Chapter 6 of The Life of Washington, Volume 2 by John Marshall. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 6, The British Land at Frogs Neck. The American Army evacuates York Island, except for at Washington. Both armies move towards the White Plains, Battle of the White Plains. The British Army returns to Kingsbridge. General Washington crosses the North River, the lines of Fort Washington carried by the British, and the garrison-made prisoners. Evacuation of Fort Lee, weakness of the American Army, ineffectual attempts to raise the militia. General Washington retreats through Jersey. General Washington crosses the Delaware, danger of Philadelphia, capture of General Lee. The British go into winter quarters. Battle of Trenton of Princeton, firmness of Congress, 1776. The armies did not long retain their position on York Island. General Howell was sensible of the strength of the American camp and was not disposed to force it. His plan was to compel General Washington to abandon it or to give battle in a situation in which a defeat must be attended with the total destruction of his army. With this view, after throwing up entrenchments on McGowan's Hill for the protection of New York, he determined to gain the rear of the American camp by the New England Road and also to possess himself of the North River above Kingsbridge October 9 to assure himself of the practicability of acquiring the command of the river. The frigates passed up it under the fire from Fort Washington and from the opposite post on the Jersey shore afterwards called Fort Lee without sustaining any injury from the batteries or being impeded by the Chavo de Fries, which had been sunk in the channel between those forts. On the north, the enemy landed at Frog's Neck, at this point being a sustained, he embarked a great part of his army on board flat bottom boats and passing through Hurlgate into the Sound, landed at Frog's Neck about nine miles from the camp on the heights of Harlem. In consequence of this movement, Washington strengthened the post at Kingsbridge and attached some regiments to Westchester for the purpose of skirmishing with the enemy and his heat should march from the ground he occupied. The road from Frog's Point to Kingsbridge leads through a strong country intersected by numerous stone fences so as to render it difficult to move artillery or even infantry in compact columns except along the main road, which have been broken up in several places. The general therefore entertained sanguine hopes of the event should a direct attack be made on his camp. General Howe continued some days waiting for his artillery, military stores and reinforcements from Staten Island, which were detained by unfavorable winds. October 16, the American Army evacuates York Island except Fort Washington. In the meantime, as the habits of thinking in America required that every important measure should be the result of consultation and should receive the approbation of a majority. The propriety of removing the American Army from its present situation was submitted to a council of the general officers. After much investigation, it was declared to be impractical without a change of position to keep up their communications with the country and avoid being compelled to fight under great disadvantages or to surrender themselves prisoners of war. General Lee, who had just arrived from the South and whose experience as well as late success, gave great weight to his opinions urged the necessity of this movement with much earnestness. It was at the same time determined to hold Fort Washington and to defend it as long as possible. A resolution of Congress of the 11th of October, desiring General Washington by every art and expense to obstruct if possible the navigation of the river contributed not inconsiderably to this determination. In pursuance of this opinion of the military council, measures were taken for moving the Army up the North River so as to extend its front or left towards the White Plains beyond the British right and thus keep open its communication with the country. The right rear division remained a few days longer about Kingsbridge under the command of General Lee for the security of the heavy baggage and military stores, which in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining wagons could be but slowly removed. October 18, General Howe, after uniting his forces at Pell's point, moved forward his whole army except for brigades destined for the defense of New York through Pellums' manor towards New Rochelle. Some skirmishes took place on the march with a part of Glover's brigade in which the conduct of the Americans was mentioned with satisfaction by the commander in chief. And as General Howe took post at New Rochelle, a village on the south, General Washington occupied the heights between that place and the North River. October 21, both armies moved towards the White Plains. At New Rochelle, the British army was joined by the 2nd division of Germans under the command of General Nipphausen and by an incomplete regiment of cavalry from Ireland, some of whom had been captured on their passage. Both armies now moved towards the White Plains, a strong piece of ground already occupied by a detachment of militia. The main body of the American troops formed a long line of entrenched camps extending from 12 to 13 miles on the different heights from Valentine's Hill near Kingsbridge to the White Plains, fronting the British line of march and the Bronx, which divided the two armies. The motions of General Howe were anxiously watched not only for the purposes of security and of avoiding a general action, but in order to seize any occasion which might present itself of engaging his outpost with advantage. While the British army lay at New Rochelle, the position of a corps of American loyalists commanded by Major Rogers was supposed to furnish such an occasion. He was advanced farther eastward to Mereneck on that sound where he was believed to be covered by the other troops. An attempt was made to surprise him in the night by a detachment which should pass between him and the main body of the British army, and by a coup de main, bear off his whole corps. Major Rogers was surprised and about 60 of his regiment killed and taken. The loss of the Americans was only two killed and eight or ten wounded. Among the latter was Major Green of Virginia, a brave officer who led the detachment, and he received a ball through his body. Now long afterwards, a regiment of Pennsylvania riflemen under Colonel Hand engaged an equal number of Hessian shots with some advantage. The caution of the English general was increased by these evidences of enterprise in his adversary. His object seems to have been to avoid skirmishes and to bring on a general action if that could be effected under favorable circumstances. If not, he calculated on nearly all the advantages of a victory from the approaching dissolution of the American army. He proceeded therefore slowly. His march was in close order, his encampments compact and well guarded with artillery, and the utmost circumspection was used to leave no vulnerable point. October 25 as the sick and baggage reached a place of safety, General Washington gradually drew in his outposts and took possession of the heights on the east side of the Bronx, fronting the head of the British columns at the distance of seven or eight miles from them. The next day he was joined by General Lee, who after securing the sick and the baggage had with considerable address brought up the rear division of the army. In operation the more difficult as the deficiency of teams was such that a large portion of the labor usually performed by horses or oxen devolved on men. General Washington was encamped on high broken ground with his right flank on the Bronx. This stream meandered so as also to cover the front of his right wing, which extended along the road leading towards New Rose Shell as far as the brow of the hill where his center was posted. His left, which formed almost the right angle with his center and was nearly parallel to his right, extended along the hills northward so as to keep possession of the commanding ground and secure retreat should it be necessary to a still stronger position in his rear. On the right of the army and on the west side of the Bronx about one mile from camp on a road leading from that north river was a hill of which General McDougal was ordered to take possession for the purpose of covering the right flank. His detachment consisted of about 1600 men, principally militia, and his communication with that main army was open, that part of the Bronx being passable without difficulty. Entrenchments were thrown up to strengthen the lines. General Howe, having made arrangements to attack Washington in his camp, advanced early in the morning in two columns. The right commanded by Sir Henry Clinton and the left by General Nipalzen and about 10 his then appeared in full view on which a cannonade commenced without much execution on either side. October 28th battle of the White Plains, the British right formed behind a rising ground about a mile in front of the American camp and extending from the road leading from Mamara neck towards the Bronx opposed to the American center. On viewing Washington's situation, Howe, who accompanied Nipalzen, determined to carry the hill occupied by McDougal as preliminary to an attack on the center and right of the American camp and therefore directed Colonel Rawl with a brigade of Hessians to cross the Bronx and make a circuit so as to turn McDougal's right flank. While Brigadier General Leslie with a strong core of British and Hessian troops should attack him in front, Monroe had gained his position to the detachment commanded by Leslie also across the Bronx and commenced a vigorous attack. The militia in the front line immediately fled but the regulars maintained their ground with great gallantry. Colonel Smallwood's regiment of Maryland and Colonel Wright Simmers of New York advanced boldly towards the foot of the hill to meet Leslie but after a sharp encounter were overpowered by numbers and compelled to retreat. General Leslie then attacked the remaining part of McDougal's forces who were soon driven from the hill but kept up for some time at a regular fire from the stone walls about the scene of action. General Putnam with Reels Brigade was ordered to support them but not having arrived till the hill was lost. The attempt to regain it was deemed unadvisable and the troops retreated to that main army. In this animated engagement the loss was supposed to be nearly equal. That of the Americans was between three and four hundred in Guild wounded and taken. Colonel Smallwood was among the wounded. General Washington continued in his lines expecting an assault but a considerable part of the day having been exhausted. Engaging the hill which had been occupied by McDougal the meditated attempt on his entrenchments was postponed until the next morning and the British army lay on their arms the following night in order of battle on the ground taken during the day. October 30th this interval was employed by General Washington in strengthening his works, removing his sick and baggage and preparing for the expected attack by adopting the arrangement of his troops to the existing state of things. His left maintained his position but his right was drawn back to stronger ground, perceiving this and being unwilling to leave anything to hazard. How was off to postpone further offensive operations until Lord Percy should arrive with four battalions from New York and two from Maranek. This reinforcement was received on the evening of the 30th and preparations were then made to force the American entrenchments the next morning in the night and during the early part of the succeeding day a violent rain still farther postponed the assault. Having now removed his provisions and heavy baggage to much stronger ground and apprehending that the British general whose left wing extended along the height taken from McDougal to his rear might turn his camp and occupy the strong ground to which he designed to retreat. Should an attempt on his lines proved successful. General Washington changed his position in the night and withdrew to the heights of North Castle about five miles from the White Plains. November 1, deeming this position too strong to be attempted with prudence, General Howe determined to change his plan of operations and to give a new direction to his efforts. While Fort's Washington and Lee were held by the Americans, his movements were checked and York Island insecure with a view to the acquisitions of these posts. The director general, Nephousen, to take possession of Kingsbridge, which was defended by a small party of Americans placed in Fort Independence. On his approach, this party retreated to Fort Washington and Nephousen and camped between that place and Kingsbridge. November 5, the British army returns to Kingsbridge. In the meantime, General Howe retired slowly down the North River. His designs were immediately penetrated by the American general who perceived the necessity of passing apart of his army into Jersey but was restrained from immediately leaving the strong ground. He occupied by the apprehension that his adversary might in that event return suddenly and gain his rear. A council of war was called which determined unanimously that should General Howe continue his