482 CHAP. VIII. not in its very words, but of misbehaviour be1778. fore the enemy by making an unnecessary, and, in some few instances, a disorderly retreat. Lee defended himself with his accustomed ability. He proved that, after the retreat had commenced in consequence of general Scott's repassing the ravine on the approach of the enemy, he had designed to form on the first advantageous ground he should find, and that in his own opinion, and in the opinion of some other officers, no safe and advantageous position had presented itself until he met general Washington; at which time it was his intention, to fight the enemy on the very ground afterwards taken by that officer. He suggested a variety of reasons justifying his retreat, which, if they do not absolutely establish its propriety, yet give it so questionable a form, as to render it probable that a public examination never would have taken place, could his proud spirit have stooped to offer explanation instead of outrage to the commander in chief. His suspension gave very general satisfaction through the army. Without being masters of his conduct as a military man in making the retreat, they perfectly understood the insult offered their general by his letters, and, whether rightly or not, believed his object to have been to disgrace Washington, and obtain for himself the supreme command. So devotedly were all ranks attached to their general, that the mere suspicion of such a design, would have rendered his further continuance in the CHAP. VIIL army extremely difficult. Whatever judgment may be formed on the propriety of retreating before the enemy, it seems difficult to justify either the omission to keep the commander in chief continually informed of his situation and intentions, or the very rude letters written after the action was over. 1778. of congress for their con battle at Congress was highly gratified with the suc- The thanks cess which attended their arms at Monmouth. presented to general In a resolution which passed unanimously, and his army Washington their thanks were given to general Washington, duct in the for the activity with which he marched from Monmouth. the camp at Valley forge, in pursuit of the enemy; for his distinguished exertions in forming the line of battle; and for his great good conduct in the action: and he was requested to signify the thanks of congress to the officers and men under his command, who distinguished themselves by their conduct and valour in the battle. The attention of general Washington was now turned principally to the North river, towards which the march of his army was directed, with the intention of continuing some time about Haverstraw. After remaining a few days on the high grounds of Middletown, sir Henry Clinton pro-July 5. ceeded to Sandy hook, where he passed his army over to New York. July. CHAPTER IX. Count D'Estaing arrives on the coast of Virginia with a French fleet under his command....He meditates an attack on the British fleet at New York, but is obliged to relinquish it....Sails out to Rhode Island, and arrives off Newport....Sails to attack lord Howe, who appears off Rhode Island....Both fleets dispersed by a storm....General Sullivan lays siege to Newport....D'Estaing returns to Newport, and against the solicitations of Sullivan, sails for Boston to refit....Sullivan, in one of his general orders, makes use of expressions which offend the count .....In consequence of the departure of the French fleet, Sullivan raises the siege of Newport....Action between Sullivan and the British army....Sullivan retreats with his army to the continent....Count D'Estaing expresses to congress his dissatisfaction with general Sullivan.... General Washington labours to heal these discontents, in which he succeeds....Lord Howe resigns the command of the British fleet....Colonel Baylor's regiment surprised....Captain Donop, with his corps, attacked by colonel Butler, and defeated....Expedition of the British against Egg harbour....Pulaski surprised, and his infantry cut off. 1778. BEFORE general Washington could reach the ground he designed to occupy, intelligence was received that a very powerful French fleet, under the command of the count D'Estaing, had appeared off Chingoteague inlet, the northern extremity of the coast of Virginia. Count D'Estaing arrives on the coast of Virginia with a French fleet under his command. The count had sailed from Toulon the 13th of April, with twelve ships of the line, and six frigates, having on board a respectable body of land forces. His destination was the Dela ware; and sanguine hopes were entertained CHAP. IX. that he would find the British fleet in that river, and their army in Philadelphia. A very uncommon continuance of adverse winds protracted the voyage across the Atlantic, to the extraordinary length of eighty-seven days. This unusual, and to the English, providential circumstance, saved both their fleet and army. A passage of seventy-five days would have brought D'Estaing to the Delaware, while Howe was yet within the capes; and such was the decided superiority of the French force, that the British fleet must inevitably have been destroyed, or have fallen into their hands. Such an event must have been certainly and quickly succeeded by the destruction of their army. an attack on the British fleet at New On his reaching the capes of the Delaware, He meditates the count announced his arrival to congress; and, having failed in accomplishing his first York, but is object, proceeded along the coast of New York, in the hope of being able to attack the British fleet in the harbour of that place. Here again the enemy were indebted for their safety to some fortunate incidents. In the course of the preceding winter the violence of the storms had broken through the narrow isthmus by which Sandy hook was connected with the continent, and had converted the peninsula into an absolute island. This rendered it necessary to pass over the army obliged to relinquish it. CHAP. IX. from the main to the hook, on a bridge of 1778. boats, which would have been impracticable, It was July 13. if obstructed by the French fleet. At Paramus, in Jersey, general Washington received a letter from the president of congress, advising him of this important event, and requesting that he would concert measures with the count for conjoint and offensive operations. The next day, he received a second letter on the same subject, containing two resolutions of congress, the one directing him to co-operate with the French admiral, and the other authorizing him to call on the states, from New Hampshire to New Jersey inclusive, for such aids from their militia as he might deem necessary for the operations, which might be agreed on. He determined immediately to proceed to the White Plains; from whence, the army might with more facility co-operate in the execution of any attempt which might be made by the fleet, and dispatched lieutenant colonel Laurens, one of his aids-de-camp, a young gentleman distinguished for his military and civil accomplishments, with every information relative to the enemy, as well as to his own army, of which he was himself possessed, and which might be useful to D'Estaing. Lieu tenant colonel Laurens was authorized to consult on future conjoint operations, and to |