PAGI

of the Troops. - George Clinton's Idea of Strategy.

- Movement of the British Army.- Incendiaries at

White Plains

419

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Conjectures as to the Intentions of the Enemy.- Conse-

quent Precautions.

Correspondence with Greene

respecting Fort Washington. - Distribution of the

Army.- Lee left in Command at Northcastle.

Instructions to Him. - Washington at Peekskill.

– Visits to the Posts in the Highlands

-

428

CHAPTER XXXIX.

-

Affairs on Lake Champlain. — Gates at Ticonderoga. —

Arnold's Flotilla. Military Preparations of Sir

Guy Carleton at St. John's. — Nautical Encounters.

Gallant Conduct of Arnold and Waterbury. –

Carleton in Possession of Crown Point. His Re-

turn to Canada and Winter Quarters

43

CHAPTER XL.

Washington crosses the Hudson. — Arrives at Fort Lee.

- Affairs at Fort Washington. - Question about its

Abandonment. — Movements of Howe. - The Fort

summoned to Surrender. - Refusal of Colonel Ma-

gaw.

- The Fort attacked. — Capture of ort

and Garrison. Comments of Washington on the

State of Affairs

CHAPTER XLI.

The Enemy cross the Hudson. - Retreat of the Garrison

from Fort Lee. - The Crossing of the Hackensack.

Lee ordered to move to the West Side of the

River. – Reed's Letter to him. - Second Move of

the Army beyond the Passaic. — Assistance sought

PAGI

from Various Quarters. Correspondences and

Schemes of Lee. - Heath stanch to his Instructions.

- Anxiety of George Clinton for the Safety of the

Hudson. - Critical Situation of the Army. - Dis-

paraging Correspondence between Lee and Reed. —

Washington retreats across the Raritan. — Arrives

at Trenton. - Removes his Baggage across the Del-

- Dismay and Despondency of the Coun-

try. — Proclamation of Lord Howe. — Exultation

of the Enemy. - Washington's Resolve in Case of

Extremity.

459

avare.

.

CHAPTER XLII.

Loe at Peekskill. Stanch Adherence of Heath to Or-

ders. Lee crosses the Hudson. Washington at

Trenton. — Lee at the Heels of the Enemy. - His

Speculations ou Military Greatness. — Forced March

of Cornwallis. - Washington crosses the Delaware.

Putnam in Command at Philadelphia. — Baffling

Letters of Lee. Hopes to reconquer the Jerseys.

Gates on the March. Lee Quartered at Bask-

ingridge. - Surprised and Captured. - Speculations

on his Conduct.

481

CHAPTER XLIII.

Washington clothed with Additional Powers. - Recruit-

ment of the Army._ Increased Pay. - Colonel John

Cadwalader. — Arrival of Sullivan. – Gates. — Wil-

kinson. A Coup de Main Meditated. — Posture of

Affairs at Trenton. · Gates declines to take a Part.

- His Comments on Washington's Plans. — Prep-

arations for the Coup de Main. - Crossing of the

Delaware. Attack on the Enemy's Forces at

Trenton.- Death of Rahl. - His Character

500

CHAPTER XLIV.

Treatment of the Hessian Prisoners. Their Interviews

with Washington. — Their Reception by the People 526

CHAPTER XLV.

-

Episode. – Colonel Griffin in the Jerseys. – Donop de

coyed. - Inroad of Cadwalader and Reed. - Retreat

and Confusion of the Enemy's Outposts. — Wasb-

ington recrosses the Delaware with his Troops.

The Game Reversed. — The Hessians hunted back

through the Country. - Washington made Military

Dictator

529

.

CHAPTER XLVI.

-

Howe hears of the Affair at Trenton. Cornwallis sent

back to the Jerseys. – Reconnoitering Expedition

of Reed. - His Exploits. — Washington in Peril at

Trenton. — Reinforced by Troops under Cadwalader

and Mifflin - Position of his Men. - Cornwallis at

Trenton. — Repulsed at the Assunpink. The

American Camp Menaced. — Night March of Wash-

ington. – Affair at Princeton. – Death of Mercer. -

Rout of British Troops. — Pursued by Washington.

· Cornwallis at Princeton. Baffled and Per.

plexed. – Washington at Morristown. — His Sys-

tom of Annoyance. - The Tables turned upon the

Enemy

Washington takes Command of the Armies. — Sketch of

General Lee. Characters of the British Commanders, Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne. — Survey of the Camps from Prospect Hill – The Camps contrasted. — Description of the Revolutionary Army. – Rhode Island Troops. Character of General Greene. – Washington represents the Deficiencies of the Army. – His Apology for the Massachu. setts Troops. — Governor Trumbull.-- Cragie House, Washington's Head-quarters.

It was

N the 3d of July, the morning after his

arrival at Cambridge, Washington took

formal command of the army. drawn up on the common about half a mile from head-quarters. A multitude had assembled there, for as yet military spectacles were novelties, and the camp was full of visitors, men, women, and children, from all parts of the country, who had relatives among the yeoman soldiery.

An ancient elm is still pointed out, ander which Washington, as he arrived from head-quarters accompanied by General Lee and a numerous suite, wheeled his horse, and drew his sword as commander-in-chief of the armies. We have cited

1

VOL. IL

the poetical description of him furnished by the pen of Mrs. Adams; we give her sketch of his military compeer less poetical, but no less graphic.

“General Lee looks like a careless, hardy veteran ; and by his appearance brought to my mind his namesake, Charles XII. of Sweden. The elegance of his pen far exceeds that of his

person.” 1

Accompanied by this veteran campaigner, on whose military judgment he had great reliance, Washington visited the different American posts, and rode to the heights, commanding views over Boston and its environs, being anxious to make himself acquainted with the strength and relative position of both armies : and here we will give a few particulars concerning the distinguished commanders with whom be was brought immediately in competition.

Congress, speaking of them reproachfully, observed, “Three of England's most experienced generals are sent to wage war with their fellowsubjects.” The first here alluded to was the Honorable William Howe, next in command to Gage. He was a man of a fine presence, six feet high, well proportioned, and of graceful deportment. He is said to have been not unlike Washington in appearance, though wanting his energy and activity. He lacked also his air of authority; but affability of manners, and a generous disposition, made him popular with both officers and soldiers.