LIFE
OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
[Illustration:
Col. John Trumbull.
(Engraved by the Anastatic process)
]
[Illustration:
From Houdon’s Bust.
]
LIFE
OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
BY
WASHINGTON IRVING.
VOL. III.
NEW YORK: GEO. P. PUTNAM.
1860.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856
BY G. P. PUTNAM & CO.,
in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for
the Southern
District of New York.
JOHN F. TROW,
Printer, Stereotyper, and Electrotyper,
46, 48 & 50 Greene Street,
Between Grand & Broome, New York.
NOTE TO THE THIRD VOLUME.
When the Author commenced the publication of this work, he informed his
Publishers that he should probably complete it in three volumes. What he
gave as a probability, they understood as a certainty, and worded their
advertisements accordingly. His theme has unexpectedly expanded under
his pen, and he now lays his third volume before the public, with his
task yet unaccomplished. He hopes this may not cause unpleasant
disappointment. To present a familiar and truthful picture of the
Revolution and the personages concerned in it, required much detail and
copious citations, that the scenes might be placed in a proper light,
and the characters introduced might speak for themselves, and have space
in which to play their parts.
The kindness with which the first two volumes have been received, has
encouraged the author to pursue the plan he had adopted, and inspires
the hope that the public good-will which has cheered him through so long
a period of devious authorship, will continue with him to the
approaching close of his career.
SUNNYSIDE, June, 1856.
CONTENTS OF VOL. III.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Burke on the State of Affairs in America—New Jersey Roused to
Arms—Washington grants Safe Conduct to Hessian
Convoys—Encampment at Morristown—Putnam at Princeton—His
Stratagem to Conceal the Weakness of his Camp—Exploit of General
Dickinson near Somerset Court House—Washington’s Counter
Proclamation—Prevalence of the Small-pox—Inoculation of the
Army—Contrast of the British and American Commanders and their
Camps, 1
CHAPTER II.
Negotiations for Exchange of Prisoners—Case of Colonel Ethan
Allen—Of General Lee—Correspondence of Washington with Sir
William Howe about Exchanges of Prisoners—Referees
Appointed—Letters of Lee from New York—Case of Colonel
Campbell—Washington’s Advice to Congress on the Subject of
Retaliation—His Correspondence with Lord Howe about the
Treatment of Prisoners—The Horrors of the Jersey Prison-Ship and
the Sugar House, 11
CHAPTER III.
Exertions to Form a New Army—Calls on the Different
States—Insufficiency of the Militia—Washington’s Care for the
Yeomanry—Dangers in the Northern Department—Winter Attack on
Ticonderoga Apprehended—Exertions to Reinforce
Schuyler—Precarious State of Washington’s Army—Conjectures as to
the Designs of the Enemy—Expedition of the British against
Peekskill, 24
CHAPTER IV.
Schuyler’s Affairs in the Northern Department—Misunderstandings
with Congress—Gives offence by a Reproachful Letter—Office of
Adjutant-General offered to Gates—Declined by him—Schuyler
Reprimanded by Congress for his Reproachful Letter—Gates
Appointed to the Command at Ticonderoga—Schuyler considers
himself Virtually Suspended—Takes his Seat as a Delegate to
Congress, and Claims a Court of Inquiry—Has Command at
Philadelphia, 31
CHAPTER V.
Foreign Officers Candidates for Situations in the
Army—Difficulties in Adjusting Questions of
Rank—Ducoudray—Conway—Kosciuszko—Washington’s Guards—Arnold
Omitted in the Army Promotions—Washington takes his part—British
Expedition against Danbury—Destruction of American
Stores—Connecticut Yeomanry in Arms—Skirmish at Ridgefield—Death
of General Wooster—Gallant Services of Arnold—Rewarded by
Congress—Exploit of Colonel Meigs at Sag Harbor, 40
CHAPTER VI.
Schuyler on the Point of Resigning—Committee of Inquiry Report in
his Favor—His Memorial to Congress proves
Satisfactory—Discussions Regarding the Northern Department—Gates
Mistaken as to his Position—He Prompts his Friends in
Congress—His Petulant Letter to Washington—Dignified Reply of
the Latter—Position of Gates Defined—Schuyler Reinstated in
Command of the Department—Gates Appears on the Floor of
Congress—His Proceedings there, 54
CHAPTER VII.
