crisis of the struggle. In the hurried and imposing events of little more than one short week, liberty endured her greatest agony. What, then, is due to the fame and memories of that sacred band who, with the master of liberty at their head, breasted the storm at this fearful crisis of their country's destiny?*

The heroism of Washington on the field of Princeton is matter of history. We have often enjoyed a touching reminiscence of that ever-memorable event from the late Colonel Fitzgerald, who was aid to the chief, and who never related the story of his general's danger and almost miraculous preservation, without adding to his tale the homage of a tear.

The aid-de-camp had been ordered to bring up the troops from the rear of the column, when the band under General Mercer became engaged. Upon returning to

cans had secured their victory, who, though wearied and worn with fatigue and want of sleep, were in pursuit of the fugitive British soldiers who had fled from Princeton toward Brunswick. Cornwallis pursued Washington as far as the Millstone river, when he gave up the chase.

*"Achievements so stirring," says the eloquent Charles Botta, "gained for the American commander a very great reputation, and were regarded with wonder by all nations, as well as by the Americans. The prudence, constancy, and noble intrepidity of Washington, were admired and applauded by all. By unanimous consent, he was declared to be the savior of his country; all proclaimed him equal to the most renowned commanders of antiquity, and especially distinguished him by the name of the AMERICAN FABIUS. His name was in the mouths of all; he was celebrated by the pens of the most distinguished writers. The most illustrious personages of Europe lavished upon him their praises and their congratulations. The American general, therefore, wanted neither a cause full of grandeur to defend, nor occasion for the acquisition of glory, nor genius to avail himself of it, nor the renown due to his triumphs, nor an entire generation of men perfectly well disposed to render him homage."

It is said Frederick the Great of Prussia declared, that the achievements of Washington and his little band of compatriots, between the twenty-fifth of December, 1776, and the fourth of January, 1777, a space of ten days, were the most brilliant of any in the annals of military achievements.

the spot where he had left the commander-in-chief, he was no longer there, and, upon looking around, the aid discovered him endeavoring to rally the line which had been thrown into disorder by a rapid on-set of the foe.* Washington, after several ineffectual efforts to restore the fortunes of the fight, is seen to rein up his horse, with his head to the enemy, and in that position to become immovable. It was a last appeal to his soldiers, and seemed to say, Will you give up your general to the foe? Such an appeal was not made in vain. The discomfitted Americans rally on the instant, and form into line; the enemy halt, and dress their line; the American chief is between the adverse posts, as though he had been placed there, a target for both. The arms of both lines are levelled. Can escape from death be possible? Fitzgerald, horror-struck at the danger of his beloved commander, dropped the reins upon his horse's neck, and drew his hat over his face, that he might not see him die. A roar of musketry succeeds, and then a shout. It is the shout of victory. The aid-de-camp ventures to raise his eyes, and O, glorious sight! the enemy are broken and flying, while dimly amidst the glimpses of the smoke is seen the chief, "alive, unharmed, and with

* Mawhood and his regiment pressed forward in vigorous pursuit of the scattered Americans, and it was while endeavoring to rally them that Mercer fell. The British were soon checked by Washington, who was advancing over a hill at the head of a column of regulars and Pennsylvania militia. Perceiving at a glance the des perate state of affairs, Washington ordered Captain Moulder to form his field-battery for immediate action, while the chief, in person, should attempt to rally the Americans. His stately form was seen by Mawhood, as he rode backward and forward, and by word and action called upon the panic-stricken troops to turn upon the foe. He ordered a halt, in battle line, and drew up his artillery with the intention of charging upon Moulder to capture his battery. This was the movement alluded to in the text.

out a wound," waving his hat, and cheering his comrades to the pursuit.

Colonel Fitzgerald, celebrated as one of the finest horsemen in the American army, now dashed his rowels in his charger's flanks, and, heedless of the dead and dying in his way, flew to the side of his chief, exclaiming, "Thank God! your excellency is safe!" The favorite aid, a gallant and warm-hearted son of Erin, a man of thews and sinews, and "albeit unused to the melting mood," now gave loose rein to his feelings, and wept like a child, for joy.

