the sanguinary battle of the 7th of October, gen. Lincoln, while courageously leading on his division to relieve the troops that had been engaged, received a wound which disabled him, and compelled him to leave the field. The bones of his leg were badly fractured, and by the loss of the bone the limb was shortened, which occasioned lameness during the remainder of his life. By this unfortunate cir cumstance, he was prevented from participating in the capture of the whole British army, which followed soon after.

From the display of his talents as a military commander, congress designated him to the chief command in the southern department. In this command, notwithstanding its unfortunate termination at Charleston, so established was the spotless reputation of the vanquished general, that he continued to enjoy the undiminished respect of congress, the army, and the commander in chief. The following anecdote is related of him at this time.

While at Purysburgh, on the Savannah river, a soldier named Fickling, having been detected in frequent attempts to desert, was tried and sentenced to be hanged. The general ordered the execu tion. The rope broke, a second was procured, which broke also; the case was reported to the general for directions. Let him run,' said the general, I thought he looked like a scape gallows.'

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In the campaign of 1781, general Lincoln commanded a division under Washington, and at the siege of Yorktown he had his full share of the honor of that brilliant and auspicious event. The articles of capitulation stipulated for the same honor in favor of the surrendering army, as had been granted to the garrison of Charleston. General Lincoln was appointed to conduct them to the field, where their arms were deposited, and received the customary submission. In the general order of the commander in chief, the day after the capitulation, gen. Lincoln was among the general officers whose services were particularly mentioned. In October, 1781, he was chosen by congress secretary at war, retaining his rank in the army. In this office he continued, till October, 1783, when his proffered resignation was accepted by congress.

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In the summer of 1789, president Washington appointed him collector of the port of Boston, which office he held until about two years before his death. Admonished by the infirmities of age, resigned his office. On the 9th of May, 1810, his valuable life was terminated, at the age of 77 years.

The following tribute is on the records of the society of Cincinnati. At the annual meeting, in July, 1810, maj. gen. John Brooks was chosen president of the society, to supply the place of our venerable and much lamented president, gen. Benjamin Lincoln, who had presided over the society from the organization thereof, in 1783, to the 9th of May, 1810, the day of his decease, with the entire approbation of every member, and the grateful tribute of his surviving comrades, for his happy guidance and affectionate attentions during se long a period.'

THE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE, MAJOR GENERAL. The name and character of this illustrious French nobleman, will occupy a conspicuous place in our Revolutionary annals, and be honored by posterity no less for his enthusiastic love of liberty, than for his heroism and military renown. There is something truly romantic in the history of this celebrated personage. In the year 1776, at the immature age of nineteen, he espoused the cause of the Americans, and nobly resolved to afford our country all possible assistance by his personal services and influence. At this era, the affairs of America were bordering on despair, and were represented in France as so deplorable that it might be supposed sufficient to repress the most determined zeal. Reports were propagated in that country that our army, reduced to a mere rabble, was flying before an army of thirty thousand regulars, nor was this very wide from the reality. In consequence of this, our commissioners found it impossible to procure a vessel to convey the marquis and their own despatches to Congress; they could not therefore feel justified in encouraging his bold contemplated enterprize. This embarrassment however, had the effect of increasing rather than of restraining his youthful ardor and heroism. He imparted to the commissioners his determination to purchase and fit out a vessel to convey himself and their despatches to America. This project was deemed so extraordinary and important, that it did not fail to engage universal attention. The French court had not then declared even a friendly intention towards America, but on the contrary was extremely cautious of giving offence to the British government. Orders were therefore given prohibiting the departure of this nobleman, and vessels were even despatched to the West Indies to intercept him, in case he should take that route. The marquis was well apprized that he exposed himself to the loss of his fortune by the laws of France; and that, should he fall into the hands of the English, on his passage, he would be liable to a confinement of uncertain duration, and without a prospect of being exchanged. These considerations however, did not deter him from the attempt, and bidding adieu to his amiable consort and numerous endeared connexions, and trusting to good fortune to favor his elopement, he embarked, and in due time arrived safe in Charleston, in the summer of 1776. He landed soon after the noble defence made by general Moultrie at the Fort on Sullivan's Island. Charmed with the gallantry displayed by that general and his brave troops, the marquis presented him with clothing, arms and accoutrements for one hundred men. He met with a cordial reception from our Congress, and they immediately accepted his proffered services. He insisted that he would receive no compensation, and that he would commence his services as a volunteer. This noble philanthropist was received into the family of the Commander in Chief, where a strong mutual attachment was contracted, and he has

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often been called “The adopted son of Washington." July 31, 1777, Congress resolved, that," Whereas the marquis de la Fayette out of his great zeal to the cause of liberty in which the United States are engaged, has left his family and connexions, and at his own expense come over to offer his services to the United States without pension or particular allowance, and is anxious to risk his life in our cause,-Resolved that his service be accepted, and that in consideration of his zeal, illustrious family and connexions, he have the rank and commission of MAJOR GENERAL in the Army of the United States." At the battle of Brandywine, September, 1777, the marquis exhibited full proof of his undaunted bravery and military character, and received a wound in his leg. In November of the same year, about one hundred and fifty men of Morgan's rifle corps under lieutenant colonel Butler, and an equal number of militia under the marquis de la Fayette, who still served as a volunteer, attacked with great gallantry a picket of the enemy, consisting also of about three hundred men, and drove them with the loss of twenty or thirty killed, and a greater number wounded, quite into their camp; after which, they retired without being pursued.

The marquis, who was said by general Greene to search for danger was charmed with the conduct of this small detachment. "I found the riflemen," said that nobleman in a letter to general Washington, "above even their reputation, and the militia above all expectations I could have formed of them."

