ed, and supported by two field pieces. The attack became general, and was valiantly supported on both sides; the Indians fled; the Germans were overpowered; forced from their entrenchments, and put to flight. The militia, flushed with the successes of the day, abandoned the pursuit, and gave themselves up to plunder. At this eventful moment, lieutenant-colonel Breyman joined colonel Baum with a reinforcement; they rallied to the charge, and renewed the combat. Colonel Warner led on his regiment of continentals, at this critical moment, and supported the action until the militia could recover their order, and advance to the charge. The action soon became general, and continued through the day. The Germans again gave way, and secured their retreat under cover of the night, leaving their artillery, baggage, &c. with two hundred slain, and seven hundred prisoners, among whom was colonel Baum. This was an important action, and proved ruinous to general Burgoyne.

This action was highly applauded, and a brigadier's commission was made out for colonel Stark, in the continental service. This success gave fresh courage to the Americans, and the public pulse beat high with expectation. General Gates now took command of the army, and the militia joined the army with alacrity. On the rear of the British army was an American force under general Lincoln, and on the 18th general Brown destroyed the British stores at Lake George, releasing a number of American prisoners. Successful operations were also commenced against Ticonderoga, and Skeensborough, now Whitehall. General Burgoyne had crossed the Hudson, and finally took post at Stillwater, but three miles from general Gates.

On the 18th of September, general Gates detached about 3000 men to offer the enemy battle; but he declined the combat. On the 19th, the scouting parties of the two armies commenced a skirmishing, that led to a general action, which continued through the day, and was supported with great zeal and intrepid bravery. Night closed the scene, and the two generals drew off their armies, to protect their camps, and waited with impatience, the returning day.

In this action, the American loss was about three hundred, and that of the English about five hundred.

The American strength was now about seven thousand, not including about two thousand under general Lincoln, who were then at Bennington. The Indian allies of Great Britain were deserting the standard of general Burgoyne, since the late contest, and four of the six nations favored the cause of America, and furnished one hundred and fifty warriors. The troops under general Lincoln now added to the force under General Gates, and revived the spirits of the army.

Until the 7th of October, the armies were within common shot, and skirmishes were frequent and severe. The armies were harrassed and alarmed. The situation of Burgoyne was becoming critical, and he applied to Sir Henry Clinton for relief. The latter had just received two thousand men from Europe, and commenced operations by the capture of West Point, a strong fortress on the Hudson. He was then enabled to clear the obstructions on the river, and leave a free passage for his shipping. Of all this general Burgoyne had intelligence, but too late to render him any service.

As General Burgoyne determined on a retreat, he sent forward a strong party on one side, while he headed another, supported by General Frazer, and a contest was commenced immediately, and lasted through the day.Victory perched on the American standard, and they were successful at all points. General Arnold fought desperately, and received a wound in the action. General Frazer* and Sir James Clark were mortally wounded, and, the latter became a prisoner. General Burgoyne changed his position in the night, and the Americans spoiled the British camp.

*In the heat of the action, Colonel Morgan, (the future hero of the battle of Cowpens,) selected several of his sharp shooters, and pointing them to a British officer, who appeared most conspicuously active in his duty, at the head of his division, mounted upon an iron grey charger, thus addressed them: "That gallant officer is General Frazer; I admire and respect him; but it is necessary that he should die, take your station in that wood, and do your duty." It is unnecessary to add, that General Frazer soon feil, mortally wounded.

The British now expected a momentary attack, and were under arms all the day on the 8th, and at sunset, the last honors were paid to the remains of the much lamented Frazer. On the 9th, the English army was so closely invested, that the commander resolved on a retreat to Saratoga. This was effected, with no other loss than that of his hospital of sick and wounded, which he was compelled to abandon to the mercy of General Gates, who did honour to his character, in the display of his be nevolent feelings, in behalf of the sufferers.

General Burgoyne now perceived that all the passes in his rear were strongly guarded, and that further retreat was next to impossible. In this difficulty, he called a council, on the 13th. While the council was deliberating, an eighteen pound shot crossed the table, and they resolved unanimously, to propose terms with General Gates. The proposals of General Gates were rejected, and General Burgoyne then sent in terms on which the capitulation was finally made.

