...v*^^ ^--^*^^ 'rr <^' — ■r-.,.y< / ->- '/ W^ M^ ;:^ "~>.— .^C 'fe'^-.'- r . \>' (^ ^ J rn. 'A y. d^tX >^ ' INTERIOR OF A NEW ENGLAND PIONEER'S HOME. No artist ua: appeared able to portrp.y early conditions so clearly as W. L. Hudson. Here he gives us an insight into the home life of our ancestors shortly after they landed from the Mayflower. The furnishings of the home are in wonderful contrast with our present styles, but the happy expression on the faces of the occupants, together with the real home atmosphere that seems to pervade the room, leaves the impression of genuine content. The religious sentiment of these people was very strong, as is shown by the open Bible on the table. Note the "puncheon" or hand-made floor, the spinning wheel, the costumes of the times, and the ever present rifle and powder horn. It is to these hardy pioneers that we owe our independence. IBRARY OF AMERICAN HISTORY FROM THE DISCOVERY OF ... . AMERICA TO THE PRESENT TIME. INCLUDING A COMPREHENSIVE HIS- TORICAL INTRODUCTION, COPIOUS ANNOTATIONS. A LIST OF AUTHOR- ITIES AND REFERENCES, ETC. PROFUSELY AND BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED, MAPS, CHARTS. PORTRAITS, FAMOUS HISTORIC SCENES AND EVENTS, AND A SERIES OF BEAUTIFUL POLYCHROMATIC PLATES. By EDWARD S. ELLIS, A. M. Author of "The Standard History of the United States," "Young People's History of the United States," "The Eclectic Primary History of the United States," "Story of the Greatest Nations," "A History of the State of New York," Etc. ILLUSTRATORS * C. M. Relyea, H. A. Ogden, J. Steeple Davis, Warren Sheppard, W. H. Lippincott, A. B. Doggett, De Cost Smith, W. P. Snyder, Gilbert Gaul,W. C. Fitler, C. Kendrick, Joseph Gleeson and others. THE CHARLES P. BARRETT CO. CIjB (EtiiftDtr tiB TTiixB is limited to five hundred copies, of which this is Copy No._ Copyright, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1S98, 1899, 1900, By henry w. knight. Copyright, i^, Hy FRANK E WRIGHT. CoPYRlOHT, 1900, By MAI.LORY & HOOD. Copyright, 1904, By MAM^ORY & CO. Copyright, 1905, BY THE JONES BROS. PUB. CO. ■l*L NoTifE. — Tiie inu9tnitton!t In thla Toliime arp proto«'t*fi bj cop^rl^ht. an mu*t not be reproduced or copied witliout writ en )ienni9;jion from thepui>Ii?her ezmrd of this warnlo? will itubject the offender to the penaltj provided Uj lai 2053012 « FIVE DOLLARS UariUnT ' '^ Ant ■- TMISBili mlilte Ihc tarn lort«i«FIV« ^ ■- =. S^*«im milled DolUrs, »r (he Valu* lh«t«o* .n^ ^ , , 5 ? CoW or 5ilv«r. urccaWr lo &f> AA of AtTcmMy 't' — • ^ , u ^ i (ufM •! M/^txr^t" ItKSIhDvol Aujun 77» •*•— T - "^ FLAGS. UNIFORMS. CURRENCY and ARMS OF THE REVOLUTION TABLE Chapter XXI. Chapter XXII. Chapter XXIII. Chapter XXIV. Chapter XXV. Chapter XXVI. Chapter XXVII. Chapter XXVIII. Chapter XXIX. Chapter XXX. Chapter XXXI. Chapter XXXII. Chapter XXXIII. Chapter XXXIV. Chapter XXXV. Chapter XXXVI. Chapter XXXVII. OF CONTENTS, VOLUME IL PAGB The Colonial History of Georgia, 1 733-1 758 . 280 French Colonization in America, 1 604-1 759 . 297 Young Washington's Journey Through the Wilderness ... 313 Campaign of 1755 (DuQuesne, Louis- burgh and Lake George) 321 Campaigns of 1 756-1 757 (Oswego and Fort William Henry) 340 Campaigns of 1758-1760 (Crown Point, Ticonderoga and Quebec) ..... 350 Pontiac's War, 1 763-1 764 372 The Colonies and Resisted Taxation in 177c. . 393 The Mutterings of War 404 Events of 1 775 — Lexington and Concord . . 420 Events of 1775 (Concluded) — Bunker Hill, etc. 434 Events of 1776 — Declaration of Independence 458 Events of 1777 — Burgoyne's Campaign , . 479 Events of 1778 — Wyoming and Cherry Valley 504 Events of 1779 — On Land and Sea .... 522 Events of 1780 — Campaign of the South . . 548 Events of 1 78 1 and Close of the War . . . 557 CHAPTER XXI THE COLONIAL HISTORY OF GEORGIA "i>i \Authoi-ities : Georgia, the last of the thirteen English colonies to be settled, was founded in 1733 by an English army officer, named Oglethorpe, who had fought ic h'S youth in the East, under Prince Eugene, the colleague of Marlborough. The Colony was at firs,t founcjed on 4 semi-military basis, with the view partly of establish- ing a barrier between the English colonists in the Carolinas and the Spanish and In. dians in Florida. With Oglethorpe was early associated the philanthropist preachers, VVhitefield and the two Wesleys, and in concert with them ne sought to create homes in the New World for poor imprisoned debtors in England, and for the friendless and destitute classes generally. Savannah was settled at the inception of the colony and its growth was much helped by the arrival, in 1734, of a number of Protestant exiles from Salzburg, Germany, as well as by contingents of Moravians and Scotch High- landers. The progress of the settlement was on the whole, however, slow. It had to contend against troubles arising put of the undefined boundary between the Carolinas and the Spanish possessions to the south, which during the war between England and Spain led Oglethorpe to fit out a fruitless expedition against St. Augustine, and to equally fruitless reprisals on the part of the Spaniards of Florida. It had also the draw- backs incident to slave labor and free traffic in rum. Georgia became a royal province in 1752. The chief authorities on the colony are Oglethorpe's contemporary account the lives of Oglethorpe, by Wright and by Bruce; and the histories of the State b}' Jones and by Stephens.] jHE reader will by this time have learned the most important facts concerning the settlement of each of the thirteen original colonies, save the last — Georgia. He will have noticed that many of the people who came across the Atlantic and found homes in the New World did so to escape perse- cution in Europe. The Puritans went to Massa- chusetts to separate them.selves from English Churchmen, or, more strictly speaking, from the obnoxious ritual and ceremonies of the Established Church. Roger Williams and his friends went to COPYRIGHT 1898. '.■^ John Adams George Washington James Madison James Monroe Thomas Jefferson John Q. Adams Andrew Jackson Martin Van Buren PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES— 1789 TO 1841 CHAf. XXI COLONIAL HISTORY OF GEORGIA 28t Rhode Island to get away from the Puritans. The Roman Cath- Pbbiod ii olics found shelter and safety for a time in Maryland; and the CoufMZA. Friends, or Quakers, located in Pennsylvania because they were persecuted and imprisoned in their native land. And so when we study the last of those colonies, the fact must be noted that it was meant to be an asylum for those who found little or no religious freedom and tranquillity at home. What a system of government it TION AND Sem.*- MENT l603 TO 1758 GOVERNOR OGLETHORPE IN LATER UFE was that drove Catholics, Protestants, and Quakers alike out of the country before they could find peace for their minds and safety for their bodies I One of the most oppressive laws ever enforced in any country was that which permitted one man to put another in prison for debt, and keep him there until the debt was paid. More often it was the debt of Nature that was paid. Robert Morris, the man who fur- nished Congress and Washington with the money to carry on the Impris- onment for Debt in England 282 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxi Period II Coloniza- tion AND Settle- ment 1602 TO 1758 Colonel James Edward Ogle- thorpe Revolution, and without whose help England would probably have conquered, and who gave up all he had to buy food and clothing for the starving and freezing soldiers, was thrown into prison for debt. Before the breaking out of the Revolution, however, the working of this law attracted increasing interest in England. Thousands of people were in the jails, for no crime, but because perhaps sicknesij or misfortune had compelled them to run into debt. It was not the mere imprisonment, but the horrible suffering of the prisoners, which shocked all right-thinking people. They were treated like mere beasts, and disease often carried off scores. Their condition was a reproach to any people claiming to be Christian or civilized. The hearts of the benevolent everywhere were stirred to help the miserable beings, and a wealthy and humane man left his large for- tune to be used in liberating the most worthy insolvent debtors from imprisonment. Finally, Parliament appointed a committee to inquire into the sad condition of things. The prime mover in this matter was Colomtl James Edward Oglethorpe, '-^ who was one of the most admirable men connected with the early history of our country. He was an under- graduate at the University of O.xford when quite a youth, but, :sn 1 7 14, he left his college to take military service under Prince Eugene of Savoy, the Continental colleague of Marlborough in the war :ln Flanders. He belonged to an excellent family, and proved himsedf a soldier of exceeding bravery and skill, serving with distinction in * General Oglethorpe [*. 1698 (?); sailed for France, March 12, 1685, the colony, which had lost itself, was left to its fate, whatever that might prove to be. Convinced, at last, that he had gone far astray, La Salle set out to search for the mouth of the Mississippi. Before doing so, he built, with the material of the wrecked vessel. Fort St. Louis, on a river a short distance from the head of the bay. The fort was finished in July, 1685, and during the following year and a half two unsuccessful attempts were made to reach the Mississippi by land expeditions eastward and northeastward. When La Salle returned from his second expedition, he found that death and deser- tion had reduced his company to forty-five souls. The situation was now so desperate that twenty men were left at Fort St. Louis, while La Salle set out with the remainder on his final search for the Mississippi. Nothing was ever again heard of the garrison that remained behind. In the party under charge of La Salle were his nephew Moranget {mo-ran-ge), and a man named Du- CHAP. XXII FRENCH COLONIZATTON IN AMERICA 309 haut [du-ho'). Starting in January, 1687, they followed a course period hi mainly northward. The rain fell almost incessantly, compelling ^^f^^p^^^JJ^ them to spend much of their time in camp, where idleness and dis- America content set them to plotting, a fact of which La Salle seemed to have ^758 had no suspicion. ^^J About the middle of March, the explorer found himself within a few miles of a spot on the southern branch of the Trinity River, where, on his previous visit, he had buried a quantity of corn. He sent some of the men to recover it, while he and the remainder of the party stayed behind. Those who went after the corn found it spoiled, but they killed a buffalo and sent back for the horses to take th^ meat into camp. The nephew of La Salle, while a division of the meat was under way, quarrelled with Duhaut, who shot him, and thij company split into two bitter factions. The friends of Duhaut conspired to kill La Salle also, and the opportunity was not long in coming. The explorer feeling anxious over the delay in the return of the La foraging party, set out with one companion to learn the cause. As Xragie he drew near the camp, he fired his gun to attract attention. This Fate gave the conspirators time to prepare an ambuscade. When he came within close range, two shots from the tall brakes stretched him life- lens. The body was stripped and left a prey to the wolves. The mtjrder of La Salle did not become known in France until October, 1688. Nothing was done to rescue the miserable remnants of the colony left on the shore of the Gulf. Finally an order was sent to the governor of Canada to arrest the assassins if they appeared in that province, but no one was ever punished for the crime. The energy shown by La Salle in his explorations was typical of the vigor of the French nation in conquering the American wilder- ness. Within the half-century following his death, France had made permanent settlements on the Maumee, at Detroit, at the mouth of the St. Joseph, at Green Bay, at Vincennes iinn-senz'), on the Mis- sissippi at the mouth of the Kaskaskia, on the site of Natchez, and at the head of Biloxi {bil-ox'-i) Bay, on the Gulf of Mexico. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the French claimed dominion over all the American continent north of the Spanish possessions, excepting the strip along the Atlantic occupied by the English set- tlements. They were not content even with these possessions : they coveted the whole country and set about to obtain it. The cordon 3IO HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxii pbriod III of fortifications between Montreal and New Orleans were more than Engi-and sixty in number, and, as the next step, France now prepared to occupy Aiu> France J . "* the Ohio Valley. This done, the English provmces would not have America •' <-> x J75S a foothold west of the Alleghanies. The steady intrusion of the TO . 1783 French alarmed the English, and especially the inhabitants of Vir- ginia and Maryland, who had proposed planting an English colony west of the Alleghanies. The king ordered the governor of Virginia to grant to a company of speculators half a million acres of land, lying to the north of Ohio, between the mouth of the Kanawha and the site of the present city of Pittsburg. The name of the associa- tion was The Ohio Land Company, against which no claim for quit- rent was to be made for a period of ten years. The company was required to settle at least one hundred families on the tract, and to build a fort. One of the proprietors was Robert Dinwiddle, of Scot- land, surveyor-general for the southern colonies, and afterwards lieu- tenant-governor of Virginia, The English at that time in America numbered about a million and a half, and the t'rench only one hundred thousand. By her ancient charter, Virginia claimed all the country between her western borders and Lake Erie, and the formation of the Ohio Company was for the purpose of shutting out intruders. Thomas Lee, Augustine and Lawrence Washington, and other Virginia members The Ohio ^^ ^^ company, ordered goods sent from London suitable for the Land Indian trade, and took measures to secure the friendship of the red Com- pany men within the territory. In order to gain accurate information of the tract where it was evident the first collision would take place, Christopher Gist, one of the most famous scouts and woodmen of his time, was sent into the territory to make a thorough examination, learn all about the Indians, and prepare a chart of the territory. Gist set out from Alexandria, in October, 1750, travelling on horseback. He made his way across the Blue Ridge and the Shenandoah Valley, his horse at times floundering through the deep snow or swimming the icy streams, and finally reached Logstown, where it was intended to hold an Indian council. Gist said he was an ambassador from King George. The chief was cordial, but the warriors looked at their visitor askance. They told him plainly that he would never be allowed to settle on the lands in the Ohio Valley; but Gist was a brave man, and, instead of turning back, pushed forward to the Mus- kingum, where the Wyandots received him in a friendly spirit. At CHAP. XXII FRENCH COLONIZATION IN AMERICA 311 their village, he found an agent of the Pennsylvanians, who were period in astir, through fear that the Ohio Company would get a monopoly of England '- _ 1 y o r J ^f,P Francb trade with the Indians of the northwest. In company with the agent America and several traders, Gist visited the Delawares and Shawanoes, both ^758 TO of which tribes expressed good- will towards the English and promised 1783 to attend a general council at Logstown. The next visit was to the powerful confederacy of the Miamis, who made a treaty of peace and alliance with the English. Gist was filled with admiration for the beautiful country and went on almost to the Falls of the Ohio, and into the blue-grass region of Kentucky. He had traversed an enormous extent of territory, and at the end of seven months went back with his information to Lawrence Washing- ton, at Mount Vernon, who was the leading director of the Ohio Company. The great council of the western tribes was not held until June, 1752. Gist was present as the agent of the Ohio Com- pany, and Virginia was represented by several commissioners. The Indians agreed to hold friendly relations with the English, but Council sturdily refused to recognize their title to lands west of the Alle- Txf^l^* ghanies. They were equally determined with the French. One of Tribes, the chiefs said : " You English claim all the land on one side of the ^'" river and the French all on the other side : where is our land .-*" Gist replied : " The red and white men are subjects of the British king, and all have the same right in taking up and occupying the land in accordance with the laws he has made." The Ohio Company pressed its work with vigor. Surveyors were sent into the country to prepare it for settlement, and the English traders penetrated further and further and built up a trade with the Indians. The French became alarmed, for they saw in this move- ment a proof of their waning influence with the tribes and a menace to their fortified line extending from the St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico. So in 1753 they seized and imprisoned a number of English traders and surveyors and sent more than a thousand soldiers to build forts between Lake Erie and the headwaters of the Alle- ghany. It is worth noting that one of these stood on the present site of Erie, then known as Presque Isle {pres-keel'), on the southern shore of the lake of that name ; another, now Waterford, was Le Boeuf {leJi-buf), and a third was at the junction of French Creek and the Alleghany River, where now is the to'wn of Franklin. This action gave offence to the Ohio Company, and since its lands lay within the 312 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxn England *ND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 Period III jurisdiction of Virginia, that province felt it to be her duty to defend the rights of the company. The governors of Virginia and Pennsyl- vania had been ordered from England to drive out the French in- truders, by force of arms if necessary, for the feeling in both provinces, especially in Virginia, which was most directly interested, was deep. Dinwiddle, a leading director of the Ohio Company, was now gov- ernor of Virginia.^* He was an able man, and decided, before taking extreme measures, to send a protest to the French commander, M. de St. Pierre {san pe-air'), who was at Le Boeuf. So he prepared a strong remonstrance against the intrusion of the French into English or Virginian territory, and then, without hesitation, picked out the man to carry the letter, through the five hundred miles of wilderness, to the distant French post. * Robert Dinwiddie (1690-1770), Crown Governor of Virginia from 1752 to 1758, figures interestingly in history from his friendly regard for the youthful Washington, at the outset of the latter's career, and whom he intrusted with his first mission, half military, half diplomatic, to the commander of the P'rench posts on the Ohio. Dinwiddie, who was a Scotchman of rather irascible temper, was for a time a civil servant of the Crown in the West Indies, where he held a post in the Imperial Customs. In 1752, he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia, and one of his earliest acts, after organ- izing the militia of the colony into districts, was to appoint Washington, then in his twenty-first year, to the command of one of them, with the rank of major. During his regime, he was active in inciting the colony to resist French encroachments on the western frontier, in which Washington conspicuously figured. When the troubles in- creased, he fell to wrangling with the Colonial Assembly, and when the latter retorted, and almost threatened impeachment, he returned to England in 175S, and died there twelve years later. Some years before his departure, the governor promoted Washington to the rank of lieutenant-colonel ; but as the colonial levies were to be placed under royal officers, and no native officer was to hold a rank higher than that of captain, Washington resigned, though he afterwards served under Braddock as a volunteer aide-de-camp. CHAPTF3S XXIII YOUNG WASHINGTON'S JOURNEY THROUGH THE WHDERNESS [Authorities : The present chapter brings us to the fateful era when, as it has been said, " the firing of a gun in the woods of North America brought on a conflict which drenched Europe in blood." The conflict 5s known as the "Seven Years' War. "* Hostilities between the two nations were precipitated in the valley of the Ohio by the encroachment of the English. In the collision between the two races, the youthful Washington, it will be seen, figures and begins to play his great role in the history of the Anglo-American colonies. The expedition on which he now sets forth brought the young ofificer into collision with Jumonville, and a small French command, which he partly killed, and partly took captive, a proceeding so precipitate as to incite the French to further hostilities, and which led to a long and bitter controversy. In the encounter, Washington's personal bravery was early exemplified, though the consequences of the collision were more far-reaching than either he or the colonies at the time thought possi- ble. The present and next following chapter will apprise the reader of what occurred. The authorities for the period, besides Bancroft's and Hildreth's histories, and Winsor's "Narrative and Critical History," are Hart's " Formation of the Union," Frothingham's " Rise of the Republic," Fiske's " The American Revolution," the Canadian histories of Garneau and Kingsford, the English histories of Green and Lecky, and the biographies of Washington, by Sparks, H. C. Lodge, a'hd Washington Irving.] E have said that Governor Dinwiddie had no hesita- tion in selecting the right man to perform the delicate and dangerous duty he had in view. The person whom he had selected was about twenty- one years old, six feet two inches in height, and the swiftest runner, the longest thrower, the best wrestler, the most skilful horseman, the strongest swimmer, and the finest athlete in all the country Besides these striking physical traits, he was truthful, high- biftrtt&qWn u itit U'Udi round. * During the eight years' peace with France that followed the Treaty of Aix-la-Cha- 314 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxiii PxRioD III minded, a fine soldier and an experienced surveyor, and withal the En^np soul of honor, a person, in short, who from his earliest boyhood lived AND France ^^ i i t-> i . '^ in accordance with the Golden Rule. America 1758 Having related this much, there can hardly be any need of nammg 1783 the person entrusted with the commission. His honored name, George Washington, stands on the bead-roll of his country. Wash- ington was born in a large, old-fashioned house in Westmoreland county, Virginia, February 22, 1732. Sometimes the date is given as February 11, O. S. This is in accordance with the Old Style of reckoning. Towards the close of the last century, the astronomers -Old and ^^^^ ^j^^^ ^^^ order to record time as it should be -recorded, it was nee- New Styles of essary to add eleven days to the date then current, because we were Dating drifting behindhand. This was done, the method being referred to Time ^^ ]s[ s_ or New Style, Then perfectly to adjust matters it was de- cided that in every period of four hundred years, three leap years should be omitted. Thus a.d. 1900 is not a leap year; a.d. 2000 will be, and then the even centuries will not be leap years until a.d. 2400 comes round. All the even centuries that are divisible by 400 are leap years and the others are not. Now, if any American youths happened to be born February 29, pelle, there had been conside*. .ble ill-feeling, as is shown in the present chapter, between the English and French colonists in America, and in distant India, which led, in 1756, to a renewal of hostilities between the two countries, on England's taking the side of Prussia in the Seven Years' War. This war had broken out between Frederick the Great and a confederacy of European Powers, consisting mainly of Austria, Russia, Spain, and France, the object of the confederacy being to crush the growing power of Frederick and to partition Prussia. Between England and France, aside from European complications, there was cause enough for war, in the desire of both nations to settle who should be the masters of India and North America. On the latter continent, France, as we have seen, colonized Canada and Louisiana, while England, as we already know, had established colonies along that part of the Atlantic coast which separated the French settlements. To connect the latter and to exclude England from the great fur trade of the interior, France began to erect a series of military posts from the Niagara River to the mouth of the Mis- sissippi. This action was" naturally resented by Britain and her American colonies, and, in 1755, the conflict began, as we shall discover in the chapter following this, by an attack on the French forts in the Ohio Valley. The English, as we shall find, however, were at first not successful, and their general, Braddock, was in the following year mortally wounded and his troops defeated while marching to attack Fort Du Quesne. From the disastrous consequences of this defeat, the English and colonial troops were in large measure saved by the tactics of young Washington, who now comes upon the scene and enters upon his notable career. Subsequent successes in other parts of the Continent atoned for the disaster, and three years later came the fall of French dominion in the New World, and, within the same period, the supremacy of English arms was asserted in India. CMAP. xxiii YOUNG WASHINGTON'S JOURNEY 315 1896, they will have to wait eight years before reaching their second Period hi birthday, but no doubt their parents will see' that they are not de- ^^^f^^ prived for so long of a celebration of the anniversary of their birth. America George Washington was a diligent student at school, though he never ^^^5^ attended any college, and he cannot be said ever to have become a 17^3 profound scholar. He was popular with his classmates, since he not only surpassed them all in athletic sports, but always "played fair." He never deceived another, or took a wrong or questionable advantage of any one. He was so honest in this respect, that when the other boys got into a dispute they appealed to him to decide it, and every one was satisfied, for whatever he said was right. The in^^on», game of base-ball was unknown in those days, therefore one cannot Boy- be quite sure that there might not have been a situation in which the youth could be placed where his decisions would not always have given satisfaction. Young Washington had a liking for military matters. His brother Lawrence, being the elder, was sent to England to be educated and became an officer in the British army. It kindled George's ardor when he looked at his handsome brother in his fine uniform, and he drilled his playmates, with their wooden guns, and fought many sham battles, with as much earnestness as if they were real soldiers, Lawrence was proud of George because he was manly and brave, and, moreover, was clean in his words and actions. He saw . what a splendid midshipman he would make, and advised him to be- come one. Nothing could have suited the younger brother better, and he made ready to go to sea. The expression on his mother's face, however, told the son that something troubled her, and when he tenderly asked the cause she said she could not bear the thought of his leaving her. " Then I shall not go," said George, glad that it was in his power to bring back the sunshine to the face that was dearer to him than all the world beside. The reader may be sure that HisDuti- the mother was gratified at this evidence of filial consideration, for George's father had died when the boy was only eleven years old, and he was left in charge of the noble woman, who lived to see her son become the greatest man ever born in America One cannot nelp thinking how different would have been the history of our country if Washington had not cared for his mother and had become a midshipman in the British navy. George was so skilful a surveyor that when he was but sixteen years old. Lord Fairfax, w^ho was very 3>6 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxiii Period III fond of the lad, hired him to sun'ey an immense area of mountainous ENGLAND wilderness. The youth traversed tracts of the Virginia solitudes, ANU France - o » "*,^, climbing rugged hills, swimming his horse /hierica -'758 TO 1783 through turbid torrents, sleeping in the open woods beside his lonely camp-fire, shooting a wild turkey or deer when in need of food, and building up a robust health and a great store of strength and endurance. He was en- gaged in this rough, out- door life for three years, and did his work so well, that Lord Fairfax, it is said, WASHINGTON AND HIS MOTHER CHAP. XXIII YOUNG WASHINGTON'S JOURNEY 317 paid him very liberally for his services. In many cases the young period hi man's pay amounted to twenty dollars a day. Aifo^FRANCB At nineteen years of age Washington was made a major of militia. America He received lessons in military drill from a veteran swordsman, and ^758 was so well liked that when the change in the militia organization 1783 of Virginia took place, and it became necessary to relieve most of the afficers, Washington was kept in command of one of the military dis- tricts. So Governor Dinwiddle, one day in October, 1753, sent a re- quest to Major Washington to call at his office, at Williamsburg, which was then the capital of Virginia. The young officer obeyed with alacrity. The meeting in the governor's plainly furnished office was an interesting one. Dinwiddle was more than three-score years old, short, stout, with a bald head, and very nervous and fidgety in his manner. He looked admiringly at the stalwart Virginian, tower- ing above him, with his florid face, his noble mien, and fine physique, and explained the delicate mission which he wished to intrust to him. Washington replied that he would be ready to set out as soon as the letter to the French commander should be placed in his hands. Now the reader must not suppose that all Washington had to do ^^J?^ was to carry the governor's letter to the French post, five hundred Mission miles away, and bring back the officer's reply. That of itself was a great task, but much more was required of him. He was to proceed to Logstown, on the right bank of the Ohio, fourteen miles below the site of Pittsburg, bring together the leading Indian chiefs in that region, explain to them the purpose of his visit, and ask them to give him an escort to the headquarters of the French commander, to whom the governor's letter was to be handed, and from whom a reply was to be brought ; learn, if possible, the number of French troops that had crossed the lake ; the number and strength of the enemy's forts, their location, and, in brief, to gather all the information possible about the doings and intentions of the French in the region. Wash- ington left Williamsburg, October 31st, 1753. His comparions were John Davidson, Indian interpreter, Jacob Van Braam, who spoke French, Christopher Gist, the hunter, who acted as guide, and four other men, two of whom were Indian traders. They took with them e.xtra horses, tents, and baggage. At the mouth of Will's Creek, now the Cumberland, Maryland, they bade good-by to civilization and climbed over the Alleghany Mountains, which, early as it was in the season, were already covered with snow. COPYRIGHT 1896, FROM THE ORIGINAL DRAWING BY J. STEEPLE DAVIS WASHINGTON AND GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE CHAP. XXIII YOUNG WASHINGTON'S JOURNEY 319 What might seem, during its early stages, a pleasant excursion was accompanied by the severest hardships. The valley streams were overflowing, and such as could not be waded, were crossed on treach- erous rafts, which often broke apart and plunged the men into the chilling waters. The month of November was nearly gone when they arrived at the Forks of the Ohio, where Pittsburg now stands.. There they rested a few days and then made their way to Logstown. They had now reached a point within one hundred and twenty miles of the headquarters of M. de St. Pierre, the French commander. Among the Indians gathered at Logstown was a chief named Half King, who had protested against the invasion of his country by the French, but was thrust aside. He was a strong friend of the Eng- lish under the ingenuous belief that they came merely to establish trade, when in truth their purpose was the same as that of the French. Half-King, with two other chiefs and a trained warrior, agreed to escort the eight Virginians to the French headquarters. Still meeting all manner of hardships and perils, the party early in December reached Fort Venango (now Franklin), which was a French outpost in charge of M. Joncaire {jon-kdi^). He received the white men with courtesy, but tried to persuade, without success, the Indians to desert them. Ascending the French Creek, the party reached Fort Le Boeuf, where the French commandant was found. He was a polite old soldier, who treated his visitors with courtesy, entertaining them for four days, at the end of which he handed his sealed reply to Washington. Meanwhile, the young Virginian had kept his eyes and ears open and obtained valuable information. Ex- pressing his thanks to M. de St. Pierre for his hospitality, Washington and his companions set out on their return journey to Williamsburg. It was now the depth of winter, and the return was a great deal harder than had been the coming. The weather became intense- ly cold, and the snow in many places was several feet deep. When the party reached Venango, the pack-horses were so exhausted that they gave out. Washington and Gist dismounted, and turned over their animals to assist in carrying the baggage. Then each strapped a few articles on his back, and these two hardy fellows bade their friends good-by and pressed forward on foot through the sleet and snow and fearful cold. One needed to have rugged health and great endurance to undergo the experience that was theirs day after day and night after night. The soft, crunching snow often reached Period III England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 Chief Half- King Meeting with the French Com- mander 320 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxiii Period III abovc their knccs, and the heavy boots were at times saturated with England the raiii and slush. The ice which bore them for some distance from ♦no France ameri shore sometimes gave away further out and let them sink to their ^758 armpits in the current rushing beneath. In the natural openings 1783 or clearings, the gale blinded them with the whirling snow. Many a time, on rising in the morning, their wet clothing was frozen to their bodies. Not one man in a thousand could have undergone what young Washington and the veteran Gist passed through. But they bravely pushed on until they stood on the bank of the Alleghany River, whose swollen current was filled with masses of rushing ice. There was only one way of crossing the stream, which was by means of a raft. They spent the day in putting it together, and shoved out from shore as the wintry night was closing in. They were instantly Return in danger of having the structure knocked to fragments. Washing- journey ^Qj^ ^^,^g plying a pole with all his strength, when the action of the ice flung him into water a dozen feet deep. On his back was his pack, with his rifle strapped to it, and his clothing was thick and cumbrous, so that, despite his great power and skill, he might have been drowned had he not seized one of the logs of the raft that was knocked apart by the force of the current. The men were flung upon a small island, where they lay all night, without an ember of fire, or a particle of food, and half -frozen to death. Washington suf- fered no injury, but most of Gist's fingers and toes were frozen. This island, near Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, is still known as Washington's Island. In the morning the surface of the river was solid, and the two walked on it to the mainland. Encountering an Indian, they pressed him into their service as guide. He was a treacherous rogue, who was so very friendly at first that the white men became suspicious of him. He asked Wash- ington to allow him to carry his gun, but the young Virginian was prudent enough to keep it in his own hands. One afternoon the In- dian deliberately raised his rifle and fired at Washington, when oarely fifty feet distant, but missed him. Gist leaped upon the sav- age, flung him to the earth, and would have killed him had not Washington interfered. He was allowed to go, and, fearful that he would lead a party in pursuit, the two travelled all night. Nothing more, however, was seen or heard of the fellow. On the i6th of January, 1754, Washington and Gist reached W^illiamsburg, and the reply of St. Pierre was placed in the hands of Governor Dinwiddle CHAPTER XXIV CAMPAIGN OF iyS5 \Authorities : The collision between the Virginia frontiersmen and the intruding French in the Ohio Valley led to the despatch of European troops by the mother nations of both belligerents, and to a more serious test of strength, first of all in the region west of the Alleghanies. In 1754, England sent out a couple of regiments, under General Braddock, to co-operate with the Colonial forces in occupying the debatable territory, and in keeping the French in check. Military reinforcements were also sent out by France, under Baron Dieskau, a Dutch general in the French service, accompanied by a new governor, the Marquis de Vaudreuil. At a meeting of the English Colonial governors, it was decided to attack the French posts on the Ohio, on the Niagara River, on Lake Champlain, and at Beausejour, in Acadia. The present chapter relates the 'incidents connected with the various projects, together with some account of the expulsion of the French neutrals from Acadia — a lamentable 'war necessity of the period. Besides the authorities quoted at the head of the previous chapter, the reader will do well to refer to the following supplementary works as throwing further light upon the military operations of the year, and the tragedy in Nova Scotia: Parkman's "Wolfe and Montcalm," Hannay's "Acadia," Richard's "Acadia," Murdoch's, and Judge Haliburton's "Nova Scotia."] IHE reply of St. Pierre was what might have been expected. Being a soldier, who knew his duty, he wrote that it did not become him to discuss civil matters ; that Dinwiddie's letter should have been sent to the Marquis Du Ouesne {dod-kdne'), gov- ernor of Canada, under whose orders St. Pierre was acting, and which required him to remain where he was and follow his instructions. Dinwiddie laid this letter before his council, and it was decided not to wait for the legislature to meet, the members of which gave little thought to the impending danger. The instructions sent from England authorized irnc 't)c 19^10 ofAAuliua 5*2 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxiv Period III England ftND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 Virgin- ia's Aggres- sive Meas- ures Chief Half- King's Message the governor to call for the enlistment of two hundred men to pro- ceed to the Ohio River and build two forts, before the French could forestall them. Washington was commissioned a lieutenant-colonel and given command of the troops to be raised. While the enlistment was under way,, the legislature came to- gether and issued an appeal to the other colonies to assist Virginia in the work she had begun. All save North Carolina were backward in answering the appeal, for there was much disputation between the royal governors and colonial assemblies over the respective rights of the Americans and of parliament. The Virginia House of Burgesses voted ;^ 1 0,000 towards fitting out an expedition and authorized the raising of a regiment of six companies. Joshua Fry, a gentleman of English birth, was appointed colonel, with Washington as his assist- ant. A bounty was offered of two hundred thousand acres of land on the Ohio, to be divided among the soldiers who enlisted, and Alexandria was fixed upon as the rallying-place of the volunteers. It was on the recommendation of Washington that the Forks of the Ohio (the site of Pittsburg) were selected as a point for the fort to be erected. His recent visit had shown him the natural strength of the place. The precious days were passing, and Washington was ordered to march from Alexandria with the advance of the military force and aid Captain Trent, who had already gone thither, to complete the fortification, and " drive away, capture, or kill " all who interfered with the English settlement of the country. Washington left Alexandria in April and arrived at Will's Creek (now known as the Cumberland) on the 20th. While on the road a strange message reached him. It was from his old friend. Chief Half-King, who notified him that the French had lately embarked at Venango, on the Alleghany, and the Indians were in a state of consternation. " Come to our help as soon as you can," besought Half-King, "or we are lost." Washington sent back word by the messenger that he was on his way to help him and would lose no time in doing so. Before reaching Will's Creek» another Indian runner met Washington with the news that the French were at the Forks. The report was confirmed the following day in a startling manner, when one of Trent's men brought word that a thousand French soldiers, with eighteen cannon, three hun- dred canoes, and sixty bateaux, had descended the Alleghany and taken possession of the partly finished fort. There wa^ some CHAP. XXIV CAMPAIGN OF 1755 32s exaggeration in this report, but there was no doubt that the pebiod hi French had occupied the commanding position at the Forks of the ^^^f^^ Ohio. They speedily j^J^^^^^ completed the fort and ^758 ^ TO / - 1783 "*^^ THE MESSAGE FROM CHIEF HALF-KINQ named it Du Ouesne, in compliment to the then governor of Canada. Without waiting for Colonel Fry, Washington pressed on with 324 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxiv Period III England \ND France IN America 1758 TO I7S3 First Conflict in the French and Indian War his small force, and, after much labor, arrived late in May within forty miles of Du Quesne, at which point a warning came from Half-King that the French had prepared ,an ambush for the de- struction of the Virginians. The rain was falling in torrents and the night was intensely dark; but with forty picked men, Wash- ington tramped six miles through the forest to Half-King's camp, where he formed a plan with the friendly Mingo to surprise the French. The Indians and Virginians advanced in single file, along parallel lines, until at daybreak they discovered the am- buscade. Washington was at the head of his men, with a musket in his grasp. The instant he saw the Frenchmen, he discharged his gun at them and gave the order to his men to fire. Hence, it came about that the first hostile shot in the French and Indian War was fired by Washington. Although the attack was a surprise to the French, they fought with great spirit. When Jumonville {zJido-mon-vecV), their com- mander, and about a dozen of his men were killed, the conflict was ended. Only one Virginian lost his life, and twenty-two Frenchmen were taken prisoners. The news of the fight made a deep impression throughout the colonies as well as in England and France. Few failed to see, despite its slight nature, the great struggle which it made inevitable and which would never cease until either France or England became master of the New World. Washington fell back to the stockaded fort he had hastily thrown together under the name of Fort Necessity; Colonel Fry died at Will's Creek, and Washing- ton took the chief command. Reinforcements had been promised and were said to be on the way, but only a few soldiers from South Carolina arrived. Half-King and forty other Indians brought their families to the fort, and the care of them became a great burden to Washington. His force, in all, numbered barely four hundred, but weak as it was he marched with it against Fort Du Quesne. On the road he received news that M. de Villiers, brother of Jumonville, was advancing against him with six hundred soldiers and a thousand Indians. Washington thereupon fell back on Fort Necessit}^ which was attacked July 3d. Though a severe rain-storm prevailed, the assault was maintained without cessation for ten hours, and the loss of life on both sides was considerable. The French had so far gained the advantage, but despite that fact De Villiers proposed a parley. Washington's force was so much in- 326 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxiv Period III England AND Franxe IN America 1758 TO I7S3 Surren- der of Fort Neces- sity The Albany Con- gress, 1754 ferior that he saw he was certain to be defeated ; hence, when the Frenchmen offered honorable terms they were accepted. The Vir- ginian agreed to surrender the fort, on the condition that he and his men should withdraw from the stockade with the honors of war. He also agreed to restore the prisoners taken in the engagement with Jumonville, and to give a pledge not to erect any fort or post west of the mountains for the space of one year. It is noteworthy that this surrender took place on the 4th of July. All its terms were ob- served by both parties, and Fort Necessity was destroyed. Before this time, the need for joint action on the part of the colonies was so evident that a convention was called at Albany on' the 19th of June, 1754. Twenty-five delegates, representing every colony north of the Potomac, appeared, including representatives also from the Iroquois Confederacy or Six Nation Indians. The last- named step was a wise one, for those Indians were growing restless through the intrigues of French agents, and there was danger of their becoming enemies of the English. The Colonial governors ex- plained to the British government its action in inviting the various Colonial assemblies and the leaders of the Six Nations to the con- vention which assembled in Albany. The management of the Six Nations was a delicate task. They Avere at this time inclined to support the French, and made no secret of their preference. James De Lancey, acting-governor of New York, was chairman, and was authorized to represent Virginia, while the famous philosopher, Benjamin Franklin, was the most prominent member of the convention. By the exercise of great tact, the Iro- quois chiefs were won over, and, with some reluctance, they signed a treaty pledging themselves to support the English in the impend- ing war with the French. A far-reaching step was taken by this convention — one that foreshadowed the great struggle that was to come twenty years later. The Massachusetts delegation went to Al- bany with the question of a union of the thirteen colonies for mutual defence. It was favorably received, and a committee, consisting of one delegate from each colony represented, was named to prepare a draft of a Federal Constitution. Franklin was the member from PennsyK^ania, and when the committee met, that wise man had his scheme ready, for he saw, more clearly than any other person, the urgent and increasing need of the country. Franklin's plan made Philadelphia the capital of the colonial CHAP. XXIV CAMPAIGN OF 1755 327 league, with a governor-general appointed and supported by the crown of England, while the legislative authority was vested in Con- gress, whose members were to be chosen every three years by the gen- eral assemblies of the respective provinces. The ratio of representa- tion was to be proportioned to the contribution of each colon}^ to the general government, no one colony being allowed more than seven or less than two representatives. The governor was to appoint all mili- tary officers, and to have the power of vetoing objectionable legisla- tion. To Congress was given the appointment of all civil officers, the raising of troops, the levying of taxes, the superintendence of affairs, the regulation of commerce, and the general duties of govern- ment. Congress was to meet annually, choose its own officers, and remain in session not longer than six weeks. It will give the reader an idea of the relative strength of the col- onies at this time to name the number of representatives to which each was entitled by Franklin's scheme. They were : Massachu- ssetts Bay, 7 ; Virginia, 7 ; Pennsylvania, 6 ; Connecticut, 5 ; Mary- land, North Carolina, South Carolina, and New York, each 4 ; New Jersey, 3 ; New Hampshire and Rhode Island, each 2 ; Georgia, at this time was so in significant a province that she was not included in the scheme. " The Plan of Union," after earnest debate, was adopted by the Congress at Albany, the Connecticut delegates alone oppos- ing its adoption. It was then submitted to the Lords of Trades and Plantations in England. That body disapproved of the measure, and declined to lay it before the king. The colonies objected to the veto feature. So it turned out that the attempt to please the king and the people resulted in a failure to please either. England, however, saw that she must recover the ground already lost and maintain her honor against her old and aggressive rival. France was sending reinforcements to America, and strengthen- ing her defences at Crown Point and Fort Niagara. She was exul- tant over her success in western Pennsylvania, and England decided to create a new colony in that section. There was as yet no declara- tion of war between the two nations, who were continually assuring each other of their pacific intentions and their profound esteem, while making vigorous preparations the while for the conflict that all saw was coming. General Edward Braddock,'"^ a distinguished officer, * Major-General Edward Braddock [1695-1755], son of a general in the British army, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, and in 1710 became an ensign in the Coldstream Period III England AND Francb IN America 1758 TO 1783 The Plan of Union General Brad- dock 328 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxiv England •ItD Fran'CE IN America 175S TO 1783 pfcRioDiii was recalled from Ireland, appointed commander-in-chief of the British forces in America and was sent to Virginia with two regi- ments of regular troops. France at the same time despatched three thousand soldiers to Canada. In obedience to orders, Braddock, on arriving, called a council of colonial governors, who met him at Alexandria, April 14, 1755. The decision reached was that since there had been no declaration of war, Canada should not be invaded, but three separate plans of campaign were agreed upon. General Braddock, the commander-in-chief, was to proceed against Fort Du Quesne, capture the place, and expel the French from the Ohio valley. Governor Shirle}-, of Massachusetts, was to equip a regiment and attack Fort Niagara, at the mouth of the Niagara River, and Fort Frontenac at the foot of Lake Ontario. Colonel William Johnson, the government superintendent of Indian affairs among the Six Nations, was to enroll a force of volunteers and Mo- hawks, and with them capture Crown Point, on Lake Champlain. Guards. Thirty-five years later, while on duty at Gibraltar, he attained to a lieutenant- colonelcy, and for a time saw active service in Holland. In 1754 he became a major- general, and through the interest of the Duke of Cumberland he was appointed to a com- mand in America. Arriving in Virginia with Commodore Keppel's fleet, in F"ebruar}' of the following year, he set out against P'ort Du Quesne with a large force. Colonel George Washington accompanying him as one of his aides-de-camp. After many delays, the expe- dition reached Little Meadows, whence Braddock pushed on with twelve hundred picked troops, regulars and provincials, for the Monongahela River, which was reached on the 8th of July. On the following day, heedless of Washington's caution against too precipi- tate a movement and an exposed order of march, the head of the column encountered an ambuscade of French and Indians in the dense woods within eight miles of Fort Du Quesne. Familiar with Indian fighting, the Virginian levies discreetly sought shelter, but Braddock unwisely marshalled his men in platoons and thus exposed them to so hot a fire that, after a time, they broke and fled. Braddock strove bravely to re-form his men, but without success, while he himself was struck down by a bullet and was carried off the field. Disorder now became a rout, and the whole column fell back upon Great Mea- dows, nearly sixty miles in the rear. Here, on Sunday the 13th, Braddock died and was hastily interred, the small remnant of the expedition returning to Virginia, covered in it? retreat by Washington. The failure and rout of the expedition naturally provoked much comment, of a deprecatory kind, on Braddock's manner and methods. There was no im- peachment of his courage, but only of inexperience of military tactics in the backwoods, and an overweening confidence in his " regulars" and in himself. Franklin rightly says of him : " He was, I think, a brave man, and might have made a good figure in some European war, but he had too much self-confidence, and had too high an idea of the va- lidityof European troops, and too low an one of Americans and Indians." See Winthrop Sargent's monograph on Braddock, Vol. V., " Memoirs of Historical Society of Pennsyl- vania (Philadelphia, 1856), Montcalm's " Wolfe and Montcalm," and an illustrated arti- cle on Colonel Washington, by Woodrow Wilson, in Harper f Magazine, March, 1896. CHAP. XXiV CAMPAIGN OF 1755 329 A fourth cam- paign was in pro- gress at that time in Nova Scotia, which it was agreed should be pressed, until the French were driven from the province. Time was impor- tant, and none of it was lost in push- ing on these varied and aggressive schemes. Three thousand New England troops sailed from Boston, May 20, 1755, un- der command of General John Winslow, a great- grandson of Ed- ward Winslow, who came over in the Mayfloiuer. Land- ing near the head of the Bay of Fun- dy, they were joined by Colonel Monckton and a force of regulars. There were only two fortified French posts in the province, both on the neck of land uniting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Beause- joar {bo'-zay-Joor), the principal one, stood at the head of Chignecto Bay, while the other, Gaspereaux, was on the north side of the neck. The French commander had no suspicion of his danger until the English fleet appeared. The landing was made June 3d, and the siege of the fort (Beausejour) was begun the following day. No effective resistance was offered, and the fort, with the whole penin- sula, passed into the possession of the English before the close of the month. The French soldiers were sent to Louisbourg, and the Ace- general EDWARD BRADDOCK Period III England AND Francb IN America 1758 TO 1783 The Cam- paign ia Nova Scotia 330 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxiv Period III diaiis wcrc granted an amnesty, owing to their being forced into the Enguand French service. A^D France Amb'^ric^ Now, it will be recalled, that the province of Acadia, or Nova *75S Scotia, was ceded to England by France by the treat)' of Utrecht, '7S3 in 17 1 3, and this invasion and conquest of it by the English has a curious look; but it was, in fact, still a French province, whose population (almost wholly French-speaking) numbered sixteen thou- sand. It was deemed a necessary war measure that this colony should be crushed. Another reason for this action by the English colonial authorities was this, that the French — "neutrals," they were called — incited by their kinsmen at Louisbourg and Quebec, and especially by a meddlesome priest named La Loutre, constantly violated their neutrality by engaging in hostile acts against the Eng- lish-speaking minority, until forbearance was no longer a virtue. The conquest having been made, and the French population con- tinuing not only more numerous than the English, but becoming increasingly hostile, the condition of affairs grew intolerable, and decisive measures became a necessity. After fully considering the grave situation, the chief-justice of the province (Belcher) and the British admiral (Boscawen) agreed with Governor Lawrence that the only effectual, though painful, remedy was to drive the whole French Expul- population out of the country. The scenes which followed this ^^the* cruel but politic decision are among the most pathetic in history. Aca- First, an oath of allegiance was prescribed which might necessitate dians, ox ^ 1755 the neutrals fighting against their own countrymen, though afterwards a modified formula was framed. By advice of the priests, the ig- norant and secretly hostile people refused the oath, though they de- clared their loyalty to their conquerors. When their boats and fire- arms were taken from them, many became so terrified that they offered to take the oath. They were answered that it was then too late. The country was filled with the smoke of burning dwellings ; the peaceful hamlets Avere laid waste, and the helpless inhabitants driven into the larger towns along the seaboard. By proclamation all the people were ordered to assemble on the 5th of September, 1755, in their respective villages. At Grand Pre {fro) near Minas Basin, in the Bay of Fundy, four hundred and eighteen men presented them- selves and were marched into church. The doors were closed and guarded, and then General Winslow, comm?inder of the New Eng ' ;• ■ ; 'r-<^. •^x-- :.c??Mag HUB*.' ^ g i 4wj g'a«^'-'*-- CHAP. XXIV CAMPAIGN OF 1755 331 land troops, rose and read the royal proclamation, which told the Acadians that their lands, tenements, cattle, and live stock were for- feited to the Crown, with all their effects, except their money and household goods. They were ordered to make ready at once to leave the country. From Grand Pre alone were driven nearly two thou- sand souls, including the helpless, the sick, and the aged. These and Period III England AND Francb IN America 1758 TO 1783 THE DEPORTATION OF THE ACADIANS five thousand more broken-hearted French Acadians were distributed among the different colonies. They were peremptorily ordered by the soldiery into the waiting boats, and as the weeping victims turned to take a last look at their loved homes, they saw through their streaming tears their dwellings in flames. A land of fertility and beauty became the abode of woe and desolation. The decree which enforced, and the circumstances which called for, the expulsion of the Acadians have been v?.ri?usly commented on by historians, most of them agreeing that, however deplorable the act, it had become a 332 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxiv Period III England AND France IN America 175S TO 1783 Brad- dock's disas- trous Cam- paign, 1755 necessity of the situation. Longfellow, in his poem " Evangeline," tells the story from the sentimental rather than from the strictly historic point of view, and with a poet's license as well as with a heart of pity. Meanwhile, General Braddock's campaign in the Ohio valley had begun and ended. He assembled his forces at Alexandria, and Col- onel Washington, by invitation, joined the expedition, but only as a volunteer. The whole force, including regulars and provincials (about equally divided), was two thousand men. General Braddock was a quick-tempered, conceited man, very overbearing, harsti in his manner, though resolute and brave. When he looked at the provin- cials, he laughed with contempt. Washington, who was always guarded in his expressions, wrote of him : " He is incapable of argu- ing without warmth, or giving up any point he asserts, be it ever so incompatible with reason or common-sense." From the first everything seemed to go wrong with the ill-fated expedition. The Virginia contractors failed to send. the necessary provisions, or trans- portation for the material of war. When the troops were well on the march, thev received their supplies through the activity of Franklin. The army left Fort Cumberland on the last day of May and had a march before it of one hundred and thirty miles to reach Fort Du Quesne. The column was strung out for a distance of four miles, Sir Peter Halket leading the advance, with five hundred picked men, and Braddock following with the main body. The progress was so slow that the French had plenty of time in which to prepare for attack. Washington could not repress his impatience, and it was through his own urgency that more vigor was put into the movement. The provincials were under his charge, but their eager- ness was checked by the regulars. On the 8th of July the advance reached the forks of the ]\Ionon- gahela {tno-ndn-gd-h^ -Id) and Youghiogheny {yd'-/io-gd'-ne) rivers, where they rested until the following morning. Some twelve miles now lay between them and Fort Du Quesne. The supports were several miles to the rear, and Halket, alarmed at the carelessness of his superior officer, begged him to be more careful, since they had a A'igilant foe in their front who was sure to seize any chance pre- sented. Washington knowing the danger of advancing in solid pla- toons, as if against a civilized foe, urged Braddock to dispose his army in open order. The British commander turned angrily on CXDPVRIGHT 1896. FROM THE ORIGINAL DRAWING Bv H. A. OGDEN THE BRADDOCK MASSACRE 334 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxiv Period III England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 The Brad- dock Mas- sacre Wash- ington's narrow Escape him. " What ! do you, a provincial colonel, presume to teach a Brit- ish general how to fight .-*" Washington bit his lip and held his peace, but his heart was heavy, for he felt the shadow of impending danger closing around them. The army recrossed the Monongahela to the north side, a little distance above the confluence of Turtle Creek. Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Gage led the advance with a detachment of three hundred and fifty men, accompanied by a working party of two hundred and fifty, with guides and flanking parties. They entered a road hardly more than a dozen feet wide, and enclosed by a dense undergrowth. It was. the very place which an Indian foe would select for an am- buscade. Suddenly the gorge was lit up by a burst of flame, and the air resounded with the crash of musketry and the war-cries of the savages, who were on every side. From behind trees, rocks, and knolls of ground, flashed the deadly guns, and the gloom was deep- ened by the clouds of arrows. The English troops were caught at a hopeless disadvantage. The attacking force consisted of three hundred French and Can- adians, and between six and seven hundred Indians. At the first return fire of the English, de Beaujeau {bo-sho'), one of the French leaders, was killed. The vanguard retreated in disorder, leaving their two six-pounders with the enemy. Braddock heard the firing, and, leaving four hundred troops in charge of the baggage, hurried to the front with the bulk of the column. On the way, they met the routed vanguard, who were firing so wildly that they did as much injury to friends as foes, while their invisible enemies poured incessant volleys into the struggling mass. No man ever strove more valiantly to rally his troops than did General Braddock. He partly succeeded, and the unequal battle raged for more than two hours. The French and Indians, encouraged by their success, pushed further along the flanks of the English, and the wild disorder became greater than ever. The provincials followed Indian tactics, leaping behind cover, but Braddock had no patience with that kind of warfare and re- fused to adopt it. The brave but rash commander had five horses shot under him before he fell mortally wounded. The escape of Washington was marvellous. He had' two horses killed, and four bullets passed through his coat. His tall figure at- tracted attention, and an Indian chief not only singled him out for death, but ordered his warriors to do the same. Years afterwards the DEATH OF GEN. BRADDOCK. CHAP. XXIV CAMPAIGN OF 1755 335 chief claimed that he fired a dozen times at Washington, and became convinced that he was under the protection of the Great Spirit, Who dare affirm that such was not the fact, for Washington was never wounded in battle? When a bullet through Braddock's lungs brought him gasping to the earth, Washington ran to his help. "What shall we do now?" feebly asked the stricken officer. "We must retreat at once," replied the Virginian. Braddock was unwilling to do this, and, partly regaining his strength, he continued to give orders for some minutes while stretched on the ground. Word coming to him that the rear of the confused mass had been attacked, and that the French and Indians were endeavoring to surround the force, the drums beat the retreat. The withdrawal was covered by Washington and his small force of Virginians. Artillery, baggage, ammunition, provisions, indeed everything, including the dead and most of the wounded, were aban- doned. The survivors were allowed the chance to retreat, because the savages stayed behind to revel in the spoils that had fallen into their hands. When they straggled with shouts and war-whoops back to Fort Du Quesne, they were laden with scalps, laced coats, bril- liant uniforms, extra firearms and weapons, and an almost endless variety of plunder. In this frightful massacre twenty-six officers were killed and thirty- seven wounded out of a total of eighty-two. One-half the rank and file were slain or disabled. The bravery of the Virginian troops was attested by the fact that out of three companies only thirty were left alive. On the side of the enemy, three officers and thirty men were killed and about the same number wounded. General Braddock was carried to Fort Cumberland, where he died on the third day and was buried at Great Meadows. The burial took place by torchlight, on the evening of July 15th. Washington, amid a group of sorrowing officers, read the solemn burial service of the Church of England. The grave may be seen to-day, close to the National Road, between the 54th and 55th milestones. The troops did not remain at Fort Cumberland, but abandoned that post and marched to Philadelphia. Washington and his provincials returned to Virginia, and thus the campaign ended In gloom and disaster. Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, succeeded Braddock in com- mand of the British forces in America. He was to conduct the campaign against Forts Niagara and Frontenac. It was less impor- Period III England AND Francs IN America 1758 TO 1783 Death of Brad- dock Governor Shirley 336 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxiv Period III England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 Colonel (after- vvards Sir William) Johnson tant than that of Braddock and brought no great results. The march through the wilderness from Albany to Oswego, on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, was exhausting. He set out with fifteen hundred troops, many of whom were disabled by sickness before he arrived at his destination in August. The New York assembly voted men and money, and the Six Nations promised many warriors, but both pledges were only partly kept, for by September ist the whole force in camp was less than three thousand. Shirley strength- ened the tumble-down fort at Oswego, known to the Indians as Chouegan, and built a strong one on each side of the river. The one on the east bank was made of logs and earth, and the other had a stone wall. Boats were also constructed to take Shirley's troops across the lake, but, though he waited all through September, no reinforcements came, and the approach of winter forced him to abandon the expedi- tion for the season. Seven hundred troops were* left in the garrison under Colonel Hugh Mercer, who had been with " the Pretender" at Culloden, and with the remainder the governor marched back to Albany. Marquis de Montcalm, a French soldier of great skill and energy, was now governor of Canada, and Shirley worked hard to reinforce and provision the post at Oswego, lest it should fall into French hands. This done, the governor returned to Massachusetts, leaving his aide-de-camp Lord Stirling - (William Alexander), in New York, with Colonel John Bradstreet as commissary-general at Albany, and Captain Philip Schuyler (ski-ler) his chief assistant. Meanwhile, Colonel William Johnson, who possessed almost unbounded influence over the Mohawk Indians, had undertaken the assault of Crown Point and the task of driving the French from the shores of Lake Cham- plain. He was at the head of three thousand four hundred troops, many of whom were Mohawks. These were brought together near Fort Orange, on the upper Hudson, General Phineas Lyman being in command of the New England forces. The army, which finally as- sembled in July at a point forty-five miles north of Albany, numbered about six thousand men. The French forces at Crown Point were under the command of Baron Dieskau (dee^-kow), who with two hundred regulars, seven hun- dred Canadians, and six hundred Indians, sailed up the lake to the site * .\fter\vards Brigadier-General, and taken prisoner at the battle of Long Island. Alexander was the ftrst governor of King's (now Columbia) College, N.Y. CHAP. XXIV CAMPAIGN OF 1755 337 J?-- of Whitehall, then called South perioo hi Bay. There he learned that England AND FraNCB the fort built by General Ly- America man had no cannon, while ^75* TO Johnson possessed very few, 17^3 and the leaders were acting as if no danger threatened them. ^^.- 4-- THE SHOOTING OF DIESKAU These facts led Dieskau to organize a sudden attack upon Fort Ly- man, thus cutting off Johnson from his supplies. In the event of success, Dieskau would thus open the way to Albany, and sever the communication with- Oswego, when he would attack the New Eng- 338 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxiv England AMD France IN America 1758 TO 1783 Period III land bordcr. Discovering his danger, Johnson sent a thousand men under Colonel Williams, and two thousand Mohawks under Chief Hendrick, for the protection of the fort, whose name he changed from Fort Lyman to Fort Edward. Dieskau's intention was to make a rapid secret march upon Fort Edward, but his guides led him astray, and at the end of four days he was on the path to the head of Lake George, four miles north of Fort Edward. On the evening of September 7th, Johnson was startled by the arrival of an Indian scout with news that the enemy in large force had landed at the head of Lake Champlain. Some hours later, another runner came in wdth the tidings that the French and Indians were advancing upon Fort Edward. Johnson now ordered Colonel Ephraim Williams, with twelve hundred soldiers and two hundred Indians, to march to the fort. They were hurrying to obey this order, when they ran into an ambush prepared by Dieskau. At the first fire, Williams and Chief Encoun- ter at Fort Edward Hendrick and a large number of men were killed. Lieutenant Whi- ting rallied his men, returned the fire, and withdrew towards the lake. Colonel Johnson now did that which he ought to have done before — made vigorous preparations against assault. He succeeded in get- ting his cannon into position at the moment the fugitives and their pursuers came in view. The sight of the "big guns" so terrified the Indians that they refused to attack, while they were also unwilling to fire upon their kinsmen the Mohawks ; but the French regulars fell upon them with great spirit and bravery. The fight in front of Fort Edward was one of the severest that had been fought up to that time in this country. The French charged wdth great gallantry, the Can- adians and Indians on their flanks keeping up a continuous fire on the breastworks. The provincials were shaken at first, but soon re- gained steadiness, and charged in turn upon their assailants, who were scattered in all directions, though the French regulars displayed such heroism that nearly all were killed. Dieskau was thrice wounded, but refused to retire. Several of his aides ran forward to his help. One fell dead, and the baron or- dered the others to leave him alone. He sat down on a log and con- tinued to give directions as coolly as if on parade. A Frenchman,, fighting on the side of the English, ran forward to make him pris- oner. Dieskau began feeling for his watch to offer -his captor, w^hen the latter, supposing he was about to draw his pistol, shot him. The baron, although severely wounded, did not die, but was carried into CHAP. XXIV CAMPAIGN OF 1755 339 /:5CTr;^ Ehgland AND FrANCB IN America 1758 TO 1783 the camp of the victors, where he received the kindest attention from pewod hi General Johnson and his family. The Frenchman, some time later, presented an elegant sword to Johnson, expressive of his gratitude, and after he was exchanged he sailed for France, where he died two years later from the effects of his wounds. The victory by the shores of Lake George was a dear one for England, but following close upon Braddock's disaster, much was made of it in that country and in the sea- board colonies. Colonel William Johnson, who was really no soldier, was also wounded, but for his services on this occasion the Crown made him a baronet and presented him with ;^5,ooo. He erected a fort which he named William Henry, and hav- ing strengthened Fort Edward, the troops returned to their homes. "The Crown Point expedition," says Parkman, "was a failure dis- guised under an incidental success." The French, on their part, re- inforced Crown Point and fortified Ticonderoga. SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON CHAPTER XXV CAMPAIGNS OF 1756 -lysj \_Authorities : The events detailed in this chapter continue the narrative of the great struggle between France and England, a struggle which had its field of conflict not alone in America, but in the East Indies, and, by the outbreak of the Seven Years' War (1756- 63), on the European Continent. The decisive issues of the strife begin to be seen when the elder Pitt, shaking himself free from corrupt alliances in Parliament, and even from the dictation of the King, becomes master of the House of Commons and the prac- tical ruler as well as the idol of the nation. Until Pitt's guiding hand is seen and his influence felt in military administration, Loudon's irresolute and incapable command on this continent has to be borne with, and the disasters faced which Montcalm brought about, in concert with his allied savages, in the vicinity both of Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario. The authorities for the narrative of this period, besides the United States histories (see especially Bryant and Gay) and those of an English source (see especially J. R. Green and \V. H. Lecky), are Winsor's "Narrative and Critical History," and Parkman's "Montcalm and Wolfe." The "Correspondence of the Earl of Chat- ham" (the elder Pitt) might be profitably referred to ; also Sparks' "Life of Washing- ton" (for the narrative of his Western expeditions), and Benjamin Franklin's Works (for an account of that astute diplomat's relations with the Albany Congress) .] T is not a little curious that while all this fighting was going on in America, England and France claimed to be at peace ! The communications which passed between the two governments were models of hypocrisy. But the farce could not continue, and on the 17th of May, 1756, England declared war against France, and the latter coun- try returned the compliment on the 9th of June. Thus was fairly launched the great struggle between those nations for supremacy in America. Shirley, the commander-in-chief, had called a convention of tne CHAP. XXV CAMPAIGNS OF 1756-1757 341 England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 royal governors at New York, in the avitumn of 1755, and formed period in the plan of campaign for the following year. It was a bold one and included the capture of Quebec, Forts Niagara, Frontenac, Du Quesne, Detroit, and numerous other French posts in the northwest. The governors urged Parliament to compel the colonists to raise a fund for general military purposes in America. In the mean time, the settlements on the borders of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsyl- vania were assailed by the Indians, and the people fled for safety to the older towns. The peril was so great that those colonies were compelled to take prompt action. Virginia made Washington com- mander-in-chief of all her forces, while the other two joined in mea- sures of defence. Few people in referring to Benjamin Franklin, the philosopher, and afterwards a diplomatist, know that at one time he was an officer in military service. In 1756, Pennsylvania commissioned him colo- nel and gave him orders to raise troops and build a line of forts or block-houses along the frontier, and he put his orders in execution. Shirley was now succeeded by the Earl of Loudon as commander- in-chief of the British forces in America, and governor of Virginia. The latter was one of the most incompetent of the many incompe- tent men England at this time entrusted with high office. He was lazy, cowardly, and stupid. He waited until near the end of April before sending over his subordinate. Gen, James Abercrombie, with troops, and the summer was nearly gone before the earl himself arrived. The plan of campaign, as arranged for 1756, required ten thousand men to capture Crown Point, six thousand to assail Niagara, three thousand to operate against Fort Du Ouesne, and two thousand to attack certain French s»;ttlements in Canada. Aber- crombie was as indolent as the earl, and though, when he arrived at Albany, a large portion of the troops intended for Crown Point and Niagara were at the town, he showed little desire to move forward. He caused resentment among the provincial officers by compelling them to obey the orders of those of equal rank in the regulars. Anger was also excited among the citizens by forcing them to provide quarters for the troops. Abercrombie, disregarding the ardor of the provincials, stayed week after week in Albany, erecting elaborate fortifications, for which no necessity existed, and unwilling to under- take any aggressive movement before the arrival of Loudon. When the brave Colonel John Bradstreet came from Oswego with the Lord Loudon 342 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxv pekiod III startling news that the French and Indians were threatening the England forts there, and that an attack was imminent, Abercrombie failed AND France . "* even then to put his ten thousand men in motion. America t^ 1758 There was good cause for fear, for the activity of the French was 1783 in strong contrast with the sloth of their enemies. The Marquis de Montcalm {mont-kd'm), had arrived in Quebec as governor-general and commander-in-chief of the French forces. He possessed remark- able ability, and though of slight stature, was endowed with great ,"*" energy, and seemed scarcely to sleep because of his eager patriotism. By pressing forward night and day, he passed through the long stretch of wilderness to Ticonderoga, where his countrymen had erected Fort Carillon. He recognized its military value at a glance, and, maknig all haste to Quebec, prepared a secret expedition against Oswego. With three regiments, he ascended the St. Lawrence to Fort Frontenac (now Kingston), receiving at Montreal, on his way to Lake Ontario, a large reinforcement of Canadians and Indians. With this force, he crossed the lake in canoes and bateaux, and early in August halted in Sacket's Harbor. Fort Ontario, on the eastern side of the river, was weaker than Fort Oswego on the western side, so Montcalm moved against the former. He landed and marched his troops with such secrecy and despatch that they were not discovered by the English scouts until passing through the woods. Mercer, who commanded the garrison, had one thousand men and made in- stant preparations against attack. Montcalm had, however, come equipped for serious work, and he at once invested the fort with his large force. He had thirty pieces of cannon and pressed the siege Tall of ^,^J^lX\■^ so much vigor that Mercer, seeing that he must soon succumb, Oswego ° surrendered on the 14th of August to Montcalm, who secured a large number of cannon and a quantity of military supplies. Both forts were destroyed to quiet the jealousy of the Six Nations. This step w^as a wise one, and so pleased the Iroquois that nearly all were won over to the support of the French. Lord Loudon arrived in time to learn of the fall of Oswego. In- stead of being roused to action, he expressed his gratitude that no greater disaster had befallen the country. Then he devoted what energy he h;id to compelling the citizens of New York, and afterwards those of Philadelphia, to consent to the quartering of the troops. This imposition was bitterly resented, but backed by the troops themselves, the earl forced the people to submit, and was more elated CHAP. XXV CAMPAIGNS OF 1 756-1 757 343 over the victory than if he had defeated the army of the public period hi ■enemv. It is not to be wondered at that the Indians despised the England J ^ AND France sluggishness of the English and were attracted by the dash and dar- am'e^rica ing of the French. It was this feeling which led the Delawares in ^758 western Pennsylvania to take the war-path. Col. Benjamin Frank- 1783 iin, as has already been stated, caused the construction of a chain of small posts along the Pennsylvania frontier; but the Indians con- tinued their outrages until a thousand people had been either killed or captured. The philosophic Franklin thereupon concluded that nature had not intended him for a military career, so he turned his back upon it forever, for which sensible course he is perhaps to be •commended. Col. John Armstrong was his successor, and, with three hundred volunteers, he crossed the Alleghanies by a swift and secret march, and reached Kittaning, the principal Delaware village, within forty miles of Fort Du Ouesne. It was a warm night in September, and the savages had no thought of danger. Imitating the tactics of - the red men, Armstrong attacked the hostiles at daybreak. The indja* town was destroyed and nearly every warrior killed, though all fought Chas- with desperation. That tribe for a long time caused no further at Kit- trouble. It will be noted that the campaign of 1756 closed with Waning little accomplished on either side. What gain was made was by the French. Towards the close of the year, fifteen hundred volunteers and drafted militia, under Colonel Washipgton, garrisoned the stockades for the defence of the frontiers of Virginia and Pennsyl- vania ; while, farther south, measures of protection were taken against the savages among whom French agents were busy. Loudon was compelled to make a pretence of doing something, so he called a council in Boston in January, 1757, at which were pres- ent the governors of New England and Nova Scotia. He had thought out a scheme for the capture of the strong fortress of Louisbourg, which, though taken once before, was ceded to France by the treaty of Utrecht. Loudon's conduct and bearing at the con- ference were not those of a soldier, for he made no effort to conceal his contempt for the members of the council, listened to no argument, and obliged all to agree with his plans. The most important work before the English was to expel the French from the frontier posts and from the strongholds of Montreal and Quebec ; but it was meantime decided to confine the military operations to the campaign against Louisbourg. This decision was 344 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES crap, xxv Pbkiod III a grievous disappointment to the colonists, who better comprehended the situation, but they had no choice except to submit, and they gal- lantly responded to the call made upon them. In a brief time Lou- don had an army under his command with which he ought at once to have driven the French out of America. Sailing from New York, June 20th, with six thousand regulars, he landed at Halifax on the 1st of July. Before departing upon this formidable expedition Engu\nd iNu France i.v America 175S TO 1783 THE DELAWARES ON THE WAR-PATH Loudon directed Colonel Bouquet (boo-kay) to guard the Carolina borders with the few troops at his disposal ; General Stanwix, with two thousand men, was to protect the western frontiers ; while General Webb was furnished with six thousand troops with which to defend Forts Edward and William Henry. At Halifax, Loudon was joined by Admiral Holborn, with a fleet of sixteen men-of-war, carrying five thousand additional British regulars. This large army being landed, the officers began drilling the regi- ments, which were already well trained. Besides this work, which CHAP. XXV CAMPAIGNS OF 1 756-1 757 345 tontinued a month, a large area of ground was tilled and an immense Period hi quantity of onions and other vegetables planted. The earl thought ^j^pp^^^^B that one of those days the scurvy might attack his marines and sol- America diers, and he intended to be prepared for it. The soldiers chafed ■'758 under inaction, and now and then the exasperated officers openly ex- ^783 pressed their feelings, but this did little good. The delay gave the French a chance to reinforce the garrison at Louisbourg and the beleaguering fleet. Loudon bustled about and was making ready to fight the latter when he learned that the enemy had one more vessel than he. He was so scared by the fact that he ordered his fleet to cruise around Cape Breton and embarked his army for New York. There he began fortifying Long Lsland against an attack which France never dreamed of making. The action of Montcalm was in strong contrast with that of the imbecile Loudon. With six thousand French and Canadians and two thousand Indians, he forced his way V°k*^^^® to Ticonderoga, by way of the Sorel and Lake Champlain. He »ty dragged his artillery and boats across the portage to Lake George, where the troops re-embarked, and on the 3d of August he began the siege of Fort William Henry. Colonel Monro, with a garrison of five hundred men, gallantly defended the post for six days. At the end of that time his ammunition was used up, many of his guns were disabled, and his men exhausted. Montcalm offered honorable terms, and the fort was surrendered on the 9th of August. Several noticeable facts are connected with this surrender. At Fort Edward, a dozen miles distant, was General Webb with four thousand troops, while quite near the fort seventeen hundred men lay entrenched, and yet none of these made a movement to help the beleaguered Monro. In fact. General Webb was so frightened that he sent a letter to Monro, exaggerating the numbers of the French and Indians, and advising him to save his force from massacre by surrendering. This letter fell into Montcalm's hands, and, we may be sure that, a.ter reading it, he saw that it reached its destina- tion, for the capitulation immediately followed. By the terms the garrison were to march out with the honors of war, taking with them their baggage and side-arms and one cannon. The last favor was in the nature of a compliment to Monro for his gallant defence of the fort. He agreed that he and his troops should not bear arms against France for the period of a year and a half, and that he would deliver at Ticonderoga all the French and Indian captives in the hands of 346 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxp Pbriod III England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 Mas- sacre of Prison- ers the English. Montcalm pledged himself to furnish the prisoners with a strong escort half-way to Fort Edward, His only fear was that his Indians would cause trouble. He kept all liquor from them, and warned the English to do the same. Unfortunately they disre- garded the advice and the savages spent a night in carousal. The morning found them in an ugly mood and ready for any mischief. Hardly had the garrison begun its march for Fort Edward when the warriors attacked them. They were first murdered, then plun- dered, and many women and soldiers were carried oif prisoners. Montcalm was filled with anguish at the sight, and with ms officers rushed among the Indians and did his utmost to stay the massacre. "Kill me! kill me!" he shouted, "but spare these prisoners!" After thirty had been tomahawked and others dragged away, the slaughter was stayed. A sufficient escort accompanied the remainder to Fort Edward, and the captives w'ho were taken to Canada were afterwards ransomed. With his usual energy Montcalm destroyed the fort, and, laden with an immense amount of spoils, moved down the lake on the same day. The structure was never rebuilt. All this time General Webb was trembling with fear among his four thousand men at Fort Edward lest Montcalm should come that way and destroy him. He made ready to retreat to the Highlands of the Hudson, but the French passed him by. It is hard to imagine a more humiliating campaign than that of Loudon's in 1757, at the close of which year it looked as if nothing could prevent the French from becoming masters of the American continent. The English had been driven out of the Ohio valley; their arm was paralyzed in northern New York, and the iron hand of the Gallic conqueror had closed round the St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes, and the valley of the Mississippi. At the end of this year the territory held by France was twenty-fold greater than that under the dominion of England. In the general consternation and confu- sion Governor Pownall, of Massachusetts, ordered the people living west of the Connecticut to destroy their wagons and drive in their cattle. This was done by many, and the suffering was great. The only section of the country exempt from alarm and disorder was the extreme South. Governor Ellis, of Georgia, kept up friendly relations with the powerful Creek confederacy, and the colony became a refuge for the endangered people of the North, hundreds of whom made their way thither. Many refugees from the borders of Virginia, 348 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxv Period III Maryland, and Pennsylvania fled to South Carolina after Braddock's massacre, but the hostile Cherokees caused much trouble. One of the best friends that America ever had was William Pitt, who, in the latter part of 1756, was made English Secretary of State. The aristocracy were opposed to him, but the people saw in his tow- ering genius, his ferA'id patriotism, and his unflinching courage and England and fra^•ce IN America 1758 TO 1783 William integrity the hope of the country, at the time torn by scandals, wrangles, intrigue, and imbecilit}'. When urged to recommend a ..."i PANIC OF THE SETTLERS Stamp-tax for the colonies, Pitt replied: "With the enemy at their back, and British bayonets at their breasts, in the day of their dis- tress, perhaps the Americans may submit to the imposition." No one in England understood our people so well as William Pitt. He was determined to do the Americans justice, and neither the bland- ishments nor the threats of the aristocracy in the least affected him. Nor would he resign his office, for he knew that the British nation wished him to hold it. In the spring of 1757, however, he and the abler members of the Cabinet were dismissed by the king, who, after the country had suffered nearly three months without a ministry, was CHAP. XXV CAMPAIGNS OF 1756-1757 349 glad to recall Pitt - to the Cabinet in June. Soon thereafter he Period hi was invested with powers which practically made him Prime Min- ister of the realm, and happily so, as the issue soon proved in North America. England AND France * Much of the success of British arms at this eventful period, as will be seen from the narrative, was due to William Pitt, who became Earl of Chatham, and one of England's greatest statesmen. Pitt, who entered Parliament in 1735, was one of the chief opponents of "Walpole (for over twenty years Prime Minister of England), and from 1756 to 1761, save for a brief interval, was the ruling spirit of the government. In 1756 Pitt was made Secretary of State, and during the Seven Years' War his vigorous and large-minded policy did much to restore England's military fame abroad and add to, the laurels of the nation. His nobility of character and lofty, unsullied patriotism, together with his great talents as an orator and a war minister, won him the respect and affection of the Eng- lish people. His steady advocacy of the rights of the people, his passionate and almost resistless eloquence, and his marvellous power to animate and inspire a desponding nation, earned for him the title of " The Great Commoner." During his administration the war against France was prosecuted with great spirit, and her navy was all but anni- hilated. His attitude towards this country, in the War of the Revolution, bespeaks at once his humanity and his patriotism, for while he strongly opposed the taxation of the American Colonies, he was equally opposed to granting them their independence. While delivering a now memorable speech in the House of Lords, against making peace with America, he was seized with an apoplectic fit, and died a few weeks afterwards, on the nth of May, 1778. For a characterization of Pitt and his policy, see Brougham's " Statesmen of the Time of George III." America 1758 TO 1783 '-? CHAPTER XXVI CAMPAIGNS OF 1158-1 -/do ^Authorities : The steady trend of events, to the fateful close of French dominion on this continent, which has its counterpart at the period in the downfall of French power in India, is narrated in the present chapter. The issue signalizes Pitt's prevision in the selection of military commanders, such as the heroic Wolfe, and his genius in the admin- stration of affairs in England at a crucial era in the nation's history. The gallant Mont- calm, though ill-supported by Old France, and worried by the maladministration of affairs in the St. Lawrence colony, was able for a time, however, to protract the struggle in America, though forced now to act purely on the defensive. The nation's Nemesis marched sullenly onward, and there fell successively before it Louisbourg, Frontenac, and Niagara, while Du Quesne, Crown Point, and Ticonderoga had reluctantly to be abandoned. The end at last came with the fall of Quebec, the capitulation of Montreal, and the cession of New France to the British Crown. The authorities, besides the stan- dard United States histories, are Parkman's "Montcalm and Wolfe," Warburton's 'Conquest of Canada," Kingsford's "Canada," Miles' "History of Canada during the French Regime " (Montreal, i8Si), Hannay's " Acadia," ' Life of Major-General James Wolfe," by Robert Wright; Knox's "Historical Journal of the Campaigns in North America, 1757-60," and the admirable monograph by J. Bradley, on Wolfe, in the Eng- lish Men of Action Series]. INE of the first wise acts of William Pitt was to re- call the incompetent Loudon. General Amherst * was made his successor, and, counting on the pa- triotism of the colonies, Pitt asked them to raise all the men they could for the capture of Quebec and Montreal. He promised them that England would provide them arms, ariimunition, and tents, and the king would recommend Parliament to repay them for expenses incurred in clothing and paying the soldiers. The Colo- *Sir Jeffery Amherst, afterwards Lord Amherst (1717-1797), was the son of a country gentleman in the County of Kent, England. He entered the army at an early 4»e8e« IHAP. XXVI CAMPAIGNS OF 1758-1760 351 nial troops were to choose their own officers up to and including Period ih colonels, who would rank with Ensrlish officers of the same grade. Englanb ' ° V AND Francs England furnished the leaders. Lord Howe was next in seniority America to Amherst; Abercrombie was given an important command; James ^758 Wolfe, who had seen service in Flanders, and in Scotland during 1783 the rising of the Highland clans in 1745, was at the head of a brigade ; while Richard Montgomery * was colonel of a regiment. The colonies nobly responded to the call of Pitt. A powerful naval armament was placed under Admiral Boscawen, and twelve thousand English troops were assigned to service in America. The number of provincial troops asked for by Pitt was twenty thousand. More than this number offered their services, New England alone furnishing fifteen thousand, while Massachusetts advanced a million dollars. The taxes, in many cases, amounted to two-thirds of an individual's income, but, for all that, they were cheerfully paid. When Abercrombie assumed command, in May 1758, he found fifty The thousand men at his disposal. The three campaigns planned for Cam- 1758 had the same object as before: the capture of Louisbourg, on P^*S« Cape Breton ; Crown Point and Ticonderoga, on Lake Champlain ; and Du Quesne, in the valley of the Ohio. Sir Jeffery Amherst, with the brilliant James Wolfe as his assistant, had charge of the expedition against Louisbourg, together with the fleet of Boscawen. To Gen. Joseph Forbes was assigned the task of conquering Fort Du Ouesne and the Ohio valley, while Abercrombie, with Lord Howe age, and in 1741 was aide-de-camp to General Ligonier, under whom he distinguished himself at Dettingen and Fontenoy, and afterwards served on the staff of the Duke of Cumberland. In 1758, he attained the rank of major-general, and on the recall of Lord Loudon was appointed to the command of the army in America. His first enterprise on this continent was the expedition against Louisbourg, Wolfe serving under him at the siege, while Boscawen commanded the naval force. Later in the year he planned and accomplished the capture of Fort Du Quesne, and in the following season ordered the re- duction of Niagara, under Colonel SirWm. Johnson. The day after the fall of Niagara, Ticonderoga surrendered to his forces, and on the 14th of August (1750) the strong post of Crown Point, on Lake Champlain. After the fall of Quebec, Amherst received, on behalf of England, the capitulation of Montreal, and was appointed Governor-General of Canada. Later on, he was commander-in-chief of the army in England, and became field-marshal. He died in 1797, at his seat, "Montreal," in Kent. * It has been taken for granted that Richard Montgomery, who led the hapless at- tack on Quebec in 1775, took part with Wolfe in the conquest of Quebec. This, it has now been ascertained, was not the case, since at the period he was serving with the 17th Regiment under General Amherst at Lak^ Champlain, and subsequently under Colonel Haviland at Montreal. 352 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvi Period III as his aide, was to drive the French frotn Lake Champlain, and, if England possible, expel them from Montreal and the St. Lawrence. AND France tr ' i- A iLric ^^^^ expedition against Louisbourg sailed from Halifax, May 1758 28th. The fleet numbered thirty-seven vessels, carrying fourteen 1783 thousand troops, most of whom were regulars. They were delayed by a strong wind, but at dawn on June 8th, a landing was made at Gabarus Bay, the inlet on which the French stronghold of Louis- bourg stood. The surf was high and breaking angrily upon the beach. It was hardly light when Wolfe, at the head of the first divi- sion, was rowed among the breakers. A number of the boats were capsized or broken. Impatient at the delay, Wolfe leaped into the water waist-deep, waved his sword, and led his soldiers against the French batteries, passed the rampart of felled trees, took the de- fences, and drove in the enemy. The northeast harbor was next cap- tured, and large guns were planted on the cape near the lighthouse. The island battery was soon silenced and the siege of Louisbourg began. Th "t garrison comprised twenty-five hundred regulars and six hundred militia, while the harbor contained several ships-of-the-line and frigates. Vessels were sunk at the entrance to keep out the enemy, and the siege was pressed with a skill and persistence that left no hope for the garrison. Four of the vessels in the harbor were burned and another was captured. The English cannon played upon the town, the fort, and the ships. Siege The bombardment laid Louisbourg in ruins. The walls were Surren- breached, and three-fourths of the guns were disabled. The French L^ou?s- commander surrendered July 26th, giving up all his artillery, military bourg, stores, and provisions, with the islands of Cape Breton and Prince ^^^ Edward, and the coast almost to the mouth of the St. Lawrence. The garrison, including the marines, numbering about six thousand in all, were sent as prisoners of war to England, while Louisbourg as a military stronghold ceased to exist. Wolfe was the hero of this great victory, which marked the beginning of the decline of French dominion in America. Pitt's generous course toward the Americans stirred them to en- thusiasm and incited the other leaders to an activity which none had shown before. General Abercrombie and young Lord Howe, with an army of sixteen thousand, marched through the forests of the upper Hudson, and, reaching Lake George on the 5th of July, em- barked for Ticonderoga in more than one hundred whale-boats, nine DLATH OF LORD HOWE. CHAP. XXVI CAMPAIGNS OF 1758-1760 353 nundred bateaux, and with the artillery on rafts. It was an impres- sive sight when this immense array glided over the placid sheet of water with streaming banners and to the strains of martial music. As the balmy summer day was drawing to a close they landed on the grassy slope of Sabbath-day Point. The soldiers strolled through the leafy woods in the cool of the evening, while Lord Howe, who was the soul of the expedition, consulted with Stark and other provincial officers about the surrounding region and the neighborhood of Ticon- deroga, with which both were familiar. Yourg Lord Howe was a man with as much military genius as Wolfe, and was the idol of the army. He lived a life of the severest simplicity, eating sparingly of the plainest fare, and discarding all ornament in dress as he required the other officers to do. He had the muskets shortened for convenience in marching through the woods, and the barrels were painted a dull color to prevent the gleam attracting the eyes of the Indians. All useless baggage was thrown aside, and the men were furnished with leggings to protect them from briers and insects. It was almost midnight when the army re- embarked under a serene sky, studded with stars. The oars were muffled and the immense force moved along the lake like so many phantoms. The watchful scouts of the enemy on the surrounding hills saw nothing of them, and when it began growing light in the east, the troops were within four miles of their landing-place. The first warning the sentinels of the enemy received was when the thou- sands of scarlet uniforms swept into sight around a point of the lake and the army made ready to land. It was found that the roughness of the ground and the numerous trees rendered the artillery useless, so the guns were left behind with the provisions and baggage. The army advanced in four col- umns, and, led by incompetent guides, were soon in the depths of a tangled forest. The advance guard, under Lord Howe, suddenly collided with three hundred French soldiers who had lost their way, and a sharp exchange of shots took place. Almost the first man killed was Lord Howe. His death threw the army into confusion, and Abercrombie hurriedly retreated to the lake, although nearly every member of the French detachment was killed, while the English troops were, as it turned out, in little danger. Colonel Bradstreet, with his pioneers, opened the way to the Falls the next day, and on the morning of the 8th, Abercrombie, leaving 23 Period III England AND France IN America X758 TO 1783 Lord George riowe Death oi Howe 354 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES , chap, xxvi Period III his artillery behind, advanced to attack the outworks of the enemy England at Ticondcrora, the fort being garrisoned by four thousand men, AMD France ° o o J under the brave Montcalm. Abercrombie was deceived as to the America 1758 strength of the works and the number of men behind them. For TO 1783 four hours he tried with the utmost energy to get within the abatis, but was driven back each time. The day was sultry, and while the fighting was going on, Montcalm was repeatedly seen, in his shirt Failure sleeves, running back and forth among his men and inspiring them °crom-' ^y ^^^ ^^^'" heroic example. So effective was the defence by the gal- bie's lant Frenchman, that as the warm afternoon drew to a close Aber- Assault onTicon- crombie retreated, leaving two thousand of his dead and wounded in deroga. the forest. The incompetent Abercrombie kept out of harm's way during the fighting, and he now continued the retreat until the old encampment was reached at the head of Lake George. Colonel Bradstreet, one of the bravest of officers, begged to be allowed to lead three thou- sand men against Fort Frontenac, which stood on the present site of Kingston, at the foot of Lake Ontario. Permission was given^ and, after a siege of two days, the place was captured, with forty- six cannon, nine vessels of war, and a quantity of military stores. The victory was depressmg to the French, for they saw that they were not only losing ground, but a famine impended, because of a of Fort failure of the crops in Canada. English dominion over Lake On- Fron- tario was thus established and the power of France continued to tenac, 1758 wane. In this brilliant achievement, Bradstreet lost only three men, but a malignant fever soon afterwards carried off nearly five hun- dred. With the others, he helped to build Fort Stanwix, on the site of the village of Rome. Abercrombie seemed to feel that he had had enough of fighting, and after garrisoning Fort George, near the head of the lake, he withdrew with the remainder of the troops to Albany. Montcalm stayed on at Ticonderoga and there applied himself to the strengthening of the fortifications. The detachments which he sent out to harass and capture parties of English were in turn as- sailed by a famous body of rangers, commanded by Major Rogers, of New Hampshire. These men roamed through the woods, sometimes (in winter) on snow-shoes, and had numerous thrilling encounters with the French and Indians. It will be noticed in studying the French and Indian War that many of the provincial leaders who took part in it became famous ?56 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap. xx\t Period III England AND France IN America 1753 TO I7S3 Putnam and Rogers' Rangers afterwards in the Revolution, The contest between France and Eng- land, as fovight on our soil from 1755 to 1759, was a few years later an invaluable training-school to the patriots in the great struggle tor independence. Israel Putnam, of whom we shall hear more later on, was the second in command of Rogers' Rangers. He was one of the most daring of men. Some days after the attack on Ticon- deroga, Captain Molang captured an escort of English wagoners. Rogers and Putnam set oi'.t to intercept him on his return, but fell into an Indian ambush, and Putnam and several of his comrades were made prisoners. All except Putnam were tomahawked. His in- trepidity was well known to his captors, who reserved him for a more cruel fate. While the fight was under way between the Rangers and Indians, Putnam was tied to a tree, in such a situation that his cloth- ing was repeatedly pierced by bullets from both sides. As if that were not enough, a young warrior amused himself b} hurling his tomahawk at the tree, in the attempt to see how near he could come to Putnam's head without hitting it. Several narrow misses took place, but the captive was not hurt. Putnam was now led deeper into the forest and tied to another tree. Dry limbs were piled to his waist and set on fire. The flames had begun to scorch him and he was almost suffocated by the smoke, when a sudden fall of rain quenched the fire. It soon revived and burned so fiercely that he must have perished in a few minutes had not Captain IMolang learned what was going on, and, rushing to the spot, released the victim and saw him safely to Ticonderoga. Amherst was at Cape Breton when news reached him of the disas- ter at Ticonderoga. He immediately sailed for Boston with four regiments and pushed across New England to Albany, arriving at Abercrombie's camp in October. The following month his commis- sion as commander-in-chief reached him, and Abercrombie sailed for England. We must not forget that, as has been related, one of the cam- paigns was directed against Fort Du Ouesne, in western Pennsyl- vania. Gen. John Forbes gathered six thousand men at P'ort Cumberland, in Maryland, where Washington joined him with two thousand Virginians, and Colonel Bouquet had marched from the Carolinas with a thousand Highlanders, three hundred royal Americans, and a force of Cherokee Indians. This took place during the month of July, and it was known that Du Ouesne was feebly CHAP. XXVI CAMPAIGNS OF 1758-1760 357 garrisoned. Washington urged an immediate advance, assured tliat p^^ i^^ the post must fall, ^ y ^ but his counsels were not heed- andFr^cb ed, and when the route than the one i should be taken. ^ Forbes fell ill on and was carried on Im \\ 1/ march began it was by another amLrica l\ • ? / ,^ he advised ^^o General ^]^ the road /■ v ISRAEL PUTNAM AND HIS CAPTORS 358 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvi Period III England AMD FkAI^CE IN America 175S TO I7S3 Capture of Fort Du Quesne Marriage of Wash- ington a litter, while the army wound its way so slowly over the mountains that Raystown was not reached until September. The indignant Washington wrote to a friend : " See how our time has been mis- spent ! Behold how the golden opportunity has been lost, perhaps never more to be regained." Bouquet was sent forward, with two thousand men, to Loyal Hanna, with orders to erect a fort. While thus engaged, he directed Major Grant to make a reconnoissance with about a thou- sand men. Grant posted himself on a hill near the fort, and, divid- ing his force, sought to draw the garrison out and into ambush, but was himself ambuscaded and suffered the loss of nearly half of his men. The French were so elated over their success that they fol- lowed it up with an attack on Bouquet at Loyal Hanna, but were repulsed with severe casualties. The days and weeks passed and fifty miles still separated the English army from Du Quesne. The weather was cold and an early winter was at hand. A council of war agreed that the season was too far advanced for further operations, but the impatient Washing- ton, who was at Lo}'al Hanna, was allowed to advance with a thou- sand men. The troops were filled with ardor and the main army fol- lowed. On the evening of November 24th, the Virginians were within ten miles of Du Quesne, and eager to be led forward. The garrison numbered only five hundred and at once saw the hopeless- ness of their situation. That night they set fire to the fort, and by the glare of the flames floated down the Ohio in their boats. The next day the place was entered and Washington with his own hand planted the British flag over the charred fortifications. The name of the fort was changed to Fort Pitt, in honor of the illustrious Eng- lish commoner and statesman, and around the ruins grew up in time the thriving city of Pittsburg. A strong garrison was left in charge of the place, and the remainder of the army marched eastward. It is interesting to record here that Washington took leave of the troops at Williamsburg, with the intention of abandoning military life. He had been elected a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, and, on the 17th of January, 1759, was married to Martha, the ac- complished widow of Daniel Parke Custis. The wedding took place at the "White House," the residence of the bride. She and her husband were about the same age — twenty-six years. Both were in good circumstances, and in time Washington became one of the ^^ <$^i ilM'*^^'' 'rw?!ET3Scrr3rrrT:S3rer?r^»3;Kir- ••'"•^, REPULSE OF BRITISH BEFORE riCX>N0EROGA. CHAf. XXVI CAMPAIGNS OF 1758-1760 359 wealthiest men in America. He took his seat in the Assembly at Williamsburg, little dreaming of the illustrious career upon which he was soon to enter. One day, early in the session, the Speaker of the House, in obedi- ence to its order, rose and thanked the young colonel in the name of Virginia for his great services. Washington, overcome with confu- sion, attempted to reply, but stammered like a schoolboy. " Sit •down, Colonel Washington," said the smiling speaker, "your mod- esty equals your valor, and that surpasses the power of any language at my command." The campaign of 1758 had been very successful for England. Three of the most important posts, Louisbourg, Frontenac, and Du Quesne, were captured. The power of the English was steadily waxing, as that of the French waned. The faith of the Indians in the prowess of France was so shaken, that at the great council held at Easton, in the autumn of 1758, several leading tribes decided to join the Six Nations in making treaties of neutrality with the Eng- lish. This action brought peace to the frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania, and greatly discouraged Canada. Pitt once more saw the golden opportunity for his country. He hurried reinforcements to America, and Parliament voted twelve mil- lion pounds to carry on the war. In the early summer of 1759, the number of English and provincial troops in the colonies was nearly fifty thousand. This formidable array equalled two-thirds of the French population in Canada, and was six times the number of French troops in America. Three great campaigns were now arranged. Wolfe was to lead an expedition up the St. Lawrence against Quebec, while Amherst was to advance against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and invade Canada by the northern route. General Prideaux {Pree-do)y commanding chiefly provincials and Indians, was to capture Niagara, descend the St. Lawrence, and join the other two armies at Montreal, which were to converge on that point. Amherst, with an army of nearly twelve thousand men, composed about equally of regulars and provin- cials, advanced against Ticonderoga, and disembarking on July 22d, near the landing-place of Abercrombie, marched towards Fort Caril- lon. The French were afraid to make a stand, and, destroying the fort, retreated down the lake to P'ort Frederic, on Crown Point. Amherst followed, and upon his arrival, August ist, found that post Period HI England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 The Cam- paign of 1759 36o HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvi Period III also deserted, the French having fled to Isle aux Noix (eef-o-mvah') on the northern shore of Lake Champlain. Amherst took posses- sion of Crown Point, the whole country around Lake Champlain thus falling into the hands of the English without a battle. Had Amherst made a prompt pursuit, Montreal must have fallen, but he spent the remainder of the season in improving the defences of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Meanwhile Prideaux advanced against Niagara, commanded at the period. by Captain Pouchot (poosh'-o/i). He left Oswego on July ist. Englanx AND France IN &MERICA 1758 TO 1783 EVACUATION OF FORT DU QUESNE Death of General Prideaux with two New York battalions, one of Royal Americans, two British regiments, with artillery and a force of Indians under Sir William Johnson. They passed along the southern shore of Lake Ontario, and landed without opposition six miles east of Fort- Niagara, on the 15th of July. The siege was begun at once. It had hardly opened wh, n Prideaux was killed by the bursting of a mortar, and Johnson succeeded him in the command. The garrison numbered about six hundred, but three thousand reinforcements, of whom one-half were Indians, were on their way from different points. These attacked CHAP. XXVI CAMPAIGNS OF 1 758-1 760 361 Johnson on the 24th of July. The French and Indians suffered a Per^iii decisive repulse and fled, leaving nearly all their killed and wounded ^^f^'^^^ in the woods. The French commander, when he saw the extent of amLr.ca the disaster, saw too that he was powerless, and surrendered the fort ^758 1783 DEATH OF PRIDEAUX and its dependencies to the English, whose dominion was thus ex- tended along Lake Erie to Presque Isle. The instructions of Sir William Johnson, it will be remembered, were to press on to Mon- treal and join Amherst, but he was encumbered with prisoners, and unable to procure enough boats for transportation. So he garri- HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvi Period III IN America 1758 TO 1733 Wolfe's Expedi- tion against Quebec soned Fort Niagara, and with the remainder of his troops returned to Albany. And now came the grand and decisive campaign of all — that of Wolfe against Quebec. The youthful hero passed the winter in England, where he came into close contact with War Minister Pitt; but early in the following spring (1759) was back again at Louis- bourg with three brigades of soldiers and a large fleet. The brilliant commander was forced to wait until the St. Lawrence was free from ice, so that it was not until June that he left Louisbourg, with eight thousand troops and a fleet of forty-four vessels, under Admirals Saunders and Holmes. His brigadiers were Gen. Robert Monckton, afterwards governor of New York; Gen. George Townshend, soon made a peer of the realm ; and the daring General Murray, first Eng- lish governor of Quebec. Col. Guy Carleton and Lieut. -Col. Wil- liam Howe, both of whom became prominent during our War for In- dependence, were among Wolfe's subordinate couimanders. Towards the end of June the formidable English fleet sailed up the St. Lawrence to Quebec. The army landed upon the upper end of the picturesque Island of Orleans, June 27th, and encamped partly there, and partly on the eastern side of the Montmorency (Jllon^- mo-rcn'-si) River. The troops were in full view of Cape Diamond and the citadel of Quebec, built on an elevated rocky promontory at the junction of the St. Charles and the St. Lawrence. The upper town was surrounded by a wall with five gates, two of which opened out upon a high plateau, to the southwest, known as the Plains of Ab- raham, which was separated from the St. Lawrence by abrupt declivi- ties. The lower town, close to the river, was only a village, but the shores of the St. Lawrence bristled with batteries, both above and below the city. Between the latter and the Montmorency River, a distance of several miles, was the vigilant Montcalm, with a force of French Canadians and Indians. The opposing armies were about equal in number, being each some nine thousand strong. The night after the arrival of the fleet was intensely dark, and a terrific storm set in. About midnight the gloom was lit up by the bright glare of several fire-ships, which the French had set floating down the river towards the English shipping. But that which threat- ened the destruction of the fleet really saved it. The illumination enabled the British seamen to catch each blazing vessel in turn, and so change its course that no harm followed. On the succeeding CHAP. XXVI CAMPAIGNS OF 1758-1760 363 night. General Monckton with four battalions seized Point Levis, on Period ill the southern shore of the St. Lawrence, and planted a battery oppo- England ■^ y i i AND France site the city, about a mile across. Thence bombs and red-hot cannon- . "* ■J ' America balls were launched into the lower town, which was soon destroyed. *758 TO But the destructive missiles could not reach the citadel, and, securely 1783 perched in their lofty fortress, the P'rench complacently viewed the attacks of their enemies. The citadel is on the most elevated portion of the upper town, three hundred and fifty feet above the river, and the fortifications, extending almost across the peninsula, enclosed a circuit of about three miles. The Heights of Abraham lay west of the fortifications, and rose to more than three hundred feet above the river. The French were warranted in believing it impossible for any force to storm the town from that side. Accordingly they extended their line of entrench- ments along the northern or Beauport shore of the St. Lawrence, reaching for five miles from the gorge of the Montmorency to the St. Charles River, close by the city. The resolute Wolfe believed that Montcalm could be conquered Repulse not by capturing the stronghold of Quebec, but rather by attacking English him in his fortified camp to the east of the citadel. On the lotb of „^^ '^^^ Beauport July, he landed a strong force below the Montmorency, on the Beau- Flats port shore, but was disappointed to discover that the only place at which an attack could be made was three miles west of the mouth, and the point was strongly fortified by the French commander, whose vigilance equalled that of Wolfe. A council of war decided to make an advance on the 31st of July, at low water. Generals Townshend and Murray charged across with their two brigades, but Monckton, who was to advance at the same time from Point Levis, caused delay by running his boats aground on the shoals. Before his regiments could come up, the others attacked the entrenchments and were decisively repulsed. A furious rain-storm added to the confusion, the tide was rapidly rising, and after suffering a loss of five hundred men, Wolfe was obliged to withdraw. The young general earnestly scanned the whole vicinity of Quebec, seeking how best to bring the French to battle, but so far without avail. He took his dis- appointment so to heart that, combined with the extreme heat, fatigue and anxiety, he fell into a violent fever. For several weeks his life hung by a thread, but he finally rallied, and, early in September, a council of war was held at his bedside. The decision reached was 3<54 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvi PERion III to land a strong force above Quebec, with the view of drawing Mont- calm from his entrenchments. Meanwhile, the doomed city contin- ued to be swept by the cannon from the ships in the river and from the batteries on Point Levis. Preparations were made early in Sep- tember to test the feasibility of attacking Quebec from above the city. With several companions, in an open boat, Wolfe reconnoitred the shores, and selected the cove still bearing his name for the land- ing-place. A path was found on the face of the cliff, amid tangled England AND France IN America 1758 TO I7B3 QUEBEC DURING THE SIEGE shrubbery, leading up to the Plains of Abraham, and it was resolved that this should be used as the means of getting the army into posi- tion in rear of the citadel. Making a feigned movement about the Beauport shore, Wolfe sent a portion of the fleet with the attacking force up the river. After darkness had closed over the scene, on the night of the 12th, the main army was embarked on flat-boats, and drifted up stream with the flood tide, beyond the landing-place. The utmost secrecy was enjoined as to the commander's projects, CHAP. XXVI CAMPAIGNS OF 1 758-1 760 365 which were not disclosed until at a given signal from Wolfe. In the Period hi boats were sixteen hundred men, and about as many more were on England ' •' AND Francs board the sloops and frigates, all impatient to get the word of com- America mand. ^758 TO It is said that Wolfe, who was still weak from his illness, believed ^7^3 that he would meet his death in the impending battle. He added a codicil to his will, and handed the portrait of a young lady to whom he was betrothed to a friend, with the request that he would give it to her in case his presentiments were fulfilled. Then his spirits ral- lied, and he entered upon his great task with strong hopes of suc- cess. There was no moon that night, but the clear sky glittered The with stars. While the silence of the tomb brooded over the scene, ^f Battle two star-like points of light, one above the other, suddenly shone from the main-mast of the temporary flagship, the Siitlicrland, which Wolfe had boarded. All were waiting for the signal, which about two o'clock on the morning of the 13th was given by Wolfe, who with his chief officers had now transferred themselves to the flat- bottomed boats, bearing their heroic but silent freight of men, and drifted down stream with the ebb tide, toward the landing-place. They hugged the northwestern shore, so as not to miss the spot, and no one dared to speak, for success depended upon the utmost secrecy. The oars were muffled,' but Wolfe repeated in a low, thoughtful tone to the officers around him, a verse from Gray's " Elegy in a Country Churchyard," a copy of which had lately been sent to him from England : " The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power. And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave. Await alike the inevitable hour: The path of glory leads but to the grave." " I would prefer," said Wolfe, "to be the author of that poem than to defeat the French to-morrow." " No one was there," says the his- torian Parkman, " to tell him that the hero is greater than the poet." The general was among the first to leap ashore, and his eye kin- Scaling died, as, in the gloom, he glanced upward at the heights towering be- Heights fore them. All set to work to scale the cliffs through a tangled path, victory where two could barely walk abreast. They moved with the utmost stealth, catching hold of bushes, roots, vines, rocks, and anything that could aid them. It was comparatively easy work for the Highland- 366 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvi Period III ers, and the enthusiasm of the English caused them to make light of ^dF^^nce ^^^ obstacles which they had to overcome at every step. The ears America ^^ ^^^ French scntincls above caught the suspicious rustling and "758 they fired down in the darkness. The next minute the shadowy fig- ^783 ures swarmed over the edge of the elevated plain, and the guard fled with the terrifying news that the enemy had scaled the Heights of Abraham. When the sun rose, it reflected the gleam of five thou- sand muskets in battle array. The returning boats had met the squadron under Holmes, which followed the first division, and then climbed the acclivity after them. The force had only one cannon^ which with great labor they dragged up the cliffs with them. A light shower of rain was falling when the English took up a position on the plain in rear of the citadel. Meantime, the alarming nev.