The Highland Passes of the Hudson—George Clinton in Command of the
Forts—His Measures for Defence—Generals Greene and Knox examine
the State of the Forts—Their Report—The General Command of the
Hudson offered to Arnold—Declined by Him—Given to
Putnam—Appointment of Dr. Craik in the Medical
Department—Expedition Planned against Fort Independence—But
Relinquished—Washington Shifts his Camp to Middlebrook—State of
his Army—General Howe Crosses into the Jerseys—Position of the
two Armies at Middlebrook and behind the Raritan—Correspondence
between Washington and Colonel Reed, 64
CHAPTER VIII.
Feigned Movements of Sir William Howe—Baffling Caution of
Washington—Rumored Inroads from the North—Schuyler applies for
Reinforcements—Renewed schemes of Howe to draw Washington from
his Stronghold—Skirmish between Cornwallis and Lord Stirling—The
Enemy Evacuate the Jerseys—Perplexity as to their next
Movement—A Hostile Fleet on Lake Champlain—Burgoyne approaching
Ticonderoga—Speculations of Washington—His Purpose of keeping
Sir William Howe from ascending the Hudson—Orders George Clinton
to call out Militia from Ulster and Orange Counties—Sends
Sullivan towards the Highlands—Moves his own Camp back to
Morristown—Stir among the Shipping—Their Destination surmised to
be Philadelphia—A Dinner at Head-Quarters—Alexander
Hamilton—Graydon’s Rueful Description of the Army—His Character
of Wayne, 76
CHAPTER IX.
British Invasion from Canada—The Plan—Composition of the Invading
Army—Schuyler on the Alert—His Speculations as to the Enemy’s
Designs—Burgoyne on Lake Champlain—His War-Speech to his Indian
Allies—Signs of his Approach descried from
Ticonderoga—Correspondence on the Subject between St. Clair,
Major Livingston, and Schuyler—Burgoyne Intrenches near
Ticonderoga—His Proclamation—Schuyler’s Exertions at Albany to
forward Reinforcements—Hears that Ticonderoga is
Evacuated—Mysterious Disappearance of St. Clair and his
Troops—Amazement and Concern of Washington—Orders Reinforcements
to Schuyler at Fort Edward, and to Putnam at Peekskill—Advances
with his Main Army to the Clove—His Hopeful Spirit manifested, 86
CHAPTER X.
Particulars of the Evacuation—Indian Scouts in the vicinity of the
Fort—Outposts abandoned by St. Clair—Burgoyne secures Mount
Hope—Invests the Fortress—Seizes and Occupies Sugar Hill—The
Forts overlooked and in Imminent Peril—Determination to
Evacuate—Plan of Retreat—Part of the Garrison depart for
Skenesborough in the Flotilla—St. Clair crosses with the rest to
Fort Independence—A Conflagration Reveals his Retreat—The
British Camp aroused—Fraser Pursues St. Clair—Burgoyne with his
Squadron makes after the Flotilla—Part of the Fugitives
overtaken—Flight of the Remainder to Fort Anne—Skirmish of
Colonel Long—Retreat to Fort Edward—St. Clair at
Castleton—Attack of his Rear-Guard—Fall of Colonel
Francis—Desertion of Colonel Hale—St. Clair reaches Fort
Edward—Consternation of the Country—Exultation of the British, 100
CHAPTER XI.
Capture of General Prescott—Proffered in Exchange for
Lee—Reinforcements to Schuyler—Arnold sent to the North—Eastern
Militia to repair to Saratoga—Further Reinforcements—Generals
Lincoln and Arnold recommended for Particular
Services—Washington’s Measures and Suggestions for the Northern
Campaign—British Fleet puts to Sea—Conjectures as to its
Destination—A Feigned Letter—Appearance and Disappearance of the
Fleet—Orders and Counter Orders of Washington—Encamps at
Germantown—Anxiety for the Security of the Highlands—George
Clinton on Guard—Call on Connecticut, 112
CHAPTER XII.
Gates on the Alert for a Command—Schuyler Undermined in
Congress—Put on his Guard—Courts a Scrutiny, but not before an
expected Engagement—Summoned with St. Clair to
Head-Quarters—Gates appointed to the Northern
Department—Washington’s Speculations on the Successes of
Burgoyne—Ill-judged Meddlings of Congress with the
Commissariat—Colonel Trumbull Resigns in consequence, 123
CHAPTER XIII.
