Chapter I: Front Matter

LIFE

OF

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

]

LIFE
OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

BY

WASHINGTON IRVING.

VOL. II.

NEW YORK: G. P. PUTNAM.

1860.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855.
BY G. P. PUTNAM & CO.,
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the
Southern District of New York.

JOHN F. TROW,
Printer, Stereotyper, and Electrotyper,
46, 48 & 50 Greene Street,
Between Grand & Broome, New York.

CONTENTS OF VOL. II.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Washington takes command of the Armies—Sketch of General
Lee—Characters of the British Commanders, Howe, Clinton, and
Burgoyne—Survey of the Camps from Prospect Hill—The Camps
contrasted—Description of the Revolutionary Army—Rhode Island
Troops—Character of General Greene—Washington represents the
Deficiencies of the Army—His Apology for the Massachusetts
Troops—Governor Trumbull—Cragie House, Washington’s
Head-Quarters 1

CHAPTER II.
Questions of Military Rank—Popularity of Putnam—Arrangements at
Head-Quarters—Colonel Mifflin and John Trumbull, Aides-de
Camp—Joseph Reed, Washington’s Secretary and confidential
friend—Gates as Adjutant-General—Hazardous Situation of the
Army—Strengthening of the Defences—Efficiency of Putnam—Rapid
Changes—New Distribution of the Forces—Rigid Discipline—Lee and
his cane—His Idea as to Strong Battalions—Arrival of Rifle
Companies—Daniel Morgan and his Sharp Shooters—Washington
declines to detach Troops to distant points for their
Protection—His Reasons for so doing 12

CHAPTER III.
Washington’s Object in distressing Boston—Scarcity and Sickness in
the Town—A Startling Discovery—Scarcity of Powder in the
Camp—Its Perilous Situation—Economy of Ammunition—Correspondence
between Lee and Burgoyne—Correspondence between Washington and
Gage—The Dignity of the Patriot Army asserted 22

CHAPTER IV.
Dangers in the Interior—Machinations of the Johnson Family—Rivalry
of Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold—Government Perplexities about
the Ticonderoga Capture—Measures to secure the Prize—Allen and
Arnold ambitious of further Laurels—Projects for the Invasion of
Canada—Ethan Allen and Seth Warner honored by Congress—Arnold
displaced by a Committee of Inquiry—His Indignation—News from
Canada—The Revolution to be extended into that
Province—Enlistment of Green Mountain Boys—Schuyler at
Ticonderoga—State of Affairs there—Election for Officers of the
Green Mountain Boys—Ethan Allen dismounted—Joins the Army as a
Volunteer—Preparations for the Invasion of Canada—General
Montgomery—Indian Chiefs at Cambridge—Council Fire—Plan for an
Expedition against Quebec—Departure of Troops from
Ticonderoga—Arrival at Isle aux Noix 32

CHAPTER V.
A Challenge declined—A Blow meditated—A cautious Council of
War—Preparations for the Quebec Expedition—Benedict Arnold the
Leader—Advice and Instructions—Departure—General Schuyler on the
Sorel—Reconnoitres St. Johns—Camp at Isle aux Noix—Illness of
Schuyler—Returns to Ticonderoga—Expedition of Montgomery against
St. Johns—Letter of Ethan Allen—His Dash against Montreal—Its
Catastrophe—A Hero in Irons—Correspondence of Washington with
Schuyler and Arnold—His Anxiety about them 49

CHAPTER VI.
British in Boston send out Cruisers—Depredations of Captain
Wallace along the Coast—Treason in the Camp—Arrest of Dr.
Church—His Trial and Fate—Conflagration of Falmouth—Irritation
throughout the Country—Fitting out of Vessels of War—Embarkation
of General Gage for England—Committee from Congress—Conferences
with Washington—Resolutions of Congress to carry on the
War—Return of Secretary Reed to Philadelphia 67

