failure of all the Military combinations of the British Generals was the inevitable result.

We will endeavour to summarise the main incidents of the war in the interests of historical truth.

By the spring of 1775, the Colonists, who called themselves Provincials, had organised their disloyalty to the Crown and established a Congress. In the province of Massachusetts Bay, the authority of the British Parliament to impose stamp and tea imposts had first been called in question, and here it was destined the first hostilities should commence between the mother country and her Colonies.

General Gage, who commanded the Royal Forces in the northern provinces, hearing that a considerable quantity of Military stores, purchased by agents for the Provincial Congress, were deposited at the little town of Concord, twenty miles from Boston, sent Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, of the 10th Foot, with a body of Grenadiers and Light Infantry to destroy them. This was on the 18th of April. On the following day he despatched Lieutenant-Colonel Percy with additional troops to aid Lieutenant-Colonel Smith. The 10th Foot accomplished their purpose, after an exchange of shots with a handful of armed men, and retreated by way of Lexington. Here they found the Provincials drawn up in greater force. An action ensued. The British troops continued their march back to Boston, annoyed the whole way by musketry discharged from houses and behind walls, hedges, &c. Much blood was spilt-the first blood in this lamentable encounter between brethren of the same race, speaking the same language, and, until then, acknowledging the same supreme political authority.

It was now evident to General Gage that the revolt had assumed formidable proportions, and needed to be put down with a strong hand. He accordingly determined to fortify a lofty hill, overlooking Boston, in the vicinity of Charlestown, on the River Charles. But the Provincials were equally alive to the importance of this measure, and with characteristic alacrity anticipated the General. On the night of the 16th of June, they had contrived to entrench themselves on the hill, and to bid defiance to the British. Major-General Howe and Brigadier-General Pigot were ordered to dislodge them. Two thousand men, with field pieces and howitzers, formed the assailants. Provincials, with a coolness and soldiership worthy of veterans, reserved their fire until the British approached near enough to feel its effects, and then received them with a close and unremitting mitraille. The British line recoiled before the deadly discharge. General Clinton arrived with reinforcements, and rallied the retiring troops. Stung with the reflection that they had

The

been forced to give way by an enemy whom they despised, the British soldiers returned to the attack with irresistible impetuosity, forced the entrenchments at the point of the bayonet, and compelled the Provincials to retire. The loss sustained by the assailants was, however, very severe. Nearly one-half the detachment was either destroyed or placed hors de combat. On this occasion, the 43rd and 50th Regiments acted together for the first time. Nineteen Officers, among whom were Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie, Majors Pitcairn and Williams, fell in the assault on the entrenchments. "Bunker's Hill,” as the action has since been called, was a dearly-bought victory. The Americans to this hour claim it as theirs, but as the British were masters of the field after the Provincials retreated, it was unquestionably a Royal triumph. The troops, young as they were, proved the excellence of their mettle. They had made forced marches to reach the ground, were encumbered with three days' provisions, heavy knapsacks, pouches, belts, and a firelock (weighing altogether about 125 pounds on each man's back), and under a burning sun, and in the face of a galling fire, pushed up a steep hill, and drove back their foes. The Artillery, which accompanied the Infantry, was of little or no use, for the shot sent from Boston was of too large a diameter to fit the calibre of the guns.

Immediately previous to the affair at Bunker's Hill, an exploit at Ticonderoga nearly placed Canada at the mercy of the Provincials. One Ethan Allen, a daring Colonist of the old Puritan stock, by a stratagem induced Captain De la Place, who was in charge of the fortress on Lake George, to lend him twenty men of the small garrison for his own private purposes. As it had been customary to accommodate the loyal subjects of the King in this manner, the confiding De la Place yielded to Allen's application. At night (on the 3rd of May), Allen obtained entrance to the fort with fifty men, and coolly demanded its surrender "in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." De la Place had no means of resistance, and Ticonderoga, with an immense number of guns, and a large magazine of stores, passed from the hands of the British.

This "smart" operation was followed by an attack upon Quebec, then garrisoned by a part of the 7th Fusiliers and others, commanded by Sir Guy Carleton. It would have fallen to the Provincials but for the providential arrival of the 9th, 20th, 21st, 34th, and 53rd Regiments, who compelled them to raise the siege.

