CHAPTER XII
THE next eight days were with the older people at Crag Cottage, aswith the rest of the nation, days of anxiety and alternating hope andfear with regard to the dastardly attack upon the President of theUnited States. After that came the sad news of his death, and there wasmourning all over the land, but mourning mingled with gladness that sogood and capable a successor had been provided that the country seemedin no danger.
Eva was able to sit up now a part of each day, and her baby growingfairer, beginning to smile and to coo very prettily, thought her youngmother and aunts—to say nothing of her proud and happy father. Maxwanted to see wife and baby safe in their Sunnyside home, and all beganto talk gaily of soon starting on their often-made southward trip inthe Dolphin.
Grandma Elsie, doing all in her power for every one’s welfare andenjoyment, seemed content to go or to stay, as did her son Harold andhis Grace; it mattered little to them where they were if only theymight be together. The two couples—Captain Raymond and Violet, and Mr.and Mrs. Leland—seemed to enjoy themselves and to feel indifferent inregard to the exact time of leaving.
The days passed very pleasantly; there were walks and drives, tripsup and down the river in the Dolphin, hours passed upon the porch, ifthe weather were fine, or the parlor, if it happened to be stormy, incheerful chat, amusing games, or listening to interesting stories fromGrandma Elsie or the captain.
And so the days and weeks rolled on until September was gone andOctober had come in. Then they felt that they must go—the calls fromthe loved southern homes were so many and so loud and re-echoed bytheir own hearts. They wanted to go, yet it seemed a trifle saddeningto think of leaving this sweet place on the grand old Hudson River.
The last evening of their stay was lovely and warm for the season, anduntil the children’s bedtime they passed it on the front porch, wherethey had a view of the river.
A pause in the conversation was broken by a request from Elsie Raymond.
“Papa, won’t you tell us about another of the Revolutionary officers?”
“I am very willing to do so, daughter, but which shall it be?” thecaptain asked.
“I should like to hear about General Greene, if the rest of the folkshere would,” she answered, glancing from one to another.
“I think we would all be pleased to hear about him,” said GrandmaElsie, “for surely he was next to Washington in bravery, talent for thework in hand, and success in using it.”
So the captain began.
“I think he had no other superior than Washington in the art andpractice of war. He was a native of Rhode Island, the son of Quakerparents, brought up to be industrious and painstaking, and managed toget a good education largely by his own determined efforts in privatestudy of ancient and English history, law, geometry and moral andpolitical science; he was also fond of reading books upon war.
“Some few years before the Revolutionary War he was chosen a member ofthe Rhode Island Assembly, and was one of those who engaged in militaryexercises as a preparation for the coming struggle with England for thefreedom which belonged of right to the people of this land.
“In 1774 he enlisted as private, and in 1775 was appointed to thecommand of the Rhode Island contingent of the army at Boston, withthe rank of brigadier-general. He was with Montgomery and Arnold intheir invasion of Canada. He was made a major-general in 1775, anddistinguished himself in the battles of Trenton and Princeton.
“He commanded a division at the battle of Brandywine and did greatservice there. It is said that by his skilful movements then and therehe saved the American army from utter destruction. He had part in thebattle of Germantown also, commanding the left wing.
“Soon after the taking of Andre Washington sent orders to GeneralGreene to put the left wing of the army near Tappan in motion as soonas possible, and march toward King’s Ferry. It was midnight when theexpress reached Greene’s quarters; before dawn the whole division wasupon the march. But I think you are all pretty well acquainted with thestory of Andre, his doings and consequent end; so I shall not repeat ithere and now.”
“But, papa, won’t you go a little more into the details of the battleof Brandywine?” asked Grace.
“Certainly, if you wish it,” he replied. “Greene’s work was veryimportant there. The British army was very much stronger than ours—theyhaving eighteen thousand men, while ours were only eleven thousand.Washington had a very strong position at Chadd’s and Brinton’s Fords.The British hoped to drive him from it in turning his right flank bya circuitous march of eighteen miles up the Lancaster road and acrossthe forks of the Brandywine toward Birmingham meeting-house. TheBritish were safe in trying to do this, because their force was largeenough to enable them to separate the wings of their army with littlerisk. Cornwallis conducted the movement in an admirable manner, butdid not succeed in striking the American flank, because Washingtonmade a new front with his right wing under Sullivan, near Birminghammeeting-house, so that Sullivan received the attack on his front.
“A desperate fight ensued, in which the British army, being so superiorin numbers to ours, at length succeeded in pushing Sullivan obliquelytoward the village of Dilworth. Had they succeeded in completingthat movement it would have cut the American army in two and utterlyrouted it. But Washington sent a prompt order to General Greene, whocommanded the centre behind Chadd’s Ford. Washington’s order was tostop the dangerous gap, and on receiving it Greene immediately obeyed,marching his troops five miles in forty-five minutes, and connectingwith Sullivan near Dilworth, he averted the impending destruction ofthe army. Wayne had time to withdraw the centre and Armstrong the rightwing, all in good order, and the whole army was united at Chester inexcellent condition.”
