mencing operations, conceiving that the Germans would be sleeping soundly after a carouse, and therefore not in the best condition for resisting their assailants.

As the early darkness was closing in on that memorable 25th of December, two thousand four hundred of the Continental troops, with twenty pieces of artillery, began to cross the Delaware at a ferry nine miles above Trenton. The stream was choked with floating ice, and the passage was in this way rendered so difficult that it was almost four o'clock on the following morning before the whole body under Washington had reached the opposite shore. The men were then formed into two divisions, one commanded by Sullivan, the other by Greene. The former marched along the path nearest to the river; the latter followed the upper road, farther to the left, which led to Pennington. Colonel Rahl had had some reason to suppose that an attack on his position was meditated. Captain Washington (a relative of the great man) had for some days been on a scouting party in New Jersey, with about fifty foot-soldiers, and on Christmas Day had exchanged a few shots with the advanced sentinels at Trenton. The circumstance was a very fortunate one for the Americans, as the Hessians imagined this to be the threatened attack, and, conceiving the danger to be over, relaxed their vigilance. The captain, on his retreat, met the forces on the upper road, and joined them. It was feared that the alarm caused by this slight collision might have put the Hessians on their guard, instead of lulling their suspicions, as afterwards proved to be the case; but, as it would now have been very imprudent to withdraw, the march continued. It was a march of the most trying character. Snow and sleet drove mercilessly against the advancing columns; the road was slippery and toilsome with ice; and the cold was terrible. Yet the two divisions struggled manfully on.

The distance to Trenton by both roads was about equal; and the two divisions came in sight of the town, as it was intended they should, at the same time. It was eight o'clock in the morning, however, before they got there, approaching at different points. Washington had been so far frustrated in his original design, that, instead of attacking in the dead of the night, he was obliged to do so in broad daylight. But the Hessians were surprised none the less, and made no very prolonged resist

were brought up, and soon taken by the assailants. Colonel Rahl did the utmost to rally his men; but early in the engagement he received a mortal wound, and his soldiers, dismayed by the American cannon, which did terrible execution, became discouraged. A thousand of them, after endeavouring to retreat towards Princeton, and being intercepted by a detachment sent for that purpose, threw down their arms, and made submission; the rest, including the Light Horse, had at an early period fled by the bridge over the Assanpink, and escaped to Bordentown. Six brass field-pieces and a thousand stand of arms remained in the hands of the conquerors. Nearly thirty of the Hessian privates, and six officers (exclusive of Rahl) were killed, while the Americans lost only four men, of whom two were frozen to death by the intense cold.

with

Some portions of the design were not so fortunate. A small party of militia, under Colonel Griffin, who were to pass the Delaware near Philadelphia, and to advance to Mount Holly, met with a check. Count Donop marched from Bordentown against these troops, and, having forced them to withdraw, returned to his post. Below Trenton, the river was so completely frozen over that the troops under Cadwallader, and another detachment under General Ewing, who was to co-operate Washington, were unable to get across at the pre concerted times. Cadwallader, indeed, managed to land a battalion of infantry; but the artillery could not be dragged over the heaped-up masses of ice on the margin of the stream, and the men therefore returned. Ewing was altogether unsuccessful; and the failure of these two officers prevented the completion of Washington's plan, and facilitated the escape of those who had fed from the town. It also rendered advisable the speedy return of the victors to their own side ef the Delaware. Some of the officers were disposed to follow up their blow by a further advance; b the Commander-in-Chief, though personally wel inclined to such a course, considered that it wouli be risking too much, as his men were exhausted with their fatigues, and the enemy was in force at Princeton and New Brunswick. Accordingly, ou the evening of the 26th, he re-passed the Delaware. carrying with him his prisoners, and their arts, colours, and artillery. The British and Hessian troops posted at Bordentown and its neighbour hood, under the command of Count Donop, treated to Princeton, thus breaking up the re of cantonments along the Delaware. fact, was panic-struck at the blow which had falles on Rahl's division, and sought safety by concer

Donop,

1776.]

trating his forces, and removing farther from the river which had proved such an imperfect protection.

As soon as it came to the knowledge of Washington that his adversaries were falling back along the whole of their line, he once more crossed the Delaware into New Jersey, and took up his quarters at Trenton, that he might be ready for further action. Cadwallader and the Adjutant-General at the same time succeeded in crossing from Bristol, at the head of one thousand eight hundred Pennsylvanian militia, who, with an equal number under General Mifflin, formed a junction with the main army. The position of the Americans had vastly improved since the morning of Christmas Day, and they began to recover heart when they saw the Hessian troops paraded through the streets of Philadelphia. The loyalists had at first denied the reality of the asserted triumph over the German troops, who had up to that time enjoyed an exaggerated reputation for prowess; but here they were visibly in captivity. The peace-party were discouraged, and the Quakers, who had thrown all their influence on the side of the Crown, found they could do nothing against the rising spirit of the nation. The people of New Jersey were also excited to martial enthusiasm, partly by the victory achieved on their soil, and partly by exasperation against the Royal troops, especially the Hessians, who had behaved with insolence, rapacity, and cruelty, during their time of predominance.* But the old trouble about the army had again to be encountered. In several regiments the term of service expired with the last day of the year, and the men were so worn with their exertions and hardships that they threatened to go off the very moment they were free. Many of them, however, were persuaded, by a bounty of ten dollars each, to remain six weeks longer; and this gave time for the creation of fresh regiments.