CHAPTER VII.
Measures of General Howe—Desecration of Churches—Three
Proclamations—Seizure of Tories—Want of Artillery—Henry Knox,
the Artillerist—His Mission to Ticonderoga—Re-enlistment of
Troops—Lack of Public Spirit—Comments of General Greene 77

CHAPTER VIII.
Affairs in Canada—Capture of Fort Chamblee—Siege of St.
Johns—Maclean and his Highlanders—Montgomery on the Treatment of
Ethan Allen—Repulse of Carleton—Capitulation of the Garrison of
St. Johns—Generous Conduct of Montgomery—Maclean re-embarks for
Quebec—Weary Struggle of Arnold through the Wilderness—Defection
of Colonel Enos—Arnold in the Valley of the Chandiere—His
Arrival opposite Quebec—Surrender of Montreal—Escape of
Carleton—Home sickness of the American Troops 88

CHAPTER IX.
Washington’s anticipations of Success at Quebec—His Eulogium of
Arnold—Schuyler and Montgomery talk of resigning—Expostulations
of Washington—Their Effect—Schuyler’s Conduct to a Captive Foe 95

CHAPTER X.
Difficulties in filling up the Army—The Connecticut Troops persist
in going Home—Their reception there—Timely Arrival of Spoils in
the Camp—Putnam and the Prize Mortar—A Maraud by
Americans—Rebuked by Washington—Correspondence of Washington
with General Howe about the treatment of Ethan Allen—Fraternal
zeal of Levi Allen—Treatment of General Prescott—Preparations to
Bombard Boston—Battery at Lechmere’s Point—Prayer of Putnam for
Powder 100

CHAPTER XI.
Mount Vernon in Danger—Mrs. Washington invited to the Camp—Lund
Washington, the General’s Agent—Terms on which he
serves—Instructed to keep up the Hospitality of the
House—Journey of Mrs. Washington to Camp—Her Equipage and
Liveries—Arrival at Camp—Domestic Affairs at
Head-Quarters—Gayeties in Camp—A Brawl between Round Jackets and
Rifle Shirts 110

CHAPTER XII.
Affairs in Canada—Arnold at Point Levi—Quebec reinforced—Crossing
of the St. Lawrence—Landing in Wolfe’s Cove—Arnold on the
Heights of Abraham—Cautious Counsel—Quebec aroused—The Invaders
baffled—Withdraw to Point aux Trembles—Booming of
Cannon—Carleton at Quebec—Letter of Washington to Arnold 118

CHAPTER XIII.
Lord Dunmore—His Plans of harassing Virginia—Lee’s Policy
respecting Tory Governors and Placemen—Rhode Island harassed by
Wallace and his Cruisers, and infested by Tories—Lee sent to its
Relief—His Vigorous Measures—The Army disbanding—Washington’s
Perplexities—Sympathy of General Greene—His Loyalty in time of
Trouble—The Crisis—Cheering News from Canada—Gloomy Opening of
the New Year—News from Colonel Knox 124

CHAPTER XIV.
Military Preparations in Boston—A Secret Expedition—Its
Object—Lee’s Plan for the Security of New York—Opinion of Adams
on the Subject—Instructions to Lee—Transactions of Lee in
Connecticut—Lee’s Policy in regard to the Tories—Uneasiness in
New York—Letter of the Committee of Safety to Lee—His Reply—His
Opinion of the People of Connecticut—Of the Hysterical Letter
from the New York Congress 138

CHAPTER XV.
Montgomery before Quebec—His Plan of Operations—A Summons to
Surrender—A Flag Insulted—The Town Besieged—Plan of an
Escalade—Attack of the Lower Town—Montgomery in the Advance—His
Death—Retreat of Colonel Campbell—Attack by Arnold—Defence of
the Lower Town—Arnold wounded—Retreat of the Americans—Gallant
Resolve of Arnold 141

CHAPTER XVI.
Correspondence of Washington and Schuyler on the disasters in
Canada—Reinforcements required from New England—Dangers in the
Interior of New York—Johnson Hall Beleaguered—Sir John
Capitulates—Generous Conduct of Schuyler—Governor Tryon and the
Tories—Tory Machinations—Lee at New York—Sir Henry Clinton in
the Harbor—Menaces of Lee—The City and River fortified—Lee’s
Treatment of the Tories—His Plans of Fortification—Ordered to
the Command in Canada—His Speculations on Titles of Dignity 153

