The Works of Washington Irving: Life of WashingtonJenson Society, 1907 |
Contents
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Common terms and phrases
5th Series advance affairs aide-de-camp alarm American Archives arms army Arnold arrived artillery attack battery boats Boston brigade British camp Canada cannon cannonade Captain Carleton cause Clinton Colonel Colonel Reed command commander-in-chief committee Connecticut crossed defense Delaware detachment embarked encamped enemy enemy's eral Ferry fire force Fort Constitution Fort Montgomery Fort Washington garrison Gates George Clinton Governor Green Mountain Boys Greene guard guns head-quarters Heath Hessians Highlands Hill honor Hudson hundred ington James Clinton Jerseys John's King's Bridge land Lee's letter lieutenant Long Island Lord Stirling ment miles military militia Montgomery Montreal morning night o'clock officers orders pass Peekskill Philadelphia Point present President of Congress prisoners province Putnam quarters Quebec Rahl received regiment reinforced retreat river Schuyler sent Seth Warner ships soldiers soon spirit Staten Island stationed Sullivan thousand Ticonderoga tion tories town Trenton troops Wash Washington writes York
Popular passages
Page 391 - The check our detachment sustained on the 27th ultimo has dispirited too great a proportion of our troops and filled their minds with apprehension and despair. The militia, instead of calling forth their utmost efforts to a brave and manly opposition, in order to repair our losses, are dismayed, intractable, and impatient to return. Great numbers of them have gone off; in some instances almost by whole regiments, by half ones, and by companies at a time.
Page 538 - It may be thought that I am going a good deal out of the line of my duty, to adopt these measures, or to advise thus freely. A character to lose, an estate to forfeit, the inestimable blessings of liberty at stake, and a life devoted, must be my excuse.
Page 302 - The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.
Page 530 - Our counsels have been weak to the last degree. As to what relates to yourself, if you think you can be in time to aid the General I would have you by all means go. You will at least save your army.
Page 42 - Lee are upon the lines every day. New orders from his Excellency are read to the respective regiments every morning after prayers. The strictest government is taking place, and great distinction is made between officers and soldiers. Every one is made to know his place and keep in it, or be tied up and receive thirty or forty lashes according to his crime. Thousands are at work every day from four till eleven o'clock in the morning.
Page 395 - Men accustomed to unbounded freedom, and no control, cannot brook the Restraint which is indispensably necessary to the good order and Government of an Army; without which, licentiousness, and every kind of disorder triumphantly reign.
Page 395 - Men just dragged from the tender scenes of domestic life, unaccustomed to the din of arms, totally unacquainted with every kind of military skill (which...
Page 535 - Voltaire has remarked that King William never appeared to full advantage but in difficulties and in action; the same remark may be made on General Washington, for the character fits him. There is a natural firmness in some minds which cannot be unlocked by trifles, but which, when unlocked, discovers a cabinet of fortitude; and I reckon it among those kinds of public blessings, which we do not immediately see, that God hath blessed him with uninterrupted health, and given him a mind that can even...
Page 501 - Indecision bids fair for tumbling down the goodly fabric of American freedom, and, with it, the rights of mankind. 'Twas indecision of Congress prevented our having a noble army, and on an excellent footing. 'Twas indecision in our military councils which cost us the garrison of Fort Washington, the consequence of which must be fatal, unless remedied in time by a contrary spirit.
Page 40 - Mystic River, so that very soon it will be morally impossible for the enemy to get between the works, except in one place, which is supposed to be left purposely unfortified, to entice the enemy out of their fortresses. Who would have thought, twelve months past, that all Cambridge and Charlestown would be covered over with American camps, and cut up into forts and intrenchments, and all the lands, fields, orchards, laid common...