History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

444 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1781.
victory, led gloriously up to the crowning event of the contest.
Nearly the whole of Georgia and a great part of the
Carolinas, were recovered before the unpropitious southern
climate prohibited further active campaigning. It was in
the southern territory that the stirring events of the year
occurred. No movement of importance was undertaken
by Washington till the decisive march upon Yorktown.
While awaiting reinforcements from France, he was closely
watching the enemy cooped up in New York. Nor was the
effective strategy, by which he deceived the British commander,
the least brilliant of the many masterly manoeuvers
by which he gave liberty to his country and his name
to immortality.
Arnold Raids vir- Again the traitor Arnold made himself con-
si°^*- spicuous. He invaded Virginia, inflicting
great damage in the destruction of life and
property. These wanton and unnecessary atrocities were
followed by others of a still more aggravated character.
The expedition against New London, resulting in the mas-
sacre at Fort Griswold, was one of the most atrocious inci-
dents of the war. It was the one notable event at the
north during that year. Designed to attract the attention
of Washington, and" possibly delay his movement southward,
it completely failed of its purpose. Entrusted to the
management of renegades, it accomplished in cruelty what
it lacked in effect upon the progress of the war.
News of the Capture of Cornwallis and his
The Capture of
cornwaiiis. army was received with great rejoicing
throughout the country. It was the gen-
eral belief that the war was near its end. The British,
after the evacuation of Wilmington, which soon followed,
held but three points on the Atlantic coast, New York,
Charleston, and Savannah, and these were closely guarded
by efficient detachments of patriot troops.
Discouragement Yet tlic couutry was in a worse condition
Prevails. than evcr before. Laboring under the con-
tinued strain of taxation and conscription,
Everywhere
the people were in the depths of despair. '