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cartridges soaked, and fighting made impossible. Washington still attempted to keep between the British and the city. But Howe succeeded in crossing the Schuylkill, and hastened to Philadelphia. On the 26th of September, the city was taken, and the main division of the British army encamped at Germantown.

21. Congress adjourned, first to Lancaster, and afterward to York, where they held their sessions until the next summer. Washington now made his camp on Skippack Creek, twenty miles from the city. On the night of the 3d of October, he attempted to surprise the British at Germantown. But the roads were rough, and the different columns reached the British outposts at irregular intervals. There was much severe fighting, and at one time it seemed that the British would be overwhelmed; but they gained possession of a large stone house and could not be dislodged. The tide turned against the patriots, and the day was lost. Of the Americans about a thousand were killed, wounded, and missing. The British loss was five hundred and thirty-five.

22. On the 22d of October, Fort Mercer, on the Delaware, was assaulted by twelve hundred Hessians. Count Donop, the commander, and nearly four hundred of his men, fell before the American entrenchments. At the same time the British fleet attacked Fort Mifflin on Mud Island. A siege ensued, lasting till the 15th of November. Then at midnight the fortress was set on fire, and the garrison escaped to Fort Mercer. On the 20th of November this fort was also abandoned to the British. General Howe thus obtained control of the Delaware.

23. After the battle of Germantown, Washington took up his headquarters at Whitemarsh. The patriots began to suffer for food and clothing. On the evening of the 2d of December, Howe held a council of war at the house of Lydia Darrah in Philadelphia. It was decided to surprise Washington in his camp. But Lydia, who overheard the plans of Howe, left the city on pretence of going to mill, rode to the American lines, and gave the alarm. When, on the morning of the 4th, the British approached Whitemarsh, they found the cannons mounted and the patriots in order of battle. The British general manoeuvred for four days, and then marched back to Philadelphia.

24. On the 11th of December, Washington went into winterquarters at Valley Forge, on the right bank of the Schuylkill. Thousands of the soldiers were without shoes, and the frozen ground was marked with bloody footprints. Log cabins were built, and everything was done that could be done to secure the comfort of the suffering patriots.

But it was a long and dreary win

ter.

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These were the darkest days of Washington's life. Congress in a measure abandoned him. The success of the army of the North was unjustly compared with the reverses of the army of the South. Many men high in military and civil station left the great leader unsupported. But the allegiance of the army remained unshaken, and the nation's confidence in the chieftain became stronger than ever. At the close of 1777, the patriot cause was obscured with clouds and misfortune.

ENCAMPMENT AT VALLEY FORGE, 1777-8.

RECAPITULATION.

The British advance against Trenton.-Washington withdraws his forces.Wins a victory.-Takes post at Morristown.-The British at New Brunswick.Destruction of stores at Peekskill.-Lincoln attacked at Bound brook.--Tryon burns Danbury.-Meigs takes Sag Harbor.-Washington advances into New Jersey. The British threaten Philadelphia.-Leave New Jersey.-Barton captures Prescott.-Congress returns to Philadelphia.-Help from France.-Coming of La Fayette and De Kalb.-Burgoyne's campaign.-Fall of Crown Point and Ticonderoga.-The battle of Hubbardton.-Capture of Whitehall.-Fort Edward is taken.-Schuyler retreats.-The battle of Bennington.-St. Leger besieges Fort Schuyler.-Herkimer is defeated.-Arnold advances.-St. Leger retreats.-Discouragement of Burgoyne.--The battle of Saratoga.-A diversion is attempted by Clinton.-The second battle. Burgoyne is driven to surrender.-The army of the North relieves Washington.-The movement of Howe against Philadelphia. He enters the Chesapeake.-The battle of Brandywine.-Retreat of the Americans.-Washington advances to Warren's Tavern.-A storm prevents the battle.-The British capture Philadelphia.-Congress at Lancaster.-Washington on Skippack Creek.-The battle of Germantown.-Capture of Forts Mercer and Mifflin.-The Americans at Whitemarsh.-Adventure of Lydia Darrah.-The British winter at Philadelphia.-The Americans at Valley Forge.Sorrows of Washington.

