fore, proceed at my earliest convenience to Philadelphia and lay before Congress my grievances, with a hope that my position may be maintained honorably before the world. I shall endeavor to avoid taking any hasty action or step in the matter to the prejudice of my country's cause and shall remain faithfully at the post duty calls me or am assigned until I can leave it without any damage to the public interest. Your obed't ser't, BENEDICT ARNOLD. That General Washington was in sympathy with Arnold and did not take kindly to the methods of Congress is borne out by his letter to Arnold, in answer to the above, wherein he says: "I confess this is a strange mode of reasoning; but it may serve to show you that the promotion, which was due to your seniority, was not overlooked for want of merit in you. The point is of so delicate a nature that I will not even undertake to advise. Your own feelings must be your guide. As no particular charge is alleged against you, I do not see upon what grounds you can demand a Court of Inquiry. Your determination not to quit your present command, while any danger to the public might ensue from your leaving it, deserves my thanks, and justly entitles you to the thanks of the country." An opportunity occurred before long for Arnold to signalize himself. Had Providence so ordained that Benedict Arnold should have given his life to the cause for which he so bravely fought and achieved such brilliant results, and had the hand of fate been so kind as to have permitted his death at his next engagement (that of the battle of Ridgefield) his name would have been handed down to posterity as one of undying fame and one of the devoted patriots of the American Revolution. It would have been emblazoned on the scroll of fame in history with such names as Joseph Warren, Ethan Allen, Israel Putnam, Wolfe and others. As General Arnold and Lieutenant-Colonel Oswald were finishing the foregoing conversation, a messenger arrived from Colonel Lamb saying, Governor Tryon's expected visit had become a certainty, with a message that ran as follows: "Governor Tryon, with Brigadier-General Agnew and Sir William Erskine, have just landed at Campo Hill, near the mouth of the Saugatuck River, with 2,000 men and marching northward, think their object is to destroy stores at Danbury, some twenty-three miles away. Gather every available man to march in pursuit; to intercept or give battle." CHAPTER XI. Sacking and Burning of Danbury "Lead me, O Zeus, and thou, O Destiny, The way that I am bid by you to go: I make myself a wretch; and still must follow." WH -Cleanthes. HEN Lord Howe proceeded against Peekskill to destroy the stores that were known to have been accumulated there, by some good fortune the patriots learned of his intention in advance, giving them sufficient time to remove them to Danbury, Connecticut, a distance of twenty or thirty miles eastward. Learning of this some time later, he secretly determined to make that point the seat of his future operations at some opportune time when the place was poorly guarded and most of the militia were engaged elsewhere. It was, therefore, at one of these times, early in the spring of 1777, when it was determined upon to attack this point. Colonel Joseph P. Cook, with a small number to guard these stores, was in constant communication with many points to gain reinforcements at short notice, if occasion required it. Expresses were constantly sent out to keep him informed of all that was taking place within the surrounding country. Lieutenant Starr, one of his aides, was announced, and being desired to admit him to his tent appeared and saluting his superior, who said: "Ah, Lieutenant Starr, what news of impor tance have you so early-anything new in the enemy's camp?" "Have just learned by scouts returned from shore way that a force of twenty-six ships have just appeared in the Sound and it is their intention to land a large force. It was learned that Governor Tryon is at the head of the expedition assisted by Brig.-Gen. Agnew and Sir Wm. Erskine. Later news brings the intelligence that at least two thousand have landed, composed of infantry, cavalry and marines, and are marching inland. I am afraid that Danbury is their point of destination. Colonel Lamb says that the Britishers are madder than March hares at their failure to capture any stores at Peekskill, and are anxious to obtain revenge at any cost." "Dost think there is any foundation for the rumors?" asked Colonel Cook. "Yes, I must say I do, and think it well to take advantage of these advices," was the answer. "This post is not very strongly guarded at present, and I am afraid if it should prove to be their object we are unable to offer much resistance to a very formidable force," said Colonel Cook. "However, we must not be caught napping, if they intend to invade Danbury, we will have but a short time to make preparations," and further commanded, "send Lieutenant Lockwood to me at once!" to which he saluted and withdrew. Lockwood appearing he received these instructions: "Mount and ride with all speed with this message to either Wooster or Silliman at Fairfield. Tell them in addition our perilous position, if reports are true, how much we are in need of assistance. If we can strengthen our stronghold or position with timely reinforcements, we may be able to thwart the enemy's designs, or give them battle, possibly defeat and capture some of them." And just as he was about to depart the Colonel said: "Hold! much depends, Lieutenant Lockwood, on the diplomacy with which you handle this undertaking, and should you be intercepted, with what skill you disarm all suspicions directed against you by any hostile band of men with which you may come in contact, destroy the message, if you deem it necessary, and it comes to the worstI mean capture." Colonel Cook after giving instructions to various officers and men who had had charge of the stores; to keep all available men on guard at all times of the day and night; to trusted men gave the advices to scour the surrounding country to force into service every obtainable man and to be ready to distribute the ammunition with care, and instill into the minds of the yeomanry the necessity for each and every man to act quickly in spreading broadcast the news of the advancing enemy and to be ready to harass them from whatever position they could to delay their progress as much as possible until the surrounding country was aroused and ready for action. "If these expresses are authentic, we are certainly in a very grave position with but little ammunition and a small force to protect our stores," mused Colonel Cook. "If I was certain |