ed in haste to New Brunswick and Princeton. Cadwallader had not been able to get their | detachments along the river, and had retreatcannon over the river, and had not attacked the enemy at Burlington. He therefore deemed it best to withdraw into Pennsylvania, as Donop's force was still intact at Burlington, and the enemy had another column The news of the victory at Trenton was received with delight in all parts of the country, and men began to take hope. Several regiments, whose terms of enlistment Altogetner matters assumed a more promis- | tatorial power used more wisely or unselfishing aspect than they had worn at any period | ly, and never did its exercise produce more of the war. On the thirtieth of December beneficial results. Washington recrossed the Delaware and took position at Trenton. Honors Conferred on Washington. About the same time Congress bestowed upon Washington the highest proof of their confidence in his wisdom and integrity that a free people can ever confer upon a leader. On the twenty-seventh of December Congress conferred upon General Washington, by a formal resolution, unlimited military power for six months. The committee, in their letter informing him of this act, wrote; "Happy is it for this country that the general of their forces can safely be entrusted with the most unlimited power, and neither personal security, liberty, nor property be in the least. endangered thereby." The confidence of the country was not misplaced. Never was dic It was resolved by Congress to secure assistance from abroad, and on the thirtieth of December Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane and Arthur Lee-the last of whom war appointed in place of Mr. Jefferson who could not go-were sent as commissioners to France to secure the assistance of the government of that country. France was not yet prepared to go to war with England, and the commissioners could do no more than secure aid in money, which was expended in the purchase of supplies and military stores, which were shipped to the United States. It was arranged that this money should be repaid by Congress in the produce of the country, especially in tobacco, which was to be shipped to France through a mercantile house. The assistance thus obtained was of the greatest service to the Americans. CHAPTER XXVIII The Year 1777 Howe Attempts to Crush Washington-Battle of Princeton-The British Confined to the Seaboard-Recovery of New Jersey-The American Army in Winter Quarters at Morristown-Effects of the American Successes-Difficulty of Procuring Troops-Washington Refuses to Exchange Prisoners-His Course Approved by Congress-Measures of Congress-Naval Affairs-Tryon Burns Danbury—Gallantry of Arnold—Troubles in the Northern DepartmentCongress Adopts a National Flag-"The Stars and Stripes "-Course of France towards the United States-France Decides to Assist the Americans-Lafayette-His Arrival in America-Capture of the British General Prescott-Howe Threatens Philadelphia-Washington moves Southward-Battle of the Brandywine-Washington Retreats to the Schuylkill-Wayne's Defeat at Paoli-Philadelphia Evacuated by the Americans—It is Occupied by the BritishBattle of Germantown-The British Attack the Forts on the Delaware-They are Abandoned by the Americans— Burgoyne's Army in Canada-Advance of Burgoyne into New York-Investment of Ticonderoga-It is Abandoned by the Americans-The Retreat to Fort Edward-Burgoyne reaches the Hudson-Murder of Miss McCrea-Siege of Fort Schuyler-Battle of Bennington—Critical Sitaution of Burgoyne-Gates in Command of the American Army— Battle of Behmus' Heights and Stillwater-Surrender of Burgoyne's Army-Clinton in the Highlands. G REAT was the atonishment of General Howe when he learned of the battle at Trenton. He could scarcely believe that a handful of militia had captured a strong force of veteran troops led by such a commander as Colonel Rahl. He at once took prompt measures to repair the disaster. Lord Cornwallis, who was on the eve of sailing to England, was ordered to resume his command in New Jersey, and a force of seven thousand men was rapidly collected and placed under his orders. These troops rendezvoused at Princeton. Washington was informed of these movements, and ordered Generals Mifflin and Cadwallader to join him without delay. They reached Trenton the first of January, with thirty-five hundred men. This increased the American force to about five thousand men fit for duty. Upon the approach of Cornwallis' army, Washington took position behind the Assunpink, and prepared to dispute the passage of that stream. The fords and bridge over the creek were carefully guarded, and were swept by the fire of the artillery placed to command them. A force under Ceneral Greene and Colonel Hand was thrown forward to hold the enemy in check, and so retarded their movements that the British army did not arrive before Trenton until four o'clock in the afternoon of January 2, 1777. Cornwallis made several determined efforts to force a passage of the creek, but was each time driven back by the welldirected fire of