 Chapter 1 of the Life of Washington, Volume 3 by John Marshall. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Life of Washington, Volume 3 by John Marshall, Chapter 1. Incursion into Jersey. General Lacy surprised. Attempt on Lafayette at Barron Hill. General Howe resigns the command of the British Army. Is succeeded by Sir H. Clinton. He evacuates Philadelphia and marches through the jerseys. A council of war which decides against attacking the British on their march. The Battle of Monmouth, General Lee arrested, sentenced to be suspended for one year. Thanks of Congress to General Washington and his army. 1778, the position at Valley Forge had been taken for the purposes of covering the country, protecting the magazines, and cutting off all supplies to Philadelphia. Although the intercourse of the inhabitants with that place could not be entirely prevented, the sufferings of the British Army from the scarcity of fresh provisions and forage were considerable. And as the spring opened, several expeditions were undertaken both to relieve their own wants and to distrust the Army of the United States. At the middle of March, Colonel Ma Hood and Major Simcoe, who were detached into Jersey at the head of about 1,200 men, landed at Salem, nearly opposite Reedy Island, and dispersed the small bodies of militia who were stationed in that part of the country. General Washington had given early intelligence of this expedition to Governor Livingston and had requested that he would immediately order out the militia to join Colonel Shreve, whose regiment was detached into Jersey, but the legislature had neglected to make provision for paying them, and the governor could not bring them into the field. Colonel Shreve, on his arrival at Haddonfield, the place at which they had been directed to assemble, found less than 100 men. March 23 Colonel Ellis, their commanding officer, remarked in a letter to the governor that without some standing force little was to be expected from the militia, who being alone not sufficient to prevent the incursions of the enemy, each one naturally consults his own safety by not being found in arms. Maude, of course, was unrestrained, and the devastation committed by his party was wantonly distressing. Its course of destruction was preceded by a summons to Colonel Hand, the commanding officer of the militia, to lay down his arms which was accompanied with a threat of the consequences to result from his refusal. This threat was too faithfully executed. After completing his forage without molestation, Maude returned to Philadelphia during the continuance of this incursion, which lasted six or seven days. Not more than 200 men could be collected to reinforce Colonel Shreve, who was consequently unable to effect anything, and did not even march to the lower parts of Jersey, which were plundered without restraint. May 1, not long after this incursion into Jersey, an enterprise was undertaken against General Lacey, who with a small number of Pennsylvania militia, seldom amounting to six hundred, and sometimes not exceeding fifty, watched the roads leading to Philadelphia on the north side of the scoochle, and was generally posted within twenty miles of that town. Colonel Lacey surprised. This expedition was entrusted to Colonel Abercrombie and Major Simcoe, who avoided all the posts Lacey had established for his security, and threw a body of troops into his rear before he discovered their approach. After a short resistance he escaped with the loss of a few men killed, and all his baggage, his corps were entirely dispersed, and he was soon afterwards relieved by General Potter. To maintain the command of the water as far as was practicable, Congress had ordered impediments to be sunk in many of the rivers of common use, so as to obstruct the passage up them, and had constructed frigates and other smaller vessels to be employed above those impediments or elsewhere as the occasion might require. Several of them had been commenced above Philadelphia, but were not completed when the British obtained the command of the river. General Washington then became apprehensive for their safety and repeatedly expressed his desire that they should be sunk in such a manner as to be weighed with difficulty should any attempt be made to raise them. The persons, however, who were entrusted by Congress with this business, supposed it would be equally secure to put plugs in their bottoms, which might be drawn out on the approach of danger. Against these vessels and some stores collected at Bordentown, an expedition was planned which ended in their total destruction. General Dickinson was in the neighborhood, but his force was too small to interrupt the execution of the design, and General Maxwell, who had been ordered to his assistance, was retarded in his march by a heavy rain which did not obstruct the movement of the British who passed up the river in vessels. May 18 to cover the country more effectually on the north of the Scuttle to form an advance guard for the security of the main army and to be in readiness to annoy the rear of the enemy should he evacuate Philadelphia, an event believed to be in contemplation. General Washington detached the Marquita Lafayette with more than 2,000 choice troops to take post near the lines. As this corps formed a very valuable part of the army, the commander-in-chief recommended in his instructions to General Lafayette the utmost attention to its safety, and particularly to avoid any permanent station as a long continuous in one position would facilitate the execution of measures which might be concerted against him. The Marquis crossed the Scuttle and took post near Barron Hill Church, 8 or 10 miles in front of the army, a tent on Lafayette at Barron Hill. Immediate notice of his arrival was given to Sir William Howe, who recurred, and ordered his position and formed a plan to surprise and cut him off. On the night of the 19th of May, General Grant, with 5,000 select troops, took the road which leads up the Delaware and consequently diverges from Barron Hill. After marching some distance, he inclined to the left and passing White Marsh, where several roads unite, took one leading to Plymouth Meeting House, the position he was directed to occupy, something more than a mile in the rear of the Marquis. Between him and Valley Forge, May 20, he reached his point of destination, rather before sunrise, here the roads fork, the one leading to the camp of Lafayette and the other to Matron's Ford over the Scuttle. In the course of the night, General Gray, with a strong detachment, had advanced up the Scuttle on its south side along the Ridge Road and taken post at a forward 2 or 3 miles in front of the right flank of Lafayette, while the residue of the army encamped on Chestnut Hill. Captain McClain, a vigilant partisan of great merit, was posted on the line some distant in front of Barron Hill. In the course of the night, he fell in with two British grenadiers at 3 mile run, who informed him of the movement made by Grant and also that a large body of Germans was getting ready to march up the Scuttle. Immediately conjecturing the object, McClain detached Captain Parr with a company of riflemen across the country to Wanderers Hill, with orders to harass and retard the column, advancing up the Scuttle and hastened in person to the camp of Lafayette. He arrived soon after daybreak and communicated the intelligence he had received. It was not long afterwards confirmed by the fire of Parr on the Ridge Road and by an inhabitant who had escaped from White Marsh as the British column passed that place. Thus surrounded with danger, Lafayette took with promptitude and decision the only course which could preserve him. He instantly put his troops in motion and passed over at Matrons Ford, which was rather nearer to General Grant than to himself without being intercepted by that officer or sustaining a greater loss than nine men. General Grant, who reached the ground lately occupied by Lafayette soon after it was abandoned, followed his rear and appeared at the Ford just after the Americans had crossed it. But finding them advantageously posted did not choose to attack them, and the whole army returned to Philadelphia having effected nothing. He did not escape censure for having allowed the great advantage he had acquired to slip through his hands unused. He might, with the utmost certainty, have reached Matrons Ford before the Marquis and have cut off the only retreat which remained for him. But the same skill and address were not displayed in executing this plan as in forming it. In the statement of this affair made by General Lafayette, he represents himself to have advanced the head of a column towards Grant as if to attack him while the rear filed off rapidly towards the scoochle. This movement gained ground even for the front, which, while it advanced towards the enemy, also approached the river and at the same time induced General Grant to halt in order to prepare for battle. While this maneuver was performing in the face of the detachment under Grant, a small party was thrown into the churchyard