226

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 P'D. II. CH. VI. ranges of frames, and by forts on Mud Island, Red 1777. Bank, and other places. Howe removed his army to Ft. Mer- Philadelphia; and to open the navigation, he sent Col. Donop with a detachment of Hessians. They atlost 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

cer.

Hessians

Wash

quarters

Philadelphia. Much of the American shipping in the river was burnt; and the remainder fell into the hands of the enemy.

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

The

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 pe paper money. That is, they had issued notes in the ney be- name of the government, promising to pay the holders coraes 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

per mo

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 take it?

THE CALMNESS OF A RIGHTEOUS MIND.

227

But PT. III.

P'D. II.

been good money, like the bills of good banks. 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, as 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; and, the more for this magnanimity. The army were so magnanindignant, that at length, all who had been engaged in imity. the plot, whatever had been their former services, were now afraid of their resentment, and kept out of the way. Gen Conway's office, was given to the Baron Steuben, a Prussian officer.

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?

An ex

ample of

228

P'D. II.

FRANCE ACKNOWLEDGES AMERICA.

'T. III. 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 With these they boldly scoured every sea, Officers commerce. provided even those about the British islands. Since 1776, for. they had already captured 500 of the British vessels... Success Early in the season, Sir Henry Clinton arrived in Philpriva- adelphia, to supersede Sir William Howe.

of Am.

teers.

per

treaty

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. England in 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.

U. S.

AFrench

with the

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 worthy a 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

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 important result did the news produce in France? - 10. What arrangements were now made by France and the United States? 11. What plan did the British government now resort to? How did Gen. Reed reply to the offer of Johnstone? - 12. How did congress treat those emissaries?

D'ESTAING AND SULLIVAN.

229

12. In some instances, Johnstone had the indiscre- p'T. III. tion to write. The offended patriots brought forward P'D II his letters, which contained the evidence of his base cH. v. intrigues, and Congress indignantly forbade all farther communication.

CHAPTER VII.

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

Mon

moutn.

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 June 28. militia, hung on the rear of the enemy, and brought Battle of them to action at Monmouth or Freehold. The advantage 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'Es taing and British forces at Newport, in Rhode Island. He de- Sullivan tached a force of 10,000 troops under the command sent to 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 t north end of Rhode Island. On the 10th, the fleet.

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 ?

R. I.

230

Howe

Quaker

GEORGIA IN BRITISH POSSESSION.

P'T. III. Lord Howe appeared in sight, and d'Estaing left SulliP'D. II. van to give chase to the British, admiral. The crafty CH. VII. Howe led him on, and both fleets were soon out of 1778. sight. When he returned he was in so shattered a Admiral condition, that he left Sullivan, in spite of his remonoutwits strances, to his fate. He narrowly, by good generald'Es ship, escaped falling with his whole army into the taing hands of the British. An engagement occurred beHill. tween the hostile armies, at Quaker Hill. These affairs Bross, caused Washington much trouble, as they irritated the Am. loss, Americans against the French... In June occurred the 211. massacre at Wyoming, a well known delightful valMassa ley on the banks of the Susquehannah. The perpeWyomtrators were a body of tories and Indians, led by Coloing. nel John Butler, a tory, and Brandt, a half-blooded Indian.

266.

June.

cre of

Savan

Am. loss,

nah. 4. In their military operations, the enemy now Dec. 27. placed their principal hope of success, in conquering the southern states. Sir Henry Clinton sent to Georgia k. 160, 2,500 men, commanded by Col. Campbell. Savannah pris. 450, much ar- being unprepared for defense, he defeated the Ameritillery, cans, and then took possession of the city. That part of the American army which escaped, retreated into winter- South Carolina... Washington took winter-quarters at Middlebrook.

etc.

W. takes

quarters.

1779. 5. The capital of Georgia being already in possession of the British, they soon overran the adjacent country. Gen. Prevost, commander of the troops at St. Augustine, pursuant to the orders of Clinton, left Georgia Florida, and, after having in his way taken Sunbury, overrun. the only fort which held out for congress, he arrived at Savannah, where he took the command. The whole of Georgia was now under the authority of the Tories royalists.

encour

aged to rise.

6. There were tories at the south, though not so

3. What was the loss in the battle near Quaker Hill? Of what party were Butler and Brandt the leaders? Of what massacre were they the perpetrators?-4. What did the enemy now regard as their principal plan of operations? What force was sent from New York? To what place? What was the American loss at Savannah ? Where did the remainder of the army go? 5. Give an account of the British movements in Georgia? -6. Were there tories in the south?