-s had been carried to Montcalm, wha was some distance away at Beauport. He had been constantly in the saddle, and was so alert that for a week he did not remove his clothing, and seemed scarcely to sleep. " They have found our weak side at last," he exclaimed as the news reached him, " and now we must crush them." Montcalm has- tily led his troops over the St. Charles, by the bridge of boats across the river, and, hardly pausing to place them in battle order, attacked the British. The latter showed finer discipline and delivered their volleys with decisive effect. Wolfe was at the head of the grenadiers,- whom he * The brief conflict of the fateful September morning brought to Wolfe, as it brought to Montcalm, the close of a life that might well be envied. Each hero, in a special sense, sacrificed himself for the country he best loved. To Montcalm, in his last hour, bitter must have been the thought that the country of his heart was at the time not worthy of him. England could afford to be more generous and appreciative. Proud of her gallant son, she rendered to his remains what unavailing honor could be paid to them. At Que- bec, generous hands have erected a touching memorial of regret and reconciliation. But in the quaint historic city, still half-military, half-monastic, little is needed to perpetuate the memory of either hero ; the place is forever eloquent of them. The age Wolfe fell upon was contemporary with the thirty-three years' reign of George II., the monarch he served. It was a troubled time for England, and though not a great era of action until Walpole was replaced by the great commoner Pitt, it was marked, as we have seen, by much military strife and hallowed by many a heroic deed. Wolfe was born in Kent, England, in 1726, and was the son of Edward Wolfe, a lieutenant-general in the army. When a mere stripling, he received a commission and took part in the campaigns in Flan- ders, into which England was carried by her Hanoverian connections; and he was also- in Scotland with the Duke of Cumberland during the grim suppression of the Stuart cause. There was glory to England in neither of these campaigns, though they brought DEATH OF WOLFE. CHAP. XXVI CAMPAIGNS OF 1758-1760 367 England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 had censured for their defeat in the attack some time before at Mont- period iii morency, and they were eager to win his praise by their bravery. They double-shotted their muskets by his orders, and the effect was so fearful that the French were soon thrown into confusion. Quick to seize his opportunity, Wolfe led a bayonet charge, which has been effective times without number, when made by the Scottish High- landers. A bullet struck the young hero's wrist, and, a moment later, he was hit in the side, but he paid no attention to the hurts, and still led his impetuous men forward. Then a third bullet entered his breast- and made a mortal wound. Wolfe sank to the ground, and was hurriedly carried to the rear. He heard some one order a surgeon to be sent for, but interposed in a weak voice : " It is useless; this is the end." He was dying at the time, but he suddenly brightened, when one of the group around him exclaimed : " They run ! they run !" "Who run?" he asked, with surprising energy. " The French," was the reply ; " they are giving way everywhere." " Now, God be praised ; I die happy," he murmured, and breathed his last. It was about the same time that Montcalm, while desperately Deaths ofWolffr and Mont- calm, 1759 military renown and rapid professional advancement to tiie future hero of I.ouisbourgf and Quebec. The military ardor manifested by Wolfe at an early age is remarkable, for, when only fifteen, he carried the colors of the Twelfth Regiment of Foot on the march with the allied army from Ghent to the Rhine; while, a year later, we find him acting- adjutant, and, two years afterwards, a brigade-major and an old campaigner, "familiar with Highland broadswords and French bayonets," and carrying several years of indi- vidual responsibility, when celebrating with his parents, in an interval of peace, his twenty-first birthday. AVehave seen what this youthful, impetuous spirit accomplished at Louisbourg, and the momentous results of his conquest of Quebec are signally mani- fest to-day. To capture a stronghold that had been deemed impregnable, might well seem to Wolfe a hopeless task, for behind its walls, or the earthworks that lined the Beau- port shore, lay most of the strength of Canada. " The white-coated infantry of old France," writes his latest biographer, " were there; the regiments of Eearne, Guienne, and royal Roussillon, the blue-clad soldier of the colonial marine, the militia from the seignories in hunting-shirts and homespun, and the trappers [cotu-eurs de bois) , well- nigh as wild and savage as the Indian, who, in paint and feathers, filled in the pictur- esque and striking scene. Montcalm was there, of course, in person, and Vaudreuil, the Governor-General, and the skilful soldier Levis, and the active Repentigny, and the Scottish soldier of fortune. Chevalier Johnstone, who had already fought against Wolfe at Falkirk and Culloden." Soon, alas ! the whole of the actors in this striking pageant were to pass from the scene, and the emblem of another power was to supplant on the surrendered citadel the crown and lilies of France. S6S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvi Perioij Jii striving to rally his troops, was struck down by a second wound. Engi.ani> He was carried into the city, where the surgeon told him he had but . '" ^ a few hours to live. Amekica 1753 " So much the better," he replied, "for I shall not live to see the TO ^ 1783 surrender of Quebec." He died the next morning. It thrills one to picture the heroic death of these two brilliant leaders, the one " in the robing of glory, the other in the gloom of GENERAL JAMES WOLFE defeat," and there is much that is touchingly generous in the inscrip- tion on the granite shaft, reared many years afterwards, in the city of Quebec, by a British governor of Canada : "To THE Memory oe Wolfe and Montcalm.** Five days after the battle, Quebec surrendered, and an English garrison occupied the citadel. A month later, Great Britain burst CHAP. XXVI CAMPAIGNS OF 1758-1760 3<59 De Levis,* the successor of Montcalm in command of the French forces at Montreal, with- drew to that city, but nothing was done until the fol- lowing s pr i n g, when he strove to recover Canada. He had a force of ten thousand men, with which he descended the St. Lawrence Against Murray, who marched out of Quebec with less than seven thousand to meet him. They met at Ste. Foye, three miles above the city, and in a sanguinary battle, on the 28th April, 1760, the English were de- feated with the loss of a thousand soldiers and a train of artillery. MONUMENT TO WOLFE AND MONTCALM Emgland AND FraNCB IN America 1753 TO 1783 into a flame of bonfires and illuminations, and the clanging bells PeriooIU spoke the joy of the nation over the splendid victory, while all mourned the cieath of the hero, who perished before the shouts of triumph could reach his ears. The conquest of Quebec is ranked by historians as one of the great victories of the world, — not on account of the conflict itself, though the achievement was a daring one, but because of the mo- mentous consequences which flowed from it : it ended one empire and created another in the New World, The victory, however, did not bring an immediate end to hostili- ties. Chevalier Battle of Ste. Foye *This brilliant French officer, who had been Montcalm's second-in-command, had seen longf and arduous service in Bohemian, German, Rhenish, and Italian campaigns. Montcalm, just before his death, expressed his satisfaction in entrusting him with the command of the French army, and had written of him " as a very talented man with a 24 370 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvi Period III MuiTay then fell back into the City, where he was closely besieged ndF^ce ^y ^^^^ French army. The situation of the garrison, for a time, America ^ccame Critical; but early in IMaya British squadron came up the St. ^758 Lawrence with reinforcements and provisions. De Levis thereupon J783 abandoned the siege, and made haste to return to Montreal (which was now the last stronghold of the French in America), where all the available forces w^ere collected for the final struggle. Amherst, the English commander-in-chief, who had spent the winter in New England, now recommenced hostilities. He moved slowly but with irresistible certainty. Waiting until fully ready, he set three armies in motion against Montreal, and advanced them with such remarkable precision, that, starting from wddely separated points, their arrival before the town was almost simultaneous. With ten thousand troops, Amherst marched to Oswego, where Sir William Johnson joined him wnth a thousand warriors belonging to the Six Nations Confederacy. He crossed Lake Ontario, descended the St. Lawrence, and was in front of Montreal on the 6th of September. General Murray arrived on the same day from Quebec with twenty- five hundred soldiers, and on the next day. Colonel Haviland came down the Richelieu with three thousand more who had journeyed from Crown Point, expelling the French from Isle-aux-Noix while lation of ^''^ route. When De Vaudreuil, the French viceroy, saw the seventeen ^°"' thousand troops in front of the city, he knew that resistance was 1760 useless and Montreal capitulated. This was the final act of the drama. On the 8th of September, 1760, all of Canada passed from the dominion of France to that of England, and the lilies of France were supplanted by the cross of St. George. On the high seas, as w-ell as in Europe, the war continued till near the close of 1762 — the advantage resting almost uniformly with the English. At last, on the loth of February, 1763, a treaty of peace between the two nations was signed at Paris, and hostilities terminated. By the provisions of this important treaty, France gave up to England all her possessions in America east of the Mississippi, from its source to the river Iberville, and through Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain to the Gulf of Mexico. Spain, which had also been involved in war with England, ceded East and West Florida to lofty military spirit and great decision of character, indefatigible, courageous, and con- versant with military routine." He afterwards became a duke and held-marshal of France, dying in 1787. CHAP. XXVI CAMPAIGNS OF 1758-1760 37: that country, while France gave to Spain Louisiana, whose enormous Period ir area, it will be remembered, exceeded that of the whole surrendered England territory. America Thus it will be seen that the Treaty of Paris took away all of ^758 France's possessions in the New World. It looked as if that country ^783 hrxd been overwhelmingly outgeneralled, both on the field and in that of diplomacy, and yet her statesmen seemed wiser than those of her rival nations, as the events of the succeeding dozen years appeared to indicate. Kad Louis XV. given better support to the colony in its hour of trial, and to his brave and faithful general, Montcalm,* another issue might have been the result. But this was not to be, all being ordered, no doubt, for the best. The French in Canada, though a conquered people, have, under English rule, had little reason to regret the change of masters. As Parkman, the historian, ob- serves : " A happier calamity never befell a people than the conquest of Canada by the British arms." * Louis Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm [1712-1759], was descended from a noble family, and at an early age entered the French army and distinguished himself in Italy, Bohemia, and Germany. Besides his military qualifications, Montcalm was an enthusi- astic lover of his profession, a man of great cultivation and of fine literary tastes. In his forty-fourth year (1756), he came to Canada to replace General Dieskau as con- mander-in-chief and lieutenant-general of the forces, accompanied by the Chevalier de Levis and two other distinguished French officers — MM. de Bougainville and de Bourlamaque. Shortly after his arrival, Montcalm captured from the English Fort Oswego, on Lake Ontario, and a year later took Fort William Henry and repulsed Abercrombie's attack on Ticonderoga. His defence of Quebec was spirited, though owing to the incapacity of de \^audreuil, the governor, and the malfeasance of Bigot, the last of the royal Intendants of Canada, he despaired of saving the colony from overthrow by the British. His integrity of purpose and ardent patriotism, no less than his bravery on the Heights of Abraham when the final issue came, shed lustre upon his career and impart pathos to his death. At Quebec, he shares with his conqueror, Wolfe, the honor, of a fateful day in the annals of the Continent. His remains were interred in the Church of the Ursulines within the walls of the historic city he died to defend. The monument to the joint memory of the two heroes, an illustration of which will be found in a pre- ceding page, stands in the Governor's Garden, just off Dufferia Terrace, in the ancient Capital. CHAPTER XXVII PONTIAC'S WAR \Attthorities: The Peace of Paris, which occurred three years after the capitulation of Montreal and the surrender of the whole French army in Canada, confirmed the cession of the country to Britain, and closed the dominion of France in the vast region extend- ing east of the Mississippi, from New Orleans to Cape Breton, including the great valleys of the Ohio and the St. Lawrence. By the same treaty (1763), France also ceded to Britain a number of her islands in the West Indies ; while Spain surrendered her claim to Florida. In the year of the Peace, and while the " Definitive Treaty " was being con- sidered by the European powers, a formidable and widespread Indian rising in western Canada threatened the stability of the English conquest. The present chapter is de- voted to the subject of this rising, known as Pontiac's War, which, however, was stamped out in the following year ( 1 764), and the disaffected Indian tribes were subdued. For a fuller account of the events connected with this thrilling episode in the early history of the western settlements, see Parkman's "Conspiracy of Pontiac." Kingsford's *' His- torj' of Canada" may also be consulted, together with Cooley's "Michigan," in the "American Commonwealths'" series.] will be remembered that previous to the French and Indian War, France had established a chain of military posts in the West, her intention being to found a great empire in the Mississippi valley ; but the dream vanished forever with the conquest of Canada, and it became the duty of France to turn over all her possessions in America to Eng- land. -' A few months after the surrender of Quebec, General Amherst * By the treaty of Paris (1763) , France ceded to England all her domain in the New World, with the exception of New Orleans and the adjacent parts of Louisiana, which, by a secret treaty made also at the period, she ceded to Spam Louisiana, as we shall sub- sequently learn, was restored to France in iSoo, and was acquired by the United States, by purchase, in 1803. Xonliac. CHAP. XXVII PONTIAC'S WAR 373 sent Major Robert Rogers, with his famous rangers, to carry the Period hi tidings to the commander of the French post at Detroit and to re- ceive the submission of that and the other forts on the border. Rogers set out late in the autumn of 1760, with an escort of two hundred of his men. The journey was comparatively pleasant until they reached the site of the present city of Cleveland. There a bitter storm broke upon them and they decided to go into camp until the England AND France IM America 1758 MAJOR ROGERS AND CHIEF PONTIAC sun shone again. While resting, Rogers received a visit from a party of Ottawa Indians, accompanied by a chief of striking appear- ance. He told Rogers that he was the owner of that country, and he demanded to know by what right the white men invaded it. From what has been related about Rogers in another place, it will be understood that no one knew Indian nature better than he. Although among the most daring of men, and the hero of many hairbreadth escapes, he owed much of his success to his tact. He recognized the 374 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvii Period III chicftain bcforc him as Pontiac, one of the most gifted of his race, England and hc sct about Winning his good-will. He told his visitor that in ANO France *=" _ *^ , "* the war which had been going on for several years between England America o o j & ^758 and France, England had won. Canada was no longer French, but TO ^ o 1TS3 English, and, as soon as Rogers could reach Detroit and tell the commandant there what had occurred, ' that post would yield. Rogers added the hope that the great Pontiac would allow him and his friends to pass through his dominion, and that the white and red men would always be friends. The officer managed this delicate business with so much skill that Pontiac gave his consent, and said that so long as the English acted rightly they could stay in the coun- try and would not be disturbed by him or his warriors. Major Rogers reached Detroit without further incident, and the post surrendered November 29, 1760. Hundreds of Indians gath- ered around and watched the singular scene. Many of them failed to understand why so large a force should submit to one so weak, unless the English were gifted with more than human prowess. But the scowling Pontiac saw through it all, and it filled his soul with wrath. " These English," he reflected, " have conquered the French ; now they mean to turn upon the red men and make slaves of them, but it shall not be." Pontiac Naturally the French felt resentful towards their conquerors, and Designs ^^^ traders helped to inflame the mind of Pontiac by telling him that their king had been asleep, but would soon awake and leave not an Englishman in the country. The chieftain brooded over the matter for days and nights, and then formed one of the most formidable conspiracies ever planned by his race against the white men. His scheme, in short, was to unite all the tribes, and make an attack on the same day upon every western post, France had proved herself almost the equal of England, and now with the aid of a dozen or twenty tribes, she surely would conquer the armies of that country. The Ottawa sachem displayed wonderful ability in carrying forward bis grand scheme, so fascinating to him and to his people. He knew that a rash move on his part would destroy all hope of success, and that the blow could not be struck for weeks and months, perhaps not for years. Hence he waited and plotted for two whole years, before he sent his messengers to the different tribes, with an explanation of his plans and a request for their promise to join him in driving the English from tne continent. The credentials borne by these ambas- <;hap. XXVII PONTIAC'S WAR 375 sadors consisted of a tomahawk, painted red, and a wamDum war-belt. So thoroughly did they do their work that they visited every tribe between the Ottawa and the Lower Mississippi. The influence of Sir William Johnson kept all the Six Nations out of the conspiracy, except the Senecas, who sent word to Pontiac that they would join him in his war against the English. The tribes under the immediate control of this chieftain were the Ottawas, Ojibwas, and Pottawatomies. The Wyandots and a number of the southern tribes also pledged themselves to him, and the move- ment threatened to devastate the entire western frontier. The date fixed for this uprising was May 7, 1763. The plan was simple, but it was designed to be thorough : each tribe was to attack the nearest fort, and then join in assailing the settlements. Now, if the reader will reflect that this conspiracy was more than two years in maturing, that it extended over many thousands of square miles of country, and that of necessity hundreds of Indians were ap- proached who were not friendly to the scheme, it will be seen that with all Pontiac's cunning it was impossible to keep his plans absolutely secret : the wonder is that they were not fully known much sooner. One day a friendly Indian came to Ensign Holmes, commanding at Fort Miami (on the present site of Fort Wayne, Indiana), and gave him the war-belt, which Pontiac's messenger had brought to the tribe. Holmes, by guarded inquiry, learned the whole plot. He sent the war-belt to Major Gladwyn, commanding at Detroit, with a letter asking him to acquaint General Amherst with the ominous doings. Gladwyn would not credit the story, and in his letter to Amherst assured him there was no danger. How many times this woful mis- take has been made by those similarly placed ! Pontiac held a council of war (April 27th), on the Ecorce {d-kor^- so) River, near Detroit, at which there was a formidable gathering of warriors. He made them an impassioned speech, roused their ardor, and made clear his plans. He was to make the attack on Detroit, which he visited a few days later with a number of his people, that he might study all its features. Then he again called his faithful ones around him, and assured himself that there was no misunder- standing on the part of any one. Pontiac arranged to visit the fort with a party of his chiefs, each of whom was to carry a gun hidden under his blanket. They would make a formal call upon Major Gladwyn, and Pontiac was to deliver a brief address, at the close of Period III England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 Vast Scope of the Con- spiracy I'j6 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvir Period III whicli hc would present the commandant with a wampum belt, but, England Jq douiiT SO, would hand it rcverscd. This was to be the sisjnal. In- iNu France o ' ^ o America stautly cach chicf was to whip out his gun and begin the massacre. 1758 The warriors lounging in the streets or about the gates would be in i7?3 a state of expectancy, and, upon hearing the guns fired, would attack the soldiers and settlers, Detroit at that day was laid out in the form of a square, inclosed by a high palisade. At each corner was a wooden bastion upon which several pieces of artillery were mounted, and there were block- houses over the gateway. The dwellings were about a hundred in number, with narrow streets between, and with a broad space sepa- rating the houses and the palisades. All the buildings, including the chapel, were of wood. The garrison numbered one hundred and twenty men, and forty or fifty more were capable of bearing arms in an emergency. In the river near by lay two armed schooners. Pontiac had always been allowed to enter the town unchallenged. On the fateful morning of May 7th, when he knew that the fearful plot which had been brewing for more than two years must come to a head, he appeared at the gate, with sixty of his warriors, each of whom carried a loaded rifle under his blanket, and with knife and tomahawk within instant reach. The guns had been shortened by the Indians and all their w-eapons were concealed. The chief led the way through the gate, when one quick, sweeping glance told him that he had been betra}'ed. The whole garrison was under arms, and every officer had a sword and two pistols in his belt. The sight must have filled the sachem's bosom with fury, but he mastered his emo- tions by a supreme effort, and, approaching Gladwyn, asked in an The Con- indifferent voice : Check-*^ " Why do I see so many of my brothers with arms in their hands .-'" mated " I have ordered them out for exercise," answered Gladwyn. The Indians coolly took the seats assigned them and Pontiac made his address. A more trying test of one's nerves could hardly be con- ceived. Although aware that his plot was known, he was on the point of giving the signal for the onslaught. Indeed he essayed to do so, but Gladwyn, who was closely watching him, made a gesturv. Instantly the rattle of arms was heard outside, and Pontiac passed the wampum belt to the commandant in proper form. Major Glad- wyn answered the address of the chieftain by saying that he would be glad to continue the friendship with his visitor and warriors, but CHAP. XXVII PONTIAC'S WAR 377 he would do so only on condition that they proved themselves worthy Period m of it. The infuriated visitois. then withdrew. Jamestown had its Pocahontas, and Detroit was saved through the friendship of an Indian maiden. She learned a short time before that many of the savages had filed off the ends of their gun-barrels. The blacksmith who had been asked to help in the work was suspi- cious and told Gladwyn of it, and from the Indian girl the comman- dant learned the whole truth. Pontiac kept up the semblance of England andFrancf IN America 1758 TO 1783 PONTIAC OUTWITTED AT DETROIT friendship a brief while longer, but, when told that he could pass through the gates only alone, and that his warriors must stay out- side, he threw all disguise aside. His followers emitted their war- whoops, and, dashing off to the houses of several English settlers liv- ing outside the palisades, killed the hapless ones and held aloft their scalps before the garrison. Pontiac now brought the Ottawa village to the Detroit shore of the river, placing it at the mouth of Parent's Creek, which later on was known as Bloody Run. This was a little more than a mile northeast of the fort. The Ojibwas had ioined the hostiles and the memorable 378 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvii Period III sicgc of Detroit began. The warriors sheltered themselves behind England outbuildings, trccs, stumps, and earth, and kept up a desultory fire Am'ewca ^^^ several hours. The garrison replied as chance offered, and, with 1758 a charge of red-hot slugs from a cannon, set a group of outbuildings 1783 ablaze and picked off a number of savages, while they were scurrying to shelter. During this exchange of shots, several of the garrison were wounded, but none killed. Major Gladwyn was still disposed to look upon the situation as less grave than was the fact. When Pontiac asked to have a talk with Major Campbell, the second in command, that officer was sent to him. The Major passed through the gate with Lieutenant Mc- Dougal for his companion. A number of the garrison warned Camp- bell that Pontiac intended treachery, but the officer was an old ac- quaintance of the chief, and did not believe that any harm w^ould Siege of come to him. After the two had entered the Indian lines, and had Detroit, ^j-^g " talk," which amounted to nothing, they were informed that they were prisoners and would not be allowed to return. They were kept for several weeks, when an enraged warrior killed the major in re- venge for the death of a relative. Lieutenant McDougal, however, succeeded in making his escape and rejoined the garrison. The force of the besiegers was soon increased by the arrival of the Wyandots. The attacks of the savages were so galling that the garrison made several sallies, and levelled everything that could serve as a screen foi their enemies. The Indians made repeated efforts to fire the buildings, knowing that if a conflagration was once fairly started, it would sweep every- thing before it. Burning arrows were launched from the surround- ing woods, and stuck in the inflammable roofs of the building. Little "bursts of flame instantly appeared, but the defenders were watchful and always kept a supply of water at hand. Every attempt of the be- siegers was frustrated, and the vigilance of the garrison was relaxed neither night nor day. The food was used sparingly, a great deal being obtained secretly from the Canadians on the other side of the river, who brought it over at night. Pontiac considered them friends and did not suspect what they were doing. He forbade pilfering from them, but, when it became necessary, made regular levies upon the people, for which he gave in payment his promissory notes. These were written on the inside of birch-bark, and signed with his totem, which was the figure of an otter. He was probably the first Amen SOPYRIGHT 1896. KHtjM THE ORIGINAL DRAWING BY JUl-ES TUHCA8 RED-HOT SHOT 38o HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvii Period III caii Indian to issue "paper currency," and to his credit be it England rccorded that the Ottawa chieftain redeemed every one of his 4ND France . "* notes. America 1753 As the days and weeks passed, the danger of Detroit increased. 17S3 The supply of provisions ran low and the question of supply became a serious one. The besiegers steadily grew in number and held high hopes of success. Reinforcements and supplies were due by way of Lake Erie, but they were so tardy that Major Gladwyn sent one of his schooners to hasten them. When several days had passed, the sentinels on the watch called out that the supply boats were in sight. Scores of eyes were turned towards them, and the crews were seen rowing vigorously. But, suddenly, a strange thing was observed ; in one of the boats a white man was seen fighting desperately with Relief an Indian. Each craft contained a number of savages, who were cepted h'^^S dov/n, hoping to enter the fort unsuspected. All the stores, guns, ammunition, and most of the reinforcements intended for the fort had been captured by the besiegers. The schooner, sent some time before, saw nothing of the boats and kept on to Niagara. Meanwhile, the smaller craft followed the coast of Lake Erie to the mouth of the Detroit River. There they landed, and the men were kindling fires for an encampment when they were attacked by a body of Wyandots. Sixty were killed or taken prisoners. Two boats managed to get away, one of which contained Lieutenant Cuyler and forty men. They returned to Niagara, while the Wyandots forced their captives to row to Detroit. A second expedition was fitted out at Niagara and sailed in the schooner sent from that port. Just as she arrived, the wind died and she was compelled to drop anchor. All knew the peril of the situa- tion and not an eye was closed in slumber. About midnight a num- ber of canoes, laden to the gunwales with Indians, shot out from the gloom, and were paddled swiftly towards the schooner. They were permitted to approach until within a rod or two, when a volley of musket-balls and a broadside of grape killed and wounded more than thirty savages. The remainder pulled frantically for the shore. Soon after, the schooner was able to make her way to the fort. Pontiac chafed at seeing the two vessels, and his fertile mind formed a plan to destroy them. He constructed a number of large rafts, piled them with brushwood, which was fired, and then they were set afloat. But, as in the case of the attempt of the French fire-ships upon Wolfe's CHAP, XXVII PONTIAC'S WAR 381 fleet at Quebec, the watchfulness of the crews saved the vessels. The Period hi flamins: rafts drifted past without harming cither of the schooners. As England c> ^ c ANUt RANCH the weeks passed, the Pottawatomies and Wyandots grew tired of the prolonged siege and sent overtures of peace to Major Gladwyn. An exchange of prisoners took place, but the Ottawas and Ojibwas remained as hostile as ever. Thus matters stood when, early on July 29th, twenty-two barges, with two hundred and eighty men from Niagara, entered the Detroit America 1753 TO 1733 River. A dense fog hid every- thing for a time, but, when they came op- posite the vil- lage of the Wyandots and Pottawatomies, the barges re- ceived a fire which killed and wounded several men. This, it will be noted, was a characteristic piece of Indian treachery, since the two tribes, only a few days before, had made a pledge of peace with Major Gladwyn. The reinforcements were in charge of Major Dalzell, who was cer- tain that a vigorous movement would crush the savages and end the siege of Detroit. He quickly formed his plans and was so confident PONTIAC'S PROMISSORY NOTES 3S2 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvti Period III of succcss that the coiiimandant, against his own judgment, gave his England coHsent that he should carry them out. ANDTKANCE ^ America Bcf Ore daylight, on the 31st of July, two hundred and fifty men ^758 left the fort, and stole through the woods towards the Indian encamp- 1783 ment. They followed the shore, and two bateaux, each with a swivel-gun at the bow, advanced at the same pace with the soldiers. The movement was well-conceived, but unfortunately some of the Canadians had told Pontiac of it. He concealed his warriors until the Avhites had gone by, and then suddenly attacked them just as the van reached the bridge over Parent's Creek. Half the advance guard Battle of were slain. Dalzell, to sa\e the remainder, ordered an instant retreat. Ridee ^^^Q hapless soldiers were surrounded, and all would have been mas- sacred to a man had not IMajor Rogers, \vith a number of brave fel- lows, seized a house crowded with fugitives, and held it against an overwhelming assault, while the rest of the troops fought their way back to the fort. The bateaux then added their fire to that of Rogers, and he and his little band withdrew. The English lost fifty-nine in killed and wounded. Major Dalzell was struck and afterwards shot dead while trying to save a fallen sergeant. This sad affair is known as the battle of Bloody Ridge. Such disasters were disheartening to the besieged, and greatly elated the besiegers; but there was never an hour when Major Glad- wyn or the garrison entertained a thought of yielding. They were ready to fight to the end and undergo the last degree of suffering in defence of their lives and of those dependent upon them. On the night of August 4th, one of the sloops was close to the fort on her return from Niagara with despatches. The crew numbered less than twenty, and while anchored were assailed by more than two hundred Indians, who were not seen in the dense gloom, until they were on every side and swarming over the bow, stern, and gun- wales. The crew fought fiercely, but were overwhelmed. In his desperation the mate shouted to one of the sailors to fire the maga- zine. Most of the Indians understood the order, and, warning the others, leaped as far out in the water as possible, diving and swimming with frantic haste to get beyond danger. Although the captain and several of the crew were killed, the escape of the remainder w^as one of the most singular episodes in the siege of Detroit. The schooner brought some sorely needed provisions, but they were not enough to give substantial help. CKaP. XXVII PONTIAC'S WAR 383 The peril of Detroit caused great anxiety at Niagara, from which point repeated attempts were made to reheve the garrison. The In- dians were on the watch for tliese expeditions, and did everything to frustrate them ; but it was not always they alone who fought against the white people. In one instance, a terrific storm caused the loss of seventy lives and all the stores and ammunition on their way to the beleaguered post. While the American Indian under certain circumstances displays Period 111 England AND Francb IN America 1758 TO 1783 THE INDIAN FIRE RAFTS a remarkable degree of patience, he rarely manifests it during mili- tary operations. Weeks and months had passed, and still Detroit was safe. The besiegers could see no hope of immediate, nor in- deed of remote, success. They were tired of the enterprise and wished to end it. So, on the 12th of October, all the tribes except the Ottawas sent messengers to Major Gladwyn, saying that they desired peace. That officer answered that he had not the power to make peace, but was willing that there should be a truce. This was accepted by the Indians, and the commandant made good use of the opportunity to collect a supply of food for the winter. 384 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvu Period III VVhilc the trucc was in force a few signs of discontent appeared en^nd among Pontiac's own tribe, the Ottawas. His terrible personality *^° iN^ was not sufficient to hold all of them wrought up to the fighting America i i 1 r ii 175S point, though, as a whole, they stood by him until the fatal blow fell TO T7S3 in the latter part of October. This came in the form of a messenger from M. Neyon {nd-yon), the French commandant at Fort Chartres {s/iarl'f) on the Mississippi, who told Pontiac that peace had been made between France and England, and that the French would give him no help in fighting against the English. The chief was cha- grined, but he saw that all was over. The dream of his life van- Pon- ished. He had no choice save to abandon the siege, but he would tiac's j-jQ^ £^j|j yield. Leaving the neighborhood with his leading war- Schemes -' -^ 00 o Foiled riors, Le visited the Maumee country, and strove to rouse the tribes in that section to resistance, but his success was trifling. kUJ/,- Tudiaxi pipe- oE JPeac-e ^^Jf CHAPTER XXVII (Concluded) PONTIACS WAR {Concluded) \Authorities : It is impossible not to feel a certain admiration for the Ottawa chief- tain in his desperate but hopeless stand against the spoliation of his race by the white men. Pontiac fought bravely, but, from the nature of the circumstances, his struggle was as hopeless as that of King Philip a century before. The hour was at hand when even the Ottawa leader was compelled to bow before the resistless smiting of the hand of fate; and there is something grimly suggestive in the fact that Philip and Pontiac were each killed fcy one of his own race. The authorities have already been named.] |T has been shown that although Pontiac 's main opera- tions were directed against Detroit, his aim was to capture all the forts in the West. In more than one instance his allies were successful. The garrison at Fort Michilimackinac (naiu) were watching a game of lacrosse, played by the Indians, June 4, in front of the post, when by a previous iinderstanding the ball was knocked within the fort. While the officers and English were viewing the struggle, they were assailed by the warriors with such fierceness that no resistance could be offered. Seventeen of the garrison were killed and the remainder made prisoners. At daylight, June 15, Fort Presque Isle, standing near the present site of Erie, Pennsylvania, was attacked by two hundred Indians. Ensign Christie and his men retreated into the blockhouse, whose roof was repeatedly fired by the assailants and extinguished by the defenders. When the water gave out, the men began digging a well within the blockhouse. The weather was intensely hot, and but for frequent reliefs the toilers would have been overcome. 25 •'*;. 386 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvii Period HI By the most vigorous work, water was reached in time to extin- Knglano^ guish the flames on the roof. The Indians showed a determined America bravcr}'' almost equal to that of the defenders. They threw up a ^11^ breastwork, on a ridge near the fort, and pressed the fighting for more *7^3 than two days. They repeatedly tried to run from behind this breastwork to a point nearer the block-house, but, in every instance, the vigilant garrison shot down the daring warriors. Then the be- siegers began mining, and there was no way of stopping them. The house of the commanding officer was reached and fired, and the smoke and heat nearly overcame the garrison ; but they kept up the unequal contest and shot every redskin who exposed himself to the unerring marksmanship of the defenders. The assailants pushed their mining until the garrison could hear the click of their imple- ments under the block-house itself. This was the end of all hope of successful defence, but Ensign Christie refused to surrender until his enemies gave a solemn pledge that he and his worn-out men should be allowed to retire unharmed. The pledge, as a matter of course, was broken ; the garrison were bound and taken prisoners to Pontiac's camp, though Christie succeeded in making his escape and reached Detroit. A Singu- A still more singular history attaches to Fort Le Boeuf, which caoe' ^^^^ attacked in the same week that saw the fall of Presque Isle. A strong force of Indians surrounded the structure, which was defended by Ensign Price and thirteen men. The assault was pressed, and during the darkness the savages succeeded in setting the block -house on fire. It was impossible to extinguish the flameS from within, and the Indians danced with glee in the belief that all the white meD were undergoing one of the most cruel forms of death. But they were mistaken. The garrison, when the flames were crackling over their heads, cut a hole through the logs at the rear of the block- house, and every man reached the shelter of the woods undiscovered. Some succeeded in getting to Fort Pitt, but most of them perished of hunger on the way. Fort Venango, lower down on the Alleghany, was captured by treachery, and Lieutenant Gordon and all the garrison were mas- sacred. Fort Ligonicr was also attacked, but it fortunately held out until relief came. It will be recalled that Fort Du Ouesne had been rebuilt and its name changed to Fort Pitt. It was a post of importance and was in 388 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvii Pekiod III England AMD France IN America 1758 TO I7S3 Fort Pitt Colonel Henry Bouquet charge of Captain Ecu}-er {d-qiice'-a)y who had a force of more than three hundred soldiers, tradesmen, and woodsmen under him. He learned of the disasters that had overtaken some of the other posts, and knowing that his trial w^ould soon come, made preparation for it. Early in the summer, a delegation of Delawares asked for aa interview with Ecuyer, saying that they had important news for him. They assured the officer that a mighty confederation of tribes had captured all the frontier posts, and that the only way he and his garrison and their families could save their lives was by hurrying to the English settlements. Evil Indians were in the vicinity, but the Delawares promised to protect their white friends from harm. The captain thanked them for their kindness in bringing him such impor- tant news, and then gravely informed them that he would return their favor by giving them, in confidence, some startling tidings in which they were interested. Six thousand English soldiers, he said, were marching through the wilderness at that hour and were due at Fort Pitt within a few da}'s. Another army, almost as large, Ecu}-er added, was hurrying to crush the Ottawas and Ojibwas; and a third had already reached the Virginia frontier, w^here they would be joined by the Creeks and Catawbas, who would never give up the task upon which they had entered, so long as a Delaware chief, warrior, squaw, or pappoose remained abo^•e ground. An Indian can tell a tremendous untruth when he sets about it ; but it may be doubted whether any Indian ever surpassed this achieve- ment. The delegation was frightened and left, but they must have known that they had been deceived when a month went by without any signs of the three destroying armies, for they returned to Captain Ecuyer and repeated their falsehood. He told them they were utter- ing lies and snapped his fingers at them. If they thought they could harm Fort Pitt, they might begin as soon as they chose. The angry Delawares accepted the challenge and attacked the fort that night. Securing such screens as they could, they kept up the fire until day- light, but did little damage. Fort Pitt, however, was in serious peril, for like the other posts, it stood alone, and w-as threatened by a force of Indians not only much stronger than the garrison, but which daily increased in numbers. Unless reinforced it must succumb. Its danger became widely known, and Colonel Henry Bouquet, commanding the English troops in Philadelphia, was ordered to march with all haste to its relief CHAP. XXVII PONTIAC'S WAR 3«9 England AND FraNCI IN America 1758 TO 1783 Colonel Bouquet was an experienced Swiss officer and one of the Period ill most brilliant leaders who ever undertook so difficult a task. His force numbered five hundred men, chiefly Highlanders, with whom he reached Carlisle about a week after the Delaware del- egation made \. its first call '-^ on Captain A REMARKABLE ESCAPE Ecuyer. Bouquet found the town overrun with fugitives, for the border was in a state of panic, and many did not feel safe, even though so far east as that point. The suffering of these people was so great that Bouquet delayed his march In order to help them. He at Car- lisle 390 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvii Period III resumcd his advance about the middle of July, sending forward thirty En^nd picked men to Fort Li^onier, and then, following with the main bodv AND France , •^ of his men, scattered the Indians besieging that post and Fort Bed- AmERICA ' vj of additional Indians on the ground No relief could reach the soldiers for several days, and their fate must be decided within a few hours. Sixty had been killed and many wounded. They could not obtain a drop of water, and thf suffering from thirst, especially among the wounded, drove them almost frantic. At dawn, the Indians furiously renewed the fighting The troops were completely hemmed in, and their assailants were so ■CHAP. XXVII PONTIACS WAR 391 well concealed that it was almost impossible for the soldiers to fire Period hi an effective shot. They frequently charged the points where they saw the flashes, but the dusky foes skurried to other cover before they could be pricked by the bayonet. Two companies of light infantry, by Bouquet's direction, now fell back into the circle which was the main point of defence. The troops on the right and left parted to receive them, and then closed England AND Francb IN America 1758 TO 1783 COLONEL BOUQUET WRIT'NQ HIS DESPATCH up in the rear. Then two other companies quickly formed, appar- ently to aid in the withdrawal. Fearful that the soldiers after all would elude them, the Indians rushed tumultuously out of the woods and streamed after them. This was precisely what Bouquet had sought to bring about. His purpose was to draw his assailants into a position where he could deliver a blow, and he now did it with terrible effect. He continued his brilliant fighting, feinting, and manoeuvering until, before the savages understood their peril, they themselves were surrounded. We need hardly describe what fol- lowed ; it will suffice to say that only the superior agility of a few Brilliant General- ship of Bouquet 392 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvii Period III of the Indians enabled them to escape. Colonel Bouquet reached Fort Pitt on the 15th of August and relieved the post of all danger. M. Neyon, the French commandant at Fort Chartres, did not rest with a message to Pontiac, warning him that he must cease hostilities against the English. He sent wampum belts and calumets to many other tribes between the Ohio and the Lakes, urging them to peace, and assuring them that any other course was highly displeasing to their great father in France. Peace came at last, in the summer of 1766, when the representa. tives of the leading tribes met Sir William Johnson at Oswego, and signed a treaty of friendship. There were many noted chiefs at that gathering, but the one who towered above all others was the mighty Pontiac, sachem of the Ottawas. He was the greatest of his race during the eighteenth century, as Philip was luring the seventeenth. Each was killed by one of his own people, Pontiac meeting his end in 1769, on the site of East St. Louis, by a Kaskaskia Indian, who had been hired to do the deed by an English trader.- England AND France IN America I75S TO 1783 Peace * The death of Pontiac, following upon the conquest of Quebec and the downfall of French power in America, brought about, for a time, a cessation of Indian feuds. By the conquest, England had made large additions to her territory rather than added to the number of her subjects. The population of the whole of New France, on the Fall of Quebec, did not exceed sixty-five thousand, while that of the English colonists on the Atlantic was close upon two millions. This inequality is accounted for by the widely differing modes of French and English colonization. French colonization was feudal and semi-religious ; England's was characterized, in the main, by the escape from these Old World bonds, and from many things that impeded the exercise of civil and religious rights. A momentous change was now, however, to come about in the English colonies on the seaboard, in their efforts to shake off the commercial yoke of the Mother Country and assert the freedom of their own institutions and the legislative control of their own affairs. CHAPTER XXVIII THE COLONIES, AND RESISTED TAXATION IN ijyo \Anthorities : The morrow of independence was fast approaching. Before estrange- Bient comes, it has been deemed well in the present chapter to give some account of the conditions and characteristics of the Thirteen Colonies and the action of their congresses in resisting the aggressions of the Crown. These colonies were now growing into common- wealths, to be soon knit into a nation, and we shall presently see through what troubles they had to pass ere the colonial system fell, under which they had hitherto existed, mul- tiplied and thriven. The authorities are numerous for this era, including besides the standard histories, English and American, the biographies of the chief actors of the time, enumerated at the head of the next chapter, together with the works that depict the social life and character of the period, such as Frothingham's ** Rise of the Republic," Fiske's " American Revolution," Weedon's " Social and Economic History of New England," Hutchinson's ** Diary and Letters," Morse Earle's "Colonial Dames and Good Wives," and Maud W. Goodwin's *' The Colonial Cavalier."] [HE "original thirteen colonies" were Virginia, New ^T^* %\- LUH^S York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, Thirteea _..,=:rr^^=- Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, ^°*°"*** New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Of these, Virginia, with nearly half a million inhabitants, was the most populous. Massachusetts came next with more than three liundred thousand, and Pennsylvania was only a few thousand behind; Connecticut had nearly two hundred thousand; Maryland about two hundred thousand, while New York, now the great Empire State, had twenty thousand less. Georgia was the weakest of all the colonies, the total population, including negroes, being some twenty-five thousand. Benjamin Franklin, in 1766, estimated the 394 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvm Period III entire white population in this country, between the ages of sixteen England and sixtv vears, to be tliree liundred tliousand. AND France ■' "^ ^ 'N The colonies were strong, rugged, and growing. At one period^ America 1758 during the French and Indian War, they had twenty-five thousand 1783 militia and volunteers under arms. When Massachusetts was asked for twenty-three hundred soldiers, she furnished seven thousand, and kept them in the field until the close of hostilities. Nor will it be forgotten that the colonies equipped and maintained all their soldiers that served with the ro}al army. In addition to the large numbe.'; of volunteers furnished by Massachusetts, she manned the forts, ^*^fTh^^ equipped a twenty-gun war-ship and an armed sloop, and gave three Colo- hundred seamen to the royal navy. She was the most powerful of all the colonies. At the close of the French and Indian War oui country had a debt of ;;/^2, 500,000, of which England repaid a little more than one-fourth. We have learned that many sects and several European nations were drawn upon in the original settlement of the colonies, and that they stamped their peculiarities upon the different peoples. To Vir- ginia went the Churchmen, to New England Churchmen and Dis- senters, to Maryland Roman Catholics, and to Pennsylvania tho Friends or Quakers. Although in some cases no little bigotry was shown, all were drawn towards one another by an intense love of lib' erty and an aspiration for the common weal. Social 'pj^g diverse origin of the first settlers caused many interesting ences differences in their social condition. In Virginia, the people were noted for their hospitality, their frankness and refinement, but they were fond of sports and amusements that were not permitted in Puri- tanical Massachusetts. Virginia, previous to the Revolution, was the real South, and that she possessed a magnificent stock of ability^ brains, and genius has been proven many a time by the achievements of her sons in war and statesmanship. It seems strange, in these latei days, that the people of New England could ever be brought to sub- mit to such strict censorship, social and religious, as prevailed foi many years. Among the things forbidden by the General Court ol Massachusetts were the wearing of funeral badges, the drinking o' healths, either in public or private, and celebrating the Church festi vals of Easter and Christmas. In Hartford, the freeman who refuse*'. to vote was fined. The tendency in these times is towards the othtr extreme. All persons under twenty years of age were forbidden t« CHAP. XXVIII THE COLONIES 395 use tobacco without the certificate of a physician. Those who used Period hi it were permitted to do so only once a day, and not within ten miles J^^p^^ of a house. This law, which sent the people off into the woods to America 1758 TO 1783 Use of the "Weed** Quakers oFpErHnSYLVAMlA indulge in the " weed," was cer- tainly discouraging to the bad habit. "'■^ * Fifteen months after the Pilgrims sailed from Holland, they held a harvest- festival lasting a week. This is generally alluded to as the first thanksgiving in New England, but it was not a thanks- giving in the sense of a day set apart by the church, being appointed by the gover- nor, and no religious service is referred to. A year later when drought prevailed, a day of fasting and prayer was observed. The sky was overcast during service, and there was a plentiful rainfall the next day. The same thing occurred some years later. After the rain just referred to, a day of thanksgiving was appointed, July 30, 1623, and on the following day a relief ship arrived. This was the first thanks- giving, unless the followmg record from an old Bible supplants it : '* Sonne born to Susanna Whie (White) December 19th, 1620 yt six o'clock morning. Next day we meet for prayer and thanksgiving." A few years later both fast days and thanksgiving days came at irregular intervals. There were fasts for Anne Hutchinson's heresies and feasts for getting rid of her ; fasts and feasts on the occasion of plagues, pests, and prodigies; fasts and feasts for King 39<5 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvin pbriod hi England &ND France IN America 1753 TO I7S3 "Penn- sylvania Dutch- men" The Friends One of the cherished privileges of an American citizen, ^vho can afford to do so, is to lie abed as long as he wishes, yet, as has been stated, there was a time in Hartford when every well person was compelled to get up and to retire at nightfall at the ringing of the watchman's bell. In short. New England strove to make all people good and to fashion their lives by the enactment of rigid laws. Over the border in New York, the contrast was striking. There, and in portions of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Dutch stamped their characteristics so strongly upon the people that they are per- ceptible to this day. It is not an unfrequent thing to-day to meet " Pennsylvania Dutchmen" who, like their parents, were born in that State and yet cannot speak a word of English. They were indus- trious, frugal, clean, and lovers of good order and personal comfort. The Dutchman was fond of his pipe and beer, frowned upon all man- ner of disturbance, worshipped the God of his fathers, and taught his children to do the same. The Swedes and Finns on the Delaware resembled the Dutch in many respects. The Friends showed a marked contrast to the Puritans, the Churchmen, and the Dutchmen. They left their imprint deep and distinct in Pennsylvania and West Jersey. William Penn was one of the greatest philanthropists that ever set foot on American soil, and, so long as Pennsylvania was under his direct rule, it was a model commonwealth. No other province equalled it in growth and pros- perity or in freedom from disturbance. Every one is familiar with the characteristics of the Friends, or Quakers. Although they do not Philip's War, which was called, '* Jacob's Trouble in the Wilderness ; " and fasts and feasts for the witches. Christmas and New Year were the great festivals among the Dutch in New Netherland. The celebrations lasted for three weeks, during which the courts did not sit and the public offices were closed. All entered into the favorite sports — bowling, dancing, ball playing— and the tap-houses were crowded with the jolly burghers. At the beginning. May Day was kept with great spirit; beside which they observed the Passover season and Whitsun- tide. The first public fast-day of the Dutch was March 4th, 1643, N. S., during Governor Kieft's stormy administration. Having crushed the Indians by massacre, August 30th, 1645, N. S., was appointed the first thanksgiving for the deliverance of the heathen into their hands. A fast day among the Dutch meant a fast in the early part and a feast towards evening. It so happened that on the same day the Connecticut Puritans and the New Netherland Dutchman were holding a fast and praying against each other in antici* pation of a conflict. Tidings of peace coming across the ocean, each party proclaimed • thanksgiving. The order at New Haven was striking : "Praise. English Jerusalem;" " Thank the Lord of Zion " at Netherland. CHAP. XXVIII THE COLONIES 397 remove their hats in salutation, one feels like uncovering to those plain, unostentatious, honest, and God-fearing people. Down to the Revolution, agriculture was the main pursuit of the colonists, and little was seen In a household which was not the product of the soil. The spinning-wheel was in every home, and the deft fingers of the wife and elder daughters plied the knitting needles during the long winter evenings by the fireside. The furni- ture was of the simplest character ; stoves were unknown ; candles or the roaring fire gave illumination, though lamps were employed on occasion; gas, sewing-machines, the use of steam, and hundreds of modern conveniences, had not been dreamed of. Travelling was done on horseback or in lumbering vehicles, visits from point to point along the coast being made by sloop or other vessel. Early attention was given to the education of the young. Schools were established in Virginia as early as 162 1, but the institutions languished, and the money provided for their support was turned over to the trustees of William and Mary College, founded at Williams- burg, Virginia, in 1692. Common schools flourished in New Eng- land from the first, but compared with those of to-day they were in- differently equipped. The benches and desks were as uncomfortable as they could be, and the teacher did not spoil the child by sparing the rod. In some places, the teacher, besides instructing the youth, had to ring the bell for public worship, lead the choir on Sundays, serve summonses, dig graves, and perform other occasional duties. Mention has been made of the founding of Harvard and Yale col- 4ges, the former being the oldest in the country. In addition to these 'nstitutions others were Princeton College, which was established in New Jersey in 1746; King's (now Columbia), in New York in 1754; Brown in Rhode Island, in 1764, while the first medical college was founded in Philadelphia in the latter year. In another place something has been said concerning the first newspapers in the colonies. At the close of the French and Indian War there were only ten journals published in the country, although more than twenty had been started at various times. The first perma- nent journal was The Boston Nczvs Letter, which made its appear- ance in the spring of 1 704. The other pioneer papers which were suc- cessful were, in Pennsylvania, TJie American (Philadelphia"), 17 19; in New York, TJie Neiv York Ga::;ette, 1725; in Maryland, The Maryland Gazette (Annapolis), 1728; in South Carolina, The Period III England AND France IN America 1753 TO 1783 Early Educar tioo The First News- papers 398 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xyaii Period III England AND Franxe IN America 1758 TO 1783 Colonial Confed- eration SoHtJi Carolina Cacctte (Charleston), 1732; in Rhode Island, The Rhode Island Gazette (Newport"), 1732; in Virginia, Tht Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg), 1736; in Connecticut, The Con- necticut Gazette (New Haven), 1755; in North Carolina, Tht North Carolina Gazette (New Berne), 1755; in New Hampshire, The Neio Hampshire Gazette (Portsmouth), 1756. Thus the onl}* colonies which had no newspapers, during the French and Indian War, were New Jersey, Delaware, and Georgia. All the papers specified, excepting two, were " Gazettes," which was a favorite name, but they were, in the main, only official local organs.