrison during the siege, amounted to five hundred +and fifty-two men, including six officers. + +[Footnote 90: The return of prisoners contained two generals, +thirty-one field officers, three hundred and twenty-six captains and +subalterns, seventy-one regimental staff, six thousand five hundred +and twenty-seven non-commissioned officers and privates, and one +hundred and twenty-four persons belonging to the hospital, commissary, +and wagon departments, making in the whole seven thousand and +seventy-three prisoners. To this number are to be added six +commissioned, and twenty-eight non-commissioned officers and privates +made prisoners in the two redoubts which were stormed, and in the +sortie made by the garrison.] + +Lord Cornwallis endeavoured to introduce an article into the +capitulation, for the security of those Americans who had joined the +British army; but the subject was declared to belong to the civil +department, and the article was rejected. Its object, however, was +granted without appearing to concede it. His lordship was permitted to +send the Bonetta sloop of war untouched, with despatches to Sir Henry +Clinton; and the Americans whose conduct had been most offensive to +their countrymen were embarked on board this vessel. + +The allied army may be estimated, including militia, at sixteen +thousand men. In the course of this siege, they lost, in killed and +wounded, about three hundred. The treaty was opened on the eleventh +day after the ground was broken by the besiegers, and the capitulation +was signed on the thirteenth. The whole army merited great +approbation; but, from the nature of the service, the artillerists and +engineers were enabled to distinguish themselves particularly. +Generals du Portail and Knox were each promoted to the rank of Major +General; and Colonel Govion, and Captain Rochfontaine, of the corps of +engineers, were each advanced a grade by brevet. In addition to the +officers belonging to those departments, Generals Lincoln, De +Lafayette, and Steuben, were particularly mentioned by the +Commander-in-chief, in his orders issued the day after the +capitulation; and terms of peculiar warmth were applied to Governor +Nelson, who continued in the field during the whole siege, at the head +of the militia of Virginia; and also exerted himself, in a particular +manner, to furnish the army with those supplies which the country +afforded. The highest acknowledgments were made to the Count de +Rochambeau; and several other French officers were named with +distinction. So many disasters had attended the former efforts of the +United States to avail themselves of the succours occasionally +afforded by France, that an opinion not very favourable to the +alliance appears to have gained some ground in the country, and to +have insinuated itself into the army. The Commander-in-chief seized +this occasion to discountenance a course of thinking from which he had +always feared pernicious consequences, and displayed the great value +of the aids lately received, in language highly flattering to the +French monarch, as well as to the land and naval forces of that +nation. + +Knowing the influence which the loss of the army in Virginia must have +on the war, Sir Henry Clinton determined to hazard much for its +preservation. About seven thousand of his best troops sailed for the +Chesapeake, under convoy of a fleet augmented to twenty-five ships of +the line. This armament left the Hook the day on which the +capitulation was signed at Yorktown, and appeared off the capes of +Virginia on the 24th of October. Unquestionable intelligence being +there received that Lord Cornwallis had surrendered, the British +general returned to New York. + +The exultation manifested throughout the United States at the capture +of this formidable army was equal to the terror it had inspired. In +congress, the intelligence was received with joy proportioned to the +magnitude of the event; and the sense of that body on this brilliant +achievement was expressed in various resolutions, returning the thanks +of the United States to the Commander-in-chief, to the Count de +Rochambeau, to the Count de Grasse, to the officers of the allied army +generally, and to the corps of artillery, and engineers particularly. +In addition to these testimonials of gratitude, it was resolved that a +marble column should be erected at Yorktown, in Virginia, with emblems +of the alliance between the United States and his Most Christian +Majesty, and inscribed with a succinct narrative of the surrender of +Earl Cornwallis to his Excellency General Washington, the +Commander-in-chief of the combined forces of America and France; to +his Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, commanding the auxiliary +troops of his Most Christian Majesty in America; and to his Excellency +Count de Grasse, commanding in chief the naval army of France in the +Chesapeake. Two stand of colours taken in Yorktown were presented to +General Washington; two pieces of field ordnance to the Count de +Rochambeau; and application was made to his Most Christian Majesty, to +permit the Admiral to accept a testimonial of their approbation +similar to that presented to the Count de Rochambeau. Congress +determined to go in solemn procession to the Dutch Lutheran church, to +return thanks to Almighty God for crowning the allied arms with +success, by the surrender of the whole British army under Lord +Cornwallis; and also issued a proclamation, appointing the 13th day of +December for general thanksgiving and prayer, on account of this +signal interposition of Divine Providence. + +It was not by congress only that the public joy at this great event, +and the public approbation of the conduct of General Washington were +displayed. The most flattering and affectionate addresses of +congratulation were presented from every part of the union; and state +governments, corporate towns, and learned institutions, vied with each +other in the testimonials they gave of their high sense of his +important services, and of their attachment to his person and +character. + +The superiority of the allied force opened a prospect of still farther +advantages. The remaining posts of the British in the southern states +were too weak to be defended against the army which had triumphed over +Lord Cornwallis; and the troops which occupied them could neither +escape nor be reinforced, if the Count de Grasse could be prevailed on +to co-operate against them. Although, in his first conference, he had +explicitly declared his inability to engage in any enterprise to be +undertaken subsequent to that against Yorktown,[91] the siege of that +place had employed so much less time than the admiral had consented to +appropriate to it, that the general resumed his plan of southern +operations. In a letter addressed to De Grasse, he used every argument +which might operate on his love of fame, or his desire to promote the +interests of the allies, to prevail on him to co-operate in an +expedition against Charleston. If this object should be unattainable, +his attention was next turned to Wilmington, in North Carolina, which +was still occupied by a small detachment of British troops who kept +that state in check. The capture of this detachment, though not an +object of much consequence in itself, was supposed to derive some +importance from the influence which the complete liberation of North +Carolina might have on the future military operations of the United +States, and on their negotiations. General Washington proposed to send +a detachment intended to reinforce General Greene, as far as +Wilmington, under convoy. The reduction of that place, he supposed, +would detain the fleet but a few days, after which it might proceed to +the West Indies. + +[Footnote 91: See note No. VIII. at the end of the volume.] + +[Sidenote: October 23.] + +To enforce the representations contained in his letter, as well as to +pay his respects to the admiral, and to express in person the high +sense entertained of his important services, the Commander-in-chief +repaired on board the Ville de Paris. The Count acknowledged his +conviction of the advantages to be expected from an expedition against +Charleston; but said, that "the orders of his court, ulterior +projects, and his engagements with the Spaniards, rendered it +impossible for him to remain on the coast during the time which would +be required for the operation." As he also declined taking on board +the troops designed to reinforce General Greene, preparations were +made for their march by land; and Major General St. Clair, who +commanded the detachment, was ordered to take Wilmington in his route, +and to gain possession of that post. + +[Sidenote: November.] + +The Count de Grasse having consented to remain in the bay a few days +for the purpose of covering the transportation of the eastern troops, +and of the ordnance to the Head of Elk, they were embarked in the +beginning of November, under the command of General Lincoln, who was +directed to march them into New Jersey and New York, and to canton +them for the winter in those states.[92] The French troops remained in +Virginia, not only for the protection of that state, but to be in +readiness to march southward or northward, as the exigencies of the +ensuing campaign might require. + +[Footnote 92: See note No. IX. at the end of the volume.] + +The transportation of the troops and ordnance to the Head of Elk being +effected, the Count de Grasse sailed for the West Indies, and the +Commander-in-chief proceeded to Philadelphia. + + + + +NOTES. + + +NOTE--No. I. _See Page 3_ + +_The following petition addressed to Governor Livingston, will furnish +some evidence of the situation to which that part of Jersey was +reduced._ + +To his excellency William Livingston, esquire, governor, captain +general, and commander-in-chief in and over the state of New Jersey +and the territories thereunto belonging in America, chancellor and +ordinary in the same--the humble petition of the officers, civil and +military, whose names are hereunto subscribed, + +Showeth,--That a large detachment of the British army, a few weeks +ago, made an invasion into the lower counties of this state on +Delaware, and plundered a few of the inhabitants. That at present a +large detachment are invading them a second time. That the enemy in +this second incursion, have, as we have been credibly informed, by the +express orders of Colonel Mawhood, the commanding officer, bayoneted +and butchered in the most inhuman manner, a number of the militia who +have unfortunately fallen into their hands. That Colonel Mawhood +immediately after the massacre, in open letters, sent to both officers +and privates by a flag, had the effrontery to insult us with a demand, +that we should lay down our arms, and if not, threatened to burn, +destroy, and lay the whole country waste, and more especially the +property of a number of our most distinguished men, whom he named. +That he has since put his threat into execution, in one instance, by +burning one of the finest dwelling houses in Salem county, and all the +other buildings on the same farm, the property of Colonel Benjamin +Home. That plunder, rapine, and devastation in the most fertile and +populous parts of these counties, widely mark their footsteps wherever +they go. That they are spreading disaffection, they are using every +possible means to corrupt the minds of the people, who, within their +lines, have so little virtue as to purchase from them. + +That we are in no state of defence. That we are so exposed by reason +of our situation, that some of our officers, civil and military, have +moved out of the counties for safety. That our militia, during the +last winter, have been so fatigued out by repeated calls and +continued service, and disaffection is now so widely diffused, that +very few can be called out, in some places, none. That we have no +troops of light horse regularly embodied, there is a scarcity of small +arms among us, and no field pieces. That in these two incursions, we +have very sensibly felt the want of field pieces and artillery men, +that the number of us assembled is so small, that though we should use +the greatest conduct and bravery, we could only provoke, not injure +our enemy. + +That the extent of our country is so great, that our small number of +men fatigued out, indifferently armed and without field pieces, can +not defend it. That, as Delaware runs all along those counties, we are +liable to be attacked in numberless places. + +That the acquisition of these counties would be of great advantage to +the enemy. That they could nearly maintain their whole army a campaign +by the plunder, forage, and assistance they could draw from them. That +although the United States might not need them, yet it might perhaps +be adviseable to defend them, to prevent the advantage the enemy might +receive from them. That our riches, and former virtue, make us a prey +to an enemy, whose tender mercies are cruelties. + +That in short, our situation is beyond description deplorable. That +the powers civil and military are daily relaxing, and disaffection +prevailing. That we can neither stay at our houses, go out, nor come +in with safety. That we can neither plough, plant, sow, reap nor +gather. That we are fast falling into poverty, distress, and into the +hands of our enemy. That unless there can be sent to our relief and +assistance a sufficient body of standing troops, we must be under the +disagreeable necessity of leaving the country to the enemy, and +removing ourselves and families to distant places for safety. That +although the present detachment may be fled and gone, before the +relief reaches us, yet a body of troops are necessary for our +protection, as long as the enemy possess Philadelphia. And these are +the sentiments not only of us the subscribers, but of all the rest of +the officers civil and military, and other the good subjects of this +state in these counties. + + +NOTE--No. II. _See Page 85_ + +_The following is the report made by the committee:_ + +"January 1, 1779. The committee appointed to confer with the +Commander-in-chief on the operations of the next campaign, report, +that the plan proposed by congress for the emancipation of Canada, in +co-operation with an army from France, was the principal subject of +the said conference. + +"That, impressed with a strong sense of the injury and disgrace which +must attend an infraction of the proposed stipulations, on the part of +these states, your committee have taken a general view of our +finances, of the circumstances of our army, of the magazines of +clothes, artillery, arms and ammunition, and of the provisions in +store, and which can be collected in season. + +"Your committee have also attentively considered the intelligence and +observations communicated to them by the Commander-in-chief, +respecting the number of troops and strong holds of the enemy in +Canada; their naval force, and entire command of the water +communication with that country--the difficulties, while they possess +such signal advantages, of penetrating it with an army by land--the +obstacles which are to be surmounted in acquiring a naval +superiority--the hostile temper of many of the surrounding Indian +tribes towards these states, and above all the uncertainty whether the +enemy will not persevere in their system of harassing and distressing +our sea-coast and frontiers by a predatory war. + +"That on the most mature deliberation, your committee can not find room +for a well grounded presumption that these states will be able to +perform their part of the proposed stipulations. That in a measure of +such moment, calculated to call forth, and direct to a single object a +considerable portion of the force of our ally, which may otherwise be +essentially employed, nothing else than the highest probability of +success could justify congress in making the proposition. + +"Your committee are therefore of opinion that the negotiation in +question, however desirable, and interesting, should be deferred until +circumstances render the co-operation of these states more certain, +practicable, and effectual. + +"That the minister plenipotentiary of these states at the court of +Versailles, the minister of France in Pennsylvania, and the minister +of France, be respectively informed that the operations of the next +campaign must depend on such a variety of contingencies to arise, as +well from our own internal circumstances and resources, as the +progress and movements of our enemy, that time alone can mature and +point out the plan which ought to be pursued. That congress, +therefore, can not, with a degree of confidence answerable to the +magnitude of the object, decide on the practicability of their +co-operating the next campaign, in an enterprise for the emancipation +of Canada; that every preparation in our power will nevertheless be +made for acting with vigour against the common enemy, and every +favourable incident embraced with alacrity, to facilitate, and hasten +the freedom and independence of Canada, and her union with these +states--events which congress, from motives of policy with respect to +the United States, as well as of affection for their Canadian +brethren, have greatly at heart." + +Mr. de Sevelinges in his introduction to Botta's History, recites the +private instructions given to Mr. Girard on his mission to the United +States. One article was, "to avoid entering into any formal engagement +relative to Canada and other English possessions which congress +proposed to conquer." Mr. de Sevelinges adds that "the policy of the +cabinet of Versailles viewed the possession of those countries, +especially of Canada by England, as a principle of useful inquietude +and vigilance to the Americans. The neighbourhood of a formidable +enemy must make them feel more sensibly the price which they ought to +attach to the friendship and support of the king of France." + +The author has reason to believe that this policy was known to the +Marquis de Lafayette when his devotion to the interests of the United +States induced him to add his influence to their solicitations for aid +to this enterprise. + + +NOTE--No. III. _See Page 233_ + +_A letter to President Reed of Pennsylvania from which the following +extracts are taken, is selected from many others written with the same +view._ + +"Morristown, May 28th, 1780. + +"DEAR SIR,--I am much obliged to you for your favour of the 23d. +Nothing could be more necessary than the aid given by your state +towards supplying us with provisions. I assure you, every idea you can +form of our distresses, will fall short of the reality. There is such +a combination of circumstances to exhaust the patience of the +soldiery, that it begins at length to be worn out, and we see in every +line of the army, the most serious features of mutiny and sedition: +all our departments, all our operations are at a stand; and unless a +system very different from that which has for a long time prevailed, +be immediately adopted throughout the states, our affairs must soon +become desperate beyond the possibility of recovery. If you were on +the spot, my dear sir, if you could see what difficulties surround us +on every side, how unable we are to administer to the most ordinary +calls of the service, you would be convinced that these expressions +are not too strong: and that we have every thing to dread: Indeed I +have almost ceased to hope. The country in general is in such a state +of insensibility and indifference to its interests, that I dare not +flatter myself with any change for the better. + +"The committee of congress in their late address to the several +states, have given a just picture of our situation. I very much doubt +its making the desired impression; and if it does not, I shall +consider our lethargy as incurable. The present juncture is so +interesting, that if it does not produce correspondent exertions, it +will be a proof, that motives of honour, public good, and even +self-preservation, have lost their influence upon our minds. This is a +decisive moment, one of the most, I will go further and say, the most +important America has seen. The court of France has made a glorious +effort for our deliverance, and if we disappoint its intentions by our +supineness, we must become contemptible in the eyes of all mankind; +nor can we, after that, venture to confide that our allies will +persist in an attempt to establish what it will appear we want +inclination or ability to assist them in. + +"Every view of our own circumstances ought to determine us to the most +vigorous efforts; but there are considerations of another kind, that +should have equal weight. The combined fleets of France and Spain last +year were greatly superior to those of the enemy; the enemy +nevertheless sustained no material damage, and at the close of the +campaign gave a very important blow to our allies. This campaign, the +difference between the fleets, from every account I have been able to +collect, will be inconsiderable: indeed it is far from clear that +there will be an equality. What are we to expect will be the case if +there should be another campaign? In all probability the advantage +would be on the side of the English, and then what would become of +America? We ought not to deceive ourselves. The maritime resources of +Great Britain are more substantial and real than those of France and +Spain united. Her commerce is more extensive than that of both her +rivals; and it is an axiom, that the nation which has the most +extensive commerce will always have the most powerful marine. Were +this argument less convincing, the fact speaks for itself: her +progress in the course of the last year is an incontestable proof. + +"It is true France in a manner created a fleet in a very short space, +and this may mislead us in the judgment we form of her naval +abilities. But if they bore any comparison with those of Great +Britain, how comes it to pass, that with all the force of Spain added, +she has lost so much ground in so short a time, as now to have +scarcely a superiority. We should consider what was done by France, as +a violent and unnatural effort of the government, which, for want of +sufficient foundation, can not continue to operate proportionable +effects. + +"In modern wars, the longest purse must chiefly determine the event. I +fear that of the enemy will be found to be so. Though the government +is deeply in debt and of course poor, the nation is rich, and their +riches afford a fund which will not be easily exhausted. Besides, +their system of public credit is such, that it is capable of greater +exertions than that of any other nation. Speculatists have been a long +time foretelling its downfall; but we see no symptoms of the +catastrophe being very near. I am persuaded it will at least last out +the war. + +"France is in a very different position. The abilities of the present +financier, have done wonders; by a wise administration of the +revenues, aided by advantageous loans, he has avoided the necessity of +additional taxes. But I am well informed if the war continues another +campaign, he will be obliged to have recourse to the taxes usual in +time of war, which are very heavy, and which the people of France are +not in a condition to endure for any length of time. When this +necessity commences, France makes war on ruinous terms, and England, +from her individual wealth, will find much greater facilities in +supplying her exigencies. + +"Spain derives great wealth from her mines, but it is not so great as +is generally imagined. Of late years the profit to government is +essentially diminished. Commerce and industry are the best mines of a +nation; both which are wanted by her. I am told her treasury is far +from being so well filled as we have flattered ourselves. She is also +much divided on the propriety of the war. There is a strong party +against it. The temper of the nation is too sluggish to admit of great +exertions; and though the courts of the two kingdoms are closely +linked together, there never has been in any of their wars, a perfect +harmony of measures, nor has it been the case in this; which has +already been no small detriment to the common cause. + +"I mention these things to show that the circumstances of our allies, +as well as our own, call for peace, to obtain which we must make one +great effort this campaign. The present instance of the friendship of +the court of France, is attended with every circumstance that can +render it important and agreeable, that can interest our gratitude or +fire our emulation. If we do our duty we may even hope to make the +campaign decisive of the contest. But we must do our duty in earnest, +or disgrace and ruin will attend us. I am sincere in declaring a full +persuasion that the succour will be fatal to us if our measures are +not adequate to the emergency. + +"Now, my dear sir, I must observe to you, that much will depend on the +state of Pennsylvania. She has it in her power to contribute, without +comparison, more to our success, than any other state, in the two +essential articles of flour and transportation. I speak to you in the +language of frankness, and as a friend. I do not mean to make any +insinuations unfavourable to the state. I am aware of the +embarrassment the government labours under from the open opposition of +one party and the underhand intrigues of another. I know that with the +best dispositions to promote the public service, you have been obliged +to move with circumspection. But this is a time to hazard, and to take +a tone of energy and decision. All parties but the disaffected will +acquiesce in the necessity and give their support. + +"The matter is reduced to a point. Either Pennsylvania must give us +all we ask, or we can undertake nothing. We must renounce every idea +of co-operation, and must confess to our allies that we look wholly to +them for our safety. This will be a state of humiliation and +bitterness against which the feelings of every good American ought to +revolt. Yours I am convinced will, nor have I the least doubt, but +that you will employ all your influence to animate the legislature and +the people at large. The fate of these states hangs upon it. God grant +we may be properly impressed with the consequences. + +"I wish the legislature could be engaged to vest the executive with +plenipotentiary powers. I should then expect every thing practicable +from your abilities and zeal. This is not a time for formality and +ceremony. The crisis in every point of view is extraordinary, and +extraordinary expedients are necessary. I am decided in this opinion." + + +NOTE--No. IV. _See Page 261_ + +André having been unquestionably a spy, and his sentence consequently +just; and the plot in which he had engaged having threatened +consequences the most fatal to America; his execution, had he been an +ordinary person, would certainly have been viewed with cold +indifference. But he was not an ordinary person. In a letter written +at the time by Colonel Hamilton, who in genius, in candour, and in +romantic heroism, did not yield to this unfortunate Englishman, the +character of André is thus feelingly and eloquently drawn. "There was +something singularly interesting in the character and fortunes of +André. To an excellent understanding, well improved by education and +travel, he united a peculiar elegance of mind and manners, and the +advantages of a pleasing person. It is said he possessed a pretty +taste for the fine arts, and had himself attained some proficiency in +poetry, music, and painting. His knowledge appeared without +ostentation, and embellished by a diffidence that rarely accompanies +so many talents and accomplishments, which left you to suppose more +than appeared. His sentiments were elevated and inspired esteem, they +had a softness that conciliated affection. His elocution was handsome, +his address easy, polite, and insinuating. By his merit he had +acquired the unlimited confidence of his general, and was making rapid +progress in military rank and reputation. But in the height of his +career, flushed with new hopes from the execution of a project the +most beneficial to his party that could be devised, he is at once +precipitated from the summit of prosperity, sees all the expectations +of his ambition blasted, and himself ruined. The character I have +given of him is drawn partly from what I saw of him myself, and partly +from information. I am aware that a man of real merit is never seen in +so favorable a light as through the medium of adversity. The clouds +that surround him are so many shades that set off his good qualities. +Misfortune cuts down little vanities, that in prosperous times, serve +as so many spots in his virtues; and gives a tone to humanity that +makes his worth more amiable. + +"His spectators, who enjoy a happier lot, are less prone to detract +from it through envy; and are much disposed by compassion to give the +credit he deserves, and perhaps even to magnify it." + + +NOTE--No. V. _See Page 377_ + +On the first of May, 1781, General Washington commenced a military +journal. The following is a brief statement of the situation of the +army at that time. "I begin at this epoch, a concise journal of +military transactions, &c. I lament not having attempted it from the +commencement of the war in aid of my memory: and wish the multiplicity +of matter which continually surrounds me, and the embarrassed state of +our affairs, which is momentarily calling the attention to +perplexities of one kind or another, may not defeat altogether, or so +interrupt my present intention and plan, as to render it of little +avail. + +"To have the clearer understanding of the entries which may follow, it +would be proper to recite, in detail, our wants, and our prospects; +but this alone would be a work of much time, and great magnitude. It +may suffice to give the sum of them, which I shall do in a few words, +viz: + +"Instead of having magazines filled with provisions, we have a scanty +pittance scattered here and there in the different states. + +"Instead of having our arsenals well supplied with military stores, +they are poorly provided, and the workmen all leaving them.--Instead +of having the various articles of field equipage in readiness to +deliver, the quartermaster general is but now applying to the several +states (as the dernier ressort) to provide these things for their +troops respectively. Instead of having a regular system of +transportation established upon credit--or funds in the +quartermaster's hands to defray the contingent expenses of it--we have +neither the one or the other; and all that business, or a great part +of it, being done by military impressment, we are daily and hourly +oppressing the people, souring their tempers, and alienating their +affections. Instead of having the regiments completed to the new +establishments (and which ought to have been so by the ---- of ---- +[Transcriber's Note: end parenthesis missing] agreeably to the +requisitions of congress, scarce any state in the union has, at this +hour, one-eighth part of its quota in the field; and there is little +prospect that I can see of ever getting more than half. In a word, +instead of having every thing in readiness to take the field, we have +nothing. And instead of having the prospect of a glorious offensive +campaign before us, we have a bewildered and gloomy prospect of a +defensive one; unless we should receive a powerful aid of ships, land +troops and money from our generous allies: and these at present are +too contingent to build upon." + + +NOTE--No. VI. _See Page 405_ + +York in Virginia, 17th October, 1781, half past four, P.M. + +SIR,--I have this moment been honoured with your excellency's letter +dated this day. The time limited for sending my answer will not admit +of entering into the details of articles, but the basis of my +proposals will be, that the garrisons of York and Gloucester shall be +prisoners of war with the customary honours; and for the convenience +of the individuals which I have the honour to command, that the +British shall be sent to Britain, and the Germans to Germany, under +engagements not to serve against France, America, or their allies, +until released or regularly exchanged. That all arms and public stores +shall be delivered up to you, but that the usual indulgence of side +arms to officers and of retaining private property shall be granted to +officers and soldiers; and the interests of individuals in civil +capacities, and connected with us, shall be attended to. If your +excellency thinks that a continuance of the suspension of hostilities +will be necessary to transmit your answer, I shall have no objection +to the hour that you propose. I have the honour to be, + +Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, + +CORNWALLIS. + +His excellency General Washington, &c. &c. &c. + + +NOTE--No. VII. _See Page 406_ + +Head quarters before York, 18th October, 1781. + +MY LORD,--To avoid unnecessary discussions and delays, I shall at +once, in answer to your lordship's letter of yesterday, declare the +general basis upon which a definitive treaty of capitulation must take +place. The garrison of York and Gloucester, including the seamen, as +you propose, will be received prisoners of war. The condition annexed +of sending the British and German troops to the parts of Europe to +which they respectively belong, is inadmissible. Instead of this, they +will be marched to such parts of the country as can most conveniently +provide for their subsistence; and the benevolent treatment of +prisoners, which is invariably observed by the Americans, will be +extended to them. The same honours will be granted to the surrendering +army, as were granted to the garrison of Charleston. + +The shipping and boats in the two harbours, with all their guns, +stores, tackling, furniture, and apparel, shall be delivered in their +present state to an officer of the navy appointed to take possession +of them. + +The artillery, arms, accoutrements, military chest, and public stores +of every denomination, shall be delivered unimpaired, to the heads of +departments, to which they respectively belong. + +The officers will be indulged in retaining their side arms, and the +officers and soldiers may preserve their baggage and effects with this +reserve, that property taken in the country will be reclaimed. + +With regard to the individuals in civil capacities, whose interests +your lordship wishes may be attended to, until they are more +particularly described, nothing definitive can be settled. + +I have to add, that I expect the sick and wounded will be supplied +with their own hospital stores, and attended by British surgeons +particularly charged with the care of them. + +Your lordship will be pleased to signify your determination either to +accept or reject the proposals now offered, in the course of two hours +from the delivery of this letter, that commissioners may be appointed +to digest the articles of capitulation, or a renewal of hostilities +may take place. + +I have the honour to be, my lord, &c. + +GEORGE WASHINGTON. + +Lieutenant General Earl Cornwallis. + +York, in Virginia, 18th October, 1781. + +SIR,--I agree to open a treaty of capitulation upon the basis of the +garrisons of York and Gloucester, including seamen, being prisoners of +war without annexing the condition of their being sent to Europe; but +I expect to receive a compensation in arranging the articles of +capitulation for the surrender of Gloucester in its present state of +defence. + +I shall in particular desire that the Bonetta sloop of war, may be +left entirely at my disposal from the hour the capitulation is signed, +to receive an aid-de-camp to carry my despatches to Sir Henry Clinton +and such soldiers as I may think proper to send as passengers in her, +to be manned with fifty men of her own crew, and to be permitted to +sail without examination when my despatches are ready; engaging on my +part that the ship shall be brought back and delivered to you, if she +escapes the dangers of the sea; that the crew and soldiers sent as +passengers shall be accounted for in future exchanges as prisoners; +that she shall carry off no officer without your consent, nor public +property of any kind; and I shall likewise desire that the traders and +inhabitants may preserve their property, and that no person may be +punished or molested for having joined the British troops. + +If you choose to proceed to negotiation on these grounds, I shall +appoint two field officers of my army to meet two officers from you at +any time and place you think proper, to digest the articles of +capitulation. I have the honour to be, sir, + +Your most obedient and most humble servant, + +CORNWALLIS. + +His excellency General Washington, &c. &c. &c. + + +NOTE--No. VIII. _See Page 411_ + +Head quarters, 20th October, 1781. + +SIR,--The surrender of York, from which so much glory and advantage +are derived to the allies, and the honour of which belongs to your +excellency, has greatly anticipated our most sanguine expectations. +Certain of this event under your auspices, though unable to determine +the time, I solicited your excellency's attention in the first +conference with which you honoured me, to ulterior objects of decisive +importance to the common cause. Although your excellency's answer on +that occasion was unfavourable to my wishes, the unexpected +promptness with which our operations have been conducted to their +final success having gained us time, the defect of which was one of +your excellency's principal objections, a perspective of the most +extensive and happy consequences, engages me to renew my +representations. + +Charleston, the principal maritime port of the British in the southern +parts of the continent, the grand deposite and point of support for +the present theatre of the war, is open to a combined attack, and +might be carried with as much certainty as the place which has just +surrendered. + +This capture would destroy the last hope which induces the enemy to +continue the war; for having experienced the impracticability of +recovering the populous northern states, he has determined to confine +himself to the defensive in that quarter, and to prosecute a most +vigorous offensive in the south, with a view of conquering states, +whose spare population and natural disadvantages render them +infinitely less susceptible of defence; although their productions +render them the most valuable in a commercial view. His naval +superiority, previous to your excellency's arrival, gave him decisive +advantages in the rapid transport of his troops and supplies: while +the immense land marches of our succours, too tardy and expensive in +every point of view, subjected us to be beaten in detail. + +It will depend upon your excellency, therefore, to terminate the war, +and enable the allies to dictate the law in a treaty. A campaign so +glorious and so fertile in consequences, could be reserved only for +the Count de Grasse. + +It rarely happens that such a combination of means, as are in our +hands at present, can be seasonably obtained by the most strenuous of +human exertions.--A decisively superior fleet, the fortune and talents +of whose commander overawe all the naval force that the most +incredible efforts of the enemy have been able to collect; an army +flushed with success, and demanding only to be conducted to new +attacks; and the very season which is proper for operating against the +points in question. + +If upon entering into the detail of this expedition, your excellency +should still determine it impracticable, there is an object which +though subordinate to that above mentioned, is of capital importance +to our southern operations, and may be effected at infinitely less +expense; I mean the enemy's post at Wilmington in North Carolina. +Circumstances require that I should at this period reinforce the +southern army under General Greene. This reinforcement transported by +sea under your excellency's convoy, would enable us to carry the post +in question with very little difficulty, and would wrest from the +British a point of support in North Carolina, which is attended with +the most dangerous consequences to us, and would liberate another +state. This object would require nothing more than the convoy of your +excellency to the point of operation, and the protection of the +debarkation. + +I intreat your excellency's attention to the points which I have the +honour of laying before you, and to be pleased at the same time to +inform me what are your dispositions for a maritime force to be left +on the American station. + +I have the honour to be, &c. + +GEORGE WASHINGTON. + + +NOTE--No. IX. _See Page 413_ + +Late in October an irruption was made into the country on the Mohawk, +by Major Ross, at the head of about five hundred men, composed of +regulars, rangers, and Indians. Colonel Willet, with between four and +five hundred men, partly of the troops denominated levies, and partly +militia, immediately marched in quest of them, and fell in with them +at Johnstown, where they were slaughtering cattle, apparently +unapprehensive of an enemy. Before showing himself, he detached Major +Rowley of Massachusetts with the left wing to fall on the rear, while +he should engage the front. On his appearance the British party +retired to a neighbouring wood, and the American advance was just +beginning to skirmish with them, when that whole wing, without any +apparent cause, suddenly fled from the field, leaving a field-piece +posted on a height in order to cover a retreat, to fall into the hands +of the enemy. Fortunately for the party, Rowley appeared in the rear +at this critical juncture, and regained what the right wing had lost. +Night soon coming on, Major Ross retired further into the wood, and +encamped on the top of a mountain. He seems after this skirmish to +have been only intent on repassing the dreary wilderness in his rear, +and securing his party; an object not to be accomplished without +immense fatigue and great suffering, as Colonel Willet had cut off +their return to their boats, and they were to retreat by the way of +Buck island, or Oswegatchie. With a select part of his troops who +were furnished with five days provisions, and about sixty Indians who +had just joined him, and who, he said, "are the best cavalry for the +service of the wilderness," he commenced a rapid pursuit, and in the +morning of the 30th, at a ford on Canada creek, fell in with about +forty whites and some Indians who were left in the rear to procure +provisions. These were attacked and the greater number of them killed +or taken, upon which the main body fled with such rapidity that the +pursuit proved ineffectual. In the party at Canada creek was Major +Walter Butler, the person who perpetrated the massacre at +Cherry-valley. His entreaties for quarter were disregarded, and he +fell the victim of that vengeance which his own savage temper had +directed against himself. + + +END OF VOLUME III. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of George Washington, Vol. 3 +(of 5), by John Marshall + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON *** + +***** This file should be named 18593-8.txt or 18593-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/5/9/18593/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni, David Widger, +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Life of George Washington, Vol. 3 (of 5) + Commander in Chief of the American Forces During the War + which Established the Independence of his Country and First + President of the United States + +Author: John Marshall + +Release Date: June 15, 2006 [EBook #18593] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni, David Widger, +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<h3><a href="#contents">Table of Contents</a></h3> +<h3><a href="#illustrations">List of Illustrations</a></h3> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img alt="spines (102K)" src="images/spines.jpg" title="Spines" height="633" width="727" /></p> + + +<p><a name="image02" id="image02"></a></p> +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img alt="George Washington" title="George Washington" src="images/image02.jpg" height="420" width="342" /></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> <b>George Washington</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>From the portrait by Gilbert Stuart</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>This canvas, valued at $60,000, hangs in the Masonic Lodge rooms at +Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is one of the several portraits of +Washington which the artist began executing in 1795 and which are the +most famous of both artist and sitter. Of our First President, this +celebrated painter has also given us his interesting pen-picture of +his subject: "All of his features were indications of the strongest +and most ungovernable passions, and had he been born in the forest, he +would have been the fiercest man among the savage tribes."</i></p></div> + + +<h3>THE</h3> + +<h1>LIFE</h1> + +<h3>OF</h3> + +<h1>GEORGE WASHINGTON,</h1> + +<h3>COMMANDER IN CHIEF</h3> + +<h3>OF THE</h3> + +<h2>AMERICAN FORCES,</h2> + +<h3>DURING THE WAR WHICH ESTABLISHED THE INDEPENDENCE OF HIS COUNTRY,</h3> + +<h3>AND</h3> + +<h2>FIRST PRESIDENT</h2> + +<h3>OF THE</h3> + +<h2>UNITED STATES.</h2> + +<h3>COMPILED UNDER THE INSPECTION OF</h3> + +<h3>THE HONOURABLE BUSHROD WASHINGTON,</h3> + +<h3>FROM</h3> + +<h3><i>ORIGINAL PAPERS</i></h3> + +<h3>BEQUEATHED TO HIM BY HIS DECEASED RELATIVE, AND NOW IN POSSESSION OF +THE AUTHOR.</h3> + +<h3>TO WHICH IS PREFIXED,</h3> + +<h2>AN INTRODUCTION,</h2> + +<h3>CONTAINING A COMPENDIOUS VIEW OF THE COLONIES PLANTED BY THE ENGLISH +ON THE</h3> + +<h3>CONTINENT OF NORTH AMERICA,</h3> + +<h3>FROM THEIR SETTLEMENT TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THAT WAR WHICH TERMINATED +IN THEIR</h3> + +<h2>INDEPENDENCE.</h2> + + +<h2>BY JOHN MARSHALL.</h2> + + +<h3>VOL. III.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +THE CITIZENS' GUILD<br /> +OF WASHINGTON'S BOYHOOD HOME<br /> +FREDERICKSBURG, VA.<br /> +<br /> +1926<br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center">Printed in the U.S.A.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img alt="titlepage (53K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" title="Titlepage" height="680" width="416" /></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img alt="subscription (117K)" src="images/image01.jpg" title="Subscription Plate" height="803" width="508" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> + </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +THESE VOLUMES</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +of The Sponsors' Edition</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +OF THE AUTHORIZED LIFE OF</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +George Washington</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +by John Marshall</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +ISSUED IN ITS ORIGINAL FORMAT, BUT WITH THE TEXT OF THE REVISED EDITION, HAVE +BEEN SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +Henry H. Kimball</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Transcriber's Note:</i> In the original book, some proper +names are spelled inconsistently. The inconsistencies have been preserved in +this e-text. For the reader's information, the first of each of the following +pairs of names is the correct spelling: Wemys/Wemyss, Tarleton/Tarlton; +Dundass/Dundas; M'Lane/M'Clane; Viominel/Viominil.</p></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><a name="contents" id="contents"></a></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></h3> + +<p>Incursion into Jersey.... General Lacy surprised.... Attempt on +Lafayette at Barren hill.... General Howe resigns the command of the +British army.... Is succeeded by Sir H. Clinton.... He evacuates +Philadelphia, and marches through the Jerseys.... A council of war +which decides against attacking the British on their march.... Battle +of Monmouth.... General Lee arrested.... Sentenced to be suspended for +one year.... Thanks of Congress to General Washington and his army.</p> + + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></h3> + +<p>Count D'Estaing arrives with a French fleet.... Meditates an attack on +the British fleet in New York harbour.... Relinquishes it.... Sails to +Rhode Island.... Lord Howe appears off Rhode Island.... Both fleets +dispersed by a storm.... General Sullivan lays siege to Newport.... +D'Estaing returns.... Sails for Boston.... Sullivan expresses his +dissatisfaction in general orders.... Raises the siege of Newport.... +Action on Rhode Island.... The Americans retreat to the Continent.... +Count D'Estaing expresses his dissatisfaction with Sullivan in a +letter to congress.... General Washington labours successfully to heal +these discontents.... Lord Howe resigns the command of the British +fleet.... Colonel Baylor's regiment surprised.... Captain Donop +defeated by Colonel Butler.... Expedition of the British against Egg +Harbour.... Pulaski surprised.</p> + + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></h3> + +<p>Arrival of the British commissioners.... Terms of conciliation +proposed.... Answer of congress to their propo<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span>sitions.... Attempts of +Mr. Johnson to bribe some members of congress.... His private letters +ordered to be published.... Manifesto of the commissioners, and +counter-manifesto of congress.... Arrival of Monsieur Girard, minister +plenipotentiary of France.... Hostilities of the Indians.... Irruption +into the Wyoming settlement.... Battle of Wyoming.... Colonel Dennison +capitulates for the inhabitants.... Distress of the settlement.... +Colonel Clarke surprises St. Vincent.... Congress determines to invade +Canada.... General Washington opposes the measure.... Induces congress +to abandon it.</p> + + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></h3> + +<p>Divisions in Congress.... Letters of General Washington on the state +of public affairs.... Invasion of Georgia.... General Howe defeated by +Colonel Campbell.... Savannah taken.... Sunbury surrenders.... Georgia +reduced.... General Lincoln takes command of the Southern army.... +Major Gardener defeated by General Moultrie.... Insurrection of the +Tories in South Carolina.... They are defeated by Colonel Pickens.... +Ash surprised and defeated.... Moultrie retreats.... Prevost marches +to Charleston.... Lincoln attacks the British at Stono Ferry +unsuccessfully.... Invasion of Virginia.</p> + + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></h3> + +<p>Discontents in a part of the American army.... Letter from General +Washington on the subject.... Colonel Van Schaick destroys an Indian +settlement.... Expedition against the Indians meditated.... Fort +Fayette surrendered to the British.... Invasion of Connecticut.... +General Wayne storms Stony Point.... Expedition against Penobscot.... +Powles Hook surprised by Major Lee.... Arrival of Admiral +Arbuthnot.... Of the Count D'Estaing.... Siege of Savannah.... +Unsuccessful attempt to storm that place.... Siege raised.... Victory +of General Sullivan at Newtown.... Spain offers her me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span>diation to the +belligerents.... Declares war against England.... Letter from General +Washington to congress respecting the annual formation of the army.... +The army goes into winter quarters.</p> + + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></h3> + +<p>South Carolina invaded.... The British fleet passes the bar, and gets +possession of the harbour of Charleston.... Opinion of General +Washington on the propriety of defending that place.... Sir Henry +Clinton invests the town.... Tarleton surprises an American corps at +Monk's Corner.... Fort Moultrie surrendered.... Tarleton defeats +Colonel White.... General Lincoln capitulates.... Buford defeated.... +Arrangements for the government of South Carolina and Georgia.... Sir +Henry Clinton embarks for New York.... General Gates takes command of +the Southern army.... Is defeated near Camden.... Death of De Kalb.... +Success of General Sumpter.... He is defeated.</p> + + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></h3> + +<p>Distress in the American camp.... Expedition against Staten Island.... +Requisitions on the states.... New scheme of finance.... Committee of +congress deputed to camp.... Resolution to make up depreciation of +pay.... Mutiny in the line of Connecticut.... General Knyphausen +enters Jersey.... Sir Henry Clinton returns to New York.... Skirmish +at Springfield.... Exertions to strengthen the army.... Bank +established in Philadelphia.... Contributions of the ladies.... +Farther proceedings of the states.... Arrival of a French armament in +Rhode Island.... Changes in the quartermaster's department.... +Enterprise against New York abandoned.... Naval superiority of the +British.</p> + + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h3> + +<p>Treason and escape of Arnold.... Trial and execution of Major +André.... Precautions for the security of West<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span> Point.... Letter of +General Washington on American affairs.... Proceedings of congress +respecting the army.... Major Talmadge destroys the British stores at +Coram.... The army retires into winter quarters.... Irruption of Major +Carleton into New York.... European transactions.</p> + + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></h3> + +<p>Transactions in South Carolina and Georgia.... Defeat of Ferguson.... +Lord Cornwallis enters North Carolina.... Retreat out of that +state.... Major Wemys defeated by Sumpter.... Tarleton repulsed.... +Greene appointed to the command of the Southern army.... Arrives in +camp.... Detaches Morgan over the Catawba.... Battle of the +Cowpens.... Lord Cornwallis drives Greene through North Carolina into +Virginia.... He retires to Hillsborough.... Greene recrosses the +Dan.... Loyalists under Colonel Pyle cut to pieces.... Battle of +Guilford.... Lord Cornwallis retires to Ramsay's mills.... To +Wilmington.... Greene advances to Ramsay's mills.... Determines to +enter South Carolina.... Lord Cornwallis resolves to march to +Virginia.</p> + + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></h3> + +<p>Virginia invaded by Arnold.... He destroys the stores at Westham and +at Richmond.... Retires to Portsmouth.... Mutiny in the Pennsylvania +line.... Sir H. Clinton attempts to negotiate with the mutineers.... +They compromise with the civil government.... Mutiny in the Jersey +line.... Mission of Colonel Laurens to France.... Propositions to +Spain.... Recommendations relative to a duty on imported and prize +goods.... Reform in the Executive departments.... Confederation +adopted.... Military transactions.... Lafayette detached to +Virginia.... Cornwallis arrives.... Presses Lafayette.... Expedition +to Charlottesville, to the Point of Fork.... Lafayette forms a +junction with Wayne.... Cornwallis retires to the lower country.... +General Washington's letters are intercepted.... Action near +Jamestown.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span></p> + + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></h3> + +<p>Farther state of affairs in the beginning of the year 1781.... +Measures of Mr. Morris, the superintendent of finances.... Designs of +General Washington against New York.... Count Rochambeau marches to +the North River.... Intelligence from the Count de Grasse.... Plan of +operations against Lord Cornwallis.... Naval engagement.... The +combined armies march for the Chesapeake.... Yorktown invested.... +Surrender of Lord Cornwallis.</p> + + + +<h3><a href="#NOTES">NOTES.</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#FOOTNOTES">Footnotes.</a></h3> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><a name="illustrations" id="illustrations"></a></p> + +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<h3><a href="#image02"> +George Washington, by Gilbert Stuart +</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#image03"> +Martha Washington, by Gilbert Stuart +</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#image04"> +George Washington, by John Trumbull +</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#image05"> +The Ruins of Stony Point—On the Hudson +</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#image06"> +Beverly Robinson Mansion at West Point +</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#image07"> +Where Washington Stayed During André's Trial +</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#image08"> +The Moore House at Yorktown, Virginia +</a></h3> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE LIFE</h2> + +<h3>OF</h3> + +<h2>GEORGE WASHINGTON</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>Incursion into Jersey.... General Lacy surprised.... Attempt +on Lafayette at Barren Hill.... General Howe resigns the +command of the British army.... Is succeeded by Sir H. +Clinton.... He evacuates Philadelphia, and marches through +the Jerseys.... A council of war which decides against +attacking the British on their march.... Battle of +Monmouth.... General Lee arrested.... Sentenced to be +suspended for one year.... Thanks of congress to General +Washington and his army.</b></p></div> + +<p> </p> + +<div class="sidenotey">1778</div> + +<p><span class="lgsmcap"><b>The</b></span> position at Valley Forge had been taken for the purposes of +covering the country, protecting the magazines, and cutting off all +supplies to Philadelphia. Although the intercourse of the inhabitants +with that place could not be entirely prevented; the sufferings of the +British army from the scarcity of fresh provisions and forage were +considerable; and, as the spring opened, several expeditions were +undertaken both to relieve their own wants, and to distress the army +of the United States.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> + +<p>About the middle of March, Colonel Mawhood and Major Simcoe, who were +detached into Jersey at the head of about twelve hundred men, landed +at Salem, nearly opposite Reedy Island, and dispersed the small bodies +of militia who were stationed in that part of the country.</p> + +<p>General Washington had given early intelligence of this expedition to +Governor Livingston; and had requested that he would immediately order +out the militia to join Colonel Shreve, whose regiment was detached +into Jersey; but the legislature had neglected to make provision for +paying them; and the governor could not bring them into the field. +Colonel Shreve, on his arrival at Haddonfield, the place at which they +had been directed to assemble, found less than one hundred men. +<span class="sidenoteb">March 23.</span>Colonel Ellis, their commanding officer, remarked, in a letter to the +governor, that "without some standing force, little was to be expected +from the militia, who, being alone not sufficient to prevent the +incursions of the enemy, each one naturally consults his own safety, +by not being found in arms."</p> + +<p>Mawhood, of course, was unrestrained; and the devastation committed by +his party was wantonly distressing. Its course of destruction was +preceded by a summons to Colonel Hand, the commanding officer of the +militia, to lay down his arms, which was accompanied with a threat of +the consequences to result from his refusal. This threat was too +faithfully executed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + +<p>After completing his forage, without molestation, Mawhood returned to +Philadelphia. During the continuance of this incursion, which lasted +six or seven days, not more than two hundred men could be collected to +reinforce Colonel Shreve, who was consequently unable to effect any +thing, and did not even march to the lower parts of Jersey, which were +plundered without restraint.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">May 1.</div> + +<p>Not long after this incursion into Jersey, an enterprise was +undertaken against General Lacy, who, with a small number of +Pennsylvania militia, seldom amounting to six hundred, and sometimes +not exceeding fifty, watched the roads leading to Philadelphia on the +north side of the Schuylkill, and was generally posted within twenty +miles of that town.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General Lacy surprised.</div> + +<p>This expedition was entrusted to Colonel Abercrombie and Major Simcoe, +who avoided all the posts Lacy had established for his security, and +threw a body of troops into his rear before he discovered their +approach. After a short resistance, he escaped with the loss of a few +men killed, and all his baggage. His corps were entirely dispersed, +and he was soon afterwards relieved by General Potter.</p> + +<p>To maintain the command of the water as far as was practicable, +congress had ordered impediments to be sunk in many of the rivers of +common use, so as to obstruct the passage up them,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> and had +constructed frigates, and other smaller vessels, to be employed above +those impediments or elsewhere, as the occasion might require. Several +of them had been commenced above Philadelphia, but were not completed +when the British obtained the command of the river. General Washington +then became apprehensive for their safety, and repeatedly expressed +his desire that they should be sunk in such a manner as to be weighed +with difficulty, should any attempt be made to raise them. The +persons, however, who were entrusted by congress with this business, +supposed it would be equally secure to put plugs in their bottoms, +which might be drawn out on the approach of danger.</p> + +<p>Against these vessels, and some stores collected at Bordentown, an +expedition was planned which ended in their total destruction. General +Dickenson was in the neighbourhood, but his force was too small to +interrupt the execution of the design; and General Maxwell, who had +been ordered to his assistance, was retarded in his march by a heavy +rain, which did not obstruct the movement of the British, who passed +up the river in vessels.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">May 18.</div> + +<p>To cover the country more effectually on the north of the Schuylkill, +to form an advance guard for the security of the main army, and to be +in readiness to annoy the rear of the enemy, should he evacuate +Philadelphia, an event believed to be in contemplation, General +Wash<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span>ington detached the Marquis de Lafayette, with more than two +thousand choice troops, to take post near the lines. As this corps +formed a very valuable part of the army, the Commander-in-chief +recommended in his instructions to General Lafayette the utmost +attention to its safety; and, particularly, to avoid any permanent +station, as a long continuance in one position would facilitate the +execution of measures which might be concerted against him.</p> + + +<p>The Marquis crossed the Schuylkill and took post near Barren Hill +church, eight or ten miles in front of the army. <span class="sidenote">Attempt on Lafayette at Barren Hill.</span>Immediate notice<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> +of his arrival was given to Sir William Howe, who reconnoitred his +position, and formed a plan to surprise and cut him off.</p> + +<p>On the night of the 19th of May, General Grant with five thousand +select troops, took the road which leads up the Delaware, and +consequently diverges from Barren Hill. After marching some distance, +he inclined to the left, and passing White Marsh, where several roads +unite, took one leading to Plymouth meeting-house, the position he was +directed to occupy, some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>thing more than a mile in the rear of the +Marquis, between him and Valley Forge. <span class="sidenoteb">May 20.</span>He reached his point of +destination rather before sunrise. Here the roads fork; the one +leading to the camp of Lafayette, and the other to Matron's ford over +the Schuylkill.</p> + +<p>In the course of the night, General Gray, with a strong detachment, +had advanced up the Schuylkill on its south side, along the ridge +road, and taken post at a ford two or three miles in front of the +right flank of Lafayette, while the residue of the army encamped on +Chestnut hill.</p> + +<p>Captain M'Clane, a vigilant partisan of great merit, was posted on the +lines some distance in front of Barren Hill. In the course of the +night, he fell in with two British grenadiers at Three Mile Run, who +informed him of the movement made by Grant, and also that a large body +of Germans was getting ready to march up the Schuylkill. Immediately +conjecturing the object, M'Clane detached Captain Parr, with a company +of riflemen across the country to Wanderers hill, with orders to +harass and retard the column advancing up the Schuylkill, and hastened +in person<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> to the camp of Lafayette. He arrived soon after daybreak, +and communicated the intelligence he had received. It was, not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> long +afterwards, confirmed by the fire of Parr on the Ridge road, and by an +inhabitant who had escaped from White Marsh as the British column +passed that place.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> + +<p>Thus surrounded with danger, Lafayette took with promptitude and +decision the only course which could preserve him. He instantly put +his troops in motion, and passed over at Matron's ford, which was +rather nearer to General Grant, than to himself, without being +intercepted by that officer, or sustaining a greater loss than nine +men.</p> + +<p>General Grant, who reached the ground lately occupied by Lafayette +soon after it was abandoned, followed his rear, and appeared at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +ford just after the Americans had crossed it; but, finding them +advantageously posted, did not choose to attack them; and the whole +army returned to Philadelphia, having effected nothing.</p> + +<p>He did not escape censure for having allowed the great advantage he +had acquired, to slip through his hands unused. He might with the +utmost certainty have reached Matron's ford before the Marquis, and +have cut off the only retreat which remained for him. But the same +skill and address were not displayed in executing this plan as in +forming it.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p> + +<p>In the statement of this affair made by General Lafayette, he +represents himself to have advanced the head of a column towards +Grant, as if to attack him, while the rear filed off rapidly towards +the Schuylkill. This movement gained ground even for the front, which, +while it advanced towards the enemy, also approached the river, and at +the same time induced General Grant to halt, in order to prepare for +battle.</p> + +<p>While this manœuvre was performing in the face of the detachment +under Grant, a small party was thrown into the church yard, on the +road towards General Gray, which also gave the appearance of an +intention to attack in that quarter. By these dispositions, happily +conceived, and executed with regularity, the Mar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>quis extricated +himself from the destruction which had appeared almost inevitable. In +a letter to congress, General Washington termed it "a timely and +handsome retreat," and certainly the compliment was merited.</p> + +<p>It might be supposed that this young nobleman had not displayed the +same degree of military talent in guarding against the approach of +danger, as in extricating himself from it. But the imputation which +generally attaches to an officer who permits an enemy to pass +unobserved into his rear, is removed by a circumstance stated by +Lafayette. The Pennsylvania militia were posted on his left flank with +orders to guard the roads about White Marsh. Without his knowledge, +they changed their position, and retired into the rear, leaving that +important pass open to the enemy.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General Howe resigns his command and returns to England; is +succeeded by Sir Henry Clinton.</div> + +<p>This was the last enterprise attempted by Sir William Howe. He +resigned the command of the army into the hands of Sir Henry Clinton, +and embarked for Great Britain. About the same time, orders were +received for the evacuation of Philadelphia. The part it was now +evident France was about to take in the war, and the naval force which +had been prepared by that power before she declared herself, rendered +that city a dangerous position, and determined the administration to +withdraw the army from the Delaware.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> + +<p>The preparations for this movement could not be made unobserved; but +they indicated equally an embarkation of the whole army, or an +intention to march to New York through Jersey. The last was believed +by the American chief to be most probable; and he made every exertion +to take advantage of the movement. His detachments were called in, and +the state governments were pressed to expedite the march of their +levies.</p> + +<p>In the mean time Sir Henry Clinton hastened his preparations for the +evacuation of Philadelphia; and the opinion that he intended to reach +New York through Jersey, gained ground.</p> + +<p>General Maxwell, with the Jersey brigade, was ordered over the +Delaware to take post at Mount Holly, and to join Major General +Dickenson, who was assembling the militia of that state for the +purpose of co-operating with the continental troops, in breaking down +the bridges, felling trees in the roads, and otherwise embarrassing +the march of the British General.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">June 17.</div> + +<p>In this state of things intelligence was received that a great part of +the British army had crossed the Delaware, and that the residue would +soon follow.</p> + +<p>The opinion of the general officers was required on the course now to +be pursued. General Lee, who had been lately exchanged, and whose +experience gave great weight to his opinions, was vehement against +risking either a gen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>eral or partial engagement. The British army was +computed at ten thousand effective men, and that of the Americans +amounted to between ten and eleven thousand. General Lee was decidedly +of opinion that, with such an equality of force, it would be +"criminal" to hazard an action. He relied much on the advantageous +ground on which their late foreign connexions had placed the United +States, and contended that defeat alone could now endanger their +independence. To this he said the army ought not to be exposed. It +would be impossible he thought to bring on a partial action, without +risking its being made general, should such be the choice of the +enemy, since the detachment which might engage must be supported, or +be cut to pieces. A general action ought not to be fought unless the +advantage was manifestly with the American army. This at present was +not the case. He attributed so much to the superior discipline of the +enemy as to be of opinion that the issue of the engagement would be, +almost certainly, unfavourable.</p> + +<p>General Du Portail, a French officer of considerable reputation, +maintained the same opinions; and the Baron de Steuben concurred in +them. The American officers seem to have been influenced by the +councils of the Europeans; and, of seventeen generals, only Wayne and +Cadwallader were decidedly in favour of attacking the enemy. Lafayette +appeared inclined to that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> opinion without openly embracing it; and +General Greene was inclined to hazard more than the councils of the +majority would sanction. The country, he thought, must be protected; +and if, in doing so, an engagement should become unavoidable, it would +be necessary to fight.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The British army evacuate Philadelphia and march through +the Jerseys.</div> + +<p>On the morning of the 18th, Philadelphia was evacuated;<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> and, by two +in the afternoon, all the British troops were encamped on the Jersey +shore, from Cooper's Creek to Red Bank. Although they availed +themselves to a great extent of the transportation by water, yet their +line of march was so lengthened and encumbered by baggage, and the +weather was so intensely hot, that they were under the necessity of +proceeding slowly. Indeed their movements wore the appearance of +purposed delay; and were calculated to favour the opinion that Sir +Henry Clinton was willing to be overtaken, and wished for a general +engagement.</p> + +<p>As his line of march, until he passed Crosswicks, led directly up the +Delaware, General Washington found it necessary to make an extensive +circuit, and to cross the river at Coryell's Ferry; after which he +kept possession of the high grounds in Jersey, thereby retaining the +choice of bringing on, or avoiding an action.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">June 24.</div> + +<p>As Sir Henry Clinton encamped at, and about, Allentown, the main body +of the American army lay in Hopewell township, about five miles from +Princeton, Major General Dickenson, with about one thousand militia, +and Maxwell's brigade, hung on Sir Henry Clinton's left flank. General +Cadwallader, with Jackson's regiment and a few militia, was in his +rear; and Colonel Morgan with a regiment of six hundred men watched +his right.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the almost concurrent opinion of his general officers +against risking an action, Washington appears to have been strongly +inclined to that measure. He could not be persuaded that, with an army +rather superior in point of numbers to his enemy, too much was +hazarded by fighting him. <span class="sidenote">Council of war called by General Washington; decide +against attacking the enemy on the march.</span>The situation of the two armies was, +therefore, once more submitted to the consideration of the general +officers, who were asked whether it would be adviseable, of choice, to +hazard a general action? And, if it would, whether it should be +brought on by an immediate general attack, by a partial attack, or by +taking such a position as must compel the enemy to become the +assailants?</p> + +<p>If the council should be of opinion that it was unadviseable to hazard +an engagement, then he asked what measures could be taken with safety +to the army, to annoy the enemy in his march, should he proceed +through the Jerseys?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> + +<p>The proposition respecting a general action was decidedly negatived. +But it was proposed to strengthen the corps on the left flank of the +enemy with a reinforcement of fifteen hundred men, and to preserve, +with the main body of the army, a relative position which would enable +it to act as circumstances might require.</p> + +<p>In pursuance of this opinion, the troops on the lines were +strengthened with a detachment of fifteen hundred select men, +commanded by General Scott; and the army moved forward the next day to +Kingston.</p> + +<p>Though the council had been almost unanimous against a general action, +several officers, whose opinions were highly valued, secretly wished +for something more than light skirmishing. <span class="sidenote">The opinion of the general against this decision.</span>Knowing this, General +Washington, who was still in favour of an engagement, determined to +take his measures on his own responsibility. As the British army moved +towards Monmouth court-house, he ordered Brigadier General Wayne, with +an additional detachment of one thousand select men, to join the +advanced corps. <span class="sidenoteb">June 25.</span>As the continental troops, now constituting the front +division, amounted to at least four thousand men, he deemed it proper +that they should be commanded by a major general. Lee had a right to +claim this tour of duty; but, as he had declared himself openly and +strongly against hazarding even a partial engagement, and supposed +that nothing further would be at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>tempted than merely to reconnoitre +the enemy, and restrain plundering parties, he showed no inclination +to assert his claim. Unintentionally promoting the private wishes of +General Washington, that the command should be given to an officer +whose view of the service comported more with his own, Lee yielded +this important tour of duty to Lafayette. The orders given to this +general were, to proceed immediately with the detachment; and, after +forming a junction with General Scott, and taking command of the +troops on the lines, to gain the enemy's left flank and rear; give him +every practicable annoyance; and attack by detachment, or with his +whole force, as the occasion might require.</p> + +<p>These dispositions and orders could scarcely fail to bring on an +engagement. Wayne had openly supported that measure; and Lafayette, +though against seeking a general action, had been in favour of a +partial one. Of consequence, should any proper occasion offer, he +would certainly attack with his whole force, which would as certainly +produce such a state of things as would render it proper to support +him with the whole army.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">June 26.</div> + +<p>Immediately after the march of this detachment, General Washington +moved to Cranberry, that he might be in readiness to support his front +division.</p> + +<p>The intense heat of the weather; a heavy storm; and a temporary want +of provisions, pre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>vented the army from continuing its march that day. +The advanced corps had pressed forward, and taken a position about +five miles in rear of the British army, with the intention of +attacking it next morning on its march. Thinking this corps too remote +to be supported in case of action, General Washington ordered the +Marquis to file off by his left towards Englishtown. These orders were +executed early in the morning of the twenty-seventh.</p> + + +<p>Lafayette had scarcely taken command of the advanced party, when +General Lee began to regret having yielded it to him. <span class="sidenoteb">June 27.</span>He perceived +that, in the opinion of all the general officers, great importance was +attached to it, and that his reputation was in danger of being +impaired by connecting his strenuous opposition to even a partial +action, with his declining the command of a very strong detachment, +which, it was believed, would engage the rear of the enemy. He +therefore solicited earnestly for the command he had before declined.</p> + +<p>To relieve the feelings of Lee, without wounding those of Lafayette, +General Washington detached him with two additional brigades to +Englishtown, to support the Marquis. He would, of course, have the +direction of the whole front division, which would now amount to five +thousand continental troops; but it was expressly stipulated, that if +any enterprise had been already formed by Lafayette, it should be +carried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> into execution, as if the commanding officer had not been +changed. Lee acceded to this condition; and, with two additional +brigades, joined the front division of the army, encamped at +Englishtown. The rear division also moved forward, and encamped about +three miles in his rear. Morgan's corps still hovered on the right +flank of the British, and General Dickenson on their left.</p> + +<p>Sir Henry Clinton occupied the high grounds about Monmouth +court-house, having his right flank in the skirt of a small wood, +while his left was secured by a very thick one, and a morass running +towards his rear. His whole front was also covered by a wood, and for +a considerable distance towards his left, by a morass.</p> + +<p>This position seemed unassailable; and the British were within twelve +miles of the high grounds about Middletown, after reaching which they +would be perfectly secure.</p> + +<p>Under these circumstances, General Washington ordered Lee to attack +the British rear the moment it should move from its ground.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">June 28.</div> + +<p>About five in the morning, intelligence was received from General +Dickenson that the front of the enemy was in motion. The troops were +immediately put under arms, and Lee was ordered to attack the rear, +"unless there should be powerful reasons to the contrary." He was at +the same time informed that the rear division would be on its march to +support him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sir Henry Clinton had observed the appearances on his flanks and rear +on the twenty-seventh; and, conjecturing that the American army was in +his neighbourhood, had changed the order of his march. The baggage was +placed under the care of General Knyphausen, while the strength and +flower of his army, entirely unincumbered, formed the rear division, +under the particular command of Lord Cornwallis, who was accompanied +by the Commander-in-chief.</p> + +<p>To avoid pressing on Knyphausen, Cornwallis remained on his ground +until about eight; and then, descending from the heights of Freehold +into an extensive plain, took up his line of march in rear of the +front division.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p> + +<p>General Lee had made dispositions for executing the orders given the +preceding evening, and repeated in the morning; and, soon after the +British rear had moved from its ground, prepared to attack it. General +Dickenson had been directed to detach some of his best troops, to take +such a position as to co-operate with him; and Morgan was ordered to +act on the right flank.</p> + +<p>Lee appeared on the heights of Freehold soon after Lord Cornwallis had +left them; and, following the British into the plain, ordered General +Wayne to attack the rear of their covering party with sufficient +vigour to check it, but not to press it so closely as either to force +it up to the main body, or to draw reinforcements to its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> aid. In +the mean time, he intended to gain the front of this party by a +shorter road, and, intercepting its communication with the line, to +bear it off before it could be assisted.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p><a name="image03" id="image03"></a></p> +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img alt="Martha Washington" title="Martha Washington" src="images/image03.jpg" height="456" width="343" /></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Martha Washington</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>From the portrait by Gilbert Stuart</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>After studying under Benjamin West, the American painter who +succeeded Sir Joshua Reynolds as (second) president of the Royal +Academy in London, Gilbert Stuart established a studio in Philadelphia +where he met and painted the first of his famous portraits of George +Washington. This one of Martha Washington, the best known likeness of +her in existence, was painted in the city of Washington, where the +artist had a studio between 1800 and 1802. She gave him several +sittings at Mount Vernon.</i></p></div> + +<p> </p> + +<p>While in the execution of this design, a gentleman in the <i>suite</i> of +General Washington came up to gain intelligence; and Lee communicated +to him his present object.</p> + +<p>Before he reached the point of destination, there was reason to +believe that the British rear was much stronger than had been +conjectured. The intelligence on this subject being contradictory, and +the face of the country well calculated to conceal the truth, he +deemed it adviseable to ascertain the fact himself.</p> + +<p>Sir Henry Clinton, soon after the rear division was in full march, +received intelligence that an American column had appeared on his left +flank. This being a corps of militia was soon dispersed, and the march +was continued. When his rear guard had descended from the heights, he +saw it followed by a strong corps, soon after which a cannonade was +commenced upon it; and, at the same time, a respectable force showed +itself on each of his flanks. Suspecting a design on his baggage, he +determined to attack the troops in his rear so vigorously, as to +compel a recall of those on his flanks; and, for this purpose, marched +back his whole rear division. This movement was in progress as Lee +advanced for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> the purpose of reconnoitring. He soon perceived his +mistake respecting the force of the British rear, but still determined +to engage on that ground, although his judgment disapproved the +measure; there being a morass immediately in his rear, which would +necessarily impede the reinforcements which might be advancing to his +aid, and embarrass his retreat should he be finally overpowered.</p> + +<p>This was about ten. While both armies were preparing for action, +General Scott (as stated by General Lee) mistook an oblique march of +an American column for a retreat; and, in the apprehension of being +abandoned, left his position, and repassed the ravine in his rear.</p> + +<p>Being himself of opinion that the ground was unfavourable, Lee did not +correct the error he ascribed to Scott, but ordered the whole +detachment to regain the heights. He was closely pressed, and some +slight skirmishing ensued without much loss on either side.</p> + +<p>As soon as the firing announced the commencement of the action, the +rear division of the army advanced rapidly to the support of the +front. As they approached the scene of action, General Washington, who +had received no intelligence from Lee giving notice of his retreat, +rode forward, and, to his utter astonishment and mortification, met +the advanced corps retiring before the enemy, without having made a +single effort to maintain its ground. The troops he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> first saw neither +understood the motives which had governed General Lee, nor his present +design; and could give no other information than that, by his orders, +they had fled without fighting.</p> + +<p>General Washington rode to the rear of the division, where he met +General Lee, to whom he spoke in terms of some warmth, implying +disapprobation of his conduct.</p> + +<p>Orders were immediately given to Colonel Stewart and Lieutenant +Colonel Ramsay to form their regiments for the purpose of checking the +pursuit; and General Lee was directed to take proper measures with the +residue of his force to stop the British column on that ground. The +Commander-in-chief then rode back to arrange the rear division of the +army.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">He attacks the enemy at Monmouth Court-house.</div> + +<p>These orders were executed with firmness; and, when forced from his +ground, Lee brought off his troops in good order, and was directed to +form in the rear of Englishtown.</p> + +<p>This check afforded time to draw up the left wing and second line of +the American army on an eminence, covered by a morass in front. Lord +Stirling, who commanded the left wing, brought up a detachment of +artillery under Lieutenant Colonel Carrington, and some field pieces, +which played with considerable effect on a division of the British +which had passed the morass, and was pressing on to the charge. These +pieces,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> with the aid of several parties of infantry, effectually +stopped the advance of the enemy.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The action severe but not decisive.</div> + +<p>Finding themselves warmly opposed in front, the British attempted to +turn the left flank of the American army, but were repulsed. They then +attempted the right with as little success. General Greene had +advanced a body of troops with artillery to a commanding piece of +ground in his front, which not only disappointed the design of turning +the right, but enfiladed the party which yet remained in front of the +left wing. At this moment, General Wayne was advanced with a body of +infantry to engage them in front, who kept up so hot and well directed +a fire, that they soon withdrew behind the ravine, to the ground on +which the action had commenced immediately after the arrival of +General Washington.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p> + +<p>The position now taken by the British army was very strong. Both +flanks were secured by thick woods and morasses; and their front was +accessible only through a narrow pass. The day had been intensely hot, +and the troops were much fatigued. Notwithstanding these +circumstances, General Washington resolved to renew the engagement. +For this purpose he ordered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> Brigadier General Poor, with his own and +the North Carolina brigade, to gain their right flank, while Woodford +with his brigade should turn their left. At the same time the +artillery was ordered to advance, and play on their front. These +orders were obeyed with alacrity; but the impediments on the flanks of +the British were so considerable that, before they could be overcome, +it was nearly dark. Farther operations were therefore deferred until +next morning; and the brigades which had been detached to the flanks +of the British army continued on their ground through the night, and +the other troops lay on the field of battle with their arms in their +hands. General Washington passed the night in his cloak in the midst +of his soldiers.</p> + +<p>The British employed the early part of the night in removing their +wounded; and, about midnight, marched away in such silence that their +retreat was not perceived until day.</p> + +<p>As it was certain that they must gain the high grounds about +Middletown before they could be overtaken; as the face of the country +afforded no prospect of opposing their embarkation; and as the battle +already fought had terminated in a manner to make a general impression +favourable to the American arms; it was thought proper to relinquish +the pursuit, leaving a detachment to hover about the British rear, the +main body of the army moved towards the Hudson.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Commander-in-chief was highly gratified with the conduct of his +troops in this action. Their behaviour, he said, after recovering from +the first surprise occasioned by the unexpected retreat of the +advanced corps, could not be surpassed. General Wayne was particularly +mentioned; and the artillery were spoken of in terms of high praise.</p> + +<p>The loss of the Americans in the battle of Monmouth was eight officers +and sixty-one privates killed, and about one hundred and sixty +wounded. Among the slain were Lieutenant Colonel Bonner of +Pennsylvania, and Major Dickenson of Virginia, both of whom were much +regretted. One hundred and thirty were missing; but a considerable +number of these afterwards rejoined their regiments.</p> + +<p>In his official letter, Sir Henry Clinton states his dead and missing +at four officers, and one hundred and eighty-four privates. His +wounded at sixteen officers and one hundred and fifty-four privates. +This account, so far as respects the dead, can not be correct, as four +officers and two hundred and forty-five privates were buried on the +field by persons appointed for the purpose, who made their report to +the Commander-in-chief; and some few were afterwards found, so as to +increase the number to nearly three hundred. The uncommon heat of the +day proved fatal to several on both sides.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>As usual, when a battle has not been decisive, both parties claimed +the victory. In the early part of the day, the advantage was certainly +with the British; in the latter part, it may be pronounced with equal +certainty to have been with the Americans. They maintained their +ground, repulsed the enemy, were prevented only by the night, and by +the retreat of the hostile army from renewing the action, and suffered +less in killed and wounded than their adversaries.</p> + +<p>It is true that Sir Henry Clinton effected what he states to have been +his principal object,—the safety of his baggage. But when it is +recollected that the American officers had decided against hazarding +an action, that this advice must have trammeled the conduct, and +circumscribed the views of the Commander-in-chief, he will be admitted +to have effected no inconsiderable object in giving the American arms +that appearance of superiority which was certainly acquired by this +engagement.</p> + +<p>Independent of the loss sustained in the action, the British army was +considerably weakened in its march from Philadelphia to New York. +About one hundred prisoners were made, and near one thousand soldiers, +chiefly foreigners, deserted while passing through Jersey.</p> + +<p>The conduct of Lee was generally disapproved. As however he had +possessed a large share of the confidence and good opinion of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +Commander-in-chief, it is probable that explanations might have been +made which would have rescued him from the imputations that were cast +on him, and have restored him to the esteem of the army, could his +haughty temper have brooked the indignity he believed to have been +offered him on the field of battle. General Washington had taken no +measures in consequence of the events of that day, and would probably +have come to no resolution concerning them without an amicable +explanation, when he received from Lee a letter expressed in very +unbecoming terms, in which he, in the tone of a superior, required +reparation for the injury sustained "from the very singular +expressions" said to have been used on the day of the action by the +Commander-in-chief.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">June 30.</div> + +<p>This letter was answered by an assurance that, so soon as +circumstances would admit of an inquiry, he should have an opportunity +of justifying himself, to the army, to America, and to the world in +general; or of convincing them that he had been guilty of disobedience +of orders, and misbehaviour before the enemy. <span class="sidenote">General Lee arrested for his behavior in this action, and +afterwards to the commander-in-chief.</span> +On his expressing a wish +for a speedy investigation of his conduct, and for a court-martial +rather than a court of inquiry, he was arrested.</p> + +<p>First. For disobedience of orders in not attacking the enemy on the +28th of June, agreeably to repeated instructions.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> + +<p>Secondly. For misbehaviour before the enemy on the same day, in making +an unnecessary, disorderly, and shameful retreat.</p> + +<p>Thirdly. For disrespect to the Commander-in-chief in two letters.</p> + +<p>Before this correspondence had taken place, strong and specific +charges of misconduct had been made against General Lee by several +officers of his detachment, and particularly by Generals Wayne and +Scott. In these, the transactions of the day, not being well +understood, were represented in colours much more unfavourable to Lee, +than facts, when properly explained, would seem to justify. These +representations, most probably, induced the strong language of the +second article in the charge. <span class="sidenote">Court-martial appointed to try him. Sentenced to be +suspended for one year.</span> +A court-martial, over which Lord +Stirling presided, after a tedious investigation, found him guilty of +all the charges exhibited against him, and sentenced him to be +suspended for one year. This sentence was, afterwards, though with +some hesitation, approved, almost unanimously, by congress. The court +softened, in some degree, the severity of the second charge, by +finding him guilty, not in its very words, but "of misbehaviour before +the enemy, by making an unnecessary, and, in some few instances, a +disorderly retreat."</p> + +<p>Lee defended himself with his accustomed ability. He proved that, +after the retreat had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> commenced, in consequence of General Scott's +repassing the ravine, on the approach of the enemy, he had designed to +form on the first advantageous piece of ground he could find; and +that, in his own opinion, and in the opinion of some other officers, +no safe and advantageous position had presented itself until he met +General Washington; at which time it was his intention to fight the +enemy on the very ground afterwards taken by that officer. He +suggested a variety of reasons in justification of his retreat, which, +if they do not absolutely establish its propriety, give it so +questionable a form as to render it probable that a public examination +never would have taken place, could his proud spirit have stooped to +offer explanation instead of outrage, to the Commander-in-chief.</p> + +<p>His suspension gave general satisfaction through the army. Without +being masters of his conduct as a military man, they perfectly +understood the insult offered to their general by his letters; and, +whether rightly or not, believed his object to have been to disgrace +Washington, and to obtain the supreme command for himself. So +devotedly were all ranks attached to their general, that the mere +suspicion of such a design, would have rendered his continuance in the +army extremely difficult.</p> + +<p>Whatever judgment may be formed on the propriety of his retreat, it is +not easy to justify,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> either the omission to keep the +Commander-in-chief continually informed of his situation and +intentions, or the very rude letters written after the action was +over.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The thanks of congress presented to General Washington and +his army for their conduct in the battle at Monmouth.<br />July 5.</div> + +<p>The battle of Monmouth gave great satisfaction to congress. A +resolution was passed unanimously, thanking General Washington for the +activity with which he marched from the camp at Valley Forge, in +pursuit of the enemy; for his distinguished exertions in forming the +line of battle, and for his great good conduct in the action; and he +was requested to signify the thanks of congress to the officers and +men under his command, who distinguished themselves by their conduct +and valour in the battle.</p> + +<p>After remaining a few days on the high grounds of Middletown, Sir +Henry Clinton proceeded to Sandy Hook, whence his army passed over to +New York.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>Count D'Estaing arrives with a French fleet.... Meditates an +attack on the British fleet in New York harbour.... +Relinquishes it.... Sails to Rhode Island.... Lord Howe +appears off Rhode Island.... Both fleets dispersed by a +storm.... General Sullivan lays siege to Newport.... +D'Estaing returns.... Sails for Boston.... Sullivan +expresses his dissatisfaction in general orders.... Raises +the siege of Newport.... Action on Rhode Island.... The +Americans retreat to the Continent.... Count D'Estaing +expresses his dissatisfaction with Sullivan in a letter to +congress.... General Washington labours successfully to heal +these discontents.... Lord Howe resigns the command of the +British fleet.... Colonel Baylor's regiment surprised.... +Captain Donop defeated by Colonel Butler.... Expedition of +the British against Egg Harbour.... Pulaski surprised.</b></p></div> + +<p> </p> + +<div class="sidenotey">1778 July.</div> + +<p><span class="lgsmcap">Before</span> General Washington could reach the ground he designed to +occupy, intelligence was received that a powerful French fleet, under +the command of the Count D'Estaing, had appeared off Chingoteague +inlet, the northern extremity of the coast of Virginia.</p> + +<p><span class="sidenote">Count D'Estaing arrives on the coast of Virginia with a +French fleet under his command.<br />He meditates an attack on the British fleet at New York, +but is obliged to relinquish it.</span>The Count had sailed from Toulon on the 13th of April, with twelve +ships of the line and six frigates, having on board a respectable body +of land forces. His destination was the Delaware; and he hoped to find +the British fleet in that river, and their army in Philadelphia. An +uncommon continuance of adverse winds, protracted his voyage across +the Atlantic to the extraordinary length of eighty-seven days. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +unusual circumstance saved the British fleet and army.</p> + +<p>On reaching the capes of the Delaware, the Count announced his arrival +to congress; and, having failed in accomplishing his first object, +proceeded along the coast to New York, in the hope of being able to +attack the British fleet in the harbour of that place.</p> + +<p>Sir Henry Clinton was again indebted to some fortunate incidents for +his safety.</p> + +<p>The violent storms of the preceding winter had broken through the +narrow isthmus by which Sandy Hook was connected with the continent, +and had converted the peninsula into an island. This rendered it +necessary for the army to pass from the main to the Hook on a bridge +of boats, which would have been impracticable, if obstructed by a +superior fleet. It was effected the very day on which D'Estaing +appeared off Chingoteague inlet.</p> + +<p><span class="sidenoteb">July 13.</span>At Paramus, in Jersey, General Washington received a letter from the +president of congress, advising him of this important event, and +requesting that he would concert measures with the Count for conjoint +and offensive operations.</p> + +<p>The next day he received a second letter on the same subject, +enclosing two resolutions, one directing him to co-operate with the +French admiral, and the other authorizing him to call on the states +from New Hampshire to New Jersey<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> inclusive, for such aids of militia +as he might deem necessary for the operations of the allied arms.</p> + +<p>He determined to proceed immediately to the White Plains, whence the +army might co-operate with more facility in the execution of any +attempt which might be made by the fleet, and despatched Lieutenant +Colonel Laurens, one of his aids de camp, with all the information +relative to the enemy, as well as to his own army, which might be +useful to D'Estaing. Lieutenant Colonel Laurens was authorized to +consult on future conjoint operations, and to establish conventional +signals for the purpose of facilitating the communication of +intelligence.</p> + +<p>The French admiral, on arriving off the Hook, despatched Major de +Choisi, a gentleman of his family, to General Washington, for the +purpose of communicating fully his views and his strength. His first +object was to attack New York. If this should be found impracticable, +he was desirous of turning his attention to Rhode Island. To assist in +coming to a result on these enterprises, General Washington despatched +Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton with such farther communications as had +been suggested, by inquiries made since the departure of Lieutenant +Colonel Laurens.</p> + +<p>Fearing that the water on the bar at the entrance of the harbour was +not of sufficient depth to admit the passage of the largest ships of +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> French fleet without much difficulty and danger, General +Washington had turned his attention to other objects which might be, +eventually, pursued. General Sullivan, who commanded the troops in +Rhode Island, was directed to prepare for an enterprise against +Newport; and the Marquis de Lafayette was detached with two brigades +to join him at Providence. <span class="sidenoteb">July 21.</span>The next day Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton +returned to camp with the final determination of the Count D'Estaing +to relinquish the meditated attack on the fleet in the harbour of New +York, in consequence of the impracticability of passing the bar.</p> + +<p>General Greene was immediately ordered to Rhode Island, of which state +he was a native; and Lieutenant Colonel Laurens was directed to attach +himself to the French admiral, and to facilitate all his views by +procuring whatever might give them effect; after which he was to act +with the army under Sullivan.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sails out to Rhode Island and arrives off Newport.</div> + +<p>The resolution being taken to proceed against Rhode Island, the fleet +got under way, and, on the 25th of July, appeared off Newport, and +cast anchor about five miles from that place, just without Brenton's +ledge; soon after which, General Sullivan went on board the Admiral, +and concerted with him a plan of operations for the allied forces. The +fleet was to enter the harbour, and land the troops of his Christian +Majesty on the west side of the island, a little to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> north of +Dyer's island. The Americans were to land at the same time on the +opposite coast, under cover of the guns of a frigate.</p> + +<p>Although the appearance of the French fleet had animated the whole +country, and had produced a considerable degree of alacrity for the +service; although the success of the enterprise essentially depended +on maintaining a superiority at sea, which there was much reason to +apprehend would soon be wrested from them; yet such are the delays +inseparable from measures to bring husbandmen into the field as +soldiers, that the operations against Newport were suspended for +several days on this account.</p> + +<p>As the militia of New Hampshire and Massachusetts approached, General +Sullivan joined General Greene at Tiverton, and it was agreed with the +Admiral that the fleet should enter the main channel immediately, and +that the descent should be made the succeeding day. <span class="sidenoteb">August 8.</span>The ships of war +passed the British batteries and entered the harbour, without +receiving or doing any considerable damage.</p> + +<p>The militia not arriving precisely at the time they were expected, +General Sullivan could not hazard the movement which had been +concerted, and stated to the Count the necessity of postponing it till +the next day. Meanwhile, the preparations for the descent being +perceived, General Pigot drew the troops which had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> stationed on +the north end of the island into the lines at Newport.</p> + +<p>On discovering this circumstance the next morning, Sullivan determined +to avail himself of it, and to take immediate possession of the works +which had been abandoned. <span class="sidenoteb">August 9.</span>The whole army crossed the east passage, and +landed on the north end of Rhode Island. This movement gave great +offence to the Admiral, who resented the indelicacy supposed to have +been committed by Sullivan in landing before the French, and without +consulting him.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, some difficulties, on subjects of mere punctilio, had +previously arisen. The Count D'Estaing was a land as well as sea +officer; and held the high rank of lieutenant general in the service +of France. Sullivan being only a major general, some misunderstanding +on this delicate point had been apprehended; and General Washington +had suggested to him the necessity of taking every precaution to avoid +it. This, it was supposed, had been effected in their first +conference, in which it was agreed that the Americans should land +first, after which the French should land, to be commanded by the +Count D'Estaing in person. The motives for this arrangement are not +stated; but it was most probably made solely with a view to the +success of the enterprise. Either his own after-reflections or the +suggestions of others dissatisfied the Count with it, and he insisted +that the descent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> should be made on both sides of the island precisely +at the same instant, and that one wing of the American army should be +attached to the French, and land with them. He also declined +commanding in person, and wished the Marquis de Lafayette to take +charge of the French troops as well as of the Americans attached to +them.</p> + +<p>It being feared that this alteration of the plan might endanger both +its parts, D'Estaing was prevailed on to reduce his demand from one +wing of the American army to one thousand militia. When, afterwards, +General Sullivan crossed over into the island before the time to which +he had himself postponed the descent, and without giving previous +notice to the Count of this movement, some suspicions seem to have +been excited, that the measure was taken with other views than were +avowed, and no inconsiderable degree of excitement was manifested. The +Count refused to answer Sullivan's letter, and charged Lieutenant +Colonel Fleury, who delivered it, with being more an American than a +Frenchman.</p> + +<p>At this time a British fleet appeared, which, after sailing close into +the land, and communicating with General Pigot, withdrew some +distance, and came to anchor off point Judith, just without the narrow +inlet leading into the harbour.</p> + +<p>After it had been ascertained that the destination of the Count +D'Estaing was America, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> was followed by a squadron of twelve ships +of the line under Admiral Byron, who was designed to relieve Lord +Howe, that nobleman having solicited his recall. The vessels composing +this squadron meeting with weather unusually bad for the season, and +being separated in different storms, arrived, after lingering through +a tedious passage, in various degrees of distress, on different and +remote parts of the American coast. Between the departure of D'Estaing +from the Hook on the 23d of July, and the 30th of that month, four +ships of sixty-four and fifty guns arrived at Sandy Hook.</p> + +<p>This addition to the British fleet, though it left Lord Howe +considerably inferior to the Count D'Estaing, determined him to +attempt the relief of Newport. He sailed from New York on the 6th of +August; and, on the 9th, appeared in sight of the French fleet, before +intelligence of his departure could be received by the Admiral.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sails to attack Lord Howe, who appears off Rhode Island.<br />August 10.</div> + +<p>At the time of his arrival the wind set directly into the harbour, so +that it was impossible to get out of it; but it shifted suddenly to +the north-east the next morning, and the Count determined to stand out +to sea, and give battle. Previous to leaving port, he informed General +Sullivan that, on his return, he would land his men as that officer +should advise.</p> + +<p>Not choosing to give the advantage of the weather-gage, Lord Howe also +weighed anchor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> and stood out to sea. He was followed by D'Estaing; +and both fleets were soon out of sight.</p> + +<p>The militia were now arrived; and Sullivan's army amounted to ten +thousand men. Some objections were made by Lafayette to his commencing +operations before the return of D'Estaing. That officer advised that +the army should be advanced to a position in the neighbourhood of +Newport, but should not break ground until the Count should be in +readiness to act in concert with them. It was extremely desirable to +avoid whatever might give offence to the great ally on whose +assistance so much depended; but time was deemed of such importance to +an army which could not be kept long together, that this advice was +overruled, and it was determined to commence the siege immediately.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">August 12.</div> + +<p>Before this determination could be executed, a furious storm blew down +all the tents, rendered the arms unfit for immediate use, and greatly +damaged the ammunition, of which fifty rounds had just been delivered +to each man. The soldiers, having no shelter, suffered extremely; and +several perished in the storm, which continued three days. <span class="sidenote">Fifteenth.<br />General Sullivan lays siege to Newport.</span>On the +return of fair weather the siege was commenced, and continued without +any material circumstance for several days.</p> + +<p>As no intelligence had been received from the Admiral, the situation +of the American army was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> becoming very critical. On the evening of +the 19th, their anxieties were relieved for a moment by the +reappearance of the French fleet.</p> + +<p>The two Admirals, desirous the one of gaining, and the other of +retaining the advantage of the wind, had employed two days in +manœuvring, without coming to action. <span class="sidenote">Both fleets dispersed by a storm.</span>Towards the close of the +second, they were on the point of engaging, when they were separated +by the violent storm which had been felt so severely on shore, and +which dispersed both fleets. Some single vessels afterwards fell in +with each other, but no important capture was made; and both fleets +retired in a very shattered condition, the one to the harbour of New +York, and the other to that of Newport.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">D'Estaing returns to Newport, and against the solicitations +of Sullivan, sails for Boston.</div> + +<p>A letter was immediately despatched by D'Estaing to Sullivan, +informing him that, in pursuance of orders from the King, and of the +advice of all his officers, he had taken the resolution to carry the +fleet to Boston. His instructions directed him to sail for Boston +should his fleet meet with any disaster, or should a superior British +fleet appear on the coast.</p> + +<p>This communication threw Sullivan and his army into despair. General +Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette were directed to wait on the +Admiral with a letter from Sullivan remonstrating against this +resolution, and to use their utmost endeavors to induce him to change +it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> + +<p>They represented to him the certainty of carrying the garrison if he +would co-operate with them only two days, urged the impolicy of +exposing the fleet at sea, in its present condition, represented the +port of Boston as equally insecure with that of Newport, and added +that the expedition had been undertaken on condition that the French +fleet and army should co-operate with them; that confiding in this +co-operation, they had brought stores into the island to a great +amount, and that to abandon the enterprise in the present state of +things, would be a reproach and disgrace to their arms. To be deserted +at such a critical moment would have a pernicious influence on the +minds of the American people, and would furnish their domestic foes, +as well as the common enemy, with the means of animadverting severely +on their prospects from an alliance with those who could abandon them +under circumstances such as the present. They concluded with wishing +that the utmost harmony and confidence might subsist between the two +nations, and especially between their officers; and entreated the +Admiral, if any personal indiscretions had appeared in conducting the +expedition, not to permit them to prejudice the common cause.</p> + +<p>Whatever impression these observations may have made on the Count, +they could not change the determination he had formed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> + +<p>General Greene, in his representation of this conversation, stated +that the principal officers on board the fleet were the enemies of +D'Estaing. He was properly a land officer, and they were dissatisfied +with his appointment in the navy. Determined to thwart his measures, +and to prevent, as far as could be justified, his achieving any +brilliant exploit, they availed themselves of the letter of his +instructions, and unanimously persevered in advising him to relinquish +the enterprise, and sail for Boston. He could not venture, with such +instructions, to act against their unanimous opinion; and, although +personally disposed to re-enter the harbour, declined doing so, and +sailed from the island.</p> + +<p>On the return of Greene and Lafayette, Sullivan made yet another +effort to retain the fleet. He addressed a second letter to the +Admiral, pressing him, in any event, to leave his land forces. The +bearer of this letter was also charged with a protest signed by all +the general officers in Rhode Island except Lafayette, the only effect +of which was to irritate D'Estaing, who proceeded, without delay, on +his voyage to Boston.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">In consequence of the departure of the French fleet, +Sullivan raises the siege of Newport.</div> + +<p>Thus abandoned by the fleet, Sullivan called a council of general +officers, who were in favour of attempting an assault if five thousand +volunteers who had seen nine months service could be obtained for the +enterprise; but the departure of the fleet had so discouraged the +militia, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> this number could not be procured; and, in a few days, +the army was reduced by desertion to little more than five thousand +men. As the British were estimated at six thousand, it was determined +to raise the siege, and retire to the north end of the island, there +to fortify, and wait the result of another effort to induce D'Estaing +to return.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">August 28.</div> + +<p>In the night of the 28th, the army retired by two roads leading to the +works on the north end of the island, having its rear covered by +Colonels Livingston and Laurens, who commanded light parties on each.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">August 29.</div> + +<p>Early next morning the retreat was discovered by the British, who +followed in two columns, and were engaged on each road by Livingston +and Laurens, who retreated slowly and kept up the action with skill +and spirit until the English were brought into the neighbourhood of +the main body of the Americans, drawn up in order of battle on the +ground of their encampment. The British formed on Quaker Hill, a very +strong piece of ground, something more than a mile in front of the +American line.</p> + +<p>Sullivan's rear was covered by strong works; and in his front, rather +to the right, was a redoubt. In this position, the two armies +cannonaded each other for some time, and a succession of skirmishes +was kept up in front of both lines until about two in the afternoon, +when the British advanced in force, attempted to turn the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> right +flank, and made demonstrations of an intention to carry the redoubt in +front of the right wing. <span class="sidenote">Action between Sullivan and the British army.</span>General Greene, who commanded that wing, +advanced to its support, and a sharp engagement was continued for +about half an hour, when the British retreated to Quaker Hill. The +cannonade was renewed, and kept up intermingled with slight +skirmishing until night.</p> + +<p>According to the return made by General Sullivan, his loss in killed, +wounded and missing was two hundred and eleven. That of the British, +as stated by General Pigot, amounted to two hundred and sixty.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">August 30.</div> + +<p>The next day, the cannonade was renewed, but neither army was inclined +to attack the other. The British waited for reinforcements, and +Sullivan had at length determined to retire from the island.</p> + +<p>The Commander-in-chief had observed some movements among the British +transports indicating the embarkation of troops, and had suggested to +Sullivan the necessity of securing his retreat. A fleet of transports +soon put to sea with a large body of troops, of which immediate notice +was given to Sullivan in a letter recommending his retreat to the +continent. This reinforcement, which consisted of four thousand men, +commanded by Sir Henry Clinton in person, was delayed by adverse winds +until the letter of General Washington was received, and the +resolution to evacuate the island was taken. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> whole army passed +over to the continent unobserved by the enemy, and disembarked about +Tiverton by two in the morning.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sullivan retreats with his army to the continent.</div> + +<p>Never was retreat more fortunate. Sir Henry Clinton arrived the next +day; and the loss of the American army would have been inevitable.</p> + + +<p>The complete success of this expedition had been confidently +anticipated throughout America; and the most brilliant results had +been expected from the capture of so important a part of the British +army as the garrison of Newport. The chagrin produced by +disappointment was proportioned to the exaltation of their hopes. In +general orders issued by Sullivan, soon after the departure of +D'Estaing, <span class="sidenote">Sullivan, in one of his general orders, makes use of +expressions which offend the count.</span>he permitted some expressions to escape him which were +understood to impute to the Count D'Estaing, and to the French nation, +an indisposition to promote the interests of the United States. These +insinuations wounded the feelings of the French officers, and added, +in no small degree, to the resentments of the moment. In subsequent +orders, the General sought to correct this indiscretion; and alleged +that he had been misunderstood by those who supposed him to blame the +Admiral, with whose orders he was unacquainted, and of whose conduct +he was, consequently, unable to judge. He also stated explicitly the +important aids America had received from France, aids of which he +ought not to be unmindful under any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> disappointment; and which should +prevent a too sudden censure of any movement whatever.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Count D'Estaing expresses to congress his dissatisfaction +with General Sullivan.</div> + +<p>The Count D'Estaing, on his part, addressed a letter to congress +containing a statement of all the movements of his fleet subsequent to +its arrival on the coast, in which his chagrin and irritation were but +ill concealed.</p> + +<p>In congress, after approving the conduct of Sullivan and his army, an +indiscreet proposition was made to inquire into the causes of the +failure of the expedition; but this was set aside by the previous +question.</p> + +<p>In the first moments of vexation and disappointment, General Sullivan +had addressed some letters to the governor of Rhode Island, +complaining bitterly of being abandoned by the fleet. These despatches +were transmitted by the governor to the speaker of the assembly, and +were on the point of being submitted publicly to the house, when they +were fortunately arrested by General Greene, who had been introduced +on the floor, and placed by the side of the chair; and to whom they +were shown by the speaker.</p> + +<p>The discontent in New England generally, and in Boston particularly, +was so great as to inspire fears that the means of repairing the +French ships would not be supplied. To guard against the mischief +which might result from this temper, as well as for other objects, +General Hancock had repaired from camp to Bos<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>ton, and Lafayette had +followed him on a visit to D'Estaing.</p> + +<p>The consequences to be apprehended from this unavailing manifestation +of ill temper, soon induced all reflecting men to exert themselves to +control it. <span class="sidenote">General Washington labours to heal these discontents, in +which he succeeds.</span>In the commencement of its operation, General Washington, +foreseeing the evils with which it was fraught, had laboured to +prevent them. He addressed letters to General Sullivan, to General +Heath, who commanded at Boston, and to other individuals of influence +in New England, urging the necessity of correcting the intemperance of +the moment, and of guarding against the interference of passion with +the public interest.</p> + +<p>Soon after the transmission of these letters, he received a resolution +of congress, directing him to take every measure in his power to +prevent the publication of the protest entered into by the officers of +Sullivan's army. In his letter communicating this resolution, he said, +"the disagreement between the army under your command and the fleet, +has given me very singular uneasiness. The continent at large is +concerned in our cordiality, and it should be kept up by all possible +means, consistent with our honour and policy. First impressions, you +know, are generally longest retained, and will serve to fix, in a +great degree, our national character with the French. In our conduct +towards them, we should remember that they are a people old in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> war, +very strict in military etiquette, and apt to take fire when others +scarcely seem warm. Permit me to recommend in the most particular +manner, the cultivation of harmony and good agreement, and your +endeavours to destroy that ill humour which may have found its way +among the officers. It is of the utmost importance too, that the +soldiers and the people should know nothing of this misunderstanding, +or, if it has reached them, that means may be used to stop its +progress, and prevent its effects." In a letter to General Greene, +after expressing his fears that the seeds of dissension and distrust +might be sown between the troops of the two nations, he added, "I +depend much on your temper and influence, to conciliate that animosity +which, I plainly perceive by a letter from the Marquis, subsists +between the American and French officers in our service. This, you may +be assured, will extend itself to the Count, and to the officers and +men of his whole fleet, should they return to Rhode Island, unless a +reconciliation shall have taken place. The Marquis speaks kindly of a +letter from you to him on this subject. He will therefore take any +advice from you in a friendly way; and, if he can be pacified, the +other French gentlemen will, of course, be satisfied; since they look +up to him as their head. The Marquis grounds his complaint on a +general order of the 24th of August, and upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> universal clamour +that prevailed against the French nation.</p> + +<p>"I beg you will take every measure to keep the protest entered into by +the general officers from being made public. Congress, sensible of the +ill consequences that will flow from our differences being known to +the world, have passed a resolve to that purpose. Upon the whole, my +dear sir, you can conceive my meaning,<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> better than I can express +it, and I therefore fully depend on your exerting yourself to heal all +private animosities between our principal officers and the French, and +to prevent all illiberal expressions and reflections that may fall +from the army at large."</p> + +<p>The General also seized the first opportunity to recommence his +correspondence with the Count; and his letters, without noticing the +disagreement which had taken place, were calculated to soothe every +angry sensation which might have been excited. A letter from the +admiral stating the whole transaction, was answered by General +Washington in a manner so perfectly satisfactory, that the irritation +which threatened such serious mischief, appears to have entirely +subsided.</p> + +<p>Congress also, in a resolution which was made public, expressed their +perfect approbation of the conduct of the Count, and directed the +presi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>dent to assure him, in the letter which should transmit it, that +they entertained the highest sense of his zeal and attachment.</p> + +<p>These prudent and temperate measures restored harmony to the allied +armies.</p> + +<p>The storm under which the French fleet had suffered so severely did +considerable damage also to that of Lord Howe. The British, however, +had sustained less injury than the French, and were soon in a +condition to put again to sea. Having received information that the +Count D'Estaing had made for Boston, Lord Howe sailed for the same +port, in the hope of reaching it before him. But in this he was +disappointed. On entering the bay he found the French fleet already in +Nantasket Road, where such judicious dispositions had been made for +its defence, that he relinquished the idea of attacking it, and +returned to New York; <span class="sidenote">Lord Howe resigns command of the British fleet.</span>where he resigned the command to Admiral +Gambier, who was to retain it till the arrival of Admiral Byron.</p> + +<p>Finding that General Sullivan had retreated to the continent, Sir +Henry Clinton returned to New York, leaving the command of the troops +on board the transports with Major General Gray, who was directed to +conduct an expedition to the eastward, as far as Buzzards bay.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">September 5.</div> + +<p>Gray entered Acushnet River, where he destroyed a number of privateers +with their prizes, and some merchant vessels. He also reduced part of +the towns of Bedford and Fairhaven to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> ashes, in which some military +and naval stores had been collected. The troops re-embarked the next +day, before the militia could be assembled in sufficient force to +oppose them, and sailed to Martha's Vineyard, where they destroyed +several vessels, and some salt works, and levied a heavy contribution +of live stock on the inhabitants.</p> + +<p>While so large a detachment from the British army was depredating the +coasts of New England, preparations were making in New York for some +distant expedition; and many were of opinion that the French fleet was +its object. To be in readiness to oppose a combined attack by sea and +land on the fleet, General Gates was directed with three brigades, to +proceed by easy marches as far as Danbury, in Connecticut. And +Washington moved northward to Fredericksburg; while General Putnam was +detached with two brigades to the neighbourhood of West Point, and +General M'Dougal, with two others, to join General Gates at Danbury.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">September 22.</div> + +<p>Soon after the return of General Gray from New England, the British +army moved up the North River on each side in great force. The column +on the west side, commanded by Lord Cornwallis, consisting of about +five thousand men, took a position with its right on the river, and +its left extending to Newbridge, on the Hackensack; while the other +division, which was commanded by General Knyphausen, consisting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> of +about three thousand men, was advanced about the same distance on the +east side of the Hudson. The command of the river enabled these two +columns to communicate freely with each other; and, at any time, to +reunite. Although General Washington conjectured that this movement +was made for the purpose of foraging, yet it was possible that the +passes in the Highlands might be its object; and orders were given to +the detachments on the lines to hold themselves in readiness to +anticipate the execution of such a design.</p> + +<p>Colonel Baylor, with his regiment of cavalry, had crossed the +Hackensack early in the morning of the 27th of September, and taken +quarters at Taupaun, or Herringtown, a small village near New Taupaun, +where some militia were posted. Immediate notice of his position was +given to Lord Cornwallis, who formed a plan to surprise and cut off +both the cavalry and militia. The party designed to act against +Colonel Baylor was commanded by General Gray, and that against the +militia, by Lieutenant Colonel Campbell.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">September 28.</div> + +<p>That part of the plan which was to be executed by Campbell was +defeated by delays in passing the river, during which a deserter gave +notice of his approach, and the militia saved themselves by flight. +But the corps commanded by General Gray, guided by some of the country +people, eluded the patrols, got into the rear of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> the sergeant's guard +which had been posted at a bridge over the Hackensack, cut it off +without alarming Baylor, <span class="sidenote">Colonel Baylor's regiment surprised.</span>and completely surprised his whole regiment. +The British troops rushed into a barn where the Americans slept; and, +refusing to give quarter, bayoneted for a time all they saw. Of one +hundred and four privates, sixty-seven were killed, wounded, and +taken. The number of prisoners, amounting to about forty, is stated to +have been increased by the humanity of one of Gray's captains, who, +notwithstanding his orders, gave quarter to the whole of the fourth +troop. Colonel Baylor and Major Clough, who were both wounded with the +bayonet, the first dangerously, the last mortally, were among the +prisoners.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">September 30.<br />Captain Donop, with his corps, attacked by Colonel Butler, +and defeated.</div> + +<p>Three days after this affair, Colonel Richard Butler, with a +detachment of infantry, assisted by Major Lee with a part of his +cavalry, fell in with a small party of chasseurs and yagers under +Captain Donop, which he instantly charged, and, without the loss of a +man, killed ten on the spot, and took the officer commanding the +chasseur, and eighteen of the yagers, prisoners. Only the extreme +roughness of the country, which impeded the action of the cavalry, and +prevented part of the infantry from coming up, enabled a man of the +enemy to escape. Some interest was taken at the time in this small +affair, because it seemed, in some measure, to revenge the loss of +Colonel Baylor.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> + +<p>After completing their forage, the British army returned to New York.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Expedition of the British against Egg Harbour.</div> + +<p>This movement had been, in part, designed to cover an expedition +against Little Egg Harbour, which was completely successful; and the +works and store-houses at the place, as well as the merchandise and +vessels, were entirely destroyed.</p> + +<p>It has been already stated that Count Pulaski had been appointed +general of the American cavalry. The dissatisfaction given by this +appointment to the officers, had induced him to resign his commission; +but, thirsting for military fame, and zealous in the American cause, +he obtained permission to raise a legionary corps, which he officered +chiefly with foreigners, and commanded in person. In this corps, one +Juliet, a deserter, had been admitted as an officer. The Count had +been ordered to march from Trenton towards Little Egg Harbour, and was +lying eight or ten miles from the coast, when this Juliet again +deserted, carrying with him intelligence of Pulaski's strength and +situation. <span class="sidenote">Pulaski surprised, and his infantry cut off.</span>A plan was formed to surprise him, which succeeded +completely so far as respected his infantry, who were put to the +bayonet. The British accounts of this expedition assert that the whole +corps was destroyed. Pulaski stated his loss at about forty; and +averred that on coming up with his cavalry to the relief of his +infantry, he repulsed the enemy. It is probable that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> one account +diminishes the importance of this enterprise as much as the other +magnifies it.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">October 12.</div> + +<p>Admiral Byron reached New York, and took command of the fleet about +the middle of September. After repairing his shattered vessels, he +sailed for the port of Boston. Soon after his arrival in the bay, +fortune disconcerted all his plans. A furious storm drove him out to +sea, and damaged his fleet so much that he found it necessary to put +into the port of Rhode Island to refit. This favourable moment was +seized by the Count D'Estaing, who sailed, on the 3d of November, for +the West Indies.</p> + +<p>Thus terminated an expedition from which the most important advantages +had been anticipated. A variety of accidents had defeated plans +judiciously formed, which had every probability in their favour.</p> + +<p>The Marquis de Lafayette, ambitious of fame on another theatre, was +desirous of returning to France. Expecting war on the continent of +Europe, he was anxious to tender his services to his king, and to his +native country.</p> + +<p>From motives of real friendship as well as of policy, General +Washington was desirous of preserving the connexion of this officer +with the army, and of strengthening his attachment to America. He +therefore expressed to congress his wish that Lafayette, instead of +resigning his commission, might have unlimited leave of absence, to +return when it should be convenient to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> himself; and might carry with +him every mark of the confidence of the government.</p> + +<p>This policy was adopted by congress in its full extent. The partiality +of America for Lafayette was well placed. Never did a foreigner, whose +primary attachments to his own country remained undiminished, feel +more solicitude for the welfare of another, than was unceasingly +manifested by this young nobleman, for the United States.</p> + +<p>There being no prospect of an active winter campaign in the northern +or middle states, and the climate admitting of military operations +elsewhere, a detachment from the British army, consisting of five +thousand men commanded by Major General Grant, sailed, early in +November, under a strong convoy, for the West India Islands; and, +towards the end of the same month, another embarkation was made for +the southern parts of the continent. This second detachment was +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, who was escorted by +Commodore Hyde Parker, and was destined to act against the southern +states.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">December.</div> + +<p>As a force sufficient for the defence of New York yet remained, the +American army retired into winter quarters. The main body was cantoned +in Connecticut, on both sides the North River, about West Point, and +at Middlebrook. Light troops were stationed nearer the lines; and the +cavalry were drawn into the interior to re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>cruit the horses for the +next campaign. The distribution, the protection of the country, the +security of important points, and a cheap and convenient supply of +provisions, were consulted.</p> + +<p>The troops again wintered in huts; but they were accustomed to this +mode of passing that inclement season. Though far from being well +clothed, their condition in that respect was so much improved by +supplies from France, that they disregarded the inconveniences to +which they were exposed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>Arrival of the British commissioners.... Terms of +conciliation proposed.... Answer of congress to their +propositions.... Attempts of Mr. Johnson to bribe some +members of congress.... His private letters ordered to be +published.... Manifesto of the commissioners, and +counter-manifesto of congress.... Arrival of Monsieur +Girard, minister plenipotentiary of France.... Hostilities +of the Indians.... Irruption into the Wyoming settlement.... +Battle of Wyoming.... Colonel Dennison capitulates for the +inhabitants.... Distress of the settlement.... Colonel +Clarke surprises St. Vincent.... Congress determines to +invade Canada.... General Washington opposes the measure.... +Induces congress to abandon it.</b></p></div> + +<p> </p> + +<div class="sidenotey">1778</div> + +<p><span class="lgsmcap">About</span> the time that Commodore Parker sailed for the southern +states, the commissioners appointed to give effect to the late +conciliatory acts of Parliament, embarked for Europe. They had exerted +their utmost powers to effect the object of their mission, but without +success. Great Britain required that the force of the two nations +should be united under one common sovereign; and America was no longer +disposed, or even at liberty to accede to this condition. All those +affections, which parts of the same empire should feel for each other, +had been eradicated by a distressing war; the great body of the people +were determined, at every sacrifice, to maintain their independence; +and the treaty with France had pledged the honour and the faith of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +the nation, never to consent to a reunion with the British empire.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Arrival of the British commissioners.</div> + +<p>The commissioners arrived in Philadelphia while that place was yet in +possession of their army, and are understood to have brought positive +orders for its evacuation. Their arrival was immediately announced to +General Washington by Sir Henry Clinton, who was joined with them in +the commission, and a passport was requested for their secretary, +Doctor Ferguson, as the bearer of their first despatches to congress. +The Commander-in-chief declined granting this passport until he should +receive the instructions of his government; <span class="sidenote">Terms of conciliation proposed.</span>on which a letter +addressed "To the president and other the members of congress," was +forwarded in the usual manner. Copies of their commission, and of the +acts of Parliament on which it was founded, together with propositions +conforming to those acts, drawn in the most conciliatory language, +were transmitted with this letter.</p> + +<p>Some observations having been introduced into it reflecting on the +conduct of France,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> the reading was interrupted, and a motion made +to proceed no farther in consequence of this offensive language to his +most Christian Majesty. This motion producing some debate, an +adjournment was moved and carried. When congress<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> reassembled, the +warmth of the preceding day had not entirely subsided; but, after +several ineffectual motions to prevent it, the letter was read and +committed. <span class="sidenote">Answer of Congress to these propositions.</span>The answer which was reported by the committee, and +transmitted to the commissioners, declared that "nothing but an +earnest desire to spare the farther effusion of human blood, could +have induced them to read a paper containing expressions so +disrespectful to his most Christian Majesty, the good and great ally +of these states, or to consider propositions so derogatory to the +honour of an independent nation.</p> + +<p>"That the acts of the British Parliament, the commission from their +sovereign, and their letter, supposed the people of the United States +to be subjects of the crown of Great Britain, and were founded on the +idea of dependence, which is totally inadmissible.</p> + +<p>"That congress was inclined to peace, notwithstanding the unjust +claims from which this was originated, and the savage manner in which +it was conducted. They would therefore be ready to enter upon the +consideration of a treaty of peace and commerce, not inconsistent with +treaties already subsisting, when the King of Great Britain should +demonstrate a sincere disposition for that purpose. The only solid +proof of this disposition would be an explicit acknowledgment of the +independence of these states, or the withdrawing his fleets and +armies."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">July 13.</div> + +<p>On the 13th of July, after arriving at New York, the commissioners +addressed a second letter to congress, expressing their regrets that +any difficulties were raised which must prolong the calamities of war; +and reviewing the letter of congress in terms well calculated to make +an impression on those who had become weary of the contest, and to +revive ancient prejudices in favour of England and against France.</p> + +<p>This letter being read, congress resolved that, as neither the +independence of the United States was explicitly acknowledged, nor the +fleets and armies withdrawn, no answer should be given to it.</p> + +<p>It would seem that the first letter of congress must have convinced +the British commissioners that no hope could be indulged of restoring +peace on any other terms than the independence of the United States. +Congress must have been equally certain that the commissioners were +not empowered to acknowledge that independence, or to direct the +fleets and armies of Great Britain to be withdrawn. The intercourse +between them therefore, after the first communications were exchanged, +and all subsequent measures, became a game of skill, in which the +parties played for the affections and passions of the people; and was +no longer a diplomatic correspondence, discussing the interests of two +great nations with the hope of accommodation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Attempts of Mr. Johnson to bribe influential members of +congress.</div> + +<p>The first packet addressed by the commissioners to congress, contained +several private letters, written by Governor Johnson to members of +that body, in which he blended, with flattering expressions of respect +for their characters and their conduct, assurances of the honours and +emoluments to which those would be entitled who should contribute to +restore peace and harmony to the two countries and to terminate the +present war.</p> + +<p>A few days before the receipt of the letter of the 13th of July, +congress passed a resolution requiring that all letters of a public +nature received by any member from any subject of the British crown, +should be laid before them. In compliance with this resolution, the +letters of Governor Johnson were produced; and, some time afterwards, +Mr. Read stated, in his place, a direct offer which had been made him +by a third person, of a considerable sum of money, and of any office +in the gift of the crown, as an inducement to use his influence for +the restoration of harmony between the two countries. <span class="sidenote">Congress orders the publication of the private letters +from Johnson to the members of that body.</span>Congress +determined to communicate these circumstances to the American people, +and made a solemn declaration, in which, after reciting the offensive +paragraphs of the private letters, and the conversation stated by Mr. +Read, they expressed their opinion "that these were direct attempts to +corrupt and bribe the congress of the United States, and that it was +incompatible with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> their honour to hold any manner of correspondence +or intercourse with the said George Johnson, Esquire, especially to +negotiate with him upon affairs in which the cause of liberty is +interested." After an unsuccessful attempt to involve the other +commissioners in the same exclusion, this declaration was transmitted +to them while they were expecting an answer to a remonstrance on the +detention of the army of General Burgoyne.</p> + +<p>On receiving it, Mr. Johnson withdrew from the commission, declaring +that he should be happy to find congress inclined to retract their +former declaration, and to negotiate with others on terms equally +conducive to the happiness of both countries. This declaration was +accompanied by one signed by the other commissioners, in which, +without admitting the construction put by congress on his letters, or +the authority of the person who held the conversation with Mr. Read, +they denied all knowledge of those letters or of that conversation. +They at the same time detailed the advantages to be derived by America +from the propositions they had made, "advantages," they added, +"decidedly superior to any which could be expected from an unnatural +alliance with France, only entered into by that nation for the purpose +of prolonging the war, after the full knowledge on their part of the +liberal terms intended to be offered by Great Britain." With this +declaration<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> was transmitted a copy of the former remonstrance<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> +against the detention of the convention troops, without the signature +of Governor Johnson, and an extract from the instructions given by the +Secretary of State to Sir Henry Clinton, authorizing him to demand, in +express terms, a performance of the convention made with General +Burgoyne, and, if required, to renew and ratify all its conditions in +the name of the king.</p> + +<p>All the publications of the British commissioners indicate an opinion +that they could be more successful with the people than with congress; +and, not unfrequently betray the desire that the constituents of that +body might be enabled to decide on the measures taken by their +representatives.</p> + +<p>On the part of congress, it was decreed of the utmost importance to +keep the public mind correct, and to defeat all attempts to make +unfavourable impressions on it. Several members of that body entered +the lists as disputants, and employed their pens with ability and +success, as well in serious argument, as in rousing the various +passions which influence the conduct of men. The attempt to accomplish +the object of the mission by corruption was wielded with great effect; +and it was urged with equal force<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> that should the United States now +break their faith with France, and treat on the footing of dependence, +they would sacrifice all credit with foreign nations, would be +considered by all as faithless and infamous, and would forfeit all +pretensions to future aid from abroad; after which the terms now +offered might be retracted, and the war be recommenced. To these +representations were added the certainty of independence, and the +great advantages which must result from its establishment. The letters +of the commissioners were treated as attempts to sow divisions among +the people of which they might afterwards avail themselves, and thus +effect by intrigue, what had been found unattainable by arms.</p> + +<p>These essays were read with avidity, and seem to have produced all the +effect which was expected from them among the friends of the +revolution.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">October 8.</div> + +<p>The commissioners appear still to have cherished the hope, that a +complete knowledge of the terms they had offered, operating on the +disappointment of the extravagant hopes which had been founded on the +arrival of a French fleet, would make a great impression on a large +portion of the American people. This opinion induced them, before +their departure, to publish a manifesto, addressed, not only to +congress, but to all the provincial assemblies, and all the +inhabitants of the colonies of whatever denomina<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>tion, briefly +recapitulating the several steps they had taken to accomplish the +object of their mission, and the refusal of congress even to open a +conference with them. <span class="sidenote">Manifesto of the commissioners, and counter-manifestos by +congress.</span>They declared their readiness still to proceed +in the execution of the powers contained in their commission, and to +treat either with deputies from all the colonies conjointly, or with +any provincial assembly or convention individually, at any time within +the space of forty days from the date of their manifesto. They also +proclaimed a general pardon for all treasons and rebellious practices +committed at any time previous to the date of their manifesto, to such +as should, within the term of forty days, withdraw from their +opposition to the British government, and conduct themselves as +faithful and loyal subjects. To enable all persons to avail themselves +of this proffered pardon, thirteen copies of the manifesto were +executed, one of which was transmitted by a flag of truce to each +state. A vast number of copies were printed, and great exertions were +made by flags and other means to disperse them among the people.</p> + +<p>On being informed of these proceedings, congress, without hesitation, +adopted the course which the government of an independent nation is +bound to pursue, when attempts are made by a foreign power to open +negotiations with unauthorized individuals. They declared the measure +"to be contrary to the law of nations,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> and utterly subversive of that +confidence which could alone maintain those means which had been +invented to alleviate the horrors of war; and, therefore, that the +persons employed to distribute such papers, were not entitled to the +protection of a flag." They recommended it to the executive +departments in the respective states, "to secure, in close custody, +every person who, under the sanction of a flag, or otherwise, was +found employed in circulating those manifestoes." At the same time, to +show that these measures were not taken for the purpose of +concealment, they directed a publication of the manifesto in the +American papers. Care, however, was taken to accompany it with +comments made by individuals, calculated to counteract its effect. A +vessel containing a cargo of these papers being wrecked on the coast, +the officers and crew were made prisoners; and the requisition of +Admiral Gambier for their release, in consequence of the privilege +afforded by his flag, was answered by a declaration that they had +forfeited that privilege by being charged with seditious papers.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">October 30.</div> + +<p>Not long after the publication of this paper, a counter-manifesto was +issued by congress, in which, after touching on subjects which might +influence the public mind, they "solemnly declare and proclaim, that +if their enemies presume to execute their threats, or persist in their +present course of barbarity, they will take such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> exemplary vengeance +as shall deter others from a like conduct."</p> + +<p>Thus ended this fruitless attempt to restore a connexion which had +been wantonly broken, the reinstatement of which had become +impracticable. With the war, and with independence, a course of +opinion had prevailed in America, which not only opposed great +obstacles to a reunion of the two countries under one common +sovereign, but, by substituting discordant materials in the place of +the cement which formerly bound them together, rendered such an event +undesirable even to the British themselves. The time was arrived when +the true interest of that nation required the relinquishment of an +expensive war, the object of which was unattainable, and which, if +attained, could not be long preserved; and the establishment of those +amicable relations which reciprocal interests produce between +independent states, capable of being serviceable to each other by a +fair and equal interchange of good offices.</p> + +<p>This opinion, however, was not yet embraced by the cabinet of London; +and great exertions were still to be made for the reannexation of the +American states to the British empire. Even the opposition was not +united against a continuance of the war for the object now proposed; +and the Earl of Chatham, who had endeavoured first to prevent the +conflict, and afterwards to produce conciliation, closed his splendid +life in unavail<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>ing efforts to prevent that dismemberment which had +become inevitable.<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></p> + +<div class="sidenote">July 14.<br />Arrival of Girard, minister plenipotentiary from the King +of France.</div> + +<p>In the midst of these transactions with the commissioners of Great +Britain, the Sieur Girard arrived at Philadelphia, in the character of +Minister Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty.</p> + +<p>The joy produced by this event was unbounded; and he was received by +congress with great pomp.</p> + +<p>While these diplomatic concerns employed the American cabinet, and +while the war seemed to languish on the Atlantic, it raged to the west +in its most savage form.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> + +<p>The difficulties which the inability of the American government to +furnish the neighbouring Indians with those European articles which +they were accustomed to use, opposed to all the efforts of congress to +preserve their friendship, have already been noticed. Early in 1778, +there were many indications of a general disposition among those +savages to make war on the United States; and the frontiers, from the +Mohawk to the Ohio, were threatened with the tomahawk and the scalping +knife. Every representation from that country supported the opinion +that a war with the Indians should never be defensive; and that, to +obtain peace, it must be carried into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> their own country. Detroit, +whose governor was believed to have been particularly active in +exciting hostilities, was understood to be in a defenceless condition; +and congress resolved on an expedition against that place. <span class="sidenoteb">June 11.</span>This +enterprise was entrusted to General M'Intosh, who commanded at +Pittsburg, and was to be carried on with three thousand men, chiefly +militia, to be drawn from Virginia. To facilitate its success, the +resolution was also taken to enter the country of the Senecas at the +same time, by the way of the Mohawk. The officer commanding on the +east of the Hudson was desired to take measures for carrying this +resolution into execution; and the commissioners for Indian affairs, +at Albany, were directed to co-operate with him.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, the acts of the government did not correspond with the +vigour of its resolutions. The necessary preparations were not made, +and the inhabitants of the frontiers remained without sufficient +protection, until the plans against them were matured, and the storm +which had been long gathering, burst upon them with a fury which +spread desolation wherever it reached.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Colonel John Butler, with a party of Indians, breaks into +the Wyoming settlement.</div> + +<p>About three hundred white men, commanded by Colonel John Butler, and +about five hundred Indians, led by the Indian chief Brandt, who had +assembled in the north, marched late in June against the settlement of +Wyoming. These troops embarked on the Chemung or Tyoga, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +descending the Susquehanna, landed at a place called the Three +Islands, whence they marched about twenty miles, and crossing a +wilderness, and passing through a gap in the mountain, entered the +valley of Wyoming near its northern boundary. At this place a small +fort called Wintermoots had been erected, which fell into their hands +without resistance, and was burnt. The inhabitants who were capable of +bearing arms assembled on the first alarm at Forty fort, on the west +side of the Susquehanna, four miles below the camp of the invading +army.</p> + +<p>The regular troops, amounting to about sixty, were commanded by +Colonel Zebulon Butler;<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> the militia by Colonel Dennison. Colonel +Butler was desirous of awaiting the arrival of a small reinforcement +under Captain Spalding, who had been ordered by General Washington to +his aid on the first intelligence of the danger which threatened the +settlement; but the militia generally, believing themselves +sufficiently strong to repel the invading force, urged an immediate +battle so earnestly, that Colonel Butler yielded to their +remonstrances, and on the 3d of July marched from Forty fort at the +head of near four hundred men to attack the enemy.</p> + +<p>The British and Indians were prepared to receive him. Their line was +formed a small distance in front of their camp, in a plain thinly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +covered with pine, shrub oaks, and under growth, and extended from the +river about a mile to a marsh at the foot of the mountain. The +Americans advanced in a single column, without interruption, until +they approached the enemy, when they received a fire which did not +much mischief. The line of battle<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> was instantly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> formed, and the +action commenced with spirit. The Americans rather gained ground on +the right where Colonel Butler commanded, until a large body of +Indians passing through the skirt of the marsh turned their left +flank, which was composed of militia, and poured a heavy and most +destructive fire on their rear. The word "re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>treat" was pronounced by +some person, and the efforts of the officers to check it were +unavailing. The fate of the day was decided, and a flight commenced on +the left which was soon followed by the right. As soon as the line was +broken, the Indians, throwing down their rifles and rushing upon them +with the tomahawk, completed the confusion. The attempt of Colonel +Butler and of the officers to restore order were unavailing, and the +whole line broke and fled in confusion. The massacre was general, and +the cries for mercy were answered by the tomahawk. Rather less than +sixty men escaped, some to Forty fort, some by swimming the river, and +some to the mountain. A very few prisoners were made, only three of +whom were preserved alive, who were carried to Niagara.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Colonel Dennison capitulates for the inhabitants.</div> + +<p>Further resistance was impracticable, Colonel Dennison proposed terms +of capitulation, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> were granted to the inhabitants. It being +understood that no quarter would be allowed to the continental troops, +Colonel Butler with his few surviving soldiers fled from the valley.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Distress of the settlement.</div> + +<p>The inhabitants generally abandoned the country, and, in great +distress, wandered into the settlements on the Lehigh and the +Delaware. The Indians, as is the practice of savages, destroyed the +houses and improvements by fire, and plundered the country. After +laying waste the whole settlement, they withdrew from it before the +arrival of the continental troops, who were detached to meet them.</p> + +<p>To cover every part of the United States would have required a much +greater number of men than could be raised. Different districts were +therefore unavoidably exposed to the calamities ever to be experienced +by those into the bosom of whose country war is carried. The militia +in every part of the Union, fatigued and worn out by repeated tours of +duty, required to be relieved by continental troops. Their +applications were necessarily resisted; but the danger which +threatened the western frontier had become so imminent; the appeal +made by its sufferings to national feeling was so affecting, that it +was determined to spare a more considerable portion of the army for +its defence, than had been allotted to that part of the Union, since +the capture of Burgoyne. On the first intelligence of the destruction +of Wyoming, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> regiments of Hartley and Butler, with the remnant of +Morgan's corps, commanded by Major Posey, were detached to the +protection of that distressed country. <span class="sidenoteb">July 15.</span>They were engaged in several +sharp skirmishes, made separate incursions into the Indian +settlements, broke up their nearest villages, destroyed their corn, +and by compelling them to retire to a greater distance, gave some +relief to the inhabitants.</p> + +<p>While the frontiers of New York and Pennsylvania were thus suffering +the calamities incident to savage warfare, a fate equally severe was +preparing for Virginia. The western militia of that state had made +some successful incursions into the country north-west of the Ohio, +and had taken some British posts on the Mississippi. These were +erected in the county of Illinois; and a regiment of infantry, with a +troop of cavalry, were raised for its protection. The command of these +troops was given to Colonel George Rogers Clarke, a gentleman whose +courage, hardihood, and capacity for Indian warfare, had given +repeated success to his enterprises against the savages.</p> + +<p>This corps was divided into several detachments, the strongest of +which remained with Colonel Clarke at Kaskaskia. Colonel Hamilton, the +Governor of Detroit, was at Vincennes with about six hundred men, +principally Indians, preparing an expedition, first against Kaskaskia, +and then up the Ohio to Pittsburg; after which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> he purposed to +desolate the frontiers of Virginia. Clarke anticipated and defeated +his design by one of those bold and decisive measures, which, whether +formed on a great or a small scale, mark the military and enterprising +genius of the man who plans and executes them.</p> + +<p>He was too far removed from the inhabited country to hope for support, +and was too weak to maintain Kaskaskia and the Illinois against the +combined force of regulars and Indians by which he was to be attacked +so soon as the season for action should arrive. While employed in +preparing for his defence, he received unquestionable information that +Hamilton had detached his Indians on an expedition against the +frontiers, reserving at the post he occupied only about eighty +regulars, with three pieces of cannon and some swivels. <span class="sidenotey">1779 February.</span>Clarke +instantly resolved to seize this favourable moment. After detaching a +small galley up the Wabash with orders to take her station a few miles +below Vincennes, and to permit nothing to pass her, he marched in the +depth of winter with one hundred and thirty men, the whole force he +could collect, across the country from Kaskaskia to Vincennes. This +march, through the woods, and over high waters, required sixteen days, +five of which were employed in crossing the drowned lands of the +Wabash. The troops were under the necessity of wading five miles in +water, frequently up to their breasts. After subduing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> these +difficulties, <span class="sidenote">Colonel Clarke surprises St. Vincents, and takes +possession of it.</span>this small party appeared before the town, which was +completely surprised, and readily consented to change its master. +Hamilton, after defending the fort a short time, surrendered himself +and his garrison prisoners of war. With a few of his immediate agents +and counsellors, who had been instrumental in the savage barbarities +he had encouraged, he was, by order of the executive of Virginia, put +in irons, and confined in a jail.</p> + +<p>This expedition was important in its consequences. It disconcerted a +plan which threatened destruction to the whole country west of the +Alleghany mountains; detached from the British interest many of those +numerous tribes of Indians south of the waters immediately +communicating with the great lakes; and had, most probably, +considerable influence in fixing the western boundary of the United +States.</p> + + +<p>We have already seen that congress, actuated by their wishes rather +than governed by a temperate calculation of the means in their +possession, had, in the preceding winter, planned a second invasion of +Canada, to be conducted by the Marquis de Lafayette; and that, as the +generals only were got in readiness for this expedition, it was +necessarily laid aside. The design, however, seems to have been +suspended, not abandoned. The alliance with France revived the latent +wish to annex that extensive territory to the United States. That +favourite subject<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> was resumed; <span class="sidenote">Congress determine to attack Canada, and the other British +possessions in North America.</span>and, towards autumn, a plan was +completely digested for a combined attack to be made by the allies on +all the British dominions on the continent, and on the adjacent +islands of Cape Breton and Newfoundland. This plan was matured about +the time the Marquis de Lafayette obtained leave to return to his own +country, and was ordered to be transmitted by that nobleman to Doctor +Franklin, the minister of the United States at the court of +Versailles, with instructions to induce, if possible, the French +cabinet to accede to it. Some communications respecting this subject +were also made to the Marquis, on whose influence in securing its +adoption by his own government, much reliance was placed; and, in +October, 1778, it was, for the first time, transmitted to General +Washington, with a request that he would inclose it by the Marquis, +with his observations on it, to Doctor Franklin.</p> + +<p>This very extensive plan of military operations for the ensuing +campaign, prepared entirely in the cabinet, without consulting, so far +as is known, a single military man, consisted of many parts.</p> + +<p>Two detachments, amounting, each, to sixteen hundred men, were to +march from Pittsburg and Wyoming against Detroit, and Niagara.</p> + +<p>A third body of troops, which was to be stationed on the Mohawk during +the winter, and to be powerfully reinforced in the spring, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> to +seize Oswego, and to secure the navigation of Lake Ontario with +vessels to be constructed of materials to be procured in the winter.</p> + +<p>A fourth corps was to penetrate into Canada by the St. Francis, and to +reduce Montreal, and the posts on Lake Champlain, while a fifth should +guard against troops from Quebec.</p> + +<p>Thus far America could proceed unaided by her ally. But, Upper Canada +being reduced, another campaign would still be necessary for the +reduction of Quebec. This circumstance would require that the army +should pass the winter in Canada, and, in the mean time, the garrison +of Quebec might be largely reinforced. It was therefore essential to +the complete success of the enterprise, that France should be induced +to take a part in it.</p> + +<p>The conquest of Quebec, and of Halifax, was supposed to be an object +of so much importance to France as well as to the United States, that +her aid might be confidently expected.</p> + +<p>It was proposed to request his Most Christian Majesty to furnish four +or five thousand troops, to sail from Brest, the beginning of May, +under convoy of four ships of the line and four frigates; the troops +to be clad as if for service in the West Indies, and thick clothes to +be sent after them in August. A large American detachment was to act +with this French army; and it was supposed that Quebec and Halifax +might be reduced by the beginning or middle of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> October. The army +might then either proceed immediately against Newfoundland, or remain +in garrison until the spring, when the conquest of that place might be +accomplished.</p> + +<p>It had been supposed probable that England would abandon the farther +prosecution of the war on the continent of North America, in which +case the government would have a respectable force at its disposal, +the advantageous employment of which had engaged in part the attention +of the Commander-in-chief. He had contemplated an expedition against +the British posts in Upper Canada as a measure which might be +eventually eligible, and which might employ the arms of the United +States to advantage, if their troops might safely be withdrawn from +the sea board. He had, however, considered every object of this sort +as contingent. Having estimated the difficulties to be encountered in +such an enterprise, he had found them so considerable as to hesitate +on the extent which might safely be given to the expedition, admitting +the United States to be evacuated by the British armies.