 Chapter 10 of the Life of Washington, Volume 2 by John Marshall. This Libra Box recording is in the public domain. Chapter 10, Inquiry into the conduct of General Schuyler. Burgoyne appears before Ticonderoga. Evacuation of that place, of Skainsborough. Colonel Warner defeated. Evacuation of Fort Ann. Proclamation of Bowdoin. Proclamation of Schuyler. Burgoyne approaches Fort Edward. Schuyler retires to Saratoga to Stillwater. Saint-Lagère invests Fort Schuyler. Herkimer defeated. Colonel Baum detached. Bennington is defeated. Breckman defeated. Saint-Lagère abandons the siege of Fort Schuyler. Murder of Miss McCrae. General Gates takes command. Burgoyne encamps on the heights of Saratoga. Battle of Stillwater. Burgoyne retreats to Saratoga. Capitulates the British take forts. Ticonderoga evacuated by the British. 1777. While with inferior numbers, General Washington maintained a stubborn contest in the middle of states. Events of great variety and importance were passing in the north. After Sir Guy Carlton had distributed his army for winter quarters in several villages from the Île-Eau-Noix and Montréal to Quebec. General Burgoyne, who had served as the commander of the British army, and the commander of the British army, developed Quebec. General Burgoyne, who had served under him, embarked for England in order to communicate a full statement of affairs in that northern department and to assist in making arrangements for the ensuing campaign. The American army, having been formed for only one year, dissolved of itself at the expiration of that term and could scarcely furnish even the appearance of garrisons in their forts. The defense of this frontier was assigned to the regiments directed to be raised in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and the northwestern parts of New York. But the recruiting service advanced so slowly and so much difficulty was found in clothing and arming those who were enlisted that it became indispensable to call in the aid of the militia. And the plan of the campaign on the part of that British was involved in so much obscurity that General Washington deemed it advisable to direct eight of the regiments of Massachusetts to rendezvous at Peekskill. An inquiry into the conduct of General Scholar, which terminates to his honor, May 22, the service of General Scholar in the northern department had been more solid than brilliant. Dissatisfied with his situation and disgusted with the injustice, he supposed himself to experience he had for some time meditated a resignation and had been retained in that service only by the deep interest he felt in the struggle of his country for independence. So soon as his fears for Ticonderoga were removed by the partial opening of Lake Champlain, he waited in person on Congress for the purpose of adjusting his accounts, obtaining an inquiry into his conduct and supporting those necessary measures of defense in the north, which were suggested by his perfect knowledge of the country. At his request, the committee consisting of a member from each state was appointed to inquire into his conduct during the time he had held a command in the army. The arduous services performed by this meritorious officer when investigated were found so far to exceed any estimate which had been made of them that Congress deemed it essential to the public interest to prevail on him to retain his commission. The resolution which fixed his headquarters at Albany was repealed and he was directed to proceed forthwith through the northern department and to take the command of it. On his arrival he found the army of the north not only too weak for the objects entrusted to it, but badly supplied with arms, clothes and provisions from a spy who had been seized near Onion River. He obtained information that General Burgoyne was at Quebec and was to command the British forces in that department so soon as they should march out of Canada that while Ticonderoga should be attacked by the main army, Sir John Johnson with a strong body of British, Canadians and Indians was to penetrate to the Mohawk by Oswego and place himself between Fort Stanwyx and Fort Edward. Burgoyne appears before Ticonderoga. General Scholar was sensible of the danger which threatened him and made every exertion to meet it. After completing his arrangements at Ticonderoga for sustaining a siege, he had proceeded to Albany for the purpose of attending to his supplies and of expediting the march of reinforcements when he received intelligence from General Sankler who was entrusted with the defense of Ticonderoga that Burgoyne had appeared before that place. In the course of the preceding winter a plan for penetrating to the Hudson from Canada by the way of the lakes had been digested in the cabinet of London. General Burgoyne who assisted in forming it was entrusted with its execution and was to lead a formidable army against Ticonderoga as soon as the season would permit. At the same time a smaller party under Colonel Saint Legeur composed of Canadians newly raised Americans and a few Europeans aided by a powerful body of Indians was to march from Oswego to enter the country by the way of the Mohawk and to join the Grand Army on the Hudson. January 22, Burgoyne reached Quebec as soon as it was practicable to sail up the St. Lawrence and appeared in full force on the river Bouquet on the western banks of Lake Champlain much earlier than the American general had supposed to be possible. At this place he met the Indians and the Grand Council after which he gave them four feasts. Much of the cruelty afterwards perpetrated by the savages has been attributed to this unfortunate officer but justice requires the admission that his speech was calculated rather to diminish than increase their habitual ferocity. He endeavored to impress on them the distinction between enemies in the field and the unarmed inhabitants many of whom were friends and addressing himself to their avarice promised rewards for prisoners but none for scalps. It was perhaps fortunate for America that in some instances peculiarly calculated to excite an interest in human feelings these feeble restraints were disregarded after publishing a manifesto at Putnam River designed to act on the hopes and fears of the people of the country through which he was to pass he altered a few days at Crown Point to make the necessary dispositions for investing Ticonderoga. June 30 from Crown Point the Royal Army advanced on both sides the lake keeping up communication between its divisions by means of the fleet and on the 1st of July encamped within four miles of the American works. A strong party was pushed forward to three mile point and the fleet anchored just beyond the range of the guns of the fort July 1 the next day they took possession without opposition of the important post at Mount Hope which commanded in part the lines on the northern side and entirely cut off the communication with Lake George. The weakness of his garrison induced General Sinclair to give up this post without a struggle believing it to be impracticable to support it without hazarding a general action he determined to concentrate his force about Ticonderoga and Mount Independence after taking possession of Mount Hope the British lines were extended to the western side of Champlain from that mountain quite to the lake completely to enclose the garrison on that side. The German division under a major general arrived to sell which occupied the eastern shore of the lake was encamped at three mile point and had pushed forward a detachment near the revealer which runs east of Mount Independence July the procedures labored assiduously to bring up their artillery and complete their works. Sugar Hill a rugged mountain standing at the confluence of the waters that unite at Ticonderoga which overlooks the fortress and had been thought inaccessible was examined and the report being that the ascent though extremely difficult was practicable the work was immediately commenced and was pressed with so much bigger that the batteries might have opened next day. The garrison was not in a condition to check these operations. The situation of Sinclair was now at its crisis between the eastern run and the south river remained open and this he was informed would be occupied the next day so that the investment would be complete. The place must be immediately evacuated or maintained at the hazard of losing the garrison when it should be no longer tenable. Between these cruel alternations General Sinclair did not hesitate to choose the first but deeming it prudent to take the advice of a council of war he convened the general unanimously advised the immediate evacuation of the fort. Evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence July 5. Preparations for the retreat were instantly commenced. The embolids, the hospital and such stores as could be moved in the course of the night were put on board the bateau which proceeded under the guard of Colonel Long up the south river to Skeensboro and be four day on the morning of the 6th of July. The main body of the army was directed its march to the same place in the hope of making considerable progress before his retreat should be discovered. General Sinclair had ordered the troops to observe the most profound silence and particularly to set nothing on fire. These judicious orders were disobeyed and before the rear guard was in motion the house which had been occupied by General Der Fort Moy was in flames. This served as a signal to the besiegers who immediately entered the works. The main body of that retreating army was rapidly pursued by General's Fraser and Ry DeSell while General Burgoy in person followed the detachment under Colonel Long. July 6. The bridge, the boom and those other works, the construction of which had employed the labor of ten months were cut through by nine in the morning so as to afford a passage for the Royal George and inflexible frigates as well as for the gun boats which engaged the American galleys about three in the afternoon near the falls of Skeensboro. The American army evacuated Skeensboro and retired to Fort Ann. In the meantime, three regiments had disembarked at some distance from the fort with the intention of attacking it by land and cutting off the retreat of that garrison as well as that of the detachment in the boats and galleys. This maneuver being discovered, the works and battle were set on fire and the troops retired to Fort Ann. On this occasion, the baggage of the army and a great quantity of military stores were either destroyed by the Americans or taken by the British. Knowing that he could save his army only by the rapidity of his march, General St. Clair reached Castle Town 30 miles from Ticonderoga on the night succeeding the evacuation of the fort. The rear guard under Colonel Warner halted six miles short of that place having been augmented by those who from excessive fatigue had fallen out of the line of march. It amounted to more than 1,000 men. July 7, Colonel Warner attacked by General Fraser and obliged to retreat the next morning at five. They were overtaken and attacked by General Fraser with 850 men. The action was won and well contested in its commencement to regiments of militia which laid within two miles of Colonel Warner were ordered to his assistance. Instead of obeying these orders, they consulted their own safety and hastened to Castle Town. The order has been executed. The Corps which attacked Warner probably have been cut to pieces. While the action was maintained with equal spirit on both sides, General DeSalle arrived with his division of Germans and the Americans were routed. In this action, Colonel Francis, several other officers and upwards of 200 men were left dead on the field and one Colonel, seven captains, 10 subalterns and 210 privates were made prisoners. Near 600 are supposed to have been wounded, many of whom must have perished in attempting to escape through the woods towards the inhabited country. The British state their own loss at 35 killed among whom was one field officer and 144 wounded, including two majors and five inferior officers. It is scarcely credible notwithstanding the difference in arms that in a well contested action the disparity in the killed could have been so considerable. It is the less probable as the pursuit was not of long continuance. To avoid that division of the British Army which had proceeded up the North River, Sinclair changed his route and directed his march to Rutland, to which place he ordered Warner also to retire. At Rutland he fell in with several soldiers who had been separated from their corps and two days afterwards that Manchester was joined by Warner with about 90 men from this place he proceeded to Fort Edward where he met General Schuyler. After taking possession of Schienesboro, Burgoyne had found it necessary to suspend the pursuit and to give his army refreshment. The troops were in some disorder, distinct corps were intermingled