Liberty's triumph. A poem

26 December 1776

Battle of Trenton

BOOK XIII.

BOOK XIII.

As the year is closing Washington discovers an opportunity to strike a blow
upon the enemy. Sad condition of his army ; which, though numbering scarce
three thousand, he on the eve before Christmas divides into three commands,
giving one to Cadwallader, who was to cross the Delaware and attack the foe at
Bordentown ; and the second to Irvine, who was, in like manner, to cross and
assail them at Burlington ; while he leads the third against Trenton. He then,
crossing at M'Conkey's ferry, nine miles above Trenton, proceeds on his march.
Council of war. Battle of Trenton, and capture o( the forces there stationed.
Astonishment of Cornwallis, and his efforts to regain what had thus been lost to
the English interests. Second battle of Trenton. Stratagem of Washington and
his attack of the enemy at Princeton, whom he also captures, ife then leads
his exhausted forces to Pluckemin, and fina,lly to Valley Forge, above Philadelphia
and west of the river Schuylkill, where he remains through the rest of the
winter. Death of Mercer ^ ... 242

BOOK XIV.

BOOK I.] LIBERTY'S TRIUMPS.

Declar'd for freedom. There are too discern'd

The bloody frays of Bunker, Trenton, Yorktown,

Of Eutaw, Bemi's Heights, and battles all ;

ARGUMENT.

ARGUMENT.

As the year is closing Washington discovers an opportunity to strike a blow upon the
enemy. Sad condition of his army ; which, though numbering scarce tliree ibonsaDd,
he on the eve before Christmas divides into three commands, giving one to Gadwailader!
who was to cross the Deiaware and attaclt the foe at Bordentown ; and the second to
Irvine, who wag, in lilce manner, to cross and assail them at Burlington ; while he leada
the third against Trenton. He then, crossing at M'Conicey^s ferry, nine miles above
Trenton, proceeds on his march. Council of war. Battle of Trenton, and capture of
the forces there stationed. Astonishment of Cornwaliis, and his efforts to regain what
had thus been lost to the English interests. Second battle of Trenton. Stratagem of
Washington and his attack of the enemy at Princeton, whom he also captures. He
then leads his exhausted forces to Pluckemin, and finally to Valley Forge, above Phila-
delphia, and west of the river Schuylkill, where he remains through the rest of the
winter. Peath of Mercer.

ARGUMENT.

When from th' artillery rolled the deathful charge

At Trenton's heights renowned, and other fields

Bloody, on Jersey, and 'Sylvanian soil ;

16 August 1780

Battle of Camden

BOOK XIX.

BOOK XIX.

Arrival of the Count D'Estaing with the French fleet and land forces. Clinton
then transfers the seat of war to the Southern States. Prevost is besieged
by i'incoln in Savannah, who aided by D'Estaing also assaults that city, hut U
repulsed. Exploit of Colonel White. Withdrawal of the French fleet, and conse-
quent distressed condition of Lincoln. On being reinforced he is directed by
Wasliington to proceed to Charleston and fortify therein. Clinton leaves
Knyphausen in command of New York with a force sufficient to require the
presence of Washington, and proceeds South to conduct the Wdr. Besieges
Lincoln in Charleston; who ultimately surrenders. Clinton then leaves Corn-
wallis in command at the South, and returns to New York. Movements of Corn-
wallis. The Baron De Kalb. Gates is sent by Congress to take commnnd in the
South. Enthusiasm of the South hereupon. But he, rashly proceeding against
Cornwallis at Camden, is totally defeated, and his army dispersed. Efforts of tlie
gallant De Kalb. His death and character

CONTENTS.

BOOK XXIV.

BOOK XXIV.

After the retreat of Cornwallis, Greene, calling a council of war, resolves to
proceed against Lord Rawdon, Earl of Moira, who succeeds Cornwallis as com-
mander in chief of the forces in the States south of Virginia. Battle at Hobkirk's
Hill f sometimes called the second battle of Camden), where Greene is surprised by
Rawdon and retreats ; but as Rawdon does not ventiu-e to follow him, Greene pro-
ceeds against the chief military posts of the enemy, capturing many of them,
together with Augusta. Ninety-Six is also invested by him, but relieved by
Rawdon ; who then abandons the post and retires to Charleston. Greene then
removes to the High Hills of Santee, in order to afford a brief season of repose to
his army

CONTENTS.

BOOK VI.] LIBERTY'S TRIUMPH. 109

no LIBERTY'S TRIUMPH. [book vi.

No armies to insure a speedy end
Of the dire warfare ; if to me is given
The privilege to assure our brethren in
The Colonies that they shall justice find :
Commissioned thus, the service I'll accept.
Whereat the Cabinet, chagrined, devolve
Upon Lord William Howe supreme cotpmand :
And next, of Effingham they now require
To aid the warfare ; but he, to the King
TRereon, gives back his sword (by which so ofl
He had the warrior's proudest bays obtained),
And thus bespeaks : Sire, I this sword received
The sacred cause of justice to maintain;
Not of oppression ! Ne'er, brave Effingham,
Shall cease thy name to live in freemen's hearts.
Nor thine, brave Rockingham, nor, Camden, thine ;
Nor Shelburne, Richmond, Buckingham ; who durst
To be sincere in virtue's cause, and speak
E'en in the ears of heartless Royalty,
Your high approval of Columbia's stand,
When none could be sincere and favor find.

