than fourteen thousand militia, as I have been informe were actually in General Gates' camp, and those co posed, for the most part, of the best yeomanry in th country, well armed, and in many instances supplied wit provisions of their own carrying. Had the same spir pervaded the people of this and the neighboring State we might before this time have had General Howe near in the situation of General Burgoyne.

"My own difficulties, in the course of the campaig have been not a little increased by the extra aid of co tinental troops, which the gloomy prospect of our affai in the north immediately after the reduction of Tico deroga, induced me to spare from this army. But it to be hoped that all will yet end well. IF THE CAUSE ADVANCED, INDIFFERENT IS IT TO ME WHERE OR IN WHAT QUA TER IT HAPPENS."

We have put the last sentence in capitals, for it speak the whole soul of Washington. Glory with him is secondary consideration. Let those who win, wear th laurel-sufficient for him is the advancement of the

cause.

NOTE.

We subjoin an earnest appeal of Washington to Thomas Wharton, president of Pennsylvania, on the 17th of October, urging him to keep up the quota of troops demanded of the State by Congress, and to furnish additional aid. "I assure you, sir," writes he, "it is a matter of astonishment to every part of the continent to hear that Pennsylvania, the

deepest regret, that the best concerted enterprise and bravest exertions should have been rendered fruitless by a disaster, which human prudence was incapable of foreseeing or preventing, can alleviate disappointment, you may be assured that the whole continent sympathizes with you. It will be a consolation for you to reflect, that the thinking part of mankind do not form their judgment from events; and that their equity will ever attach equal glory to those actions which deserve success, and those which have been crowned with it. It is in the trying circumstances to which your Excellency has been exposed, that the virtues of a great mind are displayed in their brightest lustre, and that a general's character is better known than in the hour of victory. It was yours, by every title which can give it; and the adverse element, which robbed you of your prize, can never deprive you of the glory due to you.'

CHAPTER XXXVII.

INDIAN WARFARE.-DESOLATION OF THE VALLEY OF WYOMING.-MOVEMENTS IN NEW YORK.-COUNTER-MOVEMENTS OF WASHINGTON.-FORAGING PARTIES OF THE ENEMY.-BAYLOR'S DRAGOONS MASSACRED AT OLD TAPPAN.—BRITISH EXPEDITION AGAINST LITTLE EGG HARBOR.- MASSACRE OF PULASKI'S INFANTRY.-RETALIATION OF DONOP'S RANGERS.-ARRIVAL OF ADMIRAL BYRON. -ENDEAVORS TO ENTRAP D'ESTAING, BUT IS DISAPPOINTED.— EXPEDITION AGAINST ST. LUCIA.-EXPEDITION AGAINST GEORGIA.-CAPTURE OF SAVANNAH. -GEORGIA SUBDUED.— GENERAL LINCOLN SENT TO COMMAND IN THE SOUTH.

HILE hostilities were carried on in the customary form along the Atlantic borders, Indian warfare, with all its atrocity, was going on in the

It

interior. The British post at Niagara was its cradle. was the common rallying-place of tories, refugees, savage warriors, and other desperadoes of the frontiers. Hither Brant, the noted Indian chief, had retired after the repulse of St. Leger at Fort Schuyler, to plan further mischief; and here was concerted the memorable incursion into the Valley of Wyoming, suggested by tory refugees, who had until recently inhabited it.

The Valley of Wyoming is a beautiful region lying along the Susquehanna. Peaceful as was its aspect, it had been the scene of sanguinary feuds prior to the Rev

olution, between the people of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, who both laid claim to it. Seven rural forts or block-houses, situated on various parts of the valley, had been strongholds during these territorial contests, and remained as places of refuge for women and children in times of Indian ravage.

The expedition now set on foot against it, in June, was composed of Butler's rangers, Johnson's Royal Greens, and Brant, with his Indian braves. Their united force, about cleven hundred strong, was conducted by Colonel John Butler, renowned in Indian warfare. Passing down the Chemung and Susquehanna in canoes, they landed at a place called Three Islands, struck through the wilderness to a gap or "notch" of the mountains, by which they entered the Valley of Wyoming. Butler made his head-quarters at one of the strongholds already mentioned, called Wintermoot's Fort, from a tory family of the same name. Hence he sent out his marauding parties to plunder and lay waste the country.

Rumors of this intended invasion had reached the valley some time before the appearance of the enemy, and had spread great consternation. Most of the sturdy yeomanry were absent in the army. A company of sixty men, enlisted under an act of Congress, and hastily and imperfectly organized, yet styling themselves regulars, took post at one of the strongholds called Forty Fort; where they were joined by about three hundred of the most efficient of the yeomanry, armed and equipped in