In spite of this change in the complexion of affairs abroad, the situation in America was still critical. Howe had abandoned Burgoyne to his fate, but he had not been inactive. He had set his heart upon the capture of Philadelphia, and in June, 1777, assembled his army at New Brunswick, but finding Washington strongly posted on the Heights of Middlebrook and not daring to attack him, was forced to retire to New York. GENERAL HOWE'S LETTER The substance of Sir W.'s last letter from New York, versified. [June, 1777] As to kidnap the Congress has long been my aim, I lately resolv'd to accomplish the same; And, that none, in the glory, might want his due share, All the troops were to Brunswick desir'd to repair. Derry down, down, hey derry down. There I met them in person, and took the command, When I instantly told them the job upon hand; I did not detain them with long-winded stuff, But made a short speech, and each soldier look'd bluff. With this omen elated, towards Quibbletown I led them, concluding the day was our own; For, till we went thither, the coast was quite clear,-- But Putnam and Washington, d--n them, were there! I own I was stagger'd, to see with what skill The rogues were intrenched, on the brow of the hill; With a view to dismay them, I show'd my whole force, But they kept their position, and car'd not a curse. There were then but two ways,--to retreat or attack, And to me it seem'd wisest, by far, to go back; For I thought, if I rashly got into a fray, There might both be the Devil and Piper to pay. Then, to lose no more time, by parading in vain, I determin'd elsewhere to transfer the campaign; So just as we went, we return'd to this place, With no other diff'rence,--than mending our pace. Where next we proceed, is not yet very clear, But, when we get there, be assur'd you shall hear; I'll settle that point, when I meet with my brother,-- Meanwhile, we're embarking for some place or other. Having briefly, my lord, told you,--how the land lies, I hope there's enough--for a word to the wise; 'Tis a good horse, they say, that never will stumble,-- But, fighting or flying,--I'm your very humble. Howe, finding the approach to the "rebel capital" by land cut off, determined to reach it by water, and about the middle of July put to sea with a fleet of two hundred and twenty-eight sail, carrying an army of eighteen thousand men. Not until the 25th of August did he succeed in landing this force at the head of Chesapeake Bay. Washington, though he had only eleven thousand men, decided to offer battle, rather than let Philadelphia be taken without a blow, and on September 11, 1777, the armies met at Brandywine Creek. The Americans were forced to retire, with a loss of about a thousand men, and the British entered Philadelphia two weeks later. CARMEN BELLICOSUM