Washington’s Perplexities about the British Fleet—Putnam and
Governor Clinton put on the Alert in the Highlands—Morgan and
his Riflemen sent to the North—Washington at Philadelphia—His
first Interview with Lafayette—Intelligence about the
Fleet—Explanations of its Movements—Review of the Army—Lafayette
Mistakes the nature of his Commission—His Alliance with
Washington—March of the Army through Philadelphia—Encampment at
Wilmington, 130
CHAPTER XIV.
Burgoyne at Skenesborough—Prepares to Move towards the
Hudson—Major Skene the Royalist—Slow March to Fort Anne—Schuyler
at Fort Miller—Painted Warriors—Langdale—St. Luc—Honor of the
Tomahawk—Tragical Story of Miss McCrea—Its Results—Burgoyne
Advances to Fort Edward—Schuyler at Stillwater—Joined by
Lincoln—Burgoyne deserted by his Indian Allies, 140
CHAPTER XV.
Difficulties of Burgoyne—Plans an Expedition to Bennington—St.
Leger before Fort Stanwix—General Herkimer at Oriskany—High
Words with his Officers—A Dogged March—An Ambuscade—Battle of
Oriskany—Johnson’s Greens—Death of Herkimer—Spirited Sortie of
Colonel Willett—Sir John Johnson driven to the River—Flight of
the Indians—Sacking of Sir John’s Camp—Colonel Gansevoort
maintains his Post—Colonel Willett sent in quest of Aid—Arrives
at Schuyler’s Camp, 148
CHAPTER XVI.
Schuyler hears of the Affair of Oriskany—Applies for
Reinforcements—His Appeal to the Patriotism of Stark—Schuyler
Superseded—His Conduct thereupon—Relief sent to Fort
Stanwix—Arnold Volunteers to conduct it—Change of
Encampment—Patriotic Determination of Schuyler—Detachment of the
Enemy against Bennington—Germans and their Indian Allies—Baum,
the Hessian Leader—Stark in the Field—Mustering of the Militia—A
Belligerent Parson—Battle of Bennington—Breyman to the
Rescue—Routed—Reception of the News in the Rival
Camps—Washington urges New England to follow up the Blow, 158
CHAPTER XVII.
Stratagem of Arnold to relieve Fort Stanwix—Yan Yost Cuyler—The
Siege Pressed—Indians Intractable—Success of Arnold’s
Stratagem—Harassed Retreat of St. Leger—Moral Effect of the two
Blows given to the Enemy—Brightening Prospects in the American
Camp—Arrival of Gates—Magnanimous Conduct of Schuyler—Poorly
requited by Gates—Correspondence between Gates and Burgoyne
concerning the Murder of Miss McCrea, 171
CHAPTER XVIII.
Landing of Howe’s Army on Elk River—Measures to Check it—Exposed
Situation of Washington in Reconnoitring—Alarm of the
Country—Proclamation of Howe—Arrival of Sullivan—Foreign
Officers in Camp—Deborre—Conway—Fleury—Count Pulaski—First
Appearance in the Army of “Light-Horse Harry” of
Virginia—Washington’s Appeal to the Army—Movements of the Rival
Forces—Battle of the Brandywine—Retreat of the Americans—Halt in
Chester—Scenes in Philadelphia during the Battle—Congress Orders
out Militia—Clothes Washington with Extraordinary Powers—Removes
to Lancaster—Rewards to Foreign Officers, 179
CHAPTER XIX.
General Howe neglects to pursue his Advantage—Washington Retreats
to Germantown—Recrosses the Schuylkill and prepares for another
Action—Prevented by Storms of Rain—Retreats to French
Creek—Wayne detached to Fall on the Enemy’s Rear—His Pickets
Surprised—Massacre of Smallwood’s Men—Manœuvres of Howe on the
Schuylkill—Washington sends for Reinforcements—Howe marches into
Philadelphia, 197
CHAPTER XX.
Dubious Position of Burgoyne—Collects his Forces—Ladies of
Distinction in his Camp—Lady Harriet Ackland—The Baroness de
Riedesel—American Army reinforced—Silent Movements of
Burgoyne—Watched from the Summit of the Hills—His March along
the Hudson—Position of the two Camps—Battle on the 19th
Sept.—Burgoyne Encamps nearer—Fortifies his Camp—Promised
Co-operation by Sir Henry Clinton—Determines to await it—Quarrel
between Gates and Arnold—Arnold deprived of Command—Burgoyne
waits for Co-operation, 205
CHAPTER XXI.