and his detachments were far apart from each other. He determined therefore to halt a few days at that place in order to reassemble and arrange his army. July 7, Colonel Long evacuates Fort Ann and retires to Fort Edward. Colonel Long having been directed to defend Fort Ann, the 9th Regiment British under Lieutenant Colonel Hill had been detached against that place and being understood that the Americans were in some force. Two other regiments under Brigadier Powell were ordered to support the first party. Before the arrival of this reinforcement Colonel Long attacked the 9th Regiment and a sharp skirmish ensued in which the British kept their ground and the advantage was claimed by both parties hearing that a reinforcement was approaching. Long set fire to the works at Fort Ann and retired to Fort Edward. July 7, at Stillwater on his way to Ticonderoga, General Scholar was informed of the evacuation of that place and on the same day at Saratoga of the loss of the stores at Skeensboro, he had heard nothing from General Sinclair and was seriously apprehensive for that officer and his army which after the junction of Colonel Long consisted of about 1500 continental troops and the same number of militia. They were dispirited by defeat without tense, badly armed and had lost great part of their stores and baggage. The country was generally much alarmed and even the well-affected discovered more inclination to take care of themselves than to join the army. In this gloomy state of things no officer could have exerted more diligence and skill than were displayed by Scholar. Having fixed his head quarters at Fort Edward he employed to the utmost from action with Burgoyne unavoidably gave. The country between Skeensboro and Fort Edward was almost entirely unsettled, was covered with thick woods and of a surface extremely rough and much intersected with creeks and morasses. Wood Creek was navigable with Batot as far as Fort Ann and military stores of every description might be transported up it. He obstructed its navigation by sinking numerous impediments in its course, broke up the bridges and rendered the roads impassable. He was also indefatigable in driving the livestock out of the way and in bringing from Fort George to Fort Edward the ammunition and other military stores which had been deposited at that place. Still farther to delay the movements of the British he posted Colonel Warner on their left flank with instructions to raise the militia in that quarter. The hope was entertained that the appearance of a respectable force threatening the flank and rear of it would not only retard its advance but would induce General Burgoyne to weaken it in order to strengthen the garrison of Ticonderoga while thus endeavoring to obstruct the march of the enemy. Scholar was not less attentive to the best means of strengthening his own army. Reinforcements of regular troops were earnestly solicited. The militia of New England and New York were required to take the field and all his influence in that surrounding country was exerted to reanimate the people and to prevent their defection from the American cause. Proclamation of Burgoyne and counter-proclamation of Scholar. While at Skeensboro General Burgoyne issued a second proclamation summoning the people of the adjacent country to send 10 deputies from each township to meet Colonel Skeen at Castle Town in order to deliberate on such measures as might still be adopted to save those who had not yet conformed to his first and submitted to the Royal Authority. General Scholar apprehended some effect from this paper issued a counter-proclamation stating the insidious designs of the enemy warning the inhabitants by the example of Jersey of the danger to which they're yielding to this seductive proposition would expose them and giving them the most solemn assurances that all who should send deputies to this meeting or in any manner aid the enemy would be considered traitors and should suffer the utmost rigor of the law. The evacuation of Ticonderuga was a shock for which no part of the United States was prepared. Neither the strength of the invading army nor of the garrison had been understood when therefore intelligence was received that a place on the fortifications of which much money and labor had been expended which was considered as the key to the whole Northwestern country and supposed to contain a garrison nearly equal to the invading army had been abandoned without a siege that an immense train of artillery and all the military stores had either fallen into the hands of the enemy or been destroyed that the army on its retreat had been attacked, defeated, and disbursed. Astonishment pervaded all ranks of men and the conduct of the officers was universally condemned. Congress recalled all the generals of the department and directed an inquiry into their conduct. Throughout New England especially the most bitter decisions were cast on them and General Schuyler who from some unknown cause had never been viewed with favor in that part of the continent was involved in the common charge of treachery to which this accumulation of unlooked for calamity was generally attributed by the mass of the people. On the representations of General Washington the recall of the officers was suspended until he should be of opinion that the service would not suffer by the measure and on a full inquiry afterwards made into their conduct they were acquitted of all blame. In a letter of Saint Clair to the commander in chief stating his motives for evacuating Ticonderoga he represented the strength of his garrison including 900 militia who would consent to stay but a few days at only 3,000 defective rank and file many of whom were without bayonets the lines required 10,000 to man them properly he also affirmed that his supply of provisions was sufficient for only 20 days and that the works on the Ticonderoga side were incomplete with their flanks undefended he justified his having failed to call in a larger reinforcement of militia by the scarcity of provisions the supply on hand not having been procured until General Skarner had resumed the command in the department and attributed his not having evacuated the place and time to preserve his army and stores to the prevalent opinion that there was not a sufficient force in Canada so hardy an enterprise and two is not being at liberty to adopt that measure but in the last necessity a court of inquiry justified his conduct and he retained the competence of the commander in chief on learning the distressed state of that remnant of the army general Washington made great exertions to repair its losses and to reinforce it the utmost industry was used to procure a supply of tents artillery and ammunition were forwarded from Massachusetts the remaining troops of that state were ordered to that department and General Lincoln who possessed in a high degree the confidence of the new England militia was directed to raise and command them General Arnold so often distinguished for his gallantry in the field was ordered to the northern army in the hope that his presence and reputation might reanimate the troops and Colonel Morgan with his corps of life women was detached on the same service through the present dark gloom Washington discerned a ray of life already cherished the hope that much good might result from present evil the evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount independent said he in a letter of the fifteenth of July to general scholar is an event of chagrin and surprise not apprehended nor within the compass of my reasoning this throat is severe indeed and has distressed as much but not withstanding things at present where a dark and gloomy aspect I hope a spirited opposition will check the progress of general Burgoyne's arms and that the confidence derived from success will hurry him into measures that will in their consequences be favorable to us we should never despair our situation has before been unpromising and has changed for the better so I trust it will again if new difficulties arise we must only put forth new exertions and proportion our efforts to the exigency of the times unreceiving a letter from general scholar of the seventeenth stating the divided situation of the British army he seemed to anticipate the event which afterwards occurred and to suggest the measure in which originated that torrent of misfortune with which Burgoyne was overwhelmed though our affairs he said and applied to this information have for some days past one a dark and gloomy aspect I yet look forward to a fortunate and happy change I trust general Burgoyne's army will meet sooner or later an effectual check and as I suggested before that the success he has met with will precipitate his ruin from your accounts he appears to be pursuing that line of conduct which of all others is most favorable to us I mean acting in detachment this conduct will certainly give room for enterprise on our part and expose his parties to great hazard could we be so happy as to cut one of them off though it should not exceed four five or six hundred minute with in spirit the people and do away much of their present anxiety in such an event they would lose sight of past misfortunes and urged at the same time by regard for their own security would fly to arms and afford every aid in their power after allowing a short repose to his army general Burgoyne proceeded with order to the remaining objects of the campaign tutorials and delays which must be encountered in reaching the Hudson were soon perceived he found it necessary to open would creak into repair the roads and bridges which Scala had broken up such was the unavoidable delay of this difficult operation that the army did not arrive on the Hudson in the neighborhood of Fort Edward till the 14th of July at this place it was necessary again to halt in order to bring artillery provisions by tow and other articles from Fort George Burgoyne approaches Fort Edward and Scala retires to Saratoga from Benz to Stillwater the time afforded by this delay had been employed by Scala to the utmost advantage some reinforcements of continental troops that arrived from peak skill and the militia had been assembled but his strength did not yet afford a reasonable prospect of success in a contest with the enemy opposed to him on this account as Burgoyne approached Fort Edward Scala retired over the Hudson to Saratoga and soon afterwards to Stillwater not far from the mouth of the Mohawk at this place General Lincoln who had been detached to take command of the militia assembling at Manchester was ordered to rejoin him and he fortified his camp in the hope of being strong enough to defend it. August 15 at Stillwater information was obtained that Burgoyne had evacuated Castle Town so that the only communication with Ticonderoga when nearly all his supplies were drawn was through Lake George and that the garrison of that important place had been reduced to 300 men in consequence of this intelligence the orders to General Lincoln were countermanded and he was directed with the militia of Massachusetts New Hampshire and of that grants making as was understood a total of between 2 and 3,000 men to place himself in the rear of the British Army and cut off its communication with the lakes here too he was informed that Colonel Saint Leger with a large body of Indians in addition to his regulars had penetrated from Oswego by the way of the Onida Lake and Wood Creek to the Mohawk where he had laid siege to Fort Schuyler and had totally defeated General Herkimer who had raised the militia of Tryon County in order to relieve the fort the importance of protecting the inhabitants from the savages and of preventing a junction between Saint Leger and Burgoyne and the consequent loss of the country on the Mohawk determined Schuyler weak as he was to detach Major General Arnold with recontinental regiments to raise the siege the army was so enfeeble by this measure that its removal to a place of greater security became necessary and it was withdrawn to some islands in the confluence of the Hudson and the Mohawk where the camp was deemed more defensible Burgoyne had now marched down the east side of the Hudson and his advance parties had crossed the river and occupied the ground at Saratoga Saint Leger and thus Fort Schuyler on the 3rd of August after a message vaunting of his strength and demanding a surrender which was entered by a declaration that the fort would be defended to the last extremity Saint Leger invested Fort Schuyler the garrison amounted to 600 men all continental troops who were commanded by Colonel Gaines Vuart the besieging army rather exceeded 1500 of whom from 6 to 900 were Indians on the approach of the enemy General Herkimer who commanded the militia in Mayan County assembled them in considerable numbers and gave information to the garrison about 11 in the morning of the 6th of his intention to force a passage that day through the besieging army Gaines Vert