The Ordway new era., 1913-09-19

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Europe seemed about to turn upon the
stout little kingdom In tts unanimous
fear and hatred of her arrogant su-
premacy upon the seas.
British = Common Target.
Everywhere there was war upon the
ocean highways-even America send
ing forth men OF desperate valor. like
John PAIL Jones. to ravage and chal.
lenge Britain upon her very coast.
But England's spirit only rose with
the danger. and Washington waited all
the weary year through for his French
allies. In 1880 1t looked for little
as II the British were indeed turned
yictors. 80
In the spring Clinton withdrew the
force that had held Newport to New
York. and. leaving General Knyphau-
sen there with powerful force 10
keep Washington and the city. carried
eight thousand men southwArd to take
Charleston. There were forces al
ready In the south sufficient to swell
his army TO ten thousand ere he in
vested the fated town; and on the
twelfth of May (17SO) 1t fell into his
hands. with General Lincoln and three
thousand prisoners.
South Carolina Lost.
Washington had sent such succor as
he could, but the British force was
overwhelming, and South Carolina was
lost.
South Carolina teemed with loyal
lists. The whole country was swept
and harried by partisan bands. The
men who should have swelled General
Lincoln's force knew not when their
homes might be plundered and de-
stroyed. II they were to leave them.
The planters of the low country dared
not stir for fear of an insurrection Of
their slaves.
In June Clinton could take half his
force back to New York. deeming the
work done.
Gates Put to Rout.
General Gates completed the disas-
trous record. On the thirteenth Of
June he was given chief command in
the south, and was told that the coun-
try expected another "Bursoynade." :"
His force was above three thousand,
and he strnck his blow, ~ he should.
at Camden, where Cornwallis had but
two thousand men. albeit trained and
veteran troops; but the end was total.
shameful rout (August 1s, 1z1nArApd
the men knew At last the tndapA Acity
OF their hero Of Saratoga"
Congress In Helpless stats.
Certainly things looked desperate
enough that dark year.
The congress was sinking into .
more and more helpless ineficicncy.
Defipite articles of confederation had
been submitted to the states nearly
three years ago November. 1777), but
they had not been adopted yet. and
the. states had almost ceased to heed
the acquisitions OF the congress- at all.
Unable to tax. It paid Its bills and the
wages of its troops in paper. which 40
rapidly fell In value that by the time
the hopeless year 1889 was out men
in the ranks found . months pay TOO
little with which to buy even single
bushel of wheat.
Washington was obliged to levy sup
plies from the country round him TO
feed his army: and in spite of their
stanch loyalty to him, his men grew
mutinons. in sheer disgust with the
weak and faithless government they
were expected to serve. Wholesale
desertion began, as many as one hun
dred men month going over to the
enemy. to get at least pay and food
and clothing. 81
The Country Worn Out.
The country seemed not SO much
dismayed as worn out and Indifferent;
weary Of waiting and hoping: looking
stolidly to see the end come.
Washington was helpless. Without
the cooperation Of naval force. It
was impossible to do more than hold
the British In New York. France. It
was true, was bestirring herself again.
On the tenth of July French feet
(