“It strikes me,” remarked Doctor Harold, “that was hardly a defeatof our troops—the same careless writers have vaguely described theAmerican army as routed at the battle of Brandywine. Surely an armycannot properly be said to be routed when it is ready to begin to fightagain the next day.”
“No,” replied the captain, “and the fact that Washington’s manœuvringprevented Howe’s return to Philadelphia for fifteen days shows thatthe Americans were not routed; and what saved from that was Greene’smemorable double-quick march to Dilworth and his admirable manner ofsustaining the fight at that critical point.
“On the 26th of September, Howe, having eluded Washington on theSchuylkill, entered Philadelphia, stationing the bulk of his army inGermantown, and on the 4th of October the battle of Germantown wasfought. Greene, intending to attack the front of the British rightwing, was delayed by the difficulties of his route and the mistake ofthe guide, so did not get to the field as early as was planned, and theground assigned to him was accidentally occupied by Wayne.
“When victory seemed almost won an unfortunate mishap turned the tide,and General Greene again with wonderful skill covered the retreat.
“In 1778 he was made quartermaster-general, accepting the office atWashington’s earnest solicitation, but reserving his right to commandon the field of battle.
“On the 18th of June the British evacuated Philadelphia, and took uptheir line of march through the Jerseys. Hamilton and Greene urgedgiving them battle, and on the 28th of June a general attack was madeon Clinton’s forces at Monmouth Court House.
“After the battle Washington marched northward, crossed the Hudson, andencamped in Westchester County, while Clinton continued his retreat toNew York.
“And Greene, taking no rest, immediately attended to the numerousorders and dispositions required of him as quartermaster-general.
“On the coming of the French fleet it was decided to make a combinedattack upon Newport. Greene wished to take part in it, and in August hetook up his quarters with one division of the army at Tiverton.
“But the French had a variety of mishaps, chief among them thedisablement of their fleet by a tremendous gale.
“Soon afterward Greene went to Philadelphia, at Washington’s request,to tell Congress of the late
expedition and the causes of its failure,and there he was received with distinguished consideration.
“The winter of 1780 was one of great suffering to the American troops,for the lack of food and proper shelter. Congress seems to have beenshamefully neglectful of them.
“Greene did so much for his country during the Revolutionary War thatto tell of it all would make my story too long for to-night; but Ishall try to give you some of the most interesting items.
“Greene was president of the board convened for Andre’s trial as aspy in connection with Arnold’s treason. With tears Greene signed thedecree of the court condemning Andre to death.
“It has been asserted, but not confirmed, that Greene cast a decidingvote in the council against granting Andre’s prayer to be shot insteadof hanged. The reason given was that if punished at all, Andre shouldreceive the punishment meted to spies, according to the laws of war.
“Greene was given the post at West Point after it was left vacant byArnold’s treason. Greene assumed the command early in October, 1780,but the failure of Gates in the southern field caused his recall inAugust, and by common consent Greene was considered the best man fit toretrieve the fortunes of the southern army.
“Congress empowered Washington to ask Greene to take Gates’ latecommand. Greene accepted the offered post and found a formidabletask awaiting him. He took the command at Charlotte, 2d of December,1780. In front of him was an army of three thousand two hundred andtwenty-four men abundantly clothed and fed, well disciplined, elatedwith victory and led by an able general.
“To oppose this force he had an army of two thousand three hundred andseven, of whom one thousand four hundred and eighty-two were presentand fit for duty, five hundred and forty-seven were absent on command,and one hundred and twenty-eight were detached on extra service; allthese were half fed, scantily clothed, cast down by defeat, and manyof them defiant of all discipline. Also the country was infested withTories.
“To Greene’s bright mind it was evident that he could not faceCornwallis with such inferior numbers, and he resolved to divide hisforces, by which means he might secure an abundance of food, keep theenemy within narrow bounds, cut them off from supplies from the uppercountry, revive the drooping spirits of the inhabitants, threaten theposts and communications of the enemy, and compel him to delay histhreatened invasion of North Carolina.
“With the purpose of threatening the British left flank, Morgan wasdetached with his famous Maryland brigade, and Colonel Washington’slight dragoons, to take up a position near the confluence of Pacoletand Broad Rivers.
“With the other division, Greene, after a laborious march through abarren country, took post at Hick’s Creek on the Pedee, near the SouthCarolina line.
“Tarleton was hastening forward with his troops, expecting to strikea decisive blow at Morgan, whom it seems he despised, probably deeminghim very inferior to himself in military knowledge and skill.
“He found Morgan, Colonel Washington and their troops prepared toreceive him and his. Then followed the battle of the Cowpens, of whichI told you the other day.
“Cornwallis was furious over that defeat, and set out at once inpursuit of Morgan, leaving behind whatever might hinder his movements.”
“But he didn’t catch him,” cried Ned, clapping his hands with a gleefullaugh.
“No,” said the captain, “Morgan managed to keep out of his reach,crossed the river first and kept on into North Carolina.
“But to tell in detail of all Greene’s doings down there in theCarolinas and Georgia would make too long a story for to-night.
