The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1913-06-06
Parllament Awaken.


| 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 a French fleet about to take
the sea, it was necessary that the
British commanders in America
should concentrate their forces.
Philadelphia, they had at last found
out, was a burden, not prize. II
had no strategic advantage of posi-
ton; was hard to defend, and harder
to provision: was too far from the
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, 1879.
General Clinton, who succeeded him,
received orders from England to undo
Howes work at once, abandon Phila-
delphia, and concentrate his forces at
New York
Washington Close Behind.
Twas easier said than done.
There were not transports enough
to move his fifteen thousand men by
sea: only the three thousand loyal
lists who had put themselves under
his protection could be sent IN the
ships, with a portion Of his stores; he
must cross the hostile country; and
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
insubordinate poltroon he was. He
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 to seek some profit in the
colonies, and cared for no interest but
his own. While prisoner he had
secretly directed Howe'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, Chm
toms divisions lay separate, offering a
chance to cut them asunder.
A Treacherous Move.
On the morning Of the 2Sth, Lee
was ordered forward with six thou
sand men to enfold Clinton's left wing
eight thousand men, the flower Of
the British force-by gaining it's
flank, while Washington held it's
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 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
see.
Washlngton's Terrible Wrath.
When Lee would have made some
excuse, he holly cursed him. in his
fury, for coward, himself rallied the
willing troops, and led them forward
again to victory; won back the field
Lee had abandoned, and drove the
enemy to the cover of a morass.
In the night that followed, Clinton
hastily withdrew leaving even his