From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 161<br />
where breastworks had been thrown up. Springing upon his horse, he galloped away in <strong>the</strong> direction of <strong>the</strong><br />
firing, and, before he reached <strong>the</strong> place, he met his soldiers in full retreat before a squad of British, numbering<br />
not more than sixty or seventy. He drew his sword, and with threats, endeavored <strong>to</strong> rally <strong>the</strong>m; but in vain. He<br />
was so shocked by <strong>the</strong>ir cowardice, and so determined <strong>to</strong> repel <strong>the</strong> foe, that he would have dashed forward <strong>to</strong><br />
his death, had not his aides seized <strong>the</strong> reins of his charger, and turned him in <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r direction.<br />
On <strong>the</strong> 20th of September, after <strong>the</strong> British <strong>to</strong>ok possession of New York, a fire started one night in a drinking<br />
saloon, where soldiers were revelling (perhaps celebrating <strong>the</strong>ir triumphal entry in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> city), and it spread<br />
with great rapidity. The buildings were mostly of wood, so that <strong>the</strong> devouring flames licked <strong>the</strong>m up as tinder;<br />
and although <strong>the</strong> thousands of British soldiers exerted <strong>the</strong>mselves <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> utmost <strong>to</strong> extinguish <strong>the</strong> fire, one<br />
quarter of <strong>the</strong> city, about one thousand buildings, was laid in ashes.<br />
At this time <strong>the</strong> army in Canada had withdrawn <strong>to</strong> Crown Point, numbering about six thousand, one half of<br />
<strong>the</strong>m being sick and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r half disheartened and disaffected. General Washing<strong>to</strong>n ordered <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> retire <strong>to</strong><br />
Ticonderoga for safety and rest. The small-pox was spreading among <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> an alarming degree.<br />
Jealousies among officers, dissatisfaction among soldiers, clashing interests among <strong>the</strong> Colonies, and a<br />
growing distrust of Washing<strong>to</strong>n, added <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> complications of <strong>the</strong> American cause, and <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> trials of<br />
Congress and <strong>the</strong> commander-in-chief.<br />
Referring <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> discordant interests throughout most of <strong>the</strong> Colonies, John Adams wrote: "It requires more<br />
serenity of temper, a deeper understanding, and more courage than fell <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> lot of Marlborough, <strong>to</strong> ride in<br />
this whirlwind."<br />
By request, General Lee returned from <strong>the</strong> South at this time. He was an accomplished military officer, and<br />
his successes at <strong>the</strong> South added much <strong>to</strong> his laurels. Many regarded him superior <strong>to</strong> Washing<strong>to</strong>n. The latter<br />
esteemed him highly as an officer of skill and experience. At a council of war held soon after his arrival,<br />
General Lee said:<br />
"A position is not a good one simply because its approaches are difficult. No army can maintain itself with <strong>the</strong><br />
enemy in front and rear, especially when <strong>the</strong> enemy's ships command <strong>the</strong> water on each side, as <strong>the</strong>y do here.<br />
Your recent experience on Long Island and in New York shows <strong>the</strong> danger of such position."<br />
"That is very true," answered Washing<strong>to</strong>n. "We cannot afford <strong>to</strong> hazard <strong>to</strong>o much in <strong>the</strong> present condition of<br />
<strong>the</strong> army. I have satisfac<strong>to</strong>ry evidence that General Howe's purpose is <strong>to</strong> surround our camp, and capture <strong>the</strong><br />
whole American army."<br />
"And he is not much of a general if he does not do it," responded Lee. "For my part, I would have nothing <strong>to</strong><br />
do with <strong>the</strong> islands <strong>to</strong> which you have been clinging so pertinaciously. I would give Mr. Howe a fee-simple of<br />
<strong>the</strong>m."<br />
"Where and when shall we be in a better condition <strong>to</strong> meet <strong>the</strong> enemy?" inquired General George Clin<strong>to</strong>n, a<br />
brave but inexperienced officer. "We must fight <strong>the</strong> enemy somewhere; why not here?"<br />
"I will answer your inquiry," replied Washing<strong>to</strong>n. "We shall be in a better condition <strong>to</strong> meet <strong>the</strong> foe when <strong>the</strong><br />
Colonies have had time <strong>to</strong> furnish <strong>the</strong>ir quotas of recruits, as recently ordered by Congress."<br />
At <strong>the</strong> earnest solicitation of Washing<strong>to</strong>n, Congress had voted that <strong>the</strong> Colonies should furnish eighty-eight<br />
battalions, in quotas, according <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir abilities; that <strong>the</strong> pay of officers should be raised; troops serving<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> war should receive a bounty of twenty dollars and one hundred acres of land, with a new suit<br />
of clo<strong>the</strong>s annually. Those enlisting for three years were <strong>to</strong> receive twenty dollars bounty, but no land. This<br />
provision was a response <strong>to</strong> Washing<strong>to</strong>n's frequent protests against short enlistments and small pay, and it