1776] RETREAT OF THE AMERICANS. 227* made prisoners. Stirling himself was taken, and comparatively few of his men reached Fort Putnam in safety. The British were completely victorious. Their loss was but 367 in killed and wounded; that of the Americans amounted to 1,650, 1,100 of whom were prisoners. The latter, doomed to suffer in loathsome prison-ships, almost regretted that they had not fallen on the field. 314. While the battle was still raging, Washington crossed from New York. With anguish he beheld the slaughter of his best troops; nor could he attempt their relief with men from the fort, for already the garrison was too small for its defence. All he could hope to do was to save the remnant of the army. Fortunately Howe did not attack the fort, but, encamping about a third of a mile from it, waited for the fleet to come up. The next morning (August 28th), the British commenced firing on the fort. At midnight a heavy fog arose, which hid the armies from each other throughout the following day. On the evening of the 29th, the men were silently paraded, and about midnight they commenced embarking from the point now occupied by the Fulton Ferry. The boats moved noiselessly with muffled oars; and in the course of six hours, the whole army, with their baggage and munitions, the heavy artillery alone excepted, crossed in safety to New York. Washington remained till the last company had embarked. He had not slept for two days, so great was his anxiety to save his men. 315. Secure of his prey, Howe had no suspicion of what was going on. A woman living near the ferry discovered the movement, and sent a negro to the British general with the intelligence. But providentially falling into the hands of the Hessians, who could not understand what he said, he was detained till his information was too late to be of value. When the discovery was made, soon after dawn, a troop of scribe Stirling's engagement with Cornwallis. What was the fate of Stirling's division? What was the loss on both sides? What was the fate of the prisoners? 314. What is Said of Washington? Where did Howe encamp? Give an account of the movements of August 28th and 29th. Describe the retreat to New York. 815. By whom was the movement of the Americans discovered? How was the intelligence prevented from reaching Gen. Howe? What was found soon after dawn? What did Howe do? What British horse was dispatched to the river, but the last boat of the retreating Americans was beyond their reach. Mor. tified that he had allowed the enemy to escape, Howe took possession of Fort Putnam, and allowed his men a few days' rest. The overthrow on Long Island was every way disastrous to the Americans. Besides their actual loss, it deprived the army of their self-confidence, led to the desertion of hundreds, and prevented many from espousing the republican The defeat of the Americans is attributable in part to their total want of cavalry, but principally to their neglecting to have a sufficient guard on the Jamaica road. It is said that a single regiment at the proper point could have prevented Clinton's advance. cause. 316. Supposing that the Americans might now incline to peace, Howe sent Sullivan on parole with a proposition to Congress. A committee was appointed by that body to confer with the British general; but, as neither party would make concessions, nothing was effected. Franklin was on this committee; and, when Howe spoke of England's being ready to protect the colonies, he begged to assure his lordship that the colonies felt fully able to protect themselves. 317. The British army was soon ready to attack New York, and Washington felt that with the means at his command he could not successfully oppose them. Accordingly, he removed his stores to the forts above the city, and commenced retreating to the north. It being highly important to gain some knowledge of Howe's movements, Captain Nathan Hale, of Connecticut, undertook to visit the British camp as a spy. He reached the English lines in safety, and obtained the desired information. On his way back, however, he was recognized by a tory relative, who arrested him and took him to Howe's head-quarters. He was executed on the 22d of September. The services of a clergyman, and was the effect of the battle of Long Island? To what is the defeat of the Americans attributable? 316. What attempt at negotiation was now made? How did it result? What answer was made by Franklin? 317. What were Washington's next movements! What dangerous enterprise was undertaken by Capt. Nathan Hale? Give an account of it. What was Hale's fate? 1776] WASHINGTON'S RETREAT. 229 even the use of a Bible, were denied him; and letters which he had written to his mother and sisters were destroyed. His last words were, "I only regret that I have but one life to give to my country." CHAPTER VIII. WASHINGTON'S RETREAT.