The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-06-27

Gae--~&&m
Europe seemed about to turn upop tbe
stout little kingdom in its unanimous
fear aud hatred OF her arrogant SUI
premacy upon the seas.
British a Common Target.
Everywhere there was war upon the
/ ocean highways--even America send
ing forth men of desperate valor, like
John Paul 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
victors.
In the spring Clinton withdrew the
force that had held Newport to New
York, and. leaving General Knyphau-
sen there with powerful force 70
keep Washington and the city, carried
eight thousand men southwark 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 (17S0) 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 harrled by partisan bands. The
men who should have swelled General
Lincoln's force knew not when theiI
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 instruction o.
their slaves.
In June Clinton could take half his
force back to New York. deeming tht
work done.
Gates Put to Rout.
General Gates completed the disas
trous record On the thirteenth D
June he was given chief command IL
the south, and was told that the coun
try expected another 'Burgoynade.
His force was above three thousand
and he struck his blow, as he should
at Camden, where CORVALLIS had bu
two thousand men, albeit trained ant
, veteran troops but the end was total
shameful rout august 16, 1880, an,
the men knew at last the incapacit
OF their hero of Saratoga"
Congress In Helpless State.
Certainly things looked desperat
enough that dark year
The congress was sinking into
q more and more helpless inefflciency
! Definite articles of confederation ha
!. been submitted to the states nearl
three years ago November, IT'D, bu
, they had not been adopted yet, an
q the states had almost ceased to hee
: the acquisitions Of the congress at al
Unable to tax, it paid its bills and tn
wages of its troops in paper, which s
, rapidly fell In value that by the tim
: the hopeless year 1889 was out me
/ in the ranks found months pay TO
1 little with which to buy even a singl
:, bushel of wheat.
4 Washington was Obliged to levy SUI
q plies from the country round him [
I feed his army; and in spite OF the
! stanch loyalty to him, his men gre
4 mutinous, in sheer disgust with th
= weak and faithless government the
. were expected to serve. Wholesal
/, desertion began. as many as one hui
dred men a month going over to I'll
!, enemy, to get at least pay and foe
: and clothing.
The Country Worn Out.
The country seemed not so muc
: dismayed as worn out and Indifferent
: weary of waiting and hoping: lookir
= stolidly to see the end come.
= Washington was helpless. Witho,
i the cooperation OF naval force.
|. was impossible to do more than hol
:, the British in New York. France.
: was true, was bestirring herself agai
o On the tenth of July French fe,