CHAP. V. much had been feared. Nor was it an advan1777. tage undeserving a place in the estimate of consequences resulting from this change of public opinion, that the disaffected became timid, and the wavering, who, during the torrent of success, would have made a merit of contributing their aid to the victor, were no longer disposed to put themselves and their fortunes in hazard, to support an army whose fate was so uncertain.

The savage barbarities too, which had been perpetrated by the Indians belonging to the army of Burgoyne, as well as to that of St. Leger, excited still more resentment than terror. As the prospect of revenge began to open, the effect of those barbarities became the more apparent; and their influence on the royal cause was the more sensibly felt, because they were The murder indiscriminate. The murder of miss M'Crea,

of miss

M'Crea.

an accomplished young lady engaged to a British officer, passed through all the papers of the continent; and the story, in itself sufficiently affecting, being retouched by the hand of more than one master, excited every where a peculiar degree of sensibility.* But there were other causes of still greater influence in producing the events which afterwards took place. The last re-enforcements of continental troops arrived in camp about this time, and added

See Note, No. III. at the end of the volume.

both courage and strength to the army. The CHAP. V. harvest, which had operated powerfully in 1777. detaining the northern militia upon their farms, was entirely over; and general Schuyler, whose continued and eminent services had not exempted him from the imputation of being a traitor, was succeeded by general Gates who possessed a large share of the public confidence.

When Schuyler was directed by congress to resume the command of the northern department, Gates had withdrawn himself from it; after which, he had repaired to head quarters, and joined the army under general Washington. When the resolutions were passed, directing an inquiry into the conduct of Schuyler and St. Clair, appointing a committee to report on the mode of conducting the inquiry, and, in the meanwhile, recalling them and all the brigadiers who had served in that department, general Washington was requested to name a successor to Schuyler. On his expressing a wish to decline this nomination, and representing the inconvenience of removing all the general officers from the department; Gates was again General Gates directed to repair thither, and take the com- command of mand; and the resolution to recall the briga. army. diers was suspended, until the commander in chief should be of opinion that it might be carried into effect with safety.

Schuyler retained the command until the arrival of Gates, which was about the 21st of

takes the

the northern

CHAP. V. August, and continued his exertions to restore 1777. the affairs of the department, which had been

so much depressed by the losses consequent on the evacuation of Ticonderoga. That officer felt acutely the disgrace of being recalled in this critical and interesting state of the campaign. "It is," said he in a letter to the commander in chief, "matter of extreme chagrin to me, to be deprived of the command at a time when, soon if ever, we shall probably be enabled to face the enemy; when we are on the point of taking ground* where they must attack to a disadvantage, should our force be inadequate to facing them in the field; when an opportunity will in all probability occur, in which I might evince that I am not what congress have too plainly insinuated by the resolution taking the command from me."

If error be attributable to the evacuation of Ticonderoga, certainly no portion of it was committed by Schuyler. His removal from the command was probably unjust and severe, as the measure respected himself; but perhaps wise, as it respected America. The great force relied on for the defence of the frontier towards the lakes, was to be drawn from New England; and however unfounded their prejudices might be, it was prudent to consult them.

Happily, Burgoyne remained steady to his purpose. The disasters at Bennington, and on

* The islands in the mouth of the Mohawk.

the Mohawk produced no disposition to aban- CHAP. V. don the enterprise, and save his army. He 1777. still entertained the hope of accomplishing the great object of the campaign, and resolved to persevere in his endeavours to execute the plan which with his assistance had been formed in the cabinet; and to obey the orders he had willingly received.

It was now necessary to recur to his original slow and toilsome mode of obtaining supplies from fort George, and to this object he applied with unremitting industry. Having with great care, and with persevering labour, collected in advance provision for thirty days, and thrown a bridge of boats over the Hudson, that made of rafts being carried away by a swell of water, he crossed that river the thirteenth and four. Sept 14. teenth of September, and encamped on the Burgoyne heights and plains of Saratoga with the deter- the heights mination of deciding in a general engagement, the fate of the expedition.

General Gates, who was now joined by all the continental troops destined for the northern department, and re-enforced by strong corps of militia, had left his camp in the islands, and advanced towards the enemy as far as the neighbourhood of Stillwater.

The bridges between the two armies were broken down, and required to be repaired.

h Letter of Burgoyne.

encamps on

of Saratoga.

Gates at

CHAP. V. The roads were excessively bad, and the 1777. country covered with wood: of consequence, the progress of the British army down the river was slow, and attended with skirmishing, in He attacks which, however, no great loss was sustained on Stillwater. either side. On the night of the 17th, Burgoyne encamped within four miles of the American army, and the next day was employed in repairing the bridges between the two camps. This was effected with some loss, and about noon on the 19th, general Gates was informed, that the enemy was advancing in full force on his left where Arnold commanded.

Sept. 19

Colonel Morgan was detached to observe their motions, and to harass them as they advanced. He soon fell in with their pickets in front of their right wing, which was commanded by general Burgoyne in person. The pickets were composed chiefly of Indians, Canadians, and provincials, and being attacked sharply by Morgan, were soon driven in. A strong corps was brought up to support them, and after a severe encounter, Morgan in turn was compelled to give way. A regiment was ordered to assist him, and the action soon became more general. An attempt was made to gain the right flank of the British lines, but finding it covered by a brigade under general Frazer, the attack was changed to the left of

i Letter of Burgoyne.