BRIEF view of the causes, which, previously to their separation, tend-

ed to bind the British colonies to the mother country; and were cal-

culated to dishearten the first leaders of resistance to ministerial

oppression, and prevent them from engaging in the revolutionary

war.-The effects of the revolution, on our own country, and its prob-

able influence, on the condition of man.-The merit and glory of

those concerned in its achievement.

CHAPTER I.

The ancestry, birth, and education of Nathaniel Greene. His first appear-

ance in public life, as a member of the legislature of his native colo-

ny-the part he there sustained-his sentiments, on the right of the

subject, and the power of the ruler-the character of his eloquence

➡his conduct, on the commencement of the revolutionary troubles—

his conference with a deputation, from the society of Friends—his dis

mission from that society.

CHAPTER III.

Commencement of the war of the Revolution. Mr. Greene, at first a

private, in a short time, with the rank of brigadier general, takes

command of the Rhode Island militia-repairs to Cambridge-addres-

ses general Washington, as commander in chief-is promoted, by

congress, to the rank of major general, in the regular army.-His

conduct, on Long and York islands-opposes, successfully, in a coun-

cil of officers, the proposition, made by general Lee, for the entire

evacuation of the latter accompanies general Washington, in his

retreat through New Jersey-is present at the capture of the Hes-

с

sians, in Trenton-his advice, on that occasion-is present, also, in

the battle of Princeton-distinguishes himself, in the battle of Bran-

dywine-remonstrates with the commander in chief, for not doing jus-

tice, in general orders, to Weedon's brigade-commands the Ameri-

can right wing, in the battle of Germantown, and acquits himself to

the satisfaction of general Washington-is ordered into New Jersey,

at the head of a strong detachment of troops, to watch the move-

ments of lord Cornwallis-The opinion of his lordship respecting him.

CHAPTER III.

The office of quarter-master general offered to general Greene-he, at

first, declines; but, afterwards, accepts it, on certain conditions.-The

importance and difficulties of the appointment.-His able and excel-

lent administration of it—its effect on the spirits of the soldiers, and

the movements of the army-the British evacuate 'Philadelphia—

battle of Monmouth, and the part which general Greene bore in it-

the services he rendered, and the distinction he acquired, in the ope-

rations of the army, in Rhode Island, under the command of general

Sullivan-receives the thanks of general Washington, for his good

conduct, in checking, at the village of Springfield, the advance of a

division of the British army, that threatened the magazines and stores,

at Morristown-the murder of Mrs. Caldwell-Greene's conduct in

the affair of Andre.

CHAPTER IV.

Greene having, heretofore, acted in a secondary capacity, is now trans-

ferred to the command of the army of the south, where, left to follow

the bent of his genius, his great character is more perfectly develop-

ed-condition of the southern department-character of the war, in

that quarter-atrocities of the British-Buford's defeat, cruelties of-

causes of the sanguinary character of the war, in the south-mark-

ed with more of private passion, and individual adventure, than in

the north-rich in partisan enterprise, and chivalrous exploit-cha-

racter and conduct of general Marion-of general Sumpter-of ge-

neral Pickins-of colonel Davie-the spirit of the country sustain-

ed, and the enemy greatly annoyed, by these four partisan officers-

reception of the British army, in Charlotte-defeat of colonel Fer-

guson, and its effects-singular enterprise of colonel White-Battle

of Ramsaour's mill-description of the combatants-the romantic

gallantry, displayed by the whigs-death of captain Falls avenged by

his son, a youth of fourteen-deadly aim of the tory riflemen.

CHAPTER V.

General Gates appointed to the command of the army of the south-his

high reputation, with the confidence and expectancy, it excited--his

imprudence and precipitancy-his defeat, before Camden-fall of

the baron de Kalb-last moments of that officer-noble conduct of

his aid, colonel du Buysson-the baron's character-flight of Gates,

not consistent with his former reputation-consternation of the

country-taught by misfortune, Gates becomes more prudent, and

circumspect-a court of inquiry into his conduct, ordered-Greene

appointed to succeed him-his conduct and sentiments, on the oc-

casion-sets out for the south-visits, on his route, the governors of

the states, constituting the southern department, which is, now, en-

larged, so as to embrace all the territory, south of Pennsylvania-is

in danger of falling into the hands of the tories-arrives in Charlotte,

the head-quarters of general Gates-the mutual delicacy, and mag-

nanimity, of the two commanders-Gates, in a very complimentary

style, surrenders the command of the army to Greene-the dignified

and courteous reply, of the latter-Greene is the advocate of the

reputation of Gates, and so continues-the latter takes leave of his

successor, and of military life—his dreary and disconsolate journey

to the north-reflections on his fall from favour, and public confidence,

CHAPTER VI.

The difficulties Greene had to encounter, in first entering on the com-

mand of the southern army-weak state of the army-provisions and

military stores wanting the system pursued, by him, the only one cal-

culated to save from ruin-The plans of military operation, in

America, more extensive, than in Europe, and, therefore, require

more genius for execution-reasons for this opinion-campaigns of

Greene, compared with those of Napoleon and Wellington-Ame-

rica not degraded by works of inferiority-the reverse, nearer the

truth-instances in proof of this-Frederick and Napoleon, per-

haps, excepted, Greene, an abler commander, than any Europe has

produced for centuries-Greene, by his wisdom and industry, greatly

meliorates the condition of his army-the composition of his army

-sketches of the characters of his principal officers-of general

Morgan of colonel Washington-of colonel Howard-of colonel

Williams-of colonel Lee.

CHAPTER VII.

THE character of the soldier, formed, by that of his officer-Greene

sensible of this, rejoices in the high qualities of the officers of his ar-

my-takes great pains to acquire a knowledge of the force, and ca-

pabilities of the enemy-founds his estimate on the character of

lord Cornwallis, the commanding general, and the number of his

troops-state of the country, in relation to parties-whigs-tories-

neutrals or ineffectives-extreme difficulties of the mode of warfare,

necessary to be pursued, and the consummate talents, its execution

required-The positions of the rival armies-Greene opens the

campaign-Tarleton detached, by lord Cornwallis, against Morgan

-retreat of the latter--battle of the Cowpens-description of-

subsequent movements of the two armies-Greene, leaving the main

division of his army, under the command of general Hugher, joins

Morgan, on the east bank of the Catawba-commences his celebrat-

ed retreat-character of that retreat-compared with the retreat of

Moreau-He passes the Yadkin--the two columns of his army join

at Guilford court house-retreat continued-the able disposition of

his troops-pushes for the lower Dan-fortitude and good conduct

of his rear guard-passes the Dan-lord Cornwallis gives up the

pursuit, issues a proclamation, and erects, in Hillsborough the royal

standard-various modes of warfare-disquisition on the term victory

—wherein victory consists-Greene determines to recross the Dan—

the legion under Lee, advances-goes in quest of Tarleton-cuts to

pieces a large body of tories, under colonel Pyle-Greene follows,

with the main column-baffles all attempts of lord Cornwallis, to force

him, prematurely, to battle-receives reinforcements and supplies-

Battle at Guilford court house-description of-Greene retreats, in

order, from the field, but prepares to renew the combat-lord Corn-

wallis too much crippled to pursue-commences his retreat-Greene

becomes now, the pursuing party-recommends the wounded and

sick, of both armies, to the humane attention of the inhabitants of

New Garden, a wealthy settlement, of the society of Friends-gives

over the pursuit of lord Cornwallis, and encamps at Ramsay's mill-