Sy. LIBRARY OF CONGRESSJ ^ J7Ac # ¥ All UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: | A PARAGRAPH HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. A PARAGRAPH HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM THE DISCOVERY OF THE CONTINENT TO THE PRESENT TIME. With Brief Notes on Coniemporatieous Eve7tts. (ffljronolorji calls arrangtlj. By EDWARD ABBOTT. Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1875. ABBOTTS PARAGRAPH HISTORIES. Paragraph History OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. By EDWARD ABBOTT. " It was the grandest of causes, won by the skirmishes of sentinels and outposts." — Lafayette. ro i-o^: BOSTON: - ''^-^'* ROBERTS BROTHERS. 1876. ^ \ ■-. Copyright, 1876, By Edward Abbott. Cainbridge : Press of John Wilson ajtd Son. A PREFATORY NOTE. This little book extends to the American Revo- lution the method which, in " A Paragraph History of the United States," was applied to the history of the continent and nation entire. To those who are familiar with the struggle of the Colonies for independence, it will perhaps seem more remark- able for what it omits than useful for what it con- tains. But it is not intended for those who are familiar with that struggle ; for such rather as have never read a history proper, or who have heard only by chance and uncertain mention what our country's fathers did, and in these busy cen- tennial times have only moments by the way in which to trace the outline. I hear that the " Para- graph History of the United States " has gone into a school here and there as a text-book : possibly this, too, may serve as an incentive and directory to that broader, deeper, fuller study which should hold a first place in the attention of every Ameri- can, old and young. It hardly needs to be said that almost no use whatever has been made of original sources of 6 PRE FA TOR V NO TE. information, except so far as they have stood dis- closed in the pages of such standard works as Mr. Bancroft's History. To that indeed I am greatly beholden ; and it is both duty and pleasure here to acknowledge my obligations to Mr. Bancroft him- self, and to his publishers, Little, Brown, & Com- pany, for their joint and kind permission to make such use of that work as appears in the extracts from and abridgments of a few among its many striking passages. These and other foot-notes will, it is hoped, in some measure clothe the nakedness of the skeleton. Both taste and justness have given a large proportion of space to the events which con- stituted the approach to the war. Some incidents introduced may seem too trivial, and others to have been too much magnified, for the truest perspective ; but all such have a place, and an important place, in informing the mind of the true spirit and form of the contest. The maps, such as they are, are not done to a uniform scale, as indeed they could not well be. Other features of the book will explain themselves ; and with these words of ex- planation I would drop it into the pockets of the people on their way to Philadelphia. E. A. Cambridge, Mass., March 17, 1876. SYNOPSIS. PAGE I. A Preliminary Survey. 1750 — 1775. The Condition of Europe 13 The Condition of North America 13 The Grounds of the Revolution ■ . 14 II. The Approach to the War. 1761 — 1775. Writs of Assistance 16 The Stamp Act ' 17 Sons of Liberty 17 Action of the Virginia Legislature 18 The First Colonial Congress 18 The Stamp Act Repealed 19 Renewed Taxation 20 The Massachusetts Circular 21 The Romney Affair 21 A Boston Town-Meeting 22 A Convention of Massachusetts Towns 23 Arrival of British Troops at Boston 23 The Widening of the Breach 24 The Boston Massacre 25 Intimidating Measures 26 An Outbreak in North Carolina 27 The Events of 1772 28 Troubles over the Tea 29 Further Oppressive Legislation by Parliament .... 30 An Indignation Meeting 31 The Boston Port Bill 31 Seizure of Powder by General Gage 32 The Old Continental Congress 32 A Provincial Congress in Massachusetts 23 Patriotism at Portsmouth 34 Virginia for Defence 34 o SYNOPSIS. III. From the Battle of Lexington and Con- cord TO the Declaration of Indepen- dence. April, 1775 — July, 1776. PAGE The Battle of Lexington and Concord 35 The Uprising 37 Ticonderoga and Crown Point 38 The Mecklenburg Declaration 38 The Second Continental Congress 2i^ The Battle of Bunker Hill 40 Washington in Cambridge 41 Franklin's Proposal for a Confederation 41 An Invasion of Canada . . 42 A Busy Autumn 42 Thomas Paine's ''Common Sense " 44 Burning of Norfolk, Va 44 Measures of the Congress 44 The Evacuation of Boston 45 Colonial Action 46 The Action of Virginia 47 An Expedition against Charleston, S.C 48 IV. The Declaration of Independence. June — July, 1776. The Lee Resolutions 49 The Declaration 50 V. From the Declaration of Independence to Burgoyne's Surrender. July, 1776 — October, 1777. The British at New York 56 The Battle of Long Island 57 The Retreat Southward 58 The Campaign on Lake Champlain 59 The Capture of General Charles Lee 60 The Battle of Trenton 61 Measures of the Congress 62 Eight State Governments 62 The Battle of Princeton 63 The Early Months of 1777 64 The Constitution of Georgia 65 The Constitution of New York 65 Lafayette and Others 65 SYNOPSIS. 9 PAGE The British evacuate New Jersey 66 The Flag / ' , * ^7 The First Anniversary of the Declaration of Inde- pendence 68 Burgovne's Advance from Canada 68 The Battle of Bennington . 7° Burgoyne's Surrender at Saratoga 7° VI. From Burgoyne's Surrender to the Campaign of i779- October, i777— December, 1778. The Philadelphia Campaign 72 The Battle of Germantown Ti The Forts on the Delaware 73 Confederation 74 The Camp at Valley Forge 75 The Conway Cabal 75 The Constitution of South Carolina 76 Clark's Expedition 76 Foreign Relations 17 The Battle" of Monmouth 77 The Massacre of Wyoming 78 The French Fleet 7^ Winter Quarters 79 VII. From the Campaign of 1779 to the Trea- son of Benedict Arnold. January, 1779 — September, 1780. The Invasion of Georgia 79 Ravaging Expeditions at the North 80 The Recapture of Stony Point . 81 Other Events of the Summer 81 John Paul Jones 82 The Attack upon Savannah 82 The Army in Winter Quarters 82 The Finances 83 Plans for Peace H The Constitution of Massachusetts 85 The Capture of Charleston, S.C 86 An Expedition into New Jersey 86 Arrival of French Reinforcements 87 The Treason of Benedict Arnold 87 lo SYNOPSIS. VIII. The Decisive Campaign, 1780— 178 i. PAGE The Campaign of 1 780-1 78 1 89 Partisan Warfare 89 The Battle of Camden, S,C 90 Severe Measures of the British 91 The Battle of King's Mountain 91 The Battle of Cowpens 92 The Battle of Guilford Court House 92 The Battle of Hobkirk's Hill 93 The Repossession of South Carolina 93 The Execution of Hayne 94 The Battle of Eutaw Springs 94 Movements at the North 95 The Summer Situation 96 The Siege of Yorktown 97 The Surrender of Cornwallis 97 IX. The Close of the War. 1781 — 1783. Subsequent Military Movements 98 Thanksgiving 99 Robert Morris and the Finances 99 Peace 99 Cessation of Hostilities 100 The Constitution of New Hampshire 100 Disbandment and Evacuation loi X. The Sequel. Washington's Retirement lor The Society of the Cincinnati 102 Evils following the War 102 The Constitutional Convention 103 Appendix 104 Index 107 LIST OF MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE Faneuil Hall 22 Boston and Vicinity 40 Independence Hall, Philadelphia 55 New York and Vicinity 57 New Jersey 61 Flag of 1777 67 Pine-Tree Flag 68 Lake Champlain and Saratoga 69 Philadelphia and Vicinity 72 Charleston and Vicinity 89 Yorktown and Vicinity 97 14 PARAGRAPH HISTORY the Atlantic seaboard, comprised the chief civilized occu- pants of North America. There were French settlements in Canada and along the Mississippi. A few adventurers were slowly pushing out into the wilderness of the interior. The oldest of the thirteen Colonies was Virginia, which, with Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, had been settled by the English. New York and New Jersey were originally settled by the Dutch, and Delaware by the Swedes ; but all of the Colonies were now subject to Great Britain, though in a degree govern- ing themselves. Widely separated from England and the rest of the world, they were bound together by common interests and sympathies. The period to which this para- graph relates had been immediately preceded in America by "King George's War," between the Colonies and the French, the chief field of which was the island of Cape Breton. The period itself was marked by the " French and Indian War ; " the distinguishing features of which were the unsuccessful attempt of the English to wrest from the French the valley of the Ohio, the English conquest of Canada from the French, and the English war with the Indian Pontiac in the vicinity of the Great Lakes. In all these conflicts, the colonists bore a part. 1750-1775. The Grounds of the Revolution. In the Revolution, the thirteen English Colonies in America threw off the rule of Great Britain, and became an inde- pendent nation under the name of the United States of America. In various ways, British rule had become ob- noxious to the Colonies. The King and Parliament re- garded their authority as properly extending to the Colonies ; the Colonies held that they were not bound by that author- ity. In particular, it came in time to be that England OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 15 claimed the right to regulate the manufactures and trade of the Colonies ; to impose taxes upon them ; and to make their governors and judges responsible to the Crown. These claims the Colonies strenuously disputed ; demand- ing, on the" other hand, freedom to make j^g^ q^^ 2- Ac- their own commercial regulations, pro- cession of Gcoi-ge testing against taxation without corre- / ^'^ '^^rS,l{^ . . , t/irofte. William spondmg representation, and wishmg to ntt at the head hold their governors and judges in some of the ministry. measure responsible to themselves. Putting ourselves in England's place, it is not difficult to see how she might have felt that right was on her side, and that the Colonies were unreasonable.* Putting ourselves in the Colonies' place, it is no more difficult to see how they must have felt that England's course was oppressive.f England's policy toward the Colonies was by no means the unanimous voice of the government; for the Colonies had warm friends and zealous champions even in Parliament, and much sympathy among the people at large. The resistance of the Colonies was at first with no distinct purpose of separation : it ended in that extreme measure, only because England's policy made compromise absolutely impossible. The Colonies began with the endeavor to obtain a redress of grievances ; in the end, nothing was left for them but to fight for their inde- pendence. * " It is hic;lily reasonable they should contribute something towards the charc;e of protecting themselves, and in aid of the great expense Great Britain puts herself to on their account." — Grenville, Chancellor of the Exchequer^ in the House of C ominotis ■ t ■' A king who annuls or disallows laws of so salutary a nature, from being the father of his people, degenerates into a tyrant, and forfeits all right to obedience." — Argutnent of Patrick Henry before a Virginia court. 1 6 PARAGRAPH HISTORY II. THE APPROACH TO THE WAR. 1761-1775. 1761. Writs of Assistance. One of the irritating measures which Parliament adopted to enforce upon the Colonies the legislation so obnoxious to them was to issue "Writs of Assistance, which were in effect search-warrants, 1762. A/rti' The empowering officers of the Crown to enter Earl of Bute sue- any store or dwelling for the purpose of ceeds Pitt. seizing articles of foreign merchandise suspected of having been imported without the payment of the prescribed duties. These writs were first made use of in Massachusetts. James Otis, advo- 176-!. April. Sir ^ , . , • 1 1 George Grenville c^te for the Admiralty, was summoned to succeeds the Earl defend their use against the formal pro- 0/ Bu e. tests of the mercantile community. Otis, however, resigned his office, and at the hearing upon the question, which followed before a board of five judges, ap- peared as the advocate of the people. "To my dying day," he vehemently exclaimed, " I will oppose, with all the power and faculties God has given me, all such instruments of slavery on the one hand, and villany on the other." "Then and there," said John Adams, in his comment upon the scene, "was the first opposition to the arbitrary claims of Great Britain. Then and there the child Inde- pendence was born." The stand thus taken by Otis won for him immense popularity throughout the Colonies. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 17 1765. The Stamp Act. In March, Parliament passed the Stamp Act, by which stamp duties were 1765- Jati. 10. extended to the American Colonies. The fJ^J^^^^^lg Stamp Act required that for all instru- Khig presents the ments in writin^j used in business, such Ajnerkan ques- ° . tion as one of as notes, contracts, deeds, certmcates, ^'^ obedience to the etc., and for all printed pamphlets, news- laws and respect papers, etc., a certain .y/^zw/^^ paper only ^Zt1writfof%T should be used, the stamps being sold by kingdom.'''' the government at varying prices, and 1765. Feb. 2. thus affording a considerable revenue. 'i7^kSf:L This measure did not lack opposition other agents of even in Parliament, and in the Colonies Pennsylvania, . . ... . T, 1 Connecticut, and It awakened deep mdignation. Popular ^ Carolina with feeling ran especially high in Boston,* a remonstrance New York, and Philadelphia. In the f^inst the txixa- ' ^ tion oj the Lolo- Virginia Assembly, Patrick Henry in- nies by Parlia- troduced a series of condemnatory reso- i^^ent. lutions, and advocated them with a fiery speech. In many places, the stamp officers were roughly treated, and some of them were compelled to resign ; great quantities of stamps were seized and destroyed ; and by the first of November, when the odious act was to take effect, the popular resistance to it had become fully organized. Business was for a time practically suspended, presently to be resumed with a total disregard of the provisions of the act. 1765. Sons of Liberty. Colonel Barre, in a speech in the House of Commons in behalf of the colonists, had characterized them as " Sons of Liberty." f The phrase was adopted across the water as a watchword, and became * "The people, the populace, as they are contemptuously called, have rights antecedent to all earthly government, — rights that cannot be re- pealed or i-estrained by human laws, — rights derived from the Great Legis- lator of the Universe." — John Adains on the Statnp Act. t This was the speech in which also occurred these memorable words: 2 i8 PARAGRAPH HISTORY the name of patriotic organizations which sprang up in every direction. The Sons of Liberty were the leaders in the more popular forms of resistance which the Stamp Act encountered ; and their demonstrations, which some- times verged on the riotous, had a powerful effect in defin- ing and directing the popular feeling. 1765. May. Action of the Virginia Legislature exerted a powerful influence throughout the Colonies in shaping popular feeling into a settled pur- ^Marqlis If Rock- P^se. Under the lead of Patrick Henry, Ingham sitcceeds resolutions were adopted insisting upon ifile^"'''^^ ^''^"- the rights of that Colony to make its own laws and impose its own taxes. 1765. October. The First Colonial Congress. In the midst of the excitement over the Stamp Act, and in the in- terval between its enactment and the time designated for it to take effect, it had occurred to the General Court of Massachusetts to call a congress of deputies from the sev- eral Colonies for deliberation. New York was fixed upon as the place, and the first Tuesday in October as the time. Twenty-eight delegates assembled, representing nine Colo- nies ; namely, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York. New Hampshire sent no repre- sentative, but agreed to abide by the result ; and during the session a messenger arrived from Georgia, having come a thousand miles by land to obtain a copy of the proceedings. The Congress remained in session some eighteen days, oc- cupied with discussions of the policy which the Colonies should pursue. Timothy Ruggles, of Massachusetts, pre- " They planted by your care! No! your oppressions planted them in America. . . . They nourished up by your indulgence ! They grew Ly your neglect of them. . . . They protected by your arms ! They have nobly taken up arms in your defence." . . . OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 19 sided. The South Carolina deputies were leading spirits.* Three important papers were adopted. The question be- fore the Congress was upon what ground to rest the demand for colonial liberty. vShould a stand be made simply for rights held under royal charters, or, going back of charters, should those natural and inalienable rights be insisted on, which are the provision of eternal justice and truth ? Upon this question there was a wide difference of views, Rug- gles and Otis of Massachusetts and Johnson of Connecticut favored the former alternative ; Livingston of New York and Gadsden of South Carolina, the latter. The latter was finally adopted, and the Congress drew up a Declaration of Rights, addresses to the Houses of Parliament, and a Petition to the King, setting forth the grievances of the Colonies, dwelling on the right of trial by jury, and pro- testing against the imposition of taxes except by the colo- nial legislatures. These papers were duly signed by a majority of the members of the Congress, acting in the name of the Colonies, who thus became, as these their representatives expressed it, "a bundle of sticks, which could neither be bent nor broken." 1766. March. The Stamp Act Repealed. The news of the reception of the Stamp Act in the Colonies, and of the popular indignation and disturbance which efforts at its enforcement had created, produced great 1766. Feb. 13. excitement in England. A heated debate Franklin before r 11 1 • T^ ,. ,,T.,,. TT^. t'ls House of followed ni Parliament, William Pitt Commons -with leading the movement in favor of repeal- evidence vpon ing the act.t The repeal was finally J^^ S't/" * " Massachusetts sounded the trumpet, but to South Carolina is it owing that it was attended to. Had it not been for South Carolina, no Congress would then have happened." — Christopher Gadsden. _ t " America, beins; neither really nor virtually represented in West- minster, cannot be held legally, or constitutionally, or reasonably subject to obedience to any money-bill of this Kingdom." — William Pitt. 20 PARAGRAPH HISTORY carried, but it was accompanied by a "declaratory act," the purport of which was a claim by Parliament of supreme power over the Colonies, in all cases whatsoever. Thus the Crown in reality insisted upon the principle, while for the time waiving the offensive application of it. With the Colonies, the applicationi was a matter of comparatively little con- sequence : it was the principle against which they contended. The repeal, how- ever, occasioned great joy in America, and was celebrated with enthusiastic demonstrations. 1767. Renewed Taxation. Under the lead of Charles Townshend, and taking advantage of the " declaratory act " carried at the time of the repeal of the Stamp Act, Parliament passed in June an act subjecting the Colonies to taxes upon oil, paints, and lead colors, glass, paper, and tea. A board of Commissioners of Customs was also established, to reside at Boston ; and the functions of the New York Legislature were suspended until it should recede from the insubordinate atti- tude which it had taken. These measures awakened fresh indignation throughout the Colonies. Re- vealing the unmistakable purpose of England, they also ^ cv ^1 furnished occasion for more pronounced 1707. J line. 1 lie 1 r 1 Duke of Grafton resistance than ever on the part of the succeeds Pitt. Colonies, and in effect tended to render permanent a breach that might have been closed. In Massa- chusetts, for instance, the Governor having refused to con- vene the Legislature, the people of Boston assembled in 1766. March. Ulloa arrives at New Orleans to take possession of the French colony in the name of Spain. 