The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-02-17
lowed the brilliant stro-


But Washington came out Of them vic
torious by the display of the highest
courage. His tactics at Trenton and
Princeton, as we'll as at the Brandywine
Snd Germantown in the same field, are
open to criticism, but in each case the
situation called for action and Wash
ington was forced to risk much upon the
fidelity and ability of his generals. The
net result of the Trenton and Princeton
campaign was to free New Jersey Of the
British, except the northeast corner.
and save Philadelphia for time.
Washington settled down for the win
ter at Morristown with only 1000 long
service troops, but when spring opened
in 1777 he had an army Of 1000 under
able generals. The British divided the
attention Of the revolutionists by NOV.
ing on Philadelphia from the Chesa-
peake bay and from Canada down Lake
Champlain toward Albany. For defense
Of the north Washington sent Daniel
Morgan and his Virginia rihemen to
Albany and appealed to the New York
and New England patriots to arise and
meet the invader. With his own army
he kept Howe occupied around Phila-
delphia, although he lost the battle of
Brandywine and Germantown. After
the surrender Of Burgoyne at Saratoga
he asked for the continental troops serv-
ing with the army there under Gates to
come to his aid in securing the forts on
the Delaware, and thus cut Howe off
from direct communications with the
sea. They were not sent, and the Della
ware line was lost. Washington went
into camp at Valley Forge. He had been
the victim Of base conspiracy to un-
dermine his power, but kept up his own
spirit and that of his men during that
trying time by looking for aid from
France. Lafayette had Joined him at
Philadelphia, and during the winter the
treaty Of alliance was signed.
Early in the spring General Howe re-
signed the British command at Phila-
delphia, and his successor, Clinton, evac-
uated the city, taking the army to New
York. Seeing chance to cripple the
British on the march, Washington plan
ned an attack at Monmouth and was
robbed Of brilliant victory by the
treachery of Charles Lee, who had re-
turned from captivity to his command.
In that battle Washington displayed
again the qualities of a fighting general.
Like Napoleon, he dashed to the front
to cheer on and direct his men. At the
same time he did not give way to battle
frenzy, although he lost his temper over
the contemplate conduct Of Lee Lafa-
yette proved hero, boy that he was.
While the alliance with France came
in good time to cheer on the revolu-
it increased the difficulties Of
the commander in chief. Without the
French navy there was little hope o,
success, but the French admirals had
their own views of the plan of action.
Furthermore, the revolutionists expect
I'd too much of the French, and another
task was laid upon Washington S shout
iers-to keep his people to their work.
Besides planning campaigns he was
forced to do the work of national lead
Or, a leader bearing upon his sword the
fate of the country. The campaigns I'M
dsrtaken by the French were failures,
and the British gained territory on the
coast. Finally Washington asked La
eavstte to go to France and secure a
feer and au army which should be I'M
der his own direction. 1t arrived at
Newport in the summer of 1880, and
while Washington was there comforting
with the French leaders Arnold plotted
the base treason which was to give his
another cruel blow. He
bad trusted the brilliant soldier of
Quebec and Saratoga and given him
that opportunity to betray the citadel
Of the Hudson valley.
But the nerve of the warrior leader
was not to be shaken now that the hour
had come for a decisive blow. The
troops of Rochambeau united with the
continental forces gave him for the
first time in the war an army. The feet
also gave the needed sea power to attack
where the British were strongest, along
the coast. The main British army was
in the south under CORVALLIS. Wash
ington sent Greene to the south with
orders not to fight for positions, but tc
draw CORVALLIS northward. Morgan
was also in the south with his Virgin
ians. Both these brilliant soldiers, the
and the blacksmith, had
been driven from the service by the in.
gratitude Of congress. but Washington e
appeal caused them to buckle on their
swords for the last cast Lafayette was
sent to Virginia with an army, and after
many useless chase CORVALLIS retired
to the seaboard at Yorktown.
Washington left strong garrisons or
the Hudson, and with about 1000 sol.
diers threatened to attack New York.
He lowered within striking distance,
moving southwark, and reach.
ing New Brunswick made forced
march to the head of the Chesapeake.
By water the army was transported tc
the York, and with the aid of the
French feet and the troops on shipboard
the allies laid siege to Yorktown They
the British. and re enforce
ments for CORVALLIS were cut off by
the French ships. Yorktown fell. tri-
umph of strategy. Washington struck
the enemy where he was weak with the
most men, but it was only by the most
skillful planning that he caught his en-
amy in position favorable for the blow.
The result showed Washington 8 gen.
ius in holding on to New Jersey and
,,hi1a rickiu0 all m boon tho ano,nv