- At a later era, unhappil}', they many of them all too soon became the organs of personal vituperation and bitter party strife. We have seen that as early as 1643 the New England colonies formed a confederation, as a matter of safety. It did not last long and was without any national idea. William Penn proposed a more * The colonial records contain many creditable instances of the business aptitude and ability of our maternal ancestors. Numerous accounts are given in Alice Morse Earle's ** Colonial Dames and Good Wives." Thus in 163S, Margaret and Mary Brent came from England to the province of Maryland, where they took up land and built manor houses, besides which they were active in business matters. Margaret Brent was the executrix for Governor Leonard Calvert (Lord Baltimore) and quelled an insurrection by paying off the mutinous troops. Elizabeth Haddon founded Haddonfield, New Jersey. She came alone to this country in 1701, when only nineteen years old, and was a most successful business-woman throughout her long life. John Clayton, writing in 16SS, speaks of a number of " acute, ingenious gentlewomen " in Virginia who carried on thriving tobacco plantations, drained swamps, grazed cattle, and bought slaves. The founder of Taunton, Mass. , was Elizabeth Poole. Among the Salem list of traders who banded together dur- ing the Stamp Act agitation, to oppose taxation, were five women merchants. When Mrs. Sarah Goddard became a widow, she took up printing as a business with her son and published T/ie Providence Gazette and Country Journal, the only newspaper issued in Providence before 1775. Her son removing to New York, she conducted the business alone for years. Her daughter published, from 1775 to 17S4, T/ie Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser, being the third newspaper published in Maryland. Anna Kather- ine Green carried on another Baltimore journal. The Maryland Gazette, from 1767 to 1775. Clementina Rind published The Virginia C^ct'//^ at Williamsburg previous to the Revolu- tion. Much earlier (1738-1740), Elizabeth Timothy carried on The South Carolina Gazette. Then her son took it, and his widow, Anne Timothy, published it for ten years (17S0- 1790). On the death, in 1735, of James Franklin, the elder brother of Benjamin, his widow and two daughters carried on a printing house for a number of years, besides publishing The A'e7vport J\/ercury. The A/assachusefts Gazette and Boston A^e~cs Letter, the only paper printed in Boston during the siege, was published by Widow Margaret Draper. Another widow publisher was the relict of Andrew Bradford, who founded the first newspaper in Pennsylvania {The American JVeekly Mercury, 1719), and who issued the paper from 1742 to 1746. The Connecticut Cournnf and The Sentinel were published for years by the widows of their founders, the last instance being TAe New York Weekly Journal, from 1746 to 1748. CHAP. XXVIII THE COLONIES 39^ comprehensive plan, and it was discussed on both sides of the At- lantic, but at the time with no thought, in either country, of the in- dependence of the colonies. It was at Albany, in 1684, that a con- (^ress met, composed of the officers of the governments of Massachu- setts, New York, Maryland, and Virginia, and the sachems of the Six Nations. Ten years later a similar convention was held in the same town which prevented the Iroquois from making peace with the French of Canada, and in 1722, still another sought to strengthen (he alliance with the same powerful Indian confederacy. Gradually the tendency towards a national union grew among the several colonies. In the summer of 1748, a congress met in Albany, the inciting cause being the disputation between the royal governors and the people. The crown officers in America wished to secure a colonial revenue, with the aid of British interference, and independ- ent of the action of colonial assemblies. Another object was to weld the bonds of friendship between the Six Nations and their western neighbors and the English. The latter purpose was attained, but the royal governors failed to gain anything for themselves. The question of national independence which was taking shape md growing among the colonies disappeared for a time with the breaking out of the P"rench and Indian War. The provinces ar- dently united with Great Britain in the supreme struggle for mastery in the New World. They rendered splendid service and rejoiced when England was triumphant at all points and the French no longer held a foothold in the country. That the American colonies were destined in time to become independent of Great Britain was "writ- ten in the book of fate." None can conceive our being the subjects of that country at any period during the nineteenth century. The separation was certain to come, sooner or later, but had England pur- sued a generous, statesmanlike policy towards her American colonies, their independence would have been deferred, and when it did come, it probably would have been a peaceful separation. But the mother was jealous of her lusty child on this side of the ocean ; and, alarmed at her growing strength and her yearning for democratic ideas, she sought to crush the sentiment by repressive and tyrannous laws. She made the fatal mistake of believing that she could stamp out dis- affection and compel the colonies to feel their dependence to that extent that they would not strike a blow for freedom. The Navigation Act, which was passed about the middle of the Period III England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 Tend- ency Toward National Union Destiny of the Colo- 400 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxvin Period III England AMD France IN America 1758 TO 1783 The Naviga- tion and Importa- tion Acts Other Grounds of Dis- pute seventeenth century, was a serious blow to the prosperity of the col- onies. It caused much dissatisfaction, and was often evaded ; but protests were of no avail and it remained in force. In 1733, the Im- portation Act became law. This laid outrageous duties on sugar, molasses, and rum brought into the provinces. That, too, was often evaded and finally disregarded altogether. Then England forbade the manufacture of steel, or the cutting of pine-trees outside of in- closures. All that these oppressive acts effected was to deepen the resentment of the people. Resolved to enforce the Importation Act, the English ministry, in 1761, caused the issuance of "writs of assistance," which empow- ered petty constables to search any house or place, and to seize such goods as they believed had not paid duty. This proceeding' roused the anger of the colonies, and in Salem and also in Boston, the courts resisted the application of the writs. The eloquent James Otis, Jr., advocate-general, resigned his office rather than appear in behalf of the crown to sustain the law ; in fact, he did not hesitate to denounce the act as unconstitutional. John Adams, speaking of Otis's action on that occasion, observed : " Otis was a flame of fire. With a promptitude of classical allusions, a depth of research, a rapid summary of historical events and dates, a profusion of legal authori- ties, a prophetic glance into futurity, and a rapid torrent of impetuous eloquence, he carried away all before him. American independence was then and there born." The determined efforts by England, in 1763, to enforce the Importation Act ruined the colonial trade with the West Indies. An immense town meeting was held in Boston, in which the most prominent citizens took part, and pro- tested against the tyranny, but not the slightest heed was paid to them. We need hardly tell the reader of these pages and certainlj not the student of history, that Parliament is the governing bod) of England, and that the House of Commons decides what taxe.« and customs are necessary for the annual expenses of the kingdom Our forefathers asserted that the various provincial assemblies con- stituted their Houses of Commons, and that, so far as they were concerned, they alone should pass upon the question of taxation. England would not agree to this, but insisted on the vested right of taxation by the imperial parliament. At the same time, she refused to allow the Americans to have a representation in that body. This CHAP. XXVII THE COLONIES 40i ^ taxation without repre- Period in gave rise to the exasperating grievance sentation." * The first decisive steps towards taxing the American colonies was taken by England in 1764. In March of that year, the House of Commons, by resolution, declared it proper to impose certain stamp duties in the pro- vinces, and gave notice that a bill of that nature would be offered at the next session of parliament. The feeling of irritation in America was fanned into flame by the high- handed course. Public meetings were held in all parts of the country, and fervid pro- tests made against the measure. The news- papers had a theme which overflowed their columns. Not only were remonstrances for- warded to the king and the two houses of Parliament, but agents were sent to England to endeavor to prevent the passage and enforcement of the law. All was in vain. The great and wise Pitt had ceased to be prime minister, and Parliament scornfully refused the prayer of the Amer- ican colonies. On the 22d of March, 1765, both houses passed the detested Stamp Act, which proved to be the firebrand of strife in the Revolution. Every member of the House of Lords voted for it, and in the House of Comimons it had a majority of five to one. The stubborn monarch, George HI., was suffering from a mental malady at the time and could not sign the bill, but the royal assent was given by a board of commissioners acting for him. The provisions of the Stamp Act were that every bond, mortgage, note, deed, license, or legal document of whatever kind, used in the American colonies should be executed on paper bearing an English stamp, and furnished WILLIAM PITT England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 Passage of the Stamp Act Provi- sions c4 the Stamp Act *For several years, as we have seen, the relations between England and her American colonies had been strained to the point of rupture by trade restrictions imposed by the mother country, and by the attempt to levy taxes to help her to defray the expenses of the French War and maintain her increased civil and military establishments in this coun- try. This untoward policy arose from the mistake of considering the settlements of the New World as colonial possessions, to be held solely for the financial benefit of England rather than for their own advancement and material well-being. The colonies properly objected to be taxed without their consent, and without representation in the British Par- liament, and declared that they were sufficiently oppressed by the burden of customs duties already imposed upon them, and by the share they had borne in the maintenance of their local assemblies. 26 402 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxviii Period III England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 of the Colo- nies Repeal of the Stamp Act by that government. The cost varied according to the nature of the document from three pence to six pounds sterling, or thirty dollars. Every newspaper, pamphlet, or almanac in the colonies had to be printed on stamped paper, costing from a halfpenny to four pence. A tax of two shillings was imposed on every advertisement. No document was legal unless written on paper bearing the hated stamp; the act was to take effect November ist, 1765. Never had the colonies been so wrought up as they w^ere by the news of the passage of this law. In Boston the bells were solemnly tolled, and in Philadelphia they were muffled. A multitude, number- ing thousands, marched through the streets of New York, holding aloft a copy of the Stamp Act, with a death's-head nailed to it, and with an immense placard displaying the words : " The Folly op England AND the Ruin of America!" Rioting occurred in the other colonies, and tne stamp officers were forced to resign. At the invitation of Massachusetts, the various colonial representatives met in New York, October 7th. At this conference twenty-seven delegates appeared from nine colonies, viz: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and South Carolina, while com- munications were received from the assemblies of Virginia, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Georgia pledging themselves to agree to whatever was done by the " Stamp Act Congress." That body, during the fourteen days it was in session, fully discussed the rights and grievances of the colonies. John Cruger, of New York, wrote a " Declaration of Rights;" Robert R. Livingston, of the same colony, prepared a " Petition to the King;" and James Otis, of Mas- sachusetts, formulated a " Memorial to both Houses of Parliament," all of which were adopted. The sturdy resistance of the Americans produced its effect in England. The Stamp Act was repealed on the i8th of March, 1766. The news caused great rejoicing in America. Congratulatory speeches, cannon peals, bonfires, and illuminations marked the pas- sage of the glad tidings from colony to colony. The delighted Americans in many ways gave expression to the joy of the hour. John Hancock opened a pipe of wine in front of his mansion on Beacon Street, Boston, and invited all to partake. The citizens quickly raised a fund and released every citizen confined in jail for debt. In New York all the bells jangled merrily, cannon boomed, CHAP. XXVIII THE COLONIES 403 and a royal salute of twenty-one guns was fired. The Sons of Lib- Period hi erty raised a tall pole in front of Warren Street, upon which was England •' ^ '■ AND FrANCB placed the inscription, — " His Most Gracious Majesty, George the Third, Mr. Pitt, and Liberty." It was decided to erect a statue of Pitt and an equestrian statue of the king. Both were set up in 1770. The former was of marble, and the latter of lead ! Six years later, the statue of the king was melted into bullets with which to fight his invading soldiers. America 1758 TO 1783 CHAPTER XXIX THE iVCTTERIXCS OF WAR [Attt/ioriiit's : The spirit of resistance, as will be seen from the present chapter, was soon now to take a determined form ; for, on the one hand, the king and his minis- ters stubbornly insisted on England's right to derive some benefit from her colonies ) while, on the other hand, the colonists as persistently held to the principle of no taxa* tion without representation, and upheld the rights of their own Assemblies. The results of the pending conflict will now be traced in the text as they successively developed themselves. The authorities, English and American, for the period are both historical and biographical. They include Green's " History of the English People;** Lecky's " England in the iSth Century ;" Lodge's "Short History of the American Colonies ; " Bryant and Gay's, Bancroft's, and Ilildreth's United States Histories ; Fiske'l "American Revolution;" Sparks's ""Washington;" I^Iorse's, McMaster's, and Parton't Lives of Benjamin Franklin; Tudor's "Life of Otis;" Coit Tyler's " Patrick Henry;" Hosmer's " Samuel Adams ;" and Morse's "John Adams."] More Oppres- sive Meas- ures HE rejoicing throughout the colonies over the repeal of the Stamp Act was not allowed to continue long The repeal was simply an act of expediency. England was as insistent as ever upon her right to tax the Americans, without allowing them a voice in the matter ; and even in the midst of the general jubilation there were many thoughful patriots who saw that the grave trouble was postponed only for a short time. England passed more oppressive measures, and the royal governors and her agents were ordered to enforce them. Since Boston was the hot-bed of the revolt, two regiments of British soldiers were brought thither from Halifax, by order of General Gage, the military governor of Massacnusetir Against the indignant remonstrances of the citizens, they were landed on the first day of October, 1768. Fauruil "ball CHAP. XXIX THE MUTTERINGS OF WAR 405 Governor Bernard had gone into the country to escape the resentful wrath of the people. The citizens had been ordered to provide quar- ters for the troops, and their officers now demanded thern. They re- fused, at which the officers blustered and made ominous threats. Then by force one regiment encamped in tents on the Common, Period 111 England AND Francb IN America 1758 TO 1783 OTIS AND THE COMMISSIONER while the other bivouacked as best they could. The night was cold, and the soldiers suffered so much that the people were touched with pity and Faneuil Hall was thrown open to them. Their presence, however, was a source of constant irritation. They were overbear- ing to the citizens, while the latter taunted them on the streets. Affrays were numerous and only a spark was needed to produce an explosion. Opposition to taxation without representation nerved all the Col» British Soldiers in Bos- ton 4o6 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxix England AND France America Period III oiiics to tlic polut of opcii resistance. Affairs in Boston grew more threatening. The eloquent Otis had been slandered in England by a commissioner, whom he took to task in a Boston newspaper. The 1758 two met in a coffee-house and the commissioner attempted to pull TO • 1 /-N • 17S3 Otis's nose. A fierce bout followed, during which Otis received so vicious a blow on the head from a heavy cane that it permanently affected his brain and destroyed his usefulness for the remainder of his life. Yet he lived to the close of the Revolution, pitied by all, and, in the spring of 1782, met death in a manner for which he had often expressed a longing: he was killed by a stroke of lightning.* The Bos- The first serious affray between the citizens of Boston and the sacre soldiers occurred on March 5th, 1770. There had been a number of collisions, and the town was in a feverish state. An officer was sauntering along the street, when a boy, pointing at him, called out that he was too mean to pay his barber for dressing his hair. A sentinel standing near the Custom House, overhearing the insult, ran out and knocked the boy down with the butt of his musket. The boy was not so badly hurt as to be unable to use his voice, and he emitted a series of yells which quickly brought a crowd to the spot. An alarm bell was rung and the excitement spread. The boy pointed out the soldier who had struck him, and the crowd began pelting him with snowballs and lumps of ice. He raised his musket and pulled the trigger, but the weapon missed fire. The crowd rushed at him and he ran to the Custom House, near by. Captain Preston, the officer of the day, sent out eight soldiers with unloaded muskets, but provided with ball cartridges. He himself accompanied them, ner- * James Otis [1725-17S3], the eloquent and impetuous leader of the patriotic party in the War of the Revolution, was born at West Barnstable, Mass., and graduated at Har- vard College in his eighteenth year. In 1746, he began the practice of law at Plymouth, and four years afterwards removed to Boston, where he became a law-officer of the crown, and ultimately Advocate-General of the Admiralty. In 1760, the British authori- ties put in force in the colonies what were termed "Writs of Assistance." giving power to customs officers to enter any man's house suspected of concealing smuggled goods. The legality qf the measure was challenged, and Otis, as shown, rather than defend the en- forcement of the writs, resigned his office and appeared for the people against their issu- ance and operation. Soon afterwards he was elected a member of the State Legislature, ind he at once made his mark as an influential speaker on the side of liberty, and elo- quently denounced British aggression on the rights of the people. In 1765, his own State (Massachusetts) sent him as a delegate to the first Continental Congress, where he became conspicuous as a leader and an impassioned orator, denouncing with telling effect the imposition of the Stamp Act and other oppressions of the Crown. We have seen, in the text, what unhappy circumstance brought on mental derangement, and how sad and calamitous was the patriot's enu. CHAP. XXIX THE MUTTERING3 OF WAR 407 England AND FranCB vous, but self-possessed, and it must be admitted that he showed Period iii commendable restraint. As the detachment approached, the citizens hurled snow and ice at them and shouted insulting epithets. Cris- pus Attucks, a muscular Nantucket Indian sailor, uttered a war- whoop and called on his companions to attack the soldiers, who, see- ing that a collision was certain, began loading their guns. The crowd pressed upon them from all sides, struck their muskets with clubs, America 1758 TO 1783 THE BOSTON MASSACRE and called them cowards for bringing arms against men who had no weapons. " Come on !" shouted Attucks to his friends ; " they d'arsen't 6re ! Knock 'em down ! Let's kill 'cm all !" Captain Preston begged the mob to refrain, but his appeal was vain. Attucks aimed a blow at Preston's head with his club, but the ■officer parried it by throwing up his arr^ It struck a musket, knockad it from the grasp of the soldier, who stooped at the same instant with Attucks, both seizing it together and wrestling vio- lently for it. "Why don't you fire? Will you wait till we are 4o8 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxix Period III England »ND Fkancb IN America 1758 TO 1783 Trial of the Sol- diers Settle- ment of the South- west killed?" shouted several persons behind Preston. The soldier just then, by a fierce wrench, twisted the weapon from the hands of At- tucks and shot him dead. Captain Preston, who had lost his pa- tience, neither ordered his men to fire nor to refrain. A half-dozen discharged their guns into the crowd, for their lives were in danger. As the frightened mob scattered, eight forms were seen stretched on the ground, w^hile three others were slightly hurt. Three were dead, and of the five remaining, two were mortally wounded. The soldiers were now thoroughly roused and would have fired upon the citizens, who ran forward to carry away the bodies, had not Captain Preston forbidden them. It seemed but a few minutes until news of the tragedy had spread from one end of Boston to the other. Although it was late at night, lights twinkled from every house, the alarm bells were rung, drums beaten, and men swarmed to the scene of the affray. Colonel Dalrymple promised the citizens that justice should be done in the morning, and gradually they returned to their homes. Meanwhile, Captain Preston and the eight soldiers were arrested, and the next day were charged with the crime of murder. It was not until au- tumn, when the excitement had considerably subsided, that the ac- cused were brought to trial before a court in Boston. The prisoners- were defended by Josiah Ouincy, Jr., and John Adams, both of whom were inspired by the highest of motives, though many of their coun- trymen censured them for their course. Robert Treat Paine, after- wards a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was counsel for the crown. Captain Preston and sLx of the soldiers were declared not guilty. Tlie others were convicted of manslaughter, branded with a hot iron on the hand in open court, and discharged. Something like a lull in the obnoxious legislation of parliament followed the Boston IMassacre and lasted for two years. During that period, the restless spirit of adventure led many Americans to cross the Alleghanies and explore the valleys of the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee rivers, while others penetrated the wilderness in the more southern portions of the Alisssissippi valley. Daniel Boone and his brother pioneers were traversing the Kentucky forests and opening the way for settlements, while James Robertson went to that part of Tennessee called Wautaga in 1770. He rode over the mountains from North Carolina to the Great Smokies, where he found that a few settlers had preceded him. He was so pleased with the DEFENDING A STOCKADE. CHAP. XXIX THE MUTTERINGS OF WAR 409 country that he returned to North Carolina, and in the following Period hi sorins: came back with fifteen families, besides his own. He was England ■t^ o andFrancb an enterprising man and formed a creditable government, which, six j^^^^^,^ years later, was organized into Washington county, as a part of North ^vss Carolina. The colony throve and was the first distinct body to move 1783 DANIEL BOONE into the wilderness and build dwellings for themselves and their families. The Indians resented this intrusion upon their lands, and what is known as Lord Dunmore's W^ar soon broke out. The decisive battle was fought at Point Pleasant on the Great Kanawha, October loth, 1774. The Shawanoes, the fiercest of the western tribes, were led by the famous chief Cornstalk, who brought more than a thousand war- riors a long distance through the forest with such stealth that none of Lord Dun- more's Wa- N. C. 41C HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxix Period III the whitcs kiicw that he was approaching the Great Kanawha until he England had arrivcd there. The Indians' line of battle was a mile long:. The AND France ° A.,]^,,-.. forces of the settlers were in number about the same as those of their 1758 enemies, and they fought for hours with only a few rods separating 1783 the lines. Cornstalk showed more skill than did Colonel Lewis, the commander of the whitcs, but the battle was a drawn one. In the night, however, the Shawanoes fled across the Ohio. Their loss was over two hundred, while that of the whites was one hundred and thirty men and half the commissioned officers. Some time later, a conference was held with the Indians and a satisfactory peace arranged. Battle of Governor Tryon ruled in North Carolina. He was a bitter royal- mance, ist, passionate and revengeful, wholly lacking in tact and generosity. Legislation in that colony became so oppressive that bands of Regu- lators * were formed and anarchy prevailed. A man named Husbands was imprisoned at New Berne and was released by these bands. Gov- ernor Tryon, with three hundred militia and several pieces of artil- lery, set out to punish the Regulators, and while encamped on the Eno received reinforcements. He also learned that other troops on their way to join him with ammunition had been routed by Regu- lators and the powder taken from them. Tryon pushed on to Ala- mance Creek, where he encountered those who deified the law. In the parley which followed, Tryon became angered at one of the Regulators, an old man, who came forward to meet him under a flag of truce. Snatching a musket from one of the soldiers, he shot the messenger dead. The Regulator bearing the flag of truce by a sharp dash reached his own lines without injury, although repeatedly fired upon. In the fight which followed, in INIay, 1771, nine of the mil- itia and twenty of those who sought to have the laws honestly exe- cuted were killed. This, in reality, was the first battle in our War for Independence. The commissioners of customs at Boston, in the summer of 1772, despatched the Gaspe, an armed British schooner, into Narragansett Bay to enforce the revenue laws. Governor Wanton, of Rhode Island, sent the high-sheriff on board the Gasp^ \\\l\y a demand upon * An organized rising of the people in North Carolina, who resisted the payment of taxes, and other extortionate levies, except those authorized and justly imposed by their own laws. CHAP. XXIX THE MUTTERINGS OF WAR 411 Lieutenant Dudingston to show his commission. That officer re- PerjodIii fused and was insolent and tlireatenino;. He ordered ships in pass- Kngland ing the Gas/>/ to lower their colors by way of salute, and when they failed to do so, he fired upon them. On the 9th of June, 1772, the packet HannaJi. refused to pay homage and the Gaspi gave chase. In the pursuit, the Gasp^x?ci\ aground and remained fast. Learning of her predicament, John Brown, a well-known merchant of Provi- dence, organized an expedition to destioy her. Eight boats, with America 1758 TO I7«3 THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH, BOSTON four men in each, under charge of Captain Whipple, were collected Destruc* at night, and as many more joined the expedition and were rowed with muffled oars to the stranded vessel. Seeing them approach. Lieutenant Dudingston ordered them to keep off, and, when they con- tinued to approach, he fired his pistol among them. Instantly a musket replied, v/ounding the Lieutenant, who was carried below. The Americans hoarded the vessel, and the crew were sent ashore the Gaspe' 412 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxix PekiodIii with their property. Then the Gas/>/ was set on fire and some hours Inglan-d later blew up. AND Fkance '■ A "^ This, it is true, was a high-handed act, and large rewards were America » ' o » o ^753 offered both by the governor and by the English government for the 1783 apprehension of the perpetrators ; but though the participants were well known to scores of people, no one betrayed them. In 1775, after the war with Great Britain had begun, there was no longer any need of keeping the secret, which became the property of all. Sir James Wallace was blockading Narragansett Bay, while WTiipple was in command of a small provincial naval force intended for its protec- tion. One day he received the following note : "You, Abraham Whipple, on the loth of June, 1772, burned his Majesty's vessel, the Gas/e, and I will hang you at the yard-arna. James Wallace." Promptly the following answer went back: •• Sir, — Always catch a man before you hang him! ABRAHAM Whipple." Resist- Since the Americans were striving for a principle, England was the" ax equally determined to enforce its asserted right to levy a share of on Tea ^]^q imperial burdens upon the colonies. Taxes were removed from all articles except tea, and the tax upon that was made so light that it could be bought cheaper in America with the tax than in England without it. Confident that the luxury would be purchased upon these terms, the East India Company filled several of their ships with cargoes of tea, and, in August, 1773, despatched them to Amer- ica, — one to Charleston, one to Philadelphia, one to. New York, and the others to Boston. All these places received notice of what was coming, and resoh-ed that the cargoes should not be allowed to land. The first public meeting to consider the matter was held in New York, October 15th, 1773. The " Mohawks," as the anti-tax citi- zens were called, organized and were soon ready for action. The vessel on her way to the city, however, was driven out of its course by a storm and put into Antigua for repairs. It did not arrive until April, 1774. When the Nancy appeared she was detained in the lower bay by pilots, and a vigilance committee took possession, until the captain agreed to return to England without breaking the pack- ages. The same course was taken in Philadelphia, while the cargo which reached Charleston was purposely stored in damp cellars where it soon rotted and became worthless. Boston was seething with excitement for days before the Dart' 414 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xx k Period III moutk with her cargo of tea reached that port. The town was pla- England carded with calls to the citizens to rise against tyranny, and numer- America ^^^ public meetings were held at which fiery resolutions were adopted ^758 amid wild cheering. Two other tea-ships soon arrived and were »783 moored alongside the Dartmouth at Griffin's Wharf. An immense assemblage gathered in and around the Old South Meeting House early in the evening of December i6th, i JJ^. Stirring" addresses were made by Josiah Ouincy and Samuel Adams. While the latter was speaking word was received that the governor, who had been asked to give his consent to return the obnoxious tea to England, would not allow any of the tea vessels to leave the port until their cargoes were landed. "Then," said Adams, "this meeting can do no more to save the country !"^ — implying that it could not now be saved to England. The Bos- These words it had been agreed should be a signal for the action ton Tea . . ° Party that had been previously discussed. A man in the gallery, painted and dressed like an Indian, gave a war-whoop, which was answered by others, and instantly a rush was made for Griffin's Wharf. The " Mohawks" seemed to spring from the ground, and running to the pier swarmed aboard the ships. In the space of three hours 342 chests of tea were burst open and their contents emptied into the bay. Sixty men were engaged in the work, many of whom were not disguised. There was no disorder or shouting, and when the " Boston Tea Party " had concluded their operations the multitude separated to their homes.* The news of this daring act reached England in the following January. As may be supposed, it caused much indignation, and Parliament retaliated by passing the Boston Port Bill, wdiich closed the port of Boston to all outside trade until the people had paid for the tea destroyed. It also passed a bill to regulate the government of Massachusetts, which took the right of * The determination to prevent the bringing of tea into the country was not confined to the ships sent by England. The Pfggy Sfcwart, owned by a merchant of Annapolis, Rid., sailed into that harbor, October 19th, 1774. The citizens notified the owner that the tea must be sent back to England. He refused, whereupon a party took possession, and placing a torch in the hand of the owner, compelled him to set fire to his own vessel and its cargo. The act was done openly and the ship and cargo were burned to ashes. The obdurate owner was never able to obtain redress. In 1890, the Maryland Society selected " Peggy Stewart Day " as the date of its annual meeting. The destruction of the ship and tea was celebrated with considerable ceremony so hite as 1894 — a hundred and twenty years afterwards. C0PYRI'~.n1 1896, FROM THE ORIGINAL DRAWING BY H A. OGDEN DELEGATES LEAVING CARPENTER'S HALL AFTER A SESSION 4*6 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxix Period III nomination to certain important offices from the people and gave it England to the govcmor, and forbade the assemblinof of citizens to discuss AND France o ' " York City had elected a committee of one hundred, which asked Con« America -^ *758 CTCss for direction, when news reached New York that a British TO ° 17S3 regiment was on its way thither from Ireland. Congress told the committee to allow the troops to land, and to live in barracks, but The not to permit them to fortify the city. Congress advised further, tions of that General Wooster be invited to come from Connecticut, with his Con- resfiment, to aid in defending the city, should it become necessary, gress & » o y » J This advice was followed, and General Wooster encamped on the Harlem, and took active measures to guard Long Island against Brit- ish foragers and cruisers. Some time after this, President Randolph was called to Virginia, where he had been elected speaker of the House of Burgesses, and John Hancock was chosen to succeed him. Then Congress addressed itself to the still higher duties which now confronted it. General Artemas Ward was universally respected for his good qualities, but it had become apparent to all that he was too old and timid and too Arrival deficient in military genius, to be the commander of the forces that °i.?°^®' were now concentrating at Boston. Generals Howe, Clinton, and Clinton, end Bur- Burgoyne had arrived at that port, and it was evident that Great goyne gj-itain was making formidable preparations for conquering her colo- nies. Since the war had assumed, or would shortly assume, a conti- nental character, it was necessary that a general-in-chief should be chosen over all the armed forces. As a first step. Congress voted to raise an army of twenty thousand men, and to issue three million dollars of paper ynoney, for carrying on the war. Thomas Johnson, of Maryland, at the suggestion of the New England delegation, nominated George Washington commander-in-chief of the Conti- nental armies.* Washington was so agitated that he arose and hur- * Space may, pardonably, be taken up here, to quote the eulogistic characterization Green, the English historian, passes upon Washington, in his thoughtful and impartial chapter on " The Independence of America," in his" History of the English People." ** No nobler figure," writes the historian, " ever stood in the forefront of a nation's life. Washington was grave and courteous in address ; his manners were simple and unpretend* ing ; his silence and the serene calmness of his temper spoke of a perfect self-mastery. But there was little in his outer bearing to reveal the grandeur of soul which lifts his figure with all the simple majesty of an ancient statue out of the smaller passions, the meaner impulses, of the world around him. ^Vhat recommended him for command was simply his weight among his fellow-landowners in Virginia, and the experience of war which he had gained by ser\-ice in border contests with the French and the Indians, as well as CHAP, XXXI. EVENTS OF 1775 439 ried out of the room. He was distrustful of his own ability and at first refused the ofifice, which was offered unanimously. But having . '^-N, & ^ "^^^ST^." >^ .^. Period III England AND Francb m America 1758 TO 1783 Appoint- ment of Wash- ington as Com- mander- in-Chief NOMINATION OF WASHINGTON AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF been urged upon him, he, with that high sense of duty which always guided him through life, modestly accepted th e appointment, and in Braddock's luckless expedition against Fort Du Qnesne. It was only as the weary "tght went on that the colonists discovered, however slowly and imperfectly, the greatness 440 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxi Period III henccforward consecrated his life and his energies to the service of England his COUntrV. AND France ■' _ ,,.,,.,. . "» A few days later, four major-generals and eight bngadier-gener- America * 1753 als were appointed. The former were: Artemas Ward, Charles 1783 Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Israel Putnam. The latter were: Seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, William Heath, The Ma- Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, and Nathaniel Greene. ^Briga- It was resolved to issue a sum not exceeding $2,000,000 on bills of dier- credit. The rude plates were engraved by Paul Revere and printed als on paper so thick that the British called them "the pasteboard money of the rebels." New issues were added from time to time, so that, at the close of 1779, the total amount in circulation was $242,000,000. They rapidly depreciated, until before the close of the war, when they became practically worthless. At the opening of the summer of 1775, the Continental forces at Cambridge numbered sixteen thousand New Englanders. General Ward was the commander, while the British army, continually in- creased by new arrivals, included ten thousand well-disciplined troops, under exjierienced officers. Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne were there, all forming plans for the overthrow of the rebel forces. Strength While they were scheming and doing nothing, they awoke to the fact Rival that the American batteries at Dorchester Heights in the south, or on Charlestown Heights in the north, were likely to make their situation soon untenable. They therefore decided to fortify the heights themselves, and thus avert the peril which threatened them. The Provincial Congress had delegated discretionary powers to the Committee of Safety, the members of which, on learning of the intention of the enemy, determined to fortify Bunker Hill without delay. An order was issued on the i6th of June for the parade of a of their leader, his clear judgment, his heroic endurance, his silence under difficulties, his calmness in the hour of danger or defeat, the patience with which he waited, the quick, ness and hardness with which he struck, the lofty and serene sense of duty that never swer\'ed from its task through resentment or jealousy, that never through war or peace felt the touch of a meaner ambition, that knew no aim save that of guarding the freedom of his fellow-countrymen, and no personal longing save that of returning to his own fire- side when their freedom was secured. It was almost unconsciously that mer. learned to cling to Washington with a trust and faith such as few other men have won, and to re- gard him with a reverence which still hushes us in presence of his memory. But even America hardly recognized his real greatness while he lived. It was only when death set its seal on him that the voice of those whom he had served so long proclaimed him ' the man first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.'" Forces CHAP. XXXI EVENTS OF 1775 441 large force in camp at Cambridge, at six o'clock in the evening, Period iil with intrencliing tools. These men were placed under the command of Colonel William IVescott, of Pepperell, who received orders from General Ward to proceed to and fortify Bunker Hill on the Charles- town peninsula. After prayer by Dr. Langdon, president of Har- vard College, this force, accompanied by General Putnam, and num- England AND France IN America 1753 TO 1783 ISRAEL PUTNAM bering about thirteen thousand men, at nine o'clock the same even- ing, marched over Charlestown Neck and towards Bunker Hill. They moved silently, for it was necessary to keep their intention from the enemy. On the road a consultation was held, and it was decided that, since Breed's Hill was nearer Boston, it would be better to fortify that first. Thither the men made their way and at once began work. All through the gloom of night the patriots Breed's Hill For- tified 442 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxi Period III Enguwd AKO France IS America 1753 TO IT? -5 Success of the Ameri- cans Battl of Bunk r HiU plied pick and shovel, and so near the ships-of-\var that, when the waning moon rose at midnight, they were in plain sight and the voices of the sentinels were heard as they repeated the hourly ''All's zi'illf" At daybreak, on Saturday, the 17th of June, the amazed enemy saw a redoubt, at the intrenchments of which the patriots were still busily toiling. The ships opened fire on them, but they continued their labors without harm. \Mien General Gage learned what had been done, he called his officers togethi r for council, and a decision was at once reached that the Americans must be instantly dislodged. Accordingly, about twenty-five hundred troops, including infantry, grenadiers, and artil- lery, with twelve pieces of cannon, passed over the Charles River in boats and landed at the head of the present Chelsea Bridge, near the eastern extremity of the Charlestown peninsula. WTien the British troops reached this point, it was a little past noon, and Howe allowed his men to dine, while he sent to Boston for reinforcements. Meanwhile, Prescott, having completed the work, and seeing that he was about to be attacked, asked General Ward for additional troops, and, with some reluctance, Ward sent the New Hampshire regiments of Stark and Reed, with several small field-pieces. A few other de tachments came up, and with them Dr. Joseph Warren, who had just been commissioned major-general. It seemed as if all the people of Boston, on that calm summer afternoon, were crowded on the roofs, steeples and balconies, breath- lessly watching the thrilling sight. It was half-past three o'clock, when the British force, now increased to 3,000 men, with Howe's huge guns, advanced towards the redoubt and opened fire. The troops followed in two columns, under Howe and Pigot. The guns on the ships, and the battery on Copp's Hill, joined in the cannonade, but produced little effect. Amid the crash and roar, the Americans remained as silent as the tomb. " Don't fire till you see the whites of their eyes," was the order that had been passed along the lines When that moment came, the single word "FIRE!" was shouted, and fifteen hundred muskets outflamed with such terrible effect that whole platoons were mown down, as if by a herculean scythe. The shattered army, in response to the call of the bugles, now retreated to the foot of the hill. There Howe rallied and re-fomied them and repeated the attack, receiving the same crushing repulse as before. So many shots were tired from the houses in Charlestown, that, by COPVRIGHT 1896. FROM THE ORIGINAL DRAWING BY H. A. OQOEN THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL 444 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxi Period III England AND France IN America 175S TO 1783 Defeat of the Ameri- cans Wash- ington Assumes Com- mand the order of Howe, it was shelled by the battery on Copp's Hill. The town caught fire and the thick smoke shrouded Breed's Hill, until swept aside by a strong breeze. Howe with some difficulty rallied his men for a third attack, and General Clinton hurried over from Copp's Hill with a considerable force and joined him. The British advanced at quick step, and under orders to use only their bayonets. These, aided by the artillery, drove the patriots from the breastworks into the redoubt. A murderous fire was again poured from their centre, but this abruptly ceased. The ammunition of the Americans was exhausted, and after a desperate hand-to-hand strug- gle, they were driven out, fleeing towards Charlestown Neck, where approaching reinforcements had been checked by the enfilading fire from the enemy's vessels. Almost the last man to leave the redoubt was General Warren. He was fighting heroically, when an English officer, who recognized him, seized a musket from a soldier and shot him dead. Among the slain on the British side was Major Pitcairn. The total loss of the enemy in killed, wounded and prisoners, was ten hundred and fifty-four : that of the Americans four hundred and fifty. The British occupied the field until the next morning, when they were taken over the water to Boston. The Americans, after running a gauntlet of fire from the vessels, passed the night on Pros- pect Hill. Six days after Washington's appointment to the command of the Continental armies, and, without waiting to visit ]\Iount Vernon, he set out to assume command at Cambridge. His companions were Generals Lee and Schuyler. At Trenton, they met a messenger ridmg ir hot haste, with the news for Congress of the battle of Bunker Hill. Washington made particular inquiries, and was greatly relieved to learn that the militia had fought with so much bravery. The commander-in-chief received proper honors and attention at New York and other points on the way, and arrived at Cambridge on the afternoon of July 2d. The next morning, he appeared with his suite under a large elm-tree, at the northern end of Cambridge Common, and, while the forces were drawn up in line, he stepped forward, drew his sword, and assumed formal command of the army. Washington began preparations at once for pressing the siege of Boston. Adjutant-General Gates reported nearly seventeen thou- sand men enrolled, with about fourteen thousand fit for duty. Soon afterwards, Daniel Morgan, with his famous riflemen from Maryland, CHAP. XXXI EVENTS OF 1775 445 Virginia, and western Pennsylvania, joined the army. These troops Period iii were disposed of with excellent military skill. The army was arranged in three grand divisions, consisting of two brigades each. The right wing, under General Ward, was stationed at Roxbury; the left, under General Lee, occupied Winter and Prospect hills ; while the centre was commanded by General Putnam. Strong lines of intrenchments connected the extremities of the army. England AND Francs m America 1758 TO I7S3 WASHINGTON TAKING COMMAND OF THE ARMY The British intrenched themselves on Bunker Hill, with their sentries upon Charlestown Neck. A 20-gun ship was anchored be- tween Boston and Charlestown, and floating batteries were moored in Mystic River. General Howe had superseded Gage, and, with most of his army, was on Bunker Hill, while a large number of Tories and a force of cavalry occupied the city. Thus matters substantially remained throughout the remainder of the year. It will be remembered that when the American colonies were fighting the battles of England, Canada belonged to P" ranee, and several invasions were made, the decisive campaign being fought on the heights above Quebec. Now that Canada belonged to Great Boston Be- sieged da 446 IIISTOliY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxi Period III Britain, the Anioriciins believed that an effective blow could be ^^AND^'^ struck by another invasion of the country. Indeed, as will appear ^AMEiJfcA' hereafter, this has been a favorite strategic measure, whenever our ■ Tcf country lias been at war with Great Eritain, though its results have — not always been gratifying to American valor. The colonies were hopefulthatCanada would join them in astrugg'e for independence. Proposed j^^^ invitation was sent by Cono-ress across the border, nrsring: Il)e Invasion . ' o & ofCana- people to make common cause with us; but the response was not encouraging, and Sir Guy Carleton,* the governor, declared martial- law in Canada, sought the alliance of the Indian tribes, and prepared to invade New York, to recover the lake posts tliat liad been seized. Congress, in June, 1775, decided to undertake the conquest of Can- ada, which seemed an easy task, as it might have been had the in- vasion been prompt; but valuable time was frittered away. Ethan Allen was urgent for the movement as soon as Ticon- derogaf and Crown PointJ had been taken, and not doubting that it would be made, lie did not wait for formal authority. A company of his Green Mountain Boys captured Skenesborough (now ^Vhite- ^SirGuy Carleton, afterwards Lord Dorchester [i 724-1 80S], Governor of Quebec during the Montgomery-Arnold assault upon it, was an Irish officer in the English army, and first saw active service in the second siege of Louisbourg. He was wounded before Quebec in 1759, when in command of Wolfe's corps of Grenadiers. In 1772 he was raised to the rank of Major-general, and three years later was appointed Governor of Quebec. On the failure of the American invasion of Canada, Carleton issued from it and took possession of Crown Point. After a lengthened sojourn in England, he was appointed, in 1782, Commander-in-chief in America, as successor to Sir Henry Clinton and pursued a conciliator)' policy up to the evacuation of New York by the British troops. In 1 7S6 he was created Baron Dorchester and reappointed Governor of Quebec, a post he held almost continuously for ten years. On his final return to Engand, he was raised to the rank of general, but lived thenceforth in retirement until his death in 1S08. Carleton, though a strict disciplinarian, as well as an able officer, was amanof humane conduct, as his kind treatment of American pri.soners during the Revolution- ary War and his attemps to check the excesses of the Indian auxiliaries testify. t This historic fort, situated at the southern extremity of Lake Champlain, was built b}' the French in 1755; in 1758, the English were repulsed in an attack on it, and in the following year it was abandoned by the French. In the present cam- paign ( 1775), it was, as we have seen, taken b}' American arms, but two years later it was recaptured by Burgoyne, dismantled on his surrender, and in 1780 reoccupied by the Briti.sh. At the close of the war it was abandoned. X This fort, which came into the hands of the British in 1759, is situated on the west shore of Lake Champlain, about ninety miles north of Albanj'. It lies adjacent to the town of Ticonderoga, and is noted as the site of Fort Frederic, now in ruins, erected by the French in 1731. With its slender garrison, it was taken in May, 1775, as we have seen, by a detachment of our troops, under Seth Warner, forming part of the force with which Ethan Allen surprised Fort Ticonderoga. CHAP. XXXI EVENTS OF 1775 447 hall), at the head of Lake Champlain, with a number of prisoners, a Peeiodiii schooner, and several smaller boats. Benedict Arnold manned the schooner, equipped it with guns from Ticonderoga, and with the smaller boats sailed up the lake to attack the fort at St. John. After destroying several vessels and taking a number of prisoners, he set out to return to Ticonderoga. Meeting Allen, the two held a con- sultation, and Allen pushed on to occupy the captured fort, but with- England AND France IN America TO 1783 . CAPTURE OF ETHAN ALLEN Ticon- deroga drew before the approach of a superior force. Then followed a fatal delay by Congress before ordering the invasion of Canada. General Schuyler reached Ticonderoga on the 18th of July, and Affairs at found matters there in great confusion. Colonel Benedict Arnold ~ claimed command, by virtue of his commission from the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, and many of the Green Mountain Boys were so angered with him that they had gone home. Arnold was quarrelsome, overbearing, and heartily disliked, although his military skill and bravery are admitted. Complaint was made to -tlie body that had conmiissioned him, and a committee sent to Ticonderoga 448 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxi rERioDiii to inquire into matters ordered Arnold to submit to Colonel Hin- andFranck i''"'a»> then in command, or return to Massachusetts. Arnold, at this, America was thrown iuto a fury, and, swearing that he would be second to no ^^o man, threw up his commission and set off to Cambridge to lay his IZf? grievances before Washington. Meanwhile, General Schuyler learned that there were less than a thousand British regulars in Canada, that the peasantry were sup- posed to be friendly towards the Americans, and that no more favor- able time was likely to occur for the invasion of the colony. He therefore devoted his energies to organizing and drilling the soldiers at Ticonderoga with the view to invasion, but the task was a dis- couraging one. The men were mutinous and tried him sorely, so much so that the campaign was thereby seriously marred. Another cause of grave anxiety was the Indians. They had been tampered with by the English. Sir William Johnson, the British agent, was already winning over the powerful Six Nations and preparing for active measures against the Americans. Congress nominated Schuy« ler as head of the Indian Commission, and, to meet the responsible duties thus thrown upon him, he placed Gen. Richard Montgomery in command of the expedition for the invasion of Canada. Montgom* ery arrived at Ticonderoga on the 1 7th of August, and, with about Capture a thousand men, proceeded to Isle La Motte, to prevent a number of John vessels then building on the Sorel River, from entering Lake Cham- plain. Schuyler joined him early in September, but while in front of the fort at St. John he was prostrated by sickness and obliged to return to Ticonderoga, where he did the best of service by forward- ing troops and supplies to Montgomery, who at once invested St. John. The garrison was a strong one and made a brave defence; but on November 2d it was forced to surrender. While the siege was in progress. Col. Ethan Alien with a hun- dred recruits crossed the St. Lawrence to attack Montreal, but was defeated and made prisoner, with all his men. Allen was put in irons and sent to England by General Prescott, to be tried for trea- son, because of his daring capture of Ticonderoga some months before. He was closely confined, and, it is said, was treated with great severity until the spring of 1778, when he was exchanged. Having taken St. John, Montgomery now moved against Montreal. Carleton knew that he could not hold the fort against a determined attack, and therefore made ready to flee to Quebec with his gar* '^f^-' \\ if ' COPYRIGHT 18 SIGNING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE July 4th, 1776 CHAP. XXXI. EVENTS OF 1775 449 rison. Montgomery captured the flotilla bearing the garrison at the .nouth of the Sorel, but Carleton, by a secret flight at night, escaped to Quebec. Montgomery entered Montreal on the 13th of Novem- ber, and obtained a quantity of valuable supplies for his men. All that remained to secure the conquest of Canada was to take Quebec, and the brave Montgomery now addressed himself to that task.^ Period III England AND Francb IN America 1758 TO 1783 Capture of Mon< treal INVASION OF CANADA It will be remembered that Arnold had ridden off in anger to Washington, at Cambridge, with his complaint of ill-treatment at Ticonderoga. No one understood Arnold better than the com- * In whatever mood France accepted the loss of her Canadian colony in 1763, she had her revenge for the defeat at Montreal and Quebec, in the Revolution that had broken out in the English colonies on the seaboard, as Montcalm himself had predicted. In turn, however, France " reaped revenge's fitting harvest in her own Reign of Terror, and all the revolutions that have followed, ere she could acquire some capacity for self- government." Whether the lesson is forgotten or not, England, as it has been well said, "trained her children to deal even with revolution as freemen, and not as slaves broke loose." 450 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxi Period III England AND France IN America 1758 TO I7S3 Arnold's Expedi- tion Great Hard- ships mander-in-chief, and he commissioned him colonel in the Conti- nental army and placed him in command of eleven hundred troops, selected from those at Cambridge, to co-operate with Montgomery in the conquest of Canada. Washington was pressing the siege of Bos- ton and could ill spare the troops ; but he understood the importance of making the invasion of Canada successful. Arnold and his men sailed from Newburyport, about the middle of September, for a point on the Kennebec, opposite the present city of Augusta, Maine. The country was an unbroken solitude, with only a few Indians living here and there in the vast stretches of forest. The ascent of the river was begun by means of bateaux, but soon they reached falls and rapids, where it was necessary to take the boats and supplies around to the navigable stream above. The troops carried their provisions on their backs, and oxen drew the boats. The men labored through the swift current until a point was reached where they left the river, and pushed through dense forests and swamps to Dead River, on the watershed between the St. Lawrence and the Atlantic, along which they advanced until confronted by a high snow- capped mountain. At the base of this mountain, late in October, the troops went into camp. The weather was cold and every day it grew colder. The winters being severe in that latitude, the pros- pect before the invaders was a very gloomy one. ]\Iany of the men had deserted, while sickness was on the increase. It was thirty miles to the nearest tributary of the St. Lawrence, down Avhich Ar- nold had to voyage to Quebec. Before the march began, a cold, driving rain set in. The Dead River became a roaring torrent, filled with rushing trees and limbs, which overturned a number of the bateaux, and lost to the expedition so much provisions that the food saved was not sufficient to last a fortnight. Matters now assumed so grave an aspect that Arnold held a conference with his officers, at which it was decided to send the sick to Norridgewock, where Colonel Enos was with the rear division. Enos was ordered to hurry forward with provisions for fifteen days. Instead of obeying, he returned to Cambridge with his division. He was tried by court- martial for this act and acquitted, since it had become evident to Enos that nothing but disaster awaited the expedition ; but he was never fully restored to public favor. It would be hard to picture a more dismal, dispiriting, and de- pressing situation than that of Arnold and his troops. The driving CHAP. XXXI EVENTS OF 1775 451 rain changed to snow, the cold increased, and ice formed continually. Period 111 All the signs pointed to an early and rigorous winter, but the men ^^p'^^^^.