Preparations of Sir Henry Clinton—State of the Highland
Defences—Putnam Alarmed—Advance of the Armament up the
Hudson—Plan of Sir Henry Clinton—Peekskill Threatened—Putnam
Deceived—Secret March of the Enemy through the Mountains—Forts
Montgomery and Clinton Overpowered—Narrow Escape of the
Commanders—Conflagration and Explosion of the American
Frigates—Rallying Efforts of Putnam and Governor Clinton—The Spy
and the Silver Bullet—Esopus Burnt—Ravaging Progress of the
Enemy up the Hudson, 221
CHAPTER XXII.
Scarcity in the British Camp—Gates bides his Time—Foraging
Movement of Burgoyne—Battle of the 7th October—Rout of the
British and Hessians—Situation of the Baroness Riedesel and Lady
Harriet Ackland during the Battle—Death of Gen. Fraser—His
Funeral—Night Retreat of the British—Expedition of Lady Harriet
Ackland—Desperate Situation of Burgoyne at
Saratoga—Capitulation—Surrender—Conduct of the American
Troops—Scenes in the Camp—Gallant Courtesy of Schuyler to the
Baroness Riedesel—His Magnanimous Conduct towards
Burgoyne—Return of the British Ships down the Hudson, 234
CHAPTER XXIII.
Washington Advances to Skippack Creek—The British Fleet in the
Delaware—Forts and Obstructions in the River—Washington
Meditates an Attack on the British Camp—Battle of Germantown, 258
CHAPTER XXIV.
Washington at White Marsh—Measures to cut off the Enemy’s
Supplies—The Forts on the Delaware Reinforced—Colonel Greene of
Rhode Island at Fort Mercer—Attack and Defence of that
Fort—Death of Count Donop, 269
CHAPTER XXV.
De Kalb Commissioned Major-General—Pretensions of Conway—Thwarted
by Washington—Conway Cabal—Gates remiss in
Correspondence—Dilatory in Forwarding Troops—Mission of Hamilton
to Gates—Wilkinson Bearer of Despatches to Congress—A Tardy
Traveller—His Reward—Conway Correspondence Detected—Washington’s
Apology for his Army, 271
CHAPTER XXVI.
Further Hostilities on the Delaware—Fort Mifflin Attacked—Bravely
Defended—Reduced—Mission of Hamilton to Gates—Visits the Camps
of Governor Clinton and Putnam on the Hudson—Putnam on his
Hobby-Horse—Difficulties in procuring Reinforcements—Intrigues
of the Cabal—Letters of Lovell and Mifflin to Gates—The Works at
Red Rank Destroyed—The Enemy in Possession of the Delaware, 284
CHAPTER XXVII.
Question of an Attack on Philadelphia—General Reed at
Head-Quarters—Enemy’s Works Reconnoitred—Opinions in a Council
of War—Exploit of Lafayette—Receives Command of a
Division—Modification of the Board of War—Gates to
Preside—Letter of Lovell—Sally Forth of General Howe—Evolutions
and Skirmishes—Conway Inspector-general—Consultation about
Winter-Quarters—Dreary March to Valley
Forge—Hutting—Washington’s Vindicatory Letters—Retrospect of the
Year, 296
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Gates on the Ascendant—The Conway Letter—Suspicions—Consequent
Correspondence between Gates and Washington—Warning Letter from
Dr. Craik—Anonymous Letters—Projected Expedition to
Canada—Lafayette, Gates, and the Board of War, 315
CHAPTER XXIX.
Gates undertakes to explain the Conway Correspondence—Washington’s
Searching Analysis of the Explanation—Close of the
Correspondence—Spurious Letters Published—Lafayette and the
Canada Expedition—His Perplexities—Counsels of Washington, 326
CHAPTER XXX.
More Trouble about the Conway Letter—Correspondence between Lord
Stirling and Wilkinson—Wilkinson’s Honor Wounded—His Passage at
Arms with General Gates—His Seat at the Board of War
uncomfortable—Determines that Lord Stirling shall Bleed—His
Wounded Honor Healed—His Interviews with Washington—Sees the
Correspondence of Gates—Denounces Gates and gives up the
Secretaryship—Is thrown out of Employ—Closing Remarks on the
Conway Cabal, 337
CHAPTER XXXI.
