Class \ A%\ ii()()k_EA-233_ l'Hi:SKNTi;l) IIY / T L.Ll. r yy' THE AMERICAN GENERALS, FROM THE FOUNDING OF THE KEPUBLIC TO THE PRESENT TIME, C JI P K I S I N G LIYES OF THE GREAT COM^IANDERS, AND OTIIES Gistingnis'ijcl) ©ffircrs lulja Ijauc aclcb in t!ie 0cr;3ice OF TIIK UNITED states: EMBRACING A COMPLETE MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY. BY JOHN FROST, LL.D. ADTHOa OF "FICTORIAI, EL3T0RY OF THE "WORLD," " PICTOIUAL H1S10HT OF THE trtjrrED states," etc. etc ILLUSTRATED WITH SIX HUNDKED AND FOBTI ENGHAVINGS, FROM DESIGNS BY CEOOME, DEVEREHX AND OTHER DISTINGUISHED ARTISTS. n O vS T O N : PUDLISHED BY ]I0J:ACE WENTWORTH, 86 WASHINGTON STREET, 1852. Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by JOHN FROST, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. STEREOTYPED BY GEORGE CHARLES, Ho. 9 Georob Street, PniLiDELPHlA. I The production of the work now offered to the public, is the result of a want which has been long and sensibly felt. Although there are several collections of lives of American officers, there is none which comes down to a very recent period, and none which contains a large number of lives. The occurrence of the war with Mexico has awakened a lively curiosity respecting the personal history of the officers who have distinguished themselves of late ; and this has led to a fresh desire for general information respecting the mili- tary history of the country. To meet this desire the present work has been written. Every work of this class must necessarily be chiefly a compilation. In preparing these biographies I have had recourse to the collections of Wilson and Rogers, and to several anonymous works of the same class, published soon after the revolution. Many of the lives of the revolutionary officers, as well as of those who served in the last war with England, and the present war with Mexico, have been com- posed from materials furnished by their relatives, verified by a great mass of official documents in my own possession. For several daguerreotypes of officers, I am under obliga- tions to the kindness of Messrs. Van Loan of Washington, 4 PREFACE. and Root, and Simons, of Philadelphia. I am also indebted to Mr. Peale, the gentlemanly proprietor of the Philadelphia Museum, for his courteous permission to copy portraits from his extensive and valuable collection. To the Trustees of the Wadswortli Atheneum, Hartford, also, my thanks are due for permission to copy Colonel Trumbull's splendid pictures of the battles of Princeton and Trenton, and the portraits of Colonel Humphreys and Colonel Wadsworth. The attention paid by Mr. Croome to the artistical embellishment of the v/orlc deserves my cordial acknowledgment. The landmarks of hisbry and biography left by his fertile pencil will remain a perpetual monument to his praise. PAG a. GEORGE WASHINGTON, COX?IANDER IS CHIEF, 13 RICHAltD MONTGOMEUr 72 FnEDEniCK WILLIAM AfGUSTUS STKUBEX, 88 HORATIO GATES, 99 KATUANIEL OREEXE, 110 ASTHOST -WAYXE, 136 OTHO n. WILLIAMS, 147 BE>-£DICT ARNOLD, 150 ARTIICn ST. CLAIB 166 JOHX SrLLITAX, 173 THOMAS SUMPTER 177 JOSEPH REED, 18" ETHAX ALLEN 201 DANIEL MORGAN, 208 JOHN EAGEIl HOWARD, 216 JOHN JAMES, 230 HENRY KNOX, 231 BENJAMIN LINCOLN, 241 JOHN LAURENS, 249 CHARLES LEE, 253 WILLIAM ALEXANDER, 263 WILLIAM DAVIDSON, 265 WILLIAM RICHARDSON DATIE, 208 FRANCIS MARION 272 ISRAEL PUTNAM, 280 ■WILLIAM MOULTRIE 298 JOHN STARK 303 JOSEPH WARREN, 313 WILLLTAM WASHINGTON, 327 JAMES CLINTON 330 5 6 CONTENTS. pAca GEOBOE ClIKTOS 338 AirnnEW pickess, 345 PHILIP SCHUTLEH, 350 JEKEMIAH wadswohtu, 356 HDGH MEHCEH, 361 THOMAS MIFFLIN, 367 DAVID UUMPHKEYS, 371 JOBS TKUMBULL, 375 JOHN LASGDOK, 392 AAKON BUnil, 396 ALEXANDEtt DAMILTOS, 409 AFILLIAM HEATH, 416 ZEBCLOS BtrTLEn, 423 ASTHONT "WALTOX WHITE 433 JOKATHAN WILLIAMS, 440 PRANCIS BAKBEIt 444 THADDEDS KOSCIUSKO, 446 MonoAX LEWIS, 453 DAVID W003TEB, 456 JOHN BROOKS 459 BARON' DE KALB 463 GEORGE R. CLAhKE 468 WILLIAM SMALLWOOD, 472 ARMANI) TTJFIN, 474 COUNT PULASKI 476 SETH WARNER, 479 GILBERT MOTTIER LA FAYETTE, 4S9 HENRT lEE 518 LACHLAN MC INTOSH, 522 JAMES JACKSOir 525 PETER MUHLENBERG, 528 CHRISTOPDEH GADSDEN, 530 HENRT DEARBORN, ' 534 JOHN CADWALADER 547 PEXEG WADS WORTH, 551 WILLIAM PRESCOTT, 557 JOHN FROST, 561 ABTEMAS WARD, 564 WILLIAM EATON, 565 CONTENTS. 7 PAOB. JAMES WILKINSOS, 587 ZEBCLOX JI. PIKE, *'^" LEONARD COVINGTOX, •''0 JAMES MILLER, "^■* E. PENDLETON GAINES, "''* ISAAC SUELBY, "^-^ WILLIAM UENRT HARRISON, "SS GEORGE CROGHAN, 653 ELEAZAIl W. RIPLEY, JOHN ARMSTllONO, SAMUEL SMITH, PETER B. PORTER, NATHAN TOWSOX, ROGER JONES, ISAAC ROACH 660 677 680 682 689 096 693 JACOB BROWN, ''I* ANDREW JACKSON, 735 ALEXANDER MACOMB, 768 DUNCAN MC ARTHUR 784 WILLIAM H. WINDER, 736 LEWIS CASS, 792 JAMES WINCHESTER, 795 RICHARD H. JOHNSON, 799 ZACHART TAYLOR, 805 WINFIELD SCOTT, 825 JOHN E. WOOL 852 DAVID E. TWIGGS, 858 WILLIAM J. WORTH, 865 DIDEON J. PILLOW, 879 WILLIAM O. BUTLER 884 JOHN A. Q.UITMAN, 887 JAMES SHIELDS, 892 HOBERT PATTERSON, 895 GEORGE CADWAIADER, 897 STEPHEN WATTS KEARNY, 900 JOHN C. FREMONT, 902 JOHN COFFEE HAYS, 905 CHARLES A. HAY, 907 BENJAMIN MC CULLOCB, 909 ■JlMUEL n. WALKER 911 [This list contains only the principal embellishments exclusive of portraits. The portrait of each officer, -n-ith a very few exceptions, is given on the page indicated in the preceding table of contents in connection with the commencement of his biography.] FA.I3B. WASHINGTON RECEIVING THE ANSWER OF ST. PIERRE, 1^ WASHINGTON'S JOURNEY TO THE FRENCH FORT, 1'^ WASHINGTON WRITING HIS JOURNAL, 21 WASHINGTON ADVISING BRADDOCK, 24 BOSTON, FROM DORCHESTER HEIGHTS, *•' SIEGE OF BOSTON, 21 THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE READ, 33 RETREAT FROM LONG ISLAND, 25 WASHINGTON CROSSING THE DELAWARE, 39 BATTLE OF TRENTON, ^^ WASHINGTON'S HEAD-QUARTERS AT BRANDYWINE, 4S COUNCIL OF WAR BEFORE THE BATTLE OF MONMOUTH, 56 YORKTOWN, FROM A DRAWING BY MRS. SIMCOE, 61 SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS, 64 MOUNT VERNON, 67 OLD TOMB OF WASHINGTON, '^^ BEW TOMB, "^1 SIEGE OF LOUISBURC, "4 RUINS OF FORT TICONDEROGA, 78 QUEBEC, • °^ DEATH OF MONTGOMERY, 85 TOMB OF MONTGOMERY, 8*? ARNOLD'S DESCENT ON VIRGINIA, 93 CRAVE OF STEUBEN, 98 DURGOYNE''S ENCAMPMENT ON THE HUDSON, lOl BUROOYNE'S SURRENDER, ^05 BATTLE OF EUTAW SPRINGS, ^29 STORMING OF STONY POINT, *39 WAYME'9 CELEBRATED CHARGE ON THE BRITISH ARMYj 143 9 10 ILLUSTRATIONS. FAaa. WATKE SEFEATIHO THE INDIANS, 14S WAYNE'S RESIDENCE, CHESTER COUNTY, PA., 146 ARNOLD AT SEMIS'S HEIGHTS, ]52 CAPTURE OF ANDRE, 157 ARNOLD HEADING ANDRE'S LETTER, 159 MASSACRE AT WYOMING, 175 RATTLE GROUND OF TRENTON, 190 GENERAL REED AT THE BATTLE OF MONMOUTH, 193 ETHAN ALLEN TAKING TICONDEBOGA, 205 BATTLE GROUND OF SARATOGA, 211 BATTLE OF THE COWPENS, V..:i^Vi»>., .^».'..... 214 BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN, 219 HOWARD'S DECISIVE CHARGE AT THE COWPENS, 222 CITY OF BALTIMORE, 225 BIRTH PLACE OF COLONEL HOWARD, 229 MAJOR JAMES'S ADVENTURE WITH CAPTAIN ABDESOIF, 230 WEST POINT, 238 BATTLE GROUND OF YORKTOWN, 240 GENERAL LEE'S HEAD-QUARTERS, 257 WASHINGTON'S HEAD-QUARTERS AT GOWANUS, 263 MARION ESCAPING FROM A DRINKING PARTY, 274 MARION INVITING THE BRITISH OFFICER TO DINE, . 275 PUTNAM'S ADVENTURE WITH THE WOLF, 2S3 PUTNAM SAVING THE MAGAZINE, , 2S6 FORT PUTNAM, 295 PUTNAM'S ADVENTURE AT HORSENECK, 297 DEFENCE OF FORT MOULTRIE, 300 BDRGOYNE'S RETREAT ON THE HUDSON, 31] LAKE GEORGE, 312 BOSTON MASSACRE, 3]5 BATTLE OF LEXINGTON, 317 DEATH or WARREN, 320 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL, 321 BUNKER HILL MONUMENT, 326 BEFENCE OF FORT MONTGOMERY, 333 PURSUIT OF THE INDIANS, 335 DEFENCE OF FORT CLINTON, 341 GENERAL SCHUYLER'S RESIDENCE, 355 MONUMENT OF GENERAL MERCER, 361 BOUSE WHEBE GENERAL MERCER DIED, 366 CITY or NEW YORK, 399 STATUE or BAHILTOn, 4|4 TOMB or HAMILTON, 4|5 ILLUSTKATIONS. I 1 X 7A0S. WASKlHGTOiN'S IIEAD-QUAHTF.HS AT KEVVCURG, • .. • 422 HAVANA, 425 KOSCIUSKO'S MONUMENT, • 452 THE HOUSE UiJ£RE GENERAL I RAZER DIED, 454 MONUMENT ON BEACON HILL, BOSTON, 462 PATTLE OF CAMDEN, 466 FLACe D'ARMES IttONTREAi,, 4S3 LA FAYETTE LEAVING i RA.NCE, 492 LA FAYETTE WOUNDED AT BaANDYWINE, .... 494 LA FAVETTE AT MONMOUTH, • 496 CONCLUSION OF THE TREATY WITH FRANCE, 497 RICHMOND, 503 LA FAVETTE STORMING THE REDOUBT AT YORKTOWN, 506 MOORE'S HOUSE AT YORKTOWN, 507 MOUNT VERNON, 509 CAPTURE OF THE BASTILE, 611 LA FAVETTE COMMANDER OF THE NATIONAL GUARDS, 5 12 LA FAVETTE IMPniSONED AT OLMUTZ, 513 TOMB OF LA FAVETTE, 515 VIEW OF HALIFAX, 562 CAPTURE OF DERNE, 5S4 GATES CONSULTING WITH V%*ILKINSON, 5S9 BUFFALO HUNT, 599 DEATH OF GENERAL PIKE, 607 DEATH OF GENERAL COVINGTON, 610 VIEW OF MOBILE, 615 DEFENCE OF FORT ERIE, 6l9 BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN, 629 BATTLE OF THE MIAMI, 635 COUNCIL OF VINCENNES, 639 BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE, 641 SEIGE OF FORT M EIGS, 646 BUILDING OF THE FLEET ON LAKE ERIE, 648 BATTLE OF THE THAMES, 648 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE, 649 DEFENCE OF FORT SANDUSKY, 653 MONTREAL, 663 FALLS OF NIAGARA, 669 BATTLE MONUMENT, BALTIMORE, 681 INDIGNATIO?) OF THE TROOPS, 685 BATTLE OP STONY CREEK, 691 SAILING OF THE EXPEDITION FROM BUFFALO, «.. 701 CitPTURE OF THE CALEDONIA AND DETROIT, 705 12 ILLUSTRATIONS. TAGR. DEFENCE OF OGDENSDURGH, 716 DEFENCE or SACKETT'S HARBOR, - 7I8 CITADEL OF KINGSTON, 719 ATTACK ON FORT OSWEGO, 723 BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA, 731 VIEW OF NASHVILLE, 739 ERECTION or THE FORT AT TEN ISLANDS, 743 THE BATTERIES OF COTTON BALES, 755 BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS, 759 SOUTH-EAST VIEW OF SACKETT's HARBOR, 773 BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN, 780 VIEW OF FLATTSBURG, 7S3 BURLINGTON BAY, (WHERE THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE WAS FOUGHT,) 784 BLADENSBUBG, 788 BATTLE OF MAGUAGUA, 793 BARRACKS AT GREENBUSH, 794 MASSACRE AT THE RIVER RAISIN, 781 DEFENCE OF FORT HARRISON, 806 BATTLE OF OKEE-CIIOnEE. 808 CORPUS CHRISTI, 810 CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN THORNTON, 811 POINT ISABEL, 812 BATTLE OF PALO ALTO, ■ S13 BATTLE OF RESACA DE LA PALMA, Sl5 STREET FIGHT AT MONTEREY, 8 19 GENERAL TAYLOR AT BUENA VISTA, 823 DEFENCE OF FORT BROWN, 824 ftUEENSTOWN, 826 CAPTURE OF FORT GEORGE, 827 SIEGE OF VERA CRUZ, 837 BATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO, 847 CITY OF MEXICO, 851 DEATH OF COLONEL CLAV, S57 BATTLE OF SIERRA GORDO, 863 BATTLE OF PALAKLAKLAHA, 866 STORMING OF THE BISHOP'S PALACE, 868 PUEBLA DE LOS ANCELOS, 870 BATTLE OF CONTREBAS, 881 CHARGE OF MEXICAN CAVALRY AT MONTEREY, 889 GEORGE WASHINGTON. T the head of the uiiUtary men of his country we must undoubtedly place the illustrious George Washington, first in war as well as in peace, and in the hearts of his countrymen. Born in Westmoreland county, Virginia, on the 2'2d day of February, (N. S.) 1733 ; he was deprived of the parental care of his father when still a child, and his educa- tion consequently devolved upon the other parent. She was sufficient for the task ; and to the lessons of religion, the spotless example, and the unceasing watchfulness of his mother, we are in a great measure indebted for many of the finest traits in the character of our Washington. Little is known of his early life. He w"as sent to school when young, and acquired a common school education, with considerable knowledge of the mathematics. When about sixteen, he was em- ployed as surveyor, and performed valuable service for the colony, in clearing roads, and preparing accurate maps of settlements. This 13 14 WASHINGTON. service educated his eye for the duties of an engineer, and hardened his nerves for the life of a soldier. The difficulties between France and England, which preceded the w"ar of 17 54, imbued the mind of Washington with a desire of enter- ing a service where he might give full scope to all his energy. A midshipman's commission was obtained for him by his friends, and he was on the verge of embarking, when the sorrowing look, and affectionate appeal of his mother, so affected him, that he withdrew his baggage from the ship, and resumed his former mode of life. Slight as was this incident in itself, it was fraught with consequences of the greatest importance to his country. The movements of the French in America soon became so alarm- ing, as to demand the serious attention of government. Their plan was to connect Canada with Louisiana, by a chain of posts extend- ing from the Great Lakes along the Ohio, and down the Mississippi, thus enclosing the colonies so completely as to leave them entirely in the power of France and her Indian allies. Virginia prepared for a terrible contest ; the outer settlements were broken up, the borderers retired into the interior, and alarm and excitement per- vaded all classes. The savages had already begun their atrocities ; and amid the gloom of night, the burning cottage and the wailings of murdered women, heard in the distance, pointed fearfully to the desolation still to come. In 1750, young Washington received the appointment of adjutant- general of the province, with the rank of major. This office he filled with such distinguished ability, that two years after, when Governor Dinwiddie wished to send a message through the wilderness to the French commander, he accepted the services of W^ashington, although he was then but about twenty-one years old. This under- taking was one of the greatest difficulty. The major was twice fired dt by a concealed foe, and was once oil the point of drowning in crossing a river upon a raft. He passed through wilds and unin- habitable forests, crossed rapid torrents, swamps and morasses, and was for days exposed to cold, privation, and the rifles of Indians, without seeing a single human being except his guide. On his arrival at the French fort, he was introduced to the com- mander, a knight of the military order of St. Louis, and named Legardeur St. Pierre, whom Washington describes in his journal as an elderly gentleman, having much the air of a soldier. His reply to Governor Dinwiddle's order, that he should evacuate the disputed territory, was quite in character. He remarked, that as a soldier it was his duty to obey the commands of his superior, the governor of Canada, and that he should not retire without an order from him. JOURNEY TO THE FRENCH FORT. 17 Washington's journey to the French Fort. After receiving this answer, Washington was delayed several days before he could commence his journey homeward. The difficulties which he encountered in this perilous undertaking are best described in his own journal, published after his return. In this remarkable paper, he says : " Our horses were now so weak and feeble, and the baffgage so heavy, (as we were obliged to provide all the necessaries which the journey would require,) that we doubted much their performing it. Therefore, myself and others, except the drivers, who were obliged to ride, gave up our horses for packs, to assist along with the baggage. I put myself in an Indian walking dress, and continued with them three days, until I found there was no probability of their getting home in any reasonable time. The horses became less able to travel every day ; the cold increased very fast ; and the roads were becom- ing much worse by a deep snow, continually freezing ; therefore, as I was uneasy to get back, to make report of my proceedings to his honour the governor, I determined to prosecute my journey, the nearest way through the woods, on foot. Accordingly, I left Mr. Vanbraam in charge of our baggage, with money and directions to provide necessaries from place to place for themselves and horses, and to make the most convenient despatch in travelling. I took my necessary papers, pulled ofFmy clothes, and tied myself 2 18 WASHINGTON. up in a watch coat. Then, with gun in hand, and pack on my back, in which were my papers and provisions, I set out with Mr. Gist, fitted in the same manner, on Wednesday the 26th. The day follow ing, just after we had passed a place called Murdering town, (where we intended to quit the path and steer across the country for Shana- pin's town,) we fell in with a party of French Indians, who had laid in wait for us. One of them fired at Mr. Gist or me, not fifteen steps off, but fortunately missed. We took this fellow into custody, and kept him until about nine o'clock at night, then let him go, and \valked all the remaining part of the night without making any stop, that we might get the start, so far, as to be out of the reach of their pursuit the next day, since we were well assured they would follow our track as soon as it was light. The next day we continued travel- ling until quite dark, and got to the river about two miles above Shanapins. We expected to have found the river frozen, but it was not, only about fifty yards from each shore. The ice, I suppose, had broken up above, for it was driving in vast quantities. There was no way for getting over but on a raft, which we set about, with but one poor hatchet, and finished just after sun setting. This was a whole day's work : we next got it launched, then went on board of it, and set off; but before we were half way over, we were jammed in the ice, in such a manner, that we expected every moment our raft to sink, and ourselves to perish. I put out my set- ting pole to try to stop the raft, that the ice might pass by, when the rapidity of the stream threw it with so much violence against the pole, that it jerked me out into ten feet water ; but I fortunately saved myself by catching hold of one of the raft logs Notwith- standing all our efforts, we could not get to either shore, but were obliged, as we were near an island, to quit our raft and make to it. The cold was so extremely severe, that Mr. Gist had all his fingers, and some of his toes frozen, and the water was shut up so hard, that we found no difficulty in getting off the island on the ice in the morning, and went to Mr. Frazier's. We met here with twenty warriors, who were going to the southward to war ; but coming to a place on the head of the gredt Kanawa, where they found seven people killed and scalped, (all but one woman with very light hair,) they turned about and ran back, for fear the inhabitants should rise and take them as the authors of the murder. Thev report that the bodies were lying about the house, and some of them much torn and eaten by the hogs. By the marks which were left, they say they were French Indians of the Ottoway nation, &c. who did it. As we intended to take horses here, and it required some time to feed them, I went up about three miles to the mouth of Yohogany, WASHINGTON S JOURNAL. 21 "Waeliington writing his JournaL to visit queen Alliquippa, who had expressed great concern that we passed her in going to the fort. I made her a present of a watch coat and a bottle of rum, which latter was thought much the best present of the two. Tuesday, the first of January, we left Mr. Frazier's house, and arrived at Mr. Gist's, at Monongahela, the second, where I bought a horse, saddle, &c. The sixth, we met seventeen horses loaded with materials and stores for a fort at the forks of the Ohio, and the day after, some families going out to settle. This day, we arrived at Wills' creek, after as fatiguing a journey as is possible to conceive, rendered so by excessive bad weather. From the first day of Decem- ber to the fifteenth, there was but one day on which it did not rain or snow incessantly ; and throughout the whole journey, we met with nothing but one continued series of cold, wet weather, which occa- sioned very uncomfortable lodgings, especially after we had quitted our tent, which was some screen from the inclemency of it. On the eleventh, I got to Belvoir, where I stopped one day to take necessary rest ; and then set out and arrived in Williamsburg the sixteenth, when I waited upon his honour the governor, with the letter I had brought from the French commandant, and to give an account of the success of my proceedings. This I beg leave to do by offering the foregoing narrative, as it contains the most remark- able occurrences which happened in my journey." The journal from which the foregoing extract is made, being pub- lished shortly after Washington's return from this perilous expedition, excited general attention both in this country and in Europe, on account of the important information it contained, and the remark- 22 WASHINGTON. able ability it evinced. It gives an accurate account of all the great natural features of the country with geographical and military obser- vations, and other valuable hints. This was of great use in the subsequent wars with the French and Indians. Immediately after this affair Washington was appointed Lieutenant Colonel, in a newly raised regiment of three hundred men, under Colonel Fry. In April, 1754, he selected two companies and marched rapidly to the Great Meadows, in the Alleghany Valley, in whose vicinity a large party of the French had been for some time hovering. When within a short distance of a hostile detachment he halted, formed his men, marched the greater part of the night, attacked the party before daybreak, and captured or killed the whole. War was now formally declared by the French, and both nations made the greatest preparations to meet it. Upon the death of Colonel Fry, Washington obtained the command in Virginia, with an addi- tion to his force of two companies of regulars. He marched towards Fort du Quesne, at the junction of the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers, and the great military depot of the enemy, commanding the communication with Canada, Louisiana, and the West. Suddenly, he received information that 1300 French and Indians, imder M. de Villiers, were advancing rapidly upon him, and that the savages were concealed in the woods directly ahead as "thick as pigeons." Wash- ington immediately fell back to the Great Meadows, where he had erected a small work called Fort Necessity. Here they were furi- ously attacked, by an enemy thir.sting for blood and plunder, and who fondly hoped at each discharge to frighten the little garrison from their fort. But with a courage rarely exceeded in defensive warfare, this band of three hundred men poured forth their volleys of defence against a force three times their number. For nine hours the French and their savage allies were held at bay, while the fort was in an almost continuous blaze of musketry. Discouraged by such resistance, Villiers offered terms which were accepted, and the garrison marched from the fort with all the honors of war. The thanks of the legislature of Virginia were presented to Washington for his courage and ability in this affair ; and the de- fenders of Fort Necessity every where received the highest marks of respect and gratitude. In the winter of 1754-5, an incident occurred which displays a trait in the character of Washington that has not escaped the notice of any of his biographers. Orders were transmitted from England, that the general and field officers of the colonies should be divested of all rank while serving witli the same grades commissioned by the s BKADDOCK S EXPIDITION. 23 king ; and company officers of equal rank were directed to give pre- cedence to the regulars, without regard to seniority of date. By this arrangement young men who had no experience in war, would take rank above men who had grown gray under the smiles of victory. Feeling that under this state of things, the door of honor and pro- motion was entirely closed, Washington threw up his commission and retired to Mount Vernon. ITTLE respite was afforded him for repose. British regi- ments arrived in Virginia under General Braddock, destined for the reduction of FortduQuesne. When this officer learned that Colonel Washington had retired from service, he expressed great disapprobation at the cause, and immediately invited him to re- join as his aid-de-camp. Wash- ington promptly consented to accept the post, acting as a volunteer, and the most sanguine expec- tations were raised that the valor of the English, aided by the topographical knowledge of the provincials, wovild terminate the war in a single campaign. Much time was consumed in preparation, and when the army did start, General Braddock was so scrupulous about the regular disci- pline as to reject all advice of Washington, and proceeded as though against a force like themselves, in an open plain. The Colonel then suggested the propriety of advancing with his provincials, and scour- ing the forests for ambuscades ; but his representations were consi- dered impertinent, and the army still held on in its blind course. On the 9th of July, 1755, after a fatiguing march, they arrived at the Pass of the Monongahela, a wild road flanked by rising grounds, which were surrounded by dense overhanging forests. Here the proud army that had left Virginia with all the buoyancy of hope, were to encounter a melancholy reverse. On each side of the path lay multitudes of concealed Indians, who had been sent from Fort Du Quesne to harass and impede the approaching army. From their hidden retreat they poured upon the British a murderous fire, while the regulars, wedged in between rocks and forests, and unable for a while either to retreat or advance, were thrown into confusion. Brad- dock immediately rode along the van and endeavored to restore order. But his valor was vain. Horse after horse was killed, and 24 WASHINGTON. Washington advising Eraddock to guard against an ambuscade. at last he himself sunk down amid hundreds of his fallen soldiers. All the officers of his staff were killed except Washington. The troops broke on all sides, and rushed back towards the ford of the Monongahela in full view of the enemy. Elated by the unexpected sight the Indians left the forest, and commenced the pursuit. But they met with another force, one which they had formerly learned to fear. By the fall of Braddock the command devolved on Colonel Washington, who, though debilitated by a serious attack of fever, had been engaged all day. He covered the retreating troops with a part of the Virginians, while the remainder, adopting the Indian mode of warfare, poured upon the pursuers from trees and thickets, so heavy a fire as to arrest the pursuit, and kill many of the enemy. This saved the relics of the army. General Braddock died four days after, and found a grave in the wilderness. Of eighty-six officers engaged in this battle, sixty-five were killed and wounded. Its consequences were fearful. Consternation per- vaded all classes in proportion to the amount of previous expectation, and all the border settlements were broken up. ■ But one officer reaped a full harvest of glory from this bloody field. That one was Washington. It was universally acknowledged, that had his advice been taken the expedition would have succeeded, and his conduct on the battle field, and during the retreat, was the theme of all praise. The legislature of Virginia ordered the raising of sixteen companies, the command of which was bestowed upon the Colonel ; and he was further promoted to be commander-in-chief of all the forces, raised CONQUEST OF QUEBEC. 25 or to be raised, in Virginia, with the power of selecting his own field officers. HE duties of this station were most arduous. An immense frontier was to be defended by a mere handful of men ; and great offensive operations w-ere expected, where it was almost impossible to perform any. The soldiers had some skirmishes with the enemy, in all of which they exhibited tlie fruits of their strict training ; but no coullict occurred of sufficient importanc3 to deserve special notice. In 1758, the French abandoned Fort Du Quesne, which was taken possession of by General Forbes ; and in the following year the con- quest of Quebec restored quiet to the colonies. Washington now resigned his military office, and retired to the enjoyment of that hap- piness which private life alone can confer. On the 6th of January, 1759, he married Mrs. Martha Custis, a lady of handsome fortune, and great personal accomplishments. Previous to this he had been elected a member of the House of Burgesses in Virginia, where he remained until the commencement of the revolutionary war. When this was not in session he followed the peaceful pursuits of a planter, upon his extensive estate at Mount Vernon. Although in a great measure removed from the public eye during this period, yet he w-atched the progress of the dispute between England and her colonies with intense interest. His opinion was often solicited by the master spirits of that trying time ; he was invited to attend all the military companies of his neighborhood while drilling, and he was already regarded as the future commander of the Virginia soldiery. These expectations were soon to be more than realized. Washington was appointed a member of the first Congress, where his firmness, solid information and personal dignity, gained him the respect of every member. When Patrick Henry was asked whom he thought the greatest man in this Congress, he answered : " If you speak of eloquence, Mr. Rutledge, of South Carolina, is by far the greatest orator ; but if you speak of solid information and sound judgment. Colonel Washington is unquestionably the greatest man on that floor." When the second Congress met. May 10th, 1775, he was again among the number. The great drama had then opened, the war of independence had begun ; and the battle of Lexington had for ever severed the Old World from the New. Men whose equals have rarely been recorded upon history, were there assembled to decide on the interest of millions of injured freemen. Money could not buy them, 26 WASHIN GTON. Patrick Henry. venality corrupt, or danger terrify them. Property and life were worthless, compared to the great cause which had brought them together. The duties of this Congress were most arduous. After providing for the raising of an army, they unanimously elected George Wash- ington " General and Commander-in-chief of the army of the United Provinces, and of all the forces now raised or to be raised by them, and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their services." He had been proposed by Mr. John Adams in the early part of June, and was elected by ballot on the 1 5th. His emotion at this unequivocal display of confidence was very great. When it was announced to him by the president, he rose slowly from his seat, and in a few remarks expressed the diffidence he felt in his abilities and military experience, but declared his determination to exert every power for his country's service, and the success of her glorious cause. Con- gress fixed his salary at five hundred dollars per month, which he declined accepting, averring his determination to require only an indemnity for his expenses while in service, a copy of which he pro SIEGE OF BOSTON. 29 Wasl^ington's Heal-Quarters at Caiabnd>;e, raised to present regularly to Congress. He received his commission on the 19th, at which time Congress entered into a solemn agree- ment to assist and adhere to him, by their lives, fortunes, and influence. With a laudable promptness Washington prepared at once foi entrance upon his duty. In his journey toward Boston he was every where received with that enthusiasm and deference due to his important office, and his arrival at his head-quarters in Cambridge, was hailed by the warmest acclamations of officers and soldiers. The American army was at this time besieging Boston, the head- quarters of the royal troops. They were scattered on both sides of Charles river, over a space of nearly twelve miles, and numbering about fourteen thousand men, but far from possessing an efficiency equal to their numbers. Washington found the materials for a good army — a great number of men, active, zealous in the cause, and of unquestionable courage — and these were all. Entire absence of dis- cipline, and even subordination prevailed throughout the camp ; and the dampening fact was soon discovered, that the whole quantity of ammunition on hand would barely supply nine rounds to each man. Besides, there was scarcely one bayonet in camp ; and as a still fur 30 WASHINGTON. Iher discouragement to all efforts at enforcing discipline, the time of service of a large number would expire with that year. ITTLE regarding these discouraging appearances, Washington entered upon his duties with ardor. He organized the army into brigades and divisions, and MHnansissi / J r\i,'^*^'^^^'^*^ them with untiring perseverance. A pay- ^^^m.^m!\f ) ^^^^^' ^ quartermaster-general, and other staff officers, were also added to the army through his recommendation. He was, however, obliged to remain inactive during the fall and winter, as the strength of his army, compared with that of the British, would not justify an attempt to expel them from Boston. Early in the spring of 1776, however, being reinforced by a considerable body of new recruits, he determined to force the British either to fight or abandon the town. During the night of the 4th of March, the fortification of Dorchester Heights was commenced, and on the following morn- ing the astonished enemy beheld before them an extensive and com- manding work, which, to use their own words, appeared as though it had sprung from the ground by eastern magic. Howe promptly determined to dislodge the Americans from this dangerous position, and for this purpose despatched two thousand men across the creek. But the elements were adverse to his operations. A furious storm scattered all his boats, and the troops were recalled. On the 14th, the army and fleet left the city, which they had held so long, and immediately after the troops of Washington entered amid the accla- mations of the inhabitants. Congress commemorated the event by a gold medal, and tendered their thanks to Washington and his army. Apprehensive of an attack upon New York, Washington hastened to that city, and commenced active preparations for its defence. Howe sailed for Halifax, where after receiving large reinforcements, he re-embarked and landed at Staten Island on the 3d and 4th of July. Here his force was augmented by a large number of dis- affected royalists, principally under the command of Governor Tryon. It formed the largest and best army ever concentrated in America, numbering nearly thirty thousand men, excellently equipped and in a high state of discipline. On their arrival at Staten Island, the American army scarcely numbered ten thousand men, enfeebled by long exposure, and dispirited by sickness and poverty. But still their leader did not despair. Petition after petition was presented to Con- gress, for the better payment of the troops, and the increase of the army, and the militia of the neighboring states were ordered imme- diately to camp. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 33 The DeclaiTinon of Independence read to Lhe Soldiers. Meanwhile an event had taken place, whicli g-ave a new character to all the subsequent operations of the war, and stamped its leaders as apostles of human liberty. This was the Declaration of Inde- pendence, proclaimed at Philadelphia, July 4th, 1776. It was transmitted to Washington, and by him to the soldiers, who received it with shouts of enthusiasm. It infused new life into those who felt that henceforth they had a high object, a sacred reward to attain, which would be a blessing to themselves, to their children, and to generations yet unborn. Lord Howe and his brother. Sir William, did not proceed to imme- diate hostilities. They had been commissioned by the king to treat with the colonies for an adjustment of difficulties, and to grant the royal pardon to all those who would lay down arms. These powers were communicated to Washington by the two commanders, and a correspondence took place, which clearly exhibits the elevated tone of character which ever distinguished Washington. The first letter being addressed to " George Washington, Esq.," was returned unopened, and a similar success attended one written to " George Washington, &c. &c. &c." Commissioners were then appointed to a personal conference ; but after a pompous displa}^ of the sorrow of the king concerning the existing diflicultics, his anxiety, and that of his envoys, Lord and Sir William Howe, for their speedy termina- tion, and their full ability to grant pardons, Washington calmly replied, that while all this was true, it seemed useless to talk of par- don, where no offence had been committed ; for in resorting to arms, the Americans were only defending the rights guarantied to them by the British constitution. The conference then closed, and lioth armies prepared for war. 34 WASHINGTON. 5> ONG ISLAND was the scene of adisas- ^trous battle on the 26th of August, 1776. Washington did not command in person ; but he had taken every precaution to guard against surprise, and defend his weak points. Unfortunately an important pass I was left unguarded through the criminal neglect of those to whose care it was entrusted ; and the omission was very soon improved by Sir Henry Clinton. Putnam, the American commander, did all that a brave man could do, but the discipline of the enemy pre- vailed. Whole regiments poured through the captured pass, drove m the weak portions of the Americans with heavy loss, and marched rapidly toward their rear. Washington was at Brooklyn, a sad spectator of the slaughter of his troops. His first impulse was to cross immediately ; then the danger of his immediate command, if left to itself, interposed ; till after alternate fear and impulse, he became sensible that his presence could not retrieve his losses, nor atone for damage that might accrue by absence from his present post. He accordingly confined his exertions to the safe withdrawal of the troops within the fortified lines, and to preparations for a general retreat from the island. At the same time he had the address to present so bold a front to the enemy, that Howe and his elated army were deterred from an immediate attack, and obliged to con- duct their advances with all the cautious formality of a regular siege. In the battle of Long Island, the force of the Americans did not exceed five thousand men, while that of the enemy was nearly three times that number. Their loss was about twelve hundred men, of whom one thousand were prisoners. All hope of defending New York was now abandoned, and on the 28th of July Washington made his celebrated retreat from Long Island. It was itself a triumph. Defeated and disheartened, with an army flushed by victory behind, and a powerful fleet ready to intercept their movements, his little band crossed a broad river in small boats, with such silence and activity, that though busily engaged all night they were not perceived by the enemy imtil the very last division had nearly touched the opposite shore. The astonishment of the British commander was equalled only by his chagrin, at see- ing his enemy thus beyond his reach. He had hoped that retreat would be impossible without the risk of a second battle, which might place the continental troops entirely at his disposal : but with the blasting of those hopes came the unwelcome prospect of long and RETREAT THROUGH JERSEY. 37 tedious marches, battles and hard won victories, before his antagonist would again be in his former situation. Washington now moved up the Hudson, followed by the hostile army. Some skirmishing took place between advance parties, but the American commander was so happy in the choice of his positions, that no decisive advantage could be obtained over him. Soon after, the British commenced a retrograde movement, captured Fort Wash- ington, with twenty-five hundred men and a large quantity of stores, and compelled the hasty evacuation of Fort Lee. The loss was heavy and sudden. The British continued to move rapidly down the river, followed by Washington, until they reached the Jerseys. Here the Americans commenced the disastrous retreat, which has no parallel in their history. Loss in battle, desertion, abandonment of service, and other causes, had reduced them to less than five thousand men. Driven from post to post, even this small number gradually diminished, so that when Washington crossed the Dela- ware, and took post near Phdadelphia, he could not muster three thousand. Tba Bdtreat through. Jersey. Having driven the Americans from all the eastern posts. Lord Howe paused in the career of conquest, and began to improve the advantages already gained. He extended a line of military posts for many miles along the river, and posted large bodies of troops at all the principal towns. Large drafts were made upon the inhabi- tants for provisions, and the army went into winter quarters in a style of luxury rarely witnessed before in America. At the same time the continental troops were deficient of clothing, shoes, pro- visions, and military weapons, and exposed to hardships and suffer- ings almost incredible. But their leader was Washington. With him 38 WASHINGTON. the republic was never to be despaired of, and his army always saw him as calm and collected as when fortune smiled upon his banners. He shared the privations of the soldiers, and by his words and exam- ple encouraged them to bear cheerfully the evils of their situation. The time was near when his anxiety and labors were to be gloriously rewarded. By a careful consideration of the scattered state of the enemy at that time, General Washington became convinced that a simultaneous attack upon several of their posts, allliough a desperate undertaking, might not be unattended by important success at some one point. Accordingly a plan was laid for the 25th of December, by which the army was to cross the Delaware in three divisions ; one under General Irvine, to guard a bridge below Trenton, and cut off the retreat of all fugitives ; a second under Cadwalader, to attack Mount Holly ; and the main body under Washington to attack the British at Trenton. The night of the 25th was cold and stormy. Hail and sleet fell in blinding showers, and the roaring of the wind, the crashing of ice, and pattering of hail made the scene indescribably gloomy and deso- late. How heavy must have been the heart of W'ashington during that winter night. The forlorn cause in which he was engaged, the imcertainty of success, and the consequences of defeat, hung like lead on his bosom. All night long he was on horseback superin- tending the tedious movement of his troops. That night was big with the fate of America ; in a few more hours liberty would be once more strong and beautiful as a youthful giant, or crushed for long succeeding ages. The troops toiled and struggled in their frail boats amid masses of ice, for three hours. At three o'clock the whole division had reached the Jersey shore with the loss of two men. They commenced the march at four, in two sections ; one proceeding by the lower, the other by the upper road. The attack commenced about sunrise. Washington drove in the pickets on the lower road, and in three minutes was greeted with the sound of the muskets on the upper. Confident of speedy success, he swept along to the head of his men and ordered them to follow. In a few moments they reached the enemy. Colonel Rahl, a gallant officer, attempted to rally his men ; but he was mortally wounded, and everything gave way before Washington's furious charge. The enemy fled along the Princeton road, but were intercepted by a detachment thrown in their front for that purpose. Nine hundred and nine laid down their arms, arid about a hundred more were afterwards found in the houses. Six field-pieces and one thousand stand of arms were also taken. The British had about twenty BATTLE OF PRINCETON. 41 killed, the Americans two, and two frozen to death. Five hundred Hessians escaped by the road leading to Princeton. Neither Irvine nor Cadwalader were able to perform their part of the attack, or the enemy's whole line of intrenchments must have been completely swept. Thinking it unsafe to remain at Trenton, Washington recrossed the Delaware and marched to Philadelphia, through which he passed with his prisoners, in order to impress the minds of the citizens with the importance of his victory. It had the desired effect. The joy of all classes was unbounded, and from that day — though reverses frequently dimmed the brilliancy of the prospect — hope never again deserted the cause of American independence. When too late, Lord Howe perceived his error, in remaining supine, while the Americans were commanded by such a general as his adversary. In order however to atone for the past, he collected his army in force, and a new campaign commenced in the middle of winter. Two days after the battle of Trenton, Washington again crossed the Delaware, and soon learned that several columns of British troojjs under Earl Coirawallis were marching rapidly toward him. The enemy joined their forces at Princeton, advanced in great force, and on the 2d of January, 1777, came up with the Americans at the Assanpink creek. This was about four in the afternoon. A smart skirmish immediately ensued, but by means of some cannon advantageously posted, the enemy were kept at bay, and prevented from crossing the stream. A sullen cannonade was then maintained until night, when both armies kindled their fires. But that night brought no rest to the American army. With but a handful of men to oppose an overwhelming force, in a country possessed by the enemy, Washington well knew the peril which would surround him, should he remain there till morning. The Delaware first presented itself as a means of escape, but an uncom- monly warm day had softened the ice, and the road to the river, so that a crossing could not be effected without imminent danger. But one course now remained, bold and hazardous, but worthy of the genius of Washington. He determined to march around the van and left flank of the enemy, proceed to Princeton, and after defeating what force might be there, to advance to Brunswick. As soon as it was dark, the baggage was silently removed to Burlington, and about one o'clock the army, leaving its fires lighted and its sentinels on the margin of the creek, decamped with the utmost stillness. The movement was providentially favored by the weather ; for the wind suddenly changing to the north-west, in a short time froze the ground as hard as a pavement. The British were completely deceived, 42 WASHINGTON. although commanded by one of their ablest generals ; and wljen at sunrise the next morning the roar of Washington's cannon was heard in the distance, CornwaUis supposed it to be thunder. "When near Princeton, the Americans suddenly encountered two British regi- ments under Colonel Mawhood, 'who were marching to join the main body at Trentori. The van of the Americans, composed chiefly of militia, soon gave way ; and General Mercer, while gallantly exert- ino' himself to rally them, received a mortal wound. The British rushed forward with fixed bayonets, driving back the scattered soldiers until they came in sight of the main body. Feeling that everything was at stake, Washington rode to the front of his troops, seized a standard, and calling to them to follow, dashed toward the enemy. The sight of their beloved chief in danger, reanimated the heroes of Trenton. They met the charge of the enemy with vigor, and for a while the conflict was fierce and bloody. The British were at length divided into two colum.ns, one retreating towards Trenton, the other towards Brunswick. About three hundred of the regiment at Princeton surrendered. The British left one hundred dead upon the field ; the American loss was somewhat less, but it included the lamented Mercer, Colonels Haslet and Potter, Captain Neal of the artillery, Captain Fleming and five other valua- ble officers. Thus we have seen Washington keeping the field, and preserving the vigor of his operations in spite of the circumstances which com- manded inactivity. The British army found its divisions attacked and defeated in detail, while they considered themselves m perfect security, under the shield of all former experience. That principle of warfare which was the secret of Napoleon's victories — the pro- duction of a local superiority of force, by concentration against a distant position — was evidently a part of Washington's reasoning, and a main reliance for the success of his enterprises. The two battles of Trenton and Princeton, though similar in their outlines, were very different in point of conception and execution. The attack upon Trenton was a blow struck against an enemy in posi- tion, which admitted of every advantage of preparation on the part of the assailant. The battle of Princeton belonged to a higher and more elaborate order of tactics. The American forces were already engaged with a superior army, commanded by an officer of eminent reputation ; and the change of plan was wholly contrived and exe- cuted with the enemy in front. It was entirely due to the prompt genius and fertile resources of Washington, that his army was extri- cated from so perilous an exposure, and enabled to attack the enemy's rear with such advantage as to leave it no choice but flight or surrender. HEAD-QUARTERS AT MORRISTOWN. 45 A military critic, contemplating these inspirations with a soldier's eye, can easily appreciate the feelings of the great Frederick, when he sent a sword to the American commander, as a gift from the world's oldest general to its best. The van of Cornwallis's army was near Princeton whenWashing- ton's commenced its march. He was therefore obliged to abandon that part of his plan, which embraced an attempt upon Brmiswick, and marched toward the Highlands, in order to aftord some relief to his exhausted soldiers. This march was tracked with blood from their lacerated feet ; and the excessive cold and fatigue they had undergone for many days had brought on diseases which absolutely demanded rest. He accordingly established his head-quarters at Morristow^l, '.■.:i'i'::ii '.i.-u's Heaji-Quarters at ll.jrristown. where the enemy could be watched with perfect security, and supplies drawn from the neighboring country. While here he caused the whole army to be inoculated, and thus escaped the devastations of that terrible scourge — the small-pox. Both armies now used every exertion to strengthen themselves for some important operation in the spring. Taught by experience, tliat the Jerseys could not be overawed by a widely dispersed army, Howe collected almost all his troops at Amboy, and executed his measures with the greatest secrecy and caution. Meanwhile important skir- mishes frequently took place between small parties, which nearly all terminated favorably for the Americans. By these, a large number of prisoners and supplies were taken, and a wholesome feeling main- tained among the people. Washington was authorized by Congress to raise sixteen regiments, and received from that body the powers of military dictator for six months. In the spring, the British attacked the depots at Peekskill and 46 WASHINGTON. Danbury, which they captured, carrying Bway a large quantity of miUtary stores. About the same time their own stores at Sagg Harbor, together with an armed schooner and some smaller vessels were destroyed by Colonel Meigs. HE great object of Sir William Howe at this time, was the capture of Phila- delphia. But he was surrounded with difficulties. Although Washington's r eflective force wa.s not more than six thousand men, yet he was so advan- tageously posted at Middlebrook, that ho could repel an attack with advan- tage, or so harass the enemy should they attempt crossing the Dela- ware, as to cause them to abandon the project. Howe's means of crossing were also limited, and the Pennsylvania shore was guarded by strong bodies of the Americans. The British general then deter- mined to employ stratagem, and for many days manoeuvred around Washington's camp, in order to draw him to an engagement in the open plain. At one time he appeared on the point of crossing oppo- site Philadelphia ; at another opposite Trenton, and then would push in the direction of New York. But his adversary was not deceived. He had anticipated all these feints, and matured his plans to meet them. Sometimes he would leave his camp and cautiously follow the enemy ; but at the least retrograde movement on the part of the latter, and frequently w^hen Sir William imagined the long desired prey within his grasp, a vigorous countermarch would suddenly place the Americans in their former position and give the British general new- room for the exercise of his patience and ingenuity. Thus the spirits of the people were kept up, and that of the enemy proportionably worn out. At length the British commander was wearied out by this unprofit- able contest with an enemy who was neither to be deceived, nor overpowered. Protected by its position he fidly appreciated the physical force of the American army, and having now fairly tested the skill of his adversary, he was satisfied that nothing was to be gained in the conflict of military science. A new plan was therefore resolved upon, whose first step was to be the total abandonment of New Jersey. Howe marched rapidly to Amboy, pursued by part of the American army. After making one last eifort to gain the rear of his pursuers and failing, he abandoned the province, long fondly considered his own, and passed over to Staten Island for the purpose of embarkation. Although W^ashington had achieved the great triumph of driving BATTLE OP BRANDYWINE. 47 General Howe, his enemy from an important position, yet he felt confident that he would very soon be called to defend some other equally valuable station. The designs of Howe were wrapt in mystery He might intend an incursion up the North river, to defeat Schuyler, and join Burgoyne, or by means of his fleet, land at any point of the southern coast, commit extensive depredations, and march by land to Phila- delphia. Washington thought the latter the mo.st probable, but with that disregard of his personal credit which he ever showed, when his country was in danger ; he dispatched all the troops he could spare to the north in order to strengthen Schuyler's army, for a successful attack upon Burgoyne. He then stationed himself upon the Dela- ware to watch any attempt upon the capital. His conjectures concerning Howe's intentions were correct. To ward the end of July, the fleet of that commander appeared oft Delaware bay ; but owing to the obstructions which had been sunk there by the Americans, he again put to sea, ascended the Chesa peake, and landed at the head of Elk river. Washington immediately 48 WASHINGTON. "Wasliington's Head-Quarters at Erandywine. marched to meet him. His whole force did not exceed eleven thou- sand men, many of them raw militia and miserably armed. The English numbered eighteen thousand regulars, finely equipped, and in the highest state of discipline. At daybreak on the morning of the 1 1th of September, the royal army advanced in two columns, the one commanded by Knyphausen, the otlier by Cornwallis. While the first column took the direct road to Chadd's Ford, on the Brandy- wine, and made a show of passing it in front of the main body of the Americans, the other moved up on the west side of the Brandywine, crossed both branches of its fork in the afternoon, and marched down on its eastern side with the view of turning the right wing of their adversaries. On receiving intelligence of their approach, Washington made the proper dispositions to meet it. The divisions commanded by Sullivan, Sterling and Stephens, advanced a little farther up the creek, and fronted the column of the approaching enemy ; Wayne's division with Maxwell's light infantry, remained at Chadd's Ford, to keep Knyphausen in check ; Greene's division accompanied by General Washington formed a reserve, and took a central position between the right and left wings. About four o'clock. Lord Corn- wallis formed the line of battle and bejjan the attack. The Ameri- cans answered by rapid discharges of musketry, and for some time the battle was spirited. x\t length the right gave way, and Cornwallis pushed against the flank of the other divisions, pouring in a galling fire upon one section after another, until the whole line broke and commenced a rapid retreat. At the beginning of this attack, Kny- phausen crossed the ford, and attacked the troops stationed there. Here the Americans fought with the obstinacy of despair, but were overpowered by numbers and routed. The whole American army then commenced a retreat, marching to Chester under cover of the right, from whence they proceeded next day, to Philadelphia. BATTLE OF GERJIANTOWN. 49 HE American loss was three Hundred killed, sb hundred wounded, and three hundred prisoners That of the British was one hundred killed and four hundred wounded. At Brandywine, Lafay ette first drew his sword in the cause of freedom and received a wound in the leg. Anxious for the safety of their principal city Congress urged Washington to risk another battle in its defence. Or the 1 6th of September, the armies met near the Warren tavern, abou twenty-three miles from Philadelphia. Some skirmishing took place which was becoming general, when a heavy rain wetted the jjowder of the Americans, and they were instantly ordered to retreat. This occurrence was providential, it being aiterwards ascertained that the soldiers were alarmingly deficient in powder and cartridges. Howe now advanced to the Schuylkill and fixed his camp in front of the Americans. Notwithstanding the popular wisn, Washington declined risking the loss of his army by another battle, contenting himself by removing the most valuable stores up the Delaware. Congress adjourned to reassemble at Lancaster, and sn the 26th of September Howe entered the American metropolis A large division of the army marched to the village of Germant)vvn, about five miles from Philadelphia, a second was stationed at Chester, and Lord Corn- wallis with the remainder occupied the city. This scattered condition of the roya army afforded Washington an opportunity similar to that presented at Trenton, and which he was not slow in endeavoring to improve He chose Germantown for the point of attack, and made admirable arrangements for securing victory before Cornwallis could reinforce the enemy. Wayne and Sullivan were charged with the attack of the village in front by the main street from the side of Chestnut Hill. General Armstrong with the Pennsylvania militia was to mo^e upon the rear, along the Ridge road, turning the enemy's left flank ; the same movement was to be effected on their right by Generals Forman and Smallwood, down the Old York road. Another column under Greene and Stephens was to attack the right wino- in the centre of the town. The command of the reserve was entrusted to Lord Sterling. Before sunrise on the 4th of October, Wayne and Sullivan com- menced a furious attack upon the outposts, which gave way together with the light infantry and the fortieth regiment, losing all their bag- gage. Though closely pursued, Lieutenant-Colonel Musgrave with six companies took refuge in a strong stone house, (Chew's House,) ani severely galled the Americans by a fire of musketry from the door and windows. Washington ordered a brigade to surrouvd the bouse 50 W A S n I K G T O N. \iv the colonel refused to surrender, sustaining the fire of his antago iiists until two brigades came to his assistance. The whole held was now in confusion in consequence of a heavy fog, which prevented the companies from seeing each other. General Greene however gained the centre ot the village and was pressing the encmv to advantage, when he learned that the Americans were retreating in another quarter. Colonel ^latthews routed a party of the British opposed to him, killed several, and took one hundred and ten prisoners ; but unable to see the brigade to which he belonged, he was taken with all liis regiment. Washington could not distinguish friend from foe. Soon however, the rushing of his men as they swept by him in wild panic, told the sad tale that the fair prospects of the morning were blasted, and the daj' lost. He rode from post to post, trying to rally the fugitives, but in vain ; Greene's division was withdrawn from the village, and the whole army retreated to Skippack creek. Their loss was two hundred killed, sLs hundred wounded, and four hundred made prisoners. The enemy lost six hundred, of whom one hundred were killed. The British had now obtained military possession of Philadelphia ; but in order to preserve it, they must open a communication with the fleet of Lord Howe. The vigilance of the Americiins had placed BATTLE OP KED BANK. Red Bank. many olistructions in the bay and river, and established a fort on Mud island, and another at Red Bank, which they were determined to defend to the last extremity. The resolution was soon put to the test. On the 22d of October, Count Donop, a German officer, attacked the works at Red Bank with twelve hundred men. Five ships of the line moved up the river, and while the Hessians assaulted the works by land, the vessels poured into them a heavy cannonade from the water. But they met with an opposition as terrible as it was unexpected. The garrison were principally militia, commanded by Colonel Christopher Greene ; yet chafed by the loss of the capital, and animated by their noble leader, they fought like veterans. Rank after rank of the enemy sunk beneath their unerring aim, until at length the gallant Count, while cheering on his men, fell, mortally wounded. His soldiers retreated, leaving one third of their comrades upon the bloody field. The ships continued to discharge shells and red-hot shot until late at night, but with very little effect. Their own loss was severe and unexpected. The Augusta, a seventy-four gun ship, with the sloop Merlin, ran aground, — could not be set afloat, and subsequently blew up. On the following morning the cannonade was renewed ; but the British soon became convinced of its futility, and withdrew. Severe as was this repulse, Howe still persevered in opening the wished for communication. On the 10th of November, Fort Mifflin was attacked from a heavy battery on Province island, within the distance of five hundred yards. The cannonade was continued almosi incessantly for several days, and produced considerable impression The American guns were nearly all dismounted, the block-houses and palisades beaten down, and the small garrison wearied out by unremitting exertion. Washington sent relief to the officers of the fort, hut his instructions were positive that the place should be main tained to the last extremity, and they were strictly and literallv / 52 WASHINGTON. obe)' (;d The besiegers, finding that all their means would be required 10 obtain success, called in the assistance of their fleet. It was ascertained that in consequence of the obstructions thrown into the other parts of the river, the current had deepened the inner channel between Mud and Province islands, so as to admit of safe navigation for vessels of considerable burthen. The frigate Vigilant and a sloop of war were brought up this channel, and anchored within a hundred yards of the rear of the fort, from which position they were enabled to pour a destructive fire of cannon, musketry and grenades. The garrison fought with the heroism of men reduced to desperation. The iort was enveloped in smoke, broken only by the red flashes of artil- lery ; while the roar of cannon echoed and re-echoed far up the solitary shores of the Delaware. One portion after another of the de- fences sunk beneath the heavy fire of the British, until the 16th, when the fort was no longer tenable. The garrison accordingly withdrew under cover of the night ; the post at Red Bank was also evacuated, and thus, after six weeks hard labor, and heavy loss of lives and money, the enemy obtained a safe navigation of the river and bay. Meanwhile triumphant success had attended the American arms in the north. Early in the spring of this year. General Burgoyne had marched from Canada, with a splendid army of ten thousand men, for the purpose of overrunning New England, joining Sir Henry Clinton at New York, and thus completely severing the eastern from the other States, in order, subsequently, to subdue them at leisure. He was a most able general, and at first his success was equal to his abilities ; and but for the abilities of one man, there can be little doubt that the desired junction would have taken place. That man was General Schuyler, Although almost destitute of any regular force, and surrounded with suspicions from his superiors, and insub- ordination from his men, he yet kept the field without material loss, and by cutting off supplies, harassing detached parties, obstructing roads, tearing up bridges, and threatening the army in different quar- ters, — he so annoyed the enemy that they were often occupied a whole day in advancing one mile. Meanwhile troops were hurrying on from all parts of the country, and the American general saw with delight that his labors were soon to be rewarded, and victory perhaps gained before the fond anticipations of Burgoyne were realized. The first check of the British was at Bennington, where General Stark defeated a large detachment of the enemy under Breymen and Baum, taking about six hundred prisoners, together with nine hundred swords and one thousand muskets. At this important moment, Schuyler was superseded by General Gates. His feelings must have been excruciating ; but conscious of the magnitude of his services. BURGOYNE S SURRENDER. 53 he added to the kistre of his former labors, by the dignity of his resignation, and retired to a subordinate station still to prosecute thai which had ever been his pride — the service of his country. Gates found the British general so com- pletely hemmed in by the obstructions whicii Schuyler had thrown in his way, that he could neither advance nor retro- grade. On the 19th of September an en- gagement took place at Stillwater, which for obstinacy has few equals in the revo- .lution. For four hours the fierce comba- tants fought hand to hand ; and ceased only when night had settled thick around General Schuyler. them. The Americans lost about three hundred and twenty, the British abo\it six hundred. On the 7th of October, a second battle took place near Stillwater, in which the Americans killed and captured a great number of the enemy, penetrated to their camp, took nine pieces of brass cannon, and a German encampment with all its equipage. These heavy losses convinced Burgoyne that his triumphs were ended, and that nothing but a speedy retreat could save him from ruin. He accordingly attempted a retrograde movement to Fort George, but failed. He then determined to open a communication with Fort Edward, but in the midst of his preparations learned that that post had surrendered. No intelligence came from Clinton ; another battle would ruin him. Excessive toil had worn down his army ; and hunger, and disease, and wretchedness had reduced the soldiers to mere skeletons. Under these circumstances a council of war was called, which unanimously decided upon a surrender ; this took place on the 17th of October. Glorious and important as was this event, it was very near becom- ing in its indirect consequences the ruin of the American cause. Rising into confidence with the apparent discouragement of the British at this unlocked for catastrophe, public opinion loudly required that some effort should be made to surprise or storm Howe's positiofi at Philadeljihia. Invidious comparisons were drawn between Gates and Washington, by a strong party hostile to the commander-in- chief. The triumph of one, and the comparative inactivity of the other, were attributed to a difference in their respective characters and abilities. It was urged also, that the rapid depreciation of paper money would extinguish the national reso\irces, unless eonfidencr were revived by the striking of a decisive blow. The greatness oi Washington's mind, and his peculiar fitness for the times in which he 54 WASHINGTON. was placed, were again wonderfully exhibited. Had he possessed in his temperament the least mixture of envy or personal vanity, or had the firm resolution of his mind been capable of impression from the force of pul)lic clamor or private importunity, the independence of his country would, in all human probability, have been annihi- lated. But his prudent judgment prevailed over all personal consider- ation. A plot to supersede him was detected, its framers silenced by outbursts of popular indignation, and the pure one whom they wished to injure aggrandized more and more in the eyes of his coun- try and of the world. History has shed an unfading lustre around his conduct at that period, while the deeds and plottings of his oppo- nents have long been sleeping in kind oblivion. N the 4th of December, Sir William Howe left Philadelphia with four- teen thousand men, to try the for- tunes of war once more in pitched battle. He had hoped to surprise Washington, but being disappointed, endeavored to draw him from his secure position among the high hills near Germantown. Able manoeuvring took place, ^ and both commanders changed their relative positions within sight of each other. Some sharp skirmishing took place, in which the loss on both sides was about one hundred. Both armies, with the whole surrounding popu- lation, were now awaiting with intense anxiety a battle, which promised to be more terrible than any of its predecessors in the same region, when suddenly Howe broke up his camp and marched rapidly to Philadelphia. This unexpected retreat of an able general, who, flushed with recent victories, had marched some miles for the express purpose of giving battle, is a proof of the estimation in which Wash- ington was held by military men of that period. The great severity of the season now rendered it necessary that the army should retire into winter quarters. Accordingly on the 1 1th of December, the main body commenced its march to Valley Forge, a position about twenty-five miles from Philadelphia, on the western side of the Schuylkill, and equally distant from the Dela- ware above and below the city. A permanent camp was here formed from log huts having the interstices closed with mortar. In order to prevent all intercourse between the British army and the country, General Smallwood with his division took post at Wilmington, General Armstrong at Whitemarsh, while Colonel Morgan and numerous troops of cavalry scoured the whole country west of the Schuvlkill. TREATY OF ALLIANCE WITH FRANCE. .^fp g^^j q?^^HE sufferings of the Americans at Valley Forge Ht' :_ - -!; were more severe than any they had yet experi- enced. The troops were almost destitute of clothing and proper food. In this condition of affairs the commander was perplexed with the most alarming difficulties. He was empowered to seize all provisions within seventy miles of head-quarters, giving in return a certificate redeemable by the United Slates. No funds were provided to meet these demands, and as Sir William Howe paid liberally in gold and silver for all that was conveyed into the city, murmurs naturally arose, which tended much to diminish the popularity of the American cause. Washington exerted his authority to collect such supplies as were absolutely necessary ; but his conduct was loudly complained of by the people for its rigor, and by Congress for its lenity. The discontents increased to such an extent, that at length an organized conspiracy against the general-in-chief, was formed by several mili- tary officers and members of Congress. The triumph of General Gates at Saratoga was urged as evidence of what might be expected from a change in the command of the main army ; and the conduct of that officer left no doubt of his giving encouragement to the dis- affected. But the conspirators soon found that the affections of the American people were too firmly rooted upon their tried leader to be shaken by the feeble breath of faction. Their efforts recoiled upon themselves, and even the northern army, which had won its laurels under Gates, now clung to Washington. During these transactions, the whole country was filled with exulta tion by the arrival of official intelligence, that a treaty of alliance, commerce and friendship, had been signed between the king of France and the United States. The British government treated this act as a declaration of war. While the army lay at Valley Forge, its scouts were so active in cutting off communication between the city and country, and inter cepting supplies to the British, that Sir William Howe frequently found himself reduced to the greatest distress. The last important enterprise undertaken by the English general was an attempt to surprise Lafayette at Barren Hill. Failing in this, he resigned the command to Sir Henrv Clinton. As the probable approach of a French fleet, rendered Philadelphia a dangerous posi- tion ; this officer resolved to evacuate the citv, and withdraw the whole British force from the Delaware. The arrangements for this important movement attracted the attention of the commander-in-chief, who instantly commenced active 56 WASHINGTON. preparations to impede the enemy's march through New Jersey. On the 17th of June, 1778, the British army crossed the Delaware and slowly moved toward New York. Imivcdiately after, Washington crossed at Coryell's ferry with a f(>rpe;4bout equal to that of the Britisli, and by occupying the liighcr grounds, preserved ilie power of giving or avoiding battle. The former course had been declared unadvisable by a council of war. General Lee declared that independ- . ,.,.,i;^(iaa:s^;r-'.i,;/';irffl'ffl il^:;-:^"; -::_^"r5C ^i Council of Vv ar before the Battle of Monmouth. ence was now sure, but that it might be lost by the ruin of the army, which would probably follow an attack on the British. Thirteen officers favored this opinion ; it was opposed by Wayne, Cadwalader and Greene, and partially by Lafayette. With the latter General Washington coincided, and resolved to risk a battle at all hazards. Early on the 28th, Sir Henry broke up his encampment near Monmoutli Court House, and continued his retreat. The baggage was in front under General Knyphausen, while the strength of llie army formed the rear division under the especial command of Lord Cornwallis. As the British were then within twelve miles of the heights of Middlelown, where they would be in perfect security, Washington ordered Lee to attack their rear the moment it was in motion. Lee did so, and the rear of the Americans moved rapidly forward to support him. Washington rode on, full of hope and con- BATTLE OF MONMOUTH. 57 fidence, when to his utter astonishment he perceived the front in full retreat, without fighting, or exhibiting any reasons for so unexpected a movement. Some warm expressions to General Lee, exhibited the strong displeasure of the commander, and instant measures were adopted for arresting the advance of the English, and for reforming the disorilercd troops. The commander exerted himself in a manner as unusual to him as it was rdeetive. He had determined on victory, and now he struggled with fortune for her reluctant gift. His whole form was convulsed with excitement, as galloping from rank to rank, amid showers of death, and mangled forms, and wildest uproar, he shouted to his legions to re-form. At the sound of that beloved voice, each soldier forgot liis fear, and turned in the very face of the pursuing foe. The tide of victory turned with them. The left wing and second line were drawn up on an eminence, covered in front by a morass. Lord Sterling, who commanded the former, with the aid of Charrington's artillery repulsed the attack of a British column, and effectually checked their forward movement. The enemy then endeavored to turn the left flank of the Americans, but were roughly repulsed. Another attempt on the left was defeated with loss, by the judicious advance of the artillery and infantry under Greene. At this moment of confusion, Wayne rushed forward with his artillery, and drove back the enemy to the ground they had occu- pied in the morning. Here the flanks were covered by morasses and thick woods, and their front was accessible only by a narrow passage but notwithstanding these difficulties, which were increased by the heat of the day and the fatigue of the troops, Washington resolved immediately to renew^ the battle. The artillery was advanced and opened on the British flank. General Poor w ith his own brigade and that of North Carolina, was ordered to turn the right flank of the enemy, while Woodward's brigade was directed against their left. Unfortunately the impediments of the ground protracted the comple- tion of these dispositions until the approach of night, for which reason the action was discontinued with the intention of rc-commencing it on the ensuing morning. The flanking brigades remained in their respective positions ; and Washington passed the nis'ht in his cloak, surrounded by his soldiers, who bivouacked on the battle field. During the night however the British silently decamped, and before daylight were so near the heights of Middletown as to render pursuit useless. Both parties claimed a victory at Monmouth, but the advantages were undoubtedly with the Americans. Clinton effecled his retreat and saved his bascase : but the Americans, after the check of Lee's van, repulsed the enemy, became in turn the assailants, and were 58 WASHING TON. only prevented from continuing the engagement, by the midnight retreat of the British. The American loss was eight officers, and sixly one privates killed, and about one hundred and sixty wounded. The English army sufl'ered more than double that amount, losing in the course of their retreat one hundred prisoners, and nearly one thousand deserters. For his behavior to Washington on the battle field, and subse- quently. General Lee was suspended from the army for a year. This ended his military career. The thanks of Congress were voted to Washington and his army for their conduct at Monmouth. " Never," says Lafayette, " was General Washington greater in war than in this action. His presence stopped the retreat ; his dispositions fixed the victory. His fine appearance on horseback — his calm courage, roused by the vexa- tion of the morning, gave him the interest calculated to excite enthusiasm." Soon after the battle of Monmouth, the wisdom of the English commander in evacuating Philadelphia became apparent. Count D'Estaing appeared off the coast of Virginia with a fleet of twelve ships of the line and six frigates, having on board a respectable body of land troops. The original plan of these allies had been to attack the British naval force in the Delaware, and to unite with Washington in a general assault upon their lines at Philadelphia. A passage unusually tempestuous had defeated this well conceived plan, and probably saved the whole British force. The French fleet after- wards sailed for Newport. Some unimportant skirmishes took place in the autumn, but nothing of importance was effected until December, when the Americans retired into winter quarters, the main army occupying both sides of the North river about West Point, and at Middlebrook, New Jersey. The first enterprise proposed by Congress for the ensuing campaign, was a decisive movement against the western Indians. The settle- ment of W'yoming in Pennsylvania had been completely destroyed by a body of tories and savages under Colonel John Butler, and the Indian chief Brandt ; while in other parts of the frontier the toma- hawk and scalping knife had been employed with such fearful barbarity as to render this expedition of primary imjjortance. The Onondagos and Six Nations were effectually chastised by Colonel Van Schaick and General Sullivan. In May, Sir Henry Clinton moved up the North river, threatened an invasion of the Eastern States, and captured Fort Fayette and Stony Point. The recapture of the latter place by General Wayne, was one of the most brilliant achievements of the revolution. TREASON OF AKNOLD. 59 EST POINT now became a most impor- tant post to the American cause, on account of its commanding the naviga- tion of the river. It was menaced by the British armament, and most proba- bly owed its safety to the prompt opera- tions of Wasliington, who had closely followed the enemy's movements, and so posted his army as to deter them from a further prosecution of the enter- prise. No other event of great importance took place between the main armies this year. The Americans passed the winter, (1779-80,) near West Point and Jliddlebrook, the British -in New York. The sufferings of the Americans during the winter were extreme. The army sometimes remained for several successive days without meat, and the pay was five months in arrear, with no prospect of liquida- tion. Some of the Connecticut regiments mutinied ; and numbers were daily retiring at the expiration of their term of enlistment. By actual returns made on the 3d of June, the army under Washington's immediate control, included only three thousand seven hundred and fifty men fit for duty. On the 18th of the same month, by the return of Sir Henry Clinton, the British force in New York counted twelve thousand regulars ready for immediate action. The arrival of Count Rochambeau and his army in July, found the Americans not only unprepared for active operations, but with- out any certainty as to the strength of the expected forces of the states. An attack upon New York was planned, but not executed, and much to the mortification of Washington, the season passed away without any active operations. It will ever be noted, however, for one event, perhaps the most singular, certainly the most unlocked for, of the whole war. This was the treason of Benedict Arnold. By his courage, fortitude, and active services, this officer had won the esteem of the nation, and was entrusted with the important com- mand of West Point. Pecuniary distress produced by thoughtless prodigality, led a mind not fortified by honorable principle into the crime of peculation. By the assistance of Major Andre, he carried on a clandestine intercourse with Clinton, but was frustrated in his plans, and obliged to fly. Major Andre was captured, and shared the fate which should have befallen Arnold. Perhaps no event of the whole war was so deeply painful to Washington as the fate of this unfortunate young man. The chivalrous generosity of Washington's character was exhibited GO WASHINGTON. in a small incident connected with these transactions. Mrs. Arnold was left by her husband's flight in the most distressing agonies. Every eflx)rt was made to overtake the traitor ; but as soon as his escape was ascertained, the commander announced it to the unfortu- nate lady in a respectful message. It reflects honor on the American character, that at this moment of excitement Mrs. Arnold was allowed to proceed to Philadelphia, collect her husband's property and rejoin him in New York, not only without the least interruption or insult, but with all the assistance her convenience required. Early in December, the Americans retired into winter quarters near Morristown, and on the Hudson. A serious revolt in the Penn- sylvania line, [January, 1781,] threatened disastrous consequences, and was quelled with difficulty. In the spring, Arnold invaded Virginia, and after committing various devastations, was joined by Lord Cornwallis. Lafayette acted against them ; but his force was so small, that on one occasion, he escaped capture only by the most active manoeuvring. Cornwallis did not pursue his advantage, but retired, first to Portsmouth, and afterwards to Yorktown, which he proceeded to fortify. Meanwhile, active preparations were going on for a grand com- bined attack upon New York. That city was protected by a force of eleven thousand men under Sir Henry Clinton. The prospect of a blow which would finish the war, excited many of the states to new exertions in order to raise the required supplies. Such, how- ever, was the low ebb of public credit, that probably, but for a private citizen, the active preparations for the campaign would have been frustrated. That citizen was Robert Morris, a princely merchant, such as few countries have ever possessed, and one who united to immense wealth and credit, the talents and foresight of a statesman. It was soon ascertained, however, that the destination of the French fleet under Count de Grasse, was not New York, but the Chesapeake ; and numerous other events tended to damp the hopes of Washington. But he was soon relieved by intelligence of the brdliant success of General Greene in the south, and that Lord Corn- wallis had been driven into Yorktown. He therefore began to think seriously of changing his plan, and though still keeping up appear- ances before New York, to march rapidly toward Yorktown and capture Cornwallis before succor could reach him from the main army. The execution of this admirable plan was immediately commenced By various stratagems, Sir Henry was completely deceived, and even after the Americans had begun their march southward, imagined 't to be but a feint for the purpose of drawing him from his position. BATTLE OF YORKTOWN. 63 The whole French force with more than two thousand continentals marched upon this expedition, leaving the defence of the Hudson to Major General Heath. After a personal interview with the Count de Grasse, during which the plan of attack was arranged, Washington, Rochambeau, and other officers proceeded towards Yorktown. On the 25th of December, 1781, the last division of the army landed in James River, and soon after the sieae was commenced in form. Including- militia, the besiegers numbered sixteen thousand men. York is a small town on the south side of a broad river of the same name, in which a ship of the line can lie in safety. On the north bank opposite to the town is Gloucester Point, a long neck of land running far into the river, and approaching within a mile of York. Both these positions were fortified by the British, and the communication between them preserved by batteries and vessels of war. The main army lay around York, under cover of redoubts and field works, while Lieutenant-Colonel Dundas with nearly seven hun- dred men occupied Gloucester. The French General de Choise was appointed to watch the latter place, and after a spirited action com- pelled the enemy to retire within their fortifications. On the 28th, the allies advanced by different roads, to occupy the ground fixed upon. The British piquets and cavalry were driven in, and a further movement on the following day, induced Lord Corn- wallis to abandon his outer lines. Th(;se were occupied by the allies, who thus completed the investment. On the night of the 6th of October, the trenches of the first parallel were commenced, within six hundred yards of the works ; and by the 10th, several redoubts and batteries were completed. The fire of the besiegers then became so heavy that scarcely a shot was returned, and the Charon of forty- four guns, with three large transports, was destroyed by shells and red-hot balls. The high spirit of esteem and emulation existing between the allies, produced the most beneficial efl'ects upon the activity of all the operations. On the night of the 1 1th, the distance between the belligerents was reduced one half, by the commence- ment of the second parallel ; but the fire of the garrison became destructive from several newly opened embrasures, and particularly from two advanced redoubts. On the 14th, one of these was stormed by the Americans under Lafayette, and the other by Baron Viominel and the French troops. Both works were carried without discharging a gun, and their cannon turned on the garrison. One hundred pieces of artillery were now ready to open on the following morning. Cornwallis was now in a most perilous situation ; his works were almost ruined, and he foresaw too plainly the terrible effects that 64 WASHINGTON. wouKl IhUdw tlu> oiH'uiu;;- of such a train. On the evening of the UHh, a soilio was altonipltHl, for the jnujiose of destroying two bat- teries ; hut the troops were conipeUecl to retire without having effeeteil any tiling of importance. The enterprising commander then lornu'd tiie daring resolution of abandoning liis sick and wounded, crossing York riv( r by night, routing de Choise at Gloucester Point, Surrender of Coriiwallis. and pushing bv forced marches for New York. This movement was in full progress, and part of the army had actually landed at Glou- cester, when a storm dispersed the boats, and compelled the return of the British general to his former desperate situation. On the following morning, (17th,) the garrison beat a parley, and negotiations commenced for a capitulation. On the 19th, both the British posts, with more than seven thousand men, and all the mili- tary stores, surrendered to General Washington. The shipping and seamen were yielded to the Count de Grasse. The total loss of the British in killed and wounded was about five hundred; that of the Americans three hundred. The news of this event was received tliroughout the I nion with a burst of exultation. Congress voted their thanks to General Wash- ington, Covuit Rochambeau and Count de Grasse, and their respective EXECCTION OF CAPTAIN HUDDT. 65 forces. Trophies weie Tot«d to the three cominaiiders, and a dar of thanksgiving to Divine Proridence appointed. The state legis- latures, aad other public bodies, adopted similar resolutions. Aft«r the capture of ComwaUis. Washington returned ivith the Americaa forces to Xew York, and the French troops remained in Virginia. The commander immediatelv urged upon Congress the necessity of making active preparations to improve the late important victory, so as to finish the war in the following campaign. The same difficulties, however, which had ever cramped the movements of that body, continued to operate — want of funds, want of credit, want of energy. Notwithstanding the faithful exhortations of Wash- ingtoa, the year ITS 2 passed away in absolute idleness; and a feeling was daily gaining ground that the war would soon be brought to a close. Ad event of secondary interest, which occurred just before the close of the war, deserves mention, inasmuch as it not only exhibits the popular feeling at that time, but also places in a strong hgtt, the cautious vigilance of Washington, whenever the safety of his people required it. An association of American refugees had been formed by Sir Henrv Clinton, for the purpose of retaliating on the Americans, and reim- bursing their losses sustained during the war. A party of these captured Captain Joshua Huddy, and after keepins: him in close custody for nineteen days, hung him tinder circumstances of agsra- xaXei cruelty. Washington immediately wrote to Sir Henry Clinton, demanding the murderers under penalty of retahation. This was refused, and lots were cast between the British prisoners for a subject of retaliation. The lot fell upon Captain AsgiU, a young man but twenty years of age, of respectable family, and considerable acquire- ments. Meanwhile Sir Guy Carleton assumed command of the British forces, and a court-martial was appointed for the trial of Captain Lippencott. who was supposed to be the principal agent in executing Huddy. As it appeared that this individual acted under orders from the associate royalists, and not from malice or iU wQl, he was acquitted. Soon after, Sir Gut broke up the society of refosees. and thus removed the probabUity of future retaliation. Washiarton however still persisted in his determination, although he allowed the unfortunate Asgill every amelioration which his circumstances de- manded. Some months after the execution of Huddv. Washington received a letter from the Count de Vergenaes interceding for Captain AsgUl, which was accompanied by a pathetic one from his mother, Mrs. Asgill. The French king and queen, also interceded for him. Copies 5 66 WASHINGTON. Captain As^U. of these letters were forwarded to Congress, who soon after resolved that the commander-in-chief be directed to set Captam Asgill at liberty. Accordingly, after having received every indulgence, the captain was permitted to join his friends in New York. Early in 1783 a definite treaty of peace, acknowledging the inde- pendence of the United States, was signed by Great Britain, and transmitted by Dr. Franklin to America. Washington proclaimed it to the army in April, just eight years after the battle of Lexington. America had achieved her independence, but dangers more formidable than a struggle with Britain now stared her in the face. Hitherto common dangers had produced general interests ; now this tie no longer existed ; and, destitute of a national government, or mutual credit, the avenues to dissension and civil war were flung widely open. Happily, the confidence of the people in the great man who had successfully conducted them through the war of independence, I^ount Vernon. was unshaken ; and on him all classes now leaned, as the supporting pillar of the new republic. On the 4th of December, at the city of New York, Washington took leave of his long-tried army. Its disbandment by a government unable to settle arrears, or to furnish a single month's pay in order to transport the soldiers to their homes, forms one of the most re- markable events of our history. But the beloved name of Washing ton calmed every murmur, and cheered every heart. His own emotions on the occasion were too strong to be concealed. Tears stood in every eye, and not a word disturbed the solemnity of the sublime spectacle : then, after parting with the officers, the war-worn commander embarked in a barge and waved his hat : the assembled veterans answered with the same respectful and affectionate farewell, and returned to their homes in silent melancholy. After resigning his office as commander-in-chief of the army (December 23d), Washington retired to Mount Vernon, followed by tlie veneration and love of his grateful countrymen. " I feel myself eased," was his language on this occasion, " of a load of public care, and hope to spend the remainder of my days in cultivating the affec- tions of all good men, and in the practice oi' domestic virtue." Here, on the banks of the Potomac, amid the scenes of his youth- ful enjoyments, Washington desired to pass the residue of his life. Resolutions, letters, votes of esteem, etc., from all parts of the Union, continually disturbed, however, the quiet of his retirement. Unani- mous votes for the erection of his statue were adopted both by Con- gress and the Virginia legislature, and the latter presented him with 6H WASHINGTON. one hundred and fifty shares in a public improvement ; but the gift was dedined, otherwise than as a trust for the general welfare. When the situation of the country imperatively demanded a change of government, Washington was chosen president of the convention which assembled at Philadelphia to frame a constitution. When this instrument was adopted, all eyes were turned upon Washington as the first president, each feeling that without him the great experi- ment of free government would be but a feeble attempt. " It is to little purpose," remarked Alexander Hamilton, " to introduce a system, if the weightiest influence is not given to its firm establish- ment in the outset." On the 14th of April, 1789, his unanimous election was announced to the president at Mount Vernon. He heard it with unfeigned regret, but did not consider that his love of private life should inter- fere with so solemn a call from his country. The state of his mind at setting out for the capital, is displayed by the following extract from his diary. " About ten o'clock I bade adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life, and to domestic felicity, with a mind oppressed with more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express." On the 30th of April his inauguration took place. j^ The administration of Washington was marked by great and stir- ring events. It completed the foundation of the United States, gave her union at home, and respectability abroad. Every department leaned on the president, and officers and people received his opinions and views as oracles. He restored revenue to his country, and laid the basis of its treasury ; tamed the Indians of the west, and united all parties into a neutrality with respect to the European powers. When the French revolution broke out, he alone saved the country from a war in which it was eager to rush, and which, in all human probability, would have sealed its destruction. Vv'hen Genet would have frustrated his caution by appealing from the president to the people, he awed him into silence by the dignity of his deportment. This was the most delicate period of his life. Sympathy with a gallant ally, who was supposed to be struggling for that independence which she had helped us to gain, had created a strong party favorable to France, who regarded any position short of actual warfare with her rival, as ungrateful and dishonorable. At the same time the mercantile community loudly complained of their embarrassed com- merce ; the west threatened disunion because they were barred from the natural outlet of their produce ; while the insurrectionary resist- ance to the excise law in Pennsylvania was subdued only by military force. Amid all these diflSculties the President remained firm, neither HIS DEATH. 69 swayed by the insults of Genet on one siae, nor the clamors against England on the other. Time justified his policy. A treaty of amity was negotiated with Great Britain by Mr. Jay ; another with Algiers, and a third with Spain, settling the important points of boundary and the Mississippi question. France still continued refractory. In 1796, the second term of President Washington expired, and no argument could induce him to accept of a re-election. After the inauguration of his successor, Mr. Adams, (March 4th, 1797,) he retired from the arena of public life. Washington died December 15th, 1799, of an inflammatory sore throat, caused by exposure to a slight rain. When the solemn hour drew nigh, he with much difficulty addressed his friend Dr. Craik, " Doctor, I am dying, and I have been dying for a long time, but I am not afraid to die." The intelligence of this melancholy event ^produced a sensation throughout the Union, greater than that ever experienced on any other similar occasion. Congress immediately adjourned. The speaker's chair was shrouded in black, and the members wore mourning during the remainder of the session. An immense con- course of citizens attended his funeral, Congress passed resolutions declaring him " first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his fellow citizens." "On this occasion," said the address of the Senate, " it is manly to weep ; to lose such a man, at such a crisis, is no common calamity to the world. Our country mourns a father. The Almighty ])isposer of human events, has taken from us our greatest benefactor and ornament. It becomes us to submit with reverence to Him, who maketh the darkness his pavilion." The remains of Washington were deposited, according to his request, in the old family vault at Mount Vernon. They were at first enclosed in a leaden coffin, but were subsequently placed (Octo- ber 8th, 1837,) in a beautiful marble sarcophagus, constructed at his own cost, by Mr. Struthers, of Philadelphia. The tomb of Washington deserves a passing notice. It consists of a simple excavation in a sloping hill, which has a southern Sarcophajus of Washington. 70 W A S II I .\ G T O N. Lid of Sarcopba^Tus. exposure upon a lliickly wooded dell. The walls are built of brick, and arched over at the height of eight feet above the level of the ground. The front of the tombstone is rough-cast, and has a plain .ran door inserted in a strong- freestone casement. Over the door is placed a sculptured stone panel, upon which are inscribed these words : — "I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE, HE THAT BELIEVETH IN ME, THOUGH HE WERE DEAD, YET SHALL HE LIVE." Old Tomb of Washiogton. At a small distance from the walls of the tomb, and surrounding it on all sides, there is an enclosure of brick-work, elevated to a height of twelve feet, and guarded in front by an iron gateway. WASHINGTON'S CHARACTER. 71 opening several feet in advance of the vault door. Upon a plain slab, inserted in the brick-work over this grate is sculptured : " WITHIN THIS ENCLOSURE, REST THE REMAINS OF GEXEK^VL GEORGE WASHINGTOX." Washington possessed a fine person, a stature above the common size, and a deportment easy, erect and noble. He was the best horseman of his age, and the most graceful fiaru;e to be seen on horseback. To these advantages he united a constitution vigorous and capable of enduring the greatest fatigue. But it was the mind of Washingto:!, which rendered him immor- tal. If the greatness of human character is to be estimated, by the solid monuments it has raised, there is no name in all history to compare with his. If asked how national independence was achieved ; how our distressed armies could escape the foe's superioritv, and finally triumph, we would point to the valor and prudence of the commander-in-chief. To his virtue, firmness and wisdom, are due the foundation and successful impulse of republican government whose benefits will be felt, long after men have ceased to admire its splendor and wonderful conception. " His character," says Jefferson, "w*s in its mass perfect, in nothing bad, in few points indifferent ; and it may truly be said that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great, and to place him in the same con- stellation with whatever worthies have merited from mankind ar everlasting remembrance." So Mr. Adams : — " The example of Washington is now complete ; it will teach wisdom and virtue to magistrates, citizens, and men, not only in the present age, but in future generations, as long as our history shall be read." Ne^TT Tomb of Washington. GENERAL MONTGOMERY. grx^,'^ ENERAL RICHARD MONTGOMERY, the third son of Thomas Montgomery, was born in 1737, or, according to Armstrong, on the 2d of December, 1736, at " Convoy House," near Raphoe, in the north of Ireland. Little is known of his early life. When quite young he was placed at Dublin College, where he acquired a good education. On account of the unsettled state oi Europe at that time, the principal sphere of distinction was the army, and in accordance with the wishes of his father, Montgomery entered it at the age of eighteen. America was the field in wliich General Montgomery first distin- guished himself as a Tactical soldier. The losses of the English in the old French war, had led to a change of cabinet, and imder the auspices of the new one, Montgomery's regiment was ordered to America, to take part in the expedition against Louisburg. They 72 HIS ARRIVAL IN AMERICA. 75 sailed in 1757, and early in the following year assembled at Halifax, preparatory to embarking for Louisburg. On the 2Sth of May, a large naval and military force under General Amherst and Admiral Boscawen sailed from Halifax, and landed on Cape Breton Island on the 8th of June. The landing was effected in boats, amid a heavy fire from the Fiench batteries. The division of General Wolfe reached the shore first, routed a party of the enemy, and covered the embarkment of the remainder of the army. In this affair Mont- gomery behaved so bravely, as not only to receive the warmest com- mendations of the commander, but the immediate appointment to a lieutenancy. The siege of the fortress was conducted in a desultory and unscien- tific manner. Jlost of the troops were but New England militia, strangers to discipline and military operations ; and it is more than probable, that even notwithstanding the paucity and sickness of the garrison, the expedition would have been a failure, but for the cow- ardice and inefficiency of the French commandant. On the 27th of July, the garrison of five thousand men surrendered a stronghold on which years of labor, and immense sums of money had been expended, and which was called the Gibraltar of America. During this whole siege, Montgomery fully maintained the high opinion formed of him at its commencement. His knowledge of militar;y tactics, appears to have been almost intuitive. Upon the reception of news of Abercrombie's defeat at Ticonderoga, General Amherst hurried on a portion of his army to assist in retriev- ing that disaster. Montgomery was in this division, and with his fellow^ officers remained near Lake Champlain until the surrender of Montreal, in 1760. In the subsequent expeditions of the troops against Martinico and Havana, Montgomery maintained his reputation for skill and bravery, and amid all the calamities which attended the soldiers in a tropical climate, he endeared himself to his command by the kindness and compassion with which he administered to their wants At the close of the war, Montgomery was permitted to return to Europe, where he remained until 1770. Toward the close of that year, he resigned the service, sailed for America, and arrived in New York in the following January. He purchased a farm in the neighborhood of that city, but soon afterward removed to Duchess county, where for a long time he devoted himself to the pursuit of agriculture. While at the former place he married the eldest daugh- ter of R. R. Livingston, one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the province, and subsequently member of the Continental Congress. As the dispute between England and her colonies had now become 76 MONTGOMERY. serious, it was impossible for an individual circumstanced like Mont- gomery to remain neutral. Accordingly, he took a decided part for the cause of freedom, and in April, 1775, he was elected to represent Duchess county in the delegation to the first New York provincial convention. The lahurs of the convention seem to have been rather tedious and unsatisfactory, and finally resulted in little good to the cause to espouse which they had convened. . OON after the meeting of this body, Mont- gomery received a more highly important office than any that had hitherto fallen to his lot, and one, too, of which he had little expectation. In June, the Continental Con- gress appointed four major, and eight brigadier generals, naming among the latter Montgomery. His surprise at the news of this flattering distinc- tion was equalled by his modest though heartfelt acknowledgment of it ; and with the acceptance of that commission commenced his brief but glorious career in the cause of freedom. The name of Montgomery is inseparably blended with the history of the expedition against Quebec. That disastrous campaign was a sad proof of the necessity of experience among the leaders of so im- portant and novel a movement as the war of independence. It was undertaken upon insufficient data, ^nd, as a necessary consequence, all its movements were desultory, and almost entirely controlled by circumstances. Congress was led to plan the invasion for several reasons. The population of Canada was mostly French, and not ill disposed either to assert their own independence, or to join the move- ments of their southern bretlircn. The Indians of the province were far more numerous than the whites, and would take part with the strongest side ; and in addition to these, the contiguity of Canada to the colonies, aflbrded the British an excellent entrftnce into New York and New England, which it was highly important to close. Had the information of Congress been ample and correct, and their means sufficient to meet their plans, there is little doubt but that the expe- dition would have been crowned witli success. The army was to enter Canada by two routes. Its first division, consisting of three thousand men, was to proceed up the Sorel against Forts St. John and Chamblee, and then crossing the St. Lawrence, to capture Montreal ; while a thousand men, composing the second portion, were to march along the Kennebec to its head, then across the country to Quebec in time to effect a imion with the main army, preparatory to a simultaneous attack upon that city. The whole was commanded by Major General Schuyler. INVASION OF CANADA. 77 JU 'ONijilliiiii^";" General Montgomery commanded the first of these divisions, and repaired to Ticonderoga on the 17th of August. He here learned that Sir Guy Carleton, the military governor of Canada, was preparing a naval force destined to act on Lake Cham- plain, and whose object was, to prevent the crossing of the American troops after they should have arrived at the St. Lawrence. As immediate action was now of vital im- portance, he determined to take posses- sion of the Isle Aux Noix in the lake, and wrote to General Schuyler, signifying his intention to that effect, and entreating his immediate presence. Without awaiting the arrival of this com- mander, he selected about one thousand men, and two pieces of cannon, and embarked on the lake, August 26th. The weather was so boisterous that he was not able to reach the island before the 5th of September, on which day he was joined by Major General Schuyler, who determined upon a nearer approach to the enemy, both with a view of reconnoitering their position, and of enlisting the esteem and confidence of the population. This manosuvre was signally success- ful, the army landing within about a mile and a half of St. Johns without encountering opposition, The troops were soon formed and marched toward the fort. In this movement, while fording a creek, they met with a party of Indians, who fired upon their left, and threw it into disorder. But Montgomery hastened forward with the other troops, and speedily repulsed the assailants with some loss. The same night Schuyler received important information from an individual, to all appearances friendly : — whether he was so or not was never ascertained, but his account was afterwards found to be widely different from the truth. He stated that the British had but one regular corps in Canada, who, with the exception of fifty men at Montreal, were stationed at St. Johns and Chamblee ; that these forts were strongly fortified and abundantly supplied ; that one hundred Indians were at the former, and a large body under Colonel Johnson at some other station ; that the vessel intended for the lake, carrymg sixteen guns, would sail in three or four days ; that the American army need expect nothing from the Canadians, their wish being to remain neutral, provided, their persons and property were respected, and all articles furnished by them or taken from them, paid for in gold or silver ; that an attack upon St. Johns would, under present circumstances, be imprudent, and that it would be proper to return to the Isle Aux Noix, as, from that point, a communication 78 MONTGOMERY. with the inhabiUnils of Liijiraiiio iniglit be usefully opened. Every itoni of this iufoniuition was incorrect. Most of the Canadians were well disposed toward the Americans, and, until some unfortunate conduct of our army, considerable numbers joined it : hoo regiments were in Canacbi instead of one, and no large body of Indians bad any where assemlded. The intelligence was submitted to a council of war, who agreed with the commander in thinking a return to the island expedient. Here General t'.:chuyler's increasing ill health rendered him unfit for service, and he retired to Ticonderoga, leaving the command of the i\-ains CI Fort Ticonderoga, expedition with General Jlontgomcry. In his report to Congress he speaks thus of the latter officer. " I cannot estimate the obliga- tions I lie under to General Montgomery for the many important services he has done and daily does, and in which he has had little assistance from me. as I have not enjoyed a moment's health since I left Fort George, and am now so low as not to be able to hold the pen. Should we not be able to do any thing decisively in Canada, I shall judge it best to move from this place, which is a very wet and unhealthy part of the country ; unless I receive your orders to the contrary." SIDGE OF ST. JOH>"i. . 