march towards New York. All the troops raised on the west side of the Hudson Street cross that river to be afterwards followed by those raised in the eastern part of the continent, leaving 3,000 men for the defense of the Highlands about the North River. In a letter to Congress communicating this movement of the British army and this determination of the council, the general said, I cannot endorse the idea that General Howe supposing him to be going to New York means to close the campaign and to sit down without attempting something more. I think it highly probable and almost certain that he will make a dissent with part of his troops into the jerseys and as soon as I am satisfied that the present maneuver is real and not a faint. I shall use all the means of my power to forward a part of our force to counteract his designs. I expect the enemy will bend their force against Fort Washington and invest it immediately from some advices that is an object that will attract the earliest attention. He also addressed a letter to the governor of New Jersey expressing a decided opinion that General Howe would not contend himself with investing Fort Washington but would invade the jerseys and urging him to put the militia in the best possible condition to reinforce the army and to take the place of the new levies who could not, he suggested, be depended on to continue in service one day longer than the 1st of December, the time for which they were engaged. Immediate intelligence of this movement was likewise given to General Green who commanded in the jerseys and his attention was particularly pointed to Fort Washington. As the British Army approached Kingsbridge, three ships of war passed up the North River notwithstanding the fire from Fort Washington and that was standing at the additional obstructions which had been placed in the channel. November 8 on being informed of this another letter was addressed to General Green stating that this fact was so plain a proof of the inefficacy of all the obstructions thrown in the river has to justify a change in the dispositions which had been made. If continued the letter, we cannot prevent vessels from passing up and the enemy are possessed of that surrounding country. What valuable purpose can it answer to attempt to hold a post from which the expected benefit cannot be derived and therefore inclined to think it will not be proven to hazard the men and stores and not Washington but as you are on that spot I leave it to you to give such orders respecting the evacuation of the place as you may think most advisable and so far revoke the orders given to Colonel McGaw to defend it to the last. Measures were now taken to cross the North River with the troops which have been raised on its western side and General Washington determined to accompany that division of the Army. The eastern regiments remained on the eastern side of the river under the command of General Lee with orders to join the commander in chief should that British Army crossed the Hudson. And General Washington with a part of his army crosses the North River after visiting the posts about peak skill and making all the arrangements and his power for their defense. General Washington passed the North River in that rear of the troops designed to act in the jerseys and proceeded to the quarters of General Green near Fort Lee from to great confidence and that strength of Fort Washington and a conviction of its importance. General Green had not withdrawn his garrison under the discretionary orders he'd received but still indulged the hope that the post might be maintained or should his situation become desperate. That means might be found to transport the troops across the river to the Jersey shore which was defended by Fort Lee. Mount Washington is a high piece of rocky ground near the North River. Very difficult of a sin, especially towards the north of Gainesburg. The fort was capable of maintaining about 1,000 in but the lines and outworks which were chiefly on that southern side towards New York were drawn quite across the island. The ground was naturally strong. The approach is difficult and the fortifications though not sufficient to resist heavy artillery were believed to be in a condition to resist any attempt to carry them by storm. The garrison consisted of troops some of whom were among the best in the American Army and the command had been given to Colonel McGaw, a brave and intelligent officer in whom great confidence was placed. November 13, General Howe after retiring from the White Plains in camp at a small distance from King's Bridge on the heights of Fortham and having made the necessary preparations for an assault, summoned the garrison to surrender on pain of being put to the sword. Colonel McGaw replied that he should defend the place to the last extremity and communicated the summons to General Green at Fort Lee. 15 who transmitted it to the commander in chief then at Hackensack immediately rode to Fort Lee and though it was late in the night was proceeding to Fort Washington where he expected to find General's Putnam and Green when in crossing the river. He met those officers returning from a visit to that fort. They reported that the garrison was in high spirits and would make a good defense on which he returned with them to Fort Lee. November 16 early next morning Colonel McGaw posted his troops partly on a commanding hill north of the fort partly in the outermost of the lines drawn across the island on the south of the fort and partly between those lines on the woody and rocky heights fronting Harlan River where the ground being extremely difficult of a scent the works were not loosed. Colonel Rawlings of Maryland commanded on the hill towards Kingsbridge. Colonel Cadwallader of Pennsylvania in the lines and Colonel McGaw himself continued in the fort. The strength of the place had not deterred the British general from resolving to carry it by storm and now receiving the answer Colonel McGaw arrangements were made for a vigorous attack next day. About ten the assailants appeared before the works and moved to the assault in four different quarters. Their first division consisting of Hessians and Waldeckers amounting to about 5,000 men under the command of General Niphausen. Advanced on that north side of the fort against the hill occupied by Colonel Rawlings who received them with great gallantry. The second on the east consisting of the British light infantry and guards was led by Brigadier General Matthews supported by Lord Cornwallis at the head of the Grenadiers and the 33rd Regiment. These troops crossed Harlan River boats under cover of the artillery planted in the works which had been erected on the opposite side of the river and landed within the third line of defense which crossed the island. The third division was conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Sterling who passed the river higher up in the fourth by Lord Percy accompanied by General Howe in person.  The attacks on the north and south by General Niphausen and Lord Percy were made about the same instant on Colonel Rawlings and Cadwallader who maintained their ground for a considerable time. While Colonel Cadwallader was engaged in the first line against Lord Percy, the second and third divisions which had crossed Harlan River made good there landing and dispersed the troops fronting that river as well as the detachment sent by Colonel Cadwallader to support them. Thus being overpowered and the British advancing between the fort and the lines it became necessary to abandon them and retreating to the fort. Some of the men were intercepted by the division under Colonel Sterling and made prisoners. The resistance on the north was of longer duration. Rawlings maintained his ground with firmness and his riflemen did vast execution. A three-gun battery also played on Niphausen with great effect. At length the Hessian columns gained the summit of the hill after which Colonel Rawlings who perceived the danger which threatened his rear retreated under the guns of the fort. The lines of Fort Washington carried by the enemy and the garrison made prisoners. Having carried the lines and all the strong ground adjoining them, the British general again summoned Colonel McGar to a surrender while the capitulation was in a course of arrangement. General Washington sent him up billet requesting him to hold out until the evening when means should be attempted to bring off the garrison but McGar had proceeded too far to retreat and it is probable the place could not have resisted an assault from so formidable a force has threatened it. The greatest difficulties had been overcome. The fort was too small to contain all the men and their ammunition was nearly exhausted. Under these circumstances the garrison became prisoners of war. The loss on this occasion was the greatest the Americans had ever sustained. The garrison was stated by General Washington at about 2,000 men yet in a report published as from General Howe the number of prisoners is said to be 2,600 exclusive officers. Either General Howe must have included in his report persons who were not soldiers or General Washington must have comprehended the regulars only in his letter. The last conjecture is most probably correct. The loss of the assailants according to Mr. Steadman amounted to 800 men. This loss fell heaviest on that Germans evacuation of Fort Lee November 18 on the surrender of Fort Washington. It was determined to evacuate Fort Lee and the removal of the stores was immediately commenced before this operation could be completed. The garrison detachment commanded by Lord Cornwallis amounting to about 6,000 men crossed the North River below Dove's Ferry and endeavored by a rapid march to enclose the garrison between the North and Haakensack Rivers. An immediate retreat from that narrow neck of land had become indispensable and was with difficulty affected while the heavy cannon at Fort Lee except to 12 founders with a considerable quantity of provisions and military stores including 310th were lost. After crossing the Haakensack, General Washington posted his troops along the western bank of that river but was unable to dispute his passage at the head of about 3,000 defectives exposed without tents in an inclement season. It was in that level country without a single entrenching tool among people far from being zealous in the American cause. In other respects, this situation was dangerous. The Pasek in his rear, after running several miles nearly parallel to the Haakensack, unites with that river below the ground occupied by the Americans who were consequently still exposed to the hazard of being enclosed between two rivers. November 21, weakness of the American army. This gloomy state of things was not brightened by the prospect before him and casting his eyes around no cheering object presented itself. No confidence could be placed on receiving reinforcements from any quarter but in no situation could Washington despond. His exertions to collect an army and to impede the progress of his enemy were perseveringly continued. Understanding that Sir Guy at Carleton no longer threatened Ticonderoga, E-Director General Scarlet to hasten the troops of Pennsylvania and Jersey to his assistance and order General Lee to cross the North River and be in readiness to join him should the enemy continue the campaign. But under the influence of the same fatal cause which had active hills where these armies were melting away and would soon be almost totally dissolved, General Mercer who commanded a part of the flying camp stationed about Bergen was also called in. But these troops had engaged to serve only till the first of December and like the other six months men had already abandoned the army in great numbers. No hope existed of retaining the remnant after they should possess a legal right to be discharged. And there was not much probability of supplying their place as both of the militia. To New England he looked with anxious hope and his requisitions to on those states received prompt attention. 6,000 militia from Massachusetts and a considerable body from Connecticut were ordered to his assistance but some delay in assembling them was unavoidable and their march was arrested by the appearance of the enemy in their immediate neighborhood. 