LIFE OF WASHINGTON PART THIRD (CONTINUED) CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO Scarcity in the British Camp-Gates bides his Time-Foraging Movement of Burgoyne-Battle of the 7th of October-Rout of the British and Hessians-Situation of the Baroness de Riedesel and Lady Harriet Ackland during the Battle-Death of Gen. Fraser-His Funeral-Night Retreat of the British-Expedition of Lady Harriet Ackland-Desperate Situation of Burgoyne at Saratoga Capitulation-Surrender-Conduct of the American Troops-Scenes in the Camp-Gallant Courtesy of Schuyler to the Baroness de Riedesel-His Magnanimous Conduct toward Burgoyne-Return of the British Ships down the Hudson WHILE Sir Henry Clinton had been thundering in the Highlands, Burgoyne and his army had been wearing out hope within their intrenchments, vigilantly watched, but unassailed by the Americans. They became impatient even of this impunity. "The enemy, though he can bring four times more soldiers against us, shows no desire to make an attack," writes a Hessian officer.* Arnold, too, was chafing in the camp, and longing for a chance, as usual, "to right himself" by his sword. In a letter to Gates he tries to goad him on. "I think it my * Schlözer's Briefwechsel (23) duty (which nothing shall deter me from doing) to acquaint you, the army are clamorous for action. The militia (who compose great part of the army) are already threatening to go home. One fortnight's inaction will, I make no doubt, lessen your army, by sickness and desertion, at least four thousand men. In which time the enemy may be re-enforced, and make good their retreat. "I have reason to think, from intelligence since received, that, had we improved the 20th of September, it might have ruined the enemy. That is past; let me entreat you to improve the present time." Gates was not to be goaded into action; he saw the desperate situation of Burgoyne, and bided his time. "Perhaps," writes he, "despair may dictate to him to risk all upon one throw; he is an old gamester, and in his time has seen all chances. I will endeavor to be ready to prevent his good fortune, and, if possible, secure my own. On the 7th of October, but four or five days remained of the time Burgoyne had pledged himself to await the cooperation of Sir Henry Clinton. He now determined to make a grand movement on the left of the American camp, to discover whether he could make a passage, should it be necessary to advance, or dislodge it from its position, should he have to retreat. Another object was to cover a forage of the army, which was suffering from the great scarcity. For this purpose fifteen hundred of his best troops, with two twelve-pounders, two howitzers, and six six-pounders, were to be led by himself, seconded by Major-generals Phillips and Riedesel, and Brigadier-general Fraser. "No equal number of men," says the British accounts, "were * Letter to Governor Clinton. Gates's Papers. |