which he had expected to join him in that direction. This impression was the more natural, as he supposed the Pennsylvania militia still occupied the road to Whitemarsh; but they had changed their position without his knowledge, and left this important pass open to the enemy. He was soon undeceived, and found that the three columns of the enemy were marching upon him in all directions. A ludicrous diversion took place in this critical moment. The fifty savages whom Lafayette had with him, had been placed in ambush, after their own fashion, lying close to the ground as rabbits. Fifty English dragoons, who had never seen an Indian, marching at the head of the column, entered the woods where they were hid. A mutual fright took place. The Indians, starting up, raised a horrible yell, threw down their arms, and escaped across the Schuylkill. The dragoons on the other hand, as much terrified as the Indians, turned about their horses, and did not recover their panic until they got back to Philadelphia.

Lafayette comprehended at once his danger, and that his only course was a retreat. He manifested, however, great presence of mind, and, as was seen in the sequel, unparalleled skill and bravery. Learning that Swede's Ford, on the direct road to Valley Forge, was in possession of the enemy, he commenced a quick march, but in the most complete order, to Matson's Ford. General Grant occupied the heights, beneath which lay the road over which Lafayette was to pass, and which was partially concealed by woods. In order to deceive Grant into a belief that he was marching to attack him, instead of retreating, he detached several small parties, with orders to exhibit themselves at several points, as heads of columns. Grant, supposing from the exhibition of these false heads of columns, that the whole army was in the rear, halted his troops and prepared for an attack. Improving the time thus gained, Lafayette reached Matson's Ford; his heads of columns, gradually fell back and joined him the whole army passed safe over, took possession of the high grounds, on the other side of the river, and formed in the order of battle. When the English columns, thus out-generaled, came up, they found Lafayette so advantageously posted that they did not dare to attack him. "The English (says Chastellux,) finding the bird flown, returned

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to Philadelphia, spent with fatigue, and ashamed of having done nothing. The ladies did not see M. de Lafayette, and General Howe himself arrived too late for supper."

RETREAT OF BARREN HILL.

This affair was designated by Gen. Washington in his communication to Congress, as a "timely and handsome re. treat." Its importance may be appreciated from the fact, that the detachment comprised some of the choicest, and about one third, of the troops constituting the efficient force of the army of Valley Forge. The danger with which it was threatened, was perceived from the camp, soon after it was communicated to Lafayette. Alarm guns were fired to announce it to him, and the whole army was put under arms, to act as circumstances might require. Marshall says, he was then in camp, and saw the Commander-inchief, accompanied by his aids and some general officers, ride, soon after sunrise, to the summit of the hill, on the side of which the huts were constructed, and look anxiously towards the scene of action, through a glass. He witnessed, too, the joy with which they returned after the detachment had crossed the Schuylkill. Lafayette returning to the camp the same day with his detachment, having accomplished the purposes of the expedition, was welcomed with like demonstrations of joy, and received the approbation and thanks of Gen. Washington. His whole loss was nine men; that of the enemy was much greater.

While these brilliant events were occurring, Lafayette

had received the afflicting domestic intelligence of the death of Henriette, his eldest, and at the time he left France, his only, daughter. On this occasion he wrote to Madame Lafayette, (June 16, 1778:) "What a dreadful thing is absence! I never experienced before all the horrors of separation. My own deep sorrow is aggravated by the feeling that I am not able to share, and sympathise in your anguish. The length of time that had elapsed before I heard of this event, had also increased my misery. Consider, my love, what a dreadful thing it must be to weep for what I have lost, and tremble for what remains. The distance between Europe and America appears to me more enormous than ever. The loss of our poor child is almost constantly in my thoughts; this sad news followed immediately that of the treaty, and while my heart was torn by grief, I was obliged to receive, and take part in expressions of public joy." "If the unfortunate news had reached me sooner, I should have set out immediately to rejoin you; but the account of the treaty, which we received the first of May, prevented my leaving this country. The opening campaign does not allow me to retire. I have always been perfectly convinced, that by serving the cause of humanity, and that of America, I serve also the interest of France."