79 ^^fc- 0!NTGOMERT remained at the island only ■^ ■ "^ loD? eaouai to receive a reinforcement of men and a few pieces of artiUerr. He then re-embarked, zgain landed at St. Johns, asd commenced operations for its inTestare On the 1 6lh of September, he marched -pritli a party of five hundred men to the north of the fort, where he met a conaderahle portion of the garrison retnm- in? from a repulse of an American partr under Major Brown. A skirmish ensued, which in a few minutes terminated in the repulse of the enemr, who fled in disorder. But for a timidity among the Americans, the whole ' ^ -ht hare been captured. In speakir? of his men. General - .: .eiy says, '' As soon as we saw the enemy, the old story of treachery spread among the men ; and the err was, we are trepanned and drawn imder the guns of the fort. The woodsmen were less expert in forming than I had expected, and too many of them hung back. Had we kept more silence we should have taken a field piece or two.^ ^lontffomeiy now determined to push the siege of St. Johns with- aU possible vigor. In order to cut off supphes, he established a camp at the junction of the two roads leading to Chamblee and ^lontreal, and defended it with a ditch, and a garrison of three hundred men. But he was surrounded with di^culties. His artiUerT was so li^ht as to make little impression upon the walls, and the artillerists were raw and unskilfDl. Besides, his ammunition was almost exhausted, and the engineer was as ignorant of duty as were the artilleiists. To all these was added another difficulty far greater than the rest. — his men, through constant exposure to a damp soil and unhealihr climat«, and unused to the rules of war, had become insubordinate, and even mutinous : and the circumstances in which the c- - was placed, effectuallr prevented him from enforcin? This feeling was openly exhibited in an attempt of the general to remove the seat of his active operations to the north side of the town ; and so palpable were its demonstrations that he was forced to com. promise with professional dignity, and submit his own opinion to that of a board of officers. They refused to accede to his plan, and it was for the time abandoned. Subsequently, however, their consent was obtained, and a position taken to the north-west of the fort. Meanwhile an event took place, as fortunate as it was unexpected, and whose success decided the fate of the garrison. A ffentleman fix)m New York, named Jame^ Livingston, had resided for a consider- able time in Canada, and by a proper course of conduct had won the esteem of a laree number of the inhabitants. As he was known to 80 MONTGOMERY. Sir Guy CarletoD. be favorable lo the cause of liberty, Montgomery determined to employ liis jiopularily in servic-e to himself. Accordin Its poeitimi is d^eir. a. i emheitii^ hasSilT, descended tbe rirertl;ilili' to the Amoricans Inaii it liad formorly been, Arnold fstahlisln'il liinisi-H' at. Portsmouth, which ho ]irococ(lcil to forlitv. At tliis j)hu-o :v phin was niatmod brtwooii .li-dfrsoii and Stt-idu'ii, to surprise hiui, and convcv hini to the American lines. A party of vouui;- men was organized for tlial jnirpose ; but the scheme was frustrated bv tlie extraordinary jireeautions used hy CJencral ArnoUr respecting the security of his person. ^[eanwhile Haron Stexiben was involved in difliculties of another kind. His ardor in raisiuif and equipping troops was not seconded by the authorities of ^'irginia ; and when plans wliich had cost him nnuMi lime and trouble to mature were executed tardily, or entirely rejected, his patience was severely tried. On sncli occasions he frequently became involved with public officers in groundless dis- putes and ill feeling. The Baron was soothed, however, by letters from Greene and ^^'ashington, each of whom knew how to appreciate his services. While matters were in tins condition, the appearance of a small French force in the Chesapeake again inspired the hope of Arnold's capture ; but the wily general moved to a shallow place up the river, and Steuben was again disappointed. Soon after, the whole French squadron reached the bay and landed eleven hundred men. The raw militia were incapable of acting with this force ; but aware of the importance of co-operating with it, ^^'ashington detached Lafayette from the main army with twelve hundred continental troops. The JIarquis was appointed commander of all the forces in Virginia, but fearful of wounding the feelings of Steuben, he took command only in the field. Lafayette reached the Elk river on the 3d of March, and wrote to Baron Steuben to confine the British by the militia, until opportunity should he afforded for a decisive blow. About the middle of March, the English fleet under Arbufhnot, met that of Admiral Detouches, and an indecisive engagement took place, which induced the French commander to return to Newport. This gave the British a decided superiority, and obliged Lafavette to return northward. A few days after. General Phillips reached Portsmouth with two thousand British troops, excellently equipped, and in a high state of discipline. As tJiis force placed the state in imminent danger, Lafayette marched back with his troops, and assumed the command. )n the ISth of April, Phillips sailed up the James river, with twentv-five hundred men, to attack Petersburg. Baron Steuben was at this place with but about one thousand militia. Notwithstanding this disparity of numbers, the American general marched against them, and in an enijasrement which ensued, held their whole force at rasks nto ccafcaea, bd at leaetSi I'eSz'esled to GREENE. the Uritish army, who was captured in disguise within the American lilies. Washiiiiiton detailed a court for this trial, composed of four- teen general ofhcers, Lafayette and Steuben being two of the number, and appointed General O'reene to preside. When summoned to this trial, Andri- frankly disclosed without interrogatory, what bore heaviest on his own life, but inviolably con- cealed whatever n.ight endanger the safety of others. His confessions were conclusive, and no witness was examined against him. The court were unanimous, that he had been taken as a spy, and mus-t suffer death. Of this sentence he did not complain, but wished that he might be permitted to close a life of honor by a professional death, and not be compelled, like a common felon, to expire on a gibbet. To effect this, he made, in a letter to General Washington, one of the n;ost powerful and^ pathetic appeals, that ever fell from the pen of a mortal. Staggered in his resolution, the commandor-in-chief referred the subject, accompanied by the letter, to his general officers, who, with one exception, became unanimous in their decision that Andre should be shot. 'fl.'VT exception was found in General Greene, the president of the court. " Andre," said he, " is either a spy or an innocent man. If the latter, to exe- cute him, in any way, will be murder ; if the former, the mode of his death is prescribed by law, and you have no right to alter it. Nor is this all. At the present alarming crisis of our aflfairs, the public safety calls for a solemn and impressive example. Nothing can satisfy it, short of the execution of the prisoner, as a common spy ; a character of which his own confession has clearly convicted him. Beware how you suffer your feelings to triumph over your judgment. Indulgence to one may be death to thousands. Besides, if you shoot the prisoner, instead of hanging him, you will excite suspicion, which you will be unable to allay. Notwithstanding all your efforts to the contrary, you will awaken public compassion, and the belief will become general, that, in the case of Major Andre, there were exculpatory circumstances, ^'.ntitling him to lenity, beyond what he received — perhaps, entitling him to pardon. Hang him, therefore, or set him free." This reasoning being considered conclusive, the prisoner suffered as a common spy. We have now advanced to that period of the revolutionary war, in which the situation of Greene is about to experience an entire change SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN. I 17 INo longer acting in the vicinity, or subject to the immediate orders of a superior, we are to behold him, in future, removed to a distance, and virtually invested with the supreme command of a large section of the United States. Congress, dissatisfied with the loss of the southern army, resolved that the conduct of General Gates should be submitted to the examina- tion of a court of inquiry, and the commander-in-chief directed to appoint an officer to succeed him. In compliance with the latter part of the resolution, General Washington, without hesitation, offered the appointment to General Greene. In a letter to Congress, recom- mending the general to the support of that body, he made the most honorable mention of him as " an officer in whose abilities, fortitude and integrity, from a long and intimate experience of them, he had the most entire confidence." Writing to Mr. Matthews, a member from Charleston, he says, " You have your wish, in the officer appointed to the southern command. I think I am giving you a gen- eral ; but what can a general do without arms, without clothing, without stores, without provisions." General Greene arrived at Charlotte, the head-quarters of General Gates, December 2d, 1780, and in entering on the duties of hiii command, he found himself in a situation that was fearfully embarrass- ing. His army, consisting mostly of militia, amounted to less than two thousand men, and he found on hand but three days' provision, and a very defective supply of ammunition. In front was an enemy, proud in victory, and too strong to be encountered. With such means, and under such circumstances, to recover two states, already conquered, and protect a third, constituted a task that was almost hopeless. It was not merely to meet an enemy in the field, to command skilfully, and fight bravely, either in proffered or accepted battle. These operations depend on mere professional qualifications, that can be readily acquired by moderate capacities. But to raise and provide for an army in a dispirited and devastated country, creating resources where they do not exist, to operate with an incompetent force on an extended and broken line of frontier ; to hold in check, in many points, and to avoid coming into contact in any, with an enemy superior in numbers and discipline ; — to conduct a scheme of warfare like this, and such, precisely, was that which tested the abilities of General (jreene, requires a genius of the highest order, combined with indefatigable industry and skill. Preparatory to the commencement of the campaign, Greene's first care was to prepare for his troops subsistence and ammunition, and in effecting this, he derived great aid from his pers jnal experience in 118 GREENE. the business of the commissary and quartermaster's departments This quahficalioii for such a diversity of duties, presented him to the troops in the two-fold relation of their supporter and commander. Much of the moral strength of an army consists in a confidence in its leader, an attachment to his person, and a spirit of subordination, founded on princi[)lc. To such an extent was this true, that even the common soldiery, sensible of the superintendence of a superior intellect, predicted confidently a change of fortune. Their defeat at Camden was soon forjrotten by them, in their anticipations of future victory. They fancied themselves ready once more to take the field, and felt a solicitude to regain their lost reputation, and signalize their prowess in presence of their new and beloved commander. But, notwithstanding the spirit and confidence of his troops, Greene found himself unable to meet the enemy in the field. With Washington in his eye, and his own genius to devise his measures, he resolved on cautious movements and protracted war. Yet, to sustain the spirit of the country, it was necessary that he should not altogether shun his enemy ; but watching and confronting his scouts and foraging parties, fight, cripple, and beat him in detail ; and in all his movements, it was necessary for him to maintain a communica- tion with Virginia, from which he was to receive supplies of provisions, munitions, and men. General Greene's first movement from the village of Charlotte, was productive of the happiest efl^ect. In the month of December he marched, with his main army, to the Cheraw Hills, about seventy miles to the right of Lord Cornwallis, despatching, at the same time, General Morgan, with four hundred continentals under Colonel Howard, Colonel W^ashington's corps of dragoons, and a few militia, amounting in all to sis hundred, to take a position on the British left, distant from them about fifty miles. This judicious disposition, which formed a rallying point for the friends of independence, both in the east and west, and facilitated the procurement of provisions for the troops, excited his lordship's apprehensions for the safety of Ninety-Six and Augusta, British posts, which he considered as menaced by the movements of Morgan, and gave rise to a train of movements which terminated in the cele- brated battle of the Cowpens. Cornwallis, immediately on learning the movements of Greene, despatched Colonel Tarlton with a strong detachment, amounting, in horse and foot, to near a thousand, for the protection of Ninety- Six, with orders to bring General Morgan, if possible, to battle. Greatly superior in numbers, he advanced on Morgan with a mena- cing aspect, and compelled him, at first, to fall back rapidly. But BATTLE OF THE COW PENS. 119 this was not long continued. Glorying in action, and relying with great confidence in the spirit and firmness of his regular troops, Morgan halted at tlie Cowpens, and prepared to give his adversary battle. The opportunity was eagerly seized by Tarlton. An engage- ment was the immediate consequence, and a complete victory was obtained by the Americans. Upwards of five hundred of the British laid down their arms and were made prisoners, and a very consider able number were killed. Eight hundred stand of arms, two field pieces, and thirty-five baggage wagons fell to the victors, who had only twelve killed and sixty wounded. The victory of the Cowpens, although achieved under the imme diate command of Morgan, was the first stroke of General Greene's policy in the south, and augured favorably of his future career. It led to one of the most arduous, ably conducted, and meinoral)le opera- tions, that occurred in the course of the revolutionary war — the 120 GREENE. ri'treat of Greene, ami tlic ])iirsuit of Cornwallis, during the inclem eiicies of winter, a ilislame of two Iniiulreil and thirty miles. Galh'd ill his jiridc, and irij)]dcd in ius scIumiics, by the overthrow of Tarlton, Lord Cornwalhs resolved, by a series of prompt and vigorous measures, to aveiigi> the iiijurv and retrieve the loss which the royal arms had sustained at the Cowpeiis. His meditated opera- tions fortius purpose, were to advance rapidly on Morgan, retake his I'risoiiers, and destroy his force ; to maintain an intermediate position, and prevent liis union with General (!reene : or, in case of the junc- tion of the two armies, to cut oil" their retreat towards Virginia, and force them to action. But tieneral Greene, no less vigilant and provident than himself, informed, hy express, of the defeat of Tarlton, instantly perceived the object of his lordship, and ordering his troops to proceed under General Huger, to Salisbury, where he meditated a junction with Morgan's detachment, he himself, escorted by a few dragoons, set out for the head-quarters of that officer, and joined him shortly after. Cornwallis having committed to the flames his heavy baggage, and reduced his army to the condition of light troops, dashed towards -Morgan. And here commenced the retreat of General Greene, in the course of which he disjdayed such resources, and gained, in the end, such lasting renown. Sensihle of the immense prize for which he was contending, he tasked his genius to the uttermost. On the issue of the struggle was staked, not merely the lives of a few brave men ; not alone the existence of the vhole army, but the fate of the south and the integrity of the Union. But his genius was equal to the crisis. By the most masterly movements, Greene effected a junction of the two divisions of his little army. To his great mortilication, Lord Cornwallis now perceived that in two of his objects, the destruction of Morgan's detachment, and tlie prevention of its union with the main division, he was completely frustrated bv the aetivit)' of Greene. l?ut to cut off the retreat of the Anierieans into Virginia, after their union, and to compel them to action, was still, perhajis, jiracticable, and to the achievement of this he now directed his undivided energies. The genius of Greene, however, did not desert him on this trying occasion. Self-collected, and adapting his conduct to the nature of tl:e crisis, his firmness grew with the increase of danger; and the measure of his greatness, was the extent of the difficulties he was called to encounter. Notwithstanding the vigilance and activity of his enemy, he brought his men in safety into Virginia, and to crown the whole, no loss was sustained by him, either in men, munitions, ai-tillery, or any thing that enters into the equipment of an army. BATTLE OF GUILFORD. 121 Frustrated thus in all his purposes, Lord Comwallis, although the pursuing party, must be acknowledged to have been fairly vanquished Victory is the successful issue of a struggle for superiority. Military leaders contend for different objects ; to vanquish their enemies, in open conflict ; to attack and overthrow them by stratagem and t,ur- prise ; to exhaust their resources by delay of action ; or to elude them, in retreat, until strengthened by reinforcements, they may be able to turn and meet them in the field. Of this last description, was the victory of Greene, in this memorable retreat. N Virginia, General Greene received some reinforce- ments, and had the promise of more ; on which he : returned again into North Carolina, where, on their arrival, he hoped to be able to act on the offen.sive. He encamped in the vicinity of Lord Comwallis's army. By a variety of the best concerted manoeuvres, he so judiciously supported the arrangement of his troops, by the secrecy and prompti- tude of his motions, that, during three weeks, while the enemy re- mained near him, he prevented them from taking any advantage of their superiority ; and even cut off all opportunity of their receivmg succors from the royalists. About the beginning of March he effected a junction with a conti- nental regiment, and two considerable bodies of Virginia and Carolina militia. He then determined on attacking the British commander, without loss of time, " being persuaded," as he declared on his sub- sequent despatches, " that if he weiS successful, it would prove ruinous to the enemy, and, if otherwise, that it would be but a partial evil to him." On the 14th, he arrived at Guilford Court-house, the British then lying at twelve miles distance. His army consisted of about four thousand five hundred men, of whom near two-thirds were North Carolina and Virginia militia. The British w'ere about two thousand four hundred, all regular troops, and the greater part inured to toil and service in their long expedi- tion under Lord CornwaUis, who, on the morning of the 1.5th, being apprised of General Greene's intentions, marched to meet him. The latter disposed his army in three lines : the militia of North Caro- lina were in front ; the second line was composed of those of Vir- ginia ; and the third, which was the flower of the army, was formed of continental troops, near fifteen hundred in number. They were flanked on both sides by cavalry and riflemen, and posted on a rising ground, a mile and a half from Guilford Court-house. The engagement commenced at half an hour after one o'clock, by a brisk cannonade ; after which the British advanced in three columns and attacked the first line, composed of North Carolina 122 CKEENi;. militia. These, wlio probably had never been in action before, were panic-slniek at the approach of the enemy, and many of them ran away without firing- a gun or being fired upon, and even before the British had come nearer than one hundred and forty yards to them. Part of tiieni, however, fired ; but tliey then followed the example of their comrades. Their oliicers made ever)' possible ellort to rally them ; hut neither the advantages of position, nor any other consi- deration, eould induce them to maintain their ground. This shameful conduct had a great effect n])on liu^ issue of the battle. The ne.\t line, however, behaved much better. They fought with great bravery ; and were thrown into disonler ; rallied, returned to the charge, and kept up a heavy fire for a long time ; but were at length broken and driven on the third line, wlien the engagement became general, very severe, and very bloody. At length, superiority of dis- cipline carried the day from superiority of numbers. The conflict endured an hour and a half, and was terminated by General Greene's ordering a retreat, when he perceived that the enemy were on the point of encircling his trooj)s." This w'as a hard fought action, and the exertions of the two rival generals, both in preparing for this action, and during the course of it, were never surpassed. Forgetful of every thing but the fortune of the day, they, on several occasions, mingled in the danger like common soldiers. The loss sustained by the Americans in this battle, amounted, in killed and wounded, to only about 400 ; while in its effect on the enemy it w'as murderous ; nearly one third of them, including many officers of distinction, were killed and wounded. The result of this conflict, although technically a defeat, was vir- tually a victory on the part of (ieneral Greene. In its relation to his adversary, it placed him on higher ground than he had previously occupied, enabling him, immediately afterward, instead of retreating, to become the pursuing party. This is evidenced by his conduct soon after the action. Not doubting that Lord Cornwallis would follow liim, he retreated slowly, and in good order, from the field of battle, until attaining, at the distance of a few miles, an advantageous position, he again drew up his forces, determined to renew the contest on the arrival of his enemy. But his lordship was in no condition to jnirsue. Having, by past experience, not to be forgotten, learnt that his adversarv was a Ulysses in wisdom, he now perceived that he was an Ajax in strength. Alike expert in every mode of warfare, and not to be van- quished, either by stratagem or force, he found him loo formidable to be again approached. COEXWALLIS'S SETREAT. 123 Influenced bjr these sentiments, Lord Cornwallis, raAeiul of par- sning his foe, or even maintaining hi* gronnd, commenced his retreat, Jearing^ behind him aboat s^rentT of his wocnded, whom he recom- mended, in a letter written br himself, to the homaaitr and attention of the American chiefs Had General Greene been in a sitoation to pnrsxie his lordihip is 80 close to him. His situation did not admit of a moment's ih'lilu'iation. Conciivin!;' the boldest to be tlio safest measure, he imnieduilelv led his small delaehmenl, not exceeding' 800 men, to the ciiarue, and after a short, but very smart and close firing, in wiiieii hi' lost 118 of his men, he succeeded in bringing off the rest under co\er of the wood. Lord Coniwallis, suspecting the attack to be a feint, in order to draw him into an ambuscade, would not ptMiuil his troops to pursue. The enemy having made a considerabh- head in (Georgia, ^^ayne w.is dcsi>atclied by (.Jeni-ral Washington to take command of the forces in that state, and, after some sanguinary engagements, s>ie- ceeded in establisiiing security and order. I'or his services in that state, the legislature presented liim with a valuable farm On the peace, which followed shortly after, he retired to private life : but in 1789, we fmd him a member of the Pennsylvania con- •vention, and one of those in favor of the present federal constitution of the Tnited States. In the year 17i>-, ho was appointed to succeed lieneral St. Clair, who had resigned the command of the army engaged against the Indians on our western frontier, ^^"ayne formed an (-ncampment at Pittsburgh, and such exemplary discipline was introduced among the new troops, that, on their advance into the Indian country, they appearcvl like veterans. 'I'he Indians had collected in great numbers, and it was necessary not only to rout them, but to occupy their country by a chain of ]Hists, that should, for the future, cheek their jiredalory incursions. Pursuing this regular and systematic mode of advance, the autunm o( 1793 found General Wayne with his arm)', at a post in the wilder- ness, called (M-eenville, about six miles in advance of Fort Jefferson, where he determined to encamp for the winter, in order to make the necessary arransyemcnts for opening the campaign with effect early in the followinu' sprinij. After fortifving his camp, he took ])ossession of the griMuul on which the Americans had been defeated in 1791, which he fortified also, and called the work I'orl Recovery. Here lie i)iously collected, and, with the honors of war. interred the bones of the unfortunate ahhough gallant victims of the Ith of Xovember, 1791. The situation of the armv, menacing the Indian villages, effectually prevented any attack on the white settlements. The im- possibility of ]iroeurinL;- the necessarv supplies prevented the march of the troops till the summer. On the 8th of August, the army arrived BATTLE OF THE MIAMI. 14 5 ''i^rc.eial V^ajTi^e i-ji^i*,..'.^ "ie I::.- at the junction of t?ie rivers Au Glaize and Miami of the lakes, wher they erected works for the protection of the stores. Alx)ut thirty miles from this place the British had formed a post, in the vicinity of which the Indians had assembled their whole force. On the 1.5th the arrny again advanced down the Miami, and on the 18th arrived at the rapids. On the following day they erected some works for the protection of the baggage. The situation of the enemy was re- connoitered, and they were found posted in a thick wood, in the rear of the British fort. On the 20th, the army advanced to the attack. The Miami covered the right flank, and on the left were the mounted volunteers, commanded by General Todd. After marching about five miles, Major Price, who led the advance, received so heavy a fire from the Indians, who were stationed behind the trees, that he was compelled to fall back. The enemy had occupied a wood in the front of the British fort, which, from the quantity of fallen timber, could not be entered by the horse. The legion was immediately ordered to advance with trailed arms, and rouse them from their covert ; the cavalry under Captain Campbell, were directed to pass between the Indians and the river, while the volunteers, led by General Scott, made a circuit to turn their flank. So rapid, however, was the charge of the legion, that before the rest of the army could get into action, the enemy were completely routed, and driven through the woods for more than two miles, and the troops halted within gun-shot of the British fort. All the Indians' Viouses and cornfields were destroyed, this decisive action, the whole loss of General Wavne's army, in 10 146 WAYNE. killed and wounded, amounted only to one hundred and seven men. As hostilities continued on the part of the Indians, their whole coun- liy was laid waste, and forts established, which eftectually prevented their return. The success of this engagement destroyed the enemies' power ; and, in the following year, General Wayne concluded a definitive treaty of peace with them. A life of peril and glory was terminated in December, 1796. He had shielded his country from the murderous tomahawk of the savage. He had established her boundaries. He had forced her enemies to sue for her protection. He beheld her triumphant, rich in arts and potent in arms. What more could his patriotic spirit wish to see ! He died in a hut on Presque Isle, aged about fifty -one years, and was buried on the shore of Lake Erie. A few years since his bones were taken up by his son, Isaac Wayne, Esq., and entombed in his native county ; and by direction of the Pennsylvnia State Society of the Cincinnati, an elegant monu- ment was erected. Tt is constructed of white marble, of the most correct symmetry and beauty. Eeeidence of General 'Wayne, Chester County, PennsylTania. BRIGADIER GE>T:RAL OTHO H. WILLIAilS. ' HIS gentleman was formeafor eminence in any station. His talents were of a high order, and his attainments various and extensive. Possessing a person of uncom- mon symmetry, and peculiarly distinguished by the elegance of his manners he would have graced, alike, a coTirt or a camp. Rich in that species of military science which is acquired by experi- ence, and a correct, systematic, and severe disciplinarian. General Greene confided to him the important trust of adjutant-general to the southern army. The services which, in this and other capacities, he rendered to that division of the American forces, in the course of their toilsome and perilous operations, were beyond all praise. He was bom in the county of Prince George, in the year 174S, and receiv^ during his youth, but a slender education. This he so much improved by subsequent study, that few men had a finer taste, or a more cultivated intellect. He commenced his military career, as lieirtenant of a rifle company, in 1775 ; and, in the course of the following year, was promoted to the rank of a major in a rifle resiment. 147 148 OTHO H. WILLIAMS. In this corps he very honorably distinguished himself in the defence of Fort Washington, on York Island, when assaulted by Sir Wilham Howe ; and, on the surrender of that post became a prisoner. Having suffered much by close confinement, during his captivity, he was exchanged for Major Ackland, after the capture of Burgoyne, and immediately rejoined the standard of his country. Being now promoted to the rank of colonel of a regiment of infantry, he was detached, under the Baron de Kalb, to the army of the south. General Gates having been appointed to the command of this division of the American forces, he was present with that officer, at his defeat before Camden ; and during the action manifested great valor and skill, in directing and leading the operations against the enemy, while resistance was practicable : and an equal degree of self-possession and address, in conducting the troops from the field, when compelled to retreat. But as an officer, his valor and skill in battle were among the lowest of his qualifications. His penetration and sagacity, united to a profound judgment, and a capacious mind, rendered him, in the cabinet, particularly valuable. Hence he was one of General Greene's favorite counsellors, durinsr the whole of his southern campaigns. Nor did any thing ever occur, either through neglect or mistake, to impair the confidence thus reposed in him. In no inconsiderable degree, he was to Greene, what that officer had been to General Washington, his strongest hope in all emergencies, where great policy and address were required. This was clearly manifested by the post assigned to him by General Greene, during his celebrated retreat through North Carolina. In that great and memorable movement, on which the fate of the South was staked, to Williams was confided the coijimand of the rear-guard, which was literally the shield and rampart of the army. Had he relaxed, but for a moment, in his vigilance and exertion, or been guilty of a single imprudent act, ruin must have ensued. Nor was his command much less momentous, when, recrossing the Dan, Greene again advanced on the enemy. Still in the post of danger and honor, he now, in the van of the army, commanded the same corps with which he had previously moved iu the rear. A military friend, who knew him well, has given us the following summary of his character : "He po.'isessed that range of mind, although self-educated, which entitled him to the highest military station, and was actuated bv true courage, which can refuse as well as give battle. Soaring far above the reach of vulgar praise, he singly aimed at promoting the common CHARACTER OF GENERAL WILLIAMS. 149 weal, satisfied with the consciousness of doing right, and desiring only that share of applause which was justly his own. " There was a loftiness and liberality in his character which forbade resort to intrigue and hypocrisy in the accomplishment of his views, and rejected the contemptible practice of disparaging others to exalt himself. "In the field of battle he was self-possessed, intelligent, and ardent ; in camp, circumspect, attentive, and systematic ; in council, sincere, deep, and perspicuous. During the campaigns of General Greene, he was uniformly one of his few advisers, and held his unchanged confidence. Nor was he less esteemed by his brother officers, or less respected by his soldiery." Shortly before the close of the war, he was promoted to the rank of briffadier-seneral. He was afterwards collector of customs for Maryland ; and held that post till he died, at the age of forty-six years, July 16th, 1794. Costume of British Infantry oncers, 1780, MAJOR GENERAL BENEDICT ARNOLD. E rejoice, that in giving the live? of the American generals, vv have to record the name of bu' one who was not true to his coun try's cause. Benedict Arnold, a major-gene ral in the American army, during the revolutionary war, and infa- mous for desertmg the cause of his country, born in Norwich, Connecticut, Jan. 3, 1740, was early chosen captain of a volun- teer company in New Haven, Connecticut, where he lived. After hearing of the battle of Lexing- ton, he immediately marched, with his company, for the American head-quarters, and reached Cambridge, April 29, 1775. He im- mediately waited on the Massachusetts committee of safety, and informed them of the defenceless state of Ticonderoga. The com- mittee appointed him a colonel, and commissioned him to raise four hundred men, and to take that fortress. He proceeded directly to Vermont, and when he arrived at Castleton, was attended by one servant only. Here he joined Colonel Allen, and on the 10th of May, the fortress was taken. 150 SIEGE OF QOEBEC. 151 In the fall of 1775, he was sent by the commander-in-chief to penetrate through the wilderness of the district of Maine, i7ito Canada. On the 16th of September, he commenced his march, with about one thousand men, consisting of New England infantry, some volunteers, a company of artillery, and three companies of riflemen. One division was obliged to return, or it would have perished by hunger. After sustaining almost incredible hardships, he in six weeks arrived at Point Levi, opposite to Quebec. The appearance of an army emerging from the wilderness, threw the city into the greatest consternation. In this moment of surprise, Arnold might probably have become master of the place ; but the small craft and boats in the river were removed out of his reach. It seems that his approach was not altogether unexpected. He had imprudently, a number of days before, sent forward a letter to a friend, by an Indian, who betrayed him. A delay of several days, on account of the difficulty of passing the river, was inevitable ; and the critical moment was lost. On the 14th of November, he crossed the St. Lawrence in the night ; and ascending the precipice which Wolfe had climbed before him, formed his small corps on the height, near the memorable Plains of Abraham. With only about seven hundred men, one-third of whose muskets had been rendered useless in their march through the wilderness, success could not be expected. After parading some days on the heights near the town, and sending two flags to summon the inhabitants, he retired to Point aux Trembles, twenty miles above Quebec, and there awaited the arrival of Montgomery, who joined him on the first of December. The city was immediately besieged, but the best measures had been taken for its defence. On the morning of the last day of the year, an assault was made on the one side of the city, by Montgomery, who was killed. At the same time, Colonel Arnold, at the head of about three hundred and fifty men, made a desperate attack on the opposite side. Advancing with the utmost intrepidity along the St. Charles, through a narrow path, exposed to an incessant fire of grape-shot and musketry as he approached the first barrier, he received a musket-ball in the leg, which shattered the bone ; and he was carried off to the camp. Though the attack was unsuccessful, the blockade of Quebec was continued till May, 1776 ; when the army, which was in no condition to risk an assault, was removed to a more defensible position. Arnold was compelled to relincjuish one post after another, till the 1 (• th of June, when he quitted Canada. After this period, he exhibited great bravery in the command of the American fleet on Lake Champlain. In August, 1777, he relieved Fort Schuyler, under the command 152 ARNOLD. Arnold atUemis's Heights. Leger of Colonel Gansevoort, which was invested by Colonel St with an army of from fifteen to eighteen hundred men. In the battle near Stillwater, September the 19th, he conducted himself with his usual intrepidity ; being engaged incessantly, for four hours. In the action of October the 7th, at Bemis's Heights, after the British had been driven into their lines, Arnold pressed forward, and, under a tremendous fire, assaulted their works from right to left. The intrenchments were at length forced, and with a fewjnen he actually entered the works ; but his horse being killed, and he himself being badly wounded in the leg, he found it necessary to withdraw, and as it was now almost dark, to desist from the attack. Being rendered unfit for active service, in consequence of his wound, after the recovery of Philadelphia, he was appointed to the command of the American garrison. When he ente^d the city, he made the house of Governor Penn, the best house in the city, his head-quarters. This he furnished in a very costly manner, and lived far beyond his income. He had wasted the plunder he had seized at Montreal, in his retreat from Canada ; and at Philadelphia, he was determined to make new acquisitions. He laid his hands on every thing in the city, which could be considered as the property of those '^'ho were unfriendly to the cause of his country. He was charged AR^OLD S EXTRAVAGANCE. 153 with oppression, extortion, and enormous charges upon the public, in his accounts ; and with applying the public money and property to his own private use. Such was his conduct, that he drew upon him- self the odium of the inhabitants, not only of the city, but of the province in general. He was engaged in trading speculations, and had shares in several privateers ; but was unsuccessful. From the judgment of the commissioners, who had been appointed to inspect his accounts, and who had rejected above half the amount of his demands, he appealed to Congress ; and they appointed a committee of their own body to examine and settle the business. The committee confirmed the report of the commissioners, and thought they had allowed him more than he had any right to expect or demand. By these disappointments he became irritated, and lie gave full scope to his resentment. His invectives against Congress were not less violent, than those which he had before thrown out against the commissioners. He was, however, soon obliged to abide the judgment of a court-martial, upon the charges exhibited against him by the executive of Pennsylvania ; and he was subjected to the mortification of receiving a reprimand from Washington. His trial commenced in June, 1778, but such were the delays occasioned by the movements of the army, that it was not concluded until the 26th day of January, 1779. — The sentence of a reprimand w^as approved by Congress, and was soon afterwards carried into execution. Such was the humiliation to which General Arnold was reduced in consequence of yielding to the temptations of pride and vanity, and indulging himself in the pleasures of a sumptuous table and expensive equipage. From this time, probably, his proud spirit revolted from the cause of America. He turned his eyes to West Point as an acquisition, which would give value to treason, while its loss would inflict a mor- tal wound on his former friends. He addressed himself to the dele- gation of New York, in which state his reputation was peculiarly high ; and a member of Congress from this state, recommended him to Washington for the service which he desired. But this request could not be immediately complied with. The same application to the comnicftider-in-chief was made not long afterward through General Schuyler. General Washington observed, that, as there was a prospect of an active campaign, he should be gratified with the aid of General Arnold in the field, but intimated at the same time, that he should receive the appointment requested if it should be more pleasing to him. Arnold, without discovering much solicitude, repaired to camp in the beginning of August, and renewed, in person, the solicitations 154 ARNOLD. Major Andre. which had been before indirectly made. He was now offered the command of the left wing of the army, which was advancing against New York, but he declined it under the pretext, that in consequence of his wounds, he was unable to perform the active duties of the field. Without a suspicion of his patriotism, he was invested with the command of West Point. Previously to his soliciting this sta- tion, he had, in a letter to Colonel Robinson, signified his change of principles and his wish to restore himself to the favor of his prince, by some signal proof of his repentance. This letter opened to him a correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton, the object of which was to concert the means of putting the important post, which he com- manded, into the possession of the British general. His plan, it is believed, was to have drawn the greater part of his army without the works, under the pretext of fighting the enemy in the defiles, and to have left unguarded a designated pass, through which the assailants might securely approach and surprise the for- Arnold's tpeason. 155 tress. His troops he intended to place, so that they would be com- pelled to surrender, or be cut in pieces. But just as his scluMne was ripe for execution, the wise Disposer of events, who so often and so remarkably interposed in favor of the American cause, blasted his designs. Major Andre, adjutant-general of the British army, was selected as the person to wliom the maturing of Arnold's treason, and the arrangements for its execution should be committed. A correspon- dence was, for some lime, carried on between them under a mercan- tile disguise, and the feigned names of Gustavus and Anderson ; and at length, to facilitate their communications, the Vulture sloop of war moved up the North River, and took a station convenient for the purpose, but not so near as to excite suspicion. An interview was agreed on, and in the night of September the 21st, 1779, he was taken in a boat, which was despatched for the purpose, and car- ried to the beach without the posts of both armies, under a pass for John Anderson. He met General Arnold at the house of a Mr. Smith. While the conference was yet unfinished, daylight ap- proached ; and to avoid the danger of discovery, it was proposed that he .should remain concealed till the succeeding night. He is understood to have refused to be carried within the American posts, but the promise made him by Arnold, to respect this objection, was not observed. He was carried within them contrary to his wishes and against his knowledge. He continued with Arnold the succeed- ing day, and when, on the following night, he proposed to return to the Vulture, the boatmen refused to carry him, because she had, during the day, shifted her station, in consequence of a gun having been moved to the shore and brought to bear upon her. This em- barrassing circumstance reduced him to the necessity of endeavoring to reach New York by land. Yielding with reluctance to the urgent ' representations of Arnold, he laid aside his regimentals, which he had hitherto worn under a surtout, and put on a plain suit of clothes, and receiving a pass from the American general authorizing him, under the feigned name of John Anderson, to proceed on the public service to the White Plains, or lower if he thought proper, he set out on his return. He had passed all tlie guards and posts on the road without suspicion, and was proceeding to New York, in perfect security, when, on the 23d of September, one of three militia men, who were employed with others in scouting parties between the lines of the two armies, springing suddenly from his covert into the road, seized the reins of his bridle and stopped his horse. Instead of pro- ducing his pass, Andre, with a want of self-possession which can be attributed only to a kind Providence, asked the man hastily where 166 AhNOl D. Capture of Major Andre. he belonged ; and being answered, " to below," replied immediately, " and so do I." He then declared himself to be a British officer, on urgent husincss, and begged that he might not be detained. The other two militia men coming up at this moment, he discovered his mistake, but it was too late to repair it. He offered a purse of gold and a valuable watch, to which he added the most tempting promises of ample reward and permanent provision from the government if th&y would permit him to escape, but his offers were rejected without hesitation. The militia men, whose names were John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wert, proceeded to search him. They found concealed in his boots, exact returns, in Arnold's hand-writing, of the state of forces, ordnance, and defences at West Point, and its dependencies ; critical remarks on the works, and an estimate of the men ordinarily employed in them, with other interesting papers. Andre was carried before Lieutenant Colonel Jameson, the officer commanding the scouting parties on the lines, and, regardless of himself, and only anxious for the safety of Arnold, he still maintained the character which he had assumed, and requested Jameson to inform his com- manding officer that Anderson was taken. An express was accord- ingly despatched, and the traitor, thus becoming acquainted with his danger, escaped. Major Andre, after his detection, was permitted to send a message to Arnold, to give him notice of his danger, and the traitor found opportunity to escape on board the Vulture, on the 25th of Septem- ber, 1780, a few hours before the return of Washington, who had ARNOLD S TREASON. 157 been absent on a journey to Hartford, Connecticut. It is supposed, however, that he would not have escaped, had not an express to the commander-in-chief, with an account of the capture of Andre, missed him by taking a different road from the one which he travelled. Arnold, on the very day of his escape, wrote the following letter to Washington : On" boahd toe Vulture, "> September 25, 1780. 3 " Sir — The heart which is conscious of its own rectitude cannot attempt to paUiate a step which the world may censure as wrong ; I have ever acted from a principle of love to my country, since the commencement of the present unhappy contest between Great Britian and the colonies ; the same principle of love to m.y country actuates my present conduct, however it may appear inconsistent to the world, who very seldom judge right of any man's actions. " I have no favor to ask for myself. I have too often experienced the ingratitude of my country to attempt it ; but from the known humanity of your Excellency, I am induced to ask your protection for Mrs. Arnold, from every insult or injury that the mistaken ven- geance of my country may expose her to. Tt ought to fall only on me ; she is as good and as innocent as an angel, and is incapable of doing wrong. I beg she may be permitted to return to her friends in Philadelphia, or to come to me, as she may choose ; from your Excellency I have no fears on her account, but she may suffer from the mistaken fury of the country. " I have to request that the enclosed letter may be delivered to Mrs. Arnold, and she permitted to write to me. " I have also to ask that my clothes and baggage, which are of little consequence, may be sent to me ; if required, their value shall be paid in money, " I have the honor to be, &c, " B. Arnold " His Excellency, General Washington. " N. B. In justice to the gentlemen of my family. Colonel Varick, and Major Franks, I think myself in honor bound to declare that they, as well as Joshua Smith, Esq., (who I know are suspected,) are totally ignorant of any transactions of mine, which they had reason to believe were injurious to the public." Mrs. Arnold was conveyed to her husband at New York, and his 'clothes and baggage, for which he had written, were transmitted to him 158 ARNOLD. « The following is a concise description of the figures exhibited and paraded through the streets of Philadelphia, tivo or three days after the affair: " A stage raised on the body of a cart, on which was an effigy of General Arnold sitting ; this was dressed in regimentals, had two faces, emblematical of his traitorous conduct, a mask in his left hand, and a letter in his right from Beelzebub, telling him that he had done all the mischief he could do, and now he must hang himself. At the back of the general was a figure of the devil, dressed in black robes, shaking a purse of money at the general's left ear, and in his right hand a pitchfork, ready to drive him into hell, as the reward due for the many crimes which his thirst of gold had made him commit. In the front of the stage, and before General Arnold, was placed a large lantern of transparent paper, with the consequences of his crimes thus delineated, i. c. on one part General Arnold on his knees before the devil, who is pulling him into the flames — a label from the general's mouth with these words. ' My dear sir, I have served you faithfully ;' to which the devil replies, ' And I'll reward you.' On another side, two figures hanging, inscribed, ' The Traitor's Reward,' and written underneath, ' The Adjutant-General of the British Army, and Joe Smith ; the first hanged as a spy, and the other as a traitor to his country.' And on the front of the lantern was written the following : '■i Major General Benedict Arnold, late commander of the fort West Point. The crime of this man is high treason. He has deserted the important post, West Point, on Hudson's river, committed to his charge by his Excellency, the commander-in-chief, and is gone oft' to the enemy at New York. His design to have given up this fortress to our enemies has been discovered by the goodness of the Omniscient Creator, who has not only prevented him from carrying it into execution, but has thrown into our hands Andre^ the adjutant-general of their army, who was detected in the infamous character of a spy. The treachery of the ungrateful general is held up to public view tor the exposition of infamy ; and to proclaim with joyful accla- mation, another instance of the interposition of a bounteous Provi- dence. The effigy of this ingrate is therefore hanged, (for want of his body,) as a traitor to his native country, and a betrayer of the laws of honor." ARNOLD S TREASON. 16' ^^^^^ga^^g^^- Andre's Prison. The procession began about four o'clock, in the following order : Several gentlemen mounted on horseback. A line of continental officers. Sundry gentlemen in a line. A guard of the city infantry. Just before the cart, drums and fifes playing the Rogue s March. Guards on each side. The procession was attended with a n\imerous concourse of people, who, after expressing their abhorrence of the treason and the traitor, committed him to the flames, and left both the effigy and the original to sink into ashes and oblivion." " During the exertions which were made to rescue Andre from the destruction which threatened him, Arnold had the hardihood to interpose. He appealed to the humanity of the commander-in-chief, and then sought to intimidate him, by stating the situation of many of the principal characters of South Carolina, who had forfeited their lives, but had hitherto been spared through the clemency of the British general. This clemency, he said, could no longer, in justice, be extended to them, should Major Andre suffer. Arnold was made a brigadier-general in the British service ; which rank he preserved throughout the war. Yet he must have been held in contempt and detestation by the generous and honorable. It was impossible for men of this description, even when acting v\ith him, to forget that he was a traitor, first the slave of his rage, then pur- chased with gold, and finally secured by the blood of one of the most accomplished officers in the British army. One would suppose that II Ib'^ ARNOLD. his mind could not have been much at ease ; but he had proceeded so far in vice, that perhaps his reflections gave him but little trouble. ' I am mistaken,' says Washington, in a private letter, ' if, at this time, Arnold is undergoing the torments of a mental hell He wants feel- ing. From some traits of his character, which have lately come to my knowledge, he seems to have been so hackneyed in crime, so lost to all sense of honor and shame, that while his faculties still enable him to continue his sordid pursuits, there will be no time for remorse.' Arnold found it necessary 1o make some exertions to secure the attachment of his new friends. With the hope of alluring many of the discontented to his standard, he puldished an address to the inhabitants of America, in which he endeavored to justify his con- duct. He had encountered the dangers of the field, he said, from apprehension that the rights of his country were in danger. He had acquiesced in the declaration of independence, though he thought it precipitate. But the rejection of the overtures, made by Great Britain in 1778, and the French alliance, had opened his eyes to the ambitious views of those, who would sacrifice the happiness of their country to their own aggrandizement, and had made him a confirmed royalist. He artfully mingled assertions, that the principal members of Congress held the people in sovereign contempt. This was followed in about a fortnight by a proclamation, addressed ' to the officers and soldiers of the continental army, who have the real interests of their country at heart, and who are determined to be no longer the tools and dupes of Congress or of France.' To induce the American officers and soldiers to desert the cause which they had embraced, he represented that the corps of cavalry and infantry, which he was authorized to raise, would be upon the same footing with the other troops in the British service ; that he should with pleasure advance those whose valor he had witnessed ; and that the private men who joined him should receive a bounty of three guineas each, besides payment, at the full value, for horses, arms, and accoutrements. His object was the peace, liberty, and safety of America. ' You are promised liberty,' he exclaims, ' but is there an individual in the enjoynicnt of it saving your oppressors ? Who among vou dare to speak or write what bethinks against the tyranny which has robbed you of your property, imprisons your persons, drags you to the field of battle, and is daily deluging your country with blood ?' ' What,' he exclaims again, ' is America now but a land of widows, orphans, and beggars ? As to you, who have been sol- diers in the continental army, can you at this day want evidence, that the funds of your country are exhausted, or that the managers have applied them to their private uses ? In either case you surely ARNOLD S TREASON. 163 can no longer continue in their service with honor or advantage f Yet you have hitherto been their supporters in that cruelty, which, with equal indifference to yours, as well as to the labor and blood of others, in devouring a country, that from the moment you quit their colors, will be redeemed from their tyranny.' These proclamations did not produce the effect designed, and in all the hardships, sufferings, and irritations of the war, Arnold remains the solitary instance of an American officer, who abandoned the side first embraced in the contest, and turned his sword upon his former companions in arms. He was soon despatched by Sir Henry Clinton, to make a diversion in Virginia. With about seventeen hundred men he arrived in the Chesapeake, in January, 1781, and being supported by such a naval force as was suited to the nature of the service, he committed exten- sive ravages on the rivers, and along the unprotected coasts. It is said that, while on this expedition, Arnold inquired of an American captain whom he had taken prisoner, what the Americans would do with him if he should fall into their hands. The captain at first declined giving him an answer, but upon being repeatedly urged to it, he said, ' Why, sir, if I must answer your question, you must excuse my telling you the plain truth : if my countrymen should catch you, I believe they would first cut off that lame leg, which was wounded in the cause of freedom and virtue, and bury it with the honors of war, and afterwards hang the remainder of your body in gibbets.' The reader will recollect that the captain alluded to the wound Arnold received in one of his legs at the attack upon Quebec, in 1776." The return of General Arnold to New York from Virginia, did not fix him in a state of inactivity. He was sent on an enterprise against New London, with a sufficient land and marine force. — The embarka- tion having passed over from Long Island shore in the night, the troops were landed in two detachments on each side of the harbor, at ten o'clock in the morning of the 6th of September ; that on the Groton side being commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Eyre, and that on New London side by the general, who met no great trouble.* Fort Trumbull and the redoubt, which were intended to cover the harbor and town, not being tenable, were evacuated as he approached, and the few men in them crossed the river to Fort Griswold, on Groton Hill. Arnold proceeded to the town without being otherwise opposed than by the scattered fire of small parties that had hastily collected. Orders wore sent by the general to Eyre for attacking Fort Griswold, that so the possession of it might prevent the escape of the American shipping. The militia, to the amount of one hundred and fifty-seven, 164 ARNOLD. collected, for its defence, but so hastily as not to be fully furnished with fire-arms and other weapons. As the assailants approached a firinij commenced, and the flag-staff was soon shot down, from whence the ncighborinir spectators inferred that the place had .sur- rendered, till the continuance of the firing convinced them to the contrary. The garrison defended themselves with the greatest reso- lution and bravery ; Eyre was wounded near the works, and Major Montgomery was killed immediately after, so that the command devolved on Major Broomfield. The British at one time staggered ; but the fort being out of repair could not be maintained by a handful of men against so superior a number as that which assaulted it. After an action of about forty minutes, the resolution of the royal troops carried the place by the point of the bayonet. The Americans had not more than half a dozen killed before the enemy entered the fort, when a severe execution took place, though resistance ceased. The British officer inquired, on his entering the fort, who commanded. Colonel Ledyard answered — " I did, sir, but you do now ;" and pre- sented him his sword. The colonel was immediately run through and killed. The slain were seventy-three, the wounded between thirty and forty, and about forty were carried off prisoners. Soon after reducing the fort, the soldiers loaded a wagon with wounded, as said, by order of their officers, and set the wagon off from the top of the hill, which is long and very steep ; the wagon went a consider- able distance, with great force, till it was suddenly stopped by an apple-tree, which gave the faint and bleeding men so terrible a shock that part of them died instantly. About fifteen vessels, with the effects of the inhabitants, retreated up the river, notwithstanding the reduction of the fort, and four others remained in the harbor unhurt ; a number were burnt by the fire's communicating from the stores when in flames. Sixty dwelling-houses and eighty-four stores were burned, including those on both sides of the harbor and in New Lon- don. The burninij of the town was intentional and not accidental. The loss that the Americans sustained in this destruction was very great, for there were large quantities of naval stores, of European goods, of East and West India commodities, and of provisions, in the several stores. The British had two commissioned officers and forty-six privates killed ; eight officers, (some of whom are since dead,) with one hundred and thirty-five non-commissioned and pri- vates wounded. From the conclusion of the war till his death. General Arnold resided chiefly in England. He died in Gloucester Place, London, June 14, 1801. His character presents little to be commended. His daring courage may excite admiration, but it was a courage without ARNOLD S CHARACTER. 165 reflection and without principle. He fought bravely for his country, and he bled in her cause ; but his country owed him no returns of gratitude, for his subsequent conduct proved that he had no honest regard to her interests, but was governed by selfish considerations. His progress from self-indulgence to treason was easy and rapid. He was vain and luxurious, and to gratify his giddy desires, he must resort to meanness, dishonesty, and extortion. These vices brought with them disgrace : and the contempt into which he fell awakened a spirit of revenge, and left him to the unrestrained influence of his cupidity and passion. Thus, from the high fame to which his bravery had elevated him, he descended into infamy. Thus, too, he furnished new evidence of the infatuation of the human mind, in attaching such value to the reputation of a soldier, which may be obtained while the heart is unsound, and every moral sentiment is entirely depraved. MAJOR GENERAL ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. >->■?!: EN. 8T. CLAIR was a soldier from his youth. At an early age, while the independent states were yet British colo- nies, he entered the royal American iirmy, and was commissioned as an en- .siiijn. lie was actively engaged, during the Frencli war, in tlie army of General S' Wolfe, and was in the battle carrying a pair of colors, in which that cele- sIs^S^ brated commander was slain, on the Plains of Abraham. He was highly esteemed by the distinguished commanders imdcr whom he served, as a young officer of merit, capable of obtaining a high grade of military rejmtation. After the peace of '63, he sold out and entered into trade, for which the generosity of his nature utterly disqualified him ; he, of course, soon became disgusted with a profitless pursuit, and having married, after several vicissitudes of fortune, he located himself in Ligonier valley, west of the Alleghany mountain, and near the ancient route from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. 166 ST. CLAIR AT QUEBEC. 167 John Hancock. In this .situation the American revolution found him, surroundocl by a rising family, in tlie enjoyment of case and independence, with the fairest prospects of afiluent fortune, the foundation of which had been already established by his intelligence, industry and enterjirise. From this peaceful abode, these sweet domestic enjoyments, and the flattering prospects which accompanied them, he was drawn by the claims of a troubled country. A man known to have been a mililary oflicer, and distinguished for knowledge and integrity, could not, in those times be concealed even by his ftivorite mountains, and therefore, without application or expectation on liis part, he received th(! commission of a colonel in the month of December, 177.'), together with a letter from President; Hancock, pressing him to repair immediately to Philadelphia. He obeyed the summons, and took leave not only of his wife and children, but in eiT'ect of his lor- tune, to embark, in the cause of liberty and the united colonies. In six weeks he completed the levy of a regiment of seven hundred and fifty rncn ; six companies of which marched in sciason to join our troops before Quebec ; he followed with the other four in May, and after the unlucky affair at Three Rivers, by his counsel to General Sullivan at Sorel, he saved the army we had in Canada. The active and persevering habits of St. Clair, and the military knowledge, as displayed by him during the Canadian campaign, brought him into high repute, and he was subsequently promott;d to the rank of major-general. On all occasions he supported an honor- 168 ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. able distinction, and shared largely in the confidence and friendship of the commander-in-chief. The misfortunes attending the early military operations of the northern campaign of 1777, did not fail to bring reproach upon the characters of those who conducted it. The loss of Ticonderoga and Fort Independence, and the subsequent retreat of General St. Clair, cast a gloom over the minds of patriotic men, and in their conse- quences gave rise to the malignant passions of the human heart, which were put in motion to depreciate the worth, impair the influ- ence, and destroy the usefulness of Generals Schuyler and St. Clair. It was proclaimed that they were traitors to their country, and acted in concert with the enemy ; and the ignorant and the credulous were led to believe that they had received an immense treasure in silver balls, fired by Burgoyne into St. Clair's camp, and by his order picked up and transmitted to Schuyler, at Fort George ! ! Extrava- gant as was this tale, it was implicitly believed. At the time of the evacuation of Ticonderoga by St. Clair, which so nmch exasperated the people. General Schuyler was absent upon a different duty, and was totally ignorant of the fact, though the commanding officer in that district. General St. Clair, in accordance with the opinion of a council of war, ordered the movement on his own responsibility, and thereby saved the state of New York from British domination, and his gallant army from capture. Stung with the injustice of a charge against General Schuyler, for an act for which he alone was responsible, he magnanimously wrote the follow- ing letter to the Hon. John Jay, on the subject : — "Moses' Creek, 7 July 25, 1775. 3 " Sir — General Schuyler was good enough to read to me a part of a letter he received last night from you. I cannot recollect that any of my officers ever asked my reasons for leaving Ticonderoga : but as I have found the measure much decried, I have often expressed myself in this manner : — ' That as to myself I was perfectly easy ; I was conscious of the uprightness and propriety of my conduct, and despised the vague censure of an uninformed populace ;' but had no allusion to an order from General Schuyler for my justification, because no such order existed. " The calumny thrown on General Schuyler, on account of that matter, has given me great uneasiness. I assure you, sir, there never was any thing more cruel and unjust ; for he knew nothing of the matter until it was over, more than you did at Kingston. It was done in consequence of a consultation with the other general officers, without the possibility of General Schuyler's concurrence ; and had ST. CLAIRS LETTER TO JAY. 16'J the opinion of that council been contrary to what it was, it would nevertheless have taken place, because I knew it to be impossible to defend the post with our numbers. " In my letter to Congress from Fort Edward, in which I gave them an account of the retreat, is this paragraph : — ' It was my origi- nal design to retreat to this place, that I might be betwixt General Burgoyne and the inhabitants, and that the militia might have some- thing in this quarter to collect to. It is now effected, and the militia are coming in, so that I have the most sanguine hopes that the pro- gress of the enemy will be checked, and I may have the satisfaction to experience, that although I have lost a post, I have eventually saved a state.' " WTiether my conjecture is right, or net, is uncertain ; but had our army been made prisoners, which it certainly would have been, the state of Xew York would have been much more exposed at present. " I proposed to General Schuyler, on my arrival at Fort Edward, to have sent a note to the printer, to assure the people he had no part in abandoning what they considered their strong-holds ; he thought it was not so proper at that time, but it is no more than what I owe to truth and to him, to declare, that he was totally unacquainted with the matter ; and I should be very glad that this letter, or any part of it you may think proper to communicate, may convince the unbelieving. Simple unbelief is easily and soon convinced, but when malice or envy occasions it, it is needless to attempt conviction. " I am, sir, your very humble and ob't. serv't. "Arthur St. Clair. " Hon. John Jay." Congress, yielding to personal prejudices and the popular outcry, produced by the evacuation of that post, they passed the followino' resolutions : — " Resolved, That an inquiry^ be made into the reasons of the evacua- tion of Ticonderoga and Blount Independence, and into the conduct of the general officers who were in the northern department at the time of the evacuation. " Resolced, That Major General St Clair, who commanded at Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, forthwith repair to head- quarters." The conduct of Congress towards this respectable, able, and faith ful servant of the republic, was considered altogether unwarrantable, and, in the result, drew great and deserved odium on its authors. After holding St. Clair in cruel suspense for more than a year, ht 17') ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. was permitted to appear before a general court martial, which passed the following sentence of acquittal : — '■QcAKSR Hill, "^ Sept. 29, 1778. 3 " The court having duly considered the charges against Major- General St. Clair, and the evidence, are unanimously of opinion, that he is NOT GUILTY of either of the charges preferred against him, and do unanimously acquit him of all and every of them, with the highest honour. B. Lincoln, Maj. Gen. and Pres't.' From this time. General St. Clair continued in the service of his countrv until the close of the war. Soon after the establishment of the national government. General St. Clair was appointed Governor of the North West Territory. But he did not long enjoy the calm and quiet of civil life. The repeated successes of the Indians, on the western frontier, had emboldened them to repeat and extend their incursions to an alarming degree. The frontiers were in a most deplorable situation. For their relief. Congress sanctioned the raising of an additional regiment ; and the President was authorized to cause a body of two thousand men, under the denomination of levies, to be raised for six months, and to appoint a major-general, and a brigadier-general, to continue in command as long as he should think their services necessary. St. Clair, who was then governor of the territory north-west of the Ohio, and, as such, otScially the negotiator with the adjacent Indians, was appointed commander-in-chief of this new military- establishment. Though every exertion was made to recruit and forward the troops, they were not assembled in the neighborhood of Fort Washington, until the month of September ; nor was the establishment then completed. The object of the eicpedition was to destroy the Indian villages on the Miami ; to expel the savages from that country, and to connect it with the Ohio by a chain of posts. The regulars, proceeding northwardly from the Ohio, established, at proper intervals, two forts, one named Hamilton, and the other Jefferson, as places of deposit and security. These were garrisoned with a small force ; and the main body of the army, about two thousand men, advanced towards the Indian settlements. As they approached the enemy, about sixty mil tia men deserted in a body. To prevent the mischiefs likely to result from so bad an example. Major Hamtrack was detached, with the first regiment, to pursue the deserters. The army was reduced ^by this detachment, to about fourteen hundred effective men ; but, nevertheless, proceeded on their march, and encamped on elevated BATTLE WITH LITTLE TURTLE. 171 little Toitle. ground, about fifteen miles sooth of the Miami. The Indians, led by their chief, Little Turtle, commenced an attack oa the militia in front. These instantly fled in disorder, and rushin? into the camp, occasioned confusion among the regulars. The officers of the latter exerted themselves to restore order, but with very inconsiderable success. The Indians improved the advantage ther had gained. They were seldom seen, but in the act of springing from one cover to another ; for they fired from the ground, or under shelter of the woods. Advancing in this manner, close to the lines of their adver- saries, and almost to the mouth of their field-pieces, ther continued the contest with great firmness and intrepiditv. General St. Clair, though sufTering under a painful disease, and unable to mount or dismount a horse without assistance, delivered bis orders with judgment and perfect self-possession. The troops had not been in service long enough to acquire discipline, and the want of it increased the difficulty of reducing them to order after they had been broken. The officers, in their zeal to change the face of affairs, exposed themselves to imminent danger, and fell in great numbers. Attempts were made to retrieve the fortune of the day br the use of the bayonet. Colonel Darke made a successful charge on a part of the enemy, and drove them four hundred yards ; but they soon rallied. In the mean time, General Butler was mortally wounded. Almost all the artillerists were killed, and their guns seized by the enemy. Colonel Darke again charged with the bayonet, and the artiUery was 172 ART II nil XT. CLAIR. recovered. While the Indiiins were driven back in one point, Ihey kept, up their fire from every other, with fatal effect. Several corps charged the Indians with partial success ; but no general impressions were made upon tiiem. save the remnant of liis army, was all that could be done by St. Clair. After some hours of s'larp fightin^, a rttreat took place. The Indians pursued, for aljout four miles, w'nf n their avidity for plunder called them back to tlia camp to share the spoil. The vanquished troops flfd about thirty miles, to Fort Jefferson. There they met Major Hamtrack, with the first regiment ; but this additional force would not warrant an attempt to turn about and face the victors. The wounded were left there, and the army retreated to Fort Washington. The loss in this defeat was great ; and particularly so among the officers. Thirty-eight of these were killed on the field ; and five hundred and ninety-three non-commissioned officers and privates were slain or missing. Twenty-one commissioned officers and upwards of one hundred privates were wounded. Among the dead was the gallant General Butler, who had repeatedly distinguished himself in the war of the revolution. Several other brave officers, who had successfully fought for the independence of their country, fell on this fatal day. Among the wounded, were Lieutenant-Colonels Gibson and Darke, Major Butler, and Adjutant Sargent, officers of distin- guished merit. Neither the number of Indians engaged, nor their loss could be exactly ascertained. The former was supposed to be from one thousand to fifteen hundred, and the latter far short of what was sustained by St. Clair's army. Shortly after this unfortunate expedition. General St. Clair resigned his commission in the army, and retired into private life, and thus remained until the close of his life, August 3 1st, 1818. MAJOR GENERAL JOHN SULLFVAN. ; ENERAL SULLIVAN was a native of New Hamp- shire, whore lie resided before the revolution, and attained to a high degree of eminence in the profes- |;^ sion of law. He was a member of the first Congress in 1774, but on the commencement of hostilities, ', preferring a military commission, he relinquished the fairest I prospect of fortune and fame, and appeared among the most ardent patriots, and intrepid warriors. Li 1775, he was appointed a brigadier-general, and imme- diately joined the army at Cambridge, and soon after obtained the command on Winter Hill. The next year he was ordered to Canada, and on the death of Gen. Thomas the command of the army devolved on him. The situation of the army in that quarter was inex- pressibly distressing ; destitute of clothing, dispirited by defeat and constant fatigue, and a large proportion of the troops sick with the small-pox. By his great exertions and judicious management he meliorated the condition of the army, and obtained general applause. On his retiring from that command, July 12th, 177G, the field officers thus addressed him : — " It is to you, sir, the public are indebted for the preservation of their property in Canada. It is to vou we owe our safety thus far. Your humanity will call forth the silent tear, 173 174 JOHN SULLIVAN. and the grateful ejaculation of the sick. Your universal impartiality- will force the applause of the ■wearied soldier." In August, 1776, he was promoted to the rank of major-general, and soon after was, with Major-General Lord Stirling, captured by the British in the battle on Long Island. General Sullivan being paroled, was sent by General Howe with a message to Congress, after which he returned to New York. In September he was exchanged for Major-General Prescott. We next find him in com- mand of the right division of our troops, in the famous battle at Trenton, and he acquitted himself honorably on that ever memorable day. In August, 1777, without the autliority of Congress or the com- mander-in-chief, he planned and executed an expedition against the enemy on Staten Island. Though the enterprise was conducted with prudence and success in part, it was said by some to have been less brilliant than might have been expected under his favorable circum- stances ; and as that act was deemed a bold assumption of responsi- bility, and reports to his prejudice being in circulation, a court of inquiry was ordered to investigate his conduct. The result was an honorable acquittal, and Congress resolved that the result so honor- able to General Sullivan is highly pleasing to Congress, and that the opinion of the court be published, in justification of that injured officer. In the battles of Brandy wine and Germantown, in the autumn of 1777, General Sullivan commanded a division, and in the latter con- flict his two aids were killed, and his ovin conduct was so conspicu- ously brave, that General Washington, in his letter to Congress concludes with encomiums on the gallantry of General Sullivan, and the whole right wing of the army, who acted immediately under the eye of his Excellency. In August, 1778, General Sullivan was sole commander of an expedition to the island of Newport, in co-operation with the French fleet under the Count D'Estaing. The Marquis de Lafayette and General Greene volunteered their services on the occasion. The object of the expedition was defeated, in consequence of the French fleet being driven off" by a violent storm. By this unfortunate event the enemy were encouraged to engage our army in battle, in which they suffered a repulse, and General Sullivan finally effected a safe retreat to the main. This retreat, so ably executed, without confusion, or the loss of baggage, or stores, increased the military reputation of General Sullivan, and redounds to his honor as a skilful commander. The bloody tragedy acted at Wyoming in 1778, had determined the commander-in-chief, in 1779, to employ a large detachment EXPEDITION TO WYOMING. 175 Massacre at Wyoming. from the continental army to penetrate into the neart of the Indian country, to chastise the hostile tribes and their white associates and adherents, for their cruel aggressions on the defenceless inhabitants. The command of this expedition was committed to Maior-General Sullivan, with express orders to destroy their settlements, to ruin their crops, and make such thorough devastations, as to render the country entirely uninhabitable for the prasent, and thus to compel the savages to remove to a greater distance from our frontiers. General Sullivan had under his command several brigadiers, and a well chosen army, to which were attached a number of friendly Indian warriors. With this force he penetrated about ninety miles through a horrid swampy wilderness and barren mountainous deserts, to Wyoming, on the Susquehanna river, thence by water to Tioga, and possessed himself of numerous towns and villages of the savages. During this hazardous expedition, General Sullivan and his army encountered the most complicated obstacles, requiring the greatest fortitude and perseverance to surmount. He explored an extensive tract of country, and strictly executed the severe, but necessary orders he had received. A considerable number of Indians were slain, some were captured, their habitations were burnt and their plantations of corn and vegetables laid waste in the most eft'ectua] manner. Eighteen villages, a number of detached buildings, one hundred and sixty thousand bushels of corn, and those fruits and vegetables which conduce to the comfort and subsistence of man, 176 JOHN SULLIVAN. were utterly destroyed. Five w^eeks were unremittingly employed in this work of devastation. On his return irom the expedition, he and his army received the approbation of Congress. It is remarked on this expedition, by the translator of M. Chastelleux's Travels, an Englishman, then resident in the United States, that the instructions given by General Sullivan to his officers, the order of march he prescribed to his troops, and the discipline he had the ability to maintain, would have done honor to the most experienced ancient or modern generals. At the close of the campaign of 1779, General Sullivan, in con- sequence of impaired health, resigned his commission in the army. Congress, in accepting his resignation, passed a resolve, thanking him for his past services. His military talents and bold spirit of enterprise were universally acknowledged. He was fond of display, and his personal appearance and dignified deportment commanded respect. After his resignation he resumed his professional pursuits at the bar, and was much distinguished as a statesman, politician, and patriot. He acquired very considerable proficiency in general literature, and an extensive knowledge of men and the world. He received from Harvard university a degree of Master of Arts, and from the university of Dartmouth a degree of Doctor of Laws. He was one of the convention who formed the state constitution for New Hampshire, was chosen into the first council, and was afterward elected chief magistrate in that state, and held the office for three years. In September, 1769, he was appointed judge of the district court for the district of New Hampshire, and continued in the office till his death, in 1795. MAJOR GENERAL THOMAS SUMPTER. "ISTORY records the name of no triiei patriot than Major General Thomas Sumpter. He was a native of Vir- ginia. Early in life he came to South Carolina, and settled in the upper coun- try, which • at that time was much harassed by the hostility of the Indians. It would seem that he then commenced his career of valor and usefulness ; for we find that at the close of tlie Cherokee war, he accompanied Oconostotah, or ' the Emperor,' to England ; it being common at that time to induce the Indian Chiefs to visit the mother country, for the purpose of confirming their friendship to the colonists. On returning with Oconostotah to his home, in 1763, General, then Mr. Sumpter, found, among the Indians, one Baron des Johnes, a French Canadian, who spoke »even of the Indian lan- guages, and whom he suspected of being an incendiary, sent to ex- cite the tribes to hostility against their white neighbors. Sumpter, with his characteristic resolution, arrested this individual, taking him single-handed, in spite of the opposition of the Indians, and, at much 12 177 178 THOMAS SUMPTER. personal risk, carrying him prisoner to Fort Prince George, on the Kehowee. Des Johnes was afterwards sent to Charleston, where he was examined, and though his guilt was not positively proved, it was deemed expedient to send him to England. From Gen. Sumpter's letter to the State Rights Association, in February last, we learn that he was in Charleston during the high excitement preceding the war of the Revolution, probably in 1774 and 1775, a time to which the letter reverts with great satisfaction, as the period when he enjoyed, with the old whig party of Carolina, an interchange of the same sentiments which animate the nullifiers of the present day. We next meet with the name of Sumptcr in 1780. He had been previously a colonel of one of the continental regiments, and when in that year the British had overrun the state, he would not remain to submit, but retired with other determined patriots into North Carolina. During his absence his house was burned, and his family turned out of doors by the British. The little band of exiles in North Carolina chose him their leader, and at their head he returned to face the victorious enemy. When this gallant incursion was made, the people of the state had for the most part abandoned the idea of resistance, and military operations had been suspended for nearly two months. His followers were in a great measure unfurnished with food, clothing and ammimition. Farming utensils were worked up by common blacksmiths to supply them with arms. Household pewter was melted into bullets ; and they sometimes engaged with HIS SUCCESS IN THE SOUTH. 179 not three rounds to a man. With a volunteer force thus equipped, he commenced hostilities, and broke the quiet of subjection into which Carolina seemed to be sinking. On the 12th July, 1780, he attacked a British detachment on the Catawba, supported by a considerable force of tories — and totally routed and dispersed the whole force, killing Captain Hack, who commanded the British, and Colonel Ferguson, who commanded the tories. Animated by this success, the inhabitants flocked to his standard; and being reinforced to the number of six hundred men, he made a spirited attack on the British post at Rocky Mount, but was repulsed. Marching immediately in quest of other detachments of the enemy, in eight days after, he attacked the post of the Hang- ing Rock, where he annihilated the Prince of Wales's regiment, and put to flight a large body of tories from North Carolina. When Sumpter's men went into this battle, not one of them had more than ten bullets, and towards the close of the fight, the arms and ammuni- tion of the fallen British and tories were used by the Americans. HILE the American army, under the unfortunate Gates, were approaching Camden, Colonel Sumpter was on the west bank of the Wateree, augmenting his forces, and indulging the hope of in- tercepting the British on their way to Charleston, as their retreat or defeat was confidently expected. He here formed a plan for reducing a British redoubt at Wateree Ferry, and intercepting a convoy on the road from Charles- ton to Camden, in both of which objects he fully succeeded — and the news of his success reached Gates, while that officer was retreat- ing after his defeat. Hearing of the disaster at Camden, Sumpter retreated with his prisoners and spoils up the Wateree, to Fishing Creek, where he was overtaken by Tarleton on the 18th. The Americans had been four days without provision or sleep, and their videttes being exhausted, suffered them to be surprised ; the consequence was their total rout and dispersion. The loss which Sumpter sustained was, 'however, soon repaired, for in tJirec days he rallied his troops, and was again at the head of a respectable force. At the head of his little band, augmented from time to time by reinforcements of volunteers, he kept the field unsupported ; while, for three months, there was no regular or continental army in the state. He shifted his position frequently in the vicinity of Broad, Enoree and Tiger rivers, maintaining a continual skirmishing with N»ljtj ) f»0 T It M A S S U M P T E 11. the enemy, beating up their quarters, cuttnig olY tlieir supplies, and harassing them by incessant incursions and alarms. N the 12th of IVovember he was attacked at Broad River by a corps of British infantry and dragoons, mider Major Wemys. He utterly defeated them and took their commander prisoner. On tlie 20th of November, lie was attacked at Black Stocks, on Tiger river, by Tarleton, wliom he repulsed after a .severe and obstinate action. The loss of tlie Ameri- cans was trilling compared to tliat of tlie Britisli ; but General Sump- ter received a wound m the shoulder, that for several months interrujited his gallant career. He was placed, we arc told, in a raw bvdlock's liide, suspended between two horses, and thus carried by a guard of his men to the mountains. On the 13th of .January, 17S1, tlie old Congress adopted a reso- lution of thanks to General Sumpter for his eminent services. After the battles fought by Gen. Greene, and the departure ot Cornwallis for Virginia, General Sumpter, who had just recovered from his wound, collected another force, and early in February, 1781, crossed the Congaree and destroyed the magazines of Fort Granby. On the advance of Lord Rawdon from Camd.cn, Sumpter retreated — and immediately menaced another British post. Two days after, he defeated an escort of the enemy, and captured the wagons and stores which they were conveying from Charleston to Camden. He next, with two hundred and fifty horsemen, swam across the Santee, and advanced on Fort Watson, but retreated on the approach of Lord Rawdon to its relief. On his return to Black river he was attacked by Major Fraser with a very large force. Fraser lost twenty men and retreated. Having thus cheered the spirits of the people of the centre of the state, he retired to the bor- ders of North Carolina. In March, 1781, he raised three regiments of regulars. His previous enterprises had all been executed by mditia. He subsequently took part in the military movements in the lower country, until the close of the war, and co-operating with I^Iarion, struck many successful blows at the British, and was dis- tinguished in the several actions which were fought between Orange- burgh and Charleston. After the peace. General Sumpter was a distinguished member of the State Convention, in wliich he voted with tliose who opposed the adoption of the Federal Constitution, on the ground that the states were not sufficicntlv shielded bv it against federal usurpation. He was afterwards selected one of the five members from that state in the House of Representatives of the first Congress under the Constitu- L GENERAL 8UMPTERS DEATH. 181 tion, and continued to represent South Carolina in the national coun- cils until 1808. He took an active part with the other members from this slate, in denouncmg a petition for the abolition of slavery, which was presented from the Quakers of Pennsylvania. For many years the veteran patriot lived in retirement amid the respect and afTection of his neighbors. He retained his fine spirit unbroken to the end, and at the age of nearly a hundred years exhi- bited the cheerfulness and fire of youth. But a few weeks before his death, he vaulted into the saddle with the activity of a young man, and the faculties of the mind retained their vigor as well as those of the body. He died at his residence, South Mount, South Carolina, on the 1st of June, 1832, at the advanced age of ninety- seven. BRIGADIER GENERAL JOSEPH REED. 'OSEPH REED was born at Tren ton, in New Jersey, in August, 1741; but while yet an infant, was removed with his father's family to Philadelphia ; at the " Academy" in which city he received his boyish education. He was subsequently graduated at Princeton College ; read law under Richard Stockton, and after his ad- mission to the bar, in 1763, passed two years m London, m the completion of his professional studies. The rela- tions between the mother country and her offspring were already becoming involved ; the West India Bill and the Stamp Act had been added to the series of oppressions which gradually undermined the loyalty of America ; and the discontent was steadily growing up, which ten years later became rebellion. Reed's residence in England was eventful to him in more ways than one. He there formed an attachment to the lady whom he afterwards married, the daughter of Dennis de Berdt, at a later period agent of Massachu- setts ; and he there also made, in the person of her brother, an 182 CORRESPONDENCE WITH LORD DARTMOUTH. 183 acquaintance whose agency led to some of the most important trans- actions of his life. In 1770 he revisited England to bring home his bride, and then settled and resumed the practice of the law in Phila- delphia. In 1772, upon the resignation of Lord Hillsborough, the Earl of Dartmouth succeeded to the Colonial Office. Between him and the elder De Berdt, there had existed a friendship which, after his death, was continued to his son ; and, at the instance of the latter, an inti- mation was conveyed to Reed that a correspondence upon the con- dition and wants of the colonies, with one free from interested views, would be agreeable to the minister. Entertaining the good opinion, at that time prevalent, with regard to Lord Dartmouth, Reed under- took the delicate and responsible task, with a full sense of its diffi- culties, but with the conviction that an opportunity of conveying correct information to such a quarter was not to be lost. The cur.se of the country had been the falsehoods of its governors ; it remained to be seen if truth could yet be made to penetrate the ears of their masters. Of the correspondence which followed, we hazard nothing in saying that it is among the most valuable contributions to American history yet presented. Reed's position in life, and his intimacy with the leading characters, not only of Pennsylvania, but of other states, rave him access to sound intelligence. He belonged to the class ifho, resolutely determined to resist even unto rebellion every inva- on of the constitutional rights of the provinces, entertained, as yet, > disposition to loosen their connection with Great Britain ; and id endeavored rather to procure retraction from the latter than to fnulate excitement in the former. ''rom such a man Lord Dartmouth might expect to hear the truth. IVas not Reed's fault if it was disregarded. The letters commence Withe 22d December, 1773, and close with the 10th February, I'o. Their tone, from the relations of the WTiter to the person adessed, as may be supposed, is guarded, yet it is impossible not to struck with their force as well as their elegance. They paint, in nguage which should have been convincing, the spirit of the pec^, and the dangers of the course so blindly entered upon and so ctinately followed by the ministry. The last letter narrated the protdings of the Provincial Convention of January, 1775. It clos with the ominous declaration that "this country will be de- lugen blood before it will submit to any other taxation than by theiivn legislature." A few weeks after and Lexington and Con- cordd sealed that assertion. From Lord Dartmouth himself there is bune letter. It is dated July 1 1th, 1774. Of the justice of the t' causes, we can point to no better illustrations than that and 184 JOSEPH REED. Reed's of September 25th, in reply. This correspondence, added to Reed's connection with an English family, were the cause of many suspicions on the part of those who could not know its character. Its publication must dissipate all such ideas of the views he enter- tained at this time, and upon his sincerity of patriotism subsequently, we apprehend there can be no shadow of doubt. The insight of the politics of Pennsylvania during this period, furnished by the connecting narrative of the author, is particularly valuable. The causes which prevented her, at the outset of the con- test with Great Britain, from taking the bold and decided stand in vindication of colonial rights, and from putting forth those strong assertions of the doctrines of liberty, upon which some of her sisters ventured, and the laborious efforts by which those influences were counteracted and destroyed, are pointed out with clearness and vigor. Towards the result, as it seems to us, no man contributed more than Reed. We pass to the commencement of his military life. On Washington's departure in June, 1775, to take charge of the army. Reed accompanied him to Boston, and while there was offered and accepted the post of aid to the commander-in-chief. To one of his friends, who remonstrated with him on the danger of the step, he made the characteristic reply, " I have no inclination to be hanged for half treason. When a subject draws his sword against his prince, he must cut his way through if he means afterwards to sit down ir safety. I have taken too active a part in what may be called thi civil part of opposition, to renounce without disgrace the public causf when it seems to lead to danger, and have a most sovereign contemj for the man who can plan measures he has not spirit to execute It was upon the urgent solicitation of Washington himself that he w induced to remain. The sacrifice, it may be imagined, was a grt one to a young man with narrow means, just entering upon a lucrate practice, and leaving behind him a wife and two infant children, t it was made without a murmur, and the author proudly adds, as e due of a woman of the revolution, that " the young mother didJr absent patriot full justice, by her fortitude and cheerful acquiescce in his thus following the path of honor and public duty." The a- tions between the commander-in-chief and Reed, were henceforof the most intimate nature. The expressions of Washington's e^m for his merits, and dependence on his assistance, are constantnd warm. Reed was in fact the confidential secretary as well ^he aid, and his pen was employed in the preparation of many of theost important despatches of this campaign. The siege of Boston is truly characterized by the author, one of the most remarkable incidents of the war. Between the r>wn ELECTED TO THE ASSEMBLY. 185 John Adams. of Bunker Hill, and the disasters of Long Island, few persons sufE ciently consider the generalship which there, in the face of a powerful and disciplined foe, organized, disciplined and disbanded one army, and raised and equipped another ; few know the difficulties under- gone from want of arms and necessaries, and the fatal systems of short terms, or appreciate how entirely it was by compulsion that Washington deserved the attributes of Fabius. In October, Reed was forced to return to Philadelphia, where he remained during the ensuing winter, actively engaged, however, in political affairs. Reed, who was chairman of the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, in January, 1776, was elected to the assembly, where he took a conspicuous part in the debates, and was especially instru- mental in procuring one great step tov^'ards the redress of grievances complained of by the people in enlarging the number of representa- tives. The winter, however, had passed over without, any definite result, and Reed was contemplating a return to the army, when the news of the evacuation of Boston reached Philadelphia. The event gave a new impulse to the revolutionary party in Penn- sylvania, as elsewhere. On the first of May, the election for the additional members of assembly took place, which, except in the 186 JOSEPH REED. Independence Hall, Philadelphia. city, resulted in the triumph of the vvhigs. The fate of the old charter was sealed. On the 10th, John Adams brought forward in Congress his resolu- tion recommending the remodelling by the states of their govern- ments, and speedily followed it up by the report of the committee to whom the subject was referred. A meetuig of the citizens of Phila- delphia immediately decided upon calling a convention, to take the sense of the people upon the continuance of the charter. The friends of the existing order of things struggled against the movement in vain. The assembly, which met again on the 20th, was left con- stantly without a quorum, until the 5th of June, when the Virginia resolutions instructinsf their delegates in Congress to vote for inde- pendence, were presented to it. On the 8th, a comj^romise committee, to whom they were referred, of which Reed was a member, reported, the result being, as was expected, only to recommend the rescinding the instructions to the Pennsylvania delegates of the year before. The effect was, however, produced. " Of the seven Pennsylvania delegates in Congress, on the vote of the 1st of July, in committee of the whole, three voted for independence and four against it ; and on the 4th, two of those who voted adversely to independence being JOINS THE ARMY. 187 absent, the vote of Pennsylvania was accidentally, and by a majority of one, given in its favor." Thus hardly was that declaration secured, which she afterwards so nobly sustained. The assembly was now a nullity. On the 23d September it met again ; on the 26th, twenty-three members only being present, it passed its last vote, denouncing the convention, and adjourned for- ever. Thus ended the charter government of Pennsylvania. The new constitution was proclaimed on the 28th of September, and on the 28th November, the government was organized by the meeting of the assembly. In June, Reed joined the army, then at New York. Early in that month Congress, at the instance of the commander-in-chief, had appointed him to the post of adjutant-general, vacant by the promo- tion of General Gates, and from thenceforward he was constantly in active service. On the 10th July, independence was proclaimed at camp, and a few da3's afterwards Lord Howe arrived, bringing his plan of recon- ciliation. Like every other retraction or overture of Great Britain, it came too late. The declaration had thrown an insurmountable obstacle in its way. That the terms themselves would have been declined, even if the point of form had not been raised, is certain enough — but that it would have led to results important to the rela- tions of the colonies, is not less so. Many of the most distinguished patriots had, up to the time of the declaration, considered the step premature ; many even preferred a continuance of the connection, could it be maintained with honor. New England was, in fact, the only section originally bent upon independence, and it had been her pertinacity, aided by that of a few southern spirits, who went before their constituents, which forced it on. Lord Howe, who had neglected no means of securing success to his mission, had furnished himself with an urgent recommendation from Mr. de Berdt, Reed's brother-in-law, which he transmitted to camp, and which Reed fortliwith sent to Robert Morris, in Congress. Between him and Morris there seems to have been, as regarded national affairs, not ordy an entire harmony of friendship, but a per- fect unanimity of opinion. His letter to that statesman, and the answer, now for the first time published, strikingly illustrate the characters of the two, and the opinions of a great and influential division of the patriots. Our space will ill allow us to make extracts, but this one sentiment in Morris' letter, in unison as it was with his friend's views, cannot be too often repeated or imitated. " I cannot," he says, " depart from one point which first induced me to enter the public line. I mean an opinion that it is the duty of every individual 188 JOSEPH REBD, Robert Morris to act his part in whatever station his country may call him to, in times of ^difficulty, danger, and distress. Whilst I think this a duty, I must submit, although the councils of America have taken a differ- ent course from my judgment and wishes. I think that the individual who declines the service of his country because its councils are not conformable to his ideas, makes but a bad subject ; a good one will follow, if he cannot lead." The letter from Mr. de Berdt of course led to nothing ; but Reed was present at all the interviews with the officers sent by Lord Howe to the commander-in-chief. The mission, it need not be said, proved utterly abortive. Its preliminaries were embarrassed by the absurd refusal of Lord Howe to recognize Washington by his military title, and its powers extended no farther than the granting of pardons. It served, to a certain extent, perhaps, to satisfy individuals that their rights could only be secured by the sword; on the other hand, it created in the camp a feeling of uncertainty, little favorable to dis- cipline. All doubts, however, as to negotiation, were soon dispelled. On the 22d of August, General Howe landed at Gravesend, and the FALL OF FORT WASHINGTON. 189 war recommenced, and m earnest. The second attempt at negotia- tion, made after the battle of Long Island, m which rank was waived on both sides, was as futile. Mr. W. B. Reed's narrative of that battle, and the operations which preceded and followed it, contains much that is new and important.* We heartily join in his testimony to the conduct on that occasion of the Pennsylvania troops, who, in defence of their sister colony, conducted themselves with a gallantry worthy of veterans. Reed himself was present at the action of the 27th, and assisted in the withdrawal of the army on the night of the 29th. Upon this and the subsequent operations of the campaign, the evacua- tion of New York, the battle of White Plains, and the siege of Fort Washington, Reed's correspondence is full and interesting. Reed's admirable qualifications for his office were exhibited most strongly throughout. His energy and activity, his capacity for continuous labor, were remarkable, and in the restoration of the army, disor- ganized as it was by continued disasters, were all needed. The siege and fall of Fort Washington, gave rise to an occurrence which has been often misrepresented or misunderstood. Mr. W. B. Reed, in his Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed, not only fully, but most honorably explains it, so far as Reed was concerned. The propriety of defending that position, isolated as it was, it is well known, has always been a subject of military controversy ; and Washington, in this instance, had suffered his own judgment to be overruled by the weight of contrary opinions. Reed was, at the time, with the main army, which, after the battle of Chatterton's Hill, had crossed the river to Fort Lee, and was deeply interested in the fate of that place, defended as it was almost entirely by Penn sylvania troops. A few days after its fall he wrote to Lee, who had been left with a force to guard the highlands, expressing, but in respectful terms, his opinion of this indecision, and his wish for Lee's presence. Lr reply to this letter, Lee, apparently echoing Reed's language, gave to it an expression which it by no means justified. The letter reached camp after Reed's departure to Burlington, and was, as usual, opened by the commander-in-chief, under the idea that it related to the business of tlie department. Deeply wounded, not only at the expression of such opinions by one holding the high mili- tary reputation which Lee then did, but at the apparent want of candor in his intimate and confidential officer, Washington yet never lost his habitual dignity. He enclosed the letter to Reed, explaining the circumstances of his having opened it, as an " excuse for seeing the contents of a letter which neither inclination nor intuition would have prompted him to." • Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed 190 Joseph reed. Battle Ground of Trenton. Reed, after an attempt to recover the original of his own, which, in consequence of Lee's capture by the British, proved futile, wrote to Washington, simply explaining the sentiments really contained in it, and expressing, in language as beautiful as appropriate, his regret at having, even unjustly, forfeited his regard. Washington's reply was such as became him. " He was hurt, not because he thought his judgment wronged by the expressions contained in it, but because the same sentiments were not communicated immediately to himself." It need not be said that their old friendship was restored. Not so Lee. At a later period, to gratify his resentment towards Washing- ton, he had the baseness, in a newspaper article, to allude to Reed's private opinion of the commander-in-chief, as contrary to what he publicly professed towards him, hinting at that letter as his authority. The attempt did him no good, nor harm to those to whom he intended it. The commencement of the ensuing winter was marked with gloom and despondency. Washington's army, reduced to a handful, were driven beyond the Raritan. Lee was a prisoner ; New Jersey was in the uncontrolled possession of the enemy, its legislature scattered to the winds ; Cornwallis with a strong and well appointed force rapidly pursuing the wreck of the continentals. It was in this dark hour that Pennsylvania almost of herself retrieved the fortunes of the war. Mifflin and Reed were successively despatched to Phila- delphia for aid, and it was forthcoming. " At no period of the war," says our author, " did any portion of the colonies exhibit a finer spirit than the majority of the citizens of Pennsylvania at this June- BATTLE OF PRINCETON. 