quarters in the woods of Valley Forge. His troops were destitute of shoes, and might have been tracked by the blood of their feet. They passed the winter in huts, suffered extreme distress from want of clothing and of food, but endured their privations without a murmur. How strong must have been their love of liberty! With what lively gratitude ought a prosperous country, indebted to them for the most valuable blessings, to remember their sufferings and services?

CHAPTER XX.

CAMPAIGN OF 1778

WHILE the American armies were contending in the field, or suffering in the camp, congress were occupied in the performance of duties important to the cause of independence. At first, this body possessed no powers, but such as were conferred by the credentials and instructions given, by the state legislatures, to their respective delegates. Early in 1776, a confederation of the states was proposed; but until the 15th of November, 1777, all the obstacles to the measure could not be surmounted.

2. The "Articles of Confederation" then adopted by Congress, and subsequently ratified by the several assemblies, bound the states in a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defence and the security of their liberties. Delegates were to be annually appointed, who, when assembled in congress, were authorized to carry on war, to make peace, and to exercise the powers of sovereignty in relation to foreign nations. They were also authorized to determine the number of men, and the amount of money to be raised, and to assign to each state its just proportion.

3. But so unwilling were the states to relinquish their recently assumed independence, that they withheld from congress the authority to make laws which should operate directly upon the people; and reserved to themselves the sole right of raising their proportions of money in such manner as each might deem most expedient.

4. Congress also effected a thorough reform of the commissary department, in which scandalous frauds had been committed

And in order to introduce a uniform system of tactics and discipline, they resolved that an inspector-general should be appointed. Subsequently they elected to that office the Baron Steuben, a native of Prussia, who had served in a high station in the army of Frederic the great, and was well versed in the system of manœuvres introduced by that celebrated commander.

5. The signal victory at Saratoga exalted the reputation of the confederated states, in every part of Europe. The French ministry no longer hesitated to acknowledge their independence. On the sixth of February, they concluded, with the American commissioners, treaties of commerce and of alliance, in which they generously assented to terms highly advantageous to the This event, so flattering to the hopes and the pride of the people, occasioned the liveliest joy, and the most ardent gratitude to France.

states.

6. Among the people of Great Britain, the defeat of their favorite general produced astonishment, dismay, and indignation. The most brilliant success was anticipated; the most ignominious result had occurred. The pride of the nation was humbled, and they who had disapproved of the war, poured upon the ministry a torrent of invective. To increase the bitterness of their chagrin, they soon learned the course which their hereditary enemy and rival had resolved to pursue.

An

7. It was now determined in the cabinet, to grant to America all that she had demanded, in the beginning of the contest. act was passed, declaring that parliament would not, in future, impose any tax upon the colonies; and commissioners were sent over, authorized to proclaim a repeal of all the offensive statutes, and to treat with the constituted authorities of America.

8. The commissioners, arriving at Philadelphia in the spring, communicated to congress the terms offered by Great Britain, which were at once unanimously rejected. Failing in the use of direct and honorable means, they attempted bribery and corruption. To Joseph Reed, a general in the army and a member of congress, an offer was made of ten thousand pounds sterling, and any office within his majesty's gift in the colonies, if he would endeavor to effect a reunion of the two countries. "I am not worth purchasing," he nobly replied, "but such as the king of Great Britain is not rich enough to do it."

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9. On receiving official notification of the treaties concluded with her revolted colonies, Great Britain declared war against France; and the ministry, presuming that assistance would be sent them, transmitted orders by the commissioners, that Philadelphia should be evacuated, and the royal troops concentrated at New-York. The execution of these orders devolved upon

sir Henry Clinton, who, general Howe having resigned, had been appointed commander-in-chief. On the 18th of June, the enemy quitted the city, and marched slowly eastward.

10. Washington, leaving his huts in the forest, hung upon the rear of the British army, watching for a favorable opportunity to offer battle. On arriving at Monmouth, in New-Jersey, general Lee, who had lately been exchanged, was ordered to take the command of five thousand men, and, early in the morning of the 28th, unless there should be powerful reasons to the contrary, to commence an attack. He was assured, that the residue of the army should follow and give him support.

11. Lee made dispositions to attack accordingly, but perceiving the main body of the enemy returning to meet him, he retreated. Washington, advancing to render the promised support, saw him retiring, rode forward and addressed him in language implying disapprobation of his conduct. He then directed him to form his men, on ground which he pointed out, and there oppose the progress of the enemy.

