PREPARING FOR ACTION.
When Enoch presented himself at headquarters the sentry saluted and
stood aside for him to pass into the tent, and perhaps for the first
time since he had been attached to General Washington's staff, however
informally, he felt a certain sense of pride at being thus received.
When Enoch entered he found General Washington and several of his
officers discussing the probable intentions of the enemy.
"There can be no question, gentlemen, but that he intended to pass
through New Brunswick, as was indicated by the fact that on the
morning of the evacuation the parole was 'Jersey,' and the countersign
'Brunswick.' It is, in my opinion, evident that our movements have
caused him to change his intended route, or it may be that the
necessarily slow advance of such an immense train, where bridges and
causeways must be built over streams and marshes, induces General
Clinton to believe it would be dangerous to make further effort toward
carrying out his intentions. I regret that you have decided against the
hazard of a general engagement."
"If your excellency pleases, I would like to state why I am opposed to
any interference at present with the enemy," an officer who was seated
near Washington said courteously.
"I think, General Lee, you have already defined your position plainly,"
the commander-in-chief replied. "You believe the enemy is still too
strong for us; that his troops are so far superior to ours that even
though we outnumber him, we have no right to engage."
"I believe, sir, that continued annoyance of the enemy by detachments
is our proper course, and my belief is shared by at least six general
officers."
"Very true, sir. And in favor of a battle there are only Generals
Greene, Wayne, Lafayette and myself. It is known that General Morgan
has gained the rear of the British right flank, and Maxwell is willing
to put in on their left. I propose, therefore, to add to that force
fifteen hundred picked men under General Charles Scott, and one
thousand under Wayne; the combined force to be in the command of
General Lafayette."
It was as if Washington had not observed Enoch's entrance until this
moment.
Turning to the boy, he said:
"You will ride with all speed to such point as it will be possible
to communicate with Generals Maxwell and Dickinson. Show them this
memoranda, and say I expect they will make most active interference
with the enemy. You will have seen both these generals by morning,
and are to return at once to Kingston on the Millstone River, where we
shall bivouac. Commit to memory the lines here written, and should you
be in the least danger of capture, destroy this paper immediately. Were
you detained by the enemy after leaving General Dickinson?"
"The general sent my two friends with me on a scout near Mount Holly,
and we were made prisoners by a Tory whose name I understand is
Plummer. We succeeded in escaping within twenty-four hours, but when
I left General Dickinson I understood I was to go directly to Valley
Forge, therefore was delayed."
General Lee questioned Enoch sharply as to his adventures in the house
of the Tory, and the boy, remembering what had been told him regarding
that officer, fancied he was better acquainted with Plummer than he
would have it appear.
On leaving headquarters Enoch went directly to where he last saw
Greene, and since nothing had been said relative to keeping his
proposed movements a secret, told the spy what he had been ordered
to do, mentioning also General Lee's evident interest in the Tory who
would have made prisoners of the scouts.
"There is no question in my mind but that Lee is better acquainted
and more in sympathy with people of Plummer's class than with those
who are friends to the cause, and I predict General Washington will be
convinced, before many days have passed, that the officer next in rank
to him is not as good an American as he should be."
Enoch waited only long enough to inquire regarding the most direct
roads, and then, with such rations in his pocket as Greene thought
necessary, he began the journey.
Acting under the spy's advice he rode directly to Trenton, and
from there, after making inquiries, continued on toward Allentown,
overtaking General Dickinson's command at nightfall.
On this occasion he had no opportunity for an interview with either
Jacob or Seth.
He saw the latter as he rode up; but there was no time to speak with
him, since his first duty was to deliver the message, and when that had
been done he learned it was necessary to continue on four miles further
in order to find General Maxwell.
It was nightfall when he gained an interview with this last-named
officer, and half an hour later was dismissed with orders to remain in
camp until morning.
Had he followed his own inclinations he would have returned to spend
the night with his comrades; but the instructions were positive, and he
understood that personal desires were not to be considered under such
circumstances.