191 ture. The militia was immediately and efficiently organized, and a large body, well equipped, marched to join Washington at the upper passes of the Delaware." Offensive operations were at once deter- mined upon, and the battles of Trenton and of Princeton reversed the position of the armies. During the whole of the movements, Reed was exceedingly active ; at Princeton he bore a most conspicu- ous part. ■ MMEDIATELY after these events, Washington urged upon Congress the appointment of an additional number of gene- rals, recommending Reed to the command of the horse "as a person in his opinion in everyway qualified," At the end of February, and again in April, elections were accordingly made, but no order was taken with reference to the separate command of the horse, and it was not until the 12th of May that Reed was elected a brigadier. On the 27th of that month they em- powered the general-in-chief to confer that command upon one of the generals already appointed, and he immediately offered it to Reed. He, justly offended at the coldness with which he had been treated, declined it, resolving however to join the army as a volun- teer as soon as active operations commenced. The cause of the neglect is ascribed by his biographer, and no doubt correctly, to the hostility to Washington and his friends which already had infected a portion of Congress, and which the next year so virulently displayed itself — added to which that Reed had been charged with injustice to the New England troops. Washington made no further offer to fill the situation, which remained vacant until the election of Pulaski. A letter from Reed to a member of Congress refers to the subject in a manner highly honorable to him : expressing the wish that no difficulties might arise in consequence of a difference of opinion between that body and Washington, as " any claims or pretensions which he might have, were they much greater, ought not to di.sturb the harmony which should exist between the civil and military powers ;" he ends by authorizing such use of his letter as would obviate difficulties. About the same time he was appointed chief justice of Pennsylvania, a post which had always been filled with the highest talent in the state. The offer was the more honorable as Reed had been a known opponent of many features of the constitution. He however declined it. The spring and summer of 1777 he passed with his family, his plans of life undetermined ; but on Sir William Howe's landing at the head of Elk in August, he again joined the army as a volunteer, attaching himself to the Pennsylvania troops under Armstrong. At the battle of Brandywine, and during the other operations following, 192 JOSEPH REED. he rendered important services, and at Germantown distinguished himself particularly. The fall succeeding the capture of Philadelphia was spent in an obstinate defence of the Delaware, and in efforts to retake the city. Severely as its loss had fallen upon the country, the army had rallied under the blow, and offensive operations were constantly attempted. Reed, who seems to have been ever in favor of fighting, upon the final abandonment of the capital, turned his mind to other sources of annoyance. A letter to Washington of December 1st, urges an attempt on New York. About this time he was recalled to camp to assist in deciding upon winter quarters, and there took part in the last affair of the campaign, the skirmish at Chesnut Hill, where he had his horse shot under him. On the 17th December the army took up its quarters at Valley Forge. The history of that winter is familiar to every one. The shameful abandonment of the army by Congress to famine and cold reduced it to the verge of destruction. It was not until the middle of January that they were made to act, when a committee, of which Reed, who had been elected to that body, was one, were appointed with full powers to repair to camp and confer with the commander- in-chief. The result of their mission, tardily enough, however, was the reorganization of the quartermaster's department, to which Gen. Greene was appointed. Reed's services were considered so valuable that he was detained in camp, and did not retake his seat until the 6lh April. In the beginning of June he again proceeded to camp under a resolution of Congress, referring to Washington, Dana and himself, the remodelling of the army, and to this duty he devoted himself. Intelligence from Europe now infused new life and hope into the nation. On the 18th June, the British evacuated Philadelphia, and on the 28th was fought at Monmovith a battle memorable as one of the turning points of the war. In that action Reed participated, having his horse again shot under him. In the summer of 1778, the second attempt at negotiation was made by Great Britain in the mission of Lord Carlisle, Mr. Eden, and Governor Johnstone. Of this business Mr. W. B. Reed remarks : " During the Revolution the diplomacy of the British ministry was, if possible, less dexterous and successful than their military policy. They were always a little too late. Lord Howe arrived a few days after the irrevocable measure of independence was adopted ; and Lord Carlisle and his colleagues did not sail from Great Britain till some weeks after the news of the French alliance was on its way to America, and Congress, by its resolution of the 22d April, 1778, had pledged themselves to the world against the very propositions REED S AXSWER TO JOHXSTO>"E. 195 offered. Lord North introduced his conciliatory propositions into Parliament on the 17th February, and the commissioners sailed oa the 22d April. On the 2d of May Washington and his soldiers were rejoicing' at the intelligence of the alliance vnth France." The propositions now brought went much farther than those of Lord Howe in the summer of 1776 ; they went, in fact, farther than the colonies, before the outset of hostilities, had ever asked, but they stopped short of the only terms now practicable, independence. The commissioners seem, however, this time to have concluded upon the use of new appliances in support of their terms. Instead of the armies of Howe, Johnstone furnished himself with gold. It proved even less available than the old argument. Mr. de Berdt had again furnished them with a recommendation to Reed ; and a few days after their arrival in Philadelphia, Johnstone transmitted it to him, accompanied by one from himself. This docu- ment possessed every requisite for a successful opening except one. It was addressed to the wrong person. In conclusion the writer said : " The man who can be instrumental in bringing us all to act m harmony, and to unite together the various powers which this con- test has drawn forth, will deserve more from the king and the people, from patriotism, humanity, friendship, and all the tender ties that are affected by the quarrel and the reconciliation than ever was yet be- stowed on human kind." The letter Reed at once showed to Wash- ington, and in a courteous but decided answer declined all personal interposition. That answer Johnstone never received ; had it reached him, it might have deterred him from his subsequent attempt. Not receiving a reply frotn Reed, the third commissioner endea- vored to approach Mr. Morris — with what success may readily be imagined. The open and direct business of the mission had been closed by the refusal of Congress to hold intercourse with them ; and Lord Carlisle, it seems, was speedily satisfied of its failure. Johnstone, however, thought it worth while to make one further and more direct overture, and that upon Reed. The agent selected for this purpose was Mrs. Ferguson, who, in her public narrative, verified by oath, subsequentlv detailed the whole transaction. The circum- stances are almost too well known to need repetition. Suffice it to say that the offer was "ten thousand guineas and the lest post in the government." It was by her communicated to Reed, whose in- stant and memorable answer was : — " My influence is but small, but were it as great as Governor Johnstone would insinuate, the King of Great Britain has nothing within his gift that would tempt me." The letters and this offer were, by Messrs. Morris and Reed, com- municated to Congress ; and when made known produced much ex- 196 JOSEPH KEED. citcmcnt. A prciuuble luul rosolulions, recitiiis: the overtures and donouucing thoir author, wore adoptetl, and the coiumissioucrs re turned lrv>iu their Wotless errand — Joluistoue to abuse Congress, and Lorvl Carlisle to tind in his family circle ;uid the conversation of George Selwyn a relief from his vexation. \ tl»e middle of Jidv, Reed resimied his seat in Congress, and remained, with occasional interv-.Us of emplovmeut, at camp until the autumn. " During this period," savs his biographer. ■• his ser>ices seem to have been un- ceasing. He was a member of every important i committee ; and being the only speaking member from i..> .-.,.u. seems to have taken a lead in everv* discussion." In October he was calltHl to another and even more arduous serrice. The Pennsylvania elections resulted in the choice of a majority of the friends of the state constitution in both branches of its govern- ment ; and Reed, who though originally opposed to and never approv- ing its provisions, had considers! it his duty to support it when adopted, was elected to the council. On the 1st of Deceml»er he was unanimouslr chosen president of that body, an office et^uivalent to that of g»vernor of the state. In connection with this event in the life of his subject. Jlr. W. B. Reed has given a most raluable sketch of the then condition of affairs in Philadelphia. Upon the recapture of the city, Aniold had unfortunatelv been appointed to the command. The consequences of his profligacy in its general misgovemment are already partially known ; less so that his treasonable practices had commenced even at this time. I'pon this subject, as well as of his general history, much that is new to us is afforded. It has been fashionable amcmg some sentimentalists to represent that man as one, whose high spirit, wounded bv injustice, drove him. almost in madness, to his last fatal step. If the invest iffatioas of ilr. Sparks have not already done so, we apprehend that the proofs contained in Mr. W. B. Reed's work will put an end to this twaddle. '* The constitutional obliquity of Arnold's mind." observes the author. "' with its gradual development of the worst of social crimes, treason to his country, is as much a part of the revolutioaarv picture as the complete virtue of Wash- ington." .\jnold"s otficial corruption had begun at Quebec : it was continued down through every step of his subsequent career ; till, at Philadelphia, its unblushing openness provoked the council beyond endurance, and he was finally brought to court-martial. During the period of his government, or rather misgovemment. his attentions to the tories and his insolence to the whies, his balls given to the wives EEED PIIESIDEVT OP PENN8VLVAMA- 197 of refu^ecf!, and his influence ufiftd to procure the pardon of traitor?,, (should have forewarned Cong^ress of what was to be expected from hirn. To Reed wa« in a great measure due his exposure ; and upon hirn Arnold, one of whose first characteristics wa« hi« rnali^ity, visited it without remorse. It was amidst these disorders, and the greatest exasperation of party, on the subject of the state constitution, that Reed, contrary alike to his wishes and his interest, relinquished his military career, and his post in Congress, and accepted the presidency of the execu- tive council. " The history of the next three years of his life,'' says his biographer, " dating from the time at which he relinquished his seat in Congress, is the history of Pennsylvania. Placed, as will presently be seen, by the suffrages of all parties, at a time when political opinion was at fever heat, at the head of the executive department of the state government, he threw into the discharge of this trust all his energies, and labored in the public cause with an intensity of devotion which it is difScult to describe, and which led to the utter prostration of his health and premature termination of his life. He became the centre of the party which supported the existing frame of government, and the accredited leader of the con- stitutional whigs." To the army generally his appointment gave great satisfaction. Washington's letter of congratulation was sincere and hearty. Greene and WajTie both joined in the expression of this feeling; and we may add, that Reed's watchfulness and zeal for the welfare of the troops, at all times, deserved their regard. During the dark period which preceded the arrival of substantial Jissistance from France, when the utter explosion of the paper sy.«tem, and the ex- haustion of credit, reduced the army for months to the verge of dissolution, Reed gave no peace or rest to the legislature till he forced from thern what assistance he might. On more than one occasion, too, when movements of importance were at hand, as in the contemplated attempt upon Xew York, in this autumn, and again in August, 1780, he himself headed the levies of his state, and exchanged the toils of government only for the fatigues of camp. In the narrative of this part of his administration we find a succ'mct view of one great cause of the embarrassments which existed during the revolution — the gross errors prevalent on the subject of finance. In these respects the country was far behind its knowledare on matters of general legislation, and the middle states even far behind the eastern. Embargo and tender laws, commercial restrictions, and limitations of prices, were almost everywhere the means by which ihe legislatures essayed to financier through the war. Reed appears 198 JOSEPH REED. ^\^}mm^M^i Sjiocjaisa c; Co:iticer:tal Bills. upon these points to have been far wiser than his generation. Speak- ing of the last class of acts, he says : " The commerce of mankind must be free, or almost all kinds of intercourse will cease. Regula- tion stagnates industry, and creates a universal discontent." Unfor- tunately, his opinions had, at first, but little weight with the assembly, which was thoroughly imbued with the popular fallacies, and infinite trouble arose from their legislation. Forestalling was the bugbear of the day. Its eflects were bad enough, it is true, but the remedy was one which never cured that disease. The excitement in Phila- delphia upon these subjects at one time broke out into a riot, which, but for Reed's firmness, threatened the most dangerous results. It was not until 17S1 that he finally, as it were, forced the assembly into a repeal of the tender laws, and thus gave the death blow to a currenc)- which had been upheld contrary to all right, as it was con- trarv to all sense. Amonir the important topics presented, in the beginning of llr. Reed's administration, were the measure known as the Proprietary Bill, or " Divesting Act," which stripped the proprie- taries of the public domain, as the declaration of independence had the monarch of his paramount sovereignty ; tlie transfer of the College Charter, like the former one of a revolutionary character and nectssitv; and the gradual abolition of slavery. All these he strenuously advocated and carried. Our space will allow us no opportunity of entering at large upon so intricate a field as his administration opens upon us. Reed held the station of supreme executive of the state until December, 1781, the constitutional limit of his office. To all who are familiar with CHARACTER OF GENERAL REED. 199 the history of the Revolution, its last years are known as those of its greatest trials. The first enthusiasm of conflict had passed away ; the slight resources of the new-born states had been exhausted. To them had succeeded poverty and ruin ; in some states lethargy ; in others dogged, stubborn resistance, the despair which yields not, but dies fighting. The situation of Pennsylvania was especially deplor- able. Cursed with an incompetent frame of government, and with factions which rendered even that more incapable ; bankrupt in her finances ; drained of her blood ; yet withal, the state upon which, from magnitude, central situation, and as the seat of the general Congress, her sisters boked for the greatest exertions, she staggered through the close of the war like a worn-out racer beneath the spur of its rider. A sterner one never forced panting steed or wearied nation through its course. The president possessed moral, in as eminent a degree as physical courage. Neither love of power nor popularity, tlie fear of losing influence or friends, stayed him in his path. His ambition — and few men, we believe, w^ere more ambitious — was not that of the dema- gogue or the office-hunter. He sought public station, not for itself or for its profits, but as a field of public service. His energy was intense, his activity unceasing, his capacity for labor as extraordinary as his love of it. His was an unyielding, impetuous and daring nature. He wielded the dangerous power which at times was entrusted to him without hesitation or fear, but he wielded it never for private gain or for personal emolument. EW persons have reaped for public service a larger ^ reward of slander and of misunderstanding than did Reed. That he stirred up the enmity of Mifflin, that he earned the hatred of Arnold, of Conway, and of Lee, was hardly to be regretted. It was his misfor- tune that the falsehood sometimes outlived the credit of its fabricator, and found its way into the minds of purer men. It appears to us to have been however his fault, that a spirit of acerbity became engrafted upon his disposition, which often alienated friends, and which led him in turn, to do injustice to the motives or the cha- racters of others. In the latter part of his life in particular, this harshness, perhaps the effect of corroding care and disappointment, exhibits itself. His prejudices were strong even to bitterness, and he was most unguarded in his expression of them. But with these faults, Reed was still a great man, and did great service to his state and to his country. We should do injustice to many noble spirits of the Revolution, did we judge them by their personal friendships or enmities. Times of great danger often bind together men of dis- 200 JOSEPH KEED. similar characters. Times of long-continued suffering often too estrange men who respect each other. It was at least a consolation that Reed carried to his grave the confidence and affection of Wash- ington, of Greene, and of Anthony Wayne. The descendant, whose filial duty has given us tihe records of his ancestor's life, has discharged his part faithfully. The facts upon which Reed's enemies based their substantial accusations, he has stated, as it seems to us, without flinching ; he has also met them manfully, and, as we think, with entire success. That, down to the breaking out of hostilities, Reed was desirous of a reconciliation with England, is admitted — few people, at least in the middle and southern states, were not. That he would have sacrificed one principle to effect that reconciliation, we have every evidence in contradiction. That he was not prepared for a declaration of independence when it took place, seems probable. He was not alone in the sentiment. So late as April 1st, 1776, Washington wrote him : " My countrymen, T know from their form of government and steady attachment hereto- fore to royality, will come reluctantly into the idea of independency." But that he would have retreated after that step, there is no such probability. The often recurred to charge of a disposition or willing- ness to intrigue with the enemy, we hold to be utterly and entirely false. The man who in the outset of the struggle refused the bribe which Johnstone offered to Reed, should not afterwards have been suspected. At the first blow struck, he went into the fight ; and he went through it without faltering or hesitation. He was not " to be hung for half treason." Calumny has been too often the lot of great men, and those of Pennsylvania do not seem to us to have furnished exceptions. General Reed died on the 5th of March, 1785, in the forty-third year of his age.* * American Review. BRIGADIER GENERAL ETHAN ALLEN. )W m -I HIS distinguished officer was born in Salisbury, , "J^ I Connecticut, frona whence, while he was yet young, his parents emigrated to Vermont. By this circumstance, he was deprived of the ad- vantages of an early education. But, although he never felt its genial influence, nature had endowed him with strong powers of mind ; and when called to take the field, he showed himself an able leader, and an intrepid soldier. At the commencement of the disturbances in Vermont, about the year 1770, he took a most active part in favor of the Green Moun- tain Boys, as the settlers were then called, in opposition to the government of New York. Bold, enterprising, and ambitious, he undertook to direct the proceed- ings of the inhabitants, and wrote several pamphlets to display the supposed injustice, and oppressive designs of the New York proceed- ings. The uncultivated roughness of his own temper and manners, seems to have assisted him in giving a just description of the views and proceedings of speculating land-jobbers. His writings produced effects so hostile to the views of the state of New York, that an act of outlawry was passed against him, and five hundred guineas were offered for his apprehension. But his party was too numerous and faithful to permit him to be disturbed by any apprehensions for his safety. In all the struggles of the day he was successful, and proved a valuable friend to those whose cause he had espoused. The news of the battle of Lexington determined Allen to engage on the side of his country, and inspired with the desire of demon- strating his attachment to liberty, by some bold exploit. While in this state of mind, a plan for taking Ticonderoga and Crown Point by 301 202 ETHAN ALLEN. surprise, which was formed by several gentlemen in Connecticut, was comnnmicated to him, and he readily engaged in the project. Receiving directions from the general assembly of Connecticut, to raise the Green ^lountain Boys, and conduct the enterprise, he col- lected two hundred and thirty of the hard)^ settlers, and proceeded to Castleton. Here he was unexpectedly joined by Colonel Arnold, who had been commissioned by the Jlassachusetts committee to raise four hundred men, and eifect the same object which was now about to be accomplished. They reached the lake opiposite Ticon- deroga, on the evening of the 9th of ilay, 1773. With the utmost ditficulty boats were procured, and eighty-three men were landed near the garrison. Arnold now wished to assume the command, to lead on the men, and swore tliat lie would go in himself the tirst. Allen swore that he should not. The dispute beginning to run high, some of the gentlemen present interposed, and it was agreed that both should go in together, Allen on the right hand, and Arnold on the left. The following is Allen's own account of the aflair : — HE tirst systematical and bloody attempt at Lexington, to enslave America, thoroughly electrified my mind, and fully determined me to take a part with my country. And while I was wishing for an opportunity to signalize myself in its behalf, directions were privately sent to me from the then colony, now state of Connecticut, to raise the Green Mountain Boys, and if possible with them to surprise and take the fortress of Ticonderoga. This enterprise I cheerfully under- took ; and after tirst guarding all the several passes that lead thither, to cut off all intelligence between the garrison and the country, made a forced march from Bennington, and arrived at the lake opposite Ticonderoga, on the evening of the 9th of ilay, 1775, with two hundred and thirty valiant Green Mountain Boys ; and it was with the utmost difficulty tiiat I procured boats to cross the lake. How- ever, I landed eighty-three men near the garrison, and sent the boats back for the rear guard, commanded by Colonel Seth Warner ; but the day began to dawn, and I found myself necessitated to attack tlie tort, before the rear could cross the lake ; and as it was viewed hazardous, I harangued the officers and soldiers in the manner foUow- irg : ' Friends and fellow-soldiers ; you have, for a number of years past, been a scourge and terror to arbitrary powers. Your valor has been famed abroad, and acknowledged, as appears by the advice and orders to me Irom the general assembly of Connecticut, to surprise and take the garrison now before us. I now propose to advEuice CAPTURE OF TICONDEROGA. 205 before you, and in person conduct you through the wicket gate ; for we must this morning either quit our pretensions to valor, or possess ourselves of this fortress in a few minutes ; and inasmuch as it is a desperate attempt, which none but the bravest of men dare undertake, I do not urge it on any contrary to his will. You that will undertake voluntarily, poise your firelock.' The men being at this time drawn up in three ranks, each poised his firelock. I ordered them to face to the right ; and at the head of the centre file I marched them immediately to the wicket gate aforesaid, where I found a sentry posted, who instantly snapped his fusee at me. I ran immediately towards him, and he retreated through the covered way into the parade within the garrison, gave a halloo, and ran under a bomb proof. My party who followed me into the fort, I formed on the parade in such a manner as to face the barracks, which faced each other. The garrison being asleep, ex- cept the sentries, we gave three huzzas, which greatly surprised them. One of the sentries made a pass at one of my oflScers with a charged bayonet, and slightly wounded him. My first thought was to kill him with my sword, but in an instant I altered the design and fury of the blow to a slight cut on the side of the head ; upon which he dropped his gun and asked quarters, which I readily granted him, and demanded the place where the commanding officer kept. He showed me a pair of stairs in the front of the garrison, which led up to a second story in said barracks, to which I immediately repaired, and ordered the commander, Captain Delaplace, to come forth in- stantly, or I would sacrifice the whole garrison : at which time the captain came immediately to the door, with his breeches in his hand, when I ordered him to deliver to me the fort instantly ; he asked me by what authority I demanded it. I answered him, ' In the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress.' The authority of Congress being very little known at that time, he began to speak again, but I interrupted him, and with my drawn sword near his head, again demanded an immediate surrender of the garrison ; with which he then complied, and ordered his men to be forthwith paraded without arms, as he had given up the garrison. In the mean time, some of my officers had given orders, and in consequence thereof sundry of the barrack doors were beat down, and about one-third of the garrison imprisoned, which consisted of said commander, a lieu- tenant Feltham, a conductor of artillery, a gunner, two sergeants, and forty-four rank and file ; about one hundred pieces of cannon, one thirteen inch mortar, and a number of swivels. This surprise was carried into execution in the gray of the morning of the 10th of May, 1775. The sun seemed to rise that morning with a supe 206 ETHAN ALLEN. rior lustre ; and Ticonderoga and its dependencies smiled on its conquerors, who tossed about the flowing bowl, and wished success to Congress, and the liberty and freedom of America. Happy it was for me, at that time, that the future pages of the book of fate, which afterward unfolded a miserable scene of two years and eight months imprisonment, were hid from my view." This brilliant exploit secured to Allen a high reputation for in- trepid valor throughout the country. In the fall of 1775, he was sent twice into Canada to observe the dispositions of the people, and attach them if possible to the American cause. During one of these excursions, he made a rash and romantic attempt upon Montreal. He had been sent by General Montgomery with a guard of eighty men on a tour into the villages in the neighborhood. On his return, he was met by a Major Brown, who had been on the same business. It was agreed between them to make a descent upon the island of Montreal. Allen was to cross the river, and land with his party a little north of the city ; while Brown was to pass over a little to the south, with near two hundred men. Allen crossed the river in the night, as had been proposed, but by some means Brown and his party failed. Instead of returning, Allen, with great rashness, concluded to maintain his ground. General Carlton soon received intelligence of Allen's situation and the smallness of his numbers, and marched out against him with about forty regulars and a considerable number of English, Canadians and Indians, amounting, in the whole, to some hundreds. Allen attempted to defend himself, but it was to no purpose. Being deserted by several of his men, and having fifteen killed, he, with thirty-eight of his men, were taken prisoners. He was now kept for some time in irons, and was treated with the most rigorous and unsparing cruelty. From his narrative it appears that the irons placed on him were uncommonly heavy, and so fastened, that he could not lie down, otherwise than on his back. A chest was his seat by day, and his bed by night. Soon after his capture, still loaded with irons, he was sent to England, being assured that the halter would be the reward of his rebellion when he arrived there. Finding that threats and menaces had no effect upon him, high command and a large tract of the conquered country was afterward offered him, on condition he would join the British. To the last he replied, "that he viewed their offer of conquered United States land, to be similar to that which the devil offered to Jesus Christ : to give him all the kingdoms of the world, if he would fall down and worship him, when, at the same time, the poor devil had not one foot of land upon earth." ETHAN ALLEN'S DEATH. 207 FTER liis arrival, about the middle of December, he was lodged, for a short time, in Pendennis Castle, near Falmouth. On the 8th of January, 1776, he was put on board a frigate, and by a circuitous route again carried to Halifax. Here he remained closely confined in the jail from June to October, when he was removed to New York. During the passage to this place. Captain Burke, a daring prisoner, proposed to kill the British captain, and seize the frigate ; but Allen refused to engage in the j>lot, and was probably the means of saving the life of Captain Smith, who had treated him with kind- ness. He was kept at New York about a year and a half, sometimes imprisoned, and sometimes permitted to be on parole. W hile here he had an opportunity to observe the inhuman manner in which the American prisoners were treated. In one of the churches in which they were crowded, he saw seven lying dead at one time, and others biting pieces of chips from hunger. He calculated, that of the prisoners taken on Long Island and at Fort Washington, near two thousand perished by hunger and cold, or in consequence of diseases occasioned by the impurity of their prisons. Colonel Allen was exchanged for Colonel Campbell, May 6th, 1778, and after having repaired to head-quarters, and offered his services to General Washington, in case his health should be restored, he returned to Vermont. His arrival on the evening of the last day of May, gave his friends great joy, and it was announced by the dis charge of cannon. As an expression of confidence in his patriotism and military talents, he was very soon appointed to the command of the state militia. His intrepidity, however, was never again brought to the test, though his patriotism was tried by an unsuccessful attempt of the British to bribe him to attempt a union of Vermont with Canada. He died suddenly on his estate, February 13th, 1789. Genera! Allen was brave, humane and generous; yet his conduct does not seem to have been much influenced by considerations respecting that holy and merciful Being, whose character and whose commands are disclosed to us in the Scriptures. His notions with regard to religion were loose and absurd. He believed with Pytha- goras, the heathen philosopher, that men, after death, would trans- migrate into beasts, birds, fishes, reptiles, &c., and often informed his friends that he himself expected to live again in the form of a large white horse. BRIGADIER GE^^:RAL DAXIEL MORGAX. p EXERAL MORGA:^ was the creator of his own fortune. Bom of poor, though honest parents, he enjojed none of the advantages which result from wealth and earlv education. But his was a spirit that would not tamely vield to difficulties. •■ He was born ia Xew Jersey, where, from his poverty and low condition, he had been a day-laborer. To early education and breeding, therefore, he owed nothing. But for this deficiency, :nd judgment, and his intercourse with the best society, made much amends in after life. Enterprising in his disposition, even now, he removed to Virginia 208 his native Sa£.ic. ■- J J vn 1 T 5-5. '»'~:".ii - r and receive accoidii^ tc z for he ahrsi-; tioaof tlie s theXhiid^r Moisaii. hr dorms tiie r thefort Bold ar t.-> Cu3^-: - .- ;,; ._ ._ :_- . •ander the nnfcr- rank he b(»e is : *^iy known. It 3ude: I - 'lifted 5cer, fci - . . :^ aalbeit, - unent of fire haadned ladtes ; or, ' IX hnadied and niB^r-oine ; ' laKSv daised 'vith the execo- ed, and joralailT added, "Hal G€ EAGER HOWARD. house, we were fired at from the upper windows, but received no injury. We passed on to the rear of several stone houses, to an orchard, where we were halted by Colonel Hazen.* *****••*• Whilst we were halted, the British army were formed in the School House Lane, directly in our front, six or seven hundred yards from us, but owing to the denseness of the fog, which had greatly increased after the commencement of the action, we could not see them. About the time of the attack on the house, a party of Muhlenburg's and Scott's brigades from the left wing, particularly the 9th Virginia regiment, commanded by Colonel Mathews, advanced to the eastward of Chew's house, and penetrated to the market-house. The British general. Grey, brought from their left the 4th brigade, under Agnew, and three battalions of the 3d, and made an attack upon them, whilst they were engaged with two regiments brought up from the right wing. Thus assailed in front and on both wings, Mathews defended himself with great bravery, and did not surrender until the most of his officers were killed or wounded. He himself received several bayonet wounds." After this battle, Washinglon retired to the hilly country near Philadelphia, and for a considerable time neither army appeared willing to molest the other. Colonel Williams was with the Ameri- cans during this inactive period, but of the particular nature of his duties we are informed nothing. On one occasion, Howe left Phila- delphia, with the avowed purpose of giving battle ; but after manoeu- vring for some time, broke up his camp, returned to the city, and both armies resumed their inactivity until the British evacuated Philadelphia. Major Howard moved with the Americans in pursuit, and was subsequently engaged in the battle of Monmouth. N the spring of 1780, fourteen hun- dred troops, principally from Dela- ware and Maryland, embarked on the Chesapeaice, in order to relieve Charleston, which was then be- sieged by a large Britisli force. They failed to accomplish their object, being unable to reach Peters- burg until June, nearly a month after Charleston had capitulated. Major Howard accompanied these troops, and on the first of June was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel of the fifth Maryland regiment, in the army of the United States, to take rank as such, from the 11th day of March, 1778. BATTLE OF THE COWPENS. 221 Colonel Howard bore an ample share in the disastrous march of Gates to the south, the particulars of which are given in another part of this volume. Diseased, emaciated, and half-starved, the Americans were hurried into action, with a superior veteran force, free from all these difficulties, and totally defeated. Few brigades sufTered more than the two from Maryland, one of which was com- manded by Howard. He charged the enemy in front of him with the bayonet ; but the rout of the main body frustrated the benefits of this commencement, and almost all the brigade being dispersed, the colonel retreated with the wretched remnant, to Charlotte. The sufferings experienced by the militia after the battle of Camden, were dreadful. Alarm flew like a withering pestilence through the country, forts and villages were abandoned, companies broken up, and firesides deserted. The soldiers who could be kept together, often subsisted for several days on nothing but unripe peaches, and the warmest friends of liberty began to consider the south as lost to the confederacy. In October an infantry battalion was organized, and the command given to Lieutenant Colonel Howard, with orders to take a position favorable for watching the enemy. Dunng the same month, Fergu- son was defeated at King's Mountain, which tended not a little to restore the spirits of the Americans. Little of interest then trans- pired, until the arrival of General Greene as commander of the southern army. This was in December. We now come to the greatest military event in the life of Colonel Howard — the battle of Cowpens. In the disposition for battle, the colonel's troops, composed of the continental infantry and two com- panies of the Virginia militia under Captains Triplett and Taite, occupied the second line behind General Pickens. When the militia of the latter officer retreated, Tarleton fell furiously upon Howard, who after an obstinate struggle, fell back and formed a new line of battle. Considering this retrograde movement the precursor of flight, the British rushed on with impetuosity and disorder ; but as they drew near, Howard faced about and gave them a close and murderous fire. Stunned by this unexpected shock, the most advanced of the enemy recoiled in confusion, and, seizing the happy moment, the colonel ordered a charge with the bayonet, which decided the day. We give the particulars of this brilliant movement in his own words : — " Seeing my right flank was exposed to the enemy, I attempted to change the front of Wallace's company ; in doing it some confusion ensued, and first a part and then the whole of the company com- menced a retreat. The officers along the line seeing this, and sup- posing that orders had been given for a retreat, faced their men 222 JOHN EAGER HOWARD. Howard's decisive ctarge at Cowpens. about and moved off. Morgan, who had mostly been with the militia, quickly rode up to me and expressed apprehensions of the event ; but I soon removed his fears by pointing to the line, and ob- serving that men were not beaten who retreated in that order. He then ordered me to keep with the men until we came to the rising ground near Washington's horse ; and he rode forward to fix on the most proper place for us to halt and face about. In a minute we had a perfect line. The enemy were now very near us. Our men commenced a very destructive fire, which they little expected, and a few rounds occasioned great disorder in their ranks. While in this confusion I ordered a charge with the bayonet, which order was obeyed with great alacrity. As the line advanced, I observed their artillery a short distance in front, and called to Captain Ewing, who was near me, to take it. Captain Anderson hearing the order, also pushed for the same object ; and both being emulous for the prize, kept pace until near the first piece, when Anderson, by putting the end of his spontoon forward into the ground, made a long leap, which brought him upon the gim, and gave him tlie honor of the prize. My attention was now drawn to an altercation of some of the men, BATTLE OF THE COWPENS. 223 with an artilleryman, who appeared to make it a point of honor not to surrender his match. The men, provoked by his obstinacy, would have bayoneted him on the spot, had I not interfered, and desired them to spare the life of so brave a man. He then surrendered his match. In the pursuit, I was led to the right in among the 71st [British regiment] who were broken into squads ; and as I called to them to surrender, they laid down their arms, and the officers delivered up their swords. Captain Duncanson, of the 71st grena- diers, gave me his sword, and stood by me. Upon getting on my horse, I found him pulling at my saddle, and he nearly unhorsed me. I expressed my displeasure, and asked him what he was about. The explanation was, that they had orders to give no quarters, and did not expect any ; and as my men were coming up, he was afraid they would use him ill. I admitted his excuse, and put him into the care of a sergeant. I had messages from him some years afterwards, expressing his obligation for my having saved his life." On the occasion of the remarkable retreats of Morgan and Greene, subsequent to this battle. Colonel Howard was engaged in the most pressing and fatiguing duties. When it became necessary to march toward the Dan, he was left with Colonel Williams, who had been ordered to take post between the retreating and advancing army, to hover round the skirts of the latter, to seize every opportunity of striking in detail, and to retard the enemy by vigilance and judicious movements ; while Greene, with the main body, proceeded toward ijie river. This manoeuvre on the part of the American general, was judicious, and had an immediate effect. Cornwallis, finding a corps of horse and foot close in his front, whose strength and object were not immediately ascertainable, checked the rapidity of his march, to give time for his long-extended line to condense. Could Williams have withdrawn himself from between Greene and Cornwallis, he might, perhaps, by secretly reaching the British rear, have performed material service. Although his sagacity discovered the prospect, yet his sound judgment would not adopt a movement which might endanger the retreat of an army, whose safety was the object of his duty, and indispensable to the common cause. He adhered, therefore, to the less dazzling but more useful system, and placed his attention, first on the safety of the main body, next on that of the corps under his com- mand ; risking the latter only, when the security of Greene's retreat demanded it, and then without hesitation. Pursuing his course obliquely to the left, he reached an intermediate road, the British army being on his left and in his rear, the American in front and on his ri^ht. 224 JOHN EAGER HOWARD. , HE duty severe in the day, became more '; so at night ; for numerous paroles and '■ strong pickets, were necessarily fur- -i nished by the light troops, not only for their own safety, but to prevent the enemy from placing themselves by a circuitous march between Williams and Greene. Such a manoeuvre would have been fatal to the American army ; and to render it impossible, half the troops were alternately appropriated every night to duty ; so that each man during the retreat was entitled to but six hours repose in forty-eight. Notwithstanding this priva- tion, the troops were in line spirits and good health ; delighted with their task, and determined to prove themselves worthy the distinction with which they had been honored. At the hour of three their toils were renewed ; for Williams always pressed forward with the utmost despatch in the morning, to gain such a distance in front, as would secure to his soldiers breakfast, their only meal during this rapid and hazardous retreat. We are unable to follow Colonel Howard through all the intricacies of this admirable retreat. He fully realized the expectations of his brother officers, and carried his detachment safely to the main camp. The part he took in the battle of Guilford Court House, is thus described in his own words : " The [British] guards, after they had defeated General Stephens, pushed into the cleared ground and ran at the second regiment, which immediately gave way — owing I believe in a great measure to the want of officers, and having so many new recruits. The guards pursued them into our rear, where they took two pieces of artillery. This transaction was in a great measure concealed from the first regiment, by the wood, and unevenness of the ground. But my station being on the left of the first regiment, and next the cleared ground. Captain Gibson, deputy adjutant-general, rode to me, and informed me that a party of the enemy, inferior in numbers to us, were pushing through the cleared ground and into our rear, and that if we would face about and charge them we might take them. We had been for some time engaged with a party of Webster's brigade, though not hard pressed, and at that moment their fire had slackened. I rode to Gunby and gave him the information. He did not hesitate to order the regiment to face about, and we were immediately engaged with the guards. Our men gave them some well directed fires, and we then advanced and continued firing. At this time Gunby's horse HOWARD GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND. 22- was shot, and when I met him some lime after he informed me that his horse fell upon him, and it was with difficulty he extricated him- self. As we advanced, I observed Washington's horse, and as their movements were quicker than ours, they first charged and broke the enemy. My men followed very quickly, and we passed through the guards, many of whom had been knocked down by the horse without being much hurt. We took some prisoners, and the whole were in our power. After passing through the guards, 1 found myself in the cleared ground, and saw the 7 1st regiment near the court-house, and other columns of the enemy appearing in different directions. Wasli- ington's horse having gone off, I found it necessary to retire, which I did leisurely ; but many of the guards who wore lying on tlie ground, and who we supposed were wounded, got up and fired at us as we retired." N the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Ford, who was wounded in this battle, Colonel -^^ ^' W^illiams received command of the 2d IViVfi^^^ regiment, in which capacity he served l"'^^ at the battle of Eutaw. Here, as usual, \; the bayonet was his principal reliance, and after } a most stubborn conflict, in which one half of his ^^^g^gs-j^i men were killed or wounded, and seven officers S"^^r^ i* "^ out of twelve disabled, he completely swept the ■^ — '-"'^'^ — ^ field. " Nothing," says General Greene, soon after the battle, " could exceed the gallantry of the Maryland line. Colonels Williams, Howard, and all the officers exhibited acts of uncommon bravery ; and the free use of the bayonet by this and some other corps, gave us the victory." In this action, Howard was severely wounded, and before his recovery, the war was virtually ended. After the war, he married Miss Margaret Chew, daughter of a gentleman of Philadelphia, and settled with her upon his patrimonial estate. He was chosen governor of Maryland in 1788, and served three years. In 1794 he declined a commission as major-general of militia. In 1795 W^ash- ington pressed him to accept the office of secretary of war, but he declined, principally on account of ill health. " Had your inclina- tion," writes Washington to him, " and private pursuits permitted you to take the office that was offered to you, it would have been a very pleasing circumstance to me, and I am persuaded, as I observed to you on a former occasion, a very acceptable one to the public. But the reasons which you have assigned must, however reluctantly, be submitted to." He was subsequently named by Washington as one of his brigadiers, in the event of war with France. For some 228 JOHN EAGER HOWARD. years he was a member of the Maryland legislature, and in 1796, was elected to the United States senate, where he remained until 1803. After the capture of the capital by General Ross, in 1814, Colonel Howard was appointed to the command of a corps raised for the defence of Baltimore. To a suggestion that it would be expedient to surrender that city, he exclaimed, " I have as much property at stake as most persons, and I have four sons in the field ; but sooner would I see my sons weltering in their blood, and my property reduced to ashes, than so far disgrace the country." The defeat and death of Ross relieved the public from anxiety. From this time until 1821, we hear little of Colonel Howard. A series of domestic calamities then commenced, which probably tended to shorten his own days. In that year he lost his eldest daughter, in 1822, his eldest son, and in 1824, his wife. On the 12th of October, 1827, after a short illness, the father and husband followed them to another world. Mr. Adams, then President, thus notices this event, in a letter to the family. " The President of the United States has received with deep con- cern, the communication from the family of the late Colonel Howard, informing him of the decease of their lamented parent. Sympathizing with their affliction upon the departure of their illustrious relative, he only shares in the sentiment of universal regret with which the offspring of the revolutionary age, throughout the Union, will learn the close of a life, eminently adorned with the honors of the cause of independence, and not less distinguished in the career of peaceful magistracy, in later time. He will take a sincere, though melan- choly satisfaction, in uniting with his fellow citizens in attending the funeral obsequies of him, whose name has been long, and will ever remain, enrolled among those of the benefactors of his country." His funeral was very large, and attended by the President and civil and military authorities. The legislature of Maryland ordered his portrait to be placed in the chamber of the house of delegates ; and that of South Carolina resolved, " That it was with feelings of profound sorrow and regret, tliat South Carolina received the melancholy intelligence of the death of Colonel John Eager Howard, of Maryland, and that the state of South Carolina can never forget the distinguished services of the deceased." Colonel Howard was one of the true heroes of the Revolut.on. Entering the field a )'oung man, well educated and well principled, devoted to the cause of freedom, and full of military enthusiasm, his career was as brilliant as it was fortunate. Whenever he was HOWAKDS CHARACTER. 22a called by duty to his country, he was found to be fully equal to the occasion ; and the revolutionary war closed leaving him still in the full vigor of manhood, possessed of an amj^le fortune, and crowned with honorable laurels. The distinctions which he subsequently enjoyed in civil life, only ' served to develope more fully his abilities and patriotic spirit ; and he finally passed from the scene of action, with the reverence, aflJ'ec- tion, and applause of his grateful countrymen. Birth-rlace of Colonel noward. @ — "Ip Major James's adventure -vritn Captain Aidesoif. MAJOR JOHN JAMES, r)7<.§' ""^^ ^""^'^ ^" Ireland, in 1732, and -vvas the son of an officer who had served King William in his wars in Ireland against King James. This circumstance was the origin of the name of Williamsburg, which is now attached to one of the districts of Carolina. The elder James, with his family, and several of his neighbors, migrated to that district in 1733, made the first settlement there, and in honor of King William, gave his name to a village laid out on the east bank of Black river. The village is now called King's Tree, from a white or short-leafed pine, which in old royal grants was reserved for the use of the king ; and the name of Williamsburg has been transferred to the district. To it Major James, when an infant, was brought by his parents. His first recollections were those of a stockade fort, and of war between the new settlers and the natives. The former were often reduced to great straits in procuring the necessaries of 830 SERVICES IN THE SOUTH. 231 life, and in defending themselves against tlie Indians. In this then frontier settlement, Major James, Mr. James Bradley, and other compatriots of the revolution, were trained up to defend and love their country. Their opportunities for acquiring liberal educations were slender but for obtaining religious instruction were very ample. They were brought up under the eye and pastoral care of the Rev. John Ilae, a Presbyterian minister, who accompanied his congrega- tion in their migration from Ireland to Carolina. When the revolu- tion commenced, in 1775, Major James had acquired a considerable portion both of reputation and property. He was a captain of militia under George the Third. Disapproving of the measures of the Bri- tish government, he resigned his royal commission, but was soon after reinstated by a popular vote. In the year 1776, he marched with his company to the defence of Charleston. In the year 1779, he was with General Moultrie on his retreat before General Prevost, and commanded one hundred and twenty riflemen in the skirmish at Tulifinny. When Charleston was besieged, in 1780, Major James marched to its defence ; but Governor John Rutledge ordered him back to embody the country militia. The town having fallen, he was employed by his countrymen to wait on the conquerors, and to inquire of them what terms they would give. On finding that, no- thing short of an unconditional submission and a resumption of the characters and duties of British subjects would be accepted, he ab- ruptly broke oft" all negotiation ; and, rejoining his friends, formed the stamina of the distinguished corps known in the latter periods of the revolutionary war by the name of Marion's Brigade. In the course of this cruel and desultory warfare. Major James was reduced from easy circumstances to poverty. All his moveable property was carried off, and every house on his plantation burnt ; but he bore up under these misfortunes, and devoted, not only all his possessions, but life itself for the good of his country. After Greene, as com- mander-in-chief, had superseded Marion, Major James continued to serve under the former, and fought with him at the battle of Eutaw. The corps with which he served consisted mostly of riflemen, and were each served with twenty-four rounds of cartridges. Many of them expended the whole, and most of them twenty of these in firing on the enemy. As they were in the habit of taking aim, their shot seldom failed of doing execution. Shortly after this action. Major James and General Marion were both elected members of the state legislature. Before the general had rejoined his brigade, it was un- expectedly attacked, and after retreating was pursued by a party of the British commanded by Colonel Thompson, now Count Rumford. In this retreat. Major James being mounted, was nearly overtaken 232 JOHN JAMES. Count Rnmfoid. by two British dragoons, but kept them from cutting him down by a judicious use of his pistols, and escaped by leaping a chasm in a bridge of twenty feet width. The dragoons did not follow. The major being out of their reach, rallied his men, brought them back to the charge, and stopped the progress of the enemy. When the war was nearly over, he resigned his commission, and like another Cincinnatus, returned to his farm and devoted the remainder of his days to the improvement of his property and the education of his children. In the year 1791 he died, with the composure and forti- tude of a Christian hero. The following characteristic anecdote of Major James is related in the life of General Marion. " After the fall of Charleston, in this year. Captain Ardesoif, of the British navy, arrived at Georgetown, to carry the last proclama- tion of Sir Henry Clinton into effect, and invited the people to come in and swear allegiance to King George. Many of the inhabitants of that district submitted to this new act of degradation. But there remained a portion of it, stretching from the Santee to the Pedes, and including the whole of the present Williamsburg, and part of Marion district, into which the British arms had not penetrated. ANECDOTE OF MAJOR JAMES. 233 The inhabitants of it were generally of Irish extraction ; a people who, at all times during the war, abhorred either submission or vassalage. Among them, tradition has handed down the following story : — A public meeting was called to deliberate upon their critical situation, and Major John James, who had heretofore commanded them in the field, and represented them in the legislature, was selected as the person who should go down to Captain Ardesoif, and know from him whether, by his proclamation, he meant that they should take up arms against their countrymen. He proceeded to George- town, in the plain garb of a country planter, and was introduced to the captain, at his lodgings, a considerable distance from his ship. An altercation of the following nature took place. After the major had narrated the nature of his mission, the captain, surprised that such an embassy should be sent to him, answered, ' The submission must be unconditional.' To an inquiry, whether the inhabitants would not be allowed to stay at home upon their plantations, in peace and quiet, he replied, ' Although you have rebelled against his majesty, he offers you free pardon, of which you are undeserving, for you ought all to be hanged ; but as he offers you a free pardon, you must take up arms in support of his cause.' To Major James's sug- gesting that the people he came to represent would not submit on such terms, the captain, irritated at his republican language, particu- larly, it is supposed, at the word represent, replied, ' You d — rebel, if you speak in such language I will immediately order you to be hanged up to the yard-arm.' The captain wore a sword, and Major James none, but perceiving what turn matters were likely to take, and not brooking such harsh language, he suddenly seized the chair on which he was seated, knocked the captain down, and making his retreat through the back door of the house, mounted his horse, and made his escape into the country." MAJOR GENERAL HENRY KNOX. MONG those of our countrymen, who most zealously engaged in the cause of liberty, few sus- tained a rank more deservedly conspicuous than General Knox. He was one of those heroes, of whom it may be truly said, that he lived for his country. Born in Boston, July, 1750, his child- —_^- (ga«^'-"" ~- -""" hood and youth were employed in obtaining the best education, that the justly celebrated schools of his native town afforded. In very early life he opened a boolistore, for the 234 EARLY LIFE. 235 eiilarn^ement of which he soon formed an extensive correspondence ir. Europe — but httle time elapsed before, at the call of his country, he relinquished this lucrative and increasing business. Indebted to no adventitious aid, his character was formed by himself; the native and vigorous principles of his own mind made him what he was. Distinguished among his associates, from the first dawn of manhood, for a decided predilection to martial exercises, he was, at the age of eighteen, selected by the young men of Boston as one of the officers of a company of grenadiers — a company so distinguished for its martial appearance, and the precision of its evolutions, that it received the most flattering encomiums from a Britishofficer of high distinction. This early scene of his military labors, served but as a school for that distinguished talent which afterwards shone with lustre, in the most brilliant campaigns of an eight years war ; through the whole of which he directed the artillery with consummate skill and bravery. His heart w-as deeply engaged in the cause of freedom ; he felt it to be a righteous cause, and to its accomplishment yielded every other consideration. When Britain declared hostilities, he hesitated not a moment, what course he should pursue. No sordid calculation of interest retarded his decision. The quiet of domestic life, the fair prospect of increasing wealth, and even the endearing claims of family and friends, though urged with the most persuasive eloquence, had no power to divert the determined purpose of his mind. In the early stages of British hostility, though not in commission, he was not an inactive spectator. At the battle of Bunker Hill, as a volunteer, he was constantly exposed to danger, in reconnoitering the movements of the enemy, and his ardent mind was engaged with others in preparing those measures that were ultimately to dislodge the British troops, from their boasted possession of the capital of New England. Scarcely had we begun to feel the aggressions of the British arms, before it was perceived, that without artillery, of which we were then destitute, the most important objects of the war could not be accomplished. No resource presented itself, but the desperate expe- dient of procuring it from the Canadian frontier. To attempt this, in the agitated state of the country, through a wide extent of wilder- ness, was an enterprise so replete with toil and danger, that it was hardly expected any one would be found hardy enough to encounter its perils. Knox, however, saw the importance of the object — he saw his country bleeding at every pore, without the power of repelling her invaders — he saw the flourishing Capital of the North in the possession of an exulting enemy, that we were destitute of the means essential to their annoyance, and formed the daring and generous Tl 236 HEITRT irjrox. resolution of snppljring the army with ordnance, however formidable the obstacles that might oppose him. Young, robust, and vigorous, supported by an undaunted spirit, and a mind ever fruitful in resources, he commenced his mighty undertaking, almost unattended, in tfa* winter of 1775, relying solely for the execution of his object, ou such aid as he might procure from the thinly scattered inhabitants of the dreary region through which he had to pass. Every obstacle of season, roada and cLLmate were surmounted by determined persever- ance ; — and a few weeks, scarcely sufficient for a journey so remote, saw him return laden with ordnance and the stores of war — drawn in defiance of every obstacle over the frozen lakes and mountains of the north. Most acceptable was this offering to our defenceless troops, and most welcome to the commander-in-chief, who well knew how to appreciate a service so important. This expedition stamped the character of him who performed it for deeds of enterprise and daring. He received the most flattering testimony of approbation from the commander-in-chief and from Congress, and was in conse- quence of this important service appointed to the command of the artillery, of which he has thus laid the foundation, — in which com- mand he continued with increasing reputation through the revolti- tionary war. Among the incidents that occurred during the expedition to Canada, was his accidental meeting with the unfortunate .\ndre, whose subse- quent fate was so deeply deplored by every man of feeling in both nations. His deportment as a soldier and gentleman so far interested General Knox in his favor, that he often afterward expressed the most sincere regret that he was called by duty to act on the tribunal that pronounced his condemnation. During the continuance of the war, the corps of artillery was prin- cipally employed with the main body of the army, and near the person of the commander-in-chief, and was relied on as an essential auxiliary in the most important battles. Trenton and Princeton witnessed his enterprise and valor. At that critical period of our affairs, when hope had almost yielded to despair, and the great soul of Washington trembled for his country's freedom, Knox was one of those that strenathened his hand, and encouraged his heart. At that awful moment, when the tempest raged with its greatest fury, he, with Greene and other heroes, stood as pillars of the temple of liberty, till the fiiry of the storm was past. The letters of General Knox, still extant, written in the darkest periods of the revolution, breathed a spirit of devotedness to the cause in which he had embarked, and a firm reliance on the favor of BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN. 237 Divine Providence ; from a perusal of these letters it is evident, that he never yielded to despondency, but in the most critical moments of the war, confidently anticipated its triumphant issue. In the bloody fields of Germantown and Monmouth, without derogating from the merits of others, it may be said, that during the whole of these hard fought battles, no officer was more distinguished for the discharge of the arduous duties of his command ; — in the front of the battle, he was seen animating his soldiers and pointing the thunder of their cannon. His skill and bravery were so conspicuous on the latter occasion, that he received the particular approbation of the commander-in-chief, in general orders issued by him the day succeeding that of the battle, in which he says, that " the enemy have done them the justice to acknowledge, that no artillery could be better served than ours." But his great exertions on that occa- sion, together with the extreme heat of the day, produced the most alarming consequences to his health. To these more important scenes, his services were not confined ; with a zeal devoted to our cause he was ever at the post of danger — and the immortal hero, who stands first on the list of heroes and of men, has often expressed his sense of these services. In every field of battle, where Washing- ton fought, Knox was by his side. The confidence of the commander- in-chief inspired by early services, was thus matured by succeeding events. There can be no higher testimony to his merits, than that during a war of so long continuance, passed almost constantly in the presence of Washington, he uniformly retained his confidence and esteem, which at their separation had ripened into friendship and affection. The parting interview between General Knox and his illustrious and beloved chief, after the evacuation of New York by the British, and Knox had taken possession of it at the head of a detachment of our army, was inexpressibly affecting. The hour of their separation having arrived, Washington, incapable of utterance, grasped his hand and embraced him in silence and in tears. His letters, to the last moment of his life, contain the most flatterins: expressions of his unabated friendship. Honorable to himself as had been the career of his military services, new laurels were reserved for him at the siege of Yorktown. To the successful result of this memorable siege, the last brilliant act of our revolutionary contest, no officer contributed more essentially than the commander of the artillery. His animated exertions, his military skill, his cool and determined bravery in this triumphant struggle, received the unani- mous approbation of his brethren in arms, and he was immediately created major-general by Congress, at the recommendation of the commander-in-chief, with the concurrence of the whole army. 238 HENRY KNOX. West Point. The capture of Lord Coriiwallis closed the contest at Yorktown, and with it his military life. Having contributed so essentially to the successful termination of the war, he was selected as one of the commissioners to adjust the terms of peace, which service he per- formed in conjunction with his colleagues, much to the satisfaction of his country. He was deputed to receive the surrender of the city of New York, and soon after appointed to the command of West Point. It was here that he was employed in the delicate and arduous duty of disbanding the army, and inducing a soldiery, disposed to turbulence by their privations and sufferings, to retire to domestic life, and resume the peaceful character of citizens. It is a fact most honorable to his character, that by his countenance and support, he rendered the most essential aid to Washington in suppressing that spirit of usurpation which had been industriously fomented by a few unprincipled and aspiring men, whose aim was the subjugation of the country to a military government. No hope of political elevation — no flattering assurances of aggrandizement could tempt him to build his greatness on the ruin of his country. The great objects of the war being accomplished, and peace re- stored to our country, General Knox was early, under the confede- ration, appointed secretary of war by Congress, ir which office he was confirmed by President Washington, after the establishment of the federal government. The duties of this office were ultimately increased by having those of the navy attached to them — ^to the RETIRES TO PRIVATE LIFE. 239 establishment of which his counsel and exertion eminently contri- buted. He differed in opinion from some other members of the cabinet on this most interesting subject. One of the greatest men whom our country has produced, has uniformly declared that he con- sidered America much indebted to his efforts for the creation of a power which has already so essentially advanced her respectability and fame. AVING filled the office of the war department for eleven years, he obtained the reluctant con- sent of President Washington to retire, that he might give his attention to the claims of a nu- merous and increasing family. This retirement was in concurrence with the wishes of Mrs. Knox, who liad accompanied him through the trying vicissitudes of war, shared with him its toils and perils, and who was now desirous of enjoying the less busy scenes of domestic life. A portion of the large estates of her ancestor, General Waldo, had descended to her, which he by subsequent purchase increased till it comprised the whole Waldo Patent, an extent of thirty miles square, and embracing a considerable part of that section of Maine which now consti- tutes the counties of Lincoln, Hancock and Penobscot. To these estates he retired from all concern in public life, honored as a soldier and- beloved as a man, devoting much of his time to their settlement and improvement. He was induced repeatedly to take a share in the government of the state, both in the house of representatives and in the council ; in the discharge of those several duties he em- ployed his wisdom and experience with the greatest assiduity. In 1798, when the French insults and injuries towards this country called for resistance, he was one of those selected to command our armies, and to protect our liberty and honor from the expected hos- tilities of the French Directory : happily for our country their ser- vices were not required. Retired from the theatre of active life, he still felt a deep interest in the prosperity of his country. To that portion of it which he had chosen for his residence, his exertions were more immediately directed. His views, like his soul, were bold and magnificent, his ardent mind could not want the ordinary course of time and events ; it outstrip- ped the progress of natural improvement. Had he possessed a cold, calculating mind, he m.ight have left behind him the most ample wealth ; but he would not have been more highly valued by his country, or more beloved by his friends. He died at Montpeli r, his seat in Thomaston, 25th -of October, 1806, from sudden internal inflammation, at the age of fifty-six, from the full vigor of health. 240 HENRY KNOX. The great qualities of General Knox were not merely those of the hero and the statesman ; with these were combined those of the ele gant scholar and the accomplished gentleman. There have been those as brave and as learned, but rarely a union of such valor, with so much urbanity — a mind so great, yet so free from ostentation. Philanthropy filled his heart ; in his benevolence there was no re- serve — it was as diffusive as the globe, and extensive as the family of man. His feelings were strong and exquisitely tender. In the domestic circle they shone with peculiar lustre — here the husband, the father and the friend beamed in every smile — and if at any time a cloud overshadowed his own spirit, he strove to prevent its influ- ence from extending to those that were dear to him. He was frank, generous and sincere, and in his intercourse with the world uniformly just. His house was the seat of islegant hospitality, and his esti- mate of wealth, was its power of diffusing happiness. To the testi- mony of private friendship may be added that of less partial strangers, who have borne witness both to his public and private virtues. Lord Moira, who is now perhaps the greatest general that England can boast of, has in a late publication spoken in high terms of his mili- tary talents. Nor should the opinion of the Marquis Chattleleux be omitted. " As for General Knox," he says, " to praise him for his military talents alone, would lie to deprive him of half the eulogium he merits; a man of understanding, well-informed, gay, sincere and honest — it is impossible to know without esteeming him, or to see without loving him. Thus have the English, without intention, added to the ornaments of the human species, by awakening talents where they least wished or expected." Judge Marshall also, in his life of Washington, thus speaks of him : '• Throughout the contest of the revolution, this officer had continued at the head of the American artillery, and from being colonel of a regiment had been promoted to the rank of major-general. In this important station he had pre- served a high military character, and on the resignation of General Lincoln, had been appointed secretary of war. To his great ser- vices, and to unquestionable integrity, he was admitted to unite a sound understanding ; and the public judgment as well as that of the chief magistraie, pronounced him in all respects competent to the station he filled. The president was highly gratified in believing that his public duty comported with his private inclination, in nominating General Knox to the office which had been conferred on him under the former ffovernment." SrJt^:~«C^ MAJOR GENERAL BENJAMIN LINCOLN. ENERAL LINCOLN deserves a high rank in the fraternity of American heroes. He was horn in Hingham, Massachusetts, January 23d, O. S. 1733. His fj'kW, early education was not auspicious to his '' 'JtS future eminence, and his vocation was that IfjKV^^^ of a farmer, till he was more than forty ^ years of age, though he was commissioned as a magistrate, and elected a representa- tive in the state legislature. In the year 1775, he sustained the office of heutenant-colonel of militia. In 1776, he was appointed by 16 241 242 BENJAMIN LINCOLN. tlie council of Massachusetts, a brigadier, and soon after a major- general, and he applied himself assiduously to training, and preparing the militia for actual service in the field, in which he displayed the military talents which he possessed. In October, he marched with a body of militia and joined the main army at New York. The com- mander-in-chief, from a knowledge of his character and merit, recom- mended him to Congress as an excellent officer, and in February, 1777, he was by that honorable body, created a major-general on the continental establishment. For several months he commanded a division, or detachments in the main army, under Washington, and was in situations which required the exercise of the utmost vigilance and caution, as well as firmness and courage. Having the command of about five hundred men in an exposed situation near Bound Brook, through the neglect of his patroles, a large body of the enemy approached within two hundred yards of his quarters undiscovered ; the general had scarcely time to mount and leave the house before it was surrounded. He led oft" his troops, however, in the face of the enemy, and made good his retreat, though with the loss of about sixty men killed and wounded. One of his aids, with the general's baggage and papers, fell into the hands of the enemy, as did also three small pieces of artillery. In July, 1777, General Washington selected him to join the northern army under the command of General Gates, to oppose the advance of General Burgoyne. He took his .station at Manchester, in Vermont, to receive and form the New England militia, as they arrived, and to order their march to the rear of the British army. He detached Colonel Brown with five hundred men, on the 13th of September, to the landing at Lake George, where he succeeded in surprising the enemy, and took possession of two hundred batteaux, liberated one hundred American prisoners, and captured two hundred and ninety-three of the enemy, with the loss of only three killed and five wounded. This enterprise was of the highest importance, and contributed essentially to the glorious event which followed. Having detached two other parties to the enemy's posts at Mount Independence and Skenesborough, General Lincoln united his remaining force with the army under General Gates, and was the second in command. During the sanguinary conflict on the 7th of October, General Lincoln commanded within our lines, and at one o'clock the next morning, he marched with his division to relieve the troops that had been engaged, and to occupy the battle ground, the enemy having retreated. While on this duty he had occasion to ride forward some distance, to reconnoitre, and to order some disposition of his own troops, when a party of the enemy made an unexpected movement, and he approached within musket SERVICE IN THE SOUTH. 243 shot before he was aware of his mistake. A whole volley of mu.s- ketry was instantly discharged at him and his aids, and he received a wound by which the bones of his leg were badly fractured, and lie was obliged to be carried off the field. The wound was a formidable one, and the loss of his limb was for some time apprehended. He was for several months confined at Albany, and it became necessary to remove a considerable portion of the main bone before he was conveyed to his house at Hingham, and under this painful surgical operation, the writer of this being present, witnessed in him a degree of firmness and patience not to be exceeded. " I have known him," says Colonel Rice, who was a member of his military family, "during the most painful operation by the surgeon, while bystanders were frequently obliged to leave the room, entertain us with some pleasant anecdote, or story, and draw forth a smile from his friends." His wound continued several years in an ulcerated state, and by the loss of the bone, the limb was shortened, which occasioned lameness during the remainder of his life. General Lincoln certainly afforded very important assistance in the capture of Burgoyne, though it was his unfortunate lot, while in active duty, to be disabled before he could participate in the capitu- lation. Though his recovery was not complete, he repaired to head- quarters in the following August, and was joyfully received by the commander-in-chief, who well knew how to appreciate his merit. It was from a development of his estimable character as a man, and his talents as a military commander, that he was designated by Con- gress for the arduous duties of the chief command in the southern department, under innumerable embarrassments. On his arrival at Charleston, December, 1778, he found that he had to form an army, provide supplies, and to arrange the various departments, that he might be able to cope with an enemy consisting of experienced offi- cers and veteran troops. This, it is obvious, required a man of superior powers, indefatigable perseverance, and unconquerable energy. Had not these been his inherent qualities, Lincoln must have yielded to the formidable ol)stacles which opposed his progress. About the 28th of December, General Prevost arrived with a fleet, and about three thousand British troops, and took possession of Savannah, after routing a small party of Americans, under General Robert Howe. General Lincoln immediately put his troops in motion, and took post on the eastern side of the river, about twenty miles from the city ; but he was not in force to commence offensive opera- tions, till the last of February. In April, with the view of covering the upper ])art of Georgia, he marched to Augusta, after vviiich Pre- vost, the British commander, crossed the river into Carolina, and 244 BENJAMIN LINCOLN. Count V } staiEg. ninvched for Charleston. General Lincoln, therefore, recrossed the Savannah, and followed his route, and on his arrival near the city, the enemy had retired from before it during thejtrevious night. A detachment of the enemy, supposed to be about .six hundred men, Mnder Lieutenant-Colonel Maitland, being- posted at Stone Ferry, where they had erected works for their defence, General Lincoln resolved to attack them, which he did on the 19th of June. The contest lasted one hour and twenty minutes, in which he lost one hundred and sixty men killed and wounded, and the enemy suffered about an equal loss. Their works were found to be much .stronger than had been represented, and our artillery proving too light to annoy them, and the enemy receiving a reinforcement, our troops were obliged to retire. The next event of importance which occurred with our general, was the bold assault on Savannah, in conjunction \\ith the Count D'Estaing. General Prevost had again possessed himself of that city, and Count D'Estaing arrived with his fleet and armament in the beginning of September, 1779. Having landed nearly three SIEGE OF CHARLESTON. 246 thousand French troops, General Lincoln immediately united about one thousand men to his force. The prospect of success was highly flattering, but the enemy exerted all their efl"orts in strengthening their lines, and after the count had summoned the garrison, and while Prevost was aboui to arrange articles of capitulation, he received a reinforcement. It was now resolved to attempt the place by a regular siege, but various causes occasioned a delaj' of several days, and when it commenced, the cannonade and bombardment failed of producing the desired effect, and the short time allowed the count on' our coast, was quite insufficient for reducing the garrison by regular approaches. The commanders concluded, therefore, to make an effort on the works by assault. On the 9th of October, in the morning, the troops were led on by D'Estaing and Lincoln united, while a column led by Count Dillon missed their route in the darkness, and failed of the intended co-operation. Amidst a most appalling fire of the covered enemy, the allied troops forced the abbatis, and planted two standards on the parapets. But being over- powered at the point of attack, they were compelled to retire ; the French having seven hundred, the Americans two hundred and forty killed and wounded. The Count Pulaski, at the head of a body of our horse, was mortally wounded. (GENERAL LINCOLN next repaired to Charleston, and endeavored to put that city in a posture of defence, urgently requesting of Congress a reinforcement of regular troops, and additional sup- plies, which were but partially complied with. In February, 1780, General Sir Henr)' Clinton arrived, and landed a formidable force in the vicinity, and on the SOth of March encamped in front of the American lines at Charleston. Considerino; the vast superiority of the enemy, both in sea and land forces, it might be questioned whethei prudence and correct judgment would dictate an attempt to defend the city ; it will not be supposed, however, that the determination was formed without the most mature deliberation, and for reasons perfectly justifiable. It is well known that the g-eneral was in con- tinual expectation of an augmentation of strength by reinforcements. On the 1 0th of April, the enemy having made some advances, sum- moned the garrison to an unconditional surrender, which was promptly refused. A heav)- and incessant cannonade was sustained on each pde, till the 1 1th of May, when the besiegers had completed their 246 UENJAJIIN LIN CO J.N. BatUe Ground of Toiktown. third parallel line, and having made a second demand of surrender, a capitulation was agreed on. It is to be lamented, that with all the judicious and vigorous efforts in his power, General Lincoln was requited only by the frowns of fortune, whereas had he been successful in his bold enterprise and ■vnews, he would have been crownied with unfading laurels. But not- withstanding a series of disappointments and unfortunate occurrences, he was censured by no one, nor was his judgment or merit called in question. He retained his popularity, and the confidence of the armj% and was considered as a most zealous patriot, and the bravest of soldiers. In the campaign of 17S1, General Lincoln commanded a division under Washington, and at the siege of YorktovMi he had his fuU share of the honor of that brilliant and auspicious'event. The articles of capitulation stipulated for the same honor in favor of the surrender- ing army, as had been granted to the garrison of Charleston. General Lincoln was appointed to conduct them to the field where their arms were deposited, and received the customary submission. In the general order of the commander-in-chief the day after the capitula- tion, General Lincoln was among the general officers whose services were particularly mentioned. In October, 1781, he was chosen by Congress secretary of war, retaining his rank in the army. In this LINCOLN QUELLS SHAYS REBELLION. 247 office he continued till October, 1783, when his proffered resigna- tion was accepted by Congress. Having relinquished the duties and cares of a public employment, he retired and devoted his attention to his farm; but in 1784, he was chosen one of the commissioners and agents on the part of the state to make and execute a treaty with the Penobscot Indians. WTien, in the year 17S6-7, the authority of the state government of Massa- chusetts was in a manner prostrated, and the country alarmed by a most audacious spirit of insurrection, under the guidance of Shay and Day, General Lincoln was appointed by the governor and council, to command a detachment of militia, consisting of four or five thousand men, to oppose their progress, and compel them to a submission to the laws. He marched from Boston on the 20lh of January, into the counties of Worcester, Hampshire, and Berkshire, where the insurgents had erected their standard. They were embodied in con- siderable force, and manifested a determined resistance, and a slight skirmish ensued between them and a party of militia under General Shepherd. Lincoln, however, conducted with such address and energy, that the insurgents were routed from one town to another, till they were completely dispersed in all directions ; and by his wise and prudent measures the insurrection was happily suppressed with- out bloodshed, excepting a few individuals who were slain under General Shepherd's command. He was a member of the convention for ratifying the federed con- stitution, and in the summer of 1789 he received from President Washington the appointment of collector of the port of Boston, which office he sustained till being admonished by the increasing infirmities of age, he requested permission to resign. Having, after his resignation of the office of collector, passed about two years in retirement and in tranquillity of mind, but experiencing the feebleness of age, he received a short attack of disease by which his honorable hfe was terminated on the 9th of May, 1810, aged seventy-seven years. The following tribute is on the records of the society of Cincinnati. "At the annual meeting in Jul}', 1810, Major-General John Brooks was chosen president of the society, to supply the place of our venerable and much lamented president. General Benjamin Lincoln, who had presided over the society from the organization thereof in 1783, to the 9th of May, 1310, the day of his decease, with the entire approbation of every member, and the grateful tribute of his surviving comrades, for his happy guidance and affectionate attentions during so long a period." While at Purysburg, on the Savannah river, a soldier named Fick- 248 BENJAMIN LINCOLN. ling, having been detected in frequent attempts to desert, was tried and sentenced to be hanged. The general ordered the execution. The rope broke : a second was procured, which broke also: the case was reported to the general for directions. " Let him run," said the general, " I thought he looked like a scape-gallows." Major Garden, in his Anecdotes of the American Revolution, re- lates this story with some addition. It happened that, as Fickling was led to execution, the surgeon-general of the army passed acci- dentally, on his way to his quarters, which were at some distance. When the second rope was procured, the adjutant of the regiment, a stout and heavy man, assayed by every means to break it, but without effect. Fickling was then haltered and again turned off, when, to the astonishment of the bystander-s, the rope untwisted, and he fell a second time uninjured to the ground. A cry for mercy was now general throughout the ranks, which occasioned Mr. Lad- son, aid-de-camp to General Lincoln, to gallop to head-quarters, to make a representation of facts, which were no sooner stated than an immediate pardon was granted, accompanied with an order that he should instantaneously be drummed, with every mark of infamy, out of camp, and threatened with instant death, if he ever should be found attempting to approach it. In the interim, the surgeon-gene- ral had established himself at his quarters, in a distant barn, little doubting but that the catastrophe was at an end, and Fickling quietly resting in his grave. Midnight was at hand, and he was busily en- gaged in writing, when hearing the approach of a footstep, he raised his eyes, and saw with astonishment the figure of the man who had in his opinion been executed, slowly and with haggard countenance approaching towards him. " How ! how is this ?" exclaimed the doc- tor, " whence come you ? what do you want with me ? were you not hanged this morning?" "Yes, sir," replied the resuscitated man, "I am the wretch you saw going to the gallows, and who was hanged." " Keep your distance," said the doctor, " approach me not, till you say why you come here." " Simply, sir," said the supposed spectre, "to solicit food. I am no ghost, doctor. The rope broke twice, while the executioner was doing his office, and the general thought proper to pardon me." " If that be the case," rejoined the doctor, " eat and be welcome ; but I beg of you in future to have a little more consideration, and not intrude so unceremoniously into the apartment of one who had every right to suppose you an inhabitant of the tomb." COLONEL JOHN LAURENS, aspsffl^SB ' '<: 'm ton, in 1755. In rens, was born in Charles- youth he discovered that energy of character which distinguished him through life. When a lad, though laboring under a fever, on the cry of fire, he leaped from his bed, hastened to the scene of danger, and was in a few minutes on the top of the exposed houses, risk ing his life to arrest the progress of the flames. This is the more worthy of notice, for precisely in the same way, and under a similar but higher impulse of ardent patriotism, he lost his life in the year 1782. At the age of sixteen he was taken to Europe by his father, and there put under the best means of instruction in Geneva, and after- ward in London. He was entered a student of law at the temple in 1774, and was daily improving in legal knowledge till the disputes between Great Britain and her colonies arrested his attention. He soon found that the claims of the mother country struck at the root of liberty in the colonies, and that she perseveringly resolved to enforce these claims at every hazard. Fain would he have come out to join his country- men m arms at the commencement of the contest ; but the peremp- 249 250 JOHN LATJKENS. lory order of his father enjoined his conliiiuaiicc in England, to j)ro- secute his studies and finish his cducaticni. As a dutiful son he obeyed these orders; hut us a patriot ]>unnu<^ v\ith desire to defend ills eoiiulry, )je dismissed (loke, Jjiltleton, and all tiic tribe o< jurists, and sul)stitul( il in tlicir jilaec Vauban, Folard, and other writers on war. lie also availed liiniself of the excellent ojiijorlunities which London adijrds of ac(|uirinf^- practical knowledgi^ of the manual ex- ercise, of tactics, and the mechanism of war. Thus instructed, as soon as he was a freeman of higal age, he (juitted J'-ngland for France, and by a circuitous voyage in neutral vessels, and at a considerable risk made his way good, in the year 1777, 1o Charleston. Indejiendenee had been declared — the American army was raised, oflicered, and in the; field. He wiio, by his attainments in general science, and particularly in the military art, deserved higii rank, had no ordinary door left open to serve his country, but by entering in the lowest grade of an army abounding with officers. General Washington, ever attentive to merit, instantly took him into his family as a supernumerary aid-de-camp. Shortly after this apjioint- ment, he had an ojiportunity of indulging his military ardor. lie fought and was wounded in the battle of Germantown, October 4lli, 1777. lie continued in General Washington's family in the middle states till the British had retreated from I'hiladidphia to New York, and was engaged in the battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778. After this, the war being transferred more northwardly, he was indulged in attaching himself to the army in Kliode Island, where the most active operations were ex])ected soon to take place, 'riiere he was intrusted with the; command of some light troops. The bravery and good conduct which he displayed on tiiis occasion was honored by Congress, N the .Sth of November, 1778, they resolved, "that .lolm Laurens, Es(|., r,,i aid-de-camp 1o CJeneral Washington, be presented with a contincnlal com- niissioii ol lieutenant-colonel, in leslimoiiy ol' llie sense whicii Congress entertain ol his patri- otic and spirited service s as a volunteer in the American army; and of his brave conduct in several actions, jiarlicularl v in that of Khode Island, on the 2i)1h of August last; and that General Washington l)e directed, whenever au op|)(irl unity shall ' ofl'er, to give Lieutenant-Colomd Laurens commaiul agreeabh^ to his rank." On the next day, a letter from Licuteiiant-Colonid Laurens was read in Congress, expressing " his gratitude for the unexpected SERVICE IN CAROLINA. 251 honor which Congress were pleased to confer on him by the resolu- tion passed the day before ; and the high satisfaction it would have afforded him, could he have accepted it without injuring the rights of the officers in the line of the army, and doing an evident injustice to his colleagues in the family of the cornrnander-in-chief — thai having been a spectator of the convulsions occasioned in the army by disputes of rank, he held the tranquillity of it too dear to be instrumental in disturbing it, and therefore entreated Congress to suppress the resolve of yesterday, ordering him a commission of lieutenant-colonel, and to accept his sincere thanks for the intended honor." In this relinquishment thei-e was a victory gained by patriot- ism over self-love. Lieutenant-Colonel Laurens loved military fame and rank ; but he loved his country more, and sacrificed the former to preserve the peace and promote the interests of the latter. N the next year the British directed their military operations chiefly against the rnosl southern states. Lieutenant-Colonel John Laurens was induced by double motives to repair to Carolina. The post of danger was always the object of his preference. Ifis native state was become the theatre of war. To its aid he repaired, and in May, 1779, with a party of light troops, had a skirmish with the British at Tulifinny. In endeavoring to ob.struct their progress towards Charleston, he received a wound. This was no sooner cured than he rejoined the army, and was engaged in the unsuccessful attack on Savannah, on the 9th of October of the same year. To prepare for the defence of Charleston, tlie reduction of which was known to be contemplated by the British, was the next object of attention among the Americans. To this Colonel Laurens devoted all the energies of his active mind. In the progress of the siege, which commenced in 1780, the success of defensive operations became doubtful. Councils of wai were frequent — several of the citizens were known to wish for a surrender as a termination of their toils and dangers. In these councils and on proper occasions, Colonel Laurens advocated the abandonment of the front lines, and to retire to new ones, to be erected within the old ones, and to risk an assault. When these spirited measures were opposed on the .suggestion that the inhabit- ants preferred a capitulation, he declared that he would direct his sword to the heart of the first citizen who would urge a capitulation against the opinion of the commander-in-chief. When his sujjerior ofiicers, convinced of the ineflficacy of further resistance, were disposed to surrender on terms of capitulation, he 252 JOHN LAURENS. yielded to the necessity of the case, and became a prisoner of war. This reverse of fortune opened a new door for serving his country in a higher hne than he ever yet had done. He was soon exchanged, and reinstated in a capacity for acting. In expediting his exchange, Congress had the uUerior view of sending him as a special minister to Paris, that he might urge the necessity of a vigorous co-operation on the part of France with the United States against Great Britain. When this was proposed to Colonel Laurens, he recommended and urged that Colonel Alexander Hamilton should be employed in pre- ference to himself. Congress adhered to their first choice. Colonel Laurens sailed for France in the latter end of 1780 ; and there in conjunction with Dr. Franklin, and Count de Vergennes, and Marquis de Castries, arranged the plan of the campaign for 1781 ; which eventuated in the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, and finally in a termination of the war. Within six months from the day Lau- rens left America, he returned to it, and brought with him the con- certed plan of combined operations. Ardent to rejoin the army, he was indulged with making a verbal report of his negotiations to Congress ; and in three days set out to resume his place as one of the aids of Washington. The American and French army, about this time commenced the siege of Yorktown. In the course of it, Colonel Laurens, as second in command, with his fellow aid, Colonel Hamil- ton, assisted in storming and taking an advanced British redoubt, which expedited the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. The articles of capitulation were arranged by Colonel Laurens on behalf of the Americans. Charleston and a part of South Carolina still remained in the power of the British. Colonel Laurens deeming nothing done while any thing remained undone, repaired on the surrender of Lord Cornwallis to South Carolina, and joined the army under General Greene. In the course of the summer of 1782 he caught a common fever, and was sick in bed when an expedition was undertaken against a party of British, which had gone to Combahee to carry off rice. Laurens rose from his sick bed and joined his countrymen. While leading an advanced party, he received a shot, which, on the 27th of August, 1782, put an end to his valuable life in the twenty-seventh year of his age. — His many virtues have been ever since the subject of eulogy, and his early fall, of national lamentation. MAJOR GENERAL CHARLES LEE. ENERAL LEE was an original genius, possessing the most brilliant talents, great military powers, and extensive intelli- gence and knowledge of tlie world. He was born in Wales, his family- springing from the same parent stock with the Earl of Leicester. He may properly be called a child of Mars, for he was an officer when but eleven years old. His favorite study was the science of war, and his warmest wish was to become distinguished in it ; but though possessed of a military spirit, he was ardent in the 253 264 CHARLES LEE. General Abercrombie's Army crossing Xjake George. pursuit of general knowledge. He acquired a competent skill in Greek and Latin, while his fondness for travelling made him acquainted with the Italian, Spanish, German, and French languages. In 1756, he came to America, captain of a company of grenadiers, and crossed Lake George with the army, and was present at the defeat of General Abercrombie, at Ticonderoga, where he received a severe wound. In 1762, he bore a colonel's commission, and served under Burgoyne in Portugal, where he greatly distinguished him.self, and received the strongest recommendations for his gallantry ; but his early attachment to the American colonies, evmced in his writings against the oppressive acts of parliament, lost him the favor of the ministry. Despairing of promotion, and despising a life of inactivity, he left his native soil and entered into the service of his Polish majesty, as one of his aids, with the rank of major-general. His rambling disposition led him to travel all over Europe, during theyearsof 1771, 1772, and part of 177.3, and his warmth of temper drew liim into several rencounters, among v^hich was an affair of honor witli an officer in Italy. The contest was begun with swords, when the general lost two of his fingers. Recourse was then had to pistols. His adversary was slain, and he was obliged to flee from the country, in order that he might avoid the unpleasant circum- stances which might result from this unhappy circumstance. General Lee appeared to be influenced by an innate principle of republicanism ; an attachment to these principles was implanted in the constitution of his mind, and he espoused the cause of America as a champion of her emancipation from oppression. LEE APPOINTED A MAJOR GENERAL. J55 Glowing with these sentiments, he embarked for this country, and arrived at New York on the 10th of November, 1773. On his arrival, he became daily more enthusiastic in the cause of liberty, and travelled rapidly through the colonies, animating the people, both by conversation and his eloquent pen, to a determined and persevering resistance to British tyranny. His enthusiasm in favor of the rights of the colonies was such, that, after the battle of Lexington, he accepted a major-general's commis- sion in the American army ; though his ambition had pointed out to him the post of commander-in-chief, as the object of his wishes. Previous to this, however, he resigned his commission in the British service, and relinquished his half-pay. This he did in a letter to the British secretary at war, in which he expressed his disapprobation of the oppressive measures of Parliament, declaring them to be so absolutely subversive of the rights and liberties of every individual subject, so destructive to the whole empire at large, and ultimately, so ruinous to his majesty's own person, dignity, and family, that he thought himself obliged in conscience, as a citizen, an Englishman, and soldier of a free .state, to exert his utmost to defeat them. Immediately upon receiving his appointment, he accompanied General Washington to the camp at Cambridge, where he arrived July 2d, 1775, %nd was received with every mark of respect. As soon as it was discovered at Cambridge that the British General Clinton had left Boston, General Lee was ordered to set forward, to observe his manoeuvres, and prepare to meet him in any part of the continent he might visit. No man was better qualified, at this early state of the war, to penetrate the designs of the enemy, than Lee. Nursed in the camp, and well versed in European tactics, the soldiers believed him, of all other officers, the best able to face in the field an experienced British veteran, and lead them on to victory. New York was supposed to be the object of the enemy, and hither he hastened with all possible expedition. Immediately on his arrival, Lee took the most active and prompt measures to put it in a state of defence. He disarmed all suspected persons within lhe reach of his command, and proceeded with such rigor against the tories, as to give alarm at his assumption of military powers. From the tories he exacted a strong oath, and his bold measures carried terror wherever he appeared. Not long after he was appointed to the command of the southern department, and in his travels through the country, he received every testimony of high respect from the people. General Sir Henry Clinton and Sir Peter Parker, with a powerful fleet and army, attempted the reduction of Charleston, while he was in the command. 256 CHARLES LEE. Sir Jeter Parker. The fleet anchored within half musket shot of the fort on Sullivan's Island, where Colonel Moultrie, one of the bravest and most intrepid of men, commanded. A tremendous enMo^ement ensued on the 28th of June, 1776, which lasted twelve hours without intermission. The whole British force was completely repulsed, after suffering an irreparable loss. General Lee and Colonel Moultrie received the thanks of Congress for their signal bravery and gallantry. Our hero had now reached the pinnacle of his military glory ; the eclat of his name alone appeared to fenchant and animate the most desponding heart. But here we pause to contemplate the humiliating reverse of human events. He returned to the main army in October ; and in marching at the head of a large detachment through the Jerseys, having, from a desire of retaining a separate command, delayed his march several days, in disobedience of express orders CAPTURE OF LEE. 257 Geneial Lee's Head-quarters at Baeldngridge. from the commander-in-chief, he was guilty of most culpable negli- gence in regard to his personal security. He took up his quarters two or three miles from the main body, and lay for the night, December 13th, 1776, in a careless, exposed situation. Information of this being communicated to Colonel Harcourt, who commanded the British light horse, he proceeded immediately to the house which was Genera] Lee's head-quarters at Baskingridge, fired into it, and obliged the general to surrender himself a prisoner. They mounted him on a horse in haste, without his cloak or hat, and conveyed him in triumph to New York. Lee was treated, while a prisoner, with great severity by the enemy, who aifected to consider him as a state prisoner and deserter from the service of his Britannic majesty, and denied him the privi- leges of an American officer. General Washington promptly retaliated the treatment received by Lee upon the British officers in his pos- session. This state of things existed until the capture of Burgoyne, when a complete change of treatment was observed towards Lee ; and he was shortly afterward exchanged. The first military act of General Lee, after his exchange, closed his career in the American army. Previous to the battle of Mon- mouth, his character in general was respectable. From the begin- ning of the contest, his unremitted zeal in the cause of America 17 258 CHARLES LEE. excited and directed the military spirit of the whole continent ; and his conversation inculcated the principles of liberty among all ranks of the people. His important services excited the warm gratitude of many of the friends of America. Hence it is said that a strong party was formed in Congress, and by some discontented officers in the army, to raise Lee to the first command : and it has been suggested by many that General Lee's conduct at the battle of Monmouth was intended to effect this plan : for could the odium of the defeat have been at this time thrown on General Washington, there is great reason to sup- pose that he would have been deprived of his command. It is now to be seen how General Lee terminated his military career. In the battle of Monmouth, on the 28th of June, 1778, he commanded the van of the American troops, with orders from the commander-in-chief to attack the retreating enemy. Instead of obeying this order, he conducted in an unworthy manner, and greatly disconcerted the arrangements of the day. Washington, advancing to the field of battle, met him in his disorderly retreat, and accosted him with strong expressions of disapprobation. Lee, incapable of brooking even an implied indignity, and unable to restrain the warmth of his resentment, used improper language in return, and some irri- tation was excited on both sides. The following letters immediately after passed between Lee and the commander-in-chief. Camp, EscLisH Tows,7 Isi July, 1778. 