Volume I Part 18 (1/2)

[443] Trevelyan, iv, 376.

[444] Marshall, i, 252.

[445] Marshall speaks of ”one thousand select men” under Wayne; Maxwell's division was with Wayne under Lee; Marshall was in the battle, and it seems certain that he was among Wayne's ”select men” as on former and later occasions.

[446] Marshall, i, 252.

[447] Lafayette to Marshall; Marshall, i, footnote to 255.

[448] Marshall, i, 254-59.

[449] For descriptions of the battle of Monmouth see Was.h.i.+ngton to President of Congress, July 1, 1778; _Writings_: Ford, vii, 76-86; and to John Augustine Was.h.i.+ngton, July 4, 1778; _ib._, 89-92. Also Marshall, i, 251-56; Trevelyan, iv, 376-80; Irving, iii, 423-34; Sparks, 272-78; Lossing, ii, 354-65.

[450] Marshall, i, 251-56.

[451] _Ib._, 257.

[452] _Ib._, 257-58.

[453] Girardin follows Marshall in his fair treatment of Lee. (Burk, iv, 290.)

[454] He was promoted July 1, 1778. (Heitman, 285.)

[455] The whole patriot army everywhere, except in the extreme south and west, now numbered only sixteen thousand men. (Marshall, i, 306-07.)

[456] The fullest and most accurate account of the capture of Stony Point, and conditions immediately preceding, is given by Dawson in his _a.s.sault on Stony Point_.

[457] Binney, in Dillon, iii, 315-16. The care in the selection of the various commands of ”light infantry,” so often used by Was.h.i.+ngton after the first year of the war, is well ill.u.s.trated by his orders in this case. ”The officers commanding regiments,” runs Was.h.i.+ngton's orders, ”will be particularly careful in the choice of the men.... The Adjutant General is desired to pa.s.s the men ... under critical inspection, and return all who on any account shall appear unfit for this kind of service to their regiments, to be replaced by others whom he shall approve.” (Was.h.i.+ngton's Order Book, iii, 110-11; MS., Lib. Cong.)

[458] Was.h.i.+ngton to Wayne (Private and Confidential), July 1, 1779; Dawson, 18-19.

[459] Dawson, 20. Wayne's demand for sustenance and clothing, however, is amusing. ”The Light Corps under my Command,” writes Wayne, ”... have had but two days fresh Provision ... nor more than three days allowance of Rum _in twelve days_, which article I borrowed from Gen^l McDougall with a Promise to Replace it. I owe him Seventy five Gallons--must therefore desire you to forward three Hod^{ds} [hogsheads] of Rum to this place with all possible Dispatch together with a few fat sheep & ten Head of good Cattle.” (Wayne to Issuing Commissary, July 9, 1779; _ib._, 20-21.)

Wayne wrote to Was.h.i.+ngton concerning clothing: ”I have an [word illegible] Prejudice in favor of an Elegant Uniform & Soldierly Appearance--... I would much rathar risque my life and Reputation at the Head of the same men in an Attack Clothed & Appointed as I could wish--with a Single Charge of Ammunition--than to take them as they appear in Common with Sixty Rounds of Cartridges.” (Dawson, 20-21.)

Was.h.i.+ngton wrote in reply: ”I agree perfectly with you.” (_Ib._, 21.)

[460] Marshall, i, 310.

[461] Wayne's order of battle was as picturesque as it was specific.

Officer and private were directed ”to fix a Piece of White paper in the most Conspicuous part of his Hat or Cap ... their Arms unloaded placing their whole Dependence on the Bay^t.... If any Soldier presumes to take his Musket from his Shoulder or Attempt to fire or begin the battle until Ordered by his proper Officer he shall be Instantly put to death by the Officer next him.... Should any Soldier ... attempt to Retreat one Single foot or Sculk in the face of danger, the Officer next to him is Immediately to put him to death.” (_Ib._, 35-38.)

[462] Wayne to Delaney, July 15, 1779; Dawson, 46-47.

[463] The generous and even kindly treatment which the Americans accorded the vanquished British is in striking contrast with the latter's treatment of Americans under similar circ.u.mstances. When the fort was taken, the British cried, ”_Mercy, mercy, dear, dear Americans_,” and not a man was injured by the victors after he ceased to resist. (Dawson, 53; and Marshall, i, 311.)

[464] The fort was captured so quickly that the detachment to which Marshall was a.s.signed had no opportunity to advance.

[465] Marshall, i, 314.