was in his rear. Alarmed by the danger of his position, he commenced a retreat; and, being harassed by the militia and the countrymen who had suffered from the outrages perpetrated by his troops on their advance, he did not deem himself in safety till he arrived at Brunswick, from `whence by means of the、 Rariton, he had a communication with New York.

This splendid success inspired the Americans with renewed spirits. Recruits were readily raised for their army, which took up its winter quarters at Morristown, about 30 miles to the northward of Brunswick; here both the officers and soldiers were inoculated for the small-pox. During this interval of comparative leisure, Washington urgently renewed the representations which he had before frequently made to the Congress, of the necessity of abandoning the system of enlisting men for limited terms of service. The dread justly entertained by that body of a standing army had hitherto induced them to listen coldly to his remonstrances on this point. But the experience of the last campaign corrected their views, and they resolved to use their utmost exertion to raise an army pledged to serve till the conclusion of the war. The free spirit of the Americans, however, could not brook enlistment for a time so undefined, and the Congress therefore issued proposals for a levy of soldiers to be engaged for three years, at the same time offering a bounty of 100 acres of land to those who would accept their first proposals. Though these measures in the end proved effectual, their accomplishment was slow, and in the spring of 1777, Washington's whole force did not amount to more than 1500 men; but with these inconsiderable numbers he so disposed his posts, that with the occasional assistance of the New Jersey militia and volunteers, he for some weeks kept the British in check at Brunswick. At this period, the difficulties under which he had so

long labored from the want of arms and military stores, were alleviated by the arrival of upwards of 20,000 muskets, and 1000 barrels of powder, which had been procured in France and Holland by the agency of the celebrated dramatist, Carron de Beaumarchais.

Late in the spring of 1777, however, the utmost exertions of Congress in forwarding the recruiting service could put no more than 7272 effective men at the disposal of General Washington. With this small force it was manifestly his policy to gain time, and by occupying advantageous ground, to avoid being forced to a general engagement. With a view, however, of inspiriting his countrymen, he took the field before the enemy had quitted their winter quarters, and towards the end of May he made a movement from Morristown to Middlebrook, where he encamped in a strong position. General Howe no sooner heard that the Americans were in motion, than he advanced from Brunswick to Somerset-court House, apparently with an intention of pushing for the Delaware; but the country rising in arms on every side of him, he was deterred from prosecuting this design, and hastily measured back his steps to his former position. their retreat, his troops committed great ravages, and particularly incensed the inhabitants by burning some of their places of worship. After frequently trying in vain to entice Washington from his strong position, General Howe at length retired to Amboy. There learning that his adversary had descended to Quibbletown, he hastened back to attack him; but had the mortification on his arrival at the spot lately occupied by the Americans, to learn that his vigilant foe had withdrawn into his fastnesses. Despairing of being able to penetrate into Pennsylvania by the way of the Jerseys, he passed over into Staten Island, from which point he resolved to prosecute the future views of his campaign by the assistance of his fleet. What those

On

views might be, it was difficult for Washington to ascertain. The whole coast of the United States was open to the British commander-in-chief. He might at

his pleasure sail to the north or to the south General Washington was inclined to believe that his intention was to move up Hudson's river to co-operate with General Burgoyne, who was advancing with a large army on the Canadian frontier; and, impressed with this idea, he moved a part of his army to Peek's Kill, whilst he posted another portion at Trenton, to be ready, if required, to march to the relief of Philadelphia. Whilst he was in this state of uncertainty, he received intelligence that Howe had embarked with 16,000 men, and had steered to the southward.

Still

apprehending that this might be a feint, he cast an anxious eye to the northward, till he was further informed that the British General, after looking into the Delaware, had proceeded to the Chesapeake. The plans of the invaders were then clearly developed. It was evident that they intended to march through the northern part of the State of Delaware, and take possession of Philadelphia. Much time was lost to the British by their voyage, in consequence of unfavorable winds. Though they set sail on the 23d of July, they did not arrive at Elk-ferry, the place fixed upon for their landing, till the 25th of August. General Howe had no sooner disembarked his troops than he advanced through the country by forced marches, to within two miles of the American army, which, having proceeded rapidly from Jersey to the present scene of action, was stationed at Newport.

8*

SECTION XXI.

CAPTURE OF PHILADELPHIA, 26TH OF SEPTEMBER,

1776.

On the approach of the enemy General Washington resolved to dispute their passage over the Brandywine Creek. In taking this step he appears to have acted contrary to his better judgment. By throwing himself upon the high ground to his right, he might have brought on a war of posts, much better adapted to the capacities of his undisciplined forces, than a battle fought on equal terms. But he dreaded the impression which would be made upon the public feeling, should he leave the road to Philadelphia open, and yielded to the general voice which called upon him to fight for the preservation of the seat of the American government. The action was fought at Chadd's ford, on the Brandywine, on the 11th of September. On this occasion Howe shewed his generalship by the skilfulness of his combinations. While a part of his army, under the command of General Knyphausen, made a false attack at the ford, a strong column, headed by Lord Cornwallis, crossing the Brandywine at its fork, turned the left of the Americans, and Knyphausen forcing a passage at that moment of alarm and confusion, the Americans gave way, and retired to Chester, their retreat being covered by Wooster's brigade, which preserved its ranks unbroken. Their loss in killed and wounded amounted to 1200. Among the latter was the Marquis de Lafayette, who, inspired with zeal for the cause of freedom, had, at the age of nineteen, quitted his country at considerable hazard, and entered into the American army, in which he at once obtained the rank of major-general. By the event of the battle of the Brandywine the country was in a great degree open

to the British. Washington in vain made one or two attempts to impede their progress, and on the 26th of September, General Howe made his triumphant entry into Philadelphia. On his approach the congress, who had returned thither from Baltimore, once more took flight, and withdrew first to Lancaster and afterwards to Yorktown.

General Howe, on marching to the Pennsylvanian capital, had left a considerable number of troops at Germantown, a few miles from that place. As these were unsupported by the main body of his army, General Washington determined upon an attempt to cut them off. His plan was well laid, and the forces which he despatched on this expedition took the enemy by surprise, and at first drove all before them. But a check having been given them by a small party of the British who had thrown themselves into a stone house, they were soon opposed by the fugitives who had rallied in force, and obliged to retreat with loss.

When General Howe quitted New York for the purpose of gaining possession of Philadelphia, he was deterred from making his approaches by the Delaware, by the preparations made by the Americans to obstruct the navigation of that river. The principal of these consisted of a fort erected on Mud Island, which is situated in the middle of the river, about seven miles below the city. On a height on the Jersey side of the river, called Red Bank, they had erected a strong battery. The channels on both sides of Mud Island were closed by strong and heavy chevaux de frise, through which was left a single passage closed by a boom. As it was absolutely necessary to make himself master of these works, in order to open a communication with his fleet, General Howe, gave orders that they should be forced. In his first attack he was unsuccessful. In storming the battery of Red Bank, Count Donop was mortally