5 Sir — From the knowledge that I have of your Excellency's cha- racter, I must conclude that nothing but the misinformation of some very stupid, or misrepresentation of some very wicked person, could have occasioned your making use of such very singular expressions as you did, on my coming up to the ground where you had taken post : they implied that I was guilty either of disobedience of or- ders, want of conduct, or want of courage. Your excellency will, therefore, infinitely oblige me by letting me know on which of these three articles you ground your charge, that I may prepare for my justification ; which I have the happiness to be confident I can do, to the army, to Congress, to America, and to the world in general. Your Excellency must give me leave to observe, that neither your- self, nor those about your person, could, from your situation, be in the least judges of the merits or demerits of our manoeuvres ; and, to s^ak with a becoming pride, I can assert that to these manoeuvres the success of the day was entirely owing. I can boldly say, that, had we remained on the first ground — or had we advanced — or had the retreat been conducted in a manner different from what it Vias, CORRESPONDENCE WITH WASHINGTON. 259 this whole army, and the interests of America would have risked being sacrificed. I ever had, and I hope ever shall have the greatest respect and veneration for General Washington ; I think him en- dowed with many great and good qualities : but in this instance 1 must pronounce that he has been guilty of an act of cruel injustice towards a man who had certainly some pretensions to the regard of every servant of his country ; and I think, sir, I have a right to de- mand some reparation for the injury committed ; and unless I can obtain it, I must in justice to myself, when the campaign is closed, which I believe will close the war, retire from a service at the head of which is placed a man capable of offering such injuries ; but at the same time, in justice to you, I must repeat that I from my soul believe that it was not a motion of your own breast, but instigated by some of those dirty earwigs who will forever insinuate themselves near persons in high office ; for I am really assured that, when Gene- ral Washington acts from himself, no man in his army will have reason to complain of injustice and indecorum. I am, sir, and I hope ever shall have reason to continue, Yours, &c. Charles Lee. His Exc'y Gen. Washington. Head-Qcarters, English Towpf, ' 28^— =— ^^ ^°'^ finding himself abandoned by his friends, degraded in the eye of the g'^ public, and despised by the wise and virtuous, retired to his sequestered plantation in Virginia. Li this spot, secluded from all society, he lived in a sort of hovel without glass windows or plastering, or even a decent article of house furniture ; here he amused himself with his books and dogs. On January 18th, 1780, Congress resolved that Major-General Lee be informed that they have no further occasion for his services in the army of the United States. In the autumn of 1782, wearied with his forlorn situation, and broken spirit, he resorted to Philadelphia, and took lodgings in an ordinary tavern. He was soon seized with a disease of the lungs, and after a few days confinement, he terminated his mortal course, a martyr to chagrin and disappointment, October 2d, 1782. The last words which he was heard to utter, were, " stand by me, my brave grenadiers." General Lee was rather above the middle size, " plain in his per- son even to ugliness, and careless in his manners even to a degree of rudeness ; his nose was so remarkably aquiline that it appeared as a real deformity. His voice was rough, his garb ordinary, his de- portment morose. He was ambitious of fame, without the dignity to support it. In private life he sunk into the vulgarity of the ANECDOTE OF LEE. 261 clown." His remarkable partiality for dogs was such, that a number of these animals constantly followed in his train, and the ladies com- plained that he allowed his canine adherents to follow him into the parlor, and not unfrequently a favorite one ni£;ht be seen on a chair next his elbow at table. In the year 1776, when our army lay at White Plains, Lee resided near the road which General Washington frequently passed, and he one day with .his aids called and took dinner; after they had de- parted, Lee said to his aids, " You must look me out other quarters, or I shall have Washington and his puppies calling till they eat me up." The next day he ordered his servant to write with chalk on the door, " No victuals cooked here to-day." The company, seeing the hint on the door, passed by with a smile at the oddity of the man. " The character of this person," says one who knew him well, " is full of absurdities and qualities of a rfiost extraordinary nature." While in Philadelphia, shortly before his death, the following ludicrous circumstance took place, which created no small diversion. HE late Judge Brackenrjdge, whose poignancy of ^!^ satire and eccentricity of character was nearly a match for that of the general, had dipped his pen in some gall, which greatly irritated Lee's feelings, insomuch that he challenged him to single combat, which Brackenridge declined in a very eccentric reply. Lee, having furnished himself with a horsewhip, determined to chastise him ignominiously on the very first opportunity. Observing Brackenridge going down Market street, a few days after, he gave him chase, and Brackenridge took refuge in a public house, and barricaded the door of the room he entered. A number of persons collected to see the result. Lee damned him, and invited him to come out and light hirn like a man. Brackenridge replied that he did not like to be shot at, and made some other curious observations, which only increased Lee's irrita- tion and the mirth of the spectators. Lee, with the most bitter imprecation, ordered him to come out, when he said he would horse- whip him. Brackenridge replied, that he had no occasion for a dis- cipline of that kind. The amusing scene lasted some time, until at length Lee, finding that he could accomplish no other object than calling forth Brackenridge's wit for the amusement of the by-standers, retired. General Lee was master of a most genteel address, but was rude in his manners, and excessively negligent in his appearance and be- havior. His appetite was so whimsical that he was everywhere a 262 CHARLES LEE. most troublesome guest. Two or three dogs usually followed him wherever he went. As an officer he was brave and able, and did much towards disciplining the American army. With vigorous powers of mind, and a brilliant fancy, he was a correct and elegant classical scholar, and he both wrote and spoke his native lang;uage with propriety, force and beauty. His temper was severe ; the history of his life is little else than the history of disputes, quarrels and duels, in every part of the world. He was vindictive, avaricious, immoral, impious and profane. His principles, as would be expected from Iris character, were most abandoned, and he ridiculed every tenet of religion. Two virtues he possessed to an eminent degree, sincerity and veracity. It was notorious that General Lee was a man of unbounded personal ambition, and, conscious of his European education, and pre-eminent military talents and prowess, he affected a superiority over General Washington, and constantly aimed at the supreme command, little scrupulous as to the means employed to accomplish his own advance- ment The following is an extract from General Lee's will. " I desire most earnestly that I may not be buried in any church or church yard, or within a mile of any Presbyterian or Anabaptist meeting-house, for since I have resided in this country, I have kept so much bad company while living, that I do not choose to continue it while dead." Head-Quarters at Gowanus, Broolclyn, Jjong Island. MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM ALEXANDER. ENERAL WILLIAM ALEX ANDER, commonly called Lord Stirling, was a native of the city of New York. He was considered, by many, as the rightful heir to the title and estate of an earldom in Scotland, of which country his father was a native ; and although when he went to North Britain in pursuit of this inheritance, he failed of obtaining an acknowledgment of his claim by govern ment, yet, among his friends and acquaint- ances, he received, by courtesy, the title of Lord Stirling. In his youth his labors were arduous in the pursuit of science, and he dis covered an early fondness for the study of mathematics and astronomy^ in which he attained great eminence. At the commencement of the revolutionary war, he attached him self to the cause of America, and entered the field against her enemies He was a brave, discerning, and intrepid officer. In the battle or. Long Island, August 27th, 1776, he sliared largely in the glory and disasters of the day. The part he bore in that engagement is described as follows : — " The fire towards Brooklyn gave the first intimation to the American right that the enemy had gained their rear. Lord Stirling, perceiving the danger with which he was threatened, and that he could only escape it by instantly retreating 263 2^4 WILLIAM ALEXANDER. across the creek, by the Yellow Mills, not far from the cove, orders 10 this effect were immediately given, and the more effectually to secure the retreat of the main body of the detachment, he deter- mined to attack, in person, a corps of the British, under Lord Corn- wallis, stationed at a house somewhat above the place at which he proposed crossing the creek. About four hundred men were chosen out for this purpose ; and the attack was made with great spirit. This small corps was brought up to the charge several times, and Lord Stirling stated that he was on the point of dislodging Lord Cornvi-allis from his post ; but the force in his front increasing, and General Grant also advancing on his rear, the brave men he com- manded were no longer able to oppose the superior numbers which assailed them on every quarter, and those who survived were, with their general, made prisoners of war. This bold and well judged attempt, though unsuccessful, was productive of great advantages. It gave an opportunity to a large part of the detachment, to save themselves by crossing the creek. Immediately after his exchange, Lord Stirling joined the army under the immediate command of General Washington. In the battle of Germantown, his division, and the brigade of Generals Nash and Maxwell, formed the corps of reserve. At the battle of Mon- mouth, he commanded the left wing of the American army. At an important period of the engagement, he brought up a detachment of artillery, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Carrington, with some field pieces, which played with great effect on the enemy, who were pressing on to the charge. These pieces, with the aid of several parties of infantry, detached for the purpose, effectually put a stop to their advance. The American artillery maintained their ground with admirable firmness, under a heavy fire from the British field artillery. His attachment to Washington was proved in the latter part of 1777, by transmitting to him an account of the disaffection of General Conway to the commander-in-chief. In the letter, he said, " such wicked duplicity of conduct I shall always think it my duty to detect." He died at Albany, January 15th, 1783, aged fifty-seven years. BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM DAVIDSON. (HE distinguished officer, William Davidson, lieutenant- colonel commandant in the North Carolina line, and brigadier-general in the militia of that state, was the youngest son of George Davidson, who removed with his family from Lancaster county, in Pennsylvania, in the year 1750, to Rowan county, in North Carolina. William was born in the year 1746, and was educated in a plain country manner, at an academy in Charlotte, the county town of Mecklenburgh, which adjoins Rowan. Like most of the enterprising youth of America, Davidson repaired to the standard of his country, on the commencement of the revolu- tionary war, and was appointed a major in one of the first regiments formed by the government of North Carolina. In this character he marched with the North Carolina line, under Brigadier-General Nash, to the main army in New Jersey, where he served under the commander-in-chief, until the North Carolina line was detached in November, 1779, to reinforce the southern army commanded by Major-Genera] Lincoln. Previous to this event, Major Davidson was promoted to the command of a regiment, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel commandant. As he passed through North Carolina, Davidson obtained permis- sion to visit his family, from which he had been absent nearly three years. The delay produced by this visit saved him from captivity as he found Charleston so closely invested when he arrived in its Deighborhood, as to prevent his rejunction with his regiment. 265 266 WILLIAM DAVIDSON. \00N after the surrender of General Lincoln and his army, the loyalists of North Carolina, not doubting the complete success of the royal forces, began to embody themselves for the purpose of contributing their active aid in the field to the subsequent operations of the British general. They were numerous in the western parts of the state, and especially in the highland settlement about Cross creek. Lieutenant-Colonel Davidson put himself at the head of some of our militia, called out to quell the expected insurrec- tion. He proceeded with vigor in the execution of his trust ; and in an engagement with a party of loyalists near Calson's mill, he was severely wounded ; the ball entered the umbilical region, and passed through his body near the kidneys. This confined him for eight weeks ; when recovering, he instantly took the field, having been recently appointed brigadier-general by the government of North Carolina, in the place of Brigadier-General Rutherford, taken at the battle of Camden. He exerted himself, in conjunction with General Sumpter and Colonel Davie, to interrupt the progress of Lord Corn- wallis in his advance towards Salisbury, and throughout that event- ful period, gave unceasing evidences of his zeal and firmness in upholding his falling country. After the victory obtained by Morgan at the Cowpens, Davidson was among the most active of his countrymen in assembling the militia of his district, to enable General Greene, who had joined the light corps under Morgan, to stop the progress of the advancing enemy, and was detached by General Greene, on the night of the last day of January, to guard the very ford selected by Lord Cornwallis for his passage of the Catawba river on the next morning. Davidson possessed himself of the post in the night, at the head of three hun- dred men ; and having placed a picket near the shore, stationed his corps at some small distance from the ford. General Henry Lee, from whose memoirs of the war in the southern department of the United States, we copy the present sketch of General Davidson, gives the following account of the battle : " A disposition was immediately made to dislodge Davidson, which the British General O'Hara, with the g"uards, efl^ected. Lieutenant- Colonel Hall, led with the light company, followed by the grenadiers. The current was rapid, the stream waist deep, and five hundred yards in width. The soldiers crossed in platoons, supporting each other's steps. When Lieutenant-Colonel Hall reached the river, he was descried by the American sentinels, whose challenge and fire brought Davidson's corps into array. Deserted by his guide. Hall passed GENERAL DAVIDSON S CHARACTER. 267 directly across, not knowing the landing place, which lay below him. This deviation from the common course, rendered it necessary for Davidson to incline to the right ; but this manoeuvre, although promptly performed, was not effected until the light infantry had gained the shore. A fierce conflict ensued, which was well supported by Davidson and his inferior force. The militia at length yielded, and Davidson, while mounting his horse to direct the retreat, was killed. The corps dispersed and sought safety in the woods. Our loss was small excepting General Davidson, an active, zealous, and influential officer. The British Lieutenant-Colonel Hall was also killed, with three of the light infantry, and thirty-six were wounded. Lord Cornwallis's horse was shot under him, and fell as soon as he got upon the shore. Leslie's horses were carried down the stream, and with difficulty saved ; and O'Hara's tumbled over with him into the water." The loss of Brigadier-General Davidson would always have been felt in any stage of the war. It was particularly detrimental in its effect at this period, as he was the chief instrument relied upon by General Greene for the assemblage of the militia ; an event all important at this crisis, and anxiously desired by the American general. The ball passed through his breast, and he instantly fell dead. This promising soldier was thus lost to his country in the meridian of life, and at a moment when his services would have been highly beneficial to her. He was a man of popular manners, pleasing address, active and indefatigable. Enamored with the profession of arms, and devoted to the great cause for which he fought, his future use- fulness may be inferred from his former conduct. The Congress of the United States, in gratitude for his services, and in commemoration of their sense of his worth, passed a resolu- tion directing the erection of a monument to his memory. J J.\ COLONEL WILLIAM RICHARDSON DAVIE, COMMANDANT OF THE STATE CAVALRY OF NORTH CAROLINA. OLONEL DAVIE was born in the village of Egremont, in Eng- land, on the 20th June, 1759. His father, visiting South Caro- lina soon after the peace of 1763, brought with him his son ; and return- ing to England, confided him to the Rev. William Richardson, his maternal uncle ; I who, becoming much attached to his nephew, not only took charge of his education, but adopted him as his son and heir. At the proper age, William was sent to an academy in North Carolina, from whence he was, after a few years, removed to the college of Nassau Hall, in Princeton, New Jersey, then becoming the resort of most of the southern youth, under the auspices of the learned and respectable Dr. Witherspoon. Here he finished his education, graduating in the autumn of 1776, a year memorable in our military as well as civil annals. Returning home, young Davie found himself shut out for a time from the army, as the commissions for the troops just levied had 268 SERVICE IN CAROLINA. 269 been issued. He went to Salisbury, where he commenced the study of law. The war continuing, contrary to the expectations which generally prevailed when it began, Davie could no longer resist the wish to plant himself among the defenders of his country. Inducing a worthy and popular friend, rather too old for military service, to raise a troop of dragoons as the readiest mode of accomplishing his object, Davie obtained a lieutenancy in this troop. Without delay the captain joined the southern army, and soon afterwards returned home on a furlough. The command of the troop devolving on Lieutenant Davie, it was, at his request, annexed to the legion of Count Pulaski, where Captain Davie continued, until promoted by Major-General Lincoln to the station of brigade major of cavalry. In this office Davie served until the affair at Stono, devoting his leisure to the acquirement of professional knowledge, and rising fast in the esteem of the general and army. When Lincoln attempted to dislodge Lieutenant-Colonel Maitland from his intrenched camp on the Stono, Davie received a severe wound, and was removed from camp to the hospital in Charleston, where he was confined five months. Soon after his recovery he was empowered by the government of North Carolina to raise a small legionary corps, consisting of one troop of dragoons and two companies of mounted infantry, at the head of which he was placed with the rank of major. Quickly succeeding in completing his corps, in whose equipment he expended the last remaining shilling of an estate bequeathed to him by his uncle, he took the field, and was sedulously engaged in protecting the country between Charlotte and Camden from the enemy's predatory excursions. On the fatal 19th of August he was hastening with his corps to join the army, when he met our dispersed and flying troops. He nevertheless continued to advance toward the conqueror ; and by his prudence, zeal, and vigilance, saved a few of our wagons, and many of our stragglers. Acquainted with the movement of Sumpter, and justly apprehending that he would be destroyed unless speedily advised of the defeat of Gates, he despatched immediately a courier to that officer, communicating what had hap- pened, performing in the midst of distress and confusion, the part of an experienced captain. So much was his conduct respected by the government of North Carolina, that he was in the course of September promoted to the rank of colonel commandant of the cavalry of the state. At the two gloomiest epochs of the southern war, soon after the fall of Charleston and the overthrow of Gates, it was the good fortune of Colonel Davie, to be the first to shed a gleam through the 270 WILLIAM R. DAVIE. surrounding darkness, and give hope to the country by the brilUancy of his exploits. In one instance, without loss or injury on his part, he entirely destroyed an escort of provisions, taking forty prisoners, with their horses and arms. In the other, under the immediate eye of a large British force, which was actually beating to arms, to attack him, he routed a party stronger than his own, killing and wounding sixty of the enemy, and carrying off with him ninety-six horses, and one hundred and twenty stand of arms. When Lord Cornwallis entered Charlotte, a small village in North Carolina, Colonel Davie, at the head of his detachment, threw him- self in his front, determined to give him a specimen of the firmness and gallantry, with which the inhabitants of the place were prepared to dispute with his lordship their native soil. OLONEL Tarlton's legion formed the British van, led by Major Hanger, the commander himself being confined by sickness. When that celebrated corps had advanced near to the centre of the village, where the Americans were posted, Davie poured into it so destructive a fire, that it immediately wheeled, and retired in disorder. Being rallied on the commons, and again led on to the charge, it received on the spot another fire with similar effect. Lord Cornwallis, witnessing the confusion thus produced among his choicest troops, rode up in person, and in a tone of dissatisfac- tion, upbraided the legion with unsoldierly conduct, reminding it of its former exploits and reputation. Pressed on his flanks by the British infantry, Colonel Davie had now fallen back to a new and well selected position. To dislodge him from this, the legion cavalry advanced on him a third time, in rapid charge, in full view of their commander-in-chief, but in vain. Another fire from the American marksmen killed several of their officers, wounded Major Hanger, and repulsed them again with in- creased confusion. The main body of the British being now within musket shot, the American leader abandoned the contest. It was by strokes like these that he seriously crippled and intimi- dated his enemy, acquired an elevated standing in the estimation of his friends, and served very essentially the interest of freedom. In this station he was found by General Greene, on assuming the command of the southern army ; whose attention had been occupied from his entrance into North Carolina, in remedying the disorder in the quartermaster and commissary departments. To the first, Car- rington had been called ; and Davie was now induced to take upon SIEGE OF NINETY-SIX. 271 himself the last, much as he preferred the station he then possessed. At the head of this department, Colonel Davie remained throughout the trying campaign which followed ; contributing greatly by his talents, his zeal, his local knowledge, and his influence, to the main- tenance of the difficult and successful operations which followed. While before Ninety-Six, Greene, foreseeing the difficulties again to be encountered, in consequence of the accession of force to the enemy by the arrival of three regiments of infantry from Ireland, determined to send a confidential officer to the legislature of Nortli Carolina, then in session, to represent to them his relative condition, and to urge their adoption of effectual measures without delay, for the collection of magazines of provisions and the remforcement of the army. Colonel Davie was selected by Greene for this important mission, and immediately repaired to the seat of government, where he ably and faithfully exerted himself to give efl'ect to the views of his general. The effect of the capture of Cornwallis assuring the quick return of peace, Colonel Davie returned home, and resumed the profession with the practice of the law in the town of Halifax, on the Roanoke. He was afterward governor of North Carolina, and one of our ambassadors to France, at a very portentous conjuncture. The war in the south was ennobled by great and signal instances of individual and partisan valor and enterprise. Scarcely do the most high-drawn heroes of fiction surpass, in their daring and ex- traordinary achievements, many of the real ones of Pickens, Marion, Sumpter and Davie, who figured in the southern states during the conflict of the revolution. Colonel Davie, although younger by several years, possessed talents of a higher order, and was much more accomplished in edu- cation and manners than either of his three competitors for fame For the comeliness of his person, his martial air, his excellence in horsemanship, and his consummate powers of field eloquence, he had scarcely an equal in the armies of his country. But his chief excel- lence lay in the magnanimity and generosity of his soul, his daring courage, his vigilance and address, and his unrelaxing activity and endurance of toil. If he was less frequently engaged in actual com- bat than cither of his three compeers, it was not because he was inferior to either of them in enterprise or love of battle. His district being more interior, was at first less frequently invaded by British detachments. When, however. Lord Cornwallis ultimately advanced into that quarter, his scouts and foraging parties found in Colonel Davie and his brave associates as formidable an enemy as they had ever encountered. suited was h 372 BRIGADIER GENERAL FRANCIS MARION. ^ RANCIS MARION, colonel in the regular service, and brigadier-gene- ral in the militia of South Carolina, was born in the vicinity of George- town, in the year 1733. portray the meteor-like course of hardihood and exploit, traced by General Marion and his heroic followers, would constitute a picture, rich in admiration and delight to the lovers of bravery and roman- tic adventure. Never was an officer better to the times in which he lived, and the situation in which it is fortune to act. For stratagems, unlooked-for enterprises MARION AT SEA. 273 Ivlarion bhipwreclied. against the enemy, and devices for concealing hiis own position and movements, he had no rival. Never, in a single instance, was he overtaken in his course, or discovered in his hiding-place. Even some of his own party, anxious for his safety, and well acquainted with many of the places of his retreat, have sought for him whole days in his immediate neighborhood without finding him. Suddenly and unexpectedly, in some distant point he would again appear, pouncing upon his enemy like the eagle upon his prey. These high and rare qualities conducted him repeatedly into the arms of victory, when the force he encountered was tenfold the number of that he commanded. Young Marion, at the age of sixteen, entered on board a vessel bound to the West Indies, with a determination to fit himself for a seafaring life. On his outward passage, the vessel was upset in a gale of wind, when the crew took to their boat without water or pro- visions, it being impracticable to save ar>y of either. A dog jumped into the boat with the crew, and upon his flesh, eaten raw, did the survivors of these unfortunate men subsist for seven or eight days ; in which period several died of hunger. Among the few who escaped was young Marion. After reaching land, Marion relinquished his original plan of life, and engaged in the labors of agriculture. In this occupation he continued until 1759, when he became a soldier, and was appointed a lieutenant in a com- pany of volunteers, raised for an expedition against the Cherokee Indians, commanded by Captain William Moultrie, (since General Moultrie.) As soon as the war broke out between the colonies and the mother country, Marion was called to the command of a company in the first corps raised by the state of South Carolina. He was soon after- wards promoted to a majority, and served in that rank under Colonel 18 274 FRANCIS MARION. Marion Escaping from a Drinting Party. Moultrie, in his intrepid defence of Fort Moultrie, against the com- bined attaclc of Sir Henry Clinton and Sir Peter Parker, on the 2d of June, 1776. He was afterwards placed at the head of a regiment, as lieutenant-colonel commandant, in command of Fort Moultrie, which he retained until by a leap from a second storv window of a house in Charleston, where he was hard pressed with bumpers, he fractured his ankle. In consequence of this accident he became incapable of military duty, and, fortunately for his country, escaped the captivity to which the garrison was, in the sequel, forced to submit. When Charleston fell into the enemy's hands, Lieutenant-Colonel Marion abandoned his state, and took shelter in North Carolina. The moment he recovered from the fracture of his leg, he engaged in preparing the means of annoying the enemy, then in the flood tide of prosperity. With sixteen men only, he crossed the Santee, and commenced that daring system of warfare which so much annoyed the British army. Colonel Peter Horry, in his life of General Marion, gives the fol ANECDOTE OF MARION. 275 Marion inviting tte Biitisli Officer to dinner. lowing 'mteresting incident : — " About this time we received a flag from the enemy in Georgetown, South Carohna, the object of which was to make some arrangements about llie exchange of prisoners. The flag, after the usual ceremony of blindfolding, was conducted into Marion's encampment. Having heard great talk about General Marion, his fancy had naturally enough sketched out for him some stout figure of a warrior, such as O'Hara, or Cornwallis himself, of martial aspect and flaming regimentals. But what was his surprise when led into Marion's presence, and the bandage taken from his eyes, he beheld in our hero a swarthy, smoke-dried little man, with scarcely enough of threadbare homespun to cover his nakedness ! and instead of tall ranks of gay dressed soldiers, a handful of sun- burnt, yellow-legged militia-men ; some roasting potatoes, and some asleep, with their black firelocks and powder-horns lying by them on the logs. Having recovered a little from his surprise, he presented his letter to General JIarion, who perused it, and soon settled every thing to his satisfaction. , The officer took up his hat to retire. 276 FRANCIS MARION. " Oh no !" said Marion, " it is now about our time of dining, and I hope sir, you will give us the pleasure of your company to dinner." At the mention of the word dinner, the British officer looked around him, but to his great mortification, could see no sign of a pot, pan, Dutch-oven, or any other cooking utensil that could raise the spirits of a hungry man. " Well, Tom," said the general to one of his men, " come give us our dinner." The dinner to which he alluded was no other than a heap of sweet potatoes, that were very snugly roasting under the embers, and which Tom, with his pine stick poker, soon liberated from their ashy con- finement ; pinching them every now and then with his fingers, espe- cially the big ones, to see whether they were well done or not. Then having cleansed them of the ashes, partly by blowing them with his breath, and partly by brushing them with the sleeve of his old cot- ton shirt, he piled some of the best on a large piece of bark, and placed them between the British officer and Marion, on the trunk of the fallen pine on which they sat. " I fear, sir," said the general, " our dinner will not prove so palata- ble to you as I could wish ; but it is the best we have." The officer, who was a well-bred man, took up one of the pota- toes and affected to feed, as if he had found a great dainty ; but it was very plain that he ate more from good manners than good appe- tite. Presently he broke out into a hearty laugh. Marion looked sur- prised. " I beg pardon, general," said he, " but one cannot, vou know, always command one's conceits. I was thinking how drolly some of my brother officers would look, if our government were to give them such a bill of fare as this." " I suppose," replied Marion, " it is not equal to their style of dining." " No, indeed," quoth the officer, " and this, I imagine, is one of your accidental Lent dinners : a sort of lan-yan. In general, no doubt, you live a great deal better." " Rather worse," answered the general, " for often we don't get enough of this." " Heavens !" rejoined the officer, " but probably what you lose in meal you make up in malt, though stinted in provisions, you draw noble pay." " Not a cent, sir," said Marion, " not a cent." " Heavens and earth ! then you must be in a bad box. I don't see, general, how you can stand it." MARIONS DINNER. 277 "Why, sir," replied Marion, with a smile of self-approbation, ' these things depend on feeling." The Englishman said, " he did not believe it would be an easy matter to reconcile his feelings to a soldier's life on General Marion's terms: all fighting, 710 pay, arid no provisions hut potatoes.^'' "Why, sir," answered the general, " ihe heart is all ; and when that is once interested, a man can do any thing. Many a youth would think it hard to indent himself a slave for fourteen years. But let him be over head and ears in love, and with such a beauteous sweetheart as Rachel, and he will think no more of fourteen years' servitude than young Jacob did. Well, now, this is exactly my case. I am in love ; and my sweetheart is Liberty. Be that heavenly nymph my companion, and these woods shall have charms beyond London and Paris in slavery. To have no proud monarch driving- over me with his gilt coaches ; nor his host of excisemen and tax- gatherers insulting and robbing ; but to be my own master, my own prince and sovereign ; gloriously preserving my natural dignity, and pursuing my true happiness, planting my vineyards and eating their luscious fruit ; sowing my fields, and reaping the golden grain, and seeing millions of brothers all around me, equally free and happy as myself — this, sir, is what I long for." The officer replied, that both as a man and a Briton, he must sub- scribe to this as a happy state of things. " Happy," quoth Marion, " yes, happy indeed ; and I would rather fight for such blessings for my country, and feed on roots, than keep aloof, though wallowing in all the luxuries of Solomon. For now, sir, I walk the soil that gave me birth, and exult in the thought that I am not unworthy of it. I look upon these venerable trees around me, and feel that I do not dishonor them. I think of my own sacred rights, and rejoice that I have not basely deserted them. And when I look forward to the long, long ages of posterity, I glory in the thought that I am fighting their battles. The children of distant generations may never hear my name ; but still it gladdens my heart to think that I am now contending for their freedom, with all its countless blessings." I looked at Marion as he uttered these sentiments, and fancied I felt as when I heard the last words of the brave De Kalb. The Englishman hung his honest head, and looked, I thought, as if he had seen the upbraiding ghosts of his illustrious countrymen, Sidney and Hampden. On his return to Georgetown, he was asked by Colonel Watson why he looked so serious. " I have cause, sir," said he, " to look so serious." 278 FRANCIS MARION. ■What ! has General Marion refused to treat?" " ^^'ell, then, has old Washington defeated Sir Henry Clinton, and broke up our army ?" " No, sir, not that neither ; but tvorse." " Ah ! what can be worse ?" " Why, sir, I have seen an American general and his officers without pay, and almost without clothes, living on roots, and drink- ing water ; and all for Liberty ! What chance have we against such men ?" It is said Colonel W'atson was i>ot much obliged to him for this speech. But the young officer was so struck witli Marion's senti- ments, that he never rested until he threw up his commission, and retired from the service. General Marion, whose stature was diminutive, and his person uncommonly light, rode, when in service, one of the fleetest and most powerful chargers the south could produce. When in fair pursuit, nothing could escape him, and when retreating, nothing could overtake him. Being once nearly surrounded by a party of British dragoons, he was compelled, for safety, to pass into a corn-field, by leaping the fence. This field, marked with a considerable descent of surface, had been in part a marsh. Marion entered it at the upper side. The dragoons in chase leapt the fence also, and were but a short distance behind him. So completely was he now in their power, that his only mode of escape was to pass over the fence on the lower side. But here lay a difficulty which to all but himself appeared insurmountable. To drain the ground of its superfluous waters, a trench had been cut around this part of the field, four feet wide and of the same depth. Of the mud and clay removed in cutting it, a bank had. been formed on its inner side, and on the top of this was erected the fence. The elevation of the whole amounted to more than seven feet perpen- dicular 'height ; a ditch four feet in width running parallel with it on the outside, and a foot or more of space intervening between the fence and the ditch. The dragoons, acquainted with the nature and extent of the obstacle, and considering it impossible for their enemy to pass it, pressed towards him with loud shouts of exultation and insult, and summoned him to surrender or perish by the sword. Regardless of their rudeness and empty clamor, and inflexibly determined not to become their prisoner, Marion spurred his horse to the charge. The noble animal, as if conscious that his master's life was in danger, and DEATH OF MARION. 279 that on his exertion depended his safety, approached the barrier in his finest style, and with a bound that was almost supernatural, cleared the fence and the ditch, and recovered himself without injury on the opposite side. Marion now facing his pursuers, who had halted at the fence, unable to pass it, discharged his pistols at them without effect, and then wheeling his horse, and bidding them " good morning," with an air of triumph, dashed into an adjoining thicket, and disappeared in an instant. General Marion was a native of South Carolina ; and the imme- diate theatre of his exploits, was a large section of the maritime district of that state, around Georgetown. The peculiar hardihood of his constitution, and its being accommodated to a warm climate and a low marshy country, qualified him to endure hardships and submit to exposures, which, in that sickly region, few other men would have been competent to sustain. He continued his undivided efforts until the close of the war, and lived to see the United States enrolled among the free and independent nations of the earth. General Marion died on the 27th day of February 1795, at his residence in St. John's Parish. He was in the sixty-third year of his age. In the last hour he displayed the firmness of a soldier, and the composure of a christian. " Thank God," he said, " I can lay my hand on my heart and say that since I came to man's estate, 1 have never intentionally done wrong to any." MAJOR GENERAL ISRAEL PUTNAM. ^<€: SRAEL PUTNAM, who, through a regular gradation of promotion, became the senior major-general in the army of the United States, and next in rank to General Wash- ington, was born at Salem, Massachusetts, on the 7th day of January, 1718. Courage, enterprise, activity, and perse- verance, were the first characteristics of his mind ; and his disposition was as frank and generous, as his mind was fearless and independent. Although he had too much suavity in his nature to commence a quarrel, he had too much sensibility not to feel, and too much honor not to resent, an intended insult. The first time he went to Boston he was insulted for his rusticity by a boy of twice his size and age : after bearing sarcasms until his patience was worn out, he challenged, engaged, and vanquished his unmannerly antagonist, to the great diversion of a crowd of spectators. While a stripling, his ambition was to perform the labor of a man, and to excel in athletic diversions. In the year 1739, he removed from Salem to Pomfret, an inland 280 ADVENTURE WITH THE WOLF 281 fertile town in Connecticut. Having here purchased a considerable tract of land, he applied himself successfully to agriculture. Our farmer, sufficiently occupied in building a house and barn, felling woods, making fences, sowing grain, planting orchards, and taking care of his stock, had to encounter, in turn, the calamities occasioned by drought in summer, blast in harvest, loss of cattle in winter, and the desolation of his sheepfold by wolves. In one night he had seventy fine sheep and goats killed, besides many lambs and kids wounded. This havoc was committed by a she-wolf, which, with her annual whelps, had for several years infested the vicinity. This wolf at length became such an intolerable nuisance that Mr. Putnam entered into a combination with five of his neighbors, to hunt alternately until Ihey could destroy her. Two, by rotation, were to be constantly in pursuit. It was known that, having lost the toes from one foot by a steel-trap, she made one track shorter than the other. By this vestige the pursuers recognized, in a light snow, the route of this pernicious animal. Having followed her to Con necticut river, and found she had turned back in a direct course toward Pomfret, they immediately returned ; and by ten o'clock the next morning the blood-hounds had driven her into a den, about three miles distant from the house of Mr. Putnam. The people soon col- lected, with dogs, guns, straw, fire and sulphur, to attack the com- mon enemy. With this apparatus several unsuccessful efforts were made to force her from the den. The hounds came back badly wounded, and refused to return. The smoke of blazing straw had no effect. Nor did the fumes of burnt brimstone, with which the cavern was filled, compel her to quit the retirement. Wearied with such fruitless attempts, (which had brought the time to ten o'clock at night,) Mr. Putnam tried once more to make his dog enter, but in vain ; he proposed to his negro man to go down into the cavern, and shoot the wolf, but the negro declined the hazardous service. Then it was that the master, angry at the disappointment, and declaring that he was ashamed to have a coward in his family, resolved him- self to destroy the ferocious beast, lest she should escape through some unknown fissure of the rock. His neighbors strongly remon- strated against the perilous enterprise : but he, knowing that wild animals were intimidated by fire, and having provided several strips of birch bark, the only combustible material he could obtain that would afford light in this deep and darksome cave, prepared for his descent. Having, accordingly, divested himself of his coat and waistcoat, and having a long rope fastened round his legs, by which he might be pulled back at a concerted signal, he entered head fore- most, with the blazing torch in his hand. 282 ISRAEL PUTNAM. J« l^pHE aperture of the den, on the east side of a very high ledge of rocks, is about two feet square ; from thence it descends obliquely fifteen feet, then running horizon- tally about ten more, it ascends gradually sixteen feet towards its termination. The sides of this subterraneous cavity are com- posed of smooth and solid rocks, which seem to have been divided from each other by some former earthquake. The top and bottom are also of stone ; and the entrance, in winter, being covered with ice, is exceedingly slippery. It is in no place high enough for a man to raise himself upright, nor in any ])art more than three feet in width. Having groped his passage to the horizontal part of the den, the most terrifying darkness appeared in front of the dim circle of light afforded by his torch. It was silent as the house of death. None but monsters of the desert had ever before explored this solitary mansion of horror. He cautiously proceeded onward, came to the ascent, which he slowly mounted on his hands and knees, until he discovered the glaring eyeballs of the wolf, who was sitting at the extremity of the cavern. Startled at the sight of fire, she gnashed iier teeth, and gave a sullen growl. As soon as he had made the necessary discovery, he kicked the rope as a signal for pulling him out. The people at the mouth of the den, who had listened with painful anxiety, hearing the growling of the wolf, and supposing their friend to be in the most imminent danger, drew him forth with such celerity that his shirt was stripped over his head, and his skin severely lacerated. After he had adjusted his clothes, and loaded his gun with nine buck-shot, holding a torch in one hand and the mu-^ket in the other, he descended the second time. When he drew nearer than before, the wolf, assuming a still more fierce and terrible appearance, howling, rolling her eyes, snapping her teeth, and dropping her head between her legs, was evidently in the attitude and on the point of springing at him. At this critical instant he levelled and fired at her head. Stunned with the shock, and sulTocated with the smoke, he immediately found himself drawn out of the cave. But having re- freshed himself, and perniilled the smoke to dissipate, he went down the third time. Once more he came within sight of the wolf, who, appearing very passive, he applied the torch to her nose, and per- ceiving her dead, he took hold of her ears, and then kicking the rope, (still tied round his legs,) the jieople above, with no small exultation dragged them both out together. ADVENTURE WITH THE WOLF. 283 Adventure of Futnaia -witli tlio Wolf. But the time liad now arrived, which was to turn the implements of husbandry into weapons of hostility, and to exchange the hunting of wolves, which had ravaged the sheepfolds, for the pursuit of savages, who had desolated the frontiers. Putnam was about thirty- seven years of age, when the war between England and France broke out in America. In 1755 he was appointed to the command of a company, in the first regiment of provincials that was levied by Connecticut. The regiment joined the army at the opening of the campaign, not far distant from Crown Point. Soon after his arrival at camp, he became intimately acquainted with the famous partisan captain, afterward Major Rogers, with whom he was frequently associated in crossing the wilderness, recon- noitering the enemy's lines, gaining intelligence, and taking straggling prisoners, as well as in beating up the quarters, and surprising the advanced pickets of their army. For these operations, a corps of rangers was formed from the irregulars. The first time Rogers and Putnam were detached with a party of these light troops, it was the fortune of the latter to preserve with his own hand, the life of the former, and to cement their friendship with the blood of one of their enemies. The object of this expedition was to obtain an accurate knowledge of the position and state of the works at Crown Point. It was impracticable to approach with their party near enough for this pur- pose, without being discovered. Alone, the undertaking was suffi- 284 ISRAEL PUTNAM. ciently hazardous, on account of the swarms of hostile Indians who infested the woods. Our two partisans, however, left all their men at a convenient distance, with strict orders to continue concealed until their return. "AVING thus cautiously taken their arrauyemeiits, they advanced with the profoundest silence in the evening ; and lay during the night contiguous to the fortress. Early in the morning they appr jachrd so close as to be able to give satisfactory information to the general who had sent them, on tlie several points to which their attention had been directed : but Captain Rogers being at a little distance from Captain Putnam, fortuitously met a stout Frenchman, who instantly seized his fusee with one hand, and with the other attempted to stab him, while he called to an adjacent guard for assistance. The guard answered. Putnam, perceiving the imminent danger of his friend, and that no time was to be lost, or further alarm given by firing, ran rapidly to them while they were struggling, and with the butt end of his piece laid the Frenchman dead at his feet. The partisans, to elude pursuit, precipitated their flight, joined the party, and returned without loss to the encampment. The time for which the colonial troops engaged to serve, termi nated with the campaign. Putnam was reappointed, and again took the field in 1756. Few are so ignorant of war, as not to know that military adven- tures in the night, are always extremely liable to accidents. Captain Putnam, having been commanded to reconnoitre the enemy's camp at the Ovens near Ticonderoga, took the brave Lieutenant Robert Durkee as his companion. In attempting to execute these orders, he narrowly missed being taken himself in the first instance, and killing his friend in the second. It was customary for the British and provincial troops to place their fires round their camp, which frequently exposed them to the enemy's scouts and patroles. A con- trary practice, then unknown in the English army, prevailed among the French and Indians. The plan was much more rational : they kept their fires in the centre, lodged their men circularly at a distance, and posted their sentinels in the surrounding darkness. Our partisans approached the camp, and supposing the sentries were within the circle of fires, crept upon their hands and knees with the greatest possible caution, until, to their utter astonishment, they found them- selves in the thickest of the enemy. The sentinels, discovering PUTNAM SAVES A MAGAZINE. 285 them, fired, and slightly wounded Durkee in the thigh He and Putnam had no alternative. They fled. The latter, being loremost, and scarcely able to see his hand before him, soon plunged into a clay pit. Durkee, almost at the identical moment, came tumbling after. Putnam, by no means pleased at finding a companion, and believing him to be one of the enemy, lifted his tomahawk to give the deadly blow, when Uurkee, (who had followed so closely as to know him,) inquired whether he had escaped unhurt. Captain Put- nam, instantly recognizing the voice, dropped his weapon, and both, springing from the pit, made good their retreat to the neighboring ledges, amidst a shower of random shot. There they betook them- selves to a large log, by the side of which they lodged the remainder of the night. Before they lay down. Captain Putnam said he had a little ram in his canteen, which could never be more acceptable or necessary ; but on examining the canteen, which hung under his arm, he found the enemy had pierced it with their balls, and that there was not a drop of liquor left. The next day he found fourteen bullet holes in his blanket. Nothing worthy of remark happened during the course of this campaign, but the active services of Captain Putnam on every occa- sion attracted the admiration of the public, and induced the legislature of Connecticut to promote him to a majority in 1757. N the winter of 1757, when Colonel Haviland was commandant at Fort Edward, the barracks adjoining to the northwest bastion took fire. They ex- tended within twelve feet of the maga- zine, which contained three barrels of powder. On its first discovery, the fire raged with great violence. The com- mandant endeavored, in vain, by dis- charging some pieces of heavy artillery against the supporters of this flight of barracks, to level them with the ground. Putnam arrived from the island where he was stationed at the moment when the blaze approached that end which was con- tiguous to the magazine. Instantly a vigorous attempt was made to extinguish the conflagration. A way was opened by the postern gate to the river, and the soldiers were employed in bringing water ; which he, having mounted on a ladder to the eaves of the building, received and threw upon the flame. It continued, notwithstanding their utmost efl^orts, to gain upon them. He stood, enveloped in smoke, so near the sheet of fire, that a pair of blanket mittens was burnt entirely from his hands. He was supplied with another pair S86 ISRiEL PUTXAX. dipped in water. Colonel HaTiland, fearing that he wonld perish in the flames, called to him to come down, but he entreated that he mijht be snfiered to remain, since destruction mast ineTitablr ensue if their exertions should be remitted. The gallant coramandant, not less astonished than charmed at the boldnfss of his conduct, forbade anv more effects to be carried out of the fort, animated the men to redoubled dili^nce, and exclaimed, " if we most be blown up. we wiU go all tosether." At last, when the barracks were seen to be tumblin?, Putnam descended, placed himself at the interral, and continued from an incessant rotation of replenished backets to pour water upon the magazine. The outside planks were alreadr con- sumed by the proximity of the fire, and as onlr one thickness of timber interrened, the trepidation now became general and extreme. Putnam, still undaunted, covered with a cloud of cinders, and scorched with the intensity of the heat, maintained his position until the fire subsided, and the danger was wholly over. He bad contended for one hour and a half with that terrible element. His legs, his thighs his arms, and his face were blistered ; and when he pulled off his second pair of mittens, the skin from his hands and fingers followed them. It was a month before he recovered. The commandant, to whom his merits had before endeared him, could not stifle the cmo- tkms of gratitude doe to the man who had been instrumental in preserving the magazine, the fort, and the gamson. In the month of August, five hundred men were employed, under the orders of Majors R(^is and Putnam, to watch the motions of the enemy near Ticonderoga. At South Bay they separated the PUT X A 51 S CONTEST IN THE WOODS 137 party into two equal divisions, and Rogers took a position on Wood creek, twelve miles distant from Putnam. Upon beinff, some time afterwards, discovered, they formed a reunion, and concerted measures for returning to Fort Edward. Their march through the woods was in three divisions, by files ; the right commanded by Rogers, the left by Putnam, and the centre by Cap- tain D'Ell. At the moment of moving, the famous French partisan Molang, who had been sent with five hundred men to intercept our partv, was not more than one mile and a half distant from them. Major Putnam was just emerging from the thicket, into the common forest, when the enemy rose, and, with discordant yells and whoops, commenced an attack upon the ri^ht of his division. Surprised, but undismayed, Putnam halted, returned the fire, and passed the word for the other divisions to advance for his support. D'El! came. The action, though widely scattered, and principally fought between man and man soon grew general, and intensely warm. Major Putnam, perceiving it would be impracticable to cross the creek in his rear, determined to maintain his ground. Inspired by his ex- ample, the officers and men behaved with great bravery ; sometimes they fought collec- tively in open view, and sometimes individually under cover ; taking aim from be- hind the bodies of trees, and acting in a manner, indepen- dent of each other. For him- self, having discharged his Puteam's contest in the woods. fusee Several tlTues, at length it missed fire, while the muzzle was pressed against the breast of a large and well-proportioned savage. This warrior, availing himself of the indefensible attitude of his adversary, with a tremendous war whoop, sprang forward, with his lifted hatchet, and compelled him to surrender : and, having disarmed and bound him fast to a tree, returned to the battle. The intrepid Captains, D'Ell and Harman, who now commanded, were forced to give ground, for a little distance ; the savages, con- ceiving this to be the certain harbinger of victory, rushed impetuously on, with dreadful and redoubled cries. But our two partisans, col- lecting a handful of brave men, gave the pursuers so warm a recep i1 — ijiai t^ afaami ^ad oonB^BeecL Here "Aer isai&& a stind. Tlfaas cJiaMC be &cxgfy fcetmecB (^ fee cf lie ttF0 p^Hifs. T tii ii i ■ ■ iii i i ^^iii n imi Sew JBoraEan^ ££ cf -inTiLrf^. mraifeV to TBowe Me bedr. to stir Mf Bmbs. or er«B to jm-Sup :ui :>f ai. lie liearantad ^tae l^a^ as ^aiB'. So egxalhr hafcmnpd. and >o «&s£ffi£ae "arxif ilif: ££ia ! ^ one ^wmriPiHi itMk tbe ^iS^ fwerre: ::j £as«r cf l^te etKanr, a ^v^^ &: — r ~ ~ 'se sak cidd ana «^ ^b- : Ti^o^^ Ibs Inawwr. He •fnimd r . :>3iiBd — iie n^tt fatre f^pfyaif^ed Mm ^ a q»»^ iiSev — %sa be jcrivd ^eSbr to cscaie tLf tenuis «f tie jmvmmet, h^ inir&nr a tonaferwt ^ Me ^ead, «r isd^er :l dsidd seeraMecil^eci wjs l«:>3£« iatfm WKSss^vsaiiLl^iwm TtL-wrtOi- oot twaribrig '•nTT< . Tije -ipeapan stiick in li* rrse a linmber ca tnrtf*. sit a Mars MeaAiii di£is»oe Snm ibe losix. 'QTiieii tLe l3idk.r : ■n-nwhftti nr itllllllM IIM 111, M Fn ImIiIiiII offw N I il Mllllll limH illHi saraseln-BiaiBe, {dBBi^ deaceaded feeaa aa MmiMif andpaS^ecz. s^aea,) pencBTs^ Puliiiiiii^ came i^ to Imo, asd, le<«31^e^ a &]9ee vidn a iB«e cf 3k MeasL atieaxifted todi acimge it — at mnncd aire. lae^cSssST- £d 1^ afieaded t5cSbb 9o£dlt 'die Ize^aaetf 4aE to a^ Mw,tyRyeaaa^t^^beirasafriTiwifTrf war. TWd^esersl^ FreacJimsai £d BOi imAfirHiamd 1^ laev^e ef koaar «r «f wisAmi : iii-iS to iii£3r Teoce, amd ^ead to TMiwiJiaht be Tiolesthr. and k^^':- eilT. p^^ed tjie »wg»»^ cf the gia -ai^-rnst Fiii itaiw's zna&, smd feisiL'T £-£-e Ima a crEfi Idow en 1]k jaw irrx iLe Mttt-ead cf Mb jBBce. A±f7 trtrk d^eardlr ^eed le 1^ Mm. . — ^^ .j^ig aci3i% iSin^adCr itf DJbS and Hsobsb, seraBoeL raeceiias Ti^er «f liiek ^Sbwcss, pses^ded. Tb^ &vre \iit ield zije eDfanT, wio left ^ncfsSX imeSTr dead M^iod llw.'ii . " -' - wt-irjng P aaianw w:B£ J^m.^at^ Vc j^e Im'Ejja w^B 3ia 1^ fboe «f adtiBHi, fee was ■CT»a? ^awtrny ^ mJ iimBi; ; lnwlnd WJA ^ MBgy r wosaided ^ cmdi %* tnied ^mb feiai; lUiwiiV re- termined, however, not to lose his captive, (the refreshment being finished,) he took the moccasons from his leet, and tied them to one of his wrists : then directing him to lie down on his back upon the bare ground, he stretched one arm to its full length, and pinioned it fast to a young tree ; the other arm was extended and bound in the same manner — his legs were stretched apart and fastened to two sap- lings. Then a number of tall but slender poles were cut down, which, with some long bushes, were laid across his body from head to foot : on each side lay as many Indians as could conveniently find lodging, in order to prevent the possibility of his escape. In this disagreeable and painful posture he remained until morning. During this night, the longest and most dreary conceivable, our hero used to relate that he felt a ray of cheerfulness come casually across his mind, and could not even refrain from smiling when he reflected on this ludicrous group for a painter, of which he himself was the principal figure. The next day he was allowed his blanlvet and moccasons, and per- mitted to march without carrying any pack, or receiving any insult To allay his extreme hunger, a little bear's meat was given, which he sucked through his teeth. At night the party arrived at Ticon- deroga, and the prisoner was placed under the care of a French guard. The savages who had been prevented from glutting their diabolical thirst for blood, took other opportunity of manifesting their malevolence for the disappointment, by horrid grimaces and angry GENEROSITY OF SCHUYLER. 291 gestures ; but they were suffered no more to offer violence or persona! indignity to him. After having been examined by the ^Marquis de Jlontcahn, Major Putnam was conducted to Montreal by a French officer, who treated him with tlie greatest indulgence and humaiiit}'. At this place were several prisoners. Colonel Peter Schuyler, remarkable for his philanthropy, generosity, and friendship, was of the number. No sooner had he heard of Putnam's arrival, than he went to tlie interpreter's quarters, and inquired whether he had a provincial major in his custody. He fo\ind I\Iajor Putnam in a comfortless condition — without coat, waistcoat, or hose — the remnant of his clothing miserably dirty and ragged — his beard long and .squalid — his legs torn by thorns and briers — his face gashed by wounds, and swollen with bruises. Colonel Schuyler, irritated beyond all suffer- ance at such a sight, could scarcely restrain his speech within limits consistent with the prudence of a prisoner, and the meekness of a christian. Major Putnam was immediately treated according to his rank, clothed in a decent manner, and supplied with money by that liberal and sympathetic patron of the distressed. HE capture of Frontenac by General Bradstreet, af- forded occasion for an exchange of prisoners. Colonel Schuyler was comprehended in the cartel. A generous spirit can never be satisfied with imposing-tasks for its generosity to accomplish. Apprehensive, that if it shoulil be known that Putnam was a distinguished partisan, his libera- tion might be retarded, and knowing that there were officers, who, from the length of their captivity, had a claim to priority of exchange, he had, by his happy address, induced the governor to offer, that what- ever officer li,e might think proper to nominate should be included in the present cartel. With great politeness in manner, but seeming indifference as to object, he expressed his warmest acknowledgments to the governor, and said, — There is an old man here, who is a pro- vincial major, and wishes to be at home with his wife and children ; he can do no good here or any where else : I believe your Excellency had better keep some of the young men, who have no wife nor chil- dren to care for, and let the old fellow go home with me. This justifiable finesse had the desired effect. Shortly after, Putnam was promoted to be a lieutenant-colonel, in which he continued to the close of the war, ever, and on all occa- sions, supporting his hard earned reputation for valor and intrepidity; and, at the expiration of ten years from his first receiving a commis- sion, after having seen as much service, endured as many hardships, encountered as many dangers, and acquired as many laurels as any 292 ISRAEL PUTNAM. officer of his rank, with great satisfaction laid aside his uniform aiid returned to the plough. On the 22d day of March, 1765, the stamp act received the royal assent. Colonel Putnam was, at this time, a member of the house of assembly of the state of Connecticut, and was deputed to wait on the then Governor Fitch on the subject. The questions of the governor, and answers of Putnam, will serve to indicate the spirit of the times. After some conversation, the governor asked Colonel Putnam " what he should do if the stamped paper should be sent him by the king's authority ?" Putnam replied, " lock it up until we shall visit you again." " And what will you do then ?" " We shall expect you to give us the key of the room in which it is deposited ; and, if you think fit, in order to secure yourself from blame, you may fore- warn us, upon our peril, not to enter the room." " And what will you do afterward ?" " Send it safely back again." " But if I should refuse admission ?" " In such case, your house will be demolished in five minutes." It is supposed that a report of this conversation was one reason why the stamp paper was never sent from New York to Connecticut. Being once, in particular, asked by a British officer, with whom he had formerly served, " whether he did not seriously believe that a well appointed British army of five thousand veterans could march through the whole continent of America?" he briskly replied, "no doubt, if they behaved civilly, and paid well for every thing they wanted ; but," after a moment's pause, , added, " if they should attempt it in a hostile manner (though the American men were out of the question,) the women, with their ladles and broomsticks, would knock them all on the head before they had got half-way through." The battle of Lexington found Putnam in the midst of his agricul- tural pursuits. Immediately upon learning the fatal rencontre, he left his plough in the middle of the field, unyoked his team, and without waiting to change his clothes, set off for the theatre of action. But finding tlie British retreated to Boston, and invested by a sufficient force to watch their movements, he came back to Connecticut, levied a regiment under authority of the legislature, and speedily returned to Cambridge. He was now promoted to be a major-general on the continental establishment. - Not long after this period, the British commander-in-chief found the means to convey a proposal, privately, to General Putnam, that if he v*-ould relinquish the rebel party, he might rely upon being made a major-general on the British establishment, and receiving a great pecuniary compensation for his services. General Putnam spurned PUTNAM AT BUNKER HILL. 293 The Minute man. at the offer ; which, however, lie thought prudent at that time to conceal from public notice. In the battle of Bunkers Hill he exhibited his usual intrepidity. He directed the men to reserve their fire till the enemy was very near, reminded them of their skill, and told them to take good aim. They did so, and the execution was terrible. After the retreat, he made a stand at Winter Hill, and drove back the enemy under cover of their ships. When the army was orffanized by General Wash- ington, at Cambridge, Putnam was appointed to command the reserve. In August, 1776, he was stationed at Brooklyn, on Long Island. After the defeat of our army on the twenty-seventh of that month, he went to New York, and was very serviceable in the city and neigh- borhood. In October or November, he was sent to Philadelphia, to fortify that city. In January, 1777, he was directed to take post at Princeton, where he continued until spring. At this place, a sick prisoner, a captain, requested that a friend in the British army at Brunswick might be sent for to assist him in making his will. Putnam was perplexed. He had but fifty men under his command, and he did not wish to have his weakness known ; yet he was unwilling to deny the request. He, however, sent a flag of truce, and directed the officer to be brought in the night. In the evening lights were placed in all the college windows, and in every apartment of the vacant houses throughout the town. The officer, on his return, reported that General Putnam's army could not consist of less than four or five thousand men. 294 ISRAEL PUTNAM. In the spring he was appointed to the command of a separate army, in the highlands of New York. One Pahiier, a heutenant in the tory new levies, was detected in the camp ; Governor Tryon reclaimed him as a Briti.sh officer, threatening vengeance if he was not restored, (icneral Putnam wrote the following pithy reply : — " Sir, Nathan Palmer, a lieutenant in your king's service, was taken in my camp as a spy ; he was tried as a spy ; he was condemned as a .spy ; and shall be hanged as a s^sy. P. S. Afternoon. He is hanged." After the loss of Fort Montgomery, the commander-in-chief de- termined to build another fortification, and he directed Putnam to fix upon a spot. To him belongs the praise of having chosen West Point. About the middle of winter, while General Putnam was on a visit to his out-post at Horse-Neck, he found Governor Tryon ad- vancing upon that town with a corps of fifteen hundred men. To oppose these General Putnam had only a picket of one hundred and fifty men, and two iron field-pieces, without horses or drag .ropes. He, however, planted his cannon on the high ground l)y the meeting- house, and retarded their approach by firing several times, until per- ceiving the horse (supported by the infantry) about to charge, lie ordered the picket to provide for their safely, by retiring to a swamp inaccessible to horse, and secured his own by plunging down the steep precipice at the churcli upon a full trot. This precipice is so steep where he descended, as to have artificial stairs, composed of nearly one hundred stone steps, for the accommodation of foot passengers. There the dragoons who were but a sword's length from him stopped short ; for the declivity was so abrupt that they ventured not to follow ; and before they could gain the valley by going round the brow of the hill in the ordinary road, he was far enough beyond their reach. He continued his route, unmolested, to Stamford ; from whence, having strengthened his picket by the junction of some militia, he came back again, and in turn pursued Governor Tryon in his retreat. As he rode down the precipice, one ball of the many fired at him went through his beaver ; but Governor Tryon, by way of compensation for spoiling his liat, sent him soon afterward as a present, a complete suit of clothes. The campaign of 1770, which was principally spent in strength- ening the works at West Point, finished the military career of Put- nam. A paralytic affection impaired the activity of his body, and compelled him to quit the army. The remainder of the life of General Putnam was passed in quiet retirement with his family. He experienced few interruptions in his PUTNAM S CHARACTER. 297 Putnam's Adventure at Horse-Neclc bodily health, (except the paralytic debility with which he was afflicted,) retained full possession of his mental faculties, and en- joyed the society of his friends until the 17th of May, 1790, when he was violently attacked with an inflammatory disease. Satisfied from the first that it would prove mortal, lie was calm and resigned, and welcomed the approach of death with joy, as a messenger sent to call him from a life of toil to everlasting rest. On the 19th of May, 1790, he ended a life which had been spent in cultivating and defending the soil of his birth, aged seventy-two years. The late Rev. Dr. Dwight, President of Yale College, who knew General Putnam intimately, has portrayed his character faithfully in the following inscription, which is engraven on his tomb : SACRED BE THIS MONUMENT TO THE EJEMORT OF ISRAEL PUTNAM, Esq, Senior Major General in the armies of the United States of America who was horn at Salem, in the Pro-vince of Massachusetts, on the 7th day of January. A. D. 1718, And died on the 19th day of May, A. D. 1790. Passenger, if thou art a Soldier, drop a tear over the dust of a Hero, who, ever attentive to tlie lives and h:\ppines5 of his men, dared to lead where any dared to follow; if a patriot, remem- ber the distinpruished and gallant service? rendered thy country, by the Patriot who sleeps beneath this marble; if thou art honest, generous, and worthy, render a clieei"ful tribute of re- spect to a man, whose generosity was singular, whose honesty was proverbial ; who raised himself to universal esteem, and of- fices of eminent distinction, by personal wortli, and a useful life. MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM MOULTRLE. iy/S^il^"^^'^ gentleman was a citizen of mrm south Carolina, and Mas a 1^ soldier from an early period of ■ /M his life. At the commencement BiV Vgfl of the Revolution, he was :;.. among the foremost to assert the liberties of his country ; and braved every danger to redress her wrongs. The scene of his brilliant operations was in South Carolina, and his gallant defence of Sullivan's Island, crowned him with immortalily. General Lee styled the post at Sullivan's Island, a slaughter pen, denounced its defence, and pronouncing disgrace on the measure should it be persisted in, earnestl}' requested the president to order it to be evacuated. Happily for the nation, its destinies were at that period guided by that inflexible patriot, John Rutledge, who, confidently relying on 398 DEFENCE OF SULLIVAN S ISLAND. 299 Moultrie and his intrepid band, heroically replied to Lee, " That while a soldier remained alive to defend it, he would never give his sanction to such an order." The result proved the accuracy of his judgment. Tiie following laconic note was at the same time for- warded to Colonel Moultrie. " General Lee wishes you to evacuate the fort. You will not without an order from me. I will sooner cut off my hand than write one." The defence of the pass at Sullivan's Island may be compared vi'ith many of the splendid achievements which Grecian eloquence has rendered illustrious. Impressed with prejudices as strong as Xerxes ever cherished against Greece, the commanders of the British forces approached our coast, not to conciliate, but to subdue. Exulting in the supposed superiority of their discipline and valor, they spoke in the language of authority, and would listen to no terms short of unconditional submission. On the other hand, the gallant Moultrie, commanding a corps, formidable only by their boldness and resolution, impatiently awaited their approach. He was not insensible of the insufficiency of a work hastily constructed, and in every part incomplete ; but con- sidering himself pledged to give a proof to the enemy of American valor, he scorned the disgrace of relinquishing the fort he had sworn to defend, and notwithstanding the advice of the veteran Lee, heroi- cally prepared for action. Immediately on the approach of the British fleet to the coast, with the evident intention of attacking Charleston, a fort had been con- structed on the west end of Sullivan's Island, mounting thirty-two guns, thirty-twos and eighteens. Into this fort, Moultrie and his gallant band threw themselves. *W0 fifty gun ships of the enemy, four : frigates, several sloops of war and bomb vessels, were brought to the attack, which was commenced about eleven o'clock, from one of the bomb vessels. This was soon followed by the guns of all the ships. Four of the vessels dropped anchor within a short distance of the fort, and opened their several broadsides. Three others were ordered to take their stations between the end of the island and the city, intending thereby to enfilade the works as well as to cut off the communication with the continent. But in attempting to execute this order, they became entangled with each other on the shoals, and one of the frigates, the Acteon, stuck fast. 300 WILLIAM MOULTRIE. Defence of Fort L-oultrie. The roar of artillery upon this little fort was incessant, and enough to appal even those who had been accustomed all their lives to the dreadful work of a cannonade. But Moultrie, with his brave Caro- linians, seemed to regard it only as a symphony to the grand marcli of independence. They returned the fire with an aim as true and deliberate as though each British ship had been placed as a target for prize shooting, and continued it for several hours, until their ammunition w^as expended. The cessation which this necessarily occasioned, produced a momentary joy in the assailants, who in imagination already grasped the victory which had been so hotly disputed — but the renewal of the blaze from the batteries soon con- vinced them that the struggle was not yet ended. Another gleam of hope brightened upon the British seamen, when, after a dreadful volley, the flag of Moultrie was no longer seen to wave defiance. They looked eagerly and anxiously towards the spot where Clinton, Cornwallis, and Vaughan had landed with the troops, expecting every moment to see them mount the parapets in triumph. But no British troops Eippeared, and a few moments afterward, the striped flag of the colonies once more proudly unfolded to the breeze — the staff had been carried away by a shot, and the flag had fallen on the outside of the works ; a brave sergeant of the Carolina troops, by the name of Jasper, jumped over the wall, seized the flag, and fastening it to a sponge staff, mounted the merlon amidst the thunder of the enemy's guns, and fixed it in a conspicuous place. The ships of the enemy kept up their fire with unsubdued courage until half past nine o'clock, when the darkness of the night put a stop to the carnage on both sides ; and the ships, with the exception DEFENCE or CHARLESTON. 30 1 of thf! Acteoii, soon after slipped their cables, and dropped douTi about two miles from the scene of action. The terrible slaughter on board the ships bore melancholy testimony to the bravery of the British seamen. At one time, Captain Morris, of the Bristol, was almost the only man left upon the quarter-deck. He had received several wounds, but gallantly refused to quit the deck until no longer able to stand, or give an order. This ship had one hundred and eleven killed and wounded. The Experiment lost ninety-nine killed and wounded, and among the latter her commander. Captain Scott. The Acteon had a lieutenant killed and six men wounded, and the Solebay eiglit wounded. The whole killed and wounded, two hun- dred and twenty-five. Sir Peter Parker, and Lord William Camp- bell, who served as a volunteer, were both wounded. The Americans lost only ten killed and twenty-two wounded. It is impossible to give too much praise to Colonel Moultrie and his brave Carolinians, who for more than ten hours sustained the continued fire of upwards of one hundred guns and bombs ; from which in the course of that time were thrown more than ten thou- sand shot and shells, seven thousand of which were picked up after the battle was over. On the next day a few shot were fired from the garrison at the Acteon, which remained aground, and the crew returned them, but finding it impossible to get her off, they soon set fire to and aban- doned her, leaving the colors flying, the guns loaded, and all their ammunition and stores. In this perilous situation she was boarded by a small party of Americans, who fired three of the guns at their late owners, while the flames were bursting around them, filled their boats with the stores, secured the flag, and had just time to save themselves, when she was blown into the air. The fort which had been so gallantly defended by Moultrie, after- ward received his name. In 1779, he gained a victory over the British, in the battle near Beaufort. In 1780, he was second in command, in Charleston, during the siege. After the city surrendered, he was sent to Phila- delphia. In 1782 he returned, and was repeatedly chosen governor of the state of South Carolina. Notwithstanding his labors, his victories and public services, how- ever zealous, however glorious, however serviceable, the enemy had the audacity to make choice of him as a fit object to be gained over to them by bribery. His talents, his experience, and enterprise, would be an invaluable acquisition to the enemy, if it could be em- ployed on the continent ; and, if it could not be so employed, then the depriving the Americans of him would be of importance nearly 302 WILLIAM MOULTRIE. as great ; it was, in the eyes of a selfish, greedy enemy higlily pro- bable that a man who had sutTered so much in liis private property, would listen to a proposal which would enable him to go to Jamaica as colone] of a British regiment, the commander of which, Lord Charles Montague, politely offered, as a proof of his sincerity, to quit the command, and serve under him. " No," replied the indig- nant Moultrie, " not the fee-simple of that valuable island of Jamaica should induce me to part with my integrity." This incorruptible patriot died at Charleston, September 27, 1805, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. Britis'h Naval tTnifonn, 1778. MAJOR GENERAL JOHN STARK. ENERAL STARK was a native of New Hampshire, and _ was born in Londonderry, ■'•'l^^ l^ August 17lh, 1728. From his ^■£ws^^ early youth he had been accus- tomed to lhe ahirm of war, having hved in tliat part of tlie country which was continu- ally subject to the incursions of the savages. While a child lie was cajitiu'ed by them, and adopted as one of their own ; but after a few years was restored. Arrived at manhood, his manners were plain, honest, and severe; excellently calculated for the benefit of society in the private walks of life; and as a courageous and heroic soldier, he is entitled to a high rank among those who have been crowned with unfading laurels, 303 304 JOHN STARK. and to whom a large share of glory is justly due. He was captain of a company of rangers in the provincial service during the French war in 1755. From the commencement of the difficulties \\h\\ tlie mother coun- try, until the closing scene of the Revolution, our country found in General Stark one of its most resolute, independent, and persevering defenders. The first call of his country found him ready. When the report of Lexington battle reached him, he was engaged at work in his saw-mill : fired with indignation and a martial spirit, he imme- diately seized his musket, and with a band of heroes proceeded to Cambridge. The morning after his arrival, he received a colonel's commission, and availing himself of his own popularity, and the enthusiasm of the day, in two hours he enlisted eight hundred men. On the memorable 17th of June, at Breed's Hill, Colonel Stark, at the head of his back-woodsmen of New Hampshire, poured on the enemy that deadly fire from a sure aim, which effected such remark- able destruction in their ranks, and compelled them twice to retreat. During the whole of this dreadful conflict. Colonel Stark evinced that consummate bravery and intrepid zeal, which entitle his name to perpetual remembrance. His spirit pervaded his native state, and excited them to the most patriotic efforts. The British General Burgoyne, in one of his letters observes, — " That the Hampshire Grants, almost unknown in the last war, now abound in the most active and most rebellious race on the continent, and hang like a gathering storm upon my left." Distinct from his efforts in rallying the energies of his native state, he obtained great credit in the active operations of the field. At that gloomy period of the revolution, the retreat of Washington through New Jersey in 1776, when the saviour of our country, apparently deserted of Heaven and by his country, with the few gallant spirits who gathered the closer around him in that dark hour, precipitately fled before an imperious and victorious enemy — it was on this occa- sion, that the persevering valor of Stark enrolled him among the firm and resolute defenders of their country ; and, with them, entitles him to her unceasing gratitude. But as he fearlessly shared with Washington the dark and gloomy night of defeat, so also he participated with him in the joy of a bright morning of victory and hope. In the successful enterprise against Trenton, Stark, then a colonel, acted a conspicuous part, and covered himself with glory. General W^ilkinson, in his Memoirs, says, — " I must not withhold due praise from the dauntless Stark, who dealt death wherever he found resistance, and broke down all opposition before him." BURGOYNES INVASION. 305 Soon after this affair, Colonel Stark, from some supposed injustice toward him on the part of Congress, quitted the continental service, and returned to New Hampshire. When he was urged by the government of New Hampshire to take the cofiimand of their militia, he refused, unless he should be left at liberty to serve or not, under a continental officer, as he should judge proper. It was not a time for debate, and it was known that the militia would follow wherever Stark would lead. The assembly therefore invested him with a separate command, and ^ave him orders to " repair to Charlestown, on Connecticut river ; there to consult with a committee of the New Hampshire Grants, respecting his future operations, and the supply of his men with provisions ; to take com- mand of the militia, and march into the Grants ; to act in conjunction with the troops of the new state, or any other of the states, or of the United States, or separately, as should appear expedient to him ; for the protection of the people, and the annoyance of the enemy." GREEABLY to his orders, Stark proceeded in a few days to Charlestown ; his men very readily followed ; and as fast as they arrived, he sent them forward to join the troops of . Vermont under Colonel Warner, who had • taken his situation at Manchester. At that : place he joined Warner with about eight hundred men from New Hampshire, and found another body of men from Vermont, who put themselves under his command ; and he was at the head of fourteen hundred men. Most of them had been in the two former campaigns, and well officered ; and were in every respect a body of very good troops. Schuyler repeatedly urged Stark to join the troops under his command ; but he declined complying. He was led to this conduct not only by the reasons which have been mentioned, but by a difTerence of opinion as to the best method of opposing Burgoyne. Schuyler wished to collect all the American troops in the front, to prevent Burgoyne from marching on to Albany. Stark was of opinion that the surest way to check Burgoyne was to have a body of men on his rear, ready to fall upon him in that quarter, whenever a favor- able opportunity should present. The New England militia had not formed a high opinion of Schuyler, as a general ; and Stark meant to keep himself in a situation, in which he might embrace any favor- able opportunity for action, either in conjunction with him, or other- wise ; and with that view intended to hang on the rear of the British troops, and embrace the first opportunity which should present, to make an attack upon that quarter. But Stark assured Schuyler that 20 E^ 306 JOHN STARK. he would join in any measure necessary to promote the puhhc good, but wished to avoid any thing that was not consistent with his own honor ; and if it was thought necessary, he would march to his camp. He wrote particularly, that he would lay aside all private resentment, when it appeared in opposition to the public good. But in the midst of these protestations, he was watching for an opportunity to discover his courage and patriotism, by falling upon some part of Burgoyne's army. While the American army was thus assuming a more respectable appearance, General Burgoyne was making very slow advances towards Albany. From the twenty-eighth of July to the fifteenth of August, the British army was continually employed in bringing for- ward batteaux, provisions, and ammunition from Fort George to the first navigable part of Hudson's river ; a distance of not more than eighteen miles. The labor was excessive ; the Europeans were but little acquainted with the methods of performing it to advantage, and the effect was in no degree equivalent to the expense of labor and time. With all the efforts that Burgoyne could make, encumbered with his artillery and baggage, his labors were inadequate to the pur- pose of supplying the army with provisions for its daily consumption, and the establishment of the necessary magazines. And after his utmost exertions for fifteen days, there were not above four days' provisions in the store, nor above ten batteaux in Hudson river. In such circumstances, the British general found that it would be impossible to procure sufficient supplies of provisions by the way of Fort George, and determined to replenish his own magazines at the expense of those of the Americans. Having received information that a large quantity of stores were laid up at Bennington, and guarded only by the militia, he formed the design of surprising that place ; and was made to believe that as soon as a detachment of the royal army should appear in that quarter, it would receive effectual assistance from a large body of loyalists, who only waited for the appearance of a support, and would in that event come forward and aid the roval cause. Full of these expectations, he detached Colonel Baum, a German officer, with a select body of troops, to surprise the place. His force consisted of about five hundred regular troops, some Canadians, and more than one hundred Indians, with two light pieces of artillery. To facilitate their o])crations, and to be ready to take advantage of the success of the detachment, the royal army moved along the east bank of Hudson river, and encamped nearly opposite to Saratoga ; having at the same time thrown a bridge of rafts over the river, by which the army passed to that place. With a view to support Baum, if it should be found necessary, Lieutenant- BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. 307 Colonel Breyman's corps, consisting of the Brunswick grenadiers, light infantry, and chasseurs were posted at Battenkill. ' ENERAL STARK havhig received in- formation that a party of Indians were at Cambridge, sent Lieutenant-Colonel Greg on August the 13th, with a party of two hundred men, to stop their pro- gress. Toward night he was informed by express that a large body of regulars was in the rear of the Indians, and ad- vancing toward Bennington. On this intelligence, Stark drew together his brigade, and the militia that were at hand, and sent on to Manchester to Colonel Warner, to bring on his regiment ; he sent expresses at the same time to the neighboring militia, to join him with the utmost speed. On the morning of the 14th, he marched with his troops, and at the distance of seven miles he met Greg on the retreat, and the enemy within a mile of him. Stark drew up his troops in order of battle ; but the enemy coming in sight, halted upon a very advan- tageous piece of ground. Baum perceived the Americans were too strong to be attacked with his present force, and sent an express to Burgoyne with an account of his situation, and to have Breyman march immediately to support him. In the mean time, small parties of the Americans kept up a skirmish with the enemy, killed and wounded thirty of them, with two of their Indian chiefs, without any loss to themselves. The ground the Americans had taken, was un- favorable for a general action, and Stark retreated about a mile, and encamped. A council of war was held, and it was agreed to send two detachments upon the enemy's rear, while the rest of the troops should make an attack upon their front. The next day the weather was rainy, and though it prevented a general action, there were fre quent skirmishes in small parties, which proved favorable and encou raging to the Americans. On August the sixteenth, in the morning, Stark was joined by Colonel Symonds and a body of militia from Berkshire, and pro ceeded to attack the enemy, agreeably to the plan which had been concerted. Colonel Baum, in the meantime, had intrenched on an advantageous piece of ground near St. Koicks mills, on a branch of Hoosic river, and rendered his post as strong as his circumstances and situation would admit. Colonel Nichols was detached with two hundred men to the rear of his left. Colonel Herrick with three hun- dred men to the rear of his right ; both were to join, and then make the attack. Colonels Hubbard and Stickney, with two hundred 306 JOHN STARK. men, were ordered on the right, and one hundred were advanced toward the front to draw the attention of the enemy that way. About three o'clock in the afternoon tlie troops had taken their station, and were ready to commence the action. While Nichols and Herrick were bringing their troops together, the Indians were alarmed at the prospect, and pushed off between the two corps, but received a fire as they were passing, by which three of them were killed and two wounded. Nichols then began the attack, and was followed by all the other divisions ; those in the front immediately advanced, and in a few minutes the action became general. It lasted about two hours, and was like one continued peal of thunder. Baum made a brave defence ; and the German dragoons, after they had expended their ammunition, led by their colonel, charged with their swords, but they vi'ere soon overpowered. Their works were carried on all sides, their two pieces of cannon were taken. Colonel Baum himself was mortally wounded and taken prisoner, and all his men, except a few, who had escaped into the woods, v\ere either killed or taken prisoners. Having completed the business by taking the whole party, the militia began to disperse and look out for plunder. But in a few minutes Stark received information that a large reinforce- ment was on their march, and within two miles of him. Fortunately at that moment Colonel Warner came up with his regiment from Manchester. This brave and experienced officer commanded a regi- ment of continental troops, which had been raised in Vermont. Mortified that he had not been in the former engagement, he instantly led on his men against Breyman, and began the second engagement. Stark collected the militia as soon as possible, and pushed on to his assistance. The action became general, and the battle continued obstinate on both sides till sunset, when the Germans were forced to give way, and were pursued till dark. They left their two field- pieces behind, and a considerable number were made prisoners. They retreated in the best manner they could, improving the advantages of the evening and night, to which alone their escape was ascribed. In these actions the Americans took four brass field-pieces, twelve brass drums, two hundred and fifty dragoon swords, four ammunition wagons, and about seven hundred prisoners, with their arms and ac- coutrements. Two hundred and seven men were found dead upon the spot, the numbers of wounded were unknown. The loss of the Ameri- cans was but small ; thirty were slain, and about forty were wounded. Stark was not a little pleased at having so fair an opportunity to vindicate his own conduct. He had now shown that no neglect from Congress had made him disaffected to the American cause, and that he had rendered a much more important service than he could have BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. 30!) ^''^^^^'^^.^^/^^\ _^^ Battlo of Eeuninston done by joining Schuyler, and remaining inactive in his camp. Con- gress embraced the opportunity to assign to him his rank, and though he had not given to them any account of his victory, or written to them at all upon the subject, on October the fourth they resolved, — " That the thanks of Congress be presented to General Stark, of the New Hampshire militia, and the oflicers and troops under his com- mand, for their brave and successful attack upon, and signal victory over the enemy in their lines at Bennington ; and that Brigadier Stark be appointed a brigadier-general in the army of the United States." And never were thanks more deserved, or more wisely given to a military officer. In his official account of the affair. General Stark thus writes : " It lasted two hours, the hottest I ever saiv in my life ; it represented one continued clap of thunder : however, the enemy were obliged to give way, and leave their field-pieces, and all their baggage behind them ; they were all environed within two breast-works with artillery ; but our martial courage proved too strong for them. I then gave orders to rally again, in order to secure the victory ; but in a few minutes Was informed that there was a large reinforcement on their march 310 JOHN STARK. ■within two miles. Colonel Warner's regiment, luckily coming up at the moment, renewed the attack with fresh vigor. I pushed forward as many of the men as I could to their assistance ; the battle con- tinued obstinate on both sides until sunset ; the enemy was obliged to retreat ; we pursued them till dark, and had day lasted an hour longer, should have taken the whole body of them." On what small events do the popular humor and military success depend ! The capture of one thousand Germans by General Wash- ington at Trenton, had served to wake up and save the whole conti- nent. The exploit of Stark, at Bennington, operated with the same kind of influence, and produced a similar eifect. This victory wag the first event that had proved encouraging to the Americans in the northern department, since the death of General Montgomery. Mis- fortune had succeeded misfortune, and defeat had followed defeat from that period till now. The present instance was the first in which victory had quitted the roya] standard, or seemed even to be wavering. She was now found with the American arms, and the eff"ect seemed in fact to be greater than the cause. It raised the spirit of the country to an uncommon degree of animation ; and by showing the militia what they could perform, rendered them willing and desirous to turn out and try what fortunes would await their exertions. It had a still greater effect on the royal army. The British generals were surprised to hear that an enemy, whom they had contemplated with no other feelings than those of contempt, should all at once wake up, and discover much of the spirit of hero- ism. To advance upon the mouth of cannon, to attack fortified lines, to carry strong intrenchments, were exploits which they supposed belonged exclusively to the armies of kings. To see a body of American militia, ill-dressed, but little disciplined, without cannon, armed only with farmers' guns without bayonets, and who had been accustomed to fly at their approach ; that such men should force the intrenchments, capture the cannon, kill, and make prisoners of a large body of the royal army, was a matter of indignation, astonish- ment, and surprise. General Stark volunteered his services under General Gates at Saratoga, and assisted in the operations which compelled his retreat on the Hudson, and in the council which stipulated the surrender of General Burgoyne, nor did he relinquish his valuable services till he could greet his native country as an independent empire. General Stark was of the middle stature, not formed by nature to exhibit an erect soldierly mien. His manners were frank and unassuming, but he manifested a peculiar sort of eccentricity and negligence, which precluded all display of personal dignity, and seemed to place him CHARACTER OF STARK. 311 Burgoyne's retreat on the Hudson. among those of ordinary rank in life. His character as a private citizen was unblemished, and he was ever held in respect. For the last few years of his life, he enjoyed a pecuniary bounty from the government. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years, eight months, and twenty-four days, and died May 8th, 1822. General Stark's high character as a commander, was fully appre- ciated by the British. When the battle of Bunker Hill was about to commence, some one asked General Gage whether he thought the provincials Mould stand the assault of the royal troops. "Yes," said he, " if one John Stark is amongst them — he served under me at Lake George, and was a brave fellow." Stark's address to the soldiers at Bennington has ever been ad- mired as a fine specimen of laconic military eloquence. " We must conquer, my boys, or Molly Stark's a widow." Nothing could have more forcibly reminded them of the homes and altars which they were about so nobly to defend. When he was in the heat of the action at Bunker Hill, a soldier reported to him that his son, a youth of sixteen, had fallen. " Is this a time for private grief, with the foe in our face," exclaimed the veteran, and the soldier, whose report turned out in the sequel to be unfounded, was forthwith ordered back to his duty. 312 JOHN STARK. General Stark's " tomb," says the author of Washington and the Generals of the Revolution, " is built upon the banks of the Merri- mack, upon a rising ground commanding a view of a long reach of river and country. His monument is an obelisk of granite, (granite should be the only material to commemorate the great men of our Revolution :) the inscription simply — ' Major General Stark.' " We could wish it were less, and yet more than this, " John Stark." 1 i l&ke Qeorgs. MAJOR GENERAL JOSEPH WARREN. '~\^^^'"i artjC^^Tv- HIS early martyr to the cause oi freedom was born in Roxbury, near Boston, in the year 1741. His father was a respectable farmer in that place, who had held several municipal offices, to the acceptance of his fellow-citizens. Joseph, with several of his brothers, was instructed in the elementary branches of knowledge, at the public gram- mar school of the town, which was distinguished for its successive instructors of superior attainments. In 1755 he entered college, where he sustained the character of a youth of talents, fine manners, and of a generous independent deportment, united to great personal courage and perseverance. An anecdote will illustrate his fearless- ness and determination at that age when character can hardly be said to be formed. Several students of Warren's class shut them- 313 314 JOSEPH WARREN. WaTTen studying Medicine. selves in a room to arrange some college affairs in a way wliich they knew was contrary to his wishes, and barred the door so effectually that he coald not without great violence force it : but he did not give over the attempt of getting among them ; for perceiving that the window of the room in which they were assembled was open, and near a spout which extended from the roof of the building to the ground, he went to the top of the house, slid down to the eaves, seized the spout, and when he had descended as far as the window, threw himself into the chamber among them. At that instant the spout, which was decayed and M"eak, gave way and fell to the ground. He looked at it without emotion, said that it had served his purpose, and began to take his part in the business. On leaving college in 1759, Warren turned his attoiili u fo the study of medicine, under the direction of Doctor Lloyd, an eminent physician of that day, whose valuable life has been protracted almost to the present time. Warren was distinguished very soon after he commenced practice; for when in 1764 the small-pox spread in Boston, he was among the most successful in his method of treating ORATION ON THE BOSTON MASSACRE. 