Chapter I: Front Matter

LIFE

OF

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Col. John Trumbull.

(Engraved by the Anastatic process)
]

From Houdon’s Bust.
]

LIFE
OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

BY

WASHINGTON IRVING.

VOL. III.

NEW YORK: GEO. P. PUTNAM.
1860.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856
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.

NOTE TO THE THIRD VOLUME.

When the Author commenced the publication of this work, he informed his Publishers that he should probably complete it in three volumes. What he gave as a probability, they understood as a certainty, and worded their advertisements accordingly. His theme has unexpectedly expanded under his pen, and he now lays his third volume before the public, with his task yet unaccomplished. He hopes this may not cause unpleasant disappointment. To present a familiar and truthful picture of the Revolution and the personages concerned in it, required much detail and copious citations, that the scenes might be placed in a proper light, and the characters introduced might speak for themselves, and have space in which to play their parts.

The kindness with which the first two volumes have been received, has encouraged the author to pursue the plan he had adopted, and inspires the hope that the public good-will which has cheered him through so long a period of devious authorship, will continue with him to the approaching close of his career.

SUNNYSIDE, June, 1856.

CONTENTS OF VOL. III.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Burke on the State of Affairs in America—New Jersey Roused to
Arms—Washington grants Safe Conduct to Hessian
Convoys—Encampment at Morristown—Putnam at Princeton—His
Stratagem to Conceal the Weakness of his Camp—Exploit of General
Dickinson near Somerset Court House—Washington’s Counter
Proclamation—Prevalence of the Small-pox—Inoculation of the
Army—Contrast of the British and American Commanders and their
Camps, 1

CHAPTER II.
Negotiations for Exchange of Prisoners—Case of Colonel Ethan
Allen—Of General Lee—Correspondence of Washington with Sir
William Howe about Exchanges of Prisoners—Referees
Appointed—Letters of Lee from New York—Case of Colonel
Campbell—Washington’s Advice to Congress on the Subject of
Retaliation—His Correspondence with Lord Howe about the
Treatment of Prisoners—The Horrors of the Jersey Prison-Ship and
the Sugar House, 11

CHAPTER III.
Exertions to Form a New Army—Calls on the Different
States—Insufficiency of the Militia—Washington’s Care for the
Yeomanry—Dangers in the Northern Department—Winter Attack on
Ticonderoga Apprehended—Exertions to Reinforce
Schuyler—Precarious State of Washington’s Army—Conjectures as to
the Designs of the Enemy—Expedition of the British against
Peekskill, 24

CHAPTER IV.
Schuyler’s Affairs in the Northern Department—Misunderstandings
with Congress—Gives offence by a Reproachful Letter—Office of
Adjutant-General offered to Gates—Declined by him—Schuyler
Reprimanded by Congress for his Reproachful Letter—Gates
Appointed to the Command at Ticonderoga—Schuyler considers
himself Virtually Suspended—Takes his Seat as a Delegate to
Congress, and Claims a Court of Inquiry—Has Command at
Philadelphia, 31

CHAPTER V.
Foreign Officers Candidates for Situations in the
Army—Difficulties in Adjusting Questions of
Rank—Ducoudray—Conway—Kosciuszko—Washington’s Guards—Arnold
Omitted in the Army Promotions—Washington takes his part—British
Expedition against Danbury—Destruction of American
Stores—Connecticut Yeomanry in Arms—Skirmish at Ridgefield—Death
of General Wooster—Gallant Services of Arnold—Rewarded by
Congress—Exploit of Colonel Meigs at Sag Harbor, 40

CHAPTER VI.
Schuyler on the Point of Resigning—Committee of Inquiry Report in
his Favor—His Memorial to Congress proves
Satisfactory—Discussions Regarding the Northern Department—Gates
Mistaken as to his Position—He Prompts his Friends in
Congress—His Petulant Letter to Washington—Dignified Reply of
the Latter—Position of Gates Defined—Schuyler Reinstated in
Command of the Department—Gates Appears on the Floor of
Congress—His Proceedings there, 54

CHAPTER VII.
The Highland Passes of the Hudson—George Clinton in Command of the
Forts—His Measures for Defence—Generals Greene and Knox examine
the State of the Forts—Their Report—The General Command of the
Hudson offered to Arnold—Declined by Him—Given to
Putnam—Appointment of Dr. Craik in the Medical
Department—Expedition Planned against Fort Independence—But
Relinquished—Washington Shifts his Camp to Middlebrook—State of
his Army—General Howe Crosses into the Jerseys—Position of the
two Armies at Middlebrook and behind the Raritan—Correspondence
between Washington and Colonel Reed, 64

