Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-03-31


Every effort, however, was made TO deceive
Sir Henry Clinton respecting the change of
plan. Boats were gathered in The neighbbt-
hood Of New York-ovens built aud forage
collected, as if in preparation for thorough
investment Of the city-=hlse communications
sent for the purpose Of falling into the hands
Of the enemy, corfobora,ed this external eyi-
dence, and Clinton had no doubt that he was to
be the object Of attack. Washington took great
pains to deceive his own troops also, knowing,
as he said, 'where the imposition does not com
pletely take place at home; Il would never suf-
ficiently succeed abroad" He informed Bar
ras, at Newport, Of his Intentions and request
ed him to sail Immediately for the Chesapeake,
but the latter had an enterprise Of his own on
foo, against Newfoundland besides, being SEN
ior in rank to the Count de Grasse, he did not
wish to serve under him. At the earnest re-
monstrance, Of both Washington and Rocham-
beau, he at las, consented to go, though grum-
blingly saying il was the last expedition ho
wonld ever undertake. .Iu ra
Everything being ready, the combined ar
mics struck their camps and turned the heads
OF their columns southwark. Twenty reRi-
ments, under Heath, were left TO guard the high
lands. The American army crossed the Hud
son on the 2ist--ihc French commenced next
day, completing the passage on the 25th.--
They proceeded by different routes to Trenton,
where they formed junction and moved rap
idly southwark Washington and Rocham-
beau here leit the armies and rode on 10 Phila-
delphia, to provide vessels in which TO trans
port the troops from Trenton TO the head Of the
Elk. The city received the COMMANDMENT
Chief with acclamations, and as he passed slow
ly through the streets the enthusiasm broke
over all bounds, and the clamor Of the multi.
tude drowned even the clang of bells and thun.
der of artillery
But only boats enough could be procured to
carry single regiment, and the main army,
under Lincoln, continued its march by land
Passing through Philadelphia it was followed
by almost the entire population, who hailed
them with exuliant shouts, and invoked bless
ings on their heads. Heavy rains came on.
and through the wet and mire, the weary sui.
fering troops were kept to the top Of their en-
durance. The French. well clad, and well fed,
suffered but little, while the destitute Ameri-
cans presented a most piiiable spectacle.
Washington had written to Lafayette an
nouncins his departure, and requesting him 10
watch Corvallis narrowly and not let him es-
came into the Carolinas. Bot the 2d Of Sep
tember arrived without hearing anything from
Count dc Grasse, who was to have sailed on
the Sd Of August, or from Barras, who had
notified him he should leave Newport on the
23d, Washington was ''disfrsssed bcyond meas
ure." The English feet might occupy the
Chesapeake first, and thea the whole plan would
fall through, while il even Barrass, who had
much Of the heavy siege artillery ON board, was
taken,the entire aspect Of affairs might be chang
cd. Bur three days afler, the joyful iu,elli-
gence was received, Of the safe arrival Of the
French Admiral with iwenty-six ships Of the
line aud several frgaics. The army was cleo
trihed while the French officers were almost
delirous with joy. The prospect now bright
ened, and the threads OF fate were evidently
weaving a net for CORVALLIS
The two armies had passed the Delaware
before Clinton was aware of their destination
He then despatched Arnold to make an erap-
lion into Connecticut, and threatened an nva-
sion Of New Jersey and an attack on the High
lands to induce Washington 10 halt. But the
latter could not be turned aside from the great
object on which he had set his heart, and press
ed resolutely and swiftly towards its accom-
i plishment
CORVALLIS saw with alarm this sudden and
tremendous combination designed to crush him,
and gazed anxiously around for an avenue of
escape. II he had been left to his own resour-
ees. he probably would have made desperate
attempt TO cleave his way through the deienses
of lafayette, and escape to the carolinas,--
From his known energy and skill, the success
Of such an effor, might not have been so hope
less, but he received a despatch from Sir Hen
ry Clinton, promising reiniorcemenis both of
ltroops and ships Thus, the second time, did
this commander lull into fatal security one Of
his Lientenanis, and first in the case Of Bur
goyne, and now in that Of CORVALLIS, make
certain an impending calamity.
While the two armies were pressing south
ward, Washington turned aside, and, for the
first time in six years, visited his home in
4 Mount Vernon
In the meantime Count de Grasse was told
that the British feet under admiral Graves, who
had been reinforced from the West Indies. was
10 pursuit of him off the Chesapeake. He i'm
medialely put TO sea aud offered battle. An
engagement followed, but without any decisive
result. The next day the English admiral,
who had the weaiher-gague, declining TO renew
the action, de Grasse put back into the Chesa-
peake, where, to his great joy, he found Bar
ras safely arrived.
Washington, as soon as RochaInbeau joined
him, continued his journey, and on arriving at
4 Williamsburg, heard Of the return Of the
French fleet and the junction Of de Barras with
it, Everything now rested on the despatch Of
the troops, and WashingtoD's energies were
reused 70 the utmost. A single days delay
might ruia great enterprise, and defer indef-
inilely the independence Of dis country. He
wanted an army that could fy, and wrote. to
Gen, Lincoln to hurry forward the troops on
the rings Of speed" "Erery day ve nOrp lose, .
said he, sis comparatively an age" He sent
a messengerto The Count de Grasse for boats
70 transport the troops by water from Annapo-
lis and the head of the Elk, but the French
admiral had anticipated his wants, and he soon