315 Boston Massacro. that disease, which was then considered the most dreadful scourge of the human race ; and tlie violence of which had baffled tlie efforts of the learned faculty of medicine from the time of its first appear- ance. From this moment he stood high among his brethren, and was the favorite of the people ; and what he gained in their good will he never lost. His personal appearance, his address, his courtesy and his humanitv, won the way to the hearts of all ; and his kno\\- ledge and superiority of talents secured the conquest. A bright and lasting fame in his profession, with the attendant consequences, wealth and influence, were within his reach, and near at hand : but the calls of a distracted country were paramount to every considera- tion of his own interests, and he entered the vortex of politics never to return to the peaceful course of professional labor. On the 6th of March, 1775, Warren delivered an oration in com memoration of the Boston massacre. It was at his own solicitation that he was appointed to this duty a second time. The fact is illus- trative of his character, and worthy of remembrance. Some British officers of the army then in Boston, had publicly declared that it 316 JOSEPH WARREN. should be at the price of the life of any man to speak of the event of March 5th, 1770, on that anniversary. Warren's soul took fire at such a threat, so openly made, and he wished for the honor of braving it. This was readily granted ; for at such a time a man would pro- bably find but few rivals. Many who would spurn the thought of personal fear, might be apprehensive that they would be so far dis- concerted as to forget their discourse. It is easier to fight bravely, than to think clearly or correctly in danger. Passion sometimes nerves the arm to light, but disturbs the regular current of thought. The day came, and the weather was remarkably fine. The old South Meeting-house was crowded at an early hour. The British oflicers occupied the aisles, the flight of steps to the pulpit, and several of them were within it. It was not precisely known whether this was accident or design. The orator, with the assistance of his friends, made his entrance at the pulpit window by a ladder. The officers seeing his coolness and intrepidity, made way for him to advance and address the audience. An awful stillness preceded his exordium. Each man felt the palpitations of his own heart, and saw the pale but determined face of his neighbor. The speaker began his oration in a firm tone of voice, and proceeded with great energy and patlios. Warren and his friends were prepared to chastise contumely, prevent disgrace, and avenge an attempt at assassination. The scene was sublime ; a patriot, in whom the flush of youth and the grace and dignity of manhood were combined, stood armed in the sanctuary of God to animate and encourage the sons of liberty, and to hurl defiance at their oppressors. The orator commenced with the early history of the country, described the tenure by which we held our liberties and property, the afl^ection we had constantly shown the parent countr}', and boldly told them how, and by whom these bless- ings of life had been violated. There was in this appeal to Britain — in this description of sufl^ering, agony and horror, a calm and high- souled defiance which must have chilled the blood of every sensible foe. Such another hour has seldom happened in the history of man, and is not surpassed in the records of nations. The thunders of Demosthenes rolled at a distance from Philip and his host — and Tully poured the fiercest torrent of his invective when Catiline was at a distance, and his dagger no longer to be feared : but Warren's speech was made to proud oppressors resting on their arms, whose errand it was to overawe, and whose business it was to fight. If the deed of Brutus deserved to be commemorated by history, poetry, painting and sculpture, should not this instance of patriotism and bravery be held in lasting remembrance ? If he " That struck the foremost man of all this world," BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 317 Battle of LeziDston. was hailed as the first of freemen, what honors are not due to him, who, undismayed, bearded the British lion, to show the world what his countrymen dared to do in the cause of liberty ? If the statue of Brutus was placed among those of the gods, who were the preservers of Roman freedom, should not that of Warren fill a lofty niche in the temple reared to perpetuate the remembrance of our birth as a nation ? If independence was not at first openly avowed by our leading men at that time, the hope of attaining it was fondly cherished, and the exertions of the patriots pointed to this end. The wise knew that the storm, which the political Prosperos were raising, would pass away in blood. With these impressions on his mind, Warren for several years was preparing himself by study and observation, to take a conspicuous rank in the military arrangements which he knew must ensue. On the 18th of April, 1775, by his agents in Boston, he discovered the design of the British commander to seize or destroy our few stores at Concord. He instantly despatched several confidential messengers to Lexington. The late venerable patriot, Paul Revere, was one of them. This gentleman has given a very interesting account of the difficulties he encountered in the discharge of this duty. The alarm was given, and the militia, burning with resent- 318 JOSEPH WARREN. ment, were at daybreak on the nineteenth, on the road to repel insuit and aggression. The drama was opened about sunrise, within a few yards of the house of God, in Lexington. Warren hastened to the field of action in the full ardor of his soul, and shared the dangers of the day. While pressing on the enemy, a musket-ball took off a lock of his hair close to his ear. The lock was rolled and pinned, after the fashion of that day, and considerable force must have been necessary to have cut it away. The people were delighted with his cool, collected bravery, and already considered him as a leader, whose gallantry they were to admire, and in whose talents they were to confide. On the 14th of June, 1775, the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts made him a major-general of their forces, but previous to the date of his cgmmission, he had been unceasing in his exertions to maintain order and enforce discipline among the troops, which had hastily assembled at Cambridge, after the battle of Lexington. He mingled in the ranks, and by every method and argument strove to inspire them with confidence, and succeeded in a most wonderful manner in imparting to them a portion of the flame which glowed in his own breast. At such a crisis genius receives its birthright — the homage of inferior minds, who for self-preservation are willing to be directed. Previous to receiving the appointment of major-general, he had been requested to take the office of physician general to the army, but he chose to be where the wounds were to be made, rather than were they were to be healed. Yet he lent his aid and advice to the medical department of the army, and was of great service to them in their organization and arrangements. He was at this time president of the Provincial Congress, having been elected the preceding year a member from the town of Boston. In this body he discovered his extraordinary powers of mind, and his peculiar fitness for responsible offices at such a juncture. Cau- tious in proposing measures, he was assiduous in pursuing what he thought, after mature deliberation, to be right, and never counted the probable cost of a measure, when he had decided that it was necessary to be taken. When this Congress, which was sitting at Watertown, adjourned for the day, he mounted his horse and hastened to the campj Every day 'he bought golden opinions of all sorts of men ;' and when the troops were called to act on Breed's Hill, he had so often been among them that his person was known to most of the soldiers. / Several respectable historians have fallen into some errors in de- scribing the battle in which he fell, by giving the command of the troops on thatday to Warren, when he was only a volunteer in the fight. Hc/did not arrive on the battle-ground until the enemy h^d r~ B TTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 319 commenced their movements for the attack. As soon as he made his appearance on the field, the veteran commander of the day, Colo- nel Prescott, desired to act under his directions, but Warren declined taking any other part than that of a volunteer, and added,- that he came to learn the art of war from an experienced soldier, whose orders he should be happy to obey. In the battle he was armed with a musket, and stood in the ranks, now and then changing his place to I ncourage his fellow-soldiers by words and by example. He un- doubtedly, from the state of hostilities, expected soon to act in his high military capacity, and it was indispensable, according to his views, that he should share the dangers of the field as a common soldier with his fellow-citizens, that his reputation for bravery n ight be put beyond the possibility of suspicion. The wisdom of such a course would never have been doubted, if he had returned in safety from the fight. In such a struggle for independence, the ordinary rules of prudence and caution could not govern those who were building up their names for future usefulness by present exertion. Some maxims drawn from the republican writers of antiquity, were worn as their mottos. Some precepts, descriptive of the charms of liberty, were ever on their tongues, and some classical model of Greek or Roman patriotism, was constantly in their minds. Instances of great men mixing in the rank of common soldiers, were to be found in ancient times, when men fought for their altars and their homes. The cases were parallel, and the examples were imposing. When the battle was decided, and our people fled, Warren was one of the last who left the breastwork, and was slain within a few yards of it as he was slowly retiring. He probably felt mortified at the event of the day, out had he Known how dearly the victory was pur- chased, and how little honor was gained by those who won it, his heart would have been at rest. Like the band of Lconidas, the vanquished have received by the judgment of nations, from which there is no appeal, the imperishable laurels of victors. His death brought a sickness to the heart of the community, and the people mourned his fall, not with the convulsive agony of a betrothed virgin over the bleeding corpse of her lover — but with the pride of the Spartan mother, who, in the intensity of her grief, smiled to see that the wounds whence life had flown were on the breast of her son — and was satisfied that he had died in defence of his country. The worth of the victim, and the horror of the sacrifice, gave a higher value to our liberties, and produced a more fixed determination to preserve them. The battle of Bunker Hill has often been described, and of late its minutest details given to the public ; but never was the military, 320 JOSEPH WARREN. Death of Warren, moral, and political character of that great event more forcibly drawn, than in the following extract from the North American Review, for July, 1818 : — " The incidents and the result of the battle itself, were most important, and indeed, most wonderful. As a mere battle, few sur- pass it in whatever engages and interests the attention. It was fought on a conspicuous eminence, in the immediate neighborhood of a populous city ; and consequently in the view of thousands of spec- tators. The attacking army moved over a sheet of water to the assault. The operations and movements were of course all visible and all distinct. Those who looked on from the houses and heights of Boston had a fuller view of every important operation and event, than can ordinarily be had of any battle, or than can possibly be had of such as are fought on a more extended ground, or by detachments of troops acting in different places, and at different times, and in some measure independently of each other. — When the British columns were advancing to the attack, the flames of Charlestown, (fired, as is generally supposed, by a shell,) began to ascend. The spectators. ^^^w^=~^='W^=—-^m 21 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 323 far ontnnmbenng both armies, thronged and crowded on every height and every point which afforded a view of the scene, themselves con- stituting a very important part of it. The troops of the two armies seemed hke so many combatants in an amphitheatre. — The manner in which they sliould acquit them- selves, was to be judged of, not as in other cases of military engage- ments, by reports and future liistory, but by a vast and anxious assembly already on the spot, and waiting with unspeakable concern and emotion the progress of the day. In other battles the recollection of wives and children has been used as an excitement to animate the warrior's breast and nerve his arm. Here was not a mere recollection, but an actual presence of them and other dear connexions, hanging on the skirts of the battle, anxious and agitated, feeling almost as if wounded themselves by every blow of the enemy, and putting forth, as it were, their own strength, and all the energy of their own throbbing bosoms, into every gallant effort of their warring friends. But there was a more comprehensive and vastly more important view of that day's contest, than has been mentioned, — a view, indeed, which ordinary eyes, bent intently on what was immediately before them, did not embrace, but which was perceived in its full extent and expansion by minds of a higher order. Those men who were at the head of the colonial councils, who had been engaged for years in the previous stages of the quarrel with England, and who had been accustomed to look forward to the future, were well apprised of the magnitude of the events likely to hang on the business of that day. They saw in it not only a battle, but the beginning of a civil war, of unmeasured extent and uncertain issue. All America and all England were likely to be deeply concerned in the consequences. The individuals themselves, who knew full well what agency they had had in bringing affairs to this crisis, had need of all their courage ; — not that disregard of personal safety, in wliich the \iilgar suppose true courage to consist, but that high and fixed moral sentiment, that steady and decided purpose, which enables men to pursue a distant end, with a full view of the difficulties and dangers before them, and with a conviction that, before they arrive at the proposed end, should they ever reach it, they must pass through evil report as well as good report, and be liable to obloquy, as well as to defeat. Spirits, that fear nothins: else, fear disgrace ; and this danger is necessarily encountered by those who engage in civil war. Unsuc- cessful resistance is not only ruin to its authors, but is esteemed, and necessarily so, by the laws of all countries, treasonable. This is the case, at least till resistance becomes so general and formidable as to 324 JOSEPH WARREN. assume the form of regular war. But who can tell, when resistance commences, whether it will attain even to that degree of success? Some of those persons who signed the Declaration of Independence in 177G, described themselves as signing it, ' as with halters about their necks.' If there were grounds for this remark in 1776, when the cause had become so much more general, how much greater was the hazard, when the battle of Bunker Hill was fought ? These considerations constituted, to enlarged and liberal mmds, the moral sublimity of the occasion ; while to the outward senses the movement of armies, the roar of artillery, the brilliancy of tlie reflec- tion of a summer's sun, from the burnished armor of the British columns, and the flames of a burning town, made up a scene of extra- ordinary grandeur." This eminence has become sacred ground. It contains in its bosom the ashes of the brave who died fighting to defend their altars and their homes. Strangers from all countries visit this spot, for it is associated in their memories with a llarathon and Plata;a, and all the mighty struggles of determined freemen. Our citizens love to wander over this field — the aged to awake recollections, and the youthful to excite heroic emotions. The battle-ground is now all plainly to be seen — the spirit of modern improvement, which would stop the streams of Helicon to turn a mill, and cause to be felled the trees of Paradise to make a rafter, has yet spared this hallowed height. If " the days of chivalry be gone forever," and the high and en- thusiastic feelings of generosity and magnanimity be not so widely difl'used as in more heroic ages, yet it cannot be denied but that there have been, and still are, individuals whose bosoms are warmed with a spirit as glowing and ethereal as ever swelled the heart of "mailed knight," who, in the ecstasies of love, religion and martial glory, joined the war-cry on the plains of Palestine, or proved his steel on the infidel foe. The history of every revolution is interspersed with brilliant episodes of individual prowess. The pages of our own his- tory, when fully written out, will sparkle profusely with these gems of romantic valor. The calmness and indifl"erence of the veteran " in clouds of dust and seas of blood," can only be acquired by long acquaintance with the trade of death ; but the heights of Charlestown will bear eternal testimony how suddenly, in the cause of freedom, the peaceful citi- zen can become the invincible warrior — stung by opjiression, he springs forward from his tranquil pursuits, undaunted by opposition, and undismayed by danger, to fight even to death for the defence of his rights. Parents, wives, children and country, all the hallowed CHARACTER OF WARREN. 325 properties of existence, are to him the talisman that takes fear from his heart, and nerves his arm to victory. In the requiem over those who have fallen in the cause of their country, which " Time witli his own eternal lips shall sing," the praises of Waruen will be distinctly heard. The blood of those patriots who have fallen in the defence of republics, has often " cried from the ground" against the ingratitude of the country for which it was shed. Toward Warren there was no ingratitude — our country is free from this stain. Congress were the guardians of his honor, and remembered that his children were unprotected orphans. Within a year after his death, Congress passed the following resolutions : — That a monument be erected to the memory of General Warren, in the town of Boston, with the following inscription : IN HONOR OF JOSEPH WARREN, MAJOR GENERAL OF MASSACHUSETTS BAT* HB DEVOTED ni3 LITX TO THE LIBERTIES OF HIS COUNTRY, AND EN BRAVHLT DEFBNDINO THXM, TELL S.S EARLT TICTIH IN THS BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL, June 17, 1775. The Congress of the TTnited States, as an acknowledgment of his services and distinguished mSrit, have erected THIS MONUMENT, TO Hia MEMORY. It was resolved likewise, " That the eldest son of General Warren should be educated from that time at the expense of the United States." On the first of July, 1780, Congress recognizing these former resolutions, further resolved " That it should be recommended to the executive of Massachusetts Bay to make provision for the maintenance and education of his three younger children. And that Congress would defray the expense to the amountr of the half pay of 32(5 JOSEPH WARREN. a major-general, to commence at the time of his death, and continue till the youngest of the children should be of age." The other heroes of Bunker Hill have their memory consecrated in the splendid granite monument erected by subscription on the battle ground. The corner stone of this monument was laid by Lafayette, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle (June 17th, 1825,) in the presence of myriads of spectators. Many of the aged survivors of the battle, witnessed the scene, and the eloquence of Webster gave it additional interest. Such august ceremonials seldom occur in the history of any country. Bunker Hill Monument. COLONEL WILLIAM WASHINGTON, OLONEL in the American army, was the eldest son of Baily Washington, Esq., of Stafford county, in the state of Virginia ; and belonged to a younger branch of the original Wasli- ington family. In the commencement of the war, and at an eafly period of life, he had entered the army, as captain of a com- pany of infantry under the command of General Mercer. In this corps, hf had acquired from actual service, a practical knowledge of the pro fession of arms. He fought in the battle of Long Island ; and in his retreat through New Jersey, accompanied his great kinsman, cheerful under the gloom, coolly confronting the danger, and bearing, with exemplary fortitude and firmness, the heavy misfortunes and privations of the time. In the successful attack on the British post at Trenton, Captain Washington acted a brilliant, and most important part. Ferceivmg the enemy about to form a battery, and point it into a narrow street, 327 328 WILLIAM WASHINGTON. il ^r-SfT!?! J:'.rnc3 Monroe. against the advancing American column, he charged them, at the head of his company, drove them from their guns, and thus prevented certainly the effusion of much blood, perhaps the repulse of the assail- ing party. In this act of heroism, he received a severe wound in the wrist. It is but justice to add, that on this occasion, Captain Washington was ably and most gallantly supported by Lieutenant Monroe, late President of the United States, who also sustained a wound in the hand. Shortly after this adventure, Washington was promoted to a majority in a regiment of horse. In this command he was very actively engaged in the northern and middle states, with various success, until the year 1780. Advanced to the rank of lieutenant- colonel, and placed at the head of a regiment of cavalry, composed of the remains of three that had been reduced, by sickness and battle, he was then attached to the army under General Lincoln, engaged in the defence of South Carolina. Here his service was various, and his course eventful ; marked by a few brilliant strokes of fortune, but checkered with two severe disasters. The first of these reverses was at Monk's Corner, where he himself commanded ; the other at Leneau's Ferry, where he was second in command to Colonel White. COLONEL Washington's stratageji. 329 Inured to an uncommon extent and variety of hard service, and sufficiently disciplined in the school of adversity, Colonel Washing- ton, although a young man, was now a veteran in military experi- ence. Added to this, he was somewhat accustomed to a warm climate, and had acquired, from actual observation, considerable knowledge of that tract of country which was to constitute in future the theatre of war. Such was this oOicer when at the head of a regiment of cavalry, he was attached to the army of General Greene. One of his partisan exploits, however, the result of a well-con- ceived stratagem, must be succinctly narrated. Having learned, during a scouting excursion, that a large body of loyalists, commanded by Colonel Rugeley, was posted at Rugeley's mill, twelve miles from Camden, he determined on attacking them.. Approaching the enemy, he found them so secured in a large log barn, surrounded by abattis, as to be perfectly safe from the opera- tions of cavalry. Forbidden thxis to attempt his object by direct attack, his usual and favorite mode of warfare, he determined for once to have re- course to policy. Shaping, therefore, a pine log in imitation of a field-piece, mount- ing it on wheels, and staining it with mud to make it look like iron, he brought it up in military style, and affected to make arrangements to batter down the barn. To give the stratagem solemnity and effect, he despatched a flag warning the garrison of the impending destruction, and to prevent bloodshed, summoned them to submission. Not prepared to resist artillery. Colonel Rugeley obeyed the sum- mons : and with a garrison of one hundred and three, rank and file, surrendered at discretion. In the spring of 1782, Colonel Washington married Jliss Elliot, of Charleston, and established himself at Sandy Hill, her ancestral seat. After the conclusion of peace, he took no other concern in public affairs than to appear occasionally in the legislature of South Carolina. When General Washington accepted the command in chief of the armies of the United States, under the presidency of IMr. Adams, he selected as one of his staff, his kinsman Colonel William Washing- ton, with the rank of brigadier-general. Had other proof been want- ing, this alone was sufficient to decide his military worth. Colonel Washington died on the 6th of March, 1810. In private life he was a man of unsullied honor, united to an amiable temper, lively manners, a hospitable disposition, and a truly benevolent heart. MAJOR GENERAL JAMES CLINTON. -^^#7/1 ENERAL CLINTON was the fourth son of Colonel Charles Clinton, and was born in Ulster county, New York, August /9th, 1736. In common ^^'ith his brothers, he received an excellent education. In the critical and eventful affairs of ^^^-I nations, when their rights and interests are ^^" " ' invaded, Providence, in the plenitude of its beneficence, has generally provided men qualified to raise the standard of resistance, and has infused a redeeming spirit into the community, which enabled it to rise superior to the calamities that menaced its liberty and its prosperity. History does not record a m.ore brilliant illustration of this truth than the American Revolution. In defiance of the most appalling considerations, constellations of the most illustrious men, pierced the dark and gloomy clouds which enveloped this oppressed people, and shone forth in the councils and the armies of the nation Their wisdom drew forth the resources, and their .energy vindicated the rights of America. They took their lives in their hands, and liberty or death was inscribed on their hearts. Amidst this gallant band, General Clinton stood deservedly conspicuous. To an iron constitution and an invincible courage, he added great coolness in action and perseverance in effort. The predominant inclination of 330 SERVICE IN THE OLD FRENCH WAR. 331 his mind was to a military life, and by a close attention to tlie studies connected with it, he prepared himself to perform those duties which afterward devolved upon him, and thereby established his character as an intrepid and skilful officer. In the war of 1756, usually denominated the old French war, Clin ton first, encountered the fatigues and dangers of a military life. He was a captain under Colonel Bradstreet, at the capture of Fort Fron- tenac, and rendered essential service in that expedition by the capture of a sloop of war on Lake Ontario. His company was placed in row-galleys, and favored by a calm, compelled the French vessels to strike, after an obstinate resistance. His designation as captain commandant of the four companies, raised for the protection of the western frontiers of the counties of Orange and Ulster, was a post of great responsibility and hazard, and demon- strated the confidence of the government. The safety of a line of settlements, extending at least fifty miles, was intrusted to his vigi- lance and intrepidity. The ascendency of the French over the ruth- less savages, was always predominant, and the inhabitant of the frontiers was compelled to hold the plough with one hand, for his sustenance, and to grasp his gun with the other, for his defence ; and lie was constantly in danger of being awakened, in the hour of darkness, by the war-whoop of the savages, to witness the conflagra tion of his dwelling and the murder of his family. After the termination of the French war, Mr. Clinton married Mary De Witt, and he retired from the camp to enjoy the repose of domestic life. When the American revolution was on the eve of its commence- ment, he was appointed, on the 30th June, 1775, by the continental congress, colonel of the third regiment of New York forces. On the 25th of October following, he was appointed by the provincial congress of New York, colonel of the regiment of foot in Ulster county; on the 8th of March, 1776, by the continental congress, colonel of the second battalion of New York troops ; and on the 9th of August, 1776, a brigadier-general in the army of the United States ; in which station he continued during the greater part of the war, having the command of the New York line, or the troops of that state ; and at its close he was constituted a major-general. In 1775, his regiment composed part of the army under General Montgomery, which invaded Canada ; and he participated in all the fatigues, dangers, and privations of that celebrated, but unfortunate expedition. In October, 1777, he commanded at Fort Clinton, which, together with its neighbor. Fort Montgomery, constituted the defence of the 332 JAMES CLINTON. Hudson river, against the ascent of an enemy. His brother, the governor, commanded in chief at both forts. Sir Henry Clinton, with a view to create a division in favor of General Burgoyne, moved up the Hudson with an army of four thousand men, and attacked those works, which were very imperfectly fortified, and only de- fended by five hundred men, composed principally of militia. After a most gallant resistance, the forts were carried by storm. General Clinton was the last man who left the works, and not until he was severely wounded by the thrust of a bayonet ; pursued and fired at by the enemy, and his attending servant killed. He bled profusely, and when he dismounted from his war-horse, in order to effect his escape from the enemy, who were close on him, it occurred to him that he must cither perish on the mountains or be captured, unless he could supply himself with another horse ; an animal which some- times roamed at large in that wild region. In this emergency he took the bridle from his horse, and slid down a precipice of one hun- dred feet to the ravine of the creek which separated the forts, and feeling cautiously his way along its precipitous banks, he reached the mountain at a distance from the enemy, after having fallen into the stream, the cold water of which arrested a copious effusion of blood. The return of light furnished him with the sight of a horse, which conveyed him to his house, about sixteen miles from the fort, where he arrived about noon, covered with blood and laboring under a severe fever. In his helpless condition the British passed up the Hudson, within a few miles of his house, and destroyed the town of Kingston. The cruel ravages and horrible irruptions of the Iroquois, or Six Nations of Indians, on our frontier settlements, rendered it necessary to inflict a terrible chastisement, which would prevent a repetition of their atrocities. An expedition was accordingly planned, and their principal command was committed to General Sullivan, who was to proceed up the Susquehanna, with the main body of the army, while General Clinton was to join him by the way of the Mohawk. The Iroquois inhabited, or occasionally occupied that immense and fertile region which composes the western parts of New York and Pennsylvania, and besides their own ravages, from the vicinity of their settlements to the inhabited parts of the United States, they facilitated the inroads of the more remote Indians. When General Sullivan was on his way to the Indian country, he was joined by General Clinton with upwards of sixteen hundred men. The latter had gone up the Mohawk in batteaux, from Schenectady, and after ascending that river about fifty-four miles, he conveyed his batteaux 'rom Canajoharie to the head of Otsego lake, one of the sources EXPEDITION TO THE INDIAN COUNTRY. 335 Pursuit of the Indians. of the Susquehanna. Finding the stream of water, in that river, too low to float his boats, he erected a dam across the mouth of the lake, which soon rose to the altitude of the dam. Having got his batteaux ready, he opened a passage tlirough the dam for the water to flow. This raised the river so high that he was enabled to embark all his troops; to float them down to Tioga, and to join General Sullivan in good season. The Indians collected their strength at Newtown ; took possession of proper ground, and fortified it with judgment, and on the 29th August, 1779, an attack was made on them; their works were forced, and their consternation was so great, that they abandoned all further resistance ; for, as the Americans advanced into their settlements, they retreated before them without throwing any obstructions in their way. The army passed between the Cayuga and Seneca lakes, by Geneva and Canandaigua, and as far west as the Genessee river, destroying large settlements and villages, and fields of corn ; orchards of fruit-trees, and gardens abounding with esculent vegetables. The progress of the Indians in agriculture, struck the Americans with astonishment. Many of their ears of corn measured twenty-two inches in length. They had horses, cows, and hogs in abundance. They manufactured salt and sugar, and raised the best of apples and peaches, and their dwellings were large and commodious. The desolation of their settlements, the destruc- tion of their provisions, and the conflagration of their houses, drove 336 JAMES CLINTON. them to the British fortresses of Niagara for subsistence, where, living on salt provisions, to which they were unaccustomed, they died in great numbers, and the effect of this expedition was, to diminish their population ; to damp their ardor ; to check their arrogance ; to restrain their cruelty, and 1o inflict an irrecoverable blow on their resources of extensive aggression. General Will amson and Colonel Pickens also attacked tlie Indians, and drove them into the settled towns of the Creeks, about the same time. For a considerable portion of the war. General Clinton was sta- tioned at Albany, where he commanded, in the northern department of the Union, a place of high responsibility, and requiring uncommon vigilance and continual exertion. An incident occurred, when on this command, which strongly illustrates his character. A regiment which had been ordered to march, mutinied under arms, and peremp- torily refused obedience. The general, on being apprised of this, immediately repaired with his pistols to the ground : he went up to the head of tlie regiment and ordered it to march ; a silence ensued, and the order was not complied with. He then presented a pistol to the breast of a sergeant, who was the ringleader, and commanded him to proceed on pain of death ; and so on in succession along the line, and his comm.and was, in every instance, obeyed, and the regi- ment restored to entire and complete subordination and submission. General Clinton was at the siege of Yorktown and the capture of Cornwallis, where he distinguished himself by his usual intrepidity. His last appearance in arms, was on the evacuation of the city of New York, by the British. He then bid the commander-in-chief a final and affectionate adieu, and retired to his ample estates, where he enjoyed that repose which was required by a long period of fatigue and privation. He was, however, frequently called from his retirement by the unsolicited voice of his fellow-citizens, to perform civic duties. He was appointed a commissioner to adjust the boundary line between Pennsylvania and New York, which important measure was amicably and successfully accomplished. He was also selected by the legis- lature for an interesting mission, to settle controversies about lands in the west, which also terminated favorably. He represented his native county in the asscmt)ly, and in the convention that adopted the present constitution of the United States, and he was elected, without opposition, a senator from the middle district ; all which trusts he executed w ilh perfect integrity, with solid intelligence, and with the full approbation of his constituents. The temper of General Clinton was mild and affectionate, but vhen raised by unprovoked or unmerited injury, he exhibited extra- DEATH OF CLINTON. 337 ordinary and appalling energy. In battle he was as cool and as collected as if sitting by his fireside. Nature intended him for a gallant and efficient soldier, when she endowed him with the faculty of entire self-possession in the midst of the greatest dangers. He died on the 22d of December, 1812, and was interred in the family burial-place in Orange county ; and his monumental stone bears the following inscription : " Underneath are interred the remains of James Clinton, Esquire. He was born the 9th of August, 1736 ; and died the 22d of December, 1812. His life was principally devoted to the military service of his country, and he had filled with fidelity and honor, several distin- guished civil offices. He was an officer in the revolutionary war, and the war preceding ; and, at the close of the former, was a major-general in the army of the United States. He was a good man and a sincere patriot, per- forming, in the most exemplary manner, all the duties of life ; and he died, as he lived, without fear, and without reproach." British Costume, 1777. 22 MONG the many distingnished patriots of the Revolution, who have become tenants of the tomb, the services of none will be more readily acknowledged, than those of the late venerable George Clinton. He is descended from a respectable and worthy family, and was born on the 26th July, 1739, in the county of Ulster, in the colony of New York. His father. Colonel Charles Clinton, was an emigrant from Ireland. In early youth he was put to the study of law ; but long before he became a man, he rallied under the standard of his country, and assisted Amherst in the reduction of Montreal. In this campaign he nobly distinguished himself in a conflict on the northern waters, 338 ELECTED GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK. 339 when, with four gun-boats, after a severe engagement, he captured a French brig of eighteen guns. This war being ended, he returned again to his favorite pursuit, the science of the law, and placed himself under the tuition of Chief Justice Smith, where he became a student with Governe\ir Morris, between whom and himself, a difference of political opinion, in after life wrought a separation. He had scarcely commenced as a practitioner, when, in 17G5, the storm appeared to gather round his native land, and the tyrannic dis- position of the mother country was manifested. Foreseeing the evil at hand, with a mind glowing witii patriotism, correct and quick in its perceptions ; and like time, steady and fixed to the achieve- ment of its objects, he abandoned the advantages of the profession to which he had been educated, and became a member of the colonial legislature ; where he ever displayed a love of liberty, an inflexible attachment to the rights of his country, and that undaunted firmness and integrity, without which this nation never would have been free; and which has ever formed the most brilliant, though by no means the most useful trait of his character. He was chief of the Whig party. In this situation he remained, contending against the doctrine of British supremacy ; and with great strength of argument, and force of popularity, supporting the rights of America, till the crisis arrived when, in 1775, he was returned a member of that patriotic congress, who laid the foundation of our independence. While in this vener- able body, it may be said of him with truth, that " he strengthened the feeble knees, and the hands that hang dowTi." On the 4th of July, 1776, he was present at the glorious declaration of independ- ence, and assented with his usual energy and decision, to that mea- sure, but having been appointed a brigadier-general in the militia, and also in the continental army, the exigencies of his country at that trying hour, rendered it necessary for him to take the field in person, and he therefore retired from congress immediately after his vote was given, and before the instrument was transcribed for the signature of the members ; for which reason his name does not appear among the signers. A constitution ha\ing been adopted, for the state of New York, in April, 1777, he was chosen at the first election under it, both governor and lieutenant-governor, and was continued in the former office for eighteen years. In this year he was also appointed by congress to command the post of the Highlands, a most important and arduous duty. The design of the enemy was to separate New England from the rest of the nation, and by preventing succor from 340 GEORGE CLINTON. the east, to lay waste the middle and southern country. Had this plan l)een carried into effect, American liberty would probably have expired in its cradle. It was then that his vast and comprehensive .genius viewed in its true light the magnitude of the evil contem- plated ; and he roused to a degree of energy unknown and unex- pected. It was then that Burgoyne was, with the best appointed army ever seen in America, attempting to force his way to Albany, and Howe attempting to effect a junction with him at that important place. The crisis was all important, and Clinton did not hesitate — he de- termined at all hazards to save his country. With this view, when Ho'.ve attempted to ascend the river, Clinton from every height and angle assailed him. His gallant defence of Fort Montgomery, with a handful of men, against a powerful force commanded by Sir Henry Clinton, was equally honorable to his intrepidity and his skill. The following are the particulars of his gallant conduct at the storming of forts Montgomery and Clinton, in October, 1777. " When the British reinforcements, under General Robertson, amounting to nearly two thousand men, arrived from Europe, Sir Henry Clinton used the greatest exertion, and availed himself of every favorable circum.^tance, to put these troops into immediate operation. Many were sent to suitable vessels, and united in the expedition, which consisted of about four thousand men, against the forts in the Highlands. Having made the necessary arrangements, he moved up the North river, and landed on the 4th of October at Tarrytown, purposely to impress General Putnam, under whose command a thousand continental troops had been left, with a belief, that his post at Peekskill was the object of attack. At eight o'clock at night, the general communicated the intelligence to Governor Clinton, of the arrival of the British, and at the same time expressed his opinion respecting their destination. The designs of Sir Henry were immediately perceived by the governor, who prorogued the assetnl)ly on the following day, and arrived that night at Fort Mont- gomery. The British troops in the mean time, were secretly con- veyed across the river, and assaults upon our forts were meditated to be made on the 6th, which were accordingly put in execution, by attacking the American advanced party at Doodletown, about two miles and a half from Fort Montgomery. The Americans received the fire of the British, and retreated to Fort Clinton. The enemy then advanced to the west side of the mountain, in order to attack our troops in the rear. Governor Clinton immediately ordered out a detachment of one hundred men toward Doodletown, and another of si.\ty, with a br.iss field-piece, to an eligible spot on another road. CAPTUKE OF FORT CLINTON. 343 They were both soon attacked by the whole force of the enemy, and compelled to fall back. It has been remarked, that the talents, as well as the temper of a commander, are put to as severe a test in conducting a retreat, as in achieving a victory. The truth of this Governor Clinton experienced, when, with great bravery, and the most perfect order, he retired till he reached the fort. He lost no time in placing his men in the best manner that circumstances would admit. His post, however, as well as Fort Clinton, in a few minutes were invaded on every side. In the midst of this disheartening and appalling disaster, he was summoned, when the sun was only an hour high, to surrender in five minutes ; but his gallant spirit sternly refused to obey the call. In a short time after, the British made a general and most desperate attack on both posts, which was received by the Americans with undismayed courage and resistance. Officers and men, militia and continentals, all behaved nobly. An incessant fire was kept up till dusk, when our troops were overpowered by numbers, who forced the lines and redoubts at both posts. Many of the Americans fought their way out, others accidentally mixed with the enemy, and thus made their escape effectually ; for, besides being favored by the night, they knew the various avenues in the mountains. The governor, as well as his brother, General James Clinton, who was wounded, were not taken." Howe, driven to madness by the manly resistance of his foes, inconsiderately landed and marched into the country, and immortal- ized his name by burning Kingston and other villages. But the great object of the expedition, the forming a conjunction with Burgoyne, was happily defeated, by the capture of that general, and America was free. From this moment, for eighteen years in succession, he remained the governor of New Yorii, re-elected to that important station by a generous and wise people, who knew hovv- to appreciate his wisdom and virtue, and their own blessings. During this period, he was president of the convention of that state, which ratified the national constitution : when, as in all other situations, he undeviatingly mani- fested an ardent attachment to civil liberty. After the life of labor and usefulness, here faintly portrayed ; worn with the fatigues of duty, and with a disease which then afflicted him, but which had been removed for the last eight years of his life ; having led his native state to eminent, if not unrivalled importance and prosperity, he retired from public life, with a mind resolved not to mingle again with governmental concerns, and to taste those sweets which result from reflecting on a life well spent. In 1805 he was chosen Vice-Presidejit of the United States, by 344 GEORGE CLINTON the same number of votes that elevated Mr. Jefferson to the presi dency ; in which station he discharged his duties with unremitted attention ; presiding with great dignity in the senate, and evincing, by his votes and his opinions, his decided hostility to constructive authority, and to innovations on the established principles of repub- lican government. He died at Washington, when attending to his duties as Vice- President, and was interred in that city, where a monument was erected by the filial piety of his children, with this inscription, written by his nephew : — " To the memory of George Clinton. He was born in the stat,e of New York, on the 26th July, 1739, and died in the city of Wash- ington, on the 20th April, 1812, in the 73d year of his age." " He was a soldier and statesman of the Revolution. Eminent in council, and distinguished in war, he filled, with unexampled useful- ness, purity, and ability, among many other offices, those of Governor of his native state, and of Vice-President of the United States. While he lived, his virtue, wisdom, and valor were the pride, the ornament, and security of his country, and when he died, he left an illustrious example of a well spent life, worthy of all imitation." MAJOR GENERAL ANDREW PICKENS. I HIS able commander was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of September, 1739. His ancestors were driven from France by the revocation of the edict of Nantz. They first settled in Scotland, and afterwards in the north of Ireland. His father emigrated to Penn- sylvania, from whence he removed to Augusta county, Virginia, and soon after to the Waxhaws, in South Carolina, before xVndrew had attained the age of manhood. 345 346 ANDREW PICKENS. Like many of our most distinguished officers of the Revolution, he commenced his mihtary services in the French war, which terminated m 1763, when he began to develope those quahties for which he was afterwards so eminently distinguished In the year 1761, he served as a volunteer with Jloultrie and Marion, in a bloody but successful expedition, under Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, a British officer, sent by General Amherst to command against the Cherokees. After the termination of the war, he removed to the Long Cane settlement, and was wholly engaged for several years in the usual pursuits of a frontier country ; hunting and agriculture. At an early period he took a decided stand against the right claimed by Great Britain, to tax her colonies without their con- sent ; and at the commencement of the Revolution was appointed captain of militia. The distinguished part which he acted in the struggle for independence, has been recorded by the historian, and the principal events can only be alluded to in the present sketch. His zeal and skill were rewarded by his country, by his being rapidly promoted to the respective commands of major, colonel, and brigadier-general. In the most despondent time, when this section of the Union was overrun by the enemy, and suffered from the tories all the horrors of civil war, he remained unshaken, and with Marion and Sumpter kept up the spirit of resistance. He commanded in chief in the expedition against the Cherokees, in 1781 ; and such was his success, that in a few days, with an incon- siderable force, he subdued the spirit of that then powerful nation, and laid the foundation of a peace so permanent that it has not since been disturbed. At Kettle Creek his conduct was equally distinguished and suc- cessful ; with half the force he defeated, after a severe contest, a large body of tories, under the command of Colonel Boyd. The results of this victory were highly important. It broke the spirit of the tories, and secured the internal peace for a considerable time of the interior of the Carolinas and Georgia. No less conspicuous was his conduct at the Cowpcns. He there commanded the militia forces : and, animated by the spirit and courage of their commander in that important battle, they fairly won an equal share of glory with the continentals, under Colonel Howard. For his gallantry and conduct on that occasion, Congress voted him a sword. At the Eutaw he commanded, with Marion, the militia of the two Carolinas ; but in the early part of the action received a severe wound in his breast by a musket ball. His life was providentially saved by the ball striking the buckle of his sword. FA.LL OF CHARLESTON. 347 N that dark hour of the Revolution, when Charles- ton fell, and the victorious Britons spreading themselves over the country, advanced into the interior, the revived resent- ments of the royalists com- pelled Colonel Pickens, and the steady adherents of the cause :_ of freedom, to abandon ;:-- - their habitations and V;(;^ country, and seek for -;' ,; refuge in North Caro- lina. So soon, however, as General Greene had taken command of the army, and ordered General Morgan to enter the western division of the state, to check the aggressions of the enemy, and to revive the drooping spirits of the whig inhabitants, Colonel Pickens was found the most active among his associates, seconding his enterprises, and by gentleness and conciliation attach- ing new adherents to the cause. Of his intrepid conduct at the battle of the Cowpens, it is scarcely necessary to speak. It is a well-known fact, that he not only prevailed upon his riflemen to retain their fire till it could be given with deadly eflect, but, when broken, and compelled to retreat, that he rallied them ; and what had never before been effected with militia, brought them a second time to meet their enemy, and by continued exertion to accomplish their final surrender. Peace being restored, the voice of his country called him to serve her in various civil capacities ; and he continued, without interrup- tion, in public employment until about 1801. By the treaty of Hopewell, with the Cherokees, in which he was one of the commis- sioners, the cession of that portion of the state now called Pendleton and Greenville, was obtained. Soon after he settled at Hopewell, on Keowee river, where the treaty was held. He was a member of the legislature, and afterwards of the convention which- formed the state constitution. He was elected a member under the new consti tution, until 1794, when he became a member of Congress. De- clining a re-election to Congress, he was again returned a member to the legislature, in which post he continued until about 1811. Such was the confidence of General Washington in him, that he requested his attendance at Philadelphia, to consult with him on the practicability and best means of civilizing the southern Indians ; and 348 ANDREW PICKENS. he also offered him the command of a brigade of light troops, under the command of General Wayne, in his campaigns against the northern Indians ; which he declined. Tn 1794, when the militia WHS first organized conformable to the act of Congress, he was appointed one of the two major generals ; which commission he resigned after holding it a few years. He was employed by the United States as a commissioner in all the treaties with the southern Indians, until he withdrew from public life. Determining to enjoy that serenity and tranquillity which he ha 1 so greatly contributed to establish, with the simplicity of the early times of the Roman republic, he retired from the busy scenes of life, and settled on his farm at Tomussee, (a place peculiarly interesting to him,) where he devoted himself with little interruption to domestic pursuits and reflection until his death. In this tranquil period, few events happened to check the tenor of his happy and virtuous life. Revered and beloved by all, his house, though remote from the more frequented parts of the state, was still the resort of numerous friends and relations ; and often received the visits of the enlightened traveller. Such was the gentle current of his latter years ; still, of earthly objects, his country was the first in his affections. He viewed with great interest our late struggle, and the causes which excited it, distinctly perceiving, that in its consequences the prosperity, inde- pendence and glory of his country were deeply involved; he was alive to its various incidents. In this hour of danger the eyes of his fellow citizens were again turned to their tried servant ; without his knowledge he was again called by the spontaneous voice of his fel- low citizens into public service. Confidence thus expressed could not be disregarded ; he accepted a seat in the legislature in 1812, and was pressed to serve as governor at this eventful crisis, which, with his characteristic moderation and good sense, he declined. He thought the struggle should be left to more youthful hands. General Pickens died in South Carolina, on the 1 1th of October, 1817. In his domestic circumstances he was fortunate : by industry and attention he soon acquired a competency ; and never desired more. He married in earl)' life, has left a numerous and prosperous off- spring, and his consort, the sister of John E. Calhoun, formerly a senator in Congress, died but a few years before him. Of his private character little need be said ; for among its strong- est features was simplicity without contrariety or change ; from his youth to age he was ever distinguished for a punctual performance of all the duties of life. He was from early life a firm believer in the christian religion, and an influential member of the Presby- DEATH OF PICKENS. 349 terian church. The strong points of his character were decision and prudence, accompanied, especially in youth, with remarkable taciturnity. He was of middle stature, active and robust; and en- joyed, in consequence of the natural goodness of his constitution, and from early and combined temperance and activity, almost unintei- rupted health to the last moments of his life. He retained much of his strength and nearly all his mental vigor in perfection ; and died, not in consequence of the exhaustion of nature, or previous sickness; for the stroke of death fell suddenly, and while his personal acquaintances were anticipating the addition "*" many years to his life. MAJOR GENERAL PHILIP SCHUYLER. ENERAL SCHUYLER was a native of New York, a member of one of the most respectable families in that state, and highly merits the character of an intel- ligent and meritorious officer. As a private gentleman, he was dignified but courteous, his manners urbane, and his hospitality un- bounded. He was justly considered as one of the most distinguished champions of liberty, and his noble mind soared above despair, even at a period when he experienced injustice from the public, and -when darkness and gloom overspread the land. He was able, prompt, and decisive, and his conduct in every branch of duty, marked his active industry and rapid execution. He received his commission from Congress, June 19th, 1776, and was ordered to take command of the expedition against Canada ; but, being taken sick, the command devolved upon General Mont- 350 BURGOYNES INVASION. 351 gomery. On his recovery, he devoted his time, and with the assist- ance of General St. Clair, used every effort to stay the progress of a veteran and numerous army under Burgoyne, who had commenced his march from Canada, on the bold attempt of forming a junction at Albany with Sir Henry Clinton. The duties of General Schuyler now became laborious, intricate, and complicated. On his arrival at head-quarters he found the army of the north not only too weak for the objects intrusted to it, but also badly supplied with arms, clothes, and provisions. From a spy he obtained information that General Burgoyne had arrived at Que- bec, and was to take command of the British force on their contem- plated expedition. A few days removed the doubts which might have existed respect- ing the intentions of Burgoyne. It was understood that his army was advancing towards the lakes. Genera] Schuyler was sensible of the danger which threatened his department, and made every exertion to meet it. He visited in per- son the different posts, used the utmost activity in obtaining supplies of provisions to enable them to hold out in the event of a siege, and had proceeded to Albany both for the purpose of attending to the supplies, and of expediting the march of Nixon's brigade, whose arrival was expected ; when he received intelligence from General St. Clair, who was intrusted with the defence of Ticonderoga, that Burgoyne had appeared before that place. N the course of the preceding winter a plan for penetrating to the Hudson from Canada by the way of the lakes, was completely digested, and its most minute parts arranged in the cabinet of St. James. Genera] Burgoyne, who assisted in forming it, was intrusted with its execution, and was to lead a formidable army against Ticonderoga, as soon as the season would permit. At the same time, a smaller party, under Colonel St. Leger, composed of Cana- dians, new raised Americans, and a few Europeans, aided by a power- ful body of Indians, was to march from Oswego to enter the country by the way of the IVIohawk, and to join the grand army on the Hudson. The force assigned for this service was such as the general him- self deemed sufficient ; and, as it was the favorite plan of the min- ister, no circumstance was omitted which could give to the numbers employed their utmost possible efficacy. The troops were furnished 352 PHILIP SCHUYLER. with every military equipment which the service required ; the as- sisting general officers were of the first reputation, and the train of artillery was, perhaps, the most powerful ever annexed to an army not more numerous. But valor, perseverance and industry could avail nothing against such vast numbers as now assailed the northern army. Ticonderoga was evacuated, and stores, artillery, and military equipage to an im- mense amount, fell into the hands of the enemy. Knowing the inferiority of his numbers, and that he could only hope to save his army by the rapidity of his march, General St. Clair reached Charlestown, thirty miles from Ticonderoga, on the night succeeding the evacuation of the fort. On the 7th of July, at Stillwater, on his way to Ticonderoga, General Schuyler was informed of the evacuation of that place, and on the same day, at Saratoga, the total loss of the stores at Skeens- borough, was also reported to him. From General St. Clair he had heard nothing, and the most serious fears were entertained for the army commanded by that officer. His force, after being joined by Colonel Long, consisted of about fifteen hundred continental troops, and the same number of militia. They were dispirited by defeat, without tents, badly armed, and had lost a great part of their stores and baggage. That part of the country was generally much alarmed, and even those who were well affected, discovered, as is usual in such circumstances, more inclination to take care of themselves than to join the army. In this gloomy state of things it is impossible that any officer could have used more diligence or judgment than was displayed by Schuyler. After the evacuation of Fort Anne, Burgoyne found it absolutely necessary to suspend for a time all further pursuit, and to give his army some refreshment. In the present state of things, unable even to looii the enemy in the face, it was of unspeakable importance to the American general to gain time. This short and unavoidable interval from action, there- fore, was seized by Schuyler, whose head-quarters were at Fort Edward, and used to the >itmost advantage. The country between Skcensborough and Fort Edward was almost entirely unsettled, covered with thick woods, of a surface extremely rough, and much intersected with creeks and morasses. As far as Fort Anne, Wood creek was navigable with batteaux ; and artillery, military stores, provisions and heavy baggage migiit be transported up it. The first moments of rest, while Burgoyne was reassembling his EVACUATION OF TICONDEROGA. 353 forces at Skcensborougli, wore employed by Schuyler in destroying the navigation of Wood creek, by sinking numerous impediments m its course, and in breaking up the bridges, and otherwise rendering impassable the roads over which the British army must necessarily march. He was also indefatigable in driving all the live-stock out of the way, and in bringing from Fort George to Fort Edward, am- munition and other military stores which had been deposited at that place, of which his army was in much need, and which it was essen- tial to bring away before the British could remove their gun-boats and army into the lake, and possess themselves of the fort. While thus endeavoring to obstruct the march of the enemy, he was not inattentive to the best mean.s of strengthening his own army. Reinforcements of regular troops were earnestly solicited. The militia of Ne^^^England and New York were called for, and all his influence in the surrounding country was exerted to reanimate the people, and to prevent their defection from the American cause. "^ HE evacuation of Ticonderoga was a shock for which no part of the United States was prepared. Neither the strength of the invading army nor of thegarrison had been anywhere under- stood. The opinion was common that no reinforcements had arrived at Que- bec that spring, in which case it was believed that not more than five thou- sand men could be spared from the defence of Canada. Those new raised regiments of New England and New York, which had been allolted to the northern department, had been reported, and were believed by the commander-in-chief, and by Con- gress, as well as by the community at large, to contain a much greater number of effectives than they were found actually to comprehend. In addition to these, the officer commanding the garrison, was empow- ered tocallto his aid such bodies of militia as he might deem necessary for the defence of his post. A very few days before the place was invested, General Schuyler, from an inspection of the muster rolls, had stated the garrison to amount to five thousand men, and the supply of provisions to be abundant. When, therefore, it was under- stood that a place, on the fortifications of which much money and labor had been expended ; which was considered as the key to the whole western country, and supposed to contain a garrison nearly equal to the invading army, had been abandoned without a siege : that an immense train of artillery, consisting of one hundred and 23 354 PHILIP SCHUYLER. twenty-eight pieces, and all the baggage, military stores, and provi- sions, had either fallen into the hands of the enemy, or been destroyed; that the army on its retreat had been attacked, defeated, and dis- persed ; astonishment pervaded all ranks of men ; and the conduct of the officers was almost universally condemned. Congress directed a recall of all the generals of the department, and an inquiry into their conduct. Through New England especially, the most malignant aspersions were cast on them, and General Schuyler, who, from some unknown cause, had never been viewed with favor in that part of the continent, was involved in the common charges of treachery, to which this accumulation of unlocked for calamity was very gener- ally attributed by the mass of the people. On the representations of General Washington, the recall of the officers was suspended until he should be of opinion *hat the state of things would admit of such a measure; and on inquiry afterward made into the conduct of the generals, they were acquitted of all blame. When the resolutions were passed, directing an inquiry into the conduct of Schuyler and St. Glair, appointing a committee to report on the mode of conducting the inquiry, and, in the meanwhile, recall- ing them and all the brigadiers who had served in that department. General Washington was requested to name a successor to Schuyler. On his expressing a wish to decline this nomination, and representing the inconvenience of removing all the general officers, Gates was again directed to repair thither and take the command ; and the reso- lution to recall the brigadiers was suspended, until the commander- in-chief should be of opinion that it might be carried into effect with safety. Schuyler retained the command until the arrival of Gates, which was about the 31st of August, and continued his exertions to restore the affairs of the department, which had been so much de- pressed by the losses consequent on the evacuation of Ticonderoga. That officer felt acutely the disgrace of being recalled in this critical and interesting state of the campaign, but nobly submitted to the decision of his superiors in rank. If error be attributed to the evacuation of Ticonderoga, certainly no portion of it was committed by Schuyler. His removal from the command was probably unjust and severe, as the measure respected himself. The patriotism and magnanimity displayed by the ex- general, on this occasion, does him high honor. All that could have been effected to impede the progress of the British army, had been done already. Bridges w-ere broken up, causeways destroyed, trees felled in every direction, to retard the conveyance of stores and artillery. On Gates's arrival, General Schuyler, without the slightest indica MAGNANIMITY OF SCHUYLER. 355 tion of ill-humor, resigned his command, communicated all the intel- ligence he possessed, and put every interesting paper into his hands, simply adding, " I have done all that could be done, as far as the means were in my power, to injure the enemy and to inspire confi- dence in the soldiers of our own army, and I flatter myself with some success ; but the palm of victory is denied me, and it is left to you, general, to reap the fruits of my labors. I will not fail, how- ever, to second your views; and my devotion to my country will cause me with alacrity to obey all your orders." He performed his promise, and faithfully did his duty, till the surrender of Burgoyne put an end to the contest. Another anecdote is recorded to his honor. General Burgoyne, dining with General Gates, immediately after the convention of Saratoga, and hearing General Schuyler named among the officers presented to him, thought it necessary to apologize for the destruction of his elegant mansion a few days before, by his orders. " Make no excuses, general," was the reply ; " I feel myself more than compensated by the pleasure of meeting you at this table." The court of inquiry, instituted on the conduct of Generals Schuyler and St. Clair, resulted with the highest honor to them. General Schuy- ler, though not invested with any distinct command, continued to render important services in the military transactions of New York, until the close of the War. He was a member of the old Congress ; and represented the state of New York in the senate of the United States, when the present government commenced its operations. In 1797 he was again ap- ponited a senator. He died at Albany, November 18th, 1804, in the seventy-third year of his age. QencTal Schuyl'^T's P.eeidence, Sch-aylervma COLONEL ■WADS'WORTH AND HIS EON, From an original paiutiDg at the Wj-dswort^ Atbenaeum, IlartforJl. Connecticut. COLONEL JEREMIAH WADSWORTH. V Wf\ T^ I ^^^ brief notice which our hmits permit us to insert / MM \ f of ^■^I's gentleman's services to his country, is ex- y Kl ^ Iracted from an Address dehvcred before the Con- necticut Historical Society, by their president, the Honorable Thomas Day. Jeremiah Wadsworth was born at Hartford, on the 12th of July, 1743. His father died when he was but a little more than four years old. Tradition says of him, that in his early youth, he was inclined to action and sport, rather than to study. While he was yet of a tender age, his mother placed him under the care and in the service of her brother, Matthew Talcot, Esq., a merchant in Middletown, exten- sively concerned in navigation. When he was about eighteen years of a-'T, he was taken with spitting blood; and his flesh began to waste away. Under these circumstances, he, by the advice of his friends, readily accepted the place of a seaman before the mast, in- one of his uncle's vessels. Here he soon recovered his health. After several voyages — generally short ones — in this capacity, he 356 SERVICES IN THE REVOLUTION. 357 became, first the mate, and afterwards the master of a vessel. He was thus at sea at least ten years. Faithful and efficient in his busi- ness, he won the confidence and esteem of his employer, and of all who had dealings with him. During the latter part of this period, he married Miss Mehitabel Russell, daughter of the Rev. William Russell of Middlctown. After his mother's death in 1773, he, with his family — a wife and three children — -removed to Hartford, and occupied, in common with his sisters, the paternal mansion-house. The Revolutionary war, which commenced when he was about thirty-two years old, deprived him of his employment at sea. But he had become too much a man of business to be idle. It was seen, that his experience and tact in buying and selling cargoes, might be turned to a profitable account— profitable to his country as well as to himself — in furnishing supplies for the army. He was oifered the place of deputy-commissary under Colonel Joseph Trumbull, which he accepted ; and so satisfactorily did he execute its duties, that on the resignation of his principal, not long afterwards, he was appointed, by Congress, as his successor in office. After the arrival of the French troops, he became commissary of the French army, and acted in that capacity until the close of the war. His official situation, his knowledge of the country and its re- sources, his insight into the characters and motives of men, and his sound common sense on all subjects, rendered it useful, not to say necessary, for the principal officers of the American and French army to hold frequent consultations with him. He shared largely in their confidence — especially in that of the commander-in-chief. Hence they were often his guests ; and his house was always open to them. The following apostrophe to this house after its removal, is not less authentic as a record of historical facts, than its diction is graceful : " Fallen dome — beloveJ so well, Thou could'st many a legend tell Of the cliiefs of ancient fame, Who, to share tliy shelter, came. liochfintheau and La Fayette Ronnd thy plenteous board have met. With Columbia's mightier son. Great and glorious Wassiingtov. Here, with kindred minds, they plann'J Rescue ii>r an infant land ; While the British lion's roar Echo'd round the leagur'd shore." Let me add, in rny own plain prose, that General Washington was enjoying the hospitality of this house, with Count de Ro-lambeau, at the time Arnold was perpetrating treason at West Point, and 358 J E U K I\I I A II WADS \V o R T II. Colonel Wadswo'.tii's \ age L 1 i 1 u returned to take a hasty breakfast at the traitor's table, an hour after he had fled from it, and immediately before the discovery of his guilt. In July, 1783, after the cessation of hostilities and a few weeks before the treaty of peace was signed, Colonel Wadsworth embarked for France, for the purpose of rendering an account of his adminis- tration to the proper officers of the French government, and obtain- ina: a final settlement with them. He arrived in France in Auffust, after a passage of twenty-seven days. So correctly had his accounts been kept, and so satisfactory had his official conduct been, that a settlement was effected without difficulty ; and the large balance in his favor was honorably paid. In the latter part of March, 1784, he left France, and passed over to England, where he remained until some time in July following. Thence he went to Ireland, where he spent about six weeks ; and then returned to America. He arrived in Delaware Bay, after a passage of fifty-six days. A considerable part of the funds he received from the French government he invested in French, English and Irish goods, which he brought home and sold in Hartford and Philadelphia. This, with the care and management of his other property, aflbrded him suffi- cient employment in the way of business, without trenching upon his social and domestic enjoyments. During this period, he caused some improvements in the agricul- ture of his neighborhood, by successful experiments on his own land. He also introduced into the state breeds both of horses and horned cattle, superior to those which had been previously raised here. WADSWORTH A MEMBER OF CONGRESS. 359 When the constitution of the United States was referred to the people of the several states for their consideration, he was elected a member of tlie convention of this state from his native town, and not only took a deep interest in its proceedings, but largely shared its labors and responsibilities. Though his education and habits had not especially fitted him for public debate, yet his natural good sense surmounted every difficulty of this sort, and he became an efficient advocate of the constitution. After its adoption, he was elected a member of the first Congress, with such men as Roger Sherman, Jonathan Trumbull and others, for his colleagues. He was re-elected to the second Congress, and afterwards to the third. After serving his state and country, in this capacity, for si.Y years, he resigned his seat, or declined a further election. In Hay, 1795, the next session of the general assembly of this state after the expiration of the third Congress, he was chosen a representative of his native town in the popular branch, and was, at the same time, elected by the freemen of the state an assistant, or member of the council. He took his seat in the latter body, and was annually re-elected to that station until 1801, when, at his ovin request, he was omitted. He died on the 30th of April, 1804, leaving a widow and two children — a son and a daughter. I have not time, if I had the requisite materials and qualifications, for a full delineation of his character. It may be sufficient for the present occasion to mention a few characteristic qualities, which those who knew him best love to cherish in their memories. To a sunny cheerfulness of temper he united very vivid recollections of past events, combining important historical truths with pleasant anec- dotes ; and these he related so well as to entertain and delight his hearers. He was a most firm friend ; and to those whom he loved his generosity was unbounded, whilst his firmness and integrity kept at bay the inquisitive and the intriguing. He gave encouragement to industrious people by advice, and when their necessities required it, by pecuniary assistance. No man, since the days of Job, could with more truthfulness appropriate his declaration — " I was a father to the poor ; and the cause which I knew not I searched out." Colonel Humphreys, than whom few had better opportunities of knowing him, says — " He was always the protector and the guardian of the widow, the fatherless and the distressed." In relation to his public character, the same distinguished witness testifies as follows : " No man in this country was ever better acquainted with its re- sources, or the best mode of drawing them forth for the public use. His talents for and dispatch of business, was unrivalled. His services, at some periods of the war, were incalculable." 360 JEREMIAH WADSWORTH. M. De Warville, a respectable French gentleman, who travelled in this country in 1788, thus speaks of him: "Hartford is the resi- dence of one of the most respectable men in the United States — Colonel Wadsworth. He enjoys a considerable fortune, which he owes entirely to his own labor and industry. Perfectly versed in commerce and agriculture ; universally known for the service he rendered the American and f\-eiich armies durino- the war ; gene- rally esteemed and beloved for his great virtues, he crowns all his qualities by an amiable and singular modesty. His address is frank, his countenance open, and his discourse simple. Thus you cannot fail to love him as soon as you see him." I will conclude this imperfect sketch by adopting the general summary, which appeared in one of the publir. prints of this city, immediately after his decease : " In all the public and private rela- tions of life, he was esteemed and respected. By his death, his family have lost a tender, affectionate and beloved relative ; the poor a kind and beneficent father ; the town its greatest benefactor, and the country one of its firmest friends and most able and faithful patriots." M^onument of General Mercer, at Laurel Hill Cemetery. BRIGADIER GENERAL HUGH MERCER. (E are indebted for the facts contained in the following notice, to the address of William 13. Reed, Esq., de- livered on the occasion of the re-interment of General Mercer's remains, at Laurel Hill, in 1840. Hugh Mercer was born near Aber- deen, in Scotland, about the year 1723 ; emigrated to America in the year 1747, in consequence of his participation in the rebellion of the Scotch in favor of the Pretender, Charles Edward, in the two preceding years. To enter the service of that unfortunate prince he had quitted his occupation as a physician ; encountering the dread penalties of treason, to aid the rebel cause by his example, and its sick and wounded supporters by his surgical skill. In the unfortunate battle of CuUoden, the cause of Charles Edward was 361 362 IIBGH MEUCER. lost ; he himself, became a wanderer, and exile offered the only safety to his faithful followers. Among- these, none was more worthy or more devoted than Hugh Mercer, who buried himself, the memory of his sin, in the western frontier of Pennsylvania, near where now stands the town of Mer- cersburg, in Franklin county. His history presents a complete blank from this time until the breaking out of the French and Indian wa in 1755, when we find liim engaged as a captain in a provincial force of three hundred men, led by Colonel John Armstrong. This body of troops, organized and equipped by the legislature of Pennsylvania, marched in 17 56, from Fort Shirley to the Alleghany river, through a hostile country, and reached the Indian town of Kiltaning, within twenty-five miles of the French garrison at Fort Du Quesne, without making their advance known to the enemy. The town was immediately assaulted, and after a short and bloody conflict carried by storm, and totally destroyed. The principal Indian chiefs were killed in the battle ; the provincial officers of rank were nearly all wounded. " Captain Mercer's com])any," says the covenanter-like report of Colonel Arm- strong — " himself and one man wounded — seven killed — himself and ensign are missing." It was even so. He had been severely wounded in the engagement, and carried to the rear, and was accidentally left behind by the little army when it set out on its return. On the night after the battle, he found himself deserted and wounded, obliged to make his way alone to the settlements, with death by a hundred chances ; — by his wound, by wild beasts, by the hands of his more wild enemies, and by starvation — all before him. But his spirit sunk not at the prospect. After reposing a few hours upon the battle-field, he set out upon his fearful pilgrimage. For weeks he wandered through the forest, depending for sustenance upon its roots and berries, and finally, when his strength seemed completely exhausted, he reached Fort Cumberland. REAT must have been the suflTer- inffs of Mercer on this occasion, as we learn by the narrative of M )^| one who was acquainted with the ^~^-^ facts, that he actually killed a rattle-snake and subsisted entirely on its flesh during several days previous to his arrival at Fort Cumberland. In the capacity of a lieutenant-colonel, he accompanied the army of General Forbes, and was left by him in charge of Fort Du Quesne after its reduction. BATTLES OF TKENTON AND PRINCETON. 365 It was on this expedition that he first became acquainted with the Virginia Colonel, George Washington. The nature of the trust confided to Colonel Mercer at this time, may be learnt from a letter written by Washington to Governor Fauquier, in December, 1751. " The general," says he, " has in his letters, told you what garrison he proposed to leave at Fort Du Quesne, but tlie want of provisions rendered it impossible to leave more than two hundred men in all ; and these must, I fear, abandon the place or perish. Our men left there are in such a miserable condition, having hardly rags to cover their nakedness, and exposed to the inclemency of the weather in this rigorous season, that sickness, death, and desertion, if they are not speedily supplied, must destroy them." Colonel Mercer, how- ever, kept the garrison together, and maintained the post until it was relieved, when he retired from the service, and resumed the practice of his profession in Fredericksburg, in Virginia. Foremost among the citizens of Virginia to enrol his name on the list of those who were ready to raise the standard of freedom. Colonel Mercer drew upon himself the public attention, and in June, 1776, he was presented by Congress with a commission as a brigadier- general, most probably at the instance of General Washington him- self. General Mercer accepted the appointment, left his home, his wife and children, as it proved, forever, and joined ihe army at New York. During the eventful campaign of 1776, and the retreat through the Jerseys, General Mercer was in the most active service under the immediate orders of General Washington. And when, in the words of W ashington himself, the game seemed' nearly up, he shared the confidence and firmness of the commander-in-chief, and concerted with him and Generals Greene and Reed the change in the policy of the war, which first manifested itself in the no less desperate than successful attack upon the Hessians at Trenton. On the night of the second of January, 1777, when the two hostile armies lay at Trenton, expecting a battle in the morning, a council of war was assembled to consider the alternative of a battle with an overwhelming force, burning to revenge the Hessians, or an impracti- cable dispiriting retreat. At that council. General ]\Tercer proposed to boldly abandon the field, and march ujion Princeton and the maga- zines at Brunswick. It seemed again the counsel of. despair, but it was supported hy the voice of reason and brave determination, and it was adopted without dissent. The officers hastened to the head of their troops, and the daring plan was successfully executed before the dawn of day. The tired soldiers of Britain slept soundly in their tents, in anticipation of an easy victory on the morrow, while their well disciplined sentinels listened in the still, cold night for any 366 HUGH MERCER. evidence of retreat on the part of the Americans. They could not be deceived. There were the American fires ; the American senti- nels plainly seen by their light, marching steadily to and fro, and all the night long American soldiers worked noisily in their intrench- nients. At daybreak, the sound of cannon announced that Washington was at Princeton. General Mercer led the van in the night march. At the dawn of day, a large body of British troops was discovered on the march to Trenton, and Mercer boldly threw his brigade between them and their reserve at Princeton, to force on a general action. Colonel Ilazlet, however, fell, mortally wounded, by the first fire, and his troops were thrown into momentary disorder, while General Mer- cer's horse was killed, and he was left alone and dismounted upon the field. Single-handed, he encountered a detachment of the enemy. He was beaten to the earth with the butt ends of their muskets, and savagely and mortally stabbed with their bayonets. General Washington then restored the battle, and won the victory by his personal exposure and daring gallantry, and when the brief struggle was ended. General Mercer was found upon the field, bleeding and insensible, by his aid, Major Armstrong, the son of the colonel under whom Mercer had served atKiltaning. He was carried to a neighbor- ing farm house, where he lingered in extreme suffering until the 12th of January, when he expired in the arms of Major Lewis, the nephew of Washington. His body was brought to Philadelphia on the 14th of January, and buried in Christ Church graveyard ; whence it was taken, on the 26th of November, 1840, and reinterred with appro- priate ceremonies at Laurel Hill cemetery, Philadelphia. Tho houss wheTe General Marcer diecL MAJOR GENERAL THOMAS MIFFLIN. ^ TTOMAS MIFFLIN, born in 'P " Philadelphia, in 1744, was a descendant of one of the first settlors of Pennsylvania. He i^ passed through the usual col- legiate course with honor, and was then jilaced in the counting-house of William Ef Coleman, of whom Dr. Franklin has ^i "' said that he possessed "the coolest, clearest head, the best heart, and the ^ exactest morals of almost any man he ever met with." At the age of twenty-one, Thomas Mifflin made a voyage to Europe, and visited several parts of it with a view to his own improvement. On his return, he entered into business with one of his brothers, and his talents and manners soon made him a favor- ite with his fellow-citizens. In 1772, when he was only twenty- eight years old, he was chosen as one of the two burgesses who 367 368 THOMAS MIFFLIN. represented the city of Philadelphia in the provincial legislature, and he gave so much satisfaction to his constituents by his course as to be re-elected in the following year, Benjamin Franklin being at this time chosen as his colleague. In 1774, he was appointed by the leoislature a delegate to the first Congress, in which, as its pro- ceedinos were kept secret, we can only infer the activity of Mifflin by the frequency with which his name appears upon its committees. A town meeting was called in Philadelphia upon receipt of the news of the battle of Lexington, 1o which Mr. Mifilin delivered a very animated address. He urged upon his fellow-citizens a steady adherence to the resolutions that were adopted. ET us not be bold," he said, " in declarations, and afterwards cold in action. Let not the patriotic feelings of to-day be forgotten to-morrow, nor have it be said of Philadelphia that she passed noble resolutions, slept upon them, and afterwards neglected them." What he thus recom- mended to others, he put in practice himself. He was ap- pointed major of one of the vol- unteer regiments that were formed for domestic defence. He panted, however, for more active service, and flew to Boston, where the poorly-equipped army of America, confined itself to blockading the British under General Gage in the town of Boston. A detachment of the enemy having been sent to Lechmore's point for the purpose of collecting cattle, Mifflin led a party to oppose them, and with half-disciplined militia succeeded in driving back the British regu- lars. General Craig, who witnessed this achievement, stated that he " never saw a greater dis])lay of personal bravery, than was ex- hibited on this occasion, in the cool and intrepid conduct of Colonel Mifflin." Shortly after the evacuation of Boston, Mifflin was appointed 1o the rank of brigadier-general, by Congress, at his age one of fhe highest honors. During the whole revolnlionary war, however, he had scarcely an opportunity of distinguishing himself, being engaged upon the necessary and responsible b'jt irksome duty of quart er- master-general. At any time, the acceptance of this office by a man of an active military spirit is an act of self-denial. To General Mifflin it was particularly so, as he had to organize a new depart- ment in a disordered and impoverished state of the country, certain ELECTED GOVERNOR OP PENNSYLVANIA. 369 that almost every measure either offended the people or disappointed the government. This duty General Mifflin found to be the most obnoxious to his feelings, and for a time the most prejudicial to his character of any that he was called upon to perform. Congress, however, entertained so high an opinion of his talents as to jdace his name with those of Washington and Gates, when they directed a committee to have a conference touching the frontiers towards Canada. In November, 1776, General Washington sent him from Newark with a confidential letter to Congress, who directed him to remain near them, that they might avail themselves of his information and judgment. When the American army lay opposite Trenton, fearing and expecting dissolution. General Mifflin was directed to proceed through the adjacent counties, "to exhort and rouse the miliiia to come forth in defence of their country." A committee of the Penn- sylvania legislature accompanied him. He set out immediately, assembled the people in every suitable place, and from the pulpit in the church, the bench in the court, and in the meeting-house, cverv where his eloquence was exerted with the happiest effect. The cap- ture of the Hessians spread a gleam of sunshine over the country which aided his efforts, and he was soon enabled to make quite a respectable addition to the army in New Jersey. Congress testified their sense of his services by conferring on him, in February, 1777, the rank of major-general. In the course of this year his health became so much impaired by the incessant fatigue of his department that he requested leave to resign, which was not only refused, but his duties were increased by being appointed a member of a new board of war. Until the close of the Revolution he labored in the cause, without so much glory, perhaps, as others, but not less use- fully. He retained his hold upon the affections of his fellow citizens, and the confidence of the legislature, who appointed him, in 1783, a member of Congress. On the 3d of November, in that year, he was elevated to the dignified station of president of that body. In this capacity he received at Annapolis, from the first of his countrymen, the resignation of that commission which had borne him to immortal glory, and his country to independence. The scene was highly affecting, and the feelings of those who witnessed it were yet more excited by the diu;nified address of the commander-in-chief, and the manly and simple eloquence of President Mifflin's reply. General Mifflin was afterwards a member of the su])remp execu- tive council of Pennsylvania, and president of the ronvention for the formation of the state constitution. He was elected the first governor under the new constitution, and he held this office nine 24 370 THOMAS MIFFLIN. years. It being limited to that extent, he was elected to the state legislature a short time before the close of his term, and died while attending the sittings of that body, at Lancaster, on the 21st of January, 1800, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. Almost the only incident of his administration which called for unusual conduct was the "whiskey insurrection of 1794," and General Mifflin put himself at the head of that portion of the Penn- sylvania militia which went on the service, under the orders of General Lee, governor of Virginia, who, during the war, had been his inferior in rank. In this he exhibited a praiseworthy compliance with the constitution of the United States, which, rendering the president commander-in-chief, authorized him to assign particular services to such officers as he thought proper. In view of his whole character, the sincerity of his attachment to the cause of his country, and the sacrifice of his whole life to her service, may justify us in excusing the single error of his career, his connection with the cabal against General Washington. This stain upon his memory has led the historians of our country, and biogra- phers of her great men, too frequently to pass by in silence his many and arduous services, and good feeling displayed by him towards General Washington in the subsequent portion of his life. Who has not his faults ? In concluding this sketch of the life of General Mifflin, we quote the words of the celebrated William Rawle: — " Thus ended the che- quered career of Thomas Mifflin— brilliant in its outset — troubled and perplexed at a period more advanced — again distinguished, pros- perous, and happy — finally clouded by poverty, and oppressed by creditors. In patriotic principle, never changing — in public action, never faltering — in personal friendship, sincerely warm — in relieving the distressed, always active and humane — in his otvn affairs, impro- vident — in the business of others, scrupulously just." COLONEL DAVID HUMPHREYS. AVID HUMPHREYS was born in the yeai 1753, in the town of Derby, in the state of Connecticut. His father, Daniel Hum phreys, who was the pastor of the Presby- terian church in that town, sent his son to Yale College, where he entered as a fresh- man in 1767. He graduated here in 1771, iring his stay formed habits of intimacy with Trumbull and Dwight, who united with him in exert- ing a talent for poetry in behalf of their country and her freedom. His active and ambitious character soon led him tj seek an opportunity of being useful to his country in the field, and he entered the revolutionary army at an early period as a captain. In October, 1 777, he was a major of brigade under General Parsons, at the time of the capture of Fort Montgomery, and he there probably formed an acquaintance with General Putnam, which led to his becoming an aid to that officer, in which capacity we find him acting in 1778. The honor of possessing the esteem and con- fidence of Parsons and Putnam would alone be sufficient proof of his 371 372 DAVID HUMPHREYS. worth ; but, in addition, he had the singular good fortune to be alhed on terms of family intercourse with Generals Greene and Washing- ton He was appointed aid and military secretary to the commander- in-chief in the early port of 1780, after which he constantly resided with Washington, in the <-njoyment of his confidence and friendship, and the participation in his arduous duties, until the close of the war. On the surrender of Cornwallis, the captured standards were delivered to his charge, and in November, 1781, Congress resolved, "that an elegant sword be presented in the name of the United States in Congress assembled, to Colonel Humphreys, aid-de-camp of General Washington, to whose care the standards taken under the capitulation of York were consigned, as a testimony of their opinion of his fidelity and ability ; and that the board of war take order thereon." This resolution w^as carried into efl^ect in 1786, and the sword presented by General Knox, with a highly complimentary letter. Colonel Humphreys attended General Washington to Anna- polis, when the commander-in-chief went thither to resign his com- mission. Colonel Humphreys, in a poem written shortly after the close of the war, alludes to his own agency in the struggle, in the following graceful lines : — " I, too, perhaps, should Heaven prolong my date, The oft-repeated tale shall oft relate ; Shall tell tile feelings in Ihe first alarms, Of some bold enterprise the unequalled charms ; Shall tell from whom I learnt the martial art, With what high chief I played my early part : With Parsons first, whose eye, with piercing ken, Reads through their hearts the characters of men Then how I aided, in the following scene, Death daring Putnam, then inmiortal Greene; Then how great Washington my youth approved, In rank preferred, and as a parent loved. (For each fine t'ecling in his hosoni Mends The first of heroes, patriots, s.iges, friends,) With him, what hours on warlike [>lans I spent Beneath the shadow of tli' imi>erial tent. With him, liow oft I went the nightly round. Through moving hosts, or slept on tented ground; From liim. how oft, (nor far below the first In high behests and confidential trusts,) From him, how oft I bore the dread commands, Which destined for the fight the eager hands: With him, how oft I passed th' eventful day, Roile by his side, as down the long array. His awful voice the columns taught to form. To point the thunder, and to pour the storm." In July, 1784. Colonel Humphreys accompanied Thomas Jeffer- son in a visit to Europe, in the capacity of secretary to the commission CHARACTER OF COLONEL HUMPHREYS. 373 for negotiating treaties of commerce with foreign powers. Afterwards, in 1787, he was actively employed in the suppression of " Shay's rebellion," as it was called. In 1788, while on a visit to Mount Vernon, he wrote, among other things, his celebrated " Life of Gene- ral Putnam." In 1789, he was employed in diplomatic service at home, and in 1790, he was sent to Portugal as minister. In 1797, he was transferred from the court of Lisbon to that of Madrid, where he continued until the year 1803. While minister to Spain, he super- intended the formation of treaties with Algiers and Tripoli. jEFORE returning to the United States, he purchased a flock of one hundred sheep, of the best merino breed, and forwarded them to America. Besides this important and valuable addition to the manufacturing inter- ests of the country, he introduced severa' Arabian horses and good varieties of English cattle. In testimonial of his labors in this useful field, the trustees of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, transmitted to him, in December, 1802, a gold medal. From 1802 to 1812, Colonel Humphreys liVed in private. At that time, he became a representative to the state legislature from the town of Derby, and bore an active part in organizing the state troops for purposes of local defence. In 1812, he took command of a corps of state troops composed of volunteers, exempt by law from military duty, of which he was created the special commander, with the rank of brigadier-general. His public services terminated with the limitatioti of that appointment. Colonel Humphreys received while in active life the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from three American colleges, and wa.s associated, as a member, with many literary institutions in Europe and America. The last years of "his life were spent in New Haven and Boston, and were chiefly occupied with concerns of a private nature. He died of an organic disease of the heart, at New Haven, on the 21st of February, 1818, aged sixty-five years. His remains were interred in the burial ground of that city, and a lofty and durable granite monument has been erected over them. His biography in the National Portrait Gallery, upon which we have relied for the facts contained in the foregoing sketch of his life, furnishes the following personal description of him. " Colonel Hum- phreys was, in personal form, of lofty stature and commanding appearance ;.and, whatever peculiarities may have blended with his manners and address, impressed those who viewed him even as 374 DAVID HUMPHREYS. Strangers, with the conviction that he possessed high intellectual as well as physical powers. His early reputation as a scholar ; his indulgence in poetic enthusiasm, fostered by youthful associates of kindred feelings ; the countenance and support of the ablest officers of the Revolution ; his free admission to councils on which an em- pire's fate depended ; and finally, his long residence at European courts, were well adapted to affect the mind of a young man with sentiments of self-esteem that gave to his manners the appearance, perhaps, of vanity and ostentation. He was fond of dress and equipage ; and although his sentiments and public conduct were such as to prove his devoted attachment to republicanism, yet, like John Hancock, he was not insensible to the brilliancy of courtly style. His fondness for display, (since it must be acknowledged as a trait in his character,) is redeemed by the consideration that he made, on all occasions, his personal gratifications secondary and obedient to pubUc duty. COLONEL JOHN TRUMBULL. OLONEL TRUMBULL was born at Lebanon, on the 6th of June, 1756. His father, Joseph Trumbull, was at a very early age placed at Har- vard College, where he became a dis- tinguished scholar, acquiring a sound knowledge of the Hebrew, Jjatin and Greek languages. He graduated with honor in 1727. He died in 1785, having been governor of the state of Connecticut by annual election, during the entire war of the Revo- lution, and was the only person who, being first magistrate of a colony in America, before the separation from Great Britain, retained the confidence of his countrymen through the Revolution, and was annually re-elected governor to the end of that eventful period. The mother ofColcnel Trumbull was the great grand-daughter of 375 376 JOHN TRUMBULL. John Robinson, the father of the pilgrims, who led our Puritan an castors out of Ensland in the rciini of James VI. and resided with them some years at Leyden in Holland, and in 1620 emigiated with them to Plymouth in Massachusetts, where, among other acts of wisdom and jjicty, was laid the foundation of that system of educa- tion in town schools, which has of later years become so widely extended in the United States, forming the glory and defence of the country. Colonel Trumbull, immediately after his birth, was attacked by convulsion fits, which recurred daily, and increased in violence and frequency till he was nearly nine months old, — the cause was hidden from the medical men of the vicinity, — when one of his father's early friends, Dr. Terry of Suffield, an eminent physician, called accidentally to make him a passing visit, and was requested to look at the unhappy child. He immediately pronounced the disease to be caused by compression of the brain ; the bones of the skull, instead of uniting in the several sutures, and forming a smooth surface, had slipped over each other, forming sensible ridges on the head, by which means the brain not having room to expand, convulsions fol- lowed. He said that medicine was useless, and that nothing but the untiring care of the mother could effect the cure ; and this could be done only by applying her hands to the head of the child daily, and gently and carefully drawing the bones apart. If relief was not ob- tained by this means the child would die early, or should it live, would become an idiot. The instructions of Dr. Terry were followed by the mother of Trumbull with unremitted care ; by degrees favorable symptoms appeared, the convulsions became less and less frequent, until, at about three years old, the natural form of the head was restored, and they ceased entirely. Lebanon was Ions: celebrated for having the best school in New England. It was kept by Nathan Tisdale, a native of the place, from the time he graduated at Harvard College to the day of his death, a period of thirty years, with an assiduity and fidelity of the most exalted character, and became so widely known that he had scholars from the West India Islands, Georgia, North and South Carolina, as well as from the New England and northern colonies. With this excellent scholar John Trumbull was placed at a very early age ; his early sufferings and his subsequent docility soon made him a favorite. John's mind, which had so long been repressed by disease, seemed to spring forward with increased energy as soon as the pressure upon the brain was removed. He early displayed a singular facility in TRUMBULL S EARLY LIFE. J77 acquiring knowledge, particularly of languages, so that at the age of six years he could read Greek with perfect ease. At this early age he had a contest with the late Rev. Joseph Leyman, pastor of Hat- field, in Massachusetts, a boy several years his senior. They read the first five verses of the Gospel of St. John ; Leyman missed one word, John not any, and therefore gained the victory. His know- ledge of the Greek language at this early age was very imperfect, but he knew the forms of the letters, tlie words, and their sounds, and could read them accurately. His taste for drawing began to dawn early; but this was not the result of natural genius, but is traced by himself to mere imitation. His sister. Faith, had acquired some knowledge of drawing, and had even painted in oil two heads and a landscape. These were hung in his mother's parlor, and w^re among the first objects that struck his infant eye. He endeavored to imitate them, and for several years the nicely sanded floors, (for carpets were at that time unknown in Lebanon,) were constantly scrawled with his rude attempts at drawing. When Jolin was five years old, an accident of a serious nature be- fel him. He, in playing with his sisters, fell headlong down a flight of stairs, and was taken up insensible ; the forehead over, the left eye was severely bruised. He however soon recovered, but with the loss of sight of his left eye, the optic nerve of which must have been severely injured in the fall. When he was ten years of age, a circumstance occurred which deserves to be written upon adamant. In the wars of New England with the aborigines, the Mohegan tribe of Indians early became the friends of the English. The government of this tribe had become hereditary in the iamily of the celebrated chief Uncas. During the time of the mercantile prosperity of John's father, he had employed several Indians of this tribe in hunting animals, whose skins were valuable for their fur. Among these hunters was one named Zachary. of the royal race, an excellent hunter, but as drunken and worthless an Indian as ever lived. When he had passed the age of fifty, several members of the royal family who stood between Zachary and the throne of his tribe, died, and he found himself with only one life between him and empire. In this moment his better genius resumed its sway, and he reflected seriously, "How can such a drunken wretch as I am, aspire to be the chief of this honorable race — what will my people say — and how will the shades of my noble accestors look down indignant upon such a base successor? Can I succeed the great Uncas ? I will drink no more !" This resolution was never broken. John had heard this story, but did not entirely believe it, for, young 378 JOHN TRUMBULL The Indian Chief Zachaxy, as he then was, he already partook in the prevailing- contempt for Indians. In the beginnins: of May, the annual election of the prin- cipal officers of the (then) colony was held at Hartford, the capital. Mr. Joseph Trumbull attended in an official capacity, and it was customary for the chief of the Mohegans also to attend. Zachary had succeeded to the rule of his tribe, and the old chief was in the habit of coming a few days before the election, and dining with his brother governor. While seated at dinner one day, John conceived the mischievous thought of trying the sincerity of the old man's temperance, and thus addressed him: — " Zachary, this beer is excel- lent ; will you taste it ?" The old man dropped his knife and fork, and his black eyes sparkled witli indignation. " John," said he, "you do not know what you are doing. You are serving the devil, boy ! Do you not know that I am an Indian ? I tell you that I am, and that, if I should but taste your beer, I could never stop till I got to rum, and become again the drunken, contemptible wretch your father remembers me to have been. John, tvMle you live, never again tempt any man to break a good resolution.'''' John's parents frequently reminded him of this scene, and charged him never to forget it. Zachary lived to pass the age of eighty, and sacredly kept his resolution. About this time the mercantile failure of John's father took place ; in one season nearly all his vessels and all the property he had upon the ocean were swept away, and he was a poor man at so late a ueriod of life, as left no hope of retrieving his affairs. The want of pocket money now prevented John from minghng much with his TRUMBULL AT COLLEGE. 379 young companions, and he gradually acquired a solitary habit, and after school hours withdrew to his own room to a close study ol his favorite pursuit, drawing. T the age of twelve years, John had advanced so rapidly in his studies, that he might have been admitted to enter college ; he was thoroughly versed in the Latin and Greek languages, and in geography, both ancient and modern. He had also read with care, Rollin's and Crevier's his- tories. In arithmetic alone, he met with difficulties. He be- came puzzled by a sum in divi- sion, where the divisor consisted of three figures. At length, how- ever, the question was solved, and he went rapidly through the lower and higher branches of mathe- matics, so that when he had reached the age of fifteen and a half years, it was stated by his master, that lie wa.s fully qualified to enter Harvard College in the middle of the third or junior year. This was approved of by his father, and proposed to him. In the mean time, his fondness for drawing and painting had grown with his growth, and when his father informed him of his intention to place him at college, he ventured to remonstrate with him, and desired that he might be placed under the instruction of Mr. Copley, an eminent artist of Boston, father of Lord Lyndhurst, the late lord chancellor of England ; by this means he would posse.ss a profession, and the means of supporting himself — perhaps of assisting the family. He was, however, overruled by his father, and in January, 1772, was sent to Cambridge, passed the examination in form, and was readily admitted to the junior class, who were then in the middle of the third year, so that he had but one year and a half to remain in col- lege. During his stay at college he became acquainted with a French family residing at Cambridge. This family, besides the parents, com- prised several children of both sexes ; in their society Trumbull made good progress, and there laid the foundation of a knowledge of the French language, which in his after life was of eminent utility. Several paintings were executed by him during his stay in college, one of which received so much approbation from the professors and students of the college, that he ventured to show it to Mr. Copley, and had the pleasure to hear it commended by him also. In July, 380 JOHN TRUMBULL. 1773, he was graduated with honor, and returned to Lebanon. In the -autumn of this year, 1773, Nathan Tisdalc, his former master, had a stroke of paralysis which disabled him entirely from performing his duties. Trumbull, with the approbation of his father, took charge of the school until the following spring, when Mr. Tisdale had so far recovered as to be able to resume his invaluable labors. N the summer of 1774, the angry discussions between Great Britain and her colonies began to assume a very serious tone. Trumbull soon caught the growing enthu- siasm ; his father was now governor of the colony and a patriot. John Trumbull sought now for military in- formation, acquired what knowledge he could, and soon formed a company from among the young men of the school and the village, M-ho taught each other to use the musket and to march ; in fact, military exercises and studies became the favorite occupation of the day. In the latter part of April, 1775, Trumbull entered the army as adjutant of the first Connecticut regiment, which was stationed at Roxbury, near Boston. From this place he had a distant view of the battle of Bunker Hill. Soon after this battle, General Washington arrived and took com- mand of the army. On his arrival, Trumbull was informed that the commander-in-chief was desirous of obtaining a correct plan of the enemy's works in front of the Americans' position on Boston Neck. This plan was drawn by Trumbull, and shown to Washington, who was so well pleased with it, that he appointed Trumbull his second aid-de-camp. Trumbull now found himself in the family of one of the most distinffuished and diunified men of his age, surrounded at his table by the principal officers of the arm.y, and in constant intercourse with them — it was also his duty to receive company, and do the honors of the house to many of the first people of the country, of both sexes. To this duty Trumbull found himself unequal, and was gratified when he received the appointment of major of brigade at Roxbury. In this situation he soon attracted the attention of Gates, and became in some degree a favorite with him. In June, 1776, Gates having been appointed to the command of the northern department, which was then understood to be Canada and the northern frontier, appointed Trumbull as one of his adjutants, with the rank of colonel. Colonel Trumbull proceeded with General Gates to Crown Point His first duty on his arrival at this place was to procure a return of TRUMBULL LEAVES THE ARMY. 381 the number and condition of the troops. He found the whole of offi- cers and men to be five thousand two hundred, and the sick that required the attentions of an hospital were two thousand eight hun- dred; so that when they were sent off, with the number of men necessary to row them to the hospital, which had been established at the south end of Lake George, a distance of fifty miles, there would remain at Crown Point but the shadow of an army. This post was therefore abandoned, and the army fell back to Ticonderoga. While the army remained at this latter post. Colonel Trumbull assisted in completing its defences, and drew several plans of the same, for the American generals ; he also advised a new plan of defence, as the present, he said, was impracticable with an army of less than ten thousand men. His plan, although a correct one, was however rejected. f:^ OLONEL TRUMBULL remained with the northern division of the army till the latter part of November, at which time the greater part of the troops under General Gates pro- ceeded to Albany, and from thence to Newtown to join the forces under General Washington, where they arrived a few days before his glori- ous victory at Trenton. General Arnold and Colonel Trumbull were ordered to join the forces under General .Spencer, at Providence. While at this post a slight misnnderstanding occurred with respect to the date of the com- mission of Colonel Trumbull as adjutant-general, which caused him to resign. Immediately after his resignation he returned to Lebanon, resumed his pencil, and after some time went to Boston, where he thought he could pursue his studies to more advantage. There he hired the painting room built by Mr. Smibert, the patriarch of painting in America, and found in it several copies by him from celebrated pic- tures in Europe. These copies were very useful to him, as there remained-in Boston no artist capable of giving him instruction, Mr. Copley having gone to Europe. At this period a club was formed in Boston of young men fresh from College. This club met in Colonel Trumbull's rooms, regaled themselves with a cup of tea instead of wine, and discussed subjects of literature, politics, and war. Among its m.embers were Rufus King, Christopher Gore, William Eustis, Thomas Dawes, and other men who in afterlife became distinguished. The war was a period little favorable to regular study and delibe rate pursuits ; Trumbull's habits were often desultory. A deep and 382 JOHN TRUMBULL. settled regret of the military career from wliich he had been driven, and to which there appeared to be no possibility of an honorable re- turn, preyed upon his spirits ; and the sound of a drum would not unfrequently call from his eye an involuntary tear. In the year 1778, a plan was formed for the recovery of Rhode Island from the hands of the English, by the co-operation of the French fleet under the command of Count D'Estaing, and a body of American troops, under the command of General Sullivan. Colonel Trumbull seized this occasion to gratify his love of a military life, and offered his services to General Sullivan, as a volunteer aid-de- camp. His offer was accepted, and he attended him during Ihe enterprise ; after which he returned to Boston and again resumed his pencil, pursuing the study of painting with great assiduity during the following year. His friends, however, were dissatisfied with his pursuit, and at length persuaded him to undertake the management of a considerable speculation, which required a voyage to Europe, and which (on paper) promised great results. They were to furnish funds, he to execute the plan and share with them the expected profits. Colonel Trumbull, during his residence in Boston, became ac- quainted with Mr. Temple, afterwards Sir John, and consul general of Great Britain in New York. This gentleman was acquainted with Mr. West, in London, and strongly urged Trumbull to go there and study with him. Connected as Colonel Trumbull was, and hos- tile as his conduct had been, he did not believe this could be done with safety during the war; but Mr. Temple was confident, that through the influence of his friends in London, permission could be obtaitied from the British government. Mr. Temple shortly after went to liOndon, and before Colonel Trumbull was ready to embark on his commercial pursuit, he received information from him, " that if he chose to visit London for the purpose of studying the fine arts, no notice would be taken of his past life — that so long as he avoided all political intervention, and pursued the study of the arts with assiduity, he might rely upon being unmolested." Thus Colonel Trumbull found, that in the event of the failure of his mercantile project, the road was open for pursuing his study of the arts, with increased advantages. The number of his drawings and pictures executed before his first voyage to Europe, and before he had received any instruction other than was to be obtained from books, was sixty-eight. Colonel Trumbull embarked at New London about the middle of May, 1780, on board the French ship, La Negresse, of twenty-eight guns, bound to Nantes. VOYAGE TO FRANCE. 