3,000 men conducted by Henry Clinton who were embarked on board a fleet commanded by Sir Peter Parker sailed late in November from New York and without much opposition to possession of Newport. This invasion excited serious alarm in Massachusetts and Connecticut and these states retained for their own defense the militia had been embodied at the instance of the commander in chief. Not intending to maintain its present position General Washington had placed some regiments along the hack and sack to afford the semblance of defending its passage until the stores could be removed. And with the residue of the troops crossed the Passaic and took post Newark soon after he had marched Major General Vaughan appeared before the new bridge over hack and sack the American Detachment which had been left in the rear being unable to defend it broke it down and retired before him over the Passaic. In effectual attempts to raise the militia having entered the open country General Washington determined to halt it a few days on the south side of this river makes him show of resistance and endeavor to collect such a forces would keep up the semblance of an army. His letters not having produced such exertions as the public exigencies require. He deputed General Mifflin to the government of Pennsylvania and Colonel Reed his adjutant general to the government of New Jersey with orders to represent the real situation of the army. And that certainty that without great reinforcements Philadelphia must fall under the hands of the enemy and the state of Jersey be overwhelmed. General thus endeavoring to strengthen himself with militia he pressed General Lee to hasten his march and cautioned him to keep high enough up the country to avoid the enemy who having got possession of a male containing one of his late letters was certainly endeavor to prevent the junction of the two armies. This perilous state of things was rendered still more critical by indications of an insurrection in that county of Monmouth in Jersey where great members favored the royal cause. In other places to a hostile temper was displayed and an in disposition to further resistance began to be manifested throughout that state. These appearances obliged them to make detachments from that militia of his army to overall the disaffected of Monmouth who were on the point of assembling in force. General Washington retreats through Jersey November 23 as the British Army crossed the Passaic. General Washington abandoned his position behind that river and the day Lord Cornwallis entered Newark he retreated to Brunswick a small village on the Raritan. December 1 at this place the levees drawn from Maryland and Jersey to compose the flying camp became entitled to their discharge no remonstrances could detain them and he sustained the mortification of seeing his feeble army still more enfeeble by being entirely abandoned by these troops in the face of an advancing enemy. The Pennsylvania militia belonging to the flying camp were engaged to serve till the 1st of January so many of them deserted that it was deemed necessary to place guards on the roads and ferries over the Delaware to apprehend and send them back to camp. The government of New Jersey was again pressed for assistance but it was not and his power to furnish the aid required the well effected part of that lower country was overawed by the British Army and the militia more since Essex came out slowly and reluctantly. While at Brunswick attempts were made to retard the advance of the British Army by movements indicating an intention to act on the offensive but this faint was unavailing. Lord Cornwallis continued to press forward and as his advance guards showed themselves on the opposite side of the bridge General Washington evacuated the town and marched through Princeton to Trenton. Directions had already been given to collect all the boats on the Delaware from Philadelphia upwards for 70 miles in the hope that the progress of the enemy might be stopped at this river and that in the meantime reinforcements might arrive which would enable him to dispute its passage. December 2 having with great labor transported a few remaining military stores and baggage over the Delaware he determined to remain as long as possible on the northern banks of that river. The army which was thus pressed slowly through the jerseys was aided by no other cavalry than a small corps of badly mounted Connecticut militia commanded by major children and was almost equally destitute of artillery. Its numbers at no time during the retreat exceeded 4,000 men and on reaching the Delaware it was reduced to less than 3,000 of whom not quite 1,000 were militia of New Jersey. Even among the continental troops there were many whose term of service was about to expire. Its defectiveness of numbers did not constitute its only weakness. The regulars were badly armed, worse clad than almost destitute of tents, blankets or utensils for dressing their food. They were composed deeply of that garrison affordly and had been obliged to evacuate that place with too much precipitation to bring with them even those few articles of comfort and accommodation with which they had been furnished. The commander-in-chief found himself at the head of this small band of soldiers dispirited by their losses and fatigues retreating almost naked and barefooted in the cold of November and December before a numerous well-appointed and victorious army through a desponding country much more disposed to obtain safety by submission them to seek it by a manly resistance. In this crisis of American affairs a proclamation was issued by Lord and General Howe as commissioners appointed on the part of the crown for restoring peace to America, commanding all persons assembled in arms against His Majesty's government to disband and return to their homes and all civil officers to desist from their reasonable practices and relinquish their usurped authority. General Howe pardon was offered to every person who would within 60 days appear before certain civil or military officers of the crown, claim the benefit of that proclamation and testify his obedience to the laws by subscribing a declaration of his submission to the Royal Authority. The copies of it were dispersed through the country after which numbers flocked in daily to make their peace and obtain protection. The contrast between the splendid appearances of the pursuing army and that of the ragged Americans who were flying before them could not fail to nourish the general opinion that the contest was approaching his termination. Among the many valuable traits in the character of Washington was that am yielding firmness of mind which resisted these accumulated circumstances of depression and supported him under them. Undismayed by the dangers which surrounded him, he did not for an instant relax his exertions nor omit anything which could obstruct the progress of the enemy or improve his own condition. He did not appear to despair of the public safety but struggled against adverse fortune with the hope of yet vanquishing the difficult siege which surrounded him and constantly showed himself to his serrast and enfeebled army with a serene unembarrassed countenance between no fears in himself and invigorating and inspiring with confidence the bosoms of others to this unconquerable firmness to this perfect self-possession under the most desperate circumstances is America in a great degree indebted for her independence. December 5 after removing his baggage and stores over the Delaware and sending his sick to Philadelphia, the American general, finding that Lord Cornwallis still continued in Brunswick to attach 1200 men to Princeton in the hope that this appearance of advancing on the British might not only retard their progress but cover a part of the country and reanimate the people of Jersey. Some portion of this short respite from laborious service was devoted to the predominant risk of his heart preparations for the next campaign by impressing on Congress the conviction of the real causes of the present calamitous state of things. However, the human mind may resist the clearest theoretic reason is scarcely possible not to discern obvious and radical errors while smarting under their destructive consequences. The abandonment of the army by whole regiments of the flying camp in the face of an advancing and superior enemy. The impractic ability of calling out the militia of Jersey and Pennsylvania in sufficient force to prevent Lord Cornwallis from overrunning the first state or restoring him from entering the last had it not been saved by other causes were practical lessons on the subjects of enlistment for a short time and a reliance on militia which no prejudice could disregard and which could not fail to add great weight to the remonstrances formally made by the commander-in-chief which were now repeated. December 6, the exertions of General Mifflin to raise the militia of Pennsylvania, though unavailing in that country, were successful in Philadelphia. A large proportion of the inhabitants of that city capable of bearing arms had associated for the general defense and on this occasion 1500 event March to Trenton to which place a German battalion was also ordered by Congress. Seventh on the arrival of these troops, General Washington commenced his march to Princeton but was stopped by the intelligence that Lord Cornwallis having received large reinforcements was advancing rapidly from Brunswick by different routes and endeavoring to gain his rear. Eighth, General Washington crosses the Delaware. On receiving this intelligence, he crossed the Delaware and posted his army in such a manner as to guard the forts. As his rear passed the river, the van of the British army appeared in sight. The main body took post at Trenton and detachments were placed both above and below while small parties without interruption from the people of the country reconordered the Delaware for our considerable distance. Danger of Philadelphia from boredom town below Trenton, the course of the river turns westward and forms an acute angle with its course from Philadelphia to that place so that Lord Cornwallis might cross a considerable distance above and be not much of any farther from that city than the American army. The British general made some unsuccessful attempts to seize a number of boats guarded by Lord Sterling about Corriell's ferry and in order to facilitate his movements down the river on the Jersey shore, repair the bridges below Trenton which have been broken down by order of General Washington. He then advanced a strong detachment to boredom town giving indications of an intention to cross the Delaware at the same time above and below and either to march into columns to Philadelphia or completely to envelop the American army in the angle of the river to counteract this plan. The American general stationed a few galleys to watch the movements of his enemy below and aid in repelling any effort to pass over to the Pennsylvania shore and made such a disposition of his little army as to guard against any attempt to force a passage above which he believed to be the real design. Having made his arrangements he waited anxiously for reinforcements and in the meantime sent elite parties over the river to harass the enemy and to observe his situation. The utmost exertions were made by government to raise the militia in the hope that a respectable body of continental troops would aid these exertions. General Washington had directed General Gates with the regulars of the Northern Army and General Heath with those of peak skill to march to his assistance. Captured General Lee although General Lee had been repeatedly urged to join the Commander-in-Chief, he proceeded slowly in the execution of these orders manifesting a strong disposition to retain his separate command and rather to bring on and threaten the rear of that British army and to strengthen that in its front. With this view he proposed establishing himself at Morris Town on receiving a letter from General Washington disapproving this proposition and urging him to hasten his march. Lee still avowed a preference for his own plan and proceeded reluctantly towards the Delaware while passing through Morris County at the distance of 20 miles from the British encampment. He very unconsciously ordered under a slight guard in a house about three miles from his army. Information of this circumstance was given by a countryman to Colonel Harcourt at that time detached with a body of cavalry to watch his movements who immediately formed and executed at the design of seizing him. Early in the morning of the 12th of December this officer reached Lee's quarters who received no information of his danger until the house was surrounded and he found himself a prisoner. He was carried off in triumph to the British army where he was for some time treated as a deserter from the British service. This misfortune made a serious impression on all America but confidence originally placed in General Lee had been increased by his success in that southern department and by belief that his opinions during the military operations in New York had contributed to the adoption of those judicious movements which had in some measure defeated the plans of General Howe in that quarter. It was also believed that he had dissented from the resolution of the Council of War for maintaining forts Washington and Lee. No officer except the commander-in-chief possessed at that time in so imminent a degree the confidence of the army or of the country and his loss was almost universally bewailed as one of the greatest calamities which had befallen the American arms. He was regretted by no person more than by General Washington himself. He respected the merit of that eccentric veteran and sincerely lamented his captivity. General Sullivan on whom the command of that division devolved after the capture of Lee promptly obeyed the orders which had been directed to that officer and crossing the Delaware at Phillipsburg joined the commander-in-chief on the same day General Gates arrived with a few northern troops. By these and other reinforcements the army was augmented to about 7000 effective men. The British go into winter quarters. The attempts of the British general to get possession of boats for the transportation of his army over the Delaware having failed to give indications of an intention to close the campaign and to retire into winter quarters. About 4,000 men were hand-down on the Delaware at Trenton, Bordentown, the White House and Mount Holly and the remaining