CHAPTER VIII.
Feigned Movements of Sir William Howe—Baffling Caution of
Washington—Rumored Inroads from the North—Schuyler applies for
Reinforcements—Renewed schemes of Howe to draw Washington from
his Stronghold—Skirmish between Cornwallis and Lord Stirling—The
Enemy Evacuate the Jerseys—Perplexity as to their next
Movement—A Hostile Fleet on Lake Champlain—Burgoyne approaching
Ticonderoga—Speculations of Washington—His Purpose of keeping
Sir William Howe from ascending the Hudson—Orders George Clinton
to call out Militia from Ulster and Orange Counties—Sends
Sullivan towards the Highlands—Moves his own Camp back to
Morristown—Stir among the Shipping—Their Destination surmised to
be Philadelphia—A Dinner at Head-Quarters—Alexander
Hamilton—Graydon’s Rueful Description of the Army—His Character
of Wayne, 76

CHAPTER IX.
British Invasion from Canada—The Plan—Composition of the Invading
Army—Schuyler on the Alert—His Speculations as to the Enemy’s
Designs—Burgoyne on Lake Champlain—His War-Speech to his Indian
Allies—Signs of his Approach descried from
Ticonderoga—Correspondence on the Subject between St. Clair,
Major Livingston, and Schuyler—Burgoyne Intrenches near
Ticonderoga—His Proclamation—Schuyler’s Exertions at Albany to
forward Reinforcements—Hears that Ticonderoga is
Evacuated—Mysterious Disappearance of St. Clair and his
Troops—Amazement and Concern of Washington—Orders Reinforcements
to Schuyler at Fort Edward, and to Putnam at Peekskill—Advances
with his Main Army to the Clove—His Hopeful Spirit manifested, 86

CHAPTER X.
Particulars of the Evacuation—Indian Scouts in the vicinity of the
Fort—Outposts abandoned by St. Clair—Burgoyne secures Mount
Hope—Invests the Fortress—Seizes and Occupies Sugar Hill—The
Forts overlooked and in Imminent Peril—Determination to
Evacuate—Plan of Retreat—Part of the Garrison depart for
Skenesborough in the Flotilla—St. Clair crosses with the rest to
Fort Independence—A Conflagration Reveals his Retreat—The
British Camp aroused—Fraser Pursues St. Clair—Burgoyne with his
Squadron makes after the Flotilla—Part of the Fugitives
overtaken—Flight of the Remainder to Fort Anne—Skirmish of
Colonel Long—Retreat to Fort Edward—St. Clair at
Castleton—Attack of his Rear-Guard—Fall of Colonel
Francis—Desertion of Colonel Hale—St. Clair reaches Fort
Edward—Consternation of the Country—Exultation of the British, 100

CHAPTER XI.
Capture of General Prescott—Proffered in Exchange for
Lee—Reinforcements to Schuyler—Arnold sent to the North—Eastern
Militia to repair to Saratoga—Further Reinforcements—Generals
Lincoln and Arnold recommended for Particular
Services—Washington’s Measures and Suggestions for the Northern
Campaign—British Fleet puts to Sea—Conjectures as to its
Destination—A Feigned Letter—Appearance and Disappearance of the
Fleet—Orders and Counter Orders of Washington—Encamps at
Germantown—Anxiety for the Security of the Highlands—George
Clinton on Guard—Call on Connecticut, 112

CHAPTER XII.
Gates on the Alert for a Command—Schuyler Undermined in
Congress—Put on his Guard—Courts a Scrutiny, but not before an
expected Engagement—Summoned with St. Clair to
Head-Quarters—Gates appointed to the Northern
Department—Washington’s Speculations on the Successes of
Burgoyne—Ill-judged Meddlings of Congress with the
Commissariat—Colonel Trumbull Resigns in consequence, 123

CHAPTER XIII.
Washington’s Perplexities about the British Fleet—Putnam and
Governor Clinton put on the Alert in the Highlands—Morgan and
his Riflemen sent to the North—Washington at Philadelphia—His
first Interview with Lafayette—Intelligence about the
Fleet—Explanations of its Movements—Review of the Army—Lafayette
Mistakes the nature of his Commission—His Alliance with
Washington—March of the Army through Philadelphia—Encampment at
Wilmington, 130

