The chevalier de Pontgibaud, a French volunteer of the war of independence

28 June 1778

Battle of Monmouth

CHAPTER 111.

Wrecked in Chesapeake Bay — Williamsburg— Mr. Jefferson — Aspect of the country between Williamsburg and the camp at Valley Forges — Description of the American Army — Welcomed by Marquis de ia Fayette — He appoints me his aide-de-camp — My mission to the Oneida Indians — American ideas of the French — -The camp at Valley Forges— General Howe's dog — - Attempted sortie of the British Army from Philadelphia — The passage of the Schuylkill, and return — Our ambulance surgeon — Evacuation of Philadelphia — Defeat at Rareton Rivers — Battle and Victory at Monmouth — New York blockaded — Arnold's treason — Arrest, trial, and execution of Major Andre — The Earl of Carlisle and Marquis de la Fayette — Comte d'Estaing before New York — Siege of Newport, Rhode Island, by Gen. Sullivan — I am charged with the re-victualling of the French fleet — The siege of Newport raised — Our departure for France on board the frigate " Alliance " — A storm and its consequences — Mutiny on board— Capture of a British cruiser — Arrival at Brest. 33

CHAPTER III.

Wrecked in Chesapeake Bay — Williamsburg — Mr. Jefferson — Aspect of the country between Williamsburg and the Camp at Valley Forges — Description of the American Armv — Welcomed by Marquis dc la Fayctte — He appoints me his aide-de-camp — My mission to the Oneida Indians — American ideas of the French — The Camp at Valley Forges— General Howe's dog — Attempted sortie of the British Army from Philadelphia — The passage of the Schuylkill * and return — Our ambulance surgeon- — Ejaculation of Philadelphia- — Defeat at Rareton Rivers — Battle and Victory at Monmouth — New York blockaded — Arnold's treason — Arrest, trial, and exe- cution of I\ fafor Andre — The Earl of Carlisle and Marquis dc la Fayctte — Comtc d'Estaing before New York — Siege of Newport, Rhode Island, bv Gen. Stdlii'an — / am charged "with the re-victualling of the French fleet — The siege of Newport raised — Our departure for France on board the frigate "Alliance" — A storm and its consequences — Mutiny on board — Capture of a British cruiser — Arrival at Brest,

OF THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE. 55

This engagement, called the Battle of Monmouth, from the name of a neighbouring village, began at ten o'clock in the morning: the heat was so excessive that we found soldiers dead without having received a wound. I did not see much of my first battle as we had not remained masters of the field; but that of Monmouth gave me some painful thoughts, even in the midst of the pride and pleasure of victory, and I cannot reproach myself with the callous heartlessness of the man who, on the field of Eylau, amidst the bodies of 24,000 of the victors and vanquished, said, " AVhat a fine slaughter of men ! " We slept on the field of battle amongst the dead, whom we had no time to bury. The day had been so hot, in both senses, that everyone had need of rest.