From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

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At this time the army in Canada had withdrawn to Crown Point, numbering about six thousand, one half of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