CHAPTER XIV.
Burgoyne at Skenesborough—Prepares to Move towards the
Hudson—Major Skene the Royalist—Slow March to Fort Anne—Schuyler
at Fort Miller—Painted Warriors—Langdale—St. Luc—Honor of the
Tomahawk—Tragical Story of Miss McCrea—Its Results—Burgoyne
Advances to Fort Edward—Schuyler at Stillwater—Joined by
Lincoln—Burgoyne deserted by his Indian Allies, 140

CHAPTER XV.
Difficulties of Burgoyne—Plans an Expedition to Bennington—St.
Leger before Fort Stanwix—General Herkimer at Oriskany—High
Words with his Officers—A Dogged March—An Ambuscade—Battle of
Oriskany—Johnson’s Greens—Death of Herkimer—Spirited Sortie of
Colonel Willett—Sir John Johnson driven to the River—Flight of
the Indians—Sacking of Sir John’s Camp—Colonel Gansevoort
maintains his Post—Colonel Willett sent in quest of Aid—Arrives
at Schuyler’s Camp, 148

CHAPTER XVI.
Schuyler hears of the Affair of Oriskany—Applies for
Reinforcements—His Appeal to the Patriotism of Stark—Schuyler
Superseded—His Conduct thereupon—Relief sent to Fort
Stanwix—Arnold Volunteers to conduct it—Change of
Encampment—Patriotic Determination of Schuyler—Detachment of the
Enemy against Bennington—Germans and their Indian Allies—Baum,
the Hessian Leader—Stark in the Field—Mustering of the Militia—A
Belligerent Parson—Battle of Bennington—Breyman to the
Rescue—Routed—Reception of the News in the Rival
Camps—Washington urges New England to follow up the Blow, 158

CHAPTER XVII.
Stratagem of Arnold to relieve Fort Stanwix—Yan Yost Cuyler—The
Siege Pressed—Indians Intractable—Success of Arnold’s
Stratagem—Harassed Retreat of St. Leger—Moral Effect of the two
Blows given to the Enemy—Brightening Prospects in the American
Camp—Arrival of Gates—Magnanimous Conduct of Schuyler—Poorly
requited by Gates—Correspondence between Gates and Burgoyne
concerning the Murder of Miss McCrea, 171

CHAPTER XVIII.
Landing of Howe’s Army on Elk River—Measures to Check it—Exposed
Situation of Washington in Reconnoitring—Alarm of the
Country—Proclamation of Howe—Arrival of Sullivan—Foreign
Officers in Camp—Deborre—Conway—Fleury—Count Pulaski—First
Appearance in the Army of “Light-Horse Harry” of
Virginia—Washington’s Appeal to the Army—Movements of the Rival
Forces—Battle of the Brandywine—Retreat of the Americans—Halt in
Chester—Scenes in Philadelphia during the Battle—Congress Orders
out Militia—Clothes Washington with Extraordinary Powers—Removes
to Lancaster—Rewards to Foreign Officers, 179

CHAPTER XIX.
General Howe neglects to pursue his Advantage—Washington Retreats
to Germantown—Recrosses the Schuylkill and prepares for another
Action—Prevented by Storms of Rain—Retreats to French
Creek—Wayne detached to Fall on the Enemy’s Rear—His Pickets
Surprised—Massacre of Smallwood’s Men—Manœuvres of Howe on the
Schuylkill—Washington sends for Reinforcements—Howe marches into
Philadelphia, 197

CHAPTER XX.
Dubious Position of Burgoyne—Collects his Forces—Ladies of
Distinction in his Camp—Lady Harriet Ackland—The Baroness de
Riedesel—American Army reinforced—Silent Movements of
Burgoyne—Watched from the Summit of the Hills—His March along
the Hudson—Position of the two Camps—Battle on the 19th
Sept.—Burgoyne Encamps nearer—Fortifies his Camp—Promised
Co-operation by Sir Henry Clinton—Determines to await it—Quarrel
between Gates and Arnold—Arnold deprived of Command—Burgoyne
waits for Co-operation, 205

