BRITISH CAPTAINS OUTGENERALED.—WASHINGTON JOINS LAFAYETTE.
Washington was in his tent, where only the quiet of a few hours at a
time interposed their opportunity for other than field duty. At one of
those intervals he was compelled to make assignments of the American
army for associated operations with his French allies. He had just been
advised that three thousand Hessian auxiliaries had reënforced the
British garrison of New York. Appeals to the various State authorities
had failed to realize appreciable additions to his fighting
It was an hour of opportunity for America. Failure to meet French
support with a fair correspondence in military force, would compromise
his country before the world. Amid such reflections, which were the
basis of a fresh public appeal, he was rallied to action by the entrance
of a special messenger from Newport, Rhode Island. The frigate
_Concorde_ had arrived from the West Indies, and the following despatch
was placed in his hands: “Count de Grasse will leave San Domingo on the
third of August, direct for Chesapeake Bay.”
With imperturbable calmness, Washington folded the despatch, and then
consulted with the Count de Rochambeau alone, as to the best disposition
to be made of the squadron of Admiral de Barras, still at Newport. That
officer, although the senior of the Count de Grasse, promptly expressed
his readiness to waive precedence and serve as best advised by the
American Commander-in-Chief. He had indeed but seven ships-of-the-line
disposable and ready for sea; but this force was deemed a sufficient
convoy for the transports which were to carry heavy artillery and
ammunition, for siege purposes before Yorktown. This courtesy of the
French admiral had its important sequel, in changing what would have
been a superior British naval force in those waters to a determining
superiority on the part of France, at the most critical moment of that
final campaign in behalf of American Independence. Every officer of
Washington’s staff received instant instructions. They were only
advised, very reservedly, that supplies of heavy artillery would be
forwarded to General Lafayette, for his use; but it began to be realized
that with French troops sufficient to complete the environment of
Yorktown, and a French fleet competent to destroy the coast defences,
the capitulation of Cornwallis could be enforced.
Letters were immediately sent by trusty messengers to every Northern
governor, to hasten forward their Continental quotas yet in arrears, and
to rally their militia in force, for the “capture of New York.”
Confidential agents were also despatched to General Lafayette and the
Count de Grasse, with the joint instructions of Washington and
Rochambeau, sufficiently embodying an intimation of plans held in
reserve; but explicitly warning them not to permit Cornwallis to escape,
nor to receive reënforcements by sea from New York. Other letters were
written to the authorities of New Jersey and Philadelphia, quite
minutely defining a plan for the seizure of Staten Island, under cover
of a French naval force; while the principal allied armies were expected
to force the upper defences of New York by irresistible assault. Some of
these despatches, carefully duplicated, with enclosed plans, as once
before, were put into the hands of other messengers, designedly for
interception by Clinton. Heavy batteaux on wheels, hauled by oxen, made
ostentatious movement, together with wagon-loads of supplies, to the
seashore opposite Staten Island. General Heath was placed in command of
a large camp near Springfield, New Jersey, for assembling and drilling a
large force of militia. Other small camps of Pennsylvania and New Jersey
militia, easily distinguishable by the spies of General Clinton, dotted
the country. The militia of Connecticut and New York also hastened to
participate in the long-hoped-for emancipation of New York from British
control.
As late as the nineteenth, in order to give General Clinton fair notice
that he might expect no unnecessary or protracted delay in the attack
already ripe for execution, all roads leading to King’s Bridge were
cleared of obstructions. Fallen trees and scattered branches were
removed so as to expedite a swift assault upon the British advanced
outposts. All these were heaped up and burned at night, as a reminder of
the impending crisis. Everything worked admirably as planned, and still,
as on the fourth of March, 1776, before Boston, the American
Commander-in-Chief kept to himself his secret purpose.