determined the favor of the execution of this design by a vigorous sortie and upwards of 200 men to be commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Willett were drawn out for that purpose Herkimer advancing to the relief of the fort falls into an ambush which was defeated with loss unfortunately Saint Leger received information the preceding day of Herkimer's approach and early in the morning placed a strong party composed of regulars and Indians in ambush guard on the road along which he was to march his first notice of it was given by a heavy discharge of small arms which was followed by a furious attack from the Indians with their tomahawks he defended himself with resolution but was defeated with great slaughter and several of the field officers were wounded and many others among whom were several persons of distinction were killed or taken prisoners the loss was estimated at 400 men the destruction was prevented from being still more complete by the very timely sortie made by Lieutenant Colonel Willett which checked the pursuit and recall those engaged in it to the defense of their own camp as soon as Gaines Vert understood that Herkimer was advancing the sortie Lieutenant Colonel Willett fell on the camp of the besiegers and routed them at the first onset after driving them some into the woods and others over the river he returned to the fort without the loss of a man Burgoyne had received early intimation of the arrival of Saint Leger before Fort Skyler and was aware of the advantage to be derived from an immediate and rapid movement down the Hudson but the obstacles to his progress multiplied daily in each step and in the midst of the embarrassment not more than one-third of the horses expected from Canada had arrived and Skyler had been active in removing the draft cattle of the country with unremitting exertion he had been able to transport from Fort George to the Hudson a distance of 18 miles only 12 bateau and provisions for four days in advance the defectiveness of his means to feed and his army until it should reach the abundant country below him he had no progress not readily to be surmounted the difficulty of drawing supplies from Fort George would increase every day with the increasing distance and the communications already endangered by a considerable body of militia assembling a white creek could be secured only by larger detachments from his army than he was in a condition to make these were strong inducements to attempt some other mode of supply Colonel Vaughn was detached to seize the magazines at Pennington it was well known that large magazines of provisions for the use of the American army were collected at Pennington which place was generally guarded by militia whose numbers buried from day to day the possession of these magazines would enable him to prosecute his ulterior plans without relying for supplies from Lake George and he determined to seize them to try the affections of the country to complete a core of loyalists and to mount dry the sales for goons were subordinate objects of the expedition. Lieutenant Colonel Baum with 500 Europeans and a body of American loyalists was detached on his service to facilitate the enterprise and be ready to take advantage of its success were going to move down the east side of the Hudson and through a bridge of rafts over that river for the passage of his van which took post at Saratoga at the same time Lieutenant Colonel Breckman with his corps was advanced to Batten Hill if necessary to support Colonel Baum on approaching Pennington Baum discovered that he should have to encounter a much more considerable force than had been suspected the New Hampshire militia commanded by General Stark had reached that place on their way to camp and uniting with Colonel Warner made in the hole about 2,000 men perceiving his danger Baum halted about four miles from Pennington and dispatched and expressed for a reinforcement in the meantime he strengthened his position by entrenchments Lieutenant Colonel Breckman was immediately ordered to his assistance but such was the state of the roads that though the distance was only 24 miles and his march was pressed and remittingly from 8 in the morning of the 15th he did not reach the ground on which Baum had encamped until 4 in the afternoon of the next day is attacked in his entrenchments by General Stark and entirely rowdy in the meantime General Stark determined to attack him in his entrenchments so confident were the provincials belonging to this party of the attachment of the country to the royal cause that the American troops while making their disposition for the attack were mistaken for armed friends coming to join them on discovering his error Baum prepared for the contest and made a gallant defense his works however were carried by Storm and great part of his detachment killed or taken prisoners a few escaped into the woods and saved themselves by flight Breckman advances to Baum's aid is attacked by Colonel Warner and defeated Breckman arrived during the pursuit and obtained from the fugitives the first intelligence of the disaster which had the fallen them immediately attacked the parties of militia who were engaged in the pursuit and gained some advantage over them fortunately for the Americans Colonel Warner came up at this critical juncture with his continental regiment and restored and continued the action until the main body of the militia reassembled and came to support him Breckman in turn was compelled to retire but he maintained the engagement until dark when abandoning his artillery and baggie cheese saved his party under cover of the night 1,000 stand-of-arms and 900 swords were taken in this battle General Burgorn represented his loss and men at about 432 officers and 564 privates including Canadians and loyalists were made prisoners the number of the dead was not ascertained because the action with Breckman had been fought in the woods and continued for several miles the British general therefore must have included in his estimate of loss only his European troops this important success was soon followed by another of equal influence on the fate of the campaign Ford Scowler had been fortified with more skill and was defended with more courage than Saint-Légère had expected his artillery made no impression on his walls and his Indians who were much better pleased with obtaining plunder troops than besieging fortresses became intractable and manifested great disgust with the service in this temper they understood that Arnold was advancing with a large body of continental troops and soon afterwards were told that were going and his army had been totally defeated a report probably founded on the affair at Bennington unwilling to share the misfortune of their friends they manifested a determination not to await the arrival of Arnold the efforts of Saint-Légère to detain them being short many of them decamped immediately and the rest threatened to follow Saint-Légère abandons the siege of Ford Scowler and retreats to Ticonderoga the time for deliberation was passed the camp was broken up with indications of excessive alarm the tents were left standing and their artillery with great part of the baggage ammunition and provisions fell under the hands of the Americans the retreating army was pursued by detachment from the garrison and it was stated by deserters that the Indians the remaining baggage of the officers and massacred such soldiers as could not keep up with the line of march Saint-Légère returned to Montreal when he proceeded to Ticonderoga with the intention of joining General Burgoyne by that route the decisive victory at Bennington and the retreat of Saint-Légère from Ford Scowler however important in themselves was still more so in their consequences an army which had spread terror and dismay in every direction which had previously experienced a force of fortune was considered as already beaten and the opinion became common that the appearance of the great body of the people in arms would secure the emancipation of their country it was to an advantage of no inconsiderable importance resulting from this change of public opinion that the disaffected became timid and the wavering who had the torrent of success continued would have made a merit of contributing their aid to the victor were no longer disposed to put themselves in their fortunes to support an army whose fate was so uncertain the barbarities which had been perpetrated by the Indians belonging to the invading armies excited still more resentment than terror as the prospect of revenge began to open their effect became the more apparent and their influence on the royal cause was the more sensibly felt because they had been indiscriminate the murder of Miss McCray the murder of Miss McCray passed through all the papers of the continent and the story being retouched by the hand one master excited a peculiar degree of sensibility but there were other causes of still greater influence in producing the events which afterwards took place the last reinforcements of continental troops arrived in camp about this time and added both courage and strength to the army the harvest which had detained the northern militia upon their farms was over a general scholar whose continued and eminent services had not exempted him from the imputation of being a traitor was succeeded by General Gates who possessed the large share of the public confidence General Gates takes command of the northern army when scholar was directed by congress to resume the command of the northern department Gates withdrew himself from it when the resolution passed were calling the general officers who had served in that department General Washington was requested to name a successor to scholar on his expressing a wish to decline this nomination and representing the inconvenience of removing all the general officers Gates was again directed to repair the and take the command and their resolution to recall the brigadiers were suspended until the commander in chief should be of opinion that it might be carried into effect with safety scholar retained the command until the arrival of Gates which was on the 19th of August and continued his exertions to restore the affairs of the department though he felt acutely the disgrace of being recalled in this critical and interesting state of the campaign it is that he in a letter to the commander in chief matter of extreme should rent to me to be deprived of the command at a time when soon if ever we shall probably be unable to face the enemy when we are on the point of taking ground where they must attack to a disadvantage should our force be inadequate to facing them in the field when an opportunity will in our probability occur in which I might events that I am not what congress have to plainly insinuate it by taking the command from me. If error to the evacuation of Ticonderoga no portion of it was committed by styler is removal from the command was probably severe and unjust as respected himself but perhaps wise as respected America the front to you towards the lights was to be defended by the troops of New England and however unfounded their prejudices against him might be it was prudent to consult them not withstanding the difficulties which multiplied around him were going to remain steady to his purpose the disasters at Bennington and on the Mohawk produced no disposition to abandon the enterprise and save his army September 14 were going encamps on the heights of Saratoga it had now become necessary to recur to the slow and toilsome mode of obtaining supplies from Fort George having with persevering labor collective provision for 30 days in advance he crossed the Hudson on the 13th and 14th of September and encamped on the heights and planes of Saratoga with a state of the expedition and a general engagement general Gates having been joined by all the continental troops destined for the northern department and reinforced by large bodies of militia have moved from his camp in the islands and advance to the neighborhood of Stillwater he attacks Gates at Stillwater September 19 the bridges between the two armies having been broken down the roads being excessively bad and the country covered with wood the progress of the British Army down the river 17 were going encamped within four miles of the American army and the next day was employed in repairing the bridges between the two camps in the morning of the 19th he advanced and full force towards the American left Morgan was immediately detached with his core to observe the enemy and to harass his front and plants he fell in with a picket in front of the right wing which he attacked the velocity and drove in upon the main body pursuing with too much order he was met in considerable pressure a severe encounter was compelled in turn to retire in some disorder two regiments being advanced to his assistance his court was rallied and the action became more general the Americans were formed in