on the road towards General Gray, which also gave the appearance of an intention to attack in that quarter. By these dispositions happily conceived and executed with regularity, the Marquis extricated himself from the destruction which had appeared almost inevitable. In a letter to Congress, General Washington termed it a timely and handsome retreat, and certainly the compliment was merited. It might be supposed that this young nobleman had not displayed the same degree of military talent in guarding against the approach of danger as in extricating himself from it, but the imputation which generally attaches to an officer who permits an enemy to pass unobserved into his rear is removed by a circumstance stated by Lafayette. The Pennsylvania militia were posted on his left flank with orders to guard the roads about White Marsh. Without his knowledge, they changed their position and retired into the rear, leaving that important pass open to the enemy. General Howe resigns his command and returns to England, is succeeded by Sir Henry Clinton. This was the last enterprise attempted by Sir William Howe. He resigned the command of the army into the hands of Sir Henry Clinton and embarked for Great Britain. About the same time orders were received for the evacuation of Philadelphia. The party was now evident. France was about to take in the war and the naval force which had been prepared by that power before she declared herself rendered that city a dangerous position and determined the administration to withdraw the army from the Delaware. The preparations for this movement could not be made unobserved, but they indicated equally an embarkation of the whole army or an intention to march to New York through Jersey. The last was believed by the American chief to be most probable and he made every exertion to take advantage of the movement. His detachment were called in and the state governments were pressed to expedite the march of their levies. In the meantime Sir Henry Clinton hastened his preparations for the evacuation of Philadelphia and the opinion that he intended to reach New York through Jersey gained ground. General Maxwell with the Jersey brigade was ordered over the Delaware to take post at Mount Holly and to join Major General Dickinson who was assembling the militia of that state for the purpose of cooperating with the continental troops in breaking down the bridges, felling trees in the roads, and otherwise embarrassing the march of the British general. June 17 in the state of things intelligence was received that a great part of the British army had crossed the Delaware and that the residue would soon follow. The opinion of the general officers was required on the course now to be pursued. General Lee who had been lately exchanged and whose experience gave great weight to his opinions was vehement against risking either a general or partial engagement. The British army was computed at 10,000 defective men and that of the Americans amounted to between 10 and 11,000. General Lee was decidedly of opinion that with such an equality of force it would be criminal to hazard an action. He relied much on the advantageous ground on which their late foreign connections had placed the United States and contended that defeat alone could now endanger their independence. To this he said the army ought not to be exposed. It would be impossible, he thought, to bring on a partial action without risking its being made general should such be the choice of the enemy since the detachment which might engage must be supported or be cut to pieces. A general action ought not to be fought unless the advantage was manifestly with the American army. This at present was not the case. He attributed so much to the superior discipline of the enemy as to be of opinion that the issue of the engagement would be almost certainly unfavorable. General Dupour Thayer, a French officer of considerable reputation, maintained the same opinions and the Baron Stubin concurred in them. The American officers seemed to have been influenced by the councils of the Europeans and of 17 generals, only Wayne and Cadwallader were decidedly in favor of attacking the enemy. Lafayette appeared inclined to that opinion without openly embracing it and General Green was inclined to hazard more than the councils of the majority would sanction. The country he thought must be protected and if in doing so an engagement should become unavoidable it would be necessary to fight. The British army evacuated Philadelphia and marched through the jerseys. On the morning of the 18th Philadelphia was evacuated and by two in the afternoon all the British troops were encamped on the Jersey shore from Cooper's Creek to Red Bank. Although they availed themselves to a great extent of the transportation by water, yet the line of march was so lengthened and encumbered by baggage and the weather was so intensely hot that they were under the necessity of proceeding slowly. Indeed their movements wore the appearance of purpose delay and were calculated to favor the opinion that Sir Henry Clinton was willing to be overtaken and wished for a general engagement as his line of march until he passed cross wicks that directly up the Delaware, General Washington found it necessary to make an extensive circuit and to cross the river at Corriell's Berry after which he kept possession of the high grounds in Jersey thereby retaining the choice of bringing on or avoiding an action. June 24 as Sir Henry Clinton encamped at and about Allentown the main body of the American Army lay in Hopewell Township about five miles from Princeton Major General Dickinson with about 1,000 militia and Maxwell's Brigade hung on Sir Henry Clinton's left flank. General Cadwallader with Jackson's regiment and a few militia was in his rear and Colonel Morgan with a regiment of 600 men watched his right notwithstanding the almost concurrent opinion of his general officers against risking an action Washington appears to have been strongly inclined to that measure he could not be persuaded that with an army rather superior in point of numbers to his enemy too much was hazarded by fighting him. Council of War called by General Washington decided against attacking the enemy on the march. The situation of the two armies was therefore once more submitted to the consideration of the general officers who were asked whether it would be advisable of choice to hazard a general action and if it would whether it should be brought on by an immediate general attack by a partial attack or by taking such a position as must compel the enemy to become the assailants. If the council should be of opinion that it was unadvisable to hazard an engagement then he asked what measures could be taken with safety to the army to annoy the enemy in his march should he proceed through the jerseys. The proposition respecting a general action was decidedly negative but it was proposed to strengthen the core on the left flank of the enemy with a reinforcement of 1500 men and to preserve with the main body of the army a relative position which would enable it to act as circumstances might require. In pursuance of this opinion the troops on the lines were strengthened with a detachment of 1500 select men commanded by General Scott and the army moved forward the next day to Kingston. Though the council had been almost unanimous against the general action several officers whose opinions were highly valued secretly wished for something more than light skirmishing the opinion of the general against this decision. Knowing this General Washington who was still in favour of an engagement determined to take his measures on his own responsibility as the British army moved towards Monmouth courthouse he ordered Brigadier General Wayne with an additional detachment of 1000 select men to join the advance corps June 25. As the continental troops now constituting the front division amounted to at least 4000 men he deemed it proper that they should be commanded by a major general. Lee had a right to claim this tour of duty but as he had declared himself openly and strongly against hazarding even a partial engagement and suppose that nothing further would be attempted than merely to reconorder the enemy and restrain plundering parties he showed no inclination to assert his claim unintentionally promoting the private wishes of General Washington that the command should be given to an officer whose view of the service comported more with his own Lee yielded this important tour of duty to Lafayette. The orders given to this general were to proceed immediately with the detachment and after forming a junction with General Scott and taking command of the troops on the lines to gain the enemy's left flank and rear give him every practical annoyance and attack by detachment or with his whole force as the occasion might require. These dispositions and orders could scarcely fail to bring on an engagement. Wayne had openly supported that measure in Lafayette though against seeking a general action had been in favor of a partial one. Of consequence should in a proper occasion offer