Washington telegraph., 1862-03-19
THE REvERsEs OF THE REVOLUTIONS.

gagged, in its origin as well as its incidents.
The war of the Revolution was one IN
which the disparity of the contending
powers was far greater than at present.
The British had every advantage that
numbers, experience in warfare and un-
limited resources could give them. Tie
colonists were 10 awe of the superior skill
and force of their enemies. They were
almost without artillery, their small arms
were of the most Indifferent description,
and insufficient for their troops. Their
armies were badly clad and badly provide
with stores. They were enlisted for very
short terms. aud therefore badly discip-
lined and drilled. The people of every
colony were more or less divided In opln-
ion as to the rightfulness of the contest,
aud some, as New York, furnished as
many troops to one side as the other.
The course of the contest was sufficient
to have discouraged any but the most
resolute natures.
The British had taken months for the
most elaborate preparation to subdue the
colonies. They were supreme by sea
Gen. Washington had concentrated his
forces at New York. He had u 900 men.
He undertook to defend Long Island,
upon which he erected delences aud sta
toned troops. The British landed troops,
turned his left flank, routed his army, aud
captured 1000 men. The remainder
were fortunate enough 10 escape to the
III ain land. ..
The American army were then 10
great part withdrawn from the city, but
such was the terror inspired by the supe-
rlor military skill attributed to the Brit
ish, that the force stationed for the de-
ience of a water battery fed from tile
bonn bardment of the enemy, and two
brigades sent to their aid were So infected
with panic, that they retreated without
| firing "a gun or seeing the enemy, aud ln
spite OF the remonstrances OF Gen. Wash
+ Iugton and their own commanders.
/ New York was then abandoned with
! the loss of all our artillery, much of our
army stores, PROVISIONS, tents, DC
The American army behaved better at
/ White Plains. But 1t was pursued by
other disasters Fort Washingtr n-rath
! er against tie advice of Gen. Washington
y was defended. The garrison made =
/ gallant defence: killing several hundred
/ Hessiaus; but the British advanced IN
three columns. and drove the garrison
/ into the fort, where 1t surrendered. The
! British captured two thousand five hun
/ dred men, with military stores and N
strong position. This Was considered tho
greatest calamity of the var. Fort Ice
iell next-the troops were withdrawn, but
al the armament and supplies, including
three hundred tents, Eel. into the hands
OF the enemy.
The effect of these blows, falling with
such weight and rapidity, was intense. -
I The historian says the troops quilted the
army "by regiments, half regiments aud
compauies.' - Gen. Washington crossed
into the Jerseys, into which he was fnl
lowed by vlctorions enemy. lie then
headed an army of only three thousaUd
men. besides some detachm5nts uuder
! Lee and others.
New Jersey yielded without resistance,
and no one who locked on the ragged
handful Ct "Americans," as they retreat
ed before the disciplined and appointed
army which followed them, could doubt
that ''the contest approached It's teimlna
ton"
1t is unnecessary to follow the narrative
of reverses, which ought TO be read by
every one; and repubhshcd for the inspec
ton of the people. .-...
| Washington, undismayed, turned III. bis
I celebrated night march across the Dela-
ware, captured | 900 men, with arms and
stores, and returned in safety. But Meth
ing else occurred for months to break the
current of British successes.
Their army embarked in the next
cam paign, and for weeks Washington
was ignorant of their destination. 10
avoid the forts which he had erected on
the Delaware, they had ascended the
Chesapeake to march overland upon Phil
adelphia. Washington, who had again
recruited his temporary army, resisted
their advance on Brandywine. Here
leaving force to threaten the fords in
front, the enemy made detour and turn
ed our right flank The Americans af
ter a short resistance, withdrew. Wash
ington made yet another stand to save
Philadelphia; bu. violent rain so COM
pletey drenched his men, that their
whole stock of ammunition was rendered
unfit for use, and the army was compelled
to fall back. 1t is stated that at this
time there were scarcely two guns of the
same calibre in the army. One regiment
reviewed ninety muskets and seven bayo
nets.
Our night attack on Germantown was
a failure, and the enemy held Philadel'
phia without farther moleslatiou Theil
next object was to open the Delaware
Washington wished to preserve his forts
He strengthened and threw men int
them. The enemy we're repulsed in ;
land attack upon one of them. Their
they brought their ships to bear, ant
"shelled' the forts until they were NJ
longer tenable, and were abandoned. =
Washington seemed never afterwards t
resist the British on the water, or nea
the water-if we except the capture 0
CORVALLIS. The British were suprem
on that element. In his own words: ct
protect a coast from an enemy entirel
= In possession of the sea is Lmpracticable.'