XII. 1780. to show, that he could not be regarded as a spy, inasmuch CHAPTER as he came on shore at the request of an American general, and afterwards acted by his direction. Connected with all the circumstances, this argument could have no weight. That he was drawn into a snare by a traitor did not make him the less a spy. As the guilt of Arnold was the cause of all the evils that followed, an exchange of him for André would have been accepted; but no such proposal was intimated by the British general; and perhaps it could not be done consistently with honor and the course already pursued. From the moment of his capture till that of his execution, the conduct of André was marked with a candor, self-possession, and dignity, which betokened a brave and noble spirit. There was no stronger trait in the character of Washington than humanity; the misfortunes and sufferings of others touched him keenly; and his feelings were deeply moved at the part he was compelled to act in consenting to the death of André; yet justice to the office he held, and to the cause for which his countrymen were shedding their blood, left him no alternative. * * A full and detailed account of the particulars relating to this subject is contained in SPARKS's Life and Treason of Arnold, being the third volume of the Library of American Biography. Immediately after the capture of André, rumors went abroad, that other officers of high rank in the American army were implicated with Arnold. It was proved afterwards, that these rumors were set afloat by the enemy, for the purpose of exciting distrust and discord in the American camp. Till this fact was established, however, General Washington felt extreme anxiety, and omitted no effort to ascertain the truth. Secret agents were sent into New York to make inquiries and procure intelligence. The intercourse was managed chiefly by Major Henry Lee, who was stationed with his dragoons on the lines, and whose ability and address, as well as his energy and promptitude, peculiarly qualified him for such a service. A project was likewise set on foot for seizing the person of Arnold. The romantic adventures of Sergeant Champe, while engaged in this enterprise, as related in Lee's Memoirs, are well known. There is an error of some importance, however, in that narrative. Its chief interest arises from the supposed circumstance, that Champe was employed to bring away Arnold for the CHAPTER XII. 1780. Gloomy state of af fairs at the south. General Congress While these operations were going on at the north, all the intelligence from the south gave evidence, that affairs in that quarter were assuming a gloomy aspect. The British forces, with Lord Cornwallis at their head, were overrunning the Carolinas; and preparations were making in New York to detach a squadron with troops to fall upon Virginia. The defeat of General Gates near Camden, in South Carolina, was a heavy blow upon the Americans, and left them in a state from which it was feared they would not soon recover. Congress requested General Washington to appoint an officer to. succeed Gates in the command of the southern army. With his usual determination and judgment he selected General Greene, who repaired to the theatre of action, in which he was so eminently distinguished during the subsequent years of the war. Gaining an increased confidence in the Commander-inchief, which a long experience of his wisdom and disinterestedness authorized, Congress at length adopted the important measures, in regard to the army, which he had earnestly and repeatedly advised and enforced. They decreed that all the troops, thenceforward to be raised, should be enlisted to serve during the war; and that all the officers, who continued in the service to the end of the war, should be entitled to half-pay for life. Washington ever believed, that, if this system had been pursued from the beginning, it would have shortened the war, or at least have caused a great diminution in the expense. Unfortunately the States did not comply with the former part of the requisition, but adhered to the old method of filling up their quotas with men raised for three purpose of saving André; whereas Champe did not go into New York till eighteen days after André's execution. Lee's narrative was written many years after the events, and, from the confusion of dates into which he has fallen, it seems probable that his memory failed him, and that he ascribed the adventures of two individuals to Sergeant Champe. See Writings of Washington, Vol. VII. p. 548; and Life and Treason of Arnold, p. 267. years and for shorter terms. The extreme difficulty of procuring recruits was the reason assigned for persevering in this practice. Lafayette commanded six battalions of light infantry, stationed in advance of the main army. He projected a descent upon Staten Island, but was prevented from executing it by the want of boats. A plan was likewise formed for a general attack on the north part of New York Island. The enemy's posts were reconnoitred, extensive preparations were made, and a large foraging party was sent into Westchester County to mask the design, and draw the attention of the enemy that way. But the sudden appearance of several armed vessels in the river caused the enterprise to be deferred and finally abandoned. The foraging expedition, conducted by General Stark, was successful. The army went into winter quarters at the end of November; the Pennsylvania line near Morristown, the New Jersey regiments at Pompton, and the eastern troops in the Highlands. The head-quarters of the Commander-inchief were at New Windsor. The French army remained at Newport, except the Duke de Lauzun's legion, which was cantoned at Lebanon in Connecticut. CHAPTER XII. 1780. Plan for atenemy. tacking the November. Army goes into winter quarters. CHAPTER XIII. 1781. Mutiny of the Pennsylvania troops. January 1. CHAPTER XIII. Mutiny of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Troops. Agency of Washington in procuring Supplies from France. Limited Powers of Congress. Operations of the Enemy in the Chesapeake. — Detachment to Virginia under Lafayette. General Washington visits Count de Rochambeau at Newport. Condition of the Army. Interview between the American and French Commanders at Weathersfield. — Plan of Operations. A Combined Attack on New York proposed. . Junction between the American and French Armies. Intelligence from Count de Grasse in the West Indies changes the Objects of the Campaign. — Successful Operations of Lafayette against Cornwallis. - The combined Armies cross the Hudson and march to Virginia. - The Fleet of Count de Grasse enters the Chesapeake. Siege of Yorktown. — Capitulation. -The American Army returns to Hudson's River; the French remains in Virginia. THE year 1781 opened with an event, which filled the country with alarm, and threatened dangerous consequences. On the 1st of January a mutiny broke out among the Pennsylvania troops, stationed near Morristown, and about thirteen hundred men paraded under arms, refused obedience to their officers, killed one captain, mortally wounded another, and committed various outrages. The mutineers marched in a body towards Princeton with six fieldpieces, avowing their intention to proceed to Philadelphia, and demand from Congress a redress of their grievances. They complained that their pay was in arrears, that they were obliged to receive it in a depreciated currency, that many of the soldiers were detained beyond the term of their enlistment, and that they had suffered every hardship for the want of money, provisions, and clothing. By the prudence and good management of General Wayne, who took care to supply them with provisions on their march, they were kept from plundering the inhabitants and other excesses. He sent the intelligence of the revolt by an express to General Washing |