BRITISH ENTER PHILADELPHIA

225

on the rising grounds which extend from Chad's Ford; PT. III. and there, the shallow stream of the Brandywine, P'D. II. being between the armies, he awaited an attack from CH. VI. the British commander.

1777

Brandy

Am. de

2. Early in the morning, the hostile army commenced the assault Washington had made, and partly executed, a plan which would probably have won the day; but in the heat of the action, his judgment was misled by false intelligence, and he lost the Ser battle. Gen. Green here distinguished himself; as did wine. the brave Polander, Pulaski. Gen. La Fayette, en feat. deavouring to bring back the flying, to face again the or loss, enemy, received a wound in the leg When in his Am. loss old age, the country for whom he here shed his blood, conveyed him home an honored guest, returning from her shores, the new war-ship which carried him to France, was named from this battle, the Brandywine."

500.

1,300.

Sept.

British

3. Congress, finding themselves insecure in Philadelphia, adjourned to Lancaster, to which place the public archives and magazines were removed. A detachment of the British army, under Cornwallis, entered the American capital, while the main body, under The Howe, took post at Germantown. The American enter army encamped at Skippack creek. Washington, Phila. knowing that Howe was weakened by detachments, left his camp at seven in the evening of Oct. 4th, and at dawn succeeded in giving the British a complete surprise. They at first retreated in disorder. Several Am. loss companies having thrown themselves into a stone k. 200. house, annoyed the Americans. A thick fog came on, pris. 400

Oct. 4.
Ger-

man

town.

W. 600

and unable to distinguish friend from foe, confusion
arose in the American ranks, and they lost the battle.
4. Congress had made it death to any citizen to Howe i
furnish the enemy with food; and such was the spirit danger
of the people, and the vigilance of the commander,
that Howe now found his army in danger of starva-

2. Give an account of the battle of Brandywine? Mention the loss on both sides? What officers distinguished themselves? What vessel was named after this battle? 3. What movement did Congress make? When did the British troops enter Phila. delphia? Where were Generals Howe and Washington? De scribe the battle of Germantown?

starving

3

2

226

P'D. II.

cer.

Hessians

Brash radion army

THE SUFFERERS OF VALLEY FORGE)

PT. III. tion. To prevent this, he must open the navigation
of the Delaware, which had been obstructed by sunken
CH. VI. ranges of frames, and by forts on Mud Island, Red
Bank, and other places. Howe removed his army to
1777.
Ft. Mer- Philadelphia; and to open the navigation, he sent Col.
Donop with a detachment of Hessians. They at-
lost 500. tacked Fort Mercer on Red Bank, and were repulsed
Opens with heavy loss. At length, however, the British sent
he navi- against it such a force, that the Americans evacuated
gation.
it. The British fleet then passed up the Delaware to
Philadelphia. Much of the American shipping in the
river was burnt; and the remainder fell into the hands
of the enemy.

Wash

quarters

5. Washington now retired to winter-quarters at Valley Forge. The huts for the camp were not completed, when the magazines were found to contain ec. 11. scarcely a single day's provision. As to clothing,ington's they were destitute, almost to nakedness. Barefooted, winter- on the frozen ground, their feet cut by ice,-they at Valley left their tracks in blood. A few only had a blanket Forge. at night. Straw could not be obtained, and the solThe diers, who, during the day, were benumbed with cold, of the and enfeebled by hunger, had at night no other bed army than the damp ground. Diseases attacked them; and the hospitals were replenished, as rapidly as the dead were carried out.

distress

per mo

6. This melancholy state of the army was owing to the condition of the finances. Congress had carried on the war thus far, by making a great quantity of The pa- paper money. That is, they had issued notes in the ney be- name of the government, promising to pay the holders cornes such and such sums. If the government had possessed gold and silver enough actually to pay these notes, whenever they were presented, then they would have

bad.

4. What was the condition of the British army? What was now Howe's object? What measures did he take? Did he succeed?-5. Where did Washington make winter-quarters? As to the condition of the army, had they food? Had they clothing? Had they shoes? What was their lodging at night? What the state of their health? 6. How had congress thus far carried on the war? Give some account of the continental money" as their bills were termed. Why did people become unwilling to tuko it f

F'D. II.

been good money, like the bills of good banks. But FT. III. they had no specie; and the country became over-run with this paper. People began to think it doubtful CH. VI. whether it ever would be redeemed; and then they did not wish to take it. Its market value had depreciated to one-quarter: that is, for an article, valued at one dollar, must be paid of this money four dollars.

1777.

1-4 be

low par.

7. But the people, who had such articles to sell, 28 the army needed, would not sell them, and Congress take for pay this paper money at par. Congress on the have no other hand would not allow their agents to part with other it below par, and the country was so poor, they had nothing else to give. The consequence was, that they could not now provide either food or clothing, for the army. The pay of the officers was not sufficient to provide them the necessaries of life. Those who had army fortunes were spending, or had already spent them. Those who had not, were in a state of actual suffering. Many resigned;-not merely the worthless,-but often, the bravest and the best.

