No More Learning

"Appearances lead us to suppose that Howe is fool enough
to meditate a southern expedition; for he has now altered
his station at Staten Island, mentioned above, and has fallen
down to the Hook. Judging it morally certain that there
would be a co-operation of the two armies, we thought it
expedient to march northerly, and had accordingly reached
within fourteen miles of New-Windsor, the place where we
could cross the North river without danger of interruption.
But this new movement of the enemy's fleet has induced us
to return a few miles, and make a disposition for marching
southerly. We shall, however, be cautious how we pro-
ceed on that course, lest nothing more than a feint is intend-
ed to divert us from the real object.
"If they go to the southward in earnest, they must have
the capture of Philadelphia in view, for there is no other
sufficient inducement. We shall endeavour to get there in
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? HAMILTON. 81
time to oppose them, and shall have the principal part of
the continental force, and a large body of spirited militia,
many of them from their services during the last campaign
pretty well inured to arms to make the opposition with.
Yet I would not have you to be much surprised if Philadel-
phia should fall; for the enemy will doubtless go there with
a determination to succeed at all hazard, and we shall not
be able to prevent them without risking a general action, the
expediency of which will depend upon circumstances. If
the militia turn out with that zeal we have a right to expect
from their conduct when the enemy made their last experi-
ment in the Jersies, and were supposed to be going to Phi-
ladelphia, we may do it without much inconvenience. If
they fall materially short of it, we shall be obliged to confine
ourselves to a skirmishing opposition, which we cannot ex-
pect will be effectual. It may be asked, if to avoid a gene-
ral engagement we give up objects of the first importance,
what is to hinder the enemy from carrying every important
point, and ruining us 1 My answer is, that our hopes are not
placed in any particular city or spot of ground, but in the
preserving a good army, furnished with proper necessaries
to take advantage of favourable opportunities, and waste
and defeat the enemy by piecemeal. Every new post they
take requires a new division of their forces, and enables us
to strike with our united force against a part of theirs; and
such is their present situation, that another Trenton affair
will amount to a complete victory on our part, for they are
at too low an ebb to bear another stroke of the kind. Per-
haps before I may have an opportunity of ending this, facts
will unfold what I am now endeavouring to anticipate by
conjecture.
"You will expect some animadversions on the temper
and views of the French nation. I presume you are nearly
as well acquainted with the assistance they are giving us, as
vol. i. 11
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? 84 THE LIFE OF
ed for his gallantry and enterprise,) with a small party
of horse. The approach to the mills was by a road de-
scending a long hill to a bridge over the Schuylkill. On
the summit of this hill two videttes were posted, to give
intelligence of the enemy's advance. Soon after the party
readied the mills, Hamilton secured a flat bottomed boat,
by which he could effect his escape should the enemy over-
take them ;-- a few moments showed the necessity of this
precaution. While thus occupied, the videttes gave the
alarm; four. of the dragoons, with Hamilton, jumped into
the boat, and the enemy's horse came clattering down the
hill, just in the rear of the flying videttes. Lee, hoping to
regain the bridge, trusted to his horse. This diverted the
pursuing party for a moment, and Hamilton, struggling
against the furious current of the river, swoln by the recent
tempest, gained the shore in safety, though vollies, which
were returned at intervals, were poured into the boat, by
which three of the party were wounded. Lee, equally for-
tunate, owed his escape to the fleetness of his horse.
The British continued to advance towards the capital,
which it was impossible to save. During their slow pro-
gress, Hamilton was despatched to Philadelphia by Wash-
ington; on his approach to which, as appears from the
following letter, he was a second time exposed to a surprise.
TO THE HONOURABLE JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT
OF CONGRESS.
September 18th, 1777, 9 o'clock at night.
SIB,
I did myself the honour to write you a hasty line this even-
ing, giving it as my opinion that the city was no longer a place
of safety for you. I write you again lest that letter should
not get to hand. The enemy are on the road to Swedes
Ford, the main body about four miles from it. They sent a
party this evening to Daviser's ferry, which fired upon me and
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? HAMILTON. 85
some others in crossing it, killed one man, wounded another,
and disabled my horse.
