those land-works had protected-were abandoned | broke up his bridge and moved higher up the and burned. At last, a free communication was river. But Cornwallis was neither supported established along the Delaware, between the ocean nor in any force. The winter had now set in and Philadelphia, between the British army and with great severity; but if Washington went into navy. But it was already the season of short winter-quarters in Lancaster, York, and Carlisle. days and cold nights: and Howe, as we have seen, the nearest towns capable of accommodating his had no taste for winter campaigns. We imagine army, he would leave a wide and fertile country that he thought the work of the year done, when open to the British troops, and a population be Washington rather suddenly made a movement too well disposed to accept the pardons which the in advance that seemed to compel further exertion. Howes offered. He therefore resolved to keep Being reinforced by 4000 men from the army of the field, and to occupy during the whole winter the north, which had certainly done its work by such a position as should keep Howe in check, capturing Burgoyne, he quitted his strong position and the city of Philadelphia in great discomfort at Skippack Creek, and advanced to a still stronger This was one of Washington's brightest inspiraone at White Marsh, only fourteen miles from tions, and the way in which he executed his plan Philadelphia and Howe's head-quarters. On the did the highest honour to his steadiness, his per night of the 4th of December, Howe marched out severance, and wonderful power of command. of Philadelphia, and on the following morning He selected a strong piece of ground, thickly took post on Chestnut Hill, in front of Washing-covered with wood, at Valley Forge, on the west ton's right wing. Howe remained for two days drawn out in line, to tempt Washington to an engagement on ground of his own choosing. But the Americans were not inclined to risk a battle in the open country; and with the exception of a slight skirmish, in which some of their militia ran like a rabble before Colonel Abercrombie and his light infantry, nothing took place. On the night of the 6th, Howe again put his army in motion, marched from Washington's right to his left wing, and on the following morning ascended Edge Hill, about a mile from the American left. A strong body of the victorious army of the north were on the crest of that hill, but they were soon driven from it by the British van, led by Lord Cornwallis, and they retreated so rapidly that Washington's left was thrown into some dismay or confusion. This was a favourable moment for trying an attack, and in the course of the morning another good opportunity offered; yet Howe did not avail himself of these advantages, and, after viewing all that side of the encampment, and seeing that Washington was determined not to quit it, he, on the afternoon of the 8th, returned with the army to Philadelphia. On the night of the 10th, Washington abandoned his position, and began to cross to the west bank of the Schuylkill. Early in the morning, as his van began to form on that side of the river, they were most unexpectedly charged by Lord Cornwallis, who drove them back to their bridge of boats, and took possession of some heights which commanded it. Washington was greatly disconcerted, and, fancying that Howe was in the rear of Cornwallis, he side of the Schuylkill, and not above twenty-five miles from Philadelphia. Tents were scarce in his army, and even if he had been well supplied, few men could have braved the winter with inpunity under mere canvas; Washington therefore introduced or extended the back woodsman's practice of hutting. On the east and south of his encampment, he drew an entrenchment with a ditch six feet wide and three or four deep. He began two redoubts, but they were never finishes.. as he clearly saw that Howe was determined to keep warm and dry in his winter quarters, and that no attack was to be apprehended. His lef was covered by the Schuylkill, with a moveable bridge across it; his right was somewhat opel and accessible; and, notwithstanding his entrenchment, the centre of his front was contemptibly weak. His rear was, for the most part, covered by an abrupt precipice, at the foot of which flowed Valley Creek, which had a narrow passage through. the rocks to the Schuylkill. With reference to the duties of covering the fertile country and harassing Philadelphia, the spot was well choset; but, as a defensive position, it was weak and bad. An active enemy would have allowed him time neither to dig his entrenchment nor construct las huts, and defeat in such a place must have bee attended with the most fatal consequences. But Howe ate his meat, drank his wine, and played his game at cards in Philadelphia, in seeming forgetfulness of there being such a place in his neighbourhood as Valley Forge.' 1 Stedman: Gordon; Ramsay; Marshall. CHAPTER X.-CIVIL AND MILITARY HISTORY.