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CHAPTER at last inquired in what manner Mr. Washington chose to VIII. be addressed. Colonel Reed replied, that his station was 1776. well known, and that no doubts could properly exist on

Colonel Paterson's interview

with Washington.

July 20.

that point. They separated, and the flag returned with the letter to the fleet. In mentioning this incident to Congress, Washington said, "I would not upon any occasion sacrifice essentials to punctilio; but in this instance, the opinion of others concurring with my own, I deemed it a duty to my country and my appointment, to insist upon that respect, which, in any other than a public view, I would willingly have waved." The course he had taken was highly approved by Congress, and a resolve was passed, that in future no letters should be received from the enemy, by commanders in the American army, which should not be directed to them in the characters they sustained.

As occasional intercourse between the chiefs of the two armies was necessary, for the purpose of treating about the exchange of prisoners and other matters, General Howe wrote to Washington a few days afterwards, repeating the same superscription. This letter was likewise refused. He then sent Colonel Paterson, adjutant-general of the British army, who was admitted to an interview with the American commander, and produced a letter directed "To George Washington, Esq. &c. &c. &c." Colonel Paterson used the title of "Excellency" in addressing him, and said, "that General Howe much regretted the difficulties, which had arisen respecting the address of the letter to General Washington; that it was deemed consistent with propriety, and founded upon precedents of the like nature by ambassadors and plenipotentiaries, when disputes or difficulties of rank had arisen; that Lord Howe and General Howe did not mean to derogate from the respect or rank of General Washington; and that they held his person and character in the highest esteem." Washington replied, "that a letter directed to a person superscribed in a public character should have some description or iner address. dication of it, otherwise it would appear a mere private

All letters declined, not

with a prop

VIII.

1776.

letter; and that he should absolutely decline any letter CHAPTER directed to him as a private person, when it related to his public station." After a good deal of conversation on this subject, and also on the particulars supposed to be contained in the letter, Colonel Paterson was introduced to several of the general officers of the American army, and then took his leave. In giving an account of this conference to the ministry, General Howe observed, "The interview was more polite than interesting; however, it induced me to change my superscription for the attainment of an end so desirable; and in this view I flatter myself it will not be disapproved." From that time all letters addressed by the British commanders to General Washington bore his proper titles. *

* On the 30th of July, Colonel Palfrey, paymaster-general of the army, went on board Lord Howe's ship with another gentleman, to negotiate an exchange of prisoners, who had been taken at sea in a vessel called the Yankee Hero. In a letter to the President of Congress, Colonel Palfrey said;

"We were treated with the utmost politeness and civility by Lord Howe. He spoke with the highest respect of General Washington, and lamented the nice distinctions, which, he said, prevented his addressing him by letter; and said he wished to convey his sentiments to him in any mode of address, that might prevent his being blamed by the King, his master. In all his discourse he called him General Washington, and frequently said, the States of America. He said the Congress had greatly hurt his feelings by reminding him, in one of their publications, of the esteem and respect they had for the memory of his brother, and drawing by manifest inference a contrast between the survivors and the deceased; that no man could feel more sensibly the respect shown to their family, than his Lordship and the General; that they should always esteem America for it, and particularly Massachusetts Bay; and added, 'I hope America will one day or other be convinced, that, in our affection for that country, we also are HOWES.' His Lordship, when speaking of his brother, was greatly affected, and I could perceive a tear standing in his eye.

"He hinted an inclination, that I should take the letter to General Washington, with the addition of '&c. &c. &c.,' which he said would imply every thing that we could desire, and at the same time save him from censure. I gave him to understand, that, as it had been before refused under the same circumstances, I could not with propriety receive it, especially as it was against the express direction of

CHAPTER

VIII.

1776.

Fortifica

tions on

New York

Island.

Strength of the British

army.

General Howe remained two months at Staten Island, waiting for reinforcements, before he commenced the operations of the campaign. This period was employed by Washington in strengthening his works on New York Island. A fort was begun at the north part of the island, on a hill not far from the east bank of the Hudson, which was called Fort Washington; and another nearly opposite to it on the other side of the river, in New Jersey, at first called Fort Constitution, and afterwards Fort Lee. Between these forts the river's channel was obstructed by hulks of vessels and chevaux-de-frise. Batteries were erected on the margins of the North and East Rivers, redoubts were thrown up at different places, the grounds near Kingsbridge were fortified, and the whole island was put in as good a state of defence, as the time and circumstances would permit. Plans were concerted for attacking the enemy on Staten Island by parties from the Jersey shore; but the want of boats and other obstacles rendered these plans abortive. A general attack was thought unadvisable, as putting too much at hazard, while the enemy occupied an island protected on every side by their fleet.