^ resolutely pressed on. Often the only way by which the force could ^mewca make headway against the current was by wading in the freezing ^75^ water, waist deep, and pushing the boats in front of them. At 1783 last, after untold suffering and labor, they arrived at Lake Megantic and encamped on its bank, while Arnold with some fifty men, proceeded down the Chaudiere to the nearest French set- tlement for provi- sions for his com- mand. On the way they met with a stirring experience. They knew nothing about .the river, and had hardly launched their bateaux when the current whirled them about with such violence that the men were helpless. Plunging among the boiling rapids, three of the boats were overturned and shattered to fragments. The others, having moored in more peaceful water, were able to save the men thus flung into the stream. Now that the troops paused for rest, they heard a steady deep roar coming from a point a short way below them. They set out to FIRING ON THE FLAG OF TRUCE ANar- ro'w Es- cape 452 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxx; PsRioD III learn Avhat it meant, and to their astonishment found a high cataract England ovcr which all would havc plunged to certain death but for the mis- AND r RANCE . America ^'^P ^^'^"^icli had chcckcd them and which, therefore, proved a blessing ^75S in disguise. Embarking again, they continued their way down the 1783 angry stream, past rapids and falls, until they reached Sertigan, where food was obtained and sent back by Indians to the main command, which was in sore need of them. They had lost all their boats and provisions, had eaten their last dog some days before, and were now living on roots. Refreshed by the food brought to them, the army resumed its march towards the St. Lawrence. In Front By this time, severe weather had fully come. In the midst of a ° bec^' furious snow-storm, the troops appeared like so many spectres, on the heights of Point Levis, opposite Quebec. The town was thrown into a panic. The drums beat to arms, and the garrison hastily pre- pared to meet the attack, which they believed would be made with- out delay. Arnold was confident that a majority of the people in the town were so friendly to the Americans that they would make common cause with them as soon as they appeared before it. He was eager to cross the river, but the elements prevented. A storm of sleet held the Americans idle for four days. On the night of the 13th, over five hundred men crossed the St. Lawrence in canoes, and landing at Wolfe's Cove, climbed up the ravine, and at daylight stood in battle array on the Heights of Abraham, where Wolfe had attacked Montcalm sixteen years before. The Americans advanced towards the two gates opening upon the plain, and, halting, cheered vigorously, believing that the regulars would march out to attack them, when the citizens would rise and the invaders could rush in and take possession of the city. But the commandant was too prudent to incur any risk like that. He re- mained at his post, and if the people had any intention of rising, they The City were restrained through fear of the garrison. Arnold demanded the tnmied'to surrender of the city and issued several proclamations, all of which Surren- ^vere treated with contempt. Then alarming news reached him. der Carleton was descending the St. Lawrence with a large force of Indians and Canadians, and the garrison were preparing to march out and assail him with field-pieces. Arnold had no cannon, so he re- treated up the river to Point aux Trembles and there waited instruc- tions from Montgomery. That gallant officer had meanwhile not been idle. He had placed CHAP. XXXI EVENTS OF 1775 453 garrisons in the forts at St. John, and at Chambly, and, leaving Period hi Montreal in charge of General Wooster, he made ready to march England " -' AND France against Quebec. But the chief difficulty Montgomery experienced amITrica was to hold his men to their work. The enlistment terms of nearly ^758 •' TO all expired on the 1st of December, and they were already weary of 1783 their task. The soldiers refused to re-enlist, and day by day the force dwindled, while the reinforcements so urgently called for by him and Schuyler were not furnished by Congress. Montgomery Junctioo made the best arrangement possible with the men that were willing Korces to accompany him, so, leaving Montreal late in November, he joined Arnold at Point aux Trembles, on the 3d of December, and assumed at once command of the united troops. He brought with him a quantity of clothing, which was sorely needed by the suffering invaders, now less than a thousand in number. It seemed a grim farce for this weak force to lay siege to Que- bec, and we must admire the pluck displayed by the Americans. They appeared before the town on the 5 th of December, and the following morning Montgomery summoned Carleton to surrender. The flag of truce was fired upon, whereupon the angered Mont- gomery sent a threatening notification to the officer who had thus violated the rules of civilized warfare. Carleton refused to hold intercourse with his assailant, and the latter made ready for the assault. The weather was intensely cold, and the ground under the deep snow' was frozen like flint. Spade and pickaxe were useless, so Montgomery filled large baskets with snow, poured water upon this and then allowed it to freeze. In a short time he thus erected a gleaming embankment, several feet high, upon which he placed a bat- tery of six twelve-pounders and two howitzers. The shells from the a Futile several mortars which fell in the Lower Town set a number of build- Attack ings on fire. Then the cannon opened on the ice battery and sent the fragments flying. The crystal walls were soeedily demolished, and the American battery was forced to withdraw. By this time, Montgomery saw that his cannon could make no impression on the massive stone walls, and other means, he concluded, must be devised for capturing the city. His force was so weak that he decided to wait for reinforcements, but two weeks passed and not a solitary soldier appeared. The action of Congress was slow, and the anx- ious Schuyler had no money with which to obtain either men or sup- 30 454 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES ch^p. xxxi Period III EnclaWO ^ND France JN America 1758 TO 1783 A Dismal Christ- mas The Plan of Assault plies. He even used his own personal credit, but could not procure any recruits. Montgomery was thus left to help himself the best way he could. That officer had a task on his hands before which the bravest leader would have quailed. In a few days the terms of enlistment of the remainder of his men would expire, and there was little hope of holding them longer. Snow fell almost continuously, and then small-pox broke out and raged with fatal virulence. As if this were not enough, Arnold quarrelled with his officers, who became so incensed against him that they told Montgomery they would leave the service unless they were placed under another commander. Montgomery called all his tact and wisdom into play, and, by his kind, firm words to Arnold and his appeals to the patriotism of the others, healed their differences. It was a dismal Christmas which came to the su^ering troops, hundreds of miles from home, in a hos- tile country, shivering with cold and suffering w^ith hunger, but to their credit be it said they did not shrink from their duty. A council of war was held, at which it was decided that tw^o attacks should be mad'^; upon the city at the same time, — one under the command of Montgomery, and the other under the leadership of Arnold. While Montgomery was to effect the capture of the Cape Diamond bastion, on the highest point of the promontory, Arnold was to attack the Lower Town and burn the British stockade close by the river. No date w^as fixed, but it was agreed that the assault should be made 011 the first stormy night, which was certain to come very soon. Another snow-storm set in on the afternoon of Decem- ber 30th, and it was resolved that the attempt should be made that night. Desertion and sickness had reduced Montgomery's force to about seven hundred men, but he was still as resolute as ever. He energetically completed his plans, and, in the cold and darkness and storm, at two o'clock on the morning of the last day of the year, the troops were in motion. Colonel Livingston was to make a feint against the St. Louis Gate and set it on fire, while Major Brown was to threaten the ram- parts of Cape Diamond. Arnold was to lead three hundred and fifty men to attack and set fire to the works at St. Roque, and Mont- gomery, with the remaining troops, was to advance below Cape Dia- mond, carry the defences at the base of the citadel, and then push for- ward and join Arnold. If successful, this would give the assailants CHAP, xxxr EVENTS OF 1775 455 possession of the Lower Town, after which they would unite, destroy Prescott Gate, and dash into the city. The plan was good and well matured, and there is little doubt that it would have met with suc- cess, had not a deserter revealed the scheme to Carleton, who caused his soldiers to sleep that night on their arms. The darkness was so dense that it was necessary for the Ameri- cans to adopt some means of recognizing each other. To do this, a piece of white paper was fastened in front of each man's cap. In the face of the blinding sleet and hail, Montgomery led his men along the icy path at the foot of the acclivity until they reached a block-house below Cape Diamond. There was no sign of life there, and, believing that the garrison were unprepared, the impatient leader shouted to his men to follow him. But the traitor from the American ranks had done his work too well. A strong company were on the watch, with weapons ready, and the moment Montgom- ery's voice rang out in the storm and darkness, they opened fire with grape-shot. In an instant Montgomery, two officers, and ten men were killed. The remainder hurriedly retreated to Wolfe's Cove and made no further effort to reach the gate. Arnold at this time was fighting his way through snow-drifts on the other side of the town, which was in a turmoil. The bells were ringing, and drums were beating to arms, while above the din and tumult sounded the boom of cannon. Arnold, with the dauntless bravery for which he was noted, pushed on, forced by the circum- stances we have already explained to lead his men in single file. It was found impossible to drag cannon with them, and they were therefore left behind. The fighting had hardly begun, when Arnold received a severe wound in the leg and had to be carried to the rear. The gallant Morgan then took command, and, after desperate work, captured two batteries from the enemy. He was about to attack Prescott Gate, when the depressing news reached him that the troops stationed near one of the other gates had been made prisoners. De- spite the most determined fighting, and after severe loss, Morgan was compelled to surrender with four hundred troops. A force of reserves had meanwhile retreated and were soon joined by others who escaped. Carleton and Montgomery had previously fought side by side in the French and Indian War, and the former sent out a detach- ment to search for the body of his old comrade. It was found, with Period III England AND FraNCB IN America 175S TO 1783 Death of Mont- gomery Decisive Repulse of the Ameri- cans 456 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxi Period III England AND France IN America 1758 TO I7S3 End of kbe Inva- sion his brother officers, half buried under snow-drifts. All were rev- erently broutj^ht within the city and given burial. Nearly half a century later, the remains of Montgomery were brought to New York, and they now rest under a beautiful monument in St. Paul's churchyard, in lower Broadwa}'. It would seem that this ought to have been the end of the ill-starred invasion of Canada, marked as it was by disaster almost from the beginning. But the remnants of the expeditionary force stayed behind until the following spring. By that time the folly of the whole expedition became so apparent that it was decided to leave the country. Before the sick could be removed, the English, who had been reinforced, sallied out from the gates and scattered the fugitive Americans in confusion. Carleton could feel only sympathy for his enemies. He knew their wretched plight, and humanely ordered troops to search through the woods for the wounded and helpless. All that could be found were brought in and treated kindly. Those that needed aid were sent to the hospital and told that they were at liberty to go to their homes, as soon as they felt strong enough to do so. Finally, the remnant of the shat- tered and dispirited army proceeded to the shelter of Crown Point, many of them dying on the way thither. Thus ends the sad story of the unfortunate Canadian invasion of 1775- COPYRIGHT 1896 FROM THE ORIGINAL DRAWING BY Wi P. SNYDEB THE DEATH OF MONTGOMERY CHAPTER XXXII EVENTS OF lyjd {DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE) \Atithorities : In May (1775), before the Battle of Bunker Hill, England had strength- ened her forces in America by despatching to Boston Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne,* with a considerable body of British troops and a contingent of foreign mer- cenaries, chiefly Hessians. The arrival of the latter naturally intensified the feeling of resentment in the colonies, and drew thousands into the ranks of the New England lev- ies, under Washington, Lee, Schuyler, Putnam, Nathaniel Greene, and other officers. With the Declaration of Independence, the conflict was fairly entered upon, though at first with dispiriting results, due partly to the ill-fortunes of war and the short term of colonial enlistments, and partly to jealousies and contentions among the commander-in. chief's general officers. With the capture of New York by the British, the fall of Fort Washington, and the consequent retreat through New Jersey, the situation grew more alarming, though it was at length relieved by the victories at Trenton and Princeton, which brought the first year's campaigns of the war to a triumphant and more hopeful close. The authorities for the period are those cited at the opening of the two previous chapters. For fuller details of the episode of Nathan Hale — the hero who at his death regretted that he had but one life to lose for his country — see his life by Stuart (Hart- ford, 1S56), and Lossing's *' The Two Spies : Nathan Hale and John Andre" (New York, 18S6).] jENERAL WASHINGTON was meanwhile press- ing the siege of Boston, but in the undertaking he was compelled to face every sort of discourage- ment. The terms of enlistment of all the troops would expire with the year, and unless the fates were more auspicious he was likely to be left a commander without an army. The men were ar- dently patriotic, but unaccustomed to bearing arms, or to be long absent from their homes. They rushed to battle in the flush of the first excitement, but, as the days and weeks passed, many •General John Burgoyne [1722-1792] son of Capt. John, and grandson of Sir John Burgoyne, Bt., purchased a lieutenancy in the Thirteenth Light Dragoons in 1740, CHAP. XXXII EVENTS OF 1776 459 BOSTON WITH ITS ENVIRONS IN 1775-1776 ,60 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxii Period III grew homesick. They had all hastily left their families and now felt England that they ought to look after those they loved. Some of them, more- MiD France . . America ovcr, chafed Under discipline, and but for the great tact of the com- *75S mander he would have been well-nigh helpless. He granted furloughs, 1783 listened patiently to their complaints, counselled them wisely, and showed a kindness and sympathy which won all hearts. The Congress saw the imperative necessity of preserving the Conti- Bolton i^cntal army intact. A committee was therefore sent to Cambridge to consult with the commander-in-chief, and together a plan was fixed upon which proved effectual. Among the disquieting things which the autumn brought to light was the fact that there were only about eight rounds of ammunition for each man. Had this become known to the British, they could have sallied out from the city and at once scattered the besiegers. But while no important movement was made by the Americans, Washington did not allow them to remain wholly idle. Now and then cannonading was indulged in, though little was accomplished. Several skirmishes took place, and Wash- ington strove to bring on a general battle. While not strong enough to make an open attack, he hoped the enemy would attack him, but Gac^e was too cautious to incur the risk. He resorted to the more and three years afterwards eloped with and married Lady Charlotte Stanley, daughter of the eleventh Earl of Derby. On the outbreak of the Seven Years' War, he obtained the lieutenant-colonelcy of the Coldstream Guards through his fanier-in-law's influence, and saw considerable service on the Continent, and was sent, later on, to Portugal, as brigadier- general, to assist the Portuguese against Spain. After his return to England he entered political life, and became an habihie of fashionable clubs and theatres, and for a time was a successful playwright, meanwhile holding several sinecure militarj^ appointments. In 1775, he was sent to America to reinforce General Gage at Boston, and in the follow- ing year was attached to the staff of Sir Guy Carleton, in Canada. With Carleton he saw some fighting in the Lake Champlain district, but returned to England later in the year to urge upon the English ministry an active campaign, directed from Canada, upon northern New York. The British authorities, impressed by the scheme, gave Burgoyne permission to engage in it, and in ^lay, 1777, on his return to Canada, he set out from Three Rivers, with a force of 7,000 men, to descend the waterways to the Hudson, and. in cooperation with Clinton's command which was to move northwards from New York. to seek to cut the colonies in twain. Neglecting to keep open his communications with Canada, and Clinton failing to form a junction with him, he was, as we shall presently see, surrounded at Saratoga and captured with his entire command. After this crowning disaster, Burgoyne obtained leave to return to England, where he had to face reproach *and attack, against which he defended himself in his " Narrative of the Expedition from Canada." For a time he again entered political life, and was, in 17S2, commander-in- chief in Ireland. His remaining years were spent in social success, and in indulging in dramatic writing, for which he had some gifts. He died suddenly, in 1792, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. See his " Life and Correspondence," by Fonblanque. CHAP. XXXII EVENTS OF 1776 461 childish course of indulging in threats, of sending out reports of the formidable reinforcements on their way to join him, and of what he would do when they arrived. He sent cruisers to attack the coast towns of New England, hoping thus to induce Washington to detach troops to their rejief. Among the towns burned was Falmouth, now Portland, Maine. In October, Gage was relieved of his command, on the ground of inefficiency, and General Howe assumed charge of the British armies in America. He treated the Whigs and suspected persons in Boston with great harshness, and threatened with death any who left the city without permission. As was natural, Congress and the country became impatient with the inaction at Boston. Months had passed since the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, and there was no substantial change on the part of the two armies confronting each other. None was more anxious than Washington to strike a blow, but as we have seen he was powerless. His army was fast dwindling, and those that were left suffered much from lack of food and clothing. Towards the close of the year, however, something like a reaction of patriotism happily set in. The regiments began to fill up, provisions were sup- plied, and an air of hopefulness now animated every one. As orga- nized, on the 1st of January, 1776, the new Continental army consisted of ten thousand men, though of this force a large number were still absent on furlough. It was at this time that a new flag was displayed, composed of thirteen alternate red and white stripes, as it is to-day, but the blue ground in the corner contained the united crosses of St. Andrew and St. George, instead of the stars which supplanted them. When it was unfurled in front of the army at Cambridge it was greeted with loud cheering. Not counting the marines on the ships of war, the British troops in Boston were about eight thousand in number. They made them- selves at home, with their riding-school in the Old South Church, and the theatre in Faneuil Hall, where one of their plays was founded on the supposed incidents in the siege of Boston, which, in the effusive British loyalty of the time, terminated with the over- throw of the Yankees ! Thus the weeks and months went by, with Washington grimly holding the British within the city, until the evening of March 4th, when the patriots took possession of Dorches- ter Heights, from which a cannonade was opened upon the enemy. Howe would have attacked the patriots the next day but a storm Period III England AND France IN America 1753 TO 1783 Appoint- ment of General Howe to Chief Com- mand The New Flag ^63 HISTORY OF T?IE UNITED STATES chap, xxxu Period III prevented. Washington continued to improve the time, and finally secured a position from which his cannon fully commanded the city. The alternative was now forced upon Howe of fighting or retreat- ing, and, seeing this, he began preparations for leaving the place he had occupied so long. The decision spread consternation among the Tories, who had good cause to dread the vengeance of the Whigs, towards whom they had shown great cruelty. They discreetly pre- ferred to go with the enemies of their country and did so. On the England AND Francs IN AUEKICA 1753 TO 1783 l; THE NEW FLACi Evacua- tion of Boston 17th of March, Howe and his troops embarked on board the war- ships and transports, one hundred and fifty in number, and sailed for Halifax, Nova Scotia, carrying with them more than a thousand "loyalists." Then Washington and his troops marched in and occu- pied the city amid the heartfelt rejoicings of the people. The event caused much gladness throughout the colonies. Both branches of the Massachusetts legislature voted thanks to Washington and the army, while Congress ordered a commemorative medal to be struck. CHAP. XXXII EVENTS OF 1776 463 This was produced in gold and bronze, and is now in the possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society. The evacuation of Boston by the British, however, did not mean that they had given up their intention of conquering tlie colonies. The next blow struck was against the South. Early in June, Admiral Parker, with twenty-five hundred troops, appeared off Charleston, South Carolina, with the intention of capturing the city. The people there expected him and made preparations for the strug- gle. General Lee had been sent thither by Washington, and his arrival was inspiriting to the patriots. The militia, at the call of Governor Rutledge, flocked in from the surrounding country, and Fort Sullivan was speedily strengthened by the mounting of thirty pieces of heavy ordnance. The fort was made of palmetto logs and manned by over four hundred men, under Colonel Moultrie. The British fleet, numbering nearly forty vessels, carried two hundred and sixty-two guns. The attack began about noon, June 28th, and lasted with slight intermission until nine o'clock in the evening. While the fight was raging, the people of Charleston, who were watching it with intense interest, were thrown into dismay by the disappearance of the flag. Their belief was that the fort had sur- rendered, but the flagstaff had been cut in two by a cannon-shot from the fleet. Hardly had it fallen, when Sergeant William Jasper sprang through an embrasure, picked up the flag, while the shot were flying round him, re-entered the fort, and, climbing to the parapet, set the sponge-staff to which he had fastened it, firmly in place. The British were defeated and withdrew. They lost considerably over two hundred in killed and wounded, while of the gallant defenders of the fort only ten men were killed and twenty-two wounded. In honor of the valiant commander, the name of Fort Sullivan was changed to Fort Moultrie. The enemy's fleet sailed to Long Island, where, after remaining a few days to repair damages, it joined the forces at New York under General Sir William and his brother Admiral Howe. , Washington, having driven the British out of Boston, now gave his attention to other threatened points. Some of his troops, as we have seen, went to Canada to help in the ill-fated expedition under Montgomery and Arnold, but a larger number were sent to New York and the neighborhood. It had been known that Sir Henry Clinton would sail from Boston with troops on a secret expedition. Period III England AMD Francs IN America 1758 TO 1783 British Attack on Charles* too Repulse of the British 464 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxii Period III England MiD VrAKCB IN America 1758 TO I7S3 General Lee in Ne^w York and Washington suspected that Kcw York ^vas his destination. Governor Tryon, the royalist ruler of North Carolina, had been sent thither by the crown and was ready to lead a demonstration in its favor. General Lee was recruiting at that time in Connecticut, and Wasliington ordered him to go to New York with his volunteers and there assume charge. He did so, and held the city with an iron hand. Sir Henry Clinton, however, who soon arrived with his fleet, EXPLOIT OF SERGEANT JASPER sailed southward to make his unsuccessful attack on Charleston. In June, General Howe * reached Sandy Hook with his recruited army from Halifax, and was soon joined by a large fleet, commanded by his brother, Richard, Earl Howe. Washington soon arrived at New •Sir William Howe (1729-1814). brother of Earl Howe, the famous British admiral who relieved Gibraltar in 17S2, served under Wolfe at Quebec, and was appointed major- general in 1777. He commanded the British forces at Bunker Hill, and was given the CHA?. XXXII EVENTS OF 1776 465 York and pushed forward the defences of the city. Fort Washing- Period in on was built on Washington Heights, the most elevated part of England o <^ ' i- andFrancb Manhattan Island, and strong batteries were constructed at other America points. The peril of the country was, however, at this juncture so ^758 imminent that the commander-in-chief went to Philadelphia to con- 17S3 suit with Congress. That body authorized the enlistment of a large body of men and in other respects followed the counsel of Washing- ton in preparing for the vigorous prosecution of the war. The deter- mination to gain their independence was rapidly intensifying throughout the colonies, where there had been many who were hesi- tating and doubtful. One of the most powerful agencies in the The Ser- growth of patriotic sentiment was an argument, written by Thomas xhomas Paine, "'^ the son of an English Quaker, who had lately come to Amer- Paine ica. The logic of the pamphlet was perfect, and it was effective chiefly in showing the true relations between England and her colo- nies. The legislature of Pennsylvania published and circulated the essay and presented Paine with the sum of five hundred pounds ster- ling, as an appreciation of his services in the cause of liberty. The first distinctive sign of the new-born resolution for independ- First ence was the recommendation made by Congress in May, that the Towards various colonies should form governments of their own, in place of Inde- . pend- those that had been overthrown. The advice was followed, and the ' ence colonies thereafter were known as States, On the 8th of June, a resolution v;as offered in Congress declaring the States free and independent. Virginia had been the first to instruct her delegates to vote for independence, and a committee of five was named to draw chief roramand three years later, on General Gage's departure for England. He con- ducted the withdrawal of the British from Boston in 177O, and in the following year gained the battle of Long Island, and occupied New York. In October 28, 1776, he won the battle of White Plains, and in the following month took Fort Washington. In the autumn of 1777, he was victor at Brandywine, entered Philadelphia, and repulsed Washington at Germantown. Being superseded by Sir Henry Clinton, in 1778, he re- turned to England, where, after submitting to a parliamentary investigation on his military career in America, which ended in his vindication, he was made a lieutenant-general in 1782, and general in 1786. In 1790, on the death of his brother, he succeeded to the peerage as Viscount Howe, and died in 1814. * This passionate pamphlet, entitled " Common Sense," was written by an English radical and deist whose reputation has now, for over a centurj', suffered in consequence of the infidel character of his "Age of Reason" and "The Rights of Man," the latter being a morally and politically disturbing answer to Burke's " Reflections on the Revo- lutions in trance." "Common Sense" is a strong, telling, though somewhat coarsely written, argument in favor of political separation of the colonies from the motherland, and for the founding of an American Republic. 466 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxii Period HI Up the declaration. This committee was composed of Thomas Jef- England ferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and William Livine:- MiD France ' j o o , '^ ston. Jefferson wrote nearly every word of the Declaration of America -' ■> •> ^75S Independence, but, as he was not a ready speaker, Adams did most of 17S3 the talking in its favor. Their work was finished June 28th, and the Declaration itself was adopted July 4th, 1776, — a day which. The Dec- doubtless, will be celebrated as our grandest and most joyous anni- oflnde- versary to the end of time. The immortal document was received pend- with bonfires, illuminations, and general rejoicing. It was read at the head of the army and nerved the patriots to pledge their " lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor," in the struggle for liberty and independence. All this was needed, for England was soon to put forth her utmost efforts to conquer her rebellious subjects. She had not only immense armies and fleets, but she hired over sixteen thousand Hessian troops in Holland to assist in the work of subju- gation. When the two Howes arrived at New York, they believed that a single campaign would stamp out all resistance. This belief would seem warranted, w-hen it is remembered that the British army far outnumbered that of the patriots, while the land force was supported by four hundred ships and transports, ten ships-of-the-line, and twenty frigates. With fifteen thousand men, Howe crossed to Long Island, where General Putnam, with five thousand poorly equipped troops, Defeat of was posted near Brooklyn, then simply a ferry station. Through Ameri- ^ blunder on the part of Putnam, his force was nearly surrounded cans on r ' j Longlsl- and routed towards the end of August, 1776. Three thousand Americans escaped to Brooklyn, where a fort had been built ; but the sluggish Howe lost all advantage by his tardiness. He spent two days debating whether to attack the fort or not. He believed, that the Americans would realize their hopelessness and surrender without serious resistance ; but a dense fog enabled W'ashington to withdraw the garrison to New York. liowe followed slowly with his immensely superior force, and Washington fell back, fighting both at Harlem and at White Plains, but with little advantage to either side. Reaching the hills east of the present town of Peekskill, he then turned about and faced the eneni)-. Howe refused, however, to attack an.] moved into New Jersey. Washington left a part of his army under General Lee, crossed the Hudson, and marched to Fort Lee. Fort W'ashington, on the north- CHAP. XXXII EVENTS OF 1776 407 ern end of Manhattan Island, was nearly opposite this fort and was Period hi garrisoned by Colonel Magaw, with nearly three thousand soldiers. England The fort was assaulted by the enemy, November i6th, and captured, after severe loss on the part of the assailants. Washington witnessed the disaster with deep distress, but just then he was powerless to help the assailed force. This defeat endangered the w4iole army. America 1758 TO 1783 INDEPENDENCE HALL RESTORED AS IN 1776 Washington left General Lee to hold the position at Peekskill, and Capture with five thousand men embarked on the Hudson and moved down eral to a point nearly opposite New York. Early in December, Corn- V^as. wallis crossed the river with a strong detachment, under orders from Howe to pursue and capture Washington, but the confident earl found the task harder than he had imagined. Washington had sent orders to General Lee to join him, but Lee purposely lagged, to that extent, indeed, that he was captured near Basking Ridge, New Jersey, as he 468 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxii Period III Engu\nd AND Franxe IN America 175S TO 1783 Dark Days of the Rev- olution Crossing of the Dela- ware by Wash- tngfton wished to be, since his heart had been with the enemy from the first, despite his boasted patriotism and seeming loyal service in the cause of independence. Those were the dark days of the Revolution. The Continental army was in rags, and half-starving. It was continually retreating, with the pursuers so close that they often exchanged shots with the American rear-guard. It was now winter, and the ground was covered with snow, and the weather bitterly cold. Many men were even barefoot and left bloody prints on the flinty roads, as they straggled southward. Hundreds, believing the cause of freedom utterly lost, made haste to accept the offers of the crown, and returned to their allegiance.* It seemed to Washington at this time as if his army would melt away before he could reach the Delaware River, and he would be left without a command. Congress abandoned Phil- adelphia and sought safety in Baltimore, first investing the com- mander-in-chief with almost supreme power. He, tower of strength as he was, seemed to be about the only person in the whole country who was not in despair. But the hero saw that something must be done to infuse courage and hope in the hearts of his countrymen. It was all important that he should strike a blow that would be a telling one, and he determined to do it. He had meanwhile crossed the Delaware into Pennsylvania and secured all the boats within reach, for fifty miles up and down stream. Cornwallis, on the other hand, had ceased pursuit and went into winter quarters at Trenton, Princeton, and other points in New Jersey, believing it unnecessary to give any further thought to the " ragamuffins," as he called them, On Christmas night, Washington recrossed the Delaware, about eight miles above Trenton, with twenty-five hundred picked men and several pieces of artillery. The weather was still bitterly cold and the air was full of cutting sleet. Dividing his force, the march was taken up for Trenton by two parallel roads, one along the river, and the other several miles inland. It was planned that the two divisions should reach the town at the same time, which was done. As one body of Americans was driving in the pickets on the * It was believed for a hundred years that among those who sought the protection offered by Howe, was Joseph Reed, Adjutant-General of the continental army, and a trusted friend of Washington. In 1876, however, Adjutant-General W. S. Strj'ker, ot New Jersey, discovered documentary proof that the officer referred to was Colonel Chanes Reed, of the Burlington militia. WASHINGTON'S ADVANCE UPON TRENTON. CHAP, xxxir EVENTS OF 1776 46Q Pennington road, they heard the guns of Sullivan near the river, who Period lit had attacked the lower part of the town. There were at the time one thousand Hessians in Trenton, under the command of Colonel Rail. On the night before, he was playing cards and drinking whiskey with Abraham Hunt, whose house he made his headquarters. In the midst of the game, a messenger appeared •England AND France IN America 1758 TO I7S3 SEE THE OLD CONTINENTALS, IN THEIR RAQQED REGIMENTALS" at the door and sent in a letter to the German commander. The latter shoved it into his pocket, intending to read it when the game was finished, but forgot to do so. Had he opened the letter, he would have found that it was from a Tory, warning him that the Americans were approaching the town. When Rail heard the rattle of musketry and the roar of cannon, he rushed out arJ made a brave effort to rally his men, but he was soon mortally wounded, and, after ci brisk resistance, his troops were forced to surrender, a few escap- ing in the direction of Bordentown. Supported between two of his men, Rail painfully made his way to where Washington was seated The Bat- tle of Trentoo 470 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxii Period III England AND France IK America 1753 TO 1783 The Turning Point of the Rev- olution The Bat- tle of Prince- ton Oil his horse, and handed him his sword, begging him to show con- sideration to his men. Washington called upon him, as he lay dying in the house to which he had been carried, and expressed his sym- pathy for his hapless condition. It seems odd to refer to the affair at Trenton as a battle, when the Americans lost but four men, two of whom were frozen to death ; but it was in reality one of the most important conflicts of the Revo- lution. By many it is considered the turning-point of the struggle. The blow fell so quick and so sharjD. and so brilliant and unexpected were its results, that it thrilled the country with new hope. Enlist- ments quickly increased, and everywhere there was a brightening of faces and a stronger resolve to win the cherished independence. Having taken his prisoners into Pennsylvania, Washington re- crossed the Delaware to Trenton. When this became known, Corn- walHs hastened to the town, and it looked as if the Americans were being caught in a trap, from which they could not escape. The river was so full of masses of ice, grinding and crushing together, that it was impossible to force a way through it again. In front was the superior force of Cornwallis, who w^ent to bed that night so sure of "bagging the fox" that he had made his preparations to return to England, where he expected to report that the war was ended. At nightfall, with only the Assunpink Creek flowing between the two opposing forces, Washington lit his camp-fires and kept them brightly burning and his sentinels pacing back and forth, as if all were in readiness for the events of the morrow. During the hours of darkness, however, he was marching silently by a roundabout course to Princeton, ten miles to the north. That town was held by three regiments of infantry and three troops of dragoons, beside which a large quantity of supplies and munitions of war were stored there. The rear-guard of the British army was at Lawrenceville, about half- way between Princeton and Trenton. The Americans reached the bridge at Stony Brook, three miles from Princeton, at sunrise. There they made a short cut, while General Mercer took possession of the bridge at the main road. The British forces, under Colonel Maw- hood, had just begun their movement towards Trenton, when they came upon the detachment under General Mercer at the bridge. . A sharp fire was opened between the two forces, when the British charged with the bayonet, of which the patriots were destitute. Gen- eral Mercer refused to surrender after being unhorsed and was 472 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxn Period III England AND France IN America I75S TO 1783 Wash- ington in Winter Quar- ters Nathan Hale the Martyr bayoneted, while his command Avas put to flight, but the enemy was quickly checked by the regulars under Washington, who exposed himself with great daring. The British opened with their artil lery and made a desperate effort to capture two cannon. Fighting fiercely, and with the aid of his bayonets, Colonel Mawhood forced his way to the main road and retreated towards Trenton. The Fifty- fifth British regiment was routed, and a part of the Fortieth took refuge in Nassau Hall, where it surrendered on the approach of the Americans. About thirty patriots were killed or wounded in the battle, while the enemy lost two hundred killed and two hundred and thirty prisoners. Cornwallis upon hearing the connonading made all haste to Princeton, but he arrived too late. Washington was already march- ing away from the town. Cornwallis, however, pressed the pursuit, but finding the bridge at Kingston destroyed, returned, afterwards making his way to Brunswick (now New Brunswick), to protect the valuable stores there. W^ashington withdrew to Morristown, where he went into winter quarters and remained until May. History affords no more touching story of exalted patriotism than that of Captain Nathan Hale, the "martyr spy of the Revolution." He was born at Coventry, Connecticut, in 1755, and was graduated at Yale before he was twenty-one years old. While at college, he was noted for his extraordinary athletic skill. One of his leaps on the New Haven green so far surpassed all others that for years it was in closed within boundary marks. He was in person handsome, and had a winning manner. He was teaching school at New London and pre paring to enter the ministry when news came of the battle of Lexing ton. He enlisted at once and persuaded many others to do so. The next morning he was on the road to Boston, and not long afterwards we find him a commissioned lieutenant in the regiment of Colonel Webb, which was employed in guarding the sea-coast in the vicinity of New London. Later on, the regiment joined Washington in the siege of Boston, and Hale became noted alike for his vigilance and his daring. Before the end of the year, he was promoted to a cap- taincy. His company in drill and discipline had no superior in the service. The terms of his men expiring shortly after the battle of Long Island, he gave up his own pay in order to persuade them to re-cnlist. In the spring of 1776, he led a small body of spirits as daring as himself, and in a small row-boat, and in the darkness of CHAP. XXXII EVENTS OF 1776 473 night, boarded and captured a British vessel, moored within a few Period in rods of a sixty-four-gun ship, held the crew prisoners in the hold, ^^f-'^^J* and brought the vessel to the wharf. The latter part of the summer of 1776, as has been shown, was a period of intense anxiety to Washington. The patriots had suffered a disastrous defeat on Long Island, and the main army had difficulty in escaping to Manhattan Island. The gloomiest period of the war America 1758 TO 1783 THE BATTLE OF PRINCETON was at hand. Desertions were numerous, food and clothmg were Anxiety , . , , . . . , , 1 T • r of Wash- scarce, and with the increasing sickness there was much dissatisiac- ton tion among the men because of the failure to receive their pay. The total army numbered hardly fourteen thousand men. Opposed to them was the British army of twenty-five thousand, in superb con- dition, under the command of Lord Howe. They were posted across East River, stretching from Bay Ridge eastward as far as Green- point, with posts at Bedford, Bushwick, and Flushing, and with their warships riding at anchor in New York Bay. Washington almost felt that the existence of his army and the success of independence 474 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxii Period III England amd fra.nce IN America 1758. TO 1783 Patriot- ism of Hale depended upon acquiring an accurate knowledge of the forces of Howe, their disposition, and, if possible, that leader's intended movements. There was but one way in which this could be done: by sending a spy into the lines of the enemy, in the person of a man bright, cool-headed, intelligent, alert, resourceful, and of dauntless courage, for, it may be said, the risk was so great that there was not one ch?.nce in ten of success. Colonel Knowl- ton, to whom Washington stated the case, agreed with him and set out to find the man. Selecting the most dar ing members of his regiment, he laid the matter before them and urged each to take the risk. Without ex- ception every one declined, until Cap- tain Hale was reached. He volun teered without a moment's hesitation, went to Washington, received his full instructions and set out upon his dan- gerous mission. He secured a school teacher's garb and left the camp at Harlem Heights. He made his way to Norwalk, where he took off his uniform and put on a brown suit and a broad-brimmed hat. A sloop took him across the Sound, and before it was daylight, he landed on the point of Great Neck, in Huntington Bay, which projects farthest into the water. He passed the day and night with Willliam Johnson at his farm near by, and then boldly entered the enemy's lines. What he did, where he went, what devices he adopted and what adv^entures befell him up to the time of his capture, of course, can never be known. He was absent two weeks, during which time it is known he visited all the encampments in and near Brooklyn. He passed the enemy's lines twice. W^hen his work was finished in New York, he crossed to Brooklyn, it is believed near South Ferry, and NATHAN HALE AS A SPY CHAP. XXXII EVENTS OF 1776 475 threaded his way through the lines to Huntington. Accounts differ Period iii as to the precise manner in which he was captured ; but the common England belief is that while he was sitting in widow Chichester's tavern, in Huntington, a Tory relative entered and recognized him. Hale was waiting for his comrades' boat and did not know his peril. The Tory .betrayed him to a British naval officer, whose vessel lay in Hunting- ton Bay. Hale walked down to the Point and seeing a boat approach- America 1758 TO 1783 THE CAPTURE OF NATHAN HALE ing stepped into the water to leap into it. At that moment, a British officer sprang up and ordered him to surrender, several marines at the same instant covering him with their guns. Hale started to run up the bank, when the officer called again to him to surrender. Look- ing back, Hale saw there was no chance of escape. He quietly walked back, stepped into the boat (which he had supposed was a friendly one, until the officer and the marines rose to view) and was rowed out to the ship Halifax. There he was searched and the fatal papers were found between the soles of his shoes. He was taken back to New York, where he arrived September Capture of Hale 476 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxii PERlr.I) III Englano AND France IN America 1758 TO I7S3 Brutal Treat- •nent of Hale Execu- tion of Hale 2 1st. On that day occurred a great fire, v.hich burned four hundred dwellings, from Whitehall Slip to Barclay Street. He was taken before Lord Howe, who examined the plans and memoranda found in Hale's shoes. The prisoner denied nothing. He said he was a cap- tain in Washington's army, had been in the British lines as a spy, did not desire a court-martial, and was sorry he had been prevented from getting the information gained to Washington. He was sen- tenced to be hanged on the following morning, and w^as at once de- livered over to the brutal William Cunningham, Provost-Marshal of the royal army in New York. This Cunningham, it is a relief to state, was himself afterwards hanged ; and the miscreant got his due, for he confessed that he had been accessory to several hundred murders. It was he who was responsible for the frightful sufferings of the Federal prisoners confined in the old Sugar House prison, in Rose Street, which was torn down only a few years ago. He threw Hale into a prison cell, refused to unpinion his arms, and cursed him when he asked for writing materials, a light, and a Bible. After- wards, however, an ofificer of Hale's guard interceded and secured these favors for him. Hale spent a part of the night in writing, — one letter to his aged mother, and the other to Miss Hannah Adams, of Coventry, to whom he was engaged in marriage. Then he read his Bible and gave his thoughts to the great change so close at hand. Cunningham entered the cell at daybreak and found Hale ready. He handed the Provost Marshal the two letters he had written and asked as a dying favor that they might be forwarded to their destination. Cunningham opened both, read them through, and then with an oath tore them in pieces and threw them on the floor. When afterwards asked why he committed this brutality, he replied that he did not wish the rebels to know that they had a man who could die with such firmness. While standing with the noose around his neck, Cunningham scoff- ingly told the prisoner that then was his chance to make his dying speech and confession. Plale gave him one look of dignified con- tempt, and with a depth of feeling and a touching pathos which melted several of the bystanders to tears, said, amid the awed hush : " My only regret is that I have but one life to give for my country." "Swing off the rebel!" commanded Cunningham. Half an hour later, ttie body of the martyr was buried, probably in a grave dug CHAP. XXXII EVENTS OF 1776 477 beneath the gallows, though it was unmarked, and its whereabouts Period iii has never become known. On the 25th of November, 1893, a statue of Hale was unveiled in City Hall Park, New York, with impressive ceremonies, in the presence of an immense assemblage. No wonder that more than one eye flashed with indignation at the thought that, only a few years England AND Franc* IN America 1758 TO 1783 THE HALE STATUE IN CITY HALL PARK, N. Y. before, a handsome monument had been erected in this country to Tributes the memory of IMajor Andre, an Englishman, who strove to overthrow Memory the cause of independence in this country, while this martyr, who °^ ^*'® gave his life for the sacred cause, sleeps in an unknown grave. The late Henry J. Raymond declared that Nathan Hale furnished the most conspicuous example of patriotism that the history of the Revolution has left us. " The equal of Andre in talent, worth, and 478 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxn AND Francb in America 1758 17S3 Period III amiable manners, and his superior in that final test of character — the England motive by which his acts were prompted and his life guided — he laid aside every consideration personal to himself and entered upon a service of infinite hazard to life because Washington deemed it im. portant to the sacred cause. Like Andre, he was found in a hostile camp; like hini, though without a trial, he was adjudged a spy, con- demned to death, and hanged." One of the most brilliant and stirring of American lyrics was inspired by this noble patriot's fate and sacrifice. It was written by Judge Francis M. Finch, whose 'The Blue and the Gray" is else- where quoted, and both as history and as poetry is well worth inserting here as a whole : • NATH.\N HAI.E. To drum-beat and heart-beat, A soldier marches by: There is color in his cheek. There is courage in his eye. Yet to drum-beat and heart-beat In a moment he must die. By starlight and moonlight. He seeks the Briton's camp; He hears the rustling flag. And the armed sentry's tramp; And the starlight aud moonlight His silent wanderings lamp. With slow tread and still tread, He scans the tented line; And he counts the battery guns By the gaunt and shadowy pine; And his slow tread and still tread Gives no warning sign. The dark wave, the plumed wave, It meets his eager glance; And it sparkles 'neath the stars. Like the glimmer of a lance — A dark wave, a plumed wave. On an emerald expanse. A sharp clang, a steel clang. And terror in the sound ! For the sentry, falcon-eyed. In the camp a spy hath found; With a sharp clang, a steel clang. The patriot is bound. With calm brow, steady brow. He listens to his doom; In his look there is no fear. Nor a shadow-trace of gloom; But with calm brow and steady brow He robes him for the tomb. In the long night, the still night. He kneels upon the sod; .And the brutal guards withhold E"en the solemn Word of God I In the long night, the still night. He walks where Christ hath trod. 'Neath the blue morn, the sunny morn. He dies upon the tree; And he mourns that he can lose But one life for Liberty: And in the blue morn, the sunny morn. His spirit-wings are free. But his last words, his message-words. They burn, lest friendly eye Should read how proud and calm A patriot could die. With his last words, his dying words, A soldier's battle-cry. From the Fame-leaf and .\ngel-leaf. From monument and urn. The sad of earth, the glad of heaven, His tragic fate shall learn; And on Fame-leaf and Angel-leaf The name of H.\le shall burn! BETSEY ROSS MAKING THE STARS AND STRIPES. (Adopted by Congress June 14. Mil.) CHAPTER XXXIII E VENTS OF ///z {BUR GO YNE ' S CA MPAIGN) \_Atttho7-ities : The present chapter fitly opens with an account of the origin and first flinging to the breeze on the field of war of the now glorious national emblem, which was soon, and in a notable degree, to be the augur of victory. Under the unfurled banner, the tide of fortune turned in favor of the Continental arms in northern New York, where the English general, Burgoyne, after repeated discomfitures, was forced to surren- der with 6,000 men at Saratoga. Gloom elsewhere was, however, falling on the country, as the result of Cornwallis' taking possession of Philadelphia and the victories of Howe at Brandywine Creek and Germantown. The prospect was nevertheless brightened by the continued successes of the United States flag at sea, and by the promised aid from France. The authorities are the same as those cited in the two previous chapters, to which maybe added .Burgoyne's Narrative of his Campaign; Beach's " Centennial Cele- brations of the State of New York " (Albany, 1879); Benjamin Franklin's Works; and, for a narrative of the naval successes of the year, Maclay's " History of the United States Navy."] |LD glory," the Stars and Stripes, was born on the 14th of June, 1777, on which day Congress patri- otically resolved : " That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white ; the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, presenting a new constellation." It has never been known to what influence we were indebted for the selection of the stars and stripes in our flag. Some have thought that the stripes were of Dutch origin, for they occur in Dutch armo- rial bearings, while others suspect that they were introduced as a compliment to Washington, on whose coat-of-arms both the stripes and stars appear ; but there is no tangible evidence that either sup- position is correct. The Father of his Country, nevertheless, had Birth 91 "Old Glory" 480 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiii PEKion^iii niuch to do with designing the first Stars and Stripes. It was he, andKrance assisted by a committee appointed by Congress, who directed the America preparation of the first design. They called upon Mrs. Elizabeth ^11^ Ross, in Philadelphia, some time between May 23d and June 7th, IZl^ 1777, with the request that she should prepare the €ag. Her house, 239 Arch Street, is, we believe, still standing at this vvriting. Wash- How the inrrtun had a rouirh draft, in which the stars were six-pointed. Mrs Flag^was t> o ^ x- Fash- Ross proved that five-pointed ones would look better, and her sug *°"^ gestion was adopted. She had the flag finished by the next day, and it was received with great admiration wherever displayed. She was manufacturer of flags for the government for many years, her chil- dren afterwards succeeding to the business. The flag of 1777 differed from that of to-day only in that it had but thirteen stars in the field, which were arranged in the form of a circle. The blue field, it is believed, was taken from the banner of the Scotch Covenanters, to signify the league and covenant of the united colonies against oppression, and symbolizing vigilance, perse- verance, and justice. Previous to this, the patriots had fought under a variety of flags. At the beginning of the Revolution, the standard of Great Britain was used, each colony adding some local design. Massachusetts used the pine-tree on her flags and coins, while the armed ships of New York flew a white flag, inscribed with a black beaver, an emblem that now figures on the arms of the State. Probably no colors were carried by the staunch old patriots at Lexington, but it was not long before they adopted a flag with the arms of Connecticut, bearing the motto : Q/n tmnsUilit snstijiet, The ^( y\q ^vho transplanted still sustains.") Tradition has it that at the Flags battle of Bunker Hill a large red flag w^as displayed with the defiant taunt, " Come, if you dare." A flag that was well known in those days was of blue, with a field of white, quartered by a red St George's cross. The " Grand Union Flag" was hoisted January 2d, 1776. Its field was composed of the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew, as shown on the British banner, but the fly was made up of thirteen stripes, alternately red and white. This flag was raised on the American camp at Cambridge, and was greeted with hearty cheers and a salute of thirteen guns. It was probably displayed also in the City Hail Park, Boston, July 9th, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was read in the presence of General Washington. CHAP. XXXIII EVENTS OF 1777 481 The two flags most used in colonial days ,were of the pine-tree and rattlesnake pattern. The pine-tree was taken from the flag of Massachusetts, and the motto, " An Appeal to Heaven," added to it. More famous was the rattlesnake flag, which originated with Franklin, twenty years before the Revolution, when he was editor of the Philadelphia Gazette. In an earnest appeal for a union of the colonies against the attacks of the French, he showed a wood-cut, representing a snake separated into parts, each part marked with the initials of one of the colonies, and underneath the motto : " Join or Die," or, " Unite or Die." The design came into general promi- nence later on, when it was divided into thirteen parts. On February 9th, 1776, Colonel Gadsden presented to Congress " an elegant standard, such as is to be used by the commander-in-chief of the American navy." It was -of a bright yellow color, the centre bearing the " lively representation of a rattlesnake in the attitude of preparing to strike." The motto beneath was : " Don't tread on me." Congress adopted the design, which was afterwards varied, the snake being used upon a field of thirteen red and white stripes, and also upon thirteen red and blue stripes, in which cases the snake was shown as "undulating across the field." The first independence flag displayed in South Carolina was at the taking of Fort Jackson, on James Island, September 13th, 1775. It was of blue, with a white crescent in one corner. This was the flag rescued by Sergeant Jasper in the attack of June 28th, 1776. The Stars and Stripes was carried in the battle of Brandywine, Sep- tember nth, 1777, eight days after the official promulgation of the flag at Philadelphia. One of the first conflicts in which it was dis- played was at the siege of Fort Stanwix, August 2d, 1777. There was no flag in the fort when the enemy appeared, but knowing the pattern adopted, one was constructed from the crude materials on hand. This interesting relic is now in the possession of Mrs. Abram Lansing, of Albany, N. Y., a descendant of General Gansevoort. The first British surrender graced by the Stars and Stripes was at Saratoga, October 17th, 1777. An important change was ordered by Congress, to take effect May I St, 1795. Then and after the flag was to contain fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, one of each to be added with the admission of every new State. The two were displayed because of the admission of Vermont and Kentucky. The Constitution, known as Old Iron- Period III England AND Francb IN America 1758 TO 1783 The Naval Flag An Im- portant Change in Our Flag 482 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiii Period III st'dcs, \vas the first ship to carry the fifteen-starred -and-striped ban- y^D*F^^NXE J^^r to sea under canvas. It soon became evident that, with the America continual addition of new States, the beautiful symmetry of the flag ^\^ would in time be destroyed. At the suggestion of Capt. S. C. Reid, IZl^ commander of the famous privateer General Armstrong, Congress, April 4th, 1818, restored the number of stripes to thirteen, and ordered that a new star should be added on the 4th of July succeeding the admission of every new State. The wife of Captain Reid made the first flag, with the old number of stripes, and with twenty stars arranged in the form of a large star. Although we are one of the youngest of nations, our flag is among Fi*^^^ f ^^^ oldest. The flag of Great Britain, as it at present appears, was Other adopted in 1801 ; that of Spain in 1785, while the tri-color of France, Na ions ^j^^ ^£ ^^^j^ white, and blue, took form in 1794. Portugal did not adopt its present flag until 1830, Italy in 1848, and the German Empire in 1871. Our banner, it may moreover be said, has been through more battles and has waved over more victories on land and sea than any other flag in the world. No European flag has had so many die in its defence. More than a million men have laid down their lives that " Old Glory" should float aloft, and millions more stand ready to-day to rush to its defence against assault from any and every quarter. Returning to our history of the events of 1777, the British gov- The ernment formed a plan for crushing the rebellion by means of the able Brit- ^nost formidable campaign that had yet been undertaken. This was ish Cam- to open communication between New York and Canada and cut off New England from the other States, by sending General Burgoyne, with seven thousand Hessians, including a corps of artillery, down the Hudson to Albany, where he was to be met by a large force from New York. At the same time, Colonel Barry St. Leger {saint led! jer) was to ascend the St. Lawrence to Lake Ontario and advance to Albany by way of the Mohawk River. At Crown Point, Burgoyne enlisted a large number of Indians, while St. Leger had other Indians and many Tories under his command. The convergence of these three armies would make an irresistible force, in the form of a vast wedge thrust between New England and the remaining colonies, per- manently separating them and insuring the conquest of the country; but what great events flow from slight causes ! One of the failures CHAP. XXXIII EVENTS OF 1777 483 in this great campaign was due to the blunder of a copyist. The campaign was planned in London, whence orders were sent out for the advance of Burgoyne's and St. Leger's forces from Canada. At first, Sir William Howe was simply informed of the plan, and was given discretionary powers. Then a despatch was drafted, ordering him to co-operate in the movement from New York. A clerk made a copy of the despatch for Lord George Germaine, but it was so care- lessly written, and contained so many erasures, that the minister angrily ordered him to make another copy free of mistakes. While he was doing so, Lord George went to his country seat, and was not on hand when the carefully written paper was ready for his signa- ture. It was laid away, and when the minister returned, it seems that he forgot about it. It was not sent to America for a long time, — and then too late to be of any service. Sir William Howe, being left with discretionary powers, confined his attentions to Washington's army near Philadelphia, and took no part in the co- operating movement with Burgoyne. The reason why Howe failed to send an army up the Hudson to Albany was a puzzle to the others who took part. Lord Germaine, conscious of his blame in the mat- ter, kept the secret, and it is only within the last few years that the true explanation came to light. While the armies of Washington and Howe were preparing for offensive movements, each sent out detachments to strike blows, as opportunity offered. The American General McDougall, stationed at Peekskill, burned the property there and retreated before the ap- proach of a strong force. General Lincoln, at Bound Brook, New Jersey, after the loss of more than fifty men, narrowly escaped cap- ture by a large body of troops, despatched by Cornwallis from Bruns- wick. Governor Tryon was, as we have seen, a bitter enemy to the cause of American independence. He urged the employment of the most ferocious and intractable of the Indians, in order to strike terror among the rebels. Nothing suited this brutal officer better than to harry the patriots in every manner possible. In the latter part of April, 1777, he sailed up the East River with a force of two thou- sand men, part of whom were Tories, and, passing through Long Island Sound, landed on the Connecticut shore and marched towards Danbury, where the Americans had collected a large quantity of stores. These were destroyed, the town burned, and the people Period III England AND Francs IN America 1758 TO 1783 The Re- sult of a Clerical Error Gov. Tryon'a Brutal- ity 484 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiii Period III England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 Gal- lantry of Arnold Daring Capture of Gen. Prescott treated with great cruelty. The militia flew to arms, and, under the leadership of Arnold, Wooster, and others, they attacked the invaders so impetuously that Tryon made haste to retreat before his escape should be cut off. Near Ridgefield, a sharp conflict took place, and General Wooster was killed. Arnold's horse was shot, and, as it fell, the rider's foot was caught in the stirrup and he was thrown with his steed. While he was trying to disengage himself, a Tory ran up to him with fixed bayonet. "Surrender!" he commanded ; " you're my prisoner." At this moment, Arnold freed his foot and sprang erect. " Not yet," he replied, levelling his pistol and shooting the Tory dead. Then the daring officer ran for the woods not far off. The bullets were whistling about his ears, and several passed through his clothing, but he was unhurt, and, plunging among the trees, was safe for the time. The gallantry shown by Arnold in this fight incited Congress to present him with a fine horse, in lieu of the one he lost, together with rich trappings for it, and it cannot be denied that he won the gift. The invaders lost three times as many men on this raid as did the Americans. Meanwhile, the latter indulged in a number of retaliatory raids. In the succeeding month. Colonel Meigs crossed Long Island Sound, with a hundred and seventy men in whaleboats, from Guilford, Connecticut, and burned a dozen vessels at Sag Harbor and took nearly a hundred prisoners, without losing a man. It was General Prescott, it will be remembered, who put Ethan Allen in irons and sent him to England to be tried for treason. This officer made his headquarters at the house of a Quaker, a few miles from Newport, Rhode Island, near the shores of Narragansett Bay. Lieutenant-Colonel Barton, of Providence, with several picked men, crossed the bay from Warwick Point in four small boats, passing stealthily among the British vessels without discovery, and made his way to the farmhouse where Prescott was staying. The night was dark, and, while most of the men stayed behind at a safe distance, the colonel, with several companions, including a burly negro, silently approached the house. A sentinel was seen at the gate, but he did not suspect danger, and was seized before he could give the alarm. Colonel Barton took the musket from his hands and told him that if he made any noise he would be instantly killed. Then they softly entered the dwelling. It was quite late, and the only person about CHAP. XXXIII EVENTS OF 1777 485 was the Quaker, who sat in his chair reading. He calmly surveyed Period hi his visitors as they gently pushed open the door and showed no sign engi.an» of alarm at the visit. ^ ^^,^«,^ "Where is General Prescott?" asked Colonel Barton, in a 1758 TO whisper. 