the wood with an open field in front and invariably repulsed the British core which attacked them but when they pursued those core to the main body they were in turn driven back to their first ground reinforcements were continually brought up and about four in the afternoon upwards of the whole right wing of the British Army commanded by General Burgoyne in person the conflict was extremely severe and only terminated with the day at dark the Americans retired to their camp and the British had found great difficulty in maintaining their ground lay all night on their arms near the field of battle in this action the killed and wounded on the part of the Americans where between three and four hundred among the former were colonels Coburn and Adams and several other valuable officers the British loss has been estimated at rather more than five hundred men each army claimed the victory and each believed itself to have beaten near the whole of the hostile army with only a part of its own force the advantage however taking all circumstances into consideration was decidedly with the Americans in a conflict which nearly consumed the day they found themselves at least equal to their antagonists in every quarter they had acted on the offensive and after an encounter for several hours had not lost an inch of ground given from the field but had retired from it at the close of day to the camp from which they had marched to battle their object which was to check the advancing enemy had been obtained while that of the British general had failed in the actual state of things to fight without being beaten was on their part victory while on the part of the British to fight without of the size of victory was to feed the Indians who found themselves beaten in the woods by Morgan and restrained from scalping and plundering the unarmed by Burgoyne who saw them the prospect of hard fighting without profit who tired of this service and deserted in great numbers Canadians and provincials were not much more faithful and Burgoyne soon perceived that his hopes must rest almost entirely on his European troops with reason therefore this action was celebrated throughout the United States as a victory and considered as the precursor of the total ruin of the invading army the utmost exaltation was displayed and the militia were stimulated to fly to arms and complete the work so happily General Lincoln in conformity with directions which have been stated had assembled a considerable body of New England militia in the rear of Burgoyne from which he drew three parties of about 500 men each one of these was deterred under the command of Colonel Brown through the north end of Lake George principally to relieve a number of prisoners who were confined there but with orders to push his success should he be fortunate as far as Prudence would admit Colonel Johnson at the head of another party marched towards Mount Independence and Colonel Woodbury with a third was detached to Steensburg to cover the retreat of both the others with the resident Lincoln proceeded to the camp of Gates Colonel Brown after marching all night arrived at the break of day on the north end of the lake where he found a small post which he carried without opposition the surprise was complete and he took possession of Mount Defiance Mount Hope the landing place in about 200 Bahto with the loss of only three killed in five wounded he liberated 100 American prisoners and captured 293 of the enemy this success was directly proclaimed through the northern states it was believed confidently that Ticonderoga and Mount Independence were recovered and the militia were exhorted by joining their brethren in the army to ensure that event if it had not already happened the attempt on those places however failed the garrison repulsed the assailants who after a few days abandoned the siege on their return through Lake George the militia made an attack on Diamond Island the depot of all the stores collected at the north end of the lake being again repulsed they destroyed the vessels they had taken and returned to their former station September 21 the day after the battle of Stillwater General Burgoyne took a position almost within cannon shot of the American camp fortified his right and extended his left to the river directly after taking this ground he received a letter from Sir Henry Clinton informing him that he should attack Fort Montgomery about the 20th of September the messenger returned with information that Burgoyne was in extreme difficulty and would endeavor to wait for aid until the 12th of October both armies retained their position until the 7th of October Burgoyne in the hope of being relieved by Sir Henry Clinton engaged in the confidence of Burgoyne stronger every day October 7 having received no further intelligence from Sir Henry and being reduced to the necessity of diminishing the ration his soldiers the British general determined to make one more trial of strength with his adversary in execution of this determination he drew out on his right 1500 choice troops whom he commanded in person assisted by General Phillips, Ryde de Sel and Fraser the right wing was formed within three quarters of a mile of the left of the American camp and a corps of Rangers Indians and Provinciers was pushed on through secret paths to show themselves in its rear and excite along in that quarter these movements were perceived by General Gates who determined to attack their left and at the same time to fall on their right flank corps, brigade and some regimentals from New Hampshire were ordered to meet them in front while Morgan with his rifle corps made a circuit unproceed and seized a very advantageous height covered with wood on their right as soon as it was supposed that Morgan had gained the ground he intended to occupy the attack was made in front and on the left in great force at this critical moment Morgan poured in a deadly and incessant fire on the front and right flank while the British right wing was thus closely pressed in front and on its flank a distinct division of the American troops was ordered to intercept its retreat to camp and to separate it from the residue of the army for going perceived the danger of his situation and ordered the light infantry under General Fraser the part of the 24th regiment to form a second line in order to cover the light infantry of the right and secure retreat while this movement was in progress the left of the British right was forced from its ground and the light infantry was ordered to re-execute its aid in the attempt to execute this order they were attacked by the rifle corps with great effect and Fraser was mortally wounded overpowered by numbers and pressed on all sides by a superior way to fire for going with great difficulty with the loss of his field pieces and great part of his artillery corps regained his camp the Americans followed close in his rear and assaulted his works throughout their whole extent towards the close of the day the entrenchments were forced on their right and General Arnold with but his horse being killed under him and himself wounded the troops were forced out of them and it being nearly dark they desisted from the assault the left of Arnold's division was still more successful Jackson's regiment of Massachusetts then led by Lieutenant Colonel Brooks turned the right of the encampment and stormed the works occupied by the German reserve Lieutenant Colonel Breckman who commanded in them was killed and the works were carried the orders given by Burgoyne to recover them were not executed and Brooks maintained the ground darkness but an end to the action and the Americans lay all night with their arms in their hands about half a mile from the British lines ready to renew the assault with the return of day the advantage they had gained was decisive they had taken several pieces of artillery killed a great number of men made up was the 200 prisoners among whom were several officers of distinction and had penetrated the lines in that part which exposed the hole to considerable danger and willing to risk the events of the next day on the same ground Burgoyne changed his position and drew his whole army into a strong camp on the River Heights extending his right up the river this movement extricated him from the danger of being attacked the ensuing morning by an enemy already in possession of part of his works October 8th General Gates perceived the strength of this position and was not disposed to hazard and assault aware of the critical situation of his adversary he detached the party higher up the Hudson for the purpose of intercepting the British army on its retreat while a strong corps posted on the other side of the river to guard its passage retreats to Saratoga this movement compelled Burgoyne again to change his position and to retire to Saratoga about nine at night the retreat was commenced and was affected with the loss of his hospital containing about 300 sick and of several battot laden with provision and baggage I'm reaching the ground to be occupied found a strong core already entrenched on the opposite side of the river prepared to dispute its passage October 10th from Saratoga Burgoyne detached a company of artificers under a strong escort to repair the roads and bridges towards Fort Edward scarcely had this detachment moved when the Americans appeared in force on the heights south of Saratoga Creek and made dispositions which excited the apprehension of a design to cross it and attack his tent. The Europeans escorting the artificers were recalled and a provincial corps employed in the same service being attacked by a small party ran away and left the workmen to shift for themselves. No hope of repairing the roads remaining it became impossible to move the baggage and artillery the British Army was now almost completely embalmed by a superior force no means remain of extricating itself from difficulties and dangers which were continually increasing but forwarding a river on the opposite bank of which a formidable body of troops was already posted and then escaping to Fort George through roads impassable by artillery or wagons while its rear was closely pressed by a victorious enemy. A council called to deliberate on their situation took the bold resolution to abandon everything but their arms and such provisions as the soldiers could carry by a forced march in the night at the river to extricate themselves from the American Army and crossing at Fort Edward or at a fort above it to press on to Fort George. Gates had foreseen this movement and had prepared for it in addition to placing strong guards at the forts of the Hudson he had formed in trench camp on the high grounds between Fort Edward and Fort George and was sent to examine the route returned with this information and the plan was abandoned as impracticable and I think it would be more hopeless than the condition of the British Army or more desperate than that of their general as described by himself in his letter to Lord George German Secretary of State for American Affairs he says a series of hard, toil and cessing efforts stubborn action until disabled in the collateral branches of the Army by the total defection of the Indians the desertion or dignity of the Canadians some individuals accepted disappointed in the last hope of any cooperation from other armies the regular troops produced by losses in the best parts 23,500 fighting men not 2,000 of which were British only three days provisions upon short allowance in store invested by an army of 16,000 men and no appearance of retreat remaining I called into council all the generals field officers and captains commanding corps and by their unanimous concurrence and advice I was induced to open a treaty General Gates a treaty was opened with a general proposition stating the willingness of the British general to spare the further infusion of blood provided a negotiation could be affected on honorable terms surrender of the army under Burgoyne October 17 this proposition was answered by a demand that the whole army should ground their arms in their encampment and surrender themselves prisoners of war this demand was instantly rejected with a declaration that if General Gates designed to insist on it he must immediately break off and hostilities recommence on receiving this decided answer Gates receded from the rigorous terms at first proposed and the convention was signed in which it was agreed that the British army after marching out of their encampment with all the honors of war should lay down their arms and not serve against the United States till exchange they were not to be detained in captivity but to be permitted to embark for England the situation of the armies considered these terms were highly honorable to the British general and favorable to his nation they were probably more advantageous than what had been granted by General Gates had he entertained no apprehension from Sir Henry Clinton who was at length making