1777.] BATTLE ON BEHMUS'S HEIGHTS.

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gades arriving about the same time from the Highlands, the army was rapidly acquiring sufficient strength for effective operations. At this juncture the patriotic Schuyler, by reason of his unpopularity with the eastern troops, was superseded in the chief command by General Gates.

The retreat of St. Leger and the defeat of Baum left Burgoyne beset with difficulties. These difficulties were not lessened by the subsequent desertion of his Indian allies and Canadian followers. Still he determined to persevere. Breaking up his camp at Fort Edward, he crossed the Hudson on the 14th of September, and took up his line of march from Saratoga. While Lincoln, with a body of militia, hovered upon the British, Gates advanced from his camp at the mouth of the Mohawk, and intrenched himself at Behmus's Heights, a strong position overlooking the Hudson, three miles above Stillwater.

On the 19th of September the light parties of the enemy approached so near to the American encampment, that Morgan was despatched with his riflemen to attack them. While driving them before him, he unexpectedly encountered the British advance, and in turn was himself driven back. Successive reinforcements coming up on both sides, the action at length became general. The battle was continued with varying success until darkness separated the combatants. The

British claimed the victory, from maintaining possession of the ground; but this equivocal honour was more than compensated by the loss they had sustained in the encounter. Nor was the dubious result of the first battle of Behmus's Heights the only source of anxiety to the British general. Two days previous to this, a detachment of Lincoln's militia, led by Colonel Brown, captured the posts at Lake George, and, after receiving an addition to their force, proceeded to Ticonderoga and invested it. Short of provisions, with his communications cut off, and opposed by an army constantly increasing in numbers, the situation of Burgoyne daily became more imminent. Could he have held out until a diversion had been created from below by Clinton, he might yet have been relieved; but the pressure of circumstances left him no alternative but to fight or retreat. In view of the former, he determined on a reconnoissance of the American lines. Placing himself, on the 7th of October, at the head of fifteen hundred men, he formed them in battle array within a mile of the American camp. This was scarcely accomplished before a furious attack was made upon his left by Poor's New Hampshire brigade. The grenadiers under Major Ackland met the assault with great gallantry and firmness. The fire of the Americans soon extended along the front, until the right wing was also implicated. The battle now

1777.] DEFEAT OF BURGOYNE.

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deepened. Gates, as usual with him, was not present in the field; but Arnold, though deprived of his command through the jealousy of Gates, or his own insubordinate spirit, rode everywhere through the thickest of the fight, cheering on the men, and exhibiting in his own person an example of the most desperate bravery. The British right, outflanked by the riflemen under Morgan, at length gave way. A portion of the remaining troops being detached to cover the retreat of their companions, the left wing, overpowered by superior numbers, was compelled to yield the ground they had contested so long. Major Ackland was badly wounded and taken prisoner. General Frazer, while making the most active exertions to rally his men, also received a mortal wound from a rifle ball. Leaving six pieces of artillery in the hands of the victorious Americans, the whole detachment retreated to their camp. They had scarcely entered it before a body of troops, gathered by Arnold from all quarters of the field, pressed forward through a tremendous shower of grape and musketry, and commenced an assault upon the works. Arnold, supported by a few daring men, desperately forced his way within the intrenchments; but his horse being shot under him, and himself wounded, his followers fell back, bearing him with them. A much more important success attended the efforts of Lieu

tenant-Colonel Brooke. Leaving Arnold on his left, he led Jackson's Massachusetts regiment against a redoubt occupied by the German reserve, stormed it at the point of the bayonet, and utterly routing the enemy, maintained his conquest in spite of all the efforts of the British to compel him to relinquish its possession.

Conscious of the insecurity of his position, in the face of an army far superior in numbers and already flushed with victory, Burgoyne silently abandoned his encampment in the night, and withdrew to the higher ground in the rear. The next day was exhausted in skirmishes. On the 9th, fearful of being hemmed in, he retreated to Saratoga, with the intention of falling back upon Fort Edward; but his communications with that place were already effectually cut off. Following up their success, the Americans next assailed the boats loaded with the only supplies and provisions yet remaining to the British army, and captured a considerable number. In this strait, with an army greatly reduced in numbers, with no hope remaining of being relieved by Clinton, and with only three days' provisions remaining, Burgoyne called a council of war. A capitulation being advised, the terms were finally agreed upon; and on the 17th of October the shattered remains of the invading army, to the number of five thousand seven hundred men, surrendered themselves prisoners of war.

1777.]

ADVANCE OF CLINTON.

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CHAPTER XXII.

Clinton's diversion in favour of Burgoyne-First meeting of the State legislature at Kingston-France and the United States -Effects of Burgoyne's surrender-Conciliatory propositions from Lord North-Treaty of alliance between France and the United Colonies-Howe abandons Philadelphia, and retreats to New York-Arrival of a French fleet-D'Estaing offers to co-operate in the reduction of Newport-Puts out to seaAmericans retire from before Newport-War on the frontiers -Massacre at Wyoming-American expedition against Unadilla-Indian incursion into Cherry Valley-Campaign of 1779-Predatory incursions by the enemy-Capture of Stony Point by the British-Recapture by Wayne-Sullivan's expedition against the Indians-Exploration and destruction of the Indian villages in the Genesee ValleyCampaign of 1781-South Carolina overrun by the enemy -Defeat of Gates-Arrival of Rochambeau at Rhode Island -Treason of Benedict Arnold-Execution of André-Virginia ravaged by Arnold and Phillips-Operations of Cornwallis-Battle of the Cowpens-Battle of Guilford Courthouse -Greene recrosses the Dan-Cornwallis enters VirginiaTakes post at Yorktown-Siege of Yorktown-Capitulation.

HAD it been possible for the invading army to have held out but for a short time longer, the campaign of 1777 might yet have terminated favourably for the British arms. While the Americans were pushing their advantages to the utmost, Sir Henry Clinton, with three thousand men, was rapidly ascending the Hudson to the relief of the embarrassed Burgoyne. On the 5th of October he attacked Forts Clinton and Montgomery, which, after a brief defence, were