They came on so suddenly, that one boat was left adrift
on the other side, which will of course fall into their hands,
and by the help of that, they will get possession of another,
which was abandoned by those who had the direction of it,
and left afloat, in spite of every thing that I could do to the
contrary. These two boats will convey fifty men across at
a time, so that in a few hours they may throw over a large
party, perhaps sufficient to overmatch the militia who may be
between them and the city. This renders the situation of
congress extremely precarious, if they are not on their guard:
my apprehensions for them are great, though it is not impro-
bable they may not be realized.
The most cogent reasons oblige me to join the army this
night, or I should have waited upon you myself. I am in
hopes our army will be up with the enemy before they pass
Schuylkill; if they are, something serious will ensue.
I have the honour to be,
With much respect,
Sir, your most obedient,
A. Hamilton.
Soon after his return to camp, he was again directed to re-
turn to Philadelphia, to concert future measures with some of
the members of congress, to execute the unpleasant task of
impressing the property of the citizens, and to superintend
the collection of stores, and its embarkation in the shipping.
This duty was performed in a manner highly satisfactory
to the commander-in-chief, in whose name Colonel Hamilton
addressed a letter to the ladies of that city, enforcing upon
them the claims of their country, of which he spoke as the
most successful of his youthful productions.
On his arrival at Philadelphia, he addressed a letter, dated
the 22d September, to the President of Congress, stating, --
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? 86 THE LIFE Of
"I left camp last evening, and came to this city to superintend
the collection of blankets and clothing for the army. Mr.
Lovell sends to inform me there is an express going off to con-
gress, and I do myself the honour to communicate a brief state
of things when I left camp. The enemy moved yesterday
from where they lay opposite to Valley Forge, &c. higher up
the river, on their old scheme of gaining our right. I don't
know precisely where they halted, but our army was prepa-
ring to move up also to counteract them.
"I am this morning told they marched about twelve o'clock
at night for that purpose. The general opinion was, that the
enemy would attempt crossing this day, -- every appearance
justified the supposition.
"We had intelligence that the enemy had the night before
last surprised Generals Smallwood and Wayne, and conse-
quently dispersed them, after a small opposition. The loss, it
is said, was not great, and our troops were re-assembling fast
at the Red Lion. This seems to have been a bad look out,
and is somewhat disconcerting.
"By a letter from General McDougal, received this morn-
ing, it appears he was on the 20th, in the morning, at Second
river, just settingout on his march towards Woodbridge. He
is pressing forward with all possible expedition. The troops
were pretty well refreshed, and in good spirits. "
Finding all resistance vain, the Americans took post sixteen
miles from Philadelphia, in a strong situation, on the eastern
side of the Schuylkill, covered by a stream known as the
Skippach creek.
Sir William Howe meanwhile crossed that river with his
army, and having ordered Cornwallis to take possession of
the city, encamped at Germantown.
Each position was taken with reference to the fortifications
which had been erected on the Delaware, with immense la-
bour, under the eye of Du Portail,who was soon after appoint-
ed a general of brigade.
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? HAMILTON. 87
Howe, considering the removal of these obstructions essen-
tial to his security, weakened his army by detachments for
that purpose. Washington, strengthened by a reinforcement
from Maryland, and by McDougal's brigade from New-York,
regarded this as a favourable moment to surprise the enemy.
The battle of Germantown ensued. The surprise was less
complete than had been hoped, and after a-vigorous onset, in
which the divisions under Wayne and Sullivan displayed the
greatest gallantry, the Americans were compelled to retreat.
The object was not, however, wholly unattained. The army
had felt the importance of an action; an impression was made
on their adversary, that even in a close engagement, without
the advantage of ground, the gallantry and discipline of this
inferior force was a just object of vigilance. The common
sentiment of the country called for the attempt, and such was
its influence on the mind of General Howe, that within two
days after the attack, he drew in his lines, and retreating to
Philadelphia, permitted the Americans to remain within his
reach, without any serious molestation.
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? CHAPTER VI.
