Istand, four years before, was hung by Sir William Howe immediately, without being allowed a trial, without the use of a Bible, or indulgence of a clergyman; while the letters he had written to his mother and other relations were destroyed; the provost Marshall declaring "the rebels should not know they had a man in their army who could die with so much firmness." Arnold was made a Brigadier General in the British service.

January, 1781. A mutiny, the consequences of which were at first greatly dreaded, took place among the whole of the Pennsylvania line, excepting three regiments. The soldiers turned out under arms, without their officers, insisting on a redress of grievances. Their complaints being founded in justice, after a few days they returned to duty, their requests being first granted.

While the mutiny continued, Sir Henry Clinton sent confidential messengers to the mutineers, endeavouring to seduce them to the British cause. The disaffected, so far from listening to Clinton's proposals, delivered the messengers to General Wayne. They were tried by a board of officers and executed as British spies.

Arnold, with about sixteen hundred men and a number of armed vessels, entered the Chesapeake, proceeded up James river, and in various predatory excursions, plundered and devastated the adjacent country.

A French squadron from Rhode-Island, was sent to cut off his retreat. Ten of Arnold's vessels were destroyed, and a forty-four gun ship captured. After which a naval engagement took place, off the capes of Virginia, between the French and an English squadron; which, though no victory was obtained on either side, prevented the capture or defeat of Arnold.

General Greene succeeded Gates in the command of the southern department. He sent a detachment, under the command of General Morgan, to the extremity of South Carolina; marching himself with his main body to the Pedee. Cornwallis sent Colonel Tarleton to oppose Morgan.

A battle took place at the Cowpens, near Pacolet river, (January 17.) Tarleton surpassed Morgan in infantry in the proportion of five to four; and in cavalry in the proportion of three to one; and two-thirds of Morgan's troops were militia. At the first onset the Americans in front, retreated. Soon after, a successful attack was made by Lieutenant Colonel Washington. Colonel Howard rallied the continental troops, who made a charge with fixed bayonets. Their example was immediately followed by the militia. A complete victory ensued. Three hundred of the British were killed or wounded, and above five hundred taken prisoners, Eight hundred stand of arms, thirty-five baggage wagons, and a hundred dragoon horses, fell to the victors; who lost only twelve men killed, and sixty wounded.

Cornwallis, instead of the expected tidings of the defeat of Morgan, was informed of the complete overthrow of his favourite officer Tarleton, in whom he had placed the greatest confidence. He immediately began his march, in full expectation of overtaking Morgan, and recovering his prisoners.

Greene, aware of his intentions, marched to join his troops with those of Morgan. Cornwallis pursued with a far superior force; and was within a few miles of the retreating army at the Catawba; but a sudden freshet prevented his crossing.

The freshet subsiding, Cornwallis continued the pursuit to the Yadkin. The Americans had scarcely crossed, in flats and boats, and secured their boats on the north side of the river, before Cornwallis appeared on the opposite side; but was unable to pass, for want of

boats.

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He then proceeded to the upper fords, for the pur-.. pose of passing the river. In the meantime, Greene's and Morgan's troops joined, at Guildford court-house. Soon after, Greene, with his troops and baggage, crossed the Dan, and entered Virginia; narrowly escaping the van of the British troops, who were in close pursuit. Cornwallis repaired to Hillsborough; erested the royal standard, and issued a proclamation inviting the loyalists to join him. Many flocked to his standard;

and he sent Tarleton, with four hundred and fifty men, to encourage the loyalists between Deep and Haw rivers.

Greene, apprehensive of Tarleton's success, recrossed the Dan. Three hundred and fifty of the loyalists, mistaking Greene's troops for the British, were attacked to great advantage, and cut to pieces, while exclaiming, "God save the King." Tarleton also killed many of the royalists, supposing them to be American militia under Greene. General Greene having received considerable reinforcements, was resolved on a general action. This took place at Guilford. After a severe engagement, in which the British lost far the greater number of men, Greene was compelled to retreat before the veterans of Cornwallis.

