The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-10-09

news that the British army of General
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 n rare chance to strike the
moving column on the march 50 "a to
cripple or destroy it before II junction of
hostile forces could be effected east of the
Hudson.
The British at Philadelphia numbered
about II, 900 men. Washington's follow
ers numbered about , 900 available for
rapid campaign, and these were newly
flushed with ardor on account of the sur
render of Burgoyne at Saratoga together
with the French proffers of money, men
and ships to aid the Revolutionary cause
which had succeeded the fall of Burgoyne.
The approach of fleet of French war YES
sells toward the mouth Of the Delaware,
threatening Philadelphia, had in tact
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
ington marched from Valley Forge ION the
upper SchuylkilD directly east, and on the
oath 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 Clnton's direct line of march.
brigade Of ,Ierseymen under General Max
well and "A corps of vigilant Jersey militia
lowered close in support of Morgan, and
..,,1
short march behind. WashingtOn's chief
lieutenants mt that time were General
Charles Lee, n converted Briton whose
patriotism was always under cloud,
Lafayette and Wayne. In council of war
held after crossing the Delaware, Lee
strongly opposed Il 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 :
Pennsylvanians, raising it to 1000 men.
Lafayette, who was eager for battle, 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
ond to Washington, instantly changed his
tune and asked to be given the post Of
honor Mt the head of the column of attack
But Washington refused to displace thu
valiant French ally at such n moment anC
compromised by sending Lee forward
with separate column to cooperate witt
Lafayette, and in case of II battle Lees 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
fMonmouth toward AmbOy and Sandy
Hook. On the 9th, 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 in
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 anX-
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, ~ hav,
none" During the night n stranger witt
some difficulty forced his way to Washing
tons presence and warned him to bewar,
of General Lee in the approaching battle
The man proved to be a Virginia chaplain
on duty in Scott's brigade Whatever tn,
chiefs opinion of his second officer at thai
time he kept it to himself but very sOoI
after the warning reached him he sent or
ders to the outposts to have Morgan's rifle