part of the Army of Jersey was distributed from that river to the Hackensack. Strong core were posted at Princeton, Brunswick and Elizabeth Town. To intimidate the people and thereby impede the recruiting service was believed to be no inconsiderable inducement with General Howe for covering so large a portion of Jersey to counteract these views. General Washington ordered three of the regiments from Peekskill to Halt at Morristown into Unite with about 800 militia assembled at that place under Colonel Ford. General Maxwell was sent to take command of these troops with orders to watch the motions of the enemy to harass them in his marches to give intelligence, as well as movements to keep up the spirits of the militia and to prevent the inhabitants from going within the British lines and taking protection. December 20, the short interval between this cantonment of the British troops and the recommencement of active operations was employed by General Washington in repeating the representations it so often made to Congress respecting preparations for the ensuing campaign. The dangers resulting from a reliance on temporary armies have been fully exemplified, and as remonstances on that subject were supported by that severe experience, which corrects while it chastises in the course of the campaign. He had suffered greatly from the want of cavalry, of artillery, and of engineers. His ideas on these important subjects have been already stated to Congress, and we're now re-erged with respect to the additional expense to be incurred by the measures recommended. The military reserve that our funds were not the only object now to be taken into consideration. The enemy it was found were daily gathering strength from the disaffected. The strength like a snowball by rolling would increase unless some means should be devised to check effectively the progress of their arms. The military reserve that we're now in, and we're now in, is quite possibly due for a little while, but in a little while also the militia of those states which were frequently called upon would not turn out at all or would turn out with so much reluctance and sloth as to amount to the same thing. But the river Delaware have saved Philadelphia. It's not only sufficient to itself to oppose the enemy. Washington crossing the Delaware from the painting by Emmanuel Lutz in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, on December 8, 1776, following his retreat across New Jersey with the British Army under Cornwallis, pressing him closely. Washington transported his army of 6,000 men across the Delaware into Pennsylvania and to safety. He had seized all the boats within 70 miles, leaving Cornwallis to wait until the river froze over before he could follow. In recrossing the Delaware as he are depicted to strike the British at Trenton, Washington executed the most brilliant military maneuver of his career. In his Susquee Centennial address delivered at Cambridge, Massachusetts, July 3, 1925, President Coolidge related this incident which gives us Cornwallis' estimate of the importance of the Trenton victory. It is recorded that a few evenings after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, a banker was given back Washington and his staff to the British commander and his staff when likes to contemplate the sportsmanship of that function. Amy abilities and good wishes were duly exchanged and finally Lord Cornwallis rose to present his compliments to Washington. There have been much talk of past campaigning experiences and Cornwallis turning to Washington and express the judgment. Then when history's verdict was made up, the brightest scarlands for your excellency will be gathered not from the shores of the Chesapeake, but from the banks of the Delaware. He also hinted the idea extremely delicate in itself of enlarging his power so as to enable him to act without constant applications to Congress for their sanction of measures, the immediate adoption of which was essential to the public interests. This might he said be termed an application for powers too dangerous to be trusted. He could only answer that desperate diseases required desperate remedies. He could with truth declare that he felt no lust for power, but wished with as much fervency as any man upon this wide extending continent for an opportunity of turning the sword into a plow share. But his feelings as an officer and a man had been such as to force him to say that no person ever had a greater choice of difficulties to contend with than himself. After recapitulating the measures he had adopted, which were not within his power and urging many other necessary arrangements he added, it may be thought I am going a good deal out of the line of my duty to adopt these measures or to advise thus freely a character to lose in a state to forfeit the inestimable blessing of liberty to its state and a life devoted must be my excuse. The present aspect of American affairs was gloomy in the extreme. The existing army, except a few regiments affording an effective force of about 1500 men, would dissolve in a few days. New Jersey had in a great measure submitted and the middle shelf of Pennsylvania had not displayed the alacrity expected from them. General Howard would most probably avail himself of the ice which would soon form another dissolution of the American army to pass the Delaware and seize Philadelphia. This event was dreaded not only on account of its intrinsic importance but of its peculiar effect at this time when an army was to be recruited on which the future hopes of America were to rest. It was feared and with reason that it would make such an impression on the public mind as to deter the American youth from engaging in a contest becoming desperate. Impaled by these considerations, General Washington meditated a blow on the British army while dispersed in its cantonments which might retrieve the affairs of America in the opinion of the public and recover the ground that had been lost. He formed the daring plan of attacking all the British posts on the Delaware at the same instant. If successful in all or any of these attacks he hoped not only to wipe off the impression made by his losses and by his retreat but also to relieve Philadelphia from immediate danger and to compel his adversary to compress himself in such a manner as no longer to cover the jerseys. The positions taken up to guard the river were equally well adapted to offensive operations. The regulars were posted above Trenton from Yardleys up to Coriel's Ferry, the Pennsylvania Flying Camp and Jersey Militia under the command of General Irvine extended from Yardleys to the Ferry opposite Bordentown and General Cadwalador with the Pennsylvania Militia lay still lower down the river. In the plan of attack, which had been digested, it was proposed to cross in the night at McConkey's Ferry and about nine miles above Trenton to march down into divisions, the one taking the river road and the other, the Pennington Road, both which lead into the town. The first was that part of the western side which approaches the river and the last towards the north. This part of the plan was to be executed by the General in person at the head of about 2,400 continental troops. It was thought practicable to pass them over the river by 12 and to reach the point of destination by five in the morning of the next day when the attack was to be made. General Irvine was directed to cross at the Trenton Ferry and to secure the bridge below the town in order to prevent the escape of the enemy by that road. General Cadwalador was to pass over at Dunks and Ferry and carry the post at Mount Holly. It had been in contemplation to unite the troops employed in fortifying Philadelphia to those at Bristol and to place the hole under General Putnam. But such indications were given in that city of an insurrection of the royal cause that this part of the plan was abandoned. The cold on the night of the 25th was very severe. Snow mingled with hail and rain fell in great quantities and so much ice was made in that river that with every possible exertion, the division conducted by the General in person could not effect its passage until three more commenced. It's March down the river till meal four as the distance to Trenton but either road is nearly the same orders were given to attack at the instant of arrival and after driving in the outguards to press rapidly after them into the town and prevent the main body from forming. Battle of Trenton December 26 General Washington accompanied the upper column and arriving at the outpost on that road precisely they drove it in and in three minutes heard the fire from the column which had taken the river road. The picket guard attempted to keep up a fire while repeating but was pursued with such order as to be unable to make a stand. Colonel raw who commanded in the town paraded his men and met the assailants in the commencement of the action. He was mortally wounded upon which the troops in apparent confusion attempted to gain the road to Princeton General Washington through a detachment to their front. While he advanced rapidly on them in person finding themselves surrounded and their artillery already seized. They laid down their arms and surrendered themselves prisoners of war. About 20 of the enemy were killed and about 1000 made prisoners six field pieces and 1000 stand of small arms were also taken on the part of the Americans to privates were killed to frozen to death and one officer Lieutenant Monroe of the third Virginia regiment and three or four privates wounded. Unfortunately the ice rendered it impracticable for general Irvine to execute that part of the plan which was a lot of to him. With his utmost efficacy was unable to cross the river in the road towards Borden town remained open about 500 men among whom was a troop of cavalry stationed in the lower end of Trenton availed themselves of this circumstance and crossing the bridge in the commencement of the action. This gave down the river. The same cause prevented General Cadwalladier from attacking the post at Mount Holly with great difficulty. A part of his infantry passed the river but returned and it's being found absolutely impracticable to cross with the artillery. Although this plan failed in so many of its parts the success attending that which was conducted by General Washington in person was followed by the happiest effects had it been practicable for the divisions under generals Irvine and Cadwalladier to cross the river. It was intended to proceed from Trenton to the posts at and about Borden town to sweep the British from the banks of the Delaware and to maintain a position in the jerseys for finding that those parts of the plan had failed and supposing the British to remain in force below while that strong core was posted at Princeton. General Washington thought it unadvisable to hazard the loss of the very important advantage already gained by attempting to increase it and recross the river with his prisoners and military stores. Lieutenant Colonel Baylor is a decamp who carried the intelligence of this success to Congress was presented with a horse completely comparison for service and recommended to the command of regiment of cavalry. Nothing could surpass the astonishment of the British commander at this unexpected display of vigor on the part of the American general his condition and that of his country had been thought desperate. He'd been deserted by all the troops having a legal right to leave him and to render his situation completely ruinous nearly two thirds of the continental soldiers still remaining with him would be entitled to their discharge on the first day of January. There appeared to be no probability of prevailing on them to continue longer in the service and the recruiting business was absolutely at an end. The spirits of large proportion of the people were sunk to the lowest point of depression. New Jersey appeared to be completely subdued and some of the best judges of the public sentiment were of opinion that immense numbers in Pennsylvania also were determined to permit the 60 days allowed in the proclamation of Lord and Sir William Howe to elapse without availing themselves of the pardon. Instead of offensive operations a total dispersion of the small remnant of the American army was to be expected since it would be rendered to feeble by the discharge of those engaged only until the last day of December to attempt any longer the defense of the Delaware which would by that time in all probability be passable on the ice. Well every appearance supported these opinions and the British general without being sanguine might well consider the war as approaching his termination. This bold unfortunate enterprise announced to him that he was contending with an adversary who could never cease to be formidable while the possibility of resistance remained. Finding the conquest of America more distant than had been supposed he determined in the depth of winter to recommence active operations and Lord Cornwallis who had retired to New York with the intention of embarking for Europe suspended his departure and returned to the Jersey's in great force for the purpose of regaining the ground which had been lost. Meanwhile Count Donop who commanded the troops below Trenton on hearing the disaster which had befallen Colonel Raw retreated by the road leading to Amboy and joined General Leslie Princeton. The next day General Cadwallader crossed the Delaware with orders to harass the enemy but to put nothing to hazard until he should be joined by the continental battalions who were allowed a day or two of repose after the fatigues of the enterprise against Trenton. General Mifflin joined General Irvine with about 1500 Pennsylvania militia and those troops also crossed the river. Finding himself once more at the head of a force with which it seemed practicable to act offensively the general eternal to employ the winter in endeavoring to recover Jersey. December 30 with his view he ordered General Heath to leave a small detachment at Peekskill and with the main body of the New England militia to enter Jersey and approach the British Cantonments on that side. General Maxwell was ordered with all the militia he could collect to harass their flank and rear and to attack their outposts on every favorable occasion while the continental troops led by himself recrossed the Delaware and took post at Trenton. On the last day of December the regulars of New England were entitled to a discharge with great difficulty and a bounty of ten dollars many of them were induced to renew their engagements for six weeks. 