1766. July. Pitt consents to form a ne%v Ministry., but greatly 7vcak- ens his popular- ity by accepting a f>eerage. 1767. April. Choiseul., French Minister of For- eign Affair s.,sends the Baron de Kalb to America as a confidential agent to examine the condition and temper of the Col- ognes as respects ■war until Eng- land. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 21 town -meeting, and voted to forego importation of British manufactures. Steps were taken to make the abstinence general throughout the Colonies. 1768. Febricary. The Massachusetts Circular. The Massachusetts Legislature, having adopted a remonstrance against this renewed policy of taxation, addressed a Circular Letter, drawn up by Samuel Adams,* to the sister Colonies, soliciting their co-operation in obtaining redress. * A copy of this circular was frankly forwarded to England. It drew from the Ministry a letter instructing the colonial Governor of Massachusetts, Bernard, to require the Legislature to rescind the circular. This the Legislature refused to do, whereupon it was dissolved by the Governor. 1768. June. The Romney Affair. The " Romney " was a British man-of-war, which had been or- ^o cv o TT, , • r , 1768. Jime%. dered to Boston at the instance of the The British Min- Commissioners of Customs, for purposes istry order a mil- of intimidation. She began her service ^^^/^ ^^ ^^^^^^^_ by impressing New England seamen as they entered or left the harbor. On the loth of June, the sloop " Liberty," belonging to John Hancock, was seized for some alleged violation of the customs laws, and towed un- der her guns. Great excitement attended this act on shore, * Samuel Adams was a native of Boston, trained at Harvard College, a provincial statesman, of the most clear and logical mind, a strict Cal- vinist, a member of a Congregational church, and an example in severity of morals. His was a house of prayer, and no one more revered the Christian Sabbath. He was a tender husband and an affectionate parent ; but the walls of his modest mansion never witnessed dissipation, or levity, or frivolous amusements. His incessant prayer was that " Boston might become a Christian Sparta." He was now about 42 ; poor, frugal, and temperate; yet whoever visited him saw around him every circum- stance of propriety. He was famed as a political writer, had an affable and persuasive address, sought fame as little as fortune, and office less than either, and for himself and for others held that all sorrows and all losses were to be encountered, rather than that liberty should perish. Abridged frotn Bancroft., vol. v. pp. 194-197. 22 PARAGRAPH HISTORY and there were some riotous demonstrations by the popu- lace, in view of which four of the five Commissioners, from prudence or other motives, took refuge on board the " Romney." Faneuil Hall in 1768. 1768. September. A . Boston Town Meeting. It having become known that Governor Bernard of Massa- chusetts had sent to Nova Scotia for British troops, and he having previously prohibited the assembling of the Legislature, the inhabitants of Boston were summoned to a town-meeting in Faneuil Hall to deliberate upon the situa- tion. The meeting affirmed colonial rights against royal usurpation in the distinctest terms, and resolved that they, OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 23 " the inhabitants of the town of Boston, will, at the utmost peril of their lives and fortunes, maintain and defend their rights, liberties, privileges, and immunities." " There are the arms," said James Otis, who was moderator, pointing to the boxes on the floor containing some four hundred mus- kets belonging to the town ; " when an attempt is made against your liberties, they will be delivered." Every in- habitant was advised to arm himself ; a day near at hand was recommended to be set apart for fasting and prayer ; and, most important perhaps of all, a convention of the towns of the province was called to concert further meas- ures for meeting the impending crisis. 1768. September. A Convention of Massachusetts Towns. The towns of the province responded almost unanimously to the request of Boston. Ninety-six were represented in the convention, which was also held in Faneuil Hall. It was a significant circumstance that the convention chose for its presiding officer and secretary the Speaker and Clerk of the legislative body which the Gov- ernor had disbanded. The Governor was petitioned to call the Legislature together. His reply was a summons to the convention to dissolve. This it did, but not till after a deliberate session of six days, in which former protests against the encroachments of the Crown were renewed more explicitly than ever. 1768. October. Arrival of British Troops at Bos- ton. The squadron, conveying from Halifax the troops which Governor Bernard had sent for, arrived in the harbor close upon the adjournment of the convention of towns. On the first day of October, with a considerable show of force, the troops were landed at the wharves. According to law, no soldiers could be quartered in the town when there was room in the barracks at the fort in the harbor. 24 PARAGRAPH HISTORY The requisition upon the Selectmen for quarters was there- fore refused. One regiment encamped on the Common. The other in a spirit of compassion was temporarily lodged in Faneuil Hall. It was only with the greatest dif^culty that permanent quarters were secured, and then only on such terms as clearly laid the cost of the maintenance of the troops upon England, and not upon the province. The presence of British soldiers in Boston only deepened the resentment of the people, and it became more and more evident that at this point, "one stubborn little town on the sterile coast of the Massachusetts Bay," the impending storm was first to break. 1769. The Widening of the Breach. This year passed away without witnessing events of a startling char- acter. It was marked rather by the slow development of lines of action on the side of both England and the Colo- nies, and by the occurrence of many minor incidents, which yet were not without grave importance as indicating, if not promoting, the issue. Parliament was occupied with dis- cussing measures to be pursued toward the unmanageable Colonies ; the latter, with consultations and correspondence looking to a better mutual understanding and a consolida- tion of moral forces for persistent resistance to oppression. Parliament refused to relinquish the right to tax ; in the 1770. January. Colonies, non-importation agreements Lord North sue- ^gj-g entered into. The Massachusetts ceeas the Duke t • 1 1 • • 1 , , of Grafton as Legislature havmg agam assembled, and Prbne jVImister, addressed complaints of the state of affairs 7haTuffieftmtil ^^ Governor Bernard, was in consequence 1782. removed from Boston to Cambridge, but persisted in refusing to vote supplies to the British troops. Bernard was presently recalled to England. The New York Assembly proposed the formation of a body of representa- OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 25 tives from the several provinces, which should exercise legislative functions for all. The Virginia Legislature, with utmost boldness and undisguised plainness of speech, re- solved anew its own exclusive right to impose taxes ; urged concert of action in protecting colonial rights ; and was hotly dissolved in consequence by Governor Botetourt. Both Washington* and Jefferson were members of this Assem- bly. These several occurrences illustrate the spirit which everywhere prevailed. Feeling was not unanimous on either side. The Colonies still had warm and active friends in Parliament, who defended their cause with eloquence and courage ; while the coercive policy of England had zealous, if not always open, sympathizers among the colonists. Yet, as the year drew to a close, the determination of England to carry its point, and that of the Colonies not to yield, grew stronger than ever. 1.110. March ^. The Boston Massacre. Such, in gen- eral, was the posture of affairs, when an ^^^^ March - event occurred in Boston which involved Lord North pro- bloodshed and provoked new popular in- Psesin Parlia- . . ^ ^ ^ merit, attd after- dignation. A quarrel took place between -ward carries^ the some soldiers and some citizens, in con- repecil of all dii- tributing to which, if the latter were ag- ^tte act of 1767, gravating, the former were insolent. The except the tax on town wasr thrown into a feverish state, ^^^* and on the evening of the 5th of March a detachment of soldiers and a considerable mob got into close quarters on what is now State Street. The passions of all were much inflamed, and many very violent words were exchanged. * " Our lordly masters in Great Britain will be satisfied with nothing less than the deprivation of American freedom. Something should be done to maintain the liberty which we have derived from our ancestors. No man should hesitate a moment to use arms in defence of so valua- ble a blessing. Yet arms should be the last resource." — George Wash- ington. 26 PARAGRAPH HISTORY The soldiers certainly outraged the populace by their con- duct, and the populace as certainly exasperated the soldiers by their language. An actual affray ensued, in which the soldiers fired on the crowd. Three of the latter were killed and eight wounded, two fatally wounded. One of the killed was Crispus Attucks, a mulatto, who was a leader of the mob. This affair roused the feelings of the people to the highest pitch. Upon the following day, in town-meeting assembled, first at Faneuil Hall and afterward at the Old South Church, they demanded of Governor Hutchinson, who had succeeded Governor Bernard, the removal of the troops. Their temper was such that the Governor reluc- tantly assented. The public funeral of the victims of the massacre was attended with great solemnity. Preston and several of the soldiers were duly tried ; and it is a striking illustration of the generous spirit of the patriots, even in this hour of bitter provocation, that John Adams and Jo- siah Quincy, Jr., consented to defend them.* Two of the soldiers were convicted of manslaughter. 1770. Septejnber. Intimidating Measures. There now reached Governor Hutchinson an order which had been issued by the King in council two months before, appoint- ing the harbor of Boston the rendezvous of all British ships- of-war stationed in American waters, and directing that the fortress which commanded it. Castle William, should be * "I have little leisure, and less inclination, either to know or to take notice of those ignorant slanderers who have dared to utter their ' bitter reproaches' in your hearing against me, for having become an advocate for criminals charged with murder. . . . Let such be told, sir, that these criminals, charged with murder, are not yet legally proved guilty, and therefore, however criminal, are entitled, by the laws of God and man, to all legal counsel and aid ; that my duty as a man obliged me to undertake ; that my duty as a lawyer strengthened the obligation ; that from abundant caution I at first dechned being engaged; that after the best advice and most mature deliberations had determined my judgment, I waited on Cap- tain Preston, and told him that I would afTord him my assistance; but, prior to this, in presence of two of his friends, I made the most explicit OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 27 occupied by the regular troops and put into a state of de- fence. The people of Boston regarded this as a fresh out- rage, and interpreted it as anew sign of a stubborn purpose to force them into submission. 1771. May. An Outbreak in North Carolina. Through the influence of the royal Governor, Tryon, a rep- resentative in the Legislature of this Colony, named Hus- bands, had been expelled therefrom on charges of conduct disloyal to the King, and thrown into prison. The " Regu- lators," an organization of the times, resented the act, and planned a movement to rescue him. In return, Governor Tryon procured an illegal indictment of some sixty of the Regulators for disorderly proceedings, and, putting him- self at the head of a considerable body of militia, set forth on a devastating march in search of the offenders. The latter, having law as well as justice on their side, bravely, if unwillingly, met the collision thus forced upon them. An engagement ensued, Tryon's little army firing the first shot. The result was a victory for Tryon. His losses were 9 killed and 61 wounded ; those of the Regulators, above 20 killed, with a number of wounded not named. Tryon followed up his victory with very severe measures. The plantations of the Regulators he ruthlessly laid waste. For the delivery of either of their leaders, dead or alive, he offered a tempting reward. And of the twelve prison- ers he had taken in battle seven were hanged. declaration to him of my real opinion on the contests (as I expressed it to him) of the times, and that my heart and hand were indissolubly at- tached to the cause of my country; and finally that I refused all engage- ment, until advised and urged to undertake it, by an Adams, a Hancock, a Molineux, a Gushing, a Henshaw, a Pemberton, a Warren, a Cooper, and a Phillips. This and mi'.ch more might be told with great truth ; and I dare affirm that you and this whole people will one day Rejoice that I became an advocate for the aforesaid ' criminals,' charged with the mur- der of our fellow-citizens." — Letter from Josiah Quincy, Jr., in reply to the protest of his father. Memoir, pp. 27, 28. 28 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 1772-3. The Events of 1772 hastened the culmina- tion of difficulties. In wSouth Carolina, a dead-lock had come about between the Governor and the Legislature. The scattered settlers of the vast territory between the Ohio and the Mississippi caught the spirit of their associated and organizing brethren at the East, and planted themselves firmly in favor of self-government. The Assembly of Vir- ginia petitioned the King to permit the discontinuance of the slave-trade, with which he had strictly forbidden the Governor to allow any interference whatever ; but could get no satisfactory reply. In Narragansett Bay, the British war-vessel " Gaspee," which had run aground while in pur- suit of a packet bound for Providence, was boarded at night by a party of patriots and burned. Massachusetts was stirred anew by a royal decree that the Governor and judges of the province should be supported out of the provincial rev- enues, a measuie which the Legislature pronounced a vio- lation of the charter. And last, but not least, Boston, under the lead of Samuel Adams, procured a union of towns throughout the province for correspondence and action, to the end of a further and final protest against the authority of the Crown, and with reference to a broader union of all the Colonies for the same object. In March, 1773, this project was taken up with great enthusiasm by the Legis- lature of Virginia. Resolutions in favor of a system of in- tercolonial correspondence were adopted and sent to all the Colonies, with the request that each would appoint its own committee for stated communication with that of Vir- ginia. "In this manner," says Bancroft, "Virginia laid the foundations of our union. Massachusetts organized a province ; Virginia promoted a confederacy. "Were the several committees but to come together, the world would see an American Congress." Rhode Isla.id was the first OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 29 to follow the example of Virginia, and by May the proposed league was perfected throughout New England. 1773. Troubles over the Tea. In the latter part of this year, the contention between England and the Colonies was concentrated for the time being into a struggle over the importation of tea. It had been determined between the King and Parliament that this commodity should be exported to America free of tax in England, the tax to be collected in the Colonies in the form of what really amounted to only an' enforced profit taken out of the consumer. The Colonies, refusing to recognize this token of the sovereignty of the Crown, were as determined, not only that they would buy no tea, but that none should be even landed ; and this because they would not for a moment concede the principle which the king sought to establish. When therefore it became known that the East India Company had shipped several cargoes of the " pernicious weed," organized resist- ance began. Philadelphia, then the largest city in the Colonies, passed a series of appropriate resolutions, and requested the agents of the company to resign, which they did. Boston adopted the same resolves, and made a simi- lar demand upon the consignees of the tea-ships expected at that port. This demand was refused. When these ships arrived, three in number, every effort was made to cause them to return to England, but in vain ; and on the evening of the i6th of December a band of 40 or 50 men, disguised as Indians, boarded the ships and emptied the entire car- goes of tea, amounting to 340 chests, into the bay. This is known in history as " the Boston Tea- Party." Information of it was at once despatched to other points, and was re- ceived by the colonists everywhere with great satisfaction. New York resolved to follow suit. The ship bound for Philadelphia came within a few miles of the town, when so PARAGRAPH HISTORY the captain learned of the temper of the people, and then prudently returned. At Annapolis, a ship and its cargo were both burned ; the owner himself, it is said, applying the torch in deference to the popular demand. And in Charleston, S.C., a cargo was landed, but allowed to perish in the cellars where it was stored. 1774. Further Oppressive Legislation by Parlia- ment. Massachusetts, as the leading insubordinate among the Colonies, and especially for its part in resisting the land- ing of the tea, was to suffer further po- litical and commercial restrictions. In March, Parliament enacted the Boston Port Bill ; by which the port was closed to all commerce, and the custom-house removed to Salem, Bills were also passed prohibiting town-meetings except for the choice of town officers, or by express leave of the Governor ; providing for the quartering of the King's troops in Bos- ton ; and making Nova Scotia or Great Britain the place of trial for persons charged with capital offences ; with others equally subversive of rights ex- pressly conferred by the colonial char- ter. Finally, General Gage, Commander- in-chief of the British military forces in America, was appointed Governor of Massachusetts in place of Hutchinson, and was sent to Boston to see that the foregoing measures were executed. It was expected in England that these decided steps, indica- tive of a purpose not to be thwarted, would awe the 1774. Jati. 29, Wedderbum makes a violent speech against Franklifi at a public hearing before the Privy Council. T774, Feb. 7. The King dis- misses the petition of Massach u setts for the removal of Gov. Hutchin- son and Lieut. - Gov. Oliver '■'■ as groundless., vex- atious., and scan- dalous. ' ' 1774. April. Edmund Burke and other frteiids of the Colonies in Parliament vain- ly urge a repeal of the tax-laxvs. 1774. May 10, Uuis XVI. ascends the throne of Fratice. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTTON. 3 1 Colonies into submission. The result was just the oppo- site. The resoluteness of the latter was strengthened. And both parties began to prepare for the open conflict, which it now seemed could not be avoided. 