Delaware, Washington rëcrossed the river two days after the action, and
took possession of Trenton. Generals Mifflin and Cadwallader, who lay at
Bordentown and Crosswix with three thousand six hundred militia, were
ordered to march up in the night of the 1st of January, to join the
commander-in-chief, whose whole effective force, including this
accession, did not exceed five thousand men. The detachments of the
British army, which had been distributed over New Jersey, now assembled
at Princeton, and were joined by the army from Brunswick, under Lord
Cornwallis. From this position, the enemy advanced towards Trenton in
great force, on the morning of the 2d of January; and, after some slight
skirmishing with troops detached to harass and delay their march, the
van of their army reached Trenton about four in the afternoon. On their
approach, General Washington retired across the Assumpinck, a rivulet
that runs through the town; and by some field-pieces, posted on its
opposite banks, compelled them, after attempting to cross in several
places, to fall back out of the reach of his guns. The two armies,
kindling their fires, retained their positions on opposite sides of the
rivulet, and kept up a cannonade till night.
The situation of the American general at this moment was extremely
critical. Nothing but a stream, fordable in many places, separated his
army from an enemy, in every respect his superior. If he remained in
his present position, he was certain of being attacked the next
morning, at the hazard of the entire destruction of his little army.
If he should retreat over the Delaware, the ice in that river not
being firm enough to admit a passage upon it, there was danger of
great loss--perhaps of a total defeat: the Jerseys would be in full
possession of the enemy; the public mind would be depressed;
recruiting would be discouraged; and Philadelphia would be within the
reach of General Howe. In this extremity, he boldly determined to
abandon the Delaware; and, by a circuitous march along the left flank
of the enemy, fall into their rear at Princeton, which was known to be
occupied by three British regiments.[47]
About sunrise, at a short distance from the town, they encountered two
of these regiments, marching forward in order to cöoperate in the
expected battle, and a warm engagement immediately commenced. The
American general was well aware that the existence of his country hung
suspended in the scale of victory; and he exerted himself as one who
knew the importance of the object, and felt that success depended on
his efforts. Wherever the fire was hottest, or the press of battle
most fearful, Washington was sure to be found, guiding the thunders of
war, and animating all by his language and example. At length, the
British line was broken, and the two regiments separated. Colonel
Mawhood, with the division in the van, pushed rapidly forward for the
main army; while the fifty-fifth, cut off from this point of support,
fled in confusion across the fields to Brunswick. The Americans now
pressed the remaining regiment, which at first attempted a defence in
the college; but this was soon abandoned, and those who were not
captured, escaped only by precipitate flight. The British loss
amounted to one hundred killed and three hundred prisoners; the
conquerors had to lament the death of General Mercer, an experienced
officer, much respected by the commander-in-chief.
"The 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
position, which admitted, therefore, of every advantage of preparation
on the part of the assailants. 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
executed with the enemy in front. It was entirely due to the prompt
genius, and fertile resources of Washington, that his army was
extricated from so perilous an exposure, and enabled to attack the
enemy's rear with such advantage, as to leave it no choice but
surrender or flight. 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_.'"
As a natural result of these unexpected manœuvres, the British
officers were thrown into a state of uncertainty, which gave to their
subsequent operations an unusual character of timidity. The distant
roll of the American artillery at Princeton, first announced to Lord
Cornwallis the danger of his rear, and the escape of his active
adversary. Alarmed for the safety of his magazines, the British
commander instantly broke up from the Assumpinck, and commenced a
forced march upon New Brunswick; moving with such celerity as nearly
to overtake the American rear at Princeton. On the other hand, Sir
William Howe drew in all his forces, by concentration in the
neighborhood of Amboy and Brunswick, and abandoned all hope of
preventing the recruiting service by overawing the whole extent of the
country. Washington, finding the surprise of the stores impossible,
moved northward into the highlands of Jersey, in order to afford some
relief to the fatigues of his troops; for long and severe exposure to
the inclemencies of the winter, without the usual protections, had
produced sickness, and even complaint. It was finally considered
necessary to abandon offensive operations, and to put the army under
cover at Morristown. Among other prudent precautions adopted, during
this temporary respite, the commander-in-chief caused the whole army
to be innoculated; an operation then very uncommon in America, but
which enabled him thereafter to defy a disease, which had proved more
fatal than the sword of the enemy.