1777 January 1 the British were now collected in force at Princeton under Lord Cornwallis and appearances confirmed the intelligence secretly obtained that he intended to attack the American army. General Smithlin and Kev Walliter who lay at Bordentown and Crosswicks with 3600 militia were therefore ordered to join the commander-in-chief useful effective force with this addition did not exceed 5000 men. January 2 Lord Cornwallis advanced upon him the next morning and about four in the afternoon the ban of the British army reached Trenton on his approach. General Washington retired across the Assam pink Creek which runs through the town. The British attempted to cross the creek several places but finding all the forge guarded. They desisted from the attempt and Kendall their fires the Americans Kendall their fires likewise and the cannonade was kept up on both sides till dark. The situation of General Washington was again extremely critical. Should he maintain his position he would certainly be attacked next morning by a force so very superior as to render the destruction of his little army inevitable. Should he attempt to retreat over the Delaware the passage of that river had been rendered so difficult by a few mild and foggy days which had softened the ice that a total defeat would be hazarded. In any event the jerseys would once more be entirely in possession of the enemy the public mind again be depressed recruiting discouraged in Philadelphia a second time in the grasp of General Howe. In this embarrassing state of things he formed the bold design of abandoning the Delaware and marching by a circuitous route along the left flank of the British army into its rear at Princeton where his strength could not be great. And after beating the troops at that place to move quickly to Brunswick where the baggage and principal magazines of the army lay under a weak guard indulge the hope that this maneuver would call the attention of the British general to his own defense. Should Lord Cornwallis contrary to every reasonable calculation proceed to Philadelphia nothing worse could happen in that quarter then must happen should the American army be driven before him and some compensation for that calamity would be obtained by expelling the enemy completely from Jersey and cutting up in detail all his parties in that state. January 3 of Princeton this plan being approved by a council of war preparations were made for its immediate execution. As soon as it was dark the baggage was removed silently to Burlington and at about one in the morning after renewing their fires and leaving their guards to go the rounds as usual. The army decamped with perfect silence and took a circuitous route along the Quaker Road to Princeton where three British regiments had encamped. The preceding night two of which commenced their march early in the morning to join the rear of their army had made in head. At sunrise when they had proceeded about two miles they saw the Americans on their left advancing in a direction which would enter the road in their rear. They immediately faced about and repassing Stony Brook moved under cover of the cops of wood towards the American van which was conducted by General Mercer. A sharp action ensued which however was not a long duration the militia of which the advance party was principally composed soon gave way and the few regulars attached to them were not strong enough to maintain their ground. While exerting himself gallantly to rally his broken troops General Mercer was mortally wounded and the van was entirely robbed but the fortune of the day was soon changed. The main body led by General Washington in person followed close in the rear and attacked the British with great spirit persuaded that defeat would have retrieval but ruined the affairs of America. He advanced in the very front of danger and exposed himself to the hottest fire of the enemy. He was so well supported by the same troops who a few days before had saved their country at Trenton that the British intern were compelled to give way. Their line was broken in the two regiments separated from each other Colonel Mahood who commanded that in front and was consequently nearest the rear division of the army under Lord Cornwallis. Retired to the main road and continued his march to Maidenhead. The 55th regiment which was on the left being hard pressed led in confusion across the fields into a back road leading between Hillsborough and Kingston towards Brunswick. The vicinity of the British forces at Maidenhead secured Colonel Mahood and General Washington pressed forward to Princeton. The regiment remaining in that place to post in the college and made it show resistance with some pieces of artillery being brought up to play upon that building. It was abandoned and the greater part of them became prisoners a few saved themselves by a precipitate flight to Brunswick. In this engagement rather more than 100 British were killed in the field and near 300 were taken prisoners. The loss of the Americans and killed was somewhat less but in their number was included General Mercer a valuable officer who had served with the commander in chief during his early campaigns in Virginia and was greatly esteemed by him. Colonel Hazlett and Potter, Captain Neal of the artillery, Captain Fleming and five other valuable officers were also among the slain. On the return of daylight Lord Cornwallis discovered that the American army had decamped in the night and immediately conceived the whole plan. Alarmed at the danger which threatened Brunswick he marched with the utmost expedition for that place and was close in the rear of the American army before it could leave Princeton. The situation of General Washington was again perilous and the extreme. His small army was exhausted with fatigue. His troops had been without sleep all of them one night and some of them too. They were without blankets. Many of them were barefooted and otherwise thinly clad and were 18 miles from his place of destination. He was closely pursued by a superior enemy who must necessarily come up with him before he could accomplish his designs on Brunswick. Under these circumstances he abandoned the remaining part of his original plan and took the road leading up the country to Plugman where his troops were permitted to refresh themselves. Lord Cornwallis continued his march to Brunswick which he reached in the course of that night. The sufferings of the American soldiers had been so great from the severity of the season and the very active service in which they had been engaged. Their complaints especially on the part of the militia were so loud their numbers were reducing so fast by returning home and by sickness that General Washington found it impractical to continue offensive operations. He retired to Morristown in order to put his men under cover and to give them some repose. The bold judicious and unexpected attacks made at Trenton and Princeton had a much more extensive influence than would be supposed from a mere estimate of the killed and taken. They stayed Philadelphia for the winter, recovered the state of Jersey and which was of a still more importance revived the drooping spirits of the people and gave a perceptible impulse to the recruiting service throughout the United States. A problem that a nation can be defended against a permanent force by temporary armies by occasional cause of the husband from his plow to the field was completely disproved and demonstrating its solace the independence of America and nearly perished in its cradle. The utmost efforts were now directed to the creation of an army for the ensuing campaign as the only solid basis on which the hopes of the Patriot could rest. During the retreat through the jerseys and while the expectation prevailed that no effectual resistance could be made to the British Army some spirit admitted indeed were animated to greater and more determined exertions but this state of things produced a very different effect on the great mass which can alone furnish the solid force of armies. In the middle of states especially the panic of distress was perceived doubts concerning the issue of the contest became extensive and the recruiting service proceeded so heavily and slowly as to excite the most anxious solicitude for the future. The affairs of Trenton and Princeton were magnified into great victories and were believed by the body of the people to evidence the superiority of their army and of their general the opinion that they were engaged in hopeless contests yielded to a confidence that proper exertions would ensure ultimate success. This change of opinion was accompanied with an essential change of conduct and although the regiments required by Congress were not completed they were made much stronger than was believed to be possible before this happy revolution in the aspect of public affairs. Firmness of Congress, the firmness of Congress throughout the gloomy and trying period which intervened between the loss of Fort Washington in the battle of Princeton gives the members of that time a just claim to the admiration of the world and to the gratitude of their fellow citizens and dismayed by impending dangers they did not for an instant admit the idea of surrendering the independence they had declared and purchasing peace by returning to their colonial situation. As the British Army advanced through Jersey and that consequent insecurity of Philadelphia rendered an adjournment from that place unnecessary measure of precaution their exertion seemed to increase with their difficulties they sought to remove the despondence which was seizing and paralyzing the public mind by an address to the states in which every argument was suggested which could rouse them to vigorous action. They made the most generous efforts to animate the militia and impel them to the field by the agency of those whose popular eloquence best fitted them for such a service. 1776 December 20 when reassembled at Baltimore the place to which they had adjourned their resolutions exhibited no evidence of confusion or dismay and the most judicious efforts were made to repair the mischief produced by past errors. Declaring that in the present state of things the very existence of civil liberty depended on the right execution of military powers. December 27 to a vigorous direction of which distant numerous and deliberative bodies were unequal. They authorized General Washington to raise 16 additional regiments and conferred upon him for six months almost unlimited powers for the conduct of the war. Towards the close of 1776 while the tide of fortune was running strongest against them, some few members distrusting their ability to make a successful resistance proposed to authorize their commissioners at the court of Versa to transfer to France the same monopoly of their trade which Great Britain had possessed. This proposition has stated to have been relinquished because it was believed that concessions of this kind would impair many arguments which have been used in favor of independence and disunited people. It was next proposed to offer a monopoly of certain enumerated articles but the unequal operation of this measure gave to the proposition of speedy negative. Some proposed offering to France an offensive and defensive league but this also was rejected. The more enlightened members argued that though the friendship of small states might be purchased that of France could not, they alleged that if she would risk a war with Great Britain by openly espousing their cause, she would not be induced to that measure by the prospect of direct advantages so much as by a desire to lessen the overgrown power of a dangerous rival. It was therefore urged that the most certain means of influencing France to interfere was an assurance that the United States would determine to persevere in refusing to resume their former allegiance under the influence of this better opinion. Resolutions were again entered into directing their commissioners in Europe to give explicit assurances of their determination at all events to maintain their independence. Copies of these resolutions were sent to the principal courts of Europe and agents were appointed to solicit their friendship to the new form states. These