Committee of Arrangement—Reforms in the Army—Scarcity in the
Camp—The Enemy revel in Philadelphia—Attempt to Surprise
Light-Horse Harry—His Gallant Defence—Praised by
Washington—Promoted—Letter from General Lee—Burgoyne returns to
England—Mrs. Washington at Valley Forge—Bryan Fairfax visits the
Camp—Arrival of the Baron Steuben—His Character—Disciplines the
Army—Greene made Quartermaster-general, 347
CHAPTER XXXII.
Fortifications of the Hudson—Project to Surprise Sir Henry
Clinton—General Howe Forages the Jerseys—Ships and Stores Burnt
at Bordentown—Plans for the Next Campaign—Gates and Mifflin
under Washington’s Command—Downfall of Conway—Lord North’s
Conciliatory Bills—Sent to Washington by Governor Tryon—Resolves
of Congress—Letter of Washington to Tryon—Rejoicing at Valley
Forge—The Mischianza, 362
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Lafayette Detached to keep Watch on Philadelphia—His Position at
Barren Hill—Plan of Sir Henry to Entrap him—Washington Alarmed
for his Safety—Stratagem of the Marquis—Exchange of General Lee
and Colonel Ethan Allen—Allen at Valley Forge—Washington’s
Opinion of him—Preparations in Philadelphia to
Evacuate—Washington’s Measures in consequence—Arrival of
Commissioners from England—Their Disappointment—Their
Proceedings—Their Failure—Their Manifesto, 375
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Preparations to Evacuate Philadelphia—Washington calls a Council
of War—Lee Opposed to any Attack—Philadelphia
Evacuated—Movements in pursuit of Sir Henry Clinton—Another
Council of War—Conflict of Opinions—Contradictory Conduct of Lee
respecting the Command—The Battle of Monmouth Court
House—Subsequent March of the Armies, 385
CHAPTER XXXV.
Correspondence between Lee and Washington relative to the Affair
of Monmouth—Lee asks a Trial by Court-Martial—The Verdict—Lee’s
Subsequent History, 404
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Arrival of a French Fleet—Correspondence of Washington and the
Count D’Estaing—Plans of the Count—Perturbation at New
York—Excitement in the French Fleet—Expedition against Rhode
Island—Operations by Sea and Land—Failure of the
Expedition—Irritation between the Allied Forces—Considerate
Letter of Washington to the Count D’Estaing, 415
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Indian Warfare—Desolation of the Valley of Wyoming—Movements in
New York—Counter Movements of Washington—Foraging Parties of the
Enemy—Baylor’s Dragoons Massacred at Old Tappan—British
Expedition against Little Egg Harbor—Massacre of Pulaski’s
Infantry—Retaliation on Donop’s Rangers—Arrival of Admiral
Byron—Endeavors to Entrap D’Estaing, but is
Disappointed—Expedition against St. Lucia—Expedition against
Georgia—Capture of Savannah—Georgia Subdued—General Lincoln sent
to Command in the South, 432
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Winter Cantonments of the American Army—Washington at
Middlebrook—Plan of Alarm Signals for the Jerseys—Lafayette’s
Project for an Invasion of Canada—Favored by Congress—Condemned
by Washington—Relinquished—Washington in Philadelphia—The War
Spirit Declining—Dissensions in Congress—Sectional
Feelings—Patriotic Appeals of Washington—Plans for the Next
Campaign—Indian Atrocities to be Repressed—Avenging Expedition
set on foot—Discontents of the Jersey Troops—Appeased by the
Interference of Washington—Successful Campaign against the
Indians, 445
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Predatory Warfare of the Enemy—Ravages in the
Chesapeake—Hostilities on the Hudson—Verplanck’s Point and Stony
Point Taken—Capture of New Haven—Fairfield and Norwalk
Destroyed—Washington Plans a Counter Stroke—Storming of Stony
Point—Generous Letter of Lee, 458
CHAPTER XL.
Expedition against Penobscot—Night Surprisal of Paulus
Hook—Washington Fortifies West Point—His Style of Living
there—Table at Head-Quarters—Sir Henry Clinton
Reinforced—Arrival of D’Estaing on the Coast of Georgia—Plans in
Consequence—The French Minister at Washington’s Highland
Camp—Letter to Lafayette—D’Estaing Co-operates with
Lincoln—Repulsed at Savannah—Washington Reinforces Lincoln—Goes
into Winter-Quarters—Sir Henry Clinton sends an Expedition to
the South, 471
LIFE OF WASHINGTON.