Sir William Howe was still at New York when intelligence arrived of Washington's brilliant performance on the Delaware. Cornwallis was on the point of departing for Europe, but Howe requested him to remain, and resume his command in New Jersey. He at once proceeded to Princeton, passing the scattered forces that had lately been dispersed; additional troops from Brunswick followed him; and on the morning of the 2nd of

Several statements were made at the time as to acts of horrible atrocity committed by the British and German soldiers. Relations of this kind are sometimes exaggerated, and sometimes wholly false; but it is to be feared that the conduct of troops in a conquered country is generally marked by much that is a disgrace to human nature.

287

January, 1777, the Royal army advanced towards Trenton. At their approach Washington retired, and posted himself on some high ground behind the Assanpink rivulet, where, under cover of artillery, he awaited attack. After some cannonading on both sides, Lord Cornwallis suspended his operations, and encamped his troops near the rivulet, apparently with the intention of renewing the battle on the following morning. The Americans bivouacked on the ground they had assumed after retiring from their first position, and Washington turned his fertile mind towards the elaboration of some scheme by which he might evade, rather than encounter, the embattled hosts before him. He feared to risk a general action when the light should have returned; he knew that his enemy was superior to him in numbers and in discipline; and he more than questioned whether some of his men could be trusted to abide the shock. When, therefore, he met his officers in council early in the evening, he observed that, from the number of hostile troops then in front of them, it was reasonable to suppose that Cornwallis could not have left many in the rear. He accordingly proposed to move, by a secret night-march, to Princeton,— thence, if no insuperable difficulties presented themselves, to push on to New Brunswick,—and in this way to surprise the rear-guard, and capture their stores before the English General could come up. The plan was approved, and steps were immediately taken for putting it into execution. To secure his own baggage, Washington caused it to be removed. to Burlington, and at midnight the march began. Every precaution was taken to mask the removal of the troops, and to deceive the enemy as to what was intended. Men were employed throughout the night digging an entrenchment close to the English sentries; the bivouac-fires were kept burning; and a certain number of guards were ordered to remain at the bridge and the fords until the approach of daylight, when they were to follow their comrades.

A

By a circuitous route, which was rendered comparatively easy by the hard condition of the frozen roads, Washington reached Princeton a little after sunrise on the morning of the 3rd. He found there three British regiments commanded by Colonel Mawhood, two of which were on their march to reinforce Lord Cornwallis at Trenton. sharp and spirited encounter ensued. The Americans were at first thrown into some confusion by the vigorous resistance they encountered; but, by great personal exertions, in which his own life was almost recklessly exposed, Washington rallied his men, and in the end was rewarded by a partial

success. One of the regiments desperately fought its way through the American ranks, and gained the road to Trenton; the other two retreated by different roads to New Brunswick. So much heroism was displayed by the British troops that one of the American officers exclaimed, "When will our men fight like those fellows?" The loss was serious on both sides; but the advantage gained by the insurgents was worth the price paid for it.

Cornwallis, perceiving the disappearance of the Americans when morning dawned, and divining

plied with food, for thirty-six hours, and of whom many were insufficiently clad, and barefooted, were so utterly worn out that the design could not be completed. After a brief pause for rest and refreshment, the American General advanced to Morristown, where he established his winter quarters. The pursuit by the British had ceased at Kingston, on the other side of the Millstone river, where the Americans broke down the bridge; and for the present Washington felt safe. His situation at Morristown was in some respects

the direction in which they had moved by the reports of artillery which soon reached his ears, felt apprehensive that the stores he had left at New Brunswick might fall into the hands of the enemy. He consequently retreated without loss of time, and moved towards Princeton with so much celerity that the rear of the American army had scarcely left that place when the van of the English forces appeared in sight. It was the desire of Washington to make a forced march on New Brunswick, and he did in fact pursue the regiments which he had broken up in the morning a considerable distance along the road; but the soldiers, who had been without rest, and very scantily sup

a very good one. The place was situated in a mountainous country, and was therefore protected by Nature herself from the advance of an enemy, yet it had a fertile country at its back, so that the army could be well supplied. It was destined to be the starting-point of a new campaign.