dispatches fell under the hands of the British and were published by then a circumstance which promoted the views of Congress who were persuaded that an apprehension of their coming to an accommodation with Great Britain constituted a material objection to the interference of foreign courts in what was represented as merely a domestic quarrel. A resolution adopted in the deepest disposed to listen to no terms of reunion with their apparent state where it was believed convinced those who wished for the dismemberment of the British Empire that sound policy required their interference so far as to prevent the conquest of the United States. End of Chapter 6 Chapter 7 of the Life of Washington, Volume 2 by John Marshall This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 8 restrain his soldiers they still considered and treated the inhabitants rather as conquered rebels than returning friends. Indulging in every species of licentiousness, the plunder and destruction of property were among the least offensive of the injuries they inflicted. The persons not only of the men but of that sex through which indignities least to be forgiven and longest to be remembered or received were exposed to the most irritating outrage. Nor were these accesses confined to those who had been active in the American cause. The lukewarm and even the loiless were the victims of this indiscriminating spirit of rapine and violence. The effect of such proceedings on a people whose country had never before been the seat of war and whose non-resistance had been occasioned solely by the expectation of that security which had been promised as the reward of submission to the royal authority could not fail to equal the most sanguine hopes of the friends of the revolution. A sense of personal wrongs produced the temper which national considerations had proved too weak to excite. And when the battles of Trenton and Princeton relieved the inhabitants from fears inspired by the presence of their invaders, the great body of the people flew to arms and numbers who could not be brought into the field to check the advancing enemy and prevent the ravages which uniformly afflict a country that becomes the seat of war were prompt in avenging those ravages. Small bodies of militia scoured the country, seized on stragglers, behaved unexceptionably well in several slight skirmishes and were collecting in such numbers as to threaten the weaker British posts with the fate which had befallen Trenton and Princeton. To guard against that spirit of enterprise which his adversary had displayed to such advantage, General Howe determined to strengthen his post by contracting them. The position taken for the purpose of covering the country were abandoned and the British force in New Jersey was collected at New Brunswick on the raritan and at Anboy a small town at the mouth of that river. Feeble as was the American army, this movement was not effective without some loss. On the evacuation of Elizabeth town, General Maxwell attacked the British rear and captured about 70 men with a part of their baggage. The American troops had been so diminished by the extreme severity of the service that it was with much difficulty the appearance of an army could be maintained. Fresh militia and volunteers arrived in camp whose numbers were exaggerated by report. These additions to his small remaining regular force enabled the general to take different positions near the lines of the enemy to harass him perpetually, restrain his foraging parties and produce considerable distress in his camp. January 12, well with little more than an imaginary army, General Washington thus harassed and confined his adversary. He came to the hazardous resolution of freeing himself and his troops from the fear of a calamity which he founded impossible to elude and which had proved more fatal in his camp than the sword of the enemy. American army inoculated. Inoculation, having been rarely practiced in the western world, the American youth remained liable to the smallpox, notwithstanding the efforts to guard against this disease that had found its way into both the northern and middle army and had impaired the strength of both to an alarming degree to avoid the return of the same evil the general determined to inoculate all the soldiers in the American service. With the utmost secrecy, preparations were made to give the infection in camp and the hospital physicians in Philadelphia were ordered to carry all the southern troops as they should arrive through the disease. Similar orders were also given to the physicians at other places and thus an army exempt from the fear of a calamity which had at all times endangered the most important operations was prepared for the ensuing campaign. This example was followed through the country and this alarming disease was no longer the terror of America. As the main body of the British army was cantoned in Jersey in a strong detachment occupied Rhode Island General Washington believed that New York could not be perfectly secure. His intelligence strengthened this opinion and as an army respectable in point of numbers had been assembled about peak skill he ordered General Heath to approach New York for the purpose of forging and should appearances favor the attempt of attacking the forts which guarded the entrance into the island. The hope was entertained that General Howe alarmed for New York might either withdraw his troops from Jersey or so weaken his posts in that status to endanger them. Should this hope be disappointed it was believed that something handsome might be done either on York or Long Island. General Heath moves down to King's Bridge but returns to peak skill without effecting anything. In pursuance of this plan General Heath marched down to Westchester and summoned fort independence to surrender but the garrison determining to hold the place the council of war deemed it unadvisable to risk an assault, an embarkation of troops which took place about that time at Rhode Island alarmed General Heath for his rear and induced him to resume his ground in the Highlands. Though this attempt entirely failed the commander-in-chief still meditated important operations during the winter all the intelligence from Europe demonstrated the necessity of these operations and the fallacy of the hope still extensively cherished that the war would be abandoned by Great Britain. The administration was still supported by great majorities in Parliament and the nation seemed well disposed to employ all its means to re-annex to the Empire what were still denominated revolted colonies. It was not to be doubted that large reinforcements would arrive in the spring and the safety of the nation would be in hazard should General Howe remain in full force till they should be received. The utmost efforts were made by the commander-in-chief to collect a sufficient number of troops to enable him to give a decisive blow to some one of the positions of his enemy. The state's sovereignty where the real energies of government resided were incessantly urged to fill their regiments and to bring their quotas into the field and Congress at his instance passed resolutions authorizing him to draw the troops from peak skill and to call out the militia of the neighboring states. It being these resolutions proceed to say the earnest desire of Congress to make the army under the immediate command of General Washington sufficiently strong not only to curb and confine the enemy within their present quarters and prevent their drawing support of it in kind from the country but by the divine blessing totally to subdue them before they can be reinforced. These resolves were communicated to the general in a letter manifesting the confident expectation of Congress that the desire expressed in them would soon be realized but the energy displayed in their passage could not be maintained in their execution. Many causes concurred to prevent the collection of a force competent to those vigorous operations which the enterprising genius of the commander-in-chief had provisionally planned and the sanguine temper of Congress had anticipated. Some of the state assemblies did not even complete the appointment of officers till the spring and then bitter contests concerning rank remained to be adjusted when the troops should join the army after these arrangements were made the difficulty of enlisting men was unexpectedly great. The immense hardships to which the naked soldiers had been exposed during a winter campaign in the face of a superior enemy the mortality resulting from those hardships and probably from an injudicious arrangement of the hospital department which was found to be the tomb of the sick had excited a general disgust to the service and a consequent unwillingness to engage in it. From these causes the army continued so feeble that the general instead of being able to execute the great designs he had meditated entertained series fears that Sir William Howe would take the field during the winter forces positions cross the Delaware on the ice and proceed to Philadelphia in the apprehension of this attempt and to avoid that confusion which would result from the removal of stores in the crisis of military operations he had taken the precaution as soon as the armies were in winter quarters to convey those which were most valuable to a distance from the route which it was supposed the British army would pursue. March 4 the real condition of the army is exhibited in a letter from the commander-in-chief to Congress in answer to that which enclose the resolutions already mentioned and which express the brilliant schemes of victory formed by the government. Could I, said the general, accomplish the important objects so eagerly wished by Congress confine the enemy within their present quarters preventing their getting supplies from the country and totally subduing them before they are reinforced I should be happy indeed. But what prospects or hope can there be of my effecting so desirable a work at this time the enclosed return to which I solicit the most serious attention to Congress comprehends the whole force I have in Jersey it is but a handful and bears no proportion on the scale of numbers to that of the enemy added to this the major part is made up of militia the most sanguine inspeculation cannot deem it more than adequate to the least valuable purposes of war skirmishes though unable to act with the vigor he wished the American general kept up a war of skirmishes through the winter in the course of it British loss was believed to be considerable and hopes were entertained that from the scarcity of forage neither their cavalry nor draft horses would be in a condition to take the field when the campaign should open their foraging parties were often attacked to advantage frequent small successes the details of which filled the papers throughout the United States not only increase the competence of the American soldiers but serve greatly to animate the people state of the army the hope of collecting a sufficient force during the winter to make any valuable impression on the British army being disappointed the views of the general were directed to the next campaign as the new army was to be raised by the authority of the state governments he urged on them the necessity of bringing a respectable force into the field early in the spring with all the earnestness which was suggested by his situation and zeal for the service in connecticut and massachusetts the country was laid off into districts each of which was required by a given day to furnish a soldier enlisted for three years or during the war in default of which one person from those capable of bearing arms was to be drafted to serve until the first of the ensuing january the commander in chief though still deprecating the introduction of men into the army these terms of service would be of short duration felt the necessity of submitting to this expedient as the most eligible which could now be adopted in virginia where the same difficulty attended enlistments it was proposed by the executive to fill the regiments with volunteers who should engage to serve for six months this plan was submitted to general washington by governor henry and his opinion asked the punnett i am under the necessity of observing said the general interplan for the volunteer plan which you mentioned will never answer any valuable purpose and that i cannot but disapprove the measure to the short engagements of our troops may be fairly unjustly ascribed almost every misfortune that we have experienced in a subsequent letter to the same gentleman enforcing earnestly the necessity of bringing a sufficient army into the field though coercive measures should be adopted some alternatives were suggested which in that later period of the war can constituted the basis of various experiments to furnish the quota of troops required from that state as the season for active operations approach fresh difficulties growing out of the organization of the american system unfolded themselves as every state was exposed to invasion and the command of the ocean enabled the british general to transfer the war a pleasure to any part of the union the attention of each was directed exclusively to its particular situation each state in the neighborhood of the great theater of action contemplating its own danger claimed the protection which is due from the whole to its parts although the object of