Major Livingston, and Schuyler - Burgoyne intrenches near Ticonderoga - His

Proclamation-Schuyler's Exertions at Albany to forward Re-enforcements -

Hears that Ticonderoga is evacuated - Mysterious Disappearance of St. Clair and

his Troops -Amazement and Concern of Washington Orders Re-enforcements

to Schuyler at Fort Edward, and to Putnam at Peekskill- Advances with his

Main Army to the Clove-His Hopeful Spirit manifested

PAGE

311

CHAPTER XLIV.

-

Particulars of the Evacuation - Indian Scouts in the Vicinity of the Fort-Outposts

abandoned by St. Clair - Burgoyne secures Mount Hope-Invests the Fortress

-Seizes and occupies Sugar Hill - The Forts overlooked and in Imminent Peril

- Determination to evacuate - Plan of Retreat - Part of the Garrison depart for

Skenesborough in the Flotilla - St. Clair crosses with the Rest to Fort Independ

ence-A Conflagration reveals his Retreat - The British Camp aroused

Fraser pursues St. Clair - Burgoyne with his Squadron makes after the Flotilla-

Part of the Fugitives overtaken - Flight of the Remainder to Fort Anne-Skir

mish of Colonel Long-Retreat to Fort Edward - St. Clair at Castleton - Attack

of his Rear-Guard-Fall of Colonel Francis- -Desertion of Colonel Hale- St.

Clair reaches Fort Edward - Consternation of the Country-Exultation of the

British

-

320

CHAPTER XLV.

Capture of General Prescott - Proffered in Exchange for Lee-Re-enforcements to

Schuyler-Arnold sent to the North-Eastern Militia to repair to Saratoga —

Further Re-enforcements - Generals Lincoln and Arnold recommended for

Particular Services - Washington's Measures and Suggestions for the Northern

Campaign - British Fleet puts to Sea-Conjectures as to its Destination - A

Feigned Letter-Appearance and Disappearance of the Fleet-Orders and Coun.

ter Orders of Washington-Encamps at Germantown- Anxiety for the Security

of the Highlands - George Clinton on guard - Call on Connecticut

328

CHAPTER XLVI.

-

Gates on the alert for a Command - Schuyler undermined in Congress - Put on

his Guard-Courts a Scrutiny, but not before an Expected Engagement-

Summoned with St. Clair to Head-Quarters-Gates appointed to the Northern

Department - Washington's Speculations on the Successes of Burgoyne-Ill-

judged Meddlings of Congress with the Commissariat-Colonel Trumbull resigns

in Consequence

336

CHAPTER XLVII.

Washington's Perplexities about the British Fleet-Putnam and Governor Clinton

put on the alert in the Highlands - Morgan and his Riflemen sent to the North-

Washington at Philadelphia-His First Interview with Lafayette-Intelligence

about the Flect-Explanations of its Movements - Review of the Army-

Lafayette mistakes the Nature of his Commission - His Alliance with Washing-

ton-March of the Army through Philadelphia - Encampment at Wilmington

340

CHAPTER XLVIII.

Burgoyne at Skenesborough - Prepares to move toward the Hudson - Major Skene

the Royalist - Slow March to Fort Anne-Schuyler at Fort Miller-Painted

Warriors-Langlade - St. Luc-Honor of the Tomahawk - Tragical History of

Miss McCrea - Its Results - Burgoyne advances to Fort Edward - Schuyler at

Stillwater-Joined by Lincoln-Burgoyne deserted by his Indian Allies

PAGE

347

CHAPTER XLIX.

Difficulties of Burgoyne-Plans an Expedition to Bennington-St. Leger before

Fort Stanwix - General Herkimer at Oriskany - High Words with his Officers-

A Dogged March - An Ambuscade - Battle of Oriskany-Johnson's Greens-

Death of Herkimer - Spirited Sortie of Colonel Willett - Sir John Johnson

driven to the River- Flight of the Indians-Sacking of Sir John's Camp-

Colonel Gansevoort maintains his Post-Colonel Willett sent in quest of Aid-

Arrives at Schuyler's Camp

352

-

CHAPTER L.

Schuyler hears of the Affair of Oriskany-Applies for Re-enforcements - His

Appeal to the Patriotism of Stark - Schuyler superseded - His Conduct there.

upon Relief sent to Fort Stanwix-Arnold volunteers to conduct it-Change

of Encampment - Patriotic Determination of Schuyler-Detachment of the

Enemy against Bennington - Germans and their Indian Allies - Baum, the Hes-

sian Leader-Stark in the Field - Mustering of the Militia-A Belligerent Parson

- Battle of Bennington - Breyman to the Rescue - Routed - Reception of the

News in the Rival Camps-Washington urges New England to follow up the

Blow

359

CHAPTER LI.

Stratagem of Arnold to relieve Fort Stanwix-Yan Yost Cuyler-The Siege

pressed-Indians intractable - Success of Arnold's Stratagem - Harassed Retreat

of St. Leger- Moral Effect of the Two Blows given to the Enemy - Brightening

Prospects in the American Camp-Arrival of Gates- Magnanimous Conduct of

Schuyler Poorly requited by Gates - Correspondence between Gates and

Burgoyne concerning the Murder of Miss McCrea

-

CHAPTER LII.

