322

a weak g ruined it."

- I am,

The b

astoundin

the mids:

members

first, to h

his frien

way end

censorio

the car

familiar

explana

received

mediate

leged, a

way in members the camp

prospect

kept to 1

remain a

not accep

was supp to further

after.

In the 1

invidious c
of the tw
under Was

in General Gates' camp, and those foremost part, of the best yeocountry, well armed, and in many ed with provisions of their own Ha the same spirit pervaded the this and the neighboring States, we this time have had General Howe e situation of General Burgoyne

Mre difficulties, in the course of the cam-
ve been not a little increased by the ex-
coctinental troops, which the gloomy
retour affairs in the north immediately
e reduction of Ticonderoga, induced me
sace from this army.
vet end well.
TAN ED INDIFFERENT IS IT TO ME WHERE
WHAT QUARTER IT HAPPENS."

But it is to be hoped
IF THE CAUSE IS AD-

Whave put the last sentence in capitals, for
Zaks the whole soul of Washington. Glory

is a secondary consideration. Let

who win, wear the laurel-sufficient for
the advancement of the cause.

NOTE

an earnest appeal of Washington to Thomas dent of Pennsylvania, on the 17th of October, keep up the quota of troops demanded of the Stress and to furnish additional aid. "I assure

-es be "it is a matter of astonishment to every

octinent to hear that Pennsylvania, the most
cious of all the States, has but twelve bun-

ain the field, at a time when the enemy are en
make themselves completely masters of, and

WASHINGTON DEFENDED.

325

"Be not deceived eir quarters in her capital." And Major-general Armcommanding the Pennsylvania militia, writes at the time to the Council of his State: wrong notions of General Washington's numbers; be You all speak well of our he wants your aid. Let the brave step forth, their le will animate the many. ander-in-chief at a distance; don't you want to see him, y him one generous, one martial visit, when kindly to his camp near the end of a long campaign? There see for yourselves the unremitting zeal and toils of lay and half the night, multiplied into years, without ouse or home of his own, without murmur or combut believes and calls this arduous task the service of try and of his God."

sant cannonade and bombardment for several days, defied all repairs. The block-houses were demolished, the palisades beaten down, the guns dismounted, the barracks reduced to ruins. Captain Treat, a young officer of great merit, who commanded the artillery, was killed, as were several non-commissioned officers and privates; and a number were wounded.

The survivors, who were not wounded, were exhausted by want of sleep, hard duty, and constant exposure to the rain. Colonel Smith himself was disabled by severe contusions, and obliged to retire to Red Bank.

The fort was in ruins; there was danger of its being carried by storm, but the gallant Fleury thought it might yet be defended with the aid of fresh troops. Such were furnished from Varnum's brigade: Lieutenant-colonel Russell, of the Connecticut line, replaced Colonel Smith. He, in his turn, was obliged to relinquish the command through fatigue and ill health, and was succeeded by Major Thayer of Rhode Island, aided by Captain (afterwards commodore) Talbot, who had distinguished himself in the preceding year by an attack on a ship of war in the Hudson The present was an occasion that required men of desperate valor.

On the fourth day the enemy brought a large Indiaman, cut down to a floating battery, to bear upon the works; but though it opened a terrible ire, it was silenced before night. The next day several ships of war got within gunshot. Two prepared to attack it in front; others brought