the provincials. Thinking that he could accomplish more the next day, the British commander drew off his men, resolving to renew the attack in the morning when, he boasted, he would "bag the fox." Both armies encamped for the night in sight of each other, reddening the sky with the glow of their camp-fires. The situation of the American army was now critical in the extreme. A retreat into Pennsylvania was impossible, as the Delaware was full of floating ice, and could not be passed in the face of such an army as that of Cornwallis. The issue of the next day's conflict was, to say the least, doubtful, for the army of Cornwallis was composed mainly of veteran troops, and he was himself a leader of genuine ability. In this emergency Wash- | march by an unfrequented road around the ington determined upon one of the most brilliant and well-conceived operations of the war. It was known to him that the British left flank of the enemy to Princeton, capture the force stationed there, and then hasten to New Brunswick and secure the stores at that AMERICAN MARKSMAN IN A TREE. had their main depot of supplies at New Brunswick, and he supposed from the presence of so many troops with Cornwallis that this depot had been left unguarded. He therefore resolved to break up his camp, and place. Sending his heavy baggage and stores down. the river to Burlington. Washington silently withdrew his army from its position at midnight, leaving the camp-fires burning to deceive the enemy, and a small force to watch the British and destroy the bridges after the army had passed on. A forced march brought the Americans from Princeton. wounded, bayoneted, and left on the field | efficient commander, was mortally wounded, apparently dead. Mercer's troops fell back and died a few days after the engagement. in confusion, and a body of Pennsylvania The British lost about one hundred killed militia, which had been sent by Washington and three hundred prisoners. to their assistance, was held in check by the fire of the British artillery. At this moment, Washington, who had been rendered anxious by the obstinate and continued firing, arrived on the field. A glance showed him the broken and shattered regiments of Mercer falling back in confusion, and the Pennsylvania militia wavering under the heavy cannonade directed against them. Not a moment was to be lost, and putting spurs to his horse, he dashed forward in the face of the fire of Mawhood's artillery, and waving his hat, called upon the troops to rally and follow him. The effect was electrical; the fugitives rallied with a loud cheer and reformed their line, and at the same moment a Virginia regiment, which had just arrived, dashed out of a neighboring wood and opened a heavy fire upon the enemy. A little later the American artillery came up, and opened a shower of grape upon the British. Mawhood was driven back, and with great difficulty succeeded in regaining the main road, along which he retreated with all speed to Trenton. General Mercer Mortally Wounded. The second British regiment, advancing from Princeton to Mawhood's assistance was attacked by St. Clair's brigade, and was speedily driven across the country towards New Brunswick. The third regiment, seeing the fate of their comrades, became panicstricken. A portion fled towards New Brunswick, and the remainder took refuge in the college building at Princeton. They surrendered after a few shots from the American artillery. The Americans lost but a few men in this battle; but General Mercer, a brave and Eager to secure the stores at New Brunswick, Washington pushed on with speed in that direction, but after passing a few miles beyond Princeton decided to abandon the attempt. He was sure that Cornwallis would pursue him as soon as his retreat from Trenton was discovered, and his men were too much exhausted to reach New Brunswick before the arrival of the enemy. They had been without rest for a night and a day, and some of them were barefooted. His generals sustained him in the opinion that it was injudicious to continue the movement against New Brunswick, and he reluctantly abandoned it, and withdrew in the direction of Morristown. New Jersey Saved from the Enemy. When Cornwallis discovered the withdrawal of the Americans on the morning of the third of January, he was greatly perplexed to know in what direction they had gone. In a little while the sound of the cannonade at Princeton revealed to him the route taken by them, and he at once understood the design of Washington. He must save his stores at any risk, and he broke up his camp and set out for Princeton and New Brunswick. The Americans had obstructed the Princeton road and had broken down the bridge over Stony Creek, a few miles from the town. Without waiting to rebuild the bridge, the British commander forced his men through the icy waters, which were breast high, and hastened through Princeton with all speed. Believing that Washington had hurried on to New Brunswick, Cornwallis marched direct to that place, and did not notice the deflection of the American army from the |