The Irish standard., 1902-02-22

learned to their cllagrn that Washing-
ton had not time TO wait, and had
withdrawn across the river during the
night with all his army. Both the re-
treat and passage of the Delaware
were conducted in II manner possible
only to the highest gcncralship. Dur.
ing the latter movement he had a
few men remain to keep the camp
fires, so that the British rested in the
serene confidence that their foes were
waiting for them.
But ii must not he supposed that
Washington was Il great leader simply
when conducting Il retreat He was
equally skillful in aggressive warfare.
SO soon as he cXtricatcd his army
from pressing peril he was alert and
vi%ilhnt in seeking for an opportunity
to strike a telling blow in return. And
such an opportunity he was NOT long in
finding. The enemy. confident that
they had conquered New Jersey, set
tied down in some Of the towns along
the river. apparently assuming that
they could take their ease for HE win
ter.
Then, while they were thus reposing
in conscious security, Washington,
with supreme autlncity made that re-
mnrknblc passage OF the Delaware on
Christmas night. amid floating ice, led
his army by a forced march of nine
miles and surprised ana captured the
l1cssians there established. Then,
cvading the British aroused to attack
him, he marched to Princeton, made Il
fierce assault upon the enemy there
posted and utterly routed them. Push
ing on, he threatened the British
stores, compelling CORVALLIS to re-
treat to New Brunswick. BY this bril-
liant raid Washington had won two
sharp fights, captured more than 1000
prisoners, delivered nearly the whole
or New Jersey from English Occupa-
ton, put heart into his soldiers and
the country, ana strengthened his
army, until It was in as good condition
as before the loss Of New York And
all this within three weeks! In this
short time he had transformed the
American spirit from that of gloomy
f0rebodings and almost of despair to
Il feeling OF bouyant confidence and
hope.
We cannot follow Washington
through all his military career. An
other phase Of his ability, however,
was revealed by his action at the bat
tie of Monmouth. Through the trcnch-
cry of Charles Lee the army was de-
fcatcd, and was in full rctreat-almost
Of panic-whcn Washington came on
to the field. Lee had refused to fight
when in touch with the enemy Send
ing Lee to the rear, he himself took
command Tic stopped the retreat, re-
formed the troops, brought up the rest
of the army, checked the cXultant foe
and drove them in hcadlong retreat to
New York.
WashngtOns genius for strategy
was never more brilliantly eXemplified
than in the last great movement Of
the war, resulting in the surrender Of
CORVALLIS at Yorktown. He was
with the American army encamped
near New York. CORVALLIS was har-
asscd by the Americans until he felt
obliged to take refuge at Yorktown
ana throw up cntrcnchments. WASH
ington was not slow to perceive his
opportunity by one final master stroke
to end the war
CORVALLIS expected to be relieved
by fleet with reinforcements from
New York. But Washington was
there making preparations for an &C.
tive movement. He tried to let it be
understood that he was about to at
tack the city. Clinton dared not de-
tach many of his forces for fear of
losing New York. When his prepara-
tions were complete and when he
knew that the French feet, his allies,
were on the way to Chesapeake, Wash
ington Withdrew from his entrench--
ments, and before his adversfobate