[1777. ]
While the main army was thus employed in resisting the
attempts on Philadelphia, events of the utmost importance had
occurred on the northern frontier. On the day of Hamilton's
appointment to the staff, he addressed, in the name of Gene-
ral Washington, an urgent letter to the committee of New-
York, incidentally mentioning the difficulty of supplying the
troops with arms, from the practice which had prevailed
among the militia of taking them with them when their terms
of service expired; and endeavouring to impress upon the
state the necessity of the most unwearied activity in arming
their quotas, he then replies to an application for reinforce-
ments at the north, "that the advanced season of the year
renders an attack upon Ticonderoga over the ice not so much
to be feared as to induce him to provide against a possible in-
convenience there, at the expense of not guarding effectually
against a certain one here, wherefore I have determined to
send no more battalions to that place, having ordered a suffi-
cient force from the east. "
This unavoidable decision of the commander-in-chief, ex-
cited the greatest alarm among the inhabitants of New-York,
and led them to wait, with the most eager anxiety, the march
of the eastern troops.
The hostile feelings which had been nourished among the
Dutch population towards their eastern neighbours, were now
carried to the highest point.
Engaged in a common conflict, the people of New-York
regarded the tardy measures of New-England as proceeding
from a fixed determination to surrender them an easy prey
to the enemy,--relying on their dense population for their
own security, and shunning a warfare so remote, and attend-
ed with so many hardships. Hence proceeded the most
vol. . i. 12
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? 90 THE LIFE OF
gloomy alarms, followed by embittered rancour. In a letter
from Governor Clinton, it is stated, "that Connecticut and
Massachusetts have not furnished a man for the southern de-
partment; nay, scarcely answered the letters sent to them.
General Gates is ordered to take the command of the north-
ern army, and General Schuyler to join General Washing-
ton. The New-England men will now be gratified, and
ought to turn out, but I fear they will not behave better un-
der any command.
"The New-York militia have turned out with the greatest
alacrity and spirit, leaving their harvests in the fields. "
In a letter from the Albany committee, it is mentioned," our
affairs grow more gloomy every day. The New-England
states are still indifferent to all entreaty. All the militia of
Albany are sent to the army. The people in Schoharie say
they must lay down their arms if Albany falls. Only two
hundred savages have driven in the inhabitants within fifty
miles. What would be the case if a thousand are let loose 1
Trumbull writes that no aid is to be expected from Connecti-
cut. " In another communication, the delegates from New-
York write, " General Gates is far from partial to our state;
you cannot be at a loss for the reason. Our revolters* seem
to possess his esteem here, and he has left a most extraordi-
nary recommendation in their favour. "
About the same time, the council of Albany prepared a
declaration, (stating "the pain it gave them to find that a mea-
sure so absurd and probably chimerical as the surrender of
Ticonderoga, should be imputed to the directions of General
Schuyler" inwhosezeal,vigilance,and integrity, they express
the highest confidence,) which they addressed to General
Putnam, enclosing an extract from a letter of General Schuy-
ler, from Fort Edward, of the ninth of July, expressing his
astonishment at the conduct of the officers who had evacuated
that post.
* The people of Vermont.
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? HAMILTON. 91
These contemporary monuments of history evince, in a
strong light, the alarming condition of affairs in New-York,
where the people were unable to stifle their deep-rooted hos-
tility to their New-England neighbours, and where state pride
looked with indignation at the decision which had supplanted
their most popular chief, who, perhaps, entered too warmly
into the local feelings of his state, to make room for an indi-
vidual, whose capacity was distrusted by men of discernment,
and whose title to command was deemed the more invidious,
as being founded on his popularity with a community with
whom they had long been engaged in territorial disputes.
This scene of discord produced deep dismay at head quar-
ters, where the necessity of silencing all local differences had
been among the most important, as it was the most difficult
of duties.
While the imminent danger which menaced the army un-
der his immediate command, would seem to have required
all his care, Washington failed in none of the great trusts of
his high station, but with that presiding superiority and high
tone of mind which distinguished him, he is seen stemming
the tide of discontent around him, -- cheering the faltering
spirits of congress, stimulating the then sluggish councils of
New-England, and, at the same time, soothing the alarms of
the unhappy sufferers of New-York. The following letter,
written by Hamilton at his instance, and addressed to the
committee of that state, is a highly interesting exhibition of
the temper of his patriotic mind.