On the 4th of July, 1776, the Colonists proclaimed their independence, and made vigorous preparations to maintain the dangerous position they had assumed. The Home Government was not indifferent to the crisis, and, in spite of Par

liamentary opposition to the coercion of the Colonists, had despatched a large number of additional troops to America. The Force on foot did not fall short at this time of 30,000 bayonets, including the 4th, 5th, 10th, 18th, 22nd, and 23rd Regiments, which had been more or less engaged at Bunker's Hill, Concord, and Lexington; the 14th, 15th, 17th, 27th, 35th, 38th, 40th, 42nd 43rd, 44th, 45th, 49th, 52nd, 63rd, 64th, a part of the 46th and 71st Regiments, the six Regiments named in the preceding paragraph, the 16th and 17th Light Dragoons, and several Battalions of Hessians. Properly commanded, such a Force might even then have preserved the Colonies to the Crown.

Immediately after their repulse at Bunker's Hill, the Provincials blockaded Boston, and compelled the Royal troops to retire to Halifax, leaving behind them large quantities of stores and ammunition, which became of great use to the rebels, who, happily for them, soon obtained another accession of the matériel of war by the arrival in the harbour of a ship laden with supplies for the troops. Aware of the importance of using every effort to consolidate the advantages they acquired, and of being prepared for emergencies, the Provincials rapidly mastered the elements of Military science; and selecting as their Commander the once loyal and always brave and sagacious soldier George Washington, who had served under Braddock and other Officers some years previously, awaited the Royal troops with confidence.

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The British reinforcements began rapidly to arrive. Lord Howe commanded the Naval Force, and General Sir William Howe, his brother, was at the head of the troops. Immediately after their arrival, Long Island was attacked. fierce resistance was offered to the English; but the Provincials deemed it advisable to retreat in the night, and were shortly afterwards expelled from New York. This greatly disheartened them, and had Sir William Howe followed up his advantage, the issue would not have been doubtful.

Perceiving that the British General was indisposed to move, the energetic Colonists lost no time in entrenching themselves at White Plains, a few miles from New York. When at length Sir Wm. Howe did move, it was with prodigious effect. The Royal troops drove the enemy from their fortified lines, captured Forts Washington and Lee, which opened a passage to the Jersey

* Washington's father, Lawrence Washington, was an English Naval Officer, who served under Admiral Vernon, in his operations against the Spanish ports, on the shores of Central American waters. Because of his admiration of the Admiral, he called the eminence upon his estate in Virginia, Mount Vernon. On that estate George Washington lies entombed.

provinces, took 2,000 Provincial prisoners of war, and reduced Rhode Island to submission. But Sir William, satisfied with the achievement, played the old game of inaction, and allowed the Provincials quietly to retreat, even restraining Lord Cornwallis, who saw the policy of following them up with troops flushed with their recent successes. Nor was this the only error committed by the incapable General. He was further guilty of the mistake of dividing his Army into small detachments, thus denuding himself of the only solid advantage-that of superior ranks-which he possessed over his active and devoted opponents.

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After he had crossed the River Delaware in retreat, Washington and his little Army were in great peril. Lee, another Provincial General-a man of great natural powers, and of some professional training and considerable skill-determined upon forming a junction with them, although he had been deserted by a large portion of his Forces, tempted by offers of pardon from Sir William Howe and his brother the Admiral. General Lee managed to get across the North River (the Hudson) with 3,000 men and some guns, and was in Merris county, intending to cross the Delaware, when he quitted the camp (on the 13th December) in order to reconnoitre. luckily for him, Colonel Harcourt, of the 16th Light Dragoons, who had been sent with a Squadron to obtain information of the movements of Lee's Army, learnt from a countryman, who had a letter from the General, where Lee was staying; it was at a farm-house. Colonel Harcourt imme. diately rode up to the house, and, surrounding it with his detachment, surprised the sentinels, seized General Lee and a French LieutenantColonel who was with him, and carried them both off to New York. This was a great blow to the Americans, for Lee was a soldier of European experience, who had served in Portugal, and likewise in the previous war with the French and Indians in America. For this exploit, Harcourt was made Aide-de-Camp to the King, and subse、 quently obtained the Colonelcy of the Regiment,