he would certainly attack with his whole force which would certainly produce such a state of things as would render it proper to support him with the whole army. June 26 immediately after the march of this detachment General Washington moved to Cranberry that he might be in readiness to support his front division. The intense heat of the weather, a heavy storm, and a temporary want of provisions prevented the army from continuing its march that day. The advance corps had pressed forward and taken a position about five miles in rear of the British army with the intention of attacking it next morning on its march. Thinking this corps too remote to be supported in case of action, General Washington ordered the marquee to file off by his left towards Englishtown. These orders were executed early in the morning of the 27th. Lafayette had scarcely taken command of the advance party when General Lee began to regret having yielded it to him. June 27 he perceived that in the opinion of all the general officers great importance was attached to it and that his reputation was in danger of being impaired by connecting his strenuous opposition to even a partial action with his declining the command of a very strong detachment which it was believed would engage the rear of the enemy. He therefore solicited earnestly for the command he had before declined to relieve the feelings of Lee without wounding those of Lafayette, General Washington detached him with two additional brigades to Englishtown to support the marquee. He would of course have the direction of the whole front division which would now amount to five thousand continental troops but it was expressly stipulated that if any enterprise had been already formed by Lafayette it should be carried into execution as if the commanding officer had not been changed. Lee acceded to this condition and with two additional brigades joined the front division of the army encamped at Englishtown. The rear division also moved forward and encamped about three miles in his rear. Morgan's corps still hovered on the right flank of the British and General Dickinson on their left. Sir Henry Clinton occupied the high grounds about Monmouth Courthouse having his right flank in the skirt of a small wood while his left was secured by a very thick one and a morass running towards his rear. His whole front was also covered by a wood and for a considerable distance towards his left by a morass. This position seemed unassailable and the British were within 12 miles of the high grounds about Middletown after reaching which they would be perfectly secure. Under the circumstances General Washington ordered Lee to attack the British rear the moment it should move from its ground. June 28 about five in the morning intelligence was received from General Dickinson that the front of the enemy was in motion. The troops were immediately put under arms and Lee was ordered to attack the rear unless there should be powerful reasons to the contrary. He was at the same time informed that the rear division would be on its march to support him. Sir Henry Clinton had observed the appearances on his flanks and rear on the 27th and conjecturing that the American army was in his neighborhood had changed the order of his march. The baggage was placed under the care of General Niphausen while the strength and power of his army entirely unencumbered formed the rear division under the particular command of Lord Cornwallis who was accompanied by commander-in-chief. To avoid pressing on Niphausen, Cornwallis remained on his ground until about eight and then descending from the heights of freehold into an extensive plane took up his line of march in rear of the front division. General Lee had made dispositions for executing the orders given the preceding evening and repeated in the morning and soon after the British rear had moved from its ground prepared to attack it. General Dickinson had been directed to detach some of his best troops to take such position as to cooperate with him and Morgan was ordered to act on the right flank. Lee appeared on the heights of freehold soon after Lord Cornwallis had left them and following the British into the plane ordered General Wayne to attack the rear of their covering party with sufficient vigor to check it but not to press it so closely as either to force it up to the main body or to draw reinforcements to its aid. In the meantime he intended to gain the front of this party by a shorter road and intercepting its communication with the line to bear it off before it could be assisted. Martha Washington from the portrait of Gilbert Stewart after studying under Benjamin West the American painter who succeeded Sir Joshua Reynolds as second president of the royal economy in London Gilbert Stewart established a studio in Philadelphia where he met and painted the first of his famous portraits of George Washington this one of Martha Washington the best known likeness of her in existence was painted in the city of Washington where the artist had a studio between 1800 and 1802 she gave him several sittings at Mount Vernon while in the execution of this design a gentleman in the suite of General Washington came up to gain intelligence and Lee communicated to him his present object before he reached the point of destination there was reason to believe that the British rear was much stronger than had been conjectured the intelligence on this subject being contradictory and the face of the country well calculated to conceal the truth he deemed it advisable to ascertain the fact himself Sir Henry Clinton soon after the rear division was in full march received intelligence that an American colon had appeared on his left flank this being a core of militia was soon dispersed and the march was continued when his rear guard had descended from the heights he saw it followed by a strong core soon after which a candidate was commenced upon it and at the same time a respectable force showed itself on each of his flanks suspecting a design on his baggage he determined to attack the troops in his rear so vigorously as to compel a recall of those on his flanks and for this purpose marched back his whole rear division this movement was in progress as lee advanced for the purpose of reconordering he soon perceived his mistake respecting the force of the British rear but still determined to engage on that ground although his judgment disapproved the measure there being a morass immediately in his rear which would necessarily impede the reinforcements which might be advancing to his aid and embarrass his retreat should he be finally overpowered this was about 10 while both armies were preparing for action general scott as stated by general lee mistook an oblique march of an american colon for a retreat and in the apprehension of being abandoned left his position and repass the ravine in his rear being himself of opinion that the ground was unfavorable lee did not correct the error he ascribed to scott but ordered the whole detachment to regain the heights he was closely pressed and some slight skirmishing ensued without much loss on either side as soon as the firing announced the commencement of the action the rear division of the army advanced rapidly to the support of the front as they approached the scene of action general washington who had received no intelligence from lee giving notice of his retreat road forward and to his utter astonishment and mortification met the advanced corps retiring before the enemy without having made a single effort to maintain his ground the troops he first saw neither understood the motives which had governed general lee nor his present design and could give no other information than that by his orders they had fled without fighting general washington rode to the rear of the division where he met general lee to whom he spoke in terms of some warm implying disapprobation of his conduct orders were immediately given to colonel steward and lieutenant colonel ramsey to form their regiments for the purpose of checking the pursuit and general lee was directed to take proper measures with the residue of his force to stop the british column on background the commander in chief then rode back to range the rear division of the army he attacks the enemy at manmouth courthouse these orders were executed with firmness and when forced from his ground lee brought off his troops in good order and was directed to form in the rear of english town this check afforded time to draw up the left wing and second line of the american army on an eminence covered by a morass in front lord sterling who commanded the left wing brought up a detachment of artillery under lieutenant colonel carrington and some field pieces which played with considerable effect on a division of the british which had passed the morass and was pressing on to the charge these pieces with the aid of several parties of infantry effectively stopped the advance of the enemy the action severe but not decisive finding themselves warmly opposed in front the british attempted to turn the left flank of the american army but were repulse