The National tribune., 1881-09-03
GENERAL WASHINGTON.

meSheS, we must cross INTO the ca1npS Oh tne
Americans and their friends the French. Wash
ngtOn who with a wretchedly clothed and often
but haf-ted army had been sustaining the
of the Revolution through six anxious years,
never felt the embarrassment of his situation
more than in the early part OF the year l1Sl.
He could do little to assist the South, and saw
no tlattering prospects of achieving anything de-
cisive in the North. The only ray of hope that
flashed through the clouds was the probability
that in the course of the summer large French
fleet would appear upon the American coast, with
whose assistance something might be effected.
But even here many contingencies were in
volved that success still seemed an aggravating
uncertainty. campaign nevertheless, was ar
ranged. On the 23d of May, Washington met
Count de ROchambeau. commanding the French
allies at Newport, in conference at Wetherseld,
Connecticut, where it was agreed that the French
should join the Americans on the Hudson, and
an attempt be made to capture New York city.
A request was sent later to the Count de Grasse,
admiral of the expected fleet in the West Indies,
to cooperate by entering the harbor. This was
WashingtOns plan, while it would seem that
Rochamheau, although yielding to him, had mis-
givingS in regard to it. At the same conference
the project Of marching to Virginia alluded
to. but it was held that that State could be re-
leved quite as et1ectuaIly by attacking Clinton
in the North, and preventing him from sending
further re-inforcements southwark. Still, every
thing depended upon De Grasse Without him
the year would probably close with matters
continuing in stdtu quo; with him, great blow
might be struck somewhere, ana that somewhere
was the problem. Although Washington
had committed himself at the Wethersteld con-
ference to an attack upon New York and ex-
pected the cooperation Of the French admiral,
we find, as the summer advanced, and the situa-
tion in Virginia changed by the retirement of
CORVALLIS to the sea-cOaSt, that he recognized
the possibility of change OF plan on his
part and this before De GraSSe 5 final destination
and intentions were known. But the I'd of Au-
gust he had informed La Fayette of the cOntin-
gency that might take him to Virginia. where
they could unite in falling upon CORVALLIS; and
he had sounded Mr.. Robert Morris as to transpor-
tation from Philadelphia from which we are to
inter-as, indeed, OF his letters authorizes the
interence-that even had De Grasse come to New
York, Washington was ready to suggest his sail
ing back to the Chesapeake, while the army
would move to the same point. In other words,
the march upon CORVALLIS, perhaps the most
splendid episode OF the war, was an alternative
plan already maturing in Washington's mind
before word came from De Grasse that he should
not sail further north than Virginia.
De Grasses announcement that he would be in
the Chesapeake about the 1>t OF September. and
that he expected TO meet the allied army there
and not at New York did not reach Washington
until August Il. At once the latter turned his
entire attention to the descent upon Corvallis
Demonstrations had been made against New
York in July with serious intent but now they
were conducted as teint. It was of the greatest
Importance that Clinton should not suspect the
intended march until Washington was well on
his way southwark The plan remained pro-
found secret with both the American and French
chiefs. The troops We're put on the move toward
the city as if for an attack. and when they
turned about and crossed the Hudson at Kings
Ferry. late in August the tent was still kept up
on the Jersey side for day or two when the
entire force headed for the Chesapeake. On til"
I'd of September the American wing, two thou
sand strOng-tour thousand having been left to
guard the Hudson. under Heath marched
through Philadelphia followed the next day by
the French contingent, which delighted Congress
and the citizens with its inspiring music and
brilliant appearance Here the news was re-
ceived that De Grasse had arrived in the Chesa-
peake with a powerful fleet and Washington
pushed on with the liveliest anticipatiOns of
success. The troops took the straight road to
the head of the Elk and Baltimore and, after
short delay, embarked in transports for the
james In spite of the t;ttigueS of the march.
they were ali i'll good spirit, with hardly sick
man among them and seemed to realize the
probable decisive results OF the movement they
We're engaged in. I've shall soon look in upon
CORVALLIS stern as the grave" wrote an officer
to a friend in the North, and he only reflected
the general expectation From Baltimore Wash
ingtOn and ROchambeau and their suits rode
rapidly overland, stopping al Mount Verncn on
the 9th and 10th-the Chiefs first visit to his
home for six yearS-and on the 9th reached the
camp OF Lafayette at Williamsburg, who had
been reinforced with three thousand French
troops, under st. Simon. brought on by De Grs,sse
When Clinton, at New York. woke up to the fact
no other way OF meeting the danger to which
CORVALLIS would be exposed but by attempting
to 90 to his relief by sea
I.at;tyette's little army at williamsburg the
American part OF which lad been lowering about
and d0d@;ng Cornwaliis ever since he entered the
Springs. near jamestown, but without success