In May, 1778, to cover the country effectually on the north of the Schuylkill, and restrain as much as possible the parties detached in various directions from Philadelphia, who most generally effected their object, and returned before they could be opposed by the army lying at Valley Forge; to form an advance guard for the security of the main army, and to be in readiness to annoy, if practicable, the rear of the enemy, should they evacuate Philadelphia, an event which a great variety of circumstances combined to prove was in contemplation, the marquis de la Fayette, was detached with somewhat more than two thousand choice troops, and a few pieces of cannon, to take post near the lines.

With this detachment, the marquis crossed the Schuylkill, and took post at Barren hill, about eight or ten miles in front of the army at Valley Forge. Immediate notice of his arrival was given to sir William Howe, who reconnoitered his position, and formed a plan to surprise and cut him off.

In execution of this plan, on the night of the 19th, general Grant with five thousand select troops, took the road which leads up the Delaware, and consequently diverges from Barren hill. After marching along this road some distance, he inclined to the left, and passing by White marsh, where several roads unite, took one leading to the position he was directed to occupy, something more than a mile in the rear of the marquis, between him and Valley Forge.

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reached his point of destination about sun-rise, entirely undiscovered. Here, the roads fork; the one leading to the camp of la Fayette, and the other to Matson's ford over the Schuylkill.

Gen. Gray, on the night of the 19th of May, marched with seven thousand men, and by a skilful movement got into the marquis' rear, while another detachment was advancing to his front.

Thus perilous was the situation of the marquis, when he first discovered the danger which threatened him. It was about the same time perceived from the camp at Valley Forge. Alarm guns were fired to announce it to him, and the whole army was put under arms to act as circumstances might require. Thus surrounded with danger, la Fayette took, with promptitude and decision, the only course which could have preserved him. He put his troops instantly in motion and passed over at Matson's ford, which was rather nearer to general Grant than himself, without being intercepted by that officer, or sustaining a greater loss than nine men.

Having crossed the river, and taken possession of the high grounds on the other side, he sent back a small party to bring over his field pieces, which were also secured.

General Grant, who had reached the ground lately occupied by la Fayette, soon after it was abandoned, followed his rear, and appeared at the ford just after the Americans had crossed it; but finding them very advantageously posted, he did not choose to attack them, and the whole army returned to Philadelphia, having effected nothing.

In the statement of this affair made by the marquis, he represents himself to have advanced the head of a column towards Grant, as if to attack him, while the rear filed off rapidly towards the Schuylkill. This movement gained ground even for the front, which, while it advanced towards the enemy, also approached the river, and at the same time induced general Grant to halt, in order to prepare for battle.

While this manœuvre was performing in the face of the detachment under Grant, a small party was thrown into the church-yard, which was surrounded by a wall, on the road towards general Gray, which also gave the appearance of an intention to attack in that quarter. By these dispositions, happily conceived, and executed with regularity, the marquis extricated himself and his party from the destruction which had appeared almost inevitable. In his letter to Congress, general Washington termed it "a timely and handsome retreat ;" and certainly the compliment was merited.

In August, 1778, he repaired to Rhode Island, to assist in the expedition under major general Sullivan, in conjunction with the French fleet, and he received the particular approbation and applause of Congress, for his judicious and highly important services.

In January, 1779, the marquis embarked at Boston, on a voyage to France, and was subjected to imminent danger from a conspiracy

́among the sailors, a great part of whom were British. He returned in May, 1780, bringing the joyful intelligence that a French fleet and army would soon arrive on our coast. Through his great zeal for the cause of the United States, he exerted his influence with his gov ernment, no longer fearful of giving offence to the English, to afford money and troops and other important succours. He was soon put at the head of a select corps of light infantry for the service of the campaign. This afforded him a new opportunity for the display of his munificence. He presented to every officer under his command, an elegant sword, and his soldiers were clothed in uniform principally at his expense. He infused into this corps a spirit of pride and emulation, viewing it as one formed and modelled according to his own wishes, and as deserving his highest confidence. They were the pride of his heart and be the idol of their regard; constantly panting for an opportunity of accomplishing some signal achievement worthy of his and their character. This corps was pronounced equal to any that could be produced in any country. In December, 1780, be marched with one thousand two hundred light infantry for Virginia, to counteract the devastations of Arnold and Phillips. He made a forced march of two hundred miles and prevented general Phillips possessing himself of Richmond, and secured the stores of that place. At one period there was not a single pair of shoes in his whole command, and such was his zeal and generous spirit, and such the confi dence and respect of the people, that he was enabled to borrow of the merchants of Baltimore two thousand guineas on his own credit, with which he purchased shoes, and other necessary articles for his troops. The marquis was employed in watching the motions of lord Cornwallis in Virginia, with an inferior force; in this arduous duty he displayed the judgment, skill and prudence of a veteran, with the ardor of youth. In a skirmish near Jamestown, not a man in the whole detachment was more exposed, and one of his horses was killed.

Lord Cornwallis having encamped near Jamestown, the marquis la Fayette sent general Wayne with the Pennsylvania troops to take their station within a small distance of the British army, and watch their motions. The two advanced parties were soon engaged, and general Wayne drove that of the enemy back to their lines, and without stopping there, attacked the whole British army, drawn up in order of battle, and charged them with bayonets. The action was extremely severe for the little time it lasted, but the disproportion of numbers was so great, that the enemy was on the point of surrounding our troops, when the marquis arrived in person, just time enough to order a retreat, by which they were rescued from their hazardous situation, after suffering considerable loss.

General Henry Lee, in his Memoirs of the War in the Southern States, eulogizes the character and conduct of La Fayette, when