General Greene returned to South Carolina; and marched to Camden. Here an action took place between him and Lord Rawdon, in which the latter obtained the advantage. Numerous forts and garrisons soon surrendered to the troops of Greene, and he had full expectation of recovering all South Carolina in a short time.

The immediate accomplishment of this hope was delayed by a defeat at Ninety-Six. To this place Greene laid siege. Hearing of the approach of Lord Rawdon for its relief, Greene determined upon an assault. In this he failed, losing one hundred and fifty men.

• On the eighth of September a severe battle was fought at Eutaw springs, in which the British lost, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, about eleven hundred. The American loss was five hundred and fifty-five. This battle nearly finished the revolutionary war in South Carolina. The British army moved down to their strong holds at Charleston.

Cornwallis, after the battle of Guilford, leaving South Carolina to the charge of Lord Rawdon, marched to Wilmington, (N. C.) and thence to Petersburg, (Va.) which place he reached on the twentieth of May; having been largely reinforced by troops from New-York, and the troops of General Phillips.

To watch, harass, and oppose Cornwallis, Washing

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ton sent Marquis de la Fayette, with about three thousand troops; not half the number of those of the enemy. He reached Richmond just as Cornwallis arrived at Manchester, on the other side of James river.

The British army crossed the river, marched through Hanover county, and passed the Pamunkey. Fayette acted with the utmost caution on the defensive, making a judicious choice of posts, and impressing the enemy with a belief that his army was far greater than in fact it was.

The plan of the campaign, on the part of the Americans and French, as resolved upon in the spring, was, to lay siege to New-York, in conjunction with a French fleet that was to arrive in August. Letters were written to the several Governors of New-England and New-Jersey, for their quota of six thousand troops.

Washington encamped near King's Bridge with his army; where he was joined by the French troops from Rhode-Island. All things were prepared for a vigorous siege of New-York, when, about the middle of August, circumstances induced Washington totally to change the plan of the campaign.

The states were very slow in filling their quotas; the militia were but partially embodied; Clinton had received from Europe a reinforcement of three thousand; the garrison had been made exceedingly strong; and, in addition, Washington received information that the expected French fleet, under Count de Grasse, was destined to the Chesapeake, instead of New-York.

These circumstances induced the American commander to turn his attention to the situation of Cornwallis. The posts on Hudson's river were left to the charge of General Heath, Washington determining to lead the expedition in person against Cornwallis.

With much art and address Washington impressed Clinton with the firmest belief, that an attempt would soon be made on New-York. What added to Clinton's belief was, the detection of a letter written by Washington, detailing the plan of the campaign; and thus confirming the British general, who had no cause either

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to doubt the genuineness of the letter, or to suspect deception.

Hence, till too late, all the fears of Clinton were for the safety of New-York; thus withholding from Cornwallis the succours for which he importuned. So confident was the British commander of an attack on NewYork, that Washington was far on his way to Virginia before he suspected his march to the southward any other than a feint, to induce him to part with a portion of his troops to reinforce Cornwallis.

As a place of permanent security of the army and navy, till the fate of New-York should be determined, Cornwallis had fixed upon Yorktown, near the mouth of York river; having seven thousand troops under his command. There he applied himself with with assiduity to fortify the place.

While he was expecting an English fleet from the West-Indies to co-operate in the reduction of Virginia, the French fleet under De Grasse, consisting of twentyeight sail of the line, entered the Chesapeake, and moored in Lynnhaven bay; ships and frigates being at the same time sent to block up York river.

On the fourteenth of September, Washington and Count Rochambeau reached Williamsburg, and immediately visited De Grasse on board of the Ville de Paris, to consult on future operations, Washington's army, amounting to twelve thousand, moved to the investiture of Yorktown, (Sept. 30,) and the French fleet took a position at the mouth of York river, to prevent Cornwallis either from retreating or receiving assistance.

The principal part of the British army were encamped at Yorktown, on the high bank of York river. Gloucester point, on the other side, projects far into the river. Cornwallis occupied both posts.

A letter about this time was received by Cornwallis from Clinton, informing him of a naval reinforcement having arrived from England, and of his determination to send, by the fifth of October, twenty-three sail of the line and five thousand troops for his relief.