with his whole division of five thousand men, although he knew Gen. Washington, with the entire army, was marching his to support. At the first retrogade movement, Lafayette sent information to Gen. Washington of what was passing, and that his presence was extremely important. Washington rode immediately to the scene of action, when he found the troops retreating in confusion. "You know," said Lee, "that all this was against my advice." General Washington replied with much severity. The presence of Washington gave courage to the troops. With the aid of Lafayette, and the other officers, they were rallied, and the enemy held in check, until the main body of the American army came up. Gen. Washington immediately made his dispositions for a general battle. When the order of battle was completed, Gen. Greene commanded the right of the first line, Lord Sterling the left, and Lafayette the second line. Being warmly opposed in front, the enemy attempted to turn the left flank of the Americans, but were repulsed. A similar attempt on the right, was resisted with equal bravery and success, by the troops with artillery, under General Greene; and Gen. Wayne, with a body of infantry, assailed the enemy, with a hot and well directed fire, in front, and compelled them to retire behind a marshy ravine, to the ground they had occupied before the beginning of the battle. Dispositions were made by Gen. Washington for attacking the enemy on the right and left, while the artillery should advance and play on their front; but night coming on, arrested these movements, and put an end to the engagement.

From four o'clock in the morning until night, Lafayette had been incessantly active. The heat had been so intense that many of the soldiers fell dead merely from its effects. Washington and Lafayette passed the night lying on the ground upon the same mantle, in the midst of the soldiers, talking over the events of the day, and particularly the conduct of Lee, who was next day arrested, and eventually tried and convicted by a court-martial, and sentenced to be suspended for one year.

The next morning, it was discovered that the enemy had marched off during the night, and had gained such a posi tion, that from the make of the country it was deemed unadvisable to follow them further. The enemy left two

BATTLE OF MONMOUTH.

Such was the Battle of Monmouth, in which Lafayette, although deprived by the caprice of Lee of an honorable command, distinguished himself by the greatest valor, skill, and devotion. Amidst the intensity of his own duties, he did not fail to observe with admiration, and afterwards to bear testimony to, the brave and skilful conduct of the Commander-in-chief. "Washington (he says,) was never greater in battle than in this action. His presence stopped the retreat; his arrangements secured the victory. His graceful bearing on horseback, his calm and dignified deportment, which still retained some trace of the displeas ure he had expressed in the morning, were all calculated to excite the highest degree of enthusiasm."

The British army passed through New Jersey, and encamped in three divisions on Staten Island, York Island, and Long Island. Gen. Washington's army marched leisurely for

ward, crossed the North River at King's Ferry, and encamped near White Plains. While the two armies were marching from the Delaware to the Hudson, the French fleet, under the Count D'Estaing, arrived on the coast. It consisted of eleven ships of the line and six frigates, having on board a numerous body of troops, with a supply of arms and munitions of war -an acceptable aid to the Americans, and the first fruits they had derived from the alliance with France. Having touched at the Capes of Delaware (July 7,) and finding that the British army and fleet had gone to New York, Count D'Estaing despatched a frigate up the river, with M. Gerard, the first minister from France to the United States, and sailed for Sandy Hook. Not being able to co-operate with Gen. Washington on a plan proposed by him, for an attack upon the British fleet and army at New York, from the impracticability, as pronounced by the pilots, of getting his heavy ships over the bar, the French admiral sailed for Rhode Island, with the design of attacking the British force of about 5000 men, then stationed at Newport.

The arrival of the French fleet was a source of gratification to Lafayette. He had been desirous, and had exerted his whole influence, to induce the French government, not only to espouse openly the cause of American independence, but to aid it substantially and efficiently. General Washington, therefore, conferred upon Lafayette an acceptable duty, and a new and delicate proof of confidence, when, for the purpose of co-operating with the expedition of the French squadron against the enemy at Rhode Island, he assigned to him, by an order of 22d July, 1778, the immediate command of a detachment of two brigades, with direction to march with all convenient speed and by the best route to Providence, and place himself under the orders of General Sullivan, who had the command at that station. He concludes the order, by expressing, "the most perfect reliance on Lafayette's activity and zeal, and wishing him all the success, honor, and glory that his heart could wish.' Gen. Greene was soon after sent by Gen. Washington to participate in this command, and was the bearer of the following explanatory letter to Lafayette:

"Head Quarters, White Plains, 27th July, 1778. "DEAR MARQUIS--This will be delivered to you by Major-General Greene, whose thorough knowledge of Rhode Island, of which he is a

native, and the influence he will have with the people, put it in his pow. er to be particularly useful in the expedition against that place, as well in providing necessaries for carrying it on, as in assisting to form and execute a plan of operations proper for the occasion. The honor and interest of the common cause are so deeply concerned in the success of this enterprise, that it appears to me of the greatest importance to omit no step which may conduce to it; and General Greene, on several accounts, will be able to render very essential service.