they then attempted the right with as little success general green had advanced the body of troops with artillery to a commanding piece of ground in his front which not only disappointed the design of turning the right but infallated the party which yet remained in front of the left wing at this moment general wane was advanced with a body of infantry to engage them in front who kept up so hot and well directed a fire that they soon withdrew behind the ravine to the ground on which the action had commenced immediately after the arrival of general washington the position now taken by the british army was very strong both flanks were secured by thick woods and marastas and their front was accessible only through a narrow pass the day had been intensely hot and the troops were much fatigued notwithstanding these circumstances general washington resolved to renew the engagement for this purpose he ordered brigadier general poor with his own and the north carolina brigade to gain their right flank while woodford with his brigade should turn their left at the same time the artillery was ordered to advance and play on their front these orders were obeyed with alacrity but the impediments on the flanks of the british were so considerable that before they could be overcome it was nearly dark farther operations were therefore deferred until next morning and the brigades which had been detached to the flanks of the british army continued on their ground through the night and the other troops lay on the field of battle with their arms in their hands general washington passed the night in his cloak in the midst of his soldiers the british employed the early part of the night in removing their wounded and about midnight marched away in such silence that their retreat was not perceived until day as it was certain that they must gain the high grounds about middle town before they could be overtaken as the face of the country afforded no prospect of opposing their embarkation and as the battle already fought had terminated in a manner to make a general impression favorable to the american arms it was thought proper to relinquish the pursuit leaving a detachment to hover about the british rear the main body of the army moved towards the Hudson the commander-in-chief was highly gratified with the conduct of his troops in this action their behavior he said after recovering from the first surprise occasioned by the unexpected retreat of the advanced corps could not be surpassed general wane was particularly mentioned and the artillery were spoken of in terms of high praise the loss of the americans in the battle of monmouth was eight officers and 61 privates killed and about 160 wounded among the slain were lieutenant colonel bonner of pennsylvania and major dickinson of virginia both of whom were much regretted 130 were missing but a considerable number of these afterwards rejoined their regiments in his official letter sir henry clinton states his dead and missing at four officers and 184 privates is wounded at 16 officers and 154 privates this accounts so far as respects the dead cannot be correct as four officers and 245 privates were buried on the field by persons appointed for the purpose who made their report to the commander-in-chief and some few were afterwards found so as to increase the number to nearly 300 the uncommon heat of the day proved fatal to several on both sides as usual when a battle has not been decided both parties claimed the victory in the early part of the day the advantage was certainly with the british in the latter part it may be pronounced with equal certainty to have been with the americans they maintained their ground repulsed the enemy were prevented only by the night and by the retreat of the hostile army from renewing the action and suffered less and killed and wounded than their adversaries it is true that sir Henry clinton affected what he states to have been his principal object the safety of his baggage but when it is recollected that the american officers had decided against hazarding an action that this advice must have trampled the conduct and circumscribed the views of the commander-in-chief he will be admitted to have affected no inconsiderable object in giving the american arms that appearance of superiority which was certainly acquired by this engagement independent of the loss sustained in the action the british army was considerably weakened in its march from philadelphia to new york about one hundred prisoners were made and near one thousand soldiers chiefly foreigners deserted while passing through jersey the conduct of lee was generally disapproved as however he had possessed a large share of the confidence and good opinion of the commander-in-chief it is probable that explanations might have been made which would have rescued him from the imputations that were cast on him and have restored him to the esteem of the army could his haughty temper have brooked the indignity he believed to have been offered him on the field of battle general washington had taken no measures in consequence of the events of that day and would probably have come to no resolution concerning them without an amicable explanation when he received from lee a letter expressed in very unbecoming terms in which he in the tone of a superior require reparation for the injury sustained from the very singular expression said to have been used on that day of the action by the commander-in-chief june 30 this letter was answered by an assurance that so soon as circumstances would admit of an inquiry he should have an opportunity of justifying himself to the army to america and to the world in general or of convincing them that he had been guilty of disobedience of orders and misbehavior before the enemy generally arrested for his behavior in this action and afterwards to the commander-in-chief on his expressing a wish for a speedy investigation of his conduct and for a court martial rather than a court of inquiry he was arrested first for disobedience of orders in not attacking the enemy on the 28th of june agreeably to repeated instructions secondly for misbehavior before the enemy on the same day in making an unnecessary disorderly and shameful retreat thirdly for disrespect to the commander-in-chief in two letters before this correspondence had taken place strong and specific charges of misconduct have been made against general lee by several officers of his detachment and particularly by generals wane and scott in these the transactions of the day not being well understood were represented in colors much more unfavorable to lee than facts when properly explained would seem to justify these representations most probably induce the strong language of the second article in the charge court martial appointed to try him sentenced to be suspended for one year court martial over which lord sterling presided after a tedious investigation found him guilty of all the charges exhibited against him and sentenced him to be suspended for one year this sentence was afterwards though with some hesitation approved almost unanimously by congress the court softened in some degree to severity of the second charge by finding him guilty not in its very words but of misbehavior before the enemy by making an unnecessary and in some few instances a disorderly retreat lee defended himself with his accustomed ability he proved that after the retreat had commenced in consequence of general scott's repassing the ravine on the approach of the enemy he had designed to form on the first and then tages piece of ground he could find and that in his own opinion and in the opinion of some other officers no safe and advantageous position had presented itself until he met general washington at which time it was his intention to fight the enemy on the very ground afterwards taken by that officer he suggested a variety of reasons in justification of his retreat which if they do not absolutely establish his propriety give it so questionable a form as to render it probable that a public examination never would have taken place could his proud spirit have stooped to offer explanation instead of outrage to the commander-in-chief his suspension gave general satisfaction through the army without being masters of his conduct as a military man they perfectly understood the insult offered to their general by his letters and whether rightly or not believed his object to have been to disgrace washington and to obtain the supreme command for himself so devotedly were all ranks attached to their general that the mere suspicion of such a design would have rendered his continuance in the army extremely difficult whatever judgment may be formed on the propriety of his retreat it is not easy to justify either the omission to keep the commander-in-chief continually informed of his situation and intentions or the very rude letters written after the action was over the thanks of congress presented to general washington and his army for their conduct in the battle of monmouth july 5 the battle of monmouth gave great satisfaction to congress a resolution was passed unanimously