The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-01-11

news llHl tile Iflll~n tTilN VI NitlltIfl
Clinton was at that moment abandoning
Philadelphia and crossing the Delaware
river into New jersey. The destination
of the enemy could be none other than the
lower Hudson valley, perhaps New York
city, where the British power in the north
was most formidable, and Washington
saw before him rare chance 20 strike the
moving column on the march so rs to
cripple or destroy IL before junction of
hostile forces could be effected east of the
Hudson.
The British at Philadelphia numbered
about 10 200 men. Washingtou's follow
ers numbered about 200 available for Il
rapid campaign. and these We're newly
flushed with ardor on account of the sur
render of Burgoyne at Saratoga together
with the French proilers of money, men
and ships to aid the Revolutionary cause
which had succeeded the fall of Burgoyue,
The approach of "A fleet of French war YES
sells toward the mouth of the Delaware,
threatening Philadelphia, had in fact
scared Clinton into fleeing from the city.
The direction OF the British march was
northeast past Trenton and toward New
Brunswick, the head of navigation on the
Raritan river, where vessels lay ready to
transport the troops to the Hudson. Wash
iugton marched from Valley Forge (on the
upper Schuylkil) directly east, and ON the
Gath of May his advance guard, the IA
nous rifle corps of General Daniel Morgan,
was securing the country between the
British column and New Brunswick--that
is, on Clinton's direct line of march.
brigade of Jerseym under General Max
well and II corps of vigilant Jersey militia
lowered close in support of Morgan, and
the main body of Americans was only
CHI
lieutenants at that time were General
Charles Lee converted Briton whose
patriotism was always under n cloud,
Lafayette and Wayne. In council of war
held after crossing the Delaware, Lee
strongly opposed general battle with
Clinton, and although Washington heart
was set upon it the council voted to act
cautiously. However, the advance column
was strengthened by 800 Nirginians un-
der General Charles Scott and Wayne's
Pennsylvanians, raising it to 4 1000 men.
Lafayette, who was eager for brittle, was
placed at the head of this body and in
structed to attack the enemy mt the first
opportunity. Lee, who was by rank sec
end to Washington, instantly changed his
tune and asked to be given the post of
honor at the head of the column of attack.
But Washington refused to displace the
valiant French ally at such moment and
compromised by sending Lee forward
with separate column to cooperate with
Lafayette, and in case of a battle Lee 3 SEN
iority of rank would entitle him to COM
mand.
Meanwhile Clinton saw trouble ahead
on the road to New Brunswick and turned
his route directly eastward, by way of
Monmouth, toward Amboy and Sandy
Hook. On the 2Ith, Lafayette's active
captains, Morgan and Wayne, were so close
upon the British TANKS that Clinton need
ed to bestir himself or see his army cut ia
two. He took position on the heights
around Monmouth Courthouse, recalled
his choicest soldiers, the Royal Veteran
grenadiers and light infantry, and formed
his lines for battle. Washington was anN
ious to accept the gage thus thrown down
because 10 miles farther east on Clinton's
route there was a height still more fOrmid
able for defense than that at Monmouth
which Clinton would not fail to dis
cover. He instructed Lee TO lay his plans
for attack early on the 2Sth and shar,
them with Lafayette and Wayne. The
27th passed, and no plans We're forthcom
ing. Twice Lafayette called at Lees tent
for orders and was bluntly told, 81 hav,
none" During the night n stranger will
some difficulty forced bis way ~ Washing
toms pres nee and war ed hin to bewar
of General Lee in the approaching battle
The man proved to be Virginia chaplain
on duty in Scott's brigade. Whatever tn
chiefs opinion of his second officer at tina
time he kept it to himself, but very sool
after the warning reached him he sent or
ders to the outposts to have Morgan's rifle