the confederation was the same with that pursued by each of its members the spirit incident to every league cannot be controlled in an empire where notwithstanding the existence of ahead the essentials of government resided in the members it was displayed in repeated efforts to give to the energies of the army such various directions as would leave it unable to affect any great object or to obstruct any one plan the enemy might form the patriotism of the day however and the unexampled confidence placed by all the state governments in the commander-in-chief prevented the mischief the spirit is so well calculated to generate his representations made their proper impression and the intention of retaining continental troops for local defense was abandoned though with some reluctance the burden however of calling militia from their domestic avocations at every threat of invasion to watch every military post in each state became so intolerable that the people cast about for other expedience to relieve themselves from its weight the plan of raising regular core to be exclusively under state authority and thus be a perpetual substitute for the humanry of the country presented itself as the most effectual inconvenient mode of protecting the coast from insult during the winter general how kept his troops in their quarters attending to their comfort as the season for more active operations approached his first attention was directed to the destruction of the scanty supplies prepared by the Americans for the ensuing campaign a small place on the Hudson call peak skill about 50 miles above new york was generally the residents of the officer commanding in the highlands and was used for the reception of stores to be distributed into the neighboring posts as occasion might require its drink like that of all others depending for defense on militia was subject to great fluctuation as soon as the ice was out of the river general how took advantage of its occasional weakness to carry on an expedition against it for the purpose of destroying the stores they're deposited and are bringing them away march 23 destruction of stores at peak skill colonel bird was detached at the river on this service with about 500 men under convoy of a frigate and some armed vessels general google whose numbers did not at that time exceed 250 men received timely notice of his approach and exerted himself for the removal of the stores into the strong country in his rear before this could be affected colonel bird appeared and mcdougal after setting fire to the remaining stores and barracks retired into the strong grounds in the rear of peak skill the british detachment completed the conflagration and returned to new york during their short stay a pk guard was attacked by colonel willett and driven in with the loss of a few men a circumstance believed by general mcdougal to have hastened the re-embarkation of the detachment at danbury april military stores to a considerable amount had likewise been deposited at danbury on the western frontier of connecticut although this place is not more than 20 miles from the sound yet the roughness of the intervening country the frequent passage of troops from the eastward through the town and the well-known zeal of that neighboring militia were believed sufficient to secure the magazines collected at it against danbury an expedition was projected in 2000 men under the command of governor triumph major general of that provincials in that british service assisted by brigadiers agnew and civilian urskine were employed in it april 28 on the 25th of april the fleet appeared off the coast of connecticut and in the evening the troops were landed without opposition between fairfield and norwalk general silliman then casually in that part of the country immediately expresses to assemble the militia in the meantime triumph proceeded to danbury which he reached about to the next day on his approach colonel huntington who had occupied the town with about 150 men retired to a neighboring height and danbury with the magazines it contained was consumed by fire general arnold who was also in the state superintending the recruiting service joined general silliman at redding where that officer had collected about 500 militia general wuster who had resigned his commission in the continental service and been appointed major general of the militia fell in with them at the same place and they proceeded in the night through a heavy rain to baffle about eight miles from danbury having heard next morning that triumph after destroying the town and magazines was returning they divided their troops in general wuster with about 300 men fell in his rear while arnold with about 500 crossing the country took post in his front at ridgefield wester came up with his rear about 11 in the morning attacked it with great gallantry and a sharp skirmish ensued in which he was mortally wounded and his troops were repulsed try and then proceeded to ridgefield where he found arnold already entrenched on a strong piece of ground and prepared to dispute his passage a warm skirmish ensued which continued nearly an hour arnold was at length driven from the field after which he retreated to pogatuck about three miles east of norwalk a break of day next morning after setting ridgefield on fire the british resumed their march about 11 in the forenoon they were again met by arnold whose numbers increased during the day to rather more than 1000 men among whom were some continental troops a continued skirmishing was kept up until five in the afternoon when the british formed on a hill near their ships the americans attacked them within trepidity but were repulsed and broke him trying availing himself of this respite re-embarked his troops and returned to new york the loss of the british amounted to about 170 men that of the americans was represented by trying as being much more considerable by themselves it was not admitted to exceed 100 in this number however were comprehended general wister lieutenant colonel gould and another field officer killed and colonel lam wounded several other officers and volunteers were killed military and hospital stores to a considerable amount which were greatly needed by the army were destroyed in the magazines at danbury but the loss most severely felt was rather more than 1000 tents which had been provided for the campaign about to open not long afterwards this enterprise was successfully retaliated a british detachment had been for some time employed in collecting forage and provisions on the eastern end of long island house opposed this part of the country to be so completely secured by the armed vessels which incessantly traversed the sound that he confided the protection of the store's deposit at a small port called sag harbour to a schooner with 12 guns and a company of infantry expedition of colonel migues to sag harbour may general parson's who commanded a few recruits at new heaven thinking it practicable to elude the cruisers in the bay formed the design of surprising this party and other adjacent posts the execution of which was entrusted to lieutenant colonel migues a gallant officer who had accompanied arnold in his memorable march to quebec he embarked with about 230 men on board 13 whale boats and proceeded along the coast to gilford where he was to cross the sound with about 170 of his detachment under convoy of two armed swoops he proceeded across the sound to the north division of the island near south hold in the neighborhood of which a small foraging party against which the expedition was in part directed was supposed to lie but they had marched two days before to new york the boats were conveyed across the land a distance of about 15 miles into a bay which deeply intersects the eastern end of long island where the troops reembark crossing the bay they landed it to in the morning about four miles from sag harbour which place they completely surprised and carried with charged bayonets may 24 at the same time a division of the detachment secured the armed schooner and the vessels laden with forage which were set on fire and entirely consumed six of the enemy were killed and 90 taken prisoners a very few escaped under cover of the night the object of this expedition being affected without the loss of a man colonel migues returned to gilford with his prisoners having as best stated in the letter to general parson's moved with such uncommon celerity as to have transported his men back land and water 90 miles in 25 hours congress directed a sword to be presented to him and passed the resolution expressing the high sense entertained of his merit and of the prudence activity in valor displayed by himself and his party the exertions made by the commander in chief through the winter to raise a powerful army for the ensuing campaign had not been successful the hopes respecting its strength which the flattering reports made from every quarter had authorized him to form were cruelly disappointed when he found himself not only unable to carry into effect the offensive operations he had meditated but unequal even to defensive war that steady and persevering courage however rich had supported himself and the american cause through the gloomy scenes of the preceding year did not forsake him and that sound judgment which applies to the best advantage those means which are attainable however inadequate they may be still remained his plan of operations was adapted to that which he believed his enemy had formed he was persuaded either that general bergoyne would endeavor to take ticonderoga and to penetrate to the Hudson in which event general howe would cooperate within by moving up that river and attempting to possess himself of the forts and high grounds commanding its passage for that bergoyne would join the grand army at new york by sea after which the combined armies would proceed against philadelphia to counteract the designs of the enemy whatever they might be to defend the three great points ticonderoga the highlands of new york and philadelphia against two powerful armies so much superior to him in arms and numbers and in discipline it was necessary to make such an arrangement of his troops as would enable the parts reciprocally to aid each other without neglecting objects of great and almost equal magnitude which were alike threatened and were far ascended to affect these purposes the troops of new england and new york were divided between ticonderoga and peak skill while those from jersey to north carolina inclusive were directed to assemble at the camp to be formed in jersey the morris southern troops remained in that weak quarter of the union for its protection camp formed at middlebrook these arrangements being made and the recruits collected the camp at morris town was broken up the detachments called in and the army assembled at middlebrook just behind a connected ridge of strong and commanding heights north of the road leading to philadelphia and about 10 miles from brunswick this camp the approaches to which were naturally difficult was rendered still more defensible by entrenchments the heights in front commanded a prospect of the course of the rare attend the road to philadelphia the hills about brunswick and a considerable part of the country between that place and an boy so as to afford a full view of the most interesting movements of the enemy the force brought into the field by america required all the aid which could be derived from strong positions and unremitting vigilance on the 20th of may the total of the army in jersey excluding cavalry in artillery amounted to only 8378 men of whom upwards of 2000 was sick the effective ranking by were only 5738 had this army been composed of the best disciplined troops its inferiority in point of numbers must have limited its operations to defensive war and have rendered it incompetent to the protection of any place whose defense would require a battle in the open field but more than half the troops were unacquainted with the first rudiments of military duty and had never looked an enemy in the face as an additional cause of apprehension a large proportion of the soldiers especially from the middle states were foreigners many of them servants and whose attachment to the american cause full confidence could not be placed general washington anticipating a movement by land towards philadelphia had taken the precaution to give orders for assembling on the western bank of the delaware an army of militia strengthened by a few continental troops the command of which was given to general arnold who was then in philadelphia employed in the settlement of his accounts the first and real object of the campaign on the part of general howe was the acquisition of philadelphia he intended to march through jersey and after securing the submission of that state to cross the delaware on a portable bridge constructed in the winter for the purpose and proceed by land to that city if in the execution of this plan americans could be brought to a general action on equal ground the advantages of the royal army must ensure a victory but should washington decline in engagement and be again pressed over the delaware the object would be as certainly obtained as the realm howe taken the field before the continental troops were assembled this plan might probably have been executed without any serious obstruction but the tents and camp equipped expected from york did not arrive until general