thanking general washington for the activity with which he marched from the camp valley forge in pursuit of the enemy for his distinguished exertions informing the line of battle and for his great good conduct in the action and he was requested to signify the thanks of congress to the officers and men under his command to distinguish themselves by their conduct and valor in the battle after remaining a few days on the high grounds of middle town sir henry clinton proceeded to sandy hook whence his army passed over to new york end of chapter one chapter two of the life of washington volume three by john marshall this libra vox recording is in the public domain chapter two countess dang arrives with a french fleet meditates an attack on the british fleet in new york harbor relinquishes it sales to rhodeland lord howe appears off rhodeland both fleets dispersed by a storm general sullevin lays siege to newport destang returns sales for boston sullevin expresses his dissatisfaction in general orders raises the siege of newport action on rhodeland the americans retreat to the continent countess dang expresses his dissatisfaction with sullevin in a letter to congress general washington labors successfully to heal these discontents lord howe resigns the command of the british fleet colonel baler's regiment surprised captain do not defeated by colonel butler expedition of the british against egg harbor pulaski surprised 1778 july before general washington could reach the ground he designed to occupy intelligence was received that a powerful french fleet under the command of the count destang had appeared off chinketeague inlet the northern extremity of the coast of vigenia countess dang arrives on the coast of vigenia with a french fleet under his command he meditates an attack on the british fleet at new york but is obliged to relinquish it the count had sailed from to long on the 13th of april with 12 ships of the line and six frigates having on board a respectable body of land forces his destination was the Delaware and he hoped to find the british fleet in that river and their army in philadelphia and uncommon continuance of that verse wins protracted his voyage across the Atlantic to the extraordinary length of 87 days this unusual circumstance saved the british fleet and army on reaching the caves of the Delaware the count announced his arrival to congress and having failed in accomplishing his first object proceeded along the coast to new york in the hope of being able to attack the british fleet in the harbor of that place serenary clinton was again indebted to some fortunate incidents for his safety the violent storms of the preceding winter had broken through the narrow isthmus by which sandy hook was connected with the continent and had converted the peninsula into an island this rendered it necessary for the army to pass from that main to the hook on a bridge of boats which would have been impracticable if obstructed by a superior fleet it was affected the very day on which the stang appeared off chinketeague inlet july 13 of params in jersey general washington received a letter from the president of congress advising him of this important event and requesting that he would concert measures with the count for conjoint and offensive operations the next day he received a second letter on the same subject enclosing two resolutions one directing him to cooperate with the french admiral and the other authorizing him to call on the states from new hampshire to new jersey inclusive for such aides of militia as he might deem necessary for the operations of the allied arms he determined to proceed immediately to the white planes once the army might cooperate with more facility in the execution of any attempt which might be made by the fleet and dispatch lieutenant colonel laurence one of his aides to camp with all the information relative to the enemy as well as to his own army which might be useful to disdain lieutenant colonel laurence was authorized to consult on future conjoint operations and to establish conventional signals for the purpose of facilitating the communication of intelligence the french admiral on arriving off the hook dispatched major de schwazi a gentleman of his family to general washington for the purpose of communicating fully his views and his strength his first object was to attack new york if this should be found impracticable he was desirous of turning his attention to road island to assist in coming to a result of these enterprises general washington dispatched lieutenant colonel hamilton with such farther communications has had been suggested by inquiries made since the departure of lieutenant colonel laurence fearing that the water on the bar at the entrance of the harbour was not of sufficient depth to admit the passage of the largest ships of the french fleet without much difficulty and danger general washington had turned his attention to other objects which might be eventually pursued general sullivan who commanded the troops in road island was directed to prepare for an enterprise against newport and the marquis de lafayette was detached with two brigades to join him at providence july 21 the next day lieutenant colonel hamilton returned to camp with the final determination of the count destang to relinquish the meditated attack on the fleet in the harbour of new york in consequence of the impracticability of passing the bar general green was immediately ordered to road island of which state he was a native and lieutenant colonel laurence was directed to attach himself to the french admiral and to facilitate all his views by procuring whatever might give them effect after which he was to act with the army under sullivan sails out to road island and arise off newport the resolution being taken to proceed against road island the fleet got under a ray and on the 25th of july appeared off newport and cast anger about five miles from that place just without brenton's ledge soon after which general sullivan went on board the admiral and concerted with him a plan of operations for the allied forces the fleet was to enter the harbour and land the troops of his christian majesty on the west side of the island a little to the north of dyer's island the americans were to land at the same time on the opposite coast under cover of the guns of a frigate although the appearance of the french fleet had animated the whole country and had produced a considerable degree of alacrity for the service although the success of the enterprise essentially depended on maintaining a superiority at sea which there was much reason to apprehend would soon be rested from them yet such are the delays inseparable from measures to bring husbandmen into the field as soldiers that the operations against newport were suspended for several days on this account as the militia of new hampshire in massachusetts approached general sullivan joined general green at tiberton and it was agreed with the admiral that the fleet should enter the main channel immediately and that the descent should be made the succeeding day august eight the ships of war passed the british batteries and entered the harbour without receiving or doing any considerable damage the militia not arriving precisely at the time they were expected general sullivan could not hazard the movement which had been concerted and stated to the count the necessity of postponing it till the next day meanwhile the preparations for the descent being perceived general pigot drew the troops which had been stationed on the north end of the island into the lines at newport on discovering this circumstance the next morning sullivan determined to avail himself of it and to take immediate possession of the works which had been abandoned august nine the whole army crossed the east passage and landed on the north end of rhodeland this movement gave great offense to the admiral who resented the indelicacy supposed to have been committed by sullivan in landing before the french and without consulting him unfortunately some difficulties on subjects of mere punctilia had previously arisen the count destang was a land as well as c officer and held the high rank of lieutenant general in the service of france sullivan being only a major general some misunderstanding on this delicate point had been apprehended and general washington has suggested to him the necessity of taking every precaution to avoid it this it was supposed to have been effected in their first conference in which it was agreed that the americans should land first after which the french should land to be commanded by the count destang in person the motives for this arrangement are not stated but it was most probably made solely with a view to the success of the enterprise either his own after reflections or the suggestions of others dissatisfied the count with it and he insisted that the descent should be made on both sides of the island precisely at the same instant and that one wing of the american army should be attached to the french and land with them he also declined commanding in person in which the marquis de