the promise diversion on the North River up which he had penetrated as far as East Opus the drafts made from peak steel for both armies had left that post in a situation to require the aid of militia for its security was complied with but the attack upon them being delayed the militia who were anxious to see their farms became impatient many deserted and General Putnam was induced to discharge the residue Governor Clinton immediately ordered out half the militia of New York with assurances that they should be relieved in one month by the other half this order was executed so slowly that the forts were carried before the militia were in the field great pains have been taken in much labor employed to render this position secure the principal defenses were forts Montgomery and Clinton they had been constructed on the western bank of the Hudson on very high ground extremely difficult of access and were separated from each other by a small creek which runs from the mountains into the river these forts were too much elevated to be battered from the water and the hills on which they stood were too steep to be ascended by troops landing at the foot of them the mountains which commence 5 or 6 miles below them are so high and rugged the defiles through which the roads leading past so narrow and so commanded by the heights on both sides that the approaches to them are extremely difficult and dangerous to prevent ships from passing the forts Chavaux de Frise have been sunk into the river and a boom extended from bank to bank which was covered with immense change stretched at some distance in its front these works were defended by the guns of the forts and by a frigate and gallows stationed above them capable of opposing with an equal fire in front any force which might attack them by water from below. Fort independence was 5 miles below Fort's Montgomery and Clinton and on the opposite side of the river on a high point of land and Fort Constitution is rather more than 6 miles above them on an island near the eastern shore Peak Skill the general headquarters of the officer commanding at the station is just below Fort independence and on the same side of the river the garrisons have been reduced to about 600 men and the whole force under General Putnam did not much exceed 2000 yet this force though far inferior to that which General Washington pertained to the station was if properly applied more than competent to the defense of the forts against any numbers which could be spared from New York to ensure success to the enterprise it was necessary to draw the attention of Putnam from the real object and to storm the works before the garrisons could be aided by his army this Sir Henry Clinton accomplished October 6th between 3 and 4,000 men embarked at New York and landed on the 5th of October at the planning's point on the east side of the Hudson a short distance below Peak Skill upon which General Putnam retired to the heights in his rear on the evening of the same day a part of these troops re-embarked and the fleet moved up the river to Peak Skill neck in order to mask Kingsbury which was below them the next morning at break of day the troops destined for the enterprise landed on the west side of Stony Point and commenced their march through the mountains into the rear of Fort's Clinton and Montgomery this disembarkation was observed but the morning was so foggy that the numbers could not be distinguished and a large fire was perceived at the landing place suggested the idea that the sole object of the party on the shore was the burning of some store houses in the meantime the maneuvers of the vessels and the appearance of a small detachment left at their plan's point persuaded General Putnam that the meditative attack was on Fort independence Fort's Montgomery and Clinton taken by the British his whole attention was directed to this object and the real designs of the enemy were not suspected until a heavy firing from the other side of the river announced the assault of Sir Henry Clinton and Montgomery 500 men were instantly detached to reinforce the garrisons of those places but before this attachment across the river the forts were in possession of the British having left a battalion at the pass of Thunder Hill to keep up a communication Sir Henry Clinton had formed his army into two divisions one of which consisting of 900 men commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Campbell made a circuit by the Forest of Dean in order to fall on the back of Fort Montgomery while the other consisting of 1200 men were involved and accompanied by Sir Henry Clinton in person advanced slowly against Fort Clinton both posts were assaulted about five in the afternoon the works were defended with resolution and were maintained until dark when the lines being too extensive to be completely manned the assailants entered them in different places the defense being no longer possible some of the garrisons were made prisoners while their better knowledge of the country enabled others to escape Governor Clinton passed the river in a boat so made his escape Lieutenant Colonel's Livingston and Brune and Majors Hamilton and Logan were among the prisoners the law sustained by the garrisons was about 250 men that of the assailants was stated by Sir H. Clinton at less than 200 among the killed were Lieutenant Colonel Campbell and two other field officers Peaks killed together with forts independence and constitution evacuated by the Americans as the boom and chains drawn across the river could no longer be defended the continental frigates and gallows lying above them were burnt to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy Fort Independence and Fort Constitution were evacuated the next day and Putnam retreated to Fish Hill General Vaughn after a burning continental village where stores to a considerable amount had been deposited and proceeded at the head of a strong detachment up the river to Isopolis which he also destroyed October 8th General Putnam whose army had been augmented by reinforcements of militia to 6,000 men detached General Parsons with 2,000 to repossess himself of Peace skill and of the passes in the Highlands while with the residue he watched the progress of the enemy up the river the want of heavy artillery prevented his annoying their ships in the Hudson on the capitulation of Burgoyne near 5,000 men had been detached by gates to his aid before their arrival General Vaughn had returned to New York whence a reinforcement to General Howe was then about to sail Great as was the injury sustained by the United States from their center-cribes that were written derived from it no solid advantage it was undertaken to later period to save Burgoyne and though the passes in the Highlands were acquired they could not be retained the British had reduced to ashes every village and almost every house within their power for this wanton and useless destruction served to irritate without tending to subdu a keenness was given to the resentment of the injured which outlasted the contest between the two nations the army which surrendered at Saratoga exceeded 5,000 men from Ticonderoga it was estimated at 9,000 in addition to this great military force the British lost and the Americans acquired a fine train of artillery 7,000 standard excellent arms clothing for 7,000 recruits with tents and other military stores to a considerable amount the thanks of Congress were voted to General Gates and his army and that Medal of Gold in commemoration of this great event was ordered to be struck and presented to him by the President in the name of the United States Colonel Wilkinson his Adjutant General whom he strongly recommended was appointed Brigadier General by Brevet the Saratoga Battle Monument scholar Bill New York nothing but speaks more strongly of consummate tragedy of Benedict Arnold's career and the Battle Monument which rises on the banks of the Hudson to commemorate the victory of Saratoga in the square shaft are four high Catholic arches and then these are placed toward statues of the generals who won the victory for Rachel Gates and worthy though the Intrepid Morgan honor the other two but where is he whose valor turned back the advancing Saint Leger whose prompt decision saved the Continental position at Bemis Heights whose military genius fully gained the day a vacant niche empty as England's reward void as his own life speaks more eloquently than words more stronger than condemnation more pitifully than tears of a mighty career blighted by treason and hurled into the bottomless pit of despair this is America's way of honoring Arnold in his dishonor from the real era in romance in the opinion that the British would not immediately abandon the passes in the highlands congress ordered Putnam to join general Washington with a reinforcement not exceeding two thousand five hundred men and directed Gates to take command of the army on the Hudson with unlimited powers to call for aids of militia from the new England states as well as from New York and New Jersey a proposition to authorize the commander in chief after consulting with general Gates and Governor Clinton to increase the should then be of opinion that it might be done without endangering the objects to be accomplished by Gates was seriously opposed an attempt was made to amend this proposition so as to make the increase of the reinforcement to depend on the assent of Gates and Clinton but this amendment was lost by a considerable majority and that original resolution was carried these proceedings were attended with no other consequences than to excite some degree of attention to the state of parties Ticonderoga amount independence evacuated by the enemy soon after the situation were going Ticonderoga and not independence were evacuated and the garrison retired to Yule O. Mlaw and St. John's the effect produced by this event on the British cabinet and nation was great and immediate it seemed to remove the delusive hopes of conquest with which they had been flooded and suddenly to display the massive resistance which must yet be encountered previous to the reception of this disastrous intelligence the employment of savages in the war had been the subject of severe animated version the parliament was assembled on the 20th of November and as usual addresses were proposed in answer to the speech from the throne entirely approving the conduct of the administration in the House of Lords the Earl of Chatham moved to amend the address by introducing a clause recommending to his majesty an immediate cessation of hostilities and the commencement of a treaty of conciliation to restore peace and liberty to America and strengthen happiness to England security and permanent prosperity to both countries one of the most celebrated observations made by this extraordinary man in support of his motion he said for my lord's who is the man that in addition to the disgraces and mischiefs of war has dared to authorize and associate to our arms the Tomahawk and helping knife of the savage to call into civilized alliance the wild and inhuman inhabitant of the woods to delegate to the merciless Indian the defense of disputed rights and to wage the horse these enormities cry aloud for redress and punishment, unless thoroughly done away they will be a stain on the national character. It is not the least of our national misfortunes that the strength and character of our army are thus impaired. Familiarized to the horrid scenes of savage cruelty can no longer boast of the noble and generous principles which dignify a soldier, no longer sympathize with the dignity of the royal banner nor feel the pride pomp and circumstance of glorious war that makes ambition virtue. What makes ambition virtue? The sense of honor, but is this sense of honor consistent with the spirit of plunder or the practice of murder? Can it flow from mercenary motives or can it prompt to cruel deeds? The conduct of administration however received the full approbation of large majorities, but the triumph these victories in parliament afforded them was of short duration. The disastrous issue of an expedition for which the most sanguine expectations have been formed was soon known and the mortification it produced was extreme. A reluctant confession of the calamity was made by the minister and a desire to restore peace on any terms consistent with the integrity of the empire found its way into the cabinet. End of Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Part 1 of the Life of Washington, Volume 2 by John Marshall. