could attack any part of the Union; and each state desired to be defended. This could not be done, without separating the troops into small divisions, and placing them at a distance from each other. Washington was able to make the best use of small means; and he determined to prepare in the surest manner for defending the eastern states, the highlands of New York-where it was very important to preserve the forts-and Philadelphia, the possession of which seemed to be the object of Cornwallis When he had arranged troops for this purpose, he formed his own camp at Middlebrook, in New Jersey, with not quite six thousand men.

Early in June, the English army was increased by arrivals from New York, and the commander marched them in different directions, for the purpose of drawing Washington from his camp; but he was too wise to be led into the field, which would have been the scene of almost certain destruction to his small army. He continued watching the movements of the enemy with anxiety. Sometimes they appeared as if intending to go to the north, and then moved towards the south. He kept his troops in front of his camp, always ready for an attack. He wrote to General Arnold his opinion, that it was the intention of the enemy to get possession of Phila

delphia, but that if they moved, he would follow after, and do every thing in his power to delay them.

General Howe, finding that he could not draw Washington from his camp, determined on taking his army on board of the fleet to the Chesapeake or Delaware. Washington took advantage of this by following the enemy cautiously. They had passed over to Staten Island, but their commander suddenly resolved on returning to get possession of the situation Washington left, but he immediately moved back, and prevented the success of this plan. The whole English army then crossed to Staten Island, and went on board the fleet.

HE campaign of 1777 opened gloomily. A better spirit had indeed been awakened by the admirable generalship of Washington, and the confidence in his ability and patriotism had become more deep and universal. But his army was inefficient in numbers and discipline, and was wretchedly

provided with clothing, arms, and munitions. At the same time Burgoyne, in high spirits, was advancing with ten thousand men from Canada, and Howe, with twice that number, was preparing for an attack on Philadelphia.

At this period the young and gallant Lafayettewhose name was destined to become the second only in two continents - first associated himself with Washington. In August, General Howe landed at the mouth of Elk River, at the head of Chesapeake Bay, and proceeded without interruption to the Brandywine. Here Washington determined to make an

effort to save the capital of Pennsylvania. The consequence was a defeat of our army, which retreated, and was followed by the enemy, who succeeded in taking possession of the city. Lafayette shed his first blood on the banks of the Brandywine, and there first wrote his name in history.

The possession of Philadelphia was not to be easily or quietly maintained. Various reinforcements placed Washington at the head of nearly as large an army as that of Howe, toward whom he determined to act at once offensively. A large portion of the British force was in Philadelphia, whence the line of encampment extended through Germantown, a long straggling village, consisting principally of stone houses, stretching on either side of the road for nearly two miles. In this situation, it appeared to Washington that so much of the enemy as was at this village, might be surprised and cut off, and he promptly resolved on the undertaking. At seven in the evening of the 4th of October, the Americans moved from their encampment, and just at the dawn of the morning, a division under General Sullivan encountered and drove in the outposts of the enemy. Sullivan was quickly followed by the main body, which immediately entered into action, but it was more than half an hour before the left

wing came up. Each of these parties was successful in breaking the enemy; but Lieutenant-Colonel Mulgrave, with a small body of British, having taken possession of the strong stone edifice, known as Chew's House, annoyed the Americans so much by his fire that they stopped to dislodge him. The time lost in this attempt, which was unsuccessful at last, was a serious disadvantage. The ground, too, was difficult, and the obscurity of the morning prevented Washington from seeing distinctly what was going forward. The united action of the different parties was broken; the delay in attacking the stone house, and various accidents, impeded the attack. The enemy rallied, and became the assailants. The brigade under General Greene, after a sharp encounter, was broken; the right wing faltered; the division of Wayne, in falling back on its friends, was mistaken for the enemy, and confusion became general. Washington, perceiving that all hope of success was lost for that time, yielded to the disappointment of his hopes, and retired from the field about twenty miles, and halted at Perkiomen Creek, where, receiving a fresh reinforcement, he turned, and resumed his former position in the vicinity of the city.

The fleet which landed General Howe and his army at the head of the Chesapeake, had afterwards