-BATTLE OF WHITE PLAINS. 318. ON the 15th of September, a large detachment of the British army crossed the East River, three miles above the city, and spread out across the island. Most of the American army had made good their retreat towards the Harlem River; but the rear-guard, consisting of 4,000 men under Putnam, would have been cut off, had not a whig lady, at whose house the British generals called for refreshments, managed to detain them with her hospitalities till the danger was past. Putnam's men had been fifteen hours under arms, and not a few fell before reaching camp from the effects of fatigue and excessive heat. 319. So discouraged were the Americans by their recent disasters that Washington found some vigorous movement necessary to restore their confidence. The morning after the British landed, an opportunity occurred. Several parties of the enemy approached the American camp. Engaging their attention by an attack in front, Washington sent Colonel Knowlton and Major Leitch to fall upon their rear. British, though reinforced, were driven from the field with the loss of more than 100 men. The Americans lost about half that number, among whom were the two brave officers just mentioned. The 320. The British now held possession of New York. At midnight on the 20th of September, a fire broke out in the 818. What movement was made by the British, September 15, 1776? Whither had the main body of the American army retreated? How was their rear-guard saved? 319. What took place on the morning of September 16th? What was the loss on both sides? 320. What took place in New York, on the 20th of September? Meanwhile, city, which was not arrested till 493 buildings, including Trinity Church, were consumed. Meanwhile the Americans were strengthening their position on the upper part of the island. A double line of intrenchments was hastily thrown up, and Fort Washington was erected on a rocky height overlooking the Hudson. Among those who distinguished themselves by their skill in the construction of these defences was Alexander Hamilton, now about 20 years of age. The mathematical perfection of his work elicited the admiration of Washington, who invited him to his quarters, and soon made him his chief aid-de-camp and counsellor. 321. Deeming the American works too strong to be attacked in front, Howe determined to gain their rear; and, having sent part of his fleet up the Hudson to prevent communication with the west and south, he moved up the Sound with the greater part f his army, and took a position northeast of Washington's camp. To avoid an engagement, the American commander, after leaving a garrison of about 3,000 men in Fort Washington, which it was resolved to hold to the last extremity, withdrew his main body from Manhattan Island, and after a trying march fixed his headquarters at White Plains. On the 28th of October, Howe came up, and a furious cannonade commenced. The Americans, having been driven from one of their positions, fell back a short distance, and intrenched themselves so strongly during the ensuing night that Howe deemed it prudent to wait for reinforcements. Before he was ready to renew the attack, Washington withdrew to North Castle, among the hills south of the Croton River. Howe did not follow, but, after remaining several days at White Plains, retired towards New York. 322. The plans of the British general were not known; but Washington, apprehending a descent upon Philadelphia, left Gen. Lee with about 4,000 men at North Castle, and what were the Americans doing? Who distinguished himself in this work? To what post was Hamilton soon raised? 821. What were the next movements of the British! How did Washington meet them? Where did he fix his head-quarters? What took place, October 28th? Where did Washington finally go? What did Howe do? 822. 1776] CAPTURE OF FORT WASHINGTON. crossed the Hudson. Ar 231 323. On the 17th of November, Fort. Washington was unexpectedly attacked t by an overwhelming force. The American chief sent a message across the river to the commandant to hold out till evening, that AMERICAN (OD) AND BRITISH ARMIES AT WHITE PLAINS. he might try to bring off the garrison. But their ammunition failed, and the fort was surrendered with 2,818 men. The British had nearly 1,000 killed and wounded. The loss of this stronghold caused a general depression among the friends of America. Washington was censured for attempting to hold the post, as well as for want of courage in not What did Washington apprehend? What course did he pursue? [See Map.-Where did the British land, October 12? What river lay between their route and that of the Americans? What river still further to the west?] Where did Washington fix his head-quarters? What intelligence did he here receive? 323. What took place, November 17th? How many Americans surrendered? What was the British loss? What |