and the rest threw down their arms and cried for quarter. A few of the enemy had succeeded in escaping, but the Americans captured nearly 1,000, with six cannon and 1,200 small-arms. Washington dared not stay in Trenton, and retired the same day to the western bank of the Delaware with his prisoners.

This brilliant exploit infused fresh courage into the desponding country. Scldiers gathered in increased numbers to the American standard. Many whose terms of enlistment were about to expire re-enlisted. Robert Morris, of Philadelphia, a merchant of large fortune, gave and raised much money, which was sorely needed by the impoverished army. Washington soon recrossed the Delaware and stationed himself at Trenton. On the other hand, the British were thunderstruck and discouraged. Cornwallis gave up his trip to England and returned to his command and assembled his forces at Princeton.

The year of independence had been one of much discouragement. The evacuation of Boston in the north and the defense of Charleston in the south had been followed by the disastrous battle of Long Island and the retreat of Washington from the Hudson to the Delaware. But it closed with the renewed hope that was caused by Washington's splendid gen eralship.

Washington outgenerals Cornwallis-Defeats the British at Princeton-Minor engagements-Meigs surprises the British at Sag Harbor The British withdraw from New Jersey-The British general Prescott captured-Congress-Attitude of FranceLafayette-De Kalb, Kosciusko, Pulaski and Steuben-Burgoyne's expedition-The Americans abandon TiconderogaRepulse the British at Hubbardton-The battle of Bennington-St. Leger in the Mohawk valley-Fort Schuyler saved to the Americans-Gates succeeds Schuyler-Bemis' Heights fortified-A battle fought-Clinton's expedition up the Hudson-Burgoyne defeated-Surrenders-Howe moves on Philadelphia-Opposed by Washington-The battle of the Brandywine-The Americans defeated-Maneuvering-The British occupy Philadelphia-They are unsuccessfully attacked at Germantown-Forts Mercer and Mifflin captured by the BritishValley Forge—Intrigues against Washington.

On January 2, 1777, Cornwallis advanced from Princeton with a large force, and skirmishing followed between the armies. Washington left Trenton and crossed Assanpink Creek, which he was able to prevent the British from passing.

Night now closed in. Retreat or defeat would be ruinous to the American cause. Success could hardly be hoped for against the superior numbers of the enemy. In this crisis Washington determined on another of his flank movements. Leaving a guard to keep the camp-fires burning, he passed around the British army and by a circuitous march reached Princeton. As light dawned on January 3d Cornwallis heard the American cannon thirteen miles in his rear. "Washington has outgeneraled us!" he exclaimed.

As the Americans drew near Princeton they met a body of the enemy leaving to re-enforce Cornwallis, and the fight began at once. The Americans, under General Mercer, took an advantageous position behind a fence and poured a deadly fire into the enemy's ranks. They had no bayonets, however, and when the British charged they gave way and Mercer was mortally wounded. Washington now arrived opportunely with fresh troops, rallied the men, and rode into the very thick of the fight, within thirty yards of the enemy's lines. At that moment a volley was fired from both sides. Washington's aidde-camp drew his hat over his eyes, that he might not see his leader fall. But as the smoke lifted the commander-in-chief was seen to be uninjured. "The day is ours!" he cried. The British were broken and flying. It was only by discipline and great valor that they were able to retreat. But they lost in killed, wounded, and missing 430 men, while the American loss was trifling.

Washington desired to advance to New Brunswick, where quantities of British stores were collected, but his men were too much fatigued with the march and the battle, and Cornwallis was approaching. The American general therefore retired to Morristown. His success had roused the patriots of New Jersey, already exasperated by the excesses of the British and Hessians, and the militia harassed the enemy on every hand. Cornwallis abandoned one post after another, till soon he held only New Brunswick and Amboy.

For some months now there were no large battles, but several minor engagements occurred in various quarters. Early in the spring McDougal, in charge of the American stores a Peekskill, was forced to blow up the magazine and retirc before a feet sent up the Hudson by General Howe. On April 13th

General Lincoln was surprised at Boundbrook, on the Raritan, and forced backward with a small loss. On the 25th General Tryon burned Danbury, Connecticut, and demolished the American stores collected there. But on his way to the coast he was assailed by the patriots, under the lead of Wooster and Arnold, and lost 200 men. The American loss was about sixty, but Wooster was among the killed.

On the night of May 22d Colonel Meigs, of Connecticut, transported a force of Americans across the Sound in whale-boats and surprised the British at Sag Harbor. He burned an armed vessel and a number of transports of the enemy, destroyed their stores, and returned to Connecticut with ninety prisoners, without the loss of a man. For this exploit Congress

gave him a handsome sword.

Meanwhile Washington remained at Morristown. In the latter part of May he broke up winter quarters and stationed himself at Boundbrook to watch the enemy. Howe joined Cornwallis at Brunswick, and, by a feint, endeavored to take Washington from his strong position. Finding his attempt unsuccessful he withdrew, and Washington advanced to Quibbletown. There he was suddenly attacked by Howe on the night of June 25th, and without great loss he retired to Boundbrook. Finally the British retired, and on the last day of June, crossing to Staten Island, withdrew completely from New Jersey.

On the night of July 10th Colonel Barton succeeded in capturing, near Newport, General Prescott, of the British army. For the success of his exploit, which gave the Americans an officer of equal rank to be exchanged for General Lee, Barton was promoted and presented with a sword.

Congress was now in session again at Philadelphia, and though its power was not complete over the action of the separate states, it did much to strengthen

the army and the patriots' cause. France, too, was com ing to the rescue. The French government would not do anything officially to provoke a conflict with England, but much was done in a quiet way. During this year arms and ammunition were obtained from France in considerable quantities, and better than all, there came a man to assist in the struggle for freedom whose name has ever been held most dear to this people. The Marquis de Lafayette was a young nobleman, not yet twenty years of age; but his heart went out to the nation that was bat

tling against tyranny. He wished to assist them, but the king would not grant permission and the British minister protested. Nothing daunted, Lafayette fitted out a vessel at his own expense, left his home and his newly married wife, eluded the officers sent to detain him, and succeeded in reaching our shores in April, 1777. He offered his services to Congress as a volunteer without pay and entered the army, but he was soon commissioned a major-general. Between him and Washington there. soon began the intimate friendship that was ever unbroken.

MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.

Baron de Kalb came with Lafayette-an experienced French officer. Kosciusko, a Polish nobleman, had already come to aid the Americans, and in this year Count Pulaski, of the same nation, also arrived. All of these received commissions in the American army and did great service for the cause. In the fall Baron Steuben, a veteran Prussian officer, arrived, and be