Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-06-23
CENTENNIAL PTCTURES-NO. vi,
BY DANIEL WISE, DID.
SURPRISE OF THE HEss1ANs Al TREN-


SUR PRISE OF THE HEssIANs Al TREN-
TON. -
The spirited defense of Brooklyn,
though ending in retrest, was one Of
great service to the Americans, in
that, by delaying Howe, it prevent
ed him from making his intended
junction with Carleton's force from
Canada, as his original plan for the
campaign required. Nevertheless,
it caused deep depression all over
the country. Congress, in spite of
the lofty and confident tone of Rush,
Samuel Adams, and a few other he
roic men, shared the general feeling.
Dreading the result of further re-
treat by our army, it desired, almost
commanded, Washington to hold
New York: His military council
coincided with Congress, and our
great military chieftain prepared to
attempt what he knew might be inn
possible.
Events on the 18th of September
proved the CORE ctness of his Opini
ion. The British, under cover OF
the guns of the fleet, landed at
Kip's Bay, on the East River. AT
the first boom of the guns Washing
ION rode swiftly to the scene of aci
ton, only TO meet the men appointI
cd to defend his. lines on that point,
panic-stricken and running in cow
ardly haste from the invaders,
knowing that, unless the enemy
could be held in check for time,
Putnam, with four thousand men
stationed lower down in the city,
would be hemmed in and captured
Washington strove to rally the ran
aways. Riding within eighty yardi
of the advancing foe, and amid
I, he showers of bullets, he called K
III, lmato follow him, in tones which
won Id have kindled courage in
crave MS heart. He promised, h'
threat aned; yet not man OF those
panic-s.tricken troops responded tc
his calls, but left him to meet th'
enemy alone. For a moment or twE
the exasperated ehieftain seemed in
cIined TO 4hrow his life away By
rushing singie-h handed upon the foe
Better and wiser thoughts, however
soon res umed sgay over his passions
and, ask ing hlmsslf, "are these tn
men by yhom am expected to de
fend the liberties of America9" h,
rode awasy to give the orders which
saved his position on Harlem Height
from the consequences of this shame
ful disas ter. Putnam's four thous
and men were saved from captur
by the shrewdness of the patrloti
Mrs. Nh trray, who, by her hospital
ity and witty conversation, delaye'
the Brit ish officers at her mansion
until the prize had escaped beyon'
their g asp.
Know ing the vast inferiority o
his arm " to that of the invaders
Washii Igton's policy was not t
DFluk III ECuCieA ~SNe0-fs
fight d.efensively from post to pos
until his own men gained exPerl
ence, and the enemy should be weak
ened and exhausted. Every one ca
now see that this was the cool polio,
which promised success. But Meth
er Congress, the people, the troops
nor his most influential brother ON
GERS agreed with him. The general
almost universal, demand, was TO
short, sharp, decisive, yictorou
fighting. This being impossible
Washington was coldly supporte
by Congress, murmured at by tn
people, and cruelty criticised by sue
officers as Read, Greene, and Le'
Never was a patriot chief MOI
sorely tried than be at this period
the war; especially, as, IN maneuyel
ing SO as to avoid a general actor
be was obliged to yield one Positio