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TRYON IN CONNECTICUT.

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the officers sent to detain him, and, with De Kalb and a few others who sympathized with America, arrived at Charleston. He received the promised commission in July, 1777, before completing his twentieth year. His acquaintance with Washington commenced a few days after, and ripened into a firm and uninterrupted friendship.

330. Towards the close of April, 1777, Gov. Tryon was sent from New York with 2,000 men to destroy some American stores collected at Danbury, Conn. He accomplished the work, and, on his return to the coast, gratified his malice by plundering the inhabitants and devastating the country. A body of militia hastily assembled under Generals Wooster, Arnold, and Silliman, and handled the marauders so roughly that they were glad to reach their boats. Tryon lost about 300 men; the Americans one-fifth as many. Gen. Wooster, though a man of seventy, fought with all the vigor of youth, and was mortally wounded. Arnold received the fire of a whole platoon at a distance of thirty yards, but escaped uninjured.

331. Soon after this, Colonel Meigs retaliated, by crossing from Connecticut and burning 12 British vessels and a large quantity of stores at Sag Harbor, near the eastern extremity of Long Island. He brought back ninety prisoners, without the loss of a single man.

332. Another exploit, in Rhode Island, showed no little. daring. The command of the British forces in that quarter devolved on Gen. Prescott, whose tyranny excited the indignation of the inhabitants. Feeling secure in the presence of a large naval force in the bay, he fixed his quarters, with a small guard, about five miles from Newport. Lieutenantcolonel Barton, of Providence, having received from a deserter a full description of the place, set out with 40 brave men, on the night of July 10th, 1777, to capture the British

promised La Fayette? What difficulties stood in the way of his going? How did he conquer them? When did he obtain his commission? How was he received by Washington? 880. What expedition was undertaken by the British towards the close of April? Give an account of the manner in which the invaders were met. What was the loss on each side? 331. Give an account of Meigs' expedition. 332. Who commanded the British forces in Rhode Island? What is said of his conduct? Where had he fixed his

general. Rowing silently past the enemy's camp, so near that they heard the call of the guard, they landed about a mile from Prescott's lodgings, and proceeded thither with all speed. A British sentinel demanded the countersign. "We have none," replied Barton, "but have you seen any deserters here to-night ?" The sentinel supposed the party to be friends, and before he perceived his mistake, was seized, disarmed, and threatened with instant death if he made any noise. The Americans soon reached the house. Prescott's door was locked, but a negro forced it open with his head. Barton seized the general, whom he found sitting up in bed,

and hurried him half-dressed to the boats. A soldier had escaped from the building and alarmed the cavalry; but they laughed at his fears, and said that he must have seen a ghost. Not till the Americans had reached the shore was the truth discovered. The British fleet fired on the brave little party, but they escaped uninjured. "You have made a bold push

quarters? Who undertook to capture him? Give an account of Barton's expedition. What passed between Prescott and Barton after they had landed? How did Congress reward this exploit? 333. When did Congress adopt a national flag? Describe it.

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ADOPTION OF A NATIONAL FLAG.

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to-night," said Prescott, as they landed, beyond the reach of pursuit. "We have done as well as we could," answered Barton. Congress rewarded this gallant act by presenting Barton a sword and promo

ting him to the rank of

colonel.

333. In July, 1777, Congress adopted a national flag, consisting of thirteen stripes, alternately red and white, with thirteen white stars in a blue field. The number of stars was afterwards increased, a new one being added for each new state admitted into the Union.

CHAPTER XI.

BURGOYNE'S CAMPAIGN AND SURRENDER.

334. WHILE Howe was endeavoring to bring Washington to an engagement, Gen. Burgoyne, who had concentrated an army of 10,000 men in Canada, was advancing towards the head-waters of the Hudson. His object was to effect a junction with the southern army, after garrisoning the important posts on his route and thus cutting off Washington's communication with the eastern states. On the 21st of June he gave a war-feast, on the west bank of Lake Champlain, to 400 Indians, among whom was Little Turtle, afterwards the leader of a powerful confederacy. The chiefs promised their aid, and, as they looked on his splendid array, believed his boastful promise of a speedy triumph over the "rebels”.