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 11, Defects in the Commissary Department, Distress of the Army at Valley Forge, The Army Subsisted by Impressments, Combination in Congress Against General Washington, Correspondence between Him and General Gates, Distress of the Army for Clothes, Washington's Exertions to Augment, The Army, Congress Sends a Committee to Camp, Attempt to Surprise Captain Lee, Congress Determines on a Second Expedition to Canada, Abandons it, General Conway Resigns, The Baron Steuben, Appointed Inspector General, Congress forbids the embarkation of Burgoyne's Army, Plan of Reconciliation Agreed to in Parliament, Communicated to Congress and Rejected, Information of Treaties between France and the United States, Great Britain declares war against France, The Treaties with France Ratified by Congress, Complaints of the Treatment of Prisoners, a Partial Exchange Agreed to. 1777, The Army under the Immediate Command of General Washington was engaged through the winter in endeavoring to stop the intercourse between Philadelphia and the country. To effect this object, General Smallwood was detached with one division to Wilmington. Colonel Morgan was placed on the lines on the west side of the structural, and General Armstrong with the Pennsylvania Militia was stationed near the old camp at White Marsh. Major Jamison with two troops of cavalry and McClain's infantry was directed to guard the east, and Captain Lee with his troops the west side of that river. General Count Pulaski, a Polish nobleman who commanded the horse, led the lezaboo of the cavalry to Trenton where he trained them for the ensuing campaign. December 22, one of the first operations meditated by General Washington after crossing the structural was the destruction of a large quantity of hay which remained in the islands about the mouth of Derby Creek within the power of the British. Early in the morning after his orders for this purpose had been given, Sir William Howe marched out in full force and encamped between Derby and the middle party, so as completely to cover the islands while a foraging party removed the hay. Washington with the intention of disturbing this operation gave orders for putting his army in motion when the alarming fact was disclosed that the commissary's stores were exhausted and that the last ration had been delivered and consumed. The customs as were the continental troops to foundations of every sort, it would have been hazarding too much to move them under these circumstances against a powerful enemy. In a desert where a garrison where food is unattainable, courage, patriotism and habits of discipline enable the soldier to conquer wants which in ordinary situations would be deemed invincible, but to perish in a country abounding with provisions requires something more than fortitude nor can soldiers readily submit while in such a country to the deprivation of food. It is not therefore surprising that among a few of the troops some indications of a mutiny appeared, it is much more astonishing that the great body of the army bore a circumstance so irritating and to them so unaccountable without a murmur. On receiving intelligence of the fact that no Washington ordered the country to be scoured and provisions for supplying the pressing wants of the moment to be seized wherever found. In the meantime, light parties were detached to harass the enemy about Derby where Sir William Howe with his accustomed circumspection kept his army so compact and his soldiers so within the lines that an opportunity to annoy him was seldom afforded even to the vigilance of Morgan and Lee. After completing his forage, he returned with inconsiderable loss to Philadelphia that the American army while the value still retained by paper bills placed ample funds in the hands of government should be destitute of food in the midst of a state so abounding with provisions as Pennsylvania is one of those extraordinary facts which cannot fail to excite attention defects in the commissary department early in the war the office of commissary general have been confirmed on Colonel Trumbull of Connecticut a gentleman fitted by his talents activity in zeal for that important station yet from the difficulty of arranging so complicated the department in its commencement without the advantages of experience complaints were repeatedly made of the insufficiency of supplies the subject was taken up by congress but the remedy administered as well from the time of its application as from the ingredients of which it was composed so only to increase the disease the system was not completed until near mid summer and then its arrangements were such that Colonel Trumbull refused to accept the office assigned to him and new men were to be called into service at a time when the strongest necessity required the exertions of those who understood the plan of supplies for the campaign in all its modifications in addition to the commissary purchases and the commissary general of the issues each to be appointed by congress the new plan contemplated for deputies in each department also to be appointed by that body who were not accountable to nor removable by the head of the department that might be suspended and accused before congress who should examine the charge and either remove the keys from his office or reinstating in it the stress of the american army at valley forge for provisions this imperium in imperio directed in direct opposition to the opinion of the commander-in-chief drove Colonel Trumbull from the army congress however persisted in the system and the effects of deranging so important the department as that would feed the troops in the midst of a campaign were not long in unfolding themselves in every military division of the continent loud complaints were made of the deficiency of supplies the success of gates appears to have been more endangered by this cause than by the movement of Sir Henry Clinton up the Hudson the army of general washington was often greatly embarrassed and his movements not unfrequently suspended by the want of provisions the present total failure of all supply was preceded for a few days by the issuing of meat unfit to be eaten representations on this subject were made to the commander-in-chief who on the morning that's a way of how moved out to darby and before intelligence of that movement had been received communicated them to congress the army subsisted in a great measure by investments that body had authorized the commander-in-chief to seize provisions for the use of his army within 70 miles of headquarters and needed to pay for them and money or in certificates for the redemption of which the faith of the united states was pledged the odium of this measure was increased by the failure of the government to provide funds to take up these certificates when presented at the same time the provisions carried into philadelphia were paid for in specie at a good price the inhabitants of that part of pennsylvania were not zealous in support of the war and the difference between pump payment in gold or silver and a certificate the value of which was often diminished by depreciation before its payment was too great not to influence their wishes and their conduct such was the dexterity they employed that notwithstanding the rigor of the laws and the vigilance of the troops stationed on the lines they often succeeded in concealing their provisions from those who were authorized to impress for the army and then conveying them privately into philadelphia december 10 general washington exercised the powers confided in him with caution but he did exercise them and by doing so acquired considerable supplies congress appeared as much dissatisfied with the lenity of the commander-in-chief as the people were with his rigor in consequence of which the subject was taken into consideration his forbearance disapproved and instructions given for the rigorous exertions in future of the powers with which he was invested in reply to the letter communicating these resolves the general stated the conduct he had observed insisted that provisions had been taken very extensively and repeated his opinion that such measures would be much more readily submitted to if executed by the civil authority in obedience however for the will of congress he issued a proclamation requiring the farmers within 70 miles of headquarters to thrash out one half of their grain by the first of february and the residue by the first of march under the penalty of having the whole seized as strong the success of this experiment did not correspond with the wishes of congress he was attended with the pernicious consequences which have been foreseen by the general to avoid which he had considered the system as a danier race or of which he was to avail himself only in extreme cases in answer to a letter on the subject from the board of war he said i shall use every exertion that may be expedient and practicable for subsisting the army and keeping it together but i must observe that this never can be done by coercive means supplies of provisions and clothing must be had in another way or it cannot exist the small seizures that were made of the former sometime ago in consequence of the most pressing and urgent necessity when the alternative was to do that or dissolve excited the greatest alarm and uneasiness imaginable even among some of our best and warmest friends such procedures may relieve for an instant but eventually will prove of the most pernicious consequence besides spreading disaffection and jealousy among the people they never fail even in the most violent armies to raise in the soldiery of disposition to licentiousness plunder and robbery which it has ever been found exceeding difficult to suppress and which has not only proved ruinous to the inhabitants but in many instances to the armies themselves in a subsequent letter to congress he added i regret the occasion which compelled us to that measure the other day and shall consider it as among the greatest of our misfortunes to be under the necessity of practicing it again i'm now obliged to keep several parties from the army thrashing grain that our supplies may not fail but this will not do combination formed in congress against them or washington general gates supposed to be concerned in it about this time a strong combination was forming against the commander-in-chief into which several members of congress and a very few officers of the army are believed to have entered the splendor with which the capture of a british army had surrounded the military reputation of general gates acquired some advocates for the opinion that the arms of america would be more fortunate should that gentleman be elevated to the supreme command he could not be supposed hostile himself to the prevalence of this opinion and some parts of his conduct was seen to want a belief that if it did not originate with him he was not among the last to adopt it after the victory of the 7th of october had opened to him the prospect of subduing the arms of bergoin he not only omitted to communicate his success to general washington correspondence on the subject between the two generals but carried on a correspondence with general conway in which that officer expressed great contempt for the commander-in-chief when the purport of this correspondence was disclosed to general washington gates demanded the name of the informer in a letter far from being conciliatory in its terms which was accompanied with the very extraordinary circumstance of being passed through congress the state of pennsylvania to chagrin at the loss of its capital and forgetful of its own backwardness in strengthening the army which had twice fought superior numbers in its defense furnished many discontented individuals they imputed it to general washington as a fault that with forces inferior to his enemy in numbers and in every equipment he had not affected the same result which had been produced in the north by a continental army in itself much stronger than its adversary and so reinforced by militia as to treble his numbers on the report that general washington was moving into winter quarters the legislature of that state addressed the remonstrance to congress on their subject manifesting in very intelligible terms their dissatisfaction with the commander-in-chief about the same time a new board of war was created by which general gates was appointed the president and general mifflin who was supposed to be of the party unfriendly to washington was one of its members general conway who was probably the only brigadier in the army that had joined this faction was appointed inspector general and was promoted above senior brigadiers to the rank of major general these were evidences that if the hold which the commander-in-chief had taken of the affections and confidence of the army and of the nation could be loosened the party in congress disposed to change their general was far from being contemptible in point of numbers but to loosen this hold was impossible the indignation with which the idea of such a change was received even by the victorious troops who had conquered under gates forms the most conclusive proof of its strength even the northern army clung to washington as they say to others concrete these machinations to diminish the well-earned reputation of the commander-in-chief could not escape his notice they