CHAPTER XVII.
Monotonous State of Affairs before Boston—Washington anxious for
Action—Exploit of Putnam—Its Dramatic Consequences—The Farce of
the Blockade of Boston—An Alarming Interruption—Distresses of
the Besieged—Washington’s Irksome Predicament—His Bold
Proposition—Demur of the Council of War—Arrival of Knox with
Artillery—Dorchester Heights to be seized and
fortified—Preparations for the Attempt 164

CHAPTER XVIII.
The affair of Dorchester Heights—American and English Letters
respecting it—A Laborious Night—Revelations at Daybreak—Howe in
a Perplexity—A Night Attack meditated—Stormy Weather—The Town to
be evacuated—Negotiations and Arrangements—Preparations to
Embark—Excesses of the Troops—Boston Evacuated—Speech of the
Duke of Manchester on the subject—A Medal voted by Congress 171

CHAPTER XIX.
Destination of the Fleet—Commission of the two Howes—Character of
Lord Howe—The Colonies divided into Departments—Lee assigned to
the Southern Department—General Thomas to Canada—Character of
Lee, by Washington—Letters of Lee from the South—A Dog in a
Dancing School—Committee of Safety in Virginia—Lee’s
Grenadiers—Putnam in Command at New York—State of Affairs
there—Arrival of Washington—New Arrangements—Perplexities with
respect to Canada—England subsidizes Hessian Troops 186

CHAPTER XX.
Arnold blockades Quebec—His Difficulties—Arrival of General
Wooster—Of General Thomas—Abortive Attempt on
Quebec—Preparations for Retreat—Sortie of Carleton—Retreat of
the Americans—Halt at Point Deschambeault—Alarm in the Colonies
at the Retreat of the Army—Popular Clamor against
Schuyler—Slanders refuted 198

CHAPTER XXI.
Gates sent to Philadelphia with the Canada Despatches—Promoted to
the rank of Major-General—Washington Summoned to
Philadelphia—Putnam left in Command—Conference with
Congress—Army Arrangements—A Board of War instituted—The
Clintons of New York—Mrs. Washington Inoculated—Reed made
Adjutant-General 206

CHAPTER XXII.
Affairs in Canada—Disaster at the Cedars—Hostile Designs of the
Johnsons—A Bloody Summer expected—Forts in the Highlands—Colonel
James Clinton in Command—Fortifications at King’s Bridge and on
Long Island 212

CHAPTER XXIII.
Retreat of General Thomas—His Death—General Sullivan in
Command—Scene on the Sorel—Sanguine Expectations of
Sullivan—Washington’s Opinion of Sullivan’s Character—Gates
appointed to the Command in Canada—Reinforcements of the
Enemy—Reverses—Thompson Captured—Retreat of Sullivan—Close of
the Invasion of Canada 220

CHAPTER XXIV.
Designs of the Enemy against New York and the Hudson—Plot of Tryon
and the Tories—Arrival of a Fleet—Alarm Posts—Treachery up the
Hudson—Fresh Arrivals—General Howe at Staten Island—Washington’s
Preparations 228

CHAPTER XXV.
First Appearance of Alexander Hamilton—His Early Days—General Hugh
Mercer in command of the Flying Camp—Declaration of
Independence—Announced to the Army—Downfall of the King’s Statue 237

CHAPTER XXVI.
Arrival of more Ships—Movements of the Phœnix and the Rose—Panic
in the City—Hostile Ships up the Hudson—Stir of War along the
River—General George Clinton, and the Militia of Ulster
County—Fresh Agitation of New York—Arrival of Lord Howe 244

