wrongs

of

"Sir,"

feel, that " though cast down," they were "not forsaken." During that season of deepest gloom which had overspread the United States, when the hearts of all were tried, he who bore the greatest responsibility, felt most keenly for the fate of his country. The late Governor Brooks, of Massachusetts, then an Aid to Washington, came to him from a tour of duty, in his own state. He found the General deeply affected, and as he talked of the condition of his troops, and the his country, he shed tears of grief. said he, " my only hope is in God. to Massachusetts, and do what you can to raise men and money." Thus felt and spoke the man, whom nations admire, and who was sensible that there is a God in heaven, who rules not there alone, but also among the children of men. His confidence was not in vain. From the midst of darkness came a light that cheered the hearts of his countrymen, and the drooping spirits of the nation were revived.

Go back

While the Americans were in Morristown, their number was so small, that it was difficult for Washington to keep up the appearance of an army; but he sent out small detachments to show themselves in different direc tions; and with the assistance of the New Jersey militia, succeeded in keeping the enemy from again overspreading the country. As the spring advanced, and new troops were

raised, there was a difficulty in assembling them as the commander-in-chief wished; for the English had possession of the ocean, and so could attack any state in the union; and each one desired to be defended. This could not be done, without separating the troops into small divisions, and placing them distant from each other. Washington possessed that solid judgment which makes the best use of small means; and he determined to prepare in the surest manner that could be effected for defending the eastern states, the highlands of New York, where it was very important to preserve the forts, and Philadelphia, which seemed to be the object of Cornwallis. When he had placed troops for this purpose, he formed his own camp at Middlebrook, in New Jersey, with not quite six thousand men.

Early in June, the English army was in creased by troops from New York, and the commander moved them in different directions, for the purpose of drawing Washington from his camp to a battle; but he was too wise to be led into danger, which would have been almost certain destruction to his small army. He continued watching the movements of the enemy with anxiety. Sometimes they appeared as if intending to go to the north, and then moved towards the south. Washington kept his troops posted on the heights, in front of his camp, always ready in case of an attack. He wrote to General Arnold his opin

ion, that it was the intention of the enemy to destroy his army, and get possession of Philadelphia, but that he would endeavour to prevent the first part of the plan being successful; and if they moved towards Philadelphia, he would be close after them to do every thing in his power to delay them.

The English commander, finding that he could not draw Washington from his camp, determined on removing to New Jersey, and taking them on board of the fleet to the Chesapeake or Delaware. Washington took advantage of this, and moved his army for the purpose of following the enemy cautiously. They had passed over to Staten Island, but their commander suddenly resolved on returning to endeavour to get possession of the situation Washington had left, who immediately moved back, and prevented the success of this plan. The whole English army then crossed to Staten Island, and entered the fleet.

At that time, an English general named Prescot, commanded troops on Rhode Island; a militia officer, named Barton, with a small party, passed ten miles by water without being observed by the ships of war; and then landed within a mile of the place where they knew General Prescot slept. They quietly seized the guards, and took the general from his bed, and conveyed him in safety to their own quarters. The success of this bold attempt gave great joy; because it was expected

that the English would consent to give up General Lee for General Prescot.

On receiving an account that the English fleet had sailed from New York, the American army was moved towards Philadelphia.

The English had a large force at Quebec, commanded by General Burgoyne. Sir William Howe wrote to him, that though he seemed to be moving towards the south, it was his intention to turn towards Boston, which he meant to attack, assisted by Burgoyne's troops. This letter was given to Gen. Putnam, by a man who said he had been directed to take it to Quebec. Putnam sent it immediately to General Washington. When he read the letter, he said he was certain it was written with the intention that it should fall into his hands to deceive him; and it convinced him that the enemy would soon be near to Philadelphia; but knowing that the American army in the north was a feeble one, he proved the patriotism of his feelings by lessening his own force to assist them. The real advantage of his countrymen, and not the acquirement of fame for himself, was the motive which always ruled his actions as an offi

cer.

He called out the militia of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the northern part of Virgi nia, and then marched with his own troops towards the head of Elk river, in Maryland.

A militia officer, in writing to his family an

account of the appearance of the army as it passed through Philadelphia, said, "As Washington, the most dignified and respectable of mortals, marching at the head of the American army, passed, the tories hid their heads and trembled, whilst the friends of freedom appeared on each side of the streets, and bowed with gratitude and respect to the great man; and were I to judge of his feelings, I think he would not have exchanged his situation for all that kings in their profusion could bestow."

As Washington advanced towards Elk river, he heard that the enemy were landing, whose whole force consisted of about eighteen thousand men, in good health, high spirits, and well trained. Washington's force was about eleven thousand, and not all of these were supplied with arms.

He was desirous to place his army in the most favourable situation for meeting their powerful foes, and he moved to the Brandywine Creek, in the state of Delaware, and took possession of the high grounds, extending southward from Chad's Ford. He knew that Philadelphia could not be saved without a successful battle; and that Congress, and the people generally, expected that he would not give it up without an attempt to prevent the enemy from possessing it. In making his preparations for an attack, he was deceived by a false account of the number of the enemy, and