washington had collected his forces and taken possession of a strong post on the heights of middlebrook it would be dangerous to attack him on such advantageous ground for although his camp might be forced victory would probably be attended with such loss as to disable the victor from reaping its fruits if it was deemed too hazardous to attack the strong camp at middlebrook an attempt to cross the delaware in the face of an army collected on its western bank well that under general washington remained unbroken in his rear was an experiment of equal danger it comported with a cautious temper of sir William howe to devise some other plan of operation to which he might resort should he be unable to seduce the american general from his advantageous position the two great bays of delaware and chesapeake suggested the alternative of proceeding by water should he be unable to maneuver general washington out of his present encampment june the plan of the campaign being settled in some small reinforcements with the expected camp equipped being received from europe general howe leaving our garrison in new york and a guard in anboy assembled his army at brunswick june 12 and gave strong indications of an intention to penetrate through the country to the delaware and reach philadelphia by land believing this to be his real design washington placed a select corps of riflemen under the command of colonel morgan an officer who had distinguished himself in the unfortunate attempt to storm core back and in whom those peculiar qualities which fit him in for the command of a partisan corps designed to act on the lines of a formidable enemy were eminently united he was ordered to take post at van bightons bridge on the raritan just above its confluence with the millstone river to watch the left flank of the british army and seize every occasion to harass it so we am howe moves out to somerset courthouse in great force early in the morning of the 14th so we have howe leaving 2000 men under the command of general math use at brunswick advanced in two columns towards the delaware the front of the first under lord cornwallis reached somerset courthouse nine miles from brunswick by the appearance of day and the second command about general der heister reached middle bush about the same time this movement was made with the view of inducing general washington to quit his fortified clamp and approach the delaware in which event the british general expected to bring on an engagement on ground less disadvantageous than that now occupied by the american army but that officer understood the importance of his position too well to abandon it on the first intelligence that the enemy was in motion he drew out his whole army and formed it to great advantage on the heights in front of his camp this position was constantly maintained the troops remained in order of battle during the day and in that night slept on the ground to be defended in the meantime that jersey militia with an alacrity there too for an example in that state took the field in great numbers they principally joined general sullivan read retired from princeton behind the sourland hills towards plumbing town where an army of some respectability was forming which could readily cooperate without under the immediate inspection of the commander in chief the subtle purpose of general washington was to defend his camp but not to hazard a general action on other ground he had therefore determined not to advance from the heights he occupied into the open country either towards the enemy or the delaware the object of general how seems to have been by acting on his anxiety for philadelphia to seduce him from the strong ground about middle brook and tempted to approach the delaware in hope of defending its passage should he succeed in this he had little doubt of being able to bring on an engagement in which he counted with certainty on victory the considerations which restrained general how from attempting to march through jersey leaving the american army in full force in his rear had determined washington to allow him to proceed to the delaware if such would be his intention in that event he had determined to throw those impediments only in the way of the hostile army which might harass him retard its march and maintaining the high and secure grounds north of the road to be taken by the enemy to watch for an opportunity of striking some important blow with manifest advantage he was not long in penetrating the designs of his adversary the views of the enemy he writes to general arnold in a letter of the 17th must be to destroy this army and get possession of philadelphia i am however clearly of opinion that they will not move that way until they have endeavored to give a severe blow to this army the risk would be too great to attempt cross river when they must expect to meet a formidable opposition in front and would have such a force as ours in their rear they might possibly be successful but the probability would be infinitely against them should they be improved enough to make the attempt shall keep close upon their heels and will do everything in my power to make the project fatal to them but besides the argument in favor of their intending in the first place a stroke at this army drawn from the policy of the measure every appearance contributes to confirm the opinion have their design been for the Delaware in the first instance since they were probably have made a secret rapid march for it and not have halted so as to awaken our attention and give us time to prepare for obstructing them instead of that they have only advanced your position necessary to facilitate an attack on our right the part in which we are most exposed in addition to this circumstance they have come out as light as possible leaving all their baggage provisions votes and bridges at brunswick this plainly contradicts the idea of their intending to push for the Delaware returns to an boy finding the american army could not be drawn from its strong position general how determined to waste no more time and threaten philadelphia by land but to withdraw from jersey to embark his army as expeditiously as possible for the chesapeake or the Delaware on the night of the 19th he returned to brunswick and on the 22nd to an boy from which place the heavy baggage and a few of his troops passed into statin island on the bridge which had been designed for the Delaware general washington had expected this movement from brunswick and had made arrangements to derive some advantage from it general green was detached with three brigades to annoy the british rear and sullivan and maxwell were ordered to cooperate with him in the meantime the army paraded on the heights of middlebrook ready to act as circumstances might require about sunrise colonel morgan drove in that pk yard soon after which that division commenced this march to anboy some sharp skirmishing took place between this party and morgan's regiment but the hope of gaining any important advantage was entirely disappointed and the retreat to anboy was affected with inconsiderable loss jane 24 in order to cover his light parties which still hung on that british flanking rear general washington advanced six or seven miles to quibble town on that road to anboy and lord sterling's division was pushed still farther to the neighborhood of the the tucking meeting house for the purpose of cooperating with the light parties should the retreat to statin island afford an opportunity of striking at the rear endeavors to cut off the retreat of the american army to middlebrook but is disappointed believing it now practicable to bring on an engagement and probably hoping to turn the left of the american army and gain the heights in its rear general howe in the night of the 25th recall the troops from statin island and early next morning made a rapid movement in two columns towards westfield the right under the command of lord cornwallis took the route by woodbridge to the scotch plains and the left led by syream howe in person marched by the tucking meeting house to fall into the rear of the right column it was intended that the left should take a separate road soon after this junction and attack the left flank of the american army at quibble town while lord cornwallis should gain the heights on the left of the camp at middlebrook four battalions with six pieces of cannon were detached to bottom town lord cornwallis skirmish is near the scotch plains with lord sterling june 30 about woodbridge the right column fell in with one of the american parties of observation which gave most of this movement general washington discerned his danger put the whole army instantly in motion and regain the camp at middlebrook lord cornwallis fell in with lord sterling and a sharp skirmish ensued in which the americans were driven from their ground with the loss of three field pieces and a few men they retreated to the hills about the scotch plains and were pursued as far as westfield perceiving the passes in the mountains on the left of the american camp to be guarded and the object of this skillful maneuver to be consequently unattainable his lordship returned through rod weight to anboy and the whole army crossed over to statin island july 2 general washington was now again left to his conjectures respecting the plan of the campaign before sir William howe had in any degree disclosed his views intelligence was perceived of the appearance of bergoyne on lake champlain and that ticonderoga was threatened this intelligence strengthened the opinion that the design of how it must be to seize the passes in the mountains on the hudson secure the command of that river and effected junction between the two armies yet he could not permit himself to yield so entirely to this impression as to make a movement which might open the way by land of philadelphia his army therefore maintained its station at middlebrook but arrangements were made to repel any sudden attack on the posts which defended the hudson some changes made in those stations of the british ships and troops having relieved the american general from his apprehensions about southern march to philadelphia advance sullivan's divisions to pompton plains on the way to peak skill and proceeded with the main body of his army to morris town thus approaching the highlands of new york without removing so far from middlebrook as to be unable to regain that camp should general howe indicate an intention to seize it meanwhile the british general prosecuted diligently his plan of embarkation which was necessarily attended with circumstances indicating a much longer voyage than that up the north river these circumstances were immediately communicated to the eastern states and congress was earnestly pressed to strengthen the fortifications on the Delaware and to increase the obstructions in that river july 16 in the midst of these appearances certain intelligence was received that bergoin was in great force on the lakes and was advancing against ticonderoga this intelligence confirmed the opinion that the main object of howe must be to effect a junction with bergoin on the north river under this impression general washington ordered sullivan to peak skill and advanced himself first to pompton plains and afterwards to the clove where he determined to remain until the views of the enemy should be disclosed while the general thus anxiously watched the movements of his adversary and agreeable and unexpected piece of intelligence was received from new england the command of the british troops in rhoda island had devolved on general prescott thinking himself perfectly secure in an island the water surrounding which was believed to be entirely guarded by his cruisers and at the head of an army greatly superior to any force then collected in that department indulged himself in convenient quarters rather distant from camp and was remiss with respect to the guards about his person information of this negligence was communicated to the main and a plan was formed to surprise him this spirited enterprise was executed with equal courage and addressed by lieutenant colonel barton of the rhoda island militia general prescott surprised and taken on the night of the 10th he embarked on board for railboats at warwick neck with a party consisting of about 40 persons including captain adams and philips and several other officers after proceeding about 10 miles by water unobserved by the british guard boats although several ships of war lay in that quarter he landed on the rest of the island about midway between newport and bristol ferry and marching a mile to the quarters of prescott dexterously seized the central out his door and one of his aids the general himself was taken out of bed and conveyed to a place of safety the success of this intrepid enterprise diffused the more joy throughout america because it was supposed to secure the liberation of general lee by enabling general washington to offer an office of equal rank in exchange for him congress expressed a high sense of the gallant conduct of colonel barton and his party and presented him with a sword as a mark of approbation as the fleet fell down towards sandy hook general washington withdrew slowly from the clothe and disposed his army in different divisions so as to march to any point which might be attacked the british army embarks the link the embarkation was completed and the fleet put to sea end of chapter seven