CHAPTER XXI.
Preparations of Sir Henry Clinton—State of the Highland
Defences—Putnam Alarmed—Advance of the Armament up the
Hudson—Plan of Sir Henry Clinton—Peekskill Threatened—Putnam
Deceived—Secret March of the Enemy through the Mountains—Forts
Montgomery and Clinton Overpowered—Narrow Escape of the
Commanders—Conflagration and Explosion of the American
Frigates—Rallying Efforts of Putnam and Governor Clinton—The Spy
and the Silver Bullet—Esopus Burnt—Ravaging Progress of the
Enemy up the Hudson, 221

CHAPTER XXII.
Scarcity in the British Camp—Gates bides his Time—Foraging
Movement of Burgoyne—Battle of the 7th October—Rout of the
British and Hessians—Situation of the Baroness Riedesel and Lady
Harriet Ackland during the Battle—Death of Gen. Fraser—His
Funeral—Night Retreat of the British—Expedition of Lady Harriet
Ackland—Desperate Situation of Burgoyne at
Saratoga—Capitulation—Surrender—Conduct of the American
Troops—Scenes in the Camp—Gallant Courtesy of Schuyler to the
Baroness Riedesel—His Magnanimous Conduct towards
Burgoyne—Return of the British Ships down the Hudson, 234

CHAPTER XXIII.
Washington Advances to Skippack Creek—The British Fleet in the
Delaware—Forts and Obstructions in the River—Washington
Meditates an Attack on the British Camp—Battle of Germantown, 258

CHAPTER XXIV.
Washington at White Marsh—Measures to cut off the Enemy’s
Supplies—The Forts on the Delaware Reinforced—Colonel Greene of
Rhode Island at Fort Mercer—Attack and Defence of that
Fort—Death of Count Donop, 269

CHAPTER XXV.
De Kalb Commissioned Major-General—Pretensions of Conway—Thwarted
by Washington—Conway Cabal—Gates remiss in
Correspondence—Dilatory in Forwarding Troops—Mission of Hamilton
to Gates—Wilkinson Bearer of Despatches to Congress—A Tardy
Traveller—His Reward—Conway Correspondence Detected—Washington’s
Apology for his Army, 271

CHAPTER XXVI.
Further Hostilities on the Delaware—Fort Mifflin Attacked—Bravely
Defended—Reduced—Mission of Hamilton to Gates—Visits the Camps
of Governor Clinton and Putnam on the Hudson—Putnam on his
Hobby-Horse—Difficulties in procuring Reinforcements—Intrigues
of the Cabal—Letters of Lovell and Mifflin to Gates—The Works at
Red Rank Destroyed—The Enemy in Possession of the Delaware, 284

CHAPTER XXVII.
Question of an Attack on Philadelphia—General Reed at
Head-Quarters—Enemy’s Works Reconnoitred—Opinions in a Council
of War—Exploit of Lafayette—Receives Command of a
Division—Modification of the Board of War—Gates to
Preside—Letter of Lovell—Sally Forth of General Howe—Evolutions
and Skirmishes—Conway Inspector-general—Consultation about
Winter-Quarters—Dreary March to Valley
Forge—Hutting—Washington’s Vindicatory Letters—Retrospect of the
Year, 296

CHAPTER XXVIII.
Gates on the Ascendant—The Conway Letter—Suspicions—Consequent
Correspondence between Gates and Washington—Warning Letter from
Dr. Craik—Anonymous Letters—Projected Expedition to
Canada—Lafayette, Gates, and the Board of War, 315

CHAPTER XXIX.
Gates undertakes to explain the Conway Correspondence—Washington’s
Searching Analysis of the Explanation—Close of the
Correspondence—Spurious Letters Published—Lafayette and the
Canada Expedition—His Perplexities—Counsels of Washington, 326

CHAPTER XXX.
More Trouble about the Conway Letter—Correspondence between Lord
Stirling and Wilkinson—Wilkinson’s Honor Wounded—His Passage at
Arms with General Gates—His Seat at the Board of War
uncomfortable—Determines that Lord Stirling shall Bleed—His
Wounded Honor Healed—His Interviews with Washington—Sees the
Correspondence of Gates—Denounces Gates and gives up the
Secretaryship—Is thrown out of Employ—Closing Remarks on the
Conway Cabal, 337

CHAPTER XXXI.
Committee of Arrangement—Reforms in the Army—Scarcity in the
Camp—The Enemy revel in Philadelphia—Attempt to Surprise
Light-Horse Harry—His Gallant Defence—Praised by
Washington—Promoted—Letter from General Lee—Burgoyne returns to
England—Mrs. Washington at Valley Forge—Bryan Fairfax visits the
Camp—Arrival of the Baron Steuben—His Character—Disciplines the
Army—Greene made Quartermaster-general, 347