-A. D. 1777. GEORGE III. The war in Canada-The British general, Carleton, superseded by General Burgoyne-Force with which Burgoyne takes the field-He lands at Crown Point-The Americans abandon Ticonderoga-Their losses in their retreat -Burgoyne takes possession of Skenesborough-An American rear-guard defeated by General Fraser-The Americans rallied and reinforced by General Schuyler-Burgoyne continues his advance-Difficulties of his march-He detaches his German auxiliaries to surprise Bennington-Their unfitness for rapid action and surprise-They are driven back with loss-The British unsuccessfully besiege Stanwix Fort-Burgoyne encamps at Saratoga-He is attacked by General Gates-Indecisive engagement-Burgoyne is unaided by the British generals, and deserted by his Indian allies-He is inclosed by the Americans-His unsuccessful attempts to extricate himself-He changes his position-Difficulties of his retreat-Burgoyne's designs revealed to the Americans-He is reduced to capitulate-Honourable terms of the surrender-General Clinton's operations on the Hudson-His hazardous advance upon Forts Clinton and Montgomery-Fort Clinton taken-Gallant capture of Fort Montgomery-Success of General Clinton's expedition-The British parliament assembled-The Earl of Coventry's proposal to withdraw our fleets and armies from America-Chatham's eloquent speech recommending the immediate cessation of hostilities-Apparent inutility of such a proceeding-Tidings received by parliament of Burgoyne's surrender-Chatham's motion for the production of Burgoyne's instructionsThe motion negatived-His inquiry into the employment of Indians as our allies-He is accused of having set the example. ROM the operations of the main British army, we turn to our unfortunate movements from the side of Canada. For parliamentary reasons our ministers had thought proper to take the comand from General Carleton, who had re-estabfished our supremacy on the lakes the year before, and to confer it, against the ordinary rules of the service, upon General Burgoyne, a brave man, and in many respects a skilful and excellent officer, but one little acquainted with the ountry and the manners of its various inhabitants. Carleton, who had long resided in Canada, who knew the country well, and who had an immense personal influence with the people of all classes, felt himself aggrieved, and his disgst was heightened by his not being allowed a voice or the shadow of a will in the plans to be parsed. These plans were minutely and absoItely laid down by our ministers at home, who only knew the country through maps that were inaccurate, and through reports that were contradietory, and who seem to have been awfully blind to the fact that campaigns are not things to be made by sedentary men in a cabinet, but by generals commanding in the field. Lord North had no taste or talent for war; the war minister, Lord Barrington, entertained notions diametrically opposite to those of his colleagues, and was scarcely consulted; and the authorship of the plans was pretty generally attributed to the joint heads of General Burgoyne, George III., and Lord George Germaine. Carleton sent over his resignation as governor of Canada; but, as he was bound to remain till a successor should arrive, he did what nished with arms, hatchets, and other implements; their natural colour by washing them with soap and engaged to occupy the woods on the frontiers of the province, to make roads, to complete the fortifications on the river Sorel, at Forts St. John and Chambly, and at the Isle aux Noix; they were also to act as pioneers and scouts, and another body of them were to accompany the army as OSAGE CHIEF AND IROQUOIS CHIEF. Catlin's North American Indians. baggage-men, with horses and carts. In addition to this force, Burgoyne, by the express orders of ministers, had put under arms several nations or tribes of Red Indians, who inhabited the back settlements and the borders of the western lakes, and who were so eager for the war that his only difficulty was in preventing an over-numerous accession. He knew, and every one else in the country knew, that if we did not engage these savages to fight against the Americans, the Americans would endeavour to engage them to fight against us; but, as a man of humanity, he exerted himself to check the native ferocity of the tribes, and to teach them to make war like civilized men.' He was told by those who knew more of the Red Men, that he might as well attempt to change 1 As the Red Men, or native Indians, played an important part in the French and revolutionary wars in America, it is right that their character should be understood. Lord Mahon says of them:-"Along the frontier of these states, and often within it, ranged, far and wide, divers tribes of the Red Men, the native Indians. The character of these tribes has been most variously portrayed; sometimes invested with imaginary virtues from a vague admiration of savage life, sometimes, to justify oppression, loaded with as imaginary crimes. It will be found that in general they are painted all bright in poetry, and all black in state papers. In truth, they might often be admired for generous and lofty feelings, but were ever liable to be swayed to and fro by any sudden impulse, by their passions or their wants and water. Burgoyne was furnished with picked and experienced officers, among whom were Majorgeneral Philips, Brigadier-general Fraser, Brigadiers Powell and Hamilton, the Brunswick Majorgeneral Reidesel, and Brigadier-general Specht. The first thing he was to do was to take Ticonderoga. The starting-point was Fort St. John, on the Sorel; and, having detached Colonel St. Leger, with between 700 and 800 men, to make a diversion on the side of the Mohawk River, Burgoyne