CHAPTER XXXIV.BRITISH CAPTAINS OUTGENERALED.—WASHINGTON JOINS LAFAYETTE.
Washington was in his tent, where only the quiet of a few hours at a time interposed their opportunity for other than field duty. At one of those intervals he was compelled to make assignments of the American army for associated operations with his French allies. He had just been advised that three thousand Hessian auxiliaries had reënforced the British garrison of New York. Appeals to the various State authorities had failed to realize appreciable additions to his fighting
It was an hour of opportunity for America. Failure to meet French support with a fair correspondence in military force, would compromise his country before the world. Amid such reflections, which were the basis of a fresh public appeal, he was rallied to action by the entrance of a special messenger from Newport, Rhode Island. The frigateConcordehad arrived from the West Indies, and the following despatch was placed in his hands: “Count de Grasse will leave San Domingo on the third of August, direct for Chesapeake Bay.”
With imperturbable calmness, Washington folded the despatch, and then consulted with the Count de Rochambeau alone, as to the best disposition to be made of the squadron of Admiral de Barras, still at Newport. That officer, although the senior of the Count deGrasse, promptly expressed his readiness to waive precedence and serve as best advised by the American Commander-in-Chief. He had indeed but seven ships-of-the-line disposable and ready for sea; but this force was deemed a sufficient convoy for the transports which were to carry heavy artillery and ammunition, for siege purposes before Yorktown. This courtesy of the French admiral had its important sequel, in changing what would have been a superior British naval force in those waters to a determining superiority on the part of France, at the most critical moment of that final campaign in behalf of American Independence. Every officer of Washington’s staff received instant instructions. They were only advised, very reservedly, that supplies of heavy artillery would be forwarded to General Lafayette, for his use; but it began to be realized that with French troops sufficient to complete the environment of Yorktown, and a French fleet competent to destroy the coast defences, the capitulation of Cornwallis could be enforced.
Letters were immediately sent by trusty messengers to every Northern governor, to hasten forward their Continental quotas yet in arrears, and to rally their militia in force, for the “capture of New York.” Confidential agents were also despatched to General Lafayette and the Count de Grasse, with the joint instructions of Washington and Rochambeau, sufficiently embodying an intimation of plans held in reserve; but explicitly warning them not to permit Cornwallis to escape, nor to receive reënforcements by sea from New York. Other letters were written to the authorities of New Jersey and Philadelphia, quite minutely defining a plan for the seizure of Staten Island, under cover of a French naval force; while the principal allied armies were expected to force the upper defences of New York by irresistible assault. Some of these despatches, carefully duplicated, with enclosed plans, as oncebefore, were put into the hands of other messengers, designedly for interception by Clinton. Heavy batteaux on wheels, hauled by oxen, made ostentatious movement, together with wagon-loads of supplies, to the seashore opposite Staten Island. General Heath was placed in command of a large camp near Springfield, New Jersey, for assembling and drilling a large force of militia. Other small camps of Pennsylvania and New Jersey militia, easily distinguishable by the spies of General Clinton, dotted the country. The militia of Connecticut and New York also hastened to participate in the long-hoped-for emancipation of New York from British control.
As late as the nineteenth, in order to give General Clinton fair notice that he might expect no unnecessary or protracted delay in the attack already ripe for execution, all roads leading to King’s Bridge were cleared of obstructions. Fallen trees and scattered branches were removed so as to expedite a swift assault upon the British advanced outposts. All these were heaped up and burned at night, as a reminder of the impending crisis. Everything worked admirably as planned, and still, as on the fourth of March, 1776, before Boston, the American Commander-in-Chief kept to himself his secret purpose.
Afterwards, he thus explained his action: “That much trouble was taken, and finesse used, to misguide and bewilder Sir Henry Clinton, in regard to the real object, by fictitious communications as well as by making a deceptive provision of ovens, forage, and boats, in his neighborhood,is certain. Nor, was less pains taken to deceive our own army; for, I had always conceived, when the imposition does not completely take place at home, it would never sufficiently succeed abroad.”