The news of the capture in the Highlands, is said to have arrived at this juncture, which led General Burgoyne to hesitate, in expectation of relief from Sir Henry Clinton. General Gates, seizing the critical moment, drew up his army in battle array, and sent in a flag, demanding a reply in ten minutes. The responsibility was great, and Burgoyne felt it. The treaty was signed and returned in due time.

The whole British army marched out of their lines, deposited their arms, and became prisoners of war.— General Gates marched in, under the tune of Yankee Doodle, and took quiet possession. General Gates ordered supplies to be issued to the British army, who were destitute, and the solemn scene was closed.

Such and so various are the scenes of life, and the fates of men; such and so fickle is the fortune of war; but firm and unshaken is the providence of God; wisdom, and might, and strength are His.

Sir Henry Clinton detached Sir James Wallace and general Vaughn, with a flying squadron, carrying 3600 troops, to penetrate, if possible, to the camp of Burgoyne, or make a diversion in his favor; but learning

the situation of general Burgoyne, at Esopus, on the 13th, they set fire to the village, and consumed it. Had they proceeded to Albany, they might have destroyed the place, with the American stores, and Burgoyne might have been relieved. The inquiry has often been made, why this unnecessary delay? But no other answer can be given, than this: it was the special providence of God. The army of general Burgoyne was marched directly to Boston, where they were detained as prisoners of

war.

Having thus restored tranquility in the north, the army under general Gates marched to support general Putnam at Kingston, and guard the country from the incursions of the British. The alarm was taken, and the enemy hastened back to New York.

We will now take a look at the transactions of the conquering army of New York. About the time that victory perched on the British standard on Lake Champlain, under the direction of Burgoyne, general Howe embarked with about sixteen thousand troops, with two hundred and sixty sail, and on the 23d of July, went to sea on a private expedition, to make a diversion at the south. General Washington then made a movement towards Delaware, that he might cover Philadelphia. General Howe manœuvred on the coast some days, and finally entered the Chesapeake. Washington advanced to meet him. The British troops were landed at Elk River ferry, and the two armies met at Chad's Ford, on the Brandywine, where an action was fought on the 11th of September. Victory declared for the English, and Washington retired to the high grounds, to watch the enemy. Philadelphia was entered on the 26th, when Congress retired to Lancaster.

About this time, the Marquis La Fayette arrived in the United States, and tendered his services to Congress, and he received a commission as brigadier general in the service. He joined the army, and served at his own expense, and soon became the companion and the friend of Washington. His talents as a soldier were first displayed at Chad's Ford, where he received a wound in the leg, the effects of which he still carries. The count Pulaski,

a Polish gentleman, also distinguished himself in the battle, and was honoured with the commission of Major General.

The fleet of Lord Howe was now ordered into the Delaware, that his communication with the ocean might remain secure.

While the fleet was thus employed, Washington attempted to cut off the main body of the British army, encamped at Germantown, seven miles from the city.The attack was well concerted, and executed promptly.

The British were completely surprised, at break of day, October 4th; at sunrise, the action became warm, and the Americans were successful at all points, until they attempted to dislodge a battalion of the British, who, in their flight, had thrown themselves into a stone house ;this occasioned a delay, broke the pursuit, and gave the enemy time to recover from their surprise, and rally to the charge; the action soon became warm and bloody. A thick fog arose, which covered the combatants, and caused some confusion; the enemy took advantage of this, the Americans retired, and abandoned the victory they had so fairly gained.

The losses of the parties were about equal; but it proved a lesson of caution to general Howe. He collected his army at Philadelphia, where he was closely invested by General Washington, through the winter; which occasioned the remark of Doctor Franklin :-" Philadel phia has taken Howe."

The privations of the American army were truly distressing; without clothes, shoes, stockings, and even breeches and blankets; more than two thousand were marched through the snow, imprinting the roads with their blood-stained steps; yet all this was endured with a firmness worthy of those valiant sons of liberty.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin had now been more than a year in France, urging the government of that country to acknowledge our independence, and to enter into a treaty of alliance. These objects were effected, after the fall of Burgoyne had manifested the probability that the Americans could maintain their independent stand single handed. A treaty was signed on the 6th of February, by