1774. May\2,\y An Indignation Meeting. News of these last measures of Parliament having reached Bos- ton, the committees of correspondence representing Boston, Dorchester, Roxbury, Brookline, Newton, Cambridge, Charlestown, Lynn, and Le.xington, met in Faneuil Hall on the 1 2th of May, and in a circular letter to the other Colonies proposed a general discontinuance of trade with England. The following day, the inhabitants of Boston in town-meeting appealed to the Colonies for aid and comfort in the straits to which they were now to be subjected. The response to this appeal was general, prompt, and hearty. South Carolina was the first to substantiate its sympathy with actual contributions, shipping 200 barrels of rice in June and promising 800 more. North Carolina raised ;^200o. Delaware agreed to send relief annually. Maryland and Virginia showed equal generosity. , While from all New England came liberal supplies of provisions for the block- aded brethren whom the King proposed to starve into sub- mission. Even Canada joined in the general effort. 1774. The Boston Port Bill went 1774, Jidy. into effect on the ist of June. As a re- Maurepas Prime suit, all water communication with the ^France' Ver- town was cut off, and trade and industry getines Minister were in a great degree interrupted. The of Foreispt Af- , . ,, , , . fairs. The rela- event was sympathetically observed in Uons of France Philadelphia by the tolling of bells and to England in- the hanging of flags at half mast; and 't^ti^of!^^ in Virginia by services of fasting and the cause of the praver American Colo- ■' ' nies. 32 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 1774. September. Seizure of Powder by General Gage. General Gage caused the seizure of a quantity of powder which belonged to the province and was kept in the outskirts of Charlestown. He also proceeded to fortify Boston Neck, notwithstanding the remonstrance of the Selectmen. These harsh measures provoked a new storm of popular indignation, and were followed by a convention of Suffolk County at Dedham, which adopted resolutions of great moment, declaring the virtual independence of the Colony, recommending a provincial congress, and pledging the most determined resistance to the aggressive policy of Great Britain. A report of the action of the convention was forwarded to the Continental Congress, now on the point of assembling at Philadelphia, for its approval. 1774. September. The Old Continental Congress. The summer was occupied in the Colonies with preparations for the Congress which New York had proposed and Massa- chusetts had summoned. To this the correspondence be- tween the towns of the several Colonies very naturally and easily led the way. The machinery of independence was really set up, and began its work immediately. The Con- gress assembled in Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia on the 5th of September. The number of deputies in attendance was 55, every Colony but Georgia being represented. The men of that time whose memories we honor were all there : George Washington, Patrick Henry, Christopher Gadsden, Edward and John Rutledge, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Roger Sherman, John Jay, and President Witherspoon of Princeton College. Peyton Randolph of Virginia was chosen President. Patrick Henry made an opening speech, which produced a profound impression. The relative im- portance of the several Colonies not being definitely known, it was agreed that each should have one vote in all ballot- OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 33 ings. On motion of Samuel Adams, who was a Congrega- tionalist, Rev. Jacob Duche, an Episcopalian, was invited to act as chaplain. A Declaration of Rights, and addresses to the King and to the Colonies, were adopted. It was voted "that this Congress approve the opposition of the inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay [see preceding para- graph] to the execution of the late acts of Parliament ; and if the same shall be attempted to be carried into execution by force, in such case, all America ought to support them in their opposition." The harmony of deliberations was at one time disturbed by a proposition to agree under cer- tain circumstances to export no merchandise to Great Britain and the "West Indies. South Carolina objected to this, as cutting off her shipments of rice ; and, rather than assent to it, two of her delegates withdrew from the Con- gress. The point was accordingly waived, and the seceders returned. The following agreement was unanimously adopted : — " We will neither import nor purchase any slave imported after the first clay of December next ; after which time we will wholly discontinue the slave-trade, and will neither be concerned in it our- selves, nor will we hire our vessels, nor sell our commodities or manufactures, to those who are concerned in it." A second Congress was appointed for May following, to which Canada and Nova Scotia, as well as all the Ameri- can Colonies, were invited to send delegates. The Con- gress remained in session until about the middle of October ; but it sat with closed doors, and of its debates no report was preserved. 1774. October. A Provincial Congress in Massa- chusetts. General Gage had begun his administration of affairs by fortifying Boston Neck, and seizing a quantity of military stores at Cambridge and Charlestown, which he conveyed to Castle William in the harbor. He then sum- 3 34 PARAGRAPH HISTORY moned the Legislature to meet at Salem on the 5th of Octo- ber ; but, taking cou^fisel of his fears, countermanded the order. The Legislature met, nevertheless ; resolved itself into a provincial congress ; and, having adjourned to Con- cord, chose John Hancock President, and Benjamin Lin- coln Secretary. A communication was addressed to the Governor, protesting anew against the measures he had come to execute, affirming loyalty to the King, and ex- pressing a desire for peace and quietness. General Gage's only reply was an admonition to desist. The congress, having again adjourned from Concord to Cambridge, paid no attention to the admonition, but went coolly and quietly forward with preparations for the public defence. Two general committees were appointed, one of Safety, the other of Supplies. A portion of the militia was ordered to be got in readiness for instant service, and the other 1774. November. New England Colonies were invited to The Kins: pro- contribute their quota to the little pro- 7Z7jnaio- visional army. Artemas Ward and Se.h nies ^'- in rebel- Pomeroy were appointed general officers ^^^^•''' of the troops. 1774. December. 1774. December 14. Patriotism at 'S:E:^:hit Portsmouth.. A company of several ny of Jamaica hundred men, gathered by drum and fife memorialize the j,^ ^y^^ streets of Portsmouth, N.H., pro- kino- tn behalf of , , , . , , r 1 the^ American ceeded to the fort at the mouth of the Colonies. harbor, and carried off a large quantity 1775. Jan. 12. of powder there stored, belonging to the The King and province. The next day another party Council resolve ^ . , , ^ r 1, • 1 j on cutting of all Stripped the fort of all its ordnance and commerce with ammunition. %S:tp!::J.mn l^S- »r^'"k. Atm. Virginia for to the ^'■loyal,^^ Defence. The provincial convention of OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 35 Virginia assembled in Richmond on the 20th of March. Patrick Henry offered resolutions to put the Colony into a state of defence, and appointing a committee to superintend the organization of a suit- able military force. These resolutions he supported in a glowing speech.* What- ever opposition to them existed was swept away, and they were adopted. The measures proposed were promptly carried into effect. Governor Dunmore retaliated by seizing the powder stored at Williamsburg. htrt proscribing all others as rebels. 1775. Jan. 20. The Earl of Chatham moves in the House of Lords for the im- mediate removal of British forces from Boston. 1775. P<^b- 9- Parliament for- mally addresses the King^ declar- ing Massachti- setts 171 rebellion. III. FROM THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON AND CONCORD TO THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. April, 1775 — July, 1776. 1775. April 19th. The Battle of Lexington and Concord. The event which is generally accepted as the formal opening of the Revolutionary War j^_-_ April. was the encounter between British troops The city of Lon- and provincial militia-men at Lexington jt^'ivv^T^W-A and Concord successively, on the 19th of the Lorti Mayor., April. These villages are respectively « remonstrance * "The war is inevitable, — and let it come, let it come! Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almiphty God ! I know not what course others may take ; but, as for me, give me liberty, or give me death." 36 PARAGRAPH HISTORY against the about lo and 20 miles north-west of Boston. American policy. ^^ Concord, a quantity of military stores had been gathered by the Massachusetts Committees of Safety and Supplies, and General Gage determined on their seizure and destruction. Accordingly, on the night of the 18th of April, he secretly despatched a force of about 800 men to perform the service. The suspicious patriots quickly took the alarm, and as quickly gave it. Paul Revere rode out along the way to alarm the inhabitants.* When, at daybreak of the igth, the British reached Lex- ington, they found several score of "minute-men" assem- bled on the common. Major Pitcairn, commanding the advance, rode forward, and with an oath called out : " Dis- perse, you rebels, throw down your arms and disperse ! " or words to that effect. The minute-men, giving no sign of compliance, were then fired upon. Several of them fell, killed or wounded. Two or three British soldiers were wounded by random shots in return, but no further resist- ance was offered, and the expedition proceeded on its way, reaching Concord between 7 and 8 o'clock. By this time the whole region was alarmed, and from all the surround- ing towns men had hurried to the spot. The British at once * " Listen, mv children, and you shall hear Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five ; Hardly a man is now alive Who remembers that famous day and year. He said to his friend, * If the British march By land or sea from the town to-night, Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch Of the North Church tower as a'signal-light, — One, if by land, and two, if by sea, — And I on the opposite shore will be. Ready to ride and spread the alarm Through every Middlesex village and farm. For the country-folk to be up and to arm." Longfellow' s ^' Paul Revere' s KiWe," OF THE AMERICAN REV-OLUTION. 37 set about the destruction of the military stores, at the same time taking possession of the two bridges across the Sud- bury and Concord rivers, beyond the village, thus to pre- vent any advance of the provincials who were gathered in considerable numbers on the other side. About the middle of the forenoon, the Americans, roused by the work of devas- tation proceeding in the village, moved against the force which held the "North Bridge" over the Concord River. A sharp encounter ensued, the British firing the first vol- ley, and the Americans instantly and with spirit returning the fire. Several were killed and wounded on both sides. The British retired into the village, and about noon the entire force set out on its return. The Americans, now having the advantage, harassed the invaders at every step, and their homeward march proved a disastrous retreat. But for the reinforcements which met them at Lexington it must have ended in a rout. As it was, their losses in killed, wounded, and missing amounted to nearly 300 ; while those of the Americans were less than 100. 1775. April— May. The Uprising. The fight at Lexington and Concord was as the blow of a heavy hammer upon a piece of heated iron. The sparks flew in every direction. The militia of all New England flocked to arms and hurried to Boston. Rhode Island offered 1500 men, with Nathaniel Greene as their commander. From New Hampshire came John Stark, and from Connecticut Israel Putnam, each at a moment's notice, each a veteran of the Indian Wars, By the ist of May, an unorganized force of 20,000 men had assembled, encircling Boston and shutting up the British within. Not only the men of New England, but those of the South, responded with all zeal to the sum- mons of war. The heart of the people beat as one, and their hands were quickly joined for the common defence. 38 PARAGRAPH HISTORY In New York, the royalist government found itself at a sudden disadvantage, and the patrioticmasses of the people rose in their might to the direction of affairs. New Jersey summoned a provincial congress, and pledged itself to abide by the acts of the Continental Congress. Pennsyl- vania set itself to the organization of the militia. Delaware surrendered its military stores to the public use. Virginia sprang to arms, and under the lead of Patrick Henry com- pelled Governor Dunmore to restore the powder he had seized. And in none of the Colonies were bolder and more vigorous measures taken than in South Carolina and Geor- gia. "Widely removed from the present scene of conflict, they yet nobly proved themselves in full sympathy with their suffering brethren at the North. 1775. Alay. Ticonderoga and Cro-wn Point. Early in the month, a company of about 170 volunteers from Con- necticut, Western Massachusetts, and what is now Ver- mont, led by Ethan Allen, marched to Lake Champlain, and captured in succession the important forts of Ticon- deroga and Crown Point ; a valuable quantity of arms, ammunition, and other military stores falling into their hands. 1775. May. The "Mecklenburg Declaration." The county of Mecklenburg in the highlands of North Caro- lina was populated by a community of sturdy Presbyterians. Moved by the address of Parliament to the King in Febru- ary previous, and still more by the outbreak of hostilities at Lexington and Concord, they now met in formal con- vention at Charlotte, and united in a distinct declaration of independent rights and powers. A code of county laws was adopted, and notification of the step that had been taken was forwarded in different directions. 1775. May 10. The Second Continental Congress OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 39 assembled in Philadelphia at a very opportune time. Among the delegates were John Hancock and Samuel Adams, of Massachusetts ; Roger Sherman, of Connecticut ; Franklin, who had just returned from England ; and Thomas Jeffer- son, of Virginia. The chief acts of this congress were the address of a petition to the King, declaring anew the alle- giance of the Colonies and reiterating their demand for justice ; the formation of a " Federal Union " for the better administration of all affairs in which the Colonies had a common interest ; the taking of measures for the enlist- ment and equipment of an army and navy ; the adoption of the volunteers then encamped about Boston as the Con- tinental Army ; and the appointment of George Washing- ton* as Commander-in-chief. * Georere Washin?rtnn was then 43 years of age. In stature he a little exceeded six feet. His presence was stately. Few equalled him in strength or power of endurance. His complexion was florid, his hair dark brown ; his head perfectly round. His dark blue eyes had an ex- pression of earnestness almost amounting to sadness. He had grown up without the learning of the schools. His culture was his own. He was in the strictest sense a self-made man. At 16, he went into the wilderness as a surveyor. At iq, he was commissioned an adjutant-general. At 21, he went as envoy of Virginia to the Indians and the French in Ohio. Fame waited on him from youth. He conducted the first Vnilitary expedi- tion from Virginia that crossed the Alleghanies. Rraddock commissioned him as an aid. When he was 24, at the request of the Lieutenant-riovernor of Maryland, he was appointed second in command of the army designed to march to the Ohio. Courage was so natural to him that it was hardly spoken of him to his praise. He was as cheerful as he was spirited, frank, communicative, and joyous ; liberal without ostentation, kindly and compassionate, prodigal of himself, but considerate of others. He was prudent in the management of his private affairs, but as a public man knew no other aim than the good of his country. His constitution was tempered with all the elements of activity. His mind resembled a well- ordered connnonwealth In moments of highest excitement, he had the power of self-control, and excelled in patience even when he had most cause for disgust. In secrecy he was unsurpassed. His understanding was lucid, and his judgment accurate. No philosopher of the iSth cen- tury was more firm in the support of freedom of reUgious opinion ; but belief in God and trust in his overruling power formed the es<;ence of his character. He was persevering without being obstinate- His ambi- tion was subordinate to his sense of duty. He loved the good opinion of his fellow-men, but neither fear of censure nor the prospect of applause could tempt him to swerve frora rectitude. It is the greatness of Wash- 40 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 1.11^. June 17. The Battle of Bunker Hill. This memorable engagement grew out of the attempt of the Americans to fortify Charlestown against the occupation of the British; In form the victory fell to the British,* but in effect to the Americans. Under cover of the night, an expeditionary force of 1200 men, commanded by Colonel Prescott, marched from Cambridge to Charlestown Neck. One plan had Covernorsl. Castlel. been, it seems, to take up a posi-tion upon Bunker's Hill, as one of the eminences of the Charles- town peninsu- la was known. Prescott in- stead moved to an eminence a little nearer Boston, after- Boston and Vicinity, 1775. ward known as Breed's Hill, and there established him- self, his men spending the remainder of the night in throwing up a redoubt. The surprise of the British on discovering this in the morning was very great, and a heavy fire was promptly opened upon it by the ves- sels in the harbor. About noon, a body of troops was moved across in boats, and preparations were made to ington that' in public trusts he used power solely for the public good. Never has any man lived who had in so great a degree the almost divine faculty to command the confidence of his fellow-men. — Abridged from Bancroft^ vol. vli. pp. 393-400. * "Two more such victories, and England will have no army left in America." — Vergennes. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 41 capture the redoubt. The first two assaults were re- pulsed. The ammunition of the Americans having given out, a third proved successful. The Americans retreated across Charlestown Neck, leaving the enemy in possession of the field. The British had in all about 3000 men en- gaged, and their losses were upwards of 1000 killed and wounded; the Americans, with not over 1500 men en- gaged, lost less than 500. The latter displayed great cour- age, and fought with remarkable steadiness, considering their inexperience. General Putnam shares with Colonel Prescott the honors of the day. Among the slain of the Americans was Dr. Joseph Warren, an eminent physician of Boston, whose ardent patriotism had brought him into the young army, and who had just been commissioned a brigadier-general. 1775. July. "Wa.shington in Cambridge. Less than a week after the Battle of Bunker Hill, Washington left Philadelphia for Cambridge, to take command of the army, which he did with due form on the 3d of July under an elm by the Common. The tree stands to this day, and is known as "the Washington Elm." Washington found a formidable task before him. The force at his command numbered about 14,000 men ; unorganized, undisciplined, ununiformed, unequipped. Out of this material he had to form an army. Congress had elected as major-generals Artenlas Ward, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Israel Putnam. Horatio Gates was appointed adjutant-general. There were eight brigadier-generals ; namely, Seth Pome- roy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, William Heath, Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, and Na- thaniel Greene. Saving Montgomery, who was a gallant Irishman from New York, these eight were all New Eng- land men, three of them from Massachusetts. 