Head Quarters, Philadelphia, August 4th, 1777.
I have been duly honoured by your several favours of the
25th, 27th, and 30th of July. The misfortune at Ticonde-
roga, has produced a very disagreeable alteration in our af-
fairs, and has thrown a gloom upon the favourable prospect
which the campaign previous to that event afforded. But I
am in great hopes, the ill consequences of it will not continue
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? 02 THE LIFE Of
to operate long, and that the jealousies and alarms which so
sudden and unexpected an accident has occasioned in the
minds of the people both of your state and to the eastward,
will shortly subside, and give way to the more rational dic-
tates of self-preservation and regard to the common good.
In fact, the worst effect of that disaster is, that it has served
to create those distrusts and apprehensions; for if the mat-
ter were coolly and dispassionately considered, there would
be found nothing so formidable in Mr. Burgoyne, and the
force under him, with all his successes, as to countenance
the least languor or despondency, and experience would
show that a tolerable degree of vigour in the states more
immediately interested, would be sufficient to check his
career, and perhaps convert the advantages he has gained
into his ruin. But while people continue to view what has
happened through the medium of supineness or fear, there is
no saying to what length an enterprising genius may push
his good fortune. I have the fullest confidence that no en-
deavours of the council will be omitted to bring your state
(with the distresses of which I am sensibly affected,) to every
effort it is capable of making in its present mutilated condi-
tion, and they may rely upon it no means in my power will
be unemployed to co-operate with them in repelling the dan-
ger that threatens the state, and through it the continent.
If I do not give as essential aid as might be wished to the
northern army, it is not from want of inclination, nor from
being too little impressed with the importance of doing it.
It would be the height of impolicy to weaken ourselves too
much here, in order to increase our strength there, and it must
certainly be more difficult, as well as of greater moment, to
control the main army of the enemy, than an inferior, and, I
may say, dependent one; for it is pretty obvious, if General
Howe can be completely kept at bay, and prevented effect-
ing any capital purposes, the successes of General Burgoyne,
whatever they may be, must be partial and temporary.
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? HAMILTON. 93
Nothing that I can do shall be wanting to rouse the east-
ern states, and excite them to those exertions which the exi-
gency of our affairs so urgently demands. I lament that they
have not yet done more, that so few of their militia have
come into the field, and that those few have been so precipi-
tate in returning home at this critical period; but I have,
nevertheless, great reliance upon those states. I know they
are capable of powerful efforts, and that their attachment to
the cause, notwithstanding they may be a little tardy, will not
allow them long to withhold their aid, at a time when their
own safety, and that of a sister state, and, in a great measure,
the safety of the continent, calls for their greatest zeal and
activity.
I flatter myself the presence of General Arnold and Ge-
neral Lincoln in the Northern Department will have a happy
effect upon them. Those gentlemen possess much of their
confidence, particularly the latter, than whom there is, per-
haps, no man from the state of Massachusetts, who enjoys
more universal esteem and popularity. And in addition to
that, they are both to be considered as very valuable officers.
You intimate a wish that some assistance could be drawn
from the southern states at this time. But while things re-
main in their present posture, and appearances, however
illusory they may prove in the issue, afford the strongest rea-
son to keep their force at home, to counteract the seeming
intentions of General Howe, I could neither ask nor expect
them to detach succours to the northern states, who are so
well able to defend themselves against the force they now
have to oppose.
I hope an exaggerated idea of the enemy's numbers may
have no injurious influence on our measures. There is no
circumstance I am acquainted with that induces me to be-
lieve General Burgoyne can have more than five or six
thousand men; and if the force left in Canada is so consi-
derable as the information you send me makes it, he can-
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? 94 THE IIFE OF
not have even so many. The representations of prisoners
and deserters in this respect are of little validity; their
knowledge is always very limited, and their intentions, par-
ticularly the former, very often bad.
