meeting the enemy in the field. Without knowing the dis advantages under which he labored, many condemned his successive retreats, which alone insured the safety of his army and the ultimate establishment of American liberty. 324. On the 19th of November, the British crossed the Hudson. After taking Fort Lee, which was abandoned on their approach, they started in pursuit of Washington's army, now reduced to 3,000 men. Orders had been sent to Lee, to bring on his detachment from North Castle, but they were disobeyed on various pretexts. A rapid and melancholy retreat across New Jersey was conducted by Washington in his usual masterly manner, the British pressing closely on his rear. The American troops suffered much, many of them being without shoes, and leaving blood-stained tracks on the frozen ground. At last they reached the Delaware at Trenton, and, the boats having been secured for a distance of 70 miles, crossed to Pennsylvania. Cornwallis came up soon after; but, instead of bridging the river or building boats, he preferred waiting till the ice should enable him to cross, stationing detachments in Princeton, New Brunswick, and various points on the Jersey shore of theDelaware. CHAPTER IX. BATTLES OF TRENTON AND PRINCETON. 325. WASHINGTON's army seemed on the eve of dissolution. The defeats it had sustained, its lamentable condition, and the news of advantages gained by the British in Rhode Island and elsewhere, led to constant desertions, and deterred those who favored the patriot cause from arming in its de was the effect of the capture of Fort Washington? 324. What was the next movement of the British? How large was Washington's army? What orders were sent to Lee? Describe the retreat of the Americans. What was their condition? How far did Cornwallis continue the pursuit? While waiting to cross on the ice, what disposition did he make of his troops? 325. What was the condition of Washington's army? What causes led to desertions? 1776] BATTLE OF TRENTON. 233 fence. Philadelphia was in danger, and Congress deemed it prudent to remove to Baltimore. General Lee, advancing leisurely in spite of Washington's commands, and taking quarters at a distance from his troops, was captured by a scouting party of the enemy. But Sullivan, who had been exchanged for a British general, succeeded to his command, and speedily effected a union with Washington. About the same time, some recruits from Pennsylvania reached the American camp, and the commander-in-chief thus found himself at the head of about 5,000 men. 326. To revive the spirits of his countrymen, Washington resolved on a bold enterprise. Trenton was occupied by 1,500 Hessians under Col. Rahl, and a troop of British horse. Supposing that the Germans, according to their custom, would spend Christmas in revelry, and rest soundly after their carousals, he determined to attempt a surprise. The night of December 25th was starless and stormy. The Delaware was full of ice. Two divisions of the American army were unable to cross; but the third, under Washington and Sullivan, made the passage, and at four on the morning of the 26th commenced their march for Trenton. The surprise was suc- sessful. Konkey's Ferry Am. Army Dec.26 Washington's R livan's Route TRENTONO DELAWARE American Army Americans 0 Vessians 2000 D Americans Jan. 2 Maidenhead Assamhink 876770 engaged in his revels, was suddenly startled by the sound of musketry. Hastening to his men, he found them hemmed in on all sides, and, while endeavoring to form them for action, he was mortally wounded. Nearly a thousand Hessians at once threw down their arms. The rest, Sandtown March to Princeton Jan. MOVEMENTS ABOUT TRENTON, DEC. 26, 1776 JAN. 3, 1777. What did Congress deem it prudent to do? What befell Gen. Lee? What became of his army? How was Washington's force further increased? 826. On what did Washington resolve? By whom was Trenton occupied? Describe the crossing of the Delaware. [See Map.-At the junction of what two streams is Trenton? Which general took the route nearest the river?] How was Col. Rahl engaged? What did he do? What befell him? How many Hessians surrendered? What was Washington's next with the British horse, had made good their escape. Aware that he could not hold Trenton against the superior force which could be concentrated there in a few hours, Washington recrossed the Delaware with his prisoners and spoils. He had lost but four men, two of whom were frozen to death. This brilliant achievement restored the courage of his men and the confidence of the people. Howe, in alarm, ordered Cornwallis, who was on the point of embarking for England, back to New Jersey. Congress invested Washington with extraordinary powers, gave him the absolute control of the war, and endeavored to carry out the measures he suggested. Fourteen hundred soldiers, whose terms were about expiring, were induced to remain six weeks longer by a bounty of $10 apiece. 