42 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 1115. July. Franklin's Proposal for a Confedera- tion. At this time, a plan was submitted to the Continental Congress by Franklin for combining the Colonies in a con- federation, each Colony to govern itself under its own con- stitution, the general government to administer those affairs in which all had a common interest. Canada and Ireland were to be invited to join in this union. But the Con- gress was not yet ready for such a bold and decisive step. There were many still who hoped that such an extremity might be avoided, that the Crown would recede from its position, and that the Colonies might finally be left in their old relations to the mother country, in full enjoyment of every right and privilege demanded. And the hope of some such issue was for a time longer to stand in the way of severing the bond which now held the two together. 1775. September — December. An Invasion of Can- ada. This step was authorized by the Congress, chiefly with the purpose of heading off an expected counter- movement by the British. Two expeditions were organ- ized. One, directed by General Schuyler, but really led by General Montgomery, went by way of Lake Champlain ; the other, commanded by General Arnold, by way of the Kennebec and Dead Rivers of Maine. Ethan Allen ac- companied the first, and Aaron Burr the second, both as volunteers. Various adventures befell the two expeditions. Montgomery finally reached Montreal, and took it. Arnold reached Quebec, and was presently joined by Montgomery. Upon the 31st of December, a brave but unsuccessful assault was made upon the city. Montgomery was slain, and Arnold was badly wounded. The invading army remained in Can- ada through the winter, but finally withdrew, leaving the British in undisturbed possession. 1775. September — December. A Busy Autumn. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 43 \Vhile Montgomery and Arnold were on their way to Canada, both the Colonies and the British continued active preparations for the conflict. The Congress reas- sembled in September, Georgia being represented for the first time. The importation of military stores was author- ized ; also the seizure of all ships freighted with stores for the British army and navy ; and a committee was appointed for secret correspondence with friends of the Colonies in Europe. The British Parliament also act- Aiio-i st ed with promptness and decision. The France despatch- " rebels " were cruelly proscribed. It was ^^ ^ confidential . ^ . a^ent to America voted to mcrease the army m America to f^ ascertain the 40,000 men, and negotiations were entered exact conditions into with Russia and several German "If.f ^Znief^ principalities, for the purpose of obtain- ing additional troops by hire. The Empress Catherine of Russia declined to let her soldiers for any such purpose, but the German princes were less scrupulous, and furnished among them several thousand men and a number of able generals. Efforts were also made to entice the Indians into an alliance against the Colonies, and to obtain re- cruits for the King's army from among the loyalists, or " Tories." Meantime, General Gage was superseded by General Howe as Commander-in-chief in America, and the British navy began attacks upon j^^. Lord Ger- towns along the New England coast, main [Sackville) Newport and Bristol, R.I., were bom- i'^^omes Secretary of State for the barded, Falmouth (now the city of Port- A^nerican Colo- land, Me.) was destroyed, and others '"'^-^5 iinder Lord were threatened. American cruisers did good service on the coast in intercepting ships carrying supplies for the enemy. Two great difficulties attended the military movements of the Americans ; namely, the 44 PARAGRAPH HISTORY scarcity of ammunition and the short enlistments of vol- „ . unteers. It required all the sagacity of Parliament pro- Congress and all the skill of the Com- hibits the trade of mander- in-chief to keep the men in the all the Colonies. /- , j a -^ ^i i i field. As It was, the army numbered barely 10,000 men at the end of the year, though within' a month or two of that time it was somewhat increased. 1776. yaiitui7'y. Thomas Paine's " Common Sense. " Paine was an Englishman. At this time he had been in America but very little more than a year, but that period had been long enough for him to become thoroughly im- bued with the spirit of political liberty. He now wrote a pamphlet entitled "Common Sense," in which he ener- getically advocated the independence of the Colonies and the founding of a republic. This pamphlet immediately attained an enormous circulation, and undoubtedly exerted a powerful influence in toning up the public mind for the step next to be taken. 1776. Jamiary. Burning of Norfolk, Va. Gover- nor Dunmore of Virginia tried to hold his province for the Crown, and in a struggle with the patriots for the posses- sion of Norfolk caused that town to be set on fire. It was totally destroyed, involving a loss of several hundred thou- sand pounds.* 1776. February — May. Measures 1776. February. , , ^ ,^, ^ , Fox moves in the o^ ^^ Congress. The acts of the House of Com- Continental Congress during the early Inittel^to "^'7n- "months of this year bore a highly impor- quire into the ill- tant part in fixing the policy and shaping success of his ^}^g course of the Colonies. Military dis- Majesty^s arms . , , in America.^'' tricts were created ; the paper currency * " I hope this and the threatened devastation of otiier places will unite the whole country in an indissoluble bond against a nation which seems lost to every sense of virtue, and those feelings which distinguish a civilized people from the most barbarous savages." — Gen. Washington' OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 45 was increased to two millions of dollars ; ^ g_ ^^^_ Silas Deane of Connecticut was appointed March. Strong commissioner to France to solicit aid ; the opposition mani- jested tn Farlia- fitting out of privateers was authorized ; „igyit to the meas- the importation of slaves into any of " the ^^/es of the Min- thirteen United Colonies" was prohib- ^ ^^' ited ; and the ports of the Colonies were declared open and free to the commerce of the world. Benjamin Franklin and two others were sent to Canada to invite the people of that province to set up an independent government' and join the proposed American union. About the middle of May, the Congress, yielding to the inspiring leadership of John Adams, resolved that the time had now come for suppress- ing the exercise of all authority under the Crown, and for the people of the Colonies to take the government of their affairs into their own hands. This was a decided step in advance of any general action that had yet been taken, and was one of the more immediate preliminaries to the Dec- laration of Independence soon to follow. 1776. J/.^ ^, thur Lee begin diate objective pomt of Sir Guy Carleton, negotiations ijt who was in command. Through the sum- Paris for a treaty mer he had made extensive preparations ^«'-^''^^^^- 6o PARAGRAPH HISTORY for moving his troops southward by water, and early in October his advance began. The Americans under General Gates, whose headquarters were at Ticonderoga, took corresponding measures to oppose him. A rude naval squadron was extemporized under command of General Arnold. On the i ith of October, a sharp battle was fought on the waters of Lake Champlain. The Americans were worsted, but after such a manner that Carleton thought it prudent to return to Canada, and postpone further ad- vance until spring, 1776. December. The Capture of General Charles Lee. Charles Lee was an Englishman. He was a strange compound of the soldier, the politician, and the adventurer. He had served in the British army with credit in the French and Indian War, and afterwards in several continental armies. Failing to receive at home the appreciation which he felt he deserved, he came to America again, and iden- tified himself with the patriot cause. His talents and experience earned for him a generous recognition, and on the organization of the continental army he was appointed a major-general. At the time of Washington's retreat through New Jersey, he was second in command, but had failed to render the good and faithful service which was to be expected of him. He had a great sense of his own im- portance, was a secret backbiter of Washmgton, and as- pired to an independent, if not to the supreme, command. To his disobedience and dilatoriness during the campaign about New York its unfortunate course is to be attributed in no small degree. Lee was now (December) in New Jersey at the head of a considerable force, but showing no disposition to co-operate with Washington. On the con- trary, he was rather boastfully bent on an independent cam- paign of his own. On the 13th, while lolling in a tavern OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 6i at Baskingridge, and just as he had finished a characteristic letter to General Gates, the house was suddenly surrounded by a party of British scouts, and he was taken prisoner. Lee's subsequent career, though he was for a time restored to the service, added no lustre to his name. It only ex- tended the field for the exhibition of his disagreeable ec- centricities, and afforded some occasion for suspicions of his fidelity to the cause he had espoused. His capture at this time was esteemed a misfortune, but was a blessing in disguise, if for no other reason in that it brought riddance to Washington of a most unworthy and troublesome rival. 1776. December 26. The Battle of Trenton. Wash- ington's retreat through New Jersey had been kept up un- til he had put the river Delaware be- tween his little army and its pur- suers. Only the lack of boats seems to have kept the latter from crossing and continuing the pursuit. Howe returned to New York, but left a considerable body of German troops under Donop and ^^^ J^''^^^- Rail to hold Trenton. The situation was a critical one. The Congress at Philadelphia thought it prudent to with- draw to Baltimore. The army was diminished and dispir- ited. But it was the dark hour before dawn. Washing- 62 PARAGRAPH HISTORY ton determined on recrossing the Delaware, and attacking Trenton. On Christmas night he put this plan in execu- tion. Owing to the darkness, the cold, and the quantities of floating ice, the passage of the river, which was effected by boats, was a matter of great difficulty ; but the move- ment was a complete success. The German mercenaries were taken by surprise, and after a short resistance they surrendered. A thousand prisoners were taken and a val- uable quantity of ordnance. The moral effect of this vic- tory of the Americans was great beyond proportion. 1776. December. Measures of the Congress. The alarm with which the Congress had adjourned from Phila- delphia to Baltimore was dispelled by the victory at Tren- ton, and new courage and vigor were infused into its counsels. It had already abandoned all hopes of com- promise with Great Britain, and now bore witness to the determination of the people to prosecute the war to a successful termination at every cost. It invested Wash- ington with new powers, authorizing him in particular to enlist a considerable body of national troops, and to ap- point or dismiss officers of the colonial regiments, under the rank of brigadier-general, at his discretion. 1776. Eight State Grovernments. During this year, a number of the Colonies had adopted new forms of govern- ment, thereby erecting themselves into substantially inde- pendent States, and preparing the way for that union which was afterward to be consummated. In Rhode Island and Connecticut, no greater change of existing instruments was needed than the simple displacement of the King's name. New Jersey perfected her new constitution in July ; Dela- ware and Pennsylvania adopted theirs in September, the op- eration of Pennsylvania's being, however, delayed for some months beyond that time ; Maryland in November, and OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. d^ North Carolina in December. In this general movement, Virginia had taken the lead, as before noticed. The re- maining Colonies, Georgia,* New York,t South Carolina,! Massachusetts, § and New Hampshire,!! followed at subse- quent times in the order named.lf 1777. January 3. The Battle of Princeton. Imme- diately after his victory at Trenton, Washington had with- drawn his army again across the Delaware. But he was now emboldened to attempt the expulsion of the British from New Jersey altogether, and in a few days he was once more at Trenton. A concentration of all available forces there gave him an army of about 5000 men. His situation here at once invited the attention of the British, who were at Princeton. Led by Cornwallis, they moved against him. Skirmishing ensued, and a second battle at Trenton was imminent, when by a skilful and energetic flank movement Washington withdrew from his position under cover of the night, and fell upon Princeton, which was still defended by a force about equal to his own. A sharp engagement ensued, and victory was saved for the Americans chiefly by the personal daring and inspiring example of their commander-in-chief. The destitute and fatigued condition of his troops prevented Washington from following up his advantage to the fullest extent ; but * See p. 65. t See p. 65. % See p. 76. § See p. 85. _ II See p. 100. IT The age of 21 was universally required by the constitutions of all the States as a qualificaton for the ballot ; and, in the case of ten of the consti- tutions, no condition of " color" was imposed. Eleven out of the thirteen provided for a double-legislative body. Most of them required vary- insi property qualifications in candidates for the legislature or the governor- ship, and withheld from the governor all share in the making of laws. The powers of the latter ofifice were also very much restricted ; all impor- tant civil and military positions were to be filled by the legislature. Massa- chusetts and Connecticut were alone in providing a system of free public schools, and Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Georgia, and the Caroliuas required religious qualifications for office. 64 PARAGRAPH HISTORY he had by this time won the sympathy and co-operation of the people, and soon came into practically undisputed possession of the State. He made Morristown his head- quarters for the remainder of the winter. The nobility of Washington's character was brought out more impressively than ever by the vicissitudes of this campaign.* 1777. The Early Months of 1777, if not character- ized by events of conspicuous importance, witnessed a variety of incidents that were closely related to the pro- gress and issue of the war. The American and British armies lay quietly in their winter quarters in New Jersey ; the former with headquarters at Morristown, the latter at New Brunswick and Amboy. Advantage of the pause in hostilities was taken by the British authorities to open negotiations looking toward peace, but on terms to which the Americans would not listen. The Congress appointed a number of new generals for the army, and its omission to promote Arnold inflicted upon his spirit a wound which was never healed. General Gates suc- 1777. February. j j . t 1 1 1 • 1 j Frederick of ceeded to Lee s place as the jealous and Prussia expresses boastful rival of Washington. Expedi- >- ' America' ^^""'^ °^ English troops destroyed valuable military stores belonging to the Americans at Peekskill on the Hudson and at Danbury in Connecticut, the latter feat being followed by a sharp skirmish at Ridge- * " Will posterity believe the tale ? When it shall be consistent with policy to give the history of that man from his first introduction into our service, how often America has been rescued from ruin by the mere strength of his genias,conduct,and courage,encountering every obstacle that want of money, men, arms, ammunition, could throw in his way, an impartial world ■will say to you that he is the greatest man on earth. Misfortunes are the element in which he shines, they are the groundwork on which his picture appears to the greatest advantage. He rises superior to them all ; they serve as foils to his fortitude, and as stimulants to bring into view those great qualities which his modesty keeps concealed" — Letter of IVilUant Hooper, Representative to the Congress from North Carolina, to Robert Morris. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 65 field, in which the marauders suffered severely. A counter- movement of the Americans against Sag Harbor on Long Island was a brilliant success. Abroad, the English ministry responded to General Howe's call for reinforcements, by obtaining several thousand more mercenaries from the petty German States. In Paris, the American commis- sioners, Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee, were busy in secret negotiations with the French ministry and the Spanish ambassador for moral and material aid for the struggling Colonies. Neither France nor Spain were yet ready for a formal recognition of America as a belligerent power and so for open co-operation against England ; but "secret succors" were extended to the "insurgents," and currents of sympathy set in motion which were afterward to bear substantial aid. 1777. February. The Constitution of Georgia was unanimously adopted in convention. 1777. April. The Constitution of New York was adopted in convention specially authorized for the purpose. 1777. April. Lafayette and Others. The Marquis de Lafayette was a young French nobleman and soldier, whose heart had been warmed by the tidings from Amer- ica. Though but twenty years of age, and representing an illustrious family, he determined to devote his personal service to the cause of the young nation. A devoted wife approved and confirmed his purpose. He was accom- panied to this country by a number of steady shipment officers, among others the Baron De Kalb ; of stores from and his arrival on such a mission, at a ^^^^^^^ *° Amer- ica. American. time when the prospects of the patriots privateers find were so uncertain, was a circumstance of ready refuge in , . r French harbors. great encouragement and an occasion of England remon^ great rejoicing. He was received as an strates. 66 PARAGRAPH HISTORY embodiment of that friendly feeling and practical help which were so much desired and needed. His appear- ance is commonly esteemed "as one of the most promi- nent and important circumstances in our revolutionary contest ; and, as has often been said by one who bore no small part in its trials and success, none but those who were then alive can believe what an impulse it gave to the hopes of a population almost disheartened by a long series of disasters." Lafayette was heartily welcomed by the Congress, and at once commissioned a major-general. A warm friendship sprang up between him and Washington, and his military services proved of the most valuable char- acter. Before Lafayette and De Kalb, there had come to America, with a like purpose to theirs, Earl of Chatham ^he Polish patriot, Kosciuszko, who at appears in the present held a commission as officer of ":TanL^aii ^"g-«- i" 'h' American army; and on crutches, and there now soon followed the Count etitreais a cessa- Pulaski, also a Pole, whose services Hon of hostilities. ,., . , ^ ^ , . likewise proved of great value. An- other foreign soldier of distinction, who at about the same time linked his fortunes with the American cause, was the Baron Steuben, a Prussian, formerly an aide-de-camp to Frederick the Great and a lieutenant-general in his army. Steuben rendered most important services to the Ameri- can army as inspector-general, being especially instru- mental in the improvement of its discipline. He was no less eminent for his fine personal qualities than for his military abilities. At the close of the war, he settled upon a large estate near Utica, N.Y., where he died in 1794. 