The situation of American affairs--though far from brilliant--was much
improved by the late successes. The people of Jersey rose with fresh
spirit, and in a number of small skirmishes inflicted loss upon the
enemy, both in men and stores: new hope was made to animate the public
mind; while congress fanned the flame by judicious and well-timed
incitements to vigorous action. Washington was authorized to raise
sixteen regiments, and in further testimony of the public confidence,
he was invested for six months with almost dictatorial powers in the
conduct of the war. It was, however, found to be impossible to collect
a sufficient force for active operations upon any considerable scale
during the winter. All the hopes of the commander-in-chief were
therefore turned to the next campaign; and in the mean time an active
warfare was carried on with small posts and foraging parties, which
greatly annoyed the British army; while the frequent reports of fresh
successes excited the spirit of the American people. The most earnest
applications were made to the several states, for rëinforcements
enlisted upon longer terms; for, as Washington strongly observed, "to
the short engagements of our troops may be fairly and justly ascribed
almost every misfortune that we have experienced." These
representations produced at last their due impression; and the hope
was abandoned of defending the country by hasty assemblages of
militia, and of carrying on a protracted warfare upon the impulse and
mere foundation of disinterested patriotism.
[Illustration]
FOOTNOTES:
[46] Journals of Congress.
[47] Holmes' Annals.
IX. OCCUPATION OF PHILADELPHIA.
POSITION of the Armies--British remove to New York--Sail for the
Chesapeake--Advance towards Philadelphia--American Army also
move towards the same place--Meet at
Brandywine--Battle--Americans repulsed--British enter
Philadelphia--Congress retire to Lancaster--Battle of
Germantown--Americans retreat--Ineffectual attempts to force
the British to evacuate Philadelphia.
During the winter of 1776-7, the American army encamped, as already
noticed, at Morristown. The royal army occupied Brunswick. Towards the
close of May, the former, which had been augmented by recruits to
almost ten thousand men, removed from Morristown to a fortified
position at Middlebrook. The British soon after left their encampment,
General Howe endeavoring, by various movements, to induce Washington
to quit his stronghold and meet him on equal ground. But the latter,
too prudent and sagacious to risk an engagement with a force so
decidedly superior, determined to remain in his present secure
position, until the designs of the British were more fully developed.
At length, the British commander, wearied with an unprofitable contest
with an enemy which had the decided advantage as to position, and
satisfied that his adversary would, on no consideration, hazard a
general engagement, resolved to abandon New Jersey, and direct his
attention to the occupation of Philadelphia.
In pursuance of this plan, the British forces fell back upon Amboy,
and soon after passed over to Staten Island. Leaving Sir Henry Clinton
in command at New York, General Howe, on the 26th of July, put out to
sea with sixteen thousand troops. His destination was carefully
concealed. Unfavorable winds delayed his voyage beyond his wishes;
but, on the 20th of August, he entered Chesapeake bay, and thus
rendered it certain that an attack upon Philadelphia was intended. On
the 25th, the troops were landed at Elk ferry, in Maryland, fifty
miles south of the city.
Washington, penetrating the designs of his adversary, and yielding to
the wishes of a great portion of the people in that section of the
country, that a general engagement should be hazarded for the defence
of Philadelphia, moved with his army across the Delaware, and
hastening his march, passed through and took a position on the eastern
bank of Brandywine creek, with the hope of giving a check to the
advancing foe. The force of Washington, including irregulars, was now
about eleven thousand men.
Meanwhile, the British army was advancing towards Philadelphia. "At
day-break, on the morning of the 11th, (Washington having crossed the
Brandywine, and taken position on a height behind that river,) it was
ascertained, that Sir William Howe in person had crossed the
Brandywine at the forks, and was rapidly marching down the north side
of the river to attack the American army. The commander-in-chief now
ordered General Sullivan to form the right wing to oppose the column
of Sir William. General Wayne was directed to remain at Chadd's ford
with the left wing, to dispute the passage of the river with
Knyphausen. General Green, with his division, was posted as a reserve
in the center, between Sullivan and Wayne, to rëinforce either, as
circumstances might require. General Sullivan marched up the river,
until he found favorable ground on which to form his men; his left was
near the Brandywine, and both flanks were covered with thick wood. At
half-past four o'clock, when his line was scarcely formed, the
British, under Lord Cornwallis, commenced a spirited attack. The
action was for some time severe; but the American right, which was not
properly in order when the assault began, at length gave way, and
exposed the flank of the troops, that maintained their ground, to a
destructive fire, and, continuing to break from the right, the whole
line finally gave way. As soon as the firing began, General
Washington, with General Greene's division, hastened towards the
scene of action, but, before his arrival, Sullivan was routed, and the
commander-in-chief could only check the pursuit of the enemy, and
cover the retreat of the beaten troops. During these transactions,
General Knyphausen assaulted the works erected for the defence of
Chadd's ford, and soon carried them. General Wayne, by this time
learning the fate of the other divisions, drew off his troops. General
Washington retreated with his whole force that night to Chester. The
American loss in this battle was about three hundred killed and six
hundred wounded. Four hundred were made prisoners, but these chiefly
of the wounded." Among the latter were two general officers; the
Marquis de la Fayette and General Woodford. Count Pulaski, a Polish
nobleman, fought also with the Americans in this battle.