</p> + +<p>In this state of mind, he received the magnificent plan already +prepared by congress. He was forcibly struck with the impracticability +of executing that part of it which was to be undertaken by the United +States, should the British armies continue in their country; and with +the serious mischief which would result to the common cause, as well +from diverting so consider<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>able a part of the French force from other +objects to one which was, in his opinion, so unpromising, as from the +ill impression which would be made on the court and nation by the +total failure of the American government to execute its part of a plan +originating with itself; a failure which would, most probably, +sacrifice the troops and ships employed by France.</p> + +<p>On comparing the naval force of England with that of France in the +different parts of the world, the former appeared to him to maintain a +decided superiority, and consequently to possess the power of shutting +up the ships of the latter which might be trusted into the St. +Lawrence. To suppose that the British government would not avail +itself of this superiority on such an occasion, would be to impute to +it a blind infatuation, or ignorance of the plans of its adversary, +which could not be safely assumed in calculations of such serious +import.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General Washington urges reasons against the plan.</div> + +<p>A plan too, consisting of so many parts, to be prosecuted both from +Europe and America, by land and by water; which, to be successful, +required such a harmonious co-operation of the whole, such a perfect +coincidence of events, appeared to him to be exposed to too many +accidents, to risk upon it interests of such high value.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p><a name="image04" id="image04"></a></p> +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img alt="George Washington" title="George Washington" src="images/image04.jpg" height="573" width="372" /></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> <b>George Washington</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>From the portrait by John Trumbull</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Colonel Trumbull, whose portraits of Washington, Hamilton, Jay, +Adams, George Clinton and other Revolutionary contemporaries form a +notable gallery, was General Washington's aide-de-camp at the outbreak +of the War for Independence, and during its progress became a pupil of +Benjamin West, in London. The news of André's execution fastened upon +him the suspicion of being a spy, and he spent eight months in an +English prison. Returning to America he painted this and other +portraits of Washington, as well as a number of historical pictures, +including the "Resignation of Washington at Annapolis," which hangs in +the Capitol at Washington.</i></p></div> + +<p> </p> + +<p>In a long and serious letter to congress, he apologized for not +obeying their orders to deliver the plan with his observations upon it +to the Marquis; and, entering into a full investigation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> of all its +parts, demonstrated the mischiefs, and the dangers, with which it was +replete. This letter was referred to a committee, whose report admits +the force of the reasons urged by the Commander-in-chief against the +expedition, and their own conviction that nothing important could be +attempted unless the British armies should be withdrawn from the +United States; and that, even in that event, the present plan was far +too complex.</p> + +<p>Men, however, recede slowly and reluctantly from favourite and +flattering projects on which they have long meditated; and the +committee, in their report, proceeded to state the opinion that the +posts held by the British in the United States would probably be +evacuated before the active part of the ensuing campaign; and that, +therefore, eventual measures for the expedition ought to be taken.</p> + +<p>This report concludes with recommending "that the general should be +directed to write to the Marquis de Lafayette on that subject; and +also to write to the minister of these states at the court of +Versailles very fully, to the end that eventual measures may be taken, +in case an armament should be sent from France to Quebec, for +co-operating therewith, to the utmost degree, which the finances and +resources of these states will admit."</p> + +<p>This report also was approved by congress, and transmitted to the +Commander-in-chief;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> who felt himself greatly embarrassed by it. While +his objections to the project retained all their force, he found +himself required to open a correspondence for the purposes of +soliciting the concurrence of France in an expedition he disapproved, +and of promising a co-operation he believed to be impracticable. In +reply to this communication, he said, "The earnest desire I have +strictly to comply in every instance, with the views and instructions +of congress, can not but make me feel the greatest uneasiness, when I +find myself in circumstances of hesitation or doubt, with respect to +their directions. But the perfect confidence I have in the justice and +candour of that honourable body, emboldens me to communicate, without +reserve, the difficulties which occur in the execution of their +present order; and the indulgence I have experienced on every former +occasion, induces me to imagine that the liberty I now take will not +meet with disapprobation."</p> + +<p>After reviewing the report of the committee, and stating his +objections to the plan, and the difficulties he felt in performing the +duty assigned to him, he added, "But if congress still think it +necessary for me to proceed in the business, I must request their more +definitive and explicit instructions, and that they will permit me, +previous to transmitting the intended despatches, to submit them to +their determination.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I could wish to lay before congress more minutely the state of the +army, the condition of our supplies, and the requisites necessary for +carrying into execution an undertaking that may involve the most +serious events. If congress think this can be done more satisfactorily +in a personal conference, I hope to have the army in such a situation +before I can receive their answer, as to afford me an opportunity of +giving my attendance."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Induces Congress to abandon it.</div> + +<p>Congress acceded to his request of a personal interview; and, on his +arrival in Philadelphia, a committee was appointed to confer with him, +as well on this particular subject as on the general state of the army +and of the country.</p> + +<p>The result of these conferences was, that the expedition against +Canada was entirely, though reluctantly,<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> given up, and every +arrangement recommended by the Commander-in-chief, received the +attention to which his judgment and experience gave all his opinions +the fairest claim.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>Divisions in Congress.... Letters of General Washington on +the state of public affairs.... Invasion of Georgia.... +General Howe defeated by Colonel Campbell.... Savannah +taken.... Sunbury surrenders.... Georgia reduced.... General +Lincoln takes command of the Southern army.... Major +Gardiner defeated by General Moultrie.... Insurrection of +the Tories in South Carolina.... They are defeated by +Colonel Pickens.... Ash surprised and defeated.... Moultrie +retreats.... Prevost marches to Charleston.... Lincoln +attacks the British at Stono Ferry unsuccessfully.... +Invasion of Virginia.</b></p></div> + +<p> </p> + + +<div class="sidenotey">1779</div> + +<p><span class="lgsmcap">After</span> the relinquishment of that extensive plan of conquest which +had been meditated against Canada, no other object seemed to call +forth the energies of the nation, and a general languor appeared to +diffuse itself through all the civil departments. The alliance with +France was believed to secure independence; and a confidence that +Britain could no longer prosecute the war with any hope of success—a +confidence encouraged by communications from Europe—prevented those +exertions which were practicable, but which it was painful to make. +This temper was seen and deplored by the Commander-in-chief, who +incessantly combated the opinion that Britain was about to relinquish +the contest, and insisted that great and vigorous exertions on the +part of the United States were still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> necessary to bring the war to a +successful termination.</p> + +<p>It being no longer practicable to engage soldiers by voluntary +enlistment, and government not daring to force men into the service +for three years, or during the war, the vacant ranks were scantily +supplied with drafts for nine, twelve, and eighteen months. A great +proportion of the troops were discharged in the course of each year; +and, except that the old officers remained, almost a new army was to +be formed for every campaign.</p> + +<p>Although the Commander-in-chief pressed congress and the state +governments continually and urgently, to take timely measures for +supplying the places of those who were leaving the service, the means +adopted were so slow and ineffectual in their operation, that the +season for action never found the preparations completed; and the +necessity of struggling against superior numbers was perpetual.</p> + +<p>The pleasing delusion that the war was over, to which the public mind +delighted to surrender itself, made no impression on the judgment of +Washington. Viewing objects through a more correct medium, he +perceived that Great Britain had yet much to hope, and America much to +fear, from a continuance of hostilities. He feared that the impression +which the divisions, and apparent inertness of the United States had +made on the British commissioners, would be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> communicated to their +government; and this consideration increased his anxiety in favour of +early and vigorous preparations for the next campaign. Yet it was not +until the 23d of January that congress passed the resolution, +authorizing the Commander-in-chief to re-enlist the army, nor, until +the 9th of March, that the requisition was made on the several states +for their quotas. The bounty offered by the first resolution being +found insufficient, the government was again under the necessity of +resorting to the states. Thus, at a season when the men ought to have +been in camp, the measures for raising them were still to be adopted.</p> + +<p>About this period, several circumstances conspired to foment those +pernicious divisions and factions in congress, which, in times of +greater apparent danger, patriotism would have suppressed.</p> + +<p>The ministers of the United States, in Europe, had reciprocally +criminated each other, and some of them had been recalled. <span class="sidenote">Divisions in congress.</span>Their +friends in congress supported their respective interests with +considerable animation; and, at length, Mr. Deane published a +manifesto, in which he arraigned at the bar of the public, the conduct +not only of those concerned in foreign negotiations, but of the +members of Congress themselves.</p> + +<p>The irritation excited by these and other contests was not a little +increased by the appearance, in a New York paper, of an extract from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +a letter written by Mr. Laurens, the president of congress, to +Governor Huiston, of Georgia, which, during the invasion of that +state, was found among his papers. In this letter, Mr. Laurens had +unbosomed himself with the unsuspecting confidence of a person +communicating to a friend the inmost operations of his mind. In a +gloomy moment, he had expressed himself with a degree of severity, +which even his own opinion, when not under the immediate influence of +chagrin, would not entirely justify, and had reflected on the +integrity and patriotism of members, without particularizing the +individuals he designed to censure.</p> + +<p>These altercations added much to the alarm with which General +Washington viewed that security which had insinuated itself into the +public mind; and his endeavours were unremitting to impress the same +apprehensions on those who were supposed capable of removing the +delusion. In his confidential letters to gentlemen of the most +influence in the several states, he represented in strong terms the +dangers which yet threatened the country, and earnestly exhorted them +to a continuance of those sacrifices and exertions which he still +deemed essential to the happy termination of the war. The dissensions +in congress; the removal of individuals of the highest influence and +character from the councils of the nation to offices in the respective +states; the depreciation of the currency; the destructive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> spirit of +speculation which the imaginary gain produced by this depreciation had +diffused throughout the Union; a general laxity of principles; and an +unwillingness to encounter personal inconvenience for the attainment +of the great object, in pursuit of which so much blood and treasure +had been expended; were the rocks on which, he apprehended, the state +vessel might yet split, and to which he endeavoured, incessantly, to +point the attention of those whose weight of political character +enable them to guide the helm.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Letters from General Washington on the state of public +affairs.</div> + +<p>"I am particularly desirous of a free communication of sentiments with +you at this time," says the General in a letter written to a gentleman +of splendid political talents, "because I view things very +differently, I fear, from what people in general do, who seem to think +the contest at an end, and that to make money, and get places, are the +only things now remaining to be done. I have seen without despondency, +even for a moment, the hours which America has styled her gloomy ones; +but I have beheld no day since the commencement of hostilities, when I +have thought her liberties in such imminent danger as at present. +Friends and foes seem now to combine to pull down the goodly fabric we +have hitherto been raising at the expense of so much time, blood, and +treasure."</p> + +<p>After censuring with some freedom the prevailing opinions of the day, +he added, "To me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> it appears no unjust simile to compare the affairs +of this great continent to the mechanism of a clock, each state +representing some one or other of the smaller parts of it, which they +are endeavouring to put in fine order, without considering how useless +and unavailing their labour is, unless the great wheel, or spring, +which is to set the whole in motion, is also well attended to, and +kept in good order. I allude to no particular state, nor do I mean to +cast reflections upon any one of them, nor ought I, it may be said, to +do so on their representatives; but, as it is a fact too notorious to +be concealed, that congress is rent by party; that much business of a +trifling nature and personal concernment, withdraws their attention +from matters of great national moment at this critical period; when it +is also known that idleness and dissipation take place of close +attention and application, no man who wishes well to the liberties of +this country, and desires to see its rights established, can avoid +crying out—where are our men of abilities? Why do they not come forth +to save their country? Let this voice, my dear sir, call upon you, +Jefferson, and others. Do not, from a mistaken opinion that we are to +sit down under our vine and our own fig-tree, let our hitherto noble +struggle end in ignominy. Believe me when I tell you there is danger +of it. I have pretty good reasons for thinking that administration, a +little while ago, had resolved to give the matter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> up, and negotiate a +peace with us upon almost any terms; but I shall be much mistaken if +they do not now, from the present state of our currency, dissensions, +and other circumstances, push matters to the utmost extremity. Nothing +I am sure will prevent it but the intervention of Spain, and their +disappointed hope from Russia."</p> + +<p>The circumstances in the situation and temper of America, which made +so deep an impression on the Commander-in-chief, operated with equal +force on the British commissioners, and induced them to think that, by +continuing the war, more favourable terms than were now demanded might +be obtained. They seem to have taken up the opinion that the mass of +the people, fatigued and worn out by the complicated calamities of the +struggle, sincerely desired an accommodation on the terms proposed by +Great Britain; and that the increasing difficulties resulting from the +failure of public credit, would induce them to desert congress, or +compel that body to accede to those terms. These opinions, when +communicated to the government, most probably contributed to protract +the war.</p> + +<p>The narrative of military transactions will now be resumed.</p> + +<p>The British arms had heretofore been chiefly directed against the +northern and middle states. The strongest parts of the American +continent were pressed by their whole force; and, with the exception +of the attempt on Sullivan's island in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> 1776, no serious design had +yet been manifested to make an impression in the south. Entertaining +the most confident hopes of recovering all the colonies, the British +government had not prosecuted the war with a view to partial conquest. +But the loss of the army commanded by Burgoyne, the alliance of +America with France, and the unexpected obstinacy with which the +contest was maintained, had diminished their confidence; and, when the +pacific propositions made in 1778 were rejected, the resolution seems +to have been taken to change, materially, the object of their military +operations; and, maintaining possession of the islands of New York, to +direct their arms against the southern states, on which, it was +believed, a considerable impression might be made.</p> + +<p>It was not unreasonable to suppose that the influence of this +impression might extend northward; but, however this might be, the +actual conquest and possession of several states would, when +negotiations for a general peace should take place, give a complexion +to those negotiations, and afford plausible ground for insisting to +retain territory already acquired. The most active and interesting +operations therefore of the succeeding campaigns, were in the southern +states.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, who sailed from the Hook about the last +of November, 1778, escorted by a small squadron commanded by +Com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>modore Hyde Parker, reached the isle of Tybee, near the Savannah, +on the 23d of December; and, in a few days, the fleet and the +transports passed the bar, and anchored in the river.</p> + +<p>The command of the southern army, composed of the troops of South +Carolina and Georgia, had been committed to Major General Robert Howe, +who, in the course of the preceding summer, had invaded East +Florida.<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> The diseases incident to the climate made such ravages +among his raw soldiers, that, though he had scarcely seen an enemy, he +found himself compelled to hasten out of the country with considerable +loss. After this disastrous enterprise, his army, consisting of +between six and seven hundred continental troops, aided by a few +hundred militia, had encamped in the neighbourhood of the town of +Savannah, situated on the southern bank of the river bearing that +name. The country about the mouth of the river is one tract of deep +marsh, intersected by creeks and cuts of water, impassable for troops +at any time of the tide, except over causeways extending through the +sunken ground.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Invasion of Georgia.</div> + +<p>Without much opposition, Lieutenant Colonel Campbell effected a +landing on the 29th, about three miles below the town; upon which Howe +formed his line of battle. His left was secured by the river; and +along the whole extent of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> front was a morass which stretched to +his right, and was believed by him to be impassable for such a +distance, as effectually to secure that wing.</p> + +<p>After reconnoitring the country, Colonel Campbell advanced on the +great road leading to Savannah; and, about three in the afternoon, +appeared in sight of the American army. While making dispositions to +dislodge it, he accidentally fell in with a negro, who informed him of +a private path leading through the swamp, round the right of the +American lines to their rear. Determining to avail himself of this +path, he detached a column under Sir James Baird, which entered the +morass unperceived by Howe.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General Howe defeated by the British under Colonel +Campbell, who takes possession of Savannah.</div> + +<p>As soon as Sir James emerged from the swamp, he attacked and dispersed +a body of Georgia militia, which gave the first notice to the American +general of the danger which threatened his rear. At the same instant, +the British troops in his front were put in motion, and their +artillery began to play upon him. A retreat was immediately ordered; +and the continental troops were under the necessity of running across +a plain, in front of the corps which had been led into their rear by +Sir James Baird, who attacked their flanks with great impetuosity, and +considerable effect. The few who escaped, retreated up the Savannah; +and, crossing that river at Zubly's ferry, took refuge in South +Carolina.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> + +<p>The victory was complete, and decisive in its consequences. About one +hundred Americans were either killed in the field, or drowned in +attempting to escape through a deep swamp. Thirty-eight officers, and +four hundred and fifteen privates, were taken. Forty-eight pieces of +cannon, twenty-three mortars, the fort with all its military-stores, a +large quantity of provisions collected for the use of the army, and +the capital of Georgia, fell into the hands of the conqueror. These +advantages were obtained at the expense of only seven killed, and +nineteen wounded.</p> + +<p>No military force now remained in Georgia, except the garrison of +Sunbury, whose retreat to South Carolina was cut off. All the lower +part of that state was occupied by the British, who adopted measures +to secure the conquest they had made. The inhabitants were treated +with a lenity as wise as it was humane. Their property was spared, and +their persons protected. To make the best use of victory, and of the +impression produced by the moderation of the victors, a proclamation +was issued, inviting the inhabitants to repair to the British +standard, and offering protection to those who would return to their +allegiance.</p> + +<p>The effect of these measures did not disappoint those who adopted +them. The inhabitants flocked in great numbers to the royal standard; +military corps for the protection of the country<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> were formed; and +posts were established for a considerable distance up the river.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sunbury surrenders to General Prevost.</div> + +<p>The northern frontier of Georgia being supposed to be settled into a +state of quiet, Colonel Campbell turned his attention towards Sunbury, +and was about to proceed against that place, when he received +intelligence that it had surrendered to General Prevost.</p> + +<p>Sir Henry Clinton had ordered that officer to co-operate from East +Florida, with Colonel Campbell. On hearing that the troops from the +north were off the coast, he entered the southern frontier of Georgia, +and invested Sunbury, which, after a slight resistance, surrendered at +discretion. <span class="sidenote">The State of Georgia reduced.</span>Having placed a garrison in the fort, he proceeded to +Savannah, took command of the army, and detached Colonel Campbell with +eight hundred regulars and a few provincials to Augusta, which fell +without resistance, and thus the whole state of Georgia was reduced.</p> + +<p>While the expedition conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Campbell was +preparing at New York, congress was meditating the conquest of East +Florida.</p> + +<p>The delegates of South Carolina and Georgia, anxious that a general of +more experience than Howe should command in the southern department, +had earnestly pressed that he should be recalled, and that General +Lincoln, whose military reputation was high, should be appointed to +succeed him. In compliance with their solicita<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>tions, Howe was ordered +in September, 1778, to repair to the head quarters of General +Washington, and Lincoln was directed to proceed immediately to +Charleston, in South Carolina, in order to take command in the +southern department. <span class="sidenote">General Lincoln takes the command of the southern army.</span>In pursuance of this resolution, General Lincoln +repaired to Charleston, where he found the military affairs of the +country in a state of utter derangement. Congress had established no +continental military chest in the southern department. This omission +produced a dependence on the government of the state for supplies to +move the army on any emergency, and consequent subjection of the +troops in continental service to its control. The militia, though +taken into continental service, considered themselves as subject only +to the military code of the state. These regulations threatened to +embarrass all military operations, and to embroil the general with the +civil government.</p> + +<p>While Lincoln was labouring to make arrangements for the ensuing +campaign, he received intelligence of the appearance of the enemy off +the coast. The militia of North Carolina, amounting to two thousand +men, commanded by Generals Ash and Rutherford, had already reached +Charleston; but were unarmed, and congress had been unable to provide +magazines in this part of the Union. These troops were, therefore, +entirely dependent on South Carolina for every military equipment; and +arms<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> were not delivered to them until it was too late to save the +capital of Georgia.</p> + +<p>So soon as it was ascertained that the British fleet had entered the +Savannah river, General Lincoln proceeded with the utmost expedition +towards the scene of action. On his march, he received intelligence of +the victory gained over General Howe; and was soon afterwards joined +by the remnant of the defeated army at Purysburg, a small town on the +north side of the Savannah, where he established his head quarters.</p> + +<p>The regular force commanded by General Prevost must have amounted to +at least three thousand effective men; and this number was increased +by irregulars who had joined him in Georgia. The American army rather +exceeded three thousand six hundred men, of whom not quite two +thousand five hundred were effective. Something more than one thousand +were continental troops, part of whom were new levies; the rest were +militia.</p> + +<p>The theatre of action was so well adapted to defensive war, that, +although General Prevost was decidedly superior to his adversary, it +was difficult to extend his conquests into South Carolina. <span class="sidenote">Major Gardiner defeated by General Moultrie.</span>With the +view of entering that state by the way of the sea coast, he detached +Major Gardiner with about two hundred men, to take possession of the +island of Port Royal. That officer, soon after reaching his place of +destina<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>tion, was attacked by General Moultrie, and compelled to +retreat with considerable loss. This repulse checked the designs of +Prevost on South Carolina.</p> + +<p>From the commencement of the war, a considerable proportion of the +western inhabitants of the three southern states had been attached to +the royal cause. The first successes of the British were soon +communicated to them, and they were invited to assemble and join the +king's standard at Augusta. <span class="sidenote">Insurrection of the Tories in South Carolina, who are +defeated by Colonel Pickens.</span>About seven hundred embodied themselves on +the frontiers of South Carolina, and began their march to that place. +They were overtaken by Colonel Pickens at the head of the neighbouring +militia, near Kittle Creek, and defeated with considerable loss. +Colonel Boyd, their leader, was among the slain; and several of those +who escaped were apprehended, tried, and five of them executed as +traitors. About three hundred reached the British out-posts, and +joined the royal standard. This defeat broke the spirits of the Tories +for a time; and preserved quiet in the west.</p> + +<p>As the American army gained strength by reinforcements of militia, +General Lincoln began to contemplate offensive operations. A +detachment had been stationed nearly opposite to Augusta under General +Ash, and he purposed joining that officer so soon as a sufficient +force could be collected, and attempting to recover the upper parts of +Georgia. Before he was able to execute<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> this plan, General Prevost +withdrew his troops from Augusta to Hudson's Ferry. Ash was then +ordered to cross the Savannah, and take post near the confluence of +Briar Creek with that river. This camp was thought unassailable. Its +left was covered by a deep swamp, and by the Savannah. The front was +secured by Briar Creek, which is unfordable several miles, and makes +an acute angle with the river.</p> + +<p>Having determined to dislodge the Americans from this position, +Prevost kept up the attention of General Lincoln by the semblance of a +design to cross the Savannah; and, at the same time amused General Ash +with a feint on his front, while Lieutenant Colonel Prevost made a +circuit of about fifty miles, and, crossing Briar Creek fifteen miles +above the ground occupied by Ash, came down, unperceived and +unsuspected, on his rear. <span class="sidenote">Ash surprised and defeated by Prevost.</span>Ash, unused to the stratagems of war, was so +completely engaged by the manœuvres in his front, that Lieutenant +Colonel Prevost was almost in his camp before any intelligence of his +approach was received. The continental troops under General Elbert +were drawn out to oppose him, and commenced the action with great +gallantry; but most of the militia threw away their arms and fled in +confusion. As they precipitated themselves into the swamp and swam the +river, not many of them were taken. General Elbert and his small band +of continental troops, aided by one regiment of North Carolina<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +militia, were soon overpowered by numbers, and the survivors were +compelled to surrender themselves prisoners of war. The killed and +taken amounted to between three and four hundred men. General Elbert +and Colonel M'Intosh were among the latter. But the loss sustained by +the American army was much more considerable. The dispersed militia +returned to their homes; and not more than four hundred and fifty of +them could be reassembled.</p> + +<p>This victory was supposed to give the British such complete possession +of Georgia, that a proclamation was issued the succeeding day by +General Prevost, establishing civil government, and appointing +executive and judicial officers to administer it.</p> + +<p>These disasters, instead of terrifying South Carolina into submission, +animated that state to greater exertions. Mr. John Rutledge, a +gentleman of great talents and decision, was elected governor; and the +legislature passed an act empowering him and the council to do every +thing that appeared to him and them necessary for the public good. All +the energies of the state were drawn forth. The militia were called +out in great numbers, and the laws for their government were rendered +more severe.<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></p> + +<p>Thus reinforced, General Lincoln resumed his plan for recovering the +upper parts of Georgia;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> and marched the main body of his army up the +Savannah.</p> + +<p>This river was now swelled greatly beyond its usual limits; and the +swamps, marshes, and creeks which intersect the country being full, +seemed to present an almost impassable barrier to an invading army. A +small military force being deemed sufficient to arrest the progress of +an enemy through a route which, if at all practicable, was so +difficult, about eight hundred of the state militia, aided by two +hundred continental troops, were left with General Moultrie for the +defence of the country.</p> + +<p>Aware of the importance of this movement, and hoping to recall Lincoln +by alarming him for the safety of Charleston, <span class="sidenote">Prevost compels Moultrie to retreat.</span>General Prevost suddenly +crossed the Savannah with three thousand men; and, advancing rapidly +on General Moultrie, obliged him to retreat with precipitation. The +militia could not be prevailed on to defend the passes with any degree +of firmness; and Moultrie, instead of drawing aid from the surrounding +country, sustained an alarming diminution of numbers by desertion.</p> + +<p>On the passage of the river by Prevost, an express had been despatched +to Lincoln with the intelligence. Persuaded that the British general +could meditate no serious attempt on Charleston, and that the real +object was to induce him to abandon the enterprise in which he was +engaged, he detached a reinforcement of three hundred<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> light troops to +aid Moultrie, and crossing the Savannah himself, continued his march +down the south side of that river towards the capital of Georgia.</p> + +<p>Though the original purpose of General Prevost had been limited to the +security of Georgia, the opposition he encountered was so much less +than he had expected; the tenour of the country was so apparent; the +assurances of those who flocked to his standard; of the general +disposition of the people to terminate the calamities of war by +submission, were so often and so confidently repeated, <span class="sidenote">Prevost marches to Charleston.</span>that he was +emboldened to extend his views, and to hazard the continuation of his +march to Charleston.</p> + +<p>On receiving intelligence of this threatening aspect of affairs in +South Carolina, Lincoln recrossed the Savannah, and hastened to the +relief of that state.</p> + +<p>The situation of Charleston was extremely critical. The inhabitants, +entirely unapprehensive of an attack by land, had directed their whole +attention to its protection against an invasion by sea. Had Prevost +continued his march with the rapidity with which it was commenced, the +place must have fallen. But, after having gained more than half the +distance, he halted, and consumed two or three days in deliberating on +his future measures. While his intelligence determined him to proceed, +and assured him of a state of things which rendered success almost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +certain, that state of things was rapidly changing. Fortifications on +the land side were commenced and prosecuted with unremitting labour; +the neighbouring militia were drawn into the town; the reinforcements +detached by General Lincoln, and the remnant of the legion of Pulaski +arrived; and the governor also entered the city, at the head of some +troops which had been stationed at Orangeburg.</p> + +<p>The next morning Prevost crossed Ashly River, and encamped just +without cannon shot of the works. The town was summoned to surrender, +and the day was spent in sending and receiving flags. The neutrality +of South Carolina during the war, leaving the question whether that +state should finally belong to Great Britain or the United States, to +be settled in the treaty of peace, was proposed by the garrison, and +rejected by Prevost; who required that they should surrender +themselves prisoners of war. This proposition being also rejected, the +garrison prepared to sustain an assault. But an attempt to carry the +works by storm was too hazardous to be made; and Prevost came to the +prudent resolution of decamping that night, and recrossing Ashly +River.</p> + +<p>The British army passed into the island of St. James, and thence to +that of St. John's, which lies south of Charleston harbour; soon after +which General Lincoln encamped in the neighbourhood, so as to confine +them in a great degree<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> to the island they occupied. This island is +separated from the main land by an inlet, to which the name of Stono +River has been given; and the communication is preserved by a ferry. A +British post was established upon the main land at this ferry, and +works were thrown up in front for its defence. When Prevost commenced +his retreat, and the troops were moving from island to island, the +occasion seemed a fair one for attacking it. Only eight hundred men, +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Maitland, defended it; but a large +corps still lay on the island. To prevent these troops from supporting +those on the main land, General Moultrie, who commanded in Charleston, +was ordered to pass over a body of militia into James's island, who +should amuse the enemy in St. John's, while a real attack should be +made on the post at the ferry. <span class="sidenote">Lincoln attacks the British at the ferry but without +success.</span>About seven in the morning, General +Lincoln commenced this attack with about one thousand men; and +continued it with great spirit, until he perceived that strong +reinforcements were crossing over from the island; when he called off +his troops, and retreated, unmolested, to his old ground.</p> + +<p>General Moultrie had been unable to execute that part of the plan +which devolved on him. Boats were not in readiness to convey the men +into James's island, and consequently the feint on St. John's was not +made.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> + +<p>The loss of the Americans, in killed and wounded, amounted to +twenty-four officers, and one hundred and twenty-five privates. That +of the British was stated to be rather less.</p> + +<p>Three days after this action, the posts at Stono and St. John's were +evacuated. The heat now became too excessive for active service; and +the British army, after establishing a post on the island contiguous +to Port Royal and St. Helena, retired into Georgia and St. Augustine.</p> + +<p>The American militia dispersed, leaving General Lincoln at the head of +about eight hundred men; with whom he retired to Sheldon, where his +primary object was to prepare for the next campaign, which it was +supposed would open in October.</p> + +<p>The invasion of the southern states wore so serious an aspect, that +Bland's regiment of cavalry, and the remnant of that lately Baylor's, +now commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Washington, with the new levies of +Virginia, were ordered to repair to Charleston, and to place +themselves under the command of General Lincoln. The execution of +these orders was for a time suspended by the invasion of Virginia.</p> + +<p>An expedition against that state had been concerted in the spring +between Sir Henry Clinton and Sir George Collier, the +Commander-in-chief of the British naval force on the American station. +<span class="sidenote">Invasion of Virginia by General Matthews.</span>The land troops assigned to this service were commanded by General +Matthews. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> transports, on board of which they embarked, were +convoyed by the Admiral in person. On the 9th of May the fleet entered +the Chesapeake, and the next day anchored in Hampton Roads.</p> + +<p>Virginia had raised a regiment of artillery for the performance of +garrison duty in the state, which had been distributed along the +eastern frontier; and slight fortifications had been constructed in +the most important situations, which were defensible on the side of +the water, but were not tenable against a military force strong enough +to act on land. Fort Nelson, on the west side of Elizabeth river, +garrisoned by about one hundred and fifty soldiers, commanded by Major +Matthews, was designed to protect the towns of Norfolk and Portsmouth, +which were on each side of the river just above it; and the town of +Gosport, which lies still higher up on a point of land intervening +between two branches of the river. Norfolk and Portsmouth were places +of the most considerable commerce in Virginia. Large supplies for the +army were deposited in them; and the state government had established +at Gosport a marine yard, where ships of war and other vessels were +building, for which naval stores were collected to a very great +amount. The destruction of these vessels and stores, constituted the +principal object of General Matthews.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the tenth, the fleet entered Elizabeth river, and +the troops were landed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> about three miles below the fort, without +opposition. Foreseeing that the works would be attacked the next +morning on the land side, the garrison evacuated the fort in the +night, and took refuge in a deep and extensive swamp, called the +Dismal, which could not be penetrated without difficulty, even by +single persons.</p> + +<p>The whole sea-board, on the south side of James' river, being now in +possession of General Matthews, he fixed his head quarters at +Portsmouth, whence small parties were detached to Norfolk, Gosport, +Kemps' landing, and Suffolk, where military and naval stores to a +great amount, and several vessels richly laden, fell into his hands.</p> + +<p>This invasion was of short duration. General Matthews, after +destroying the magazines which had been collected in the small towns +near the coast, and the vessels in the rivers, was ordered by Sir +Henry Clinton to return to New York, where he arrived towards the last +of May.</p> + +<p>The Admiral and General were both so impressed with the importance of +Portsmouth as a permanent station, that they united in representing to +the Commander-in-chief the advantages to be derived from keeping +possession of it. But, in the opinion of Sir Henry Clinton, the army +did not at that time admit of so many subdivisions; and, with a view +to more interesting objects, Portsmouth was evacuated.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>Discontents in a part of the American army.... Letter from +General Washington on the subject.... Colonel Van Schaick +destroys an Indian settlement.... Expedition against the +Indians meditated.... Fort Fayette surrendered to the +British.... Invasion of Connecticut.... General Wayne storms +Stony Point.... Expedition against Penobscot.... Powles Hook +surprised by Major Lee.... Arrival of Admiral Arbuthnot.... +Of the Count D'Estaing.... Siege of Savannah.... +Unsuccessful attempt to storm that place.... Siege +raised.... Victory of General Sullivan at Newtown.... Spain +offers her mediation to the belligerents.... Declares war +against England.... Letter from General Washington to +congress respecting the annual formation of the army.... The +army goes into winter quarters.</b></p></div> + +<p> </p> + + +<div class="sidenotey">1779</div> + +<p><span class="lgsmcap">The</span> barbarities committed by the Indians, in the course of the +preceding year, on the inhabitants of the western frontiers, had added +motives of mingled resentment and humanity to those of national +interest, for employing a larger force in the protection of that part +of the Union than had heretofore been devoted to it.</p> + +<p>General Washington had always believed that it was impossible to +defend the immense western frontier by any chain of posts which could +be established; and that the country would be protected much more +certainly by offensive than by defensive war. His plan was to +penetrate into the heart of the Indian settlements with a force +competent to the destruction of their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> towns; and also to reduce the +British post at Niagara, which gave its possessors an almost +irresistible influence over the six nations. This plan constituted one +of the various subjects of conference with the committee of congress +in Philadelphia, and received the entire approbation of that body.</p> + +<p>The state governments also took a strong interest in the protection of +their western settlements. Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania, +applied, severally, to congress, urging the adoption of such vigorous +measures as would secure the frontiers against a repetition of the +horrors which had been already perpetrated. These papers were referred +to the committee which had been appointed to confer with General +Washington, in conformity with whose report it was resolved, "that the +Commander-in-chief be directed to take efficient measures for the +protection of the inhabitants, and chastisement of the savages."</p> + +<p>The Six Nations had made some advances towards acquiring the comforts +of civilized life. Several comfortable houses were to be seen in their +populous villages; and their fertile fields and orchards yielded an +abundant supply of corn and fruit. Some few of their towns were +attached to the United States; but, in general, they were under the +influence of the British. Many of the loyalists had taken refuge among +them, and had added to their strength without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> diminishing their +ferocity. It was determined to lead a force into these villages, +sufficient to overpower any numbers they could possibly bring into the +field, and to destroy the settlements they had made. To guard against +reinforcements from Canada, means were used to inspire that colony +with fears for itself.</p> + +<p>As the army destined for this expedition was about to move, alarming +symptoms of discontent appeared in a part of it. The Jersey brigade, +which had been stationed during the winter at Elizabethtown, was +ordered early in May, to march by regiments. <span class="sidenote">Discontents in a part of the American army.</span>This order was answered +by a letter from General Maxwell, stating that the officers of the +first regiment had delivered a remonstrance to their Colonel, +addressed to the legislature of the state, declaring that, unless +their complaints on the subjects of pay and support should obtain the +immediate attention of that body, they were, at the expiration of +three days, to be considered as having resigned; and requesting the +legislature, in that event, to appoint other officers to succeed them. +They declared, however, their readiness to make every preparation for +obeying the orders which had been given, and to continue their +attention to the regiment until a reasonable time should elapse for +the appointment of their successors. "This," added the letter of +General Maxwell, "is a step they are extremely unwilling to take, but +it is such as I make no doubt they will all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> take; nothing but +necessity—their not being able to support themselves in time to come, +and being loaded with debts contracted in time past, could have +induced them to resign at so critical a juncture."</p> + +<p>The intelligence conveyed in this letter made a serious impression on +the Commander-in-chief. He was strongly attached to the army and to +its interests; had witnessed its virtue and its sufferings; and +lamented sincerely its present distresses. The justice of the +complaints made by the officers could no more be denied, than the +measure they had adopted could be approved. Relying on their +patriotism and on his own influence, he immediately wrote a letter to +General Maxwell, to be laid before them, in which, mingling the +sensibility of a friend with the authority of a general, he addressed +to their understanding and to their love of country, observations +calculated to invite their whole attention to the consequences which +must result from the step they were about to take.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Letter from General Washington on this subject.</div> + +<p>"The patience and perseverance of the army," proceeds the letter, +"have been, under every disadvantage, such as to do them the highest +honour both at home and abroad, and have inspired me with an unlimited +confidence of their virtue, which has consoled me amidst every +perplexity and reverse of fortune, to which our affairs, in a struggle +of this nature, were necessarily exposed. Now that we have made so +great a progress to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> the attainment of the end we have in view, so +that we can not fail without a most shameful desertion of our own +interests, any thing like a change of conduct would imply a very +unhappy change of principles, and a forgetfulness, as well of what we +owe to ourselves, as to our country. Did I suppose it possible this +could be the case, even in a single regiment of the army, I should be +mortified and chagrined beyond expression. I should feel it as a wound +given to my own honour, which I consider as embarked with that of the +army at large. But this I believe to be impossible. Any corps that was +about to set an example of the kind, would weigh well the +consequences; and no officer of common discernment and sensibility +would hazard them. If they should stand alone in it, independent of +other consequences, what would be their feelings on reflecting that +they had held themselves out to the world in a point of light inferior +to the rest of the army. Or if their example should be followed, and +become general, how could they console themselves for having been the +foremost in bringing ruin and disgrace upon their country. They would +remember that the army would share a double portion of the general +infamy and distress, and that the character of an American officer +would become as infamous as it is now glorious.</p> + +<p>"I confess the appearances in the present instance are disagreeable, +but I am convinced they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> seem to mean more than they really do. The +Jersey officers have not been outdone by any others in the qualities +either of citizens or soldiers; and I am confident, no part of them +would seriously intend any thing that would be a stain on their former +reputation. The gentlemen can not be in earnest; they have only +reasoned wrong about the means of obtaining a good end, and, on +consideration, I hope and flatter myself they will renounce what must +appear to be improper. At the opening of a campaign, when under +marching orders for an important service, their own honour, duty to +the public and to themselves, and a regard to military propriety, will +not suffer them to persist in a measure which would be a violation of +them all. It will even wound their delicacy, coolly to reflect that +they have hazarded a step, which has an air of dictating terms to +their country, by taking advantage of the necessity of the moment.</p> + +<p>"The declaration they have made to the state, at so critical a time, +that unless they obtain relief in the short period of three days, they +must be considered out of the service, has very much that aspect; and +the seeming relaxation of continuing until the state can have a +reasonable time to provide other officers, will be thought only a +superficial veil. I am now to request that you will convey my +sentiments to the gentlemen concerned, and endeavour to make them +sensible that they are in an error. The service for which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> the +regiment was intended will not admit of delay. It must at all events +march on Monday morning, in the first place to camp, and farther +directions will be given when it arrives. I am sure I shall not be +mistaken in expecting a prompt and cheerful obedience."</p> + +<p>The representations of this letter did not completely produce the +desired effect. The officers did not recede from their claims. In an +address to the Commander-in-chief, they expressed their unhappiness +that any act of theirs should give him pain, but proceeded to justify +the step they had taken. Repeated memorials had been presented to +their legislature, which had been received with promises of attention, +but had been regularly neglected. "At length," said they, "we have +lost all confidence in our legislature. Reason and experience forbid +that we should have any. Few of us have private fortunes; many have +families who already are suffering every thing that can be received +from an ungrateful country. Are we then to suffer all the +inconveniences, fatigues, and dangers of a military life, while our +wives and our children are perishing for want of common necessaries at +home;—and that without the most distant prospect of reward, for our +pay is now only nominal? We are sensible that your excellency can not +wish nor desire this from us.</p> + +<p>"We are sorry that you should imagine we meant to disobey orders. It +was and still is our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> determination to march with our regiment, and to +do the duty of officers until the legislature should have a reasonable +time to appoint others, but no longer.</p> + +<p>"We beg leave to assure your Excellency, that we have the highest +sense of your ability and virtues;—that executing your orders has +ever given us pleasure;—that we love the service, and we love our +country;—but when that country gets so lost to virtue and justice as +to forget to support its servants, it then becomes their duty to +retire from its service."</p> + +<p>This letter was peculiarly embarrassing. To adopt a stern course of +proceeding might hazard the loss of the Jersey line, an event not less +injurious to the service, than painful to himself. To take up the +subject without doing too much for the circumstances of the army, +would be doing too little for the occasion. He therefore declined +taking any other notice of the letter, than to declare through General +Maxwell that, while they continued to do their duty in conformity with +the determination they had expressed, he should only regret the part +they had taken, and should hope they would perceive its impropriety.</p> + +<p>The legislature of New Jersey, alarmed at the decisive step taken by +the officers, was at length induced to pay some attention to their +situation; they consenting, on their part, to withdraw their +remonstrance. In the meantime, they continued to perform their duty; +and their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> march was not delayed by this unpleasant altercation.</p> + +<p>In communicating this transaction to congress, General Washington took +occasion to remind that body of his having frequently urged the +absolute necessity of some general and adequate provision for the +officers of the army. "I shall only observe," continued the letter, +"that the distresses in some corps are so great, either where they +were not until lately attached to any particular state, or where the +state has been less provident, that the officers have solicited even +to be supplied with the clothing destined for the common soldiery, +coarse and unsuitable as it was. I had not power to comply with the +request.</p> + +<p>"The patience of men animated by a sense of duty and honour, will +support them to a certain point, beyond which it will not go. I doubt +not congress will be sensible of the danger of an extreme in this +respect, and will pardon my anxiety to obviate it."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Colonel Van Schaick surprises and destroys one of the Indian settlements.</div> + +<p>Before the troops destined for the grand expedition were put in +motion, an enterprise of less extent was undertaken, which was +completely successful. A plan for surprising the towns of the +Onondagas, one of the nearest of the hostile tribes, having been +formed by General Schuyler, and approved by the Commander-in-chief, +Colonel Van Schaick, assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Willet, and Major +Cochran, marched<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> from fort Schuyler on the morning of the 19th of +April, at the head of between five and six hundred men; and, on the +third day, reached the point of destination. The whole settlement was +destroyed, after which the detachment returned to fort Schuyler +without the loss of a single man. For this handsome display of talents +as a partisan, the thanks of congress were voted to Colonel Van +Schaick, and the officers and soldiers under his command.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Expedition against the Indians meditated.</div> + +<p>The cruelties exercised by the Indians in the course of the preceding +year, had given a great degree of importance to the expedition now +meditated against them; and the relative military strength and +situation of the two parties, rendered it improbable that any other +offensive operations could be carried on by the Americans in the +course of the present campaign. The army under the command of Sir +Henry Clinton, exclusive of the troops in the southern department, was +computed at between sixteen and seventeen thousand men. The American +army, the largest division of which lay at Middlebrook, under the +immediate command of General Washington, was rather inferior to that +of the British in real strength. The grand total, except those in the +southern and western country, including officers of every description, +amounted to about sixteen thousand. Three thousand of these were in +New England under the command of General Gates; and the remaining +thirteen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> thousand were cantoned on both sides the North River. The +bare statement of numbers, must show the incompetency of the American +army to the expulsion of the British from either New York or Rhode +Island. On their part, therefore, the plan of the campaign was, +necessarily, defensive; and the hazards and difficulties attending the +execution of even a defensive plan were considerable.</p> + +<p>Independent of an extensive coast, at all places accessible to the +invading army, the Hudson, penetrating deep into the country which was +to be the theatre of action, gave great advantages in their military +operations to those who commanded the water.</p> + +<p>After the destruction of forts Clinton and Montgomery in 1777, it had +been determined to construct the fortifications intended for the +future defence of the North River, at West Point, a position which, +being more completely embosomed in the hills, was deemed more +defensible. The works had been prosecuted with unremitting industry, +but were far from being completed.</p> + +<p>Some miles below West Point, about the termination of the Highlands, +is King's Ferry, where the great road, affording the most convenient +communication between the middle and eastern states, crosses the North +River. The ferry is completely commanded by the two opposite points of +land. That on the west side, a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> rough and elevated piece of ground, is +denominated Stony Point; and the other, on the east side, a flat neck +of land projecting far into the water, is called Verplank's Point. The +command of King's Ferry was an object worth the attention of either +army; and Washington had comprehended the points which protect it +within his plan of defence for the Highlands. A small but strong work, +termed fort Fayette, was completed at Verplank's, and was garrisoned +by a company commanded by Captain Armstrong. The works on Stony Point +were unfinished. As the season for active operations approached, Sir +Henry Clinton formed a plan for opening the campaign with a brilliant +<i>coup de main</i> up the North River; and, towards the latter end of May, +made preparations for the enterprise.</p> + +<p>These preparations were immediately communicated to General +Washington, who was confident that the British general meditated an +attack on the forts in the highlands, or designed to take a position +between those forts and Middlebrook, in order to interrupt the +communication between the different parts of the American army, to +prevent their reunion, and to beat them in detail. Measures were +instantly taken to counteract either of these designs. The +intelligence from New York was communicated to Generals Putnam and +M'Dougal, who were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to march; +and, on the 29th of May, the army<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> moved by divisions from Middlebrook +towards the highlands. <span class="sidenoteb">May.</span>On the 30th, the British army, commanded by Sir +Henry Clinton in person, and convoyed by Sir George Collier, proceeded +up the river; and General Vaughan, at the head of the largest +division, landed next morning, about eight miles below Verplank's. The +other division, under the particular command of General Patterson, but +accompanied by Sir Henry Clinton, advancing farther up, landed on the +west side within three miles of Stony Point.</p> + +<p>That place being immediately abandoned, General Patterson took +possession of it on the same afternoon. He dragged some heavy cannon +and mortars to the summit of the hill in the course of the night; and, +<span class="sidenoteb">June 1.</span>at five next morning, opened a battery on fort Fayette, at the +distance of about one thousand yards. During the following night, two +galleys passed the fort, and, anchoring above it, prevented the escape +of the garrison by water; while General Vaughan invested it closely by +land. <span class="sidenote">Fort Fayette surrendered to the British.</span>No means of defending the fort, or of saving themselves +remaining, the garrison became prisoners of war. Immediate directions +were given for completing the works at both posts, and for putting +Stony Point, in particular, in a strong state of defence.</p> + +<p>It is scarcely supposable that the views of Sir Henry Clinton in +moving up the river, were limited to this single acquisition. The +means employed were so disproportioned to the object,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> as to justify a +belief that he contemplated farther and more important conquests. +Whatever may have been his plans, the measures of precaution taken by +Washington counteracted their execution; and before Clinton was in a +situation to proceed against West Point, General M'Dougal was so +strengthened, and the American army took such a position on the strong +grounds about the Hudson, that the enterprise became too hazardous to +be farther prosecuted.</p> + +<p>After completing the fortifications on both sides the river, at King's +Ferry, Sir Henry Clinton placed a strong garrison in each fort, and +proceeded down the river to Philipsburg. The relative situation of the +hostile armies presenting insuperable obstacles to any grand +operation, they could be employed offensively only on detached +expeditions. Connecticut from its contiguity to New York, and its +extent of sea coast, was peculiarly exposed to invasion. The numerous +small cruisers which plied in the Sound, to the great annoyance of +British commerce, and the large supplies of provisions drawn from the +adjacent country, for the use of the continental army, furnished great +inducements to Sir Henry Clinton to direct his enterprises +particularly against that state. He also hoped to draw General +Washington from his impregnable position on the North River into the +low country, and thus obtain an opportunity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> of striking at some part +of his army, or of seizing the posts, which were the great object of +the campaign. <span class="sidenote">July.<br />Invasion of Connecticut.</span>With these views, he planned an expedition against +Connecticut, the command of which was given to Governor Tryon, who +reached New Haven bay on the 5th of July, with about two thousand six +hundred men.</p> + +<p>General Washington was at the time on the lines, examining in person +the condition of the works on Stony and Verplank's Points; in +consequence of which, the intelligence which was transmitted to head +quarters that the fleet had sailed, could not be immediately +communicated to the governor of Connecticut, and the first intimation +which that state received of its danger, was given by the appearance +of the enemy. The militia assembled in considerable numbers with +alacrity; but the British effected a landing, and took possession of +the town. After destroying the military and naval stores found in the +place, they re-embarked, and proceeded westward to Fairfield, which +was reduced to ashes. The good countenance shown by the militia at +this place is attested by the apology made by General Tryon for the +wanton destruction of private property, which disgraced his conduct. +"The village was burnt," he says, "to resent the fire of the rebels +from their houses, and to mask our retreat."</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">July.</div> + +<p>From Fairfield the fleet crossed the Sound to Huntingdon bay, where it +remained until the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> eleventh, when it recrossed that water, after +which the troops were landed in the night on the low pasture, a +peninsula on the east side of the bay of Norwalk. About the same time, +a much larger detachment from the British army directed its course +towards Horse Neck, and made demonstrations of a design to penetrate +into the country in that direction.</p> + +<p>On the first intelligence that Connecticut was invaded, General +Parsons, a native of that state, had been directed by General +Washington to hasten to the scene of action. <span class="sidenoteb">July.</span>Placing himself at the +head of about one hundred and fifty continental troops, who were +supported by considerable bodies of militia, he attacked the British +in the morning of the twelfth, as soon as they were in motion, and +kept up an irregular distant fire throughout the day. But being too +weak to prevent the destruction of any particular town on the coast, +Norwalk was reduced to ashes; after which the British re-embarked, and +returned to Huntingdon bay, there to wait for reinforcements. At this +place, however, Tryon received orders to return to the White Stone; +where, in a conference between Sir Henry Clinton and Sir George +Collier, it was determined to proceed against New London with an +increased force.</p> + +<p>On the invasion of Connecticut, the Commander-in-chief was prompt in +his exertions to send continental troops from the nearest en<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>campments +to its aid; but, before they could afford any real service, Sir Henry +Clinton found it necessary to recall Tryon to the Hudson.</p> + +<p>General Washington had planned an enterprise against the posts at +King's Ferry, comprehending a double attack, to be made at the same +time, on both. But the difficulty of a perfect co-operation of +detachments, incapable of communicating with each other, determined +him to postpone the attack on Verplank's, and to make that part of the +plan dependent on the success of the first. His whole attention +therefore was turned to Stony Point; and the troops destined for this +critical service, proceeded on it as against a single object.</p> + +<p>The execution of the plan was entrusted to General Wayne, who +commanded the light infantry of the army. Secrecy was deemed so much +more essential to success than numbers, that no addition was made to +the force already on the lines. One brigade was ordered to commence +its march, so as to reach the scene of action in time to cover the +troops engaged in the attack, should any unlooked-for disaster befall +them; and Major Lee of the light dragoons, who had been eminently +useful in obtaining the intelligence which led to the enterprise, was +associated with General Wayne, as far as cavalry could be employed in +such a service. <span class="sidenoteb">July.</span>The night of the fifteenth, and the hour of twelve, +were chosen for the assault.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> + +<p>Stony Point is a commanding hill, projecting far into the Hudson, +which washes three-fourths of its base. The remaining fourth is, in a +great measure, covered by a deep marsh, commencing near the river on +the upper side, and continuing into it below. Over this marsh there is +only one crossing place; but at its junction with the river, is a +sandy beach, passable at low tide. On the summit of this hill stood +the fort, which was furnished with heavy ordnance. Several +breast-works and strong batteries were advanced in front of the main +work; and, about half way down the hill, were two rows of abattis. The +batteries were calculated to command the beach and the crossing place +of the marsh, and to rake and enfilade any column which might be +advancing from either of those points towards the fort. In addition to +these defences, several vessels of war were stationed in the river, +and commanded the ground at the foot of the hill. The garrison +consisted of about six hundred men, commanded by Colonel Johnson.</p> + +<p>General Wayne arrived about eight in the afternoon at Spring Steel's, +one and a half miles from the fort; and made his dispositions for the +assault.</p> + +<p>It was intended to attack the works on the right and left flanks at +the same instant. The regiments of Febiger and of Meigs, with Major +Hull's detachment, formed the right column; and Butler's regiment, +with two companies un<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>der Major Murfree, formed the left. One hundred +and fifty volunteers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Fleury and Major +Posey, constituted the van of the right; and one hundred volunteers +under Major Stewart, composed the van of the left. At half past eleven +the two columns moved to the assault, the van of each with unloaded +muskets, and fixed bayonets. They were each preceded by a forlorn hope +of twenty men, the one commanded by Lieutenant Gibbon, and the other +by Lieutenant Knox. <span class="sidenote">General Wayne surprises and takes Stony Point.</span>They reached the marsh undiscovered; and, at +twenty minutes after twelve, commenced the assault.</p> + +<p>Both columns rushed forward under a tremendous fire. Surmounting every +obstacle, they entered the works at the point of the bayonet; and, +without discharging a single musket, obtained possession of the fort.</p> + +<p>The humanity displayed by the conquerors was not less conspicuous, nor +less honourable than their courage. Not an individual suffered after +resistance had ceased.</p> + +<p>All the troops engaged in this perilous service manifested a degree of +ardour and impetuosity, which proved them to be capable of the most +difficult enterprises; and all distinguished themselves, whose +situation enabled them to do so. Colonel Fleury was the first to enter +the fort and strike the British standard. Major Posey mounted the +works almost at the same instant, and was the first to give the watch +word—"The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> fort's our own."—Lieutenants Gibbon and Knox performed +the service allotted to them with a degree of intrepidity which could +not be surpassed. Of twenty men who constituted the party of the +former, seventeen were killed or wounded.</p> + +<p>Sixty-three of the garrison were killed, including two officers. The +prisoners amounted to five hundred and forty-three, among whom were +one lieutenant colonel, four captains, and twenty subaltern officers. +The military stores taken in the fort were considerable.<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a></p> + +<p>The loss sustained by the assailants was not proportioned to the +apparent danger of the enterprise. The killed and wounded did not +exceed one hundred men; General Wayne, who marched with Febiger's +regiment in the right column, received a slight wound in the head +which stunned him for a time, but did not compel him to leave the +column. Being supported by his aids, he entered the fort with a +regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Hay was also among the wounded.</p> + +<p>Although the design upon fort Fayette had yielded to the desire of +securing the success of the attack on Stony Point, it had not been +abandoned. Two brigades under General M'Dougal had been ordered to +approach the works on Verplank's, in which Colonel Webster commanded,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +and be in readiness to attack them the instant General Wayne should +obtain possession of Stony Point. That this detachment might not +permit the favourable moment to pass unimproved, Wayne had been +requested to direct the messenger who should convey the intelligence +of his success to the Commander-in-chief, to pass through M'Dougal's +camp, and give him advice of that event. He was also requested to turn +the cannon of the fort against Verplank's, and the vessels in the +river. The last orders were executed, and a heavy cannonade was opened +on fort Fayette, and on the vessels, which compelled them to fall down +the river. Through some misconception, never explained, the messenger +despatched by General Wayne did not call on M'Dougal, but proceeded +directly to head quarters. Thus, every advantage expected from the +first impression made by the capture of Stony Point was lost; and the +garrison had full leisure to recover from the surprise occasioned by +that event, and to prepare for an attack. This change of circumstances +made it necessary to change the plan of operation. General Howe was +directed to take the command of M'Dougal's detachment, to which some +pieces of heavy artillery were to be annexed. He was ordered, after +effecting a breach in the walls, to make the dispositions for an +assault, and to demand a surrender; but not to attempt a storm until +it should be dark. To these orders, ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>plicit instructions were +added not to hazard his party by remaining before Verplank's, after +the British should cross Croton River in force.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p><a name="image05" id="image05"></a></p> +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img alt="Stony Point" title="Stony Point" src="images/image05.jpg" height="333" width="586" /></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> <b>The Ruins of Stony Point—On the Hudson</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Here, on the night of July 16, 1779, Brigadier-General (Mad Anthony) +Wayne led his troops up the hill in darkness, surprised the British +garrison and captured this British stronghold at the point of the +bayonet. Not a shot was fired by the Americans, who lost fifteen +killed and eighty-three wounded; the British sixty-three killed and +533 prisoners. The fortifications were destroyed and the place, being +untenable, was abandoned shortly afterwards by the Americans.</i></p></div> + +<p> </p> + +<p>Through some unaccountable negligence in the persons charged with the +execution of these orders, the battering artillery was not accompanied +with suitable ammunition; and the necessary intrenching tools were not +brought. These omissions were supplied the next day; but it was then +too late to proceed against Verplank's.</p> + +<p>On receiving intelligence of the loss of Stony Point, and of the +danger to which the garrison of fort Fayette was exposed, Sir Henry +Clinton relinquished his views on Connecticut, and made a forced march +to Dobbs' Ferry. Some troops were immediately embarked to pass up the +river, and a light corps was pushed forward to the Croton. This +movement relieved fort Fayette.</p> + +<p>The failure of the attempt to obtain possession of Verplank's Point +leaving that road of communication still closed, diminished the +advantages which had been expected to result from the enterprise so +much, that it was deemed unadviseable to maintain Stony Point. On +reconnoitring the ground, General Washington believed that the place +could not be rendered secure with a garrison of less than fifteen +hundred men; a number which could not be spared from the army without +weakening it too much for farther operations. He determined there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>fore +to evacuate Stony Point, and retire to the Highlands. As soon as this +resolution was executed, Sir Henry Clinton repossessed himself of that +post, repaired the fortifications, and placed a stronger garrison in +it; after which he resumed his former situation at Philipsburg.</p> + +<p>The two armies watched each other for some time. At length, Sir Henry +Clinton, finding himself unable to attack Washington in the strong +position he had taken, or to draw him from it, and being desirous of +transferring the theatre of active war to the south, withdrew into +York Island, and was understood to be strengthening the fortifications +erected for its defence, as preparatory to the large detachments he +intended making to reinforce the southern army.</p> + +<p>Although this movement was made principally with a view to southern +operations, it was in some degree hastened by the opinion, that New +York required immediate additional protection during the absence of +the fleet, which was about to sail for the relief of Penobscot.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Expedition against Penobscot.</div> + +<p>Early in June, Colonel M'Clean, with six hundred and fifty men, had +penetrated from Nova Scotia into the eastern parts of Maine, and taken +possession of a strong piece of ground on the Penobscot, which he had +begun to fortify.</p> + +<p>The state of Massachusetts, alarmed at an invasion which threatened a +serious diminution of territory, determined to dislodge him. A +respectable fleet, commanded by Commodore Sal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>tonstal, and an army of +near four thousand men, under General Lovell, were prepared with so +much celerity, <span class="sidenoteb">July 25.</span>that the whole armament appeared in the Penobscot as +early as the 25th of July.</p> + +<p>M'Clean had taken possession of a peninsula on the eastern side of +Penobscot, and had intrenched the isthmus connecting it with the +continent. The part towards the river was steep and difficult of +access; and was also defended by his frigates and batteries, the +principal of which was constructed about the centre of the peninsula.</p> + +<p>After being repulsed in his first attempt, General Lovell effected a +landing on the western part of the peninsula, where he ascended a +precipice of two hundred feet; and, with the loss of only fifty men +killed and wounded, drove the party which defended it from the ground. +A battery was erected within seven hundred and fifty yards of the main +work of the besieged, and a warm cannonade was kept up for several +days on both sides.</p> + +<p>Perceiving the difficulty of carrying the place with a militia +impatient to return to their homes, General Lovell represented his +situation to the government of Massachusetts, who applied to General +Gates, then commanding at Providence, for a reinforcement of four +hundred continental troops. This request was readily granted, and +Jackson's regiment was ordered to Penobscot.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> In the mean time an +ineffectual cannonade was continued, and preparations were made to +storm the works on the arrival of the expected reinforcements.</p> + +<p>Such was the posture of affairs on the 13th of August, when Lovell +received information that Sir George Collier had entered the river +with a superior naval force. He re-embarked his whole army the +following night, and drew up his flotilla in a crescent across the +river, as if determined to maintain its position. This show of +resistance was made in the hope of stopping Sir George Collier until +the land forces on board the transports could be conveyed up the +river, and disembarked on the western shore. But the British general +was too confident in his strength to permit this stratagem to succeed; +and, as he approached, the Americans sought for safety in flight. A +general chase and unresisted destruction ensued. The ships of war were +blown up, and the transports fled in the utmost confusion up the +river. Being pursued by the British squadron, the troops landed in a +wild uncultivated country; and were obliged to explore their way, +without provisions, through a pathless wilderness, for more than a +hundred miles. Exhausted with famine and fatigue, they at length +gained the settled parts of the country, after having lost several men +who perished in the woods.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> + +<p>While Sir Henry Clinton continued encamped just above Haerlem, with +his upper posts at Kingsbridge, and the American army preserved its +station in the Highlands, a bold plan was formed for surprising a +British post at Powles Hook, which was executed with great address by +Major Lee.</p> + +<p>This officer was employed on the west side of the river with +directions to observe the situation of the British in Stony Point, +but, principally, to watch the motions of their main army. While his +parties scoured the country, he obtained intelligence which suggested +the idea of surprising and carrying off the garrison at Powles Hook, a +point of land on the west side of the Hudson, immediately opposite the +town of New York, penetrating deep into the river. On the point +nearest New York, some works had been constructed, which were +garrisoned by four or five hundred men.</p> + +<p>A deep ditch, into which the water of the river flowed, having over it +a drawbridge connected with a barred gate, had been cut across the +isthmus, so as to make the Hook, in reality, an island. This ditch +could be passed only at low water. Thirty paces within it was a row of +abattis running into the river; and some distance in front of it, is a +creek fordable only in two places.</p> + +<p>This difficulty of access, added to the remoteness of the nearest +corps of the American<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> army, impressed the garrison with the opinion +that they were perfectly secure; and this opinion produced an +unmilitary remissness in the commanding officer, which did not escape +the vigilance of Lee.</p> + +<p>On receiving his communications, General Washington was inclined to +favour the enterprise they suggested; but withheld his full assent, +until he was satisfied that the assailants would be able to make good +their retreat.</p> + +<p>The Hackensack, which communicates with the waters of the Hudson below +New York, runs almost parallel with that river quite to its source, +and is separated from it only a few miles. This neck is still farther +narrowed by a deep creek which divides it, and empties into the +Hackensack below fort Lee. West of that river runs the Passaick, which +unites with it near Newark, and forms another long and narrow neck of +land. From Powles Hook to the new bridge, the first place where the +Hackensack could be crossed without boats, the distance is fourteen +miles; and from the North River to the road leading from the one place +to the other, there are three points of interception, the nearest of +which is less than two miles, and the farthest not more than three. +The British were encamped in full force along the North River, +opposite to these points of interception. To diminish the danger of +the retreat, it was intended to occupy the roads leading through the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +mountains of the Hudson to the Hackensack with a select body of +troops.</p> + +<p>Every preparatory arrangement being made, the night of the eighteenth +of August was fixed on for the enterprise. A detachment from the +division of Lord Stirling, including three hundred men designed for +the expedition, was ordered down as a foraging party. As there was +nothing unusual in this movement, it excited no suspicion. Lord +Stirling followed with five hundred men, and encamped at the new +bridge.</p> + +<p>Major Lee, at the head of three hundred men, took the road through the +mountains which ran parallel to the North River; and, having secured +all the passes into York Island, reached the creek which surrounds the +Hook between two and three in the morning. <span class="sidenote">The British post at Powles Hook surprised by Major Lee and +the garrison made prisoners.</span>He passed first the creek, +and then the ditch undiscovered; and, about three in the morning, +entered the main work, and with the loss of only two killed and three +wounded, made one hundred and fifty-nine prisoners, including three +officers. Very few of the British were killed. Major Sutherland, who +commanded the garrison, threw himself with forty or fifty Hessians +into a strong redoubt, which it was thought unadviseable to attack, +because the time occupied in carrying it might endanger the retreat. +Wasting no time in destroying what could easily be replaced, Major Lee +hastened to bring off his prisoners and his detachment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> + +<p>To avoid the danger of retreating up the narrow neck of land which has +already been described, some boats had been brought in the course of +the night to Dow's Ferry on the Hackensack, not far from Powles Hook. +The officer who guarded them was directed to remain until the arrival +of the troops engaged in the expedition, which, it was understood, +would happen before day. The light having made its appearance without +any intelligence from Major Lee, the officer having charge of the +boats conjectured that the attack had been postponed; and, to avoid +discovery, retired with them to Newark. The head of the retreating +column soon afterwards reached the ferry; and, fatigued as they were +by the toilsome march of the preceding night, were compelled to pass +as rapidly as possible up the narrow neck of land between the two +rivers to the new bridge. A horseman was despatched with this +information to Lord Stirling, and the line of march was resumed.</p> + +<p>About nine in the preceding evening, Major Buskirk had been detached +up the North River with a considerable part of the garrison of Powles +Hook, and some other troops, for the purpose of falling in with the +American party supposed to be foraging about the English +neighbourhood.</p> + +<p>On receiving intelligence of the disappointment respecting the boats, +Lord Stirling took the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> precaution to detach Colonel Ball with two +hundred fresh men to meet Lee, and cover his retreat. Just after Ball +had passed, Buskirk entered the main road, and fired on his rear. +Taking it for granted that this was only the advanced corps of a large +detachment sent to intercept the party retreating from Powles Hook, +Ball made a circuit to avoid the enemy; and Buskirk, finding a +detachment he had not expected, took the same measure to secure his +own retreat. The two parties, narrowly missing each other, returned to +their respective points of departure; and Lee reached the new bridge +without interruption.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a></p> + +<p>This critical enterprise reflected much honour on the partisan with +whom it originated, and by whom it was conducted. General Washington +announced it to the army in his orders with much approbation; and +congress bestowed upon it a degree of applause more adapted to the +talent displayed in performing the service than to its magnitude.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Arrival of Admiral Arbuthnot.</div> + +<p>A few days after the surprise of Powles Hook, the long expected fleet +from Europe, under the command of Admiral Arbuthnot, having on board a +reinforcement for the British army, arrived at New York. This +reinforcement however did not enable Sir Henry Clinton to enter +immediately on that active course of offensive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> operations which he +had meditated. It was soon followed by the Count D'Estaing, who +arrived on the southern coast of America with a powerful fleet; after +which the British general deemed it necessary to turn all his +attention to his own security. Rhode Island, and the posts up the +North River were evacuated, and the whole army was collected in New +York, the fortifications of which were carried on with unremitting +industry.</p> + +<p>The Count D'Estaing and Admiral Byron, having sailed about the same +time from the coast of North America, met in the West Indies, where +the war was carried on with various success. <span class="sidenote">St. Lucia taken by the British. St. Vincents and Grenada +by the French.</span>St. Lucia surrendered to +the British, in compensation for which the French took St. Vincents +and Grenada. About the time of the capture of the latter island, +D'Estaing received reinforcements which gave him a decided naval +superiority; after which a battle was fought between the two hostile +fleets, in which the Count claimed the victory, and in which so many +of the British ships were disabled that the Admiral was compelled to +retire into port in order to refit.</p> + +<p>The earnest representations made on the part of the United States had +prevailed on the cabinet of Versailles to instruct the Count D'Estaing +to afford them all the aid in his power; and the present moment seemed +a fit one for carrying these orders into execution. Let<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>ters from +General Lincoln, from the executive of South Carolina, and from the +French consul at Charleston, urged him to pay a visit to the southern +states; and represented the situation of the British in Georgia to be +such that his appearance would insure the destruction of the army in +that quarter, and the recovery of the state.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Count D'Estaing with his fleet arrives on the southern +coast of America.</div> + +<p>Yielding to these solicitations, the Count sailed with twenty-two +ships of the line, and eleven frigates, having on board six thousand +soldiers, and arrived so suddenly on the southern coast of America, +that the Experiment of fifty guns, and three frigates, fell into his +hands. A vessel was sent to Charleston with information of his +arrival, and a plan was concerted for the siege of Savannah. D'Estaing +was to land three thousand men at Beaulieu on the 11th of September, +and Lincoln was to cross the Savannah on the same day with one +thousand Americans, and effect a junction with him.</p> + +<p>The town of Savannah was, at that time, the head quarters of General +Prevost. Apprehending no immediate danger, he had weakened the +garrison by establishing several out-posts in Georgia; and by leaving +Colonel Maitland with a strong detachment in the island of Port Royal, +in South Carolina.</p> + +<p>On the appearance of the French fleet, expresses were despatched to +Colonel Maitland and to all the out-posts, directing the troops to +re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>pair without loss of time to Savannah. These orders were promptly +obeyed; and, on the 10th of September, the several detachments in +Georgia had all arrived in safety, except the sick and convalescents +of the garrison of Sunbury, who were intercepted.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">September.<br />Siege of Savannah by the combined armies.</div> + +<p>On the 11th, General Lincoln reached Zubly's Ferry, and, on the 15th, +was assured that the French had disembarked in force. A junction of +the two armies was formed the next day before the town of Savannah.</p> + +<p>On the night of the 12th, the Count D'Estaing had landed about three +thousand men at Beaulieu; and the next day, before the arrival of +General Lincoln, had summoned the garrison to surrender to the arms of +the King of France. Being desirous of gaining time, General Prevost +answered the summons in such a manner as to encourage the opinion that +he designed to capitulate; in the expectation of which a suspension of +hostilities for twenty-four hours was granted. In that important +interval, Colonel Maitland arrived from Beaufort, with the troops +which had been stationed at that place.</p> + +<p>As the French were in possession of the main channel by which the +Savannah communicates with the sea, Colonel Maitland entered the town +by a route which had been deemed impracticable. He came round by +Dawfuskie, an island north of the mouth of the river, and landing in a +deep marsh, drew his boats through it into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> Savannah, above the +place where the ships lay at anchor, and thence made his way by small +parties into the town.</p> + +<p>On receiving this reinforcement, the resolution was taken to defend +the place to the last extremity; and, the next day, this determination +was communicated to the Count D'Estaing.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">September.</div> + +<p>After bringing up the heavy ordnance and stores from the fleet, the +besieging army broke ground; and, by the first of October, had pushed +their sap within three hundred yards of the abattis on the left of the +British lines. Several batteries were opened on the besieged which +played almost incessantly upon their works, but made no impression on +them.</p> + +<p>The situation of D'Estaing was becoming critical. More time had +already been consumed on the coast of Georgia than he had supposed +would be necessary for the destruction of the British force in that +state. He became uneasy for the possessions of France in the West +Indies, and apprehensive for the safety of the ships under his +command. The naval officers remonstrated strenuously against longer +exposing his fleet on an insecure coast, at a tempestuous season of +the year, and urged the danger of being overtaken by a British +squadron, when broken and scattered by a storm, with a degree of +persevering earnestness which the Count found himself incapable of +resisting.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> + +<p>In a few days the lines of the besiegers might have been carried by +regular approaches, into the works of the besieged, which would have +rendered the capture of the town and garrison inevitable. But +D'Estaing declared that he could devote no more time to this object; +and it only remained to raise the siege, or to attempt the works by +storm. The latter part of the alternative was adopted.</p> + +<p>On the left of the allied army, was a swampy hollow way which afforded +a cover for troops advancing on the right flank of the besieged, to a +point within fifty yards of their principal work. It was determined to +march to the main attack along this hollow; and, at the same time, to +direct feints against other parts of the lines.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 9th of October, before day, a heavy cannonade +and bombardment were commenced from all the batteries, as preliminary +to the assault. <span class="sidenote">Unsuccessful attempt to storm it.</span>About three thousand five hundred French, and one +thousand Americans, of whom between six and seven hundred were +regulars, and the residue militia of Charleston, advanced in three +columns, led by D'Estaing and Lincoln, aided by the principal officers +of both nations, and made a furious assault on the British lines. +Their reception was warmer than had been expected. The fire from the +batteries of the besieged reached every part of the columns of the +assailants which had emerged from the swamp, and did great execution. +Yet the allied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> troops advanced with unabated ardour, passed through +the abattis, crossed the ditch, and mounted the parapet. Both the +French and Americans planted their standards on the walls, and were +killed in great numbers, while endeavouring to force their way into +the works. For about fifty minutes, the contest was extremely +obstinate. At length, the columns of the assailants began to relax, +and a pause was manifested in the assault.</p> + +<p>In this critical moment, Major Glaziers, at the head of a body of +grenadiers and marines, rushing suddenly from the lines, threw himself +on those who had made their way into the redoubts, and drove them over +the ditch and abattis into the hollow which they had marched to the +attack. It became apparent that farther perseverance could produce no +advantage, and a retreat was ordered.</p> + +<p>In this unsuccessful attempt, the French lost in killed and wounded, +about seven hundred men. Among the latter, were the Count D'Estaing +himself, Major General De Fontanges, and several other officers of +distinction. The continental troops lost two hundred and thirty-four +men, and the Charleston militia, who, though associated with them in +danger, were more fortunate, had one captain killed, and six privates +wounded.</p> + +<p>The loss of the garrison was astonishingly small. In killed and +wounded, it amounted only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> to fifty-five. So great was the advantage +of the cover afforded by their works.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The siege raised.</div> + +<p>After this repulse, the Count D'Estaing announced to General Lincoln, +his determination to raise the siege. The remonstrances of that +officer were ineffectual; and the removal of the heavy ordnance and +stores was commenced. This being accomplished, both armies moved from +their ground on the evening of <span class="sidenoteb">October 18.</span>the 18th of October. The Americans, +recrossing the Savannah at Zubly's Ferry, again encamped in South +Carolina, and the French re-embarked.</p> + +<p>Although the issue of this enterprise was the source of severe chagrin +and mortification, the prudence of General Lincoln suppressed every +appearance of dissatisfaction, and the armies separated with +manifestations of reciprocal esteem.</p> + +<p>The hopes which had brought the militia into the field being +disappointed, they dispersed; and the affairs of the southern states +wore a more gloomy aspect than at any former period.</p> + +<p>On receiving intelligence of the situation of Lincoln, congress passed +a resolution requesting General Washington to order the North Carolina +troops, and such others as could be spared from the northern army, to +the aid of that in the south; and assuring the states of South +Carolina and Georgia of the attention of government to their +preservation; but requesting them, for their own defence, to comply +with the recommenda<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>tions formerly made respecting the completion of +their continental regiments, and the government of their militia while +in actual service.</p> + +<p>During these transactions in the south, the long meditated expedition +against the Indians was prosecuted with success.</p> + +<p>The largest division of the western army was to assemble at Wyoming, +on the main branch of the Susquehanna, and General Sullivan expected +to leave that place in the month of June. Such, however, were the +delays in procuring provisions and military stores, that it was the +last of July<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> before he could move from the place of rendezvous.</p> + +<p>Another body of troops, designed to compose a part of the western +army, had passed the winter on the Mohawk. <span class="sidenoteb">August.</span>On the 22d of August, these +two divisions united, and the whole army, amounting to five thousand +men, marched up the Tyoga, which led into the heart of the Indian +country.</p> + +<p>Such extensive and tedious preparations could not be made unobserved. +The plan of opera<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>tions contemplated by Sullivan seems to have been +completely understood; and, notwithstanding the vast superiority of +his force, the Indians determined to defend their country. They +resolved to risk a general action for its preservation, and selected +the ground for the conflict with judgment.</p> + +<p>About a mile in front of Newtown, they collected their whole force, +estimated by General Sullivan at fifteen hundred men, but by +themselves at only eight hundred, commanded by the two Butlers, Grey, +Johnson, M'Donald, and Brandt. Five companies of whites, calculated at +two hundred men, were united with them. They had constructed a +breast-work about half a mile in length, on a piece of rising ground. +The right flank of this work was covered by the river, which, bending +to the right, and winding round their rear, exposed only their front +and left to an attack. On the left, was a high ridge nearly parallel +to the general course of the river, terminating somewhat below the +breast-work; and still farther to the left, was another ridge running +in the same direction, and leading to the rear of the American army. +The ground was covered with pine interspersed with low shrub-oaks, +many of which, for the purpose of concealing their works, had been cut +up and stuck in front of them, so as to exhibit the appearance of +being still growing. The road, after crossing a deep brook at the foot +of the hill, turned to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> right, and ran nearly parallel to the +breast-work, so as to expose the whole flank of the army to their +fire, if it should advance without discovering their position.</p> + +<p>Parties communicating with each other were stationed on both hills, so +as to fall on the right flank and rear of Sullivan, as soon as the +action should commence.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">August.</div> + +<p>About eleven in the morning of the 29th of August, this work was +discovered by Major Par, who commanded the advance guard of the army; +upon which, General Hand formed the light infantry in a wood, about +four hundred yards distant from the enemy, and stood upon his ground +until the main body should arrive. In the mean time, a continual +skirmishing was kept up between Par's rifle corps, and small parties +of Indians who sallied from their works, and suddenly retreated, +apparently with the hope of being incautiously pursued.</p> + +<p>Conjecturing that the hills on his right were occupied by the savages, +Sullivan ordered General Poor to take possession of that which led +into his rear, and, thence, to turn the left, and gain the rear, of +the breast-work; while Hand, aided by the artillery, should attack in +front. These orders were promptly executed. While the artillery played +on the works, Poor pushed up the mountain, and a sharp conflict +commenced, which was sustained for some time, with considerable spirit +on both sides. Poor con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>tinued to advance rapidly, pressing the +Indians before him at the point of the bayonet, and occasionally +firing on them. They retreated from tree to tree, keeping up an +irregular fire, until he gained the summit of the hill. Perceiving +that their flank was completely uncovered by this movement, and that +they were in danger of being surrounded, the savages abandoned their +breast-work, and, crossing the river, fled with the utmost +precipitation.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Victory of General Sullivan at Newtown.</div> + +<p>This victory cost the Americans about thirty men. The ascertained loss +of the Indians was also inconsiderable. But they were so intimidated, +that every idea of farther resistance was abandoned. As Sullivan +advanced, they continued to retreat before him without harassing his +main body, or even skirmishing with his detachments, except in a +single instance.</p> + +<p>He penetrated far into the heart of their country, which his parties +scoured, and laid waste in every direction. Houses, corn-fields, +gardens, and fruit trees, shared one common fate; and Sullivan +executed strictly the severe but necessary orders he had received, to +render the country completely uninhabitable for the present, and thus +to compel the hostile Indians, by want of food, to remove to a greater +distance.</p> + +<p>The objects of the expedition being accomplished, Sullivan returned to +Easton in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> Pennsylvania, having lost only forty men by sickness and +the enemy.</p> + +<p>The devastation of the country has been spoken of with some degree of +disapprobation; but this sentiment is the result rather of an amiable +disposition in the human mind to condemn whatever may have the +appearance of tending to aggravate the miseries of war, than of +reflection. Circumstances existed which reconciled to humanity this +seeming departure from it. Great Britain possessed advantages which +ensured a controlling influence over the Indians, and kept them in +almost continual war with the United States. Their habitual ferocity +seemed to have derived increased virulence from the malignity of the +whites who had taken refuge among them; and there was real foundation +for the opinion that an annual repetition of the horrors of Wyoming +could be prevented only by disabling the savages from perpetrating +them. No means in the power of the United States promised so certainly +to effect this desirable object, as the removal of neighbours whose +hostility could be diminished only by terror, and whose resentments +were to be assuaged only by fear.</p> + +<p>While Sullivan laid waste the country on the Susquehanna, another +expedition under Colonel Brodhead, was carried on from Pittsburg up +the Alleghany, against the Mingo, Munscy, and Seneca tribes. At the +head of between six and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> seven hundred men, he advanced two hundred +miles up the river, and destroyed the villages and corn-fields on its +head branches. Here too the Indians were unable to resist the invading +army.</p> + +<p>After one unsuccessful skirmish, they abandoned their villages to a +destruction which was inevitable, and sought for personal safety in +their woods.</p> + +<p>On receiving the communications of General Sullivan, congress passed a +vote approving his conduct, and that of his army. That approbation, +however, seems not to have extended beyond his conduct in the Indian +country. His demands for military stores for the expedition had been +so high; in his conversations with his officers, he had so freely +censured the government for its failure to comply with those demands; +in general orders, he had so openly complained of inattention to the +preparations necessary to secure the success of the enterprise; that +considerable offence was given to several members of congress, and +still more to the board of war. From the operation of these causes, +when Sullivan, at the close of the campaign, complained of ill health, +and offered, on that account, to resign his commission, the endeavours +of his friends to obtain a vote requesting him to continue in the +service, and permitting him to retire from actual duty until his +health should be restored, were overruled; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> his resignation was +accepted. The resolution permitting him to resign was, however, +accompanied with one thanking him for his past services.</p> + +<p>Although these great exertions to terminate Indian hostility did not +afford complete security to the western frontiers, they were attended +with considerable advantages. The savages, though not subdued, were +intimidated; and their incursions became less formidable, as well as +less frequent.</p> + +<p>The summer of 1779 passed away without furnishing any circumstance in +America which could be supposed to have a material influence on the +issue of the war. In Europe, however, an event took place which had +been long anxiously expected, and was believed to be of decisive +importance. Spain at length determined to make one common cause with +France against Great Britain. It was supposed that the two powers +would be able to obtain a complete ascendency at sea; and that their +combined fleets would maintain a superiority on the American coast, as +well as in Europe.</p> + +<p>From the first determination of France to take part in the war, it +appears to have been the earnest wish of the cabinet of Versailles to +engage Spain likewise in the contest.</p> + +<p>Her resentments against England, her solicitude to diminish the naval +strength of that nation, and her wish to recover Jamaica, Gibraltar,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +and the Floridas, urged her to seize the fair occasion now offered of +dismembering the British empire, and accomplishing these favourite +objects. But her dread of the effect which the independence of the +United States might produce on her own colonies, mingled with some +apprehensions of danger from the contest she was about to provoke, had +produced an appearance of irresolution, which rendered her future +course, for a time, uncertain. In this conflict of opposite interests, +the influence of the cabinet of Versailles, and the jealousy of the +naval power of Britain, at length obtained the victory; and his +Catholic Majesty determined to prevent the reannexation of the United +States to their mother country; but to effect this object by +negotiation rather than by the sword.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Spain offers her mediation to the belligerent powers.</div> + +<p>In pursuance of this pacific system, he offered his mediation to the +belligerent powers. This proposition was readily accepted by France; +but the minister of his Britannic Majesty evaded any explicit +arrangements on the subject, while he continued to make general verbal +declarations of the willingness of his sovereign to give peace to +Europe under the mediation of his Catholic Majesty. In consequence of +these declarations, the Spanish minister proposed a truce for a term +of years, and that a congress of deputies from the belligerent powers +should assemble at Madrid to adjust the terms of a permanent treaty; +into which deputies from the United<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> States were to be admitted, as +the representatives of a sovereign nation. Although an explicit +acknowledgment of their independence was not to be required, it was to +be understood that they should be independent in fact, and should be +completely separated from the British empire.</p> + +<p>This negotiation was protracted to a considerable length; and in the +mean time, all the address of the cabinet of London was used to detach +either France or the United States from their alliance with each +other. Notice of it was given to the American government by the +minister of France at Philadelphia, as well as by Mr. Arthur Lee, one +of their agents in Europe; and congress was repeatedly urged by the +former, to furnish those who might be authorized to represent them in +the conferences for a general treaty, with ample powers and +instructions to conclude it. An extraordinary degree of solicitude was +manifested to hasten the full powers, and to moderate the claims of +the United States.</p> + +<p>It seems to have been the policy of the cabinet of Versailles to +exclude the American States from a share of the fisheries, and to +limit their western boundary to the settlements then made. Either from +a real apprehension that the war might be protracted should the United +States insist on the acknowledgment of their independence as a +preliminary to any treaty, or from an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> opinion that such preliminary +acknowledgment would leave the terms of the treaty less under the +control of France, and the American plenipotentiaries more masters of +their own conduct, Monsieur Girard laboured to persuade congress to +recede from that demand. If they could be independent in fact, he +thought the form not worth contending for.<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a></p> + +<p>While congress was employed in debating the instructions to their +ministers, the negotiation was brought to a close. As Spain became +prepared for hostilities, the offered mediation was pressed in such +terms as to produce the necessity of either accepting or rejecting it. +This drew from the cabinet of London a declaration that the +independence of the United States was inadmissible; upon which his +Catholic Majesty determined to take part in the war.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">War between Spain and England.</div> + +<p>On the departure of his minister from London without taking leave, the +British government issued letters of marque and reprisal against the +vessels and subjects of the Spanish crown; and a powerful Spanish +fleet, which had been preparing during the negotiation, was expedited, +to co-operate with that of France. Yet the independence of the United +States was not acknowledged, nor was their minister accredited. +Despatches, giving notice of the hostilities medi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>tated by his +Catholic Majesty, were forwarded to Don Galvez, the governor of +Louisiana, who collected a considerable military force at New Orleans, +and reduced the settlements held by the British crown on the +Mississippi, which had not been apprised of the war.</p> + +<p>Intelligence of this important event was given to congress while that +body was deliberating on the instructions to their negotiators. It is +not impossible that this information had some influence on those +deliberations; and, rendering the American government less solicitous +about the future conduct of Spain, diminished the motives for making +territorial sacrifices to that power. Their ministers were ordered to +make it a preliminary article to any negotiation, that Great Britain +should agree to treat with the United States, as sovereign, free, and +independent; and that their independence should be expressly assured +and confirmed by the terms of the treaty itself.</p> + +<p>That the United States might be enabled to avail themselves without +further delays, of any occasion which might be presented for +terminating the war, Mr. John Adams, who was already in Europe, was +authorized to negotiate a treaty of peace, and a commercial treaty +with Great Britain; and Mr. Jay, at that time president of congress, +was appointed minister plenipotentiary to the court of Madrid, with +instructions to insist on the free navigation of the Mississippi;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>—a +claim to which Spain objected, and which was discountenanced by +France.</p> + +<p>As the campaign drew to a close without affording any solid foundation +for the hope that the war was about to terminate, General Washington +repeated those efforts which he had made so often and so +unsuccessfully, to induce early preparations for the ensuing year. He +submitted to the view of his government a detailed report of the whole +army, which exhibited the alarming fact, that by the last of the +following June, the terms of service of nearly one-half the men under +his command would expire.</p> + +<p>It was not the least considerable of the inconveniences attending the +complex system of government then prevailing in the United States, +that measures essential to the safety of the nation were never taken +in season. Thus, when the time for raising the quotas of the +respective states by voluntary enlistment had passed away, and the +necessity of resorting to coercive means had become absolute, those +means were so delayed, and so irregularly put in execution, that the +terms of service of different portions of the army expired almost +every month in the year; and raw troops, ignorant of the first +rudiments of military duty, were introduced in the most critical +moments of a campaign. Had timely and correspondent measures been +taken by the states to raise their respective quotas by a specified +time in the depth of win<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>ter, the recruits would have received the +advantage of a few months training before they were brought into +actual service, and the General, that of a certain uninterrupted force +for each campaign. This course of proceeding had been continually +recommended, and the recommendation had been as continually neglected.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Letter from General Washington to Congress.</div> + +<p>"In the more early stages of the contest," said the Commander-in-chief +to congress, in a letter of the 8th of November, "when men might have +been enlisted for the war, no man, as my whole conduct, and the +uniform tenor of my letters will evince, was ever more opposed to +short enlistments than I was; and while there remained a prospect of +obtaining recruits on a permanent footing in the first instance, as +far as duty and a regard to my station would permit, I urged my +sentiments in favour of it. But the prospect of keeping up an army by +voluntary enlistments being changed, or at least standing on too +precarious and uncertain a footing to depend on for the exigency of +our affairs, I took the liberty in February, 1778, in a particular +manner, to lay before the committee of arrangement then with the army +at Valley Forge, a plan for an annual draught, as the surest and most +certain, if not the only means left us, of maintaining the army on a +proper and respectable ground. And, more and more confirmed in the +propriety of this opinion by the intervention of a variety of +circumstances, unnecessary to detail, I again took<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> the freedom of +urging the plan to the committee of conference in January last; and, +having reviewed it in every point of light, and found it right, at +least the best that has occurred to me, I hope I shall be excused by +congress in offering it to them, and in time for carrying into +execution for the next year; if they should conceive it necessary for +the states to complete their quotas of troops.</p> + +<p>"The plan I would propose is, that each state be informed by congress +annually of the <i>real deficiency</i> of its troops, and called upon to +make it up, or such less specific number as congress may think proper, +by a draught. That the men draughted join the army by the first of +January, and serve until the first of January in the succeeding year. +That from the time the draughts join the army, the officers of the +states from which they come, be authorized and directed to use their +endeavours to enlist them for the war, under the bounties granted to +the officers themselves, and to the recruits, by the act of the 23d of +January, 1779, viz: ten dollars to the officer for each recruit, and +two hundred to the recruits themselves. That all state, county, and +town bounties to draughts, if practicable, be entirely abolished, on +account of the uneasiness and disorders they create among the +soldiery, the desertions they produce, and for other reasons which +will readily occur. That on or before the first of October annually, +an abstract, or re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>turn, similar to the present one, be transmitted to +congress, to enable them to make their requisitions to each state with +certainty and precision. This I would propose as a general plan to be +pursued; and I am persuaded that this, or one nearly similar to it, +will be found the best now in our power, as it will be attended with +the least expense to the public, will place the service on the footing +of order and certainty, and will be the only one that can advance the +general interest to any great extent."</p> + +<p>These representations on the part of the Commander-in-chief were not +more successful than those which had before been made. Although the +best dispositions existed in congress, the proceedings of that body +were unavoidably slow; and the difficulty of effecting a concert of +measures among thirteen sovereign states, was too great to be +surmounted. In consequence of these radical defects in the system +itself, the contributions of men made by the states continued to be +irregular, uncertain, and out of season; and the army could never +acquire that consistency and stability, which would have resulted from +an exact observance of the plan so often recommended.</p> + +<p>On receiving information of the disaster which had been sustained by +the allied arms at Savannah, Sir Henry Clinton resumed his plan of +active operations against the southern states. A large embarkation +took place soon after that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> event had been announced to him, which +sailed from the Hook towards the end of December. The troops were +commanded by himself in person, and the fleet by Admiral Arbuthnot. +The defence of New York and its dependencies were entrusted to General +Knyphausen.</p> + +<p>The preparations made in New York for some distant enterprise were +immediately communicated by his faithful intelligencers to General +Washington, who conjectured its object, and hastened the march of the +troops designed to reinforce General Lincoln.</p> + +<p>The season for action in a northern climate being over, the General +turned his attention to the distribution of his troops in winter +quarters. Habit had familiarized the American army to the use of huts +constructed by themselves; and both officers and men were content to +pass the winter in a hutted camp. In disposing of the troops, +therefore, until the time for action should return, wood and water, a +healthy situation, convenience for supplies of provisions, stations +which would enable them to cover the country, and to defend particular +positions, were the objects taken into consideration, and were all to +be consulted.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The American army goes into winter quarters.</div> + +<p>With a view to these various circumstances, the army was thrown into +two great divisions. The northern was to be commanded by General +Heath; and its chief object was the security of West Point, and of the +posts on the North<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> River, as low as King's Ferry. Subordinate to +this, was the protection of the country on the Sound, and down the +Hudson to the neighbourhood of Kingsbridge. The other and principal +division, under the immediate command of General Washington, was put +under cover, late in December, in the neighbourhood of Morristown.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>South Carolina invaded.... The British fleet passes the bar, +and gets possession of the harbour of Charleston.... Opinion +of General Washington on the propriety of defending that +place.... Sir Henry Clinton invests the town.... Tarlton +surprises an American corps at Monk's Corner.... Fort +Moultrie surrendered.... Tarlton defeats Colonel White.... +General Lincoln capitulates.... Buford defeated.... +Arrangements for the government of South Carolina and +Georgia.... Sir Henry Clinton embarks for New York.... +General Gates takes command of the Southern army.... Is +defeated near Camden.... Death of De Kalb.... Success of +General Sumpter.... He is defeated.</b></p></div> + +<p> </p> + + + +<div class="sidenotey">1780.</div> + +<p><span class="lgsmcap">The</span> departure of the French fleet produced a sudden change in the +prospects of the southern states. The sanguine hopes which had been +entertained of the recovery of Georgia, gave place to gloomy and well +founded apprehensions for South Carolina.</p> + +<p>The facility with which General Prevost had passed through the state, +and the assurances he had received of the indisposition of a large +portion of the people to defend themselves, disclosed too certainly +the true situation of the country, not to convince all discerning men +that a real attempt at conquest would be made the ensuing year. +General Lincoln perceived the approaching danger, without being able +to provide against it. His power, as a military com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>mander, was too +limited, and his influence on the government of the state too weak, to +draw forth even the means it possessed in time for its protection.</p> + +<p>Though the preservation of its metropolis was of vast importance to +the state, no preparations were making to put it in a condition to +stand a siege. The forts on the islands were in ruins, and the works +across the neck remained unfinished. The representations made on this +subject to the governor by General Lincoln were not disregarded; but +from some defect in the existing law, the executive found it +impracticable to obtain labour for these interesting objects.</p> + +<p>Admiral Arbuthnot arrived at Savannah on the 31st of January. <span class="sidenoteb">January 23.</span>One of +his transports, which had been separated from the fleet in a storm, +was brought into Charleston harbour on the 23d of that month; and the +prisoners gave the first certain intelligence that the expedition from +New York was destined against the capital of South Carolina.</p> + +<p>Before the middle of February, the fleet entered the harbour, or +inlet, of North Edisto; and landed the troops without opposition on +St. John's Island. <span class="sidenote">Sir Henry Clinton invests Charleston.</span>A part of the fleet was sent round to blockade the +harbour of Charleston, while the army proceeded slowly and cautiously +from Stono Creek to Wappoo Cut, and through the islands of St. John +and St. James.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> + +<p>This delay, in the event so fatal, but then deemed so propitious to +the American arms, was employed to the utmost advantage in improving +the defence of Charleston. The legislature had enabled the executive +to employ slaves to work on the fortifications; and had passed an act +delegating great powers to the Governor and such of his council as he +could conveniently consult. Under these acts, six hundred slaves were +employed on the works, and vigorous, though not very successful +measures were taken by the executive to assemble the militia of the +country. The fallacious hope was entertained that, if the town could +be rendered defensible, the garrison would be made sufficiently strong +by reinforcements from the north, and by the militia of the state, to +maintain the place and compel Sir Henry Clinton to raise the siege.</p> + +<p>The American army being too weak to make any serious opposition to the +progress of the British through the country, the cavalry, with a small +corps of infantry, were directed to hover on their left flank; and the +other troops, consisting of about fourteen hundred regulars fit for +duty, aided by the militia, were drawn into the town, and employed on +the works.</p> + +<p>Understanding that great exertions were making to improve the +fortifications, and that the garrison was gaining strength, Sir Henry +Clinton ordered General Patterson to join him with the troops which +could be spared from Georgia,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> and directed Lieutenant Colonel +Tarlton, after supplying the horses which had been lost during a very +stormy voyage from New York, to cover his march through South +Carolina. <span class="sidenote">Colonel Washington defeats Tarlton.</span>In one of the excursions of that active officer to disperse +the militia who assembled to oppose the progress of Patterson through +the country, his cavalry encountered Lieutenant Colonel Washington, +who commanded the remnant of Baylor's regiment, and were driven back +with some loss; but the want of infantry disabled Washington from +pressing his advantage.</p> + +<p>In defending Charleston, the command of the harbour is of great +importance. To preserve this advantage, congress had ordered four +frigates to South Carolina, which, with the marine force belonging to +the state, and two French vessels, were placed under the command of +Commodore Whipple.</p> + +<p>General Washington was the more sanguine in the hope of defending the +harbour, because it was understood that the bar was impassable by a +ship of the line, and that even a large frigate could not be brought +over it, without first taking out her guns, or careening her so much +that the crew would be unable to work her.</p> + +<p>On sounding within the bar it was discovered that the water was too +shallow for the frigates to act with any effect, and that, in making +the attempt, they would be exposed to the fire of the batteries which +the assailants had erected.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> Under these circumstances, the officers +of the navy were unanimously of opinion that no successful opposition +could be made at the bar, and that the fleet might act more +advantageously in concert with the fort on Sullivan's Island.</p> + +<p>The intention of disputing the passage over the bar being abandoned, +Commodore Whipple moored his squadron in a line with fort Moultrie, in +a narrow passage between Sullivan's Island and the middle ground; and +the British ships, without their guns, passed the bar, and anchored in +five fathom hole.</p> + +<p>It being now thought impossible to prevent the fleet from passing fort +Moultrie, and taking such stations in Cooper River as would enable +them to rake the batteries on shore, and to close that communication +between the town and country, the plan of defence was once more +changed, and the armed vessels were carried into the mouth of Cooper +River, and sunk in a line from the town to Shute's folly.</p> + +<p>This was the critical moment for evacuating the town. The loss of the +harbour rendered the defence of the place, if not desperate, so +improbable, that the hope to maintain it, could not have been +rationally entertained by a person, who was not deceived by the +expectation of aids much more considerable than were actually +received.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Opinion of General Washington on the subject of defending +Charleston.</div> + +<p>When this state of things was communicated to General Washington, by +Lieutenant Colonel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> Laurens, he said in reply, "The impracticability +of defending the bar, I fear, amounts to the loss of the town and +garrison. At this distance it is impossible to judge for you. I have +the greatest confidence in General Lincoln's prudence; but it really +appears to me, that the propriety of attempting to defend the town, +depended on the probability of defending the bar; and that when this +ceased, the attempt ought to have been relinquished. In this, however, +I suspend a definitive judgment, and wish you to consider what I say +as confidential." Unfortunately, this letter did not arrive in time to +influence the conduct of the besieged.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">April 1.</div> + +<p>Having crossed Ashley River, Sir Henry Clinton moved down the neck, +and, on the night of the first of April, broke ground within eight +hundred yards of the American lines.</p> + +<p>The defences of Charleston had been constructed under the direction of +a Mr. Laumay, a French gentleman in the American service; and, +although not calculated to resist a regular siege, were far from being +contemptible.</p> + +<p>While the besiegers were employed on their first parallel, the +garrison received a considerable reinforcement. General Woodford, who +had marched from Morristown in December, entered the town with the old +continental troops of the Virginia line, now reduced to seven hundred +effectives. General Hogan, with the line of North Carolina, had +arrived before him. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> garrison consisted of rather more than two +thousand regular troops, of about one thousand North Carolina militia, +and of the citizens of Charleston. The exertions of the Governor to +bring in the militia of South Carolina had not succeeded.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">April 9.</div> + +<p>By the 9th of April, Sir Henry Clinton completed his first parallel +extending across the neck, and mounted his guns in battery. His works +formed an oblique line, from six to seven hundred yards distant from +those of the besieged. About the same time, Admiral Arbuthnot passed +Sullivan's Island, under a heavy and well directed fire from fort +Moultrie, then commanded by Colonel Pinckney, and anchored under +James' Island near fort Johnson, just out of gunshot of the batteries +of the town.</p> + +<p>Being now in complete possession of the harbour, the British General +and Admiral sent a joint summons to General Lincoln, demanding the +surrender of the town, to which he returned this firm and modest +answer. "Sixty days have elapsed since it has been known that your +intentions against this town were hostile, in which, time has been +afforded to abandon it; but duty and inclination point to the +propriety of supporting it to the last extremity."</p> + +<p>On receiving this answer, the besiegers opened their batteries, but +seemed to rely principally on proceeding by sap quite into the +American lines.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + +<p>About this time, the Governor with half the members of the council, +went into the country, in the hope of collecting a respectable force +in the rear, and on the left flank of the besieging army. The +Lieutenant Governor, and the other members of the council remained in +town.</p> + +<p>Hitherto, Sir Henry Clinton had not extended his lines north of +Charleston neck, and the communication of the garrison with the +country north-east of Cooper remained open. The American cavalry, +under the command of General Huger, had passed that river, and was +stationed in the neighbourhood of Monk's corner, about thirty miles +above Charleston. As an additional security to this, the only +remaining communication, two posts of militia were established, one +between the Cooper and the Santee rivers, to which the Governor +repaired in person; and another at a ferry on the Santee, where boats +were to be collected for the purpose of facilitating the passage of +the American army over that river, should it be deemed adviseable to +evacuate the town.</p> + +<p>Such importance was attached to this object, that Lincoln, after +Woodford had entered Charleston, detached a part of his regular +troops, to throw up some works about nine miles above the town, on +Wando, the eastern branch of Cooper, and on Lamprere's point. The +militia, it was hoped, though unwilling to enter Charleston, might be +drawn to these posts.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">April 14.</div> + +<p>After the fleet had entered the harbour, Sir Henry Clinton turned his +attention to the country on the east of Cooper, to acquire the +possession of which it was necessary to disable the American cavalry. +This service was committed to Lieutenant Colonel Webster, who detached +Tarlton with the horse and a corps of infantry to execute it. He +succeeded completely. <span class="sidenote">Tarlton surprises and defeats an American corps at Monk's +corner.</span>Conducted in the night through unfrequented +paths to the American videttes, he entered the camp with them, killed +and took about one hundred men, and dispersed the residue, who saved +themselves on foot in a swamp. Near fifty wagons loaded with military +stores, and about four hundred horses, fell into the hands of the +victors.</p> + +<p>This decisive blow gave Lieutenant Colonel Webster possession of the +whole country between Cooper and Wando; and closed the only route by +which the garrison could have retreated.</p> + +<p>The besiegers had now commenced their second parallel, and it became +every day more apparent that the town must ultimately yield to their +regular approaches. An evacuation was proposed, and Lincoln is +understood to have been in favour of that measure; but the +remonstrances of the principal inhabitants, who entreated him not to +abandon them to the fury of a disappointed enemy, added to the great +difficulty which must attend such an attempt, especially when opposed +by the civil government, deterred him from adopting the only course<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +which afforded even a probability, by saving his army, of saving the +southern states.</p> + +<p>Soon after the affair at Monk's corner, Sir Henry Clinton received a +reinforcement of three thousand men from New York. This addition to +his strength enabled him to detach largely to the aid of Lieutenant +Colonel Webster, after which Lord Cornwallis took command of the +troops on that side of Cooper River.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">April 20.</div> + +<p>Upon this change of situation, Lincoln called another council of war. +Notwithstanding the multiplied difficulties attending an evacuation of +Charleston, he appears to have been still inclined to it. But a number +of fortunate circumstances must have concurred to render a retreat +possible; and the attempt was effectually prevented by the opposition +of the civil government. The opinion seems to have prevailed, that the +escape of the garrison would be followed by the destruction of the +town, and the ruin of its inhabitants.</p> + +<p>The council advised that a capitulation should be proposed, and that +the town should be surrendered on condition that the garrison should +be at liberty still to bear arms, and that the inhabitants should be +secured in their persons and property. These propositions being +rejected, hostilities recommenced.</p> + +<p>The besiegers had completed their second parallel, and had begun the +third, when Colonel Henderson made a vigorous sally on their right,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +which was attended with some success. That this was the only sortie +made during the siege, is to be ascribed to the weakness of the +garrison. General Lincoln deemed it necessary to reserve all his +strength to man his lines in the event of an assault, or to force a +retreat, should he determine to evacuate the city.</p> + +<p>In this state of things, General Du Portail, who had been directed to +join the southern army, was conducted by secret ways into the town. He +perceived the impossibility of defending the place, and repeated the +proposition for attempting a retreat. This proposition was again +rejected; and it only remained to defer the surrender as long as +possible, in the vain hope that some fortunate occurrence might bring +relief.</p> + +<p>Every day diminished this hope, and added to the difficulties of the +besieged. <span class="sidenote">The garrison of fort Moultrie surrender themselves +prisoners of war.</span>The admiral took possession of Mount Pleasant, which induced +the immediate evacuation of Lamprere's point; soon after which the +garrison of fort Moultrie, amounting to about two hundred men,<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> +surrendered themselves prisoners of war. On the same day, the cavalry +which had escaped the disaster at Monk's corner, and had been +reassembled under the command of Colonel White, of New Jersey, was +again surprised and defeated by Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton at +Lanneau's ferry.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> +<p>The investment of the town was now complete; the advances were rapid; +and it became obvious that the place could be defended only a few days +longer. The besiegers had finished their third parallel; and by a sap +pushed to the dam that supplied the canal with water, had drained it +in many places to the bottom. The garrison, fatigued and worn out with +constant duty, was too weak to man the lines sufficiently; their guns +were almost all dismounted; most of the embrasures demolished; their +shot nearly expended; their provisions, with the exception of a few +cows, entirely consumed; and the approaches of the besiegers so near, +that their marksmen frequently picked off the men from the guns, and +killed<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> any person who showed himself above the works.</p> + +<p>In this state of things, the garrison was summoned, a second time, to +surrender; on which a council was again called, which advised a +capitulation. In pursuance of this advice, General Lincoln proposed +terms which were refused, and hostilities recommenced.</p> + +<p>The besiegers now advanced their works in front of their third +parallel, crossed the canal, pushed a double sap to the inside of the +abattis, and approached within twenty yards of the American works. +Preparations for an assault by sea and land were making. With less +than three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> thousand men, many of whom were militia, lines three miles +in extent were to be defended against the flower of the British army, +assisted by a powerful maritime force. Convinced that success was not +possible, the citizens prepared a petition to General Lincoln, +entreating him to surrender the town on the terms which had been +offered by the besiegers.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General Lincoln capitulates.</div> + +<p>This proposition was made and accepted; and the capitulation was +signed on the 12th of May.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">May 12.</div> + +<p>The town, and all public stores were surrendered. The garrison, as +well the citizens who had borne arms as the continental troops, +militia, and sailors, were to be prisoners of war. The garrison were +to march out of town, and to deposite their arms in front of their +works; but their drums were not to beat a British march, nor their +colours to be reversed. The militia were to retire to their homes on +parole, and their persons and property, as well as the persons and +property of the inhabitants of the town, to be secure while they +adhered to their paroles.</p> + +<p>These terms being agreed on, the garrison laid down their arms, and +General Leslie was appointed to take possession of the town.</p> + +<p>The defence of Charleston was obstinate, but not bloody. The besiegers +conducted their approaches with great caution; and the besieged, too +weak to hazard repeated sorties, kept within their lines. The loss on +both sides was nearly equal. That of the British was seventy-six<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +killed and one hundred and eighty-nine wounded; and that of the +Americans, excluding the inhabitants of the town not bearing arms, was +ninety-two killed, and one hundred and forty-eight wounded.</p> + +<p>From the official returns made to Sir Henry Clinton by his deputy +adjutant general, the number of prisoners, exclusive of sailors, +amounted to five thousand six hundred and eighteen men. This report, +however, presents a very incorrect view of the real strength of the +garrison. It includes every male adult inhabitant of the town. The +precise number of privates in the continental regiments, according to +the report made to congress by General Lincoln, was one thousand nine +hundred and seventy-seven; of whom five hundred were in the hospital.</p> + +<p>The unfortunate are generally condemned; and the loss of the garrison +of Charleston so maimed the force, and palsied the operations of the +American government in the south, that censure was unsparingly +bestowed on the officer who had undertaken and persevered in the +defence of that place. In his justificatory letter to the +Commander-in-chief, General Lincoln detailed at large the motives of +his conduct, and stated the testimony on which those delusive hopes of +substantial assistance were founded, which tempted him to remain in +town, until the un<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>expected arrival of the reinforcement from New York +deprived him of the power to leave it.</p> + +<p>The importance of that great mart of the southern states, which had +become the depot for the country to a considerable extent around it; +the magazines and military stores there collected, which, from the +difficulty of obtaining wagons, could not be removed; the ships of +war, which must be sacrificed should the town be evacuated; the +intention of congress that the place should be defended; the +assurances received that the garrison should be made up to ten +thousand men, of whom nearly one half would be regular troops; the +anxious solicitude of the government of South Carolina; all concurred +to induce the adoption of a measure which, in its consequences, was +extremely pernicious to the United States. In the opinion of those who +were best enabled to judge of his conduct, General Lincoln appears to +have been completely justified. The confidence of his government, and +the esteem of the Commander-in-chief, sustained no diminution.</p> + +<p>Sir Henry Clinton was aware of the impression his conquest had made, +and of the value of the first moments succeeding it. Calculating on +the advantages to be derived from showing an irresistible force in +various parts of the country at the same time, he made three large +detachments from his army;—the first and most considerable, towards +the frontiers of North Carolina; the second to pass the Saluda to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +Ninety-Six; and the third up the Savannah towards Augusta.</p> + +<p>Lord Cornwallis, who commanded the northern detachment, received +intelligence, soon after passing the Santee, that Colonel Buford, with +about four hundred men, was retreating in perfect security towards +North Carolina. He detached Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton with his +legion, the infantry being mounted, in pursuit of this party. <span class="sidenote">Buford defeated.</span>That +officer, by making a movement of near one hundred miles in two days, +overtook Buford, in a line of march, at the Waxhaws, and demanded a +surrender on the terms which had been granted to the garrison of +Charleston. This was refused. While the flags were passing, Tarlton +continued to make his dispositions for the assault, and, the instant +the truce was over, his cavalry made a furious charge on the +Americans, who had received no orders to engage, and who seem to have +been uncertain whether to defend themselves or not. In this state of +dismay and confusion, some fired on the assailants, while others threw +down their arms and begged for quarter. None was given. Colonel Buford +escaped with a few cavalry; and about one hundred infantry, who were +in advance, saved themselves by flight; but the regiment was almost +demolished. Tarlton, in his official report, says that one hundred and +thirteen were killed on the spot, one hundred and fifty so badly +wounded as to be incapable of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> being moved, and fifty-three were +brought away as prisoners. The loss of the British was five killed and +fourteen wounded.</p> + +<p>Tarlton gives a very different account of the circumstances which +preceded this massacre. He says that the demand for a surrender was +made long before Buford was overtaken, and was answered by a defiance; +that, on overtaking him, the British vanguard made prisoners of a +sergeant and four light dragoons, in the presence of the two +commanders, who immediately prepared for action; that as he advanced +to the charge, when within fifty paces, the American infantry +presented, and were commanded by their officers to retain their fire +until the British cavalry should be nearer.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a></p> + +<p>The American officers who survived the carnage of the day, generally +assert that flags passed after being overtaken, that they had received +no orders from Colonel Buford when the charge was made, and that the +fire of their troops was retained until the enemy was upon them, +because they did not think themselves authorized to give it. The facts +that Buford's field pieces were not discharged, and that the loss was +so very unequal, are not to be reconciled with the idea of deliberate +preparation for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> battle, and justify the belief that the statement +made by the American officers is correct.</p> + +<p>After the defeat of Buford, scarcely the semblance of opposition +remained in South Carolina and Georgia. The military force employed by +congress was nearly destroyed; the spirit of resistance seemed +entirely broken; and a general disposition to submit to the victor +displayed itself in almost every part of the country.</p> + +<p>The two other detachments saw no appearance of an enemy. They received +the submission of the inhabitants, who either became neutral by giving +their paroles, not to bear arms against his Britannic Majesty, or took +the oaths of allegiance, and resumed the character of British +subjects.</p> + +<p>To keep up this disposition, garrisons were posted in different +stations, and a series of measures was pursued for the purpose of +settling the civil affairs of the province, and of giving stability to +the conquest which had been made.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sir Henry Clinton takes measures for settling the +government of South Carolina and Georgia.<br />June 3.</div> + +<p>So entirely did the present aspect of affairs convince Sir Henry +Clinton of the complete subjugation of the state, and of the +favourable disposition of the people towards the British government, +that he ventured to issue a proclamation, in which he discharged the +militia who were prisoners from their paroles, with the exception of +those who were taken in Charleston and fort Moultrie, and restored +them to all the rights and duties of British subjects; declaring,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> at +the same time, that such of them as should neglect to return to their +allegiance, should be considered and treated as enemies and rebels.</p> + +<p>This proclamation disclosed to the inhabitants their real situation. +It proved that a state of neutrality was not within their reach; that +the evils of war were unavoidable; that they must arrange themselves +on the one side or the other; and that the only alternative presented +to them was, to drive the enemy out of their country, or take up arms +against their countrymen.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">June 5.</div> + +<p>With the most sanguine hopes that the southern states would be +reunited to the British empire, Sir Henry Clinton embarked for New +York, leaving about four thousand British troops in South Carolina, +under the command of Lord Cornwallis.</p> + +<p>His lordship found it necessary to suspend the expedition he had +meditated against North Carolina. The impossibility of supporting an +army in that state before harvest, as well as the intense heat of the +season, required this delay. His first care was to distribute his +troops through South Carolina and the upper parts of Georgia, so as to +promote the great and immediate objects of enlisting the young men who +were willing to join his standard, of arranging the plan of a militia, +and of collecting magazines at convenient places.</p> + +<p>In the mean time, he despatched emissaries to his friends in North +Carolina, to inform them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> of the necessary delay of his expedition +into their country, and to request them to attend to their harvest, +collect provisions, and remain quiet until late in August or early in +September, when the King's troops would be ready to enter the +province.</p> + +<p>The impatience of the royalists, stimulated by the triumph of their +friends in a neighbouring state, and by the necessary severities of a +vigilant government, could not be restrained by this salutary counsel. +Anticipating the immediate superiority of their party, they could not +brook the authority exercised over them, and broke out into premature +and ill concerted insurrections, which were vigorously encountered, +and generally suppressed. One body of them, however, amounting to +about eight hundred men, led by Colonel Bryan, marched down the east +side of the Yadkin to a British post at the Cheraws, whence they +proceeded to Camden.</p> + +<p>Having made his dispositions, and fixed on Camden as the place for his +principal magazines, Cornwallis left the command of the frontiers to +Lord Rawdon, and retired to Charleston for the purpose of making those +farther arrangements of a civil nature, which the state of affairs and +the interest of his sovereign might require.</p> + +<p>His lordship, as well as Sir Henry Clinton, seems to have supposed the +state of South Carolina to be as completely subdued in sentiment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> as +in appearance. Impatient to derive active aids from the new conquest, +his measures were calculated to admit of no neutrality. For some time +these measures seemed to succeed, and professions of loyalty were made +in every quarter. But under this imposing exterior, lurked a mass of +concealed discontent, to which every day furnished new aliment, and +which waited only for a proper occasion to show itself.</p> + +<p>The people of the lower parts of South Carolina, though far from being +united, were generally attached to the revolution, and had entered +into the war with zeal. They were conducted by a high spirited and +intelligent gentry, who ardently sought independence as a real and +permanent good.</p> + +<p>Several causes had combined to suspend the operation of this +sentiment. Many of their leaders were prisoners; and the brilliant +successes of the British arms had filled numbers with despair. Others +were sensible of the inutility of present resistance; and a still +greater number, fatigued and harassed with militia duty, were willing +to withdraw from the conflict, and, as spectators, to await its issue. +To compel these men to share the burdens of the war, was to restore +them to their former friends.</p> + +<p>Late in March, General Washington had obtained the consent of congress +to reinforce the southern army with the troops of Maryland and +Delaware, and with the first regiment of artil<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>lery. This detachment +was to be commanded by the Baron De Kalb, a German veteran who had +engaged early in the service of the United States.</p> + +<p>Such, however, was the deranged state of American finances, and such +the depression of public credit, that these troops could not be put +immediately in motion. They were at length embarked at the Head of +Elk, and conveyed by water to Petersburg, in Virginia, whence they +marched towards South Carolina. Their progress was delayed by that +difficulty of obtaining subsistence which had induced Lord Cornwallis +to suspend the invasion of North Carolina until harvest should be +gathered. No preparations having been made for them, they were reduced +to the necessity of spreading themselves over the country in small +detachments, to collect corn, and grind it for their daily food. In +this manner they proceeded through the upper parts of North Carolina +to Deep River, and encamped near Buffalo Ford in July. At this place +the Baron halted for a few days, in some uncertainty respecting his +future course.<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a></p> + +<p>The militia of North Carolina, commanded by General Caswell, were +beyond the Pedee, on the road to Camden, and had nearly consumed the +scanty supplies which could be gleaned from a country that was far +from being productive. The Baron was premeditating on a plan for +leaving the direct road and moving up the coun<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>try to the fertile +banks of the Yadkin, when the approach of Major General Gates was +announced by the arrival of his aid-de-camp, Major Armstrong.<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a></p> + +<p>Aware of the danger to which the loss of Charleston had exposed that +part of the confederacy, congress deemed it of the utmost importance +to select a general for that department, in whom great military +talents should be combined with that weight of character which might +enable him to draw out the resources of the country. <span class="sidenote">General Gates appointed to the command of the southern +army.<br />July.</span>They turned their +eyes on Gates;<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> and sanguine hopes were entertained that the +conqueror of Burgoyne would prove the saviour of the southern states. +On the 13th of June, he was called to the command in the southern +department, and was directed to repair immediately to the army. He +entered, without loss of time, on the duties of his station; and, on +the 25th of July, reached the camp, where he was received by the Baron +De Kalb with the utmost cordiality and respect.</p> + +<p>The approach of this army, and the information that great exertions +were making in Virginia to augment it, revived the hopes of South +Carolina, and brought again into action a spirit supposed to be +extinguished. The British troops having occupied the north-western +parts of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> state, the most active friends of the revolution in that +quarter had fled from their homes, and sought an asylum in North +Carolina and Virginia. As the discontents of their countrymen +increased, and the prospect of being supported by regular troops +brightened, a small body of these exiles, amounting to less than two +hundred, assembled together, and choosing Colonel Sumpter, an old +continental officer, for their chief, entered South Carolina. They +skirmished with the royal militia and small corps of regulars on the +frontiers, sometimes successfully, and always with the active courage +of men fighting for the recovery of their property. The followers of +Sumpter were soon augmented to six hundred men; and a disposition once +more to take up arms showed itself in various parts of the state. Some +corps of militia, which had been embodied under the authority of Lord +Cornwallis, deserted his standard, and joined their countrymen. +Perceiving this change of temper, the British general thought it +necessary to draw in his out-posts, and to collect his troops into +larger bodies.</p> + +<p>On taking command of the southern army, General Gates directed the +troops to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning; +and, on the morning of the 27th, put the whole in motion. Disregarding +the judicious remonstrances which were made to him against pursuing +the direct road, he determined on tak<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>ing the nearest route to the +advanced post of the British on Lynch's Creek, a few miles from +Camden. The motives assigned by himself for passing through this +barren country were, the necessity of uniting with Caswell, who had +evaded the orders repeatedly given him to join the army, the danger of +dispiriting the troops, and intimidating the people of the country, by +pursuing a route not leading directly towards the enemy, and the +assurances he had received that supplies would overtake him, and would +be prepared for him on the road.</p> + +<p>These assurances were not fulfilled; and, the country being still more +barren than had been anticipated, the distress of the army was +extreme. The soldiers subsisted on a few lean cattle found in the +woods, and a very scanty supply of green corn and peaches. <span class="sidenoteb">August 13.</span>Encouraged +by the example of their officers, who shared all their sufferings, and +checked occasional murmurs, they struggled through these difficulties, +and, after effecting a junction with General Caswell and with +Lieutenant Colonel Porterfield,<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> the army reached Clermont, +sometimes called Rugely's mills, on the 13th of August. Possession was +taken of this place without any oppo<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>sition from Lord Rawdon, who, on +the approach of the American army, drew in his out-posts, and +assembled all his forces at Camden.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a></p> + +<p>The day after the arrival of Gates at Clermont, he was joined by seven +hundred militia from Virginia, commanded by Brigadier General Stevens, +an officer of considerable merit, who, during the campaigns of 1777 +and 1778, had commanded a continental regiment. On the same day, an +express arrived from Colonel Sumpter, with information that an escort +of clothing, ammunition, and other stores for the garrison at Camden, +was on the way from Ninety-Six, and must pass the Wateree at a ferry +about a mile from Camden, which was covered by a small redoubt on the +opposite side of the river. One hundred regular infantry with two +brass field-pieces, were immediately detached to join Colonel Sumpter, +who was ordered to reduce the redoubt, and to intercept the +convoy.<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p> + +<p>To attract the attention of the garrison in Camden, and thus +co-operate with the expedition under Sumpter, it was determined in a +council of general officers to put the army in motion that evening, +and to take a post about seven miles from Camden with a deep creek in +front.</p> + +<p>The sick, the heavy baggage, and the military stores were ordered +under a guard to Waxhaws,<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> and the army was directed to be in +readiness to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> march precisely at ten in the evening in the following +order.</p> + +<p>Colonel Armand's legion composed the van. Porterfield's light +infantry, reinforced by a company of picked men from Stevens's +brigade, covered the right flank of the legion; while Major +Armstrong's light infantry of North Carolina militia, reinforced in +like manner from Caswell's division, covered the left. The Maryland +division, followed by the North Carolina and Virginia militia, with +the artillery, composed the main body and rear guard; and the +volunteer cavalry were equally distributed on the flanks of the +baggage.</p> + +<p>In the event of an attack in front by the British cavalry, the +infantry on the flanks were directed to march up, and to continue +their fire on the assailants. It was supposed they would enable +Colonel Armand to resist the shock; and his orders were positive to +maintain his ground against the cavalry, whatever their numbers might +be.<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></p> + +<p>At the time of communicating these orders to Colonel Otho H. Williams, +the Deputy Adjutant General, Gates, showed him a rough estimate of the +army, making it upwards of seven thousand. Convinced that this +estimate was exaggerated, Colonel Williams availed himself of his +means of information to make an abstract of the whole, which he +presented to the general,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> and which exhibited exactly three thousand +and fifty-two in the column of present fit for duty, of whom more than +two-thirds were militia. Gates expressed some surprise at the numbers, +but said, "there are enough for our purpose," and directed the orders +to be issued to the army. About ten at night, the line of march was +taken up, and the army had advanced about half way to Camden, when a +firing commenced in front.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a></p> + +<p>Intelligence of the approach of the American army, and of the +defection of the country between Pedee and the Black River, had been +communicated to Lord Cornwallis, and had induced him to hasten in +person to Camden, which place he reached the day Gates arrived at +Clermont.</p> + +<p>The British army did not much exceed two thousand men, of whom about +nineteen hundred were regulars; but, as the whole country was rising, +Lord Cornwallis apprehended that every day would strengthen his enemy, +and therefore determined to attack him in his camp; hoping, by a +prompt execution of this resolution, to surprise him. By one of those +caprices of fortune on which great events often depend, he marched +from Camden to attack Gates in Clermont, at the very hour that Gates +moved from that place towards Camden.<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a></p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">August 16.</div> + +<p>About half past two in the morning, the advanced parties of the +hostile armies, to their mutual surprise, met in the woods, and began +to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> skirmish with each other. Some of Armand's cavalry being wounded +by the first fire, threw the others into disorder, and the whole +recoiled so suddenly that the first Maryland regiment, composing the +front of the column was broken, and the whole line thrown into +consternation. From this first impression, the raw troops never +recovered. The light infantry, however, particularly Porterfield's +corps, behaved so well as to check the advance of the British. +Unfortunately, their gallant commander received a mortal wound, which +compelled him to leave his regiment. Yet a part of it kept its ground; +and, with the aid of the legion infantry, stopped the British van; +upon which order was restored to the American army.</p> + +<p>The officers were immediately employed in forming a line of battle in +front. The Maryland division, including the troops of Delaware, were +on the right, the North Carolina militia in the centre, and the +Virginia militia on the left.</p> + +<p>In this rencounter some prisoners were made, from one of whom Colonel +Williams drew the information that the British army, consisting of +near three thousand men, commanded by Lord Cornwallis in person, was +in full march five or six hundred yards in front. This intelligence +was immediately communicated to General Gates, who had supposed Lord +Cornwallis to be still in Charleston. The general officers were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +assembled in the rear of the line, and this information submitted to +them. After a short silence, Stevens said, "Gentlemen, is it not too +late to do any thing but fight?" No other advice being given, General +Gates, who seems to have been himself disposed to risk a battle, +directed the officers to repair to their respective commands.</p> + +<p>The ground on which the army was drawn up was so narrowed by a marsh +on each flank, as to admit of removing the first Maryland brigade, so +as to form a second line about two hundred yards in rear of the first. +The artillery was placed in the centre of the first line, and +Armstrong's light infantry was ordered to cover a small interval +between the flank of the left wing and the marsh.</p> + +<p>Frequent skirmishes occurred during the night between the advanced +parties, with scarcely any other effect than to discover the situation +of the armies, evince the intention of the generals, and serve as a +prelude to the events of the succeeding morning.</p> + +<p>At dawn of day the British appeared in front, advancing in column. +Lieutenant Colonel Webster commanded on the right, and Lord Rawdon on +the left. The seventy-first regiment composed the reserve. Four field +pieces were attached to the left, and one to the corps de reserve.</p> + +<p>Captain Singleton opened some field pieces on the front of the column, +at the distance of about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> two hundred yards, soon after which the +American left was ordered to commence the action. It was then +perceived that the British right was advancing in line; and as Stevens +led on his brigade in good order, Colonel Williams advanced in front +with a few volunteers, intending by a partial fire to extort that of +the enemy at some distance, and thereby diminish its effect on the +militia. The experiment did not succeed. The British rushed forward +with great impetuosity, firing and huzzaing at the same time; and the +terrified militia, disregarding the exertions of Stevens, who, in the +firm tone of courage, endeavoured to inspire them with confidence in +the bayonets they had just received, threw down their loaded muskets, +fled from the field with the utmost precipitation, and were followed +by the light infantry of Armstrong. The whole North Carolina division, +except one regiment commanded by Colonel Dixon, an old continental +officer, which was posted nearest the continental troops, followed the +shameful example. Other parts of the same brigade, which was commanded +by Gregory, paused for an instant; but the terror of their brethren +was soon communicated to them, and they also threw away their arms, +and sought for safety in flight. Their general, while endeavouring to +rally them, was dangerously wounded.</p> + +<p>Tarlton's legion charged them as they broke, and pursued them in their +flight. Gates, in per<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>son, assisted by their generals, made several +efforts to rally the militia; but the alarm in their rear still +continuing, they poured on like a torrent, and bore him with them. He +hastened with General Caswell to Clermont, in the hope of stopping a +sufficient number of them at their old encampment, to cover the +retreat of the continental troops; but this hope was entirely +disappointed. Believing the continental troops also to be dispersed, +he gave up all as lost, and retreated with a few friends to Charlotte, +about eighty miles from the field of battle, where he left General +Caswell to assemble the neighbouring militia, and proceeded himself to +Hillsborough, in order to concert some plan of farther defence with +the government.</p> + +<p>Entirely deserted by the militia who composed the whole centre and +left wing of the army, the continental troops, with the Baron De Kalb +at their head, were left without orders, under circumstances which +might have justified a retreat. But taking counsel from their courage, +and seeing only the path of duty, they preferred the honourable and +dangerous part of maintaining their position. They were charged by +Lord Rawdon about the time the militia on their left were broken by +Webster; but the charge was received with unexpected firmness. The +bayonet was occasionally resorted to by both parties, and the conflict +was maintained for near three quarters of an hour with equal +obsti<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>nacy. During this time, the regiment on the left of the second +Maryland brigade being covered by the reserve, so that it could be +only engaged in front, gained ground and made prisoners.</p> + +<p>The reserve, having its left entirely exposed, was flanked by the +British right wing under Webster; who, after detaching a part of his +cavalry and light infantry in pursuit of the flying militia, wheeled +on that brigade, and attacking it in front and round the left flank, +threw it into some disorder. The soldiers were, however, quickly +rallied, and renewed the action with unimpaired spirit. Overpowered by +numbers, they were again broken, and by the exertion of their officers +were again formed, so as still to maintain the combat, and still to +cover the flank of their brethren of the second brigade, who were in a +manner blended with the enemy, and who kept up a desperate conflict in +the hope of yet obtaining the victory.</p> + +<p>The fire of the whole British army was now directed against these two +devoted brigades. They had not lost an inch of ground when Lord +Cornwallis, perceiving that they were without cavalry, pushed his +dragoons upon them, and at the same instant, charged them with the +bayonet. These gallant troops were no longer able to keep the field. +They were at length broken; and, as they did not give way until +intermingled with the enemy, they dispersed and fled in confusion. +Before they were reduced to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> this last extremity, the Baron De Kalb, +who fought on foot with the second Maryland brigade, fell under eleven +wounds. His aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Colonel Du Buysson, received him +in his arms, announced his rank and nation to the surrounding foe, and +begged that they would spare his life. While thus generously exposing +himself to save his friend, he received several wounds, and, with his +general, was taken prisoner. <span class="sidenote">Death of De Kalb.</span>The Baron expired in a few hours, and +spent his last breath in dictating a letter, expressing the warmest +affection for the officers and men of his division, and the most +exalted admiration of their courage and good conduct.