"The rebels continue flying before our army. Lord Cornwallis took the fort opposite Brunswick, plunged into Raritan River, and seized the town.... Such a panic has seized the rebels that no part of the Jerseys will hold them, and I doubt whether Philadelphia itself will stop their career. The Congress have lost their authority.... They are in such consternation that they know not what to do. The two Adamses are in New England; Franklin gone to France; Lynch has lost his senses; Rutledge has gone home disgusted; Dana is persecuting at Albany; and Jay is in the country, playing as bad a part, so that the fools have lost the assistance of the knaves." "This," says Sparks, "was the gloomiest period of the war. The campaign had been little else than a series of disasters and retreats. The enemy had gained possession of Rhode Island, Long Island, the city of New York, Staten Island, and nearly the whole of the Jerseys, and seemed on the point of extending their conquests into Pennsylvania. By the fatal scheme of short enlistments, and by sickness, the effective force with General Washington had dwindled away, till it hardly deserved the name of an army." Still Washington was hopeful, and expected that the cause of right would triumph. When and how he could not tell; but he continued to say, "That Providence which has brought us out of many difficulties will yet crown our righteous cause with success." "I expected substantial aid from the Jerseys," he said to General Mercer. "I am disappointed that the people have not flocked to our standard." "I am more than disappointed," replied Mercer; "I am shocked and vexed at the cowardice of the people." "What think you," continued Washington, "if we should retreat to the back part of Pennsylvania, would the Pennsylvanians support us?" The mountainous regions of Pennsylvania were the field of his early exploits against the French and Indians, and Mercer was with him there. "If the lower counties give up, the back counties will do the same," Mercer answered in a desponding way. "We must then retire to Augusta County, Virginia," responded Washington, his indomitable spirit rising superior to all discouragements. "Numbers will repair to us for safety, and we will try a predatory war. If overpowered, we must cross the Alleghanies." Before this time, Colonel Reed said to him one day, "When shall we stop this everlasting retreating and make a stand?" Washington answered, without the least show of resentment: "If it becomes necessary, we will retreat over every river and mountain in America." Such an unconquerable spirit receives its reward at last. Lee did not leave Northcastle until the last of November. True, he ordered General Heath to a movement that he claimed would support Washington; but when General Heath found that Lee was not obeying the orders of the commander-in-chief, he refused to entertain his commands.