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tuation was greatly ameliorated, and their sufferings were comparatively nothing.

At the close of the campaign of 1778, the local situation of the hostile armies did not greatly differ from that of the commencement of the campaign of 1776, except the possession of New York by the British.

This fact is impressively stated by General Washington, in a letter written to a friend. "It is not a little pleasing, nor less wonderful to contemplate, that after two years manoeuvring, and undergoing the strangest vicissitudes, both armies are brought back to the very point they set out from, and the offending party in the beginning is now reduced to the use of the pickaxe and the spade for defence. The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel, that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude to acknowledge his obligations."

CHAPTER VI.

Plan formed by Congress and the French Minister for the inrasion of Canada and Nova Scotia General Washington's objections to it-Delinquency of the United States to prepare for the approaching Campaign-The exertions of the General -His Letter on the State of the Nation-The Remonstrance of Officers belonging to the New Jersey Brigade to the Legislature of that State-Letters of the Commander in Chief on the Subject-Expedition against the Indians under General Sullivan-He destroys their Towns - The American Army posted for the Defence of the High Lands on the North River, and for the protection of the Country against the Incursions of the British-Sir Henry Clinton moves up the IIudson, takes Possession of Stony and Verplank Points, and Fortifies them -Arrangements made for assaulting these Posts - General Wayne carries Stony Point by storm-The attack upon Verplank fails-Congress vote their Thanks to General Washington and to the brave Troops employed in this service-They vote General Wayne a Medal-Evils of short Inlistments— Plan of the Generals to remedy them-The Army in two Divisions erect Huts for Winter Quarters, one near West' Point, and the other at Morristown in New Jersey.-The Troops suffer through the scarcity of Provisions - Colonel Wadsworth resigns his Office-Confusion in the Commissary's Department-The Commander in Chief is necessitated to apportion supplies of Meat and Flour upon the Counties of New. Jersey-The Winter excessively cold, and the Waters around New York frozen over; but the Commander in Chief is too weak to avail himself of this opportunity to assail the British Posts-Expedition to Staten Island fails.

1779.] THE emancipation of Canada had ever been an important object with Congress. By its incorporation with the revolted colonics, the

tuation was greatly ameliorated, and their sufferings were comparatively nothing.

At the close of the campaign of 1778, the local situation of the hostile armies did not greatly differ from that of the commencement of the campaign of 1776, except the possession of New York by the British.

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This fact is impressively stated by General Washington, in a letter written to a friend. is not a little pleasing, nor less wonderful to contemplate, that after two years manoeuvring, and undergoing the strangest vicissitudes, both armies are brought back to the very point they set out from, and the offending party in the beginning is now reduced to the use of the pickaxe and the spade for defence. The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel, that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude to acknowledge his obligations."

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sand men to reinforce the troops in advance. He offered the command of the whole force in front to General Lee; but he, being opposed even to partial actions with the enemy, declined the service. The Marquis La Fayette joyfully accepted the command, which his senior major general had declined. The orders given to the Marquis were similar to those which had before been given to the officers on the lines, to gain the rear and right flank of the enemy, and give him all possible annoyance. The Commander in Chief put the main army in motion, that he might be in a situation to support his parties in advance. By these movements General Lee perceived, that more importance than he had imagined was given to the division in front, and he now importunately requested the command, which before he had declined. To gratify him without mortifying the Marquis, he was detached with two additional brigades to act in front, and the command of the whole, consisting of five thousand men, of course devolved on him. He was ordered to keep his detachments constantly on their arms and ever in a situation to attack.

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Sir Henry Clinton perceiving the approach of a powerful force, changed the position of his army, and placed his best troops in the rear. On the 27th, he encamped in a secure manner on the heights about Monmouth Court House. He could not be attacked in this position with the probability of success, and he was within twelve miles of strong ground, where he could not be assailed. General Washington therefore resolved to attack

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