with them, by giving the European troops a high idea of the soldiers who have been formed with us. To all these motives of interest for the cause and the army, are joined my sentiments of regard for Gen. Washington." * * * * * * "Embrace our children a thousand and a thousand times for me; their father, although a wanderer, is not less tender, nor less constantly occupied with them, and not less happy at receiving news from them. My heart dwells with peculiar delight on the moment when those dear children will be presented to me by you, and when we may embrace and caress them together.'

These proofs of Lafayette's affection for his family, are as honorable as a laurel crown. Their only son, of recent birth, had been named by Madame Lafayette, George Washington; with which compliment Gen. Washington had expressed himself highly pleased.

CHAPTER XVII.

Arnold in Virginia-Contemplated expedition for his capture-Lafay ette assigned to the command of a southern detachment-His preparations and rapid progress-Intended co-operation of the French fleet-Action between the French and English fleets-The enemy's fleet gains possession of the Chesapeake Bay-Lafayette retiresVisit to the mother of Washington-Arrives with his forces at the Head of Elk-Meets the orders of Gen. Washington to repair with his detachment to Virginia-Sufferings, discontent and mutiny of the soldiers--Lafayette suppresses the mutiny, and borrows money to relieve the wants of the soldiers-Their devotion to him--Leave to return-Declined by Lafayette-His rapid march-Reaches Rich, mond in advance, and to the astonishment, of Phillips and Arnold — Commencement of the Virginia campaign-Lafayette's vigilance and prudence-His account of events-Death of Gen. PhillipsCommand devolves on Arnold-Lafayette refuses to correspond with him-Approval of Gen. Washington.

THE ardent desire of Lafayette for active service, was soon gratified. To him was assigned the first movement, the turning pivot of the plan of operations, in the decisive campaign of 1781-a campaign in which he was destined. to act so distinguished a part, and which was to crown with glorious success the long and arduous struggle for the independence of America.

The traitor Arnold was sent by Sir Henry Clinton, with about sixteen hundred men and several vessels suitable for the service, to the Chesapeake, where he arrived about the first of January. He succeeded in Virginia, Gen. Leslie, who had gone to re-enforce the British army in the Carolinas. During the month of January, Arnold exhibited a savage zeal for the new cause he had espoused, by burning Richmond, plundering private property, and committing extensive depredations in the lower part of the state; and was intrenching himself at Portsmouth, on the Elizabeth River, conformably to the design of Sir Henry Clinton. On the 22d of the month, the British squadron in Gardner's Bay, by which the French fleet at Newport was held in blockade, was severely crippled by a violent gale. The naval ascendency thus being restored to the French, M. Destouches, successor to Admiral Ternay, who had died on the 15th of December, after reconnoitering the enemy's fleet, and finding it still too formidable to justify an attack, conceived the plan of sending a detachment of vessels, or sailing with his whole squadron to the Chesapeake, to operate against Arnold. Gen. Washington, being informed by Count de Rochambeau of this design of the French admiral, deemed it important to the success of the enterprise; and to ensure the capture of Arnold, that there should be a co-operation of land and naval forces, and that M. Destouches should protect the expedition with his whole fleet. He therefore informed Gen. Rochambeau that he should send a detachment of twelve hundred men, all that he could spare, from his army, to the Chesapeake, and requested the co-operation of the French fleet, and as many French troops as Count Rochambeau thought prudent to send for the purpose.

The American detachment was immediately selected, of the choicest men, most of whom were from those who had composed the Light Infantry corps, and the command given to Lafayette. The instructions from Gen. Washington to Lafayette, were dated February 20th, and directed him, after the necessary arrangements, with which he was also entrusted, to proceed with his detachment with all possible despatch to the head of Elk, where by concert with the quartermaster-general, vessels were to be ready on his arrival to convey him down the bay to Hampton Roads, or to the point of operation. When arrived at his destination,

he was to act as his own judgement and circumstances should direct. He was to inform Baron Steuben, who commanded in Virginia, of his approach, requesting him to have a sufficient body of militia ready, to act in conjunction with Lafayette's detachment. Should there be a failure of the expected co-operation by the French fleet and troops, or the object of the expedition be fulfilled or unfortu nately disappointed, he was to return to Head Quarters with as much expedition as possible.