Afterwards, he thus explained his action: “That much trouble was taken,
and finesse used, to misguide and bewilder Sir Henry Clinton, in regard
to the real object, by fictitious communications as well as by making a
deceptive provision of ovens, forage, and boats, in his neighborhood,
_is certain. Nor, was less pains taken to deceive our own army; for, I
had always conceived, when the imposition does not completely take place
at home, it would never sufficiently succeed abroad._”
During the nineteenth, while the obstructions were being thus removed
from the roads leading into New York, Colonel Hazen crossed the Hudson
at Dobb’s Ferry and demonstrated for an advance upon Staten Island, from
the Jersey shore, immediately opposite. On the twenty-first, a
detachment selected by Washington himself crossed the Hudson at King’s
Ferry, near Haverstraw. The French army followed, and the armies were
united on the twenty-fifth. During this brief delay, Rochambeau
accompanied Washington to a final inspection of West Point; and the
headquarters of the American army at New Windsor, between that post and
Newburg, were formally abandoned.
The combined armies of America and France no longer threatened New York;
but _they had not been missed by Clinton_. The American forces moved
rapidly toward Springfield, on the Rahway, as if to strike Staten
Island. The great baggage-train and the same batteaux demonstrated
toward Staten Island. But the French army marched for Whippany, in the
direction of Trenton. Washington and his suite reached Philadelphia
about noon, August thirtieth. Still _they had not been missed by
Clinton_.
But now, for the first time, the American army realized that it was
destined southward, and that a triumphant entry into New York City was
not to be the crowning reward for service so faithfully done.
Dissatisfaction was openly and bluntly expressed. Even officers, long in
arrears of pay, equally with the rank and file, bitterly complained.
Rochambeau, quickly alive to the situation, promptly advanced twenty
thousand dollars in gold for the men, upon the simple pledge of Robert
Morris, of Philadelphia, that it should be refunded by the first of
October.
Suddenly, Colonel Laurens, just from France, having landed at Boston on
the twenty-fifth, only five days before, appeared at Washington’s
quarters’ with report of the result of his mission to the French king.
His ship brought clothing, ammunition, and half a million of dollars, as
the first instalment of six million of livres ($1,111,111) generously
furnished by Louis XVI., with the pledge of additional sums to follow.
This welcome visitor further announced to the calmly attentive American
Commander-in-Chief this message: “Dr. Franklin advised me that he had
secured a loan of four million of livres ($740,740) to cover American
drafts made before I could arrive in America; and Count de Vergennes
agreed to guarantee a loan in Holland, for ten million livres
($1,851,851).”
If the heavens had opened and reverberating thunder had distinctly
articulated: “American Independence is achieved!” the assurance of a
Divine interposition would hardly have appeared more emphatic to the
waiting faith of Washington, or have more thrillingly encouraged the
weary but obedient soldiers of his command.
And still this American army, thus refreshed in spirit and joyous in the
hope of speedy and final victory, _had not been missed from New York by
General, Sir Henry Clinton_. Another fast-sailing frigate was speeding
through the Narrows, past Sandy Hook, southward, once more to appeal to
Lord Cornwallis to come to the rescue of imperiled, beleaguered New
York.
On the second day of September, the American army made its third formal
entry into Philadelphia, amid glad acclaims of welcome, and sharing with
the people in the spirit of one great jubilee. At that very hour,
_another courier vessel_, in chase of the former, left New York with a
message for Cornwallis, which failed to reach him until the fifteenth.
It was in cipher, and read as follows:
NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 1781.
Mr. Washington is moving an army to the southward, with an appearance
of haste; and gives out that he expects the coöperation of a
considerable French armament. Your Lordship, however, may be assured
that if this should be the case, I shall endeavor to reënforce your
command by all means within the compass of my power; or, make every
possible diversion in your favor.
P.S.—Washington, it is said, was at Trenton, this day, and means to go
in vessels to Christiana Creek, and from thence by Head of Elk, down
Chesapeake Bay also.... Washington has about four thousand French, and
two thousand Continentals, with him.
On the following day, the French army, having taken a day for cleaning
arms, uniforms, and accoutrements, made a dress parade through the
American capital. Every gorgeous trapping of their brilliant,
sentimental outfit was proudly displayed before the wondering and
delighted populace. Contemporary writers could not sufficiently describe
the “magnificence of the parade, and the convulsions of joy that
animated the entire population.” And yet, one eminent French officer, in
describing the march of the American army on the previous day, said:
“The plainly dressed American army lost no credit in the steadiness of
their march and their fitness for battle.”