CHAPTER I.
BURKE ON THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN AMERICA—NEW JERSEY ROUSED TO
ARMS—WASHINGTON GRANTS SAFE CONDUCT TO HESSIAN CONVOYS—ENCAMPMENT AT
MORRISTOWN—PUTNAM AT PRINCETON—HIS STRATAGEM TO CONCEAL THE WEAKNESS
OF HIS CAMP—EXPLOIT OF GENERAL DICKINSON NEAR SOMERSET COURT
HOUSE—WASHINGTON’S COUNTER PROCLAMATION—PREVALENCE OF THE
SMALL-POX—INOCULATION OF THE ARMY—CONTRAST OF THE BRITISH AND
AMERICAN COMMANDERS AND THEIR CAMPS.
The news of Washington’s recrossing the Delaware, and of his subsequent
achievements in the Jerseys, had not reached London on the 9th of
January. “The affairs of America seem to be drawing to a crisis,” writes
Edmund Burke. “The Howes are at this time in possession of, or able to
awe the whole middle coast of America, from Delaware to the western
boundary of Massachusetts Bay; the naval barrier on the side of Canada
is broken. A great tract is open for the supply of the troops; the river
Hudson opens a way into the heart of the provinces, and nothing can, in
all probability, prevent an early and offensive campaign. What the
Americans have done is, in their circumstances, truly astonishing; it is
indeed infinitely more than I expected from them. But, having done so
much for some short time, I began to entertain an opinion that they
might do more. It is now, however, evident that they cannot look
standing armies in the face. They are inferior in every thing—even in
numbers. There seem by the best accounts not to be above ten or twelve
thousand men at most in their grand army. The rest are militia, and not
wonderfully well composed or disciplined. They decline a general
engagement; prudently enough, if their object had been to make the war
attend upon a treaty of good terms of subjection; but when they look
further, this will not do. An army that is obliged at all times, and in
all situations, to decline an engagement, may delay their ruin, but can
never defend their country.”[1]
At the time when this was written, the Howes had learnt to their
mortification, that “the mere running through a province, is not
subduing it.” The British commanders had been outgeneralled, attacked
and defeated. They had nearly been driven out of the Jerseys, and were
now hemmed in and held in check by Washington and his handful of men
castled among the heights of Morristown. So far from holding possession
of the territory they had so recently overrun, they were fain to ask
safe conduct across it for a convoy to their soldiers captured in
battle. It must have been a severe trial to the pride of Cornwallis,
when he had to inquire by letter of Washington, whether money and stores
could be sent to the Hessians captured at Trenton, and a surgeon and
medicines to the wounded at Princeton; and Washington’s reply must have
conveyed a reproof still more mortifying: No molestation, he assured his
lordship, would be offered to the convoy by any part of the regular army
under his command; but “_he could not answer for the militia, who were
resorting to arms in most parts of the State, and were excessively
exasperated at the treatment they had met with from both Hessian and
British troops_.”
In fact, the conduct of the enemy had roused the whole country against
them. The proclamations and printed protections of the British
commanders, on the faith of which the inhabitants in general had staid
at home, and forbore to take up arms, had proved of no avail. The
Hessians could not or would not understand them, but plundered friend
and foe alike.[2] The British soldiery often followed their example, and
the plunderings of both were at times attended by those brutal outrages
on the weaker sex, which inflame the dullest spirits to revenge. The
whole State was thus roused against its invaders. In Washington’s
retreat of more than a hundred miles through the Jerseys, he had never
been joined by more than one hundred of its inhabitants; now sufferers
of both parties rose as one man to avenge their personal injuries. The
late quiet yeomanry armed themselves, and scoured the country in small
parties to seize on stragglers, and the militia began to signalize
themselves in voluntary skirmishes with regular troops.
In effect, Washington ordered a safe conduct to be given to the Hessian
baggage as far as Philadelphia, and to the surgeon and medicines to
Princeton, and permitted a Hessian sergeant and twelve men, unarmed, to
attend the baggage until it was delivered to their countrymen.