Washington, ever calm amid scenes of the greatest excitement, affectionately grasped the hand of his aid and friend, and then ordered-" Away, my dear colonel, and bring up the troops-the day is our own!"*

*Being severely galled by the grape-shot of the Americans, and perceiving Hitchcock's and another continental regiment advancing from behind the republican column, Mawhood wheeled and retreated toward the high ground in the rear, leaving his artillery upon the field. They fled to the Trenton road in confusion, crossed the bridge over Stony Brook, and hastened to join Cornwallis, then on his march from Trenton.

CHAPTER IV.

BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN.*

WASHINGTON UNDISMAYED BY DEFEAT-POSITION OF THE BRITISH ARMY-MARCH OF THE AMERICANS UPON GERMANTOWN - ANECDOTE OF PULASKI-AN INTOXICATED GENERAL OFFICER-SURPRISE OF THE ENEMY-RETREAT INTO CHEW'S HOUSE-ATTEMPT TO DISLODGE THE BRITISH-A COUNCIL OF WAR-INTENSE FOG-ALARM AND PANIO AMONG THE AMERICANS-WASHINGTON IN DANGER-RESULT OF THE BATTLE-GENERAL NASH MorTALLY WOUNDED - HIS PRESENCE OF MIND-HIS DEATH-THE UNDISCIPLINED AMERICANS -CONGRESS COMPLIMENTARY-HOW NEAR THE AMERICANS WERE VICTORIOUS - REMARKS OF THE FRENCH MINISTER ON THE BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN-MARCH OF THE ARMY TO VALLEY FORGE-WASHINGTON'S COMPASSION,

UNDISMAYED by his defeat at the battle of the Brandywine, Washington hovered on the march of his enemy; not with the hope of saving Philadelphia, but with the determination to strike yet another blow before the conclusion of the campaign of 1777. Charmed with the courage displayed by his undisciplined soldiers, when opposed to a superior army of veterans, in the combat at Chad's ford, the American general anxiously watched for an opportunity of again measuring his sword with that of his skilful and far better appointed adversary, though vast were the advantages in favor of the latter.†

* Written, and published in the National Intelligencer, on the twenty-second February, 1841.

†The retreat of the Americans after the disastrous contests near the Brandywine creek, in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the eleventh of September, 1777, was precipitate, and at first confused. Lafayette, who had been severely wounded, has left a vivid picture of the scene. Chester road, he said, was crowded with the flying fugitives, cannon, baggage-carts, and everything else pertaining to an army, even before the combats had entirely ceased; and the confusion of the scene was enhanced by the roar of cannon and the rattle of musketry in the rear. On the banks of a

Sir William Howe,* flushed with his victory over the American grand army, and the occupation of the then capital of the American Union, and presuming that his foe was sufficiently subdued to give him no further molestation for the remainder of the campaign, quartered a large portion of his troops in the village of Germantown, about seven miles from the city of Philadelphia, while he despatched considerable detachments toward the positions still held by the American forces on the Delaware.†

Washington promptly embraced the opportunity thus offered of striking at his powerful adversary with fair hopes of success. Gathering together all the troops within his reach, and having received some reinforcestream, near Chester, twelve miles from the battlefield, the flight of the fugitives was checked by their own officers, and Washington coming up toward midnight, restored order. The next morning they continued their retreat toward Chester; while Howe, as usual, neglecting to follow up a capital advantage, remained two or three days near the scene of the conflict.

Washington and his broken army halted at Germantown, rested there one day, and then recrossed the Schuylkill, to attack the advancing foe. Both parties were prepared for action, when a heavy rain so interferred, that it was indefinitely postponed. Then commenced a series of marches and counter-marches. Sir William Howe endeavoring to take possession of Philadelphia, and Washington doing all in his power to keep him on the lower side of the Schuylkill. Howe succeeded, and Washington took post within about fourteen miles of Germantown, from which point he advanced to the engagement delineated in the text.

General William Howe had been commander-in-chief of the British forces in America since the retirement of General Gage, in the autumn of 1775. In the summer of 1776, a British fleet, commanded by his brother, Admiral Lord Howe, came upon the American coast, and at this time was co-operating with the land forces. After the battle on Long Island, at the close of August, 1776, in which the British were victorious, General Howe was knighted, and created a baronet. From that time he was called Sir William Howe.

†These positions were Billingsport, Fort Mercer, at Red Bank, on the Jersey shore, and Fort Mifflin, upon Mud island, near the Pennsylvania shore, below Philadelphia. The channel of the river was obstructed by chevaux de frise, constructed by the Americans upon a plan said to have been suggested by Doctor Franklin.