The

suffers.

Shame

W.

8. Amidst the grief and care, to which the commander was thus subjected, a cabal was stirred up, to prejudice the minds of the people against him; and thus to get his office for Gen. Gates. The most ac- ful cabal tive agent of the plot, was Gen. Conway. Even con- against gress so far gave way as to appoint this man inspectorgeneral. Washington, in the calmness of his righteous mind, turned not aside from his public duties, to notice his private enemies. But the people took his part; me of and, the more for this magnanimity. The army were so magr indignant, that at length, all who had been engaged in inity. the plot, whatever had been their former services, were now afraid of their resentment, and kept out of the Gen Conway's office, was given to the Baron Steuben, a Prussian officer.

way.

9. Laws were passed which meliorated the condition of the army. The officers were allowed half

6 How much had it now depreciated?-7. Why could not the government agents procure things needful for the army? How was it with the officers?-8. How was the commander now treated? How did this vile treatment affect Washington--the people, and the army?

ex

(7) much on boot drive & courage in war

228

P'D. II.

FRANCE ACKNOWLEDGES AMERICA.

"T. II. pay for seven years after the close of the war... The Americans were successful in the depredations, which CH. VI. their swift sailing privateers made upon the British Officers commerce. With these they boldly scoured every sea, provided even those about the British islands. Since 1776, they had already captured 500 of the British vessels... Early in the season, Sir Henry Clinton arrived in Philpriva adelphia, to supersede Sir William Howe.

for.

Success

of Am.

teers.

10. The news of the capture of Burgoyne caused a deep sensation in Europe. The English people were astonished and afflicted. The FRENCH ACKNOW1778. Ledged the Independence of THE UNITED STATES.

in per

treaty

U.S.

England A treaty of alliance was made, on the 6th of February, plexity by which it was stipulated that France and the United France States should make common cause; and that neither makes a party should make either peace or truce with England with the without the consent of the other; and neither party lay down their arms, till the independence of the United May. States was secured. The American commissioners, minister Franklin, Deane, and Lee, were received at the court arrives of France as the representatives of a sister nation. M. treaty. Gerard was appointed minister to the United States. Dr. Franklin, still in France, was the following September, made minister plenipotentiary.

AFrench

with the

A

11. The British now sent over three men, Carlisle, Eden, and Johnstone, under pretence of treating for peace; but, in reality, to plot secretly against the government established in the United States; and to draw off influential individuals, by direct bribery, and the promises of wealth and titles for the future. Johnstone offered to Gen. Reed, if he would aid the royal cause, great ten thousand pounds sterling, and any office in the colonies within the king's gift. "I am not," said the patriot, "worth purchasing; but, such as I am, the king of England is not rich enough to buy me."

plan un

worthy a

vation.

9. What law was passed? What success had the American privateers? By whom was Howe superseded? How did the English receive the news of Burgoyne's capture? What import ant result did the news produce in France? 10. What arrange ments were now made by France and the United States? What plan did the British government now resort to? How did Gen. Reed reply to the offer of Johnstone ? 12. How did cougress treat those emissaries?

-

CD'ESTAING AND SULLIVAN

229

12. In some instances, Johnstone had the indiscre- PT. M. tion to write. The offended patriots brought forward his letters, which contained the evidence of his base cH. VIL ntrigues, and Congress indignantly forbade all farther communication.

3

CHAPTER VII.

Battle of Monmouth.Seat of war transferred to the South.

June 28.

Mon

1. THE British army, on the 18th of June evacuated 1778 Philadelphia, and, marching through New Jersey, now directed their course to New York. Washington left Valley Forge, and adding to his army the New Jersey militia, hung on the rear of the enemy, and brought Battle of them to action at Monmouth or Freehold. The ad- moutn. vantage was on the side of the Americans. In the Br. loss, beginning of the battle, Gen. Lee was guilty of an in- Am. not advertence which endangered the whole army. Wash- so much. ington rebuked him sternly; for which, Lee afterwards wrote him insulting letters. A court martial censured Lee, and suspended him from his command.

700.

2. The French now fitted out a fleet, which under the Count d'Estaing, left Toulon on the 18th of April, and arrived in America in June. Washington, in order to derive the utmost advantage from the presence of the French fleet, directed an expedition against the d'E taing and British forces at Newport, in Rhode Island. He de- Sullivan tached a force of 10,000 troops under the command of Gen. Sullivan. By concert with Sullivan, d'Estaing arrived off Newport, on the 25th of July.

3. On the 9th of August, Sullivan landed on the north end of Rhode Island. On the 10th, the fleet of

CHAPTER VII.-1. What did the British army on the 18th o June? Give an account of the battle of Monmouth. 2. Wha. was now done by the French? What plan was conceived by Washington? - 3. What was done by Gen Sullivan? What caused the failure of the expedition ?

sent to

R. I.