<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a></p> + +<p>Never was a victory more complete. Every corps was broken and +dispersed in the woods. The general officers were divided from their +men; and, except Rutherford of the North Carolina militia who was made +a prisoner, reached Charlotte at different times. Colonel Williams, +who witnessed the whole battle, and bore a conspicuous part in it, +concludes his very animated description of it, with the observation, +that "if in this affair the militia fled too soon, the regulars may be +thought almost as blameable for remaining too long on the field; +especially after all hope of victory must have been despaired of." He +censures freely the conduct of the brigadiers, who gave, he says, no +orders whatever to their brigades.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> + +<p>About two hundred wagons, with a great part of the baggage, military +stores, small arms, and all the artillery, fell into the hands of the +conqueror. The loss of men could never be accurately ascertained, as +no returns were received from the militia. Of the North Carolina +division, between three and four hundred were made prisoners, and +between sixty and one hundred were wounded. Of the Virginia militia, +three were wounded on the field; and, as they were the first to fly, +not many were taken.</p> + +<p>For the numbers engaged, the loss sustained by the regulars was +considerable. It amounted to between three and four hundred men, of +whom a large portion were officers. The British accounts state the +loss of the American army at eight or nine hundred killed, and about +one thousand prisoners; while their own is said to be only three +hundred and twenty-five, of whom two hundred and forty-five were +wounded. Although many of the militia were killed during the flight, +this account is probably exaggerated. It would seem too, that while +the continental troops kept the field, the loss on both sides, in that +part of the action, must have been nearly equal.</p> + +<p>On his retreat, the day of the battle, General Gates received +information of the complete success of Sumpter. That officer had, on +the evening that Lord Cornwallis marched from Camden, reduced the +redoubt on the Wateree,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> captured the guard, and intercepted the +escort with the stores.</p> + +<p>This gleam of light cheered the dark gloom which enveloped his affairs +but for a moment. He was soon informed that this corps also was +defeated, and entirely dispersed.</p> + +<p>On hearing of the disaster which had befallen Gates, Sumpter began to +retreat up the south side of the Wateree. Believing himself out of +danger, he had halted on the twenty-eighth, during the heat of the +day, near the Catawba Ford, to give his harassed troops some repose. +<span class="sidenoteb">August 18.</span>At that place he was overtaken by Tarlton, who had been detached in +pursuit of him on the morning of the 17th, and who, advancing with his +accustomed celerity, entered the American camp so suddenly, as in a +great measure to cut off the men from their arms. Some slight +resistance made from behind the wagons was soon overcome, and the +Americans fled precipitately to the river and woods. Between three and +four hundred of them were killed and wounded; their baggage, +artillery, arms, and ammunition were lost; and the prisoners and +stores they had taken, were recovered. This advantage was gained with +the loss of only nine men killed and six wounded.</p> + +<p>Two videttes had been placed by Sumpter, on the road along which +Tarlton had advanced, who fired upon his van and killed one of his +dragoons, upon which they were both sabred.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> We are informed by +Colonel Tarlton that the inquiries made by Sumpter respecting the two +shots, were answered by an assurance from an officer, just returned +from the advanced sentries, that the militia were firing at cattle.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">August 19.</div> + +<p>Intelligence of this disaster reached Charlotte next day. Generals +Smallwood and Gist were then arrived at that place, and about one +hundred and fifty straggling, dispirited, half famished officers and +soldiers had also dropped in. It was thought adviseable to retreat +immediately to Salisbury. From that place, General Gates directed the +remnant of the troops to march to Hillsborough, where he was +endeavouring to assemble another army, which might enable him yet to +contend for the southern states.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>Distress in the American camp.... Expedition against Staten +Island.... Requisitions on the states.... New scheme of +finance.... Committee of congress deputed to camp.... +Resolution to make up depreciation of pay.... Mutiny in the +line of Connecticut.... General Knyphausen enters Jersey.... +Sir Henry Clinton returns to New York.... Skirmish at +Springfield.... Exertions to strengthen the army.... Bank +established in Philadelphia.... Contributions of the +ladies.... Farther proceedings of the states.... Arrival of +a French armament in Rhode Island.... Changes in the +quartermaster's department.... Enterprise against New York +abandoned.... Naval superiority of the British.</b></p></div> + +<p> </p> + + +<div class="sidenotey">1780.</div> + +<p><span class="lgsmcap">While</span> disasters thus crowded on each other in the southern states, +the Commander-in-chief found himself surrounded with difficulties, +which required his utmost exertions to avoid calamities equally +distressing. His urgent requisitions for men to supply the places of +those who were leaving the service, were not complied with, and the +soldiers who remained, could scarcely be preserved from either +perishing with cold and hunger, or dispersing and living on plunder.</p> + +<p>General Greene and Colonel Wadsworth, who had, for the preceding year, +been at the head of the quartermaster and commissary departments, +possessed distinguished merit, and had employed assistants of +unquestionable ability and integrity. Yet, for a great part of the +campaign,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> the rations were frequently reduced, and the army was +rarely supplied with provisions for more than a few days in advance. +Soon after coming into winter quarters, the magazines were exhausted, +and afforded neither meat nor flour to be delivered to the men.</p> + +<p>This state of things had been long foreseen; and all the means in the +power of the Commander-in-chief had been used to prevent it. Repeated +representations of the actual famine with which the army was +threatened, had been made to congress, and to the state governments; +but no adequate relief was afforded; and such was the condition of the +finances, so embarrassing the state of affairs, that it was perhaps +attainable only by measures which the governments could not venture to +adopt.</p> + +<p>The rapid depreciation of the continental currency, had long been +viewed with apprehensive anxiety by the enlightened friends of the +revolution, and various unsuccessful expedients had been essayed for +the purpose of checking its progress. All perceived that the great +quantity in circulation was the principal cause of the diminution of +its value; and congress had resolved not to exceed two hundred +millions of dollars in their emissions. In the mean time, the utmost +endeavours were used to defer an evil so justly dreaded, and among the +expedients employed, was that of withholding from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> public agents, +the money which was necessary for public purposes. This unwise +experiment, while it defeated its own object, threatened the +dissolution of the American army.</p> + +<p>The difference between the value of the article at the times of +contract and of payment was soon perceived, and, of course, influenced +its price. But this was the least mischievous consequence of this +mistaken policy. The public agents contracted enormous debts which +they were unable to discharge. Repeated disappointments destroyed +their credit; and, towards the close of the year 1779, they found it +impracticable to obtain supplies for the subsistence of the army.</p> + +<p>From these causes, the contracts entered into could not be +co-extensive with the public wants; and many of those which were made +were not complied with.</p> + +<p>In this critical state of things, an entire revolution was made in the +commissary department. Such was the prejudice against the system +adopted by Great Britain, for supplying by contract, that it had been +usual to allow, as a compensation to the commissary, a stipulated +commission on all the monies expended on public account. After some +time, this allowance was supposed to be an inducement to purchase at +high prices; and an arrangement was made on the first of January, by +which the commissary general was to receive a fixed nominal salary in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +the paper currency, and was permitted to appoint assistants whose +compensations were also fixed, and who were to defray, out of those +compensations, all the expenses attending the transactions of the +business. The practice of allowing them rations and forage was +discontinued.</p> + +<p>This new system was unfortunately so modified as to increase the +embarrassments of the department. It was found difficult to obtain +assistants and agents for the compensation allowed; and those who were +willing to be employed, were unequal to the duties assigned them.</p> + +<p>For several days, the soldiers were reduced to half allowance, and +sometimes to less. At length, affairs came to the crisis which had +long been threatened; and, early in January, a letter was received +from Colonel Wadsworth, informing the general that it was absolutely +out of his power to supply the army longer with meat, as he was +without money, and had totally exhausted his credit. About the same +time, the assistant commissary, residing in camp, gave notice that his +stock of provisions was on the point of being expended, and that he +had no immediate prospect of a farther supply.</p> + +<p>This state of things compelled the Commander-in-chief to adopt +efficacious measures, to relieve the immediate and pressing wants of +his soldiers. He required from each county in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> state of Jersey, a +quantity of meat and flour proportioned to its resources, to be raised +and forwarded to the army within a limited time, not exceeding six +days. In a circular letter addressed to the magistrates, he stated the +pressing wants of the army, and the necessity of resorting to coercion +should his requisition fail.</p> + +<p>To the honour of the magistrates and people of New Jersey, although +their country was much exhausted, the supplies required were instantly +furnished, and a temporary relief obtained.</p> + +<p>The patient and uncomplaining fortitude with which the soldiers bore +their sufferings, was strong evidence of their patriotism, and could +not fail to make a deep impression on their general. But while their +virtues excited his sensibilities, he expressed his fears very freely +to congress, that they might be too severely tried.</p> + +<p>The unusual severity of the winter, seemed to furnish an opportunity +for active enterprise, which the Commander-in-chief observed, without +being able to improve. The garrison of New York and its immediate +dependencies, was supposed to be reduced to ten or eleven thousand +effectives; and the security heretofore derived from its insular +situation no longer existed. The ice was so strong that the whole +army, with its train of wagons and artillery, might pass over without +danger. This circumstance afforded a glorious occasion for striking a +blow, which, if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> successful, would most probably terminate the war. +The effort would seem not to have exceeded the strength of America, +could that strength have been exerted in proper season; but the +government possessed neither sufficient energy nor concentration of +power to call it forth; and this opportunity passed away, as many +which present themselves in the course of human affairs, must pass +away, if those who should take advantage of them, only begin to +deliberate about making preparations in the season for action.</p> + +<p>The force under the immediate command of General Washington, was +decidedly inferior to that in New York; and so far was he from having +reason to expect immediate reinforcements, that congress had not +agreed on making a requisition for them. In addition to this +feebleness in point of numbers, the soldiers were not half clothed; +provisions for immediate use could be obtained only by contributions +from the people; the quartermaster's department was unable to put an +army in motion; and the military chest did not contain a dollar.</p> + +<p>Under the pressure of this combination of discouraging circumstances, +the active mind of Washington still looked forward to the possibility +of deriving some advantage from the exposed situation of his +adversary.</p> + +<p>The troops on Staten Island were computed at one thousand or twelve +hundred men; and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> firm bridge of ice now uniting that island to +the Jersey shore, seemed to furnish an opportunity for bearing off +this corps. General Washington determined to make the attempt with two +thousand five hundred men, to be commanded by Major General Lord +Stirling. The more distant troops moved down on sleds; and, to favour +a surprise, the opinion was inculcated that they only constituted a +relief for the detachment already on the lines.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">January.</div> + +<p>On the night of the 14th of January, Lord Stirling moved over from De +Hart's point; and, detaching Lieutenant Colonel Willet to Decker's +house, where Buskirk's regiment was stationed, proceeded himself to +the watering place, where the main body was posted. Notwithstanding +the precautions which had been taken, the alarm had been given at each +post, and the troops had saved themselves in their works; so that only +a few prisoners were made. Contrary to the intelligence previously +received, the communication with New York was still open; and the +works appeared too strong to justify the hazard of attempting to carry +them by assault.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">January 17.</div> + +<p>The object of the expedition being unattainable, Lord Stirling +commenced his retreat, which was effected with inconsiderable loss. A +body of cavalry, which charged his rear, was repulsed; but, from the +intenseness of the cold, and the defectiveness of his means to protect +his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> men from it, some of them were frost bitten, and a few stragglers +were made prisoners.</p> + +<p>The excessive cold continuing, the rivers were soon afterwards +completely blocked up. Even arms of the sea were passable on the ice; +and the islands about the mouth of the Hudson, presented the +appearance of one whole and unbroken continent. This state of things +produced a great degree of suffering among all classes in New York. +The supplies usually received by water failed totally, and a great +scarcity of provisions and of fuel was the consequence. To increase +this scarcity, the American troops on the lines were so disposed as to +interrupt the communication between the country and the town; and +these arrangements produced a partisan war, in which the advantage was +rather on the side of the British.</p> + +<p>In one of the most important of these skirmishes, Captain Roberts, of +Massachusetts, with fourteen of his men, were killed on the spot; +seventeen were wounded, of whom three died in a few days; and +Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, of Massachusetts, who commanded the +party, two captains, four subalterns, and ninety non-commissioned +officers and privates were made prisoners.</p> + +<p>The emission of the full sum of two hundred millions of dollars in +continental bills of credit, which congress had solemnly resolved not +to exceed, had been completed in November, 1779,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> and the money was +expended. The requisitions on the states to replenish the treasury by +taxes were not fully complied with; and, had they even been strictly +observed, would not have produced a sum equal to the public +expenditure. It was therefore necessary to devise other measures for +the prosecution of the war. During the distresses which brought the +army to the brink of dissolution, these measures were under +consideration. So early as December, 1779, congress had determined to +change the mode of supplying the army from purchases to requisitions +of specific articles on the several states. As preliminary to this +system, commissioners were appointed to make the estimates, and to +introduce every practicable reform in the expenditures. This subject +was under deliberation until the 25th of February, when sundry +resolutions were passed, apportioning on the states their respective +quotas of provisions, spirits, and forage, for the ensuing campaign. +The value of the several articles was estimated in specie; and +assurances were given that accounts between the states should be +regularly kept, and finally settled in Spanish milled dollars.</p> + +<p>For the purpose of inducing and facilitating a compliance with these +requisitions, congress also resolved, "that any state which shall have +taken the necessary measures for furnishing its quota, and have given +notice thereof to congress, shall be authorized to prohibit any +continental quar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>termaster or commissary from purchasing within its +limits."</p> + +<p>These resolutions, constituting the basis of a new system on which the +future subsistence of the army was essentially to depend, were too +deeply interesting not to receive the anxious attention of the +Commander-in-chief. With regret, he communicated to congress the +radical defects he perceived in their arrangements, with his +apprehensions that this untried scheme would fail in practice.</p> + +<p>His judgment, and the judgment of all men engaged in high and +responsible situations, was decidedly in favour of conducting the war +on a national rather than on a state system. But, independent of this +radical objection, economy had been so much more consulted than the +probable necessities of the army, that, in almost every article, the +estimate had fallen far short of the demand to be reasonably expected.</p> + +<p>The total omission to provide means for supplying occasional +deficiencies from the surplus resources of any particular state, was +an error of still greater magnitude. It was obvious that the demand in +any state which should become the theatre of war, would be much +greater than its quota; and experience had shown that the carriage of +specific articles from distant places was always difficult and +expensive, and sometimes impracticable. Yet no means were adopted to +supply such extraordinary demand,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> whatever might be the resources of +the country. A still more radical objection to the system was the +principle, enabling any state which should take means to comply with +the requisition, and should notify those means to the government of +the United States, to prohibit the continental agents from making any +purchases within its territory. Among the states which adopted the +proposition of congress was New Jersey, in which the largest division +of the army was stationed. Its legislature passed an act prohibiting +the purchase of provisions within its jurisdiction by the staff of the +continental line, under severe penalties; and refused to authorize its +own agents to provide for any emergency however pressing. It was an +additional objection to these requisitions, that they specified no +periods of the year within which certain portions of the articles +demanded should be raised, and consequently might be complied with, +although the army should be left destitute of every necessary for a +considerable part of the campaign.</p> + +<p>These suggestions, however, with others less material to the military +operations, did not receive the attention which was due to their +importance. A disposition in the members of congress, growing +inevitably out of the organization of the government, to consult the +will of their respective states, and to prefer that will to any other +object, had discovered itself at an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> early period, and had gained +strength with time. The state of the national treasury was calculated +to promote this disposition. It was empty, and could be replenished +only by taxes, which congress had not the power to impose; or by new +emissions of bills of credit, which the government had pledged the +public faith not to make, and which would rest for their redemption +only on that faith, which would be violated in the very act of their +emission. Under these circumstances, it required a degree of energy +seldom found, to struggle with surrounding difficulties for the +preservation of a general system, and to resist the temptation to +throw the nation at the feet of the states, in whom the vital +principle of power, the right to levy taxes, was exclusively vested. +While the continental currency preserved its value, this essential +defect of the constitution was, in some measure, concealed. The +facility with which money was obtained from the press, was a temporary +substitute for the command of the resources of the country. But when +this expedient failed, it was scarcely possible to advance a single +step, but under the guidance of the respective states.</p> + +<p>Whatever might be the future effect of this system, it was +impracticable to bring it into immediate operation. The legislatures +of the several states, by whom it was to be adopted, and carried into +execution, were, many of them, not then in session; and were to meet +at different<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> times through the ensuing spring. It was consequently to +be expected that great part of the summer would pass away before the +supplies to be raised by the measure, could be brought into use. In +the mean time, and until a new scheme of finance, which accompanied +the requisition of specific articles, should be tried, there was no +regular provision for the army. <span class="sidenote">Financial regulations.</span>Bills to the amount of £100,000 +sterling, payable at six months' sight, were drawn on Mr. Jay, and +others to the same amount, on Mr. Laurens, who were empowered to +negotiate loans in Europe. These bills were sold in small sums on +pressing occasions; and the loan offices remained open for the purpose +of borrowing from individuals.</p> + +<p>This new scheme of finance was a second essay to substitute credit +unsupported by solid funds, and resting solely on the public faith, +for money.</p> + +<p>The vast quantity of bills unavoidably emitted before the +establishment of regular governments possessing sufficient energy to +enforce the collection of taxes, or to provide for their redemption, +and before the governments of Europe were sufficiently confident of +their stability to afford them aid or credit, was assigned by congress +as the principal cause of that depreciation which had taken place in +the continental currency. The United States were now, they said, under +different circumstances.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> Their independence was secure; their civil +governments were established and vigorous; and the spirit of their +citizens ardent for exertion. The government being thus rendered +competent to the object, it was necessary to reduce the quantity of +paper in circulation, and to appropriate funds that should ensure the +punctual redemption of the bills.</p> + +<p>For these purposes, the several states were required to continue to +bring into the continental treasury, monthly, from February to April +inclusive, their full quotas of fifteen millions of dollars. In +complying with this requisition, one Spanish milled dollar was to be +received in lieu of forty dollars of the paper currency.</p> + +<p>The bills so brought in were not to be reissued, but destroyed; and +other bills, not to exceed one dollar for every twenty received in +discharge of taxes, were to be emitted.</p> + +<p>These bills were to be redeemable within six years, and were to bear +an interest of five <i>per centum per annum</i>, to be paid at the time of +their redemption in specie, or, at the election of the holder, +annually, in bills of exchange drawn by the United States on their +commissioners in Europe, at four shillings and six pence sterling for +each dollar. They were to be issued in ascertained proportions on the +funds of the several states, with a collateral security on the part of +the government, to pay the quota of any particular state, which the +events of the war might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> render incapable of complying with its own +engagements. The bills were to be deposited in the continental +loan-offices of the several states, and were to be signed only as the +money then in circulation should be brought in by taxes or otherwise. +After being signed, six-tenths of them were to be delivered to the +states on whose funds they were to be issued, and the remaining +four-tenths to be retained for the use of the continent.</p> + +<p>The operation of this scheme of finance was necessarily suspended by +the same causes which suspended that for requiring specific articles. +It depended on the sanction and co-operation of the several state +legislatures, many of which were yet to convene.</p> + +<p>As it would be impracticable to maintain the value of the money about +to be emitted, should the states continue to issue bills of credit, +they were earnestly requested to suspend future emissions, and to call +the current paper out of circulation. But the time for this measure +was not yet arrived, and many of the states continued the use of the +press till late in the following year.</p> + +<p>The establishment of the army for the ensuing campaign was fixed at +thirty-five thousand two hundred and eleven men, and the measures for +recruiting it were founded on the state system, which was become +entirely predominant.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p> + +<p>The few intelligent statesmen who could combine practical good sense +with patriotism, perceived the dangerous inefficacy of a system which +openly abandoned the national character, and proceeded on the +principle that the American confederacy was no more than an alliance +of independent nations.</p> + +<p>That great delays would be experienced, that the different parts of +the plan would be acted on too unequally and too uncertainly to +furnish a solid basis for military calculations, that the system would +be totally deranged in its execution, were mischiefs foreseen and +lamented by many, as resulting inevitably from a course of measures to +which the government of the Union was under the painful necessity of +submitting.</p> + +<p>"Certain I am," said the Commander-in-chief, in a confidential letter +to a member of the national legislature, "that unless congress speaks +in a more decisive tone; unless they are vested with powers by the +several states, competent to the great purposes of the war, or assume +them as matter of right, and they and the states respectively act with +more energy than they hitherto have done, our cause is lost. We can no +longer drudge on in the old way. By ill-timing the adoption of +measures; by delays in the execution of them, or by unwarrantable +jealousies; we incur enormous expenses, and derive no benefit from +them. One state will comply with a requisition from congress; another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> +neglects to do it; a third executes it by halves; and all differ in +the manner, the matter, or so much in point of time, that we are all +working up hill; and, while such a system as the present one, or +rather want of one, prevails, we ever shall be unable to apply our +strength or resources to any advantage.</p> + +<p>"This, my dear sir, is plain language to a member of congress; but it +is the language of truth and friendship. It is the result of long +thinking, close application, and strict observation. I see one head +gradually changing into thirteen; I see one army branching into +thirteen; and, instead of looking up to congress as the supreme +controlling power of the United States, consider themselves as +dependent on their respective states. In a word, I see the power of +congress declining too fast for the respect which is due to them as +the great representative body of America, and am fearful of the +consequences."</p> + +<p>But whatever might be his objections to the proposed system, General +Washington was unremitting in his endeavours to render the plan +perfect in detail, and to give to its execution all the aid which his +situation and influence enabled him to afford.</p> + +<p>The distresses of the army for food, which had found temporary relief +in the particular exertions of the magistrates and people of New +Jersey, soon returned; and it became once more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> necessary, even after +the magazines had been in some degree replenished, to recur to the +same persons for assistance. The supplies of forage had failed, and a +great proportion of the horses had perished, or been rendered unfit +for use. Neither funds nor credit were possessed for the purchase of +others, and the quarter-master-general found himself unable to +transport provisions from remote magazines into camp. This +circumstance reduced the Commander-in-chief to the painful necessity +of calling on the patriotism of private citizens, under the penalty of +a military impressment, should a voluntary contribution be refused, +for those means of conveyance which the government could not supply.</p> + +<p>The want of food was not the only difficulty to be surmounted. Others +of a serious nature presented themselves. The pay of an officer was +reduced by the depreciation of the currency, to such a miserable +pittance as to be unequal to the supply of the most moderate demands. +The pay of a major general would no longer hire an express rider, and +that of a captain would not purchase the shoes in which he marched. +The American officers were not rich; and many of them had expended +their <i>little all</i> in the service. If they had exhausted their private +funds, or if they possessed none, they could rely only on the state to +which they belonged for such clothing as the state might be willing or +able to furnish. These supplies were so insufficient and unequal,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> as +to produce extreme dissatisfaction. In the lines of some of the +states, the officers gave notice in a body, of their determination to +resign on a given day, if some decent and certain provision should not +be made for them. The remonstrances of the Commander-in-chief produced +an offer to serve as volunteers until their successors should be +appointed; and, on the rejection of this proposition, they were with +difficulty induced to remain in service.</p> + +<p>Under these complicated embarrassments, it required all that +enthusiastic patriotism which pre-eminently distinguishes the soldier +of principle; all that ardent attachment to the cause of their country +which originally brought them into the field, and which their +sufferings could not diminish; all the influence of the +Commander-in-chief, whom they almost adored; to retain in the service +men who felt themselves neglected, and who believed themselves to be +the objects of the jealousy of their country, rather than of its +gratitude.</p> + +<p>Among the privates, causes of disgust grew out of the very composition +of the army, which increased the dissatisfaction produced by their +multiplied wants.</p> + +<p>The first effort made to enlist troops for the war had, in some +degree, succeeded. While these men found themselves obliged to +continue in service without compensation, and often without the common +necessaries of life, they per<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>ceived the vacant ranks in their +regiments filled up by men who were to continue only for a few months, +and who received bounties for that short service, from individuals or +from the states, which were of great real value, and which appeared to +soldiers not acquainted with the actual state of depreciation, to be +immense. They could not fail to compare situations, and to repine at +engagements which deprived them of advantages which they saw in +possession of others. Many were induced to contest those +engagements;<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> many to desert a service in which they experienced +such irritating inequalities; and all felt with the more poignant +indignation, those distressing failures in the commissary department, +which so frequently recurred.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Committee of Congress deputed to camp.</div> + +<p>In consequence of the strong representations made to congress on these +various causes of disquiet, a committee of three members repaired to +camp for the purpose of consulting with the Commander-in-chief on such +arrangements as the means in possession of the government would enable +it to make, and the present state of the army might require. In +representing the condition of the troops, they said, "That the army +was unpaid for five months; that it seldom had more than six days' +provisions in advance, and was on several occasions, for several +successive days,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> without meat; that the army was destitute of forage; +that the medical department had neither tea, chocolate, wine, nor +spirituous liquors of any kind; that every department of the army was +without money, and had not even the shadow of credit left; that the +patience of the soldiers, borne down by the pressure of complicated +sufferings, was on the point of being exhausted."</p> + +<p>To relieve this gloomy state of things by transfusing into it a ray of +hope for the future, a resolution was passed, declaring that congress +would make good to the line of the army, and to the independent corps +thereof, the deficiency of their original pay, which had been +occasioned by the depreciation of the continental currency; and that +the money or other articles heretofore received, should be considered +as advanced on account, to be comprehended in the settlement to be +finally made. The benefits of this resolution were confined to those +who were then in actual service, or should thereafter come into it, +and who were engaged for the war or for three years.</p> + +<p>This resolution was published in general orders, and had considerable +influence on the army, but not sufficient to remove the various causes +of dissatisfaction which existed, and were continually multiplying. +The engagement to make good the depreciation of their pay, was an act +of justice too long withheld; and no promise for the future, could +supply the place of present comfortable subsistence. No hope was +given<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> that their condition, in this respect, would be improved. For a +considerable time, the troops received only from one-half to +one-eighth of a ration of meat; and, at length, were several days +without a single pound of that necessary article.</p> + +<p>This long course of suffering had unavoidably produced some relaxation +of discipline, and had gradually soured the minds of the soldiers to +such a degree, that their discontents broke out into actual mutiny.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">May 25.</div> + +<p>On the 25th of May, two regiments belonging to Connecticut paraded +under arms with a declared resolution to return home, or to obtain +subsistence at the point of the bayonet. The soldiers of the other +regiments, though not actually joining the mutineers, showed no +disposition to suppress the mutiny. By great exertions on the part of +the officers, aided by the appearance of a neighbouring brigade of +Pennsylvania, then commanded by Colonel Stewart, the leaders were +secured, and the two regiments brought back to their duty. Some +sentiments, however, were disclosed by the soldiers, in answer to the +remonstrances of their officers, of a serious and alarming nature. +Their pay was now five months in arrear, and the depreciation of the +money, they said, was such, that it would be worth nothing when +received. When reminded of the late resolution of congress for making +good the loss sustained by depreciation, of the reputation acquired by +their past good conduct,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> and of the value of the object for which +they were contending; they answered that their sufferings were too +great to be longer supported; that they wanted present relief; and +must have some present substantial recompense for their services. A +paper was found in the brigade, which appeared to have been brought by +some emissary from New York, stimulating the troops to the abandonment +of the cause in which they were engaged.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">June 6.</div> + +<p>The discontents of the army, and the complaints excited in the country +by the frequent requisitions on the people of New Jersey, had been +communicated, with such exaggeration, to the officer commanding in New +York, as to induce the opinion that the American soldiers were ready +to desert their standards; and the people of New Jersey to change +their government. <span class="sidenote">General Knyphausen enters Jersey.</span>To countenance these dispositions, General +Knyphausen embarked at Staten Island, and landed in the night with +about five thousand men at Elizabethtown Point, in New Jersey. Early +next morning he marched towards Springfield, by the way of Connecticut +Farms, but soon perceived that the real temper, both of the country +and the army, had been misunderstood.</p> + +<p>On the appearance of the enemy, the militia assembled with alacrity, +and aided the small patrolling parties of continental troops in +harassing him on his march from Elizabethtown to the Connecticut +Farms, a distance of five or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> six miles, where a halt was made. In a +spirit of revenge, unworthy the general of an army, more in the +character of Tryon who was present, than of Knyphausen who commanded, +this settlement was reduced to ashes.<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a></p> + +<p>From the Farms, Knyphausen proceeded to Springfield. The Jersey +brigade, commanded by General Maxwell, and the militia of the adjacent +country, took an advantageous position at that place, and seemed +determined to defend it. Knyphausen halted in its neighbourhood, and +remained on his ground until night.</p> + +<p>Having received intelligence of this movement, General Washington put +his army in motion early in the same morning that Knyphausen marched +from Elizabethtown Point, and advanced to the Short Hills, in the rear +of Springfield, while the British were in the neighbourhood of that +place. Dispositions were made for an engagement the next morning, but +Knyphausen retired in the night to the place of his disembarkation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> + +<p>General Washington continued on the hills near Springfield, too weak +to hazard an engagement, but on ground chosen by himself. His +continental troops did not exceed three thousand men. A return of the +whole army under his immediate command, made on the 3d of June, +exhibited in the column, of present, fit for duty, only three thousand +seven hundred and sixty, rank and file. So reduced was that force on +which America relied for independence. "You but too well know," said +General Washington in a letter to a friend, giving an account of this +incursion, "and will regret with me the cause which justifies this +insulting manœuvre on the part of the enemy. It deeply affects the +honour of the states, a vindication of which could not be attempted in +our present circumstances, without most intimately hazarding their +security; at least so far as it may depend on the preservation of the +army. Their character, their interest, their all that is dear, call +upon them in the most pressing manner, to place the army immediately +on a respectable footing."</p> + +<p>The long continuance of Knyphausen at Elizabethtown, strengthened a +suspicion that Sir Henry Clinton was about to return from South +Carolina, and intended, without disembarking his troops, to proceed up +the Hudson to West Point; and that the movement into Jersey was a +feint designed to cover the real object.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> + +<p>The letters of the Commander-in-chief, addressed about this period, to +those who might be supposed to possess influence in the government of +the Union, or in those of the states, exhibit his conjectures +respecting the designs of his adversary, as well as his apprehensions +from the condition of his own army. To the committee of congress, in +camp, he observed, "General Knyphausen still continues in the Jerseys +with all the force which can be spared from New York, a force greatly +superior to ours. Should Sir Henry join him, their superiority will be +decided, and equal to almost any thing they may think proper to +attempt. The enemy, it is true, are at this time inactive; but their +continuance in their present position proves that they have some +project of importance in contemplation. Perhaps they are only waiting +until the militia grow tired and return home, (which they are doing +every hour,) to prosecute their designs with the less opposition. This +would be a critical moment for us. Perhaps they are waiting the +arrival of Sir Henry Clinton, either to push up the North River +against the Highland posts, or to bend their whole force against this +army. In either case, the most disastrous consequences are to be +apprehended. You, who are well acquainted with our situation, need no +arguments to evince the danger.</p> + +<p>"The militia of this state have run to arms, and behaved with an +ardour and spirit of which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> there are few examples. But perseverance, +in enduring the rigours of military service, is not to be expected +from those who are not by profession obliged to it. The reverse of +this opinion has been a great misfortune in our affairs, and it is +high time we should recover from an error of so pernicious a nature. +We must absolutely have a force of a different composition, or we must +relinquish the contest. In a few days, we may expect to rely almost +entirely on our continental force, and this, from your own +observation, is totally inadequate to our safety. The exigency calls +loudly on the states to carry all the recommendations of the committee +into the most vigorous and immediate execution; but more particularly +that for completing our batteries by a draught with all possible +expedition."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">June 18.<br />Sir Henry Clinton returns to New York.</div> + +<p>In this precise state of things, he received intelligence of the +return of Sir Henry Clinton from the conquest of South Carolina.</p> + +<p>The regular force in New York and its dependencies was now estimated +at twelve thousand men, great part of whom might be drawn into the +field for any particular purpose, because Sir Henry Clinton could +command about four thousand militia and refugees for garrison duty.</p> + +<p>In communicating to congress the appearance of the British fleet off +the Hook, General Washington observed, "a very alarming scene may +shortly open, and it will be happy for us if we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> shall be able to +steer clear of some serious misfortune in this quarter. I hope the +period has not yet arrived, which will convince the different states +by fatal experience, that some of them have mistaken the true +situation of this country. I flatter myself, however, that we may +still retrieve our affairs if we have but a just sense of them, and +are actuated by a spirit of liberal policy and exertion equal to the +emergency. Could we once see this spirit generally prevailing, I +should not despair of a prosperous issue of the campaign. But there is +no time to be lost. The danger is imminent and pressing; the obstacles +to be surmounted are great and numerous; and our efforts must be +instant, unreserved, and universal."</p> + +<p>On the arrival of Sir Henry Clinton, the design of acting offensively +in the Jerseys was resumed; but, to divide the American army, +demonstrations were made of an intention to seize West Point. To be in +readiness for either object, General Greene was left at Springfield +with two brigades of continental troops, and with the Jersey militia; +while, with the greater part of his army, General Washington proceeded +slowly towards Pompton, watching attentively the movements of the +British, and apparently unwilling to separate himself too far from +Greene. He had not marched farther than Rockaway, eleven miles beyond +Morristown, when the British army advanced from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> Elizabethtown towards +Springfield in great force. General Washington detached a brigade to +hang on their right flank, and returned with the residue of his army +five or six miles, in order to be in a situation to support Greene.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">June.</div> + +<p>Early in the morning of the 23d, the British army moved in two +columns, with great rapidity, towards Springfield. Major Lee was +advanced on the Vauxhall road, which was taken by the right column; +and Colonel Dayton on the direct road, which was taken by the left. +Both these corps made every possible exertion to check the advancing +enemy, while General Greene concentrated his little army at +Springfield. <span class="sidenote">Skirmish at Springfield.</span>Scarcely had he made his dispositions, when the British +front appeared, and a cannonade commenced between their van and the +American artillery which defended a bridge over Rahway, a small river +running east of the town, which was guarded by Colonel Angel with less +than two hundred men. Colonel Shreve was posted at a second bridge, +also over a branch of the Rahway, in order to cover the retreat of +Angel from the first. Major Lee with his dragoons and the piquets +under Captain Walker, supported by Colonel Ogden, was directed to +defend a bridge on the Vauxhall road. The residue of the continental +troops were drawn up on high ground, in the rear of the town, with the +militia on their flanks.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> + +<p>The right column of the British advanced on Lee, who disputed the +passage of the bridge until a considerable body of the enemy forded +the river above him, and gained the point of a hill which endangered +his position. At this instant, their left attacked Colonel Angel, who +defended himself with persevering gallantry. The conflict was sharp, +and was maintained for about half an hour, when, compelled by superior +numbers to give way, he retired in good order, and brought off his +wounded. His retreat was covered by Colonel Shreve, who, after Angel +had passed him, was ordered by General Greene to join his brigade. The +English then took possession of the town and reduced it to ashes.</p> + +<p>The obstinate resistance which had been encountered; the gallantry and +discipline displayed by the continental troops who had been engaged; +the strength of Greene's position; the firm countenance maintained by +his troops, small detachments of whom kept up a continual skirmishing +with a view to save a part of the town; all contributed to deter Sir +Henry Clinton from a farther prosecution of his original plan. He +withdrew that afternoon to Elizabethtown; and, in the following night, +passed over to Staten Island. It is probable that the caution +manifested during this expedition is to be ascribed to the +intelligence that a formidable fleet and army from France was daily +expected on the coast.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> + +<p>When the Marquis de Lafayette obtained permission to visit his native +country, he retained, with his rank in the American army, that zeal +for the interests of the United States, which the affectionate +attentions he had received, and the enthusiasm of a soldier in the +cause of those for whom he had made his first campaigns, were +calculated to inspire in a young and generous mind, in favour of an +infant people, struggling for liberty and self-government with the +hereditary rival of his nation.</p> + +<p>He was received at the court of Versailles with every mark of favour +and distinction;<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> and all his influence was employed in impressing +on the cabinet, the importance and policy of granting succours to the +United States.</p> + +<p>Having succeeded in this favourite object, and finding no probability +of active employment on the continent of Europe, he obtained +permission to return to America. <span class="sidenote">Lafayette brings intelligence of aid from France.</span>He arrived late in April at Boston, +and hastened to head quarters; whence he proceeded to the seat of +Government with the information that his most Christian Majesty had +consented to employ a considerable land and naval armament in the +United States, for the ensuing campaign. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> intelligence gave a new +impulse both to congress and the state legislatures. <span class="sidenote">Exertions of Congress and of the Commander-in-chief to +strengthen the army.</span>The states from +New Hampshire to Virginia inclusive were required to pay, within +thirty days, ten millions of dollars, part of their quotas which +became due on the first of March; and specie bills to the amount of +fifty thousand dollars were drawn on Messieurs Franklin and Jay. These +sums were sacredly appropriated to the objects of bringing the army +into the field, and forwarding their supplies.</p> + +<p>The defects in the requisition system, which had been suggested by +General Washington, were corrected; and the committee in camp, at the +head of which was the late General Schuyler, was empowered, at the +request of the Commander-in-chief, to take such measures as were in +the power of congress, for drawing out the resources of the nation.</p> + +<p>To give effect to these resolutions, the several state legislatures +from New Hampshire to Virginia inclusive, were requested to invest the +Executives, or some other persons, with powers sufficiently ample to +comply with such applications as might be made to them by the +committee in camp, and a circular letter was addressed to the state +governments, urging them to second the efforts of Congress.</p> + +<p>Letters equally stimulating were written by the committee from camp; +and the well earned influence of the Commander-in-chief was also<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> +employed to induce an exertion proportioned to the crisis. In addition +to those incentives which might operate on ardent minds, he +endeavoured, by a temperate review of the situation and resources of +the belligerent powers, to convince the judgment that America would +have real cause to fear the issue of the contest, should she neglect +to improve the advantage to be afforded by the succours expected from +France.<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a></p> + +<p>Under the impressions produced by these representations, the state +legislatures, generally, passed the laws which were required; but the +energy displayed in their passage was not maintained in their +execution. In general, the assemblies followed the example of +congress, and apportioned on the several counties or towns within the +state, the quota to be furnished by each. This division of the state +was again to be subdivided into classes, each of which was to furnish +a man by contributions or taxes imposed upon itself.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Tardy proceedings of the states.</div> + +<p>These operations were slow and unproductive.</p> + +<p>It was not on the state sovereignties only that beneficial effects +were produced by a candid statement of public affairs, several +patriotic individuals contributed largely from their private funds to +the aid of the public. The merchants, and other citizens of +Philadelphia, with a zeal guided by that sound discretion which turns +expenditure to the best account, established a bank,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> for the support +of which they subscribed £315,000, Pennsylvania money, to be paid, if +required, in specie, the principal object of which was to supply the +army with provisions and rum. By the plan of this bank, its members +were to derive no emolument whatever from the institution. For +advancing their credit and their money, they required only that +congress should pledge the faith of the Union to reimburse the costs +and charges of the transaction in a reasonable time, and should give +such assistance to its execution as might be in their power.</p> + +<p>The ladies of Philadelphia too gave a splendid example of patriotism, +by large donations for the immediate relief of the suffering army. +This example was extensively followed;<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> but it is not by the +contributions of the generous that a war can or ought to be +maintained. The purse of the nation alone can supply the expenditures<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> +of a nation; and, when all are interested in a contest, all ought to +contribute to its support. Taxes, and taxes only, can furnish for the +prosecution of a national war, means which are just in themselves, or +competent to the object. Notwithstanding these donations, the +distresses of the army, for clothing especially, still continued; and +were the more severely felt when a co-operation with French troops was +expected. So late as the 20th of June, General Washington informed +congress, that he still laboured under the painful and humiliating +embarrassment of having no shirts for the soldiers, many of whom were +destitute of that necessary article. "For the troops to be without +clothing at any time," he added, "is highly injurious to the service, +and distressing to our feelings; but the want will be more peculiarly +mortifying when they come to act with those of our allies. If it be +possible, I have no doubt, immediate measures will be taken to relieve +their distress.</p> + +<p>"It is also most sincerely wished, that there could be some supplies +of clothing furnished to the officers. There are a great many whose +condition is still miserable. This is, in some instances, the case +with the whole lines of the states. It would be well for their own +sakes, and for the public good, if they could be furnished. They will +not be able, when our friends come to co-operate with us, to go on a +common routine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> of duty; and if they should, they must, from their +appearance, be held in low estimation."</p> + +<p>This picture presents in strong colours, the real patriotism of the +American army. One heroic effort, though it may dazzle the mind with +its splendour, is an exertion most men are capable of making; but +continued patient suffering and unremitting perseverance, in a service +promising no personal emolument, and exposing the officer unceasingly, +not only to wants of every kind, but to those circumstances of +humiliation which seem to degrade him in the eyes of others, +demonstrate a fortitude of mind, a strength of virtue, and a firmness +of principle, which ought never to be forgotten.</p> + +<p>As the several legislative acts for bringing the army into the field, +did not pass until the months of June and July, General Washington +remained uninformed of the force on which he might rely, and was +consequently unable to form any certain plan of operations.</p> + +<p>This suspense was the more cruelly embarrassing, as, in the event of +an attempt upon New York, it was of the utmost importance that the +French fleet should, on its arrival, take possession of the harbour, +which was then weakly defended. But, should this measure be followed +by a failure to furnish the requisite support, it would not only be +ineffectual; but, in a very possible state of things, might sacrifice +the fleet itself.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> + +<p>Should it be ascertained that the states were either unable or +unwilling to make the exertions necessary for the siege of New York, +other objects presented themselves against which the allied arms might +be turned to advantage. To avoid the disgrace and danger of attempting +what could not be effected, and the reproach of neglecting any +attainable object, were equally desirable, and equally required a +correct knowledge of the measures which would be taken by the states.</p> + +<p>In a letter to congress communicating his anxiety on this interesting +subject, and his total want of information respecting it, General +Washington observed, "The season is come when we have every reason to +expect the arrival of the fleet, and yet, for want of this point of +primary consequence, it is impossible for me to form a system of +co-operation. I have no basis to act upon; and, of course, were this +generous succour of our ally now to arrive, I should find myself in +the most awkward, embarrassing, and painful situation. The general and +the admiral, from the relation in which I stand, as soon as they +approach our coast, will require of me a plan of the measures to be +pursued, and there ought of right to be one prepared; but +circumstanced as I am, I can not even give them conjectures. From +these considerations, I have suggested to the committee, by a letter I +had the honour of addressing them yesterday, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> indispensable +necessity of their writing again to the states, urging them to give +immediate and precise information of the measures they have taken and +of the result. The interest of the states, the honour and reputation +of our councils, the justice and gratitude due to our allies, all +require that I should, without delay, be enabled to ascertain and +inform them, what we can or can not undertake. There is a point which +ought now to be determined, on the success of which all our future +operations may depend, on which, for want of knowing our prospects, I +can make no decision. For fear of involving the fleet and army of our +allies in circumstances which would expose them, if not seconded by +us, to material inconvenience and hazard, I shall be compelled to +suspend it, and the delay may be fatal to our hopes."</p> + +<p>The tardy proceedings of the states were not less perplexing to +congress than to the Commander-in-chief. To the minister of his most +Christian Majesty, who had in the preceding January communicated the +probability of receiving succour from France, that body, without +calculating accurately the means of complying with its engagements, +had pledged itself unequivocally for effectual co-operation. The +minister was assured, that the United States had expectations on which +they could rely with confidence, of bringing into the field, for the +next campaign, an army of twenty-five thousand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> men; and that such +numbers of militia might be added to this continental force, as would +render it competent to any enterprise against the posts occupied by +the British within the United States.</p> + +<p>Assurances were also given that ample supplies of provisions for the +combined armies should be laid up in magazines under the direction of +congress. The French minister addressed congress on this subject about +the time that General Washington expressed so strongly, the necessity +of knowing with certainty, on what reinforcements he was to calculate.</p> + +<p>Thus pressed by their general and their ally, congress renewed their +urgent requisitions on the states, and desired the several governments +to correspond weekly with the committee at head quarters, on the +progress made in complying with them.</p> + +<p>In the mean time, General Washington meditated unceasingly on the +course to be pursued in the various contingencies which might happen; +and endeavoured to prepare for any plan of operations which +circumstances might render adviseable. The arrival of Sir Henry +Clinton diminished the variety of aspects in which the relative +situation of the two armies was to be contemplated, and rendered the +success of an attempt on New York more doubtful. It was now thought +adviseable that the armament from France, instead of sailing directly +to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> the Hook, should proceed in the first instance to Rhode Island; +where, after disembarking the troops, and providing for the sick, it +might wait until a definitive plan of operations should be concerted.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">July 13.<br />Arrival of a French armament in Rhode Island.</div> + +<p>On the 13th of July, while the result of the measures adopted by the +several states remained uncertain, the French fleet entered the +harbour of Newport, and letters were soon afterwards received from the +Count de Rochambeau and the Chevalier Tunay, the officers commanding +the land and naval forces, transmitting to General Washington an +account of their arrival, of their strength, their expectations, and +their orders.</p> + +<p>The troops designed to serve in the United States had assembled, early +in the year, at Brest; but the transports at that place having been +chiefly employed for an armament destined for the West Indies; and the +ports from which it had been intended to draw others, being blockaded, +only the first division, consisting of five thousand men, had arrived +at Newport; but letters from France contained assurances that the +second division of the army might soon be expected.</p> + +<p>To obviate those difficulties which had occurred on former occasions +respecting rank, the orders given to Lieutenant General Count de +Rochambeau, which were inclosed in his first letter, placed him +entirely under the command of General Washington. The French troops<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> +were to be considered as auxiliaries, and were, according to the +usages of war, to cede the post of honour to the Americans.<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a></p> + +<p>Convinced that cordial harmony between the allied forces was essential +to their success, both generals cultivated carefully the friendly +dispositions felt by the troops towards each other. Warm professions +of reciprocal respect, esteem, and confidence, were interchanged +between them; and each endeavoured to impress on the other, and on all +the military and civil departments, the conviction that the two +nations, and two armies, were united by the ties of interest and +affection. On this occasion, General Washington recommended to his +officers, as a symbol of friendship and affection for their allies, to +engraft on the American cockade, which was black, a white relief, that +being the colour of the French cockade.</p> + +<p>Late as was the arrival of the French troops, they found the Americans +unprepared for active and offensive operations. Not even at that time +were the numbers ascertained which would be furnished by the states. +Yet it was necessary for General Washington to communicate a plan of +the campaign to the Count de Rochambeau.</p> + +<p>The season was already so far advanced that preparations for the +operations contemplated eventually, on the arrival of the second +division<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> of the French fleet, must be immediately made, or there +would not be time, though every circumstance should prove favourable, +to execute the design against New York. Such a state of things so ill +comported with the engagements of congress, and with the interests of +the nation, that, trusting to his being enabled, by the measures +already taken by the states, to comply with what was incumbent on him +to perform, he determined to hazard much rather than forego the +advantages to be derived from the aids afforded by France. In +communicating this resolution to congress, he said—"Pressed on all +sides by a choice of difficulties in a moment which required decision, +I have adopted that line of conduct which comported with the dignity +and faith of congress, the reputation of these states, and the honour +of our arms. I have sent on definitive proposals of co-operation to +the French general and admiral. Neither the period of the season, nor +a regard to decency, would permit delay. The die is cast, and it +remains with the states either to fulfil their engagements, preserve +their credit, and support their independence, or to involve us in +disgrace and defeat. Notwithstanding the failures pointed out by the +committee, I shall proceed on the supposition that they will, +ultimately, consult their own interest and honour and not suffer us to +fail for the want of means which it is evidently in their power to +afford. What has been done, and is doing, by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> some of the states, +confirms the opinion I have entertained of sufficient resources in the +country. Of the disposition of the people to submit to any arrangement +for bringing them forth, I see no reasonable ground to doubt. If we +fail for want of proper exertions in any of the governments, I trust +the responsibility will fall where it ought; and that I shall stand +justified to congress, my country, and the world."</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p><a name="image06" id="image06"></a></p> +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img alt="Robinson Mansion" title="Robinson Mansion" src="images/image06.jpg" height="345" width="590" /></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> <b>Beverly Robinson Mansion at West Point</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Benedict Arnold made this house his headquarters while in command of +the fort and garrison there. It was here that Washington came to +breakfast with Arnold, one September morning in 1780 and made the +discovery that his host had turned traitor and was conspiring to +surrender West Point to the British.</i></p></div> + +<p> </p> + +<p>A decisive naval superiority, however, was considered as the basis of +any enterprise to be undertaken by the allied arms. This naval +superiority being assumed, the outlines of the plan were drawn, and +the 5th of August was named as the day on which the French troops +should re-embark, and the American army assemble at Morrissania.</p> + +<p>This plan was committed to Major General the Marquis de la Fayette, +who was authorized to explain the situation of the American army, and +the views of the General, to the Count de Rochambeau. It was to be +considered as preliminary to any operation—that the fleet and army of +France should continue their aid until the enterprise should succeed, +or be abandoned by mutual consent.</p> + +<p>The Chevalier de Tunay did not long maintain his superiority at sea. +Three days after he reached Newport, Admiral Greaves arrived with six +ships of the line, and transferred it to the British. On his +appearance off the Hook, Ar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>buthnot passed the bar with four ships of +the line; and hearing that De Tunay had reached Rhode Island, +proceeded thither, and cruised off the harbour. The Count de +Rochambeau had been put into possession of all the forts and batteries +about Newport, and the fleet had been moved in a line so as to +co-operate with the land forces. This position appearing too +formidable to be attempted by the fleet alone, Arbuthnot continued to +cruise off Block Island.</p> + +<p>As the commanders of the allied forces still cherished the hope of +acquiring a superiority at sea, the design on New York was only +suspended. This hope was strengthened by intelligence that the Count +de Guichen had been joined in the West Indies by a powerful Spanish +armament. The Chevalier de Tunay had despatched a packet to inform him +that he was blocked up by a superior force, and to solicit such +reinforcements as the situation of the Count might enable him to +spare. Relying on the success of this application, and on the arrival +of the second division of the squadron from Brest, the American +general impatiently expected the moment when De Tunay would be enabled +to act offensively.</p> + +<p>In this crisis of affairs, a derangement took place in a most +important department, which threatened to disconcert the whole plan of +operations, though every other circumstance should prove favourable.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> + +<p>The immense expenditure of the quartermaster's department—the +inadequacy of the funds with which it was supplied—the reciprocal +disgusts and complaints produced by these causes, had determined +congress to make still another radical change in the system. This +subject had been taken up early in the winter; but such were the +delays inseparable from the proceedings of the government, that the +report of the committee was not made until the month of March, nor +finally decided on until the middle of July.</p> + +<p>This subject was too interesting to the army, and to the important +operations meditated for the campaign, not to engage the anxious +attention of the Commander-in-chief. At his request, the quartermaster +general, while the army lay in winter quarters, repaired to +Philadelphia for the purpose of giving congress all the information he +possessed. He proposed to withdraw the management of the department +almost entirely from the civil government, and to place it under the +control of the person who should be at its head, subject only to the +direction of the Commander-in-chief.</p> + +<p>The views of congress were entirely different. While the subject +remained suspended before that body, it was taken up by the committee +of co-operation at head quarters, where the combined experience and +talents of Generals Washington, Schuyler, and Greene, were employed in +digesting a system adapted to the actual situa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>tion of the United +States, which was recommended to congress. To give the more weight to +his opinion by showing its disinterestedness, General Greene offered +to continue in the discharge of the duties assigned to him, without +any other extra emolument than his family expenses. This plan, +whatever might have been its details, was, in its general outlines, +unacceptable to congress. A system was, at length, completed by that +body, which General Greene believed to be incapable of execution. +Resolving not to take upon himself the responsibility of measures the +issue of which must be calamitous and disgraceful, he determined to +withdraw from a station in which he despaired of being useful.</p> + +<p>Apprehending the worst consequences from his resignation in so +critical a moment, General Washington pressed him to suspend this +decisive step, until the effect of an application from himself and +from the committee of co-operation should be known. Their +representations produced no effect. The resolution to make this bold +experiment was unalterable. General Greene's resignation was accepted; +and the letter conveying it excited so much irritation, that a design +was intimated of suspending his command in the line of the army. But +these impressions soon wore off, and the resentment of the moment +subsided. Colonel Pickering, who succeeded General Greene, possessed, +in an eminent degree, those qualities which fitted him to com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span>bat and +subdue the difficulties of his department. To great energy of mind and +body, he added a long experience in the affairs of the continent, with +an ardent zeal for its interests; and General Greene himself, with +several of the former officers, at the request of the +Commander-in-chief, continued for some time after their resignation, +to render all the services in their power; but there was a defect of +means, for which neither talents nor exertion could compensate.</p> + +<p>In the commissary department the same distress was experienced. +General Washington was driven to the necessity of emptying the +magazines at West Point, and of foraging on a people whose means of +subsisting themselves were already nearly exhausted by the armies on +both sides. The inadequate supplies drawn from these sources afforded +but a short relief; and, once more, at a time when the public +imagination was contemplating brilliant plans, the execution of which +required steady courage with persevering labour, and consequently +ample magazines, the army was frequently reduced to the last extremity +by the want of food.</p> + +<p>So great were the embarrassments produced by the difficulty of +procuring subsistence that, although the second division of the fleet +from Brest was daily expected, General Washington found it necessary +to countermand the orders under which the militia were marching to +camp.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> + +<p>Such was the state of preparation for the campaign, when intelligence +was brought by the Alliance frigate that the port of Brest was +blockaded. In the hope, however, that the combined fleets of France +and Spain would be able to raise the blockade, General Washington +adhered steadily to his purpose respecting New York, and continued his +exertions to provide the means for its execution. The details of the +plan of co-operation continued to be the subject of a correspondence +with the Count de Rochambeau, and the Chevalier de Tunay; and, at +length, a personal interview was agreed upon, to take place on the +21st of September, at Hartford, in Connecticut.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Enterprise against New York relinquished.</div> + +<p>In this interview, ulterior eventual measures, as well as an explicit +and detailed arrangement for acting against New York, were the +subjects of consideration. No one of the plans, however, then +concerted for the present campaign, was carried into execution. All, +except an invasion of Canada, depended on a superiority at sea, which +was soon rendered almost hopeless by certain information that the +Count de Guichen had sailed for Europe.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Naval superiority of the British.</div> + +<p>Not long after receiving this information, Admiral Rodney arrived at +New York with eleven ships of the line and four frigates. This +reinforcement not only disconcerted all the plans of the allies, but +put it in the power of the Brit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>ish to prosecute in security their +designs in the south.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Plans for the campaign abandoned.</div> + +<p>It may well be supposed that the Commander-in-chief did not +relinquish, without infinite chagrin, the sanguine expectations he had +formed of rendering this summer decisive of the war. Never before had +he indulged so strongly the hope of happily terminating the contest. +In a letter to an intimate friend, this chagrin was thus expressed. +"We are now drawing to a close an inactive campaign, the beginning of +which appeared pregnant with events of a very favourable complexion. I +hoped, but I hoped in vain, that a prospect was opening which would +enable me to fix a period to my military pursuits, and restore me to +domestic life. The favourable disposition of Spain, the promised +succour from France, the combined force in the West Indies, the +declaration of Russia, (acceded to by other powers of Europe, +humiliating the naval pride and power of Great Britain) the +superiority of France and Spain by sea in Europe, the Irish claims and +English disturbances, formed in the aggregate an opinion in my breast, +(which is not very susceptible of peaceful dreams) that the hour of +deliverance was not far distant; for that, however unwilling Great +Britain might be to yield the point, it would not be in her power to +continue the contest. But alas! these prospects, flattering as they +were, have proved delusive; and I see nothing before us but +accumulating dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span>tress. We have been half of our time without +provisions, and are likely to continue so. We have no magazines, nor +money to form them. We have lived upon expedients until we can live no +longer. In a word, the history of the war is a history of false hopes +and temporary devices, instead of system and economy. It is in vain, +however, to look back, nor is it our business to do so. Our case is +not desperate, if virtue exists in the people, and there is wisdom +among our rulers. But to suppose that this great revolution can be +accomplished by a temporary army; that this army will be subsisted by +state supplies; and that taxation alone is adequate to our wants, is +in my opinion absurd, and as unreasonable as to expect an inversion of +the order of nature to accommodate itself to our views. If it were +necessary, it could be easily proved to any person of a moderate +understanding, that an annual army, or any army raised on the spur of +the occasion, besides being unqualified for the end designed, is, in +various ways that could be enumerated, ten times more expensive than a +permanent body of men under good organization and military discipline; +which never was, nor will be the case with raw troops. A thousand +arguments, resulting from experience and the nature of things, might +also be adduced to prove that the army, if it is to depend upon state +supplies, must disband or starve, and that taxation alone (especially +at this late hour) can not fur<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>nish the means to carry on the war. Is +it not time to retract from error, and benefit by experience? Or do we +want farther proof of the ruinous system we have pertinaciously +adhered to."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>Treason and escape of Arnold.... Trial and execution of +Major André.... Precautions for the security of West +Point.... Letter of General Washington on American +affairs.... Proceedings of congress respecting the army.... +Major Talmadge destroys the British stores at Coram.... The +army retires into winter quarters.... Irruption of Major +Carlton into New York.... European transactions.</b></p></div> + +<p> </p> + + +<div class="sidenotey">1780.</div> + +<p><span class="lgsmcap">While</span> the public mind was anticipating great events from the +combined arms of France and America, treason lay concealed in the +American camp, and was plotting the ruin of the American cause.</p> + +<p>The great services and military talents of General Arnold, his courage +in battle, and patient fortitude under excessive hardships, had +secured to him a high place in the opinion of the army and of his +country.</p> + +<p>Not having sufficiently recovered from the wounds received before +Quebec and at Saratoga to be fit for active service, and having large +accounts to settle with the government which required leisure, he was, +on the evacuation of Philadelphia in 1778, appointed to the command in +that place.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, that strength of principle and correctness of judgment, +which might enable him to resist the various seductions to which his +fame and rank exposed him in the metropolis of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> Union, were not +associated with the firmness which he had displayed in the field, and +in the most adverse circumstances. Yielding to the temptations of a +false pride, and forgetting that he did not possess the resources of +private fortune, he indulged in the pleasures of a sumptuous table and +expensive equipage, and soon swelled his debts to an amount which it +was impossible to discharge. Unmindful of his military character, he +engaged in speculations which were unfortunate; and with the hope of +immense profit, took shares in privateers which were unsuccessful. His +claims against the United States were great, and he looked to them for +the means of extricating himself from the embarrassments in which his +indiscretions had involved him; but the commissioners to whom his +accounts were referred for settlement, had reduced them considerably; +and, on his appeal from their decision to congress, a committee +reported that the sum allowed by the commissioners was more than he +was entitled to receive.</p> + +<p>He was charged with various acts of extortion on the citizens of +Philadelphia, and with peculating on the funds of the continent. Not +the less soured by these multiplied causes of irritation, from the +reflection that they were attributable to his own follies and vices, +he gave full scope to his resentments, and indulged himself in +expressions of angry reproach against, what he termed, the ingratitude +of his country, which pro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>voked those around him, and gave great +offence to congress. Having become peculiarly odious to the government +of Pennsylvania, the Executive of that state exhibited formal charges +against him to congress, who directed that he should be arrested and +brought before a court martial. His trial was concluded late in +January, 1779, and he was sentenced to be reprimanded by the +Commander-in-chief. This sentence was approved by congress and carried +into execution.</p> + +<p>From the time the sentence against him was approved, if not sooner, +his proud unprincipled spirit revolted from the cause of his country, +and determined him to seek an occasion to make the objects of his +resentment, the victims of his vengeance. Turning his eyes on West +Point as an acquisition which would give value to treason, and inflict +a mortal wound on his former friends, he sought the command of that +fortress for the purpose of gratifying both his avarice and his +hate.<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a></p> + +<p>To New York, the safety of West Point was peculiarly interesting; and, +in that state, the reputation of Arnold was particularly high. To its +delegation he addressed himself; and one of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> its members had written a +letter to General Washington, suggesting doubts respecting the +military character of Howe, to whom its defence was then entrusted, +and recommending Arnold for that service. This request was not +forgotten. Some short time afterwards, General Schuyler mentioned to +the Commander-in-chief a letter he had received from Arnold intimating +his wish to join the army, but stating his inability, in consequence +of his wounds, to perform the active duties of the field. General +Washington observed that, as there was a prospect of a vigorous +campaign, he should be gratified with the aid of General Arnold. That +so soon as the operations against New York should commence, he +designed to draw his whole force into the field, leaving even West +Point to the care of invalids and a small garrison of militia. +Recollecting however the former application of a member of congress +respecting this post, he added, that "if, with this previous +information, that situation would be more agreeable to him than a +command in the field, his wishes should certainly be indulged."</p> + +<p>This conversation being communicated to Arnold, he caught eagerly at +the proposition, though without openly discovering any solicitude on +the subject; and, in the beginning of August, repaired to camp, where +he renewed the solicitations which had before been made indirectly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p> + +<p>At this juncture, Sir Henry Clinton embarked on an expedition he +meditated against Rhode Island, and General Washington was advancing +on New York. He offered Arnold the left wing of the army, which that +officer declined under the pretexts mentioned in his letter to General +Schuyler.</p> + +<p>Incapable of suspecting a man who had given such distinguished proofs +of courage and patriotism, the Commander-in-chief was neither alarmed +at his refusal to embrace so splendid an opportunity of recovering the +favour of his countrymen, nor at the embarrassment accompanying that +refusal. Pressing the subject no farther, he assented to the request +which had been made, and invested Arnold with the command of West +Point. Previous to his soliciting this station, he had, in a letter to +Colonel Robinson, signified his change of principles, and his wish to +restore himself to the favour of his Prince by some signal proof of +his repentance. This letter opened the way to a correspondence with +Sir Henry Clinton, the immediate object of which, after obtaining the +appointment he had solicited, was to concert the means of delivering +the important post he commanded to the British general.</p> + +<p>Major John André, an aid-de-camp of Sir Henry Clinton, and adjutant +general of the British army, was selected as the person to whom the +maturing of Arnold's treason, and the ar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span>rangements for its execution +should be entrusted. A correspondence was carried on between them +under a mercantile disguise, in the feigned names of Gustavus and +Anderson; and, at length, to facilitate their communications, the +Vulture sloop of war moved up the North River, and took a station +convenient for the purpose, but not so near as to excite suspicion.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Treason and escape of Arnold.</div> + +<p>The time when General Washington met the Count de Rochambeau at +Hartford was selected for the final adjustment of the plan; and, as a +personal interview was deemed necessary, Major André came up the +river, and went on board the Vulture. The house of a Mr. Smith, +without the American posts, was appointed for the interview; and to +that place both parties repaired in the night—André being brought +under a pass for John Anderson, in a boat despatched from the shore. +While the conference was yet unfinished, day light approached; and, to +avoid discovery, Arnold proposed that André should remain concealed +until the succeeding night. He is understood to have refused +peremptorily to be carried within the American posts; but the promise +to respect this objection was not observed. They continued together +the succeeding day; and when, in the following night, his return to +the Vulture was proposed, the boatmen refused to carry him because she +had shifted her station during the day, in consequence of a gun which +was moved to the shore without the knowledge<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> of Arnold, and brought +to bear upon her. This embarrassing circumstance reduced him to the +necessity of endeavouring to reach New York by land. To accomplish +this purpose, he reluctantly yielded to the urgent representations of +Arnold; and, laying aside his regimentals, which he had hitherto worn +under a surtout, put on a plain suit of clothes, and received a pass +from General Arnold, authorizing him, under the name of John Anderson, +to proceed on the public service to the White Plains, or lower if he +thought proper.</p> + +<p>With this permit, he had passed all the guards and posts on the road +unsuspected, and was proceeding to New York in perfect security, when +one of three militia men who were employed between the lines of the +two armies, springing suddenly from his covert into the road, seized +the reins of his bridle, and stopped his horse. Losing his accustomed +self-possession, Major André, instead of producing the pass<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> from +General Arnold, asked the man hastily where he belonged? He replied +"to below;" a term implying that he was from New York. "And so," said +André, not suspecting deception, "am I." He then declared himself to +be a British officer on urgent business, and begged that he might not +be detained. The ap<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>pearance of the other militia men disclosed his +mistake, too late to correct it. He offered a purse of gold, and a +valuable watch, with tempting promises of ample reward from his +government, if they would permit him to escape; but his offers were +rejected, and his captors proceeded to search him. They found +concealed in his boots, in Arnold's hand writing, papers containing +all the information which could be important respecting West Point. +When carried before Lieutenant Colonel Jameson, the officer commanding +the scouting parties on the lines, he still maintained his assumed +character, and requested Jameson to inform his commanding officer that +Anderson was taken. Jameson despatched an express with this +communication. On receiving it, Arnold comprehended the full extent of +his danger, and, flying from well merited punishment, took refuge on +board the Vulture.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p><a name="image07" id="image07"></a></p> +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img alt="Tappan house" title="Tappan house" src="images/image07.jpg" height="348" width="513" /></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> <b>Where Washington Stayed During André's Trial</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>In this brick house at Tappan, Rockland County, New York, the +American Commander-in-Chief, during September, 1780, awaited the +result of the trial of Major John André, who conspired with Benedict +Arnold for the betrayal of West Point to the British. Fourteen +American officers sat in judgment on André and ordered his execution +on October 2, 1780. In Tappan also is still standing the old Tavern +where André was imprisoned.</i></p></div> + +<p> </p> + +<p>When sufficient time for the escape of Arnold was supposed to have +elapsed, André, no longer affecting concealment, acknowledged himself +to be the adjutant general of the British army. Jameson, seeking to +correct the mischief of his indiscreet communication to Arnold, +immediately despatched a packet to the Commander-in-chief containing +the papers which had been discovered, with a letter from André, +relating the manner of his capture, and accounting for the disguise he +had assumed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> + +<p>The express was directed to meet the Commander-in-chief, who was then +on his return from Hartford; but, taking different roads,<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> they +missed each other, and a delay attended the delivery of the papers, +which insured the escape of Arnold.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Precautions for the security of West Point.</div> + +<p>Every precaution was immediately taken for the security of West Point; +after which, the attention of the Commander-in-chief was turned to +André. A board of general officers, of which Major General Greene was +president, and the two foreign generals, Lafayette and Steuben, were +members, was called, to report a precise state of his case, and to +determine the character in which he was to be considered, and the +punishment to which he was liable.</p> + +<p>The frankness and magnanimity with which André had conducted himself +from the time of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> his appearance in his real character, had made a +very favourable impression on all those with whom he had held any +intercourse. From this cause he experienced every mark of indulgent +attention which was compatible with his situation; and, from a sense +of justice as well as of delicacy, was informed, on the opening of the +examination, that he was at liberty not to answer any interrogatory +which might embarrass his own feelings. But, as if only desirous to +rescue his character from imputations which he dreaded more than +death, he confessed every thing material to his own condemnation, but +would divulge nothing which might involve others.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Trial and execution of Major André.</div> + +<p>The board reported the essential facts which had appeared, with their +opinion that Major André was a spy, and ought to suffer death. The +execution of this sentence was ordered to take place on the day +succeeding that on which it was pronounced.</p> + +<p>Superior to the terrors of death, but dreading disgrace, André was +deeply affected by the mode of execution which the laws of war decree +to persons in his situation. He wished to die like a soldier, not as a +criminal. To obtain a mitigation of his sentence in this respect, he +addressed a letter<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> to General Washington, replete with the +feelings of a man of sentiment and honour. But the occasion required +that the example should make its full impression, and this request<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> +could not be granted. He encountered his fate with composure and +dignity; and his whole conduct interested the feelings of all who +witnessed it.</p> + +<p>The general officers lamented the sentence which the usages of war +compelled them to pronounce; and never perhaps did the +Commander-in-chief obey with more reluctance the stern mandates of +duty and policy. The sympathy excited among the American officers by +his fate, was as universal as it is unusual on such occasions; and +proclaims alike the merit of him who suffered, and the humanity of +those who inflicted the punishment.</p> + +<p>Great exertions were made by Sir Henry Clinton, to whom André was +particularly dear, first, to have him considered as protected by a +flag of truce, and afterwards, as a prisoner of war.</p> + +<p>Even Arnold had the hardihood to interpose. After giving a certificate +of facts tending, as he supposed, to exculpate the prisoner, +exhausting his powers of reasoning on the case, and appealing to the +humanity of the American general, he sought to intimidate that +officer, by stating the situation of many of the most distinguished +individuals of South Carolina, who had forfeited their lives, but had +hitherto been spared through the clemency of the British general. This +clemency, he said, could no longer be extended to them should Major +André suffer.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> + +<p>It may well be supposed that the interposition of Arnold could have no +influence on Washington. He conveyed Mrs. Arnold to her husband in New +York,<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> and also transmitted his clothes and baggage, for which he +had written; but, in every other respect, his letters, which were +unanswered, were also unnoticed.</p> + +<p>The mingled sentiments of admiration and compassion excited in every +bosom for the unfortunate André, seemed to increase the detestation in +which Arnold was held. "André," said General Washington in a private +letter, "has met his fate with that fortitude which was to be expected +from an accomplished man and a gallant officer; but I am mistaken if +<i>at this time</i> Arnold is undergoing the torments of a mental hell. He +wants feeling. From some traits<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> his character which have +lately come to my knowledge, he seems to have been so hardened in +crime, so lost to all sense of honour and shame, that, while his +faculties still enable him to continue his sordid pursuits, there will +be no time for remorse."</p> + +<p>From motives of policy, or of respect for his engagements, Sir Henry +Clinton conferred on Arnold the commission of a brigadier general in +the British service, which he preserved throughout the war. Yet it is +impossible that rank could have rescued him from the contempt and +detestation in which the generous, the honourable, and the brave, +could not cease to hold him. It was impossible for men of this +description to bury the recollection of his being a traitor, a sordid +traitor, first the slave of his rage, then purchased with gold, and +finally secured at the expense of the blood of one of the most +accomplished officers in the British army.</p> + +<p>His representations of the discontent of the country and of the army +concurring with reports from other quarters, had excited the hope that +the loyalists and the dissatisfied, allured by British gold, and the +prospect of rank in the British service, would flock to his standard, +and form a corps at whose head he might again display his accustomed +intrepidity. With this hope he published an address to the inhabitants +of America, in which he laboured to palliate his own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> guilt, and to +increase their dissatisfaction with the existing state of things.</p> + +<p>This appeal to the public was followed by a proclamation addressed "To +the officers and soldiers of the continental army, who have the real +interests of their country at heart, and who are determined to be no +longer the tools and dupes of congress or of France."</p> + +<p>The object of this proclamation was to induce the officers and +soldiers to desert the cause they had embraced from principle, by +holding up to them the very flattering offers of the British general, +and contrasting the substantial emoluments of the British service with +their present deplorable condition. He attempted to cover this +dishonourable proposition with a decent garb, by representing the base +step he invited them to take, as the only measure which could restore +peace, real liberty, and happiness, to their country.</p> + +<p>These inducements did not produce their intended effect. Although the +temper of the army might be irritated by real suffering, and by the +supposed neglect of government, no diminution of patriotism had been +produced. Through all the hardships, irritations, and vicissitudes of +the war, Arnold remains the solitary instance of an American officer +who abandoned the side first embraced in this civil contest, and +turned his sword upon his former companions in arms.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p> + +<p>When the probable consequences of this plot, had it been successful, +were considered, and the combination of apparent accidents by which it +was discovered and defeated, was recollected, all were filled with +awful astonishment; and the devout perceived in the transaction, the +hand of Providence guiding America to independence.</p> + +<p>The thanks of congress were voted to the three militia men<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> who had +rendered this invaluable service; and a silver medal, with an +inscription expressive of their fidelity and patriotism, was directed +to be presented to each of them. In addition to this flattering +testimonial of their worth, and as a farther evidence of national +gratitude, a resolution was passed granting to each, two hundred +dollars per annum during life, to be paid in specie or an equivalent +in current money.</p> + +<p>The efforts of General Washington to obtain a permanent military +force, or its best substitute, a regular system for filling the vacant +ranks with draughts who should join the army on the first day of +January in each year, were still continued. Notwithstanding the +embarrassments with which congress was surrounded, it is not easy to +find adequate reasons for the neglect of representations so +interesting, and of recommendations apparently so essential to the +safety of the United States.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Parties in Congress.</div> + +<p>Private letters disclose the fact that two parties still agitated +congress. One entered fully into the views of the Commander-in-chief. +The other, jealous of the army, and apprehensive of its hostility to +liberty when peace should be restored, remained unwilling to give +stability to its constitution by increasing the numbers who were to +serve during the war. They seemed to dread the danger from the enemy +to which its fluctuations would expose them, less than the danger +which might be apprehended for the civil authority from its permanent +character. They caught with avidity at every intelligence which +encouraged the flattering hope of a speedy peace,<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> but entered +reluctantly into measures founded on the supposition that the war +might be of long duration. Perfectly acquainted with the extent of the +jealousies entertained on this subject, although, to use his own +expressions to a friend, "Heaven knows how unjustly," Gen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>eral +Washington had foreborne to press the necessity of regular and timely +reinforcements to his army so constantly and so earnestly as his own +judgment directed. But the experience of every campaign furnished such +strong additional evidences of the impolicy and danger of continuing +to rely on temporary expedients, and the uncertainty of collecting a +force to co-operate with the auxiliaries from France was so peculiarly +embarrassing, that he at length resolved to conquer the delicacy by +which he had been in some degree restrained, and to open himself fully +on the subject which he deemed more essential than any other to the +success of the war.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">August.</div> + +<p>In August, while looking anxiously for such a reinforcement to the +Chevalier de Tunay as would give him the command of the American seas, +and while uncertain whether the campaign might not pass away without +giving a single advantage promised at its opening, he transmitted a +letter to congress, fully and freely imparting his sentiments on the +state of things.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Letter of General Washington on American affairs.</div> + +<p>As this letter contains an exact statement of American affairs, +according to the view taken of them by General Washington, and a +faithful picture of the consequences of the ruinous policy which had +been pursued, drawn by the man best acquainted with them, copious +extracts from it will, at least, be excused.</p> + +<p>After examining the sources of supplies for the campaign, he proceeds +to say—"But while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> we are meditating offensive operations which may +not be undertaken at all, or, being undertaken, may fail, I am +persuaded congress are not inattentive to the present state of the +army, and will view in the same light with me the necessity of +providing in time against a period (the first of January) when one +half of our present force will dissolve. The shadow of an army that +will remain, will have every motive, except mere patriotism, to +abandon the service, without the hope which has hitherto supported +them, of a change for the better. This is almost extinguished now, and +certainly will not outlive the campaign, unless it finds something +more substantial to rest upon. This is a truth of which every +spectator of the distresses of the army can not help being convinced. +Those at a distance may speculate differently; but on the spot an +opinion to the contrary, judging human nature on the usual scale, +would be chimerical.</p> + +<p>"The honourable the committee of congress, who have seen and heard for +themselves, will add their testimony to mine; and the wisdom and +justice of congress can not fail to give it the most serious +attention. To me it will appear miraculous, if our affairs can +maintain themselves much longer in their present train. If either the +temper or the resources of the country will not admit of an +alteration, we may expect soon to be reduced to the humiliating +condition of seeing the cause of America, in America, up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>held by +foreign arms. The generosity of our allies has a claim to all our +confidence, and all our gratitude; but it is neither for the honour of +America, nor for the interest of the common cause, to leave the work +entirely to them."</p> + +<p>He then reviewed the resources of Great Britain; and, after showing +her ability still to prosecute the war, added—"The inference from +these reflections is, that we can not count upon a speedy end of the +war; and that it is the true policy of America not to content herself +with temporary expedients, but to endeavour, if possible, to give +consistency and solidity to her measures. An essential step to this +will be immediately to devise a plan and put it in execution, for +providing men in time to replace those who will leave us at the end of +the year; and for subsisting and for making a reasonable allowance to +the officers and soldiers.</p> + +<p>"The plan for this purpose ought to be of general operation, and such +as will execute itself. Experience has shown that a peremptory draught +will be the only effectual one. If a draught for the war or for three +years can be effected, it ought to be made on every account; a shorter +period than a year is inadmissible.</p> + +<p>"To one who has been witness to the evils brought upon us by short +enlistments, the system appears to have been pernicious beyond +description; and a crowd of motives present themselves to dictate a +change. It may easily be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> shown that all the misfortunes we have met +with in the military line, are to be attributed to this cause.</p> + +<p>"Had we formed a permanent army in the beginning, which, by the +continuance of the same men in service, had been capable of +discipline, we never should have to retreat with a handful of men +across the Delaware in 1776, trembling for the fate of America, which +nothing but the infatuation of the enemy could have saved; we should +not have remained all the succeeding winter at their mercy, with +sometimes scarcely a sufficient body of men to mount the ordinary +guards, liable at every moment to be dissipated, if they had only +thought proper to march against us; we should not have been under the +necessity of fighting at Brandywine with an unequal number of raw +troops, and afterwards of seeing Philadelphia fall a prey to a +victorious army; we should not have been at Valley Forge with less +than half the force of the enemy, destitute of every thing in a +situation neither to resist nor to retire; we should not have seen New +York left with a handful of men, yet an overmatch for the main army of +these states, while the principal part of their force was detached for +the reduction of two of them; we should not have found ourselves this +spring so weak as to be insulted by five thousand men, unable to +protect our baggage and magazines, their security depending on a good +countenance, and a want<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> of enterprise in the enemy; we should not +have been, the greatest part of the war, inferior to the enemy, +indebted for our safety to their inactivity, enduring frequently the +mortification of seeing inviting opportunities to ruin them, pass +unimproved for want of a force which the country was completely able +to afford; to see the country ravaged, our towns burnt, the +inhabitants plundered, abused, murdered, with impunity from the same +cause."</p> + +<p>After presenting in detail the embarrassments under which the civil +departments of the army also had laboured, in consequence of the +expensiveness and waste inseparable from its temporary character, he +proceeded to observe—"There is every reason to believe, that the war +has been protracted on this account. Our opposition being less, made +the successes of the enemy greater. The fluctuation of the army kept +alive their hopes; and at every period of a dissolution of a +considerable part of it, they have flattered themselves with some +decisive advantages. Had we kept a permanent army on foot, the enemy +could have had nothing to hope for, and would in all probability have +listened to terms long since. If the army is left in its present +situation, it must continue an encouragement to the efforts of the +enemy; if it is put in a respectable one, it must have a contrary +effect; and nothing I believe will tend more to give us peace the +ensuing winter. Many circumstances will contribute to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> a negotiation. +An army on foot, not only for another campaign, but for several +campaigns, would determine the enemy to pacific measures, and enable +us to insist upon favourable terms in forcible language. An army +insignificant in numbers, dissatisfied, crumbling to pieces, would be +the strongest temptation they could have to try the experiment a +little longer. It is an old maxim that the surest way to make a good +peace is to be well prepared for war.</p> + +<p>"I can not forbear returning in this place to the necessity of a more +ample and equal provision for the army. The discontents on this head +have been gradually matured to a dangerous extremity. There are many +symptoms that alarm and distress me. Endeavours are using to unite +both officers and men in a general refusal of the money, and some +corps now actually decline receiving it. Every method has been taken +to counteract it, because such a combination in the army would be a +severe blow to our declining currency. The most moderate insist that +the accounts of depreciation ought to be liquidated at stated periods, +and certificates given by government for the sums due. They will not +be satisfied with a general declaration that it shall be made good.</p> + +<p>"I have often said, and I beg leave to repeat it, the half pay +provision is in my opinion the most politic and effectual that can be +adopted. On the whole, if something satisfactory be not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> done, the +army (already so much reduced in officers by daily resignations as not +to have a sufficiency to do the common duties of it) must either cease +to exist at the end of the campaign, or will exhibit an example of +more virtue, fortitude, self-denial, and perseverance, than has +perhaps ever yet been paralleled in the history of human enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"The dissolution of the army is an event that can not be regarded with +indifference. It would bring accumulated distress upon us; it would +throw the people of America into a general consternation; it would +discredit our cause throughout the world; it would shock our allies. +To think of replacing the officers with others is visionary. The loss +of the veteran soldiers could not be replaced. To attempt to carry on +the war with militia against disciplined troops, will be to attempt +what the common sense and common experience of mankind will pronounce +to be impracticable. But I should fail in respect to congress, to +dwell on observations of this kind in a letter to them."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Proceedings of Congress respecting the army.</div> + +<p>At length the committee presented their report, reorganizing the +regiments, reducing their number, and apportioning on the several +states their respective numbers to complete the establishment. This +report, being approved by congress, was transmitted to the +Commander-in-chief for his consideration. By this arrangement, the +states were required to recruit their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> quotas for the war, and to +bring them into the field by the first of January; but, if in any +state, it should be found impracticable to raise the men for the war +by the first day of December, it was recommended to such state to +supply the deficiency with men engaged to serve for not less than one +year.</p> + +<p>In compliance with the request of congress, General Washington +submitted his objections to the plan, in a long and respectful letter.</p> + +<p>He recommended that legionary corps should be substituted in the place +of regiments entirely of cavalry. He thought it more adviseable that +the infantry attached to the cavalry should compose a part of the +corps permanently, than that it should be drawn occasionally from the +regiments of foot.</p> + +<p>The reduction in the number of regiments appeared to him a subject of +great delicacy. The last reduction, he said, had occasioned many to +quit the service, independent of those who were discontinued; and had +left durable seeds of discontent among those who remained. The general +topic of declamation was, that it was as hard as dishonourable, for +men who had made every sacrifice to the service, to be turned out of +it, at the pleasure of those in power, without an adequate +compensation. In the maturity to which their uneasiness had now risen +from a continuance of misery, they would be still more impatient under +an attempt of a similar nature.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was not, he said, the intention of his remarks to discourage a +reform, but to show the necessity of guarding against the ill effects +which might otherwise attend it, by making an ample provision both for +the officers who should remain in the service, and for those who +should be reduced. This should be the basis of the plan; and without +it, the most mischievous consequences were to be apprehended. He was +aware of the difficulty of making a present provision sufficiently +ample to give satisfaction; but this only proved the expediency of +making one for the future, and brought him to that which he had so +frequently recommended as the most economical, the most politic, and +the most effectual, that could be devised; this was half pay for life. +Supported by the prospect of a permanent provision, the officers would +be tied to the service, and would submit to many momentary privations, +and to those inconveniences, which the situation of public affairs +rendered unavoidable. If the objection drawn from the principle that +the measure was incompatible with the genius of the government should +be thought insurmountable, he would propose a substitute, less +eligible in his opinion, but which would answer the purpose. It was to +make the present half pay for seven years, whole pay for the same +period. He also recommended that depreciation on the pay received, +should be made up to the officers who should be reduced.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> + +<p>No objection occurred to the measure now recommended, but the expense +it would occasion. In his judgment, whatever would give consistency to +the military establishment, would be ultimately favourable to economy. +It was not easy to be conceived, except by those who had witnessed it, +what an additional waste and increased consumption of every thing, and +consequently what an increase of expense, resulted from laxness of +discipline in an army; and where officers thought they did a favour by +holding their commissions, and the men were continually fluctuating, +to maintain discipline was impossible. Nothing could be more obvious +to him than that a sound military establishment and real economy were +the same. That the purposes of war would be greatly promoted by it was +too clear to admit of argument. He objected also to the mode of +effecting the reduction. This was by leaving it to the several states +to select the officers who should remain in service. He regretted that +congress had not thought proper to retain the reduction and +incorporation of the regiments under their own discretion. He +regretted that it should be left to the states, not only because it +was an adherence to the state system, which in the arrangements of the +army, he disapproved; but because also he feared it would introduce +much confusion and discontent in a business which ought to be +conducted with the greatest circumspection. He feared also that +professing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> to <i>select</i> the officers to be retained in service would +give disgust both to those who should be discontinued, and to those +who should remain. The former would be sent away under the public +stigma of inferior merit, and the latter would feel no pleasure in a +present preference, when they reflected that, at some future period, +they might experience a similar fate.</p> + +<p>He wished with much sincerity that congress had been pleased to make +no alteration in the term of service, but had confined their +requisition to men who should serve for the war, to be raised by +enlistment, draught, or assessment, as might be found necessary. As it +now stood, there would be very few men for the war, and all the evils +of temporary engagements would still be felt. In the present temper of +the states, he entertained the most flattering hopes that they would +enter on vigorous measures to raise an army for the war, if congress +appeared decided respecting it; but if they held up a different idea +as admissible, it would be again concluded that they did not think an +army for the war essential. This would encourage the opposition of men +of narrow, interested, and feeble tempers, and enable them to defeat +the primary object of the revolution.</p> + +<p>This letter was taken into consideration; and the measures it +recommended were pursued in almost every particular. Even the two +great principles which were viewed with most jealousy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>—an army for +the war, and half pay for life,—were adopted. It would have greatly +abridged the calamities of America, could these resolutions have been +carried into execution. Every effort for the purpose was made by the +Commander-in-chief.</p> + +<p>To place the officers of the army in a situation which would render +their commissions valuable, and hold out to them the prospect of a +comfortable old age, in a country saved by their blood, their +sufferings, and the labours of their best years, was an object which +had always been dear to the heart of General Washington, and he had +seized every opportunity to press it on congress. That body had +approached it slowly, taking step after step with apparent reluctance, +as the necessity of the measure became more and more obvious.</p> + +<p>The first resolution on the subject, passed in May, 1778, allowed to +all military officers who should continue in service during the war, +and not hold any office of profit under the United States or any of +them, half pay for seven years, if they lived so long. At the same +time the sum of eighty dollars, in addition to his pay, was granted to +every non-commissioned officer and soldier who should serve to the end +of the war. In 1779 this subject was resumed. After much debate, its +farther consideration was postponed; and the officers and soldiers +were recommended to the attention of their several states, with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> +declaration that their patriotism, valour, and perseverance, in +defence of the rights and liberties of their country, had entitled +them to the gratitude, as well as the approbation of their fellow +citizens.</p> + +<p>In 1780, a memorial from the general officers, depicting in strong +terms the situation of the army, and requiring present support, and +some future provision, was answered by a reference to what had been +already done, and by a declaration "That patience, self-denial, +fortitude and perseverance, and the cheerful sacrifice of time and +health, are necessary virtues which both the citizen and soldier are +called to exercise, while struggling for the liberties of their +country; and that moderation, frugality, and temperance, must be among +the chief supports, as well as the brightest ornaments of that kind of +civil government which is wisely instituted by the several states in +this Union."</p> + +<p>This philosophic lecture on the virtues of temperance to men who were +often without food, and always scantily supplied, was still calculated +to assuage irritations fomented by the neglect which was believed to +have been sustained. In a few days afterwards, the subject was brought +again before congress, and a more conciliating temper was manifested. +The odious restriction, limiting the half pay for seven years to those +who should hold no post of profit under the United States or any of +them, was removed; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> the bounty allowed the men was extended to the +widows and orphans of those who had died or should die in the service; +at length, the vote passed which has been stated, allowing half pay +for life to all officers who should serve in the armies of the United +States to the end of the war.</p> + +<p>Resolutions were also passed, recommending it to the several states to +make up the depreciation on the pay which had been received by the +army; and it was determined that their future services should be +compensated in the money of the new emission, the value of which, it +was supposed, might be kept up by taxes and by loans.</p> + +<p>While the government of the Union was thus employed in maturing +measures for the preservation of its military establishment, the time +for action passed away without furnishing any material event. The +hostile armies continued to watch each other until the season of the +year forced them out of the field.</p> + +<p>Just before retiring into winter quarters, a handsome enterprise was +executed by Major Talmadge, of Colonel Sheldon's regiment of light +dragoons. That gentleman had been generally stationed on the lines, on +the east side of the North River, and had been distinguished for the +accuracy of his intelligence.</p> + +<p>He was informed that a large magazine of forage had been collected at +Coram, on Long<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> Island, which was protected by the militia of the +country, the cruisers in the Sound, and a small garrison in its +neighbourhood.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Major Talmadge destroys the British stores at Coram.</div> + +<p>At the head of a detachment of eighty dismounted dragoons, under the +command of Captain Edgar, and of eight or ten who were mounted, he +passed the Sound where it was twenty miles wide, marched across the +island in the night, and so completely surprised the fort, that his +troops entered the works on three different sides before the garrison +was prepared to resist them. The British took refuge in two houses +connected with the fortifications, and commenced a fire from the doors +and windows. <span class="sidenoteb">Nov. 21.</span>These were instantly forced open; and the whole party, +amounting to fifty-four, among whom were a lieutenant colonel, +captain, and subaltern, were killed or taken. Stores to a considerable +amount were destroyed, the fort was demolished, and the magazines were +consumed by fire. The objects of the expedition being accomplished, +Major Talmadge recrossed the Sound without having lost a man. On the +recommendation of General Washington, congress passed a resolution, +expressing a high sense of the merit of those engaged in the +expedition.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">December.<br />The army retires into winter quarters.</div> + +<p>No objects for enterprise presenting themselves, the troops were +placed in winter quarters early in December. The Pennsylvania line was +stationed near Morristown; the Jersey line about Pompton, on the +confines of New York and New<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> Jersey; and the troops belonging to the +New England states, at West Point, and in its vicinity, on both sides +the North River. The line of the state of New York remained at Albany, +to which place it had been detached for the purpose of opposing an +invasion from Canada.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Irruption of Major Carlton into New York.</div> + +<p>Major Carlton, at the head of one thousand men, composed of Europeans, +Indians, and Tories, had made a sudden irruption into the northern +parts of New York, and taken forts Ann and George, with their +garrisons. At the same time, Sir John Johnson, at the head of a corps +composed of the same materials, appeared on the Mohawk. Several sharp +skirmishes were fought in that quarter with the continental troops, +and a regiment of new levies, aided by the militia of the country. +General Clinton's brigade was ordered to their assistance; but before +he could reach the scene of action, the invading armies had retired, +after laying waste the whole country through which they passed.</p> + +<p>While the disorder of the American finances, the exhausted state of +the country, and the debility of the government, determined Great +Britain to persevere in offensive war against the United States, by +keeping alive her hopes of conquest, Europe assumed an aspect not less +formidable to the permanent grandeur of that nation, than hostile to +its present views. <span class="sidenote">European transactions.</span>In the summer of 1780, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, +entered into the celebrated compact, which has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> been generally +denominated "THE ARMED NEUTRALITY." Holland had also declared a +determination to accede to the same confederacy; and it is not +improbable that this measure contributed to the declaration of war +which was made by Great Britain against that power towards the close +of the present year.</p> + +<p>The long friendship which had existed between the two nations was +visibly weakened from the commencement of the American war. Holland +was peculiarly desirous of participating in that commerce which the +independence of the United States would open to the world: and, from +the commencement of hostilities, her merchants, especially those of +Amsterdam, watched the progress of the war with anxiety, and engaged +in speculations which were profitable to themselves and beneficial to +the United States. The remonstrances made by the British minister at +the Hague against this conduct, were answered in the most amicable +manner by the government, but the practice of individuals continued +the same.</p> + +<p>When the war broke out between France and England, a number of Dutch +vessels trading with France, laden with materials for shipbuilding, +were seized, and carried into the ports of Great Britain, although the +existing treaties between the two nations were understood to exclude +those articles from the list of contraband of war. The British cabinet +justified these acts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> of violence, and persisted in refusing to permit +naval stores to be carried to her enemy in neutral bottoms. This +refusal, however, was accompanied with friendly professions, with an +offer to pay for the vessels and cargoes already seized, and with +proposals to form new stipulations for the future regulation of that +commerce.</p> + +<p>The States General refused to enter into any negotiations for the +modification of subsisting treaties; and the merchants of all the +great trading towns, especially those of Amsterdam, expressed the +utmost indignation at the injuries they had sustained. In consequence +of this conduct, the British government required those succours which +were stipulated in ancient treaties, and insisted that the <i>casus +fœderis</i> had now occurred. Advantage was taken of the refusal of +the States General to comply with this demand, to declare the treaties +between the two nations at an end.</p> + +<p>The temper produced by this state of things, inclined Holland to enter +into the treaty for an armed neutrality; and, in November, the Dutch +government acceded to it. Some unknown causes prevented the actual +signature of the treaty on the part of the States General, until a +circumstance occurred which was used for the purpose of placing them +in a situation not to avail themselves of the aid stipulated by that +confederacy to its members.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> + +<p>While Mr. Lee, one of the ministers of the United States, was on a +mission to the courts of Vienna and Berlin, he fell in company with a +Mr. John de Neufwille, a merchant of Amsterdam, with whom he held +several conversations on the subject of a commercial intercourse +between the two nations, the result of which was, that the plan of an +eventual commercial treaty was sketched out, as one which might +thereafter be concluded between them. This paper had received the +approbation of the Pensionary Van Berkel, and of the city of +Amsterdam, but not of the States General.</p> + +<p>Mr. Henry Laurens, late president of congress, was deputed to the +States General with this plan of a treaty, for the double purpose of +endeavouring to complete it, and of negotiating a loan for the use of +his government. On the voyage he was captured by a British frigate; +and his papers, which he had thrown overboard, were rescued from the +waves by a British sailor. Among them was found the plan of a treaty +which has been mentioned, and which was immediately transmitted to Sir +Joseph Yorke, the British minister at the Hague, to be laid before the +government.</p> + +<p>The explanations of this transaction not being deemed satisfactory by +the court of London, Sir Joseph Yorke received orders to withdraw from +the Hague, soon after which war was proclaimed against Holland.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span></p> + +<p>This bold measure, which added one of the first maritime powers in +Europe to the formidable list of enemies with whom Britain was already +encompassed, was perhaps, not less prudent than courageous.</p> + +<p>There are situations, to which only high minded nations are equal, in +which a daring policy will conduct those who adopt it, safely through +the very dangers it appears to invite; dangers which a system +suggested by a timid caution might multiply instead of avoiding. The +present was, probably, one of those situations. Holland was about to +become a member of the armed neutrality, after which her immense +navigation would be employed, unmolested, in transporting the property +of the enemies of Britain, and in supplying them with all the +materials for shipbuilding, or the whole confederacy must be +encountered.</p> + +<p>America, however, received with delight the intelligence that Holland +also was engaged in the war; and founded additional hopes of its +speedy termination on that event.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>Transactions in South Carolina and Georgia.... Defeat of +Ferguson.... Lord Cornwallis enters North Carolina.... +Retreats out of that state.... Major Wemyss defeated by +Sumpter.... Tarlton repulsed.... Greene appointed to the +command of the Southern army.... Arrives in camp.... +Detaches Morgan over the Catawba.... Battle of the +Cowpens.... Lord Cornwallis drives Greene through North +Carolina into Virginia.... He retires to Hillsborough.... +Greene recrosses the Dan.... Loyalists under Colonel Pyle +cut to pieces.... Battle of Guilford.... Lord Cornwallis +retires to Ramsay's mills.... To Wilmington.... Greene +advances to Ramsay's mills.... Determines to enter South +Carolina.... Lord Cornwallis resolves to march to Virginia.</b></p></div> + +<p> </p> + + +<div class="sidenotey">1780.</div> + +<p><span class="lgsmcap">In</span> the South, Lord Cornwallis, after having nearly demolished the +American army at Camden, found himself under the necessity of +suspending, for a few weeks, the new career of conquest on which he +had intended to enter. His army was enfeebled by sickness as well as +by action; the weather was intensely hot, and the stores necessary for +an expedition into North Carolina had not been brought from +Charleston. <span class="sidenote">Transactions in South Carolina and Georgia.</span>In addition, a temper so hostile to the British interests +had lately appeared in South Carolina as to make it unsafe to withdraw +any considerable part of his force from that state, until he should +subdue the spirit of insurrection against his authority. Exertions +were made in other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> parts of the state, not inferior to those of +Sumpter in the north-west. Colonel Marion, who had been compelled by +the wounds he received in Charleston to retire into the country, had +been promoted by Governor Rutledge to the rank of a brigadier general. +As the army of Gates approached South Carolina, he had entered the +north-eastern parts of that state with only sixteen men; had +penetrated into the country as far as the Santee; and was successfully +rousing the well-affected inhabitants to arms, when the defeat of the +16th of August chilled the growing spirit of resistance which he had +contributed to increase.</p> + +<p>With the force he had collected, he rescued about one hundred and +fifty continental troops who had been captured at Camden, and were on +their way to Charleston. Though compelled, for a short time, to leave +the state, he soon returned to it, and at the head of a few spirited +men, made repeated excursions from the swamps and marshes in which he +concealed himself, and skirmished successfully with the militia who +had joined the British standard, and the small parties of regulars by +whom they were occasionally supported.</p> + +<p>His talents as a partisan, added to his knowledge of the country, +enabled him to elude every attempt to seize him; and such was his +humanity as well as respect for the laws, that no violence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> or outrage +was ever attributed to the party under his command.</p> + +<p>The interval between the victory of the 16th of August, and the +expedition into North Carolina, was employed in quelling what was +termed the spirit of revolt in South Carolina. The efforts of the +people to recover their independence were considered as new acts of +rebellion, and were met with a degree of severity which policy was +supposed to dictate, but which gave a keener edge to the resentments +which civil discord never fails to engender. Several of the most +active militia men who had taken protections as British subjects, and +entered into the British militia, having been afterwards found in +arms, and made prisoners at Camden, were executed as traitors. Orders +were given to officers commanding at different posts to proceed in the +same manner against persons of a similar description; and these orders +were, in many instances, carried into execution. A proclamation was +issued for sequestering the estates of all those inhabitants of the +province, not included in the capitulation of Charleston, who were in +the service, or acting under the authority of Congress, and of all +those who, by an open avowal of what were termed rebellious +principles, or by other notorious acts should manifest a wicked and +desperate perseverance in opposing the re-establishment of royal +authority.<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p> +<p>While taking these measures to break the spirit of independence, Lord +Cornwallis was indefatigable in urging his preparations for the +expedition into North Carolina.</p> + +<p>The day after the battle near Camden, emissaries had been despatched +into that state for the purpose of inviting the friends of the British +government to take up arms. Meanwhile the utmost exertions were +continued to embody the people of the country as a British militia; +and Major Ferguson was employed in the district of Ninety Six, to +train the most loyal inhabitants, and to attach them to his own +corps.<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> After being employed for some time in Ninety Six, he was +directed to enter the western parts of North Carolina, for the purpose +of embodying the royalists in that quarter.</p> + +<p>The route marked out for the main army was from Camden, through the +settlement of the Waxhaws to Charlottestown, in North Carolina. On the +8th of September Lord Cornwallis moved from Camden, and reached +Charlotte late in that month, where he expected to be joined by +Ferguson. But in attempting to meet him, Ferguson was arrested by an +event as important as it was unexpected.</p> + +<p>Colonel Clarke, a refugee from Georgia, had formed a plan for the +reduction of Augusta, which was defended only by a few provincials, +under the command of Lieutenant Colonel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> Brown. <span class="sidenoteb">September.</span>About the time Lord +Cornwallis commenced his march from Camden, Clarke advanced against +Augusta, at the head of a body of irregulars whom he had collected in +the frontiers of North and South Carolina, and invested that place. +Brown made a vigorous defence; and the approach of Lieutenant Colonel +Cruger with a reinforcement from Ninety Six, compelled Clarke to +relinquish the enterprise, and to save himself by a rapid retreat. +Intelligence of the transactions at Augusta was given to Ferguson, +who, to favour the design of intercepting Clarke, moved nearer the +mountains, and remained longer in that country than had been intended. +This delay proved fatal to him. It gave an opportunity to several +volunteer corps to unite, and to constitute a formidable force. The +hardy mountaineers inhabiting the extreme western parts of Virginia +and North Carolina, assembled on horseback with their rifles, under +Colonels Campbell, M'Dowell, Cleveland, Shelby, and Sevier, and moved +with their accustomed velocity towards Ferguson. On receiving notice +of their approach, that officer commenced his march for Charlotte, +despatching, at the same time, different messengers to Lord Cornwallis +with information of his danger. These messengers being intercepted, no +movement was made to favour his retreat.</p> + +<p>When within about sixteen miles of Gilbert-town, where Ferguson was +then supposed to lie,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> Colonel M'Dowell deputed to Gates with a +request that he would appoint a general officer to command them; and, +in the mean time, Colonel Campbell of Virginia was chosen for that +purpose. On reaching Gilbert-town, and finding that the British had +commenced their retreat, it was determined to follow them with the +utmost celerity. At the Cowpens, this party was joined by Colonels +Williams, Tracy, and Branan, of South Carolina, with about four +hundred men, who also gave information respecting the distance and +situation of their enemy. About nine hundred choice men were selected, +by whom the pursuit was continued through the night, and through a +heavy rain; and, the next day, about three in the afternoon, they came +within view of Ferguson, who, finding that he must be overtaken, had +determined to await the attack on King's mountain, and was encamped on +its summit,—a ridge five or six hundred yards long, and sixty or +seventy wide.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">October 7.</div> + +<p>The Americans, who had arranged themselves into three columns, the +right commanded by Colonel Sevier and Major Winston, the centre by +Colonels Campbell and Shelby, and the left by Colonels Cleveland and +Williams, immediately rushed to the assault. The attack was commenced +by the centre, while the two wings gained the flanks of the British +line; and, in about five minutes, the action became general. Ferguson +made several impetuous charges with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> the bayonet, which, against +riflemen, were necessarily successful. But, before any one of them +could completely disperse the corps against which it was directed, the +heavy and destructive fire of the others, who pressed him on all +sides, called off his attention to other quarters, and the broken +corps was rallied, and brought back to the attack.</p> + +<p>In the course of these successive repulses, the right and centre had +become intermingled, and were both, by one furious charge of the +bayonet, driven almost to the foot of the mountain. With some +difficulty they were rallied and again brought into the action; upon +which the British, in turn, gave way, and were driven along the summit +of the ridge, on Cleveland and Williams, who still maintained their +ground on the left. <span class="sidenote">Defeat of Ferguson.</span>In this critical state of the action, Ferguson +received a mortal wound, and instantly expired. The courage of his +party fell with him, and quarter was immediately demanded.<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> The +action continued rather more than an hour.</p> + +<p>In this sharp action one hundred and fifty of Ferguson's party were +killed on the spot, and about the same number were wounded. Eight +hundred and ten, of whom one hundred were British troops, were made +prisoners, and fifteen hundred stand of excellent arms were taken.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Americans fought under cover of trees, and their loss was +inconsiderable; but among the slain was Colonel Williams, who was +greatly and justly lamented. As cruelty generally begets cruelty, the +example set by the British at Camden was followed, and ten of the most +active of the royalists were selected from the prisoners, and hung +upon the spot. The victorious mountaineers, having accomplished the +object for which they assembled, returned to their homes.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Lord Cornwallis retreats out of North Carolina.</div> + +<p>The destruction of this party arrested the progress of Lord Cornwallis +in North Carolina, and inspired serious fears for the posts in his +rear. He retreated to Wynnsborough, between Camden and Ninety Six, +where he waited for reinforcements from New York.</p> + +<p>The victory obtained on the 16th of August having suggested views of +more extensive conquest in the south, Sir Henry Clinton had determined +to send a large reinforcement to the southern army. In the opinion +that Lord Cornwallis could meet with no effectual resistance in the +Carolinas, he had ordered the officer commanding this reinforcement to +enter the Chesapeake in the first instance, and to take possession of +the lower parts of Virginia, after which he was to obey the orders he +should receive from Lord Cornwallis, to whom a copy of his +instructions had been forwarded.</p> + +<p>The detachment amounted to near three thousand men, under the command +of General Les<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>lie. It sailed on the 6th of October, and, entering +James River after a short passage, took possession of the country on +the south side as high as Suffolk. After a short time, Leslie drew in +his out-posts, and began to fortify Portsmouth. At this place he +received orders from Lord Cornwallis to repair to Charleston by water.</p> + +<p>While Cornwallis waited at Wynnsborough for this reinforcement, the +light corps of his army were employed in suppressing the parties which +were rising in various quarters of the country, in opposition to his +authority. Marion had become so formidable as to endanger the +communication between Camden and Charleston. Tarlton was detached +against him, and Marion was under the necessity of concealing himself +in the swamps. From the unavailing pursuit of him through marshes +which were scarcely penetrable, Tarlton was called to a different +quarter, where an enemy supposed to be entirely vanquished, had +reappeared in considerable force.</p> + +<p>Sumpter had again assembled a respectable body of mounted militia, at +the head of which he advanced towards the posts occupied by the +British. On receiving intelligence of his approach, Earl Cornwallis +formed a plan for surprising him in his camp on Broad River, the +execution of which was committed to Major Wemyss. That officer marched +from Wynnsborough at the head of a regiment of infantry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> and about +forty dragoons, reached the camp of Sumpter several hours before day, +and immediately charged the out piquet, which made but a slight +resistance. <span class="sidenote">Major Wemyss attacks and is defeated by Sumpter.</span>Only five shots are said to have been fired, but from +these Wemyss received two dangerous wounds which disabled him from the +performance of his duty. The assailants fell into confusion, and were +repulsed with the loss of their commanding officer and about twenty +men. After this action, Sumpter crossed Broad River, and, having +formed a junction with Clarke and Branan, threatened Ninety Six.</p> + +<p>Alarmed for the safety of that post, Earl Cornwallis recalled Tarlton, +and ordered him to proceed against Sumpter. So rapid was his movement +that he had nearly gained the rear of his enemy before notice of his +return was received. In the night preceding the day on which he +expected to effect his purpose, a deserter apprised Sumpter of the +approaching danger, and that officer began his retreat. Tarlton, +pursuing with his usual rapidity, overtook the rear guard at the ford +of the Ennoree, and cut it to pieces; after which, fearing that +Sumpter would save himself by passing the Tyger, he pressed forward, +with, as he states, about two hundred and eighty cavalry and mounted +infantry, and, in the afternoon, came within view of the Americans, +who were arranged in order for battle.</p> + +<p>Sumpter had reached the banks of the Tyger, when the firing of his +videttes announced the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> approach of his enemy. He immediately posted +his troops to great advantage on a steep eminence, having their rear +and part of their right flank secured by the river, and their left +covered by a barn of logs, into which a considerable number of his men +were thrown.</p> + +<p>Tarlton, without waiting for his infantry, or for a field piece left +with them in his rear, rushed to the charge with his usual +impetuosity. After several ineffectual attempts to dislodge the +Americans, he retired from the field with great precipitation and +disorder, leaving ninety-two dead, and one hundred wounded.</p> + +<p>After remaining in possession of the ground for a few hours, Sumpter, +who was severely wounded in the action, crossed the Tyger, after which +his troops dispersed. His loss was only three killed, and four +wounded.</p> + +<p>Availing himself of the subsequent retreat and dispersion of the +American militia, Tarlton denominated this severe check a victory; +while congress, in a public resolution, voted their thanks to General +Sumpter and the militia he commanded, for this and other services +which had been previously rendered.</p> + +<p>The shattered remains of the army defeated near Camden, had been +slowly collected at Hillsborough, and great exertions were made to +reorganize and reinforce it. The whole number of continental troops in +the southern army amounted to about fourteen hundred men.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span></p> + +<p>On receiving intelligence that Lord Cornwallis had occupied Charlotte, +Gates detached Smallwood to the Yadkin, with directions to post +himself at the ford of that river, and to take command of all the +troops in that quarter of the country. The more effectually to harass +the enemy, a light corps was selected from the army and placed under +the command of Morgan, now a brigadier general.</p> + +<p>As Lord Cornwallis retreated, Gates advanced to Charlotte, Smallwood +encamped lower down the Catawba on the road to Camden; and Morgan was +pushed forward some distance in his front. In the expectation that +farther active operations would be postponed until the spring, Gates +intended to pass the winter in this position. Such was the arrangement +of the troops when their general was removed.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">November 5.</div> + +<p>On the 5th of November, without any previous indications of +dissatisfaction, congress passed a resolution requiring the +Commander-in-chief to order a court of inquiry on the conduct of +General Gates as commander of the southern army, and to appoint some +other officer to that command, until the inquiry should be made.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Greene appointed to the command of the southern army.</div> + +<p>Washington, without hesitation, selected Greene for that important and +difficult service. In a letter to congress recommending him to their +support, he mentioned General Greene as "an officer in whose +abilities, fortitude, and integrity, from a long and intimate +experience of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> them, he had the most entire confidence." To Mr. +Matthews, a delegate from South Carolina, he said, "You have your wish +in the officer appointed to the southern command. I think I am giving +you a general; but what can a general do without men, without arms, +without clothing, without stores, without provisions?" About the same +time the legion of Lee was ordered into South Carolina.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Arrives in camp.</div> + +<p>Greene hastened to the army he was to command; and, on the second of +December, reached Charlotte, then its head quarters. Soon after his +arrival in camp, he was gratified with the intelligence of a small +piece of good fortune obtained by the address of Lieutenant Colonel +Washington.</p> + +<p>Smallwood, having received information that a body of royal militia +had entered the country in which he foraged, for the purpose of +intercepting his wagons, detached Morgan and Washington against them. +Intelligence of Morgan's approach being received, the party retreated; +but Colonel Washington, being able to move with more celerity than the +infantry, resolved to make an attempt on another party, which was +stationed at Rugely's farm, within thirteen miles of Camden. He found +them posted in a logged barn, strongly secured by abattis, and +inaccessible to cavalry. Force being of no avail, he resorted to the +following stratagem. Having painted the trunk of a pine, and mounted +it on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> a carriage so as to resemble a field piece, he paraded it in +front of the enemy, and demanded a surrender. The whole party, +consisting of one hundred and twelve men, with Colonel Rugely at their +head, alarmed at the prospect of a cannonade, surrendered themselves +prisoners of war.<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Detaches Morgan over the Catawba.</div> + +<p>To narrow the limits of the British army, and to encourage the +inhabitants, Greene detached Morgan west of the Catawba, with orders +to take a position near the confluence of the Pacolet with the Broad +River. His party consisted of rather more than three hundred chosen +continental troops, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Howard, of +Maryland, of Washington's regiment of light dragoons, amounting to +about eighty men, and of two companies of militia from the northern +and western parts of Virginia commanded by Captains Triplet and Taite, +which were composed almost entirely of old continental soldiers. He +was also to be joined on Broad River by seven or eight hundred +volunteers and militia commanded by General Davidson, and by Colonels +Clarke and Few.</p> + +<p>After making this detachment, Greene, for the purpose of entering a +more plentiful country, advanced lower down the Pedee, and encamped on +its east side, opposite the Cheraw hills. Lord Cornwallis remained at +Wynnsborough, pre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span>paring to commence active operations, so soon as he +should be joined by Leslie.</p> + +<p>The position he occupied on the Pedee was about seventy miles from +Wynnsborough, and towards the north of east from that place. The +detachment commanded by Morgan had taken post at Grindal's ford on the +Pacolet, one of the south forks of Broad River, not quite fifty miles +north-west of Wynnsborough. The active courage of his troops, and the +enterprising temper of their commander, rendered him extremely +formidable to the parties of royal militia who were embodying in that +quarter of the country.</p> + +<p>Supposing Morgan to have designs on Ninety Six, Lord Cornwallis +detached Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton with his legion, part of two +regiments of infantry, and a corps of artillery with two field pieces, +consisting altogether of about one thousand men, across the Broad +River, to cover that important post. As he lay between Greene and +Morgan, he was desirous of preventing their junction, and of striking +at one of them while unsupported by the other. To leave it uncertain +against which division his first effort would be directed, he ordered +Leslie to halt at Camden until the preparations for entering North +Carolina should be completed. Having determined to penetrate into that +state by the upper route, he put his army in motion and directed his +course northwestward, between the Catawba and Broad Rivers. Leslie was +directed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> to move up the banks of the former, and to join him on the +march; and Tarlton was ordered to strike at Morgan. Should that +officer escape Tarlton, the hope was entertained that he might be +intercepted by the main army.<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a></p> + +<p>High waters delayed Cornwallis and Leslie longer than had been +expected; but Tarlton overcame the same obstacles, and reached Morgan +before a correspondent progress was made by the other divisions.<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a></p> + +<div class="sidenotey">1781 January 14.</div> + +<p>The combined movements of the British army were communicated to +General Morgan on the 14th of January. Perceiving the insecurity of +his own position, he retired across the Pacolet, the fords over which +he was desirous of defending. But a passage of that river being +effected at a ford about six miles below him, he made a precipitate +retreat; and, on the evening of the same day, his pursuers occupied +the camp he had abandoned. Morgan retired to the Cowpens, where he +determined to risk a battle. <span class="sidenote">Sixteenth.</span>It was believed that he might have +crossed the Broad River, or have reached a mountainous country which +was also near him, before he could have been overtaken; and the +superiority of his adversary was so decided as to induce his best +officers to think that every effort ought to be made to avoid an +engagement. But Morgan had great and just confidence in himself and in +his troops; he was unwilling to fly from an enemy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> not so decidedly +his superior as to render it madness to fight him; and he also thought +that, if he should be overtaken while his men were fatigued and +retreating, the probability of success would be much less than if he +should exhibit the appearance of fighting from choice.</p> + +<p>These considerations determined him to halt earlier than was +absolutely necessary.<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Battle of the Cowpens.</div> + +<p>Tarlton, having left his baggage under a strong guard, with orders not +to move until break of day, recommenced the pursuit at three in the +morning.</p> + +<p>Before day, Morgan was informed of his approach, and prepared to +receive him.</p> + +<p>Although censured by many for having determined to fight, and by some +for the ground he chose, all admit the judgment with which his +disposition was made.</p> + +<p>On an eminence, in an open wood, he drew up his continental troops, +and Triplet's corps, deemed equal to continentals, amounting to +between four and five hundred men, who were commanded by Lieutenant +Colonel Howard. In their rear, on the descent of the hill, Lieutenant +Colonel Washington was posted with his cavalry, and a small body of +mounted Georgia militia commanded by Major M'Call, as a corps de +reserve. On these two corps rested his hopes of victory, and with them +he remained in person.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> The front line was composed entirely of +militia, under the command of Colonel Pickens. Major M'Dowell, with a +battalion of North Carolina volunteers, and Major Cunningham, with a +battalion of Georgia volunteers, were advanced about one hundred and +fifty yards in front of this line, with orders to give a single fire +as the enemy approached, and then to fall back into the intervals, +which were left for them in the centre of the first line. The militia, +not being expected to maintain their ground long, were ordered to keep +up a retreating fire by regiments, until they should pass the +continental troops, on whose right they were directed again to form. +His whole force, as stated by himself, amounted to only eight hundred +men.</p> + +<p>Soon after this disposition was made, the British van appeared in +sight. Confident of a cheap victory, Tarlton formed his line of +battle, and his troops rushed forward with great impetuosity, shouting +as they advanced.</p> + +<p>After a single well directed fire, M'Dowell and Cunningham fell back +on Colonel Pickens, who, after a short but warm conflict, retreated +into the rear of the second line.<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> The British pressed forward with +great eagerness; and, though received by the continental troops with a +firmness unimpaired by the rout of the front line, continued to +advance. Soon after the action<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> with the continental troops had +commenced, Tarlton ordered up his reserve. Perceiving that the enemy +extended beyond him both on the right and left, and that, on the right +especially, his flank was on the point of being turned, Howard ordered +the company on his right to change its front, so as to face the +British on that flank. From some mistake in the officer commanding +this company, it fell back, instead of fronting the enemy, upon which +the rest of the line, supposing a change of ground for the whole to +have been directed, began to retire in perfect order. At this moment +General Morgan rode up, and directed the infantry to retreat over the +summit of the hill, about one hundred yards to the cavalry. This +judicious but hazardous movement was made in good order, and +extricated the flanks from immediate danger. Believing the fate of the +day to be decided, the British pressed on with increased ardour, and +in some disorder; and when the Americans halted, were within thirty +yards of them. The orders then given by Howard to face the enemy were +executed as soon as they were received; and the whole line poured in a +fire as deadly as it was unexpected. Some confusion appearing in the +ranks of the enemy, Howard seized the critical moment, and ordered a +charge with the bayonet. These orders were instantly obeyed, and the +British line was broken.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span></p> +<p>At the same moment the detachment of cavalry on the British right was +routed by Washington. The militia of Pickens, who rode to the ground, +had tied their horses in the rear of Howard's left. When the front +line was broken, many of them fled to their horses, and were closely +pursued by the cavalry, who, while the continental infantry were +retiring, passed their flank, and were cutting down the scattered +militia in their rear. Washington, who had previously ordered his men +not to fire a pistol, now directed them to charge the British cavalry +with drawn swords. A sharp conflict ensued, but it was not of long +duration. The British were driven from the ground with considerable +slaughter, and were closely pursued. Both Howard and Washington +pressed the advantage they had respectively gained, until the +artillery, and great part of the infantry had surrendered. So sudden +was the defeat, that a considerable part of the British cavalry had +not been brought into action; and, though retreating, remained +unbroken. Washington, followed by Howard with the infantry, pursued +them rapidly, and attacked<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> them with great spirit; but, as they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> +were superior to him in numbers, his cavalry received a temporary +check; and in this part of the action he sustained a greater loss than +in any other. But the infantry coming up to support him, Tarlton +resumed the retreat.<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a></p> + +<p>In this engagement upwards of one hundred British, including ten +commissioned officers, were killed; twenty-nine commissioned officers, +and five hundred privates were made prisoners. Eight hundred muskets, +two field pieces, two standards, thirty-five baggage wagons, and one +hundred dragoon horses, fell into the hands of the conquerors.</p> + +<p>Tarlton retreated towards the headquarters of Lord Cornwallis, then +about twenty-five miles from the Cowpens.</p> + +<p>This complete victory cost the Americans less than eighty men in +killed and wounded.</p> + +<p>Seldom has a battle in which greater numbers were not engaged, been so +important in its consequences as that of the Cowpens. Lord Cornwallis +was not only deprived of a fifth of his numbers, but lost a most +powerful and active part of his army. Unfortunately, Greene was not in +a condition to press the advantage. The whole southern army did not +much exceed two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> thousand men, a great part of whom were militia.</p> + +<p>The camp of Lord Cornwallis at Turkey Creek on the east side of Broad +River, was as near as the Cowpens to the fords at which Morgan was to +cross the Catawba. <span class="sidenote">Pursuit of the American army through North Carolina into +Virginia.</span>Of consequence, that officer had much cause to fear +that, encumbered as he was with prisoners and military stores, he +might be intercepted before he could pass that river. Comprehending +the full extent of his danger, he abandoned the baggage he had taken, +and leaving his wounded under the protection of a flag, detached the +militia as an escort to his prisoners, and brought up the rear in +person with his regulars. Passing Broad River on the evening of the +day on which the battle was fought, he hastened to the Catawba, which +he crossed on the 23d, at Sherald's ford, and encamped on its eastern +bank.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">January.</div> + +<p>Lord Cornwallis employed the 18th in forming a junction with Leslie. +Early next morning he put his army in motion, and, on the 25th, +reached Ramsay's mills, where the roads taken by the two armies unite. +At this place, to accelerate his future movements, he destroyed his +baggage; and, after collecting a small supply of provisions, resumed +the pursuit. He reached Sherald's ford in the afternoon of the 29th; +and, in the night, an immense flood of rain rendered the river +impassable.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">January 31.</div> + +<p>While Morgan remained on the Catawba, watching the motions of the +British army, and endeavouring to collect the militia, General Greene +arrived, and took command of the detachment.</p> + +<p>In his camp on the Pedee, opposite the Cheraw hills, Greene had been +joined by Lee's legion, amounting to about one hundred cavalry, and +one hundred and twenty infantry. The day after his arrival, he was +ordered to join Marion for the purpose of attempting to carry a +British post at Georgetown, distant about seventy-five miles from the +American army. The fort was surprised, but the success was only +partial.</p> + +<p>On receiving intelligence of the victory at the Cowpens, Greene +detached Stevens' brigade of Virginia militia, whose terms of service +were on the point of expiring, to conduct the prisoners to +Charlottesville in Virginia, and turned his whole attention to the +effecting of a junction between the two divisions of his army. It was +principally with a view to this object that he hastened to the +detachment under Morgan, leaving the other division to be commanded by +General Huger.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">February 1.</div> + +<p>Early in the morning of the first of February, Lord Cornwallis forced +a passage over the Catawba, at a private ford which was defended by +General Davidson, with about three hundred North Carolina militia. +Davidson was killed, and his troops dispersed. They were followed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> by +Tarlton, who, hearing in the pursuit, that several bodies of militia +were assembling at a tavern about ten miles from the ford, hastened to +the place of rendezvous, and charging them with his usual impetuosity, +broke their centre, killed some, and dispersed the whole party.</p> + +<p>It was found impracticable to bring the militia into the field, and +Huger, who had been directed to march to Salisbury, was ordered to +effect a junction between the two divisions of the army at some place +farther north.</p> + +<p>Greene retreated along the Salisbury road, and, in the evening of the +third, crossed the Yadkin at the trading ford. His passage of the +river, then already much swollen by the rain of the preceding day, was +facilitated by boats which had been previously collected. The rear +guard, which, being impeded by the baggage of the whigs who fled from +Salisbury did not cross till midnight, was overtaken by the van of the +British army, and a skirmish ensued in which some loss was sustained, +but the Americans effected the passage of the river.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">February 3.<br />Ninth.</div> + +<p>The rains having rendered the Yadkin unfordable, and the boats being +collected on the opposite side, the pursuit was necessarily suspended; +but Greene continued his march to Guilford court house where he was +joined by Huger.</p> + +<p>After some delay, and apparent hesitation respecting his movements, +Lord Cornwallis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> marched up the Yadkin, which he crossed near its +source on the morning of the eighth.</p> + +<p>After the junction between the divisions of Huger and Morgan, the +infantry of the American army, including six hundred militia, amounted +to about two thousand effectives; and the cavalry to between two and +three hundred. Lord Cornwallis lay twenty-five miles above them at +Salem, with an army estimated from twenty-five hundred to three +thousand men, including three hundred cavalry. Having failed in his +attempt to prevent the junction of the two divisions of the American +army, his object was to place himself between Greene and Virginia, and +force that officer to a general action before he could be joined by +the reinforcements which were known to be preparing for him in that +state. His situation favoured the accomplishment of this object.</p> + +<p>Greene, on the other hand, was indefatigable in his exertions to cross +the Dan without exposing himself to the hazard of a battle. To effect +this object, the whole of his cavalry, with the flower of his +infantry, amounting together to rather more than seven hundred men, +were formed into a light corps, for the purpose of harassing and +impeding the advance of the enemy, until the less active part of his +force, with the baggage and military stores should be secured. Morgan +being rendered incapable of duty by severe indisposition, the command +of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> this corps was conferred on Colonels Otho and Williams.</p> + +<p>Lord Cornwallis had been informed that it would be impossible to +obtain boats at the ferries on the Dan in sufficient numbers for the +transportation of the American troops before he could overtake them. +And, as the river could not be forded below, he calculated with +confidence on succeeding in his object by keeping above Greene, and +prevent his reaching those shallow fords by which alone it was thought +possible to escape into Virginia.</p> + +<p>Dix's ferry is about fifty miles from Guilford court house, and was +almost equidistant from the two armies. Considerably below, and more +than seventy miles from Guilford court house, were two other ferries, +Boyd's and Irwin's, which were only four miles apart. By directing +their march towards the lower and more remote ferries, the distance +from Lord Cornwallis was so much ground gained; and by despatching an +officer with a few men to Dix's, the boats at that, and at an +intermediate ferry, might be brought down the river in time to meet +the army at the intended crossing place. These facts being suggested +by Lieutenant Colonel Carrington, quartermaster general for the +southern department, the proposition was instantly adopted, and an +officer despatched to bring the boats from above down to Boyd's +ferry.<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span></p> +<p>The next day both armies resumed their line of march. While General +Greene pressed forward to Boyd's, Williams gained an intermediate road +leading to Dix's ferry, and thus placed himself between the two +armies, a small distance in front of the one, and considerably in rear +of the other. Such was the boldness and activity of this corps that +Lord Cornwallis found it necessary to temper the eagerness of his +pursuit with caution. Yet he moved with great rapidity;—marching +nearly thirty miles each day. On the morning of the third day, he +attempted to surprise the Americans by marching from the rear of his +column into the road which had been taken by them, while his van +proceeded slowly on its original route. Information of this movement +was received, and Lieutenant Colonel Lee charged his advanced cavalry +with such impetuosity, as to cut a company nearly to pieces. A captain +and several privates were made prisoners. The whole British army +turned into this road and followed in the rear of Williams, who used +every effort to delay their march.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">February 14.</div> + +<p>The measures adopted by Greene for collecting the boats were +successful; and, on the fourteenth, he effected the passage of his +troops and stores.</p> + +<p>When Williams supposed that the American army had reached the Dan, he +left the road leading to Dix's ferry, and entering that which Greene +had taken, urged his march to the lower<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> ferries with the utmost +celerity. Lord Cornwallis, being at length informed that Greene had +taken the lower road, turned into it about the same time by a nearer +way, and his front was in sight of the rear of Williams. So rapid were +the movements of both armies that, in the last twenty-four hours, the +Americans marched forty miles; and the rear had scarcely touched the +northern bank, when the van of the enemy appeared on the opposite +shore.</p> + +<p>That General Greene was able to effect this retreat without loss, +evidences the judgment with which he improved every favourable +circumstance.</p> + +<p>The exertions, the fatigues, the sufferings, and the patience of both +armies, during this long, toilsome, and rapid pursuit, were extreme. +Without tents, without spirits, often without provisions, and always +scantily supplied with them; through deep and frozen roads, high +waters, and frequent rains; each performed, without a murmur, the +severe duties assigned to it. The difference between them consists +only in this,—the British troops were well clothed; the Americans +were almost naked, and many of them barefooted.</p> + +<p>Great praise was bestowed by the general on his whole army; but the +exertions of Colonel Williams, and of Lieutenant Colonel Carrington +were particularly noticed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span></p> + +<p>Although that part of North Carolina through which the armies had +passed, was well affected to the American cause, such was the rapidity +with which they moved, and such the terror inspired by the presence of +the enemy, that no aid was drawn from the militia. Indeed, those who +had joined the army from the more remote parts of the country could +not be retained; and, when it reached the Dan, the militia attached to +it did not exceed eighty men.</p> + +<p>Having driven Greene out of North Carolina, Lord Cornwallis turned his +attention to the re-establishment of regal authority in that state. +<span class="sidenote">Lord Cornwallis retires to Hillsborough.</span>For this purpose, he proceeded by easy marches to Hillsborough, at +that time its capital, where he erected the royal standard, and issued +a proclamation inviting the inhabitants to repair to it, and to assist +him in restoring the ancient government.