But now the next campaign by Washington
(Who with his camp at Cambridge still abides)
Is opened ; and with tact, which tells his foes
How vain their hopes of speedy triumph are :
For now, as Hyems with his hoary train
Is nigh departing, Washington resolves
To make the essay to compel the foe
From Boston and its port ; and now detached,
While evening's shadows slow the land o'erspread,
Five regiments to the Heights of Dorchester,
And all prepared to fortify thereon
A point which should the town and port command :
And as Night shows her coming reign, on move
The darkened ranks in column close ; till now,
By Cynthia's full orb cheered, they soon attain
The wished heights ; around whose base, dense fogs
And hovering the city all conceal.

ARGUMENT.

ARGUMENT.

After the retreat of Cbrnwallis, Greene, calling a coTiiicil of war, resolves to proceed
against Lord Rawdon, Earl of Moirn, who succeed Cornwallis as commander in chief
of the forces in the States south of Virginia. Battle at Bobkirk's Hill (sometimes
called the second battle of Camden), where Greene is surprised byRawdonanlretreats;
btit as Rawdon does not venture to lollow him, Greene proceeds against the, chief mili-

- tary posts of the enemy, capturing many of them, together with Augusta. Ninety-Six
is also invested by him, but relieved by Rawdon ; who then abandons the post and
retires to Charleston. Greene then removes to the High Hills of Snntee, in order to
afford a brief season of repose to his army.

17 January 1781

Battle of Cowpens

BOOK XXII.

BOOK XXII.

Greene, in order to narrow the borders of the enemy, sends a detachment under the
command of Morgan to take post upon the left of Cornwallis, while he' himself
still retains position upon his right. Cornwallis detaches Tarleton against Morgan.
Battle ^of the Cowpens, and defeat of Tarleton. Cornwallis, in order to recover
what he had thus lost, bums his heavy baggage, and, reducing his army to the
condition of light troops, dashes after Morgan ; who, having crossed Broad River,
presses on towards the Catawba, and passes it at Sherald's Ferry, as the British
van appears in sight. Night being at hand the foe wait for the morning in order
to cross; but during the night, a freshet arises which prevents their passage Hir
some days. In the meantime Greene, having eent his own forces to Virginia,
arrives and takes command, and detaching Stevens* brigode to conduct the
prisoners to Charlottesville, he recnniinences the retreat. Succeeds in safely
crossing" the Dan (where pursuit must end), as Cornwallis appears in sight. He
then affords his wearied troops a brief season of repose 437

BOOK xzin.

ARGUMENT.

ARGUMENT.

Greene, in order tu narrow the borders of the enemy, sends a detachment under the com-
mand of Morgan to take post upon th^' left of CornwalUa, while he himaelf still retains
position upon his right. Cornwatlis detaches Tarlelon against Morgan. Battle of the
Cowpens, and defeat of Tarleton. Cornwallis, in order to recover what he had thus
lost, burns his heavy bagsage, and, reducing his army to the condition of light troops,
dashes after Morgan ; who, having crossed Broad River, presses on towards the Catawba,
and passes it at Sherald's Ferry, as the British van appears in sight Night being at
hand the foe wait for the morning in order to cross ; but during the night, a freshet arises
which prevents their passage for some days. In the meantime Greene, having sent his
own forces to Virginia, arrives and takes command, and detaching Stevens' brigade to
conduct the prisoners to Charlottesville, he recommences the retreat. Succeeds in safely
crossing ttie Dan (wiiere pursuit must end), as Cornwallis appears in sight. He then
affords his wearied troops a brief season of repose.

Now Greene, the borders of the enemy,
Who, reinforced, outspreading were afar,
Aiming to narrow, moves to Cheraw Hills
Far to Cornwallis' right ; and too despatched
Morgan, west of Catawba, twenty leagues
(Where the Broad River and the Pacolet
A confluence form), to take position strong
Upon Cornwallis' left, and with him sends
The gallant Maryland line by Howard led,
And the dragoons led on by Washington ;
Designing thus at east and west to form
His camps a rallying point for freedom's friends,
And with facility supplies procure ;
While he arouses too Cornwallis' fears
By menacing his post at Ninety-Six,
And at Augusta. Which to cover, he
Detaches Tarleton and his cavalry '

ARGUMENT.

438 LIBERTY'S TRIUMPH. [book xxii.

T(5 arrive the camp of Morgan (which he late
Had at the Cowpens pitched), and him surprise.

15 March 1781

Battle of Guilford Court House

BOOK xzin.

BOOK xzin.

Cornwallis affects to regard North Carolina as re-annexed to the British Crown.
Greene detaches Major Lee with a select corps into that state, and follows soon
after. Lee proceeds against Tarleton, who retreats. Greene now offers battle
to Cornwallis. Battle of Guilford. CornwallLs retreats to Virginia, and fortifies
atYorktown 448

BOOK XXIV.

BOOK XXII.] LIBERTY'S TRIUMPH.' 443

A junction has between the forces formed

At Guilford Court-House ; but still deeming he

May the retreat of Greene yet intercept.

ARGUMENT.

ARGUMENT.

Cornwallis affects to regard North Carolina as re-annexed to the British Crown. Greene
detaches Major Lee with a select corps into that state, and follows soon after. Lee
proceeds against Tarleton, who retreats. Greene now offers battle to Cornwallis.
Battle of Guilford. Cornwallis retreats to Virginia, and fortifies at Yorktown.

ARGUMENT.

Had now recovered from the wounds received

Upon the field at Guilford, leads the war,

In sole command of Carolina South ;