On the same day, Washington received despatches from Lafayette. One,
dated August 21st, reported that “the British troops were fortifying
Gloucester, across the river from Yorktown.” Others were as follows: “A
small garrison remains at Portsmouth”; “I have written to the Governor,
to collect six hundred militia upon Blackwater”; “I have written to
General Gregory, near Portsmouth, that I am advised that the enemy
intend to push a detachment into Carolina; to General Wayne, to move to
the southward and to have a column ready to cross the James at Westover;
and that my own army will soon assemble again upon the waters of the
Chickahominy.” Reference has already been made to Washington’s receipt
of Lafayette’s letter of August 8th, announcing the occupation of
Yorktown by Cornwallis.
Washington made no delay, but on the fifth of September started for the
“Head of the Elk.” He had but just passed Chester, when he met a courier
from Lafayette, with announcement of the arrival of the Count de Grasse.
Riding back to Chester, Washington advised Rochambeau of the welcome
tidings, and then pushed forward, arriving at the Head of Elk the next
morning.
The previous day had been one of peculiar excitement in the city of
Philadelphia. A formal review and rigid inspection of the entire French
army took place, and the President of the American Congress received the
honors of the occasion. During the evening, the French officers gave a
grand banquet in honor of Chevalier Lauzun. The despatch to Washington
was read amid cheers. A half hour later, a second despatch, announcing
“the landing of Count de Simon and his junction with Lafayette,” was
read; and read a _second_ time, “all standing” in its honor.
On this memorable date, September 6th, other events of interest are to
be noticed. It was Lafayette’s twenty-fourth birthday. In a letter to
his wife, still preserved by the family, he poured forth from an
overflowing soul, his “love for his great Captain”; “for the American
cause”; appreciation of his “enviable lot, as victory is drawing nigh,”
and his “longing to tell her, face to face, of thrilling adventures,
which had never been interrupted by night or day.”
September 6th, also, Clinton wrote to Cornwallis:
As I find by your letters, that Count de Grasse has got into the
Chesapeake, and I have no doubt that Washington is moving with at
least six thousand French and rebel troops against you, I think the
best way to relieve you, is, to join you, as soon as possible, with
all the force that can be spared from here, which is about four
thousand men. They are already embarked, and will proceed, the instant
I receive information from the admiral that we may venture; or that
from other intelligence, the commodore and I should judge sufficient
to move upon. By accounts from Europe we have every reason to expect
Admiral Digby hourly upon the coast.
On this same sixth of September, Clinton disclosed his last move to
check Washington’s advance, and take Cornwallis out of check. Arnold,
who had been so summarily withdrawn from the South, landed at New
London, Connecticut, wantonly destroying houses, stores, a church, the
Court-House, ships, and whatever he could damage without personal danger
to himself; and made forever memorable the cruel massacre of Colonel
Ledyard and the garrison of Fort Griswold after their honorable
surrender. He no less permanently made memorable their extraordinary
defence, in which the British assailing column lost one hundred and
sixty-three officers and men, a number exceeding that of the entire
American resisting force. It was soon over; and Arnold did not dare
delay, and risk his fate with the yeomanry of his native New England.
The secret of Clinton’s cipher despatch to Cornwallis on the second of
August, respecting the _use of Arnold_, was thus revealed. But the
attention of the American Commander-in-Chief was not diverted from his
own supreme purpose, whatever Clinton might undertake in his absence.
The allied French and American armies remained at Head of Elk for
transportation; but during that interval, Rochambeau accompanied
Washington to Baltimore, where illuminations and civil honors attested
the welcome of these distinguished guests. On the ninth, for the first
time in six years, the American Commander-in-Chief visited his Mount
Vernon home. On the tenth, his own staff, together with the Count de
Rochambeau and staff, were his guests. On the eleventh, General
Chastellux and aides-de-camp joined the party. On the twelfth, the visit
came to its close. On the fourteenth of September, Washington reached
the headquarters of General, the Marquis de Lafayette, commanding the
Department, at Williamsburg, Virginia.