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XII.

1780.

Committee of Congress attend the

army.

April.

CHAPTER have completed their quotas of troops, the whole number under Washington's immediate command was no more than ten thousand four hundred rank and file. This number was soon diminished by sending the remainder of the Maryland line and the Delaware regiment to the southern army. The British force at New York amounted to seventeen thousand three hundred effective men. From that time the army of the north consisted of such troops only, as were raised in the New England States, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. To hasten and give effect to the arrangements for the campaign, and draw more expeditiously from the States their quotas of soldiers and supplies, General Washington requested a committee of Congress to attend the army, with power to act in the name of that body for definite objects. The committee remained in camp between two and three months. General Schuyler, then a member of Congress, was one of the committee, and his experience, sound judgment, and energetic character, enabled him to render essential services in that capacity.

Lafayette arrives with intelligence

that naval and land

forces were

France.

Before the end of April, the Marquis de Lafayette arrived at Boston from France, with the cheering intelligence that the French government had fitted out an armament coming from of naval and land forces, which might soon be expected in the United States. He proceeded immediately to Washington's head-quarters, and thence to Congress. Although many of the Americans had hoped that their arms would be strengthened by the troops of their allies, yet no indications had hitherto been given, which encouraged them to believe that any aid of this sort would be rendered. The experiment was also thought by some to be hazardous. The prejudice against French soldiers, which had been implanted and nurtured by the colonial wars, it was feared might lead to serious consequences, if French troops should be landed in the United States, and brought to act in concert with the American army. So strongly was Count de Vergennes influenced by this apprehension, that he opposed the sending of troops to

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1780.

America, and advised that the efforts of France in suc- CHAPTER coring her ally should be expended in naval equipments, which he believed would be more effectual in annoying and weakening the common enemy. In this opinion, however, the other members of the cabinet did not concur, and it was resolved to send out a fleet with a body of troops to operate on land. Lafayette was principally instrumental in effecting this decision. It was a point upon which he had set his heart before he left America, and it may be presumed that he previously ascertained the sentiments of Washington. At any rate, his observation while in the country had convinced him, that French troops would be well received; and he had the address to bring the majority of the ministry to the same. way of thinking.*

In the month of June, General Knyphausen crossed over with such a force as he could spare from New York, and made an incursion into New Jersey. He was met by detachments from the American army, and some smart skirmishing ensued, particularly at Springfield, where the encounter lasted several hours. The enemy were driven back, and they retired to Staten Island.

The object of this adventure could not easily be ascertained. General Washington at first supposed it to be a feint to amuse him in that quarter, while a more for

* Not content with soliciting for a detachment of French troops to act in America, Lafayette requested large supplies of clothing, guns, and ammunition for the American army itself; and they were promised, although by some bad management afterwards they were not sent, or at least only in part. Such was the importunity of Lafayette, and the disinterested enthusiasm with which he represented the wants and claims of his republican friends, that the old Count de Maurepas, who was then prime minister, said one day in the Council, "It is fortunate for the King, that Lafayette does not take it into his head to strip Versailles of its furniture, to send to his dear Americans; as his Majesty would be unable to refuse it." In addition to his requests from the government, he purchased on his own account and brought to America a quantity of swords and military equipage, which he presented to the officers of the Light Infantry, whom he commanded during the campaign.

Action at

Springfield

in New Jer

sey.

June 23.

British genfrom South

eral returns

Carolina.

XII. 1780.

CHAPTER midable force should be suddenly pushed up the Hudson to attack the posts in the Highlands. This opinion was countenanced by the arrival, just at that time, of Sir Henry Clinton from his successful expedition against Charleston. No such attempt being made, however, the only effect was to draw General Washington's army nearer the Hudson, where he took a position in which he could act in defence of New Jersey or the Highlands, as occasion might require.

French fleet arrives at

Newport.

July 10.

Instructions from the

istry to Count Rochambeau.

News at length came, that the French fleet had entered the harbor of Newport, in Rhode Island, on the 10th of July. The armament consisted of seven or eight ships of the line, two frigates, two bombs, and upwards of five thousand troops. The fleet was commanded by the Chevalier de Ternay, and the army by the Count de Rochambeau. This was called the first division. Another, being detained for the want of transports, was left at Brest almost ready to sail, which it was said would soon follow.

