with their bayonets at different times." Southward, of the fifth troop, says, "that five men out of thirteen of their regiment, in the barn with him, were killed outright, and the rest, excepting himself, bayoneted; that he heard the British officer order his men to put all to death, and afterwards ask if they had finished all-that they offered quarters to some, who on surrendering themselves, they bayoneted." The depositions of seven others, attested by Governor Livingston, of New Jersey, confirm the above declarations. Mr. Morris, lieutenant and adjutant in Baylor's regiment, received seven wounds; he declared that on begging his life after he had surrendered, they replied, yes, d-n you, we will give you quarters, and then rushed on and stabbed him with their bayonets, and stripped him of all his clothes. It is a melancholy and awful consideration, that any unnecessary severity should be put in practice to aggravate the common horrors of war. Britain, who boasts of her bravery, her progress in the polite arts, and generosity of temper, has, in her manner of conducting the war in America, most infamously outraged all the laws of humanity, and set an example of savage brutality, detestable to every civilized people, and to every friend of human kind. They are destroying the character of their nation in the eyes of all the world. Witness their fatal prison ships, their murders in cold blood, their wanton burning and devastations, their licentious abuses, which exhibit a picture of barbarity scarcely to be credited among civilized nations. What then must be our situation, should our country ever be reduced to an absolute subjection to such a mean spirited people? These considerations should awaken every motive that can animate a manly bosom, to despise every danger in repelling from our shores such barbarous invaders, and in humbling such unprincipled foes to our freedom.

His Excellency, the Commander in Chief, made a visit to our hospital; his arrival was scarcely announced, before he presented himself at our doors. Dr. Williams and myself had the honor to wait on this great and truly good man, through the different wards, and to reply to his inquiries relative to the condition of our patients. He appeared to take a deep interest in the situation of the sick and wounded soldiers, and inquired particularly as to their treatment and comfortable accommodations. Not being apprized of his intended visit in time to make preparation for his reception, we were not entirely free from embarrassment, but we had

the inexpressible satisfaction of receiving his Excellency's approbation of our conduct, as respects the duties of our, department. The personal appearance of our Commander in Chief, is that of the perfect gentleman and accomplished warrior. He is remarkably tall, full six feet, erect and well proportioned. The strength and proportion of his joints and muscles, appear to be commensurate with the preeminent powers of his mind. The serenity of his countenance, and majestic gracefulness of his deportment, impart a strong impression of that dignity and grandeur, which are his peculiar characteristics, and no one can stand in his presence without feeling the ascendancy of his mind, and associating with his countenance the idea of wisdom, philanthropy, magnanimity, and patriotism. There is a fine symmetry in the features of his face, indicative of a benign and dignified spirit. His nose is strait, and his eyes inclined to blue. He wears his hair in a becoming cue, and from his forehead it is turned back and powdered in a manner which adds to the military air of his appearance. He displays a native gravity, but devoid of all appearance of ostentation. His uniform dress is a blue coat, with two brilliant epaulettes, buff colored under clothes, and a three cornered hat, with a black cockade. He is constantly equipped with an elegant small sword, boots and spurs, in readiness to mount his noble charger. There is not in the present age, perhaps, another man so eminently qualified to discharge the arduous duties of the exalted station he is called to sustain, amidst difficulties which to others would appear insurmountable, nor could any man have more at command the veneration and regard of the officers and soldiers of our army, even after defeat and misfortune. This is the illustrious chief, whom a kind Providence has decreed as the instrument to conduct our country to peace and to Independence.

Major General Schuyler, having for more than a year been suspended from military command, in consequence of his concurrent responsibility respecting the evacuation of Ticonderoga, in July, 1777, has at length undergone his trial by a court martial, of which Major General Lincoln was president, and is acquitted, with the highest honor, of the charge exhibited against him. This excellent officer has finally obtained that justice, which from undue prejudice has so long been denied him.

Major General Arthur St. Clair has also by the same court been acquitted with the highest honor of the charge

exhibited against him, of evacuating the post at Ticonderoga. His masterly defence before the court, is admired for the display of superior intellect, sound principle, pure integrity, and correctness of judgment. General St. Clair, it is presumed, will never receive an adequate compensation for the unmerited contumely which he has experienced from Congress and the public. It is the height of injustice, to subject a man of established character, to suffer in reputation, and in sensibility, merely from surmise and suspicion; and the injury is greatly aggravated, when the accused is long held up to public odium, and not permitted to adduce evidence in his own vindication. General St. Clair has frequently been heard to express a consciousness of the uprightness and propriety of his conduct, and to despise the vague censure of an uninformed populace; and when Burgoyne was advancing into the country, he said he had the most sanguine hope, that the progress of the enemy would be checked, and that he should have the satisfaction to experience, that though he had lost a post, he had eventually saved a state. This hope he has realized in its fullest extent, by the event, that the British commander and army, to whom he surrendered a post, has since been compelled to submit as captives to our army. General St. Clair, was an officer in the army of General Wolfe, and was in the battle in which that celebrated commander was slain on the Plains of Abraham. He was estimated as a young officer of merit, capable of obtaining a high grade of military reputation. Soon after the commencement of hostilities, in 1775, he was, without his solicitation, appointed to the office of colonel, and he marched with his regiment into Canada, where he rendered very important services. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of major general, and on all occasions supported an honorable distinction, and shared largely in the confidence and friendship of the Commander in Chief.