12. These orders were executed with firmness. A warm en gagement ensued, and Lee, when forced from the ground, brought off his troops in good order. Washington, at this moment, arrived with the main body of his army, which joined in the action, and compelled the enemy to fall back to the position from which Lee had been driven

13. The day had been intensely hot; it was now almost dark, and the troops were much fatigued. Further operations were therefore deferred until the next morning. In the night, sir Henry Clinton silently left his position, and continued his march to New-York. His loss amounted to near five hundred men; that of the Americans to three hundred. Heat and excessive fatigue proved fatal to many.

14. Lee, irritable and proud, could not forget the manner in which Washington had addressed him; and in two passionate letters, demanded reparation. A court martial was instituted; he was found guilty of misconduct on the day of battle, and of disrespect to the commander-in-chief, and was suspended from command for one year. He never afterwards joined the army, but died in seclusion just before the close of the war.

15. The enemy having entered New-York, Washington con ducted his army to White Plains. Congress returned to Philadelphia; and in July received, with inexpressible joy, a letter from the count d' Estaing, announcing his arrival on the coast of the United States, with a large fleet, which had been sent, by the king of France, to assist them in their struggle for independence.

16. The count intended to surprise admiral Howe in the Delaware, but adverse winds detained him on the passage, until the British fleet had sailed for New-York. He appeared before that harbor, but on sounding found that his largest ships could not enter it. A combined attack, by land and water, upon the British forces at Newport, in Rhode Island, was then projected. 17. General Sullivan, who had been appointed to command the troops, called upon the militia of New-England to aid him in the enterprise. His army soon amounted to ten thousand men, and, as he was supported by the fleet, he felt confident of success. On the ninth of August, he took a position on the north end of Rhode Island, and afterwards moved nearer to Newport. Admiral Howe, having received a reinforcement, now appeared before the harbor, and the count instantly put to sea to attack him.

18. While making the preparatory manœuvres, a furious storni came on, which damaged and dispersed both fleets. As soon as the weather would permit, each commander sought the port from which he had sailed. The army, intent upon their own object, witnessed with joy the return of the French fleet; and great was their disappointment when the count announced his intention of proceeding to Boston to refit. The American officers remonstrated, but he was inflexible and departed.

19. The army, deserted by the fleet, could remain no longer, with safety, on the island, as the enemy might easily transport, by water, large reinforcements from New-York to Newport. General Sullivan immediately retreated to his first position. He was pursued, and shortly after halting, was attacked by the enemy. They were gallantly resisted and repulsed with loss.

20. The next day, the two armies connonaded each other, and the succeeding night the American general, deceiving the enemy by a show of resistance to the last, made a skilful retreat to the continent. A few hours afterwards, the British received such an augmentation of their force, that all resistance, on the part of the Americans, would have been vain. At the close of the season, the French fleet sailed to the West Indies.

21. During this year, the British troops and their allies displayed, in several instances, a degree of barbarity seldom equalled in contests between civilized nations. That they were contending against revolted subjects, seemed to release them, in their view, from all regard to the common usages of war. The late alliance with France, the hated rival of their nation, increased their hostility. Instead of striving to conquer an honorable foe, they thirsted as for vengeance on a criminal and outlaw. posi 22. With such vindictive feelings, Wyoming, a hap

flourishing settlement in Pennsylvania, was attacked by a band of tories and Indians. The men were butchered, the houses burned, and the cattle driven off or killed. Those who had been made widows and orphans were left without shelter and without food. Seldom has war spread distress and ruin over a more delightful region. New-Bedford, Martha's Vineyard, Eggharbor, and Cherryvalley, were also visited and ravaged by the enemy. All the property within reach was destroyed, and multitudes of peaceful and unoffending inhabitants were reduced to poverty and wretchedness.

23. But in no instance did the enemy evince more ferocious, unrelenting cruelty than in their attack upon colonel Baylor's troop of light dragoons. While asleep in a barn at Tappan, they were surprised by a party under general Grey, who commanded his soldiers to use the bayonet only, and to give the rebels no quarter. Incapable of defence, they sued for mercy. But the most pathetic supplications were heard without awakening compassion in the commander. Nearly one half of the troop were killed. To many, repeated thrusts were barbarously given as long as signs of life remained. Several who had nine, ten, and eleven stabs through the body, and were left for dead, afterwards recovered. A few escaped, and forty were saved by the humanity of a British captain, who dared to disobey the orders of his general.

24. Late in the fall, the army under Washington erected huts near Middlebrook, in New-Jersey, in which they passed the winter. In this campaign, but little on either side was accomplished. The alliance with France gave birth to expectations which events did not fulfil; yet the presence of her fleets on the coast deranged the plans of the enemy, and induced them to relinquish a part of their conquests. At the close of the year, it was apparent that Great Britain had made no progress in the accomplishment of her purposes.

the

dence.