lafayette to take charge of the french troops as well as of the americans attached to them it being feared that this alteration of the plan might endanger both its parts destang was prevailed on to reduce his demand from one wing of the american army to one thousand militia when afterwards general sullivan crossed over into the island before the time to which he had himself postponed the descent and without giving previous notice to the count of this movement some suspicions seemed to have been excited that the measure was taken with other views then were avowed and no inconsiderable degree of excitement was manifested the count refused to answer sullivan's letter and charged lieutenant colonel flurry who delivered it with being more an american than a frenchman at this time a british fleet appeared which after sailing close into the land and communicating with general picket withdrew some distance and came to anchor off point juded just without the narrow inlet leading into the harbour after it had been ascertained that the destination of the count destang was america he was followed by a squadron of 12 ships of the line under admiral byron who was designed to relieve lord howe that nobleman having solicited his recall the vessels composing this squadron meeting with weather unusually bad for the season and being separated in different storms arrived after lingering through a tedious passage in various degrees of distress on different and remote parts of the american coast between the departure of destang from the hook on that 23rd of july and the 30th of that month for ships of 64 and 50 guns arrived at sandy hook this addition to the british fleet though it left lord howe considerably inferior to the count destang determined him to attempt the relief of newport he sailed from new york on the 6th of august and on the 9th appeared inside of the french fleet before intelligence of his departure could be received by the admiral sails to attack lord howe who appears off road island august 10 at the time of his arrival the wind set directly into the harbor so that it was impossible to get out of it but it shifted suddenly to the northeast the next morning and the count determined to stand out to sea and give battle previous to leaving port the informed general selvan that on his return he would land his men as that officer should advise not choosing to give the advantage of the weather gauge lord howe also weighed anchor and stood out to sea he was followed by destang and both fleets were soon out of sight the militia were now arrived and selvan's army amounted to 10 000 men some objections were made by lafayette to his commencing operations before the return of destang that officer advised that the army should be advanced to a position in the neighborhood of newport but should not break ground until the count should be in readiness to act in concert with them it was extremely desirable to avoid whatever might give offense to the great ally on whose assistance so much depended the time was deemed of such importance to an army which could not be kept long together that this advice was overruled and it was determined to commence the siege immediately august 12 before this determination could be executed a furious storm blew down all the tents rendered the arms unfit for immediate use and greatly damaged the ammunition of which 50 rounds had just been delivered to each man the soldiers having no shelter suffered extremely and several perished in the storm which continued three days 15th general selvan lays siege to newport on the return of fair weather the siege was commenced and continued without any material circumstance for several days as no intelligence had been received from the admiral the situation of the american army was becoming very critical on the evening of the 19th their anxieties were relieved for a moment by the reappearance of the french fleet the two admals desirous the one of gaining and the other of retaining the advantage of the wind had employed two days in maneuvering without coming to action both fleets dispersed by a storm towards the close of the second they were on the point of engaging when they were separated by the violent storm which had been felt so severely on shore and which dispersed both fleets some single vessels afterwards fell in with each other but no important capture was made and both fleets retired in that very shattered condition the one to the harbor of new york and the other to that of newport disdain returns to newport and against the solicitations of selavan sails for boston a letter was immediately dispatched by disdain to selavan informing him that in pursuance of orders from the king and of the advice of all his officers he had taken the resolution to carry the fleet to boston his instructions directed him to sail for boston should his fleet meet with any disaster or should a superior british fleet appear on the coast this communication through selavan and his army into despair general green and the marquis de lafayette were directed to wait on the admiral with a letter from selavan remonstrating against this resolution and to use their utmost endeavors to induce him to change it they represented to him the certainty of carrying the garrison if he would cooperate with them only two days urge the impalice of exposing the fleet at sea in its present condition represented the port of boston as equally insecure without of newport and added that the expedition had been undertaken on condition that the french fleet and army should cooperate with them that confiding in this cooperation they have brought stores into the island to a great amount and that to abandon the enterprise in the present state of things would be a reproach and disgrace to their arms to be deserved as such a critical moment would have a pernicious influence on the minds of the american people and would furnish their domestic woes as well as the common enemy with the means of animadverting severely on their prospects from an alliance with those who could abandon them under circumstances such as the present they concluded with wishing that the utmost harmony and confidence might subsist between the two nations and especially between their officers and then treated the admiral if any personal indiscretions had appeared in conducting the expedition not to permit them to prejudice the common cause whatever impression these observations may have made on the count they could not change the determination he had formed general green in his representation of this conversation stated that the principal officers on board the fleet were the enemies of disdain he was properly a land officer and they were dissatisfied with his appointment in the navy determined to thwart his measures and to prevent as far as could be justified his achieving in a brilliant exploit they availed themselves of the letter of his instructions and unanimously persevered in advising him to relinquish the enterprise and sail for boston he could not venture with such instructions to act against their unanimous opinion and although personally disposed to reenter the harbor declined doing so and sailed from the island on the return of green and lafayette sullivan made yet another effort to retain the fleet he dressed a second letter to the admiral pressing him in any event to leave his land forces the bearer of this letter was also charged with a protest signed by all the general officers in rhoda island except lafayette the only effect of which was to irritate disdain who proceeded without delay on his voyage to boston in consequence of the departure of the french fleet sullivan raises the siege of newport thus abandoned by the fleet sullivan called the council of general officers who were in favor of attempting an assault if 5000 volunteers who had seen nine month service could be obtained for the enterprise but the departure of the fleet had so discouraged the militia that this number could not be procured and in a few days the army was reduced by desertion to little more than 5000 men as the british were estimated at 6000 it was determined to raise the siege and retired to the north end of the island there to fortify and wait the result of another effort to induce disdain to return august 28th in the night of the 28th the army retired by two roads leading to the works on the north end of the island having its rear covered by kernels livingston and larnes who commanded light parties on each august 29 early next morning the retreat was discovered by the british who followed in two columns and were engaged on each road by livingston and larnes who retreated slowly and kept up the action was skilled and speared until the english were brought into the neighborhood of the main body of the americans drawn up in order of battle on the ground of their encampment the british formed on quaker hill a very strong piece of ground something more than a mile in front of the american line salivans rear was covered by strong works and in his front rather to the right was a redoubt in this position the two armies caminated each other for some time and a succession