CHAPTER XXVII.
Precautions against Tories—Secret Committees—Declaration of Lord
Howe—His Letter to the Colonial Governors—His Letter to
Washington rejected—Interview between the British
Adjutant-General and Colonel Reed—Reception of the
Adjutant-General by Washington—The Phœnix and Rose in the Tappan
Sea, and Haverstraw Bay—Arming of the River Yeomanry—George
Clinton at the Gates of the Highlands 250

CHAPTER XXVIII.
Question of Command between Gates and Schuyler—Condition of the
Army at Crown Point—Discontent and Departure of
Sullivan—Fortifications at Ticonderoga—The Question of Command
adjusted—Secret Discontents—Sectional Jealousies in the
Army—Southern Troops—Smallwood’s Macaroni Battalion—Connecticut
Light-Horse 260

CHAPTER XXIX.
Southern Cruise of Sir Henry Clinton—Fortifications at
Charleston—Arrival there of General Lee—Battle at Sullivan’s
Island—Washington Announces the result to the Army 272

CHAPTER XXX.
Putnam’s Military Projects—Chevaux-de-frise at Fort
Washington—Meditated Attack on Staten Island—Arrival of
Ships—Hessian Reinforcements—Scotch Highlanders—Sir Henry
Clinton and Lord Cornwallis—Putnam’s Obstructions of the
Hudson—The Phœnix and Rose Attacked by Row Galleys at
Tarrytown—General Order of Washington on the subject of
Sectional Jealousies—Profane Swearing prohibited in the
Camp—Preparations against Attack—Levies of Yeomanry—George
Clinton in Command of the Levies along the Hudson—Alarms of the
People of New York—Benevolent Sympathy of Washington—The Phœnix
Grappled by a Fire-Ship—The Ships Evacuate the Hudson 279

CHAPTER XXXI.
The Battle of Long Island 291

CHAPTER XXXII.
The Retreat from Long Island 310

CHAPTER XXXIII.
Long Island in Possession of the Enemy—Distressed Situation of the
American Army at New York—Question of Abandoning the
City—Letters from either Camp—Enemy’s Ships in the Sound—Removal
of Women and Children from the City—Yearning for Home among the
Militia—Tolerant Ideas of Washington and Greene—Fort
Constitution—Conference of Lord Howe with a Committee from
Congress 318

CHAPTER XXXIV.
Movements of the Enemy—Councils of War—Question of the Abandonment
of the City—Distribution of the Army—Ships in the East River—The
Enemy at Hell Gate—Skirmish at Turtle Bay—Panic of the
Connecticut Militia—Rage and Personal Peril of
Washington—Putnam’s Perilous Retreat from the City—British
Regale at Murray Hill 328

CHAPTER XXXV.
Fortified Camp at King’s Bridge—American and British Lines—The
Morris House—Alexander Hamilton—The Enemy Advance—Successful
Skirmish—Death of Knowlton—Great Fire in New York—Reorganization
of the Army—Exchange of Prisoners—Daniel Morgan Regained—De
Lancey’s Tory Brigade—Robert Rogers, the Partisan—His
Rangers—The Roebuck, Phœnix, and Tartar in the Hudson—Military
Movements by Land and Water—Letter of John Jay 337

CHAPTER XXXVI.
Lee expected in Camp—His Letter of Advice to the President of
Congress—The Enemy at Throg’s Neck—Washington’s
Arrangements—Rides to Throg’s Neck—The Enemy brought to a
Stand—Military Movements—Arrival of Lee—A Command assigned to
Him—Criticises the Conduct of Congress and the Army—Council of
War—The Army to move to the Mainland—Fort Washington to be kept
up 354

CHAPTER XXXVII.
Army Arrangements—Washington at White Plains—The Enemy at Throg’s
Point—Skirmish of Colonel Glover—Attempt to Surprise Rogers, the
Renegade—Troopers in a rough country—Alarms at White
Plains—Cannonading of Ships at Fort Washington—March of
Lee—Fortified Camp at White Plains—Reconnoitring—The Affair at
Chatterton Hill—Relative Situation of the Armies—Change of
Position—Contrast of the Appearance of the Troops—George
Clinton’s Idea of Strategy—Movement of the British
Army—Incendiaries at White Plains 362