</p> + +<p>As soon as it was known that General Greene had entered Virginia, he +was reinforced by six hundred militia drawn from the neighbouring +counties, the command of which was given to General Stevens.</p> + +<p>Apprehension that Lord Cornwallis, if left in the undisturbed +possession of North Carolina, would succeed, to the extent of his +hopes, in recruiting his army and procuring the submission of the +people, General Greene determined, on receiving this small +reinforcement, to re-enter that state; and, avoiding a general +engagement,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> to keep the field against a superior enemy, who had +demonstrated his capacity for rapid movement and hardy enterprise.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">February.<br />Greene recrosses the Dan.</div> + +<p>On the 18th, while Lord Cornwallis remained on the opposite shore, the +legion of Lee had passed the Dan. On the 21st, the light infantry also +recrossed it; and, on the 23d, they were followed by the main body of +the army.</p> + +<p>The light infantry hung round the quarters of the enemy, while the +main body advanced slowly, keeping in view the roads to the western +parts of the country, from which a considerable reinforcement of +militia was expected.<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a></p> + +<p>General Greene was not mistaken in the consequences of leaving Lord +Cornwallis in the peaceable possession of North Carolina. He was +informed that seven independent companies were raised in one day. A +large body of royalists had begun to embody themselves on the branches +of the Haw River; and Colonel Tarlton, with the cavalry of his legion +and some infantry, was detached from Hillsborough to favour their +rising, and to conduct them to the British army.</p> + +<p>Intelligence of the movements of the loyalists and of Tarlton being +received, Greene ordered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> Lieutenant Colonel Lee with the cavalry of +his legion, and General Pickens with between three and four hundred +militia, who had just formed a junction near Hillsborough, to move +against both parties.</p> + + +<p>In a long lane, Lee, whose cavalry was in front of the whole +detachment, came up with the royalists. He was mistaken by them for +Tarlton, whom they had not yet seen, to whose encampment they were +proceeding, and whose corps was then taking refreshment, not much more +than a mile distant from them. Perceiving their mistake, Lee received +their expressions of joy and attachment, and had just reached their +colonel, to whom he was about to make communications which might have +enabled him to proceed on his design of surprising Tarlton, when the +infantry who followed close in his rear, were recognized by the +insurgents; and a firing took place between them. <span class="sidenote">Party of loyalists commanded by Colonel Pyle, cut to +pieces.</span>It being apparent +that this circumstance must give the alarm to the British, Lee changed +his plan, and turning on the royalists, who still supposed him to be a +British officer, cut them to pieces while they were making +protestations of loyalty, and asserting that they were "the very best +friends of the king." More than one hundred, among whom was Colonel +Pyle, their leader, fell under the swords of his cavalry. This +terrible but unavoidable carnage broke, in a great measure, the +spirits of the tories in that part of the country. Some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> who were on +their march to join the British standard, returned, determined to +await the issue of events before they went too far to recede.</p> + +<p>The hope of surprising Tarlton being thus disappointed, Pickens and +Lee determined to postpone the attack till the morning; and took a +position for the night between him and a corps of militia which was +advancing from the western counties of Virginia under Colonel Preston. +Tarlton had meditated an attempt on this corps; but at midnight, when +his troops were paraded to march on this design, he received an +express from Lord Cornwallis, directing his immediate return to the +army. In obedience to this order, he began his retreat long before +day, and crossed the Haw, just as the Americans, who followed him, +appeared on the opposite bank. Two pieces of artillery commanded the +ford and stopped the pursuit.</p> + +<p>To approach more nearly the great body of the loyalists, who were +settled between Haw and Deep Rivers, and to take a position in a +country less exhausted than that around Hillsborough, Lord Cornwallis +crossed the Haw, and encamped on Allimance creek.</p> + +<p>As the British army retired, General Greene advanced. Not being yet in +a condition to hazard an engagement, he changed his ground every +night. In the course of the critical movements, which were made in +order to avoid an action, and at the same time to overawe the +loy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>alists, and maintain a position favourable to a junction with the +several detachments who were marching from different quarters to his +assistance, he derived immense service from a bold and active light +infantry, and from a cavalry which, though inferior in numbers, was +rendered superior in effect to that of his enemy, by being much better +mounted. They often attacked boldly and successfully, and made sudden +incursions into the country, which so intimidated the royalists, that +Lord Cornwallis found it difficult to obtain intelligence. By these +means, all his attempts to bring the American general to action were +frustrated; and his lordship was under the necessity of keeping his +men close in their quarters.</p> + +<p>During this hazardous trial of skill, Lord Cornwallis moved out in +full force towards Rudy fork, where the light infantry lay, in the +hope of surprising that corps under cover of a thick fog; and probably +with ulterior views against General Greene. His approach was +perceived, and a sharp skirmish ensued between a part of the light +infantry, and a much superior body of British troops commanded by +Lieutenant Colonel Webster, in which the loss was supposed to be +nearly equal. The advance of the British army obliged Williams to +retire; and General Greene, by recrossing the Haw and uniting with the +light infantry on its north-eastern bank at the Rocky ford, +disappointed any far<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span>ther designs which might have been formed against +the army then under his command, or against the reinforcements which +were approaching. Being thus foiled, Lord Cornwallis withdrew to Deep +River, and General Greene fell back to the iron works on Troublesome +creek.</p> + +<p>At length his reinforcements, though much inferior to the number he +had been taught to expect, were received, and Greene, in his turn, +sought a battle. With this view, he dissolved the corps of light +infantry, advanced towards his enemy, and encamped within eight miles +of him, at Guilford court house.</p> + +<p>His army, including officers, amounted to about four thousand five +hundred men, of whom not quite two thousand were continental troops +and the residue consisted of Virginia and North Carolina militia. +Those of Virginia were commanded by Generals Stevens and Lawson, and +by Colonels Preston, Campbell, and Lynch; and those of North Carolina, +by Generals Butler and Eaton.</p> + +<p>Of the four regiments which composed the continental infantry, only +one, the first of Maryland, was veteran. The other three consisted of +new levies, with a few old continental soldiers interspersed among +them. The legion of Lee, and the cavalry of Washington, like the first +regiment of Maryland, added every advantage of experience to approved +courage; and nearly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> all the officers commanding the new levies were +veteran.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">March 15.</div> + +<p>Having determined to risk an action, Greene chose his ground with +judgment. Early in the morning of the 15th, the fire of his +reconnoitring parties announced the approach of the enemy on the great +Salisbury road, and his army was immediately arranged in order of +battle. <span class="sidenote">Battle of Guilford.</span>It was drawn up in three lines, on a large hill, surrounded by +other hills, chiefly covered with trees and underwood.</p> + +<p>The front line was composed of the two brigades of North Carolina +militia, who were posted to great advantage on the edge of the wood, +behind a strong rail fence, with an extensive open field in front.</p> + +<p>The two brigades of Virginia militia formed the second line. They were +drawn up entirely in the wood, about three hundred yards in rear of +the first, and on either side of the great Salisbury road.</p> + +<p>The third line was placed about three hundred yards in rear of the +second, and was composed of continental troops. The Virginia brigade, +commanded by General Huger, was on the right; that of Maryland, +commanded by Colonel Williams, was on the left. They were drawn up +obliquely, with their left diverging from the second line, and partly +in open ground.</p> + +<p>The first and third regiments of dragoons, amounting to one hundred +and two troopers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> Kirkwood's company of light infantry, and a +regiment of militia riflemen under Colonel Lynch, formed a corps of +observation for the security of the right flank, which was commanded +by Lieutenant Colonel Washington. The legion, consisting of one +hundred and sixty-eight horse and foot, and a body of riflemen +commanded by Colonels Campbell and Preston, formed a corps of +observation for the security of the left flank, which was placed under +Lieutenant Colonel Lee. The artillery was in the front line, in the +great road leading through the centre, with directions to fall back as +the occasion should require.</p> + +<p>Though Lord Cornwallis was sensible that the numbers of the American +army were greatly augmented by troops whose continuance in service +would be of short duration, he deemed it so important to the interests +of his sovereign to maintain the appearance of superiority in the +field, that he was unwilling to decline the engagement now offered +him.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">March 14.<br />Fifteenth.</div> + +<p>On the advance of Greene, therefore, he prepared for action; and early +in the morning moved from his ground, determined to attack the adverse +army wherever it should be found. About four miles from Guilford court +house, the advance, led by Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton, fell in with +Lee, and a sharp skirmish ensued, which was terminated by the +appearance of such large bodies of British troops, as rendered it +prudent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> for Lee to retire. His lordship continued to advance until he +came within view of the American army. His disposition for the attack +was then made in the following order.</p> + +<p>The seventy-first British regiment, with the German regiment of Bose, +led by General Leslie, and supported by the first battalion of the +guards under Colonel Norton, formed the right, and the twenty-third +and thirty-third regiments, led by Lieutenant Colonel Webster, and +supported by Brigadier General O'Hara with the grenadiers and second +battalion of the guards, formed the left. The light infantry of the +guards and the Yagers, posted in the wood on the left of the +artillery, and the cavalry in column behind it in the road, formed a +corps of observation.<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a></p> + +<p>This disposition being made, the British troops advanced to the +charge, with the cool intrepidity which discipline inspires.</p> + +<p>The North Carolina militia were not encouraged by the great advantages +of their position to await the shock. They broke instantly; and, +throwing away their arms and flying through the woods, sought their +respective homes.</p> + +<p>The British then advanced on the second line, which received them with +more firmness; and maintained their ground for some time with great +resolution. Lord Cornwallis perceiving the corps on his flanks, +brought the whole of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> reserved infantry into the line. On the +right, General Leslie brought up the guards to oppose Lee; and, on the +left, Webster changed his front to the left, and attacked Washington, +while the grenadiers and second battalion of guards moved forward to +occupy the place which he had just quitted.<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a></p> + +<p>The ground being unfavourable to the action of horse, Washington had +posted Lynch's riflemen, with whom he remained in person, on a height +covered with thick woods; and had drawn up his cavalry and continental +infantry about one hundred yards in their rear. On being attacked by +Webster, the riflemen broke; and Washington, finding it impossible to +rally them, rejoined his cavalry.</p> + +<p>The British continuing to advance, and it being well understood that +the militia could not stand the bayonet, General Stevens, who had +received a ball in his right thigh, ordered his brigade to retreat. +Lawson's brigade having given way a short time before, the second line +was entirely routed; and the enemy advanced boldly on the third.</p> + +<p>The several divisions of the British army had been separated from each +other by extending themselves to the right and left in order to +encounter the distinct corps which threatened their flanks; and by +advancing in regiments at different times, as the different parts of +the second<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> line had given way. The thickness of the wood increased +the difficulty of restoring order. They pressed forward with great +eagerness, but with a considerable degree of irregularity.</p> + +<p>Greene, in this state of the action, entertained the most sanguine +hopes of a complete victory. His continental troops were fresh, in +perfect order, and upon the point of engaging an enemy, broken into +distinct parts, and probably supposing the severity of the action to +be over. This fair prospect was blasted by the misconduct of a single +corps. The second regiment of Maryland was posted at some distance +from the first, in open ground; its left forming almost a right angle +with the line, so as to present a front to any corps which might +attack on that flank. The British in advancing, inclined to the right; +and the second battalion of guards entered the open ground immediately +after the retreat of Stevens, and rushed on the second regiment of +Maryland while the first was engaged with Webster. Without waiting to +receive the charge, that regiment broke in confusion. By pursuing +them, the guards were thrown into the rear of the first regiment, from +which they were concealed by the unevenness of the ground, and by a +skirt of wood.</p> + +<p>Greene was himself on the left, and witnessed the misfortune without +being able to remedy it. His militia being entirely routed, the flight +of one-fourth of his continental troops would most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> probably decide +the fate of the day. Unwilling to risk his remaining three regiments, +only one of which could be safely relied on, without a man to cover +their retreat should the event prove unfortunate, he ordered Colonel +Greene of Virginia to withdraw his regiment from the line, and to take +a position in the rear, for the purpose of affording a rallying point, +and of covering the retreat of the two regiments which still continued +in the field.</p> + +<p>The guards were soon called from the pursuit of the second Maryland +regiment, and led by Lieutenant Colonel Stuart against the first. +About this time Webster, finding himself overpowered by the first +Maryland regiment, then commanded by Colonel Gunby, and by Kirkwood's +company and the remaining regiment of Virginia, with whom he was +engaged at the same time, had in a great measure withdrawn from the +action, and retired across a ravine into an adjoining wood. This +critical respite enabled Gunby to provide for the danger in his rear. +Facing about, he met the guards, and a very animated fire took place +on both sides, during which the Americans continued to advance.</p> + +<p>In this critical moment, Lieutenant Colonel Washington, who was drawn +to this part of the field by the vivacity of the fire, made a furious +charge upon the guards and broke their ranks. At this juncture, +Gunby's horse was killed under him, and the command devolved on +Lieutenant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> Colonel Howard. The regiment advanced with such rapidity +that Gunby could not overtake it, and was within thirty yards of the +guards when they were charged by the cavalry. Almost at the same +instant the Maryland infantry rushed upon them with the bayonet, and +following the horse through them, were masters of the whole battalion. +In passing through it, Captain Smith of the infantry killed its +commanding officer.</p> + +<p>After passing through the guards into the open ground where the second +regiment had been originally posted, Howard perceived several British +columns, with some pieces of artillery. Believing his regiment to be +the sole infantry remaining in the field, he retreated in good order, +and brought off some prisoners. The cavalry also retreated.<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a></p> + +<p>About the same time the remaining Virginia regiment commanded by +Colonel Hawes, and Kirkwood's infantry, who were still engaged with +Webster, were directed by General Greene to retreat. The artillery was +unavoidably abandoned; the horses which drew the pieces being killed, +and the woods too thick to admit of their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> being dragged elsewhere +than along the great road. The retreat was made in good order, and +Greene, in person, brought up the rear.</p> + +<p>Though the action was over on the right and centre, Campbell's +riflemen still maintained their ground on the extreme of the American +left, against General Leslie with the regiment of Bose and the first +battalion of guards.</p> + +<p>After the guards had routed the brigade commanded by Lawson, they were +attacked on their right flank by the infantry of Lee's legion and by +Campbell's riflemen, and were driven behind the regiment of Bose, +which having moved with less impetuosity, was advancing in compact +order.</p> + +<p>This regiment sustained the American fire until Lieutenant Colonel +Norton was able to rally the guards and to bring them back to the +charge; after which the action was maintained with great obstinacy on +both sides until the battle was decided on the right. Lieutenant +Colonel Tarlton was then ordered to the support of Leslie. The legion +infantry had retreated, and only a few resolute marksmen remained in +the rear of Campbell who continued firing from tree to tree. Being +unable to resist a charge of cavalry, they were quickly driven from +the field.</p> + +<p>Two regiments of infantry and a detachment of cavalry pursued the +right wing and centre of the Americans for a short distance, but were +soon ordered to return. On examining his situation,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> Lord Cornwallis +found himself too much weakened, and his troops too much fatigued by +the action, to hazard its renewal, or to continue the pursuit. General +Greene halted about three miles from the field of battle, behind Rudy +fork creek, for the purpose of collecting his stragglers; after which +he retired about twelve miles, to the iron works on Troublesome creek, +the place appointed for the rendezvous of his army in the event of its +being defeated.</p> + +<p>The returns made immediately after the action, exhibited a loss in +killed, wounded and missing in the continental troops, of fourteen +commissioned officers, and three hundred and twelve non-commissioned +officers and privates. Major Anderson, a valuable officer of Maryland, +was killed; and General Huger, who commanded the continental troops of +Virginia, was wounded.</p> + +<p>The same return states the loss of the militia at four captains and +seventeen privates killed; and, in addition to General Stevens, one +major, three captains, eight subalterns, and sixty privates, were +wounded. A great proportion of this part of the army was missing; but +it seems to have been expected that they would either rejoin their +corps, or be found at their homes.</p> + +<p>The victory at Guilford was dearly purchased. Official accounts state +the loss of the British army at five hundred and thirty-two men, among +whom were several officers of high rank and dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>tinguished merit. +Lieutenant Colonel Stuart of the guards was killed, and Lieutenant +Colonel Webster, who was ranked by his enemies among the best officers +in the British service, was mortally wounded. This loss, when compared +with the numbers brought by Lord Cornwallis into the field, was very +considerable. The Americans did not compute his troops at more than +two thousand rank and file, but his own accounts state them at only +fourteen hundred and forty-five.</p> + +<p>No battle in the course of the war reflects more honour on the courage +of the British troops, than that of Guilford. On no other occasion +have they fought with such inferiority of numbers, or disadvantage of +ground. Estimating his first line at nothing, General Greene's army +consisted of three thousand two hundred men, posted on ground chosen +by himself; and his disposition was skilfully made.</p> + +<p>The American general, expecting to be again attacked, prepared for +another engagement. But the situation of Lord Cornwallis had become +too desperate to hazard a second battle, or to maintain his position. +He found himself under the necessity of retreating to a place of +greater security, where provisions might be obtained.</p> + +<p>When the expedition into North Carolina was originally meditated, +Major Craig, at the head of a small military and naval force, took +possession of Wilmington, a town near the mouth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> of Cape Fear, and +extended his authority several miles up the river. Lord Cornwallis now +looked to a communication with this post for aids which had become +indispensable to the farther operations of the campaign.</p> + +<p>On the third day after the battle, he broke up his encampment, and +proceeded by slow and easy marches towards Cross creek.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Greene advances to Ramsay's mills with a determination to +enter South Carolina.</div> + +<p>General Greene, on hearing that the British army was retreating, +resolved to follow it. The difficulty of subsisting the troops in an +exhausted and hostile country; and the necessity of waiting for a +supply of ammunition, impeded the march of his army so much that he +did not reach Ramsay's mills until the 28th of March.</p> + +<p>At this place Lord Cornwallis had halted, and here General Greene +expected to overtake and attack him. But, on the approach of the +American army, his lordship resumed his march to Cross creek, and +afterwards to Wilmington, where he arrived on the 7th of April.<span class="sidenoteb">April 7.</span></p> + +<p>General Greene gave over the pursuit at Ramsay's mills. So excessive +had been the sufferings of his army from the want of provisions, that +many of the men fainted on the march, and it had become absolutely +necessary to allow them some repose and refreshment. The expiration of +the time for which the Virginia militia had been called into service, +furnished an additional motive for suspending the pursuit.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span></p> + +<p>At this place, the bold and happy resolution was taken to carry the +war into South Carolina.</p> + +<p>The motives which induced the adoption of this measure were stated by +himself in a letter communicating his determination to the +Commander-in-chief. It would compel Lord Cornwallis to follow him, and +thus liberate North Carolina, or to sacrifice all his posts in the +upper parts of South Carolina and Georgia.</p> + +<p>The Southern army amounted to about seventeen hundred effectives. That +of Lord Cornwallis is understood to have been still less numerous. So +impotent were the means employed for the conquest and defence of +states which were of immense extent and value.</p> + +<p>This unexpected movement gave a new aspect to affairs, and produced +some irresolution in the British general respecting his future +operations. After weighing the probable advantages and disadvantages +of following Greene into South Carolina, he decided against this +retrograde movement and determined to advance into Virginia.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>Virginia invaded by Arnold.... He destroys the stores at +Westham and at Richmond.... Retires to Portsmouth.... Mutiny +in the Pennsylvania line.... Sir H. Clinton attempts to +negotiate with the mutineers.... They compromise with the +civil government.... Mutiny in the Jersey line.... Mission +of Colonel Laurens to France.... Propositions to Spain.... +Recommendations relative to a duty on imported and prize +goods.... Reform in the Executive departments.... +Confederation adopted.... Military transactions.... +Lafayette detached to Virginia.... Cornwallis arrives.... +Presses Lafayette.... Expedition to Charlottesville, to the +Point of Fork.... Lafayette forms a junction with Wayne.... +Cornwallis retires to the lower country.... General +Washington's letters are intercepted.... Action near +Jamestown.</b></p></div> + +<p> </p> + +<div class="sidenotey">1781</div> + +<p><span class="lgsmcap">The</span> evacuation of Portsmouth by Leslie afforded Virginia but a +short interval of repose. So early as the 9th of December, 1780, a +letter from General Washington announced to the governor that a large +embarkation, supposed to be destined for the south, was about taking +place at New York. On the 30th, a fleet of transports under convoy, +having on board between one and two thousand men, commanded by General +Arnold, anchored in Hampton road. <span class="sidenote">Virginia invaded by Arnold.</span>The troops were embarked the next +day on board vessels adapted to the navigation, and proceeded up +James' River under convoy of two small ships of war. On the fourth of +January they reached Westover, which is distant about twenty-five +miles from Richmond, the capital of Virginia.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">January 2.</div> + +<p>On receiving intelligence that a fleet had entered the capes, General +Nelson was employed in raising the militia of the lower country; and +on the 2d of January orders were issued to call out those above the +metropolis and in its neighbourhood.</p> + +<p>On reaching Westover, Arnold landed with the greater part of his army, +and commenced his march towards Richmond. The few continental troops +at Petersburg were ordered to the capital; and between one and two +hundred militia, who had been collected from the town and its +immediate vicinity, were directed to harass the advancing enemy.</p> + +<p>This party was too feeble for its object; and, the day after landing +at Westover, Arnold entered Richmond, where he halted with about five +hundred men. The residue, amounting to about four hundred, including +thirty horse, proceeded under Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe to Westham, +where they burnt a valuable foundry, boring mill, powder magazine, and +other smaller buildings, with military stores to a considerable +amount, and many valuable papers belonging to the government, which +had been carried thither as to a place of safety.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">He destroys valuable stores at Richmond.</div> + +<p>This service being effected, Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe rejoined Arnold +at Richmond; where the public stores, and a large quantity of rum and +salt, the property of private individuals, were entirely destroyed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">January.</div> + +<p>Leaving Richmond the next day, the army returned to Westover<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> on +the seventh; and, re-embarking on the morning of the tenth, proceeded +down the river. It was followed by the Baron Steuben, who commanded in +Virginia; and, near Hoods, Colonel Clarke drew a party of them into an +ambuscade, and gave them one fire with some effect; but, on its being +partially returned, the Americans broke and fled in the utmost +confusion.<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a></p> + +<p>Arnold proceeded slowly down the river; and on the twentieth reached +Portsmouth, where he manifested the intention of establishing a +permanent post.</p> + +<p>The loss of the British in this expedition, was stated in the gazette +of New York, at seven killed, including one subaltern, and +twenty-three wounded, among whom was one captain. This small loss was +sustained almost entirely in the ambuscade near Hoods.</p> + +<p>In the north, the year commenced with an event, which, for a time, +threatened the American cause with total ruin.</p> + +<p>The accumulated sufferings and privations of the army constitute a +large and interesting part of the history of that war which gave +independence to the United States. Winter, without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> much lessening +their toils, added to those sufferings. The soldiers were perpetually +on the point of starving, were often entirely without food; were +exposed without proper clothing to the rigours of the season, and had +now served almost twelve months without pay.</p> + +<p>This state of things had been of such long continuance that scarcely +the hope of a change could be indulged. It produced, unavoidably, some +relaxation of discipline; and the murmurs, occasionally escaping the +officers, sometimes heard by the soldiers, were not without their +influence.</p> + +<p>In addition to the general causes of dissatisfaction, the Pennsylvania +line complained of a grievance almost peculiar to itself.</p> + +<p>When congress directed enlistments to be made for three years, or +during the war, the recruiting officers of Pennsylvania, in some +instances, instead of engaging their men, definitively, for the one +period or the other, engaged them generally for three years, or the +war. This ambiguity in the terms of enlistment produced its natural +effect. The soldier claimed his discharge at the expiration of three +years, and the officer insisted on retaining him in service during the +war. The soldier submitted with the more reluctance to the supposed +imposition, as he constantly witnessed the immense bounties given to +those who were not bound by a former enlistment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Mutiny in the Pennsylvania line.</div> + +<p>The discontents which these various causes had been long fomenting, +broke out on the night of the 1st of January, in an open and almost +universal revolt of the line.</p> + +<p>On a signal given, the great body of the non-commissioned officers and +privates paraded under arms, avowing the determination to march to the +seat of congress, and either obtain redress of their complicated +grievances, or serve no longer. In the attempt to suppress the mutiny, +six or seven of the mutineers were wounded on the one side; and on the +other, Captain Billing was killed, and several other officers were +dangerously wounded. The authority of General Wayne availed nothing. +On cocking his pistol, and threatening some of the most turbulent, the +bayonet was presented to his bosom; and he perceived that strong +measures would produce his own destruction, and perhaps the massacre +of every officer in camp. A few regiments who did not at first join +the mutineers, were paraded by their officers; but, had they even been +willing to proceed to extremities, they were not strong enough to +restore order. Infected quickly with the general contagion, or +intimidated by the threats of the mutineers, they joined their +comrades; and the whole body, consisting of about thirteen hundred +men, with six field pieces, marched, under the command of their +sergeants, towards Princeton.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></p> + +<p>The next day. General Wayne, accompanied by Colonels Butler and +Stewart, officers possessing, in a high degree, the affections of the +soldiery, followed them, in the hope of bringing them back to their +duty, or at least of dividing them. They were overtaken near +Middlebrook, and invited by a written message from General Wayne, to +appoint one man from each regiment to state the grievances of which +they complained.</p> + +<p>In consequence of this invitation, a sergeant from each regiment met +the officers at their quarters, and some verbal communications were +made, from the complexion of which sanguine hopes were entertained +that the affair might be terminated without farther hazard, or much +injury to the service.</p> + +<p>On the following day, the line of march was resumed, and the soldiers +proceeded to Princeton. The propositions of the general and field +officers were reported to them, and a committee of sergeants, to whom +they were referred, stated their claims. These were,</p> + +<p>1st. A discharge for all those who had served three years under their +original engagements, whatever those engagements might have been, and +who had not taken the increased bounty, and re-enlisted for the war.</p> + +<p>2nd. An immediate payment of all their arrears of pay and clothing, as +well to those who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> should be discharged, as to those who should +continue in service.</p> + +<p>3rd. The residue of their bounty, and future real pay to those who +should continue in the army.</p> + +<p>General Wayne being unwilling to discharge all those who had not +re-enlisted for the war, the subject was referred to the civil power.</p> + +<p>On receiving intelligence of the mutiny, congress appointed a +committee to confer with the executive of Pennsylvania respecting it. +The result of this conference was that both the committee, and the +governor with some members of the executive council, left Philadelphia +for the purpose of endeavouring to accommodate this dangerous +commotion.</p> + +<p>At his head quarters, at New Windsor, on the North River, General +Washington received intelligence of this alarming mutiny. Accustomed +as he had been to contemplate hazardous and difficult situations, it +was not easy, under existing circumstances, to resolve instantly on +the course it was most prudent to pursue. His first impression—to +repair to the camp of the mutineers—soon gave place to opinions which +were formed on more mature reflection.</p> + +<p>It was almost certain that the business was already in the hands of +the civil government, with whose arrangements it might be improper for +him to interfere. Independent of this con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span>sideration, other motives of +irresistible influence detained him on the North River.</p> + +<p>The most important among those subjects of complaint which were +alleged as the causes of the mutiny, were true in fact, were common to +the whole army, and were of a nature to disseminate too generally +those seeds of disquiet, which had attained their full growth and +maturity in the Pennsylvania line. Strong symptoms of discontent had +already been manifested; and it was, therefore, impossible to say with +confidence, how far the same temper existed among the other troops; or +how far the contagion of example had or would spread.</p> + +<p>The danger arising from this state of things was much increased by the +circumstance that the river was perfectly open, and afforded Sir Henry +Clinton an easy and rapid transportation for his army to West Point, +should the situation of its garrison invite an enterprise against that +post.</p> + +<p>It was an additional consideration of great weight, that it might have +a most pernicious influence on the discipline of the whole army, +should the authority of the Commander-in-chief be disregarded. He +ought not to place himself in a situation where his orders might be +disobeyed with impunity; an event much to be apprehended, should he +repair to the camp of the mutineers, unattended by a military force +adequate to the occasion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span></p> + +<p>Such a force could not be immediately commanded. His effectives in the +Highlands amounted only to thirteen hundred and seventy-six men; and +that whole division of the army, dispersed at various and distant +stations, excluding the sick and those on furlough, did not exceed +four thousand. Assuming therefore the fidelity of the troops, it was +impracticable to march immediately with a force sufficient to reduce +the Pennsylvania line, without leaving the Highlands undefended. Nor +was it unworthy of consideration that, in the actual situation of the +mutineers, the probability of their being attacked by such a force +might drive them to the enemy, or disperse them, events, either of +which would deprive the army of a valuable part of its strength.</p> + +<p>It was therefore thought adviseable to leave the negotiation with the +civil power, and to prepare for those measures which ought to be +adopted in the event of its failure. The disposition of the troops on +the North River was sounded, and found to be favourable; after which, +a detachment of eleven hundred men was ordered to be in readiness to +move on a moment's warning. On the first notice of the mutiny, the +militia of Jersey took the field under General Dickenson, and measures +were taken to call out those of New York should the occasion require +it.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sir Henry Clinton attempts to negotiate with the +mutineers.</div> + +<p>To avail himself of an event appearing so auspicious to the royal +cause, Sir Henry Clinton<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> ordered a large body of troops to be in +readiness to move on the shortest notice; and despatched three +emissaries with tempting offers to the revolters; and instructions to +invite them, while the negotiation should be depending, to take a +position behind the South River, where they should be effectually +covered by detachments from New York. While these measures were +taking, Sir Henry kept his eye on West Point, and held himself in +readiness to strike at that place, should any movement on the part of +General Washington open to him a prospect of success.<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a></p> + +<p>His emissaries were immediately seized by the revolters, and their +proposals communicated to General Wayne, with assurances of the utter +detestation in which every idea of going over to the common enemy was +held.</p> + +<p>This favourable symptom, however, was accompanied by suspicious +circumstances. They retained the British emissaries in their own +possession; and could not be induced to cross the Delaware, or to +march from Princeton. They would not permit any of their former +officers, other than those already mentioned, to enter their camp; and +General St. Clair, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Lieutenant Colonel +Laurens, were ordered to leave Princeton.</p> + +<p>Such was the state of things when the committee of congress, and +President Read with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> part of his executive council, arrived in the +neighbourhood of the revolters. The former having delegated their +power to the latter, a conference was held with the sergeants who now +commanded, after which proposals were made and distributed among the +troops for consideration.</p> + +<p>In these proposals the government offered,</p> + +<p>1st. To discharge all those who had enlisted indefinitely for three +years or during the war, the fact to be examined into by three +commissioners, to be appointed by the executive; and to be +ascertained, when the original enlistment could not be produced, by +the oath of the soldier.</p> + +<p>2dly. To give immediate certificates for the depreciation on their +pay, and to settle the arrearages as soon as circumstances would +admit.</p> + +<p>3dly. To furnish them immediately with certain specified articles of +clothing which were most wanted.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">They compromise with the civil authority.</div> + +<p>On receiving these propositions, the troops agreed to march to +Trenton. At that place the terms were accepted, with the addition that +three commissioners should also be deputed by the line, who, +conjointly with those of the executive should constitute the board +authorized to determine on the claims of the soldiers to be +discharged; and thereupon the British emissaries were surrendered, who +were tried, condemned, and executed as spies.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></p> + +<p>Until the investigation should be made, and discharges given to those +who should be found entitled to them, the sergeants retained their +command. In consequence of the irksomeness of this state of things, +the business was pressed with so much precipitation, that before the +enlistments themselves could be brought from the huts, almost the +whole of the artillery, and of the five first regiments of infantry, +were liberated on the testimony of their own oaths. The enlistments +being then produced, it was found that not many of the remaining +regiments had engaged on the terms which, under the compact, would +entitle them to leave the service; and that, of those actually +dismissed, far the greater number had been enlisted absolutely for the +war. The discharges given, however, were not cancelled; and the few +who were to remain in service received furloughs for forty days.</p> + +<p>Thus ended, in a temporary dissolution of the whole line of +Pennsylvania, a mutiny, which a voluntary performance of much less +than was extorted, would have prevented; and which, in the actual +condition of the army, was of a nature and extent to inspire the most +serious alarm.</p> + + + +<p>The dangerous policy of yielding even to the just demands of soldiers +made with arms in their hands, was soon illustrated. <span class="sidenote">Mutiny in the Jersey line.</span>The success of +the Pennsylvania line inspired that of Jersey, many of whom were also +foreigners, with the hope of obtaining similar advantages. On the +night of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> the 20th, a part of the Jersey brigade, which had been +stationed at Pompton, rose in arms; and, making precisely the same +claims which had been yielded to the Pennsylvanians, marched to +Chatham, where a part of the same brigade was cantoned, in the hope of +exciting them also to join in the revolt.</p> + +<p>General Washington, who had been extremely chagrined at the issue of +the mutiny in the Pennsylvania line, and who was now assured of the +confidence to be placed in the fidelity of the eastern troops, who +were composed of natives, determined, by strong measures, to stop the +farther progress of a spirit which threatened the destruction of the +army, and ordered a detachment to march against the mutineers, and to +bring them to unconditional submission. General Howe, who commanded +this detachment, was instructed to make no terms with the insurgents +while in a state of resistance; and, as soon as they should surrender, +to seize a few of the most active leaders, and to execute them on the +spot. These orders were promptly obeyed, and the Jersey mutineers +returned to their duty.</p> + +<p>In the hope of being more successful with the revolters of Jersey than +he had been with those of Pennsylvania, Sir Henry Clinton offered them +the same terms which had been proposed to the mutineers at Princeton; +and General Robertson, at the head of three thou<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span>sand men, was +detached to Staten Island with the avowed purpose of crossing over +into Jersey, and covering any movement which they might make towards +New York. The emissary, being in the American interest, delivered his +papers to the officer commanding at the first station to which he +came. Other papers were dispersed among the mutineers; but the mutiny +was crushed too suddenly to allow time for the operation of these +propositions.</p> + +<p>The vigorous measures taken in this instance were happily followed by +such an attention on the part of the states, to the actual situation +of the army, as checked the progress of discontent. Influenced by the +representations of the Commander-in-chief, they raised three months' +pay in specie, which they forwarded to the soldiers, who received it +with joy, considering it as evidence that their fellow citizens were +not entirely unmindful of their sufferings.</p> + +<p>Although the army was thus reduced to such extreme distress, the +discontents of the people were daily multiplied by the contributions +which they were required to make, and by the irritating manner in +which those contributions were drawn from them. Every article for +public use was obtained by impressment; and the taxes were either +unpaid, or collected by coercive means. Strong remonstrances were made +against this system; and the dissatisfaction which pervaded the mass +of the community, was scarcely less<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> dangerous than that which had +been manifested by the army.</p> + +<p>To the judicious patriots throughout America, the necessity of giving +greater powers to the federal government became every day more +apparent; but the efforts of enlightened individuals were too feeble +to correct that fatal disposition of power which had been made by +enthusiasm uninstructed by experience.</p> + + +<p>To relieve the United States from their complicated embarrassments, a +foreign loan seemed an expedient of indispensable necessity, and from +France they hoped to obtain it. <span class="sidenote">Mission of Colonel Laurens to France.</span>Congress selected Lieutenant Colonel +Laurens, a gentleman whose situation in the family of the +Commander-in-chief had enabled him to take a comprehensive view of the +military capacities and weaknesses of his country, for this +interesting service; and instructed him also to urge the advantage of +maintaining a naval superiority in the American seas. Before his +departure, he passed some days at headquarters, and received from +General Washington in the form of a letter, the result of his +reflections on the existing state of things.</p> + +<p>In this paper he detailed the pecuniary embarrassments of the +government, and represented, with great earnestness, the inability of +the nation to furnish a revenue adequate to the support of the war. He +dwelt on the discontents which the system of impressment had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> excited +among the people, and expressed his fears that the evils felt in the +prosecution of the war, might weaken the sentiments which began it.</p> + +<p>From this state of things, he deduced the vital importance of an +immediate and ample supply of money, which might be the foundation for +substantial arrangements of finance, for reviving public credit, and +giving vigour to future operations; as well as of a decided effort of +the allied arms on the continent to effect the great objects of the +alliance, in the ensuing campaign.</p> + +<p>Next to a supply of money, he considered a naval superiority in the +American seas, as an object of the deepest interest.</p> + +<p>To the United States, it would be of decisive importance, and France +also might derive great advantages from transferring the maritime war +to the coast of her ally.</p> + +<p>The future ability of the United States to repay any loan which might +now be obtained was displayed; and he concluded with assurances that +there was still a fund of inclination and resource in the country, +equal to great and continued exertions, provided the means were +afforded of stopping the progress of disgust, by changing the present +system, and adopting another more consonant with the spirit of the +nation, and more capable of infusing activity and energy into public +measures; of which a powerful succour in money must be the basis. +"The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> people were discontented, but it was with the feeble and +oppressive mode of conducting the war, not with the war itself."</p> + +<p>With reason did the Commander-in-chief thus urge on the cabinet of +Versailles, the policy of advancing a sum of money to the United +States which might be adequate to the exigency. Deep was the gloom +with which their political horizon was overcast. The British, in +possession of South Carolina and of Georgia, had overrun the greater +part of North Carolina also; and it was with equal hazard and address +that Greene maintained himself in the northern frontier of that state.</p> + +<p>A second detachment from New York was making a deep impression on +Virginia, where the resistance had been neither so prompt nor so +vigorous<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> as the strength of that state and the unanimity of its +citizens had given reason to expect.</p> + +<p>The perplexities and difficulties in which the affairs of America were +involved, were estimated by the British government even above their +real value. Intercepted letters of this date from the minister, +expressed the most sanguine hopes that the great superiority of force +at the disposal of Sir Henry Clinton, would compel Washington with his +feeble army to take refuge on the eastern side of the Hudson.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span></p> + +<p>Even congress relaxed for an instant from its habitual firmness; and, +receding from the decisive manner in which that body had insisted on +the territorial and maritime rights of the nation, directed the +American minister at Madrid to relinquish, if it should be absolutely +necessary, the claims of the United States to navigate the Mississippi +below the thirty-first degree of north latitude, and to a free port on +the banks of that river within the Spanish territory. It is remarkable +that only Massachusetts, Connecticut, and North Carolina, dissented +from this resolution; New York was divided.<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> <span class="sidenote">Propositions to Spain.</span>On a subsequent day, +the subject was again brought forward, and a proposition was made for +still farther concessions to Spain; but this proposition was negatived +by all the states.<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a></p> + +<p>Happily for the United States, Mr. Jay, their minister at the court of +Madrid, required as the price of the concessions he was instructed to +make, that the treaty he was labouring to negotiate should be +immediately concluded.</p> + + +<p>The establishment of a revenue subject to the exclusive control and +direction of the continental government, was connected inseparably +with the restoration of credit. The efforts therefore to negotiate a +foreign loan were accompanied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> by resolutions requesting the +respective states to place a fund under the control of congress, which +should be both permanent and productive. <span class="sidenote">Recommendations relative to a duty on imported and prize +goods.</span>A resolution was passed, +recommending to the respective states to vest a power in congress to +levy for the use of the United States a duty of five <i>per centum ad +valorem</i> on all goods imported into any of them; and also on all +prizes condemned in any of the American courts of admiralty.</p> + +<p>This fund was to be appropriated to the payment of both the principal +and interest of all debts contracted in the prosecution of the war; +and was to continue until those debts should be completely discharged.</p> + +<p>Congress, at that time, contained several members who perceived the +advantages which would result from bestowing on the government of the +nation the full power of regulating commerce, and, consequently, of +increasing the import as circumstances might render adviseable; but +state influence predominated, and they were overruled by great +majorities. Even the inadequate plan which they did recommend was +never adopted. Notwithstanding the greatness of the exigency, and the +pressure of the national wants, never, during the existence of the +confederation, did all the states unite in assenting to this +recommendation; so unwilling are men possessed of power, to place it +in the hands of others.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span></p> + +<div class="sidenote">Reform in the organization of the executive departments.</div> + +<p>About the same time a reform was introduced into the administration, +the necessity of which had been long perceived. From a misplaced +prejudice against institutions sanctioned by experience, all the great +executive duties had been devolved either on committees of congress, +or on boards consisting of several members. This unwieldy and +expensive system had maintained itself against all the efforts of +reason and public utility. But the scantiness of the national means at +length prevailed over prejudice, and the several committees and boards +yielded to a secretary for foreign affairs, a superintendent of +finance, a secretary of war, and a secretary of marine. But so +miserably defective was the organization of congress, as an executive +body, that the year had far advanced before this measure, the utility +of which all acknowledged, could be carried into complete operation by +making all the appointments.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Confederation adopted.</div> + +<p>About this time the articles of confederation were ratified. Much +difficulty was encountered in obtaining the adoption of this +instrument. The numerous objections made by the states yielded +successively to the opinion that a federal compact would be of vast +importance in the prosecution of the war. One impediment it was found +peculiarly difficult to remove. Within the chartered limits of several +states, were immense tracts of vacant territory, which, it was +supposed, would constitute a large fund of fu<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span>ture wealth; and the +states not possessing that advantage insisted on considering this +territory as a joint acquisition. At length this difficulty also was +surmounted; and, in February, 1781, to the great joy of America, this +interesting compact was rendered complete.<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> Like many other human +institutions, it was productive, neither in war nor in peace, of all +the benefits which its sanguine advocates had expected. Had peace been +made before any agreement for a permanent union was formed, it is far +from being improbable that the different parts might have fallen +asunder, and a dismemberment have taken place.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> If the confederation +really preserved the idea of union until the good sense of the nation +adopted a more efficient system, this service alone entitles that +instrument to the respectful recollection of the American people, and +its framers to their gratitude.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Military transactions.</div> + +<p>Such was the defensive strength of the positions taken by the adverse +armies on the Hudson, and such their relative force, that no decisive +blow could be given by either in that quarter of the continent. The +anxious attentions of General Washington, therefore, were +unremittingly directed to the south. One of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> those incidents which +fortune occasionally produces, on the seizing or neglect of which the +greatest military events frequently depend, presented, sooner than was +expected, an opportunity which he deemed capable of being improved to +the destruction of the British army in Virginia.</p> + +<p>The French fleet, from its arrival on the American coast, had been +blocked up in the harbour of Newport; and the land forces of that +nation had been reduced to a state of inactivity by the necessity of +defending their ships. Late in January, a detachment from the British +fleet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> was encountered on the east end of Long Island by a furious +storm, in which such damage was sustained as to destroy for a time the +naval superiority which Arbuthnot had uniformly preserved.</p> + +<p>To turn this temporary superiority to advantage, Monsieur Destouches +resolved to detach a ship of the line, with two frigates, to the +Chesapeake; a force which the delegation from Virginia had assured him +would be sufficient for the purpose.</p> + +<p>On receiving certain accounts of the loss sustained in the storm, +General Washington con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span>ceived the design of improving that +circumstance by immediate and powerful operations against Arnold. +Confident that the critical moment must be seized, or the enterprise +would fail, he ordered a detachment of twelve hundred men, under the +command of the Marquis de Lafayette, to the head of the Chesapeake; +there to embark for that part of Virginia which was to become the +theatre of action, under convoy of a French frigate, for which he +applied to the admiral. He immediately communicated this measure to +the Count de Rochambeau, and to Monsieur Destouches, to whom he also +stated his conviction that no serious advantage could be expected from +a few ships, unaided by land troops. "There were," he said, "a variety +of positions to be taken by Arnold, one of which was Portsmouth, his +present station, where his ships might be so protected by his +batteries on the shore as to defy a mere naval attack; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span> where he +would certainly be able to maintain himself until the losses sustained +in the late storm should be repaired, and the superiority at sea +recovered, when he would unquestionably be relieved."</p> + +<p>To insure the success of the expedition, he recommended that the whole +fleet should be employed on it, and that a detachment of one thousand +men should be embarked for the same service.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">February 9.</div> + +<p>These representations did not prevail. The original plan had already +been put in execution. On the 9th of February, a sixty-four gun ship +with two frigates, under Monsieur de Tilley, had sailed for the +Chesapeake; and, as some of the British ships had been repaired, the +French admiral did not think it prudent to put to sea with the residue +of his fleet.</p> + +<p>As had been foreseen by General Washington, de Tilley found Arnold in +a situation not to be assailed with any prospect of success. After +showing himself therefore in the bay, and making an ineffectual +attempt to enter Elizabeth River, he returned to Newport. At the +capes, he fell in with the Romulus, a fifty gun ship, coming from +Charleston to the Chesapeake, which he captured.</p> + +<p>Both the Count de Rochambeau, and the Chevalier Destouches, being well +disposed to execute the plans suggested by General Washington, they +determined, on the return of Mon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span>sieur de Tilley, to make a second +expedition to the Chesapeake with the whole fleet, and eleven hundred +men. General Washington, therefore, hastened to Newport, that in a +personal conference with them, he might facilitate the execution of an +enterprise from which he still entertained sanguine hopes.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">March 6.</div> + +<p>Early on the 6th of March he reached Newport, and went instantly on +board the Admiral, where he was met by the Count de Rochambeau. It was +determined that a detachment from the army, then in perfect readiness, +should be embarked under the Count de Viominil; and that the fleet +should put to sea as soon as possible. The wind was favourable to the +French, and adverse to the British. Yet the fleet did not sail until +the evening of the eighth. It appears from a letter of Monsieur +Destouches, that this delay was in some measure attributable to a +disaster which befel one of his frigates in getting out of port; and +there is reason to suppose that it may be ascribed to a want of +supplies. Whatever may have been the cause, Arnold is most probably +indebted to it for his escape from the fate which his treason merited.</p> + +<p>Two days after Destouches had sailed, he was followed by Arbuthnot, +who overtook him off the capes of Virginia. A partial engagement +ensued which continued about an hour, when the fleets were separated.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span></p> + +<p>The French admiral called a council of war the next day, in which it +was declared unadviseable to renew the action, and he returned to +Newport.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">March 26.</div> + +<p>The arrival of two thousand men commanded by General Philips, gave the +British a decided superiority in Virginia, and changed the destination +of Lafayette, who had been ordered to join the southern army, but to +whom the defence of that state was now committed. The troops under his +command being taken chiefly from the eastern regiments, had imbibed +strong prejudices against a southern climate; and desertions became so +frequent as to threaten the dissolution of the corps.</p> + +<p>This unpromising state of things was completely changed by a happy +expedient adopted by Lafayette. Appealing to the generous principles +of his soldiers, principles on which the feelings of his own bosom +taught him to rely, he proclaimed in orders, that he was about to +enter on an enterprise of great danger and difficulty, in which he +persuaded himself his soldiers would not abandon him. If, however, any +individual of the detachment was unwilling to accompany him, a permit +to return should most assuredly be granted him.</p> + +<p>This measure had the desired effect, and put an end to desertion.<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> +To keep up the good dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span>positions of the moment, this ardent young +nobleman, who was as unmindful of fortune as he was ambitious of fame, +borrowed from the merchants of Baltimore, on his private credit, a sum +of money sufficient to purchase shoes, linen, spirits, and other +articles of immediate necessity for the detachment.<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a></p> + +<p>Having made these preparations for the campaign, he marched with the +utmost celerity to the defence of Virginia. That state was in great +need of assistance. The enemy had penetrated deep into its bosom, and +was committing those excesses on its inhabitants to which a country +unable to repel invasion must always be exposed.</p> + +<p>General Philips, on his arrival, took command of all the British +troops in Virginia; and, after completing the fortification of +Portsmouth, commenced offensive operations.</p> + +<p>About two thousand five hundred men were embarked on board some small +vessels, and landed at various places in the neighbourhood of +Williamsburg. <span class="sidenoteb">April 24.</span>Different detachments spread themselves over the lower +part of that neck of land which is made by York and James Rivers; and, +after destroying, without opposition, a ship yard belonging to the +state, with some armed vessels and public stores, re-embarked and +pro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span>ceeded to City Point, where they landed in the afternoon of the +24th. The next day they marched against Petersburg, at which place, +immense quantities of tobacco and other stores were deposited.</p> + +<p>Baron Steuben was not in a situation to check their progress. The +levies of Virginia had marched to the aid of General Greene; and the +whole number of militia, at that time in the field, did not much +exceed two thousand men. Unwilling to abandon so important a place as +Petersburg without the semblance of fighting, the baron posted about +one thousand men a mile below the town with orders to skirmish with +the enemy. The British troops, without being able to bring him to a +close engagement, were two or three hours employed in driving him +across the Appomattox, the bridge over which being taken up as soon as +the militia had passed it, farther pursuit became impracticable.</p> + +<p>This skirmish having terminated with scarcely any loss on either side, +the baron retreated towards Richmond, and Philips took quiet +possession of Petersburg; where he destroyed a considerable quantity +of tobacco, and all the vessels lying in the river.</p> + +<p>This service being accomplished, Arnold was detached through Osbornes +to Warwick, between which place and Richmond, a respectable naval +force, consisting of small armed vessels, had been collected with the +intention of co-operating with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> the French fleet against Portsmouth; +and a few militia were stationed on the northern bank of the river to +assist in defending the flotilla.</p> + +<p>The crews of the vessels, on receiving a fire from a few field pieces +ordered by Arnold to the bank, scuttled them, escaped to the opposite +shore, and dispersed with the militia. Philips marched with the +residue of the army to Chesterfield court house, the place of +rendezvous for the new levies of Virginia, where he destroyed the +barracks with a few public stores; after which he joined Arnold in the +neighbourhood of Warwick, <span class="sidenoteb">April 30.</span>and marched without interruption to +Manchester, a small town on the southern bank of James River, +immediately opposite to Richmond; where, as was the general practice, +the warehouses were set on fire, and all the tobacco consumed.</p> + +<p>On the preceding evening, the Marquis de Lafayette, who had made a +forced march from Baltimore, arrived with his detachment at Richmond; +and that place, in which a great proportion of the military stores of +the state were then collected, was saved, for the time, from a visit +which was certainly designed.</p> + +<p>The regular troops composing this detachment were joined by about two +thousand militia, and sixty dragoons. Not thinking it adviseable to +attempt the passage of the river in the presence of so respectable an +army, General Philips retired to Bermuda Hundred, a point<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> of land in +the confluence of the James and <span lang="el" title="Transcriber's Note: sic">Appomatox</span>, +at which place he re-embarked his troops, and fell down the river to +Hog Island.</p> + +<p>The Marquis fixed his head quarters on the north of Chiccahominy, +about eighteen miles from Richmond; where he remained until a letter +from Lord Cornwallis called Philips again up James River.</p> + +<p>When that nobleman determined on marching from Wilmington into +Virginia, he signified his wish that the British troops in that state, +should take their station at Petersburg.</p> + +<p>On receiving this letter, Philips proceeded to comply with the request +it contained. As soon as the fleet moved up the river, Lafayette +returned to the defence of Richmond. Having, on his arrival, received +intelligence that Lord Cornwallis was marching northward, and finding +Philips landed at Brandon on the south side of the river, he was +persuaded that a junction of the two armies must be intended, and +hastened to take possession of Petersburg<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> before Philips could +reach that place. In this however he was anticipated by the British +general; upon which he recrossed James River, and, encamping a few +miles below Richmond, used his utmost exertions to remove the military +stores in that town to a place of greater security.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span></p> +<div class="sidenote">Cornwallis arrives.</div> + +<p>In this position his army was permitted to repose itself but a few +days. Lord Cornwallis, after passing through North Carolina and the +southern parts of Virginia without encountering much opposition, and +effecting a junction with Arnold, who had succeeded by the death of +Philips to the command of the army in Virginia,<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> found himself at +the head of a force which nothing in that state could resist; and +determined on a vigorous plan of offensive operations. His immediate +object was to bring the Marquis to an action; for which purpose he +crossed James River at Westover, where he was joined by a +reinforcement from New York, and attempted, by turning the left flank +of the American army, to get into its rear. Lafayette was not in a +condition to risk an engagement. His objects were the security of the +public stores, the preservation of his small army for future services, +and a junction with the Pennsylvania line which was on its march +southward, under the command of General Wayne. As Lord Cornwallis +crossed James River, he retired towards the upper country, inclining +his route to the north in order to favour a junction with Wayne.</p> + +<p>The fine horses found in the stables of private gentlemen, gave to the +British general an effi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span>cient cavalry; and enabled him to mount so +many infantry, as to move large detachments with unusual rapidity. +With these advantages, he was so confident of overtaking and +destroying his enemy, as to say exultingly in a letter which was +intercepted, "the boy can not escape me." His sanguine hopes, however, +were disappointed. Lafayette moved with so much celerity and caution +as to convince Cornwallis of the impracticability of overtaking him, +or of preventing his junction with Wayne.</p> + +<p>After marching some distance up the northern side of Northanora, his +lordship relinquished the pursuit, and turned his attention to other +objects which were more attainable.</p> + +<p>Military stores had been collected in various parts of the middle +country, and, among others, at the Point of Fork, a point of land made +by the confluence of the Rivanna and Fluvanna, the two branches of +James' River. Colonel Simcoe was detached with five hundred men +against this post, which was protected by between five and six hundred +new levies, and a few militia. Tarlton, with two hundred and fifty +cavalry and mounted infantry, was ordered at the same time against +Charlottesville, where the general assembly was in session. So rapid +were his movements that a mere accident prevented his entering the +town before any notice of his approach was given. A private gentleman, +Mr. Jouiette, who was acquainted with a nearer route than the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> great +road, hastened to Charlottesville on a fleet horse with the +interesting intelligence, and entered the town about two hours before +the British cavalry. Nearly all<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> the members of the legislature +made their escape, and reassembled at Staunton, on the western side of +the Blue Ridge. Tarlton, after destroying the stores at +Charlottesville, proceeded down the Rivanna to the Point of Fork.</p> + +<p>The detachment commanded by Simcoe, being composed chiefly of +infantry, could not move with equal celerity. That officer, however, +conducted his march with so much secrecy and address, that Steuben +seems to have been either unapprized of his approach, or to have had +no accurate information of his numbers. Intelligence of the expedition +to Charlottesville had reached him, and he had prudently employed +himself in removing his stores from the Point of Fork to the south +side of the Fluvanna.</p> + +<p>The river was at the time unfordable; and the boats were all secured +on the southern bank. Yet Steuben, suspecting the detachment of Simcoe +to be the van of the British army, or apprehending that Tarlton might +get into his rear, withdrew precipitately in the night, and marched +near thirty miles, leaving behind him such stores as could not be +removed. These were destroyed next morning by a small detach<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span>ment of +men who crossed the river in a few canoes.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Presses Lafayette over the Rapidan.</div> + +<p>To secure his junction with Wayne, and to keep open his communication +towards the north, Lafayette had crossed the Rapidan.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Lafayette forms a junction with Wayne.</div> + +<p>These movements of the two armies had thrown Lord Cornwallis between +Lafayette and the military stores which had been transported from +Richmond up James' River, and deposited at different places, but +principally at Albemarle old court house, high up that river. To this +place Lord Cornwallis directed his march.</p> + +<p>The Marquis, having effected a junction with the Pennsylvania line +consisting of eight hundred men, recrossed the Rapidan, and advanced +with so much celerity towards the British army, that he encamped +within a few miles of it, while upwards of a day's march from its +point of destination.</p> + +<p>Confident that the object of the American general must be to protect +the magazines on the Fluvanna, Lord Cornwallis encamped at Elk Island, +and advanced his light troops to a position commanding the road, by +which it was supposed the Americans must pass.</p> + +<p>Lafayette, however, discovered in the night a nearer road which had +long been disused; and the next morning the British general had the +mortification to perceive that the American army had crossed the +Rivanna, and taken a strong<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> position behind the Mechunk creek, which, +in a great measure, commanded the route leading from the camp of his +lordship to Albemarle old court house. At this place a considerable +reinforcement of mountain militia was received.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Cornwallis retires to the lower country.</div> + +<p>Apprehending the force opposed to him to be greater than it was in +reality, and probably desirous of transferring the war to the lower +country, Lord Cornwallis abandoned the objects he had pursued, and +retired first to Richmond, and afterwards to Williamsburg.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">June 18.</div> + +<p>The Marquis followed with cautious circumspection. On the 18th of +June, he was reinforced by four or five hundred new levies under the +Baron Steuben, which augmented his army to four thousand men, of whom +two thousand were regulars. That of Lord Cornwallis was, probably, +rather more numerous.</p> + +<p>As the British army retreated to Williamsburg, Lafayette, who sought a +partial, though he avoided a general engagement, pressed its rear with +his light parties. Colonel Simcoe, who covered the retreat, was +overtaken by Colonel Butler about six miles from Williamsburg, and a +sharp action ensued. The Americans claimed the advantage; but were +compelled to retire by the approach of the whole British army.</p> + +<p>In the bold and rapid course taken by Lord Cornwallis through the +lower and central parts of Virginia, much private as well as public +prop<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span>erty<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a> was destroyed; and the resources of the state were +considerably diminished; but no solid advantage was obtained. +Although, from various causes, especially from a want of arms, and +from that general repugnance which a harassed, unpaid militia, will +universally manifest to military service, less resistance was +encountered than was to be expected from the strength and population +of the state; no disposition was openly manifested to join the royal +standard, or to withdraw from the contest. The Marquis complained of +"much slowness, and much carelessness in the country; but the +dispositions of the people," he said, "were good, and they required +only to be awakened." This,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> he thought, would be best effected by the +presence of General Washington, an event for which he expressed the +most anxious solicitude. But Washington deemed it of more importance +to remain on the Hudson, for the purpose of digesting and conducting a +grand plan of combined operations then meditated against New York, by +the execution of which he counted more certainly on relieving the +southern states, than by any other measure it was in his power to +adopt.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">General Washington's letters are intercepted.</div> + +<p>An express carrying letters, communicating to congress the result of +his consultations on this subject, with the commanders of the land and +naval forces of France, was intercepted in Jersey. The interesting +disclosure made by these letters, alarmed Sir Henry Clinton for the +safety of New York, and determined him to require the return of a part +of the troops in Virginia. Supposing himself too weak, after complying +with this requisition, to remain at Williamsburg, Lord Cornwallis took +the resolution of retiring to Portsmouth.</p> + +<p>In pursuance of this resolution, he marched from Williamsburg and +encamped in such a manner as to cover the ford into the island of +Jamestown. On the same evening, the Queen's rangers crossed over into +the island; and the two succeeding days were employed in passing over +the baggage.</p> + +<p>The morning after the evacuation of Williamsburg, Lafayette changed +his position, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> pushed his best troops within nine miles of the +British camp, with the intention of attempting their rear, when the +main body should have passed into Jamestown.</p> + +<p>Suspecting his design, Lord Cornwallis encamped the greater part of +his army on the main land as compactly as possible, and displayed a +few troops on the island in such a manner as, in appearance, to +magnify their numbers. All the intelligence received by Lafayette +concurred in the representation that the greater part of the British +army had passed over to the island in the night. <span class="sidenoteb">July 6.</span>Believing this to be +the fact, he detached some riflemen to harass their out-posts, while +he advanced at the head of the continental troops in order to cut off +the rear.</p> + +<p>Every appearance was calculated to countenance the opinion he had +formed. The British light parties were drawn in, and the piquets were +forced by the riflemen without much resistance, but an advanced post +which covered the encampment from the view of the Americans, was +perseveringly maintained, though three of the officers commanding it +were successively picked off by the riflemen. Lafayette, who arrived a +little before sunset, suspected from the obstinacy with which this +post was maintained, that it covered more than a rear guard, and +determined to reconnoitre the camp, and judge of its strength from his +own observation.<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> It was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> in a great measure concealed by woods; +but from a tongue of land stretching into the river, he perceived the +British force to be much more considerable than had been supposed, and +hastened to call off his men.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Action near Jamestown.</div> + +<p>He found Wayne closely engaged. A piece of artillery had been left +weakly defended, which Wayne determined to seize. Scarcely was the +attempt made, when he discovered the whole British army, arranged in +order for battle, moving out against him. To retreat was impossible, +and the boldest had become the safest measure. Under this impression +he advanced rapidly, and, with his small detachment, not exceeding +eight hundred men, made a gallant charge on the British line. A warm +action ensued, which was kept up with great spirit until the arrival +of Lafayette, who, perceiving Wayne to be out-flanked both on the +right and left, ordered him to retreat and form in a line with the +light infantry, who were drawn up about half a mile in his rear. The +whole party then saved itself behind a morass.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for Lafayette, Lord Cornwallis did not improve the +advantage he had gained. Suspecting this to be a stratagem of the +American general to draw him into an ambuscade, a suspicion equally +favoured by the hardiness and time of the attack, Lord Cornwallis, who +supposed his enemy to be stronger than he was in reality, would allow +no pursuit; and, in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> course of the night, crossed over into the +island, whence he, soon afterwards, proceeded to Portsmouth.</p> + +<p>In this action, the Americans lost one hundred and eighteen men, among +whom were ten officers; and two pieces of artillery were left on the +field, the horses attached to them being killed. The British loss was +less considerable.</p> + +<p>All active operations were now suspended; and the harassed army of +Lafayette was allowed some repose.</p> + +<p>Although no brilliant service was performed by that young nobleman, +the campaign in Virginia enhanced his military reputation, and raised +him in the general esteem. That with so decided an inferiority of +effective force, and especially of cavalry, he had been able to keep +the field in an open country, and to preserve a considerable +proportion of his military stores, as well as his army, was believed +to furnish unequivocal evidence of the prudence and vigour of his +conduct.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>Farther state of affairs in the beginning of the year +1781.... Measures of Mr. Morris, the superintendent of +finances.... Designs of General Washington against New +York.... Count Rochambeau marches to the North River.... +Intelligence from the Count de Grasse.... Plan of operations +against Lord Cornwallis.... Naval engagement.... The +combined armies march for the Chesapeake.... Yorktown +invested.... Surrender of Lord Cornwallis.</b></p></div> + +<p> </p> + + +<div class="sidenotey">1781</div> + +<p><span class="lgsmcap">The</span> deep gloom which had enveloped the prospects of America in the +commencement of the year, which darkened for a time in the south, had +also spread itself over the north. The total incompetency of the +political system adopted by the United States to their own +preservation, became every day more apparent. <span class="sidenote">State of affairs at the beginning of the year 1781.</span>Each state seemed +fearful of doing too much, and of taking upon itself a larger portion +of the common burden than was borne by its neighbour.</p> + +<p>The resolutions of congress had called for an army of thirty-seven +thousand men, to be in camp by the first of January. Had this +requisition been made in time, it is not probable that so large a +force could have been brought into the field; but it was made late, +and then the difficulties and delays on the part of the several +states, exceeded every reasonable calculation. The regular force drawn +from Pennsylvania to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> Georgia inclusive, at no time, during this +active and interesting campaign, amounted to three thousand effective +men; and the states from New Hampshire to New Jersey inclusive, so +late as the month of April, had furnished only five thousand infantry. +Of these, the returns for that month exhibit, in the northern +department, less than three thousand effectives. The cavalry and +artillery, at no time, amounted to one thousand men. This small army +was gradually and slowly augmented so as, in the month of May, to +exhibit a total of near seven thousand men, of whom rather more than +four thousand might have been relied on for action.</p> + +<p>The prospects for the campaign were rendered still more unpromising by +the failure of supplies for the support of the troops. The long +expected clothing from Europe had not arrived; and the want of +provisions<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> furnished a still more serious cause of alarm.</p> + +<p>After congress had come to the resolution of emitting no more bills on +the credit of the continent, the duty of supplying the army with +provisions necessarily devolved on the states, who were required to +furnish certain specified articles for the subsistence of the troops, +according to a ratio established by the federal government. These +requisitions had been neglected to such a degree as to excite fears +that the soldiers must be disbanded from the want of food.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span></p> + +<p>To increase the general embarrassment, the quartermaster department +was destitute of funds, and unable to transport provisions or other +stores from place to place, but by means of impressment supported by a +military force. This measure had been repeated, especially in New +York, until it excited so much disgust and irritation among the +people, that the Commander-in-chief was under serious apprehensions of +actual resistance to his authority.</p> + +<p>While in this state of deplorable imbecility, intelligence from every +quarter announced increasing dangers.</p> + +<p>Information was received that an expedition was preparing in Canada +against Fort Pitt, to be conducted by Sir John Johnston, and Colonel +Conelly; and it was understood that many, in the country threatened +with invasion, were ready to join the British standard. The Indians +too had entered into formidable combinations, endangering the whole +extent of the western frontier.</p> + +<p>In addition to these alarming circumstances, some vessels had arrived +at Crown Point from Canada, with information that three thousand men +had been assembled on the lakes, for the purpose of attempting, once +more, an invasion from that quarter.</p> + +<p>This information, though unfounded, was believed to be true, and was, +at that critical moment, the more alarming, because a corre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span>spondence +of a criminal nature had just been discovered between some persons in +Albany and in Canada. A letter intercepted by Generals Schuyler and +Clinton, stated the disaffection of particular settlements, the +provision made in those settlements for the subsistence of an invading +army, and their readiness to join such army.</p> + +<p>This intelligence from the northern frontier derived increased +interest from the ambiguous conduct observed by the inhabitants of +that tract of country which now constitutes the state of Vermont. They +had settled lands within the chartered limits of New York, under +grants from the governor of New Hampshire; and had, early in the war, +declared themselves independent, and exercised the powers of +self-government. The state of New York, however, still continuing to +assert her claim of sovereignty, the controversy on this delicate +subject had become so violent as to justify the apprehension that, in +the opinion of the people of Vermont, the restoration of British +authority was an evil not of greater magnitude, than the establishment +of that of New York. The declaration was openly made that, if not +admitted into the union as an independent state, they held themselves +at liberty to make a separate peace; and some negotiations had been +commenced, which were believed to manifest a dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span>position in Vermont, +to abandon the common cause of America.</p> + +<p>Accustomed to contemplate all public events which might grow out of +the situation of the United States, and to prepare for them while at a +distance, the American chief was not depressed by this state of +American affairs. With a mind happily tempered by nature, and improved +by experience, those fortunate events which had occasionally +brightened the prospects of his country, never relaxed his exertions, +or lessened his precautions; nor could the most disastrous state of +things drive him to despair. Although entirely uncertain what +operation he might be enabled to undertake during the approaching +campaign, he had adopted such preparatory steps as might enable him to +turn to advantage any fortunate incident which might occur. In +consequence of conferences previously held with the Count de +Rochambeau, for the purpose of digesting a system adapted to +contingent events, orders were transmitted to that officer, directing +him to be in readiness to march as large a body of the French troops +to the North River, as could be spared from the protection of the +fleet.</p> + +<p>Early in May, the Count de Barras, who had been appointed to the +command of the French fleet stationed on the American coast, arrived +in Boston accompanied by the Viscount de Rochambeau, and brought the +long expected in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span>formation from the cabinet of Versailles, respecting +the naval armament designed to act in the American seas. Twenty ships +of the line, to be commanded by the Count de Grasse, were destined for +the West Indies, twelve of which were to proceed to the continent of +America, and might be expected to arrive in the month of July.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Designs of General Washington against New York.</div> + +<p>An interview between General Washington and the Count de Rochambeau +immediately took place at Weathersfield, in which it was determined to +unite the troops of France to those of America on the Hudson, and to +proceed against New York. The regular army at that station was +estimated at four thousand five hundred men,<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> and though it was +understood that Sir Henry Clinton would be able to reinforce it with +five or six thousand militia, it was believed that the post could not +be maintained without recalling a considerable part of the troops from +the south; in which event, the allied army might be employed +advantageously in that part of the union.</p> + +<p>The prospect of expelling the British from New York roused the +northern states from that apathy into which they appeared to be +sinking, and vigorous measures were taken to fill their regiments. Yet +those measures were not completely successful. In the month of June, +when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> the army took the field, and encamped at Peekskill, its +effective numbers did not exceed five thousand men.</p> + +<p>Such was the American force in the north, with which the campaign of +1781 was opened. It fell so far short of that on which the +calculations had been made at Weathersfield, as to excite serious +doubts respecting the propriety of adhering to the plan there +concerted, although some compensation was made for this deficiency on +the part of the states by the arrival of a reinforcement of fifteen +hundred men to the army of Rochambeau under convoy of a fifty gun +frigate.</p> + +<p>To supply even this army with provisions, required much greater +exertions than had ever been made since the system of requisitions had +been substituted for that of purchasing. The hope of terminating the +war produced these exertions. The legislatures of the New England +states took up the subject in earnest, and passed resolutions for +raising the necessary supplies. But until these resolutions could be +executed, the embarrassments of the army continued; and, for some time +after the troops had taken the field, there was reason to apprehend, +either that the great objects of the campaign must be relinquished for +want of provisions, or that coercive means must still be used.</p> + +<p>New England not furnishing flour, this important article was to be +drawn from New York,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span> New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The two first +states were much exhausted; and the application to Pennsylvania did +not promise to be very successful. On this subject, therefore, serious +fears existed.</p> + +<p>These were removed, in a great degree, by the activity and exertions +of an individual.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Superintendent of finances appointed.</div> + +<p>The management of the finances had been lately committed to Mr. Robert +Morris, a delegate to congress from the state of Pennsylvania. This +gentleman united considerable political talents to a degree of +mercantile enterprise, information, and credit, seldom equalled in any +country. He had accepted this arduous appointment on the condition of +being allowed the year 1781 to make his arrangements; during which +time, the department was to be conducted by those already employed, +with the resources which government could command. But the critical +state of public affairs, and the pressing wants of the army, furnished +irresistible motives for changing his original determination, and +entering immediately on the duties of his office. The occasion +required that he should bring his private credit in aid of the public +resources, and pledge himself personally and extensively, for articles +of absolute necessity which could not be otherwise obtained. +Condemning the system of violence and of legal fraud, which had too +long been practised, as being calculated to defeat its own object, he +sought the gradual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span> restoration of confidence by the only means which +could restore it:—a punctual and faithful compliance with his +engagements. Herculean as was this task in the existing derangement of +American finances, he entered upon it courageously; and, if not +completely successful, certainly did more than could have been +supposed possible with the means placed in his hands. It is, in no +inconsiderable degree, to be attributed to him, that the very active +and decisive operations of the campaign were not impeded, perhaps +defeated, by a failure of the means for transporting military stores, +and feeding the army.</p> + +<p>On determining to enter on the duties of his office, Mr. Morris laid +before congress the plan of a national bank, whose notes were to be +receivable from the respective states as specie, into the treasury of +the United States. Congress gave its full approbation to this +beneficial institution; and passed an ordinance for its incorporation.</p> + +<p>Important as was this measure to the future operations of the army, a +contract entered into with the state of Pennsylvania was of still more +immediate utility.</p> + +<p>After furnishing flour to relieve the wants of the moment on his +private credit, Mr. Morris proposed to take on himself the task of +complying with all the specific requisitions made on Pennsylvania, and +to rely for reimbursement on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span> the taxes imposed by law, to be +collected under his direction. This proposition being accepted, the +contract was made; and supplies which the government found itself +unable to furnish, were raised by an individual.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Count Rochambeau marches to the North River.</div> + +<p>As the French troops approached the North River, intelligence was +received that a large detachment from New York had made an incursion +into Jersey, under appearances indicating an intention not to return +immediately. This being thought a favourable moment for gaining the +posts on the north end of York Island, a plan was formed for seizing +them by a <i>coup de main</i>. General Washington fixed on the night of the +second of July for making the attempt; it being supposed that the +Count de Rochambeau might join the American army at Kingsbridge by +that time. An aid-de-camp was therefore despatched to meet that +officer with letters explaining the enterprise, and requesting him to +meet the Commander-in-chief at the time and place appointed.</p> + +<p>With the proposed attack on these works, an attempt to cut off some +light troops stationed on the outside of Kingsbridge at Morrissania, +under the command of Colonel Delaney, was to be combined. This part of +the plan was to be executed by the Duke de Lauzun, to whose legion +Sheldon's dragoons, and a small body of continental troops dispersed +on the lines, under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span> the command of General Waterbury, were to be +added.</p> + +<p>On the part of the Americans, all that could contribute to the success +of this enterprise was done. A strong detachment commanded by General +Lincoln, which fell down the river in boats with muffled oars, reached +its ground undiscovered on the night of the first of July; and the +army, conducted by General Washington, marched to Valentine's hill. +The next day, Lincoln perceived that the detachment had returned from +Jersey, that the British were encamped in great force on the north end +of the island, and that a ship of war watched the landing place. These +unexpected obstacles having defeated the design upon the works, he +proceeded to execute his eventual orders of co-operation with the Duke +de Lauzun. These were, after landing above Spiken Devil Creek, to +march to the high ground in front of Kingsbridge, and there conceal +his detachment, until the attack on Delaney's corps should commence.</p> + +<p>The Duke de Lauzun did not arrive, and the return of day betrayed +Lincoln. A British corps advanced upon him; on hearing which, General +Washington put his troops in motion, and, on his approach, the British +troops retired into the island.</p> + +<p>Both parts of the plan having thus failed, the army retreated to +Dobbs' ferry, where it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> joined by the Count de Rochambeau on the +sixth of July.</p> + +<p>The thanks of the Commander-in-chief were given to that officer in +general orders, for the unremitting zeal with which he had proceeded +to form his so long wished for junction with the American army; and he +was requested to convey to the officers and soldiers under his +command, the grateful sense which the general entertained of the +cheerfulness with which they had performed so long and laborious a +march at so hot a season.</p> + +<p>The utmost exertions were made for the grand enterprise against New +York. But as the execution of any plan that could be formed, depended +on events which were uncertain, the Commander-in-chief directed his +attention to other objects, to be pursued if that which was most +desirable should prove unattainable. Should the siege of New York +become unadviseable, his views were turned to Virginia, the Carolinas, +and Georgia.</p> + +<p>Early in August, the apprehension that he should be unable to +accomplish his favourite object, began to influence his conduct. +Letters from the Marquis de Lafayette announced that a large portion +of the troops in Virginia were embarked, and that their destination +was believed to be New York. <span class="sidenote">Intelligence from the Count de Grasse.</span>This intelligence induced him to turn his +attention more seriously to the south; but, to conceal from Sir Henry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> +Clinton this eventual change of plan, his arrangements were made +secretly, and the preparations for acting against New York were +continued. A reinforcement from Europe of near three thousand men, +induced Sir Henry Clinton to countermand the orders he had given to +Lord Cornwallis to detach a part of the army in Virginia to his aid; +and also to direct that nobleman to take a strong position on the +Chesapeake, from which he might execute the designs meditated against +the states lying on that bay, so soon as the storm which threatened +the British power for the moment, should blow over. In a few days +after the arrival of this reinforcement, the Count de Barras gave +General Washington the interesting information, that De Grasse was to +have sailed from Cape Francis for the Chesapeake, on the third of +August, with from twenty-five to twenty-nine ships of the line, having +on board three thousand two hundred soldiers; and that he had made +engagements with the officers commanding the land and naval forces of +Spain in the West Indies, to return to those seas by the middle of +October.</p> + +<p>This intelligence manifested the necessity of determining immediately, +and positively, on the object against which the combined forces should +be directed. The shortness of the time appropriated by De Grasse for +his continuance on the American coast, the apparent unwillingness of +the naval officers to attempt to force a pass<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span>age into the harbour of +New York, and the failure of the states to comply with the +requisitions which had been made on them for men, decided in favour of +operations to the south; and Lafayette was requested to make such a +disposition of his army as should be best calculated to prevent Lord +Cornwallis from saving himself by a sudden march to Charleston.<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a></p> + +<p>Conformably to the intelligence communicated by the Count de Barras, +the Count de Grasse arrived in the Chesapeake late in August with +twenty-eight ships of the line and several frigates. At Cape Henry he +found an officer despatched by Lafayette with full intelligence of the +situation of the armies in Virginia. Lord Cornwallis had collected his +whole force at Yorktown and Gloucester Point, which he was fortifying +assiduously; and the Marquis had taken a position on James River.</p> + +<p>In consequence of this information, four ships of the line and several +frigates were detached to block up the mouth of York River, and convey +the land forces brought from the West Indies, under the command of the +Marquis de St. Simon, up the James to join Lafayette, who, on +receiving this reinforcement, took post at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span> Williamsburg. In the mean +time, the fleet lay at anchor just within the capes. On the 25th of +August the Count de Barras<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> sailed from Newport for the Chesapeake.</p> + +<p>Rodney was apprized of the destination of De Grasse, but seems not to +have suspected that the whole fleet would sail for the continent of +America. Supposing therefore that a part of his squadron would be +sufficient to maintain an equality of naval force in the American +seas, he detached Sir Samuel Hood to the continent with only fourteen +sail of the line. That officer arrived at Sandy Hook on the +twenty-eighth of August.</p> + +<p>Admiral Greaves, who had succeeded Arbuthnot in the command of the +fleet on the American station, lay in the harbour of New York with +seven ships of the line, only five of which were fit for service. On +the day that Hood appeared and gave information that De Grasse was +probably on the coast, intelligence was also received that De Barras +had sailed from Newport.</p> + +<p>The ships fit for sea were ordered out of the harbour; and Greaves, +with the whole fleet, consisting of nineteen sail of the line, +proceeded in quest of the French.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span></p> + +<p>Not suspecting the strength of De Grasse, he hoped to fall in with one +or the other of their squadrons, and to fight it separately.</p> + +<p>Early in the morning of the 5th of September, while the French fleet +lay at anchor just within the Chesapeake, the British squadron was +descried. Orders were immediately given by De Grasse to form the line, +and put to sea. About four in the afternoon, the action commenced +between the headmost ships, and continued until sunset. Several ships +were much damaged, but neither admiral could claim the victory. For +five successive days the hostile fleets continued within view of each +other. After which, De Grasse returned to his former station within +the capes. At his anchorage ground he found De Barras with the +squadron from Newport, and fourteen transports laden with heavy +artillery, and military stores proper for carrying on a siege. The +British admiral approaching the capes, found the entrance of the +Chesapeake defended by a force with which he was unable to contend, +and therefore bore away for New York.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Plan of operations against Lord Cornwallis.</div> + +<p>General Washington had determined to entrust the defence of the Hudson +to General Heath, and to command the southern expedition in person. +All the French, and a detachment amounting to upwards of two thousand +men from the continental army, were destined for this service. On the +19th of August, Hazen's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span> regiment and the Jersey line, were directed +to pass the Hudson at Dobbs' ferry, and take a position between +Springfield and Chatham, where they were to cover some bake-houses to +be constructed in the neighbourhood, for the purpose of veiling the +real designs of the American chief, and of exciting fears for Staten +Island. <span class="sidenote">The combined armies march for the Chesapeake.</span>On the same day, the whole army was put in motion; and on the +twenty-fifth the passage of the river was completed.</p> + +<p>To conceal as long as possible the real object of this movement, the +march of the army was continued until the thirty-first, in such a +direction as to keep up fears for New York; and a considerable degree +of address was used to countenance the opinion that the real design +was against that place. The letters which had been intercepted by Sir +Henry Clinton favoured this deception; and so strong was the +impression they made that, even after it became necessary for the +combined army to leave the route leading down the Hudson, he is stated +to have retained his fears for New York, and not to have suspected the +real object of his adversary until he had approached the Delaware;<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> +and it had become too late to obstruct the progress of the allied army +towards Virginia. He then resolved to make every exertion in his power +to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span> relieve Lord Cornwallis, and in the mean time to act offensively +in the north. <span class="sidenoteb">September 6.</span>An expedition was planned against New London, in +Connecticut, and a strong detachment, under the command of General +Arnold, was embarked on board a fleet of transports, which landed +early in the morning of the 6th of September on both sides the +harbour, about three miles from the town.</p> + +<p>New London is a seaport town on the west side of the Thames. A fort +called fort Trumbull, and a redoubt had been constructed just below +it, on the same side of the river; and opposite to it, on Groton hill, +was fort Griswold, a strong square fortification, but not fully +manned. General Arnold, who commanded in person the troops that landed +on the western side of the harbour, advanced immediately against the +posts on that side. These being untenable, were evacuated on his +approach; and he took possession of them with inconsiderable loss. To +prevent the escape of the vessels up the river, Lieutenant Colonel +Eyre, who commanded the division which landed on the Groton side of +the harbour, had been ordered to storm fort Griswold, which had been +represented to Arnold as too incomplete to make any serious +resistance. But the place being of some strength, and the approach to +it difficult, Colonel Ledyard, who commanded it with a garrison of one +hundred and sixty men, determined to defend it. On his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span> refusing to +surrender, the British assaulted it on three sides, and overcoming the +difficulties opposed to them, made a lodgement on the ditch and +fraized work, and entered the embrasures with charged bayonets. +Further resistance being hopeless, the action ceased on the part of +the Americans, and Colonel Ledyard delivered his sword to the +commanding officer of the assailants. Irritated by the obstinacy of +the defence, and the loss sustained in the assault, the British +officer on whom the command had devolved, tarnished the glory of +victory by the inhuman use he made of it. Instead of respecting, with +the generous spirit of a soldier, the gallantry which he had subdued, +he indulged the vindictive feelings which had been roused by the +slaughter of his troops. In the account given of this affair by +Governor Trumbull to General Washington, he says, "The sword presented +by Colonel Ledyard was immediately plunged into his bosom, and the +carnage was kept up until the greater part of the garrison was killed +or wounded."</p> + +<p>In this fierce assault, Colonel Eyre was killed, and Major Montgomery, +the second in command, also fell, as he entered the American works. +The total loss of the assailants was not much less than two hundred +men.</p> + +<p>The town of New London, and the stores contained in it, were consumed +by fire. To escape the odium which invariably attends the wanton<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span> +destruction of private property, this fire was attributed to accident; +but all the American accounts unite in declaring it to have been +intentional.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">September 6.</div> + +<p>The march of General Washington was not arrested by this excursion +into New England. Having made the arrangements for the transportation +of his army down the Chesapeake, he proceeded in person to Virginia, +attended by the Count de Rochambeau, and the Chevalier de Chatelleux; +and, on the 14th of September, reached Williamsburg<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> accompanied by +Rochambeau, Chatelleux, Knox, and Du Portail, he immediately repaired +to the fleet, and a plan of co-operation was adjusted on board the +Ville de Paris, conforming to his wish in every respect, except that +the Count de Grasse declined complying with a proposition to station +some of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span> ships in the river above Yorktown, thinking it too +hazardous.</p> + +<p>While the close investment of the British army was delayed, only until +the troops from the north should arrive, serious apprehensions were +excited that the brilliant results confidently anticipated from the +superiority of the land and naval forces of the allies, would be put +in imminent hazard.</p> + +<p>Information was received that a reinforcement of six ships of the line +under Admiral Digby had reached New York. Confident that the British +fleet, thus augmented, would attempt every thing for the relief of +Lord Cornwallis, De Grasse expected to be attacked by a force not much +inferior to his own. Thinking his station within the Chesapeake +unfavourable for a naval combat, he designed to change it, and +communicated to General Washington his intention to leave a few +frigates to block up the mouths of James and York Rivers, and to put +to sea with his fleet in quest of the British. If they should not have +left the harbour of New York, he purposed to block them up in that +place; supposing that his operations in that quarter would be of more +service to the common cause, than his remaining in the bay, an idle +spectator of the siege of York.</p> + +<p>The Commander-in-chief was much alarmed at this communication. Should +the admiral put to sea, the winds and many accidents might pre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span>vent +his return to the Chesapeake. During his absence, a temporary naval +superiority might be acquired by the British in those waters, and the +army of Lord Cornwallis might be placed in perfect security. The +movement would expose to the caprice of fortune, an object of vast +importance, which was now reduced almost to certainty. The admiral was +therefore entreated to preserve his station.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, the wishes of the general prevailed, and the admiral +consented to relinquish those plans of active enterprise which his +thirst for military glory had suggested, and to maintain a station +which the American general deemed so conducive to the interests of the +allies.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">September 25.</div> + +<p>On the 25th of September, the last division of the allied troops +arrived in James River, and were disembarked at the landing near +Williamsburg; soon after which, the preparations for the siege were +completed.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Yorktown invested.</div> + +<p>York is a small village on the south side of the river which bears +that name, where the long peninsula between the York and the James, is +only eight miles wide. In this broad and bold river, a ship of the +line may ride in safety. Its southern banks are high, and, on the +opposite shore, is Gloucester Point, a piece of land projecting deep +into the river, and narrowing it, at that place, to the space of one +mile. Both these posts were occupied by Lord Cornwallis.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span> The +communication between them was commanded by his batteries, and by some +ships of war which lay under his guns.</p> + +<p>The main body of his army was encamped on the open grounds about +Yorktown, within a range of outer redoubts and field works, calculated +to command the peninsula, and impede the approach of the assailants; +and Lieutenant Colonel Dundass, with a small detachment consisting of +six or seven hundred men, held the post at Gloucester Point. He was +afterwards reinforced by Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton.</p> + +<p>The legion of Lauzun, and a brigade of militia under General Weedon, +the whole commanded by the French General de Choisé, were directed to +watch the enemy on the side of Gloucester; and, on the twenty-eighth, +the grand combined army moved down on the south side of the river, by +different roads, towards Yorktown. About noon, the heads of the +columns reached the ground assigned them respectively; and, after +driving in the piquets and some cavalry, encamped for the evening. The +next day, the right wing, consisting of Americans, extended farther to +the right, and occupied the ground east of Beverdam creek; while the +left wing, consisting of French, was stationed on the west side of +that stream. In the course of the night, Lord Cornwallis withdrew from +his outer lines; and the works he had evacuated were, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span> next day, +occupied by the besieging army, which now invested the town completely +on that side.</p> + +<p>Two thousand men were stationed on the Gloucester side for the purpose +of keeping up a rigorous blockade. On approaching the lines, a sharp +skirmish took place which terminated unfavourably for the British; +after which they remained under cover of their works, making no +attempt to interrupt the blockade.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">October 6.</div> + +<p>On the night of the sixth of October, until which time the besieging +army was incessantly employed in disembarking their heavy artillery +and military stores, and drawing them to camp, the first parallel was +commenced within six hundred yards of the British lines. This +operation was conducted with so much silence, that it appears not to +have been perceived until the return of daylight disclosed it to the +garrison; by which time the trenches were in such forwardness as to +cover the men. By the evening of the ninth, several batteries and +redoubts were completed, and the effect of their fire was soon +perceived. New batteries were opened the next day, and the fire became +so heavy that the besieged withdrew their cannon from the embrasures, +and scarcely returned a shot. The shells and red hot balls from the +batteries of the allied army reached the ships in the harbour, and, in +the evening, set fire to the Charon of forty-four guns, and to three +large transports, which were entirely consumed. Reciprocal esteem, and +a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span> spirit of emulation between the French and Americans, being +carefully cultivated by the Commander-in-chief, the siege was carried +on with great rapidity. <span class="sidenoteb">October.</span>The second parallel was opened, on the night +of the eleventh, within three hundred yards of the British lines. The +three succeeding days were devoted to the completion of this parallel, +during which the fire of the garrison, which had opened several new +embrasures, became more destructive than at any previous time. The men +in the trenches were particularly annoyed by two redoubts advanced +three hundred yards in front of the British works, which flanked the +second parallel of the besiegers. Preparations were made, on the +fourteenth, to carry them both by storm. The attack of one was +committed to the Americans, and of the other to the French. The +Marquis de Lafayette commanded the American detachment, and the Baron +de Viominel the French. Towards the close of the day, the two +detachments marched with equal firmness to the assault. Colonel +Hamilton, who had commanded a battalion of light infantry throughout +this campaign, led the advanced corps of the Americans; and Colonel +Laurens turned the redoubt at the head of eighty men, in order to take +the garrison in reverse, and intercept their retreat. The troops +rushed to the charge without firing a gun and without giving the +sappers time to remove the abattis and palisades.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span> Passing over them, +they assaulted the works with irresistible impetuosity on all sides at +the same time, and entered them with such rapidity that their loss was +inconsiderable.<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> This redoubt was defended by Major Campbell, with +some inferior officers, and forty-five privates. The major, a captain, +a subaltern, and seventeen privates, were made prisoners, and eight +privates were killed while the assailants were entering the works.</p> + +<p>The redoubt attacked by the French was defended by a greater number of +men; and the resistance, being greater, was not overcome so quickly, +or with so little loss. One hundred and twenty men, commanded by a +lieutenant colonel, were in this work, eighteen of whom were killed, +and forty-two, including a captain and two subaltern officers, were +made prisoners.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span> The assailants lost, in killed and wounded, near one +hundred men.</p> + +<p>The Commander-in-chief was highly gratified with the active courage +displayed in this assault. Speaking of it in his diary, he says—"The +bravery exhibited by the attacking troops was emulous and +praiseworthy. Few cases have exhibited greater proofs of intrepidity, +coolness, and firmness, than were shown on this occasion." The orders +of the succeeding day, congratulating the army on the capture of these +important works, expressed a high sense of the judicious dispositions +and gallant conduct of both the Baron de Viominel and the Marquis de +Lafayette, and requested them to convey to every officer and man +engaged in the enterprise, the acknowledgments of the +Commander-in-chief for the spirit and rapidity with which they +advanced to the attack, and for the admirable firmness with which they +supported themselves under the fire of the enemy without returning a +shot. "The general reflects," concluding the orders, "with the highest +degree of pleasure, on the confidence which the troops of the two +nations must hereafter have in each other. Assured of mutual support, +he is convinced there is no danger which they will not cheerfully +encounter, no difficulty which they will not bravely overcome."<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p><a name="image08" id="image08"></a></p> +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img alt="Moore House" title="Moore House" src="images/image08.jpg" height="342" width="591" /></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> <b>The Moore House at Yorktown, Virginia</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Where the terms for the surrender of the British army were arranged +between Washington and Cornwallis. The actual drafting of the terms +was done by the Viscount de Noailles and Lieutenant-Colonel Laurens, +representing the French-American forces, and Colonel Dundas and Major +Ross for the British.</i></p></div> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span></p> + +<p>During the same night, these redoubts were included in the second +parallel; and, in the course of the next day, some howitzers were +placed in them, which, by five in the afternoon, were opened on the +besieged.</p> + +<p>The situation of Lord Cornwallis was becoming desperate. His works +were sinking, in every quarter, under the fire of the besiegers. The +batteries already playing on him had silenced nearly all his guns, and +the second parallel was about to open, which must in a few hours +render the town untenable. To suspend a catastrophe which appeared +almost inevitable, he resolved on attempting to retard the completion +of the second parallel, by a vigorous sortie against two batteries +which appeared to be in the greatest forwardness, and were guarded by +French troops. <span class="sidenoteb">October 16.</span>The party making this sortie was led by Lieutenant +Colonel Abercrombie, who attacked the two batteries with great +impetuosity about four in the morning, and carried both with +inconsiderable loss; but the guards from the trenches immediately +advancing on the assailants, they retreated without being able to +effect any thing of importance.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span></p> + +<p>About four in the afternoon the besiegers opened several batteries in +their second parallel; and it was apparent that, in the course of the +ensuing day, the whole line of batteries in that parallel would be +ready to play on the town. The works of the besieged were not in a +condition to sustain so tremendous a fire. In this extremity, Lord +Cornwallis formed the bold design of forcing his way to New York.</p> + +<p>He determined to leave his sick and baggage behind, and, crossing over +in the night with his effectives to the Gloucester shore, to attack De +Choisé. After cutting to pieces or dispersing the troops under that +officer, he intended to mount his infantry on the horses taken from +that detachment, and on others to be seized on the road, and, by a +rapid march to gain the fords of the great rivers, and, forcing his +way through Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Jersey, to form a junction +with the army in New York.<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a></p> + +<p>This desperate attempt would be extremely hazardous; but the situation +of the British general had become so hopeless, that it could scarcely +be changed for the worse.</p> + +<p>Boats prepared under other pretexts were held in readiness to receive +the troops at ten in the evening, and convey them over the river. The +arrangements were made with such secrecy that the first embarkation +arrived at the point unperceived, and part of the troops were landed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span> +when a sudden and violent storm interrupted the execution of this +hazardous plan, and drove the boats down the river. The storm +continued till near daylight, when the boats returned. But the plan +was necessarily abandoned, and the boats were sent to bring back the +soldiers, who were relanded on the southern shore in the course of the +forenoon without much loss.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">October 17.</div> + +<p>In the morning of the seventeenth, several new batteries were opened +in the second parallel, which poured in a weight of fire not to be +resisted. The place being no longer tenable, Lord Cornwallis, about +ten in the forenoon, beat a parley, and proposed a cessation of +hostilities for twenty-four hours, that commissioners might meet at +Moore's house, which was just in the rear of the first parallel, to +settle terms for the surrender of the posts of York and Gloucester. To +this letter General Washington returned an immediate answer declaring +his "ardent desire to spare the further effusion of blood, and his +readiness to listen to such terms as were admissible;" but as in the +present crisis he could not consent to lose a moment in fruitless +negotiations, he desired that "previous to the meeting of the +commissioners, the proposals of his lordship might be transmitted in +writing, for which purpose a suspension of hostilities for two hours +should be granted." The general propositions<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> stated by Lord +Cornwallis as forming the basis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span> of the capitulation, though not all +admissible, being such as led to the opinion that no great difficulty +would occur in adjusting the terms, the suspension of hostilities was +prolonged for the night. In the mean time, to avoid the delay of +useless discussion, the Commander-in-chief drew up and proposed such +articles<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> as he would be willing to grant. These were transmitted +to Lord Cornwallis with the accompanying declaration that, if he +approved them, commissioners might be immediately appointed to digest +them into form. <span class="sidenoteb">October 18.</span>In consequence of this message, the Viscount de +Noailles, and Lieutenant Colonel Laurens, were met next day by Colonel +Dundass and Major Ross; but, being unable to adjust the terms of +capitulation definitively, only a rough draught of them could be +prepared, which was to be submitted to the consideration of the +British general. Determined not to expose himself to those accidents +which time might produce, General Washington could not permit any +suspense on the part of Lord Cornwallis. He therefore immediately +directed the rough articles which had been prepared by the +commissioners to be fairly transcribed, and sent them to his lordship +early next morning, with a letter expressing his expectation that they +would be signed by eleven, and that the garrison would march out by +two in the afternoon. <span class="sidenote">Surrender of Lord Cornwallis.</span>Finding all attempts to obtain better terms +un<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span>availing, Lord Cornwallis submitted to a necessity no longer to be +avoided, and, on the 19th of October, surrendered the posts of +Yorktown and Gloucester Point, with their garrisons, and the ships in +the harbour with their seamen, to the land and naval forces of America +and France.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">Nineteenth.</div> + +<p>The army, artillery, arms, military chest, and public stores of every +denomination, were surrendered to General Washington; the ships and +seamen, to the Count de Grasse. The total number of prisoners,<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a> +excluding seamen, rather exceeded seven thousand men. The loss +sustained by the garrison during the siege, amounted to five hundred +and fifty-two men, including six officers.</p> + +<p>Lord Cornwallis endeavoured to introduce an article into the +capitulation, for the security of those Americans who had joined the +British army; but the subject was declared to belong to the civil +department, and the article was rejected. Its object, however, was +granted without appearing to concede it. His lordship was permitted to +send the Bonetta sloop of war untouched, with despatches to Sir Henry +Clinton;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span> and the Americans whose conduct had been most offensive to +their countrymen were embarked on board this vessel.</p> + +<p>The allied army may be estimated, including militia, at sixteen +thousand men. In the course of this siege, they lost, in killed and +wounded, about three hundred. The treaty was opened on the eleventh +day after the ground was broken by the besiegers, and the capitulation +was signed on the thirteenth. The whole army merited great +approbation; but, from the nature of the service, the artillerists and +engineers were enabled to distinguish themselves particularly. +Generals du Portail and Knox were each promoted to the rank of Major +General; and Colonel Govion, and Captain Rochfontaine, of the corps of +engineers, were each advanced a grade by brevet. In addition to the +officers belonging to those departments, Generals Lincoln, De +Lafayette, and Steuben, were particularly mentioned by the +Commander-in-chief, in his orders issued the day after the +capitulation; and terms of peculiar warmth were applied to Governor +Nelson, who continued in the field during the whole siege, at the head +of the militia of Virginia; and also exerted himself, in a particular +manner, to furnish the army with those supplies which the country +afforded. The highest acknowledgments were made to the Count de +Rochambeau; and several other French officers were named with +distinction. So many dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span>asters had attended the former efforts of the +United States to avail themselves of the succours occasionally +afforded by France, that an opinion not very favourable to the +alliance appears to have gained some ground in the country, and to +have insinuated itself into the army. The Commander-in-chief seized +this occasion to discountenance a course of thinking from which he had +always feared pernicious consequences, and displayed the great value +of the aids lately received, in language highly flattering to the +French monarch, as well as to the land and naval forces of that +nation.</p> + +<p>Knowing the influence which the loss of the army in Virginia must have +on the war, Sir Henry Clinton determined to hazard much for its +preservation. About seven thousand of his best troops sailed for the +Chesapeake, under convoy of a fleet augmented to twenty-five ships of +the line. This armament left the Hook the day on which the +capitulation was signed at Yorktown, and appeared off the capes of +Virginia on the 24th of October. Unquestionable intelligence being +there received that Lord Cornwallis had surrendered, the British +general returned to New York.</p> + +<p>The exultation manifested throughout the United States at the capture +of this formidable army was equal to the terror it had inspired. In +congress, the intelligence was received with joy proportioned to the +magnitude of the event;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span> and the sense of that body on this brilliant +achievement was expressed in various resolutions, returning the thanks +of the United States to the Commander-in-chief, to the Count de +Rochambeau, to the Count de Grasse, to the officers of the allied army +generally, and to the corps of artillery, and engineers particularly. +In addition to these testimonials of gratitude, it was resolved that a +marble column should be erected at Yorktown, in Virginia, with emblems +of the alliance between the United States and his Most Christian +Majesty, and inscribed with a succinct narrative of the surrender of +Earl Cornwallis to his Excellency General Washington, the +Commander-in-chief of the combined forces of America and France; to +his Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, commanding the auxiliary +troops of his Most Christian Majesty in America; and to his Excellency +Count de Grasse, commanding in chief the naval army of France in the +Chesapeake. Two stand of colours taken in Yorktown were presented to +General Washington; two pieces of field ordnance to the Count de +Rochambeau; and application was made to his Most Christian Majesty, to +permit the Admiral to accept a testimonial of their approbation +similar to that presented to the Count de Rochambeau. Congress +determined to go in solemn procession to the Dutch Lutheran church, to +return thanks to Almighty God for crowning the allied arms with +success, by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span> surrender of the whole British army under Lord +Cornwallis; and also issued a proclamation, appointing the 13th day of +December for general thanksgiving and prayer, on account of this +signal interposition of Divine Providence.</p> + +<p>It was not by congress only that the public joy at this great event, +and the public approbation of the conduct of General Washington were +displayed. The most flattering and affectionate addresses of +congratulation were presented from every part of the union; and state +governments, corporate towns, and learned institutions, vied with each +other in the testimonials they gave of their high sense of his +important services, and of their attachment to his person and +character.</p> + +<p>The superiority of the allied force opened a prospect of still farther +advantages. The remaining posts of the British in the southern states +were too weak to be defended against the army which had triumphed over +Lord Cornwallis; and the troops which occupied them could neither +escape nor be reinforced, if the Count de Grasse could be prevailed on +to co-operate against them. Although, in his first conference, he had +explicitly declared his inability to engage in any enterprise to be +undertaken subsequent to that against Yorktown,<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> the siege of that +place had employed so much less time than the admiral had consented to +appropriate to it, that the general resumed his plan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span> of southern +operations. In a letter addressed to De Grasse, he used every argument +which might operate on his love of fame, or his desire to promote the +interests of the allies, to prevail on him to co-operate in an +expedition against Charleston. If this object should be unattainable, +his attention was next turned to Wilmington, in North Carolina, which +was still occupied by a small detachment of British troops who kept +that state in check. The capture of this detachment, though not an +object of much consequence in itself, was supposed to derive some +importance from the influence which the complete liberation of North +Carolina might have on the future military operations of the United +States, and on their negotiations. General Washington proposed to send +a detachment intended to reinforce General Greene, as far as +Wilmington, under convoy. The reduction of that place, he supposed, +would detain the fleet but a few days, after which it might proceed to +the West Indies.</p> + +<p>To enforce the representations contained in his letter, as well as to +pay his respects to the admiral, and to express in person the high +sense entertained of his important services, the Commander-in-chief +repaired on board the Ville de Paris. <span class="sidenoteb">October 23.</span>The Count acknowledged his +conviction of the advantages to be expected from an expedition against +Charleston; but said, that "the orders of his court, ulterior +projects, and his en<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span>gagements with the Spaniards, rendered it +impossible for him to remain on the coast during the time which would +be required for the operation." As he also declined taking on board +the troops designed to reinforce General Greene, preparations were +made for their march by land; and Major General St. Clair, who +commanded the detachment, was ordered to take Wilmington in his route, +and to gain possession of that post.</p> + +<div class="sidenoteb">November.</div> + +<p>The Count de Grasse having consented to remain in the bay a few days +for the purpose of covering the transportation of the eastern troops, +and of the ordnance to the Head of Elk, they were embarked in the +beginning of November, under the command of General Lincoln, who was +directed to march them into New Jersey and New York, and to canton +them for the winter in those states.<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a> The French troops remained in +Virginia, not only for the protection of that state, but to be in +readiness to march southward or northward, as the exigencies of the +ensuing campaign might require.</p> + +<p>The transportation of the troops and ordnance to the Head of Elk being +effected, the Count de Grasse sailed for the West Indies, and the +Commander-in-chief proceeded to Philadelphia.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="NOTES" id="NOTES"></a>NOTES.</h2> + + +<h3><a name="NOTE1">NOTE—No. I.</a> <i>See <a href="#Page_3">Page 3</a></i></h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>The following petition addressed to Governor Livingston, will furnish +some evidence of the situation to which that part of Jersey was +reduced.</i></p> + +<p>To his excellency William Livingston, esquire, governor, captain +general, and commander-in-chief in and over the state of New Jersey +and the territories thereunto belonging in America, chancellor and +ordinary in the same—the humble petition of the officers, civil and +military, whose names are hereunto subscribed,</p></div> + +<p>Showeth,—That a large detachment of the British army, a few weeks +ago, made an invasion into the lower counties of this state on +Delaware, and plundered a few of the inhabitants. That at present a +large detachment are invading them a second time. That the enemy in +this second incursion, have, as we have been credibly informed, by the +express orders of Colonel Mawhood, the commanding officer, bayoneted +and butchered in the most inhuman manner, a number of the militia who +have unfortunately fallen into their hands. That Colonel Mawhood +immediately after the massacre, in open letters, sent to both officers +and privates by a flag, had the effrontery to insult us with a demand, +that we should lay down our arms, and if not, threatened to burn, +destroy, and lay the whole country waste, and more especially the +property of a number of our most distinguished men, whom he named. +That he has since put his threat into execution, in one instance, by +burning one of the finest dwelling houses in Salem county, and all the +other buildings on the same farm, the property of Colonel Benjamin +Home. That plunder, rapine, and devastation in the most fertile and +populous parts of these counties, widely mark their footsteps wherever +they go. That they are spreading disaffection, they are using every +possible means to corrupt the minds of the people, who, within their +lines, have so little virtue as to purchase from them.</p> + +<p>That we are in no state of defence. That we are so exposed by reason +of our situation, that some of our officers, civil and military, have +moved out of the counties for safety. That our militia, during the +last winter, have been so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span> fatigued out by repeated calls and +continued service, and disaffection is now so widely diffused, that +very few can be called out, in some places, none. That we have no +troops of light horse regularly embodied, there is a scarcity of small +arms among us, and no field pieces. That in these two incursions, we +have very sensibly felt the want of field pieces and artillery men, +that the number of us assembled is so small, that though we should use +the greatest conduct and bravery, we could only provoke, not injure +our enemy.</p> + +<p>That the extent of our country is so great, that our small number of +men fatigued out, indifferently armed and without field pieces, can +not defend it. That, as Delaware runs all along those counties, we are +liable to be attacked in numberless places.</p> + +<p>That the acquisition of these counties would be of great advantage to +the enemy. That they could nearly maintain their whole army a campaign +by the plunder, forage, and assistance they could draw from them. That +although the United States might not need them, yet it might perhaps +be adviseable to defend them, to prevent the advantage the enemy might +receive from them. That our riches, and former virtue, make us a prey +to an enemy, whose tender mercies are cruelties.</p> + +<p>That in short, our situation is beyond description deplorable. That +the powers civil and military are daily relaxing, and disaffection +prevailing. That we can neither stay at our houses, go out, nor come +in with safety. That we can neither plough, plant, sow, reap nor +gather. That we are fast falling into poverty, distress, and into the +hands of our enemy. That unless there can be sent to our relief and +assistance a sufficient body of standing troops, we must be under the +disagreeable necessity of leaving the country to the enemy, and +removing ourselves and families to distant places for safety. That +although the present detachment may be fled and gone, before the +relief reaches us, yet a body of troops are necessary for our +protection, as long as the enemy possess Philadelphia. And these are +the sentiments not only of us the subscribers, but of all the rest of +the officers civil and military, and other the good subjects of this +state in these counties.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span></p> + + +<h3><a name="NOTE2">NOTE—No. II.</a> <i>See <a href="#Page_85">Page 85</a></i></h3> + +<p><i>The following is the report made by the committee:</i></p> + +<p>"January 1, 1779. The committee appointed to confer with the +Commander-in-chief on the operations of the next campaign, report, +that the plan proposed by congress for the emancipation of Canada, in +co-operation with an army from France, was the principal subject of +the said conference.</p> + +<p>"That, impressed with a strong sense of the injury and disgrace which +must attend an infraction of the proposed stipulations, on the part of +these states, your committee have taken a general view of our +finances, of the circumstances of our army, of the magazines of +clothes, artillery, arms and ammunition, and of the provisions in +store, and which can be collected in season.</p> + +<p>"Your committee have also attentively considered the intelligence and +observations communicated to them by the Commander-in-chief, +respecting the number of troops and strong holds of the enemy in +Canada; their naval force, and entire command of the water +communication with that country—the difficulties, while they possess +such signal advantages, of penetrating it with an army by land—the +obstacles which are to be surmounted in acquiring a naval +superiority—the hostile temper of many of the surrounding Indian +tribes towards these states, and above all the uncertainty whether the +enemy will not persevere in their system of harassing and distressing +our sea-coast and frontiers by a predatory war.</p> + +<p>"That on the most mature deliberation, your committee can not find room +for a well grounded presumption that these states will be able to +perform their part of the proposed stipulations. That in a measure of +such moment, calculated to call forth, and direct to a single object a +considerable portion of the force of our ally, which may otherwise be +essentially employed, nothing else than the highest probability of +success could justify congress in making the proposition.</p> + +<p>"Your committee are therefore of opinion that the negotiation in +question, however desirable, and interesting, should be deferred until +circumstances render the co-operation of these states more certain, +practicable, and effectual.</p> + +<p>"That the minister plenipotentiary of these states at the court of +Versailles, the minister of France in Pennsylvania, and the minister +of France, be respectively informed that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span> the operations of the next +campaign must depend on such a variety of contingencies to arise, as +well from our own internal circumstances and resources, as the +progress and movements of our enemy, that time alone can mature and +point out the plan which ought to be pursued. That congress, +therefore, can not, with a degree of confidence answerable to the +magnitude of the object, decide on the practicability of their +co-operating the next campaign, in an enterprise for the emancipation +of Canada; that every preparation in our power will nevertheless be +made for acting with vigour against the common enemy, and every +favourable incident embraced with alacrity, to facilitate, and hasten +the freedom and independence of Canada, and her union with these +states—events which congress, from motives of policy with respect to +the United States, as well as of affection for their Canadian +brethren, have greatly at heart."</p> + +<p>Mr. de Sevelinges in his introduction to Botta's History, recites the +private instructions given to Mr. Girard on his mission to the United +States. One article was, "to avoid entering into any formal engagement +relative to Canada and other English possessions which congress +proposed to conquer." Mr. de Sevelinges adds that "the policy of the +cabinet of Versailles viewed the possession of those countries, +especially of Canada by England, as a principle of useful inquietude +and vigilance to the Americans. The neighbourhood of a formidable +enemy must make them feel more sensibly the price which they ought to +attach to the friendship and support of the king of France."</p> + +<p>The author has reason to believe that this policy was known to the +Marquis de Lafayette when his devotion to the interests of the United +States induced him to add his influence to their solicitations for aid +to this enterprise.</p> + + +<h3><a name="NOTE3">NOTE—No. III.</a> <i>See <a href="#Page_233">Page 233</a></i></h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>A letter to President Reed of Pennsylvania from which the following +extracts are taken, is selected from many others written with the same +view.</i></p></div> + +<p style="text-align: right">"Morristown, May 28th, 1780.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>,—I am much obliged to you for your favour of the 23d. +Nothing could be more necessary than the aid given by your state +towards supplying us with provisions. I assure you, every idea you can +form of our distresses, will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span> fall short of the reality. There is such +a combination of circumstances to exhaust the patience of the +soldiery, that it begins at length to be worn out, and we see in every +line of the army, the most serious features of mutiny and sedition: +all our departments, all our operations are at a stand; and unless a +system very different from that which has for a long time prevailed, +be immediately adopted throughout the states, our affairs must soon +become desperate beyond the possibility of recovery. If you were on +the spot, my dear sir, if you could see what difficulties surround us +on every side, how unable we are to administer to the most ordinary +calls of the service, you would be convinced that these expressions +are not too strong: and that we have every thing to dread: Indeed I +have almost ceased to hope. The country in general is in such a state +of insensibility and indifference to its interests, that I dare not +flatter myself with any change for the better.</p> + +<p>"The committee of congress in their late address to the several +states, have given a just picture of our situation. I very much doubt +its making the desired impression; and if it does not, I shall +consider our lethargy as incurable. The present juncture is so +interesting, that if it does not produce correspondent exertions, it +will be a proof, that motives of honour, public good, and even +self-preservation, have lost their influence upon our minds. This is a +decisive moment, one of the most, I will go further and say, the most +important America has seen. The court of France has made a glorious +effort for our deliverance, and if we disappoint its intentions by our +supineness, we must become contemptible in the eyes of all mankind; +nor can we, after that, venture to confide that our allies will +persist in an attempt to establish what it will appear we want +inclination or ability to assist them in.</p> + +<p>"Every view of our own circumstances ought to determine us to the most +vigorous efforts; but there are considerations of another kind, that +should have equal weight. The combined fleets of France and Spain last +year were greatly superior to those of the enemy; the enemy +nevertheless sustained no material damage, and at the close of the +campaign gave a very important blow to our allies. This campaign, the +difference between the fleets, from every account I have been able to +collect, will be inconsiderable: indeed it is far from clear that +there will be an equality. What are we to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span> expect will be the case if +there should be another campaign? In all probability the advantage +would be on the side of the English, and then what would become of +America? We ought not to deceive ourselves. The maritime resources of +Great Britain are more substantial and real than those of France and +Spain united. Her commerce is more extensive than that of both her +rivals; and it is an axiom, that the nation which has the most +extensive commerce will always have the most powerful marine. Were +this argument less convincing, the fact speaks for itself: her +progress in the course of the last year is an incontestable proof.</p> + +<p>"It is true France in a manner created a fleet in a very short space, +and this may mislead us in the judgment we form of her naval +abilities. But if they bore any comparison with those of Great +Britain, how comes it to pass, that with all the force of Spain added, +she has lost so much ground in so short a time, as now to have +scarcely a superiority. We should consider what was done by France, as +a violent and unnatural effort of the government, which, for want of +sufficient foundation, can not continue to operate proportionable +effects.</p> + +<p>"In modern wars, the longest purse must chiefly determine the event. I +fear that of the enemy will be found to be so. Though the government +is deeply in debt and of course poor, the nation is rich, and their +riches afford a fund which will not be easily exhausted. Besides, +their system of public credit is such, that it is capable of greater +exertions than that of any other nation. Speculatists have been a long +time foretelling its downfall; but we see no symptoms of the +catastrophe being very near. I am persuaded it will at least last out +the war.</p> + +<p>"France is in a very different position. The abilities of the present +financier, have done wonders; by a wise administration of the +revenues, aided by advantageous loans, he has avoided the necessity of +additional taxes. But I am well informed if the war continues another +campaign, he will be obliged to have recourse to the taxes usual in +time of war, which are very heavy, and which the people of France are +not in a condition to endure for any length of time. When this +necessity commences, France makes war on ruinous terms, and England, +from her individual wealth, will find much greater facilities in +supplying her exigencies.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Spain derives great wealth from her mines, but it is not so great as +is generally imagined. Of late years the profit to government is +essentially diminished. Commerce and industry are the best mines of a +nation; both which are wanted by her. I am told her treasury is far +from being so well filled as we have flattered ourselves. She is also +much divided on the propriety of the war. There is a strong party +against it. The temper of the nation is too sluggish to admit of great +exertions; and though the courts of the two kingdoms are closely +linked together, there never has been in any of their wars, a perfect +harmony of measures, nor has it been the case in this; which has +already been no small detriment to the common cause.</p> + +<p>"I mention these things to show that the circumstances of our allies, +as well as our own, call for peace, to obtain which we must make one +great effort this campaign. The present instance of the friendship of +the court of France, is attended with every circumstance that can +render it important and agreeable, that can interest our gratitude or +fire our emulation. If we do our duty we may even hope to make the +campaign decisive of the contest. But we must do our duty in earnest, +or disgrace and ruin will attend us. I am sincere in declaring a full +persuasion that the succour will be fatal to us if our measures are +not adequate to the emergency.</p> + +<p>"Now, my dear sir, I must observe to you, that much will depend on the +state of Pennsylvania. She has it in her power to contribute, without +comparison, more to our success, than any other state, in the two +essential articles of flour and transportation. I speak to you in the +language of frankness, and as a friend. I do not mean to make any +insinuations unfavourable to the state. I am aware of the +embarrassment the government labours under from the open opposition of +one party and the underhand intrigues of another. I know that with the +best dispositions to promote the public service, you have been obliged +to move with circumspection. But this is a time to hazard, and to take +a tone of energy and decision. All parties but the disaffected will +acquiesce in the necessity and give their support.</p> + +<p>"The matter is reduced to a point. Either Pennsylvania must give us +all we ask, or we can undertake nothing. We must renounce every idea +of co-operation, and must confess to our allies that we look wholly to +them for our safety. This will be a state of humiliation and +bitterness against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span> which the feelings of every good American ought to +revolt. Yours I am convinced will, nor have I the least doubt, but +that you will employ all your influence to animate the legislature and +the people at large. The fate of these states hangs upon it. God grant +we may be properly impressed with the consequences.</p> + +<p>"I wish the legislature could be engaged to vest the executive with +plenipotentiary powers. I should then expect every thing practicable +from your abilities and zeal. This is not a time for formality and +ceremony. The crisis in every point of view is extraordinary, and +extraordinary expedients are necessary. I am decided in this opinion."</p> + + +<h3><a name="NOTE4">NOTE—No. IV.</a> <i>See <a href="#Page_261">Page 261</a></i></h3> + +<p>André having been unquestionably a spy, and his sentence consequently +just; and the plot in which he had engaged having threatened +consequences the most fatal to America; his execution, had he been an +ordinary person, would certainly have been viewed with cold +indifference. But he was not an ordinary person. In a letter written +at the time by Colonel Hamilton, who in genius, in candour, and in +romantic heroism, did not yield to this unfortunate Englishman, the +character of André is thus feelingly and eloquently drawn. "There was +something singularly interesting in the character and fortunes of +André. To an excellent understanding, well improved by education and +travel, he united a peculiar elegance of mind and manners, and the +advantages of a pleasing person. It is said he possessed a pretty +taste for the fine arts, and had himself attained some proficiency in +poetry, music, and painting. His knowledge appeared without +ostentation, and embellished by a diffidence that rarely accompanies +so many talents and accomplishments, which left you to suppose more +than appeared. His sentiments were elevated and inspired esteem, they +had a softness that conciliated affection. His elocution was handsome, +his address easy, polite, and insinuating. By his merit he had +acquired the unlimited confidence of his general, and was making rapid +progress in military rank and reputation. But in the height of his +career, flushed with new hopes from the execution of a project the +most beneficial to his party that could be devised, he is at once +precipitated from the summit of prosperity, sees all the expectations +of his ambition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span> blasted, and himself ruined. The character I have +given of him is drawn partly from what I saw of him myself, and partly +from information. I am aware that a man of real merit is never seen in +so favorable a light as through the medium of adversity. The clouds +that surround him are so many shades that set off his good qualities. +Misfortune cuts down little vanities, that in prosperous times, serve +as so many spots in his virtues; and gives a tone to humanity that +makes his worth more amiable.</p> + +<p>"His spectators, who enjoy a happier lot, are less prone to detract +from it through envy; and are much disposed by compassion to give the +credit he deserves, and perhaps even to magnify it."</p> + + +<h3><a name="NOTE5">NOTE—No. V.</a> <i>See <a href="#Page_377">Page 377</a></i></h3> + +<p>On the first of May, 1781, General Washington commenced a military +journal. The following is a brief statement of the situation of the +army at that time. "I begin at this epoch, a concise journal of +military transactions, &c. I lament not having attempted it from the +commencement of the war in aid of my memory: and wish the multiplicity +of matter which continually surrounds me, and the embarrassed state of +our affairs, which is momentarily calling the attention to +perplexities of one kind or another, may not defeat altogether, or so +interrupt my present intention and plan, as to render it of little +avail.</p> + +<p>"To have the clearer understanding of the entries which may follow, it +would be proper to recite, in detail, our wants, and our prospects; +but this alone would be a work of much time, and great magnitude. It +may suffice to give the sum of them, which I shall do in a few words, +viz:</p> + +<p>"Instead of having magazines filled with provisions, we have a scanty +pittance scattered here and there in the different states.</p> + +<p>"Instead of having our arsenals well supplied with military stores, +they are poorly provided, and the workmen all leaving them.—Instead +of having the various articles of field equipage in readiness to +deliver, the quartermaster general is but now applying to the several +states (as the dernier ressort) to provide these things for their +troops respectively. Instead of having a regular system of +transportation established upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span> credit—or funds in the +quartermaster's hands to defray the contingent expenses of it—we have +neither the one or the other; and all that business, or a great part +of it, being done by military impressment, we are daily and hourly +oppressing the people, souring their tempers, and alienating their +affections. Instead of having the regiments completed to the new +establishments (and which ought to have been so by the —— of <span lang="el" title="Transcriber's Note: end parenthesis missing">——</span> +agreeably to the +requisitions of congress, scarce any state in the union has, at this +hour, one-eighth part of its quota in the field; and there is little +prospect that I can see of ever getting more than half. In a word, +instead of having every thing in readiness to take the field, we have +nothing. And instead of having the prospect of a glorious offensive +campaign before us, we have a bewildered and gloomy prospect of a +defensive one; unless we should receive a powerful aid of ships, land +troops and money from our generous allies: and these at present are +too contingent to build upon."</p> + + +<h3><a name="NOTE6">NOTE—No. VI.</a> <i>See <a href="#Page_405">Page 405</a></i></h3> + +<p style="text-align: right">York in Virginia, 17th October, 1781, half past four, P.M.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I have this moment been honoured with your excellency's letter +dated this day. The time limited for sending my answer will not admit +of entering into the details of articles, but the basis of my +proposals will be, that the garrisons of York and Gloucester shall be +prisoners of war with the customary honours; and for the convenience +of the individuals which I have the honour to command, that the +British shall be sent to Britain, and the Germans to Germany, under +engagements not to serve against France, America, or their allies, +until released or regularly exchanged. That all arms and public stores +shall be delivered up to you, but that the usual indulgence of side +arms to officers and of retaining private property shall be granted to +officers and soldiers; and the interests of individuals in civil +capacities, and connected with us, shall be attended to. If your +excellency thinks that a continuance of the suspension of hostilities +will be necessary to transmit your answer, I shall have no objection +to the hour that you propose. I have the honour to be,</p> + +<p style="text-align: right">Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,</p> + +<p style="text-align: right">CORNWALLIS.</p> + +<p>His excellency General Washington, &c. &c. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span>&c.</p> + + +<h3><a name="NOTE7">NOTE—No. VII.</a> <i>See <a href="#Page_406">Page 406</a></i></h3> + +<p style="text-align: right">Head quarters before York, 18th October, 1781.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Lord</span>,—To avoid unnecessary discussions and delays, I shall at +once, in answer to your lordship's letter of yesterday, declare the +general basis upon which a definitive treaty of capitulation must take +place. The garrison of York and Gloucester, including the seamen, as +you propose, will be received prisoners of war. The condition annexed +of sending the British and German troops to the parts of Europe to +which they respectively belong, is inadmissible. Instead of this, they +will be marched to such parts of the country as can most conveniently +provide for their subsistence; and the benevolent treatment of +prisoners, which is invariably observed by the Americans, will be +extended to them. The same honours will be granted to the surrendering +army, as were granted to the garrison of Charleston.</p> + +<p>The shipping and boats in the two harbours, with all their guns, +stores, tackling, furniture, and apparel, shall be delivered in their +present state to an officer of the navy appointed to take possession +of them.</p> + +<p>The artillery, arms, accoutrements, military chest, and public stores +of every denomination, shall be delivered unimpaired, to the heads of +departments, to which they respectively belong.</p> + +<p>The officers will be indulged in retaining their side arms, and the +officers and soldiers may preserve their baggage and effects with this +reserve, that property taken in the country will be reclaimed.</p> + +<p>With regard to the individuals in civil capacities, whose interests +your lordship wishes may be attended to, until they are more +particularly described, nothing definitive can be settled.</p> + +<p>I have to add, that I expect the sick and wounded will be supplied +with their own hospital stores, and attended by British surgeons +particularly charged with the care of them.</p> + +<p>Your lordship will be pleased to signify your determination either to +accept or reject the proposals now offered, in the course of two hours +from the delivery of this letter, that commissioners may be appointed +to digest the articles of capitulation, or a renewal of hostilities +may take place.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right">I have the honour to be, my lord, &c.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right">GEORGE WASHINGTON.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant General Earl Cornwallis.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span></p> + +<p style="text-align: right">York, in Virginia, 18th October, 1781.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I agree to open a treaty of capitulation upon the basis of the +garrisons of York and Gloucester, including seamen, being prisoners of +war without annexing the condition of their being sent to Europe; but +I expect to receive a compensation in arranging the articles of +capitulation for the surrender of Gloucester in its present state of +defence.</p> + +<p>I shall in particular desire that the Bonetta sloop of war, may be +left entirely at my disposal from the hour the capitulation is signed, +to receive an aid-de-camp to carry my despatches to Sir Henry Clinton +and such soldiers as I may think proper to send as passengers in her, +to be manned with fifty men of her own crew, and to be permitted to +sail without examination when my despatches are ready; engaging on my +part that the ship shall be brought back and delivered to you, if she +escapes the dangers of the sea; that the crew and soldiers sent as +passengers shall be accounted for in future exchanges as prisoners; +that she shall carry off no officer without your consent, nor public +property of any kind; and I shall likewise desire that the traders and +inhabitants may preserve their property, and that no person may be +punished or molested for having joined the British troops.</p> + +<p>If you choose to proceed to negotiation on these grounds, I shall +appoint two field officers of my army to meet two officers from you at +any time and place you think proper, to digest the articles of +capitulation. I have the honour to be, sir,</p> + +<p style="text-align: right">Your most obedient and most humble servant,</p> + +<p style="text-align: right">CORNWALLIS.</p> + +<p>His excellency General Washington, &c. &c. &c.</p> + + +<h3><a name="NOTE8">NOTE—No. VIII.</a> <i>See <a href="#Page_411">Page 411</a></i></h3> + +<p style="text-align: right">Head quarters, 20th October, 1781.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—The surrender of York, from which so much glory and advantage +are derived to the allies, and the honour of which belongs to your +excellency, has greatly anticipated our most sanguine expectations. +Certain of this event under your auspices, though unable to determine +the time, I solicited your excellency's attention in the first +conference with which you honoured me, to ulterior objects of decisive +importance to the common cause. Although your excellency's answer on +that occasion was unfavourable to my wishes, the unexpected<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span> +promptness with which our operations have been conducted to their +final success having gained us time, the defect of which was one of +your excellency's principal objections, a perspective of the most +extensive and happy consequences, engages me to renew my +representations.</p> + +<p>Charleston, the principal maritime port of the British in the southern +parts of the continent, the grand deposite and point of support for +the present theatre of the war, is open to a combined attack, and +might be carried with as much certainty as the place which has just +surrendered.</p> + +<p>This capture would destroy the last hope which induces the enemy to +continue the war; for having experienced the impracticability of +recovering the populous northern states, he has determined to confine +himself to the defensive in that quarter, and to prosecute a most +vigorous offensive in the south, with a view of conquering states, +whose spare population and natural disadvantages render them +infinitely less susceptible of defence; although their productions +render them the most valuable in a commercial view. His naval +superiority, previous to your excellency's arrival, gave him decisive +advantages in the rapid transport of his troops and supplies: while +the immense land marches of our succours, too tardy and expensive in +every point of view, subjected us to be beaten in detail.</p> + +<p>It will depend upon your excellency, therefore, to terminate the war, +and enable the allies to dictate the law in a treaty. A campaign so +glorious and so fertile in consequences, could be reserved only for +the Count de Grasse.</p> + +<p>It rarely happens that such a combination of means, as are in our +hands at present, can be seasonably obtained by the most strenuous of +human exertions.—A decisively superior fleet, the fortune and talents +of whose commander overawe all the naval force that the most +incredible efforts of the enemy have been able to collect; an army +flushed with success, and demanding only to be conducted to new +attacks; and the very season which is proper for operating against the +points in question.</p> + +<p>If upon entering into the detail of this expedition, your excellency +should still determine it impracticable, there is an object which +though subordinate to that above mentioned, is of capital importance +to our southern operations, and may be effected at infinitely less +expense; I mean the enemy's post at Wilmington in North Carolina. +Circumstances require<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span> that I should at this period reinforce the +southern army under General Greene. This reinforcement transported by +sea under your excellency's convoy, would enable us to carry the post +in question with very little difficulty, and would wrest from the +British a point of support in North Carolina, which is attended with +the most dangerous consequences to us, and would liberate another +state. This object would require nothing more than the convoy of your +excellency to the point of operation, and the protection of the +debarkation.</p> + +<p>I intreat your excellency's attention to the points which I have the +honour of laying before you, and to be pleased at the same time to +inform me what are your dispositions for a maritime force to be left +on the American station.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right">I have the honour to be, &c.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right">GEORGE WASHINGTON.</p> + + +<h3><a name="NOTE9">NOTE—No. IX.</a> <i>See <a href="#Page_413">Page 413</a></i></h3> + +<p>Late in October an irruption was made into the country on the Mohawk, +by Major Ross, at the head of about five hundred men, composed of +regulars, rangers, and Indians. Colonel Willet, with between four and +five hundred men, partly of the troops denominated levies, and partly +militia, immediately marched in quest of them, and fell in with them +at Johnstown, where they were slaughtering cattle, apparently +unapprehensive of an enemy. Before showing himself, he detached Major +Rowley of Massachusetts with the left wing to fall on the rear, while +he should engage the front. On his appearance the British party +retired to a neighbouring wood, and the American advance was just +beginning to skirmish with them, when that whole wing, without any +apparent cause, suddenly fled from the field, leaving a field-piece +posted on a height in order to cover a retreat, to fall into the hands +of the enemy. Fortunately for the party, Rowley appeared in the rear +at this critical juncture, and regained what the right wing had lost. +Night soon coming on, Major Ross retired further into the wood, and +encamped on the top of a mountain. He seems after this skirmish to +have been only intent on repassing the dreary wilderness in his rear, +and securing his party; an object not to be accomplished without +immense fatigue and great suffering, as Colonel Willet had cut off +their return to their boats, and they were to retreat by the way of +Buck island, or Oswe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span>gatchie. With a select part of his troops who +were furnished with five days provisions, and about sixty Indians who +had just joined him, and who, he said, "are the best cavalry for the +service of the wilderness," he commenced a rapid pursuit, and in the +morning of the 30th, at a ford on Canada creek, fell in with about +forty whites and some Indians who were left in the rear to procure +provisions. These were attacked and the greater number of them killed +or taken, upon which the main body fled with such rapidity that the +pursuit proved ineffectual. In the party at Canada creek was Major +Walter Butler, the person who perpetrated the massacre at +Cherry-valley. His entreaties for quarter were disregarded, and he +fell the victim of that vengeance which his own savage temper had +directed against himself.</p> + + +<h3>END OF VOLUME III.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h2><a name="FOOTNOTES">FOOTNOTES</a></h2> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> See + <a href="#NOTE1">note No. I.</a> at the end of the volume.