[Illustration: General Wayne.]
"Perceiving that the enemy were moving into the Lancaster road towards
the city, General Washington took possession of ground near the Warren
tavern, on the left of the British, and twenty-three miles from
Philadelphia. The protection of his stores at Reading was one object
of this movement. The next morning, he was informed of the approach of
the British army. He immediately put his troops in motion to engage
the enemy. The advance of the two hostile armies met, and began to
skirmish, when a violent storm came on, which prevented a general
engagement, and rendered the retreat of the Americans absolutely
necessary. The inferiority of the muskets in the hands of the American
soldiery, which had been verified in every action, was strikingly
illustrated in this retreat. The gun-locks being badly made, and the
cartridge-boxes imperfectly constructed, this storm rendered most of
the arms unfit for use, and all the ammunition was damaged. The army
was, in consequence, extremely exposed, and their danger became the
greater, as many of the soldiers were destitute of bayonets.
Fortunately the tempest, which produced such serious mischief to the
Americans, prevented the pursuit of the British. Washington still
continued to make every effort to save the capitol; but Sir William
Howe, having secured the command of the Schuylkill, on the 23d of
September, crossed it with his whole army; on the 26th, he advanced to
Germantown, and, on the succeeding day, Lord Cornwallis, at the head
of a strong detachment, entered Philadelphia in triumph." Congress
removed from the city, and immediately rëassembled at Lancaster.
Fortunately, through the precautions of Washington, the military
stores and deposits at Philadelphia, had been removed up the Delaware,
and were thus prevented from falling into the hands of the enemy.
[Illustration: Marquis de la Fayette.]
Passing over some unimportant events, we arrive at the 4th of October,
on the morning of which day, the American army made a spirited attack
upon a strong body of British forces encamped at Germantown, a village
of a single street, beginning about five miles from Philadelphia, and
extending along the road about two miles more. Lord Cornwallis
occupied the city with another division, and a numerous detachment had
marched to Chester, as an escort for a convoy of provisions. A fair
opportunity for assailing the enemy in detail was thus offered to the
enterprise of the American commander, and he was not slow in
perceiving its advantages. He accordingly chose, for his point of
assault, the advanced camp at Germantown, and made masterly
arrangements for surrounding and destroying that exposed division of
the enemy, before rëinforcements could arrive from Philadelphia.
Never was an attack more auspiciously begun, or the prospect of a
decisive victory, for a time, more flattering. But the British army,
at length, recovering from its first surprise, rallied the fugitives,
and prepared vigorously to assume the offensive. The fortunes of the
day, in consequence, changed, and Washington became convinced of the
necessity of withdrawing his troops from the contest. The disputed
town was therefore evacuated by the Americans. According to the
official returns of the English general, his loss in the battle of
Germantown scarcely exceeded five hundred men. On the side of the
Americans, two hundred were killed, more than five hundred wounded,
and four hundred made prisoners. Congress passed a resolution highly
commending the plan of the battle, and thanking the commander and the
army for their courage and conduct.
The main object of the American commander was now to compel the
evacuation of Philadelphia, by cutting off the supplies of the British
army. The fleet was effectually prevented from cöoperation by the
obstructions fixed in the channel of the Delaware, and by two small
forts--one called Fort Mifflin, on Mud Island, near the confluence of
the Delaware and Schuylkill, and the other at Red Bank, on the
opposite Jersey shore. Strong parties of militia scoured the whole
country in the neighborhood of the city, for the purpose of enforcing
the resolution of congress, which subjected to martial law all persons
supplying provisions to the enemy.
Sir William Howe soon felt the increasing difficulties of his
situation, and began to prepare his plans for their forcible removal.
Works were erected against Fort Mifflin, which produced severe
conflicts with Colonel Samuel Smith, who commanded the station. Lord
Howe came up the river, with his ships of war and transports, and
anchored from New Castle to Reedy Island; some frigates being
detached, in advance, to remove the _chevaux de frise_ that encumbered
the channel. Considerable difficulties were encountered in effecting
this object, so that the obstructions below Mud Island were not
cleared until the middle of October, while those, covered by the
American guns, were yet untouched. The capture of the forts was,
therefore, the next object, and it was accordingly attempted by a
combined attack on land and water.
The importance to the British of effecting the reduction of these
forts, brought into requisition every possible means. On the other
hand, the most determined resistance was made for their defence; but,
at length, the Americans were obliged to yield them up to superior
force; in consequence of which, Sir William Howe was fully secured in
his conquest of Philadelphia, and in the possession of an
uninterrupted communication between his army and fleet.