The first great result of Washington's march to Princeton, in the rear of the enemy's position, was that Cornwallis was obliged to relinquish his posts on the Delaware. But that was not all From his vantage-ground at Morristown, the American Commander-in-Chief sent out detach ments to harass the Royal troops. Giving them no rest, but repeating his blows with the greatest

at New Brunswick and Amboy; and the frequent surprise and cutting-off of advanced guards created a wide alarm. For six months, however, nothing further of importance occurred. Howe remained at New York, tamely acquiescing in his loss of the Jerseys. The American troops at Morristown were encamped for the winter in temporary huts, and cantonments were established at various points. Thence the patriots could readily issue forth on their rapid excursions against the foe; but no general action was hazarded while the new army was as yet 77-VOL. II.

American Dictator, as he may now be called, put forth an order, absolving the inhabitants from their engagements to Great Britain; commanding all persons who had received protections from the British Commissioners to repair to head-quarters, or to some general officer of the army, deliver up such protections, and take an oath of allegiance to the United States; yet at the same time granting full liberty "to all such as preferred the interests and protection of Great Britain to the freedom and happiness of their country" to withdraw themselves

and their families within the enemy's lines. Thirty days were allowed for complying with this order; at the end of which period, those who had neglected or refused to comply were to be deemed adherents of the King of Great Britain, and treated as enemies to the American States.* This proclamation did not meet with anything like universal approval; even in Congress there were those who condemned it. The New Jersey Legislature regarded it as an encroachment on their prerogatives; and it was argued that to require an oath of allegiance to the United States before the Confederation was formed, was an invasion of local rights. Washington, however, was not to be driven from his purpose by these objections; and he instructed his officers to enforce the order in every case.

During this period of comparative inaction, much discussion went on between the Americans and the British with respect to the interchange of prisoners, especially in reference to the case of General Lee. Sir William Howe insisted on regarding that officer as a deserter from the King's service, and therefore kept him in close confinement; the Americans, on the other hand, alleged that, as he had resigned his commission as an officer in the English army before joining the forces of the Republic, he could not be contemplated in that light. Washington had no prisoner of equal rank to offer in exchange. He therefore proposed six Hessian field-officers as a substitute, and required that, if this were not accepted, Lee should be treated according to his rank in the American army. Howe refused to alter his conduct towards the officer in question, and a long discussion in writing followed, without any satisfactory

result. That Howe had some doubt in his own mind as to whether the resignation of his half-pay had not removed Lee from the operation of military law, appears from an admission which he made in a letter to the Colonial Secretary. In replying to this letter, Lord George Germaine said that, as the doubt had arisen, it was his Majesty's pleasure that the prisoner be sent to England by the first ship of war; but Howe was afraid of retaliations, should he execute this order, and Lee was still detained. After the failure of Washington's negotiations, Congress took up the matter, and ordered that reprisals should be inflicted, unless the English General altered his course. The Council of Massachusetts, moreover, was desired to detain in close custody Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, who, at the head of some Highlanders, had been captured while sailing into Boston harbour, shortly after the

Sparks's Life of Washington, chap. 10.

evacuation of the city, and in ignorance of that fact. In consequence of this request, the colonel was thrown into a loathsome dungeon, not more than thirteen feet square, and was prohibited from entering the prison-yard on any consideration whatever. The attendance of a servant was denied him, and he was not permitted to receive visits. On Howe learning the circumstances, he remonstrated with Washington, who, with the characteristic fairness and justice of his nature, immediately wrote to the Massachusetts Council:-"You will observe that exactly the same treatment is to be shown to Colonel Campbell and the Hes officers that General Howe shows to General Læ: and as he is only confined to a commodious house, with genteel accommodation, we have no right o reason to be more severe to Colonel Camp, whom I wish to be immediately removed from his present situation, and put into a house where be may live comfortably." Washington also addressed the President of Congress in condemnation of what had been done.

Lee was kept in close confinement until th capture of General Prescott put an officer of ecra rank into the hands of the Americans. On 3rd of September, the Colonial Secretary wrote to Howe that his Majesty consented to Lee (tho deserving the most exemplary punishment) being deemed a prisoner of war, in consideration of his having been struck off the half-pay list; he permitted his being exchanged whenever it m be convenient. At the time the exchange was effected, the English had in their power nearly tar hundred American officers, while the Americas had not more than fifty of the Royal officers. In January, 1777, the greater number of the Ameri can officers were sent to Long Island on par and billeted on the inhabitants at two dollars a week; but the unhappy privates were ill-lodgi and so badly fed and clothed, that many are said to have died of actual cold and hunger. They wer frequently solicited to join the Royal army, and it was probably hoped that their sufferings woul induce them to desert the national cause; but, in the greater number of instances, these expectations were disappointed. Washington wrote to Howe on the subject with great severity, and refused to return, in exchange for a number of emaciated and almost dying Americans, an equal number of healthy British or Hessians. The English Genera characterised this refusal as a violation of the re for exchange of prisoners which had been mutual agreed to; and he declared that his captives had been treated as well as his means would allow Washington defended the course he had taken