383 '^^ms^. Trumbull's Voyage to France. The passage was a pleasant one ; they met neither enemy nor ac cident, and in about five weeks they approached the coast of France. As the ship stood across the bay towards the entrance of the Loire, and approached the land, Colonel Trumbull was very much struck with the total dissimilitude to the shores of America ; there, all was new, here everything bore marks of age ; the coast was lofty, the very rocks looked old ; and the first distinct object, was a large con vent, whose heavy walls seemed gray with age, and were surrounded by a noble grove of chestnut trees, apparently coeval with the building. On entering the city of Nantes, everything was new, — a new style of architecture. — a sea-port of great bustle and activity — and a people whose appearance, manners, and language, were entirely strange. Colonel Trumbull remained but two or three days at Nantes, and then set out for Paris, en paste. Shortly after his arrival at Paris, he received information that Charleston in South Carolina had been taken, and that the British were overrunning the southern slates, almost without opposition. This news was fatal to his commercial project, for his funds con- 384 JOHN TRUMBULL. JjT. Fiaoklin. sisted in public securities of Congress, the value of which was anni- hilated by adversity. He therefore remained but a short time in Paris, where he knew few except Dr. Franklin, and his son Temple Franklin ; John Adams, and his son John Q., then a boy at school, of tourteen ; and Mr. Strange, the eminent engraver, and his lady. Having obtained a letter of introduction to Mr. West, from Dr. Franklin, Trumbull set off for London. Immediately after his arrival, he gave Mr. Temple notice of it ; and through him the secretary of state received information of Trumbull's residence. Colonel Trumbull presented the letter of Dr. Franklin, to Mr. West, and was of course most kindly received. He remained with Mr. West until the 15th of November, 1780, when news arrived in Lon- don of the treason of General Arnold, and the death of Major Andre. A warrant was immediately issued for Trumbull's arrest, which was put in execution, and he was confined in Tothill-ficlds, Bridewell, where, although safely guarded, he was treated with marked civility and respect. The moment Mr. West heard of the arrest of Colonel Trumbull, he hurried to Buckingham House, asked an audience of the king, and was admitted. He stated to the king, in what manner Trumbull had been employed during his residence in London, and requested that he might be released. This request, however, the king refused, urging TRUMBULL IMPRISONED. 385 Benjamin West. that he was in the hands of the law, and must abide the result ; but he pledged his royal promise that in the worst possible event of the law, his life sliould be safe. Colonel Trumbull remained in prison till June, 1781, when he was released by an order from the king-, on condition that he would leave the kingdom in thirty days, (and not return till after peace was restored.) He remained in London some days after his release, and then determined to return to America by th^ shortest route, Amster- dam. He embarked for America in the early part of August, on board the frigate South Carolina, at Amsterdam ; but unfortunately a heavy gale sprang up, and the vessel was obliged to steer for the port of Corunna in Spain, where Trumbull remained till December, when he embarked on board the Cicero for America, where he arrived early in January. Shortly after his rtturn to America he was seized with a dangerous illness which confined him to his bed for several months. As soon as he had recovered sufficient strength, he engaged in a contract with his brother, for the supply of the army. This duty brought him into frequent intercourse with his early friend. General Washington, by whom he was kindly received. As soon as he received the news of the signing of the preliminaries of peace, he determined to return to London to resume his study of 25 386 JOHN TRUMBULL. the arts, and according]y, closing all other business he embarked in December, 1783, at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for London. He arrived in London, 1784, and presented himself immediately to Mr. West, who received him most cordially. His studies with Mr. West, and at the academy, were resumed with ardor. Lithe summer of 1785, he began to meditate seriously the subjects of national bistory^the events of the Revolution, which were afterwards the great objects of his professional life. The death of General Warren at the battle of Bunker Hill, and of General Montgomery at the attack on Quebec, were first decided upon as being the earliest important events, in point of time ; and Colonel Trumbull not only regarded them as highly interesting passages of history, but felt, that in painting them, he would be paying a just tribute of gratitude to the memory of eminent men, who had given their lives for their country. Mr. West witnessed the progress of these two pictures with in- terest, and strongly encouraged Colonel Trumbull to persevere in the work of the history of the American Revolution, which he had thus commenced. About this time Trumbull became acquainted with Mr. Jefferson, then minister of the United States in Paris, whom political duties had called to London. He encouraged Trumbull to persevere in his pursuit, and kindly invited him to come to Paris, and, during his stay, to make his house his home. Trumbull's two paintings met his warm approbation. Mr. Jefferson's kind invitation was received by Colonel Trumbull with pleasure, and during his stay at Paris he commenced the com- position of the Declaration of Independence, in which he was assisted by Mr. Jefferson with information and advice. His paintings above mentioned procured him an introduction to all the principal artists of France. In September and October, 1786, Colonel Trumbull made a tour through Germany, visiting all the works of art, and returned to London in November, his brain half turned by the atten- tion which had been paid to his paintings in Paris, and by the mul- titude of fine things which he had seen. He immediately resumed his labors on American subjects, espe- cially the Declaration of Independence. He also made various studies for the Surrender of Lord Cornwallis ; but in this he found consider- able difficulty. Some progress was also made in the composition of some of the other subjects, especially of the battles of Trenton and Princeton. In May, 1787, having heard from Mr. Poggi (an eminent Italian artist) the story of the Sortie from Gibraltar, he painted it. This painting elicited the praise and commendation of all who viewed it TRUMBULL RETURNS TO AMEIUCA. 387 I;Ir. JefTerson. rt was, in the opinion of the celebrated connoisseur, Horace Walpole, afterwards Lord Orford, " the finest picture he had ever seen, painted on the northern side of the Alps." In the autumn of 1787, Colonel Trumbull again visited Paris, where he painted Mr. Jefferson tn the Declaration of Independence, and the French officers in the Surrender of Lord Cornwallis. He again visited Paris in 1789, and witnessed the first outbreaks of the French Revolution, and the destruction of the Bastile. During his stay in Paris, he had an important conversation with the Marquis de la Fayette, which, by the wish of the latter, he reported to tlie President of the United States. Soon after this conversation Colonel Trumbull returned to Lon- don, and Mr. Jefferson having obtained leave of absence for a few months, they both embarked for the United States, in different ships ; Trumbull for New York, Jefferson for Norfolk, in Virginia. Colonel Trumbull arrived in New York on the 26th of November, 1789. lie found the government of the United States organized under the new constitution, with General Washington as President. Trumbull lost no time in communicating to Washington the state of political affairs, and the prospects of France as explained to him by M. La Fayene, and having done this, he proceeded immediately to visit his family 388 JOHN TRUMBULL. John Jay. and friends in Conneclicut. His father died in 1785, at the age of seventy-five years. His brother and friend Colonel Wadsworth of Hartford, were members of the liouse of representatives in Con- gress ; and with them he returned to New York to pursue his work of the Revolution. While in this city he obtained many portraits for the Declaration of Independence, Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, and of General Washington in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. In April, 1790, he opened his subscription list for the engravings from his first two pictures of Bunker Hill and Quebec, which had been contracted for with Mr. Miiller, of Stutgard, in Germany, and Mr. Clements, of Denmark. He obtained the names of the presi- dent, vice-president, many of the senators, and of many of the prin- cipal citizens of New York. In May he went to Philadelphia — but in July was again in New York, and painted for the city a full-length portrait of General Washington. In February of the following year he was at Charles- ton, S. C, for the purpose of obtaining portraits. In the following June he returned to Connecticut, and painted the portrait of General George CUnton. In 1792 he visited Philadelphia, and painted a portrait of General Washington for the city of Charleston, S. C. In May, 1794, he embarked with Mr. Jay for Great Britain as his private secretary. When his duty of secretary was ended, he pro- ceeded to Stutgard to examine the progress of his engravmg of Bunker HilV. In 1795 he was engaged in a brandy speculation, from which, although at first it promised great results, he in the end TRUMBULL AGAIN VISITS LONDON. 389 gained nothing. In August, 1796, he returned to London, where he received from Mr. Pickering, (through Mr. King,) secretary of state of the United States, a commission and instructions, appointing him an agent for the relief and recovery of American seamen im- pressed by Great Britain ; and before he had time to return an answer, he received notice from Ihc commissioners, who had been appointed by the two nations to carry into execution the seventh article of the treaty negotiated by Mr. Jay, that they had appointed him the fifth commissioner. The importance of the latter situation left no room for hesitation as to accepting it : the other duty he de- clined accepting. His duties as commissioner he faithfully per- formed; and when they adjourned to meet on the first of November, 1797, he took a journey to Stutgard for the purpose of procuring the engraving of Bunker Hill, which was then completed. Having received his picture and cop]ier-plate from Mr. Mijller, and obtaine I passports to Paris, he set off from Stutgard, and arrived in Paris about the middle of October. The duties of his commission required Lis presence in London the first of November. In Paris, however, he met with difficulties in consequence of the revolution, which prevented his reaching London until the 2d of November. Thel)usi- ness of the commission was not concluded till the spring of 1804. As soon as the commission was dissolved. Colonel Trumbull took passage on board a vessel bound to New York. The passage was a boisterous one, the vessel did not reach New York until the 27th of June, having had a passage of sixty-three days. RUMBULL now established himself in New- York as a portrait painter, and met with con- siderable success. In 1807 he wrote a criti- cism, ridiculing President Jefl^erson's project of naval defence by gun-boats. In December, 1808, he again embarked for London, where he arrived on the 7th of January, 1809. He was kindly received by ]\Ir. West, and resumed his profession, which he continued until the early part of 1810, when, finding that liis receipts were not equal to his expenses, and that he was compelled to borrow, he determined to return to America. In this, however, he was disappointed, for the declaration of war, in 1812, put an end to -all mutual inter- course between the two countries. He was, in consequence, detained in England till the end of the war, and obliged to run i\. debt for the means of subsistence. Peace between the two countries being restored, he, in Ce latter 390 JOHN TRUMBULL. part of 1815, returned to America, ami resumed the practice of liis profession in New York. In the early part of the following year, havintr been informed that Baltimore had resolved to have pictures of the late successful defence, he ofTered proposals for painting. The project was however abandoned, on account of the expense that would be incurred. Trumbull was now advised to go to Washinglon, and there ofTer his great, but long suspended project of national paintings of subjects from the Revolution. Congress being in session, the visit was made, and the result was, that a contract was made for four paintings, at a price of eight thousand dollars for each. The paintings were the Declaration of Independence, Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, Sur- render of General Burgoyne, and the Resignation by General Wash- ington of his commission to Congress. The last picture was scarcely finished, when he had the misfortune to lose his wife, (April, 1824,) who had been the faithful and beloved companion of all the vicissitudes of the last twenty-four years. His contract with the government being honorably fulfilled, and his debts paid, Trumbull found himself, at the age of three score and ten years, about to begin the world anew. His best friend, his wife, was removed from him, and his having no child to soothe his declining years, brought upon him a sense of loneliness. His sight, however, w"as good, his hand steady : " Why, then," said he, " shall I sink down into premature imbecility ?" He therefore resolved to begin a new series of paintings, of a somewhat smaller size than those in the Capitol. While cngagc^d in painting one of these he was attacked by the cholera; but in the course of a few days it passed away, and without any serious con- sequences. Colonel Trumbull was stiU unable to earn a present subsistence, being reduced to the necessity, for this purpose, of disposing piece- meal of his furniture, plate, &c. From this state of embarrassment he was at length relieved, by an arrangement which he made with the corporation of Yale College in the month of December, 1831, and by which he bestowed upon this institution his unsold paintings, in exchange for an annuity of $1000 for the remainder of his life. These paintings are deposited for exhibition in the " Trumbull Gal- lery," in New Haven : the most remarkable among them are, " The battle of Bunker's Hill ;" " The death of General Montgomery at Quebec ;" " The Declaration of Independence ;" " The battle of Trenton ;" " The battle of Princeton ;" " The surrender of General Burgoyne ;" " Surrender of General Cornwallis ;" " Washington resigning his commission ;" " Our Saviour with little children ;" DEATH OF COLONEL TRUMDULL. 391 " The woman accused of adultery;" "Peter ihe Great at Narva," &c. Colonel Trumbull, during the later years of his life, resided at New Haven. His death took place in the city of New York, on the 10th of November, 1843, in the eighty-eighth year of his age. Colonel Trumbull may be considered one of the most interesting among the man}'' remarkable characters called into action and developed by our revolutionary war. All that we know of him lends to raise him in our estimation as a soldier, a gentleman, and an artist. When accidentally, as he thought, but providentially as the event proved, he was excluded from the army, he deemed it a great mis- fortune, -but it forced upon him the cultivation of his art, and made him the painter of the Revolution. His noble historical paintings are the most precious relics of that heroic age, which the nation possesses. They are justly prized above all price ; and the latest pos- terity \m]1 rejoice that Trumbull laid down the sword to take up the palette and pencil. COLONEL JOHN LANGDON. OHN LANGDON was born at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in December, 1739. He received an early education at the grammar school of his native place, which was then taught by the celebrated Major Hale. He was afterwards placed apprentice to an emi- nent merchant, where he conducted himself with such propriety, as to win the approbation •^M and confidence of his employer. At the ex- piration of his apprenticeship, he went to sea as supercargo; and soon after obtaining a vessel of his own, made several voyages to London and the West Indies, lie finally settled himself as a merchant, in vihich line of busiaess he continued until the commencement of the revolutionary war. During the whole dispute with Great Britain, he took a de- cided part with the colonists, and was chosen, first a representative 3$2 A DELKGATE TO CONGRESS. 393 to the general court, and in the spring of 1775, a delegate to Congress. .<\fter the battle of Lexington, Mr. Langdon, accompanied by John Sullivan and Thomas Pickering, raised a company of men and pro- ceeded to Fort William and Mary, on Great Island, disarmed the garrison, and conveyed the arms and ammunition to a place of safety. A number of barrels of gunpowder, Vv'hich formed part of tho booty, was subsequently highly useful at Bunker Hill. This affair evinced the enterprising spirit of Langdon, and al- though small in itself, was of very great importance in inspiring courage and enthusiasm throughout his native state. So fully was his gallantry appreciated, that when the royal government would have arrested and prosecuted him, the inhabitants declared their resolu- tion to remain by him at all hazards. In 1775, we find Langdon a delegate to the general Congress of the colonies, and the following year continental agent for the navy. Under his inspection were built a number of .ships of war — among others, the Raleigh, Ranger, America, [a 74,] Portsmouth, &.c. On the arrival ot the important supplies of warlike stores from France, in four large sliips, which were accompanied by other vessels, he received and disposed of the same by order of Congress. He after- wards commanded an independent company with the rank of colonel, and especially signalized himself in the frequent alarms of the enemy's approach during the winter of 1775-6. He was prevented from signing the Declaration of Independence by his duties as navy agent ; but when it was publicly proclaimed, he drew up his com- pany before the State House, and hailed its annunciation with the greatest joy. While Burgoyne was rapidly approaching New York, in 1777, Colonel Langdon was speaker of the assembly of New Hampsliire. and when means were wanting to support a regiment, to oppose the British general, he gave all his hard money, pledged his plate, and applied to the same purpose seventy hogsheads of rum. His speech on this occasion is worthy of lasting remembrance. " I have three thousand dollars in hard money ; I will pledge my plate for three thousand more. I have seventy hogsheads of Tobago rum, which shall be sold for the most it will bring — these are at the service of the state. If we succeed in defending our firesides and homes, I may be remunerated, if we do not, the property will be of no value to me. Our old friend Stark, who so nobly maintained the honor of our state at Bunker's Hill, may be safely intrusted with the conduct of the enterprise, and we will check the progress of Burgoyne." This patriotic speech infused zeal into the assembly. A brigade 394 JOHN LANGDON. was raised with the means thus furnished, which under Brigadier- General Stark, achieved the memorable victory of Bennington. Colonel Langdon was a volunteer in the army that captured Burgoyne, as also in the expedition against Rhode Island, in 1778. He con- tinued in the army until the close of the war, performing various duties, which gained him the respect and gratitude of his country. N 1785, Colonel Langdon was governor of New Hampshire, and in 1787, dele- gate to the convention that framed the federal constitution. Under the con- stitution, he was one of the first United States senators from New Hampshire, when the votes for the first president were to be counted, and was appointed president pro tempore of that august body. His letter to General Washing- ton, informing him of the result, is as follows. New Youk, ~) 6th April, 1789.5 Sir, — I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency, the infor- mation of your unanimous election to the office of President of the United States of America. Sufl"er me, sir, to indulge the hope, that so auspicious a mark of public confidence, will meet your approba- tion, and be considered as a pledge of the afl^ection and support you are to expect from a free and enlightened people. I am, sir, with sentiments of respect, &c., John Langdon. Mr. Langdon was still president of the senate at the inauguration of Washington and Adams ; and remained a member for twelve years. In 1801, President Jefferson, with many of his friends, soli- cited him to accept the office of secretary of the navy — but this he declined. In 1805, he was elected governor of his state, and again in 1810. In the year following he retired from public service, repeatedly declining the appointment for the navy, as also the nomi- nation for Vice President, in 1812. He died after a short illness, September 18th, 1819. Governor Langdon was noted for his integrity, patriotism, and hospitality. During his whole life, he entertained numerous visitors at his own expense, and frequently extended his favors to strangers, or foreigners of distinction. He was a zealous professor of religion, to the duties of which he gave a considerable share of his attention. In the party politics of the Union he acted with Mr. Jefferson and his associates ; but was honored and trusted by both sides. The influ- ence of his name was great throughout the Union. COLONEL AARON BUER. ^,^fxt-^-i-- «^.OLONEL AARON BURR, a character - " ' S"^-^ fraught with deep and mysterious interest to '*\^ every American, was born on the 6th of Fcb- t:'JX. ruary, 175G, at Newark, New Jersey. His father was President Burr, of Princeton College, and his i),j,,i mother, a dauijhter of the celebrated Jonathan Ed- wards, of the same institution. Both his parents dying while he was but an infant, his education devolved upon a private instructor. The mind that was afterwards to be marked by such strange vicissitudes, soon began to display its daring character ; for, when but four years old, Aaron ran away in consequtnce of some misunderstanding with the teacher, and was not recovered for three or four days. When six years old, he was placed under the care of his uncle, Timothy Edwards, at StockbriJgc, Massachusetts, where he remained until his entrance into college. During this time he made an attempt to escape from his uncle, and embark on a sea voyage ; but he was intercepted raid brought back to his residence. 395 396 AARON BURR. In 1769 he entered Princeton College. Here he pursued his studies with such assiduity, that he soon became the first scholar in his class. This however, does not seem to have arisen from a genuine love of knowle li>i , but from an anxiety not to be thought below his fellows ; for after he had obtained pre-eminence, he suddenly sunk into dissipation and indolence, so that his last year at college was as remarkable for his neglect of study, as the former one had been for his application. In the meanwhile, he formed acquaintance with individuals who afterwards became renowned in different depart- ments of intellect — among others Matthias Ogden, afterwards a colonel, Samuel Spring, D. D., and William Paterson, subsequently judge in the United States supreme court. After leaving college, he devoted much of his time to polite litera- ture, and having ample means at his disposal, soon made rapid advances. At this time also, his mind seems to have been impressed with a sense of the importance of religion, and he communicated his feelings to the venerable Dr. Bellani)'-, of Connecticut. With that eminent divine he remained for two years, reading on the topics of religion, and pursuing his former studies. Burr left this hospitable mansion for the residence of his brother- in-law. Judge Reeve, at whose house he resided until the battle of Lexington, in April, 1775. He had already formed his opinion of the contest between England and her colonies, and by study had become thoroughly conversant with the theory of tactics. He accord- ingly wrote to his friend Ogden, to join the army with him, and they set out together immediately after the battle of Bunker Hill. A sight of the army disappointed him. It was without organization or discipline ; and distracted by dissolute habits, and constant conten- tions about rank. Soon after joining. Burr was attacked by a violent fever, but left his couch, to join the expedition of General Arnold against Quebec. In that disastrous expedition, young Burr encountered his full share of hardship. He was one of a small party that penetrated through the woods separately, and whose sufferings were, if possible, even greater than those of the main body. Burr sufl"ered less than his companions from hunger, on account of his abstemious habits. On one occasion, he was very nearly killed by the passage of his boat down a fall twenty feet high. When the army arrived at the head of the Chaudiere, Burr was sent in the disguise of a priest, with a verbal communication to General Montgomery. On the way, he encountered a variety of danger and adventure, but reached Montgomery and delivered his message with such accuracy and good sense, that the general im HIS DIFFICULTIES 'WIT'H A. UN OLD. 397 mediately adopted him as one of his military family. During the siege and assault of Quebec, he won the approbation of all the officers, by his courage and endurance, and received on one occa- sion the superintendence of a small advance. He was by General Montgomery when he fell, and besides himself, but one of the attend- ants escaped iinhurt. Arnold then assumed the command ; but Burr seems to have been unfriendly to him, as he, on one occasion, posi- tively refused to convey a communication from him to the town, on account of its objectionable contents. ARLY in 1776, llie army moved from Mon- treal, in its homeward march. On the way tlie difficulties with Arnold increased, until at ' , >v length Burr, who was now a major, left him abruptly, in company with four men. This was against the express command of Arnold. When the major arrived at Albany, he re- ceived an invitation from Washington to join his head-quarters, which he accepted. The connection was not happy — it gave rise to prejudices which were never afterwards abandoned. Soon after he became aid to General Putnam, a situation more congenial to his wishes. While here he be- came acquainted with Miss Moncrieffe, afterwards the notorious ••Mrs. Coglar, and was no doubt the cause of her subsequent dissolute character. Major Burr was in the disastrous battle of Long Island, where he displayed his wonted activity and courage. He had previously made a careful reconnoissance of the enemy, and given his opinion to Putnam against a battle. In the subsequent retreat to New York, he behaved so well as to win the entire confidence of General McDougall, who conducted it. The British soon followed the American army, and Washington found it necessary to abandon all hope of defending the city against an overwhelming force. During the second retreat. Burr performed an action characteristic of his boldness and energy. Either through mistake or mismanagement, one brigade was left in IVew York, and posted themselves on an eminence called Bunker's Hill, which was in full view of the enemy. Burr was at this time on a scout for fugitives, and on observing the brigade he rode up to it. and asked who commanded, and what they did there. General Knox presented himself. The major urged him to retreat immediately, as otherwise his detachment would be cut to pieces. Knox answered that a retreat in the face of the enemy was impossible, announcing his inten- tion of defending the fort. Burr replied that the place was not 398 AARON BURR. officers. tenable, that it would be taken at a single discharge, and those of the garrison who escaped being shot would be hung like dogs. He then exhorted the men to follow him, and actually led them to camp in sight of the enemy, with the loss of only about thirty. URING the retreat through the Jerseys, and the subsequent activ ■ campaign of General Putnam in that quarter. Burr continued to behave so well as to challenge the respect and confidence of men and In June, 1777, he was appointed lieu- tenanant colonel of the regiment of Colonel Mal- colm, at that time stationed in New York. Soon after, he received the chief command through the voluntary absence of the colonel. He performed active service in drilling the troops and cutting up the enemy's picket guards, but soon received orders to join the main army, which he did in November. At the battle of Monmouth, Burr commanded a brigade consisting of his ow"n and another regiment, and was very active in reconnoiter- ing the enemy, and harassing their skirmishers. His own loss was severe, and he had had a horse shot under him. From constant ex- posure to fatigue and heat for three days, with very little sleep, he contracted a disease, which affected him for some yej^rs, yet so great was his endurance that not only did he continue in the performance of every duty, but did not even mention his indisposition to the other officers. In the investigation of General Lee's conduct, which followed this battle, Burr was one of the few who took part with that officer in opposition to Washington. While aid-de-camp to the commander, in 177G, he had imbibed inveterate prejudices against him, which continued throughout life, and for the exercise of which he never suffered himself to lose an opportunity. Burr was again intrusted with a separate command in the state of New York, but his constantly increasing ill health, forced him to adopt the mortifying resolution to resign his rank and command. This was absolutely necessary. His constitution was shattered ; he could no longer attend to any active duty. His military career ended with his resignation, except that he led the students of East Haven College against Governor Tryon, in 1779. In this affair he per- formed good service, and ever afterwards mentioned the confidence evinced by these young men in his military abilities, with proud exultation. After leaving the army. Burr was for some time incapacitated for any active busmess, but as health slowly returned, he applied himself APPOINTED ATTORNEY GENERAL. 401 with ardor to his old profession ol luw. By the rules of court, it was required that every student should have completed three years legal study, prior to admission at the bar. Colonel Burr applied for an exemption from this rule, in consequence of his having served in the field, while he might have been pursuing his studies. This was opposed by all the lawyers, but the court decided in his favor, pro- vided he would stand a rigid examination of qualifications. He accordingly passed a trying ordeal, conducted by the opponents of his claims, came off victorious, and was admitted. His license bears date, January 19th, 1782. He commenced first in Albany. This was in April ; and in the following July (2d, 1782,) he was married to Miss Theodosia Prevost. Upon the withdrawal of the British troops from New York, consequent upon the establishment of peace, he entered that city, and soon acquired an extensive practice. ^ARLY in 1784, Burr was elected a member A of the New York legislature, and was re- ^ markable for taking part only in matters of ""^J importance. At this time, he seems to have been wholly destitute of ambition, and ani- mated only with a sincere desire to serve his coun- try. On the ]4tb of February, 1785, he was appointed chairman of a committee from the house, to act conjointly with one from the senate, in revising the state laws. He also introduced some important bills, and warmly advocated the abolition of slavery. His opposition to the bill for incorporating a body of the tradesmen and mechanics of New York city, caused much excitement, and for a while endangered both his property and life. A serious riot was prevented in a great degree b}- his firmness. From this time until 1788, Burr took little part in politics. About that time, discussions concerning a national constitution to supersede the articles of confederation, began to agitate tlie public mind. To these, a man like Colonel Burr could not be indifl^erent. When the new constitution was under debate in the New York legislature, he took part with the party calling themselves anti-federalists, wIjo, although opposed to the old code, preferred amending it, rather than adopting a new. In 1789 George Clinton and Robert Yates were candidates for the office of governor of the state. The latter was the personal and political friend of Colonel Burr, and received his warm support. Clinton was elected ; but so little did the opposition of Burr afl^ect the opinion he always entertained of his talents and integrity, that he immediately appointed the colonel as attorney general, an office at that time, involving deep and lasting interests of the state. One of these occurred in 1790, when with the treasurer 26 402 AARON BTJRK. and auditor, he was appointed on a board of commissioners, " to report on the subject of the various claims against the state, for ser- vices rendered, or injuries sustained, during the war of the revolu tion." " The task," says his biographer, " was one of great dehcacy, and surrounded with difficulties. On Colonel Burr devolved the duty of making that report. It was performed in a masterly man- ner. When presented to the house, notwithstanding its magnitude, involving claims of every description to an immense amount, it met with no opposition from any quarter. On the 5th of April, 1792, the report wa.-^ ordered to be entered at length on the journals of the assembly, and formed the basis of all future settlements with public creditors on account of the war. In it, the various claimants are classified ; legal and equitable principles are established, and applied to each particular class. The report occupies eighteen folio pages of the journals of the assembly." On the 4th of March, 1791, the term of office of General Schuyler as United States senator, expired. Burr succeeded him. His policy in this body was similar to that which had characterized him in the state legislature. In 1792 Clinton was again elected for governor, but in a manner, that gave strong reason to suspect extensive fraud. This led to angry discussion and intense popular excitement. Colonel Burr .strongly advocated the election of Clinton, and from this time his course as a politician may be dated. When Washington delivered his address to Congress, (October 25th, 1791,) the senate ordered, " That Messrs. Burr, Cabot, and Johnston, be a committee to prepare and report the draft of an address to the President of the United States, in answer to his speech, delivered this day to both houses of Congress in the senate cham- ber." Accordingly, on the following day. Burr reported an answer, which was adopted* without amendment or alteration. He was employed on various other committees during this session, and was mainly instrumental in defeating an important " act for the more effectual protection of the south-western frontier settlers." He con- tinued in the senate until the 4th of March, 1797, during which time he also practised at his profession. In 1793, he advocated the claim of Mr. Gallatin, from Pennsylvania, to a seat in the senate, his right being contested. Burr was, however, overruled by a resolution, declaring, " That the election of Albert Gallatin to be a senator of the United States was void, he not having been a citizen of the United States the term of years, required as a qualification to be a senator of the United .States." In the same year he opposed the nomination of his friend, John Jay, as envoy extraordinary to Eng- BURRS DOMESTIC AFFLICTIONS. 4U3 James land, a circumstance which gave considerable pain to that amiable character. He subsequently opposed the treaty made by that gentle- man, and proposed several amendments, which were rejected. When the subject of appointing a minister to the court of France, in the place of Gouverneur Morris, was before Congress, the opposi- tion party decided upon recommending Colonel Burr. This was done by a committee, of whom Madison and Monroe were members. When the application was presented, Washington paused for a short time, and then observed, that it was his invariable custom, never to intrust a responsible station to any individual in whose moral charac- ter he could not repose full confidence. This interview was twice repeated, but the President remaining firm. Burr's appointment was defeated. In the spring of 1794, jVfrs. Burr died, and in ISOl, the colonel's only daughter was married and removed to South Carolina. These domestic afilictions seem to have destroyed, in a great measure, those fine feelings, which had ever marked the colonel in his domestic relations, and henceforth his life is a dark and exciting picture of passion and intrigue. In 1799, Burr became involved in certain transactions with the Holland Land Company, which caused so much suspicion of his i*H^< 101 AARON BURR. John Adams, , integrity, as to give rise to a report that he had received twenty thousand dollars for dishonest secret service. One of the most active traducers of Burr was John B. Church, whose language was so pointed as to elicit a challenge from the colonel. This was accepted, and the parties met at Hoboken, on the 2d of September, 1799. Mr. Church's second was Abijah Hammond, Esq. Burr's, Edanus Burke, of South Carolina. The principals fired one shot, and then settled their dispute amicably. When the first presidential term of IMr. Adams was about to close, the utmost anxiety was evinced throughout the country, both by his friends and opponents, for his re-election. Colonel Burr applied himsi If with unparalleled activity to secure the election of Mr. Jef- ferson, the democratic candidate. For this purpose he applied him- self to the complete organization of the party in New York, knowing that the success of the contest depended upon the vote of that state. He was singularly successful; and though opposed l)y General Hamilton, he managed to keep the field as a partisan canvasser, and at the same time be nominated for the state legislature. The legis- lature itself was democratic, and thus democratic electors were chosen from New York. Under the old constitution, the presidential candi- date who received the highest number of votes became president, BURR ELECTED VICE-PRESIDENT. 40J and his most successful riva , vice-president. Burr's talents and services were appreciated by the democratic ])arty ; he was placed on the same ticket with Jeflerson ; and by a strange fatality, each received the same number of votes. The choice of president now devolved upon the house of repre- sentatives ; thirty-six ballotings took place, during which a scene of excitement prevailed rarely surpassed in a legislative body. The details arc little creditable either to some of the members, or to Mr. Jeflerson himself; but our limits forbid us to enlarge. The vote was finally cast for Thomas Jefferson as President, and Aaron Burr, V^ice-President. ROM the moment of his accession to this hiffh office, fate seemed to have marked him out as ^*^ her peculiar victim. Every action, every word vX- the most trival, was watched by his enemies with argus eyes ; and among these enemies the most virulent were those who had been his warmest political friends. He was accused of leaguing with the federal party, in order to obtain the presidency throuffh the defeat of Mr. Jefferson, and even the names of his political associates were published in most of the journals with the greatest confidence. Much of this was no doubt false; but the silence of Burr upon it, caused by an adherence to a long adopted rule of conduct, tended to give it confirmation with the people. Slowly his downward course now commenced ; and in 1804, he who three years before could command the triumphant vote of a nation for almost any office in its bestowal, was opposed successfully at a public meeting in New York, as a nominee for governor. He was supported however by a portion of the democratic party; but being opposed by the remainder, as well as by the federalists under Alex- ander Hamilton, he was defeated. This led to the duel between that great man, and the colonel, which terminated in the death of Hamil- ton. It is sufficient here to observe, that all party feelings were merged in feelings of sorrow for Hamihon, and consequent indigna- tion against his opponent. The last public duty ])erformed by the latter, was acting as president of the senate in the case of Judge Samuel Chase, who was impeached before the United States Senate for "high crimes iind misdemeanors." After the vote of the mem- bers had been taken wilhont yielding a decision. Colonel Burr said, "there not being a constitutional majority on any one article, it becomes my duty to pronounce that Samuel Chase, Esq., is acquitted on the articles of impeachment exhibited against him by the house of representatives " 400 AARON BURR. We come now to a period in the life of Burr fraught with thriUing and mysterious interest both to himself and his country. We refer to his attempted invasion of Mexico, and alleged treason. As all the evidence of nearly half a century has failed to explain the true nature of his motives in connection with these transactions, we shall barely state what facts have been clearly ascertained, without giving an opinion upon them. In the beginning of the present century, difficulties arose between Spain and the United States, concerning the navigation of the Missis- sippi, which for a while threatened a war between the two countries. In 1805 and 1806, Burr passed through most of our western terri- tory, and engaged in considerable speculations for land, in order to establish new and isolated settlements. His love of military enter- prise, led him to take an interest in the existing national dispute, until finally he was induced to believe that a separation of Mexico from Spain, might be accomplished by a force from the United States. Something similar to this idea had haunted him long before this period, and he now began maturing a plan for its accomplishment. He found the contemplated war popular in the west, and by artful representations, induced the population of that quarter to believe that he was authorized to raise an army for Mexico. He received from Colonel Lynch six hundred thousand acres of territory, by pur- chase, and by some means the interest on this land, in which many worthy citizens were concerned, became blended with his grand scheme of invasion. He conferred confidentially with General Wil- kinson, who was then in command of some six hundred men, with whom the adherents of Burr were to unite. Wilkinson, who was the American commander-in-chief, despatched one Clarke to Mexico, to ascertain the disposition of the inhabitants toward the mother country, and enlist friends for the enterprise. Many priests and military officers were favorable to the project, and agreements were entered into between the parties for mutual security. Burr also visited General Jackson, who entered warmly into his plans. Subse- quently, however, that officer declared in a letter, that if it was in- tended merely to invade Mexico he would aid the project to the best of his ability, but if Burr had treasonable designs against the United States, as was reported, he would have nothing to do with him. These bold movements could not escape the notice of the people of our country, and especially of Burr's numerous enemies. Mr. Jef- ferson ordered his arrest on a charge of treason. He was taken on the Tombigbee river, Mississippi territory, and arrived at Richmond, Virginia, on the 26th of March, 1807. Several other persons were arrested about the same time, the principal of whom was the cele- BURR S TRIAL FOR TREASON. 407 Y/illLim Wirt. Orated Blennerhassett. The trial came on, May 22d, before the Circuit Court of the United States, Judge Marshall presiding. About a month after, the grand jury presented two bills, one for trea- son, the other for misdemeanor. After obtaining a jury, the trial on the first indictment commenced, August 17th, and continued un- til the first of September. The jury returned as follows : — " M^e of the jury say, that Aaron Burr is not proved to be guilty under this indictment by any evidence submitted to us. We therefore find him not guilty." Burr objected to this verdict as informal, asserting that the jury had no right to depart from the usual and simple form, guilty, or not guilty. The court overruled the objection, and entered the verdict as not guilty. It is worthy of remark, that the celebrated William Wirt first attracted public attention to his brilliant talents by taking part as an attorney and pleader in this trial. On the 9th of the same month, the trial commenced on the second indictment. The charge was, in substance, " that Aaron Burr did set on foot a military enterprise to be carried on against the territory of a foreign prince ; namely, the province of Mexico, which was within the territory of the king of Spain, with whom the United States were at peace." Much excitement prevailed at the trial, but the jury re- turned a verdict of 'not guilty.'' Next year (June 7th,) Burr left a land, whose every quarter must have been painful to him, and sailed for England. Here he was an object of distrust to government, and although respected by many 408 AARON BURR. distinguished characters, was finally ordered from the kingdom. He next repaired to France, where he received still worse treatment from Napoleon, being not only most strictly watched, but even refused a passage to his own country. His life at this time, appears to have been one of wretchedness, and his pecuniary means were so low, that he was frequently reduced to the utmost distress. At length he was permitted to leave France for Amsterdam, from whence he sailed for America. On the w ay, he was captured by an English frigate, and conveyed to Yarmouth. Here he was obliged to remain for five months ; so that it was not until the 8th of June, 1812, four years after leaving his native country, that he again reached its shores. The subsequent career of Colonel Burr may be comprised in a few words. He devoted himself assiduously to the bar, with a success as rapid as it was flattering. All ambitious projects seemed now to have left his bosom ; and he rarely took part in politics, unless at the presidential contest, and then only among particular friends. The death of his grandson, Aaron Burr Allston, and the loss of his only daughter, in a ship supposed to have been wrecked or captured by pirates, severed the last domestic ties which held him to earth, and exerted a perceptible influence on all his subsequent life. " For two or three years before his death," says his biographer, " he suffered under the effects of a paralysis. Much of the time, he was in a measure helpless, so far as locomotion was concerned. His general health however, was tolerably good, by using great precaution in his diet. He had long abstained from the use of either tea or coffee, as affecting his nervous system. His mind retained much of its vigor, and his memory, as to events of long standing, seems to have been unimpaired. Under sufferings of body or mind he seldom complained ; but during the last years of his life he became more restive and impatient. The friends of his youth had gone before him; all the ties of consanguinity which could operate in uniting him to the world, were severed asunder. To him there remained no brother, no sister, no child, no lineal descendant. He had numbered four- score years, and seemed anxious for the arrival of the hour when his eyes should be closed in everlasting sleep. In the summer of 1836, Colonel Burr was removed to Staten Island for the benefit of his health. Here he expired, on the 14th of September, in the eighty-first year of his age. His remains were afterwards removed to Princeton, New Jersey, in accordance with his own request, and interred in the college ground, with the honors of war, and in presence of a large body of spectators. BRIGADIER GENERAL ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 9^^-^m .■ALEXANDER HAMILTON was born in the Island of Nevis, in the British West Indies, on the eleventh of January, 1757. His ances- try were Scottish. He received his education in the Island of St. Croix, under the super- intendence of the Rev. Dr. Knox, a Presby- terian divine, who gave to his mind a strong religious bias that never left it. At an early age he was placed as a clerk in the counting- house of a Mr. Cruger, a merchant of St. Croix, in whose service he began to display the wonderful talents which have made his name so distinguished. At the age of twelve, we find him writing to a school-fellow: " I contemn the grovelling condition of a clerk, to which my fortune condemns me, and would willingly risk my life, though not my character, to exalt my station ; I mean to prepare the way for futurity." All his leisure moments were devoted to study, and nothing was. 409 410 A L E X A N I) i: 11 II A M I 1, ■!' o N omill<;d lli.'il coiilil cxall, liis iniiiil or increase his luiowlcdyc. He wrote :iii lUMoiiul ol tlu; lnuricinic Ili;it .sw(^jtl over .soinc ol Uk; Went liidiii, i.sliind.s, ill 1772, so gr;ij)iii(: and clcf^uiil, as to excite f;(!lieral admiral ion, and, liiouiili lio liad puhlisiied it, aiioiiyindiisly, liis aiitlioisliij) was diseov(>red. His gralilied liiiuids dt'lcnnined to send iiiin to Now York, that lie niii;lit receive a liberal education. Arri\in^ at Now York in Oclolier, 177'^, lie studied with Mr. Francis Barliei-, altorwanls ('oloiiel JJarher, ol the revoiulionury army, unlil the close of 177.'J, wlirii he entered King''.s, now Columbia College, New York. A mind endowed in so latraordinary a manner as was his, cdidd iMit relVain from takiiig an active side; intlic great (|uestioiis of colonial rigiits, then under discussion. Several anonymous tracts and ehiborato iianiphlets proceeded from his pc-n, in wiiich he took th(! l)roadest ground in tlii^ defence of the colonists, and urgcal the ])()licy of encouraging domestic manufactures, and the production, in the south, of cotton, that the whole continent might he able to clolhe itself. In the course of these publications, ho became involved in a controversy with Dr. Cooper, the head of the college, and other able logicians, in which Ik; displayed such great powers, that the learned doctor held to be absurd the idea that so young a man as Hamilton could be his O])poiiciit. Tn.lnly, 177'1, Ilamilton appeared ata])ulilic meeting, held where the Park now is, in front of the City liall, iXcw York, and made a speech characterized by eloquence and force. Ho was then scveiitcoi years of age. N the following year, while still at college, ho joined a volunteer eorjis ol militia in New York, and studied and reduced to practice, the details of military tactics. At the same time lie was busily engaged ill investigating the several ])oiiits of political science, relative to eonimeree, I he lialaiiee of tra(l<', and the cireulatiiig miMliiim. On the 11 ill 111 Maicli, 177(i, he was ajijioiiited ca[)lain of a jiro- vincial com])any of artillery, in New York city, and in that rank he was soon in active service. 1I(^ brought up tbt" rear in the retreat of the army from Long Island, and succecdetl in attracting tlu^ notice and esteem of Washington at the time of the battle of the While Plains, in October of that year. Unflinching in the cause, and ac- tive in his duly, Uv. remained at the head of his company during the retreat through the Jerseys, at Trenton and at Princeton. On the first of March, 1777, he was made aid-dc-camp to (jcneral Wash ington, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel ; and he continued to be a l-S^ S E E V I C E a AT M O S M O U T H AND V O R K T O W N 411 member of the family of the commander-in-chief until the year 1781. General Washini^on called him his "principal and rnost confidential aid." In that station he had every opportunity of making known his talents and accompli.'ihrnents. His knowledge of the French langua;^e, joined to his kindness and hi.s desire to be of use to them, won upon the French officers in the service of our country, and, among others. General La Fayette and Baron Steuben, became strongly attached to him. The co.'ifidence and esteem of the latter officer enabled Colonel Hamilton to become fully ac- quainted with his merits, and he therefore recommended him to Gene- ral Wa.shington as the most suitable person for the important office of inspector general, while Hamilton's own abilities were te.sted by the task of designating the powers and duties of this? new officer. N November, 1777, Colonel Hamilton was sent to Albany, to obtain a rein- forcement of three brigades from Gene- ral Gates for the army opposed to Gcrv&ral Howe in Philadelphia, and he succeeded in getting two of the three without displaying his absolute au- thority to the irascible Gates, who showed much reluctance to complying with the requisition. By the advice and persuasions of Colonel Hamilton, the battle of Monmouth was resolved upon contrary to the opinion of the majority of a council of war ; and the young soldier displayed the greatest gallantry in the battle, fighting under the orders of General La Fayette. In October, 17S0, he earnestly recommended the appointment of General Greene to the command of the southern army, as a general " whose genius," he said, " carried in it all the resources of war." When he retired from the family of General Washington, he still retained his rank in the army, and v/as exceedingly desirous to obtain a separate com- mand in some light corps in the army. He was gratified, after some time, with the command of a corps of light infantr)', attached to the division under the command of the Marquis de La Fayette. He led the night attack upon one of the enemy's redoubts at Yorktown, which were carried with a rapidity and bravery only equalled by the more modem exploits of American arms. The active service of the army being now ended, Colonel Hamilton turned his attention to the profession of the law, fitted himself for its practice with amazing facility, and was admitted, in 1782, to the bar of the supreme court of New York. Although the principal labor of the correspondence of the com- 412 ALEXANDER HAMILTON. nitiiider-in-chief had fallen upon Colonel Hamilton while an aid, he had nevertheless found time to investigate the burdens that pressed most heavily upon the colonies during the war. The loss of public credit through the enormous issues of paper currency, and the conse- quent inability of the government and the army to sustain them- selves and support the war, called forth all his energies to find a means of relief. His letters upon the subject to Robert Morris, in 1779, produced the formation of the Bank of Pennsylvania, which by lending its aid to the national bank, established also by the sug- gestion and according to the plan of Hamilton, enabled it to retrieve in a measure the credit of the country, and support the army till the conclusion of the war. OLONEL HAMILTON, in 1780, wrote a letter „,.,. _„j^5^ . , i^s^ to Mr. Duane, a member of Congress from New l^^^Sv, i;"^ York, on the state of the nation, which is the most able paper upon the subject that appeared during the war. In his plan for remedying the defects, contained in the letter, he sketched the outline of our present constitution, almost as it was afterwards adopted. He was then just twenty-three years of age. He resumed this subject in a series of anonymous essays in a country paper of New York, in the winter of 178 1—2, with his usual ability. The New York legislature elected him to Congress in 1782, to the proceedings of which body he speedily gave a new and more vigorous tone. In all he did, his clear and sound reasoning, and the manly and graceful powers of his mind were conspicuous. His labors in the public service were incessant. He was the foremost man of the New York delegation to the convention, for the forma- tion of the constitution ; his counsels and almost unanswerable argu- ments were heard upon every impoitant point, and, after its adoption, he entered the field as its most able defender. Of the eighty-five papers published over the signature of " Publius," and collected into the two volumes called " The Federalist," he wrote more than fifty. The others were the work of Mr. Madison and Mr. Jay. The familiarity with the subject, acquired in preparing these immortal documents, and his participation in the proceedings of the convention, enabled him to bring all the wisdom of the commentator to aid his eloquence as an orator, when it became his duty to defend the con- stitution in the New York state convention, assembled to adopt or reject it. His triumphant success in managing the fiscal concerns of the nation, after the formation of the new government, under President Washington, is too well known to require repetition. Whenever the DEATH OF HAMILTON. 413 name of Washington is mentioned as the founder of our happy- government, the memory of Hamilton will suggest itself as its briTlitest ornament and the firmest pillar of its support. It was by the advice of Hamilton that (ieneral Washington issued his famous proclamation of neutrality, in April, 1793, which afterwards formed the ground-work of the foreign policy of the first president, and by his advice Mr. Jay was sent to conclude his famous treaty with Great Britain, as minister extraordinary, in 1794. Although he had retired from the cabinet when Mr. Jay's treaty became the subject of popular discussion, yet he defended its wisdom and justice in a series of papers over the signature of Camillus, in the summer of 1795. Few among American state papers are more able than these productions. Colonel Hamilton was again involved in a political discussion, on the occasion of the ill treatment received by our government from the French republic. His essays upon this subject were published under the signature of Titus Manlius, and suggested the proper course to be that, which was shortly afterwards adopted by tlie government. At the recommendation of General Washington, Colo- nel Hamilton was appointed inspector-general of the small army that was raised in anticipation of hostilities with France in 1798. N the winter of 1804, Colonel Aaron Burr was proposed as a candidate for governor of the state of New York. At a public meeting. Colonel Hamilton declared that Dnsidcred Colonel Burr an unsafe and unfit rson to be placed in such an office ; expressions <^^^^j}'i p lor which Colonel Burr tho\ight proper to call him to an account in the next year, after he had been defeated. Colonel Hamilton, opposed as he was to the practice of duelling, nevertheless thought it necessary to meet him in the field. He fell on the 12th of July, 1806, mourned most sincerely by all the inhabitants of the country. The subsequent mysterious conduct of Colonel Burr, while it proved the justice of Hamilton's opinion, pro- duced no efiect upon his character, in comparison with the odium he incurred by his conduct in the dispute with the lamented Hamilton. The last years of the life of Colonel Hamilton were devoted to the practice of the law in New York, where he enjoyed an overwhelming share of business. The able author of his biography in the National Portrait Gallery, says of him : " He was a great favorite with the New York merchants, and he justly deserved to be so, for he had uniformly proved himself to be an enlightened, intrepid, and perse- vering friend to the commercial prosperity of the country. He was a great master of commercial law, as well as of the principles of 414 ALKXANlJilR HAMILTON. international jurisprudence. There were no deep recesses of the science which he did not explore. He would occasionally draw from the fountains of the civil law, and illustrate and enforce the enlight- ened decisions of Mansfield, by the severe judgment of Emerigon, and the lucid commentaries of Valin. In short, he con ferred dignity and high reputation on tht profession, of which he was indisputably the first of the first rank, by his indefati gable industry, his thorough researches, his logical powers, his solid judgment, his winning candor, and his matchless elo- quence." The popularity of General Hamilton with the merchants of New York was not a transient one. So late as the year 1835, his statue was placed by them in the Exchange of the great commercial metropolis, destined unfortunately to be destroyed in the great fire of that year. A cotemporary journalist says : " If any .'^jit 1 iiiK li "t statuary can impress the beholder with exalted ideas of the art of sculpture, it is the statue of Alexander Hamilton, To look upon it, is to see Hamilton himself; and to feel almost conscious that we are in his living presence. When we disburthen ourselves of the impression that it is Mm, the mind is filled with admi- ration at the triumph of that noble art that can make the marble almost warm with life. There stands the form of Hamilton in majesty, yet repose ; there is the broad and noble forehead, the ma- jestic and thoughtful brow, the free, intelligent, commanding eye ; you almost perceive the temples throb, you mark every line of fea- ture, and every expression of countenance. The limbs and form are chastely imagined, and the whole is invested with dignity and grace, eloquence and power. The Roman toga hangs gracefully over the left shoulder ; the right hand, resting upon an oblong polished pedestal, holds a scroll, which may represent the act empowering the funding of the national debt, with the seal of government appended ; the left arm hangs gracefully by his side. It is almost a speaking statue; beautiful in design, and wonderful in the execution, which has carried the minutest parts to extraordinary perfection. What a powerful conception, strong imagination, discriminating taste, excellent judg- ment, and skilful hand, must distinguish the artist who can chisel such a ' human form divine,' to which we may apply the adage, STATUE OF HAMILTON. 415 nascitur, non jit. Of this order we may class Mr. Ball Hughes of New York, to whose skilful hand the country is indebted for this mag- nificent production. For him, the statue of Hamilton speaks higher and more enduring encomiums than the most lavish praise. To look on this statue, or the monument of Bishop Hobart in Trinity Church, or the busts of Edward Livingston and others, is to be convinced of his superior talents. " The statue of Hamilton was chiselled from a solid block of wiiitc Italian marble, weighing nine tons ; was about two years in the hands of the artist, and weighs now one and a half tons. It is purely while, highly finished, and finely contrasts with the blue granite pedestal on which it stands, fourteen feet high. It adorns the centre of the great room in the Merchants' Exchange, where it was first exposed to view about the middle of April last. It was erected by the merchants of the city, at a cost of six thousand to eight thousand dollars. We are happy to coincide with Colonel Trumbull in this matter, in thinking that ' there are very few pieces of statuary in Europe superior to this, and not twenty-five sculptors in the universe who can surpass this work.' " Toin*b of Hamilton. MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM HEATH. AJOR GENERAL WILLIAM HEATH was born in Massachusetts, on the second of March, 1737, and was of the fifth generation, on whom the familv estate had devolved. His education was plain, and suited to agricultural pursuits. Although bred to a farmer's life, he very early displayed a fondness for military life. By the reading of military works, he became intimately acquainted with the profession of arms. In 1765, he was elected a member of the ancient and honorable artillery company of Boston. Immedi- ately after this, at the solicitation of the colonel of the first regiment of Suffolk militia, he was commissioned by Governor Bernard to command the colonel's own company. He subsequently served as lieutenant, and aftewards as captain of that ancient and honorable corps, into which he had first been received. ^ strong private attachment grew up between Governor Bernard and Captain Heath, notwithstanding a difference of opinion with respect to the troubles which were then in embryo. About the time of the Boston massacree, 1770, Captain Heath commenced a series of addresses to the public, signed " A Military Countrj^man." In these addresses, he pointed out to the colonists the importance of acquiring a knowledge of arms, and an acquaint- ance with military discipline. Governor Hutchinson, successor to Bernard, in reorganizing the Suffolk militia, left Captain Heath out of his command, in conse- quence of his known attachment to the colonial rights. When, however, the crisis had so far advanced, that the colonists determined to choose their own officers, to prepare for a final appeal for redress 416 APPOINTED A MAJOR GnNERAL. 417 Governor Hutcldnson. of grievances, Captain Heath was chosen by the officers of the first regiment of militia of Suffolk county to be their colonel. In 1775, the Provincial Congress, which then held their sittings at Cambridge, appointed Colonel Heath one of their generals. The generals then appointed were autliorized to oppose, with the troops under their respective commands, the carryinginto execution of the act of the British parliament, for the better regulation of the province of Massachusetts Bay in New England. This was one of the most impolitic measures the British ministry could have adopted ; instead of its producing the anticipated result, it only served to blow into a flame the embers of discontent, which sound pohcy would have induced them to extino-uish. Resistance to this act, and to others equally tyrannical, was regarded by the colonists as an imperative duty. General Heath was actively employed in the fulfilment of the duties assigned him, both as a general officer and as a member of the committee of safety, of which latter he had been made a member. The battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill witnessed his devotion to the colonial rights. The day following the battle of Lexington, he appointed Mr. Joseph Ward his aid-de-camp and secretary. A few days subsequent to the battle. Genera] Heath was ordered with four regiments to Roxbury, where he remained until July. In the organization of the army by the Continental Congress, General Heath was the fourth brigadier general in numerical order, previous to 27 418 WILLIAM HEATH. which arrangement being known in camp, he had received a commis- sion of major-general from the Provincial Congress. §,•5 BOUT the time the Americans were fortify- ing themselves in Cambridge and Roxbury, General Heath prevailed upon Captain Henry Knox, of the Boston grenadiers, to join the army. The disposition of Knox did not require much eloquence to induce him to engage in the defence of the colo- nies. He subsequently rose to the chief command of the artillery, and was de- servedly high in the public estimation throughout the war. On the night of the 23d of November, 1775, General Heath was ordered with a detachment to Cobble's Hill, to complete the works begun the preceding evening by a fatigue party under General Put- nam. While the work was going on. General Heath pointed out to his men how to act, so as to receive the least possible injury from the fire of the enemy's floating batteries in the adjacent waters. Heath was relieved, as Putnam had been, and his men retired from the position uninjured and unmolested. The main army remained in the vicinity of Boston, occasionally skirmishing with the enemy until March, 1776. The defensive works which had been thrown up during this period were of much service, so much, in fact, that the British garrison were obliged to evacuate Boston on the 17th of March, and retire to Halifax. On the 20th of March, General Heath was ordered to New York with the troops under General Putnam, destined for the defence of that important station. In the following August, Generals Spencer, Greene, Sullivan and Heath, respectively received from Congress commissions as major-generals, dating from the 9th of the same month. After his promotion, the command of the troops posted above King's bridge, and of all troops and stations on the north end of York Island, was given him. While the main body of the enemy were engaged in active operations on Long Island, a brig and two ships anchored a little above Frog Point. General Heath detached Colonel Graham, with his regiment, to prevent any of their crews from landing. The diflferent operations of the enemy kept the general incessantly engaged in the duties of his station. In September, in consequence of information which he had re- ceived. General Heath devised a plan for carrying off some British with their baggage, who were remaining on Montrefore Island. The HEATH S SERVICES IN NEW JERSEY. 4iy plan however failed, the detachment was compelled to return, with the loss of fifteen in killed, wounded, and missing-. During this month the various movements of the British gave the general full em- ployment. Immediately after the capture of the Hessians at Trenton, and the battle of Princeton, which General Washington communicated to General Heath in the beginning of January, 17 77, he was ordered to move his force towards New York, to impress a belief on the enemy, that that city was the object of his attention. The object ol this feint was to afford the enemy an opportunity of facilitating their retreat through New Jersey. In pursuance of these orders the general was engaged in carrying them into execution until the lOlh of March, when he obtained leave of absence from the commander-in-chief, for a short time to visit his family. On his return he was invested with the command of the eastern department, in consequence of the resignation of General Ward. He therefore immediatel)' retraced his steps to Boston, in order to assume the duties incumbent upon him in the sta- tion assigned him. The active duties of so important a station occupied the general's attention incessantly ; and when the surrender of Burgoyne took place, his troops being sent prisoners to Boston, the charge of them of course fell upon General Heath as commander of the eastern department of the army. This was a delicate duty, and attended with considerable difficulty. The numerous difficulties which had impeded the fulfilment of the articles of the capitulation of the British army to General Gates, were so far removed by the latter part of March, as to permit the return of General Burgoyne to England. After General Burgoyne's departure. General Heath entered into a negotiation with the British General Pigot for the future supply of the whole captive army. This act received the approval of Congress. On the 17th of June, a Briti.sh officer was shot by an American sentinel ; the moment General Heath became acquainted with the circumstance, he ordered the sentinel placed under arrest, and a coroner's inquest to be held over the body of the deceased, and ac- quainted General Phillips with the circumstance, and the proceedings which he had ordered thereon. It appeared by the coroner's inquest, that the deceased, (Lieutenant Brown, of the twenty-first regiment,) in company with two females, had attempted to pass the line of sentinels without complying with the necessary formalities. Some little difficulty now occurred between General Phillips, the senior captive officer, and General Heath, but Heath was steady to his duty, 420 WILLIAM HEATH. and Phillips was obliged to submit. In the case of Brown's death, the course pursued by General Heath received the approval of Congress, as appeared by a resolution passed by that body, July 7th, 1778. On the 12th of November, 1778, General Heath was replaced in the eastern department by General Gates, and on the 2d of April, the command again devolved upon him. He remained in Boston till June, when he received orders from General Washington to join the main army. On the 23d of June he was invested with the command of all the colonial troops east of the Hudson river. This change of situation brought him again into the duties of the field, from which his situation at the head of the eastern department had for some time relieved him. On the 30th of June, he received a notification from John Jay, Esq., President of Congress, announcing his election as a commissioner of the board of war, with a salary of four thousand dollars per annum, retaining at the same time his rank in the army. This proffer of Congress Heath declined, as he manifested a wish to remain in the station which he then held. On the 1 1th of July, General Heath, according to orders from Gen- eral Washington, marched his division for Bedford, in Connecticut, where he arrived on the 14th, and finding that the British shipping had gone down the Sound toward New York, he took a strong position between Bedford and Ridgefield. In order to withdraw the attention of the British from Connecticut, General Washington planned the surprise of Stony Point, which General Wayne so gallantly executed. On the Americans removing from Stony Point, General Heath was ordered to proceed with his division to Peekskill, and supersede Gen- eral Robert Howe. He also prevented General Sir Henry Clinton from executing his design of cutting off the retreat of General Howe, by taking possession of all the passes in the highlands. General Heath was actively engaged with his division until the end of the campaign. On the 28th of November General Washington invested him with the command of all the troops and posts on the Hudson river. This was considered the key of communication between the eastern and southern states. In the latter end of February, he obtained permission from Wash- ington to visit his family and friends in New England. In June he was ordered to repair to Providence, Rhode Island, to meet the commander of the French forces and fleet, which were daily expected. The fleet arrived at Newport, on the 1 1th of July, and the general repaired thither, where he was introduced to Count Rochambeau, and the Chevalier Ternay, commanders of the French land and sea forces. Here commenced a close intimacy between General Heath and Count Rochambeau, which lasted during the whole war. SURRENDER OF CORNWALHS. 421 Count Bocbambeau. On the 1st of October, General Heath, left Newport, in order to take command of West Point, in place of General Greene, who had been ordered to supersede General Gates in the southern states. Complimentary letters of leave passed between Generals Rocham- beau and Heath. On the 17th General Heath assumed the command of West Point, and the predatory excursions of the enemy afforded him sufficient employ. In July, 1781, he was appointed to com- mand the right wing of the main army, then encamped at Phillips- burg. In the following August, General Washington confidentially com- municated to General Heath, a blow, which he intended to strike the enemy, for which purpose he detached a portion of the army south- ward, leaving Heath in command of the main army during his absence, with orders to act only on the defensive. On the 28th of October, he received a despatch from Washington, announcing the success of the meditated blow, which had terminated in the surrender of Corn- wallis and the British army at Yorktown, in Virginia. General Washington returned from the south in the following April, and established his head-quarters at Newburg, on the west bank of the Hudson river. On resuming the command, General Washington 422 WILLIAM HEATH. Washin ston's Head-Quarters at NewburS- publicly returned liis thanks to General Heath for the successfuj execution of the trust reposed in him, during his absence. The army being now inactive, General Heath, by leave of the com- mander-in-chief, proceeded on the 5th of December to visit his farm in Roxbury, and returned to head-quarters at Newburg on the 14th of April following. The revolutionary contest had now drawn to a close J news had been received that a treaty of peace had been signed ; and on the 19th of April the welcome tidings were published at head- quarters. General Heath was the first officer who ordered and gave directions for the guard at Prospect-hill, in 1775, after the battle of the 19th of April in that year, and he was left the last general of the day in the main army to perform the duties affixed to that station, 1783. On the 24th of June, General Heath received a letter from Gen- eral Washington, taking an affectionate leave of him, which was couched in the .strongest language of friendship. On the same day General Heath started for his residence in Massachusetts, where, on his arrival, he exchanged the habiliments of a soldier for the garb of a private citizen. The general in the evening of his days reposed in domestic felicity, enjoying the reward of his toils, in the warm affec- tion of a people in whose cause his life had frequently been placed in jeopardy. General Heath died at his seat in Roxbury, January 24th, 1814, aged seventy-seven years. COLONEL ZEBULON BUTLER. EBULON BUTLER was born at Lyme, in the state of Connecticut, in the year 1731. He entered early in life into the service of his country in the provincial troops of his native state. In this service he remained, actively employed, for several years, and rose from the rank of an ensign to the command of a com- pany. He partook largely in the transactions of the war between the English and French, on the frontiers of Canada, particularly in the campaign of 1758, at Fort Edward, Lake George, Ticonderoga, and Crown Point. In 1761 he was again at Crown Point, and at that time held the rank of captain. The history of these transactions is well known, and need not here be repeated. In June, 1762, Captain Butler sailed with his com- pany, and the other provincial troops, to reinforce the British, then besieging the Havana ; and on the 20th of July, the vessel in which he sailed was shipwrecked on a reef of rocks on the island of Cuba. They were fortunate enough to escape to the shore, where they re- mained nine days, and were then taken on board a man of war. Five other ships were discovered also shipwrecked on the same side of the island ; and after waiting until these were relieved, they again steered for Havana. They arrived and anchored with the rest of the fleet on the 9th of August, and the next day landed and en- • 423 424 ZEBDLON BUTLER. camped. The sufferings and the success of the British at the siege of Havana are matters of history. Captain Butler shared in the dangers of the remainder of the siege, as well as in the honors and profits of the surrender, which took place shortly after the arrival of the reinfoi-cements. On the 21st of October, 1762, Captain Butler sailed out of the harbor of Havana, on his return, on board the Royal Duke transport. On the 7th of November, in latitude 35, she ship sprung a leak, and it was by the greatest exertions for three days that she could be kept afloat until the men were transferred to other ships. When this was accomplished they left the Royal Duke to sink. He arrived at New York on the 21st day of December. When the aggressions of the British ministry compelled their American colonies to take up arms in defence of their rights. Captain Butler was among the first to tender his services to his country. His offer was accepted, and he was appointed a lieutenant-colonel in the Connecticut line. In this capacity he was with the army in the cam- paign of 1777, in New Jersey, and served until 1779, when he was appointed colonel of the second Connecticut regiment, to rank as such from the 13th of March, 1778. Some time previous to this, Colonel Butler had become interested in lands purchased of the Indians by the Susquehanna company, lying in the valley of Wyo- ming, and adjacent to the Susquehanna river. He had visited the valley, and was so much pleased with it, that he determined to remove into it. This flourishing settlement had been established by the people of Connecticut, and was claimed by them by virtue of their charter and their purchase from the Indians. It consisted of several large townships, beautifully situated on both sides of the river ; and that part of it which is included in the valley of Wyoming was, and still is, one of the most delightful spots in our country. Its situation, soil, and scenery, cannot be surpassed. It had long been the favorite abode of the savages, and they viewed, with peculiar animosity, its occupancy by strangers. The war in which the colo- nists were engaged with the mother country, and the encouragement and protection held out by the British to the Indians, afforded the latter a good opportunity for gratifying their wicked designs, in the destruction of this remote settlement. This they, in conjunction with the British tories, effectually accomplished in July, 1778. This settlement, at an early period of our revolutionary struggle, had been drained of its effective force, by furnishing two companies, of ninety men each, to the continental army. Soon after the depar- ture of these troops, the Indians began to assume a hostile attitude, and their conduct, together with other suspicious circumstances. ATTACK ON WYOMING. 427 led the inhabitants to suspect that some mischief was meditating against them, though they did not apprehend an immediate attack. For their better security, several stockade forts were built in the different townships, and a company of rangers was raised, under the command of Captain Hewitt. This company was destined to remain in the valley for its defence, and to ascertain by its scouts the move- ments of the Indians, some of whom were located at their Indian towns, about fifty miles up the Susquehanna. In the spring of 1778, the settlers, fearing an attack, sent an express to the board of war, to represent the danger in which the settlement at Wyoming was of being destroyed by the Indians and tories, and to request that the men who had gone from tlie valley, and joined the continental army, might be ordered to return, and assist in the defence of their homes. Their request was granted, and a company, commanded by Captain Spaldmg, composed of what remained of the two companies before mentioned as having been enlisted at Wyoming, set out for the valley, and were within two davs' march of it, on the day of the fatal battle. About the first of June, the same year, a scouting party from Captain Hewitt's company discovered a number of canoes, with Indians, on the river at some distance above the settlement, and a few days after a parly of Indians attacked, and killed or made prisoners, nine or ten men, while at work on the bank of the river, about ten miles above the fort. Many circumstances indicated the approach of a large body of the enemy. Such was the situation of the settlement when Colonel Butler arrived. This was the latter part of June, and but a few days before the battle. On the first of July, the militia nnder the command of Colonel Denison, with all others who were capable and willing to bear arms, assembled at the fort in Wilkesbarre, being the principal fort. They made an excursion against the enemy, killed two Indians, and found the bodies of the men who had been mur- dered by them. When they returned, each man was obliged to go to his own house and furnish himself with provisions, as there were none collected at the fort. In consequence of this dispersion, they were not able to assemble again until the 3d of July, when their whole strength amounted to about three hundred and fifty men. It probably would have been greater, but many of the settlers chose rather to remain in the other forts for the purpose of defending their famihes and property, in which they naturally felt a greater in- terest than in the general welfare. Of the whole force, consisting of the militia Captain Hewitt's company of rangers, and a few volunteers, including several officers and soldiers of the regular army, who happened to be in the valley. Colonel Butler was requested to take the command. The whole, as before stated, amounted to about 428 ZEBULON BUTLER. three hundred and fifty men, indifferently furnished with arms and am.nunition. As the enemy had entered the valley at the upper end, and had advanced directly towards the fort, in which the settlers were as- sembled, the object of the savages was supposed to be to attack them in the fort. The enemy had taken fort Wintermote, and one other small fort, and burnt them, and were burning and laying waste the wliole country in their progress. Colonel Butler held a consultation with the officers, and it was decided to be best to go out and inter- cept the progress of the enemy, if possible, and put an end to the scene of devastation which they witnessed. Being perfectly acquainted with the country, they marclied out some distance from the fort, and formed on the bank of a creek, in a very advantageous situation. Here they lay concealed, expecting that the enemy would advance to attack the fort, and knowing that if they did so they would pass the place where the Americans were in ambush. In this situation they remained near half a day, but no enemy appearing, a council was called, in which there was a difference of opinion as to the expediency of advancing and attacking the enemy, or of returning to the fort, there to defend themselves until the arrival of Captain Spalding's company, which was daily expected. On the one hand, the hope of succour, and their uncertainty as to the strength of the enemy, were urged as reasons for returning ; and on the other, the destruction of the whole country, which would inevitably follow such a step, together with the insufficiency of the fort, and the want of provisions to enable them to stand a siege, were powerful reasons in favor of risking an immediate battle. Captain Lazarus Stewart, a brave man, famous in the country for his exploits among the Indians, and whose opinion had much weight, urged an immediate attack ; declaring that if they did not march forward that day and attack the enemy, he would withdraw with his whole company. This left them no alternative, and they advanced accordingly. They had not gone above a mile, before the advance guard fired upon some Indians who were in the act of plundering and burning a house. These fled to their camp, and gave the alarm that the Ameri- cans were approaching. Fort Wintermote was at this time the head- quarters of the enemy. Their whole force, consisting of Indians, British, and tories, was, as near as could be afterwards ascertained, about one thousand men, and was commanded by Colonel John But- ler, an officer of the British army, and an Indian chief called Brandt. They were apparently unapprised of the movements of the Ameri- cans, until the return to the main body of those Indians who had been fired upon. They immediately extended themselves in a line OPERATIONS IN WYOMING. 429 Brandt, from the fort, across a plain covered with pine trees and underbrush. When formed, the right of the enemy rested on a swamp, and their left on Fort Wintermote. The Americans marched to the attack also in a line, Colonel Zebulon Butler leading on the right wing, opposed by Colonel John Butler, at the head of the British troops, painted to resemble Indians ; Colonel Denison was on the left, and opposed by Brandt and the Indians. In this position, the parties engaged, and each supported its ground for some time with much firmness. At length the Americans on the right had the advantage of the fight, having forced the enemy's left wing to retire some dis- tance. But on the left the battle soon wore a different aspect. The Indians, having penetrated the swamp, were discovered attempting to get into their rear. Colonel Denison immediately gave orders for the left to fall back and meet them as they came out of the swamp. This order was misunderstood, and some of the men or offi- cers cried out, "the colonel orders a retreat." The left immediately gave way, and before they could be undeceived as to the object of the order, the line broke, and the Indians rushed on with hideous yells. Colonel Zebulon Butler, who had continued on horseback throughout the day, finding that the right wing was doing well, rode towards the left. When he got a Httle more than half-way down the line, he discovered that his men were retreating, and that he was *J0 ZEBULON BUTLER. between the two fires, and near the advancing line of the enemy. The right had no notice of the retreat, until the firing on the left had ceased, and the yelling of the savages indicated their success. This wing, no longer able to maintain its ground, was forced to retreat, and the rout soon became general. The officers were prin- cipally killed in their ineffectual attempts to rally the men. The defeat was total, and the loss in killed was variously estimated at from two to three hundred of the settlers. Of Captain Hewitt's com- pany but fifteen escaped. The loss of the enemy was also consider- able. Colonels Butler and Denison, although much exposed to the enemy's fire, escaped. Colonel Butler collected four or five men together in their flight, directed them to retain their arms, and when any of the Indians, who were scattered over the plain, hunting for their victims, approached the little party, they fired upon them, and by this means they secured their retreat to Forty fort. Many of the settlers, at the commencement of their flight, had thrown away their arms, that they might be better able to escape. But this was of no avail, for the Indians overtook and killed them with their tomahawks. HE few that escaped, assembled at Forty fort ; but the inhabitants were so much disheartened by their defeat, that they were ready to submit upon any terms I that might be oflTered. The enemy re- fused to treat with Colonel Butler, or to give quarter to any continental officer or soldier. Indeed, it had been determined, if they were taken, to deliver them into the hands of the Indians. Colonel Butler then left the valley, and proceeded to a place on the Lehigh, called Gnaden- hutten. On the fourth of July, Colonel Denison and Colonel John Butler entered into articles of capitulation for the surrender of the settlement. By these articles it was stipulated, among other things, that " the lives of the inhabitants should be preserved," and that they should " occupy their farms peaceably ;" that " the continental stores should be given up," and that " the private property of the inhabit- ants should be preserved entire and unhurt." The enemy then marched into the fort ; but the conditions of the capitulation were entirely disregarded on their part. The Indians plundered the inhabitants indiscriminately, and stripped them even of such of their wearing apparel as they chose to take. Complaint was made to Colonel John Butler, who turned his back upon them, saying he could not control the Indians, and walked out of the fort. The r" OPERATIONS IN WYOMING. 431 people, finding that they were left to the mercy of the tories and savages, fled from the valley, and made the best of their way, about fifty miles, through the wilderness, to the nearest settlement of their friends, leaving their property a prey to the enemy. All the houses on the north-west side of the Susquehanna were plundered and burnt. They afterwards plundered and burnt the town of Wilkesbarre. Having accomplished their hellish purpose of destruction and desola- tion, the main body of the enemy returned to Niagara, taking with them all the horses, cattle, and other property wliich they did not think proper to destroy, leaving behind them nothing but one vast, melancholy scene of universal desolation. It may be proper to notice the generally received opinion, that Colonel Zebulon Butler and Colonel John Butler were cousins. This is a mistake. Both the parties denied having any knowledge of any relationship subsi.sting between them. From Gnadenhutten, Colonel Butler wrote to the board of war, giving an account of the fatal disaster of the third of July. He then went to Stroudsburg, in Northampton county, where he found Cap- tain Spalding's company, and some fugitives from Wyoming. Colo- nel Butler was ordered to collect what force he could, and with Spalding's company return and retake possession of the country. This he did in the month of August following. On his return to the valley, he found some straggling Indians, and also a small party driving ofT cattle. These were soon dispersed, and their booty taken from them. He immediately erected a fort at Wilkesbarre, and established a garrison. By orders from the board of war, he continued in the com- mand of the place until the fall of 1780, during which time the garrison and the inhabitants generally suffered from the incursions of the Indians. Several lives were lost, and they killed a number of the Indians, though no general battle was fought. General Sulli- van's expedition checked for a while their ravages. He arrived in Wyoming in the spring of 1779, and as soon as proper arrangements could be made, he marched into the country of the Indians, leaving Colonel Butler in the command of Wyoming. By orders from General Washington, dated, "Head-Quarters, New Windsor, December 29th, 1780," Colonel Butler was directed to deliver the post at Wyoming to Captain Alexander Mitchell, and to march with the men under his command and join the army. This was stated by General Washington to be in consequence of " Con- gress having, in order to remove all cause of jealousy and discontent between the states of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, directed me to withdraw the present garrison of Wyoming, and replace them with troops from the continental army, not belonging to the line of Penn- 432 ZEBULON BUTLER. sylvania or Connecticut, or citizens of either of said states." In obedience to these orders, he repaired to head-quarters, and remained with the army during the rest of the war. In the unhappy dispute between the citizens of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, arising out of the claims whicli the latter advanced to the lands on the Susquehanna, upon which the former had settled. Colonel Butler took an active part in favor of the Connecticut set- tlers. He considered them as acting on the defensive, and the others as the aggressors. Open hostilities comm.enced between the parties as early as 1769, and were continued until after the revolu- tionary war. The New England people were twice driven from their settlements, though they returned immediately with reinforcements, and repossessed themselves of the country. Many lives were lost on both sides, and innumerable hardships endured, during this unfor- tunate contest. No very general engagement ever took place between the parties. The principal array of forces which was at any time made against each other, was at the defeat of Captain Plunket, in 1775. This officer had marched from Northumberland, for the pur- pose of dispossessing the settlers at Wyoming, and taking possession of it themselves in the name of the Pennsylvania claimants. Colonel Butler with a party of settlers met them at the lower end of the valley, defeated them, and drove them back. The decree of Tren- ton, as it is called, put an end to hostilities, by determining, that the jurisdiction of the state of Pennsylvania extended over the disputed territory. To this determination Colonel Butler, with most of the settlers, yielded. After the war he continued to reside at Wyoming, and received appointments under the state of Pennsylvania, particu- larly the situation of lieutenant of the county. He died at Wilkes- barre, on the 28th of July, 1795, in the si.xty-fourth year of his age. BRIGADIER GENERAL ANTHONY WALTON WHITE. NTIIONY W. WHITE, sprang from an ancient and honorable family, re- sident, previously to 1650, in the west of England, which through six successive genera- tions ot its existence on this continent, was notable for its attachment to mili- tary life. Anthony White, the first ancestor of the name that came from England, was a zealous officer in the royalist army, who distinguished himself sufficiently in the civil wars to win the approbation of his unfortunate master, equally with the dislike of the Roundheads. Shortly after the execution of Charles, still faithful to his house, and more and more digusted with the political aspect of the times, having secured by some means or other the remnant of a large fortune, he sailed, originally with the intention of settling in Virginia ; the vessel, however, stopping at the Bermuda Islands he there became fixed, and subsequently, 28 433" ■VTilliam HI intimately connected with the government of those islands. Upon the restoration, he was appointed a member of King's council, and chief of one of the groups, an office which appears to have been hereditary, as it was attached to the elder branch of the family for several generations. At the commencement of the political differ- ences which resulted in the establishment of the Prince of Orange as William III. of England, and his wife upon the throne, Anthony White, the second of the name, inheriting his father's military, but not his political predilections, became an active partisan of the whigs, and being appointed a lieutenant-colonel, served with the army in Ireland, till hostilities terminated in the battle of the Boyne. As a reward for his services, he was shortly afterwards sent out to his native islands, as a member of the king's council in their govern- ment, and as chief justice of the whole group. He was succeeded as chief of one of the groups by his eldest son, Leonard White, who, with the hereditary thirst still unquenched, .had obtained in the early part of his life, a commission in the British navy, and served with honorable distinction in the wars of the succession. Anthony WHITE ENTERS THE ARMY. 435 White, the eldest son of of Leonard White, in extreme youth, about 1715, sailed for New York, for the purpose of recruiting his health, by the change of climate. After a year's residence there, he married into a distinguished family of Dutch descent, and his health again be- coming delicate, he soon after sailed for home, and died on the passage out. His widow, as if to restore the broken military suc- cession, married an officer of distinction in the British navy, and the son and only child, after having amassed a large fortune by various civil offices in the state of New Jersey, obtained through the influ- ence of his family, and farmed out to great advantage, at last took up the profession of arms. He was commissioned a lieutenant- colonel, in 17.51, and saw some service in the French and Indian war which followed. Upon the occurrence of the events which im- mediately preceded the declaration of independence, being advanced in years, he retired altogether from public life, but beheld with pride and satisfaction his only son select that party whose principles had already infected all the chivalry of the country. Anthony Walton White, the sixth of the name, and the last repre- sentative of the family in America, was the fourth child, and only son of Anthony White, and Elizabeth Morris, — daughter of Governor Lewis Morris, — and was born on the 7th July, 1750, at his father's country seat, near New Brunswick, New Jersey, taking the names of his father, and his relative, and godfather, Mr. William Walton of New York. Of his early life, there are no records to show him the hero of romantic adventures, and the possessor of the martia) spirit of his family. The only son of a family eminently in the pa tronage of the government, and educated under the supervision of his father, with the expectation of inheriting large estates, he was intended for no particular profession or occupation, other than that pertaining to a large landholder, in a young country half wilder- ness, as yet, and in times, when the mutterings of political difficul- ties were first becoming audible, though, in 1761, at the early age of eleven, we find him with the insatiable cupidity characteristic of the servants of a monarchy, in possession of several important and lucrative offices, farmed in like manner as those of his father, and no doubt with equal benefit. Without any event to distinguish his life, he remained thus, the nominal holder of these offices, quietly pursuing his studies with his father, and assisting him in the care of his estate, till the outbreak of the memorable Revolution, when an ardent dis- position, and a sincere love of country, induced him to seek adventure in the martial service of his native land. In October, 1775, he re- ceived his first military appointment, as aid to General Washington, in whose military, family, first hearing the din of war, he continued 436 ANTHONY W. WHITE. till commissioned by Congress, in February, 1776, a lieutenant- colonel of the third battalion of New Jersey troops, and as commander of the outposts of the army under Washington, was actively engaged in the service at the north, till 1780. In February of that year, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel commandant of the iirst regiment of cavalry, and shortly afterward, was ordered by General Washington to the south, to take command of all the cavalry in the southern army. In July, of 1780, having been repeatedly urged by General Gates to hasten the equipment of the cavalry, and with all despatch to join the army, then about marching to meet Cornwallis in South Carolina, despairing of assistance from the government of Virginia, which had passed resolutions for the purpose, but was unable at that time to carry them into effect, Colonel White, actuated with an honorable zeal for the service, procured upon his own personal credit, the funds necessary to remount and support for a short time two regiments, with which he marched to join General Gates, but not in time for the unfortunate battle of the 16th of August, at Camden, lost from a want of calvary. Early in the spring of 1781, Colonel White was ordered to Mrginia, again to co-operate with the army under La Fayette, against Cornwallis, and was engaged in skirmish- ing with various success against the celebrated Colonel Tarleton, until the junction of the army under General Washington, from the north, with that under La Fayette, and the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown. In December following. Colonel White, with his command, again marched southward to the Carolinas, where he was employed for some months in watching, and endeavoring to check the operations of his old friend, though enemy, Colonel Tarleton. From thence he proceeded to Georgia, where he contributed largely, by the boldness of his charge, with a part of the cavalry, in effecting a haj^py result to the manoeuvre of General Wayne, on the 21st of May, 1782, before Savannah. Upon the evacuation of that place by the British forces, he returned to South Carolina, and entered Charleston, imme- diately after the retirement of the enemy, where the generosity that distinguished him was again exemplified, by his becoming security for the payment of debts incurred by the officers and men of his regiments, who had entered the city in want of almost all the neces- saries of life. By agreements between himself and his officers and men, he was to be protected from ultimate loss, by payments in tobacco — which seems to have been the only sustained currency of the times, — contracted to be delivered to him at Charleston, on a certain distant day. Owing to the failure of the crops of that year, or to the inability of the officers to fulfil their contracts, Colonel MARRIAGE OF WHITE. 437 White was obliged, for the satisfaction of his creditors, to part with property at the enormous sacrifices peculiar to that period With this transaction commenced a series of unfortunate pecuniary diffi- culties, which at last reduced him from weallli, to dependency upon the precarious charity of his country. N the spring of 178.3, Colonel White, while still in Charleston, was married to the young, beautiful, and wealthy Margaret Ellis, of that place, who, at the early age of fifteen, brought up in the terrible school of a city held by a foreign and mercenary enemy, exhibited the accomplished mind, and firmness of temper, which still charac- terize and sustain her, in the sunken fortune of her old age. In the spring of 1784, after the full establishment of peace, Colo- nel White with his family came north, to spend in retirement the remainder of a life, upon which fortune had, with a few trifling exceptions as yet, shed only a pleasant light. Unhappily for his expectations, he, about this time, was persuaded to embark in a speculation proposed by two of his friends, late officers in the army in which he was to fiirnish only the trifling items of name and funds, and in return, to receive the undoubtedly splendid dividends from the adventure. The active members in the association, in the three years of its operations, succeeded only in the accumulation of enor- mous debts, which he, as the only responsible party, was obliged to satisfy. Ignorant of all manner of business, liberal to extravagance, and careless in his general style of living, he beheld with consterna- tion, creditors of whom he had never before heard, like thcShylocks of reality, demand of him what, to a man of like constitutional habits, was life itself. In satisfying them he utterly sunk his own estates, to which, by the death of his father, he had but just suc- ceeded. In 1793, he removed from New York Island, where he had resided since the war, to the city of New Brunswick, in his native state, where he remained during the rest of his life, holding several important offices, together with the rank of adjutant, and afterward brigadier-general conferred upon him liy the state. In 1794, he entered again for a short time, upon military life. being appointed by President Washington, general of cavalry in the expedition under Lee, against the western insurgents, in the delicate management of which, he won not only unqualified approbation of the government, and the esteem of the inhabitants of the district 438 ANTHONY W. WHITE. in which the army was quartered, but also the respect and gratitude of the prisoners, whom upon the close of the expedition he conducted to Philadelphia. For several years after his last active military employment, General White lived in peaceful seclusion at his home in the city of New Brunswick, dividing his time between his books, and the fascinating and accomplished society around him, of which Governor Paterson, i:nd Colonel John Bayard, of Delaware, his brothers-in-law, his guest and friend the celebrated Kosciusko, and Judge Morris, of New Jersey, formed the most notable ornaments. But misfortune still pursued him, and unseen and unanticipated, came upon him with that greater terribleness, which in ancient unchristian times would have been attributed to the malignancy of some unpropitiated deity. The fortune of his wife, which even the depreciation of the currency, and the insolvency of the states, had still left great, was almost completely wrecked by the cupidity and improvidence of a man, -alike distinguished in public and private life, and in whom a confidence had been reposed, deserving of a better return. Broken in spirit, health, and fortune. General White, shortly after this occurrence, thought he saw an angel of comfort lovingly approach him, when he meditated upon the gratitude of republics. Impressed with the justice of his claims and the neces- sity of his circumstances, he petitioned Congress for the repayment of the money he had expended in 1780, for the support of his regi- ments, and which in the settlement of his accounts with the state of Virginia, had not been allowed for want of full legal evidence. In consequence of the confusion of the times, this had unfortunately been lost. After frequently raising his hopes, and as often depress- ing them. Congress at last resolved that the government was adverse to all claims of revolutionary officers just or otherwise. Baffled in his expectalions of relief, and now well instructed in the great truth, that on earth, belief in the attainment of justice, was as often visionary as many a dream of youth, and broken-hearted by this striking exemplification of the neglect and ingratitude of repub- lics, for those who serve them. General White shortly after died, at the early age of fifty-three, leaving to his widow and daughter, the same comfortable reflections, that hastened, prematurely, his own decease. In person. General White was tall and elegantly formed, and was remarkable for the extreme regularity of his features, and the fine expression of his face, the dignity and grace of his manner, the scru- pulous attention to his dress, which distinguished the gentleman of his time, and for the excellence of his horsemanship. Early com- CHARACTER OF GENERAL WHITE. 