Sir William Howe had placed the little town of Trenton in the charge of Colonel Donop, a Hessian, who had seen service, and comforted himself with the reflection that the winter would pass away without the necessity of his moving, George Washington, however, was not the man to suffer the inclemency of the season to interrupt active and vigorous operations. Making a sudden dash upon Trenton, the garrison of which place had given way to a laxity of discipline under a fatal sense of security, Washington took 1,000 prisoners and occupied the town. Lord Cornwallis promptly moved forward to dislodge the American General. An entire day was passed in mutual cannonading. In the night Washington

retired and proceeded to Prince Town. Here he was opposed by Colonel Mawhood of the 17th Foot. Colonel Mawhood had the 40th and 55th Regiments with him, and immediately gave battle to Washington. An exchange of cannon shots took place, and the 17th Foot followed up the Artillery discharges by a rush with the bayonet, which drove the Provincials back into a ravine. Unfortunately, a combined attack had not been previously concerted. The 40th and 55th Regiments did not come up in time, and the 17th, finding themselves isolated, had to cut their way back, which they did most gallantly. Captain Stedman, in his account of the campaign of 1776, observes that this was one of the most remarkable exploits during the entire war. Captain Scott, who led the Regiment on the occasion, deserved and received the heartiest applause.

By dint of a series of judicious movements, to the success of which General Howe contributed by his inertness, Washington was enabled to take up a good position to save Pennsylvania and recover the greater portion of the Jerseys. He had but 6,000 men in the field to oppose to a Force of 30,000 at Sir William's disposal; but they formed an active little Army, which no longer feared either drunken Hessians or idle Britishers.

It was not until the season had well opened in 1777 that Sir W. Howe, after a variety of unimportant manoeuvres, took the field and crossed over from New York to the Jerseys, in the hope of bringing Washington to an action. The movement was of no avail; Washington refused to be tempted. Howe then feigned to retreat. The American Commander, believing the retrogression to be real, immediately removed to Quibble Town. He had scarcely done so ere the English returned. Washington went back to Jersey and resumed his former attitude. Sir William, finding it impossible to bring him to a struggle, finally retired.

By a coup similar to that which enabled Colonel Harcourt to capture General Lee, an American Officer managed to take General Prescott prisoner. He could only be released by the surrender of Lee to the Americans.

Being now at liberty to select his own position, General Washington moved to the northern side of Brandywine River, the better to protect Philadelphia. Lord Cornwallis, who was decidedly the most active soldier under the orders of Sir William Howe, made a corresponding move. Washington sent General Sullivan to oppose Lord Cornwallis. The troops of both parties came into collision at Brandywine, and Sullivan was signally defeated. In this action the young Marquis de la Fayette took part, and gave proofs of that valour which afterwards secured for him a prominent position among the best soldiers of the age.

Though very recently married, his interest in the American cause induced him to equip a vessel at his own expense, and, accompanied by some friends, to cross the Atlantic and offer his services to Congress. His offer was accepted, and a command immediately assigned to him under the orders of Washington. France had not, as yet, openly espoused the cause of the revolted Colonies, but they had her sympathy, and Officers were freely permitted to proceed to America and show the untaught warriors the road to victory.

After the battle of Brandywine, Major-General Grey, a skilful and energetic Officer, surprised the camp of General Wayne, killing and wounding some 300 of the Provincials, with very little loss on his own side.

On the 23rd of September, Sir W. Howe, having secured the command of the Schuylkill, crossed over with the whole of his Army, and on the 26th established himself at German Town, Pennsylvania. On the following day Lord Cornwallis took peaceable possession of Philadelphia.

Early in October Washington resolved upon surprising the camp at German Town. Reinforced by 1,500 troops from Peekskill and 1,000 Virginians, he quitted his camp at Shippack Creek, and, covered by a thick fog, attacked the troops posted at the head of the village as the 4th of October dawned. The 40th Regiment which held the position was obliged to retreat, and Washington, advancing with his Army in five columns, endeavoured to enter the north end of the village with the design of separating the British Force. Lieutenant-Colonel Musgrove, of the 40th, having contrived, by great address and activity, to keep together five companies of the Regiment, threw them into a large store-house in the village that lay in front of the enemy. This checked the progress of the Americans, and gave time to the rest of the British Line to get under arms. Washington ordered a Brigade to surround the house, and make prisoners of the detachment. But Colonel Musgrove refused to surrender, and the 40th poured a deadly fire on the Americans from the windows of the house. Four pieces of cannon were brought against him. Still he courageously resisted, until Major-General Grey and BrigadierGeneral Agnew came up with two Brigades, and attacked the enemy with great spirit. The battle lasted for some time. At length the Americans gave way, and retired precipitately, but not until they had left 600 English on the field, killed or wounded. Among the former were BrigadierGeneral Agnew and Colonel Bird. The Americans had 200 or 300 killed, 600 wounded, and 400 of their number were taken prisoners. There were errors on both sides in this affair. Sir W. Howe might have prevented the American attack by bringing his troops to the front

before their arrival, for it seems he knew of Washington's intentions; and Washington would probably have succeeded in his scheme if, instead of wasting his time in the attack upon the house occupied by Colonel Musgrove, he had at once assailed the whole British line in its unprepared state.