Beyond what regards their own companies, little or no
attention is due to what they say; the number of regi-
ments your informant mentions corresponds with other
accounts; but the number of men in each company he
gives the establishment, is not, I am persuaded, their actual
state. The enemy's army in Canada last campaign, though
they suffered little by action, must have decreased mate-
rially by sickness and other casualties; and if the recruits
to them, both from England and Germany bore any pro-
portion to those which have reinforced General Howe, the
state of their regiments must be greatly inferior to what
your information holds forth. ********
The appointment of General Clinton to the government
of your state, is an event that, in itself, gives me great plea-
sure, and very much abates the regret I should otherwise
feel for the loss of his services in the military line. That
gentleman's character is such, as will make him peculiarly
useful at the head of your affairs, in a situation so alarming
and interesting as that which you now experience.
These paternal councils had the happiest effect in silen-
cing the jealousies which prevailed at Albany, where the
arm of the government was invigorated by the personal
energy of Clinton.
Schuyler, by a series of masterly movements, and by in-
terposing innumerable obstacles, delayed the progress of
the enemy, weakened by the diversions of Stark at the
east, and Willet at the west. The eastern troops, convinced
of their common interest in repelling the invasion of that
state, poured in to the aid of New-York; and while the ad-
vance of Burgoyne was looked upon with consternation, by
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? HAMILTON. 95
a series of unparalleled sufferings which no energy could
surmount, he was gradually broken down, until a brief con-
test compelled him to surrender at Saratoga; an event
which, maturing the confidence that the battle of German-
town had inspired in the councils of France, confirmed her
determination openly to espouse the cause of the United
States.
Intelligence of this event reached the head-quarters of
Washington at the close of the month of October, a few days
after his army had removed to Whitemarsh, and he immedi-
ately addressed a letter to Gates, in which, after congratula-
ting him on his success, and expressing his regret "that a
matter of such magnitude should have reached him by report
only, or through the chance of letters, instead of an authen-
tic communication under his own signature," he says, " Our
affairs having terminated to the northward, I have, by the
advice of the general officers, sent Colonel Hamilton, one of
my aids, to lay before you a full state of our situation, and
that of the enemy in this quarter. He is well-informed up-
on the subject, and will deliver my sentiments upon the
plan of operations that is now necessary to be pursued. I
think it improper to enter into a detail. From Colonel Ha-
milton, you will have a clear and comprehensive view of
things; and I persuade myself you will do every thing in
your power to facilitate the objects I have in contempla-
tion. " On the 30th of October Colonel Hamilton departed
under the following instructions:
WASHINGTON TO HAMILTON.
Head Quarters, Philadelphia county, 30th Oct. 1777.
DEAR SIR,
It having been judged expedient by the members of a
council of war held yesterday, that one of the gentlemen of
my family should be sent to General Gates, in order to lay
before him the state of this army and the situation of the ene-
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? 96 THE LIFE OF
my, and to point out to him the many happy consequences
that will accrue from an immediate reinforcement being sent
from the northern army, I have thought it proper to appoint
you to that duty, and desire that you will immediately set
out for Albany, at which place, or in the neighbourhood, I
imagine you will find General Gates.
You are so fully acquainted with the principal points on
which you are sent, namely, the state of our army and the
situation of the enemy, that I shall not enlarge on those heads.
What you are chiefly to attend to, is to point out in the clear-
est and fullest manner to General Gates, the absolute neces-
sity that there is for his detaching a very considerable part
of the army at present under his command to the reinforce-
ment of this; a measure that will in all probability reduce
General Howe to the same situation in which General Bur-
goyne now is, should he attempt to remain in Philadelphia
without being able to remove the obstructions in the Dela-
ware, and open a free communication with his shipping. The
force which the members of the council of war judge it safe
and expedient to draw down at present, are the three New-
Hampshire and fifteen Massachusetts regiments, with Lee's
and Jackson's two of the sixteen, additional. But it is more than
probable that General Gates may have detained part of those
troops to the reduction of Ticonderoga, should the enemy not
have evacuated it, or to the garrisoning of it. If they should, in
that case the reinforcement will be according to circumstan-
ces; but, if possible, let it be made up to the same number
out of other corps. If upon your meeting with General
Gates, you should find that he intends, in consequence of his
success, to employ the troops under his command upon some
expedition, by the prosecution of which the common cause
will be more benefitted than by their being sent down to re-
inforce this army, it is not my wish to give any interruption
to the plan. But if he should have nothing more in contem-
plation than those particular objects which I have mentioned
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? HAMILTON. 97
to you, and which it is unnecessary to commit to paper, in
that case you are to inform him that it is my desire that the
reinforcements before mentioned, or such part of them as
can be safely spared, be immediately put in motion to join
the army.