439 misioiied in the cavalry service, he soon became, perhaps, the most accomplished and effective rider, and the best master of horse in the army, and through life retained the soldierly bearing for which he was noted during his military career. The character of General While, briefly, might be recorded by those two words, with which the poet, in his elevated ideas of humanity, well described the noblest work of God. He was gay, without approaching licentiousness ; a man of the world, without hypocrisy or degradation of the affections, ardent and impetuous to rashness, hospitable to extravagance, possessing the spirit of chivalry without its Quixotism, vain and proud in the contemplation of his own rectitude, yet never offending the self-love of others, generous and charitable, while forgetful of his own interests. A patriot, with- out thought of reward or distinction, practising the principles of Christianity, without displaying them by moroseness, bigotry, or Pharisaical ostentation, and to the time of his death, eminently maintaining with integrity the public and private relations of life, in which destiny had placed him. Born a favorite child of fortune, while such, he possessed, and exercised, and rejoiced in all the bril- liant and fascinating qualities, with which men shine in society, and when in later years he saw wealth, and with it its eclat, take to itself wings, though dismayed and despondent, still he faltered not in the principles that had characterized his life, but wrapping about him the robe of patient endurance, like the stern old Roman, died v.ith the grace that became one who could not with dignity complain. BRIGADIER GENERAL JONATHAN WILLIAMS. ONATHAN WILLIAMS was born in Boston, in the year 1750, and from his childhood, he received the best English education, which the opportunities of that place then afforded. In- tended for the profession of his father, who was largely engaged in commercial affairs, Jonathan was early taken from school and placed in the counting-house. Desirous of im- proving himself, he devoted his evenings and other leisure moments to the acquirement of knowledge ; by this means he gained con- siderable proficienev in the classics, and a ready and familiar acquaintance with the French language, both in speaking and writing it. His being engaged in commercial pursuits, enabled him to make a number of voyages to many of the West India Islands, and to various parts of Europe. His letters of business from these places displayed much maturity of observation and judgment. In the year 1770, he made his first voyage to England, in company with his 440 HE VISITS FRANCE. 441 brother and an uncle, Mr. John Williams, who had been a local com- missioner unlcr the British government. On his arrival in London, he was received with great kindness by his grand-uncle, Dr. Franklin, who insisted upon his making his residence his home, during his stay in England. Mr. Williams remained about a year in England, during which time he travelled through a considerable part of it. In 1772, he again went to England. In consequence of his relation- ship with Dr. Franklin, he was in his various voyages intrusted with letters and communications on the then engrossing subject of the political relations between England and America ; by this means he became acquainted with the most prominent men of that day, and though then very young in mental cultivation and resources, he was their fit companion. In a letter written in September, 1774, from England, to his father, he says: "With regard to politics, nothing has occurred, nor do I think any thing will happen till tlie parliament sits, when I dare say there will be warm work, and I have great hope that American affairs will wear a better aspect ; for the ministry, I have reason to think, will find a greater opposition than they expect. " Unanimity and firmness must gain the point. I can't help repeat- ing it, though I believe I have written it twenty times before. The newspapers which used to be the vehicles of all kinds of abuse on the poor Boslonians, are now full of pieces in our favor. Here and there an impertinent scribbler, like an expiring candle flashing from the socket, shows, by his scurrility, the weakness of his cause, and the corruptness of his heart." In 177.5, he made a short visit to France, of which, in one of his letters, he thus speaks: "I have passed two months in the most agreeable manner possilde, except with regard to my reflections rela- tive to my unhappy country, which always attend me wherever I go. I found throughout France a general attention to our disputes with Britain, and to a man, all that country are in our favor. They sup- pose England to have arrived at its pinnacle of glory, and that the empire of America will rise on the ruins of this kingdom ; and I really believe, that when we shall be involved in civil war, they will gladly embrace the first opportunity of renewing their attacks on an old enemy, who they imagine will be so weakened by its intestine broils, as to become an easy conquest." The early destiny of Mr. Williams separated him from the country to which he afterwards lived to devote years of usefulness and good example. In 1777, he was appointed commercial agent of the United States, and resided principally at Nantes. In September, 1779, he was married, at the hotel of the Dutch ambassador at 442 JONATHAN WILLIAMS. Paris, to Mariamne, the daughter of William Alexander, of Edin- burgh. In 1783, he received a commission from the Farmers General of France, to supply them with tobacco, which was then, as it now is, a government monopoly. After this appointment, he removed to St. Germains, where he resided until 1785, when he returned with Dr. Franklin to the United States. In 1788, he sailed for the last time to England, for the purpose of bringing his family to Philadelphia, which he had selected as the place of his future residence. On his return, in 1790, he was met with the melancholy news of the death of his earliest, best, and kindest friend, Dr. Franklin. Mr. Williams purchased a country seat on the banks of the Schuylkill, near Phila- delphia, where he devoted his attention to mathematical investigation, botany, medicine, and the law, and he acquired sufficient of the last, to be for several years an intelligent and valuable judge of the court of common pleas in Philadelphia. In 1794, he accompanied the forces sent to quell the western insurrection in Pennsylvania. In 1800, he was appointed a major in the United States artillery, and soon after a colonel in the corps of engineers, and chief of the military academy at West Point. The fortress at New York which bears his name, was constructed whilst he was in the engineer department. It is, however, as the head of the military academy, that he rendered the most service, to his coun- try. Under his direction, the institution steadily advanced in charac- ter, and all who were acquainted with its regulations and discipline, acknowledged its advantages. But it was not until the heroic deeds of M'Rae, Gibson, Wood, and Macomb had so largely contributed to an honorable peace, in the war of 1812, that the military school became a source of interest and pride with the nation. These accom- plished and intrepid officers were first taught to be thorough soldiers by Colonel Williams. Colonel Williams, prevented by his peculiar station from sharing the duties of the field, had obtained a promise, that in case of attack, the fortifications he had constructed in the harbor of New York should be placed under his command. At the near prospect that the enemy would invade the city, he claimed the fulfilment of that promise, which was refused him ; and after a protracted correspondence with the war department, upon the subject, he resigned his commission in the army of the United States. Immediately after his resignation he was appointed by the governor of New York a brigadier-general. In the autumn of 1814, he was elected a member of Congress from the city of Philadelphia. But he did not live to requite by his abilities and experience, the confidence of his fellow citizens. On the 20th of May, 1815, his useful life terminated. Although HIS DEATH. 443 he had attained his sixty-fifth year, his mind had lost none of its pecuHar endowments ; nor had his body yielded to the decrepitude of old age. Had he been permitted to take his seat in the highest council of his country, he might have added to his honors, and won a statesman's fame. But the hand of an all-wise Providence had determined otherwise, and by his touch consecrated the memory of the useful citizen, the firm patriot, jind the accomplished soldier. COLONEL FRANCIS BARBER. OLONEL BARBER was born in the year 1751, in Princeton, New Jersey, where he was educated. After leaving Princeton Col- lege he took charge of the academy at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, which soon became celebrated for the high state of perfection to which he brought it. While he was thus employed, Alexander Hamilton, and several others of those who afterwards became distinguished in public affairs, received the benefits of his instruction. The necessities of the country, induced Francis to abandon his peaceful occupation, and he entered the army at an early period. He and his brother William were officers in the Jersey line ; his brother John held a command in the New York line. During the year 1776, Francis received two commissions, one from Congress, dated the ninth of February, appointing him major of the third bat- talion of Jersey troops ; the other, which bore date the eighth of November, was from the New Jersey legislature, appointing him lieutenant-colonel of the third Jersey regiment. This appointment was confirmed by Congress in the commencement of the following 444 DEATH OF COLONEL BARBER. 445 year, and soon after, Colonel Barber became assistant inspector-gene- ral of the army, under Baron Steuben. The Baron addressed a letter to him at the time, in which he anticipates, from the character of Colonel Barber, a rapid advance in the character of the troops under his inspection. That his expectations were realized, may be inferred from the high estimation in which Colonel Barber was held by the commander-in-chief and other general officers. The rigidness of his discipline, however, did not make Colonel Barber unpopular with the men. He w as engaged in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandy- wine, Germantown, and Monmouth. In this latter conflict, he was severely wounded, yet the correspondence of General Washington shows that his disability from field service did not prevent him from employing his active mind in the service of the cause. In 1779, as adjutant-general, he served under General Sullivan, in his Indian campaign, and received a wound at the battle of Newtown. He was very highly complimented by General Sullivan at the close of the campaign, for his meritorious conduct. He was actively engaged at the battle of Springfield, where his brother-in-law. Lieutenant Ogden, was slain. To Colonel Barber was assigned the difficult task of reducing to subordination the Jersey line, at the time of its mutiny. In the face of their threat to shoot any officer who should molest them. Colonel Barber entered upon the execution of this duty, and his personal popularity had the influence of restraining many of the mutinous, and of preparing the way for the final success of General Washing- ton's measures to restore order. In 1781, Colonel Barber accompanied the army to Yorktown, and was present at its siege and capture. The termination of the war soon followed, but on the day when General Washington intended to communicate to the officers the news of peace, the life of Colonel Barber was brought to a sudden close. Many of the officers, and such of their wives as were in camp, were invited to dine with the commander-in-chief, and among them Colonel Barber and his wife He was acting as officer of the day at the time, and in the perform- ance of his duty, happened to pass a place where some soldiers were felling a tree, which accidentally fell upon him, crushing horse and rider instantly to death. His seeming untimely fate was universally lamented, and his widow received letters of sympathy and condolence from many in every rank, who knew his virtues and deplored his loss •Djrrrn: _ -L . .■^ Ji. '.'>'— L ii^O. (' JLMinisi ii^s ;:5 5i:2.Ticz:v?:LiyD. 447 of tiie iadepeadesee of his own oocDtnr, asd to realize tbe last h^ of the Anjerican rerolnSiMjanr war. This bigi^-iBiDded TJ^*' ' ' ;'-shed in '' - • • • - ^\^ Poiaad l»ad ]«»? beea distracted ^,:^ the coBqiieEt rf'er'???c^ of RoEsia. ?.: -f '^'^ ciert t^ siT cc>DCT2fre-c A:i2-^r::i£. sad c: T"nm to abiScate ia iaror of Stii..;.-_ . - LecziEsii -siijom be Lad prerionilr - -^ 3£XLsed 1/0 be elected kinz- The air::'? 3f lie Czar, irlueL AxisTiEt-as f--_-I axaSfd lomself of, had not beea sr^- ■ Thel- tO"i5"c. CTriiireigr 'Lie p;-?ri; ., .__.- : ^-zst?i¥ "itti: :....;._ ._ tbe aid vi RoBsa, the IsUeac tskins czxe to foe veil paid f(H' itm rrei.'i-x Tzii>rrf-5-T'e--ice. I ■ .■ ' ' rczriffd by Rs^^u troops; ai»d ti tora to paecee by * - they weii jLiy. on t' ■ ' '■ 'rj Qd tbe death of AuroEtas IL in 1 764, Catiarine IL Enipress of Russia, CO-L-- '" ■ ' "r:«3ai$32Qs Pc - v'^- ' ofaoiSeELi "n^ tjsae at J made himself a£irieab4e to the irbo sBjTposed that his -:-=ctioH woaM : " - -' " " ' .- ' "' ^ . : . This ^ '.raffled the - . o grt-stt pertSes, lie Rsiesaa aac ucnrards eacb :'£c :;' bi . -ed'and-. • /.nj HIS gallant officer bore a distin guished part in the revolutionary war. He was a native of the state of Maryland, and joined the cause of his country in August, 1776. He was at that time colonel of a battalion, with which he arrived in New York city, on the eighth of that month. In the stirring scenes at- f=~:f^ lending the defeat of the Americans at Long Island and White Plains, he performed a distinguished part, and was rewarded (October 23d,) by his appointment as brigadier-general. In August of the follow- ing year, he led the Maryland militia in Sullivan's attempt on Staten Island. While Washington was using every exertion to defend Philadelphia against Sir William Howe, Smallvvood mustered about twelve hundred militia from his native state, and hastened to join the main army. This he did September 28th, 1777, although sick- ness had reduced the number of his troops to one thousand. Li the battle of Germantown he behaved with much bravery at the head of 472 HIS DEATH. 473 the Marylanders and Jerseymen, and in the retreat displayed all the coolness and ability of a veteran commander. In December of the same year he was ordered by Washington to Wilmington, in order to prevent that town from falling into the hands of the British, who were at that time marching against it. Early in 1779, the enemy made a similar attempt upon Elizabethtown. To repel this, Smallwood, with the Maryland division of the army, and General St. Clair, with the Pennsylvania division, were put in motion by different routes to form a junction at the Scotch Plains, and proceed to reinforce General Maxwell, and act as circumstances might require. The troops were recalled, however, before they had advanced far, in consequence of intelligence being received of the sndden retreat of the enemy. General Smallwood was with Gates in the disastrous campaign of that officer in the south. In the fall of 1780, 'he was named as the officer to receive the appointment of major-general from the state of Maryland, and was accordingly commissioned by Congress. On account of some misunderstanding with the Baron Steuben about rank, he left the southern army, and even hinted at a determination to resign. After the close of the war he continued in his native state until 1785,-when he was elected to Congress. He became governor of Maryland the same year, and fulfilled the duties of that office until 1788. After this he retired to private life, until 1792, when his death occurred. raise a 474 BRIGADIER GENERAL ARMAND TUEIN, MABQUIS DB LA EOUERIE. HIS gentleman was a native of Brit- tany, who was ten years in the French service, in the early part of his life, and subsequently entered the monastery of La Trappe, in conse- quence of a disappointment in love. He left France in 1776, to enter the American service, bearing-despatches from Dr. Franklin. Having narrowly escaped capture at the mouth of the Delaware, he arrived safely at Phila- delphia, and delivered his despatches. " At his own request," says Mr. Sparks, " he was commissioned to partisan corps of Frenchmen, not exceeding two hundred HIS DEATH. 475 men. It was thought that some advantage would result from such a corps, by bringing together into a body such soldiers as did not understand the English language." He served with La Fayette, and was in an affair with the enemy at Gloucester Point, near Philadelphia, in 1777, where he behaved with spirit. It appears by a letter of Washington, dated at Valley Forge, 25th March, 1778, that the colonel's corps being reduced below fifty men. Congress had determined to incorporate it into some regiment, and he was desirous to raise a new one. In 1779, Washington mentions his corps as serving in Pennsyl- vania, and also in Sullivan's division, with whom he had served in the expedition to Rhode Island. In July, 1779, Armand's independent corps is mentioned as com- posing a part of General Robert Howe's division ordered to repair to Ridgefield. In December, 1779, General Washington writes to Colonel Ar- niand, (as he was always called,) " I have the most favorable opinion of your conduct and services, particularly in the course of the last campaign, in which circumstances enabled you to be more active and useful." We learn by another of Washington's letters to the colonel, in 1780, that the board of war recommended the incorporation of his corps with the late Pulaski's, and that Washington recommended his being ordered with his men to Georgia. At the same time Wash- ington incloses him an ample certificate of merit. During his term of service. Colonel Armand had frequently applied for promotion without success ; and in 1781 he returned to France. But he soon returned, served in the southern states under General Greene, and on the 26th of March, 1783, obtained promotion to the rank of brigadier-general. He subsequently returned to France, married a lady of fortune, took an active part in the revolution, and died before it was closed. BRIGADIER GENERAL COUNT PULASKI. HIS gallant soldier was a native of Poland, whose disastrous history is well known. Vainly struggling to restore the lost independence of his country, he was forced to seek personal safety by its abandonment. Pulaski, with a few men, in the year 1771, carried off king Stanislaus from the middle of his capital, though surrounded by a numerous body of guards, and a Russian army. The king soon escaped, and declared Pulaski an outlaw. Hearing of the glorious struggle in which we were engaged, he hastened to the wilds of America, and associated himself with our perils and our fortunes. Congress honored him with the commission of brigadier-general, with a view, as was rumored, of placing him at the head of the American cavalry, the line of service in which he had been bred. But his ignorance of our language, and the distaste of our officers to foreign superiority, stifled this project. He was then authorized to raise a legionary corps, appointing his own officers. Indefatigable and persevering, the Count collected about two hundred infantry and two hundred horse, made up of all sorts, chiefly of German deserters. His officers were generally foreign, with some 476 SIEGE OF SAVANNAH. 477 Americans. With this assemblage, the Count took the field : and after serving some time in the northern army, he was sent to the south, and fell at the battle of Savannah. There slumbers the gallant Pole, the immortal Pulaski, who threw himself into the arms of America, and professed himself the champion of her rights ; and in the unfortunate affair of Savannah, sealed with his blood, the rising liberties of his adopted country. He was sober, diligent and intrepid, gentlemanly in his manners, and amiable in heart. He was very reserved, and when alone, betrayed strong evidence of deep melancholy. Those who knew him intimately, spoke highly of the sublimity of his virtue, and the constancy of his friendship. Commanding this heterogeneous corps, badly equipped and worse mounted, this brave Pole encountered difficulties and sought danger. Nor is there doubt, if he had been conversant in our language, and better acquainted with our customs and country, he would have become one of our most conspicuous and useful officers. General Lee, to whom we are indebted for this sketch, gives the following account in his memoirs, of the attack on Savannah, where it will be found the intrepid Pulaski made a gallant effort to retrieve the fortune of the day. " On the 9th of October, 1779, the allied troops under the Count d'Estaing and General Lincoln, moved to the assault. The serious stroke having been committed to two columns, one was led by d'Estaing and Lincoln united, the other by Count Dillon ; the third column moved upon the enemy's centre and left, first to attract attention, and lastly to press any advantage which might be derived from the assault by our left. The troops acted well their parts, and the issue hung for some time suspended. Dillon's column, mistaking its route in the dark- ness of the morning, failed in co-operation, and very much reduced the force of the attack ; while d'Estaing and Lincoln, concealed by the same darkness, drew with advantage near the enemy's lines undiscovered. Notwithstanding this loss of concert in assault by the two columns destined to carry the enemy, noble and determined was the advance. The front of the first was greatly thinned by the foe, sheltered in his strong and safe defences, and aided by batteries operating not only in front but in flank. Regardless of the fatal fire from their covered enemy, this unap- palled column, led by Lincoln and d'Estaing, forced the abattis and planted their standards on the parapet. All was gone, could this lodgment have been maintained. Maitland's comprehensive eye saw the menacing blow ; and his vigorous mind seized the means of 478 COUNT P U 1. A P K I . warding it off. He drew from the disposable force, the grenadiers and marines, nearest to the pomt gained. This united corps under Lieutenant-Colonel Glazier assumed with joy the arduous task to recover the lost ground. With unimpaired strength it fell upon the worried head of the victorious column ; who, though piercing the enemy in one point, had not spread along the parapet ; and the besieged bringing up superior force, victory was suppressed in its birth. The triumphant standards were torn down ; and the gallant soldiers, who had gone so far towards the goal of conquest, were tumbled into the ditch and driven through the abattis. About this time that Maitland was preparing this critical movement, count Pulaski, at the head of two hundred horse, threw himself upon the works to force his way into the enemy's rear. Receiving a mortal wound, this brave officer fell ; and his fate arrested, the gallant effort which might have changed the issue of the day. Repulsed in every point of attack, the allied generals drew off their troops. The retreat was effected in good order ; no attempt to convert it into rout being made by the British general. Count d'Estaing, who, with General Lincoln, had courted danger to give effect to the assault, was wounded. Captain Tawes, of the provincial troops, signalized himself by his intrepidity in defending the redoubts committed to his charge, the leading points of our assault. He fell dead at the gate, with his sword plunged into the body of the third enemy, whom he had slain." Pulaski died two days after the action, and Congress resolved that a monument should be erected to his memory. Battle of Savannah, death of Pulask COLONEL SETH WARNER. MONG the persons who have performed important services to the state of Ver- mont, Colonel Seth Warner deserves to be remembered with respect. He was born at Woodbury, in the colony of Con- necticut, about the year 1744, of honest and respectable parents. Without any other advantages for an education than were to be found in the common schools of the town, he was early distinguished by the solidity and extent of his understanding. About the year 1763, his parents purchased a tract of land in Bennington, and soon after removed to that town with their family. In the uncultivated state of the country, in the fish, with which the rivers and ponds were furnished, and in the game, with which the woods abounded, young Warner found a variety of objects suited to his favorite in- clinations and pursuits ; and he soon became distinguished as a for- tunate and indefatigable hunter. His father, Captain Benjamin Warner, had a strong inclination to medicinal inquiries and pursuits ; and agreeably to the state of things in new settlements, had to look for many of his medicines in the natural virtues of the plants and roots, that were indigenous to the country. His son Seth frequently attended him in these botanical excursions, contracted something of his father's taste for the busi- ness, and acquired more information of the nature and properties of the indigenous plants and vegetables, than any other man in the country. By this kind of knowledge he became useful to the fami 479 480 SETH WARNER. lies in the new settlemor U, and administered relief in many cases where no other medical assistance could at that time be procured. By such visits and practice he became known to most of the fami- lies on the west side of the Green Mountains ; and was generally esteemed by them a man highly useful both on account of his infor- mation and humanity. About the year 1763, a scene began to open which gave a new turn to his active and enterprising spirit. The lands on which the settlements were made, had been granted by the governors of New Hampshire. The government of New York claimed jurisdiction to the eastward as far as Connecticut river : denied the authority of the governor of New Hampshire to make any grants to the west of Connecticut river ; and announced to the inhabitants that they were within the territory of New York, and had no legal title to the lands on which they had settled. The controversy became very serious between the two governments, and after some years spent in alterca- tion. New York procured a decision of George III. in their favor. This order was dated July 20, 1764, and declared "the western banks of the river Connecticut, from where it enters the province of Massachusetts Bay, as far north as the forty-fifth degree of northern latitude, to be the boundary line between the said two provinces of New Hampshire and New York." No sooner was this decree pro- cured, than the governor of New York proceeded to make new grants of the lands, which the settlers had before fairly bought of the crown, and which had been chartered to them in the king's name and authority by the royal governor of New Hampshire. All be- came a scene of disorder and danger. The new patentees under New York brought actions of ejectment against the settlers. The decisions of the courts at Albany were always in favor of the New York patentees ; and nothing remained for the inhabitants but to buy their lands over again, or to give up the labors and earnings of their whole lives to the new claimants under titles from New York. During this scene of oppression and distress, the settlers discovered the firm and vigorous spirit of manhood. All that was left to them, was either to yield up their whole property to a set of unfeeling land- jobbers, or to defend themselves and property by force. They wisely and virtuously chose the latter ; and by a kind of common consent, Ethan Allen and Seth Warner became their leaders. No man's abilities and talents could have been better suited to the busi- ness than Warner's. When the authority of New York proceeded with an armed force to attempt to execute their laws, Warner met them with a body of Green Mountain boys, properly armed, full of resolution, and so formidable in numbers and courage, that the SERVICES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. 481 Earl of Percy. governor of New York was obliged to give up liis method of pro- ceeding. When the sheriff came to extend his executions, and eject the settlers from their farms, Warner would not suffer him to proceed. Spies were employed to procure intelligence, and promote division among the people ; when any of them were taken, Warner caused them to be tried by some of the most discreet of the people ; and if declared guilty, to be tied to a tree and whipped. An officer came to take Warner by force ; he considered it as an affair of open hos- tility, engaged, wounded and disarmed the officer ; but, with the honor and spirit of a soldier, spared the life of an enemy he had subdued. These services appeared in a very different light to the settlers, and to the government of New York ; the first considered him as an eminent patriot and hero ; to the other he appeared as the first of villains and rebels. To put an end to all further exertions, and to bring him to an exemplary punishment, the government of New York, on March 9th, 1774, passed an act of outlawry against him ; and a proclamation was issued by W. Tryon, governor of New York, offering a reward of fifty pounds to any person who should apprehend him. These proceedings of New York were beheld by him with contempt ; and they had no other effect upon the settlers, than to unite them more firmly in their opposition to that govern- ment, and in their attachment to their own patriotic leader thus wantonly proscribed. In services of so dangerous and important a nature, Warner was 31 482 SETH WARNER. engaged from the year 1765 to 1775. That year a scene of the highest magnitude and consequence opened upon the world. On the 19th of April, the American war was begun by the British troops at LexiiTgton, when the infantry of Major Pitcairn and the artillery of the Earl of Percy were compelled to retreat by the hardy yeo- manry of Massachusetts. Happily for the country, it was commenced with such circumstances of insolence and cruelty, as left no room for tlie people of America to doubt what was the course which they ought to pursue. The time was come, in which total subjection, or the horrors of war, must take place. All America preferred the latter ; and the people of the New Hampshire Grants immediately undertook to secure the British forts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Allen and Warner immediately engaged in the business. Allen took the command, and Warner raised a body of excellent troops in tiie vicinity of Bennington, and both marched against Ticonderoga. They surprised and took that fortress on the morning of the tenth of May ; and Warner was sent the same day with a detachment of the troops to secure Crown Point. He effected the business, and secured the garrison, with all the warlike stores, for the use of the continent. The same year Warner received a commission from Congress to raise a reginlent, to assist in the reduction of Canada. He engaged in the business with his usual spirit of activity ; raised his regiment chiefly among his old acquaintance and friends, the Green Mountain Boys, and joined the army under the command of Genera] Mont- gomery. The Honorable Samuel Safford of Bennington was his lieutenant-colonel. Their regiment conducted with great spirit, and acquired high applause, in the action at Longueil, in which the troops designed for the relief of St. Johns were totally defeated and dispersed, chiefly by the troops under the command of Colonel War- ner. The campaign ended about the 20th of November, in the course of which, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Chamblee, St.. Johns, Blontreal, and a fleet of eleven sail of vessels had been captured by the Ameri- can arms. No man in this campaign had acted with more spirit and enterprise than Colonel Warner. The weather was now become severe, and Warner's men were too miserably clothed to bear a win- ter's campaign in the severe climate of Canada. They were accord- ingly now discharged by Montgomery with particular marks of his respect, and the most aflfectionate thanks for their meritorious ser- vices. Warner returned with his men to the New Hampshire Grants, but his mind was more than ever engaged in the cause of his country. Montgomery with a part of his army, pressed on to Quebec, and on HIS SERVICES AT QUEBEC. 485 December 31st, was slain in an attempt to carry the city by storm. This event gave an alarm to all the northern part of the colonies; and it became necessary to raise a reinforcement to march to Quebec in the midst of winter. The difficulty of the business suited the genius and ardor of Warner's mind. He was at Woodbury, in Con- necticut, when he heard the news of Montgomery's defeat and death ; he instantly repaired to Bennington, raised a body of men, and marched in the midst of winter to join the American troops at Que- bec. The campaign during the winter proved extremely distressing to the Americans ; in want of comfortable clothing, barracks, and provisions, most of them were taken by the small-pox, and several died. At the opening of the spring, in May, 1776, a large body of British troops arrived at Quebec to relieve the garrison. The Ameri- can troops vl"ere forced to abandon the blockade, with circumstances of great distress and confusion. Warner chose the most difficult part of the business, remaining always with the rear, picking up the lame and diseased, assisting and encouraging those who were tlie most unablet'O take care of themselves, and generally keeping but a few miles iii advance of the British, who were rapidly pursuing the retreating Americans from post to post. By steadily pursuing this conduct, he brought off most of the invalids ; and with this corps of the infirm and diseased, he arrived at Ticonderoga, a few days after the body of the army had taken possession of that post. Highly approving his extraordinary exertions, the American Con- gress, on July 5th, 1776, the day after they had declared inde- pendence, resolved to raise a regiment out of the troops which had served with reputation in Canada. Warner was appointed colonel ; Safford lieutenant-colonel of this regiment ; and most of the other officers were persons who had been distinguished by their opposition to the claims and proceedings of New York. By this appointment he was again placed in a situation perfectly agreeable to his inclina- tion and genius ; and in conformity to his orders he repaired to Ticon- deroga, where he remained till the close of the campaign. " On January 16th, 1777. the convention of the New Hampshire Grants declared the whole district to be a sovereign and independent state, to be known and distinguished ever after by the name of Ver- mont. The committee of safety in New York were then sitting, and on January 20th, they announced the transaction to Congress, com- plaining in high terms of the conduct of Vermont, censuring it as a dangerous revolt and opposition to lawful authority ; and at the same time remonstrating against the proceedings of Congress in appointing Warner to the command of a regiment independent of the legislature, and within the bounds of that state ; " especially," said they, " as this 486 SETH WARNER. Colonel Warner hath been constantly and invariably opposed to the legislature of this state, and hath been, on that account, proclaimed an outlaw by the late government thereof. It is absolutely necessary to recall the commissions given to Colonel Warner and the officers under him, as nothing else will do us justice." No measures were taken by Congress at that time, either to interfere in the civil con- test between the two states, or to remove the colonel from his com- mand. Anxious to effect this purpose, the convention of New York wrote further on the subject, on March 1st, and among other things declared, "that there was not the least probability that Col. Warner could raise such a number of men as would be an object of public concern." Congress still declined to dismiss so valuable an officer from their service. On June 23d, Congress was obliged to take up the controversy between New York and Vermont ; but instead of proceeding to disband the colonel's regiment, on June 30th, they resolved " that the reason which induced Congress to form that corps, was, that many officers of different states who had served in Canada, and alleged that they could soon raise a regiment, but were then unprovided for, might be reinstated in the service of the United States." Nothing can give us a more just idea of the sentiments which the American Congress entertained of the patriotic and mili- tary virtues of the colonel, than their refusing to give him up to the repeated solicitations and demands of so respectable and powerful a state, as that of New York. HE American army stationed at Ticonde- roga were forced to abandon that fortress, on July 6, 1777, in a very precipitate and irregular manner. The colonel with his regiment retreated along the western part of Vermont, through the towns of Orwell, Sudbury, and Hubbardton. At the last of these towns the advanced corps of the British army overtook the rear of the American troops, on the morn- ing of the 7th of July. The American army, all but part of three regiments, were gone forward ; these were part of Hale's, Francis' and Warner's regiments. The enemv attacked them with superior numbers, and the highest prospect of success. Francis and Warner opposed them with great spirit and vigor ; and no officers or troops could have discovered more courage and firmness than they displayed through the whole action. Large reinforcements of the enemy arriving, it became impossible to make any effectual opposition. Francis fell in a most honorable discharge BATTLE OF BKNNINGTON. 487 of his duty. Hale surrendered with his regiment. Surrounded on every side by the enemy, but calm and undaunted, Colonel Warner fought his way through all opposition, brought off the troops that refused to capitulate with Hale, checked the enemy in their pursuit, and contrary to all expectations, arrived safe with his troops at Man- chester. To the northward of that town the whole country was deserted. The colonel determined to make a stand at that place ; encouraged by his example and firmness, a body of the militia soon joined him ; and he was once more in, a situation to protect the inhabitants, harass the enemy, and breakup the advanced parties. „g^^%N the 16th of August, the vicinity of Fpgpffi (Si '= iJennmgton became the seat of a memo- rable battle. Colonel Baum had been despatched by General Burgoyne to attack the American troops and destroy the magazines at Bennington. General Stark, who commanded at that place, had intelligence of the approach of the enemy, and sent orders on the morning of the 16th, to Colonel Warner, at Manchester, to march immediately to his assistance. In the mean time, Stark with the troops which were assembled at Bennington, had attacked the enemy under Colonel Baum, and after a severe action had captured the whole body. Just as the action was finished, intelligence was received that a large reinforcement of the enemy had arrived. Fatigued and exhausted by so long and severe an action. Stark was doubtful whether it was possible for his troops to enter immediately upon another battle with a fresh body of the enemy. At that critical moment Warner arrived with his troops from Manchester. Mortified that he had not been in the action, and determined to have some part in the glory of the day, he urged Stark immediately to commence another action. Stark consented, and the colonel instantly led on his men to battle. The Americans rallied from every part of the field, and the second action became as fierce and decisive as the first. The enemy gave way in every direction ; great numbers of them were slain, and the rest saved themselves altogether by the darkness of the night. Stark ascribed the last victory very much to Colonels Warner and Herrick ; and spoke in the highest terms of their superior information and activity, as that to which he principally owed his success. The success at Bennington gave a decisive turn to the affairs of that campaign. Stark, Warner, and the other officers, with their troops, joined the army under General Gates. Victory every where followed the 488 SETH WARNER. attempts of the northern army ; and the campaign terminated in the surrender of Burgoyne and his whole army, at Saratoga, on October 17th, 1777. The contest in the northern department being in a great measure decided by the capture of Burgoyne, Warner had no farther oppor- tunity to discover his prowess in defence of his beloved state ; but served occasionally at different places on the Hudson river, as the circumstances of the war required, and always with reputation. Despairing of success in the northern parts, the enerny carried the war into the southern states ; and neither New York nor Vermont any longer remained the places of distinguished enterprise. But such had been the fatigues and exertions of the colonel, that when he returned to his family in Bennington, his constitution, naturally firm and vigorous, appeared to be worn down, and nature declined under a complication of disorders, occasioned by the excessive labors and sufferings he had passed through. Jlost of those men who have been engaged with uncommon ardor in the cause of their country, have been so swallowed up with the patriotic passion, as to neglect that attention to their private interests which other men pursue as the ruling passion. Thus it proved with Colonel Warner ; intent at first upon saving a state, and afterwards upon saving a country, his mind was so entirely engaged in those pursuits, that he had not made that provision for his family, which to most of the politicians and land jobbers was the ultimate end of all their measures and exertions. With a view the better to support his family, he removed to Woodbury ; where, in the year 1785, he ended an active and useful life, in high estimation among his friends and countrymen. His family had derived little or no estate from his services. After his death they applied to the general assembly of Vermont for a grant of land. The assembly, with a spirit of justice and generosity, remembered the services of Colonel Warner, took up the petition, and granted a valuable tract of land to his widow and family ; a measure highly honorable to the memory of Colonel Warner and of that assembly. MAJOR GENERAL GILBERT MOTHER LA FAYETTE. I HIS illustrious champion of tlie freedom of man was born at the Castle of Cha- vaniac, in Auvergne, on the 6th of September, 1757. A few months after his birth his father was killed at the battle of Miiiden. As Marquis de La Fayette, he was now at the head of one of the most ancient and distinguished of the noble families of France. He was educated at the college of Louis le Grand, in Paris, placed at court, as an officer in one of the guards of honor, and at the age of seventeen was married to the grand-daughter of the Duke 489 490 GILBERT M. LA FAYETTE. Silas Deane. de Noailles. It was under these circumstances that the young Marquis de La Fayette entered upon a career so little to be expected of a youth of vast fortune, of high rank, of powerful connexions, at the most brilliant and fascinating court in the world. " The self-devotion of La Fayette in the cause of America," says Mr. Adams, in his eulogy, "was twofold. First, to the people, maintaining a bold and seemingly desperate struggle against oppres- sion, and for national existence. Secondly, and chiefly, to the prin- ciples of their declaration, which then first unfurled before his eyes the consecrated standard of human rights. To that standard, with- out an instant of hesitation, he repaired. Where it would lead him, it is scarcely probable that he himself then foresaw. It was then identical with the stars and stripes of the American union, floating to the breeze from the Hall of Independence, at Philadelphia. Nor sordid avarice, nor vulgar ambition, could point his footsteps to the LA FAYETTK OFFERS HIS SERVICES TO FRANKLIN. 491 La Fayette offering his Services to Dr. Fi-anklin pathway leading to that banner. To the love of ease or pleasure nothing could be more repulsive. Something may be allowed to the beatings of the youthful breast, which make ambition virtue, and something t<5 the spirit of military adventure, imbibed from his pro- fession, and which he felt in common with many others. France, Germany, Poland, furnished to the armies of this union, in our revo- lutionary struggle, no inconsiderable number of officers of high rank and distinguished merit. "The names of Pulaski and De Kalb are numbered among the martyrs of our freedom, and their ashes repose in our soil side by side with the canonized bones of Warren and of Montgomery. To the virtues of La Fayette, a more protractc^d career and happier earthly destinies were reserved. To the moral principle of political action, tlie sacrifices of no other man were comparable to his. Youth, health, fortune ; the favor of his king ; the enjoyment of ease and pleasure ; even the choicest blessings of domestic felicity — he gave them all for toil and danger in a distant land, and an almost hopeless cause ; but it was the cause of justice, and of the rights of human kind. The resolve is firmly fixed, and it now remains to be carried into execution. On the 7th of December, 1776 Silas Deane, then a 492 GILBERT M. LA FAYETTE. T-a Fayette leaving France. secret agent of the American Congress at Paris, stipulates with the Marquis de La Fayette that he shall receive a commission, to date from that date, of major-general in the army of the United States ; and the marquis stipulates, in return, to depart when and how Mr. Deane shall judge proper, to serve the United St;stes with all possible zeal, without pay or emolument, reserving to himself only the liberty of returning to Europe, if his family or his king should recall him. Neither his family nor his king were willing that he should depart; nor had Mr. Deane the power, either to conclude this contract, or to furnish the means of his conveyance to America. Difficulties rise up before him only to be dispersed, and obstacles thicken only to be surmounted. The day after the signature of the contract, Mr. Deane's agency was superseded by the arrival of Doctor Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, as his colleagues in commission ; nor did thev think themselves authorized to confirm his engagement. La Fayette is not to be discouraged. The commissioners extenilate no- thing of the unpromising condition of their cause. Mr. Deane avows his inability to furnish him with a passage to the United States. BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE. 493 ' The more desperate the cause,' says La Fayette, ' tlie greater need ha« it of my services ; and, if Mr. Deane has no vessel for my pass- age, I shall purchase one myself, and will traverse the ocean with a selected company of my own.' Other impediments arise. His design becomes known to the Bri- tish ambassador at the court of Versailles, who remonstrates to the French government against it. At his instance, orders are issued for the detention of the vessel purchased by the marquis, and fitted out at Bordeaux, and for the arrest of his person. To elude the first of these orders, the vessel is removed from Bordeaux to the neigh- boring port of passage, within the dominion of Spain. The order for his own arrest is executed ; but, by stratagem and disguise, he escapes from the custody of those who have him in charge, and, bo- fore a second order can reach him, he is safe on the ocean wave, bound to the land of independence and of freedom. It had been necessary to clear out the vessel for an island of the West Indies ; but, once at sea, he avails himself of his right as owner of the ship, and compels his captain to steer for the shores of eman- cipated North America. He lands, with his companions, on the 25th of April, 1777, in South Carolina, not far from Charleston, and finds a most cordial reception and hospitable welcome in the house of Major Huger." Immediately on his arrival. La Fayette received the offer of a command in the continental army, which he declined, and forthwith raised and equipped a body of men at his own expense, and then entered the service as a volunteer, without pay. He lived in the famil}^ of Washington, and soon gained a strong hold in the affec- tions of that discriminating judge of character. La Fayette was appointed a major-general in July, 1777, and was attached to the army at the time when Washington marched to Brandywine, with a view to intercept General Howe in his intended descent on Philadelphia. In the battle which ensued, La Fayette was wounded- i\Ir. Adams thus eloquently notices La Fayette's par- ticipation in this affair. " Let us pass in imagination a period of only twenty years, and alight upon the borders of the river Brandywine. Washington is commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States of America — war is again raging in the heart of his native land — hostile armies of one and the same name, blood, and language, are arrayed for battle on the banks of the stream ; and Philadelphia, where the United States are in Congress assembled, and whence their decree of independence has gone forth, is the destined prize to the conflict ol the day. Who is that tall, slender youth, of foreign air and 494 GILBERT M. LA FAYETTE. Lafayette -wounded at Erandywine. aspect, scarcely emerged from the years of boyhood, and fresh from the walls of a college ; fighting, a volunteer, at the side of Washing- ton, bleeding, unconsciously to himself, and rallying his men tc secure the retreat of the scattered American ranks ? It is Gilbert MoTTiER DE La Fayette — the son of the victim of Minden ; and he is bleeding in the cause of North American independence, and of freedom." While associated with Washington as a member of his military family at his head-quarters on the Brandywine, and on other occa- sions, La Fayette had made still further progress in the esteem of his illustrious friend. " The merits of La Fayette to the eye of Washington," says Mr. Adams, " are the candor and generosity of his disposition — the indefatigable industry of application, which, in the course of a few months, has already given him the mastery of a foreign language — good sense — discretion of manners, an attribute not only unusual in early years, but doubly rare in alliance with that enthusiasm so signally marked by his self-devotion to the American cause ; and, to crown all the rest, the bravery and military ardor so brilliantly RETREAT AT BARREN HILL. 495 manifested at the Brandywiiie. Here is no random praise : no unmeaning panegyric. The cluster of qualities, all plain and simple, but so seldom found in union together, so generally incompatible with one another, these are the properties eminently trustworthy, in the judgment of Washington ; and these are the properties which his discernment has found in La Fayette, and which urge him thus earnestly to advise the gratification of his wish by the assignment of a command equal to the rank which had been granted to his zeal and his illustrious name. The recommendation of Washington had its immediate effect ; and on the first of December, 1777, it was resolved by Congress, that he should be informed it was highly agreeable to Congress, that the Marquis de La Fayette should be appointed to the command of a division in the continental army. He received, accordingly, such an appointment; and a plan was organized in Congress for a second invasion of Canada, at the head of which he was placed. This expedition, originally projected with- out consultation with the commander-in-chief, might be connected with the temporary dissatisfaction, in the community and in Con- gress, at the ill success of his endeavors to defend Philadelphia, which rival and unfriendly partisans were too ready to compare with the splendid termination, by the capture of Burgoyne and his army, of the northern campaign, under the command of General Gates. To foreclose all suspicion of participation in these views. La Fayette proceeded to the seat of Congress, and, accepting the important charge which it was proposed to assign to him, obtained, at his par ticular request, that he should be considered as an officer detached from the army ot Washnigton, and to remain under his orders. He then repaired in person to Albany, to take command of the troops who were to assemble at that place, in order to cross the lakes on the ice, and attack Montreal; but, on arriving at Albany, he found none of the promised preparations in readiness — they were never effected. Congress some time after relinquished the design, and the Marquis was ordered to rejoin the army of Washington. In the succeeding month of May, ms military talent was displayed by the masterly retreat effected in the presence of an overwhelming superiority of the enemy's force from the position at Barren Hill. He was soon after distinguished at the battle of Monmouth ; and in September, 1778, a resolution of Congress declared their high sense of his services, not only in the field, but in his exertions to conciliate and heal dissensions between the officers of the French fleet under the command of the Count d'Estaing and some of the native officers of our army. These dissensions had arisen in the 496 GILBERT M. LA FAYETTE. Jj3, Fayette at Monmoutiu first moments of co-operation in the service, and had threatened pernicious consequences. In the month of April, 1776, the combined wisdom of the Count de Vergennes and of Mr. Turgot, the prftne minister, and the finan- cier of Louis the Sixteenth, had brought him to the conclusion that the event most desirable to France, with regard to the controversy between Great Britain and her American colonies, was, that the insurrection should be suppressed. This judgment, evincing only the total absence of all moral considerations, in the estimate, by these emipent statesmen, of what was desirable to France, had under- gone a great change by the close of the year 1777. The declaration of independence had changed the question between the parties. The popular feeling of France was all on the side of the Americans. The daring and romantic movement of La Fayette, in defiance of the goveniment itself, then highly favored by public opinion, was fol- fowed by universal admiration. The spontaneous spirit of the people gradually spread itself even over the rank corruption of the court ; a suspicious and deceptive neutrality succeeded to an ostensible exclusion of the insurgents from the ports of France, .till the capitu- lation of Burgoyne satisfied the casuists of international law at VeBsailles, that the suppression of the insurrection was no longer the most desirable of events ; but that the United States were, de facto, sovereign and independent, and that France might conclude a treaty of commerce with the7n, without giving just cause of offence to the step-mother country. On the 9th of February, 1778, a treaty of com- merce between France and the United States was concluded, and with it, on the same day, a treaty of eventual defensive alliance, to take effect only in the event of Great Britain's resenting, by war against France, the consummation of the commercial treaty. The war LA FAYFTTE UETUBNS TO FRANCE. •197 Conclusion of the Treaty with Fiance. immeaiately ensued, and in the summer of 1778, a French fleet, under the command of Count d'Estaing, was sent to co-operate with the forces of the United States for the maintenance of their inde- pendence. By these events the position of the Marquis de La Fayette was essentially changed. It became necessary for him to reinstate him- self in the good graces of his sovereign, offended at his absenting himself from his country without permission, but gratified with the distinction which he had acquired by gallant deeds in a service now become that of France herself At the close of the campaign of 1778, with the approbation of his friend and patron, the commander- in-chief, he addressed a letter to the president of Congress, repre- senting his then present circumstances with the confidence of affection and gratitude, observing that the sentiments which bound him to his country could never be more properly spoken of than in the presence of men who had done so much for their own. " As long," continued he, " as I thought I could dispose of myself, I made it my pride and pleasure to fight under American colors, in defence of a cause which I dare more particularly call o«?-s, because I had the good fortune of bleeding for her. Notv, sir, that France is involved in a war, I am urged, by a sense of my duty, as well as by the love of my country, .0 present myself before tWe king, and know in what manner he 32 498 GILBERT M. LA lAVLllL. judges proper to employ my services. The most agreeable of all will always be such as may enable me to serve the common cause among those whose friendship I had the happiness to obtain, and whose fortune I had the honor to follow in less smiling times. That reason, and others, which I leave to the feelings of Congress, engage me to beg- from them the liberty of going home for the next winter. " As long as there were any hopes of an active campaign, T did not think of leaving the field ; now, that I see a very peaceable and undisturbed moment, I take this opportunity of waiting on Con- gress." In the remainder of the letter he solicited that, in the event of his request being granted, he might be considered as a soldier on fur- lough, heartily wishing to regain his colors and his esteemed and beloved fellow-soldiers. And he closes with a tender of any ser- vices which he might be enabled to render to the American cause in his own country. On the receipt of this letter, accompanied by one from General Washington, recommending to Congress, in terms most honorable to the Marquis, a compliance with his request, that body immediately passed resolutions granting him an unlimited leave of absence, with permission to return to the United States at his own most convenient time ; that the president of Congress should write him a letter re- turning him the thanks of Congress for that disinterested zeal which had led him to America, and for the services he had rendered to the United States by the exertion of his courage and abilities on many signal occasions ; and that the minister plenipotentiary of the United States at the court of Versailles should, be directed to cause an ele- gant sword, with proper devices, to be made, and presented to him in the name of the United States. These resolutions were commu- nicated to him in a letter expressive of the sensibility congenial to them, from the president of Congress, Henry Laurens. He embarked in January, 1779, in the frigate Alliance, at Boston, and on the succeeding 12th day of February, presented himself at Versailles. Twelve months had already elapsed since the conclusion of the treaties of commerce and of evenlual alliance between France and the United States. They had, during the greater part of that time, been deeply engaged in war with a common cause against Great Britain, and it was the cause in which La Fayette had been shedding his blood ; yet, instead of receiving him with open arms, as the pride and ornament of his country, a cold and hollow-hearted order was issued to him, not to present himself at court, but to con- sider himself under arrest, with permission to receive visits only from his relations. This ostensible mark of ^he royal displeasure was to SERVICES IN FRANCE. 499 Henry Laurens. last eight days, and La Fayette manifested his sense of it only hy a letter to the Count de Vergennes, inquiring whether the interdiction upon him to receive visits was to be considered as extending to that of Doctor Franklin. The sentiment of universal admiration which had followed him at his first departure, greatly increased by his splendid career of service during the two years of his absence, indemnified him for the indignity of the courtly rebuke. He remained in France through the year 1779, and returned to the scene of action early in the ensuing year. He continued in the French service, and was appointed to command the king's own regi- ment of dragoons, stationed during the year in various parts of the kingdom, and holding an incessant correspondence with the ministers of foreign affairs, and of war, urging the employment of a land and naval force in aid of the American cause. " The Marquis de La Fayette," says Doctor Franklin, in a letter of the 4th of March, 1780, to the president of Congress, "who, during his residence in France, has been e.xtremely zealous in supporting our cause on all occasions, returns again to fight for it. He is infinitely esteemed and beloved here, and I am persuaded will do everything in his power to merit a continuance of the same affection from America." Immediately after his arrival in the United States, it was, on the 16th of May, 1780, resolved in Congress, that they considered his return to America to resume his command, as a fresh proof of the disinterested zeal and persevering attachment which have justly 500 GILBERT M. LA FAYETTE. recommended him to the public confidence and applause, and thai they received with pleasure a tender of the further services of so gallant and meritorious an officer. From this time until the termination of the campaign of 1781, by the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown, his service v\'as of incessant activity, always signalized by military talents unsurpassed, and by a spirit never to be subdued. At the time of the treason of Arnold, La Fayette was accompanying his commander-in-chief to an important conference and consultation with the French general, Rochambeau ; and then, as in every stage of the war, it seemed as if the position which he occupied, his per- sonal character, his individual relations with Washington, with the officers of both the allied armies, and with the armies themselves, had been specially ordered to promote and secure that harmony and mutual good understanding indispensable to the ultimate success of the common cause. His position, too, as a foreigner by birth, a European, a volunteer in the American service, and a person of high rank in his native country, pointed him out as peculiarly suited to the painful duty of deciding upon the character of the crime, and upon the fate of the British officer, the accomplice and victim of the detested traitor, Arnold. In the early part of the campaign of 178 1, when Cornwallis, with an overwhelming force, was spreading ruin and devastation over the southern portion of the Union, we find La Fayette, with means altogether inadequate, charged with the defence of the territory of Virginia. Always equal to the emergencies in which circumstances placed him, his expedients for encountering and surmounting the obstacles which they cast in his way are invariably stamped with the peculiarities of his character. The troops placed under his command for the defence of Virginia, were chiefly taken from the eastern regi- ments, unseasoned to the climate of the south, and prejudiced against it as unfavorable to the health of the natives of the more rigorous regions of the north. Desertions became frequent, till they threatened the very dissolution of the corps. Instead of resorting to military execution to retain his men, he appeals to the sympathies of honor He states, in genera] orders, the great danger and difficulty of the enterprise upon whi",h he is about to embark ; represents the only possibility by which it can promise success, the faithful adherence of the soldiers to their chief, and his confidence that they will not abandon him. He then adds, that if, however, any individual of the detachment was unwilling to follow him, a passport to return to his home should be forthwith granted him upon his application. It is to a cause like that of American independence that resources like SUPPLIES THE TROOPS WITH CLOTHING. 501 this are congenial. After these general orders, nothing more was heard of desertion. The very cripjiles of tlie army preferred paying for their own transportation, to follow the corps, rather than to ask for the dismission which had been made so easily accessible to all. But how shall the deficiencies of the military chest be supplied ' The want of money was heavily pressing upon the service in every direction. Where are the sinews of war? How are the troops to march without shoes, linen, clothing of all descriptions, and other necessaries of life ? La Fayette has found them all. From the patriotic merchants of Baltimore he obtains, on the pledge of his own personal credit, a loan of money, adequate to the purchase of the materials ; and from the fair hands of the daughters of the monu- mental city, even then worthy so to be called, he obtains the toil of making up the needed garments. La Fayette, a youth of twenty-two, was now destined to be opposed in strategy to the accomplished veteran general. Earl Cornwallis. Undervaluing the talents and resources of his young opponent, the earl incautiously wrote to Europe, in a letter which was intercepted, " the hoy cannot escape mc." But the British general reckoned with- out his host. On being informed that General Philips, in returning up the river, had landed at Brandon on the southern bank, and that Cornwallis was marching northward, La Fayette perceived that a junction of their forces was intended ; and suspecting that Petersburgh was the appointed place of meeting, he endeavored to anticipate them in the occupation of that town. But the march of General Philips was so rapid that he entered it before him, and frustrated his design. La Fayette, with his little army, consisting of one thousand contir nentals, two thousand militia, and sixty dragoons, took a position at Richmond, and exerted himself in removing the military stores to places of greater security. On the 24th of May, Cornwallis left Petersburgh, crossed James river at Westover, thirty miles bejow La Fayette's encampment, and, being joined by a reinforcement from New York, marched at the head of upwards of four thousand veterans towards Richmond. But La Fayette evacuated that town on the 27th, and retired towards the back country ; inclining his march towards the north, so that he might easily form a junction with General Wayne, who was hasten- ing to reinforce him with eight hundred men of the Pennsylvania line. Cornwallis eagerly pursued his retreating foe as far as the upper pqrt of Hanover county ; but finding it impossible to overtake La Fayette, or to prevent his junction with General Wayne, he at 503 GILBERT M. LA FAYETTE. length altered the course of his march, and turned his thoughts to more attainable objects. In Virginia the British committed fearful devastations, and de- stroyed much valuable property ; but Cornwallis, though at the head of a superior army, gained no important advantage over his opponent. He had pushed La Fayette across the Rappahannock, but was unable to prevent his junction with General Wayne, which was accomplished at Racoon ford on the 7th of June. La Fayette, thus reinforced immediately repassed the Rappahannock, and advanced towards the British army. In the course of those movements Cornwallis had got completely between the marquis and the stores of the state, which were deposited at different places, but principally at Albemarle Old Court-house high up the Fluvanna, on the south side of the river. Those stores were au object of importance to both armies ; and, early in June, the British commander, after having dispensed with the services of Arnold, and allowed him to return to New York, directed his march to Albemarle Court-house. La Fayette was anxious to preserve his magazines ; and, while the British army was more than a day's march from Albemarle Court-house, by a rapid and unexpected movement he suddenly appeared in its vicinity. The British general easily penetrated his design ; and, being between him and his magazines, took a position near the road, so that he could attack him with advantage if he attempted to advance. During the night, however. La Fayette discovered and cleared a nearer but long disused road, and passed the British army unobserved ; and, in the morning, Cornwallis, with surprise and mortification, saw his adversary strongly posted between him and the stores. Perceiving that the Americans could not be attacked unless under great disadvantages, and believing their force greater than it really was, Cornwallis abandoned his enterprise and began a retrograde movement, and, in two night marches, fell back upwards of fifty miles. On the 17th of June he entered Richmond, but left on the 20th, and continued his route to Williamsburgh, where the main body of his army arrived on the 25th. The American army followed him at a cautious distance. On the 19th, La Fayette was joined by Baron Steuben with his detachment, which increased the American army to four thousand men ; of whom two thousand were regulars, but only fifteen hundred were disciplined troops. That of Cornwallis appears to have been somewhat more numerous, and consisted entirely of veterans : it was also provided with a well-mounted body of calvary, which had spread terror and devastation over the country, and greatly intimidated the militia. EXPLOIT AT THE SIEGE OF YORK TOWN. 505 Though La Fayette kept about twenty miles behind the main oody of the British army, yet his light parties hung on its rear, and skir- mishes occasionally ensued. A sharp encounter happened near Williamsburgh between the advanced guard of the Americans, under Colonel Butler, and the rear guard of the British under Colonel Simcoe, in which both suffered considerable loss. Part of the British army marched to Colonel Simcoe's assistance, and the Americans were obliged to retreat. Although La Fayette encouraged skirmishes and partial conflicts, yet, di.strusting his new levies and militia, he cautiously avoided a general battle. While the British army remained at Williamsburgh, the Americans occupied a strong encampment twenty miles from that place." Our limits will not permit us to follow the subsequent operations of La Fayette in Virginia. The result was that Cornwallis was finally driven into Yorktown and besieged by the combined armies of France and the United States under Count Rochambeau and General Washington. One exploit of La Fayette at the siege, however, must not be passed over. " On the night of the 1 1th of October, 178 I, the besiegers, laboring with indefatigable perseverance, began their second parallel, three hundred yards nearer the British works than the first ; and the three succeeding daj-s were assiduously employed in completing it. During that interval the fire of the garrison was more destructive than at any other period of the siege. The men in the trenches were particularly annoyed by two redoubts towards the left of the British works, and about tv\o hundred yards in front of them. Of these it was neces- sary to gain possession; and on the 14th preparations were made to carry them both by storm. In order to avail himself of the spirit of emulation which existed between the troops of the two nations, and to avoid any cause of jealousy to either, the attack of the one redoubt was committed to the French ; and that of the other to the Americans. The latter were commanded by the JIarquis de La Fayette ; and the former by the Baron de Viominel. On the evening of the 14th, as soon as it was dark, the parties marched to the assault with unloaded arms. The redoubt which the Americans attacked was defended by a major, some inferior officers, and forty-five privates. The assailants advanced with such rapidity without returning a shot to the heavy fire with which they were received, that in a few mmutes they were in possession of the work, having had eight men killed, and twenty-eight wounded in the attack. Eight British privates were killed ; the major, a captain, an ensign, and seventeen privates were made prisoners. The rest escaped. Although the Americans were highly exasperated by the 506 GILBERT M. LA FAYETTE. La Fayette storming tlie redoubt aC ToTktown, recent massacre of their countrymen in Fort Griswold by Arnold's detachment, yet not a man of the British was injured after resistance ceased. Retaliation had been talked of, but was not exercised. The French party advanced with equal courage" and rapidity, and were successful ; but as the fortification which they attacked was occupied by a greater force, the defence was more vigorous, and the loss of the assailants more severe. There were one hundred and twenty men in the redoubt ; of whom eighteen were killed, and forty- two taken prisoners ; the rest made their escape. The French lost nearly one hundred men killed or wounded. During the night these two redoubts were included in the second parallel ; and, in the course of next day, some howitzers were placed on them, which in the after- noon opened on the besieged. Earl Comwallis and his garrison had done all that brave men could do to defend their post. But the industry of the besiegers was per- severing, and their approaches rapid. The condition of the British was becoming desperate. In every quarter their works were torn to pieces by the fire of the assailants. The batteries already playing upon them had nearly silenced all their guns ; and the second paral- lel was about to open on them, which in a few hours would render the place untenable. His attempt to escape by crossing the river on the 16th was unsuccessful. At ten in the forenoon of the 17th, Earl Cornv\allis sent out a flag of truce, with a letter to General Washington, proposing a cessation of hostilities for twenty-four hours, in order to give time to adjust terms for the surrender of the forts at Yorktown and Gloucester Point. To this letter the American general immediately returned an answer, expressing his ardent desire to spare the further effusion of blood, and his readiness to listen to such terms as were admis SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS. 507 Moore's House at Torktown. sible ; but that he could not consent to lose time in fruitless negotia- tions, and desired that, previous to the meeting of commissioners, his lordship's proposals should be transmitted in writing, for which purpose a suspension of hostilities for two hours should be granted. The terms offered by Lord Cornwnllis, although not all deemed admissible, were such as induced the opinion that no great difficulty would occur in adjusting the conditions of capitulation ; and the suspension of hostilities was continued through the night. Mean- while, in order to avoid the delay of useless discussion. General Washington drew up and transmitted to Earl Cornwallis such articles as he was willing to grant, informing his lordship that, if he approved of them, commissioners might be immediately appointed to reduce them to form. Accordingly, Viscount Noailles and Lieu- tenant-colonel Laurens, whose father was then a prisoner in the Tower of London, on the 18th met Colonel Dundas and Major Ross of the British army at Moore's house, in the rear of the first paral- lel. They prepared a rough draught, but were unable definitively to arrange the terms of capitulation. The draught was to be submitted to Earl Cornwallis : but General Washington, resolved to admit of no delay, directed the articles to be transcribed ; and, on the morning of the 19th, sent them to his lordship, with a letter expressing his expectation that they would be signed by eleven, and that the garri- son would march out at two in the afternoon. Finding that no better terms could be obtained, Earl Cornwallis submitted to a painful necessity; and, on the 19th of October, surrendered the posts of Yorktown and Gloucester Point to the combined armies of America 508 GILBERT M. LA FAYETTE. and France, on condition that his troops snould receive the same honors of war which had been granted to the garrison of Charlestown, when it surrendered to Sir Henry Clinton. The army, artillery, arms, accoutrements, military chest, and public stores of every description, were surrendered to General Washington ; the ships in the harbor and the seamen to Count de Grasse. This was the last vital struggle of the war, which, however, lin- gered through another year rather of negotiation than of action. Immediately after the capitulation at Yorktown, La Fayette asked and obtained again a leave of absence to visit his family and his country, and with this closed his military service in the field, during the revolutionary war. But it was not for the individual enjoyment of his renown that he returned to France. The resolutions of Con- gress accompanying that which gave him a discretionary leave of absence, while honorary in the highest degree to him, were equally marked by a grant of virtual credentials for negotiation, and by the trust of confidential powers, together with a letter of the warmest commendation of the gallant soldier to the favor of his king. The ensuingyear was consumed in preparations for a formidable combined French and Spanish expedition against the British Islands in the West Indies, and particularly the Island of Jamaica ; thence to recoil upon New York, and to pursue the offensive war into Canada. The fleet destined for this gigantic undertaking was already assem- bled at Cadiz ; and La Fayette, appointed the chief of the staff, was there ready to embark upon this perilous adventure, when, on the .SOth of November, 1782, the preliminary treaties of peace were concluded between his Britannic Majesty on one part, and the allied powers of France, Spain, and the United States of America, on the other. The first intelligence of this event received by the American Congress was in the communication of a letter from La Fayette. The importance of his services in France may be seen by consult- ing his letters in the Correspondence of the American Revolution, (Boston, 183 1.) La Fayette now received pressing invitations to revisit this country. Washington, in particular, urged it strongly ; and for the third time he landed in the United States, August 4, 1781. On his arrival, he was received with all the warmth of old friendship by General Wash- ington, at Mount Vernon. He subsequentlv visited Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Bos- ton and the other principal places in the country, and was everywhere received with the greatest enthusiasm and delight. Previous to his return to France, Congress appointed a deputation, consisting of one member from each state, " to take leave of him LA FAYETTE RETURNS TO FRANCE. 509 Mount Verncn. on behalf of the country," and assure him "that these United States regard him with particular affection, and will not cease to feel an interest in whatever may concern his honor and prosperity." He returned to France, and arrived at Paris on the 25th of January, 1785. He continued to take a deep interest in the concerns of the United States, and exerted his influence with the French government to obtain reductions of duties favorable to their commerce and fisheries. In the summer of 1786, he visited several of the German courts, and attended the last great review by Frederick the Second of his veteran army — a review unusually splendid, and specially remarkable by the attendance of many of the most distinguished military com- manders of Europe. In the same year the legislature of Virginia manifested the continued recollection of his services rendered to the people of that commonwealth, by a complimentary token of gratitude not less honorable than it was unusual. They resolved that two busts of La Fayette, to be executed by the celebrated sculptor, Houdon, should be procured at their expense ; that one of them should be placed in their own legislative hall, and the other pre- sented, in their name, to the municipal authorities of the city of Paris. It was accordingly presented by Mr. Jefferson, then minister plenipotentiary of the United States in France, and, by the permis- sion of Louis the Sixteenth, was accepted, and, with appropriate solemnity, placed in one of the halls of the Hotel de Ville of the metropolis of France. After his return to his native country. La Fayette was engaged in SIO GILBERT M. LA FAYKTT] Frederick the Great. endeavoring to mitigate the condition of the Protestants in France, and to effect the abolition of slavery. In the assembly of the nota- bles, in 1787, he proposed the suppression of lettres de cachet, and of the state-prisons, the emancipation of the Protestants, and the convocation of the representatives of that nation. When asked by the Count d'Artois, since Charles X., if he demanded the States- General — "Yes," was his reply, "and something better." Being elected a member of the States-General, which took the name of National Assembly, (1789,) he proposed a declaration of rights, and the decree providing for the responsibility of the officers of the crown. The first movements of the people in the state of insurrection, took place on the 12th of July, 1789, and issued in the destruction of the Bastile, and in the murder of its governor, and of several other persons, hung up at lamp-posts or torn to pieces by the frenzied multitude, without form of trial, and without shadow of guilt. The Bastile had long been odious as the place of confinement of persons arrested by arbitrary orders for offences against the govern- ment, and its destruction was hailed by most of the friends of liberty throughout the world as an act of patriotism and magnanimity on the part of the people. The brutal ferocity of the murders was overlooked or palliiited in the glory of the achievement of razing to its foundations the execrated citadel of despotism. But as the summary justice of insurrection can manifest itself only by destruc- tion, the example once set, became a precedent for a series of years APPOINTED COMMANDER OF NATIONAL GUARDS. 511 Chi-I ol" til'- H:i;itll-> for scenes so atrocious, and for butcheries so merciless and horrible, that memory revolts at the task of recalling them to the mind. Two days after the attack on the Bastile, La Fayette was appointed (July 14,) commander-in-chief of the national guards of Paris. The court and national assembly were still at Versailles, and the popu- lace of Paris, irritated at this, had already adopted, in sign of oppo- sition, a blue and red cockade, (being the colors of the city of Paris,) July 26th. La Fayette added to this cockade the white of the royal arms, declaring at the same time, that the tri-color should go round the world. On the march of the populace to Versailles, (October 5th and 6th,) the national guards clamored to be led thither. La Fayette refused to comply with their demand, until, having received orders in the afternoon, he set oif and arrived at ten o'clock, after having been on horseback from before daylight. He requested that the interior posts of the chateau might be committed to him ; but this request was refused, and the outer posts only were intrusted to the national guards. This vv^as the night on which the assassins murdered two of the queen's guards, and were proceeding to further acts of violence, when La Fayette, at the head of the national troops, put an end to "the disorder, and saved the lives of the royal family. In the morning he accompanied them to Paris. La Fayette voted in the assembly for the institution of the jury, for the suppression of hereditary nobility, for the political equality of all citizens, &c. Mistrusting the effect of individual ambition in revolutionary times, he moved and carried a resolution to the effect that the same person should not have the command of the national guards of more than one department at once. He himself, refused the appointment of lieutenant-general of the kingdom. In conjunction 512 GILBERT M. LA FAYETTE. La Ftyttte Comman.ler of the I'Ational Guard. with Bailly, he instituted the club of the Feuillans, which supported the constitutional monarchy on a popular basis. After the king's forced return from the flight of Varennes, La Fayette supported the decree by which the king was restored to the exercise of his regal office on swearing to the new constitution. Upon this, the repub- lican party broke out into an insurrection, which La Fayette and the national guards put down on the Champ de Mars. Soon afterwards La Fayette gave in his resignation, and retired into the country ; but the war of the first coalition having begun, he was appointed to the command of the army of Flanders, and he defeated the allies at Phillipeville and Mauberge. He was, however, hated by the Jacobins at Paris, and mistrusted by the court. On the ICth of June, 1792, he wrote a strong letter to the legislative assembly, denouncing the plots of those men, " who, under the mask of demo- cratic zeal, smothered liberty under the excess of their license." He soon after repaired to Paris, and demanded of the lagislative assembly the punishment of the outrages committed against the king at the Tuileries, on the 20th of June. But the republican party was already preponderating in the assembly, and La Fayette found he was not safe in Paris. It is said, that he then proposed to the king and the royal family, to take shelter in his camp at Com- piegne ; but the advice was rejected by Louis, or rather by those around him, who placed all their confidence in the Duke of Bruns- wick and the Prussians. On the 30th of June, the Jacobins of Paris burnt La Fayette m effigy in the Palais Royal. La Fayette having returned to his camp, publicly expressed to his officers his disapprobation of the attack on the Tuileries of the 10th of August, and on the 15th of that month, lie arrested the commissioners sent by the legislative assembly to IMPRISONED AT OLMUTZ. 513 La Fayette impiisoned at Olmutz:. watch him. Upon this he was outlawed, and was ohhged to cross the frontiers with a few friends. How far was La Fayette at that moment of disappointed patriotism and deep mortification, from imagining that, when all the bloody scenes and disgraceful cabals of the French revolution should have passed away, he would once more become the idol of his fickle counti-ymen. His first intention on leaving the French court, was to repair to some neutral country, but he was arrested by the Austrians, and carried to the fortress of Olmutz, in Moravia, where his wife and daughter soon after joined him, to console him in his confinement. He remained in prison for five years, and was released at last by the treaty of Campo-Formio, but not approving of the arbitrary conduct of the Directory he repaired to Hamluirgh, and did not return to France till after the 19th Brumaire, 1799. Here he found himself again in opposition to Bonaparte's ambition, and he voted against the consulship for life, refused all employment under that chief, and re- tired to the country, where he applied himself to agricultural pursuits. In 1815, he was returned to the house of representatives convoked by Napoleon, on his return from Elba. After the defeat at Water- loo, he spoke strongly against any attempt to establish a dictatorship, and moved that the house should declare its sittings permanent, and that any attempt to dissolve it should be considered as treason. When Lucien appealed to the assembly not to forsake his brother in his adversity, La Fayette replied with great animation, " We have followed your brother through the burning sands of Syria, as well as to the frozen deserts of Russia ; the bleached bones of two millions of Frenchmen scattered all over the globe attest our devotion to him ; but that devotion," he added, " is now exhausted, as his cause is no longer the cause of the nation." 33 514 GILBERT M. LA. FAYKTTE. Napoleon. After the forced dissolution of the legislative assembly by the allied troops, La Fayette protested against that violence, and retired to his country residence at Lagrange. In 1818, he was returned after a great struggle to the chamber of deputies for the department of La Sarthe. During that and the following session he spoke in favor of constitutional liberty, and against exceptional laws, but to no effect. In August, 1824, he landed at New York, on a visit to the United States, upon the invitation of the president, and was received, in every part of the country, with the warmest expressions of delight and enthusiasm. He was proclaimed by the populaf voice, " the guest of the nation," and his presence was everywhere the signal for festivals and rejoicings. He passed through the twenty-four states of the Union in a sort of triumphal procession, in which all parties joined to forget their dissensions, in which the veterans of the war renewed their youth, and the young were carried back to the doings and sufferings of their fathers. Having celebrated, at Bunker Hill, the anniversary of the first conflict of the revolution, and, at York- town, that of its closing scene, in which he himself had borne so conspicuous a part, and taken leave of the four ex-presidents of the United States, he received the farewell of the President in the name DEATH OF LA FAVETTE. 517 of the nation, and sailed from the capital in a frigate named, in com- pliment to him, the Brandywine, September 7, 1825, and arrived at Havre, where the citizens, having peaceably assembled to make some demonstration of their respect for his character, were dispersed by the gendarmerie. In December preceding, the Congress of the United States made him a grant of two hundred thousand dollars and a township of land, "in consideration of his important services and expenditures during the American revolution." The grant of money was in the shape of stock, bearing interest at six per cent., and redeemable December 31, 1834. In August, 1827, he attended the obsequies of Manuel, over whose body he pronounced a eulogy. In November, 1827, the chamber of deputies was dissolved. La Fayette was again returned a member by the new elections. in 1830, being in the house of deputies, he was foremost among the members who resisted the arbitrary ordonnances of Charles X. He then called out again the national guards, and placed himself at their head. Faithful to his old constitutional principles, he proposed Louis Philippe as King of the French, stating his conviction that a monarchy, based on popular institutions, was the government best suited to France. During the trials of the ex-ministers, he exerted himself zealously to save them from popular fury. Of the subse- quent differences between him and Louis Philippe concerning views of foreign and domestic policy, several versions have been given. La Fayette died at Paris on the 20th of May, 1834, and his funeral took place on the 28th of the same month, being attended by nume- rous friends, foreigners as well as French peers and deputies, who showed the high sense which they entertained of the character of the deceased. He was interred, according to his own direction, in the same grave with his wife. " He was," says an English writer, " one of the few public men whose character passed unscathed through the ordeal of half a century of revolution." This is no slight praise. It was fairly earned by qualities not often combined, chivalry and prudence, high daring and cool judgment, courtly grace and stern honesty and integrity of purpose. La Fayette lived long enough to see thousands of powerful enemies swept into oblivion ; and he performed services enough to mankind to receive the un- bounded gratitude of Europe and America. BRIGADIER GENERAL HENRY LEE. HIS distinguished officer was Ijorn in Vu ginia, on the 29th of January, 1756, and completed his education at Princeton Col- lege, where he graduated in the year 1774 Two years afterwards he was appointed, at the instance of Patrick Henry, commander of one of six companies of cavalry, raised in his native state, under the command of Colo- nel Bland. As General Washington stood in much need of reinforcements, the Virginia legislature tendered the services of these companies to Congress, who accepted the offer, and they joined the army in September, 1777. The young captain, serving under the eye of the commander-in-chief, rapidly acquired his esteem and confidence by soldierly conduct, and the strict disci pline maintained in his ranks. The constant attention which he bestowed upon the horses and equipments of his soldiers, enabled him at all times to move with celerity, which with cavalry, is one of the first elements of success. Captain Lee's merit is sufficiently attested by the fact that General Washington selected his company to be his body guard in the battle of Germantown. Being generally employed in the vicinity of the British lines, a plan was formed by the enemy to surprise and cut off him and his 518 JOINS THE ARMY IN THE SOUTH. 519 tioop. In the latter part of January, 1778, he was surrounded in his quarters, a stone house, by two hundred of the enemy's cavalry. Ten of his men only were in the house with him, four who acted as patrols having been captured by the enemy as he approached, and the others being absent in search of forage. He however defended the house resolutely, and the enemy were obliged to retreat with the loss of four men killed, four wounded, and several horses. Captain Lee had only two of his men wounded, and the patrols and a quartermaster-sergeant who was out of the house, made prisoners. General Washington complimented and congratulated him upon his escape, in a private letter, and Congress rewarded him for his con- duct upon this and other occasions, with a commission as major. He was assigned the command of an independent partisan corps of two troops of horse, which was afterwards increased by the addition of another cavalry company and a body of infantry. In command of tills corps, on the 19th of July, 1779, he surprised the British post of Powles Hook, and captured the garrison of a hundred and sixty men, with the loss of only two killed and three wounded. The humanity of Major Lee was conspicuously displayed in the kindness shown to the prisoners at this time, when the cruel conduct of the enemy had given ample cause for retaliation. His " prudence, address, and bravery," in this affair, were rewarded by Congress with a gold medal. In 1780, he was sent with his legion to the south, where he joined the army under General Greene. He had previously been raised to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. His legion formed the rear-guard of General Greene's army during the celebrated retreat of that officei before Lord Cornwallis. On one occasion, a sharp action took place between his corps and that of the British Colonel Tarleton. In his charge. Colonel Lee killed eighteen of Tarleton's dragoons, and made a captain and fifteen privates prisoners. Having effected his escape into Virginia, General Greene sent Colonels Lee and Pickens into North Carolina, to encourage the patriots in that state, and to keep a watch upon the movements of Lord Corawallis. In the per- formance of this duty, he formed a plan to surprise Colonel Tarleton. On the march to attack that officer, the legion encountered several messengers, sent by Colonel Pyle, a zealous tory, to apprise Tarle- ton of his situation, and his anxiety to join him with four hundred royalists under his command. The dragoons mistook Colonel Lee's legion for that of Tarleton, and freely communicated their intelli- gence. Colonel Lee attempted to profit by the error, and would have captured the whole of the royalist force without bloodshed, had they not discovered some of the militia under Pickens, and commenced a 520 HENRY LEE. fire. A short conflict ensued, in which ninety of the enemy were slain, many wounded, and the remainder dispersed. Colonel Lee particularly distinguished himself at the battle of Guilford Court- house, repulsing with loss, the onset of Tarleton's dragoons, and afterwards maintained a separate action on the American left, keep- ing the enemy at bay until ordered to retreat. ETWEEN the time of this action and that at Camden he was very successful in capturing the enemy's forts. Afterwards he marched to aid Pickens in taking Au- gusta in Georgia, whose commander Colonel Brown had rendered himself obnoxious to the Americans. The fort was taken, and Brown would have been made to e.vpiate his offences with death, but for the precau- tions of Colonel Lee, who caused a company of his legion to guard him until he could be placed in safety. On his way to Augusta, Lee had surprised Fort Godolphin, and taken a large quantity of military stores. He now marched to join General Greene in besieging Ninety-Six, and when the approach of Lord Rawdon made it neces- sary to capture that place by storm or raise the siege, he led one of the assaulting columns. He was completely successful, but the other column failed to accomplish its object, and the siege was ended by the retreat of General Greene. At Eutaw Springs, he was conspicuous for his good conduct at the head of his infantry. He was sent directly afterwards on a special mission to the commander-in-chief, to request him to prevail on the Count de Grasse to co-operate in an attack upon Charleston. He arrived at Yorktown a few days before the surrender of Cornwallis, and returned to the south after witness- ng that ceremony. He soon afterwards retired from the army and married Matilda, the daughter of Philip Ludwell Lee, on whose estate in Westmoreland county he settled. He carried with him in his retirement the esteem and confidence of General Greene, who stated that his services had been greater than those of any one man attached to the southern army. From 1786 until the adoption of the federal constitution he represented Virginia in Congress ; and he was a member of the convention of that state which ratified that consti- tution. He afterwards served as a member of the legislature of Virginia, and in 1792, was elected governor of that state. In 1795, he was sent by Washington to quell the formidable whiskey insur- rection in Pennsylvania, which he effected without bloodshed. He was honored by being appointed a general in the army organ- ized by Washington in anticipation of the war with France. In 1799, he was again chosen as a representative to Congress, and while there, selected to pronounce a funeral eulogium on Washing- n= DEATH OF GENERAL LEE. 521 ton. In that production he originated the celebrated summary of the virtues of the deceased, — " First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Pecuniary embarrassments, the result of his extravagant hospi- tality, greatly distressed him during the last years of his life. Con- fined within the bounds of Spottsylvania county on account of pecuniary obligations, in 1809, he produced his famous history of the southern campaigns, a work of great value as the bold and manly record of an eye-witness and principal actor. In 1814, General Lee happened to be in Baltimore, where he took part in the defence of a house, the publication office of an obnoxious paper, against the assaults of a mob. Fire-arms were employed by the defenders, and two of the assailants were killed and others wounded. The military arriving efl^ected a compromise, and the defenders were placed for safety in the Baltimore jail. But the mob reassembled in the night, attacked the jail, forced the doors, and murdered or mangled its inmates. General Lee was severely wounded. Finding that his health decayed in consequence, he went to the West Indies in the hope of restoring it, but his expectations were not realized. He returned to the United States in 1818, and died on the 2.5th of March in that year, on Cumberland Island, near St. Mary's, Georgia, at the residence of General Greene's daughter, Mrs. Shaw. .^^- MAJOR GENERAL LACHLIN McINTOSH. ACHLIN McINTOSH was born at Borlam, near Inverness, in Scotland, in the year 1727, being the second son of the leader of the Borlam branch of the Mcintosh clan. His father participated in the rebellion of 1715, though only fourteen years of age, and its unsuccessful termination brought ruin upon his house. In abject poverty, he re- mained near his former estates until 1736, when he was invited to Georgia by General Ogle- thorpe, where he arrived in February of the following year. He took part in Oglethorpe's expedition to Florida, commanding a company of Highlanders, which suffered severely from its obstinate bravery. Captain Mcintosh himself was severely wounded, taken prisoner, and sent to Spain, whence he only returned after several years con- finement, to die of a broken constitution in the arms of his family. General Oglethorpe, on his return, placed the two oldest sons of Captain Mcintosh in his regiment as cadets, and would, in due time, have procured commissions for them. But he was recalled to Eng- land during the preparations that were making to meet the expected rebellion of 1745, and just as he was on the point of sailing, he detected William and Lachlin Mcintosh, the latter then but thirteen 622 JOINS THE ARMY. 523 years of age, secreted on board another vessel, in which they meant to reach Scotland, and make an effort to re-establish the fallen for- tunes of their own house, in the service of the Stuarts. The general had them brought into his own cabin, showed them his duty as an officer of the British government, and the hopelessness of the efforts of the Stuarts, and then reminding them of his affection for his father and themselves, besought them to return on shore and keep their own secret, promising on his own part silence and oblivion. They gave him their word, and parted with him for ever. Lachlin Mcintosh afterwards went to Charleston, where he was taken into the family and counting-room of Henry Laurens. He remained there some years, when he abandoned the pursuits of trade, returned to Georgia, married, and supported himself by a new pro- fession, that of general land surveyor. He soon obtained indepen- dence in the pursuit of his business, but his life was ruffled by a constant series of persecutions from Governor Wright, of Georgia, whose enmity he incurred by his advocacy of the rights of citizens of South Carolina to lands under Governor Wright's jurisdiction. This train of injuries prepared him early for the approaching con- flict, and he was universally regarded as the man who should lead the troops which Georgia might raise for the revolution. When hos- tilities commenced, he commanded the first regiment that was raised, and when this force was increased he became brigadier-general. A difference of opinion as to the course to be pursued with regard to the royalists, made Button Gwinnett, then governor of Georgia, to be his enemy, and again he suffered severely from the enmity and hatred of the civil authority. Gwinnett had offered himself as commander of the Georgia forces, when Mcintosh was chosen, and disappointed ambition added force to his vindictive feelings. William Mcintosh, who had raised a company of cavalry almost wholly at his own ex- pense, became disgusted at the tyranny exhibited towards his brother, and threw up his command. But Lachlin was more cool ; he waited until the term of Gwinnett's office expired, and then told him what was his opinion of him and his actions. Gwinnett challenged him. Both fired vi-ith pistols at eight feet, and both were wounded severely. Gwinnett died. After his recoverv, Mcintosh asked and received permission to join the central army, under General Washington, whose confidence he soon succeeded in acquiring. The commander- in-chief having learned his merit, requested him to undertake the difficult task of defending the frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia against the Indians, and though it took liim from the prospect of military distinction to an inglorious but most dangerous defensive war, his sense of duty to the country made him accept the appoint 52't LACHLIN MACINTOSH. mcnt. Under his command the people knew repose, and tlie Indians were taught to respect the arms of the colonies. Yet he had but a few hundred men, and his opponents were the same Indians who had before defeated Braddock, and who afterwards ruined the armies of Harmar and St. Clair. General Mcintosh was recalled, just as he was about to make an attem.pt upon Detroit, in order to take part in the ill-omened attack upon Savannah. Had it not been for the self-sufficiency of Count d'Estaing, the commanding officer, that city might have been taken ; as it was, the expedition utterly failed. The French troops and fleet went to sea ; the Americans, under Generals Lincoln and Mcintosh, fell back upon Charleston, where they were almost imme- diately besieged by General Clinton. The gallant defence and final capitulation of the city, not only reflected honor upon the defenders, but it closed in a great measure the military life of General Mcintosh, who did not resume his command after the end of his detention as a prisoner. When he was released, he retired with his family to Vir- ginia, carrying with him a recommendation to the state, in the shape of a letter to Governor JeiTerson, signed by two general officers, six- teen field officers, and one hundred officers of lower grade. They begged that he might be treated in every respect as an officer of the Virginia line, entitled to lands and other emoluments and advan- teiges, given for the encouragement of officers, as well on account of his uncommon sufferings and sacrifices on behalf of the service, as for his conduct in command of a part of the Virginia line, and the services he had rendered on the frontiers of Virginia. General Mcintosh remained in Virginia with his family until the British troops were driven from Savannah. When he returned to Georgia, he found his personal property had been all wasted, and his real estate diminished in value. He lived in retirement and in some degree of poverty, until his death, which occurred at Savannah, in 1806 in his seventy-ninth year. GENERAL JAMES JACKSON. ' i'll'/.i AMES JACKSON was bom at Moretoii-Hampstead, in Devonshire, England, September 21st, 1757. ^ He inherited the most republican principles from his father, and with the permission of that parent, joyfully sought for a home in the new world, where -.- he might be upon an equality with his fellow men. I He came to Georgia in 1772, and commenced read- ing law in the office of Sarriuel Farley, a celebrated attorney. His studies were interrupted Vjy the breaking out of the revolution; he warmly espoused the cause of liberty, and bore a musket in the American service when he was but nineteen years ^^^^^i^'^-ji^- of age, in the attack upon Savannah. His intre- pidity was so remarkable, that he received the thanks of Governor Bullock, and was soon afterwards appointed to the command of a volunteer company of light infantry. Towards the close of the year 1778, he was made brigade-major of the Georgia militia, and when that had no longer an existence, he enrolled himself as a volun- teer in a company made up of officers who had no commands. On his way to join this company, barefoot and penniless, he was captured by some of their number, suspected of being a spy, tried, convicted, 52& f»26 ' JAMES JACKSON. and condemned to execution. He was only saved from death by- being recognized when under the gibbet, by Peter Deveaux, a well- known gentleman, afterwards member of the executive council of Georgia. His life had been certainly sacrificed but for the oppor- tune arrival of this gentleman. In March, 1780, he was unhappily engaged in a duel with Lieu- tenant-Governor Wells, who lost his life. Major Jackson was himself wounded in both knees, and confined by his injuries for months. His surgeons abandoned his case, as he persisted in refusing to submit to amputation, and his recovery was for a long lime doubtful. After his return to the camp, he served with distinction throughout the war, signalizing his valor whenever occasion oflTered. When the British evacuated Savannah, July 12, 1782, General Wayne directed Colonel Jackson to receive the keys, and take possession of the town, " in consideration of his severe and fatiguing service in advance." At the battle of the Cowpens, in the face of the whole army, he seized the colors of the 71st British regiment at the utmost risk of his life, and afterwards presented the commander of the British infantry, JIajor M'Arthur, as a prisoner to General Morgan. At Tennant's Tavern, during the retreat of General Greene, his boldness brought him into the most imminent danger from the sabres of Tarleton's cavalry. He was with Lee and Pickens when they destroyed Pyle's corps of tories, and General Pickens, speaking of his independent operations in Georgia, previous to the taking of Augusta, says tiiat " Major Jackson's exertions in the early period of the siege, laid the groundwork for the reduction of that place." He commanded an American garrison at Augusta, after its sur- render, and maintained his position, although he was lor a time cut off from all communication with the Americans and surrounded by British troops. But emissaries from Savannah excited treason in his camp, and a plot was formed among the infantry to murder him in his bed, bayonet his officers, and deliver the governor of Georgia as a prisoner into the hands of the enemy. An incorruptible dragoon gave information of the plan, and the colonel ordered out his cavalry, caused the infantry to parade without arms, and then charged upon them with the dragoons, arrested and tried the ringleaders, and promptly executed those who were condemned. Nothing could exceed the fidelity and good conduct which after this occurrence characterized his corps. In July 1782, tlie general assembly of Georgia voted and presented him with a house and lot in Savannah, as a testimonial of their sense of his merits. He now commenced the practice of his profession, and soon had the satisfaction to find it yield him a competency. In HIS DEATH. 