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> General Wilkinson, in his memoirs, says that this notice +was given by a person formerly a lieutenant in Proctor's regiment of +artillery, who, disgusted at being discarded from the American +service, became a spy to Sir William Howe; and, the better to fulfil +his new engagements, kept up his acquaintance with his former +comrades, and frequently visited the camp at Valley Forge. To avoid +the suspicion which would be excited by his going into Philadelphia, a +rendezvous had been established on Frankford Creek, where he met a +messenger from General Howe, to whom his communications were +delivered. This statement is certainly correct.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Extracts of letters from the adjutant general and the +officer of the day to Captain M'Clane. +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +<i>Camp Valley Forge, May 21st, 1778.</i> +</p><p> +Dear Captain,—I am happy you have with your brave little party +conducted with so much honour to yourself. The Marquis effected, owing +to your vigilance, a glorious retreat as well as a difficult one. +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +Signed <span class="smcap">Alex. Scammell</span>, <i>Adj. Gen.</i> +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +<i>Camp Valley Forge, May 23d, 1778.</i> +</p><p> +Dear Captain,—I am pleased to hear you are still doing something to +distinguish yourself in the eyes of your country. I have the pleasure +to inform you that your conduct with the Marquis has been very +pleasing to his Excellency and the whole army. +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +I am your obedient servant, +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +<span class="smcap">Charles Scott</span>, <i>Brig. Gen. and officer of the day.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> The danger with which this detachment was threatened, was +perceived from the camp at Valley Forge, soon after it had been +communicated to Lafayette. Alarm-guns were fired to announce it to +him, and the whole army was put under arms, to act as circumstances +might require. It has been erroneously stated that General Washington +was unapprised of this movement of the British army until its object +was defeated. The author was in camp at the time, saw the +Commander-in-chief, accompanied by his aids and some of the general +officers ride, soon after sun-rise, to the summit of the hill on the +side of which the huts were constructed, and look anxiously towards +the scene of action through a glass. He witnessed too the joy with +which they returned after the detachment had crossed the Schuylkill.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> It has been said that his troops were excessively +fatigued by a march of upwards of twenty miles, and that he waited, +confident that the Marquis could not escape him, for information that +Gray had reached his position.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> As the British army moved down Second street, Captain +M'Lane, with a few light horse and one hundred infantry, entered the +city, and cut off, and captured one Captain, one Provost Marshal, one +guide to the army, and thirty privates, without losing a man.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Letter of Sir Henry Clinton.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> General Lafayette, in a communication made to the author +respecting this battle, expresses himself thus: "Never was General +Washington greater in war than in this action. His presence stopped +the retreat. His dispositions fixed the victory. His fine appearance +on horseback, his calm courage, roused by the animation produced by +the vexation of the morning, (le depit de la matinée) gave him the air +best calculated to excite enthusiasm."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Alluding, it is presumed, to the delicacy of suggesting +to General Sullivan the mischief to be apprehended from any +intemperate expressions.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> The offensive words were "insidious interposition of a +power which has, from the first settlement of the colonies, been +actuated with enmity to us both; and notwithstanding the pretended +date or present form of the French offers."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Some expressions having been used in the letter, +respecting the convention troops, which were deemed disrespectful, no +other reply was made to it than that "congress gave no answer to +insolent letters."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> The author has been favoured by his estimable friend, +Major General Scott, with the perusal of an introduction written by +Mr. L. De Sevelinges, to Botta's "History of the war of the +independence of the United States of America," translated into French. +</p><p> +Mr. De Sevelinges professes to have received the most precious +explanations, relative to incidents and motives, from a gentleman +equally distinguished for his knowledge and his character, whose +situation enabled him to become acquainted with facts which were +concealed from the public. Speaking of the attempt made by Mr. +Johnson, he says, p. 19, it was essential "to break off all +communication with the agents of the British minister. Mr. Girard +directed all his efforts to this object, and had the good fortune to +effect it. +</p><p> +"But the English faction of tories subsisted. It was powerful from the +credit of its chiefs." +</p><p> +In a note on this passage, he says, "The most influential were Samuel +Adams and Richard Lee, (Richard H. Lee,) the brother of Arthur Lee, +one of the deputies of congress in France. He was convicted of having +secret intelligence with the British minister." +</p><p> +It would be injustice to the memoirs of these distinguished patriots +to attempt their vindication against this atrocious and unfounded +calumny. A calumny supported by no testimony, nor by a single +circumstance wearing even the semblance of probability, and confuted +by the whole tenour of their lives. The annals of the American +revolution do not furnish two names more entirely above suspicion than +Samuel Adams and Richard Henry Lee. With the first gentleman the +author was not personally acquainted. With the last he was; and can +appeal with confidence to every man who knew him, to declare the +conviction, that he died as he lived, a pure and devoted, as well as +enlightened friend of American independence. The same character was +maintained by Mr. Adams. +</p><p> +In casting about for the foundation of this calumny, the author is +inclined to look for it in the opinions entertained by these +gentlemen, on subjects connected with the negotiations for peace. +</p><p> +Since the publication of the secret journals of congress, it is +generally known that France countenanced the claim of Spain to +circumscribe the western boundary of the United States, by the line +prescribed in the royal proclamation of 1763, for settlement of vacant +lands. After Great Britain had consented to acknowledge the +independence of the United States, it was understood by those who were +acquainted with the views of the belligerents, that a disposition +existed on the part of France and Spain, to continue the war for +objects in which the United States felt no interest,—among others, +for Gibraltar and Jamaica. Some American statesmen, and the Lees were +of the number, probably Mr. Adams also, were extremely apprehensive +that the miseries of their country would be prolonged for these +objects. It is not impossible that the sentiments of these gentlemen +on these subjects, being in opposition to the views of France, might, +though founded entirely in American policy, be attributed to British +intrigues.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> This gentleman is stated not to have been of the same +family with the leader of the invading army.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> The representation of this battle, and of the +circumstances attending the destruction of the Wyoming settlement, +have been materially varied from the statement made of them in the +first edition. The papers of General Washington furnished allusions to +the transaction, but no particular account of it. The author therefore +relied on Mr. Gordon and Mr. Ramsay, whose authority was quoted. Soon +after the work was published, he received a letter from a gentleman +then residing in that country, (Mr. Charles Miner,) who asserted with +confidence that the statement was incorrect, and gave himself a minute +detail of events, collected from persons who were in the settlement at +the time, and witnessed them. +</p><p> +The author has been since indebted to the same gentleman for a +statement of the battle, and of the events which followed it, drawn up +by one of the descendants of Colonel Zebulon Butler, to which the +certificates of several gentlemen are annexed, who were engaged in the +action. These documents, with one which will be mentioned, convince +him that the combined treachery and savage ferocity which have been +painted in such vivid colours, in the narratives that have been given +of this furious and desolating irruption, have been greatly +exaggerated. Historic truth demands that these misstatements should be +corrected. +</p><p> +The other document alluded to, is a letter from Zebulon Butler to the +board of war, making his report of the transaction. The letter has +been lately found among his papers, and is copied below. +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +<i>Grandenhutten, Penn Township, July 10th, 1778.</i> +</p><p> +Honoured Sir,—On my arrival at Westmoreland, (which was only four +days after I left Yorktown,) I found there was a large body of the +enemy advancing on that settlement. On the first of July we mustered +the militia, and marched towards them by the river above the +settlement,—found and killed two Indians at a place where the day +before they had murdered nine men engaged in hoeing corn. We found +some canoes, &c. but finding we were above their main body, it was +judged prudent to return. And as every man had to go to his own house +for his provision, we could not muster again till the 3d of July. In +the mean time, the enemy had got possession of two forts, one of which +we had reason to believe was designed for them, though they burnt them +both. The inhabitants had seven forts for the security of their women +and children, extending about ten miles on the river, and too many men +would stay in them to take care of them; but after collecting about +three hundred of the most spirited of them, including Captain Hewitt's +company, I held a council with the officers, who were all agreed that +it was best to attack the enemy before they got any farther. We +accordingly marched,—found their situation,—formed a front of the +same extension of the enemy's, and attacked from right to left at the +same time. Our men stood the fire well for three or four shots, till +some part of the enemy gave way; but unfortunately for us, through +some mistake, the word <i>retreat</i> was understood from some officer on +the left, which took so quick that it was not in the power of the +officers to form them again, though I believe, if they had stood three +minutes longer, the enemy would have been beaten. The utmost pains +were taken by the officers, who mostly fell. A lieutenant colonel, a +major and five captains, who were in commission in the militia, all +fell. Colonel Durkee, and Captains Hewitt and Ransom were likewise +killed. In the whole, about two hundred men lost their lives in the +action on our side. What number of the enemy were killed is yet +uncertain, though I believe a very considerable number. The loss of +these men so intimidated the inhabitants, that they gave up the matter +of fighting. Great numbers ran off, and others would comply with the +terms that I had refused. The enemy sent flags frequently—the terms +you will see in the enclosed letter. They repeatedly said they had +nothing to do with any but the inhabitants, and did not want to treat +with me. Colonel Dennison, by desire of the inhabitants, went and +complied,—which made it necessary for me and the little remains of +Captain Hewitt's company to leave the place. Indeed it was determined +by the enemy to spare the inhabitants after their agreement, and that +myself and the few continental soldiers should be delivered up to the +savages. Upon which I left the place, and came scarcely able to move, +as I have had no rest since I left Yorktown. It has not been in my +power to find a horse or man to wait on the board till now. I must +submit to the board what must be the next step. The little remains of +Hewitt's company (which are about fifteen) are gone to Shamoken, and +Captain Spalding's company, I have heard, are on the Delaware. Several +hundred of the inhabitants are strolling in the country destitute of +provisions, who have large fields of grain and other necessaries of +life at Westmoreland. In short, if the inhabitants can go back, there +may yet be saved double the quantity of provisions to support +themselves, otherwise they must be beggars, and a burthen to the +world. +</p><p> +I have heard from men that came from the place since the people gave +up, that the Indians have killed no person since, but have burnt most +of the buildings, and are collecting all the horses they can, and are +moving up the river. They likewise say the enemy were eight hundred, +one-half white men. I should be glad that, if possible, there might be +a sufficient guard sent for the defence of the place, which will be +the means of saving thousands from poverty—but must submit to the +wisdom of congress. I desire farther orders from the honourable board +of war with respect to myself, and the soldiers under my direction. +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +I have the honour to be +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +Your Honour's most obedient, humble servant, +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +<span class="smcap">Zebulon Butler</span>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> See + <a href="#NOTE2">note No. II.</a> at the end of the volume.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> So early as January, 1776, congress had recommended the +reduction of St. Augustine to the southern colonies.—<i>Secret Journals +of Congress, page 38.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> Ramsay.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> The author was in the covering party, visited the fort +next day, and conversed with the officers who had been engaged in +storming the works.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> The author states these facts from his own observation, +and conversations with other officers of the detachment.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> While Sullivan was preparing to invade their country, +the savages were not inactive. At the head of a small party of whites +and Indians, Joseph Brandt fell upon the frontiers of New York, +murdered several of the inhabitants, carried others into captivity, +and burnt several houses. He was pursued by about one hundred and +fifty militia, whom he drew into an ambuscade, and entirely defeated. +A few days afterwards, Captain M'Donald, at the head of a small party, +of whom a third were British, took a fort on the west branch of the +Susquehanna, and made the garrison, amounting to thirty men, prisoners +of war. The women and children, contrary to the usage of Indians, were +permitted to retire into the settled country.—<i>Gordon.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> The author has seen notes taken by a member of congress, +of communications made by Mr. Girard, when admitted to an audience, +which avow these sentiments. The secret journals of congress sustain +this statement.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> After the fleet passed the fort, Colonel Pinckney and a +part of the garrison were withdrawn.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Colonel Parker and Captain Peyton, two valuable officers +from Virginia, fell in this manner.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Lieutenant Bowyer, an American officer who was in the +engagement, near the person of Colonel Buford, in a letter which the +author has lately seen, states this affair in a manner not much +conflicting with the statement made of it by Colonel Tarlton.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> Journal of Colonel Williams.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Journal of Colonel Williams.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> This appointment was made without consulting the +Commander-in-chief. He had determined, if consulted, to recommend +General Greene.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> This valuable officer was pressing forward to Charleston +when that place surrendered. Continuing to advance, he was within one +day's march of Colonel Buford, when that officer was defeated. Colonel +Porterfield still remained on the frontiers of the Carolinas; and had +the address not only to avoid the fate of every other corps sent to +the relief of Charleston, but to subsist his men; and keep up the +semblance of holding that part of South Carolina.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> Journal of Colonel Williams.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Journal of Colonel Williams.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> Colonel Williams says these orders were not executed.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> Journal of Colonel Williams.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Journal of Colonel Williams.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Journal of Colonel Williams.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Journal of Colonel Williams.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> In some instances, the civil power of the state in which +such soldiers happened to be, attempted to interfere and to discharge +even those belonging to the lines of other states, who asserted their +right to be discharged. It was with some difficulty the general could +arrest this dangerous interposition.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> This circumstance would scarcely have deserved notice +had it not been accompanied by one of those melancholy events, which +even war does not authorize, and which made, at the time, a very deep +impression. +</p><p> +Mrs. Caldwell, the wife of the clergyman of the village, had been +induced to remain in her house, under the persuasion that her presence +might protect it from pillage, and that her person could not be +endangered, as Colonel Dayton who commanded the militia determined not +to stop in the settlement. While sitting in the midst of her children, +with a sucking infant in her arms, a soldier came up to the window and +discharged his musket at her. She received the ball in her bosom, and +instantly expired.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> After he had visited the ministers, an arrest of eight +days, during which he resided with his relation the Marshal de +Noailles, was imposed on him for the sake of form and in honour of the +royal authority, which he had disregarded by proceeding to America. +After the expiration of this term he presented himself to the King, +who graciously said he pardoned his disobedience, in consideration of +his good conduct and of his services.—<i>Letter from Gen. Lafayette.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> See + <a href="#NOTE3">note No. III.</a> at the end of the volume.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> This instance of patriotism on the part of our fair and +amiable countrywomen, is far from being single. Their conduct +throughout the war was uniform. They shared with cheerfulness and +gaiety, the privations and sufferings to which the distress of the +times exposed their country. In every stage of this severe trial, they +displayed virtues which have not been always attributed to their sex, +but which it is believed they will, on every occasion calculated to +unfold them, be found to possess. With a ready acquiescence, with a +firmness always cheerful, and a constancy never lamenting the +sacrifices which were made, they not only yielded up all the +elegancies, delicacies, and even conveniences to be furnished by +wealth and commerce, relying on their farms and on domestic industry +for every article of food and raiment, but, consenting to share the +produce of their own labour, they gave up without regret, a +considerable portion of the covering designed for their own families, +to supply the wants of the distressed soldiers; and heroically +suppressed the involuntary sigh which the departure of their brothers, +their sons, and their husbands, for the camp, rended from their +bosoms.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> These orders were given at the instance of General +Lafayette.—<i>Correspondence with General Lafayette.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> The author is informed by General Lafayette that Arnold, +while commanding at West Point, endeavoured to obtain from General +Washington the names of his secret emissaries in New York, and his +means of communicating with them. He pressed Lafayette, who had also +his private intelligencers, for the same information. His applications +were of course unsuccessful. It cannot be doubted that his object was +to commit the additional crime of betraying them to Sir Henry +Clinton.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Mr. Johnson says he did produce it; but that, on being +surprised, he had thrust a paper containing a plan of the route in his +boot, which, having been perceived, was demanded, and led to his +discovery.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> General Lafayette adds some circumstances which are not +found among the manuscript papers of General Washington. The +Commander-in-chief with Generals Lafayette and Knox had turned from +the direct route in order to visit a redoubt. Colonels Hamilton and +M'Henry, the aids-de-camp of Generals Washington and Lafayette, went +forward to request Mrs. Arnold not to wait breakfast. Arnold received +André's billet in their presence. He turned pale, left them suddenly, +called his wife, communicated the intelligence to her and left her in +a swoon, without the knowledge of Hamilton and M'Henry. Mounting the +horse of his aid-de-camp, which was ready saddled, and directing him +to inform General Washington on his arrival that Arnold was gone to +receive him at West Point, he gained the river shore, and was conveyed +in a canoe to the Vulture. +</p><p> +The Commander-in-chief, on his arrival, was informed that Arnold +awaited him at West Point. Taking it for granted that this step had +been taken to prepare for his reception, he proceeded thither without +entering the house, and was surprised to find that Arnold was not +arrived. On returning to the quarters of that officer he received +Jameson's despatch, which disclosed the whole mystery.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> See + <a href="#NOTE4">note No. IV.</a> at the end of the volume.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> General Lafayette mentions a circumstance not previously +known to the author, which serves to illustrate the character of +Washington, and to mark the delicacy of his feelings towards even the +offending part of that sex which is entitled to all the consolation +and protection man can afford it. +</p><p> +The night after Arnold's escape, when his letter respecting André was +received, the general directed one of his aids to wait on Mrs. Arnold, +who was convulsed with grief, and inform her that he had done every +thing which depended on him to arrest her husband, but that, not +having succeeded, it gave him pleasure to inform her that her husband +was safe. It is also honourable to the American character, that during +the effervescence of the moment, Mrs. Arnold was permitted to go to +Philadelphia, to take possession of her effects, and to proceed to New +York under the protection of a flag, without receiving the slightest +insult.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> This allusion is thus explained in a private letter from +Colonel Hamilton—"This man (Arnold) is in every sense despicable. In +addition to the scene of knavery and prostitution during his command +in Philadelphia, which the late seizure of his papers has unfolded, +the history of his command at West Point is a history of little as +well as great villanies. He practised every dirty act of peculation, +and even stooped to connexions with the suttlers to defraud the +public."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> Their names were John Paulding, David Williams, and +Isaac Vanwert.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> The following extract from a private letter of General +Washington to a member of congress, shows how sensible he was of the +mischief produced by this temper. "The satisfaction I have in any +successes that attend us, even in the alleviation of misfortunes, is +always allayed by the fear that it will lull us into security. +Supineness, and a disposition to flatter ourselves, seem to make parts +of our national character. When we receive a check and are not quite +undone, we are apt to fancy we have gained a victory; and when we do +gain any little advantage, we imagine it decisive, and expect the war +immediately to end. The history of the war is a history of false hopes +and temporary expedients. Would to God they were to end here! This +winter, if I am not mistaken, will open a still more embarrassing +scene than we have yet experienced, to the southward. I have little +doubt, should we not gain a naval superiority, that Sir Henry Clinton +will detach to the southward to extend his conquests. I am far from +being satisfied that we shall be prepared to repel his attempts."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> Rem.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> Sted.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> The details of this battle are chiefly taken from a +paper signed by Colonels Campbell, Shelby, and Cleveland, and +published in the Virginia Gazette of the 18th of November, 1780.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> The author received this account both from General +Morgan and Colonel Washington.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> Letter of Lord Cornwallis.—<i>Stedman.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> Letter of Lord Cornwallis.—<i>Stedman.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> These reasons for his conduct were given to the author +by General Morgan soon after his return from the southern campaign.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> Some of them formed afterwards, and renewed the action +on Howard's right.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> In the eagerness of pursuit, Washington advanced near +thirty yards in front of his regiment. Three British officers, +observing this, wheeled about, and made a charge upon him. The officer +on his right aimed a blow to cut him down as an American sergeant came +up, who intercepted the blow by disabling his sword arm. The officer +on his left was about to make a stroke at him at the same instant, +when a waiter, too small to wield a sword, saved him by wounding the +officer with a ball from a pistol. At this moment, the officer in the +centre, who was believed to be Tarlton, made a thrust at him which he +parried; upon which the officer retreated a few paces, and then +discharged a pistol at him, which wounded his horse.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> The author has received statements of this action from +General Morgan and from Colonels Howard and Washington.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> The author received this fact from Colonel Carrington.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> The western militia had been engaged in a war with the +Cherokee Indians, who, neglected by the United States, and incited by +the British, had determined once more to take up the hatchet. The +militia from the western parts of Virginia and North Carolina entered +their country, burnt their towns, containing near one thousand houses, +destroyed fifty thousand bushels of grain, killed twenty-nine men, +took several prisoners, and compelled the nation to sue for peace.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> Letter of Lord Cornwallis.—<i>Stedman.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> Letter of Lord Cornwallis.—<i>Stedman.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> After passing through the guards into the cleared +ground, Washington, who always led the van, perceived an officer +surrounded by several persons who appeared to be aids-de-camp. +Believing this to be Lord Cornwallis, he rushed forward in the hope of +making him a prisoner, but was arrested by an accident. His cap fell +from his head, and, as he leaped to the ground to recover it, the +officer leading the column was shot through the body, and rendered +incapable of managing his horse. The animal wheeled round with his +rider, and galloped off the field. He was followed by all the cavalry, +who supposed that this movement had been directed.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> While the army lay at Westover, Lieutenant Colonel +Simcoe, at the head of less than fifty horse, attacked and dispersed a +body of militia at Charles City court house, with the loss of only one +man killed, and three wounded.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> The author witnessed this skirmish.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> Letter of Sir Henry Clinton.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> A slave population must be unfavourable to great and +sudden exertions by militia.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> Secret journals of Congress, v. 2, pp. 393, 396, 407. +This measure was moved by the delegation from Virginia, in consequence +of instructions of 2d Jan. 1781. Sec. 10, H. at large, 538.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> Secret journals of Congress, v. 2, p. 468.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> The secret journals of congress, published under the +resolutions of March 27th, 1818, and April 21st, 1820, contain "A +History of the Confederation." The course of public opinion on a most +important point—the nature of the connexion which ought to be +maintained between these United States—may be in some degree +perceived in the progress of this instrument, and may not be entirely +uninteresting to the American reader. +</p><p> +So early as July, 1775, Doctor Franklin submitted "Articles of +Confederation and perpetual union" to the consideration of congress, +which were to continue in force until a reconciliation with Great +Britain should take place on the terms demanded by the colonies. Into +this confederation, not only all the British colonies on the +continent, but Ireland and the West India islands were to be admitted. +</p><p> +Congress was to consist of members chosen by each colony in proportion +to its numbers, and was to sit in each successively. Its powers were +to embrace the external relations of the country, the settling of all +disputes between the colonies, the planting of new colonies; and were +to extend to ordinances on such general subjects as, though necessary +to the general welfare, particular assemblies can not be competent to, +viz. "Those that may relate to our general commerce, or general +currency; the establishment of ports; and the regulation of our common +forces." +</p><p> +The executive was to consist of a council of twelve, selected by +congress from its own body, one-third of whom were to be changed +annually. +</p><p> +Amendments were to be proposed by congress; and, when approved by a +majority of the colonial assemblies, were to become a part of the +constitution. +</p><p> +In June, 1776, a committee was appointed to prepare and digest the +form of a confederation to be entered into between the United +Colonies, which brought in a draft (in the hand writing of Mr. John +Dickinson) on the 12th of the succeeding month. +</p><p> +This report was under debate until the 14th of November, 1777, on +which day congress agreed on the articles afterwards adopted by the +states. +</p><p> +In the scheme supposed to be prepared by Mr. Dickinson, the +confederation is considered as an alliance of sovereign states, who +meet as equals by their deputies assembled to deliberate on their +common concerns, each sovereign having a voice. This principle was +retained; but several modifications in the language and principle of +the original scheme were made, which indicate a watchful and growing +jealousy of the powers of congress. +</p><p> +In each, an article is introduced reserving the rights of the states. +That which is found in the report, "reserves to each state the sole +and exclusive regulation and government of its internal police, in all +matters that <i>shall not interfere with the articles of this +confederation</i>." +</p><p> +This article was so modified as to declare that "each state retains +its sovereignty," "and every power, jurisdiction and right, which is +not by this confederation <i>expressly</i> delegated to the United States +in congress assembled." +</p><p> +This denial of all incidental powers had vast influence on the affairs +of the United States. It defeated, in many instances, the granted +powers, by rendering their exercise impracticable. +</p><p> +The report permits the states to impose duties on imports and exports; +provided they "do not interfere with any stipulations in treaties +hereafter entered into by the United States." +</p><p> +The confederation confines this restriction on the power of the state +to such duties as interfere with the stipulations in treaties entered +into "in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by congress to the +courts of France and Spain." +</p><p> +Each plan assigns to the state in which troops shall be raised for the +common defence, the power of appointing the field and inferior +officers. The confederation adds the power of filling up such +vacancies as may occur. +</p><p> +The report inhibits a state from endeavouring by force to obtain +compensation for advances made or injuries suffered during the war, +which shall not be allowed by congress. +</p><p> +The confederation omits this inhibition. +</p><p> +The report gives to congress the power of making treaties. +</p><p> +The confederation adds a proviso, "that no treaty of commerce shall be +made whereby the legislative power of the respective states shall be +restrained from imposing such imports and duties on foreigners as +their own people are subjected to, or from prohibiting the exportation +or importation of any species of goods or commodities whatever." +</p><p> +The report authorizes congress to appoint "courts for the trial of all +crimes, frauds, and piracies committed on the high seas, or on any +navigable river not within a county or parish." +</p><p> +The confederation limits the jurisdiction to "piracies and felonies +committed on the high seas." +</p><p> +Both empower congress to appoint courts for the trial of appeals in +cases of capture; but the confederation provides that no member of +congress shall be appointed a judge of any such court. +</p><p> +Both empower congress to settle differences between the states. The +confederation prescribes minutely the manner in which this power shall +be exercised. +</p><p> +Both empower congress "to regulate the trade and manage all affairs +with the Indians." The confederation provides "that the legislative +right of any state within its own limits be not infringed or +violated." +</p><p> +The report gives the power of "establishing and regulating post +offices throughout all the United Colonies (states) <i>on the lines of +communication</i> from one colony (state) to another." +</p><p> +The confederation varies the phraseology and adds, "and exacting such +postage on the papers passing through the same as may be requisite to +defray the expenses of the said office." +</p><p> +The report places many important portions of the executive power in a +council of state, to consist of one delegate from each state to be +named annually by the delegates of that state. +</p><p> +The confederation empowers congress to appoint a committee to sit in +the recess of congress, to be denominated "a committee of the states," +and to consist of one delegate from each state, to exercise such +powers as congress might from time to time vest them with. +</p><p> +A few of the states agreed to ratify the confederation +unconditionally. By many, amendments were proposed which were steadily +rejected by congress. It was obvious that the delays would be almost +interminable should congress relax this determination, because every +change would make it necessary again to submit the instrument as +amended to the several states. It is remarkable that Jersey alone +proposed an enlargement of the powers of congress. That state was +desirous of investing the representatives of the state with the power +of regulating commerce. +</p><p> +The states possessing no vacant lands, or an inconsiderable quantity +within their chartered limits, pressed earnestly and perseveringly +their claim to participate in the advantages of territory, which was, +they said, acquired by the united arms of the whole; and Maryland +refused, on this account, to accede to the confederation. At length, +several of the states empowered their members in congress to ratify +that instrument as forming a union between the twelve states who had +assented to it. Maryland, alarmed at the prospect of being excluded +from the union, gave her reluctant consent to the confederation, +accompanied by a protest, in which she still asserted her claim to her +interest in the vacant territory which should be acknowledged at the +treaty of peace, to be within the United States. +</p><p> +It required the repeated lessons of a severe and instructive +experience to persuade the American people that their greatness, their +prosperity, their happiness, and even their safety, imperiously +demanded the substitution of a government for their favourite league.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> The author was assured by General Lafayette that this +was true. Such was the enthusiasm of the moment, that a lame sergeant +hired a place in a cart to keep up with the army.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> It is not unworthy of notice, that the ladies of +Baltimore charged themselves with the toil of immediately making up +the summer clothing for the troops. Innumerable instances of their +zeal in the common cause of their country were given in every state in +the union.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> General Lafayette states that this movement also +facilitated the transportation of some military stores to the southern +army, which were greatly needed.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> General Philips died the day on which the army entered +Petersburg. Arnold on succeeding to the command addressed a letter to +Lafayette, which the American general refused to receive, informing +the officer who brought it, and whom he treated in other respects with +great politeness, that he would receive no letter from Arnold.—<i>Cor. +of Lafayette.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> Seven fell into the hands of Tarlton.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> While the British army overran the country, their ships +sailed up the rivers, pillaged the farms, received the slaves who fled +from their masters, and, in some instances, reduced the houses to +ashes. While they were in the Potowmac, a flag was sent on shore at +Mount Vernon, requiring a supply of fresh provisions. The steward of +General Washington, believing it to be his duty to save the property +of his principal, and entertaining fears for the magnificent buildings +of the Commander-in-chief, went on board with the flag, carried a +supply of fresh provisions, asked the restoration of the slaves who +had taken refuge in the fleet, and requested that the buildings might +be spared. Mr. Lund Washington, to whom the general had entrusted the +management of his estate, communicated these circumstances to him, and +informed him that he too had sustained considerable losses. "I am +sorry," said the general, in reply, "to hear of your loss; I am a +little sorry to hear of my own. But that which gives me most concern +is, that you should have gone on board the vessels of the enemy and +furnished them with refreshments. It would have been a less painful +circumstance to me to have heard, that in consequence of your +non-compliance with their request, they had burnt my home and laid the +plantation in ruins. You ought to have considered yourself as my +representative, and should have reflected on the bad example of +communicating with the enemy, and making a voluntary offer of +refreshment to them, with a view to prevent a conflagration."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> Correspondence with Lafayette.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> See + <a href="#NOTE5">note No. V.</a> at the end of the volume.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> Sir H. Clinton in a letter to Lord Cornwallis, dated +June 11, 1781, states his effective force at ten thousand nine hundred +and thirty-one.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> In pursuance of these orders, Wayne was detached to the +south side of James River, under the pretext of reinforcing Greene, +but was ordered to maintain a position which would enable him to +intercept and oppose the march of Lord Cornwallis, should he attempt +to force his way to Charleston. Lafayette was on the alert to +co-operate with Wayne in the event of such a movement.—<i>Cor. with +Lafayette.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> This admiral was the senior of De Grasse, to whom the +command of the expedition had been entrusted, and was therefore +authorized by the minister of marine, to cruise on the coast of +Newfoundland while his ships should join the grand fleet. He preferred +serving under his junior officer.—<i>Cor. of Lafayette.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> The first indication given by Sir Henry Clinton of +suspecting the southern expedition, is in his letter to Lord +Cornwallis of the 2nd of September, in which he says, "By intelligence +I have this day received, it would seem that Washington is moving +southward."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> While the American troops were encamped at Williamsburg +and the French fleet lay in the bay, the Count de Grasse, +circumscribed in point of time, and therefore, unwilling to await the +arrival of the army from the north, urged Lafayette to attack the +British in Yorktown; offering to aid him not only with all the marines +of the fleet, but with as many seamen as he should require. The +Marquis de St. Simon, an officer of great experience, united himself +with the admiral in pressing this measure. He stated that, the works +of Cornwallis being incomplete, Yorktown and Gloucester might, in all +probability, be carried by storm, if attacked by superior numbers. The +temptation was great for a young general scarcely twenty-four years of +age. A full excuse for the attempt was found in the declaration of De +Grasse, that he could not wait for the arrival of the troops from the +north. Success would have given unrivaled brilliancy to the reputation +of Lafayette, but would necessarily have cost much blood. Lafayette +refused to sacrifice the soldiers which were confided to him to his +personal glory, and persuaded De Grasse to await the arrival of +Washington and Rochambeau, when the capture of Cornwallis would be +certainly made without the waste of human life.—<i>Cor. with +Lafayette.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> One sergeant and eight privates were killed; and one +lieutenant colonel, four captains, one subaltern, one sergeant, and +twenty-five rank and file, were wounded. +</p><p> +The irritation produced by the recent carnage in fort Griswold had not +so far subdued the humanity of the American character as to induce +retaliation. Not a man was killed except in action. "Incapable," said +Colonel Hamilton in his report, "of imitating examples of barbarity, +and forgetting recent provocation, the soldiery spared every man that +ceased to resist." Mr. Gordon, in his History of the American War, +states the orders given by Lafayette, with the approbation of +Washington, to have directed that every man in the redoubt, after its +surrender, should be put to the sword. These sanguinary orders, so +repugnant to the character of the Commander-in-chief and of Lafayette, +were never given. There is no trace of them among the papers of +General Washington; and Colonel Hamilton, who took a part in the +enterprise, which assures his perfect knowledge of every material +occurrence, has publicly contradicted the statement. It has been also +contradicted by Lafayette.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> General Lafayette states a fact which proves in an +eminent degree the good feelings of the American soldiers towards +their allies. While encamped together under his command at +Williamsburg, the Americans, who were <i>bivouacked</i>, saw their allies +under tents without a murmur; and saw them supplied regularly with +rations of flour for three days from the American magazines, while +corn meal was measured out very irregularly to themselves. The +superior officers lent their horses to those of France and walked +themselves. Although their general was himself a Frenchman, the +Americans saw not only without jealousy, but with pleasure, every +preference given to their allies.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> Stedman, Annual Register, letter of Lord Cornwallis.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> See + <a href="#NOTE6">note No. VI.</a> at the end of the volume.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> See + <a href="#NOTE7">note No. VII.</a> at the end of the volume.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> The return of prisoners contained two generals, +thirty-one field officers, three hundred and twenty-six captains and +subalterns, seventy-one regimental staff, six thousand five hundred +and twenty-seven non-commissioned officers and privates, and one +hundred and twenty-four persons belonging to the hospital, commissary, +and wagon departments, making in the whole seven thousand and +seventy-three prisoners. To this number are to be added six +commissioned, and twenty-eight non-commissioned officers and privates +made prisoners in the two redoubts which were stormed, and in the +sortie made by the garrison.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> See + <a href="#NOTE8">note No. VIII.</a> at the end of the volume.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_92_92" id="Footnote_92_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> See + <a href="#NOTE9">note No. IX.</a> at the end of the volume.</p></div> + + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of George Washington, Vol. 3 +(of 5), by John Marshall + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON *** + +***** This file should be named 18593-h.htm or 18593-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/5/9/18593/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni, David Widger, +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Life of George Washington, Vol. 3 (of 5) + Commander in Chief of the American Forces During the War + which Established the Independence of his Country and First + President of the United States + +Author: John Marshall + +Release Date: June 15, 2006 [EBook #18593] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni, David Widger, +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +[Illustration] + +THESE VOLUMES of +The Sponsors' +Edition +OF THE AUTHORIZED LIFE OF +George Washington +by John Marshall +ISSUED IN ITS ORIGINAL +FORMAT, BUT WITH THE +TEXT OF THE REVISED +EDITION, HAVE BEEN +SPECIALLY PREPARED +FOR +Henry H. Kimball + + +[Illustration: George Washington + +_From the portrait by Gilbert Stuart_ + +_This canvas, valued at $60,000, hangs in the Masonic Lodge rooms at +Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is one of the several portraits of +Washington which the artist began executing in 1795 and which are the +most famous of both artist and sitter. Of our First President, this +celebrated painter has also given us his interesting pen-picture of +his subject: "All of his features were indications of the strongest +and most ungovernable passions, and had he been born in the forest, he +would have been the fiercest man among the savage tribes."_] + + + + +THE + +LIFE + +OF + +GEORGE WASHINGTON, + +COMMANDER IN CHIEF + +OF THE + +AMERICAN FORCES, + +DURING THE WAR WHICH ESTABLISHED THE INDEPENDENCE OF HIS COUNTRY, + +AND + +FIRST PRESIDENT + +OF THE + +UNITED STATES. + + +COMPILED UNDER THE INSPECTION OF + +THE HONOURABLE BUSHROD WASHINGTON, + +FROM + +_ORIGINAL PAPERS_ + +BEQUEATHED TO HIM BY HIS DECEASED RELATIVE, AND NOW IN POSSESSION OF +THE AUTHOR. + + +TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, + +AN INTRODUCTION, + +CONTAINING A COMPENDIOUS VIEW OF THE COLONIES PLANTED BY THE ENGLISH +ON THE + +CONTINENT OF NORTH AMERICA, + +FROM THEIR SETTLEMENT TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THAT WAR WHICH TERMINATED +IN THEIR + +INDEPENDENCE. + + +BY JOHN MARSHALL. + + +VOL. III. + + +THE CITIZENS' GUILD +OF WASHINGTON'S BOYHOOD HOME +FREDERICKSBURG, VA. + +1926 + +Printed in the U.S.A. + + +[Transcriber's Note: In the original book, some proper names are +spelled inconsistently. The inconsistencies have been preserved in +this e-text. For the reader's information, the first of each of the +following pairs of names is the correct spelling: Wemys/Wemyss, +Tarleton/Tarlton; Dundass/Dundas; M'Lane/M'Clane; Viominel/Viominil.] + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER I. + +Incursion into Jersey.... General Lacy surprised.... Attempt on +Lafayette at Barren hill.... General Howe resigns the command of the +British army.... Is succeeded by Sir H. Clinton.... He evacuates +Philadelphia, and marches through the Jerseys.... A council of war +which decides against attacking the British on their march.... Battle +of Monmouth.... General Lee arrested.... Sentenced to be suspended for +one year.... Thanks of Congress to General Washington and his army. + + +CHAPTER II. + +Count D'Estaing arrives with a French fleet.... Meditates an attack on +the British fleet in New York harbour.... Relinquishes it.... Sails to +Rhode Island.... Lord Howe appears off Rhode Island.... Both fleets +dispersed by a storm.... General Sullivan lays siege to Newport.... +D'Estaing returns.... Sails for Boston.... Sullivan expresses his +dissatisfaction in general orders.... Raises the siege of Newport.... +Action on Rhode Island.... The Americans retreat to the Continent.... +Count D'Estaing expresses his dissatisfaction with Sullivan in a +letter to congress.... General Washington labours successfully to heal +these discontents.... Lord Howe resigns the command of the British +fleet.... Colonel Baylor's regiment surprised.... Captain Donop +defeated by Colonel Butler.... Expedition of the British against Egg +Harbour.... Pulaski surprised. + + +CHAPTER III. + +Arrival of the British commissioners.... Terms of conciliation +proposed.... Answer of congress to their propositions.... Attempts of +Mr. Johnson to bribe some members of congress.... His private letters +ordered to be published.... Manifesto of the commissioners, and +counter-manifesto of congress.... Arrival of Monsieur Girard, minister +plenipotentiary of France.... Hostilities of the Indians.... Irruption +into the Wyoming settlement.... Battle of Wyoming.... Colonel Dennison +capitulates for the inhabitants.... Distress of the settlement.... +Colonel Clarke surprises St. Vincent.... Congress determines to invade +Canada.... General Washington opposes the measure.... Induces congress +to abandon it. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +Divisions in Congress.... Letters of General Washington on the state +of public affairs.... Invasion of Georgia.... General Howe defeated by +Colonel Campbell.... Savannah taken.... Sunbury surrenders.... Georgia +reduced.... General Lincoln takes command of the Southern army.... +Major Gardener defeated by General Moultrie.... Insurrection of the +Tories in South Carolina.... They are defeated by Colonel Pickens.... +Ash surprised and defeated.... Moultrie retreats.... Prevost marches +to Charleston.... Lincoln attacks the British at Stono Ferry +unsuccessfully.... Invasion of Virginia. + + +CHAPTER V. + +Discontents in a part of the American army.... Letter from General +Washington on the subject.... Colonel Van Schaick destroys an Indian +settlement.... Expedition against the Indians meditated.... Fort +Fayette surrendered to the British.... Invasion of Connecticut.... +General Wayne storms Stony Point.... Expedition against Penobscot.... +Powles Hook surprised by Major Lee.... Arrival of Admiral +Arbuthnot.... Of the Count D'Estaing.... Siege of Savannah.... +Unsuccessful attempt to storm that place.... Siege raised.... Victory +of General Sullivan at Newtown.... Spain offers her mediation to the +belligerents.... Declares war against England.... Letter from General +Washington to congress respecting the annual formation of the army.... +The army goes into winter quarters. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +South Carolina invaded.... The British fleet passes the bar, and gets +possession of the harbour of Charleston.... Opinion of General +Washington on the propriety of defending that place.... Sir Henry +Clinton invests the town.... Tarleton surprises an American corps at +Monk's Corner.... Fort Moultrie surrendered.... Tarleton defeats +Colonel White.... General Lincoln capitulates.... Buford defeated.... +Arrangements for the government of South Carolina and Georgia.... Sir +Henry Clinton embarks for New York.... General Gates takes command of +the Southern army.... Is defeated near Camden.... Death of De Kalb.... +Success of General Sumpter.... He is defeated. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Distress in the American camp.... Expedition against Staten Island.... +Requisitions on the states.... New scheme of finance.... Committee of +congress deputed to camp.... Resolution to make up depreciation of +pay.... Mutiny in the line of Connecticut.... General Knyphausen +enters Jersey.... Sir Henry Clinton returns to New York.... Skirmish +at Springfield.... Exertions to strengthen the army.... Bank +established in Philadelphia.... Contributions of the ladies.... +Farther proceedings of the states.... Arrival of a French armament in +Rhode Island.... Changes in the quartermaster's department.... +Enterprise against New York abandoned.... Naval superiority of the +British. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Treason and escape of Arnold.... Trial and execution of Major +Andre.... Precautions for the security of West Point.... Letter of +General Washington on American affairs.... Proceedings of congress +respecting the army.... Major Talmadge destroys the British stores at +Coram.... The army retires into winter quarters.... Irruption of Major +Carleton into New York.... European transactions. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Transactions in South Carolina and Georgia.... Defeat of Ferguson.... +Lord Cornwallis enters North Carolina.... Retreat out of that +state.... Major Wemys defeated by Sumpter.... Tarleton repulsed.... +Greene appointed to the command of the Southern army.... Arrives in +camp.... Detaches Morgan over the Catawba.... Battle of the +Cowpens.... Lord Cornwallis drives Greene through North Carolina into +Virginia.... He retires to Hillsborough.... Greene recrosses the +Dan.... Loyalists under Colonel Pyle cut to pieces.... Battle of +Guilford.... Lord Cornwallis retires to Ramsay's mills.... To +Wilmington.... Greene advances to Ramsay's mills.... Determines to +enter South Carolina.... Lord Cornwallis resolves to march to +Virginia. + + +CHAPTER X. + +Virginia invaded by Arnold.... He destroys the stores at Westham and +at Richmond.... Retires to Portsmouth.... Mutiny in the Pennsylvania +line.... Sir H. Clinton attempts to negotiate with the mutineers.... +They compromise with the civil government.... Mutiny in the Jersey +line.... Mission of Colonel Laurens to France.... Propositions to +Spain.... Recommendations relative to a duty on imported and prize +goods.... Reform in the Executive departments.... Confederation +adopted.... Military transactions.... Lafayette detached to +Virginia.... Cornwallis arrives.... Presses Lafayette.... Expedition +to Charlottesville, to the Point of Fork.... Lafayette forms a +junction with Wayne.... Cornwallis retires to the lower country.... +General Washington's letters are intercepted.... Action near +Jamestown. + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Farther state of affairs in the beginning of the year 1781.... +Measures of Mr. Morris, the superintendent of finances.... Designs of +General Washington against New York.... Count Rochambeau marches to +the North River.... Intelligence from the Count de Grasse.... Plan of +operations against Lord Cornwallis.... Naval engagement.... The +combined armies march for the Chesapeake.... Yorktown invested.... +Surrender of Lord Cornwallis. + + + + +THE LIFE + +OF + +GEORGE WASHINGTON + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Incursion into Jersey.... General Lacy surprised.... Attempt + on Lafayette at Barren Hill.... General Howe resigns the + command of the British army.... Is succeeded by Sir H. + Clinton.... He evacuates Philadelphia, and marches through + the Jerseys.... A council of war which decides against + attacking the British on their march.... Battle of + Monmouth.... General Lee arrested.... Sentenced to be + suspended for one year.... Thanks of congress to General + Washington and his army. + + +[Sidenote: 1778] + +The position at Valley Forge had been taken for the purposes of +covering the country, protecting the magazines, and cutting off all +supplies to Philadelphia. Although the intercourse of the inhabitants +with that place could not be entirely prevented; the sufferings of the +British army from the scarcity of fresh provisions and forage were +considerable; and, as the spring opened, several expeditions were +undertaken both to relieve their own wants, and to distress the army +of the United States. + +About the middle of March, Colonel Mawhood and Major Simcoe, who were +detached into Jersey at the head of about twelve hundred men, landed +at Salem, nearly opposite Reedy Island, and dispersed the small bodies +of militia who were stationed in that part of the country. + +[Sidenote: March 23.] + +General Washington had given early intelligence of this expedition to +Governor Livingston; and had requested that he would immediately order +out the militia to join Colonel Shreve, whose regiment was detached +into Jersey; but the legislature had neglected to make provision for +paying them; and the governor could not bring them into the field. +Colonel Shreve, on his arrival at Haddonfield, the place at which they +had been directed to assemble, found less than one hundred men. +Colonel Ellis, their commanding officer, remarked, in a letter to the +governor, that "without some standing force, little was to be expected +from the militia, who, being alone not sufficient to prevent the +incursions of the enemy, each one naturally consults his own safety, +by not being found in arms." + +Mawhood, of course, was unrestrained; and the devastation committed by +his party was wantonly distressing. Its course of destruction was +preceded by a summons to Colonel Hand, the commanding officer of the +militia, to lay down his arms, which was accompanied with a threat of +the consequences to result from his refusal. This threat was too +faithfully executed. + +After completing his forage, without molestation, Mawhood returned to +Philadelphia. During the continuance of this incursion, which lasted +six or seven days, not more than two hundred men could be collected to +reinforce Colonel Shreve, who was consequently unable to effect any +thing, and did not even march to the lower parts of Jersey, which were +plundered without restraint.[1] + +[Footnote 1: See note No. I. at the end of the volume.] + +[Sidenote: May 1.] + +Not long after this incursion into Jersey, an enterprise was +undertaken against General Lacy, who, with a small number of +Pennsylvania militia, seldom amounting to six hundred, and sometimes +not exceeding fifty, watched the roads leading to Philadelphia on the +north side of the Schuylkill, and was generally posted within twenty +miles of that town. + +[Sidenote: General Lacy surprised.] + +This expedition was entrusted to Colonel Abercrombie and Major Simcoe, +who avoided all the posts Lacy had established for his security, and +threw a body of troops into his rear before he discovered their +approach. After a short resistance, he escaped with the loss of a few +men killed, and all his baggage. His corps were entirely dispersed, +and he was soon afterwards relieved by General Potter. + +To maintain the command of the water as far as was practicable, +congress had ordered impediments to be sunk in many of the rivers of +common use, so as to obstruct the passage up them, and had +constructed frigates, and other smaller vessels, to be employed above +those impediments or elsewhere, as the occasion might require. Several +of them had been commenced above Philadelphia, but were not completed +when the British obtained the command of the river. General Washington +then became apprehensive for their safety, and repeatedly expressed +his desire that they should be sunk in such a manner as to be weighed +with difficulty, should any attempt be made to raise them. The +persons, however, who were entrusted by congress with this business, +supposed it would be equally secure to put plugs in their bottoms, +which might be drawn out on the approach of danger. + +Against these vessels, and some stores collected at Bordentown, an +expedition was planned which ended in their total destruction. General +Dickenson was in the neighbourhood, but his force was too small to +interrupt the execution of the design; and General Maxwell, who had +been ordered to his assistance, was retarded in his march by a heavy +rain, which did not obstruct the movement of the British, who passed +up the river in vessels. + +[Sidenote: May 18.] + +To cover the country more effectually on the north of the Schuylkill, +to form an advance guard for the security of the main army, and to be +in readiness to annoy the rear of the enemy, should he evacuate +Philadelphia, an event believed to be in contemplation, General +Washington detached the Marquis de Lafayette, with more than two +thousand choice troops, to take post near the lines. As this corps +formed a very valuable part of the army, the Commander-in-chief +recommended in his instructions to General Lafayette the utmost +attention to its safety; and, particularly, to avoid any permanent +station, as a long continuance in one position would facilitate the +execution of measures which might be concerted against him. + +[Sidenote: Attempt on Lafayette at Barren Hill.] + +The Marquis crossed the Schuylkill and took post near Barren Hill +church, eight or ten miles in front of the army. Immediate notice[2] +of his arrival was given to Sir William Howe, who reconnoitred his +position, and formed a plan to surprise and cut him off. + +[Footnote 2: General Wilkinson, in his memoirs, says that this notice +was given by a person formerly a lieutenant in Proctor's regiment of +artillery, who, disgusted at being discarded from the American +service, became a spy to Sir William Howe; and, the better to fulfil +his new engagements, kept up his acquaintance with his former +comrades, and frequently visited the camp at Valley Forge. To avoid +the suspicion which would be excited by his going into Philadelphia, a +rendezvous had been established on Frankford Creek, where he met a +messenger from General Howe, to whom his communications were +delivered. This statement is certainly correct.] + +[Sidenote: May 20.] + +On the night of the 19th of May, General Grant with five thousand +select troops, took the road which leads up the Delaware, and +consequently diverges from Barren Hill. After marching some distance, +he inclined to the left, and passing White Marsh, where several roads +unite, took one leading to Plymouth meeting-house, the position he was +directed to occupy, something more than a mile in the rear of the +Marquis, between him and Valley Forge. He reached his point of +destination rather before sunrise. Here the roads fork; the one +leading to the camp of Lafayette, and the other to Matron's ford over +the Schuylkill. + +In the course of the night, General Gray, with a strong detachment, +had advanced up the Schuylkill on its south side, along the ridge +road, and taken post at a ford two or three miles in front of the +right flank of Lafayette, while the residue of the army encamped on +Chestnut hill. + +Captain M'Clane, a vigilant partisan of great merit, was posted on the +lines some distance in front of Barren Hill. In the course of the +night, he fell in with two British grenadiers at Three Mile Run, who +informed him of the movement made by Grant, and also that a large body +of Germans was getting ready to march up the Schuylkill. Immediately +conjecturing the object, M'Clane detached Captain Parr, with a company +of riflemen across the country to Wanderers hill, with orders to +harass and retard the column advancing up the Schuylkill, and hastened +in person[3] to the camp of Lafayette. He arrived soon after daybreak, +and communicated the intelligence he had received. It was, not long +afterwards, confirmed by the fire of Parr on the Ridge road, and by an +inhabitant who had escaped from White Marsh as the British column +passed that place.[4] + +[Footnote 3: Extracts of letters from the adjutant general and the +officer of the day to Captain M'Clane. + +_Camp Valley Forge, May 21st, 1778._ + +Dear Captain,--I am happy you have with your brave little party +conducted with so much honour to yourself. The Marquis effected, owing +to your vigilance, a glorious retreat as well as a difficult one. + +Signed ALEX. SCAMMELL, _Adj. Gen._ + +_Camp Valley Forge, May 23d, 1778._ + +Dear Captain,--I am pleased to hear you are still doing something to +distinguish yourself in the eyes of your country. I have the pleasure +to inform you that your conduct with the Marquis has been very +pleasing to his Excellency and the whole army. + +I am your obedient servant, + +CHARLES SCOTT, _Brig. Gen. and officer of the day._] + +[Footnote 4: The danger with which this detachment was threatened, was +perceived from the camp at Valley Forge, soon after it had been +communicated to Lafayette. Alarm-guns were fired to announce it to +him, and the whole army was put under arms, to act as circumstances +might require. It has been erroneously stated that General Washington +was unapprised of this movement of the British army until its object +was defeated. The author was in camp at the time, saw the +Commander-in-chief, accompanied by his aids and some of the general +officers ride, soon after sun-rise, to the summit of the hill on the +side of which the huts were constructed, and look anxiously towards +the scene of action through a glass. He witnessed too the joy with +which they returned after the detachment had crossed the Schuylkill.] + +Thus surrounded with danger, Lafayette took with promptitude and +decision the only course which could preserve him. He instantly put +his troops in motion, and passed over at Matron's ford, which was +rather nearer to General Grant, than to himself, without being +intercepted by that officer, or sustaining a greater loss than nine +men. + +General Grant, who reached the ground lately occupied by Lafayette +soon after it was abandoned, followed his rear, and appeared at the +ford just after the Americans had crossed it; but, finding them +advantageously posted, did not choose to attack them; and the whole +army returned to Philadelphia, having effected nothing. + +He did not escape censure for having allowed the great advantage he +had acquired, to slip through his hands unused. He might with the +utmost certainty have reached Matron's ford before the Marquis, and +have cut off the only retreat which remained for him. But the same +skill and address were not displayed in executing this plan as in +forming it.[5] + +[Footnote 5: It has been said that his troops were excessively +fatigued by a march of upwards of twenty miles, and that he waited, +confident that the Marquis could not escape him, for information that +Gray had reached his position.] + +In the statement of this affair made by General Lafayette, he +represents himself to have advanced the head of a column towards +Grant, as if to attack him, while the rear filed off rapidly towards +the Schuylkill. This movement gained ground even for the front, which, +while it advanced towards the enemy, also approached the river, and at +the same time induced General Grant to halt, in order to prepare for +battle. + +While this manoeuvre was performing in the face of the detachment +under Grant, a small party was thrown into the church yard, on the +road towards General Gray, which also gave the appearance of an +intention to attack in that quarter. By these dispositions, happily +conceived, and executed with regularity, the Marquis extricated +himself from the destruction which had appeared almost inevitable. In +a letter to congress, General Washington termed it "a timely and +handsome retreat," and certainly the compliment was merited. + +It might be supposed that this young nobleman had not displayed the +same degree of military talent in guarding against the approach of +danger, as in extricating himself from it. But the imputation which +generally attaches to an officer who permits an enemy to pass +unobserved into his rear, is removed by a circumstance stated by +Lafayette. The Pennsylvania militia were posted on his left flank with +orders to guard the roads about White Marsh. Without his knowledge, +they changed their position, and retired into the rear, leaving that +important pass open to the enemy. + +[Sidenote: General Howe resigns his command and returns to England; is +succeeded by Sir Henry Clinton.] + +This was the last enterprise attempted by Sir William Howe. He +resigned the command of the army into the hands of Sir Henry Clinton, +and embarked for Great Britain. About the same time, orders were +received for the evacuation of Philadelphia. The part it was now +evident France was about to take in the war, and the naval force which +had been prepared by that power before she declared herself, rendered +that city a dangerous position, and determined the administration to +withdraw the army from the Delaware. + +The preparations for this movement could not be made unobserved; but +they indicated equally an embarkation of the whole army, or an +intention to march to New York through Jersey. The last was believed +by the American chief to be most probable; and he made every exertion +to take advantage of the movement. His detachments were called in, and +the state governments were pressed to expedite the march of their +levies. + +In the mean time Sir Henry Clinton hastened his preparations for the +evacuation of Philadelphia; and the opinion that he intended to reach +New York through Jersey, gained ground. + +General Maxwell, with the Jersey brigade, was ordered over the +Delaware to take post at Mount Holly, and to join Major General +Dickenson, who was assembling the militia of that state for the +purpose of co-operating with the continental troops, in breaking down +the bridges, felling trees in the roads, and otherwise embarrassing +the march of the British General. + +[Sidenote: June 17.] + +In this state of things intelligence was received that a great part of +the British army had crossed the Delaware, and that the residue would +soon follow. + +The opinion of the general officers was required on the course now to +be pursued. General Lee, who had been lately exchanged, and whose +experience gave great weight to his opinions, was vehement against +risking either a general or partial engagement. The British army was +computed at ten thousand effective men, and that of the Americans +amounted to between ten and eleven thousand. General Lee was decidedly +of opinion that, with such an equality of force, it would be +"criminal" to hazard an action. He relied much on the advantageous +ground on which their late foreign connexions had placed the United +States, and contended that defeat alone could now endanger their +independence. To this he said the army ought not to be exposed. It +would be impossible he thought to bring on a partial action, without +risking its being made general, should such be the choice of the +enemy, since the detachment which might engage must be supported, or +be cut to pieces. A general action ought not to be fought unless the +advantage was manifestly with the American army. This at present was +not the case. He attributed so much to the superior discipline of the +enemy as to be of opinion that the issue of the engagement would be, +almost certainly, unfavourable. + +General Du Portail, a French officer of considerable reputation, +maintained the same opinions; and the Baron de Steuben concurred in +them. The American officers seem to have been influenced by the +councils of the Europeans; and, of seventeen generals, only Wayne and +Cadwallader were decidedly in favour of attacking the enemy. Lafayette +appeared inclined to that opinion without openly embracing it; and +General Greene was inclined to hazard more than the councils of the +majority would sanction. The country, he thought, must be protected; +and if, in doing so, an engagement should become unavoidable, it would +be necessary to fight. + +[Sidenote: The British army evacuate Philadelphia and march through +the Jerseys.] + +On the morning of the 18th, Philadelphia was evacuated;[6] and, by two +in the afternoon, all the British troops were encamped on the Jersey +shore, from Cooper's Creek to Red Bank. Although they availed +themselves to a great extent of the transportation by water, yet their +line of march was so lengthened and encumbered by baggage, and the +weather was so intensely hot, that they were under the necessity of +proceeding slowly. Indeed their movements wore the appearance of +purposed delay; and were calculated to favour the opinion that Sir +Henry Clinton was willing to be overtaken, and wished for a general +engagement. + +[Footnote 6: As the British army moved down Second street, Captain +M'Lane, with a few light horse and one hundred infantry, entered the +city, and cut off, and captured one Captain, one Provost Marshal, one +guide to the army, and thirty privates, without losing a man.] + +As his line of march, until he passed Crosswicks, led directly up the +Delaware, General Washington found it necessary to make an extensive +circuit, and to cross the river at Coryell's Ferry; after which he +kept possession of the high grounds in Jersey, thereby retaining the +choice of bringing on, or avoiding an action. + +[Sidenote: June 24.] + +As Sir Henry Clinton encamped at, and about, Allentown, the main body +of the American army lay in Hopewell township, about five miles from +Princeton, Major General Dickenson, with about one thousand militia, +and Maxwell's brigade, hung on Sir Henry Clinton's left flank. General +Cadwallader, with Jackson's regiment and a few militia, was in his +rear; and Colonel Morgan with a regiment of six hundred men watched +his right. + +[Sidenote: Council of war called by General Washington; decide +against attacking the enemy on the march.] + +Notwithstanding the almost concurrent opinion of his general officers +against risking an action, Washington appears to have been strongly +inclined to that measure. He could not be persuaded that, with an army +rather superior in point of numbers to his enemy, too much was +hazarded by fighting him. The situation of the two armies was, +therefore, once more submitted to the consideration of the general +officers, who were asked whether it would be adviseable, of choice, to +hazard a general action? And, if it would, whether it should be +brought on by an immediate general attack, by a partial attack, or by +taking such a position as must compel the enemy to become the +assailants? + +If the council should be of opinion that it was unadviseable to hazard +an engagement, then he asked what measures could be taken with safety +to the army, to annoy the enemy in his march, should he proceed +through the Jerseys? + +The proposition respecting a general action was decidedly negatived. +But it was proposed to strengthen the corps on the left flank of the +enemy with a reinforcement of fifteen hundred men, and to preserve, +with the main body of the army, a relative position which would enable +it to act as circumstances might require. + +In pursuance of this opinion, the troops on the lines were +strengthened with a detachment of fifteen hundred select men, +commanded by General Scott; and the army moved forward the next day to +Kingston. + +[Sidenote: The opinion of the general against this decision.] + +[Sidenote: June 25.] + +Though the council had been almost unanimous against a general action, +several officers, whose opinions were highly valued, secretly wished +for something more than light skirmishing. Knowing this, General +Washington, who was still in favour of an engagement, determined to +take his measures on his own responsibility. As the British army moved +towards Monmouth court-house, he ordered Brigadier General Wayne, with +an additional detachment of one thousand select men, to join the +advanced corps. As the continental troops, now constituting the front +division, amounted to at least four thousand men, he deemed it proper +that they should be commanded by a major general. Lee had a right to +claim this tour of duty; but, as he had declared himself openly and +strongly against hazarding even a partial engagement, and supposed +that nothing further would be attempted than merely to reconnoitre +the enemy, and restrain plundering parties, he showed no inclination +to assert his claim. Unintentionally promoting the private wishes of +General Washington, that the command should be given to an officer +whose view of the service comported more with his own, Lee yielded +this important tour of duty to Lafayette. The orders given to this +general were, to proceed immediately with the detachment; and, after +forming a junction with General Scott, and taking command of the +troops on the lines, to gain the enemy's left flank and rear; give him +every practicable annoyance; and attack by detachment, or with his +whole force, as the occasion might require. + +These dispositions and orders could scarcely fail to bring on an +engagement. Wayne had openly supported that measure; and Lafayette, +though against seeking a general action, had been in favour of a +partial one. Of consequence, should any proper occasion offer, he +would certainly attack with his whole force, which would as certainly +produce such a state of things as would render it proper to support +him with the whole army. + +[Sidenote: June 26.] + +Immediately after the march of this detachment, General Washington +moved to Cranberry, that he might be in readiness to support his front +division. + +The intense heat of the weather; a heavy storm; and a temporary want +of provisions, prevented the army from continuing its march that day. +The advanced corps had pressed forward, and taken a position about +five miles in rear of the British army, with the intention of +attacking it next morning on its march. Thinking this corps too remote +to be supported in case of action, General Washington ordered the +Marquis to file off by his left towards Englishtown. These orders were +executed early in the morning of the twenty-seventh. + +[Sidenote: June 27.] + +Lafayette had scarcely taken command of the advanced party, when +General Lee began to regret having yielded it to him. He perceived +that, in the opinion of all the general officers, great importance was +attached to it, and that his reputation was in danger of being +impaired by connecting his strenuous opposition to even a partial +action, with his declining the command of a very strong detachment, +which, it was believed, would engage the rear of the enemy. He +therefore solicited earnestly for the command he had before declined. + +To relieve the feelings of Lee, without wounding those of Lafayette, +General Washington detached him with two additional brigades to +Englishtown, to support the Marquis. He would, of course, have the +direction of the whole front division, which would now amount to five +thousand continental troops; but it was expressly stipulated, that if +any enterprise had been already formed by Lafayette, it should be +carried into execution, as if the commanding officer had not been +changed. Lee acceded to this condition; and, with two additional +brigades, joined the front division of the army, encamped at +Englishtown. The rear division also moved forward, and encamped about +three miles in his rear. Morgan's corps still hovered on the right +flank of the British, and General Dickenson on their left. + +Sir Henry Clinton occupied the high grounds about Monmouth +court-house, having his right flank in the skirt of a small wood, +while his left was secured by a very thick one, and a morass running +towards his rear. His whole front was also covered by a wood, and for +a considerable distance towards his left, by a morass. + +This position seemed unassailable; and the British were within twelve +miles of the high grounds about Middletown, after reaching which they +would be perfectly secure. + +Under these circumstances, General Washington ordered Lee to attack +the British rear the moment it should move from its ground. + +[Sidenote: June 28.] + +About five in the morning, intelligence was received from General +Dickenson that the front of the enemy was in motion. The troops were +immediately put under arms, and Lee was ordered to attack the rear, +"unless there should be powerful reasons to the contrary." He was at +the same time informed that the rear division would be on its march to +support him. + +Sir Henry Clinton had observed the appearances on his flanks and rear +on the twenty-seventh; and, conjecturing that the American army was in +his neighbourhood, had changed the order of his march. The baggage was +placed under the care of General Knyphausen, while the strength and +flower of his army, entirely unincumbered, formed the rear division, +under the particular command of Lord Cornwallis, who was accompanied +by the Commander-in-chief. + +To avoid pressing on Knyphausen, Cornwallis remained on his ground +until about eight; and then, descending from the heights of Freehold +into an extensive plain, took up his line of march in rear of the +front division.[7] + +[Footnote 7: Letter of Sir Henry Clinton.] + +General Lee had made dispositions for executing the orders given the +preceding evening, and repeated in the morning; and, soon after the +British rear had moved from its ground, prepared to attack it. General +Dickenson had been directed to detach some of his best troops, to take +such a position as to co-operate with him; and Morgan was ordered to +act on the right flank. + +Lee appeared on the heights of Freehold soon after Lord Cornwallis had +left them; and, following the British into the plain, ordered General +Wayne to attack the rear of their covering party with sufficient +vigour to check it, but not to press it so closely as either to force +it up to the main body, or to draw reinforcements to its aid. In +the mean time, he intended to gain the front of this party by a +shorter road, and, intercepting its communication with the line, to +bear it off before it could be assisted. + +[Illustration: Martha Washington + +_From the portrait by Gilbert Stuart_ + +_After studying under Benjamin West, the American painter who +succeeded Sir Joshua Reynolds as (second) president of the Royal +Academy in London, Gilbert Stuart established a studio in Philadelphia +where he met and painted the first of his famous portraits of George +Washington. This one of Martha Washington, the best known likeness of +her in existence, was painted in the city of Washington, where the +artist had a studio between 1800 and 1802. She gave him several +sittings at Mount Vernon._] + +While in the execution of this design, a gentleman in the _suite_ of +General Washington came up to gain intelligence; and Lee communicated +to him his present object. + +Before he reached the point of destination, there was reason to +believe that the British rear was much stronger than had been +conjectured. The intelligence on this subject being contradictory, and +the face of the country well calculated to conceal the truth, he +deemed it adviseable to ascertain the fact himself. + +Sir Henry Clinton, soon after the rear division was in full march, +received intelligence that an American column had appeared on his left +flank. This being a corps of militia was soon dispersed, and the march +was continued. When his rear guard had descended from the heights, he +saw it followed by a strong corps, soon after which a cannonade was +commenced upon it; and, at the same time, a respectable force showed +itself on each of his flanks. Suspecting a design on his baggage, he +determined to attack the troops in his rear so vigorously, as to +compel a recall of those on his flanks; and, for this purpose, marched +back his whole rear division. This movement was in progress as Lee +advanced for the purpose of reconnoitring. He soon perceived his +mistake respecting the force of the British rear, but still determined +to engage on that ground, although his judgment disapproved the +measure; there being a morass immediately in his rear, which would +necessarily impede the reinforcements which might be advancing to his +aid, and embarrass his retreat should he be finally overpowered. + +This was about ten. While both armies were preparing for action, +General Scott (as stated by General Lee) mistook an oblique march of +an American column for a retreat; and, in the apprehension of being +abandoned, left his position, and repassed the ravine in his rear. + +Being himself of opinion that the ground was unfavourable, Lee did not +correct the error he ascribed to Scott, but ordered the whole +detachment to regain the heights. He was closely pressed, and some +slight skirmishing ensued without much loss on either side. + +As soon as the firing announced the commencement of the action, the +rear division of the army advanced rapidly to the support of the +front. As they approached the scene of action, General Washington, who +had received no intelligence from Lee giving notice of his retreat, +rode forward, and, to his utter astonishment and mortification, met +the advanced corps retiring before the enemy, without having made a +single effort to maintain its ground. The troops he first saw neither +understood the motives which had governed General Lee, nor his present +design; and could give no other information than that, by his orders, +they had fled without fighting. + +General Washington rode to the rear of the division, where he met +General Lee, to whom he spoke in terms of some warmth, implying +disapprobation of his conduct. + +Orders were immediately given to Colonel Stewart and Lieutenant +Colonel Ramsay to form their regiments for the purpose of checking the +pursuit; and General Lee was directed to take proper measures with the +residue of his force to stop the British column on that ground. The +Commander-in-chief then rode back to arrange the rear division of the +army. + +[Sidenote: He attacks the enemy at Monmouth Court-house.] + +These orders were executed with firmness; and, when forced from his +ground, Lee brought off his troops in good order, and was directed to +form in the rear of Englishtown. + +This check afforded time to draw up the left wing and second line of +the American army on an eminence, covered by a morass in front. Lord +Stirling, who commanded the left wing, brought up a detachment of +artillery under Lieutenant Colonel Carrington, and some field pieces, +which played with considerable effect on a division of the British +which had passed the morass, and was pressing on to the charge. These +pieces, with the aid of several parties of infantry, effectually +stopped the advance of the enemy. + +[Sidenote: The action severe but not decisive.] + +Finding themselves warmly opposed in front, the British attempted to +turn the left flank of the American army, but were repulsed. They then +attempted the right with as little success. General Greene had +advanced a body of troops with artillery to a commanding piece of +ground in his front, which not only disappointed the design of turning +the right, but enfiladed the party which yet remained in front of the +left wing. At this moment, General Wayne was advanced with a body of +infantry to engage them in front, who kept up so hot and well directed +a fire, that they soon withdrew behind the ravine, to the ground on +which the action had commenced immediately after the arrival of +General Washington.[8] + +[Footnote 8: General Lafayette, in a communication made to the author +respecting this battle, expresses himself thus: "Never was General +Washington greater in war than in this action. His presence stopped +the retreat. His dispositions fixed the victory. His fine appearance +on horseback, his calm courage, roused by the animation produced by +the vexation of the morning, (le depit de la matinee) gave him the air +best calculated to excite enthusiasm."] + +The position now taken by the British army was very strong. Both +flanks were secured by thick woods and morasses; and their front was +accessible only through a narrow pass. The day had been intensely hot, +and the troops were much fatigued. Notwithstanding these +circumstances, General Washington resolved to renew the engagement. +For this purpose he ordered Brigadier General Poor, with his own and +the North Carolina brigade, to gain their right flank, while Woodford +with his brigade should turn their left. At the same time the +artillery was ordered to advance, and play on their front. These +orders were obeyed with alacrity; but the impediments on the flanks of +the British were so considerable that, before they could be overcome, +it was nearly dark. Farther operations were therefore deferred until +next morning; and the brigades which had been detached to the flanks +of the British army continued on their ground through the night, and +the other troops lay on the field of battle with their arms in their +hands. General Washington passed the night in his cloak in the midst +of his soldiers. + +The British employed the early part of the night in removing their +wounded; and, about midnight, marched away in such silence that their +retreat was not perceived until day. + +As it was certain that they must gain the high grounds about +Middletown before they could be overtaken; as the face of the country +afforded no prospect of opposing their embarkation; and as the battle +already fought had terminated in a manner to make a general impression +favourable to the American arms; it was thought proper to relinquish +the pursuit, leaving a detachment to hover about the British rear, the +main body of the army moved towards the Hudson. + +The Commander-in-chief was highly gratified with the conduct of his +troops in this action. Their behaviour, he said, after recovering from +the first surprise occasioned by the unexpected retreat of the +advanced corps, could not be surpassed. General Wayne was particularly +mentioned; and the artillery were spoken of in terms of high praise. + +The loss of the Americans in the battle of Monmouth was eight officers +and sixty-one privates killed, and about one hundred and sixty +wounded. Among the slain were Lieutenant Colonel Bonner of +Pennsylvania, and Major Dickenson of Virginia, both of whom were much +regretted. One hundred and thirty were missing; but a considerable +number of these afterwards rejoined their regiments. + +In his official letter, Sir Henry Clinton states his dead and missing +at four officers, and one hundred and eighty-four privates. His +wounded at sixteen officers and one hundred and fifty-four privates. +This account, so far as respects the dead, can not be correct, as four +officers and two hundred and forty-five privates were buried on the +field by persons appointed for the purpose, who made their report to +the Commander-in-chief; and some few were afterwards found, so as to +increase the number to nearly three hundred. The uncommon heat of the +day proved fatal to several on both sides. + +As usual, when a battle has not been decisive, both parties claimed +the victory. In the early part of the day, the advantage was certainly +with the British; in the latter part, it may be pronounced with equal +certainty to have been with the Americans. They maintained their +ground, repulsed the enemy, were prevented only by the night, and by +the retreat of the hostile army from renewing the action, and suffered +less in killed and wounded than their adversaries. + +It is true that Sir Henry Clinton effected what he states to have been +his principal object,--the safety of his baggage. But when it is +recollected that the American officers had decided against hazarding +an action, that this advice must have trammeled the conduct, and +circumscribed the views of the Commander-in-chief, he will be admitted +to have effected no inconsiderable object in giving the American arms +that appearance of superiority which was certainly acquired by this +engagement. + +Independent of the loss sustained in the action, the British army was +considerably weakened in its march from Philadelphia to New York. +About one hundred prisoners were made, and near one thousand soldiers, +chiefly foreigners, deserted while passing through Jersey. + +The conduct of Lee was generally disapproved. As however he had +possessed a large share of the confidence and good opinion of the +Commander-in-chief, it is probable that explanations might have been +made which would have rescued him from the imputations that were cast +on him, and have restored him to the esteem of the army, could his +haughty temper have brooked the indignity he believed to have been +offered him on the field of battle. General Washington had taken no +measures in consequence of the events of that day, and would probably +have come to no resolution concerning them without an amicable +explanation, when he received from Lee a letter expressed in very +unbecoming terms, in which he, in the tone of a superior, required +reparation for the injury sustained "from the very singular +expressions" said to have been used on the day of the action by the +Commander-in-chief. + +[Sidenote: June 30.] + +[Sidenote: General Lee arrested for his behavior in this action, and +afterwards to the commander-in-chief.] + +This letter was answered by an assurance that, so soon as +circumstances would admit of an inquiry, he should have an opportunity +of justifying himself, to the army, to America, and to the world in +general; or of convincing them that he had been guilty of disobedience +of orders, and misbehaviour before the enemy. On his expressing a wish +for a speedy investigation of his conduct, and for a court-martial +rather than a court of inquiry, he was arrested. + +First. For disobedience of orders in not attacking the enemy on the +28th of June, agreeably to repeated instructions. + +Secondly. For misbehaviour before the enemy on the same day, in making +an unnecessary, disorderly, and shameful retreat. + +Thirdly. For disrespect to the Commander-in-chief in two letters. + +[Sidenote: Court-martial appointed to try him. Sentenced to be +suspended for one year.] + +Before this correspondence had taken place, strong and specific +charges of misconduct had been made against General Lee by several +officers of his detachment, and particularly by Generals Wayne and +Scott. In these, the transactions of the day, not being well +understood, were represented in colours much more unfavourable to Lee, +than facts, when properly explained, would seem to justify. These +representations, most probably, induced the strong language of the +second article in the charge. A court-martial, over which Lord +Stirling presided, after a tedious investigation, found him guilty of +all the charges exhibited against him, and sentenced him to be +suspended for one year. This sentence was, afterwards, though with +some hesitation, approved, almost unanimously, by congress. The court +softened, in some degree, the severity of the second charge, by +finding him guilty, not in its very words, but "of misbehaviour before +the enemy, by making an unnecessary, and, in some few instances, a +disorderly retreat." + +Lee defended himself with his accustomed ability. He proved that, +after the retreat had commenced, in consequence of General Scott's +repassing the ravine, on the approach of the enemy, he had designed to +form on the first advantageous piece of ground he could find; and +that, in his own opinion, and in the opinion of some other officers, +no safe and advantageous position had presented itself until he met +General Washington; at which time it was his intention to fight the +enemy on the very ground afterwards taken by that officer. He +suggested a variety of reasons in justification of his retreat, which, +if they do not absolutely establish its propriety, give it so +questionable a form as to render it probable that a public examination +never would have taken place, could his proud spirit have stooped to +offer explanation instead of outrage, to the Commander-in-chief. + +His suspension gave general satisfaction through the army. Without +being masters of his conduct as a military man, they perfectly +understood the insult offered to their general by his letters; and, +whether rightly or not, believed his object to have been to disgrace +Washington, and to obtain the supreme command for himself. So +devotedly were all ranks attached to their general, that the mere +suspicion of such a design, would have rendered his continuance in the +army extremely difficult. + +Whatever judgment may be formed on the propriety of his retreat, it is +not easy to justify, either the omission to keep the +Commander-in-chief continually informed of his situation and +intentions, or the very rude letters written after the action was +over. + +[Sidenote: The thanks of congress presented to General Washington and +his army for their conduct in the battle at Monmouth.] + +The battle of Monmouth gave great satisfaction to congress. A +resolution was passed unanimously, thanking General Washington for the +activity with which he marched from the camp at Valley Forge, in +pursuit of the enemy; for his distinguished exertions in forming the +line of battle, and for his great good conduct in the action; and he +was requested to signify the thanks of congress to the officers and +men under his command, who distinguished themselves by their conduct +and valour in the battle. + +[Sidenote: July 5.] + +After remaining a few days on the high grounds of Middletown, Sir +Henry Clinton proceeded to Sandy Hook, whence his army passed over to +New York. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + Count D'Estaing arrives with a French fleet.... Meditates an + attack on the British fleet in New York harbour.... + Relinquishes it.... Sails to Rhode Island.... Lord Howe + appears off Rhode Island.... Both fleets dispersed by a + storm.... General Sullivan lays siege to Newport.... + D'Estaing returns.... Sails for Boston.... Sullivan + expresses his dissatisfaction in general orders.... Raises + the siege of Newport.... Action on Rhode Island.... The + Americans retreat to the Continent.... Count D'Estaing + expresses his dissatisfaction with Sullivan in a letter to + congress.... General Washington labours successfully to heal + these discontents.... Lord Howe resigns the command of the + British fleet.... Colonel Baylor's regiment surprised.... + Captain Donop defeated by Colonel Butler.... Expedition of + the British against Egg Harbour.... Pulaski surprised. + + +[Sidenote: 1778 July.] + +[Sidenote: Count D'Estaing arrives on the coast of Virginia with a +French fleet under his command.] + +Before General Washington could reach the ground he designed to +occupy, intelligence was received that a powerful French fleet, under +the command of the Count D'Estaing, had appeared off Chingoteague +inlet, the northern extremity of the coast of Virginia. + +The Count had sailed from Toulon on the 13th of April, with twelve +ships of the line and six frigates, having on board a respectable body +of land forces. His destination was the Delaware; and he hoped to find +the British fleet in that river, and their army in Philadelphia. An +uncommon continuance of adverse winds, protracted his voyage across +the Atlantic to the extraordinary length of eighty-seven days. This +unusual circumstance saved the British fleet and army. + +[Sidenote: He meditates an attack on the British fleet at New York, +but is obliged to relinquish it.] + +On reaching the capes of the Delaware, the Count announced his arrival +to congress; and, having failed in accomplishing his first object, +proceeded along the coast to New York, in the hope of being able to +attack the British fleet in the harbour of that place. + +Sir Henry Clinton was again indebted to some fortunate incidents for +his safety. + +The violent storms of the preceding winter had broken through the +narrow isthmus by which Sandy Hook was connected with the continent, +and had converted the peninsula into an island. This rendered it +necessary for the army to pass from the main to the Hook on a bridge +of boats, which would have been impracticable, if obstructed by a +superior fleet. It was effected the very day on which D'Estaing +appeared off Chingoteague inlet. + +[Sidenote: July 13.] + +At Paramus, in Jersey, General Washington received a letter from the +president of congress, advising him of this important event, and +requesting that he would concert measures with the Count for conjoint +and offensive operations. + +The next day he received a second letter on the same subject, +enclosing two resolutions, one directing him to co-operate with the +French admiral, and the other authorizing him to call on the states +from New Hampshire to New Jersey inclusive, for such aids of militia +as he might deem necessary for the operations of the allied arms. + +He determined to proceed immediately to the White Plains, whence the +army might co-operate with more facility in the execution of any +attempt which might be made by the fleet, and despatched Lieutenant +Colonel Laurens, one of his aids de camp, with all the information +relative to the enemy, as well as to his own army, which might be +useful to D'Estaing. Lieutenant Colonel Laurens was authorized to +consult on future conjoint operations, and to establish conventional +signals for the purpose of facilitating the communication of +intelligence. + +The French admiral, on arriving off the Hook, despatched Major de +Choisi, a gentleman of his family, to General Washington, for the +purpose of communicating fully his views and his strength. His first +object was to attack New York. If this should be found impracticable, +he was desirous of turning his attention to Rhode Island. To assist in +coming to a result on these enterprises, General Washington despatched +Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton with such farther communications as had +been suggested, by inquiries made since the departure of Lieutenant +Colonel Laurens. + +[Sidenote: July 21.] + +Fearing that the water on the bar at the entrance of the harbour was +not of sufficient depth to admit the passage of the largest ships of +the French fleet without much difficulty and danger, General +Washington had turned his attention to other objects which might be, +eventually, pursued. General Sullivan, who commanded the troops in +Rhode Island, was directed to prepare for an enterprise against +Newport; and the Marquis de Lafayette was detached with two brigades +to join him at Providence. The next day Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton +returned to camp with the final determination of the Count D'Estaing +to relinquish the meditated attack on the fleet in the harbour of New +York, in consequence of the impracticability of passing the bar. + +General Greene was immediately ordered to Rhode Island, of which state +he was a native; and Lieutenant Colonel Laurens was directed to attach +himself to the French admiral, and to facilitate all his views by +procuring whatever might give them effect; after which he was to act +with the army under Sullivan. + +[Sidenote: Sails out to Rhode Island and arrives off Newport.] + +The resolution being taken to proceed against Rhode Island, the fleet +got under way, and, on the 25th of July, appeared off Newport, and +cast anchor about five miles from that place, just without Brenton's +ledge; soon after which, General Sullivan went on board the Admiral, +and concerted with him a plan of operations for the allied forces. The +fleet was to enter the harbour, and land the troops of his Christian +Majesty on the west side of the island, a little to the north of +Dyer's island. The Americans were to land at the same time on the +opposite coast, under cover of the guns of a frigate. + +Although the appearance of the French fleet had animated the whole +country, and had produced a considerable degree of alacrity for the +service; although the success of the enterprise essentially depended +on maintaining a superiority at sea, which there was much reason to +apprehend would soon be wrested from them; yet such are the delays +inseparable from measures to bring husbandmen into the field as +soldiers, that the operations against Newport were suspended for +several days on this account. + +[Sidenote: August 8.] + +As the militia of New Hampshire and Massachusetts approached, General +Sullivan joined General Greene at Tiverton, and it was agreed with the +Admiral that the fleet should enter the main channel immediately, and +that the descent should be made the succeeding day. The ships of war +passed the British batteries and entered the harbour, without +receiving or doing any considerable damage. + +The militia not arriving precisely at the time they were expected, +General Sullivan could not hazard the movement which had been +concerted, and stated to the Count the necessity of postponing it till +the next day. Meanwhile, the preparations for the descent being +perceived, General Pigot drew the troops which had been stationed on +the north end of the island into the lines at Newport. + +[Sidenote: August 9.] + +On discovering this circumstance the next morning, Sullivan determined +to avail himself of it, and to take immediate possession of the works +which had been abandoned. The whole army crossed the east passage, and +landed on the north end of Rhode Island. This movement gave great +offence to the Admiral, who resented the indelicacy supposed to have +been committed by Sullivan in landing before the French, and without +consulting him. + +Unfortunately, some difficulties, on subjects of mere punctilio, had +previously arisen. The Count D'Estaing was a land as well as sea +officer; and held the high rank of lieutenant general in the service +of France. Sullivan being only a major general, some misunderstanding +on this delicate point had been apprehended; and General Washington +had suggested to him the necessity of taking every precaution to avoid +it. This, it was supposed, had been effected in their first +conference, in which it was agreed that the Americans should land +first, after which the French should land, to be commanded by the +Count D'Estaing in person. The motives for this arrangement are not +stated; but it was most probably made solely with a view to the +success of the enterprise. Either his own after-reflections or the +suggestions of others dissatisfied the Count with it, and he insisted +that the descent should be made on both sides of the island precisely +at the same instant, and that one wing of the American army should be +attached to the French, and land with them. He also declined +commanding in person, and wished the Marquis de Lafayette to take +charge of the French troops as well as of the Americans attached to +them. + +It being feared that this alteration of the plan might endanger both +its parts, D'Estaing was prevailed on to reduce his demand from one +wing of the American army to one thousand militia. When, afterwards, +General Sullivan crossed over into the island before the time to which +he had himself postponed the descent, and without giving previous +notice to the Count of this movement, some suspicions seem to have +been excited, that the measure was taken with other views than were +avowed, and no inconsiderable degree of excitement was manifested. The +Count refused to answer Sullivan's letter, and charged Lieutenant +Colonel Fleury, who delivered it, with being more an American than a +Frenchman. + +At this time a British fleet appeared, which, after sailing close into +the land, and communicating with General Pigot, withdrew some +distance, and came to anchor off point Judith, just without the narrow +inlet leading into the harbour. + +After it had been ascertained that the destination of the Count +D'Estaing was America, he was followed by a squadron of twelve ships +of the line under Admiral Byron, who was designed to relieve Lord +Howe, that nobleman having solicited his recall. The vessels composing +this squadron meeting with weather unusually bad for the season, and +being separated in different storms, arrived, after lingering through +a tedious passage, in various degrees of distress, on different and +remote parts of the American coast. Between the departure of D'Estaing +from the Hook on the 23d of July, and the 30th of that month, four +ships of sixty-four and fifty guns arrived at Sandy Hook. + +This addition to the British fleet, though it left Lord Howe +considerably inferior to the Count D'Estaing, determined him to +attempt the relief of Newport. He sailed from New York on the 6th of +August; and, on the 9th, appeared in sight of the French fleet, before +intelligence of his departure could be received by the Admiral. + +[Sidenote: Sails to attack Lord Howe, who appears off Rhode Island.] + +[Sidenote: August 10.] + +At the time of his arrival the wind set directly into the harbour, so +that it was impossible to get out of it; but it shifted suddenly to +the north-east the next morning, and the Count determined to stand out +to sea, and give battle. Previous to leaving port, he informed General +Sullivan that, on his return, he would land his men as that officer +should advise. + +Not choosing to give the advantage of the weather-gage, Lord Howe also +weighed anchor and stood out to sea. He was followed by D'Estaing; +and both fleets were soon out of sight. + +The militia were now arrived; and Sullivan's army amounted to ten +thousand men. Some objections were made by Lafayette to his commencing +operations before the return of D'Estaing. That officer advised that +the army should be advanced to a position in the neighbourhood of +Newport, but should not break ground until the Count should be in +readiness to act in concert with them. It was extremely desirable to +avoid whatever might give offence to the great ally on whose +assistance so much depended; but time was deemed of such importance to +an army which could not be kept long together, that this advice was +overruled, and it was determined to commence the siege immediately. + +[Sidenote: August 12.] + +[Sidenote: Fifteenth.] + +[Sidenote: General Sullivan lays siege to Newport.] + +Before this determination could be executed, a furious storm blew down +all the tents, rendered the arms unfit for immediate use, and greatly +damaged the ammunition, of which fifty rounds had just been delivered +to each man. The soldiers, having no shelter, suffered extremely; and +several perished in the storm, which continued three days. On the +return of fair weather the siege was commenced, and continued without +any material circumstance for several days. + +As no intelligence had been received from the Admiral, the situation +of the American army was becoming very critical. On the evening of +the 19th, their anxieties were relieved for a moment by the +reappearance of the French fleet. + +[Sidenote: Both fleets dispersed by a storm.] + +The two Admirals, desirous the one of gaining, and the other of +retaining the advantage of the wind, had employed two days in +manoeuvring, without coming to action. Towards the close of the +second, they were on the point of engaging, when they were separated +by the violent storm which had been felt so severely on shore, and +which dispersed both fleets. Some single vessels afterwards fell in +with each other, but no important capture was made; and both fleets +retired in a very shattered condition, the one to the harbour of New +York, and the other to that of Newport. + +[Sidenote: D'Estaing returns to Newport, and against the solicitations +of Sullivan, sails for Boston.] + +A letter was immediately despatched by D'Estaing to Sullivan, +informing him that, in pursuance of orders from the King, and of the +advice of all his officers, he had taken the resolution to carry the +fleet to Boston. His instructions directed him to sail for Boston +should his fleet meet with any disaster, or should a superior British +fleet appear on the coast. + +This communication threw Sullivan and his army into despair. General +Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette were directed to wait on the +Admiral with a letter from Sullivan remonstrating against this +resolution, and to use their utmost endeavors to induce him to change +it. + +They represented to him the certainty of carrying the garrison if he +would co-operate with them only two days, urged the impolicy of +exposing the fleet at sea, in its present condition, represented the +port of Boston as equally insecure with that of Newport, and added +that the expedition had been undertaken on condition that the French +fleet and army should co-operate with them; that confiding in this +co-operation, they had brought stores into the island to a great +amount, and that to abandon the enterprise in the present state of +things, would be a reproach and disgrace to their arms. To be deserted +at such a critical moment would have a pernicious influence on the +minds of the American people, and would furnish their domestic foes, +as well as the common enemy, with the means of animadverting severely +on their prospects from an alliance with those who could abandon them +under circumstances such as the present. They concluded with wishing +that the utmost harmony and confidence might subsist between the two +nations, and especially between their officers; and entreated the +Admiral, if any personal indiscretions had appeared in conducting the +expedition, not to permit them to prejudice the common cause. + +Whatever impression these observations may have made on the Count, +they could not change the determination he had formed. + +General Greene, in his representation of this conversation, stated +that the principal officers on board the fleet were the enemies of +D'Estaing. He was properly a land officer, and they were dissatisfied +with his appointment in the navy. Determined to thwart his measures, +and to prevent, as far as could be justified, his achieving any +brilliant exploit, they availed themselves of the letter of his +instructions, and unanimously persevered in advising him to relinquish +the enterprise, and sail for Boston. He could not venture, with such +instructions, to act against their unanimous opinion; and, although +personally disposed to re-enter the harbour, declined doing so, and +sailed from the island. + +On the return of Greene and Lafayette, Sullivan made yet another +effort to retain the fleet. He addressed a second letter to the +Admiral, pressing him, in any event, to leave his land forces. The +bearer of this letter was also charged with a protest signed by all +the general officers in Rhode Island except Lafayette, the only effect +of which was to irritate D'Estaing, who proceeded, without delay, on +his voyage to Boston. + +[Sidenote: In consequence of the departure of the French fleet, +Sullivan raises the siege of Newport.] + +Thus abandoned by the fleet, Sullivan called a council of general +officers, who were in favour of attempting an assault if five thousand +volunteers who had seen nine months service could be obtained for the +enterprise; but the departure of the fleet had so discouraged the +militia, that this number could not be procured; and, in a few days, +the army was reduced by desertion to little more than five thousand +men. As the British were estimated at six thousand, it was determined +to raise the siege, and retire to the north end of the island, there +to fortify, and wait the result of another effort to induce D'Estaing +to return. + +[Sidenote: August 28.] + +In the night of the 28th, the army retired by two roads leading to the +works on the north end of the island, having its rear covered by +Colonels Livingston and Laurens, who commanded light parties on each. + +[Sidenote: August 29.] + +Early next morning the retreat was discovered by the British, who +followed in two columns, and were engaged on each road by Livingston +and Laurens, who retreated slowly and kept up the action with skill +and spirit until the English were brought into the neighbourhood of +the main body of the Americans, drawn up in order of battle on the +ground of their encampment. The British formed on Quaker Hill, a very +strong piece of ground, something more than a mile in front of the +American line. + +[Sidenote: Action between Sullivan and the British army.] + +Sullivan's rear was covered by strong works; and in his front, rather +to the right, was a redoubt. In this position, the two armies +cannonaded each other for some time, and a succession of skirmishes +was kept up in front of both lines until about two in the afternoon, +when the British advanced in force, attempted to turn the right +flank, and made demonstrations of an intention to carry the redoubt in +front of the right wing. General Greene, who commanded that wing, +advanced to its support, and a sharp engagement was continued for +about half an hour, when the British retreated to Quaker Hill. The +cannonade was renewed, and kept up intermingled with slight +skirmishing until night. + +According to the return made by General Sullivan, his loss in killed, +wounded and missing was two hundred and eleven. That of the British, +as stated by General Pigot, amounted to two hundred and sixty. + +[Sidenote: August 30.] + +The next day, the cannonade was renewed, but neither army was inclined +to attack the other. The British waited for reinforcements, and +Sullivan had at length determined to retire from the island. + +The Commander-in-chief had observed some movements among the British +transports indicating the embarkation of troops, and had suggested to +Sullivan the necessity of securing his retreat. A fleet of transports +soon put to sea with a large body of troops, of which immediate notice +was given to Sullivan in a letter recommending his retreat to the +continent. This reinforcement, which consisted of four thousand men, +commanded by Sir Henry Clinton in person, was delayed by adverse winds +until the letter of General Washington was received, and the +resolution to evacuate the island was taken. The whole army passed +over to the continent unobserved by the enemy, and disembarked about +Tiverton by two in the morning. + +[Sidenote: Sullivan retreats with his army to the continent.] + +Never was retreat more fortunate. Sir Henry Clinton arrived the next +day; and the loss of the American army would have been inevitable. + +[Sidenote: Sullivan, in one of his general orders, makes use of +expressions which offend the count.] + +The complete success of this expedition had been confidently +anticipated throughout America; and the most brilliant results had +been expected from the capture of so important a part of the British +army as the garrison of Newport. The chagrin produced by +disappointment was proportioned to the exaltation of their hopes. In +general orders issued by Sullivan, soon after the departure of +D'Estaing, he permitted some expressions to escape him which were +understood to impute to the Count D'Estaing, and to the French nation, +an indisposition to promote the interests of the United States. These +insinuations wounded the feelings of the French officers, and added, +in no small degree, to the resentments of the moment. In subsequent +orders, the General sought to correct this indiscretion; and alleged +that he had been misunderstood by those who supposed him to blame the +Admiral, with whose orders he was unacquainted, and of whose conduct +he was, consequently, unable to judge. He also stated explicitly the +important aids America had received from France, aids of which he +ought not to be unmindful under any disappointment; and which should +prevent a too sudden censure of any movement whatever. + +[Sidenote: Count D'Estaing expresses to congress his dissatisfaction +with General Sullivan.] + +The Count D'Estaing, on his part, addressed a letter to congress +containing a statement of all the movements of his fleet subsequent to +its arrival on the coast, in which his chagrin and irritation were but +ill concealed. + +In congress, after approving the conduct of Sullivan and his army, an +indiscreet proposition was made to inquire into the causes of the +failure of the expedition; but this was set aside by the previous +question. + +In the first moments of vexation and disappointment, General Sullivan +had addressed some letters to the governor of Rhode Island, +complaining bitterly of being abandoned by the fleet. These despatches +were transmitted by the governor to the speaker of the assembly, and +were on the point of being submitted publicly to the house, when they +were fortunately arrested by General Greene, who had been introduced +on the floor, and placed by the side of the chair; and to whom they +were shown by the speaker. + +The discontent in New England generally, and in Boston particularly, +was so great as to inspire fears that the means of repairing the +French ships would not be supplied. To guard against the mischief +which might result from this temper, as well as for other objects, +General Hancock had repaired from camp to Boston, and Lafayette had +followed him on a visit to D'Estaing. + +[Sidenote: General Washington labours to heal these discontents, in +which he succeeds.] + +The consequences to be apprehended from this unavailing manifestation +of ill temper, soon induced all reflecting men to exert themselves to +control it. In the commencement of its operation, General Washington, +foreseeing the evils with which it was fraught, had laboured to +prevent them. He addressed letters to General Sullivan, to General +Heath, who commanded at Boston, and to other individuals of influence +in New England, urging the necessity of correcting the intemperance of +the moment, and of guarding against the interference of passion with +the public interest. + +Soon after the transmission of these letters, he received a resolution +of congress, directing him to take every measure in his power to +prevent the publication of the protest entered into by the officers of +Sullivan's army. In his letter communicating this resolution, he said, +"the disagreement between the army under your command and the fleet, +has given me very singular uneasiness. The continent at large is +concerned in our cordiality, and it should be kept up by all possible +means, consistent with our honour and policy. First impressions, you +know, are generally longest retained, and will serve to fix, in a +great degree, our national character with the French. In our conduct +towards them, we should remember that they are a people old in war, +very strict in military etiquette, and apt to take fire when others +scarcely seem warm. Permit me to recommend in the most particular +manner, the cultivation of harmony and good agreement, and your +endeavours to destroy that ill humour which may have found its way +among the officers. It is of the utmost importance too, that the +soldiers and the people should know nothing of this misunderstanding, +or, if it has reached them, that means may be used to stop its +progress, and prevent its effects." In a letter to General Greene, +after expressing his fears that the seeds of dissension and distrust +might be sown between the troops of the two nations, he added, "I +depend much on your temper and influence, to conciliate that animosity +which, I plainly perceive by a letter from the Marquis, subsists +between the American and French officers in our service. This, you may +be assured, will extend itself to the Count, and to the officers and +men of his whole fleet, should they return to Rhode Island, unless a +reconciliation shall have taken place. The Marquis speaks kindly of a +letter from you to him on this subject. He will therefore take any +advice from you in a friendly way; and, if he can be pacified, the +other French gentlemen will, of course, be satisfied; since they look +up to him as their head. The Marquis grounds his complaint on a +general order of the 24th of August, and upon the universal clamour +that prevailed against the French nation. + +"I beg you will take every measure to keep the protest entered into by +the general officers from being made public. Congress, sensible of the +ill consequences that will flow from our differences being known to +the world, have passed a resolve to that purpose. Upon the whole, my +dear sir, you can conceive my meaning,[9] better than I can express +it, and I therefore fully depend on your exerting yourself to heal all +private animosities between our principal officers and the French, and +to prevent all illiberal expressions and reflections that may fall +from the army at large." + +[Footnote 9: Alluding, it is presumed, to the delicacy of suggesting +to General Sullivan the mischief to be apprehended from any +intemperate expressions.] + +The General also seized the first opportunity to recommence his +correspondence with the Count; and his letters, without noticing the +disagreement which had taken place, were calculated to soothe every +angry sensation which might have been excited. A letter from the +admiral stating the whole transaction, was answered by General +Washington in a manner so perfectly satisfactory, that the irritation +which threatened such serious mischief, appears to have entirely +subsided. + +Congress also, in a resolution which was made public, expressed their +perfect approbation of the conduct of the Count, and directed the +president to assure him, in the letter which should transmit it, that +they entertained the highest sense of his zeal and attachment. + +These prudent and temperate measures restored harmony to the allied +armies. + +[Sidenote: Lord Howe resigns command of the British fleet.] + +The storm under which the French fleet had suffered so severely did +considerable damage also to that of Lord Howe. The British, however, +had sustained less injury than the French, and were soon in a +condition to put again to sea. Having received information that the +Count D'Estaing had made for Boston, Lord Howe sailed for the same +port, in the hope of reaching it before him. But in this he was +disappointed. On entering the bay he found the French fleet already in +Nantasket Road, where such judicious dispositions had been made for +its defence, that he relinquished the idea of attacking it, and +returned to New York; where he resigned the command to Admiral +Gambier, who was to retain it till the arrival of Admiral Byron. + +Finding that General Sullivan had retreated to the continent, Sir +Henry Clinton returned to New York, leaving the command of the troops +on board the transports with Major General Gray, who was directed to +conduct an expedition to the eastward, as far as Buzzards bay. + +[Sidenote: September 5.] + +Gray entered Acushnet River, where he destroyed a number of privateers +with their prizes, and some merchant vessels. He also reduced part of +the towns of Bedford and Fairhaven to ashes, in which some military +and naval stores had been collected. The troops re-embarked the next +day, before the militia could be assembled in sufficient force to +oppose them, and sailed to Martha's Vineyard, where they destroyed +several vessels, and some salt works, and levied a heavy contribution +of live stock on the inhabitants. + +While so large a detachment from the British army was depredating the +coasts of New England, preparations were making in New York for some +distant expedition; and many were of opinion that the French fleet was +its object. To be in readiness to oppose a combined attack by sea and +land on the fleet, General Gates was directed with three brigades, to +proceed by easy marches as far as Danbury, in Connecticut. And +Washington moved northward to Fredericksburg; while General Putnam was +detached with two brigades to the neighbourhood of West Point, and +General M'Dougal, with two others, to join General Gates at Danbury. + +[Sidenote: September 22.] + +Soon after the return of General Gray from New England, the British +army moved up the North River on each side in great force. The column +on the west side, commanded by Lord Cornwallis, consisting of about +five thousand men, took a position with its right on the river, and +its left extending to Newbridge, on the Hackensack; while the other +division, which was commanded by General Knyphausen, consisting of +about three thousand men, was advanced about the same distance on the +east side of the Hudson. The command of the river enabled these two +columns to communicate freely with each other; and, at any time, to +reunite. Although General Washington conjectured that this movement +was made for the purpose of foraging, yet it was possible that the +passes in the Highlands might be its object; and orders were given to +the detachments on the lines to hold themselves in readiness to +anticipate the execution of such a design. + +Colonel Baylor, with his regiment of cavalry, had crossed the +Hackensack early in the morning of the 27th of September, and taken +quarters at Taupaun, or Herringtown, a small village near New Taupaun, +where some militia were posted. Immediate notice of his position was +given to Lord Cornwallis, who formed a plan to surprise and cut off +both the cavalry and militia. The party designed to act against +Colonel Baylor was commanded by General Gray, and that against the +militia, by Lieutenant Colonel Campbell. + +[Sidenote: September 28.] + +[Sidenote: Colonel Baylor's regiment surprised.] + +That part of the plan which was to be executed by Campbell was +defeated by delays in passing the river, during which a deserter gave +notice of his approach, and the militia saved themselves by flight. +But the corps commanded by General Gray, guided by some of the country +people, eluded the patrols, got into the rear of the sergeant's guard +which had been posted at a bridge over the Hackensack, cut it off +without alarming Baylor, and completely surprised his whole regiment. +The British troops rushed into a barn where the Americans slept; and, +refusing to give quarter, bayoneted for a time all they saw. Of one +hundred and four privates, sixty-seven were killed, wounded, and +taken. The number of prisoners, amounting to about forty, is stated to +have been increased by the humanity of one of Gray's captains, who, +notwithstanding his orders, gave quarter to the whole of the fourth +troop. Colonel Baylor and Major Clough, who were both wounded with the +bayonet, the first dangerously, the last mortally, were among the +prisoners. + +[Sidenote: September 30.] + +[Sidenote: Captain Donop, with his corps, attacked by Colonel Butler, +and defeated.] + +Three days after this affair, Colonel Richard Butler, with a +detachment of infantry, assisted by Major Lee with a part of his +cavalry, fell in with a small party of chasseurs and yagers under +Captain Donop, which he instantly charged, and, without the loss of a +man, killed ten on the spot, and took the officer commanding the +chasseur, and eighteen of the yagers, prisoners. Only the extreme +roughness of the country, which impeded the action of the cavalry, and +prevented part of the infantry from coming up, enabled a man of the +enemy to escape. Some interest was taken at the time in this small +affair, because it seemed, in some measure, to revenge the loss of +Colonel Baylor. + +After completing their forage, the British army returned to New York. + +[Sidenote: Expedition of the British against Egg Harbour.] + +This movement had been, in part, designed to cover an expedition +against Little Egg Harbour, which was completely successful; and the +works and store-houses at the place, as well as the merchandise and +vessels, were entirely destroyed. + +[Sidenote: Pulaski surprised, and his infantry cut off.] + +It has been already stated that Count Pulaski had been appointed +general of the American cavalry. The dissatisfaction given by this +appointment to the officers, had induced him to resign his commission; +but, thirsting for military fame, and zealous in the American cause, +he obtained permission to raise a legionary corps, which he officered +chiefly with foreigners, and commanded in person. In this corps, one +Juliet, a deserter, had been admitted as an officer. The Count had +been ordered to march from Trenton towards Little Egg Harbour, and was +lying eight or ten miles from the coast, when this Juliet again +deserted, carrying with him intelligence of Pulaski's strength and +situation. A plan was formed to surprise him, which succeeded +completely so far as respected his infantry, who were put to the +bayonet. The British accounts of this expedition assert that the whole +corps was destroyed. Pulaski stated his loss at about forty; and +averred that on coming up with his cavalry to the relief of his +infantry, he repulsed the enemy. It is probable that the one account +diminishes the importance of this enterprise as much as the other +magnifies it. + +[Sidenote: October 12.] + +Admiral Byron reached New York, and took command of the fleet about +the middle of September. After repairing his shattered vessels, he +sailed for the port of Boston. Soon after his arrival in the bay, +fortune disconcerted all his plans. A furious storm drove him out to +sea, and damaged his fleet so much that he found it necessary to put +into the port of Rhode Island to refit. This favourable moment was +seized by the Count D'Estaing, who sailed, on the 3d of November, for +the West Indies. + +Thus terminated an expedition from which the most important advantages +had been anticipated. A variety of accidents had defeated plans +judiciously formed, which had every probability in their favour. + +The Marquis de Lafayette, ambitious of fame on another theatre, was +desirous of returning to France. Expecting war on the continent of +Europe, he was anxious to tender his services to his king, and to his +native country. + +From motives of real friendship as well as of policy, General +Washington was desirous of preserving the connexion of this officer +with the army, and of strengthening his attachment to America. He +therefore expressed to congress his wish that Lafayette, instead of +resigning his commission, might have unlimited leave of absence, to +return when it should be convenient to himself; and might carry with +him every mark of the confidence of the government. + +This policy was adopted by congress in its full extent. The partiality +of America for Lafayette was well placed. Never did a foreigner, whose +primary attachments to his own country remained undiminished, feel +more solicitude for the welfare of another, than was unceasingly +manifested by this young nobleman, for the United States. + +There being no prospect of an active winter campaign in the northern +or middle states, and the climate admitting of military operations +elsewhere, a detachment from the British army, consisting of five +thousand men commanded by Major General Grant, sailed, early in +November, under a strong convoy, for the West India Islands; and, +towards the end of the same month, another embarkation was made for +the southern parts of the continent. This second detachment was +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, who was escorted by +Commodore Hyde Parker, and was destined to act against the southern +states. + +[Sidenote: December.] + +As a force sufficient for the defence of New York yet remained, the +American army retired into winter quarters. The main body was cantoned +in Connecticut, on both sides the North River, about West Point, and +at Middlebrook. Light troops were stationed nearer the lines; and the +cavalry were drawn into the interior to recruit the horses for the +next campaign. The distribution, the protection of the country, the +security of important points, and a cheap and convenient supply of +provisions, were consulted. + +The troops again wintered in huts; but they were accustomed to this +mode of passing that inclement season. Though far from being well +clothed, their condition in that respect was so much improved by +supplies from France, that they disregarded the inconveniences to +which they were exposed. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Arrival of the British commissioners.... Terms of + conciliation proposed.... Answer of congress to their + propositions.... Attempts of Mr. Johnson to bribe some + members of congress.... His private letters ordered to be + published.... Manifesto of the commissioners, and + counter-manifesto of congress.... Arrival of Monsieur + Girard, minister plenipotentiary of France.... Hostilities + of the Indians.... Irruption into the Wyoming settlement.... + Battle of Wyoming.... Colonel Dennison capitulates for the + inhabitants.... Distress of the settlement.... Colonel + Clarke surprises St. Vincent.... Congress determines to + invade Canada.... General Washington opposes the measure.... + Induces congress to abandon it. + + +[Sidenote: 1778] + +About the time that Commodore Parker sailed for the southern +states, the commissioners appointed to give effect to the late +conciliatory acts of Parliament, embarked for Europe. They had exerted +their utmost powers to effect the object of their mission, but without +success. Great Britain required that the force of the two nations +should be united under one common sovereign; and America was no longer +disposed, or even at liberty to accede to this condition. All those +affections, which parts of the same empire should feel for each other, +had been eradicated by a distressing war; the great body of the people +were determined, at every sacrifice, to maintain their independence; +and the treaty with France had pledged the honour and the faith of +the nation, never to consent to a reunion with the British empire. + +[Sidenote: Arrival of the British commissioners.] + +[Sidenote: Terms of conciliation proposed.] + +The commissioners arrived in Philadelphia while that place was yet in +possession of their army, and are understood to have brought positive +orders for its evacuation. Their arrival was immediately announced to +General Washington by Sir Henry Clinton, who was joined with them in +the commission, and a passport was requested for their secretary, +Doctor Ferguson, as the bearer of their first despatches to congress. +The Commander-in-chief declined granting this passport until he should +receive the instructions of his government; on which a letter +addressed "To the president and other the members of congress," was +forwarded in the usual manner. Copies of their commission, and of the +acts of Parliament on which it was founded, together with propositions +conforming to those acts, drawn in the most conciliatory language, +were transmitted with this letter. + +[Sidenote: Answer of Congress to these propositions.] + +Some observations having been introduced into it reflecting on the +conduct of France,[10] the reading was interrupted, and a motion made +to proceed no farther in consequence of this offensive language to his +most Christian Majesty. This motion producing some debate, an +adjournment was moved and carried. When congress reassembled, the +warmth of the preceding day had not entirely subsided; but, after +several ineffectual motions to prevent it, the letter was read and +committed. The answer which was reported by the committee, and +transmitted to the commissioners, declared that "nothing but an +earnest desire to spare the farther effusion of human blood, could +have induced them to read a paper containing expressions so +disrespectful to his most Christian Majesty, the good and great ally +of these states, or to consider propositions so derogatory to the +honour of an independent nation. + +[Footnote 10: The offensive words were "insidious interposition of a +power which has, from the first settlement of the colonies, been +actuated with enmity to us both; and notwithstanding the pretended +date or present form of the French offers."] + +"That the acts of the British Parliament, the commission from their +sovereign, and their letter, supposed the people of the United States +to be subjects of the crown of Great Britain, and were founded on the +idea of dependence, which is totally inadmissible. + +"That congress was inclined to peace, notwithstanding the unjust +claims from which this was originated, and the savage manner in which +it was conducted. They would therefore be ready to enter upon the +consideration of a treaty of peace and commerce, not inconsistent with +treaties already subsisting, when the King of Great Britain should +demonstrate a sincere disposition for that purpose. The only solid +proof of this disposition would be an explicit acknowledgment of the +independence of these states, or the withdrawing his fleets and +armies." + +[Sidenote: July 13.] + +On the 13th of July, after arriving at New York, the commissioners +addressed a second letter to congress, expressing their regrets that +any difficulties were raised which must prolong the calamities of war; +and reviewing the letter of congress in terms well calculated to make +an impression on those who had become weary of the contest, and to +revive ancient prejudices in favour of England and against France. + +This letter being read, congress resolved that, as neither the +independence of the United States was explicitly acknowledged, nor the +fleets and armies withdrawn, no answer should be given to it. + +It would seem that the first letter of congress must have convinced +the British commissioners that no hope could be indulged of restoring +peace on any other terms than the independence of the United States. +Congress must have been equally certain that the commissioners were +not empowered to acknowledge that independence, or to direct the +fleets and armies of Great Britain to be withdrawn. The intercourse +between them therefore, after the first communications were exchanged, +and all subsequent measures, became a game of skill, in which the +parties played for the affections and passions of the people; and was +no longer a diplomatic correspondence, discussing the interests of two +great nations with the hope of accommodation. + +[Sidenote: Attempts of Mr. Johnson to bribe influential members of +congress.] + +The first packet addressed by the commissioners to congress, contained +several private letters, written by Governor Johnson to members of +that body, in which he blended, with flattering expressions of respect +for their characters and their conduct, assurances of the honours and +emoluments to which those would be entitled who should contribute to +restore peace and harmony to the two countries and to terminate the +present war. + +[Sidenote: Congress orders the publication of the private letters +from Johnson to the members of that body.] + +A few days before the receipt of the letter of the 13th of July, +congress passed a resolution requiring that all letters of a public +nature received by any member from any subject of the British crown, +should be laid before them. In compliance with this resolution, the +letters of Governor Johnson were produced; and, some time afterwards, +Mr. Read stated, in his place, a direct offer which had been made him +by a third person, of a considerable sum of money, and of any office +in the gift of the crown, as an inducement to use his influence for +the restoration of harmony between the two countries. Congress +determined to communicate these circumstances to the American people, +and made a solemn declaration, in which, after reciting the offensive +paragraphs of the private letters, and the conversation stated by Mr. +Read, they expressed their opinion "that these were direct attempts to +corrupt and bribe the congress of the United States, and that it was +incompatible with their honour to hold any manner of correspondence +or intercourse with the said George Johnson, Esquire, especially to +negotiate with him upon affairs in which the cause of liberty is +interested." After an unsuccessful attempt to involve the other +commissioners in the same exclusion, this declaration was transmitted +to them while they were expecting an answer to a remonstrance on the +detention of the army of General Burgoyne. + +On receiving it, Mr. Johnson withdrew from the commission, declaring +that he should be happy to find congress inclined to retract their +former declaration, and to negotiate with others on terms equally +conducive to the happiness of both countries. This declaration was +accompanied by one signed by the other commissioners, in which, +without admitting the construction put by congress on his letters, or +the authority of the person who held the conversation with Mr. Read, +they denied all knowledge of those letters or of that conversation. +They at the same time detailed the advantages to be derived by America +from the propositions they had made, "advantages," they added, +"decidedly superior to any which could be expected from an unnatural +alliance with France, only entered into by that nation for the purpose +of prolonging the war, after the full knowledge on their part of the +liberal terms intended to be offered by Great Britain." With this +declaration was transmitted a copy of the former remonstrance[11] +against the detention of the convention troops, without the signature +of Governor Johnson, and an extract from the instructions given by the +Secretary of State to Sir Henry Clinton, authorizing him to demand, in +express terms, a performance of the convention made with General +Burgoyne, and, if required, to renew and ratify all its conditions in +the name of the king. + +[Footnote 11: Some expressions having been used in the letter, +respecting the convention troops, which were deemed disrespectful, no +other reply was made to it than that "congress gave no answer to +insolent letters."] + +All the publications of the British commissioners indicate an opinion +that they could be more successful with the people than with congress; +and, not unfrequently betray the desire that the constituents of that +body might be enabled to decide on the measures taken by their +representatives. + +On the part of congress, it was decreed of the utmost importance to +keep the public mind correct, and to defeat all attempts to make +unfavourable impressions on it. Several members of that body entered +the lists as disputants, and employed their pens with ability and +success, as well in serious argument, as in rousing the various +passions which influence the conduct of men. The attempt to accomplish +the object of the mission by corruption was wielded with great effect; +and it was urged with equal force that should the United States now +break their faith with France, and treat on the footing of dependence, +they would sacrifice all credit with foreign nations, would be +considered by all as faithless and infamous, and would forfeit all +pretensions to future aid from abroad; after which the terms now +offered might be retracted, and the war be recommenced. To these +representations were added the certainty of independence, and the +great advantages which must result from its establishment. The letters +of the commissioners were treated as attempts to sow divisions among +the people of which they might afterwards avail themselves, and thus +effect by intrigue, what had been found unattainable by arms. + +These essays were read with avidity, and seem to have produced all the +effect which was expected from them among the friends of the +revolution. + +[Sidenote: October 8.] + +[Sidenote: Manifesto of the commissioners, and counter-manifestos by +congress.] + +The commissioners appear still to have cherished the hope, that a +complete knowledge of the terms they had offered, operating on the +disappointment of the extravagant hopes which had been founded on the +arrival of a French fleet, would make a great impression on a large +portion of the American people. This opinion induced them, before +their departure, to publish a manifesto, addressed, not only to +congress, but to all the provincial assemblies, and all the +inhabitants of the colonies of whatever denomination, briefly +recapitulating the several steps they had taken to accomplish the +object of their mission, and the refusal of congress even to open a +conference with them. They declared their readiness still to proceed +in the execution of the powers contained in their commission, and to +treat either with deputies from all the colonies conjointly, or with +any provincial assembly or convention individually, at any time within +the space of forty days from the date of their manifesto. They also +proclaimed a general pardon for all treasons and rebellious practices +committed at any time previous to the date of their manifesto, to such +as should, within the term of forty days, withdraw from their +opposition to the British government, and conduct themselves as +faithful and loyal subjects. To enable all persons to avail themselves +of this proffered pardon, thirteen copies of the manifesto were +executed, one of which was transmitted by a flag of truce to each +state. A vast number of copies were printed, and great exertions were +made by flags and other means to disperse them among the people. + +On being informed of these proceedings, congress, without hesitation, +adopted the course which the government of an independent nation is +bound to pursue, when attempts are made by a foreign power to open +negotiations with unauthorized individuals. They declared the measure +"to be contrary to the law of nations, and utterly subversive of that +confidence which could alone maintain those means which had been +invented to alleviate the horrors of war; and, therefore, that the +persons employed to distribute such papers, were not entitled to the +protection of a flag." They recommended it to the executive +departments in the respective states, "to secure, in close custody, +every person who, under the sanction of a flag, or otherwise, was +found employed in circulating those manifestoes." At the same time, to +show that these measures were not taken for the purpose of +concealment, they directed a publication of the manifesto in the +American papers. Care, however, was taken to accompany it with +comments made by individuals, calculated to counteract its effect. A +vessel containing a cargo of these papers being wrecked on the coast, +the officers and crew were made prisoners; and the requisition of +Admiral Gambier for their release, in consequence of the privilege +afforded by his flag, was answered by a declaration that they had +forfeited that privilege by being charged with seditious papers. + +[Sidenote: October 30.] + +Not long after the publication of this paper, a counter-manifesto was +issued by congress, in which, after touching on subjects which might +influence the public mind, they "solemnly declare and proclaim, that +if their enemies presume to execute their threats, or persist in their +present course of barbarity, they will take such exemplary vengeance +as shall deter others from a like conduct." + +Thus ended this fruitless attempt to restore a connexion which had +been wantonly broken, the reinstatement of which had become +impracticable. With the war, and with independence, a course of +opinion had prevailed in America, which not only opposed great +obstacles to a reunion of the two countries under one common +sovereign, but, by substituting discordant materials in the place of +the cement which formerly bound them together, rendered such an event +undesirable even to the British themselves. The time was arrived when +the true interest of that nation required the relinquishment of an +expensive war, the object of which was unattainable, and which, if +attained, could not be long preserved; and the establishment of those +amicable relations which reciprocal interests produce between +independent states, capable of being serviceable to each other by a +fair and equal interchange of good offices. + +This opinion, however, was not yet embraced by the cabinet of London; +and great exertions were still to be made for the reannexation of the +American states to the British empire. Even the opposition was not +united against a continuance of the war for the object now proposed; +and the Earl of Chatham, who had endeavoured first to prevent the +conflict, and afterwards to produce conciliation, closed his splendid +life in unavailing efforts to prevent that dismemberment which had +become inevitable.[12] + +[Footnote 12: The author has been favoured by his estimable friend, +Major General Scott, with the perusal of an introduction written by +Mr. L. De Sevelinges, to Botta's "History of the war of the +independence of the United States of America," translated into French. + +Mr. De Sevelinges professes to have received the most precious +explanations, relative to incidents and motives, from a gentleman +equally distinguished for his knowledge and his character, whose +situation enabled him to become acquainted with facts which were +concealed from the public. Speaking of the attempt made by Mr. +Johnson, he says, p. 19, it was essential "to break off all +communication with the agents of the British minister. Mr. Girard +directed all his efforts to this object, and had the good fortune to +effect it. + +"But the English faction of tories subsisted. It was powerful from the +credit of its chiefs." + +In a note on this passage, he says, "The most influential were Samuel +Adams and Richard Lee, (Richard H. Lee,) the brother of Arthur Lee, +one of the deputies of congress in France. He was convicted of having +secret intelligence with the British minister." + +It would be injustice to the memoirs of these distinguished patriots +to attempt their vindication against this atrocious and unfounded +calumny. A calumny supported by no testimony, nor by a single +circumstance wearing even the semblance of probability, and confuted +by the whole tenour of their lives. The annals of the American +revolution do not furnish two names more entirely above suspicion than +Samuel Adams and Richard Henry Lee. With the first gentleman the +author was not personally acquainted. With the last he was; and can +appeal with confidence to every man who knew him, to declare the +conviction, that he died as he lived, a pure and devoted, as well as +enlightened friend of American independence. The same character was +maintained by Mr. Adams. + +In casting about for the foundation of this calumny, the author is +inclined to look for it in the opinions entertained by these +gentlemen, on subjects connected with the negotiations for peace. + +Since the publication of the secret journals of congress, it is +generally known that France countenanced the claim of Spain to +circumscribe the western boundary of the United States, by the line +prescribed in the royal proclamation of 1763, for settlement of vacant +lands. After Great Britain had consented to acknowledge the +independence of the United States, it was understood by those who were +acquainted with the views of the belligerents, that a disposition +existed on the part of France and Spain, to continue the war for +objects in which the United States felt no interest,--among others, +for Gibraltar and Jamaica. Some American statesmen, and the Lees were +of the number, probably Mr. Adams also, were extremely apprehensive +that the miseries of their country would be prolonged for these +objects. It is not impossible that the sentiments of these gentlemen +on these subjects, being in opposition to the views of France, might, +though founded entirely in American policy, be attributed to British +intrigues.] + +[Sidenote: July 14.] + +[Sidenote: Arrival of Girard, minister plenipotentiary from the King +of France.] + +In the midst of these transactions with the commissioners of Great +Britain, the Sieur Girard arrived at Philadelphia, in the character of +Minister Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty. + +The joy produced by this event was unbounded; and he was received by +congress with great pomp. + +While these diplomatic concerns employed the American cabinet, and +while the war seemed to languish on the Atlantic, it raged to the west +in its most savage form. + +[Sidenote: June 11.] + +The difficulties which the inability of the American government to +furnish the neighbouring Indians with those European articles which +they were accustomed to use, opposed to all the efforts of congress to +preserve their friendship, have already been noticed. Early in 1778, +there were many indications of a general disposition among those +savages to make war on the United States; and the frontiers, from the +Mohawk to the Ohio, were threatened with the tomahawk and the scalping +knife. Every representation from that country supported the opinion +that a war with the Indians should never be defensive; and that, to +obtain peace, it must be carried into their own country. Detroit, +whose governor was believed to have been particularly active in +exciting hostilities, was understood to be in a defenceless condition; +and congress resolved on an expedition against that place. This +enterprise was entrusted to General M'Intosh, who commanded at +Pittsburg, and was to be carried on with three thousand men, chiefly +militia, to be drawn from Virginia. To facilitate its success, the +resolution was also taken to enter the country of the Senecas at the +same time, by the way of the Mohawk. The officer commanding on the +east of the Hudson was desired to take measures for carrying this +resolution into execution; and the commissioners for Indian affairs, +at Albany, were directed to co-operate with him. + +Unfortunately, the acts of the government did not correspond with the +vigour of its resolutions. The necessary preparations were not made, +and the inhabitants of the frontiers remained without sufficient +protection, until the plans against them were matured, and the storm +which had been long gathering, burst upon them with a fury which +spread desolation wherever it reached. + +[Sidenote: Colonel John Butler, with a party of Indians, breaks into +the Wyoming settlement.] + +About three hundred white men, commanded by Colonel John Butler, and +about five hundred Indians, led by the Indian chief Brandt, who had +assembled in the north, marched late in June against the settlement of +Wyoming. These troops embarked on the Chemung or Tyoga, and +descending the Susquehanna, landed at a place called the Three +Islands, whence they marched about twenty miles, and crossing a +wilderness, and passing through a gap in the mountain, entered the +valley of Wyoming near its northern boundary. At this place a small +fort called Wintermoots had been erected, which fell into their hands +without resistance, and was burnt. The inhabitants who were capable of +bearing arms assembled on the first alarm at Forty fort, on the west +side of the Susquehanna, four miles below the camp of the invading +army. + +The regular troops, amounting to about sixty, were commanded by +Colonel Zebulon Butler;[13] the militia by Colonel Dennison. Colonel +Butler was desirous of awaiting the arrival of a small reinforcement +under Captain Spalding, who had been ordered by General Washington to +his aid on the first intelligence of the danger which threatened the +settlement; but the militia generally, believing themselves +sufficiently strong to repel the invading force, urged an immediate +battle so earnestly, that Colonel Butler yielded to their +remonstrances, and on the 3d of July marched from Forty fort at the +head of near four hundred men to attack the enemy. + +[Footnote 13: This gentleman is stated not to have been of the same +family with the leader of the invading army.] + +The British and Indians were prepared to receive him. Their line was +formed a small distance in front of their camp, in a plain thinly +covered with pine, shrub oaks, and under growth, and extended from the +river about a mile to a marsh at the foot of the mountain. The +Americans advanced in a single column, without interruption, until +they approached the enemy, when they received a fire which did not +much mischief. The line of battle[14] was instantly formed, and the +action commenced with spirit. The Americans rather gained ground on +the right where Colonel Butler commanded, until a large body of +Indians passing through the skirt of the marsh turned their left +flank, which was composed of militia, and poured a heavy and most +destructive fire on their rear. The word "retreat" was pronounced by +some person, and the efforts of the officers to check it were +unavailing. The fate of the day was decided, and a flight commenced on +the left which was soon followed by the right. As soon as the line was +broken, the Indians, throwing down their rifles and rushing upon them +with the tomahawk, completed the confusion. The attempt of Colonel +Butler and of the officers to restore order were unavailing, and the +whole line broke and fled in confusion. The massacre was general, and +the cries for mercy were answered by the tomahawk. Rather less than +sixty men escaped, some to Forty fort, some by swimming the river, and +some to the mountain. A very few prisoners were made, only three of +whom were preserved alive, who were carried to Niagara. + +[Footnote 14: The representation of this battle, and of the +circumstances attending the destruction of the Wyoming settlement, +have been materially varied from the statement made of them in the +first edition. The papers of General Washington furnished allusions to +the transaction, but no particular account of it. The author therefore +relied on Mr. Gordon and Mr. Ramsay, whose authority was quoted. Soon +after the work was published, he received a letter from a gentleman +then residing in that country, (Mr. Charles Miner,) who asserted with +confidence that the statement was incorrect, and gave himself a minute +detail of events, collected from persons who were in the settlement at +the time, and witnessed them. + +The author has been since indebted to the same gentleman for a +statement of the battle, and of the events which followed it, drawn up +by one of the descendants of Colonel Zebulon Butler, to which the +certificates of several gentlemen are annexed, who were engaged in the +action. These documents, with one which will be mentioned, convince +him that the combined treachery and savage ferocity which have been +painted in such vivid colours, in the narratives that have been given +of this furious and desolating irruption, have been greatly +exaggerated. Historic truth demands that these misstatements should be +corrected. + +The other document alluded to, is a letter from Zebulon Butler to the +board of war, making his report of the transaction. The letter has +been lately found among his papers, and is copied below. + +_Grandenhutten, Penn Township, July 10th, 1778._ + +Honoured Sir,--On my arrival at Westmoreland, (which was only four +days after I left Yorktown,) I found there was a large body of the +enemy advancing on that settlement. On the first of July we mustered +the militia, and marched towards them by the river above the +settlement,--found and killed two Indians at a place where the day +before they had murdered nine men engaged in hoeing corn. We found +some canoes, &c. but finding we were above their main body, it was +judged prudent to return. And as every man had to go to his own house +for his provision, we could not muster again till the 3d of July. In +the mean time, the enemy had got possession of two forts, one of which +we had reason to believe was designed for them, though they burnt them +both. The inhabitants had seven forts for the security of their women +and children, extending about ten miles on the river, and too many men +would stay in them to take care of them; but after collecting about +three hundred of the most spirited of them, including Captain Hewitt's +company, I held a council with the officers, who were all agreed that +it was best to attack the enemy before they got any farther. We +accordingly marched,--found their situation,--formed a front of the +same extension of the enemy's, and attacked from right to left at the +same time. Our men stood the fire well for three or four shots, till +some part of the enemy gave way; but unfortunately for us, through +some mistake, the word _retreat_ was understood from some officer on +the left, which took so quick that it was not in the power of the +officers to form them again, though I believe, if they had stood three +minutes longer, the enemy would have been beaten. The utmost pains +were taken by the officers, who mostly fell. A lieutenant colonel, a +major and five captains, who were in commission in the militia, all +fell. Colonel Durkee, and Captains Hewitt and Ransom were likewise +killed. In the whole, about two hundred men lost their lives in the +action on our side. What number of the enemy were killed is yet +uncertain, though I believe a very considerable number. The loss of +these men so intimidated the inhabitants, that they gave up the matter +of fighting. Great numbers ran off, and others would comply with the +terms that I had refused. The enemy sent flags frequently--the terms +you will see in the enclosed letter. They repeatedly said they had +nothing to do with any but the inhabitants, and did not want to treat +with me. Colonel Dennison, by desire of the inhabitants, went and +complied,--which made it necessary for me and the little remains of +Captain Hewitt's company to leave the place. Indeed it was determined +by the enemy to spare the inhabitants after their agreement, and that +myself and the few continental soldiers should be delivered up to the +savages. Upon which I left the place, and came scarcely able to move, +as I have had no rest since I left Yorktown. It has not been in my +power to find a horse or man to wait on the board till now. I must +submit to the board what must be the next step. The little remains of +Hewitt's company (which are about fifteen) are gone to Shamoken, and +Captain Spalding's company, I have heard, are on the Delaware. Several +hundred of the inhabitants are strolling in the country destitute of +provisions, who have large fields of grain and other necessaries of +life at Westmoreland. In short, if the inhabitants can go back, there +may yet be saved double the quantity of provisions to support +themselves, otherwise they must be beggars, and a burthen to the +world. + +I have heard from men that came from the place since the people gave +up, that the Indians have killed no person since, but have burnt most +of the buildings, and are collecting all the horses they can, and are +moving up the river. They likewise say the enemy were eight hundred, +one-half white men. I should be glad that, if possible, there might be +a sufficient guard sent for the defence of the place, which will be +the means of saving thousands from poverty--but must submit to the +wisdom of congress. I desire farther orders from the honourable board +of war with respect to myself, and the soldiers under my direction. + +I have the honour to be + +Your Honour's most obedient, humble servant, + +ZEBULON BUTLER.] + +[Sidenote: Colonel Dennison capitulates for the inhabitants.] + +Further resistance was impracticable, Colonel Dennison proposed terms +of capitulation, which were granted to the inhabitants. It being +understood that no quarter would be allowed to the continental troops, +Colonel Butler with his few surviving soldiers fled from the valley. + +[Sidenote: Distress of the settlement.] + +The inhabitants generally abandoned the country, and, in great +distress, wandered into the settlements on the Lehigh and the +Delaware. The Indians, as is the practice of savages, destroyed the +houses and improvements by fire, and plundered the country. After +laying waste the whole settlement, they withdrew from it before the +arrival of the continental troops, who were detached to meet them. + +[Sidenote: July 15.] + +To cover every part of the United States would have required a much +greater number of men than could be raised. Different districts were +therefore unavoidably exposed to the calamities ever to be experienced +by those into the bosom of whose country war is carried. The militia +in every part of the Union, fatigued and worn out by repeated tours of +duty, required to be relieved by continental troops. Their +applications were necessarily resisted; but the danger which +threatened the western frontier had become so imminent; the appeal +made by its sufferings to national feeling was so affecting, that it +was determined to spare a more considerable portion of the army for +its defence, than had been allotted to that part of the Union, since +the capture of Burgoyne. On the first intelligence of the destruction +of Wyoming, the regiments of Hartley and Butler, with the remnant of +Morgan's corps, commanded by Major Posey, were detached to the +protection of that distressed country. They were engaged in several +sharp skirmishes, made separate incursions into the Indian +settlements, broke up their nearest villages, destroyed their corn, +and by compelling them to retire to a greater distance, gave some +relief to the inhabitants. + +While the frontiers of New York and Pennsylvania were thus suffering +the calamities incident to savage warfare, a fate equally severe was +preparing for Virginia. The western militia of that state had made +some successful incursions into the country north-west of the Ohio, +and had taken some British posts on the Mississippi. These were +erected in the county of Illinois; and a regiment of infantry, with a +troop of cavalry, were raised for its protection. The command of these +troops was given to Colonel George Rogers Clarke, a gentleman whose +courage, hardihood, and capacity for Indian warfare, had given +repeated success to his enterprises against the savages. + +This corps was divided into several detachments, the strongest of +which remained with Colonel Clarke at Kaskaskia. Colonel Hamilton, the +Governor of Detroit, was at Vincennes with about six hundred men, +principally Indians, preparing an expedition, first against Kaskaskia, +and then up the Ohio to Pittsburg; after which he purposed to +desolate the frontiers of Virginia. Clarke anticipated and defeated +his design by one of those bold and decisive measures, which, whether +formed on a great or a small scale, mark the military and enterprising +genius of the man who plans and executes them. + +[Sidenote: 1779 February.] + +[Sidenote: Colonel Clarke surprises St. Vincents, and takes +possession of it.] + +He was too far removed from the inhabited country to hope for support, +and was too weak to maintain Kaskaskia and the Illinois against the +combined force of regulars and Indians by which he was to be attacked +so soon as the season for action should arrive. While employed in +preparing for his defence, he received unquestionable information that +Hamilton had detached his Indians on an expedition against the +frontiers, reserving at the post he occupied only about eighty +regulars, with three pieces of cannon and some swivels. Clarke +instantly resolved to seize this favourable moment. After detaching a +small galley up the Wabash with orders to take her station a few miles +below Vincennes, and to permit nothing to pass her, he marched in the +depth of winter with one hundred and thirty men, the whole force he +could collect, across the country from Kaskaskia to Vincennes. This +march, through the woods, and over high waters, required sixteen days, +five of which were employed in crossing the drowned lands of the +Wabash. The troops were under the necessity of wading five miles in +water, frequently up to their breasts. After subduing these +difficulties, this small party appeared before the town, which was +completely surprised, and readily consented to change its master. +Hamilton, after defending the fort a short time, surrendered himself +and his garrison prisoners of war. With a few of his immediate agents +and counsellors, who had been instrumental in the savage barbarities +he had encouraged, he was, by order of the executive of Virginia, put +in irons, and confined in a jail. + +This expedition was important in its consequences. It disconcerted a +plan which threatened destruction to the whole country west of the +Alleghany mountains; detached from the British interest many of those +numerous tribes of Indians south of the waters immediately +communicating with the great lakes; and had, most probably, +considerable influence in fixing the western boundary of the United +States. + +[Sidenote: Congress determine to attack Canada, and the other British +possessions in North America.] + +We have already seen that congress, actuated by their wishes rather +than governed by a temperate calculation of the means in their +possession, had, in the preceding winter, planned a second invasion of +Canada, to be conducted by the Marquis de Lafayette; and that, as the +generals only were got in readiness for this expedition, it was +necessarily laid aside. The design, however, seems to have been +suspended, not abandoned. The alliance with France revived the latent +wish to annex that extensive territory to the United States. That +favourite subject was resumed; and, towards autumn, a plan was +completely digested for a combined attack to be made by the allies on +all the British dominions on the continent, and on the adjacent +islands of Cape Breton and Newfoundland. This plan was matured about +the time the Marquis de Lafayette obtained leave to return to his own +country, and was ordered to be transmitted by that nobleman to Doctor +Franklin, the minister of the United States at the court of +Versailles, with instructions to induce, if possible, the French +cabinet to accede to it. Some communications respecting this subject +were also made to the Marquis, on whose influence in securing its +adoption by his own government, much reliance was placed; and, in +October, 1778, it was, for the first time, transmitted to General +Washington, with a request that he would inclose it by the Marquis, +with his observations on it, to Doctor Franklin. + +This very extensive plan of military operations for the ensuing +campaign, prepared entirely in the cabinet, without consulting, so far +as is known, a single military man, consisted of many parts. + +Two detachments, amounting, each, to sixteen hundred men, were to +march from Pittsburg and Wyoming against Detroit, and Niagara. + +A third body of troops, which was to be stationed on the Mohawk during +the winter, and to be powerfully reinforced in the spring, was to +seize Oswego, and to secure the navigation of Lake Ontario with +vessels to be constructed of materials to be procured in the winter. + +A fourth corps was to penetrate into Canada by the St. Francis, and to +reduce Montreal, and the posts on Lake Champlain, while a fifth should +guard against troops from Quebec. + +Thus far America could proceed unaided by her ally. But, Upper Canada +being reduced, another campaign would still be necessary for the +reduction of Quebec. This circumstance would require that the army +should pass the winter in Canada, and, in the mean time, the garrison +of Quebec might be largely reinforced. It was therefore essential to +the complete success of the enterprise, that France should be induced +to take a part in it. + +The conquest of Quebec, and of Halifax, was supposed to be an object +of so much importance to France as well as to the United States, that +her aid might be confidently expected. + +It was proposed to request his Most Christian Majesty to furnish four +or five thousand troops, to sail from Brest, the beginning of May, +under convoy of four ships of the line and four frigates; the troops +to be clad as if for service in the West Indies, and thick clothes to +be sent after them in August. A large American detachment was to act +with this French army; and it was supposed that Quebec and Halifax +might be reduced by the beginning or middle of October. The army +might then either proceed immediately against Newfoundland, or remain +in garrison until the spring, when the conquest of that place might be +accomplished. + +It had been supposed probable that England would abandon the farther +prosecution of the war on the continent of North America, in which +case the government would have a respectable force at its disposal, +the advantageous employment of which had engaged in part the attention +of the Commander-in-chief. He had contemplated an expedition against +the British posts in Upper Canada as a measure which might be +eventually eligible, and which might employ the arms of the United +States to advantage, if their troops might safely be withdrawn from +the sea board. He had, however, considered every object of this sort +as contingent. Having estimated the difficulties to be encountered in +such an enterprise, he had found them so considerable as to hesitate +on the extent which might safely be given to the expedition, admitting +the United States to be evacuated by the British armies. + +In this state of mind, he received the magnificent plan already +prepared by congress. He was forcibly struck with the impracticability +of executing that part of it which was to be undertaken by the United +States, should the British armies continue in their country; and with +the serious mischief which would result to the common cause, as well +from diverting so considerable a part of the French force from other +objects to one which was, in his opinion, so unpromising, as from the +ill impression which would be made on the court and nation by the +total failure of the American government to execute its part of a plan +originating with itself; a failure which would, most probably, +sacrifice the troops and ships employed by France. + +On comparing the naval force of England with that of France in the +different parts of the world, the former appeared to him to maintain a +decided superiority, and consequently to possess the power of shutting +up the ships of the latter which might be trusted into the St. +Lawrence. To suppose that the British government would not avail +itself of this superiority on such an occasion, would be to impute to +it a blind infatuation, or ignorance of the plans of its adversary, +which could not be safely assumed in calculations of such serious +import. + +[Sidenote: General Washington urges reasons against the plan.] + +A plan too, consisting of so many parts, to be prosecuted both from +Europe and America, by land and by water; which, to be successful, +required such a harmonious co-operation of the whole, such a perfect +coincidence of events, appeared to him to be exposed to too many +accidents, to risk upon it interests of such high value. + +[Illustration: George Washington + +_From the portrait by John Trumbull_ + +_Colonel Trumbull, whose portraits of Washington, Hamilton, Jay, +Adams, George Clinton and other Revolutionary contemporaries form a +notable gallery, was General Washington's aide-de-camp at the outbreak +of the War for Independence, and during its progress became a pupil of +Benjamin West, in London. The news of Andre's execution fastened upon +him the suspicion of being a spy, and he spent eight months in an +English prison. Returning to America he painted this and other +portraits of Washington, as well as a number of historical pictures, +including the "Resignation of Washington at Annapolis," which hangs in +the Capitol at Washington._] + +In a long and serious letter to congress, he apologized for not +obeying their orders to deliver the plan with his observations upon it +to the Marquis; and, entering into a full investigation of all its +parts, demonstrated the mischiefs, and the dangers, with which it was +replete. This letter was referred to a committee, whose report admits +the force of the reasons urged by the Commander-in-chief against the +expedition, and their own conviction that nothing important could be +attempted unless the British armies should be withdrawn from the +United States; and that, even in that event, the present plan was far +too complex. + +Men, however, recede slowly and reluctantly from favourite and +flattering projects on which they have long meditated; and the +committee, in their report, proceeded to state the opinion that the +posts held by the British in the United States would probably be +evacuated before the active part of the ensuing campaign; and that, +therefore, eventual measures for the expedition ought to be taken. + +This report concludes with recommending "that the general should be +directed to write to the Marquis de Lafayette on that subject; and +also to write to the minister of these states at the court of +Versailles very fully, to the end that eventual measures may be taken, +in case an armament should be sent from France to Quebec, for +co-operating therewith, to the utmost degree, which the finances and +resources of these states will admit." + +This report also was approved by congress, and transmitted to the +Commander-in-chief; who felt himself greatly embarrassed by it. While +his objections to the project retained all their force, he found +himself required to open a correspondence for the purposes of +soliciting the concurrence of France in an expedition he disapproved, +and of promising a co-operation he believed to be impracticable. In +reply to this communication, he said, "The earnest desire I have +strictly to comply in every instance, with the views and instructions +of congress, can not but make me feel the greatest uneasiness, when I +find myself in circumstances of hesitation or doubt, with respect to +their directions. But the perfect confidence I have in the justice and +candour of that honourable body, emboldens me to communicate, without +reserve, the difficulties which occur in the execution of their +present order; and the indulgence I have experienced on every former +occasion, induces me to imagine that the liberty I now take will not +meet with disapprobation." + +After reviewing the report of the committee, and stating his +objections to the plan, and the difficulties he felt in performing the +duty assigned to him, he added, "But if congress still think it +necessary for me to proceed in the business, I must request their more +definitive and explicit instructions, and that they will permit me, +previous to transmitting the intended despatches, to submit them to +their determination. + +"I could wish to lay before congress more minutely the state of the +army, the condition of our supplies, and the requisites necessary for +carrying into execution an undertaking that may involve the most +serious events. If congress think this can be done more satisfactorily +in a personal conference, I hope to have the army in such a situation +before I can receive their answer, as to afford me an opportunity of +giving my attendance." + +[Sidenote: Induces Congress to abandon it.] + +Congress acceded to his request of a personal interview; and, on his +arrival in Philadelphia, a committee was appointed to confer with him, +as well on this particular subject as on the general state of the army +and of the country. + +The result of these conferences was, that the expedition against +Canada was entirely, though reluctantly,[15] given up, and every +arrangement recommended by the Commander-in-chief, received the +attention to which his judgment and experience gave all his opinions +the fairest claim. + +[Footnote 15: See note No. II. at the end of the volume.] