several days for landing his stores, and by the time he moved, Washington became aware of his objective, and shifted his position. Howe moved on towards the White Plains on the 25th of October, and Washington changed his camp. Throughout Howe's advance there were frequent skirmishes in which the 33rd played a busy part, driving the enemy from various defensive posts. Meanwhile, Washington, disconcerted by Howe's persistent advance, fell back from more than one strong position; but ultimately he was prepared to withstand Howe's attacks. Throwing one corps across the river to the westward, he placed it at Heckensac, in New Jersey, under Putnam's command. Peekskill was held by Heath, who was ordered to fortify the pass where the Hudson penetrates the gorges of the Highlands near West Point. Lee, with 7,000 men, was near White Plains, ready to co-operate with Washington when he might call. On the 16th of November Howe attacked, making the following disposition of the troops: The first column of 5,000 Hessians under Knyphausen, against the north front from Knightsbridge. The second (Guards, Grenadiers, Light Infantry, and 33rd) under Generals Matthews and Cornwallis, against the eastern side from Harlem Creek. A third column (the 42nd Highlanders) to make a feint attack only, against the same side, but a little further to the south. The fourth column, under Lord Percy, went down Harlem Creek, in the night, to the south of the American position (4th, 10th, 15th, 23rd, 27th, 28th, 38th, 52nd, Fraser's Highlanders, and a brigade of Hessians.) The column to which the 33rd belonged, having landed on the eastern shore of Manhattan Island, came at once into touch with the enemy, but pressing onwards, did all that was asked of them; for in spite of the desperate resistance offered they captured several posts. While this heavy fighting was going on, 1 Trevelyan. 2 Fortescue. the 42nd Highlanders, who were expected to make a feint attack only, found some very real fighting forced on them. In spite of the hottest fire, by which they lost a hundred men, they drove away the enemy, captured a considerable number of men, and then swung round and came down on the rear of the Americans who were opposing Lord Percy. This sudden and unexpected movement broke up the Americans, and Fort Washington surrendered. Washington lost fully 3,000 men in the fight, while Howe's loss was 458 men in killed and wounded. Howe delivered a second stroke two days later. The 33rd, two battalions of Grenadiers, two of Light Infantry, Guards, the 42nd, a detachment of the 16th Light Dragoons, and four companies of Hessians landed on the Jersey shore. The force numbered 4,500. Cornwallis, who commanded, designed to capture Fort Lee, eight miles away. The surprise failed because a deserter gave notice of the movement. But, as it was, Greene barely escaped capture. He abandoned the fort, leaving behind him 32 guns, 1,000 barrels of flour, a number of tents, a quantity of baggage, and as Trevelyan remarks, " a considerable amount of military reputation, and all that remained of the cheerfulness and confidence which had, up to a very recent period, inspired the Provincial forces." A pursuit of the enemy by Cornwallis ensued, which ended in their retirement from Newark. Being strengthened by nine other battalions, he continued the movement until fatigue and insufficiency of supplies caused him to halt. Some of the more arduous experiences had no doubt fallen to the lot of the 33rd. As soon, however, as the troops had rested, the regiment was once more in the field, following up Washington's dwindling army, neither resting themselves, nor allowing the enemy any ease. Brunswick was captured after a forced march-twenty miles over exceedingly bad roads-the Americans falling back, more like an undisciplined rabble than an army. Cornwallis now had to act on his own initiative. Howe's orders had been not to proceed farther than Brunswick, but when he saw that there was a chance of capturing Philadelphia, that the American army, starving and demoralised, could offer no effectual resistance, and that Clinton was within call with the 4th Brigade, he moved on as far as the Delaware. The want of boats ended the chase, and he returned to winter quarters, the 33rd going to Bonham Town, between Amboy and Brunswick. They were not allowed to pass the winter months in quietness. The German troops acted so shamefully towards the inhabitants, who had been assured of immunity from outrage, that the population retaliated. Again and again marauders who caused them extreme annoyance, shot down the pickets. The 33rd lost many men by reason of this winter activity on the part of the enemy. CHAPTER XI A BRILLIANT BUT FRUITLESS CAMPAIGN 1777. BUT for these annoyances the 33rd were comfortably placed; for Howe was keen on the well-being of his troops. Their Colonel obtained leave to go home for a flying visit to his wife and children, but he did not go without being assured that his regiment had what was needed. Food was plentiful, and amusement was provided to remove the tedium of the idle months. But the cessation from active operations became irk some in the extreme. If Howe had but moved earlier he might have frustrated Washington's schemes for rehabilitating his army. And this the American general found himself able to effect since Congress gave him a free hand-" full power to order and direct all things relative to the department and to the operations of war." He accordingly looked well to the equipment in his army, and reorganized it thoroughly. Yet one is filled with a sense of amazement at the supineness of the Colonists who had committed themselves so wholly to a war for independence. The army at Washington's disposal when he was considering the campaign of 1777 was altogether inadequate and reflected seriously on the loyalty of those who clamoured for a policy of armed opposition to England. Howe had at his disposal some 20,000 men. The return of the forces encamped on the banks of the Delaware under Washington's command gave 4,704 rank and file present for duty! There were, it is true, some of the regiments of the Northern Army, the large body of Philadelphia militia, and possibly a few other small contingents not included in that return; but what were they, all told, compared with the British force! Possibly the total would reach 8,000 men, who were distributed over a front of thirty miles along the river.1 Even these were miserably equipped, for Trevelyan tells us that Washington had to send round to the villages "to beg or buy old clothes and blankets for his freezing soldiers." But under Washington's sole command, with no interference to follow from Congress, the fine spirit of loyalty and enterprise returned. His men meant to succeed. Howe, who must have known something of this, did not move as quickly as he could have done. It was possible to crush Washington on equipment and numbers alone, but the weeks went by, and he did not move. The Americans chose their positions and practically challenged Howe to dislodge them if he could, while every day they added to their own efficiency, and strengthened their posts. Washington, moreover, had found means for knowing every movement, and almost every intention in Howe's lines. To test the fighting capacity of his men he made a sudden dash on Trenton just as the new year set in-January 2nd. There was some hard fighting, the Americans were successful, and Howe suffered considerably, his losses including the Hessian Brigade, with their guns, as prisoners. Washington at once recrossed the Delaware, taking with him the captured colours, the artillery, and the prisoners, deeming it well to avoid the certain approach of Howe's main army. Wash The effect on the Americans was electric. ington was reinforced by several regiments from Virginia and Maryland, while new bodies of the Pennsylvania Militia hurried to his camp. On the other hand Howe had to reorganise his forces. Cornwallis, who had been on the point of leaving for England, returned to his command, and 1 Trevelyan. |