I have understood that General Gates has already de-
tached Nixon's and Glover's brigades to join General Put-
nam, and General Dickinson informs me, Sir Henry Clin-
ton has come down the river with his whole force; if this
be a fact, you are to desire General Putnam to send the two
brigades forward with the greatest expedition, as there can
be no occasion for them there.
I expect you will meet Colonel Morgan's corps upon their
way down; if you do, let them know how essential their
services are to us, and desire the Colonel or commanding
officer to hasten their march as much as is consistent with
the health of the men after their late fatigues.
G. W.
P. S. I ordered the detachment belonging to General
McDougal's division to come forward. If you meet them,
direct those belonging to Greene's, Angel's, Chandler's, and
Duryee's regiments not to cross Delaware, but to proceed
to Red Bank.
Colonel Hamilton proceeded by way of New-Windsor to
Fishkill, the head quarters of General Putnam, from whence
he addressed the following letter to General Washington,
on the second of November.
HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON.
SEAR SIR,
I lodged last night in the neighbourhood of New-Wind-
sor. This morning early I met Colonel Morgan with his
corps, about a mile from it, in march for head quarters. I
vol. i. 13
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? TUB LIFE OF
told him the necessity of making all the despatch he could,
so as not to fatigue his men too much, which he has pro-
mised to do.
I understood from Colonel Morgan, that all the northern
army were marching down on both sides the river, and
would, probably, be to-morrow at New-Windsor and this
place; and that General Putnam had held a council for
the general disposition of them, in which it was resolved to
send you four thousand men, and to keep the rest on this
side the river. I came here in expectation that matters
were in such a train as to enable me to accomplish my
errand without going any farther, unless it should be to
hasten the troops that were on their march; but on my
arrival, I learned from Mr. Hughes, an aid-de-camp of Ge-
neral Gates, that the following disposition of the northern
army had taken place.
General Patterson's, Glover's, and Nixon's brigades and
Colonel Warner's mountain boys to remain in and about
Albany, -- barracks building for them. General Poor's
brigade marching down this side of the river to join Gene-
ral Putnam, will be here probably to-morrow. General
Learned's brigade, Morgan's corps, Warner's brigade of
Massachusetts militia, and some regiments of New-York
militia, on their march on the west side of the river.
I have directed General Putnam, in your name, to send
forward with all despatch to join you, the two continental
brigades and Warner's militia brigade ; this last is to serve
till the latter end of this month. Your instructions did not
comprehend any militia, but as there are certain accounts
here that most of the troops from New-York are gone to
reinforce General Howe, and as so large a proportion of
continental troops have been detained at Albany, I conclu-
ded you would not disapprove of a measure calculated to
strengthen you, though but for a small time, and have ven-
tured to adopt it on that presumption.
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? HAMILTON. 99
Being informed by General Putnam, that General Wynds,
with seven hundred Jersey militia was, at King's Ferry, with
intention to cross to Peekskill, I prevailed upon him to re-
linquish that idea, and send off an immediate order for them
to march towards Red Bank. It is possible, however, un-
less your excellency supports this order by an application
from yourself, he may march his men home, instead of march-
ing them to the place he has been directed to repair to.
Neither Lee's, Jackson's regiments, nor the detachments
belonging to General McDougal's division have yet march-
ed. I have urged their being sent, and an order has been
despatched for their instantly proceeding. Colonel Hughes
is pressing some fresh horses for me. The moment they
are ready, I shall recross the river in order to fall in with
the troops on the other side, and make all the haste I can
to Albany to get the three brigades there sent forward.
