.

Stillwater, where a battle was fought on the 19th September, which was very severe, and neither army could claim the victory; but it was an action in which the Indians became tired, and deserted in great numbers, so that it was in reality of great importance to the Americans.

General Burgoyne moved on towards Saratoga, and General Gates followed him. Burgoyne, as if disposed to destroy the country which he could not conquer, set fire to all the dwelling houses in his way, and reduced them to ashes,-broke down all the bridges, and endeavoured to stop up the road, to delay his pursuers; but the Americans were not long in surmounting such difficulties.

General Gates, anticipating the course that Burgoyne would take, placed his own troops in such situations as entirely surrounded the army of the enemy.

To deprive Burgoyne of his only hope of escape up the Hudson, General Gates ordered troops to guard all the fords, and defend them until his army should join them. General Burgoyne used every means to effect an escape, but his conquering course was run. Seeing his situation to be desperate, he made proposals for a surrender, and articles of capitulation were agreed to, by which the British soldiers were to march out of their camp, lay down their arms, and not to serve again in the war. They were to go to Boston, and thence

to England. This important victory was gained on the 16th October, and filled the people with a strong confidence that they had the favour of God, and might take to themselves the promise, "In war he shall redeem thee from the power of the sword."

The event gave a new face to things in Eu rope, and the contest of the colonies began to excite feelings of deep interest among the rival nations of the continent. It was of the highest importance to the states to gain the aid of those nations while they were so weak, and without funds to carry on the war, and the prospects of success were now so greatly increased, that those powers began to seek their own advantage in forming friendly relations with a country whose commerce was so great.

When the victory was known in Pennsylvania, some of the officers of the army were so elated by it, that they were anxious immediately to make an attack on the enemy in Philadelphia, and the people generally approved of the rash plan. Many, who only looked on while their countrymen were toiling, thought that they knew better than Washington how to conduct the war, and they were loud in their talk on the subject.

Washington knew well the condition of both armies. His steady mind was not dazzled by the idea of the praise he should gain by success, and he persevered in resisting public clamour, when he knew that by yield

ing to it he should endanger the interests of his country. His unyielding virtue saved his army for more important services. He was always in the best state of preparation that he could by constant exertion effect, for meeting an attack; but was resolved not to commence

one..

Intelligence was brought to him that the enemy in the city were preparing to march out of it, and that it was the design of General Howe, as he said, to drive him beyond the mountains.

This information was given by a female, named Lydia Darrah, who resided in Second street below Spruce street, opposite to General Howe's head-quarters, in Philadelphia. Two of the British officers chose a back chamber in her house, as a secure place to hold private conversations in; and on the 2d December they told her they would be there at seven o'clock, and remain late, and desired that she and all her family would go to bed early. She thought something that would be important to the Americans was to be talked of, and she placed herself in a situation to overhear what was said, and understood from the conversation that all the British troops were to march out in the evening of the 4th, to surprise General Washington in his camp. Supposing it to be in her power to save the lives of hundreds of her countrymen, she was determined to try to carry this intelligence to

General Washington. She told her family she would go to Frankford, to the mill, where she always got her flour; and she had no difficulty in getting permission from Geneneral Howe to pass the troops on the lines. Leaving her bag at the mill, she hastened towards the American camp, and met an American officer, named Craig, whom she knew. To him she told the secret, and made him promise not to betray her, as her life might in that case be taken by the British. Craig hastened to General Washington with the information, and Lydia returned home with her flour.

General Howe marched on the 4th December, but found Washington expecting him; and, disappointed, he encamped within three miles of the Americans. An action was then expected by Washington, and he prepared for

it.

One day passed in which small detachments from each army attacked each other, and then all remained again at rest. Another day was spent in the same manner, and Washington employed himself in giving directions to every division of his army, and in encouraging them to resist with calm bravery. General Howe suddenly broke up his camp, and marched his troops back to the city. His doing so was a proof that he doubted too much the result of a contest, when the Americans were in a favourable situation for meeting him.

CHAPTER V.

1777-1780.

As the severe cold increased, the sufferings of the troops caused Washington great anxiety; and he determined on seeking some better shelter for them than that of tents. He could not separate them with safety, and he determined on removing to a place called the Valley Forge, on the west side of the Schuylkill, about twenty-four miles distant from Philadelphia. The march of the army might have been traced by the marks of many naked, bleeding feet, on the frozen earth. The half perished men erected log huts, to shelter them from the piercing blasts, but their clothing was light; and when they lay down to rest, they had not blankets to cover them on their bare earthy beds. The difficulty of getting provisions was so great that they were often many days without bread, or any other kind of food, than that of a scanty portion of potatoes, and nuts, which they could gather from under the dried leaves in the woods. The regular order of an encampment was kept up, and there was no change except that of huts for tents.

In the year 1827, on that spot were collected several thousands of the inhabitants of this