Subsequently to the battle at German Town, Washington took post at White Marsh, fourteen miles from Philadelphia. Disturbed in the occupation of this position he retired to Valley Forge, where he rested for the winter. His Army was in a deplorable condition. Poorly provisioned, in rags, and indifferently supplied with the munitions of war, he must have succumbed to circumstances had his immediate enemy possessed a common degree of sagacity, spirit, and activity. Happily for him, Sir William Howe stirred neither hand nor foot, and the Officers of his Army were too well pleased with the allurements of the Quaker City to desire professional occupation. They drank, gambled, and gave themselves up to other dissolute courses, to the great scandal of the sober inhabitants of the town. The soldiers, taking example from the Officers, indulged in indiscriminate plunder, and became objects of general aversion.

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Upon receiving intelligence of the attempt which the Americans had made to capture Quebec, the British Administration had come to the resolution to carry on the war, on the side of Canada and the Lakes, with activity and energy. this view, a considerable Force was despatched from England, and placed under the command of Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, the Officer who had reaped distinction in Portugal.

It was a great mistake on the part of Lord George Germain-the Secretary of State for the Colonies (in whom the reader will scarcely recognise the late Lord George Sackville*)-to send Burgoyne upon a difficult service in a country of

*Lord George Sackville, of Minden fame, had succeeded to the name of Germain, and was restored to Royal favour.

which he knew nothing, to the supersession of a man of so much experience and deserving as Sir Guy Carleton. The latter Officer was familiar with the Canadas and the people, and had already shown his competency for command in duties of some magnitude. But it was the policy of the Ministry of the day to cast sops to the Cerberus of opposition. The success of Military operations was a secondary consideration, if a troublesome opponent could be sent out of the way. Now Burgoyne was a Member of Parliament, and in that capacity had severely criticised the incompetency of the Howes, protégés of Lord North, the Prime Minister in esse. Therefore he was a fit man to command a very important expedition! We shall see with what result.

Burgoyne proceeded to St John's, in what is now called Eastern or Lower Canada, as soon as he received his appointment. The Force at his disposal was thoroughly effective, and he had the advantage of being supported by as fine a set of Officers as could be procured after so long a period of inaction as fifteen years. Major-General Philips was Second in Command, and the Brigades were under Colonels Frazer, Powel, and Hamilton, and two or three Hanoverian Officers. The troops amounted to nearly 8 000 men, and the Artillery was strong and effective.

The Lieutenant-General's first measure was to send forward Colonel St Leger with light troops of Indians, to make a diversion in favour of the Army on the shores of Lake Ontario, while he himself advanced to Ticonderoga, then in the occupation of the Americans. Having invested the fortress, he moved to the Falls of Skenesborough, where he gave battle to the enemy, and defeated them. Leaving his artillery and baggage to be embarked at Lake George, under the supervision of Major-General Philips, who was to join him at Fort Edward, on the Hudson, LieutenantGeneral Burgoyne set forth with his Army on the road to the river leading to Albany, his ultimate destination. It was a prodigious mistake to select this route, while that by Lake George lay open to him. The entire country was intersected by woods, swamps, and morasses. The dank vegetation, the poisonous malaria, affected the troops. They were worried by myriads of insects, and oppressed by the fierce heat of a Canadian summer. Every now and then long halts had to be made, while the pioneers felled trees to cut a road for the Army. Sickness soon filled the field hospitals. In the meanwhile, General Schuyler, who commanded the Americans, obtained reinforcements under Major-General Arnold, one of the most active, brave, and accomplished Officers in the Army of the Provincials. To add to Burgoyne's troubles, Colonel St Leger failed in his enterprise, after committing numerous cruelties, which in