1783 The " Friend" pointed upward, without speaking. Barton nodded UNLOCKING THE DOOR his head, and, passing into the hall, cautiously ascended the stairs, with the negro behind him. The door of Prescott's room was locked, and Barton stood for a moment in some perplexity. " How shall we get that open," he asked in an undertone, "with- out alarming him ?" "Does yo' want dat doah opened quick .^" whispered the grinning African. 32 486 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxm Feriod III England AND France America 1758 TO 1783 Ex- change of Gen. Frescott for Gen. Lee Move- •lents of Bur- goyne " I do, if it can be done." "Watch me." Stepping back a pace, the negro bent his head, and with one powerful thrust drove the door inward. Prescott leaped from his bed, startled by the shock, only to find himself confronted by Colo- nel Barton, with drawn sword, who announced that he was a prisoner. He was assured that he could save his life only by keeping still. He obeyed and soon after was landed at Warwick Point. Thence he was removed in a carriage to Providence, and finally sent to Washington, who was then in New Jersey, where he was exchanged for General Charles Lee. This daring exploit of Barton's received the tribute of a sword from Congress, together with a colonelcy in the Continental army. Meanwhile, Burgoyne's invading army * reached Crown Point and threatened Ticonderoga, where St. Clair was in command. The British force now numbered seven thousand men, and he had a con- siderable train of artillery. St. Clair's troops were a little over a third of those of Burgoyne, but he was hopeful of holding him at bay. He did so until the invaders secured command of his position, when he evacuated the fort, after spiking his guns. The Americans were hotly pursued and a number captured, but St. Clair, with nearly two thousand troops, reached Fort Edward. The loss of Ticonderoga, with close upon two hundred cannon * " The Historic Waters of Champlain," to quote the words of George William Curtis at the Centennial Celebration at Schuylerville, October 17th, 1S77, "have never seen a spectacle more splendid than the advancing army — the scarlet host of Burgoyne. The drums of the King's army \vere joyfully beating in the summer dawn ; the bugles rang, the cannon thundered, the rising June sun shone on the scarlet coats of British grenadiers, on the bright helmets of German dragoons, and on burnished artillery and polished arms. The trained and veteran troops were admirably equipped and commanded. . . . On the 1st of July, the brilliant pageant swept up Lake Champlain and the echoes of the mighty wilderness which had answered the guns of Amherst and the drum-beat of Montcalm, saluted the transports and gunboats that, led by a dusky swarm of Indians in bark canoes, stretched between the eastern shore, along which Riedesel and the Germans marched, and the main body advancing with Phillips upon the west. . . . To us, it is a picture. But to know what it truly was, let the happy farmer on these green slopes and placid meadows imagine a sudden flight to-night with all he loves and from all he owns, strug- ^ling up steep hills, lost in tangled woods, crowding along difficult roads, at every step expecting the glistening tomahawk, the bullet, and the mercies of a foreign soldiery. . . . V.'e come with song and speech and proud commemoration to celebrate the triumph olf this day (the surrender of Saratoga). Let us not forget the cost of that triumph, the in- finite suffering that this unc Hanging sky beheld ; the torture of men ; the heartbreak of women ; the terror of little children, that paid for the happiness which we now enjoy." CHAP, xxxiir EVENTS OF 1777 487 and a large number of prisoners, spread dismay through out thecoun- Period ID try, and Schuyler {s^y /cr) and St. Clair were strongly condemned by Englaii» those who did not wait to hear the particulars. They had done all .. '".^ ^ -' America that was possible, while Congress had failed to send the reinforce- *758 ments so sorely needed by the patriots. Washington, at any rate, «783 understood the situation, and he gave both officers and men credit for having done everything that lay in their power. He saw the need of checking the march of Burgo}'ne, and, though he could ill-afford to ^^' . tcmptSvO deplete his own army, he directed that a part of the troops then on Check their ^yay from New England to join him, should ascend the Hudson ^y^ ana give aid to Schuyler, who was at Saratoga when he learned of the disaster at Ticonderoga. He lost no time in hastening to Fort Edward, to bring together the scattered troops and oppose Burgoyne, who was issuing boastful proclamations and ordering the rebels to submit. When Schuyler had gathered every available man, his force was less than one-half that of Burgoyne, but with that he destroyed the bridges and placed many obstacles in the path of the invading army. Burgoyne advanced cautiously, for the British at New York were unable to send garrisons for the lake forts, and his own Indians were beginning to desert him. At Fort Edward occurred the touching episode of the death of Jane McCrea, which has been related hundreds of times, though the versions of the story have often lacked truth. Miss McCrea was a beautiful young woman, engaged in marriage to a member of Bur- goyne's army, and w^s visiting Fort Edward at the time of the ap- proach of the British troops. A party of Indians seized her, with the design of carrying her into the British camp on horseback. A squad of Americans started in pursuit, and upon coming in sight of the Indians, fired a volley, One of the bullets struck the young Death of woman and she fell dead 'from her horse. The Indians then scalped J*"® ^•* her and carried her luxuriant tresses into camp as a trophy. Her lover was so shocked when he learned of the occurrence, that he left the army, went to Canada, and lived thereafter a life of solitude. Slight as was this incident, when compared with the momentous events then taking place, it nevertheless made a profound sensation throughout the country, and was the cause of hundreds of young men flocking to the Continental army. Schuyler now determined to make a stand at Stillwater, w-here he had established a fortified camp and was receiving many recruits. 488 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiii Period III Encl.\md AMD Franch IN America 1753 TO 1783 Growing Weak- ness of Bur- royne Amer- ican Vic- tory at Banning' ton The panic caused by the evacuation of Ticonderoga passed, and a feeling of buoyant patriotism brought considerable additions to the ranks of the American army. Furthermore, it was apparent that Burgoyne was growing weaker. He w^as losing many men by deser- tion, while his base of supplies was so distant that his army began to suffer for food. The patriots, meanwhile, were gathering round him on all sides and harassing him continually, while with every mile he advanced southward his condition grew worse. Shicc it was as difficult to retreat as to advance, Burgoyne de- cided to strike a blow that would encourage the Tories, and enable him to procure horses and cattle, of which his command stood in great need. A strong detachm.ent of British Hessians, Canadians, and Indians, under Lieutenant-Colonel Baum, set out for Bennington, Vermont, and arrived there on the evening of August 13th. Baum saw so many Americans in the neighborhood that he sent back to Burgoyne for reinforcements. Two German battalions, with two can non, were despatched to his assistance, their advance being through a downpour of rain, which continued for twenty-four hours. While awaiting their arrival, Baum took up position on a hill, some miles west of Bennington, which sloped down towards the Walloomscoick Creek, where he threw up intrenchments. Colonel John Stark, a veteran of the French and Indian War, was at Bennington with a part of his brigade. He immediately sent to Manchester for the remnants of Col. Seth Warner's regiment, in camp there, and they marched through the same drenching rain which descended upon the reinforcements on their way to the assistance of Baum. The storm finally subsided, and the morning of August i6th was hot and sultry. At three o'clock in the afternoon, Stark divided his forces so as to attack, fi-om every side, the enemy on Walloom- scoick Heights. " There they are, boys," said Stark ; " we'll beat them to-day, or Molly Stark's a widow !" The impetuosity of the assault struck terror among the Indians, who broke through the American lines and fled to the woods. The fight continued for a couple of hours, when the enemy's ammunition failed, and they attempted to cut their way through the investing lines. Baum was killed, and all his men were made prisoners. At this juncture, the reinforcements from Burgoyne arrived, and almost at the same mo- ment Stark was joined by fresh troops. The engagement was im- mediately renewed and continued until sunset, when the enemy CHAP. XXXIII EVENTS OF 1777 489 retreated, leaving their artillery and wounded behind them. The Period iii victory was so complete that it greatly inspirited the Americans, England while it caused the gravest alarm on the part of Burgoyne, whose situation now became really perilous. ]\Iany more of his Canadians and Indians deserted him, and, for the first time, he saw starvation threaten his troops. While these stirring events were taking place to the east of Still- water, others hardly less important were occurring to the westward. America 1758 TO 1783 DEATH OF JANE McCREA Joseph Brant, the famous Mohawk chief, had made a visit to Eng- land and was presented to the King (George III.). He was treated with so much consideration that he promised to aid the English in conquering the colonies, and he kept his promise. Early in June (1777), the head of the Mohawks gathered his warriors about him and at once began offensive operations. Schulyer ordered Brigadier- General Nicholas Herkimer, in command of the Tryon County mili- tia, to check any movement on the part of Brant. Fort Schuylei Siogeef Fort Schuy- ler 490 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiii Period III received a strong garrison, which was soon besieged by St. Leger, England x\''ith a lar'^e forcc of Canadians, British, and Indians, together with AND Francs '^ » o AwH*RicA ^ number of Americans who still adhered to the fortunes of the Brit- '753 ish. Learning of this, Herkimer marched with a number of the TO . «783 militia to the relief of the fort. He sent word to the commandant of his intention, and a detachment from the garrison simultaneously sallied out and attacked the besiegers, who were routed and scattered in every direction, while a large amount of plunder was taken. One cause of his defeat was the absence of a considerable portion T)f the investing force, which had gone to meet Herkimer, and of whose approach they knew. At Orlskany, near Utica, Herkimer's militia were marching Bravery through the woods, when they were ambushed by the Tories and of Gen. . •' •' Her- Indians, who furiously assailed them. The rear-guard broke and ^™®' fled, but the remainder fought with the utmost bravery. The same bullet that killed Herkimer's horse wounded him mortally, but, the valorous old hero propped himself on the ground against his saddle, and, supported by the trunk of a tree, smoked his pipe, and gave directions as coolly as if he were on parade. A violent thunder- shower checked the fighting for a while, but it was soon renewed. Suddenly, the sound of firing caused by a sortie from the fort reached the ears of the Indians, who fled in a panic, quickly followed by the white men. General Herkimer was carried to his home, where he shortly afterwards died from the effects of his wound. The siege of Fort Schuyler was pressed ; but the garrison held out bravely. The prospect was so gloomy, however, that a messen- ger was sent to Schuyler begging for relief. That wise commander, though he saw the necessity of beating back St. Leger, in order to insure the impending victory over Burgoyne, could ill spare a man. He, however, called a council of war and recommended that relief be sent, though in this he was opposed by his officers, because, as they thought, they were not strong enough to check Burgoyne. The At this, Schuyler lost patience and declared that the relief should Fort be given. "Where is the brigadier who will take command?" he. ^ler^' ^'"^^^» look^ing round in the faces of the officers. Arnold promptly stepped forward and at once announced his readiness. Within the following twenty-four hours, eight hundred volunteers under this leader were marching westward. The manner in which the siege of Fort Schuyler was raised was not paralleled during the Revolution, CHAP, XXXIII EVENTS OF 1777 491 for it was daring and unique. The incident recalls an episode in the life of General Oglethorpe, which bore some resemblance to it. On his arrival at German Flats, Arnold found a Tory prisoner who had been condemned to death for some misdeed. He was a half-idiot, whose mother begged Arnold to spare his life. Arnold consented, on condition that the young man would do a certain thing* for him. The delighted fellow announced himself ready for an;/ task, no matter what it was. "You are to go," he said, "with a friendly Oneida Indian to the camp of St. Leger's warriors and make them believe that my army is twice as numerous as theirs, and that I am on my march against them, and that if they wait we shall kill every one of them." The prisoner eagerly pledged himself to do what was asked, and the piece of strategy was quickly arranged. Several bullets were fired through the clothing of the young man, and he was told to go. Away he sped at his highest speed, so that, on reaching the Indian camp, he was panting and almost exhausted. When the startled sav- ages looked at him for an explanation, he said he had just eluded the Americans, and showed the bullet-holes in his clothing as witness of his story. " They are like the leaves on the trees," he added ; " they will soon be here and all who stay will be killed." While the warriors were listening to these alarming words, the Oneida Indian dashed in among them from another direction, and with the same story. This was enough, and indeed more than enough. The Indians were so terrified that it was impossible for the officers to restrain them. They ran off pell-mell through the woods towards Oswego, quickly followed by the soldiers who shared the panic. Thus ended the siege of Fort Schuyler and the dreaded Indian invasion, without any fighting on the part of the Americans. The overtiirow of St. Leger was a heavy blow to Burgoyne, who saw his hopes of conquest daily vanishing. He felt that defeat was drawing near, and that his grand scheme of invasion which was to be a crushing out of the rebellion was likely to end in overwhelming dis- aster to himself. To General Schuyler, more than to any other man, was the present success of the American arms due. While prepar- ing to make his triumph complete, General Gates, however, arrived in camp with an order from Congress to supersede him in the command. This was a cruel blow to Schuyler, and unhappily it was the result of intrigue. Washington, when he was asked to appoint a successor to Period III England AND Francs IN America 1758 TO 1783 An In- genious Strata- gem Arriva4 of Gen. Gates 492 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STAl ES chap, xxxiii Period III Schuyler, propcrl)^ refused, and Congress then commissioned Gates JfoFK^cE and voted him all the aid for which Schliyler had so long asked in America vaiu. But thoiigh he felt the indignity, Schuyler was none the less ^11 a patriot. He received Gates cordially, and loyally volunteered to 17^3 give him all the help he could in conquering Burgoyne. Gates was tardy in his movements, and three weeks passed before he moved up the valley of the Hudson with his army of nine thou- Battle of sand men. Upon Bemis Heights, a short distance above Stillwater, Heights ^^ established a fortified camp. Burgoyne, whose army was reduced to less than six thousand, called in his outposts, crossed the Hud- son, and encamped on the heights of Saratoga. It v.-as as fatal for him to remain idle as to retreat, so, on the morning of the 19th, he advanced in three columns to offer battle. Gates showed such an indisposition to fight, that it pointed to a lack of personal courage. Arnold and the other officers, on the contrary, were so eager for bat- tle that it was hard to restrain them. In the severe conflict which ensued Arnold distinguished himself, and had Gates granted him the reinforcements for which he asked, he would no doubt have turned the right wing of the British army, but Gates was inexorable. As it was, the invaders would have been compelled to surrender but for the timely aid of their Hessian allies. After a lull, the battle was, however, renewed and with more fury than ever. A charge of the king's troops was repelled so fiercely that the enemy fell back. Arnold was at the side of Gates begging for reinforcements, but the commander stubbornly refused ; yet, as we shall presently see, it was Arnold's courage and skill which beyond question saved the Ameri- can army from disaster. Not less notable were the heroic efforts of others on the field. The gallant Morgan and his riflemen rendered scarcely less effective aid, and yet when Gates sent his official report of the battle to Congress, he did not mention the name of either officer. It was a pitiful example of meanness and jealousy. Seeing the great work that could be done by following up the advantage gained, Arnold urged that the attack should be renewed Timidity the next day, but Gates would not give his consent. Burgoyne, of Gen. Gates meanwhile, fell back a couple of miles and again threw up intrench- ments. While thus engaged, he was cheered by a message from Sir Henry Clinton at New York, who promised to cause a diversion by sending an expedition up the Hudson. Burgoyne, ever confident, replied that he could hold out until the 12th of October. But the CHAP. XXXIII EVENTS OF 1777 493 England AND FrANCB condition of the invaders rapidly grew worse. The Indians were Prriod hi continually deserting ; nearly a thousand sick and wounded were in the hospital ; the Americans were converging on all sides ; and the foraging parties came back empty-handed and often with many of their numbers missing. Volunteers, on the other hand, flocked to America 1758 TO 1785 GENeRAL HORATIO GATES the standard of the patriots, whose hopes now rose to the highest point. Arnold's impatience and quick temper led him to address a note to Gates, complaining of his tardiness, in which he used such plain words that the commander took offence. But the position of things with the British, who now set out to return to the lakes, was desperate. Burgoyne called a council of w-ar, which decided that the only thing to do was to fight. On the morning of October 7th, therefore, he advanced aganist the Americans. In the battle which followed, Bur- goyne's Desper- ate Posi- tion 494 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiii Period III Morgaii and his riflemen did fine service, but all the Americans A^DFiiTtt'cE ^^^^S^^ ^^'ith unsurpassed biavery ; so much so, indeed, that a cannon Am'e^rica ^^^^ taken and retaken fiv«: times. Finally it remained in the hands ^758 of the Americans, and was quickly turned upon the fleeing enemy. 17S3 Gates had deprived Arnold of a command before the battle, because of his impertinence, and forbade him to take part in any Arnold's fighting. Arnold, chafing and incensed at his forced inaction, lis- [w" ' tened to the sounds of the battle until he could restrain himself no longer. Then he leaped into the saddle and sent his horse flying into the thickest of the conflict. The indignant Gates ordered Major Armstrong to follow and bring back his insubordinate officer. He set off to do so, but Arnold, glancing over his shoulder and knowing his errand, quickly left his pursuer behind. The troops broke into cheers when Arnold placed himself at the head of his brigade and plunged with reckless bravery into the fight. Never did soldier fight more dauntlessly ! Ah, why did not some good angel, three years later, whisper into the ear of this man, and draw him back from the precipice over which he leaped to the uttermost depths of infamy ? The two leaders on the American side who performed prodigies of valor were Arnold and Morgan. On the enemy's side, fully as Defeat of brave and daring was General Eraser,*^ of the British army. His goyne voice and example thrilled his men to deeds of valor that compelled the admiration of his opponents. Mounted, in full uniform, on his noble gray charger, he was so conspicuous an object that an Ameri- can sharpshooter m the branches of a tree singled him out, and brought him mortally wounded from his horse. His fall caused a panic, and, at the critical moment three thousand fresh New York militia arrived on the field. Thr, British lines were broken and the troops retreated to their intrenchrnents, leaving their artillery behind * A pathetic interest attaches to the death of this gallant Scottish commander serving under Burgoyne. He belonged to the family of the Frastrs of Lovat. The chieftain of the clan, Simon, Lord Lovat, came to the block for complicity in the Scottish rebellion of 1745, and besides losing his head he lost his estates in the ill-fated Stuart cause. Gen- eral Fraser, who was heir to the estates that had become forfeit to the Crown, was, it is said, promised their restoration on the successful issue of the iJurgoyne expedition. His death on Bemis Heights extinguished all hopes of revoking the act of attainder in the interest of the Fraser clan. The lamented officer was buried early m the morning after the battlfe, when the conflict was resumed, and the chaplain who read the service at the grave was, with the officers who assisted at the obsequies, spattered with mud from the cannon-balls that at intervals fell about the group. CHAP. XXXIII EVENTS OF 1777 495 them. Arnold now led a charge against them. It was desperately . resisted, but nothing could stay him and Morgan's riflemen. When at last, Arnold drove the Hessians pell-mell before him, they fired a parting volley which killed Arnold's horse and inflicted a severe wound in the same leg that had been injured at Quebec. Then it was that Major Armstrong, who had been sent by Gates to prevent Arnold doing " some rash thing," managed to overtake the wounded hero and delivered the order for his return to his superior officer. Benedict Arnold won this great victory against the orders of the general in command, who, though he did not appear on the field of battle, received all the credit and glory. During the night, Burgoyne, with his whole army, retreated to a point a mile north of the intrenchments that were occupied by the Americans. He was naturally depressed, for he then foresaw the inevitable end. He had started out with bombastic proclamations and high-flown promises ; but all was to close in disaster and over- throw. After an unspeakably dismal march through a rain-storm, Burgoyne reached the heights of Saratoga on the morning of October lOth. The Americans followed, and the British commander then decided to continue the struggle no longer. The situation, he saw, was hopeless, for besides being hemmed in by the patriots, his army was on the verge of starvation. After holding a council with his officers, he sent a proposal to Gates offering to surrender. The terms were soon agreed upon, and the vanquished army laid down its arms in front of the present viJlage of Schuylerville. Burgoyne's Indian allies had fled long before.* The number of troops that now became prisoners of war was 5,791 officers andmen,f among whom were six members of the British parliament. Some of the trophies were a train of brass artillery, of the finest make then known, five thousand muskets, and an immense quantity of ammuni- tion and stores. The Americans treated the prisoners with great kindness, dividing their food with them, and showing them every con- sideration. Period III England AND France IN America I75S TO I7S3 Surren- der of Bur- goyne *The reason assigned for this desertion of the Indians is highly creditable to Bur- goyne. It resulted from the General's putting a check on the propensity of the savage allies of the British to scalp and plunder the unarmed, though it is known that Burgoyne himself urged the employment of the Indians as auxiliaries of the army. f Of this surrendered force, 3,379 were English and provincials, and 2,412 German auxiliaries. The strength of the American army at Saratoga on the day of the surrender was 11,098, of which 7,716 were regulars and 3,382 militia. 49^ HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiii Feriod III ENGLANn AMP Fkance IN America I75S TO 1783 Far- ceaching Results of the Victory The Treaty with France The capture of Burgoyne and his ami}- was the most substantial triumph that the patriots had thus far gained in the war. It spread dismay in England, where the resentment against Burgoyne was so deep that it was several years before justice was done him. The rejoicing and gratitude among the colonies were correspondingly great. The victory, moreover, was far-reaching in its results. In the autumn of 1776, Benjamin Franklin had been sent to France as commissioner of the United States to the French court, with Silas Deane and Arthur Lee as his assistants. The two latter gentlemcK had already been in Paris some time, but had effected little. A change, however, came about after the surrender at Saratoga. The appointment of Franklin was one of the wisest steps taken by our country. He was shrewd, patriotic, abounding in homely w'it, and withal a philosopher. The struggle for independence developed no finer or better equipped patriot than he. Dressed in his homely garb, with his genial humor and bright conversation, he quickly be came a fa\-orite at the gay court and W'on friends where we already had many ardent sympathizers. Early in 1777, the commissioners asked France to make a treaty with the United States for. their mutual benefit in peace ■ and war. Aid had already been furnished our country from the French arse- nals and public treasury, but it was done secretly. The king wished to wait until some substantial progress, some decisive advantage, was gained by the Americans, before he committed himself unreservedly in our favor, for in doing so he foresaw the certainty of a rupture with England. The surrender of Burgoyne afforded this excuse, and the important step was hence taken. One-third of the British forces in America had been either killed or captured, and France hesitated no longer to recognize our independence. The treaty was signed February 6th, 1778. France acknowledged the independence of the United States, and the two nations pledged themselves to make com- mon cause, each binding itself not to treat with Great Britain for peace without the consent of the other. This was the first treaty made between the United States and a foreign power. In addition, France agreed to send to our assistance a fleet of sixteen war-vessels, under D'Estaing, and an army of four thousand men. Great Britain, of course, at once heard of France's action, and now declared war against her, and invited the United States to help her. As an inducement, she offered to give everything that she had CHAP. XXXIII EVENTS OF 1777 497 refused three years before, including freedom from taxation, and ac- cording representation in parliament ; but the offer was too late. The Americans were firmly resolved on independence and snubbed the English commissioners sent to this country. It should be stated that since the ruling families in France and Spain were related, Spain joined France in the war against Great Britain in 1779, and Period III England AND Francs IM Amebic* 1758 TO 1763 GENERAL JOHN BURGOYNE Holland, for commercial reasons, united with those powers in 1780. Thus, as the war went on, Great Britain found her hands full. Let us now return to the progress of events in 1777. While everything had gone so well in the North, disaster and misfortune followed fast upon each other with the other portions of the patriot army. After his victory at Princeton, Washington withdrew to the heights of Morristown, where he spent the winter. His lines, fol- Disastei and Misfor- tune 498 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiii Period HI lowiiig the trend of the mountains, stretched from the Hudson to the England Delaware. At first the British line faced him, but in consequence ANu France ^ _ ^ '■ ^ America ^^ ^^^^ hostility of the inhabitants, the invaders gradually drew in ^758 around Brunswick and near Sandy Hook. Howe repeatedly tried to 1783 induce the Americans to come out, but Washington was too cautious. The British commander had his eye upon Philadelphia, but was afraid to march through New Jersey, lest Washington should attack him on the flank. Meanwhile, Sir Henry Clinton, w^hom Howe had left in command at New York, made several diversions in favor of his chief. Situ- ated in the Hudson Highlands w^ere three forts, viz. : Fort Constitu- tion, on a rocky island, opposite West Point, and Forts Clinton and Montgomery, on the west bank of the river, one on either side of a small stream. From Fort Montgomery the Americans had stretched a chain and boom across the Hudson to Anthony's Nose, to prevent Capture vessels from passing up stream. These forts \vere feebly garrisoned F rts^^on ^"*^ were under the command of General Putnam, whose headquar- the ters were at Peekskill. They were attacked by so superior a force High- that many of the defenders were captured and the remainder scat- lands tered. The chain and boom were broken, the Americans burning most of their vessels, to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy, who then devastated both shores of the Hudson. These events took place \vhile the campaign of Burgoyne was in progress, and the marauders were engaged in their work of destruction when the news of the British general's surrender caused them to retreat hurriedly to New York. Washington now marched to Philadelphia, expecting to meet the British south of that city. In the latter part of August, he learned Advance ^j^^^. Loj-d Howe's fleet, with his brother's army, was coming up 01 Wasn- . . ington Chesapeake Bay,, with the evident intention of attacking the city. Washington marched from Philadelphia on the 24th of August, and the next day was at Wilmington, Delaware, while the British troops were landing at the head of Elk River, a little more than fifty miles from the American capital. They numbered eighteen thousand well- equipped men, while the Americans had hardly eleven thousand, of whom a fifth were Pennsylvania militia. Washington marched beyond Wilmington and took up position behind Red Clay Creek. Sharp skirmishing followed, but Washington outgeneralled Howe and fell back to Brandywine Creek, which he crossed at Chad's Ford, posting CHAP. XXXIII EVENTS OF 1777 499 his army on the hills to the eastward. He displayed no little skill Period 111 in the manoeuvring and fighting which followed, but Sullivan, through England some misinformation, blundered, and the final result was a defeat of amIrica the Americans, with a loss t'«"* twelve hundred men. They therefore ^"53 retreated to Chester, and tht next morning (September 12th), Wash- 1783 ington proceeded to Philade.j hia, and encamped near Germantovvn. Congress, seeing that it woulc again be compelled to fly, once more invested the commander-in-ch :f with large discretionary power. He sought to bring on a battle, ' at the British eluded the Americans, Capture hurriedly marched to Philadelphia, and took possession of the vicinity delphia September 26th. Congress meanwhile fled to Lancaster, and after- wards to York. Washington and his army were at this time about twenty miles from Philadelphia, on Skippack Creek. On the night of October 3d, a stealthy march of fourteen miles was made to Germantown, where they attacked Howe's army at daylight. The whole region that morning was enveloped in a dense fog, but the Americans drove the British pell-mell before them. Howe hurried to the spot only to meet his panic-stricken battalions, A reat disaster was impending to his army, when unexpected assistanc came to it. A stone build- ing, known as Chew's House, was occupied by a strong force of the enemy, who turned it into a castle by barricading the doors and lower windows. From this fort, they kept up a destructive fire, and could not b^ dislodged. A long delay resulted from the attempt to capture it. The fog was so dense that men could not see each other a few paces apart ; the troops became bewildered, and the confusion was so great that the plans of Washington were disarranged. The Amer- Ameii- icans, as usual, fought bravely and were on the eve of a decisive vie- can Defeat al tory, when an alarm was created and a disorderly retreat followed. German- Washington and his Continentals finally took up their winter quar- towa ters at Valley Forge, on the Schuylkill, just above Norristown. The invaders marched into Philadelphia, where they held high revel dur- ing the terribly severe winter which followed, while the patriots shivered and starved at Valley Forge. And now it is necessary to relate some things which are anything but pleasant reading, to those, at least, who may have conceived the notion that the whole country was at the time aflame with patriotism ; that our soldiers in the Revolutionary war were always much braver than the enemy ; that everybody was honest, moral, and upright ; and 500 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiii PKRw^r. Ill that the Tories were few in number, and hardly dared show them- England selves except under the protection of the " red-coats." IN \Ye cannot c:ive too much glory to the patriots who won our in- 1753 dependence. They w-ent through every possible suffering; they 1733 starved, shivered with cold, and gasped with heat; the paper money in which they were now and then paid soon became worthless ; they tramped through the snow and over frozen roads often barefoot, and they fought, bled, and died with an almost unsurpassed heroism. While this is true, nevertheless it is a fact that, with all the sturdy patriotism, there was jealousy, dishonesty, trickery, meanness, and ^^*^.^^"^ demoralization, and that to a degree that alarmed all true friends of Truths ^ the country. While the wretched army of patriots were suffering at Valley Forge, Americans hoarded the necessaries of life and contractors became rich. Though days passed without any of the soldiers tast- ing meat, there was plenty of it for the invaders in Philadelphia. The farmers stole to the city with their choicest products, because they received British gold in pa}'ment. Washington was not the meekest of men, when the welfare of his soldiers was at stake. Having obtained authority from Congress, he seized provisions for his troops, paying therefor with scrip, and ordered all the farmers within a radius of seventy miles to thresh out one-half their grain by February ist, and the remainder by March 1st, under penalty of hav- ing it all seized as straw. The churlish farmers refused and burned what they could not sell, to keep it from the famishing patriots. Nor was this the worst that then happened. Men gave up their usual pursuits and plunged into speculation, stock- jobbing, and gam- bling; official signatures were forged; honest debts were repudiated; patriotism was scoffed at, until the disgusted and grieved Washing- Wash- ton wrote : " Idleness, dissipation, and extravagance seemed to have Di?ffust ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ most; speculation, peculation, and an insatiate thirst for riches have got the better of every other consideration and almost every order of men." Naturally the people were ardent at first, but many soon tired of the hardships and dangers of real war. During the retreat across New Jersey, it seemed as if every house had a piece of red flannel tacked on the front, as a sign that they were royalists ; not a hun- dred volunteers were picked up on that woful march; half of the Maryland militia sent to Washington's help just before the battle CHAP. XXXIII EVENTS OF 1777 501 of Germantown deserted; ^Yhen Philadelphia was in the hands of the Period iii enemy, and the province was overrun by the l^ritish, Pennsylvania had barely twelve hundred militia in service. In 178 1, one thousand soldiers perjured themselves to escape military duty, a number be- coming informers, spies, and guides for the enemy ; drunkenness and theft were common ; Whigs were accused of being Tories, so as to furnish a pretext for plundering their dwellings; officers stole England AND Franci IN America 1758 TO 1783 the money entrusted to them for the privates ; furloughs were AT VALLEY FORGE violated and duty neglected; long lists of the cashiered were sent to Congress, and Washing- ton wrote to one governor that the officers he sent him were not fit to be shoe-blacks. He told another that his officers, as a rule, were from the lowest class, and led their men into every kind of mischief. There were plenty of rogues among the surgeons, too, who took bribes to grant discharges and ate up the delicacies in- tended for the sick. The officers c^uarrelled about their respective ranks and positions. John Adams wrote in 1777: "I am wearied to death by the wrangles between military officers, high and low. They quarrel like cats and dogs." Even Washington did not escape envenomed personal attack. A 33 Quarrel- ing like Cats and Dogs 502 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiii Pekiod III bitter opposition against him developed. Congress was as exacting England as cvcr, and gavc little heed to his wishes. Benedict Arnold was iUiu France . . '^ the oldest brigadier-general and was not only entitled to promotion 1753 for his brilliant services, but was strongly recommended by the com- TO ■' -^ 1783 mander-in-chief ; yet Congress would not promote him. Stark re- sented a similar slight by going back to his plough, where he stayed until Bennington brought him to the front again. Gates was ap- Injustice pointed adjutant-general without consulting Washington, and the com- toWash- ^ . . , . , . , , jngton missary department was reorganized against his strongly expressed wishes. The department could not have worked more wretchedly. It was said that during the distressful march to Valley Forge, when half the men were barefooted, " hogsheads of shoes and stockings and clothing were lying at different places on the roads and in the woods rotting for want of teams, or money to pay the teamsters." Gates was so puffed up by his victory over Burgoyne, and by the flattery of his pretended friends, that he reported directly to Con- gress, instead of to Washington as was his duty. Had Gates trans- ported his army to Pennsylvania, as Washington urged him to do, there is little doubt that Howe would have been driven from Phila- delphia and the capital saved. Finally, a cabal was organized to dis- place Washington and place Gates at the head of the army. An Irishman, named Conway, who had been sent over from France by Silas Deane, was made brigadier-general by Congress. W^ashington distrusted the adventurer and protested against his promotion. Nevertheless, he was passed over his seniors and made first of all major-general and then inspector-general. Conway announced that all the disasters were due to Washing- Conwav ton's incapacity, and no success was likely until he was displaced by Cabal a competent leader. In the plot to remove him were Conway, Gates, Mifflin, and Gen. Charles Lee. They had many supporters in Con- gress, but,, happily, not as many as Washington had. Throughout the whole trying ordeal, that great and good man preserved his lofty bearing, and made no complaint. Treachery, ill-will, and open enmity could not chill his patriotism. In a letter to Patrick Henry, he wrote: " If the cause is advanced, indifferent is it to me where or in what quarter it happens." But the best men implicitly trusted Washington. They resented the plotting of the " Conway Cabal," one of whose chief supporters, Samuel Adams, dared not show him- self before the army. General Cadwallader challenged Conway to CHAP. XXXIII "EVENTS OF 1777 503 mortal combat, and wounded him so desperately that he did not believe he would survive, though he finally recovered. In the pres- ence of death, Conway wrote to Washington: "Sir: — I find myself jur,t able to hold my pen during a few minutes, and take this oppor- tunity of expressing my sincere grief for having done, written, or said anything disagreeable to your excellency. My career will soon be over; therefore, justice and truth prompt me to declare my last sentiments. You are, in my eyes, the great and good man. May you long enjoy the love, esteem, and veneration of these States whose -liberties you have asserted by your virtues." When Washington read this pitiful letter he said : " Poor Con- way! he never could have intended much wrong; there is nothing to forgive." The cabal, which was so discreditable to all concerned, soon fell to pieces, and the character of Washington shone out with renewed splendor. All saw that the hopes of the country were cen- tred in him, who formed the most striking example in history of the one " indispensable man" in the struggle for independence. Period III England AND France m America 1758 TO 1783 Wash- ington theCoun« try's Hope CHAPTER XXXIV EVENTS OF J/jS (WYOMING AND CHERRY VALLEY) Lafay- ette [Aii(/to>-!ties: Dark as was the era that now opens — with a dwindling, poorly fed, and ill-equipped army, and the country despairing and in financial straits — there were glimpse* of a brighter day to reanimate the spirit and rekindle the hope of the struggling and heavily beset nation. Washington, like the patriot and hero he was, strove to keep the army in good spirits and bear the burdens cast upon him until the time came when the righteous cause would triumph. Burgoyne's surrender, backed by American diplomacy at the French Court, did much to put the young nation again in heart, for at this juncture Lafayette, with other foreign officers, came upon the scene ; D'Estaing appeared in American waters with a French fleet, and the French treasury gave substantial aid to Congress in its sore financial need. The authorities for the season's campaigns, in addition to those previ- ously cited, are the Lives of Lafayette, Von Steuben, and the Mohawk chief, Joseph Brant (W. L. Stone's), and Headley's " Washington and his Generals. " For an ac- count of the Wyoming massacre, see Peck's " Wyoming, its History, and Incidents;" and, if allowance be made for poetic license and exaggeration, see also the poet Campj bell's "Gertrude of Wyoming."] IT is meet that mention should be made of a number of educated foreign officers who came to the United States and voKmtarily gave their services in our struggle for independence. The most prominent of these was the Marquis de Lafayette, a gallant Frenchman, only nineteen years old. He was of a noble family, married and wealthy, with brilliant prospects. Against the objections of his relatives, the protests of the British minister, and the orders of the king, he purchased a small vessel, fitted it out at his own expense, and, eluding the officers, crossed the Atlantic to America. Reaching Charleston, he hastened to Philadelphia and asked permission to serve without pay. A few days later, he made the acquaintance of Washington, and tU ttvii Cb>t;4>' WASHINGTON AND LAFAYETTE IN CONSULTATION. CHAP. XXXIV EVENTS OF 1778 505 a tender friendship was formed between them which lasted through life. Lafayette's valor won for him a commission as major-general before he was twenty-one. He fought valiantly at Brandywine, where he was wounded, but was active through the remainder of the war. Among other foreign patriots who joined our armies were Baron de Kalb, a highly trained German general ; Kosciusko and Pulaski, two Polish officers ; and Conway, an Irishman, who, as we have shown, became an enemy of Washington and joined in plots against him. These arrived in this country during the year 1777. One of the rnost valuable of our friends was Baron Frederick William von Steuben, who presented himself to Washington when the army was at Valley Forge. Steuben was a thorough soldier. He was born in a Prussian fortress, had passed his infancy and childhood among sol- diers, and himself became one when only fourteen years old. He took part on many great battlefields of Europe. On arriving here, he was made inspector-general, in place of Conway, and threw his whole soul into the work of training the army for the battles yet to be fought. He was a man of powerful frame, a rigid disciplinarian, with a fierce temper, which sometimes got the better of him. When he could not express himself with enough vigor, because of his slight knowledge of English, he would turn to one of his officers and beg him to swear at the stupid troops for him. But no one was offended, for all appreciated his worth and unselfishness. It was while Washington was at Valley Forge that Congress or- dered that the army should consist of 40,000 foot, in addition to artillery and horse. In May, 1778, our forces, including those on the Hudson and in other places, were hardly 15,000, those with Washington being about 12,000. At that period, the British had 30,000 troops in New York and Philadelphia, and 4,000 in Rhode Island. The British commissioners sent to this country to treat with Con- gress brought with them orders for the transfer of the army in Phila- delphia to New York, where it was decided to concentrate the forces. General Howe was superseded in the chief command by Sir Henry Clinton. War with France was now impending, and there was fear of a French fleet entering the Delaware and there shutting in the troops. Besides this, England meant to attack some of the French West India Islands, and with that end in view 5,000 troops were detached from the army, of which 3,000 were sent to Florida, Period HI England AND Francr IN America 1758 TO 1783 Other Foreign Patriots Dispar- ity of the- Forces 5o6 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiv Period III and the remainder to New York. Clinton had not enough transports to take his men to New York by water. He therefore shipped all he could, including a number of Tories, and set out with the others overland through New Jersey. Washington, who was expecting this, England AND France America 1753 TO 1783 entered Philadelphia with his vanguard on the same day (June i8th) that the British rear-guard marched out. The main army of Ameri- cans crossed the Delaware, fifteen miles above Trenton, on the 20th and 2 1st of June, and pursued the British with so much vigor that Clinton had to change his course, and took the road leading to Mon- mouth Court House and Sandy Hook. Washington, when he ascer- WASHINGTON AND LEE AT MONMOUTH tained this, sent forward Lafayette, followed by Lee, each with a strong force, with orders to attack the enemy whenever the chance presented, while he, a half dozen miles behind, held the main army in readiness to advance to their support. The heat in those midsummer days was frightful, many of the men in each army being overcome by it. On the 28th, Clinton was en- camped at Monmouth Court House, with his baggage train in front, Battle at and his most effective troops in the rear. Washington favored at- tacking the enemy while on the march, but Lee and several of the officers opposed this. Lee had five thousand men under him, ex- clusive of Dickinson's New Jersey militia and Morgan's riflemen, who were ordered to threaten the right flank of the British. The two armies were five miles apart. When Washington requested Lee to offer some plan of action, Lee replied that he must be governed Mon- mouth Court House CHAP. XXXIV EVENTS OF 1778 507 by circumstances, but he meanwhile edged a little closer to the Period hi enemy with a few hundred men. a^dFrancb At daylight, Clinton began his march towards New York. Knyp- America hausen, the Hessian leader, had charge of the baggage-train and its ^753 convoy, and Clinton with his best troops was to follow at eight 1783 ^'clock. Washington ordered Lee to attack at once, unless impera- GILBERT MOTTIER, MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE tive reasons prevented, and Washington immediately moved forward to his support. Lafayette was equally ardent, but being the junior, yielded the command to Lee, who rebuffed him when he proffered advice. Dickinson's militia made the attack a little before eight o'clock. Believing that he was confronted by the British army, he sent for reinforcements, but the troops in front formed a small flanking-party only, which fell back. The reports to Lee were con- 5o8 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxia^ Period III fusiug, and it \vas iiot kpiuwu until an hour had elapsed that the England enemv weic letreatin^T towards Middletown, when the chance of strik- AND France ■' ^ America 1758 TO I7S3 ing their left flank was thereby lost. Colonel Butler next drove some of the British cavalry through the village, after which he took up position on a slight elevation and awaited the other brigades. He was charged by the British light dragoons, who were, however, re- pulsed. Affairs now looked critical, when Lee ordered Wayne to MOLLY PITCHER " AT MONMOUTH march to the right and capture the British rear-guard. The other General officers, who had received no orders at all, mistook this movement Incom- ^°^ ^ retreat, for the enemy were threatening their communication petency with Wayne. They also fell back and had left their positions before a command reached them from Lee to stand fast. The whole divi- sion was in full retreat, observing which the enemy turned about to attack them. Lee watched the Americans until they had crossed a ravine, when he set out to follow them. CHAP. XXXIV EVENTS OF 1778 509 At this moment, Lee came face to face with Washington, who was in a terrible rage. Reining up his horse, he demanded in a voice of thunder what he meant by his action. Lee attempted some excuse, offering to talce charge of the troops and lead them again to the at- tack, but Washington closed his mouth by commanding him to go to the rear. He obeyed, humiliated, angry, and resentful. Lee was afterwards brought to trial by court-martial and suspended from all command for one year. He addressed so insolent a letter to Con- gress that he was dismissed from the service." Lee being out of the way, the battle began. The fighting was furious, many of the soldiers succumbing to the intolerable heat and dust. Lieutenant Colonel Monckton, of the Royal Grenadiers, was killed, his body falling into the hands of the Americans. Fortune wavered for a time, but when the fighting ceased, at five o'clock in the afternoon, the advantage was clearly with the Americans. Washington now impatiently awaited the breaking of day to complete his victory, but during the night Clinton stole away, and, reaching Sandy Hook, found Howe's fleet awaiting him. The troops arrived in New York on the 5th of July, while Washington, marching to the Hudson, crossed at King's Ferry and took up position near his old camp at White Plains. The battle of Monmouth had some striking features. In the first place, it was the only battle of the Revolution in which every one of the thirteen colonies had representatives among the patriot forces. One of the British grenadiers killed was the tallest man in the army. He was known as the " High Sergeant," and well deserved the name, for his stature was seven feet four inches. The name of " Molly Pitcher" is inseparably connected with the battle of Monmouth, and the scene which made her immortal is shown in bas-relief on the monument since erected on the battle-field. Molly, who was a wo- man of powerful physique, was engaged in carrying water from a spring for her husband, who was a cannoneer. The thirst of the soldiers was torturing, for the thermometer stood at 96° in the shade, and the patriotic woman was kept busy. While thus em- Period III England AND FrANCB IN America 1758 TO 1783 Victory of the Ameri- cans "Molly Pitcher^ * That Lee was a traitor to the cause which he pretended to support has been proved beyond question. Some years since, George li. Moore, LL.I).,of the city of New York, secured possession of the letter written by Lee while he was a prisoner, and ad- dressed to General Howe. It was penned March 29, 1777, and the offer of his services to the British commander was made in unmistakable terms. That they were not accepted was probably because Howe rated them at their true value. COPYfUGHT 1896. FROM THE ORIGINAL DRAWING BY J. STEEPLE 0AVI8 THE WYOMING MASSACRE CHAP. XXXIV EVENTS OF 1778 5»« England AMD Francs IN America 175S TO 1783 ployed, she saw her husband fall. She ran to his help, but he was Period lii dead when she reached his side. At that moment, an officer ordered the gun to be removed because he could spare no one to serve it. Molly asked that she might be allowed to take her dead husband's place. The officer assented, and she handled the gun with much skill and courage throughout the battle. She was presented to Washington after the victory, and he not only complimented her, ^but made her a lieutenant, while Congress granted her half -pay for life. In the city of Carlisle, Pa., is a plain stone monument, mounted on a pedestal, bearing this inscription : jSIollie McCauley. Renowned in History as Mollie Pitcher, The Heroine of Monmouth. Died January, 1S33, aged 79 years. Erected by the Citizens of Cumberland Co., July 4, 1S76. D'Estaing arrived in the Delaware with a French fleet on the 8th of July, 1778. Howe's fleet lay off Sandy Hook ready to co-operate with the army in New York. D'Estaing sailed thither to attack it, but the enemy's vessels were all in Raritan Bay, where the heavy French ships could not follow them, because the water was too shallow at the bar above Sandy Hook. Washington had sent Sulli- van to drive out the British force from Newport, and he asked D'Estaing to help in the enterprise with thirty-five hundred land troops. D'Estaing ran past the batteries near the entrance to Narragansett Bay, August 8th. Sullivan's army had been increased to ten thousand men by the addition of New England troops, and arrangements were made for the landing of the French forces on the loth; but, on the day before, Sullivan discovered that the British outposts at the northern end of the island had been aban- doned, and he crossed over from Tiverton. At this juncture, Howe's fleet appeared off Newport, and D'Estaing sailed out to ■attack it. A violent storm, however, came up and scattered both fleets. D'Estaing sailed to Boston for repairs, while Howe returned to New York. D'Estaing then came back to Newport. He had promised to land his troops after the engagement at sea to help Sullivan in his attack. Greene and Lafayette, who each commanded a division, visited him Arrival of the French Fleet 512 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiv Pbrk^ III on his flag-ship and urged him to keep his promise, but he refused ^aVKAscK ^"*-^ sailed away again. Finding themselves deserted by their French Awe'Iica ^^li^s, the New England troops returned home, and Sullivan was left 1753 with hardly six thousand men. Nevertheless, he at once attacked JTSj the enemy. Sharp fighting followed, and in one case an American regiment composed of negroes (who had been promised their freedom as a reward) repelled three fierce charges of the Hessians. The following day word reached Sullivan from Washington that Clinton was hurrying to that point with five thousand reinforcements and or- dering him to retreat at once. Contrary winds so delayed the Eng- lish vessels that the American army got safely away. Howe now sailed for Boston and challenged D'Estaing to come French ©ut and fight him. The Frenchman declined, on the plea that his Coward' ice vessels were not fully repaired. When nothing remained to be done, D'Estaing sailed for the West Indies, leaving the Americans to do their own fighting. Previous to this, the anger against the Frenchmen, because of their cowardice, was too strong to be re- pressed. Sullivan and Greene denounced their breach of faith, and the French officers were insulted on the streets of Boston. A brawl resulted one day in which one of the French officers was killed. While gratitude is due to France for her assistance to us in those trying days, it is not the less a fact that her troops gave us no help until the Yorktown campaign. Whenever they were needed, duty called them, so they said, to the West Indies, where there were colo- onies to defend against England. Nevertheless, France furnished us liberally with money and supplies. The Wyoming Valley is one of the most beautiful regions in Penn- sylvania, lying between romantic mountain ranges, and watered by 0niing the Susquehanna, which winds through it. Count Zinzendorf, the Valley devoted Moravian missionary, was the first visitor to the region, and he spent years laboring for the conversion of the Indians. The first name applied to the place was Westmoreland County, and it was claimed as a part of Connecticut under the grant of Charles II. About forty settlers from Connecticut made their homes in Wyom- ing, some twenty years before