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now, having only about 3000 men, was compelled to retreat slowly before him and even to cross the Delaware River. This was late in December. Congress, in the general gloom, had given Washington enlarged powers, and hastily leaving Philadelphia had gone to Baltimore. Everywhere murmurs were heard, the Pennsylvania militia refused to turn out, and many persons through New Jersey were placing themselves under the protection of the British. After crossing the Delaware, the small force of Americans was increased to about 6000 men.

115. Trenton; Newport. (1776–1777.) — The British followed Washington, and were in possession of all the central part of New Jersey, and would have crossed to the west bank of the river had not Washington secured all the boats for miles above and below Trenton. It was in this unpromising condition of circumstances that Washington determined upon a bold stroke. With 2500 men he crossed the Delaware some miles above Trenton, surprised its garrison of Hessians, taking nearly all prisoners, and returned into Pennsylvania. He then marched back to Trenton, whence being threatened by the British, he retreated by night to Princeton, and the first the British knew of his movement was the sound of his cannon in the distance. The British general, Cornwallis, was forced to follow, to protect his stores and avoid losing communication with New York. Washington went into winter quarters at Morristown, but he had succeeded in drawing the enemy from Philadelphia. His position was too strong to be attacked, and should the British push on towards Philadelphia, it would be at the risk of a flank movement on the part of Washington. The British were not idle, however; marauding expeditions were sent out from New York into the surrounding country, and much damage was done. Newport, Rhode Island, was

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LAFAYETTE; STEUBEN.

111

captured late in 1776, and held by the British for about three years. Much of the ill success of the Americans in the early part of the campaign seems to have been due to two causes: first, Congress interfering with Washington; secondly, the treachery of General Charles Lee, who was next to Washington in rank, and exceedingly jealous of him. Fortunately, Lee was surprised and captured by the British, and his troops were added to those of Washington.

116. Lafayette; Steuben. (1777.) — Early in the spring of 1777 the Marquis de Lafayette, a young French nobleman, came to America to offer his services to the Americans. He brought also money for the cause. With him was a German officer, Baron de Kalb. Others also came from Europe; Kosciusko, Pulaski, and later Baron Steuben, who had been trained under Frederick the Great, and who was of great service in drilling the American troops.

117. Burgoyne's Surrender. (1777.)- Meanwhile, stirring events were taking place in the north. The British, in carrying out their plans, sent two expeditions from Canada; one under General Burgoyne, to open communication with New York, for the Americans still held the river above Peekskill; the other to central New York, under St. Leger, to reduce the country to submission and then to join Burgoyne. Burgoyne's force consisted of about 10,000 men, of whom only about 7000 were regular troops, the rest being Canadians or Indians. He was successful in taking Ticonderoga, and then pressed on towards the Hudson with the purpose of joining the army which Howe was to send to meet him. By thus getting the Americans between two fires, he hoped to annihilate them. The American forces under Philip Schuyler, only about 4000 strong, were compelled to retreat, but they destroyed all the

bridges, cut down trees, and obstructed the road as much as possible. Burgoyne, in confident assurance of success, sent a detachment to Vermont, in the hope of gaining that part of the country to the British. But this expedition, as well as that under St. Leger, was a failure. The people, instead of joining the British, were indignant at the invasion of their country, and while Burgoyne was losing numbers every day, the militia came pouring in to swell the army of Schuyler. The British were far from their base of supplies, and could hear nothing of Howe. To drive back the Americans seemed the most feasible plan, but in the attempt to carry it out Burgoyne was checked in two battles near Saratoga. Hemmed up, and with his force decreased to about 6000 men, he was compelled to surrender, October 17, 1777, to General Gates, whom Congress had most unfairly put in the place of Schuyler, to whom the credit of organizing the opposition to Burgoyne is due. Gates did not deserve any credit even for the battles; that belonged to Generals Benedict Arnold and Morgan.

118. Howe's Blunder. (1777.) — The blunder of Howe in not advancing to meet Burgoyne had most serious consequences for the British cause, leading, as it did, to the surrender of Burgoyne, the recognition of America by France, and the French alliance. It was not till eighty years had elapsed that the reason for Howe's action was explained. General Charles Lee, who had been captured in New Jersey (sect. 115), secretly tendered his services to the British, and advised Howe to take Philadelphia, "the rebel capital, which would destroy the rebel government," and also to send an expedition up the Chesapeake Bay to prevent aid being sent from Virginia and Maryland. Both Maryland and Pennsylvania, he asserted, were in sympathy with the British,

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