The history of the rise, progress, and establishment of the independence of the United States of America, Vol. 2 (of 3) : $b Including an account of the late war, and of the thirteen colonies, from their origin to that periodGordon, William
History
The history of the rise, progress, and establishment of the independence of the United States of America, Vol. 2 (of 3) : $b Including an account of the late war, and of the thirteen colonies, from their origin to that period
Gordon, William
United States -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
the amount of about 300, he conveyed over the Hackinsack to a place of
safety. By this decided movement of gen. Greene’s 3000 Americans
escaped; the capture of whom at this period, must have proved ruinous.
Lord Cornwallis’s intent was evidently to form a line across from the
place of landing to Hackinsack bridge, and thereby to hem in the whole
garrison between the North and Hackinsack rivers; but gen. Greene was
too alert for him.—His lordship had but a mile and a half to march,
whereas it was four miles from Fort Lee to the road, approaching the
head of the English neighbourhood, where the other amused his lordship
till gen. Washington arrived, and by a well concerted retreat, secured
the bridge over the Hackinsack. But though the men were saved, some
hundred barrels of flower, most of the cannon, and a considerable part
of their tents and baggage, were taken: beside the trifling number of
ninety-nine privates, and six officers and staff.
[Nov. 22.] General Washington retreated to Newark, where his whole force
consisted of no more than 3500 men. He considered the cause as in the
greatest danger; and said to col. Reed, “Should we retreat to the back
parts of Pennsylvania, will the Pennsylvanians support us?” The colonel
answered, “If the lower counties are subdued, and give up, the back
counties will do the same.” The general passed his hand over his throat,
and said, “My neck does not feel as though it was made for a halter. We
must retire to Augusta county in Virginia. Numbers will be obliged to
repair to us for safety; and we must try what we can do in carrying on a
predatory war: and if overpowered we must cross the Allegany mountains.”
The general, after tarrying near a week without being molested, obtained
information of lord Cornwallis’s being in pursuit of him; he therefore
marched for Brunswick, [Nov. 28.] leaving Newark the very morning that
his lordship entered it. As his lordship’s van advanced to Brunswick, by
a forced march on the first of December, gen. Washington retreated to
Princeton, having first delayed its passing the Rariton by breaking down
a part of Brunswick bridge, and so secured his troops from being
harrassed. Lord Cornwallis, having orders not to advance beyond
Brunswick, discontinued his pursuit; but sent an express to gen. Howe at
New-York, acquainting him, that by continuing it briskly he could
entirely disperse the army under gen. Washington, and seize his heavy
baggage, and artillery, before he could pass the Delaware. Gen. Howe
returned for answer, that he would be with him in person
immediately,[30] but did not join him till the sixth. General Washington
hoped to have made a stand at Brunswick, but was disappointed in his
expectation of the militia; on the day he quitted it, the service of the
Jersey and Maryland brigades expired, and neither of them would stay an
hour longer; he wrote thefore to general Lee, “hasten your march as much
as possible, or your arrival may be too late.” On the 7th, lord
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