Washington Crosses the Hudson-Arrives at Fort Lee-Affairs at Fort

Washington-Question about its Abandonment-Movements of Howe

-The Fort summoned to Surrender-Refusal of Colonel McGaw-

The Fort Attacked-Capture of the Fort and Garrison-Comments

of Washington on the State of Affairs,

CHAPTER XLI.

The Enemy Cross the Hudson-Retreat of the Garrison from Fort Lee-

The Crossing of the Hackensack-Lee Ordered to move to the West

Side of the River-Reed's Letter to Him-Second move of the Army

Beyond the Passaic-Assistance sought from various quarters-Cor-

respondences and Schemes of Lee-Heath stanch to His Instructions-

Anxiety of George Clinton for the Safety of the Hudson-Critical

Situation of the Army-Disparaging Correspondence between Lee and

Reed-Washington Retreats across the Raritan-Arrives at Trenton

-Removes His Baggage across the Delaware-Dismay and Despon-

dency of the Country-Proclamation of Lord Howe-Exultation of the

Enemy-Washington's Resolve in case of Extremity,

CHAPTER XLII.

Lee at Peekskill-Stanch Adherence of Heath to Orders-Lee Crosses

the Hudson-Washington at Trenton-Lee at the heels of the Ene-

my-His speculations on Military Greatness-Forced March of Corn-

wallis-Washington Crosses the Delaware-Putnam in Command at

Philadelphia-Baffling Letters of Lee-Hopes to Reconquer the Jer-

seys Gates on the March-Lee Quartered at Baskingridge-Sur-

prised and Captured-Speculations on His Conduct,

CHAPTER XLIII.

Washington Clothed with Additional Powers-Recruitment of the Army

-Increased Pay-Colonel John Cadwalader-Arrival of Sullivan—

Gates-Wilkinson-A Coup de Main Meditated-Posture of Affairs

at Trenton-Gates Declines to take a Part-His Comments on

Washington's Plans-Preparations for the Coup de Main-Crossing

of the Delaware-Attack on the Enemy's Forces at Trenton-Death

of Rahl-His Character,

CHAPTER XLIV.

Treatment of the Hessian Prisoners-Their Interviews with Washington

-Their Reception by the People,

PAGE

417

429

449

466

489

CHAPTER XLV.

Episode-Colonel Griffin in the Jerseys-Donop Decoyed-Inroad of Cad-
walader and Reed-Retreat and Confusion of the Enemy's Outposts-
Washington Recrosses the Delaware with his Troops-The Game Re-
versed-The Hessians Hunted back through the Country-Washing-
ton made Military Dictator,

CHAPTER XLVI.

Howe hears of the Affair at Trenton-Cornwallis sent back to the Jer-
seys Reconnoitring Expedition of Reed-His Exploits-Washington
in Peril at Trenton-Reinforced by Troops under Cadwalader and
Mifflin-Position of His Men-Cornwallis at Trenton-Repulsed at the
Assunpink-The American Camp Menaced-Night March of Washing-
ton-Affair at Princeton-Death of Mercer-Rout of British Troops-
Pursued by Washington-Cornwallis at Princeton-Baffled and Per-
plexed-Washington at Morristown-His System of Annoyance-The
Tables Turned upon the Enemy,

PAGE

493

. 501

Illustrations.

PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON, 1772, (æt. 40) from the Original by C. W.
PEALE, in the possession of G. W. P. CUSTIS, Esq.
MAP OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK, AND VICINITY,

PART OF NEW JERSEY, &c.,t

These maps are copied from the original MSS. maps by R. ERSKINE, F. R. S., used in the Ameri-
oan Army,--and now in the possession of the New York Historical Society. The collection is known as
Tun De Witt Mars, having belonged at one time to SIMEON DE WITT, Surveyor-General of New York.

LIFE OF WASHINGTON.

CHAPTER I.

WASHINGTON TAKES COMMAND OF THE ARMIES-SKETCH OF GENERAL LEE CHARACTERS OF THE BRITISH COMMANDERS, HOWE, CLINTON, AND BURGOYNE-SURVEY OF THE CAMPS FROM PROSPECT HILL-THE CAMPS CONTRASTED-DESCRIPTION OF THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMYRHODE ISLAND TROOPS-CHARACTER OF GENERAL GREENE-WASHINGTON REPRESENTS THE DEFICIENCIES OF THE ARMY-HIS APOLOGY FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS TROOPS-GOVERNOR TRUMBULL-ORAGIE

HOUSE, WASHINGTON'S HEAD-QUARTERS.

ON the 3d of July, the morning after his arrival at Cambridge, Washington took formal command of the army. It was drawn up on the Common about half a mile from head-quarters. A multitude had assembled there, for as yet military spectacles were novelties, and the camp was full of visitors, men, women and children, from all parts of the country, who had relatives among the yeoman soldiery.

An ancient elm is still pointed out, under which Washington, as he arrived from head-quarters accom

VOL. II-1

panied by General Lee and a numerous suite, wheeled his horse, and drew his sword as commander-in-chief of the armies. We have cited the poetical description of him furnished by the pen of Mrs. Adams; we give her sketch of his military compeer-less poetical, but no less graphic.

"General Lee looks like a careless, hardy veteran; and by his appearance brought to my mind his namesake, Charles XII. of Sweden. The elegance of his pen far exceeds that of his person.'

Accompanied by this veteran campaigner, on whose military judgment he had great reliance, Washington visited the different American posts, and rode to the heights, commanding views over Boston and its environs, being anxious to make himself acquainted with the strength and relative position of both armies: and here we will give a few particulars concerning the distinguished commanders with whom he was brought immediately in competition.

Congress, speaking of them reproachfully, observed, "Three of England's most experienced generals are sent to wage war with their fellow-subjects." The first here alluded to was the Honorable William Howe, next in command to Gage. He was a man of a fine presence, six feet high, well proportioned, and of graceful deportment. He is said to have been not unlike Washington in appearance, though wanting his energy and activity. He lacked also his air of authority; but affability of manners, and a generous disposition, made him popular with both officers and

soldiers.

* Mrs. Adams to John Adams, 1775.