CHAPTER XII.

Fall of Charleston-Arrival of the French Fleet-Defeat of Gates-Washingtos visits Rochambeau-Treason of Arnold-Arrest of Andre-His ExecutionCornwallis in the South-Project of an Attack on New York-Suffering of the Troops-Mutiny in Wayne's Command-Mutiny of the New Jersey Troops, and prompt action of Washington-Inefficiency of Congress, and Jealousies of the States-Arnold's Expedition into Virginia-Action between the English and French Fleets-Lafayette sent South to coöperate with Steuben-Operations in Virginia -Washington's Letter to the Manager of his Estate-State of the Army-Letter to Paul Jones-Patriotism of Robert Morris-Washington prepares to Attack New York-Cornwallis Retreats before Lafayette to Yorktown-The Allied Army marches rapidly South-Washington visits Mount Vernon-Arrival of the French Fleet in the Chesapeake-Anxiety of Washington-Yorktown InvestedProgress and Incidents of the Siege-Capitulation of the Army-Excitement and Joy of the American People-Effect of the News on the British Ministry.

WASHINGTON remained comparatively inactive during the summer, waiting the arrival of the French fleet and army Nothing could be done with his feeble force, unsustained by a fleet, except to hold the country around New York. In the meantime his heart was filled with the deepest solicitude for the fate of Charleston and the army under Lincoln, which occupied it. Hemmed in by the enemy, whose shot and shells fell with an incessant crash into the dwellings of the inhabitants, this intrepid commander, who had held out long after hope had abandoned every heart, was at last compelled with his three thousand troops to surrender. A dark cloud was resting on the South; and that portion of the country which had hitherto escaped the ravages of an army, seemed now marked out for general devastation.

In the meantime, the French fleet arrived (July 10) at Newport. Rochambeau, the commander of the land forces, was required by his government to act in all cases under the direction of Washington, while American officers were to command French officers of equal rank. This wise arrangement produced harmony between the two armies,

and gave universal satisfaction. Washington immediately drew up a plan for a combined attack on New York by sea and land. But the British fleet having received a rein forcement which gave it a decided superiority, the French squadron dared not put to sea, and remained blockaded in Newport. There also the French army remained for its protection, waiting the arrival of the other division of the fleet and land forces, and the summer passed away without any thing being accomplished.

In the place of success, there came the news of successive defeats at the South. The fall of Charleston in May was followed in August by the complete overthrow of Gates, at Camden-the loss of many noble troops and the death of Baron de Kalb.

While in this state cf inaction Rochambeau wrote tu Washington, requesting an interview. This was granted, and the latter passing through Peekskill, met the former on the 21st, at Hartford. Before starting he had written to Arnold, commanding at West Point, to send a guard of fifty men to meet him at Peekskill, and collect forage for about forty horses.

Arnold came down the river in his barge, and crossed the river with him at King's Ferry. The English vessel Vulture was in sight, and Washington scanned it long and carefully with his glass, and spoke at the same time, in a low tone, to one of his officers. This made Arnold very uneasy. Soon after, Lafayette, turning to Arnold, said, "General, as you have secret correspondence with the enemy, you must learn what has become of Guichen." For a moment the traitor thought himself discovered, and demanded, sharply, what the marquis meant. The next

This was blockaded in Brest, and never arrived.

+ Guichen was the commander of the other portion of the French fleet, which had for a long time been expected, but which at this time was blockaded at Brest.

minute, however, the boat touched the shore and nothing more was said.

Washington's visit to Rochambeau resulted in no plan of action, as every thing depended on the arrival of the expected fleet and forces.

After two days of pleasant intercourse, he started on his return, taking the upper route by way of Fishkill, so as to visit West Point. In the meantime, Arnold had completed his scheme, by which a blow was to be struck, against the colonies so momentous in all the circumstances attending it, and in the results designed to be accomplished, that even its failure fell like a thunderbolt at noon-day on the nation. This intrepid commander, who had won such laurels before Quebec, on Lake Champlain, and at Saratoga, sought and obtained the important command at West Point solely to deliver it into the hands of the enemy. Incensed at the injustice of Congress in promoting juniors over him, maddened by the accusations of his enemies, and mortified by the reprimand ordered to be administered by a court-martial; he, with a baseness almost unparalleled in history, resolved to quench his rage in the ruin of his country. Down the abyss of infamy into which he was about to plunge, he gazed without flinching, hurried forward by the single intense, burning passion for revenge. He had long been in correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton for the delivery of West Point, and the absence of Washington to the east, was thought to be a favorable time to effect his object.

