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camped the main body of his army in and about that village; detaching Lord Cornwallis with a large force and a number of officers of distinction, to take formal possession of the city. That general marched into Philadelphia on the 26th, with a brilliant staff and escort, and followed by splendid legions of British and Hessian grenadiers, long trains of artillery and squadrons of light dragoons, the finest troops in the army, all in their best array; stepping to the swelling music of the band playing God save the King,” and presenting with their scarlet uniforms, their glittering arms and flaunting feathers, a striking contrast to the poor patriot troops, who had recently passed through the same streets, weary and way-worn, and happy if they could cover their raggedness with a brown linen hunting-frock, and decorate their caps with a sprig of evergreen.

In this way the British took possession of the city, so long the object of their awkward attempts, and regarded by them as a triumphant acquisition, having been the seat of the general government, the capital of the confederacy. Washington maintained his characteristic equanimity. “This is an event," writes he to Governor Trumbull, which we have reason to wish had not happened, and which will be attended with several ill consequences; but I hope it will not be so detrimental as many apprehend, and that a little time and perseverance will give us some favorable opportunity of recovering our loss, and of putting our affairs in a more flourishing condition."

He had heard of the prosperous situation of affairs in the Northern department, and the re

THE NORTHERN DEPARTMENT.

233

"I flatter

peated checks given to the enemy. myself," writes he, "we shall soon hear that they have been succeeded by other fortunate and interesting events, as the two armies, by General Gates' letter, were encamped near each other."

We will now revert to the course of the campaign in that quarter, the success of which he trusted would have a beneficial influence on the operations in which he was personally engaged. Indeed the operations in the Northern department formed, as we have shown, but a part of his general scheme, and were constantly present to his thoughts. His generals had each his own individual enterprise, or his own department to think about; Washington had to think for the whole.

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AMERICAN ARMY REINFORCED.

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237

ble woods; in a picturesque and beautiful n; but which was almost abandoned by its itants, who had hastened to join the Amerimy." "They added much to its strength,” es she, "as they were all good marksmen, e love of their country inspired them with han ordinary courage." American army had received various reinents: the most efficient was Morgan's corps men, sent by Washington. He had also ed it with artillery. It was now about ten d strong. Schuyler, finding himself and fered services slighted by Gates, had reo Albany. His patriotism was superior nal resentments. He still continued to he success of the campaign, exerting his over the Indian tribes, to win them from At Albany, he held talks and war th deputations of Oneida, Tuscarora, and a warriors; and procured scouting parties which he sent to the camp, and which great service. His former aide-de-camp, Brockholst Livingston, and his secretary, Varick, remained in camp, and kept him by letter of passing occurrences. They ch about the person of General Arnold, his return from relieving Fort Stanwix, ed the left wing of the army. Livingact, was with him as aide-de-camp. The of Gates was awakened by these cires. He knew their attachment to Schuysuspected they were prejudicing the 1 Riedesel's Memoirs.

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