Will your excellency permit me to observe, that I have
some doubts,under present circumstances and appearances,
of the propriety of leaving the regiments proposed to be left
in this quarter? But if my doubts on this subject were
stronger than they are, I am forbid, by the sense of council,
from interfering in the matter.
General Poor's brigade is just arrived here; they will
proceed to join you with all expedition. So strongly am I
impressed with the importance of endeavouring to crush
Mr. Howe, that I am apt to think it would be advisable
to draw off all the continental troops. Had this been de-
termined on, General Warner's sixteen hundred militia
might have been left here.
I have the honour to be,
With the warmest esteem and respect,
Your excellency's most obedient servant,
A. Hamilton.
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? 100 THE LIFE OF
On Hamilton's arrival at Albany, he had an interview
with General Gates, the result of which is stated in the
following letter to General Washington.
HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON.
Albany, November, 1777.
DEAR SIR,
I arrived here yesterday at noon, and waited upon Ge-
neral Gates immediately on the business of my mission, but
was sorry to find his ideas did not correspond with yours,
for drawing off the number of troops you directed. I used
every argument in my power to convince him of the pro-
priety of the measure, but he was inflexible in the opinion
that two brigades at least of continental troops should re-
main in and near this place. His reasons were, that the
intelligence of Sir Henry Clinton's having gone to join
Howe was not sufficiently authenticated to put it out of
doubt; that there was, therefore, a possibility of his return-
ing up the river, which might expose the finest arsenal in
America (as he calls the one here,) to destruction, should
this place be left so bare of troops as I proposed, and that
the want of conveniences and the difficulty of the roads
would make it impossible to remove artillery and stores
for a considerable time; that the New-England states would
be left open to the depredations and ravages of the enemy;
that it would put it out of his power to enterprise any thing
against Ticonderoga, which he thinks might be done in the
winter, and which he considers it of importance to under-
take.
The force of these reasons did by no means strike me;
and I did every thing in my power to show they were un-
substantial; but all I could effect was to have one brigade
despatched in addition to those already marched. I found
myself infinitely embarrassed, and was at a loss how to act.
I felt the importance of strengthening you as much as pos-
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? HAMILTON. - 101
sible; but, on the other hand, I found insuperable inconve-
niences in acting diametrically opposite to the opinion of a
gentleman whose successes have raised him to the high-
est importance.
General Gates has won the entire confidence of the east-
ern states. If disposed to do it, by addressing himself to
the prejudices of the people, he would find no difficulty to
render a measure odious, which it might be said with plau-
sibility enough to be believed, was calculated to expose
them to unnecessary dangers, notwithstanding their exer-
tions during the campaign had given them the fullest title
to repose and security. General Gates has influence and
interest elsewhere; he might use it, if he pleased, to dis-
credit the measure there also. On the whole, it appeared
to me dangerous to insist on sending more troops from hence,
while General Gates appeared so warmly opposed to it.
Should any accident or inconvenience happen in conse-
quence of it, there would be too fair a pretext for censure,
and many people are too well disposed to lay hold of it.
At any rate, it might be considered as using him ill, to take
a step so contrary to his judgment in a case of this nature.
These considerations, and others which I shall be more ex-
plicit in when I have the pleasure of seeing you, determin-
ed me not to insist upon sending either of the other bri-
gades remaining here. I am afraid what I have done may
not meet with your approbation, as not being perhaps fully
warranted by your instructions; but I ventured to do what
I thought right, hoping that at least the goodness of my in-
tention will excuse the error of my judgment.
I was induced to this relaxation the more readily, as I
had directed to be sent on two thousand militia which were
not expected by you, and a thousand continental troops out
of those proposed to be left with General Putnam, which I
have written to him since I found how matters were cir-
cumstanced here, to forward to you with all despatch. I
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? 102 THE LIFE OF
did this for several reasons:--because your reinforcement
would be more expeditious from that place than from this;
because two thousand continental troops at Peekskill will
not be wanted in its present circumstances, especially as
it was really necessary to have a body of continental troops
at this place for the security of the valuable stores here,
and I should not, if I had my wish, think it expedient to
draw off more than two of the three brigades now here.