Major Andre, under the name of Anderson, had been the medium through which the correspondence was carried on, and he was, therefore, selected to consummate and close the bargain. He proceeded up the river with the intention of having an interview with Arnold, on board the British vessel Vulture.

But difficulties being thrown in the way of this arrange ment. he was finally induced to consent to go ashore. After

midnight, on the morning of the 22d of September, he stepped into the boat sent by Arnold to receive him, and over the unruffled, placid bosom of the Hudson, glittering with reflected stars, was rowed silently and swiftly to the shore. 'Arnold met him on the bank, and the two retired to a thick wood, and there, amid the darkness and silence, discussed in low tones the treason and the reward. It was Andre's in tention to retire on board the Vulture, but not being able to conclude the business by daylight, he was persuaded by Arrold to go with him to his quarters at Smith's house. He hai been directed by Sir Henry Clinton hot to enter our lines or assume any disguise. He, however, now under the change of circumstances, did both, and thus at once became a spy, and exposed to the doom of one. During the day, Colonel Livingston opened a sharp fire on the Vulture, which compelled her to drop down the river. Andre listened to the cannonading with visible emotion, but on its cessation resumed his composure. By ten o'clock the arrangement was completed, and Arnold returned in his barge to West Point. Andre passed the day alone, gloomily. Although he had at great peril consummated an arrangement which would secure a vast advantage to his king, and promotion and glory to himself, yet he could not but reflect that he was surrounded by enemies, and held concealed about his person the evidences of his character as a spy. He had been supplied by Arnold with two passports, one to the ship and another for the land route, should he be compelled to take the latter. Smith, who had brought him ashore, remained with him to take him back. Late in the afternoon, however, Andre ascertained, to his dismay, that Smith would not row him aboard the Vulture. He stubbornly resisted all appeals, and Andre was compelled to choose the land route. Accompanied by Smith and a negro boy he set out soon after sunset for King's Ferry. As they passed leisurely along the country, Smith would often stop to converse with

acquaintances by the way, but Andre, taciturn and gloomy, kept slowly on. The hostile tone of the conversation, and the many eager inquiries put to Smith, naturally kept him in a state of intense anxiety. About nine o'clock they were hailed by the sentinel of a patrolling party commanded by Captain Boyd. The latter was unusually pressing in his inquiries of Smith, and urged him with great importunity to stay over night. The latter declining, Boyd requested to see his passport. This was too positive and peremptory to be disobeyed, but the captain still pressed his inquiries and entreaties to stay over night. He at length so worked upon Smith's fears, by representing the dangers in advance, that the latter concluded to stop, and, notwithstanding Andre's expostulations, remained all night near the patrol. The two occupied the same bed, but it was a long and restless night to the British officer. Across the bright prospect which the successful issue of his expedition spread out before him, would sweep the black clouds of anxiety and fear. In the morning they proceeded on their journey, and at length, having got beyond the reach of the patrolling party, and, as Andre thought, beyond all imminent danger, his naturally joyous spirit resumed its wonted cheerfulness, and his companion saw with amazement the sudden change from taciturnity and despondency to unusual hilarity and pleasant Conversation. Poetry, art, and literature, one after another, be ame the theme of discourse, and he already seemed to se the end of the war and the reduction of the colonies, to t'e consummation of which his sagacity and personal daring would so largely have contributed. Near Pine's Bridge, Smith parted with him and returned to Peekskill. Andre kept on alone till within a half mile of Tarrytown, when he was suddenly stopped by three men, lying in wait for sus picious persons and cattle going toward New York. Andre inquired to which party they belonged, and understanding. from their answer that they were adherents of the English.