From Farm House to the White House Part 53

Baron Steuben, a renowned European general, coming to this country at this juncture to proffer his services, through the influence of Dr.

Franklin, Was.h.i.+ngton induced Congress to commit the reorganization of the army to him. This proved a fortunate arrangement for the future of the army and country, next to the appointment of General Green quarter-master-general.

Previously a distinguished Pole, Thaddeus Kosciusko, who was educated in the military school at Warsaw, had come to him with a letter from Dr.

Franklin.

"And what do you seek here?" inquired Was.h.i.+ngton.

"To fight for American independence," replied Kosciusko.

"What can you do?"

"Try me."

Was.h.i.+ngton welcomed him heartily, and throughout the Revolution he proved to be an able and faithful ally.

Count Pulaski, another famous general of Poland, had joined the American army at the solicitation of Dr. Franklin, who introduced him by letter to Was.h.i.+ngton.

Was.h.i.+ngton had corresponded with the British general respecting an exchange of General Lee and Ethan Allen, but he was unable to effect an exchange until this winter of his trials at Valley Forge. General Prescott, who captured Allen in Canada, ironed him, and sent him to England, was himself captured in the summer of 1777; and Was.h.i.+ngton proposed to exchange him for General Lee, and Colonel Campbell for Colonel Allen. It was not, however, until near the close of the long dreary winter at Valley Forge that his proposition was accepted. Lee rejoined the army, but Allen returned to his home in Vermont, where he hung up his sword and retired to private life.

In the spring of 1778, the glad news came that an alliance with France was accomplished, and henceforth the struggling Colonies might expect a.s.sistance from that country. At the same time a war between France and England was imminent, a calamity that would prove favorable to the patriots of America, since the British Government could not keep its army in Philadelphia and wage a war with France.

Lafayette was instrumental in consummating the alliance with France. For this purpose he left the United States in 1779, and returned in March, 1780. His own country received him with open arms, and honored him by appointing him to one of the highest positions in their army.

In the month of May there were some indications that the enemy were about to evacuate Philadelphia. The news that a French fleet under Count D'Estaing was about to sail to this country, to aid the Colonies in their fight for independence, caused Sir Henry Clinton, who had succeeded Howe in the command of the British army, to fear that he might be blockaded in the Delaware.

"Shall we allow the enemy to leave the city without attacking them?"

inquired Was.h.i.+ngton at the council of war.

"Yes," promptly answered General Lee, just restored to his command. "If they will go, let them go. This army is too weak to attack the British in their stronghold."

"The two armies are now nearly equal in numbers," said Was.h.i.+ngton, "and experience has so far shown that the British have had nothing to boast whenever they have come in conflict with an equal number of Americans."

"Very true," responded Lee; "but let them evacuate if they will. The risk of a battle is too great to run. I would build a bridge of gold for them if they would retreat over it."

Was.h.i.+ngton, Lafayette, Wayne, and Cadwalader were the only members of the council who favored an immediate attack. Without deciding the question, Was.h.i.+ngton requested each one to furnish his opinion in writing. Before this was done, however, the city was evacuated. On the eighteenth day of June the whole British army crossed the Delaware into New Jersey, eleven thousand strong, with an immense baggage and provision train, and marched for New York by way of New Brunswick and Amboy.

The American army was in pursuit as speedily as possible.

"We must compel an engagement," said Was.h.i.+ngton, eager to give the foe a sound drubbing before it was too late.

"And we must do it as soon as possible," answered Lafayette.

"There is no time to lose, neither," said Greene.

General Lee was opposed to a general engagement.

They were near Monmouth Court-house, and it was the night of June 27.

General Lee had command of the advance, five thousand picked men, and his orders were, "Attack the enemy to-morrow."

At midnight a horseman was galloping up to Was.h.i.+ngton's headquarters, when the sentinel challenged him.

"Doctor Griffith, chaplain and surgeon in the Virginia line, on business highly important with the commander-in-chief."

"Officer of the guard!" cried the sentinel. That officer appeared.

Doctor Griffith repeated his errand.

"Impossible; my orders are positive," replied the guard.

"But I must," persisted the doctor.

"You cannot," repeated the guard. "The commander-in-chief is intensely engaged."

"Present, sir, my humble duty to his excellency, and say that Dr.

Griffith waits upon him with secret and important intelligence, and craves an audience of only five minutes duration."

He was soon ushered into Was.h.i.+ngton's presence.

"The nature of the communication I am about to make to your excellency must be my apology for disturbing you at this hour of the night,"

observed the doctor. "While I am not permitted to divulge the names of the authorities from which I have obtained my information, I can a.s.sure you they are of the very first order, whether in point of character or attachment to the cause of American independence. I have sought this interview to warn your excellency against the conduct of Major-General Lee in to-morrow's battle. My duty is fulfilled, and I go now to pray to the G.o.d of battles for success to our arms, and that He may always have your excellency in His holy keeping."

Doctor Griffith retired, and the battle of Monmouth was fought on the next day. Was.h.i.+ngton, with his aides, was approaching the scene of action, when he met a little fifer boy who archly observed:

"They are all coming this way, your honor."

"Who are coming, my little man?" inquired General Knox.

"Why, our boys, your honor; our boys, and the British right after them,"

answered the fifer.

"Impossible!" exclaimed Was.h.i.+ngton, and put spurs to his horse.

Sure enough, he soon met General Lee's advance in full retreat.

"What is the meaning of all this, sir?" he called out to General Lee.

The latter was dumbfounded, and made no reply.

"I demand, sir, to know the reason of this retreat," shouted Was.h.i.+ngton in a tone of anger.

"By my own order," answered Lee, vexed by the commander's sharp address.

"Go to the rear, you cowardly poltroon!" shouted Was.h.i.+ngton, thoroughly aroused and indignant over the conduct of the officer.

At that juncture, his favorite aid, Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton, leaped from his horse and, drawing his sword, addressed the general:

"We are betrayed! Your excellency and the army are betrayed! And the time has come when every true friend of America and her cause must be ready to die in their defence!"

Under the magic influence of the commander-in-chief the retreat was speedily arrested, and one of the most glorious victories of the Revolution achieved.