made however no undue impression on his steady mind nor did they change one of his measures his sensibilities seemed to have been those of patriotism about prehension for his country rather than of wounded pride his desire to remain at the head of the army seemed to flow from the conviction that his retaining that station would be useful to his country rather than from the gratification his high-ranked might furnish to ambition when he unbosomed himself to his private friends the feelings and sentiments he expressed for worthy of washington to mr. loyms the president of congress and his private friend who in an unofficial letter had communicated an anonymous accusation made to him as president containing heavy charges against the commander-in-chief he said i cannot sufficiently express the obligation i feel towards you for your friendship and politeness upon an occasion in which i am deeply interested i was not unapprised that a malignant faction had been for some time forming to my prejudice which conscious as i am of having ever done all of my power to answer the important purposes of the trust reposed in me could not but give me some pain on a personal account but my chief concern arises from an apprehension of the dangerous consequences which in test time dissensions may produce to the common cause as i have no other view than to promote the public good and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my country i would not desire in the least degree to suppress a free spirit of inquiry into any part of my conduct that even faction itself may deem reprehensible the anonymous paper handed you exhibits many serious charges and it is my wish that it may be submitted to congress this i am the more inclined to as the suppression or concealment may possibly involve you in embarrassment hereafter since it is uncertain how many or who may be privy to the contents my enemies taken on generous advantage of me they know the delicacy of my situation and that motives of policy deprive me of the defense i might otherwise make against their insidious attacks they know i cannot combat their insinuations however injurious without disclosing secrets it is of the utmost moment to conceal but why should i expect to be free from censure the unfailing lot of an elevated station merit and talents which i cannot pretend arrival i've ever been subject to it my heart tells me it has been my unlimited aim to do the best which circumstances would permit yet i may have been very often mistaken in my judgment of the means and may in many instances deserve the imputation of error fortunately for america these combinations only excited resentment against those who were believed to be engaged in them december seen after being informed of the unfavorable disposition of some members of congress towards him and receiving the memorial of the legislature of pennsylvania against his going into winter quarters the general also discovered the failure already mentioned in the commissary department on this occasion he addressed congress in terms of energy and plainness which he had used on no former occasion december 23 in his letter to that body he said full as i was in my representation of the matters in the commissaries department yesterday fresh and more powerful reasons obliged me to add that i am now convinced beyond a doubt that unless some great in capital change suddenly takes place in that line this army must inevitably be reduced to one or other of these three things do you start dissolve or disperse in order to obtain subsistence rest assured sir that this is not an exaggerated picture and that i have abundant reason to suppose what i say saturday afternoon receiving information that the enemy in force had left the city and were advancing towards dobby with apparent design to forge and draw subsistence from that part of the country i ordered the troops to be in readiness that i might give every opposition in my power went to my great mortification i was not only informed but convinced that the men were unable to stir on account of a want of provisions and that a dangerous mutiny began the night before in which with difficulty was suppressed by the spirit of exertions of some officers was still much to be apprehended from the want of this article this brought forth the only commissary in the purchasing line in this camp and within this melancholy and alarming truth that he had not a single hope of any kind to slaughter and not more than 25 barrels of flour from hence form an opinion of our situation when i had that he could not tell when to expect any distress of the american army foreclose all i could do under these circumstances was to send out a few light parties to watch and harass the enemy whilst other parties were instantly detached different ways to collect if possible as much provision as was satisfied the present pressing wants of the soldiers but will this answer no sir three or four days of bad weather would prove our destruction what then is to become of the army this winter and if we are now as often without provisions as with them what is to become of us in the spring when our force will be collected with the aid perhaps of militia to take advantage of an early campaign before the enemy can be reinforced these are considerations of great magnitude meriting the closest attention and will with my own reputation is so intimately connected with and to be affected by the event justified my saying that the present commissaries are by no means equal to the execution of the office or that the disaffection of the people surpasses all belief the misfortune however does in my opinion proceed from both causes and though i have been tendered here to four of giving any opinion or of lodging complaints as the change in that department took place contrary to my judgment and the consequences there ever were predicted yet finding that the inactivity of the army whether for want of provisions close or other essentials as charged to my account not only by the common vulgar but by those in power it is time to speak plain in exculpation of myself with proof then i can declare that no man in my opinion ever had his measures more impeded than i have by every department of the army since the month of july we have had no assistance from the quarter master general and to want of assistance from this department the commissary general charges great part of his deficiency to this i am to add that notwithstanding it is a standing order often repeated that the troops shall always have two days provisions by them that they may be ready in each sudden call yet scarcely any opportunity has ever offered of taking advantage of the enemy that has not been either totally obstructed or greatly impeded on this account and this the great and crying evil is not all so binger another article is allowed by congress we see none of nor have we seen them i believe since the battle of brandy wine the first indeed we have little occasion for few men having more than one shirt many only the more active one and some none at all in addition to which has a proof of that little benefit from a closure general and at the same time as a father proof of the inability of an army under the circumstances of this to perform the common duties of soldiers we have by a field return this day made besides a number of men confined to hospitals for want of shoes and others in farmers houses on the same account no less than 2898 men now in camp i'm fit for duty because they are barefoot and otherwise naked by the same return it appears that our whole strength in continental troops including the eastern brigades which have joined us since the surrender of general bergoyne exclusives of the merriment troops sent to wilmington amounts to no more than 8200 in camp fit for duty notwithstanding which and that since the fourth instant our number of fit for duty from the hardships and exposures they have undergone particularly from the want of blankets have decreased near 2000 men we find gentlemen without knowing whether the army was really going into winter quarters or not i'm sure no resolution of mine would warrant through the monstrance reprobating the measure as much as if they thought the soldiers were made of stocks or stones and equally insensible of frost and snow and moreover as if they conceived it easily practicable one inferior army under the disadvantages i had described ours to be which are by no means exaggerated to confine a superior one in all respects well appointed and provided for a winter's campaign within the city of philadelphia and to cover from depredation of waste the states of pennsylvania jersey et cetera but what makes this matter still more extraordinary in my eyes is that these very gentlemen who were well-applied to the nakedness of the troops from ocular demonstration we thought their own soldiers were as clad than others and advised me near a month ago to postpone the execution of a plan i was about to adopt in consequence of a resolve of congress for seizing clothes under strong assurances that an ample supply would be collected in 10 days agreeably to a decree of the state not one article of which by the bar is yet to come to hand should think a winter's campaign and the covering of their states from the invasion of an enemy so easy practicable a business i can assure those gentlemen that it is a much easier and less distressing thing to draw up remonstrances in a comfortable room by a good fireside then to occupy a cold bleak hill and sleep under frost and snow without clothes or blankets however although they seem to have little feeling for the naked and distressed soldiers i feel super abundantly for them and from my soul pity those miseries which it is not in my power either to relieve or to prevent the representations made in this letter were not exaggerated the distresses of the arming however so far as respected clothing did not arise from the inattention of congress measures for the importational clothes have been adopted near early in the war but had not produced the effect expected from them vigorous but ineffectual means had also been taken to obtain supplies from the interior the unfortunate non importation agreements which preceded the commencement of hostilities have reduced the quantity of goods in that country below the ordinary amount and the war had almost annihilated foreign commerce the progress of manufacturers did not equal the consumption and such was the real scarcity that exactions from individuals produce great distress without relieving the wants of the army a warm blanket was a luxury in which not many participated either in the camp or in the country in the northern states where the sea coast was too extensive and the ports too numerous to be completely guarded and where the people were more inclined to maritime enterprise supplies both of arms and clothes were attainable in a more considerable degree than in those farther south but the large sums of money expended in that part of the union for the support of the army had lessened the value of the currency there more rapidly than elsewhere and a consequent high nominal price was demanded for imported articles congress deemed the terms on which some large contracts have been made by the colonial general in massachusetts so exorbitant as to forbid their execution and at the same time addressed a letter to the state government requesting that the good should be seized for the use of the army at prices to be fixed by the legislature in pursuance about resolution of the 22nd of november these recommendations from congress so far as they exhorted the states to supply the wants of the soldiers were strongly supported by the general in his letters to the several governors who represented the very existence of the army and the continuance of the contest as depending on their exertions in this respect 1778 general washington's exertions to increase his force and to place it on a respectable footing before the ensuing campaign to recruit the army for the ensuing campaign became again an object of vital importance and the commander in chief again pressed its necessity on congress and on the states to obtain a respectable number of men by voluntary enlistment had obviously become impossible coercion could be employed only by the state governments and it required all the influence of general washington to induce the adoption of a measure so odious in itself but so indispensable to the requirement of means to meet the crisis of the war which in his judgment had not yet passed away being close to each state a return of its troops on continental establishment thereby exhibiting to each its own deficiency to those who had not resorted to coercive means he stated the success of which they had been used by others and he urged all by every motive which could operate on human mind to employ those means early enough to enable him to anticipate the enemy in taking the field due to the causes which had long threatened the