1777. June. The British evacuate New Jersey. In the last days of May, the American army broke up its winter quarters at Morristown. It now consisted of about OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 67 7,500 men, embraced in five divisions, ten brigades, and forty-three regiments. To it were opposed a force of not less than 17,000 trained soldiers ably officered. Howe's purposes for the spring campaign, without seeming to be very definite, were such as would have brought on a gen- eral engagement, had not Washington studiously avoided that issue. Washington was too great a general to fight when he could accomplish a desired result without fight- ing.* A series of strategic movements ensued around the very edge of the field of actual conflict, and attended by occasional skirmishings. As a result, the British with- drew from New Jersey. Throughout these operations, Washington's conspicuous military genius and serene and lofty temper were displayed with new impressiveness. 1777. June 14. The Flag. ^ While Washington and Howe were marching and counter- marching their armies in New Jersey, the Congress, on the 14th of June, resolved "that the flag of the thirteen United States be 13 stripes alternate red and white ; that the Union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new con- stellation." Up to this time, a variety of flags had been used, of private or sectional design : this is the first recorded national act upon the * " We have some amongst us, and I dare say generals, who wish to make themselves popular at the expense of others, or who think the cause is not to be advanced otherwise than by fighting ; . . • but, as I have one great object in view, I shall steadily pursue the means which in my judg- ment leads to the accomplishment of it, not doubtino; but that the candid part of mankind, if they are convinced of my integrUy, will make proper allowance for my inexperience and frailties." — Letter of Washington to Reed. The Flag of 1777. 68 PARAGRAPH HISTORY subject. In the flag of 1777, the stars were arranged in a circle, and it is said that it was first displayed by Paul Jones on the " Ranger." One star has since been added to the "Union" with the admission of every new State. 1777. July 4. The First Anniversary of the Decla- ration of Independence was celebrated in Philadelphia by the ringing of bells, a public dinner, parades, fireworks, and a general illumination ; the first *' Fourth of July " in the long line, whose hundredth number is the occasion of such unusual commemoration. 1777. June — Septembei-. Burgoyne's Advance from Canada. About the middle of June, General Bur- goyne, having been appointed to the command of the British army in Canada in place of Sir Guy Carleton, set forth in pursuance of orders to form a connection with Howe at New York. He had a fine body of troops, num- bering in all towards ten thousand, including a specially strong artillery force, some Indian allies, and several highly accomplished officers. A part of his army was sent by way of Lake Ontario and the Mohawk River : with the rest, he proceeded himself by way of Lake Champlain. Ticon- deroga, which comrnanded the avenue of his advance, was occupied by a detachment of Schuyler's army, number- ing several thousand men, under General St. Clair. Out of this stronghold the Americans were forced by Burgoyne's The Pine-Tree Flag. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 69 superior tactics, and took up a re- treat to Fort Ed- ward on the Hud- son, Schuyler's head-quarters. The movement cost them large quan- tities of valuable military stores, which had to be abandoned to their pursuers, and some lives. Schuyler, in place of standing to the support of St. Clair, retreated below Fort Ed- ward, and thence to the vicinity of Saratoga, where he was presently re- lieved from com- mand. While Bur- goyne was making this triumphant progress with his main army, the side expedition which he had sent out by way of the west met with a repulse in a desperate fight with the settlers in J5eiuizngto Lake Champlain and Saratoga. 70 PARAGRAPH HISTORY the Mohawk Valley, and came to an inglorious end. This entire series of operations was marked by the most fiend- ish atrocities on the part of the Indian allies of the British. One well-remembered incident was the treacherous mas- sacre of a young woman named Jane MacCrea, by two savages who were conducting her to the camp of her lover, an officer in the British service. 1777. August 1 6. The Battle of Bennington. The Americans had collected valuable stores at Bennington, Vt., due east, and not many miles distant, from the point now reached by Burgoyne. He determined on their cap- ture, and despatched upon that errand, in two successive detachments, a force of several hundred troops, chiefly Germans, under command of Lieutenant-Colonels Baum and Breymann. The New England militia hastened to the defence of the threatened point, having for their leader General Stark, who before this had retired from the conti- nental army. A battle ensued, which was fought in two parts, Stark first engaging Baum and then Breymann, and defeating them both. The Americans fought with great gallantry, and won their double victory at small cost. Their conduct was marked by some quaint and amusing incidents, which, with their valor, success, and the effect of it at such a time, make the battle one of the most memorable of the whole war. 1777. October 17. Burgoyne's Surrender at Sara- toga. General Gates, who had succeeded Schuyler, found himself in command of about 9000 men, and took up a strong position at what was known as Behmus's Heights. Here he was met by Burgoyne, and an engagement took place on the 19th of September, Great bravery was shown on both sides ; but the result was indeterminate, unless measured by the losses, which to the Americans were OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 7 1, about 300, to the British more than double that number ; while the British were certainly left in the more danger- ous situation of the two. To add to their embarrassments, their communications with Canada had been cut off by a party of Americans who had penetrated their rear. For several weeks, the two armies remained watching each other, Burgoyne meantime drawing some encouragement from a diversion which General Clinton had undertaken in his favor from New York, theresult of which was the capture from the Americans of Forts Montgomery and Clinton on the Hudson, just below West Point, thus prac- tically opening the river to Albany. The neglect of Clinton to follow up this advantage alone enabled Gates to follow up that which he had won. Gates received reinforcements. Burgoyne's force was constantly diminishing, his supplies were giving out, and his communications were interrupted. Under these circumstances, he planned a fierce attack upon the American position (October 7). It was repulsed. A general engagement was brought on. The Americans gained at every point. Night alone saved the British from a rout. The morning found them in retreat to Sara- toga, a few miles distant. The Americans followed, and by the 12th of the month had their, camp quite invested. Burgoyne, sustained by his lieutenants, opened negotia- tions for surrender, and the articles were signed on the 17th. Six thousand or more prisoners thus fell into the hands of the Americans, beside immense quantities of military stores. So was practically destroyed the British army of the North, and with it ended the war, so far as New England territory was concerned. PARAGRAPH HISTORY VI. FROM BURGOYNE'S SURRENDER TO THE CAMPAIGN OF 1779. October, 1777 — December, 1778. 1777. July—Nmjember. The Philadelphia Cam- paign. Upon retiring from New Jersey, General Howe turned his attention to Philadelphia, for which point, hav- ing embarked an army of some 17,000 men in transports, he set sail in July. Find- ing the Del- aware in possession of the Am- ericans, he proceeded up the Ches- apeake, and landed at the head of that great estua- ry. In the mean time, Washington with his ar- my, which at this time never ex- Tt. Mercer JERSEY. Philadelphia and Vicinity. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 73 eeeded 12,000 men, had marched by land to meet him, and advanced a little beyond Wilmington. Here, on the 3d of September, began the struggle for the possession of Philadelphia. Skirmishing between the outposts speedily ran into a battle, which was fought on the nth, on the banks of Brandywine Creek. Washington's movements were crippled by the incapacity, or worse, of some of his lieutenants ; and his army was defeated with the loss of about a thousand. The British loss was about half as large. This defeat of the Americans opened the way for the British army to occupy Philadelphia, which was done on the 26th. The main body was encamped in the suburb of Germantown. The Congress had previously withdrawn in some alarm to Lancaster. 1777. October 4. The Battle of Germantown. The temporary weakening of Howe's army by the sending of detachments for work elsewhere tempted Washington to essay an attack upon it in its camp at Germantown. The movement was carefully planned, and undertaken with great courage and vigor at daybreak on the 4th, but failed through lack of co-operation on the part of sub- ordinate officers. The attacking force lost its unity, its fragments fell into some confusion, and after a brisk en- gagement of short duration a retreat was ordered. 1777. October 22— Nero ember 16. The Forts on the Delaware. The British followed up their gains at Bran- dywine Creek and Germantown by moving against Forts Mercer and Mifflin, two fortifications on the Delaware, a few miles below Philadelphia, held by the Americans, and commanding the river approaches to the city. Fort Mer- cer was attacked by them first, and both finally fell into their hands, though defended with great valor. In the capture of the former, Count Donop, a German officer of 74 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 1777. November, distinction, lost his life* Taken alto- ./^ft&rS g-'her, General Howe's Philadelphia Earl of Chatham campaign had been externally a success, lifts up his voice but in some aspects of it the American anew against r 1 1 , , . a continuance of found much encouragement ; and this, the ivar.\ added to the moral effects of the triumph of the northern army, went far toward offsetting any actual reverses. 1777. November!^. Confederation. While military movements were thus progressing, the Congress was at work shaping the civil policy of the new nation. From Lancaster it removed after a few days to Yorktown, and there on the 15th of November adopted articles of "Con- federation and perpetual Union." These were submitted to the several States, and their approval of them solicited. The distinguishing principle of this early scheme of organ- ization was its careful reservation to each individual State of its own complete sovereignty. The time was not yet ripe for the merging of separate authorities into a central government, thereby compacting the States into an organic union. This remained to be accomplished by the adop- tion of the national constitution a number of years later. Towards that result, however, the confederation was to lead the way. The peoples of the several States needed perhaps to get accustomed to their several identities be- fore taking a public stand as " the people of the United * " I die the victim of my ambition, and of the avarice of my sove- reign." — Donof s last -words. t " You may swell every expense, accumulate every assistance you can buy or borrow, traffic and barter with every pitiful little German prince that sells and sends his subjects to the shambles of a foreign prince : your efforts are for ever vain and impotent, doubly so from this mercenary aid on which you rely, for it irritates to an incurable resentment. If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country, I never would lay down my arms; never, never, never." OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 75 States." Therefore the latter phrase was allowed no place in the articles of confederation. Nor were these articles even adopted by all the States, until after a delay of nearly four years. 1777-1778. The Camp at Valley Forge. In the early part of December, General Howe sought to bring on a general engagement at Whitemarsh, a 1777. December. few miles out from Philadelphia. But News of Bur- goyne^s surren- Washington, though he had received der reaches Lon- some reinforcements, declined the chal- don aiid Paris. lenge, and took his army into winter i,rfhe7Jt'ler%. quarters at Valley Forge. This was a Lord North pros- secluded and sheltered spot on the Schuyl- Crated and the '^ . •; opposition to the kill, about 20 miles from Philadelphia. Ministry greatly The soldiers made themselves log huts strengthened. from the surrounding forest, but they were destitute of proper food and clothing, and their sufferings through the winter were very great. The condition of the sick especially was pitiable. Meanwhile, the British were very comfort- ably established in Philadelphia, and passed their time in pleasurable ways. 1778. The Conway Cabal. The lull in military movements gave space for a greater play of the envyings and jealousies which in busier times had been 1778. January. kept in a measure beneath the surface. Frederick of ^ . a ..-1 u r..ur- Prussia expresses Some influential members of the Congress ^ desire that the were more or less distrustful of Wash- efforts of America ington, complained of him for no. dis- tZ^ZtTei playing greater activity in the field, and -with complete success. by various things which were done, or not done, actually and unwarrantably interfered with his conduct of affairs. The insubordinate spirit which some of his lieutenants had previously manifested now deepened 76 PARAGRAPH HISTORY into an organized intrigue to remove him from the chief command. He was unfavorably com- pared with Gates, to whom were commonly ascribed the great successes of the north- ern army. An officer named Conway was prominent in this movement, whence 1778. February, The American commissioners in Paris conclude a treaty of friend- ship and com- merce between the United States it is known as the Conway Cabal. Wash- and France. 1778. March. The English Par- liament adopts acts renouncing ington's feelings were sorely wounded by the studious affronts which were put upon him, but he bore them with great meekness, and steadily pursued what he the exercise of the conceived to be his duty with unfaltering imeXTnCoL P^^P^s^ and a noble spirit. _ The intrigue nies., and author- proved abortive, and Washington's name izing the sending ^^g Jqj^„ since vindicated from the as- of commisstoners . , . , ,- to treat for recon- persions which were then ungenerously ciliation. Friend- cast upon it. 1778. March. The Constitution of South Carolina was permanently es- tablished by act of the Legislature. Clark's Expedition. The movements of Spain and of the English, both with reference to the Mississippi Valley and to the great territory between it and the Ohio, to- gether with the temper of the Indians, menaced the American settlements throughout that region. Under the au- thority of Virginia, and with some degree of secrecy, an expedition was organized early in 1778 by George Rogers Clark, for the purpose of confirming the settlers in possession, and extending the jurisdic- tion of the United States in that direction. The expe- dition was conducted with great courage and skill, and ly relations be- tween France and England suspended. 1778-1779. 1778. March. The American commissioners.^ Franklin.^ Deane.^ and Lee, present- ed at the Frettch court. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 77 in large measure accomplished its purpose. This back- woods campaign, which lasted more than a year, if not strictly a part of the Revolutionary War, was very inti- mately related to it both in the motives of patriotism by which it was prompted, and in the results with which it was followed. 1778. April— June. Foreign Relations. With the coming of spring, there seemed a brightening and softening of the political skies for the Americans. 1778. April. Early in May, the treaty which had been '^^^"^ debate in . , , . , -.^ . ^ , , the House of negotiated with France was ratified by Lords over the the Congress. This treaty substantially motion of the pledged France to the support o£ the f:^'/lftt,on United States in their contest with Great the war, and re- Britain. At this same time, commissioners ^"^^ ^^'^ "^"^y ^'^^ J. T- , , , . . navy for home from England were on their way to Amer- defence. The ica, to attempt an amicable adjustment of E^rl of Chatham. difficulties on the basis of the acts passed Tn' ^"iJ"""^ ^ puoltc appear - by Parliament in March. As early as ance. April, the Congress, apprised of the action taken, re- solved "to hold no conference or treaty with any commis- sioners on the part of Great Britain, unless they shall, as a preliminary thereto, either withdraw their fleets and armies, or in positive and express terms acknowledge the independ- ence of the States." Early in June, the 1778. June. commissioners arrived in Philadelphia, Hostilities between and sought to open correspondence with frincfarefeg^in the Congress and with individuals in by a naval en- the prosecution of their mission. The <^^''^\t'^r off the . f west coast of the mission was a failure. latter. 1778. June 22>. Battle of Monmouth. The military operations of the summer opened with the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British, in pursuance of orders to 78 PARAGRAPH HISTORY proceed to New York. Sir Henry Clinton had succeeded General Howe in command. Washington followed the retreating army in its march across New Jersey towards Sandy Hook. At Monmouth, he overtook it, and deter- mined on giving battle. As had been the case so often before, he was again balked by one of his own generals, Lee, who failed at a critical juncture of affairs to render the ser- vice expected of him. The result was almost a defeat for the Americans, whose loss was upwards of 200. But the British lost twice that number, while the desertions from the latter during their march across the State numbered nearly a thousand more. For his conduct on this day, General Lee was court-martialed, and suspended from the service for a year. For a subsequent offence, he was dis- missed altogether; and in 1782 he died in Philadelphia. 1778. July 3, 4. The Massacre of Wyoming. An expedition of Tories and Indians fell upon the unprotected settlement of Wyoming in a beautiful part of the valley of the Susquehannah, in Pennsylvania. Resistance was offered, but in vain. The settlers — men, women, and children — 1778. July. were mercilessly butchered, houses were Naval battle burned, crops were destroyed, and the ^■^^ ,^wrv tjl€ P't'i. P"^ Tish ~and French whole valley was rendered desolate. This fleets off Ushant. was one of the most frightful tragedies in all American history. 1778. The French Fleet. France followed up its alliance with the United States by sending over a war fleet of some 15 vessels, under the Count d'Estaing, to co- operate against the British. It arrived in the Delaware early in July, and, having established communications with the Congress, followed on after Admiral Howe. The fleet being unable to enter the harbor of New York, a combined movement by land and sea was undertaken upon Rhode OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 79 Island, which the British were now holding in force. New- port was selected as the point of attack, and the loth of August as the time. From various causes, the expedition was a failure. At Quaker Hill, on the 29th, there was an engagement between the land forces, which ended as it began with a retreat of the Americans. Not long after this, Admiral Howe relinquished the command of the British squadron to Admiral Byron (the grandfather of the poet), and Count d'Estaing sailed away with his fleet to the West Indies. 