327. Four days after this victory, Washington again crossed the Delaware, and took post at Trenton. On the 2d of January, 1777, news was received that Cornwallis was approaching with a powerful force. After some skirmishing the Americans fell back, and, night coming on, both parties rested on their arms [see Map, p. 233]. Washington did not like either to hazard an engagement, or, by a retreat, to leave Philadelphia exposed to the enemy. He therefore conceived the bold design of marching by a circuitous route to Princeton and surprising the British force stationed at that place. Leaving his fires burning, he silently withdrew his men, and early on the morning of the 3d of January reached Princeton. The surprise would have been complete, had not the Americans met a brigade of the enemy already on the march for Trenton. An engagement took place, and the American van, under Gen. Mercer, having no bayonets, were driven back. The British pursued, but at this moment Washington came up and placed himself between his flying troops and the advancing enemy. Col. Fitzgerald, his aid, thinking that the movement? How many men did he lose? What was the effect of this achievement on the Americans, on the British, and on Congress? How were 1,400 soldiers induced to remain? 327. On the 28th of December, what did Washington do? A few days after, what news was received? What did the Americans do? [See Map, p. 283.- What position did the Americans take, January 2d? What place was on the Princeton road?] What bold design was conceived by Washington? How was the surprise prevented! 1777] WASHINGTON RECOVERS NEW JERSEY. 235 general's death was certain, drew his hat over his face that he might not see him fall. A roar of musketry followed, and Fitzgerald's heart almost ceased to beat as he looked up to ascertain the fate of his commander. To his joy, his beloved chief was uninjured. The British were repulsed, but the Americans sustained a heavy loss in the fall of Gen. Mercer. He was trying to rally his men on foot, when he was struck to the ground and surrounded by the enemy. Refusing to ask for quarter, he defended himself with his sword, till he received a mortal wound from a British bayonet. The first intimation received by Cornwallis of his adversary's successful manœuvre, was the distant roar of cannon. Mortified at having been out-generalled, he hastened to the field of battle, but arrived too late. Washington had achieved a victory, and retired. The Americans, completely exhausted by want of sleep and their late exertions, at length reached Morristown in safety, and there Washington established his winter-quarters. The British lost about 400, killed, wounded, and captured, in the battle of Princeton; the Americans, one-fourth of that number. 328. Cornwallis proceeded to New Brunswick, but was assailed on the route by hostile parties, who hung on his rear, cut off stragglers, and embarrassed his movements. The brutal outrages of the invaders, particularly the Hessians, from which not even the loyalists were exempt, awakened general indignation and led many to take arms against them. Several expeditions were sent out by Washington, which resulted in the recovery of the greater part of New Jersey, New Brunswick and Amboy being at last the only posts held by the British. A scarcity of tents and blankets occasioned for a time great distress in the American camp; but this was relieved by a generous contribution from the people of Philadelphia. Give an account of the engagement. What story is told of Washington's exposure? Who gained the victory? Relate the circumstances of Gen. Mercer's fall. What was Cornwallis's first intimation of Washington's movement? What did he do? Where did Washington fix his winter-quarters? What was the loss on both sides in the battle of Princeton? 328. What is said of Cornwallis's march to New Brunswick? What led many to take up arms against the British? To what posts in Jersey were the British at last confined? What occasioned distress in the American camp? How was it relieved? ᏟᎻᎪᏢᎢᎬᎡ X. LA FAYETTE'S ARRIVAL.-TRYON IN CONNECTICUT.- -CAPTURE OF GEN. PRESCOTT. 329. In March, 1776, Congress had sent Silas Deane, of Connecticut, to solicit the aid of France. He was joined by Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee. The French court, always hostile to England, listened to the American commissioners with respectful attention, but hesitated to lend any open assistance to a cause whose chance of success seemed so slender. Aid, however, was secretly furnished. More than 20,000 stands of arms and 1,000 barrels of powder reached America in the course of the ensuing year. The nobility of France generally looked on the movements of the American people as a rebellion against their lawful sovereign; and, though they heartily disliked England, they felt little sympathy with the republican cause. There was one among them, however, a young captain of dragoons, who believed the people right in resisting oppression and viewed their struggles with admiration. This was the Marquis de La Fayette [du lah fa-et']. At an entertainment given to a brother of the English king, he first heard of the Declaration of Independence. Its arguments carried conviction to his heart; and, though allured by brilliant prospects at home and just married to a woman whom he tenderly loved, he devoted himself to a cause which he felt to be as just as it seemed hopeless. Promised by Mr. Deane a commission as major-general in the United States army, La Fayette determined to set out at once. But there were dif ficulties in the way. His family objected to his going; the British minister opposed it; and the king withheld his permission. The young marquis, however, was not to be deterred by such obstacles. Purchasing a vessel, he escaped 829. Who were sent to France to solicit aid for the United States? What was the result of their efforts? How did the French nobility generally feel towards the Americans? Who is mentioned as an exception? Where did La Fayette first hear of the Declaration of Independence? What resolve did he at once form? What rank was |