November 3d.-Having made a visit to Fishkill, I returned in company with Dr. Treat, our Physician General, and found a large number of gentlemen collecting to partake of an entertainment, by invitation of Brigadier General Muhlenburg, who occupies a room in our hospital. The guests consisted of forty-one respectable officers, and our tables were furnished with fourteen different dishes, arranged in fashionable style. After dinner, Major General Putnam was requested to preside, and he displayed no less urbanity at the head of the table, than bravery at the head of his

division. A number of toasts were pronounced, accompanied with humorous and merry songs. In the evening we were cheered with military music and dancing, which continued till a late hour in the night. General Muhlenburg was a minister of a parish in Virginia, but participating in the spirit of the times, exchanged his clerical profession for that of a soldier. Having in his pulpit inculcated the principles of liberty, and the cause of his country, he found no difficulty in enlisting a regiment of soldiers, and he was appointed their commander. He entered his pulpit with his sword and cockade, preached his farewell sermon, and the next day marched at the head of his regiment to join the army, and he does honor to the military profession.

10th.-Having for a long time served in the hospital department, and having no claim to promotion there, I resolved to relinquish that station, and accept the appointment of surgeon to the first Virginia state regiment, commanded by Colonel George Gibson. Being introduced to the officers of the regiment, I received a polite invitation to take my quarters in the marquee with Colonel Gibson, and his Lieutenant Colonel, William Brent. Thomas Meriweather is his Major.

18th.-Rode to the village of Fishkill, breakfasted with Dr. Treat and Colonel Hayes, and waited on Dr. John Cochran, who is now in close attendance on the Marquis de la Fayette, who is dangerously sick with a fever.

23d. We have now had a long respite from battles and skirmishes, the season for the campaign is about expiring, and no one can boast of having achieved deeds of much fame and glory. As we are stationed at a considerable distance from the enemy at New York, we feel secure from the annoyance of the dogs of war; and military duty not being very urgent, our officers appear disposed to relax in their discipline, and contract a habit approaching to dissipation. They have adopted the practice of giving suppers alternately, with music and dancing through half the night. These are the favorite amusements of the Virginia and Maryland officers, but they do not accord precisely with my own views of time well spent, though I am frequently enticed to a participation in their banqueting revels.

24th. I accepted an invitation to dine with Captain Carter, at West Point. He is a gentleman of independent fortune and lives in splendid style. His guests were numerous

and highly respectable, and the entertainment rich and arranged with taste.

25th.-Dined with General Muhlenburg, in company with several Virginia officers, and as usual, closed the day with music and dancing.

27th.-Visited my friends at Fishkill, and by the reqnest of Colonel Gibson, I waited on the Marquis de la Fayette. The colonel furnished me with a letter of introduction, and his compliments, with inquiries respecting the Marquis's health. I was received by this nobleman in a polite and affable manner. He is just recovering from a fever, and was in his chair of convalescence. He is nearly six feet high, large but not corpulent, being not more than twentyone years of age. He is not very elegant in his form, his shoulders being broad and high, nor is there a perfect symmetry in his features, his forehead is remarkably high, his nose large and long, eyebrows prominent and projecting over a fine animated hazel eye. His countenance is interesting and impressive. He converses in broken English, and displays the manners and address of an accomplished gentleman. Considering him a French nobleman of distinguished character, and a great favorite of General Washington, I felt myself highly honored by this interview.*

December 15th.-At a settlement called Cherry Valley, about sixty miles above Albany, Colonel Ichabod Alden, of Duxbury, Massachusetts, was stationed with about two hundred and fifty continental troops, to protect the inhabitants from the incursions of the frontier enemy. It is now announced, that a body consisting of about seven hundred Indians, tories, and soldiers, assaulted our party, massacred Colonel Alden, several of the inhabitants, men, women, and children, and made prisoners of the lieutenant colonel and many of the inhabitants. The account states that one hundred and eighty of the surviving inhabitants had neither house nor provisions, were almost naked, and destitute of money to provide necessaries.

Our division, commanded by General Putnam, marched according to general orders, from our encampment near Robinson's house, 28th November; arrived at King's ferry, twelve miles, and encamped; 29th, crossed the North river in batteaux, and pitched our camp on the Jersey shore; 30th, marched twelve miles only, in a severe storm of snow

*For the character of the Marquis, see Appendix.