CHAPTER XXXII.
Fortifications of the Hudson—Project to Surprise Sir Henry
Clinton—General Howe Forages the Jerseys—Ships and Stores Burnt
at Bordentown—Plans for the Next Campaign—Gates and Mifflin
under Washington’s Command—Downfall of Conway—Lord North’s
Conciliatory Bills—Sent to Washington by Governor Tryon—Resolves
of Congress—Letter of Washington to Tryon—Rejoicing at Valley
Forge—The Mischianza, 362

CHAPTER XXXIII.
Lafayette Detached to keep Watch on Philadelphia—His Position at
Barren Hill—Plan of Sir Henry to Entrap him—Washington Alarmed
for his Safety—Stratagem of the Marquis—Exchange of General Lee
and Colonel Ethan Allen—Allen at Valley Forge—Washington’s
Opinion of him—Preparations in Philadelphia to
Evacuate—Washington’s Measures in consequence—Arrival of
Commissioners from England—Their Disappointment—Their
Proceedings—Their Failure—Their Manifesto, 375

CHAPTER XXXIV.
Preparations to Evacuate Philadelphia—Washington calls a Council
of War—Lee Opposed to any Attack—Philadelphia
Evacuated—Movements in pursuit of Sir Henry Clinton—Another
Council of War—Conflict of Opinions—Contradictory Conduct of Lee
respecting the Command—The Battle of Monmouth Court
House—Subsequent March of the Armies, 385

CHAPTER XXXV.
Correspondence between Lee and Washington relative to the Affair
of Monmouth—Lee asks a Trial by Court-Martial—The Verdict—Lee’s
Subsequent History, 404

CHAPTER XXXVI.
Arrival of a French Fleet—Correspondence of Washington and the
Count D’Estaing—Plans of the Count—Perturbation at New
York—Excitement in the French Fleet—Expedition against Rhode
Island—Operations by Sea and Land—Failure of the
Expedition—Irritation between the Allied Forces—Considerate
Letter of Washington to the Count D’Estaing, 415

CHAPTER XXXVII.
Indian Warfare—Desolation of the Valley of Wyoming—Movements in
New York—Counter Movements of Washington—Foraging Parties of the
Enemy—Baylor’s Dragoons Massacred at Old Tappan—British
Expedition against Little Egg Harbor—Massacre of Pulaski’s
Infantry—Retaliation on Donop’s Rangers—Arrival of Admiral
Byron—Endeavors to Entrap D’Estaing, but is
Disappointed—Expedition against St. Lucia—Expedition against
Georgia—Capture of Savannah—Georgia Subdued—General Lincoln sent
to Command in the South, 432

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Winter Cantonments of the American Army—Washington at
Middlebrook—Plan of Alarm Signals for the Jerseys—Lafayette’s
Project for an Invasion of Canada—Favored by Congress—Condemned
by Washington—Relinquished—Washington in Philadelphia—The War
Spirit Declining—Dissensions in Congress—Sectional
Feelings—Patriotic Appeals of Washington—Plans for the Next
Campaign—Indian Atrocities to be Repressed—Avenging Expedition
set on foot—Discontents of the Jersey Troops—Appeased by the
Interference of Washington—Successful Campaign against the
Indians, 445

CHAPTER XXXIX.
Predatory Warfare of the Enemy—Ravages in the
Chesapeake—Hostilities on the Hudson—Verplanck’s Point and Stony
Point Taken—Capture of New Haven—Fairfield and Norwalk
Destroyed—Washington Plans a Counter Stroke—Storming of Stony
Point—Generous Letter of Lee, 458

CHAPTER XL.
Expedition against Penobscot—Night Surprisal of Paulus
Hook—Washington Fortifies West Point—His Style of Living
there—Table at Head-Quarters—Sir Henry Clinton
Reinforced—Arrival of D’Estaing on the Coast of Georgia—Plans in
Consequence—The French Minister at Washington’s Highland
Camp—Letter to Lafayette—D’Estaing Co-operates with
Lincoln—Repulsed at Savannah—Washington Reinforces Lincoln—Goes
into Winter-Quarters—Sir Henry Clinton sends an Expedition to
the South, 471

LIFE OF WASHINGTON.