they convinced of the truth of the report, until they faw the prisoners on their way to Bofton. But the people at large, who appeared to have been waiting with a kind of enthufiaftic expectation, for fome fortunate event that might give a spring to action, at once gave full credit to the account, and magnified this fuc-. cess in strains of the highest exultation and defiance, and in the warmth of imagination, anticipated new victories. It is certain that from this moment, fortune feemed to have changed her face. Whether the fpirits of the British officers and troops flagged in equal proportion, as the enthusiasm for glory and victory feemed to rekindle in the bofoms of their antagonists, or whether general Burgoyne was restricted by orders, that obliged him in fome inftances to act against his own better informed judgment, his fuccefs terminated with the capture of fort Edward. By fome of his letters written foon after this, to the minifter of the American department, the fituation of the British army began to appear to general Burgoyne exceedingly critical. He intimated his apprehenfions; and with an air of defpondency, in one of them he obferved, "that circumftances might require, that he and "the army fhould be devoted; and that his or"ders were fo peremptory, that he did not "think himself authorised to call a council of CHAP. XI. 1777. CHAP. XI. 1777. "war, with regard to his prefent move"ments."* It was doubtlefs thought neceffary at all hazards, to prevent the forces under general Gates, from being at leisure to join general Washington. It was also a favorite point with the ministry, that Burgoyne should push on to Albany. But however dubious the prospect might then appear to himself, or whatever might be his own expectations, general Burgoyne thought proper to pafs the Hudson, and about the middle of September, he encamped on the heights and plains of Saratoga. Supported by a number of brave, experienced, and moft approved officers in British service, a large armament of British, Heffians, and provincials, with a prodigious train of artillery, and his copper-colored scouts and allies, he with all industry prepared to offer battle, and try the fortune of war in a general engagement. The Americans in equal readiness for action, marched from their camp on the nineteenth, and at a place called Stillwater, attacked the right wing of the British army, commanded by Burgoyne himself. Meeting a repulfe, they turned their whole force to the left, commanded by the baron Redeifel, and fupported by general Phillips, at the head of a formidable artillery. The Americans fuftained the com * See general Burgoyne's own letters, in his defence and narrative. bat for several hours, against officers of diftin- camp The British troops lay on their arms through the night, and in the morning took an advantageous pofition, and fpread themselves along a meadow, in full view, and almost within cannon-shot of the American camp. Here general Burgoyne received intelligence from fir Henry Clinton, that he had embarked for the North River, with several thoufand troops, in order to make a diverfion in his favor, that might greatly facilitate his operations. This account flattered the former expectations of Burgoyne; who judged that general Gates would be obliged to divide his army, to fuccour the diftreffed villages on each fide the Hudson, now exposed to the most cruel ravages. Expectation was again raised, and the British army invigorated by fresh hopes, that a junction at Albany might foon be effected. With these ideas, general Burgoyne found means to dispatch feveral meffages by private ways, through the woods to general Clinton CHAP. XI. 1777. CHAP. XI. 1777. The purport of these was, "that if poffible to "remain unmolefted, he should keep his pre"fent pofition a few days longer; when prob66 ably the American army might be weakened by the neceffity of detachments for other fer"vice." He was further ftrengthened in the ideas of fuccefs, by a recent difappointment of the Americans in an attempt to recover Ticonderoga. Had this enterprise succeeded, it would at once effectually have prevented the retreat of the British army, which began to be contemplated. The business was principally committed to the direction of general Lincoln, and profecuted with vigor by the colonels Brown, Johnson, Woodbury, and other spirited officers. They paffed the mountains between Skeensborough and Lake George, in fo rapid and private a manner, that before any intimation of the bufinefs was diffeminated, they feized the out-pofts, captured the armed veffels and a number of boats on the lake, and with four companies of foot and a party of Canadians, they took poffeffion of Mount Independence, and fummoned the garrison in Ticonderoga to furrender. This was gallantly refufed, and the fortress bravely defended, by brigadier general Powell. The Americans made feveral efforts to form the garrifon; but repulfed with refolution and valor, they found themfelves not in force fuffi cient for farther trial; and after a few days, they relinquifhed the defign, and retired. Yet notwithstanding the rebuff and retreat from Ticonderoga, with the advantages the British affected to claim from the action at Stillwater, and the flattering encouragement received from fir Henry Clinton, general Burgoyne was ftill involved in complicated difficulties. The dangers he had to encounter, increased on every fide. Frefh troops of militia were continually reinforcing the army of his enemies; while his own daily leffened by the defertion of the Canadian militia, the provincial loyalifts, and the defection of the Indians. Thefe laft grew fullen from the difappointment of plunder, and were irritated from the notice general Burgoyne was obliged in honor to take, of the barbarous murder of a miss M'Crea; on which many of them drew off in difguft. This beautiful young lady, dreffed in her bridal habiliments, in order to be married the fame evening to an officer of character in Burgoyne's own regiment, while her heart glowed in expectation of a speedy union with the beloved object of her affections, was induced to leave a houfe near fort Edward, with the idea of being escorted to the present refidence of her intended husband, and was maffa FOL. H. CHAP. XI. 1777. |