the breaking out of the Revolution. They prospered and increased in numbers, but were alarmed when they learned of the alliance between the British and the Indians. Most of the able-bodied men were absent in the Continental army, and the settlers repeatedly asked Congress to send soldiers to help in CHAP, xxxiv EVENTS OF 1778 513 repelling the attack that they knew would soon be made upon period in them. England AND France John Butler and his son Walter were prominent Tory leaders in , "* •' -"^ •' America northern and western New York and were as merciless as the most 1758 TO terocious of the Indians. The elder Butler, who was a colonel in 1783 the British service, formed a plan for the invasion of Wyoming, whose beauty and helplessness appealed to his brutal instincts. He Col. John was visited by Tories from that section, who showed him that the raid g ^ j-^. not only would yield much plunder but would be attended with little tion danger to himself. Calling a number of Tories and a large force of Wyo- Seneca warriors about him, he set out in the latter part of June on ming his errand of devastation and death. Colonel Zebulon Butler, a cousin of the Tory leader, happened to be in Wyoming, and assumed command of the old men, boys, and a few soldiers with which to defend their homes against the invasion. They took refuge in the structure known as '* Forty Fort," where the frightened women and children gathered and prayerfully awaited the issue of battle. Before the arrival of the enemy, whiskey was distributed among the de- fenders. In those days, as in still earlier Colonial times, drinking was more common than it is now, and the proceeding therefore was a customary one, but the sad fact has been established that some of the patriots drank so much that they were visibly affected at the very time when they needed full command of their faculties. The demand of the Tory Butler for the surrender of the fort was refused. Colonel Zebulon Butler was in favor of acting on the de- fensive, but the others clamored to be led against the invaders in the open plain, where the patriots would have to fight a foe three times as numerous as themselves, and with every advantage of position. Colonel Butler was overruled, and, much against his judgment, con- sented that the motley forces should march out and give the invaders battle. He placed himself at their head, declaring that he would go as far as any of them. The fight was well maintained for a time, and the defenders were encouraged by a fair prospect of victory ; but at the critical moment they were thrown into confusion by a mis- taken order, and a sudden charge by the Indians caused a panic. The This was the beginning of the cruel massacre which has made the name of Wyoming historic. Colonel Zebulon Butler found it im- possible to rally his men, of whom four-fifths were cut down while fleeing from their foes. The women and children, seeing the dread- 33 Mas- sacre 514 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiv PXRIOD III EnGLj^ND (WO France IN America 1758 TO 1783 The "Shades of Death" Strange Escapes ful disaster that had overtaken their defenders, fled to the woods and mountains, while others flocked to the post known as Fort Wyo- ming. This was held by Colonel Denison, who, under the pledge of Colonel John Butler that none of the people should be harmed, sur- rendered. A large number of the garrison and scores of women and children were tomahawked. Many who knew what the result of submission would be, preferred to face any peril rather than trust themselves to the mercy of either the Tories or the Indians. Plunging into the woods, they hurried towards the settlements on the upper Delaware. Some succeeded in reaching Stroudsburg and other points, but having had no time to- make preparation for flight, many perished in the solitudes of Pocono, while others died from hunger, insomuch that the wild region has ever since been known by the gruesome designation of the " Shades of Death." Deeds too frightful for description were enacted among those that were left behind. During those hot July days and nights the air was heavy with the smoke of burning buildings, which were plun- dered and fired by the invaders. Men, women, and children were shot down and tortured, the most fiendish passions finding full indul- gence, until, it may be said, they exhausted themselves. Hundreds of people were put to death before the dreadful work came to an end. It may be doubted whether any episode in the history of our coun- try was ever marked by a greater number of extraordinary escapes than was the case in the massacre of Wyoming. One soldier, over- come by liquor, tumbled down in a wheat-field and fell asleep. He was roused by the shouting of a fugitive, who in fleeing from his Indian pursuers, who were almost upon him, called to the drunken man to fire at them. The soldier mumbled brokenly, wobbled his gun about for a moment, and, without taking any aim, pulled the trigger. The bullet killed the foremost warrior and caused the others to turn and run, under the belief that a party of whites were lying in wait to ambush them. Another fugitive, after hastening for hours through the woods until worn out, knew from the sounds he heard behind him that the Indians were gaining and would soon overtake him. Looking about for some place to hide in, he found a hollow log, into which he forced his way. He had hardly done so, when a spider began spinning its web across the mouth of the log, and was thus at work on its gossamer fabric, when his two Indian. CHAP. XXXIV EVENTS OF 1778 515 pursuers sat down on the fallen tree. The fugitive heard their Period hi voices and the sound of the bullets rattling in their pouches. By englan* . '■ ■' AND FraJJCH and by, it occurred to one of them that the white man whom they . "* ^ J America were seeking might be hiding in the log. The warrior Avent to the 1758 TO end of it, stooped down and peeped in, but the spider's web satisfied 1783 him that no one had passed inside, and he did not investigate fur- SAVED BY A SPIDER'S WEB ther. After the two had been gone for some time, the scared fugi- tive crept out of his hiding-place, and after much suffering and pri- vation reached his friends in New York State. Again, sixteen captives were ranged around a large flat stone, while a fury, in the person of " Queen Esther," as she was called, began braining them with a death-maul. Two young men suddenly " Queen Esther' 516 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiv Pkrioo hi England AMD France IN America I75S TO 1783 Frances Slocum British Praise of Indian Atroc- ities leaped to their feet and dashed off at the top of their speed, pursued by several warriors, who, however, did not fire, because they wished to make them prisoners that they might undergo the death meted out to the others. One of the young men tripped in a running vine and rolled down the river bank under the heavy branches of a fallen tree. He lay still and his pursuers passed on without suspecting his hiding-place. Later on, he stole out, and in the darkness made his way to Wilkesbarre. His friend leaped into the river, and, though repeatedly fired upon, managed by diving and desperate swimming to reach the other shore, where he caught and mounted a wandering horse and escaped without any serious wounds. One of the poor fugitives hiding on Monocacy Island was discovered by a Tory, who proved to be his own brother, and who, heedless of his prayers for mercy, put him to death. Some time after the massacre, little Frances Slocum, about six years old, was stolen by Indians and car- ried off. Her mother searched for her for twenty years, and died without having obtained the first clue of her lost child. Her broth* ers, who had become prosperous and wealthy men, continued the search for many years without success, and then, convinced that their sister was dead, gave up the search. Yet she was alive all these years, and many a time was within reach of her friends, from whom she carefully hid herself, for she had become an Indian in all but blood. Sixty years after Frances Slocum was stolen by the Indians, she was found by her brothers, between whom and herself affec- tionate relations were established and lasted till her death. Who would suppose that any defenders of the atrocities of the Indians could be found among enlightened people.'' Yet the British secretary for the colonies praised the savages for their bravery and humanity, and encouraged them to continue their raids at other points on the frontier. In the appropriations for the support of the army was one for " scalpmg-kj.ives." What a reproach to a civilized nation! Other sections beside Wyoming suffered from the ferocity alike of the Tories and the Indians, Urged by the British agents, who stopped at no means of harrying the patriots, the miscreants struck whenever the opportunity offered. Sir William Johnson was the British superintendent of Indian affairs in New York, and possessed great influence over the powerful league of the Six Nations. Through his exertions most of the tribes made common cause CHAP. XXXIV EVENTS OF 1778 517 JOSEPH BRANT against the patriots, though a number refused to take part, and some even showed a friendly disposition to the Americans. Brant, the Mohawk chieftain, was a relative by blood of Johnson, and gave him great aid in his evil work. Spies and scouts were sent out, and the reports they brought back led to numerous raiding expeditions among the whites on the frontier. Brant organized parties of his warriors on the upper waters of the Susquehanna, whose object was to secure all the white scalps possible. These parties threaded their way through the gloomy forests, with the silence of shadows, and de- scended like wolves upon the exposed settlements. Often the slumbering pioneer was awakened in the depth of night by the ringing war-whoop and the crack of the red men's rifles. His de- fence, however brave, was in vain, and he was shot down on the threshold while fighting for his family, who suffered the same fate or were car- ried off captives to undergo torture and a lingering death. Often the darkness was lit up by the glare of burning dwellings, and the rescue party, hastening to the scene, arrived too late to save the hap- less ones, who dreaded the dusky warriors no more than the Tories, many of whom had formerly been neighbors and had eaten at their tables. Even before the fearful visitation of Wyoming Valley, the settlement of Springfield, at the head of Otsego Lake, was laid in ashes. In the following month, Cobleskill was attacked by Brant, who slew most of the troops stationed there and burned the houses. Schoharie County wa skept in a continual state of alarm by these raids. In the month of November, during a driving storm of snow and sleet, a force of Tories, led by Walter N. Butler, and of Indians under Brant, descended upon Cherry Valley, which was unprepared for defence. In this instance, Butler showed himself lacking in every trait of manliness, and equally devoid of mercy. Brant was his superior in those respects, and repeatedly appealed to him to treat the white people with consideration ; but Butler turned a deaf ear to his protests. Sixteen soldiers belonging to the weak garrison were killed and twice as many women and children were put to Pemod III England AND FkaNCK IN America 1758 TO 1783 The Descent upoa Cherry Valley 518 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxiv Period III death. Then Butler gathered forty miserable men, women, and chil- Encuand dren as captives. A bitterly cold storm was still raging, and the AMD t RANCE * •' O O' prisoners were only half-clothed. Their sufferings were beyond de- scription, for when a halt was made, they had no shelter, and could only huddle together on the wet, cold ground, so woe-begone and distressed that death would have been a welcome relief. AMERICA 1753 TO 1783 Naval Opera- tions Paul Jones The 32-gun frigate Randolph was the first of the vessels ordered by Congress, in 1775, to get to sea. She left Philadelphia in Feb- ruary, 1777, with general cruising orders. Some weeks later she put into Charleston with six prizes. She was blockaded in that port until the following year, when she sailed with several State ships of South Carolina. On IVIarch 7th, while eastward of the Barbadoes, the 64-gun ship Yarmouth was sighted. By order of Captain Nicholas Biddle, of the RandoIpJi, the weaker consorts made all sail, while he stayed to fight the formidable antagonist. The battle had continued an hour, when a shot entered the Randolph^ s magazine and she blew up, sinking in a few seconds. Out of her three hundred and fifteen men, only four escaped, and they, after floating about on some spars for fiv^e days, having only rain-water to quench their thirst, which they imbibed by means of a saturated blanket, were picked up b)' the YannoiitJi. Paul Jones towers head and shoulders above all the other naval heroes of the Revolution. In command of the 18-gun ship Ranger^ he sailed from Portsmouth, N. H., on November i, 1777. He secured a number of prizes, performed many heroic deeds, and to strike a de- cisive blow at the British resolved to set fire to the shipping in White- haven, a city of fifty thousand inhabitants, in Cumberland, and thus "put an end, by one good fire in England of shipping, to all burnings in America." These words are quoted from Captain Jones' memo- rial to Congress. Late on the night of April 2 2d, two boats, containing thirty men between them, left the Rangcf, Jones commanding one and Lieu- tenant Wallingford the other. There were streakings of light in the east, as the boats parted company at the outer pier of the harbor. When Lieutenant Wallingford reached land, his candle was burned out, and he gave up the attempt he had in view. Meanwhile, a weak fort on the south side of the harbor was captured by Jones, the guns spiked, and the garrison made prisoners. Jones directed a squad of CHAP. XXXIV EVENTS OF 1778 519 men to set fire to the shipping, while he and the others of the attack- ing expedition ran to a second fort, a quarter of a mile away, where the guns were also spiked. Hurrying back, he was incensed to find that his orders to set fire to the shipping had been disobeyed. The excuse offered was that the candles had gone out. The situation was exasperating, but Jones was not the man to be balked in this manner. The sun was above the horizon and the alarm had been spread, it is believed, by one of his own men, who deserted the boats after the landing was made. Jones himself ran into the houses at hand, got a light, and began the work of destruction by boarding a large vessel, starting a fire in her hold, and throwing a barrel of tar over the flames, which burned furiously. Fully one hun- dred and fifty other vessels inclosed this ship, some of them of large size, and it looked for a time as if all were doomed. Despite the great peril of the Americans, they embarked with coolness at the end of the pier, while Jones, facing about, held his pistol levelled at the crowd gathered at the other end of the wharf, and kept them at bay until the ship that had been fired was ablaze. Then he quietly stepped down into the boat and was rowed to the Ranger. The townspeople then rushed to the endangered shipping, and, by dint of vigorous work, succeeded in preventing the spread of the flames. The with- drawing boats would have been fired upon, with the result probably of many casualties, had not the gims been spiked. As a consequence not a man in them was injured. Jones had another purpose in his descent upon this part of the coast. He intended to capture the Earl of Selkirk, a Scottish noble- man, whose country-seat was on the Isle of St. Mary, at the mouth of the Dee, and hold him as a hostage for the better treatment of the Americans in English prisons. The house was secretly surrounded at night, but, luckily for the earl, he was absent. The men, without the knowledge of Jones, brought away several hundred dollars' worth of silver plate, all of which was returned by the captain with a letter of apology for the misconduct of his crew. Even so daring a man as Paul Jones saw that it would not do for him to remain much longer in that neighborhood, for the country was fully aroused and cruisers from various quarters were hastening to at- tack the Ranger. On April 24th, therefore, he crossed over to Carrick- fergus, in the hope that the Drake, an English sloop-of-war at anchor there, would fight him. The Englishman accepted the battle, and the Period III Engl.\nd AND Franc* IN America 1758 TO 1783 Jones' Descent upon White- haven Failure of the Attaclr 520 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap. xxx!y England AND France IN America 1758 TO I7R3 Period III engagement took place in mid-channel, " in ^^ight of three kingdoms." The Drake had a crew of one hundred and sixty, who at the end of an hour struck their flag to the Ranger, whese men numbered only one hundred and twenty-three. A month after starting upon this cruise, Jones returned to France, arriving there May 8th, having ac- complished more than had hitherto been done in the dauntless annals of American seamanship. Despite the many successes of the American nav}', the country lost a great many cruisers. When the year 1778 closed, we had only fourteen vessels of war, with a total of three hundred and twenty-two guns. Against this insignificant force was to be set the one hun- dred and eighty ships of England, of which eighty-nine, with a total of 2,576 guns, w'ere stationed in American waters. Finan- cial Distress of the States The War in the South Congress had returned to Philadelphia in July, after its evacua- tion by the British, and devoted a portion of each week to financial matters. Fifteen million dollars in bills of credit were issued in September, but their value depreciated, so that the only resource seemed to be an appeal to France, which had shown so friendly an interest in the struggle of the colonies for independence. A humili- ating plea was made to the king of that country, and an agent was sent to the Netherlands to negotiate a loan at The Hague. The financial distress of the States awakened the belief in England that the war could be pushed to a speedy conclusion. Congress gave up its hopeless task of conquering Canada, and decided that Washing- ton should act on the defensive, except in making retaliatory expe- ditions against the Tories and Indians. It will be observed that the war which had opened in Massachu- setts was steadily drifting southward. Great campaigns had been fought in what are known as the Middle States, which continued to be the theatre of operations for several years. In the extreme South, matters were in a deplorable condition. Tories were numerous, and in many places civil war reigned. The patriots were so few in numbers that the enemy prepared a careful campaign for the capture of Savannah and the conquest of Georgia. Five thousand additional troops were to be landed at Charleston, and a strong force of Indians was to be brought from Florida and Alabama to assail the frontier settlements, while the commandant at Detroit was to send others to join them from the Northwest. CHAP. XXXIV EVENTS OF 1778 521 General Prevost, who was in command of a mixed force of regulars, Period hi Tories, and Indians in East Florida, sent two expeditions in the ENCLAWi ' ' ' ^ AND Francs autumn of the year from St. Augustine, Florida. They com- America mitted many outrages and brought away an enormous amount of ^758 plunder. In the latter part of November, Clinton despatched Lieu- ^783 tenant-Colonel Campbell, with two thousand troops, to invade Georgia. The troops went by the sea and landed at Savannah, on the morning of December 29th. The patriot general, Robert Howe, of North Carolina, with less than a thousand dispirited men hurried up from Sunbury, and three miles below Savannah, at Brewton's Hill, fought a battle with a much superior force and was badly de- feated. In the flight through rice-fields and streams, a hundred pa- triots were drowned and four hundred made prisoners. The others who succeeded in escaping took refuge in South Carolina, while the enemy occupied Savannah. The lack of money and credit compelled the closing of the cam- close of paign in the autumn of 1778. The relative position of the invaders *^® and patriots was much the same as at the close of 1776. The head- paign quarters of the British were in New York, and those of Washington in New Jersey. The patriots, however, had learned much in the science of war ; they were still strong and ardent in their resolution to be free, and, fortunately, they at length gained the help of one of the most powerful nations of Europe. I'^t t7 ^ CHAPTER XXXV General Lincoln in the South EVENTS OF I Jig {ON LAND AND SEA) \Aitthoritu-s : The policy of the British Government and the war movements of the royal commanders in America during 1779 were a perplexity to Washington. Attention had been turned by the British to the South, where it was supposed the monarchical feel- ing was still strong, and Tory influence was active. Georgia was overrun by the royal troops, while from New York, also in British hands. Sir Henry Clinton * kept an eye on weak points in the North, in the hope of striking a blow that might wipe out the mem- ory of the surrender at Saratoga. The Hudson was specially menaced, yet here General Wayne (" Mad Anthony," as he was called) was able to retake Stony Point, " one of the most brilliant achievements of the war," as Washington Irving remarks. General Sulli- van was able also to carry terror into the Indian cantonments in the Genessee Valley and so checkmate Tory designs, in concert with their savage allies. Roger Clarke's successes, moreover, in the Illinois country, and Evan Selby's expedition against the Chickamaugas had their good effects in repressing Indian raids and violence. On the other hand, the country suffered severely from the stress of the situation generally, and particularly from the marauding expeditions of the British both up the Chesapeake and along the coast of Connecticut. At sea, the year, however, brought its triumphs in the daring heroism of Paul Jones, t whose harrying of the British coasts and destruction of English shipping were happy offsets to American embarrassments and losses on land. The authorities for the period, besides the general histories already mentioned, are the lives of Paul Jones and Maclay's " Plistory of the United States Navy."] IeNERAL benjamin LINCOLN, of Massachu- setts, had been appointed to the chief command of the patriot troops in the South, and arrived in South Carolina early in January, 1779. He made his headquarters at Purysburg, twenty-five miles north of Sa\^annah, where he set to work to form an army to resist the British invasion. He had poor material to draw from, consisting of raw recruits, a few Con- * Major-General Sir Henry Clinton, K.B. [1738-1795], who figures prominently in f Paul Jones [174S-1792], familiarly known as Commodore Paul Jones, though his CHAP. XXXV EVENTS OF 1779 523 Period III tinental regiments, and the remnants of the defeated troops of Howe. Campbell was in high spirits over his capture of Savannah, and pushed his conquest of the region with great vigor. He promised to protect all the inhabitants on condition that the able-bodied men among them should rally to his support, and the prisoners who re- fused this were thrust into filthy prison-ships, where many died of disease. His bitter persecution, however, only made the patriots Cruelties here, as elsewhere, more determined in their struggle for independ- ence. In August, Campbell, with a force of two thousand men, ad- vanced up the Georgia side of the Savannah River to Augusta, to help the Tories, open communication with the Creek Indians in the England AND FraNCB IN America 1758 TO 1733 Camp- bell's the events of the Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the British forces in America, was the son of Admiral George Clinton, Governor of Newfoundland, and from 1743 to 1753 Governor of New York. At an early age, he served in the New York mil- itia, and in 1751 became a lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards, and later colonel in the Grenadier Guards. With the latter corps he lirst saw active service in Hanover during the Seven Years' War. In 1775. he came again to America, with Generals Howe and Burgoyne, and took part in the battle of Bunker Hill. In the following year he was appointed second in command to Sir William Howe, whom he afterwards succeeded, and was present at the battle of Long Island and the capture of New York. When he at- tained to full command of the king's forces in America, he made New York his head- quarters, and thence sent our predatory expeditions in various directions, chiefly on the New England and Southern coasts. In May, 1781, Clinton resigned in favor of Sir Guy Carleton and returned to England, where he published, in reply to Cornwallis' strictures, a " Narrative," reciting his connection with affairs in America. Subsequently he entered Parliament, but, on being appointed Governor of Gibraltar, he proceeded thither, and, about eighteen months afterwards (December, 1705), died at that post. family name was Paul, was a Scottish seaman, early engaged in trade with America, and at one time mate of a slave-ship in the West Indies. In 1773, he appears to have set- tled in Virginia, where he had inherited property, and there took the name of Jones. Two years later, on the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, he became a lieutenant in the United States Navy, on board the Alfred, and subsequently was appointed her commander. In the North Atlantic, and especially in Acadian and New England wa- ters, Jones carried terror to many a British merchant craft, bringing several prizes into American ports. Subsequently, Congress gave him the command successively of the Ranger and the Bonhomme Jiichard, in both of which he conducted audacious expeditions in British seas, carrying his conquests into French ports, and made several daring de- scents on the coasts of both England and Scotland. In 1779, his command extended over a small squadron of ships, which did much havoc among vessels flying the British flag, capturing or destroying as many as twenty-six vessels. His most signal conquest was the one narrated in the text, the sanguinary combat with the Serapis and her con- sort, off Scarborough. This achievement practically ended his career in the United States service, for after the war he entered the Russian navy as an admiral and served against the Turks in the Black Sea. Fall'ng into disfavor at the Russian court, he was sliortly afterwards relieved of his command, whereupon he retired to Paris on a pension, where he died in 1792. Sir Henry Clinton John Paul Jones 524 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxv Period III Wcst, and ciusli all patriots Avho dared to resist him, A band of Kngland Tories, while on the way to join the royal troops, devastated a por- amkrica ^^*^'^ ^^ ^^^ South Carolina border. The patriots rallied under Colo- 1758 nel Andrew Pickens, and chasinjr them across the Savannah, killed TO . 1783 a hundred of them. A few days later, Pickens defeated them again on Kettle Creek, killing seventy of the Tories, including Boyd, the commander, and taking seventy-five prisoners. Of the latter, five were hanged on a charge of treason. Francis Marion, the " Swamp Fox" of the Carolinas, also struck many effective blows, for he and his men were familiar with the country, moved swiftly and secretly, The appearing in the most unexpected places, and inspiring terror by Conquest ^.j^gj^. dispatch and daring. Lincoln was encouraged by the success Georgia of Pickens, and gathered three thousand men in camp. He sent General Ashe, with two thousand troops and several pieces of can- non, to drive Campbell from Augusta, and to keep the invaders in the low and unhealthy regions along the coast. Crossing the Sa- vannah near Augusta, Ashe pursued Campbell towards the sea as far as Brier Creek, forty miles distant, where he went into camp, with his flanks protected by swamps. Prevost, who was marching with a strong force to the help of Campbell, discovered Ashe, and by a wide detour gained his rear. Then, March 3, 1779, he made an unex- pected attack on the patriots, who fled in every direction, after suffer- ing severe loss. So complete was the overthrow that only a few hundreds rejoined Lincoln. Prevost now declared the re-establish- ment of royal authority in Georgia, which became virtually a recon- quered province of the crown. Meanwhile, the British Major Gardiner had been sent from Sa- vannah to take possession of Port Royal Island, preparatory to a march upon Charleston ; but early in February he was defeated with ^ . . , severe loss by General Moultrie, after which Moultrie with his men Critical ■' Situa- joined Lincoln at Purysburg. On the 23d of April, Lincoln South' marched up the Savannah with the main body of his army, but Carolina Prevost had dispatched a detachment of his troops into South Caro- lina to check the invasion. He had with him twenty-five hundred soldiers, besides a considerable body of Indians. Moultrie, w-ho was at Black Swamp with about one-third as many men, made a politic retreat, burning the bridges behind him. After this many of his troops deserted, and the situation ''n South Carolina thus became extremely critical. CHAP. XXXV EVENTS OF 1779 525 Emboldened by the position of affairs, Prevost pushed into South Period iii Carolina, with the intention of capturing Charleston, The city made every preparation to resist the attack, and Prevost decided that the chances of success were too slight to warrant the risk, so he with- drew, and the hot weather prevented any important movements until autumn. In September, it was determined to make an attempt to recapture Savannah, and D'Estaing, who returned from the West Indies, agreed to help. He appeared at the mouth of the river with twenty-two sail of the line, a number of small vessels, and six thou- Englanb andFramcs IN America 1758 TO 1783 CAPTURE OF STONY POINT sand troops, and demanded the surrender of the city. Prevost asked for a suspension of hostilities, and unfortunately it was conceded. The delay granted gave Prevost time to complete his already strong defences, to mount his guns, and to receive a reinforcement of eight hundred men from Port Royal. He now replied to D'Estaing that he would defend the place to the last. Reinforcements had also, mean- while, reached D'Estaing, consisting of the troops of Lincoln, Colonel Mcintosh, and Count Pulaski. The bombardment which ensued was continued for several days, but produced so little effect that the at- tempt was made to carry the works by storm. The assaulting troops consisted of three thousand P'rench and fifteen hundred Failure to recap- ture Sa- vannah 526 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxv Period III England AND France IN America 1758 TO I7S3 The Cam- paign in the North Capture of Stony Point Americans, who fought with splendid bravery. D'Estaing led his own men, and displayed the highest heroism, being twice wounded. Count Pulaski was mortally hurt, and the brave Sergeant Jasper, of Fort Sullivan fame, fell. The battle raged for over an hour, when the assailants were driven back, with the loss of more than a thou- sand killed and wounded, while the liritish had less than fifty killed. The siege was finally abandoned, the Americans recrossing the Sa- vannah and returning to Charleston, while the French fleet again sailed to the West Indies. The failure of this enterprise cast a gloom over the Union, especially in the South. In the North, the campaign made little progress. Clinton sent out marauding excursions, which either plundered or burned Nof- walk, Fairfield, and New Haven. The brutal Try on was the leader in the latter expedition, and declared that he had shown undeserved mercy to the rebels in allowing a single house to remain standing on the New England coast. General Putnam was at Horse Neck when Tryon arrived in the neighborhood. He hurriedly gathered a few militia, greatly annoyed the British, and, when compelled to flee, dashed his horse down a precipice, whither the British dragoons dared not follow. General Wayne, often called " Mad Anthony " because of his reck- less daring, performed one of the most brilliant exploits of the war in the summer of 1779. He learned the countersign at Stony Point from a negro, who was in the habit of selling fruit to the English. In the darkness of a sultry night, the troops followed the negro to the causeway leading over the submerged marsh around the foot of the hill on which the fort stood. The guide gave the countersign to the sentinel, who was seized the next moment and gagged. Pass- ing over the causeway, Wayne and his men reached the base of the hill undetected Then they formed in two divisions, with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, and stealthily made their way to the top. They were not discovered until almost in front of the picket, when fire was opened on the Americans. Wayne was at the head of his troops and fell wounded. He asked his men to carry him into the fort that he might die there. Before they could do so, he changed his mind and "decided not to die." Joining in the resistless rush, the patriots swept everything before them. The fort was taken, with the loss to the defenders of six hundred in killed, wounded, and prisoners. WAYNE AT STONY POINT. CHAP, XXXV EVENTS OF 1779 527 The atrocities of the Indians at Wyoming, Cherry Valley, and period in other places kept the settlers in a state of constant terror. Re- England ■* '■ AND FraNCB solved to end this woful condition of affairs, General Sullivan was J sent into the Indian country with an effective army, against which no successful opposition could well be made. This formidable cam- paign was against the Iroquois, or Six Nations, all of whom, with the exception of the Oneidas and a few Mohawks, had been guilty of America 1758 TO 1783 FIRST NAVAL BATTLE OF THE UNITED STATES frightful outrages. An opposing force was routed (August 29th) near where Elmira now stands, and then Sullivan completed his work with appalling thoroughness. He left more than forty Indian villages in ashes, and laid waste the harvest fields so ruthlessly that during the severe winter which followed many of the savages died of starvation and disease. A fertile, well-cultivated country was thus, in a single campaign, turned into a desert. One of the most important successes of the war was that of George Rogers Clarke, in the Illinois country, begun the previous year. Clarke, like Washington, was convinced that the many Indian Punish- ment of the Iroquois 528 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxv Period III outragcs that had taken place were due to some direct inciting cause. England He discovcrcd that the British posts of Detroit, Kaskaskia, and Vin« AND France r • i i i • i i i • i IN cennes furnished the savages with the arms and ammunition with America . . 1758 which they devastated the surrounding country. At his request,* 17S3 Governor Patrick Henry, of Virginia, authorized him to move against the Indians of the West. He gathered a company of Virginians Clarke's from the Holston, with three companies of Kentuckians, and set out ditum ^^^ ^^^^ hostile country. A fort was built on Corn Island, at the Falls of the Ohio, and, landing at the mouth of the Tennessee, they marched across the present State of Illinois to Kaskaskia. By a brilliant dash, the garrison was surprised and disarmed without the loss of a man on either side. Pressing on, Clarke cap- tured Fort Cahokia, a French post, where the French, learning that their country had acknowledged our independence, cheered for America and freedom. Hurrying forward to Vincennes, that post (Fort St. Vincent) surrendered without firing a gun, and the gar- rison took the oath of allegiance to Virginia. When the British governor, Hamilton, at Detroit, learned of this, he was indignant, and with a strong force recaptured Vincennes in the following De- cember. Two months later, Clarke w^as there again and compelled the garrison a second time to surrender. Finding proof that Governor Hamilton, who was now a captive, had been active in persuading the Indians to commit their cruelties, Clarke sent him to Virginia in irons. In making this march from Kaskaskia to Vincennes, Clarke and nis men had to wade through icy swamps, where for miles the water rose to their waists and even to their shoulders. They cheer- fully endured the severest hardships, but nevertheless moved w^ith a celerity and effectiveness that marked their achievements as among the most remarkable in the records of the war. It has been truly claimed that but for this march and conquest by Clarke, the western boundary of the United States, at the close of the Revolution, would have been the Alleghany Mountains instead of the Mississippi River. A war party of Chickamauga Indians marched against the Carolina Col, frontier, whereupon Colonel Evan Shelby, with a thousand men from Exploit the Holston and Wautauga settlements, passed down the Tennessee in boats, in April, 1779, ^^^ destroyed the homes of the savages and nearly all their provisions. This blow and that of Clarke severed the bond that had existed between the Northern and Southern Indians, and brought peace to the sorely harried region. 34 530 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxv Pekiod III England AMD Francs IN America 1758 TO I7S3 A Glorious Theme The Mistress of the Seas AMERICAN PROWESS OX THE SEA Any narrative of the history of our country would be singularly in- complete without some record of the prowess of American seamen at successive eras in the national annals, and an account of the origin and growth of the now formidable United States Navy. We have no intention of slighting in these pages the achievements of this important branch of the fighting arm of our country. The work it has done has been such as no patriot could fail to feel pride in, besides the substantial advantages it has obtained for the nation as an aggres- sive as well as a defensive force. Happily, the subject — in the writings of Maclay, Mahan, and other able and well-informed chron- iclers of the United States Navy — is now being treated adequately, and with an appreciation of the service that American seamen have rendered at important eras in the national history. Hitherto, it has been the theme of the novelist rather than of the historian ; and it has been to Fenimore Cooper that the people have in the main turned for vivid and entertaining narratives of maritime exploits on tne high seas by the country's naval defenders. Without doing in- lustice to maritime romance, as furnished by high-spirited and patri- otic writers such as the author of " The Pilot," " The Red Rover,'* and " The Two Admirals," it is more fitting that what has to be said of the contests at sea between the United States and her enemies should be related with the gravity as well as with the truth of history rather than with the picturesque effects but fictional glow- ings of romance. The story told as history, however, will lack little of the fascination which novelists have thrown around the subject, for the real is often no less thrilling than the unreal — fact no less mar\'ellous than fiction. It seems hardly necessary to say that, at the opening of the Revo- lution, the colonies had no thought of competing with the large and powerful navy of Great Britain. England was mistress of the ocean, and a contest with her on the sea would have been much like a struggle between a mouse and a lion. And yet this relative situation was not without its advantages to Americans. They had many skil- ful sailors, and it was easy to build swift-sailing vessels, which, ven- turing stealthily out from the harbors, were never compelled to go far without descrying some of the shipping of the enemy. A sudden CHAP. XXXV EVENTS OF 1779 531 dash, a darinj^ attack, and the gallant deed was done. On the other ■ hand, the multitude of British frigates and men-of-war had to grope along the coasts or over the waters in their search for the audacious privateers, and were liable to spend weeks in the hunt without suc- cess. The patriots, of course, were familiar with their own inlets and numerous secure hiding-places, to which they could flee when pursued. The prospect of securing valuable cargoes and prize-money was ever before the commanders ot American cruisers, and, combined with their ardent patriotism, the most powerful incentive that can be imagined was theirs to impel them to the utmost efforts. The news that two British transports, containing arms and am- munition, had sailed from England for Quebec stirred the Conti- nental Congress to action. If the cargoes of those vessels could be captured, it was obvious that they would be of immense value to the patriot armies, which were sorely in need of supplies. Accord- ingly, on the 13th of October, 1775, Congress authorized a committee to fit out and arm two swift vessels for the purpose of waylaying and attacking the ships of the enemy. The date named, therefore, may be accepted as marking the birth of the American navy. It was then a weak, puny infant ; but it had life, and was destined, in the fulness of time, to become a veritable giant that was to strike Titan blows on all the waters of the globe. On the 30th of the same month. Congress decided to fit out two more vessels, strongly armed. It must be borne in mind that, at this period, Congress did not believe that a final separation from the mother country was inevitable. This belief was a restraining in- fluence at first. The land and sea forces were ordered to refrain, as far as possible, from open acts of rebellion. The result was other than was anticipated, for the enemy accepted such moderation as timidity. The town of Portland (then known as Falmouth) had, as we have seen, been laid in ashes, and other settlements were attacked with a fury that added much to the growing resentment against Eng- land. Awaking to its mistake. Congress, on the 25th of November, authorized the capture of any armed vessel used against the colonies, or any tender or transport employed in carrying munitions of war for either the British army or the navy. Four days later, the first battle was fought in which a regularly commissioned American war-vessel was engaged. The action was between the Massachusetts State cruiser Lee and the British armed Period III England AND FkANC« IN America 1758 TO 1783 Birth of the Am- erican Navy Action of Congress 532 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxv Period III transport NiXHcy. TheZr^ had a commission from General Washing- England ton authorizin'ce IN America 1758 TO «783 A Friend la Need Coward- ice of Captain Salton- stail an American vessel into port. This was known to the seventy or eighty English seamen, who speedily formed a plot for the capture of the vessel. They were so much more numerous than the others, that they had good reason to believe they would succeed. The plot was made known to one of the sailors supposed to be an Irishman, because he spoke with a Celtic brogue. In truth, however, he was an Amer- ican, who had been in Ireland long enough to acquire a peculiarity of accent. He pretended to favor the scheme, and thus learned the particulars. An hour before the time for striking the blow, he re- vealed the plot to the officer of the deck, naming also those who would remain faithful and stand by the flag. Prompt measures were taken and the mutineers were overawed and they begged for mercy. About half of them were put in irons and placed in prison on the arrival at Brest, but the kind-hearted Lafayette interceded and they were afterwards exchanged. Not always, however, was good fortune on the side of the Ameri- cans. The English had erected a naval station near the mouth of the Penobscot, which became so great an annoyance that Massachusetts resolved to dislodge the enemy, without asking assistance from the government. With this view, fifteen hundred militia, under Gen. Solomon Lovell, were embarked in thirteen privateers and transports, which were accompanied by the 32-gun frigate Warren, the 14-gun brig Diligent, now flying the stars and stripes, and the 12-gun brig Providence, the whole marine force being under the command of Captain Saltonstall, of the Warren. McLean's Station, as the place was called, was on the eastern shore of Penobscot Bay, nine miles from the sea. It stood on a pen- insula, covered with a dense forest. While McLean was clearing a way in the wood, he learned of the expedition, and when the Ameri- can vessels appeared, on July 25th, his three sloops of war opened fire. Three days passed before the patriots were able to land, during which McLean wrought hard to strengthen his fortifications. General Lovell erected a battery about h:df a mile from the enemy, and pounded away for nearly two weeks, without doing more than making a great noise. Then he began preparations for an assault, ^\'hen everything was ready, news reached Lovell that Sir George Collier was coming up the bay with a considerable na\al force. How Paul Jones would have welcomed such a chance! but to Captain Saltonstall the news came like the knell of doom. He hurriedly embarked his troops and can- OOPVK.'GHT t896. THE BONHOMME RICHARD AND THE SERAPIS FROM THE ORIGINAL PAINTING BY WARREN 8HEPPARI>» 538 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxv pbKion III non in the night, hoping that he might escape, but the enemy pursued, England and many of the ships were burned or blown up. Leaping ashore, the America ^^^^^ pluuged iuto the tracklcss woods, and set out for their homes, ^758 hundreds of miles away. Man}-- died on the road, and those who suc- 1783 ceeded in reaching civilization were starving, exhausted, and in the last stages of emaciation. The year whose story we are relating, however, will always be a "red letter" one in the history of our country, for in the early autumn took place one of the most important sea-fights in the naval ^ '^'/^^M annals of the world. Captain Paul Jones had fought his way to the Year head of the American navy, when, by his express desire, he was given command of the 40-gun ship Dicras, whose name, in deference to his wishes, was changed to the BonJiomme RicJiard {bon-num' re- shat'). This Was in compliment to Dr. Benjamin Franklin, between whom and the redoubtable Paul Jones there was a warm friendship. The Bonhomme Richaj-d \\3.s a dilapidated East India m.erchantman, which Jones patched and changed so that, when all that was possible had been done, she carried forty-two guns. The Alliance, which had brought over Lafayette, was commanded by Captain Landais, under the orders of Captain Jones. The Pallas of thirty guns, the mer- chant brig J^'cngcance, and the i8-gun cutter Cof were added to the expedition. The scarcity of seamen made it hard work to man these vessels, and when it was completed the mongrel crews included seven- teen different nationalities. The squadron sailed from L' Orient on June 19, 1779, Captain Landais sullen and resentful, because the command was not given to him. The jangle of tongues and lack of discipline on board the ships Squad- caused a collision between the Bonhomme RicJiard and the Alliance, ron which compelled a return to port for repairs, from which sail was not again made until August 14th. It was a fortunate accident, for while the repairs W'ere under way, one hundred and nineteen exchanged American prisoners arrived in a cartel ship at Nantes. Nearly all of them enlisted on board the BonJiomme Richard, adding greatly to her strength and discipline. Among them was Richard Dale, master's mate in the Lexifigton, escaped from Mill Prison in the uniform of a British officer. As soon as he learned of Jones' enterprise he hastened to him and offered his services. Jones made him his first lieutenant. Captain Landais showed so much insubordination, and acted so strangely, that Captain Jones became convinced that he was not in CHAP. XXXV EVENTS OF 1779 539 his right mind, but he bore with him. While several prizes were taken a number of disturbing incidents occurred. The English coast was in consternation and the utmost excitement prevailed. Captain Jones had sent so many of his crew home in charge of prizes that only three hundred and twenty men were left. Doubling Flamborough Head, ihQ Bonhomme RichardwdiS joined by the Pallas and the Alli- ance. While chasing a brigantine, about noon on September 21, a large sail, followed by others, rounded Flamborough Head from the south. Still others came in sight, until in less than half an hour the astounded Americans found themselves in the presence of a fleet of forty-two ships. It was a critical situation, but after studying them through his glass, Jones discovered that there were only two vessels of war in the fleet. Accordingly he gave the signal to make chase. In doing so, he was obliged to abandon his own pilot-boat, which was pursuing the brigantine, so that the crew of the Bonhomme numbered three hun- dred and four men in all. The unarmed vessels scattered like a covey of quail, while the large English frigate made ready for battle. At this critical stage, the American was exasperated by the insubordi- nation of Captain Landais, who disregarded his signals, while Captain Cottineau, of the Pallas, was almost as disobedient, though later he altered his behavior and gallantly supported the dauntless American. The delay prevented an approach to the enemy until near dusk, when there was much manoeuvring before the Bonhomme Richard and her enemy began edging toward each other. The latter was the frigate Serapis {Sc-7'd'pis), carrying fifty guns, with a crew of three hundred and twenty men, under the command of Captain Pearson. When within pistol-shot in the darkness, a hail came from the Serapis: " What ship is that ?" Jones wished to close before opening fire, and to gain time called back : " I do not understand you." The hail was repeated in a louder voice: "What ship is that? Answer or I shall fire into you," but no reply was returned, and the only sounds were the rippling of water from the bows of the huge vessels, and the ominous preparations on board the American for the death-grapple. A sHeet of flame burst from the sides of the two frigates at the same instant. Forty guns had been discharged, and round-shot, grape, and canister splintered the timbers on their errand of death and de- struction. Two of the six i8-pounders on the lower deck of the Bon- homme Richard h\xrs,t, killing nearly all who were working them and Period III England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 The Fleet of the Enemy Opening of the Battle 540 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxv Period III Splintering thc clcclc above. This calamity caused the abandonment i-NGLAND of the American's heaviest battery, since the men refused to handle AND FRANCE •' ' America ^^^ Other canuou. Jones forged ahead and crossed the bow of the '758 Serapis to leeward, the latter filling away and coming up on his port n83 quarter. Then thc frigates worked nearer each other, until once more within pistol-shot. They were wrapped now in a dense volume of A_ smoke, which was continually lit up by the red flashes from the Stniggle &u"s. Not only did these flames spout from the cannon, but there was a continuous rattle of musketry from the rigging of both, and, amid the appalling crash and roar, could be heard the shrieks of the wounded and dying, and the cheers of those that were as yet unhurt. The men fought as if they were tigers. Within the first ' half- hour, the Bo7iliomme Richard was struck several times below her water-line and began leaking badly. The loss of the battery of i8- pounders compelled Jones to rely upon his smaller armament of 1 2-pounders. By and by this battery of fourteen guns was silenced, and seven of the quarter-deck and forecastle guns were dismounted, leaving the frigate with only two 9-pounders on the quarter-deck. By hard work, a 9-pounder was dragged over from the starboard side and the three guns were loaded and fired under the direction of Jones. The deck of the Serapis was swept with murderous effect, and the American guns were then double-shotted and pointed at the mainmast. The battle had raged for an hour when the moon rose. The Serapis sought to work across the course of the BonJiomme Ric/iard, so as to rake her, but she miscalculated the distance, yawed, put her helm a-lee, and the American overtaking her shoved her bowsprit over her stern. Each expected the other to board, and in the momentary , *'^ .^ lull. Captain Pearson called : "Have you struck?" "Struck! no!" Haven t ■' Begun to shouted back Jones, " I haven't begun to fight !" The frigates swung *^ apart, and, while the Serapis was striving again for position to rake her rival, her jib-boom fouled with the starboard mizzen shrouds of the BonJiomme RicJiard. With his own hands, Jones lashed the spar to his rigging, seeing that his only chance was to fight at close quarters, but the lurching of the vessels broke the bowsprit, and at the same moment the spare anchor of the Serapis caught on the BonJiomme RicJiard' s quarter and held. The Americans hurriedly passed a hawser over the stump of the enemy's bowsprit and aro md CHAP. XXXV EVENTS OF 1779 541 their own mizzenmast. Thus the frigates were interlocked as may Period hi be said, in each other's arms, and fouo-ht mcjre fiercely than ever. England ' ' . ° -' AND FrANCB Fearful that the Americans would board through the lower ports on the engaged side of the Scra/yis, they were closed. Since the lids swung outward, they could not be opened, so the enemy fired through them, blowing away the lids. So close indeed were the frigates America 175S TO 1783 WHAT WON THE BATTLE that the gunners of each, in loading, had to push one end of the ram- mers into the ports of the other vessel. The blazing wads set the BonJioinme Richard on fire in several places, but the flames were put out before making much headway. The enemy prepared to board, but, finding the Americans drawn up and awaiting them, abandoned the attempt. It looked now as if the BojiJwmme RicJiai-d was helpless. Her Desper- ate Plight of the Richard 542 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, axxv Period III England AMD France IN America 1758 TO 1783 What Won the Battle Treach- ery of Captain Landais lower battery of i8-pounders was destroyed by the first broadside, while the fire of the English gunners was incessant from the op- posite battery. They smashed the six ports into one huge gap, through Avhich the crimsoned waves continually washed, some of the shot tearing entirely through the Bou/wmme Rtc/itrrd and dropping into the sea beyond. As the only thing that could be done to check this, all the Americans were distributed on the upper decks and in the rigging, where their markmanship drov^e every officer and sailor out of sight, while the 9-pounders and two 12-pounders that had been brought into action again silenced in time the upper batteries of the Serapis. At this fearful crisis in the fight, one of the American seamen did a thing which really decided the battle. He had crept out on the main yard of Wx^ Bonhomme Richard W\th. 2l bucket of hand-grenades, which he began throwing on the decks of the enemy, wherever he saw any men. As the sailors withdrew below decks, he flung the grenades into the hatches. At last, taking careful aim, he hurled one through the main hatchway into the gun-room oelow. It fell upon a pile of ammunition, which instantly exploded, killing or wounding thirty-eight, twenty of whom were blown to fragments. Just then the Aliiattce came up, and Captain Jones felt that his vic- tory was won; but, to his dismay, the AUiatice deliberately fired a broadside into the stern of the Bonhomine Richard. Captain Jones shouted to him for God's sake to stop, but Captain Landais fired again. Signals were displayed to apprise him of his horrible mis- take, but he circled round the Bonhonwic Richard, firing repeatedly, killing and wounding several of the Americans, and sending in a number of shots below the water line. The attack was so vicious that it was believed the Alliance had been captured by the enemy and had come to the assistance of the Serapis. Finally, however, she stood away, and Jones kept his shattered flag still flying. But the Bojihomme Richard was by this time sinking, and fire had broken out again. Between one and two hundred prisoners were set free. All was in inextricable confusion. The released men ran hither and thither, and the expectation was that the frigate would be blown up, for the fire was close to the magazine. Lieutenant Dale ran to the quarter-deck to haul down the colors, but they had been shot away, whereupon the gunner dashed to the taffrail and shouted lor quarter. CHAP. XXXV EVENTS OF 1779 543 With his ship settHng in the water and certain soon to sink, with the fire fast eating its way to the magazine, with more than a hun- dred prisoners skulking about the decks, waiting for a chance to strike from behind, with the dead and wounded everywhere, and all his officers urging a surrender, who would have held out with the belief that a grain of hope remained ? No man except John Paul Jones. To the hail from the Serapis asking whether he had surrendered, Jones thundered back, " No !" Then the hero shouted to his pris- oners that the Serapis was sinking and their only hope was to keep ihQ Bon/iojume Ric/iat'd 2i^02it. The panicstricken Englishmen flew to the pumps and toiled with might and main. Thus they helped to float the frigate, to check the fast-spreading fire, and had no oppor- tunity to strike a blow against their captors. Then Captain Jones drew his pistol and declared he would shoot the first man who refused to obey his order to work the guns. All knew him and obeyed. Captain Pearson was amazed at the action of the American, whose fire increased, and the shots were of deadly effectiveness. His own vessel was on fire, and, finding himself helpless, Pearson himself at half -past ten hauled down his flag. Within the following five min- utes his mainmast fell over the side, dragging the mizzen-topmast with it. Captain Jones stopped firing, and Lieutenant Dale, by order of the American commander, sprang aboard, followed by sever- al others, and took possession. It required the joint efforts of both crews to keep the Bonhomme Richard afloat through the night, while the wounded and prisoners were transferred to the Serapis. On the morning of the 25th, the Bonhomme Richai'd plunged downward, bow foremost, and passed out of sight forever. The remaining ships of the squadron repaired their damages and arrived at Texel on the 3d of October. Maclay in his " History of the United States Navy," upon whose spirited account of the engagement we have drawn, gives the follow- ing summary of this most remarkable fight : Comparative Force and Loss. Guns. Lbs. Crew. Killed. Wounded. Total, Bonhomme Richard 42 557 304 49 67 116 Serapis 50 600 320 49 6S 117 Time of battle: 3 hours, 30 minutes. The other British frigate, the Countess of ScarborougJi, made a gal- lant defence, but was compelled to strike her flag to the Pallas, under Captain Cottineau, after an action lasting about two hours. PeriodIII England AND Francb IN America 1758 TO 1783 Paul [ones' In- trepidity Sur- render of the Serapis 544 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxv Pbbiod III England AND France IN Amekica 1758 TO 1783 A Merited Compli- ment The Career of Jones The conduct of Captain Landais caused intense indignation both in France and America, but, afraid of offending the French govern- ment, whose aid we so much needed, our commissioners refrained from pressing the charges against him. However, he was dismissed from the French navy and ordered to quit the country. Congress also dismissed him from the American service, while the general belief in his insanity prevented harsher measures. Almost equal credit for skill and bravery must be given to Captain Pearson, com mander of the Sempis. Naturally he was depressed when he handed his sword to Jones and made an ill-natured remark, but Jones com- plimented him on the gallant defence he had made, and said that he was sure his sovereign would reward him. So it proved, for the king knighted him. When this was told to Jones, he smiled and remarked : " He deserves it ; if I fall in with him again, I'll make a lord of him !" Since this was the last important service rendered by Paul Jones to the United States, the reader will doubtless be glad to learn some- thing more about him. He was born of humble parents and named John Paul, in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, in 1747. He went to sea at the age of twelve, but when twenty-five years old he inherited a valuable estate from his brother in Virginia. He took possession of it, and, for some unknown reason, added the name of " Jones" to that of John Paul. He lived quietly on his property for two years, when war was declared with England. He promptly offered his ser vices to the Continental government, and, as we have learned, served r.ith great distinction from the first, and without even pay or allow ance. England officially declared him a " traitor, pirate, and felon, and put a price of ten thousand guineas on his head; but he was m more of a traitor, pirate, or felon than was George Washington, " Mad Anthony" Wayne, or Thomas Jefferson, for, like Jones, all of these were born British subjects. It is strange that, even in later years, Jones has been referred to as a privateer, a sea rover, and a bold marauder, which is equivalent to calling him a pirate. Let it be remembered that all this applies to a man who headed the list of first lieutenants appointed in the navy of the colonies, on December 22, 1775 ;■ who held the first captain's commission granted under the United States, August 8, 1776; who received the thanks of Congress in 1781 ; who was unanimously elected by Congress to be the first officer of the American na\y in 1781, and who received a gold medai CHAP. XXXV EVENTS OF 1779 545 from the same body, similar to that presented to Washington; who Period in was presented with a gold sword by Louis XVI., of France, and also