tinguished for their impetuous courage. His descent was good: O'Sullivan, the paternal ancestor, was Lord of Beerhaven in County Kerry, "well known as the most beautiful tract in the British isles." On his mother's side were men who had fallen in the defence of Ireland when it was reduced by the Prince of Orange. His father was a scholar, and, emigrating to America, acquired a livelihood giving instruction in the classics.

From him Sullivan obtained an education above that of his fellows, and caught the fire which lighted him along his distinguished career.

In December seventy-four, receiving news of the prohibition to export gunpowder to the colonies, at the head of a small party in a bright, freezing night, with a "twooared gondola," Sullivan dropped down the Piscataqua, increased his numbers at Portsmouth, scaled the fort at the entrance of the harbor, overpowered the garrison, and carried off its powder and small arms, secreting a part under the pulpit of the old meeting house at Durham.†

Here he commenced the practice of the law, and signalized by his ardent temper, was, at the outbreak of the revolution, elected to represent New Hampshire in the first Continental Congress. There he commanded respect and confidence. Having been chosen a delegate to the second Congress, in the selection of the general staff, he was commissioned one of the eight brigadiers first appointed, and took the command of a brigade then on duty near Boston. His influence induced the New Hampshire troops to continue in the service while others were departing, and he was active in obtaining supplies and ammunition in this early time of need. Ordered to Canada when the posts could be no longer held, his retreat was

* See Macaulay's exquisite description.-Hist. of England, iv. 107. + Capt. Bennett's Narrative. See also Force.

masterly. Thence he joined the army at New York, and was captured in the battle of Long Island. Being exchanged, he resumed his command. He entered Trenton at the head of his column and carried it while the other bodies were coming up; and at Princeton was in the front of his line, under the fire of the enemy.

Washington describes him as "active, spirited, and ardently attached to the cause. That he does not want abilities, many members of Congress can testify; but he has his wants and his foibles. The latter are manifested in his little tincture of vanity, and in an over-desire of being popular, which now and then lead him into embarrassments," but he has "an enterprising genius."

Of strong purpose, never shrinking from duty, he was selected for stations which demanded energy and intrepidity, qualities that never failed him.

The first regiment of artillery on the continental establishment had been confided to HENRY KNOX, a native of Boston. Taking an early and an active part in concerting opposition to the restrictive acts of Parliament, he showed his devotion to liberty by leaving a lucrative employment, and joining the army as a volunteer in the battle of Bunker's Hill.

Alarmed at the deficiency of ordnance, which gave the enemy vast superiority, Knox, full of ardor, hastened to the Canadian frontier, where, by his personal exertions, amid the depths of winter, he was enabled in some measure to supply this want. His enterprise received the grateful approbation of the commander-in-chief. He was appointed a colonel of artillery, and upon the increase of that corps, was promoted to the command of a brigade.

Of high integrity, a sound understanding, a warm, brave heart, gay among his comrades, cool in battle, he was soon classed among those individuals to whom the

country might look with confidence in its greatest perils. Frank, liberal and sincere, he won and preserved the regard of his brother officers, and could boast that which was a passport to consideration, of being a man whom "Washington loved."

Another officer had also gained much of his confidence, General John Cadwallader, a gentleman of powerful connections in Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania. At the head of a body of volunteers from the latter State, he marched to the aid of the commander-in-chief in his retreat through New Jersey, and a most important and difficult share of the enterprise which expelled the enemy from the borders of the Delaware was confided to him. Upon the new organization of the army, the command of a brigade was offered to him and declined. But in all moments of difficulty he instantly repaired to head-quarters, his patriotism, nobleness, and ample fortune leaving no opening for a thought of personal interest, and ensuring him the welcome of the army.

The gentlemen who at this time composed the personal staff of the commander-in-chief, were Colonel Robert H. Harrison, a native of Maryland, who at an early age removed to Alexandria. There, as a member of the bar, he was employed by Washington, and soon after he had taken the command at Cambridge, was urgently invited by him to join his military family. "Sensible, clever, and perfectly confidential," he sacrificed his health to the arduous duties of his station. He was commonly known as the "Old Secretary." Discreet, ingenuous, fearless, an officer in whom every man had confidence, and by whom no man was deceived, he commanded universal respect. The other members of the staff were the generous and accomplished Tilghman of Maryland, and the amiable, chivalrous Meade of Virginia. Colonel Webb, who had been

wounded at Bunker's Hill, was first appointed aid by Putnam and then by Washington, in which capacity he served until the close of seventy-six, having been again wounded at White Plains and at Trenton.

*

Being promoted to the rank of colonel, he could no longer serve on the staff, and his resignation gave place to Hamilton, who, as Washington states, became "his principal and most confidential aid." The intercourse of this military family was most kind; and the relation of Lafayette, that, during a familiar association of five years, no instance of disagreement occurred, is evidence of the tone of feeling which prevailed.

Harrison, who was much the elder, treated Hamilton with especial kindness, and soon after he joined the staff gave him the epithet by which he was familiarly known, of "the Little Lion."

con.

* Colonel Samuel B. Webb was captured in 1777, by the sloop-of-war FalA letter of Washington, declining to give him any preference of exchange, is one of the many evidences of the justice of his character. Being exchanged in 1782, Webb was promoted to the command of the light infantry, with the rank of Brigadier-General.

CHAPTER VII.

On his appointment to the staff of Washington, Lieutenant-colonel Hamilton, immediately after his recovery from a severe indisposition, induced by the hardships of the campaign, apprised the convention of New York of his change of situation, suggesting the transfer of his company to the Continental establishment. He did not omit to recommend to promotion an officer of merit.

A reply from Governeur Morris and Allison informed him that they, with Robert R. Livingston, had been appointed a committee of the convention to correspond with him at head-quarters, and concurred with him as to the disposal of his company. A frequent correspondence

ensued.

Having served through the most arduous campaign of the Revolution, and having thus entitled himself to promotion in the line of the army, Hamilton hesitated much before he decided to relinquish this advantage for a place in the staff. He had already, as has been stated, declined a similar invitation from two general officers, but influenced by the reputation of the commander-in-chief, he entered upon the discharge of his new duties with all the devotion due to his early and illustrious friend.

The situation of aide-de-camp to the commander-inchef, from the position he held, not merely of head of the