Philadelphia at Monmouth where these lately awkward troops maneu- 1777 vered with coolness and precision and rallied like veterans. 1 778 When Howe's army entered Philadelphia, they found The British many unoccupied dwellings and stores. The British Occupation of troops were well housed, comfortably clothed, and well fed. The activities of war were largely suspended and the soldiery "killed time" at theatre, dance-house, cock pit, or gambling-den. Clubs met at the public houses and weekly balls were held at the City Tavern. The officers were quartered on the people. Many of these were gentlemen of education and refinement who "treated their civilian hosts with consideration and friendliness." Others imitated the conduct of the genial but immoral General Howe and shocked the people by their doings. Succeeds The winter was the gayest that the Quaker capital had Clinton ever known and the season closed with a gorgeous spec- Howe tacle, the occasion for which was the departure of General Howe for England. Finding that the ministry would not send out reinforcements, Howe had asked to be November, recalled. Lord George Germain had taken him at his 1777 word and, on the eighth of May, 1778, Sir Henry Clinton arrived as Howe's successor. The officers and men regretted Howe's departure and preparations were made 1778 for a great demonstration in his honor. Triumphal arches and lists and barriers were erected; scenery and gorgeous costumes were provided. The ceremonies began with a grand regatta on the rive. Then followed May 18 1. The Commerce of Great Britain, represented III. The jolly, plump Dutchman milking the IV. & V. The French and Spaniard, each catch- holes; all the rest of the fleet invisible, nobody knows where. VII. The two Brothers napping it; one against VIII. The British Lion lying on the ground a mock tournament in which six knights of the "Blended Rose" and six of the "Burning Mountain" jousted before an American and an English "Queen of Beauty." The day ended with fireworks, a grand ball, and a midnight supper. This "Mischianza," as it was called, has for us an added interest by reason of the fact that two of the participants were Captain André and Peggy Shippen, the latter soon to be the wife of Benedict Arnold. A few days after the grand fête in his honor, and close on the heels of his failure to capture Lafayette and his detachment at Barren Hill, on the Schuylkill about 1 7 7 8 midway between Valley Forge and Philadelphia, Howe turned over his command to Clinton and sailed for England. As a powerful French fleet was crossing the Atlantic, there was danger that Philadelphia might be blockaded and it soon became known that the city was to be evacuated. The heavy ordnance and part of the baggage of the British army were packed on board the British fleet in the river. Three thousand Tories who had gone too far safely to trust themselves to the mercies of their countrymen embarked with what goods they could save. On the John André Made from a drawing by Sir Joshua eighteenth of June, the May 24 The Grand Exodus Washington had fore- The seen the movement and Americans had sent Maxwell with the New Jersey troops to coöperate with Dickinson and the militia in destroying bridges and delaying the advance of the enemy. The news of the evacuation of the city reached Valley Forge in Pursuit 1778 the same day. Everything was in readiness and the pursuit was at once begun. Arnold, whose wound would not allow him to take the field, was sent to occupy Philadelphia; on the twenty-second, Washington crossed the Delaware at Coryells Ferry (now Lambertville) about forty miles above the city. Clinton had about fourteen thousand effective men and a train twelve miles long. This train carried about everything that could be piled on wagons-luggage and plunder, servants, women, and "every kind of other useless stuff." Rains had made the roads wretched, many of the bridges had been destroyed, the heat was oppressive, the advance of the British army was slow, and the Americans soon came within striking distance. On the twenty-fourth, Washington held a council of war at Hopewell. General Lee opposed any attack, declaring that it would be better to build a bridge of gold for the retreating enemy. He carried a majority of the council with him, but Lafayette, Wayne, Greene, and Steuben advocated an aggressive course and Washington overruled the council. Brigadier Scott was sent with 1 7 7. 8 fifteen hundred men to reinforce Maxwell and Morgan who were hanging on the British left flank. Washington advanced to Kingston with the intention of attacking June 26 Clinton if he should try to pass the Raritan, but the British general turned to the eastward. Wayne was sent with a thousand men to join the advance the command. of which was held by Lafayette, it having been declined by Lee. But Lee soon changed his mind and pleaded with both Washington and Lafayette to be given the command. In an unlucky hour, Washington consented and sent Lee forward with two more brigades, thus bringing the total strength of the advance up to about five thousand men. General Lee On the night of the twenty-seventh, Clinton's army The Strange lay encamped not far from Monmouth Court House Conduct of (Freehold). General Lee's force was about five miles to the northwest, not far from Englishtown, and Washington with the main American army was within supporting distance. At sunrise of Sunday, the twenty-eighth, Knyphausen, in charge of the British baggage train, took up his march toward Middletown and, at eight o'clock, Clinton followed. Lee had orders to attack the British left wing; Washington was to come up with the main army and support him. Although Lee dallied, he finally came in sight of the enemy. By Clinton's order, Cornwallis quickly formed a line of battle and advanced to the attack. What followed is difficult to understand or tell. Through treachery, obstinacy, or cowardice, Lee issued some very astonishing and confused orders; the American troops began to fall back; after a slight engagement, their retreat became disorderly. Hastens to the Front Washington was hastening to support the attack when Washington he met fugitives who said that Lee's detachment was retreating. Filled with painful suspicions, Washington spurred his horse toward the front. The straggling current grew momentarily; colonels and generals with broken commands were soon met; all knew that they were retreating but no one could tell why. Crossing what was |