"These considerations have determined me to send him on the expedition, in which, as he could not with propriety act, nor be equally useful merely in his official capacity as quartermaster-general, I have concluded to give him a command in the troops to be employed in the descent. I have, therefore, directed General Sullivan to throw all the American troops, both continental, state, and militia, into two divisions, making an equal distribution of each, to be under the immediate command of General Greene and yourself. The continental troops being divided in this manner, with the militia, will serve to give them confidence, and probably make them act better than they would alone. Though this arrangement will diminish the number of continental troops under you, yet this diminution will be more than compensated by the addition of militia; and I persuade myself your command will not be less agreeable, or less honorable, from this change in the disposition. I am, with great esteem and affection, dear Marquis, your most obedient servant."

The answer of Lafayette was consistent with the generous feelings, the disinterested and patriotic principles, by which he was ever actuated.

"I have received your excellency's favor by General Greene, and have been much pleased with the arrival of a gentleman who, not only on account of his merit and the justness of his views, but also by his knowledge of the country and his popularity in this state, may be very serviceable to the expedition. I willingly part with the half of my detachment, though I had a great dependance upon them, as you find it convenient to the good of the service. Any thing, my dear general, you will order, or even wish, shall always be infinitely agreeable to me; and I will always feel happy in doing any thing which may please you, or forward the public good. I am of the same opinion as your excellency, that dividing our continental troops among the mili. tia, will have a better effect than if we were to keep them together in one wing."

In the same letter, he informs Gen. Washington, that he had been on board of the admiral's ship, (the French squadron having arrived off Newport a few days previous;) that the soldiers and sailors on board the fleet were impatient for action, and that he hoped they would soon be gratified. "The admiral (he says,) wants me to join the French troops to these I command, as soon as possible. I confess I feel very happy to think of my co-operating with them, and, had I

contrived in my own mind a beautiful dream, I could not have wished a more pleasing event than my joining my countrymen, with my brothers of America, under my command, and the same standards. When I left Europe, I was very far from hoping such an agreeable turn of affairs in the glorious American revolution."

In his reply to this letter, (August 10th,) Gen. Washington said:

"The common cause, of which you have been a zealous supporter, would, I know, be benefited by General Greene's presence at Rhode Island, as he is a native of that state, has an interest with the people, and a thorough knowledge of the country, and, therefore, I accepted his proffered services; but I was a little uneasy, lest you should conceive that it was intended to lessen your command. General Greene did not incline to act in a detached part of the army, merely as quartermaster-general; nor was it to be expected. It became necessary, therefore, to give him a detached command, and consequently to divide the continental troops. Your cheerful acquiescence in the measure, after being appointed to the command of the brigades which marched from this army, obviated every difficulty, and gave me singular pleasure.

"I am very happy to find that the standards of France and America are likely to be united under your command, at Rhode Island. I am persuaded, that the supporters of each will be emulous to acquire honor, and promote your glory, upon this occasion."

CHAPTER X.

Operations at Newport--Plans disconcerted-Displeasure of Count D'Estaing-British fleet appears-Engagement between the French and English fleets-Separated by a storm-The French fleet returns to Boston-Indignation and misunderstanding occasioned thereby-Lafayette acts as mediator-Repairs to Boston-Harmony restored-Action at Newport--Lafayette's hasty return to participate in it-The "Retreat of Rhode Island"-Lafayette's services on the occasion appreciated--Resolution of Congress--Approbatory letter of Washington.

BUT the anticipations of Washington and Lafayette, and the American Congress and people, of immediate advantages to their arms from the co-operation of the French fleet, were to be disappointed. Count D'Estaing had arrived before Newport several days before the troops from Gen. Washington's army, and other forces destined for the projected attack, reached that place, and had concerted with General