1778. December. "Winter Quarters. The American army now went into winter quarters in a series of camps extending from the Connecticut shore of j^^^ December Long Island Sound, in a great sweep, to Hostilities pro- the Delaware River. West Point was Py^^ between the iLnglish and the mcluded in the line. Washington had French in both his headquarters at Middlebrook, N.J. the East and the The British remained in force at New York. VII. FROM THE CAMPAIGN OF 1779 TO THE TREASON OF BENEDICT ARNOLD. January, 1779 — September, 1780. 1778. December. The Invasion of Georgia. What is here termed the Campaign of 1779 began in reality in the latter part of the December preceding, when the British forces entered on operations at the South with a move- ment upon Savannah, the capital of Georgia. An army of from two to three thousand men, under Lieutenant-Colonel 8o PARAGRAPH HISTORY Campbell, was despatched from New York late in Decem- ber. A landing was effected, and on the 29th an engagement ensued. A brave resistance was offered by a small body of Americans, commanded by General Robert Howe ; but it was in vain. The town fell into the hands of the in- vaders, together with considerable quantities of military stores. The fall of Savannah was speedily followed by that of Sunbury, another military post, and then by that of Augusta ; the entire State thereupon coming under British 1779. February control. These successes of the British —May. The -west ^^^^ followed by an unsuccessful move- coast of Africa , ^, , r> ^ , and the Channel ment agamst Charleston, S.C, though Islands in turn not until there had been a change of com- manders on both sides ; General Prevost the scefte of con- flict between Eng- land aiid France, succeeding Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, and General Benjamin Lincoln General Howe. 1779. May — July. Ravaging Expeditions at the North. While with one hand the British thus secured a grasp upon the comparatively feeble southern section of the country, with the other they began to ravage districts at the North. One expedition, sent out from New York in May, fell upon Portsmouth and Norfolk, Va., and de- vastated the entire region, plundering and violating with- out scruple, and destroying a vast amount of valuable ^ private and public property, including Spain declares more than a hundred vessels. Another, war against jn June, went up the Hudson, and wrested Great Britain, , ^i « • ^^i ^ •^^. from the Americans the two military posts of Stony Point and Verplank's Point, both of great im- portance as commanding the lines of communication at that time between New England and the Middle States. In July, still another was sent out into Connecticut, and the towns of New Haven, East Haven, Fairfield, Green OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 8i Farms, and Norwalk, were given up to pillage and destruc- tion. Buildings of every description were burned, the in- habitants were plundered, and not a few of them were put to the sword. 1779. July t6. The Recapture of Stony Point. This achievement, one of the most brilliant of the war, was planned by Washington, and executed by General Anthony Wayne — otherwise known as "Mad Anthony" — at the head of about a thousand picked men. The posi- tion, a very strong one naturally, had been rendered doubly so by the British since they had gotten possession of it, and it was deemed well-nigh impregnable. Wayne took it at the point of the bayonet in a night assault, losing not more than a hundred of his men ; while all of the British force of 600, not killed or wounded, were taken prisoners.* The position was afterward relinquished. 1779. Other Events of the Summer. The sum- mer wore away without bringing decided and permanent advantage to either side. In August, Major Henry Lee of Virginia, better known as " Light-horse Harry," copied Wayne's exploit by a daring night attack on Paulus Hook, now Jersey City, taking 150 prisoners. General Sullivan occupied several months in an expedition against the In- dians in the interior of the State of New Aueusi York, engaging them on the 29th of Au- T/ie Englhh gust at Newtown, now Elmira, in what coast menaced by • 1 1 -r. 1 r 1 ^, the fo7'iiiiJaoIe IS known as the Battle of the Chemung. co7nbined fleets An unsuccessful attempt was made in of France and July and August to dislodge a British ^Z^^'^- force which had established itself at Castine at the mouth * "The conduct of the Americans upon this occasion was highly meritorious, for they would have been fully justified in putting the garri- son to the sword, not one man of which was put to death but in fair combat." — Stedman, an English historian. 6 82 PARAGRAPH HISTORY of the Penobscot River, in Maine. Massachusetts fitted out the expedition, which was, however, poorly handled, and failed of its object. 1779. September 23. John Paul Jones. Of two events which distinguished this period, one was a naval 1779. At this battle in the North Sea, in which John Juncture E}ig- Paul Jones acquired great fame. Jones land^s displeas- ^^g ^ Scotchman, who had entered the tire becomes ex- cited toward Hoi- colonial naval service at the outbreak of land, for favors the war. He had made several success- sfwwn to France. - , . . . , , ful cruises, and was now m command of a squadron of several vessels. His own ship was the " Bon Homme Richard," an old Indiaman, which had been fitted out for war service at L'Orient, a port of Brit- tany, On the 23d of September, off Flamborough Head, a British fleet of merchantmen Avas descried under con- voy of two men-of-war, the " Serapis " and the '* Countess of Scarborough." Jones ordered a pursuit, and gave battle. A very hot action ensued, at close quarters. The *' Sera- pis " was captured ; and the " Richard," having been aban- doned, went down. The " Countess of Scarborough " likewise surrendered, and Jones carried off his prizes in triumph. 1779. October 8. The Attack upon Savannah. The second of the two events represented as particularly distinguishing this period was the unsuccessful attempt of the Americans to retake Savannah. The Count d'Es- taing joined with General Lincoln in the attack. Siege was laid to the town, and on the 8th of October an assault was ordered. After an hour's desperate fighting, the assail- ants were repulsed, and retired with a loss of several hun- dred men. Among the mortally wounded was the Count Pulaski, who fell while gallantly leading his men. Soon after this, D'Estaing returned with his fleet to France. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. %Z 1119. December. The Army in "Winter Quarters. Again the American army went into its winter camp in New Jersey, with headquarters at Morristown. The win- ter set in early, and proved one of great severity. The soldiers were exposed to renewed hardships and suffer- ings. Their pay was sadly in arrears. Such money as was in circulation was almost worthless. Supplies were irregular and insufficient. Meat was often wholly lacking. The medical department was without delicacies of any kind. No organized sanitary or Christian commission ministered to the wants of camp and hospital. Yet the patriotic people of New Jersey contributed generously of their substance toward the support of their defenders, and the women kept their needles busy supplying them with clothing and other comforts. 1779. The Finances. We may here notice the finan- cial question, which from the outset had been one of the most serious with which the country had had to deal. Its difficulties spread themselves out over the whole period of the war, but were never graver than now. Very early in their history, the Colonies had issued paper money and made it legal tender. About 1750, such issue had been forbidden by Act of Parliament ; but the money neverthe- less remained in circulation, and was received at the respective treasuries. It was, however, considerably de- preciated. At the time when England was beginning to push her oppressive policy the hardest (1767), sterling exchange in Massachusetts was worth about 133; in New York, 175; in Pennsylvania, 160; in Virginia, 125; and in North Carolina, 145. With the commencement of actual hostilities, relatively immense expenses were of course created. To a considerable extent, each Colony assumed the cost of equipping and maintaining its own troops. 84 PARAGRAPH HISTORY The Congress had no power to impose taxes, but could only make "requisitions " on the States, which sometimes were honored and oftener not. For such moneys as the Congress had to raise, it was obliged to resort to other measures. The lottery was authorized, and efforts were made to obtain loans or grants from France and Spain and other European nations. These means were only partially successful. The Congress was early brought to the necessity of issuing paper money of its own in addition to the large amount already in circulation by the Colonies. The country became flooded with this currency, and its depreciation followed as a matter of course. This de- preciation was helped forward by an extensive system of counterfeiting, which the British government authorized and encouraged. In March, 1778, when about $9,000,000 of paper money was in circulation under act of Congress, it took $1.75 to equal $1.00 in specie. At the beginning of 1779, the amount in circulation had increased to upwards of $100,000,000, and its value decreased to \2\ cents on the dollar. By the end of the year, the $100,000,000 had been increased to $200,000,000, and the rate fallen to 2\. Be- fore the end of the war, the paper currency came to be worth nothing, and ceased to circulate altogether.* 1779. Plans for Peace. The pause in the war at the North during the winter of 1778-9, together with the atti- tude maintained by France and Spain, and the supposed * " The Congress is finally bankrupt ! Last Saturday, a large body of the inhabitants, with paper dollars in their hats by way of cockades, paraded the streets of Philadelphia, carrying colors flying, with a Dog Tarked; and, instead of the usual appendage and ornament of feathers, his back was covered with the Congress paper dollars. This exanip e of disaffection, immediately under the eyes of the rulers of the revolted pro- vinces, in solemn service at the State House assembled, was directly followed by the jailer, who refused accepting the bills in purchase of a glass of rum, and afterwards by the traders of the city, who sluit up their shops, declining to sell any more goods but for gold or silver." — Riving- ton s Gazette (New York, Tory), May 12, 1781. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 85 temper of Great Britain, encouraged the Congress to think that perhaps the end of hostilities might be at hand, and set it to deliberating as to the terms upon which peace might be had. The question was a complicated one, viewed in any aspect ; and its difficulties were enhanced by the claims and expectations of the European powers. The Congress, of course, would take no plan into consideration, which did not have as its basis the entire independence of the United States. This point being settled, what should be the boundaries of the new nation ? Spain was covetous of Florida, and was disposed to insist on the control of the valley of the Mississippi. Both Spain and France objected to the acquisition by the United States of the territories of Canada and Nova Scotia, and were at the same time de- sirous that the broad region beyond the Ohio River should be ceded to Great Britain. The coast fisheries, too, pre- sented a perplexing problem. They might with some de- gree of justice be claimed by both the English and the Americans. The Congress, in the maintenance of its own views, was embarrassed by its wish to cultivate the good- will of Spain, and still more by its actual alliance with France. After various conferences and discussions, ex- tending through the greater part of the year, it was re- solved to appoint ministers to negotiate treaties with Spain and England ; and John Jay and John Adams were respec- tively chosen to act in concert with Franklin to that end. Only the most general conditions of peace, however, had been projected ; and the peace itself proved more distant than had been supposed. 1780. The Constitution of Massa- \'j%o. Jamtary. chusetts, the framing of which had been The English J . J 1 , rr . J • seize a Dutch proposed m 1777, and duly effected m pet in the Chan^ 1779, was approved by the people and nel, suspected of went into effect. carrying goods S6 PARAGRAPH HISTORY contraband of 1780. May. The Capture of Charles- ZnrS^' t°^^' S-C. The British now began a „ „ new series of operations at the South. 1780. Russia, ^ Denmark, and Just at the junction of the old year with Sweden unite in the new, Sir Henry Clinton sailed from "^^itZfnenttl- ^ew York with several thousand men, zVjv," in which and on reaching Georgia at once organ- other nations of j^ed a movement against Charleston, Europe join, hav- ^ ^ ^, , , . . i7ig for its object ^•^- Charleston was at this time a the protection of prosperous and wealthy town of about %m'BritisTin- \5'°°° inhabitants, occupying an exposed terference. situation, and defended by General 1779-178^. The Lincoln's army of less than 2000 men. siege of Gibraltar, Clinton had io,ooo men, was reinforced E}ieland holding -.mi rr- ■ ■, the fortress ^" April by 3000 more, was efficiently against Spain supported by a fleet under Admiral and France. Arbuthnot, and had the co-operation of such lieutenants as Cornwallis and Tarleton. After various preliminaries, Clinton laid regular siege to Charleston, and early in April had it completely invested. The batteries then opened fire upon the town, and a direct and bloody assault was only avoided by a capitulation, which was agreed to on the 12th of May. The garrison not only, but the townsmen also, were counted in as prisoners, and the property of the people generally was confiscated. The capture of Charleston was followed up by other energetic measures in different parts of the State, so that by June Clinton considered the province in subjection, and returned to New York with a portion of his army, leaving the re- mainder behind with Cornwallis in command. 1780. June. An Expedition into Nevr Jersey. The news of the fall of Charleston, travelling northward, found Washington's army coming out of winter quarters OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 87 not 4000 strong ; and encouraged Knyphausen, who had been left by Clinton in New York, to attempt an expe- dition into New Jersey. He penetrated to Connecticut Farms, where Mrs. Caldwell, the wife of the patriotic Presbyterian minister, was brutally shot by one of his men and the church and other buildings were burned. A brisk skirmish between the invaders and some scattering Ameri- can troops ensued at Springfield; where again there was an engagement of greater dimensions on the 23d of June between a second expeditionary force of British, sent out bv Clinton himself, and the Americans under Greene Here the British seem to have had an opportunity which thev neglected to make the most of. 1780 7«/r. Arrival of French Reinforcements. A hurried visit of Lafayette to France during the months now immediately preceding, together with the favorable representations of D'Estaing, resulted in the sending to America of a second French fleet, conveying some 6000 troops, and commanded by Count Rochambeau. Great expectations were raised by its arrival, but almost simul- taneously heavy reinforcements were received by Sir Henry Clinton, and nothing of importance followed. 1780. August-September. The Treason of Benedict Arnold There now occurred an event which by reason of its dramatic features and affecting interest occupies a soli- tary place of painful prominence in the history of the war. General Arnold, who had served with gallantry atTiconde- ro-a and Crown Point,in Canada,and in other campaigns,had be°en court-martialed and reprimanded by the Commander- in-chief for misconduct while in command at Philadelphia in 1778-79; during which time he was also in treasonable correspondence with the enemy. In August, he was trans- ferred at his own request to the command of West Point 88 PARAGRAPH HISTORY and the surrounding posts ; as it afterward appeared in pursuance of a secret plan between him and Sir Henry Clinton for a surrender of the position to the British. For this service, he was to receive the sum of ;i^ 10,000 and a brigadier-general's commission in the King's army. In order to complete the negotiations, a personal interview was arranged between Arnold and Major Andre, Clinton's adjutant-general. This took place on the 21st and 22d of September, at a point on the west bank of the Hudson not far from Haverstraw. Andre, who had come up from New York by water, was obliged to return by land, first crossing the river and going down the east side. Just above Tarry- town, he was arrested by three volunteer pickets, who were guarding the way. Papers in Arnold's handwriting were found upon his person, containing particulars of the works at West Point and of the garrison. He was at once handed over to the American authorities. Arnold, hearing of his capture, escaped within the British lines. Andre was treated with great considerateness ; but his trial was a necessity, his guilt was established by his own admissions, and his death was determined by the inexorable rules of war. He was hanged as a spy on the 2d of October.* Arnold received in a measure the reward of his treachery, but with it the contempt of his new associates and the execration of the country he had deserted. * "There was something singularly interesting in the character of Andre. To an excellent understanding, well improved by education and travel, he united a peculiar elegance of mind and manners, and the ad- vantages of a pleasing person. It is said that he possessed a pretty taste for the fine arts, and had himself attained some proficiency in poetry, music, and painting. His knowledge appeared vyithout ostentation, and embellished by a diffidence that rarely accompanies so many talents and accomplishments His elocution was handsome, his address easy, polite, and insinuating. By his merit he had acquired the unlimited confidence of his general, and was making rapid progress in miliary rank and repu- tation." — Ha7nilton. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 89 VIII. THE DECISIVE CAMPAIGN. 1 780-178 1. The Campaign of 1780-1781, which was to deter- mine the issues of the war, was opened in the summer by Cornwallis, who had been left in South Carolina by Srr Henry Clinton in command of the British forces m the South. It was his plan, retaining South Carolina and Georgia m a strong grasp, to push northward through North Carohna into Virginia, conquering as he w^nt, and renewing a con- nection with Clinton somewhere on the Chesapeake Bay. For the execution of this plan, he had an army of more than 6000 men ; and depended also on much assistance from the Tories, who were numer- ous in this part of the country. Partisan War- fare. The chief opposition with which Cornwallis had at first to contend was from irregular and rude- ly organized bands of patriots, gener- ally mounted, who Charleston and Vicinity. 90 PARAGRAPH HISTORY hovered about his army, and fell upon its exposed portions at every opportunity. Among the leaders of these land- privateersmen were Sumter, Pickens, Marion ; and the story of their exploits forms one of the most striking chap- ters in the history of the war. The name of "Marion's Men" is especially familiar, whose deeds have been cele- brated even in song* Between the British and these roving horsemen there were endless encounters, from slight skirmishings up to such small battles as those at Rocky Mount and Hanging Rock, in July and August respec- tively, when Sumter won fresh distinction. Among those who were present at this latter fight was a lad of thirteen, by the name of Andrew Jackson, who about fifty years afterward became president of the United States. 