Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-02-05

After the fall OF Fort Washington tho
commander-in-c chief began his retreat
through New Jersey. as he feared the
next move of the British would be
against Philadelphia. His fears were
JUSTIFIED for Howe sent CORVALLIS In
pursuit of the ContInentals. Congress
was In a panic and fled from Philadcl-
phla to Baltimore. Lees division was to
form the rear guard of Washington'S
army. but Lee delayed about crossing
the Hudson and when. In response TO
Washington's urgent orders he finally
did move with his division he loitered
and fingered here and there, apparent
ly having no intention or desire to
merge his command with that OF
Washington. on Dec 49, 1916. he was
captured In a tavern at Baslllngridge.
near Morristown, y. J.. by q troop of
English light horse men. He was four
miles from his quarters at the time.
Captain, afterward Lord, Harris says
Lee behaved in a cowardly manner,
begging that his life be saved. He was
roughly handled by his captors Hat
less. coatless and dlshcveled he was
tied hand and foot. put on a horse
behind a trooper and hurried to New
Brunswick
AMERICAS DARKEST HOUR.
The capture of Lee spread dismay
thought the cause had lost its most
talented soldier, CORVALLIS was press
Ing Washington hard and it was feared
that any day would bring u crowning
disaster
But Washington got his tattered,
broken regiments across the Delaware
and for the time being was safe from
pursuit Then, suddenly, out of tho
gloom, there camo that brilliant stroke
at Trenton on Christmas night when
the HeSsians were surprised and the
whole force captured. Next came
Princeton. and the whole country was
electrified. The tide had turned Corn
wallis, no longer the pursuer, was now
pursued, He was glad to get back to
New York. He took Lee with him.
When Lee arrived I'm New York Cen
eral Howe and his brother, Lord Howe.
did not know what to do with him.
They had to ask the king whether tu
try him as q traitor or TO hold him as
a prisoner OF war. Pending instruc
tions they put him in prison.
Exaggerated reports reached Wash
ington of the severity of the treatment
OF Lee, and Washington thereupon
notified General Howe that until Lee
was recognized as prisoner Of war
there would be no exchange OF prison
ers. and as the British treated Lee. so
Washington would treat British pris-
oners
This was shocking. Washington had
scores of Hessian officers as prisoners.
III they were treated harshly it would
have bad effect upon the spirits of
the other foreign officers in the British
service.
Howe got orders to send Lee 10 Eng
land for trial. Howe. cautious and
slow. fearing reprisals IL i'll befell Lee.
delayed In carrying out the order,
meanwhile sending n long explanation
to London of the embarrassment of
his position. London gave authority
to him TO consider Lee as a prisoner
OF war.
THE TREASON.
Possibly the attitude OF the king to-
ward Lee was softcned by some adVice5
from Howe as to what Lee was doing
to aid the British cause. Three months
after his capture and while Washing
ton was WORKING In his behalf with the
utmost energy, Lee was laying plan
before Sir William Howe and Lord
Richard Howe to crush the revolution.
All the knowledge Lee had gained in
America was at the service of the
Howes. Lee was confident that If his
plan, given in fun ON this page. was
adopted the rebellion would be stamp
cd out within 60 days And his plan
was n good one. That 1t impressed
the Howcs and Influenced them greatly
there can be no Gocbt.