like Scott, he taught his troops, until they were
able in the shock of hand-to-hand conflict to
overthrow the renowned British infantry, who
have always justly prided themselves on their
prowess with cold steel. At the battle of Ger-
mantown it was Wayne's troops who, falling on
with the bayonet, drove the Hessians and the
British light infantry, and only retreated under
At
orders when the attack had failed elsewhere.
Monmouth it was Wayne and his Continentals
who first checked the British advance by repul-
sing the bayonet charge of the guards and gren-

adiers.

Washington, a true leader of men, was prompt to recognize in Wayne a soldier to whom could be intrusted any especially difficult enterprise which called for the exercise alike of intelligence and of cool daring. In the summer of 1780 he was very anxious to capture the British fort at Stony Point, which commanded the Hudson. It was impracticable to attack it by regular siege while the British frigates lay in the river, and the defenses were so strong that open assault by daylight was equally out of the question. Accordingly Washington suggested to Wayne that he try a night attack. Wayne eagerly caught at the idea. It was exactly the kind of enterprise in which he delighted. The fort was on a rocky promontory, surrounded on three sides by water,

84

HERO

and on the

for the mos

this neck of

to move.

fourth by a neck of land, wh

t part mere morass.

It was

land that any attacking colu The garrison was six hundreds

To deliver the assault Wayne took nine hu

men.

One July after The American army was camped about fou miles from Stony Point. and led his troops in single ow rocky roads, reaching the

Wayne started along the narr on the mainland divided his force along each side panies of

Nort

near the fort after nightfall. into two columns, to advance of the neck, detaching two co

Carolina troops to move columns and make a false a

between the two of the force consisted of Ne

tack. The rest Englanders, Pen Each attacking a forlorn h followed hundred and twer body. At carried spontoons,

parts, which

was

and Wayne, directed its

the tim

who hi moveme

It was nearly mid

along

they we

began to press Before they discovered, and the Br

fort.

nsylvanians, and Virginians lumn was divided into three ope of twenty men leading,

by an advance guard of one ty, and then by the main commanding officers still nd other old-time weapons, self led the right column, ts spear in hand.

ight when the Americans the causeways toward the

near the walls they were ish opened a heavy fire of