CHAPTER XVII.

Events of 1781 continued.-Revolt of the Pennsylvania troops at Morristown.-Sir Henry Clinton attempts to take advantage of the discontents.-His agents are delivered up by the mutineers at Princeton. A committee of Congress meet them at Trenton, and adjust their claims.—The New-Jersey line revolt, are reduced to obedience, and their ringleaders executed.Views of Washington with regard to the state of the country.— Arnold's expedition to Virginia-He destroys the stores at Richmond, Smithfield and elsewhere, and establishes himself at Portsmouth.-Washington calls upon the French commanders to cooperate with him in an expedition against Arnold.-The Marquis de la Fayette sent with a detachment to AnnapolisEngagement of the French and English squadrons off Cape Henry Admiral D'Estouches retires to Newport.-The Mar quis de la Fayette recalled from Annapolis, and ordered to Virginia.-Major General Phillips is sent with a strong detachment to reinforce the British army at Portsmouth, and takes the command. His marauding excursions up the James River-The Marquis de la Fayette arrives at Richmond, and is joined by the militia under Baron Steuben.-General Phillips moves with his forces to Petersburg.-The Marquis establishes himself near Richmond.-General Greene moves from Ramsay's mill, and advances to Cambden.-Marion and Lee invest Fort Watson and reduce it.-Battle of Cambden, and retreat of General Greene-Lord Rawdon evacuates Cambden, and retires to Monk's Corner.-The post of Motte's surrenders to Marion and Lee.-The Americans reduce Orangeburg and Fort Granby.-Marion gains possession of Augusta.-Greene lays siege to Ninety-Six-attempts a storm and is repulsed.—Arrival of Lord Rawdon with reinforcements.-General Greene retreats— Is pursued by Lord Rawdon to the Ennoree.-Evacuation of Ninety-Six-Skirmishes of Lee's legion at Monk's Cornerat Quinley Bridge.-General Greene retires with his army to the high hills of Santee.

WHILE these things were transacting in the south, it was the fate of Washington to experience a renew

al of those troubles and distresses, which had so constantly followed him into winter quarters. That interval from active operations which was spent by his adversary in ease and peaceful enjoyment, was destined always to augment the labours and sufferings of the American commander. Engaged in battle, or in marching from post to post, the American soldiers, for the most part badly clothed and fed, had no leisure to brood over their grievances; but the moment they were provided with comfortable shelter from the severities of the weather, when their officers vied with each other in endeavours to relieve their wants, and to mitigate their sufferings, the spirit of complaint broke forth; the efforts to alleviate their distresses, served but to bring them more forcibly to their minds. Nor is it wonderful, that men who had borne so much, who had murmured so long in secret, in the vain hope that their calamities would soon end, should at length lose their patience with their faith in Congress, and break out into open revolt.

No army ever suffered more than that under the immediate command of Washington, from the beginning to the end of the revolution. Without clothes, without money, and frequently for four days together without a mouthful of bread; in many instances compelled to serve beyond their period of enlistment, without receiving their arrearages, and with no prospect of being paid for future services; put off from time to time with promises of redress by Congress, and constantly disappointed; it would be difficult to decide, whether they deserve praise more for their long and patient suffering, or for the spirit which at length prompted them to seek redress for themselves. Many new causes now combined to ripen the discon

tents of the army into open resistance. The new levies were to be supplied and paid by their respective states, and this produced an inequality in the supplies which could not fail to irritate the feelings of those who were neglected. Some of the new raised troops received their pay and bounty in gold, while those who had been long in service, had seen neither gold nor paper for twelve months. Those who had been enlisted to serve for three years, now at the expiration of that term, were told that their contract must be construed to extend to the termination of the war. The officers, instead of crushing in the bud the first symptoms of mutinous discontent, relaxed in their discipline, and required less of the soldiers, with a view to calm their irritation and stop their complaints. Nor were some of the officers themselves entirely free from the spirit of revolt: offended at some fancied preferences shown by the commander in chief, in his appointments, disgraceful parties were formed, who to show their resentment, sent in their resignations.

These causes, gradually strengthened by minor circumstances, at length produced the revolt of the Pennsylvania line; and the first day of the new year was signalized by their mutiny. About 1000 of them turned out under arms, and declared their resolution to march to Congress and obtain redress. General Wayne who had commanded them, and who was greatly esteemed and respected by them, used every exertion to quiet them; and for a time flattered himself that his influence over them would bring them back to their duties. But, though they listened to him with patience, their resolutions were too firm to be shaken by his arguments. Wayne, whether un

consciously, in the ardour of his remonstrance, or designedly with a view to intimidate them, cocked his pistol; a hundred bayonets were instantly pointed at his breast, and the men cried out to him, "We love you, we respect you, but you are a dead man if you fire. Do not mistake us; we are not going to the enemy on the contrary, were they now to come out, you should see us fight under your orders, with as much resolution and alacrity as ever." It was difficult to turn men of such feelings from their purpose, by arguments or, remonstrance. Three of the regiments had at first refused to join the mutineers, and had paraded under their officers with a view to quell the insurrection; but the appeals and threats of their comrades soon brought them over, and the mutiny became general. They seized upon six pieces of cannon, compelled the artillerymen to join them, and marched from the camp at night to the number of 1300. General Wayne and three other officers, for whom the mutineers had always evinced affectionate respect, after forwarding provisions to them, with the view of preventing their plunder of the inhabitants on their march through the country, concluded the next day upon following and mixing with them, in order if possible to restrain any licentious conduct. These officers were obliged to precede their entrance into the camp of the revolters with a flag; they had already chosen a sergeant-major to be their leader, and had conferred upon him the high sounding title of MajorGeneral. They received the officers with great civilty,and treated their advice with respect, but resolutely refused to listen to any terms short of an immediate and full redress of grievances.

Sir Henry Clinton upon receiving intelligence of this revolt in the army of the United States, set every engine in motion to turn it to the advantage of his cause. Agents were sent to meet the insurgents at Princeton, whither they had arrived on the 4th, with proposals from Sir Henry, the substance of which was, that they should be taken under the protection of the British government; be paid the whole amount of their claims upon Congress; and receive a free pardon for all past offences, upon the single condition of laying down their arms, and returning to their allegiance. It was added as a further inducement, that no military service would be required, but that it would be accepted if voluntarily offered. The agents were directed to dwell particularly upon the inability of Congress to satisfy their demands, and upon the certain severity of their punishment if they returned to their former ranks; the route was pointed out which it would be proper for them to take, and an assurance given, that a body of British troops should be held in readiness to protect them whenever they desired it.

While his agents were thus at work, Sir Henry himself passed over to Staten Island with a large body of troops, and commenced such arrangements as would enable him to move at a moment's warning; while at the same time his naval force was ordered to be in readiness to act in concert whenever circumstances should render it necessary. There can be no doubt, that Sir Henry Clinton's conduct in this affair, was perfectly justifiable by the laws of war; and that his efforts to bring over the revolters by negotiation, was the wisest policy, which, under such circumstances, could have been adopted. It was not possible for