1780. August 1 6. The Battle of Camden, S.C, was the first important engagement of the campaign. To confront Cornwallis, Washington had despatched some months previous a small detachment of his northern army under De Kalb, and following this the Congress had ap- pointed Gates to the independent command at the South. Early on the morning of the i6th, the two armies met at Sanders's Creek, a few miles to the north-west of Camden. The advantage was with the British from the outset ; and, though the Americans fought with great gallantry, they * " Our band is few, but true and tried; f )ur leader swift and bold ; The British soldier trembles When Marion's name is told. Our fortress is the good greenwood, Our tent the cypress-tree ; We know the forest round us, As seamen know the sea; We know its walls of thorny vines, Its elades of reedy grass, Its safe and silent islands Within the dark morass." Bryant. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 91 suffered, as so often before, from poor generalship, and lost the day. The defeat was a disastrous one, and not its least mournful feature was the death, by wounds, of De Kalb, the second in command. For his conduct at this battle, General Gates was ordered by the Congress before a court of inquiry, and General Greene was appointed in his place. 1780. Severe Measures of the British. Cornwallis followed up the victory at Camden by measures of great severity toward the patriots, confiscating their estates, im- prisoning all who refused to join his army, and hanging those who, once having fought on the King's side, had now joined the other side. Prisoners were impressed into the British navy. Personal property was given up to be plundered by the soldiers. Houses were burned, and help- less women and children driven from their homes. These horrors of assassination and massacre were authorized for the purpose of more quickly and thoroughly breaking the spirit of the people. The result, however, was quite the opposite ; for though the Tories abounded, and the pa- triots found some of their bitterest foes among those of their own household, still the latter were nerved to yet more desperate resistance by the cruelties which were practised upon them. 1780. October-]. The Battle of King's Mountain. "While thus endeavoring to tighten his grasp upon the subju- gated provinces, Cornwallis took up his march northward. At King's Mountain, on the 7th of October, one of the divisions of his army, under Major Ferguson, was attacked by an unorganized body of volunteers, and badly defeated, losing many killed and wounded, and a ^^^^ December. very large number of prisoners. Fergu- Eftgland declares son himself was slain. For a really im- war agai7ist Hol- , J ^ la7id. portant victory, it was purchased at a 92 PARAGRAPH HISTORY comparatively small price, the Americans losing but about ICO. 1781. January ij. The Battle of Cowpens. A still more important and inspiring victory was in store for the Americans. General Greene was now in command of the little army of two or three thousand men set to resist the advance of the British. A detachment of his force under General Morgan had been westward, to operate along the border between the Carolinas. Against this detachment, CornwalHs despatched about looo men under Colonel Tarleton, one of his most famous officers. Mor- gan took up a position at a place called "the Cowpens," and awaited an attack. His men were handled with skill, and fought with great coolness and intrepidity. The British were routed with heavy loss, there being more than lOO killed and 200 wounded, and about 600 taken prisoners, out of a total of 11 00. The Americans lost less than 100. The engagement was not upon a large scale ; but the triumph was a brilliant one, and it produced great elation. 1781. March 15. The Battle of Guilford Court House. The Battle of Cowpens was followed by a series of marchings and countermarchings through the central por- tions of North Carolina, in which Cornwallis had it for his object to catch up with Greene, and Greene had it for his to keep out of the way. These strategic movements, the story of which is full of interest, occupied several weeks. Finally, by the middle of March, Greene was emboldened to make a stand near Guilford Court House, and Corn- wallis advanced to give him battle. Both armies fought with great gallantry, but neither gained a decided advan- tage. The Americans retreated from the field, but the British were too much exhausted to pursue ; and the OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 93 losses of the latter were considerably the heavier. Corn- wallis, too, found it prudent to retire in the direction of Wilmington; a step which was a virtual confession of failure. So, indeed, was his move interpreted, when the news of it reached Parliament in June.* 1781. April 28. The Battle of Hobkirk's Hill. From Wilmington, Cornwallis, intent on getting to the Chesapeake, presently cut across the eastern extremity of the State in that direction ; while Greene, foregoing pursuit, turned his attention to South Carolina, where Lord Raw- don had been left in command of the British force of occu- pation. Marching thither with something ^ o^ Ai>r'l less than 2000 men, he was encountered June. An ac- hy Lord Rawdon with less than 1000 at ^"'^ campaign be- tlVCOl the £t7tP''- Hobkirk's Hill, where, on the 28th of //^/^ ^;,^ French April, a spirited action took place. The in the West In- advantage fell to the British, though it was not a marked one, and the losses were about even. 1781. May — August. The Repossession of South Carolina. The British still held several posts through- out the State : among them, Orangeburg, Fort Mott, Fort Granby, and Ninety-Six. With great skill and vigor, General Greene entered upon the work of reducing these posts. He was generally successful. One after another surrendered to him in open fight, or had to be abandoned by reason of his threatening movements, until in the course of the summer the British had been pretty much driven out of possession. * " There is the most condusive evidence that the war is at once im- practicable in its object and ruinous in its progress. . . . Had our army been vanquished, what course could they have taken? Certainly, they would have abandoned the field of action, and flown for refuge to the seaside ; precisely the measures the victorious army was obliged to adopt." — Speech of Fox in the House of Commons. 94 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 1781. August 4. The Execution of Hayne. While these movements were in progress, an event occurred which produced deep feeling at the time throughout the country, 1 781 August ^"^ which further deserves notice as Great naval bat- illustrating the spirit and methods with tie betrveen the ^^j^h the British prosecuted the war. English and the _,, , . r ^ 1 1 t Dutch on the This was the execution of Colonel Isaac Dogger Bank, Hayne. He had been captured at the in the North Sea. r n r /--i 1 .. j 1 j fall of Charleston, and paroled on con- dition that he would not again serve against the British while they were in possession. He had subsequently taken a forced pledge of allegiance to British authority ; but now, on the appearance of the American army, had joined it as an officer. Under these circumstances, he was taken prisoner, and without trial condemned to death. Against so summary a process, which was illegal from any point of view, both he and the citizens of Charleston pro- tested, but without avail ; and, by a decree which was made inexorable, he was hanged. This was only one of many similar cases which marked the British possession of the South, but circumstances gave it peculiar importance and publicity. 1781. September 8. The Battle of Eutaw Springs. This final battle in South Carolina, and the on€j which com- pleted the overthrow of the British army in the South, was brought about by General Greene,* who, with a force of * "Greene had been in command less than nine months, and in that short time the three southern States were recovered, excepting only Wil- mington, Charleston, and Savannah. His career had not been marked by victories, but he always gained the object for which he risked an engagement. He says of himself, that he would ' fight, get beaten, and fight again.' He succeeded in driving Cornwallis out of the southern States, and in breaking up every British post in South Carolina outside of Charleston ; having had, like the commander-in-chief, to contend with every evil that could come from the defects in government, and from want of provisions, clothes, and pay for his troops. . . . Yet, while he saw OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 95 about 2000 men, attacked the British under Colonel Stuart, and after a hard fight compelled their retreat. The battle was a bloody one, the Americans losing upwards of 500, and the British a still larger number. The British now withdrew entirely from the interior of the State to Charles- ton and a few other points on the seaboard. 1781. Janimry — Jtdy. Movements at the North. While General Greene was thus conducting the campaign at the South to a successful issue, events of importance were occurring at the North, and contributing to prepare the way for the determination of the contest. In January, Washington's army being encamped in New Jersey with headquarters at Morristown, an extensive and formidable revolt of Pennsylvania and New Jersey troops took place, occasioned by a not unreasonable discontent at the very insufficient maintenance provided.* In the same month, clearly all the perils and evils against which he had to struggle, cheerful activity and fortitude never failed him. His care extended Xo every thing in the southern department. It is the peculiar character of his campaign that whatever was^achieved was achieved by Americans alone, and by Americans of the South. In the opinion of his country, he gained for himself as a general in the American army the place next to Washington." — Bancroft, vol. x. pp. 495. 496. * The following extracts from a letter of Colonel Alexander Scam- mell (a New Hanipshire officer and a member of Washington's staff), written probably in 1781 to some representative of his own State, give a graphic picture of the destitution of the troops in the matter of clothing. It is not known that the letter has ever before been published. . . . "The major part of the clothing which has been delivered our men has been of very inferior quality, and has been of but very little service to the men. It is not unusual for a soldier to wear out a pair of new shoes in 24 hours, and a pair of Overalls in a week, such as they draw out of the public store at present. I suppose there never was an army of equal numbers with our own that consumed one half the quantity of Clothing which is wasted, spoilt, worn out, and destroyed, as in and for ours. There has been a_ quantity of clothing, sufficient, it is said, for 50.000 suits of uniform, lying in France and the West Indies several years for our Army. By the time it is completely ruined by water and moths, I expect it will arrive in small parcels, so as to give one soldier a coat, another a pair of Breeches, a 3d a waistcoat, &c. &c. I have nearly given up the Idea of ever seeing our men in complete uniform. They now appear on parade like a parcel of merry Andrews. One half of the 96 PARAGRAPH HISTORY Sir Henry Clinton sent General Arnold, now a British officer, with a detachment of 1600 men to establish a foot- hold in Virginia. Arnold burned Richmond ; and General Phillips, who presently arrived with reinforcements and succeeded to the command of the expedition, extended its depredations to the country around. For the defence of the State, Washington had detached Lafayette with a small force. These were the circumstances under which, about the middle of May, Cornwallis and his army made their appearance, marching northward from the Carolinas. 1781. The Summer Situation. This, then, was the situation during the summer of 17S1 The armies of La- fayette and Cornwallis were skirmishing with each other in Virginia ; the British plundering and ravaging on every hand, the Americans not strong enough to attack. French and English fleets were hovering about the Chesapeake and along the coast. Sir Henry Clinton still held New York, firmly persuaded that Washington intended an at- tack upon him there. It was Washington's intention, however, leaving Clinton under that persuasion, to move the strength of his army rapidly into Virginia for the pur- pose of falling upon Cornwallis. And, in the execution of this plan, most effective assistance was rendered by the Expenditures now made for supplying the army with Clothing;, if laid out for that which is uood and of proper colour, would keep our Army decently clad, and enable them to make an appearance ten times more niilitary. Notwithstanding the clothing that we get at present, our soldiers are nearly one-ha'.f of them unfit for duty for want of clothes. . . . At present we very frequently lose the services of our men at very critical junctures for want of shoes. It is impossible to conceive of worse than are now fur- nished us. A man may rip one-half of them to pieces with his hands. ... I omitted mentioning that some of the men received a little money toward the deficiency of clothing in '77. The estimate was made when money was not more than two for one, if that, and [they] received the money in the latter part of '79 or beginning of '80, when it was 40 or 50 for one, so that it is not worth takmg into computation The poor brave fellows dearly earnt every article. ... I beg leave to repeat the want of Boots and Hats for the Officers, who at present are almost totally desti- tute of both —and leather Caps for the soldiers." . ,. . OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 97 French allies, commanded by Count Rochambeau and Count de Grasse. 1781. August— October. The Siege of Yorktown. Acting under instructions from Sir Henry Clinton, Corn- wallis, early in Au- gust, proceeded to establish his army in a fortified posi- tion at Yorktown, on the peninsula formed by the York and James Rivers. It was thought that this spot was easy of defence against the Americans, be- sides securing the co-operation of the fleet, and affording opportunity for re- Yorktown and Vicinity. moval to New York, if necessity for such a movement should arise. The expected stronghold proved a trap. Cornwallis only shut himself up in it, and his escape became impossible. The French fleet, under De Grasse, blockaded him by sea ; and Washington, having effected the combination of his forces, moved down upon him along the peninsula. By the last of September, the in- vestment was complete, and early in October the siege formally began. 1781. October 19. The Surrender of Cornwallis. The siege of Yorktown was of short duration. The Americaae rapidly worked themselves up within storming distance of the British position. The first assault was 7 98 PARAGRAPH HISTORY made upon the 14th of October, accomplishing its object. A sortie by the British on the i6th was unsuccessful. On the 17th, Cornwallis proposed to surrender. On the i8th, the capitulation was drawn up. On the 19th, it was carried into effect. More than 8000 prisoners laid down their arms, including nearly 2000 German hirelings. One of Washington's aids bore the news of the victory to the Congress at Philadelphia, and the most intense joy was everywhere the result. All could now see the beginning of the end. Even Sir Henry Clinton, arriving off the Chesapeake a few days after the surrender with 7000 men, realized the situation at once, and returned to New York. And the tidings, reaching England a month later, wrung from Lord North the despairing exclamation : " It is all over." IX. THE CLOSE OF THE WAR. 1781-1783. 1781. Subsequent Military Movements. The siege of Yorktown was the last battle of the Revolution. Reinforcements were despatched to Greene in South Car- olina ; the French troops went into winter quarters in Virginia ; De Grasse sailed away with his fleet to the West Indies ; and Washington withdrew the body of his army to its old position. The British remained in posses- sion of New York, Charleston, and Savannah. Between them and the Americans hostilities mainly ceased. For a time, however, the Indians kept up a warfare .upon the border settlements, in which they were joined more or less OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 99 by the Tories ; but these disturbances were put a stop to, when, in May, 1782, Sir Guy Carleton succeeded Clinton. The last life lost in the war is said to have been that of John Laurens of South Carolina, who was killed in a skirmish with a British marauding party on the Com- bahee River, o-n the 27th of August of that year. 1781. December \y Thanksgiving. By appointment of the Congress, the 13th of December was observed as a day of thanksgiving " to Almighty God for the signal suc- cess of the American arms." 1782. yaniuiry. Robert Morris and the Finances. Next to the negotiations of peace, the most serious concern of the country was the mending of its 1782. The early financial condition, now deplorable in the extreme. A year before this time, the Congress had created the office of Superintendent of the Finances, and ap- pointed Robert Morris, a Philadelphia merchant, to fill it. Through his influ- ence, the Congress, in December, 1781, incorporated the Bank of North America, which went into operation in January following, and proved not a little ser- viceable in relieving the national embar- rassments. Morris used all his influence and authority to effect a return to specie payments, to fund the public debt, and to procure for the Congress the right to lay taxes ; and he was instrumental in greatly relieving the necessities and satis- fying the demands of the army. 1782. Peace. The negotiations for peace, which had been in progress through months of this year witness im- portant gains to France and Spain over Eng- land in the West Indies and else- where. The Eng- lish fleet, hozv- ever.1 defeats the French in a great battle off the Car- ibee Islands. 1782, February —March. The ofponertts of the war gain the ascendency in Parliament., and Lord North re- signs. The Mar- quis of Rocking- ham succeeds to the preniiersliip. 1782. March. Fra n klin , from. Paris., opens cor- lOO PARAGRAPH HISTORY respondejice with the summer, came to a successful issue Shelburne the j^^ November. They were conducted in 7ie2v British oec- ■' retary of State ^ Paris. The relations of France and Spain with reference to to England and America somewhat com- ' plicated the settlement ; and such details !7o2. Jitly. g^g boundaries, fisheries, and indemnities, The Earl of Shel- ^ Jrr ^ • , • , bnrne {Lord presented difficulties which at times Lansdowne) be- threatened to be insuperable. But wis- conies prime ntiii- ■, j c v. -i j j ister on the death ^^"^ ^^^ forbearance prevailed, and on of Rockingham. the 30th of the month a formal treaty 17^2. April. The ^^^ assented to; Mr. Richard Oswald, States-general of Mr. Henry Strachey, and Mr. Fitz-Her- Hollandvote to ^^^^ ^^ .^^ ^^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^ Britain, and receive John ° ' Adams as a rep- Franklin, John Jay, John Adams, and resentative of the Henry Laurens for the United States. United States. _,..,^ , , .. ,. Benjamin Vaughan also participated in the negotiations as the confidential agent of Lord Lans- downe. The chief negotiators, however, were Oswald and Franklin. The treaty was based on a full acknowledgment of the independence of the United States, and conceded the utmost that was asked by the latter with respect to boundaries and the fisheries. Its character was provi- sional, but in September of the following year it was fully confirmed. 