The loyal verses of Joseph Stansbury and Doctor Jonathan Odell

4 October 1777

Battle of Germantown

CANTO SECOND.

Decide a People's fate.

The Trained Bands of Germantown
With Clubs and Bayonets came down,

And fwell'd the motley train ;
Refolv'd to change, like him of old,
Old rags and lampblack50 into Gold,

NOTE

Of Howe's crowning the campaign with the occupation of Philadelphia :
f< General Clinton told Lord George Germain, April 27th, and Sir
f( William Howe repeatedly, after his return to America, his humble
*' opinion that Philadelphia had better clofe than open the campaign, as
" it required an army to defend it."

Of the battle of Germantown and the check to the Americans occa-
fioned by Mufgrave's throwing himfelf with a few companies into Chew's
Houfe, Sir Henry makes a remark that, while it mews on what chances
the fate of a battle may turn, does not at all fupport Howe's afleveration

that

NOTE

It is ftated by Watfon that, in anticipation of the affray, the Troop
(which was then as now compofed of the gentry of the neighborhood)
had prepared on this day to be ready for fervice at a moment's warning.
The deceitful calm that prevailed during the morning had induced the mem
bers to retire for dinner to their refpeftive homes, and it was only nine of
their number who were got together in time to aft. Charging fuddenly
on the mob, ignorance of their real ftrength aided the panic of their ad-
verfaries ; and the cry of " the borfe, the borfe /" was a fignal for general
flight. The party incurred great odium by this feat, and Major Lenox
" was particularly marked out for deftruclion." His houfe at Germantown
was fubfequently furrounded in the night-time, and nothing but the
opportune arrival of the Troop difperfed his enemies. In allufion to his
having thrown afide his long coat, to avoid being dragged from his horre

on

NOTE

NOTE 41, Page 40.

Robert Morris, Benedict Arnold, and (according to a manufcript note)
William Wiftar, are here referred to. The firft was as diftinguifhed for
his abilities as a financier, as the fecond for his recklefs and perfevering
courage as a foldier. This was while he was ftationed at Philadelphia,
and before his treafon. Wiftar was perhaps a citizen of Germantown.

NOTE 42, Page 40.