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Divisions in Congress.... Letters of General Washington on + the state of public affairs.... Invasion of Georgia.... + General Howe defeated by Colonel Campbell.... Savannah + taken.... Sunbury surrenders.... Georgia reduced.... General + Lincoln takes command of the Southern army.... Major + Gardiner defeated by General Moultrie.... Insurrection of + the Tories in South Carolina.... They are defeated by + Colonel Pickens.... Ash surprised and defeated.... Moultrie + retreats.... Prevost marches to Charleston.... Lincoln + attacks the British at Stono Ferry unsuccessfully.... + Invasion of Virginia. + + +[Sidenote: 1779] + +After the relinquishment of that extensive plan of conquest which +had been meditated against Canada, no other object seemed to call +forth the energies of the nation, and a general languor appeared to +diffuse itself through all the civil departments. The alliance with +France was believed to secure independence; and a confidence that +Britain could no longer prosecute the war with any hope of success--a +confidence encouraged by communications from Europe--prevented those +exertions which were practicable, but which it was painful to make. +This temper was seen and deplored by the Commander-in-chief, who +incessantly combated the opinion that Britain was about to relinquish +the contest, and insisted that great and vigorous exertions on the +part of the United States were still necessary to bring the war to a +successful termination. + +It being no longer practicable to engage soldiers by voluntary +enlistment, and government not daring to force men into the service +for three years, or during the war, the vacant ranks were scantily +supplied with drafts for nine, twelve, and eighteen months. A great +proportion of the troops were discharged in the course of each year; +and, except that the old officers remained, almost a new army was to +be formed for every campaign. + +Although the Commander-in-chief pressed congress and the state +governments continually and urgently, to take timely measures for +supplying the places of those who were leaving the service, the means +adopted were so slow and ineffectual in their operation, that the +season for action never found the preparations completed; and the +necessity of struggling against superior numbers was perpetual. + +The pleasing delusion that the war was over, to which the public mind +delighted to surrender itself, made no impression on the judgment of +Washington. Viewing objects through a more correct medium, he +perceived that Great Britain had yet much to hope, and America much to +fear, from a continuance of hostilities. He feared that the impression +which the divisions, and apparent inertness of the United States had +made on the British commissioners, would be communicated to their +government; and this consideration increased his anxiety in favour of +early and vigorous preparations for the next campaign. Yet it was not +until the 23d of January that congress passed the resolution, +authorizing the Commander-in-chief to re-enlist the army, nor, until +the 9th of March, that the requisition was made on the several states +for their quotas. The bounty offered by the first resolution being +found insufficient, the government was again under the necessity of +resorting to the states. Thus, at a season when the men ought to have +been in camp, the measures for raising them were still to be adopted. + +About this period, several circumstances conspired to foment those +pernicious divisions and factions in congress, which, in times of +greater apparent danger, patriotism would have suppressed. + +[Sidenote: Divisions in congress.] + +The ministers of the United States, in Europe, had reciprocally +criminated each other, and some of them had been recalled. Their +friends in congress supported their respective interests with +considerable animation; and, at length, Mr. Deane published a +manifesto, in which he arraigned at the bar of the public, the conduct +not only of those concerned in foreign negotiations, but of the +members of Congress themselves. + +The irritation excited by these and other contests was not a little +increased by the appearance, in a New York paper, of an extract from +a letter written by Mr. Laurens, the president of congress, to +Governor Huiston, of Georgia, which, during the invasion of that +state, was found among his papers. In this letter, Mr. Laurens had +unbosomed himself with the unsuspecting confidence of a person +communicating to a friend the inmost operations of his mind. In a +gloomy moment, he had expressed himself with a degree of severity, +which even his own opinion, when not under the immediate influence of +chagrin, would not entirely justify, and had reflected on the +integrity and patriotism of members, without particularizing the +individuals he designed to censure. + +These altercations added much to the alarm with which General +Washington viewed that security which had insinuated itself into the +public mind; and his endeavours were unremitting to impress the same +apprehensions on those who were supposed capable of removing the +delusion. In his confidential letters to gentlemen of the most +influence in the several states, he represented in strong terms the +dangers which yet threatened the country, and earnestly exhorted them +to a continuance of those sacrifices and exertions which he still +deemed essential to the happy termination of the war. The dissensions +in congress; the removal of individuals of the highest influence and +character from the councils of the nation to offices in the respective +states; the depreciation of the currency; the destructive spirit of +speculation which the imaginary gain produced by this depreciation had +diffused throughout the Union; a general laxity of principles; and an +unwillingness to encounter personal inconvenience for the attainment +of the great object, in pursuit of which so much blood and treasure +had been expended; were the rocks on which, he apprehended, the state +vessel might yet split, and to which he endeavoured, incessantly, to +point the attention of those whose weight of political character +enable them to guide the helm. + +[Sidenote: Letters from General Washington on the state of public +affairs.] + +"I am particularly desirous of a free communication of sentiments with +you at this time," says the General in a letter written to a gentleman +of splendid political talents, "because I view things very +differently, I fear, from what people in general do, who seem to think +the contest at an end, and that to make money, and get places, are the +only things now remaining to be done. I have seen without despondency, +even for a moment, the hours which America has styled her gloomy ones; +but I have beheld no day since the commencement of hostilities, when I +have thought her liberties in such imminent danger as at present. +Friends and foes seem now to combine to pull down the goodly fabric we +have hitherto been raising at the expense of so much time, blood, and +treasure." + +After censuring with some freedom the prevailing opinions of the day, +he added, "To me it appears no unjust simile to compare the affairs +of this great continent to the mechanism of a clock, each state +representing some one or other of the smaller parts of it, which they +are endeavouring to put in fine order, without considering how useless +and unavailing their labour is, unless the great wheel, or spring, +which is to set the whole in motion, is also well attended to, and +kept in good order. I allude to no particular state, nor do I mean to +cast reflections upon any one of them, nor ought I, it may be said, to +do so on their representatives; but, as it is a fact too notorious to +be concealed, that congress is rent by party; that much business of a +trifling nature and personal concernment, withdraws their attention +from matters of great national moment at this critical period; when it +is also known that idleness and dissipation take place of close +attention and application, no man who wishes well to the liberties of +this country, and desires to see its rights established, can avoid +crying out--where are our men of abilities? Why do they not come forth +to save their country? Let this voice, my dear sir, call upon you, +Jefferson, and others. Do not, from a mistaken opinion that we are to +sit down under our vine and our own fig-tree, let our hitherto noble +struggle end in ignominy. Believe me when I tell you there is danger +of it. I have pretty good reasons for thinking that administration, a +little while ago, had resolved to give the matter up, and negotiate a +peace with us upon almost any terms; but I shall be much mistaken if +they do not now, from the present state of our currency, dissensions, +and other circumstances, push matters to the utmost extremity. Nothing +I am sure will prevent it but the intervention of Spain, and their +disappointed hope from Russia." + +The circumstances in the situation and temper of America, which made +so deep an impression on the Commander-in-chief, operated with equal +force on the British commissioners, and induced them to think that, by +continuing the war, more favourable terms than were now demanded might +be obtained. They seem to have taken up the opinion that the mass of +the people, fatigued and worn out by the complicated calamities of the +struggle, sincerely desired an accommodation on the terms proposed by +Great Britain; and that the increasing difficulties resulting from the +failure of public credit, would induce them to desert congress, or +compel that body to accede to those terms. These opinions, when +communicated to the government, most probably contributed to protract +the war. + +The narrative of military transactions will now be resumed. + +The British arms had heretofore been chiefly directed against the +northern and middle states. The strongest parts of the American +continent were pressed by their whole force; and, with the exception +of the attempt on Sullivan's island in 1776, no serious design had +yet been manifested to make an impression in the south. Entertaining +the most confident hopes of recovering all the colonies, the British +government had not prosecuted the war with a view to partial conquest. +But the loss of the army commanded by Burgoyne, the alliance of +America with France, and the unexpected obstinacy with which the +contest was maintained, had diminished their confidence; and, when the +pacific propositions made in 1778 were rejected, the resolution seems +to have been taken to change, materially, the object of their military +operations; and, maintaining possession of the islands of New York, to +direct their arms against the southern states, on which, it was +believed, a considerable impression might be made. + +It was not unreasonable to suppose that the influence of this +impression might extend northward; but, however this might be, the +actual conquest and possession of several states would, when +negotiations for a general peace should take place, give a complexion +to those negotiations, and afford plausible ground for insisting to +retain territory already acquired. The most active and interesting +operations therefore of the succeeding campaigns, were in the southern +states. + +Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, who sailed from the Hook about the last +of November, 1778, escorted by a small squadron commanded by +Commodore Hyde Parker, reached the isle of Tybee, near the Savannah, +on the 23d of December; and, in a few days, the fleet and the +transports passed the bar, and anchored in the river. + +The command of the southern army, composed of the troops of South +Carolina and Georgia, had been committed to Major General Robert Howe, +who, in the course of the preceding summer, had invaded East +Florida.[16] The diseases incident to the climate made such ravages +among his raw soldiers, that, though he had scarcely seen an enemy, he +found himself compelled to hasten out of the country with considerable +loss. After this disastrous enterprise, his army, consisting of +between six and seven hundred continental troops, aided by a few +hundred militia, had encamped in the neighbourhood of the town of +Savannah, situated on the southern bank of the river bearing that +name. The country about the mouth of the river is one tract of deep +marsh, intersected by creeks and cuts of water, impassable for troops +at any time of the tide, except over causeways extending through the +sunken ground. + +[Footnote 16: So early as January, 1776, congress had recommended the +reduction of St. Augustine to the southern colonies.--_Secret Journals +of Congress, page 38._] + +[Sidenote: Invasion of Georgia.] + +Without much opposition, Lieutenant Colonel Campbell effected a +landing on the 29th, about three miles below the town; upon which Howe +formed his line of battle. His left was secured by the river; and +along the whole extent of his front was a morass which stretched to +his right, and was believed by him to be impassable for such a +distance, as effectually to secure that wing. + +After reconnoitring the country, Colonel Campbell advanced on the +great road leading to Savannah; and, about three in the afternoon, +appeared in sight of the American army. While making dispositions to +dislodge it, he accidentally fell in with a negro, who informed him of +a private path leading through the swamp, round the right of the +American lines to their rear. Determining to avail himself of this +path, he detached a column under Sir James Baird, which entered the +morass unperceived by Howe. + +[Sidenote: General Howe defeated by the British under Colonel +Campbell, who takes possession of Savannah.] + +As soon as Sir James emerged from the swamp, he attacked and dispersed +a body of Georgia militia, which gave the first notice to the American +general of the danger which threatened his rear. At the same instant, +the British troops in his front were put in motion, and their +artillery began to play upon him. A retreat was immediately ordered; +and the continental troops were under the necessity of running across +a plain, in front of the corps which had been led into their rear by +Sir James Baird, who attacked their flanks with great impetuosity, and +considerable effect. The few who escaped, retreated up the Savannah; +and, crossing that river at Zubly's ferry, took refuge in South +Carolina. + +The victory was complete, and decisive in its consequences. About one +hundred Americans were either killed in the field, or drowned in +attempting to escape through a deep swamp. Thirty-eight officers, and +four hundred and fifteen privates, were taken. Forty-eight pieces of +cannon, twenty-three mortars, the fort with all its military-stores, a +large quantity of provisions collected for the use of the army, and +the capital of Georgia, fell into the hands of the conqueror. These +advantages were obtained at the expense of only seven killed, and +nineteen wounded. + +No military force now remained in Georgia, except the garrison of +Sunbury, whose retreat to South Carolina was cut off. All the lower +part of that state was occupied by the British, who adopted measures +to secure the conquest they had made. The inhabitants were treated +with a lenity as wise as it was humane. Their property was spared, and +their persons protected. To make the best use of victory, and of the +impression produced by the moderation of the victors, a proclamation +was issued, inviting the inhabitants to repair to the British +standard, and offering protection to those who would return to their +allegiance. + +The effect of these measures did not disappoint those who adopted +them. The inhabitants flocked in great numbers to the royal standard; +military corps for the protection of the country were formed; and +posts were established for a considerable distance up the river. + +[Sidenote: Sunbury surrenders to General Prevost.] + +The northern frontier of Georgia being supposed to be settled into a +state of quiet, Colonel Campbell turned his attention towards Sunbury, +and was about to proceed against that place, when he received +intelligence that it had surrendered to General Prevost. + +[Sidenote: The State of Georgia reduced.] + +Sir Henry Clinton had ordered that officer to co-operate from East +Florida, with Colonel Campbell. On hearing that the troops from the +north were off the coast, he entered the southern frontier of Georgia, +and invested Sunbury, which, after a slight resistance, surrendered at +discretion. Having placed a garrison in the fort, he proceeded to +Savannah, took command of the army, and detached Colonel Campbell with +eight hundred regulars and a few provincials to Augusta, which fell +without resistance, and thus the whole state of Georgia was reduced. + +While the expedition conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Campbell was +preparing at New York, congress was meditating the conquest of East +Florida. + +[Sidenote: General Lincoln takes the command of the southern army.] + +The delegates of South Carolina and Georgia, anxious that a general of +more experience than Howe should command in the southern department, +had earnestly pressed that he should be recalled, and that General +Lincoln, whose military reputation was high, should be appointed to +succeed him. In compliance with their solicitations, Howe was ordered +in September, 1778, to repair to the head quarters of General +Washington, and Lincoln was directed to proceed immediately to +Charleston, in South Carolina, in order to take command in the +southern department. In pursuance of this resolution, General Lincoln +repaired to Charleston, where he found the military affairs of the +country in a state of utter derangement. Congress had established no +continental military chest in the southern department. This omission +produced a dependence on the government of the state for supplies to +move the army on any emergency, and consequent subjection of the +troops in continental service to its control. The militia, though +taken into continental service, considered themselves as subject only +to the military code of the state. These regulations threatened to +embarrass all military operations, and to embroil the general with the +civil government. + +While Lincoln was labouring to make arrangements for the ensuing +campaign, he received intelligence of the appearance of the enemy off +the coast. The militia of North Carolina, amounting to two thousand +men, commanded by Generals Ash and Rutherford, had already reached +Charleston; but were unarmed, and congress had been unable to provide +magazines in this part of the Union. These troops were, therefore, +entirely dependent on South Carolina for every military equipment; and +arms were not delivered to them until it was too late to save the +capital of Georgia. + +So soon as it was ascertained that the British fleet had entered the +Savannah river, General Lincoln proceeded with the utmost expedition +towards the scene of action. On his march, he received intelligence of +the victory gained over General Howe; and was soon afterwards joined +by the remnant of the defeated army at Purysburg, a small town on the +north side of the Savannah, where he established his head quarters. + +The regular force commanded by General Prevost must have amounted to +at least three thousand effective men; and this number was increased +by irregulars who had joined him in Georgia. The American army rather +exceeded three thousand six hundred men, of whom not quite two +thousand five hundred were effective. Something more than one thousand +were continental troops, part of whom were new levies; the rest were +militia. + +[Sidenote: Major Gardiner defeated by General Moultrie.] + +The theatre of action was so well adapted to defensive war, that, +although General Prevost was decidedly superior to his adversary, it +was difficult to extend his conquests into South Carolina. With the +view of entering that state by the way of the sea coast, he detached +Major Gardiner with about two hundred men, to take possession of the +island of Port Royal. That officer, soon after reaching his place of +destination, was attacked by General Moultrie, and compelled to +retreat with considerable loss. This repulse checked the designs of +Prevost on South Carolina. + +[Sidenote: Insurrection of the Tories in South Carolina, who are +defeated by Colonel Pickens.] + +From the commencement of the war, a considerable proportion of the +western inhabitants of the three southern states had been attached to +the royal cause. The first successes of the British were soon +communicated to them, and they were invited to assemble and join the +king's standard at Augusta. About seven hundred embodied themselves on +the frontiers of South Carolina, and began their march to that place. +They were overtaken by Colonel Pickens at the head of the neighbouring +militia, near Kittle Creek, and defeated with considerable loss. +Colonel Boyd, their leader, was among the slain; and several of those +who escaped were apprehended, tried, and five of them executed as +traitors. About three hundred reached the British out-posts, and +joined the royal standard. This defeat broke the spirits of the Tories +for a time; and preserved quiet in the west. + +As the American army gained strength by reinforcements of militia, +General Lincoln began to contemplate offensive operations. A +detachment had been stationed nearly opposite to Augusta under General +Ash, and he purposed joining that officer so soon as a sufficient +force could be collected, and attempting to recover the upper parts of +Georgia. Before he was able to execute this plan, General Prevost +withdrew his troops from Augusta to Hudson's Ferry. Ash was then +ordered to cross the Savannah, and take post near the confluence of +Briar Creek with that river. This camp was thought unassailable. Its +left was covered by a deep swamp, and by the Savannah. The front was +secured by Briar Creek, which is unfordable several miles, and makes +an acute angle with the river. + +[Sidenote: Ash surprised and defeated by Prevost.] + +Having determined to dislodge the Americans from this position, +Prevost kept up the attention of General Lincoln by the semblance of a +design to cross the Savannah; and, at the same time amused General Ash +with a feint on his front, while Lieutenant Colonel Prevost made a +circuit of about fifty miles, and, crossing Briar Creek fifteen miles +above the ground occupied by Ash, came down, unperceived and +unsuspected, on his rear. Ash, unused to the stratagems of war, was so +completely engaged by the manoeuvres in his front, that Lieutenant +Colonel Prevost was almost in his camp before any intelligence of his +approach was received. The continental troops under General Elbert +were drawn out to oppose him, and commenced the action with great +gallantry; but most of the militia threw away their arms and fled in +confusion. As they precipitated themselves into the swamp and swam the +river, not many of them were taken. General Elbert and his small band +of continental troops, aided by one regiment of North Carolina +militia, were soon overpowered by numbers, and the survivors were +compelled to surrender themselves prisoners of war. The killed and +taken amounted to between three and four hundred men. General Elbert +and Colonel M'Intosh were among the latter. But the loss sustained by +the American army was much more considerable. The dispersed militia +returned to their homes; and not more than four hundred and fifty of +them could be reassembled. + +This victory was supposed to give the British such complete possession +of Georgia, that a proclamation was issued the succeeding day by +General Prevost, establishing civil government, and appointing +executive and judicial officers to administer it. + +These disasters, instead of terrifying South Carolina into submission, +animated that state to greater exertions. Mr. John Rutledge, a +gentleman of great talents and decision, was elected governor; and the +legislature passed an act empowering him and the council to do every +thing that appeared to him and them necessary for the public good. All +the energies of the state were drawn forth. The militia were called +out in great numbers, and the laws for their government were rendered +more severe.[17] + +[Footnote 17: Ramsay.] + +Thus reinforced, General Lincoln resumed his plan for recovering the +upper parts of Georgia; and marched the main body of his army up the +Savannah. + +This river was now swelled greatly beyond its usual limits; and the +swamps, marshes, and creeks which intersect the country being full, +seemed to present an almost impassable barrier to an invading army. A +small military force being deemed sufficient to arrest the progress of +an enemy through a route which, if at all practicable, was so +difficult, about eight hundred of the state militia, aided by two +hundred continental troops, were left with General Moultrie for the +defence of the country. + +[Sidenote: Prevost compels Moultrie to retreat.] + +Aware of the importance of this movement, and hoping to recall Lincoln +by alarming him for the safety of Charleston, General Prevost suddenly +crossed the Savannah with three thousand men; and, advancing rapidly +on General Moultrie, obliged him to retreat with precipitation. The +militia could not be prevailed on to defend the passes with any degree +of firmness; and Moultrie, instead of drawing aid from the surrounding +country, sustained an alarming diminution of numbers by desertion. + +On the passage of the river by Prevost, an express had been despatched +to Lincoln with the intelligence. Persuaded that the British general +could meditate no serious attempt on Charleston, and that the real +object was to induce him to abandon the enterprise in which he was +engaged, he detached a reinforcement of three hundred light troops to +aid Moultrie, and crossing the Savannah himself, continued his march +down the south side of that river towards the capital of Georgia. + +[Sidenote: Prevost marches to Charleston.] + +Though the original purpose of General Prevost had been limited to the +security of Georgia, the opposition he encountered was so much less +than he had expected; the tenour of the country was so apparent; the +assurances of those who flocked to his standard; of the general +disposition of the people to terminate the calamities of war by +submission, were so often and so confidently repeated, that he was +emboldened to extend his views, and to hazard the continuation of his +march to Charleston. + +On receiving intelligence of this threatening aspect of affairs in +South Carolina, Lincoln recrossed the Savannah, and hastened to the +relief of that state. + +The situation of Charleston was extremely critical. The inhabitants, +entirely unapprehensive of an attack by land, had directed their whole +attention to its protection against an invasion by sea. Had Prevost +continued his march with the rapidity with which it was commenced, the +place must have fallen. But, after having gained more than half the +distance, he halted, and consumed two or three days in deliberating on +his future measures. While his intelligence determined him to proceed, +and assured him of a state of things which rendered success almost +certain, that state of things was rapidly changing. Fortifications on +the land side were commenced and prosecuted with unremitting labour; +the neighbouring militia were drawn into the town; the reinforcements +detached by General Lincoln, and the remnant of the legion of Pulaski +arrived; and the governor also entered the city, at the head of some +troops which had been stationed at Orangeburg. + +The next morning Prevost crossed Ashly River, and encamped just +without cannon shot of the works. The town was summoned to surrender, +and the day was spent in sending and receiving flags. The neutrality +of South Carolina during the war, leaving the question whether that +state should finally belong to Great Britain or the United States, to +be settled in the treaty of peace, was proposed by the garrison, and +rejected by Prevost; who required that they should surrender +themselves prisoners of war. This proposition being also rejected, the +garrison prepared to sustain an assault. But an attempt to carry the +works by storm was too hazardous to be made; and Prevost came to the +prudent resolution of decamping that night, and recrossing Ashly +River. + +[Sidenote: Lincoln attacks the British at the ferry but without +success.] + +The British army passed into the island of St. James, and thence to +that of St. John's, which lies south of Charleston harbour; soon after +which General Lincoln encamped in the neighbourhood, so as to confine +them in a great degree to the island they occupied. This island is +separated from the main land by an inlet, to which the name of Stono +River has been given; and the communication is preserved by a ferry. A +British post was established upon the main land at this ferry, and +works were thrown up in front for its defence. When Prevost commenced +his retreat, and the troops were moving from island to island, the +occasion seemed a fair one for attacking it. Only eight hundred men, +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Maitland, defended it; but a large +corps still lay on the island. To prevent these troops from supporting +those on the main land, General Moultrie, who commanded in Charleston, +was ordered to pass over a body of militia into James's island, who +should amuse the enemy in St. John's, while a real attack should be +made on the post at the ferry. About seven in the morning, General +Lincoln commenced this attack with about one thousand men; and +continued it with great spirit, until he perceived that strong +reinforcements were crossing over from the island; when he called off +his troops, and retreated, unmolested, to his old ground. + +General Moultrie had been unable to execute that part of the plan +which devolved on him. Boats were not in readiness to convey the men +into James's island, and consequently the feint on St. John's was not +made. + +The loss of the Americans, in killed and wounded, amounted to +twenty-four officers, and one hundred and twenty-five privates. That +of the British was stated to be rather less. + +Three days after this action, the posts at Stono and St. John's were +evacuated. The heat now became too excessive for active service; and +the British army, after establishing a post on the island contiguous +to Port Royal and St. Helena, retired into Georgia and St. Augustine. + +The American militia dispersed, leaving General Lincoln at the head of +about eight hundred men; with whom he retired to Sheldon, where his +primary object was to prepare for the next campaign, which it was +supposed would open in October. + +The invasion of the southern states wore so serious an aspect, that +Bland's regiment of cavalry, and the remnant of that lately Baylor's, +now commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Washington, with the new levies of +Virginia, were ordered to repair to Charleston, and to place +themselves under the command of General Lincoln. The execution of +these orders was for a time suspended by the invasion of Virginia. + +[Sidenote: Invasion of Virginia by General Matthews.] + +An expedition against that state had been concerted in the spring +between Sir Henry Clinton and Sir George Collier, the +Commander-in-chief of the British naval force on the American station. +The land troops assigned to this service were commanded by General +Matthews. The transports, on board of which they embarked, were +convoyed by the Admiral in person. On the 9th of May the fleet entered +the Chesapeake, and the next day anchored in Hampton Roads. + +Virginia had raised a regiment of artillery for the performance of +garrison duty in the state, which had been distributed along the +eastern frontier; and slight fortifications had been constructed in +the most important situations, which were defensible on the side of +the water, but were not tenable against a military force strong enough +to act on land. Fort Nelson, on the west side of Elizabeth river, +garrisoned by about one hundred and fifty soldiers, commanded by Major +Matthews, was designed to protect the towns of Norfolk and Portsmouth, +which were on each side of the river just above it; and the town of +Gosport, which lies still higher up on a point of land intervening +between two branches of the river. Norfolk and Portsmouth were places +of the most considerable commerce in Virginia. Large supplies for the +army were deposited in them; and the state government had established +at Gosport a marine yard, where ships of war and other vessels were +building, for which naval stores were collected to a very great +amount. The destruction of these vessels and stores, constituted the +principal object of General Matthews. + +On the morning of the tenth, the fleet entered Elizabeth river, and +the troops were landed about three miles below the fort, without +opposition. Foreseeing that the works would be attacked the next +morning on the land side, the garrison evacuated the fort in the +night, and took refuge in a deep and extensive swamp, called the +Dismal, which could not be penetrated without difficulty, even by +single persons. + +The whole sea-board, on the south side of James' river, being now in +possession of General Matthews, he fixed his head quarters at +Portsmouth, whence small parties were detached to Norfolk, Gosport, +Kemps' landing, and Suffolk, where military and naval stores to a +great amount, and several vessels richly laden, fell into his hands. + +This invasion was of short duration. General Matthews, after +destroying the magazines which had been collected in the small towns +near the coast, and the vessels in the rivers, was ordered by Sir +Henry Clinton to return to New York, where he arrived towards the last +of May. + +The Admiral and General were both so impressed with the importance of +Portsmouth as a permanent station, that they united in representing to +the Commander-in-chief the advantages to be derived from keeping +possession of it. But, in the opinion of Sir Henry Clinton, the army +did not at that time admit of so many subdivisions; and, with a view +to more interesting objects, Portsmouth was evacuated. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + Discontents in a part of the American army.... Letter from + General Washington on the subject.... Colonel Van Schaick + destroys an Indian settlement.... Expedition against the + Indians meditated.... Fort Fayette surrendered to the + British.... Invasion of Connecticut.... General Wayne storms + Stony Point.... Expedition against Penobscot.... Powles Hook + surprised by Major Lee.... Arrival of Admiral Arbuthnot.... + Of the Count D'Estaing.... Siege of Savannah.... + Unsuccessful attempt to storm that place.... Siege + raised.... Victory of General Sullivan at Newtown.... Spain + offers her mediation to the belligerents.... Declares war + against England.... Letter from General Washington to + congress respecting the annual formation of the army.... The + army goes into winter quarters. + + +[Sidenote: 1779] + +The barbarities committed by the Indians, in the course of the +preceding year, on the inhabitants of the western frontiers, had added +motives of mingled resentment and humanity to those of national +interest, for employing a larger force in the protection of that part +of the Union than had heretofore been devoted to it. + +General Washington had always believed that it was impossible to +defend the immense western frontier by any chain of posts which could +be established; and that the country would be protected much more +certainly by offensive than by defensive war. His plan was to +penetrate into the heart of the Indian settlements with a force +competent to the destruction of their towns; and also to reduce the +British post at Niagara, which gave its possessors an almost +irresistible influence over the six nations. This plan constituted one +of the various subjects of conference with the committee of congress +in Philadelphia, and received the entire approbation of that body. + +The state governments also took a strong interest in the protection of +their western settlements. Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania, +applied, severally, to congress, urging the adoption of such vigorous +measures as would secure the frontiers against a repetition of the +horrors which had been already perpetrated. These papers were referred +to the committee which had been appointed to confer with General +Washington, in conformity with whose report it was resolved, "that the +Commander-in-chief be directed to take efficient measures for the +protection of the inhabitants, and chastisement of the savages." + +The Six Nations had made some advances towards acquiring the comforts +of civilized life. Several comfortable houses were to be seen in their +populous villages; and their fertile fields and orchards yielded an +abundant supply of corn and fruit. Some few of their towns were +attached to the United States; but, in general, they were under the +influence of the British. Many of the loyalists had taken refuge among +them, and had added to their strength without diminishing their +ferocity. It was determined to lead a force into these villages, +sufficient to overpower any numbers they could possibly bring into the +field, and to destroy the settlements they had made. To guard against +reinforcements from Canada, means were used to inspire that colony +with fears for itself. + +[Sidenote: Discontents in a part of the American army.] + +As the army destined for this expedition was about to move, alarming +symptoms of discontent appeared in a part of it. The Jersey brigade, +which had been stationed during the winter at Elizabethtown, was +ordered early in May, to march by regiments. This order was answered +by a letter from General Maxwell, stating that the officers of the +first regiment had delivered a remonstrance to their Colonel, +addressed to the legislature of the state, declaring that, unless +their complaints on the subjects of pay and support should obtain the +immediate attention of that body, they were, at the expiration of +three days, to be considered as having resigned; and requesting the +legislature, in that event, to appoint other officers to succeed them. +They declared, however, their readiness to make every preparation for +obeying the orders which had been given, and to continue their +attention to the regiment until a reasonable time should elapse for +the appointment of their successors. "This," added the letter of +General Maxwell, "is a step they are extremely unwilling to take, but +it is such as I make no doubt they will all take; nothing but +necessity--their not being able to support themselves in time to come, +and being loaded with debts contracted in time past, could have +induced them to resign at so critical a juncture." + +The intelligence conveyed in this letter made a serious impression on +the Commander-in-chief. He was strongly attached to the army and to +its interests; had witnessed its virtue and its sufferings; and +lamented sincerely its present distresses. The justice of the +complaints made by the officers could no more be denied, than the +measure they had adopted could be approved. Relying on their +patriotism and on his own influence, he immediately wrote a letter to +General Maxwell, to be laid before them, in which, mingling the +sensibility of a friend with the authority of a general, he addressed +to their understanding and to their love of country, observations +calculated to invite their whole attention to the consequences which +must result from the step they were about to take. + +[Sidenote: Letter from General Washington on this subject.] + +"The patience and perseverance of the army," proceeds the letter, +"have been, under every disadvantage, such as to do them the highest +honour both at home and abroad, and have inspired me with an unlimited +confidence of their virtue, which has consoled me amidst every +perplexity and reverse of fortune, to which our affairs, in a struggle +of this nature, were necessarily exposed. Now that we have made so +great a progress to the attainment of the end we have in view, so +that we can not fail without a most shameful desertion of our own +interests, any thing like a change of conduct would imply a very +unhappy change of principles, and a forgetfulness, as well of what we +owe to ourselves, as to our country. Did I suppose it possible this +could be the case, even in a single regiment of the army, I should be +mortified and chagrined beyond expression. I should feel it as a wound +given to my own honour, which I consider as embarked with that of the +army at large. But this I believe to be impossible. Any corps that was +about to set an example of the kind, would weigh well the +consequences; and no officer of common discernment and sensibility +would hazard them. If they should stand alone in it, independent of +other consequences, what would be their feelings on reflecting that +they had held themselves out to the world in a point of light inferior +to the rest of the army. Or if their example should be followed, and +become general, how could they console themselves for having been the +foremost in bringing ruin and disgrace upon their country. They would +remember that the army would share a double portion of the general +infamy and distress, and that the character of an American officer +would become as infamous as it is now glorious. + +"I confess the appearances in the present instance are disagreeable, +but I am convinced they seem to mean more than they really do. The +Jersey officers have not been outdone by any others in the qualities +either of citizens or soldiers; and I am confident, no part of them +would seriously intend any thing that would be a stain on their former +reputation. The gentlemen can not be in earnest; they have only +reasoned wrong about the means of obtaining a good end, and, on +consideration, I hope and flatter myself they will renounce what must +appear to be improper. At the opening of a campaign, when under +marching orders for an important service, their own honour, duty to +the public and to themselves, and a regard to military propriety, will +not suffer them to persist in a measure which would be a violation of +them all. It will even wound their delicacy, coolly to reflect that +they have hazarded a step, which has an air of dictating terms to +their country, by taking advantage of the necessity of the moment. + +"The declaration they have made to the state, at so critical a time, +that unless they obtain relief in the short period of three days, they +must be considered out of the service, has very much that aspect; and +the seeming relaxation of continuing until the state can have a +reasonable time to provide other officers, will be thought only a +superficial veil. I am now to request that you will convey my +sentiments to the gentlemen concerned, and endeavour to make them +sensible that they are in an error. The service for which the +regiment was intended will not admit of delay. It must at all events +march on Monday morning, in the first place to camp, and farther +directions will be given when it arrives. I am sure I shall not be +mistaken in expecting a prompt and cheerful obedience." + +The representations of this letter did not completely produce the +desired effect. The officers did not recede from their claims. In an +address to the Commander-in-chief, they expressed their unhappiness +that any act of theirs should give him pain, but proceeded to justify +the step they had taken. Repeated memorials had been presented to +their legislature, which had been received with promises of attention, +but had been regularly neglected. "At length," said they, "we have +lost all confidence in our legislature. Reason and experience forbid +that we should have any. Few of us have private fortunes; many have +families who already are suffering every thing that can be received +from an ungrateful country. Are we then to suffer all the +inconveniences, fatigues, and dangers of a military life, while our +wives and our children are perishing for want of common necessaries at +home;--and that without the most distant prospect of reward, for our +pay is now only nominal? We are sensible that your excellency can not +wish nor desire this from us. + +"We are sorry that you should imagine we meant to disobey orders. It +was and still is our determination to march with our regiment, and to +do the duty of officers until the legislature should have a reasonable +time to appoint others, but no longer. + +"We beg leave to assure your Excellency, that we have the highest +sense of your ability and virtues;--that executing your orders has +ever given us pleasure;--that we love the service, and we love our +country;--but when that country gets so lost to virtue and justice as +to forget to support its servants, it then becomes their duty to +retire from its service." + +This letter was peculiarly embarrassing. To adopt a stern course of +proceeding might hazard the loss of the Jersey line, an event not less +injurious to the service, than painful to himself. To take up the +subject without doing too much for the circumstances of the army, +would be doing too little for the occasion. He therefore declined +taking any other notice of the letter, than to declare through General +Maxwell that, while they continued to do their duty in conformity with +the determination they had expressed, he should only regret the part +they had taken, and should hope they would perceive its impropriety. + +The legislature of New Jersey, alarmed at the decisive step taken by +the officers, was at length induced to pay some attention to their +situation; they consenting, on their part, to withdraw their +remonstrance. In the meantime, they continued to perform their duty; +and their march was not delayed by this unpleasant altercation. + +In communicating this transaction to congress, General Washington took +occasion to remind that body of his having frequently urged the +absolute necessity of some general and adequate provision for the +officers of the army. "I shall only observe," continued the letter, +"that the distresses in some corps are so great, either where they +were not until lately attached to any particular state, or where the +state has been less provident, that the officers have solicited even +to be supplied with the clothing destined for the common soldiery, +coarse and unsuitable as it was. I had not power to comply with the +request. + +"The patience of men animated by a sense of duty and honour, will +support them to a certain point, beyond which it will not go. I doubt +not congress will be sensible of the danger of an extreme in this +respect, and will pardon my anxiety to obviate it." + +[Sidenote: Colonel Van Schaick surprises and destroys one of the +Indian settlements.] + +Before the troops destined for the grand expedition were put in +motion, an enterprise of less extent was undertaken, which was +completely successful. A plan for surprising the towns of the +Onondagas, one of the nearest of the hostile tribes, having been +formed by General Schuyler, and approved by the Commander-in-chief, +Colonel Van Schaick, assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Willet, and Major +Cochran, marched from fort Schuyler on the morning of the 19th of +April, at the head of between five and six hundred men; and, on the +third day, reached the point of destination. The whole settlement was +destroyed, after which the detachment returned to fort Schuyler +without the loss of a single man. For this handsome display of talents +as a partisan, the thanks of congress were voted to Colonel Van +Schaick, and the officers and soldiers under his command. + +[Sidenote: Expedition against the Indians meditated.] + +The cruelties exercised by the Indians in the course of the preceding +year, had given a great degree of importance to the expedition now +meditated against them; and the relative military strength and +situation of the two parties, rendered it improbable that any other +offensive operations could be carried on by the Americans in the +course of the present campaign. The army under the command of Sir +Henry Clinton, exclusive of the troops in the southern department, was +computed at between sixteen and seventeen thousand men. The American +army, the largest division of which lay at Middlebrook, under the +immediate command of General Washington, was rather inferior to that +of the British in real strength. The grand total, except those in the +southern and western country, including officers of every description, +amounted to about sixteen thousand. Three thousand of these were in +New England under the command of General Gates; and the remaining +thirteen thousand were cantoned on both sides the North River. The +bare statement of numbers, must show the incompetency of the American +army to the expulsion of the British from either New York or Rhode +Island. On their part, therefore, the plan of the campaign was, +necessarily, defensive; and the hazards and difficulties attending the +execution of even a defensive plan were considerable. + +Independent of an extensive coast, at all places accessible to the +invading army, the Hudson, penetrating deep into the country which was +to be the theatre of action, gave great advantages in their military +operations to those who commanded the water. + +After the destruction of forts Clinton and Montgomery in 1777, it had +been determined to construct the fortifications intended for the +future defence of the North River, at West Point, a position which, +being more completely embosomed in the hills, was deemed more +defensible. The works had been prosecuted with unremitting industry, +but were far from being completed. + +Some miles below West Point, about the termination of the Highlands, +is King's Ferry, where the great road, affording the most convenient +communication between the middle and eastern states, crosses the North +River. The ferry is completely commanded by the two opposite points of +land. That on the west side, a rough and elevated piece of ground, is +denominated Stony Point; and the other, on the east side, a flat neck +of land projecting far into the water, is called Verplank's Point. The +command of King's Ferry was an object worth the attention of either +army; and Washington had comprehended the points which protect it +within his plan of defence for the Highlands. A small but strong work, +termed fort Fayette, was completed at Verplank's, and was garrisoned +by a company commanded by Captain Armstrong. The works on Stony Point +were unfinished. As the season for active operations approached, Sir +Henry Clinton formed a plan for opening the campaign with a brilliant +_coup de main_ up the North River; and, towards the latter end of May, +made preparations for the enterprise. + +[Sidenote: May.] + +These preparations were immediately communicated to General +Washington, who was confident that the British general meditated an +attack on the forts in the highlands, or designed to take a position +between those forts and Middlebrook, in order to interrupt the +communication between the different parts of the American army, to +prevent their reunion, and to beat them in detail. Measures were +instantly taken to counteract either of these designs. The +intelligence from New York was communicated to Generals Putnam and +M'Dougal, who were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to march; +and, on the 29th of May, the army moved by divisions from Middlebrook +towards the highlands. On the 30th, the British army, commanded by Sir +Henry Clinton in person, and convoyed by Sir George Collier, proceeded +up the river; and General Vaughan, at the head of the largest +division, landed next morning, about eight miles below Verplank's. The +other division, under the particular command of General Patterson, but +accompanied by Sir Henry Clinton, advancing farther up, landed on the +west side within three miles of Stony Point. + +[Sidenote: June 1.] + +[Sidenote: Fort Fayette surrendered to the British.] + +That place being immediately abandoned, General Patterson took +possession of it on the same afternoon. He dragged some heavy cannon +and mortars to the summit of the hill in the course of the night; and, +at five next morning, opened a battery on fort Fayette, at the +distance of about one thousand yards. During the following night, two +galleys passed the fort, and, anchoring above it, prevented the escape +of the garrison by water; while General Vaughan invested it closely by +land. No means of defending the fort, or of saving themselves +remaining, the garrison became prisoners of war. Immediate directions +were given for completing the works at both posts, and for putting +Stony Point, in particular, in a strong state of defence. + +It is scarcely supposable that the views of Sir Henry Clinton in +moving up the river, were limited to this single acquisition. The +means employed were so disproportioned to the object, as to justify a +belief that he contemplated farther and more important conquests. +Whatever may have been his plans, the measures of precaution taken by +Washington counteracted their execution; and before Clinton was in a +situation to proceed against West Point, General M'Dougal was so +strengthened, and the American army took such a position on the strong +grounds about the Hudson, that the enterprise became too hazardous to +be farther prosecuted. + +[Sidenote: July.] + +[Sidenote: Invasion of Connecticut.] + +After completing the fortifications on both sides the river, at King's +Ferry, Sir Henry Clinton placed a strong garrison in each fort, and +proceeded down the river to Philipsburg. The relative situation of the +hostile armies presenting insuperable obstacles to any grand +operation, they could be employed offensively only on detached +expeditions. Connecticut from its contiguity to New York, and its +extent of sea coast, was peculiarly exposed to invasion. The numerous +small cruisers which plied in the Sound, to the great annoyance of +British commerce, and the large supplies of provisions drawn from the +adjacent country, for the use of the continental army, furnished great +inducements to Sir Henry Clinton to direct his enterprises +particularly against that state. He also hoped to draw General +Washington from his impregnable position on the North River into the +low country, and thus obtain an opportunity of striking at some part +of his army, or of seizing the posts, which were the great object of +the campaign. With these views, he planned an expedition against +Connecticut, the command of which was given to Governor Tryon, who +reached New Haven bay on the 5th of July, with about two thousand six +hundred men. + +General Washington was at the time on the lines, examining in person +the condition of the works on Stony and Verplank's Points; in +consequence of which, the intelligence which was transmitted to head +quarters that the fleet had sailed, could not be immediately +communicated to the governor of Connecticut, and the first intimation +which that state received of its danger, was given by the appearance +of the enemy. The militia assembled in considerable numbers with +alacrity; but the British effected a landing, and took possession of +the town. After destroying the military and naval stores found in the +place, they re-embarked, and proceeded westward to Fairfield, which +was reduced to ashes. The good countenance shown by the militia at +this place is attested by the apology made by General Tryon for the +wanton destruction of private property, which disgraced his conduct. +"The village was burnt," he says, "to resent the fire of the rebels +from their houses, and to mask our retreat." + +[Sidenote: July.] + +From Fairfield the fleet crossed the Sound to Huntingdon bay, where it +remained until the eleventh, when it recrossed that water, after +which the troops were landed in the night on the low pasture, a +peninsula on the east side of the bay of Norwalk. About the same time, +a much larger detachment from the British army directed its course +towards Horse Neck, and made demonstrations of a design to penetrate +into the country in that direction. + +[Sidenote: July.] + +On the first intelligence that Connecticut was invaded, General +Parsons, a native of that state, had been directed by General +Washington to hasten to the scene of action. Placing himself at the +head of about one hundred and fifty continental troops, who were +supported by considerable bodies of militia, he attacked the British +in the morning of the twelfth, as soon as they were in motion, and +kept up an irregular distant fire throughout the day. But being too +weak to prevent the destruction of any particular town on the coast, +Norwalk was reduced to ashes; after which the British re-embarked, and +returned to Huntingdon bay, there to wait for reinforcements. At this +place, however, Tryon received orders to return to the White Stone; +where, in a conference between Sir Henry Clinton and Sir George +Collier, it was determined to proceed against New London with an +increased force. + +On the invasion of Connecticut, the Commander-in-chief was prompt in +his exertions to send continental troops from the nearest encampments +to its aid; but, before they could afford any real service, Sir Henry +Clinton found it necessary to recall Tryon to the Hudson. + +General Washington had planned an enterprise against the posts at +King's Ferry, comprehending a double attack, to be made at the same +time, on both. But the difficulty of a perfect co-operation of +detachments, incapable of communicating with each other, determined +him to postpone the attack on Verplank's, and to make that part of the +plan dependent on the success of the first. His whole attention +therefore was turned to Stony Point; and the troops destined for this +critical service, proceeded on it as against a single object. + +[Sidenote: July.] + +The execution of the plan was entrusted to General Wayne, who +commanded the light infantry of the army. Secrecy was deemed so much +more essential to success than numbers, that no addition was made to +the force already on the lines. One brigade was ordered to commence +its march, so as to reach the scene of action in time to cover the +troops engaged in the attack, should any unlooked-for disaster befall +them; and Major Lee of the light dragoons, who had been eminently +useful in obtaining the intelligence which led to the enterprise, was +associated with General Wayne, as far as cavalry could be employed in +such a service. The night of the fifteenth, and the hour of twelve, +were chosen for the assault. + +Stony Point is a commanding hill, projecting far into the Hudson, +which washes three-fourths of its base. The remaining fourth is, in a +great measure, covered by a deep marsh, commencing near the river on +the upper side, and continuing into it below. Over this marsh there is +only one crossing place; but at its junction with the river, is a +sandy beach, passable at low tide. On the summit of this hill stood +the fort, which was furnished with heavy ordnance. Several +breast-works and strong batteries were advanced in front of the main +work; and, about half way down the hill, were two rows of abattis. The +batteries were calculated to command the beach and the crossing place +of the marsh, and to rake and enfilade any column which might be +advancing from either of those points towards the fort. In addition to +these defences, several vessels of war were stationed in the river, +and commanded the ground at the foot of the hill. The garrison +consisted of about six hundred men, commanded by Colonel Johnson. + +General Wayne arrived about eight in the afternoon at Spring Steel's, +one and a half miles from the fort; and made his dispositions for the +assault. + +[Sidenote: General Wayne surprises and takes Stony Point.] + +It was intended to attack the works on the right and left flanks at +the same instant. The regiments of Febiger and of Meigs, with Major +Hull's detachment, formed the right column; and Butler's regiment, +with two companies under Major Murfree, formed the left. One hundred +and fifty volunteers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Fleury and Major +Posey, constituted the van of the right; and one hundred volunteers +under Major Stewart, composed the van of the left. At half past eleven +the two columns moved to the assault, the van of each with unloaded +muskets, and fixed bayonets. They were each preceded by a forlorn hope +of twenty men, the one commanded by Lieutenant Gibbon, and the other +by Lieutenant Knox. They reached the marsh undiscovered; and, at +twenty minutes after twelve, commenced the assault. + +Both columns rushed forward under a tremendous fire. Surmounting every +obstacle, they entered the works at the point of the bayonet; and, +without discharging a single musket, obtained possession of the fort. + +The humanity displayed by the conquerors was not less conspicuous, nor +less honourable than their courage. Not an individual suffered after +resistance had ceased. + +All the troops engaged in this perilous service manifested a degree of +ardour and impetuosity, which proved them to be capable of the most +difficult enterprises; and all distinguished themselves, whose +situation enabled them to do so. Colonel Fleury was the first to enter +the fort and strike the British standard. Major Posey mounted the +works almost at the same instant, and was the first to give the watch +word--"The fort's our own."--Lieutenants Gibbon and Knox performed +the service allotted to them with a degree of intrepidity which could +not be surpassed. Of twenty men who constituted the party of the +former, seventeen were killed or wounded. + +Sixty-three of the garrison were killed, including two officers. The +prisoners amounted to five hundred and forty-three, among whom were +one lieutenant colonel, four captains, and twenty subaltern officers. +The military stores taken in the fort were considerable.[18] + +[Footnote 18: The author was in the covering party, visited the fort +next day, and conversed with the officers who had been engaged in +storming the works.] + +The loss sustained by the assailants was not proportioned to the +apparent danger of the enterprise. The killed and wounded did not +exceed one hundred men; General Wayne, who marched with Febiger's +regiment in the right column, received a slight wound in the head +which stunned him for a time, but did not compel him to leave the +column. Being supported by his aids, he entered the fort with a +regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Hay was also among the wounded. + +Although the design upon fort Fayette had yielded to the desire of +securing the success of the attack on Stony Point, it had not been +abandoned. Two brigades under General M'Dougal had been ordered to +approach the works on Verplank's, in which Colonel Webster commanded, +and be in readiness to attack them the instant General Wayne should +obtain possession of Stony Point. That this detachment might not +permit the favourable moment to pass unimproved, Wayne had been +requested to direct the messenger who should convey the intelligence +of his success to the Commander-in-chief, to pass through M'Dougal's +camp, and give him advice of that event. He was also requested to turn +the cannon of the fort against Verplank's, and the vessels in the +river. The last orders were executed, and a heavy cannonade was opened +on fort Fayette, and on the vessels, which compelled them to fall down +the river. Through some misconception, never explained, the messenger +despatched by General Wayne did not call on M'Dougal, but proceeded +directly to head quarters. Thus, every advantage expected from the +first impression made by the capture of Stony Point was lost; and the +garrison had full leisure to recover from the surprise occasioned by +that event, and to prepare for an attack. This change of circumstances +made it necessary to change the plan of operation. General Howe was +directed to take the command of M'Dougal's detachment, to which some +pieces of heavy artillery were to be annexed. He was ordered, after +effecting a breach in the walls, to make the dispositions for an +assault, and to demand a surrender; but not to attempt a storm until +it should be dark. To these orders, explicit instructions were +added not to hazard his party by remaining before Verplank's, after +the British should cross Croton River in force. + +[Illustration: The Ruins of Stony Point--On the Hudson + +_Here, on the night of July 16, 1779, Brigadier-General (Mad Anthony) +Wayne led his troops up the hill in darkness, surprised the British +garrison and captured this British stronghold at the point of the +bayonet. Not a shot was fired by the Americans, who lost fifteen +killed and eighty-three wounded; the British sixty-three killed and +533 prisoners. The fortifications were destroyed and the place, being +untenable, was abandoned shortly afterwards by the Americans._] + +Through some unaccountable negligence in the persons charged with the +execution of these orders, the battering artillery was not accompanied +with suitable ammunition; and the necessary intrenching tools were not +brought. These omissions were supplied the next day; but it was then +too late to proceed against Verplank's. + +On receiving intelligence of the loss of Stony Point, and of the +danger to which the garrison of fort Fayette was exposed, Sir Henry +Clinton relinquished his views on Connecticut, and made a forced march +to Dobbs' Ferry. Some troops were immediately embarked to pass up the +river, and a light corps was pushed forward to the Croton. This +movement relieved fort Fayette. + +The failure of the attempt to obtain possession of Verplank's Point +leaving that road of communication still closed, diminished the +advantages which had been expected to result from the enterprise so +much, that it was deemed unadviseable to maintain Stony Point. On +reconnoitring the ground, General Washington believed that the place +could not be rendered secure with a garrison of less than fifteen +hundred men; a number which could not be spared from the army without +weakening it too much for farther operations. He determined therefore +to evacuate Stony Point, and retire to the Highlands. As soon as this +resolution was executed, Sir Henry Clinton repossessed himself of that +post, repaired the fortifications, and placed a stronger garrison in +it; after which he resumed his former situation at Philipsburg. + +The two armies watched each other for some time. At length, Sir Henry +Clinton, finding himself unable to attack Washington in the strong +position he had taken, or to draw him from it, and being desirous of +transferring the theatre of active war to the south, withdrew into +York Island, and was understood to be strengthening the fortifications +erected for its defence, as preparatory to the large detachments he +intended making to reinforce the southern army. + +Although this movement was made principally with a view to southern +operations, it was in some degree hastened by the opinion, that New +York required immediate additional protection during the absence of +the fleet, which was about to sail for the relief of Penobscot. + +[Sidenote: Expedition against Penobscot.] + +Early in June, Colonel M'Clean, with six hundred and fifty men, had +penetrated from Nova Scotia into the eastern parts of Maine, and taken +possession of a strong piece of ground on the Penobscot, which he had +begun to fortify. + +[Sidenote: July 25.] + +The state of Massachusetts, alarmed at an invasion which threatened a +serious diminution of territory, determined to dislodge him. A +respectable fleet, commanded by Commodore Saltonstal, and an army of +near four thousand men, under General Lovell, were prepared with so +much celerity, that the whole armament appeared in the Penobscot as +early as the 25th of July. + +M'Clean had taken possession of a peninsula on the eastern side of +Penobscot, and had intrenched the isthmus connecting it with the +continent. The part towards the river was steep and difficult of +access; and was also defended by his frigates and batteries, the +principal of which was constructed about the centre of the peninsula. + +After being repulsed in his first attempt, General Lovell effected a +landing on the western part of the peninsula, where he ascended a +precipice of two hundred feet; and, with the loss of only fifty men +killed and wounded, drove the party which defended it from the ground. +A battery was erected within seven hundred and fifty yards of the main +work of the besieged, and a warm cannonade was kept up for several +days on both sides. + +Perceiving the difficulty of carrying the place with a militia +impatient to return to their homes, General Lovell represented his +situation to the government of Massachusetts, who applied to General +Gates, then commanding at Providence, for a reinforcement of four +hundred continental troops. This request was readily granted, and +Jackson's regiment was ordered to Penobscot. In the mean time an +ineffectual cannonade was continued, and preparations were made to +storm the works on the arrival of the expected reinforcements. + +Such was the posture of affairs on the 13th of August, when Lovell +received information that Sir George Collier had entered the river +with a superior naval force. He re-embarked his whole army the +following night, and drew up his flotilla in a crescent across the +river, as if determined to maintain its position. This show of +resistance was made in the hope of stopping Sir George Collier until +the land forces on board the transports could be conveyed up the +river, and disembarked on the western shore. But the British general +was too confident in his strength to permit this stratagem to succeed; +and, as he approached, the Americans sought for safety in flight. A +general chase and unresisted destruction ensued. The ships of war were +blown up, and the transports fled in the utmost confusion up the +river. Being pursued by the British squadron, the troops landed in a +wild uncultivated country; and were obliged to explore their way, +without provisions, through a pathless wilderness, for more than a +hundred miles. Exhausted with famine and fatigue, they at length +gained the settled parts of the country, after having lost several men +who perished in the woods. + +While Sir Henry Clinton continued encamped just above Haerlem, with +his upper posts at Kingsbridge, and the American army preserved its +station in the Highlands, a bold plan was formed for surprising a +British post at Powles Hook, which was executed with great address by +Major Lee. + +This officer was employed on the west side of the river with +directions to observe the situation of the British in Stony Point, +but, principally, to watch the motions of their main army. While his +parties scoured the country, he obtained intelligence which suggested +the idea of surprising and carrying off the garrison at Powles Hook, a +point of land on the west side of the Hudson, immediately opposite the +town of New York, penetrating deep into the river. On the point +nearest New York, some works had been constructed, which were +garrisoned by four or five hundred men. + +A deep ditch, into which the water of the river flowed, having over it +a drawbridge connected with a barred gate, had been cut across the +isthmus, so as to make the Hook, in reality, an island. This ditch +could be passed only at low water. Thirty paces within it was a row of +abattis running into the river; and some distance in front of it, is a +creek fordable only in two places. + +This difficulty of access, added to the remoteness of the nearest +corps of the American army, impressed the garrison with the opinion +that they were perfectly secure; and this opinion produced an +unmilitary remissness in the commanding officer, which did not escape +the vigilance of Lee. + +On receiving his communications, General Washington was inclined to +favour the enterprise they suggested; but withheld his full assent, +until he was satisfied that the assailants would be able to make good +their retreat. + +The Hackensack, which communicates with the waters of the Hudson below +New York, runs almost parallel with that river quite to its source, +and is separated from it only a few miles. This neck is still farther +narrowed by a deep creek which divides it, and empties into the +Hackensack below fort Lee. West of that river runs the Passaick, which +unites with it near Newark, and forms another long and narrow neck of +land. From Powles Hook to the new bridge, the first place where the +Hackensack could be crossed without boats, the distance is fourteen +miles; and from the North River to the road leading from the one place +to the other, there are three points of interception, the nearest of +which is less than two miles, and the farthest not more than three. +The British were encamped in full force along the North River, +opposite to these points of interception. To diminish the danger of +the retreat, it was intended to occupy the roads leading through the +mountains of the Hudson to the Hackensack with a select body of +troops. + +Every preparatory arrangement being made, the night of the eighteenth +of August was fixed on for the enterprise. A detachment from the +division of Lord Stirling, including three hundred men designed for +the expedition, was ordered down as a foraging party. As there was +nothing unusual in this movement, it excited no suspicion. Lord +Stirling followed with five hundred men, and encamped at the new +bridge. + +[Sidenote: The British post at Powles Hook surprised by Major Lee and +the garrison made prisoners.] + +Major Lee, at the head of three hundred men, took the road through the +mountains which ran parallel to the North River; and, having secured +all the passes into York Island, reached the creek which surrounds the +Hook between two and three in the morning. He passed first the creek, +and then the ditch undiscovered; and, about three in the morning, +entered the main work, and with the loss of only two killed and three +wounded, made one hundred and fifty-nine prisoners, including three +officers. Very few of the British were killed. Major Sutherland, who +commanded the garrison, threw himself with forty or fifty Hessians +into a strong redoubt, which it was thought unadviseable to attack, +because the time occupied in carrying it might endanger the retreat. +Wasting no time in destroying what could easily be replaced, Major Lee +hastened to bring off his prisoners and his detachment. + +To avoid the danger of retreating up the narrow neck of land which has +already been described, some boats had been brought in the course of +the night to Dow's Ferry on the Hackensack, not far from Powles Hook. +The officer who guarded them was directed to remain until the arrival +of the troops engaged in the expedition, which, it was understood, +would happen before day. The light having made its appearance without +any intelligence from Major Lee, the officer having charge of the +boats conjectured that the attack had been postponed; and, to avoid +discovery, retired with them to Newark. The head of the retreating +column soon afterwards reached the ferry; and, fatigued as they were +by the toilsome march of the preceding night, were compelled to pass +as rapidly as possible up the narrow neck of land between the two +rivers to the new bridge. A horseman was despatched with this +information to Lord Stirling, and the line of march was resumed. + +About nine in the preceding evening, Major Buskirk had been detached +up the North River with a considerable part of the garrison of Powles +Hook, and some other troops, for the purpose of falling in with the +American party supposed to be foraging about the English +neighbourhood. + +On receiving intelligence of the disappointment respecting the boats, +Lord Stirling took the precaution to detach Colonel Ball with two +hundred fresh men to meet Lee, and cover his retreat. Just after Ball +had passed, Buskirk entered the main road, and fired on his rear. +Taking it for granted that this was only the advanced corps of a large +detachment sent to intercept the party retreating from Powles Hook, +Ball made a circuit to avoid the enemy; and Buskirk, finding a +detachment he had not expected, took the same measure to secure his +own retreat. The two parties, narrowly missing each other, returned to +their respective points of departure; and Lee reached the new bridge +without interruption.[19] + +[Footnote 19: The author states these facts from his own observation, +and conversations with other officers of the detachment.] + +This critical enterprise reflected much honour on the partisan with +whom it originated, and by whom it was conducted. General Washington +announced it to the army in his orders with much approbation; and +congress bestowed upon it a degree of applause more adapted to the +talent displayed in performing the service than to its magnitude. + +[Sidenote: Arrival of Admiral Arbuthnot.] + +A few days after the surprise of Powles Hook, the long expected fleet +from Europe, under the command of Admiral Arbuthnot, having on board a +reinforcement for the British army, arrived at New York. This +reinforcement however did not enable Sir Henry Clinton to enter +immediately on that active course of offensive operations which he +had meditated. It was soon followed by the Count D'Estaing, who +arrived on the southern coast of America with a powerful fleet; after +which the British general deemed it necessary to turn all his +attention to his own security. Rhode Island, and the posts up the +North River were evacuated, and the whole army was collected in New +York, the fortifications of which were carried on with unremitting +industry. + +[Sidenote: St. Lucia taken by the British. St. Vincents and Grenada +by the French.] + +The Count D'Estaing and Admiral Byron, having sailed about the same +time from the coast of North America, met in the West Indies, where +the war was carried on with various success. St. Lucia surrendered to +the British, in compensation for which the French took St. Vincents +and Grenada. About the time of the capture of the latter island, +D'Estaing received reinforcements which gave him a decided naval +superiority; after which a battle was fought between the two hostile +fleets, in which the Count claimed the victory, and in which so many +of the British ships were disabled that the Admiral was compelled to +retire into port in order to refit. + +The earnest representations made on the part of the United States had +prevailed on the cabinet of Versailles to instruct the Count D'Estaing +to afford them all the aid in his power; and the present moment seemed +a fit one for carrying these orders into execution. Letters from +General Lincoln, from the executive of South Carolina, and from the +French consul at Charleston, urged him to pay a visit to the southern +states; and represented the situation of the British in Georgia to be +such that his appearance would insure the destruction of the army in +that quarter, and the recovery of the state. + +[Sidenote: Count D'Estaing with his fleet arrives on the southern +coast of America.] + +Yielding to these solicitations, the Count sailed with twenty-two +ships of the line, and eleven frigates, having on board six thousand +soldiers, and arrived so suddenly on the southern coast of America, +that the Experiment of fifty guns, and three frigates, fell into his +hands. A vessel was sent to Charleston with information of his +arrival, and a plan was concerted for the siege of Savannah. D'Estaing +was to land three thousand men at Beaulieu on the 11th of September, +and Lincoln was to cross the Savannah on the same day with one +thousand Americans, and effect a junction with him. + +The town of Savannah was, at that time, the head quarters of General +Prevost. Apprehending no immediate danger, he had weakened the +garrison by establishing several out-posts in Georgia; and by leaving +Colonel Maitland with a strong detachment in the island of Port Royal, +in South Carolina. + +On the appearance of the French fleet, expresses were despatched to +Colonel Maitland and to all the out-posts, directing the troops to +repair without loss of time to Savannah. These orders were promptly +obeyed; and, on the 10th of September, the several detachments in +Georgia had all arrived in safety, except the sick and convalescents +of the garrison of Sunbury, who were intercepted. + +[Sidenote: September.] + +[Sidenote: Siege of Savannah by the combined armies.] + +On the 11th, General Lincoln reached Zubly's Ferry, and, on the 15th, +was assured that the French had disembarked in force. A junction of +the two armies was formed the next day before the town of Savannah. + +On the night of the 12th, the Count D'Estaing had landed about three +thousand men at Beaulieu; and the next day, before the arrival of +General Lincoln, had summoned the garrison to surrender to the arms of +the King of France. Being desirous of gaining time, General Prevost +answered the summons in such a manner as to encourage the opinion that +he designed to capitulate; in the expectation of which a suspension of +hostilities for twenty-four hours was granted. In that important +interval, Colonel Maitland arrived from Beaufort, with the troops +which had been stationed at that place. + +As the French were in possession of the main channel by which the +Savannah communicates with the sea, Colonel Maitland entered the town +by a route which had been deemed impracticable. He came round by +Dawfuskie, an island north of the mouth of the river, and landing in a +deep marsh, drew his boats through it into the Savannah, above the +place where the ships lay at anchor, and thence made his way by small +parties into the town. + +On receiving this reinforcement, the resolution was taken to defend +the place to the last extremity; and, the next day, this determination +was communicated to the Count D'Estaing. + +[Sidenote: September.] + +After bringing up the heavy ordnance and stores from the fleet, the +besieging army broke ground; and, by the first of October, had pushed +their sap within three hundred yards of the abattis on the left of the +British lines. Several batteries were opened on the besieged which +played almost incessantly upon their works, but made no impression on +them. + +The situation of D'Estaing was becoming critical. More time had +already been consumed on the coast of Georgia than he had supposed +would be necessary for the destruction of the British force in that +state. He became uneasy for the possessions of France in the West +Indies, and apprehensive for the safety of the ships under his +command. The naval officers remonstrated strenuously against longer +exposing his fleet on an insecure coast, at a tempestuous season of +the year, and urged the danger of being overtaken by a British +squadron, when broken and scattered by a storm, with a degree of +persevering earnestness which the Count found himself incapable of +resisting. + +In a few days the lines of the besiegers might have been carried by +regular approaches, into the works of the besieged, which would have +rendered the capture of the town and garrison inevitable. But +D'Estaing declared that he could devote no more time to this object; +and it only remained to raise the siege, or to attempt the works by +storm. The latter part of the alternative was adopted. + +On the left of the allied army, was a swampy hollow way which afforded +a cover for troops advancing on the right flank of the besieged, to a +point within fifty yards of their principal work. It was determined to +march to the main attack along this hollow; and, at the same time, to +direct feints against other parts of the lines. + +[Sidenote: Unsuccessful attempt to storm it.] + +On the morning of the 9th of October, before day, a heavy cannonade +and bombardment were commenced from all the batteries, as preliminary +to the assault. About three thousand five hundred French, and one +thousand Americans, of whom between six and seven hundred were +regulars, and the residue militia of Charleston, advanced in three +columns, led by D'Estaing and Lincoln, aided by the principal officers +of both nations, and made a furious assault on the British lines. +Their reception was warmer than had been expected. The fire from the +batteries of the besieged reached every part of the columns of the +assailants which had emerged from the swamp, and did great execution. +Yet the allied troops advanced with unabated ardour, passed through +the abattis, crossed the ditch, and mounted the parapet. Both the +French and Americans planted their standards on the walls, and were +killed in great numbers, while endeavouring to force their way into +the works. For about fifty minutes, the contest was extremely +obstinate. At length, the columns of the assailants began to relax, +and a pause was manifested in the assault. + +In this critical moment, Major Glaziers, at the head of a body of +grenadiers and marines, rushing suddenly from the lines, threw himself +on those who had made their way into the redoubts, and drove them over +the ditch and abattis into the hollow which they had marched to the +attack. It became apparent that farther perseverance could produce no +advantage, and a retreat was ordered. + +In this unsuccessful attempt, the French lost in killed and wounded, +about seven hundred men. Among the latter, were the Count D'Estaing +himself, Major General De Fontanges, and several other officers of +distinction. The continental troops lost two hundred and thirty-four +men, and the Charleston militia, who, though associated with them in +danger, were more fortunate, had one captain killed, and six privates +wounded. + +The loss of the garrison was astonishingly small. In killed and +wounded, it amounted only to fifty-five. So great was the advantage +of the cover afforded by their works. + +[Sidenote: The siege raised.] + +[Sidenote: October 18.] + +After this repulse, the Count D'Estaing announced to General Lincoln, +his determination to raise the siege. The remonstrances of that +officer were ineffectual; and the removal of the heavy ordnance and +stores was commenced. This being accomplished, both armies moved from +their ground on the evening of the 18th of October. The Americans, +recrossing the Savannah at Zubly's Ferry, again encamped in South +Carolina, and the French re-embarked. + +Although the issue of this enterprise was the source of severe chagrin +and mortification, the prudence of General Lincoln suppressed every +appearance of dissatisfaction, and the armies separated with +manifestations of reciprocal esteem. + +The hopes which had brought the militia into the field being +disappointed, they dispersed; and the affairs of the southern states +wore a more gloomy aspect than at any former period. + +On receiving intelligence of the situation of Lincoln, congress passed +a resolution requesting General Washington to order the North Carolina +troops, and such others as could be spared from the northern army, to +the aid of that in the south; and assuring the states of South +Carolina and Georgia of the attention of government to their +preservation; but requesting them, for their own defence, to comply +with the recommendations formerly made respecting the completion of +their continental regiments, and the government of their militia while +in actual service. + +During these transactions in the south, the long meditated expedition +against the Indians was prosecuted with success. + +The largest division of the western army was to assemble at Wyoming, +on the main branch of the Susquehanna, and General Sullivan expected +to leave that place in the month of June. Such, however, were the +delays in procuring provisions and military stores, that it was the +last of July[20] before he could move from the place of rendezvous. + +[Footnote 20: While Sullivan was preparing to invade their country, +the savages were not inactive. At the head of a small party of whites +and Indians, Joseph Brandt fell upon the frontiers of New York, +murdered several of the inhabitants, carried others into captivity, +and burnt several houses. He was pursued by about one hundred and +fifty militia, whom he drew into an ambuscade, and entirely defeated. +A few days afterwards, Captain M'Donald, at the head of a small party, +of whom a third were British, took a fort on the west branch of the +Susquehanna, and made the garrison, amounting to thirty men, prisoners +of war. The women and children, contrary to the usage of Indians, were +permitted to retire into the settled country.--_Gordon._] + +[Sidenote: August.] + +Another body of troops, designed to compose a part of the western +army, had passed the winter on the Mohawk. On the 22d of August, these +two divisions united, and the whole army, amounting to five thousand +men, marched up the Tyoga, which led into the heart of the Indian +country. + +Such extensive and tedious preparations could not be made unobserved. +The plan of operations contemplated by Sullivan seems to have been +completely understood; and, notwithstanding the vast superiority of +his force, the Indians determined to defend their country. They +resolved to risk a general action for its preservation, and selected +the ground for the conflict with judgment. + +About a mile in front of Newtown, they collected their whole force, +estimated by General Sullivan at fifteen hundred men, but by +themselves at only eight hundred, commanded by the two Butlers, Grey, +Johnson, M'Donald, and Brandt. Five companies of whites, calculated at +two hundred men, were united with them. They had constructed a +breast-work about half a mile in length, on a piece of rising ground. +The right flank of this work was covered by the river, which, bending +to the right, and winding round their rear, exposed only their front +and left to an attack. On the left, was a high ridge nearly parallel +to the general course of the river, terminating somewhat below the +breast-work; and still farther to the left, was another ridge running +in the same direction, and leading to the rear of the American army. +The ground was covered with pine interspersed with low shrub-oaks, +many of which, for the purpose of concealing their works, had been cut +up and stuck in front of them, so as to exhibit the appearance of +being still growing. The road, after crossing a deep brook at the foot +of the hill, turned to the right, and ran nearly parallel to the +breast-work, so as to expose the whole flank of the army to their +fire, if it should advance without discovering their position. + +Parties communicating with each other were stationed on both hills, so +as to fall on the right flank and rear of Sullivan, as soon as the +action should commence. + +[Sidenote: August.] + +About eleven in the morning of the 29th of August, this work was +discovered by Major Par, who commanded the advance guard of the army; +upon which, General Hand formed the light infantry in a wood, about +four hundred yards distant from the enemy, and stood upon his ground +until the main body should arrive. In the mean time, a continual +skirmishing was kept up between Par's rifle corps, and small parties +of Indians who sallied from their works, and suddenly retreated, +apparently with the hope of being incautiously pursued. + +Conjecturing that the hills on his right were occupied by the savages, +Sullivan ordered General Poor to take possession of that which led +into his rear, and, thence, to turn the left, and gain the rear, of +the breast-work; while Hand, aided by the artillery, should attack in +front. These orders were promptly executed. While the artillery played +on the works, Poor pushed up the mountain, and a sharp conflict +commenced, which was sustained for some time, with considerable spirit +on both sides. Poor continued to advance rapidly, pressing the +Indians before him at the point of the bayonet, and occasionally +firing on them. They retreated from tree to tree, keeping up an +irregular fire, until he gained the summit of the hill. Perceiving +that their flank was completely uncovered by this movement, and that +they were in danger of being surrounded, the savages abandoned their +breast-work, and, crossing the river, fled with the utmost +precipitation. + +[Sidenote: Victory of General Sullivan at Newtown.] + +This victory cost the Americans about thirty men. The ascertained loss +of the Indians was also inconsiderable. But they were so intimidated, +that every idea of farther resistance was abandoned. As Sullivan +advanced, they continued to retreat before him without harassing his +main body, or even skirmishing with his detachments, except in a +single instance. + +He penetrated far into the heart of their country, which his parties +scoured, and laid waste in every direction. Houses, corn-fields, +gardens, and fruit trees, shared one common fate; and Sullivan +executed strictly the severe but necessary orders he had received, to +render the country completely uninhabitable for the present, and thus +to compel the hostile Indians, by want of food, to remove to a greater +distance. + +The objects of the expedition being accomplished, Sullivan returned to +Easton in Pennsylvania, having lost only forty men by sickness and +the enemy. + +The devastation of the country has been spoken of with some degree of +disapprobation; but this sentiment is the result rather of an amiable +disposition in the human mind to condemn whatever may have the +appearance of tending to aggravate the miseries of war, than of +reflection. Circumstances existed which reconciled to humanity this +seeming departure from it. Great Britain possessed advantages which +ensured a controlling influence over the Indians, and kept them in +almost continual war with the United States. Their habitual ferocity +seemed to have derived increased virulence from the malignity of the +whites who had taken refuge among them; and there was real foundation +for the opinion that an annual repetition of the horrors of Wyoming +could be prevented only by disabling the savages from perpetrating +them. No means in the power of the United States promised so certainly +to effect this desirable object, as the removal of neighbours whose +hostility could be diminished only by terror, and whose resentments +were to be assuaged only by fear. + +While Sullivan laid waste the country on the Susquehanna, another +expedition under Colonel Brodhead, was carried on from Pittsburg up +the Alleghany, against the Mingo, Munscy, and Seneca tribes. At the +head of between six and seven hundred men, he advanced two hundred +miles up the river, and destroyed the villages and corn-fields on its +head branches. Here too the Indians were unable to resist the invading +army. + +After one unsuccessful skirmish, they abandoned their villages to a +destruction which was inevitable, and sought for personal safety in +their woods. + +On receiving the communications of General Sullivan, congress passed a +vote approving his conduct, and that of his army. That approbation, +however, seems not to have extended beyond his conduct in the Indian +country. His demands for military stores for the expedition had been +so high; in his conversations with his officers, he had so freely +censured the government for its failure to comply with those demands; +in general orders, he had so openly complained of inattention to the +preparations necessary to secure the success of the enterprise; that +considerable offence was given to several members of congress, and +still more to the board of war. From the operation of these causes, +when Sullivan, at the close of the campaign, complained of ill health, +and offered, on that account, to resign his commission, the endeavours +of his friends to obtain a vote requesting him to continue in the +service, and permitting him to retire from actual duty until his +health should be restored, were overruled; and his resignation was +accepted. The resolution permitting him to resign was, however, +accompanied with one thanking him for his past services. + +Although these great exertions to terminate Indian hostility did not +afford complete security to the western frontiers, they were attended +with considerable advantages. The savages, though not subdued, were +intimidated; and their incursions became less formidable, as well as +less frequent. + +The summer of 1779 passed away without furnishing any circumstance in +America which could be supposed to have a material influence on the +issue of the war. In Europe, however, an event took place which had +been long anxiously expected, and was believed to be of decisive +importance. Spain at length determined to make one common cause with +France against Great Britain. It was supposed that the two powers +would be able to obtain a complete ascendency at sea; and that their +combined fleets would maintain a superiority on the American coast, as +well as in Europe. + +From the first determination of France to take part in the war, it +appears to have been the earnest wish of the cabinet of Versailles to +engage Spain likewise in the contest. + +Her resentments against England, her solicitude to diminish the naval +strength of that nation, and her wish to recover Jamaica, Gibraltar, +and the Floridas, urged her to seize the fair occasion now offered of +dismembering the British empire, and accomplishing these favourite +objects. But her dread of the effect which the independence of the +United States might produce on her own colonies, mingled with some +apprehensions of danger from the contest she was about to provoke, had +produced an appearance of irresolution, which rendered her future +course, for a time, uncertain. In this conflict of opposite interests, +the influence of the cabinet of Versailles, and the jealousy of the +naval power of Britain, at length obtained the victory; and his +Catholic Majesty determined to prevent the reannexation of the United +States to their mother country; but to effect this object by +negotiation rather than by the sword. + +[Sidenote: Spain offers her mediation to the belligerent powers.] + +In pursuance of this pacific system, he offered his mediation to the +belligerent powers. This proposition was readily accepted by France; +but the minister of his Britannic Majesty evaded any explicit +arrangements on the subject, while he continued to make general verbal +declarations of the willingness of his sovereign to give peace to +Europe under the mediation of his Catholic Majesty. In consequence of +these declarations, the Spanish minister proposed a truce for a term +of years, and that a congress of deputies from the belligerent powers +should assemble at Madrid to adjust the terms of a permanent treaty; +into which deputies from the United States were to be admitted, as +the representatives of a sovereign nation. Although an explicit +acknowledgment of their independence was not to be required, it was to +be understood that they should be independent in fact, and should be +completely separated from the British empire. + +This negotiation was protracted to a considerable length; and in the +mean time, all the address of the cabinet of London was used to detach +either France or the United States from their alliance with each +other. Notice of it was given to the American government by the +minister of France at Philadelphia, as well as by Mr. Arthur Lee, one +of their agents in Europe; and congress was repeatedly urged by the +former, to furnish those who might be authorized to represent them in +the conferences for a general treaty, with ample powers and +instructions to conclude it. An extraordinary degree of solicitude was +manifested to hasten the full powers, and to moderate the claims of +the United States. + +It seems to have been the policy of the cabinet of Versailles to +exclude the American States from a share of the fisheries, and to +limit their western boundary to the settlements then made. Either from +a real apprehension that the war might be protracted should the United +States insist on the acknowledgment of their independence as a +preliminary to any treaty, or from an opinion that such preliminary +acknowledgment would leave the terms of the treaty less under the +control of France, and the American plenipotentiaries more masters of +their own conduct, Monsieur Girard laboured to persuade congress to +recede from that demand. If they could be independent in fact, he +thought the form not worth contending for.[21] + +[Footnote 21: The author has seen notes taken by a member of congress, +of communications made by Mr. Girard, when admitted to an audience, +which avow these sentiments. The secret journals of congress sustain +this statement.] + +While congress was employed in debating the instructions to their +ministers, the negotiation was brought to a close. As Spain became +prepared for hostilities, the offered mediation was pressed in such +terms as to produce the necessity of either accepting or rejecting it. +This drew from the cabinet of London a declaration that the +independence of the United States was inadmissible; upon which his +Catholic Majesty determined to take part in the war. + +[Sidenote: War between Spain and England.] + +On the departure of his minister from London without taking leave, the +British government issued letters of marque and reprisal against the +vessels and subjects of the Spanish crown; and a powerful Spanish +fleet, which had been preparing during the negotiation, was expedited, +to co-operate with that of France. Yet the independence of the United +States was not acknowledged, nor was their minister accredited. +Despatches, giving notice of the hostilities meditated by his +Catholic Majesty, were forwarded to Don Galvez, the governor of +Louisiana, who collected a considerable military force at New Orleans, +and reduced the settlements held by the British crown on the +Mississippi, which had not been apprised of the war. + +Intelligence of this important event was given to congress while that +body was deliberating on the instructions to their negotiators. It is +not impossible that this information had some influence on those +deliberations; and, rendering the American government less solicitous +about the future conduct of Spain, diminished the motives for making +territorial sacrifices to that power. Their ministers were ordered to +make it a preliminary article to any negotiation, that Great Britain +should agree to treat with the United States, as sovereign, free, and +independent; and that their independence should be expressly assured +and confirmed by the terms of the treaty itself. + +That the United States might be enabled to avail themselves without +further delays, of any occasion which might be presented for +terminating the war, Mr. John Adams, who was already in Europe, was +authorized to negotiate a treaty of peace, and a commercial treaty +with Great Britain; and Mr. Jay, at that time president of congress, +was appointed minister plenipotentiary to the court of Madrid, with +instructions to insist on the free navigation of the Mississippi;--a +claim to which Spain objected, and which was discountenanced by +France. + +As the campaign drew to a close without affording any solid foundation +for the hope that the war was about to terminate, General Washington +repeated those efforts which he had made so often and so +unsuccessfully, to induce early preparations for the ensuing year. He +submitted to the view of his government a detailed report of the whole +army, which exhibited the alarming fact, that by the last of the +following June, the terms of service of nearly one-half the men under +his command would expire. + +It was not the least considerable of the inconveniences attending the +complex system of government then prevailing in the United States, +that measures essential to the safety of the nation were never taken +in season. Thus, when the time for raising the quotas of the +respective states by voluntary enlistment had passed away, and the +necessity of resorting to coercive means had become absolute, those +means were so delayed, and so irregularly put in execution, that the +terms of service of different portions of the army expired almost +every month in the year; and raw troops, ignorant of the first +rudiments of military duty, were introduced in the most critical +moments of a campaign. Had timely and correspondent measures been +taken by the states to raise their respective quotas by a specified +time in the depth of winter, the recruits would have received the +advantage of a few months training before they were brought into +actual service, and the General, that of a certain uninterrupted force +for each campaign. This course of proceeding had been continually +recommended, and the recommendation had been as continually neglected. + +[Sidenote: Letter from General Washington to Congress.] + +"In the more early stages of the contest," said the Commander-in-chief +to congress, in a letter of the 8th of November, "when men might have +been enlisted for the war, no man, as my whole conduct, and the +uniform tenor of my letters will evince, was ever more opposed to +short enlistments than I was; and while there remained a prospect of +obtaining recruits on a permanent footing in the first instance, as +far as duty and a regard to my station would permit, I urged my +sentiments in favour of it. But the prospect of keeping up an army by +voluntary enlistments being changed, or at least standing on too +precarious and uncertain a footing to depend on for the exigency of +our affairs, I took the liberty in February, 1778, in a particular +manner, to lay before the committee of arrangement then with the army +at Valley Forge, a plan for an annual draught, as the surest and most +certain, if not the only means left us, of maintaining the army on a +proper and respectable ground. And, more and more confirmed in the +propriety of this opinion by the intervention of a variety of +circumstances, unnecessary to detail, I again took the freedom of +urging the plan to the committee of conference in January last; and, +having reviewed it in every point of light, and found it right, at +least the best that has occurred to me, I hope I shall be excused by +congress in offering it to them, and in time for carrying into +execution for the next year; if they should conceive it necessary for +the states to complete their quotas of troops. + +"The plan I would propose is, that each state be informed by congress +annually of the _real deficiency_ of its troops, and called upon to +make it up, or such less specific number as congress may think proper, +by a draught. That the men draughted join the army by the first of +January, and serve until the first of January in the succeeding year. +That from the time the draughts join the army, the officers of the +states from which they come, be authorized and directed to use their +endeavours to enlist them for the war, under the bounties granted to +the officers themselves, and to the recruits, by the act of the 23d of +January, 1779, viz: ten dollars to the officer for each recruit, and +two hundred to the recruits themselves. That all state, county, and +town bounties to draughts, if practicable, be entirely abolished, on +account of the uneasiness and disorders they create among the +soldiery, the desertions they produce, and for other reasons which +will readily occur. That on or before the first of October annually, +an abstract, or return, similar to the present one, be transmitted to +congress, to enable them to make their requisitions to each state with +certainty and precision. This I would propose as a general plan to be +pursued; and I am persuaded that this, or one nearly similar to it, +will be found the best now in our power, as it will be attended with +the least expense to the public, will place the service on the footing +of order and certainty, and will be the only one that can advance the +general interest to any great extent." + +These representations on the part of the Commander-in-chief were not +more successful than those which had before been made. Although the +best dispositions existed in congress, the proceedings of that body +were unavoidably slow; and the difficulty of effecting a concert of +measures among thirteen sovereign states, was too great to be +surmounted. In consequence of these radical defects in the system +itself, the contributions of men made by the states continued to be +irregular, uncertain, and out of season; and the army could never +acquire that consistency and stability, which would have resulted from +an exact observance of the plan so often recommended. + +On receiving information of the disaster which had been sustained by +the allied arms at Savannah, Sir Henry Clinton resumed his plan of +active operations against the southern states. A large embarkation +took place soon after that event had been announced to him, which +sailed from the Hook towards the end of December. The troops were +commanded by himself in person, and the fleet by Admiral Arbuthnot. +The defence of New York and its dependencies were entrusted to General +Knyphausen. + +The preparations made in New York for some distant enterprise were +immediately communicated by his faithful intelligencers to General +Washington, who conjectured its object, and hastened the march of the +troops designed to reinforce General Lincoln. + +The season for action in a northern climate being over, the General +turned his attention to the distribution of his troops in winter +quarters. Habit had familiarized the American army to the use of huts +constructed by themselves; and both officers and men were content to +pass the winter in a hutted camp. In disposing of the troops, +therefore, until the time for action should return, wood and water, a +healthy situation, convenience for supplies of provisions, stations +which would enable them to cover the country, and to defend particular +positions, were the objects taken into consideration, and were all to +be consulted. + +[Sidenote: The American army goes into winter quarters.] + +With a view to these various circumstances, the army was thrown into +two great divisions. The northern was to be commanded by General +Heath; and its chief object was the security of West Point, and of the +posts on the North River, as low as King's Ferry. Subordinate to +this, was the protection of the country on the Sound, and down the +Hudson to the neighbourhood of Kingsbridge. The other and principal +division, under the immediate command of General Washington, was put +under cover, late in December, in the neighbourhood of Morristown. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + South Carolina invaded.... The British fleet passes the bar, + and gets possession of the harbour of Charleston.... Opinion + of General Washington on the propriety of defending that + place.... Sir Henry Clinton invests the town.... Tarlton + surprises an American corps at Monk's Corner.... Fort + Moultrie surrendered.... Tarlton defeats Colonel White.... + General Lincoln capitulates.... Buford defeated.... + Arrangements for the government of South Carolina and + Georgia.... Sir Henry Clinton embarks for New York.... + General Gates takes command of the Southern army.... Is + defeated near Camden.... Death of De Kalb.... Success of + General Sumpter.... He is defeated. + + +[Sidenote: 1780.] + +The departure of the French fleet produced a sudden change in the +prospects of the southern states. The sanguine hopes which had been +entertained of the recovery of Georgia, gave place to gloomy and well +founded apprehensions for South Carolina. + +The facility with which General Prevost had passed through the state, +and the assurances he had received of the indisposition of a large +portion of the people to defend themselves, disclosed too certainly +the true situation of the country, not to convince all discerning men +that a real attempt at conquest would be made the ensuing year. +General Lincoln perceived the approaching danger, without being able +to provide against it. His power, as a military commander, was too +limited, and his influence on the government of the state too weak, to +draw forth even the means it possessed in time for its protection. + +Though the preservation of its metropolis was of vast importance to +the state, no preparations were making to put it in a condition to +stand a siege. The forts on the islands were in ruins, and the works +across the neck remained unfinished. The representations made on this +subject to the governor by General Lincoln were not disregarded; but +from some defect in the existing law, the executive found it +impracticable to obtain labour for these interesting objects. + +[Sidenote: January 23.] + +Admiral Arbuthnot arrived at Savannah on the 31st of January. One of +his transports, which had been separated from the fleet in a storm, +was brought into Charleston harbour on the 23d of that month; and the +prisoners gave the first certain intelligence that the expedition from +New York was destined against the capital of South Carolina. + +[Sidenote: Sir Henry Clinton invests Charleston.] + +Before the middle of February, the fleet entered the harbour, or +inlet, of North Edisto; and landed the troops without opposition on +St. John's Island. A part of the fleet was sent round to blockade the +harbour of Charleston, while the army proceeded slowly and cautiously +from Stono Creek to Wappoo Cut, and through the islands of St. John +and St. James. + +This delay, in the event so fatal, but then deemed so propitious to +the American arms, was employed to the utmost advantage in improving +the defence of Charleston. The legislature had enabled the executive +to employ slaves to work on the fortifications; and had passed an act +delegating great powers to the Governor and such of his council as he +could conveniently consult. Under these acts, six hundred slaves were +employed on the works, and vigorous, though not very successful +measures were taken by the executive to assemble the militia of the +country. The fallacious hope was entertained that, if the town could +be rendered defensible, the garrison would be made sufficiently strong +by reinforcements from the north, and by the militia of the state, to +maintain the place and compel Sir Henry Clinton to raise the siege. + +The American army being too weak to make any serious opposition to the +progress of the British through the country, the cavalry, with a small +corps of infantry, were directed to hover on their left flank; and the +other troops, consisting of about fourteen hundred regulars fit for +duty, aided by the militia, were drawn into the town, and employed on +the works. + +[Sidenote: Colonel Washington defeats Tarlton.] + +Understanding that great exertions were making to improve the +fortifications, and that the garrison was gaining strength, Sir Henry +Clinton ordered General Patterson to join him with the troops which +could be spared from Georgia, and directed Lieutenant Colonel +Tarlton, after supplying the horses which had been lost during a very +stormy voyage from New York, to cover his march through South +Carolina. In one of the excursions of that active officer to disperse +the militia who assembled to oppose the progress of Patterson through +the country, his cavalry encountered Lieutenant Colonel Washington, +who commanded the remnant of Baylor's regiment, and were driven back +with some loss; but the want of infantry disabled Washington from +pressing his advantage. + +In defending Charleston, the command of the harbour is of great +importance. To preserve this advantage, congress had ordered four +frigates to South Carolina, which, with the marine force belonging to +the state, and two French vessels, were placed under the command of +Commodore Whipple. + +General Washington was the more sanguine in the hope of defending the +harbour, because it was understood that the bar was impassable by a +ship of the line, and that even a large frigate could not be brought +over it, without first taking out her guns, or careening her so much +that the crew would be unable to work her. + +On sounding within the bar it was discovered that the water was too +shallow for the frigates to act with any effect, and that, in making +the attempt, they would be exposed to the fire of the batteries which +the assailants had erected. Under these circumstances, the officers +of the navy were unanimously of opinion that no successful opposition +could be made at the bar, and that the fleet might act more +advantageously in concert with the fort on Sullivan's Island. + +The intention of disputing the passage over the bar being abandoned, +Commodore Whipple moored his squadron in a line with fort Moultrie, in +a narrow passage between Sullivan's Island and the middle ground; and +the British ships, without their guns, passed the bar, and anchored in +five fathom hole. + +It being now thought impossible to prevent the fleet from passing fort +Moultrie, and taking such stations in Cooper River as would enable +them to rake the batteries on shore, and to close that communication +between the town and country, the plan of defence was once more +changed, and the armed vessels were carried into the mouth of Cooper +River, and sunk in a line from the town to Shute's folly. + +This was the critical moment for evacuating the town. The loss of the +harbour rendered the defence of the place, if not desperate, so +improbable, that the hope to maintain it, could not have been +rationally entertained by a person, who was not deceived by the +expectation of aids much more considerable than were actually +received. + +[Sidenote: Opinion of General Washington on the subject of defending +Charleston.] + +When this state of things was communicated to General Washington, by +Lieutenant Colonel Laurens, he said in reply, "The impracticability +of defending the bar, I fear, amounts to the loss of the town and +garrison. At this distance it is impossible to judge for you. I have +the greatest confidence in General Lincoln's prudence; but it really +appears to me, that the propriety of attempting to defend the town, +depended on the probability of defending the bar; and that when this +ceased, the attempt ought to have been relinquished. In this, however, +I suspend a definitive judgment, and wish you to consider what I say +as confidential." Unfortunately, this letter did not arrive in time to +influence the conduct of the besieged. + +[Sidenote: April 1.] + +Having crossed Ashley River, Sir Henry Clinton moved down the neck, +and, on the night of the first of April, broke ground within eight +hundred yards of the American lines. + +The defences of Charleston had been constructed under the direction of +a Mr. Laumay, a French gentleman in the American service; and, +although not calculated to resist a regular siege, were far from being +contemptible. + +While the besiegers were employed on their first parallel, the +garrison received a considerable reinforcement. General Woodford, who +had marched from Morristown in December, entered the town with the old +continental troops of the Virginia line, now reduced to seven hundred +effectives. General Hogan, with the line of North Carolina, had +arrived before him. The garrison consisted of rather more than two +thousand regular troops, of about one thousand North Carolina militia, +and of the citizens of Charleston. The exertions of the Governor to +bring in the militia of South Carolina had not succeeded. + +[Sidenote: April 9.] + +By the 9th of April, Sir Henry Clinton completed his first parallel +extending across the neck, and mounted his guns in battery. His works +formed an oblique line, from six to seven hundred yards distant from +those of the besieged. About the same time, Admiral Arbuthnot passed +Sullivan's Island, under a heavy and well directed fire from fort +Moultrie, then commanded by Colonel Pinckney, and anchored under +James' Island near fort Johnson, just out of gunshot of the batteries +of the town. + +Being now in complete possession of the harbour, the British General +and Admiral sent a joint summons to General Lincoln, demanding the +surrender of the town, to which he returned this firm and modest +answer. "Sixty days have elapsed since it has been known that your +intentions against this town were hostile, in which, time has been +afforded to abandon it; but duty and inclination point to the +propriety of supporting it to the last extremity." + +On receiving this answer, the besiegers opened their batteries, but +seemed to rely principally on proceeding by sap quite into the +American lines. + +About this time, the Governor with half the members of the council, +went into the country, in the hope of collecting a respectable force +in the rear, and on the left flank of the besieging army. The +Lieutenant Governor, and the other members of the council remained in +town. + +Hitherto, Sir Henry Clinton had not extended his lines north of +Charleston neck, and the communication of the garrison with the +country north-east of Cooper remained open. The American cavalry, +under the command of General Huger, had passed that river, and was +stationed in the neighbourhood of Monk's corner, about thirty miles +above Charleston. As an additional security to this, the only +remaining communication, two posts of militia were established, one +between the Cooper and the Santee rivers, to which the Governor +repaired in person; and another at a ferry on the Santee, where boats +were to be collected for the purpose of facilitating the passage of +the American army over that river, should it be deemed adviseable to +evacuate the town. + +Such importance was attached to this object, that Lincoln, after +Woodford had entered Charleston, detached a part of his regular +troops, to throw up some works about nine miles above the town, on +Wando, the eastern branch of Cooper, and on Lamprere's point. The +militia, it was hoped, though unwilling to enter Charleston, might be +drawn to these posts. + +[Sidenote: April 14.] + +[Sidenote: Tarlton surprises and defeats an American corps at Monk's +corner.] + +After the fleet had entered the harbour, Sir Henry Clinton turned his +attention to the country on the east of Cooper, to acquire the +possession of which it was necessary to disable the American cavalry. +This service was committed to Lieutenant Colonel Webster, who detached +Tarlton with the horse and a corps of infantry to execute it. He +succeeded completely. Conducted in the night through unfrequented +paths to the American videttes, he entered the camp with them, killed +and took about one hundred men, and dispersed the residue, who saved +themselves on foot in a swamp. Near fifty wagons loaded with military +stores, and about four hundred horses, fell into the hands of the +victors. + +This decisive blow gave Lieutenant Colonel Webster possession of the +whole country between Cooper and Wando; and closed the only route by +which the garrison could have retreated. + +The besiegers had now commenced their second parallel, and it became +every day more apparent that the town must ultimately yield to their +regular approaches. An evacuation was proposed, and Lincoln is +understood to have been in favour of that measure; but the +remonstrances of the principal inhabitants, who entreated him not to +abandon them to the fury of a disappointed enemy, added to the great +difficulty which must attend such an attempt, especially when opposed +by the civil government, deterred him from adopting the only course +which afforded even a probability, by saving his army, of saving the +southern states. + +Soon after the affair at Monk's corner, Sir Henry Clinton received a +reinforcement of three thousand men from New York. This addition to +his strength enabled him to detach largely to the aid of Lieutenant +Colonel Webster, after which Lord Cornwallis took command of the +troops on that side of Cooper River. + +[Sidenote: April 20.] + +Upon this change of situation, Lincoln called another council of war. +Notwithstanding the multiplied difficulties attending an evacuation of +Charleston, he appears to have been still inclined to it. But a number +of fortunate circumstances must have concurred to render a retreat +possible; and the attempt was effectually prevented by the opposition +of the civil government. The opinion seems to have prevailed, that the +escape of the garrison would be followed by the destruction of the +town, and the ruin of its inhabitants. + +The council advised that a capitulation should be proposed, and that +the town should be surrendered on condition that the garrison should +be at liberty still to bear arms, and that the inhabitants should be +secured in their persons and property. These propositions being +rejected, hostilities recommenced. + +The besiegers had completed their second parallel, and had begun the +third, when Colonel Henderson made a vigorous sally on their right, +which was attended with some success. That this was the only sortie +made during the siege, is to be ascribed to the weakness of the +garrison. General Lincoln deemed it necessary to reserve all his +strength to man his lines in the event of an assault, or to force a +retreat, should he determine to evacuate the city. + +In this state of things, General Du Portail, who had been directed to +join the southern army, was conducted by secret ways into the town. He +perceived the impossibility of defending the place, and repeated the +proposition for attempting a retreat. This proposition was again +rejected; and it only remained to defer the surrender as long as +possible, in the vain hope that some fortunate occurrence might bring +relief. + +[Sidenote: The garrison of fort Moultrie surrender themselves +prisoners of war.] + +Every day diminished this hope, and added to the difficulties of the +besieged. The admiral took possession of Mount Pleasant, which induced +the immediate evacuation of Lamprere's point; soon after which the +garrison of fort Moultrie, amounting to about two hundred men,[22] +surrendered themselves prisoners of war. On the same day, the cavalry +which had escaped the disaster at Monk's corner, and had been +reassembled under the command of Colonel White, of New Jersey, was +again surprised and defeated by Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton at +Lanneau's ferry. + +[Footnote 22: After the fleet passed the fort, Colonel Pinckney and a +part of the garrison were withdrawn.] + +The investment of the town was now complete; the advances were rapid; +and it became obvious that the place could be defended only a few days +longer. The besiegers had finished their third parallel; and by a sap +pushed to the dam that supplied the canal with water, had drained it +in many places to the bottom. The garrison, fatigued and worn out with +constant duty, was too weak to man the lines sufficiently; their guns +were almost all dismounted; most of the embrasures demolished; their +shot nearly expended; their provisions, with the exception of a few +cows, entirely consumed; and the approaches of the besiegers so near, +that their marksmen frequently picked off the men from the guns, and +killed[23] any person who showed himself above the works. + +[Footnote 23: Colonel Parker and Captain Peyton, two valuable officers +from Virginia, fell in this manner.] + +In this state of things, the garrison was summoned, a second time, to +surrender; on which a council was again called, which advised a +capitulation. In pursuance of this advice, General Lincoln proposed +terms which were refused, and hostilities recommenced. + +The besiegers now advanced their works in front of their third +parallel, crossed the canal, pushed a double sap to the inside of the +abattis, and approached within twenty yards of the American works. +Preparations for an assault by sea and land were making. With less +than three thousand men, many of whom were militia, lines three miles +in extent were to be defended against the flower of the British army, +assisted by a powerful maritime force. Convinced that success was not +possible, the citizens prepared a petition to General Lincoln, +entreating him to surrender the town on the terms which had been +offered by the besiegers. + +[Sidenote: General Lincoln capitulates.] + +This proposition was made and accepted; and the capitulation was +signed on the 12th of May. + +[Sidenote: May 12.] + +The town, and all public stores were surrendered. The garrison, as +well the citizens who had borne arms as the continental troops, +militia, and sailors, were to be prisoners of war. The garrison were +to march out of town, and to deposite their arms in front of their +works; but their drums were not to beat a British march, nor their +colours to be reversed. The militia were to retire to their homes on +parole, and their persons and property, as well as the persons and +property of the inhabitants of the town, to be secure while they +adhered to their paroles. + +These terms being agreed on, the garrison laid down their arms, and +General Leslie was appointed to take possession of the town. + +The defence of Charleston was obstinate, but not bloody. The besiegers +conducted their approaches with great caution; and the besieged, too +weak to hazard repeated sorties, kept within their lines. The loss on +both sides was nearly equal. That of the British was seventy-six +killed and one hundred and eighty-nine wounded; and that of the +Americans, excluding the inhabitants of the town not bearing arms, was +ninety-two killed, and one hundred and forty-eight wounded. + +From the official returns made to Sir Henry Clinton by his deputy +adjutant general, the number of prisoners, exclusive of sailors, +amounted to five thousand six hundred and eighteen men. This report, +however, presents a very incorrect view of the real strength of the +garrison. It includes every male adult inhabitant of the town. The +precise number of privates in the continental regiments, according to +the report made to congress by General Lincoln, was one thousand nine +hundred and seventy-seven; of whom five hundred were in the hospital. + +The unfortunate are generally condemned; and the loss of the garrison +of Charleston so maimed the force, and palsied the operations of the +American government in the south, that censure was unsparingly +bestowed on the officer who had undertaken and persevered in the +defence of that place. In his justificatory letter to the +Commander-in-chief, General Lincoln detailed at large the motives of +his conduct, and stated the testimony on which those delusive hopes of +substantial assistance were founded, which tempted him to remain in +town, until the unexpected arrival of the reinforcement from New York +deprived him of the power to leave it. + +The importance of that great mart of the southern states, which had +become the depot for the country to a considerable extent around it; +the magazines and military stores there collected, which, from the +difficulty of obtaining wagons, could not be removed; the ships of +war, which must be sacrificed should the town be evacuated; the +intention of congress that the place should be defended; the +assurances received that the garrison should be made up to ten +thousand men, of whom nearly one half would be regular troops; the +anxious solicitude of the government of South Carolina; all concurred +to induce the adoption of a measure which, in its consequences, was +extremely pernicious to the United States. In the opinion of those who +were best enabled to judge of his conduct, General Lincoln appears to +have been completely justified. The confidence of his government, and +the esteem of the Commander-in-chief, sustained no diminution. + +Sir Henry Clinton was aware of the impression his conquest had made, +and of the value of the first moments succeeding it. Calculating on +the advantages to be derived from showing an irresistible force in +various parts of the country at the same time, he made three large +detachments from his army;--the first and most considerable, towards +the frontiers of North Carolina; the second to pass the Saluda to +Ninety-Six; and the third up the Savannah towards Augusta. + +[Sidenote: Buford defeated.] + +Lord Cornwallis, who commanded the northern detachment, received +intelligence, soon after passing the Santee, that Colonel Buford, with +about four hundred men, was retreating in perfect security towards +North Carolina. He detached Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton with his +legion, the infantry being mounted, in pursuit of this party. That +officer, by making a movement of near one hundred miles in two days, +overtook Buford, in a line of march, at the Waxhaws, and demanded a +surrender on the terms which had been granted to the garrison of +Charleston. This was refused. While the flags were passing, Tarlton +continued to make his dispositions for the assault, and, the instant +the truce was over, his cavalry made a furious charge on the +Americans, who had received no orders to engage, and who seem to have +been uncertain whether to defend themselves or not. In this state of +dismay and confusion, some fired on the assailants, while others threw +down their arms and begged for quarter. None was given. Colonel Buford +escaped with a few cavalry; and about one hundred infantry, who were +in advance, saved themselves by flight; but the regiment was almost +demolished. Tarlton, in his official report, says that one hundred and +thirteen were killed on the spot, one hundred and fifty so badly +wounded as to be incapable of being moved, and fifty-three were +brought away as prisoners. The loss of the British was five killed and +fourteen wounded. + +Tarlton gives a very different account of the circumstances which +preceded this massacre. He says that the demand for a surrender was +made long before Buford was overtaken, and was answered by a defiance; +that, on overtaking him, the British vanguard made prisoners of a +sergeant and four light dragoons, in the presence of the two +commanders, who immediately prepared for action; that as he advanced +to the charge, when within fifty paces, the American infantry +presented, and were commanded by their officers to retain their fire +until the British cavalry should be nearer.[24] + +[Footnote 24: Lieutenant Bowyer, an American officer who was in the +engagement, near the person of Colonel Buford, in a letter which the +author has lately seen, states this affair in a manner not much +conflicting with the statement made of it by Colonel Tarlton.] + +The American officers who survived the carnage of the day, generally +assert that flags passed after being overtaken, that they had received +no orders from Colonel Buford when the charge was made, and that the +fire of their troops was retained until the enemy was upon them, +because they did not think themselves authorized to give it. The facts +that Buford's field pieces were not discharged, and that the loss was +so very unequal, are not to be reconciled with the idea of deliberate +preparation for battle, and justify the belief that the statement +made by the American officers is correct. + +After the defeat of Buford, scarcely the semblance of opposition +remained in South Carolina and Georgia. The military force employed by +congress was nearly destroyed; the spirit of resistance seemed +entirely broken; and a general disposition to submit to the victor +displayed itself in almost every part of the country. + +The two other detachments saw no appearance of an enemy. They received +the submission of the inhabitants, who either became neutral by giving +their paroles, not to bear arms against his Britannic Majesty, or took +the oaths of allegiance, and resumed the character of British +subjects. + +To keep up this disposition, garrisons were posted in different +stations, and a series of measures was pursued for the purpose of +settling the civil affairs of the province, and of giving stability to +the conquest which had been made. + +[Sidenote: Sir Henry Clinton takes measures for settling the +government of South Carolina and Georgia.] + +[Sidenote: June 3.] + +So entirely did the present aspect of affairs convince Sir Henry +Clinton of the complete subjugation of the state, and of the +favourable disposition of the people towards the British government, +that he ventured to issue a proclamation, in which he discharged the +militia who were prisoners from their paroles, with the exception of +those who were taken in Charleston and fort Moultrie, and restored +them to all the rights and duties of British subjects; declaring, at +the same time, that such of them as should neglect to return to their +allegiance, should be considered and treated as enemies and rebels. + +This proclamation disclosed to the inhabitants their real situation. +It proved that a state of neutrality was not within their reach; that +the evils of war were unavoidable; that they must arrange themselves +on the one side or the other; and that the only alternative presented +to them was, to drive the enemy out of their country, or take up arms +against their countrymen. + +[Sidenote: June 5.] + +With the most sanguine hopes that the southern states would be +reunited to the British empire, Sir Henry Clinton embarked for New +York, leaving about four thousand British troops in South Carolina, +under the command of Lord Cornwallis. + +His lordship found it necessary to suspend the expedition he had +meditated against North Carolina. The impossibility of supporting an +army in that state before harvest, as well as the intense heat of the +season, required this delay. His first care was to distribute his +troops through South Carolina and the upper parts of Georgia, so as to +promote the great and immediate objects of enlisting the young men who +were willing to join his standard, of arranging the plan of a militia, +and of collecting magazines at convenient places. + +In the mean time, he despatched emissaries to his friends in North +Carolina, to inform them of the necessary delay of his expedition +into their country, and to request them to attend to their harvest, +collect provisions, and remain quiet until late in August or early in +September, when the King's troops would be ready to enter the +province. + +The impatience of the royalists, stimulated by the triumph of their +friends in a neighbouring state, and by the necessary severities of a +vigilant government, could not be restrained by this salutary counsel. +Anticipating the immediate superiority of their party, they could not +brook the authority exercised over them, and broke out into premature +and ill concerted insurrections, which were vigorously encountered, +and generally suppressed. One body of them, however, amounting to +about eight hundred men, led by Colonel Bryan, marched down the east +side of the Yadkin to a British post at the Cheraws, whence they +proceeded to Camden. + +Having made his dispositions, and fixed on Camden as the place for his +principal magazines, Cornwallis left the command of the frontiers to +Lord Rawdon, and retired to Charleston for the purpose of making those +farther arrangements of a civil nature, which the state of affairs and +the interest of his sovereign might require. + +His lordship, as well as Sir Henry Clinton, seems to have supposed the +state of South Carolina to be as completely subdued in sentiment as +in appearance. Impatient to derive active aids from the new conquest, +his measures were calculated to admit of no neutrality. For some time +these measures seemed to succeed, and professions of loyalty were made +in every quarter. But under this imposing exterior, lurked a mass of +concealed discontent, to which every day furnished new aliment, and +which waited only for a proper occasion to show itself. + +The people of the lower parts of South Carolina, though far from being +united, were generally attached to the revolution, and had entered +into the war with zeal. They were conducted by a high spirited and +intelligent gentry, who ardently sought independence as a real and +permanent good. + +Several causes had combined to suspend the operation of this +sentiment. Many of their leaders were prisoners; and the brilliant +successes of the British arms had filled numbers with despair. Others +were sensible of the inutility of present resistance; and a still +greater number, fatigued and harassed with militia duty, were willing +to withdraw from the conflict, and, as spectators, to await its issue. +To compel these men to share the burdens of the war, was to restore +them to their former friends. + +Late in March, General Washington had obtained the consent of congress +to reinforce the southern army with the troops of Maryland and +Delaware, and with the first regiment of artillery. This detachment +was to be commanded by the Baron De Kalb, a German veteran who had +engaged early in the service of the United States. + +Such, however, was the deranged state of American finances, and such +the depression of public credit, that these troops could not be put +immediately in motion. They were at length embarked at the Head of +Elk, and conveyed by water to Petersburg, in Virginia, whence they +marched towards South Carolina. Their progress was delayed by that +difficulty of obtaining subsistence which had induced Lord Cornwallis +to suspend the invasion of North Carolina until harvest should be +gathered. No preparations having been made for them, they were reduced +to the necessity of spreading themselves over the country in small +detachments, to collect corn, and grind it for their daily food. In +this manner they proceeded through the upper parts of North Carolina +to Deep River, and encamped near Buffalo Ford in July. At this place +the Baron halted for a few days, in some uncertainty respecting his +future course.[25] + +[Footnote 25: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +The militia of North Carolina, commanded by General Caswell, were +beyond the Pedee, on the road to Camden, and had nearly consumed the +scanty supplies which could be gleaned from a country that was far +from being productive. The Baron was premeditating on a plan for +leaving the direct road and moving up the country to the fertile +banks of the Yadkin, when the approach of Major General Gates was +announced by the arrival of his aid-de-camp, Major Armstrong.[26] + +[Footnote 26: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +[Sidenote: General Gates appointed to the command of the southern +army.] + +[Sidenote: July.] + +Aware of the danger to which the loss of Charleston had exposed that +part of the confederacy, congress deemed it of the utmost importance +to select a general for that department, in whom great military +talents should be combined with that weight of character which might +enable him to draw out the resources of the country. They turned their +eyes on Gates;[27] and sanguine hopes were entertained that the +conqueror of Burgoyne would prove the saviour of the southern states. +On the 13th of June, he was called to the command in the southern +department, and was directed to repair immediately to the army. He +entered, without loss of time, on the duties of his station; and, on +the 25th of July, reached the camp, where he was received by the Baron +De Kalb with the utmost cordiality and respect. + +[Footnote 27: This appointment was made without consulting the +Commander-in-chief. He had determined, if consulted, to recommend +General Greene.] + +The approach of this army, and the information that great exertions +were making in Virginia to augment it, revived the hopes of South +Carolina, and brought again into action a spirit supposed to be +extinguished. The British troops having occupied the north-western +parts of the state, the most active friends of the revolution in that +quarter had fled from their homes, and sought an asylum in North +Carolina and Virginia. As the discontents of their countrymen +increased, and the prospect of being supported by regular troops +brightened, a small body of these exiles, amounting to less than two +hundred, assembled together, and choosing Colonel Sumpter, an old +continental officer, for their chief, entered South Carolina. They +skirmished with the royal militia and small corps of regulars on the +frontiers, sometimes successfully, and always with the active courage +of men fighting for the recovery of their property. The followers of +Sumpter were soon augmented to six hundred men; and a disposition once +more to take up arms showed itself in various parts of the state. Some +corps of militia, which had been embodied under the authority of Lord +Cornwallis, deserted his standard, and joined their countrymen. +Perceiving this change of temper, the British general thought it +necessary to draw in his out-posts, and to collect his troops into +larger bodies. + +On taking command of the southern army, General Gates directed the +troops to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning; +and, on the morning of the 27th, put the whole in motion. Disregarding +the judicious remonstrances which were made to him against pursuing +the direct road, he determined on taking the nearest route to the +advanced post of the British on Lynch's Creek, a few miles from +Camden. The motives assigned by himself for passing through this +barren country were, the necessity of uniting with Caswell, who had +evaded the orders repeatedly given him to join the army, the danger of +dispiriting the troops, and intimidating the people of the country, by +pursuing a route not leading directly towards the enemy, and the +assurances he had received that supplies would overtake him, and would +be prepared for him on the road. + +[Sidenote: August 13.] + +These assurances were not fulfilled; and, the country being still more +barren than had been anticipated, the distress of the army was +extreme. The soldiers subsisted on a few lean cattle found in the +woods, and a very scanty supply of green corn and peaches. Encouraged +by the example of their officers, who shared all their sufferings, and +checked occasional murmurs, they struggled through these difficulties, +and, after effecting a junction with General Caswell and with +Lieutenant Colonel Porterfield,[28] the army reached Clermont, +sometimes called Rugely's mills, on the 13th of August. Possession was +taken of this place without any opposition from Lord Rawdon, who, on +the approach of the American army, drew in his out-posts, and +assembled all his forces at Camden.[29] + +[Footnote 28: This valuable officer was pressing forward to Charleston +when that place surrendered. Continuing to advance, he was within one +day's march of Colonel Buford, when that officer was defeated. Colonel +Porterfield still remained on the frontiers of the Carolinas; and had +the address not only to avoid the fate of every other corps sent to +the relief of Charleston, but to subsist his men; and keep up the +semblance of holding that part of South Carolina.] + +[Footnote 29: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +The day after the arrival of Gates at Clermont, he was joined by seven +hundred militia from Virginia, commanded by Brigadier General Stevens, +an officer of considerable merit, who, during the campaigns of 1777 +and 1778, had commanded a continental regiment. On the same day, an +express arrived from Colonel Sumpter, with information that an escort +of clothing, ammunition, and other stores for the garrison at Camden, +was on the way from Ninety-Six, and must pass the Wateree at a ferry +about a mile from Camden, which was covered by a small redoubt on the +opposite side of the river. One hundred regular infantry with two +brass field-pieces, were immediately detached to join Colonel Sumpter, +who was ordered to reduce the redoubt, and to intercept the +convoy.[30] + +[Footnote 30: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +To attract the attention of the garrison in Camden, and thus +co-operate with the expedition under Sumpter, it was determined in a +council of general officers to put the army in motion that evening, +and to take a post about seven miles from Camden with a deep creek in +front. + +The sick, the heavy baggage, and the military stores were ordered +under a guard to Waxhaws,[31] and the army was directed to be in +readiness to march precisely at ten in the evening in the following +order. + +[Footnote 31: Colonel Williams says these orders were not executed.] + +Colonel Armand's legion composed the van. Porterfield's light +infantry, reinforced by a company of picked men from Stevens's +brigade, covered the right flank of the legion; while Major +Armstrong's light infantry of North Carolina militia, reinforced in +like manner from Caswell's division, covered the left. The Maryland +division, followed by the North Carolina and Virginia militia, with +the artillery, composed the main body and rear guard; and the +volunteer cavalry were equally distributed on the flanks of the +baggage. + +In the event of an attack in front by the British cavalry, the +infantry on the flanks were directed to march up, and to continue +their fire on the assailants. It was supposed they would enable +Colonel Armand to resist the shock; and his orders were positive to +maintain his ground against the cavalry, whatever their numbers might +be.[32] + +[Footnote 32: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +At the time of communicating these orders to Colonel Otho H. Williams, +the Deputy Adjutant General, Gates, showed him a rough estimate of the +army, making it upwards of seven thousand. Convinced that this +estimate was exaggerated, Colonel Williams availed himself of his +means of information to make an abstract of the whole, which he +presented to the general, and which exhibited exactly three thousand +and fifty-two in the column of present fit for duty, of whom more than +two-thirds were militia. Gates expressed some surprise at the numbers, +but said, "there are enough for our purpose," and directed the orders +to be issued to the army. About ten at night, the line of march was +taken up, and the army had advanced about half way to Camden, when a +firing commenced in front.[33] + +[Footnote 33: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +Intelligence of the approach of the American army, and of the +defection of the country between Pedee and the Black River, had been +communicated to Lord Cornwallis, and had induced him to hasten in +person to Camden, which place he reached the day Gates arrived at +Clermont. + +The British army did not much exceed two thousand men, of whom about +nineteen hundred were regulars; but, as the whole country was rising, +Lord Cornwallis apprehended that every day would strengthen his enemy, +and therefore determined to attack him in his camp; hoping, by a +prompt execution of this resolution, to surprise him. By one of those +caprices of fortune on which great events often depend, he marched +from Camden to attack Gates in Clermont, at the very hour that Gates +moved from that place towards Camden.[34] + +[Footnote 34: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +[Sidenote: August 16.] + +About half past two in the morning, the advanced parties of the +hostile armies, to their mutual surprise, met in the woods, and began +to skirmish with each other. Some of Armand's cavalry being wounded +by the first fire, threw the others into disorder, and the whole +recoiled so suddenly that the first Maryland regiment, composing the +front of the column was broken, and the whole line thrown into +consternation. From this first impression, the raw troops never +recovered. The light infantry, however, particularly Porterfield's +corps, behaved so well as to check the advance of the British. +Unfortunately, their gallant commander received a mortal wound, which +compelled him to leave his regiment. Yet a part of it kept its ground; +and, with the aid of the legion infantry, stopped the British van; +upon which order was restored to the American army. + +The officers were immediately employed in forming a line of battle in +front. The Maryland division, including the troops of Delaware, were +on the right, the North Carolina militia in the centre, and the +Virginia militia on the left. + +In this rencounter some prisoners were made, from one of whom Colonel +Williams drew the information that the British army, consisting of +near three thousand men, commanded by Lord Cornwallis in person, was +in full march five or six hundred yards in front. This intelligence +was immediately communicated to General Gates, who had supposed Lord +Cornwallis to be still in Charleston. The general officers were +assembled in the rear of the line, and this information submitted to +them. After a short silence, Stevens said, "Gentlemen, is it not too +late to do any thing but fight?" No other advice being given, General +Gates, who seems to have been himself disposed to risk a battle, +directed the officers to repair to their respective commands. + +The ground on which the army was drawn up was so narrowed by a marsh +on each flank, as to admit of removing the first Maryland brigade, so +as to form a second line about two hundred yards in rear of the first. +The artillery was placed in the centre of the first line, and +Armstrong's light infantry was ordered to cover a small interval +between the flank of the left wing and the marsh. + +Frequent skirmishes occurred during the night between the advanced +parties, with scarcely any other effect than to discover the situation +of the armies, evince the intention of the generals, and serve as a +prelude to the events of the succeeding morning. + +At dawn of day the British appeared in front, advancing in column. +Lieutenant Colonel Webster commanded on the right, and Lord Rawdon on +the left. The seventy-first regiment composed the reserve. Four field +pieces were attached to the left, and one to the corps de reserve. + +Captain Singleton opened some field pieces on the front of the column, +at the distance of about two hundred yards, soon after which the +American left was ordered to commence the action. It was then +perceived that the British right was advancing in line; and as Stevens +led on his brigade in good order, Colonel Williams advanced in front +with a few volunteers, intending by a partial fire to extort that of +the enemy at some distance, and thereby diminish its effect on the +militia. The experiment did not succeed. The British rushed forward +with great impetuosity, firing and huzzaing at the same time; and the +terrified militia, disregarding the exertions of Stevens, who, in the +firm tone of courage, endeavoured to inspire them with confidence in +the bayonets they had just received, threw down their loaded muskets, +fled from the field with the utmost precipitation, and were followed +by the light infantry of Armstrong. The whole North Carolina division, +except one regiment commanded by Colonel Dixon, an old continental +officer, which was posted nearest the continental troops, followed the +shameful example. Other parts of the same brigade, which was commanded +by Gregory, paused for an instant; but the terror of their brethren +was soon communicated to them, and they also threw away their arms, +and sought for safety in flight. Their general, while endeavouring to +rally them, was dangerously wounded. + +Tarlton's legion charged them as they broke, and pursued them in their +flight. Gates, in person, assisted by their generals, made several +efforts to rally the militia; but the alarm in their rear still +continuing, they poured on like a torrent, and bore him with them. He +hastened with General Caswell to Clermont, in the hope of stopping a +sufficient number of them at their old encampment, to cover the +retreat of the continental troops; but this hope was entirely +disappointed. Believing the continental troops also to be dispersed, +he gave up all as lost, and retreated with a few friends to Charlotte, +about eighty miles from the field of battle, where he left General +Caswell to assemble the neighbouring militia, and proceeded himself to +Hillsborough, in order to concert some plan of farther defence with +the government. + +Entirely deserted by the militia who composed the whole centre and +left wing of the army, the continental troops, with the Baron De Kalb +at their head, were left without orders, under circumstances which +might have justified a retreat. But taking counsel from their courage, +and seeing only the path of duty, they preferred the honourable and +dangerous part of maintaining their position. They were charged by +Lord Rawdon about the time the militia on their left were broken by +Webster; but the charge was received with unexpected firmness. The +bayonet was occasionally resorted to by both parties, and the conflict +was maintained for near three quarters of an hour with equal +obstinacy. During this time, the regiment on the left of the second +Maryland brigade being covered by the reserve, so that it could be +only engaged in front, gained ground and made prisoners. + +The reserve, having its left entirely exposed, was flanked by the +British right wing under Webster; who, after detaching a part of his +cavalry and light infantry in pursuit of the flying militia, wheeled +on that brigade, and attacking it in front and round the left flank, +threw it into some disorder. The soldiers were, however, quickly +rallied, and renewed the action with unimpaired spirit. Overpowered by +numbers, they were again broken, and by the exertion of their officers +were again formed, so as still to maintain the combat, and still to +cover the flank of their brethren of the second brigade, who were in a +manner blended with the enemy, and who kept up a desperate conflict in +the hope of yet obtaining the victory. + +[Sidenote: Death of De Kalb.] + +The fire of the whole British army was now directed against these two +devoted brigades. They had not lost an inch of ground when Lord +Cornwallis, perceiving that they were without cavalry, pushed his +dragoons upon them, and at the same instant, charged them with the +bayonet. These gallant troops were no longer able to keep the field. +They were at length broken; and, as they did not give way until +intermingled with the enemy, they dispersed and fled in confusion. +Before they were reduced to this last extremity, the Baron De Kalb, +who fought on foot with the second Maryland brigade, fell under eleven +wounds. His aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Colonel Du Buysson, received him +in his arms, announced his rank and nation to the surrounding foe, and +begged that they would spare his life. While thus generously exposing +himself to save his friend, he received several wounds, and, with his +general, was taken prisoner. The Baron expired in a few hours, and +spent his last breath in dictating a letter, expressing the warmest +affection for the officers and men of his division, and the most +exalted admiration of their courage and good conduct.[35] + +[Footnote 35: Journal of Colonel Williams.] + +Never was a victory more complete. Every corps was broken and +dispersed in the woods. The general officers were divided from their +men; and, except Rutherford of the North Carolina militia who was made +a prisoner, reached Charlotte at different times. Colonel Williams, +who witnessed the whole battle, and bore a conspicuous part in it, +concludes his very animated description of it, with the observation, +that "if in this affair the militia fled too soon, the regulars may be +thought almost as blameable for remaining too long on the field; +especially after all hope of victory must have been despaired of." He +censures freely the conduct of the brigadiers, who gave, he says, no +orders whatever to their brigades. + +About two hundred wagons, with a great part of the baggage, military +stores, small arms, and all the artillery, fell into the hands of the +conqueror. The loss of men could never be accurately ascertained, as +no returns were received from the militia. Of the North Carolina +division, between three and four hundred were made prisoners, and +between sixty and one hundred were wounded. Of the Virginia militia, +three were wounded on the field; and, as they were the first to fly, +not many were taken. + +For the numbers engaged, the loss sustained by the regulars was +considerable. It amounted to between three and four hundred men, of +whom a large portion were officers. The British accounts state the +loss of the American army at eight or nine hundred killed, and about +one thousand prisoners; while their own is said to be only three +hundred and twenty-five, of whom two hundred and forty-five were +wounded. Although many of the militia were killed during the flight, +this account is probably exaggerated. It would seem too, that while +the continental troops kept the field, the loss on both sides, in that +part of the action, must have been nearly equal. + +On his retreat, the day of the battle, General Gates received +information of the complete success of Sumpter. That officer had, on +the evening that Lord Cornwallis marched from Camden, reduced the +redoubt on the Wateree, captured the guard, and intercepted the +escort with the stores. + +This gleam of light cheered the dark gloom which enveloped his affairs +but for a moment. He was soon informed that this corps also was +defeated, and entirely dispersed. + +[Sidenote: August 18.] + +On hearing of the disaster which had befallen Gates, Sumpter began to +retreat up the south side of the Wateree. Believing himself out of +danger, he had halted on the twenty-eighth, during the heat of the +day, near the Catawba Ford, to give his harassed troops some repose. +At that place he was overtaken by Tarlton, who had been detached in +pursuit of him on the morning of the 17th, and who, advancing with his +accustomed celerity, entered the American camp so suddenly, as in a +great measure to cut off the men from their arms. Some slight +resistance made from behind the wagons was soon overcome, and the +Americans fled precipitately to the river and woods. Between three and +four hundred of them were killed and wounded; their baggage, +artillery, arms, and ammunition were lost; and the prisoners and +stores they had taken, were recovered. This advantage was gained with +the loss of only nine men killed and six wounded. + +Two videttes had been placed by Sumpter, on the road along which +Tarlton had advanced, who fired upon his van and killed one of his +dragoons, upon which they were both sabred. We are informed by +Colonel Tarlton that the inquiries made by Sumpter respecting the two +shots, were answered by an assurance from an officer, just returned +from the advanced sentries, that the militia were firing at cattle. + +[Sidenote: August 19.] + +Intelligence of this disaster reached Charlotte next day. Generals +Smallwood and Gist were then arrived at that place, and about one +hundred and fifty straggling, dispirited, half famished officers and +soldiers had also dropped in. It was thought adviseable to retreat +immediately to Salisbury. From that place, General Gates directed the +remnant of the troops to march to Hillsborough, where he was +endeavouring to assemble another army, which might enable him yet to +contend for the southern states. