Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-07-14
EXTRACTS FROM BANCRoFT's HIS
TORY.

EXTRACTS FROM BANCROFTS HIS
TORY.
From the seventh volume of Bancrofts His
tory of the United States just issued by Messrs
Little & Brown, Boston, we make a few ex-
tracts peculiarly appropriate to Independence
week.
The present volume embraces the period i'm
mediately succeeding the battle of Bunker Hill
to the Declaration of Independence year not
surpassed in eventful interest by any one in the
history of the Revolution, and calling into their
most active exercise the admirable gifts of the
historian both in analysis and description
Among the topics treated of in its comprehen-
sive circuit are the proceedings of the Cont
mental Congress in the summer of 10, the po-
SaaiEGn SaaiEGnG Of Gt Wa'RRiI%gt0n RIg before Boston the nego
for troops, the captures lsh oh Shs lG6Rpgsf' d Rhq
gomery, the expedition against Quebec. the re-
treat of the British from Boston, the battle of
Fort Moultrie, and the action of Congress pre-
ceding the Declaration of Independence.
On the arrival of Washington in the camp at
Cambridge, he at once inspired the people of
New England with confidence in his command,
and with admiration of his character. The
army itself was in state of incredible disorder
No one knew its precise numbers, or the amount
and condition of its stores. The soldiers had
enlisted for short, but indefinite periods; there
was no uniformity of discipline or supplies
each man was almost literally soldier ION his
own hook" The story is well told in the fol-
lowing picture:
THE ARMY BEFORE BOSTON.
Washington found the American army dis
persed in semi-circle, from the west end of
Dorchester to Maiden, n distance of nine miles.
AT Roxbury, where Thomas commanded two
regiments Of Connecticut, and nine of Massa-
chusetts, strong work, planned by Knox and
Waters, crowned the hill and with the broken
ness of the rocky ground, secured that pass.-
The main street was defended by brcastwork,
in front of which sharpened and well-pointed
trees, placed with the top toward Boston, pre-
vented the approach of light horse. a breast
work also crossed the road to Dorchester. The
men of Rhode Island were partly on Winter
Hill, partly ut Sewals Farm, near the south
bank of the Charles. The centre of the army
was with Ward at Cambridge, its lines reaching
from the colleges almost to the river. Putnam
with a division of 1000 men, composed OF
| troops from Connecticut, and eight Massachu-
sets regiments, lay entrenched on Prospec,
Hill, in a position which was thought to be i'm
pregnabe. The New Hampshire forces were
fortifying Winter Hill assisted perhaps by
Rhode Island regiment, anG certainly by Poor''
Massachusetts regiment, which, for want O
tents had its quarters in Mediord. The smaller
posts and sentnels stretched beyond Malder
| river. Apart, in u very thick wood, near where
Il. al. al.
of about fifty domiciiated Indians of the Stock
bridge tribe. They were armed with bows ant
arrows, as well as guns, and We're accompanied
by their squaws and little ones.
The American rolls promised 1900 men
but Washington never had more than IA ,50t
fit for duty. The community in arms presenteC
a molly spectacle. In dress there was no uni
formity. The companies from Rhode Islant
were furnished with tents, and had the appear
ance of regular troops; others filled the colleg
halls the Episcopal church, and private houses
the fields were strewn with lodges, which wer
as various as the tastes of their occupants
Some were of boards, some of ail-cloth, o
partly of both; others were constructed of ston
and turf, or of birch, and other brush. Som
were thrown up in careless hurry; other
were curiously wrought with doors and windows
woven out of withes and reeds The mothers
wives, or sisters of the soldiers, were constant
coming to the camp. with supplies of clothing
and household gifts. Boys and girls, toe
ilocked in with their parents from the countr
to visit their kindred, and gaze on the terror
and mysteries of war. Eloquent and accom-
plshed chaplains kept alive the habit of dali
prayer, and preached the wonted sermons o
the day of the Lord. The habit of nquisitive
ness and self-dircction stood in the way of mil
itary discipline; the men had never learnt i'm
plicit obedience, and knew not how to set abou
it; between the privates and their officers ther
prevailed the kindly spirit and equality of Iii
at home.
In forming a judgment on the deficiency {
numbers, discipline and stores of the army
Washington made allowance for devote
province like Massachusetts,, which had so lon
suffered from anarchy and oppression. "l'hei
spirit" said he, "has exceeded their strength.
In the "great number of able-bodied men, az
tive, Jealous in the cause, and of unquestionr
b1a oon,ofxa bo eo,y ha ma tariale fnr a uno