destruction of the army the depreciation of paper money was now to be added it had become so considerable that the pay of an officer would not procure even those absolute necessaries which might protect this person from the extremes of eating cold the few who possess small patrimonial estates found them melting away and others were unable to appear as gentlemen such circumstances could not fail to excite disgust with the service and a disposition to leave it among those who offered their commissions to the commander and chief were many who possessing a larger portion of military pride and therefore feeling with peculiar sensibility the degradation connected with poverty and rags afforded the fairest hopes of becoming the ornaments of the army this general indifference about holding a commission this general opinion that an obligation is conferred not received by continuing endless service could not fail to be unfavorable not only to that spirit of emulation which stimulates to bolder deeds than are required but to a complete execution of orders and to a rigid observance of duty an officer whose pride was in any degree wounded whose caprice was not indulged we apprehended center for a fault which is carelessness about remaining in the army have probably seduced him to commit was ready to throw up a commission which instead of being valuable was a burden almost too heavy to be born with extreme anxiety the commander-in-chief watched the progress of a temper which though just commencing would increase he feared with the cause that produced it he was therefore early and earnest and pressing the consideration of this important subject on the attention of congress january 10 congress sent a committee of their own body to the army the weakened broken condition of continental regiments the strong remonstrances of the general the numerous complaints received from every quarter determined congress to depute the committee to reside in camp during the winter for the purpose of investigating the state of the army and reporting such reforms as the public good might require this committee repaired to headquarters in the month of january the commander-in-chief laid before them a general statement taking a comprehensive view of the condition of the army and detailing the remedies necessary for the collection of existing abuses as well as those regulations which he deemed essential to his future prosperity this paper exhibiting the actual state of the army discloses defects of real magnitude in the existing arrangements and perusing it the reader has struck with the numerous difficulties in addition to those resulting from inferiority of numbers with which the american general was under the necessity of contending the memorial is too long to be inserted but there are parts which ought not to be entirely overlooked the neglect of the very serious representation it contained respecting a future permanent provision for the officers threatened at an after period to be productive of such pernicious effects that they're in social in this place will not it is presumed be unacceptable he recommended as the basis a very salutary reform a comfortable provision for the officers which should render their commissions valuable to effect which the future as well as the present ought to be contemplated along and continual sacrifice of individual interests for the general good ought not he said to be expected or required the nature of man must be changed before institutions built on the presumptive truth of such a principle can succeed this position he added is supported by the conduct of the officers of the american army as well as by that of all other men at the commencement of the dispute in the first diffusions of zeal when it was believed the service would be temporary they entered into it without regard to pecuniary considerations for finding its duration much longer than had been at first expected and that instead of deriving advantage from the hardships and dangers to which they are exposed they were on the contrary losers by their patriotism and fell far short of even a competency for their wants they have gradually abated in their order and with many an entire disinclination to the service under present circumstances has taken place through this in an eminent degree must be ascribed the frequent resignations daily happening and the more frequent import communities for permission to resign from some officers of the greatest merit to this also may be ascribed the apathy and attention and neglect of duty which pervade all ranks and which will necessarily continue and increase while an officer instead of gaining anything is impoverished by his commission and conceives he is conferring not receiving a favor in holding it there can be no sufficient time on men possessing such sentiments nor can any method be adopted to compel those through a punctual discharge of duty who are indifferent about their continuance in the service and are often seeking a pretext to disengage themselves from it punishment in this case would be unavailing but when an officer's commission is made valuable to him and he fears to lose that you may exact obedience from him it is not indeed consistent with reason or justice that one set of men should make a sacrifice of property domestic ease and happiness encounter the rigors of the field the peril synthesis of use of war without somatically compensation to obtain those blessings whichever citizen will enjoy in common with them it must also be a comfortless reflection to any man that after he may have contributed to secure the rights of his country at the risk of his life and the ruin of his fortune there will be no provision made to prevent himself and his family from sinking into indigence and roughness with these and other arguments general washington recommended in addition to present compensation i have paid pensionary establishment for the arming i urge my sentiments that he with the greater freedom because i cannot inshallah receive the smallest benefit from the establishment and can have no other inducement for proposing better for conviction of its utility and propriety the wands and distresses of the army when actually seen by the committee of congress made a much deeper impression than could have been received from any statement whatever they endeavor to communicate to congress the sentiments felt by themselves and to correct the errors which have been committed but a numerous body if it deliberate at all proceeds slowly in the conduct of executive business and will seldom afford a prompt corrected to existing mystics especially to those growing out of its own measures February 5th much of the sufferings of the army was attributed to mismanagement in that quarter master's department which notwithstanding the repeated remonstrances of the commander in chief had long remained without a head this subject was taken up early by the committee and proper representations made respecting it but congress still remained under the influence of those opinions which had already produced such mischievous effects and were still disposed to retain the subordinate officers of the department in a state of immediate dependence on their own body in this temper they proposed a plan which not being approved in camp was never carried into execution while congress was deliberating on the reforms proposed the distresses of the army approach their acme and its dissolution was threatened early in February the commissaries gave notice that the country to a great distance was actually exhausted and that it would be impracticable to obtain supplies for the army longer than to the end of that month already the threat mysteriously began to be felt and the rations issued were often bad in quality and insufficient in quantity general washington found it necessary again to interpose his personal exertions to procure provisions from a distance in the apprehension that the resources of a commissary department would fail before the distance supplies he had taken measures to obtain could reach him and that the enemy designed to make another incursion into the country around philadelphia for the purpose of bringing what you have remained in possession of the inhabitants he detached general wane with orders to seize every article proper for the use of an army within 15 miles of the deli where trying to destroy the forage on the islands between philadelphia and chested to defeat the object of this foraging party the inhabitants concealed their provisions and teams and gave to the country every appearance of having been entirely pillaged before any sufficient aid could be obtained by these means the bread as well as the meat was exhausted and famine prevailed in camp in an emergency so pressing the commander-in-chief used every effort to feed his hungry army parties were sent out to glean the country officers of influence were deputed to jersey deli where and maryland and circular letters were addressed to the governors of states by the committees of congress in camp and by the commander-in-chief describing the wants of the army and urging the greatest exertions for its immediate relief fortunately for america there were features in the character of washington which notwithstanding the discordant materials of which his army was composed attached his officers and soldiers so strongly to his person that no distress could weaken their affection nor impair the respect and veneration in which they're held in through this sentiment is to be attributed in a great measure the preservation of a respectable military force under circumstances but too well calculated for its dissolution through this severe experiment on their fortitude and the native americans persevered steadily in the performance of their duty but the conduct of europeans who constituted a large part of the army was to a considerable extent less laudable and at no period of the war was desertion so frequent as during this winter aided by the disaffected deserters eluded the vigilance of the parties who watched the roads and great numbers escaped into philadelphia with their arms in a few days the army was rescued from the famine with which it had been threatened and considerable supplies of provisions were laid up in camp it was perceived that the difficulties which have produced such melancholy effects were created more by the want for due exertion in the commissary department and by the efforts of the people to save their stock for a better market than by any real deficiency of food in the country this severe demonstration seemed to have convinced congress that their favorite system was radically vicious and the subject was taken up with the serious intention of remodeling the commissary department on principles recommended by experience but such were the delays inherent in the organization of that body that the new system was not adopted until late in april in no period of the war had the situation of the american army been more perilous than at dolly forge even when the troops were not entirely destitute of food their stock of provisions was so scanty that a quantity sufficient for one week was seldom in store consequently a general howl moved out in force the american army could not have remained in camp and their want to close disabled them from keeping the field in the winter the returns of the first of february exhibit the astonishing number of three thousand nine hundred and eighty nine men in camp unfit for duty for want to close scarcely one man of these had a pair of shoes even among those returned capable of doing duty many were so badly clad that exposure to the cold of the season must have destroyed them although the total of the army exceeded seventeen thousand men the present defective rank and file amounted to only five thousand and twelve rather sufferings of the soldiers filled the hospitals that dreadful mortality continued to prevail in those miserable receptacles of the sick of violent future fever swept off much greater numbers than all the diseases of the camp if then during the deep snow which covered the earth for a great part of the winter the british general had taken the field his own army would indeed have suffered greatly but the american loss is not to be calculated washington's headquarters at dolly forge here on december seventeen seventeen seventy seven after the battles of brandy wine in german town and the occupation of oligarchy by the british washington established his headquarters for what may be paradoxically turned the darkest center of the revolutionary war the american commander in chief chose this place partly for his defensibility and partly to protect congress then in session at york pennsylvania from a sudden british attack it was here that washington and barron student planned the reorganization of the american army and it was here may one seventeen seventy eight that news reached washington of the consummation of the french alliance in the chapter eleven part one