The Coolidge examiner., 1933-07-14

llUue 10 Ue ueTOeS anu sci Hetu-
ed example to the youth of our
land? Why stop now when the
weary march was near its end?
There were many who heard the
Chief.
Among them was old Amos Farms
worth who shouted: They won't
leave US. Lord God o. Israel! A
man that leaves oughter be hung an
thar amt no mistake"
A thousand men began cheer
ing. Those who sought discharges
abandoned their design and soon
fell in the march to Plunkemin on
the way to Morristown.
II had taken Howe's powerful
army six months to drive General
Washington across the Delaware.
The good fighting weather" was
gone. Winter operations in
strange country were skunk meat"
10 the European. Washington knew
it. Soon Heath and Putnam in the
bNbab W Ill ANC"
York, whereupon the British set out
for that safe retreat where they
could find comfort and security and
be done with unexpected deviltries
in a treacherous countryside. So
the American Commander In Chief
had gained time for needed recuper-
alton.
The spirit OF army and people
had improved. The New Jersey folk
had been aroused to fever heat by
outrages which are the inevitable
result OF occupation by the troops
of an enemy. 1t was a favorable
time for recruiting, but compared
with the British army, Washington
had a feeble force of men. billeted
in Morristown.
Young Alexander Hamilton was
in great favor with the Chief. At
a dinner of the staff Washington
called on him for speech. The
young man acquitted himself with
such wit and charm that the Gen
eral arose and shook his hand.
After that all the officers showed
him great respect and the boy was
often in their councils.
Summer came. The last detach-
ment of the British had left Am
boy for Staten Island. Burgoyne
was expected in northern New York
with an army from Canada.
The most difficult problem of the
revolution now challenged the in
genuity of the Commander in Chief.
He must prevent the formidable
army of Howe on York island from
going up the Hudson to aid Bur
goyne. The force in the Highlands
was strengthened. Putnam had put
a powerful chevaux-de-frise across
the Hudson near Fort Montgomery
TO prevent ships from passing and
to hold them under ruinous gunfire.
II was an immense iron chain sup
ported by log booms a few feet
apart and securely anchored to
both shores Two forts on the
river were well manned and must
be reduced before ships could pass.
Beacon lights on Butter hill at the
northern entrance of the Highlands
would fash the news of an attack
to Beacon hill and on southwark to
Mullender's hill and Snake hill and
the lower Hudson. Howe might win
his way but il would be a slow
footed, perilous undertaking. Wash
ington's problem was to detain
Howe and encompass Burgoyne
who. once landed at the head of
Lake Champlain, could never hope
to return. Howe, having waited
long for reinforcements from Eu-
rope. embarked his army. He start
ed southwark, evidently heading
for Philadelphia.
Washington now said to his Jer-
sey yeomen: Go home and do your
harvesting and return as soon as
possible"
In a camp almost deserted he
sat down with members of his staff
to consider the great problem.
Plans for the encompassment of
Burgoyne were complete when a
messenger came from congress to
announce that Gates had been
given full command in the north.
Washington had ample evidence of
the ambition of Gates to supplant
him and of his unwholesome polit-
ical influence Schuyler. command
ing in upper New York. was gen
, tleman to his liking and in the
Chiefs opinion quite equal to the
task ahead of him. Still, as usual,
he must bow to the will of CON
gress. Gates was a cunning poll
tician. MOrgan's riflemen and Ar
nold's brigade were to be sent
north to help him.
CHAPTER XIII