By the middle of August the British reinforcements had all arrived. General Howe's strength then consisted of his own army from Halifax, additional troops from England, Hessians, several regiments from the West Indies and the Floridas, the detachments on board Sir Peter Parker's squadron, under Clinton and Cornwallis, returned from their signal repulse at Sullivan's Island, and such men as Lord Dunmore had brought with him from Virginia. The aggregate of these forces was probably somewhat above twenty-four thousand men. It has been estimated as high

Congress. When we parted, he desired his compliments to General
Washington."

The brother, here alluded to, was the gallant Lord Howe, who was killed near Ticonderoga in the year 1758. The province of Massachusetts Bay appropriated money for erecting a monument to him in Westminster Abbey.

VIII.

1776.

Strength of

the Ameri

can army.

August 3.

as thirty thousand. The fleet was numerous and well CHAPTER equipped; and the whole armament, for both the land and sea service, was supplied with all kinds of military stores. To meet these formidable preparations, General Washington's army, according to a return made out on the 3d of August, including officers and men of every description, amounted nominally to twenty thousand five hundred and thirty-seven. Of these, three thousand six hundred and sixty-eight were sick, ninety-seven absent on furlough, and two thousand nine hundred and forty-six on command, leaving only eleven thousand one hundred, besides officers, present fit for duty. Many of these were militia, suddenly called from their homes, unaccustomed to arms and to the exposure and hardships of a camp. The season of the year and the want of tents occasioned much sickness. Even this small army was greatly divided, being stationed at many points, from Brooklyn to Kingsbridge, over a space of more than fifteen miles in

extent.

collisions in the Dissensions Collected from

with

At this critical time there began to be army, threatening serious consequences. various parts of the country, and coming together local partialities, the officers yielded to a spirit of jealousy, and even gave vent to disrespectful language, which produced irritation and discord. The example was naturally followed by the soldiers. To check at the outset a symptom so dangerous, the Commander-in-chief resorted to persuasion and reprimand. In the orders of the day he said; "The General most earnestly entreats the officers and soldiers to consider the consequences; that they can no way assist our enemies more effectually, than by making divisions among ourselves; that the honor and success of the army, and the safety of our bleeding country, depend upon harmony and good agreement with each other; that the provinces are all united to oppose the common enemy, and all distinctions sunk in the name of an American. To make this name honorable, and to preserve the liberty of our country, ought to be our only emulation;

among the

troops, and

the com

mander's atcheck them.

tempts to

VIII.

1776.

CHAPTER and he will be the best soldier and the best patriot, who contributes most to this glorious work, whatever his station, or from whatever part of the continent he may come. Let all distinctions of nations, countries, and provinces, therefore, be lost in the generous contest, who shall behave with the most courage against the enemy, and the most kindness and good humor to each other. If there be any officers or soldiers so lost to virtue and a love of their country, as to continue in such practices after this order, the General assures them, and is authorized by Congress to declare to the whole army, that such persons shall be severely punished and dismissed from the service with disgrace." This timely and energetic appeal did not pass unheeded, but it was long before entire harmony subsisted among all parts of the army. Nor indeed was it ever so firmly established, that caution was not necessary to keep the troops of each State as much as possible together, and under general officers from the State to which they belonged.

An attack expected.

Militia called out.

British troops land

and.

August 22.

An attack from the enemy was daily expected. As the waters around New York were accessible to the fleet and small craft, General Howe could land at such places as he chose, and every point was therefore to be guarded. Meantime the American army gradually gained strength. The Convention of New York called out the militia of four counties. About three thousand assembled, and formed an encampment under General George Clinton near Kingsbridge. Three thousand came from Connecticut. Two battalions of riflemen from Pennsylvania, one from Maryland, and a regiment from Delaware, likewise joined the army.

Intelligence at length arrived, that the British troops on Long Isl- were landing on Long Island, between the Narrows and Sandy Hook. It was then apparent, that they designed to approach the city across Long Island, and not to attempt an immediate bombardment. Anticipating this movement, Washington had at an early day posted a body of troops at Brooklyn, on a part of Long Island opposite to the city of New York, and separated from it by the East

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