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The above and similar extracts from the correspondence of Lafayette, we trust will not be deemed incompatible with the legitimate purposes of biography. We present him, and such is our desire, as one among the few examples of public and private virtues, of goodness and greatness, united in the same person; and as an illustration of the truth, that the stern exhibitions of valor in the tented field are not incompatible with the tender and cherished affections of domestic life. These attributes combined, form the most perfect character-whose examples are most beneficial to mankind, and whose name is most worthy to be cherished and perpetuated upon the records of history. Talk of liberty! How can liberty exist without virtue ? And where is virtue to be found-where is it germinated-where does it bud and blossom, and bear fruit, if it is not around the domestic fire-side and in the social circle?

CHAPTER IX.

The British army evacuates Philadelphia-Pursuit by the Americans -Lee and a majority of officers oppose an attack-Lafayette concurs with Washington, Greene, and others in favor of it-Lee declines the command of the advanced corps-Conferred on Lafayette-His instructions-Yields to Lee's solicitations - Vacillating conduct of Lee-Battle of Monmouth-Arrival of the French fleet, under Count D'Estaing-It repairs to Newport-Gratification of Lafayette Is appointed to co-operate with his countrymen-Gen. Greene sent to participate in the command-Correspondence of Washington and Lafayette on the occasion.

Ar length, on the morning of the 18th of June, the British army evacuated Philadelphia. It crossed the Delaware, and commenced its cumbrous march, through New Jersey, for the city of New York. Gen. Washington immediately sent out several detachments, to watch and harass the enemy. The principal bridges had been previously destroyed, and the roads obstructed with trees, &c. by the Americans. The whole army followed, and on the 22d of June passed into New Jersey, at Coryell's Ferry, and encamped at Hopewell, about five miles from Princeton. In the mean time, (June 24,) the British army had encamped at Hopetown. Sir Henry Clinton being for some days at a loss what course to take from thence. A council of war had been held by Gen. Washington, while the British were crossing the Delaware, at which the propriety of risking a general engagement with the enemy, should an opportunity present, or merely harassing them on their march, and avoiding an engagement, was discussed. General Lee was decidedly against an engagement, and a majority of the officers concurred with him. Washington himself, with Lafayette, Greene and Wayne, were of a different opinion. In a coun. cil at Hopewell, the question was again discussed. Lee persisted in his opinion, and that it was most prudent to pass to the Hudson, without hazarding a partial or general attack. Lafayette corresponded in his views, as he uniformly did, with Gen. Washington. He was about the last to

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speak, and contended that it would be disgraceful to the officers and humiliating for the troops, to allow the enemy to traverse the Jerseys unmolested; that without running an imprudent risk, the rear-guard at least of the British might be attacked; that it was best to follow the enemy, manœuvre with prudence, and take advantage of circumstances, even to the hazard of a general battle. These views were concurred in Duportail, chief of the engineers, and an excellent officer, and by Generals Greene, Steuben, Wayne, and Patterson. Other officers soon yielded their assent. Gen. Washington had uniformly been induced to seek an engagement; and, although embarrassed by the divided views of his officers, had, with a decision of character that always distinguished him, formed his plans accordingly. He detached Morgan with his lighthorse to harass the right flank of the enemy, while Maxwell and Dickinson annoyed them on the left, and Gen. Cadwallader in the rear: the main body of the army moved forward to Kingston. Sir Henry Clinton, having decided upon the route to pursue, commenced his march, on the 25th, on the road to Monmouth Court-House. Apprised of this, Washington detached Gen. Wayne with one thousand select men, to join and co-operate with the corps under Cadwallader, Dickinson, and Morgan. These corps now amounting to about four thousand men, he resolved, for the purpose of simultaneous and important action, to place them under the command of a major-general. As the senior officer, next in rank to the Commander-in-chief, Gen. Lee was entitled to command these advanced detachments. But, disapproving the plans of the Commander-in-chief, and believing and having predicted, their failure, he consented that the command should be given to Lafayette, who was willing and anxious to accept it. He therefore proceeded under the following instructions, from General Washington:

"You are immediately to proceed with the detachment commanded by General Poor, and form a junction as expeditiously as possible with that under the command of General Scott. You are to use the most effectual means for gaining the enemy's left flank and rear, and giving them every means of annoyance. All continental parties, that are already on the lines, will be under your command, and you will take such measures, in concert with General Dickinson, as will cause the enemy the greatest impediment and loss in their march.