The occupation of Philadelphia by the British, was to them an important
movement. Washington deeply regretted the success of the enterprise by
which it fell into their hands; but he had no occasion to reproach
himself in view of the event. He had taken every precaution, and made
every effort to prevent the loss of so important a place. But the
benefits anticipated by the British, were scarcely realized. The
prospects of the Americans were, after all, growing brighter, and events
were hastening on, which were to make those prospects brighter still.
[Illustration]
X. SURRENDER OF BURGOYNE.
BRITISH project for securing the command of the Hudson, between
New York and Albany--Intrusted to Generals Howe and
Burgoyne--The latter leaves Canada with a strong
Force--Invests and takes Crown Point and Ticonderoga--Affair
of Skenesborough--Fort Edward abandoned--Retreat of Americans
to Stillwater--Battle of Bennington--General Gates supersedes
General Schuyler--Critical condition of Burgoyne--Burgoyne
advances upon Saratoga--Battle of Saratoga--Battle of
Stillwater--Burgoyne retreats--Pursued by the
Americans--Capitulates--Public rejoicings.
Events of deep interest transpiring in the north, must divert our
attention for a time, from the military operations of the middle states.
At an earlier day, a scheme had been formed by the British ministers,
of opening a way to New York, by means of their army, which should
descend from the lakes to the banks of the Hudson, and unite in the
vicinity of Albany with the whole, or a part of that commanded by
General Howe, from the south. By means of such a manœuvre, the eastern
and western provinces would be separated from each other; and thus,
being prevented from furnishing mutual succor, would become an easy
prey to the royal forces.
Obstacles had prevented the execution of this plan in the latter part
of 1776, as originally intended, but now (the early part of 1777) it
was designed to be prosecuted with a vigor and resolution
corresponding to its importance.
To General Burgoyne, an officer distinguished for his ability, and
possessed of a competent knowledge of the country, and, moreover,
animated with an ardent thirst for military glory, the expedition from
the north was confided; while General Howe was expected to lead up the
royal forces from the south.
General Burgoyne arrived at Quebec in the beginning of May; and being
seconded by General Carleton, immediately prepared himself to push
forward the business of his mission. The regular force of General
Burgoyne consisted of upwards of seven thousand British and German
troops, exclusive of a corps of artillery of five hundred. Seven
hundred rangers, under Colonel St. Leger, were added, designed to make
an incursion into the country of the Mohawks, and to seize Fort
Stanwix, otherwise called Fort Schuyler. It was expected, also, that
two thousand Canadians, including hatchmen and other workmen, would
join the army. And, finally, one thousand Indians were induced to
unite in the expedition. A train of artillery seldom equalled, either
in numbers, or in the skill of those who managed it, also accompanied
the army. Able and experienced officers had been selected to direct
its movements. The principal were, Major-general Philips, of the
artillery, who had distinguished himself in the wars of Germany; the
Brigadier-generals Frazer, Powel, and Hamilton, with the Brunswick
Major-general Baron Reidesel, and Brigadier-general Specht. The whole
army shared in the ardor and hopes of its chiefs; not a doubt was
entertained of an approaching triumph, and the conquest of America.
Thus prepared, General Burgoyne proceeded to encamp near the little
river Bouquet, upon the west bank of Lake Champlain, at no great
distance to the north of Crown Point. Here having addressed his army
in a speech calculated to excite their highest ardor, and issued a
proclamation warning the Americans against any attempt to resist his
progress, upon pain of savage fury, devastation, famine, and kindred
calamities--he moved upon Crown Point, whence soon after he proceeded
with all his force to invest Ticonderoga.
This fortress at the time was under command of General St. Clair.
Believing his garrison, only three thousand men, one-third of which
were militia, inadequate to resist the attack of so formidable a force
as was making its approach, he ordered its evacuation and the retreat
of his army, having first burned or destroyed every thing which might
prove important to the invading foe.
The night of the 5th of July was appointed for the evacuation. The
British army was near, and peculiar caution was to be observed, in
order to effect their retreat in safety. General St. Clair led the
van-guard, and Colonel Francis the rear. The soldiers had received
orders to proceed with silence. St. Clair drew out the van-guard at
two in the morning; Francis with the rear left at four. The baggage,
furniture, military stores, and provisions, had been embarked on board
of two hundred batteaux, and five armed gallies. The general
rendezvous was appointed at Skenesborough; the batteaux proceeding up
Wood creek, and the main army taking its route by way of Castleton.
Under the animating prospect of affecting their retreat in safety, the
army and batteaux were proceeding on their respective routes, when
suddenly flames burst forth from a house which had taken fire on Mount
Independence, and discovered by their glare, to the surprise of the
royalists, the retreating patriots.
Immediate orders were issued to the English to pursue. General Frazer,
at the head of a strong detachment of grenadiers and light troops,
proceeded by land along the right bank of Wood creek. General Reidesel
rapidly followed with his Germans, to aid him if required. General
Burgoyne embarked on board of several vessels, and gave chase by water.