During the short evening spent in this camp he learned that General
Clinton had turned to the right on the road leading to Monmouth Court
House,[G] and it was believed among the men that his intentions were
to march to Sandy Hook, from which point he could embark his troops for
New York.
"The Britishers will find themselves in a hornets' nest when they get
into Monmouth County," one of the elder soldiers said to Enoch, after
telling him of the evident change of route. "Devil David, as they
call General Forman, is in that section of the country, and Sir Henry
Clinton will learn that he well deserves his name."
"Do you think we shall have a battle there?"
"I hope it'll come somewhere near, although I can't say that section
of the country is the best in the world for our purpose. If General
Washington strikes a blow now, we shall give the Britishers a lesson,
don't you fear. But he never will do it if Lee can persuade him to the
contrary, for I hold that man to be a Britisher at heart, who does all
he can to avoid inflicting punishment on the king's men."
Then the soldier told Enoch how the New Jersey troops had been employed
during the past three days, harassing the enemy on their march, and
when his recital was finished the young aid sought such rest as could
be obtained on the bare ground under the shelter of the pine trees.
On the following morning General Maxwell gave Enoch a written message
to be delivered to the commander-in-chief, as he said:
"You had better read it, lad, in order to be able to repeat the
substance in case it is taken from you. You will proceed at once to
General Dickinson; show him what I have written, and ask if he has
anything to add. Then go without delay to the main army. I understand
they will be at Kingston to-morrow, therefore you will have ample time
to reach them."
As Enoch rode slowly toward where he had last seen General Dickinson's
forces he had good opportunity to read the message he was to carry,
and thus learned that it was simply a detailed account of what had been
done by the New Jersey troops since Clinton left Mount Holly.
The soldier with whom he talked on the previous night had told him the
same thing in substance, and he had no question but that he should be
able to repeat the more important portions of it in case the document
was lost.
General Dickinson's force was on the march when he rode up, and his
interview with that officer was brief.
"There is nothing I wish to add to General Maxwell's report, and you
may turn back at once."
Enoch obeyed, riding directly past Jacob and Seth, but not daring to
draw rein.
"Where are you bound for?" Jacob shouted, and he replied with a single
word:
"Kingston."
"Is General Washington there?" some one in the ranks cried, and Enoch
replied:
"He will be to-morrow."
Then a hearty cheer went up from the men, for they now knew the
commander-in-chief was moving nearer the enemy, and all understood this
as indicating that a general engagement would follow.
There was little need for such a precaution as reading General
Maxwell's message.
The young aid was not molested on his journey, and on the night of the
24th applied for lodgings at a dwelling in Kingston, believing it would
be wiser to remain there until General Washington should come up, than
push on with the chances of missing the command on the road.
It was at the house of an ardent patriot, who was serving in the
Continental army, that Enoch slept, and after the sun rose next morning
he had not long to wait before delivering the message.
"You will accompany us on the march, my boy," General Washington said
as he glanced hurriedly over the report, and Enoch, thus dismissed,
fell back to the rear until he found Greene.
"It begins to look as if we shouldn't miss a general engagement, lad,"
the spy said gleefully, "though I don't doubt Lee will do all he can to
prevent it. Are you at liberty to tell me anything?"
"I know very little myself, except that the Britishers are said to be
on the road to Sandy Hook."
"Then we shall come up with them for certain. Devil David won't allow
Clinton to march through Monmouth County unmolested."
"But how can General Lee prevent an engagement, if the
commander-in-chief desires one?" Enoch asked.
"In the first place he's second in command, and his opinion should have
more weight than that of the others. Last night a thousand men under
General Wayne were detailed to join the advance corps now in command
of Lafayette, which gives him four thousand picked soldiers. It seems
that Lee, who by right should have command of that division, being
opposed to a general engagement, allowed the Marquis de Lafayette to
take his place, and, as we all know, the Frenchman believes in tackling
the enemy without delay. Now it seems, as I have heard, that Lee has
changed his mind suddenly, and asks to be reinstated, which of course
can't be done with justice to the marquis; but, to keep things moving
smoothly, General Washington has given Lee command of two brigades,
with orders to join Lafayette, and there, as you can imagine, his rank
will entitle him to supreme command. I doubt not but that you will see
the marquis soon."
