Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-03-11

tne stan Oh each regiment, and one to the com.
nlssloned officers of the companies, &c.
Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Green, and Mrs. Knox
remained in these miserable accommodations
with the army nearly the whole winter, slencing
by their fortitude and example, all complaints
until the distress for provisions became unen-
durable-the camp at times for three and four
days without meat, and then as long without
bread-and this in the dead of winter MANY
of the soldiers could not leave their huts for
want of clothes to be decent At length the
day arrived when provisions must be had, Or
general mutiny and dissolution Of the whole
army. Congress we're powerless. They had
foreseen this, and given Washington all the
powers they could give. Col. Hamilton, as aid
de'camp, was sent out to call meetings in Jer-
sey. and address the people upon the condition
of the perishiug army.
Col. Mathew Ogden was ordered to lsad
detachment into the country, and to seize pro-
Visions teams, cattle, grain, &c, in case the ap-
peal of Col. Hamilton, proved unsuccessful.-
But the people Of Jersey needed not military
coercion-.they voluntarily threw open their barns
and contributed portion of all they had. NV
informant remembers seeing one family turn out
an OK another bag of corn-another straw,
and so on, as the wagons passed through the
towns collecting for the army. In this way the
army was saved. At the same time there was
not money enough in the camp to pay for an ex-
press. This is confirmed by official letters
AT length spring approached, and Washington
remained STILL, watching the movement of Sir
Henry Clinton, who had been feasting with his
army In Philadelphia during the winter. and had
now determined to march to New York, not sup
posing the American army were in situation to
appear before him.
June 10, l775, the British army lett Philadel-
phia. AS soon as the express reached WASH
ington, confirming this, he put in motion six
brigades and followed IN person with the whole
army within few miles of Monmouth. After
a forced march, he came up with Sir Henry
Clinton and sent forward his second In COM
mand, General Lee, with 5000 men, to com.
mence the charge upon tina British army, Wash
ington followed with the main body to support
him, and his troops disencumbered of every ar
tlcIe except arms and ammunition. The disgrace
ful retreat of Lee followed, and Washington was
obliged, to change in consequence, his whole
order Of battle in presence of superior enemy
nevertheless he resolved to attack, and drove
back the British, and took possession Of theil
dead and wounded. Night came on, the whole
army dropped upon the ground and slept upor
their arms, Washington, himself among them
During the night, the British army stole away
in such silence that they had gained severa
miles, and too near the shipping to bring them tc
battil, r..
Hon. Col. Monckton was among the dead lef
by Sir. Henry Clinton upon the field. Thi
move of Washington cost the British, in killed
wounded, and deserted, over two thousand men
Col. Scanned, the Adjutant General, wa,
after the battle, sent to arrest Gen. Lee, unde
the following charges:
Frst-Disobedenc of orders in not maxim
the attack as ordered.
Second-Misbehavio before the enemy, b
making an unnecessary, disorderly, and shame
ful retreat.
Third Disrespect to the Commando Chic
upon the field, and subsequently by letter.
General Lee, upon his trial, made most pow
erful defence. Major General Lord Stirling
was President of the Court Martial, which con
tinned for three weeks, adjourning from place t
place as the army moved. Lee was found gull
ty of all the charges, and suspended Congress
soon after, doubling his patriotism, dismissed
him from the army. General Lee had been al
aid to the King of Prussia. The American peo
pie looked upon him, previously, as the man tt
command, in case Washington should fall'-bu
from this proud eminence he fell, till at last hi
dogs was his only sociCty-and he died in thu
garret of an obscure tavern-his dying word
were, while delirous-" Stand by me, my brav'
grenadiers 1"
This battle was fought on Sunday-one o
the hottest days in June. The sufferings o
the army for water, in sandy country, wer'
awful, both for man and beast-many men drop
ped dead in the ranks, and the surgeons reporte'
against forced march after the retreating enc
my. Congress bestowed upon Washington
vote of thanks for his wonderful activity in leav
ing Valley Forge, pursuing Sir Henry, ant
bringing him to battle under such extraordinar,
circumstances"