Lafayette made his preparations and progress with such celerity, that he arrived at the Head of Elk, on the 3d of March, several days sooner than had been anticipated. Previous to receiving Gen. Washington's request for the cooperation of the entire French fleet, Admiral Destouches had detached a sixty-four gun ship and two frigates, under the command of M. de Tilly, to the Chesapeake, which so weakened his force that he was unwilling to venture out with his whole squadron. M. de Tilly returned to Newport on the 24th of Feb'y, having been absent only fifteen days, captured the British frigate Romulus, of forty-four guns, taken two privateers of fourteen and eighteen guns, burnt four others, and made about five hundred prisoners. Thus restored to his naval superiority, the French admiral informed Gen. Washington, that he would co-operate with Lafayette's detachment with his whole fleet; and Count Rochambeau promised to add 1100 men from his land forces, willing, as he said, to risk every thing to prevent Arnold establishing himself at Portsmouth, in Virginia. Of this intended movement Lafayette was advised by Gen. Washington, under date of March 1, who added, "It is of the greatest importance to the expedition, as well as for the honor of our arms, that you should be on the spot to co-operate." Lafayette immediately embarked his troops on board transports, protected by small armed vessels, and directed the whole, under the command of Commodore Nicholson, to proceed to Annapolis. himself, with a small boat, armed with swivels, and with thirty soldiers, proceeded down the bay, to the Head Quarters of Baron Steuben, at Williamsburgh; where he could sooner ascertain the arrival of the French squadron, and concert a plan of operations. In a letter to Gen. Washington, dated Williamsburgh, March 23d, he stated:

He

"On my arrival at this place, I was surprised to hear that no

French fleet had appeared, but attributed it to delays and chances so frequent in naval matters. My first object was to request that nothing be taken for this expedition which could have been intended for, or useful to, the southern army, whose welfare appeared to me more interesting than our success. My second object has been to examine what has been prepared, to gather and forward every requisite for a vigorous co-operation, besides a number of militia, amounting to five thousand; I can assure your excellency that nothing has been want. ing to ensure a complete success.

"As the position of the enemy had not yet been reconnoitered, I went to General Muhlenberg's camp, near Suffolk, and after he had taken a position nearer to Portsmouth, we marched down with some troops to view the enemy's works. This brought on a trifling skir mish, during which we were able to see something; but for the insufficiency of ammunition, which had been for many days expected, prevented my engaging far enough to push the enemy's outposts, and our reconnoitering was postponed to the 21st,-when, on the 20th, Major Mac Pherson, an officer for whom I have the highest confidence and esteem, sent me word from Hampton, where he was stationed, that a fleet had come to anchor within the Capes. So far it was probable that this fleet was that of M. Destouches, that Arnold himself appeared to be in great confusion, and his vessels, notwithstanding many signals, durst not for a long time, venture down."

It was soon ascertained, however, that the fleet, instead of being that of M. Destouches, belonged to the enemy. The French squadron, which left Newport on the 8th, had been followed on the 10th by the whole British fleet from Gardner's Bay. Gen. Washington, being then at Newport, wrote to Lafayette on the 11th, advising him of these movements, but the letter did not reach him in season to place him on his guard. The two fleets arrived off the Capes of Virginia about the same time, and an action took place on the 16th. They were nearly equal, each having eight ships of the line, but the English had the advantage of one three-decker. The damage sustained by each was about the same, and neither seemed in a condition next

day to renew the battle. Thus the object of the expedition against Arnold being defeated, the French squadron returned to Newport, and the British entered and took possession of the Chesapeake Bay.

The position of Lafayette's detachment at Annapolis was rendered critical. On ascertaining the arrival of the British fleet in the bay, he immediately sent orders to Annapolis, to have every thing in readiness to return, and even to move the troops by land to the Head of Elk. He set out

himself for Annapolis; but deeply interested in all that was connected with Gen. Washington, he permitted that feeling to divert him from a direct progress. "I could not resist (he says to Gen. Washington,) the ardent desire I had of seeing your relations, and above all, your mother, at Frederickburgh. For that purpose I went some miles out of my way; and in order to conciliate my private happiness to duties of a public nature, I recovered by riding in the night those few hours which I had consecrated to my satisfaction. I had also the pleasure of seeing Mount Vernon,. and was very unhappy that my duty and my anxiety for the execution of your orders prevented my paying a visit to Mr. Custis."

On arriving at Annapolis, Lafayette found that little progress had been made in preparations for departure. There were great difficulties in procuring horses and wag. ons, and boats to cross the ferries. The harbor, in the mean time, was blockaded by two of the enemy's vessels, one of twenty and the other of eighteen guns, with the object of opposing the movements of Lafayette's detachment. He, therefore, continued his preparations for the journey by land, which he was assured would take ten days. In the mean time he adopted an ingenious device to deceive the enemy, and clear the way for a safe passage by water. He caused two eighteen pounders to be mounted on board of a small sloop; and, on the morning of the 6th, Commodore Nicholson went out with the sloop and another vessel, full of men, firing the guns, and making a parade as though they were about to board the British vessels. Deceived by this manœuvre, as to the force of their opponents, the British vessels immediately retreated to a desired distance. Taking advantage of this absence, every vessel with troops and stores, was despatched in the night, under the escort of the commodore, and Lafayette bringing up the rear with a sloop and other vessels, all arrived safe at the Head of Elk, on the morning of the 8th of April.

Although the expedition had failed of its original object, yet that part of it which had been entrusted to Lafayette, had been executed, so far as depended upon him, with great skill and fidelity. He had met with no disaster, except the loss of a part of his own baggage; and this loss occurred in consequence of consigning it, when leaving Virginia. for