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Conjectures as to the Intentions of the Enemy—Consequent
Precautions—Correspondence with Greene respecting Fort
Washington—Distribution of the Army—Lee left in Command at
Northcastle—Instructions to Him—Washington at Peekskill—Visits
to the Posts in the Highlands 376

CHAPTER XXXIX.
Affairs on Lake Champlain—Gates at Ticonderoga—Arnold’s
Flotilla—Military Preparations of Sir Guy Carleton at St.
John’s—Nautical Encounters—Gallant Conduct of Arnold and
Waterbury—Carleton in Possession of Crown Point—His return to
Canada and Winter Quarters 384

CHAPTER XL.
Washington Crosses the Hudson—Arrives at Fort Lee—Affairs at Fort
Washington—Question about its Abandonment—Movements of Howe—Tho
Fort summoned to Surrender—Refusal of Colonel McGaw—The Fort
Attacked—Capture of the Fort and Garrison—Comments of Washington
on the State of Affairs 392

CHAPTER XLI.
The Enemy Cross the Hudson—Retreat of the Garrison from Fort
Lee—The Crossing of the Hackensack—Lee Ordered to Move to the
West side of the River—Reed’s Letter to Him—Second Move of the
Army Beyond the Passaic—Assistance sought from various
quarters—Correspondence and Schemes of Lee—Heath stanch to his
Instructions—Anxiety of George Clinton for the Safety of the
Hudson—Critical Situation of the Army—Preparing Correspondence
between Lee and Reed—Washington Retreats across the
Raritan—Arrives at Trenton—Removes his Baggage across the
Delaware—Dismay and Despondency of the Country—Proclamation of
Lord Howe—Exultation of the Enemy—Washington’s Resolve in case
of Extremity 403

CHAPTER XLII.
Lee at Peekskill—Stanch Adherence of Heath to Orders—Lee Crosses
the Hudson—Washington at Trenton—Lee at the heels of the
Enemy—His Speculations on Military Greatness—Forced March of
Cornwallis—Washington Crosses the Delaware—Putnam in Command at
Philadelphia—Baffling Letters of Lee—Hopes to Reconquer the
Jerseys—Gates on the March—Lee Quartered at
Baskingridge—Surprised and Captured—Speculations on his Conduct 422

CHAPTER XLIII.
Washington Clothed with Additional Powers—Recruitment of the
Army—Increased Pay—Colonel John Cadwalader—Arrival of
Sullivan—Gates—Wilkinson—A Coup de Main Meditated—Posture of
Affairs at Trenton—Gates Declines to take a Part—His Comments on
Washington’s Plans—Preparations for the Coup de Main—Crossing of
the Delaware—Attack on the Enemy’s Forces at Trenton—Death of
Rail—His Character 438

CHAPTER XLIV.
Treatment of the Hessian Prisoners—Their Interviews with
Washington—Their Reception by the People 459

CHAPTER XLV.
Episode—Colonel Griffin in the Jerseys—Donop Decoyed—Inroad of
Cadwalader and Reed—Retreat and Confusion of the Enemy’s
Outposts—Washington Recrosses the Delaware with his Troops—The
Game Reversed—The Hessians Hunted back through the
Country—Washington made Military Dictator 463

CHAPTER XLVI.
Howe learns of the Affair at Trenton—Cornwallis sent back to the
Jerseys—Reconnoitering Expedition of Reed—His
Exploits—Washington in Peril at Trenton—Reinforced by Troops
under Cadwalader and Mifflin—Position of his Men—Cornwallis at
Trenton—Repulsed at the Assunpink—The American Camp
Menaced—Night March of Washington—Affair at Princeton—Death of
Mercer—Rout of British Troops—Pursued by Washington—Cornwallis
at Princeton—Baffled and Perplexed—Washington at Morristown—His
System of Annoyance—The Tables Turned upon the Enemy 470

LIFE OF WASHINGTON.