Morristown, where the main army was encamped, had not been chosen by
Washington as a permanent post, but merely as a halting place, where his
troops might repose after their excessive fatigues and their sufferings
from the inclement season. Further considerations persuaded him that it
was well situated for the system of petty warfare which he meditated,
and induced him to remain there. It was protected by forests and rugged
heights. All approach from the seaboard was rendered difficult and
dangerous to a hostile force by a chain of sharp hills, extending from
Pluckamin, by Boundbrook and Springfield, to the vicinity of the Passaic
River, while various defiles in the rear afforded safer retreats into a
fertile and well peopled region.[3] It was nearly equidistant from
Amboy, Newark, and Brunswick, the principal posts of the enemy; so that
any movement made from them could be met by a counter movement on his
part; while the forays and skirmishes by which he might harass them,
would school and season his own troops. He had three faithful generals
with him: Greene, his reliance on all occasions; swarthy Sullivan, whose
excitable temper and quick sensibilities he had sometimes to keep in
check by friendly counsels and rebukes, but who was a good officer, and
loyally attached to him; and brave, genial, generous Knox, never so
happy as when by his side. He had lately been advanced to the rank of
brigadier at his recommendation, and commanded the artillery.
Washington’s military family at this time was composed of his
aides-de-camp, Colonels Meade and Tench Tilghman of Philadelphia;
gentlemen of gallant spirit, amiable tempers and cultivated manners; and
his secretary, Colonel Robert H. Harrison of Maryland; the “old
secretary,” as he was familiarly called among his associates, and by
whom he was described as “one in whom every man had confidence, and by
whom no man was deceived.”
Washington’s head-quarters at first were in what was called the
Freemason’s Tavern, on the north side of the village green. His troops
were encamped about the vicinity of the village, at first in tents,
until they could build log huts for shelter against the winter’s cold.
The main encampment was near Bottle Hill, in a sheltered valley which
was thickly wooded, and had abundant springs. It extended south-easterly
from Morristown; and was called the Lowantica Valley, from the Indian
name of a beautiful limpid brook which ran through it, and lost itself
in a great swamp.[4]
The enemy being now concentrated at New Brunswick and Amboy, General
Putnam was ordered by Washington to move from Crosswicks to Princeton,
with the troops under his command. He was instructed to draw his forage
as much as possible from the neighborhood of Brunswick, about eighteen
miles off, thereby contributing to distress the enemy; to have good
scouting parties continually on the look-out; to keep nothing with him
but what could be moved off at a moment’s warning, and, if compelled to
leave Princeton, to retreat towards the mountains, so as to form a
junction with the forces at Morristown.
Putnam had with him but a few hundred men. “You will give out your
strength to be twice as great as it is,” writes Washington; a common
expedient with him in those times of scanty means. Putnam acted up to
the advice. A British officer, Captain Macpherson, was lying desperately
wounded at Princeton, and Putnam, in the kindness of his heart, was
induced to send in a flag to Brunswick in quest of a friend and military
comrade of the dying man, to attend him in his last moments and make his
will. To prevent the weakness of the garrison from being discovered, the
visitor was brought in after dark. Lights gleamed in all the college
windows, and in the vacant houses about the town; the handful of troops
capable of duty were marched hither and thither and backward and
forward, and paraded about to such effect, that the visitor on his
return to the British camp, reported the force under the old general to
be at least five thousand strong.[5]
Cantonments were gradually formed between Princeton and the Highlands of
the Hudson, which made the left flank of Washington’s position, and
where General Heath had command. General Philemon Dickinson, who
commanded the New Jersey militia, was stationed on the west side of
Millstone River, near Somerset court house, one of the nearest posts to
the enemy’s camp at Brunswick. A British foraging party, of five or six
hundred strong, sent out by Cornwallis with forty waggons and upward of
a hundred draught horses, mostly of the English breed, having collected
sheep and cattle about the country, were sacking a mill on the opposite
side of the river, where a large quantity of flour was deposited. While
thus employed, Dickinson set upon them with a force equal in number, but
composed of raw militia and fifty Philadelphia riflemen. He dashed
through the river, waist deep, with his men, and charged the enemy so
suddenly and vigorously, that, though supported by three field-pieces,
they gave way, left their convoy, and retreated so precipitately, that
he made only nine prisoners. A number of killed and wounded were carried
off by the fugitives on light waggons.[6]
These exploits of the militia were noticed with high encomiums by
Washington, while at the same time he was rigid in prohibiting and
punishing the excesses into which men are apt to run when suddenly
clothed with military power. Such is the spirit of a general order
issued at this time. “The general prohibits, in both the militia and
Continental troops, the infamous practice of plundering the inhabitants
under the specious pretence of their being tories. * * * It is our
business to give protection and support to the poor distressed
inhabitants, not to multiply and increase their calamities.” After the
publication of this order, all excesses of this kind were to be punished
in the severest manner.