1783. April 19. Cessation of Hostilities. On this 1783. April. day, the eighth anniversary of the Battle Lord North re-^ of Lexington and Concord, the cessation coalition with "^ ^^ hostilities was formally proclaimed in Fox. the camp of the American army. 1783. The Constitution of New Hampshire, the foundations of which had been laid in 1776, was now per- fected, and adopted by the people ; and went into effect upon the 31st of October. OE THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: loi 1783. November. Disbandment and Evacuation. On the 3d of November the American army was disbanded by orders of the Congress, and on the 23d the British evac- uated New York. The American Revolution was at AN END. X. THE SEQUEL. 1783. December. Washington's Retirement. On the 4th of December, in New York, Washington took leave of his officers. It was an affecting ^^g, December. scene. " I cannot come to each of you The younger to take mv leave," said he, "but shall be P^^^ becomes . . prime tnintster. obliged if each of you will come and take my hand." * As he passed through Philadelphia, on his way to Annapolis, where the Congress was assembled, he rendered to the comptroller a detailed account of his ex- penses during the war. They amounted to $64,000, and every charge was minutely substantiated. This was in ac- cordance with the terms upon which he had accepted his appointment as Commander-in-chief. To the Congress, on the 23d, he resigned his commission,! and then retired to * " The tear of manly sensibility was in every eye ; not a word was spoken to interrupt the dignified silence and the tenderness of the scene. Leaving the room, he passed through the corps of light infantry, to the barge which was to convey him across the river. The whole company followed in mute and silent procession, with dejected countenances, testi- fying to feelings of delicious melancholy, which no language can describe. Having entered the barge, he turned to the company, and, waving his hat, bade them a silent adieu." — Marshall. t H'ashing-ton to the Congress : " The successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations; and my gratitude for the interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my countrymen, increases with every review of the momentous contest. ... I consider it as an indispensable duty to close this last act of my I02 PARAGRAPH HISTORY his home at Mount Vernon, which he had visited but once, and then only for a few hours, during the eight years of war. The Society of the Cincinnati. The officers of the army, before finally separating, organized themselves into "a society of friends," under the name of the "Society of. the Cincinnati," for the perpetuation of the patriotic memories and sentiments in which they shared, " to endure as long as they shall endure, or any of their male posterity." The organization was effected at the quarters of Baron Steuben at New York, and the constitution was drawn up by General Knox. The society is still in existence. Evils following the War. Many of the usual evils, and some that were unusual, followed in the train of the war. A debt which was comparatively enormous had ac- cumulated, and there was no power to raise money for the discharge of it. Many of the people were plunged in pov- erty. There was a constant clashing of interests between the several States. And more and more it became appar- ent that the system of government under which the States were associated was too weak and inefficient to appropriate and maintain the advantages that had been won by the war. official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to the pro- tection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them to his holy keeping. Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action, and, bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of pub'ic life." . President Mifflin of the Congress to Washington: "Sir, the United States, in Congress assembled, receive with emotions too affecting for utterance the solemn resignation of the authorities under which you have led their troops with success through a perilous and doubtful war. We join with you in commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God ; and, for you, we address to him our earnest prayers, that a life so beloved may be fostered with all his care ; that your days may be as happy as they have been illustrious ; and that he will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give." OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 103 1787. May— September. The Constitutional Con- vention. In May, a convention of about 50 delegates from the several States assembled in Philadelphia, for the revision of the articles of confederation. Washington presided ; and among the members were Franklin,* Roger Sherman, Alexander Hamilton, Robert Morris, James Madison, John Rutledge, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. The convention remained in session for four months, and the result was the perfecting of an entirely new constitution, which banded the States into the compact union under a central government which now exists. This constitution received in due course the approval of the several States, and in 1788 went into effect. Under it Washington was elected first President of the United States, and John Adams Vice-President. Upon the 30th of April, 1789, Washington entered on his first administration. And at THIS POINT THE HISTORY PROPER OF THE UNITED STATES OF America begins. * It was during the heated discussions of this convention that Frank- lin proposed the appointment of a chaplain to open its sessions with prayer, saying: " I have lived a long time ; and the longer I live, the more con- vincing proofs I see of this^ruth, that God governs the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it possible that an empire can rise without his aid ? " APPENDIX. THE IMPORTANT BATTLES OF THE REVO- LUTION. A COMPLETE list of the battles of the Revolution, as commonly reckoned, would enumerate about 50. But many of these were mere skirmishes. Only the more important engagements are men- tioned in the following table : — Date. American Vic- tories. Of Mixed Re- sult. British Victo- ries. 1775, April [776, May 10. June 17. Dec. 31. June 28. Aug. 27. Oct. II. „ 28. Nov. 16. Dec. 26. Jan. 3. Aug. 16. Sept. II » 19 Oct. 4. ^778, June 28. Aug. 29. Dec. 29. Ticonderoga. Lexington and Concord. Bunker Hill. Sullivan's Island (S.C). Trenton. Princeton. Bennington. Saratoga (first battk). Saratoga (second battle and Bur- goyne's sur- render). Monmouth (N.J.) Quebec. Long Island. Lake Champlain (naval). White Plains. Fort Washing- ton. Brandywine. Germantown. Forts Mercer and Mifflin. Quaker Hil (R.I.). Savannah. APPENDIX. :05 Date. American Vic- tories. Of Mixed Re- sult. British Victo- ries. i779> July i6. „ Oct. 9. [780, May. „ June 23. „ Aug. 16. „ Oct. 7. 1781, Jan. 17. „ Mar. 15. „ April 28. „ Sept. 8. „ Oct. Stony Point. Springfield(N.J.) King's Moun- tain (S.C). Cowpens (S.C). Savannah. Siege of Charles- ton. Camden (S.C). Guilford Court House. Hobkirk's Hill. Eutaw Springs (S.C). Siege of York- town. The following table gives the number of soldiers furnished b/ each State to the Continental Army during the war ; 10,726 7.263 6,417 5»9o8 2,679 2,386 Massachusetts . Connecticut . . Virginia . . . Pennsylvania New York . . Maryland . . . New Hampshire 67,907 3', 939 26,678 25,678 17,781 I3i9i2 12,497 New Jersey . North Carolina South Carolina Rhode Island Georgia . . Delaware . . Total . 231,791 The exact number of German troops which actually served in the English army during the Revolution is not known ; but Dr. Friedrich Kapp, who has made a careful study of both German and English archives, gives the figures as follows : — Number of Number Men returned furnished. Home. Brunswick 5,723 2,708 Hesse-Cassel 16,992 10,492 Hesse-Hanau 2,422 i>44i Waldeck 1,225 S°5 Anspach 1,644 1,183 Anhalt-Zerbst t,i6o 984 29,166 17,313 Total losses ",853 Great Britain sent to America in all between 130,000 and 140,000 men, of whom some 22,000 were seamen. lo6 APPENDIX. The reader is referred to one or two of the more important works relating to the Revolution, as follows : — General Histories. Bancroft's History of the United States, vols. v.-x. Hildreth's History of the United States, vol. iii. Greene's Historical View of the American Revolution. Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution. Moore's Diary of the Revolution. Stedman's History of the American War (English). Special Histories. Greene's The German Element in the War of Independence. Sabine's History of the American Loyalists. Frothingham's Rise of the Republic. ,, Siege of Boston. Marshall's Life of Washington. Irving's „ „ „ (There are also valuable biographies of all the prominent actors in affairs, both civil and military.) Fiction. Cooper's Lionel Lincoln. „ Pilot. „ The Spy. Hawthorne's Septimius Felton. Simms's novels, seven in number, illustrative of Revolutionary scene and incident in South Carolina. Kennedy's Horseshoe Robinson. Poetry. Moore's Songs and Ballads of the Revolution, Freneau's Poems Relating to the American Revolution. Longfellow's Paul Revere's Ride. Reed's Wagoner of the Alleghanies. Campbell's Gertrude of Wyoming. INDEX. Adams, John, 17, 26, 32, 45, 49, 50, 5i> 54) 85, 100, 103. Adams, Samuel, 21, 28, 32, 33, 39, 46, 54- Albany, 59, 71. Allen, Ethan, 38, 42. Amboy, 64. Andre, Major, 88. Annapolis, 30. Arbuthnot, Admiral, 86. Armed Neutrality, Declaration of, by Russia, Denmark, and Sweden, . 86. Arnold, Gen., 42, 60, 64, 87, 88, 96. Attucks, Crispus, 26, Baltimore, 61, 62. Bartlett, Josiah, 54. Barre, Col., Speech by, 17. Baskingridge, 61. Battle of Behmus's Heights, 71. Bennington, 70. Brandywine, 73. Bunker Hill, 40. Camden, 90. Charleston, 86. Chemung, 81. Concord, 35. Cowpens, 92. Dogger Bank, 94. Eutaw Springs, 94. Fts. Mercer and Mifflin, 73 Fort Washington, 59. Germantown, 73. Guilford Court House, 92. Hanging Rock, 90. Hobkirk's Hill, 93. King's Mountain, 91. Battle of Lake Champlain, 60. Lexington, 35. Long Island, 57, 58. Monmouth, 77. Princeton, 63. Quaker Hill, 79. Quebec, 42. Rocky Mount, 90. Saratoga, 70, 71. 'Savannah, 79, 82, Springfield, 87. Stony Point, 80, 81. Sullivan's Island, 48. Ticonderoga and Crown Point, 38. Trenton, 61, 62. White Plains, 59. Yorktown, 97. Baum, Lt. Col., 70. Bernard, Gov., 21, 22, 23, 24, 26. Black Hole, Tragedy of, 13. Board of War, 50. Boston, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37, 45, 57- Botetourt, Gov., 25. Braxton, Carter, 55. Breed's Hill, 40. Breymann, Lt. Col., 70. Bristol, R.I., 43. British Museum, Founding of, 13. Brookline, 31. Brooklyn, 58. Bunker Hill, 46. Burgoyne, Gen., 68, 69, 70, 71, 75. Burke, Edmund, 30. Burr, Aaron, 42. Bute, Earl of, succeeds Pitt, i6'. Byron, Admiral, 79. io8 INDEX. Caldwell, Mrs., 87, Cambridge, 24, 31, 33, 34, 40, 41. Campbell, Lt. Col., 80. Canada, 14, 31, 33, 42, 43, 45, 49, 60, 68, 71, 85. Carleton, Sir Guy, 59, 60, 68, 99. Carroll, Charles, of Carrollton, 55. Carpenters' Hall, 32. Castine, Me., Expedition to, 81. Castle William, 33. Catherine, Empress of Russia, 43. Charleston, S.C, 30, 46, 47, 48, So, 86. Charlestown, Mass., 31, 32, 33, 40, 41. Charlotte, N.C., 38. Chase, Samuel, 55. Chatham, Earl of, 35, 66, 74, 77. Chesapeake Bay, 72, 89. Choiseul, French Minister, 20. Cincinnati, Society of, 102. Circular, The Massachusetts, 21. Clark, Abraham, 55. Clark, George Rogers, Expedition of, 76. Clinton, Sir Henry, 48, 71, 78, 86, 87, 88, 89, 96, 97, 98, 99. Clymer, George, 55. Colonies, The Thirteen Original, 14. Combahee River, 99. Commissioners of Customs, 20, 21. Concord, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 46. Congress, 18, 32, 38, 42, 44, 47, 49, 51-55. 62. Connecticut, 37, 38, 39, 45, 48, 54, 62, 63, 80. Constitutional Convention, 56, 103. Conway Cabal, 75, 76. Cornwallis, Gen., 63, 86, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98. Crown Point, 59. Danbury, Conn., 64. Dead River, 42. Deane, Silas, 45, 59, 65, 76. Declaration of Independence, 51, ^52, 53,. 54, 55- Declaration of Rights, 19, 33. Dedham, Mass., 32. De Grasse, Count, 97, 98. De Kalb, Baron, 20, 65, 66, 90, 91. Delaware, 31, 38, 48, 55. [79. Delaware River, 61, 62, 63, 72, 73, D'Estaing, Count, 78, 79, 82, 87. Dickinson, John, 49, 50. Dopop, The Count, 61, 73. Dorchester, Mass., 31, 46. Duche, Jacob, Rev., 33. Dunmore, Gov., 35, 38, 44. Dutch, Colonies settled by, 14. Dutch Fleet, Seizure by the Eng- lish, 85. East India Company, 29. Ellery, William, 54. Encyclopedists, the French, 13. England declares war against Hol- land, gi. Falmouth, Me., 43. Faneuil Hall, Boston, 22, 23, 24, 26, 31, 46. Federal Union, 39. Ferguson, Major, 91. Finances of the Revolution, 83, 84. Fitz- Herbert, Mr., 100. P'lorida, Spain covetous of, 85. Floyd, William, 54. Fort Clinton, 71. Edward, 69. Granby, 93. Lee, 59. Mercer, 73. Mifflin, 73. Montgomery, 71. Motte, 93. Ninety-Six, 93. Orangeburg, 93. Sullivan's Island, 48. Washington, 59. Fox, Speech in House of Commons, 44, 93- France, 43, 57, 65. Franklin, 17, ig, 30, 39, 41, 45, 50, 51, 55, 59, 65, 76, 85, 99, 100, 103. Frederick of Prussia, 64, 66, 75. French and Indian War, 14, 60. Gadsden, Christopher, 19, 32. Gage, Gen., 30, 32, 33, 34, 36, 43. "Gaspee," Burning of the, 28. Gates, Gen. Horatio, 41, 60, 61, 64, 70, 71, 76, 90, gi. George III., Accession of, 15. INDEX. 109 Georgia, 32, 38, 43, 49. 55, 63, 65, 7g, 86, 89. Germain, Lord (Sackville), 43. German Princes, 43. German Troops, 6r. Gerry, Elbridge, 54. Gibbon, Period of, 13. Gibraltar, Siege of, 86. Goethe, Period of, 13. Goldsmith, Period of, 13. Grafton, Diike of, succeeds Pitt, 20. Greene, Gen. Nathaniel, 37, 41, 87, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 98. Grenville, Sir George, succeeds Bute, 16. Gwinnett, Button, 55. Hale, Nathan, 58. Halifax, N.S., 57. Hall, Lyman, 55. Hamilton, Alexander, 103. Hancock, John, 21, 34, 39, 55, 56. Handel, Period of, 13. Harrison, Benjamin, 55. Hart, John, 55. Haverstraw, N.Y., 88. Hayne, Col. Isaac, Execution of, 94. Hayward, Thomas, Jr., 55. Heath, William, 41. Henry, Patrick, 10, 17, 18, 32, 35, 38, 47, 48. Hewes, Joseph, 55. Hooper, William, 55. Hopkins, Stephen, 54. Hopkinson, P>ancis, 55. Howe, Admiral, 57, 78, 79. Howe, Gen., 43, 57, 59, 61, 65, 67, 68, 72, 73, 74, 75, 78, 80. Hudson River, 59, 80. Hume, Period of, 13. Huntington, Samuel, 54. Hutchinson, Gov., 26, 30, Indian Wars, 37. Intercolonial Correspondence, 28. Ireland, 42. Jackson, Andrew, 90. _ • Jamaica, English Colonies in, 34. Jay, John, 32, 85, 100. Jefferson, Thomas, 25, 39, 50, 51, ^ 55, 56. Johnson, Period of, 13, 19. Jones, Paul, 67, 82. Kennebec River, 42. King George's War, 14. Knowlton, Expedition of Major, 45. Knox, Gen. 102. Knyphausen, 87. Kosciuszko, 66. Lafayette, 65, 66, 87, 96. Lake Champlain, 38, 42, 59, 60, 68. Lake Ontario, 68. Lancaster, Pa., 73, 74. Lansdowne, Lord, 100. Laurens, Henry, 100. Laurens, John, 99. Lee, Arthur, 59, 65, 76. Francis Lightfoot, 55. Gen. Charles, 41, 60, 61, 78. Major Henr)', 81. Richard Henry, 49, 51, 55. Lewis, Francis, 54. Lexington, Mass., 31, 35, 36, 37, 38, 46. "Liberty,'' The Sloop, 21. Lincoln, Gen. Benjamin, 34, 80, 82, 86. Lisbon, Earthquake at, 13. Livingston, Philip, 54. Livingston, Robert R., 19, 49, 50. Long Island, 58, 65, 79. Louis XVL of France, 30. Lynch, Thomas, Jr., 55. Lynn, Mass., 31. MacCrea, Jane, 70. Madison, James, 48, 103. Maine, 42, 43,-8i. Marion's Men, 90. Mai-yland, 31, 48, 55, 62, 63. Mason, George, 48. Massachusetts, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35. 39, 41, 48, 54, 63, 82. Massachusetts Towns, Convention of, 23. Massacre in Boston, 25. Maurepas, Prime Minister of France, 31. McKean, Thomas, 55. Mecklenburg Declaration, The, 38. no INDEX. Middlebrook, N.J., yg. Middleton, Arthur, 55. Mifflin, President of Congress, 102. Mississippi Valley, The, 74, 76, 85. Mohawk Valley, The, 70. Monmouth, N.J., 78. Montgomery, Gen. Richard, 4r, 42. Montreal, 42. Morgan, Gen., 92. Morris, Lewis, 54. Robert, 55, 99, 103. Morristown, N.J., 64, 66, 83, 95. Morton, John, 55. Moultrie, Col., 48. Mount Vernon, Va., 102. Nelson, Thomas, Jr., 55. New Brunswick, N.J., 64. New Hampshire, 37, 48, 54, 63. New Jersey, 38, 48, 55, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 72, 78, 86, 87. New Orleans, Ulloa arrives at, 20. Newport, R. I., 43, 79. Newton, Mass., 31. New York, 18, 29, 38, 48, SO) 58. 63, 65, lOI. Ninetv-Six, S.C, 93. Norfolk, Va._, 44, 46, 80. North Carolina, 27, 31, 38, 47, 49, 55» 63, 89, 92. North, Lord, 24, 43, 75, 98, 99. Nova Scotia, 22, 30, 33, 85. Ohio River, 76, 85. Old South Church, Boston, 26, 45. Oliver, Gov., 30. Orangeburj^, S.C, 93. Oswald, Richard, 100. Otis, James, 16, 19, 23. Paca, William, 55. . Paine, Robert Treat, 54, Paine, Thomas, 44. Paris, Negotiations at, 59, 65. Parker, Sir Peter, 48. Parliament, 17, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 43, 44, 45- 7^ 77, 79- Peace, Plans for, 84. Peekskill, N.Y., 64. Penn, John, 55. Pennsylvania, 38, 48, 62, 63. Philadelphia, 39, 55, 56, 61, 72, 73, 77- Phillips, Gen., 96. Pickens, Gen., 90. Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth, 103. Pitcairn, Major, 36. Pitt, William, 15, 19, 20, roi. Pomeroy, Seth, 34, 41. Pontiac, 14. Portland, Me., 43. Portsmouth, N. H., 34. Portsmouth and Norfolk, Va., 80. Presbyterians, 38. Prescott, Col., 40, 41. Preston, Capt., 26. Prevost, Gen., 80. Princeton College, 32. Privy Council, 30. Pulaski, Count, 66, 82. Putnam, Gen. Israel, 37, 41. QuiNCY, Josiah, Jr., 26. Rall, 61. Randolph, Edmund, 48. Randolph, Peyton, 32. Rawdon, Lord, 93. Read, George, 55. Regulators, The, 27. Revere, Paul, 36. Revolt of New Jersey and Penn- sylvania Troops, 95. Rhode Island, 37, 47, 54, 62, 78. Richmond, Duke or, 77. Ridgefield, Conn., 64. Rochambeau, Count, 87, 97. Rockingham, Marquis of, 99. Rocky Mount, S.C, 90. Rodney, Caesar, SS- Romney, The Affair of the, 21. Ross, George, 55. Rousseau, Period of, 13. Roxbury, Mass., 31. Ruggles, Timothy, 19. Rush, Benjamin, 55. Russia, 42. Rutledge, Edward, 32, 35, 49, 55, 103. Safety, Massachusetts Committee of, 34, 36. Sag Harbor, L.I., 65. Salem, Mass., 30, 34. Sander's Creek, S.C, 90. Sandy Hook, N.J., 78. INDEX. Saratoga, N.Y., 69, 71. Savannah, Ga., 79, 80, 82, 98. Scammell, Col. Alexander, 95. Schiller, Period of, 13. Schuyler, Gen. Philip, 41, /2, 69, 70. Schuylkill River, 75. Seven Years' War, 13. Sherman, Roger, 32, 39, 50, 54, 103 Smith, James, 55. Sons of Liberty, 17. South Carolina, 28, 31, 33, 38, 49, 55» 63, 765 89, 93. Spain, 65. Spencer, Joseph, 41. Stamp Act, 17, 19, 20. Stark, Gen. John, 37. Staten Island, 58. St. Clair, Gen., 69. Steuben, Baron, 66, 102. Stockton, Richard, 55. Stone, Thomas, 55. Strachey, Henry, 100. Stuart, Col., 95. Suffolk County, Mass., 32. Sullivan, Gen. John, 41, 81, Sullivan's Island, S.C, 48. Sumter, Gen., 90. Sunbury, Ga., 80. Supply, Massachusetts Committee of, 34. 36. Swedenborg, Period of, 13. Swedes, Colonies settled by, 14. Tarleton, Col., 86, 92. Tarrytown, N.Y., 88. _ Taxation of the Colonies, 15, 19, 20. Taylor, George, 55. Tea, Troubles over, 29, 207. Thomas, John, 41. Thornton, Matthew, 54. Ticonderoga, N.Y., 60, 68. Trenton, N.J., 61, 62, 63. Tryon, Gov., 27. Ulloa arrives at New Orleans, 20. Ushant, Naval Battle off, 78. Utica, N.Y., 66. Valley Forge, Camp at, 75. Vaughan, Benjamin, 100. Vergennes, French Minister of Foreign Affairs, 31. Vermont, 38. Verplank's Point, 80. Virginia, 18, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34> 35» 38, 39> 44, 47, 48, 49, 5', 55, 631 76, 89, 96. Voltaire, Period of, 13. Walton, George, 55. Ward, Artemas, Gen., 34, 41. Warren, Dr. Joseph, 41. Washington Elm, The, 41. Washington, George, 25, 32, 39, 41, 46, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 72, 73, 75. 76, 78, 79, 81. 86, 90, 93, 96, 97, loi, 103. Wayne, Gen. Anthony, 81. Wedderburn, 30. Wesleys, Period of the, 13. Western Massachusetts, 38. West Indies, 33, 93, 99. West Point, N.Y., 71, 79, 88. Whipple, William, 54. Whitefield, Period of, 13. Whitemarsh, Pa., 75. White Plains, N.Y., 59. Williams, William, 54. Williamsburg, Va., 35. Wilmington, N.C., 73. Wilson, James, 55. Witherspoon, John, 32, 50, 55. Wolcott, Oliver, 54. Wooster, Gen. David, 41. Wyoming, Massacre of, 78. Wythe, George, 55. YORKTOWN, 74. Cambridge : Press of John Wilson & Son. H 33 89 ^1 LIBRARY OF cdSsS 011 699 436