IN

CHAPTER XXXIX.

FRANCE TO THE RESCUE.

N November of 1776, Silas Deane of Connecticut was appointed commissioner to France. His first service was to make a secret arrangement to supply the Americans with materials for carrying on the war. In the autumn of 1777, a ship, laden with two hundred thousand dollars' worth of arms, ammunition and specie, was sent to America. In that ship came Baron Steuben, who was commissioned by Congress as inspector-general of the army.

2. Arthur Lee and Benjamin Franklin were also appointed by Congress to negotiate a treaty with the French king. In December of 1776, they reached Paris and began their duties. a long time King Louis and his minister stood aloof from the proposed alliance. They hated Great Britain, and gave secret encouragement to the colonies; but an open treaty with the Americans was equivalent to a war with England, and that the French court dreaded.

3. Now it was that the genius of Dr. Franklin shone with a peculiar lustre. At the gay court of Louis XVI. he stood as the representative of his country. His wit and genial humor made him admired; his talents and courtesy commanded respect; his patience and perseverance gave him final success. During the whole of 1777, he remained at Paris and Versailles. At last came the news of Burgoyne's surrender. A powerful British army had been subdued by the colonists without aid from abroad. The success of the American arms induced the king to accept the proposed alliance with the colonies. On the 6th of February, 1778, a treaty was concluded; France acknowledged the independence of the United States, and entered into relations of friendship with the new nation.

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4. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, the author of the first treaty between the United States and a foreign nation, was born in Boston on the 17th of January, 1706. His father was a manufacturer of soap and candles. At the age of twelve, Benjamin was apprenticed to his brother

[graphic]

to learn the art

of printing. In 1723 he went to Philadelphia, entered a printing-office, and rose to distinction. He visited England; returned; founded the first circulating library in America; edited Poor Richard's Almanac; discovered the identity of electricity and lightning; espoused the

patriot cause;

and devoted his

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

old age to perfecting the American Union. The name of Franklin is one of the brightest in history.

5. In May of 1778, Congress ratified the treaty with France. A month previously, a French fleet, under Count d'Estaing, had been sent to America. Both France and Great Britain immediately prepared for war. George III. now became willing to treat with his American subjects. Lord North brought forward two bills in which everything that the colonists had claimed was conceded. The bills were passed by Parliament, and the king assented. Commissioners were sent to America; but Congress in

formed them that nothing but an acknowledgment of the independence of the United States would now be accepted.

6. The British army remained at Philadelphia until June of 1778. The fleet of Admiral Howe lay in the Delaware. When the rumor came that the fleet of D'Estaing was approaching, the English admiral set sail for New York. On the 18th of June, the British army evacuated Philadelphia and retreated across New Jersey. Washington occupied the city, and followed the retreating foe. At Monmouth the British were overtaken. On the morning of the 28th, General Lee was ordered to attack the enemy. The American cavalry under La Fayette was driven back by Cornwallis. Lee ordered his line to retire to a stronger position; but the troops mistook the order and began a retreat. Washington met the fugitives and administered a severe rebuke to Lee. The fight continued till nightfall, and Washington anxiously waited for the morning. During the night, however, Clinton withdrew his forces and escaped.

seven.

7. The loss of the Americans was two hundred and twentyThe British left nearly three hundred dead on the field. On the day after the battle, Washington received an insulting letter from Lee demanding an apology. Washington replied that his language had been warranted by the circumstances. Lee answered in a still more offensive manner, and was thereupon arrested, tried by a court-martial, and dismissed from his command for twelve months. He never reëntered the service, and did not live to see his country's independence.

8. The British forces were now concentrated at New York. Washington took up his headquarters at White Plains. On the 11th of July, Count d'Estaing's fleet attempted to attack the British squadron in the bay; but the bar at the entrance prevented the passage of the French vessels. D'Estaing next sailed for Rhode Island, and General Sullivan proceeded to Providence to cooperate with him in an attack on Newport. On the 9th of August, Sullivan secured a favorable position on the island. A joint attack by land and sea was planned for the following day. On that morning the fleet of Lord Howe came in sight; and D'Estaing sailed out to give battle. Just as the two squadrons

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