of skirmishes was kept up in front of both lines until about two in the afternoon when the british advanced in force attempted to turn the right flank and made demonstrations of an intention to carry the redoubt in front of the right wing action between selvin and the british army general green who commanded that wing advanced to his support and a sharp engagement was continued for about half an hour when the british retreated to quaker hill the cannonade was renewed and kept up intermingled with slight skirmishing until night according to the return made by general selvin his loss and killed wounded and missing was 211 that of the british estated by general pigot amounted to 260 august 30 the next day the cannonade was renewed but neither army was inclined to attack the other the british waited for reinforcements and selvin had it linked determined to retire from the island the commander-in-chief had observed some movements among the british transports indicating the embarkation of troops and have suggested to selvin the necessity of securing his retreat a fleet of transport soon put to see with a large body of troops of which immediate notice was given to selvin in a letter recommending his retreat to the continent this reinforcement which consisted of 4 000 men commanded by serenity clinton in person was delayed by adverse winds until the letter of general washington was received and the resolution to evacuate the island was taken the whole army passed over to the continent i'm observed by the enemy and disembarked about diverton by two in the morning selvin retreats with army to the continent never was retreat more fortunate serenity clinton arrived the next day and the loss of the american army would have been inevitable the complete success of this expedition had been confidently anticipated throughout america and the most brilliant results have been expected from the capture of so important a part of the british army as the garrison of newport the chagrin produced by disappointment was proportioned to the exaltation of their hopes in general orders issued by selvin soon after the departure of destang selvin in one of his general orders makes use of expressions which offend the count he permitted some expressions to escape him which were understood to impute to the count of destang and to the french nation and in disposition to promote the interests of the united states these insinuations wounded the feelings of the french officers and added in no small degree to the resentments of the moment in subsequent orders the general sought to correct this indiscretion and alleged that he had been misunderstood by those who supposed him to blame the admiral with whose orders he was unacquainted and of whose conduct he was consequently unable to judge he also stated explicitly the important aides america had received from france aides of which he ought not to be unmindful under any disappointment and which should prevent a too sudden center of any movement whatever count destang expresses to congress's dissatisfaction with general selvin the count destang on his part addressed a letter to congress containing a statement of all the movements of his fleet subsequent to its arrival on the coast in which his chagrin and irritation were but ill concealed in congress after approving the conduct of selvin and his army into the street proposition was made to inquire into the causes of the failure of the expedition but this was set aside by the previous question in the first moments of vexation and disappointment general selvin had addressed some letters to the governor of rhoda island complaining bitterly of being abandoned by the fleet these dispatches were transmitted by the governor to the speaker of the assembly and were on the point of being submitted publicly to the house when they were fortunately arrested by general green who had been introduced on the floor and placed by the side of the chair and to whom they were shown by the speaker the discontent in new england generally and in boston particularly was so great as to inspire fears that the means of repairing the french ships would not be supplied to guard against the mischief which might result from this temper as well as for other objects general hancock had repaired from camp to boston and lafayette had followed him on a visit to destang the consequences to be apprehended from this unavailing manifestation of ill temper soon induced all reflecting men to exert themselves to control it general washington labors to heal these discontents in which he succeeds in the commencement of this operation general washington for seeing the evils with which it was fought had labor to prevent them he addressed letters to general selvin to general he who commanded at boston and to other individuals of influence in new england urging the necessity of correcting the intemperance of the moment and of guarding against the interference of passion with the public interest soon after the transmission of these letters he received a resolution of congress directing him to take every measure in his power to prevent the publication of the protest entered into by the officers of selvin's army in his letter communicating this resolution he said the disagreement between the army under your command and the fleet has given me very singular uneasiness the continent at large is concerned in our cordiality and it should be kept up by all possible means consistent with our honor and policy first impressions you know are generally longest retained and will serve to fix them at great degree our national character with the french in our conduct towards them we should remember that they are a people old in war very strict military etiquette and apt to take fire when others scarcely seem warm permit me to recommend in the most particular manner the cultivation of harmony and good agreement and your endeavors to destroy that ill humor which may have found its way among the officers it is of the utmost importance to that the soldiers and the people should know nothing of this misunderstanding or if it has reached them that means may be used to stop its progress and prevent its effects in a letter to general green after expressing his fears that the seeds of dissension and distress might be sewn between the troops of the two nations he added i depend much on your temper and influence to conciliate that animosity which are plainly perceived by a letter from the marquis subsist between the american and french officers in our service this you may be assured will extend itself to the count and to the officers and men of his whole fleet should they return to wrote out unless a reconciliation shall have taken place the marquis speaks kindly of a letter from you to him on this subject he will therefore take any advice from you in a friendly way and if he can be pacified the other french gentleman will of course be satisfied since they look up to him as their head the marquis grounds his complaint on a general order of the 24th of august and upon the universal clamor that prevailed against the french nation i beg you will take every measure to keep the protest entered into by the general officers from being made public congress sensible of the ill consequences that will flow from our differences being known to the world have passed the resolve to that purpose upon the whole my dear sir you can conceive my meaning better than i can express it and i therefore fully depend on your exerting yourself to heal all private animosities between our principal officers and the french and to prevent all the liberal expressions and reflections that may fall from the army at large the general also sees the first opportunity to recommence his correspondence with the count and his letters without noticing the disagreement which had taken place were calculated to suit every angry sensation which might have been exciting a letter from the admiral stating the whole transaction was answered by general washington in a manner so perfectly satisfactory that the irritation which threatens such serious mischief appears to have to entirely subside congress also in a resolution which was made public expressed their perfect approbation of the conflict of the count and directed the president to assure him in the letter which should transmit it that they entertained the highest sense of his zeal and attachment these prudent and temperate measures restored harmony to the allied armies the storm under which the french fleet had suffered so severely did considerable damage also to that of lord howe the british however had sustained less injury than the french and were soon in the condition to put again to see having received information that the count the stang have made for boston lord howe sailed for the same port in the hope of reaching it before him but in this he was disappointed on entering the bay he found the french fleet already in man task it wrote where such judicious dispositions have been made for his defense that he relinquished the idea of attacking it and returned to new york lord howe resigns command of the british fleet where