France with genuine satisfaction. The Americans were extolled as a race of heroes, and the prudence and good generalship of Washington were spoken of with the highest praise. Though the government delayed its action, there were generous hearts in France who were determined to give all the aid and comfort in their power to the struggling patriots. One of these was the youthful The French Government now felt justified Marquis de Lafayette, the heir of a nol 'e in aiding the patriots, but it proceeded with caution. American privateers were secretly fitted out, with the connivance of the government, and were permitted to sell their prizes in French ports, and the protests of the British ambassador against such acts were unheeded. The government made secret grants of arms and military stores to the Americans, and three shiploads were sent out in the spring of 1777. Two of these vessels were captured by the English, but the third reached America in safety, and its cargo went to supply the deficiencies of the army at Morristown. In the spring of this year the commissioners sent to France by Congress reached that country. They had full powers to enter into an alliance with the French King. They were granted several private interviews by the Count de Vergennes, the French Prime Minister, and were secretly encouraged to hope for the success of their mission. As yet, however, France was not prepared to declare war against Great Britain. | name, the possessor of wealth and a high social position, and the husband of a beautiful and accomplished wife. He had heard at a dinner party given by the French officials at Mayence to the Duke of Gloucester, a brother of the King of England, the story L of the war then going on in America, and its causes, related by the lips of the royal guest. His generous heart at once went out in sympathy to the patriots, and he resolved to leave his family and all his advantages at home and go to the aid of the Americans. He revealed his intention to the Count de Broglie, a Marshal of France, who regarded his enterprise as Quixotic and refused to aid him. Finding him determined, the count introduced his young friend to the Baron de Kalb, an officer of experience and merit, who had visited America as Choiseur's agent in the last reign. De Kalb introduced Lafayette to Silas Deane, then the only American Commissioner in France. A Young Major-General. The news of the loss of New York and of New Jersey arrived about this time, but did not lessen the ardor of Lafayette; and though the newly-arrived commissioners, Franklin and Lee, candidly told him that they could not encourage him to hope for a successful issue of their cause, he avowed his determination to proceed. He purchased a vessel, which was loaded with arms and supplies by the commissioners. The French government attempted to prevent him from sailing, but he succeeded in getting off, accompanied by De Kalb and several others. He reached Philadelphia, offered his services to Congress without pay and was commissioned as a major-general in the American armý, though not yet twenty years old. later still Baron Steuben, one of Frederick the Great's veterans, and who did good service to the cause by introducing into the American ranks the drill and discipline of the Prussian army, were commissioned and assigned to duty by Congress. Capture of a British General. About the middle of May Washington broke up his camp at Morristown and occupied the heights of Middlebrook in order to watch the British to better advantage. Howe made repeated efforts to draw him from this strong position into the open field, where the superior discipline of the royal troops would give him an advantage, but Washington out-generaled him completely, and Howe finding it impossible to bring on an engagement, withdrew his army to Staten Island. While these movements were in progress the British sustained a serious loss in the capture of General Prescott, one of their principal officers, who had earned the dislike of the Americans by his arbitrary and contemptuous treatment of them. He was commanding the British forces at Newport, and had his headquarters on the outskirts of the town. On a dark night in July a company of picked men, under Colonel Barton, crossed Narragansett Bay in whale boats, and passing silently through the British fleet landed near Prescott's quarters. The sentinel at the door was secured and the astounded general was roused from his bed and hurried away without being allowed time to dress. He was conveyed within the American lines, and was afterwards exchanged for General Charles Lee. Washington now learned of the invasion of New York by the army of General Burgoyne, to which we shall refer further on. It was evident that Burgoyne was trying to reach the Hudson. Washington's spies in New York informed him that Howe was preparing to send off the larger part of his force by water, and the commander in-chief| was perplexed to know whether Howe intended ascending the Hudson to co-operate with Burgoyne, or to transport his army to Philadelphia by water. Toward the last of July Howe sailed with his fleet from New York and stood out to sea. Philadelphia Fortified. Ten days later his ships were reported off the mouth of the Delaware. Washington now felt confident that his design was to attack Philadelphia, and crossed the Delaware with his army and marched to Germantown to await the development of the enemy's plans. About the same time the British fleet stood out to sea again. Its destination was uncertain, and Washington held his army in readiness to march at a minute's notice to the threatened point. While awaiting the movements of Sir William Howe, Washington visited Philadelphia, where Arnold was in command and was engaged in fortifying the city, to consult with Congress and push forward the measures for the defence of the place. While there he met the newly arrived Lafayette. Washington was an acute judge of men, and at his first interview with Lafayette was deeply impressed with the noble and earnest character of the young soldier, and conceived for him a warm regard, which ended only with his life. In the midst of the uncertainty attending Howe's movements Washington received urgent appeals from Schuyler for assistance, He sent him two brigades from the Highlands and ordered Colonel Morgan to join him with his riflemen, who were regarded as more than a match for the Indians of Burgoyne's army. Arnold was also sent to assume command of a division in the north ern army, as he was familiar with the country. Putnam was ordered to prevent Sir Henry Clinton, who had been left at New York, from ascending the Hudson and forming a junction with Burgoyne, and General Lincoln, commanding the militia of Massachusetts, was directed to march with a portion of his force to Schuyler's assistance. As nothing had been heard of the British fleet, Washington was about to move from Germantown into New Jersey once more, when news was received that the enemy had ascended the Chesapeake to its head, and had landed their forces at Elkton, in Maryland, about sixty miles from Philadelphia. The Delaware had been obstructed and fortified a short distance below Philadelphia, and Howe had ascended the Chesapeake in order to secure an undisputed landing. He intended to march his army across the country towards Philadelphia, while the fleet should return to the Delaware and aid the army in reducing the forts on that river. He had eighteen thousand men with him, and effected his landing in Elkton without opposition on the twenty-fifth of August, and at once began his advance toward Philadelphia. Battle of the Brandywine. Washington had but eleven thousand effective men with him, and was in no way prepared to undertake a campaign in the open country. Nevertheless, he advanced at once to dispute the progress of the enemy, and by forced marches succeeded in reaching the vicinity of Wilmington before the arrival of the British. Upon examining the country he decided to contest the passage of the Brandywine Creek, and stationed his army along its left bank. The British were advancing by the main road to Philadelphia, which crossed the Brandywine at Chadd's Ford, and as Washington supposed their main effort would be made at this point, he stationed the greater | Washington was deceived by the officer sent part of his army to cover it. On the eleventh to ascertain if the enemy were threatening his of September the British army reached the right, and was left in ignorance of Cornwallis' creek. Howe ordered General Knyphausen movement until it was too late to prevent it. to make a feint at Chadd's Ford as if he were Being outflanked,the American army was comabout to force a passage, while he sent Corn- pelled to fall back with a loss of twelve hundred wallis with a strong column to pass the creek men. The troops did not know they had sufhigher up and turn the American right flank. ered a reverse, but supposing they had merely This plan was successfully carried out. experienced a check were in high spirits. | |