Landing of Howe's Army on Elk River - Measures to check it-Exposed Situation

of Washington in Reconnoitring-Alarm of the Country - Proclamation of

Howe Arrival of Sullivan - Foreign Officers in Camp - Deborre - Conway-

Fleury-Count Pulaski - First Appearance in the Army of "Light-horse Harry"

of Virginia Washington's Appeal to the Army-Movements of the Rival Forces

-- Battle of the Brandywine - Retreat of the Americans - Halt in Chester-Scenes

in Philadelphia during the Battle - Congress orders out Militia - Clothes Wash-

ington with Extraordinary Powers - Removes to Lancaster -Rewards to Foreign

Officers.

367

373

CHAPTER LIII.

General Howe neglects to pursue his Advantage- Washington retreats to German-

town Recrosses the Schuylkill and prepares for Another Action-Prevented

by Storms of Rain - Retreats to French Creek-Wayne detached to fall off the

Enemy's Rear - His Pickets surprised -- Massacre of Wayne's Men- Manœuvres

of Howe on the Schuylkill - Washington sends for Re-enforcements - Howe

marches into Philadelphia.

PAGE

384

CHAPTER LIV.

Dubious Position of Burgoyne-Collects his Forces - Ladies of Distinction in his

Camp-Lady Harriet Ackland - The Baroness De Riedesel-American Army

re-enforced Silent Movements of Burgoyne - Watched from the Summit of the

Hills His March along the Hudson - Position of the Two Camps Battle of

the 19th September - Burgoyne encamps nearer - Fortifies his Camp - Promised

Co-operation by Sir Henry Clinton - Determines to await it-Quarrel between

Gates and Arnold-Arnold deprived of Command-Burgoyne waits for Co-

operation

390

ICY RESPECTING TORY GOVERNORS AND PLACEMEN RHODE ISLAND HARASSED BY WALLACE AND HIS CRUISERS, AND INFESTED BY TORIES LEE SENT TO ITS RELIEF HIS VIGOROUS MEASURES THE ARMY DISBANDING WASHINGTON'S PERPLEXITIES —

SYMPATHY OF GENERAL GREENE HIS LOYALTY IN TIME OF TROUBLE THE CRISIS CHEERING NEWS FROM CANADA GLOOMY OPENING OF THE NEW YEAR NEWS FROM COLONEL KNOX.

IN the month of December a vessel had been captured, bearing supplies from Lord Dunmore to the army at Boston. A letter on board, from his lordship to General Howe, invited him to transfer the war to the southern colonies; or, at all events, to send re-enforcements thither; intimating at the same time his plan of proclaiming liberty to indentured servants, negroes, and others appertaining to rebels, and inviting them to join his majesty's troops. In a word to inflict upon Virginia the

horrors of a servile war.

"If this man is not crushed before spring," writes Washington, "he will become the most formidable enemy America has. His strength will increase as a snowball. ... Motives of resentment actuate his conduct to a degree equal to the destruc tion of the colony."

General Lee took the occasion to set forth his own system of policy, which was particularly rigid wherever men in authority and tories were concerned. It was the old grudge against ministers and their adherents set on edge.

"Had my opinion been thought worthy of attention," would he say, "Lord Dunmore would have been disarmed of his teeth

and claws." He would have seized Tryon too, "and all his tories at New York," and, having struck the stroke, would have applied to Congress for approbation.

"I propose the following measures," would he add: "To seize every governor, government man, placeman, tory and enemy to liberty on the continent, to confiscate their estates; or at least lay them under heavy contributions for the public. Their persons should be secured, in some of the interior towns, as hostages for the treatment of those of our party whom the fortune of war shall throw into their hands; they should be allowed a reasonable pension out of their fortunes for their maintenance.'

1

Such was the policy advocated by Lee in his letters and conversation, and he soon had an opportunity of carrying it partly into operation. Rhode Island had for some time past been domineered over by Captain Wallace of the royal navy; who had stationed himself at Newport with an armed vessel, and obliged the place to furnish him with supplies. Latterly he had landed in Conanicut Island, opposite to Newport, with a number of sailors and marines, plundered and burned houses, and driven off cattle for the supply of the army. In his exactions and maraudings, he was said to have received countenance from the tory part of the inhabitants. It was now reported that a naval armament was coming from Boston against the Island. In this emergency, the governor (Cooke) wrote to Washington, requesting military aid, and an efficient officer to put the island in a state of defence, suggesting the name of General Lee for the purpose.

Lee undertook the task with alacrity. "I sincerely wish," said Washington, "he may be able to do it with effect; as that place, in its present state, is an asylum for such as are disaffected to American liberty.'

Lee set out for Rhode Island with his guard and a party of riflemen, and at Providence was joined by the cadet company of that place, and a number of minute men. Preceded by these, he entered the town of Newport on Christmas day, in military style. While there, he summoned before him a number of persons who had supplied the enemy; some according to a convention originally made between Wallace and the authorities, others, as it was suspected, through tory feelings. All were obliged by Lee to take a test oath of his own devising, by which they "religiously swore that they would neither directly, nor

1 Lee to Rich. Henry Lee. Am. Archives, 4th Series, iv., 248.