During the nineteenth, while the obstructions were being thus removed from the roads leading into NewYork, Colonel Hazen crossed the Hudson at Dobb’s Ferry and demonstrated for an advance upon Staten Island, from the Jersey shore, immediately opposite. On the twenty-first, a detachment selected by Washington himself crossed the Hudson at King’s Ferry, near Haverstraw. The French army followed, and the armies were united on the twenty-fifth. During this brief delay, Rochambeau accompanied Washington to a final inspection of West Point; and the headquarters of the American army at New Windsor, between that post and Newburg, were formally abandoned.
The combined armies of America and France no longer threatened New York; butthey had not been missed by Clinton. The American forces moved rapidly toward Springfield, on the Rahway, as if to strike Staten Island. The great baggage-train and the same batteaux demonstrated toward Staten Island. But the French army marched for Whippany, in the direction of Trenton. Washington and his suite reached Philadelphia about noon, August thirtieth. Stillthey had not been missed by Clinton.
But now, for the first time, the American army realized that it was destined southward, and that a triumphant entry into New York City was not to be the crowning reward for service so faithfully done. Dissatisfaction was openly and bluntly expressed. Even officers, long in arrears of pay, equally with the rank and file, bitterly complained. Rochambeau, quickly alive to the situation, promptly advanced twenty thousand dollars in gold for the men, upon the simple pledge of Robert Morris, of Philadelphia, that it should be refunded by the first of October.
Suddenly, Colonel Laurens, just from France, having landed at Boston on the twenty-fifth, only five days before, appeared at Washington’s quarters’ with report ofthe result of his mission to the French king. His ship brought clothing, ammunition, and half a million of dollars, as the first instalment of six million of livres ($1,111,111) generously furnished by Louis XVI., with the pledge of additional sums to follow. This welcome visitor further announced to the calmly attentive American Commander-in-Chief this message: “Dr. Franklin advised me that he had secured a loan of four million of livres ($740,740) to cover American drafts made before I could arrive in America; and Count de Vergennes agreed to guarantee a loan in Holland, for ten million livres ($1,851,851).”
If the heavens had opened and reverberating thunder had distinctly articulated: “American Independence is achieved!” the assurance of a Divine interposition would hardly have appeared more emphatic to the waiting faith of Washington, or have more thrillingly encouraged the weary but obedient soldiers of his command.
And still this American army, thus refreshed in spirit and joyous in the hope of speedy and final victory,had not been missed from New York by General, Sir Henry Clinton. Another fast-sailing frigate was speeding through the Narrows, past Sandy Hook, southward, once more to appeal to Lord Cornwallis to come to the rescue of imperiled, beleaguered New York.
On the second day of September, the American army made its third formal entry into Philadelphia, amid glad acclaims of welcome, and sharing with the people in the spirit of one great jubilee. At that very hour,another courier vessel, in chase of the former, left New York with a message for Cornwallis, which failed to reach him until the fifteenth. It was in cipher, and read as follows:
New York, Sept. 2, 1781.
New York, Sept. 2, 1781.
New York, Sept. 2, 1781.
New York, Sept. 2, 1781.
Mr. Washington is moving an army to the southward, with an appearance of haste; and gives out that he expects the coöperationof a considerable French armament. Your Lordship, however, may be assured that if this should be the case, I shall endeavor to reënforce your command by all means within the compass of my power; or, make every possible diversion in your favor.
P.S.—Washington, it is said, was at Trenton, this day, and means to go in vessels to Christiana Creek, and from thence by Head of Elk, down Chesapeake Bay also.... Washington has about four thousand French, and two thousand Continentals, with him.
On the following day, the French army, having taken a day for cleaning arms, uniforms, and accoutrements, made a dress parade through the American capital. Every gorgeous trapping of their brilliant, sentimental outfit was proudly displayed before the wondering and delighted populace. Contemporary writers could not sufficiently describe the “magnificence of the parade, and the convulsions of joy that animated the entire population.” And yet, one eminent French officer, in describing the march of the American army on the previous day, said: “The plainly dressed American army lost no credit in the steadiness of their march and their fitness for battle.”
