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WASHINGTON'S PLAN OF CAMPAIGN; HOWE MARCHES.

emergency that might arise. This he did rather than concentrate all his forces in one place, for it would be far easier to move a small body rapidly than a large one. Accordingly, such troops as he could raise in the Northern provinces were stationed partly at Ticonderoga and partly at Peekskill. Those from the Middle and Southern provinces were stationed in New Jersey, and a few.corps were sent for the protection of the most Western provinces. Thus, if Howe moved in the direction of Philadelphia, he would be opposed by the forces in New Jersey, while the troops toward the North could be sent against his right flank. If, on the other hand, he should move toward the North, the troops at Peekskill would be able to dispute his passage, while the Southern forces in New Jersey would attack his left flank. Again, if the forces in Canada should come by sea to join General Howe upon the shores of New Jersey, the troops in the North could immediately unite with those in Jersey and thus present a united front against the combined British armies. Again, if the British troops in Canada should make a descent upon Ticonderoga, the forces at Peekskill could be immediately rushed to the aid of the American troops at the former position. Thus the American commander seems to have laid his plans to oppose Howe with the greatest number of troops, no matter what direction the English commander might take. At the same time Congress felt that it

was exceedingly important that the city of Philadelphia should continue in the power of the United States, as its loss would operate powerfully to change the sentiment in America as to the chances of success of the Continental forces. Therefore, Congress ordered a camp to be formed on the western bank of the Delaware, with the double object of receiving such troops as might arrive from the South and West, and of serving in case of need as a reserve. Recruits from Pennsylvania were also to assemble here together with several regiments of Continental troops, the camp being placed in command of Arnold, who at that time was in Philadelphia.

Fortunately, before Howe began active operations Washington received from France a much needed supply of 25,000 muskets.* He then left Morristown, and toward the end. of May took a strong position at Middlebrook, nine miles from New Brunswick.t On June 13, 1777, Howe marched out of New Brunswick, evidently with the purpose of attacking Philadelphia, but undoubtedly the real object was to draw Washington from his defences and to bring on a general engagement. Washington, however, was determined to avoid this and Howe was forced to make a movement in another direction. After

Fisher, Struggle for American Independence, vol. ii., p. 10.

Ford's ed. of Washington's Writings, vol. v., pp. 444, 450; Trevelyan, American Revolution, vol. iv., p. 58 et seq.; Irving, Life of Washington, vol. iii., p. 78.

PERPLEXING MOVEMENTS OF BRITISH; LEE'S INTRIGUE.

remaining in this position for six days, Howe made a retrograde movement toward Amboy, which drew Washington down from the high ground as far as Quibbletown, whereupon Howe suddenly reversed and endeavored to cut him off from the hills; but Washington beat a hasty retreat to Middlebrook and thus again foiled the British commander. Howe thereupon crossed over to Staten Island and evacuated the Jerseys.*

Again Washington was in a perplexed state of mind as to the meaning of the several movements of the British. It was well known that Burgoyne was advancing toward the South with a large force. In New York the British were making preparations for some expedition by sea, which might be for the purpose of attacking either Philadelphia or New England, in order to create a diversion in favor of Burgoyne. It might also be that these preparations were being made for the purpose of ascending the Hudson and placing the American army near Saratoga between two fires, and after its defeat, of joining Burgoyne and then pro

*Trevelyan, American Revolution, vol. iv., pp. 60-64; Hildreth, vol. iii., pp. 190-191; Carrington, Battles of the Revolution, pp. 298-301; Fisher, Struggle for American Independence, vol. ii., pp. 11-13; F. V. Greene, Life of Greene, pp. 77-78; Brooks, Life of Knox, pp. 97-101; Sparks, Life of Washington, pp. 227-228.

See the various notes regarding this in Ford's ed. of Washington's Writings, vol. v., pp. 435-455; Gordon, American Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 469474 (ed. 1788); Drake, Life of Knox, p. 44; Stedman, American War, vol. i., p. 238; Graham, Life of Morgan, p. 124.

53

ceeding in full force against Washington in New Jersey.* Thinking that this latter plan was the most likely, Washington was very slow in his movements, but in July, when the British fleet went to sea, he took the main body of his force across Jersey to the Delaware, so as to be prepared should the British make an attempt upon Philadelphia.†

While awaiting definite news as to the designs of the British, Washington went to Philadelphia to confer with the members of Congress, and while there he met the Marquis de Lafayette for the first time. This young French noble had been greatly aroused by the story of the gallant fight made by the Americans against British oppression, and though he had only recently been married, signified his desire to aid the Americans in their contest. The French minis

211.

Trevelyan, American Revolution, vol. iv., p.

Shortly before this time Charles Lee, then a prisoner in New York, began an intrigue with the Howes for the purpose of ingratiating himself and obtaining his liberty. He drew up a plan of operations (dated March 29, 1777) for a summer campaign against the American army and in every way endeavored to give the British generals such information as they could use to their profit. See Fiske, American Revolution, vol. i., pp. 299-308. Carrington (Battles of the Revolution, pp. 410411) gives extracts from Lee's letter to the Howes. See also George H. Moore, Treason of Charles Lee, New York Historical Society Collections, vol. iv. (1874); Fisher, Struggle for American Independence, vol. i., p. 544, vol. ii., p. 75; Johnson, General Washington, pp. 148-149, and App. A., pp. 325-330.

His full name was Marie Jean Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (often spelled La Fayette).

54

LAFAYETTE AND OTHER FOREIGN OFFICERS.

try, however, fearing international complications if the expedition should leave the shores of France, absolutely forbade him to fit out a vessel for this purpose in France. But Lafayette was not to be turned from his purpose, and having secretly fitted out a vessel and persuaded a number of his friends to accompany him to America, he embarked, reaching the shores of America in safety, and subsequently presenting his credentials to the Committee of Foreign Affairs.* At this time, however, there were a large number of applications from foreign officers for employment in the American army, and as Congress could not give them the positions they desired without creating jealousy and dissatisfaction among the American officers, Lafayette in company with the others found it almost impossible to secure the coveted positions. The failure to receive high rank, however, did not discourage Lafayette, and he immediately offered his service as a volunteer without pay, whereupon his request for service was granted and he received the rank of major-general. †

At this time he was not yet 20 years of age, but Lafayette's personality and the romantic manner in which he came to America immediately predisposed Washington in his favor, and the attachment which sprang up between the two continued throughout their lifetime. Washington requested Lafayette to consider headquarters as his home, a privilege of which Lafayette immediately availed himself.* At the same time there were a number of other foreign officers in America who had come to aid the patriotic cause, among them being Thaddeus Kosciusko, Casimir Pulaski, Johann De Kalb, Steuben.† All rendered valuable services in the American cause.

Meanwhile, Washington had been receiving all manner of contradictory reports as to the course taken by Howe's fleet, one report stating that he had returned to the Hudson, another stating that he was now entering the Delaware, while still another imparted the information that he had taken a southerly course toward Charleston. Finally, late in August, it was ascertained that the fleet had

that, in consideration of his zeal, illustrious family and connections, he have the rank and commission of major-general in the army of the United States."-Journals of Congress, vol. iii., p. 303. See also Lafayette's letter of thanks to Hancock, in Tower, Marquis de La Fayette, vol. i., pp. 184-185.

*Tower, Marquis de La Fayette, vol. i., pp. 214-215; Sparks' ed. of Washington's Writings, vol. v., p. 454; Irving, Life of Washington, vol. iii., pp. 152-153.

Whose full name was Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand, Baron von Steuben.