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CHAP. XX.

1781.

The variety of fmaller fkirmishes, retreats, reprisals, and unexpected rencounters, that took place on the different rivers and pofts in Virginia, may at prefent be left, to advert more particularly to the difficulties lord Cornwallis had to contend with, and the dangers he had to combat, previous to the decifion of his fortune in that quarter. He had for a time taken his ftand at Portsmouth, but he left that ftation as foon as poffible; and, according to orders from the commander in chief, concentrated his forces at York-Town and Gloucefter, towards the close of fummer, much againft his own judgment.

We have feen, that by the indecision of general Clinton, the delay of reinforcements both by land and fea, and the general defection and difguft of the Virginians to any appearance of the authority of the crown of Britain, there were caufes fufficient to difcourage an officer who was ambitious to act with vigor and promptitude. But thefe were far from comprising the whole of the gloomy profpect which lay before lord Cornwallis. He had the higheft reafon to expect the approach of general Washington, accompanied by the experienced and renowned Rochambeau. At the fame time, he had wellgrounded expectations of a French fleet in the Chesapeake, to counteract any naval operations on the part of Britain. This combination of dangers, added to the inconvenient and inde

fenfible poft his lordship was impelled to take, reduced him to the moft perplexed and embarraffed ftate of mind. Yet he fupported himself with firmness and magnanimity, until new and inextricable difficulties led him to defpair of the fuccefs of the campaign. This was apparent by the tenor of his letters, as well as by his general deportment, for fome time previous to the catastrophe of the fatal day, which reduced a nobleman of the firft rank, an officer of the highest military fame and pride, to the condi tion of a prifoner.

CHAP. XX.

1781.

END OF VOL. II.

APPENDIX

TO VOLUME SECOND.

NOTE No. I. Page 16.

General BURGOYNE's Inftructions to Lieutenant Colonel BAUM.

"THE object of your expedition is,-to try the affec

"tion of the country; to disconcert the councils of the "enemy; to mount the Reidefel dragoons; to complete "Petre's corps; and to obtain large fupplies of cattle, "horfes, and carriages.

"The feveral corps, of which the inclosed is a list, are to "be under your command.

"The troops must take no tents; and what little baggage is carried by the officers, must be on their own bat"talion horfes.

"You are to proceed from Batten Kill to Arlington, and "take poft there, till the detachment of the provincials, "under the command of captain Sherwood, fhall join you, "from the fouthward.

"You are then to proceed to Manchester, where you "will again take poft, fo as to fecure the pass of the moun"tains, on the road from Manchefter to Rockingham: "from thence you will detach the Indians and light troops

"to the northward, towards Otter Creek. On their return, "and receiving intelligence that no enemy is upon the "Connecticut River, you will proceed by the road over the "mountains to Rockingham, where you will take poft. "This will be the most diftant part of the expedition, and "must be proceeded upon with caution, as you will have "the defiles of the mountains behind you, which might "make a retreat difficult. You must therefore endeavour "to be well informed of the force of the enemy's militia, "in the neighbouring country; fhould you find it may "with prudence be effected, you are to remain there, while "the Indians and light troops are detached up the river: "and you are afterwards to defcend the river to Brattle"borough; and from that place, by the quickest march, "you are to return by the great road to Albany.

"During your whole progrefs, your detachments are to " have orders to bring in to you, all horfes fit to mount "the dragoons under your command, or to ferve as bat"talion horfes for the troops, together with as many faddles

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and bridles as can be found. The number of horses "requifite, befides thofe neceffary for mounting the regi "ment of dragoons, ought to be thirteen hundred; if you can bring more, for the use of the army, it will be fo "much the better. Your parties are likewife to bring "in waggons and other convenient carriages, with as many draught oxen as will be neceffary to draw them; and all "cattle fit for flaughter, (milch cows excepted, which are

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to be left for the ufe of the inhabitants.) Regular re"ceipts in the form hereto fubjoined, are to be given in all “places, where any of the above articles are taken, to fuch "perfons as have remained in their habitations, and other"wife complied with the terms of general Burgoyne's "manifesto; but no receipt to be given to such as are "known to be acting in the fervice of the rebels. As you " will have with you perfons perfectly acquainted with the "country, it may perhaps be advifable, to tax the feveral "districts with the portions of the feveral articles, and "limit the hours for the delivery; and fhould you find it

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