"Why?"
"In my opinion the commander-in-chief must give Lafayette some reason
for allowing Lee to join him, after all that has been said and done,
and I reckon you are the aid who can best be spared just now. What have
the New Jersey troops been doing?"
While Enoch was detailing to his friend that which he had learned from
the soldier during the night he spent with General Maxwell's forces,
an orderly rode back, inquiring for the boy who had just come from the
front, and when the young aid presented himself, announced that the
commander-in-chief wished to see him.
"Is your horse fresh?" General Washington asked when Enoch rode up.
"Yes, sir."
"Then you will take this letter to the Marquis de Lafayette, who is,
or will be by the time you arrive, at Cranberry. This is purely a
personal matter, and you will present the letter without ostentation.
Be discreet during the journey, for although I do not anticipate your
meeting the enemy between here and that point, it is not impossible
there may be scouting parties out."
There was apparently no reason why Enoch should return to where he had
left his friend Greene, and he set off without delay, riding during the
remainder of the day, and at nightfall was standing in front of General
Lafayette's quarters--a dilapidated house on the easterly side of the
small settlement of Cranberry.
Asking for an interview on the plea of important business, and taking
good care not to mention the fact that he was a messenger from the
commander-in-chief, Enoch was admitted at a time when the marquis
was alone, and, therefore, had no difficulty in giving him the letter
privately.
The marquis read it carefully, appeared alternately surprised and
disappointed, and finally asked:
"Are you on General Washington's staff, my boy?"
"His excellency was so kind as to say that I should consider myself in
that position; but it was only done, when I brought the news of the
evacuation, in order that I might have no trouble in getting rations
for myself and horse."
"It seems that you still occupy that position?"
"Yes, sir, and the reason, I suppose, is that my services are required;
but I am not really an aid."
"You come very nearly being so, it would seem. What were you ordered to
do after delivering this letter."
"There were no orders given, sir."
"Then you will remain here in case I should have occasion to
communicate with his excellency. You will mess with my staff."
"Would you have any objections, sir, to my finding a place among the
soldiers?"
"For what reason?"
"I shall feel more at home there, sir, for it is really where I belong;
but the horse I have ridden should be----"
"He shall be cared for by my servants. Turn him over to them, and do as
you choose, so far as your personal comforts are concerned."
As one who had just come from the main army Enoch was welcomed by the
men, and had no difficulty in finding quarters for the night.
On the following morning the heat was most intense.
The scouts, who brought in the report that the British had halted
at Monmouth Court House, complained bitterly of the sufferings to be
endured on the sandy roads under the sun's fervent rays, and but little
was done by the advance division of the Continental army.
On this evening the clouds gathered, but the intense heat was not
abated, and it seemed absolutely impossible the men could move from
their posts.
Enoch remained in camp during the day and night, suffering severely
from the sultriness of the air, and wondering whether it would be
possible for men to fight under that glaring sun, even though the enemy
should give them every opportunity.
On the morning of the 27th the welcome rain began to fall, but the camp
was astir early, Enoch remaining near General Lafayette, expecting each
moment to receive orders to return to the main army. Instead of that,
however, the troops moved forward, he following as a matter of course,
and no halt was made until they bivouacked at Englishtown, a small
settlement about five miles west of Monmouth Court House.
At noon word was brought in that Clinton had changed the disposition of
his line, placing the baggage train in front, under command of General
Knyphausen, and the grenadiers, light infantry, and chasseurs of the
line (his best troops) in the rear.
He was encamped in a strong position, secured on nearly every side by
marshy grounds and heavy woods. His line extended on the right about
half a mile beyond the courthouse to the parting of the road leading to
Shrewsbury and Middleton, and on the left along the road from Monmouth
and Allenton, about three miles.
