The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-09

who MANAGED the department Of intelligence.
suffered great numbers OF the rebel soldiers
to pass and repass and perhaps count the NUM-
Der Of the detachment. and, upon ilIfoundeo
confidence, induced lieut. Col. Baume 10 al
vance too far 70 have a secure retreat Inc
next cause was the slow movement OF LIEUT.
Col Brymann's corps which from bad ~ea'ner'
bad roads. tired horses and other lmpeoimehts
stated by Lieut.-Col Breyrnann. could not
reach twenty-four miles from eight IN the
morning Of the 18th to -four In the afternoon OF
the 18th. The succor, therefore. arrived too
late. The failure OF ammunition. In tho man
aEement Of which there appears TO have been
lmprovidence, was another misfortune me
rest seem common accidents OF war upon
the whole. the enemy have severely felt their
little SUCCESS, and there is no circumstance 10
affect the army with further regret or melsn-
choly, than that which arises from the loss oi
some gallant men. But let the analr OF 'he
mil at Saintwick remain henceforward az d
lesson against the impositions or a treacher-
Gus enemy. many Of whom in the very hour OF
swearing allegiance to the King fought against
his troops and against e1pending ammunition
too fast, by which conquering troops were
Obliged 10 retire with loss. The rnectoh
upon this affair will moreover excite ~alcrtness
and ~exertion In every corps marching lot IN"
support Of another, by showing In Whatever
degree those qualities may be possessed oy the
commanding officer land they are not douoteo
in the present instance, yet. unless they are
general. common accidents m ay become fatal.
and the loas OF two hours may decide the turn
OF an enterprise, and II might happen 10 some
cases. the fate OF q campaign
There are many points OF difference be-
tween the Articles Of Convention agreed
upon by Burgoyne and Gates as these are
represented by the copy in the Clinton manu-
scripts and that In Burgoynes Orderly BOOK.
For ms lance, the following paragraph Is not
contained in the clinton version To prevent
any doubts that might arise from Lieut-uen'
Burgoyne's name not being mentioned In the
above treaty. Major-Gen, Gates hereby de-
clares that he Is unders TODD TO be comprehended
in IL "a fully ~ II his name had been speclncally
mentioned" An interesting extract from Bur
goyne's Orderly Book II quoted In the presen'
volume, When Gen. Bursoyne arrived az
BeInus Heights. he was received by Gen Gates
at the head Of the Continental Army when
was drawn mp on that occasion. Gen, Gates
advanced TO receive him and told him he was
glad to spa him Gen Burgoyne replied. i
am not glad TO see you; II Is my fortune. Sir,
but not my fault Gen Schuyler's carriage
was sent for TO receive and conduct Gen. Red
sail (Riedesell, his wife and Ave children. TO
Albany Gen. BurRoyne and the rest OF the
staff officers we're escorted on horseback. They
all dined at Gen. Schuylers. AZ table. Gen
Gates drank the King Of Great Britains health.
Gen. Burgoyne In return thanked him. and In
the nerlelas- drank the Continental Congress,
Gen Burgoyne observed to Gen. Gates he adj
mired the number. dress and discipline oil his
army: but, above all, the decorum ana regu-
larity that was observed said, Your funds
Of men are inerhausuble. like the hydra's
head. when Cut on. seven more spranR up In
its stead
II has been commonly tab en- for granted
that Major-Gen. Israel Putnam proposed the
fertilization OF West Point 1t is evident from
one Of Gov. Cliuton's letters. dated Dec. 70,
III, that the suggestion came from him; l
am clearly OF the opinion that II strong fortress
ought TO be erected either on the opposite side
OF the creek from where Fort Montgomery
stood or az the West Point. opposite Fort Con-
sttution. The latter | prefer as the most de-
fensible ground, and because the navigation
Of the river there il more diricult and uncer-
tain. and the river something narrower than
IL is at the former place, A new chain should
be procured III possiblel and. with the boom.
which IL nearly completed. stretched across the
river. This with a floating battery or two and
some sunboats, / am persuaded. would answer
the purpose e~iectually. and In this opinion l
am confirmed. as the enemy chose 10 risk
everything for the reduction Of Fort Monteom-
cry, rather than TO attempt passing II with
their shipping while In our possession. II The
West Point should be the place fixed upon. IL
might be OF great advantage TO erect a small
strong work on the high point on the opposite
shore, a little above Fort Constitution"
Il was 10 Gov Clinton that Washington. on
behalf OF his starving troops at Valley Forge,
addressed one Of his appeals for suocor on Feb.
Ia. ITS. Dear Sir: II is with great reluctance
I trouble you on a subject which does not prop
erly fall within your province. but II Is a sub
iect that occasions me more distress than have
felt since the commencement OF the war: and
which loudly demands the most Jealous e1er-
tions Of every person OF weight and authority
who is interested in the success OF our Affairs;
1 mean the present dreadful situation OF the
army for want OF provisions. and the miserable
prospects before us with respect to futurity
II is more alarming than you will probably rom
ceive: for. 10 form a lust idea. IL were necessary
10 be on the spot. For some days past there
has been little less than a famine in the camp.
A part OF the army has been a week without any
kind OF flesh, and the rest, three or four days,
Naked and starving as they are. we cannot
enough admire the incompatible patience and
fidelity OF the soldiery. that they have not been
ere this excited by their suffering TO a general
mutiny and dispersion. Strong symptoms.
however. OF discomfort have appeared In par
ticular Instances; and nothing but the most
active efforts everywhere can 10ne avert so
shocking n catastrophe"
It is well known that the character Of the Con-
tinental Congress deteriorated rapidly after In
dependence was declared. Gouverneur Morris
said of II that, at one period II was largely COM
posed ~ -coundrels. What Alexander Hamilton
thought Of II on Feb. IS. i77s. Is indicated in
a letter addressed to Gov Clinton. which Is here
reproduced, and from which We make the fol-
lowing extract: There Is a matter which often
obtrudes itself upon my mind. and which re-
ouires the attention Of ev ery person OF sense and
Influence among us-f mean a degeneracy Of
representation In the great council OF America.
II IA a melancholy truth. Sir. and the effect OF
which we daily see and feel. that there is not
80 much wisdom In a certain body as there
ought 10 be. and as the success OF our affairs
absolutely demands. Many members OF II are
no doubt men In every respect At for the trust,
but this cannot be said Of 1t as a body. Folly,
| caprice. a want OF foresight, comprehension
and dignity, characterize the general tenor
OF their actions. or this, I dare say. YOU are
sensible, though you have not perhaps 40 many
---.i.,.. 90 nnutp a. "a I haya Tbair