The American revolution

APPENDIX.

General Burgoyne's Observations respecting the Battles at Saratoga and Death of

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Our army under General Schuyler have left their unim- portant station at Fort Edward, and having made a stand for a few days at Saratoga, they fell back to Stillwater, twenty-five miles above Albany, where they have taken their station, and are daily receiving reinforcements of militia and some continental troops. On the retreat of our army from Fort Edward, Major Hull commanded the rear guard, and being two miles in the rear, was attacked by a large body of the enemy, and after a severe contest, in which he lost thirty or forty of his men, he was com- pelled to retreat. He received the thanks of General Schuyler for his brave and judicious conduct. General Burgoyne, we learn, is extremely embarrassed, and his march greatly impeded by the obstructions in the roads effected by order of Gen. Schuyler; he has at length, how- ever, surmounted numerous difficulties, and reached the vicinity of Saratoga. Finding himself in want of provi- sions, horses to mount his cavalry, and teams to transport his stores and baggage, he resorted to one of the most chi- merical and romantic projects that could enter the imagi- nation of man. Being informed that a large quantity of stores, corn, cattle, &c, were deposited at Bennington, in the New Hampshire grants, he planned an expedition fur the purpose of possessing himself of this treasure. Presuming, probably, that his late success and his manifesto had pro- duced such wonderful effects, that no more opposition would be made to his progress in the country, he despatched Col. Baum, a German officer, with five hundred Hessians and tories and one hundred Indians, with two field-pieces. The colonel was furnished with the following curious instructions, which fell into the hands of General Stark:

MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777.

13th. — There is a constant intercourse kept up between this city and our army near Stillwater, by which we are regularly apprised of daily occurrences. It is now ascer- tained that Burgoyne has crossed the Hudson, and en- camped at Saratoga, about thirty-six miles above Alban}\

MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777.

8th. — The anticipated important intelligence has just reached us, that a most severe engagement took place yesterday, between the two armies, at a place between Stillwater and Saratoga, called Bemis' Heights. It is supposed to be the hardest fought battle, and the most honorable to our army, of any since the commencement of hostilities. The enemy was completely repulsed in every quarter, and his defeat was attended with irrepara- ble, loss of officers, men, artillery, tents and baggage. Our officers and men acquired the highest honor; they fought like heroes, and their loss is very inconsiderable. General Arnold has received a wound in his leg. I am impatient to receive the particular details of this capital event.

MILITARY JOURNAL, 1773.

4th. — Intelligence has reached us that the royal army, under the command of General Sir Henry Clinton, has evacuated Philadelphia, and while marching through Jer- sey to New York, General Washington attacked them near Monmouth court-house, on the 28th. of June, and a warm engagement ensued. This contest was conducted with military ardor and spirit on the side of both armies; but was not on so broad a scale as to prove very decisive in its consequences. The intense heat of the weather, great fatigue, and drinking cold water, proved fatal to about sixty or eighty men of each party.

MILITARY JOURNAL, 1773.

5th. — Congress have passed a vote of thanks to General Washington and his army for their brave conduct at the battle of Monmouth.

APPENDIX.

In the battle at Monmouth on the 28th of June, 1778, he commanded the van of the American troops, with orders from the commander-in-chief to attack the retreating enemy.

APPENDIX.

In his adversity General Lee was not altogether destitute of advocates as respects the affair of Monmouth; they allege that, were it not for the disrespectful letters to his excel lencjr, Lee would have