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Distress in the American camp.... Expedition against Staten + Island.... Requisitions on the states.... New scheme of + finance.... Committee of congress deputed to camp.... + Resolution to make up depreciation of pay.... Mutiny in the + line of Connecticut.... General Knyphausen enters Jersey.... + Sir Henry Clinton returns to New York.... Skirmish at + Springfield.... Exertions to strengthen the army.... Bank + established in Philadelphia.... Contributions of the + ladies.... Farther proceedings of the states.... Arrival of + a French armament in Rhode Island.... Changes in the + quartermaster's department.... Enterprise against New York + abandoned.... Naval superiority of the British. + + +[Sidenote: 1780.] + +While disasters thus crowded on each other in the southern states, +the Commander-in-chief found himself surrounded with difficulties, +which required his utmost exertions to avoid calamities equally +distressing. His urgent requisitions for men to supply the places of +those who were leaving the service, were not complied with, and the +soldiers who remained, could scarcely be preserved from either +perishing with cold and hunger, or dispersing and living on plunder. + +General Greene and Colonel Wadsworth, who had, for the preceding year, +been at the head of the quartermaster and commissary departments, +possessed distinguished merit, and had employed assistants of +unquestionable ability and integrity. Yet, for a great part of the +campaign, the rations were frequently reduced, and the army was +rarely supplied with provisions for more than a few days in advance. +Soon after coming into winter quarters, the magazines were exhausted, +and afforded neither meat nor flour to be delivered to the men. + +This state of things had been long foreseen; and all the means in the +power of the Commander-in-chief had been used to prevent it. Repeated +representations of the actual famine with which the army was +threatened, had been made to congress, and to the state governments; +but no adequate relief was afforded; and such was the condition of the +finances, so embarrassing the state of affairs, that it was perhaps +attainable only by measures which the governments could not venture to +adopt. + +The rapid depreciation of the continental currency, had long been +viewed with apprehensive anxiety by the enlightened friends of the +revolution, and various unsuccessful expedients had been essayed for +the purpose of checking its progress. All perceived that the great +quantity in circulation was the principal cause of the diminution of +its value; and congress had resolved not to exceed two hundred +millions of dollars in their emissions. In the mean time, the utmost +endeavours were used to defer an evil so justly dreaded, and among the +expedients employed, was that of withholding from the public agents, +the money which was necessary for public purposes. This unwise +experiment, while it defeated its own object, threatened the +dissolution of the American army. + +The difference between the value of the article at the times of +contract and of payment was soon perceived, and, of course, influenced +its price. But this was the least mischievous consequence of this +mistaken policy. The public agents contracted enormous debts which +they were unable to discharge. Repeated disappointments destroyed +their credit; and, towards the close of the year 1779, they found it +impracticable to obtain supplies for the subsistence of the army. + +From these causes, the contracts entered into could not be +co-extensive with the public wants; and many of those which were made +were not complied with. + +In this critical state of things, an entire revolution was made in the +commissary department. Such was the prejudice against the system +adopted by Great Britain, for supplying by contract, that it had been +usual to allow, as a compensation to the commissary, a stipulated +commission on all the monies expended on public account. After some +time, this allowance was supposed to be an inducement to purchase at +high prices; and an arrangement was made on the first of January, by +which the commissary general was to receive a fixed nominal salary in +the paper currency, and was permitted to appoint assistants whose +compensations were also fixed, and who were to defray, out of those +compensations, all the expenses attending the transactions of the +business. The practice of allowing them rations and forage was +discontinued. + +This new system was unfortunately so modified as to increase the +embarrassments of the department. It was found difficult to obtain +assistants and agents for the compensation allowed; and those who were +willing to be employed, were unequal to the duties assigned them. + +For several days, the soldiers were reduced to half allowance, and +sometimes to less. At length, affairs came to the crisis which had +long been threatened; and, early in January, a letter was received +from Colonel Wadsworth, informing the general that it was absolutely +out of his power to supply the army longer with meat, as he was +without money, and had totally exhausted his credit. About the same +time, the assistant commissary, residing in camp, gave notice that his +stock of provisions was on the point of being expended, and that he +had no immediate prospect of a farther supply. + +This state of things compelled the Commander-in-chief to adopt +efficacious measures, to relieve the immediate and pressing wants of +his soldiers. He required from each county in the state of Jersey, a +quantity of meat and flour proportioned to its resources, to be raised +and forwarded to the army within a limited time, not exceeding six +days. In a circular letter addressed to the magistrates, he stated the +pressing wants of the army, and the necessity of resorting to coercion +should his requisition fail. + +To the honour of the magistrates and people of New Jersey, although +their country was much exhausted, the supplies required were instantly +furnished, and a temporary relief obtained. + +The patient and uncomplaining fortitude with which the soldiers bore +their sufferings, was strong evidence of their patriotism, and could +not fail to make a deep impression on their general. But while their +virtues excited his sensibilities, he expressed his fears very freely +to congress, that they might be too severely tried. + +The unusual severity of the winter, seemed to furnish an opportunity +for active enterprise, which the Commander-in-chief observed, without +being able to improve. The garrison of New York and its immediate +dependencies, was supposed to be reduced to ten or eleven thousand +effectives; and the security heretofore derived from its insular +situation no longer existed. The ice was so strong that the whole +army, with its train of wagons and artillery, might pass over without +danger. This circumstance afforded a glorious occasion for striking a +blow, which, if successful, would most probably terminate the war. +The effort would seem not to have exceeded the strength of America, +could that strength have been exerted in proper season; but the +government possessed neither sufficient energy nor concentration of +power to call it forth; and this opportunity passed away, as many +which present themselves in the course of human affairs, must pass +away, if those who should take advantage of them, only begin to +deliberate about making preparations in the season for action. + +The force under the immediate command of General Washington, was +decidedly inferior to that in New York; and so far was he from having +reason to expect immediate reinforcements, that congress had not +agreed on making a requisition for them. In addition to this +feebleness in point of numbers, the soldiers were not half clothed; +provisions for immediate use could be obtained only by contributions +from the people; the quartermaster's department was unable to put an +army in motion; and the military chest did not contain a dollar. + +Under the pressure of this combination of discouraging circumstances, +the active mind of Washington still looked forward to the possibility +of deriving some advantage from the exposed situation of his +adversary. + +The troops on Staten Island were computed at one thousand or twelve +hundred men; and the firm bridge of ice now uniting that island to +the Jersey shore, seemed to furnish an opportunity for bearing off +this corps. General Washington determined to make the attempt with two +thousand five hundred men, to be commanded by Major General Lord +Stirling. The more distant troops moved down on sleds; and, to favour +a surprise, the opinion was inculcated that they only constituted a +relief for the detachment already on the lines. + +[Sidenote: January.] + +On the night of the 14th of January, Lord Stirling moved over from De +Hart's point; and, detaching Lieutenant Colonel Willet to Decker's +house, where Buskirk's regiment was stationed, proceeded himself to +the watering place, where the main body was posted. Notwithstanding +the precautions which had been taken, the alarm had been given at each +post, and the troops had saved themselves in their works; so that only +a few prisoners were made. Contrary to the intelligence previously +received, the communication with New York was still open; and the +works appeared too strong to justify the hazard of attempting to carry +them by assault. + +[Sidenote: January 17.] + +The object of the expedition being unattainable, Lord Stirling +commenced his retreat, which was effected with inconsiderable loss. A +body of cavalry, which charged his rear, was repulsed; but, from the +intenseness of the cold, and the defectiveness of his means to protect +his men from it, some of them were frost bitten, and a few stragglers +were made prisoners. + +The excessive cold continuing, the rivers were soon afterwards +completely blocked up. Even arms of the sea were passable on the ice; +and the islands about the mouth of the Hudson, presented the +appearance of one whole and unbroken continent. This state of things +produced a great degree of suffering among all classes in New York. +The supplies usually received by water failed totally, and a great +scarcity of provisions and of fuel was the consequence. To increase +this scarcity, the American troops on the lines were so disposed as to +interrupt the communication between the country and the town; and +these arrangements produced a partisan war, in which the advantage was +rather on the side of the British. + +In one of the most important of these skirmishes, Captain Roberts, of +Massachusetts, with fourteen of his men, were killed on the spot; +seventeen were wounded, of whom three died in a few days; and +Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, of Massachusetts, who commanded the +party, two captains, four subalterns, and ninety non-commissioned +officers and privates were made prisoners. + +The emission of the full sum of two hundred millions of dollars in +continental bills of credit, which congress had solemnly resolved not +to exceed, had been completed in November, 1779, and the money was +expended. The requisitions on the states to replenish the treasury by +taxes were not fully complied with; and, had they even been strictly +observed, would not have produced a sum equal to the public +expenditure. It was therefore necessary to devise other measures for +the prosecution of the war. During the distresses which brought the +army to the brink of dissolution, these measures were under +consideration. So early as December, 1779, congress had determined to +change the mode of supplying the army from purchases to requisitions +of specific articles on the several states. As preliminary to this +system, commissioners were appointed to make the estimates, and to +introduce every practicable reform in the expenditures. This subject +was under deliberation until the 25th of February, when sundry +resolutions were passed, apportioning on the states their respective +quotas of provisions, spirits, and forage, for the ensuing campaign. +The value of the several articles was estimated in specie; and +assurances were given that accounts between the states should be +regularly kept, and finally settled in Spanish milled dollars. + +For the purpose of inducing and facilitating a compliance with these +requisitions, congress also resolved, "that any state which shall have +taken the necessary measures for furnishing its quota, and have given +notice thereof to congress, shall be authorized to prohibit any +continental quartermaster or commissary from purchasing within its +limits." + +These resolutions, constituting the basis of a new system on which the +future subsistence of the army was essentially to depend, were too +deeply interesting not to receive the anxious attention of the +Commander-in-chief. With regret, he communicated to congress the +radical defects he perceived in their arrangements, with his +apprehensions that this untried scheme would fail in practice. + +His judgment, and the judgment of all men engaged in high and +responsible situations, was decidedly in favour of conducting the war +on a national rather than on a state system. But, independent of this +radical objection, economy had been so much more consulted than the +probable necessities of the army, that, in almost every article, the +estimate had fallen far short of the demand to be reasonably expected. + +The total omission to provide means for supplying occasional +deficiencies from the surplus resources of any particular state, was +an error of still greater magnitude. It was obvious that the demand in +any state which should become the theatre of war, would be much +greater than its quota; and experience had shown that the carriage of +specific articles from distant places was always difficult and +expensive, and sometimes impracticable. Yet no means were adopted to +supply such extraordinary demand, whatever might be the resources of +the country. A still more radical objection to the system was the +principle, enabling any state which should take means to comply with +the requisition, and should notify those means to the government of +the United States, to prohibit the continental agents from making any +purchases within its territory. Among the states which adopted the +proposition of congress was New Jersey, in which the largest division +of the army was stationed. Its legislature passed an act prohibiting +the purchase of provisions within its jurisdiction by the staff of the +continental line, under severe penalties; and refused to authorize its +own agents to provide for any emergency however pressing. It was an +additional objection to these requisitions, that they specified no +periods of the year within which certain portions of the articles +demanded should be raised, and consequently might be complied with, +although the army should be left destitute of every necessary for a +considerable part of the campaign. + +These suggestions, however, with others less material to the military +operations, did not receive the attention which was due to their +importance. A disposition in the members of congress, growing +inevitably out of the organization of the government, to consult the +will of their respective states, and to prefer that will to any other +object, had discovered itself at an early period, and had gained +strength with time. The state of the national treasury was calculated +to promote this disposition. It was empty, and could be replenished +only by taxes, which congress had not the power to impose; or by new +emissions of bills of credit, which the government had pledged the +public faith not to make, and which would rest for their redemption +only on that faith, which would be violated in the very act of their +emission. Under these circumstances, it required a degree of energy +seldom found, to struggle with surrounding difficulties for the +preservation of a general system, and to resist the temptation to +throw the nation at the feet of the states, in whom the vital +principle of power, the right to levy taxes, was exclusively vested. +While the continental currency preserved its value, this essential +defect of the constitution was, in some measure, concealed. The +facility with which money was obtained from the press, was a temporary +substitute for the command of the resources of the country. But when +this expedient failed, it was scarcely possible to advance a single +step, but under the guidance of the respective states. + +[Sidenote: Financial regulations.] + +Whatever might be the future effect of this system, it was +impracticable to bring it into immediate operation. The legislatures +of the several states, by whom it was to be adopted, and carried into +execution, were, many of them, not then in session; and were to meet +at different times through the ensuing spring. It was consequently to +be expected that great part of the summer would pass away before the +supplies to be raised by the measure, could be brought into use. In +the mean time, and until a new scheme of finance, which accompanied +the requisition of specific articles, should be tried, there was no +regular provision for the army. Bills to the amount of L100,000 +sterling, payable at six months' sight, were drawn on Mr. Jay, and +others to the same amount, on Mr. Laurens, who were empowered to +negotiate loans in Europe. These bills were sold in small sums on +pressing occasions; and the loan offices remained open for the purpose +of borrowing from individuals. + +This new scheme of finance was a second essay to substitute credit +unsupported by solid funds, and resting solely on the public faith, +for money. + +The vast quantity of bills unavoidably emitted before the +establishment of regular governments possessing sufficient energy to +enforce the collection of taxes, or to provide for their redemption, +and before the governments of Europe were sufficiently confident of +their stability to afford them aid or credit, was assigned by congress +as the principal cause of that depreciation which had taken place in +the continental currency. The United States were now, they said, under +different circumstances. Their independence was secure; their civil +governments were established and vigorous; and the spirit of their +citizens ardent for exertion. The government being thus rendered +competent to the object, it was necessary to reduce the quantity of +paper in circulation, and to appropriate funds that should ensure the +punctual redemption of the bills. + +For these purposes, the several states were required to continue to +bring into the continental treasury, monthly, from February to April +inclusive, their full quotas of fifteen millions of dollars. In +complying with this requisition, one Spanish milled dollar was to be +received in lieu of forty dollars of the paper currency. + +The bills so brought in were not to be reissued, but destroyed; and +other bills, not to exceed one dollar for every twenty received in +discharge of taxes, were to be emitted. + +These bills were to be redeemable within six years, and were to bear +an interest of five _per centum per annum_, to be paid at the time of +their redemption in specie, or, at the election of the holder, +annually, in bills of exchange drawn by the United States on their +commissioners in Europe, at four shillings and six pence sterling for +each dollar. They were to be issued in ascertained proportions on the +funds of the several states, with a collateral security on the part of +the government, to pay the quota of any particular state, which the +events of the war might render incapable of complying with its own +engagements. The bills were to be deposited in the continental +loan-offices of the several states, and were to be signed only as the +money then in circulation should be brought in by taxes or otherwise. +After being signed, six-tenths of them were to be delivered to the +states on whose funds they were to be issued, and the remaining +four-tenths to be retained for the use of the continent. + +The operation of this scheme of finance was necessarily suspended by +the same causes which suspended that for requiring specific articles. +It depended on the sanction and co-operation of the several state +legislatures, many of which were yet to convene. + +As it would be impracticable to maintain the value of the money about +to be emitted, should the states continue to issue bills of credit, +they were earnestly requested to suspend future emissions, and to call +the current paper out of circulation. But the time for this measure +was not yet arrived, and many of the states continued the use of the +press till late in the following year. + +The establishment of the army for the ensuing campaign was fixed at +thirty-five thousand two hundred and eleven men, and the measures for +recruiting it were founded on the state system, which was become +entirely predominant. + +The few intelligent statesmen who could combine practical good sense +with patriotism, perceived the dangerous inefficacy of a system which +openly abandoned the national character, and proceeded on the +principle that the American confederacy was no more than an alliance +of independent nations. + +That great delays would be experienced, that the different parts of +the plan would be acted on too unequally and too uncertainly to +furnish a solid basis for military calculations, that the system would +be totally deranged in its execution, were mischiefs foreseen and +lamented by many, as resulting inevitably from a course of measures to +which the government of the Union was under the painful necessity of +submitting. + +"Certain I am," said the Commander-in-chief, in a confidential letter +to a member of the national legislature, "that unless congress speaks +in a more decisive tone; unless they are vested with powers by the +several states, competent to the great purposes of the war, or assume +them as matter of right, and they and the states respectively act with +more energy than they hitherto have done, our cause is lost. We can no +longer drudge on in the old way. By ill-timing the adoption of +measures; by delays in the execution of them, or by unwarrantable +jealousies; we incur enormous expenses, and derive no benefit from +them. One state will comply with a requisition from congress; another +neglects to do it; a third executes it by halves; and all differ in +the manner, the matter, or so much in point of time, that we are all +working up hill; and, while such a system as the present one, or +rather want of one, prevails, we ever shall be unable to apply our +strength or resources to any advantage. + +"This, my dear sir, is plain language to a member of congress; but it +is the language of truth and friendship. It is the result of long +thinking, close application, and strict observation. I see one head +gradually changing into thirteen; I see one army branching into +thirteen; and, instead of looking up to congress as the supreme +controlling power of the United States, consider themselves as +dependent on their respective states. In a word, I see the power of +congress declining too fast for the respect which is due to them as +the great representative body of America, and am fearful of the +consequences." + +But whatever might be his objections to the proposed system, General +Washington was unremitting in his endeavours to render the plan +perfect in detail, and to give to its execution all the aid which his +situation and influence enabled him to afford. + +The distresses of the army for food, which had found temporary relief +in the particular exertions of the magistrates and people of New +Jersey, soon returned; and it became once more necessary, even after +the magazines had been in some degree replenished, to recur to the +same persons for assistance. The supplies of forage had failed, and a +great proportion of the horses had perished, or been rendered unfit +for use. Neither funds nor credit were possessed for the purchase of +others, and the quarter-master-general found himself unable to +transport provisions from remote magazines into camp. This +circumstance reduced the Commander-in-chief to the painful necessity +of calling on the patriotism of private citizens, under the penalty of +a military impressment, should a voluntary contribution be refused, +for those means of conveyance which the government could not supply. + +The want of food was not the only difficulty to be surmounted. Others +of a serious nature presented themselves. The pay of an officer was +reduced by the depreciation of the currency, to such a miserable +pittance as to be unequal to the supply of the most moderate demands. +The pay of a major general would no longer hire an express rider, and +that of a captain would not purchase the shoes in which he marched. +The American officers were not rich; and many of them had expended +their _little all_ in the service. If they had exhausted their private +funds, or if they possessed none, they could rely only on the state to +which they belonged for such clothing as the state might be willing or +able to furnish. These supplies were so insufficient and unequal, as +to produce extreme dissatisfaction. In the lines of some of the +states, the officers gave notice in a body, of their determination to +resign on a given day, if some decent and certain provision should not +be made for them. The remonstrances of the Commander-in-chief produced +an offer to serve as volunteers until their successors should be +appointed; and, on the rejection of this proposition, they were with +difficulty induced to remain in service. + +Under these complicated embarrassments, it required all that +enthusiastic patriotism which pre-eminently distinguishes the soldier +of principle; all that ardent attachment to the cause of their country +which originally brought them into the field, and which their +sufferings could not diminish; all the influence of the +Commander-in-chief, whom they almost adored; to retain in the service +men who felt themselves neglected, and who believed themselves to be +the objects of the jealousy of their country, rather than of its +gratitude. + +Among the privates, causes of disgust grew out of the very composition +of the army, which increased the dissatisfaction produced by their +multiplied wants. + +The first effort made to enlist troops for the war had, in some +degree, succeeded. While these men found themselves obliged to +continue in service without compensation, and often without the common +necessaries of life, they perceived the vacant ranks in their +regiments filled up by men who were to continue only for a few months, +and who received bounties for that short service, from individuals or +from the states, which were of great real value, and which appeared to +soldiers not acquainted with the actual state of depreciation, to be +immense. They could not fail to compare situations, and to repine at +engagements which deprived them of advantages which they saw in +possession of others. Many were induced to contest those +engagements;[36] many to desert a service in which they experienced +such irritating inequalities; and all felt with the more poignant +indignation, those distressing failures in the commissary department, +which so frequently recurred. + +[Footnote 36: In some instances, the civil power of the state in which +such soldiers happened to be, attempted to interfere and to discharge +even those belonging to the lines of other states, who asserted their +right to be discharged. It was with some difficulty the general could +arrest this dangerous interposition.] + +[Sidenote: Committee of Congress deputed to camp.] + +In consequence of the strong representations made to congress on these +various causes of disquiet, a committee of three members repaired to +camp for the purpose of consulting with the Commander-in-chief on such +arrangements as the means in possession of the government would enable +it to make, and the present state of the army might require. In +representing the condition of the troops, they said, "That the army +was unpaid for five months; that it seldom had more than six days' +provisions in advance, and was on several occasions, for several +successive days, without meat; that the army was destitute of forage; +that the medical department had neither tea, chocolate, wine, nor +spirituous liquors of any kind; that every department of the army was +without money, and had not even the shadow of credit left; that the +patience of the soldiers, borne down by the pressure of complicated +sufferings, was on the point of being exhausted." + +To relieve this gloomy state of things by transfusing into it a ray of +hope for the future, a resolution was passed, declaring that congress +would make good to the line of the army, and to the independent corps +thereof, the deficiency of their original pay, which had been +occasioned by the depreciation of the continental currency; and that +the money or other articles heretofore received, should be considered +as advanced on account, to be comprehended in the settlement to be +finally made. The benefits of this resolution were confined to those +who were then in actual service, or should thereafter come into it, +and who were engaged for the war or for three years. + +This resolution was published in general orders, and had considerable +influence on the army, but not sufficient to remove the various causes +of dissatisfaction which existed, and were continually multiplying. +The engagement to make good the depreciation of their pay, was an act +of justice too long withheld; and no promise for the future, could +supply the place of present comfortable subsistence. No hope was +given that their condition, in this respect, would be improved. For a +considerable time, the troops received only from one-half to +one-eighth of a ration of meat; and, at length, were several days +without a single pound of that necessary article. + +This long course of suffering had unavoidably produced some relaxation +of discipline, and had gradually soured the minds of the soldiers to +such a degree, that their discontents broke out into actual mutiny. + +[Sidenote: May 25.] + +On the 25th of May, two regiments belonging to Connecticut paraded +under arms with a declared resolution to return home, or to obtain +subsistence at the point of the bayonet. The soldiers of the other +regiments, though not actually joining the mutineers, showed no +disposition to suppress the mutiny. By great exertions on the part of +the officers, aided by the appearance of a neighbouring brigade of +Pennsylvania, then commanded by Colonel Stewart, the leaders were +secured, and the two regiments brought back to their duty. Some +sentiments, however, were disclosed by the soldiers, in answer to the +remonstrances of their officers, of a serious and alarming nature. +Their pay was now five months in arrear, and the depreciation of the +money, they said, was such, that it would be worth nothing when +received. When reminded of the late resolution of congress for making +good the loss sustained by depreciation, of the reputation acquired by +their past good conduct, and of the value of the object for which +they were contending; they answered that their sufferings were too +great to be longer supported; that they wanted present relief; and +must have some present substantial recompense for their services. A +paper was found in the brigade, which appeared to have been brought by +some emissary from New York, stimulating the troops to the abandonment +of the cause in which they were engaged. + +[Sidenote: June 6.] + +[Sidenote: General Knyphausen enters Jersey.] + +The discontents of the army, and the complaints excited in the country +by the frequent requisitions on the people of New Jersey, had been +communicated, with such exaggeration, to the officer commanding in New +York, as to induce the opinion that the American soldiers were ready +to desert their standards; and the people of New Jersey to change +their government. To countenance these dispositions, General +Knyphausen embarked at Staten Island, and landed in the night with +about five thousand men at Elizabethtown Point, in New Jersey. Early +next morning he marched towards Springfield, by the way of Connecticut +Farms, but soon perceived that the real temper, both of the country +and the army, had been misunderstood. + +On the appearance of the enemy, the militia assembled with alacrity, +and aided the small patrolling parties of continental troops in +harassing him on his march from Elizabethtown to the Connecticut +Farms, a distance of five or six miles, where a halt was made. In a +spirit of revenge, unworthy the general of an army, more in the +character of Tryon who was present, than of Knyphausen who commanded, +this settlement was reduced to ashes.[37] + +[Footnote 37: This circumstance would scarcely have deserved notice +had it not been accompanied by one of those melancholy events, which +even war does not authorize, and which made, at the time, a very deep +impression. + +Mrs. Caldwell, the wife of the clergyman of the village, had been +induced to remain in her house, under the persuasion that her presence +might protect it from pillage, and that her person could not be +endangered, as Colonel Dayton who commanded the militia determined not +to stop in the settlement. While sitting in the midst of her children, +with a sucking infant in her arms, a soldier came up to the window and +discharged his musket at her. She received the ball in her bosom, and +instantly expired.] + +From the Farms, Knyphausen proceeded to Springfield. The Jersey +brigade, commanded by General Maxwell, and the militia of the adjacent +country, took an advantageous position at that place, and seemed +determined to defend it. Knyphausen halted in its neighbourhood, and +remained on his ground until night. + +Having received intelligence of this movement, General Washington put +his army in motion early in the same morning that Knyphausen marched +from Elizabethtown Point, and advanced to the Short Hills, in the rear +of Springfield, while the British were in the neighbourhood of that +place. Dispositions were made for an engagement the next morning, but +Knyphausen retired in the night to the place of his disembarkation. + +General Washington continued on the hills near Springfield, too weak +to hazard an engagement, but on ground chosen by himself. His +continental troops did not exceed three thousand men. A return of the +whole army under his immediate command, made on the 3d of June, +exhibited in the column, of present, fit for duty, only three thousand +seven hundred and sixty, rank and file. So reduced was that force on +which America relied for independence. "You but too well know," said +General Washington in a letter to a friend, giving an account of this +incursion, "and will regret with me the cause which justifies this +insulting manoeuvre on the part of the enemy. It deeply affects the +honour of the states, a vindication of which could not be attempted in +our present circumstances, without most intimately hazarding their +security; at least so far as it may depend on the preservation of the +army. Their character, their interest, their all that is dear, call +upon them in the most pressing manner, to place the army immediately +on a respectable footing." + +The long continuance of Knyphausen at Elizabethtown, strengthened a +suspicion that Sir Henry Clinton was about to return from South +Carolina, and intended, without disembarking his troops, to proceed up +the Hudson to West Point; and that the movement into Jersey was a +feint designed to cover the real object. + +The letters of the Commander-in-chief, addressed about this period, to +those who might be supposed to possess influence in the government of +the Union, or in those of the states, exhibit his conjectures +respecting the designs of his adversary, as well as his apprehensions +from the condition of his own army. To the committee of congress, in +camp, he observed, "General Knyphausen still continues in the Jerseys +with all the force which can be spared from New York, a force greatly +superior to ours. Should Sir Henry join him, their superiority will be +decided, and equal to almost any thing they may think proper to +attempt. The enemy, it is true, are at this time inactive; but their +continuance in their present position proves that they have some +project of importance in contemplation. Perhaps they are only waiting +until the militia grow tired and return home, (which they are doing +every hour,) to prosecute their designs with the less opposition. This +would be a critical moment for us. Perhaps they are waiting the +arrival of Sir Henry Clinton, either to push up the North River +against the Highland posts, or to bend their whole force against this +army. In either case, the most disastrous consequences are to be +apprehended. You, who are well acquainted with our situation, need no +arguments to evince the danger. + +"The militia of this state have run to arms, and behaved with an +ardour and spirit of which there are few examples. But perseverance, +in enduring the rigours of military service, is not to be expected +from those who are not by profession obliged to it. The reverse of +this opinion has been a great misfortune in our affairs, and it is +high time we should recover from an error of so pernicious a nature. +We must absolutely have a force of a different composition, or we must +relinquish the contest. In a few days, we may expect to rely almost +entirely on our continental force, and this, from your own +observation, is totally inadequate to our safety. The exigency calls +loudly on the states to carry all the recommendations of the committee +into the most vigorous and immediate execution; but more particularly +that for completing our batteries by a draught with all possible +expedition." + +[Sidenote: June 18.] + +[Sidenote: Sir Henry Clinton returns to New York.] + +In this precise state of things, he received intelligence of the +return of Sir Henry Clinton from the conquest of South Carolina. + +The regular force in New York and its dependencies was now estimated +at twelve thousand men, great part of whom might be drawn into the +field for any particular purpose, because Sir Henry Clinton could +command about four thousand militia and refugees for garrison duty. + +In communicating to congress the appearance of the British fleet off +the Hook, General Washington observed, "a very alarming scene may +shortly open, and it will be happy for us if we shall be able to +steer clear of some serious misfortune in this quarter. I hope the +period has not yet arrived, which will convince the different states +by fatal experience, that some of them have mistaken the true +situation of this country. I flatter myself, however, that we may +still retrieve our affairs if we have but a just sense of them, and +are actuated by a spirit of liberal policy and exertion equal to the +emergency. Could we once see this spirit generally prevailing, I +should not despair of a prosperous issue of the campaign. But there is +no time to be lost. The danger is imminent and pressing; the obstacles +to be surmounted are great and numerous; and our efforts must be +instant, unreserved, and universal." + +On the arrival of Sir Henry Clinton, the design of acting offensively +in the Jerseys was resumed; but, to divide the American army, +demonstrations were made of an intention to seize West Point. To be in +readiness for either object, General Greene was left at Springfield +with two brigades of continental troops, and with the Jersey militia; +while, with the greater part of his army, General Washington proceeded +slowly towards Pompton, watching attentively the movements of the +British, and apparently unwilling to separate himself too far from +Greene. He had not marched farther than Rockaway, eleven miles beyond +Morristown, when the British army advanced from Elizabethtown towards +Springfield in great force. General Washington detached a brigade to +hang on their right flank, and returned with the residue of his army +five or six miles, in order to be in a situation to support Greene. + +[Sidenote: June.] + +[Sidenote: Skirmish at Springfield.] + +Early in the morning of the 23d, the British army moved in two +columns, with great rapidity, towards Springfield. Major Lee was +advanced on the Vauxhall road, which was taken by the right column; +and Colonel Dayton on the direct road, which was taken by the left. +Both these corps made every possible exertion to check the advancing +enemy, while General Greene concentrated his little army at +Springfield. Scarcely had he made his dispositions, when the British +front appeared, and a cannonade commenced between their van and the +American artillery which defended a bridge over Rahway, a small river +running east of the town, which was guarded by Colonel Angel with less +than two hundred men. Colonel Shreve was posted at a second bridge, +also over a branch of the Rahway, in order to cover the retreat of +Angel from the first. Major Lee with his dragoons and the piquets +under Captain Walker, supported by Colonel Ogden, was directed to +defend a bridge on the Vauxhall road. The residue of the continental +troops were drawn up on high ground, in the rear of the town, with the +militia on their flanks. + +The right column of the British advanced on Lee, who disputed the +passage of the bridge until a considerable body of the enemy forded +the river above him, and gained the point of a hill which endangered +his position. At this instant, their left attacked Colonel Angel, who +defended himself with persevering gallantry. The conflict was sharp, +and was maintained for about half an hour, when, compelled by superior +numbers to give way, he retired in good order, and brought off his +wounded. His retreat was covered by Colonel Shreve, who, after Angel +had passed him, was ordered by General Greene to join his brigade. The +English then took possession of the town and reduced it to ashes. + +The obstinate resistance which had been encountered; the gallantry and +discipline displayed by the continental troops who had been engaged; +the strength of Greene's position; the firm countenance maintained by +his troops, small detachments of whom kept up a continual skirmishing +with a view to save a part of the town; all contributed to deter Sir +Henry Clinton from a farther prosecution of his original plan. He +withdrew that afternoon to Elizabethtown; and, in the following night, +passed over to Staten Island. It is probable that the caution +manifested during this expedition is to be ascribed to the +intelligence that a formidable fleet and army from France was daily +expected on the coast. + +When the Marquis de Lafayette obtained permission to visit his native +country, he retained, with his rank in the American army, that zeal +for the interests of the United States, which the affectionate +attentions he had received, and the enthusiasm of a soldier in the +cause of those for whom he had made his first campaigns, were +calculated to inspire in a young and generous mind, in favour of an +infant people, struggling for liberty and self-government with the +hereditary rival of his nation. + +He was received at the court of Versailles with every mark of favour +and distinction;[38] and all his influence was employed in impressing +on the cabinet, the importance and policy of granting succours to the +United States. + +[Footnote 38: After he had visited the ministers, an arrest of eight +days, during which he resided with his relation the Marshal de +Noailles, was imposed on him for the sake of form and in honour of the +royal authority, which he had disregarded by proceeding to America. +After the expiration of this term he presented himself to the King, +who graciously said he pardoned his disobedience, in consideration of +his good conduct and of his services.--_Letter from Gen. Lafayette._] + +[Sidenote: Lafayette brings intelligence of aid from France.] + +[Sidenote: Exertions of Congress and of the Commander-in-chief to +strengthen the army.] + +Having succeeded in this favourite object, and finding no probability +of active employment on the continent of Europe, he obtained +permission to return to America. He arrived late in April at Boston, +and hastened to head quarters; whence he proceeded to the seat of +Government with the information that his most Christian Majesty had +consented to employ a considerable land and naval armament in the +United States, for the ensuing campaign. This intelligence gave a new +impulse both to congress and the state legislatures. The states from +New Hampshire to Virginia inclusive were required to pay, within +thirty days, ten millions of dollars, part of their quotas which +became due on the first of March; and specie bills to the amount of +fifty thousand dollars were drawn on Messieurs Franklin and Jay. These +sums were sacredly appropriated to the objects of bringing the army +into the field, and forwarding their supplies. + +The defects in the requisition system, which had been suggested by +General Washington, were corrected; and the committee in camp, at the +head of which was the late General Schuyler, was empowered, at the +request of the Commander-in-chief, to take such measures as were in +the power of congress, for drawing out the resources of the nation. + +To give effect to these resolutions, the several state legislatures +from New Hampshire to Virginia inclusive, were requested to invest the +Executives, or some other persons, with powers sufficiently ample to +comply with such applications as might be made to them by the +committee in camp, and a circular letter was addressed to the state +governments, urging them to second the efforts of Congress. + +Letters equally stimulating were written by the committee from camp; +and the well earned influence of the Commander-in-chief was also +employed to induce an exertion proportioned to the crisis. In addition +to those incentives which might operate on ardent minds, he +endeavoured, by a temperate review of the situation and resources of +the belligerent powers, to convince the judgment that America would +have real cause to fear the issue of the contest, should she neglect +to improve the advantage to be afforded by the succours expected from +France.[39] + +[Footnote 39: See note No. III. at the end of the volume.] + +Under the impressions produced by these representations, the state +legislatures, generally, passed the laws which were required; but the +energy displayed in their passage was not maintained in their +execution. In general, the assemblies followed the example of +congress, and apportioned on the several counties or towns within the +state, the quota to be furnished by each. This division of the state +was again to be subdivided into classes, each of which was to furnish +a man by contributions or taxes imposed upon itself. + +[Sidenote: Tardy proceedings of the states.] + +These operations were slow and unproductive. + +It was not on the state sovereignties only that beneficial effects +were produced by a candid statement of public affairs, several +patriotic individuals contributed largely from their private funds to +the aid of the public. The merchants, and other citizens of +Philadelphia, with a zeal guided by that sound discretion which turns +expenditure to the best account, established a bank, for the support +of which they subscribed L315,000, Pennsylvania money, to be paid, if +required, in specie, the principal object of which was to supply the +army with provisions and rum. By the plan of this bank, its members +were to derive no emolument whatever from the institution. For +advancing their credit and their money, they required only that +congress should pledge the faith of the Union to reimburse the costs +and charges of the transaction in a reasonable time, and should give +such assistance to its execution as might be in their power. + +The ladies of Philadelphia too gave a splendid example of patriotism, +by large donations for the immediate relief of the suffering army. +This example was extensively followed;[40] but it is not by the +contributions of the generous that a war can or ought to be +maintained. The purse of the nation alone can supply the expenditures +of a nation; and, when all are interested in a contest, all ought to +contribute to its support. Taxes, and taxes only, can furnish for the +prosecution of a national war, means which are just in themselves, or +competent to the object. Notwithstanding these donations, the +distresses of the army, for clothing especially, still continued; and +were the more severely felt when a co-operation with French troops was +expected. So late as the 20th of June, General Washington informed +congress, that he still laboured under the painful and humiliating +embarrassment of having no shirts for the soldiers, many of whom were +destitute of that necessary article. "For the troops to be without +clothing at any time," he added, "is highly injurious to the service, +and distressing to our feelings; but the want will be more peculiarly +mortifying when they come to act with those of our allies. If it be +possible, I have no doubt, immediate measures will be taken to relieve +their distress. + +[Footnote 40: This instance of patriotism on the part of our fair and +amiable countrywomen, is far from being single. Their conduct +throughout the war was uniform. They shared with cheerfulness and +gaiety, the privations and sufferings to which the distress of the +times exposed their country. In every stage of this severe trial, they +displayed virtues which have not been always attributed to their sex, +but which it is believed they will, on every occasion calculated to +unfold them, be found to possess. With a ready acquiescence, with a +firmness always cheerful, and a constancy never lamenting the +sacrifices which were made, they not only yielded up all the +elegancies, delicacies, and even conveniences to be furnished by +wealth and commerce, relying on their farms and on domestic industry +for every article of food and raiment, but, consenting to share the +produce of their own labour, they gave up without regret, a +considerable portion of the covering designed for their own families, +to supply the wants of the distressed soldiers; and heroically +suppressed the involuntary sigh which the departure of their brothers, +their sons, and their husbands, for the camp, rended from their +bosoms.] + +"It is also most sincerely wished, that there could be some supplies +of clothing furnished to the officers. There are a great many whose +condition is still miserable. This is, in some instances, the case +with the whole lines of the states. It would be well for their own +sakes, and for the public good, if they could be furnished. They will +not be able, when our friends come to co-operate with us, to go on a +common routine of duty; and if they should, they must, from their +appearance, be held in low estimation." + +This picture presents in strong colours, the real patriotism of the +American army. One heroic effort, though it may dazzle the mind with +its splendour, is an exertion most men are capable of making; but +continued patient suffering and unremitting perseverance, in a service +promising no personal emolument, and exposing the officer unceasingly, +not only to wants of every kind, but to those circumstances of +humiliation which seem to degrade him in the eyes of others, +demonstrate a fortitude of mind, a strength of virtue, and a firmness +of principle, which ought never to be forgotten. + +As the several legislative acts for bringing the army into the field, +did not pass until the months of June and July, General Washington +remained uninformed of the force on which he might rely, and was +consequently unable to form any certain plan of operations. + +This suspense was the more cruelly embarrassing, as, in the event of +an attempt upon New York, it was of the utmost importance that the +French fleet should, on its arrival, take possession of the harbour, +which was then weakly defended. But, should this measure be followed +by a failure to furnish the requisite support, it would not only be +ineffectual; but, in a very possible state of things, might sacrifice +the fleet itself. + +Should it be ascertained that the states were either unable or +unwilling to make the exertions necessary for the siege of New York, +other objects presented themselves against which the allied arms might +be turned to advantage. To avoid the disgrace and danger of attempting +what could not be effected, and the reproach of neglecting any +attainable object, were equally desirable, and equally required a +correct knowledge of the measures which would be taken by the states. + +In a letter to congress communicating his anxiety on this interesting +subject, and his total want of information respecting it, General +Washington observed, "The season is come when we have every reason to +expect the arrival of the fleet, and yet, for want of this point of +primary consequence, it is impossible for me to form a system of +co-operation. I have no basis to act upon; and, of course, were this +generous succour of our ally now to arrive, I should find myself in +the most awkward, embarrassing, and painful situation. The general and +the admiral, from the relation in which I stand, as soon as they +approach our coast, will require of me a plan of the measures to be +pursued, and there ought of right to be one prepared; but +circumstanced as I am, I can not even give them conjectures. From +these considerations, I have suggested to the committee, by a letter I +had the honour of addressing them yesterday, the indispensable +necessity of their writing again to the states, urging them to give +immediate and precise information of the measures they have taken and +of the result. The interest of the states, the honour and reputation +of our councils, the justice and gratitude due to our allies, all +require that I should, without delay, be enabled to ascertain and +inform them, what we can or can not undertake. There is a point which +ought now to be determined, on the success of which all our future +operations may depend, on which, for want of knowing our prospects, I +can make no decision. For fear of involving the fleet and army of our +allies in circumstances which would expose them, if not seconded by +us, to material inconvenience and hazard, I shall be compelled to +suspend it, and the delay may be fatal to our hopes." + +The tardy proceedings of the states were not less perplexing to +congress than to the Commander-in-chief. To the minister of his most +Christian Majesty, who had in the preceding January communicated the +probability of receiving succour from France, that body, without +calculating accurately the means of complying with its engagements, +had pledged itself unequivocally for effectual co-operation. The +minister was assured, that the United States had expectations on which +they could rely with confidence, of bringing into the field, for the +next campaign, an army of twenty-five thousand men; and that such +numbers of militia might be added to this continental force, as would +render it competent to any enterprise against the posts occupied by +the British within the United States. + +Assurances were also given that ample supplies of provisions for the +combined armies should be laid up in magazines under the direction of +congress. The French minister addressed congress on this subject about +the time that General Washington expressed so strongly, the necessity +of knowing with certainty, on what reinforcements he was to calculate. + +Thus pressed by their general and their ally, congress renewed their +urgent requisitions on the states, and desired the several governments +to correspond weekly with the committee at head quarters, on the +progress made in complying with them. + +In the mean time, General Washington meditated unceasingly on the +course to be pursued in the various contingencies which might happen; +and endeavoured to prepare for any plan of operations which +circumstances might render adviseable. The arrival of Sir Henry +Clinton diminished the variety of aspects in which the relative +situation of the two armies was to be contemplated, and rendered the +success of an attempt on New York more doubtful. It was now thought +adviseable that the armament from France, instead of sailing directly +to the Hook, should proceed in the first instance to Rhode Island; +where, after disembarking the troops, and providing for the sick, it +might wait until a definitive plan of operations should be concerted. + +[Sidenote: July 13.] + +[Sidenote: Arrival of a French armament in Rhode Island.] + +On the 13th of July, while the result of the measures adopted by the +several states remained uncertain, the French fleet entered the +harbour of Newport, and letters were soon afterwards received from the +Count de Rochambeau and the Chevalier Tunay, the officers commanding +the land and naval forces, transmitting to General Washington an +account of their arrival, of their strength, their expectations, and +their orders. + +The troops designed to serve in the United States had assembled, early +in the year, at Brest; but the transports at that place having been +chiefly employed for an armament destined for the West Indies; and the +ports from which it had been intended to draw others, being blockaded, +only the first division, consisting of five thousand men, had arrived +at Newport; but letters from France contained assurances that the +second division of the army might soon be expected. + +To obviate those difficulties which had occurred on former occasions +respecting rank, the orders given to Lieutenant General Count de +Rochambeau, which were inclosed in his first letter, placed him +entirely under the command of General Washington. The French troops +were to be considered as auxiliaries, and were, according to the +usages of war, to cede the post of honour to the Americans.[41] + +[Footnote 41: These orders were given at the instance of General +Lafayette.--_Correspondence with General Lafayette._] + +Convinced that cordial harmony between the allied forces was essential +to their success, both generals cultivated carefully the friendly +dispositions felt by the troops towards each other. Warm professions +of reciprocal respect, esteem, and confidence, were interchanged +between them; and each endeavoured to impress on the other, and on all +the military and civil departments, the conviction that the two +nations, and two armies, were united by the ties of interest and +affection. On this occasion, General Washington recommended to his +officers, as a symbol of friendship and affection for their allies, to +engraft on the American cockade, which was black, a white relief, that +being the colour of the French cockade. + +Late as was the arrival of the French troops, they found the Americans +unprepared for active and offensive operations. Not even at that time +were the numbers ascertained which would be furnished by the states. +Yet it was necessary for General Washington to communicate a plan of +the campaign to the Count de Rochambeau. + +The season was already so far advanced that preparations for the +operations contemplated eventually, on the arrival of the second +division of the French fleet, must be immediately made, or there +would not be time, though every circumstance should prove favourable, +to execute the design against New York. Such a state of things so ill +comported with the engagements of congress, and with the interests of +the nation, that, trusting to his being enabled, by the measures +already taken by the states, to comply with what was incumbent on him +to perform, he determined to hazard much rather than forego the +advantages to be derived from the aids afforded by France. In +communicating this resolution to congress, he said--"Pressed on all +sides by a choice of difficulties in a moment which required decision, +I have adopted that line of conduct which comported with the dignity +and faith of congress, the reputation of these states, and the honour +of our arms. I have sent on definitive proposals of co-operation to +the French general and admiral. Neither the period of the season, nor +a regard to decency, would permit delay. The die is cast, and it +remains with the states either to fulfil their engagements, preserve +their credit, and support their independence, or to involve us in +disgrace and defeat. Notwithstanding the failures pointed out by the +committee, I shall proceed on the supposition that they will, +ultimately, consult their own interest and honour and not suffer us to +fail for the want of means which it is evidently in their power to +afford. What has been done, and is doing, by some of the states, +confirms the opinion I have entertained of sufficient resources in the +country. Of the disposition of the people to submit to any arrangement +for bringing them forth, I see no reasonable ground to doubt. If we +fail for want of proper exertions in any of the governments, I trust +the responsibility will fall where it ought; and that I shall stand +justified to congress, my country, and the world." + +[Illustration: Beverly Robinson Mansion at West Point + +_Benedict Arnold made this house his headquarters while in command of +the fort and garrison there. It was here that Washington came to +breakfast with Arnold, one September morning in 1780 and made the +discovery that his host had turned traitor and was conspiring to +surrender West Point to the British._] + +A decisive naval superiority, however, was considered as the basis of +any enterprise to be undertaken by the allied arms. This naval +superiority being assumed, the outlines of the plan were drawn, and +the 5th of August was named as the day on which the French troops +should re-embark, and the American army assemble at Morrissania. + +This plan was committed to Major General the Marquis de la Fayette, +who was authorized to explain the situation of the American army, and +the views of the General, to the Count de Rochambeau. It was to be +considered as preliminary to any operation--that the fleet and army of +France should continue their aid until the enterprise should succeed, +or be abandoned by mutual consent. + +The Chevalier de Tunay did not long maintain his superiority at sea. +Three days after he reached Newport, Admiral Greaves arrived with six +ships of the line, and transferred it to the British. On his +appearance off the Hook, Arbuthnot passed the bar with four ships of +the line; and hearing that De Tunay had reached Rhode Island, +proceeded thither, and cruised off the harbour. The Count de +Rochambeau had been put into possession of all the forts and batteries +about Newport, and the fleet had been moved in a line so as to +co-operate with the land forces. This position appearing too +formidable to be attempted by the fleet alone, Arbuthnot continued to +cruise off Block Island. + +As the commanders of the allied forces still cherished the hope of +acquiring a superiority at sea, the design on New York was only +suspended. This hope was strengthened by intelligence that the Count +de Guichen had been joined in the West Indies by a powerful Spanish +armament. The Chevalier de Tunay had despatched a packet to inform him +that he was blocked up by a superior force, and to solicit such +reinforcements as the situation of the Count might enable him to +spare. Relying on the success of this application, and on the arrival +of the second division of the squadron from Brest, the American +general impatiently expected the moment when De Tunay would be enabled +to act offensively. + +In this crisis of affairs, a derangement took place in a most +important department, which threatened to disconcert the whole plan of +operations, though every other circumstance should prove favourable. + +The immense expenditure of the quartermaster's department--the +inadequacy of the funds with which it was supplied--the reciprocal +disgusts and complaints produced by these causes, had determined +congress to make still another radical change in the system. This +subject had been taken up early in the winter; but such were the +delays inseparable from the proceedings of the government, that the +report of the committee was not made until the month of March, nor +finally decided on until the middle of July. + +This subject was too interesting to the army, and to the important +operations meditated for the campaign, not to engage the anxious +attention of the Commander-in-chief. At his request, the quartermaster +general, while the army lay in winter quarters, repaired to +Philadelphia for the purpose of giving congress all the information he +possessed. He proposed to withdraw the management of the department +almost entirely from the civil government, and to place it under the +control of the person who should be at its head, subject only to the +direction of the Commander-in-chief. + +The views of congress were entirely different. While the subject +remained suspended before that body, it was taken up by the committee +of co-operation at head quarters, where the combined experience and +talents of Generals Washington, Schuyler, and Greene, were employed in +digesting a system adapted to the actual situation of the United +States, which was recommended to congress. To give the more weight to +his opinion by showing its disinterestedness, General Greene offered +to continue in the discharge of the duties assigned to him, without +any other extra emolument than his family expenses. This plan, +whatever might have been its details, was, in its general outlines, +unacceptable to congress. A system was, at length, completed by that +body, which General Greene believed to be incapable of execution. +Resolving not to take upon himself the responsibility of measures the +issue of which must be calamitous and disgraceful, he determined to +withdraw from a station in which he despaired of being useful. + +Apprehending the worst consequences from his resignation in so +critical a moment, General Washington pressed him to suspend this +decisive step, until the effect of an application from himself and +from the committee of co-operation should be known. Their +representations produced no effect. The resolution to make this bold +experiment was unalterable. General Greene's resignation was accepted; +and the letter conveying it excited so much irritation, that a design +was intimated of suspending his command in the line of the army. But +these impressions soon wore off, and the resentment of the moment +subsided. Colonel Pickering, who succeeded General Greene, possessed, +in an eminent degree, those qualities which fitted him to combat and +subdue the difficulties of his department. To great energy of mind and +body, he added a long experience in the affairs of the continent, with +an ardent zeal for its interests; and General Greene himself, with +several of the former officers, at the request of the +Commander-in-chief, continued for some time after their resignation, +to render all the services in their power; but there was a defect of +means, for which neither talents nor exertion could compensate. + +In the commissary department the same distress was experienced. +General Washington was driven to the necessity of emptying the +magazines at West Point, and of foraging on a people whose means of +subsisting themselves were already nearly exhausted by the armies on +both sides. The inadequate supplies drawn from these sources afforded +but a short relief; and, once more, at a time when the public +imagination was contemplating brilliant plans, the execution of which +required steady courage with persevering labour, and consequently +ample magazines, the army was frequently reduced to the last extremity +by the want of food. + +So great were the embarrassments produced by the difficulty of +procuring subsistence that, although the second division of the fleet +from Brest was daily expected, General Washington found it necessary +to countermand the orders under which the militia were marching to +camp. + +Such was the state of preparation for the campaign, when intelligence +was brought by the Alliance frigate that the port of Brest was +blockaded. In the hope, however, that the combined fleets of France +and Spain would be able to raise the blockade, General Washington +adhered steadily to his purpose respecting New York, and continued his +exertions to provide the means for its execution. The details of the +plan of co-operation continued to be the subject of a correspondence +with the Count de Rochambeau, and the Chevalier de Tunay; and, at +length, a personal interview was agreed upon, to take place on the +21st of September, at Hartford, in Connecticut. + +[Sidenote: Enterprise against New York relinquished.] + +In this interview, ulterior eventual measures, as well as an explicit +and detailed arrangement for acting against New York, were the +subjects of consideration. No one of the plans, however, then +concerted for the present campaign, was carried into execution. All, +except an invasion of Canada, depended on a superiority at sea, which +was soon rendered almost hopeless by certain information that the +Count de Guichen had sailed for Europe. + +[Sidenote: Naval superiority of the British.] + +Not long after receiving this information, Admiral Rodney arrived at +New York with eleven ships of the line and four frigates. This +reinforcement not only disconcerted all the plans of the allies, but +put it in the power of the British to prosecute in security their +designs in the south. + +[Sidenote: Plans for the campaign abandoned.] + +It may well be supposed that the Commander-in-chief did not +relinquish, without infinite chagrin, the sanguine expectations he had +formed of rendering this summer decisive of the war. Never before had +he indulged so strongly the hope of happily terminating the contest. +In a letter to an intimate friend, this chagrin was thus expressed. +"We are now drawing to a close an inactive campaign, the beginning of +which appeared pregnant with events of a very favourable complexion. I +hoped, but I hoped in vain, that a prospect was opening which would +enable me to fix a period to my military pursuits, and restore me to +domestic life. The favourable disposition of Spain, the promised +succour from France, the combined force in the West Indies, the +declaration of Russia, (acceded to by other powers of Europe, +humiliating the naval pride and power of Great Britain) the +superiority of France and Spain by sea in Europe, the Irish claims and +English disturbances, formed in the aggregate an opinion in my breast, +(which is not very susceptible of peaceful dreams) that the hour of +deliverance was not far distant; for that, however unwilling Great +Britain might be to yield the point, it would not be in her power to +continue the contest. But alas! these prospects, flattering as they +were, have proved delusive; and I see nothing before us but +accumulating distress. We have been half of our time without +provisions, and are likely to continue so. We have no magazines, nor +money to form them. We have lived upon expedients until we can live no +longer. In a word, the history of the war is a history of false hopes +and temporary devices, instead of system and economy. It is in vain, +however, to look back, nor is it our business to do so. Our case is +not desperate, if virtue exists in the people, and there is wisdom +among our rulers. But to suppose that this great revolution can be +accomplished by a temporary army; that this army will be subsisted by +state supplies; and that taxation alone is adequate to our wants, is +in my opinion absurd, and as unreasonable as to expect an inversion of +the order of nature to accommodate itself to our views. If it were +necessary, it could be easily proved to any person of a moderate +understanding, that an annual army, or any army raised on the spur of +the occasion, besides being unqualified for the end designed, is, in +various ways that could be enumerated, ten times more expensive than a +permanent body of men under good organization and military discipline; +which never was, nor will be the case with raw troops. A thousand +arguments, resulting from experience and the nature of things, might +also be adduced to prove that the army, if it is to depend upon state +supplies, must disband or starve, and that taxation alone (especially +at this late hour) can not furnish the means to carry on the war. Is +it not time to retract from error, and benefit by experience? Or do we +want farther proof of the ruinous system we have pertinaciously +adhered to." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Treason and escape of Arnold.... Trial and execution of + Major Andre.... Precautions for the security of West + Point.... Letter of General Washington on American + affairs.... Proceedings of congress respecting the army.... + Major Talmadge destroys the British stores at Coram.... The + army retires into winter quarters.... Irruption of Major + Carlton into New York.... European transactions. + + +[Sidenote: 1780.] + +While the public mind was anticipating great events from the +combined arms of France and America, treason lay concealed in the +American camp, and was plotting the ruin of the American cause. + +The great services and military talents of General Arnold, his courage +in battle, and patient fortitude under excessive hardships, had +secured to him a high place in the opinion of the army and of his +country. + +Not having sufficiently recovered from the wounds received before +Quebec and at Saratoga to be fit for active service, and having large +accounts to settle with the government which required leisure, he was, +on the evacuation of Philadelphia in 1778, appointed to the command in +that place. + +Unfortunately, that strength of principle and correctness of judgment, +which might enable him to resist the various seductions to which his +fame and rank exposed him in the metropolis of the Union, were not +associated with the firmness which he had displayed in the field, and +in the most adverse circumstances. Yielding to the temptations of a +false pride, and forgetting that he did not possess the resources of +private fortune, he indulged in the pleasures of a sumptuous table and +expensive equipage, and soon swelled his debts to an amount which it +was impossible to discharge. Unmindful of his military character, he +engaged in speculations which were unfortunate; and with the hope of +immense profit, took shares in privateers which were unsuccessful. His +claims against the United States were great, and he looked to them for +the means of extricating himself from the embarrassments in which his +indiscretions had involved him; but the commissioners to whom his +accounts were referred for settlement, had reduced them considerably; +and, on his appeal from their decision to congress, a committee +reported that the sum allowed by the commissioners was more than he +was entitled to receive. + +He was charged with various acts of extortion on the citizens of +Philadelphia, and with peculating on the funds of the continent. Not +the less soured by these multiplied causes of irritation, from the +reflection that they were attributable to his own follies and vices, +he gave full scope to his resentments, and indulged himself in +expressions of angry reproach against, what he termed, the ingratitude +of his country, which provoked those around him, and gave great +offence to congress. Having become peculiarly odious to the government +of Pennsylvania, the Executive of that state exhibited formal charges +against him to congress, who directed that he should be arrested and +brought before a court martial. His trial was concluded late in +January, 1779, and he was sentenced to be reprimanded by the +Commander-in-chief. This sentence was approved by congress and carried +into execution. + +From the time the sentence against him was approved, if not sooner, +his proud unprincipled spirit revolted from the cause of his country, +and determined him to seek an occasion to make the objects of his +resentment, the victims of his vengeance. Turning his eyes on West +Point as an acquisition which would give value to treason, and inflict +a mortal wound on his former friends, he sought the command of that +fortress for the purpose of gratifying both his avarice and his +hate.[42] + +[Footnote 42: The author is informed by General Lafayette that Arnold, +while commanding at West Point, endeavoured to obtain from General +Washington the names of his secret emissaries in New York, and his +means of communicating with them. He pressed Lafayette, who had also +his private intelligencers, for the same information. His applications +were of course unsuccessful. It cannot be doubted that his object was +to commit the additional crime of betraying them to Sir Henry +Clinton.] + +To New York, the safety of West Point was peculiarly interesting; and, +in that state, the reputation of Arnold was particularly high. To its +delegation he addressed himself; and one of its members had written a +letter to General Washington, suggesting doubts respecting the +military character of Howe, to whom its defence was then entrusted, +and recommending Arnold for that service. This request was not +forgotten. Some short time afterwards, General Schuyler mentioned to +the Commander-in-chief a letter he had received from Arnold intimating +his wish to join the army, but stating his inability, in consequence +of his wounds, to perform the active duties of the field. General +Washington observed that, as there was a prospect of a vigorous +campaign, he should be gratified with the aid of General Arnold. That +so soon as the operations against New York should commence, he +designed to draw his whole force into the field, leaving even West +Point to the care of invalids and a small garrison of militia. +Recollecting however the former application of a member of congress +respecting this post, he added, that "if, with this previous +information, that situation would be more agreeable to him than a +command in the field, his wishes should certainly be indulged." + +This conversation being communicated to Arnold, he caught eagerly at +the proposition, though without openly discovering any solicitude on +the subject; and, in the beginning of August, repaired to camp, where +he renewed the solicitations which had before been made indirectly. + +At this juncture, Sir Henry Clinton embarked on an expedition he +meditated against Rhode Island, and General Washington was advancing +on New York. He offered Arnold the left wing of the army, which that +officer declined under the pretexts mentioned in his letter to General +Schuyler. + +Incapable of suspecting a man who had given such distinguished proofs +of courage and patriotism, the Commander-in-chief was neither alarmed +at his refusal to embrace so splendid an opportunity of recovering the +favour of his countrymen, nor at the embarrassment accompanying that +refusal. Pressing the subject no farther, he assented to the request +which had been made, and invested Arnold with the command of West +Point. Previous to his soliciting this station, he had, in a letter to +Colonel Robinson, signified his change of principles, and his wish to +restore himself to the favour of his Prince by some signal proof of +his repentance. This letter opened the way to a correspondence with +Sir Henry Clinton, the immediate object of which, after obtaining the +appointment he had solicited, was to concert the means of delivering +the important post he commanded to the British general. + +Major John Andre, an aid-de-camp of Sir Henry Clinton, and adjutant +general of the British army, was selected as the person to whom the +maturing of Arnold's treason, and the arrangements for its execution +should be entrusted. A correspondence was carried on between them +under a mercantile disguise, in the feigned names of Gustavus and +Anderson; and, at length, to facilitate their communications, the +Vulture sloop of war moved up the North River, and took a station +convenient for the purpose, but not so near as to excite suspicion. + +[Sidenote: Treason and escape of Arnold.] + +The time when General Washington met the Count de Rochambeau at +Hartford was selected for the final adjustment of the plan; and, as a +personal interview was deemed necessary, Major Andre came up the +river, and went on board the Vulture. The house of a Mr. Smith, +without the American posts, was appointed for the interview; and to +that place both parties repaired in the night--Andre being brought +under a pass for John Anderson, in a boat despatched from the shore. +While the conference was yet unfinished, day light approached; and, to +avoid discovery, Arnold proposed that Andre should remain concealed +until the succeeding night. He is understood to have refused +peremptorily to be carried within the American posts; but the promise +to respect this objection was not observed. They continued together +the succeeding day; and when, in the following night, his return to +the Vulture was proposed, the boatmen refused to carry him because she +had shifted her station during the day, in consequence of a gun which +was moved to the shore without the knowledge of Arnold, and brought +to bear upon her. This embarrassing circumstance reduced him to the +necessity of endeavouring to reach New York by land. To accomplish +this purpose, he reluctantly yielded to the urgent representations of +Arnold; and, laying aside his regimentals, which he had hitherto worn +under a surtout, put on a plain suit of clothes, and received a pass +from General Arnold, authorizing him, under the name of John Anderson, +to proceed on the public service to the White Plains, or lower if he +thought proper. + +With this permit, he had passed all the guards and posts on the road +unsuspected, and was proceeding to New York in perfect security, when +one of three militia men who were employed between the lines of the +two armies, springing suddenly from his covert into the road, seized +the reins of his bridle, and stopped his horse. Losing his accustomed +self-possession, Major Andre, instead of producing the pass[43] from +General Arnold, asked the man hastily where he belonged? He replied +"to below;" a term implying that he was from New York. "And so," said +Andre, not suspecting deception, "am I." He then declared himself to +be a British officer on urgent business, and begged that he might not +be detained. The appearance of the other militia men disclosed his +mistake, too late to correct it. He offered a purse of gold, and a +valuable watch, with tempting promises of ample reward from his +government, if they would permit him to escape; but his offers were +rejected, and his captors proceeded to search him. They found +concealed in his boots, in Arnold's hand writing, papers containing +all the information which could be important respecting West Point. +When carried before Lieutenant Colonel Jameson, the officer commanding +the scouting parties on the lines, he still maintained his assumed +character, and requested Jameson to inform his commanding officer that +Anderson was taken. Jameson despatched an express with this +communication. On receiving it, Arnold comprehended the full extent of +his danger, and, flying from well merited punishment, took refuge on +board the Vulture. + +[Footnote 43: Mr. Johnson says he did produce it; but that, on being +surprised, he had thrust a paper containing a plan of the route in his +boot, which, having been perceived, was demanded, and led to his +discovery.] + +[Illustration: Where Washington Stayed During Andre's Trial + +_In this brick house at Tappan, Rockland County, New York, the +American Commander-in-Chief, during September, 1780, awaited the +result of the trial of Major John Andre, who conspired with Benedict +Arnold for the betrayal of West Point to the British. Fourteen +American officers sat in judgment on Andre and ordered his execution +on October 2, 1780. In Tappan also is still standing the old Tavern +where Andre was imprisoned._] + +When sufficient time for the escape of Arnold was supposed to have +elapsed, Andre, no longer affecting concealment, acknowledged himself +to be the adjutant general of the British army. Jameson, seeking to +correct the mischief of his indiscreet communication to Arnold, +immediately despatched a packet to the Commander-in-chief containing +the papers which had been discovered, with a letter from Andre, +relating the manner of his capture, and accounting for the disguise he +had assumed. + +The express was directed to meet the Commander-in-chief, who was then +on his return from Hartford; but, taking different roads,[44] they +missed each other, and a delay attended the delivery of the papers, +which insured the escape of Arnold. + +[Footnote 44: General Lafayette adds some circumstances which are not +found among the manuscript papers of General Washington. The +Commander-in-chief with Generals Lafayette and Knox had turned from +the direct route in order to visit a redoubt. Colonels Hamilton and +M'Henry, the aids-de-camp of Generals Washington and Lafayette, went +forward to request Mrs. Arnold not to wait breakfast. Arnold received +Andre's billet in their presence. He turned pale, left them suddenly, +called his wife, communicated the intelligence to her and left her in +a swoon, without the knowledge of Hamilton and M'Henry. Mounting the +horse of his aid-de-camp, which was ready saddled, and directing him +to inform General Washington on his arrival that Arnold was gone to +receive him at West Point, he gained the river shore, and was conveyed +in a canoe to the Vulture. + +The Commander-in-chief, on his arrival, was informed that Arnold +awaited him at West Point. Taking it for granted that this step had +been taken to prepare for his reception, he proceeded thither without +entering the house, and was surprised to find that Arnold was not +arrived. On returning to the quarters of that officer he received +Jameson's despatch, which disclosed the whole mystery.] + +[Sidenote: Precautions for the security of West Point.] + +Every precaution was immediately taken for the security of West Point; +after which, the attention of the Commander-in-chief was turned to +Andre. A board of general officers, of which Major General Greene was +president, and the two foreign generals, Lafayette and Steuben, were +members, was called, to report a precise state of his case, and to +determine the character in which he was to be considered, and the +punishment to which he was liable. + +The frankness and magnanimity with which Andre had conducted himself +from the time of his appearance in his real character, had made a +very favourable impression on all those with whom he had held any +intercourse. From this cause he experienced every mark of indulgent +attention which was compatible with his situation; and, from a sense +of justice as well as of delicacy, was informed, on the opening of the +examination, that he was at liberty not to answer any interrogatory +which might embarrass his own feelings. But, as if only desirous to +rescue his character from imputations which he dreaded more than +death, he confessed every thing material to his own condemnation, but +would divulge nothing which might involve others. + +[Sidenote: Trial and execution of Major Andre.] + +The board reported the essential facts which had appeared, with their +opinion that Major Andre was a spy, and ought to suffer death. The +execution of this sentence was ordered to take place on the day +succeeding that on which it was pronounced. + +Superior to the terrors of death, but dreading disgrace, Andre was +deeply affected by the mode of execution which the laws of war decree +to persons in his situation. He wished to die like a soldier, not as a +criminal. To obtain a mitigation of his sentence in this respect, he +addressed a letter[45] to General Washington, replete with the +feelings of a man of sentiment and honour. But the occasion required +that the example should make its full impression, and this request +could not be granted. He encountered his fate with composure and +dignity; and his whole conduct interested the feelings of all who +witnessed it. + +[Footnote 45: See note No. IV. at the end of the volume.] + +The general officers lamented the sentence which the usages of war +compelled them to pronounce; and never perhaps did the +Commander-in-chief obey with more reluctance the stern mandates of +duty and policy. The sympathy excited among the American officers by +his fate, was as universal as it is unusual on such occasions; and +proclaims alike the merit of him who suffered, and the humanity of +those who inflicted the punishment. + +Great exertions were made by Sir Henry Clinton, to whom Andre was +particularly dear, first, to have him considered as protected by a +flag of truce, and afterwards, as a prisoner of war. + +Even Arnold had the hardihood to interpose. After giving a certificate +of facts tending, as he supposed, to exculpate the prisoner, +exhausting his powers of reasoning on the case, and appealing to the +humanity of the American general, he sought to intimidate that +officer, by stating the situation of many of the most distinguished +individuals of South Carolina, who had forfeited their lives, but had +hitherto been spared through the clemency of the British general. This +clemency, he said, could no longer be extended to them should Major +Andre suffer. + +It may well be supposed that the interposition of Arnold could have no +influence on Washington. He conveyed Mrs. Arnold to her husband in New +York,[46] and also transmitted his clothes and baggage, for which he +had written; but, in every other respect, his letters, which were +unanswered, were also unnoticed. + +[Footnote 46: General Lafayette mentions a circumstance not previously +known to the author, which serves to illustrate the character of +Washington, and to mark the delicacy of his feelings towards even the +offending part of that sex which is entitled to all the consolation +and protection man can afford it. + +The night after Arnold's escape, when his letter respecting Andre was +received, the general directed one of his aids to wait on Mrs. Arnold, +who was convulsed with grief, and inform her that he had done every +thing which depended on him to arrest her husband, but that, not +having succeeded, it gave him pleasure to inform her that her husband +was safe. It is also honourable to the American character, that during +the effervescence of the moment, Mrs. Arnold was permitted to go to +Philadelphia, to take possession of her effects, and to proceed to New +York under the protection of a flag, without receiving the slightest +insult.] + +The mingled sentiments of admiration and compassion excited in every +bosom for the unfortunate Andre, seemed to increase the detestation in +which Arnold was held. "Andre," said General Washington in a private +letter, "has met his fate with that fortitude which was to be expected +from an accomplished man and a gallant officer; but I am mistaken if +_at this time_ Arnold is undergoing the torments of a mental hell. He +wants feeling. From some traits[47] of his character which have +lately come to my knowledge, he seems to have been so hardened in +crime, so lost to all sense of honour and shame, that, while his +faculties still enable him to continue his sordid pursuits, there will +be no time for remorse." + +[Footnote 47: This allusion is thus explained in a private letter from +Colonel Hamilton--"This man (Arnold) is in every sense despicable. In +addition to the scene of knavery and prostitution during his command +in Philadelphia, which the late seizure of his papers has unfolded, +the history of his command at West Point is a history of little as +well as great villanies. He practised every dirty act of peculation, +and even stooped to connexions with the suttlers to defraud the +public."] + +From motives of policy, or of respect for his engagements, Sir Henry +Clinton conferred on Arnold the commission of a brigadier general in +the British service, which he preserved throughout the war. Yet it is +impossible that rank could have rescued him from the contempt and +detestation in which the generous, the honourable, and the brave, +could not cease to hold him. It was impossible for men of this +description to bury the recollection of his being a traitor, a sordid +traitor, first the slave of his rage, then purchased with gold, and +finally secured at the expense of the blood of one of the most +accomplished officers in the British army. + +His representations of the discontent of the country and of the army +concurring with reports from other quarters, had excited the hope that +the loyalists and the dissatisfied, allured by British gold, and the +prospect of rank in the British service, would flock to his standard, +and form a corps at whose head he might again display his accustomed +intrepidity. With this hope he published an address to the inhabitants +of America, in which he laboured to palliate his own guilt, and to +increase their dissatisfaction with the existing state of things. + +This appeal to the public was followed by a proclamation addressed "To +the officers and soldiers of the continental army, who have the real +interests of their country at heart, and who are determined to be no +longer the tools and dupes of congress or of France." + +The object of this proclamation was to induce the officers and +soldiers to desert the cause they had embraced from principle, by +holding up to them the very flattering offers of the British general, +and contrasting the substantial emoluments of the British service with +their present deplorable condition. He attempted to cover this +dishonourable proposition with a decent garb, by representing the base +step he invited them to take, as the only measure which could restore +peace, real liberty, and happiness, to their country. + +These inducements did not produce their intended effect. Although the +temper of the army might be irritated by real suffering, and by the +supposed neglect of government, no diminution of patriotism had been +produced. Through all the hardships, irritations, and vicissitudes of +the war, Arnold remains the solitary instance of an American officer +who abandoned the side first embraced in this civil contest, and +turned his sword upon his former companions in arms. + +When the probable consequences of this plot, had it been successful, +were considered, and the combination of apparent accidents by which it +was discovered and defeated, was recollected, all were filled with +awful astonishment; and the devout perceived in the transaction, the +hand of Providence guiding America to independence. + +The thanks of congress were voted to the three militia men[48] who had +rendered this invaluable service; and a silver medal, with an +inscription expressive of their fidelity and patriotism, was directed +to be presented to each of them. In addition to this flattering +testimonial of their worth, and as a farther evidence of national +gratitude, a resolution was passed granting to each, two hundred +dollars per annum during life, to be paid in specie or an equivalent +in current money. + +[Footnote 48: Their names were John Paulding, David Williams, and +Isaac Vanwert.] + +The efforts of General Washington to obtain a permanent military +force, or its best substitute, a regular system for filling the vacant +ranks with draughts who should join the army on the first day of +January in each year, were still continued. Notwithstanding the +embarrassments with which congress was surrounded, it is not easy to +find adequate reasons for the neglect of representations so +interesting, and of recommendations apparently so essential to the +safety of the United States. + +[Sidenote: Parties in Congress.] + +Private letters disclose the fact that two parties still agitated +congress. One entered fully into the views of the Commander-in-chief. +The other, jealous of the army, and apprehensive of its hostility to +liberty when peace should be restored, remained unwilling to give +stability to its constitution by increasing the numbers who were to +serve during the war. They seemed to dread the danger from the enemy +to which its fluctuations would expose them, less than the danger +which might be apprehended for the civil authority from its permanent +character. They caught with avidity at every intelligence which +encouraged the flattering hope of a speedy peace,[49] but entered +reluctantly into measures founded on the supposition that the war +might be of long duration. Perfectly acquainted with the extent of the +jealousies entertained on this subject, although, to use his own +expressions to a friend, "Heaven knows how unjustly," General +Washington had foreborne to press the necessity of regular and timely +reinforcements to his army so constantly and so earnestly as his own +judgment directed. But the experience of every campaign furnished such +strong additional evidences of the impolicy and danger of continuing +to rely on temporary expedients, and the uncertainty of collecting a +force to co-operate with the auxiliaries from France was so peculiarly +embarrassing, that he at length resolved to conquer the delicacy by +which he had been in some degree restrained, and to open himself fully +on the subject which he deemed more essential than any other to the +success of the war. + +[Footnote 49: The following extract from a private letter of General +Washington to a member of congress, shows how sensible he was of the +mischief produced by this temper. "The satisfaction I have in any +successes that attend us, even in the alleviation of misfortunes, is +always allayed by the fear that it will lull us into security. +Supineness, and a disposition to flatter ourselves, seem to make parts +of our national character. When we receive a check and are not quite +undone, we are apt to fancy we have gained a victory; and when we do +gain any little advantage, we imagine it decisive, and expect the war +immediately to end. The history of the war is a history of false hopes +and temporary expedients. Would to God they were to end here! This +winter, if I am not mistaken, will open a still more embarrassing +scene than we have yet experienced, to the southward. I have little +doubt, should we not gain a naval superiority, that Sir Henry Clinton +will detach to the southward to extend his conquests. I am far from +being satisfied that we shall be prepared to repel his attempts."] + +[Sidenote: August.] + +In August, while looking anxiously for such a reinforcement to the +Chevalier de Tunay as would give him the command of the American seas, +and while uncertain whether the campaign might not pass away without +giving a single advantage promised at its opening, he transmitted a +letter to congress, fully and freely imparting his sentiments on the +state of things. + +[Sidenote: Letter of General Washington on American affairs.] + +As this letter contains an exact statement of American affairs, +according to the view taken of them by General Washington, and a +faithful picture of the consequences of the ruinous policy which had +been pursued, drawn by the man best acquainted with them, copious +extracts from it will, at least, be excused. + +After examining the sources of supplies for the campaign, he proceeds +to say--"But while we are meditating offensive operations which may +not be undertaken at all, or, being undertaken, may fail, I am +persuaded congress are not inattentive to the present state of the +army, and will view in the same light with me the necessity of +providing in time against a period (the first of January) when one +half of our present force will dissolve. The shadow of an army that +will remain, will have every motive, except mere patriotism, to +abandon the service, without the hope which has hitherto supported +them, of a change for the better. This is almost extinguished now, and +certainly will not outlive the campaign, unless it finds something +more substantial to rest upon. This is a truth of which every +spectator of the distresses of the army can not help being convinced. +Those at a distance may speculate differently; but on the spot an +opinion to the contrary, judging human nature on the usual scale, +would be chimerical. + +"The honourable the committee of congress, who have seen and heard for +themselves, will add their testimony to mine; and the wisdom and +justice of congress can not fail to give it the most serious +attention. To me it will appear miraculous, if our affairs can +maintain themselves much longer in their present train. If either the +temper or the resources of the country will not admit of an +alteration, we may expect soon to be reduced to the humiliating +condition of seeing the cause of America, in America, upheld by +foreign arms. The generosity of our allies has a claim to all our +confidence, and all our gratitude; but it is neither for the honour of +America, nor for the interest of the common cause, to leave the work +entirely to them." + +He then reviewed the resources of Great Britain; and, after showing +her ability still to prosecute the war, added--"The inference from +these reflections is, that we can not count upon a speedy end of the +war; and that it is the true policy of America not to content herself +with temporary expedients, but to endeavour, if possible, to give +consistency and solidity to her measures. An essential step to this +will be immediately to devise a plan and put it in execution, for +providing men in time to replace those who will leave us at the end of +the year; and for subsisting and for making a reasonable allowance to +the officers and soldiers. + +"The plan for this purpose ought to be of general operation, and such +as will execute itself. Experience has shown that a peremptory draught +will be the only effectual one. If a draught for the war or for three +years can be effected, it ought to be made on every account; a shorter +period than a year is inadmissible. + +"To one who has been witness to the evils brought upon us by short +enlistments, the system appears to have been pernicious beyond +description; and a crowd of motives present themselves to dictate a +change. It may easily be shown that all the misfortunes we have met +with in the military line, are to be attributed to this cause. + +"Had we formed a permanent army in the beginning, which, by the +continuance of the same men in service, had been capable of +discipline, we never should have to retreat with a handful of men +across the Delaware in 1776, trembling for the fate of America, which +nothing but the infatuation of the enemy could have saved; we should +not have remained all the succeeding winter at their mercy, with +sometimes scarcely a sufficient body of men to mount the ordinary +guards, liable at every moment to be dissipated, if they had only +thought proper to march against us; we should not have been under the +necessity of fighting at Brandywine with an unequal number of raw +troops, and afterwards of seeing Philadelphia fall a prey to a +victorious army; we should not have been at Valley Forge with less +than half the force of the enemy, destitute of every thing in a +situation neither to resist nor to retire; we should not have seen New +York left with a handful of men, yet an overmatch for the main army of +these states, while the principal part of their force was detached for +the reduction of two of them; we should not have found ourselves this +spring so weak as to be insulted by five thousand men, unable to +protect our baggage and magazines, their security depending on a good +countenance, and a want of enterprise in the enemy; we should not +have been, the greatest part of the war, inferior to the enemy, +indebted for our safety to their inactivity, enduring frequently the +mortification of seeing inviting opportunities to ruin them, pass +unimproved for want of a force which the country was completely able +to afford; to see the country ravaged, our towns burnt, the +inhabitants plundered, abused, murdered, with impunity from the same +cause." + +After presenting in detail the embarrassments under which the civil +departments of the army also had laboured, in consequence of the +expensiveness and waste inseparable from its temporary character, he +proceeded to observe--"There is every reason to believe, that the war +has been protracted on this account. Our opposition being less, made +the successes of the enemy greater. The fluctuation of the army kept +alive their hopes; and at every period of a dissolution of a +considerable part of it, they have flattered themselves with some +decisive advantages. Had we kept a permanent army on foot, the enemy +could have had nothing to hope for, and would in all probability have +listened to terms long since. If the army is left in its present +situation, it must continue an encouragement to the efforts of the +enemy; if it is put in a respectable one, it must have a contrary +effect; and nothing I believe will tend more to give us peace the +ensuing winter. Many circumstances will contribute to a negotiation. +An army on foot, not only for another campaign, but for several +campaigns, would determine the enemy to pacific measures, and enable +us to insist upon favourable terms in forcible language. An army +insignificant in numbers, dissatisfied, crumbling to pieces, would be +the strongest temptation they could have to try the experiment a +little longer. It is an old maxim that the surest way to make a good +peace is to be well prepared for war. + +"I can not forbear returning in this place to the necessity of a more +ample and equal provision for the army. The discontents on this head +have been gradually matured to a dangerous extremity. There are many +symptoms that alarm and distress me. Endeavours are using to unite +both officers and men in a general refusal of the money, and some +corps now actually decline receiving it. Every method has been taken +to counteract it, because such a combination in the army would be a +severe blow to our declining currency. The most moderate insist that +the accounts of depreciation ought to be liquidated at stated periods, +and certificates given by government for the sums due. They will not +be satisfied with a general declaration that it shall be made good. + +"I have often said, and I beg leave to repeat it, the half pay +provision is in my opinion the most politic and effectual that can be +adopted. On the whole, if something satisfactory be not done, the +army (already so much reduced in officers by daily resignations as not +to have a sufficiency to do the common duties of it) must either cease +to exist at the end of the campaign, or will exhibit an example of +more virtue, fortitude, self-denial, and perseverance, than has +perhaps ever yet been paralleled in the history of human enthusiasm. + +"The dissolution of the army is an event that can not be regarded with +indifference. It would bring accumulated distress upon us; it would +throw the people of America into a general consternation; it would +discredit our cause throughout the world; it would shock our allies. +To think of replacing the officers with others is visionary. The loss +of the veteran soldiers could not be replaced. To attempt to carry on +the war with militia against disciplined troops, will be to attempt +what the common sense and common experience of mankind will pronounce +to be impracticable. But I should fail in respect to congress, to +dwell on observations of this kind in a letter to them." + +[Sidenote: Proceedings of Congress respecting the army.] + +At length the committee presented their report, reorganizing the +regiments, reducing their number, and apportioning on the several +states their respective numbers to complete the establishment. This +report, being approved by congress, was transmitted to the +Commander-in-chief for his consideration. By this arrangement, the +states were required to recruit their quotas for the war, and to +bring them into the field by the first of January; but, if in any +state, it should be found impracticable to raise the men for the war +by the first day of December, it was recommended to such state to +supply the deficiency with men engaged to serve for not less than one +year. + +In compliance with the request of congress, General Washington +submitted his objections to the plan, in a long and respectful letter. + +He recommended that legionary corps should be substituted in the place +of regiments entirely of cavalry. He thought it more adviseable that +the infantry attached to the cavalry should compose a part of the +corps permanently, than that it should be drawn occasionally from the +regiments of foot. + +The reduction in the number of regiments appeared to him a subject of +great delicacy. The last reduction, he said, had occasioned many to +quit the service, independent of those who were discontinued; and had +left durable seeds of discontent among those who remained. The general +topic of declamation was, that it was as hard as dishonourable, for +men who had made every sacrifice to the service, to be turned out of +it, at the pleasure of those in power, without an adequate +compensation. In the maturity to which their uneasiness had now risen +from a continuance of misery, they would be still more impatient under +an attempt of a similar nature. + +It was not, he said, the intention of his remarks to discourage a +reform, but to show the necessity of guarding against the ill effects +which might otherwise attend it, by making an ample provision both for +the officers who should remain in the service, and for those who +should be reduced. This should be the basis of the plan; and without +it, the most mischievous consequences were to be apprehended. He was +aware of the difficulty of making a present provision sufficiently +ample to give satisfaction; but this only proved the expediency of +making one for the future, and brought him to that which he had so +frequently recommended as the most economical, the most politic, and +the most effectual, that could be devised; this was half pay for life. +Supported by the prospect of a permanent provision, the officers would +be tied to the service, and would submit to many momentary privations, +and to those inconveniences, which the situation of public affairs +rendered unavoidable. If the objection drawn from the principle that +the measure was incompatible with the genius of the government should +be thought insurmountable, he would propose a substitute, less +eligible in his opinion, but which would answer the purpose. It was to +make the present half pay for seven years, whole pay for the same +period. He also recommended that depreciation on the pay received, +should be made up to the officers who should be reduced. + +No objection occurred to the measure now recommended, but the expense +it would occasion. In his judgment, whatever would give consistency to +the military establishment, would be ultimately favourable to economy. +It was not easy to be conceived, except by those who had witnessed it, +what an additional waste and increased consumption of every thing, and +consequently what an increase of expense, resulted from laxness of +discipline in an army; and where officers thought they did a favour by +holding their commissions, and the men were continually fluctuating, +to maintain discipline was impossible. Nothing could be more obvious +to him than that a sound military establishment and real economy were +the same. That the purposes of war would be greatly promoted by it was +too clear to admit of argument. He objected also to the mode of +effecting the reduction. This was by leaving it to the several states +to select the officers who should remain in service. He regretted that +congress had not thought proper to retain the reduction and +incorporation of the regiments under their own discretion. He +regretted that it should be left to the states, not only because it +was an adherence to the state system, which in the arrangements of the +army, he disapproved; but because also he feared it would introduce +much confusion and discontent in a business which ought to be +conducted with the greatest circumspection. He feared also that +professing to _select_ the officers to be retained in service would +give disgust both to those who should be discontinued, and to those +who should remain. The former would be sent away under the public +stigma of inferior merit, and the latter would feel no pleasure in a +present preference, when they reflected that, at some future period, +they might experience a similar fate. + +He wished with much sincerity that congress had been pleased to make +no alteration in the term of service, but had confined their +requisition to men who should serve for the war, to be raised by +enlistment, draught, or assessment, as might be found necessary. As it +now stood, there would be very few men for the war, and all the evils +of temporary engagements would still be felt. In the present temper of +the states, he entertained the most flattering hopes that they would +enter on vigorous measures to raise an army for the war, if congress +appeared decided respecting it; but if they held up a different idea +as admissible, it would be again concluded that they did not think an +army for the war essential. This would encourage the opposition of men +of narrow, interested, and feeble tempers, and enable them to defeat +the primary object of the revolution. + +This letter was taken into consideration; and the measures it +recommended were pursued in almost every particular. Even the two +great principles which were viewed with most jealousy,--an army for +the war, and half pay for life,--were adopted. It would have greatly +abridged the calamities of America, could these resolutions have been +carried into execution. Every effort for the purpose was made by the +Commander-in-chief. + +To place the officers of the army in a situation which would render +their commissions valuable, and hold out to them the prospect of a +comfortable old age, in a country saved by their blood, their +sufferings, and the labours of their best years, was an object which +had always been dear to the heart of General Washington, and he had +seized every opportunity to press it on congress. That body had +approached it slowly, taking step after step with apparent reluctance, +as the necessity of the measure became more and more obvious. + +The first resolution on the subject, passed in May, 1778, allowed to +all military officers who should continue in service during the war, +and not hold any office of profit under the United States or any of +them, half pay for seven years, if they lived so long. At the same +time the sum of eighty dollars, in addition to his pay, was granted to +every non-commissioned officer and soldier who should serve to the end +of the war. In 1779 this subject was resumed. After much debate, its +farther consideration was postponed; and the officers and soldiers +were recommended to the attention of their several states, with a +declaration that their patriotism, valour, and perseverance, in +defence of the rights and liberties of their country, had entitled +them to the gratitude, as well as the approbation of their fellow +citizens. + +In 1780, a memorial from the general officers, depicting in strong +terms the situation of the army, and requiring present support, and +some future provision, was answered by a reference to what had been +already done, and by a declaration "That patience, self-denial, +fortitude and perseverance, and the cheerful sacrifice of time and +health, are necessary virtues which both the citizen and soldier are +called to exercise, while struggling for the liberties of their +country; and that moderation, frugality, and temperance, must be among +the chief supports, as well as the brightest ornaments of that kind of +civil government which is wisely instituted by the several states in +this Union." + +This philosophic lecture on the virtues of temperance to men who were +often without food, and always scantily supplied, was still calculated +to assuage irritations fomented by the neglect which was believed to +have been sustained. In a few days afterwards, the subject was brought +again before congress, and a more conciliating temper was manifested. +The odious restriction, limiting the half pay for seven years to those +who should hold no post of profit under the United States or any of +them, was removed; and the bounty allowed the men was extended to the +widows and orphans of those who had died or should die in the service; +at length, the vote passed which has been stated, allowing half pay +for life to all officers who should serve in the armies of the United +States to the end of the war. + +Resolutions were also passed, recommending it to the several states to +make up the depreciation on the pay which had been received by the +army; and it was determined that their future services should be +compensated in the money of the new emission, the value of which, it +was supposed, might be kept up by taxes and by loans. + +While the government of the Union was thus employed in maturing +measures for the preservation of its military establishment, the time +for action passed away without furnishing any material event. The +hostile armies continued to watch each other until the season of the +year forced them out of the field. + +Just before retiring into winter quarters, a handsome enterprise was +executed by Major Talmadge, of Colonel Sheldon's regiment of light +dragoons. That gentleman had been generally stationed on the lines, on +the east side of the North River, and had been distinguished for the +accuracy of his intelligence. + +He was informed that a large magazine of forage had been collected at +Coram, on Long Island, which was protected by the militia of the +country, the cruisers in the Sound, and a small garrison in its +neighbourhood. + +[Sidenote: Major Talmadge destroys the British stores at Coram.] + +[Sidenote: Nov. 21.] + +At the head of a detachment of eighty dismounted dragoons, under the +command of Captain Edgar, and of eight or ten who were mounted, he +passed the Sound where it was twenty miles wide, marched across the +island in the night, and so completely surprised the fort, that his +troops entered the works on three different sides before the garrison +was prepared to resist them. The British took refuge in two houses +connected with the fortifications, and commenced a fire from the doors +and windows. These were instantly forced open; and the whole party, +amounting to fifty-four, among whom were a lieutenant colonel, +captain, and subaltern, were killed or taken. Stores to a considerable +amount were destroyed, the fort was demolished, and the magazines were +consumed by fire. The objects of the expedition being accomplished, +Major Talmadge recrossed the Sound without having lost a man. On the +recommendation of General Washington, congress passed a resolution, +expressing a high sense of the merit of those engaged in the +expedition. + +[Sidenote: December.] + +[Sidenote: The army retires into winter quarters.] + +No objects for enterprise presenting themselves, the troops were +placed in winter quarters early in December. The Pennsylvania line was +stationed near Morristown; the Jersey line about Pompton, on the +confines of New York and New Jersey; and the troops belonging to the +New England states, at West Point, and in its vicinity, on both sides +the North River. The line of the state of New York remained at Albany, +to which place it had been detached for the purpose of opposing an +invasion from Canada. + +[Sidenote: Irruption of Major Carlton into New York.] + +Major Carlton, at the head of one thousand men, composed of Europeans, +Indians, and Tories, had made a sudden irruption into the northern +parts of New York, and taken forts Ann and George, with their +garrisons. At the same time, Sir John Johnson, at the head of a corps +composed of the same materials, appeared on the Mohawk. Several sharp +skirmishes were fought in that quarter with the continental troops, +and a regiment of new levies, aided by the militia of the country. +General Clinton's brigade was ordered to their assistance; but before +he could reach the scene of action, the invading armies had retired, +after laying waste the whole country through which they passed. + +[Sidenote: European transactions.] + +While the disorder of the American finances, the exhausted state of +the country, and the debility of the government, determined Great +Britain to persevere in offensive war against the United States, by +keeping alive her hopes of conquest, Europe assumed an aspect not less +formidable to the permanent grandeur of that nation, than hostile to +its present views. In the summer of 1780, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, +entered into the celebrated compact, which has been generally +denominated "THE ARMED NEUTRALITY." Holland had also declared a +determination to accede to the same confederacy; and it is not +improbable that this measure contributed to the declaration of war +which was made by Great Britain against that power towards the close +of the present year. + +The long friendship which had existed between the two nations was +visibly weakened from the commencement of the American war. Holland +was peculiarly desirous of participating in that commerce which the +independence of the United States would open to the world: and, from +the commencement of hostilities, her merchants, especially those of +Amsterdam, watched the progress of the war with anxiety, and engaged +in speculations which were profitable to themselves and beneficial to +the United States. The remonstrances made by the British minister at +the Hague against this conduct, were answered in the most amicable +manner by the government, but the practice of individuals continued +the same. + +When the war broke out between France and England, a number of Dutch +vessels trading with France, laden with materials for shipbuilding, +were seized, and carried into the ports of Great Britain, although the +existing treaties between the two nations were understood to exclude +those articles from the list of contraband of war. The British cabinet +justified these acts of violence, and persisted in refusing to permit +naval stores to be carried to her enemy in neutral bottoms. This +refusal, however, was accompanied with friendly professions, with an +offer to pay for the vessels and cargoes already seized, and with +proposals to form new stipulations for the future regulation of that +commerce. + +The States General refused to enter into any negotiations for the +modification of subsisting treaties; and the merchants of all the +great trading towns, especially those of Amsterdam, expressed the +utmost indignation at the injuries they had sustained. In consequence +of this conduct, the British government required those succours which +were stipulated in ancient treaties, and insisted that the _casus +foederis_ had now occurred. Advantage was taken of the refusal of +the States General to comply with this demand, to declare the treaties +between the two nations at an end. + +The temper produced by this state of things, inclined Holland to enter +into the treaty for an armed neutrality; and, in November, the Dutch +government acceded to it. Some unknown causes prevented the actual +signature of the treaty on the part of the States General, until a +circumstance occurred which was used for the purpose of placing them +in a situation not to avail themselves of the aid stipulated by that +confederacy to its members. + +While Mr. Lee, one of the ministers of the United States, was on a +mission to the courts of Vienna and Berlin, he fell in company with a +Mr. John de Neufwille, a merchant of Amsterdam, with whom he held +several conversations on the subject of a commercial intercourse +between the two nations, the result of which was, that the plan of an +eventual commercial treaty was sketched out, as one which might +thereafter be concluded between them. This paper had received the +approbation of the Pensionary Van Berkel, and of the city of +Amsterdam, but not of the States General. + +Mr. Henry Laurens, late president of congress, was deputed to the +States General with this plan of a treaty, for the double purpose of +endeavouring to complete it, and of negotiating a loan for the use of +his government. On the voyage he was captured by a British frigate; +and his papers, which he had thrown overboard, were rescued from the +waves by a British sailor. Among them was found the plan of a treaty +which has been mentioned, and which was immediately transmitted to Sir +Joseph Yorke, the British minister at the Hague, to be laid before the +government. + +The explanations of this transaction not being deemed satisfactory by +the court of London, Sir Joseph Yorke received orders to withdraw from +the Hague, soon after which war was proclaimed against Holland. + +This bold measure, which added one of the first maritime powers in +Europe to the formidable list of enemies with whom Britain was already +encompassed, was perhaps, not less prudent than courageous. + +There are situations, to which only high minded nations are equal, in +which a daring policy will conduct those who adopt it, safely through +the very dangers it appears to invite; dangers which a system +suggested by a timid caution might multiply instead of avoiding. The +present was, probably, one of those situations. Holland was about to +become a member of the armed neutrality, after which her immense +navigation would be employed, unmolested, in transporting the property +of the enemies of Britain, and in supplying them with all the +materials for shipbuilding, or the whole confederacy must be +encountered. + +America, however, received with delight the intelligence that Holland +also was engaged in the war; and founded additional hopes of its +speedy termination on that event. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Transactions in South Carolina and Georgia.... Defeat of + Ferguson.... Lord Cornwallis enters North Carolina.... + Retreats out of that state.... Major Wemyss defeated by + Sumpter.... Tarlton repulsed.... Greene appointed to the + command of the Southern army.... Arrives in camp.... + Detaches Morgan over the Catawba.... Battle of the + Cowpens.... Lord Cornwallis drives Greene through North + Carolina into Virginia.... He retires to Hillsborough.... + Greene recrosses the Dan.... Loyalists under Colonel Pyle + cut to pieces.... Battle of Guilford.... Lord Cornwallis + retires to Ramsay's mills.... To Wilmington.... Greene + advances to Ramsay's mills.... Determines to enter South + Carolina.... Lord Cornwallis resolves to march to Virginia. + + +[Sidenote: 1780.] + +[Sidenote: Transactions in South Carolina and Georgia.] + +In the South, Lord Cornwallis, after having nearly demolished the +American army at Camden, found himself under the necessity of +suspending, for a few weeks, the new career of conquest on which he +had intended to enter. His army was enfeebled by sickness as well as +by action; the weather was intensely hot, and the stores necessary for +an expedition into North Carolina had not been brought from +Charleston. In addition, a temper so hostile to the British interests +had lately appeared in South Carolina as to make it unsafe to withdraw +any considerable part of his force from that state, until he should +subdue the spirit of insurrection against his authority. Exertions +were made in other parts of the state, not inferior to those of +Sumpter in the north-west. Colonel Marion, who had been compelled by +the wounds he received in Charleston to retire into the country, had +been promoted by Governor Rutledge to the rank of a brigadier general. +As the army of Gates approached South Carolina, he had entered the +north-eastern parts of that state with only sixteen men; had +penetrated into the country as far as the Santee; and was successfully +rousing the well-affected inhabitants to arms, when the defeat of the +16th of August chilled the growing spirit of resistance which he had +contributed to increase. + +With the force he had collected, he rescued about one hundred and +fifty continental troops who had been captured at Camden, and were on +their way to Charleston. Though compelled, for a short time, to leave +the state, he soon returned to it, and at the head of a few spirited +men, made repeated excursions from the swamps and marshes in which he +concealed himself, and skirmished successfully with the militia who +had joined the British standard, and the small parties of regulars by +whom they were occasionally supported. + +His talents as a partisan, added to his knowledge of the country, +enabled him to elude every attempt to seize him; and such was his +humanity as well as respect for the laws, that no violence or outrage +was ever attributed to the party under his command. + +The interval between the victory of the 16th of August, and the +expedition into North Carolina, was employed in quelling what was +termed the spirit of revolt in South Carolina. The efforts of the +people to recover their independence were considered as new acts of +rebellion, and were met with a degree of severity which policy was +supposed to dictate, but which gave a keener edge to the resentments +which civil discord never fails to engender. Several of the most +active militia men who had taken protections as British subjects, and +entered into the British militia, having been afterwards found in +arms, and made prisoners at Camden, were executed as traitors. Orders +were given to officers commanding at different posts to proceed in the +same manner against persons of a similar description; and these orders +were, in many instances, carried into execution. A proclamation was +issued for sequestering the estates of all those inhabitants of the +province, not included in the capitulation of Charleston, who were in +the service, or acting under the authority of Congress, and of all +those who, by an open avowal of what were termed rebellious +principles, or by other notorious acts should manifest a wicked and +desperate perseverance in opposing the re-establishment of royal +authority.[50] + +[Footnote 50: Rem.] + +While taking these measures to break the spirit of independence, Lord +Cornwallis was indefatigable in urging his preparations for the +expedition into North Carolina. + +The day after the battle near Camden, emissaries had been despatched +into that state for the purpose of inviting the friends of the British +government to take up arms. Meanwhile the utmost exertions were +continued to embody the people of the country as a British militia; +and Major Ferguson was employed in the district of Ninety Six, to +train the most loyal inhabitants, and to attach them to his own +corps.[51] After being employed for some time in Ninety Six, he was +directed to enter the western parts of North Carolina, for the purpose +of embodying the royalists in that quarter. + +[Footnote 51: Sted.] + +The route marked out for the main army was from Camden, through the +settlement of the Waxhaws to Charlottestown, in North Carolina. On the +8th of September Lord Cornwallis moved from Camden, and reached +Charlotte late in that month, where he expected to be joined by +Ferguson. But in attempting to meet him, Ferguson was arrested by an +event as important as it was unexpected. + +[Sidenote: September.] + +Colonel Clarke, a refugee from Georgia, had formed a plan for the +reduction of Augusta, which was defended only by a few provincials, +under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Brown. About the time Lord +Cornwallis commenced his march from Camden, Clarke advanced against +Augusta, at the head of a body of irregulars whom he had collected in +the frontiers of North and South Carolina, and invested that place. +Brown made a vigorous defence; and the approach of Lieutenant Colonel +Cruger with a reinforcement from Ninety Six, compelled Clarke to +relinquish the enterprise, and to save himself by a rapid retreat. +Intelligence of the transactions at Augusta was given to Ferguson, +who, to favour the design of intercepting Clarke, moved nearer the +mountains, and remained longer in that country than had been intended. +This delay proved fatal to him. It gave an opportunity to several +volunteer corps to unite, and to constitute a formidable force. The +hardy mountaineers inhabiting the extreme western parts of Virginia +and North Carolina, assembled on horseback with their rifles, under +Colonels Campbell, M'Dowell, Cleveland, Shelby, and Sevier, and moved +with their accustomed velocity towards Ferguson. On receiving notice +of their approach, that officer commenced his march for Charlotte, +despatching, at the same time, different messengers to Lord Cornwallis +with information of his danger. These messengers being intercepted, no +movement was made to favour his retreat. + +When within about sixteen miles of Gilbert-town, where Ferguson was +then supposed to lie, Colonel M'Dowell deputed to Gates with a +request that he would appoint a general officer to command them; and, +in the mean time, Colonel Campbell of Virginia was chosen for that +purpose. On reaching Gilbert-town, and finding that the British had +commenced their retreat, it was determined to follow them with the +utmost celerity. At the Cowpens, this party was joined by Colonels +Williams, Tracy, and Branan, of South Carolina, with about four +hundred men, who also gave information respecting the distance and +situation of their enemy. About nine hundred choice men were selected, +by whom the pursuit was continued through the night, and through a +heavy rain; and, the next day, about three in the afternoon, they came +within view of Ferguson, who, finding that he must be overtaken, had +determined to await the attack on King's mountain, and was encamped on +its summit,--a ridge five or six hundred yards long, and sixty or +seventy wide. + +[Sidenote: October 7.] + +The Americans, who had arranged themselves into three columns, the +right commanded by Colonel Sevier and Major Winston, the centre by +Colonels Campbell and Shelby, and the left by Colonels Cleveland and +Williams, immediately rushed to the assault. The attack was commenced +by the centre, while the two wings gained the flanks of the British +line; and, in about five minutes, the action became general. Ferguson +made several impetuous charges with the bayonet, which, against +riflemen, were necessarily successful. But, before any one of them +could completely disperse the corps against which it was directed, the +heavy and destructive fire of the others, who pressed him on all +sides, called off his attention to other quarters, and the broken +corps was rallied, and brought back to the attack. + +[Sidenote: Defeat of Ferguson.] + +In the course of these successive repulses, the right and centre had +become intermingled, and were both, by one furious charge of the +bayonet, driven almost to the foot of the mountain. With some +difficulty they were rallied and again brought into the action; upon +which the British, in turn, gave way, and were driven along the summit +of the ridge, on Cleveland and Williams, who still maintained their +ground on the left. In this critical state of the action, Ferguson +received a mortal wound, and instantly expired. The courage of his +party fell with him, and quarter was immediately demanded.[52] The +action continued rather more than an hour. + +[Footnote 52: The details of this battle are chiefly taken from a +paper signed by Colonels Campbell, Shelby, and Cleveland, and +published in the Virginia Gazette of the 18th of November, 1780.] + +In this sharp action one hundred and fifty of Ferguson's party were +killed on the spot, and about the same number were wounded. Eight +hundred and ten, of whom one hundred were British troops, were made +prisoners, and fifteen hundred stand of excellent arms were taken. + +The Americans fought under cover of trees, and their loss was +inconsiderable; but among the slain was Colonel Williams, who was +greatly and justly lamented. As cruelty generally begets cruelty, the +example set by the British at Camden was followed, and ten of the most +active of the royalists were selected from the prisoners, and hung +upon the spot. The victorious mountaineers, having accomplished the +object for which they assembled, returned to their homes. + +[Sidenote: Lord Cornwallis retreats out of North Carolina.] + +The destruction of this party arrested the progress of Lord Cornwallis +in North Carolina, and inspired serious fears for the posts in his +rear. He retreated to Wynnsborough, between Camden and Ninety Six, +where he waited for reinforcements from New York. + +The victory obtained on the 16th of August having suggested views of +more extensive conquest in the south, Sir Henry Clinton had determined +to send a large reinforcement to the southern army. In the opinion +that Lord Cornwallis could meet with no effectual resistance in the +Carolinas, he had ordered the officer commanding this reinforcement to +enter the Chesapeake in the first instance, and to take possession of +the lower parts of Virginia, after which he was to obey the orders he +should receive from Lord Cornwallis, to whom a copy of his +instructions had been forwarded. + +The detachment amounted to near three thousand men, under the command +of General Leslie. It sailed on the 6th of October, and, entering +James River after a short passage, took possession of the country on +the south side as high as Suffolk. After a short time, Leslie drew in +his out-posts, and began to fortify Portsmouth. At this place he +received orders from Lord Cornwallis to repair to Charleston by water. + +While Cornwallis waited at Wynnsborough for this reinforcement, the +light corps of his army were employed in suppressing the parties which +were rising in various quarters of the country, in opposition to his +authority. Marion had become so formidable as to endanger the +communication between Camden and Charleston. Tarlton was detached +against him, and Marion was under the necessity of concealing himself +in the swamps. From the unavailing pursuit of him through marshes +which were scarcely penetrable, Tarlton was called to a different +quarter, where an enemy supposed to be entirely vanquished, had +reappeared in considerable force. + +[Sidenote: Major Wemyss attacks and is defeated by Sumpter.] + +Sumpter had again assembled a respectable body of mounted militia, at +the head of which he advanced towards the posts occupied by the +British. On receiving intelligence of his approach, Earl Cornwallis +formed a plan for surprising him in his camp on Broad River, the +execution of which was committed to Major Wemyss. That officer marched +from Wynnsborough at the head of a regiment of infantry and about +forty dragoons, reached the camp of Sumpter several hours before day, +and immediately charged the out piquet, which made but a slight +resistance. Only five shots are said to have been fired, but from +these Wemyss received two dangerous wounds which disabled him from the +performance of his duty. The assailants fell into confusion, and were +repulsed with the loss of their commanding officer and about twenty +men. After this action, Sumpter crossed Broad River, and, having +formed a junction with Clarke and Branan, threatened Ninety Six. + +Alarmed for the safety of that post, Earl Cornwallis recalled Tarlton, +and ordered him to proceed against Sumpter. So rapid was his movement +that he had nearly gained the rear of his enemy before notice of his +return was received. In the night preceding the day on which he +expected to effect his purpose, a deserter apprised Sumpter of the +approaching danger, and that officer began his retreat. Tarlton, +pursuing with his usual rapidity, overtook the rear guard at the ford +of the Ennoree, and cut it to pieces; after which, fearing that +Sumpter would save himself by passing the Tyger, he pressed forward, +with, as he states, about two hundred and eighty cavalry and mounted +infantry, and, in the afternoon, came within view of the Americans, +who were arranged in order for battle. + +Sumpter had reached the banks of the Tyger, when the firing of his +videttes announced the approach of his enemy. He immediately posted +his troops to great advantage on a steep eminence, having their rear +and part of their right flank secured by the river, and their left +covered by a barn of logs, into which a considerable number of his men +were thrown. + +Tarlton, without waiting for his infantry, or for a field piece left +with them in his rear, rushed to the charge with his usual +impetuosity. After several ineffectual attempts to dislodge the +Americans, he retired from the field with great precipitation and +disorder, leaving ninety-two dead, and one hundred wounded. + +After remaining in possession of the ground for a few hours, Sumpter, +who was severely wounded in the action, crossed the Tyger, after which +his troops dispersed. His loss was only three killed, and four +wounded. + +Availing himself of the subsequent retreat and dispersion of the +American militia, Tarlton denominated this severe check a victory; +while congress, in a public resolution, voted their thanks to General +Sumpter and the militia he commanded, for this and other services +which had been previously rendered. + +The shattered remains of the army defeated near Camden, had been +slowly collected at Hillsborough, and great exertions were made to +reorganize and reinforce it. The whole number of continental troops in +the southern army amounted to about fourteen hundred men. + +On receiving intelligence that Lord Cornwallis had occupied Charlotte, +Gates detached Smallwood to the Yadkin, with directions to post +himself at the ford of that river, and to take command of all the +troops in that quarter of the country. The more effectually to harass +the enemy, a light corps was selected from the army and placed under +the command of Morgan, now a brigadier general. + +As Lord Cornwallis retreated, Gates advanced to Charlotte, Smallwood +encamped lower down the Catawba on the road to Camden; and Morgan was +pushed forward some distance in his front. In the expectation that +farther active operations would be postponed until the spring, Gates +intended to pass the winter in this position. Such was the arrangement +of the troops when their general was removed. + +[Sidenote: November 5.] + +On the 5th of November, without any previous indications of +dissatisfaction, congress passed a resolution requiring the +Commander-in-chief to order a court of inquiry on the conduct of +General Gates as commander of the southern army, and to appoint some +other officer to that command, until the inquiry should be made. + +[Sidenote: Greene appointed to the command of the southern army.] + +Washington, without hesitation, selected Greene for that important and +difficult service. In a letter to congress recommending him to their +support, he mentioned General Greene as "an officer in whose +abilities, fortitude, and integrity, from a long and intimate +experience of them, he had the most entire confidence." To Mr. +Matthews, a delegate from South Carolina, he said, "You have your wish +in the officer appointed to the southern command. I think I am giving +you a general; but what can a general do without men, without arms, +without clothing, without stores, without provisions?" About the same +time the legion of Lee was ordered into South Carolina. + +[Sidenote: Arrives in camp.] + +Greene hastened to the army he was to command; and, on the second of +December, reached Charlotte, then its head quarters. Soon after his +arrival in camp, he was gratified with the intelligence of a small +piece of good fortune obtained by the address of Lieutenant Colonel +Washington. + +Smallwood, having received information that a body of royal militia +had entered the country in which he foraged, for the purpose of +intercepting his wagons, detached Morgan and Washington against them. +Intelligence of Morgan's approach being received, the party retreated; +but Colonel Washington, being able to move with more celerity than the +infantry, resolved to make an attempt on another party, which was +stationed at Rugely's farm, within thirteen miles of Camden. He found +them posted in a logged barn, strongly secured by abattis, and +inaccessible to cavalry. Force being of no avail, he resorted to the +following stratagem. Having painted the trunk of a pine, and mounted +it on a carriage so as to resemble a field piece, he paraded it in +front of the enemy, and demanded a surrender. The whole party, +consisting of one hundred and twelve men, with Colonel Rugely at their +head, alarmed at the prospect of a cannonade, surrendered themselves +prisoners of war.[53] + +[Footnote 53: The author received this account both from General +Morgan and Colonel Washington.] + +[Sidenote: Detaches Morgan over the Catawba.] + +To narrow the limits of the British army, and to encourage the +inhabitants, Greene detached Morgan west of the Catawba, with orders +to take a position near the confluence of the Pacolet with the Broad +River. His party consisted of rather more than three hundred chosen +continental troops, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Howard, of +Maryland, of Washington's regiment of light dragoons, amounting to +about eighty men, and of two companies of militia from the northern +and western parts of Virginia commanded by Captains Triplet and Taite, +which were composed almost entirely of old continental soldiers. He +was also to be joined on Broad River by seven or eight hundred +volunteers and militia commanded by General Davidson, and by Colonels +Clarke and Few. + +After making this detachment, Greene, for the purpose of entering a +more plentiful country, advanced lower down the Pedee, and encamped on +its east side, opposite the Cheraw hills. Lord Cornwallis remained at +Wynnsborough, preparing to commence active operations, so soon as he +should be joined by Leslie. + +The position he occupied on the Pedee was about seventy miles from +Wynnsborough, and towards the north of east from that place. The +detachment commanded by Morgan had taken post at Grindal's ford on the +Pacolet, one of the south forks of Broad River, not quite fifty miles +north-west of Wynnsborough. The active courage of his troops, and the +enterprising temper of their commander, rendered him extremely +formidable to the parties of royal militia who were embodying in that +quarter of the country. + +Supposing Morgan to have designs on Ninety Six, Lord Cornwallis +detached Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton with his legion, part of two +regiments of infantry, and a corps of artillery with two field pieces, +consisting altogether of about one thousand men, across the Broad +River, to cover that important post. As he lay between Greene and +Morgan, he was desirous of preventing their junction, and of striking +at one of them while unsupported by the other. To leave it uncertain +against which division his first effort would be directed, he ordered +Leslie to halt at Camden until the preparations for entering North +Carolina should be completed. Having determined to penetrate into that +state by the upper route, he put his army in motion and directed his +course northwestward, between the Catawba and Broad Rivers. Leslie was +directed to move up the banks of the former, and to join him on the +march; and Tarlton was ordered to strike at Morgan. Should that +officer escape Tarlton, the hope was entertained that he might be +intercepted by the main army.[54] + +[Footnote 54: Letter of Lord Cornwallis.--_Stedman._] + +High waters delayed Cornwallis and Leslie longer than had been +expected; but Tarlton overcame the same obstacles, and reached Morgan +before a correspondent progress was made by the other divisions.[55] + +[Footnote 55: Letter of Lord Cornwallis.--_Stedman._] + +[Sidenote: 1781 January 14.] + +[Sidenote: Sixteenth.] + +The combined movements of the British army were communicated to +General Morgan on the 14th of January. Perceiving the insecurity of +his own position, he retired across the Pacolet, the fords over which +he was desirous of defending. But a passage of that river being +effected at a ford about six miles below him, he made a precipitate +retreat; and, on the evening of the same day, his pursuers occupied +the camp he had abandoned. Morgan retired to the Cowpens, where he +determined to risk a battle. It was believed that he might have +crossed the Broad River, or have reached a mountainous country which +was also near him, before he could have been overtaken; and the +superiority of his adversary was so decided as to induce his best +officers to think that every effort ought to be made to avoid an +engagement. But Morgan had great and just confidence in himself and in +his troops; he was unwilling to fly from an enemy not so decidedly +his superior as to render it madness to fight him; and he also thought +that, if he should be overtaken while his men were fatigued and +retreating, the probability of success would be much less than if he +should exhibit the appearance of fighting from choice. + +These considerations determined him to halt earlier than was +absolutely necessary.[56] + +[Footnote 56: These reasons for his conduct were given to the author +by General Morgan soon after his return from the southern campaign.] + +[Sidenote: Battle of the Cowpens.] + +Tarlton, having left his baggage under a strong guard, with orders not +to move until break of day, recommenced the pursuit at three in the +morning. + +Before day, Morgan was informed of his approach, and prepared to +receive him. + +Although censured by many for having determined to fight, and by some +for the ground he chose, all admit the judgment with which his +disposition was made. + +On an eminence, in an open wood, he drew up his continental troops, +and Triplet's corps, deemed equal to continentals, amounting to +between four and five hundred men, who were commanded by Lieutenant +Colonel Howard. In their rear, on the descent of the hill, Lieutenant +Colonel Washington was posted with his cavalry, and a small body of +mounted Georgia militia commanded by Major M'Call, as a corps de +reserve. On these two corps rested his hopes of victory, and with them +he remained in person. The front line was composed entirely of +militia, under the command of Colonel Pickens. Major M'Dowell, with a +battalion of North Carolina volunteers, and Major Cunningham, with a +battalion of Georgia volunteers, were advanced about one hundred and +fifty yards in front of this line, with orders to give a single fire +as the enemy approached, and then to fall back into the intervals, +which were left for them in the centre of the first line. The militia, +not being expected to maintain their ground long, were ordered to keep +up a retreating fire by regiments, until they should pass the +continental troops, on whose right they were directed again to form. +His whole force, as stated by himself, amounted to only eight hundred +men. + +Soon after this disposition was made, the British van appeared in +sight. Confident of a cheap victory, Tarlton formed his line of +battle, and his troops rushed forward with great impetuosity, shouting +as they advanced. + +After a single well directed fire, M'Dowell and Cunningham fell back +on Colonel Pickens, who, after a short but warm conflict, retreated +into the rear of the second line.[57] The British pressed forward with +great eagerness; and, though received by the continental troops with a +firmness unimpaired by the rout of the front line, continued to +advance. Soon after the action with the continental troops had +commenced, Tarlton ordered up his reserve. Perceiving that the enemy +extended beyond him both on the right and left, and that, on the right +especially, his flank was on the point of being turned, Howard ordered +the company on his right to change its front, so as to face the +British on that flank. From some mistake in the officer commanding +this company, it fell back, instead of fronting the enemy, upon which +the rest of the line, supposing a change of ground for the whole to +have been directed, began to retire in perfect order. At this moment +General Morgan rode up, and directed the infantry to retreat over the +summit of the hill, about one hundred yards to the cavalry. This +judicious but hazardous movement was made in good order, and +extricated the flanks from immediate danger. Believing the fate of the +day to be decided, the British pressed on with increased ardour, and +in some disorder; and when the Americans halted, were within thirty +yards of them. The orders then given by Howard to face the enemy were +executed as soon as they were received; and the whole line poured in a +fire as deadly as it was unexpected. Some confusion appearing in the +ranks of the enemy, Howard seized the critical moment, and ordered a +charge with the bayonet. These orders were instantly obeyed, and the +British line was broken. + +[Footnote 57: Some of them formed afterwards, and renewed the action +on Howard's right.] + +At the same moment the detachment of cavalry on the British right was +routed by Washington. The militia of Pickens, who rode to the ground, +had tied their horses in the rear of Howard's left. When the front +line was broken, many of them fled to their horses, and were closely +pursued by the cavalry, who, while the continental infantry were +retiring, passed their flank, and were cutting down the scattered +militia in their rear. Washington, who had previously ordered his men +not to fire a pistol, now directed them to charge the British cavalry +with drawn swords. A sharp conflict ensued, but it was not of long +duration. The British were driven from the ground with considerable +slaughter, and were closely pursued. Both Howard and Washington +pressed the advantage they had respectively gained, until the +artillery, and great part of the infantry had surrendered. So sudden +was the defeat, that a considerable part of the British cavalry had +not been brought into action; and, though retreating, remained +unbroken. Washington, followed by Howard with the infantry, pursued +them rapidly, and attacked[58] them with great spirit; but, as they +were superior to him in numbers, his cavalry received a temporary +check; and in this part of the action he sustained a greater loss than +in any other. But the infantry coming up to support him, Tarlton +resumed the retreat.[59] + +[Footnote 58: In the eagerness of pursuit, Washington advanced near +thirty yards in front of his regiment. Three British officers, +observing this, wheeled about, and made a charge upon him. The officer +on his right aimed a blow to cut him down as an American sergeant came +up, who intercepted the blow by disabling his sword arm. The officer +on his left was about to make a stroke at him at the same instant, +when a waiter, too small to wield a sword, saved him by wounding the +officer with a ball from a pistol. At this moment, the officer in the +centre, who was believed to be Tarlton, made a thrust at him which he +parried; upon which the officer retreated a few paces, and then +discharged a pistol at him, which wounded his horse.] + +[Footnote 59: The author has received statements of this action from +General Morgan and from Colonels Howard and Washington.] + +In this engagement upwards of one hundred British, including ten +commissioned officers, were killed; twenty-nine commissioned officers, +and five hundred privates were made prisoners. Eight hundred muskets, +two field pieces, two standards, thirty-five baggage wagons, and one +hundred dragoon horses, fell into the hands of the conquerors. + +Tarlton retreated towards the headquarters of Lord Cornwallis, then +about twenty-five miles from the Cowpens. + +This complete victory cost the Americans less than eighty men in +killed and wounded. + +Seldom has a battle in which greater numbers were not engaged, been so +important in its consequences as that of the Cowpens. Lord Cornwallis +was not only deprived of a fifth of his numbers, but lost a most +powerful and active part of his army. Unfortunately, Greene was not in +a condition to press the advantage. The whole southern army did not +much exceed two thousand men, a great part of whom were militia. + +[Sidenote: Pursuit of the American army through North Carolina into +Virginia.] + +The camp of Lord Cornwallis at Turkey Creek on the east side of Broad +River, was as near as the Cowpens to the fords at which Morgan was to +cross the Catawba. Of consequence, that officer had much cause to fear +that, encumbered as he was with prisoners and military stores, he +might be intercepted before he could pass that river. Comprehending +the full extent of his danger, he abandoned the baggage he had taken, +and leaving his wounded under the protection of a flag, detached the +militia as an escort to his prisoners, and brought up the rear in +person with his regulars. Passing Broad River on the evening of the +day on which the battle was fought, he hastened to the Catawba, which +he crossed on the 23d, at Sherald's ford, and encamped on its eastern +bank. + +[Sidenote: January.] + +Lord Cornwallis employed the 18th in forming a junction with Leslie. +Early next morning he put his army in motion, and, on the 25th, +reached Ramsay's mills, where the roads taken by the two armies unite. +At this place, to accelerate his future movements, he destroyed his +baggage; and, after collecting a small supply of provisions, resumed +the pursuit. He reached Sherald's ford in the afternoon of the 29th; +and, in the night, an immense flood of rain rendered the river +impassable. + +[Sidenote: January 31.] + +While Morgan remained on the Catawba, watching the motions of the +British army, and endeavouring to collect the militia, General Greene +arrived, and took command of the detachment. + +In his camp on the Pedee, opposite the Cheraw hills, Greene had been +joined by Lee's legion, amounting to about one hundred cavalry, and +one hundred and twenty infantry. The day after his arrival, he was +ordered to join Marion for the purpose of attempting to carry a +British post at Georgetown, distant about seventy-five miles from the +American army. The fort was surprised, but the success was only +partial. + +On receiving intelligence of the victory at the Cowpens, Greene +detached Stevens' brigade of Virginia militia, whose terms of service +were on the point of expiring, to conduct the prisoners to +Charlottesville in Virginia, and turned his whole attention to the +effecting of a junction between the two divisions of his army. It was +principally with a view to this object that he hastened to the +detachment under Morgan, leaving the other division to be commanded by +General Huger. + +[Sidenote: February 1.] + +Early in the morning of the first of February, Lord Cornwallis forced +a passage over the Catawba, at a private ford which was defended by +General Davidson, with about three hundred North Carolina militia. +Davidson was killed, and his troops dispersed. They were followed by +Tarlton, who, hearing in the pursuit, that several bodies of militia +were assembling at a tavern about ten miles from the ford, hastened to +the place of rendezvous, and charging them with his usual impetuosity, +broke their centre, killed some, and dispersed the whole party. + +It was found impracticable to bring the militia into the field, and +Huger, who had been directed to march to Salisbury, was ordered to +effect a junction between the two divisions of the army at some place +farther north. + +Greene retreated along the Salisbury road, and, in the evening of the +third, crossed the Yadkin at the trading ford. His passage of the +river, then already much swollen by the rain of the preceding day, was +facilitated by boats which had been previously collected. The rear +guard, which, being impeded by the baggage of the whigs who fled from +Salisbury did not cross till midnight, was overtaken by the van of the +British army, and a skirmish ensued in which some loss was sustained, +but the Americans effected the passage of the river. + +[Sidenote: February 3.] + +[Sidenote: Ninth.] + +The rains having rendered the Yadkin unfordable, and the boats being +collected on the opposite side, the pursuit was necessarily suspended; +but Greene continued his march to Guilford court house where he was +joined by Huger. + +After some delay, and apparent hesitation respecting his movements, +Lord Cornwallis marched up the Yadkin, which he crossed near its +source on the morning of the eighth. + +After the junction between the divisions of Huger and Morgan, the +infantry of the American army, including six hundred militia, amounted +to about two thousand effectives; and the cavalry to between two and +three hundred. Lord Cornwallis lay twenty-five miles above them at +Salem, with an army estimated from twenty-five hundred to three +thousand men, including three hundred cavalry. Having failed in his +attempt to prevent the junction of the two divisions of the American +army, his object was to place himself between Greene and Virginia, and +force that officer to a general action before he could be joined by +the reinforcements which were known to be preparing for him in that +state. His situation favoured the accomplishment of this object. + +Greene, on the other hand, was indefatigable in his exertions to cross +the Dan without exposing himself to the hazard of a battle. To effect +this object, the whole of his cavalry, with the flower of his +infantry, amounting together to rather more than seven hundred men, +were formed into a light corps, for the purpose of harassing and +impeding the advance of the enemy, until the less active part of his +force, with the baggage and military stores should be secured. Morgan +being rendered incapable of duty by severe indisposition, the command +of this corps was conferred on Colonels Otho and Williams. + +Lord Cornwallis had been informed that it would be impossible to +obtain boats at the ferries on the Dan in sufficient numbers for the +transportation of the American troops before he could overtake them. +And, as the river could not be forded below, he calculated with +confidence on succeeding in his object by keeping above Greene, and +prevent his reaching those shallow fords by which alone it was thought +possible to escape into Virginia. + +Dix's ferry is about fifty miles from Guilford court house, and was +almost equidistant from the two armies. Considerably below, and more +than seventy miles from Guilford court house, were two other ferries, +Boyd's and Irwin's, which were only four miles apart. By directing +their march towards the lower and more remote ferries, the distance +from Lord Cornwallis was so much ground gained; and by despatching an +officer with a few men to Dix's, the boats at that, and at an +intermediate ferry, might be brought down the river in time to meet +the army at the intended crossing place. These facts being suggested +by Lieutenant Colonel Carrington, quartermaster general for the +southern department, the proposition was instantly adopted, and an +officer despatched to bring the boats from above down to Boyd's +ferry.[60] + +[Footnote 60: The author received this fact from Colonel Carrington.] + +The next day both armies resumed their line of march. While General +Greene pressed forward to Boyd's, Williams gained an intermediate road +leading to Dix's ferry, and thus placed himself between the two +armies, a small distance in front of the one, and considerably in rear +of the other. Such was the boldness and activity of this corps that +Lord Cornwallis found it necessary to temper the eagerness of his +pursuit with caution. Yet he moved with great rapidity;--marching +nearly thirty miles each day. On the morning of the third day, he +attempted to surprise the Americans by marching from the rear of his +column into the road which had been taken by them, while his van +proceeded slowly on its original route. Information of this movement +was received, and Lieutenant Colonel Lee charged his advanced cavalry +with such impetuosity, as to cut a company nearly to pieces. A captain +and several privates were made prisoners. The whole British army +turned into this road and followed in the rear of Williams, who used +every effort to delay their march. + +[Sidenote: February 14.] + +The measures adopted by Greene for collecting the boats were +successful; and, on the fourteenth, he effected the passage of his +troops and stores. + +When Williams supposed that the American army had reached the Dan, he +left the road leading to Dix's ferry, and entering that which Greene +had taken, urged his march to the lower ferries with the utmost +celerity. Lord Cornwallis, being at length informed that Greene had +taken the lower road, turned into it about the same time by a nearer +way, and his front was in sight of the rear of Williams. So rapid were +the movements of both armies that, in the last twenty-four hours, the +Americans marched forty miles; and the rear had scarcely touched the +northern bank, when the van of the enemy appeared on the opposite +shore. + +That General Greene was able to effect this retreat without loss, +evidences the judgment with which he improved every favourable +circumstance. + +The exertions, the fatigues, the sufferings, and the patience of both +armies, during this long, toilsome, and rapid pursuit, were extreme. +Without tents, without spirits, often without provisions, and always +scantily supplied with them; through deep and frozen roads, high +waters, and frequent rains; each performed, without a murmur, the +severe duties assigned to it. The difference between them consists +only in this,--the British troops were well clothed; the Americans +were almost naked, and many of them barefooted. + +Great praise was bestowed by the general on his whole army; but the +exertions of Colonel Williams, and of Lieutenant Colonel Carrington +were particularly noticed. + +Although that part of North Carolina through which the armies had +passed, was well affected to the American cause, such was the rapidity +with which they moved, and such the terror inspired by the presence of +the enemy, that no aid was drawn from the militia. Indeed, those who +had joined the army from the more remote parts of the country could +not be retained; and, when it reached the Dan, the militia attached to +it did not exceed eighty men. + +[Sidenote: Lord Cornwallis retires to Hillsborough.] + +Having driven Greene out of North Carolina, Lord Cornwallis turned his +attention to the re-establishment of regal authority in that state. +For this purpose, he proceeded by easy marches to Hillsborough, at +that time its capital, where he erected the royal standard, and issued +a proclamation inviting the inhabitants to repair to it, and to assist +him in restoring the ancient government. + +As soon as it was known that General Greene had entered Virginia, he +was reinforced by six hundred militia drawn from the neighbouring +counties, the command of which was given to General Stevens. + +Apprehension that Lord Cornwallis, if left in the undisturbed +possession of North Carolina, would succeed, to the extent of his +hopes, in recruiting his army and procuring the submission of the +people, General Greene determined, on receiving this small +reinforcement, to re-enter that state; and, avoiding a general +engagement, to keep the field against a superior enemy, who had +demonstrated his capacity for rapid movement and hardy enterprise. + +[Sidenote: February.] + +[Sidenote: Greene recrosses the Dan.] + +On the 18th, while Lord Cornwallis remained on the opposite shore, the +legion of Lee had passed the Dan. On the 21st, the light infantry also +recrossed it; and, on the 23d, they were followed by the main body of +the army. + +The light infantry hung round the quarters of the enemy, while the +main body advanced slowly, keeping in view the roads to the western +parts of the country, from which a considerable reinforcement of +militia was expected.