Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-06-05
From the Encyclopedia Americana.
ANTHONY WAYNE.

A distinguished general IN the American army, was
born in the township of Eastown, Chester county,
pennsylvania, January /, l745. His father was
farmer of great responsibility, and passed long life
of usefulness to his country, having frequently
pied seat in the provincial legislature and repeat
edly distinguished himself in expeditions against the
indians. His grandfather was warm freud of lib
eral principles, and commanded squadron of dra-
goons, under King William, at the memorable battle
of the Boyne. He emigrated to America in l722.-
The subject of this sketch received good educatio
though, for time after his entrance into school,
he spent much time in planning and executing
military auusements, than at his books; but, in
sequence of threat of his father to consign him to
The drudgery Of the farm, he applied himself assidu
ously to study, and IN mathematics, attained great
proficiency. After leaving the Philadelphia Acade-
my at eighteen years of age, he took up his residence
in his native county, and commenced the business of
surveyor, in which he acquired great reputation and
success, deyoting also portion of his time to pracG
cal astronomy and engineering On these subjects
he left manuscripts, which have obtained high
mendation from adequate judges. He like'rise filled
some county offices, and took very active part in the
preparation for the struggle which resulted in the in
dependence Of these United States. He was one of
the provincial deputies who, in the year INA,
chosen by the different counties Of Pennsy lvana to
take into consideration the alarming state of affairs
between Great Britain and her colonies and report
concerning it: and member OF the Pennsy lvama
convention, which shortly afterwards assembled at
Philadelphia and excited powerful emulation IN the
other colonies. In the same year he was chosen a
representative of Chester county, IN the provincial
Legislature, and, i'll the summer of l775 was appoint
ed member of the committee OF safety, to whom the
duty appertained of calling into actual service the
assocators Gas they termed,D and providing for
the defence of the province against invasion from
broad and instruction at home. Being DESTROYS of
serving his country in military capacity, to which
his natural bent strong, he retired from civil
ployme in Sept. ITS, and raised company of vol
unteers, Of which he unanimously elected COLO
mel. In January OF the ensuing year, he was appoint
Ell, by Congress, colonel of one OF the regiments
which they had resolved to raise in Pennsy yania AMI
at the opening of the campaign, received orders to
join the army under General Lee, at New York
Thence he proceeded with his reg iment to Canada,
and shared in the unsuccessful attempt upon the
my at Three Rivers Conducted by General Thomp-
SOM on which occasion he was wounded, and dstln-
suished himself for his bravery and his good conduct
An uniting and bringing of the broken troops. After
the retreat from Canada and the departure of Gates
TO join Washngton's army, he was entrusted, by
General Schuyler with the command of the fortress
Ses OF Ilconderoga and Mount Independence
February q, III, he promoted, by Con-
gress, to the rank OF Brigadier General. He
continued in command of TioonderOga and its de-
Tendencies until the month of May, when, III conse-
Quence of his earnest solicitations he allowed to
Join the maiu army, under Washington, in New Jer-
sey, where he immediately placed at the head of
Brigade which he made every eXertlon to brg into
the field i'll the highest state OF discipline. After the
British retreated from New jersey the commander
duct As as the object OF the next movement
of Sir William Howe was developed, Gen. Wayne,
in pursuance of the directions OF Washington, lett his
brigade under the next in command, and proceeded
10 Chester III Peuns ylgania to arrange the militia
who were to rendezvous there In the battle OF Bran
DIVINE (Sept. > no he commanded a division
Stationed at hds ford, far the phf ose OF resisting
the passage Of he column sander Knyphausen. He
maintained the contest with the utmost gailanry UNI
til near sunset when long tn, oyerpowereh BY mum
ID
right column of the American army, approaching his
flank and rear, he was compelled to retreat. few
days afterwards, (on the l6th,) Washington deter
mined to try the fate of another battle; and both ar
mics being array ed in Goshen township, Chester
county, Oh the road leading from Philadelphia to Lam
caster, the action commenced with great spirit by
Wayne, who led the advance. 1t was soon arrested,
however, by a violent storm, which rendered 1t I'M
possible to keep the field On the Goth, Wayne, in
pursuance of the orders of the commander in-chle,
to move forward upon the enemy, and endeavor to
cut of his baggage, took excellent position, with
1900 troops, including militia, mile south OF the
Warren tavern and three in of the left wing of
the British army, WHENCE after being reinforced, it
Syas his intention to march and attack the enemy
year when they decamped. He made every arrange
ment to prevent surprize; but the British, having
received full intelligence of his movement from trail
tors, and being faithfully poted by them, contrved
to attack him unawarcs with superior numbers, and
Obliged him to retreat after obstinate resistance
but his troops formed again at small distance This
affair having caused some to attach blame to MIN, ne
demanded and obtained court martial, by whom it
was unanimously decided, that he had done "every
thing that could be expected from an active, brave,
and vgilant officer, under the orders which he then
had - and he therefore acquitted with the high
est honor" At the battle of Germantown, he evin-
ced his wonted valor, leading his dl"isen into the
thickest of the fight and in covering the retreat he
used every exertlon which bravery and prudence
could dictate. His horse killed under him
within few yards of theienemy's 'front.', and he
received two slight wounds, in the foot and IN the
hand During large portion of this campaign OF
1777 owing to the combination of circumstances, he
performed alone the duty of three general officers
About the middle of February, 1918, when the army
in winter quarters at Valley Forge, and suffering
mserably from want of provisions, he was detached
with body of troops to New Jersey, in order to Sc
cure the cattle the eastern banks of the Delaware,
and to destroy the forage, which could not be remov-
ed lest it should fall into the hands of the enemy
This was a most hazardous and arduous enterprise,
within the limits of the enemy's lines, and in IA dis
trct of country subject to his control whenever he
chose to exert it, but he cheerfuly proceeded to ex-
ecute the orders of the commander-in-chief and lit
orally carried winter campaign beyond the reach
of any aid After several skirmlshes with the enemy,
in all of which he successful he succeeded in send
ing to camp several hundred head OF fine cattle, many