set out from St. John's on the 16th of June, preceded by the shipping, and attended on the right and left flank by columns of Indians. The Americans were in considerable force at Crown Point, but they retired at the approach of our flotilla, and the troops were safely landed at that point. When this operation was over, Burgoyne treated the Indians with a war-feast, and again entreated them to relinquish their old and cherished habits. He, however, put into his proclamation or manifesto a terrible picture of Indian ferocity, and threatened such of the insurgents as should continue in their obstinacy with its unavoidable effects. Having erected magazines and some slight defences at Crown Point, Burgoyne, in a few days, proceeded to Ticonderoga. The Ame ricans there had erected several new works, and had, moreover, fortified Mount Independence, a high hill on the eastern shore of the lake opposite to Ticonderoga, to which they had united it by a strong bridge, which effectually prevented any attack by water. But there was another hill. called Sugar Hill, which commanded both Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, and the American general in command, St. Clair, had neither occupied nor fortified it; and there was still another hill, called Mount Hope, which com manded part of their line, and which was equally neglected. Major-general Philips took possession of Mount Hope on the 2d of July, and on the following day Sugar Hill was occupied. Our troops, with wonderful rapidity, threw up works for investing the place in form; but on the night of the 5th of July the Americans evacuated both Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, and, putting their baggage and provisions on board of batteaux. they fled by the only road that remained open to They would endure bodily torment with the most heroic courage, and inflict it with the most unrelenting cruelty. Whenever they had neither warfare nor the chase in view, they seemed indolent dissolute, and listless, yet always with an inborn dignity of de meanour and a peculiar picturesqueness of language. In ho tilities, on the contrary, they were found most formidable fro their skilful and stealthy marches, their unforeseen attacks, an their ferocity in slaying and scalping their opponents. It is to be feared that nearly all the Europeans who came in contact with them, whether French or English, republicans or royalists, have been, when at peace among themselves too ready to neglect or oppress these Indians, and when at war with each other too ready to employ them."-Hist. of England, ch. xliii. them to Skenesborough, now called Whitehall. The batteaux went along the South River, the entrance to which was defended by booms and an immense framework of timber, sunk in the water, which was said to have cost the Americans near twelve months' labour; but, as soon as their flight was discovered, our sailors fell upon these works, and, in the course of a very few hours, destroyed them. A brigade of gun-boats then shot into the river, and proceeded with such speed that they overtook the American batteaux, near the falls of Skenesborough. Some large galleys bore down the river to defend the batteaux, but they were beaten, boarded, and taken; and most of the batteaux were destroyed. General Burgoyne, with one part of his army, followed with ther gun-boats and two small frigates, while Generals Fraser and Reidesel marched by land fter St. Clair. When Burgoyne approached the alls of Skenesborough he was saluted by a heavy re of artillery, but as soon as he began to land is men the Americans fled from their stockadert and other works, and left him in quiet posssion of Skenesborough, which had remained the hands of the Americans, like Ticonderoga, rer since the first surprise Ethan Allen. The Ameans, who had occupied the ace, retired hastily to Fort nne; and in the course of e day nearly all the bagge of their army, and a eat part of their military ores, were either taken by e British, or burned and stroyed by themselves.' neral St. Clair marched th such headlong haste at he reached Castletown, rly thirty miles from Tideroga, that very night; t his rear-guard, under lonel Warner, did not ve quite so fast, and lted six miles short of with him on the pursuit, but had been left behind, would soon come up to his assistance. Warner also had assistance within reach; but two regiments of militia, instead of attending to his summons, turned their backs upon him, and fled to Castletown as soon as they saw the head of Fraser's little column. Fraser led his men up the hill to the breast-work: a terrible, and, for some time, a doubtful conflict ensued, for the Germans did not come quite so soon as he expected them. But when Reidesel appeared, with a full band of music playing, the Americans conceived that all the German troops were with him, whereas, in truth, he had only a few companies; and they then abandoned the hill, and fled for Castletown as fast as their militia. Their loss had been appalling: Colonel Francis, several other officers, and above 200 men were left dead on the field; one colonel, seven captains, ten subalterns, and 210 privates were made prisoners; while nearly 600 wounded crawled away to perish in the woods, in a vain attempt to escape to the inhabited country. Fraser lost Major Pratt, and had about twenty inferior officers and about 150 privates killed and wounded. During this action, TICONDEROGA, LAKE HAMPLAIN.