men into Jersey, the inhabitants, difpirited to the utmost 1780, on account of the misfortune at the fouthward, would fubmit without refiftance, and that the foldiery of the continental army would defert to them on every occafion. This army, without fuffering by desertions, would not have been able to have kept the field, but for the affiftance of the Jerfey militia. Its weakness was occafioned by the numbers who had left it when their inlistment was out; by its not having been joined by a fingle draught, nor received two hundred recruits from all the ftates eaft of Maryland; and by the troops that had been fent on for the protection of the Carolinas. It received no other reinforcements but militia, till after the destruction of Springfield.

The royal forces remained at Elizabeth-town. Sir H. Clinton on his arrival at New York, determined to improve on the original defign, and to afford them an opportunity of acting with effect. For this purpose troops were embarked, and fuch preparations made, as indicated an immediate expedition up the North River. Upon this, gen. Washington, to be ready in case of any real defign againft Weft Point, or other ftrong holds in the Highlands, marched with the greatest part of the army toward Pompton on the 21ft, leaving about 700 men with the horse under the command of gen. Greene. His march was fo flow (as he meant not to increase his distance from Greene beyond what was neceffary) that he was only about eleven miles from Morris-town the next day. In the afternoon Greene fent off an exprefs to him with this note-" June 22d, Springfield 5 o'clock. Mr. — this moment returned from Elizabeth-town, fays, that the British army will be in motion this even

1780. ing. The gentleman is to meet the British at the West Farms this evening a little back of Newark. He left the enemy at 3 o'clock this afternoon, and appears to be in great trepidation." It was in a few hours followed by a fecond-" 10 o'clock. I have been impatiently waiting in confequence of the intelligence from M. P. He fays he is employed by your excellency. May not the enemy be apprized of his being a double spy, and endeavour to play him off accordingly?” The third put gen. Washington out of all further fufJune penfe- 23d, 6 o'clock. The enemy are out on their march toward this place in full force, having received a confiderable reinforcement last night." When it got to hand, his excellency ordered a part of his troops to return and support Greene; but the action was over, and the enemy retreated, before it could reach him.

23.

The royal army advanced from Elizabeth-town about 5 in the morning. Their march was rapid and compact, and in two columns, one on the main road leading to Springfield, the other on the Vauxhall-road. The American troops were neceffarily fo extended, that gen. Greene had fcarce time to collect them at Springfield, and make the neceffary difpofitions, ere the enemy appeared before the town, when a cannonade commenced on each fide. They continued manoeuvring in Greene's front for upward of two hours. He difpofed of the

troops in the best manner he could, to guard his flanks, fecure a retreat, and oppofe the advance of their columns. Col. Angell, with his regiment, and several fmall detachments, and one piece of artillery, was pofted to fecure the bridge in front of the town. Col. Shrieve's regiment was drawn up at the second bridge, to cover

The

the retreat of thofe pofted at the first. Major Lee, 1789. with his dragoons and the picquets, were pofted at Littlebridge on the Vauxhall-road, and col. Ogden was detached to fupport them. The remainder of gens. Maxwell's and Stark's brigades were drawn up on high grounds. The militia were on the flanks. While the enemy were making appearances of operation on their left, their right column advanced on major Lee. bridge was difputed with great obftinacy; but the enemy by fording the river, and gaining the point of a hill, obliged the major, with his party, to give up the pafs. At this inftant, their left column began the attack on col. Angeli: the action was fevere, and lasted about forty minutes, when fuperior numbers overcame obstinate bravery, and forced the Americans to retire over the fecond bridge, where the enemy were warmly received by col. Shrieve's regiment; but as they advanced in great force, with a large train of artillery, he had orders to join the brigade, Greene would have made a detachment in time for the fupport of Angell, but was in expectation that the royalifts would ford the river, the dangerous confequence of which was to be guarded againft. The advantages they had now gained, made it advifable for gen, Greene to take poft with his troops upon a range of hills, where the roads are brought fo near to a point, that fuccour can readily be given from one to the other. Being thus commodioufly posted, the general hoped that they would have attempted to gain the heights; but they declined it, and began firing the town. Near fifty dwelling houfes were burnt, and the whole village, excepting four houses, was reduced to afhes. This conflagration closed the enterprife, The

1780.ftrength of Greene's fituation, the difficulties of the ap

proach, an ignorance of his real force, and the bold defence made at the bridge, might severally concur, in preventing all further attempt to penetrate through the intervening hills and defiles, that they might gain poffeffion of Morris-town, and destroy the American stores, magazines and defences there and in the neighbourhood, which appears to have been their first object. They made a fecond retreat from Springfield, being pursued with great spirit and redoubled animofity by the militia (who were highly enraged at the conflagration that they had just beheld) till they entered Elizabeth-town, which was about fun-fet. They paffed on to Elizabeth-town Point, where they continued until twelve at night, and then began to cross to Staten Ifland; by fix the next morning they had totally evacuated the point, and removed their bridge. They fuffered confiderably on the 23d, but Greene's lofs was trifling, not more than twenty killed, and about fixty wounded. The American commander in chief, in general orders of the 26th, returned his warmeft thanks to gen. Greene and all the officers, for the good conduct and gallantry they had difplayed; and took particular notice of col. Angell and his regi

'ment.

When congrefs had received information from the marquis de la Fayette, of the preparation his moft chriftian majefty was making to aid the United States with a powerful naval and military force; they appointed committee to write to the different governments, requiring them to fill up the continental army and to forward fupplies, in order to a readiness for co-operating with the expected affiftance. The commander in chief

and other popular officers, joined in ftimulating them by 1780. every motive, to furnish speedily their respective quotas. The difgrace of appearing contemptible in the eyes of their great ally, and the mischief which must be the consequence, were strongly urged. The people were paffionately called upon, not to suffer the curfe of another campaign to rest upon America. They were told that the eyes of all Europe were upon them; and that their future independence, fortune and happiness depended upon their prefent exertion. Notwithstanding these joint efforts, gen. Washington had to complain" It is with infinite chagrin and mortification, I find that at this day, the fourth of July, more than fix weeks fince the July firft application to the ftates for the fuccour neceffary for the intended co-operation, not more than thirty levies. have to my knowledge joined any part of the army: nor have I any information what has been effected in this refpect by any one of the states. Some of them have not even informed me what they intend to do.” The Maffachusetts general court had indeed ordered, by their refolves of June the 5th and 23d, a reinforcement to be fent on, but it had not arrived. A voluntary fubfcription was likewife begun about the beginning of the fame month in Philadelphia, for the raifing of a fund of hard money, to be given as bounties to fill up the full quota of the Pennsylvania line. The general affembly of that ftate had on the 1ft of June provided for thofe exigencies in war, that might require fudden and extraordinary exertions, by refolving unanimously, that during the recefs of the house, fhould it be neceffary, the prefident (Jofeph Reed efq; whofe name has often occurred) or vice-prefident in council, be empow