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number of troops to follow, to relieve the Americans from all apprehensions of an attack from that quarter. He could not deceive the wary Washington. On the evening of the 25th, the troops returned; and next morning he advanced suddenly with his whole army, in two columns, from Amboy.

Washington knew not precisely what he intended; but he judged it prudent to move his army from the lowlands to anticipate the enemy in the occupation of the heights. Lord Stirling was sent to aid and support the American advanced guards. The enemy soon fell in with him, and preferring a show of resistance to an immediate retreat, he was nearly cut off by Cornwallis, with the right column. He escaped with the trifling loss of three small field-pieces. The enemy lost many more in the skirmish than the Americans, who soon gained the mountain passes, when Morgan with his riflemen was detached to watch their motions. The British remained till next day, and then retreated slowly to Amboy. On the 30th, they crossed over to Staten Island, without molestation, and remained there until the 23d of July, when they embarked and sailed southward.

T was at this period of the revolutionary war that the Marquis de La Fayette arrived in our country. His was one of the most striking examples of heroism and disinterestedness recorded in the pages of history. Out of his great zeal for the cause of liberty, in which the United States were engaged, he resolved to leave the endearments of home, and the brilliant destinies which awaited him as one of the first nobles of France, "to plunge in the blood and dust of our inauspicious struggle."

In 1776, at the age of nineteen, he communicated his intention to the American commissioners at Paris, who failed

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LA FAYETTE SAILS FOR AMERICA.

not to encourage it, justly concluding that the eclat of his departure would be serviceable to their cause. Events, however, immediately occurred which would have deterred from the undertaking a person less decided than the Marquis. News arrived in France, that the remnant of the American army, reduced to two thousand men, had fled towards Philadelphia through the Jerseys, before thirty thousand British troops. This news so effectually extinguished the little credit which America had in Europe, that their commissioners could not procure a vessel to forward this nobleman's project. Under these circumstances, they thought it but honest to discourage his prosecuting the enterprise, till a change in affairs should render it less hazardous or more promising. In vain, however, did they act so candid a part. The flame, which the American sons of liberty had kindled in his breast, could not be smothered by their misfortunes. "Hitherto," said he, in an interview with Dr. Franklin, in the true spirit of heroism, "I have only cherished your cause; now I am going to serve it. The lower it is in the opinion of the people, the greater effect my departure will have; and since you cannot get a vessel, I shall purchase and fit out one, to carry your despatches to Congress, and me to America." He accordingly fitted out a vessel, and meanwhile made a visit to Great Britain, that the part he was about to act might be rendered the more conspicuous.

The French court, whatever were their good wishes toward America, could not at that time overlook his elopement. He was overtaken by an order, forbidding him to proceed to America, and vessels were despatched to the West Indies, to have him confined in case he was found in that quarter. He acknowledged the receipt of the order, but did not obey it; and keeping clear of the West Indies, he arrived at Charleston, in the spring of 1777, and immediately repaired to the seat of war. He was received by Washington with open arms, and was immediately appointed by Congress a major-general. Many French officers followed his example; and it was principally through his efforts, backed by those of Dr. Franklin, and the

HOWE SAILS UP THE CHESAPEAKE.

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other American commissioners at Paris, that the treaty of alliance and mutual defence between the United States and France, was afterwards concluded.

The British fleet, after leaving New York, appeared off the Capes of the Delaware, on the 30th of July, 1777, but put to sea again and entered the Chesapeake; and on the 24th of August, the troops were landed at the head of Elk river. When the fleet had sailed from New York, Washington marched his army towards Pennsylvania, and halted at Coryell's Ferry, Howell's Ferry, and Trenton. On the advice of the British troops having landed, he marched to the Brandywine with his troops, amounting to eleven thousand fit for duty.

The army took a position behind Red Clay creek, with its left on Christiana creek, and its right on Chadd's Ford, on the road leading direct from the enemy's camp to Philadelphia. On the 3d of September, the royal army, consisting of sixteen thousand men, moved forward. Washington had his main force stationed at Chadd's Ford. General Maxwell was sent to the opposite height, with one thousand men, to retard the march of the enemy. At daybreak, on the 11th of September, the British army moved to the attack in two columns, under Knyphausen and Cornwallis.

The division under Cornwallis, accompanied by Sir William Howe in person, crossed the Brandywine at the forks, and advanced to turn the American right. Sullivan, with the right, marched up the river, until he found favourable ground on which to engage. His left extended to the Brandywine, and both flanks were covered by a thick wood. At half-past four, when his line was scarcely formed, Cornwallis began the attack. The action, though severe, was maintained for some time; but the American right, which was in some confusion when the attack began, at length broke, and the troops who maintained their ground, were exposed on their flanks.

General Greene, who commanded the reserve, and had been ordered by Washington to march to support Sullivan, as soon as the firing was heard, advanced four miles in forty-two

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BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE.

minutes; but, on reaching the scene of action, he found Sullivan's division flying in confusion. He covered their retreat, and, after some time, finding an advantageous position, he renewed the battle, and arrested the progress of the pursuing enemy.

General Knyphausen, as soon as he heard the firing of Lord Cornwallis's division, forced the passage of Chadd's Ford, and attacked the troops stationed there, under Wayne. He met with some opposition; but Wayne, learning the fate of Sullivan's division, drew off his troops. Washington retreated with his whole force that night to Chester, where he halted, within eight miles of the British army. Next morning he retreated to Philadelphia.

In the battle of Brandywine, the Americans lost about three hundred killed and six hundred wounded, of whom four hundred were taken prisoners. Howe stated his loss at five hundred killed and wounded; but it was probably greater. In the battle, several foreign officers of distinction served in the American army; amongst these was La Fayette, who now first served in the American cause. He received a wound in the leg, but continued in the field, encouraging the troops to the end of the action. Several other French officers were in the battle on the same side, and also Count Pulaski, a Polish nobleman.

In Philadelphia, Washington remained two days, collecting his troops, and replacing the stores, lost in the battle; and on the third day after the battle, he marched up the Schuylkill to Sweed's Ford, where he crossed it, and proceeded towards Lancaster, intending to hazard another battle for the protection of Philadelphia. His stores were deposited at Reading.

On the 15th, the commander-in-chief was informed of the approach of the British army, and he prepared to meet and engage it; but a heavy rain commenced falling, and continued throughout the day. The American muskets were nearly all rendered useless by the rain; and so badly constructed were their cartridge-boxes, that all the ammunition was damaged. The want of bayonets rendered the situation of the army