LVI. 1777. Nor is this anomaly, if anomaly it can be termed, CHAP. the only one connected with the Generals that may be remarked in this campaign. Of all the events in the American War, the greatest and most important, in its results, at least, was Saratoga. Of all the men in the American War, the greatest and most important, beyond all doubt or parallel, was Washington. Yet these two appear wholly unconnected. Washington had nothing whatever to do with Saratoga. This I do not here note down in disparagement, or as lessening, even in the smallest degree, the hero's most just renown, but as evincing one of those apparent contradictions one of those deficiencies in stage effect-on which, more than on any other point, real life will be found to differ from fiction-an epic from a history. So far, indeed, was Washington from taking any part in the events of this campaign, that they were at the time almost studiously concealed from him. As Commander-in-chief of all the American armies, he had, beyond all question, a right to expect constant reports from Gates. But Gates belonged to the faction of his ill-wishers and detractors, or, perhaps, might be regarded as the chief of them. Every one of his communications was addressed to Congress, not one to Washington. Full seventeen days after the signature of the Convention he wrote to Washington upon another subject, adding, as though it were a matter of small moment, LVI. 1777. 66 СНАР. Congress having been requested immediately to "transmit copies of all my despatches to them, I "am confident your Excellency has long ago "received all the good news from this quarter." Now, if even these despatches had been transmitted by Congress, which they were not, there would still have been great delay attending such transmission, from the relative positions of the Congress at York and of Washington in camp. In another manner, also, was the unfriendly spirit of Gates displayed. Early in the campaign, though ill able to spare troops, Washington had consented to reinforce him by a corps under Colonel Morgan. After the battle of the Brandywine, and with the loss of Philadelphia in view, Washington addressed a letter to Gates, declaring his own urgent need of Morgan and his men. "sent him up," writes Washington, " when I 66 thought you materially wanted him; if his ser"vices can be dispensed with now, you will direct "his immediate return. You will perceive I do not "mention this by way of command, but leave you "to determine upon it according to your situa"tion."* This letter was received by Gates while the British were still encamped before him on Behmus's Heights. Quite properly, and according to the latitude allowed him, he retained the men in question until the surrender of Burgoyne. But * Writings, vol. v. p. 74. See also the note at p. 125. of that volume. LVI. 1777. after that surrender he seemed in no haste to part CHAP. with them; he despatched them at last unwillingly and tardily, thus having kept them when they could no longer be of service to him, and when he knew that their assistance was anxiously required elsewhere. 66 Under these circumstances Washington evinced his usual magnanimity. He felt, he could not but feel, the slights put upon him at this period both by his superiors and by his subordinate—by the Congress and by General Gates. But he allowed no word of unworthy complaint to fall from him. To a personal friend he observed, "It is to be hoped that all will yet end well. If the cause is "advanced, indifferent is it to me where or in "what quarter it happens.' To Gates himself we find him write in language of manly and frank congratulation on the great event of Saratoga. He adds only these words: "At the same time I "cannot but regret that a matter of such mag“nitude, and so interesting to our general oper66 ations, should have reached me by report 66 66 only, or through the channel of letters not bearing that authenticity which the importance of "it required, and which it would have received 66 by a line under your signature stating the simple "fact."t * Letter to Patrick Henry, November 13. 1777. + Letter to General Gates, October 30. 1777. U 3 СНАР. The generous treatment of the British troops surrendering at Saratoga did not long endure; it 1777. ceased on their reaching New England. On this point Madame de Riedesel appears an unexceptionable witness. She speaks in the warmest terms of the care and kindness which, on the day of the capitulation, she and her young children received from General Schuyler. At that time she did not know him, but could not forbear exclaiming, "You are so very good to us, that I am sure, sir, you must be yourself a husband and a father!" Similar hospitality continued to be shown her through all the State of New York. In that country, as she observes in another passage of her narrative, it would be deemed almost a crime to shut the door upon any stranger. But on entering Massachusetts the scene was wholly changed. There rancour against the Royalists seemed to have absorbed every other feeling. It is stated by Madame de Riedesel, that whenever she passed in the streets of Boston the female part of the population cast upon her angry looks, and, in sign of their disdain, spat on the ground before her. A far worse token of their rancour is recorded by the same authority. There was a Captain Fenton, of their town, who had gone to England, but had left behind his wife and daughter, the last a beautiful girl of fifteen. At the news that Captain Fenton continued faithful to the King, some women of the lower orders seized on these unhappy ladies, tore off their clothes, and tarred and feathered them, in which condition they CHAP were dragged as a show around the town! * With this state of popular feeling in the capital of Massachusetts, the British troops under the Convention found themselves exposed to various forms of insult or ill-usage. One American commander, Colonel Henley, was, at the instance of Burgoyne, brought to trial for his outrageous conduct, having, on two separate occasions, stabbed English soldiers with his own hand, and made himself, said Burgoyne, in his own person, party, judge, and executioner! In summing up the case, the Judge Advocate, Mr. Tudor, declared, "I am an Ameri"can, warmly attached to my country, and known "to be a friend to the prisoner. Yet," he adds, "it must be acknowledged that Colonel Henley acted in this affair with a degree of "warmth which his best friends cannot defend." Nevertheless Colonel Henley was acquitted by the Court-Martial of his countrymen, and was even for a few days reinstated in his command. The English officers complained to their General, that six or seven of them were crowded together in one small room, without regard to their respective ranks, whereas the Seventh Article of the Convention said expressly, "The officers are to be quar"tered according to their rank." Burgoyne, find 66 * Dienst-Reise, pp. 192-202. ed. 1801. See also p. 238. Translated into English, this little volume has been published in America, and is highly praised by Mr. Jared Sparks. (Note to Washington's Writings, vol. vi. p. 94.) LVI. 1777. |