This being the case, one of the ends you proposed to be
answered, by leaving the ten regiments with General Put-
nam, will be equally answered by the troops here; I mean
that of covering and fortifying the eastern states, and one
thousand continental troops in addition to the militia collect-
ed and that may be collected here, will be sufficient in the
Highlands for covering the country down that way, and
carrying on the works necessary to be raised for the de-
fence of the river.
The troops gone and going to reinforce you are near five
thousand rank and file continental troops, and two thousand
five hundred Massachusetts and New-Hampshire militia.
These, and the seven hundred Jersey militia, will be a lar-
ger reinforcement than you expected, though not quite an
equal number of continental troops, nor exactly in the way
directed. General Lincoln tells me the militia are very ex-
cellent, and though their times will be out by the last of this
month, you will be able, if you think proper, to order the
troops still remaining here, to join you by the time their term
of service expires.
I cannot forbear being uneasy lest my conduct should
prove displeasing to you, but I have done what, consider-
ing all circumstances, appeared to me most eligible and pru-
dent. Vessels are preparing to carry the brigade to New-
Windsor, which will embark this evening. I shall, this
afternoon, set out on my return to camp, and on my way
shall endeavour to hasten the troops forward.
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? HAMILTON. 103
Disappointed in the orders issued by General Gates, Ha-
milton, in pursuance of the requisition of the commander-
in-chief, addressed him on the 5th November, prior to his
departure from Albany, in the following decisive tone.
COLONEL HAMILTON TO GENERAL GATES.
Albany, November 5, 1777.
SIR,
By inquiry, I have learned that General Patterson's bri-
gade, which is the one you propose to send, is by far the
weakest of the three now here, and does not consist of more
than about six hundred rank and file fit for duty. It is
true, that there is a militia regiment with it of about two
hundred, but the time of service for which this regiment is
engaged is so near expiring, that it would be past by the
time the men could arrive at their destination.
Under these circumstances, I cannot consider it either as
compatible with the good of the service, or my instructions
from his excellency General Washington, to consent that
that brigade be selected from the three to go to him, but I
am under the necessity of desiring, by virtue of my orders
from him, that one of the others be substituted instead of
this, either General Nixon's or General Glover's, and that
you will be pleased to give immediate orders for its embar-
kation.
Knowing that General Washington wished me to pay the
greatest deference to your judgment, I ventured so far to
deviate from the instructions he gave me, as to consent, in
compliance with your opinion, that two brigades should
remain here instead of one. At the same time, permit me
to observe, that I am not myself sensible of the expediency
of keeping more than one, with the detached regiments in
the neighbourhood of this place, and that my ideas coincide
with those gentlemen whom I have consulted on the occa-
sion, whose judgment I have much more reliance upon than
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? 104 THE LIFE OF
on my own, and who must be supposed to have a thorough
knowledge of all the circumstances. Their opinion is, that
one brigade and the regiments before mentioned would
amply answer the purposes of this post. When I prefer-
red your opinion to other considerations, I did not imagine
you would pitch upon a brigade little more than half as
large as the others, and finding this to be the case, I indis-
pensably owe it to my duty to desire, in his excellency's
name, that another may go instead of the one intended, and
without loss of time. As it may be conducive to despatch
to send Glover's brigade, if agreeable to you, you will give
orders accordingly.
On the receipt of this letter, General Gates gave the or-
der, and soon after wrote to General Washington, stating
as his reason for not having readily complied with the re-
quest made to him, an apprehension that the forces at Peeks-
kill could not prevent the enemy from destroying the city of
Albany and the arsenal, and that he was entirely averse
from sending more than one brigade, lest every good effect
of the ruin of Burgoyne's army should be totally lost by the
possession of that town.
Colonel Hamilton having concluded his mission to Gene-
ral Gates, returned to New-Windsor, whence, on the 10th
November, he addressed the commander-in-chief to this
effect.
HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON.
DEAR SIR,
I arrived here last night from Albany.