he resigned the command to admiral gambier who was to retain it to the arrival of admiral byron finding that general selvin had retreated to the continent sir henry clinton returned to new york leaving the command of the troops on board the transports with major general gray who was directed to conduct an expedition to the eastward as far as buzzard's bay september five gray entered a cushionate river where he destroyed a number of privateers with their prizes and some merchant vessels he also reduced part of the towns of bedford and fair haven to ashes in which some military and naval stores have been collected the troops re-embarked the next day before the militia could be assembled insufficient force to oppose them and sailed to martha's vineyard where they destroyed several vessels and some saltworks and levita heavy contribution of livestock on the inhabitants while so large a detachment from the british army was depredating the coast of new england preparations were making in new york for some distant expedition in many were of opinion that the french fleet was its object to be in readiness to oppose the combined attack by sea and land on the fleet general gates was directed with three brigades to proceed by easy marches as far as danbury in canadian in washington moved northward to fredericksburg while general putnam was detached with two brigades to the neighborhood of west point and general mcdougall with two others to join general gates at danbury september 22 soon after the return of general gray from new england the british army moved up the north river on each side in great force the column on the west side commanded by lord cornwallis consisting of about 5000 men took a position with its right on the river and its left extending to newbridge on the hackensack while the other division which was commanded by general nip housing consisting of about 3000 men was advanced about the same distance on the east side of the hudson the command of the river enabled these two columns to communicate freely with each other and at any time to reunite although general washington conjectured that this movement was made for the purpose of foraging yet it was possible that the passes in the highlands might be its object and orders were given to the detachments on the lines to hold themselves in readiness to anticipate the execution of such a design colonel baler with his regiment of cavalry had crossed the hackensack early in the morning of the 27th of september and taken fortes at now pond or herring town a small village near new tar pond where some additional reposted immediate notice of his position was given to lord cornwallis who formed a plan to surprise and cut off both the cavalry and militia the party designed to act against colonel baler was commanded by general gray and batted against the militia by lieutenant colonel campbell september 28 that part of the plan which was to be executed by campbell was defeated by delays and passing the river during which a deserter gave notice of his approach and the militia saved themselves by flight but the corps commanded by general gray got it by some of the country people eluded the patrols got into the rear of the sergeant's guard which had been posted at a bridge over the hackensack cut it off without alarming baler colonel baler's regiment supplies and completely surprised his whole regiment the british troops rushed into a barn where the american slept and refusing to give quarter bayoneted for a time all they saw of 104 privates 67 were killed wounded and taken the number of prisoners amounting to about 40 is stated to have been increased by the humanity of one of gray's captains who not was standing as orders gave courted to the hold of the fourth troop colonel baler and major cloth who were both wounded with the bayonet the first dangerously the last mortal were among the prisoners september 30 captain denop with his corps attacked by colonel butler and defeated three days after this affair colonel richard butler with a detachment of infantry assisted that major lee with a part of his cavalry fell in with a small party of chasseur's and yaegers under captain denop which he instantly charged and without the loss of a man killed 10 on the spot and took the officer commanding the chasseur and 18 of the yaegers prisoners only the extreme roughness of the country which impeded the action of the cavalry and prevented part of the infantry from coming up enabled a man of the enemy to escape some interest was taken at the time in this small affair because it seemed in some measure to revenge the loss of colonel baler after completing their forage the british army returned to new york expedition of the british against egg harbor this movement had been in part designed to cover an expedition against little egg harbor which was completely successful and the works and storehouses at the place as well as the merchandise and vessels were entirely destroyed it has been already stated that count pulaski had been appointed general of the american cavalry the dissatisfaction given by this appointment to the officers had induced him to resign his commission but thirsting for military fame and zealous in the american cause he obtained permission to raise a legionary core which he officered chiefly with foreigners and commanded in person in this core one juliet a deserter had been admitted as an officer the count had been ordered to march from Trenton towards little egg harbor and was lying eight or ten miles from the coast when this juliet again deserted caring within intelligence of pulaski's strength and situation pulaski surprised and his infantry cut off a plan was formed to surprise him which succeeded completely so far as respected his infantry who were put to the bayonet the british accounts of this expedition asserted that the whole core was destroyed pulaski stated his loss at about 40 and avert that on coming up with his cavalry to the relief of his infantry he repulsed the enemy it is probable that the one account diminishes the importance of this enterprise as much as the other magnifies it october 12th admiral baron reached new york and took command of the fleet about the middle of september after repairing his shattered vessels he sailed for the port of boston soon after his arrival in the bay fortune disconcerted all his plans a furious storm drove him out to sea and damaged his fleet so much that he found it necessary to put into the port of road island to refit this favorable moment was seized by the count disdain who sailed on that third of november for the west indies thus terminated an expedition from which the most important advantages have been anticipated a variety of accidents had defeated plans judiciously formed which had every probability in their favor the marquita lafayette ambitious of fame on another theater was desirous of returning to france expecting war on the continent of europe he was anxious to tender his services to his king and to his native country from motives of real friendship as well as the policy general washington was desirous of preserving the connection of this officer with the army and of strengthening his attachment to america he therefore expressed to congress his wish that lafayette instead of resigning his commission might have unlimited leave of absence to return when it should be convenient to himself and might carry within every mark of the confidence of the government this policy was adopted by congress in its full extent the partiality of america for lafayette was well placed never did a foreigner whose primary attachments to his own country remained undiminished feel more solicitude for the welfare of another than was unceasingly manifested by this young nobleman for the united states there being no prospect of an active winter campaign in the northern or middle states on the climate admitting of military operations elsewhere a detachment from the british army consisting of five thousand men commanded by major general grant sailed early in november under a strong convoy for the west india islands and towards the end of the same month another embarkation was made for the southern parts of the continent this second detachment was commanded by lieutenant colonel campbell who was escorted by camador hide parker and was destined to act against the seven states december as a force sufficient for the defense of new york yet remained the american army retired into winter quarters the main body was canton in connecticut on both sides the north river about west point in that middle book light troops were stationed near the lines and the cavalry were drawn into the interior to recruit the horses for the next campaign the distribution the protection of the country the security of important points and a cheap and convenient supply provisions were consulted the troops again wintered in huts but they were accustomed to this mode of passing that inclement season though far from being well-clothed their condition in that respect was so much improved by supplies from france that they disregarded the inconveniences to which they were exposed