Narrative of the exertions and sufferings of Lieut. James Moody, in cause of government since the year 1776

19 September and 7 October 1777

Battles of Saratoga

NOTES,

(lisnstrmi- : ]tU troop.^ snffi'i'cd innrli from bad ronds, inclciiiet't weutlier ami a scarcity of iirovisioiis : the Indians who iiad ])i-evi<Misly assisted liim, deserted, and tlie Americans under Gen. Gates surrounded liim with a superior force, to which, though victorious in two engagements, he was at length com- pelled to capitulate at Saratoga, with the whole of his army. This event, which rendered him equally oditms to the British Government and the people at large, was for some time the leading topic of the press, and numberless lampoons appeared in which the General's conduct was most severely satirized. The punsters of the day, taking advantage of the American General's name, amused themselves unmercifully at Burgoyne's expense, but of all their etfusions, which for the most part were more virulent than pointed, the following harmless epi- gram, poor as it is, appears to have been the best :

NOTES. 83

(14). Maj.-Gen. Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich, Con- necticut, January 3, 1741, and was brought up as a surgeon. He (juitted his profession for the sea, and was for some years en- gaged as master of a trading vessel. At the commencement of the Eevolution, he espoused the cause of the colonies, and took command of a company of volunteers at New Haven. He was afterwards at the siege of Quebec, where he received a woiind in the leg, and upon the failure of the expedition, he withdrew the remains of his forces to Crown Point. He was afterwards employed on Lake Champlain, where he greatly distinguished himself, as he did also subsequently at the battle of Saratoga, where his services contributed not a little to the success of the American, over Burgoyiie. Some time after tliis he was placed in command of West Point, and then began to .^,oncert the means of putting this strong fort in the hands of the enemy. In the attem])t to carry out tlie nefarious plot, poor Andre was sacriticed, and Arnold with difficulty escajjed on board a Britisii sloop-of-war. He was made a Brig.-General by tlie British, and employed by them in several enterprises, particu- larly at New London, Conn., and Norfolk, Va. On the return of peace, he went to England, and died in London, -June 14, LSul- His remains were interred at Broniptiu.

NOTES. 83

and grtidnated at Harvard College in 1769. He was subse- (juently employed for some time as a teacher of a school, and also as a surveyor of lands, assisting Capt. Holland in surveys for his map of Xew Hampshire. He also studied law for a while in tlie office of General Sullivan, In 1775, he was ap- pointed Brigade Ma,ior, and in 17Y6, Colonel of the third bat- talion of continentjil troops raised in New Hampshire. In 1771, Colonel Scanimel commanded the third regiment of that State, and was wounded in the desperate battle of Saratoga. In 1780, the levy of New Hampshire was reduced to two regi- ments, when he conmianded the first. He was afterwards ai)pointed Adjutant-General of the Ameriean armies, in which office he was deservedly popular, and secured the esteem of the officers of the array generally. With this situation he finally became dissatisfied, because it often excused him from those dangers to w^hich others were exposed ; and preferring a more active command, Jje was pnt at the head of a regiment of light iiifaiiti'v. On the 30tli of September, 1781, at the memorable and successful siege of Yorktown, he was officer of the day; and while reconnoitering the situation of tlie enemy, he was surprised by a party of their horse; and after being taken prisoner, was inhumanly wounded by them. He was conveyed to the city of Williamsburgh, Virginia, where he died Oct. 0, 1781, at the age of 33. Col. Scammel was an officer of uncom- mon merit. He was amiable and winning in his manners, and his loss was deeply regretted.