-From a drawing by James Hunter, dated 1777, in the King's Collection, British Museum. stletown, on some rising ground, partially cored with trees. At an early hour on the folving morning they were there discovered by neral Fraser, who had been close on their heels greater part of the preceding day-one of the test days in July-but he had now scarcely re than 800 men with him; whereas Colonel arner was from 1200 to 1500 strong, advantaously posted, and with his men covered with a t of breast-work, composed of logs and old trees. aser, who was as brave as steel, determined vertheless to attack, being confident that the dy of Germans under Reidesel, who had started Marshall, Life of Washington; Stedman: Ann. Register. Burgoyne, with the principal division of the British army, was at Skenesborough, where he halted several days; and the American general, St. Clair, was at Castletown. The latter now retired in all haste to Manchester, and thence to Fort Edward (on the left bank of the Hudson, about equidistant from Saratoga and from Fort George at the southern end of the lakes), leaving Colonel Long to defend Fort Anne. But Long was overtaken, and thoroughly beaten by Colonel Hill; and, instead of defending Fort Anne, he set fire to it, and fled to join St. Clair. 2 When Warner joined St. Clair, he had with him only ninety men. to throw bridges; and he was obliged to consume At this critical juncture, General Schuyler, the commander-in-chief of the American army of the north, who was bringing up reinforcements to defend, as he supposed, Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, reached Saratoga, to be overwhelmed by the news of a rapid succession of defeats and disasters. He relied, however, on the rough country which the British must traverse; and, calling in St. Clair and Long, and the wreck of that army, he fixed his head-quarters at Fort Edward, broke up the roads and the bridges, blocked up the creeks and rivers, and swept the country bare of live stock and all kinds of provisions. At the same time he implored congress, who were wholly absorbed by the strange desultory movements made by Howe in the beginning of his campaign, to send him reinforcements of regular troops; he called up the militia and the backwoodsmen of New England and New York; he wrote the most pressing letters in all directions; and he succeeded, by degrees, in collecting a numerous though motley force. On landing at Crown Point, Burgoyne had addressed the American people in a proclamation; and now, from his head-quarters at Skenesborough, he issued a second manifesto, summoning the people of the adjacent country to send deputies from each township, to meet at Castletown, in order to deliberate on such measures as might still be adopted to save from punishment those who had not yet conformed to his first proclamation and submitted to the royal authority. To counteract this document, General Schuyler issued a proclamation, in the name of the congress of the United States, citing the example of Jersey, to show the treatment the people would receive if As soon as Burgoyne was assured that Pow they allowed themselves to be deluded by pro- would not co-operate, he ought to have retreate clamations, and threatening them, in the same to the lakes, for, with a small army like his, h breath, with death, as traitors, if they sent any could scarcely occupy forts or positions enoug deputation, or afforded any manner of aid to the to keep the country in awe, or even to keep the enemy. At the same time Schuyler contrived to communications open with Canada; and the m make a letter fall into the hands of Burgoyne, so that he could hope from the most brilliant su written as to bewilder the English general, and cess was to make a military promenade throu make him hesitate whether he should advance or the country to New York, where he was n retreat. At last Burgoyne resolved to advance, ac- wanted. Nevertheless, he resolved to contin cording to the original plan laid down for his cam- on the advance, and he merely waited in tl paign, and which plan included about the worst neighbourhood of Fort Edward for the arrival route which he could have pursued. Instead of Generai Philips with the artillery, provisions, at retracing his steps to Ticonderoga, and embark- stores, and for the junction of Colonel St. L 25 ing on Lake George to proceed to Fort George, who had proceeded on a different line of n whence there was a waggon-road to the place of from the first, and who was now descending ti his destination, Fort Edward, he struck across Oswego, the Oneida Lake, and Wood Creek, by th the country with the mass of his force, and sent Mohawk River, which falls into the Hudson 1General Philips, with a strong detachment, to pro- tween Saratoga and Albany. Unfortunately S ceed by Lake George, with the artillery, provisions, Leger stopped at the upper end of the Mohaw and baggage. The land journey was as difficult as to lay siege to Stanwix Fort, called by the Am the water communication was easy: Burgoyne had ricans Fort Schuyler, a place strongly situate to pass swamps and morasses, numerous creeks, Upon receiving this information, Burgoyne, wi. ravines, and gullies, over which it was necessary | had already split his army into too many part |