The invading host soon reached Ticonderoga, which was commanded by Gen. St. Clair and garrisoned by about 3,000

834 Meanwhile, who had succeeded to the command in Canada? Give an account of Burgoyne's movements and object. On the 21st of June, what took place? What

Americans. St. Clair had determined to hold out to the last extremity; but, to his dismay, he soon saw the British erecting batteries on Mount Defiance [see Map. p. 169], a rocky height commanding the fort, which he had deemed inaccessible. A speedy retreat was necessary. Before daylight on the 6th of July, the ammunition and stores were on the way to Skenesborough [skeenz-bur-ro], now Whitehall, at the head of the Lake. At the same time the army silently crossed and took the road for Fort Edward, to join Gen. Schuyler [ski'-ler] and the rest of the northern army. The British, after pursuing St. Clair and defeating his rear-guard, took Skenesborough and the valuable stores there collected. Early in July, Burgoyne had issued a proclamation offering pardon and protection to all who would abandon the rebel cause, and threatening those who adhered to it with the severest punishment. This was met by Schuyler with a counterproclamation in which he reminded his countrymen of the protection that had been extended to the people of New Jersey, and warned them against listening to the deceitful promises of the enemy.

335. The loss of so many strongholds in the north, without a blow in their defence, produced general alarm, and led many to charge Schuyler and St. Clair with inefficiency; but an investigation instituted by Congress proved that they had done all that the means at their command allowed. Some of the ablest officers in the American service were ordered to the north, to aid in arresting Burgoyne's advance: among these were Lincoln, to whom the Massachusetts troops were intrusted; Arnold, noted for his fiery courage; and Morgan with his famous corps of riflemen. Burgoyne's advance was slow, for it was necessary to remove the obstructions which the Americans had placed in his way. On the 30th of July, he reached Fort Edward, which Schuyler was compelled to

post did Burgoyne soon reach? Who commanded at Ticonderoga? What had St. Clair resolved? What altered his determination? Give an account of the retreat. What were Burgoyne's next movements? What proclamation had Burgoyne issued? How did Schuyler reply? 835. With what were Schuyler and St. Clair charged? What was the result of an investigation into their conduct? What officers were sent to the north? What is said of Burgoyne's advance? What place was reached, July 30th? On what

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TRAGICAL FATE OF JANE M'CREA.

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abandon. The American army fell back successively on Saratoga, Stillwater, and the Mohawk, near its junction with the Hudson.

336. The Indians who had promised Burgoyne their friendship, accompanied his army, committing their usual barbarities whenever opportunity offered. One of their bloody acts at this time excited universal abhorrence. Near Fort Edward, in the family of her brother, lived Jane M'Crea [ma-cra'], who was engaged to Lieutenant Jones, of the British army. When Burgoyne's approach was announced, Mr. M'Crea, being a whig, started for Albany; but Jane, in the hope of meeting her lover, ventured to remain with a Mrs. McNeil [neel], a neighbor and friend, who, being a loyalist and cousin of the British General Frazer, apprehended no danger from the approaching army. On the 27th of July, however, the house was surrounded by Indians, and Mrs. McNeil and Jane were seized and hurried off by different parties. An alarm having been raised in the American camp, they were pursued and fired upon. Mrs. McNeil was forced to the ground by her captors that the bullets might pass over her, and reached the British camp in safety. Soon after, another party of Indians came in, and Mrs. McNeil to her horror recognized among the scalps in their possession the long glossy hair of her friend. The Indians were charged with having murdered her on the road. They asserted, however, that she was killed by an American ball, while they were trying to bring her off, and that they had then scalped her to obtain the bounty which the British were in the habit of paying. Lieutenant Jones secured this sad memento of his betrothed, and resigned his command. His resignation not being accepted, he deserted. More than fifty years, we are told, he lived remote from society, a heart-broken man, observing each anniversary of the day that proved fatal to his happiness.

337. Before leaving Canada, Burgoyne had detached Col. St. Leger, with about 700 men, to reduce the valley of the

places did Schuyler successively fall back? 886. By whom were many barbarities committed? Tell the story of Jane M'Crea. What became of Lieut. Jones? 887. Before