“On the 9th of February, 1781, Greene, by a most brilliant march,succeeded in bringing together the two divisions of his army atGuilford Court House. He had expected reinforcements from Virginia, butas they had not yet arrived, he decided to retreat toward them and putthe broad river Dan between the enemy and himself. In that he succeededwithout loss of men, baggage or stores.
“Cornwallis had been pursuing him for two hundred miles, but histroops were now weary and discouraged by their fruitless march, and hetherefore prudently retired to Hillsborough.
“However, Greene soon received his reinforcements, and, crossing theDan, came to battle with Cornwallis at Guilford Court House. Thatbattle was a tactical success for the British, yet the Americans gaineda decided strategic advantage, for the enemy—too much shattered to goon with the contest—retired to Wilmington, and from there moved intoVirginia to effect a junction with General Phillips.
“Then Greene at once turned southward with his army. His reasonswere given in a letter to Washington: ‘I am determined to carry thewar immediately into South Carolina,’ he wrote. ‘The enemy will beobliged to follow us, or give up the posts in that state.’ If the enemydid follow, it would take the war out of North Carolina, where theinhabitants had suffered great loss from them, and if the enemy leftthe posts in South Carolina to fall, he would lose far more than hecould gain in Virginia.
“In the latter part of April of that year, the American armyestablished itself in a strong position on Hobkirk’s Hill, near Camden,and on the 25th the British, under Lord Rawdon, attacked it there. Itwas exactly what Greene had been preparing for.
“The assault ought to have resulted in the total ruin of the Britisharmy; but through an accidental misunderstanding of orders, Greene’svery best men in the Maryland brigade behaved badly and he was forcedto abandon his position. Yet, as usual, he reaped the fruits of victory.
“He had sent Marion and Lee to take Fort Watson, and their effort hadbeen a brilliant success, and now obliged Rawdon to abandon Camden andfall back toward Charleston.
“Greene now had everything in his own hands, and went on taking fortafter fort from the enemy, and also all the back country of SouthCarolina and Georgia.
“Now, Greene’s army had been moving and fighting for seven months. Ofcourse, they must have been tired; so he gave them a rest of about sixweeks in a secure position on the high hills of Santee.
“After that he met the British army, now under the command of Stuart,in a decisive action at Eutaw Springs.
“In the morning the British were driven off the field by a superbcharge on their left flank; but after retreating some distance indisorder, they rallied in a strong position, protected by a brickhouse and palisaded garden, and succeeded in remaining there duringthe afternoon, but only because Greene desisted from further attackuntil the cool of the evening. For thus holding their position merelyon sufferance the British army absurdly claimed a victory, and somecareless American writers—who ought to know better—have repeated theerror. Greene foresaw that the British must retreat at night; they didso, and he then renewed his attack. They were chased nearly thirtymiles by Marion and Lee, and very many of them taken prisoners. Ofthe two thousand and three hundred men with whom Stuart had gone intobattle, scarcely more than one thousand reached Charleston. There theyremained for the next fourteen months, shut up under the shelter oftheir fleet.”
“The battle of Eutaw Springs was a great victory for the Americans,wasn’t it, father?” asked Grace.
“It was, indeed, a decisive and final one,” he replied; “at least,so far as the Americans in South Carolina were concerned. Congresstestified its appreciation of it by a vote of thanks and a gold medal.”
“What was the date of that battle, father?” asked Lucilla.
“Battle of Eutaw Springs? Eighth of September, 1781. On the 14thof December, 1782, Greene marched into Charleston at the head ofhis army, and the next summer, when the army was disbanded, he wenthome. On his way there he stopped in Philadelphia and was greetedthere by enthusiastic crowds and treated with great consideration byCongress—the men who had come so near depriving the country of hisservices.”
“Was the war over then, papa?” asked Elsie.
“England had not yet acknowledged our independence,” replied herfather, “but did so on November 30, 1782, when preliminaries of peacewere signed; those were changed into a definite peace on Septem
ber 3,1783.”
“But is that all the story about General Greene, papa?” asked Ned.
“Not quite,” replied his father. “Some two years after the war was overhe removed to a plantation which the State of Georgia had presentedto him, doubtless in acknowledgment of his great services there inridding them of British tyranny. He is said to have lived there veryhappily, with a good wife and many congenial friends, in spite ofhaving, through the dishonesty of an army contractor for whom he hadbecome security, to bear a heavy pecuniary responsibility. He did notlive to be old, dying at the age of forty-four from sunstroke.”
“What a pity!” exclaimed Elsie. “Had he any children, papa?”
“Yes; two sons and three daughters.”
“I think they must have been very proud of their father,” she said,after a moment’s thoughtful silence. “Thank you, papa, for telling usabout him. I’d like to know about all my countrymen who have been greatand good and useful.”
“As we all would,” added Lucilla; “and we may be thankful that we havea father who is able and kind enough to tell us so much.”
“Yes, indeed!” responded Elsie earnestly, and with a loving look upinto her father’s eyes. “I thank him very much, and hope I shall neverforget the good history lessons he has given us.”
“And now it is time for my birdlings to go to their nests,” saidViolet, rising and taking Ned’s hand. “Bid good-night to papa and therest and we will go.”
Elsie and Her Loved Ones Page 12