creased the unpopularity of the British cause. By the middle of the month of September, however, the British General had managed to reach the heights and plains of Saratoga, where he found his vast train of artillery, and was in a condition to attack the enemy at Stillwater. The battle lasted the entire day (the 19th), and was fiercely contested on both sides. Major-General Gates had assumed the command of the Americans, and, aided by Schuyler and Arnold, was a formidable opponent. Arnold led the American troops into action, and they found "foemen worthy of their steel" in the 20th, 21st, and 62nd Regiments, and the Grenadiers, and Light company of the 24th. On this portion of the Infantry the brunt of the battle fell. The loss was heavy on both sides. The English had 600 killed and wounded, and the Americans suffered to a still greater extent. Ultimately the latter abandoned the field. But Burgoyne was unable to derive any solid advantage from his success. He was too much burthened by his artillery and stores to move onwards. Another long halt became unavoidable. The General entrenched his camp, and sent off advices to Sir W. Howe, seeking assistance. Sir Guy Carleton had resigned his command at Quebec, in disgust at the Minister's neglect of his just pretensions, and would afford no assistance. To add to Burgoyne's trouble, the Indians deserted him. They had been disappointed in their expectations of plunder, and as their hunting season had arrived, they hastened to rejoin their tribes. Nor was this the only desertion which befell the General. For lack of forage and provisions the horses and men of his little Army began to fall off, and his 8,000 bayonets had now diminished to less than 5,000. Aware of his condition, Gates and Arnold planned an expedition to enable them to get into Burgoyne's rear, and cut off his retreat. Colonel Brown, who conducted it, got to the north end of Lake George, and made prisoners of three companies of the 53rd Foot. Burgoyne resolved to retreat to the Lakes. To effect this object it was necessary to dislodge the enemy from their posts on the left. He accordingly attacked them in their lines with 1,500 men. Arnold headed the Americans, as usual, and received a wound which compelled him to retire. This gave victory to the English. Night closed the combat. The advantage, a slight one, had been dearly purchased. Brigadiers Frazer and Bregonen, with other Officers, were killed, and the enemy made prisoners of 200 Officers and men.

Burgoyne now changed the position of his Army and wooed the Americans to try conclusions in another fight. They were too wary to heed the tempter. Their object was to turn the British Commander's right. In this dilemma a retreat to Saratoga was the only alternative left to the

General, who managed to effect it by leaving his guns and the sick in hospital behind him. Fortunately for the latter, Gates was as humane as he was brave and accomplished. Burgoyne endeavoured, when he had reached Saratoga, to retreat to Fort George. But the enemy stood like a lion in his path. Then he changed his purpose, and directed his attention to Fort Edward. Here he was equally baffled; the road was blocked up by a body of determined troops, well supplied with artillery. Burgoyne was in imminent peril; in fact, his situation had attained the climax of difficulty and danger. Ince sant toil and misfortune had enervated his whole Army, and wounds and disease had so thinned the ranks that scarcely 3,500 fighting men were now available.

On the 13th of October, 1777, LieutenantGeneral Burgoyne, finding, upon close calculation, that he had only seven or eight days' provisions in store, and no prospect of procuring any more, called a Council of War, comprising every Field Officer and Captain left to him, and resolved, faute de mieux, to enter into a convention with General Gates. Sending a flag of truce, he intimated his wish to communicate with the American, and requested that an hour might be named for the reception of his delegate. Gates promptly replied, and Major Kingston waited, by appoint. ment, on the 14th of October, upon the American Commander. The following are the particulars and result of the interview. The Military reader will not fail to remark that it appears to be customary on such occasions for the petitioners for indulgence and mercy to employ a tone inversely proportioned to their actual means of enforcing their desires. The bombast of Burgoyne's replies will remind the student of Lord Byron's poetry of the lady's

answer:

"And saying she would ne'er consent-consented."

Happily the instances of surrender by a British Army have been so rare that it is difficult to say if bravado is an essential feature of capitulation.

Major Kingston's message to General Gates was conveyed in these words:

"After having fought you twice, LieutenantGeneral Burgoyne has waited some days in his present position, determined to try a third confliet against any Force you could bring against him. He is apprised of the superiority of your numbers, and the disposition of your troops to impede his supplies and render his retreat a scene of carnage on both sides. In this situation he is impelled by humanity, and thinks himself justified by established principles and precedents of state and war, to spare the lives of brave men upon honourable terms. Should Major-General Gates be inclined to treat upon that idea, General Burgoyne would propose a cessation of arms during