Hardly had this information been brought when General Lee with two
brigades joined Lafayette, and the word was passed around the camp that
the officer whom all believed to be a traitor to the cause had assumed
command of the entire division, now amounting to about five thousand
men.
Almost immediately after this arrival Enoch received his long-expected
orders.
He was summoned by Lafayette and charged to ride back on the road
at full speed to acquaint General Washington with the facts of the
situation, which were plainly detailed to him by the marquis himself.
The journey was destined to be a short one, for when he had ridden
three miles Enoch found the main army encamping, and made his report to
the commander-in-chief while that officer sat upon his horse, observing
with interest the movements of his men.
"You will report to me at sunset," the general said curtly when Enoch
ceased speaking, and the latter rode away to find Greene.
"We're close up to them, lad," the spy cried joyfully as the young aid
dismounted and began to care for his horse. "We're close up to them,
and it won't be many hours before we shall have a fair chance to show
what Continental soldiers can do when the odds are somewhere near even.
This rain is a Godsend, for if it hadn't come I doubt whether it would
be possible for men to march in such heat."
"But could a battle be fought while it is so hot?"
"You'll find, lad, that nothing short of a heavy rain will stop
anything of that kind. When men set out to kill each other, the weather
makes little difference, unless it is such as spoils the powder. Where
are the Britishers by this time?"
"At Monmouth Court House, so the report is, and prepared for battle."
"I allow, then, they're in about the same condition we are, and the
general officers who argued against engagements must now hold their
tongues or set themselves down as cowards. The only thing that's giving
me worry is the fact that Lee is in advance."
"And has assumed command of the division," Enoch added.
"That was to be expected, and if he has his way the Britishers will
keep on to the coast unmolested; but I'll allow he won't dare be very
bold in trying to hold us back. What orders have you for the rest of
the day?"
"I am to report at headquarters at sunset."
"Good, lad, good!" Greene exclaimed, clapping him vigorously on the
shoulder. "Do you know what that means?"
"I suppose it is because I am needed."
"Yes, lad, you're right; but you're to be needed because the
commander-in-chief believes the time for the battle is near at hand.
When you are ordered off again, it'll be to carry word for some
division to make a decided advance. That I predict, and you'll find I'm
not far out of the way. Leave me to take care of your horse, and I'll
see he's ready for service whenever you need him."
"If you are right, then I'm not to go into battle as a soldier."
"But you're to be there just the same, lad, and what's more, have a
better chance of seeing and knowing all that's going on than the rest
of us. Don't fret because you won't have a musket in your hands. The
man in the ranks knows precious little of what's being done, except
directly in front of him. I'd give a full year of my life if I could be
in your place during the next forty-eight hours."
"I wish you might be there, and I could join Seth and Enoch."
"Never you mind them; they'll give a good account of themselves, I'll
warrant. Now that Master Ludwick has got over his disappointment at not
receiving a commission when he wasn't fit even to be a private, he'll
fight as gallantly as an older man. The rest of us must lay still till
the time for action comes; but you have the advantage of knowing all
that's being done, and if you can pass me a word at any time, lad, when
some decisive movement is to be made, I wish you would."
It seemed as if Greene never could tire of discussing the situation,
and the probable outcome of a general engagement.
While Enoch would have been pleased to converse on some other subject,
the spy continued his predictions for the future until the day was
spent, and the setting sun warned the young aid that it was time to
report for duty.
"I must go now," he said, interrupting Greene in his explanation of how
the engagement would begin and how end.
"So you must, lad, and I've been babbling here like an old man, on a
matter regarding which I knew very little, when it comes to facts. Take
care of yourself--I'm not afraid but that you'll be brave enough; the
only danger is you'll be foolhardy--and remember to keep me posted if
it so be you can without betraying confidence."
Then Enoch, assuring himself his horse was well cared for, went toward
General Washington's quarters.
Footnote:
[G] Now Freehold.