The instructions from the ministry to Count de RoFrench min- chambeau were extremely judicious, and contrived in every part to secure harmony between the American and French armies. The general and the troops were to be in all cases under the command of General Washington. When the two armies were united, the French troops were to be considered as auxiliaries, and to yield precedence by taking the left. American officers were to command French officers of equal rank, and holding commissions of the same dates; and, in all military acts and capitulations, the American generals were to be named first and to sign first. These instructions, expressed in clear and positive terms, were made known to General Washington by Lafayette before the troops landed. A copy in detail was likewise sent to him by Count de Rochambeau. They produced all the happy effects, which could have been anticipated. Perfect harmony subsisted not only between the armies, but between the people and the French troops, from their first arrival in the country till

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1780.

their final departure. The Continental officers, by the CHAPTER recommendation of General Washington, wore cockades of black and white intermixed, as a compliment to the French troops, and a symbol of friendship; the former color being that of the American cockade, and the latter that of the French.

A plan of combined operations against the enemy in New York was drawn up by General Washington, and forwarded to Count de Rochambeau by the hands of Lafayette, who went to Newport for the purpose of making explanations, and concerting arrangements with the French general and admiral. This plan had for its basis the naval superiority of the French over the English, by which the fleet of the latter might be attacked to advantage, or at least blocked up in the harbor of New York. At the present time, however, this was not the case. The arrival of Admiral Graves, with six ships of the line, had increased the British naval force considerably beyond that of the Chevalier de Ternay; and it was agreed that nothing could be done, till he should be reinforced by the second division from France, or by the squadron of the Count de Guichen, which was expected from the West Indies.

Plan of comtions be

bined opera

tween the

American

and French

armies.

eral prepares

the French

Forwarned by the British ministry of the destination British genof the French armament, Sir Henry Clinton made sea- to attack sonable preparations to meet it, and requested Admiral at Newport. Arbuthnot to be ready with his fleet. After considerable delay he embarked six thousand troops at Frog's Neck, intending to proceed through the Sound and coöperate with the fleet in an attack on the French at Newport. In the mean time Count de Rochambeau, aided by General Heath, then present with the French army, called in the militia of the neighboring country, and increased the force at Newport so much, that Sir Henry Clinton, despairing of success, landed his men at Whitestone, on Long Island, and returned to New York, without effecting any part of his object. Another reason for his sudden return was, that Washington had drawn his army across

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1780.

CHAPTER the Hudson, and taken a position on the east side of that river, from which he might attack the city during the absence of so large a portion of the troops. It was Sir Henry Clinton's first hope, that, by the aid of the fleet, he should be able to complete his expedition against Newport, and come back to New York before Washington could assume an attitude which would menace the city; but in this he was disappointed.

French
squadron
blockaded
at Newport.

Having a decided naval superiority, however, Admiral Arbuthnot blockaded the French squadron in the harbor of Newport, and Count de Rochambeau's army was obliged to remain there for its protection. This state of things continued through the season, and no military enterprise was undertaken. The second French division was blockaded at Brest, and never came to America; and the Count de Guichen sailed from the West Indies to France without touching in any part of the United States. Both parties, therefore, stood on the defensive, watching each other's motions, and depending on the operations of the British and French fleets. General Washington recrossed the Hudson, and encamped below Orangetown, or Tappan, on the borders of New Jersey, which station he held till winter.

Conference In this interval of leisure, a conference between the

between

and Rocham

Sept. 21.

Washington commanders of the two allied armies was suggested by beau. Count de Rochambeau, and readily assented to by General Washington. They met at Hartford in Connecticut, on the 21st of September. During the absence of General Washington, the army was left under the command of General Greene. The interview was more interesting and serviceable in cementing a personal friendship and promoting amicable relations between the parties, than important in establishing an ulterior system of action. Nothing indeed could be positively agreed upon, since a naval superiority was absolutely essential to any enterprise by land, and this superiority did not exist. All the plans that were brought into view, therefore, rested on contingencies, and in the end these were unfavorable to a combined operation.

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