To counteract the proclamation of the British commissioners, promising
amnesty to all in rebellion who should, in a given time, return to their
allegiance, Washington now issued a counter proclamation (Jan. 25th),
commanding every person who had subscribed a declaration of fidelity to
Great Britain, or taken an oath of allegiance, to repair within thirty
days to head-quarters, or the quarters of the nearest general officer of
the Continental army or of the militia, and there take the oath of
allegiance to the United States of America, and give up any protection,
certificate, or passport he might have received from the enemy; at the
same time granting full liberty to all such as preferred the interest
and protection of Great Britain to the freedom and happiness of their
country, forthwith to withdraw themselves and families within the
enemy’s lines. All who should neglect or refuse to comply with this
order were to be considered adherents to the crown, and treated as
common enemies.
This measure met with objections at the time, some of the timid or
over-cautious thinking it inexpedient; others, jealous of the
extraordinary powers vested in Washington, questioning whether he had
not transcended these powers and exercised a degree of despotism.
The small-pox, which had been fatally prevalent in the preceding year,
had again broken out, and Washington feared it might spread through the
whole army. He took advantage of the interval of comparative quiet to
have his troops inoculated. Houses were set apart in various places as
hospitals for inoculation, and a church was appropriated for the use of
those who had taken the malady in the natural way. Among these the
ravages were frightful. The traditions of the place and neighborhood,
give lamentable pictures of the distress caused by this loathsome
disease in the camp and in the villages, wherever it had not been
parried by inoculation.
“Washington,” we are told, “was not an unmoved spectator of the griefs
around him, and might be seen in Hanover and in Lowantica Valley,
cheering the faith and inspiring the courage of his suffering men.”[7]
It was this paternal care and sympathy which attached his troops
personally to him. They saw that he regarded them, not with the eye of a
general, but of a patriot, whose heart yearned towards them as
countrymen suffering in one common cause.
A striking contrast was offered throughout the winter and spring,
between the rival commanders, Howe at New York, and Washington at
Morristown. Howe was a soldier by profession. War, with him, was a
career. The camp was, for the time, country and home. Easy and indolent
by nature, of convivial and luxurious habits, and somewhat addicted to
gaming, he found himself in good quarters at New York, and was in no
hurry to leave them. The tories rallied around him. The British
merchants residing there regarded him with profound devotion. His
officers, too, many of them young men of rank and fortune, gave a gayety
and brilliancy to the place; and the wealthy royalists forgot in a round
of dinners, balls and assemblies, the hysterical alarms they had once
experienced under the military sway of Lee.
Washington, on the contrary, was a patriot soldier, grave, earnest,
thoughtful, self-sacrificing. War, to him, was a painful remedy, hateful
in itself, but adopted for a great national good. To the prosecution of
it all his pleasures, his comforts, his natural inclinations and private
interests were sacrificed; and his chosen officers were earnest and
anxious like himself, with their whole thoughts directed to the success
of the magnanimous struggle in which they were engaged.
So, too, the armies were contrasted. The British troops, many of them,
perchance, slightly metamorphosed from vagabonds into soldiers, all mere
men of the sword, were well clad, well housed, and surrounded by all the
conveniences of a thoroughly appointed army with a “rebel country” to
forage. The American troops for the most part were mere yeomanry, taken
from their rural homes; ill sheltered, ill clad, ill fed, and ill paid,
with nothing to reconcile them to their hardships but love for the soil
they were defending, and the inspiring thought that it was _their
country_. Washington, with paternal care, endeavored to protect them
from the depraving influences of the camp. “Let vice and immorality of
every kind be discouraged as much as possible in your brigade,” writes
he in a circular to his brigadier-generals; “and, as a chaplain is
allowed to each regiment, see that the men regularly attend divine
worship. Gaming of every kind is expressly forbidden, as being the
foundation of evil, and the cause of many a brave and gallant officer’s
ruin.”