527 1783, he was elected a member of the Georgia legislature, and in the following year was made colonel of the first regiment of Georgia militia. He was promoted to be brigadier-general in 1786, and was elected an honorary member of the Georgia Cincinnati Society. In 1788, when thirty years of age, he was elected governor of Georgia, which dignity however he declined, declaring that neither his age, nor experience would justify his acceptance. He was then made major-general of the militia of the state, and sent to represent Georgia in the senate of the United States. While in this capacity he died at Washington, January 19, 1806. His temper was impetu- ous, his oratory brilliant, his courage undaunted, his devotion to liberal principles unyielding, and his love for Georgia, " his country" as he called it — his strongest passion. BRIGADIER GENERAL PETER MUHLENBERG. ETER MUHLENBERG, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1745. In early life he yielded to the wishes of his venerable t. father, the patriarch of the German Luther- an church in Pennsylvania, by becoming a minister of the Episcopal church, and parti- cipating; in the spirit of the times, exchanged his clerical profession for that of a soldier. Having in his pulpit inculcated the principles of liberty, and the cause of his country, he found no difficulty in enlisting a regiment of soldiers, and he was appointed their commander. He entered the pulpit with his sword and cockade, preached his farewell sermon, and the next day marched at the head of his regiment to join the army. In the year 1776, he became a member of the convention, and afterwards a colonel of a regiment of that state. In the year 1777, he was appointed a brigadier-general in the revolutionary army, in which capacity he acted until the termination of the war which gave liberty and independence to his country, at which time he was pro- moted to the rank of major-general. General Muhlenberg was a particular favorite of the commander-in-chief, and he was one of those brave men, in whose coolness, decision of character, and undaunted resolution, he could ever rely. It has been asserted 528 HIS SERVICES IN PENNSYLVANIA. 5'29 with some degree of confidence, that it was General Muhlenberg, who commanded the American storming party at Yorktown, the honor of which station has been attributed, by the different histories of the American revolution, to another person. It is, however, a well known fact, that he acted a distinguished and brave part at the siege of Yorktown. After the peace, General Muhlenberg was chosen by his fellow citizens of Pennsylvania to fill in succession the various stations of vice-president of the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, member of the house of representatives, and senator of the United States ; and afterwards appointed by the president of the United States, supervisor of the excise in Pennsylvania, and finally, collector of the port of Philadelphia, which office lie held at the time of his death. In all the above military and political stations. General Muhlenberg acted faithfully to his country and honorably to himself. He was brave in the field, and firm in the cabmet. In private life he was strictly just ; in his domestic and social attachments, he was aftectionate and sincere ; and in his intercourse with his fellow citizens, always amiable and unassuming. He died on the 1st day of October, 1807, in the sixty-second yeai of his age, at his seat near Schuylkill, Montgomery county, Penn- sylvania. 34 BRIGADIER GENERAL CHRISTOPHER GADSDEN. HRISTOPHER GADSDEN, lieu- tenant-governor of South Carolina, and a distinguished friend of his country, was born about the year So high was his reputation in the colony in which he lived, that he was ap- pointed one of the delegates to tiie Con- gress, which met at New York in October, 17()5, to petition against the stamp-act. Judge Johnson, in his life of General Greene, says, " There was at least one man in South Carolina, who, as early as 1766, foresaid and foretold the views of the British government, and explicitly urged his adhe- 530 GADSDEN A PRISONER. 531 rents to the resolution to resist even to death. General Gadsden, it is well known, and there are still living witnesses to prove it, always favored the most decisive and energetic measures. He thought it a folly to temporize, and insisted that cordial reconciliation on honor- able terms was impossible. When the news of the repeal of the stamp-act arrived, and the whole community was in ecstasy at the event, he, on the contrary, received it with indignation, and privately convening a party of his friends beneath the celebrated Liberty-tree, he there harangued them at considerable length on the folly of re- laxing their opposition and vigilance, or indulging the fallacious hope that Great Britain would relinquish her designs or pretensions. He drew their attention to the preamble of the act, and forcibly pressed upon thein the absurdity of rejoicing at an act that still asserted and maintained the absolute dominion over them. And then reviewing all the chances of succeeding in a struggle to break the fetters when- ever again imposed on them, he pressed them to prepare their minds for the event. The address was received with silent but profound devotion, and with linked hands, the whole party pledged themselves to resist ; a pledge that was faithfully redeemed when the hour of trial arrived. It was from this event that the Liberty-tree took its name. The first convention of South Carolina held their meeting under it." He was also chosen a member of the Congress which met in 1774 ; and on his return early in 1776, received the thanks of the provincial assembly for his services. He was among the first who advocated republican principles, and wished to make his country independent of the monarchical government of Great Britain. URING the siege of Charleston, in 1780, he , remained within the lines with five of the V council, while Governor Rutledge, with the j other three, left the city, at the earnest re- quest of General Lincoln. Several months after the capitulation, he was taken out of his bed on the 27th of August, and, with most of the civil and military officers, trans- ported in a guard-ship to St. Augustine. This was done by the order of Lord Corn- wallis, and it was in violation of the rights of prisoners on parole. Guards were left at their houses, and the private papers of some of them were examined. A parole was olTered at St. Augustine, but such was the indignation of Lieutenant-governor Gadsden, at the ungenerous treatment which he had received, that he refused to accept it, and bore a close con- 533 CHRISTOPHER GADSDEN. finement in the castle for forty-two weeks, with the greatest forti- tude. Garden, in his Anecdotes of the Revolutionary War, gives the fol- lowing interesting particulars: "The conduct of the British com- manders towards this venerable patriot, in the strongest manner evinced their determination rather to crush the spirit of opposition, than by conciliation to subdue it. The man did not exist to whose delicate sense of honor, even a shadow of duplicity would have appeared more abhorrent, than General Gadsden. Transported by an arbitrary decree, with many of the most resolute and influential citizens of the republic, to St. Augustine, attendance on parade was peremptorily demanded ; when a British otficer stepping forward, said, ' Expediency, and a series of political occurrences have rendered it necessary to remove you from Charleston to this place ; but, gen- tlemen, we have no wish to increase your sufferings ; to all, therefore, who are willing to give their paroles, not to go beyond the limits prescribed to them, the liberty of the town will be allowed ; a dungeon will be the destiny of such as refuse to accept the indul- gence.' The proposition was generally acceded to. But when General Gadsden was called to give this new pledge of faith, he indignantly exclaimed, ' With men who have once deceived me, I can enter into no new contract. Had the British commanders regarded the terms of the capitulation of Charleston, I might now, although a prisoner, under my own roof, have enjoyed the smiles and conso- lations of my surrounding family ; but even without a shadow of accusation proffered against me, for any act inconsistent with my plighted faith, I am torn from them, and here, in a distant land, in- vited to enter into new engagements. I will give no parole.' ' Think better of it, sir,' said the officer, ' a second refusal of it will fix your destiny : a dungeon will be your future habitation.' ' Prepare it, then,' said the inflexible patriot, ' I will give no parole, so help me God: " When first shut up in the castle of St. Augustine, the comfort of a light was denied him by the commandant of the fortress. A generous subaltern offered to supply him with a candle, but he de- clined it, lest the officer should expose himself to the censure of his superior. " After Andre's arrest. Colonel Glazier, the governor of the castle, sent to advise General Gadsden to prepare himself for the worst ; intimating, that as General Washington had been assured of retalia- tion, if Andre was executed, it was not unlikely that General Gads- den would be the person selected. To this message he replied, ' That he was always prepared to die for his country ; and though DECLINES THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR. 533 he knew it was impossible for Washington to yield the right of an independent state by the law of war, to fear or affection, yet he would not shrink from the sacrifice, and would rather ascend the scaffold than purchase with his life the dishonor of his country.' " In 1782, when it became necessary, by the rotation established, to choose a new governor, he was elected to this office : but he de- clined it, in a short speech, to the following effect : '• I have served my country in a variety of stations for thirty years, and I would now cheerfully make one of a forlorn hope in an assault on the lines of Charleston, if it was probable, that, with the loss of life, you. my friends, would be reinstated in the possession of your capital. What I can do for my country, I am willing to do. My sentiments in lavor of the American cause, from the stamp-act downwards, have never changed. I am still of opinion that it is the cause of liberty and oi human nature. The present times require the vigor and activity of the prime of life ; but I feel the increasing infirmities of old age to such a degree, that I am conscious I cannot serve you to advantage. I therefore beg, for your sakes, and for the sake of the public, that you would indulge me with the liberty of declining the arduous trust." He continued, however, his exertions for the good of his country, both in the assembly and council : and notwithstanding the injuries he had suflfered, and the immense loss of his property, he zealously opposed the law for confiscating the estates of the adhe- rents to the British government, and contended that sound policy required to forgive and forget. MAJOR GENERAL HENRY DEARBORN. ENRY DEARBORN was a descendant of one of the first settlers of New Hampshire, who emigrated from the county of Devonshire, in Eng- land. He received a medical education v;^ under the instruction of Doctor Hall Jackson, of Portsmouth, who was a ^jljffjj distinguished surgeon in the revolution- jj ary army, and justly celebrated as one of the most able physicians which New England has produced. Dearborn was settled m the practice of physic at Nottingham-square, in New 534 HIS SERVICES AT BUNKER HILL. 535 Hampshire, three years previous to the commencement of the revo- lutionary war, where, with several gentlemen of the neighborhood, he employed his leisure hours in military exercises ; being convinced that the time was rapidly approaching, when the liberties of his country must either be shamefully surrendered, or boldly defended at the point of the sword. This band of associates were determined to be prepared, and equipped themselves for the last resort of freemen. On the morning of the 20th of April, 1775, notice by an express was received of the affair of the preceding day, at Lexington. He assembled with about sixty of the inhabitants of the town, and made a rapid movement for Cambridge, where they arrived the next morning at sunrise — having marched a distance of fifty-five miles in less than twenty-four hours. After remaining several days, and there being no immediate occasion for their services, they returned. It being determined that a number of regiments should be immediately raised for the common defence, Dearborn was appointed captain in the first New Hampshire regiment, under the command of Colonel John Stark. Such was his popularity, and the confidence of the people in his bravery and conduct, that in ten days from the time he received his commission, he enlisted a full company, and joined the regiment at Medford, on the 15th of May. Previous to the battle of Bunker Hill, he was engaged in a skirmish on Hog Island, whither he had been sent to prevent the cattle and other stock from being carried off by the British, and soon after took a part in an action with an armed vessel near Winnesimet Ferry. On the morning of the glorious 17th of June, information was received that the British were preparing to come out from Boston, and storm the works which had been thrown up on Breed's Hill the night before by the Americans. The regiment to which he was attached was immediately paraded, and marched from Mystic to Charlestown Neck. Dearborn's company composed the flank guards of the regiment. They crossed the Neck under a galling fire from the British men of war, and the floating batteries, and having sustained some loss, arrived at Bunker's Heights. The enemy were landing on the shore opposite Copp's Hill, when Stark advanced and formed his regiment on the declivity of Breed's Hill, in rear of a rail fence, which ran from the redoubt, commanded by the gallant Colonel Prescott, to Mystic river. The action soon commenced, and the Americans stood their ground until their ammunition was entirely expended. Dearborn was posted on the right of the regiment, and being armed with a fusee, fired regularly with his men. 536 HENRY DEARBORN. In September, he volunteered his services to join the expedition of Amold up Kennebeck river, and through the wilderness to Quebec. lie was permitted to select a company from the New Hampshire regiment for this arduous service. Thirty-two days were employed in traversing the hideous wilderness, between the settlements on the Kennebeck and the Chaudiere river, during the inclement months of November and December, in which every hardship and fatigue of which human nature is capable, was endured indiscriminately, by the officers and troops, and a large portion of them starved to death. N the highlands, between the Kennebeck and St. Lawrence, the remnant of pro- visions was divided among the com- panies, who were directed to make the best of their way in separate divisions to the settlements on the Chaudiere. The last fragment of food in most of the companies was soon consumed, and Dearborn was reduced to the extremity of dividing his favorite dog among his suffering men. When they reached the Chaudiere, from cold, extreme hardships, and want of sustenance, his strength failed him, and he was unable to walk but a short distance, without wading into the water to invigorate and stimulate his limbs. With great difficulty he reached a poor hut on the Chaudiere, when he told his men he could accompany them no further, and animated them forward to a glorious discharge of their duty. His company left him with tears in their eyes, expecting to see him no more. Dearborn was here seized with a violent fever, during which his life was despaired of for ten days, being without medicine, and with scarcely the common necessaries of hfe. His fine constitution at last surmounted the disease, and as soon as he was able to travel, he proceeded to Point Levi in a sleigh — crossed over to Wolfe's Cove, and made his unex- pected appearance at the head of his company, a few days before the assault on Quebec. At four o'clock in the morning, on the thirty- first day of December, 1775, in a severe snow storm, and in a climate that vies with Norway in tempests and intense cold, the attack was commenced. Dearborn was attached to the corps under General Ar- nold, who was wounded early in the action and carried from the field. Lieutenant-colonel Green succeeded in the command. They stormed the first barrier, and entered the lower town. Montgomery had already bled on immortal ground, and his division having made a preci- pitate and most shameful retreat, as soon as their general fell, the corps under Greene was exposed to a sanguinary but unavailing contest. MADE PRISONER AT QUEBEC. 537 ROM the windows of the houses, which being constructed of stone, each was a castle, and from the tops of the parapets, a destructive fire was poured upon the assailants, which threatened inevitable destruction to every one who should appear in the streets. The Ameri- can troops maintained this desperate warfare until at last they were reduced to the necessity of surrendering in small parties. The whole corps led on by General Arnold, were killed or made prisoners of war. The officers were put into rigid confinement, and every day were tauntingly told, that in the spring they would be sent to England, and hanged as rebels. In May, 1776, Majors Meigs and Dearborn were permitted to return on their parole. They were sent round to Halifax in the frigate Niger, and treated with the usual contumely and hauteur of English officers. On their arrival at Halifax, they were put on board another ship of war, and the commander instructed by General Howe, to land them in some port of New England. After the ship had cruised with them on board for upwards of thirty days, during which period they met with the grossest insults, they were put on shore at Penobscot bay, from whence they proceeded to Portland by land. In the fore part of the following March, Dearborn was exchanged, and appointed a major to the third New Hampshire regiment, com- manded by Colonel Alexander Scammel, and early in May arrived with the regiment at Ticonderoga. On the 6th of July, the post of Ticonderoga was abandoned, on the approach of General Burgoyne's army. General St. Clair re- treated with the main body of the troops, by land, through Vermont to Hudson river, near Saratoga, and soon after continued to retreat, until the army had crossed the Mohawk river, near its junction with the Hudson, where considerable reinforcements were met, and Gene- ral Gates assumed the command of the northern army. Soon after the capture of the British detachment under Baum, at Bennington, by General Stark ; and the retreat of General St. Leger from Fort Stanwix, General Gates advanced to meet the enemy, who was encamped near Saratoga. When the enemy arrived at Stillwater, a corps of light infantry was formed, by detachments from the line, consisting of five full companies, and the conmiand given to Major Dearborn, with orders from General Gates to act in concert with Colonel Morgan's regiment of riflemen, which had joined the army a few days previous. A strong position was selected, called Bemis's Heights, and immediately occupied by the American 638 HENRY DEARBORN. army. The riflemen and Dearborn's corps of light infantry, en- camped in advance of the left of the main line. The British army had advanced from Saratoga, and encamped on the bank of the river, witliin three miles of General Gates's position. On the morning of the 19th of September, the advanced pickets announced that the right wing of the British army was still in mo- tion, when Morgan and Dearborn, wlio commanded separate corps, received orders from General Arnold to make a forward movement, to check the approaching column. These orders were promptly obeyed, and the advanced guard, consisting of torics and other irre- gulars, was soon met and attacked with spirit, in which conflict they killed and wounded a considerable number of the enemy, and made twenty-two prisoners. The action soon after became general, and continued until the dusk of the evening, on the same ground on which it commenced ; neither party having retreated more than twenty or thirty rods, and that alternately, so that the dead of both parties were mingled together. Dearborn, with his light corps, covered the left of the main line, while Morgan covered the right. The loss was severe on both sides, and especially in the New Hampshire line. Lieutenant-colonels Adams and Colburn being killed. Dearborn was promoted to a lieu- tenant-colonel, and was at that time in the twenty-seventh year of his age. As his light corps w'ere constantly employed in reconnoiter- ing, frequent actions occurred between the pickets and advanced parties of the enemy. In the campaign of 1778, Dearborn served with the main army, and in the battle of Monmouth, the spirited conduct of Cilley's de- tached regiment, of which Dearborn was lieutenant-colonel, attracted particularly the attention of the commander-in-chief. FTER Lee had made a precipitate and unex- pected retreat, Washington, among other mea- sures which he took to check the advance of the British, ordered Cilley's regiment to attack a body of troops w'hich were passing through an orchard on the right wing of the enemy. The regiment advanced under a heavy fire, with a rapid step and shouldered arms. The enemy filed off and formed on the edge of a morass. The Americans wheeled to the right, received their second fire, with shouldered arms, marched up within eight rods, dressed, gave a full fire and charged with the bayonet. The British having sustained considerable loss, fled with precipitation across the morass, where they were protected by the main body of the enemy. DEARBORN APPOINTED SECRETARY OF WAR. 539 .^'-^, OLONEL DEARBORN, was then des- •f" j'' patched to the commander-in-chief to ask ^y^ yi what further service was required ; when |^^'i.:_;,.r he approached, Washington inquired, with evident pleasure at their gallant conduct, " ivhat iroops are those?" "Full-blooded Yankees from New Hampshire, sir," replied Dearborn. Wash- ington expressed his approbation in explicit terms, and directed that they should fall back and refresh themselves, as the heat was very oppressive and the troops much fatigued. In the general orders of the next day, General Washington be- stowed the highest commendations on the brilliant exploit of the regiment. In 1779, Dearborn accompanied General Sullivan in his expe- dition against the Indians, and had an active share in the action of the 29th of August with the united forces of tories and Indians at Newtown. During the campaign of 1780, he was with the main army in Jersey. In 1781, he was appointed deputy quartermaster-general, with the rank of colonel, and served in that capacity with Washington's army in Virginia. He was at the siege of Yorktown, and the cap- ture of Lord Cornwallis and his army. Colonel Scammel being killed durinff the siea,e, Dcarbon succeeded to the command of the first New Hampshire regiment, and was ordered to the frontier gar- rison at Saratoga during the campaign of 1782. In November he joined the army at Newburgh. After the American independence was secured and acknowledged by the king of Great Britain, Colonel Dearborn, with his companions in arms, who had survived the fatigues, hardships and dangers of the war, returned to the pursuits of private life. In June, 1784, he removed from New Hampshire to Kennebeck, in the district of Maine. In 1787 he was elected brigadier-general of the militia, and soon after appointed a major-general. President Washington appointed him marshal for the district of Maine in the year 1780. He was twice elected to represent the district of Ken- nebeck in the Congress of the United States. On the accession of Mr. Jefferson to the presidency, he was ap- pointed secretary of war, and continued in that office until March, 1809, when he resigned, and was appointed collector for Boston, and in February, 1812, he received a commission as senior major- general in the army of the United States. The shameful surrender of General Hull at Detroit, and .subse- quent unfortunate transactions on the Niagara at Queenstown Heights, 540 HENRY DEARBORN. frustrated the plans of the campaign of 1812. Notwithstanding these severe checks, General Dearborn did not relax in activity, for as soon as he had ordered his army into winter-quarters at Platts- burgh and Burlington, he was constantly employed in recruiting the army, and making preparations for opening the campaign early in the following spring. Previous to the general's departure from Albany, in the month of February, 1813, he had ordered Generals Lewis and Boyd to the Niagara frontier, directing the former to prepare boats and scows, erect batteries, and make every necessary arrangement for an attack and descent on Fort George. General Dearborn, after giving these orders, repaired to Utica and Whitestown, made there arrangements for the transportation of troops down the Oswego to Sackett's Har- bor, and gave the necessary direction relative to all the military stores for the ensuing campaign. These accomplished, he proceeded to Sackett's Harbor, agreeably to a plan of operations which had been submitted to the consideration of the secretary of war, and which was left to the discretion of Major-General Dearborn to carry into effect. The projected plan was to capture and destroy Little York ; this would give Commodore Chauncey the command of. the lake, render it impossible to furnish their troops and Indians with stores, and cut off all communications between Kingston and Maiden. The plan was disclosed at the harbor, only to Commodore Chaun- cey and General Pike. General Lewis, then at the Niagara, was also advised of the movement, and ordered to be in readiness for an immediate attack on Fort George. After the capture of York, the troops were to be transported to Niagara, and make an instant attack on Fort George. This being effected, the army was to have been transported back to Sackett's Harbor ; from w hence, with an addi- tional number of troops collecting by previous orders, they were to make an attack on Kingston in its rear; while the fleet would batter the town, fortifications, and the fleet in front. With this system of operations in view. General Dearborn sailed with 1600 men, as soon as the ice permitted the fleet to leave the harbor York was taken April 27th, WMth all the stores of the British army; a ship of thirty guns burnt, and the Duke of Gloucester of fourteen guns made a prize. The Earl of Moira had previously sailed for Kingston. Upon the success of the first part of the expedition. General Dear- born sent an express to inform General Lewis what he had done, and to notify him of his intended arrival with the army at Fort Niagara, at which post the general arrived a few days after ; when he learnt INVASION OF CANADA. 541 Commodore Cbauncey. that General Lewis was at Judge Porter's, opposite Niagara falls, fourteen miles from his troops. Upon further inquiry, to the disap pointment and mortification of General Dearborn, it was further learnt, that no step had been taken by General Lewis to prepare for the contemplated attack. The batteries were not even commenced ; the boats necessary to make the descent were not furnished. Gen- eral Dearborn had felt a previous attachment for General Lewis, and out of respect to him, transmitted a letter to the Secretary of War, in which the violent storms were assigned as a public reason for the delay of the movement, and postponement of the intended attack ; but lest improper advantage should be taken of this circumstance, to the prejudice of General Dearborn, (which afterwards proved to be the case,) another letter was transmitted, which particularly detailed the real causes of the delay. The general, thus circumstanced, knowing the enemy would be reinforced before the boats to be built would be in readiness to pass over the army, desired Commodore Chauncey to return to Sackett's Harbor, and in the interim bring up General Chandler's brigade. During this period, five batteries were erected above Fort Niagara, and the boats which had been commenced, were ordered to be finished with all expedition, and brought round to Four Mile Creek ; the last 542 HENKY DEARBORN. was effected, on the river, under the fire of five of the enemy's batteries, without any loss. Immediately on the return of the fleet with General Chandler's brigade, the general issued an order which never has been published, " that on the next day the troops should breakfast at two o'clock, strike tents at three, and embark at four o'clock." The situation and position of the country had been previously obtained by spies, the place of landing designated, and the plan of attack delineated; which was submitted to Generals Lewis, Chandler, Winder, and Boyd, and met their full approbation. Excessive fatigues, and frequent exposures to storms, had pro duced a violent fever, which ten days previous to the attack on Fort George confined General Dearborn to his bed. The morning after the general order was announced for the attack. General Lewis called on him, and said it would be iinpossible for the enemy to be embarked. General Dearborn then, having some suspicions of the military character and energy of General Lewis, replied, the attack should be made when ordered ; that he was prepared, and no further delay would be allowed. The morning of the attack General Dearborn was mounted on his horse, by assistance, before four o'clock, in opposition to the opinion of his physicians, and against the remonstrances of the officers of the staff". He rode to the place of embarkation ; saw all the troops on board the fleet and boats. General Lewis, who had the immediate command, now first made his appearance, and expressed his great astonishment at the unexpected rapidity with which this movement had been made. This exertion had so exhausted General Dearborn, that he was taken from his horse, led to a boat, and conveyed on board the Madison. On his way to Four Mile Creek, Dr. Mann, hospital surgeon of the army, meeting General Dearborn, said to him, " 1 apprehend you do not intend to embark with the army." — The general replied, " I apprehend nothing, sir ; I go into battle, or perish in the attempt." From the first dawn of day, and while the army was embarking, a most tremendous fire of hot shot and shells from Fort Niagara and the new erected batteries, was opened on Fort George, and con- tinued until the block-houses, barracks and stores were enwrapped in flames, and the guns silenced. General Dearborn, from his great exertions, added to his ill state of health, was unable to support himself more than fifteen or twenty minutes on his feet at a time ; but he was nevertheless frequently up, watching these interesting movements. The troops had all landed, when General Lewis, (who ought to have preceded the reserve,) MISCONDUCT OF LEWIS. 543 still remained on board. His delay astonished General Dearborn, who, exercising his usual delicacy with him, merely suggested to him, whether he ought not to land, and then retired. Within twenty minutes General Dearborn again came on deck, and finding General Lewis still on board, ordered him to land. The enemy now had fallen back between the village of Newark and Fort George. After General Lewis had landed, one hour and a half had passed away, and four thousand men formed in order of battle, with a fine train of artillery, were seen standing still, while the enemy, not more than twelve hundred in number, was manoeuvring for a retreat. At this moment. General Dearborn forgot his debility, and insisted on being carried on shore : but by the strong solicitations of those about him, was prevailed upon to remain on board ; and in agon}' at the delay, sent his deputy adjutant-general, Beebe, to Genera] Lewis, with orders " to move instantly, surround tiie enemy, and cut them up." General Lewis, even after this order, waited an hour before Generals Boyd, Chandler and Scott, with all their arguments, could induce him to advance, and then only to the south side of Newark, perhaps three-fourths of a mile from his first position, where the line was again formed, and continued, until the enemy had retreated in the rear of Fort George, and took the route to Queenstown Heights. Colonel Scott, however, pursued the retreating broken army without orders, three miles, and would not desist in his pursuit, until four aids-de-camp of General Lewis had been despatched to order his return. Late in the day, the ship Madison moved up the Niagara river in front of Fort George, where General Dearborn was taken on shore and carried to his quarters much exhausted. Meeting with General Lewis, he expressed his disapprobation of his conduct, and ordered him to put the army in pursuit of the enemy at five o'clock in the morning. Instead of which, he did not move till five o'clock in the afternoon. Upon his arrival at Queenstown Heights, he learned that the enemy had made a rapid movement towards the head of Lake Ontario, a few hours previous, by the Beaver Dam, and sent back a report to this effect. Some cause, never distinctly explained, led to the retirement of General Dearborn from the command of the army. The tide of war had been changed by the capture of York and Fort George. Hitherto the arms of the United States had been disgraced, and accumulated disasters marked the events of the pre- ceding campaigns. An uninterrupted series of defeats had cast a gloom over the nation, which was at length dissipated by the splendid achievements of the army under the direction of General Dearborn. The prospects very likely to grow out of the matured 544 HENRY DEARBORN. plans of Dearborn, promised such a continued success, as must drive the enemy into Lower Canada, and place the American flag over the posts of Kingston and Montreal. Some will have it, that envy or ambition led to the superseding of General Dearborn. Hints, in the shape of " extracts of letters from respectable officers of the army," were circulated through the medium of the public papers, unfavorable to the military character of the general. These seem to have been totally disregarded by Dearborn, who placed full reliance on the knowledge he presumed the president had of his integrity, zeal, and devotion to the best interests of his country ; thus fortified, and fully conscious of the integrity of his own heart, he smiled at the indications of the impending storm which was hovering in the horizon for his destruction. The storm however at length broke over the general's head, and sent him from the army. The honor of conquering Canada was reserved for General Armstrong. If the secretary of war could have meant thus to have promoted any ulterior object of his own personal ambition, the disastrous move- ments of the army, under his guidance, caused those hopes to wither. On the morning of the 1 5th July, there was considerable agitation in camp in consequence of a report that Gen. Dearborn had received orders to retire from the command of the army at Fort George. This report, on inquiry, was found to be well grounded ; and General Boyd and all the field officers immediately assembled and addressed to the senior general warm and earnest solicitations for him to remain in command ; to which he made a suitable reply. At one o'clock, the officers repaired to head-quarters, to take leave of their chief, who had directed their successful efTorts in retrieving the honor of the American arms, and who had been present with them in scenes of privation and danger. There was no general ever gave a firmer countenance to an army in the hour of danger than General Dearborn. Disdaining to court popularity, he had acquired the confidence of every officer, as fully appears by their unsolicited expressions of it. On the same day the general took a most feeling and affectionatt leave of his brethren in arms ; he was accompanied to the Niagara by the officers who had served so happily under him ; every appro- priate honor was paid to the departing chief, a salute was fired from the ramparts of the fort, and a troop of horse received him on the opposite shore, and conducted him beyond Lewis's Tower. From Utica he addressed a letter, dated July 24th, 1813, to the President of the United States. This letter was dictated by mag- nanimity and firmness ; it concludes with the following expressions : " I shall never complain of being so disposed of, as the good of the ORDERED TO NEW YORK. 545 service may require, but the manner of performing an act gives a character to the act itself, and considering the particular manner and time of my removal from command, I trust it will not be deemed improper to afford me the satisfaction of an inquiry, for investigating any parts of my conduct, that may have been deemed impro])er, and on which my suspension from command may have been predicated." A few days after he reached his seat in Roxbury, his letter to the president was acknowledged, in a reply, dated, August 8th, 18 13. This reply is full of esteem and affection, yet holds out little, if any, prospect, that the inquiry, which the general solicited, would be attended to : the president concludes by observing, " I am persuaded that you will not lose in any respect by the effect of time and truth." On the 17th of the same month. General Dearborn again addressed the president in a letter in which he says, " To suspend an officer ot my grade and situation in command, except by the sentence of a court martial, or the opinion of a court of inquiry, is such a strong measure, as on general received principles, could only be justified by the most unequivocal and outrageous misconduct of the officer; and I cannot permit myself to doubt but that on reflection, it will be con- sidered proper to afford me a hearing before a suitable military tri- bunal, previous to my being again ordered on duty." Notwithstanding General Dearborn had requested not to be ordered on duty until his military conduct had been investigated by u com- petent military tribunal, a different course was pursued by the pre- sident. He received a letter from the war department, dated 24th December, 1813, directing him to repair to New York, and to take command of that post, as it was apprehended an attack might be made on that place by the enemy. The danger which menaced his country extinguished every other consideration in the breast of this citizen ; he repaired to New York, and, from thence, reiterated his request, to be indulged by an inquiry into his past military conduct. Although this wish of the genera] was never effectually attended to, yet it appears, that in a letter to him from the secretary of state, dated June 15th, 1814, he is pro- mised, that he will be gratified by the inquiry he courts, " when it may be done without injury to the service." The secretary, on this occasion, observes, " My own idea is that you require no vindication in the case alluded to ; that public opinion has already done you justice." The high opinion the president entertained of the talents and in- tegrity of General Dearborn, was sufficiently c inced by his nomina- tion of the general to fill the important office of secretary of war This was not acceded to by the senate. 35 54 6 HENRYDEARBORN. After the nomination, a number of the senators waited on the president, and he then gave them his opinion of General Dearborn, and explained to them the whole transaction, which had done so much injury to a faithful, zealous, patriotic and deserving officer. They were astonished, affirming that if this development had preceded the nomination, it would have been instantly confirmed. General Dearborn was subsequently appointed collector of the port of Boston, and in 1822, minister plenipotentiary to Portugal. Two years after, he returned to America at his own request. He died in 1829, aged seventv-eight. One of General Dearborn's biographers gives the following charac- teristic anecdote. Major-general Dearborn was one of the most popular of the gene- rals who distinguished themselves in the war of 1812—14. He was equally a favorite with the soldiers he commanded ; his habits of dignified familiarity endeared him to them, and their dangers and pri- vations were always lightened by having him share them. During one of the summer campaigns in the north, there occurred a suc- cession of violent thunder storms, which endangered the magazine. The sentinels posted on duty near these storehouses, regarded their death as certain should they be exploded by lightning, and they almost invariably deserted their posts on the coming of a storm. General Dearborn knew of this practice, and feared its effect upon the discipline of the troops. He knew that he could not force men to be morally brave, but thought that they might be shamed by ex- ample. One night, therefore, when he saw a storm approaching, he marched to the magazine when the sentinels were being changed, and announced his intention of assisting to keep the watch. He folded his cloak about him, calmly laid himself down on the top of the magazine, and remained there until after a violent storm had passed. For several nights he slept on the magazine, alike regard- less of the lightning's flash and the torrent of rain, until the soldiers entreated him to return to his tent, assuring him that the magazine would be well guarded in future. BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN CADWALADER. HIS gallant officer, born in Philadelphia, was distinguish- ed for his zealous and inflexi ble adherence to the cause of America, and forhis intrepidity as a soldier, in upholding that cause during the most discouragmg periods of danger and misfortune. At the dawn of the rcvolulion, he commanded a corps of volunteers, designated as "f/;e silk stocking company," of which nearly all the members were appointed to commissions in the line of the army. He afterwards was appointed colonel of one of the city battalions ; and, being thence promoted to the rank of brigadier- 547 548 JOH>" CADVVALADER. general, was intrusted with the command of the Pennsylvania troops, in the important operations of the winter campaign of 1776, and 1777. He acted with his command, and as a volunteer, in the actions of Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and ]\Ionmouth, and other occasions; and received the thanks of General Washington, whose confidence and regard he uniformly enjoyed. When General Washington determined to attack the British and Hessian troops at Trenton, he assigned him the command of a divi- sion. In the evening of Christmas day, 1776, General Washington made arrangements to pass the river Delaware, in three divisions : one, consisting of five hundred men, under General Cadwalader, from the vicinity of Bristol ; a second division, under the command of General Irvine, was to cross at Trenton feiry, and secure the bridge leading to the town. Generals Cadwalader and Irvine made every exertion to get over, but the quantity of ice was so great, that they could not effect their purpose. The third, and main body, which was commanded by General Washington, crossed at M'Kon- key's ferry ; but the ice in the river retarded their passage so long, that it was three o'clock in the morning before the artillery could be got over. On their landing in Jersey, they were formed into two divisions, commanded by Generals Sullivan and Greene, who had under their command brigadiers Lord Sterling, Mercer and St. Clair ; one of these divisions was ordered to proceed on the lovv'er, or river road, the other on the upper or Pennington road. Colonel Stark, with some light troops, was also directed to advance near to the river, and to possess himself of that part of the town, which is beyond the bridge. The divisions having nearly the same distance to march, were ordered immediately on forcing the out-guards, to push directly into Trenton, that they might charge the enemy before they had time to form. Thouffh they marched different roads, yet they arrived at the enemy's advanced post within three minutes of each other. The out-guards of the Hessian troops at Trenton soon fell back, but kept up a constant retreating fire. Their main body being hard pressed Dy the Americans, who had already got possession of half their artil- lery, attempted to file off by a road leading tovi'ards Princeton, but were checked by a body of troops thrown in their way. Finding they were surrounded, they laid down their arms. The number which submitted, was twenty-three officers, and eight hundred and eighty-six men. Between thirty and forty of the Hessians were killed and wounded. Colonel Rahlwas among the former, and seven of his officers among the latter. Captain Washington, of the Vir- ginia troops, and five or six of the Americans were wounded. Two were killed, and two or three were frozen to death. The detachment BATTLE OF PRINCETON. 540 In Trenton, consisting of the regiments of Rahl, Losberg and Kni- phausen, amounting in the whole to about fifteen hundred men, and a troop of British hght horse. All these were killed or captured, except about si.x hundred, who escaped by the road leading to Bordentown. The British had a strong battalion of light infantry at Princeton, and a force yet remaining near the Delaware, superior to the Ameri- can army. General Washington, therefore, in the evening of the same day, thought it most prudent to recross into Pennsylvania, with his prisoners. The next day after Washington's return, supposing him still on the Jersey side. General Cadwalader crossed with about fifteen hundred men, and pursued the panic-struck enemy to Burlington. The merits and services of General Cadwalader, induced the Con- gress, early in 1778, to compliment him by an unanimous vote, with the appointment of general of cavalry ; which appointment he de- clined, under an impression that he could be more useful to his country in the sphere in which he had been acting. HE victory at Trenton had a most happy effect, and General Washington, finding himself at the head of a force with which it was practicable to attempt something, resolved not to remain in- active. Inferior as he was to the enemy, he yet determined to employ the winter in endeavoring to recover the whole, oi a greater part of Jersey. The enemy were now collected in force at Prince- ton, under Lord Cornwallis, where some works were thrown up. Generals Mifflin and Cadwalader, who lay at Bordentown and Cross- wicks, with three thousand six hundred militia, were ordered to niaTcK up in the night of the first of Janunry, 1 777, to join the commander- in-chief, whose whole force, with this addition, did not exceed five thousand men. He formed the bold and judicious design of aban- doning the Delaware, and marching silently in the night by a circui- tous route, along the left flank of the enemy, into their rear at Princeton, where he knew they could not be very strong. He reached Princeton early in the morning of the third, and would have completely surprised the British, had not a party, which was on their way to Trenton, descried his troops, when they were about two miles distant, and sent back couriers to alarm their fellow soldiers in the rear. A sharp action ensued, which however was not of long duration. The militia, of which the advanced party was principally composed, soon gave way. General Mercer was mortally vvoun4fi4 550 JOHN CADWALADER. while exerting himself to rally his broken troops. The moment was critical. General Washington pushed forward, and placed himself between his own men and the British, with his horse's head fronting the latter. The Americans, encouraged by his example, made a stand, and returned the British fire. A party of the British fled into the college, and were attacked with field pieces. After receiving a few discharges they came out and surrendered themselves prisoners of war. In this action upwards of one hundred of the enemy were killed on the spot, and three hundred taken prisoners. The Ameri- cans lost only a few, but Colonels Haslet and Potter, two brave and valuable officers, from Delaware and Pennsylvania, were among the slain. General Cadwalader's celebrated duel with General Conway, arose from his spirited opposition to the intrigues of that officer, to undermine the standing of the commander-in-chief. The anecdote relative to the duel, in " Anecdotes of the Revolutionary War," by Alexander Garden, of Charleston, South Carolina, is not entirely correct. It will be recollected that General Conway was dangerously wounded, and while his recovery was doubtful, he addressed a letter to General Washington, acknowledging that he had done him injustice. Among many obituary notices of General Cadwalader, the follow- ing outline of his character, in the form of a monumental inscription, is selected from a Baltimore paper, of the 24th of February, 1786 : IN MEMORY or GENERAL JOHN CADWALADER, Who died, February the 10th, 1786, AT SHREWSEUBT, HIS SEAT IN KENT COUNTT In the forty-fourth year of his age. This amiable and -worthy gentleman, had served his country ■with reputation, in the character of a Soldier and Statesman : He took an active part, and liad a principal share in the late Revolution, and, although be was zealous in the cause of American freedom, his condnct was not marked -with the least degree of malevolence or party spirit; those who honestly differed from him in opinion, he always treated with singular tenderness. In sociability and cheerfulness of temper, honesty and goodness of heart, independence of spirit, and warmth of friendship, he had no superior, and few, very few equals: Never did any man die more la- mented by his friends and neighbors: To his family and near relations, his death was a stroke still more severe. BRIGADIER GENERAL PELEG WADSWORTH. IpTiT^HIS brave officer belonged to the 1/ 111 iJ Massachusetts militia. We find no detailed particulars of his life. But we deem the following notice of his brave defence of his house, and rela- tion of his subsequent captivity, by Dr. Dwight, too interesting to be omitted. After the failure of the expedition against the British garrison at Penobscot, General Peleg Wadsworth was appointed in the spring of 1780, to the command of a party of state troops in Camden, in the district of Maine. At the expiration of the period for which the troops were engaged, in February following, General Wadsworth dismissed his troops, retain- ing six soldiers only as his guard, and he was making preparations to depart from the place. A neighboring inhabitant communicated his situation to the British commander at Penobscot, and a party of twenty-five soldiers, commanded by Lieutenant Stockton, was sent to make him a prisoner. They embarked in a small schooner, and landing within four miles of the general's quarters, they were con- cealed at the house of one Snow, a methodist preacher, professedly a friend to him, but really a traitor, till eleven o'clock in the evening, where they made their arrangements for the attack on the general's quarters. The party rushed suddenly on the sentinel, who gave the 551 652 PELEG WADSWORTH. alarm, and one of his comrades instantly opened the door of the kitchen, and the enemy were so near as to enter with the sentinel. The lady of the general, and her friend Miss Fenno, of Boston, were in the house at the time ; and Mrs. Wadsworth escaped from the room of her husband into that of Miss Fenno. The assailants soon became masters of the whole house, except the room where the general was, and which was strongly barred, and they kept up a constant firing of musketry into the windows and door, except into those of the ladies' room. Gen. Wadsworth was provided with a pair of pistols, a blunderbuss, and a fusee, which he employed with great dexterity, being determined to defend himself to the last moment. With his pistols which he discharged several times, he defended the windows of his room, and a door which opened into the kitchen. His blunderbuss he snapped several times, but unfortunately it missed fire ; he then seized his fusee, which he discharged on some who were breaking through one of the windows, and obliged them to flee. He next defended himself with his bayonet, till he received a ball through his left arm, when he surrendered, which terminated the contest. The firing, however, did not cease from the kitchen, till the general unbarred the door, when the soldiers rushed into the room ; and one of them, who had been badly wounded, pointing his musket at his breast, exclaimed with an oath, ' you have taken my life, and I will take yours.' But Lieutenant Stockton turned the musket and saved his life. The commanding officer now applauded the general for his admirable defence, and assisted in putting on his clothes, saying, ' you see we are in a critical situation ; you must excuse haste.' Mrs. Wadsworth threw a blanket over him, and Miss Fenno applied a handkerchief closely around his wounded arm. In this condition, though much exhausted, he with a wounded American soldier, was directed to march on foot, while two British wounded soldiers were mounted on a horse taken from the general's barn. They departed in great haste. When they had proceeded about a mile, they met at a small house a number of people who had collected, and who inquired if they had taken General Wadsworth. They said no, and added that they must leave a wounded man in their care ; and if they paid proper attention to him, they should be com- pensated ; but if not, they would burn down their house ; but the man appeared to be dying. General Wadsworth was now mounted on the horse, behind the other wounded soldier, and was warned that his safety depended on his silence. Having crossed over a frozen mill pond, about a mile in length, they were met by some of their party who had been left behind. At this place they found the British privateer which brought the party from the fort ; the captain, on CAPTURE OF WADSWORTIl. 553 being told that he must return there with the prisoner and the party, and seeing some of his men wounded, became outrageous, and damned the general for a rebel, demanded how he dared to fire on the king's troops, and ordered him to help launch the boat, or he would put his hanger through his body. The general replied that he was a prisoner, and badly wounded, and could not assist in launching the boat. Lieutenant Stockton, on hearing of this abusive treatment, in a manner honorable to himself, told the captain that the prisoner was a gentleman, had made a brave defence, and was to be treated accordingly, and added, that his conduct should be represented to General Campbell. After this the captain treated the prisoner with great civility, and afforded him every comfort in his power. General Wadsworth had left the ladies in the house, not a window of which escaped destruction. The doors were broken down, and two of the rooms were set on fire, the floors covered with blood, and on one of them lay a brave old soldier dangerously wounded, begging for death, that he might be released from misery. The anxiety and distress of Mrs. Wadsworth was inexpressible, and that of the general was greatly increased by the uncertainty in his mind respecting the fate of his little son, only five years old, who had been exposed to every danger by the firing into the house ; but he had the happiness after- ward to hear of his safety. Having arrived at the British post, the capture of General Wadsworth was soon announced, and the shore was thronged with spectators, to see the man who, through the preceding year, had disappointed all the designs of the British in that quarter ; and loud shouts were heard from the rabble which covered the shore ; but when he arrived at the fort, and was conducted into the officers' guard-room, he was treated with politeness. General Campbell, the commandant of the British garrison, sent his compli- ments to him, and a surgeon to dress his wounds ; assuring him that his situation should be made comfortable. N the morning. General Camp- bell invited him to breakfast, and at table paid him many compliments on the defence he had made, observing, however, that he had exposed himself in a degree not perfectly justifiable. General Wadsworth replied, that from the manner of the attack, he had no reason to suspect any design of taking him alive, and that he intended, therefore, to sell his life as dearly as pos- But, sir,' says General Campbell, ' I understand that the sible. 554 PELEG WADSWORTH captain of the privateer treated you very ill ; I shall see that matter set right.' He then informed the prisoner, that a room in the offi- cers' barracks within the fort was prepared for him, and that he should send his orderly sergeant daily to attend him to breakfast and dinner at his table. Having retired to his solitary apartment, and while his spirits were extremely depressed by a recollection of the past, and by his present situation, he received from General Campbell several books of amusement, and soon after a visit from him, kindly endeavoring to cheer the spirits of his prisoner by con- versation. Not long after, the officers of the party called, and among others the redoubtable captain of the privateer, who called to ask pardon for what had fallen from him when in a passion : adding that it was not in his nature to treat a gentleman prisoner ill ; that the un- expected disappointment of his cruise had thrown him off his guard, and he hoped that this would be deemed a sufficient apology. This General W adsworth accepted. At the hour of dining he was invited to the table of the commandant, where he met with all the principal officers of the garrison ; from whom he received particular atten- tion and politeness. General Wadsworth soon made application to the commandant for a flag of truce, by which means he could trans- mit a letter to the governor of Massachusetts, and another to Mrs. Wadsworth : this was granted, on the condition that the letter to the governor should be inspected. The flag was intrusted to Lieutenant Stockton, and on his return, the general was relieved from all anxiety respecting his wife and family. General Campbell, and the officers of the garrison, continued their civilities for some time, and endea- vored, by books and personal visits, to render his situation as plea- sant as circumstances would admit of. At the end of five weeks, his wound being nearly healed, he requested of General Campbell the customary privilege of a parole, and received in reply, that his case had been reported to the commanding officer at New York, and that no alteration could be made till orders were received from that quarter. In about two months, Mrs. Wadsworth and Miss Fenno arrived ; and General Campbell and some of the officers contributed to render their visit agreeable to all concerned. About the same time, orders were received from the commanding general at N^ew York, which were concealed from General Wadsworth ; but he finally learned that he was not to be paroled nor exchanged, but was to be sent to England as a rebel of too much consequence to be at liberty. Not long afterward, Major Benjamin Burton, a brave and worthy man, who had served under General Wadsworth the preceding sum- mer, was taken and brought into the fort, and lodged in the same room with General Wadsworth. He had been informed, that both ESCAPES FROM PRISON. 555 himself and the genera] were to be sent, immediately after tl e re- turn of a privateer, now out on a cruise, either to New York or Halifax, and thence to England. The prisoners immediately resolved to make a desperate attempt to effect their escape. They were con- fined in a grated room in the officers' barracks, within the fort. The walls of this fortress, exclusively of the depth of the ditch surround- ing it, were twenty feet high, with fraising on the top, and chevaux- de-frise at the bottom. Two sentinels were always in the entry, and their door, the upper part of which was of glass, might be opened by these watchmen wlienever they thought proper, and was actually opened at seasons of peculiar darkness and silence. At the exterior doors of the entries, sentinels were also stationed ; as were others in the body of the fort, and at the quarters of General Campbell. At the guard-house a strong guard was daily mounted. Several sen- tinels were stationed on the walls of the fort, and a complete line occupied them by night. Without the ditch, glacis and abattis, an- other complete set of soldiers patroled through the night also. The gate of the fort was shut at sunset, and a picket guard was placed on or near the isthmus leading from the fort to the main land. The room in which they were confined was railed with boards. One of these they determined to cut off so as to make a hole large enough to pass through, and then to creep along till they should come to the next or middle entry ; and then lower themselves down into this entry by a blanket. If they should not be discovered, the passage to the walls of the fort was easy. In the evening, after the sentinels had seen the prisoners retire to bed. General Wadsworth got up and standing on a chair, attempted to cut with his knife the intended opening, but soon found it impracticable. The next day by giving a soldier a dollar they procured a gimlet. With this instrument they proceeded cautiously, and as silently as possible to perforate the board, and in order to conceal every appearance from their servants, and from the officers their visitors, they carefully covered the gimlet holes with chewed bread. At the end of three weeks their labors were so far completed that it only remained to cut with a knife the parts which were left to hold the piece in its place. When their preparations were finished, they learned that a privateer in which they were to embark was daily expected. In the evening of the 18th of June, a very severe storm of rain, with great dark- ness and almost incessant lightning, came on. This the prisoners considered as the propitious moment. Having extinguished their lights, they began to cut the corners of the board, and in less than an hour the intended opening was completed. The noise which the operation occasioned was drowned by the rain falling on the roof 556 PELEG WADSWORTH. Major Burton first ascended to the ceiling, and pressed himself through the opening. General Wadsworth next, having put the corner of his blanket through the hole, and made it fast by a strong wooden skewer, attempted to make his way through, standing on a chair below, but it was with extreme difficulty that he at length effected it, and reached the middle entry. Fjom this he passed through the door which he found open, and made his way to the wall of the fort, and had to encounter the greatest difficulty before he could ascend to the top. He had now to creep along the top of the fort between the sentry boxes at the very moment when the relief was shifting sentinels, but the falling of heavy rain kept the senti- nels within their boxes, and favored his escape. Having now fas- tened his blanket round a picket at the top, he let himself down thorough the chevaux-de-frise to the ground, and in a manner aston- ishing to himself made his way into the open field. Here he was obliged to grope his way among rocks, stumps and brush, in the darkness of night, till he reached the cove ; happily the tide had ebbed, and enabled him to cross the water about a mile in breadth, and not more than three feet deep. About two o'clock in the morn- ing General Wadsworth found himself a mile and a half from the fort, and he proceeded through a thick wood and brush to the Penob- scot river, and after passing some distance along the shore, seven miles from the fort, he met Burton advancing towards him. He had encountered difficulties also, and such were the perils they surmount- ed, that their escape may be considered almost miraculous. They still had to cross Penobscot river, and fortunately they found a canoe with oars on the shore. While on the river they saw a barge with a party of British from the fort in pursuit of them, but by taking an oblique course, and plying their oars to the utmost, they happily eluded their pursuers and arrived safe on the western shore. After wandering for several days and nights, exposed to extreme fatigue and cold, and with no other food than a little dry bread and meat, which they brought in their pockets, they reached the settlements on the river St. George, and no further difficulties attended their return to their respective families. MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM PRESCOTT. ^-^--_ ILLIAM PRESCOTT, was an officer distinguished by the most determined bravery, who became conspicuous from the circumstance of his having commanded the American troops at the battle of Bunker's Hill, on the memorable 17th of June, He was born in 1726, at Goshen, in Massachusetts, and was a lieutenant of the provincial troops at the capture of Cape Breton, in 1758. The British general was so much pleased with his conduct in that campaign, that he offered him a commission in the regular army, which he declined, to return home with his countrymen. From this time till the approach of the revolutionary war, he remained on his farm at Pepperel, filling various municipal offices, and enjoying the esteem and affection of his fellow citizens. As the difficulties between the mother country and the colonies grew more serious, he took a deeper and more decided part in public affairs. In 1774, he was appointed to command a regiment of minute men, organized by the provincial congress. He marched his regiment to Lexington, immediately on receiving notice of the intended opera- tions of General Gage against Concord ; but the British detachment had retreated before he had time to meet it. He then proceeded to Cambridge, and entered the army that was ordered to be raised ; and the greater part of his officers and privates volunteered to serve with him for the first campaign. On the 16th of June, three regiments were placed under him, and 557 558 WILLIAM PRESCOTT. he was ordered to Charlestown in the evening, to take possession of Bunker's Hill, and throw up works for its defence. When they reached the ground, it was perceived that Breed's Hill, which is a few rods south of Bunker's Hill, was the most suitable station. The troops under the direction of Colonel Gridley, an able engineer, were busily engaged in throwing up a small redoubt and breastwork, which latter was formed by placing two rail fences near together, and fill- ing the interval with new mown hay lying on the ground. There was something in the rustic materials of these defences, hastily made, in a short summer's night, within gunshot of a powerful enemy, that was particularly apposite to a body of armed husband- men, who had rushed to the field at the first sound of alarm. As soon as these frail works were discovered the next morning, the British commander made preparations to get possession of them. General Howe, with various detachments, amounting to near five thousand men, was ordered to dislodge the " rebels." The force which Colonel Prescott could command for the defence of the redoubt and breastwork, was about twelve hundred men. Very few of these had ever seen an action. They had been laboring all night in creating these defences ; and the redoubt, if it could be so called, was open on two sides. Instead of being relieved by fresh troops, as they had e.\pected, they were left without supplies of ammunition or refreshment ; and thus fatigued and destitute, they had to bear the repeated assaults of a numerous, well appointed, veteran army. They destroyed nearly as many of their assailants, as the whole of their own number engaged ; and they did not retreat until their ammunition was exhausted, and the enemy, supplied with fresh troops and cannon, completely overpowered them. Colonel Prescott lost nearly one quarter of his own regiment in the action. When General Warren came upon the hill. Colonel Prescott asked him if he had any orders to give ; he answered, " No, colonel, I am only a volunteer ; the command is yours." When he was at length forced to tell his men to retreat as well as they could, he was one of the last who left the intrenchment. He was so well satisfied with the bravery of his companions, and convinced that the enemy were disheartened by the severe and unexpected loss which they had sustained, that he requested the commander-in-chief to give him two regiments, and he would retake the position the same night. He continued in the service until the beginning of 1777, when he resigned and returned to his home ; but in the autumn of that year, he went as a volunteer to the northern army under General Gates, and assisted in the capture of General Burgoyne. This was his CHARACTER OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 559 last military service. He was subsequently, for several years, a member of the legislature, and died in 1795, in the seventieth year of his age. General Prescott was a genuine specimen of an energetic, brave, and patriotic citizen, who was ready in the hour of danger, to place himself in the van, and partake in all the perils of his country ; feel- ing anxious for its prosperity, without caring to share in its emolu- ments ; and maintaining beneath a plain exterior and simple habits, a dignified pride in his native land, and a high-minded >love of freedom. The immediate results of this engagement were great and various. Though the Americans were obliged to yield the ground for want of ammunition, yet their defeat was substantially a triumph. The actual loss of the British army was severe, and was deeply felt by themselves and their friends. The charm of their invincibility was broken. The hopes of the whole continent were raised. It was demonstrated, that although they might burn towns, or overwhelm raw troops by superior discipline and numbers, yet the conquest at least would not be an easy one. Those patriots, who, under the most arduous responsibility, at the peril of every thing which men of sense and virtue can value, hazarded in the support of public prin- ciples, present ruin and future disgrace, though they felt this onset to be only the beginning of a civil war, yet were invigorated by its results, which cleared away some painful uncertainties ; while. the bravery and firmness that had been displayed by their countrymen, inspired a more positive expectation of being ultimately triumphant. In the life of James Otis, by William Tudor, of Boston, from which work the foregoing is taken, the following note is made rela- tive to the battle. '• The anxiety and various emotions of the people of Boston, on this occasion, had a highly dramatic kind of interest. Those who sided with the British troops began to see even in the duration of this battle, the possibility that they had taken the wrong side, and that they might become exiles from their country. While those whose whole soul was with their countrymen, were in dreadful apprehension for their friends, in a contest, the severity of which was shown by the destruction of their enemies. " After the battle had continued for some time, a young person living in Boston, possessed of very keen and generous feelings, bor- dering a little perhaps on the romantic, as was natural to her age, sex, and lively imagination, firding that many of the wounded troops brought over from the field of action were carried by her residence, mixed a quantity of refreshing beverage, and with a female domestic by her side, stood at the door, and offered it to the sufferers as they were borne along, burning with fever, and parched with thirst 560 WILLIAM PRESCOTT. Several of them, grateful for the Idndness, gave her, as they thought, consolation, by assuring her of the destruction of her countrymen. One young officer said, ' never mind it, my young lady, we have peppered 'em well, depend upon it.' Her dearest feelings, deeply interested in the opposite camp, were thus unintentionally lacerated, while she was pouring oil and wine into their wounds." General Henry Lee, in his Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department, makes the following remark, in relation to Prescott and his gallant band : " When future generations shall inquire, where are the men who gained the brightest prize of glory in the arduous contest which ushered in our nation's birth ? upon Prescott and his companions in arms, will the eye of history beam. The military annals of the world rarely furnish an achievement which equals the firmness and courage displayed on that proud day by the gallant Americans ; and it certainly stands first in the brilliant events of the war." BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN FROST. HIS gentleman was descended from Nicholas Frost, Esq., who emigrated from Devonshire, England, in 1630, and settled in Kilter3% (now Eliot,) in the county of York, Maine, on an estate which is still in possession of his lineal descendant, Joseph Frost, Esq. Charles, the only son and heir of Nicholas, was killed by the Indians as he was return- ing on horseback from divine service on the Sabbath, in the year 1697. His wile, who was mounted on another horse, escaped the fate of her husband.* One of his sons, the Honorable John Frost, who was married to a sister of Sir William Pepperell, the hero of Cape Breton,! settled at New Castle, New Hampshire, where he * This incident is characteristic of the perilous scenes of our early colonial history. Several of General Frost's family connexions are mentioned in the annals of Maine, as having served in the early Indian wars. I Sir William Pepperell commanded the celebrated expedition against Cape Breton, in 1745, and received his title for his services on that occasion. 36 561 562 JOHN FROST. rose to office and distinction under the colonial government of the province. John Frost, his second son, inherited the estate in Kittery from his father in 1768, and left it to his son, John, the subject of the present notice. Brigadier-General John Frost was born in Kittery, May 5th, 1738. He was married when quite young to Mary, daughter of Ebenezer Nowell, Esq., of York, Maine. Soon after this event, toward the close of the seven years' war, commonly called the old French war, at a period when the people of the colonies had become extremely exasperated at the long continuance of the struggle, and were fully determined to accomplish the expulsion of the French from Canada, Mr. Frost, following the spirited example of several other gentlemen in his neighborhood, enlisted a company of men, entered the army as acaptain, and served in the expedition against Louisburg, in 1758. This expedition, consisting of twenty ships of the line, eighteen frigates, and fourteen thousand men under the command of General Amherst, sailed from Halifax on the 28th of May, and reduced the almost impregnable fortress of Louisburg, which was surrendered on the 26th of July. General Wolfe and General Montgomery both took a part in tliis enterprise, and Wolfe by his energy and decision contributed greally to the successful result. In the next campaign, 1759, Captain Frost served in another expedition under General Amherst, in which the important fortresses of Ticondcroga and Crown Point were captured, and in the subse- quent campaign of 1760, he assisted at the capture of i\Iontreal, by SERVICES IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 563 which the conquest of Canada was completed. He then retired to his estate in Kittery, where he remained until the opening of the revolutionary war. Ever attached to the cause of freedom, he was among the first to take up arms in the service of his country. In the first campaign of the revolution he served at the siege of Boston as lieutenant-colonel in the regiment of Colonel Moulton of York. His oldest son, John, then only sixteen years of age, accompanied him as a ])rivate soldier. At the opening of the next campaign, Lieutenant-Colonel Frost was promoted to the rank of colonel, and marching under the standard of Washington to the theatre of action in the state of New York, signalized himself in several of the hard fought battles which took place before the retreat of Washington to Philadelphia. When Bur- goyne's invasion took place. Colonel Frost's regiment served under Gen. Gates in the successful defence of our territory, and the colonel was one of those New England officers who performed such effective service in the battles of Stillwater and of Bemis's Heights. After the surrender of Burgoyne, Colonel Frost joined the central division of the army under General Washington, and was present at the battle of Monmouth. In speaking of this battle, subsequently, he often referred to the intense heat of the day, evidenced by the fact that great numbers of the soldiers actually perished with the heat, or with the effect of suddenly drinking cold water while over-heated with the fatigues of the action. After this. Colonel Frost continued to serve in the middle and southern states until the close of the war, at which time he had risen to the rank of brigadier-general. After General Frost's retirement to private life, at the termination of hostilities, he resumed, as usual, the cultivation of his fine estate in Kittery. But he was soon called to public duties, being appointed one of the justices of the court of sessions of York county, Maine, and a member of the council of the governor of Massachusetts, which then included Maine. Towards the close of his life he relinquished all public employments. He died in Kittery, in July, 1810, at the advanced age of seventy-two. Of the family of General Frost, one or more members performed service in every war in which this country has been engaged, from the earliest colonial times to the present day. Several of his ancestors fell in the early Indian wars. His brother William was a lieutenant in the revolution. His oldest son John, as already stated, fell in that war. His son George and two grandsons were engaged in the naval service during the war of 1812, in which service George was lost at sea. His grandson, Rev. Nathaniel Frost, is now a chaplain in the navy of the United States. MAJOR GENERAL ARTEMAS WARD. ,RTEMA.S WARD, the first major-general in the American army, was graduated at Harvard college in 1743, and was afterwards a representative in the legislature, a member of the council, and a justice of the court of common pleas for Worcester county, Massachusetts. When the war commenced with Great Britain, he was appointed by congress first major-general, June 17, 1775. After the arrival of Washington in July, when dispo- sition was made of the troops for the siege of Boston, the command of the right wing of the army at Roxbury was intrusted to General Ward. He resigned his commission in April 1776, though he continued for some time longer in command at the request of Washington. He afterwards devoted himself to the duties of civil life. He was a member of congress both before and after the adoption of the present constitution. After a long decline, in which he exhibited the most exemplary patience, he died at Shrews- bury, October 28, 1800, aged seventy-three years. He was a man of incorruptible integrity. So fixed and unyielding were the princi- ples which governed him, that his conscientiousness in lesser concerns was by some ascribed to bigotry. His life presented the virtues of the Christian. 564 BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM EATON. HE subject of this memoir was born at Woodstock, in Con- necticut, on the 23d of Feb- ruary, 1764. His father was a plain farmer, who support- ed his family by farming in the summer, and by teaching school during the winter sea- son, for which latter occupation he is represented as having been well qualified. He died on the 23d of November, 1804. William early discovered an eagerness for knowledge, and a dislike of manual labor ; his chief delight being a book or a pen, or ihe sports of the field. He received from his father an elementary education. When he was ten years of age, his parents removed from Woodstock to Mansfield, where 565 566 WILLIAM EATON. his fearlessness and love of adventure were such as frequently to endanger his life. ,T the age of sixteen he left home, and without the knowledge of his parents, enlisted in the army, but in consequence of the failure of liis health, he returned home in about a year. When his health permitted he again joined tlje army, and remained in the service, until the spring cf 1783, when he was honorably discharged, having been promoted to the rank of sergeant. After this he remained with his parents until the latter part of 1784, where he commenced the study of the classical languages, under the Reverend Mr. Nott, of Franklin. In October 1785, he was admitted as a freshman in Dartmouth College, (N. H.) with the privilege of teaching school in the winter months. Eaton began his occupation as a teacher in November, 1785, at Windham, and con- tinued until June 1786, giving only a small portion of his time to collegiate studies. During the summer of this year, he returned to his father's farm in Mansfield, where he divided his time between agricultural and literary studies. In November he recommenced his school in Windham, and continued it till the spring of the following year. In May he was re-admitted into the freshman class of Dart- mouth College. Here he remained until May, 1790, supporting himself, in part, by teaching school during the winter months. In August, 1790, he received the degree of bachelor of arts ; and delivered, with a classmate, Wm. Jackson, a poetical dialogue, at the commencement of that year. His collegiate studies being completed, he again opened school in Windsor, which he continued till August, 1791. In the month of October following, he was chosen clerk to the house of delegates of the state of Vermont. In March, 1792, he received, through the influence of the honor- able Stephen R. Bradly, a senator of the United States from Ver- mont, a commission of captain in the army, and, under orders from- the war department, proceeded in May to Bennington, (Vermont,) to take command of the recruits then assembling under his ensign, Charles Hyde. In August, he was married to Mrs. Eliza Danielson, widow of General Danielson, of Union, Connecticut, and immediately after- ward departed with his wife to Windsor, Vermont. Having received marching orders, Captain Eaton in September proceeded with his company to Albany, and from thence to New York and Philadelphia. At the latter place he was joined by some TRIED BY A COURT MARTIAL. 567 other troops, and ordered to proce< d with them to Pittsburg, and report himself to General Wayne. Shortly afterwards he joined the army at Legionville. In May, 1793, Captain Eaton, with the army, arrivtd at Cincin- nati. During his continuance with the western army, he was engaged in various skirmishes and scouting parties, and assisted in the erec- tion of Fort Recovery. In February, 1794, he obtained leave ot absence, and returned to Brimfield by way of Philadelphia. In June, by request of the secretary of war, he engaged in the recruiting ser- vice at Springfield. He remained in this service till October, 1795, when he marched with his troops to St. Mary's, Georgia. Soon after arriving at this station, Captaiii Eaton commenced the erection of Fort Pickering, at Colerain. The principal objects of the force at St. Mary's, were to keep the Creek Indians in check, and to repress any acts of violence on the part of the citizens of Georgia towards the inhabitants of Florida. The arrival of commissioners, in the month of May, 1796, who, on the part of the United States, effected a treaty with the Creek Indians, accomplished the chief object for which the troops had been marched to that station. During Eaton's stay at this station, a misunderstanding took place between him and Colonel Gaither, and other officers ; and in the month of August he was arrested and tried by a court martial. This affair is of some consequence, as an attempt was made by Colonel Burr, during his trial at Richmond, to destroy or set aside the credi- bility and even the competency of Eaton's testimony, on account of the various charges preferred against him.* He was charged with speculating on the men under his command, in the furnishing them with clothing ; with detaining bounty money, and paying to his men, in lieu thereof, goods at an advanced price ; with selling the public corn ; with defrauding the men under his command of rations due them; with disobedience of orders, and with liberating a soldier who had caused the death of another, and tearing the charge in a contemptuous manner. These charges were ably refuted, but the court martial sentenced him to a two months' suspension from command. This decision was sent to Colonel Gaithers, for his ajiproval ; but on receiving it that officer imprisoned Eaton in Fort Pickering, despatched the proceed- ing of. the court to the secretary of war, and after a month's confine- ment ordered his prisoner to the seat of government. The sentence • For a full statement of the trial which took place, we refer the reaJer to his letter to Mr, Pinckney, secretary of war, which, with the charges against him, and his defence, may be found io a " Life of General Eaton," published in Brookiield, in 1813. 568 WILLIAM EATON. of the court was not confirmed by the secretary of war, and on apphcation to him, Eaton was permitted to retain his rank. In July of the following year, (1797,) Captain Eaton was com- missioned by the secretary of state to procure information relative to Blount's conspiracy, and to arrest the person of Dr. Romayne, and secure his papers. This he accomplished in two days. HORTLY after this, he was appointed consul of the United States for the kingdom of Tunis, and prior to his departure for that country was charged with despatches to Mr. Gerry, then at Cambridge, and about sailing for France. After delivering the despatches he returned to Brimfield, where he spent the autumn. In the winter he visited Ohio, where he remained till the following March, when he returned home. On the 12th of November following, he received notice from the secretary of state, that the vessels destined for Algiers were ready to sail. He took leave of his family, and on the 18th, arrived at Philadelphia. From this period dates the most important part of Eaton's public life. The theatre of his action, was now in a barbarous country, the character of which gave ample scope to his vigorous character, and his love of strange adventure. On the 22d of December 1798, Mr. Eaton embarked on board the United States brig Sophia, bound to Algiers. In company with the Sophia were the Hero, a vessel of 350 tons, laden with naval stores for the Dey of Algiers; the Hassan Bashaw, a brig of 27 5 tons, the Skjoldabrand, a schooner of 250 tons, and the Le)a Eisha : the four latter named vessels were destined by the United States, to be delivered to the Dey of Algiers as payment of stipulations and arrear- ages due him. Eaton arrived in Algiers, February 9th, 1799, where he remained in company with Mr. O'Brian the consul-general of the United States for the Barbary coast, until March. The vessels that sailed with the Sophia were delivered to the Regency, and on the 22d of February the consuls were presented at the palace. The following extract from Eaton's journal, gives an account of the ceremonies on that occasion. "February 22d. — Consul O'Brian, Cathcart,'and myself. Captain Geddes, Smith, Penrose, and Maley, proceeded from the American house to the court-yard of the palace, uncovered our heads, entered the area of the hall, ascended a winding maze of five flights of stairs, to a narrow dark entry leading to a contracted apartment, of about AUDIENCE OF THE DEY. 569 twelve by eight feet, the private audience room. Here we took off our shoes, and, entering the cave, (for so it seemed) with small apertures of light with iron grates, we were shown to a huge shaggy- beast, sitting on his rump, upon a low bench, covered with a cushion of embroidered velvet, with his hind legs gathered up like a tailor or a bear. On our approach to him, he reached out his fore paw as if to receive something to eat. Our guide exclaimed, " Kiss the Dey's hand !" The consul-general bowed very elegantly, and kissed it, and we followed his example in succession. The animal seemed at that moment, to be in a harmless mode ; he grinned several times, but made very little noise. Having performed this ceremony, and stand- ing a few moments in silent agony, we had leave to take our shoes and other property, and leave the den, without any other injury than the humility of being obliged, in this involuntary manner, to violate the second commandment of God, and offend common decency. " Can any man believe that this elevated brute has seven kings of Europe, two republics, and a continent tributary to him, when his whole naval force is not equal to two line of battle ships ? It is so !" On the 2d of March, Mr. Eaton sailed from Algiers for Tunis, but owing to contrary winds, did not reach his destination until the 12th. IS first interview with the Bey was obtained i^,/--^ ►v-s >i^•«c^ for him on the 15th. The immediate busi- rjrP^a3F©E^'ih/ "^^^ which he had to discuss with the govern- ment of Tunis, grew out of an article in a treaty negotiated by Mr. Fannin, (acting American agent,) on the part of the United States. The particulars of this dispute were as follows : In August, 1797, Joseph Etienne Fannin, a French merchant, residing at Tunis, and agent for the United States there, negotiated a treaty with the regency of Tunis. After some discussion by the senate of the United States, in March, 1798, this treaty was ratified with the exception of the fourteenth article, which was in these words : " XIV. The citizens of the United States of America, who shall transport into the kingdom of Tunis the merchandize of their coun- try, in the vessels of their nation, shall pay three per cent. duty. Such as may be laden by such citizens under a foreign flag coming from the United States or elsewhere, shall pay ten per cent. duty. Such as may be laden by foreigners on board of American vessels coming from any place whatever, shall also pay ten per cent. duty. If any Tunisian merchant wishes to carry merchandize from his country. 570 WILLIAM EATON. under any flag whatever, into the United States of America, and on his own account, he shall pay three per cent, duty." Though the treaty was ratified by the United States senate, with the exception of the above mentioned article, there were objection- able stipulations in others, which the United States agents were, by the secretary of state, instructed to have modified; the 14th article to read as follows : " Article XIV. All vessels belonging to the citizens and inhabit- ants of the United States, shall be permitted to enter the different ports of the kingdom of Tunis, and freely trade with the subjects and inhabitants thereof, on paying the usual duties that are paid by all other nations at peace with the regency. In like manner all vessels belonging to the subjects and inhabitants of the kingdom of Tunis shall be permitted to enter the different ports of the United States, and freely trade with the citizens and inhabitants thereof, on paying the usual duties that are paid by all other nations at peace with the United States." Besides being instructed to have certain articles of the treaty modified, the American agents were to offer the government of Tunis a sum of money as an equivalent for the naval and military stores, stipulated to be delivered atfTunis by the United States. The value of these stores at Tunis was estimated at 835,000. The agents were instructed to increase the sum to $100,000, if thought neces- sary. Should the Tunisian government insist upon the delivery of the stores, and refuse to alter the disputed article without an addi- tional stipulation, the agents were authorized to offer $5,000 in cash, and in case the alternative was an immediate war, they were to offer $10,000. If the agents found all their efforts to preserve peace ineffectual, they were to keep the negotiation pending as long as possible ; and in order that effectual measures might be taken to secure American vessels from the perils of an anticipated war, they were instructed to despatch letters to the consul-general at Algiers, to the American consuls in all the ports of the Mediterranean, and to the American ministers in Spain and Portugal. Under these perplexing difficulties, Mr. Eaton succeeded in having the disputed article amended, though not to the extent he wished. After this he proposed sending forward a cruiser as an equivalent for the stipulated stores. The bey made answer that one cruiser would not be enough. "I have a head," said he, " you cannot overreach me." " If you act politically," continued he, " you will make me a compliment of a cruiser in addition to the stipulated stores." Eaton replied, that whatever the United States had agreed to, they would DEMAND OF A PRESENT. 571 give. " I do not suppose," said the bey, " you will study to cheat me ; this is a characteristic of low life ; but I find you closely attached to your interest : so we all are." The bey retired, and the American agents withdrew to the Sapi- tapa's (the keeper of the seals,) department, where the alterations were inserted in the original treaty. The sapitapa took this oppor- tunity to demand a present for the bey, as it was a custom of all other nations. The American agents, however, preremptorily refused. On the 26th of March, the treaty as amended, was delivered to the American agents by the bey. The demand of a present for the bey was again made by the sapitapa, and again refused. " We told him," said Eaton, in his journal, "that the bey had not admitted us to the privileges of all other nations ; he ought not therefore to expect the usages from us. He had refused us a salute, except on terms repugnant to our honor and our interest. He had extorted from us the concession of suffering our merchantmen to be pressed into his service, and had exacted threefold the duty in his ports, which he had received from any other nation. He had therefore less pre- text to claim of us the same considerations. At any rate, we should make no stipulation of this kind. The negotiation was closed. This was entering upon a new negotiation, which neither our instructions nor our inclination led us to enter upon." Mr. Fannin, who was present at this interview, said that he had received a letter from the consul-general, instructing him to make the necessary provision to meet this demand. When called upon to produce the letter, by Mr. Eaton, he could not ; and thus proved to Mr. Eaton that Fannin was manifestly in the interest of the court, and prepared to countenance all their projects of plunder. On the 1st of April Mr. Cathcart embarked in the brig Sophia for Tripoli. The demand for a present for the bey was frequently reiterated, but Mr. Eaton as frequently refused compliance. -' It is hard," says Mr. Eaton, in a letter to the secretary of state, " to negotiate where the terms are wholly ex parte. The Barbary powers are indulged in the habit of dictating their own terms of negotiation. Even the English, as the consul himself informed me, on his arrival and re- ception here, had furnished him a present in cash and other articles, valued in England at seventeen thousand pounds sterling. But Tunis trembles at the voice of England. This, then, must be a political intrigue of England to embarrass the other mercantile Christian nations ; and it has the effect. To the United States they believe they can dictate terms. Why should they not ? Or why should they believe it will ever be otherwise ? They have seen nothing in America •'>7 2 WILLIAM EATON. to controvert Ibis opinion. And all our talli of resistance and re- piisal they saw as the swaggering of a braggadocio. They are at present .seriously concerned, through fear that the English and Ame- ricans are in oifensive and defensive alliance. The report is current, and I have taken occasion to cherish it by being seen frequently with the British consul, dining with him, and holding secret intercourse. But whatever stratagem may be used to aid our measures, it is cer- tain that there is no access to the permanent friendship of these states, without paving the way with gold or cannon balls ; and the proper question is, which method is preferable ? So long as they hold their own terms, no estimate can be made of the expense of main- taining a peace. They are under no restraints of honor nor honesty. There is not a scoundrel among them, from the prince to the mu- leteer, who will not beg and steal. Yet when I proposed to the sapitapa to-day to substitute money in lieu of the present, he said that the bey had too high a sense of honor to receive a bribe ; he would receive a present ; but it would affront him to offer him money." Although the bey had refused to listen to a cash proposition, Mr. Eaton, on the 14th of April, made him a tender, and proposed fifty thousand dollars in full of all demands. This was refused, and answer made, "that were two hundred and fifty thousand dollars offered in lieu of the stores, it would not be accepted." " Consult your government," said the bey, " I give them six months to give me an answer and to send the presents. If they come in that time, well ; if not, take down your flag and go home." N the 4th of July, Mr. Eaton again waited on the bey, and requested him to state what sum would satisfy his claims, and cancel his demands. " No sum whatever ; you need not think more of it," was the sharp reply. Mr. Eaton now considered the ultimatum which he had been instructed to pro- pose, as finally rejected ; and was convinced that the com- merce of the United States had been marked out as an object of Tunisian piracy. In July, the bey demanded from all tributary nations, in- cluding the American, immediate supplies of naval stores, and that a ship should be chartered by our consul to bring out the American con- tribution without delay. After some days discussion, however, the demand was dropped. Considering it necessary that his government should be made ac- quainted with the existing state of affairs, Mr. Eaton directed Dr. Shaw, of the brig Sophia, to be ready on the 12th of October, to NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE BEY. 573 proceed to England, and consult with the American minister there concerning certain jewels, demanded by the bey as a present, and the mode of procuring them at the lowest price ; to carry a memo- randum of the same to the United States, and to transmit a copy to the consul at Turns. Hence, he was to proceed, with these instruc- tions, to Philadelphia, the seat of government. This measure of Mr. Eaton's received the approbation of the consul-general at Al- giers ; and the bey himself regarded it as a proof of a sincere inten- tion to fulfil the stipulations of the treaty. On the 27th of December, information was received by Mr. Eaton, through Mr. O'Brian, that the frigates United States and Constitu- tion would probably bring out the articles intended for the bey. He immediately communicated this to the bey, with an assurance that the vessels would probably arrive in January, but to the astonish- ment and mortification ot the bey, he was disappointed. HE prospect of a speedy ad- justment again became cloud- ed, until the arrival of the Sophia, March 24th, 1800, when Mr. Eaton received a communication from the se- cretary of state, and a letter from the president to the bey ; the former containing instructions relative to the purchase of the jewels. The president's letter was so flat- tering to the bey, that lie thanked God, and expressed a wHsh for the safe and speedy arrival of the ship spoken of. For his services in managing these afTairs, Eaton received the approbation of the president, and the warmest expressions of friendship from Mr. Pickering, then secretary of state. On the 12th of April, 1800, the ship Hero arrived at Tunis, with a portion of the stipulated stores, naval and military, of a quality superior to anything heretofore seen in Tunis. This removed all apprehension of war for the present, and relieved Mr. Eaton from many embarrassments. His designs against the Americans being stopped, the bey now let loose his corsairs upon the commerce of Denmark. On the 28th of June he declared war ao-ainst the king of Denmark, in consequence of an old dispute, and ordered the consul-general, Mr. Hammekin, to quit the kingdom. Hammekin 574 WILLIAM EATON. solicited Mr. Eaton to take charge of the Danish affairs. This pro- position was acceded to, as there were no rival interests between the two nations. By the 16th of July, eight Danish vessels had been captured, and their crews amounting to about one hundred men, were reduced to slavery. The estimated value of the ships, cargo, and slaves, was four hundred and eleven thousand dollars. The masters of six of the captured vessels desired Eaton to redeem their property, with the understanding that they would open a credit at Leghorn. Mr. Eaton examined the vessels, made an offer which was accepted ; the bargain concluded, and the mode of payment fixed ; but the Danish masters failed to fulfil their promises, and in consequence Mr. Eaton was left with six vessels as yet unpaid for. Although an opportunity was now offered him for realizing a hand- some profit from the sale of this property, yet, after all the difficulties had been adjusted, he surrendered tlie vessels to their respective masters, simply on the condition of his credit with the government being redeemed, and his disbursements repaid. This act of disin- terested generosity, received the acknowledgments of the Danish admiral on the spot, and subsequently the most emphatic expressions of gratitude from the Danish monarch. Towards the end of November, 1800, the ship Anna Maria arrived at Tunis, with naval stores, to the amount of twelve thousand dollars. The cargo of the Anna Maria did not satisfy the avarice of the bey, he still demanded a present of jewels, and so frequent were his demands that orders were finally given to Eaton, to purchase them in England, by means of the American minister there. While Mr. Eaton was arranging matters peaceably with the Bey of Tunis, the affairs of the United States were verging to a war with Tripoli. The Bashaw's demands were exorbitant, and the examples of other Christian nations, in submitting to his degrading exactions, made it absolutely impossible for Mr. Cathcart, the American consul, to nego- tiate with any success. In February, 1801, all American vessels were cautioned to quit the Mediterranean, on account of the threats of the bashaw, who was at that time fitting out corsairs against the American merchantmen. Mr. Cathcart was obliged to leave Tripoli, trusting Mr. Nissen, (the Danish ambassador,) with the affairs of the United States during his absence. Eaton immediately opened a correspondence with that gentleman, for the purpose of making arrangements for the comfort and subsistence of all American prisoners that might be carried into any of the Tripolitan ports. DEMANDS OF TRIPOLI. 575 Cathcart's despatches were sent to Mr. Eaton, to be forwarded by bini to the United States. In these despatches were mentioned the demands of the Bashaw, on condition of sparing the United States. Two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars prompt payment, and twenty-five thousand annually. " If our government," says Eaton, in a letter accompanying these despatches, " yield these terms to the Bashaw of Tripoli, it will be absolutely necessary to make provisions for a requisition of double the amount for the Bey of Tunis. Algiers will also be respected according to rank. If the United .States will have a free commerce in this sea, they must defend it. There is no alterna- tive. The restless spirit of these marauders cannot be restrained." ?N addition to the presents already received from the United States, the Bey of Tunis demanded forty iron twenty-four pounders as a token of friendship of the American president ; and a few days subse- quently, a supply of ten thousand stand of arms ; and, ordered Eaton to state these demands to his government without delay. This Eaton positively refused to do, insisting that it was impossible for the United States to comply with such unreasonable demands. " The Bey of Tunis," said he, " has already received large presents from the United States, and a sense of gratitude ought to restrain the bey from making so extraordinary a demand." The minister of the bey replied to Eaton, "Your peace depends on your compliance with this demand of my master." " If so," said Eaton, " on me be the responsibility of breaking the peace. I wish you a good morning." Eaton, finding his representations treated with apparent neglect, became disgusted with his situation, and repeatedly requested per- mission to return home. But the president, Mr. Jefferson, who had just succeeded Mr. Adams, unwilling to lose the services of so efhcient an agent, urged him to remain at his post. Under the new administration the affairs with the Barbary powers took a more active turn. Immediately on the receipt of the news that war had been declared by Tripoli, preparations were made foi fitting out a sufficient force, to protect the commerce of the United States in the Mediterranean. On the 17th of July, 1801, Commodore Dale arrived at Tunis, ir the United States frigate President, in company with the Enterprise, the Essex, and the Philadelphia. The arrival of this fleet produced a strong sensation at the palace. Immediately after the arrival of this fleet at Tunis, Eaton issued a circular, declaring Tripoli in a state of blockade, and that all vessels attempting to enter that port would be dealt with according to the 576 WILLIAM EATON. Comraodore Dale. laws of nations in such cases. Application was instantly made to Eaton to modify the blockade, so as not to affect the interests of Tunis. This Eaton firmly refused to do. The American fleet arrived before Tripoli on the 26th of July. The bashaw proposed a truce, but his terms were rejected. In a letter to Commodore Dale, Eaton says, " Tripoli is in great distress. The corsairs are all at sea. She is starving in her capital, and will be thrown into consternation at your unexpected appearance. If this position, which the good providence of God gives us, can be sternly held for a few months, Tripoli will be compelled to ask for peace on our own terms. The object is so desirable, that it seems worth exertions ; more especially so, as Algiers and Tunis are looking to this rupture as a precedent for their intercourse with the United States." A few years before the American w'ar, the reigning Bashaw of Tripoli had usurped the throne, which had been rightfully held by his elder brother, Hamet Caramelli, whom he had driven into exile It was now suggested to restore the banished prince, and thus inflict a signal chastisement on the reigning bashaw. In order to carry out this scheme, Eaton sought out Hamet, who was at that time residing at Tunis, under the protection of the bey. Hamet willingly entered KATON S VOYAGE TO NAPLES. 577 into the scheme. It was agreed between them that Hamet shouhl make an attack by land while the vessels of the United States engaged in active operations by sea. In a letter to Mr. Samuel Lyman, member of Congress, Eaton urged that Tripoli should be bombarded, and vessels sent for that purpose. He also volunteered to assist the enterprise, in any charac- ter, consistent with his former rank and present station, with two thousand light, active troops ; urging that as affairs in Tunis were tranquil, he would be of more service at Tripoli than at Tunis, as he was acquainted with all the tactics of the Barbary land forces, and for this reason would probably have some influence in assisting the manoeuvres of an assault. " If such an enterprise should be resolved on, an adjutant and inspector-general to the troops, would be requisite. I should he willing to take that office upon myself during the war." Had these suggestions of Eaton been listened to, the project would doubtless have been crowned with complete success. On the 1st of December, the ship Peace and Plenty arrived at Tunis with another supply of naval and military stores for the bey. Immediately after, Mr. Eaton left the affairs of the United States in the hands of Dr. William Turner, of the United States navy, and obtained permission of the bey to take a short voyage for his health. He arrived at Naples on the 21st of December, and while there, obtained permission from the king to land Moorish prisoners on his territory, should any such be taken by the Americans. He also obtained permission from the king of Sardinia, who happened to be in Naples, for the American fleet to enter the ports of his island and procure provisions. On the 30th of January, 1802, he arrived at Leghorn, but the voyage not being as beneficial to his health as he had expected, he resolved to return immediately to Tunis. His departure was hastened by the receipt of intelligence that the Bashaw of Tripoli was making overtures to Hamet, in order to frustrate the contemplated enterprise against his territories. He arrived at Tunis on the 12th of March, and found Hamet on the point of yielding to the solicitations of the bashaw, who had offered him the government of Derne, a province of Tripoli. Eaton represented the impropriety of sncli a step to Hamet, and the probable consequences to himself, telling him tliat in case he yielded to the solicitations of the bashaw, he and his retinue should be sent as prisoners of war to the United States. This determined language of Eaton produced its desired effect upon Hamet, and he readily yielded to any terms that the consul saw fit to prescribe. 37 578 WILLIAM EATOW. Commodore Bainbndge Eaton therefore sent Hamet to Malta, there to await the arrival of the American fleet, then proceed with it to Tripoli, and demand the restitution of his throne and his rights. On the 24th of May, Mr. Eaton was summoned before the bey, and offered a proposition of peace with Tripoli, throu