The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-09-02

| e
winter quarters stronger than it hac
discipline; more devoted to its com
mander than ever, and more at to
serve him.
An Efficient Army.
| At last the change to q system of
I long, enlistments had transformed it
from q levy of militia into an army
steadied by service, unafraid Of the
field.
The year opened, besides, with q
new hope and new confidence. They
were no longer a body of insurgents
even to the eye of Europe.
News came to the camp late In
the night Of the 4th of May (177S) that
France had entered into open alliance
with the United States, and would
curing their independence.
An Alliance Of Power.
Such an alliance changed the whole
face Of affairs England would no
longer have the undisputed freedom of
the seas, and the conquest of her col
onies in America might turn out the
least part Of her task in the presence
of European enemies She now knew
the full significance Of Saratoga and
Germantown.
Washington's splendid audacity and
extraordinary command of his re-
sources in throwing himself upon his
victorious antagonist at Germantown
as the closing move of long retreat
had touched the imagination and won
the confidence of foreign soldiers and
statesmen hardly less than the takin,,
OF Burgoyne at Saratoga.
Parliat at Awskes.
Parliament at last February, IT'S
came to its senses: resolved to re
nounce the right to tax the colonies.
except for the regulation of trade. and
sent commissioners to America to of
fer such terms for submission. But
it was too late; neither congress nor
the states would now hear of anything
but independence.
With French feet about to take
the sea. it was necessary that the
British commanders in America
should concentrate their forces.
Philadelphia, they had at last found
ou+, was burden, not a prize. X
Lad no strategic advantage of posi-
ton; was hard to defend, and harder
sea, and not far enough from Wash.
ington's open lines of operation.
General Howe Resigns.
Before the summers campaign be
gan, Sir William Howe resigned his
command and babe the town good
bye, amidst elaborate festivities (May
18th, 1873.
General Clinton, who succeeded him.
received orders from England to undo
Howe's work at once. abandon Phile.
delphia, and concentrate his forces at
New York
Washington Close Behind.
Twas easter said than done.
There we're not transports enough
to move his fifteen thousand men by
sea; only the three thousand loyal
lists who had put themselves undaE'
his protection could be sent in the
ships, with portion of his stores; he
must cross the hostile country; arc
his march was scarcely begun June
18th) before Washington was at his
heels, with force but little inferior
to his own either in numbers or in
discipline.
He might never have reached New
York at all had not Charles Lee been
once more second in command in the
American army.
The Insubordinate Lee.
He had come out of captivity, ex-
changed and now proved himself the
insnbordinate poltroon he was. H.
had never; had any real heart in the
cause. He owned estates in Virginia
but he was not of the great Virginian
family of the Northern Neck
He was only a soldier of fortune
strayed out of the British service on
half pay 20 seek some profit in the
colonies. and cared for no interest but
his own. While prisoner he had
secretly directed Rowe's movement
against Philadelphia. and now he was
to consummate his cowardly treach-
cry.
Washington outstripped his oppo-
nent in the movement upon New York.
and determined to fall upon him at
Monmouth Court House. where. on
the night of the 9th of June Gin
toms divisions lay separate, offering
chance to cut them asunder.
A Tseacherous Move.
On the morning of the 18th, Lee
was ordered forward with SIX thou
sand men to enfold Clinton's LETT wing
eight thousand men, the flower of
the British force-by gaining it's
flank, while Washington held its
main body ready to strike in his aid
at the right moment
The movement was perfectly sue
cessful. and the fighting had begun.
when, to the amazement and chagrin
alike Of officers and men. Lee began
to withdraw. Lafayette sent q mes
senger hot-foot for Washington, who
rode up to find his men, not attack
ing, but pursued.
What is the meaning of all this ?''
he Numbered, his wrath terrible to
500