[61] + +[Footnote 61: The western militia had been engaged in a war with the +Cherokee Indians, who, neglected by the United States, and incited by +the British, had determined once more to take up the hatchet. The +militia from the western parts of Virginia and North Carolina entered +their country, burnt their towns, containing near one thousand houses, +destroyed fifty thousand bushels of grain, killed twenty-nine men, +took several prisoners, and compelled the nation to sue for peace.] + +General Greene was not mistaken in the consequences of leaving Lord +Cornwallis in the peaceable possession of North Carolina. He was +informed that seven independent companies were raised in one day. A +large body of royalists had begun to embody themselves on the branches +of the Haw River; and Colonel Tarlton, with the cavalry of his legion +and some infantry, was detached from Hillsborough to favour their +rising, and to conduct them to the British army. + +Intelligence of the movements of the loyalists and of Tarlton being +received, Greene ordered Lieutenant Colonel Lee with the cavalry of +his legion, and General Pickens with between three and four hundred +militia, who had just formed a junction near Hillsborough, to move +against both parties. + +[Sidenote: Party of loyalists commanded by Colonel Pyle, cut to +pieces.] + +In a long lane, Lee, whose cavalry was in front of the whole +detachment, came up with the royalists. He was mistaken by them for +Tarlton, whom they had not yet seen, to whose encampment they were +proceeding, and whose corps was then taking refreshment, not much more +than a mile distant from them. Perceiving their mistake, Lee received +their expressions of joy and attachment, and had just reached their +colonel, to whom he was about to make communications which might have +enabled him to proceed on his design of surprising Tarlton, when the +infantry who followed close in his rear, were recognized by the +insurgents; and a firing took place between them. It being apparent +that this circumstance must give the alarm to the British, Lee changed +his plan, and turning on the royalists, who still supposed him to be a +British officer, cut them to pieces while they were making +protestations of loyalty, and asserting that they were "the very best +friends of the king." More than one hundred, among whom was Colonel +Pyle, their leader, fell under the swords of his cavalry. This +terrible but unavoidable carnage broke, in a great measure, the +spirits of the tories in that part of the country. Some who were on +their march to join the British standard, returned, determined to +await the issue of events before they went too far to recede. + +The hope of surprising Tarlton being thus disappointed, Pickens and +Lee determined to postpone the attack till the morning; and took a +position for the night between him and a corps of militia which was +advancing from the western counties of Virginia under Colonel Preston. +Tarlton had meditated an attempt on this corps; but at midnight, when +his troops were paraded to march on this design, he received an +express from Lord Cornwallis, directing his immediate return to the +army. In obedience to this order, he began his retreat long before +day, and crossed the Haw, just as the Americans, who followed him, +appeared on the opposite bank. Two pieces of artillery commanded the +ford and stopped the pursuit. + +To approach more nearly the great body of the loyalists, who were +settled between Haw and Deep Rivers, and to take a position in a +country less exhausted than that around Hillsborough, Lord Cornwallis +crossed the Haw, and encamped on Allimance creek. + +As the British army retired, General Greene advanced. Not being yet in +a condition to hazard an engagement, he changed his ground every +night. In the course of the critical movements, which were made in +order to avoid an action, and at the same time to overawe the +loyalists, and maintain a position favourable to a junction with the +several detachments who were marching from different quarters to his +assistance, he derived immense service from a bold and active light +infantry, and from a cavalry which, though inferior in numbers, was +rendered superior in effect to that of his enemy, by being much better +mounted. They often attacked boldly and successfully, and made sudden +incursions into the country, which so intimidated the royalists, that +Lord Cornwallis found it difficult to obtain intelligence. By these +means, all his attempts to bring the American general to action were +frustrated; and his lordship was under the necessity of keeping his +men close in their quarters. + +During this hazardous trial of skill, Lord Cornwallis moved out in +full force towards Rudy fork, where the light infantry lay, in the +hope of surprising that corps under cover of a thick fog; and probably +with ulterior views against General Greene. His approach was +perceived, and a sharp skirmish ensued between a part of the light +infantry, and a much superior body of British troops commanded by +Lieutenant Colonel Webster, in which the loss was supposed to be +nearly equal. The advance of the British army obliged Williams to +retire; and General Greene, by recrossing the Haw and uniting with the +light infantry on its north-eastern bank at the Rocky ford, +disappointed any farther designs which might have been formed against +the army then under his command, or against the reinforcements which +were approaching. Being thus foiled, Lord Cornwallis withdrew to Deep +River, and General Greene fell back to the iron works on Troublesome +creek. + +At length his reinforcements, though much inferior to the number he +had been taught to expect, were received, and Greene, in his turn, +sought a battle. With this view, he dissolved the corps of light +infantry, advanced towards his enemy, and encamped within eight miles +of him, at Guilford court house. + +His army, including officers, amounted to about four thousand five +hundred men, of whom not quite two thousand were continental troops +and the residue consisted of Virginia and North Carolina militia. +Those of Virginia were commanded by Generals Stevens and Lawson, and +by Colonels Preston, Campbell, and Lynch; and those of North Carolina, +by Generals Butler and Eaton. + +Of the four regiments which composed the continental infantry, only +one, the first of Maryland, was veteran. The other three consisted of +new levies, with a few old continental soldiers interspersed among +them. The legion of Lee, and the cavalry of Washington, like the first +regiment of Maryland, added every advantage of experience to approved +courage; and nearly all the officers commanding the new levies were +veteran. + +[Sidenote: March 15.] + +[Sidenote: Battle of Guilford.] + +Having determined to risk an action, Greene chose his ground with +judgment. Early in the morning of the 15th, the fire of his +reconnoitring parties announced the approach of the enemy on the great +Salisbury road, and his army was immediately arranged in order of +battle. It was drawn up in three lines, on a large hill, surrounded by +other hills, chiefly covered with trees and underwood. + +The front line was composed of the two brigades of North Carolina +militia, who were posted to great advantage on the edge of the wood, +behind a strong rail fence, with an extensive open field in front. + +The two brigades of Virginia militia formed the second line. They were +drawn up entirely in the wood, about three hundred yards in rear of +the first, and on either side of the great Salisbury road. + +The third line was placed about three hundred yards in rear of the +second, and was composed of continental troops. The Virginia brigade, +commanded by General Huger, was on the right; that of Maryland, +commanded by Colonel Williams, was on the left. They were drawn up +obliquely, with their left diverging from the second line, and partly +in open ground. + +The first and third regiments of dragoons, amounting to one hundred +and two troopers, Kirkwood's company of light infantry, and a +regiment of militia riflemen under Colonel Lynch, formed a corps of +observation for the security of the right flank, which was commanded +by Lieutenant Colonel Washington. The legion, consisting of one +hundred and sixty-eight horse and foot, and a body of riflemen +commanded by Colonels Campbell and Preston, formed a corps of +observation for the security of the left flank, which was placed under +Lieutenant Colonel Lee. The artillery was in the front line, in the +great road leading through the centre, with directions to fall back as +the occasion should require. + +Though Lord Cornwallis was sensible that the numbers of the American +army were greatly augmented by troops whose continuance in service +would be of short duration, he deemed it so important to the interests +of his sovereign to maintain the appearance of superiority in the +field, that he was unwilling to decline the engagement now offered +him. + +[Sidenote: March 14.] + +[Sidenote: Fifteenth.] + +On the advance of Greene, therefore, he prepared for action; and early +in the morning moved from his ground, determined to attack the adverse +army wherever it should be found. About four miles from Guilford court +house, the advance, led by Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton, fell in with +Lee, and a sharp skirmish ensued, which was terminated by the +appearance of such large bodies of British troops, as rendered it +prudent for Lee to retire. His lordship continued to advance until he +came within view of the American army. His disposition for the attack +was then made in the following order. + +The seventy-first British regiment, with the German regiment of Bose, +led by General Leslie, and supported by the first battalion of the +guards under Colonel Norton, formed the right, and the twenty-third +and thirty-third regiments, led by Lieutenant Colonel Webster, and +supported by Brigadier General O'Hara with the grenadiers and second +battalion of the guards, formed the left. The light infantry of the +guards and the Yagers, posted in the wood on the left of the +artillery, and the cavalry in column behind it in the road, formed a +corps of observation.[62] + +[Footnote 62: Letter of Lord Cornwallis.--_Stedman._] + +This disposition being made, the British troops advanced to the +charge, with the cool intrepidity which discipline inspires. + +The North Carolina militia were not encouraged by the great advantages +of their position to await the shock. They broke instantly; and, +throwing away their arms and flying through the woods, sought their +respective homes. + +The British then advanced on the second line, which received them with +more firmness; and maintained their ground for some time with great +resolution. Lord Cornwallis perceiving the corps on his flanks, +brought the whole of his reserved infantry into the line. On the +right, General Leslie brought up the guards to oppose Lee; and, on the +left, Webster changed his front to the left, and attacked Washington, +while the grenadiers and second battalion of guards moved forward to +occupy the place which he had just quitted.[63] + +[Footnote 63: Letter of Lord Cornwallis.--_Stedman._] + +The ground being unfavourable to the action of horse, Washington had +posted Lynch's riflemen, with whom he remained in person, on a height +covered with thick woods; and had drawn up his cavalry and continental +infantry about one hundred yards in their rear. On being attacked by +Webster, the riflemen broke; and Washington, finding it impossible to +rally them, rejoined his cavalry. + +The British continuing to advance, and it being well understood that +the militia could not stand the bayonet, General Stevens, who had +received a ball in his right thigh, ordered his brigade to retreat. +Lawson's brigade having given way a short time before, the second line +was entirely routed; and the enemy advanced boldly on the third. + +The several divisions of the British army had been separated from each +other by extending themselves to the right and left in order to +encounter the distinct corps which threatened their flanks; and by +advancing in regiments at different times, as the different parts of +the second line had given way. The thickness of the wood increased +the difficulty of restoring order. They pressed forward with great +eagerness, but with a considerable degree of irregularity. + +Greene, in this state of the action, entertained the most sanguine +hopes of a complete victory. His continental troops were fresh, in +perfect order, and upon the point of engaging an enemy, broken into +distinct parts, and probably supposing the severity of the action to +be over. This fair prospect was blasted by the misconduct of a single +corps. The second regiment of Maryland was posted at some distance +from the first, in open ground; its left forming almost a right angle +with the line, so as to present a front to any corps which might +attack on that flank. The British in advancing, inclined to the right; +and the second battalion of guards entered the open ground immediately +after the retreat of Stevens, and rushed on the second regiment of +Maryland while the first was engaged with Webster. Without waiting to +receive the charge, that regiment broke in confusion. By pursuing +them, the guards were thrown into the rear of the first regiment, from +which they were concealed by the unevenness of the ground, and by a +skirt of wood. + +Greene was himself on the left, and witnessed the misfortune without +being able to remedy it. His militia being entirely routed, the flight +of one-fourth of his continental troops would most probably decide +the fate of the day. Unwilling to risk his remaining three regiments, +only one of which could be safely relied on, without a man to cover +their retreat should the event prove unfortunate, he ordered Colonel +Greene of Virginia to withdraw his regiment from the line, and to take +a position in the rear, for the purpose of affording a rallying point, +and of covering the retreat of the two regiments which still continued +in the field. + +The guards were soon called from the pursuit of the second Maryland +regiment, and led by Lieutenant Colonel Stuart against the first. +About this time Webster, finding himself overpowered by the first +Maryland regiment, then commanded by Colonel Gunby, and by Kirkwood's +company and the remaining regiment of Virginia, with whom he was +engaged at the same time, had in a great measure withdrawn from the +action, and retired across a ravine into an adjoining wood. This +critical respite enabled Gunby to provide for the danger in his rear. +Facing about, he met the guards, and a very animated fire took place +on both sides, during which the Americans continued to advance. + +In this critical moment, Lieutenant Colonel Washington, who was drawn +to this part of the field by the vivacity of the fire, made a furious +charge upon the guards and broke their ranks. At this juncture, +Gunby's horse was killed under him, and the command devolved on +Lieutenant Colonel Howard. The regiment advanced with such rapidity +that Gunby could not overtake it, and was within thirty yards of the +guards when they were charged by the cavalry. Almost at the same +instant the Maryland infantry rushed upon them with the bayonet, and +following the horse through them, were masters of the whole battalion. +In passing through it, Captain Smith of the infantry killed its +commanding officer. + +After passing through the guards into the open ground where the second +regiment had been originally posted, Howard perceived several British +columns, with some pieces of artillery. Believing his regiment to be +the sole infantry remaining in the field, he retreated in good order, +and brought off some prisoners. The cavalry also retreated.[64] + +[Footnote 64: After passing through the guards into the cleared +ground, Washington, who always led the van, perceived an officer +surrounded by several persons who appeared to be aids-de-camp. +Believing this to be Lord Cornwallis, he rushed forward in the hope of +making him a prisoner, but was arrested by an accident. His cap fell +from his head, and, as he leaped to the ground to recover it, the +officer leading the column was shot through the body, and rendered +incapable of managing his horse. The animal wheeled round with his +rider, and galloped off the field. He was followed by all the cavalry, +who supposed that this movement had been directed.] + +About the same time the remaining Virginia regiment commanded by +Colonel Hawes, and Kirkwood's infantry, who were still engaged with +Webster, were directed by General Greene to retreat. The artillery was +unavoidably abandoned; the horses which drew the pieces being killed, +and the woods too thick to admit of their being dragged elsewhere +than along the great road. The retreat was made in good order, and +Greene, in person, brought up the rear. + +Though the action was over on the right and centre, Campbell's +riflemen still maintained their ground on the extreme of the American +left, against General Leslie with the regiment of Bose and the first +battalion of guards. + +After the guards had routed the brigade commanded by Lawson, they were +attacked on their right flank by the infantry of Lee's legion and by +Campbell's riflemen, and were driven behind the regiment of Bose, +which having moved with less impetuosity, was advancing in compact +order. + +This regiment sustained the American fire until Lieutenant Colonel +Norton was able to rally the guards and to bring them back to the +charge; after which the action was maintained with great obstinacy on +both sides until the battle was decided on the right. Lieutenant +Colonel Tarlton was then ordered to the support of Leslie. The legion +infantry had retreated, and only a few resolute marksmen remained in +the rear of Campbell who continued firing from tree to tree. Being +unable to resist a charge of cavalry, they were quickly driven from +the field. + +Two regiments of infantry and a detachment of cavalry pursued the +right wing and centre of the Americans for a short distance, but were +soon ordered to return. On examining his situation, Lord Cornwallis +found himself too much weakened, and his troops too much fatigued by +the action, to hazard its renewal, or to continue the pursuit. General +Greene halted about three miles from the field of battle, behind Rudy +fork creek, for the purpose of collecting his stragglers; after which +he retired about twelve miles, to the iron works on Troublesome creek, +the place appointed for the rendezvous of his army in the event of its +being defeated. + +The returns made immediately after the action, exhibited a loss in +killed, wounded and missing in the continental troops, of fourteen +commissioned officers, and three hundred and twelve non-commissioned +officers and privates. Major Anderson, a valuable officer of Maryland, +was killed; and General Huger, who commanded the continental troops of +Virginia, was wounded. + +The same return states the loss of the militia at four captains and +seventeen privates killed; and, in addition to General Stevens, one +major, three captains, eight subalterns, and sixty privates, were +wounded. A great proportion of this part of the army was missing; but +it seems to have been expected that they would either rejoin their +corps, or be found at their homes. + +The victory at Guilford was dearly purchased. Official accounts state +the loss of the British army at five hundred and thirty-two men, among +whom were several officers of high rank and distinguished merit. +Lieutenant Colonel Stuart of the guards was killed, and Lieutenant +Colonel Webster, who was ranked by his enemies among the best officers +in the British service, was mortally wounded. This loss, when compared +with the numbers brought by Lord Cornwallis into the field, was very +considerable. The Americans did not compute his troops at more than +two thousand rank and file, but his own accounts state them at only +fourteen hundred and forty-five. + +No battle in the course of the war reflects more honour on the courage +of the British troops, than that of Guilford. On no other occasion +have they fought with such inferiority of numbers, or disadvantage of +ground. Estimating his first line at nothing, General Greene's army +consisted of three thousand two hundred men, posted on ground chosen +by himself; and his disposition was skilfully made. + +The American general, expecting to be again attacked, prepared for +another engagement. But the situation of Lord Cornwallis had become +too desperate to hazard a second battle, or to maintain his position. +He found himself under the necessity of retreating to a place of +greater security, where provisions might be obtained. + +When the expedition into North Carolina was originally meditated, +Major Craig, at the head of a small military and naval force, took +possession of Wilmington, a town near the mouth of Cape Fear, and +extended his authority several miles up the river. Lord Cornwallis now +looked to a communication with this post for aids which had become +indispensable to the farther operations of the campaign. + +On the third day after the battle, he broke up his encampment, and +proceeded by slow and easy marches towards Cross creek. + +[Sidenote: Greene advances to Ramsay's mills with a determination to +enter South Carolina.] + +General Greene, on hearing that the British army was retreating, +resolved to follow it. The difficulty of subsisting the troops in an +exhausted and hostile country; and the necessity of waiting for a +supply of ammunition, impeded the march of his army so much that he +did not reach Ramsay's mills until the 28th of March. + +[Sidenote: April 7.] + +At this place Lord Cornwallis had halted, and here General Greene +expected to overtake and attack him. But, on the approach of the +American army, his lordship resumed his march to Cross creek, and +afterwards to Wilmington, where he arrived on the 7th of April. + +General Greene gave over the pursuit at Ramsay's mills. So excessive +had been the sufferings of his army from the want of provisions, that +many of the men fainted on the march, and it had become absolutely +necessary to allow them some repose and refreshment. The expiration of +the time for which the Virginia militia had been called into service, +furnished an additional motive for suspending the pursuit. + +At this place, the bold and happy resolution was taken to carry the +war into South Carolina. + +The motives which induced the adoption of this measure were stated by +himself in a letter communicating his determination to the +Commander-in-chief. It would compel Lord Cornwallis to follow him, and +thus liberate North Carolina, or to sacrifice all his posts in the +upper parts of South Carolina and Georgia. + +The Southern army amounted to about seventeen hundred effectives. That +of Lord Cornwallis is understood to have been still less numerous. So +impotent were the means employed for the conquest and defence of +states which were of immense extent and value. + +This unexpected movement gave a new aspect to affairs, and produced +some irresolution in the British general respecting his future +operations. After weighing the probable advantages and disadvantages +of following Greene into South Carolina, he decided against this +retrograde movement and determined to advance into Virginia. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Virginia invaded by Arnold.... He destroys the stores at + Westham and at Richmond.... Retires to Portsmouth.... Mutiny + in the Pennsylvania line.... Sir H. Clinton attempts to + negotiate with the mutineers.... They compromise with the + civil government.... Mutiny in the Jersey line.... Mission + of Colonel Laurens to France.... Propositions to Spain.... + Recommendations relative to a duty on imported and prize + goods.... Reform in the Executive departments.... + Confederation adopted.... Military transactions.... + Lafayette detached to Virginia.... Cornwallis arrives.... + Presses Lafayette.... Expedition to Charlottesville, to the + Point of Fork.... Lafayette forms a junction with Wayne.... + Cornwallis retires to the lower country.... General + Washington's letters are intercepted.... Action near + Jamestown. + + +[Sidenote: 1781] + +[Sidenote: Virginia invaded by Arnold.] + +The evacuation of Portsmouth by Leslie afforded Virginia but a +short interval of repose. So early as the 9th of December, 1780, a +letter from General Washington announced to the governor that a large +embarkation, supposed to be destined for the south, was about taking +place at New York. On the 30th, a fleet of transports under convoy, +having on board between one and two thousand men, commanded by General +Arnold, anchored in Hampton road. The troops were embarked the next +day on board vessels adapted to the navigation, and proceeded up +James' River under convoy of two small ships of war. On the fourth of +January they reached Westover, which is distant about twenty-five +miles from Richmond, the capital of Virginia. + +[Sidenote: January 2.] + +On receiving intelligence that a fleet had entered the capes, General +Nelson was employed in raising the militia of the lower country; and +on the 2d of January orders were issued to call out those above the +metropolis and in its neighbourhood. + +On reaching Westover, Arnold landed with the greater part of his army, +and commenced his march towards Richmond. The few continental troops +at Petersburg were ordered to the capital; and between one and two +hundred militia, who had been collected from the town and its +immediate vicinity, were directed to harass the advancing enemy. + +This party was too feeble for its object; and, the day after landing +at Westover, Arnold entered Richmond, where he halted with about five +hundred men. The residue, amounting to about four hundred, including +thirty horse, proceeded under Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe to Westham, +where they burnt a valuable foundry, boring mill, powder magazine, and +other smaller buildings, with military stores to a considerable +amount, and many valuable papers belonging to the government, which +had been carried thither as to a place of safety. + +[Sidenote: He destroys valuable stores at Richmond.] + +This service being effected, Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe rejoined Arnold +at Richmond; where the public stores, and a large quantity of rum and +salt, the property of private individuals, were entirely destroyed. + +[Sidenote: January.] + +Leaving Richmond the next day, the army returned to Westover[65] on +the seventh; and, re-embarking on the morning of the tenth, proceeded +down the river. It was followed by the Baron Steuben, who commanded in +Virginia; and, near Hoods, Colonel Clarke drew a party of them into an +ambuscade, and gave them one fire with some effect; but, on its being +partially returned, the Americans broke and fled in the utmost +confusion.[66] + +[Footnote 65: While the army lay at Westover, Lieutenant Colonel +Simcoe, at the head of less than fifty horse, attacked and dispersed a +body of militia at Charles City court house, with the loss of only one +man killed, and three wounded.] + +[Footnote 66: The author witnessed this skirmish.] + +Arnold proceeded slowly down the river; and on the twentieth reached +Portsmouth, where he manifested the intention of establishing a +permanent post. + +The loss of the British in this expedition, was stated in the gazette +of New York, at seven killed, including one subaltern, and +twenty-three wounded, among whom was one captain. This small loss was +sustained almost entirely in the ambuscade near Hoods. + +In the north, the year commenced with an event, which, for a time, +threatened the American cause with total ruin. + +The accumulated sufferings and privations of the army constitute a +large and interesting part of the history of that war which gave +independence to the United States. Winter, without much lessening +their toils, added to those sufferings. The soldiers were perpetually +on the point of starving, were often entirely without food; were +exposed without proper clothing to the rigours of the season, and had +now served almost twelve months without pay. + +This state of things had been of such long continuance that scarcely +the hope of a change could be indulged. It produced, unavoidably, some +relaxation of discipline; and the murmurs, occasionally escaping the +officers, sometimes heard by the soldiers, were not without their +influence. + +In addition to the general causes of dissatisfaction, the Pennsylvania +line complained of a grievance almost peculiar to itself. + +When congress directed enlistments to be made for three years, or +during the war, the recruiting officers of Pennsylvania, in some +instances, instead of engaging their men, definitively, for the one +period or the other, engaged them generally for three years, or the +war. This ambiguity in the terms of enlistment produced its natural +effect. The soldier claimed his discharge at the expiration of three +years, and the officer insisted on retaining him in service during the +war. The soldier submitted with the more reluctance to the supposed +imposition, as he constantly witnessed the immense bounties given to +those who were not bound by a former enlistment. + +[Sidenote: Mutiny in the Pennsylvania line.] + +The discontents which these various causes had been long fomenting, +broke out on the night of the 1st of January, in an open and almost +universal revolt of the line. + +On a signal given, the great body of the non-commissioned officers and +privates paraded under arms, avowing the determination to march to the +seat of congress, and either obtain redress of their complicated +grievances, or serve no longer. In the attempt to suppress the mutiny, +six or seven of the mutineers were wounded on the one side; and on the +other, Captain Billing was killed, and several other officers were +dangerously wounded. The authority of General Wayne availed nothing. +On cocking his pistol, and threatening some of the most turbulent, the +bayonet was presented to his bosom; and he perceived that strong +measures would produce his own destruction, and perhaps the massacre +of every officer in camp. A few regiments who did not at first join +the mutineers, were paraded by their officers; but, had they even been +willing to proceed to extremities, they were not strong enough to +restore order. Infected quickly with the general contagion, or +intimidated by the threats of the mutineers, they joined their +comrades; and the whole body, consisting of about thirteen hundred +men, with six field pieces, marched, under the command of their +sergeants, towards Princeton. + +The next day. General Wayne, accompanied by Colonels Butler and +Stewart, officers possessing, in a high degree, the affections of the +soldiery, followed them, in the hope of bringing them back to their +duty, or at least of dividing them. They were overtaken near +Middlebrook, and invited by a written message from General Wayne, to +appoint one man from each regiment to state the grievances of which +they complained. + +In consequence of this invitation, a sergeant from each regiment met +the officers at their quarters, and some verbal communications were +made, from the complexion of which sanguine hopes were entertained +that the affair might be terminated without farther hazard, or much +injury to the service. + +On the following day, the line of march was resumed, and the soldiers +proceeded to Princeton. The propositions of the general and field +officers were reported to them, and a committee of sergeants, to whom +they were referred, stated their claims. These were, + +1st. A discharge for all those who had served three years under their +original engagements, whatever those engagements might have been, and +who had not taken the increased bounty, and re-enlisted for the war. + +2nd. An immediate payment of all their arrears of pay and clothing, as +well to those who should be discharged, as to those who should +continue in service. + +3rd. The residue of their bounty, and future real pay to those who +should continue in the army. + +General Wayne being unwilling to discharge all those who had not +re-enlisted for the war, the subject was referred to the civil power. + +On receiving intelligence of the mutiny, congress appointed a +committee to confer with the executive of Pennsylvania respecting it. +The result of this conference was that both the committee, and the +governor with some members of the executive council, left Philadelphia +for the purpose of endeavouring to accommodate this dangerous +commotion. + +At his head quarters, at New Windsor, on the North River, General +Washington received intelligence of this alarming mutiny. Accustomed +as he had been to contemplate hazardous and difficult situations, it +was not easy, under existing circumstances, to resolve instantly on +the course it was most prudent to pursue. His first impression--to +repair to the camp of the mutineers--soon gave place to opinions which +were formed on more mature reflection. + +It was almost certain that the business was already in the hands of +the civil government, with whose arrangements it might be improper for +him to interfere. Independent of this consideration, other motives of +irresistible influence detained him on the North River. + +The most important among those subjects of complaint which were +alleged as the causes of the mutiny, were true in fact, were common to +the whole army, and were of a nature to disseminate too generally +those seeds of disquiet, which had attained their full growth and +maturity in the Pennsylvania line. Strong symptoms of discontent had +already been manifested; and it was, therefore, impossible to say with +confidence, how far the same temper existed among the other troops; or +how far the contagion of example had or would spread. + +The danger arising from this state of things was much increased by the +circumstance that the river was perfectly open, and afforded Sir Henry +Clinton an easy and rapid transportation for his army to West Point, +should the situation of its garrison invite an enterprise against that +post. + +It was an additional consideration of great weight, that it might have +a most pernicious influence on the discipline of the whole army, +should the authority of the Commander-in-chief be disregarded. He +ought not to place himself in a situation where his orders might be +disobeyed with impunity; an event much to be apprehended, should he +repair to the camp of the mutineers, unattended by a military force +adequate to the occasion. + +Such a force could not be immediately commanded. His effectives in the +Highlands amounted only to thirteen hundred and seventy-six men; and +that whole division of the army, dispersed at various and distant +stations, excluding the sick and those on furlough, did not exceed +four thousand. Assuming therefore the fidelity of the troops, it was +impracticable to march immediately with a force sufficient to reduce +the Pennsylvania line, without leaving the Highlands undefended. Nor +was it unworthy of consideration that, in the actual situation of the +mutineers, the probability of their being attacked by such a force +might drive them to the enemy, or disperse them, events, either of +which would deprive the army of a valuable part of its strength. + +It was therefore thought adviseable to leave the negotiation with the +civil power, and to prepare for those measures which ought to be +adopted in the event of its failure. The disposition of the troops on +the North River was sounded, and found to be favourable; after which, +a detachment of eleven hundred men was ordered to be in readiness to +move on a moment's warning. On the first notice of the mutiny, the +militia of Jersey took the field under General Dickenson, and measures +were taken to call out those of New York should the occasion require +it. + +[Sidenote: Sir Henry Clinton attempts to negotiate with the +mutineers.] + +To avail himself of an event appearing so auspicious to the royal +cause, Sir Henry Clinton ordered a large body of troops to be in +readiness to move on the shortest notice; and despatched three +emissaries with tempting offers to the revolters; and instructions to +invite them, while the negotiation should be depending, to take a +position behind the South River, where they should be effectually +covered by detachments from New York. While these measures were +taking, Sir Henry kept his eye on West Point, and held himself in +readiness to strike at that place, should any movement on the part of +General Washington open to him a prospect of success.[67] + +[Footnote 67: Letter of Sir Henry Clinton.] + +His emissaries were immediately seized by the revolters, and their +proposals communicated to General Wayne, with assurances of the utter +detestation in which every idea of going over to the common enemy was +held. + +This favourable symptom, however, was accompanied by suspicious +circumstances. They retained the British emissaries in their own +possession; and could not be induced to cross the Delaware, or to +march from Princeton. They would not permit any of their former +officers, other than those already mentioned, to enter their camp; and +General St. Clair, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Lieutenant Colonel +Laurens, were ordered to leave Princeton. + +Such was the state of things when the committee of congress, and +President Read with a part of his executive council, arrived in the +neighbourhood of the revolters. The former having delegated their +power to the latter, a conference was held with the sergeants who now +commanded, after which proposals were made and distributed among the +troops for consideration. + +In these proposals the government offered, + +1st. To discharge all those who had enlisted indefinitely for three +years or during the war, the fact to be examined into by three +commissioners, to be appointed by the executive; and to be +ascertained, when the original enlistment could not be produced, by +the oath of the soldier. + +2dly. To give immediate certificates for the depreciation on their +pay, and to settle the arrearages as soon as circumstances would +admit. + +3dly. To furnish them immediately with certain specified articles of +clothing which were most wanted. + +[Sidenote: They compromise with the civil authority.] + +On receiving these propositions, the troops agreed to march to +Trenton. At that place the terms were accepted, with the addition that +three commissioners should also be deputed by the line, who, +conjointly with those of the executive should constitute the board +authorized to determine on the claims of the soldiers to be +discharged; and thereupon the British emissaries were surrendered, who +were tried, condemned, and executed as spies. + +Until the investigation should be made, and discharges given to those +who should be found entitled to them, the sergeants retained their +command. In consequence of the irksomeness of this state of things, +the business was pressed with so much precipitation, that before the +enlistments themselves could be brought from the huts, almost the +whole of the artillery, and of the five first regiments of infantry, +were liberated on the testimony of their own oaths. The enlistments +being then produced, it was found that not many of the remaining +regiments had engaged on the terms which, under the compact, would +entitle them to leave the service; and that, of those actually +dismissed, far the greater number had been enlisted absolutely for the +war. The discharges given, however, were not cancelled; and the few +who were to remain in service received furloughs for forty days. + +Thus ended, in a temporary dissolution of the whole line of +Pennsylvania, a mutiny, which a voluntary performance of much less +than was extorted, would have prevented; and which, in the actual +condition of the army, was of a nature and extent to inspire the most +serious alarm. + +[Sidenote: Mutiny in the Jersey line.] + +The dangerous policy of yielding even to the just demands of soldiers +made with arms in their hands, was soon illustrated. The success of +the Pennsylvania line inspired that of Jersey, many of whom were also +foreigners, with the hope of obtaining similar advantages. On the +night of the 20th, a part of the Jersey brigade, which had been +stationed at Pompton, rose in arms; and, making precisely the same +claims which had been yielded to the Pennsylvanians, marched to +Chatham, where a part of the same brigade was cantoned, in the hope of +exciting them also to join in the revolt. + +General Washington, who had been extremely chagrined at the issue of +the mutiny in the Pennsylvania line, and who was now assured of the +confidence to be placed in the fidelity of the eastern troops, who +were composed of natives, determined, by strong measures, to stop the +farther progress of a spirit which threatened the destruction of the +army, and ordered a detachment to march against the mutineers, and to +bring them to unconditional submission. General Howe, who commanded +this detachment, was instructed to make no terms with the insurgents +while in a state of resistance; and, as soon as they should surrender, +to seize a few of the most active leaders, and to execute them on the +spot. These orders were promptly obeyed, and the Jersey mutineers +returned to their duty. + +In the hope of being more successful with the revolters of Jersey than +he had been with those of Pennsylvania, Sir Henry Clinton offered them +the same terms which had been proposed to the mutineers at Princeton; +and General Robertson, at the head of three thousand men, was +detached to Staten Island with the avowed purpose of crossing over +into Jersey, and covering any movement which they might make towards +New York. The emissary, being in the American interest, delivered his +papers to the officer commanding at the first station to which he +came. Other papers were dispersed among the mutineers; but the mutiny +was crushed too suddenly to allow time for the operation of these +propositions. + +The vigorous measures taken in this instance were happily followed by +such an attention on the part of the states, to the actual situation +of the army, as checked the progress of discontent. Influenced by the +representations of the Commander-in-chief, they raised three months' +pay in specie, which they forwarded to the soldiers, who received it +with joy, considering it as evidence that their fellow citizens were +not entirely unmindful of their sufferings. + +Although the army was thus reduced to such extreme distress, the +discontents of the people were daily multiplied by the contributions +which they were required to make, and by the irritating manner in +which those contributions were drawn from them. Every article for +public use was obtained by impressment; and the taxes were either +unpaid, or collected by coercive means. Strong remonstrances were made +against this system; and the dissatisfaction which pervaded the mass +of the community, was scarcely less dangerous than that which had +been manifested by the army. + +To the judicious patriots throughout America, the necessity of giving +greater powers to the federal government became every day more +apparent; but the efforts of enlightened individuals were too feeble +to correct that fatal disposition of power which had been made by +enthusiasm uninstructed by experience. + +[Sidenote: Mission of Colonel Laurens to France.] + +To relieve the United States from their complicated embarrassments, a +foreign loan seemed an expedient of indispensable necessity, and from +France they hoped to obtain it. Congress selected Lieutenant Colonel +Laurens, a gentleman whose situation in the family of the +Commander-in-chief had enabled him to take a comprehensive view of the +military capacities and weaknesses of his country, for this +interesting service; and instructed him also to urge the advantage of +maintaining a naval superiority in the American seas. Before his +departure, he passed some days at headquarters, and received from +General Washington in the form of a letter, the result of his +reflections on the existing state of things. + +In this paper he detailed the pecuniary embarrassments of the +government, and represented, with great earnestness, the inability of +the nation to furnish a revenue adequate to the support of the war. He +dwelt on the discontents which the system of impressment had excited +among the people, and expressed his fears that the evils felt in the +prosecution of the war, might weaken the sentiments which began it. + +From this state of things, he deduced the vital importance of an +immediate and ample supply of money, which might be the foundation for +substantial arrangements of finance, for reviving public credit, and +giving vigour to future operations; as well as of a decided effort of +the allied arms on the continent to effect the great objects of the +alliance, in the ensuing campaign. + +Next to a supply of money, he considered a naval superiority in the +American seas, as an object of the deepest interest. + +To the United States, it would be of decisive importance, and France +also might derive great advantages from transferring the maritime war +to the coast of her ally. + +The future ability of the United States to repay any loan which might +now be obtained was displayed; and he concluded with assurances that +there was still a fund of inclination and resource in the country, +equal to great and continued exertions, provided the means were +afforded of stopping the progress of disgust, by changing the present +system, and adopting another more consonant with the spirit of the +nation, and more capable of infusing activity and energy into public +measures; of which a powerful succour in money must be the basis. +"The people were discontented, but it was with the feeble and +oppressive mode of conducting the war, not with the war itself." + +With reason did the Commander-in-chief thus urge on the cabinet of +Versailles, the policy of advancing a sum of money to the United +States which might be adequate to the exigency. Deep was the gloom +with which their political horizon was overcast. The British, in +possession of South Carolina and of Georgia, had overrun the greater +part of North Carolina also; and it was with equal hazard and address +that Greene maintained himself in the northern frontier of that state. + +A second detachment from New York was making a deep impression on +Virginia, where the resistance had been neither so prompt nor so +vigorous[68] as the strength of that state and the unanimity of its +citizens had given reason to expect. + +[Footnote 68: A slave population must be unfavourable to great and +sudden exertions by militia.] + +The perplexities and difficulties in which the affairs of America were +involved, were estimated by the British government even above their +real value. Intercepted letters of this date from the minister, +expressed the most sanguine hopes that the great superiority of force +at the disposal of Sir Henry Clinton, would compel Washington with his +feeble army to take refuge on the eastern side of the Hudson. + +[Sidenote: Propositions to Spain.] + +Even congress relaxed for an instant from its habitual firmness; and, +receding from the decisive manner in which that body had insisted on +the territorial and maritime rights of the nation, directed the +American minister at Madrid to relinquish, if it should be absolutely +necessary, the claims of the United States to navigate the Mississippi +below the thirty-first degree of north latitude, and to a free port on +the banks of that river within the Spanish territory. It is remarkable +that only Massachusetts, Connecticut, and North Carolina, dissented +from this resolution; New York was divided.[69] On a subsequent day, +the subject was again brought forward, and a proposition was made for +still farther concessions to Spain; but this proposition was negatived +by all the states.[70] + +[Footnote 69: Secret journals of Congress, v. 2, pp. 393, 396, 407. +This measure was moved by the delegation from Virginia, in consequence +of instructions of 2d Jan. 1781. Sec. 10, H. at large, 538.] + +[Footnote 70: Secret journals of Congress, v. 2, p. 468.] + +Happily for the United States, Mr. Jay, their minister at the court of +Madrid, required as the price of the concessions he was instructed to +make, that the treaty he was labouring to negotiate should be +immediately concluded. + +[Sidenote: Recommendations relative to a duty on imported and prize +goods.] + +The establishment of a revenue subject to the exclusive control and +direction of the continental government, was connected inseparably +with the restoration of credit. The efforts therefore to negotiate a +foreign loan were accompanied by resolutions requesting the +respective states to place a fund under the control of congress, which +should be both permanent and productive. A resolution was passed, +recommending to the respective states to vest a power in congress to +levy for the use of the United States a duty of five _per centum ad +valorem_ on all goods imported into any of them; and also on all +prizes condemned in any of the American courts of admiralty. + +This fund was to be appropriated to the payment of both the principal +and interest of all debts contracted in the prosecution of the war; +and was to continue until those debts should be completely discharged. + +Congress, at that time, contained several members who perceived the +advantages which would result from bestowing on the government of the +nation the full power of regulating commerce, and, consequently, of +increasing the import as circumstances might render adviseable; but +state influence predominated, and they were overruled by great +majorities. Even the inadequate plan which they did recommend was +never adopted. Notwithstanding the greatness of the exigency, and the +pressure of the national wants, never, during the existence of the +confederation, did all the states unite in assenting to this +recommendation; so unwilling are men possessed of power, to place it +in the hands of others. + +[Sidenote: Reform in the organization of the executive departments.] + +About the same time a reform was introduced into the administration, +the necessity of which had been long perceived. From a misplaced +prejudice against institutions sanctioned by experience, all the great +executive duties had been devolved either on committees of congress, +or on boards consisting of several members. This unwieldy and +expensive system had maintained itself against all the efforts of +reason and public utility. But the scantiness of the national means at +length prevailed over prejudice, and the several committees and boards +yielded to a secretary for foreign affairs, a superintendent of +finance, a secretary of war, and a secretary of marine. But so +miserably defective was the organization of congress, as an executive +body, that the year had far advanced before this measure, the utility +of which all acknowledged, could be carried into complete operation by +making all the appointments. + +[Sidenote: Confederation adopted.] + +About this time the articles of confederation were ratified. Much +difficulty was encountered in obtaining the adoption of this +instrument. The numerous objections made by the states yielded +successively to the opinion that a federal compact would be of vast +importance in the prosecution of the war. One impediment it was found +peculiarly difficult to remove. Within the chartered limits of several +states, were immense tracts of vacant territory, which, it was +supposed, would constitute a large fund of future wealth; and the +states not possessing that advantage insisted on considering this +territory as a joint acquisition. At length this difficulty also was +surmounted; and, in February, 1781, to the great joy of America, this +interesting compact was rendered complete.[71] Like many other human +institutions, it was productive, neither in war nor in peace, of all +the benefits which its sanguine advocates had expected. Had peace been +made before any agreement for a permanent union was formed, it is far +from being improbable that the different parts might have fallen +asunder, and a dismemberment have taken place. If the confederation +really preserved the idea of union until the good sense of the nation +adopted a more efficient system, this service alone entitles that +instrument to the respectful recollection of the American people, and +its framers to their gratitude. + +[Footnote 71: The secret journals of congress, published under the +resolutions of March 27th, 1818, and April 21st, 1820, contain "A +History of the Confederation." The course of public opinion on a most +important point--the nature of the connexion which ought to be +maintained between these United States--may be in some degree +perceived in the progress of this instrument, and may not be entirely +uninteresting to the American reader. + +So early as July, 1775, Doctor Franklin submitted "Articles of +Confederation and perpetual union" to the consideration of congress, +which were to continue in force until a reconciliation with Great +Britain should take place on the terms demanded by the colonies. Into +this confederation, not only all the British colonies on the +continent, but Ireland and the West India islands were to be admitted. + +Congress was to consist of members chosen by each colony in proportion +to its numbers, and was to sit in each successively. Its powers were +to embrace the external relations of the country, the settling of all +disputes between the colonies, the planting of new colonies; and were +to extend to ordinances on such general subjects as, though necessary +to the general welfare, particular assemblies can not be competent to, +viz. "Those that may relate to our general commerce, or general +currency; the establishment of ports; and the regulation of our common +forces." + +The executive was to consist of a council of twelve, selected by +congress from its own body, one-third of whom were to be changed +annually. + +Amendments were to be proposed by congress; and, when approved by a +majority of the colonial assemblies, were to become a part of the +constitution. + +In June, 1776, a committee was appointed to prepare and digest the +form of a confederation to be entered into between the United +Colonies, which brought in a draft (in the hand writing of Mr. John +Dickinson) on the 12th of the succeeding month. + +This report was under debate until the 14th of November, 1777, on +which day congress agreed on the articles afterwards adopted by the +states. + +In the scheme supposed to be prepared by Mr. Dickinson, the +confederation is considered as an alliance of sovereign states, who +meet as equals by their deputies assembled to deliberate on their +common concerns, each sovereign having a voice. This principle was +retained; but several modifications in the language and principle of +the original scheme were made, which indicate a watchful and growing +jealousy of the powers of congress. + +In each, an article is introduced reserving the rights of the states. +That which is found in the report, "reserves to each state the sole +and exclusive regulation and government of its internal police, in all +matters that _shall not interfere with the articles of this +confederation_." + +This article was so modified as to declare that "each state retains +its sovereignty," "and every power, jurisdiction and right, which is +not by this confederation _expressly_ delegated to the United States +in congress assembled." + +This denial of all incidental powers had vast influence on the affairs +of the United States. It defeated, in many instances, the granted +powers, by rendering their exercise impracticable. + +The report permits the states to impose duties on imports and exports; +provided they "do not interfere with any stipulations in treaties +hereafter entered into by the United States." + +The confederation confines this restriction on the power of the state +to such duties as interfere with the stipulations in treaties entered +into "in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by congress to the +courts of France and Spain." + +Each plan assigns to the state in which troops shall be raised for the +common defence, the power of appointing the field and inferior +officers. The confederation adds the power of filling up such +vacancies as may occur. + +The report inhibits a state from endeavouring by force to obtain +compensation for advances made or injuries suffered during the war, +which shall not be allowed by congress. + +The confederation omits this inhibition. + +The report gives to congress the power of making treaties. + +The confederation adds a proviso, "that no treaty of commerce shall be +made whereby the legislative power of the respective states shall be +restrained from imposing such imports and duties on foreigners as +their own people are subjected to, or from prohibiting the exportation +or importation of any species of goods or commodities whatever." + +The report authorizes congress to appoint "courts for the trial of all +crimes, frauds, and piracies committed on the high seas, or on any +navigable river not within a county or parish." + +The confederation limits the jurisdiction to "piracies and felonies +committed on the high seas." + +Both empower congress to appoint courts for the trial of appeals in +cases of capture; but the confederation provides that no member of +congress shall be appointed a judge of any such court. + +Both empower congress to settle differences between the states. The +confederation prescribes minutely the manner in which this power shall +be exercised. + +Both empower congress "to regulate the trade and manage all affairs +with the Indians." The confederation provides "that the legislative +right of any state within its own limits be not infringed or +violated." + +The report gives the power of "establishing and regulating post +offices throughout all the United Colonies (states) _on the lines of +communication_ from one colony (state) to another." + +The confederation varies the phraseology and adds, "and exacting such +postage on the papers passing through the same as may be requisite to +defray the expenses of the said office." + +The report places many important portions of the executive power in a +council of state, to consist of one delegate from each state to be +named annually by the delegates of that state. + +The confederation empowers congress to appoint a committee to sit in +the recess of congress, to be denominated "a committee of the states," +and to consist of one delegate from each state, to exercise such +powers as congress might from time to time vest them with. + +A few of the states agreed to ratify the confederation +unconditionally. By many, amendments were proposed which were steadily +rejected by congress. It was obvious that the delays would be almost +interminable should congress relax this determination, because every +change would make it necessary again to submit the instrument as +amended to the several states. It is remarkable that Jersey alone +proposed an enlargement of the powers of congress. That state was +desirous of investing the representatives of the state with the power +of regulating commerce. + +The states possessing no vacant lands, or an inconsiderable quantity +within their chartered limits, pressed earnestly and perseveringly +their claim to participate in the advantages of territory, which was, +they said, acquired by the united arms of the whole; and Maryland +refused, on this account, to accede to the confederation. At length, +several of the states empowered their members in congress to ratify +that instrument as forming a union between the twelve states who had +assented to it. Maryland, alarmed at the prospect of being excluded +from the union, gave her reluctant consent to the confederation, +accompanied by a protest, in which she still asserted her claim to her +interest in the vacant territory which should be acknowledged at the +treaty of peace, to be within the United States. + +It required the repeated lessons of a severe and instructive +experience to persuade the American people that their greatness, their +prosperity, their happiness, and even their safety, imperiously +demanded the substitution of a government for their favourite league.] + +[Sidenote: Military transactions.] + +Such was the defensive strength of the positions taken by the adverse +armies on the Hudson, and such their relative force, that no decisive +blow could be given by either in that quarter of the continent. The +anxious attentions of General Washington, therefore, were +unremittingly directed to the south. One of those incidents which +fortune occasionally produces, on the seizing or neglect of which the +greatest military events frequently depend, presented, sooner than was +expected, an opportunity which he deemed capable of being improved to +the destruction of the British army in Virginia. + +The French fleet, from its arrival on the American coast, had been +blocked up in the harbour of Newport; and the land forces of that +nation had been reduced to a state of inactivity by the necessity of +defending their ships. Late in January, a detachment from the British +fleet was encountered on the east end of Long Island by a furious +storm, in which such damage was sustained as to destroy for a time the +naval superiority which Arbuthnot had uniformly preserved. + +To turn this temporary superiority to advantage, Monsieur Destouches +resolved to detach a ship of the line, with two frigates, to the +Chesapeake; a force which the delegation from Virginia had assured him +would be sufficient for the purpose. + +On receiving certain accounts of the loss sustained in the storm, +General Washington conceived the design of improving that +circumstance by immediate and powerful operations against Arnold. +Confident that the critical moment must be seized, or the enterprise +would fail, he ordered a detachment of twelve hundred men, under the +command of the Marquis de Lafayette, to the head of the Chesapeake; +there to embark for that part of Virginia which was to become the +theatre of action, under convoy of a French frigate, for which he +applied to the admiral. He immediately communicated this measure to +the Count de Rochambeau, and to Monsieur Destouches, to whom he also +stated his conviction that no serious advantage could be expected from +a few ships, unaided by land troops. "There were," he said, "a variety +of positions to be taken by Arnold, one of which was Portsmouth, his +present station, where his ships might be so protected by his +batteries on the shore as to defy a mere naval attack; and where he +would certainly be able to maintain himself until the losses sustained +in the late storm should be repaired, and the superiority at sea +recovered, when he would unquestionably be relieved." + +To insure the success of the expedition, he recommended that the whole +fleet should be employed on it, and that a detachment of one thousand +men should be embarked for the same service. + +[Sidenote: February 9.] + +These representations did not prevail. The original plan had already +been put in execution. On the 9th of February, a sixty-four gun ship +with two frigates, under Monsieur de Tilley, had sailed for the +Chesapeake; and, as some of the British ships had been repaired, the +French admiral did not think it prudent to put to sea with the residue +of his fleet. + +As had been foreseen by General Washington, de Tilley found Arnold in +a situation not to be assailed with any prospect of success. After +showing himself therefore in the bay, and making an ineffectual +attempt to enter Elizabeth River, he returned to Newport. At the +capes, he fell in with the Romulus, a fifty gun ship, coming from +Charleston to the Chesapeake, which he captured. + +Both the Count de Rochambeau, and the Chevalier Destouches, being well +disposed to execute the plans suggested by General Washington, they +determined, on the return of Monsieur de Tilley, to make a second +expedition to the Chesapeake with the whole fleet, and eleven hundred +men. General Washington, therefore, hastened to Newport, that in a +personal conference with them, he might facilitate the execution of an +enterprise from which he still entertained sanguine hopes. + +[Sidenote: March 6.] + +Early on the 6th of March he reached Newport, and went instantly on +board the Admiral, where he was met by the Count de Rochambeau. It was +determined that a detachment from the army, then in perfect readiness, +should be embarked under the Count de Viominil; and that the fleet +should put to sea as soon as possible. The wind was favourable to the +French, and adverse to the British. Yet the fleet did not sail until +the evening of the eighth. It appears from a letter of Monsieur +Destouches, that this delay was in some measure attributable to a +disaster which befel one of his frigates in getting out of port; and +there is reason to suppose that it may be ascribed to a want of +supplies. Whatever may have been the cause, Arnold is most probably +indebted to it for his escape from the fate which his treason merited. + +Two days after Destouches had sailed, he was followed by Arbuthnot, +who overtook him off the capes of Virginia. A partial engagement +ensued which continued about an hour, when the fleets were separated. + +The French admiral called a council of war the next day, in which it +was declared unadviseable to renew the action, and he returned to +Newport. + +[Sidenote: March 26.] + +The arrival of two thousand men commanded by General Philips, gave the +British a decided superiority in Virginia, and changed the destination +of Lafayette, who had been ordered to join the southern army, but to +whom the defence of that state was now committed. The troops under his +command being taken chiefly from the eastern regiments, had imbibed +strong prejudices against a southern climate; and desertions became so +frequent as to threaten the dissolution of the corps. + +This unpromising state of things was completely changed by a happy +expedient adopted by Lafayette. Appealing to the generous principles +of his soldiers, principles on which the feelings of his own bosom +taught him to rely, he proclaimed in orders, that he was about to +enter on an enterprise of great danger and difficulty, in which he +persuaded himself his soldiers would not abandon him. If, however, any +individual of the detachment was unwilling to accompany him, a permit +to return should most assuredly be granted him. + +This measure had the desired effect, and put an end to desertion.[72] +To keep up the good dispositions of the moment, this ardent young +nobleman, who was as unmindful of fortune as he was ambitious of fame, +borrowed from the merchants of Baltimore, on his private credit, a sum +of money sufficient to purchase shoes, linen, spirits, and other +articles of immediate necessity for the detachment.[73] + +[Footnote 72: The author was assured by General Lafayette that this +was true. Such was the enthusiasm of the moment, that a lame sergeant +hired a place in a cart to keep up with the army.] + +[Footnote 73: It is not unworthy of notice, that the ladies of +Baltimore charged themselves with the toil of immediately making up +the summer clothing for the troops. Innumerable instances of their +zeal in the common cause of their country were given in every state in +the union.] + +Having made these preparations for the campaign, he marched with the +utmost celerity to the defence of Virginia. That state was in great +need of assistance. The enemy had penetrated deep into its bosom, and +was committing those excesses on its inhabitants to which a country +unable to repel invasion must always be exposed. + +General Philips, on his arrival, took command of all the British +troops in Virginia; and, after completing the fortification of +Portsmouth, commenced offensive operations. + +[Sidenote: April 24.] + +About two thousand five hundred men were embarked on board some small +vessels, and landed at various places in the neighbourhood of +Williamsburg. Different detachments spread themselves over the lower +part of that neck of land which is made by York and James Rivers; and, +after destroying, without opposition, a ship yard belonging to the +state, with some armed vessels and public stores, re-embarked and +proceeded to City Point, where they landed in the afternoon of the +24th. The next day they marched against Petersburg, at which place, +immense quantities of tobacco and other stores were deposited. + +Baron Steuben was not in a situation to check their progress. The +levies of Virginia had marched to the aid of General Greene; and the +whole number of militia, at that time in the field, did not much +exceed two thousand men. Unwilling to abandon so important a place as +Petersburg without the semblance of fighting, the baron posted about +one thousand men a mile below the town with orders to skirmish with +the enemy. The British troops, without being able to bring him to a +close engagement, were two or three hours employed in driving him +across the Appomattox, the bridge over which being taken up as soon as +the militia had passed it, farther pursuit became impracticable. + +This skirmish having terminated with scarcely any loss on either side, +the baron retreated towards Richmond, and Philips took quiet +possession of Petersburg; where he destroyed a considerable quantity +of tobacco, and all the vessels lying in the river. + +This service being accomplished, Arnold was detached through Osbornes +to Warwick, between which place and Richmond, a respectable naval +force, consisting of small armed vessels, had been collected with the +intention of co-operating with the French fleet against Portsmouth; +and a few militia were stationed on the northern bank of the river to +assist in defending the flotilla. + +[Sidenote: April 30.] + +The crews of the vessels, on receiving a fire from a few field pieces +ordered by Arnold to the bank, scuttled them, escaped to the opposite +shore, and dispersed with the militia. Philips marched with the +residue of the army to Chesterfield court house, the place of +rendezvous for the new levies of Virginia, where he destroyed the +barracks with a few public stores; after which he joined Arnold in the +neighbourhood of Warwick, and marched without interruption to +Manchester, a small town on the southern bank of James River, +immediately opposite to Richmond; where, as was the general practice, +the warehouses were set on fire, and all the tobacco consumed. + +On the preceding evening, the Marquis de Lafayette, who had made a +forced march from Baltimore, arrived with his detachment at Richmond; +and that place, in which a great proportion of the military stores of +the state were then collected, was saved, for the time, from a visit +which was certainly designed. + +The regular troops composing this detachment were joined by about two +thousand militia, and sixty dragoons. Not thinking it adviseable to +attempt the passage of the river in the presence of so respectable an +army, General Philips retired to Bermuda Hundred, a point of land in +the confluence of the James and Appomatox, [Transcriber's Note: sic] +at which place he re-embarked his troops, and fell down the river to +Hog Island. + +The Marquis fixed his head quarters on the north of Chiccahominy, +about eighteen miles from Richmond; where he remained until a letter +from Lord Cornwallis called Philips again up James River. + +When that nobleman determined on marching from Wilmington into +Virginia, he signified his wish that the British troops in that state, +should take their station at Petersburg. + +On receiving this letter, Philips proceeded to comply with the request +it contained. As soon as the fleet moved up the river, Lafayette +returned to the defence of Richmond. Having, on his arrival, received +intelligence that Lord Cornwallis was marching northward, and finding +Philips landed at Brandon on the south side of the river, he was +persuaded that a junction of the two armies must be intended, and +hastened to take possession of Petersburg[74] before Philips could +reach that place. In this however he was anticipated by the British +general; upon which he recrossed James River, and, encamping a few +miles below Richmond, used his utmost exertions to remove the military +stores in that town to a place of greater security. + +[Footnote 74: General Lafayette states that this movement also +facilitated the transportation of some military stores to the southern +army, which were greatly needed.] + +[Sidenote: Cornwallis arrives.] + +In this position his army was permitted to repose itself but a few +days. Lord Cornwallis, after passing through North Carolina and the +southern parts of Virginia without encountering much opposition, and +effecting a junction with Arnold, who had succeeded by the death of +Philips to the command of the army in Virginia,[75] found himself at +the head of a force which nothing in that state could resist; and +determined on a vigorous plan of offensive operations. His immediate +object was to bring the Marquis to an action; for which purpose he +crossed James River at Westover, where he was joined by a +reinforcement from New York, and attempted, by turning the left flank +of the American army, to get into its rear. Lafayette was not in a +condition to risk an engagement. His objects were the security of the +public stores, the preservation of his small army for future services, +and a junction with the Pennsylvania line which was on its march +southward, under the command of General Wayne. As Lord Cornwallis +crossed James River, he retired towards the upper country, inclining +his route to the north in order to favour a junction with Wayne. + +[Footnote 75: General Philips died the day on which the army entered +Petersburg. Arnold on succeeding to the command addressed a letter to +Lafayette, which the American general refused to receive, informing +the officer who brought it, and whom he treated in other respects with +great politeness, that he would receive no letter from Arnold.--_Cor. +of Lafayette._] + +The fine horses found in the stables of private gentlemen, gave to the +British general an efficient cavalry; and enabled him to mount so +many infantry, as to move large detachments with unusual rapidity. +With these advantages, he was so confident of overtaking and +destroying his enemy, as to say exultingly in a letter which was +intercepted, "the boy can not escape me." His sanguine hopes, however, +were disappointed. Lafayette moved with so much celerity and caution +as to convince Cornwallis of the impracticability of overtaking him, +or of preventing his junction with Wayne. + +After marching some distance up the northern side of Northanora, his +lordship relinquished the pursuit, and turned his attention to other +objects which were more attainable. + +Military stores had been collected in various parts of the middle +country, and, among others, at the Point of Fork, a point of land made +by the confluence of the Rivanna and Fluvanna, the two branches of +James' River. Colonel Simcoe was detached with five hundred men +against this post, which was protected by between five and six hundred +new levies, and a few militia. Tarlton, with two hundred and fifty +cavalry and mounted infantry, was ordered at the same time against +Charlottesville, where the general assembly was in session. So rapid +were his movements that a mere accident prevented his entering the +town before any notice of his approach was given. A private gentleman, +Mr. Jouiette, who was acquainted with a nearer route than the great +road, hastened to Charlottesville on a fleet horse with the +interesting intelligence, and entered the town about two hours before +the British cavalry. Nearly all[76] the members of the legislature +made their escape, and reassembled at Staunton, on the western side of +the Blue Ridge. Tarlton, after destroying the stores at +Charlottesville, proceeded down the Rivanna to the Point of Fork. + +[Footnote 76: Seven fell into the hands of Tarlton.] + +The detachment commanded by Simcoe, being composed chiefly of +infantry, could not move with equal celerity. That officer, however, +conducted his march with so much secrecy and address, that Steuben +seems to have been either unapprized of his approach, or to have had +no accurate information of his numbers. Intelligence of the expedition +to Charlottesville had reached him, and he had prudently employed +himself in removing his stores from the Point of Fork to the south +side of the Fluvanna. + +The river was at the time unfordable; and the boats were all secured +on the southern bank. Yet Steuben, suspecting the detachment of Simcoe +to be the van of the British army, or apprehending that Tarlton might +get into his rear, withdrew precipitately in the night, and marched +near thirty miles, leaving behind him such stores as could not be +removed. These were destroyed next morning by a small detachment of +men who crossed the river in a few canoes. + +[Sidenote: Presses Lafayette over the Rapidan.] + +To secure his junction with Wayne, and to keep open his communication +towards the north, Lafayette had crossed the Rapidan. + +[Sidenote: Lafayette forms a junction with Wayne.] + +These movements of the two armies had thrown Lord Cornwallis between +Lafayette and the military stores which had been transported from +Richmond up James' River, and deposited at different places, but +principally at Albemarle old court house, high up that river. To this +place Lord Cornwallis directed his march. + +The Marquis, having effected a junction with the Pennsylvania line +consisting of eight hundred men, recrossed the Rapidan, and advanced +with so much celerity towards the British army, that he encamped +within a few miles of it, while upwards of a day's march from its +point of destination. + +Confident that the object of the American general must be to protect +the magazines on the Fluvanna, Lord Cornwallis encamped at Elk Island, +and advanced his light troops to a position commanding the road, by +which it was supposed the Americans must pass. + +Lafayette, however, discovered in the night a nearer road which had +long been disused; and the next morning the British general had the +mortification to perceive that the American army had crossed the +Rivanna, and taken a strong position behind the Mechunk creek, which, +in a great measure, commanded the route leading from the camp of his +lordship to Albemarle old court house. At this place a considerable +reinforcement of mountain militia was received. + +[Sidenote: Cornwallis retires to the lower country.] + +Apprehending the force opposed to him to be greater than it was in +reality, and probably desirous of transferring the war to the lower +country, Lord Cornwallis abandoned the objects he had pursued, and +retired first to Richmond, and afterwards to Williamsburg. + +[Sidenote: June 18.] + +The Marquis followed with cautious circumspection. On the 18th of +June, he was reinforced by four or five hundred new levies under the +Baron Steuben, which augmented his army to four thousand men, of whom +two thousand were regulars. That of Lord Cornwallis was, probably, +rather more numerous. + +As the British army retreated to Williamsburg, Lafayette, who sought a +partial, though he avoided a general engagement, pressed its rear with +his light parties. Colonel Simcoe, who covered the retreat, was +overtaken by Colonel Butler about six miles from Williamsburg, and a +sharp action ensued. The Americans claimed the advantage; but were +compelled to retire by the approach of the whole British army. + +In the bold and rapid course taken by Lord Cornwallis through the +lower and central parts of Virginia, much private as well as public +property[77] was destroyed; and the resources of the state were +considerably diminished; but no solid advantage was obtained. +Although, from various causes, especially from a want of arms, and +from that general repugnance which a harassed, unpaid militia, will +universally manifest to military service, less resistance was +encountered than was to be expected from the strength and population +of the state; no disposition was openly manifested to join the royal +standard, or to withdraw from the contest. The Marquis complained of +"much slowness, and much carelessness in the country; but the +dispositions of the people," he said, "were good, and they required +only to be awakened." This, he thought, would be best effected by the +presence of General Washington, an event for which he expressed the +most anxious solicitude. But Washington deemed it of more importance +to remain on the Hudson, for the purpose of digesting and conducting a +grand plan of combined operations then meditated against New York, by +the execution of which he counted more certainly on relieving the +southern states, than by any other measure it was in his power to +adopt. + +[Footnote 77: While the British army overran the country, their ships +sailed up the rivers, pillaged the farms, received the slaves who fled +from their masters, and, in some instances, reduced the houses to +ashes. While they were in the Potowmac, a flag was sent on shore at +Mount Vernon, requiring a supply of fresh provisions. The steward of +General Washington, believing it to be his duty to save the property +of his principal, and entertaining fears for the magnificent buildings +of the Commander-in-chief, went on board with the flag, carried a +supply of fresh provisions, asked the restoration of the slaves who +had taken refuge in the fleet, and requested that the buildings might +be spared. Mr. Lund Washington, to whom the general had entrusted the +management of his estate, communicated these circumstances to him, and +informed him that he too had sustained considerable losses. "I am +sorry," said the general, in reply, "to hear of your loss; I am a +little sorry to hear of my own. But that which gives me most concern +is, that you should have gone on board the vessels of the enemy and +furnished them with refreshments. It would have been a less painful +circumstance to me to have heard, that in consequence of your +non-compliance with their request, they had burnt my home and laid the +plantation in ruins. You ought to have considered yourself as my +representative, and should have reflected on the bad example of +communicating with the enemy, and making a voluntary offer of +refreshment to them, with a view to prevent a conflagration."] + +[Sidenote: General Washington's letters are intercepted.] + +An express carrying letters, communicating to congress the result of +his consultations on this subject, with the commanders of the land and +naval forces of France, was intercepted in Jersey. The interesting +disclosure made by these letters, alarmed Sir Henry Clinton for the +safety of New York, and determined him to require the return of a part +of the troops in Virginia. Supposing himself too weak, after complying +with this requisition, to remain at Williamsburg, Lord Cornwallis took +the resolution of retiring to Portsmouth. + +In pursuance of this resolution, he marched from Williamsburg and +encamped in such a manner as to cover the ford into the island of +Jamestown. On the same evening, the Queen's rangers crossed over into +the island; and the two succeeding days were employed in passing over +the baggage. + +The morning after the evacuation of Williamsburg, Lafayette changed +his position, and pushed his best troops within nine miles of the +British camp, with the intention of attempting their rear, when the +main body should have passed into Jamestown. + +[Sidenote: July 6.] + +Suspecting his design, Lord Cornwallis encamped the greater part of +his army on the main land as compactly as possible, and displayed a +few troops on the island in such a manner as, in appearance, to +magnify their numbers. All the intelligence received by Lafayette +concurred in the representation that the greater part of the British +army had passed over to the island in the night. Believing this to be +the fact, he detached some riflemen to harass their out-posts, while +he advanced at the head of the continental troops in order to cut off +the rear. + +Every appearance was calculated to countenance the opinion he had +formed. The British light parties were drawn in, and the piquets were +forced by the riflemen without much resistance, but an advanced post +which covered the encampment from the view of the Americans, was +perseveringly maintained, though three of the officers commanding it +were successively picked off by the riflemen. Lafayette, who arrived a +little before sunset, suspected from the obstinacy with which this +post was maintained, that it covered more than a rear guard, and +determined to reconnoitre the camp, and judge of its strength from his +own observation.[78] It was in a great measure concealed by woods; +but from a tongue of land stretching into the river, he perceived the +British force to be much more considerable than had been supposed, and +hastened to call off his men. + +[Footnote 78: Correspondence with Lafayette.] + +[Sidenote: Action near Jamestown.] + +He found Wayne closely engaged. A piece of artillery had been left +weakly defended, which Wayne determined to seize. Scarcely was the +attempt made, when he discovered the whole British army, arranged in +order for battle, moving out against him. To retreat was impossible, +and the boldest had become the safest measure. Under this impression +he advanced rapidly, and, with his small detachment, not exceeding +eight hundred men, made a gallant charge on the British line. A warm +action ensued, which was kept up with great spirit until the arrival +of Lafayette, who, perceiving Wayne to be out-flanked both on the +right and left, ordered him to retreat and form in a line with the +light infantry, who were drawn up about half a mile in his rear. The +whole party then saved itself behind a morass. + +Fortunately for Lafayette, Lord Cornwallis did not improve the +advantage he had gained. Suspecting this to be a stratagem of the +American general to draw him into an ambuscade, a suspicion equally +favoured by the hardiness and time of the attack, Lord Cornwallis, who +supposed his enemy to be stronger than he was in reality, would allow +no pursuit; and, in the course of the night, crossed over into the +island, whence he, soon afterwards, proceeded to Portsmouth. + +In this action, the Americans lost one hundred and eighteen men, among +whom were ten officers; and two pieces of artillery were left on the +field, the horses attached to them being killed. The British loss was +less considerable. + +All active operations were now suspended; and the harassed army of +Lafayette was allowed some repose. + +Although no brilliant service was performed by that young nobleman, +the campaign in Virginia enhanced his military reputation, and raised +him in the general esteem. That with so decided an inferiority of +effective force, and especially of cavalry, he had been able to keep +the field in an open country, and to preserve a considerable +proportion of his military stores, as well as his army, was believed +to furnish unequivocal evidence of the prudence and vigour of his +conduct. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Farther state of affairs in the beginning of the year + 1781.... Measures of Mr. Morris, the superintendent of + finances.... Designs of General Washington against New + York.... Count Rochambeau marches to the North River.... + Intelligence from the Count de Grasse.... Plan of operations + against Lord Cornwallis.... Naval engagement.... The + combined armies march for the Chesapeake.... Yorktown + invested.... Surrender of Lord Cornwallis. + + +[Sidenote: 1781] + +[Sidenote: State of affairs at the beginning of the year 1781.] + +The deep gloom which had enveloped the prospects of America in the +commencement of the year, which darkened for a time in the south, had +also spread itself over the north. The total incompetency of the +political system adopted by the United States to their own +preservation, became every day more apparent. Each state seemed +fearful of doing too much, and of taking upon itself a larger portion +of the common burden than was borne by its neighbour. + +The resolutions of congress had called for an army of thirty-seven +thousand men, to be in camp by the first of January. Had this +requisition been made in time, it is not probable that so large a +force could have been brought into the field; but it was made late, +and then the difficulties and delays on the part of the several +states, exceeded every reasonable calculation. The regular force drawn +from Pennsylvania to Georgia inclusive, at no time, during this +active and interesting campaign, amounted to three thousand effective +men; and the states from New Hampshire to New Jersey inclusive, so +late as the month of April, had furnished only five thousand infantry. +Of these, the returns for that month exhibit, in the northern +department, less than three thousand effectives. The cavalry and +artillery, at no time, amounted to one thousand men. This small army +was gradually and slowly augmented so as, in the month of May, to +exhibit a total of near seven thousand men, of whom rather more than +four thousand might have been relied on for action. + +The prospects for the campaign were rendered still more unpromising by +the failure of supplies for the support of the troops. The long +expected clothing from Europe had not arrived; and the want of +provisions[79] furnished a still more serious cause of alarm. + +[Footnote 79: See note No. V. at the end of the volume.] + +After congress had come to the resolution of emitting no more bills on +the credit of the continent, the duty of supplying the army with +provisions necessarily devolved on the states, who were required to +furnish certain specified articles for the subsistence of the troops, +according to a ratio established by the federal government. These +requisitions had been neglected to such a degree as to excite fears +that the soldiers must be disbanded from the want of food. + +To increase the general embarrassment, the quartermaster department +was destitute of funds, and unable to transport provisions or other +stores from place to place, but by means of impressment supported by a +military force. This measure had been repeated, especially in New +York, until it excited so much disgust and irritation among the +people, that the Commander-in-chief was under serious apprehensions of +actual resistance to his authority. + +While in this state of deplorable imbecility, intelligence from every +quarter announced increasing dangers. + +Information was received that an expedition was preparing in Canada +against Fort Pitt, to be conducted by Sir John Johnston, and Colonel +Conelly; and it was understood that many, in the country threatened +with invasion, were ready to join the British standard. The Indians +too had entered into formidable combinations, endangering the whole +extent of the western frontier. + +In addition to these alarming circumstances, some vessels had arrived +at Crown Point from Canada, with information that three thousand men +had been assembled on the lakes, for the purpose of attempting, once +more, an invasion from that quarter. + +This information, though unfounded, was believed to be true, and was, +at that critical moment, the more alarming, because a correspondence +of a criminal nature had just been discovered between some persons in +Albany and in Canada. A letter intercepted by Generals Schuyler and +Clinton, stated the disaffection of particular settlements, the +provision made in those settlements for the subsistence of an invading +army, and their readiness to join such army. + +This intelligence from the northern frontier derived increased +interest from the ambiguous conduct observed by the inhabitants of +that tract of country which now constitutes the state of Vermont. They +had settled lands within the chartered limits of New York, under +grants from the governor of New Hampshire; and had, early in the war, +declared themselves independent, and exercised the powers of +self-government. The state of New York, however, still continuing to +assert her claim of sovereignty, the controversy on this delicate +subject had become so violent as to justify the apprehension that, in +the opinion of the people of Vermont, the restoration of British +authority was an evil not of greater magnitude, than the establishment +of that of New York. The declaration was openly made that, if not +admitted into the union as an independent state, they held themselves +at liberty to make a separate peace; and some negotiations had been +commenced, which were believed to manifest a disposition in Vermont, +to abandon the common cause of America. + +Accustomed to contemplate all public events which might grow out of +the situation of the United States, and to prepare for them while at a +distance, the American chief was not depressed by this state of +American affairs. With a mind happily tempered by nature, and improved +by experience, those fortunate events which had occasionally +brightened the prospects of his country, never relaxed his exertions, +or lessened his precautions; nor could the most disastrous state of +things drive him to despair. Although entirely uncertain what +operation he might be enabled to undertake during the approaching +campaign, he had adopted such preparatory steps as might enable him to +turn to advantage any fortunate incident which might occur. In +consequence of conferences previously held with the Count de +Rochambeau, for the purpose of digesting a system adapted to +contingent events, orders were transmitted to that officer, directing +him to be in readiness to march as large a body of the French troops +to the North River, as could be spared from the protection of the +fleet. + +Early in May, the Count de Barras, who had been appointed to the +command of the French fleet stationed on the American coast, arrived +in Boston accompanied by the Viscount de Rochambeau, and brought the +long expected information from the cabinet of Versailles, respecting +the naval armament designed to act in the American seas. Twenty ships +of the line, to be commanded by the Count de Grasse, were destined for +the West Indies, twelve of which were to proceed to the continent of +America, and might be expected to arrive in the month of July. + +[Sidenote: Designs of General Washington against New York.] + +An interview between General Washington and the Count de Rochambeau +immediately took place at Weathersfield, in which it was determined to +unite the troops of France to those of America on the Hudson, and to +proceed against New York. The regular army at that station was +estimated at four thousand five hundred men,[80] and though it was +understood that Sir Henry Clinton would be able to reinforce it with +five or six thousand militia, it was believed that the post could not +be maintained without recalling a considerable part of the troops from +the south; in which event, the allied army might be employed +advantageously in that part of the union. + +[Footnote 80: Sir H. Clinton in a letter to Lord Cornwallis, dated +June 11, 1781, states his effective force at ten thousand nine hundred +and thirty-one.] + +The prospect of expelling the British from New York roused the +northern states from that apathy into which they appeared to be +sinking, and vigorous measures were taken to fill their regiments. Yet +those measures were not completely successful. In the month of June, +when the army took the field, and encamped at Peekskill, its +effective numbers did not exceed five thousand men. + +Such was the American force in the north, with which the campaign of +1781 was opened. It fell so far short of that on which the +calculations had been made at Weathersfield, as to excite serious +doubts respecting the propriety of adhering to the plan there +concerted, although some compensation was made for this deficiency on +the part of the states by the arrival of a reinforcement of fifteen +hundred men to the army of Rochambeau under convoy of a fifty gun +frigate. + +To supply even this army with provisions, required much greater +exertions than had ever been made since the system of requisitions had +been substituted for that of purchasing. The hope of terminating the +war produced these exertions. The legislatures of the New England +states took up the subject in earnest, and passed resolutions for +raising the necessary supplies. But until these resolutions could be +executed, the embarrassments of the army continued; and, for some time +after the troops had taken the field, there was reason to apprehend, +either that the great objects of the campaign must be relinquished for +want of provisions, or that coercive means must still be used. + +New England not furnishing flour, this important article was to be +drawn from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The two first +states were much exhausted; and the application to Pennsylvania did +not promise to be very successful. On this subject, therefore, serious +fears existed. + +These were removed, in a great degree, by the activity and exertions +of an individual. + +[Sidenote: Superintendent of finances appointed.] + +The management of the finances had been lately committed to Mr. Robert +Morris, a delegate to congress from the state of Pennsylvania. This +gentleman united considerable political talents to a degree of +mercantile enterprise, information, and credit, seldom equalled in any +country. He had accepted this arduous appointment on the condition of +being allowed the year 1781 to make his arrangements; during which +time, the department was to be conducted by those already employed, +with the resources which government could command. But the critical +state of public affairs, and the pressing wants of the army, furnished +irresistible motives for changing his original determination, and +entering immediately on the duties of his office. The occasion +required that he should bring his private credit in aid of the public +resources, and pledge himself personally and extensively, for articles +of absolute necessity which could not be otherwise obtained. +Condemning the system of violence and of legal fraud, which had too +long been practised, as being calculated to defeat its own object, he +sought the gradual restoration of confidence by the only means which +could restore it:--a punctual and faithful compliance with his +engagements. Herculean as was this task in the existing derangement of +American finances, he entered upon it courageously; and, if not +completely successful, certainly did more than could have been +supposed possible with the means placed in his hands. It is, in no +inconsiderable degree, to be attributed to him, that the very active +and decisive operations of the campaign were not impeded, perhaps +defeated, by a failure of the means for transporting military stores, +and feeding the army. + +On determining to enter on the duties of his office, Mr. Morris laid +before congress the plan of a national bank, whose notes were to be +receivable from the respective states as specie, into the treasury of +the United States. Congress gave its full approbation to this +beneficial institution; and passed an ordinance for its incorporation. + +Important as was this measure to the future operations of the army, a +contract entered into with the state of Pennsylvania was of still more +immediate utility. + +After furnishing flour to relieve the wants of the moment on his +private credit, Mr. Morris proposed to take on himself the task of +complying with all the specific requisitions made on Pennsylvania, and +to rely for reimbursement on the taxes imposed by law, to be +collected under his direction. This proposition being accepted, the +contract was made; and supplies which the government found itself +unable to furnish, were raised by an individual. + +[Sidenote: Count Rochambeau marches to the North River.] + +As the French troops approached the North River, intelligence was +received that a large detachment from New York had made an incursion +into Jersey, under appearances indicating an intention not to return +immediately. This being thought a favourable moment for gaining the +posts on the north end of York Island, a plan was formed for seizing +them by a _coup de main_. General Washington fixed on the night of the +second of July for making the attempt; it being supposed that the +Count de Rochambeau might join the American army at Kingsbridge by +that time. An aid-de-camp was therefore despatched to meet that +officer with letters explaining the enterprise, and requesting him to +meet the Commander-in-chief at the time and place appointed. + +With the proposed attack on these works, an attempt to cut off some +light troops stationed on the outside of Kingsbridge at Morrissania, +under the command of Colonel Delaney, was to be combined. This part of +the plan was to be executed by the Duke de Lauzun, to whose legion +Sheldon's dragoons, and a small body of continental troops dispersed +on the lines, under the command of General Waterbury, were to be +added. + +On the part of the Americans, all that could contribute to the success +of this enterprise was done. A strong detachment commanded by General +Lincoln, which fell down the river in boats with muffled oars, reached +its ground undiscovered on the night of the first of July; and the +army, conducted by General Washington, marched to Valentine's hill. +The next day, Lincoln perceived that the detachment had returned from +Jersey, that the British were encamped in great force on the north end +of the island, and that a ship of war watched the landing place. These +unexpected obstacles having defeated the design upon the works, he +proceeded to execute his eventual orders of co-operation with the Duke +de Lauzun. These were, after landing above Spiken Devil Creek, to +march to the high ground in front of Kingsbridge, and there conceal +his detachment, until the attack on Delaney's corps should commence. + +The Duke de Lauzun did not arrive, and the return of day betrayed +Lincoln. A British corps advanced upon him; on hearing which, General +Washington put his troops in motion, and, on his approach, the British +troops retired into the island. + +Both parts of the plan having thus failed, the army retreated to +Dobbs' ferry, where it was joined by the Count de Rochambeau on the +sixth of July. + +The thanks of the Commander-in-chief were given to that officer in +general orders, for the unremitting zeal with which he had proceeded +to form his so long wished for junction with the American army; and he +was requested to convey to the officers and soldiers under his +command, the grateful sense which the general entertained of the +cheerfulness with which they had performed so long and laborious a +march at so hot a season. + +The utmost exertions were made for the grand enterprise against New +York. But as the execution of any plan that could be formed, depended +on events which were uncertain, the Commander-in-chief directed his +attention to other objects, to be pursued if that which was most +desirable should prove unattainable. Should the siege of New York +become unadviseable, his views were turned to Virginia, the Carolinas, +and Georgia. + +[Sidenote: Intelligence from the Count de Grasse.] + +Early in August, the apprehension that he should be unable to +accomplish his favourite object, began to influence his conduct. +Letters from the Marquis de Lafayette announced that a large portion +of the troops in Virginia were embarked, and that their destination +was believed to be New York. This intelligence induced him to turn his +attention more seriously to the south; but, to conceal from Sir Henry +Clinton this eventual change of plan, his arrangements were made +secretly, and the preparations for acting against New York were +continued. A reinforcement from Europe of near three thousand men, +induced Sir Henry Clinton to countermand the orders he had given to +Lord Cornwallis to detach a part of the army in Virginia to his aid; +and also to direct that nobleman to take a strong position on the +Chesapeake, from which he might execute the designs meditated against +the states lying on that bay, so soon as the storm which threatened +the British power for the moment, should blow over. In a few days +after the arrival of this reinforcement, the Count de Barras gave +General Washington the interesting information, that De Grasse was to +have sailed from Cape Francis for the Chesapeake, on the third of +August, with from twenty-five to twenty-nine ships of the line, having +on board three thousand two hundred soldiers; and that he had made +engagements with the officers commanding the land and naval forces of +Spain in the West Indies, to return to those seas by the middle of +October. + +This intelligence manifested the necessity of determining immediately, +and positively, on the object against which the combined forces should +be directed. The shortness of the time appropriated by De Grasse for +his continuance on the American coast, the apparent unwillingness of +the naval officers to attempt to force a passage into the harbour of +New York, and the failure of the states to comply with the +requisitions which had been made on them for men, decided in favour of +operations to the south; and Lafayette was requested to make such a +disposition of his army as should be best calculated to prevent Lord +Cornwallis from saving himself by a sudden march to Charleston.[81] + +[Footnote 81: In pursuance of these orders, Wayne was detached to the +south side of James River, under the pretext of reinforcing Greene, +but was ordered to maintain a position which would enable him to +intercept and oppose the march of Lord Cornwallis, should he attempt +to force his way to Charleston. Lafayette was on the alert to +co-operate with Wayne in the event of such a movement.--_Cor. with +Lafayette._] + +Conformably to the intelligence communicated by the Count de Barras, +the Count de Grasse arrived in the Chesapeake late in August with +twenty-eight ships of the line and several frigates. At Cape Henry he +found an officer despatched by Lafayette with full intelligence of the +situation of the armies in Virginia. Lord Cornwallis had collected his +whole force at Yorktown and Gloucester Point, which he was fortifying +assiduously; and the Marquis had taken a position on James River. + +In consequence of this information, four ships of the line and several +frigates were detached to block up the mouth of York River, and convey +the land forces brought from the West Indies, under the command of the +Marquis de St. Simon, up the James to join Lafayette, who, on +receiving this reinforcement, took post at Williamsburg. In the mean +time, the fleet lay at anchor just within the capes. On the 25th of +August the Count de Barras[82] sailed from Newport for the Chesapeake. + +[Footnote 82: This admiral was the senior of De Grasse, to whom the +command of the expedition had been entrusted, and was therefore +authorized by the minister of marine, to cruise on the coast of +Newfoundland while his ships should join the grand fleet. He preferred +serving under his junior officer.--_Cor. of Lafayette._] + +Rodney was apprized of the destination of De Grasse, but seems not to +have suspected that the whole fleet would sail for the continent of +America. Supposing therefore that a part of his squadron would be +sufficient to maintain an equality of naval force in the American +seas, he detached Sir Samuel Hood to the continent with only fourteen +sail of the line. That officer arrived at Sandy Hook on the +twenty-eighth of August. + +Admiral Greaves, who had succeeded Arbuthnot in the command of the +fleet on the American station, lay in the harbour of New York with +seven ships of the line, only five of which were fit for service. On +the day that Hood appeared and gave information that De Grasse was +probably on the coast, intelligence was also received that De Barras +had sailed from Newport. + +The ships fit for sea were ordered out of the harbour; and Greaves, +with the whole fleet, consisting of nineteen sail of the line, +proceeded in quest of the French. + +Not suspecting the strength of De Grasse, he hoped to fall in with one +or the other of their squadrons, and to fight it separately. + +Early in the morning of the 5th of September, while the French fleet +lay at anchor just within the Chesapeake, the British squadron was +descried. Orders were immediately given by De Grasse to form the line, +and put to sea. About four in the afternoon, the action commenced +between the headmost ships, and continued until sunset. Several ships +were much damaged, but neither admiral could claim the victory. For +five successive days the hostile fleets continued within view of each +other. After which, De Grasse returned to his former station within +the capes. At his anchorage ground he found De Barras with the +squadron from Newport, and fourteen transports laden with heavy +artillery, and military stores proper for carrying on a siege. The +British admiral approaching the capes, found the entrance of the +Chesapeake defended by a force with which he was unable to contend, +and therefore bore away for New York. + +[Sidenote: Plan of operations against Lord Cornwallis.] + +[Sidenote: The combined armies march for the Chesapeake.] + +General Washington had determined to entrust the defence of the Hudson +to General Heath, and to command the southern expedition in person. +All the French, and a detachment amounting to upwards of two thousand +men from the continental army, were destined for this service. On the +19th of August, Hazen's regiment and the Jersey line, were directed +to pass the Hudson at Dobbs' ferry, and take a position between +Springfield and Chatham, where they were to cover some bake-houses to +be constructed in the neighbourhood, for the purpose of veiling the +real designs of the American chief, and of exciting fears for Staten +Island. On the same day, the whole army was put in motion; and on the +twenty-fifth the passage of the river was completed. + +[Sidenote: September 6.] + +To conceal as long as possible the real object of this movement, the +march of the army was continued until the thirty-first, in such a +direction as to keep up fears for New York; and a considerable degree +of address was used to countenance the opinion that the real design +was against that place. The letters which had been intercepted by Sir +Henry Clinton favoured this deception; and so strong was the +impression they made that, even after it became necessary for the +combined army to leave the route leading down the Hudson, he is stated +to have retained his fears for New York, and not to have suspected the +real object of his adversary until he had approached the Delaware;[83] +and it had become too late to obstruct the progress of the allied army +towards Virginia. He then resolved to make every exertion in his power +to relieve Lord Cornwallis, and in the mean time to act offensively +in the north. An expedition was planned against New London, in +Connecticut, and a strong detachment, under the command of General +Arnold, was embarked on board a fleet of transports, which landed +early in the morning of the 6th of September on both sides the +harbour, about three miles from the town. + +[Footnote 83: The first indication given by Sir Henry Clinton of +suspecting the southern expedition, is in his letter to Lord +Cornwallis of the 2nd of September, in which he says, "By intelligence +I have this day received, it would seem that Washington is moving +southward."] + +New London is a seaport town on the west side of the Thames. A fort +called fort Trumbull, and a redoubt had been constructed just below +it, on the same side of the river; and opposite to it, on Groton hill, +was fort Griswold, a strong square fortification, but not fully +manned. General Arnold, who commanded in person the troops that landed +on the western side of the harbour, advanced immediately against the +posts on that side. These being untenable, were evacuated on his +approach; and he took possession of them with inconsiderable loss. To +prevent the escape of the vessels up the river, Lieutenant Colonel +Eyre, who commanded the division which landed on the Groton side of +the harbour, had been ordered to storm fort Griswold, which had been +represented to Arnold as too incomplete to make any serious +resistance. But the place being of some strength, and the approach to +it difficult, Colonel Ledyard, who commanded it with a garrison of one +hundred and sixty men, determined to defend it. On his refusing to +surrender, the British assaulted it on three sides, and overcoming the +difficulties opposed to them, made a lodgement on the ditch and +fraized work, and entered the embrasures with charged bayonets. +Further resistance being hopeless, the action ceased on the part of +the Americans, and Colonel Ledyard delivered his sword to the +commanding officer of the assailants. Irritated by the obstinacy of +the defence, and the loss sustained in the assault, the British +officer on whom the command had devolved, tarnished the glory of +victory by the inhuman use he made of it. Instead of respecting, with +the generous spirit of a soldier, the gallantry which he had subdued, +he indulged the vindictive feelings which had been roused by the +slaughter of his troops. In the account given of this affair by +Governor Trumbull to General Washington, he says, "The sword presented +by Colonel Ledyard was immediately plunged into his bosom, and the +carnage was kept up until the greater part of the garrison was killed +or wounded." + +In this fierce assault, Colonel Eyre was killed, and Major Montgomery, +the second in command, also fell, as he entered the American works. +The total loss of the assailants was not much less than two hundred +men. + +The town of New London, and the stores contained in it, were consumed +by fire. To escape the odium which invariably attends the wanton +destruction of private property, this fire was attributed to accident; +but all the American accounts unite in declaring it to have been +intentional. + +[Sidenote: September 6.] + +The march of General Washington was not arrested by this excursion +into New England. Having made the arrangements for the transportation +of his army down the Chesapeake, he proceeded in person to Virginia, +attended by the Count de Rochambeau, and the Chevalier de Chatelleux; +and, on the 14th of September, reached Williamsburg[84] accompanied by +Rochambeau, Chatelleux, Knox, and Du Portail, he immediately repaired +to the fleet, and a plan of co-operation was adjusted on board the +Ville de Paris, conforming to his wish in every respect, except that +the Count de Grasse declined complying with a proposition to station +some of his ships in the river above Yorktown, thinking it too +hazardous. + +[Footnote 84: While the American troops were encamped at Williamsburg +and the French fleet lay in the bay, the Count de Grasse, +circumscribed in point of time, and therefore, unwilling to await the +arrival of the army from the north, urged Lafayette to attack the +British in Yorktown; offering to aid him not only with all the marines +of the fleet, but with as many seamen as he should require. The +Marquis de St. Simon, an officer of great experience, united himself +with the admiral in pressing this measure. He stated that, the works +of Cornwallis being incomplete, Yorktown and Gloucester might, in all +probability, be carried by storm, if attacked by superior numbers. The +temptation was great for a young general scarcely twenty-four years of +age. A full excuse for the attempt was found in the declaration of De +Grasse, that he could not wait for the arrival of the troops from the +north. Success would have given unrivaled brilliancy to the reputation +of Lafayette, but would necessarily have cost much blood. Lafayette +refused to sacrifice the soldiers which were confided to him to his +personal glory, and persuaded De Grasse to await the arrival of +Washington and Rochambeau, when the capture of Cornwallis would be +certainly made without the waste of human life.--_Cor. with +Lafayette._] + +While the close investment of the British army was delayed, only until +the troops from the north should arrive, serious apprehensions were +excited that the brilliant results confidently anticipated from the +superiority of the land and naval forces of the allies, would be put +in imminent hazard. + +Information was received that a reinforcement of six ships of the line +under Admiral Digby had reached New York. Confident that the British +fleet, thus augmented, would attempt every thing for the relief of +Lord Cornwallis, De Grasse expected to be attacked by a force not much +inferior to his own. Thinking his station within the Chesapeake +unfavourable for a naval combat, he designed to change it, and +communicated to General Washington his intention to leave a few +frigates to block up the mouths of James and York Rivers, and to put +to sea with his fleet in quest of the British. If they should not have +left the harbour of New York, he purposed to block them up in that +place; supposing that his operations in that quarter would be of more +service to the common cause, than his remaining in the bay, an idle +spectator of the siege of York. + +The Commander-in-chief was much alarmed at this communication. Should +the admiral put to sea, the winds and many accidents might prevent +his return to the Chesapeake. During his absence, a temporary naval +superiority might be acquired by the British in those waters, and the +army of Lord Cornwallis might be placed in perfect security. The +movement would expose to the caprice of fortune, an object of vast +importance, which was now reduced almost to certainty. The admiral was +therefore entreated to preserve his station. + +Fortunately, the wishes of the general prevailed, and the admiral +consented to relinquish those plans of active enterprise which his +thirst for military glory had suggested, and to maintain a station +which the American general deemed so conducive to the interests of the +allies. + +[Sidenote: September 25.] + +On the 25th of September, the last division of the allied troops +arrived in James River, and were disembarked at the landing near +Williamsburg; soon after which, the preparations for the siege were +completed. + +[Sidenote: Yorktown invested.] + +York is a small village on the south side of the river which bears +that name, where the long peninsula between the York and the James, is +only eight miles wide. In this broad and bold river, a ship of the +line may ride in safety. Its southern banks are high, and, on the +opposite shore, is Gloucester Point, a piece of land projecting deep +into the river, and narrowing it, at that place, to the space of one +mile. Both these posts were occupied by Lord Cornwallis. The +communication between them was commanded by his batteries, and by some +ships of war which lay under his guns. + +The main body of his army was encamped on the open grounds about +Yorktown, within a range of outer redoubts and field works, calculated +to command the peninsula, and impede the approach of the assailants; +and Lieutenant Colonel Dundass, with a small detachment consisting of +six or seven hundred men, held the post at Gloucester Point. He was +afterwards reinforced by Lieutenant Colonel Tarlton. + +The legion of Lauzun, and a brigade of militia under General Weedon, +the whole commanded by the French General de Choise, were directed to +watch the enemy on the side of Gloucester; and, on the twenty-eighth, +the grand combined army moved down on the south side of the river, by +different roads, towards Yorktown. About noon, the heads of the +columns reached the ground assigned them respectively; and, after +driving in the piquets and some cavalry, encamped for the evening. The +next day, the right wing, consisting of Americans, extended farther to +the right, and occupied the ground east of Beverdam creek; while the +left wing, consisting of French, was stationed on the west side of +that stream. In the course of the night, Lord Cornwallis withdrew from +his outer lines; and the works he had evacuated were, the next day, +occupied by the besieging army, which now invested the town completely +on that side. + +Two thousand men were stationed on the Gloucester side for the purpose +of keeping up a rigorous blockade. On approaching the lines, a sharp +skirmish took place which terminated unfavourably for the British; +after which they remained under cover of their works, making no +attempt to interrupt the blockade. + +[Sidenote: October 6.] + +[Sidenote: October.] + +On the night of the sixth of October, until which time the besieging +army was incessantly employed in disembarking their heavy artillery +and military stores, and drawing them to camp, the first parallel was +commenced within six hundred yards of the British lines. This +operation was conducted with so much silence, that it appears not to +have been perceived until the return of daylight disclosed it to the +garrison; by which time the trenches were in such forwardness as to +cover the men. By the evening of the ninth, several batteries and +redoubts were completed, and the effect of their fire was soon +perceived. New batteries were opened the next day, and the fire became +so heavy that the besieged withdrew their cannon from the embrasures, +and scarcely returned a shot. The shells and red hot balls from the +batteries of the allied army reached the ships in the harbour, and, in +the evening, set fire to the Charon of forty-four guns, and to three +large transports, which were entirely consumed. Reciprocal esteem, and +a spirit of emulation between the French and Americans, being +carefully cultivated by the Commander-in-chief, the siege was carried +on with great rapidity. The second parallel was opened, on the night +of the eleventh, within three hundred yards of the British lines. The +three succeeding days were devoted to the completion of this parallel, +during which the fire of the garrison, which had opened several new +embrasures, became more destructive than at any previous time. The men +in the trenches were particularly annoyed by two redoubts advanced +three hundred yards in front of the British works, which flanked the +second parallel of the besiegers. Preparations were made, on the +fourteenth, to carry them both by storm. The attack of one was +committed to the Americans, and of the other to the French. The +Marquis de Lafayette commanded the American detachment, and the Baron +de Viominel the French. Towards the close of the day, the two +detachments marched with equal firmness to the assault. Colonel +Hamilton, who had commanded a battalion of light infantry throughout +this campaign, led the advanced corps of the Americans; and Colonel +Laurens turned the redoubt at the head of eighty men, in order to take +the garrison in reverse, and intercept their retreat. The troops +rushed to the charge without firing a gun and without giving the +sappers time to remove the abattis and palisades. Passing over them, +they assaulted the works with irresistible impetuosity on all sides at +the same time, and entered them with such rapidity that their loss was +inconsiderable.[85] This redoubt was defended by Major Campbell, with +some inferior officers, and forty-five privates. The major, a captain, +a subaltern, and seventeen privates, were made prisoners, and eight +privates were killed while the assailants were entering the works. + +[Footnote 85: One sergeant and eight privates were killed; and one +lieutenant colonel, four captains, one subaltern, one sergeant, and +twenty-five rank and file, were wounded. + +The irritation produced by the recent carnage in fort Griswold had not +so far subdued the humanity of the American character as to induce +retaliation. Not a man was killed except in action. "Incapable," said +Colonel Hamilton in his report, "of imitating examples of barbarity, +and forgetting recent provocation, the soldiery spared every man that +ceased to resist." Mr. Gordon, in his History of the American War, +states the orders given by Lafayette, with the approbation of +Washington, to have directed that every man in the redoubt, after its +surrender, should be put to the sword. These sanguinary orders, so +repugnant to the character of the Commander-in-chief and of Lafayette, +were never given. There is no trace of them among the papers of +General Washington; and Colonel Hamilton, who took a part in the +enterprise, which assures his perfect knowledge of every material +occurrence, has publicly contradicted the statement. It has been also +contradicted by Lafayette.] + +The redoubt attacked by the French was defended by a greater number of +men; and the resistance, being greater, was not overcome so quickly, +or with so little loss. One hundred and twenty men, commanded by a +lieutenant colonel, were in this work, eighteen of whom were killed, +and forty-two, including a captain and two subaltern officers, were +made prisoners. The assailants lost, in killed and wounded, near one +hundred men. + +The Commander-in-chief was highly gratified with the active courage +displayed in this assault. Speaking of it in his diary, he says--"The +bravery exhibited by the attacking troops was emulous and +praiseworthy. Few cases have exhibited greater proofs of intrepidity, +coolness, and firmness, than were shown on this occasion." The orders +of the succeeding day, congratulating the army on the capture of these +important works, expressed a high sense of the judicious dispositions +and gallant conduct of both the Baron de Viominel and the Marquis de +Lafayette, and requested them to convey to every officer and man +engaged in the enterprise, the acknowledgments of the +Commander-in-chief for the spirit and rapidity with which they +advanced to the attack, and for the admirable firmness with which they +supported themselves under the fire of the enemy without returning a +shot. "The general reflects," concluding the orders, "with the highest +degree of pleasure, on the confidence which the troops of the two +nations must hereafter have in each other. Assured of mutual support, +he is convinced there is no danger which they will not cheerfully +encounter, no difficulty which they will not bravely overcome."[86] + +[Footnote 86: General Lafayette states a fact which proves in an +eminent degree the good feelings of the American soldiers towards +their allies. While encamped together under his command at +Williamsburg, the Americans, who were _bivouacked_, saw their allies +under tents without a murmur; and saw them supplied regularly with +rations of flour for three days from the American magazines, while +corn meal was measured out very irregularly to themselves. The +superior officers lent their horses to those of France and walked +themselves. Although their general was himself a Frenchman, the +Americans saw not only without jealousy, but with pleasure, every +preference given to their allies.] + +[Illustration: The Moore House at Yorktown, Virginia + +_Where the terms for the surrender of the British army were arranged +between Washington and Cornwallis. The actual drafting of the terms +was done by the Viscount de Noailles and Lieutenant-Colonel Laurens, +representing the French-American forces, and Colonel Dundas and Major +Ross for the British._] + +During the same night, these redoubts were included in the second +parallel; and, in the course of the next day, some howitzers were +placed in them, which, by five in the afternoon, were opened on the +besieged. + +[Sidenote: October 16.] + +The situation of Lord Cornwallis was becoming desperate. His works +were sinking, in every quarter, under the fire of the besiegers. The +batteries already playing on him had silenced nearly all his guns, and +the second parallel was about to open, which must in a few hours +render the town untenable. To suspend a catastrophe which appeared +almost inevitable, he resolved on attempting to retard the completion +of the second parallel, by a vigorous sortie against two batteries +which appeared to be in the greatest forwardness, and were guarded by +French troops. The party making this sortie was led by Lieutenant +Colonel Abercrombie, who attacked the two batteries with great +impetuosity about four in the morning, and carried both with +inconsiderable loss; but the guards from the trenches immediately +advancing on the assailants, they retreated without being able to +effect any thing of importance. + +About four in the afternoon the besiegers opened several batteries in +their second parallel; and it was apparent that, in the course of the +ensuing day, the whole line of batteries in that parallel would be +ready to play on the town. The works of the besieged were not in a +condition to sustain so tremendous a fire. In this extremity, Lord +Cornwallis formed the bold design of forcing his way to New York. + +He determined to leave his sick and baggage behind, and, crossing over +in the night with his effectives to the Gloucester shore, to attack De +Choise. After cutting to pieces or dispersing the troops under that +officer, he intended to mount his infantry on the horses taken from +that detachment, and on others to be seized on the road, and, by a +rapid march to gain the fords of the great rivers, and, forcing his +way through Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Jersey, to form a junction +with the army in New York.[87] + +[Footnote 87: Stedman, Annual Register, letter of Lord Cornwallis.] + +This desperate attempt would be extremely hazardous; but the situation +of the British general had become so hopeless, that it could scarcely +be changed for the worse. + +Boats prepared under other pretexts were held in readiness to receive +the troops at ten in the evening, and convey them over the river. The +arrangements were made with such secrecy that the first embarkation +arrived at the point unperceived, and part of the troops were landed, +when a sudden and violent storm interrupted the execution of this +hazardous plan, and drove the boats down the river. The storm +continued till near daylight, when the boats returned. But the plan +was necessarily abandoned, and the boats were sent to bring back the +soldiers, who were relanded on the southern shore in the course of the +forenoon without much loss. + +[Sidenote: October 17.] + +[Sidenote: October 18.] + +[Sidenote: Surrender of Lord Cornwallis.] + +In the morning of the seventeenth, several new batteries were opened +in the second parallel, which poured in a weight of fire not to be +resisted. The place being no longer tenable, Lord Cornwallis, about +ten in the forenoon, beat a parley, and proposed a cessation of +hostilities for twenty-four hours, that commissioners might meet at +Moore's house, which was just in the rear of the first parallel, to +settle terms for the surrender of the posts of York and Gloucester. To +this letter General Washington returned an immediate answer declaring +his "ardent desire to spare the further effusion of blood, and his +readiness to listen to such terms as were admissible;" but as in the +present crisis he could not consent to lose a moment in fruitless +negotiations, he desired that "previous to the meeting of the +commissioners, the proposals of his lordship might be transmitted in +writing, for which purpose a suspension of hostilities for two hours +should be granted." The general propositions[88] stated by Lord +Cornwallis as forming the basis of the capitulation, though not all +admissible, being such as led to the opinion that no great difficulty +would occur in adjusting the terms, the suspension of hostilities was +prolonged for the night. In the mean time, to avoid the delay of +useless discussion, the Commander-in-chief drew up and proposed such +articles[89] as he would be willing to grant. These were transmitted +to Lord Cornwallis with the accompanying declaration that, if he +approved them, commissioners might be immediately appointed to digest +them into form. In consequence of this message, the Viscount de +Noailles, and Lieutenant Colonel Laurens, were met next day by Colonel +Dundass and Major Ross; but, being unable to adjust the terms of +capitulation definitively, only a rough draught of them could be +prepared, which was to be submitted to the consideration of the +British general. Determined not to expose himself to those accidents +which time might produce, General Washington could not permit any +suspense on the part of Lord Cornwallis. He therefore immediately +directed the rough articles which had been prepared by the +commissioners to be fairly transcribed, and sent them to his lordship +early next morning, with a letter expressing his expectation that they +would be signed by eleven, and that the garrison would march out by +two in the afternoon. Finding all attempts to obtain better terms +unavailing, Lord Cornwallis submitted to a necessity no longer to be +avoided, and, on the 19th of October, surrendered the posts of +Yorktown and Gloucester Point, with their garrisons, and the ships in +the harbour with their seamen, to the land and naval forces of America +and France. + +[Footnote 88: See note No. VI. at the end of the volume.] + +[Footnote 89: See note No. VII. at the end of the volume.] + +[Sidenote: Nineteenth.] + +The army, artillery, arms, military chest, and public stores of every +denomination, were surrendered to General Washington; the ships and +seamen, to the Count de Grasse. The total number of prisoners,[90] +excluding seamen, rather exceeded seven thousand men. The loss +sustained by the garrison during the siege, amounted to five hundred +and fifty-two men, including six officers. + +[Footnote 90: The return of prisoners contained two generals, +thirty-one field officers, three hundred and twenty-six captains and +subalterns, seventy-one regimental staff, six thousand five hundred +and twenty-seven non-commissioned officers and privates, and one +hundred and twenty-four persons belonging to the hospital, commissary, +and wagon departments, making in the whole seven thousand and +seventy-three prisoners. To this number are to be added six +commissioned, and twenty-eight non-commissioned officers and privates +made prisoners in the two redoubts which were stormed, and in the +sortie made by the garrison.] + +Lord Cornwallis endeavoured to introduce an article into the +capitulation, for the security of those Americans who had joined the +British army; but the subject was declared to belong to the civil +department, and the article was rejected. Its object, however, was +granted without appearing to concede it. His lordship was permitted to +send the Bonetta sloop of war untouched, with despatches to Sir Henry +Clinton; and the Americans whose conduct had been most offensive to +their countrymen were embarked on board this vessel. + +The allied army may be estimated, including militia, at sixteen +thousand men. In the course of this siege, they lost, in killed and +wounded, about three hundred. The treaty was opened on the eleventh +day after the ground was broken by the besiegers, and the capitulation +was signed on the thirteenth. The whole army merited great +approbation; but, from the nature of the service, the artillerists and +engineers were enabled to distinguish themselves particularly. +Generals du Portail and Knox were each promoted to the rank of Major +General; and Colonel Govion, and Captain Rochfontaine, of the corps of +engineers, were each advanced a grade by brevet. In addition to the +officers belonging to those departments, Generals Lincoln, De +Lafayette, and Steuben, were particularly mentioned by the +Commander-in-chief, in his orders issued the day after the +capitulation; and terms of peculiar warmth were applied to Governor +Nelson, who continued in the field during the whole siege, at the head +of the militia of Virginia; and also exerted himself, in a particular +manner, to furnish the army with those supplies which the country +afforded. The highest acknowledgments were made to the Count de +Rochambeau; and several other French officers were named with +distinction. So many disasters had attended the former efforts of the +United States to avail themselves of the succours occasionally +afforded by France, that an opinion not very favourable to the +alliance appears to have gained some ground in the country, and to +have insinuated itself into the army. The Commander-in-chief seized +this occasion to discountenance a course of thinking from which he had +always feared pernicious consequences, and displayed the great value +of the aids lately received, in language highly flattering to the +French monarch, as well as to the land and naval forces of that +nation. + +Knowing the influence which the loss of the army in Virginia must have +on the war, Sir Henry Clinton determined to hazard much for its +preservation. About seven thousand of his best troops sailed for the +Chesapeake, under convoy of a fleet augmented to twenty-five ships of +the line. This armament left the Hook the day on which the +capitulation was signed at Yorktown, and appeared off the capes of +Virginia on the 24th of October. Unquestionable intelligence being +there received that Lord Cornwallis had surrendered, the British +general returned to New York. + +The exultation manifested throughout the United States at the capture +of this formidable army was equal to the terror it had inspired. In +congress, the intelligence was received with joy proportioned to the +magnitude of the event; and the sense of that body on this brilliant +achievement was expressed in various resolutions, returning the thanks +of the United States to the Commander-in-chief, to the Count de +Rochambeau, to the Count de Grasse, to the officers of the allied army +generally, and to the corps of artillery, and engineers particularly. +In addition to these testimonials of gratitude, it was resolved that a +marble column should be erected at Yorktown, in Virginia, with emblems +of the alliance between the United States and his Most Christian +Majesty, and inscribed with a succinct narrative of the surrender of +Earl Cornwallis to his Excellency General Washington, the +Commander-in-chief of the combined forces of America and France; to +his Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, commanding the auxiliary +troops of his Most Christian Majesty in America; and to his Excellency +Count de Grasse, commanding in chief the naval army of France in the +Chesapeake. Two stand of colours taken in Yorktown were presented to +General Washington; two pieces of field ordnance to the Count de +Rochambeau; and application was made to his Most Christian Majesty, to +permit the Admiral to accept a testimonial of their approbation +similar to that presented to the Count de Rochambeau. Congress +determined to go in solemn procession to the Dutch Lutheran church, to +return thanks to Almighty God for crowning the allied arms with +success, by the surrender of the whole British army under Lord +Cornwallis; and also issued a proclamation, appointing the 13th day of +December for general thanksgiving and prayer, on account of this +signal interposition of Divine Providence. + +It was not by congress only that the public joy at this great event, +and the public approbation of the conduct of General Washington were +displayed. The most flattering and affectionate addresses of +congratulation were presented from every part of the union; and state +governments, corporate towns, and learned institutions, vied with each +other in the testimonials they gave of their high sense of his +important services, and of their attachment to his person and +character. + +The superiority of the allied force opened a prospect of still farther +advantages. The remaining posts of the British in the southern states +were too weak to be defended against the army which had triumphed over +Lord Cornwallis; and the troops which occupied them could neither +escape nor be reinforced, if the Count de Grasse could be prevailed on +to co-operate against them. Although, in his first conference, he had +explicitly declared his inability to engage in any enterprise to be +undertaken subsequent to that against Yorktown,[91] the siege of that +place had employed so much less time than the admiral had consented to +appropriate to it, that the general resumed his plan of southern +operations. In a letter addressed to De Grasse, he used every argument +which might operate on his love of fame, or his desire to promote the +interests of the allies, to prevail on him to co-operate in an +expedition against Charleston. If this object should be unattainable, +his attention was next turned to Wilmington, in North Carolina, which +was still occupied by a small detachment of British troops who kept +that state in check. The capture of this detachment, though not an +object of much consequence in itself, was supposed to derive some +importance from the influence which the complete liberation of North +Carolina might have on the future military operations of the United +States, and on their negotiations. General Washington proposed to send +a detachment intended to reinforce General Greene, as far as +Wilmington, under convoy. The reduction of that place, he supposed, +would detain the fleet but a few days, after which it might proceed to +the West Indies. + +[Footnote 91: See note No. VIII. at the end of the volume.] + +[Sidenote: October 23.] + +To enforce the representations contained in his letter, as well as to +pay his respects to the admiral, and to express in person the high +sense entertained of his important services, the Commander-in-chief +repaired on board the Ville de Paris. The Count acknowledged his +conviction of the advantages to be expected from an expedition against +Charleston; but said, that "the orders of his court, ulterior +projects, and his engagements with the Spaniards, rendered it +impossible for him to remain on the coast during the time which would +be required for the operation." As he also declined taking on board +the troops designed to reinforce General Greene, preparations were +made for their march by land; and Major General St. Clair, who +commanded the detachment, was ordered to take Wilmington in his route, +and to gain possession of that post. + +[Sidenote: November.] + +The Count de Grasse having consented to remain in the bay a few days +for the purpose of covering the transportation of the eastern troops, +and of the ordnance to the Head of Elk, they were embarked in the +beginning of November, under the command of General Lincoln, who was +directed to march them into New Jersey and New York, and to canton +them for the winter in those states.[92] The French troops remained in +Virginia, not only for the protection of that state, but to be in +readiness to march southward or northward, as the exigencies of the +ensuing campaign might require. + +[Footnote 92: See note No. IX. at the end of the volume.] + +The transportation of the troops and ordnance to the Head of Elk being +effected, the Count de Grasse sailed for the West Indies, and the +Commander-in-chief proceeded to Philadelphia. + + + + +NOTES. + + +NOTE--No. I. _See Page 3_ + +_The following petition addressed to Governor Livingston, will furnish +some evidence of the situation to which that part of Jersey was +reduced._ + +To his excellency William Livingston, esquire, governor, captain +general, and commander-in-chief in and over the state of New Jersey +and the territories thereunto belonging in America, chancellor and +ordinary in the same--the humble petition of the officers, civil and +military, whose names are hereunto subscribed, + +Showeth,--That a large detachment of the British army, a few weeks +ago, made an invasion into the lower counties of this state on +Delaware, and plundered a few of the inhabitants. That at present a +large detachment are invading them a second time. That the enemy in +this second incursion, have, as we have been credibly informed, by the +express orders of Colonel Mawhood, the commanding officer, bayoneted +and butchered in the most inhuman manner, a number of the militia who +have unfortunately fallen into their hands. That Colonel Mawhood +immediately after the massacre, in open letters, sent to both officers +and privates by a flag, had the effrontery to insult us with a demand, +that we should lay down our arms, and if not, threatened to burn, +destroy, and lay the whole country waste, and more especially the +property of a number of our most distinguished men, whom he named. +That he has since put his threat into execution, in one instance, by +burning one of the finest dwelling houses in Salem county, and all the +other buildings on the same farm, the property of Colonel Benjamin +Home. That plunder, rapine, and devastation in the most fertile and +populous parts of these counties, widely mark their footsteps wherever +they go. That they are spreading disaffection, they are using every +possible means to corrupt the minds of the people, who, within their +lines, have so little virtue as to purchase from them. + +That we are in no state of defence. That we are so exposed by reason +of our situation, that some of our officers, civil and military, have +moved out of the counties for safety. That our militia, during the +last winter, have been so fatigued out by repeated calls and +continued service, and disaffection is now so widely diffused, that +very few can be called out, in some places, none. That we have no +troops of light horse regularly embodied, there is a scarcity of small +arms among us, and no field pieces. That in these two incursions, we +have very sensibly felt the want of field pieces and artillery men, +that the number of us assembled is so small, that though we should use +the greatest conduct and bravery, we could only provoke, not injure +our enemy. + +That the extent of our country is so great, that our small number of +men fatigued out, indifferently armed and without field pieces, can +not defend it. That, as Delaware runs all along those counties, we are +liable to be attacked in numberless places. + +That the acquisition of these counties would be of great advantage to +the enemy. That they could nearly maintain their whole army a campaign +by the plunder, forage, and assistance they could draw from them. That +although the United States might not need them, yet it might perhaps +be adviseable to defend them, to prevent the advantage the enemy might +receive from them. That our riches, and former virtue, make us a prey +to an enemy, whose tender mercies are cruelties. + +That in short, our situation is beyond description deplorable. That +the powers civil and military are daily relaxing, and disaffection +prevailing. That we can neither stay at our houses, go out, nor come +in with safety. That we can neither plough, plant, sow, reap nor +gather. That we are fast falling into poverty, distress, and into the +hands of our enemy. That unless there can be sent to our relief and +assistance a sufficient body of standing troops, we must be under the +disagreeable necessity of leaving the country to the enemy, and +removing ourselves and families to distant places for safety. That +although the present detachment may be fled and gone, before the +relief reaches us, yet a body of troops are necessary for our +protection, as long as the enemy possess Philadelphia. And these are +the sentiments not only of us the subscribers, but of all the rest of +the officers civil and military, and other the good subjects of this +state in these counties. + + +NOTE--No. II. _See Page 85_ + +_The following is the report made by the committee:_ + +"January 1, 1779. The committee appointed to confer with the +Commander-in-chief on the operations of the next campaign, report, +that the plan proposed by congress for the emancipation of Canada, in +co-operation with an army from France, was the principal subject of +the said conference. + +"That, impressed with a strong sense of the injury and disgrace which +must attend an infraction of the proposed stipulations, on the part of +these states, your committee have taken a general view of our +finances, of the circumstances of our army, of the magazines of +clothes, artillery, arms and ammunition, and of the provisions in +store, and which can be collected in season. + +"Your committee have also attentively considered the intelligence and +observations communicated to them by the Commander-in-chief, +respecting the number of troops and strong holds of the enemy in +Canada; their naval force, and entire command of the water +communication with that country--the difficulties, while they possess +such signal advantages, of penetrating it with an army by land--the +obstacles which are to be surmounted in acquiring a naval +superiority--the hostile temper of many of the surrounding Indian +tribes towards these states, and above all the uncertainty whether the +enemy will not persevere in their system of harassing and distressing +our sea-coast and frontiers by a predatory war. + +"That on the most mature deliberation, your committee can not find room +for a well grounded presumption that these states will be able to +perform their part of the proposed stipulations. That in a measure of +such moment, calculated to call forth, and direct to a single object a +considerable portion of the force of our ally, which may otherwise be +essentially employed, nothing else than the highest probability of +success could justify congress in making the proposition. + +"Your committee are therefore of opinion that the negotiation in +question, however desirable, and interesting, should be deferred until +circumstances render the co-operation of these states more certain, +practicable, and effectual. + +"That the minister plenipotentiary of these states at the court of +Versailles, the minister of France in Pennsylvania, and the minister +of France, be respectively informed that the operations of the next +campaign must depend on such a variety of contingencies to arise, as +well from our own internal circumstances and resources, as the +progress and movements of our enemy, that time alone can mature and +point out the plan which ought to be pursued. That congress, +therefore, can not, with a degree of confidence answerable to the +magnitude of the object, decide on the practicability of their +co-operating the next campaign, in an enterprise for the emancipation +of Canada; that every preparation in our power will nevertheless be +made for acting with vigour against the common enemy, and every +favourable incident embraced with alacrity, to facilitate, and hasten +the freedom and independence of Canada, and her union with these +states--events which congress, from motives of policy with respect to +the United States, as well as of affection for their Canadian +brethren, have greatly at heart." + +Mr. de Sevelinges in his introduction to Botta's History, recites the +private instructions given to Mr. Girard on his mission to the United +States. One article was, "to avoid entering into any formal engagement +relative to Canada and other English possessions which congress +proposed to conquer." Mr. de Sevelinges adds that "the policy of the +cabinet of Versailles viewed the possession of those countries, +especially of Canada by England, as a principle of useful inquietude +and vigilance to the Americans. The neighbourhood of a formidable +enemy must make them feel more sensibly the price which they ought to +attach to the friendship and support of the king of France." + +The author has reason to believe that this policy was known to the +Marquis de Lafayette when his devotion to the interests of the United +States induced him to add his influence to their solicitations for aid +to this enterprise. + + +NOTE--No. III. _See Page 233_ + +_A letter to President Reed of Pennsylvania from which the following +extracts are taken, is selected from many others written with the same +view._ + +"Morristown, May 28th, 1780. + +"DEAR SIR,--I am much obliged to you for your favour of the 23d. +Nothing could be more necessary than the aid given by your state +towards supplying us with provisions. I assure you, every idea you can +form of our distresses, will fall short of the reality. There is such +a combination of circumstances to exhaust the patience of the +soldiery, that it begins at length to be worn out, and we see in every +line of the army, the most serious features of mutiny and sedition: +all our departments, all our operations are at a stand; and unless a +system very different from that which has for a long time prevailed, +be immediately adopted throughout the states, our affairs must soon +become desperate beyond the possibility of recovery. If you were on +the spot, my dear sir, if you could see what difficulties surround us +on every side, how unable we are to administer to the most ordinary +calls of the service, you would be convinced that these expressions +are not too strong: and that we have every thing to dread: Indeed I +have almost ceased to hope. The country in general is in such a state +of insensibility and indifference to its interests, that I dare not +flatter myself with any change for the better. + +"The committee of congress in their late address to the several +states, have given a just picture of our situation. I very much doubt +its making the desired impression; and if it does not, I shall +consider our lethargy as incurable. The present juncture is so +interesting, that if it does not produce correspondent exertions, it +will be a proof, that motives of honour, public good, and even +self-preservation, have lost their influence upon our minds. This is a +decisive moment, one of the most, I will go further and say, the most +important America has seen. The court of France has made a glorious +effort for our deliverance, and if we disappoint its intentions by our +supineness, we must become contemptible in the eyes of all mankind; +nor can we, after that, venture to confide that our allies will +persist in an attempt to establish what it will appear we want +inclination or ability to assist them in. + +"Every view of our own circumstances ought to determine us to the most +vigorous efforts; but there are considerations of another kind, that +should have equal weight. The combined fleets of France and Spain last +year were greatly superior to those of the enemy; the enemy +nevertheless sustained no material damage, and at the close of the +campaign gave a very important blow to our allies. This campaign, the +difference between the fleets, from every account I have been able to +collect, will be inconsiderable: indeed it is far from clear that +there will be an equality. What are we to expect will be the case if +there should be another campaign? In all probability the advantage +would be on the side of the English, and then what would become of +America? We ought not to deceive ourselves. The maritime resources of +Great Britain are more substantial and real than those of France and +Spain united. Her commerce is more extensive than that of both her +rivals; and it is an axiom, that the nation which has the most +extensive commerce will always have the most powerful marine. Were +this argument less convincing, the fact speaks for itself: her +progress in the course of the last year is an incontestable proof. + +"It is true France in a manner created a fleet in a very short space, +and this may mislead us in the judgment we form of her naval +abilities. But if they bore any comparison with those of Great +Britain, how comes it to pass, that with all the force of Spain added, +she has lost so much ground in so short a time, as now to have +scarcely a superiority. We should consider what was done by France, as +a violent and unnatural effort of the government, which, for want of +sufficient foundation, can not continue to operate proportionable +effects. + +"In modern wars, the longest purse must chiefly determine the event. I +fear that of the enemy will be found to be so. Though the government +is deeply in debt and of course poor, the nation is rich, and their +riches afford a fund which will not be easily exhausted. Besides, +their system of public credit is such, that it is capable of greater +exertions than that of any other nation. Speculatists have been a long +time foretelling its downfall; but we see no symptoms of the +catastrophe being very near. I am persuaded it will at least last out +the war. + +"France is in a very different position. The abilities of the present +financier, have done wonders; by a wise administration of the +revenues, aided by advantageous loans, he has avoided the necessity of +additional taxes. But I am well informed if the war continues another +campaign, he will be obliged to have recourse to the taxes usual in +time of war, which are very heavy, and which the people of France are +not in a condition to endure for any length of time. When this +necessity commences, France makes war on ruinous terms, and England, +from her individual wealth, will find much greater facilities in +supplying her exigencies. + +"Spain derives great wealth from her mines, but it is not so great as +is generally imagined. Of late years the profit to government is +essentially diminished. Commerce and industry are the best mines of a +nation; both which are wanted by her. I am told her treasury is far +from being so well filled as we have flattered ourselves. She is also +much divided on the propriety of the war. There is a strong party +against it. The temper of the nation is too sluggish to admit of great +exertions; and though the courts of the two kingdoms are closely +linked together, there never has been in any of their wars, a perfect +harmony of measures, nor has it been the case in this; which has +already been no small detriment to the common cause. + +"I mention these things to show that the circumstances of our allies, +as well as our own, call for peace, to obtain which we must make one +great effort this campaign. The present instance of the friendship of +the court of France, is attended with every circumstance that can +render it important and agreeable, that can interest our gratitude or +fire our emulation. If we do our duty we may even hope to make the +campaign decisive of the contest. But we must do our duty in earnest, +or disgrace and ruin will attend us. I am sincere in declaring a full +persuasion that the succour will be fatal to us if our measures are +not adequate to the emergency. + +"Now, my dear sir, I must observe to you, that much will depend on the +state of Pennsylvania. She has it in her power to contribute, without +comparison, more to our success, than any other state, in the two +essential articles of flour and transportation. I speak to you in the +language of frankness, and as a friend. I do not mean to make any +insinuations unfavourable to the state. I am aware of the +embarrassment the government labours under from the open opposition of +one party and the underhand intrigues of another. I know that with the +best dispositions to promote the public service, you have been obliged +to move with circumspection. But this is a time to hazard, and to take +a tone of energy and decision. All parties but the disaffected will +acquiesce in the necessity and give their support. + +"The matter is reduced to a point. Either Pennsylvania must give us +all we ask, or we can undertake nothing. We must renounce every idea +of co-operation, and must confess to our allies that we look wholly to +them for our safety. This will be a state of humiliation and +bitterness against which the feelings of every good American ought to +revolt. Yours I am convinced will, nor have I the least doubt, but +that you will employ all your influence to animate the legislature and +the people at large. The fate of these states hangs upon it. God grant +we may be properly impressed with the consequences. + +"I wish the legislature could be engaged to vest the executive with +plenipotentiary powers. I should then expect every thing practicable +from your abilities and zeal. This is not a time for formality and +ceremony. The crisis in every point of view is extraordinary, and +extraordinary expedients are necessary. I am decided in this opinion." + + +NOTE--No. IV. _See Page 261_ + +Andre having been unquestionably a spy, and his sentence consequently +just; and the plot in which he had engaged having threatened +consequences the most fatal to America; his execution, had he been an +ordinary person, would certainly have been viewed with cold +indifference. But he was not an ordinary person. In a letter written +at the time by Colonel Hamilton, who in genius, in candour, and in +romantic heroism, did not yield to this unfortunate Englishman, the +character of Andre is thus feelingly and eloquently drawn. "There was +something singularly interesting in the character and fortunes of +Andre. To an excellent understanding, well improved by education and +travel, he united a peculiar elegance of mind and manners, and the +advantages of a pleasing person. It is said he possessed a pretty +taste for the fine arts, and had himself attained some proficiency in +poetry, music, and painting. His knowledge appeared without +ostentation, and embellished by a diffidence that rarely accompanies +so many talents and accomplishments, which left you to suppose more +than appeared. His sentiments were elevated and inspired esteem, they +had a softness that conciliated affection. His elocution was handsome, +his address easy, polite, and insinuating. By his merit he had +acquired the unlimited confidence of his general, and was making rapid +progress in military rank and reputation. But in the height of his +career, flushed with new hopes from the execution of a project the +most beneficial to his party that could be devised, he is at once +precipitated from the summit of prosperity, sees all the expectations +of his ambition blasted, and himself ruined. The character I have +given of him is drawn partly from what I saw of him myself, and partly +from information. I am aware that a man of real merit is never seen in +so favorable a light as through the medium of adversity. The clouds +that surround him are so many shades that set off his good qualities. +Misfortune cuts down little vanities, that in prosperous times, serve +as so many spots in his virtues; and gives a tone to humanity that +makes his worth more amiable. + +"His spectators, who enjoy a happier lot, are less prone to detract +from it through envy; and are much disposed by compassion to give the +credit he deserves, and perhaps even to magnify it." + + +NOTE--No. V. _See Page 377_ + +On the first of May, 1781, General Washington commenced a military +journal. The following is a brief statement of the situation of the +army at that time. "I begin at this epoch, a concise journal of +military transactions, &c. I lament not having attempted it from the +commencement of the war in aid of my memory: and wish the multiplicity +of matter which continually surrounds me, and the embarrassed state of +our affairs, which is momentarily calling the attention to +perplexities of one kind or another, may not defeat altogether, or so +interrupt my present intention and plan, as to render it of little +avail. + +"To have the clearer understanding of the entries which may follow, it +would be proper to recite, in detail, our wants, and our prospects; +but this alone would be a work of much time, and great magnitude. It +may suffice to give the sum of them, which I shall do in a few words, +viz: + +"Instead of having magazines filled with provisions, we have a scanty +pittance scattered here and there in the different states. + +"Instead of having our arsenals well supplied with military stores, +they are poorly provided, and the workmen all leaving them.--Instead +of having the various articles of field equipage in readiness to +deliver, the quartermaster general is but now applying to the several +states (as the dernier ressort) to provide these things for their +troops respectively. Instead of having a regular system of +transportation established upon credit--or funds in the +quartermaster's hands to defray the contingent expenses of it--we have +neither the one or the other; and all that business, or a great part +of it, being done by military impressment, we are daily and hourly +oppressing the people, souring their tempers, and alienating their +affections. Instead of having the regiments completed to the new +establishments (and which ought to have been so by the ---- of ---- +[Transcriber's Note: end parenthesis missing] agreeably to the +requisitions of congress, scarce any state in the union has, at this +hour, one-eighth part of its quota in the field; and there is little +prospect that I can see of ever getting more than half. In a word, +instead of having every thing in readiness to take the field, we have +nothing. And instead of having the prospect of a glorious offensive +campaign before us, we have a bewildered and gloomy prospect of a +defensive one; unless we should receive a powerful aid of ships, land +troops and money from our generous allies: and these at present are +too contingent to build upon." + + +NOTE--No. VI. _See Page 405_ + +York in Virginia, 17th October, 1781, half past four, P.M. + +SIR,--I have this moment been honoured with your excellency's letter +dated this day. The time limited for sending my answer will not admit +of entering into the details of articles, but the basis of my +proposals will be, that the garrisons of York and Gloucester shall be +prisoners of war with the customary honours; and for the convenience +of the individuals which I have the honour to command, that the +British shall be sent to Britain, and the Germans to Germany, under +engagements not to serve against France, America, or their allies, +until released or regularly exchanged. That all arms and public stores +shall be delivered up to you, but that the usual indulgence of side +arms to officers and of retaining private property shall be granted to +officers and soldiers; and the interests of individuals in civil +capacities, and connected with us, shall be attended to. If your +excellency thinks that a continuance of the suspension of hostilities +will be necessary to transmit your answer, I shall have no objection +to the hour that you propose. I have the honour to be, + +Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, + +CORNWALLIS. + +His excellency General Washington, &c. &c. &c. + + +NOTE--No. VII. _See Page 406_ + +Head quarters before York, 18th October, 1781. + +MY LORD,--To avoid unnecessary discussions and delays, I shall at +once, in answer to your lordship's letter of yesterday, declare the +general basis upon which a definitive treaty of capitulation must take +place. The garrison of York and Gloucester, including the seamen, as +you propose, will be received prisoners of war. The condition annexed +of sending the British and German troops to the parts of Europe to +which they respectively belong, is inadmissible. Instead of this, they +will be marched to such parts of the country as can most conveniently +provide for their subsistence; and the benevolent treatment of +prisoners, which is invariably observed by the Americans, will be +extended to them. The same honours will be granted to the surrendering +army, as were granted to the garrison of Charleston. + +The shipping and boats in the two harbours, with all their guns, +stores, tackling, furniture, and apparel, shall be delivered in their +present state to an officer of the navy appointed to take possession +of them. + +The artillery, arms, accoutrements, military chest, and public stores +of every denomination, shall be delivered unimpaired, to the heads of +departments, to which they respectively belong. + +The officers will be indulged in retaining their side arms, and the +officers and soldiers may preserve their baggage and effects with this +reserve, that property taken in the country will be reclaimed. + +With regard to the individuals in civil capacities, whose interests +your lordship wishes may be attended to, until they are more +particularly described, nothing definitive can be settled. + +I have to add, that I expect the sick and wounded will be supplied +with their own hospital stores, and attended by British surgeons +particularly charged with the care of them. + +Your lordship will be pleased to signify your determination either to +accept or reject the proposals now offered, in the course of two hours +from the delivery of this letter, that commissioners may be appointed +to digest the articles of capitulation, or a renewal of hostilities +may take place. + +I have the honour to be, my lord, &c. + +GEORGE WASHINGTON. + +Lieutenant General Earl Cornwallis. + +York, in Virginia, 18th October, 1781. + +SIR,--I agree to open a treaty of capitulation upon the basis of the +garrisons of York and Gloucester, including seamen, being prisoners of +war without annexing the condition of their being sent to Europe; but +I expect to receive a compensation in arranging the articles of +capitulation for the surrender of Gloucester in its present state of +defence. + +I shall in particular desire that the Bonetta sloop of war, may be +left entirely at my disposal from the hour the capitulation is signed, +to receive an aid-de-camp to carry my despatches to Sir Henry Clinton +and such soldiers as I may think proper to send as passengers in her, +to be manned with fifty men of her own crew, and to be permitted to +sail without examination when my despatches are ready; engaging on my +part that the ship shall be brought back and delivered to you, if she +escapes the dangers of the sea; that the crew and soldiers sent as +passengers shall be accounted for in future exchanges as prisoners; +that she shall carry off no officer without your consent, nor public +property of any kind; and I shall likewise desire that the traders and +inhabitants may preserve their property, and that no person may be +punished or molested for having joined the British troops. + +If you choose to proceed to negotiation on these grounds, I shall +appoint two field officers of my army to meet two officers from you at +any time and place you think proper, to digest the articles of +capitulation. I have the honour to be, sir, + +Your most obedient and most humble servant, + +CORNWALLIS. + +His excellency General Washington, &c. &c. &c. + + +NOTE--No. VIII. _See Page 411_ + +Head quarters, 20th October, 1781. + +SIR,--The surrender of York, from which so much glory and advantage +are derived to the allies, and the honour of which belongs to your +excellency, has greatly anticipated our most sanguine expectations. +Certain of this event under your auspices, though unable to determine +the time, I solicited your excellency's attention in the first +conference with which you honoured me, to ulterior objects of decisive +importance to the common cause. Although your excellency's answer on +that occasion was unfavourable to my wishes, the unexpected +promptness with which our operations have been conducted to their +final success having gained us time, the defect of which was one of +your excellency's principal objections, a perspective of the most +extensive and happy consequences, engages me to renew my +representations. + +Charleston, the principal maritime port of the British in the southern +parts of the continent, the grand deposite and point of support for +the present theatre of the war, is open to a combined attack, and +might be carried with as much certainty as the place which has just +surrendered. + +This capture would destroy the last hope which induces the enemy to +continue the war; for having experienced the impracticability of +recovering the populous northern states, he has determined to confine +himself to the defensive in that quarter, and to prosecute a most +vigorous offensive in the south, with a view of conquering states, +whose spare population and natural disadvantages render them +infinitely less susceptible of defence; although their productions +render them the most valuable in a commercial view. His naval +superiority, previous to your excellency's arrival, gave him decisive +advantages in the rapid transport of his troops and supplies: while +the immense land marches of our succours, too tardy and expensive in +every point of view, subjected us to be beaten in detail. + +It will depend upon your excellency, therefore, to terminate the war, +and enable the allies to dictate the law in a treaty. A campaign so +glorious and so fertile in consequences, could be reserved only for +the Count de Grasse. + +It rarely happens that such a combination of means, as are in our +hands at present, can be seasonably obtained by the most strenuous of +human exertions.--A decisively superior fleet, the fortune and talents +of whose commander overawe all the naval force that the most +incredible efforts of the enemy have been able to collect; an army +flushed with success, and demanding only to be conducted to new +attacks; and the very season which is proper for operating against the +points in question. + +If upon entering into the detail of this expedition, your excellency +should still determine it impracticable, there is an object which +though subordinate to that above mentioned, is of capital importance +to our southern operations, and may be effected at infinitely less +expense; I mean the enemy's post at Wilmington in North Carolina. +Circumstances require that I should at this period reinforce the +southern army under General Greene. This reinforcement transported by +sea under your excellency's convoy, would enable us to carry the post +in question with very little difficulty, and would wrest from the +British a point of support in North Carolina, which is attended with +the most dangerous consequences to us, and would liberate another +state. This object would require nothing more than the convoy of your +excellency to the point of operation, and the protection of the +debarkation. + +I intreat your excellency's attention to the points which I have the +honour of laying before you, and to be pleased at the same time to +inform me what are your dispositions for a maritime force to be left +on the American station. + +I have the honour to be, &c. + +GEORGE WASHINGTON. + + +NOTE--No. IX. _See Page 413_ + +Late in October an irruption was made into the country on the Mohawk, +by Major Ross, at the head of about five hundred men, composed of +regulars, rangers, and Indians. Colonel Willet, with between four and +five hundred men, partly of the troops denominated levies, and partly +militia, immediately marched in quest of them, and fell in with them +at Johnstown, where they were slaughtering cattle, apparently +unapprehensive of an enemy. Before showing himself, he detached Major +Rowley of Massachusetts with the left wing to fall on the rear, while +he should engage the front. On his appearance the British party +retired to a neighbouring wood, and the American advance was just +beginning to skirmish with them, when that whole wing, without any +apparent cause, suddenly fled from the field, leaving a field-piece +posted on a height in order to cover a retreat, to fall into the hands +of the enemy. Fortunately for the party, Rowley appeared in the rear +at this critical juncture, and regained what the right wing had lost. +Night soon coming on, Major Ross retired further into the wood, and +encamped on the top of a mountain. He seems after this skirmish to +have been only intent on repassing the dreary wilderness in his rear, +and securing his party; an object not to be accomplished without +immense fatigue and great suffering, as Colonel Willet had cut off +their return to their boats, and they were to retreat by the way of +Buck island, or Oswegatchie. With a select part of his troops who +were furnished with five days provisions, and about sixty Indians who +had just joined him, and who, he said, "are the best cavalry for the +service of the wilderness," he commenced a rapid pursuit, and in the +morning of the 30th, at a ford on Canada creek, fell in with about +forty whites and some Indians who were left in the rear to procure +provisions. These were attacked and the greater number of them killed +or taken, upon which the main body fled with such rapidity that the +pursuit proved ineffectual. In the party at Canada creek was Major +Walter Butler, the person who perpetrated the massacre at +Cherry-valley. His entreaties for quarter were disregarded, and he +fell the victim of that vengeance which his own savage temper had +directed against himself. + + +END OF VOLUME III. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of George Washington, Vol. 3 +(of 5), by John Marshall + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON *** + +***** This file should be named 18593.txt or 18593.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/5/9/18593/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni, David Widger, +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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