England with the Grand Cross of the Order of Military Merit, never before America given to a foreigner. Greater than all these was the loving esteem ^"58 in which he was held by Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, and La- 1783 PAUL JONES fayette. Who will dispute the belief that Jones was an unswerving patriot and one of the most daring of men? In 1788, Jones was made a rear-admiral in the Russian navy and fought against the Turks, receiving from the Empress Catherine the Order of St. Anne. He died in Paris in 1792. Now, one of the most interesting experiences that one can have is to see a great person just as he is. It is not every famous man who can stand a close scrutiny. It has been said that Washington was almost the only one whose private life, the closer it is studied, makes the Death of Jones 546 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxv Period III England %]iD France IN Amekica 1758 TO I7S3 True Heroes A Charac- teristic Letter greater demands upon our admiration and love. Others have weak- nesses, some of them so glaring as to be the cause of pain to their admirers; but where these failings are slight and harmless, they serve to draw rather than to repel us. We do not esteem Washing- ton the less because he sometimes misspelled his words when writing letters, and we rather like him the more when we learn that at the battle of Monmouth, upon the discovery of the treachery of Lee, he flew into a towering rage and denounced him in such terrible Avords that even Lafayette was awed. Our government owns man}- manuscripts so precious that no sum in the world would buy them. Among them are a number of letters written by Paul Jones, which were mostly collected and preserved through the efforts of President Jefferson, who was a life-long corre- spondent of Jones. One of these letters is here appended, just as it was written by Jones. It is addressed to Mr. Hewes, member of Congress from South Carolina, to whom the writer was indebted for his commission, and is an account of the cruise of Commodore Hop- kins' squadron, in which, as will be remembered, Jones served as first-lieutenant on the flagship Alfred: April 4th, 1776. Agreeable to your kind request, I have taken up my pen to give you the particulars of our Cruise from the Capes of Delaware. On the 17th of Feb'y the Fleet put to Sea, with a Smart North East wind. In the night of the nineteenth (the Gale having in- creased) we lost Company with the Hornet and Fly tender. We Continued Steering to the Southward without seeing a Single Sail or meeting with anything remarkable till the first of March when we Anchored at Abaco (one of the Bahamia Islands) having pre- viously brought too a Couple of New Providence Sloops to take Pilots out of them — by these People we were informed that there was a large Quantity of Powder with a number of Cannon in the two Forts of New Providence. In Consequence of this Intelligence the Marines and Landsmen to the number of 300 and Upwards under the Command of Captn Nicholas Embarked in two Sloops. It was determined that they should keep be- low Deck 'till the Sloops were got in Close to the Fort and they were then to land in- stantly and take possession before the Island could be alarmed — this however was ren- dered abortive as the Forts Fired an alarm on the approach of our Fleet. We then ran in and anchored at a small Key, 3 Leagues to Windward of the Town and from thence the Comodore dispatched the marines with the sloop Providence and Schooner Wasp to cover the Landing, they landed without dposition and soon took possession of the Eastern Garrison, F. Montigne, which (after Firing a few shot) the Islanders had aban- doned. The N^xt morning, the Marines marched from the Town and were met by a messenger from the Govr. who told Captn Nicholas that " The Western Garrison (F. Nassau) was ready for his reception and he might march his Force in as soon as he pleased." This was effected without firing a Gun on our side — but the Govt has send of 150 barrels of Powder the Night before. Inclosed you have an Inventory of the Cannon stores, &c., which we took Possession of and brought off in the Fleet we continued at N. Providence till the 17th ulta and then bro't off the Govr and two more Gentn Prisoners — our Cruise was now directed back for the Continents, and after meeting with much bad CHAP. XXXV EVENT'S OF 1/79 547 America 1758 TO 1783 weather, on the 5th Inst off Block Island we took one of Captain Wallace's tenders the Period 111 Hawke schooner of 6 jjuns the next morninsf we fell in with the Glasgow man of war and t^ . '^ ° England a Hot Engagement Ensued the particulars of which I cannot communicate better than by andFranci extracting the minutes which I entered in the Alfred's Logbook, as follows. At 2 A.M. Cleared the Slop for action at ^ past do the Cabot being between us and the Enemy began to Engage and soon after we did the same — at the third Glass the Enemy bore away and by crouding sail at length got a considerable way ahead made signals for the of ye English Fleet at Rhoad Island to come to her Assistance and steered directly for the Harbour, The Comodore then thought in Imprudent to Resign our Prizes &c. by Pursuing further, therefore to Prevent our being decoyed into their hands, at 4- past six made the signal to leave off Chase and hauled by the wind to join our Prizes. The Cabott was disabled at the 2nd broadside — the -Capt, being dangerously Wounded ; the Master and several men killed — the Enemy's whole Fire was then di- rected at us; and an unlucky shot haveing carried away our Wheel Block and Ropes the Ship broached too and gave the enemy an opportunity of Rakeing us Avith. serving Broad- sides before we were taken in Condition to steer the Ship and Return the Fire. In the Action we Received several shot under the Water which made the ship Yerry Leaky — we had besides the Main mast shot thro' and the upper works and Rigging very considerably damaged— Vett it is surprising that we only lost the 2nd lieutenant of Marines and 4 men of whom, a Midshipman prisoner Martin Gellingwater who was in the Cockpit and had been taken in the Bomb Brig Bolton yesterday — we had no more than three men danger- ously and 4 slightly wounded. The following paragraph in brackets is marked out, but perfectly legible: [It is your province to make the Natural Comments arising from the subject I wish to avoid Cencuring Individuals — the utmost delicacy is necessary and highly becoming in my situation — I therefore Content myself with relating Facts only, and leave wiser heads the privilege of determining their propriety.] I have the pleasure of assuring you that the Commr in Chief is respected thro the Fleet and I verily believe that the officers and men in general would go any length to execute his Orders. It is with pain that I confine this plaudit too an individual — I should be happy in extending it to every Captain and officef in the Service — praise is certainly due to some — but alas! there are Exceptions. It is certainly for the Interest of the Service that a Cordial Interchange of Civilities should subsist beween Superiour and Inferiour Officers — and therefore it is bad policy in Superiours to behave toward their inferiours indiscriminately as tho' they were of a lower Species. Such a Conduct will damp the spirits of any man. Would to heaven it were otherwise but in sad truth this is a Conduct too much in F'ashion in our Infant Fleet — the ill Consequences of this are ob- vious — men of liberal minds, who have been long accustomed to command can III brook being thus set at naught by others who pretend to claim a monopoly of sense, the rude ungentle treatment they experience, creates such heart burnings as are no wise consonant with that chearful ardour and spirit which ought ever to be the Characteristic of an Officer — and therefore when he adopts such a line of conduct in order to prove it — for to to be well obeyed, it is necessary to be esteemed — whoever thinks himself hearty in the service is widely mistaken. The Fleet having been reinforced with 200 men lent from the Army is now in condi- tion for another Enterprize and we expect to embrace the first wind for Rhode Island when I hope we shall meet with belter success as we understand that the Scarborough is now there, it is Proposed to clean the ships at Rhode Island or Providence that our de- tention there will admit of a return of letters from Philadelphia meantime with a grateful sense of Past favours I have the honour to be with Much Esteem Sir Your very obliged Most humble servant J. P. Jones. oE (Xlxa vlcslou CHAPTER XXXVI A Severe Winter EVENTS OF lySo {CAMPAIGN IN THE SOUTH) [Authorities: In spite of French aid to the Continental cause, the British, having command of the sea, continued, during the year 17S0, to keep Washington's anxieties on the strain as to the objective points of royalist attack. At one time, there would occur a feint in the direction of Newport, at another a descent would be made on Georgia and the Carolinas ; while from the British base at New York, the Highlands of the Hudson were constantly the objects of menacing movements. The brunt of the year's fighting, how- ever, fell upon the South, Sir Henrj' Clinton capturing Charleston, while Gates' com- mand had to yield to Lord Rawdon at Camden, and to Lord Cornwallis at Clermont. The situation for a time brightened with the victory at King's Mountain, only to fall into temporary gloom again over Arnold's miserable betrayal of his trust. That at the hour of the nation's dire extremity treason should enter the breast of Benedict Arnold is, con- sidering his services to his country, one of those strange fatalities difficult to account for in the careers of some men. Disappointments and the irritation of slights had, it would seem, long preyed upon an envious and uneasy mind, and led its victim to resort to clan- destine correspondence with the enemy, with the result of covering Arnold's name with eternal infamy. The authorities for the Arnold episode are Sparks' Memoir (Library of American Biography) , and the Life, by L N. Arnold ; also \>'inthrop Sargent's " Life and Career of Major John Andre," and Lossing's " Two Spies — Hale and Andre."] HE winter of 1779-80 was one of the most terrible in the history of our country. In the North the snow lay for months to the depth of several feet ; men were frozen to death on the highway, and hundreds of wild, and very many domestic, animals perished. All the ordinary channels of trade were closed and military operations suspended. The Continental troops at Morristown suffered not only from the Arctic cold, but even from lack of food. Washington was forced to make levies on the people, but he did it carefully, seeking th^ aid of the civil magistrates, and giving certificates to those from whom sup- -y\n^U'>':.euv. WINTER QUARTERS AT VALLEY FORGE. CHAP. XXXVI EVENTS OF 1780 549 England AND Francb IN America 1758 TO 1783 plies were taken. The farmers showed more willingness to befriend Period iu the army than those at Valley Forge, and the hardships of the patriots, as a consequence, were less severe than during the year previous. Sir Henry Clinton was determined to capture Charleston. Tow- ards the close of the year 1779, he embarked from New York with seventy-five hundred men, leaving Knyphausen in command of the city with a small force, for Washington had sent so many of his troops south that he could give the enemy little trouble. Several raids were made by both opposing parties. Lord Stirling burned a number of houses and vessels on Staten Island, while the British de- MARION IN AMBUSH stroyed the Presbyterian church and court-house at Elizabethtown. These forays could have no effect on the general struggle, but served to intensify the resentment of each side. The British expedition southward encountered such tempestuous weather that it did not reach Charleston until the close of January. On the route thither, the American cruisers captured several trans- ports and supply vessels, while so many of the horses died that Clin- ton did not land on St. John's Island, thirty miles south of Charles- ton, until the iith of February. He then advanced to St. James' Island, and a part of his fleet returned to blockade Charleston. General Lincoln had a garrison of three thousand troops, with which he was confident of holding the city against any approach from the 36 The British Expedi* tion against Charles- ton 550 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxvr America 1758 TO 1783 Pbriod III land side. Commodore Whipple had nine small vessels in the harbor, England which, with the strone: guns of Fort Moultrie, he was certain could AND France 00 prevent the British fleet from crossing the bar. The fleet entered the harbor April 9th, without resistance from the fort, while the troops had appeared before the American earth- works on the 29th of March. A demand for the surrender of the city Siege of was made April loth, and being refused, the siege began. The the Ci y situation became so critical that a council was held on the 13th, to consider the propriety of evacuating the town. Before a decision was reached, evacuation became impossible. The cavalry sent out to keep open the communication with the country were scattered, Sur- render of Charles- ton MAP OF THE CAROLINAS and Cornwallis arrived from New York with about three thousand fresh troops. Fort Moultrie was obliged to surrender May 6th, but another summons to the city was refused three days later. A can- nonade was opened, and, on the 12th, all hope being gone, Lincoln surrendered. The disaster was a crushing one. Clinton gained five thousand men as prisoners of war. North Carolina lost all her regu- lar soldiers and was defenceless. Indeed, the whole South was vir- tually conquered. Clinton stationed a strong force at Ninety-six, a second at Camden, and a third at Augusta. Then he issued a proc- lamation offering pardon to all who would swear allegiance to the English government. Many accepted the offer, but still more re- mained true to the cause of freedom. ■CHAP. XXXVI EVENTS OF 1780 551 About the only ones left to do battle for their country were the period hi partisan rangers, under General Marion the " Swamp Fox," Colonel Sumter, Pickens, and other daring leaders. All fought like heroes against the Tories and the invaders and did patriotic service ; but like the raids elsewhere, they had little effect upon the war itself. General Gates, the conqueror of Burgoyne, was sent South to assume command of that department. He selected a position, with such forces as he could collect, at Clermont, S. C, while Lords Rawdon and Cornwallis were at Camden. By a singular coincidence each force formed the same plan for a night attack upon the other, and on England AND Francb IN America 1758 TO I7S3 Battle at Camdea ANDRE'S DISAPPOINTMENT the 1 6th of August they met at Sander's Creek. The Americans fought well for a time, but the militia were wholly untrained, and the veterans too few to hold their ground. A decisive defeat was the result. In this disastrous affair the brave De Kalb fell, pierced with •eleven wounds. His comrades fought desperately over his body, but could not withstand the c /erwhelming forces hurled against them. The patriots were so scatt.red and disorganized that they could not be rallied, and for the time being all organized resistance in the South to British rule ended. Gates made his way to Charlotte, 552 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxvi 'Period III England AND France IN America I75S TO 1783 Patriot Victory at King's Moun- tain Benedict Arnold as a Patriot N. C, where he was superseded by Gen. Nathaniel Greene, one of the best officers in the American service. He did all that was pos- sible with the scant material within reach, but for a while could accomplish little. The governor of North Carolina appealed to the backwoodsmen of East Tennessee to help the Old North State. They responded gal- lantly, and nine hundred men, as brave as ever sat in the saddle, rode out to meet Colonel Ferguson On the top of King 's Mountain, October 7th, was fought one of the most famous battles of the war. Fer- guson was a fine soldier, and had the larger force and the stronger position. He fought bravely and with much skill, but the mountaineers with their unerring rifles forced him back, and finally the leader was killed. Still the riflemen pressed on, until the enemy, after three hundred had been killed, laid down their arms. The victory Jefferson called it "the joyful turning^ of the tide," and Bancroft, the historian, observes that "the victory of King's Mountain, which in the spirit of the American soldiers was like the rising at Concord in its effect, like the success at Ben- nington, changed the aspects of the war." It will be observed that military events steadily drifted southward. Little was done in the North, though the year will always be mem- orable because of the most hideous occurrence of the war. Benedict Arnold was among the bravest of those who drew sword in defence of their country. At Quebec and at Saratoga he had fought with the heroism of a lion and won praise from all. He was wounded more than once, and at his own request was left in command at Phil- adelphia, after its evacuation by Clinton, so as to give his woundr> time to heal. Arnold was proud, overbearing, and insolent. He married a Tory- lady, and the couple lived far beyond their means. He was so de- tested in Philadelphia because of his c jpressive acts, that he was once mobbed on the streets. Charges were repeatedly preferred against him, and he was sentenced to be reprimanded by the com- mander-in-chief. Washington did his duty with much delicacy, for andr£ was an inspiriting one CAPTURE OF ANDfii COPYRIGHT 1896. FROM THE ORIGINAL DRAWING BY J. STEEPLE DAVIt S54 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxvi Period III he rcspectecl the bravery of the man, who had not received at all England^ timcs from Congress the consideration to which he was entitled. America Amold was angered, and to appease his wounded feelings he delib- 1758 erately resolved to betray his country At his own request he was 17S3 given command of the post at West Point, one of the most important in the country. Previous to this, he had been holding a secret cor- Arnold's respondcnce with Sir Henry Clinton, and matters had jrone so far Plan of . ^ ° Betrayal that it was necessary for a third party to meet Arnold and arrange the details of the betrayal. Clinton sent his favorite officer, Major Andre, up the Hudson, on the sloop-of-war Milt2ire, warning him not to go ashore under any circumstances. Since the utmost caution was necessary on the part of all, and especially on that of Arnold, he waited in the woods on the shore below West Point, while Andr6, disobeying the order of Clinton, was rowed from the sloop at night and met the traitor in the woods. There they talked for hours, and the plans for the surrender of West Point and its garrison were com- pleted. But the interview had lasted so long that it was daylight when it was finished. In the mean time the Jliltufc had been fired upon by the Americans and had dropped down stream, so that Andre could not get back to her. Thus he was left Avithin the American lines, but it seemed an easy matter to return to New York. Arnold fur- nished him with a pass, while he would have no trouble after reach- ing his own lines. Thus provided, and in the character of an Amer- ican merchant named John Anderson, he mounted a horse and set out to ride back to New York by following the course of the Hudson. All went well until he reached Tarrytown. There three patriots were seated among the bushes at the side of the road playing cards. Their names were John Paulding, Isaac Van Wart, and David Wil- liams. When the young hoi-seman came round the bend in the high- Capture way, Paulding sprang up, and, presenting his bayonet, ordered him Andre ^^ Stop. His two companions followed close behind him and Andre had no choice but to obey. Now, it so happened that one of these men had been a prisoner some time before and wore a British coat which he brought away with him. Observing this, Andre supposed that the three were loy- alists, and committed the fatal blunder of acting on that belief. Seeing his error, the three encouraged it, until finally Andre de- clared that he was a British officer engaged on important business. ARNOLD REVEALING HIS TREASON TO HIS WIFE. CHAP. XXXVI EVENTS OF 1780 555 They then compelled him to dismount, and, taking him to one side Period hi of the road, carefully searched him. In his stockings were found England ' -' ° AND Francs the papers which proved him to be a spy. Andre offered any amount America of money for his release, but the patriots, poor as they were, could ^758 not be bribed. The three young men conducted their prisoner to 1783 Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson, in command of the nearest military post at North Castle. That officer examined the papers, and then. Escape with a stupidity which is beyond comprehension, sent the particulars Arnold of the arrest of Andre to Benedict Arnold. Seeing that discovery was certain, Arnold told his wife the truth, kissed his sleeping in- fant, darted out of the house, sprang into the saddle, and rode head- long to the river, where he sprang into a boat and was rowed to the Vulture. She immediately made sail for New York, where she arrived with the traitor, who was rewarded for his treachery by a colonelcy in the English army and the sum of ;^6,3I5.^^ Much sympathy was felt for Andre, but there could be no denying the fact that he was a spy. Every possible effort was made to save him, Clinton making a strong appeal to Washington ; but the latter, who would have been glad to exchange the prisoner for Arnold, felt that to show mercy would be not only undeserved but an act of weakness. Nathan Hale had been brutally gibbeted, and Andre, who was tried at Tappan by fourteen general officers, was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. He wrote to Washington ask- Execu- ing that he might be shot, but even that pitiful boon could not be Andre granted. He was hanged October 2, 1780. Congress rewarded his * When Benedict Arnold, who was despised in London almost as heartily as by his own countrymen, died, he left four sons and one daughter. Edwin Shippen Arnold be- came a lieutenant in the Sixth Bengal Cavalry of the British Army and paymaster at Muttra., India, dying in 1813, at Singapore. James Robertson Arnold, another son, was a lieutenant. -general in the British Army. He died in 1834, and his widow in 1852. George Arnold was lieutenant-colonel of the Second Bengal Cavalry and died in India in 1828. The only son of Benedict Arnold who left any children was William Fitch, who was also an officer in the British Army, being a captain in the Nineteenth Lancers. He died in 1846 and left six children, of whom two were sons. The second son, William Trail Arnold, was a soldier like his father, grandfather, and all of his uncles. He attained the rank of captain and was killed at Sebastopol. Edwin Gladwin Arnold, grandson of Bene- dict Arnold, is at this writing an honored and revered clergyman of the Church of Eng- land. All four of the daughters of William Fitch Arnold married clergymen of the Church of England, and the record of every son and grandson of the traitor is that of a daring, high-minded honorable man, while their posterity are distinguished and univer- sally respected for their worth, a fact which no one can regret, since they could not be in any way responsib't for the sins of their misguided ancestor. 556 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxvi Period III EsCLANn AND France IN America 1758 TO I7S3 Decline of the Ameri- can Navy three captors with a vote of thanks, a commemorative medal, and two hundred dollars a year for life. A marble monument rests over- the burial-place of each, while a monument was erected to the memory of Andre in Westminster Abbey. There was little left of the American navy at the opening of 1780. Despite the brilliant successes that marked the beginning of the Revolution, the overwhelming power of England, the mistress of the seas, had virtually annihilated the gallant privateers and American vessels of war. Great Britain had suffered such loss of her shipping and commerce that she refused in future to exchange prisoners and voted 85,000 men for her navy during the year 1780. The French fleet, under Count d'Estaing, having sailed to the West Indies, it was well-nigh impossible for the American vessels to get to sea. Never- theless, a few succeeded and added more than one stirring achieve- ment to the many already made. CHAPTER XXXVII EVENTS OF lySi AND CLOSE OF THE WAR [Atithorities : With this chapter the drama of the Revolution terminates. It opens in gloom but closes in triumph. The surrender at Yorktown not only shattered England's attempt to wield autocratic power over her colonies, but gave them their well-earned independence. " Whatever might be the importance of the event in the history of Eng- land," writes Green, the historian, "it was of unequalled moment in the history of the world. If it crippled for a while the supremacy of the English nation, it founded the supremacy of the English race. From the hour of American independence the life of the English people has flowed not in one current, but in two ; and while the older has shown little signs of lessening, the younger has fast risen to a greatness which has changed the face of the world." Much, however, as we shall see, was yet to be wrought before the young Republic was set on its feet. What lay before it, it set about sturdily, though not without misgivings, to accomplish. The authorities, American and English, for the period are those already enumerated. For the story of the Tory loyalists, for whom, unfortunately, there was no amnesty, and who were now to be driven, by the soreness of revolutionary feeling, from their homes, see Sabin's " Loyalists of the American Revo- lution," and Jones' " Revolutionary History of New York."] HE seventh year of the War for Independence abounded with striking events, one of the first im- portance being a remarkable display of patriotism on the part of the Continental troops. Congress was weak and dilatory. It passed strong resolu- tions but was lax in carrying them out. As a re- sult the army was wofully lacking in clothing and The British held hundreds of prisoners and exchanges Many of those taken on Long Island and at Fort Wash- ington, in 1776, underwent horrible sufferings in the three sugar houses and in the Prevost prison, where the brutal Marshal Cun- ningham delighted to inflict all manner of cruelties upon them. Un- m money, were slow Suffer- ings of the Patriot Army 558 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxvii Period III England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 Revolt of the Pennsyl- vania Line True Patriot- ism numbered bones of the patriots, who died on the filthy prison-ships, are lying to-day at the bottom of Wallabout Bay, and the treatment of the hapless captives forms one of the darkest episodes in the his- tory of the Revolution. There was bitter complaint among the soldiers over the meaning of the words of their enlistment " for three years, or during the war." The soldiers claimed (it would seem with justice, for such was the interpretation of similar terms for enlistment in the war for the Union) that this meant for three years, if the war lasted so long, or less if the war should end within three years. Congress declared the meaning to be that the term was for three years, or to the end of the war, no matter how long it should last. Nothing seemed lacking to bring discontent among the poor soldiers. They received their pay only at long intervals, and even when paid, the Continental money was worth little more than waste-paper — the currency having so greatly depreciated. Angered beyond all bearing by the neglect or indiffer- ence of Congress, thirteen hundred of the Pennsylvania line revolted at Morristown on the first day of the year, and prepared to march to Philadelphia and compel Congress to do them justice. General Wayne did his utmost to restrain them. He appealed to their patri- otism, and, drawing his pistol, threatened to shoot the first man who moved. The soldiers presented their bayonets at his breast and de- clared tnat, while they loved and honored him, they would kill him if he fired. " I will not fire," replied the brave man, "but I will go with you." He rode with them to Princeton, where they gave him a written list of their complaints and demands. They were reasonable. Under his promise to lay them before Congress, the troops returned to Mor- ristown. Congress saw that it would not do to trifle, and the de- mands, as far as possible, were complied with. Most of the Penn- sylvania line was disbanded for the winter, new recruits taking their place in the spring. When Sir Henry Clinton in New York heard of the revolt he was delighted. He crossed over to Staten Island to abet the mutineers, and sent two agents among them, with a Tory, who offered to pay the men in cash every dollar they claimed if they would march to New York, where he would take them under his protection. The indig- nant soldiers seized the emissaries and handed them over to Wayne, with the request that he would hang them as spies. General Wayne ^^/^ COPYRIGHT 18»e. REVOLT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA LINE rROM THE ORIGINAL DRAWING BV H. A. OGDtlt- 56o HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxvij Period III gladly coinplied. The reward that had been promised for the detec- Englasd tion of these secret airents was offered to the soldiers. " No," was AND France _ ^ America the rcpl)' ; " iiccessity forccd US to demand justice from Congress, 1758 but we want no pay for doing our simple duty." A few weeks after 1783 this revolt, a part of the New Jersey line followed the example of the renn.s}lvanians. Washington saw that his army would dissolve unless he took stern repressive measures. Two of the ringleaders were hanged, and then all trouble of that nature ended. The War The chief theatre of events was now in the South. Beginning in South New England, the tide of war had steadily rolled southward, and the closing scenes were to take place on Southern soil. General Greene, now in chief command of the patriots, set himself to a herculean task with his usual address and skill. His army was formed in two divi- sions. He took post with the main body at Cheraw, east of the Pedee, while Gen. Daniel Morgan, with a thousand men, was sta- tioned near the junction of the Broad and Pacolet rivers, in western South Carolina. Thus Cornwallis, who was preparing to march again into North Carolina, found himself between two bodies of patriots. The British commander sent Tarleton with a superior force to cap- ture or rout Morgan, who fell back to The Cowpens, near the North Carolina line. Although opposed by a more numerous enemy, the partiots demanded a chance to wipe out the disgrace of Camden, and no one could have been more pleased to comply than their leader. Battle of Hostilities opened on the morning of January 17th, and the The Cowpens affair quickly became a furious engagement. Morgan manoeuvred and fought with so much skill that Tarleton was utterly routed, his cavalry being pursued for twenty miles. The loss of the Americans was but seventy-two killed and wounded, while that of the enemy was more than three hundred, with five hundred prisoners, and an immense amount of supplies. The victory was a crushing one, and caused considerable consternation in the camp of Cornwallis when the news reached him. Morgan crossed the Broad River with his prisoners, intending to make his way to Virginia. Cornwallis mean- while started with his whole army in pursuit. He was confident of heading off the patriots at the fords of the Catawba, but reached there two hours after Morgan had crossed. It was late in the after- noon, and, feeling sure of his game, he waited until morning, when he received a reminder of his experience with Washington at Tren- ton, four years before. Morgan was gone, and a heavy rainfall had CHAP, XXXVII EVENTS OF 1781 561 so raised the stream that the British commander was held idle for Period hi several hours, during which Morgan reached the banks of the Yadkin, where Greene joined him, having left his troops at Cheraw in com- mand of General Huger. On his way, however, Greene learned of the pursuit by Cornwallis, and sent orders to Huger to break camp and unite with Morgan at Salisbury or Charlotte. The movements which followed were among the most remarkable in our history. Greene was making for Virginia and Cornwallis chased him for two hundred miles. The pursuer had been held sev- England AND France IN America 1758 TO 1783 CAPTURE OF A REDOUBT AT YORKTOWN eral hours at the Catawba, but, crossing at last, he renewed the chase after Morgan, and reached one bank of the Yadkin, February 3d, as the Americans on the other side were forming in line to continue the march southward. And, lo ! the Yadkin was rising rapidly just as the Catawba had done. The impatient Cornwallis had to linger until the next day, while the Continentals leisurely marched off on their course. They were joined at Guilford Court House by the troops from the Pedee, but being far inferior to their pursuers in numbers, they continued their retreat to the Dan, which was already rising, when on the 13th of February they crossed and entered Hali- fax County, Va. By and by, when Cornwallis came again in view, A Skilful Retreat 562 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxvii Period III he fouiicl liimsclf stoppcd for the third time by high water. Dis- England gusted with the turn of affairs, he wheeled about and, marching AND TRANCE *=> ' ' t> AmeI^ica through Nortli Carolina, reached Hillsborough, where he made his ^"58 headquarters. TO '■ 1783 Having rested and recruited his men, Greene rccrossed the Dan ten days later. His army was now recruited to about five thousand, and Battle at he sought a meeting with Cornwallis. A battle of two hours' duration Court ^^^^ fought at Guilford Court House on the 15th of Alarch. It, too. House -vvas of the fiercest character and proxed disastrous to both sides. The Americans lost four hundred killed and wounded, while a thou- sand deserted and went home. The British losses were six hundrtd men. When the news reached England, a member of Parliament exclaimed : " Another such victory will ruin the British army '* Cornwallis now retreated towards Wilmington, on learning whicl« Greene pursued him to Deep River, but turned back towards Cam den, determined to strike a blow for the recovery of South Carolina from the enemy. Meanwhile, Benedict Arnold was striving to earn the reward that had been paid him for his treason. He was now fighting " with a rope around his neck," for he knew that if he fell into the hands of his former comrades, they would make short work with him. He was sent from New York to Virginia, with about sixteen hundred British and Tories and several armed ships. His purpose was to compel Virginia to bring back the troops which had been sent t'> Arnold's the help of the Carolinas. Arnold ascended the James River and landed about a thousand men at Westover, January 2, 178 1. The Baron de Steuben was at this time in Virginia collecting recruits and training them, and there was a hurried gathering of the militia to meet the traitor. The Baron kept his small force to the south of the James, under the belief that Petersburg was the object of Arnold's attack, but, instead, he pushed on to Richmond, the greater portion of which he laid in ashes. Then he retreated to Westover and set out on another raid down the river. He was pursued by the militia, but fled up stream to Portsmouth, opposite Norfolk. The Americans tried hard to capture Arnold. Jefferson, governor of Virginia, offered five thousand guineas for his arrest, and Washington sent Lafayette with twelve hundred men to help catch the recreant. General Phillips arrived in March and superseded Arnold in command of the British troops. He took with him two thousand picked men» CHAP. XXXVII EVENTS OF 1 78 1 563 and plundered many plantations, sending hundreds of slaves to the Period in West Indies. While the movements were converging against Arnold, Cornvvallis himself arrived and assumed command. The earl held the traitor in such contempt that he sent him back to New York, where he was not compelled to meet or to speak to him. Cornwallis caused a wholesale destruction of property, but fell England AND France IN America 175S TO 1783 GENERAL NATHANIEL GREENE ' back before the advance of Lafayette, Steuben, and Wayne, to Wil- liamsburg. There orders reached him from Clinton in New York, to send three thousand of his troops thither for its protection against the combined French and American armies. Cornwallis was also directed to select some suitable place And fortify it. The earl was made very angry by the reception of this command, for he believed Clinton did it purposely to break up the active campaign he had Move- ments ol Corn- wallis 564 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxvii PsiiiooIII England AMD France IN America 1758 TO 1783 Defeats and Suc- cesses in the ijouth Soccess of General Greene begun in Virginia. Nevertheless, he had no choice but to obey. After sending away such a large detachment of his troops, he saw that his safet; lay in selecting a good position and making it as strong as posb ■bi.\ At Yorktown, therefore, on a high and salubrious plain, he erected his fortified camp, throwing up military defences also at Gloucester, on the opposite side of the river. Here we will leave him for a time while we take a brief glance at military events occurring elsewhere. Lord Rawdon was at Camden with nine hundred men, strongly intrenched. To gain possession of the interior of South Carolina, General Greene saw that he must capture Camden and Ninety-Six. Giving up the pursuit of Cornwallis, he marched against Rawdon. His position was too strong to be attacked, and while Greene was waiting for reinforcements, Rawdon marched out and attacked him on the morning of April 25th. Greene was taken partly by surprise, but he fought bravely and with much skill, though compelled in the end to retreat, the loss on each side being about equal. Lee and Marion captured Wright's l^luff, on the Santee, the next day, thus cutting the communication of the enemy with Charleston, upon which they had to rely for supplies. This compelled Rawdon to leave Camden and retreat to Eutaw Springs. Greene now laid siege to the strong post Ninety-Six, when, learn- ing that reinforcements were on their way to strengthen the garrison, he attacked it, but was unsuccessful. The British, however, evacu- ated the place soon after, and the Americans took possession. Colo- nel Stewart, who had now superseded Lord Rawdon, was attacked by Greene at Eutaw Springs, September 8th. The battle began in the morning and quickly became general. The British were defeated, and the jubilant Americans began plundering their deserted camp. While they were feasting, the enemy assailed them and compelled them to retreat, but Stewart held the partisan troops around him in such fear that he withdrew towards Charleston. Greene sent detach- ments to pursue them a long way while he occupied the deserted field. This virtually ended Greene's campaign, which had been pushed with a skill that could not well have been surpassed. He had driven the invaders from the interior of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Congress passed for him a vote of thanks, and presented him with a gold medal, together with a British stand- ard captured during battle. CHAP. XXXVII EVENTS OF 1 78 1 565 England AND Francb At this time the Count de Grasse was in command of the French Period hi fleet in the West Indies, and had given assurances to Washington that he would co-operate with the allied armies in a new movement against the British. Washington was at Dobbs Ferry planning a campaign against Clinton in New York, but the prospects for a time were America 1758 TO 1783 LORD CORNWALLIS gloomy. Then they brightened ; for on the 6th of July, the French Junction forces from New England, under Rochambeau {rd-sJidng-bo), arrived French at Dobbs Ferry and joined the Americans. The two commanders held many conferences with leading members of Congress over the momentous campaign now impending. Learning that the French fleet had headed for the Chesapeake, Washington decided to abandon nis intended campaign against New York, join Lafayette at the York 37 and Ameri- can Forces $66 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxvu Period III pcninsula, aucl push Cornwallis to the wall. In his diary under date Engi.,»n'd AND France IN America 1758 17S3 Plan of Wash- ingfton Advance of the Allied Armies of August 14, 1 78 1, Washington wrote: " Matters having now come to a crisis, and a decided plan to be determined upon, I was obliged, from the shortness of Count de Grasse's promised stay on this coast, the apparent disinclination of their naval officers to force the harbor of New York, and the feeble compliance of the States with my requisition for men hitherto, and the little prospect of greater exertions in the future, to give up all idea of attacking New York, and instead thereof to move against Yorktown." Washington, by many stratagems, confirmed Clinton in his belief that he intended to attack him in New York. It was not until Sep- tember, a week after the allied armies had been on their march, that Clinton learned that, instead of the movement being a feint to cover a sudden descent upon the city, the armies were really marching against Cornwallis, far away in Virginia, He took some comfort in the fact that he had countermanded the order for Cornwallis to send troops to New York. Good news came to Washington September 5 th, when the allied armies had encamped at Chester, Pa. De Grasse with his ships and land troops had entered Chesapeake Ba}-. Three days later Wash- ington, accompanied by Rochambeau and the Marquis de Chastellux, left Baltimore for a two days' visit to Mount Vernon, from which the commander-in-chief had been absent more than six years. The last division of the allied forces reached Williamsburg, September 25th, and preparations for the siege were at once begun. Cornwallis saw the danger closing round him, and urged Clinton to send him what aid he could, adding that, if he did not quickly do so, he must be prepared to hear the worst. On the 28th, the allied armies, twelve thousand in number, marched from Williamsburg to Yorktown, twelve miles distant. The British outposts were driven in, and possession taken of the abandoned positions. The tactical line of the co-operating allies was in the form of a horseshoe, two miles from the enemy's works. By the 30th, each line rested on the river and thus Yorktown was completely invested. The British, at Glou- cester, were held powerless by the French dragoons, the Virginia militia, and a strong force of French marines. Tarleton once at- tempted a sortie with his cavalry, but they were routed, Tarleton narrowly escaping being made a prisoner. The siege was pressed LV, m "CHAP. XXXVII EVENTS OF 1 78 1 567 with concerted vigor, the alHes pushing steadily forward, French and Period iii Americans together in friendly rivalry. On the afternoon of the 9th a cannonade was begun by the Americans on the right. It con- tinued all night, and in the morning the French batteries on the left joined in the bombardment. That night several British vessels in the river were fired by being struck by red-hot shot. England AND Francb IN America 1758 TO 1783 ' CORNWALLIS IS TAKEN " tion of Corn- 'wallis The situation of Cornwallis grew more desperate every day and Hopeless indeed almost every hour. His cavalry suffered so much because of lack of forage that many of the horses were killed and sent floating down the river. The French fleet w^ere on the alert for reinforce- ments from Clinton, and the lines of the allied troops pressed closer and closer. An epidemic, meanwhile, broke out in the British camp, and two thousand of the seven thousand under Cornwallis were soon ^68 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxvii l>BK.ooiii in the hospital. The longing eyes cast southward saw no friendly RwcLAND sail whiteninsr the waters, and the hopes of the British were well-nisch AMD France o ' r t> America go'^c. ComwalHs, as a last recourse, determined to leave behind him ^75S his sick, his baggage, and all his impedimenta, cross the river at 1783 night to Gloucester, attack the French there, and then push north- ward by rapid marches through Pennsylvania and New Jersey to New York. A part of his army crossed, but a storm drove the boats down stream. It took until daylight to recover them, when the troops that had been taken over were brought back. Sur- This misfortune ended all thought of resistance on the part of the Corn- British commander. He opened negotiations for surrender, and the walijs terms of capitulation were signed October i8th. On the following afternoon, at two o'clock, the British army marched out of Yorktown, with colors cased, drums beating, and muskets at the shoulder. The French were drawn up on the left of the road, the Americans on the right, their lines extending more than a mile. With a delicacy char- acteristic of him, Washington ordered all mere spectators to keep away, and he suppressed every evidence of exultation. General O'Hara rode at the head of the British troops. When opposite Washington, on his white charger, he raised his hat, and apologized for the absence of Cornwallis, who, he said, was ill. Washington replied that to General Lincoln had been assigned the duty of receiv- ing the submission of the garrison. It was he who had been com- pelled to surrender Charleston the previous year to Sir Henry Clin- ton. Lincoln conducted the troops to an open field and gave the order to "ground arms." Some of the men were so angry that they flung their muskets down with a violence that broke them — a bit of spleen perhaps justified by the humiliating occasion.- * Lord Cornwallis [173S-1S05], British general, Governor-General of India during the Mysore War, and Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland at the era of the union with Great Britain, was the son of Earl Cornwallis,- whose wife was a daughter of Lord Townshend and niece of Sir Kobert Walpole. He entered the army in 1756 and first saw active ser- vice at Minden and in other actions, under Ferdinand of Brunswick, the Prussian general, who commanded the allied troops against France in the Seven Years' War. On the death of his father he sat in the House of Lords as a Whig peer, and was opposed to co- ercive measures against the American colonies. In 1776 he came to America with rein- forcements, and took a command first under Sir William Howe and afterwards under Sir Henry Clinton. His military talents were far superior to those of either of his chiefs, as is shown by his exploits in the various operations of the war, in his capture of Fort Lee and pursuit of Washington through New Jersey, in the victory on the Brandywine and the occupation of Philadelphia, and, later, in his defeat of Gates at Camden, and m the ■;OPYRIGHT 18 THE SURRENDER AT YORKTOWN CHAP. XXXVII EVENTS OF 1781 569. The total number of troops surrendered was about seven thousand, Period hi exclusive of two thousand sailors, nearly as many negroes, and fifteen England •' J <-> andFrancb hundred Tories. During the siege the enemy had lost five hundred , »* t' o J America and fifty in killed, wounded, and missing, that of the allies being 1758 about three hundred. With the prisoners were delivered about eight 1783 thousand muskets, seventy-five brass, one hundred and sixty iron cannon, and an immense quantity of ammunition and stores. The force which brought about this great victory included thirty-seven ships-of-the-line and seven thousand men, furnished by the French, and nine thousand troops, including five thousand five hundred regu- lars, provided by the Americans. The decisive triumph secured the independence of America. On the succeeding day Washington expressed in general orders his great commendation of both armies. The next day was the Sabbath, and divine services were held throughout the camp. Lieutenant- Colonel Tighlman, one of Washington's aides, mounted a swift horse and set out with the glorious news for Philadelphia. He reached there at The midnight, October 23d, and the joyful tidings quickly spread. The phUa-'* watchman on his rounds added to his usual cry " All's well !" the delphia words "and Cornwallis is taken!" The old State House bell was set ringing, and nearly every one was on the streets, shaking hands, cheering, or perhaps shedding tears of joy. It was hardly light when cannon began booming. Congress met at an early hour, and the despatch from Washington was read. It was decided to go in a body, at two o'clock in the afternoon, to the Dutch Lutheran Church and there " return thanks to Almighty God for crowning the allied armies of the United States and France with victory." A few days affair at Guilford Court-House. Hemmed in by De Grasse's French fleet and Washing- ton's army at Yorktown — a position which he occupied by CHnton's orders and out of which his superior officer failed to relieve him — he was forced, as we have seen, to capitu- late. On being released from his parole he was offered, on his return to England, the Governor-Generalship of India, but the appointment he did not accept until the offer was renewed in 1786. There he distinguished himself by many important services, civil and military. He took part in the operations against Tippoo Sahib, and was present with Sir Robert Abercromby at the storming of Seringapatam. For his services in India he was created Marquis. Returning to England in 1793, he was appointed Master of Ordnance, with a seat in the Cabinet; and, when the Irish rebellion of 1798 broke out, he was made viceroy. Under his regime, the Irish rising was humanely repressed and the Act of Union passed. In 1805, he was again nominated to the Governor-Generalship of India, where he died a few months after his arrival in the great dependency of the British ^ b Afjo Francb as ever to strike his telling blows for the cause of American independ- America ence. He sailed from France in September, 1780, in command of ^758 the 20-gun ship Ariel, lent him by the king. She, however, proved ^83 unseaworthy, and was so wrenched in a storm that he had to work his way back to port, from which he sailed in December, 1780. Early in January he began an action with an English ship, which he com- pelled to strike her colors, but she effected her escape in the darkness and confusion. Jones was next made commander of the 74-gun ship America, but the war ended before she was ready for sea. In February, 1 781, the Alliance left Boston for France, and on the Fi^htin? outward voyage captured the privateer Alert. She sailed from on the L' Orient March 31st, accompanied by the French 40-gun letter of marque^ Marquis de la Fayette. Two days later, they together cap- tured the English 26-gun privateer Mars, and the Miiieiva, of ten guns. Then the Alliance continued her cruise alone. While draw- ing near two sails on the 28th of May, the wind fell to that extent that the Alliance lost her steerage way, but the smaller vessels, aided by sweeps, took a favorable position off the frigate's stern and quarter and opened fire. For an hour Captain Barry was obliged to hold this intolerable position, receiving the broadsides of the enemy and unable to return an effective fire. Barry was badly wounded and carried below. When on the point of surrendering, the breeze freshened, the Alliance ran between her two opponents, and she poured such tremendous broadsides into them that they struck. One of the prizes, while striving to run into Boston, was retaken, but the Alliance made port in safety. A brilliant victory by a Pennsylvania State cruiser was gained as late as April, 1782. She was the Hyder Ally, a merchant ship, carry- ing sixteen 6-pounders, and a crew of one hundred and ten men under command of Lieut. Joshua Barney. Her duty was to convoy a fleet of merchantmen down to the Capes, after which she was to return to ijant the State jurisdiction. Off Cape May on the 8th of April, while the Victory merchantmen were waiting for a breeze, two English cruisers stood in towards them. Barney instantly signalled to the merchantmen to make sail up the bay while he covered their retreat. The first Eng- lishman delivered a broadside at the Hyder Ally and continued her pursuit of the convoy, without receiving a reply from the American. fiOPYRIGHT 18»e. THE HYDER ALLY AND THE GENERAL MONK FROM THE ORIGINAL PAINTING BY WARREN SHEPf.U>« CHAP. XXXVI EVENTS OF 1 78 1 573 Englare AND Francs IN America 1753 TO 1783 who was waiting for the second vessel, the 20-gun sloop-of-war Period hi General Monk. When directly opposite, the Hyder Ally delivered a broadside, whereupon the General Monk put about with the intention of boarding, perceiving which Lieutenant Barney told his man at the wheel, when he received an order from him to do exactly the reverse of the command given him. At the moment the ships were about to foul, Barney shouted : " Hard port your helm, or you will run afoul of us !" The wheelman instantly turned the wheel hard to the starboard and brought the Englishman's jibboom afoul of their fore- rigging, the enemy, who had heard the command as it was intended he should, having no suspicion of what was really intended. As a consequence, he was instantly exposed to a raking fire from the whole American broadside, which was so destructive that the General Monk was speedily forced to surrender. Then Barney rejoined his convoy before another English ship could come within range. This American victory was the more striking when all the facts are remembered. Their comparative force and estimated loss, as given by Maclay, were as follows : Guns. Lbs. Crew. Killed. Hyder Ally l6 g6 no 4 General Monk 20 iSo 136 20 Time of engagement, 30 minutes. Wounded. II 33 Total. 53 During the Revolution, 542 seamen of the regular navy were killed in battle, while considerably more were lost in the privateers which played so active a part in the struggle. Of the 542 killed, 311 per- ished when the United States 28-gun frigate RandolpJi, Captain Nicholas Biddle, was blown up by a shot from the Yarmouth, March 7, 1778. About the same number of soldiers were slain in the land battles, but this estimate does not include the 9,500 Americans who died in the British prison-ships in Wallabout Bay. Besides the Americans, 1,50c French sailors, who had been captured near our coast, thus died. The total number of Americans who lost their lives in the Revolutionary War was, approximately, 12,000. The total number of Continental vessels lost during the struggle by capture, wreck, and other casualty, was 24, carrying 470 guns. The loss of the British was 102 war vessels, carrying 2,622 guns, and the total number captured by American cruisers, privateers, or private enter- prise, was in the neighborhood of 800. Losses of the Patriots during the Revolu- tion 574 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, x.xxvii tioo Period III The. financial cost of the Revolution cannot be exactly given. England That of the United States has been estimated at 135 millions in AND France America spccic. The debt of Great Britain was increased during the war over 1753 600 million dollars. Probably at no time did the British forces in TO •' 1783 this county exceed 40,000 men. Our own armies were mainly made Finan- up of militia and minute-men, whose terms of service, as a rule, were cial Cost |^j.i^f_ ot the Revolu- Throughout the struggle there was naturally much resentment against the Tories. Most of the States had passed laws to confiscate the estates of persons who fought on the side of the enemy. Many ' of the Tories, therefore, left the country with the British troops, those from the North going to Canada and Nova Scotia, and those from the South to the West Indies. Years after, when the angry feelings were soothed, numbers came back and settled in their old homes. More than a hundred years have now passed since Great Britain acknowledged the independence of the United States, and the ques- tion may to-day be asked : Can we not afford to do justice to the men who were known as Loyalists, or Tories, during that long and desper- ate struggle ? Were they all scoundrels and traitors to be thought and spoken of with detestation } Probably no name has been held up to school-children as so utterly abhorrent as that of " Tory." They have been taught in their histories and readers, as well as in speeches and orations, that the one being to be scorned above all others ■was he who being born in this country took sides with England in the war for liberty. To some extent this feeling is natural and justifiable. Prof. Moses Coit Tyler, of Cornell University, himself a descendant of a patriot family and a gentleman of high culture, has lately pub- lished a thoughtful article on the subject in the Atnerican Historical Review. Quoting John Adams, he shows that New York and Penn- The sylvania were so evenly divided in sentiment, that if fhey had not been kept in line by New England on the north and by Virginia on the south, "they would have joined the British." The two parties were about equal in North Carolina; while in Sduth Carolina the Tories were the more numerous. Georgia, as we have shown, virtu- ally swung back to the Crown, to be regained later, but the people were about to take it out of the confederation when the decisive vic- tory of Yorktown occurred. Lecky, the English historian, who ap- proved the separation of the colonies from the mother-country, says Tories CHAP. XXXVII EVENTS OF 1 78 1 575 that the Revolution " was the work of an energetic minority who Period iii succeeded in committing an undecided and fluctuating maioritv to England *-^ <=> ■> J AND France courses for which they had little love, and leading them step by step ameri to a position from which it was impossible to recede." John Adams, ^758 one of the most ardent of patriots, asserted that one-third of the 1783 people of the thirteen States were opposed to the Revolution from Its opening to its close. The Loyalists yearned for a stable govern- WASHINQTON'S PATRIOTISM ment and believed that it would be best obtained under BritLh rule. Among the latter were scholars, church-members, and affectionate fathers. Of the three hundred and ten Loyalists banished by Massa- chusetts alone at the close of the Revolution, many of them to meet unmurmuringly great hardships in the wildernesses of Canada, more than one-fifth were graduates of Harvard College. It should be re- membered, too, that the leaders in the revolt hoped at first not for seDaration, but for some means of compelling England to show them 576 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES chap, xxxvii Period III England AND France IN America 1758 TO I7S3 Final Events of the War Wash- ington's Patriot- ism more justice and consideration. Had she done this, the Declaration of Independence, as we have stated, would have been deferred many years, and probably would never have been penned at all, since separa- tion was sure to come, but it might better have been a peaceful and an amicable one. Yet with such vast odds against them, how much more glorious were the hardships, the sufferings, and the triumphs of the patriots under Washington and the other leaders of the young nation ! That America was to be free was " writ in the book of fate." The embers of war burned for a long time after the surre der of Yorktown. Savannah was not evacuated until Julyii, 1782, and Charleston not until the 14th of the following December. At Ver- sailles in November, 1782, the independence of the United States was acknowledged in a provisional treaty. John Oswald w^as com- missioner for England, while John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jav, and Henry Laurens represented the United States. On the 1 7th of April, eight years, lacking two days, after the battle of Lex- ington, Washington was ordered to proclaim a cessation of hostilities and to disband the army. The final treaty was signed at Paris, Sep- tember 3, 1783, and the last British troops on our soil sailed from New York on the 25 th of November. The lofty patriotism of Washington never shone with more splen- dor than in the closing days of the great struggle for independence. The country was in a deplorable condition. Commerce, trade, manu- factures, and almost all kinds of business were paralyzed and all but ruined. The soldiers, believing that they were about to be disbanded and sent in many instances to desolated homes without pay, were on the verge of open revolt. They petitioned Congress, but the treasury- was empty. They turned to Washington and invited him to become king, believing that in a monarchy lay their chief hope. He, how- ever, spurned the offer. " If I am not deceived," said he, " in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a person to whom your schemes could be more disagreeable." He begged them not to stain their splendid services by any rash proceeding. His great in- fluence prcN-ailed both with the army and with Congress, and the trouble was at length adjusted. Washington bade farewell to his army in a touching address and set out for his home at Mount Vernon. Stopping at Annapolis, he on the 23d of December resigned his commission to Congress. WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL TO HIS OFFICERS. CHAP. XXXVII EVENTS OF 1781 577 England AND Francs " You retire from the theatre of action," said the president of Con- period m gress, upon receiving the commission, " with the blessings of your fellow-citizens ; but the glory of your virtues will not terminate with amer your military command ; it will continue to animate remotest ages." 37 ICA 1758 TO 1783 / \J^ y>^ \ iM lllllllllllllllHlllllllllilliliiiliiiiiiiiiiiniiiii 786 Jr i mtK^^M iK 1 Mi kI I Wi ^^ 1 i^ ^K-^^^^B *iid M ^5 HH ^....i^>.^t^ .^>^ > • ,.i/^ /l X' • '^r< H,....«^. •■'d / Vi ^ / '^ ^r^ ■'^mm.^