On the same day, Washington received despatches from Lafayette. One, dated August 21st, reported that “the British troops were fortifying Gloucester, across the river from Yorktown.” Others were as follows: “A small garrison remains at Portsmouth”; “I have written to the Governor, to collect six hundred militia upon Blackwater”; “I have written to General Gregory, near Portsmouth, that I am advised that the enemy intend to push a detachment into Carolina; to General Wayne, to move to the southward and to have a column ready to cross the James at Westover; and that my own army will soon assemble again upon the waters of the Chickahominy.” Reference has already been made to Washington’s receipt of Lafayette’s letter of August 8th, announcing the occupation of Yorktown by Cornwallis.
Washington made no delay, but on the fifth of Septemberstarted for the “Head of the Elk.” He had but just passed Chester, when he met a courier from Lafayette, with announcement of the arrival of the Count de Grasse. Riding back to Chester, Washington advised Rochambeau of the welcome tidings, and then pushed forward, arriving at the Head of Elk the next morning.
The previous day had been one of peculiar excitement in the city of Philadelphia. A formal review and rigid inspection of the entire French army took place, and the President of the American Congress received the honors of the occasion. During the evening, the French officers gave a grand banquet in honor of Chevalier Lauzun. The despatch to Washington was read amid cheers. A half hour later, a second despatch, announcing “the landing of Count de Simon and his junction with Lafayette,” was read; and read asecondtime, “all standing” in its honor.
On this memorable date, September 6th, other events of interest are to be noticed. It was Lafayette’s twenty-fourth birthday. In a letter to his wife, still preserved by the family, he poured forth from an overflowing soul, his “love for his great Captain”; “for the American cause”; appreciation of his “enviable lot, as victory is drawing nigh,” and his “longing to tell her, face to face, of thrilling adventures, which had never been interrupted by night or day.”
September 6th, also, Clinton wrote to Cornwallis:
As I find by your letters, that Count de Grasse has got into the Chesapeake, and I have no doubt that Washington is moving with at least six thousand French and rebel troops against you, I think the best way to relieve you, is, to join you, as soon as possible, with all the force that can be spared from here, which is about four thousand men. They are already embarked, and will proceed, the instant I receive information from the admiral that we may venture; or that from other intelligence, the commodore and I should judge sufficient to move upon. By accounts from Europe we have every reason to expect Admiral Digby hourly upon the coast.
On this same sixth of September, Clinton disclosed his last move to check Washington’s advance, and take Cornwallis out of check. Arnold, who had been so summarily withdrawn from the South, landed at New London, Connecticut, wantonly destroying houses, stores, a church, the Court-House, ships, and whatever he could damage without personal danger to himself; and made forever memorable the cruel massacre of Colonel Ledyard and the garrison of Fort Griswold after their honorable surrender. He no less permanently made memorable their extraordinary defence, in which the British assailing column lost one hundred and sixty-three officers and men, a number exceeding that of the entire American resisting force. It was soon over; and Arnold did not dare delay, and risk his fate with the yeomanry of his native New England. The secret of Clinton’s cipher despatch to Cornwallis on the second of August, respecting theuse of Arnold, was thus revealed. But the attention of the American Commander-in-Chief was not diverted from his own supreme purpose, whatever Clinton might undertake in his absence.
The allied French and American armies remained at Head of Elk for transportation; but during that interval, Rochambeau accompanied Washington to Baltimore, where illuminations and civil honors attested the welcome of these distinguished guests. On the ninth, for the first time in six years, the American Commander-in-Chief visited his Mount Vernon home. On the tenth, his own staff, together with the Count de Rochambeau and staff, were his guests. On the eleventh, General Chastellux and aides-de-camp joined the party. On the twelfth, the visit came to its close. On the fourteenth of September, Washington reached the headquarters of General, the Marquis de Lafayette, commanding the Department, at Williamsburg, Virginia.